Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-10-17
NJ | S c E L L A n Y.
From the London Times, Sept. l.
MACAULAY A PEER.

OF the various Pcerages which are about to
be created, the public will regard with most in
tercst that which elevates Mr.. Macaulay 20 the
House Of Lords. 1t is an honor which belongs
peculiarly TO the man, and which is a fitting, If
not an adequate return, for life spent in the
public service, and devoted to literary labors OF
the most dgnfed order. 1t ls much > say that
he is the most popular author of the day, but we
have to say more. With style that compels
attention. with calm wisdom that commands
assent, he has Interpreted English history to our
selves and to the world. To us the history which
he has ndited IS worth score of charters and
carload of laws; it is our Bill of Rights and our
code OF political duties We know better what
we are, we know what our fathers fought for, we
can sympathize with the aspirations of he Wings,
we learn to respect the endeavors of the Tories,
we are less of parisans and more of patriots.
To Europe that history is worth all the constl-
t1tons that have yet been devised. 1t has been
translated into many languages and widely read
over the continent Who does not remember
the appearance Of these volumes in that year of
revolution when all the people of Europe were
maddening with fury about thrones thai 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 con
sistent with the inequalities OF aristOcracy. Ifit
was lesson which we shall never forget, il 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 sub
jects tremble for that crisis Swallowed forth by
the historian in which it NAV be necessary to
sacrifice even liberty in order to save civiIiza-
non In this view, if we except Lord Palmers-
ion, there is probably not an Engshman living
who has more powerfully influenced the dest-
MES OF Europe than Mr.. Macaulay and as for
his Influence upon ourselves, those who in
the habit Of quoting the hackneyed saying of
Fletcher OF Saltoun would have stronger and
more ineligible case if they would give the pre-
ference over the maker of laws, not to the writer
OF ballads, but to the philosophic historian who
leaves his mark as pa!pably as the great author
whom her majesty is 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-
sionally contribute on the few great occasions by
which the Lords every session vindicate their
position. Although at one time he took a prom
inent part in the discussions Of the House of
Commons, his tone of thought and STYLE of speak
ing were never exactly suited to the busting
representatives of the people. 1t is in the lower
House that Cabinets rise and fall, that public
IiplltkS dlt ulSIOScu Vi. llsit Inc tnleI business
of the country is transacted. The members are
thus too strictly occupied with passing affairs,
too intent upon the result of division and the
fall of parry, to care much for philosophy or
history, even if the philosophy be adorned with
all the eoquence of Burke, and thu history be
presented with all the brillance of Macaulay
But. while the Commons are all for the present
on the other hand, presrr tiOn is the vital air
of the Prcrage, and in the House of Lords our
phiosophic historian will find an appropriate au-
dlence for that stated eloquence which carries
with it So much learning and so much wisdom
Especially at the present moment must we re-
joice at his elevation, in the hope tina, when we
have crushed this Indian mutiny, and the time
comes TO consider calmly the future of our East
ern Empire, the views of one who has described
IN most glowing terms how England become pos
srssed OF that glorious prize, and who in the pre-
paration of a Code of Indian Law, has shown
that he has most profoundly studied the wants
OF the llindoo, will be expressed as b. alone oil
living speakers can express them. Not only ON
our Indian difficulty, but on all questions of high
policy, there is not a 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 century 10 century and from
country TO country, we may expect now to have
him sometimes at home with us, giving his ad-
vice IN the present need.