to when, you say —”The sole object of the poem is the creation of Beauty.” I like this definition of poetry better than any I have seen by another; still I think it not just the one we ought to have. It is too broad. It cannot be generally comprehended, or, rather, it comprehends too much, regarded by the intellect of the multitude. They would lay claim to the divine title on the production of mere earthly beauty — that of an elegantly fitting coat, or of a pretty doll. It seems to comprehend not enough, looked at with the mind’s eye of Mr. Lowell (Biographical notice of yourself in “Graham” — disagrees with you somewhat, and has something to say about the Goddess of Song’s being accessible to all who bring offerings unto her.). If he understood it as I think you intended it to be understood, he would find that it embraced all he would be willing to call poetry. What has power to stir the soul — not the intellect, nor the passions (none the less my idea -this of the soul’s being separate — if you have expressed a similar one) — whether it be a song or a prayer or the trembling of a harp-string, creates beauty, and may safely be passed as the true coin of poetry. (Quite a task, isn’t there? imposed upon that nominative- to bring up the rear over dashes and among parentheses and against the tails of commas manifold and multiform, “so as to “govern its verb in number and person”). I would like to see, one of these days, this idea about Beauty — its being “not a quality, but an effect, a pure elevation of soul” — carried out more fully — give us “An Essay on Poetry,” which you never have given, I believe? Tell us something concerning the nature of the soul (I like your train of thought in the “Mesmeric Revelations”), how most easily wrought upon, through what medium, whether through sight, sound, feeling; taste, or smell — sound, you think (”music comes nearest the language which speaks to the soul of heaven” — an idea something like this -Review of “Orion,” I believe it is in). Through sound I too say, and, I am half inclined to add, through sound alone. What but sound is it that vibrates in the atmosphere of the soul when reading a poem such as Lowell’s “Rosaline,” or his “Farewell” — (I never have seen a word in praise of this latter, but it seems to me that it would be difficult to find many more beautiful things.)? What but sounds, sweeter than ever rose from the viol or flute, are those “psychal impressions”? (”Maginalia” — Graham’s Mag. for March/46) By the way what do you expect to do with those communings of the soul with its kindred “spirit”
“From the wild weird clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of Space — out of Time”?
It appears to me that you can make no more of them than you could of the breathing of a sea-shell — I am curious to know what kind of a paper you can write upon the subject. When is it going to appear? .
But, your letter — you give me credit for more discrimination than I am entitled to — to more than I claim for myself. As I said before, I think I can feel poetry, — perhaps I should say, I can hear it, carrying out the idea I have advanced above -and this is all the power of discriminating that I wish to have put to my credit. Amost (almost) anyone possessing a soul accustomed to reading and thinking somewhat can claim as” great a power. I thank you, nevertheless, for your compliment, and take it as sincerely given.
I supposed there was no more of “Politian” yet it appeared to me that it broke off rather short for a grammatical piece — It seems as though the whole story ought to be told in such.
I didn’t suppose that you wrote the criticism itself on Shelley. By the way the notice was given in the Mirror, I judged that Godwin gave the criticism, which was itself written upon by another. I still think it was so, for the Mirror spoke after this fashion — “When we can sustain a sober sound Review in this country, this writer and E. P. Whipple will be the best to manage its critical department” — (not so bungling as this, I hope, but you will get the meaning even from this, and I can’t stop to be particular,