The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-08 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Essays : Biographical, Historical, and Miscella
neous. By the Rev. G. R. Gleig, M. A. 2 vole
Longman.
Tsefosvolumesattainedpossess a double recommendation
their
dg
e r e beingeo
eminenceclaimed
as
onein t 1 aweeh
a writer and a preacher ; and by their re-publica-
tion from the rival quarterlies. They are clearly
and sensibly written, on subjects of general inter-
est and comprehension, and if they occasionally
show traces of peculiar opinions or class theories,
they bear evidence, also, of a mind enlarged by ex-
perience, a considerable power of argument, a dis-
position to regard subjects •in their broad and
lucid view, seeking rather for the great prin-
ciples of action than attaching overweening im-
portance to trivial imperfections or differences of
opinion. His long connection with the military
service, as chaplain-general to • the forces, hag
naturally directed his attention prominently to
questions concerning the efficiency and discipline
of the army. In his brief volume of essays, ten
in number, he gives us six on subjects connected
with military matters. Two of these,, it is true,
are historical and biographical in their character,
one of them giving a succinct and interesting
account of the war in the Punjauh, the other being
a review of the, brilliant and romantic career of
General Miller in South America. His essays on
military education, our defensive armament, India
and its army, &c., merit consideration, from their
expressing the views of one who has had extended
opportunities of judging of the military character
and the results of the systems usually pursued.
In his dedication of the book to Dr. Ferguson, his
friend during 40 years, he expresses his conviction
of the importance of preserving a high tone among
the officers and soldiers of a nation, not only for
their own advantage, but as an example to others,
as affording " proof how men's lives may be
spared amid many temptations to the contrary,
by a high sense of duty to God and man." The
following passage referring to this subject shoos
the liberal and enlightened principles which actu-
ate him :—" Now I hold, and so do you, that the
link which cements moral with intellectual culture
is riveted by the Great Author of both, and that
he who aims wisely at giving a stimulus to the one,
cannot, even if he desire it, fail to give a stimulus
to the other also. Wherefore our maxim has long
been—establish for the British army such a system
of training as shall exercise both the minds and
bodies of all ranks in a becoming manner ; and if
the army do not attaini as a body, to moral as
well as to intellectual eminence, the fault will not
be yours. At least you will have done your part,
by endeavouring to awaken in the members of that
body, tastes which seek their gratification in higher
things than those of sense." One of the most at-
tractive essays is one on the " The Life of Dr.
Chalmers." It gives an excellent sketch of his
life and labours, not intruding into his domestic,
life, but restricting itself to the portion of his career
which belongs of right to the public. Of course
the autht r naturally dissents from Dr. Chalnaere'3.
extreme and peculiar opinions ; but he does not
obtrude his own objections, and renders a cordial,
tribute to Dr. Chalmers's exertions for his poor and
neglected parishioners. He gives the following
description of his oratory :
" Such was the sudden but calm termination of a
career as brilliant, as varied, certainly as eccentric--;
perhaps as useful--as has ever born run by one placed
in the comparatively humble station of a Scottish Free•
byterian minister. That popular enthu-issin made att
the time something too much of Chalmers hisd warmest
admirers
styledm i riesr
generally
wul.nengeceessaHrillys
enweilrialnlyowtu'rgwide, suppose,olten cm
confused,
disfigured by uncouth phrases and words coined for the
nonce, and remarkable for nothing more than the per•
petual repetition of some favourite idea in terms which
seem intended to create in the unobservant reader.*
persuasion that new truths are brought before him. But
there is a potency in it, notwithstanding, which parries.
us along—often, indeed, against the better pleadings of
our judgment. In truth, we consider him one of the
poorest reasoners, both as a moralist and a divine, that
ever strove to convey his own views ot, things to the
minds of others and of his political economy, experience
has long since shown that it is both based and built upon
a delusion. Of his gigantic powers as a pulpit orator
there can, however, be no doubt ; there was a fervour
in his manner, a persuasiveness in his tones, a sham
even in the coarse Fife accent, of which he never got
rid, that arrested the attention and kept it fixed on the
preacher all the time that he was speaking ; and if at
the close of the discourse the auditors sometimes failed
of determining the exact point which it was designed to
establish they never separated without having received
a strong general impulse to good. Nor was his influence
less effective in private conferences than in puolic ap-
peals. Whatever he took up, he took up in earnest,
and there is a magic in his earnestness which rarely fails
of going mud; further with such as observe it, than any
extent of argument, be it ever so logical."
" An Essay on the Puritans" justly condemns
their unreasonable and unreasoning hostility to trifles
displayed with such virulence in the early days of
the Reformation, when their perversity about
mere ceremonial,, besides greatly adding to the
difficulties of those in power, who had a sufficiently
arduous taste, went far to hinder the good cause
itself. Among the essays, a legend of Germany i 3
introduced, which was intended to form part of a
collection of Celtic and Teutonic legends. The
project was unfortunately stopped by the death
of the projector, and the author having writ ea
this little tale has inserted it among more ambit;
tious productions. These essays eminently descry
the perusal of the thoughtful and impartial rde
They ate written in a clear and simple manner, whichA
conti asts most favourably with the bombastic_ en,_,
exaggerated strain adopted by some writers font_ue:
present day. There is no attempt at elocri donuot
onsequently there can be no failure. Tb""one age
pretend to resuscitate the spirit of a_
with the vividness of their which per
they do not strive to unravel the
' the problem
plex the social philosopher, or to solve _ t y
seei,
Neither do he
that occupy the statesman. life-like
to stir the heart or al OU 4e the sv.Yruefat
inapassioned appeals or
s on 01'
Y
are clear, sensible, and well-w,r
minv. I
ject3 within the grasp of mo-.
t cultiva'ed
orienee
'ter of ability and exP. hi,
leieuse:).y
Tthhoeil3;
from the pen of a wri
aenxdt eeni Ir'32? .
knowledge, and whse moderation
readers'
who has had many opportunities of
will ensure the satisfaction of his • 'Jolty

Wlli ter—
The New Y ork Tribune stares :—Mr. Chag. Vathe ,o,
to
i•tu:9
ile cam, ,a❑ wa, r ie,i ti,i- iatA9
the wire ot
thatA H. Davenport, of Wa
vm „ g t , Theatrei
We believethe decree of court divoreing lac. 9'u;
M. L zzie We 401,
Mrs. Davenport was pronounced on Saturday of 10
week."