New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-27
Netu9lurk daily Gribtt,se
NEW PUBLICATIONS

LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. By wAsHsGros
IRVING Vol. w., svo pp. 5lS @. p Putnam Co.
The great national work, which forms such an
appropriate coronal to the beautiful fame of it's
iustrious author is here brought down to the inau
puratiOn of Washington as first President of the
United States afording breathing time before the
completion of the biography which has been read
with such general interest no less on account of
the writer than of the subject. The closing para
graphs of the volume express so admirably the feel
ings of Mr. Irving ON arriving at this stage OF his
enterprise, that We are tempted to quote them
entire.
III the volumes here concluded we have endeavored
TO nanate faithfully the career of Washington irJm
childhood, through his early surveying expeditions
in the wilderness his diplomatic mission to the French
posts the frontier his campaigns in the French war,
his arduous trials Commander throughout
the Revolution, the noble simplicity of his life in re-
tirement until we have shown him elevated TO the
presidential chair by no effort of his own, in man
ner against his wishes, by the unanimous vote u q
grateful country
The plan Of our work has necessarily carried B
widely into the campaigns of the Revoston, even
where Washington not present in person; for his
spirit perry AIDED and directed the whole and general
knowledge of the whole is necessary TO appreciate the
sagacity, forecast enduring forttude and cOmprehen
siye wisdom with which he conducted it. He himself
uby tlat any memoirs of his life distinct and uncon
necicd with the history OF the war; would be uneec
tory. In treating of the Revolution, We have eudeav
ored 10 do justice 10 what we consider It's most striking
characteristics the greatness Of the object and the
scaItuess of the means We have endeayOred 10 keep
in view the prevailing poverty of resources, the scan
daous elects the squald miseries of all kinds with
which lis champions had TO contend in their expedi-
tons through trackleSS wdemesSes or hiGly peOpled
regions beneath scOrching suns or Indictment skies;
then wiltry marches To be traced by bloody footprints
oil snow and ice. theiI aesOate wntry eucanpmcnts
rendered still desolate 10y nakeduess and famine
Ii was in the patience and fOtitude with which these
lis were sustained by hali-dis -iPAned yeOmanry
voluntary eXlles from their homes destitute OF all
the "pOmp and circumstance Of war 10 excite them
read tie uoblest and most affecting characteristics nj
that great struggle fur human rights. They do wrong
to its moral grandeur, who seek By commonplace ex
aggeratlon 10 give uel0 dramatic effect and false
glare to It's military operations and 10 place it, greatest
trumphs in the conflicts OF the eli. Lafayette showed
d true Of the nature u the struggle, wnen Ma
pCleon, accustomed 20 effect ambitious purposes by
hundreds of thousands Of troops and ten Of thousands
of sain sneered at the scanty armies OF the American
Revolution and its boosted battles Sire, WIS
the admirable and comprehensive reply. . itwas tine
grandcs: Ct causes wou by skImshe OF sentIneis and
UutpOsts.
In regard to the character and conduct If Wasting
ton, We have eudeavored ~ place his deeds ia the
cearest light. and l-il them g. speak Tor themselves
generally avoiding comment or tuogium. We have
quoted his own words and writings largely explaia
his feelings and motives. and give the key 10 his
policy; for never did man leave nOTe truthful mirror
If biz heart and mind, and Is more N trough exponent
Of his conCuci than he has left M his cUplOGs cOrre
SIonCeLcc. There his character 10 be found IA al
it, majestic simplicity, it. massive grandeur and act
colossal siren 9Th lie no hero OF romance there
was nothing ofromaniic her1sm in ms nature. A
warrior he was Incapable % fear but made n merit