The New York herald., 1876-10-01
LITERATURE.
MARQUIS TALLEYRAND. PERIGonD's BOOK
AMERICA SEEN THROUGH FRENCH sPEcTA- |

MARQUIS TALLEYRAND, PERIaoRD's BOOK
AMERICA SEEN THROUGH FRENCH sPEcrA-
CLEs
ErupE sur LA REpuBLrous DEs ErArs-USIs D'AMKR-
IorE Par lc Marquis de Taeyrand-Perig0rd, At
tache il Ia Commission FRANCHISE de PExpostlon do
Philadelphia New York: Hurd Houghton, I'm
prneurs- Edlteura Riverside Press, Cambridge.
This handsomely printed octave volume published
in this country tho French language addressed by
the author both to his own countrymen aud TO
the citizens of the United Statcs-to tho
former as q warning, to the latter as
an admoniton The Marquis de Taeyrand-
Perigord, visiting this country in an official
capacity connected with our Centennial Exhibition,
brought with him keen interest In our institutions
and history and active curiosity respecting the
social moral and intellectual condition oil the country
The volume before tho fruit Of his observations and
researches during the few months no has been with
US 1t abundantly attests his intelligence and ability,
but its various chapters OF unequal value That
portion his book forming the greater part OF i in
which be sketches history during the colonial and
revolutionary period down to the adoption OF the
federal constitution is generally in its facts and
jucous in It's estimates o the character OF the actors
and its Interpretation OF events.
In this part MS work Marquis Talley yrand. Perigord
has drawn his materials from authentic and
fallen into few mistakes But in dealing with the
state of the country he had not the advantage
OF such trustworthy guides and he has not been long
enough IN the country TO be very discriminating
Judge OF the accuracy value Of what has been told
him by his nornants. There is great deal of truth
In what he tells his countrymen about the deplorable
condition OF America It's fearful degeneration
tho days OF foreiathers; but it is not tho
exact truth OF portraiture but the distorted
truth OF caricature. 1t is the main pur-
pose of the book to warn the French republicans
against the danger OF following in our footsteps but
the picture overcharged with dark colors to
give 1t a selfdeieating appearance OF cxaggcralion.
The author tells that after his scrutiny Of affairs
sadmiration gives place to the profound conviction
thar this people has degeneraea and dogenerated to
such point that is permissible 10 II tho malady
is not SO grave inspire fear for its future" at
is people whose morality is that of nation in de-
cadence" at is people which produces ihings but
no longer produces men" We are told that mind
which seeks what the intelligence Of this great CIVIL
ized people has produced lis struck with stupor."
"No men OF letters, no orators, no men versed
IN political science, no statesmen, no works OF arr,
or at least very few to attest the existence Of civil
ized nation The author calls up Washington and
puts into his mouth centennial address which is any
ton could make hs powerful voice heard doubt that
that voice OF the Father OF his Country would be
understood, notwithstanding the sobs which would
suite II. For Washington would weep. and weep Bit
eriyr Then follows the imagined centennial address
of Washington ing the last iour or five pages Of the
book. few oi the introductory sentences
viii suffice for exhibiting It's tone. "TaSe
away these nassi thus Washington sup
posed TO begin when he is able to command his
voice amid his sitting sobs and bitter weeping stake
away these 1ags which surround my image stop
those cries OF enthusiasm These marks OF vcnera-
ton cause me suffering Your Joy makes me SICK am
not the father OF this odious democracy which you dis
play with much comp aisance am the father of q
Republic which has nothing IN common with this which
| ma AS for yours, l do not know IT," With such
introduction Is easy TO Imagine the tenor and tissue
OF TINS sobbing, weeping address The most exirava.
gan, invectivcs rccrmnations OF our calumnious
party newspapers seen to have been accepted by the
MARQUIS as uthentic materials OF history.