Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-11
NopTu AMERICAN REVIEW.

before the puOHC. w $500
American Review for liberality, judicious criti'
ticism and particular regard to facts, has been
established for length of time. That Its po-
nularity must be great, is evident from the IN
creasing patronage that it receives, and from
the extensive circulation it has, both IN .nis
country and in Europe The present NUMBER
is not deficient in interest, nor does II detfae.
any thing from the well earned reputation o.
the work. Perhaps synopsis OF Its contents
NAV mt he unin,eres,ing to such readers OF TINS
paper who have mot had an opportunity - -
aminine the Review themselves.
A., T Contains brief history OF our army,
onr nresent system Of notifications, e the MI
,;tary Academy at West Point. This paper mas
Neon evidently compiled by person well ae-
oua;n,ed with the subject on when lie "ri'eS'
Mucb interesting and important matter Is CIV
an IN a short space, interpreted with happy
.nd ner,inent reflections. We do not recollect
ever 70 have seen any where SO good descrip-
ZION Of the plan of studies, &c. pursued at West
! Point as is here introduced. The article closes
with an observation which it may be well 10
inserts The time has passed in the United
S,ates. when any just fears are entertained OF
sucb standing army as may be required by the
present system Of general defence. II is gra-
,uitous assumption, that the officers OF the ar
nv are less identified with :he country, have
less interest in its institutions, and are less de-
sirous Of maintaining them, than any other class
oh Itch, Of Ct
countries form an apendage TO the crown; and
even in England, where they might be suppos.
ed to have somewhat more popular character,
foreign and colonial stations give the officers a
regularity Of feeling, which separates them in
degree from their fellow countrymen. But,
in our country, on the contrary, the army is
dependant upon the people, and is mingled with
them; it participates in the same habits, i'm
bibes the same sentiments, and regards itselfin
every rcspect as part Of the community"
Art. II. On Materials for American History
-Ap extract from this was published in the
Phenix Gazette of s,h inst. which may give the
reader an idea Of the whole article. We learn
from this, that the various Historical Societies
Of our country have been efficient and eminent
ly service able. The Massachusetts Historical
Society have already given US one volume; the
NewYo-k Society three, and the Newhamp-
shire Society have commenced to publish its
collections. OF the nature and importance of
their Iabours, perhaps, we cannot Judge SO we'll
as those who are to come after us. Hereafter
the historian will be able to turn TO the pages
of the memoirs Of these Societies, and draw
from them useful facts, which might have been
lost, had they not collected and preserved them.
Art III. Is judicious and we'll written er.
pose of the affairs of the Patent Ofice.-The
writer commences with question which, tho
often asked, is we'll worth repeating. "Do mem.
bers of Congress forget that they are sent
thilher by their constituents, and handsomely
paid, merely to make hourishing ard accusatory
speeches, but actually 10 look into and examine
the state of the departments; rectifying what is
wrong, and supplying what is wanting" That
this department: has been neglected, is abun-
dainty proved; and that it requires attention
and care is made equally clear. The patents
granted during the current year will (says the
wriler) probably amount to l2,ooo.-After we
deduct from this the expenses Of the establish
ment, there will remain large balance, which
Congress might appropriate for defraying such
expenses as should be incurred in the purchase
of a suitable building and making other altera-
lions. The article closes with some sugges-
tions concerning the Patent Law.
Art. w. Is a review of work Cor rather ofthe
preface of a work, written by a foreigner, en-
titled the (" History of democracy in the United
States Of North America" The reviewer says
that the performance is wholly destitute of me-
rit, even that of being tolerably we'll composed,
and calls it "the most narcotic lampoon we
ever read" One of the principal causes which
have tended 10 raise the celebrity Of the North
American Review, is the vigilance with which
it watches and puts down all those mean and
base libels upon our government anc character,
which are SO palatable TO many European tastes.
The hireling stranger, who comes and lives a
mono lie feasyiuor ar our fah1ps and sharing orr