Page:The American review - a Whig journal of politics, literature, art, and science (1845).djvu/233

1845.]

"He beheld the cities of many nations, and became acquainted with the opinions of the men."—

There is nothing in which the contrast between our age and the remotest times is more apparent, than in the manner and the means of conveying from country to country a knowledge of the thoughts and customs, the character and the deeds, of distant and various nations. To the most enlightened communities of antiquity, individual travellers were the only communicators of foreign tidings. People were forced to be content, when some chance wanderer could recount his wonderful adventures, and impart a little knowledge of other lands and strange races of men. Now, in simple fact, "the ends of the earth are brought together," and the garrulous knowledge of Herodotus, delighting Olympic crowds with Eastern marvels, and the wisdom of Ulysses, gathered by long wandering acquaintance with "many cities, and the minds of many men," is brought every day to our doors, and may be perused in solitary chambers. But the amount of intelligence now crowded upon us is exceedingly miscellaneous. Selection is necessary, or a multitude of items destroy distinct impressions. We should not attempt such a task, however, were there not several distinct fields, of which a most important one—the movements of the world in literature and art—is greatly neglected by the daily press. To this, then, after some hesitation, we have concluded to bestow careful attention. Whatever of political or social matters may be of peculiar interest, or furnish ground for remark, will also be added. Little of value can be given at present, as our arrangements will not be completed for some months.

The packets of the last month have brought little of stirring interest, either to the scholar or to the politician. We may gather, however, one gratifying fact to us as a people—that we are rapidly growing to a wide importance in the eyes of Europe, not only for commerce and unwearied enterprise, but for statesmanship, commanding political eminence, and an enviable stand for art and knowledge among enlightened nations. The Parisian press commented at large upon the result of the last election, and were hailing it with regret or joy, as they chanced to espouse the principles of free trade or a restricted commerce with us. Doctrinaire Legitimiste, Radicus, and the partisans of La Jeune France, each had something to say of America and the Americans, and attempted to philosophize upon, what seem to Europeans, the incomprehensible motives of our nation. The result of their comments has been, that those interested in sustaining the peculiar doctrines of the administration of Mr Van Buren consider their cause as won, while the other party build their hopes of the continuation of the Tariff, upon the majority of Whig Senators, with an equal certainty. The Journals of London were very diffuse upon this subject, and exhibited much chagrin at the defeat of Mr. Clay. Looking upon his election as certain, they had esteemed the Tyler and Texas war-cry as the merest sound. They now look around with as much dismay as as the magician of old may be supposed to have done at the devil raised by his disciple who had opened a necromancer's scroll and read, by hazard, a spell for Dagon.

Even in Germany, the land of deepest absolutism, news of the result of the election, gave rise to much comment. The treaty of the Zollverein, to which the commercial classes had looked with much anxiety, the deep interest in all that relates to our antiquarian remains, the history of the present Indian race and the traditions of the people who have preceded them, and the almost idolatry of our political institutions by young Germany, made this election one of great interest even there. But the press of Germany is, in all that relates to politics, gagged, and dares to say less than the people feel. From Italy and Spain, no voice has been heard. The one cowering beneath the burden of foreign usurpation, the other torn to the centre by domestic convulsions—they also have thoughts and wishes which they dare not speak. They can afford to look at little beyond their individual safety.... The Diplomatic Policy of the United States has excited much comment and approval in Europe, especially our skill at commercial arrangements. The President's Message, however, has been unsparingly criticised; and Mr. Calhoun's despatches to Mr. King, weak, foolish, and uncalled for, as regards their chief points, have been severely and justly condemned.

The English papers give us but little literary intelligence. Is nothing appears to occupy the public mind so fully as the Puseyite controversy and the strange state of affairs it has created in many diosceses. What will come of this condition of things it is difficult to say. Though undermining the very foundation of the English church, we see no remedy for it. The leaders of this