SOURCE: Review of Poems and Prose Writings, in The American Monthly Review, Vol. IV, No. VI, December, 1833, pp. 468-80.

In the following excerpt, the author favorably reviews Dana's poetry and prose, calling him "one of the best writers of the day. "

Mr. Dana is a poet in the true sense of the term. He combines a striking originality and reach of thought with beautiful and expressive language. But the former power far exceeds the latter. Indeed he seems himself to be aware of this; for he says of his own poetry that it lacks "something of that melody of voice and harmony of expression, which so win upon us unawares." As a poetical thinker, Mr. Dana has no superior,—hardly an equal in the country; as a mere versifier, we could point out several, who are his superiors. At times he is admirably apt and beautiful in his...