EMERSON.
HOW I CAME TO BE A SLOVEN.
AN UNPUBLISHED FRENCH NOVEL.
THE WIDOW OF GLENCOE.
THE PYRENEES.
JUDAISM IN THE LEGISLATURE.
PÆANS OF THE ATHENIAN NAVY.—NO. I.
OUR CURRENCY, OUR TRADE, AND OUR TARIFF.
INDEX TO VOL. LXII.
The genius of America seemshitherto disposed to manifest itselfrather in works of reason andreflection than in those displaysof poetic fervour which are usuallylooked for in a nascent literature.And a little consideration wouldlead us, probably, to expectthis. America presents itself uponthe scene, enters into the dramaof the world, at a time when theminds of men are generally awakenedand excited to topics of grave andpractical importance. It is not agreat poem that mankind now wantor look for; they rather demand agreat work, or works, on human society,on the momentous problemswhich our social progress, as well asour social difficulties, alike give riseto. If on a new literature a peculiarmission could be imposed, suchwould probably be the task assignedto it.
The energetic and ceaseless industryof the people of America, thestern and serious character of thefounders of New England, the tendencywhich democracy must necessarilyencourage to reason much andboldly on the interests of the community,—wouldall lead us to thesame anticipation; so far as anyanticipation can be warranted, regardingthe erratic course and capriciousdevelopment of literary genius.
The first contribution, we believe,our libraries received from America,was the half theological, half metaphysicaltreatise on the Will byJonathan Edwards. This followerof Calvin is understood to have statedthe gloomy and repulsive doctrines ofhis master with an unrivalled forceof logic. Such is the reputationwhich Edwards on the Will enjoys,and we are contented to speak fromreputation. The doctrine of necessity,even when intelligently appliedto the circle of human thoughts andpassions, is not the most invitingtenet of philosophy. It is quicklylearned, and what little fruit ityields is soon gathered. But whencombined with the theological dogma,wrung from texts of scripture, ofpredestination; when the law ofnecessity supposed to regulate thetemper and affairs of the humanbeing in this little life, is convertedinto a divine sentence of condemnationto a future and eternal fate—itthen becomes one of the most odiousand irrational of tenets that everobscured the reason or clouded thepiety of mankind. We confess,therefore, that we are satisfied withre-echoing the traditional reputationof Jonathan Edwards, withoutearning, by perusal of his work, theright to pronounce upon its justice.
The first contribution, also, whichAmerica made to the amount of ourknowledge, was of a scientific character,and, moreover, the most