New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-11-05
Mercantile Library Lectures.

The Annual Course of Lectures before
the Mercantile Library Association was opened last
evening with Lecture on the Passions" BY
DAVID PAUL Brown ESQ, OF Philadelphia Not
vithstanding the numerous other attractions Of the
evening, the hall was filed at al early 40ur with an
audience which, in numbers and character, resem-
bled the houses which were drawn together last
season by the lectures OF this popular institution.
Although the subject announced by Mr.. Brown
was of a philosophical character, he juticlously
sbsained from any profound discussions, conhnng
himself to the sphere Of rhetorical common place.
and illust atng his statements with a variety of
humorous and pathetic anecdotes As a correct or
instructive analysis Of the passions the lecture pre-
scented not the slghtes. claim % attention, and in
this respect compared unavoraby with the brilliant
dscourses on former occasions IN that hall but as
an amusing shrewd, and sometimes. witty dsnea'
ton of obvious traits on the surface of society," 1t
was well adapted for popular entertainment, and
succeeded in putting the large audience INTO perfect
good humor for over an hour and half
Mr. Brown commenced his lecture with some re-
marks on the general character Of the passions and
their influence on human conduct. He then entered
into more detailed description Of individual pas
sions of which he stated that the noblest aud most
heavenly was that of parental love. In beauty, m
strength and in fervor, no emotion could compare
with the love of mother for her offspring Nothing
in the whole sphere Of human feeling so disln-
terested so pure, holyseekng nothing for ITSELF
Sacrificing everything for its objcct-burnng with
a constant fame IN lfe and not quenched IN the
gloomy damps of death. II was not too much to say
that in the last hour there could be no sentmentto
which the dying mother clings with fonder hope
than the assurance that IN leaving earth She would
meet the spirit of her child in the bosom OF God
The emotion OF hial love was OF a similar charac-
ter though less intense and incapable OF such great
sacrlfccs. Sui 1t was unique and beautiful pas
sion. Of which the nature was wen expressed IN
striking Turkish aphorIsm, translated BY Miss Par
doc II man loses his wife," say the Turks, " ne
NAV seek new one in her place-if he is bereaved
OF a child others may be born-but when mother
IS taken from him. the loss can never be supplied
for DO man can have but ono mother
Mr.. Brown illustrated the passion o. ambition by
happy selection of historical examples ne most
manifestations OF thus passion IN the MS
tory of the world, were Alexander the GIeat, julius
Caesar. ana Napoleon. The ambition OF Alex nder
cors listed mainly IN the desire OF conquest that oil
Caesar in the lust Of fame and the thirst OF revenge
while Napoleon united each OF these elements IN
his own character But Napoleon wastauBht a lesson
Of wisdom by the reycrseS of his llie Connheo 10
barren spot the lone rocky Isle IN the distant sea-
stripped of hrs imperial robes when his power was
a. its hightdesertedb by his false perhdious queen,
finally K The 'S,ne,s o. SHOWS Of
ambition. and feenely persuaded OF their
vanity and hollswness. In the almost inarticulate
moments of the parting scene, the words tete drnec
murmured on his lips. But was not, as has often
teen supposed, that the phrase head OF the army
was suggested by the recollection OF past deeds OF
military proves. lie did not imagine himself again
leading forth TO victorious battle Although
be had been much the vOtary OF military ambition,
that he would have preferred To be regarded Ss the
greatest Captain of the age TO seat on the throne
OF tie universe, his last words minated that the
"Lcad of the army" the c0nqueror of the mightest
movers Of Europe, was now brought iow-had come
to this-and must lie down IN death alike with me
nearest yasSci. $50
an eloquent tribute to the character OF W ashlng-
ton, as specimen of genune love oil country, was
received BY the audience with enthusiastic applause
Onthe topic of solf-love, Mr.. Brown took occasion
10 offer many sarical remarks on the forlorn race OF
old bachelors whom he regarded as the most DECIDED
exhibition OF that passion. They were class OF IN
harry mortals, who had no attachment 10 anything
hut themselves At least II they did love augnt else
"tboy never told their love- butie cGncea ment, ike
a worm IN the bud devour their" damaged "chceks.
The lecture which was proIacted 70 an unusual
length also presented several considerations OF the
rasslons of conjueal love- friendship ayarice, and
others most Of them of a humorous cast. and en-
hvenoo by multiplicity OF anecdotes. which II not
altogether nosc ell, were generally Apostle ana orci
bic
Mr. Brown is a vigorous but not polished speaker
His manner has tncture OF professional Formally
but on the whole is effective and not unpleasant ne
has good command Of emphi tic intonaton, ana
with greater degree OF simplicity, and more na'i-
raj expression OF feeling would be an agreeable
smaller An e. celent feature OF his lecture vast
foc use which he maie OF shakspere as the uuri-
vailed painter o. human passion.