We allude to James Russell Lowell; and in the number of
this Magazine for last month, will be found a ballad entitled
"Rosaline," affording an excellent exemplification of our meaning.
This composition has unquestionably its defects, and the very
defects which are not perceptible in Mr. Longfellow- but we
sincerely think that no American poem equals it in the higher elements
of song.
In our last number we had some hasty observations on these
"Ballads"- observations which we propose, in some measure, to
amplify and explain.
It may be remembered that, among other points, we demurred to Mr.
Longfellow's themes, or rather to their general character. We found
fault with the too obtrusive nature of their didacticism. Some years
ago, we urged a similar objection to one or two of the longer pieces
of Bryant, and neither time nor reflection has sufficed to modify,
in the slightest particular, our conviction upon this topic.
We have said that Mr. Longfellow's conception of the aims of poesy
is erroneous; and that thus, labouring at a disadvantage, he does
violent wrong to his own high powers; and now the question is, What
are his ideas of the aims of the Muse, as we gather these ideas from
the general tendency of his poems? It will be at once evident that,
imbued with the peculiar spirit of German song (a pure
conventionality), he regards the inculcation of a moral as
essential.
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