Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-29
NOTES ON NEW BOOKS.

Economy in the State College Of South Carolina, and
author OF various works political and civil ethics In
luminous preface addressed to his former pupils the
professor enunciates sound axioms and opinions No
liberty without the supremacy Of the law" eve could
meyer have supposed that sOca and deOfsq the fatal
negations of freedom could have been boldly proclaimed
in this century the defence and refuge Of huma-
nifty" &c.
Inc hand OF the profound scholar and urst is appa-
rent In the composition of these Volumes advocates OF
orthodox freedom, satus distant from red republic
canism as from royalty.
MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF THE RI. Hon. RICHARD
BRIssLEY SHERIDAN, by Thomas Moore In vols. Red
field, New York; TAyLon MAunY, Washington
Brilliant wit, racy anecdote the drama poetry and
politics constitute the materials of these entertaining
volumes. The life Of Sheridan is indeed an epome Of
history and is ngly in the grace
full style of the Bard of Ireland STYLE like the corre-
spondence Byron edoent of good society Of finish
ed scholarship.
The eliminating point of Sheridan we take to
be the proud day when he delivered that celebrated
speechthat matchles burst Of oratory which held
chained the faculties of British Senate when legsa-
ton hung listening his tongue and veteran statesmen
for the first time swerved from toregone conclusions.
The opening speech the impeachment of Warren
Hastings has no parallel in the annals Of ancient or mo-
astonishing effort of eloquence argument and wit united
of which there any record or tradition" And Mr..
Fox said all that be had heard, oil that he had
read when compared with it dwinded into nothing,
and vanished like vapor before the SUM-" Mr.. Pitt
knowedged that it surpassed all the eloquence Of
cent and modern times possessed every thing that
genius could furnish agitate and control the
human mind" The Annual Register, in its Parliament
tary report, says:
/" Sir William Dolben Immediately moved adjourn
ment of the debate confessng that in the state of mind
in which Mr.. Sherdan's speech had left him it i'm
possible for him to give determinae opinion Mr. Stan
hope seconded the motion. When he had entered the
House he ashamed to acknowledge that his opinion
inclined to the side of Mr. Hastings But such had been
the wonderful efficacy of Mr. Sheridans convincing detail
of facts and irresistible eloquence that he could not but
say that his sentiments materially changed Nothing,
indeed, but information almost equal miracle could
determine him not to vote for the charge but he had
just felt the influence Of such miracle and he could
but ardeny desire to avoid immediate decision. Mr..
Matthew Montague confessed that he had felt similar
revolution in sentiment"
In youth Sheridan eminently handsome. His
mantle marriage his undying affection for noble and
accomplished wife, the guide and counsellor Of impro
vident hepmate his theatrical speculations his para
mentary and reckless extravaganza the web
and wool composing the tissue of his chequered life.
But the stage, his glory and his ruin, was property
of that treacherous kind which deceves only
himself but him also to deceive others. An
certain income, euling all calculation, together with
facility of raising money, the dangerous power put
into his hands at the age of &C. He transport
ed into another sphere where the ntoxcaon of deep
draughts of fame awaited him. His social qualities were
unfortunately for himself but attractive Without
Of income he became the companion of mobiles
and princes and paid the usual tribute Of such unequal
Ruined in fortune and forsaken by his
he became indebted to the humane in
terposion of Dr. Bain his physician, for escape from
few days before his mournfu passage to the
tomb Dukes. lords and noblemen the pallbearers
at his funeral and among the the royalty
and nobility Of England. Mon who deserted him at his
need swelled the gorgeous procession West
minister Abbey.
DISCUSSIONS ON PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE,
by Sir WILLIAM HAMILTON, Bart New York, Harpers.
Washington, Taylor Maury.
Sir WILLIAM HAMILTON is Professor Of Logic and PHI
osopby in the University Of Edinburgh and distinguished
only for exalted literary aainments but for wide
research in the region of metaphysics and in almost
every other department of human knowledge He stands
the head of the Scottish school Of Ontoogy
and is acknowledged in Europe the first critic of the
age who while chershng the deepest veneraon for the
great truths of natural religion and of christianity views
with thorough contempt the regious panthcism of the
Strauss and Bauer
Prefxed to the work is mastery introduction from
the pen of Robert Trumbul DID,, essay replete with
Of ancient and modern metaphysics and reviewing
the whole ground Of mental philosophy and the process
Of speculative thought.
The Discussions consist principally Of selections
from the Edinburgh Review, presented in enlarged
and corrected form.
The first subject passed under review Victor Cousins
doctrine of the Infinite Absolute" The French profess
sor had il appears been condemned silence during
the period Of Jesuit influence in France and after eight
years retirement again assembled the chair Of Philosophy
the University Of France commencing his academicaI
with the publication Of the work whose aberra-
tons are here ably reuted bad evidence by the
way Of the critical sagacity Of those Jesuit fathers who
had denounced the doctrines enuncated the professors
former projections.
Next follows a dissertation the study OF mathematics
as an exercise Of mind in which he measures weapons
with the celebrated Professor Whewe Fellow Of Trinity
College, Cambridge thence the Of the low state
Of classical learning Scotland In page 1893 he throws
down the gauntlet the University Of Oxford and in the
evnce only the but the perfect candor Of
Sir William Hamilton Page 40 to 500 and page 500
The various topics treated with ability,
md no can from the perusal Of the book without
paying tribute to the head and heart Of the noble
author.
Fun JoTTINGs, by ~ =. WILLIS. New York,
scribner. Washington, Taylor Marry.
Tales of humor, fun, and frolic fair specimen of
post prandial literature We quote the declaration to
angelic creature, fair fat, and twenty:
. found her morning slipping her coffee attwelve,
With her eyes wide open. She just from the bath,
md her complexion had soft dewy transparency, like
he cheek of Venus rising from the She put away
With her dnped forefnger entered cluster Of rich