It was a last request of the Rev. C. C.
COLTON to his friend Mr- MARKHAM SHERWILL, that he would superintend the publication of Modern Antiquity, and furnish it with notes. As we hear no- thing respecting the Other Poems, it is probable that their collec- tion was the spontaneous act of Mr. SHERWILL; and although these are not distinguished by any extraordinary excellence, they are the best poetry in the book. Modern Antiquity itse:: is a dim kind of allegory. The idea is an expansion of BACON'S sen- tence, that they who live in later (lays are the true ancients so far as wisdom is concerned, whilst those who are usually deemed our seniors were in reality younkers. As proofs of this, Mr. Comm. refers to the early ages of the world, and gives several instances of the great advancement of the present, especially in the invention of the steam-engine. Prejudice and Doubt, with some other ab- stract qualities, are personified ; but they are shown in description only ; and the poem concludes with a censure of those who would "send the master back to school." In this plan there is not much of art, and the execution is unfinished. Mr. COLTON had not a mind poetical enough to " drop manna," and his death prevented his adding, by labour, that vigour and force of expression which might have served with some readers as a substitute.
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