The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-01

Mr.. MACAULAY PEER.-Of the various
Peerages which are about to be created, the
public will regard with most interest that which
elevates Mr.. Macaulay to the House of Lords.
1t is an honor which belongs peculiarly to the
man, and which is fitting if not an ADEQUATE
return for life spent in the public service,
and devoted to literary labors of the most dig
nifed order. 1t is much to say that he is the
most popular author of the day, but we have
to say more. With a style that compels atten.
ton, with calm wisdom that commands as
sent, he has interpreted English history to our
selves and to the world. To US the history
which he has indited is worth score of char.
tiers and cartload of laws; it is our Bill of
Rights and our code of political duties. We
know better what we are, we know better what
our fathers fought for, we can sympathize with
the aspirations of Wings, we learn to respect
the endeavors of Tories, we are less of parti
sans and more of patriots. To Europe that
history is worth all the constitutions that have
yet been devised. 1t has been translated into
many languages, and widely read over the con-
tinent. Who does not remember the appear
ance of these volumes in that year of revolu.
ton when all the peoples of Europe were mad
dening with fury about thrones that seemed to
be lettering to their fall? 1t was with pro.
found gratitude that, amid the universal wreck,
Englishmen saw, as the historian described.
how in their country liberty came to be linked
with order, and contentment and fraternity
were made consistent with the Inequalities of
an aristocracy. If it was lesson which we
shall never forget, it was a lesson also which,
we have little doubt, will one day bear fruit in
every kingdom of Europe, making sovereigns
more wise, and making subjects tremble for
that crisis Swallowed forth by the historian, in
which 1T may be necessary to sacrifice even
liberty, in order to save civilization" In this
view, if we except Lord Palmerston, there is
probably not an Englishman living who has
more powerfully influenced the destinies of Eu.
rope than Mr.. Macaulay; and as for his inhu.
ence upon ourselves, those who are fond of
quoting the hackneyed saying of Fletcher of
Saltoun would have stronger and more intel.
ligibe case if they would give the preference
over the maker of laws not to the writer of
ballads, but to the philosophic historian who
leaves his mark as palpably as the great au-
thor whom Her Ma esty is now about to honor.
There can be no more welcome addition to
the debates of the Upper House than the ora
tons which we trust Mr.. Macaulay will occa
sionaly contribute on the few great occasions
by which the Lords every session vindicate
their position. Although at one time he took
a prominent part in the discussions of the
House of Commons, his tone of thought and
style of speaking were never quite suited to
the busting representatives of the people. 1t
Is IN the lower House that Cabinets rise and fall.
that public moneys are disposed of, that the
chief business OF the country is transacted
The members are thus too strictly occupied
with passing affairs, too intent upon the result
of a division and the fall of party. to care
much for philosophy or historu oyan &c IL
philosophy be adorned with all the eloouence
of Burke, and the history be presented with all
the briliance of Macaulay. But while the
Commons are all for the present, on the other
hand, prescription is the vital air of the Peer
age, and in the House of Lords our philosophic
historian will find an appropriate audience for
that stately eloquence which carries with it 80
much learning and 80 much wisdom. Espe
cially at the present moment must we rejoice
at his elevation, in the hope that when we have
crushed this Indian mutiny, and the time comes
to consider calmly the future of our Eastern
Empire, the views of one who has described in
most glowing terms how England became DOS
sessed OF that glorious prize, and who, in the
preparation of a Code of Indian law. has
shown that he has most profoundly studied the
wants Of the Hindoo, will be expressed as he
alone of living speakers can express them.
Not only on our Indian difficulty, but on all
questions of high policy, there is not man in
the country whose opinions are entitled to more
weight, and who will be more gladly heard.
An historian is a statesman on his travels and.
while Mr.. Macaulay will still travel from CEN
fury to century and from country to country.
we may expect now to have him sometimes at
home with US, giving his advice in the present
need.-LOndOR Times.