The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-05-20
from the Westminster Review
American Literature.
lcoNTlNUED.)

"SS NANNly NNuiAbI III CtltCl VI luC 4IlUuuGg
and author of "Hints towards Reforms" a 4
ASketeh of his last Sunni rs Residence in
Europe" and some other worb, Charles A.
Dana, Albert Brisbane, and Jno. L. Dwight |.
In Political Economy America is repre-
scented by one Of the strongest and most orig
inal writers of the age, Henry G. Carey, Of
Philadelphia. His works are not vet much |
known in Engl nd, though they have been
favOrably reviewed in Blackwood, the Athe-
n@um, and other journals; but in France
they furnished the late NJ Bastiat with his
leading ideas, and TRANSACTIONS have maCle
them familiar in other parts of the Contin-
ent. His theory of rents is regarded as a.
complete demonstration that the popular views
derived from Ricardo are erroneous, and on
the subject of Protection he is generally con-
fessed to be the master thinker of his coun-
try. The Rev. Calvin Cotton, who former
~ resided some time in London, has within
a few months published an able work de-
tending high tariff, under the title of
"Publc Economy for the United States -
and Dr.. Wayland, the late Condy Racquet,
and the Ex-Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.
Walker, have been prominent advocates of
Frce-Tradc.
Among the historians who have attained
high and deserved reputation in the United
States within the last few years, we are in
clined to yield the first place to George Ban
croft. His great work on the "History of
the United States" has been brought down
from the commencement of American colo
nization to the opening of the Revolutionary
War, to which subject it is understood that
be intends devoring the three succeeding
volumes His researches in the public Off
ces of England, while he was Minister of
the United States Mt the Court of St James,
have brought to light great mass of docu-
-mentary evidence on the antecedents and
course of the Revolution, which have not yet
been made public With his critical sagaci
ty in sitting evidence, his hound-like in.
lstinct in seeming every particle of testimony
that can lead him on the right track, and
: his plastic skill in moulding the most con
fused and discordant materials into a com
pact, symmetrical, and truthful narrative, hC
cannot fail to present the story of that grea
historical drama with freshness, accuracy
and artistic beauty, worthy Of the immOrta
lcvcnts which it commentaries. Mr. Ban
croft is now exclusively occupied in tn
competion of this work He pursucs it Will
the drudging fidelity of mechanical laborer
combined with the enthusiasm of poet ant
The comprehensive wisdom of a statesman
With strong social tastes, he gives It'll
. time to society His favorite post is in III
: library, where be labors the live-long day i
the spirit of the ancient artist, Nuiid die
sine Inca. His experience in political an
diplomatic life, no less than his rare an
: generous cultare, and his singular union {
e the highest mental faculties, enable us
! predict with confidence that this work wi
be rcckoned among the genuine mastc
pieces of historical genius. The volumes
the History Of the United States alread
published are we'll known to intelligent reaC
rs both in Great Britain and America
They are distinguished for their compa
brcvlty of statement, their terse and vigorol
diction, their brilliant panoramic views, al
the boldness and grace of their sketches
L. personal character. A still higher prai
T. may be awarded to this history for the tena
: ity with which it clings to the dominant al
NJ NJ inspiring idea of which it records the devt
IS, opment. Who ever reads it, without col
re pretending the standpoint of the author,
ny liable to disappointment. For it must
he confessed that, as mere narrative of even
is the preference may be given to the prodr
Dr. lions of far inferior authors. BUTT is to
regarded as an epic in prose of the trium1
of freedom. This noble principle is cons
,, cred by Mr. Bancroft as. an essential attr
ute of the soul, necessarily asserting itself
proportion to the spiritual supremacy viii
Do has been achieved The history, then,
devoted to the illustration of the progress
freedom, as an out-birth of the spOntaneC
al action of the soul 1t is in this point
Try view that the remarkable chapters on
- o1 Massachusetts Pilgrims, the Pennsylval
Quakers, and the North American India
were written; and their full purport, tn
sys profound significance, can only be app
CHI ciated by readers whose minds possess
les least the seeds of sympathy with this s.
'A- lime philosophy. The chapter on the @
kers is pregnant psychological treatise
Sparkling all over with the electric lights
a rich humanitarian philosophy, it inve
As' the theologic visions of Fox and Barclay "
S0' radiance and beauty which have been
preserved in the formal and lifeless orga
systems of their successors. The para
!. run by the historian between VIM. Penn {
on John Locke is one Of the most characters
productions of his peculiar genius Or
- nal, subtle, suggestive, crowded with n
ter and frugal Of words, it brings out the
tinctive features of the spiritual and mech
ical schools in the persons of two Of ii
Ia representative men" with breadth I
reality which is seldom found in philosoI
cal portraitures. Mr.. Bancroft was the
oe OF an eminent Unitarian Clergyman in "
q cester, Massachusetts,. He was born alb
pas the beginning Of the present century, an,
consequently little more than City year
age. He graduated at Harvard Univers
with distinguished honors, before he
completed his fifteenth year. Soon after
va. w sailed for Europe, and continued bis stu
at the German Universities, returning to
d Of own country just before the attainment Of
majority. Devoting himselffor several y
to literary and educational pursuits, he
|, quired brilliant reputation as poet, ca
With and essaFist; and at subsequent PEI
"1' entering the career Of politics, he has sic
and ised himself BY BIS attachment to democl
airy, ideas, and tie eloquence and force
which al All occasions be has sustained
4 principles With the prevalence of which
n tInrtsfor I'll Is 80 h-ereovTfw