Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-05

Rod. 1t declares war upon what it desgnates
/ as dogmatic theology" and contends that
it should be subordinated to the dictates of
reason and conscience. This valuable work
exhibits the steady, progressive influence OF
reason upon all human affars-governments,
politics, churches, industrial pursuits, science,
education, habits, manners, morals,-every-
thing, indeed, to which reason can be applied.
Some Of the headings will afford an interesting
insight into its character, as follOws-''magic
and witchcraft," "the miracles of the Church"
developments of rationalism,' :" on persecu-
tion," "the securalization of politics." "the
industrial history ofrationalism."
These books are for sale by WooDHoUsE &
PARHAN, of this city.
From LITTLE, Brown s Co., Publishers,
Boston, we have received
1.-THE Life and Times Of James MadiSon"-
volume 2d). By WILLIAM c. RIvES, of Yir-
ginia.
This volume was ready for the press more
than four years ago, but its publication was
prevented by the. civil disturbances that ex-
listed. The name of the author is a sufficient
guarantee of the value of this work. He COM
bineS the triune character of gentleman,
scholar and statesman. Mr.. RIvEs belongs to
that high school, of which JoHN QUINCY
ADAMS, DANIEL WEBSTER, aud EDWARD Eve
EgTT, were types. The men Of that school
were not mere politicians. They were men of
thorough education and profound erudition.-
They studied the languages, history, philosophy,
art, science, political economy, law. Setting
out in life with high aims and aspirations, they
enriched and stocked their minds from all the
sources of human knowledge. They were not
only speakers but writer's. Whenever they
spoke or wrote they exhausted their subjects.
Lord BACON Said-"Reading maketh the full,
writing the exact man, conversation the ready
man." These men were full, exact and ready.
They were not only men Of natural gifts, but
they were men OF labor. Mr.. RIyEs is one of
now left. He has always been student, even
when engaged in the most active political pur-
suits. lie is more remarkable for fulneSS and
eXactneSS than for readiness. lie is, without
doubt, of all the public men of this period, the
most finished scholar, and the most profound
and accurate political historian. After having
filled some OF the highest stations in the Go
vcrnmcnt, which were digntcd by his abili-
ties and adorned by his learning, Inc went into
retirement, but, fortunately for his countrymen,
rs also for his own happiness and fame, instead
of Surrcndering himself to ignOblc sloth and
luxurious ease, he devoted his leisure to study
and to work, and this life of the great MADISON
is one of the products OF his industry
lie could not have selected worthier
subject, nor could he have chosen for il
luStration more interesting period OF
American history. The track Of time COW
cred by this work extends from the close of
the war of the revolution down to the iorma-
ton and establishment of the Constitution Of
the United States. The history of MADISON is
the history of the Constitution, and the history
of the Constitution is the history of those great
ntellectS whose conflicts over it, in the Con-
vention of 1877, in the several State Conven-
tionS, and before the people, surpass in ability,
learning, energy and patriotic fervor, if not in
acrimony, any subsequent conflicts witnessed
in America. This valuable work is not only
the history of MADISON, but it is a record Of
the memorable sayings and dongs Of all Of his
great contemporaries.
Another volume-perhapS twO-will be re-
quired to complete this great work. The vol
ume before us only extends down to l7SS-
leaving the most interesting portion of MADI-
SONS extraordinary career to be traced. 1t is
sincerely and anXiously to be hoped that the
eminent scholar and statesman may be spared
to complete this valuable contribution to the
political history ofhiS country.