Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-10-04
NEW

81 eecona y t@t 10 The United States, by Sir Charles
Lyea-Hapers, Ntw York, lS49.
W BRIT fly alluded To this work, in a passing notice of
the contents OF the last Dumber of the Quarterly Review,
in which there is an article, Of grea, ability devoted 10 its
examination. We have since had an opportunity of form
ing our own opinion of its merits, and have no hesitation
IN ranking II among the most interesting b oks of travels
ct the day. Perhaps a third Of The work is devoted to
geological dlscusslon. but in so popular astyle is this dis
cuss'on carried on, tina, The general reader feels no dispo-
s'tlon to "skip" the chapters devoted TO the science, to
further which was the binary object of the authors visit
to the United States. Popular education, free schools,
the Voluntary system. slavery, the state Of society, &c,
naturally engaged his attention. With regard to the first
two subjects, his book conveys a mass of Information
which has astonished his countrymen. Touching slavery
his remarks are generally as liberal as could be expected.
He describes faithfully what he saw, and bears testimony
to the general happiness and physical comfort of the slaves
of the South. He falls into error someiimes as to matters
Of fact, and is occasionally wrong in his differences. He
10 evidently no aboliiionist, though d~isliking slavery
His book is denounced by some in England as giving a
favorable view ofslayery and thus tending to perpe,uatc
the system. We believe he aimed at the tfuth-but
truth is not tolerated by this bigotted faction. He ,rav-
eled many thousand miles in the country, frequently
'eaving, for a lime, the great, beaten high ways, 10 visit
some locality of geological interest, and, Of course, saw
society in every shade of civilization. 1t is gratifying to
find that, like almost every other traveller, he bears the
most cordial testimony to the civilty, nay kindness.
with which he was everywhere treated, and that too at
the moment when our people were in The highest state
OF excitement on The Oregon question. He was not less
gra'iied and %surrrized to find scattered all over the coun.
try, men who appreciated his labors, and were ready to
Putihemselves to any Inconvenience TO promote his OBJ
jects. The general diffusion of intelligence and of literary
taste suTprized him much. He is not likely soon to for
get his surprise, when. getting on board a magnificent
steamer on the Mississippi, at midnight he was appealed
to by the Clerk, who recognized his name as that of The
distinguished g~eologis', 10 say whether Macauley was
not the author Of the criique on Miss Aiken's Life of
Addison, in the number Of the Edinburg Review which
had then just appeared. The answer was in the affr-
native, and was gratifying 10 the Clerk, as it confirmed
his judgment, based upon The style Of the article. He
describes these enquiries, so astounding to him, coming
IRON such a functlonary, as having been conducted in a
most gentlemanly manner. The Clerk showed him to
his berth, and expressed his regre, that he should no, see
him again, as Sir Charles was 10 land before day.
light.
The whole work is calculated to produce a favorable
impression Of our people abroad. II has called forth, as
we have heretofore stated, an article from the Quarterly.
the most liberal and ~encomiaslic towards our country
which ever appeared in that periodical.
The book is beautifully gotten up BY the Harrers,. in
two stout volume and furnished at The low price ofsg
"A History Of The French Rerolutio, of ls4s, Lv a.
Loma'tine, 2 rols- Philips + Sampson, Boston.
This is a book eminenlly French. It's subject ia
French-its author French and the style in which his
tory is treated, French. 1t is, nevertheless, a work of sim
guar ability. When he who makes history writes it.
we must read with more interest, than when events ara
narrated " one far removed from the scenes and passions
OF the hour. But. when a man of brilliant genius. like
1 amartIne, condescends to admit us to his confidence and
give us, whilst every thing is fresh in his memory. his
own version Of what he said, did and saw, we cannot re-.
sist the fascination. Though styled a History-and we
90 mol impeach It's general accuracy-the volumes before
us are not less The personal memoirs Of Alphonso de La
MARITIME. The third person is used, aud he is alluded to
as a historical character, but every page bears the i'm
press of its being an autobiography, and hence its charm
to us. We do not say, that future historians will reiy
implicitly upon his statements. He probably errs fire.
quen'ly, and we feel sure is no. seldom wrong in his de-
ductions. But it is, perhaps, as faithful a narrative Of the
events OF lo4o, as could be expected ola participant. We
have In his high toned personal character a guaranty that
he does not deliberately, for party or private ends. falsify
history. He had the best opportunities of knowing what
was designed, and what happened; and we need not say
that no living author can throw around his narrative
more of the witcheries Of genius. The book is charming,
and deserves a place in every library.
Both these works are for sale by J. P. Wright.
COMMON COUNCIL.
AT a regular meeting ofthe Common Council O fLynch.
burg, AT ihelr chamber, on Friday evening. 18th Sep