Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-12

is apparent that he has gained complete com
mand of his auditors The second note adds
but fuel to the flame, and on he goes, like a
fire on the prairies, burning, blazing, scorching,
and consuming all before him. His opponent
quakes with terror and surprise as he beholds
the strong cords Of his logic snapped asunder,
like tow in the fame, and shriveled into thin
air ; and at last bstered with sarcasm and gal.
led with vndctive irony, he falls down discom.
fitted beneath the fiery tempest that over
whelms him. Such work is too warm to last
long. The orators voice and manners grow
more feeble; his victim lies before him flayed
alive and quivering at every nerve and he
sits down, perfectly overcome with the gigantic
effort. The audience, caring 10 hear no more,
take their hats and dispense and our American
friend walks away with the firm conviction that
if Daniel Webster is not the greatest man in
the world, that man is Lord Brougham.
Such displays as have described are rarely
witnessed now; they belong rather TO the time
when he was simply Henry Brougham, fighting
for distinction in the House of Commons. The
Peerage often proves an extinguisher upon tai
ent. The goal is then reached, the price is
won, and, to a man who has become habituated
to the stirring scenes of the lower House, a
removal to the House Of Peers, with its scanty
attendance, (not more than one.sixth being gen.
orally presently its quiet gravity, and its aver
sion to forensic display, always has benumbng
and deadenng effect There is not much field
there for defamation, and the debates usually
resemble the conversations OF committee
! room.
| Brougham's great forte is in overpowering
sarcasm; but there is another faculty in which
he is unrivaled. 1t that of reducing general
truths into concise form, easily quoted and
easily remembered, and thus rendering them
terts and patchwords to all future time. The
memorable expression, which occurs in his
speech against the appointment of Wellington
as Prime Minister, is a case in point. Field
Marshall, the Duke of Wellington" said the
crater, may take the Army-he may take the
navy-he may take the mtre-I make him a
present of them all. Let him come on with his
whole force against the Constitution, and the
English people will not only beat him back,
but laugh at his assaults. In other times the
country may have heard with dsmay, that the
soldier is abroad Let the soldier be abroad
if he will; he can do nothing in this age
There is another personage--a parsonage less
imposing--in the eyes Of some, perhaps, insig-
niicant he school.master is abroad and
trust to him armed with his Prmmer agans,
the soldier in full military array"
But the greatness Of Lord Brougham is not
confined to Oratory alone. He is grea,
Statesman and Politician--a great advocate, il
we may Judge by his mastery defence Of
Queen Carone--a great reviewer, and Meta
physcan--a writer on Science, and a writer o.
penny books for the poor, and finally, one of the
great promoters OF the "Societv for he diffusion
of useful knowledge" Like DR.. Clarke, he is
fully of opinion that a man cannot have toe
many irons in the fire, so he thrus,s in tongs
poker and all. As TO his scientific researches
however, the world is pretty well convinced
that there is great deal o; charlataneric, ant
imposition. 10 man who possesses no orgi
nal science it is very easy task to collect facts
arrange them in a popular form, and send then
to the world through the books of the "Usefu
knowledge Society,"" 1t costs little beyond thu
mere manual labor Of transcrbng. A dis,ing
uished American Professor, during late vsi
to this country. was staying at the house of al
eminent scientific gentleman, and while there
the gentleman received a note from Broughar
requesting some exceedingly simple informa
ton with which the most humble pretender T.
Scientific knowledge should have been familiar
The incident is enough without comment.
In conversing with Englishmen about Lor
Brougham, have found them generally Willing
to allow him tra,iscendant talents, but at tn
same time insist that he is but ronderfi
,nadman-a sort of magnificent dreamer. An
the reason is obvions The English are
phegmatc people, and for the most part strong
" attached to things as they are, and things a
they 1cere in the days OF their ancestors. Wte
man rises among them in the attitude OF
bold reformer, and hurls his denunciatioI
against existing institutions, especially if he b
fertile in devising new expedents to supply the
place, they are very apt to consider him da'
gerous incendary, who "scaters fire brand
arrows and death" Brougham never has bee
able to originate new measures his high voc;
ton is to call the attention Of the people to cv
as they exist, and to stimulate them to their n
moval-not with Radical violence but wi,
Wing firmness and moderation.
This sketch is already too long, and clos
with the simple remark that the private habi
OF this distinguished peer are not as regular
in former time. Nor is he alone in this mela
choly distinction, nor is Eng and the only cou
try which has to mourn the prevalence of dss
patton in high places-and its fearful ravag
upon her men of strength and renown.
/. Yours as ever, II. l.. G.
A lad,