New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-21
NEW PUBLICATIONS
PALFREYS NEw-ENGLAND.

HISTORY OF NLw-yNGLAED. By JoHr GosH,s Pa
'Rsy. Vol l. No, pp Ga Boston: Little, ko~D Go.
The main facts in the early annals Of tse New
England colosmts as well 40 the relations Of tier
sscce,sors TO tie establishment Of Independence,
and the formation OF the Federal Constitution,
have been so thoroughly fifted BY antiquarian and
patriotic zeal that but little, it would teep, would
remain to reward the assidu.y Of subsequent eI-
plorer, In the general histories OF the United
States, New England, 81 tae mother of so large
portion Of the population, has Of course occupied
q prominent phase. Every record ard every trs-
dition WITHIN the grasp OF the writer's, hss been
carefully weighed and eI AHMED; conflicting state
ments have been compared, and in many cases, re-
conciled and an invaluable treasure Of historical
truth has been established from a miscellaneous
and complicated mass Of testimony. Grahsme,
Bancroft, and Hildre:h have each studied the Pun
tan history with peculiar interest, and have set
forth the fruits of their researches in chapters
which, however different in point Of view
equally attest their diligence and ability. Nor
have the individual States been waiting in the
",acred poet to catch the lingering features OF
tie past, and enbody them in the enduring colors
OF historic art.
In yenturing upon ground that hn been so thor
oughly traversed by previous inquirers DR.. Pal
frey has attempted bold eIpe rment but the frst
fruits Of his abors in the present volume, which is
TO be followed by several Others, display such a
modest CONSEQUENCES of aptitude for hls task,
founded upon ample studies, sagsciOus insight into
personal motives and political designs, ,iDgul,rly
comprehensive Judgment, and no small power of
graphic delineation, as fully to acquit him Of the
charge of presumption. Indeed, few historical
works, Of which our age and country have been so
prolific in masterpieces, betrsy grester wealth OF
opposite learning n more effective talent OF COM
pact and lucid statement, or finer combination Of
historical tact and Literary accomplishment.
The volume opens with an instructive chapter on
the physical geography of New-Englsud, which
certainly surpasses in breadth Of exposition and
amplitude of detail, any similar illustration of the
same subject In describing the tract Of country,
Of which New England occupies so considerable
portion, ts pennsulsr rel.tions are set forth in
striking light. Separated from the continent BY
the long bed Of the ST. Lawrence, and the deep
and broad cbasm which holds the waters of Lake
Champlsn, Lake George, and the Hudson, the in
suaton of this territory is very nearly complete.
The structure and direction of the mountain belts,
the source and flow of the rivers, the Characters
tics of the climate, the sanitary and agricultural
features of the country, and the details of s fOra
and fauna, are succinety described In series Of
brief, but expressive, sketches
These are followed by dsqdsition on the abor-
igina inhabitants, which, though evidently the fruit
both Of research and reflection, shows disposition
TO underrate the character of the Indians with q
view, not distinctly expressed, to the 1sti6cstion
of the Purtans in their summary possession Of the
soil. Even their physical capacities, he maintains,
were below the average rank on the scale Of hu-
mainly; and although they would run eighty or
hundred miles in a day. and back again in the next
two days, they were incapable Of continuous labor.
This point however, 10 not clearly elucdated, nor
is il sustained by the statement of Guyot quoted In
d note, which refers expressly to the Indian OF
tropical America" and of course has no bearing on
the aborisnes of New-England. liz regard to the
poetry and eloquence of the Indians, DIR. Palfrey's
statements, though strong. appear 10 be well
founded There has been a disposition to attrib-
ute TO the red man the power OF eloquent speech.
Never WA reputation 90 cbeapy earned. A few
illusions to familiar Appearances IN nature, and to
habits of snimar constitute nearly al his topics for
OratOrcal illustration. Take away his common
places of the mountain and the thunder, the sunset
and the waterfall, the eagle and tho buffalo, the
buping Of the Ratchet the smoking Of the calumet,
and the lighting of the council-hre, and the mate
rial for bis pomp Of words is reduced within con-
temptibls dimensions" Nor were his poetic en-
downeDts of superior order. AS to traditionary
legends, he beaul verse of Longfellow does bat
robe their beggarly meanness in cloth Of gold. OF
what they owe to that exquisite poet, it is easy to
satisfy ones self by collAtns the raw material Of
his work. 40 it stands in such authorities Hecke
weder and SchoolerIft. The results Of the 'Algc
Researches are collection Of the most vapid and
stupid compositions that ever disappointed labo'
nous curiosity; but they were the best collection
that, under the mott favorable circumstances, was
to be made in that quarter. Yet even OF such poor
products as these, the mind of the native OF New.
England was barren"
The religion of the abOrignes receives little credit
at the hands of eur author. According to the pre-
vaing representations on this subject, the Indian
believed in 4 pervading divinity, though his power
Of abstraction was 90 little developed tina. he had
no idea Of an infinite and eternal being. He con-
ceiyed Of the world as the production Of some
superior genius sscrbDg the heaven, and the earth
to unknown agencies which though blended with