New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-23
THE TRIBUNE.
RebfeU.

heartily glad to see ms papers collected ana ISSUED
in the series OF neat volumes of which this Is the
fourth. AS philosophical essayist we think ne
has many decided superintendent OF far more log
ical minds, moved by far more sincere and pro-
fouad love Of truth and sound principle and in
every way more capable of that close, comprehen-
sive investigation which alone gives value to this
highest species of periodical criticism. The very
qualities which make him so brilliant and power
full writer, unfit him, in some degree, for the
more chaste and severely thoughtful disquisitons
upon philosophical themes. 1t is quite impossible
to impart dramatic interest to critiquc on Pla-
to's Dialogues; and an exposition Of the Baconian
philosophy is scarcely susceptible of that high
loripg, that magnificent decoration of language and
style, upon which his popularity and power princi
paly rest. His review of Bacon,--though one Of
his most highly admired productions-for this rea-
son to US the least truthful and Just of them
all. In contrasting the philosophy of the great
Epglishman with that of Plato, his love of entthe-
sis, his anxiety to make strong and prominent
points betray him at almost every step into gross
representation of them both and the climax Of
euogy by which he eXalts the unitarian doctrine,
which he pretends To have discovered in the works
Of BACON, over the higher philosophy of the divine
Athenian, which regarded not only the act but its
motive, which was not satisfied with making men
comfortable but sought likewise to make them
heart pure and upright, sounds strangely from the
mouth of Christian critic. Macaulay seems al
ways to love brilliant antthess better than truth:
and his philosophical essays are poisoned by this
fatal fault.
But in narration and dramatic grouping Of Incl
deuts he has no superior; and it is this power,
Joined to his perfect command over all the wealth
Of language and the beauties of style, which has
made him so deservedly favorite. His life Of
Warren Hastings, included in this volume, is one
Of his bes, productions in this respect; and his
paper on Milton, one of the most splendid compo
sitions in the language, removed as it may seem
to be by the of its subject from this class,
yet derives much of its merit and power from the
same dramatic skill. Frederick the Great is
it is mainly narrative, full of the stir and activity
Of real Representing with graphic skill the chief
events in the history of this renowned Emperor
His military character his great genius as States.
man and King are clearly presented, in language
of great richness and strength, and In periods o.
full and sounding measure The following ex-
tract concerning Fredericks literary abilities and
his correspondence with Voltaire will be read with
interest:
"But we should very mperfectly describe the
state of Frederics mind, if we left out OF view the
laughable peculiarites which contrasted so singu'
larly with the gravity, energy, and harshness oil
his character. 1t is difficult to say whether the
tragic or the comic predomnated in the strange
scene which was then acted In the midst OF all
the great kings calamties, his passion tor writing
Indifferent poetry grew stronger. Enemies all
around him, despair in his heart pills OF corrosive
sublimate hidden in his clothes, he poured torth
hundreds upon hundreds Of lines, hateful to gods
and men-,he insipid dregs of Voltaire's Hippo
crene-tbe faint echo of the Tyre of Chaueu. 1t is
amusing TO compare what he did during the last
months of 1857, with what he wrote during the
same time. 1t may be doubted whether any equal
portion cf the life of Hannibal, of Cesar, or OF
Napoleon, will bear comparison with that short
period the most brilliant in the history OF Prussia
and of Frederic. Yet at this very time the scanty
leisure of the illustrious warrior was employed IN
producing odes and epistles, little better than
Cibber's, and little worse than Hayleys, Here
and there a manly sentiment which deserves to be
in prose- makes its appearance In company with
L FoHetneuS anu VI PaeuSJ Ely enA -A~A-sA "-'
the plaintve Phllomel the poppies OF Morpheus,
and all the other frippery which, like robe tossed
by proud beauty to her waiting woman, has long
been contemp,uously Abandoned by genius to me-
diocri,y We hardly know any instance OF the
strength and weakness of human nature 80 striking
and so gro,esque, the character ct this naughty,
vigilapt, resoute, sagacious Questioning, hait
Mith,idates and half Trisso,n, bearing up against
a world in arms, with ounce of poison in one
pocket and a quire of bad verses in the other
Frederic had some time before made advances
towards reconciliation with Voltaire; and SOME
civil letters had passed between them. After the
battle of Kolin their epstolary intercourse became,
at least in seeming, friendly and confidential. We
do mot know any collection of Letters which throw
so much light ON the darkest and most intricate
parts Of human nature, and the correspondence
of these strange beings after tkey had exchanged
forgiveness. Both felt that the quarrel had lower.
cd them in the public estimation. They admired
each other. They stood in need of each Other
The great King wished to be handed down 10
posterity by the great Writer. The great Writer
felt himself exalted bv The homage OF the great
King Ye, the wounds which they had inflicted
on each other were 100 deep to be effaced, even
perfectly healed Not only did the scars remain
the sore places often festered and bled afresh.
.'The letters consisted for the most part of COM
pliments, thanks, offers of service assurances of
attachment. But if anything brought back TO
Frederic's recollection TIE cunning and mischiev
Gus pranks by which Yoltairc had provoked him,
some expression ofcontempt and displeasure broke
forth in the midst Of his euogy. 1t was much
worse when anything recalled 10 the mind of Vol
taire the ou,rages which he and his kingswoman