Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-23

rit Of the whole. In this, however, We are dis
appointed. This extract would have contained
criticism on Burke's celebrated Reflections,
written with temperance and happy medi-
um of praise and censure, which strikes US as
admirably illustrative of the good and common
sense which blends remarkably with the
great genius o. Sir Walter Scott. The part Of
the work which we perused, was a summary of
the causes and events Of the French Revolution,
as far as the massacre Of the Swiss Guards
I wo or three chapters more would have brought
us to the kings death, which the powerful and
graphic hand Of the author must have made ex-
tremely striking and imposing. We are com
PEELED to say that the feelings with which we
read the first part Of the work, were those Of
disappointment. So many works have been
written, and by men so well acquainted with
and able to portray the causes of the French
Revolution, that even the author Of Wsverly
can find little Of novel or original 10 chain our
attention Conscious Of the tediousness of the
beaten track, he has employed in great profu-
sion, and most often neither naturally nor srigi-
nalIy, metaphors and SMILES; which, however
well they may suit the style Of novel, take
from the dignity Of historical discussion. The
SMILES drawn from classical stores,a are often Of
the trilest kind, and in one place we observed
no fewer than three successive sentences in the
same page, which contained as many abored
comparisons. With regard TO the spirit Of the
work, it is LIBERAL yet decidedly loyal. The
author is willing 10 give due credit to the mo-
tives Of the Constitutional and Republican
leaders of the Revolution; but the king, Louis
XVI. is allowed no faults but those which en-
dear him 10 us. He is presented with all the
virtues which Charles l. possessed, while his
only faults seem all unwllingness to shed the
blood Of his subjects, and too great distrust
Of his own Judgment. Surely TO an unbiased
mind, some greater and worse faults must have
been found in his character, or Louis never
could have been so unpopular, and his person
and authority SO reviled and despised, from the
commencement of the struggle. There is one
point in which these views of the French Re-
volution will be most grateful to Americans.
Sir Walter is eminently just to La Fayelte.-
Indeed, we are acquainted with no history Of
these times which exhibits La Fayelte in SO re-
spectacle light, whether as regards character,
influence, or abilities. His motives are repre-
scented as pure; his influence as great, and, with
but one exception, properly and even generous
ly exercised: he is acknowledged as the leader
Of his party, and becomes without influence by
the diminution Of that party; and, lastly, his
treacherous imprisonment by the Prussian mo-
HdrSI, 10 Justly anu warmly IOHQciaUtu OOlHt
Of the characters of the Revolution are admi-
raby sketched. Danton, Robesperre, and Ma
rat, are separately Disseminated and marked
out by few striking touches, which convey in
brief space excellent outlines Of their charac-
ter But the description of the more remarka-
bic events-the storming Of the BastiIe, the at
tack on the Palace of Versailles. and particu-
lary the massacre of the Swiss Guards, are de-
scribed with the same Inimitable hand, which
gives much interest TO the imaginary mob at
Edinburgh, in the Heart of Mid Lothian. In
deed, the interest wonderfully thickens as we
advance towards The fatal period of the birth
Of Napoleon, until just before the trial of the
king, the work has all the enchanting interest
Of a romance. Its publication may, therefore,
be expected with the certainty of the greatest
qualification and enjoyment by the reading pub
lie.