Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-03-16

thus generated, was fostered by The society
which frequented the house of Necker.
while he administered the French finances.
Intercourse with the Partisan literati doubt.
less, quickened the powers Of their aspiring
pupil, but. like Aristotle. she soon surpass-
ed her teachers. The general expectation
created by the early Development OF her
faculties was realized Ivy many memorable
publications, OF which the most important
was her Influence ofiiterature on society.
In this curious specimen of historical PM
losophy, she enforces the doctrine OF per-
reliability, ascribing the various re'roces-
sions Of the human mind in different ma
tons, 10 some vicious peculi9ritss in their
government or manners. From the reason
ings on this principle, the Corollary is ma
turally inferred, that religion and morals
are so implicated with the state Of llteIa-
ture as to require an affectionate regard To
its interests from all orders in state The
useful service rendered to mankind by this
performance, was almost forgotten in won.
der. when, on her return from Italy, Ma
dame de Stael added new allurement TO
that country by personitying it in her bril-
liant Corinna. II the graphical deli1ea.
lious OF scenery and Of art, endeared this
novel to the lovers of nature and of antiqui-
ties, the philosopher was not less delighted
by the correctness and comprehension OF
its speculations-the orator by its eloquent
addresses to the heaIt-nor the poet by IFS
fanciful extacies of passion. Perhaps, how
ever the most durable monument of mental
perspicacity and strength which NJ 'dame
de Stael has erected, is her work on Ger
many. Ii certainly presents an exactcr
national portrait, than is elsewhere 10 lie
found. Previously to its appearance, tie
authors Of England and France, bad so en-
crossed the regards Of the rest of Europe.
tha.the efforts Of German genius wer, COM
paratively unknown. To instruct this ig-
norance was the good f'rtune Of Madame
de Stael. Disd aiming to be the minister Of
national prejudice, she called the authors
o, Germany 10 her judgment seat--not TO
say that those of France were un.ivalled,
but to pass just and candid decision on
their merits. At the motion of the same
hand, which encircled ScHILLEs's brow
with fresh garland, the darkness which
hadveiled the abilities of Hart. disappeared.
and that philosophy was displayed to The
world as Zone whom il should delight TO
honor" The numerous other performances
of Madame de Stael, which preceded the
las, mentioned, and 10 which the limits of
this article deny amy particular allusion,
were marked by union of judgmen. and
Imagination, TO be found in no other writer
since the days cf Johnson.
: But her bright career was at length ter.
minated by death, and the work OF which
we are now 10 speak was precluded from
the benefit of her ultinae revisal. Pull.
lished under the authority of her children,
and illustrating momeDtous period ofhisto.
ry, il mus: be received with all The respect
which the authenticity of publication and
the importance of subject can claim. Be-
si'le this title to general regard, it posses.
ses more Interesting one to the admirers
of its auioress, in the affecting circumstan.
ces which surround it. Scarcely has the
sigh of friendship been breathed on the
grave Of Carinna ;-scarceiy has envy
dropped ON it a repentant tear, before is
heard from it the same strain of prophetic
wisdom and creative fancy in which her
living oracles had flowed Destined 10 in
struct Ills world when her spirit is reno.
we'd to the other, she now recalls it from
the saddening contemplation of her own
mortality, to review the mortality Of dynas.
lies and empires. The French revolution
has often employed the energies Of able
writers, but the inevitable prejudice against
contemporary interest and feeling has made
their efforts suspicious. To the Partisan
of the day, no foreigner who
sought correct information pretended TO
resort. and views but little less partial were
presented by the English politicians. The
situation of their own country impaired to
them an interest in the French Revolution, |
inferior 10 that only which was felt by the
parties whom it Immediately affected, and
by no means favorable 10 candid or even
an ineligible exposition Of its events.
The rival abilities OF Burke and Mackin-