Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-01-23

Z
Death of Thomas Darlington Macaulay

II il melancholy to observe how speedily. snt-
cessiyely, nay, almost simultaneously. the bright
literary lnminatcs are disappearing from tho ky
W Within n few months the 3" insaatc archer has
leyeled his fatal mt several OF the most
conspicuous writers in the Republic Of Letters
acknowledgements -lcigh Hunt Washington
lrving--rhomas Dctminccy aud the last steam.
or from Europe brings the sad lllngs Of the death
Of tho most profound of mndcru scholars-th"
brilliant ballad poet the Raphael Of cs.avist,
tho author of tie History of England"-,hc su
perb parliamentary ornt the most distinguish
ed ornament Of tho literary profession luou 4,
+ DARLINGTON MAcArLAl. lie died IN London of n
disease of the heart, after illness If two we, k
! Lord Maraulay was, We believe, IN the prime Of
manhood-botwcen fifty and sNty years old Hi.
death has left blank Tint cannot >uon be- filed
ani 1t is sale to predict that many years viii
elrpsc before England will zee his like again. H.,
first became known to the reading public of Grco;
Britain by his splendid essay ON " Milton. which
Was contributed to the edinburgh Review -
Tho celebrated preacher Robert Hail. ON r,udGg
tho article predicted that u fresh md startling
power was about To make itself telt ia literature
The noble picture Of tho old ruritans which 1t
contains is not survs scd by ANY passage Of sim
lar length IN the whole compass of English rlo.
quence. This maiden crtique was followed at
/ short intervals, by TINT rcmn,k ahIe and hsc,nnt
ing series OF papers slncc collected together under
the title OF "Mucaalay' : MiseollanicS" They cay.
ar large space, aud embrace every variety IF
subject treated in the same masicfiv aud rn,.
! lnely intellectual style. They constitute n trcn-
sure house Of acute and scnrcln. criticism. Of l.,
! GO Of wit oi mctnph ysical acumen and essential
| tuotry. II may be SAID of Macaulav thar he ma Il,
roreriny more respectable than nu, Apr.l,ip The
last ten years OF his hc have leeu devoted To- the
production OF an orlgiIa work in tho very highest
department of ltcrniHrc-" The llix,ury of Eng.
land, The rcndng public are familiar with thu
| result. That colossal undertaking Will remain IN
I lrasmentary greatness historical Cathc.
t,dral Of Cologne, Lord Maeaulnv has MS,
given To tho world two volumes 81 Speeches, chm
fIcerised by California wealth If imagery. and
an imperial rhetoric. unsurpassed lv any writer
living or dead. Macaunys style IL Justly regard.
ed ns slnguiarly taultlcSs and exqu,siuly hruuti
tul-pnre and perfect English, set with no,lcs,
hut magnificent ornaments. The icyf word n
ways comes up. We question if tic most lynx.
eyed criticism can detect single inelcganrc or
soeeism in the whole compass # Macaulay'.
writings. lie was the consummatr master of ry.
cry intellectual weapon. The flaming brand a,
eloquence, the hroadsworl of fierce invcctiyc the
dagger of light and subtle raicry the kccn.ed,,
ell roignard OF close logic, of caus,ic wit were
| each equally effective in his powerful grasp. Ill,
learning was absolutely Notwithstanding
wonder IRON great variety and minute accuracy
Lord Macauay was never married. Thus thea
the sun has set in tue ,isor # his DAYS and III,
maturity OF his fame. lie IL forever lost to an al
Iniring world. Blu his Observation-Disclosures of Ia.
Dor. erudition and g"nu>-will be transmitted !,
future ages as portion Of their most precious in
heritancc; and their porusal will never cease t
awaken the gratitude, respect. and pride of al
intelligent people. S. b. II.
THURSDAY, January 10, 1850.