New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-07


private both of peace and war. The establishment
of such nursery of the youthful intellect and heart
in the midst of the urgent material interests of the
day, and mainly under the inspiration of private
generosity is happy auguTy for the future develop
ment of American society The Cornell University
is noble illustration of the supremacy of the public
good over the claims of personal interest 1t has
been built up by the municent benefactions of UNI
selfish men, who had too wise an appreciation of the
true of wealth to squander il private luxury
or individual aggrandizement Such monument In
the center of an imperial State is not only sublime
tribute to the of education, but many-Voiceu
lesson of public morality.
ROMAN IMPERIALISM AND OTHER LECTURES AND ESSAiS'
By r. srEIKY, NJ A. l2mo. Up. 1885, Roberts bo'nsi'
The collection of occasional writings III thls
volume derives its principal interest from 'ne mann "
the author Of Ecce Homo its title page Ina, IT,
markabe production has won for Professor SECRECY s
reputation in the intellectual world, and awakened
curious interest among the literary circles Oh "io",
Britain and this country, not only by the acutehess anu
apparent audacty of its speculatiOns but Dy the a "a
mystery which so long kept the question OF l's au'Ho
shin in conceament Apart from the Impulse winch TUG
pu received from the work referred TO- no specai l
nortance attaches TO this volume, although 1t Is evidently
The fruit OF LIBERAL and perhaps bold thinking Detayins
sprit which has been nurtured in the highest culture
Of the age but OF too free and restless stamp 10 aDue
patently i'm the sweet content Of antique traditions
or 10 be ettered by the shackles OF conventional pru
dice Professor seeley has evidently no respect FOR re-
ceived opiuons as such he takes nothing authorty5
ne is fond OF striking out path which has not been
trodden by the footsteps OF il lurking trace OF
conservatism did not give wholesome balance to his
mind he might delight in fierce iconOclasm; he has
certain 0ndness for paradox, in his dread Of common
place although, inclined to think his originality
is more matter Of rhetorical expression than of sub
stance of doctrine" He, certainly, has an uncommonly
easy and ohand way Of discussing important themes.
As becOmingn university professor, he has treasured
MP rare wealth Of cruditOn hut he wears ii as grace
ful mantle upon his shoulders instead OF staggering
under burden, and handles it with the air OF
man Of the world, and not with the Stiffness OF
a pedant.-The title of the volume is derived from
the first three lectures which treat Of the origin
Of the Roman empire, and the causes Of its decline
including rather suggestive though not very profound
analysis Of the characters Of julius C9sar and
Augustus. Tie author denies that the revolution
conducted by Caesar and his party was arranged
| on a preconcerted plan. He had no provision
Of the consequences which it involved II had
many beneficial results which not contemplated by
us authors. Cesar for instance champion OF the
provincials His party had notion Of redressng the
wrongs Of the prOyncals They were not actuated by
the desire 10 establish any general principle whatever.
The whole secret Of their movement was a military de-
voon to their leader The immediate cause OF the Ieyo-
ution was the practice which had gradually sprung up,
q comforting on eminent generals for special purposes
powers eXtavagnt to enable the holders Of them
to rise above the laws Professor Sceey XpanatiOn Of
this fact marked by his usual ingenuity and has the
merit OF being plausible to say the least not entirely
satisfactory. The effect Of the enormous taxation on the
decline Of the empire is forby stated in the second lee
ture The expenses of government had always been
great hut under the Oriental sultann introduced by
Docletan, they became almost intocrabe. These de-
mands reached their highest point when the population
had been cruelty reduced by the Iayages OF the plague
Always buIdensoae, they now became milestone around
the neck OF the sinking empire. There was no limit 10
the power of eytortion possessed by the government
The army Of officials puHderei FOR themselves as well
as for their employers What the plague had been to the
population taxation was 20 industry. II broke the
bruised reed aud converted fceicuess into ncurabe
debility. The ouuipotcnce OF government was turned
10 increasing poverty and consequently the serity,
Of the populaouOne OF the ablet essays in the volume
is devoted 10 the political opinions Of Milton. In the
course OF the discussion the author draws elaborate
parallel between the old English poet and the modern
English prophet Thomas Carlyle. They resemble each
other i'm the perception Of the fatal slavery and feeble
ness Of culture, when all great interests are in
/ trusted 10 narrow and common minds, and timd
| respecahihty is made 10 do the tasks of
maguaninty But there is great difference between the
| two. Milton possible good more strongly and
Carlyle tie actual evil Carlyle IL cynic and desairs
Of the republic. Milton Is of saueuine temperament
A. u was SAID OF cromwell nope SHOhc IKE q merry pldl
m him when had gone ont in all others His mind is
firmly fixed upon the future his face e. radiant with the
sunrise ne inteuy watches. Milton is the prophet OF
national health, rs Carlyle is the prophet Of national de-
cayAmonc the other essays in the volume "Niiiton's
! Poetry" elementary Principles Ant" which sets
forth similar line of thought 10 that Of Dr. Bnslnell's
celebrated discourse ON Work and Play" Liberal Ed
ucsiion in Unyerses,' perhaps the most interest
ing though all OF them IN vel reward the attention OF
the reader The style Of the author Is always animated
ana often seasoned with a spicy pungeucy Of phrase
which keeps the mind the alert although it may fail
/ 10 produce agreement with his opinions