New-York tribune., 1841-12-25
THE TRIBU N G..

rL,,..d.y evening. on The Character and Desii-
,ho American Scholar brilliant and
o,..;,,,;,e performsnce-we thought more SO than
instructive and satisfying, though its literary merits
,,e,e very considerable It's incidental review of
tho Literature of past ages was graphic and umin-
Gus. though not always just, and too apt to over
look truth in its passion fer sntithesis and effect.
Mr.. E. too sweepingy condemns the authors Of by
gone time as the blind slaves of prescription and
tradition. with eyes ever fixed on and fascinated
BY the Past. If they ever driven to war with
tas Established, Che argues,) it is for Restoration
rather than Construction and Progress. We think
this assumption does less than Justice to the sages
efAn.iquity.
The leading idea, however, of Ar. Eaness Ora
hon-the proposition that the institutions and his
tory of our Country properly form the basis OF
new Literature and open q novel and glorious ca
reer TO the American Scholar-s essentially
sound Que Literature resting upon the recog-
milton of essential, universal Manhood-upoa the
eternal verify of the principle which gives vitality
70 our Declaration Of Independence, that all men
alienable rights has evidently yet to be created
We have germs of it in the writings Of Martneau
ead Channing-the latter tmid save in his latest
ESSAYS we have its horn-book in the teachings of
some Of the Phrenologists, and its axioms bo-
died forth by the profounder Aboli,ionsts. We
ought. perhaps, to acknowledge its obligations to
Wordsworth ard his school, imperfectly as they
nav seem to present aud inconsistency as they
may hold its principles. That our Literature may
hereafter be more and more cenformed in It's spirit
and it. teachings to this great truth, is fervent
and sanguine hope. The nature of our institutions
and the wider and wider expansion OF that vast
circle which includes the audience OF popular
author of our time, will naturally secure this re-
suit The writers for a reading public composed
in good part OF mechanics, laborers and factory
girls is in little danger of intoxicating the offensive
n kim, of Arstocracy.
The great danger of Democratic Literature
and it's sae which every production of MIR. Eames
brings wildly before Us, though Of which ne
seems utterly unconscious-ls It's constant tempta-
ton TO excite van-glory and stimulate conceit
AIMING those to whom it appeals. He seems not
TO realize that a blind and fulsome idolatry of the
Present may exert as banefu an influence on the
cause Of Human Progress as kindred adulation OF
the Past. Fattery is seductive and dangerous
potion, whether administered to Sovereign Rulers
or Sovereign People, and with this subtle poison
this Lecturers essays are uniformly charged. They
virtually teach his countrymen that they have at
tanned perfection, not merely in Political institu-
,ons, but in Social and Moral condition. In the
glow of his intoxicating portraitures, our two mil
lions of slaves dance in gilded and cherished tet-
tiers, our iniaitude of druokards, debauchees, and
vassals Of the lowest sensuaty, are reeling deli
eiousy dewn to their graves to the music of Hal
Columbia In our judgement this rampering OF
the already overweening vanity OF our countrymen
is fatally pernicious. They need different and
.lerner lessons from their public teachers-lessons
Of humility for their arrogance of rebuke for their
national Iapacy, for their concei'ed Ignorance ot
vital truths-their intolerance of differences OF
opinion their easy tolerance of fragrant dishonesty,
aud their repeated and shameful breaches OF Pub
lie Faith They need not prophets who proPhesy
smooth thngs-of these they have superabund-
snce--but such as will say to them i'll the language
ofearnest remenstrance and fearless reProot, Thou
art the man. They need severer Literature aud
a more faithful Press--for he who imagincs that
instant popularity and lucrc will reward lofty and
snglc-minded adherence to the supreme good, for
gets that the world we live in is the same in which
Dagon was worshiPed and Christ cruciiied. Mr.
Eames's Conservatism has tendencies more dan
gsrous, in our eyes, than the most ferocious Rad
icalism; as tho very worst impression which can
be made on People is the Aa,ering delusion that
their achievements such to place them be-
yond the necessity of ncessant striving after i'm
provement-oE thorough turning to the ways of
Wisdom and Virtue.
VAGINA; Or The LOST AND FouSD. Tale. BY the
Author of Constance; or, The Merchants DauCh-
ter Dayton Saxton, cor. of Fulton Il Nassau SIS
This little volume is one of deep and profitable
interest. The avowed object Of the writer is - to
furnish popular illustration OF some OF the modes
by which the unwary may be beguiled into danger
Gus religious error, and the young scduced into dis
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