ng
first appeared as an author, by his series of dramatic criticisms, over
the signature of Jonathan Oldstyle. The only poetic writer of whose
effusions I now retain any recollection was Miss Smith, the sister of the
late Thomas E. Smith. Her pieces were known by the signature of Clara; and
in bringing together the effusions of the early female poets, Dr.
Griswold, in his praiseworthy zeal in behalf of American literature, might
well have increased in value his interesting collection by specimens of
the productions of Miss Smith.

The omission, in these reminiscences, of some notice of John Lang, would
be so quickly discovered, that I am necessarily compelled to dwell for a
moment on the character and services of one who, for a long succession of
years, filled a notable place in our newspaper annals. Lang was of Scotch
descent, but the place of his birth, I believe, was New-York. For some
forty or more years, Lang's _Gazette_ was recognized as the leading
mercantile advertiser, and the patronage which it received from the
business world was such as doubtless secured ample returns to its
proprietor. The distinction of the paper was unquestionably its attention
to the shipping interests of this commercial emporium. As a journal of
either political or miscellaneous matter it was sadly deficient. Lang
adhered to his "arrivals" as the prominent object of consideration, and
the mightiest changes of revolutions, in actions or opinions, found but a
stinted record in his widely-diffused journal. Rarely, indeed, did our
acknowledged politicians or essayists seek its columns for the
promulgation of their ideas, and its editorial displays were generally
tormentingly feeble. Nevertheless, it was in this gazette, then under the
control of Lang and McLean, that General Hamilton first gave to the public
his numbers of _The Federalist_. There is often to be found in one daily
issue of the _Post_, the _Courier and Enquirer_, the _Journal of
Commerce_, the _Herald_, the _Tribune_, or the _Times_ of these days, more
thought, nice disquisition, and real knowledge which awakens the
contemplation of the statesman and politician, than the _New-York Gazette_
contained during a twelvemonth; and yet it flourished. The traits of
Lang's character were unwavering devotion to his pursuits; no one could
excel him in the kindness of his demeanor; unconscious of the penury of
his intellectual powers, he at times, unwittingly became the pliant agent
of d