The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
Prom the Literary Wotfu
M. Poussin's United states.

de "a Pats,anee Antrcaine Orgine, instiivttons Is
p,F fohque, Rsourses Ma'tenss' fsr'e0pes' C c
iaume Ts Poussn, Mnistre P1nipoienliare de la he
publ.que FRANCHISE Flats Unis. 3"s Edition aug
mentee, vols. Svo. PARIS lSis.
OF late wears there has been scarcity OF books on
America probable that there will be any dearth
OF them future, France and Germany have contrlbu-
ed their proportion, but the discussions OF American In
stutions and with which are most familiar
have proceeded from the English press. They have been
the work OF men OF degrees OF information, and
sometimes of character which would not bear minute
investigation Sporsmen, breess lawyers contributors
light literature, unsuccessful adventures, and officers
half pay, have quietly assumed that they were com
petent TO the task of describing and Institutions,
with whose principles they bad little acquaintance, and
with whose character they had no sympathy. II they
have pointed out superficial detects IN our national
they have seldom penetrated to the great real
lies which lie below This may, perhaps, be ascrlbed in
part desire arrest the progress OF liberal principles
an their own country by showing iha they have yielded
part to the intense and narrow nationality which covers
Che Englishman like garment, and too often renders
him nsesble TO any excellence which had not It's origin
and development within the four seas
A book OF travel, still more formal treatise the
poity and social life of nations, should be written in
coekney spirit This spirit is peculiar to no nation--we
have quite enough of it among ourselves In essence
consists in that peculiar temperament which reduces all
people and institutions to the standard of neigh
boho0d coter,e, and Judges them by their conformity
10 it, II does not inquire whether the great objects OF
human lfe-ireviom and happiness-he reconciliation
OF order with progressively not be promoted by means
ceives that the old checks and correctves TO human
rorS and passions thrown aside, but does not per
1elye that Others may be equally enduring and elecna
In lis worst manifestation, when complicated with poi
cal passion sees in every divergence from stand
ard OF manners the manifestation of national vices The
effects OF climate and SOIL occupation and Diet
frequently regarded the fruits of perverted tastes, of
ated appetites of moral decline The extravaganza of
the demagoGue accepted as exposition OF the Gains
est reason OF the people The heat OF contested cleo
ton is represented the normal state of society The
weakness and wickedness of the extremes of society
which fill the columns OF the newspapers and swell the
calendars OF crime, exhibited faithful pictures of
general society," without regard to that of intelligence
and morality which seldom energies into public notice.
but which constitutes the bUwark OF national strength
Faults of this description have especially abounded in
the books OF travels and grave histories with which
we have been indulged by our English brethren OBJ
serving certain lack of that refinement which grows up
under the hoi bed influence of court and arsocracy.
they have not inquired whether the Americans would
pay dearly for this advantage by the consequent depes
sion OF every other order in the State They have
looked the real conservative elements in American
society, while they have been shrewd observers of the
undeniable fac, that the American eats his boiled from
glass, while the Englishman prefers direct excavation
IRON the shell In this way they have contributed in no
small degree to nourish and niame that national anipa
Thy at all times thnly disguised in America which some
times breaks forth into violent and deporable manifesto
TONS.
In honorable contrast with the labors of writers like
these the philosophical dsquisi,ions OF DE Tocque
vle and the comprehensive and accurate observation
Of Poussn.
The appointment of this latter gentleman to the homo
rable position OF representative of the French republic
has been regarded in America not merely just tribute
to his personal worth. but indication OF the change
agents. fSe world has suffered long enough from the
mlschevous incOmpetency OF men with no better dis
tncon than that OF rank, sent abroad to secure the in
terests of peculiar casses-,o waste large salaries in
osenatious parade, hoard them for future maine
nance-oftentmes 10 make conspicuous exhibition OF
their worst national peculiares, and a, last 10 retire
10 mankind. II the selection of representa-
tves abroad has not always been complimentary to the
courts to which they have been accredited, il must be
admitted thai have only repaid them in kind Tor SINH
Jar favors bestowed upon ourselves.
The French Republic has set before the world lauda
bic example In their minister we recognize not The mere
diplomatic Journalist, but the representative OF the science
and spirit OF Improvement OF his country In
county, whose Interests ought TO be but little
plIcaied with those OF foreign nations, the stately dlpO
mast of the old school, encrusted with the formaes OF
Office and often too little hampered by moral restraints,
finds but little to do He far better employed negot-
atng family alliances, and bearing his part in the court
y ceremonial of birth night ball To sucha represent
alive the American court must be the dulles in the
world Amicable relations with America have little
dependence family interests local preferences
We inquire, rather, II people Is animated by similar
feengsif they moving in the same direction Their
progress in science and should promote scientific and
literary intercourse, and bear his part hem and prove,
by his sympathy with all OF Improvement, that
his government IS likewise engaged In advancing the
progress OF mankind.
AS possessing these qualifications, the mission of NJ.
Poussn has been peculiarly acceptable to the American
people, and bis observations upon country and its
stituons peculiarly deserving of their consideration.
An accomplished engineer, adding to scientific acquire
the acuteness Of perception which makes his nation
the best observers the world he sympathzes with that
spirit OF improvement which animates the two great
pubics of our time. long residence in America, in
position to facilitate the study OF its character and
sources, has enabled him TO collect fund of infor
nation, and to embody it in better form than has been
done by any Of our own writers.
The following extracts from the preface will exhibit
the authors appreciation of his subject and the spirit
which his work has been undertaken:
''The nations longer continue strangers each
other. A aud powerful element of civilization has
arisen, to bring them into perpetual contact Steam
leaps distances with the facility that ieas brcak
walls Of decentralization In few days pass from
nent TO continent, from hensp here hemisphere, and
when every is regularly ravcrsed and Europe
cred with railways the relations OF the people each
other will become much frequent, travelling
from its cost and duration, be the peculiar
ege OF the iavorites of fortune. All classes will await
themselves OF II, &c All things, therefore, concur urge
ton are gone, without the possibility of return"
After reference to the power of Grea, Britain:
Meanwhile, On the other side Of the Atlantic, there
hap by the ambition but fitted in ali its rela
uons become the greatest comm ercia and ndu
trial powers OF the world To the success of
her ambitious views, she pursues entirely opposed
TO that which has well served the purposes England
the rise OF the one has been promoted by the energy
htmy established arlstocracy America will gain the
premacy oil the seas by orce of the democratic principle
the other will bear 'the freedom of the seas and will en-
tonisa III,