New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-23
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
BAyCRoFT's MIsCELLHsrEs.

BANlhOf = LIS.
LITERARY AND HISTORICAL hscEr LANES By
GtoRGL BANCROFT svo., PIP SIT Harp. BrO,her<
Prior to the commencement Of hi History of
the United States, Mr.. Bancroft va, a frequent
contributor 10 the periodical Literature Of this
country. His productions in this 4 nd were of
a remarkable character Written at compare
lively early period of life, they were distin-
guished by the dignity OF their tn mes, their
copious and exact learning, their discrimination
ana maturity of thought, and the force and cu-
rious felicity Of their style. They presented
rare combination Of profound reflection with ex-
qusite scholarship. The peculiar culture
which they betrayed, showing an ear al fAnlilari-
tv with classical eruditon and the T chest fruits
of modern literature, was less common at that
day than at the present; but with ne advance
ment Of elegant letters among ourselves since
the date of their composition, il W uld be diff
cult TO point out any finer specimen of literary
criticism or historical discussion in any Ameri-
can journals. Nor has Mr.. Bancroft been want
ing in the performance of the occasional duties
which are claimed of every eminen. scholar by
public sentiment. His anniversary and COM
memOratiye discOurses have been numerous, al
ways exhibiting a striking originally Of concep-
ton, and executed in a style of brill mt and i'm
pressive eloquence. Prepared for occasions OF
passing interest, and addressed to popular au-
dences they bear no marks of haste or super
fciality. Their rhetorical grsces always repose
on a foundation of substantial thought. in this
respect, we think, they have no parillel among
the productions of our current )pular elo-
quence. They present the concus. ~ Of pro-
found and subtle philosophy with -eh historical
illustrations, and pregnant breyity of express
sion. 4 single sentence often suggests ideas
which diiiuse writer would expand into many
paragraphs. In this volume a limited selection
is given from the writings alluded to. We are BY
10 means sure that all the papers which have
found admission are superior 70 others that have
been set aside. Confident We are that the mate
rails could easily be collected for another volume
Of no less interest than the present.
The Essays which form the first division of
this volume are only three in number, treating
of the Doctrine of Temperanents, Ennu and
the Ruling Passion in Death. They will present
IIt writer III q new leNt 10 tAbHt VIM arc dt-
quainted only with his position as historian
and politician. Devoted to the discussion of
topics which appeared to leave little scope for
original remark, they are models OF didactic
composition, peryaded by refined and subtle
vein of thought, rich in Apostle and reconcile
illustration, and clothed in diction of almost
unrivaed terseness and point. From the first
of these Essays, the subject of which has been
desecrated by the pretentiOus common-places of
a superficial, materiaistic sOi-disam science IN
Ill it has become almost intoerable to sound
thinkers, We take the following passages:
THE sANGUINROUs TEMPERAMENT.
The temperament which in its external appearance
claims the highest degree of physical beauty Is the
sanguineous. lie forms nodded by nature 10 per-
feet ,mmeiry and invested with complexion of the
ceorcs uster The hands of the artist have embodied
Its outlines IN the mllcstcaliy graceful Apollo of the
Vatican. lis delicate shape Is "ihe dream of love-
mild and clear eye promptly reveals the emotions Of
the heart; the veins swell with cop!0us and he1lful
streams and the check IL quick TO mantle VIII the
crimson current The breath of life is inhaled freely;
tic chest Is high and expanded hike that of "a young
"Mohcwk warrior the pulse is active but gentle;
the hair light the skin soft and n0ist the face un-
oOuded: and III short, the whole organization - char
acterizcd 10y The yigOr and facility OF its functions.
emlerament is equally pleasing. They are emiable
conn an0ns, everywhere welcome, and equting the
kindncss shown them by gentleness of temper and
elegance OF manners They distinguished Tor play
ulne,s OF fancy aud ready Wit. Their minds areTapd
in their conceptions and pas readily from one subject
to another hat they change az once from sayeiy
TO tears or from gravity TO mirth. OF HAPPY menu
Dry, careless aud unsuspecting men, cOnienied
humor, frank disposition, they form no scheme Of
deep hypocrisy remote ambition. They are naiu-
rally afectionaie yet tickle in their friendships prompt
to act vet uncertain OF purpose. They excel IN abos
which demand most earnest but short application.
They conquer al blow, or abandon the game they
gam Their ONT by coup &c man, never by tedious
siege They are easily excited but easily calmed they
take fire at a word but as ready TO forgive They
dislike profound meditation bat excel in prompt inge
nuy they succeed Ia hight exercises OF fancy, IN hap
py contrasting incOugruOus objects and inVcntng sin-
gulGr but jus. comparisons. 1ney gwen TO display
and passiOnaiely fond of being admired Inconstant
bv nature they fuil Of sympathy and emnenty
capable of transorrnc themselves Ia Imagination into
otler scenes and condition. Hence they sometimes
are successful in the lighter branches OF letters bat
they too little perseyering TO excel continuance
OF intellectual labor OdiOus 10 them; and IN no case
have they been known 10 unite the deep sentiments OF
plosoihy 10 eloquent language. They the gayest
members OF society and yet the first 70 feel tor Others
With thousand faults their kindness of heart makes
them always favOrites In Their manners they unite
happy audaciy with winning good nature; Their con
yeIsaton Is gay varied and sparkling; never profound
but never dull sometimes i.lvlal but Oiien bfllgIt
Love is their ruiing passion; bur It s frolic love 10
which there many exposures stars. IL SKI
Baldo IN the chains which he will break to ssbmi
to new ones. Occasionally they join in the contest for
glory. In council they never have the ascendant but
of all executive officers they are the hest They often
are thrown by happy chance be at the bead OF
Affairs but hey Tc.ain power very long, They
arc sometimes even del-kte with camps bat the
field OF aIDs II for them only an affair for holiday
they 20 70 battle as mcTiy 10 dance and arr soon
weary of TIE one and tie other. Life Is to them
merry tale. If they ever sad It Is but from CON-
passion or the love OF change; aud they breathe out