New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-09
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MoTLEYs UNITED NETHERLANDS

MOIEEIb UNlIED NE i nEnldNDS.
HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS. By ions
LoTHRoP MOTLEY, Ii. D. 5v1a svo. Hsfpsr Byosheu.
The brilliant reputation which almost imns-
diately followed the first production Of Mr.. Mot.
ley as historian will be confirmed and heightened
by the publication Of these truly magnificent vol.
umes. 1t is not too much TO say that they OK.
hibit the rare qualities which are essential TO
great historical writer, without the crudenes and
dlsproportiOn, which at times marred the symme.
try of his previous work, although they could
| not disguise the noble promise that was impressed
on every page. Mr. Motley is equally fehcitous
in bis choice of subjects and in his method of
treatment. The period which he has selected for
historical illustration comprises the great strug.
gle for religious freedom in the sixteenth cen.
tury, which was among the first fruits Of the
Reformation 10 Germany and which may be re-
gurded as the foundation of Protestant culture
in every country Of Europe Although the space
occupied by his narrative scarcely extends over
six years (b584-90), it wes pregnant with the
most important results for tho history Of moders
civilization.
As master Of historical competition, Mr..
Motley is distinguished for the harmonious and
effective union OF characteristics that are sci.
dom combined in the same writer. He is .
model Of conscientious research; no difficulties dauns
him in the pursuit of truth; no WEAKNESS IN the
comparison of manuscripts diminishes his tresh'
ness OF spirit; no confusion OF authorities dis.
turbs the calmness OF bis mind; and with no less
sagacity than diligence he EFFORTS the necessary
facts from masses of entangled and often con.
iictinp evidence. At the same time, bis style 10
singularly free from everything like formal and
scholastic character. He writes with a. much
ardor and exhilaration as if he were composing q
poem or romance from the pure suggestions On
genius. He is never oppressed by the weight OF
details but always shows himself superior TO his
subject. With DO less love Of precision and &C.
curacy than the critic in philology, or the com.
mentator on the classics, his imagination never
sleeps. He is always ii-bued with the spirit Of
the occasion; full Of sy~psthy with the heroes
of his story; entering with alniost the warmth
Of personal love or hate into the characters which
be portrays; and without seeking the flowers Of
rhetoric, kindliug every scene that be describes
with the richest glow of fancy. Still his prepos-
He ia evidently intent on truth, even at the ex-
pense of his fayorites. Although every page 10
inspired by passion tor freedom and progress,
he does not permit his admiration for the nObsst
of principles Ia bbud his perceptions to the faults
of their advocates. His sketches of historic inoi.
viduais are TN neDtly trust worthy. They bear
tue stamp of yeraciy on their face. They are
- Ia in hrfllia pnn
of colorIng and vigor OF expression they are
scarcely To be matched in historical portraiture.
A few specimens If these ininitable pictures wa
form an agreeable introduction of the author TO
our readers.
HENRY OF vALOIs.
Henry Ill, last Of the Valois line, was now thrt.a
three Years of bye. less than kug, leos even thsa
man. he was ope vi tbOee unfortunate personaxes who
seem a. ii born make The idea OF royalty 7 dicu.
lour and e. test the capacity OF mankind 10 eat and
drink huml1 Ion !. il we've wholesome food. Is
proved how deej ~ engraved In mems minds of that
century tie eessit, of kIng-ip, when the hardy
NstherlaLders, who lad abjured one tyrant and had
been fighting generation Ing rather than ieturD TO
him, now willing TO aecept The sovereignty Of
thing ike Henry oI Ea,Vs.
He bad not been born without natural gifts such az
Heaven rarely deui,s " pfuce or peasant; but The
courage which lie o"te pooc. Seed had been exhausted
on the f. IL OF Mon, ontour, lis manhood had been leis
dewed him ithal now expended III dsrtlng vIers
our epgrams court.laoies whom he only capable
of disLoUoring by callmny, and whose charms he
buried to outIival in the esiiUaIiOn OF hls MIN
IONS For the Mona OF France not unfreqRthtif
pleased TO atile Liuiself like woman and hRIlotl
With slken fountes, Je~eed stoaacber, and phlnieo
ia O. with peaIls Oi geaI piice ad )rnllg his barred
neck aud breast, ana si-rpI feet OF Whose del
icate shape ami s.e he justly vain, il his de-
light puss lis o aid Lights Ii oeaseess round OF
gorgeous festivals. Journeys, masquerade,
Oauque and balls, tie oust OF which gteng in'oi-
i, caused the OpuI burden and the popular execra-
lion u grow from day to day, more ntolerable and
more aodible. Surrounded by gang OF mipons,'
the mort dcbauctcG and the most desperate OF France,
VIII sc uedzzeued exhaled perfumes throughout
Paris aud saDyninaIy encounters dyed every
street in blood, Henry lived life Of what he ,lle0
pleasure, caIel OF what mi bt after for he
the last OF bis Iace. the fortunes OF bis minons
rose high, aud LiILer their crimes rendered them
more Ynu more eslimaLie 10 the eyes OF king VINO
took We ANS rice ia the valor Uf such champions
20 his ;nest, aid rOre odious 10 people whose
miserable made even more miserable, that
the Golfers OF few eonrflvorites mgnt BE- nlled.
Now saunteiiug tIll-Iressed III tie pabhc ptcne-
nadss with gI..stly h,te deaths heads strlng upon
his sulnp tuoGs gar"enis, and fragments Oh hun-An
bones Dangling among his oriers OF SnighthoodPiay"
ing al cup ball as DO wlsed, and fDlo"ea py y
few select eouftiers who era, ely pursued the same ex.
citing ,ccuphlioL-now esh;ins Ike queen oi Deau,
" aJ tOGrDnent To ~ IL the pTiIe VI Nhlor anu
now, ty the advice VI Lis mother, gong aoou' Ile
streets III ob,s Of lepience, teih LIS oe,e rs no
weut, that tue popula.e neh lie edited by bis piey,
and solemuy oueiig up prayers in the ehorees th"'
the blesaibg of eir miynt DO vouchsSfed 10 Din
Henry OF SalOis s-ouec he straining every nerve
in order to opg bseif and his great ohee into con"
tempt. A., L.L,od ,be Uu
A. orthodox az be was prohigate he n'ded tp s nu
pue OILS W svuguI his protection ana VINO ua,S
go ia ,yon s cod,lly as hs loved the Jesuiis,
ss,d I,ir live ia secret plOttipgs against hia
sutorit, asa his pcrsOp, aud in fierce o.nsneiions
from the paris Paqits 4sbs' LIS ni S =. dsary