696 Monthly Review of Literature. [MAY, 



THE RENT DAY ; A DOMESTIC DUAMA. BY DOUGLAS JERSOLD 

 THE success which attended the representation of this drama, at Drttry Lane 

 theatre, has induced some of the minors' managers to bring out dramatic pieces 

 bearing a similar name, and, in all respects but talents, of a similar nature to the 

 original. This is no less unjust to the author, than injurious to themselves. But 

 the mischief does not stop here. Those literary corsairs, who carry on a disgraceful 

 traffic by publishing pirated editions at a low price, of any work which attracts 

 general attention, have been enabled to evade the law of copyright, and to defraud 

 the author, in some measure, of the profits which ought in all cases to be the 

 reward of his successful labours. 



Of Mr. Jerrold, as a dramatist, we have next to speak. He has produced several 

 pieces, all marked with the characters of genius, yet bearing about them evidences 

 of a youthful writer, of hasty composition, and of a knowledge of human nature 

 which appeared to have been drawn from books rather than mankind. But the 

 generality of them breathe a generous enthusiasm ; arid, in spite of the repulsive 

 characters he appears to be partial to, in many instances he has raised them above 

 the selfish degradation of their natures, and clothed them with a spirit of lofty 

 humanity. We allude to his partiality for the delineation of misers and villains. 

 There is scarce a drama of the author's which does not exhibit some attempt at a 

 character of this description. A miser is the most despicable of wretches for him 

 mankind has no sympathy, and he has no sympathy for mankind. Under the in- 

 fluence of this debasing thirst, his heart becomes as hardened as the gold he hoards. 

 Over him pity has no power, humanity no influence. We would rather behold 

 characters from whom we may learn the lovelier truths of human nature, than 

 turn with a disgusted eye from the deformities of a diseased person. We would 

 rather see more Rachel Heywoods, and fewer Doggrasses. Beings like Rachel, 

 whom we can worship in the silent sanctuary of our own hearts, are the best 

 teachers of moral excellence. 



The merits of the Rent Day none will deny ; but we cannot bestow upon it that 

 praise which its popularity seems to demand. It appears to us, in several passages, 

 if we may use the expression, unnaturally natural. Attempting to keep up with 

 nature, the author has gone beyond it. Martin Heywood must have been more 

 or less than man, to doubt the explanations and withstand the intreaties of his 

 innocent wife. Act II., Scene 4. The third scene in the first act is by far the 

 most beautiful in the drama ; where Rachel meets her husband, and he tells her 

 the result of his application to his friend. In all this there is truth and beauty, 

 much poetical feeling, and a striking reality, which impresses the reader with a 

 full knowledge of its excellence. But we have read some of Mr. Jerrold's earlier 

 productions, of which we have a higher opinion ; and we also feel assured, that he 

 can produce a drama far superior to the Rent Day, if he allows himself that appli- 

 cation and observation, without which no dramatist can expect any permanent 

 success. 



THE MIND, AND OTHER POEMS. By CHARLES SWAIN, AUTHOR OF " METRI- 

 CAL ESSAYS." SECOND EDITION. LONDON : 1832. SIMPKIN. 



The first edition of this work was called " Beauties of the Mind," a poetical 

 sketch. We cannot say that we like either titles. In these evil days we require 

 to be tempted to poetry, as children are seduced into school ; and for our- 

 selves we know that when we read at three feet distance the " MIND," a 

 poem, we coasted round the table which contained the ominous burthen, as care- 

 fully as if it had been a lee shore in a gale of wind. Being now able, however, 

 owing to our adventurous experience, to act as pilot, we shall take the reader in 

 tow, and lay him presently alongside of the object of his fear and curiosity. 



The " Mind" then, although of that class of poems which is called the perceptive, 

 has enough of narrative interest and illustrations, drawn from, or referring to, the 

 human affections, to attract, and indeed to captivate. The cumbrous but beau- 

 tiful stanza of Spencer is managed with considerable felicity, and, although upon 

 the whole an unequal production, the point presents here and there and not very 

 thinly interwoven passages which would do no harm to most of our living poets. 

 The purpose of the work is? to describe the general dominion of Mind, and more 



