Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-04-25

MALTE BRUN.--We know not to whom
| we are indebted for the annexed interesting
! sketch Of Matte Burn, man, who has filed a
place in the world, equally creditable to him
! self and useful to mankind.
He was born in an obscure corner Of the
world, and had to contend with all the miscres
of poverty, and DISTRESS and the malicious
opposition Of enemies and rivals At one time,
he held very conspicuous place in the politics
Of Europe, and for many years, was a contr-
butor to. and an editor of, one Of the most in
huential French publications. His history, is
faithful commentary on the value Of native
talent, and teaches us, that true genius can
never be obscured by the malice of unprinci-
pied opposition; and that like the hidden vol
cano, it will occasionally burst the crater, and
throw its dazzling lustre upon the world. In
the history Of Matte Brun, there is much to ad
mire, and but little to ccnsure; whilst the mind
is left to wonder, that he who had so few ad-
vantages should have lived to become so con-
spicuous in the world. He may with truth be
called the prince of Geographers; and the loss
of such man will long be felt and deplored.
lie lived long enough, however, to realize
most Of his iondest an,icipations; and all his
eares, hopes.
This eminent Gcographcr was born in 1775
in Jutland; he was destined by his father, who
was a clergyman, for the church, and sent to
A. g 10 cft,1,
gy; but he occupied himself in writing verses
and theatrical journal. Politics seemed to
be the favourte theme of the young student
and when the minister Count de Bcrnstorii
proclaimed the liberty Of the press in Dem
mark, and endeavourcd to abolish the slavery
of the Serfs, Matte Brunt declared himself the
champion of liberal ideas and while his father
protested with the mobiles against the abolition
of slavery, the son wrote boldly for the liberty
of the peasants. His success encouraged him
to dare more; he joined the party which de-
sired radical change in the government of
Denmark, and wrote violent pamphlet enti-
tied ChatechiSm Of the .friStocrdtS. Fearing
for his liberty, ho fed to Sweden; but finding
the government did not trouble itself to make
state affair of his pamphlet, he returned to
Denmark, and wrote still more violent produc-
tions, rendering a second fight necessary. He
was III MS aDScnCc COnuetnneu 10 pcrpctual
banishment, at the demand Of the Emperor
Paul and the King Of Sweden, who required of
the Danish court the punishment Of the Jaco-
bins Of the north. He arrived at Paris, and
the republican soon became an apostle Of the
imperial rule Of Napoleon: as writer in the
Journal de y Empire, he daily bespattered
:he idol Of the day with the most extravagant
praise; this lasted until the fall Of Napoleon,
when he Quilted the Journdrde L Empire for
the Quotidienne, in which he had only TO
change the name Of Napoleon for that Of
Louis XVIII. to continue in his old style Of
continual admiration. These changes ofopin-
ion were but too common in France during the
revolutions TO which he submitted. But we
shall not follow him through the labyrinth Of
political career, in which he rcsembled the di-
al, which marks the hour exactly when the
sun shines, hut leaves no traces Of his existence
when clouds or night veil him from mortal eye
]. is Therefore with pleasure we turn 70 NJ