The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-07-20
Yarmouth July 10, 1867.

The North AMERICAN REVIEW for July, is re-
ceived ofthe publishers, Ticknor & Fields. Bos-
ton. Its contents offer judicious combination
OF matters philosophical, literary and popular
The opening article is careful and scholarly
essay on "The Origin of the Italian Language
Another thoughtful paper, on topic some
what kindred is entitled "The Testimony of
Language respecting the Unity of the Human
Race" Under the head of "Serfdom and the
Emancipation Laws in Russia" Mr.. w. G.
Gannett gives the results of a great deal of
historical research and careful study of the
progress and methods, as well as the immedi-
ate results of that great Old World emancipa-
ton which, occurring almost simultaneously
with our own in the New, must have for
every American student of political
events the greatest interest and i'm
portance. An examination of the facts pre-
scented by Mr.. Gannett will not fail to show
that the consequences of Emancipation in Rus
STA, as in our own Southern States, do not
thus far justify the fears of the timid
q Mr.. Henry james discusses "swedenbore's
Ontology," in an essay written in his always
fascinating style, and marked at once by vigo-
lous analysis and much subtility of insight
The following brief paragraph from this paper
seems to us singularly delicious bit of criti-
cism: az se.1
We know of no writer with anything like
his (Swedenborg's) intellectual force who is
SO persistently feeble in point OF argumentative
or persuasive skill His books TEEN with the
grandest,the most humane and generous truth:
but his reverence for it is so austere and vi,
tai, that, like the lover who willingly makes
himself OF no account beside his mistress, he
seems always intent upon effacing himselffrom
sight before its matchless lustre. Certainly
the highest truth never encountered a more
loWly intellectual homage than it gets in these
artless books; never found itself SO unostenta-
tlously heralded, 50 little patronized in a word.
or left so completely for its success to it's own
sheer unadorned majesty. rJH5
The paper in this number of the North Amer
lean which will command the widest attention.
is that by an anonymous writer on 1.-THE Judi
ciary ofNew York City" 1t is the most scath-
ing exhibit of official corruption which has
been laid before the public for LONG time.
and the worst, OF it is that it is unquestionably
true The "judge" whose portrait is here
drawn, is unfortunately not the only, Nor per-
haps the worst instance of this disgraceful deg
radiation of the ermine.
Mr.. E. l.. Godkin's article on "The Labor
Crisis" presents very careful and thorough re-
view OF the existing aspects of this question
exhibits the present state of the controversy
between the English trade-unions and the can
italists, and also the tendency of the laws of
labor and trade and of public opinion in rela-
ton to Them 1t is a valuable and practical ar
ticle. lGf1
Mr.. Charles E. Norton contributes critical
review OF Longfellow's translation of the Di-
vine Comedy. 1t is pleasant to read the hearty
and generous praise which man of thought
and culture loves to accord to the genius and
culture of his friend; and we think all compe-
tent judges will be disposed to agree with him
n pronouncing Mr.. Longfellow's the most
faithful version of Dante ever made, both as to
me tette and the spirit, and in ascrib-
ing the disappointment which some cur
sorry readers have expressed rather, to their
own deficient culture than to the author or
translator.
Last and most brilliant of all the paners in
this number is that by Professor Lowell unon
Rousseau and the Sentimentalists. We dis
sent from some of its points: we do not think
the writer has made out his case. He talks
as special pleader, but in man
ner SO charming that we are much inclined to
wish he had talked longer
The critical notices are sharp and able as
usual. The manner in which the case of Mr.
Charles Swinburne is disposed of is particular
" neat. These are followed by pungent let
ter from Professor George Washington
dreene In reply to some statements of Mr. Ban
croft derogatory to the memory of General
Greene, the Professors father. The letter is
1ignified, and severe only through the facts it
presents, which are of kind we should think.
20 unpleasantly affect the sensbilities of the
historian of America"