New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-29
REVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS.

There IL no literary operation more hazardous
than for an author to gather up hs scattered contr
buttons TO the periodicals. and bring them before the
public in collective form. If they are productions
of decided and positive merit they have already
won the need OF admiration to which they are en-
titled The world Of readers il nggardly in be-
slowing praise, and would deem /. quite too pro-
fuse an expenditure 10 accord it q second time to
works which had not yet forced their way to the
rank OF classics. II, on the other hand the works
in question are Of mediocre character, making
good no claims to applause but that Of an honest
intention, it is certainly kindness both to writer
aud reader to permit them to remain in the oblivion
Of the pages where they were at first deposited
Nothing but the most brilliant and emphatic rep1ta
tion ike that of Nacaulay and Carlyle, for instance
would seem 10 justify the experiment in making a
second appeal to public favor. Even writers
whose independent works are favorites with nu
merous readers find melancholy falling of, when
they come with a miscellaneous collection Of former
productions Alson's Political Miscelanies will
remain in the heavy volumes in which they have
been collected from Blackwood, without making
the slightest sensation, while bis ponserous His.
tory will continue to find admiring readers in both
lection Of Prescotts Critical Essays, which needed
all bis prestige ss an historian, TO preserve them
from instant oblivion. The recent collections from
distinguished Edinburgh Reviewers will find no
more splendid destiny. WhpPles exquisite criti-
cal tact and affueHce OF literary illustration pro-
duced more impression when presented at or.ho.
dox periodical intervals than after the sweetness
and bloom of bis writings were forced between
the crowded covers Of volume. A single hereti-
cal discourse Of Theodore Psrker's has perhaps
done as much to make him a curiosity and terror
to the country as all hi, imprisoned Dial Essays
| in their aggregate form. But there is no end to
examples.
A work of this character is justified when il con.
tains the discussion of great themes. with which
the name and genius OF the author are identified,
and TO whom the public look for fall aud syste
matte expression Of bis opinions on the subject or
when the topics, in the natural order Of succession
form true unity in themselves, and are presented
with more strict adherence to the principles Of lite
rary art as an undivided whole, than in the segre-
| CATION of the numbers Of periodical.
| In this point of view the work before us may bs
regarded az substantiating claim to the honors
of an independent existence Ii consists Of articles
written chiefly for various Massachusetts, perioii.
Gals, during the space OF about four years bat de-
voted to succession Of kindred subjects, suggested
by the studies Of the author, and not called for by
any circumstance Of merely local or temporary in
terest On this account the volume has the chsrac.
ter OF distinct integral work, written for definite
end rather than Of q collection OF casualties from
periodical literature 1t is, In fact, comprehensive
survey OF the character and influence OF several OF
| the most eminent theoogians and reformers whose
names have been preserved in history, treating
them in a purely critical and aesthetic manner
without reference to dogmatic differences or inter-
e.ts. work on this plan, it is easy to conceive,
| executed with adequate ability, must possess a
| noble and attractive character 1t would not only
| present great variety Of interesting historical
acts, biographical details OF fascinating nature,
ard the results Of curious literary research, bls the
moral influence OF such communion with rarely
endowed and sublimely elevated spirits OF past
age. must be in the highest degree eevating and
delightful Without claiming for Mr.. Osgood
faultless performance of the task which be has as
.;oned to bims elf in this volume, we are bound TO
confess that he has brought to its accomplishment
tho results Of diligens and faithful Investigation,
oIcuine sympathy with tire spiritual excellence
which he commentaries, a lively appreciation IN
catching the delicate and refined traits OF charac-
ter which escape the notice OF the grois observer
and in general, singular freedom from any tain!
If ,ectarian upfairness or prejudice. The main de-
feet in the work il an apparent aiming after merely
,betoricsl effect by certain quaint and unexpected
form. of expression, when the transparent state
ent of the truth all that the nature Of the sub
Tha of ha ate la in inoin had
nv TOO FREQUENT instances Of this kind. A certain
oircumlocutory flourish is often used when direct
how would more surely have bit the nail on the
head.
Among the great names that are brought for
ward in this volume are those Of Augustine Chrys-
o.tou,. John Calvin, Swedenborg, George Fox,
wesley. Jonathan Edwards, and others which are
perbaps Of less interest to the general reader bat
which are clothed with fresh and attractive vi
tali,y under the genial pen OF the author.
The character Of John Wesley though by no
means one Of the most powerful passages 10 the
book. is ingeniou and well expressed, and pre-
cents fair specimen Of the average style Of the
suthor with sprinkIing ofthe faults we have be-
fore alluded 70:
aTbe age was cold and skepticsl The common
people were neglected by those who should have
! been their teachers. A tongue OF hre was needed
none the less for the philosophy and scholarship
0 tbst distinguished the eighteenth century The
{ metaphysics and ethics Of ssees like Berkeley and
/ Buter the learning OF scholars like Lsrdner and
. Warburton, were little successful In awakening
faith; nor we're the well written and sensible ser
4 ~ons of Seeker and Sherlock, Paley aud Blair
d veTv powerful in rebukng sin, even in tue select
/; cl.;s of their admirers. Fire was wanted, and i
B. came. -,
q alt came in peculiar man, and peculiar
Y method The man Q combination OF element'
n,n,lIy deemed incompatible. We cannot accord
a. 20 him any remarkable depth Of intellect To phi
n Io.opLica insight or metsphy faculty be alC
b .nsl claim. Neither vas poetic genius one OF on
4 90. nor any remarkable power OF fancy or ina