New-York daily tribune., 1843-05-25


dali Lincoln New-York, NJ H. N"winan' is' Dfoiu'
:,
We heartily welcome this book as admirably
adapted to effect most noble and m'lch desired
result. Whatever may be true oi select class
Of scholars and educated men, ii cannot be
doubted that the general tendencies OF the l!me
seoecislIv IN ,his country arc towards deprecla-
ton of Classical Studies in the public mnd'
With no considerable portion OF the community,
oether with those who from their official position
are the Statesmen Of the land nor with the great
body OF those who perform the active duhes OF
The several professions, and certainly not with
tbe wealthhunting or fashionable classes OF our
reople dc they hold that high station and COM
handing influence TO which they are truly entitled
We rejoice to believe that there exists IN the
bosorn Of our Society, confined 10 no section but
scattered throughout the land. body OF high
minded men who cherish these studies with genial
bpar.Iove who give TO Their culture tier patient
lifelong labors and from whose efforts and example
there goes forth, however silently, into every de-
partlnent of thought and of speech, an influence
most powerful and salutary in sotcning the asrc-
rites, in feeding all the beautiful charities, and
lending the graceful polish Of Art to all the m
,ellecual efforts of this active, cvcr-struggling
age. Such class will always exist in every
cultivated state, and their influence is always far
greater than is apparent to the public eye. The
incense they burn upon the affairs before which
,hey bend with such sincere and lifelong wor-
ship, mncles with the moral atmosphere their
less reverend brethren breathe, and mouds Their
life and gives beauty and grace TO It's daily
ways, of which they never dreamed, by a process
as silent and unseen as that which feeds their
bodily growth, or without an effort or thought OF
heir own, lends lovelincss and bloom to the lilies
Of the field But the world votes them slight
honor for it, and seems even TO grudgc thanks for
the good it unwittinglv receives from their hands.
The effect Of their labors, too is far less visible
than is scemly in those high places where 1t
should shine with peculiar brightness. In Eng
land and in France, whose Halls Of Legislation
are filed with as powerful and gifted statesmen
as ever did honor to any nation, scarcely a speech
is made by any public man OF emmcncc and
ability which is not dignfied and cnnoblcd in ev-
cry sentence by the lofty spirit of Classical Learn
ing. Their most distinguished Statesmen are
likewise most eminent classical scholars; and to
pursued these studies may be traced much of the
classic purity, the lofty strength and perfect pol
ish of their intellectual efforts. II is impossible
TO read speech OF any eminent British States
man. upon any topic even of the most trivial nm
poriance, without rcmarking its palpablc supcrl-
ory in this respect TO the parallel efforts OF our
own legislators and public men, We have many
men, to be sure, in prominent stations OF public
trust, whose scholarship and eminence in all that
can refine and ennobc life. would do honor to any
nation; but their fame in ths respect Is but light
ly regarded by the great public. The venerable
ADAMS is not only one of the most gifted, iar-sec
ing, and patriotic Statesmen VIC have ever had,
but one OF the finest, most accomplished scholars
IN The world. We have heard that when he was
President of the United States he used habitually
toreccivc the Ministers from almost every nation
III the world, and converse with each III his own
language, without the slightest occasion for an IN
erpreter and he is as thoroughly conycrsant with
ancient as with modern lore. No one can read the
speeches of WEBSTER, some of winch arc among
The noblest ornaments the literature of the world
has seen, without being forcibly struck by the ire
Quency and beautiful pertnencc of his classical
aAuslons and the pervadng spirit of classic
strength and majestic grace by which they are
GSnguished. LECARE the Acting Secretary of
State, is one of the most profound classical Schol-
aH now living, and the papers on subjects con-
heced with ancient Literature which he has pub
lshed in Quarterly Reviews and elsewhere would
honor the name of any living student. Mr.. CusiI-
INC Is one OF the most distinguished scholars in
ms Country; and there are few men IN the world
more extensive and varied accomplishments
nan our present Minister at the Court Of st.
'aines. These are names konored by the Judi
so's not less for their learning than their ability
'dt OF them all Webster alone has not been IN
Gcoied TO the schools and institutions of Europe
@F ms culture. Mr.. ADAMS spent nearly all the
s1iy years OF his youth and manhood abroad
;" LEGAEE was edncatad at an English Umycr-
@y MIR. Cushing has travelled and studied ex-
ssarey IN Europe, and Mr.. EyERErrspcnt some
!saS at the German schools and in stIdying
e'sek upon Grccian soil. And notwithstanding
lac honor that attaches to these names, is there
@tdeep and most humihating truth in the fol-
owing from the Introduction 10 this work
We must, however, confess with shame, thai,
American Legislative Assemblies, where we
aaturally look 10 find the highest courtesy of
Banners and the graces of literature, little proof
advancing culture, of any kind, is given.
seenes OF brutality, TO the disgrace and sorrow
The nation, are often enacted in the Congress
y The United States, that seem to show that the
ssgas OF barba.iSm is settling over the land