The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-06-25

PROGRESS OF DEsPoTIsM Study OF HIsTo-
RY.-We find the following Communication
under this head in the last number of the New
York Literary World:
Louis N poleon has prescribed the study Of
history from the French schools, and he is
right. History is nourisbng science. Math-
ematcs and logic clear the intellect. Natural
sciences expand and incidentally elevate the
mind; the study of the ancient languages cul-
tivates, Chastens and invigOrates thought and
expression; but history nurses the soul. 1t
yields pubalam fit for bringing up men and
rearing citizens; party feelings, associations,
aud passions often seriously sway our opinions
Of men, events and measures of the time, aud
may make us forget that there is a running
justice through all that happens which brings
IN alters TO their deserved end and awards; but
there are very few minds so vicious that they
do not gladly seize upon virtue and greatness
recorded in history, aud unconnected with our
personal interests. Why Sc should even the
worst tyrants feel flatJered when they are com.
pared to the best men in historyi Louis Ma
pOleon himself would not willingly compare
himself to Doctor Francia, whatever others may
feel inc ined to do.
HIS ory accustoms the mind to perceive the
continuity OF States, societies and mankind and
more than any other knowledge inspires the
soul with the conviction that the present is not
ali, but that we belong also TO the past and The
future. 1t is this that forms the strengthening
element in the study Of history. Let people
live but for the day let them worship the
words on the tomb Of Sardanapalus---.'e eat,
aftk and lust, the rest is nothing g''--and the
despsl need not fear their molestation. But il
citlzena are wanted aud not fast livers, il free.
men are to support and continue good institu.
tons. and if fair institutional liberty is to be
supported, to be enioye ed, aud to be handed over
to succeeding generations, history must be
largely Infused into every plan of education
u has more nutriment than any other branch.
Free nations produce the great historians, and
ia turn, history helps raising free nations. 1t
feeds with q food that produces strong meu, be-
cause 1t nourishes character BY making familiar
with what is high, lasting great aud blessed by
fellow men. Affinities find each other, and
the character in history fully developed, quick
ems wha: lies undeveloped 10 the young. Chat
ham loved to the end of his great life to spend
his spare hours with Plutarch.
All those who may be called the quickeners
of nations--their orators, their statesmen, their
refOrmers, their commanding authors, their
DOeta their teaehers--have ever been lovers Of
history, and have been delighted ia Walking
through its majestic ball where the statutes Of
The past are kept, In solemn and instructive ar
rayiRg.
Louis Napoleon is as consistent, or IS the
French themselves woald say, as log Cal in
throwing off the study OF history as the ruler
OF the Lydians was who forbade them to wear
arms.
But history can stand this insult. She will
revenge herself fonrfold when she comes to tell
this and other dOings Of the iGpsrlinent tyrant.