New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-09-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS
p,yCRoFr's NEW VOLUME.

GycIeS sSsesosT vi VI $40 pp. So BO,toa. Ii,
The sixth Volume of this great national WORK,
which will be issued in few Days, comprises the
period between the Repeal OF the Stamp Act
i-e6 and the Penal Measures SgaiDst Boston in
1;7i. Toward the close OF this interval, the
msrrel between England and the Colonies bad
been brought to a crisis; the hope of smcaole
adjustment had passed away; an appeal 20 arms
WAS 10 establish the authority OF Great Britain
over America but the hum of preparation WA
tho SIGNAL for new era; she war on huwan free
dom was to be the forerunner of fresh birth Of
time: "tbe knell Of the ages of servitude and ne-
onality WAS rung; those OF equality and brother
hood were 10 dawn; and as the fleets and armies
Of Eoeland went forth to consolidate arbitrary
nover. kings sat still in awe, and nations turned
to watch the issue.
This ia the point of view in which the preseu.
volume is written Regarding the consumms
ton of l774 as a grand crisis in human affairs
decisive step in the inevitable march OF political
freedom-Mr. Bancroft has sssiduously devoted
himself TO gaining clear conception, not only Of
the sequence of events, but of their recondite
snteceden's AMI circumstances -minutely trac
inc the course of Notwithstanding the ope.
ration of private influence on public measures
ard dieestiDg the rich mass Of information
brought to light by his researches, into lucid
animated, picturesque, and eloquent. narrative
In no previous volume OF his History is his re-
markable power of condensation more manifest;
or the felicity With which be illustrates the events
under review by parallels and snalogies with CO.
temporaneOus scenes HIS page is crowded with
the fruits of wide-reachng synthesis, AMI in
fact, furnishes a miniature sketch Of the condi-
ton of Europe, as well az of the connection OF
/ her various powers with the struggle for freedom
/ in America.
The materials for the composition Of this
volume were, perhaps even more abundant, thar
for the portion OF the work already before the
public. Beside the large collection of printed
works in bis own library, and the ample stores d
Harvard College the Boston Atheneum, and the
British Museum Mr. Bancroft enjoyed the use Of
an immense number of manutscriript, which we're
most literally placed ut his service by various
public authorities and many of which had never
before received a critical examination, with q
view to historical purposes. The records Of the
State Paper office If Great Britain, which best
illustrate her colonial system, were freely opened
for his researches; he had the most unlimited ac-
cess TO every thing that is preserved; aud was
permitted to tske copies of the most secret docu-
ments. The Records of the Treasury were
opened for his inspection with similar liberaisy.
Much information on the Parliamentary Debates
was obtained from letters. journals, reports, and
other private sources, to which he was allowed
access in England, America and France. Among
these original materials, was series of letters
from George the Third t. Lord North. Large
collections of valuable papers from many OF the
distinguished men of the country in every colony
have been put in his possession, by numerous
individuals who were connected by official rela-
tons OF family ties with the actors in the Revoh-
tionsry drama. Out of this appalling mass OF
documents,-the very enumeration Of which
makes the blood run cOid-Mr. Bancroft has
drawn a coherent tissue Of facts often arriving
at pregnant conclusions from apparently slight
data, but never losing the critical scepticism,
which furnishes the only safe clue to such laby-
rin;h of dim and often conflicting testimonies.
The details Of legislation, which form no incOn-
siderable portion of the volume, often re-
lieved by the fine-drawn portraitures Of public
characters that present one Of the most a4rac-
tive features Of the work thus far. We select
few of these elaborate sketches, taken at random
from various parts of the narrative.
CHARLES TowYsHEND.
The eclipse of Chatham left Charles TOwnshenl
the lord of tn ascendant He a man OF wonder.
f,l do md nfia
Impatient OF waiting his ruling passion was present
success. He was forever carried away by the imme-
date object of his desires hurried into expenses
beyond his means, now clutchng at the phantoms OF
the stock market or speculatiOns in America. IL
social circles he was 80 fond Of taking the lead that
TO make sport for his companions he had no friend
ship which he would not wound, love which be
would not carcaiure Ia the House of Commons hs
brilliant oratOry took ts inspiration from the prevail
ing excltementi and, careless of consistency heed
less whom be deserted whom he Joined he fol-
lowed the floating indications of the lOudest cheers.
Applause was the temptation which he had power
10 resist. Gay, volatile ana tickle, he lived for the
hour and shone for the hour without the thought Of
founding enduring name. Finding Chatham not
likely to redppear, bis lively mag ndtion for ever
the stretch, devisiDg schemes TO realize his am
bilious views and he tErDed to pay the greatest
court wherever political appearances were most in
wiling.
Atihe beginning of this excitement, Charles Towns.
bend was seized with fever and after short Illness
during which he met danger with the unconeerned
eyity that had marked his conduct of the most ser-
Gus affairs, he died at the age Of fOrtyo famed alike
for Incompatible taeBts and extreme instability.
Where were now his giOes Where bic flashes Of
merrimont that set the table in a roar hs brilliant
eloquebce which made him the wonder OF Parliament
II bis indscretiOn forbade esteem his good hunor dis
spated hate. He had been coured by all parties but
never possessed the confidence Of any. He f9uo"ed
no guide and he had no plan OF his own. No one
wished him as an adversary; no one trusted han as
associate. lie sometimes spoke with hpldoessi