The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-22

CooPER's Naval IiisToRY.-We have
read the greater part of these two volumes
from the pen Of Cooper, which have just
been published, and we have read them
with pride and pleasure that we have not
felt in reading any thing else, Cooper has
published Of late. Mr.. Cooper has careful
ly collected and collsted all the facts re-
spectng our Naval History, from the ear
liest settlement of the country almost to the
present day, and he has traced its rise aud
progress with an accuracy, fairness, and
good taste, which entite the work 10 a
place in every library. He does not abuse
or decry the naval officers of Great Britain,
whom the fortune of war put into power,
and whenever he speaks of the depredatory
incursions of the British armed vessels up
on our coast l,o speaks uf them with all the
decorum that some Of their outrnges ~ould
permit. An Englishman cannot complain
with justice, even while Cooper has iIlustra-
ted the splendid achievements of our little
Navy with all the eloquence of his, at times,
powerful pen.
The Tripolitnn War, conducted under
the auspices of the gallant Commodore
Preble, is piece of chivaIrous romance
of amazing interest. Preble must have
been most extraordinary man, or he could
not have breathed into the brave spirits n
bout him heroic coolns's, and yet prudent
fury, if we may so express ourselves, the
like Of which we have seldom, if ever, read
Of The Young Men, the Emlryo Com
modorcs whom he was training in this war
with the MOors to cope afterwards with the
powerful ornaments of Great Britain, were
formed under his eye; and their exploits
are worthy of the best days of chvalrv.
They did not count their lives as any thing
when the sacrifice was useful to their coun-
try and Preble was compelled to reign
them in, so ripe were they for every thing
daring.
What is also remarkable, they seemed to
love and adore each other, and they sacri-
feed themselves, the one to save the life
or the limb of another, with cheerfulness,
and almost with pleasure. Cooper has de-
scribed all these scenes of Romance, for so
they seem to be, with liveliness and power,
and every American who reads this part Of
the history, will feel more proud than ever
of his beloved country and heroic country
men, who, upon the ocean, first tough, the
Natios into notice, and opened for our
Commerce the Mediterranean Sea.
We are inclined TO think that the public
will, upon the whole, when they have read
this work, agree that Cooper has redeem
cd himself. His practical knowledge of
naval terms and tactics has given him n
great advantage over literary men in gen.
sral in his descriptions. II may be set
down as his chef d. ouvre, with the Life Of
Columbus, by Irving, and Histories, by
Prescott and Bancroft, which are now set
down as standard works Of American Lit
erature.-N. Y. Express.
Famine in New Fomdland.-Great dis
tress prevails in some par, Of New Found
land, Tor lack Of food. The Harbor Grace
Star oi March 9th says:-" We have no
hesitation IN stating that within circuit of
twenty miles from Hsrber Grace there are
hundreds of families who have NOT. ia their
respective dwellings, an ounce Of anv of The
common necessaries Of life and who. for
weeks past, have been sub.lsiinr upon n
single meal day, and this too, in napv in.
stances, Of the mos, wretched and nausea.
ting character" The Governor had author.
ised the Commissioners OF the Poor TO er
pend the sum Of e200 from the Treasury
for the relief of the sufferers. The Irish
socie'y had also contributed the sum of
c2io for the same object.