The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-04

Aueusr %, ls43

yels in Spain of the Chevalier Bourgoanne, published
1883, The edition is that of Robinson, London-
Indeed | know not that there has been any other
English edition, although the travels have much
merit La his statements of fact the author appears
remarkably obseryant of truth, however undecided
he may be ia expressing opinions on some points
where his silence was Influenced, probably, by cir
cumstances. He long resided in Spain, and was
for sometime Secretary Of the French embassy al
lis court and was afterwards French Minister to The
circle of lower Saxony. Ease, grace, and vigor
mark his STYLE
His sketch of the care of the Spanish Academy OF
History to collect and preserve the documentary ev
dence and other proofs necessary to complete MS
tory of Spain, may serve as an example to other ma
tiona aud State Institutions in own country
which they will do well to emulate. No nation has
so great advantages to preserve whatever is requi-
site to its true history these United States OF North
America. The earliest settlers, particularly those
of New England, were distinguished by their earnest
and even religious regard for learning, and some of
them were highly respectable for their own attain
mcnts in literature. Schools were one OF the most
constant and important objects of the political solicit
tude and arrangements Of the Plymouth and Massa-
chuscts colonies, and of the New England colonies,
with scarcely eXception-Rhode Island, noble
State as she is, was for some time in the
rear in this case A college (Harvard) was
early established in Massachusetts, which has re-
ceived liberal, if not too exclusive patronage from
the State and from individuals; and which has sent
forth multitude Of able, useful, and learned men.
Other colleges have been subsequently established
and fostered by the kindness of private friends and
the aid Of legislative endorsement. Besides all this
of little, rocky, sea-girt "great-heart" New Eng
land the Union now contains many colleges created
by legislative charter furnished with funds by State
benefactions and paronized by private interest and
munifcence. Many unpublished manuscripts are IN
the Libraries of these colleges and in public libraries,
of cities and towns as well as many books which
would throw still greater light than has yet arisen on
the history and biography of the United States
Many, ALSO Elk st in the possession of private persons
which would contribute to the same end These, when
brought before the public, would elucicate some
parts of history and biography, as yet ooscurey
or erroneou.ly represented The claims OF truth are
ever paramount; it has natural links and connexions
which, if some of them are wanting, doubts arise
SUM cuque tribute. Without an abundance of do
ours is liable to be misled by partial imperfect IN
formation, as in writing history or biography, SO
many are in peril from the cause to which Iacitus
refers, when claiming for himself, with respect to
certain persons, exemption from its operation" Mihi
Ohio, Vilettius, Galba benefcio, nee injurla
cognito. If the predecessors of any historian who
surveys any considerable period of history, have not
done much to collect evidence, he will be continually
liable to err, his work will be dsfgured by many
faults of omission or commission Materials, even
carefully and judciously collected, may, for time,
remain unproJuctve of any important work, but IN
due season they assure rich intellectual harvest
The unpublished marble which inferior hand
could not mould to beauty may, under the plastic
art of swise Phidias" or Praxiteles, become an or
nament to architecture or statuary. The documen-
tary evidence and written narratives and other his
torical parts which existed anterior to Livy and
Tacitus, first arranged comprehensive scale
and beautfed by them into elegant and Instructive
history The events of the life of TulIy were gene
rally well known to the learned before Middleton
formed them into his polished and interesting but
too eulogstic biography. Great Tully was and is
likely to be the page of history, he obtained
from Middleton in the 18th century the exaggerated
estimate and panegyrc Narrative which he asked
from Of his literary contemporaries. Yet tins
has facilitated rational appreciation of his Princl
Piles and character by literary men OF the last and
present century.
That corporal power, those exact proportions,
and those expressions Of the countenance had pre-
vIous existence in nature (Dever before so well de-
lneated by modern skill) which Michael Angelo
made breathe and speak, and Raphael transferred by
his submest efforts to the canvass. The lawns OF
England, ''thy forests Windsor, and thy green re-
treats" were seen by multtudes, and their charms
felt for centuries before Pope celebrated them
by the music and graphic power Of his verse -
"Homewards the peasant went beneath the setting
sum- the forms Of beauty smiling at his heart" he
admired the bandness and masnihcence OF nature
long ere the Manuan bard walked his rural Tyre
and pictured in gorgeous song the landscapes oil Italy
Old Scotia's "heathy moors and winding wales, her
rs and rivers running swiftly to the sea amid beau
tiful scenery-hcr Crooks wild and majestic" her
mountain soltudes full Of grandeur in their extent
and tranquil slness-had often greeted and cheered
both native and stranger Burns and Scott looked
out upon them with the eye and described them with
the pencil of the poet
To revert directly 10 history, from winch, ny ANA
logy, have perhaps little wandered. IL is one oil
the tasks which several societie. have imposed ON
themselves, however operose, or seemingly num-
be-to collect the mater ais which may serve to per-
feet our national history, and have just been en-
deavoripg to show the extraordinary facilities we
possess for this purpose, and how ndhP ensabe such
materials are to reliable and emiDently useful his
tory of our country In furnishing the extract here
with, show what country much less favorably
situated for eecting this object with respect to ITSELF
and by no means the most literary Of European ma
tons has done through its historical Academy; and
IT is probable amid the disorders which have occurred
1850 in all Spain it has yet accomplished more.
The extract is taken from PIP. 247-250 of Mr..
Bourgoannes travels in SpaiD vol lst, London edi-
tion 1889