Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-05-05

The institutions Of the old world all tend
to throw obscurity over what we most
need to know, and that is, the worth and
claims of human being. We know
that great improvements in this respect
are going on abroad. Still the many are
too often postponed to the few. The
mass OF men are regarded as Instruments
to work with, as materials to be shaped
for the use of their superiors. That
consciousness Of our own nature. wL:-l--
contains, as a germ, all noble thoughts,
which teaches us at once self respect
and respect for others, and which binds
US to God by filial sentiment and hope,
this has been repressed, kept down by
establishments founded in force; and lit
erature, in all its departments, bears, we
think, the traces of this inward degrade
ton. We conceive that our position fa-
vors n juster and profounder estimate Of
human nature. We mean not to boast,
but there are fewer distractions to that
moral consciousness, that consciousness
Of humanity, of which we have spoken.
Man is not hidden from us by as many
DISCUSSES as in the old world. The es-
sential equality of all human beings,
founded on the possession of a spiritual
progressive, Immortal nature, is, we hope,
better understood; and nothing more than
single conviction, is needed to work the
mightiest changes in every province Of
human life and of human thought.
We cannot close our remarks on the
means of an improved literature without
offering one suggestion. We earnestly
recommend to our educated men more
extensive acquaintance with the intel
lcctual labors Of continental Europe
Our reading is confined too much to Eu-
glish books, and especially TO the more
recent publications of Great Britain. In
this we err. We ought 10 know the
different modes of viewing and discuss
ing great subjects in different nations
We should be able to compare the wri-
tings of the highest minds in a great va
riety of circumstances Nothing can
favor more our intellectual independence
and activity. Let English literature be
ever so fruitful and profound, we should
still impoverish ourselves by making it
our sole nutriment. We fear, however,
that at the present moment English books
want much which we need. The intel
lect of that nation is turned now to what
are called practical and useful subjects.
Physical science goes forward, and
what is very encouraging, it is spread
with unexamplcd zeal though all classes
of the community. Abuses of govern
ment, ofthe police, of the penal code, Of
charity, of poor laws, and corn laws are
laboriously explored. General educa-
ton is improved. Science is applied to
the arts with brilliant success. We see
much good in progress. But we find
little profound or fervid thinking, ex-
pressed in the higher forms of literature.
The noblest subjects Of the intellect re-
ceive little attention. We see an al
most total indiile renee to intellectual
and moral science. In England there is
a great want of philosophy, in the true
sense of taat word. five examine her
reviews, in which most of the intellectu-
al power of the nation is expended, we
meet pcrpetually a jargon of criticism,
which shows a singular want OF great
and general principles in estimating
works Of art. We have no ethical work
of any living English writer to be COM
pared with that of Dcgerando, entitled,
'Du Moral Perectiomement : and al
though we have little respect for the rash
congratulations of the bold and eloquent
Cousin, yet the interest which his met
aphysics awaken in Paris, is in our esti-
nation n better prcsagc than the lethar-
gy. which prevails on such topics in
England. In these remarks we have no
desire to depreciatc the literature Of
England, which, taken as whole, VIC
regard as the noblest monument Of tho
human mind. We rejoice in our descent
from England, and esteem our free ac-
cess to her works of science and genius,
as among our high privileges. Nor do
we feel as if her strength were spent
We see no wrinkles on her brow, no de-
crcpitude in her step. AT this moment
she has authors, especially in poetry and
fiction, whose names are "lamiliar In our
mouths as household Words" and who
can never perish but with her language.
Still VIC think. that at present her intel