No. 26. THE STRANGER. "Therefore as a STRANGER, bid it welcome." SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1814. HAMLET. VOL. 1. LORD BYRON. THE fate of this noble author, although not entirely novel, has at least been singular. His first poetick attempt was noticed! with a mixture of severity and contempt, the most insupportable to a man of feeling and genius. This censure was in addition bestowed by a literary Journal, whose opinions were at that day more listened to, than at the present time, and whose dicta in matters of taste and imagination have not unfrequently been reversed by the impartial verdict of the publick. This has been particularly the case in the instances of Grahame, Montgomery, and Scott. If in connection with this, be taken their diatribes on politicks, their speculations on continental affairs, their predictions as to future events, (speculations and predictions which in many instances proved incorrect, before a succeeding number of their work was issued from the press) if due weight and examination be given to their present political principles and feelings, we believe that the blind veneration for their writings which is felt by inany, would not long continue. The fact is, that although several of the confederacy are men of splendid talents, of al mc universal acquirements and of highly philosophick minds, yet win all this, they are partizans and prejudiced men. This preference for a particular party, or a certain subject of investigation, has its effects on their mental vision, and the pages of the Edinburgh Review, not unfrequently demonstrate that its writers view men and things through distorted media. There is also in many articles a degree of flippancy, a desire to say something witty, no matter how much it may wound personal feeling, and not unfrequently, a captiousness and apparently an irresistible penchant to find fault.* In a few instances, this has brought down upon them the signal vengeance of the incensed author, whose enraged feelings have prevented him from duly estimating the hazard to which he exposed himself. In the case of Dr. Thomson the Chemist, of Mr. Cobbetson, the Defender of the University of Oxford, and more particularly, in that of Lord Byron, publick opinion has clearly decided that the Reviewers have been beaten at their own weapons. The simple narration of their errours, and the indignant observations of the first, the conclusive reasoning of the second and the caustick vengeance of the last were sufficient for a time to dim the honours which they had gained by their masterly investigations in moral and natural philosophy, and in political economy. At present however a truce appears to be concluded between the titled poet and these northern luminaries. The first publick step was a most fulsome notice of his earliest Eastern Tale, in which he was commended for writing it in the fragment form, and it was clearly intimated that no addition could improve it. This praise was scarcely dry from the press, before Lord Byron gave a practical refutation of these remarks, by inserting lines which in several instances are incomparably superiour to the original work. Some return was however due for this politeness and accordingly we find in the dedication to the Corsair, that the noble author's publications in the heroick couplet" are part of his present and will be of his future regret."We are sorry to hear him say so; for the injury is done and his apology can have no effect in determining the justice of his censures. But his "regret” is objectionable on another account, which is, that his observations on poets and reviewers are for the most part correct, and have tended to direct publick taste in a proper channel, whilst his powerful invective on the state of dissipation in England, is worthy of the pen of Juvenal or of Pope * In the 44th No. of the Edinburgh Review, a defence in the following words is set up. "Our alledged severity upon a youthful production has "not prevented the noble author from becoming the first poet of his time." This however is a mere begging the question and it should have been remembered that similar severity actually did prevent Henry Kirke White, from becoming ONE of the first poets of the age. What for example, can be found superiour in their satires to the lines on the Greville and Argyle rooms. Oh! blest retreats of infamy and ease! done! a thousand on the coming trick! If, mad with loss, existence 'gins to tire, Begun in folly, ended in disgrace, While none but menials o'er the bed of death, Wash thy red wounds, or watch thy wavering breath; The mangled victim of a drunken brawl, To live like Clodius and like Falkland fall. The "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers" was only the promise of future and more exalted talent. The author has within a few years published a number of works, which in many respects form a new era in the history of English poetry, whilst they at the same time present that mixture of great faults and great beauties which belong to original writers alone. A heart not overburthened with philanthropy, a mind disdaining common sources of pleasure, and feelings which are the result of "blasted hope and withered joy" appear to form the mental anatomy of this extraordinary being. If his open and avowed infidelity be taken along with these, he will be found to have combined all the elements of repulsion, and it might naturally be conjectured that one whose sympathies were so little in agreement with the mass of mankind, could hardly meet with a favourable reception when he commenced a crusade, as it were, against those feelings and emotions which render life tolerable and even happy. The experiment has however succeeded, and its issue may put at rest those reasoners, who allow in poetry nothing but delineations of pleasurable emotions. We have spoken thus freely of the man, since we feel justified to do so from his writings—a criterion we believe, always considered just and correct. And it is worthy of remark, that although Lord Byron disavows the character of "Childe Harold" yet the most gloomy and offensive passages in the "pilgrimage" are to be found among his own reflections. Such are his degrading remarks on the sons of glory who have fought for European Independence in Spain. There shall they rot-Ambition's honour'd fools! By myriads, when they dare to pave the way With human hearts-to what?-a dream alone. And similar to these are his comfortless observations on reli gion. Son of the morning, rise! approach you here! Poor child of Doubt and Death, whose hope is built on reeds. The charm of Lord Byron's poetry, is derived, amongst other reasons which we shall enumerate, from the powerful interest with which he invests his heroes. They are subjects of admiration in spite of their crimes, or their deep and sullen despair. With his powerful pencil, he has delineated portraits which start from his page into life, and if examples of the true language of passion are required, we should next to the works of Shakespeare, refer to his writings. He appears to have minutely dissected the human heart, and developes every feeling which accompanies, or for a time weakens the master passion which he is describing-A striking instance occurs in the confession of the "Giaour" when speaking of his friend in distant lands. "In Earlier days and calmer hours, "When heart with heart delights to blend, "I had-ah! have I now ?-a friend! "I do not ask him not to blame, "Too gentle he to wound my name : "I do not ask him not to mourn "Such cold request might sound like scorn," &c. (To be continued.) MR. STRANGER, I am an enemy to formalities, and therefore at the commencement of my letter, I must state my object for writing to you, and the information I wish to procure. Although not born or educated in Albany, from my infancy I have been called an Albanian, and as such am always mortified when I hear this city spoken of in terms of reproach and indignation. Now I am sorry that there should ever have existed a cause which might tend to displease visitors, or, what is much worse, serve to disgust the Albanians with their own neighbours, and their native city. That you may have an opportunity at some future period to convince us by well formed arguments that the censure which has been so liberally bestowed upon us, is the offspring of caprice or disappointed vanity, I take the liberty of giving you at full length the accusations which are brought against us. Not being famous in mathematical calculations, I can not divide justly the sum total of our misdemeanors, and put each part under its prop. er denomination; I shall therefore give them en masse. It is said that you are not hospitable. When a stranger appears among you without the best letters of recommendation he is suffered to pass his time without civility, to drag the day through without a kind question, or receive insulting answers to the few enquiries he may have occasion to make. |