New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-30


lent car 80 readily to others, or inquired about
30 many matters, or wished to make the acquaint-
snce Of so many persons. He desired 10 know
everything, to be everywhere; no forgot nothing,
and Yves never at rest; his labors were incessant;
when his body reposed his mind was still at work.
a. To tell the TRUTH" says the old chronicler, I" o
kingdom was too little for him; no was fit TO have
the government of world"
Upon the accession of Louis the Eleventh to tho
crown, the monarchy was in singularly precarious
condition. The feudal princes had extended their
dominons and increased their power TO degree
which threatened to shake tho foundations of the
throne. Many Of the provinces wero either Vir-
tualy Independent of the sovereign held by fee
bio and uncertain ties In Brittany, for instance,
the amalgamaion of races, by which fusion of ele-
ments the national character was formed, had made
little progress. The ancient language of Gaul was
still in usc, and Celtic customs still main
tanned their vigor. The duke claimed authority by
divine right, and refused to take tho oath Of ale
glance in the usual form, OF 10 be called the cge-
man Of the King of France. A similar state OF
things prevailed in other portions Of the kingdom
France might be compared to q fortress, the out
works of which arc already in tho HANDS OF the foe
or manned by garrisons of doubtful fidelity 1t was
only few years after the conclusion OF war, dur
ing which tho fate Of tho country had hung In
trembling balance Another alliance between the
foreign cnomy and the doubtful friend was more
than probable. Another invasion, another conquest
might be predicted. The father Of Louis although
reared In the midst Of commissions, had little taste
for conflict and turmoil. Timid and hesitating by
nature, no had been content TO provide against the
dangers of the hour and TO purchase temporary
relief by weak concessions that pregnant with
future peril. Louis saw nothing but insecurity
in the position which he had inherited. There
could be no safety for France while tho towns on
the Sommc remained in possession Of tho Duke of
Burgundy. These towns were the necessary do
lenses of the capital. The King could not live So
curely in Paris while vassol over whom he had no
control was posted at Amiens.
| With such forco elements Of discord 1t was i'm
possible TO long postpone the DAY of bloody strlie
conspiracy was formed embracing most OF the
princes and mobiles Of the realm, and known to moro
than FIVE hundred persons, including many ladies'
yet no whisper of IL reached the ear OF Louis
Toward the close Of the year 1884, tho agents Of tho
confederstes met in his own capital in tho stately
cathedral Of Notre Dame, and recognizing each
other by q silken badge at the girdle, arranged
plan of operations. 1t was not long before the Pur
poses Of tho confederatcs we're brought TO maturity
Active preparations wero made for war. Charles
tho Bold, at that timo Count OF Charolais, pro-
claimed himself acknowledgement OF his father
who was still living but enfeebled BY age and mani
fold infrnites. lie atonce called upon the estates
of Flanders and Hainault to grant him subsidy,
but without waiting for thoir consent be issued
summons TO all the yOssals Of tho house of Bur
gundy 10 assemble with their rctsiners. The nee
esssry forces were promptly raised and equipped.
The allies Of Charles equally sctive, and the
chiyaly OF France from every quarter ruihed to
arms.
Such was tho commencement OF the civil wars,
whose various fortunes are described with mastery
yigor and animation in the present volumes. We
do not propose TO follow Mr. Kirk ct any greater
length through the details Of tho eyenuni history
but tho rapid Introductory view which We have
given may assist our readers In compromising us
course, and viii doubtless tempt them to engage IN
the perusal OF the work. They Will lind In It's au-
thor singularly Intelligent and, for the most,
vary agreeable guide As O writer Mr.. Kirk Is dis
tinguished By rscy strength of expression, rather
than by grace or refinement Of composition. Ills
stvlc ia moro inclined TO difuseDoss than 70 con-
densation although treating of French history, he
does not affect the epigrammAtc terseness oil French
writers; but while he Is seldom s7orkling, lie Is
never insipd; his sentences srs constructed with
great care, often too formal and elaborate, never
showing the elegant facility Of bis master Mr.
Prescott but always eviBcng point and purpose, ana
fraught with rich historical Significance. Mr. hlrR
sometimes perhaps betrays an excessive tendency'o
moral and political reflection. Not TINT he ever
becomes prosaic, commonplace, or actually duni
but the ease ard freedom Of his narrative Is impaired
bv too scrupulous cndeavor to clucidate the pm
citles which lie Of It's foundation. He Is also IN
spjred by love Of controversy which leads him 10
neglect no fair opportunity OF aiming blow OF MS
felow-trayeers in the same path. hacsnlay, hio'-
ley, Guizot, Buckle, McCulloeh, Dr. Arnold, Hume,
each como in for their share Of animadvcrSion and
with the exception Of Michelet, scarcely knghtly
figure appears upon tho scene OF action WIN whom
he does not attempt TO break lance.
The following passage which occurs in tho early
part Of tho first volume, relating tho ELECTS oil
The peace with England in the middle OF tho III
tenth century, has picturesque softncss ana
grace which show that the prevailing muscular
character OF Mr.. Kinks style is matter not o! ne
cessity but Of choice:
I'm that part Of tho country which had been the
.hia, tbae,rr OF tho English war tho return Of
peace was hailed with peculiar 10y. The enect WIS
iko that Of tho southwest wind so impaneniIy OK