New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF BARTHoLD GEORGE
NIEBUHR. limo. PIP. 56S. Harper Brother"
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NEW PUBLICATIONS..
THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF BARTHoLD GEORGE
NIEBUHR limo PIP. 56S. Harper Brothers
A new epoch in the study of Roman
History was opened by the bold researches and
sturdy criticisms of this admirable scholar Pre-
vous to his labors the subject was in state of ap-
parently hopeless confusion shadowy traditions
were combined with valid testimony in one OBJ
scure entanged mass; facts and legends were IN
terchanged with no criterion to determine their
respective characters and the entire story OF the
brave old adventures Of the early Roman world
presented the shifting and uncertain, though hlghy
picturesque colors of a romance. Applying the
PRINCIPLES of wise historical skepticism to the
remains of Roman Interpretations by nature
and mental training in the examination of facts
and anayzing evidence with equal subtlety and
keenness of perception-he has reduced the rag
ments of historical truth to a consistent WHOLE
eliminated from the genuine record OF events the
mythical elements which were blended in its COM
position, and thus prepared the way for more
satisfactory, though less boasful knowledge of an
important period of classical antiquity.
The personal character of Niebuhr, to the Illus
tration of which the present volume is devoted, e1-
hibted a striking accordance with his tendencies
as an historian. Possessing rare independence of
thought, the love of truth the inspiring motive
his studies he exercised stern Impotence to-
ward everything false and pretending free from all
eleminacy and softness in his disposition, he de-
voted his life TO pursuits of the most resolutely
earnest nature presenting remarkable specimen
of fearless, imprisoned, high-rpinded man,
equally distinguished for the snewy strength of
his intellect and the noble austerity of his con-
science.
Niebuhr was born at Copenhagen in the year
l776. His father the celebrated traveller,
Carsten Niebuhr, who after his perilous adven-
lures in Arabia and other distant lands, took
up his residence in that city. From an early
age the young Niebuhr gave indications of his
extraordinary talents. He passed through the ru-
diments of education with great rapidity, dis
playing uncommon quickness, ready apprehension,
and wonderful memory. His father first taught
him geography, and the French and English lam
guages and used to relate to him stories from his
tory. The story of Mahomet, of the early Caliphs
especially of Omar and Ali, of the cOnquests and
spread Of Isamism and the virtues of the heroes
of the new faith, was thus early imprinted on his
memory When only in his eighth year he was
able to read any English book without help. About
this time he began to receive private lessons in
the Classics from one Of the masters Of the Gym
nasium. He also shared the warm interest in
literature which prevailed in Germany toward the
close OF the eighteenth century, and eagerly wei
coined the appearance of any new work from the
pens Of klOpstock, Lsssing and Goethe. His inter-
est in politics, which became the master-spring OF
his subsequent life, was awakened at the age of
eleven. When the war with Turkey broke out in
1877, it so strongly excited his mind that he not
only talked of it in his sleep at night, but anced
himself in his dreams reading in the newspapers
the intelligence about the war. 1t is a singular cir
cumstance that his nightly visions were generally
realized. The anticipations which he described in
his sleep would shortly after appear in the journals.
This is explained by his accurate knowledge of the
country and the situation of the towns and the
distinctness with which everything he heard i'm
pressed itself on his Imagination. Partly through
the conversation of his father and partly through
his own geographical studies those regions we're az
familiar TO him his native pro~tsse. He had
perfectly accurate conceptions oftAeir inhabitants
the uOuts OF ana the character
andconduct of the various commanders.
The same faculty Of divnaton was displayed
during the early part OF the French Revolution
In several instances he foretold the course of
events with reference to the progress of the var
the direction of popular moyenents-the plans and
objects Of the revolutionary leaders,-and the re
suits Ofthe measures adopted blythe various parties.
With equal correctness and certainty did he ru.ss
the plans Of the commanders during the war. from
the marches and positions Of the armies. He re-
tanned this faculty to certain extent through
out his life, though not to so great degree a. in
his earlier years, when he could concentrate the
whole power of his mind on Impressions of this
kind.
In the year 1922, Nebuhr was sent to g cele
brsted school at Hamburger, under the charre of
an eminent teacher named Busch, man of ability.
and the author of numerous highly esteemed work.
on commercial subjects. This school. which v,s |
almost unique in its character, was attended bv |
pupils from all parts OF Europe. Ii formed a CEN
ter for the cultivation and intelligence of Ham,
bargh. The most refined society Of the city as.
sembed at the house Of the master; all foreigners
Of distinction brought letters OF introduction 20
him among his habitual guests were the noet
klopstock, the geOgrapher Ebelng, and the pby-
sician Reimarus, while Leasing and other noted
literary men were occasional visitors. N;ebuhr
~as received, lot merely Gs scholar bat wss al.