The  Scripture  pieces  of  N.  P.  Willis,  although  the  productions  of  his
youth,  have  an  individual  beauty  that  renders  them  choice  and  valuable
exemplars  of  American -genius.  In  his  other  poems  there  is  apparent
a  sense  of  the  beautiful  and  a  grace  of  utterance,  often  an  exquisite
imagery,  and  rich  tone  of  feeling,  that  emphatically  announce  the
poet;  but  in  the  chastened  and  sweet,  as  well  as  picturesque  elaboration
of  the  miracles  of  Christ,  and  some  of  the  incidents  recorded  in  the
Bible,  Willis  succeeded  in  an  experiment  at  once  bold,  delicate,  and
profoundly  interesting.  Melanie  is  a  narrative  in  verse,  full  of  imagi-
native beauty  and  expressive  music.  The  high  finish,  rare  metaphors,
verbal  felicity,  and  graceful  sentiment  of  his  poems  are  sometimes
marred  by  a  doubtful  taste  that  seems  affectation ;  but  where  he  obeys
the  inspiration  of  nature  and  religious  sentiment,  the  result  is  truly
beautiful.  A  native  of  Maine,  he  has  been  an  extensive  traveller,  and
has  gathered  his  illustrations  from  a  wide  range  of  observation  and
experience.
