The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-04

great people.
Our Bsston Correspondence.
BosroN, July l, 1854.
The Fourth in Bcston-In the State-Ihe Wing
Address-As probable EGect-Ne,c Hampshire
Libel Suit-Know Noshings-Mr. Prescott Phi
lip 1T Battle Month-Sdie of the Daily Mail
Mr.. Tanle-A Groton Racer-7He Ministers-
n Work of Art-Reai Estate Sales Cholera, &c.
The resolution Of our city government not to pro-
vide any public grub on the Fourth but to Lay out
the money usually expended in the dinner for some
purposes in which many can take part, has caused
some comment, and enraged the conservatives, who
do not like to such changes introduced into the
modes Of rejoicing over having threshed Great
Britain, which had previously threshed all creation.
1t would, perhaps, have been as well to have kept
up the comfortable custom that was established in
those good times when il was in good taste to drink
good punch in quantities as large as your head and
stomach would permit. It might have been
maintained without lessening the general modes
Of observance, for there is no reason why
the select few should be starved for the
benefit of the many. Let both sets have fine
time Besides it is currently reported that there is
to be dinner, after ALL which is to be paid for by
the city, though it is to be eaten in secret which,
suppose, will make it all the sweeter, as is said to
be the case with bread; though the rule may not
hold good in the case of feasts Of four courses and
o dessert, with wine &c.
The Fourth will be very generally observed in
this State-the only effect of the silly effort of some
foolish abolition gentlemen to have it turned into
day of universal growing, having been to make
people more anxious than ever to observe it pro-
perly.
The Wing State Central Committees address will
lead to important results think 1t will keep
many wings in the party traces, and the ef
feet of that will be to prevent many
democrats from leaving their ranks. Were
SIT impede to commence in either of these two par
ties it would extend to the other with amazing ra
pidity, and they would lose half their number. As
it is the party is afraid to break up because the
other has avowed its determine ton TO maintain it.
SELF il it cam according to its old forms and ideas
The new movement will, from present appearances
hardly eycLtuate in new party, but the free soers
both the wing and the democratic parties.
The administration democrats are still confident
Of Mr.. Wells's election in New Hampshire. They
refer to the case Of Mr.. Sumner, who chosen by
our Senate three months before the House could be
induced to elect him. Such may be the result in
New Hampshire though it has not much of look
that way now. No one thinks that Mr.. Hibbard can
be chosen.
. The libel suit brought BY Catholic priest against
the editors Of the Daily Bee newspaper, and which,
it was supposed would be tried at the present term
of the Common Pleas Court, at Concord, has been
postponed. The bringing Of this suit viii prove as
foolish thing on the part Of the Catholics as good
for the defendants. 1t is on all sides, REGARDED
as an attempt to put down press that is engaged
in making vigorous war on the Catholics, and which,
it could neither be forced bribed into silence
was to be subjected to the pcine forte ct due Of
law suit. The Bee Is the regular organ OF the new
party, and its circulation has increased in many
places enormously, fact that shows how deep is
the interest experienced in the movements and pur.
poses Of thst party. There is, I find, stronger
feeling against the Irish and the Catholics-other
foreigners and especially those of Protestant views
in religion, do not seem to be hated in the east-n
our country towns, and amongst the agricultural and
bard.workiDg population. That such a feeling
should exist in the cities and large towns cannot
the prevailing sentiment when it extends 50 COM
pletely into the rural districts."
An evening paper announces, in o sort of by au-
thorty Tone that the first two volumes of Mr.. Pres
colts History of the Life and Reign Of Philip the
Second, have been completed, and will be put to
press Immediately II is to be hoped that this is So
but when call to mind that the same announce
ment, or something not materially different from it,
has been repeatedly made during the last dozen
years, confess that have some small doubt on the
subject. 1t is added that the work will be brought
within the compass of six volumes, which also
doubt. The history Of Philips reign, during more
than forty years-he assembled the Spanish throne,
January 10th, 1856, and died September 18th, 1893
is the history of pretty much all that import
ant in Europe and America, to say nothing OF the
East Indies, for the same period; and before ne be-
came king be was character OF considerable poli-
teal Importance. His reign synchronizes with the
greatest period of modern history, not even the
fortyhree years that elapse between l774 and 1918
being of more consequence than the same number
of years that Philip the centre Of the attention Of
Christendom Mr.Prescott's powers of condensation,
as well Of narration and Of criticism certainly
great; but there are some things that no man can
accomplish, and one Of these hold to be the bring
ing Of such history Of Philip II. as Mr.. Prescott
would be willing to stake his reputation upon,
within the comparatively Moderate compass an
nounced. Nor can any sound judgment he formed
on this point by referring to his previous works.
Those works, able as they are, are episodical in
Mexico and Peru are brilliant episodes In the annals
Of Spain and America; and even that Of Ferdinand
and Isabella does not essentially differ from them,
as Spain did not commence playing Europea
part until late in the reign Of those sovereigns and
then not always an important one. The reign of
Philip was AZ important 70 Europe, most Of L, as
that Of Napoleon in after times; and Napoleon had
no power in either the East or the West. Macau-
lay, whose decision on point Of history would
seem to be without appeal, thinks that his innu.
ence Europe for several years was greater even
than that Of Napoleon, in addition to which he had
what Napoleon had not-ships, colonies, and com
merce. He was strong by sea by land, contrbnt
ing largely to the great feet that saved Chris
tendon at LepaAto, and not discouraged BY the de-
struction Of the Armada Mr.. Prescott has chosen
his theme nobly; and il the execution shall bear
good proportion to the choice Of subject, his fame
will rest on an imperishable basis. Were II proper
TO indulge In envy, think I might be excused for
envying him the leisure the talents and the ability
to engage in 90 grand an undertaking, with the
chances decidedly in his favor of making an ever
lasting addition to the highest class the treasures
of historical literature. Even the mere formation
of design to write such work, though il never
should be accomplished, entities man to respect,
as indicating q superiority Of mind BY no means
common.
Your reference TO the fact that several Of the
great decisive battles Of the world were fought in
tie month Of June, reminds that in ancient tims
the same singular fact occurred. The batt.e Of