Page:The Southern Literary Messenger - Minor.djvu/68

56 {{smaller|the proposition that the works thus "harshly" and "unexceptionably condemned" deserved a total and unqualified reprobation. The thing is not reasonable.

(c.) We are not willing to admit the "inaccuracy" of this expression. A single exception is enough to justify the use of the word "most," and that exception, if we remember aright, the Baltimore Chronicle furnished. We can not, therefore, allow the inaccuracy" of the intimation towards the Messenger.

We make no professions here as to the nature of our "feeling" for that journal. If these have not been rightly understood, it is not probable that we can now make them palpable. One thing, however, we will venture to remark, in "rigid justice," and that is that one so sensitive as the editor of the Messenger, and so tolerant of a difference of opinion, may probably be led to reflect whether any provocation should induce the conductor of a grave literary work to censure "harshly" and "unexceptionably." Those who wield a ready and satirical pen very rarely consider that the subjects of their witticisms have nerves as sensitive as their own; and the instance before us shows the necessity of learning patiently to bear as well as "rigidly" inflict the lash of criticism. It is not probable we shall ever again disturb, even by a hint, the current of laudation, having had another confirmation of the truth, that giving advice, even with the best of motives, is rather an unthankful business. {{smaller block/e}}

The enterprise of the Messenger is strikingly indicated by the opening of the September number. The first act of Bulwer's "Cromwell" and an extract from Chorley's "Memoirs of Mrs. Hemans" are obtained, in advance, from their publishers and are succeeded by Garnett's concluding Lecture and divers worthy associates.