The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-08

subservient 10 the civil part of the history very
clear and neat relation is given of all military ope-
rations, of which we would mention, striking
instance, the account of the combined movements
resulting in the capture of CoRSwALLls. The dis
advantages under which the colonists labored from
lack of military science and discipline during the
earlier part of the war, the financial dis
resses OF Congress and the States towards its close,
and the cruel sufferings of both soldiers and nhab
itants, especially during the campaigns in the Ca
rolnas, are painted i'll vivid colors.
IL Is, however, the five concluding chapters, from
the forty fourth TO the forty eighth that constitute,
IN our opinion, the most valuable, and, to every
hecting mind at least, the most interesting part of
the present work. The forty fourth chapter gives
a general account of the State governments of tho
articles of confederation; of the Constitution and
authority of the Continental Congress-; OF the pro
ceedings IN relation to the western lands; of the
establishment of Executive departments with
single head; and of the Bank of North America,
the model and prototype of all our existing banks
whose bills, payable in specie on demand, consti-
tue currency essentially different from the old
fashioned government paper money. We have, also,
an account of the settlement of the Pennsylvania
boundary controversies with Connecticut and
Virginia. of the progress of the controversy between
III
Kentucky and Tennessee The forty fourth chap
ter contains full account of the negotiations re-
suting in the treaty Of peace; of the disconens of
the officers and soldiers of the continental army; of
the final settlement of the half pay question: of the
dishandment of the army; of the Cincinnati and Of
the Tory refugees.
The forty sixth chapter gives much fuller his
tory than has hitherto appeared of the three event
fu years that followed the final departure of the
British troops from New York-a striking exhibi-
ton of public and private poverty and distress; Of
the powerlessness of the continental Congress- the
oosenng of the bands of society," and the threatened
disruption even of the State governments The ac-
counts here given of the insurrectionary state of
FARMLAND or Franklin, and of Shays' rebellion in
Massachusetts,, merit particular attention. The
chapter concludes with notice of the various ma
tonai religious organizations established subse-
quently to the peace with Great Britain Next fol-
lows in the forty seventh chapter full and clear
and, as it appears to us an impartial analysis of
the details of the convention by which the Federal
Constitution was framed, including complete ac-
count OF those constitutional compromises of which
of late we have heard so much.
The forty eighth and last chapter embraces the
organization of the territory northwest of the Ohio
under the famous ordinance of l7S7--so far, at
least, as the slavery question was concerncd; Of
the settlement of the boundary controversies be-
tween Massachusetts, New York, Georgia. and
South Carolina; of the ratification of the Federal
Constitution by eleven States; of the commence
ment of settlements in Ohio and Western New
York; finally, of the close of the Continental
Congress, with which the work terminates.
1t will be seen from this imperfect analysis, that
the range of subjects is very great Nothing, in
deed, but remarkable skill in arrangement, and
great powers of compression, could have brought
so much matter so clearly stated into so small a
compass.
The author has adopted as best suited to his SUBJ
ject simple neat, clear style, what may be called
the Doric in literature. We think he has chosen
ely-and therefore cannot join in the com
plants of those critics who lament the want in
these volumes of MAcAULAv's Corinthian magnifi-
cence The glaring colors which that celebrated
writer so avishly employs may be very appropri-
ate to a history which, in volume and half de-
voted to about four years, tells the story of cruel
obstinate and foolhardy monarch, and of cor
rupt, profgate, and treacherous aristocracy; but
they would be wholly out of place in work like
that now under review, and wholly unsuited to the
republican simplicity of most of its characters and
details.
because the author produces cool and impartial
temper, seldom intruding his own opinions, specu-
lations, prejudces, or passions, but leaving facts
graphically stated to produce their effect, without
putting himself conspicuously forward as prompter
morast, that the book therefore wants force and
animation Few books of the size so il seems to U.S.
can be read through with less sense of fatigue and
few leave behind so distinct an impression. These
volumes are not so much didactic as dramatic-a
much more effective, il is more difficult STYLE
of composition. The narrative always presents
clear image TO the Imagination, rapid flow of
events, which pass, bodily it were, before our
eyes. To state the precise motives Of his heroes
to lay bare their very hearts, appertains the nov
elst not 10 the historian He can do il no further
than those whom he delineates have done il them
selves, by action, word or writing. The sagacity
Of the historian is best shown in the orderly ar
rangcment and discriminating statement of these
indications. If the conclusions to which they lead
palpablc, well and good; If not, any speculation
the subject is to substitute guesses and coniec-
lures for facts. As 10 trie moral observations and
general political conclusions drawn from the state
ment of particular facts, we think them Just as
much out Of place in a history do those clap
trap appeals TO the sefcomplacency Of his readers
with which Mr. MAcAULAY's popular volumes so
much abound. A history which deserves TO be
called such, ought not to Aatter nor depreciate
either the present or the past. Its great object
should be, not rhetorical flourish but to create in
the readers mind Just and vivid idea of the times
10 which it relates The constant intrusion of the
historian i'm his own proper person, no matter how
learned and eloquent his dsqusitions may be, is
inconsistent with the dramatic character of his
tory, and, to reader capable of judging and
feeling for himself, is as annoying it would be to
present Of shakspeare's plays the stage with
a Dennis, a Johnson, or Hudson in the foreground
to keep up perpetual running commentary.
Edinburgh RsUietc, Critical Journal, No. cLxxxu.
October, ls49. Edinburgh Longman & Co.
Boston Little & Brown.
The original issue of the world renowned Edin-
burgh Review may now be obtained from the Anne
rcan publishers at the cheap rate Of four dollars
year. This is one of many convenient arrange.
mcnts made by Messrs LITTLE BRowN with the
British publishers, by which they are enabled to
furnish the American public on the most favorable
terms with great variety of valuable books.
The articles in the number Of the Review before
Il. 1. =