New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-08-22
REVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS.

ANl1 - OF ~ tAf 1e-L'4 iiIlN "a - iA jas tN-
intended as al Introduction 70 the History Of Lib
erty in al s.es 70 whicn enterPrisc be appears TO
have devoted the studies aid isDOrs q BIS e IL -
certainly q sublime snd comprehensive theme
which be proposes 70 untold, aid would require
for the complete performance Of tie tasA' 'esree
Of LITERARY Attachments Of inteleotoa. ability, u
sympathy with the fortunes Of the race and Of the
nouer OF chas,e and eloquent expression, which
rarely 'sl. to the lot Of an individual The con-
caoti,n q such purpose Is IN Itself proof Of 6
zeuerou. mind, and must call forth on every side
the most sincere ~isnss for its successful accom-
shmeDt.
The present volumes exhibit the evidence Of
many qualities essential 20 90 large an enterprise
IN their accomplished author. They are in the
highest degree creditsble 70 the conscientious
fidelity Of hs researches, 10 bis industry and power
Of persistent intellectual labor - his acquaintance
with the most authentic sources Of ancient and
modern learning. and to the extent and variety Of
nis erudition, which is free from any tincture Of
pedontry or ostentstion. He has rnese dilgen'
use Of the excellent authorities which abound in
tbs department Of study, and without any Affect
alton Of depth or originality has wrought up the
results OF bis industry into nethodica, sometimes
pleasing, though never an elegant or artistic
narrative, which will prove Satisfactory guide
MT fascinating companion, 70 future travellers In
tue same path.
Nj Eliot makes no pretensons 10 philosopher
scuteness or subilety. He rarely ventures into the
field either Of conjec IRE or speculation. We give
him all due praise for this, knowing that abin-
nence, though negative virtue, in many cases
possesses indisputRble merits but We confess that
bis narrative would have gained much in unity and
profoundness while it would have lost nothing IN
vigor and cearness if he had brought to the Illus
traton Of the events hch he describes, the lights
Of a comprehensive science, which alone Is able q
shed order ard beauty over the complicated work
ings of passion and the troubled course Of history
When be does venture tssnduge In the discussion
Of general principles, which IL but seldom, he pre-
sents the appearance Of ieebleness and unaccus'
tomedness, in painful contrast with the fluent
facility with which be relates the incidents aud
facts that have become familiar to him from care
lul study Of the ancient writers.
The reader must not expect to find in these
volumes the brilliant characteristics which give p
winning charm to the pages of our historians O.
acknow eed eminence- The author, We under
stand Is still a young man, who has enjoy ed the
advantages OF more than ordinary cultivation
such 80 they are, in this country, and with very
respectable abilities, as is evident from the pro-
ducti0n before US but without claiming the posi-
ton in letters which be gained only by various
experience, profound attachments, and practice IN
affairs, combined with an original genius both for
reflection and expression. His style Is Tor the
most rart clear, always elaborate, but destitute OF
the spontaneous grace the unexpected felicities'
which at once attract and reward the attention
il does not enchain us to the subject, nor occasion
an emotion OF regret arriving at the close of
volume We are willing to thank the author IN
the entertainment he has given us, but he does
not make US in the slightest degree clsmorous for
more. n
THE MANIAC AND OTHER POEMS. BY GEORGE
SHEPARD BUKLEIGH Philadelphia wv. Moore
The principal poem in this little volume, in spite
of the repulsive character OF the theme, isa pro-
duction OF very considerable beauty and power
The writer belongs 10 the " intense school, and
OF course is often lost ia flights which the more
quiet reader of poetry will not care 70 follow. a
vein OF pure and tender sentiment peryades the
poem, but its effect is simiuished by the needless
accumulation Of physical horrors. The volume
contains number of smaller pieces, which, though
less carefully elaborated are more pleasing in then
character, and will meet with many admirers. II
they possessed less genuine Poetical merit than We
freely accord to them the fine humanitary spirit
which breathes through them, the sweet and lofty
visions of ideal perfection which they reveal t.
the inward eye, and the living sympathy with
Nature which inspires their most expressive ina
gerry. would always insure to their author " TT
Audience, though few. X.
AsFRMON IN BEHALF or THE AMERICAN HOMt
MISSIONARY SOCIETY, preached 10 Newly and
PhiAdelnhis. May, ls4e. BY AIsGsr BARNS New
York W. Osborn.