ornament; an elegant version of the same ballad has been published by Mr. Pye. Had the author of this translation foreseen the intentions of the Laureat, he would not probably have risked a contest with such a distinguished competitor; but, as he had long entered the field before Mr. Pye appeared as his adversary, he will not now shrink from a combat where doubtful victory must ensure applause, and even complete failure allow the consolation of "Æneae magni dextra cadet."
In addition, Mr. Spencer's Preface gives a somewhat accurate estimate of Bürger and his poem. He speaks of him as "universally esteemed wherever the German language prevails as a national idiom, or is cultivated as a branch of education." He mentions "simplicity" as "the characteristic of his composition." Especially does he call supernaturalism the most important element of his power, and recognizes its relation to the new romanticism in England, as it had shown itself in fiction. Thus he writes:
One of the most powerful causes of Mr. Burgher's literary popularity is the deep tinge of superstition that shades all his compositions. Supernatural incidents are the darling subjects of his countrymen. Their minds vigorously conceive, and their language nobly expresses the terrible and majestic: and it must be allowed, that in this species of writing they would force from our nation the palm of excellence, were it not secured by the impregnable towers of Otranto.
Finally Mr. Spencer sums up the excellences of the particular poem he was presenting to his English readers. It will be noticed, too, that he emphasizes, much as Mr. Stanley had done, the moral of the piece. In this he seems as peculiarly English as his predecessor:
Of all their productions of this kind, Leonora is perhaps the most perfect. The story in a narrow compass unites tragic event, poetical surprise, and epic regularity. The admonitions of the Mother are just, although ill-timed. The despair of the Daughter at once natural and criminal; her punishment dreadful, but equitable. Few objections can be made to a subject new, simple, and striking; and none to a moral which cannot be too frequently or too awfully enforced.
Spencer's translation, which appeared on the first of July,
