Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-06
GAZETTE.

seen, expressed favorable opinion OF MT.
RusH's work. it seems but fair to insert the FOL-
lowing critique from the Baltimore Gazette, which
shows a contrary opinion:
MEMORANDA OF A RESIDENCE AT
THE COURT OF LONDON-By Richard
Rush, Envoy Extraordinary, sc. Philadelphia:
CAREY, LEA and BLANCHARD.
This is a v ork of such magnificent dimensions,
such high origin and imposing appearance, and,
wilhal, so plentitulIy besprinkled with Dukes,
Esrls and Lords, that We are compelled to take
whole sheet Of paper aud new pen. before
we can feel ourselves in proper trim To do jus.
tice to its claims upon attention. We should
have no objection whatever to ga rivulet Of text
running tn ou.h a meadow OF marsln"-pro.
y,ded That the rivulet were a Pactous-but the
| oh ysical and intellectual weight of this cuurtly
! volume for curious antithes,,, which keeps
the mind Of the reader vexat,ous,y suspended-
like Mahomest's coffin between the respect tive
merits Of the authur and printer; and az the laws
Of gravity would certainly decide the question
in favor of the latter, we are disposed, out OF
| mere respect to the author, TO make light OF his
bouk, notwithstanding the high COMMUNICATIONS
which it has calico fottk.
We have no right to look in this volume for
any tn,ng more than what the title promises. -
Su, the Court Of London" with its glare and
glitter, has evidently affected the Imagination of
Mr. Rush too strongly. In spite of the frequent
saip0S IL which he resOrts-and which rather be.
tray the fact than conceal itthere is an anti repub
lican split apparent 10 his book, which ought to
reader it much more acceptable To his former no
BILE acquaintance in London than TO his fellow.
citizens of this cOuntry-and We are much mis-
taken if it were not Intended So to be. He not
only displays an ultra diplomatic caution in re.
framing from saving sing word which might
be d,sagrecbIe to any of the exalted personages
with whom his official functions brought him ia
contact, but indul.es ia admiration and CON.
menda,ion where there is neither reason nor oc.
casion for it. IL We are to believe his represen-
tatiuns, there is no room for reform in England
certainly none in its arisocracy, or the ceremO.
mes Of court. Now there IS surely medium
between the Understanding scurrility of such
animals as Mrs. TroIlope and MIR. FtJer, and
this mawkish, unmixed praise Of what, to sin
cere REPUBLICAN, must be the most exceptionable
features in the character Of England.
As matter Of curiosity, we are all DESTROYS
to know something Of the forms Of a court, and
the manners and customs of wealthy and pow
| erful aristocracy-but Mr.. Rush enters upon the
task Of describing them, with an elaborate solem.
nifty, which, at times is quite riste-and show S
that he is not 8 man To forget the time or the
place where he first shook hands with Duke
For instance, in giving an account OF a drawing
room held by the Queen, he seriously interrupts
himself-on paper-with such childish expires.
sions Of establishment as these" Now Whaf did
lsee?"--" Till IL be beiieued!" We must con-
fess this renders his book very interchangeable
il is not the sort Of book, which we expected, or
shout have wished to see written BY an Envoy
Extraordinary. and Minister Pienipotentiary
from the United States Of America"
1t seems that Mr.. Rnsh, like all great travel
Iers, had his "moving accidents and hair
breadth escapes even IN what ~ should have
supposed would have been a SAT. and expeditions
voyage across the Atlantic, in an American line
of battle ship, commanded by such an accom-.
plished officer as Commodore Stewart. II the
nautical bunders mentioned by Mr.. Rush, are
correctly stated, the Commodore or his subal-
terus must have been exceedingly perfunctofy,
considering what charge they had on board.
1--WE lett the capes Of Chesapeake on Sun.
day." says Mr.. Rush, "steering for England,
On the following Friday, to the surprise Of all on
board, we saw land. Ii proved to be the island
Of Bermuda. But how came we there!" Ave.
~ natural question: but it was mystery which
none on board could fathom, though they were
on soundings So after feeling the pull OF their
anchors and giving them preliminary taste Of
British ground. they hoisted sail, and tried ano.
Their tack to merry England II the evoked
Rer uoo,hes' had not fortunately been IN the
way, the ship might have brought up on the coast
of Africa, aud Mr. Rush with his credentials have
been precipi,ated in the Court of some Qqashee
Quackaboo, king of the Ashantees or Gorhantees.
After their ARRIVAL of the coast Of Eng land, they
incurred another much more serious DANGER
Upon flung signal gun for pilot, they were
boarded by an individual Of that profession, who,
we should have supposed. would have been e.'ii-
ca,ly examined as TO his condition and qusl;i,a-
t,ons. as it so happened that neither the Comno-
doie nor any Of his officers had been before IN The
English Channel, and as they had 10 navigate
through dangerous passage.
Yet though the eyes Of the officers and The
whole crew were upon this pilot. as Mr Rash
saws, and as naturally happens with reg"fo 10
:. the first person that comes on ship.board al.
a., the;r arrival At Cuwes they learned-and