INTRODUCTION. 163 
long be remembered as sweet minstrels, whose voices were hushed in an early 
grave. Since death disarms envy, we have spoken with freedom of these 
departed votaries of the divine art; but prudence, and a respect for contem- 
poraneous opinion, exact more caution in our notice of living poets. Bryant, 
to whom is assigned the palm in philosophic, descriptive and didactic verse ; 
Halleck, the versatile author of “Alnwick Castle,’ “Fanny,” and “Marco 
Bozzaris ;” Paulding, whose “ Backwoodsman,’ may be regarded as a national 
poem; Charles F’. Hoffman, whose “ Vigil of Faith” is the fruit of early culti- 
vated genius, and who has thrown the charms of poetry, as well as of romance, 
over our own almost unknown mountains and lakes; Alfred B. Street, known as 
the author of “Nature,” “A Forest Walk,” and “The Grey Forest Eagle ;” 
Edward Sanford, author of the spirited “ Address to Black Hawk;” Peter H. 
Myers, author of “ Ensenore ;” George W. Doane and William Croswell, writers 
of sacred lyrics; Theodore 8. Fay, John Inman and Park Benjamin, not unsuc- 
cessful in poetry, though engaged in other fields of literature; James O. Rock- 
well, author of “The Lost at Sea;” Samuel Woodworth, writer of a touching 
effusion, “The Old Oaken Bucket,” which our domestic affections will not permit 
to lose a place in our hterature; Elizabeth F. Ellet, author of “ The Daughter 
of Herodias;” Mary E. Brooks and her sister, Mrs. Hall, known to our readers 
as Norna and Hinda; and Emma C. Embury, who has given us the chaste and 
affecting verses entitled “Christ in the Tempest ;” all are writers whose fame is 
cherished by the generous and refined portion of the American community.* 
The history of the fine arts in New-York, unfortunately, is scarcely more 
than an account of a controversy concerning the manner of promoting them. 
The American Academy of Fine Arts was established in the city of New-York 
in 1800, and was incorporated in 1808, with liberal legislative patronage. 
Among the founders of the institution, were Robert R. Livingston, John R. Mur- 
ray, De Witt Clinton, Charles Wilkes, Fobert Fulton, William Cutting, Edward 
Livingston, Rufus King, David Hosack, and James Fairlie. The object of the 
* Notes on Literature were received from Cuartes F', Horrman, Esq., and Aurrep B, Srreet, Esq. 
