Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1845-08-07
From Correspondent of the Boston Atlas
PEN AND INK SKETCHES.
MACAULEY-SIR ROBERT PEEL.


MACAULEY-sIR ROBERT PEEL.
AS I have introduced to my readers few
of our political Peers, let them now accom-
pany me to the Commons; and having
snugly ensconced ourselves below the pub
lies gallery, let US make the best use OF
our eyes and ears.
That is Macauley who has just risen. He
is about the middle height, his face is ra-
Their of the "rotund'' formation, and one
would not think, on looking al the forehead
which is low, that behind its barrier of
bone there was so busy brain. His eyes
are small, quick, and vivacious, and faint
smile plays about the corners of the mouth.
Altogether it might be called good humor-
ed rather than an intellectual looking conn
tenance. Maculey's figure is trille awk-
ward, and his action is by no means grace
ful-but just watch him as he proceeds
with his speech, and you will soon lose
all perception of the man. Your closest
attention will be demanded to, and be riv-
cited by, his matter.
Some members of the House-one OF
the ilustrious obscures-has been theoriz-
ing away for the last half hour, and now
Macauley is about 10 demolish his Aladdin's
palace-llke structure, with few balls from
his practical battery. See-he catches the
Speakers eye, and listen, as he commences
his address in low tone of voice-paus-
ing between each sentence, as if TO recon
slider what he had said, orwell weigh
what he is about to advance. Slowly he
goes on at first like practised swimmer,
who Wades carefully over unseen rocks,
and looking somewhat awkward, as he
picks his way-but he is soon in deep wa
ter, and away he dashes, fearlessly fingng
around him the glttering spray, and rejoic-
ing in his strength. MacauIey is now fairly
released from the shallOWness of introduce
tory matter, and away he goes, far and fast.
AS he proceeds, his voice increases i'll vol
ume and lorce-his right arm is in inces-
SAINT motion-his eye kindIes, and from his
eloquent lips brilliant ideas chase each
other in rapid succession, until the House
is wrapt in the closest attention. But Ma
cauley's speeches consist not Of ideas only
he grapples with no shadows. Truth is
his weapon, honesty is his armor, and facts
are the weapons with which he fights. Wo
be unto the unlucky wight who, for the
sake of display, has gone forth to the
wordy combat, clad in the gew-gaw piano.
ply of sophism. For him, and for such as
he, Macauley has no mercy. He proceeds
to the attack of such an adversary, smiling
in undissembled scorn, as he raises the
point of his glitterIng lance-and almost
ere we can sufficiently admire the temper
and polish of the weapon, his victim is
endorsed, " spectacle to gods and men,
Champion after champion he disposes OF
in like manner; and when the lists are
cleared, and not another foe presents him
self, he stands alone in his glory-a sturdy
and victorious champion Of truth. When
Macauley resumes his seat, dead silence
ensueS, and then burst of applause, such
as only sterling eloquence can command, is
heard ;-beiore it ceases somebody chips
out "Mr. Speaker,'' and in twinklng the
benches are half cleared-the library is fill
ed with loungers; the Hobbies are crowded,
and sleepy country members repair to the
side galleries, there to finish their slumbers.
and indulge In dreams of places and PEN
sions.
1t has been said, and with much truth,
that Mr.. MacauIey's speeches are his spo-
ken essays. To give, therefore, a correct
idea Of them, | cannot do better than quote
from an article on Macauley, which appear
ed some three years since in the Boston
Miscellany, from the pen of Mr.. Whipple.
1t is not too much to say that the brilliant
paper in question is worthy of its eminent
and eloquent subject-for as an ably writ
ten critical essay on tile writings and genius
OF Macauley, it is unequailed in this coun-
try, or in England. Mr.. Whipple says
"With all his fondness for speculative truth
with all his deep sense and detestation of in.