The southern press., 1851-10-29
From the Boston Courier.

and were continued on bail, whilst the trial was
depending.
From the Boston Courier.
But if Lord Shefield's book of unlucky pre-.
dctions is likely to become one Of the curiosi-
ties of literature, there is another work on the
same subject which we recommend to the notice
OF our Washington contemporary, as likely to be,
If it is not already,-a much greater curiosity.
This book, which we regard as by far the most
extraordinary work of this kind that ever saw
the light, was published about the same time
with Sheffield's. 1t treats Of the same general
topics, but the conclusions are so directly oppo-
site, that one might fancy the two books were
written on set purpose to contradict each other.
The author of this work was Thomas Pown-
all, an Englishman, who was in America seven
or eight years, from 1853 to l76l. He held the
Offices at different times, Of governor of Massa-
.husetts Bay, governor of South Carolina, and
lieut. governor of New Jersey. His book is en-
titled "Ihree Memorials, most humbly addressed
to the Sovereigns Of Europe and America"
They were published from 1880 to 1888. The
author speculates upon the future fate Of the
American States, discusses the character of the
people, their institutions, their national resources,
their peculiar political position, and their inevta-
bic destiny. On these points he displays a
kno Wedge of facts, a correct appreciation of
causes, and a sagacous foresight, to which we
think no parallel can be found in the whole his.
tory of political speculation. Pownall was no
visionary, no hap-hazard utterer of wild conjec-
lures, trusting to chance for their fulfment
He had seen America, he had been familiar with
the people, and had studied their character, and
although he left the country fourteen years be-
fore the beginning of the revolutionary struggle,
4. IL. Il
causes at work which were destined TO accom-
plsh portentous changes. With an instinct
holder and clearer than that of Burke or Chat
ham, or d, an Tucker, or the Bishop of Cloyne,
who sung of times noblest empire and the
last" PowHall foresaw the future greatness of
the American republic, and was also abe to fore
tell the precise steps by which she was destined
to reach that great elevation.
In contrast with Shefield's picture OF the pow
erty, small resources, and doubtful growth Of the
American States, we may place the following
delineation by Pownall -
"North America has advanced and is every day
advancing to growth Of state, with a steady and
continually accelerating motion, Of which there
has never yet been any example in Europe
II is young and strong, and will struggle by
the vigor of internal healing principles of life,
against those evils, and surmount them. Like
the infant Hercules, il will strangle these SER
penis in It's cradle. LIS strength will grow with
its years, and il will establish its constitution
and perfect adultness in growth Of state. To
Ibis greatness Of empire IL oil certainly arise"
Were ever words so prophetic. ut will es.
tablish its constitution" and this was written in
l7s0 But further, under the same date
"One may pronounce Of America as was said
Of Rome. Cirifas, incredible est memoratu adept1
iiberiaie, quantum breui creper,f America
will then become the arbitress of the CONNER
cal world, and perhaps the mediatrix of peace,
and Of the political business Of the world"
These assertions, which Sh .ffield and most
other Englishmen must have read with disdain-
ful ncredulity, Pownal sustains by the clearest
upon the facts which had fallen under
bis own observation while in America. Let us
see how clear-sighted he was on the subject Of
the character Of tho people # this country
In country like this, where every man has |
The full and free exertion Of his powers where /
every man may acquire any share of the good
ihings thereof, or Of interest and power which
ais spirit can work him up to--there an unaba
ed application Of the powers Of individuals, and
! perpetual struggle Of their spirits, sbarpens
heir wits and gives constant training TO the
mind. The requirement Of information in |
hings and business, which becomes necessary
o this mode Of life, gives the mind thus sharp
med and thus exercised, turn OF inquiry and |
Investigation which forms q character peculiar
o these people, which Is not TO be met with, nor
yer did exist in any other, 10 the same degree,
lnless in some OF the ancient republics, where
he people were under the same predicament
This turn of character, which in the ordinary
occurrences Of life, called inquisitiueness, and
which, when exertcd about tribes, goes even TO
degree Of ridcule in many instances, Is vet in
matters Of business and commerce most useful
nd efficient talent Whoever knows these
eople, and has viewed them in this light, will
onsider them as animated in this new world, i'll
may so express myself, with the spirit IF the
ew philosophy Their system Of life Is a
curse Of experiments, and standing on that
Ugh ground Of improvement up to which the
lost enlightened parts Of Europe have adj
anced like eaglets they commence the first |,
forts Of their pinioins from a towering adyan-
'ge."
The keen discernment Of Pown u bad already .
lseovered the inventive genius Of the Ameri- /;
ans, their unceasing mental activity, and their .
aptitude for the industrial and USE
al arts, II did not escape his notice that these
eople, although not pretending to be manufac. !;
irers, yet had single faculty Of devoting /" frag-
tents Of time" to such pursuits, from which he
ghty argued important things of them in this
apartment of industry. He remarks that more
,eful inventions had already been made by the a
mericans than by any other people in the world +
the same space Of time. We doubt whether
ere were ten men in England who believed
is story. But Pownal had seen the people Of
HON be spnke. {
Here one sees the Inhabitants laborng after d