ure as well as the old civilized
nations, it would be the same as to reproach the times of Abram, because
they were not civilized as the present most civilized nations. Such is not
the case with the United States of America. The american soil is new; but,
the american people is not younger than the european people. This country
is composed of colonies from the old continent, who came here with the
very laws, religions, learning, languages, prejudices, arts, and
literature of the old continent. The classical writers of their mother
countries belong to the american also: and to say that the present living
american people cannot have a classical literature as well as the present
living writers of their mother country, because it is too young a people,
it would be the same as to say, that the language of the United States is
not an english language.

Besides, if it is a soil fit to expel old prejudices, it is this new soil,
now in possession of an old people as we stand in this country. Some
writers, traveling through this country, supposed the americans a people
of facts only, from whom fine arts, poetry, or literature cannot be
expected; as if fine arts, poetry, and literature were not things of fact,
as laws, government, or mechanical works. Man is an imitating being: honor
an american Tasso, or an american Michael Angelo, and instead of having too
many, who aspire the presidency of the United States, you will have your
Tassos, and your Michael Angelos. That America has her artists, poets, and
literati as well as England, France, Germany, or Italy, I have no doubt:
but, if the genius does not flourish here as it does among the old
nations, my purpose is now to demonstrate it.

CHAPTER II.

THE PRESENT FASHIONABLE LITERATURE IS UNWORTHY OF THIS GREAT NATION.

I say it again; were the people encouraged to look back to standards of
classical literature, so rich in all the languages of the old continent,
this glorious, ambitious country, soon would have her Johnsons, her
Rousseaus, her Dantes, her Machiavellis. But, the little which the
americans read now, are but light works from the english press, here
reprinted; contentions of parties, called politics; and american
periodicals, praising each other: and these periodicals, having now the
consideration of oracles in literature, keep under a contemptible silence
many american geniuses, who were too independent to bend under the ruling
will of any party. However, th