SOURCE: "Alexander's Smith's Poems," in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. LXXV, No. CCCCLXI, March, 1854, pp. 345-51.

In the review below, Aytoun became one of the first to label Smith a "Spasmodic" poet, a term that would remain with Smith his entire life. The critic characterized Spasmodic poetry as unoriginal and profane. In this essay, he criticizes Smith for using an excessive amount of imagery that does not further the thematic development of his poems. Several months after publishing this piece, Aytoun continued his attack on the Spasmodic poets by writing a parody of a Spasmodic tragedy (see following essay).

Some time ago a volume of poems appeared, over which there arose a great roar of critical battle, like the conflict over the dead Valerius, when "Titus pulled him by the foot, and Aulus by the head." Many hailed the author as a true poet, and prophesied his coming greatness...