New-York tribune., 1841-05-14
fitcrurn Noti1ts.


DrMoeR.o B Alexis dc Tocquey's ran-a,ea Lat & by
Henry Reeve T. VIII Original Preface and No ny 1oa
{ spencer Fourth Edition R'e and Corrected oIi @t ~
Eighth Pari Edtiou In two volume Ne"-iork D. " H. :"
Langley :, Chatham
The reputation of this work able candid and clear
sighted American Institutions and American chaF-
already permanently established The Sp"7t IN
which !, different from that which has directed
the inquire. other in the Unitsd States and the
noble purpose which the author had in view must commend
it fayorably the closest of every intelligent lnd
Few foreigners who have America have had the
insight discern the caldor confess the true character
OF the influences which gave country birth and the great
principles involved in and giving life peculiar in>'i-
The great majority OF them have been scavenger> IN
by-ace ra-acking every corner where scandal could be
found and looking bar-room and groghops for an eNpa
nation social system That these writer's should have
followed their instincts in pursuing then inquiries Is not
peglap, wondered bu ccrtan!y j. not surprising
,lat should object these disgusting caricars beng
received ycritabe portraits OF American manners and
above all pictures oi that democratic tendency
which our country than any other developing and
carving it. perfection.
De Tocoucyc came 70 this country fresh from the h"ri-
bic of the French Revolution and from thorough
sympathetic and comprehensive study Of that mighty demo-
cratic influence which slowly bat icss,bly per'ading the
nations Europe. From observation OF the
History France FOR the last hundred years ne saw
that the tendency there M been toward social equaity-an
this phenomenon was by means peculiar to
France He saw that the various of national
existence to use his words have crory where turned
to the advantage Democracy all men have aided it by
their cxcrtions those who have intentionally laborcd in its
cause and those who have served unwiitingy those who
have fought for it, and those who have declared themselves
its orponcns-havc al been driven along the track
have all aborcd to one end enoratly and un
Willingly: all have blind instruments in the hands OF
God He thus recognized this gradual development OF the
equality OF conditions providnt tact-universa dn-
rnbl and cudns all human interference He this
country then the progressive influence Of this prn-
cipe here-hc shapes which the results which
il cnl. and the duties which imposes. His observations
he avs are offered to the public uncr the impression OF
kind OF a religious dread produced in the authors mind by
the contemplation irresistible revolution which has
advanced in spite of such amazing obstacles
and which still proceeding in the midst e The revolutions
II has made This evidently the spirit in winch
History hold be ,ead and characters studied. The
mind which regards the birth of mighty nation
accident which looks only the outward visible events
winch have marked progress the nations Is not
the one 10 write History deep innuabe and ofinnic
power the influences which have formed and which must
peseve institutions and no insight that cannot recos-
ME thcso sufficient read national character The
of De Tocqucyile were made and recorded I'M
mcdiacy for the benefit France but they By no means
without deep Interest," and nigh importance ourselves The
Philosophical portion OF the work though in some respects
supcrca-as showing mainly the result, instead Of the orr
gnting powc. and sie in,tutons-is yet clHent:
practical and fall Of sound instruction.
The first volume Of the democratic pFinciI" a. 90
yei"Ped IN our I'i'@. '''e'''! '',' o Il
instructive impulse to the laws. prescribed by 10
1 ;.l,,s-.e nm ,,,l,l;. ,.a,i
ia, .;,,- f. IN ;,l os,iza1or j. made the sub.
3;-,:.. ,,,,.- .neIo purpose and one genera
.,;.. ,cd binding ,oseth.r tho whole The evil
,,,,,,,oscs o our democracy are displayed