New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-10
yiv.city of thought and an eioquence Of expression
not often found in theological discussions.

not often found in theological discussions.
MEMOIRS OF CELEBRATED CHARACTERS ByAL-
rHoSsE DE LsARTISE. vols l2iso. Harper bros
The principle Of selection which has guided Lamar
tine IN the oaoice Of the subj of these volumes is
by mems obvious lie has taken his characters
from wide interval Of time az that which seps-
rates homer from Feneon. and from personages ~
di-eTre in position and historical associations So
crates and Lord Nelson. He tells US, indeed, in his
preface, that in order 70 avoid monotony certain
degree Of abruptness is essential and hence he aims st
afrequent change Of style in his narratives and in his
language. But the transition from portraiture OF
Lady Emma Hamilton to the charms OF ideal virtue
is somewhat too sudden for the preparation OF most
readers. A greater degree Of unity would have made
his work more satisfactory on perasa and given It
stronger claim 10 permanent Importance ofli, &C.
res Of ordyctures from the pen OF Lamartine cam
not fail Of showing many striking features. lie Is
never tame or lsngud, though bis description, are
sometimes proraced after their inspiration has ceasef
He is teo easily eDticed from the main course Of his
narrative BY the seduction Of brilliant episode Bat
Of such sketches large proportion are boldly drawn
and vvdy coored, and are often so dazzling in their
spendor as to make their fidelity secondary object
with the reader "a it undoubtedly has been with the
writer. One Of the most CHARACTERISED, biographies
il The work is that Of Heoise The theme is adapted
TO bring out the peculiar merits and defects of Lamar
tines style. His sympatbes are strongly with Hello
se Of bom be gives glowing portrait from scanty
materials though he fails 10 show up the vanity self
i-ness and cowardice of AbelGrd in its true light In
bis account Of Cromwell, Lamartine makes free use
of the labors Of Carlyle, whose views Of Crom vells
character however, be but partially adopts. He re-
CARDS him as fanatic rather than Of cruelty,
ambition, and craft, but does not give him credit for
the lofty herosm attributed TO him by Carlyle. La
MARITIME has little affinity with the sterner qualities of
character. He does not breathe freely in their pres
enee. They create too cold aud bracing an atmos-
pbeye for bic temperament He does not feel at ease
except in the contemplation of some form Of roman
tic sentiment ideal enthusiasm Even Milton he
can scarcely allude to without expression of dis
gust. Unfortunately for his fame, Milton carried
bis love of liberty TO fanatcism and his republican
ism to regicide' His defense of the Kings death
ia stain Of beod the pure page Of his repu'a-
ton" But in the delineatioD of characters like
Cicero Joan of Arc, and Fenelon, where enthusiasm
or refinement predominates over the harsher senti
nents, Lamartne is more at home, and throws the rich
glow of his poetic temperament over the ndivil-
ualities by which be is so easily magnetized.
SYNONYMS OF THE NEw-TEsTAMENT BY RICHARD
CHEsrvx TRENCH. limo PIP 20 Recheld
The subject to which this volume is devoted has
received comparatively little attention from Eoglsh
scholars. Nor has it been treated by Ger nan blbl
cal students with the completeness and accuracy with
which they have investigated most questions Of sa-
cred philology. With the exception of treatise by
Tnan, republished in a slovenly Translation in the
Edinburgh Biblical Cabinet, we have no work ex-
pressy dedicated to the subject; and that far from
exhibiting the qualities which would make the present
volume superfuous Professor Trench is well-known
as subtle and sagacous verbal critic. Nor is this
his highest merit An acute thinker himself, he pos
sesses an uncommon insight into the relations and
anaogits of thought. He has quick perception of
the most delicate and evanescent shades OF meaning
in words and phrases His mind is sufficiently philo
sophical to lead him to trace the origin of expressions
to the primitive facts which they repose; while
he has undue love Of abstraction to seduce him be-
yond The limits of reality and common sense. Hell
a refined al alyst, but he seldom refnes too much.
lie has certain breadth and downrghtness OF intel
lect which preserves him from indulgence in mere
fsnces. As philologist, accordingly, we feel de-
gree of safety in bis guidance which many critics of
greater preteDsions do not inspire. At the same
time he is equally free from pedantry and meager-
puage. His discussions are pervaded by a richness
and vigor of life, which make them attractive even
to those who have no special interest in pathological
researches. The volume now reprinted, being de-
voted to Greek synonyms is not Of nature to admit
Of quotation from its pages; bat we are sure that
they cannot be consulted by any student of the orig
inal Scriptures without imparting frequent sugges-
tons Of great significance, and often little positive
information.
A REVIEW OF DR. poDs INVOLUNTARY THEORY
=. OF SPIRITUAL MANIfEsrATI0Ns. By W. s. COURT
limo PIP. 81. Pstrdge Britain.
This peppery tractate deals preliminary fling at
the character and motives of the writer under review
bad omen this-good scolders seldom reason
we'll Dr. Dods, according to the reviewer is hardly
worth the powder he expends upon him. " He is
beot. He loves himself better than truth. He is
neither candid nor honest" After several pages OF
abuse well laid on, Mr.. Courtney proceeds to e1
animation Of the argument which he attempts to con-
trovert and maintains that it is neither original
conclusive. firing of logic, however, he soon re-
turns to vituperaton. "Doctor Dods is deuded by
his concei misled by his ambition, hardened by his
bgotry, and under the ban of creed which domi-
mates and pervers his natural sentiment justice and
impartiay. He is partial, unfair, dishones. and IN
Just. He is inoleran overbearing and denunciatery,
and his book is faithful transcript Of the man. We
thought DR.. Dods book clever production when we
read it, but had idea would agitste the Spiritual
Rappers so furiously. A viler specimen Of contro
versy than it has called forth in this reply has sell
dom been seen in print.
THE TARLES TURNED; A BRIEF REVIEW THE Rev.
C. NJ BUTLER NJ. ID. By 5. b. BRIrrAs. limo. PIP o3.
Partridge d Britain.
=.