Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-18
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

PAIssY, THE POTTER. The Life Of Bernard Pa
hssy, Of Saines, his abors and Discoveries IN art
and science; by HENRY MORLEY: uols pp
303 and BAT. Washington sold By TAYLOR 4
MAURY.
This remarkable born in 1909 Of poor parents
and apprentced glazier trade in those days Of
painted windows vastly different ours of the present
day. as 1t included the art of drawing and painting in
which Paissy exceled and knowledge of chemicals and
paints required to restore broken pane containing per-
haps an important feature in valuable pictures Of
stained glass Paissy chanced see an earthen cup
turned and enamelled with much beauty, that from
that time entered into n controversy with nv own
thoughts recalling mind several suggestions that some
people had made me in fun when painting portraits
Then seeing that these falling of request in the
country where dwe and that glass painting was also
little patronzed, began to think that If could discover
how to make enames could make earthen vessels aud
other things very pretly because God had gifted inc
with some knowledge Of drawing" Passy then knew
nothing whatever OF the art of pottng and there was
no man in France who could make enames The charm
tAs ntcrtye book is the story of energy
IN the nidst Of A ths eaamtes Of poverty and of civil
war m perfectng his discoveries and creating tse Won
derful works OF art known in the cabinets Of Princes as
Paissy ware or, he himself calls his works srustic
tugitives which in fact models from life
OF wild animals reptiles, plants and other works of ma
ture astefuy combined ornaments into the texture Of
vase or plate
He perfected his discovery at the age of forty epht in
the year 1907, amid the horrors of civil war directed
|
his life was saved by the celebrated Constable Anne de
Montmorenci, who could consent that his palaces
should lose the skill Of Passy The bographer has
given us vivid pictures Of the age the men and the
women, whose names stand the page of history and
with whom, remotely and contngently was allied the
fortunes OF Palsy and the progress of the arts in France
REGAL ROME, an iatroduction to Roman History
by FRANCIS W. NEWMAN, Professor Of Latin IN
the University Of London; ! Uol. p. III. Wash
tngtoa: Sold Iy TAYLOR & MAuRY
This is work of great learning and we have here all
that modern researches have attained unto concerning
Alban Rome, Sabine Rome, and Etrusco-Latn Rome
The object of the author in the publication of this volume
to show his differences from the conclusions of Nebuhr
of whose abors however he speaks with high commen
dation lie says Roman history is better written in
consequence of his abors but his very
from tying themselves to his results"
VILLAGE LIFE IN EGYPT, by BAYLE ST. john,
author Of " Ttco Years Residence IN a LeUan-
tine Family" dc, IN rols. PIP. 2l6 and 21S. |
Washington: Sold BY TAYLOR & MAURY
While the press of late years has tecmed with all
Of works the Egypt of the past have had very
scany notices Of the Egypt of the present The book Of
Mr.. St. John supplies this want and shows us the rea
zation of that prophecy which calls Egypt the basest of
nations never to be restored to its lost grandeur In
deed the population has dwinded in fifty years. from
three millions and half to barely two millions Famine
pestence, and emigration have We'd with each other
in activity to produce this result The narrative of Mr.
ST John graceful and attractive Our sympathies are
called forth for these unhappy Fdhs who spite of all
their wrechedness and ignorance have much interest
the reader When Mr. ST. John the Tbiad have
his views Of the modern discoveries in reading the hero
gyphcs. Having heard much confident affirmation on
this head and seen old Bible chronology treated with
such dscourtesy, displeased find the foun-
datious Of all history chronology still remain intact 1t
cannot but be interesting readers hear Mr. St
John this subject;
a gentleman Of our party had paid considerable at
enton TO the subject Of herogyphcs and, wonderful to
say had particular theory of chronology his head
IL was his custom to remark that the discoveries
supposed discoveries Of each day often annued those Of
the preceding and that yet all uncertainty
doubt and confusion this difficult department of re-
search. Such admission made with frankness not
common in special student encourages TO repeat
that have no confidence in any Of the historical
alleged TO have been recently made by Of the de-
cpherment Of heroglyphical inscriptions not pre-
pared to debate the question but trust that one may
have the courage TO undertake its examination with the
prospect Of arriving at negative conclusion IL NAV
ungracious to suggest is true that grave and
learned men, paronized by Governments and appauded
by the public have been the victims or propaeators of
delusion But such believe to be the my humble
way therefore, say So leaving others to confue con-
firm disregard my opinion.
My doubts are in great based on the very
tone Of arrogant confidence in which from time TO time
discoveries are announceda tone adopted by genuine
learned men in discussions of far Importance IL
would that materials become more obscure more
enigmatca more susceptible Of various interpretations
scholars think themselves bound be positive and
dogmatcal in their conclusions. Every gentleman who
undertakes 70 read the sacred characters ancient Epyp
evidently takes position at once in his opinion as a
kind Of high priest Of archaeology entitled speak
lary TO the unintiated Intense thought working in
and ungrateful field is apt TO breed egosm aud
oyermuch sereliance But TO the credit Of this school
be IL spoken, they all agree in respectful aduation Of
each other and, though have heard il suggested that
this IS IN order to avoid controversies which might lead
public revelation Of the small progress they have really
made, think u more probable that each adept like the
members Of secret society," believes that his companion
knows than he, and endeayors to make up for his
want Of wisdom by looking wise and seeming to under
stand.
" No doubt something has been done, some progress
made some letters have been proved few phrases have
been translated; but pretends to know the
complete alphabet Of the herogyphics to say nothing Of
the vocabulary and structure Of the Egyptian language
How then is IL that hear repeated, and written
that the ancient Egyptian is nearly accessible as any
other Oriental tongue How is il that the public seems
to believe that the herogyphics longer mystery
whilst every student knows that not single Egyptolo-
gist-f that absurd word may be used-can in the ABB
Of the yet undiscovered key give complete trans
lation Of single inscription Of any length can do more
than guess and infer and suggest or invent meaning
Such being the case little modesty might be adj
vsable in the trainers of systems and trumpeters Of mar
vellous chronological discoveries One or two thousand
years ought be added taken away from the his
tory Of Empire, without very direct and posi-
tive evidence and above ALL popular writer's shoud 70
frain from presenting 10 the unearned world the hvnohe
sis Of ingenious critics as established facts