Judge Henry Thompson, of La Fayette, Alabama, having kindly volunteered to aid in giving circulation to the Messenger in his State, the Editor takes this method of thanking him for the proffer. Judge T. is therefore authorized to receive subscriptions for the Messenger, and to give receipts for the same. Robert Hill and Edward N. Dabney, and such other persons as they may employ for that purpose, are authorized collecting agents of the Southern Literary Messenger in Virginia. Thomas L. Jones, for the Southern and Southwestern States. Col. A. H. Pemberton, in any part of the above States, to which he may be drawn by his other general collecting business. Dr. William H. Williams, in North Carolina. Notes on any of the Banks in the United States, which are quoted in Bicknell's Reporter, at not less than 2 per cent below par, will be received for the Messenger. JAMES HOBAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C. WILL promptly attend to all matters committed to him in the line of his profession. He will also prosecute claims upon Congress for pensions, and upon the various departments of the Government. WILLIAM F. RITCHIE, Late of Richmond, Virginia. VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI. SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER. THOMAS W. WHITE, Editor and Proprietor. This is a monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly | cule, into their fitting haunts. Ignorance lords to LITERATURE, but occasionally finding room it over an immense proportion of our people: also for articles that fall within the scope of ScI- Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse ENCE; and not professing an entire disdain of the enlightened, and to increase their number; tasteful selections, though its matter has been, as so that the great enemy of popular government it will continue to be, in the main, original. may no longer brood, like a portentous cloud, Party Politics and controversial Theology, as over the destinies of our country. And to ac far as possible, are jealously excluded. They complish all these ends, what more powerful are sometimes so blended with discussions in lite-agent can be employed, than a periodical, on rature or in moral science, otherwise unobjection- the plan of the Messenger; if that plan be but able, as to gain admittance for the sake of the carried out in practice? more valuable matter to which they adhere: but whenever that happens, they are incidental, only; not primary. They are dross, tolerated only because it cannot well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith it is incorporated. The SOUTH peculiarly requires such an agent. In all the Union, south of Washington, there are but two Literary periodicals! Northward of that city, there are probably at least twentyfive or thirty! Is this contrast justified by the wealth, the leisure, the native talent, or the actual literary taste, of the Southern people, compared with those of the Northern? No: for in wealth, talents, and taste, we may justly claim at least an equality with our brethren; and a domestic institution exclusively our own, beyond all doubt affords us, if we choose, twice the leisure for reading and writing, which they enjoy. REVIEWS, and CRITICAL NOTICES, occupy their due space in the work: and it is the Editor's aim that they should have a threefold tendency-to convey, in a condensed form, such valuable truths or interesting incidents as are embodied in the works reviewed,-to direct the reader's attention to books that deserve to be read, and to warn him against wasting time and money upon that large number, which merit It was from a deep sense of this local want, only to be burned. In this age, of publications that the word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the that by their variety and multitude distract and name of this periodical: and not with any design overwhelm every undiscriminating student, IM-to nourish local prejudices, or to advocate supPARTIAL CRITICISM, governed by the views just posed local interests. Far from any such thought, mentioned, is one of the most inestimable and it is the Editor's fervent wish, to see the North indispensable of auxiliaries, to him who does wish to discriminate. and South bound endearingly together forever, in the silken bands of mutual kindness and affec ESSAYS, and TALES, having in view utility or tion. Far from meditating hostility to the north, amusement, or both-HISTORICAL SKETCHES- he has already drawn, and he hopes hereafter to and REMINISCENCES of events too minute for draw, much of his choicest matter thence: and History, yet elucidating it, and heightening its happy indeed will he deem himself, should his interest, may be regarded as forming the sta- pages, by making each region know the other ple of the work. And of indigenous POETRY, better, contribute in any essential degree to dispel enough is published-sometimes of no mean the lowering clouds that now threaten the peace strain-to manifest and to cultivate the grow-of both, and to brighten and strengthen the sacred ing poetical taste and talents of our country. ties of fraternal love. The times appear, for several reasons, to de- The SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER has mand such a work-and not one alone, but now reached the 2d No. of its fourth volume. many. The public mind is feverish and irri- How far it has acted out the ideas here uttered, tated still, from recent political strifes:-The is not for the Editor to say. He believes, how soft, assuasive influence of Literature is need-ever, that it falls not further short of them, than ed, to allay that fever, and soothe that irritation. human weakness usually makes Practice fall Vice and folly are rioting abroad:-They should short of Theory. be driven by indignant rebuke, or lashed by ridi CONDITIONS: 1. The Southern Literary Messenger is published in monthly numbers, of 64 large superroyal octavo pages each, on the best of paper, and neatly covered, at $5 a year--payable, invariably, in advance. 2. Or five new subscribers by sending their names and $20 at one time to the editor, will receive their copies for one year, for that sum. 3. The risk of loss of payments for subscriptions, which have been properly committed to the mail, or to the hands of a postmaster, is assumed by the editor. 4. If a subscription is not directed to be discontinued before the first number of a volume has been published, it will be taken as a continuance for another year. All subscriptions to commence with the current volume, copies of which will be furnished to every one subscribing. No subscription will be taken for less than a year's publication, unless the individual subscribing is willing to pay $5 for a shorter period-even if it be for a single number. 5. The mutual obligations of the publisher and subscriber, for the year, are fully incurred as soon as the first number of the volume is issued and after that time, no discontinuance of a subscription will be permitted. Nor will a subscription be discontinued for any earlier notice, while anything thereon remains due, unless ** *** option of the editor. : 1. The Influence of Morals on the Happiness of Man, and the Stability of Social Institutions. Embracing reflections on the Reformation or Religious Revolution of the 16th, and the French or Political Revolution of the 18th centuries; the Clergy of the middle ages defended, and the baneful effects exposed of the writings of the French Philosophists, Voltaire, Volney, &c.; Bulwer's writings censured as immoral, especially Falkland and Ernest Maltravers; appeal to the rising generation, in whose morals, intelligence and virtue is the last hope of the Republic. By a native (but not now a resident) of Petersburg, Va... 2. Joseph Wolff, Missionary. A notice of "Researches and Missionary labors among the Jews, Mohammedans, and other sects, by the Revd. Joseph Wolff, during his travels between the years 1831 and 1934.".. ..145 ...160 ..163 NO. III. ORIGINAL PAPERS-(CONTINUED.) PAGE His contempt for the schoolmen's metaphysical subtleties, morals and theology. The inductive method, not invented by him-he only taught a more accurate use of it. His temperament, sanguine--his mind, at once comprehensive and microscopic--averse to disputation-eloquence, and wit, in his writings--poetical spirit--resemblance to Burke, in one respect--remarks on Bacon's Essays--The Novum Organum his greatest work-concluding reflections. (Prepared for the Messenger.).....190 18. Journal of a Trip to the Mountains, Caves and Springs of Virginia. By a New-Englander. Dedicated to Chas. E. Sherman, Esq. of Mobile, Ala. Chap. II. Richmond ; Hotels; Ride over the Blue Ridge; Fellow-Travellers Charlottesville; Monticello; Wirt's Blind Preacher'; an accident; Warm Springs; the Baths; the Host; a Legend of the Spring; the Nabob's departure; the Mountain excursion; Ladylike feats.... .196 19. The Home of the Desolate. A Fragment. By C. W. Everest.... .202 20. Pardemus Polyglott, and his extensive Erudition; introducing various Latin versions of modern popular poe. try... 21. Original Letter of Lafayette... ORIGINAL POETRY. ..203 .......208 ..152 3. Willis's Lines on The Burial of Arnold.' Error corrected.. 156 4. Lord Byron,-a borrower, or a plagiarist.. .159 5. Miss Hayley." This is a sight for pity to peruse."The story of a young lady "crazed by hopeless love." By a citizen of Petersburg.... 159 6. Eminent Plagiarists...... ..160 7. A couple of Love-Letters... S. Notice of the New York Mirror... 11. Franklin's head. (Selected).... 10. Ingersoll's Address before the Phi Beta Kappa Society, noticed...... 9. Relics of the Olden Time. The Boston Massacre in 1770. A Boston newspaper of 1768, containing interesting state papers, slave advertisements, &c... ..163 do. 157 25. On a Maniac. (Selected,).... ..165 ..166 12. The Story of Agnes. A sequel to The Spy.' By J. M. C. Esq. of Fredericktown, Md... ..167 13. Constance Woodburn. A Tale, in 13 chapters, complete. By Miss Charlotte M. S. Barnes... .....100 26. The Sick Child. By the author of 'Atalantis.'. ..162 27. Song. From the French. Translated by Mrs. M. M. S. 165 28. Stanzas, upon going abroad after illness... 29. To an Infant. By a Virginia Lady. .166 ...169 30. Woman. By a Southern Lady... ..169 31. Song. By a Virginia Lady... ..183 .190 14. Austrian Censor of the Press.. ..182 13. The Truce Ground. A Tale of the Revolutionary War Scene in South Carolina, during Gen. Marion's exploits. From the Diary of an Invalid. No. III, concluded. By a Lady of this State...... 32. Christmas Ode to my Mother. Written at Ballston Spa, by a young Lady... 202 16. Rollin's idea of Belles-Leures......... 17. Lord Bacon. Part III. His Character and Writings.Common sense, the ruling principle of Bacon's philosophy. Contrast between a Baconian and a Stoic. Importance attached by Bacon to the physical sciences- ..193 .190 33. Dr. Polyglott's Latin versions of The Friend of Humanity and the Knifegrinder,' 'Child of Earth,'' Waller's Rose,' Take, oh take those lips away,''The Glasses Sparkle,' 'The Sabine Farmer's Serenade," 'The Poet's Sigh;' accompanied by the Eng'ish.. 34. To the Mountain Violet. By a Southern Lady.........208 35. Forget me. By the same.... .203 ....208 36. Sentiment, for an Album. By C. W. E... ......209 This work is published in monthly numbers of 64 pages each, at $5 the vol. in advance: the postage on each No. for 100 miles or less, is 6 cts.-over 100 miles 10 cts. RICHMOND, Va. T. W. WHITE, PRINTER, OPPOSITE THE BELL TAVERN. SOU! All persons who have made payments early enough to be entered, and whose names do not appear on this published receipt list, are requested to give immediate notice of the omission, in order that the correction may be forthwith made. Lewisburg ...Orange Harrison Richmond ...Nelson ..Loudoun Charlottesville . Richmond .Fort Wood, N. Y. Philadelphia | Inge, Hon. William B....T.L.J.p.n Washington City Jones, A. D................. Washington City Jacocks, Thomas S. Washington City Jones, John M. York Town Johnston, Thomas, Jr.. Jones, Hill.. Kentucky Kerr, James.. Washington City Kyle, Hiram. Lindsay, R. G. Whiting, William N.....H.&D.pn........ Richmond PAYMENTS TO VOL. IV. Literary Association. .Princeton Morehead, William J. .Princeton Machienheimer, Gabriel.. Charlottesville Massie, Capt. Thomas J. .... Washington City Mason, Barlow... ...Bedford Miller, Samuel.. Madison McDavid, Mrs. E. F. Smithfield Moseley, Dr. William C. ..Loudoun Mason, John T.... .Dinwiddie Miller, Samuel.. Louisiana Maxwell, William.. .Poplar Mount Louisiana Murrell, Thomas R.. Washington City ..Buckingham Nelson, Thomas A. .Buckingham Nutt, Haller.... Louisiana Osborne, George. Nottoway Poston, Edwin.. Richmond Page, Thomas. Richmond Post Library. .Georgia Payne, Miss Louisa M. .Danville Petersburg . Richmond ...Tennessee .Danville ...Camden Richmond ...Georgia Mississippi ...Kentucky University of Va. Savannah ...Greenfield . North Carolina .Powhatan North Carolina Richmond Bowling Green .Petersburg .Bent Creek .North Carolina .Hoosick Falls, N.Y. W.H.W.tp... . Ohio Raleigh VOL. IV. T. W. WHITE, Editor and Proprietor. RICHMOND, MARCH, 1838. THE INFLUENCE OF MORALS OF SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS. By a native (but not now a resident) of Petersburg, Va. Although it is impossible to foresee the ultimate consequences of the action, we can readily appreciate No. III. FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. presumptuous understanding, or has meekly followed the motives of those master spirits of the latter ages, who gave resistless motion to the reformation or reliThe debasement of our species in the middle or dark gious revolution of the sixteenth, and to the French or ages has been the fruitful theme of declamation with political revolution of the eighteenth centuries. It is modern writers; yet the discovery of arts the most no part of our design to dwell upon the virtues or the useful to mankind was made in this period of universal excesses of the prominent actors in the reformation of gloom. The sceptre of the churchmen, who are acthe ecclesiastical and political establishments of the cused of having usurped unbounded dominion, was world at these respective periods; but we feel irresisti- twined with wreaths when it was broken; and when bly inclined to discuss the probable influence of these the tiara was smitten with the rod of innovation, many revolutions upon the happiness of man and the stability of its precious jewels were preserved by the thoughtful of his institutions. The period has not yet arrived to reformers. In our zeal to vindicate the necessity of investigate the full extent of their influence in this re-religious reformation in the sixteenth century, we have gard; and the bias of public opinion is at this time too strong to render it an agreeable task to inquire whether they have exercised a beneficial influence over the destinies of social man, and if so, whether the purchase has not been dearly made. When time shall have shed its mellowing influence over these stupendous events, and they cease to loom up before us in deceptive magnitude through the mists of passions, which have been too deeply agitated to subside speedily, the world will be prepared to inquire whether these revolutions have elevated the social and moral condition of the world to the extent so generally believed, and in fine, whether they were not the mere results of causes, which would have produced equal or greater benefit to mankind if these had never occurred. been mindful only of the excesses of the clerical order; but the clear head and the upright heart, will also give them credit for signal blessings and benefactions to the human family. When the spirit of man had been crushed by the rude domination of the feudal barons, the clergy interposed the sanctity of the mitre to shield them from oppression. The feudal system was admirably adapted to the maintenance of unbridled power, and while it fenced around the few with insurmount able barriers, it reduced the many to unqualified submission and dependance. The arts and sciences were totally neglected by the mass of the people, and would have perished but for the clerical order, who watched the fitful flame with the devotion of the early vestals. Mind is power. And whatever factitious aid or distinction physical endowments may borrow from the depraved taste or corrupt morals of a people, there is a resilient and recuperative energy in the powers of the intellect, which will, in due season, assert its supremacy. Hence when the chivalry of Europe returned broken and discomfited from the wars of the Holy Sepulchre, the gentle but resistless dominion of the lettered priesthood was substituted for the iron yoke of the barons. The clergy derived their power from the influence of cultivated intellect, and could only maintain themselves by its display and exercise. While by their great influence they were the rulers, they were also the teachers of their fellow mortals; and the powers of mind they exerted were caught by reflection, and gradually ex Before the nineteenth century closes, it will be gravely asked whether these revolutions have retarded or promoted the social interests of the human family. The present generation, being composed for the most part of religionists, is unfitted for sober inquiry upon this subject; but when sectarian feeling shall have subsided, and these religionists shall have become religious, and the wild and speculative philosophism of the day shall have been subdued by the calm and sober spirit of philosophy, this great question will be settled. The contemplative mind is already inclined to attribute the wonderful change in the social condition of man within the last three centuries to the discovery of printing, and to look upon these two great convulsions as among the numberless results of that art which imparted to the operations of the human intellect electric activity and resist-tended. With the ascendency of the clergy letters less energy. The fountains of living waters had been sealed up for ages, and man wandered in arid and uncultivated deserts; but no sooner was the rock smitten with the wand of Faust, than the whole wilderness was watered. Refreshed with the draught, man, prone to wander, resumed his journey with renovated strength; but whether he has been misled by the false lights of a slowly revived. The world was comparatively dark and void, but as the sun of science gradually lifted itself above the horizon, its light was spread around, until blazing forth in meridian splendor, the genial influence was felt throughout the habitable globe. The privileged classes under the rigor of the feudal law, having been shorn of a goodly portion of their power, VOL. IV.-19 |