The daily union., 1852-12-30
Literature and Politics.

The Lsndon Times, commenting upon lecture dsliv.
cred BY Lord John Russell before a Mechanics lnsti-
uie makes the following admirable remarks the de-
srableness Of politicians and public knowing also
something OF letters
II is rather a feature in British craftsmanship that
the political chief is Obliged TO let the people and
then that he is something else than politician. But the
necessity itself isa new one Waip< Chesterfield,
or Chatham might keep his accomplishments 10 the cir
Gle OF his own rank. The people regarded him al an
awful distance and knew lltle nothing OF even has
parliamentary speeches Thus they knew as little OF him
in character in the other In these days leading
politician is always before The public, and always, 10 his
misfortune and theirs IN forced and unnatural light
always political, always at work on some financial le
GAL or diplomatic Calculation or, stl worse, engaged IN
party recTminations Besides that the best is tn
IN certain unfavorabe Disguise the people acquire
too excl usiye an admiration OF politics, as Il they were
the whole life OF the British statesman. II Is not our
business throw diseredt any OF columns. but IL
is evident that any arsan would make fatal mistake If
he judged OF the higher classes OF great statesmen
exclusively from the parliamentary reports conectiy
is wanted Tor this very onesded exhibition Of our dis
ungulshed men and OF higher classes That correc
i've is found in such in,eIchanges of thought and sent
ment that between Lord John Russell and the good
people OF Leeds They will see what everybody in high
life knews. but what everybody not in high life may
easily not know-that statesman is generally OF
high accomplishments; and, il not himself poet hs-
toran, philosopher, at all events we'll read in the
poets historians, and philosophers of all ages Ibey
will see that accomplishments acquired for their own
sake, and supplying much occupation for leisure and
much solace from care, tell also with most salutay effect
on The temper and tone OF political discussion Why
does the statesman almost uniformly show much Of
that good temper anenity, and generous feeling, which
only ornament OF the orator, but also tends so
much 10 facilitate and smooth The Of debate II
is because he is generally humanzed By science and lit
eratue, and because he has in these common ground
with his most jealous rivals and most active opponents
Men OF great aainmens, and recognising The same in
those whom they are addressing, will not run mad upon
politics, or wish 10 extermlnate another on ques
ton OF administration or OF figures Ii is quite well
that the people OF Eng ngand-hat is the great working
of the peopleshould know this, and learn 10 value
other studies than those which most prominent in our
parliamentary reports They should learn that there
things better Than office, power remission OF taxes
and parliamentary reorm--viz science. literature, poe
try, philosophy, and truth We don't ask working
TO give up politics. to from pursuing pou
cal objects. But we ask them TO follow the example of
all great statesmen and have other tastes and other
studies besides the mechanical the hand and the
political the other They will find themselves better