LITERARY TASTE. 139 



of running after exotic gew-gaws, I cannot divine. 

 The North American Review is now conducted 

 with more talent than either the Quarterly or 

 Edinburgh. Dr. Silliman's periodical work on 

 Natural Science is superior to any thing of the 

 kind published in Europe; and there are men of 

 genius and of learning in every section of the 

 country, who with adequate encouragement would 

 redeem the American character from the obloquy 

 of transatlantic insolence. 



LETTER XXXTII. 



JVestern Region, August, 1820, 

 My Dear Sir. 



The beauties of an American sky are frequent- 

 ly unparalleled, and there is a peculiar lustre in 

 the appearance of the morning star, which I have 

 never seen equalled in my native land. This pla- 

 net, OH account of its propinquity to the earth, is 

 only exceeded in apparent size by the moon, and 

 on this account, and its superior effulgence, it has 

 very naturally been a subject of poetical descrip- 

 tion. It may relieve the monotony of my former 

 communications to refer to some passages in the 

 most distinguished poets on this subject. 



