(

all probability, be much too numerous for | Newspaper Literature, written by -, and first the reader's liking. He must bear with us, appearing in the Foreign Quarterly Review.' for the purpose we have in view. The truth This gentleman is intimately acquainted with the British, French, and American newspaper is, that since the "Foreign Quarterly" of last October reached the United States, istics of each, and prove beyond contradiction, He will show the different characterpress. scarcely a day has passed in which it has that American newspaper literature is the most not furnished a leading topic of outrageous original that ever appeared in the history of cirabuse to the "Herald" and its associates ilization: that it unites philosophy, poetry, and throughout the country. What we now wit, in such proportions and quantities, as will give are all taken from the most prominent produce one of the most remarkable, intellectual leaders of the Coryphæus of the herd. All and literary revolutions that ever blessed the world.... This review of the Review will be of them date on separate days, and not a issued in a few days, in an extra 'Literary Hesyllable more is quoted at any time, than rald,' and an edition of 50,000 copies will be may serve as a sample of the rest. published: one-half of which will be sent to England and France. The literary war has now begun between the Old and New World, and it must go on!" 6. "DID

2. "This remarkable review contains twentysix octavo pages, or seven columns of minion matter, written with all the force and originality of genuine blackguardism. . . . The papers cut up in this savage article are the 'Herald' and 'Courier and Enquirer;' and the style in which they are treated, is a caution to the Mohawks.... The 'Weekly Herald' of this day, price only 6d., will contain this wonderful article at length, and next week we shall enter upon an analysis of its views, facts, falsehoods, assertions, and purposes.. Aristocrats and monopolists have dictated to the writer. . . . The war is now begon, and 'd-d be he that first cries Hold, enough.'

WRITE THE REVIEW?-Several

, was

1. This extraordinary Review is, without exception, one of the most savage articles on a literary subject, that ever appeared in a British journal; and may be considered as the mani-papers have undertaken to throw a doubt on this festo, or declaration of war, of the London lite- question. In the first place, Doctor the rati, against that portion of the newspaper press English correspondent of Noah's paper, says of America, who oppose the Copyright law, and the authorship is universally attributed to refuse to acknowledge the supremacy of Eng- and that such is the impression in London. lish literature and English genius." Secondly, several persons who have recently arrived here from England, say that it was generally talked about in the literary circles there, that some such review, written by shortly to appear. Again, several private letters have been received by gentlemen in this city, from in which he speaks of the newspapers of the United States in exactly the same strain as the review in question does, &c. &c. We could state the names, but But even admitting was not the author, it is quite certain that he had a hand in it, and probably under the direction of the celebrated clique who sent him out here (!) This clique consisted of those who signed the famous letter on the Copyright Law, which was published in the Evening Post' before left here. And taking this view of the matter, it would then prove that this review is the result of a conspiracy among the members of this clique to abuse 4.This Review is the first gun in the long and falsify by every means in their power the war that has at last broken out in the literature institutions of this country, and those who are of America and that of Europe, for the empire daily endeavoring to sustain them with their of the human mind in both hemispheres (!!) It best energies. And this conspiracy has for its is one of the most savage and barbarous tirades ultimate object to monopolize a market for sale that ever disgraced the literature of any coun- of their books. View it in whatever light we try. It is falsehood-fury-misrepresentation-may, it is a most mean, selfish, and disgraceful misquotation-violence-vulgarity-heartless- movement. We shall not quit the subject till ness coarseness--and all that low species of tact the authors are thoroughly exposed." which distinguishes the literary works of7. Letter from a London Correspondent (forgalready before the public. .. We considered, we have little doubt), in support of the above this singular Review as a step in the general argument:-"He lashes the American Press revolution in literature, politics, government, lib- unmercifully, and there is strong reason to erty, and right-which the press of this country believe he is the author of a very caustic and have begun, and which is destined to overrun all severe article in the last number of the 'Foreign the existing institutions of Europe at no distant Quarterly Review,' on the newspaper literature day, and to create in their stead republican gov- of the United States." ernment, republican literature, and republican philosophy!! At our leisure we shall review the Review, and make drink to the very dregs the very cup he has mixed for others

3.Shockingly false reasoning, apparently founded on the grossest misinformation." "Vein of personal spite." "Dictated by the aristocratic circles."

to take."

....

8. "The celebrated review by and his tail has created a terrible commotion wherever it has been read, and particularly has the sensation centred about his remarks on the 'New York Herald.'"

5. "We understand that a literary gentleman 9. "A correspondent states it to be much more of distinguished reputation is now engaged in probable that Fenimore Cooper wrote the 'Rewriting a reply to the Review on American view on American Newspaper Literature,' than

10. "WHO WROTE IT?--The authorship of the article in the last number of the Foreign Quarterly Review,' and which has been imputed to is ascribed to Dr. Lardner (!!) The editor of the Troy Daily Whig' says he is informed by a friend of Dr. L., that such is the fact. [We don't believe it."]

did. We will think of this. Will Mr.rature of New York can compare with that of Cooper deny it?" any other capital in the world or beyond it--be it London, Paris, or Pandemonium-be it in talent or independence-in morals or rascality-in genius or pretension--in modesty or impudence--in manners or mutton. A fig for!" 17. "We have now twenty spirits of the upper regions of the atmosphere in our employment, far more potent in finding out secrets than even the Ariel of the magician Prospero, mentioned in one of the philosophical works of Shakspeare. We receive every night a regular report from these 'spirits of the blue ether' of the doings in every fashionable circle of New York--every saloon in town-every boudoir in Broadway. All movements, good, bad, and indifferent, masculine, feminine, and neuter, are detailed to us."

11. "WHO WROTE THE REVIEW of the American Newspapers, in the 'Foreign Quarterly Re view?' It has been attributed to to Dr. Lardner, to Fenimore Cooper, Another is now added: J. B. Gliddon, who published a lecture last summer on Egyptian travellers. Let us examine this."

12. "WHO WROTE THAT REVIEW?-This question is still discussed in the newspapers, but conjecture is certainly at fault. The most probable guess that we have heard is the name of Gliddon, a young Englishman, who reviewed Cooley's work on Egypt. There is the same style, the same temper, the same prejudices, and the same general ignorance in both reviews.... But whoever is the author, there is now no doubt of 's indorsement--and when you cannot recover from the drawer, law and equity entitle you to bring in your bill against the indorser. Hereafter, to all intents and purposes, we shall consider the responsible person, who must answer for all the errors, blunders, falsehoods, pretensions, and malevolence of that review.... We have a 'reply to the review,' in the shape of a counter review, now in a state of preparation, and written by a distinguished literary gentleman of this country. It will be out soon, and will be a screamer."

18. "The strange proceedings on Colt's trial, as published and commented on by us, were denounced by the English papers as fabulous; and indeed they formed the basis (!) on which the abusive article in the 'Foreign Quarterly Review' was founded. The scenes connected with the trial and conviction of Colt were the burthen of that article. ... Thirty-six members of the bar met to protest against the refusal of a new trial to Colt.... Throughout the city the people were in a perfect fever, and numbers feared that he would escape at last. It was drawing near towards two, and a bright star was seen in the north-west of uncommon brilliancy. It was Venus, but being so unusual a sight in the middle of the day, all believed it betokened something dreadful, and that it was mysteriously connected with the fate of Colt. This increased the excitement almost beyond endurance.... Take it altogether the murder; the boxing up of the body; the alleged salting of it; the trial; firing pistols

13. "We are a live lion, and it is dangerous for any long-eared animal to protrude his poste-in court; cutting off the head, and bringing the riors towards us in a hostile manner."

14. "This is the most original and varied country under the sun, and none other is worth living in.... Every element of thought, society, religion, politics, morals, literature, trade, currency, and philosophy, is in a state of agitation, transition, and change.... Every thing is in a state of effervescence! 50,000 persons have taken the benefit of the act and wiped out debts to the amount of 60,000,000 of dollars. In religion we have dozens of creeds, and fresh revelations starting every year or oftener. In morals we have all sorts of ideas: and in literature every thing in confusion. Skeptical philosophy and materialism seem, however, to be gaining ground and popularity at every step."

15. "Congress may repeal the law, or it may have a fight in fisticuffs on abolition-it may modify the tariff, or it may kick up a row about the door-keeper-it may pass an exchecquer system, or it may impeach the President-but its real business will be to make hot punch in the grog-shops below, and the next President in the halls above, by forming cliques, each in favor of its own candidate, and then legislating to help on the intrigue. One thing is certain. The country will be overlooked and disappointed; the public interests will be sacrificed to private speculations; and the character of the nation tarnished by the passions of rival politicians."

16. "We shall show that the newspaper lite

skull of the dead man before the jury; the sentence, and defiance to the judge; the park meeting; the threat to arrest the sheriff; the money that seemed to flow like water; the various bribes; the mock piety; the holding a sort of levee in the hall on the day of execution; the horrid marriage; the shocking suicide; and the burning of the jail;—all combine to form a history that throws romance and fable forever into the shade."

19. "The London Newspaper Press following the cue of the Foreign Quarterly,' is assailing in the most bitter manner the American Newspaper Press-for the purpose, as they avow, of arresting the progress of republican ideas, and republican principles in Europe. The cat is out of the bag at last. The free institutions of this happy land carry alarm to the noblesse of Europe, and liberty must be attacked not by the sword but by the pen. Very well, come on. This will cause a sensation throughout the United States. Don't burst. Keep cool. Be quiet."

20. "It is very unlikely that the press-or the English literati, who resort to writing principally because they cannot make a living at the barwill be left to fight out the battle. This war of opinion will one day end in a trial of physical strength."

21. "The most important feature of the 'Acadia's' intelligence is the breaking out of a war in the London Newspaper Press, and the strange

and amusing character of the contest that is going on in London and Paris about the talent, circulation, and influence of the New York Herald.' One of the ablest of the London papers, The Evening Star,' (!!!) takes up the cause of the New York Herald,' and proves that all this is to prevent us from attacking the rotten institutions of England."

22. "We give our readers to-day a series of the most remarkable articles that ever appeared in England on the American people, literature, and institutions. It consists of extracts from the LondonTimes' &c. &c.

the New World. We need hardly enumerate the organs of this attack-the 'Foreign Quarterly Review;' the London Times,'' Chronicle,' and other daily prints; and Ashburton; all parties and all sects in England, with the exception of the popular party [the London 'Star!] unite in this war of defamation and execration against the United States... But in every thing that is original, racy, energetic, and liberal, be it in politics, religion, morals, literature, or society, we are far before the formal and priest or soldierridden communities of France or England. In time we shall mend our faults, and increase the power and influence of our institutions."

"It will be perceived from these extraordinary extracts, that the famous article in the 'Foreign 24. ".... There is every appearance, from Quarterly Review,' was only the first gun in the this and other works, that a grand conspiracy war that is now going on in Europe against has been concerted by the stock-jobbers, bookAmerican morals, literature, finance, and politics. jobbers, and government-jobbers of Europe, to That article, supposed at first by many to have depreciate and libel the character of the Ameribeen written by but recently attributed, we can people, in all the elements of society and believe, to a person by the name of Donald government. The credit of the general governM-Leod, formerly a letter writer in Washington, ment has just been crushed by such a combinain conjunction with —, is now known to have tion among these capitalists, on the ostensible been only the commencement of a long news- ground that some of the states repudiate, or are paper war, which the privileged aristocracy of unable to meet their engagements. American England have started as a locus penitentia, to literature, morals, and manners are depreciated hide the weakness of Lord Ashburton in his poli- by a like conspiracy among the penny-a-liners tical, and of- in his literary negotiations. and book-makers. And there are cliques of "But the great-the solemn truth is now reveal-blockheads in this city, so recreant to every feeled. There is a clique of small brokers, stocking of self-respect and patriotism, as to aid and jobbers, and literateurs in this country, who are assist such a detestable movement, in order to desecretly leagued with the privileged aristocracy, stroy the influence of America on Europe and the stock-jobbers, and literateurs of England, and world." who furnish these foreign foes with the materials 25. "In congratulating our readers, patrons, of falsehood, misrepresentation, and reproach, to advertisers, and the public, on the glorious advent destroy the character of this country in all its re- of the birthday of our Lord and Saviour, we sinlations, and through all its popular elements. It cerely assure them of the feelings of gratitude is now perfectly evident, that, in England, a that we feel for the unexampled support and patnewspaper war against New York and the Uni-ronage exhibited towards the 'Herald' (!!) No ted States is declared, similar to that made against Paris and France in the times of the republic and the empire. This war is began immediately on the return to England of Lord 26. "We are, beyond the possibility of doubt, Ashburton and, both of whom had either fail- the Napoleon of the press in both hemispheres. ed or been out-generalled in their several negotia- The New York Herald' is unquestionably the tions. The literary, financial, and political sys- greatest and mightiest intellectual institution of tems of England are in danger, from the influence. civilized society in the present century. Look the example, and the energy of those in the Uni- at the excitement, the ferment, the fuss, and the ted States. Hence the present outbreak in all fury, which its existence, progress, power, circutheir violent tory journals. But what care we lation, and influence, cause in both the old and the on this side of the water? The luck-the move- new world-in London and in New York-in the ment is with us. We have the prestige and the grave Quarterly Reviews, and in the newspaper spirit of the age on the side of the United States. press of both countries. It is a phenomenon in The aristocrats, stock-jobbers, literateurs, and the history of civilization. During the last brokers of Europe, with their secret agents here, month, on the other side of the water, the 'Lonwill be met with an enthusiasm and an energy don Foreign Quarterly Review,' and the London that nothing can conquer. These very false- Newspaper Press, have endeavored to stop our hoods of travellers, reviewers, and newspaper career as they did Napoleon's, by all sorts of writers, will only make us mend what is wrong-abuse, falsehood, and A SOLITARY TRUTH HERE improve the unimproved and carry out the civilization of the world."

newspaper has passed through such a fiery trial of attacks, abuse, libels, and atrocious calumnies as we have experienced."

AND THERE (!) On this side the water, we have announced our establishment for sale, then with23. "The war of opinion has broken out with drew it. Then we proposed to take the benefit the settlement of political differences. This war of the bankrupt law: then postponed that solemn embraces every shade of opinion, and every scene of whitewashing till doomsday. And principle in religion, society, and government.- straightway the whole newspaper press, little It has just now broken out, on the part of the and great, daily and weekly, have been in a state Old World, by a general and savage attack, of general excitement and amusing effervesthrough the English and French periodical cence ever since. They have stormed, and press, reviews and newspapers, on the literature, fumed, and raved, and lied, and puffed, and morals, finance, government, and institutions, of sworn, and abused us in all manner of ways.

This most amusing, most laughable, most ab-viewer persist in the attempt to fix such a surd, most silly, most foolish excitement among charge upon us? Does he continue to the contemporary newspapers in New-York and think there is nothing monstrous in the elsewhere, has produced one most astounding and curious result. The circulation of the 'Herald,' avowed countenance and patronage of such both in city and country, has increased so much an organ by the Chief Magistrate of a great and so rapidly since this new war broke out in republic? Will he repeat the outrageous London, that we have had to give a large addi- assertion that the moral tone of this newstional order to our paper manufacturers." paper is not so low as that of the party papers of England?

27. "We are situated in this community SOMEWHAT LIKE WHAT SOCRATES WAS IN THE CITY OF ATHENS. That eminent philosopher was persecuted and abused by the sophists and defaulters, the cheats, and swindlers, the bankrupts and fools of that gay capital-till they gave him a popularity that has surpassed that of all others in every age. His calm, quiet, virtuous life; his elevated philosophical and correct ideas; his direct epigramatic and sarcastic wit and good sense; were a constant eyesore to the sophists, politicians, and speculators of Athens. THIS IS PRECISELY OUR

POSITION HERE. WE ARE THE SOCRATES OF NEW YORK. But we are supported by a community that will ENABLE US TO REPEL ALL ATTEMPTS

AT PERSECUTION."

To us it seems that the absence of all

moral sense in every part of the writing of this wretched man, is most dreadful to con template. We could laugh at the imbecili ty, at the ignorance, at the impudence; but the other consideration arrests us with a feeling of something awful. The hideous complacency with which he describes (Extract 17) his own organized system of obscene scandal; the fiend-like recklessness of his contempt for all sacred things (25); and his perfect confidence in the taste of his hundred thousand readers, with which And now, if the reader has had patience he sets forth those descriptions of the Reto travel through these not incurious spe- public and her Congress (14 and 15); are cimens of the literature of the American surely very frightful. To the impudent daily newspaper of largest circulation in personal bullying as to, "Who wrote the the States, he well discover, we venture to Review," we will only say, that next to the think, that our Review of October last has distinguished honor of having it attributed not been without its use. The so often to the writer whose name we have hitherpromised reply -the review of the Review to left blank in this article (because we wherein the "distinguished literary gen- would not let it stand beside the rabid tleman" was to set about his very needless abuse which it is now the privilege of the proof that this literature of American news- infamous American press to heap upon papers was the most original that had ever every mention of it), we have the sense of appeared in the history of civilization-a great and not unmerited compliment, in that which was to make us drink to the dregs suggestion of Mr. Cooper's name. He the cup we had mixed so bitterly-which knows the subject well, and would have was to be "out" so "soon," and to be a done it admirable justice. As a man who "screamer"-has alas! never come out has done honor to his country, and is the and never screamed at all. The only an- chief ornament of the young literature of swer made has been such as these quota-America, he has justly come within the tions give impotent, cowardly, bluster- constant hatred and contumely of that ing, contemptible: offering neither argu- which is her unutterable disgrace. gument nor fact in defence, and not even But why the Socrates of New York ? one miserable plea in mitigation of punish- Why the persecution? Why the sudden ment. But it has the merit of saying for descent from the successful tyrant to the our purpose all that remained to be said, philosophic victim? If the reader looks and of finishing those parts of the portrait- more attentively at some of the quoted ure we had found ourselves incompetent passages (22, 24, &c.) he will probably beto paint, with the touches of the only mas-gin to discover the reason. And we can ter that could do them perfect justice. give him further assistance. Besides these The reader has but to imagine besides, a cliques of American blockheads who are paper nearly half filled every day with de-imagined to be in league with us, and distails of indecencies, blasphemies, and filth posed to an effort for the movement' now, (which no respectable journal can do more which should long ago have "fatted all the than distantly allude to), and, with the ex-region kites" with this "slave's offal,”. tracts given, he sees the daily delight of we have found that the rapid fall from Na(moderately computing three readers to poleon to Socrates was not unmarked by fevery number)—a hundred thousand Ameri- one two damaging incidents, heavy can citizens. Can we exaggerate such an-blows and great discouragements. In the enormity as this? Will the Westminster Re-first place, we gather that some notices

have been given of actions for libel. They plain of sedition, has been for a number of may fail, as the rest have done, by the years a matter of considerable wonder; but cowardice of intimidated juries; but the how the 'Courier' can denounce license, vulattempt, after the recent exposures will garity, and libel, may be confessed even a not be without its use. In the next place little more startling. And yet he does it :we have found that, against this man and ay, and "in good terms, in good set terms, his fellow-laborers in papers almost as in- although a." Listen to the indignant famous as his own, a most distinguished accents, for, apart from him who gives them minister of New York has, within the last | utterance, they are worth listening to. If two months, levelled severe denunciation -honest men and virtuous women, Chrisfrom his pulpit. Doctor Wainewright-tian fathers and mothers, and merchants and preaching from the appropriate text, 'neither be partakers in other men's sins'-has entered his solemn protest against the further toleration of a scandal which degrades America and her citizens in the esteem of the civilized world. Most assuredly there is hope in all this: good hope, which we welcome joyfully: which not even the grave burlesquet of the supplementary denunciations of the 'Courier and Enquirer' interferes to moderate or subdue.

With what face the Gracchi could com

traders having respect for the misfortunes of others-you can reconcile it to yourselves to continue your countenance to this admitted organ of the brothels of your city, with its nauseous accounts of their balls and assemblies, and its habitual blasphemy-so be it!-But on your heads be the consequences resulting from its demoralizing influence!" True-all true. And this man having vented his virtuous indignation, hies him to the scene of his own "nauseous" triumphs and "demoralizing influence." Having denounced the admitted organ of the brothels, he betakes him to the task in which he has labored for years, and in which he still daily labors, of turning the whole public arena of political life in his native country, into one vast brothel!

One of these actions is brought by a member of the New York bar, whom reverses had obliged to seek the benefit of the recent Bankrupt Act. One or two passages from the libel, though but additional proofs of the libeller's habitual blasphemy, and constant hatred and contempt of all sacred things, are not andeserving of record. has stood among the foremost at the New York bar-a gentle-lieve to have been a man of good intention: The existing President of America we beman and a Christian-a man of honor, integrity, respectability, and undoubted piety, and whatever may and that the responsibility of the worst debe the final result of his application for a repudiation linquencies which can be charged upon him, of his debts in the Court of Bankruptcy below, there should in the first instance fall on those can be no doubt that in the Court of Heaven above, his whose vices, with his own weakness, have petition for a remission of sins will be heard, and a decree of eternal discharge be given from any lien compelled him to unworthy courses, we do which the great Adversary may have held against him. most firmly hold. His position has been ... Among the assets there will be seen no con- most painful from the first: one in which temptible array of strength. His schedules are rich and strong in bibles, psalm books, poudrette, and none but the strongest man could have kept pews, together with mueh lands, houses, gold mines. his dignity and self-respect : alas! then, for and other property, all of which we doubt not will the good intentions of a man apparently be viewed with complacency and approbation by all his creditors, as well those in the Court of Bankruptcy among the most weak. Begin by giving him below, as those in the Court of last Resort above. And credit for no one good purpose, begin by if in the painful trial through which he is now pass- suspecting him of every earthly villainy and ing, his title to gold mines and mansions in this dishonesty, and it is hard if you do not end world shall not prove clear, or even vanish away, we hope and believe that the time is near at hand. in making him to some extent, in very self.. whatever the poudrette and mines | defence, that which you suspect him. Thus may be valued at, we have every reason to believe that even his deplorable connection with the the pews, psalms, and bibles, are equal in salvation to creatures of the "New York Herald" has D.2.156,795 37 in the currency of New Jerusalem." + And another burlesque we should not fail to its mitigating circumstances, and the great mention: the ludicrous self-laudation with which weight of the crime lies not on the Presithe man of the "Herald" anticipates coming dis- dent but on the People. We need not here credit, by instructing his foul correspondents from every part of the States to describe the admiration in speak further as to this, seeing that we dwelt which his character is held. "Your vanity must be at some length in our former article on these insatiable indeed," says one, "if it is not gratified to special points of the newspaper influence as loathing by the vast importance everywhere attached to your movements-what the d- should we do affecting the national character, and debaswithout you?" "The confidence," says another, ing the entire conduct of affairs of state. " and the regard manifested for the energy, honesty, But admitting all that the most abandoned and talent with which the New York Herald' is foes of “ Captain Tyler" could desire, would conducted-is certainly peculiar and unexampled in some decency not be left for the mere office newspaper history. None other than a Bennett-a James Gordon Bennett-could have, &c. &c. &c." of Chief Magistrate? Is there no "demoVOL. II. No. I. 8