The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-10-12
Literary Notices.

This volume. which is the second of the new series Of
American History by Mr. Hidreth, embraces the period
from the Inauguration OF John Adams 1897 10 The be
ginning OF our difficulties with Great Britain under the
administration OF Jefferson. Mr. Hildreth writes in
clear vigorous and condensed style, INDUCING in
expressions of emotion, and rarely in anything like
rhetorical display yet Notwithstanding the simplicity of
the narrative the confidence OF the reader in the
careful research OF the author and It's very eseness and
historic gravity serve to render clear and distinct The
Impressions left upon the mind Although these the
general characteristics Of the work. we are constrained
say that, IN his deneaon OF the characters OF Hamilton
and Jefferson his prediction for the former and his dis
ike OF the latter are too evident doubts
to his ability to judge impartiay in reference to those
rival statesmen.
The life Of Jan,a Kaon Pok late President of the Unsd
States BY JonN s. JENKINS author of The History Of
the War with Mexico" (For sale by TAYLOR IL MAuRY)
In presenting this little volume to the public the author
has performed most acceptable service Ii is perhaps
TOO soon 10 Judge fairly and impartay of the presidential
career OF Mr. Polk yet, whatever may be the opinions
entertanedn regard to the administration of which he
the head il must be conceded that great and important
measures were submitted for their consideration as had
ever been confded to any previous Aside however
IRON political the work before
peculiar interest in its faithful portraure of the early life
and struggles OF Mr. Polk and because traces his career
step by step, through all the vicsstudes OF life from the
cradle TO the grave The history OF those who have at
tanned high distraction, whether civil or military reli-
gous or scientific, always Instructive and especially
80 10 the young who thereby taught to initiate those
traits and habits which led to such great results, and
to avoid those which serve only TO prevent the
attainment Of higher distinction and more enduring
fame "
Life in Varisd Phases. BY Mrs CAROLINE II. BUTLER
PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, IL Co, Boston Cor sale by TAYLOR
a. MAURY.)
IT. I...i. N
young, in whose hands may be placed with confidence
that its perusal will not only afford agreeable pastime
but convey useful moral lessons 1t consists OF
series OF interesting tales pictures of life in varied phases
some drawn in the sunshine OF gladness, others in the
shade of affection.
History of the Restoration of Monarchy in France BY AL.
rHoNsE DE LAMARriNE. HARrER IL BROTHERS. (For sale
by X. FARNHAM)
We have received the first volume of Lamar,ine's His
tory OF the Restoration, which the author commences
with retrospective view of Napoeons reign and par.
tculay of his campaigns in 1913 and 1914 which ended
in the abdication of the Emperor and then traces the
lives and characters OF the principal members OF the
Bourbon family during their period OF exile and first
TO the monarchy, down the sudden return
OF Napoleon from Elba, and the oubreakng of that IT.
resistibe military revolution by which he overthrow the
work OF Europe and reganed France
Although the stirring scenes commemo-aled in this
volume are as familiar to all readers are the great
and important events which gave birth and vgor 10 this
republic, still this history possesses special interest, as
exhibiting the impression left upon one of the great
minds OF France by the vcisstudes of reigns, empires
and republics, which succeeded each other with the rapid
ity OF drama, and as conveying the opinions Of one
who, between infancy and maturity, witnessed ten revo
lutions and lived under ten different governments
1t we were TO select the passages which specially in
ved attention. would refer TO his poraiture of
Marie Louise, and the trbu'e-jusy, as think-paid
to her characters to has vivid pon OF the suerngs
endured BY the beautiful Duchess dAugouleme and her
young brother, the Dauphin while imprisoned in the
Temple and to his OF the arrest, trial. and hasty
execution of the Duke d'Enghen But all these, per-
haps possess less interest than The authors essay
on the genius and character of Napoleon in which the
foes and fobles OF the private life OF the Emperor,
as well the personal ambition which governed his
public acts depicted with severity hardly 10 be ex.
peeled from the pen OF a child OF France.
On this point however, refer the reader to the fol-
lowing extracts, which presen, fair exposition of the
style of the work. and OF the authors opinion OF Napo-
leon:
This master of the world could not boast even the
inherent virtues OF love-aith and constancy one
woman his attachments were transient and numerous
He respected not the ealouses natural TO the bosom OF
wife and though he did not openly proclaim his amour
like Louis XIV, neither did he possess that monarchs
courtesy and refinement The most noted beauties OF his
own and foreign courts not TO him objects of pas
sonate love- but transient desirethus mngling his
contempt with his love-"
:" He swept away the republic with the tread OF his
soldiers He trampled on the throne OF the BouIbons
in exile Like murderer, in the darkness OF the night
he seized upon the braves and most conhdng OF the
military princes OF this race-the Duke dEnghen-in
foreign country He slew him in the ditch OF Vincennes
by singular presentment OF crime, which showed him.
in this YOUTH the only armed competitor OF the throne
against him, against bis race. He conquered Italy,
which had been again lost, Germany, Prussia, Holland
reconqu ered after Pichegtu) Spain, Naples kingdoms
and republics. He threatened England and caressed
Russia in order 10 u her TO sleep. He carved the
continent. made distribution OF Dalons and raised
up thrones for all his family He expended genera
tons OF France 10 establish royal imperial dynasty
for each OF the daughters of his mother His
fame, which grew necessarily in noise and splendor i'm
parted to France and to Europe that vertigo OF glory
which hides the immortality and the abyss OF such reign
He created the attraction and was followed TO the
dellrum OF the Russian campaign. He 1oaed in a whir
wind OF events vast and rapid that three years
OF errors did not occasion his fall Glory, which had
elevated him. sustained him the vacuty OF all the
other principles which he had despised Spain devoured
his armies Russia served sepulcbre to 100 900
Dresden and Lepsc swallowed up the rest. Germany,
xaspe rated deserted his cause. The whole of Europe
hemmed him IN and pursued him from the Rhine TO the
Pyrenees, with a mighty tide OF people France,
hausted and dsafecied, him combat and sink, with
out raising in his Yet, when he had nothing
aganst the whole world but handful OF soldiers he did
not fall Everything annihlated around his throne
but his glory remained, still soaring above his head"
CAS- dipomatist he was emncnly sbrewd, while he
bad his ambition to and hs reign TO establish In
his Italian campaign be fought with hand and nego
taied with the other. He darngly ,riled with the in
suctlons OF the radical repnblicansm OF The convention
He treated with conquered Piedmont, which he had
ihorty 10 destroy, and increased the republican army
against Austria with the con'ingens of monarchy He
negotiated with the Pope, whom he directed 10 expe
from Rome, and enlisted on his side the feelings the
,nAu tha u