be honest; in advice, to be sound; in
satire, to be hearty; and in general character, whatever may be
the critical opinions of the small litterateurs, or the hints of
fashionable patrons, to be only--itself."

* * * * *

TENNYSON'S NEW POEM.[1]

The popularity of TENNYSON, in this country as well as in England,
is greater than that of any other contemporary who writes verses in
our language. We by no means agree to the justness of the common
apprehension in this case. We think Bryant is a greater poet, and we
might refer to others, at home and abroad, whom it delights us more
to read. But it is unquestionable that Tennyson is the favorite of the
hour, and every new composition of his will therefore be looked
for with the most lively interest. His last work, just reprinted by
TICKNOR, REED & FIELDS, of Boston, is thus described in the London
_Spectator_ of June 8th:

"'IN MEMORIAM.'

"Although only these words appear on the title-page of this volume of
poetry, it is well known to be from the pen of Alfred Tennyson. It is
also known that the inscription

'IN MEMORIAM
A.H.H.
OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII.'

refers to Mr. Arthur Hallam, a son of the historian. It may be
gleaned from the book, that the deceased was betrothed to a sister of
Tennyson, while the friendship on the poet's part has 'passed the love
of women.' Feeling, especially in one whose vocation it is to express
sentiments, is not, indeed, always to be measured by composition;
since the earnest artist turns everything to account, and when his
theme is mournful it is his cue to make it as mournful as he can:
but when a thought continually mingles with casual observation, or
incident of daily life, or larger event that strikes attention, as
though the memory of the past were ever coloring the present, and that
over a period of seventeen years, it must be regarded as a singular
instance of enduring friendship, as it has shown itself in a very
singular literary form. There is nothing like it that we remember,
except the sonnets of Petrarch; for books of sportive and ludicrous
conceits are not to be received into the same category.

"The volume consists of one hundred and twenty-nine separate poems,
numbered but not named, and which in the absence of a more specific
designation may be called occasional; for though they generally bear
a reference to the leading subject, _In Memoriam_, yet they are not
connected with