NATHANIEL P. WILLIS

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Is a native of Boston, and was graduated at Yale College in 1827, at the age of 20. In 1828 he published a volume entitled “Sketches," consisting of pieces which had appeared in various publications, most of them written during his college life. He has since his graduation been editor of the Token and Legendary. These he has relinquished, and has recently established a work entitled “The American Monthly Magazine," of which he is editor.

No American poet has obtained so much distinction at so early an age, as this writer. The edition of one thousand copies of his poems, published under the title of “Sketches” during the last year, was sold with a rapidity that has attended the sale of few poetical productions in this country. But success of this kind often arises from adventitious causes, and these may have contributed to give Mr Willis, in his literary career, an eclat which his productions alone would not have given him. If his youth and personal qualities have led the public to exaggerate his positive literary merits, the envious malice with which he has been assailed, by those who would be too much honored by resentment, has not done less to elevate a reputation they sought to depress.

In our opinion, Mr Willis is a writer of decided talent, and capable of realizing the anticipations of his admirers. His poetry displays great delicacy of perception, and refinement of feeling, with a command of language which enables him to clothe his thoughts in the sweetest and most graceful forms of expression. These are rich gifts, and are possessed in a sufficient degree to raise the author by the aid of study and effort, to the highest distinction. But he has hitherto exerted his powers in a manner, and on subjects, rather calculated to gratify a youthful than a mature taste. He has seldom lifted his aim above the circle of his own age and society, to the high mark of masculine intellect. Whenever he has done so, as in his “Scripture Sketches” and his “ Unwritten Philosophy," he has displayed a force of talent, adequate to the execution of any task which he may propose to himself, in the department of belles lettres writing.

We will not deny that an author is at liberty to select his readers from the various ranks in society. If he chooses to use his efforts to affect a particular class, and is content to receive such reputation or reward as they can offer, we may question his judgment, but cannot impugn his right. We will therefore, only suggest to Mr Willis, what indeed many others have need to consider, more than himself, that literary reputation of any considerable value or duration, can be conferred only by men. Reputation of the kind we speak of, exists in public opinion. Who form public opinion ? Men, certainly, of sense and education. Whoevertherefore wishes to obtain the power to control public opinion, or in other words, seeks to establish a lasting reputation, must address himself to such men. They will examine his merits and determine his character. There is no escape from this. Character, good or bad, established on any other basis, passes away like leaves on a stream; but once settled in the mind of intelligen men, it is soon communicated to others, and diffused over the community. If unfavorable, it is as a millstone about the neck of the possessor;

if favorable, it is an instrument by which the laudable ends of ambition, and the pure purposes of philanthropy may be easily secured.

In the choice of subjects, and the manner of treating them, an author, therefore, of liberal ambition, should consider, not what may please or offend a particular circle of friends, or a few youthful associates, but what will move cultivated and ripened intellect. Let him in imagination, arraign every line he writes, before a tribunal of such minds, and let him sternly execute the sentence, which in such a view of his productions, he can honestly pronounce.

The subjoined extracts will satisfy every reader of taste and feeling, that the writer in question has no reason to shrink from this severe system—and that he is fully capable of sustaining himself under it.

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We are induced to make these monitory remarks, from a conviction of the author's capabilities, and the interest with which we, in common with many of his countrymen, look to his literary career. He is brought forward at an unusually early period of life, into the arena of literary exertion; and as from our personal knowledge of his character, we are confident his talents will not be wasted by inaction, so we hope they may not fail of suc-. cess through misdirection.

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ABSALOM.

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The waters slept. Night's silvery veil hung low
On Jordan s bosom, and the eddies curl'd
Their glassy rings beneath it, like the still.
Unbroken beating of the sleeper's pulse.
The reeds bent'down the stream. The willow leaves,
With a soft cheek upon the lulling tide,
Forgot the lifting winds; and the long stems,
Whose flowers the water, like a gentle nurse,
Bears on its bosom, quietly gave way
And lean'd in graceful attitudes to rest.
How strikingly the course of nature tells,
By its light heed of human suffering,
That it was fashion'd for a perfect world !

King David's limbs were weary. He had fled
From far“Jerusalem, and now he stood
With his faint people for a little rest
Upon the shore of Jordan. The light wind
Of morn was stirring, and he hared his brow
To its refreshing breath; for he had worn
The mourner's covering, and he had not felt
That he could see his people until now.
They gather'd round him on the fresh green bank,
And spoke their kindly words; and as the sun
Rose up in heaven, he knelt

them there,
And bow'd his head upon his hands to pray.
Oh! when the heart is full, when bitter thoughts
Come crowding thickly up for utterance,
And the poor common words of courtesy
Are such a very mockery, how much
The bursting heart may pour itself in prayer !
He pray'd for Israel; and his voice went up
Strongly and fervently; he pray'd for those

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Whose love had been his shield; and his deep tone
Grew tremulous ; but oh! for Absalom !
For his estranged, misguided Absalom-
The proud, bright being who had burst away,
In all his princely beauty, to defy
The heart that cherish'd him—for him he pour'd,
In

agony that would not be controllid, Strong supplication, and forgave him there Before his God, for his deep sinfulness.

The hosts were number'd. At Mahanaim's gate Sat David, as the glittering thousands pass'd Forth to the battle. With a troubled eye He look'd upon their pomp, and as the helms Bent low before him, and the banners sway'd Like burnish'd wings to do him reverence, His look grew restless, and he did not wear The lofty sternness of a monarch's brow. The leader of the host came by. His form Was like a son of Anak, and he strode Majestically on, and bore his crest As men were waters, and his frame a rock. The King rose up to Joab, and came near, As his tall helm was bow'd; and by the love He bore his master, he besought him there That he would spare him Absalom alive. He pass'd with his stern warriors on; the trump And the loud cymbal died upon the ear; And as the king turn'd off his weary gaze, The

last faint gleam had vanish'd, and the wood Of Ephraim had received a thousand men, To whom its pleasant shadows were a grave.

The pall was settled. He who slept beneath Was straighten'd for the grave; and as the folds Sunk to the still proportions, they betray'd The matchless symmetry of Absalom. His hair was yet unshorn, and silken curls Were floating round the tassels as they sway'd To the admitted air, as glossy now As when in hours of gentle dalliance bathing The snowy fingers of Judea's girls. His helm was at his feet; his banner, soil'd With trailing through Jerusalem, was laid Reversed beside him; and the jewell'd hilt, Whose diamonds lit the passage of his blade, Rested like mockery on his cover'd brow. The soldiers of the king trod to and fro,

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Clad in the garb of battle, and their chief,
The mighty Joab, stood beside his bier
And gazed upon the dark pall steadfastly,
As if he fear'd the slumberer might stir.
A slow step startled him. He grasp'd his blade
As if a trumpet rang; but the bent form
Of David enter'd, and he gave command
In a low tone to his few followers,
And left him with his dead. The king stood still
Till the last echo died; then throwing off
The sackcloth from his brow, and laying back
The pall from the still features of his child,
He bow'd his head upon him, and broke forth
In the resistless eloquence of wo.

• Alas! my noble boy, that thou shouldst die !

Thou, who wert made so beautifully fair! That death should settle in thy glorious eye,

And leave his stillness in this clustering hair ! How could he mark thee for the silent tomb,

My proud boy, Absalom !

Cold is thy brow, my son! and I am chill

When to my bosom I would try to press thee ; How was I wont to feel my pulses thrill,

Like a rich harp string, yearning to caress thee, And hear thy sweet “My Father! * from these dumb

And cold lips, Absalom!

The grave hath won thee; I shall hear the gush

Of music and the voices of the young ; And life will pass me in the mantling blush,

And the dark tresses to the soft winds flung ; But thou no more with thy sweet voice shalt come

To meet me, Absalom!

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And oh! when I am stricken, and my heart

Like a bruised reed is waiting to be broken;
How will its love for thee, as I depart,

Long for thine ear to catch its dying token!
It were so sweet, amid death's gathering gloom,

To see thee, Absalom !

• And now farewell! 't is hard to give thee up,

With death so like a gentle slumber on thee ;And thy dark sin-oh! I could drink the cup.