Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-12-19
A Splended Work.

EMPEROR CHARLES THE FIFTH, by
William Robertson, D. D. With an
Account of the Emperor's Life after
his Abdication, by William Fl. Pres
colt. In three volumes. Boston =
Phillips, Sampson & Co.
We prophecy for this valuable work
a degree of success which will more
than fulfill the expectations Of the pub
fishers. William Robertson, born at
Bothwick; Scotland, in A. D. 1921, be-
came early in life distinguished for his
eloquence and good taste, and for many
years took prominent part in the &C.
clesiastical politics of his country. He
finally became one Of the kings cha
plains, principal of the University of
Edinburg, and historiographer royal of
Scotland. His "History of Scotland
during the Reigns of Queen Mary and
King James VI" was received with en-
thusiasm but his best work undoubted-
", is lia q History OF the Reign Of
Charles W." which appeared in 1863.
The personal character Of his hero, the
immense empire over which he reigned,
the rush and whirl of incident, and be-
yond all, the struggle for national exist
ence, municipal freedom, and religious
life, against a fierce and unscrupulous
tyranny, must of necessity, however pre-
sented, make a book of profound interest.
But Robertson wrought artistically with
these magnificent materials-skillful in
arrangement, graphic and powerful in
description, pure, easy, yet dignified in
style, the lucid narrative flows on. Now,
we are in stately, passionate, romantic
Spain; now, in gay, volatile, but brave
and chivalrous France now, amidst the
sturdy Flemings, destined to dare all for
humanity now, amidst the thoughtful,
religious Germans and now, we par
take of the rich, glowing, redundant life
of Italy. AT one moment, we are on the
coast of Africa ; anon, we glide over the
sea in the treasure ships of the New
World. There is no ENHANCEMENT, nc
confusion, no embarrassment from super.
abundant wealth.
The character of the emperor presents
us with study Of unfailing interest,"
There is something absolutely appalling
in the intense seifshness of his lifelong
devotion to the supposed interests of his
imperial house, and the bitter hatred with
which he regarded the political heresy Of
the reformers, under the guise of regard
for the Church of Rome. The blood Of
hundred thousand victims, burned
strangled, buried alive, cried out from
the earth against him. Liberal institu
tons lay crushed beneath his iron tread
His measures still keep in ruin one of tht
most brilliant races in Europe. So no
toriousl y false as to have been callet
Charles qui triche !" avaricious ever IL
meadness, without one spark of tina
genial fellow-feeling which sheds sucl
grace upon lofty birth, he was yet admir-
ed, lauded, almost worshipped where h,
was not eXecrated. He was constitu
tionally fearless, prompt and energetic ii
action, and inexhaustible in resources
lie was Interchangeable in purpose, indie
fatlgable, in the discharge of business
stoically tranquil in the most advers,
fortune. His fexibility of manner GOV
cred a multitude of crimes. He coul,
adopt at will the diversified habits of hi
different people. Reserved in Spain. h,
was familiar in the Netherlands, and ga,
IN Italy. He could compete with the bes
matador at Madrid, and did not disdain {,
hit the popinjay at Antwerp.
The continuation by Prescott is quit
as valuable as any part of the work. Tn
h'ue which Robertson gave of the pri