The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-04
Notices q New Public ataons.

ington Irving. Putnam Cc.-The publishers OF
the present volume have rightly judged tnas COL
laCtloa OF the many scattered effusons OF wssning
IN Irving's pen, which have appeared from time
% time in periodical publications, and which
vsrs destined by their author to merely an ephs
mArsl purpose, would prove acceptable to the ad
mirers Of that gifted writer. These papers possess
A interest distinct from thst Of his more elaborate
works. They have not, IL In true, tho elegance and
finish Of the latter but they present to US the mind
Of the writer in its moments Of literary abandon,
when the fre Of his genius uncontrolled by the
prospect Of criticism, or consideration for postum
nous Effects gave full play to the fancies Of the
moment After long lapse Of years, many OF the
topics cursorily treated in these papers derive
fesh interest from events that daily transpiring
Since the following was written, the military cha
racteristics and organization OF the English and
French armies have again afforded theme FOR
discussion. There is appositeness In the writer's
remarks which tempts us to reprodu' % them
THE FIELD OF WATERLOO.
l have spoken heretofore with some lsvity OF the
contrast that exists betwesn the English and French
char sctee but Il deserves more serious c)nsldera-
ton. They are the two great nations Of modern
times most Numerically opposed, and most worthy
Of each others rivalry; essentially distinct in their
characters, exceiling In opposite QUALITIES, ana re-
ton. In uothing ia tais contrast more stTlkiegV
eviAcsd than In their military conduct. For ages
have they been contendipg, and for ages nave !nsy
heroissp Take the battle OF Waterloo, for instance,
tho last and most memorable trlsl OF h1eic rlv@i
provess Nothing could surcsss the brilliant dsr
ing on the one side, and the steadfass enduring on
The other. The French cavalry broke like waves on
the compact squares of English int ,htry. they were
seen looping round those serried walls Of men,
seeking In vain for an entrance tossing their arms
in the air, in the heat of their enthusiasm snd
bravirg the whole from, Of battle. The British
troops on the other hand forbidden to move o. fire.
stood firm and enduring. Their columns we're rippad
up by carnOnry; while rows were swept dc IN at
shot the survivors clossd their ranks aud sto ID
dIm. In this way many columns stood through tbs
peltiDg of the iron tempest without firing shot
without any action to stir their blood, or excite their
spirits. Death thinned their ranks, but could not
shake their souls.
A beautiful iustan e of the quick and gene 'ous
impulses to which the French prone, Is given 10
the case Of French cavalier, in the hottest OF the
action charging fuously ugos British IL ocsr nu.
cary had lost bis sword arm, dropping the point OF
his sabre, and courteously riding on. Peace be
with that generous wareor, whatever were his fate
II be went down in tire s,orm OF battle, with the
laundering fortunes of his chieftsn, may the turf
Of Waterloo grow green shove bis grave Aud hap
pier far would be the fate Of such spirit, TO sink
amidst the tempest, uDcops o1s OF defeat, than TO
su,vive and mourn the blighted lsurels OF his
country.
In this way the two armies fought through long
and bloooy day. The French with enthusiastic
valOr, the Englsh with cool, infexible coura age,
un,i fate, as if to leave the question Of superiority
still undecided between two such edvsrs aries,
brought up the Prusssns to decide the fortunes of
the field.
OF the selfcontrol and sense Of propristy, which
are the general characteristics Of the French SOL
diefy, the writer Gays -
AND here let me notice the conduct of the French
chnrv tnft ho fba
Loire. when two hundred Thousand men were sud-
denly thrown out of EN- oloy; men who had been
Brought up to the camp, and scarce knew any other
home. Few in civil, peaceful Life, are aware Of
the dissolution of regiment. There is frate nifty
in arms. Tho community Of dangers, hardships,
enjoy ments the participation In battles aud victo
RES; TIE ccnpanionship In adventures, at time Of
life whea mems feelings are most fresh, susceptible
and srdeot- all these bird the members Of regl-
ment ettorg CIV together TO them the regi nsnt Ia
friends, family, home. They identify them 'eyes
with it's fortunes its glories It's dsgrsces. Imagine
this romantic tic suddenly dissllved the regiment
broken up the occpRsti9Roai ia psWesrs gone
taea1S behind them, thst Of obscursy, dependence
want, rsglfct, perhaps begsary, before them Such
Was tee cahe with the soldiers of the army Of thu
Loire They sent of in sqGa q, with Off ,ers q
the priDcipa, towns where they to be disarnsi
and discharged In tbs way they psased through h'
country With in their hands, often exposed &c
sietts and SCOTS 70 hunger and various hardshi ps
AID pt,vations; but they conducted themselves
m6gnasimously, without any Of those outbreaks Of
violeSce and wrong that 70 often attend the dis
memberne0l OF armies.
The CHRISTIAN RKrRosrEcT AND REGISTER BY
Rober. Bsifd,--h. w. Dodd New York.-Th's vs!us
bic work, which made It's appearances in 1851 having
gone ont Of PRINT its author has bssn called upon 10
repubush it with supplement, bringing Its history
Of events down to the stess possible date. Tns OBJ
ject OF Mr. Baird was to give q survey of TIE p o
Press Ct the world in its material and religious in
terests during the first hal. Of the nne.eea th cen
tury This he has accomplished in pains-tsking
and, generally speaking, accurate manner. AL
though Use vast exteIt Of the subject does not al
NIT Of more than euDerf ,al treatment in SO small
compass as that CT the present volume i. win bt
found to embrace Q large amouns OF well digessed
information on al topics, though, as nigh; be ex
pected, the religious element p.edominatss. This Ii
indeed too much the case, and initiates against the
utility of tbs work. II the object were merely tc
give review Of the progress Of Professionalism dur
ing the period fixed upon, IL would hsve been b,ttsl
to have Invested the book OF all secular views. But
to make the progress Of all things hu nan-arss
sciences and philosophy dependent by induction OF
the arch Of particular form of faiths stretch
or sectaisn iofatua'ion to which many vii
take exception. Literature nourishes in France
and the fine arts thrive in Italy, Notwithstanding
that those countries profess = creed ignored in Mr.
Bairds religious survey. We merely allude to thes
facts in order to show the sbsurdity Of the habi
which prevails amongst certain class Of writer's
referring everything to pries.ly agencies. In th,
article on the American press, for instance, we fin,
prominent mention made Of the religious ne ~
pagers. whist not one Of the numerous infaentis
and widely circulated litersry and political journy
which are published here receive the honor Of {
passing aoiice And yet the later have contri
buted more efficiently to the advancement of the
intelligence, the morality, and the general i'm
provement Of the public mind than the selfelected
organs Of publication which are thus specially ere