The American patriot., 1855-01-24
An Honest Politician.

Hon. T. B. MAcAULAY.-Wc learn from the Oc.
tober number of the Edinburgh Review, that the
Hon Mr. Macauay, distinguished essayist,
historian, and parliamentary orator, has lately
published authentic edition of his speeches,
rected by himself lie felt compelled to undertake
the labor Of revising and preparing his speeches for
publication, in consequence Of the issue Of an un-
authorized and fraudulent edition of them some
time ago, reprinted, if we mistake not in this
try, in which the grossest blunders and misrepre-
sentations are Of frequent occurrence. This cd-
ton was published, not only without Mr.. Macau-
lay consent, but contrary to his expressed wishes.
1t is the opinion Of the reviewer of these cor
rccted speeches Of Mr.. Macaulay, that though not
at all likely to be so popular his Essays or his
History" they nevertheless dcserre to be. Many
OF them are on topics Of temporary intcrest-on
topics Of little interest in this country and this
must limit their popularity But equally wtlrhis
Essays and his History, they bear the mark of an
original and vigorous mind, and arc wonderful not
merely as compositions, but as specimens Of true
dcberative eloquence Edmund Burke is usually
ranked as the best, the most profound, the most
philosophical of British orators and Mr.. NJ. most
strikingly resembles him. It is even claimed THAT
Mr. Macauay' s.speeches are superior TO those Of
Burke. Possessed like Burke Of an imperial COM
mand over all the treasures Of the English language
Mr. Macaulay, in the best passages of his speeches
has attained, if not the ever various flexible ease
OF his great prototype, yet greater point, condon
saton and energy than it would be easy to parallel
from Burke's most successful speeches"
But we took up our pen not to characterize the
intellectual eminence of Mr. M nor the peculiar .
features and forms Of that superiority which appear
in his several productions, whether Essays History
or Speeches, but to make more widely known than
the pages Of reprint, but too little patronizcd,
could make it. his admirable qualities as politi-
clan. His reviewer thus speaks of him in that re-
pect:-"We must not close this article without
paying tribute to the honesty and indepcn.
dence which have ever characterized Mr.. Macau-
lays political career, both in Parliament and at
the hustings However moderate in his views,
they have been most decidedly expressed in entire
independetcc, alike Of party and faction, of court
or commons, of aristocrat or democrat With his
constituents he has sometimes been charged with
being too brusqe but amid the numerous examples
of serviity at the hustings the failing is one which
Englishmen may readily forgive. His Independent
worthy Of Limitation; and we question whether, since
Burke delivered his celebrated speech at Bristol,
any one has ever more unfnchingly and thorough
ly carried out its maxims. He has said his say to
his constituents on the most critical occasions in
the most downright way. He has been tho cory
Coriolonus Of the hustings He has abated moth
banished from Edinburgh, the result showed that
his constituents could appreciate the independence
and self-respcct of one who, though deeply scnsi-
bic Of the honor Of q seat in Parliament, could not
compromise anything to gain It,; and his unsoc-
tied reelection by that great constituency was
equally honable to him and to themselves" Who
that reads this high eulogium Of Mr.. Macaulay's
norat characteristics as man and politician,
but will do more willing homage to his intellect
ual powers, and read or rc-read henccforth the
productions Of his giant mind with frcshencd
glow of interest, admiration and dclight!--Home
Gazette.
STRANGE ColNclDENr.-A friend of ours says
the Grecnville Southern Enterprise received visit
the present week from twin brother, whom he
had not seen for near thirty years. 10 see them
together, one could scarcely discover any material
difference between the two. Walked alike, dress
ed very much alike, having hats, coats and vests
resembling when they meet. But the strangest
and most striking feature ofthc resemblance was,
when they were weighed, it could not be told which
was the heaviest. Who, now, reading tho 'Com,-
edy of Errors, will say that Shakespeare, even in
it, departed from the truth of nature and the har
mony of its laws? How many of the improbable
ties Of that drama are dispcllcd by this strange
coincidence