New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-05-26
REVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS.


laueogs writings IN this volume, with port On Of
which tie public are already more Or less familiar.
II contains several imaginative and siegorica.
pieces among which are the famous Dream
Of d" Deacon Giles Disti.ey,' which ooca'lonod
the author some trouble many years ago in Mas
sachqseits. deacon Jones Brewery and the
| " n story Of John Stubbs-a Warning 10 Rum
selling G-ocers These are followed by num-
Der Of descriptive articles selected we presume
for the most part from the authors travelling jour
mails The volume closes with discourse on the
religious and philosophical character Of the late
President MARSH, an estimate Of the position
and merits Of JOHS Foster, as writer aud
a theoogisn, and an Address delivered before q
society ia Amherst College On 1.-The Religion Of
Experience and that Of Imitation
An engraved copy Of the author ds-uerreotype
forms the lrontispiece Of the work. and furnishes
isir indication Of what W may expect IA ITS
contents. 1t denotes great fxedness Of purpose
a dreamy, meditauve, almost melancholy tempers-
ment, power OF intense inward abstraction, ard
a strong tendency to ianaticsm, which an llqoisi-
TOR might envy but no remarkable development
ri the reasoning faculties. 40 breadth or elevation
O thought, and none Of the gracious sw eetness OF
religious life which we look for in Christian
divine The personal characteristics thus pre-
sented are IN perfect correspondence with the
quality Of the writings.
We may venture to predict a certain degree Of
popularity for this work parts Of 1t may be read
with instruction aud pleasure by every one
though 1t often unsatisfactory, 1t is always sue-
gestive and even where, in our opinion, the an
thor is extravaeant sophstcal, not to say absurd,
he never fails 10 be IN earnest falls INTO dul
ness, and usually relieves the bitterness Of his de-
nunciation With the briliancy Of his rhetoric.
Dr. CHEEvER possesses many qualities Of mind
aud character that adapted to give him popu
lar SUCCESS as writer, although they do not insure
the value and soundness OF his instructions pre-
cisely in the same proportion. He chershes an
extraordnary-mo persons would say an cxas-
gerated confidence in his own opinions We SCI
no signs Of misgiving, hesitation, or uncertainty.
in his style Of expression, even on the most pro-
found and awful subjects. He never admits the
possibility Of his falling into error lie has made
up his mind TO which way the truth hes on
every theme which he discusses, and that IS enough
for hin. The opinions of other men, unless Their
names happen to be among the idols OF his Pan
theon. of which indeed there few whom he
wo,ships with a reverence almost ludicfous, he
holds in the most profound contempt. He is sin
gularly destitute of what DR.. Chalmers recon-
mends as the "modesty OF true science - aud
hence is never compelled 10 pause, to deliberate,
t. limit his statements, 10 qualify his assertions, o.
interrupt the smooth train Of his thought by neces-
sary parentheses-ench OF which processes is con-
venient in the investigation Of truth, though I'M
favorable to the production Of rhetorical effort
Indeed, DR. CHEEvERs mind is as absolute IN rs
tone, ss pcremptory in its decisions. as that OF
Mr. BRowNsoN, the celebrated assertor of inialli-
bilitv in Boston The difference is that brown
son arriv at his conclusions by the slow steps OF
logical sequence-CHEEvER darts at his conyic-
tons on the wings of erratlc imagination.
Allow BRowNsoN his premises, you are caught 10
his conclusions CHEEvER gives you neither premi-
SEES nor conclusions, but oracuar DEGREES. IN
each case YOU are borne down on the current OF
vehement eloquence, with positive assurance OF
motion, but no certainty that you are moving
right.
We do not say that Dr.. CHEEyER has no per
ception of the value of philosophical imPartaity.
He commends it as a noble trait in the intellectual
character of President MARSH, and uses some ad-
mirabe expressions in it's praise
"l II cannot be denied that in most controversies.
there is more less truth both sides the silver gray
and the dark green belonging 10 the same olive leaf
He possesses qualification AS philosopher, who
can put himself in the position of those whose minds
taking different view from his own. who beng
In the project himself into the situation OF those
who are standing in the shade or being IN the wind
can project himself into the situation OF al observer
where 70 Is dead calm.
But as 1t is always easier to preach than to
practice, DR.. CHEEvER confines himself TO barren
euogy OF this excellent virtue without the re
hottest idea Of carrying it into effect We do not
remember single instance OF its exercise IN all
his writings.
Another element of popular success possessed
by DR.. CHEyEER is remarkable luxuuance OF
fancy without the restraints OF severe or delicate
taste. His temperament is alive to the influences
Of Nature he has visited the most impressive
scenes Of natural beauty, his imagination has been
led with the treasures of Art IN the Old Word,
he is familiar with the great poets aud orators
both of ancient and modern times; hence there
IS often vein of beauty in bis writings, that
gives us delicious sense of Refreshments, after
being wearied with his distractions, or provoked
Win MS putIlltiCs us etSAO -" me W."
illustrations that are sometimes Of striking
character, though we are always at loss to de-
eide whether the rich and variegated colors which
they preseut are the reflections of a native bril-
liancy of mind or only the chameleon hues that
he has caught from the last object which he has
touched. His fertile, reeking fancy reminds US OF
tue rank vegetation of q tropical cline, which
gives birth Unfortunately to medicinal plants
and wholesome herbs, and no less TO flowers
whose perfume is as deadly as their ,Plendour is
seductive But DR.. CHEE,ER has no principle OF
selection His hospitable taste, IN striking con-
trast it'll his exclusveness of opinion entertains
every guest that knocks for admission. HIS I'M
agnation runs away with his judgment he cur
vets and Frances like risky young colt IN
broad pasture-he excites admiration Tor the hire OF
his eye, the grace Of his form, and the agility OF
his motions but if you attempt to follow him you
may be led into muddy ditch, or perchance' get
an unlucky blow on the head.
Here is a specimen Of the author IS Or'en'Slisms
missionary spirit is the only safeguard ana guar
antcc Of a sound theology. II any church or poy %