New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-23
Wy. G,Ies,s Lecture.

( GILES, in his eloquent Lecture upon the - Genus
of BYRON :" and we cheerfuy give the best pos
sible correction N Mr. GILES latter upon our first
page Nevertheless we must still believe that
portions of the Lecture left the impression OF which
we wrote. In speaking ofthe proaigacy of Byron
while in Italy, for instance Mr. GILES referred to
the lax usages and rules of society which prevailed
in that country as furnishing at least some shadow
OF excuse for his gross disregard OF all the obliga
tons OF morality and personal duty. But we did
no, fer moment suppose that Mr. GILES could
intend anything like defence of BYRoS's charac-
ter ant life-or justify his unprincpled, law-defy-
ing and God denying career. But we thought that
the impression left upon our minds after carefully
and most closely listening to the whole discourse,
was more favorable to BYRON, less pointed IN re-
prehension of his course, and on the whole more
apologize than the truth demanded 10 our
minds every line of BYeos's poetry IL so perfect
expression OF his thought, his verse Is so tho
roughly informed with the whole spirit of bis per-
sona character, that any anal sls OF the one when
does not include clear statement OF the other,
seems TO Incomplete and therefore in It's effect
GILES had comparatively little to say; and this
emission may have seemed positive fault.
Mr.. GILES says that he sought enforce the
principle, which lie deems fundamental in the
pho sophy Of crime that the conflict between the
Zeal and The actual, which in BYRON SO
marked, leads By natural process to misery and
gloom of soul This we believe truth, and one
OF high importance; and with most terrible power
is it enforced in the whole life of BYRON. But it
seems to us that this principle does not go far
enough; it does not reach to the bottom Of he
mat. The possibility of sin, Of sensuaty con-
sis,5 in the ability which man of all Gods crea-
alone possesses, Of giving up his soul, that in
i.lm which is spiritual to the indulgences of the
flesh: Of descending from the higher to the lower,
sud Of making the base passions of the lower the
rood and sole portion Of The higher within him.
The fac. OF such burial Of the Soul in the mire
IF Inc Sense, of such d descent from the high and
holy ground Of the Spirit to the pollution and
shame of Aeshly pleasure, is the great fact which
embraces ul BYRoN's personal life; and it was
set forth by Mr.. GILES with an elaquence and
power which commanded the admiration of all.
From that fact, too. ne deduced the misery, the
sorrow, toe heart oathiogs the lifelong agonies Of
the great Poet: and this deduction seems TO US in
every way accurate and proper. That suffering
follows sin is as certain claw of cause and ef-
feet; is natural process its fuM dcyelopepert
may be pu, OF az hour, a year or life ZINE; but
IN the end the law is utt TO vndcatc itself
the order will surely be completed, "a. the Sun
will rise the Earth return to the same position
IN her orbit. The infinite Soul, longing for immor-
al food, stifled in any air but that. Heaven,
must be miserable when it comes down into the
srossness of nature ard seeks satisfy itself with
the passions Of flesh. This is true and was most
true of BYRON.
This, too, was exhibited by Mr.. GILES with
great power ard Beauty. But it only states half
the truth--and that the least important half. In
effect it merely states that BYRON made mistake
in his plan of life, and That his life was therefore
wreched. 1t omits clearly TO hold up the main
truth, that OF hiso wn free.uH B YRoN thus brought
his soul down from its high estate and forced it
to feed upon the husks which were fitted only for
his feshly nature: it wac in obedience to no law
Of cause and effect that BYRON snned and de-
graded his faculties, and brought eanness and
7gony into his soul. This was an act which had
an origin, for it followed no law; and as there is
40 origin in Nature, it must have sprung from that
within him c6ore his nature from his spiritual
being, his supernatural Viii; and thus upon his
own head rests the guiN well as the conse-
quence of his PROCLAMATION
-Bat we are saying mere than we intended
and more than is needed. If we Inexperienced
the spirit and aim Of tie Lecture of Mr.. GlLLs
us letter sets US right; that we intended mis-
construction he himself must be aware.
70 The BIRTHDAY of WASHINGTON was very
generally celebrated in our city yesterday, ahesgh
the weather was most unpropitious for outdoor
observances. The military, nevertheless, paraded
IN strong force and marched through our miry
streets in the face of wind and slee to as cheer.
iul and stately music as could have welcomed the
Sunshine; and flags and streamers depended from
all The public places, though sadly heavy and hang
ing motioness in the thick, damp snow that almost
aid them. On such occasions, as a matter of
course all places of public exhibition wax pa,ri-
o;ic; and canvass wherein were printed the q Me.
mory OF Washington aud kindred sentiments in
large and attractive letters accordingly adorned
The walls of Museums and Amphiiaeasres 1t
would be wtons, We suppose, to mst that the extra
.shings likely be drawnino the Treasury fol med
any part ST the incentive to these patriotic pays
indeed II Is rather Cheering indication that on
such occasions show of patriotism Will draw
crewd-that The hearts OF thousands in our city
respond, 10 the tune OF two shilIings to the chord
even thus isnobiy struck; that reverence for the