New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-10-20
REVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS.

ne VIE w > Of NE w DUMB
rgy HISTORY or THE UNITED STATES or
AMERICA By RIcHAKD HiLosErH Ia Three Vol
umss Vol III. kew-Yofs Harper and 6rotnes'
| We hsve now the completion OF MI Hhdreths
..borste Hs,ory OF the United States from the dis
.overy Of the American Continent to the organization
dtbe Government under the Federal Constitution
TIE work l.. sustained with uniform sbiy and inter-
a.. throughout tho wide field Of historical nvestigs-
on which 1t undertakes TO traverse The three vol
sn.s before the public everywhere display the marks
Of profound original research critical comparison Of
authorities strenuous devotion TO the subject OF in.
curry, calm and temperate judgment, In the balancing
Of evidence, and sturdy adherence to the common
nse view Of the facts and events that pass under the
,o,loe Of the writer, with rigid abstinence from all
sscur,ons Of the fancy indulgence In theory and
conjecture. The work. u now completed forms IN
accurate aud weLdeineated map OF American History
Il presents every essential feature of the Landscape
omi,s nothing I'm porsnt the business Of the repre-
,sntstion The whole Is arranged ia orderly proper
ions with constant regard TO the principles Of his
orosl perspective end finished In style Of nee'ness
md often Of elegance which grsthes the sense o; lite
AIRY ART, though 1t makes preensious to the exqui
,te and dainty rohnemcnts Of composition, which in
ne hands OF washin ton Irving Macsulsy, and Bancroft
ave been used with such delightful effect to relieve
/ he m onotony Of historical narrative.
work of this character is indispensable TO the stu
ant of American history IL 10 admirable introduce
|aon 10 the profound study Of the origin and progress
a our present Institutions II lays open the whole
|.d OF inquiry with singular precision and dsnctness
von,. out the situation of all the prominent landmarks
myers with considerable fulness of detail around the
no. mpertsnt and attractive spo and sets for1h inc
rsuve position of the principal characters ana Incl
tents with cloarness of description that will enable The
reader to inspect the ground more infinitely for him
.lf with the conf ienco arising from welldisested
| preparatory knowledge.
We freely accord these merits to the present vol
sues and would thus be understood to give them
ush degree Of commentator 1t lisa rars thing for an
uhor 10 be 90 consistent with himself throughout the
.cs,ruction Of laborous work, as Mr.. Hidreth has
zen In the composition Of this history lie Is never
educed, for a moment, from tho plan which ne mas
i.iop,sd. He scconpi.hes whatever he undertakes
he pursues the idea which he has chosen for his guide
nth an austere tsnscity Of purpose. which applied to
lie moral relations Of life, would make one very an
aorite of virtue. But excess OF goodness be-
mes repulsve In Its severity so the form OF history
sopted by Mr. Hidreih fas at length into hsrshness
| nd seerbiiy We weary of the cold FLOODED impair.
s.y, which 10 never betrayed into emotion. even by
| lhs fate Of Warren, the character OF Washing
nn We would gladly exchange the presence OF a
asleton however accurately and scientifically strung
ns,her on wires in whose eyes there 10 no specula
do for an hours communion with living and breath
"a man. with the warm atmosphere OF humsnity sbou,
lrn although be could lay claim to an icy, blood
90, ideal perfection. The preternstura cslmne" OF
R Hildreth which at ret inspires easy confidence
| hhs Qualifications guide, often assumes the sp-
p,srsnes Of Mephistophelisn Indifference, with no
s,s 10 human excellence and no sympathy with human
psiion.
This Characteristic 10 more conspicuous In the vol
before us on account Of the deep interest inspired
lrWsrythips relating to the history Of the period
sash descroea 1t takes us into the very midst OF
Revolutionsry struggle places us BY the side oft
ssde and conducts TO lite glorious termination 1t
ssss the story Of the Boston Town Meetings. Of the
kOaunents Congress. OF Lexington OF Bunker Hill, OF
lkrssoga OF Monmouth. Of Arnold and Andre. Of La
getse and Koscusho. with q much spsthy a. II the
ole narrative devoted to the adventures Of com
Joy Of trappers OF the fortunes of trading expsdi
"a, The closing paragraph Of the history aeords a.
pod specimen as any Of the manner have CEN.
sn,ed on The style 10 clear the mos, transparent
rv,tsl and not without pretenson certain degree
sr,es Blu, what frisd, colorless. soulleu wind
AZ m Of the grand drains. In which the conduct
our fathers has comma nded the admiration of the
,o,a Va, this passage 10 enthusiastic, compared
Win many others, in which natural slow seems es
| ssuh to life.
ars. avins embers OF the Continental Congress-
A,,,Iv ZEN, live tor somc months by the occasional
s,,sssnes of one or two delegates a. the day sp-
ro.ched for the system 10 De organized, quietly
a., 90, without note observation. History know
| =. heSs. 40 remarkable. TIE Long Pshsmen, Of
| h,lssI N. French National Assembly, are sone ~
.empsred with II. Coming together IN thu first In
.nce, mere collection OF consulting delegates the
w. ..umsd the leadership Of the insargeni States
.ssd bills Of credit raised srmie' declared ndepend
| aea negotiated foreign treaties. esrrieS me hAhon
coach an eisht years war hashy, hso tNsor~d
| ~. nToud and powerful mother country an &C
| assIedsment OF the sovereign saihofi'y 90 cnns
nu,d and 90 iudomiiaoly ms'ntslneo- Det .o''
liant career bad been IS seor' IS u "ss ~. -.
70. se.,us had commenced even IN the midst OF 'hs
ne rxhsu,ted BY such extraordinary srorts-sin'l
ssh the curse Of poverty, tneir pspef hons ~.
7,sr stns and then repudisted, overwhelmed VIE
awhes they soalc no, pay yu, pa secuted Al
va public creditors. unable to funil the tfeshs
St.d made, bearded ard eDcrosehed upon oy ue
authorities, issuing frui'less iequinnons WIG
| fk.d no power 10 enforce, vainiy oegsins toI al
szt authority which the States refused 10 grant,
eva more ana more into the shade BY the very eon'
ssof former power-the Continental Consr saps
ss,o decrepl,ude and contempt fteo,o ~ 'no 'en.
>at of political gratitude Debts OF thai sot are
| >aorly left for posterity to pay. "nhe AZ e!e'
| esarn d-some with doubt and some with sppfe-
ia, but the greater part with hope and conndrnee
srd the ample authority vested in the new GOV
sss now about to be organized. not one respeeus'
Sssms TO have been uttered, not single Te'ere.
SSret TO have been dropped over the fallen srss'
the exhausted and expiring Continental Con-
sucepuons We have msde are not intended 70
~ IRON tAs singular valve Of NJ. HildrssAs hs-