The Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements acknowledges the receipt of a very pretty epistle from his youthful friends, the fair Editress of "The Garland," and the Editor of "The Cobbler," publications issuing from the Press of the far-famed "Clover Street Seminary," Brighton. They complain of not having received an invitation to be present at the Printers' Festival, and also, that they were not permitted to compete for the splendid Miniature Ramage Press, which was awarded to the "young, beautiful and accomplished daughter of a Printer, residing in a distant put of this State," as the author of the best sentiment offered on that occasion. For this apparent neglect, she modestly insinuates that the "Committee deserve to be forever haunted by the remembrance of 'The Girl they left behind them!' " The Committee regret the omission complained of, and beg to assure Master C. and Miss M., that, on the recurrence of the Festival in Rochester, they shall not be forgotten.
Franklin Festival—European Correspondence
The small number of communications received from Europe, is attributable to the fact, that no mail-steamer left England, after the reception of our Circular, in time for the 18th. Those now received will appear in the pamphlet, preparing for publication.
The following letter from James Montgomery, has called up to the mind of the Chairman of the Com. of Correspondence, interesting reminiscences. Some forty years since, before he was familiar with the writings and personal history of Mr. M., an Englishman recently arrived at New York, conversing of the new publications in the literary world, spoke with admiration of Montgomery's productions, and from recollection, recited "The Lyre." The writer of this was soon after engaged in printing a volume of his poems, embracing The Wanderer of Switzerland, The West Indies, and several minor poems. The spirit of Liberty infused through these productions, found a warm response in his bosom; and a feeling enkindled of admiration for the man, no less than for the poet, which the lapse of time has served but to enhance; and in days of prosperity and adversity—in hours of affliction and of joyous exaltation, some lines of this Christian, poet have been adapted to tranquilize the spirit, producing "A calm to those who weep."
Mr M. early became an orphan, his parents having died in the West Indies while on an embassy of mercy as Missionaries; the son was trained with the utmost religious care by the Moravian Brethren. His poetic turn was soon apparent, and the productions of his pen enriched the columns of the Sheffield Register. The publisher fled his country to avoid prosecutions for sedition or libels, under the stringent laws then in operation to prevent the inculcation of revolutionary principles. Mr. M. became proprietor of the Register, and changed the name to "Sheffield Iris." In the year 1795, Mr. M. was prosecuted for permitting to be printed in his office and old ballad on the Destruction of the Bastile. He was fined ₤20 and imprisoned three months. In 1796, he was again punished by a fine of £30 and imprisoned six months, for publishing remarks respecting a riot, which were proved to have been true. But the blameless life of this persecuted man disarmed his oppressors; and the judge who unjustly pronounced sentence against him, afterwards treated him with great personal consideration. This unjust suffering must have deepened that innate love of liberty, every where so prominent in his works. There are some strong points of resemblance in the works of the gifted and amiable Cowper, and those of Mr. M., who has long been a warm admirer of Mr. C.
These remarks may have been too much extended; but the cheap literature of the day has a tendency to divert the attention, and vitiate the moral and intellectual taste, especially of the young, to the exclusion of works of superior minds, and of pure moral influence. The pleasure and profit of perusal are greater and far more durable, when the author is worthy of, and receives our confidence and esteem.
Mr. M. is more than 75 years old; but impelled by a desire to promote the rational pleasure of others—so characteristic of this good man—has exceeded our fondest expectations. His autograph is still good, and much resembles the impression to his works published by Lea & Blanchard. Philadelphia.
P. Canfield.
| The Mount, near Sheffield, | |
| England, Dec. 29, 1846. |
To the Committee for celebrating the Anniversary of the Birth-day of Benjamin Franklin, at Rochester, New York, in 1847.
Gentlemen:—Circumstances, which I cannot here explain, have hitherto prevented me from acknowledging your Circular applications to persons on this side of the water—in reference to your proposed celebration of the Birth-day of the illustrious Franklin. Great infirmity, both of body and mind, (neither of them ever strong) has so far brought down my spirit, and quelled my poetic fire, if I once had any, that I seldom meddle with verse, except in its humblest form—a Hymn or an occasional Sketch like the following. This, however, has cost me so much labor to make it brief, and yet comprehensive, that I may fear you will be more disposed to commend my self-restraint, than congratulate me on my success. Such as they are, though probably too late for your patriotic purpose, even if approved, please accept these few lines as a proof that my heart is with you, though my hand has been too slow to present it, with the best wishes for the fulfilment of your own most enlarged hopes for the future welfare of your country, and all its inhabitants living and to be born between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. So long may the common bond of Union, the Mother tongue of both, be spoken in the Father land of each, and Britain and America, having one literature, perpetually interchanging benefits, remain to the end of time as distinct and as amiable as day and
