The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-10-20
THE REVIEW

New York: sheldon Co. For sale by Franek Ia ;
Tor, Pennsylvania avenue.
The above forms the fourteenth volume of
the Household Library, now in course of pub
LEGATION by Sheldon & Company. All the num-
bers of this series are admirably selected from
the works of the best authors, and are deserv-
ing of a favorable notice from the reader. The
price is fifty cents a volume.
Of no one are there more diverse opinions
than of Thomas a Beckett, whose biography
Mr.. Milman has written SO charmingly. His
parentage is obscure. One writer, to strength
en- his theory that the contest between Beckett
and Henry II was not merely the conflict of
temporal with spiritual authority, but the nat
ural antagonism of Saxon and Norman blood,
puts full faith in the romantic story of the mar
rage of the Saxon knight and Sultan's dsugh-
ter, and that Beckett was the fruit of this union.
The more received opinion is, that he was the
son of Norman parents, who settled in Lon
don--respectable, well-to-do people. Beckett
early insinuated himself into the good graces
of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, who
lavished favors upon him, and gave him every
preferment in his power. On the recommend
alton of Theobald, he was advanced by Henry
ii to various Offices, and finally made Chancel-
lor of the Kingdom, in which position he en-
joyed the full confidence and favor of his SOW
ereign. On the vacancy of the See of Canter-
bury by the death of Theobald, Beckett Was in
vested with the Archbishopric, Henry think
ing him most fitted to aid him in cireumscri-
bling the privileges of the clergy, and making
them as far as possible amenable to the COM
mon law of England. But Beckett, on assum-
ing the Primacy, changed his whole course of
life, and, from being, courtier and thorough
man of the world, became rigid and ascetic in
all his habits, devoting himself entirely to the in
terests ofthe churches, and eAectually thwarting
Henry in his endeavors at clerical reformation.
The contest between these two, which was in
reality the struggle between temporal and
spiritual authority for supremacy in the State,
and which was not confined to England es-
pecially, but was only the forerunner of the re-
ligious revolution that shook Europe to its CEN
tire, is of too protracted nature to relate. No
one is ignorant of the fortune of Beckett, his
Punishment, return, and assassination. Multi
tudes focked to his tomb, and the shrine of St.
Thomas was for many centuries after the favor
ed spot of devotees. His death accomplished
that which he could not effect by his efforts
when alive, the abrogation of the Constitu-
tons of Clarendon, by which Henry had fondly
hoped to limit the usurpations of the various
religious orders in England. To appease the
anger of the Pope at the murder of Beckett,
Henry, among other conditions, did away with
these statutes, and left the clergy once more in
reality, though perhaps not nominally, free
from all restraints of civil authority.
1t would be superAuous to speak of the merits
of this little volume. The incidents relating to
the subject, and the interest attached to it,
make it a veritable romance of history, which
Mr.. Milman has treated in his most pleasant
manner.
Life of Hannibal, by Thomas Arnold, D. d New York
Sheldon Co. For sale by Frsnck Taylor, Pennsyl-
vanis avenue.
Cicero, in his Grafton for Sestius asks, who
of the Carthaginians ever excelled Hannibal in
ability and valor, qua unus cum tot imperG-
tOri6us nostris per tot amos de imperiO ct de
gloria deceytaUit." And his praise of him was
only just, for, when we look at the circum-
stances in which Hannibal was placed Fee
BILE and turbulent government at home, that
grudged him every support, and raw and mex
perienced troops with which he was to oppose
the yeteFan armies of .Rome-Re cannot but
admire the greatness of his genius, and the ex-
tent and variety of the resources by means of
which he centended successfully so long time
with the forces of the Republic.
This little biography forms the fifteenth vol
ume of the series of biographical sketches now
being published by Sheldon Il COMPANY. It is
extracted from Arnold's History of Rome and
affords good view Of the life and character of
Hannibal, who, though denounced by the Ro.
man writers as cruel and faithless, may, we
hope, through the medium of this little volume.
find soft spot in the heart of the reader.
Smooth stones Taken from Ancient Brooks. Being a
Collection OF Sentences, lusuaions and Quaint say
lngs from the Works of haI renowned Puritan Thomas
Brooks, by Rev. C. H. Sturgeon. New York: Pub
hshed by Sheldon Co. vol, 900 pp
Mr.. Spurgeon has been guilty of pun, and
very poor one it is. Thomas Brooks. in an
old copy of his Mute Christian which now
lies before us, styles himself, "Late Preacher
of the Word at st. Margarets, New Fish street,
London" BE was one of the giant race of the
days of Cromwell--of those bold, brave men
who made the famous discovery that the heads
of Kings could come off by authority of law
and, the discovery once made, they had the cour-
age to bring it into use-noble menI to whom |
England, so says Hume, in so many words, ais |
indebted for its civil and religious liberty" We
do not like "g0ms," excerpts, selections There |
are but three books which will bear such rend- |
ing Of thought out of their proper places these
can bear their gems to be eulled, and which |
sparkle as bright, each alone by ITSELF as in the
crown of glory in which they were first set we |
speak of the Bible, Shakespeare, and Words
worth. 1t will be happy consequence of this
book of Mr.. Surgeons selections, if the sale
shall induce Sheldon & Co., or Robert Carter
d Brothers, to bring out new, clear, and at
tractive editions of The Mute Christian" and
Precious Remedies Against Satan's DEGREES"
Most wonderful books these are, showing rare
knowledge of the human heart, enriched with
rare learning, and sparkling With gems on every
page. No such books as these will ever be writ.
ten in these days of progress and for the rea-
son that " Ministers of the Word " have so much
else to do than to study the Word they preach,
in the care and conduct of missions, flor
eign and domestic,) colleges, Divinity schools,
and in all the various calls made on their time
and sympathies, that when we need book