New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-01
NEW PUBLICA 7TONS.


give cordial welcome to this admirable edition
of the miscellaneous writings of one Of its most
illustr GUS essayists. 1t comprises al the articles
published with the authors correction and re-
vision during, his lifetime; all the articles pub
Isbed by his friends since his death; and several
essays which are undoubtedly the productions of
his pep. but not found in any other edition of his
miscellaneous compositions The contents have
been arranged in chronological order, furnishing
nm illustration of the progress of the authors
mind, and of the unity of thought and express
son which was one of its most striking character
istics from the commencement Of his literary
career to its termination by death. An excellent
biographical sketch by the brilliant American
essoyist, Mr.. f. p. Whipple, forms On appropr-
ate and agreeable introduction to the writings of
Macaulay. The following paragraphs are spec-
men of the discriminating criticism and classical
diction which cha acterize the essay.
The first and strongest impression we derive from
consideration Il Macauliys life and writings is that
of the robust aid masculine qualities Of his intellect
and character Since lis death it has become generally
known that lie by cans deficient in those
tender and benevolent feelings which found little
express ion in LIS works. Among bis ultimate friends
and relate lie passed of the most aectonate
Of men, and his benevOlence 20 unsuccessful artists and
men Of letters absorbed incOnsdeable portion OF
bis income. But in bis speec in parliament in bis
esys, and in history, he makes the impression OF
stout, strong, and tough polemc, who Is thoroughly
well furis ed for combat, and who mel her gives nor
expects quarter. No terderr TO frailty ntereres
with the merciless severity Of is judgments. His own
political and personal integrity without stain.
''You might" said Sydney Smith, in testifyng to his
ncorruptbity ard lis PATRIOTISM lay ribbons, stars
gaiters wealth titler, before him in vain. He has
honest genuine love Of his country, and the world
could MT brite lin to neglect her interests" This
integrity Of character gave certain puritan relentless
ness Cf tone TO his Intellectual aud moral judgments.
He had warm love for what was beautiful and true,
but, in his writings, it generally took the negative
form of hatred for what was deformed and false lie
ebboTed meanress, baseess, fraud fasehoOd c)rrup-
ton and oppression, with lis whole heart and soul,
snd found grim delight in ho ing them up to public
execraon. His talent for Il lis work, and his enjoy
ment Of it, great that he WAS tempted at times
to hunt after cImnaty for the pleasure of Furnishing
it. He acQui ed diseased taste for character that
morally tainted in order that he might exercise on its
condemnation the itch resources OF his seorn and nyeo
tive. His progress through tract Of history was
marked by the erec # q gall Iws the gbbet, and
the stake and he was almost nsensibe TO mitigating
circumstances as Judge Jefiieys himself lie seemed
TO sider that the Ily of the Judge rested on the
numter IF the executions and he has hanged, drawn
and quarteIed many individuals, whose cases
at the bar of pubic OPTION, in the course of being
reheaId.
Tie last and finest result of pers nal integrity is
Intellectual cOnscentiousness, and this Macaulay
not be sad TO have attained. His intellect bright and
broad as il was tie instrument Of hls individual
y. His sympsthies and autipathics colored bis state
ments and lie rarely exhibited anything in " dry
light. In tls resTeet, lie is inferior to Hallam and
MackintCsh, who are Inferior to him III extent of
information, and genius for narrative The vivdness
of lis perceptions confirmed the autocracy OF his dis
position and Is convictions had to him the certainty
OF facs II mus be admitted that he had re- .son
for lis dogmstism. He exCeed all Engshmen of his
time in Is knowledge Of English history There was
no drudeeIy be would not endure in order 10 obtain
the most twill fact which illustrated the opinions
the manners OF any particu Indeed the
minueuess of his information astonished even antqu
sIies, and in society sometimes thought " TO be
erected into c. lossG engine of colloquiA oppression.
And til inform alton not assem6lage of
dead facts. 1t yiiaZed by his passions and mag
nation; il all alive in the manypeopled domain of
bis =" vast and Joyous memory" and it was so COM
Pletely post sed TO be always in readiness TO
tain argument, or illustrate principle. The songs,
ballads stires, lampoons, Plays, private correspond
ence Of peud were as familiar to lin as the graver
records OF its ana Ia. But in di-posing his immense
materials lie followed the Law of bis mind rather
than the law inherent III the facts Instead of viewing
things in their relations 10 each other he viewed things
In their relation TO himself His representation Of
them, therefore, partook If the limitations of his
character. That character was bI cad but it would be
absurd to ray flat il was as broad as the English race
He Macdui0yized English history az a Distinguished
poet of the century said to have ByrOH1zed hui
man life. Even in some of his most seemingly tri-
umphant statements, 1t will be found that different
dspoeition of the facts will result in establishing
opposite OF nion. Take the article Bacon, the most
Qlarng Of all the instances III Which be has refused
assume tie point Of view of the person he has resolved
10 condemn and any intellect resOlte enough TO resist
the marvellous fascination of the narrative easily
redpo the facts as to arrive at an opposite con-
clusion.
prominent cause "a Macaulay's popularity is to be
found in the deiIitenees " bis mind. He always
aspired to present is matter in sl,A fn az to ex-
clnde the possibility If doubt either in statement
or argument OF all great English writers he is
fore the least suggestive. All that he demands OF
reader il sim IL receVtiveness Selection, arrange
ment reasoning pictorial representation all done
by himself Ills expcitness too, rs purchase at some
sacrifice of truth. His compreEensiveness II apt TO be
of tLat kind which arrives at broad concentrations by
excluding number Of the facts and principles It ought
to in ludl Real cOmprebensivenes Of mind impossi
be unless the interior life of the separate facts in
Cuded in the SWEEP ing generalization is adequately
comprehended Shakespeare, OF all English minds, Is
the most comprebeDsive and Shakespeare, In virtue
Of his comprehensiveress would doubt in many in
stances where Macaulay j. most certain. The most
perfect exbi iion of Macaulay talent Is his analysis
and representation Of the character OF james H. from
hostile point f view. He catches bis victim 10 Sc
ries Of curuiney contIiyed traps and the poor crea
ture in MacGulay's narrative, cannot move q step
without falling iutO the trap marked folly or the trap
marked wiCkeduess. Shakespeare method OF dealing
with character entirely different.
The copious and accurate index given in the
last volume is entitled to the highest praise, aud
increases essentially the value Of the edition.
GUEsSBs AT TRUTH, By Two BRoTHERs l2mo, PP SS''
Tcknor Fields.
More than thirty years since, when this work was
first published onymcusy, it found 6" nj audience,
though few" in the circle Of thinkers who were aspr-
ing after higher philosophy, and more vital religion,
than er represented in the materaistic theories then