Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-28

Among the books which now exciting good deal
of attention is the History Of the British Empire from
the accession of James the First" by JOHN MAcoREGoR
volumes and two Of which been lately published
The following extract from Mr. MS preface is curious,
as showing his opinion Of all his predecessors and of
course intimatng the estimate which he has formed of
his own abilities
ssRArIS is unbiased, but too brief CLARENDON wrote
in disordered mind !; HuMEs narrative is utterly un
worthy the sagacy of sound and impartial historian
LiNoARD writes in the temper of priest MIR. Ma
cAuLAy tolerate nothing that is not republican, DIS
the elder has written four Volumes but not his
tory Mr.. GOODWIN could forgive Cromwell for dis
solving the Rump; Mr.. BRoDIE would have written
fair history if he could have Invested his sentiments
and judgment of the bias OF sectaran Mr. LANG does
appear to have possessed the faculty OF discrimination
necessary; THURLoE is sscurrilous; DIR. HARRIS has
crowded countless multitude of facts and falsehoods
into his history NOBLE is man Of amabe heart, weak
intellect great industry, and obscure judgment; CAR
LYLE is the opposite extreme Of DIsraeli SoUrHEYs
Cromwell is of oil modern biographies, the least po
sophica and the most ntoeran; CHATEAUBRIAsDl is run
of prescriptions and prejudces; NJ VILLEA!N Is not
free from misrepresentation and erroneous
GUrzoT's history is defective; and DAUBGSEs not I'M
partial"
There is certainly wholesale massacre OF regulations
in these comments Mr. MAcaREdoH does not indeed go
on say express words that he in his own special
is all that the others not he leaves that to be
to the reviewers his history is far very unsasfac
tory production Standing the hecatomb Of victims
who have fallen beneath his arm, he resembles naught
earthly SO much as Thumb standing the giants he
slew and atterng himself he has added all their inches
to his stature sNeither in the substance in the
fashion Of the history find any clue to the reasons
of its publication" There is such utter want of
graphic power about his volumes; such dull unvary-
ing characteress monotony that exposure Of its faults
Iloo <In sx.ale
Mr.. DIcKENss serial, which will commence the
lst of March, and extend through twenty monthly
bers to the title of Bleak House Lord PALMERsToNs
Opinions and Policy, as Minister, Diplomatist, and
Statesman during than forty years Of public lfe
with memoir by G. H FRANCIS is advertised to appear
Immediately.
The leading members of the Paris bar about protest
against the illegal DEGREES conscang the property of the
Orleans family and they will be backed by thousands of
signatures in their demand that the legality of these de-
shall be submitted to the proper tribunals Yet it
perceived that much hope entertained Of the
tbeng favorable It's in Paris alone that the public
to these DEGREES Spain also great dscon
tent has been produced which affects the property
Of the sister of the Queen of Spain portion of the dover
of the nfant Duchess of Montpensier had been invest
ed in forest land in France and if the sale of that proper
ty be pressed within the time specified the loss will be
great In fact with very few exceptions the Spanish
papers indignant at the Several bishops
among others the Archbishop of Paris and the Bishops
Orleans and Rennes have renounced the part of the
poor clergy all share assigned to them by the decree Of
confscation in the spoil of the House of Orleans
We glad to hear, by letters from Brest that forty
two of the persons who shipped from that port for
transportation Cayenne have been liberated and
ed to their families and that many others will be treated
in the manner.
Louis NAPoLEoNs DEGREES conscatng the Orleans pro-
perry had createda very unfavorabe impression Vienna
The only other piece Of intelligence which have from
Germany is very gratifying The Austrian troops
about to Hamburg and Holsten this indicates
that the long perpexing question relative the Duches
is really about to be settled
The French President is laying his heavy hand upon
the press both in Belgium and the Netherlands In the
former the Bulletin Franeais has been seized in Brussels
in consequence of formal complaint made by the French
Government of the violent attacks of this publication
against the President of the French Republic AS relates
10 the Netherlands it is said that energetic
has been made the Government upon the sub
jec of the anmadversions Of the press of Holland on
Louis Napoleons conduct and Government and demand
ing that the violence Of the newspapers should be
strained Cabinet councils have been held to consider
how compliance with the application be reconciled
with the laws.
FEBRUARY e.-The Parliamentary proceedings of last
night unimportant. In the House of Lords, the
Duke Of WELLINGTON spoke in favor of Sir Harry Smith,
and said that under existing circumstances, he had
done as much as any man could do" and paid high
tribute to his courage and ability
There has been terrible food Holmfrth, a village
near Hudders6ed which has swept away whole of
houses than hundred persons have lost their
lives; sixty bodies have already been found.
There is nothing from France. An attempt the
life Of the Queen of Spain made the I'd instant
Her Majesty slightly wounded.
The Austrian Minister at Paris has been instructed to
make friendly remonsrance against the confscation of
the Orleans estates.