New-York daily tribune., 1845-12-19

NEW
In short, We can sympa,hize with the words Of
John Maidstone;
He (CromwelD was a strong in the dark
perils of war, in the high places OF the field. hope
shonc in him like pillar OF fire when il had gone
out in the others.
poetic and sufficient account of the secret Of his
power
But Mr. Carlyle goes on to gid the refined gold
thus:
"a genuine King among men. Mr.. Maidstone
The divnes sight this world sees, when Il is pri-
vileeed to sec such, and not be sickened with the
unholy apery OF such
We know you DO with all your soul love kings
and heroes, Mr.. Carlyle, but we are not sure you
would always know the Sauls from the Dsvids.
We fear if you had the disposal Of the holy OIL you
would be tempted to pour It on the head OF him
who is taller by the head than all his bretheren,
without suficien, care as 10 purity Of inward test
mony.
Such is the impression left on us by the book thus
far as 10 the view ori,s hero but to what such
history should be, and especially how that of CrOm
well is to be treated the reader will like 10 see what
Mr Carlyle himself says:
Histories are as perfect the Historian is wise
and is gifted with an eye and soul For the leaiy
blossoming Present Time springs from the whole
Past. remembered and unrememberabe, so con
fuscdly as we say:-and truly the Art OF History
the grand difference between Dryasdust and a
sacred Poet, is very much even ths:-Io d!siin
guish well what does still reach 10 the surface and
is alive and frondent for US and what reaches no
longer 10 the surface but mouders safe underground
never 10 send forth leaves or fruit Tor mankind any
more: of the former shall rejoice 10 hear 10 hear
OF the latter will be atiiiction to US OF the latter
only Pcdanis and Dullards, and disastrous m0tciac
tors 10 the world will find good to speak. BY wise
memory and by wise oblivion: it lies all there -
Without oblivion there is no remembrance posi-
bic When both oblivion and memory are wise
when the general soul of man is clear, melodious
true, there may come q modern Ht0d as memorial
of the Past: when both are foolish, and the general
soul is overclouded with confusions with unverac
ties and discords, there is Rushworthian chaos.
"Ours is very small enterprise, but seemingly
useful one preparatory perhaps TO greater and more
useful, on this same matter The collecting OF the
Letters and Speeches Of Olirer CromtccH, and pre-
sen,ing them in natural sequence, with the still pos
sible cucidation, ingenious readers. This Is q
thing that can be done aud after some reflection 1t
has appeared worth doing No great thing one
other dull Book added 10 the thousand, dull every
one OF them. which have been issued ON this subject
Bat Situated as we are, new DulnCss Is ubHuPPHy
incvitabe readers do not reascend out OF deep con-
fusions without some trouble as they climb
"These authentic uttcrances of the man Oliver
hmseE-I have gathered them from far and near :
iishcd them up from the foul Lethean quagnlres
where they lay buried | have washed or en-
dcavored 10 wash, them clean from foreign stupid
ties (such Job Of buck washing as do not long TO
repeal; and the world shall now see them IN their
shape Working for long years IN those un-
speakable Historic Provinces, of which the reader
has already had account 1t becomes more and more
apparent TO one That this man Oliver Cromwell
was us the popular fancy represents him, the soul
OF the Puritan Revolt, without whom II had never
been revolt trauscendently memorable, and an
Epoch in the Worlds History; that IN tact he
more than is common in such cases, does deserve to
give his name 10 the Period In question: and have
the Puritan Revolt considered as n CromTeHt0d
which issue is already very visible for it. And then
farther altogether contrary the popular fancy it
becomes apparent that this Oliver was not man OF
falsehoods, but man OF truths. whose words do
carry meaning with them, and above all others OF
that time are worth considering. His words,-and
still more his sciences and unconscious instincts,
when YOU have ssclt and lovngl y deciphered these
also out of his words.-wil in several ways reward
the study Of an earnest man. An earnest man. ap-
prehend, may gather from these words OF divers.
were there even other evidence. that the cnarac-
ter of Oliver and of the fairs he worked in is mach
the reverse of that mad tumble OF 'hypocrisies, &c
u
For the rest this book is of course entertaining,
witty dramatic, picturesque all traits that are pl-
ouant many that have profound interest are brought
out better than new The letters and speeches
are put into readable state and this alone is great
benefit They are relief after Mr.. Carlyles high
seasoned writing, and this again is relief after their
long-winded dimnesses. Most of the heroic anec-
dotes of the time had been used up before, but they
lose nothing in the hands OF Carlyle and pictures OF
the scenes, such as of Naseby fight for instance it
was left TO him to give. We have passed over the
hackneyed ground attended by torch-bcarer, who
has given a new animation to The procession Of
events, and cast ruddy glow many striking
physiognomy. That any truth ofhigh value has been
brought to light, do not perceive, certainly no.
thing has been added TO own sense oi the great
ness of the times, any new view presented that
we adopt TO the position and character Of the
agents
We close with the only one of Cromwes letters
that we really like. Here his religious words and
his temper seem quite sincere for the occasion was
one that touched him really and nearly:
To rry loriag Brother Colonel Valentine Haoa These
"LEAGUER BEFORE York, 5th July. 1914.
DEAR SIR Its our duty to sympathize in all ner
ces and 10 praise the Lord together II chastsements
or trials so that may sorrow together.
Truly England and the Church OF God hath had great
favor from the Lord in this great Victory gwen unto us
such as the like never since this War began 1t had
all the evidences of an absolute Victory obtained by the
Lords blessing upon the Cody arty principally We
never charged but routed the enemy. The Left
Wing which commanded, being our own horse, saving
few Scots in rear beat all the Princes horse
God made them stubble TO our swords We charged
their regiments of foot with horse, and routed all
charged. The particulars cannot relate now but
I helia of Ia Prince
thousand left Give glory all the glory to God
Sir God hath taken away your eldest Son by can
non. shot 1t brake his leg We were necessitated TO
have i, cut OIL whereof he died.
..Sir you know my trials this way but the Lord
supported me with this, That the Lord took him into
the happiness We all pant for and live for. There is
your precious child iull OF glory to know sin
sorrow any more He gallant young man. eX
ceedinsy gracious. God give you His comfort Before
his death he was SO full of comfort that 10 Frank Russell
and myself he could not express H. 1T was so great
above his pain This he said TO Indeed !; was ad
urable little after he said One thing lay upon his
spirit asked him. What that was he told me il was,