New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-20
VIEW PUBLICATIONS.

NEW PUbLIChA
x mr. ypr UNITED STATES By oscn ,9a
E s1s.re:s, o. Vol ~. ''a w. 's' Boston Little
Ths cardinal distinction between the ideal
IA ,he actual, or we should rather say the ma'
..v;., nrevai!s in the composition OF history a.
III =. !. the tendencies Of character and the
.,nduct Of life. Not that the ideal has any less
reality than the external phenomena 10 "hie"
a. term actual 10 alphabetically applied; on the
.on,,av. il is concerned with department Oh
facts which though not visible TO the sensnoos
facu,ies. are no less truly existent, and possess
"A, more significance, vitality, and permanent
.Nect than The merely material current OF con-
..cp,ive events We do not comprehend iacs'
until We are acquainted with the idea OF which IT'S
An. ernonent. Visible events have their root IN
.r inyisible law. succession OF outward
changes has little interest for the reflective IN
tellect unless it suggests profound ana uni
vsrsal principle. Indeed, the true development.
of intellectual life consists in the perception OF
the unity to which the multiform phenomena
Of experience are subjected, Of the thought
which underlies comprehensive senes OF ac'
lions. and Of the spiritual movement which en-
ey,izes all progress in time and space. Still, a.
the perception of external, isolated, incoherent
f.cts il the most obvious, it is at the same time
most frequently called into exercise. rareT
mental quslity is that which ascends INTO
the sphere of dynamic ideas, recognizes world
Of action in thrill Of passion, and interpre's
history by psychology. The nicely balanced
vnion of both faculties 10 q still more uncommon
endowment. The matter of.fact man, so called,
,susllv breaks down on . general principle. The
keen ideal analyst is apt to be equally at fault
n matters of detail II We see an example
At the combination of these qualities, we pro-
nouncs it beautiful felicity Of nature. The
distinction we have alluded to in intellectual
character finds it, exact parallel in the construc
ZION of great historical works. With some emil
nept writers, the highest aim is accurate, iucid,
and harmonious narrative. The world OF IDEAS
il to them forbidden and perilsus ground Oshers
are 20 devoted to the illustration OF principle,
that their narrative il meager and ill-propor-
toned. OF the first, the English are distin.
xuished masters; the German, of the second
The one we find in perfection in the charming
storytelling of Hume and Macaulay; the other
h the historically philosophical lucubratons, we
will say, of Hegel and Marheinecke. What .
gulf between the two OF the historian OF facts,
Prescott, 10 q delightful example, while no one
surpasses Cousin in the history of ideal devel-
spment II we seek for the most consummase
union of both tendencies, we must turn to our
own country, and to the author Of this volume
There are more graceful narrators than Ban.
croft there may be analysts more searching
and profound-though we can scarcely name
them but for the union of history and philoso
ply, the actual and the ideal, in continuous
synthetic composition, he certainly bears away
the palm.
We have nc doubt that the ideal element IN
Mr.. Bancroft's history acts somewhat as a BAT
TO its immediate popularity. The narrative is
always made subordinate to universal principles
He does not relate with the easy, careless fuency
Of one who loves to tell good story for it, own
sake. His facts are arranged less for dramatic
e1sss, then Gar he nlussrssioA Of an idsa.
Hence his narrative may appear too much con.
densed 10 some readers, while others will fail
enjoy its philosophical pDT Tss1vssH"w with Which
1t is embeished, serve to distract the attention
Combined with its austere brevity of statement,
are numerous brilliant illusions, suggested by
the dominant spirit of an event. which often daz.
xls the eye by their unexpectedness, and rapid
transition from graver discourse. On the other
hand, Mr.. Bsncroft's narrative is distinguished for
it, freedom from vsguensss, and its exact nicely
Of description. In the sphere facts he deals in
no unmeaning generalties. Whether dslineating
character or natural scenery, his epithets are
Ak~,~ cA Lee ~,1t anA rfa noalV
He never falls into the error, 90 common with
inferior writer's, of losing all distinctness OF
statement in cloud Of general assertions. He
10 always specific IN his details, instead of trust.
ing to indefinite sketches He does not paint in
uncertain colors the localities which he wishes
to illustrate, but presents their natural features
in prominent relief For instance, in relating
the establishment of Catholic mission at Os.
wegatchie, now Ogdensburgh, instead Of saying
that the religious pioneers in the wilderness were
led to select that point on account of its nasu-
raj advantages on the southern bank of the st.
Lawrence, he brings the whole scene before the
eye with few brief descriptive touches "They
were attracted BY the deep and safe harbor. the
position at the head of the Rapids, the hight and
size Of the surrounding oak forests, and the sur.
passinsly rich soil" Another fine specimen of
this minute local painting 10 the description of
the Punishment OF the Acadians from their
rural homes in Nova Scotia:
~ general proclamation, on one and the sauna
day, the scarcely conscious victims, both old and
young men, % well - all the lads Of ten years OF
sge," were peremptorily ordered 10 assemble at
Snsn respect We posts. On the appointed nith of
september, they obeyed. Al Grand Pre- for exam ple
fouT AuAered and eighteen unaYned men came 70,
ee'her They were marched into the church aud
u avenues were closed, when Winslow, tho Amer.
can commander, placed himself in their csftsr.
You are convened together to manifest to Won
~. Ms,Ss,yS mai resolution 10 the French inhabit-