The Knickerbocker/Volume 1/Number 1/To Correspondents
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The pigeon-holes of our cabinet are already lined with communications, and we cannot better keep them in order, than by at once distributing their contents under their respective heads of "accepted," "rejected," and "for advisement,"—observing always, however, most religiously, the request, when made by correspondents, to have their contributions passed over in silence.
To begin with grave subjects, we shall always be happy to have answered through our pages, any questions upon literature or antiquities, like that preferred by Celticus; and we regret that his own letter was not intended for publication. That important ground once occupied with so happy an effect by the London Gentleman's Magazine, when it was the medium through which men of taste, science, and literature, communicated with each other upon every class of subjects, has been so deserted by modern periodicals, that it may be necessary for us here to remind our readers, that we shall always be happy when they exchange their views with each other, as well as with the public, through our Magazine. In the meantime, though but little versed in the abstruse points of chronology, about which Celticus is so curious, we believe (upon the authority of Gillacoeman's list of the heathen monarchs of Ireland,) that the commencement of the Milesian monarchy was coincident with the reign of Solomon in the east. As to the period of time when the Irish language was fixed, it must be almost impossible to name it with any precision, when we recollect that according to the most received opinions of philologists—while many of the terms and all the construction of that ancient tongue, have been derived from early commeгсе with the Phœnicians—it is composed from fewer Celtic dialects, than any other tongue among the continental Celts, and involves the remains of the primeval language of Europe.
Quivano's "Resuscitations of forgotten Bards," is misnamed. Quivedo is a resurrection man, not a resuscitator, and he should recollect that reviewers dissect none but living subjects—a dead one is of no more use to them than to a recruiting officer.
"C," "Lake Erie," and "Robin Hood's" article on Rifle Shooting are under consideration. We think we should like to hear from the author of the second in prose. We like the subject of of the third, but it might have been handled better. R. H. should have consulted Col. Hawker's book for information, upon precussion locks, before attempting to decide upon the relative advantage between them and flint locks. The idea of the action of the percussion powder depressing the piece, we believe is exploded.
"The Observatory" shall appear in our next.
"S. W." does not do himself justice—he must elaborate his verses more.
We like "Lion" so much as to wish to keep him for the present in our menagerie, but as yet do not know what use to make of him.
Horgan Mogan's "Vision" is received. But Hogan Mogan has forgotten that though a man may dream when he is asleep, yet he should always be awake when he relates his dreams. The poetical part, the Ode to Black Hawk particularly, he has imitated from Halleck's Marco Bozzaris. But such an imitation
As howling after music.—
We shall be happy to hear from Inigo Jones, on "Domestic Architecture," though the want of room, of which he complains at large parties, might in some measure be remedied by the gentlemen entering into terms with the ladies, to give up carrying their hats into a ball-room, upon condition that their fair enemies will sacrifice so much of their sleeves as occupies an equal space in the crowd.
The lines signed Conrad will never do—they are too deep in the autumnal tint. What an opening.
Fall through the sunshine of our happiest hours,
In gathering volume new and deepening dye.
Weighs on the heart, and blackens the eye.
It is enough—
Too much in all conscience. Exit Conrad cum suis.