Alexandria Gazette

A POEM, BY SEBA SMITH.--The most interesting literary intelligence we have lately heard is the fact that the Harpers have in press a work entitled "Powhatan, a Metrical Romance, in seven Cantos, by Seba Smith, Esq." so well known to the public as the original Jack Downing. Before the publisher made proposal for bringing out Powhatan we had the pleasure of hearing it read by the author himself. The story is very interesting, and the poem contains many passages not inferior to the best in "The Lady of the Lake," by Scott, which poem it resembles in length and metre. --Considering its length, we think Powhatan the best poetic production produced in this country since the appearance of "Buccaneer," by Sprague. It is being stereotyped, and will be published during the latter part of March. The notes to be attached to it are very copious and throw much important information on the early history of that portion of the country watered by the James river.

Mr. Smith commenced this Poem about fifteen years ago, and after so long an interval, completed it only last year. All the poetry ever written by him besides this, is contained in about half a dozen lyrics, every one of which is a gem. Those who judge of poetry by the quantity, will not give him a very high rank, but those who judge by the quality, will rank him with the most gifted of American Poets. A rich intellectual treat will soon be before the public, and we intend this short announcement to have the same effect upon those who are fond of the beautiful and true, as a glass of wine upon the appetite of an epicure, before the dinner hour.--Boston Times.