Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-21


every way better work, and in il the Ma
cauay OF latter dayshis ubtey ofthough his tolerant
temper, his high view Of mortality his ideal of compost
ton; and we may say the the articles Hal
lam and Souhey, which next in order and belong
the period before he entered Parliament An article
History which he contributed to the Edinburgh Review
in May, 1928, has not been republshed and in ITSELF
perhaps, is not of much value having very much the
appearance Of college exercise touched up. But the
production of who afterwards became one of the
greatest historians and who, if he has actually in
vented style Of history has given the most per-
feet specimen Of the STYLE it is well worthy Of peru
SAL and will, no doubt, be one day published with other
works which Lord Macauy has been perhaps anxious
to consgn to oblivion Among these will be found some
political squibs which are really very good.
His talents in short great his writings eec-
tive and his influence strong that the wings obtained
for him in the coalition ministry appointment Com
missioner Of Bankrup and in 1880 be entered Parla-
ment as member for Calne.
Mr. Macaulay made an impression in the House of
Commons almost from the first To one who was utter
ing some dspangenent of the young man. Mr.. Shell is
reported to have screeched out Nonsense sir don't
attempt to down Macaulay. He's the ceverest man
in Chrisendom Didn't he make four speeches the
Reform bill, and get 10000 year Think of that and
be dumb" Immense things expected of him when
he appeared in the House. he to be another Burke
and indeed, he took part in the debates in favor of
form and the Grey ministry second only TO the more
spontaneous efforts of Lord Derby, then Mr.. Stanley.
Croker, who had also reputation a reviewer fire.
queny in these days up to destroy the young debaer
but he failed as other things being equal the of de-
tail must always fail against the of broad views and
sweeping congratulations. Besides his performances
the floor of the House of Commons Mr.. Macaulay did
duty in these days for his friends the AbOitionsts
whose hearts he reoced in highly imprisoned speeches
at the Freemasons Tavern In Parliament his style was
argumenatve and SOBER and he did good service
to his friends
Admirable speaker as he was however one may ven
ture TO doubt about Mr. Macaulay's qualifications as
debater With all his stores of information and all his
flow of language, he could trust himself to speak
without elaborate preparation; his presence an orator
not Overpowerng and his voice not particularly
good. His head was set stiff upon his shoulders and
his feet were planted immovable on the ground One
| hand fixed behind him his back, and in this
rigid attitude, with only slight movement OF his right
hand he poured forth his sentences His speeches
| what he said those of Sir James Macintosh were
spoken essays-ony that Macaulays essays, unlike those
of Sir James we're written in highly rhetorical style.
1t is perhaps the most rhetorical prose that ever was
written; at all events the prose that combines in
| the most perfect way whatever is excellent in
| the written with whatever is valuable in the
| spoken style. Macauay certainly did wonders with it,
and if he not very formidable in eXtempoary de-
bate he managed at all times facinate both sides Of
the House, and to win golden opinions from all sorts of
/ men.
| With the new Parliament which assembled after the
passing of the Reform bill he returned to the House
of Commons the representative of Leeds and APP
pointed Secretary to the Board of Control but in 1873
he resigned his seat and ms secretaryshp to 90 out to
India fifth member Of the Supreme Council with go
900 year for five years, and with additional rank and
income as legal adviser to the Council Although Mr.
Macaulays acceptance of the Indian office surprised those
of his friends who had marked out for him. in imagna
ton brilliant political future he had an object in visit
| ing the East, which might well fire his ambition He
was appointed not simply member Of the Supreme
Council but also legal adviser 10 it, and the special object
] a Indian code q las
He therefore exempted from all share in the admin
straon OF affairs he had four assistants help him in
his abors and the penal code which produced under
his superintendent is mainly to be attributed to him.
Containing twentysix chapters divided into nearly
500 clauses this code published after Mr. Macauay
return to England in 1888, and its great ability
/ knOwledged To produce such code object
worthy of his ambition. Unfortunately, his code
| rather admired than obeyed; it too good to be
true mankind not fit for IT, il would not work.
The variety OF and customs to which it applied
has prevented even the attempt TO put it in practice
One of its enactments indeed odous TO the Eng
fish inhabitants that they gave the appelation of the
Black Act" 1t abolished the right of appealing from
the local Courts to the Supreme Court the Presidency
This right had hitherto been exclusively enjoyed BY the
Europeans aud now proposed to put them the
footing with natives giving to both certain right
OF appeal, but appeal only to the highest provincial
courts 1t practically the same measure which
ed the Inhabitants of Calcutta to indignant remonstrance
Immediately before the outbreak of the mutiny and
which, being put forward at such time, showed the
confidence of Indian officials in the Justice of the Hindoo
population One benefit Macauay derived from his In
dian experience he able TO write of Indian affairs
with funess of knowledge and a vivdness of appre-
henson which unsurpassed in his treatment OF any
other subject. His essays Give and Warren Hast
ings are the whole the best he has written Nothing
be more mastery than his views nothing more pic
uressue than his marathon nothing Just than his
admiration Of the men, combined with condemnation OF
their acts.
On his return from India early in 1893 he brought
home fortune of nearly 100000. On reentering Par
lament member for Ednburg in the prime of life Che
in his thirty ninth year, he made Secretary at
War with salary of 60 4S0 year-his letter to his
constituents dated from windsor Castle excited much
satrica comment at the time-and continued in that Of
flee until the break up of the Melbourne ministry, Sep
tenber 1871. Mr. Macauay did not long remain in Of
fee for the wings Ousted by Sir Robt. Peel
In opposition his voice not often heard; but
occasion he expressed himself in such manner to give
mortal offence to his constituents and powerfully to in
huence his future On the subject of the MaynOOh
endowment he spoke in favor OF the grant to the Roman
Catholics and yentured make ausion the bray OF
Exeter Hall" His constituency resented the expression,
and refused to re-eect him in 1877. In 1852 they
pented of their dongs and spontaneously reelected him
without asking him TO issue an address, to attend meet
ing to bear one farthing of the expense. 1t was
worthy reparaOn and the historian sat for short time
again in Parliament, although attack of heart
plant compelled him to avoid the excitement of public
speaking. In lS4s he elected Lord Rector of the
University of Glasgow; the following year made
Professor of Ancient History in the Royal Academy OF
London aud in 1852 he received the Prusan Order
Merit. After few sessions he retired from the House
OF Commons and only about two years ago he rails
I'd tO the peerage.
Lord Macauyas rejection ct Edinburgh probably has
tened the undertaking of what his chief ambition
a true historyof England. He produced volumes of
thi, history in S4S two more made the appearance in
1855 and the public in expectation OF further in
salment be issued very shortly when they hear
the historians decease Despite of amount of crit
icsm the work is very great work, and Just Hume
l. ad Notwithstanding censures Macaulay will be
read whatever his deviatiOns from strict accuracy
He frequently turned his attention to other subjects
witness his admirable biography of thu younger Pitt
in recent volume of the Encyclopedia; aud the work
had so grown his hands that probably he himself long
gave up the hope of being able to bring down his
narrative times As il is, it is magnificent
fragment which, if the author had produced but
single volume, would have been of enormous value
specimen OF the high ideal at which he aimed.
! Macauay's wealth of information almoss incred
BILE and in all his wnngsin his speeches. in his
saons he poured it forth so ayishy, and yeJ so care
fully that reader and nearer scarcely knew which adj
mire mOst-he of his knowledge, the felicity
with which he brought it to bear upon the matter in
hand. He had a more intimate acquaintance with Eng
lsh history than any man living, or perhaps any man
who ever lived. His acquaintance with not a bar
rem knowledge but had fruc6ed into political wisdom
and pen could surpass his in the description of what
he knew and thought and felt.
BY no one have the principles of federation been
ably aud clearly expounded by one has the dividing
line between religion and superstition been earessly
drawn No author rests entirely on solid and man
IL good sense Lord Macaulay wasted his fine fac
nes and splendid powers of exposition the barren
subetieS metaphysics the abstract dOgmas o. pole