Year: 1868

1907.


This book Is popularity 1t is not biography 1t
Is not history; 1t is not critical and exhaustive
estimate OF Edmund Burke the greatest and most
virtuous lrishman of his own or perhaps any gene
ration, and certainly the most brilliant and philo-
sophie writer and speaker Of the English language
OF the age In which he lived nor is it critical and
exhaustive history of his day and generation. 1t
wants alike the comprehensiveness and particularly
OF the former and the breadth and funess of the
latter. 1t s only fair, however, to say that Mr.. Nor
leys object would not have been served by adopting
either the biographical or historical form and that
so far as that object be gathered from the work
itself II has been accomplished with very considera-
BILE success.


What was that objects II was to allow the author
to give vent to his sentiments certain great ques
tions which were contemporary with the public life of
the great orator and statesman, and with which he
was incidentally rather than directly connected 1t
is here where we find fault with Mr.. Morey's plan.
All that he has said In the work before might have
been said with equal force and truthfulness in
nection with the names OF Fox, of Pitt, of Gren-
vile. OF Lord North any OF the great leading
Of that period. Edmund Burke, throughout the vol
ume, is but the peg on which Mr.. Morley hangs his
political reflections. His reflections however, are
good, and apart altogether from the name Of Edmund
Burke, the "Historcal Study" must be regarded a
thoughtful and valuable contribution to the political
literature OF the day.


Mr.. Morley arranges his thoughts under six gene
raj heads or chapters, which are as follows:-Char
acterstics, Issues OF the Time. The Constitution,
American independence, Economical Reform,
Ireland and India The French Revolution 1t will
be seen at once by the reader who is at all familiar
with the events OF that period that the author has
chosen wide and varied field for study and refec-
ton. Under the first head, characteristics. Mr. Nor
ley endeavors to give an idea Of the moral and in
tellectual character of Burke. Under the second
head, The Issues Of the Time the difficulties of
Burke's position as pebeian among proud and long
privileged patricans s admirably portrayed and
them In English history-Ql the supremacy of the
Lower House in the Legislature e, the supremacy
% S5 the the pgpar T Of II @ S ESenTs H9u e
the House OF Commons-are set forth with
great ability and discussed from the stand
point OF an advanced and enlightened liberal The
chapters on the Constitution. on Economical Re-
FORM Ireland and India, and the last one on the
French Revolution Ut on are all Of them Wen deserving
cans, however, the chapter American Inde-
pendence will naturally prove specially interesting.
At the close OF his chapter on the Constitution,
and when about to proceed to consider the great
struggle between the mother country and the colo
nies, the author pertinenty remarks-"It is almost
demonstrably certain that the vindication of the
supremacy OF popular interests over all other consd
erations would have been bootless toll, and that the



have ended otherwise than 1t did but for the failure
of the against the insurgent colonies and the
final establishment OF American independence. II
was this portentous transaction which finally routed
the arbitrary and despotic preensons Of the House
Of Commons over the people. which put an end to
the hopes entertained by the sovereign of making his
personal will supreme In the chambers, and which
established the principle of Cabinet distinguished
from departmental responsibility. Fox might well
talk OF an early royalst victory in the war as the
terrible news from Long Island. The struggle which
began successfully at Brenford, In Middlesex, was
nnn at in Macd tto Tha
had changed, but the conflicting principles were the
same. The defeat and subugation Of the cooniss
OF the opposition in the mother country. The War OF
Independence was virtually o second English civil
war The ruin Of the American cause would have
been also the ruin OF the constitutional cause in
England; and patriotic Englishman may revere the
memory Of Patrick M Henry and George Washington
In such spirit is the chapter on American Indc.
pendence conceived and In suN spirit Is It executed
This chapter Is ably discussed throughout, but we
cannot enter into details Its concluding paragraph,
however, Is well worthy OF reproductions


To the student OF human history who lives in later
times there few objects OF meditation so interest
ing the probable course OF evolution In the great
empire whose origin we have been considering. The
conditions In some respects profoundly differ
ent from those which have to be taken into account
in observing the development of European civiliza-
constant and reciprocal action at work between
America and Europe. that our usdal historic appa-
ratns misses Its hold and I'd application: II Is compa.
contributes to the decomposition OF the old and the
construction OF the state In Europe. But how,
with our ordinary methods, can we discern the main
currents Of the history Of country first incongru
ously colonized by Swedes Dutch, French, Spanish
and English, which has never undergone the harmon
izing and binding influence Of uniform spiritual be-
lief; which daily receives enormous bodies OF imm
grants with many ways OF thinking as there are
bodies about religion and government-about the
past and the future-whose territorial consolidation
Is not yet Accomplishment How can we anayze, or
understand, or characterize national organization
that exists under such conditions as theses How at
tempt yet to assign place In the history OF man.
kind to the event which propelled America far out of
the grooves along which continue course into
new and unfamiliar channels Of It's ownS For the
philosophy OF American history, the exposition Of Its
moral forces, Its root-ideas its expanding elements
for this We shall have long to wait"


Mr.. Morley s at present editor Of the FOrtnightlv
Rerietr. He Is fair specimen OF the class Of men
whose influence will begin to be In the ascendant In
England directly the reformed Parliament comes
into existence. 1t s agreeable TO find such scholarly
qualifications allied to so much liberaty OF senti
ineEt. The sign Is hopeful.