Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-27

HusDzaTs. Won G. G. GEnvIUs Leipzig 1868
Inroduotion to the History of the Nineteenth Century
By G. G. GERvlSus. Leipsic 1851
The name alone Of GERv1Nus would perhaps
have suaiced to draw our attention to this volume
for whatever proceeds from the pen Of this distn-
ruisae1 critic, hastoral,sand professor enjoys by
anticipation clair upon our respect and conside-
ration To be the author Of work universally re-
cognisad as. classical and standard is small dis
tinction to be won in Germany, where the literary
competition is SO exacting and the literary produc-
tion SO immense; yet such work undoubtedly is
the History of the National Poetcal Literature of
the Germans by this eminent scholar-a work to
which, on former occasion, we remember to have
acknowledged obligations for valuable facts and
suggestions But the appearance of the treatise be-
fore US was heralded to US by somewhat else than
the prestige Of its author: for the first notice
received Of its publication contained in certain
items Of recent intelligence from Europe which an
nounced to us the fact that Gervinus had been ar
rested and subjected to judicial prosecution for the
utterance OF volume adludged by the bureau
cracy" to be of reasonable and insurreetionary I'M
port The issue Of the trial is doubtless remember
ed by our readers
The historical studies and researches of Gervinus
seem to have conducted him to the belief that de-
mocratic supremacy is the ultimate destination Of
all nations, and in the present treatise he gives the
reasons for the faith that is in him. We have been
very agreeably disappointed by the general tenor OF
the production. Accustomed as we are to expect
nothing better than "hideous gabble from the sys-
ten-buiders and constitution-framers Of Germany,
we feared that even Gervirus had fallen into like
confusion of pure ideas, and that, overlooking all
considerations of tire place, and circumstances, he
too disposed to preach what has been called the
@universal cvangel of liberty" But we are glad
to find tkat he permits neither his logic nor his his
torioal philosophy to lead him into the cloudland and
dream land in which the Germans-lords Of the air. as
their Richter styles thernso generally delight to
disport While protesting an attachment to democratic
principles in the abstract he his conviction that
they only then be successfully applied the practical
workings of government when the great Of people
shall have learned without abusing them; and he
is fer from ndnging in any snch deuseus Of hope as
expect the political millennium Of Europe to be close at
hand that al social wrongs and moral evils win be heal
ed By tie panacea Of universal suffrage.
But the crowning excellence of the work before Us is to
be sought its profound ard comprehensive generaliza
tons in historical science Forming it puports to
do an introduction to the history of the nineteenth
turv the present volume forth merely the dpa
courier Of larger work. be devoted the history of
Europe from the final overthrow Of Napoleon l. to the
middle Of the current century But in order to assign
to this historical period its proper place in the sphere OF
general modern history the writer deemed it necessary
to take brdseye review Of the last few centuries OF
European history, in order from them as wei as from
their relations to still earlier times to ascertain the sue
cessve steps and present standpoint Of civil develop
ment The present production, therefore, is nothing
more than very long preface to still longer book yet
70 come Many considerations it seems have melted the
worthy author send forth the present volume apart
from its companion The space occupies be fears would
have eneroached too much upon his narrative while Its
contents appealing to quite another class OF readers than
those in search Of that which is merely interesting IN his
tory might have mpeded the general currency OF the
whole work But the chief motive which induced him to
publish this Introductory treatise in advance Of the prn-
cipal work avowed in the following statement Ger
tain friends have believed that the contents Of the pre-
esent volume would to confirm many shaken con-
fdence Of In the future to raise again many pros
trate faith in the present. and to furnish safetypank
to many who been left laundering by the shpwreck
these last few years" AS for himself from long ad
dicon to historical study and observation he processes
10 have early seen the faulty Of those sangune hopes
which lately filed the hearts Of European reformers and
thereby spared himself many bitter disappointments
The perusa of his treatise will have the effect he hopes
TO repress in the minds Of their impatient sying
for speedy political results and in the minds Of others
their idle cxuatious at the transient advantages they
have for the present achieved. ntf
The question has been raised whether there be any all
peryading philosophy in the developments OF history we
believe there is by means sure that thls
rd posopda as Bacon would have called it, has ever
yet been discovered Much that assumes the name we
have early learned discard philosophy falsely 50
called We believe that progress is the law Of history
but tie general and ultimate direction Of this pro-
gress have been definitely settled We do not sup
pose that either the origin succession Of historical
events given up to human caprice to the control Of
blind fate and chance We conceive Of nothing In
the universe Of God that is subject to law from
in their to the wind that boweh where
il steth lie who first bowled the planets along their
destined path in the heavens and who holds the wind in
his fss has impressed upon both alike that compliance
70 His ccaseless bidding which coll Law and Of which
as the udcious Hooker avers the in the bosom
of Cod and whose voice is the harmony Of oil worlds
But all law is not equally patent to human ken or obser
Taton nay more is precisely those laws which come
into the closest relations with that the most in
scrube such as the laws Of his being the laws OF
life and Of health the laws Of mind in its influence on
mind and its empire matter In the face Of boast
full science we are still "fearfuly and wonderfully made
To know what's what is still
as high
AS metaphysic wit can hy
IT. then. man when considered sngy develops his free
agency under the influence Of laws unknown to himse