have been read with interest both in and out of the VALLEY. To give a catalogue of the whole, would not be an easy task, even for one versed in this department of our infant literature, and is quite beyond the resources of the Author; but, as specimens, he will name the following, who may be regarded as among the most successful. He will present them under two heads, but is not prepared to arrange them on a scale of either time, volume, or merit.

WRITERS OF NOVELS AND TALES.

Hugh H. Brackenridge, Morgan Neville, Thomas M'Clung, Timothy Flint, J. L. Holman, James Byers, Thomas H. Shreve, R. Holmes, Benjamin Drake, Mrs. Dumont, John Russell, J. Snelling, C. D. Drake, J. F. Cooper, J. K. Paulding, M. Chateaubriand, James Hall, B. R. Evans, Mrs. P. W. Ball.

POETS AND DRAMATISTS.

Mrs. C. L. Hentz, Thomas Pierce, Anthony Ganihl, Peyton S. Symmes, Otway Curry, Henry Whiting, A. M. Bolton, Dr. Harney, Micah P. Flint, W. D. Gallagher, Mrs. Barker, W. F. Thomas, H. D. Little.

The failure of Mr. Cooper in his Prairie, and Mr. Paulding in his Westward Ho, is conclusive evidence, that in delineating the West, no power of genius, can supply the want of opportunities for personal observation on our natural and social aspects. No western man can read those works with interest; because of their want of conformity to the circumstances and character of the country, in which the scenes are laid.

L

Sir Walter Scott has shown, that history is the true basis of the novel, as Shakspeare had long before proved it to be of the drama. Apart, then, from all the more substantial, dignified, and useful advantages of history, those who delight in producing or reading works of fiction, are interested in seeing the original scenery and the events of our earlier times made matters of record. If much remains unrecorded, not a little has, at various times and in different modes, been made public; but the publications are scattered, and but few of them can now be found in the hands of any single individual. It is time, then, that historical associations were formed, for the purpose of collecting, in different points of the extended VALLEY, such of them as still remain, but are every day decreasing in number. Such collections would at once become the resorts of scholars and writers; and would not only afford subjects to the poet, the novelist, the dramatist, and the orator; but give important, indeed indispensable aid, to the systematic historians of the different states in the WEST. Many such histories should be written; for even the youngest members of the great Mississippi family, should have, for home consumption, such works as Cotton Mather, Williams, Trumbull, Belknap, and Proud, long ago furnished to Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. As yet none of the western states but Kentucky, have

been supplied with systematic histories.

She has two-the first by Humphrey Marshall, which is chiefly political, the second by Mann Butler, just issued from the press, and tolerably copious in early events. Not long since John Van Cleve, of Dayton, in this state, compiled and published, in the Western Monthly Magazine, several chapters on the history of Ohio, and at present John H. James, of Urbana, is engaged in a work of the same kind.

In concluding this hasty note, the Author would indicate to the young men of the VALLEY, who may feel disposed to cultivate its history and literature, and who would desire to prepare themselves for the undertaking, by acquiring a knowledge of the spirit of literature in all ages, the interesting "Sketches" of its history, lately written and published by Wilkins Tannehill, a native of the West.