The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-04
WHOLE NO. 2s5.
From he London Times.

nuHlun lalstnO0Qs Oi LoIu DfouShuin dedth
whether written forgery, or verbal repre-
sentation, il matters lile) the text for labored
commentaries on the learned Lords proceed
ings, his life, and public character To expa-
tiate at length upon such topics would require
an exercise of pen or speech almost as cum
brous as his Lordship's own productions. lie
has been, for period equal TO that of an en-
tire generation, the mo, Il voluminous Of wri-
tiers, the most voluble Of debaters and of ac-
tors, it not the most efficient and successful,
at any rate the most restless and interchangeable,
Had he abstained from writing, speaking, and
attempting nine tenths Of that with which he
has loaded the name OF Brougham, he might
have accomplished in each department where
on his multifarious efforts were, in great
measure, worsted, a success as signal as his
failures have been notorious and memorable,
and have enrolled himself with graceful and
lowing repulation---not one composed of
shreds and patches, here exposing his naked
ness, and there expressing him with grew
Gus and unwholesome weight. There is
scarcely subject on which Lord Brougham
has not put himself forward as the author Oft
one or more publications. history, theology,
metaphysics, mathematics, political economy,
literary criticism, biographical criticism, con-
sttutional dissertation, party controversy with
out end "Omne iere scribendi genus teti-
git" Alas we are unable TO add, "nullum
quod tetigt non oraapil." In fact, there is no
one general topic discussed by Lord Brougham
with regard to which he has contributed either
substance or beauty to the thoughts which
preceding writers had expended on it, Where
any radiance appears to burst from him, il is
but a stream of sparkles from a firework---
there is neither steady light nor animating
warmth. For discoveries in science, moral
or physical, none who know or study this ite-
nerant would YER dream of searching in any
OF his numerous productions. For fresh and
racy illustrations Of the nature or character of
man, even where naught but illustration Of
some truth previously recognised and acqui-
esced in might be needlul, we must refer else
where than to the declsmatory illusions and
writings OF Lord Brougham, whose faculty is
that Of mere expression. TO him the Creature
is not given. He is an advocate, and nothing
more---an advocate who gains attention with
out inspiring any deep or enduring Interest,"
an advocate who entertains his audience, who
strives to cut away objections or distractions
by the edge OF sarcasm, not by the force OF
reason---an advocate who can be vehement,
but never earnest, who exhibits heat of TEN.
per, but not of passion, and could as rarely
win the sympathy Of jurors as he could the
sober sanction of the Judge. Lord Brougham
has been in perpetual whirlpool, created by
the velocity of his own movement round his
own centre. Nothing however, has been
sucked into the vortex thus formed by him but
the weakest, craziest, and most dminutive
craft that foated For man Of Lord Brough-
ANS untiring residences. and nnisA. and IN
mutt, like unto the rushing of mighty waters,
no man has ever failed so palpably in the ac-
complshment of any one decided effect, be-
| You'd that Of deafening the world, and keeping
people alive to the circumstance that there
was within their hearing an interchangeable and
incessant paper-m. Instead of being able
| to make himself standard on which mems
hopes and confidence should be fixed, and
round which, in times of danger and perplexi-
| ty, they should rally, this being Of various Vi
vacity and hustle has been compelled to stand,
| or rather to piroutfe, aone--not because peo-
| pie have felt no want of leaders, for never was
there period when experimenting wisdom
was acknowledged to be SO nestimable, or
mind framed for the government Of other
minds would have commanded such submis-
slve and deyout obcdience-but because, after
long experiment, men have found that Lord
Brougham has the gift of speech, but not of
action-because they cannot rely upon his
tickle and hayward spirit-because his CO.
operation is precarious, his spirit Of intrigue
incorruptible, his ambition wild and indefinite,
his absence Of fixed principle and steadfast
purpose as conspicuous as it is terrible, both
to followers and to colleagues. lii society, as
one of the most agreeable, amusing, witty,
kindly and convvial of associates, there is no
individual capable Of filling the space which
would have been left void by Lord Broughams
untimey exit. There are a multitude of
friends who loved him for what he was and is,
as there are of observers who have admired
him for what he might have been. But solid
post in the great political world he has nome
followers he has none-reasonable prospects
OF influence or power, or gratfied ambition,
he has none. There is no party, whether
"Movement'' or Conservative, that would ven
ture to employ him otherwise than as tran
sIent ally--as partner, or colleague, never
Setting aside all ahectionate or private feel
lngs, those members of both parties who are
best acquainted with Lord Brougham, and have
tried him, would, after little while, have felt
his removal tightening of many cares, and a
release from many imminent cmbarrassments
For 1t Is by impulse Of temper or Of pique.
more OF selfish than even caprcious ma
| ture, and distracted from all broad or distant
| considerations Of national or general good,
that the course Of this impctuous and in some
| respects formidable adventurer on the scenes
of public life has hitherto been shaped and d.
rec ed.
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
The following is from The London Specia-
IN, IF 0ctnbar