New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
eHENs LIFE AND EPOCH OF ALEXANDER
HAMILTON


HAMILTON.
THE LIFE AND EPOCH OF ALEXANDER HAMiiC
TON. A HISTORICAL STUDY. by tue h'hOOiau.U
GEORGE SHEA. Chief Justice of tue Marine Court
Syo. PIP 47O. HOughtOn, Oseood, Co.
The present volume may be regarded as sequei
70 the authors historical monograph on Alexander
Hamilton which met with highly favorable recep-
ton at the time Of its original publication Jew
years ago. In the work now issued, judge Shea mas
attempted an elaborate exposition OF tue early
years of Hamilton and of the epoch in when nc
entered upon the illuStrious career which gave nm
so conspicuous and brilliant position In the MS
tory of the United States. The author announces
the intention of completing the memoir at some
future time should he be favored by circumstances
including every incident in Hsmiton's private, pro-
fessional and public life. In the present essay
however the subject is treated as an independent
whole, containing unity and interest of ITS own
without reference to the historical developments OF
O subsequent period.
In the able Introductory chapters which prepare
the reader for the profitable use of work when
demands not merely cursorv perusal, but pro
found study the author presents series oil genera
views which exhibit the purposes and character OF
Hamilton with singular accuracy OF proportion ana
luoidity of statement. The death of Hamilton
which was regarded by his contemporaries as sig
nal calamity in the opinion of the author was not
untimely On the contrary, he represents II as Tor
inmate for his peace OF mind and the tu!ness OF his
fame. As we look back upon the course OF events
the sacrifice appears to have been desirable Tor the
Republic. Hamilton not doomed to outlye MS
usefulness. lie did not survive TO witness inc
triumph of doctrines which he detested. lie hau
laid deep aud broad foundation OF rePuOHc Ioi
,be people. He had secured by powerful constitu-
tional balwarks the frame of its government
from the chances of internal decay and
the violence of revolution pure democracy
to him was not law, but license aud
ultimate anarchy; republic was thaJ
democracy under the regulation of 4 srnreme law.
This idea of a pure republican government was en-
tertained by a few thinkers at that early day, bat
they seem TO have been unwilling 10 proclaim II
openly. Hamilton was unreseryed IN all places
where discussion was appropriate Ii Is an aosulu
prejudice that he favored monarchy Had TINS
been his oplnion. he well knew that common
wealth was the high road that leads TO royalty lie
knew human nature better than to attempt to inn
pose upon American civilization a system so alien
10 the genius of its origin and development Ham
nton believed that the government bost adapted to
The people of America would be one that most
nearly assmiated 10 the British constitution as It's
model. The same opinion was held by Washington
by JAY, and by John Adams. No commonwealth,
no monarchy was suited to the conditions of their
country 1t must be a Republic. The death OF
Hamilton, in the fulness of time, confirmed the
United States in the possession Of empre-an empire
which has grown from the inherent energy of its
republican union into a strong and united nation,
rich in national resources and of competent
power. At the time of the Constitutional Con-
yentlon in Philadelphia, 1857, Hamilton was just
thirty-one years old. In the Summer of the follow
ing year the Constitution was submitted to the
people of New-York The reputation of Hamilton
for address energy, and good judgment, exceeded
that of other men. His was what Lamartiue says OF
Mrabeau's wisdom, the infalhbIlty Of good
sense" He was one Of the instances in which in
tuitive knowledge seems TO supersede the labor of
learning, and the hidden nature of things appears
TO core without the effort of experiment. In the
language of Bishop South, che could see cOnsc-
uuences yet dormant in their principles" The per-
sonal appearance of Hamilton at this time Is agree
pbly recalled by the author from the testimony of
contemporaries and eye-witnesses ofhs daily course
of life:-
He was, as has been described to, the writer by
some that knew and one that loved hin, a small
little figure, instinct with fej erect and steady
In 1o6 gait military ProenS Ti'nG and me gn
era address was graceful and nervous, indicating
The Pe@Gy Tr6 hair MOUTH nne
10 expression It's sweet smile being most observable aud
most spoken lustrOus with deep meaning and
reflection, gsnc'ng with quick oanny pieasa9y, ana
expression lie was, as may oe ul9rIeu, Ine HeTol S
guest and CHEEKY companion In all relations OF civil ana
manner and conversation, and regretted Its Irresistible
charm He certainly had correct sense o. that winch
IS appropriate the occasion and Its ouecti the at
tribute which We call good taste His manner. with
natural change became very calm anu grave Wnth &C.
Al the time OF which we speak particularly 17s7
ho continually broOdng over the state Convention
then at hand moods Of engrossng thought came upon
him he trOd the crowded streets ana hen ans pace
would become slower, MS head be slightly 3ent Gown
ward. and, with hands Joined together behind, he
wended ms way his lips moving IN concert VIVID the
Thoughts forming his mind. This bablt OF thinking,
and This attitude, became involuntary with hm rs Ae
grew IN years
The strictly biographical portion of the volume,
which reaches only to the year 1776, the nineteenth
year of Hamton's age, abOunds in interesting per-
eOnal details which present the character Of the
subject in a clear and impressive light, and if not
always, properly speaking, original, gam new
freshness and vitality from the manner of their re-
cital Before lie had completed his thirteenth year,
young Hamilton placed in a counting-houSe IN
the Island of ST. Crox. The boy is represented as
father 10 the man. His maturity of thought was
manifested on the earliest occasions. He exhibited
no small degree Of understanding memory, refec-
ton, industry, and exacness. He kept one thing
at a time before his mind. He trusted little to
genius and inspiration, much to labor aud thought.
During his service as merchants clerk at st. CroIx
be was close student. He read the standard books
on the theories Of trade and finance stored his mind
with the facts Of history, became familiar with
philosophical spcculatlOns, and kinded his imagi-
nation with the visions of poetry. Soon after his
coming to New-York, at the age Of fifteen,
he found a temporary home in the fam
llv of Mr.. William Livingston, of Eliza
BEETHOVEN 20 whom he had brought letters of intro
JUNCTION. His intelligence and industry at once at
tracted attention. He continued his studies in the
Winter until after midnight. During the Summer,
be would go TO retired places In the fields at early