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By Root 16562 0

poetry, abstracted from a lady's album, were printed in its pages without the author's consent, and the name of the Ex-President announced to the world as a regular contributor to the work. Another, but inferior piece of poetry was printed and advertised as having been written by Mr. Paulding, and yet Mr. Paulding politely declines the honor of being the writer. The only two really fine articles that have appeared in it, are a poem by Holmes, and a story by Hawthorne. But whose are those loud-sounding names which are monthly arrayed on the cover of Sargent's Magazine? it may be asked by the inquisitive reader. We will tell you, for we know them well. Mrs. Helen Berkley (we hope. to be pardoned for these contradictions) is Epes Sargent; Miss Emma F. Allston is probably Epes Sargent; Mrs. Kenneth Rookwood is undoubtedly Epes Sargent; Samuel Samson, clerk, is Epes Sargent; Henry Stanhope Lee is Epes Sargent; John Hanmar is probably Epes Sargent; and we doubt not but that all the other articles published without a name are by Epes Sargent, and of course the remaining articles by "The Editor[["]] and "Epes Sargent" are also by Epes Sargent. According to this arrangement therefore, the Magazine in question does not belie its name, for nine pages out of every ten are by the editor Epes Sargent. This we suppose is to avoid the inconvenience of paying for good articles by good writers. While at school, Mr. Sargent wrote astonishingly well for a youth, but those productions have not been improved upon in his manhood. His mind and power of writing have not increased with his years; and, if we mistake not, some of the articles published in his present magazine as original have appeared in other periodicals in Boston years ago.

A little more than a year ago, a very good magazine, entitled the Boston Miscellany, was started, edited by Nathan Hale, Jr. It was supported by some of the ablest literary men of Boston, and gave token of a goodly promise. A quarrel having taken place between the editor and publishers, a separation took place between them, and Mr. Tuckerman was engaged to fill the vacant chair of editor. On a hint from Hale, Lowell the poet started a new periodical, called the Pioneer, in opposition to the Miscellany. As the case now stands, the latter is dead, very dead, and the former in the full tide of successful operation. It is printed in beautiful style, edited with great ability, and supported by a number of our most classical writers. Among men of taste it is, and we hope will continue to be, a great favorite. Its themes are of a dignified character, and the tone f its criticisms high-minded, candid, sensible, and just.

The Lady's Companion is a milk and water concern, edited by penny-a-liner and a foreigner named Hamilton. It is a receptacle of nonsense from first to last, of picture nonsense, fashion nonsense, poetical nonsense, and prose nonsense. Of course we do not allude to the occasional productions of Mr. and Mrs. Seba Smith, Mrs. Embury, and one or two other writers of reputation. It is a work of no beneficial influence whatever, and ought to be annihilated.

Last, but not least, we come now to speak of the Southern Literary Messenger, which has probably diffused more valuable information throughout the Union than any other literary work, for the past five years. But, alas! its honest, worthy, and hard-working originator, editor, and publisher, is no more -- he has paid the final debt of nature, and a host of friends will bemoan his loss. Many able productions in the departments of tales, essays, and poetry, have appeared in the pages of the Messenger, and we trust that the same names which have so long been associated with it, will continue to amuse and instruct the public by their efforts, and that an able editor will speedily be employed to secure to it its former high-standing.

In speaking of the mass of matter published in the above-mentioned periodicals, it can only be designated as sentimental, love-sick, or fashionable stories, and unmeaning rhymes. Now, if this be true, who can deny that an exceedingly