New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-25

the Convention ruined the cause Of Liberty, by
iDtsmperapeed Ing power. Napoleon destroyed the
political grandeur Of France; and by intem-
perance in power the Boupbons and their parti-
sans ruined the cause Of Legitimacy. The ge-
nius-of Napoleon is beyond question; but the
misfortune Of France was that he had tho power
to will everything. and to execute everything he
wiIled, without any curb on this impetuous
genius. 80. -.
A clear insight into events, the character Of
nations and men, and an almost sublime impair
TALLY, permeate the whole work. Most of the
characters of eminent men are traced with
mastery band. Thus Pitt, the irreconciable
enemy of France and of the Revolution, is delu-
Gated with justice Of which no Wing or
modern reformer is capable. Metternich he
portrays IN quite another light than that in
which he is generally seen, and In which be 10
usually represented even by the writer's Of his
own nation. True, Mr.. Theirs accepts him in
his character of the most full.blooded absolutist,
and deals with him only in his relations to Ma
poleon and the affairs Of France. The great
dipoma'ist was always sincere in his admiration
Of Napoleon, and would have sincerely sustained
his grandeur, if the Emperor would have given
up his policy Of conquests in 1911, 1912, lel3.
To the last moment, that is ut the Congress Of
Prague, 1913, Metternich wished to conciiate
his duty as German Minister with his obligations
as French ally, by saving the honor Of France
and Of his chief, and reestsbhshing the honor
and the independence Of Germany. Both were
possible by the mediation proposed TO Napoleon
in Dire. den, by which Metternich wished 10 at
tain both without exposing Napoleon and the des-
TIMES of Austria and Of Germany to he perils
and the doubtful chances of war. During the
armistice and the deliberations at that Congress,
Metternich saw throughout, the deliberate dupicity
of Napoleon, who trusted only TO battles and
wished TO win time, even few days, to COM
plete his warhke preparations. But to the last
says Mr.. Theirs, Metternich behaved sincerely
and nobly, and after every means Of persuasive
condessension became exhausted, he nournfully
resorted to arms and Joined the coalition.
A work embracing such gigantic events, deal
ing with 30 many passions and interests Of
nations as well as individuals, treating Of
countless variety of administrative and military
facts, is necessarily crowded with valuable
knowledge for the statesman, the student, and
the philosopher No prejudices confuse the intel
lect Of the historisn and, with his inexhaustbIe
command of original sources Of information, and
q Just estimation of their true uses, Mr.. Theirs
oyershaaows all his contemporaries. How small
by his side appears Geryinus, in his modern his
tory, br.tling with national prejudces and hatred
The English and German critics, nevertheless,
accuse the work Of Mr.. Theirs of Imperiaastc
tendencies, but which we fail TO detect. IL is
not Imperialism in Mr.. Theirs to say that Napo-
leon was glorious son Of the Revolution even
as the crowned soldier; he gave the French Code
to the French people, fer which alone he should
be reyered as benefactor. Time has healed
the disasters Of which be was guilty, but his
glory remains. Napoleon and his mother, the
French Revolution, though they left behind them
nameless calamities, they also left great princi-
pies and dazzling glory. The calamites and the
glory belong TO France; the principles established
by them benefit the human race.