Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-12-13
flor the Phenix Gasette.]
The Life Of Napoleon Bonaparte.

i
can, have long since passed their opinions upon
the merits of the work whose title stands at the
head of this article. Many OF US, myself among
the number, have not had an opportunity OF
reading the remarks Of these protested critics.
Having no other guides, then, but my own rea-
SON and reflection, by which ! might come to
an accurate conclusion, was led into tram
of thoughts, the substance OF which VIII be
found below. No preiensions are made to an
elaborate investigation of the work; lew gene
ra! observations only are intended, and the wri'
ter hopes they will be received in the same sill
n, in which they are written.
The Life Of Napoleon, by :he author OF
"Naverly," was an1iously waited Tor by the
public, both on account OF the greatness OF the
man who was TO be the subject Of the history,
and the fame Of him Who was to be the writer
Anevent transpired between the first anDunci-
alton of the work and its appearance, which
added to the anxiety and impa,ience oil the
public. The first intimation we had OF the
ae;reat Unknown" being about TO dedicate his
talents TO history, was given in the preface TO
tbe "Tales of The Crusaders" Public expecta~
lion was naturally raised, and IL was often en-
nu;red. how writer who had been always
soaring, on the wings Of Imagination, into the
bright regions Of fiction, would be content 70
stoop from his lofty elevation. Some even
doubted that he who had been SO long revealing
in the fantasies OF his own brain, could bring
his mind down to the description OF real per-
sonayes and actual occurrences But when the
veil, which had so long shrouded and concealed
this Northern Enchan,er, had been removed,
and men learned that the author OF "alarmlon
was one and the same with the author OF WA
verly," the high character and acknowledged
talents Of Sir Waller Scott increased their e1>
pectations as 10 the manner in which he would
treat the life and actions Of so remarkable
man as NAPOLEON BoNAPARTE.
me g, aaR nsT ss 1854 81 s
Walter Scott. Probably he is not destined 10
attain such commanding stand in this last de-
nartment Of literature, as he has III the two for
'mer; but sufficient fame will no doubt attend
him in all his labors. We are free TO confess,
tina, we are not altogether pleased with his last
production. Our reason will be & ven below
IL will be seen, however, that we praise much
more than we condemn, and we own that il has
raised, in no small degree, our opinion of Sir
Walkers talents.
We will FIRST state our objections, and then
endeavor to give an opinion upon the general
merits Of the work.
And, 6rst-Ne do not consider Sir Walter
10 be an impartial historian. II is discoverable
throog hout the whole Of this work that h. aims
al eIevating the character Of Enga at the
prnse of other nations. He travels Out OF The
record, as the lawyers say, TO defend the policy
OF, and the measures supported by, the Brl ish
government. Thar a man should love his own
country, and be partial to her interests, is not
only common and natural, but commendabe.
Indeed we should despise the wretch who
would basely abuse his native land, or feel no
reverence towards the home Of his fathers But
a grave historian, who sets out TO relate facts
as they really occurred, should repress his feel
ings and partiali,es, Sd far al least as to obey
the precept of MISUNDERSTANDING extenu-
ate, nor set down aught in malice" A num-
Der of instances could be a,.duced, where Sir
Walter unnecessarily occupies his own pages,
and the time Of his readers, with long disserta,
lions on The political course OF his own country,
and vain attempts to relieve her from the OPP
probrium which many OF her acts have brought
upon her. Why should he endeavor to recon-
cile her attack upon Copenhagen with the prin-
clpes Of honor and justice, when every reflect
ing man will al once detect the iallacy Of his
reasoniug, and the sophis,ry Of his argument?
Why seek TO convince that England is
"puiltless Of the blood which was poured Gut
50 often on The plains CT Europe, when every
one who RENE mbers the events of the times will
contradict him! We have no doubt but tina;
Sir Walter, when he wrote this life, believed
that he gave just and correct statement ofev-
cry event which he relates. He tells US in his
preface, thai he claims credit for having bro't
10 the undertaking, mind disposed to do his
subject as impartial justice as his judgment
could supply; and we are disposed 10 award
him the credit which he thinks is his due
But when the mind is biased, or the feelings
enlisted, it is impossible TO see the justice or
injustice Of our opinions, the correctness or in
correctness Of our decisions. The sentiments
here advanced may be thought singular, when
i, is remarked, that the writer Of this article is
no, an admirer Of either the personal or politi-
cal character Of Bonaparte. But hat Justitia,
ruai c.ium," is maxim Of his, and truth, how
ever disagreeabie or contrary 10 our expecta-
lions it may be, is always far preferable TO err
ror, even though the pill were gilded, and we
could roll il as sweet morsel under our
tongues" This charge Of impartiality is the
grca, and capital objection to the work; and