The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-29

IN declare that s-some OF Swedenborg's concep.
tions Of Deity were the most sooblime." PRO-
nouncing sublime as II spelt $780," and emr hasiz-
ing the first syuablel "What p exclaimed the Doc
tor OF Divinity, do you pretend TO compare the
crudities OF Swedenborg with the divine concep-
lions OF David JoD, or IsaiahY" eyes" sand the
hero, for he had said It, and his whole men changed
10 one OF pous pugnaclty. "ies, sir; Swedenb0rg's
conceptions, by being among the most sooDlime,
only prove that the Creator has at ali times, among
all nations, inspired the souls OF men with images OF
Himself, and the original Inspirations are In some
instances seoblime the revelations Of dvinity
both come from (iod.n
n Governor Wise were always felicitous in his
sketches his book would be vastly more engaging
10 the reader. But, alas such passages only
the episodes In dreary desert OF political dsqusi-
ton, IN which we forget not only that John Tyler
ever existed or that we are reading Virginia biog-
raphy but also that author has any skill in lite
rary composition capacity Tor anything at all but
political logomachy. The latter portion of the book,
in particular Is flied with doleful jeremiads
the dissolved Unicn' and the ''desp0tlc Con-
gress" although far less bitter than some would
have looked for from SO thorough Q champion as
was Governor Wise in the ante be,l,m DAYS OF
the South and her cherished Institutions. He
goes at great length into an argument to
show that "a preparation OF the Southern States
IN full panoply OF arms would have prevented civil
war" He laments that the peace policy pre-
vailed until after the fall OF Fort Sumter He
would have had every State in Secess,a armed in
advance to overawe the North. ana declares that
when he left the Governors chair In Virginia, In
1861 1t was with IS. 600 stand OF arms and 1870
pieces of artillery In the Armory at Richmond,
none OF which, he says came from the Secretary
OF War, Floyd. He LAYS down the novel cOnstltu.
tional principle, that each State ''has retained her
power Of self-defence and OF war not only as
against foreign States but as against sister States,
or their common agent, the FEDERAL government"
And he charges Congress with having destroyed
the Constitution. States, laws and liberties OF the
people OF the United States.'
All this is coupled with the most extraordinary
denunclation OF the "materlalism' OF the age,
which, as Governor Wise assumes, has usurped the
place OF ''tne hur1ant1es" in our institutions OF
learning, ana given us over to the devil generally
Yet author Is not so badly iaundlced by his own
pessimst theories as to refuse all consolation;
IL Is in the frequent relief interpOsed by his
genial "reminiscences and personal characterize
tons that the real merit OF his book resides. Here
Is one OF william L. Marcy, Secretary OF State under
President PIERCE
Mr.. Marcy was one OF the most remarkable men
ever knew. he had o strohgl unmarked lace,
with very shaggy eyebrows, which he seemed to
train downward5 purpOsely over his eyes, which
very keen, piercing and Observant. His brows
seemed to SUIT his vlsion which came Into his look
like spraying beams OF light through mesnes OF
hair. Thus his expression was cunningiy concealed
while he penetrated your thoughts ami feengS.
He did never exactly smile or laugh, but his humor
was rare and dry, and when he was pleased, the
light OF his eye scintilatcd more sparkling through
his brow meshes, and ike Kriss kringle, he shook
like pOwltul OF jelly" To look at him In such y
mood was itself numor.
Our author gives US occasionally stroke OF char
acter IN an epiihet Thus John Randolph (whOm
Governor Wise must have cordially detested) is
THAT mser OF aristocracy, John Randolph. OF RO.
anoken John Quincy Adams is ga latltudinarian
and fanatical statesman OF the highest training,
learning industry and WILL" Mr. Calhoun is "a
giant OF intellect but child to party tactics" Mr..
Webster 10 man gracious and great, with oxke,
great pathetic eyes," Clay Is "a sublime black
guard
TO conclude, we are compelled to record our con-
vctlon that In this biography of John Tyler the
least interesting portion Is that which relates to
john Tyler himself. Two or three chapters, indeed
are ostensiby occupied with him, but they are very
dull reading There Is no attempt at any connected
history OF his fe much less OF his administration.
We get a hasty summary Of tine fiscal and tariIf
squaDbles which lei TO ms rupture with the wing
party but these have been better told before the
late John =. Kcnney's defence OF the Whigs," and
I in other publications OF the period. III we were
| called upon pronounce an opinion upon Governor
Wse's literary qualifications We should unhesitat-
ngly say that history ia not his forte but that cpl
| sode IL. And we venture TO express the hope that
in the next historical political with which
| the distinguished ex- Governor may favor he will
consult the comfort OF ms readers by making the
book all episode.