The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-07
Literary Notices.

Ngpoleon For the Use Of Schools aud Colleges By JOHN
LoRp, A. NJ, Lecturer History. Published by THos
CowPERTHwAIr " Co., Philadelphia
This is OF the best-arranged and most comprehen
sve compendums OF modern history which it has been
our good fortune TO read The author making no claims
to original profound Investigations has most happily
succeeded in presenting work adapted TO the wants
and understandings OF pupils the higher schools and
colleges, and at the time interesting to those of
mature years who have neither the leisure nor ncIna.
ton to deve into more extensive and reconcile produc
tons The period embraced in this history is that from
the Of the sixteenth century the fall OF
Napoleon. Giving due place and prominence 10 the po-
tca acts OF those who have ruled the desnes OF
Europe during that PERIOD TO the which they waged
and to the battles in which they participated the author
has devoted more than susual degree OF attention to
those which preceded and led TO the great Protest
ant Reformation in Germany and England, and to the
origin OF those other institutions and reforms, whether
olitca, social religious, which have had the great
est influence upon society," and upon the development Of
that principle OF civil and religious liberty which FERNS
SO important element in the present politics OF Eu
rope But perhaps the most interesting portion of the
work consists in his admirable and life like porlraures
Of the distinguished men through whose influence the
great changes 10 the political and social condition OF Eu-
rope have been wrought, or whose have become
celebrated either in science, literature, art With
extract descriptive OF the wits OF Queen Annes reign,
we close this notice OF work which our readers will
find fully equals all have said in its commentator
"We come to glance at those illustrious who
adorned the literature of England in this brilliant age
celebrated for political well literary writings
"of these, Addison, Swift, Bolngbroke, Bentley,
Parneil Rowe, Prior, Congyeve, Steele and Berkeley
were The most distinguished. Dryden belonged 10 the
preceding age; to the period OF license and gayetythe
greatest bat most immoral OF all the great poets OF Eng
land, from the time of Milton to that OF Pope.
"The wits OF Queen Annes reign political wri-
tiers as well as poets and their services were sought Tor
and paid by the great statesmen OF the times, chiefly oil
the tory party Marlborough neglected the poets, and
they contributed TO undermine his power.
"Of these wits the most distinguished and respectable
was Addison, born 1914 He well educated, and
distinguished himself at Oxford, and fellow OF
Magdaen College. His early verses, which woud now
be pronounced very INFERIOR however attracted the no.
oracle OF the literary clubs AT the age OF twenty seven,
Addison was provided with pension from the wing
government. and set out on his travels He was after
wards made secretary TO Lord Halifax and elected mem
Der OF the House OF Commons, but was never able TO
make speech. He, however, made up for his failure
as an orator by his power as writer, being perfect
master OF elegant satire He also charming IN pri-
waite conversation, and his society was much sought by
eminent statesmen, scholars, and nobemen In l70s he
became secretary for Ireland and, while he resided at
Dublin wrote those delightful papers which his fame
chiefly rests. Not as the author Of Rosamond, nor OF
Latin Verses OF the Treatise Medals nor OF Let
,ers from Italy, norot the Tragedy Of Cato would he now
be known 10 His glory IS derived from the Taller
and Spectacular entirely new species oil writing IN his
age, original simple, and beautiful, but chiefly marked
for polished and elegant saIe against me ioes ahS oao
taor are distinguished for elevation OF sentiment and
moral purity, without hafshness and Without misan-
thfopy He three sevenlhs OF that immortal pro-
duc,ion, and every variety OF subject without any
attempt 10 be eloquent intense, without pedanfy and
without adec,ation The success OF the work was i'm,
mense and every who could afford il had served
on the breakfast table with the tea and toast II the
general subject OF conversation in all polite circles and
did much improve the taste and reform the morals OF
the age There nothing which he severely rdi-
ms q
combry iu conversation, extravaganza in Dress female
6rls and butterflies gay and fashionable women, and all
false modes,y and Alteration. But he blamed without
bitterness. and reformed without exhoration, while he
exalted what was simple, and painted IN most beautiful
colors the virtues OF conieniment smphcity' sincerity,
and cbeerlulness. .
His latter days were mbered by party animosy.
and the malignant siings OF literary rivals Nor was he
happy in his domestic fife, having married proud coun-
tess who did not appreciate his genius tie also became
addicted TO incorporate habits Still he was ever hon
ored and respected, and. when he died, was buried IN
Westminster Abbey.
Swift born in Ireland in 1917, educated at Dublin, ana
patronized by Sir William Temple. he was Rewarded
finally with the deanery OF 81. Pau,cks lie was very
useful to his party by his political writings but ms
fame rests chiefly his poetry, and his Gulhvers Irav
els, marked and disgraced by his savage sarcasm on
woman, and bis utilization OF human nature. ne was
great master of venomous SATIRE he spared neitnef
friends nor enemies. He was ambitious, msan'nroplc,
and selfish His treatment OF women was olsgIacei11
and heartess in the extreme But he was WHY hs
and natural He was known TO laugh, wniie ne
convulsed the, circles into which he was thrown ne
was rough Il his servants, nsolent TO interiors, ana
sycophantic TO men Of rank. His distinguishing power
was his unsparing and INSCRIPTIONS sarcasm and ms
invecve dreadful the personal Ildicne OF VOL
tare As poet he respectable, and as writer ne
was original lie was indifferent to literary fame, and
never attempted any higher style Of composition than ha'
in which he could excel His last days were miserable,
and he fingered long while in hopeless and melancholy
idocy.
Pope properly belongs TO a succeeding age, though
bis frat writings attracted considerable attention during