The Sun.
London, England, 1827-04-28 00:00:00

EDINBURGH REVIEW, No. 90.

This is one of the best Numbers that has ap-
peared for years. In politics it is enlarged but
temperate ; in criticism brilliant and inquisitive ;
in science elaborate ; in its historical disqui-
sitions generous, eloquent, and comprehensive.
The opening dissertation on Machiavelli, that
extraordinary .versatile Florentine " out of whose
surname posterity has coined a name for a knaVe ;
and out of his Christian name a synonyme for
the Devil," is mailed by a certain bold, intelli-
gent, but at the same time unwarrantable en-
thusiasm. We concede to the Reviewer the
justice of his praises on Machiavelli's versatility ;
on his eloquence, learning, enlarged turn of
thought, and general.habits of life ; we differ only
on the subject of his principles. Machiavelli,
let it never be forgotten, was the author of a po-
litical treatise which, for cool calculating atrocity
has never been equalled ; in which science and
malignity both contend for the mastery, till as-
surance steps in and carries off the palm. This
the Reviewer is himself compelled to acknowledge,
but so far from appearing to feel either surprise
or dissatisfaction, he attributes every defect to
the character of the age, or the necessity of
Italian policy, conceding nothing to a per-
verted turn of mind, which the wily statesman
(in other places as well as in his " Prince") has
unblushingly evinced. While, however, we thus
object to his principles, it is impossible not to be
struck with the striking merit of the Reviewer.
His adroitness in palliating Machiavelli appears
in every page ; he seems besides, too well
versed in Italian history to believe his own subtle
sophisms; so we look upon his remarks as
a- species of intellectual gladiatorship in which
we are to admire not the soundness but the sin-
gularity; not the justice but the courage of the
exhibitor. The character of an Italian states-
man which dexterously prepares us for the intro-
duction of Machiavelli, and is intended also to
pave the way for his apology, evinces as much
condensed eloquence as we ever remember to
have seen. The following character too of Mon-
tesquieu is drawn with equal ability
The Judicious and candid- mind-of Machiavelli shows
itself in his luminous, manly, and polished language. The
style of Aloutesquieu, on the other hand, indicates in every
page a lively and ingenious, but an unsound mind. Every
trick of expression, from the mysterious conciseness of an
oracle to the flippancy of a Parisian coxcomb, is employed
to disguise the fallacy of some positions, and the triteness of
others. Absurdities are brightened into epigrams
truisms are darkened into enigmas. It is with difficulty
that the strongest eye can sustain the glare with which
dome parts are illuminated, orpenetrate the shade in which
others are concealed." •

Of the. article headed " Volcanoes," as we
are no geologists, we shall forbear to speak,
further than to observe en passant that it is in-
teresting and characterized by some curious (and
to us novel) facts. The criticism on " Anne
Boleyn, a Dramatic Poem," we should ascribe,
judging at least from internal evidence, to the
pen of Moore. It has all his sparkling vivacity,
his quick faculty of illustration, his fierce Catholic
prejudices. It is not, however, so much a Re-
view of Millman, as a diatribe on Sharon Tur-
ner, who, it seems, has disgusted the Critic by
his defence of that bluff' wholesale Reformer the
Eighth Harry. The article headed " Revenue
and Commerce of India," is able but heavy, and
calculated, by its technical details, not so much
to instruct the inexperienced, as to mystify the
learned reader. The review of the " British
Campaign at Washington and New Orleans"
possesses a strong Whiggish spirit : it is penned
however with a perfect knowledge of the subject,
and forms an apposite comment on a very inte-
resting (and what is still better), a very feeling
volume. The " Catholic Question"--a mas-
terly and unanswerable article—blends wit, sa-
tire, and argument, so felicitously together, as to
satisfy i
is
the
its most
author, fastidious
for
every
ery reader.
paga Sidney
it-
self a prose epigram) bears strong marks .of his
lively discriminating mind. We give the fol-
lowing extract, in which beneath a surface of
ingenious sarcasm, the reader will not fail to de-
tect a rich solid stratum of good sense :

We should like to argue this matter with a reg►iler Tory
Lord, whose Members vote steadily against the Catholi.
Question. " I wonder that mere fear does not make you
:ire up the Catholic Questions Do you mean to put this
tine place in danger—the ♦enison—the pictures--the phea,
ants—the cellars—the hot-house and the grapery? Should
you like to see six or seven thousand French or Americans
landed in Ireland, and aided by a universal insurrection of
the Catholics ? Is it worth your while to run the risk of
-heir ssectis ? What evil from the possible encroachment
Jf Catolics, by civil exertions, can equal the danger of
inch a posit' m as this ? How cwa man of your carriages,
►nd horses, and hounds, think of putting your high for-
tune in such a_predicament, and crying out, like.a school-
')oy or chaplain, Oh, we shall beat them ! we shall put
the rascals down 1' No Popery, I admit to your Lordship,
is a very convenient cry at an election, and has answered
your end ; but do not push the matter too far : to bring on
► civil war, for No Popery, is a very foolish proceeding in
a man who has two courses and a remove ! As you value
your sideboard of plate, your broad ribbon, your pier
,2,-lasses—if obsequious domestics and large rooms are dear
to you—if you love ease and flattery, titles and coats of
arms—if the labour of the French cook, the dedication of
the expecting poet, can move you—if you hope for a long
life of side-dishes--if you are not insensible to the pe-
riodical arrival of the turtle-fleets, emancipate the Catho-
lics ! Do it for your ease, do it for your indolence, do it
for your safety—emancipate and eat—emancipate and
drink—emancipate and preserve he rent-roll and the family
estate !"

We cannot close this cursory notice without con-
gratulating Mr. Jeffrey on the decidedly marked
improvement that, within the last year, has taken
place in his Review. The old spirit has beck re-
vivified. The sprightly intelligence of the earlier
numbers shines with all its full force in the pre-
sent, throwing a gloss, over argument, imparting,
a freshness to the inertness of science, and bor-
rowing the graces of fiction to quicken the dull
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