The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-27
The Professor TAXI Ing IA Lesson.

there lively feeling Of sympathy for that
the particulars OF the causes which led to the
contest We're known, 1t was seen to be a strug-
gle for liberty; and that instinct which impels
every generous mind to take sides with the
weak, contending for justice against the strong,
| spread throughout Europe and America warm
interest for the success Of the Hungarian cause.
As the struggle advanced, and the facts of the
case came to be better understood this interest
was greatly increased, especially by seeing at
its head Of extraordinary endowments,
chlvalrous selfdevotion, and romantic patriot
ism. The name of kossUTH soon came ring
ing on the with associations like those of
koscIUsKo TELL, and LEoNIDAs. When al last
Hungary fell before the united eglons of Russia
and Austria, general shudder ran through the
bosom of Chrlstendom. There was indeed one
man, an American in Paris, who received and
announced to his countrymen on this side of
the Atlantic the gloomy Intelligence, with un-
concealed JOY and eXultation. He did not hest
tate To denounce kossUTH as selfish coward
and the whole Hungarian outbreak as the work
Of few individuals, and not the united effort
Of nation. Finally. as fit conclusion to such
beginning, he avowed his belief that the only
hope of civilization to Europe and the world
was to be found i'll the Emperor of RUSSIA
Influenced by these bulletins, many persons
in the United States were led TO take part
against the Hungarans. Even some newspa-
pers followed this lead; and il appears that no
less person than FRANCIS Bowen, Professor
of History in Harvard University and at the
same time editor Of the North american Re
piec took upon himself the task of classifying his
tory in order to degrade the Hungarians before
the world. In an elaborate article, which he pub
lished in the Repieic, under his editorial control,
he sought to prove that the dominion of Austria
had been genial and salutary to the Hungarians;
that these were no better than barbarians that
their rebellion was causeless, if not wicked; and
that their leaders were guided rather by selfish
ness aud personal ambition than love of liber-
ty, or -"r ereus patriotism.
Little did the reviewer, cushioned upon the
double stool of Professor and Critic, foresee what
was in store for him. But, as fate would have
It, a woman took up the challenge which his
Sneerng criticism seemed 10 express. This
lady was Mrs. PUTNAM wife of a respectable
merchant OF Boston, daughter of Rev DIR.
LOWELL. and sister of the celebrated poet of
that name. Whoever has CHANGED To take
drive from Boston To Jamaica Plain in the sum
mer months, and on approaching that village
has turned from the Providence railroad on the
right, and dashed down a shady avenue to the
left, has there seen handsome farm house.
almost covered up in the embraces of a magnifi-
cent elm. Around he has noted the ample barn.
the generous garden, the teeming orchard, and
perchance has said, Ia himself, eff there's peace
Ia be found in the world, the heart that is noble
might hope for il here" If he has entered the
house he has seen group of rosy children and
scene of thrifty housewifery. IL his call has
been in the morning, the stranger has seen the
presiding genius, lady Of accomplished ad-
dress, experimenting the cares of the family;
if in the afternoon, he has doubtless found her
in magnificent library, with circle Of tones
before her, lettered in languages to him un-
known. This is Mrs. PUTNAM; and. as the
reader will doubtless desire 10 hear more. we
~,
Of December p, remarking. by the way, that
whatever little skirmishes we may now and
then have with our hyperborean neighbor. we
render all praises to him for his early, constant.
and enlightened sympathy for the cause Of
Hungary
"1n the Christian Examiner for November, 1850,
appeared article entitled The North American
Review on Hungary in which the statements and
conclusions Of Mr. Francis Bowen, on the subject
Of the late Hungarian struggle for freedom, we're
discussed and reuted. In the printed list of con
tributors which accompanies each copy Of the 10
aupiner the article attributed to Mary Lowell
Putnam, whose initials also were attached to it,
This name known 10 be that of a lady in the
highest class Of society, whose extraordinary attain
mcnts in languages had long commanded the re-
spect Of wide circle Of friends and
though from her modest indifference to notoriety
her reputation had hitherto scarcely reached the
public OF the extent Of thoso attainmcnts some
idea may be formed from the fact that Mrs Putnam
has made herself acquainted, and in most cases
well acquainted. with Greek, Latin, and Hebrew;
with French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Ger
man. Swedish, Danish, Hungarian, Polish and Rus
sian; with Turkish and Sanscrit; and ! believe,
with several other European and Asistic languages,
which am not able at present ~ designate with
accuracy. And croditsble is the acquisition Of
this mass Of knowledge, the circumstances under
which IL has been effected render il still more me-
ritorious; for besides the impediments 70 literary
labor Of large household and family Of children
all the duties incident 10 which have been perform
ed with exemplary fidelity, Mrs. Putnam has la
bored under the disadvantage Of weak eyosight, 40
that for years che did not open book, but was
forced. in the study Of several Languages TO rely
wholly on the aid Of readers and amanuenses who
/ ia some cases did not understand word Of what
they were assisting her TO acquire. The obstacles
/ Of this kind which her energy and perseverance,
/ have surmountcd we're indeed full IA great az
/ those with which the historians Augustin Thierry
and Prescott. have had to contend. and her triumph
over them deserves the applause that has been
! 80 justly bestowed on theirs.
] "Mrs. Putnsm's knowledge Of the languages
have enumerated is not limited to the grammar
| and dictionary She has made hersclf familiar, in
many cases. with the literature and history Of the
nstions by whom they spoken; and Of the re-