Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-04-25
From the National rn,.uis,seer.

From the National tntenigeneer
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.
Among forthcoming books with pleasure the FOL.
lowing annunca,On issued Charleston South Caro-.
lima.
Proposals for publishing. by subscription, a. memorial
OF his genius, the Writings Of Hum Swisros LxoARE,
late Attorney General and acting Secretary Of State OF tho
United States"
The brief prospectus goes describe follows the
intended contents Of the volumes:
"The materials for tho proposed publication will consist
partly OF selections published works Of the author,
and partly of original matter They will comprise, L. Sc
lecons from his contributions the Southern Review, and
the New York Review. ii. Detached portions OF his d.
plomatic correspondence Ill. Journal OF tho Rhine
w. Oratons and other miscellaneous natter together with
some OF his private etie To DO preisced with Sketch
OF his Life, and emSelshed with his portrait The work
to be published in voumes, good type properly
bound, and be delivered subscribers at % copy
We familiar enough with the chief productions Of
Mr. Legare, and with what proposed In their publica
ton, supply notice distant oil the probable con-
tents OF the work.
In his State Mr. Legare had yet quilted its Col
lego, lin which his scholastic education completed
before he already the rapdiy and neness VI his
atanmenis. the powerful tot his mind, and especially
the brilliant OF his oratorca studies known through
much OF the South destined reputation equally
solid and splendid. These not abused as Of
ten in this count when applied to him. tor his was emf
nenty genius make itself strong by toll and art rs IL
was bright by the gift OF Nature Few ever appeared a
mong us OF nobcr parts; oil more powerful impulse
towards all the abors necessary perfect those paris
la paying, at the time OF his death, our own personal
tribute OF admiration and affection, spoke Of the lofty
aims OF selicuhvauon which led him abroad, almost as
his academica course finished Already Of
scholarship which but single gentleman OF this country
Edward Evereu) has equalled the age, and highly
cultivated in all that general knowledge and those arts OF
public life which render professional and popular
certain his ambition could content itself with merely
this superiority what could attain OF honor. Pospon.
ing such reputation he might almost at once have grasp
cd Tor tardier but lar greater and more permanent cm
nencc ne chose seek amid the perfect studies OF
the Old World. Accomplishments that might be the
ments OF greatness regular and conPete, as to
every thing thatcoud either invigorae adorn public
career than had yet been among us All this, with
interchangeable labor, he effected doubt among
all who figure in Europe Tor the UNION OF parts and ne al
ainmenis there is who has in years. exceeded
Hugh Legare. Certainly, have person Of
a mind 80 richly accomplished. Tie was. indeed,
take whole Libraries OF knowledge upon his shoulders
snd instead of being crushed out OF all originality by the
load, only walk like Roman soldier, the and
formidable for the heavy accoutements and weapons
OF the well appointed mind which he earned
Soon alter his from abroad he began the practice
Of the law and 10 the Legislature OF his State
member for the city OF Charleston. There from 1924
the time when he chosen Attorney General Of the
State, about 1884, he figured all important questions,
speaker unrivaed except by the beautiful powers Ut
COL wm c. PTeson-hs college associate and competitor
his superior the native gifts of the speaker and admi-
raby cultivated, too in all that belongs eoquence, but
destined be ou,s;ripped by the soidty and strength
which the others vas,ness OF labor constantly
lating.
These legislative and professional efforts, however, ex-
cept increasing reputation, usually passed with
the occasion that gave them birth. II is Of less fugitive
ones-ot his literary performances-thst
speak They began with the establishment Charleston,
in lSS, ol the Southern Review OF which he be-
the abundant aud the strongest contributor
His papers defence OF Classical Leaming-assaed
thea by cer-in unitarian invective against Latin and
Greek, by the late Thomas Grmke-on Roman Lers-
turc, Mr.. version OF Ciccros Re-
public. Plato's Philosophy, and many subjects the
literature and politics Of the day. hailed with
general admiration OF their ability and beauty. Out OF
these there much ut to be taken worthy of literary
preservation.
About 1894 he sent by General Jackson as our
charge Affairs at Belgium post for which his remark.
abe proficiency IN national and public law and in the
deEh languages sinanarly fitted him.
Its doubtless from his communications OF that period
his Government that be taken the chief par the d.
plomac papers promised in the prospectus which have
given They were at the time considered by those of
statesmen whose judgement such matters is Of
horiy, oi distinguished ability and interest. Others
however may belong To the time hen after the Iesgna-
ton OF MIR. Webster he filed once with such nigh
the double duties of Secretary Of Stale aud OF
Attorney General. These last perhaps testify what
doubt the fact lhat had he lived, the Texas negoa
ons foot by his would either have
occurred would least have been conducted both ably
and honoraby. His high integrity less than his skill
would have saved annals from the dsgraccs moral aud
intellectual, o the ingues, inventions. and absuTdes
marked almost every step oi those transactions.
On Mr. Legare's return, about the end of 1885,
into Congress Tor the district Of Charleston. There he
into opposition to tue Currency schemes of Cen Jack
son; became leading Conservative and pronounced his
celebrated speech against the SuJeasuy-one OF the very
that this county has ever yet afforded
In the next election he was, by singular union OF the
leaders OF the Union parry with his old adversaes the Cal
houn men, defeated From about this time began his con-
trbu,ons 10 the New York Review, for which he wrote
series Of very mastery articles the Aihenian Demo
crazy the eUquence and staesmenshp OF Demoshones
the history o the Roman law, and other important
topics. lie also took the field person, in tho great
test OF 1910, and made number very noble popular
speeches, which can have fo COTTON that
pronounced at New York. in which drew the most
rbe and eloquent picture Of the D-magogue, and the
by witch he debsuces the popular mind and free.
dom, that we have
The Journal Of the Rhine probably belongs the time
OF his second visit TO Europe.
The Editorial part Of the proposed work aud the boga
phiea sketch will probably be done jointly by his friend,
at home, particularly by two intimate than the
and admirably qualified for the duty. James L. Pegrue
the abost and most learned lawyer Of Charleston gentle
OF the most elegant parts aud wit, and Col. VIM c.
Prcston Of Columbia whom readers have need
10 be told Of as fit To celebrate Of genious and
orator.