A TRUE POET. There are indigenous literary examples, too well known to require particular mention, of merely respectable versifiers, who have obtained-by dint perhaps in the first instance of self-adulation, and subsequently through the reverberated 'puffing' of friendly presses- -a sort of notoriety, which has come to be dignified with, and acquiesced in as deserving, the title of 'reputation.' These BALAAMS have continued to blow their trumpets, until the sonorous brattling of their brazen instruments sounds to their mistaken ears like the music of Fame. On the other hand, there are among us men devoted to the pursuits of an active business life — unassuming, distrustful of their powers, and averse to the pretension and clap-trap which they see around them - who are yet overflowing with poetical genius of the highest order. A rare example of the latter class, is WILLIAM PITT PALMER, ESQ., of this city. Filling a toilful and responsible situation in a public office, he gains leisure but seldom to embody his beautiful conceptions; but when we find at our desk a small slip of refuse office-paper, in the handwriting of Mr. PALMER, unaccompanied by ostentatious self-criticism, or solicitation of any kind, we always anticipate a rich intellectual treat, and are never disappointed. In this wise came the following; which in affluence of thought, beauty of imagery, and melody of language, we have rarely seen surpassed.

V.

Equal favor I show to the lofty and low,

On the just and unjust I descend;

E'en the blind, whose vain spheres roll in darkness and tears,
Feel my smile the blest smile of a friend:

Nay, the flower of the waste by my love is embraced,

As the rose in the garden of kings;

At the chrysalis bier of the worm I appear,
And lo! the gay butterfly's wings!

VI.

The desolate Morn, like a mourner forlorn,

Conceals all the pride of her charms,

Till I bid the bright Hours chase the Night from her bowers,
And lead the young Day to her arms:

And when the gay rover seeks Eve for his lover,
And sinks to her balmy repose,

I wrap their soft rest by the zephyr-fanned west,
In curtains of amber and rose.

VII.

From my sentinel steep, by the night-brooded deep,
I gaze with unslumbering eye,

When the cynosure star of the mariner

Is blotted from the sky;

And guided by me through the merciless sea,
Though sped by the hurricane's wings,
His compassless bark, lone, weltering, dark,
To the haven-home safely he brings.

VIII.

I waken the flowers in their dew-spangled bowers,
The birds in their chambers of green,

And mountain and plain glow with beauty again,
As they bask in my matinal sheen.

O if such the glad worth of my presence to earth,
Though fitful and fleeting the while,
What glories must rest on the home of the blest,
Ever bright with the DEITY's smile!

W. P. P.

M. DE FONTANES. The works of M. de FONTANES have lately been collected and published in Paris, preceded by a flattering letter of CHATEAUBRIAND, and biographical notices by M. ROGER, a member of the French academy, and one or two other eminent savans. FONTANES was somewhat distinguished in his day, both as a poet and an orator. He translated POPE'S 'Essay on Man,' and was the author of several original poems, two of which, 'La Chartreuse,' and 'Le Jour des Morts,' are still admired. In one of his official harangues, he dared to offer the example of the American hero as a model to the First Consul; and upon other public occasions, although in his quality of Prefect of the Corps Législatif, or as Grand Master of the University, he glorified NAPOLEON in many official speeches, still he more than once offended the Emperor, by a manly resistance to his massacres, which at length led to his disgrace. Summoned by his master to give his public adhesion to the coup d'etat, alias murder, of the Duke D'ENGHEIN, he nobly replied, 'Jamais l' and was inflexible. 'Pensez-vous toujours à votre Duke d'Enghein?' said the Emperor to him, a long time after. 'Mais il me semble,' replied he, 'que l'Empereur y pense autant que moi! Had NAPOLEON'S counsellors been as fearless and honest as M. DE FONTANES, many of his impulsive excesses might perhaps have been averted; and the lives of thousands whose bones glisten on the sands of Egypt, or whiten along the steppes of Russia, might have been spared for nobler purposes.

THE 'EMPIRE OF THE WEST.'-We would call the attention of our readers to a copious and able article in the January number of the North American Review, treating of 'Discovery beyond the Rocky Mountains.' It is a paper that should be read and meditated upon by every American. It gives a clear and compendious narrative of the progressive steps of discovery and occupation by which we acquired an indefeasible right to the Oregon territory, and places in a startling light the actual state of our affairs in that most important and interesting region. The reader will here find that our claim to a country 'equal in extent to the old United States, and stretching for nine or ten degrees along the great Pacific Ocean,' has become almost nullified, through the supineness of our own statesmen, and the wily and grasping policy of foreign traders. He will here find how Astoria, our original seat of empire, has been turned into a British fortified post and trading-house; how a foreign flag has been hoisted at the mouth of the Columbia, and how a mere trading company has seated itself at that great western portal of our empire, and actually locked it against our own citizens.

What are the petty questions which occupy Congress, and distract it with clamorous contention, in comparison with the adjustment of this great territorial right, which involves mpire? What is the North-East Boundary question, which concerns a mere strip of forest land, to this, on which depends our whole territory west of the Rocky Mountains, and our great high-way to the Pacific? A little more delay on our part, and wily Commerce will have woven its web over the whole country, and it will cost thousands of lives, and millions of treasure, to break the meshes. We cannot help quoting some observations of the reviewer to the above purport:

"We have continual cause to lament the undue prominence in the public mind, which trivial and secondary questions, the petty issues of petty party controversy, are allowed to usurp, to the postponement or neglect of matters infinitely more important in reality. The topics of popular discussion in newspapers and in conversation, as well as in the more formal and serious public debates, and the action of the government, make the fact to be continually obvious. Thus, in Congress, for minutes occupied in things of true consequence, hours, nay, days are consumed on trivialities, which will speedily be forgotten, and pass away for ever, as transitory and as insignificant in themselves as the motes, which play in the sunlight of a summer's noon. It has been so under every administration, of whatever party or opinion, the United States have seen. Hence it was, that the intrigues of the British companies among the Indians of the United States, and their general intrusion into our territory in the region of the Upper Mississippi and Upper Missouri, though repeatedly the subject of complaint and remonstrance on the part of observant men, as in this case of Captain Lewis, did not engage due attention from the government, until those intrigues and that intrusion resulted in the conclusion to have been anticipated from them, a general Indian war, which ravaged and desolated the whole region of the United States on the Ohio, the Lakes, and the Upper Mississippi. Transferred to another part of the territory of the United States, the same British coinpanies, we fear, are now preparing the same dénouement of a like tragedy, by the same means, which failed to arouse the active resistance of our government of old, until savage massacre and conflagration burst on our western settlements; but the operations of which, it is to be hoped, the government of the United States, warned by that example, will arrest by measures of suitable energy.

It is singular how practicable and easy the passage is across the Rocky Mountains. It seems as if Nature had provided a high-way for the caravans of commerce to pass from the Atlantic to the Pacific regions of our immense empire. The gradual rise of the country, in the vast slope from the Mississippi to the foot of the mountains,' says Major Pitcher, in his report, 'makes considerable elevation, without perceptible increase, and then the gaps or depressions let you through almost upon a level.' Wagons and carriages may cross the mountains without difficulty, and with little delay in the day's journey. In fact, Captain Bonneville passed over to the western side of the mountains with wagons, several years since, and so easy and gradual was the ascent, that he was only made aware of the great elevation to which he had attained, by the wood-work of his wheels coming loose, through the rarity of the atmosphere. By the way, we should like to hear more of Lake Bonneville, that remarkable body of salt-water on the western side of the mountains, mentioned in the narrative of the Captain's expeditions. It

strikes us as one of the most singular phenomenons in that vast region of curiosities and wonders. We are glad to see that the reviewer pays a passing tribute to Mr. NATHANIEL J. WYETH. We have ever admired the spirited attempt of that enterprising individual, 'to rear once more the American flag in the lost domains of Astoria, and to regain for his country the opulent trade of the Columbia.' We regret that his intrepid and persevering efforts could not have been aided and enforced by government, so as to enable him to maintain the foot-hold which he had effected in the country. He appears to have had an energy and decision of character, and a scope of thought, that fitted him to follow out the great plans of Mr. ASTOR. All he wanted was the purse.

ENGLISH REMINISCENCES OF 'THE WAR-TIME,' DECATUR, ETC. - A distinguished literary friend, whose name, were we authorized to announce it, would give additional interest and force to the following reminiscence, writes us, in a letter referring to the anecdote of Sir Admiral HARVEY, in the last KNICKERBOCKER, as follows: Shortly after our last war, I was in Liverpool, where I became acquainted with the officers of the Eighty-Fifth, then stationed in that town. This regiment had served in the maraud upon the city of Washington, and one of the officers, Major BROWN, had received promotion for his services in that affair, having been left by the British, among the rest of their wounded, on their rapid retreat, after having set fire to the public buildings. He was a frank, worthy fellow, and took no merit to himself for his share in the affray. 'He acted,' he said, 'under orders, but his heart revolted at the whole transaction.' When he was left upon the scene of maraud, and the people of Washington recovered from their confusion and consternation, he anticipated rough treatment at their hands. 'How can it be otherwise,' thought he, 'when they see their public buildings smoking around them, and catch one of the offenders among the very ruins he has created?' On the contrary, nothing could be more kind and humane than the treatment of the wounded. As to BROWN, being an officer, and a young man, he was treated with peculiar attention. He received the best of nursing and attendance; he was continually receiving presents of comforts and delicacies from the ladies of the place; and declared that if he had been among his own country people, he could not have been treated more tenderly. Egad!' said he, 'they punished me with kindness. It was heaping coals of fire upon my head. I almost wished they would treat me ill, for it made me feel like a culprit.'

FROM the same source as the above, we derive the subjoined original anecdotes, related to the writer by the brave DECATUR, whose memory is so justly dear to every patriotic American: 'The late gallant DECATUR was a sailor to the very heart's core, and loved to tell anecdotes of the common sailors. I recollect one which he used to relate, to the following purport: In one of the actions before Tripoli, while fighting hand to hand with the captain of a gun-boat, DECATUR came near being cut down by a Turk, who attacked him from behind. A seaman named REUBEN JAMES, who was already wounded in both hands, seeing the risk of his commander, rushed in and received the blow of the uplifted sabre on his own head. Fortunately, the honest fellow survived to receive his reward. Sometime afterward, when he had recovered from his wounds, DECATUR sent for him on deck, expressed his gratitude for his self-devotion, in presence of the crew, and told him to ask for some reward. The honest tar pulled up his waist-band, and rolled his quid, but seemed utterly at a loss what recompense to claim. His mess-mates gathered around him, nudging him with their elbows, and whispering in his ear: 'He had all the world in a string, and could get what he pleased;' 'the 'old man' could deny him nothing,' etc. One advised this thing, another that; 'double pay,' 'double allowance,' 'a boatswain's berth,' 'a pocket-full of money, and a full swing on shore,' etc. Jack elbowed them all aside, and would have none of their counsel. After mature deliberation, he announced the reward to which he aspired; it was, to be excused from rolling up the hammock cloths! The whimsical request was of course granted; and from that time forward, whenever the sailors were piped to stow away their hammocks, Jack was to

be seen loitering around, and looking on, with the most gentlemanlike leisure. He always continued in the same ship with DECATUR. 'I could always know the state of my bile by Jack,' said the commodore. If I was in good humor, and wore a pleasant aspect, Jack would be sure to heave in sight, to receive a friendly nod: if I was out of humor, and wore, as I sometimes did, a foul-weather physiognomy, Jack kept aloof, and skulked among the other sailors. It is proper to add, that REUEEN JAMES received a more solid reward for his gallant devotion, than the privilege above-mentioned, a pension having been granted to him by government. .. On another occasion, DECATUR had received at New-York the freedom of the city, as a testimonial of respect and gratitude. On the following day, he overheard this colloquy between two of his sailors: 'Jack,' said one, 'what is the meaning of this 'freedom of the city,' which they've been giving to the 'old man?' 'Why, don't you know? Why, it's the right to rollick about the streets, as much as he pleases; kick up a row; knock down the men, and kiss the women!' 'Oho!' cried the other; that's something worth fighting for!'

A PLEASANT PROSPECT. We alluded, recently, to Mr. FRANKENSTEIN, a young sculptor and artist, whose bust and portrait of our esteemed friend, Governor SEWARD, and his accomplished lady, he had lately taken, together with those of other distinguished state officers, and citizens of Albany. We have just heard, and with much gratification, that, in company with a kindred mind, and an accomplished artist, Mr. ROTHERMEL, Mr. FRANKENSTEIN, for the more ample study of the better portions of human nature, and the gratification of a passion for scenery, is about to travel through the country, tarrying for a brief space at the different places on their route, to practice their profession. They will leave Philadelphia for a jaunt through Pennsylvania, on or near the first of March instant; and we take pleasure in cordially commending them to the courteous attention of our readers in the Key-stone State, as well as elsewhere.

To Readers and Correspondente.- Several articles, intended by the writers for the present issue, (among them an 'Ollapodiana,' and a sixth letter from the 'American in Paris,') were received to late for insertion, the number being ready for press on the 17th of February. The following will receive immediate attention: The Cook, a Domestic Portrait;' Fowling,' by.Alfred B. Street, Esq.; Winter;' Lines on the Death of Lieut. Hulbert;' The White Fish ;' 'The City by the Sea;' with several other papers, concerning which the writers have had private advisement. We shall continue, in subsequent numbers, the amusing History of the Devil,' by the author of Robinson Crusoe,' with other entertainments.' A review in detail of Carey on the Currency,' with notices of Mrs. Romeyn's Seminary, ‘Albion' plate,' Southern Literary Messenger,' Tydler's 'Universal History,' Willis's 'Romance of Travel,' 'The American Repertory,' etc., are in type for the April number.... T. B. C.'s kind words are appreciated, but they are unfortunately, not deserved. We cannot claim the honor of being a Yaukee, having been born and reared ('raised' they say in Pennsylvania, and at the South, where they put a man on a par with a vegetable,) in the Empire State,' in which we have good reason to be proud, even while we remember the glory of New-England, which we may share only as an American. .. We frequently observe, in the literary weekly journals of New-York, and her neighbor cities, attractive announcements of 'A new Tale by Washington Irving !' 'New Story by Geofrey Crayon !' etc. It is proper to remark here, therefore, that Mr. Irving's communications appear originally in the Knickerbocker, and that he writes for no other work. Hence, the productions of Geoffrey Crayon will never be 'new' to any reader of this Magazine, in any other mediam; as the work is now circulated to all our subscribers out of town a week before it is served in the city, although here it is delivered promptly on the first day of the month. Thus, before Mr. Irving's articles can reach the distant readers of the journals alluded to, they will have been perused a week or fortnight before, by every subscriber to the Knickerbocker. The present number, for example, is circulated to all its country readers a week previous to its punctual issue in town; and this arrangement will be steadily observed hereafter.... A word here, touching a very small matter: In a labored and otherwise rather amusing communication, penned over the signature of the late Joint Proprietor of this Magazine, a portion of the public have been Informed, that during the last six years, but eleven pages per annum have been furnished from the Editor's pen.' The Editor must be permitted briefly to reply, that during this period, there appeared in the original department of Literary Notices' and Editors' Table,' fourteen hundred and fifty pages of fine type, equal to two thousand nine hundred pages of the larger type, in the body of the work, in which also appeared some seventy additional pages from his pen. Take from these, at the very utmost, one hundred and forty pages, and there remain what would form two thousand seven hundred and sixty pages, in the type of the 'Original Papers,' contributed by the Editor to his own departments of the Magazine. Of the quality of these portions of the work, and the amount of originality which they exhibit, those of our readers who have perused twelve or thirteen volumes of the Knickerbocker, have probably formed a satisfactory estimate. The Editor can only regret that they were not better. It remains but to affirm, that the other statements of the communication alluded to, are just as trus as the one we have cited, but no more so; and to repeat, that 'the services of the late joint proprietor were entirely confined to the business department;' that 'no articles were ever accepted or declined by him, nor did a line of kis composition ever enter the Magazine.'