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VOL. I.
BOSTON, APRIL 15, 1824.

REVIEWS.

Reflections on the Politics of Ancient Greece, translated from the German of Arnold H. L. Heeren: By George Bancroft. Boston. 1824. 8vo.

No. 2.

of the Romans in the West. Under a total | new care and pains. For these subjects
change of national character, manners, and have a close connexion with practice. It
religion, Aristotle, Galen, and Euclid were is common with one class of Christians to
still more respected at Bagdad, than they say that doctrinal subjects are unimportant.
had been at Athens or Rome. Our modern We speak merely now in a practical sense,
learning is not less Grecian in its main when we ask, what is more important?
complexion and tendency. When ostensi- The opinions, which a man entertains on
bly occupied with the remains of Roman the interpretation of certain passages in
literature, the superior importance of the the Scriptures and the Church Fathers,
Grecian is still apparent. This attractive powerfully affect his standing in society, in
power of Grecian letters, which has made most of the countries of Europe and in our
them so nearly the centre of intellectual own. The Duke of Norfolk is the oldest, one
accomplishments, has not been confined to of the richest, and, in parliamentary influ-
letters. The historical traditions and po- ence, the most powerful nobleman in Eng-
litical institutions of Greece have maintain- land. He nominates to the House of Com-
ed nearly an equal ascendency. The events mons the six members for Steyning, Arun-
of the Grecian history are more frequently del, and Horsham, and he influences the
quoted than all others, contained in profane election of the five for Hereford, Carlisle,
annals; and almost all political disquisition and Shoreham. And yet, since he inter-
not avowedly abstract, resolves itself into prets Matthew xxvi. 26, and a few other
speculation on the Grecian forms of gov- texts, differently from the convocation
ernment, or the principles developed in who established the articles of the English
their various constitutions.
church, he is excluded from the House of
Lords. The political study of antiquity
presents no examples, perhaps, so direct of
the connexion of a man's speculative opin-
ions with his condition in actual life. But
indirectly the connexion exists and ope-
rates. The opinions, which monarchs,
ministers, and statesmen form on many top-

Ir has been well remarked by Lessing,
in confirmation of the claims of the Scrip-
tures on our attention, that, in addition to
every higher consideration, they deserve
our notice, as the subject which has most
exercised the thoughts of the human mind.
More has been thought, spoken, and written
upon them, and subjects connected with
them, than upon any thing else. A greater
comparison and accumulation of human
opinion, reasoning, and feeling, have taken
place in respect to them, than with regard
to any other subject:-nor is there any one
point on which man can be compared with
man, in different periods and regions, which
would furnish so good a relative estimate of
his character and progress. What has been
thus justly remarked by the German critic
on the subject of the Scriptures, is true,
perhaps, in the next degree of ancient
Greece, in the full comprehenson of that
term. Ancient Greece, its history, institu-
tions, literature, and arts, may be regarded
in the literary world, in much the same
light of pre-eminence, in which the religion It is the inevitable effect of the long con-ics, seemingly speculative, are often pro-

While these circumstances prove the great importance of ancient Greece, in its connexion with human improvement, they create proportionate difficulty in forming impartial opinions, on most of the leading points, brought into question in the study of its history, institutions, and literature.

ductive of mighty effects in real life. The statesman, it is true, is not examined as to his opinions of the character of Demosthenes and the designs of Philip; but his convictions on the alternative of liberty and power, his interpretation of the great doctrines of deputed authority and popular right, will decide, in almost every country, where he is to rank in society; or if he be, by privilege of birth, in a powerful station, this interpretation may affect the condition of whole states.

of the Scriptures stands in the moral world. tinued attention bestowed from age to age On Greece, and the subjects attached by by great multitudes of minds on leading association to it, the time, attention, and subjects of inquiry and speculation, to subthoughts of the cultivated classes of man, stitute for the real nature of things, new, from the Romans downward, have been artificial, ingenious views of them which more employed than on any other, with the owe their origin merely to the imagination. exception already made. The Romans of The modern philosophy tells us (how justly we education formed an early acquaintance do not now inquire), that it is our own minds with Greek learning. Their rhetoricians which create all the qualities in external and philosophical instructers were Greeks; objects which we fancy that we discern in all the terms of art employed, even in the them; nay, to go the whole length, that it study of Latin eloquence, were Greek; is our own minds, which create the exterand Athens was the holy land of intellec- nal objects themselves. However wild this We make these remarks in some degree tual pilgrimage. The perusal of Cicero's species of metaphysics may be, it is very to illustrate the importance of the new epistles alone is sufficient to prove, that the true that, in all the different sects of re-work on the Politics of Ancient Greece. Greek language was to the well-educated ligion, schools of literature, and parties in Romans more a second and dignified ver- politics-though the materials on which nacular tongue, than a foreign language. they act be the same-the results are so Many Romans wrote Greek works: Cicero different, as to show well, that what men himself did it, and his friend Atticus also; are thought to have learned, they have inand had the Greek History of the Etrus-vented:—what they would discover in ancans, by the Emperor Claudius, survived to the present day, it would probably have given that monarch a celebrity, which he has not acquired from the Roman purple. In the middle ages, the Greek mathematicians, physicians, and philosophers were almost the sole masters of the human intellect. The Greek learning maintained its ascendency over the human mind, through the medium of the Arabic language in the East; as it had done before, through that

cient authors is the device of their own
minds; the religious rite, which they trace
to apostolic antiquity, is an institution
which has been gradually formed in the
church; and the political constitution, to
which they give a Greek name, has noth-
ing else Grecian.

From these considerations, which would
seem to show the vanity of study bestowed
on such subjects, we deduce, on the other
hand, the importance of studying them with

"The politics of ancient Greece," cries the statesman of caucuses and central committees, "fine politics indeed for men of this age! Tell us of the politics of Massachusetts or Virginia; let us know whether the tariff will succeed in the Senate; or if General Jackson is likely to be Presi dent. That we call politics. The politics of ancient Greece, forsooth! Tell us, if you please, of the politics of Great Britain, of South America, of the Holy Alliance; nay, if needs must, of modern Greece: but ancient Greece,-Priam and Achilles, Leonidas and Xerxes,-who will deliver us from them!”

Such observations, which we can easily conceive to be made, are the remarks of men

of scorn.

destitute of any of that higher education, writers say, and to which the righteous country, within a few years, in the mode of which the mind, when college days are pass-reviewer alludes as "the most infamous of studying Geography, are attended with one ed, acquires for itself; education in the motives." We only observe, that the man, obvious disadvantage. Our geographies great school of the world's recorded expe- who learns in Grecian history to call Har- contain little excepting abstract, statistical rience; education formed by observing ex- modius and Aristogiton assassins, and the views. These are the proper elements of tensive analogies, and by weighing princi- beautiful verses in their praise a vile revo- the science, but they furnish little that is ples in the balance of other men and other lutionary song, will certainly think that the interesting to children. We are under the times; education to those great and gener- North American revolution was a wicked necessity of inventing a variety of methods ous sentiments, which fill the bosom almost rebellion, that the desolate plain of Old to facilitate the study, not so much because to bursting, while we dwell on those few Sarum ought to send two members to Par- it is difficult, as because it is uninteresting. Avatars of the spirit of liberty, which the liament, and that the Grand Seignior is the The descriptions are too general and too annals of our race relate. Of this educa- legitimate sovereign of Greece. We feel short to gratify curiosity; and when this is tion, a considerable part of the active and no more doubt, than if we had it under his known, they cease to excite it. They do leading portion of the community here and own hand, that this reviewer esteems the not occupy the mind long enough, to bring elsewhere is destitute. They read nothing, Inquisition "a venerable institution of the any of its powers into very active service; they reflect on nothing. Absorbed in busi- Spanish monarchy." and hence the impressions are indistinct ness, swallowed up with professional cares and readily effaced. We do not, however, and duties, they have no time for any thing object to the present mode of studying geogbut what assumes, in some degree, the form raphy; so far as it extends, it is certainly of a professional duty or care; and the good. Indeed, the progress we have made great work of administering the civil afin this science within ten years, has been fairs of mighty states and growing millions very great, and it is now a very popular is undertaken without a day's avowed prestudy. Of the works which preceded paration; and with hearts, to which the Cummings' Geography, we shall say nothvery name of a generous affection is matter ing. When that appeared, it rendered what relates to the absolute and relative situation of places easily attainable. This was what we most needed, and no progress can be made without it. Other works have succeeded, rendering this part of the science much more accurate, and containing several important additions of statistical information, but retaining the same general character. It is best they should still retain it; but it should be remembered that they furnish only a basis for something more interesting. We want to know more of a country than its latitude, longitude, and dimensions, that it is level or mountainous, cold or hot, that the inhabitants are black or white, christians, mahometans, or pagans, and that they sell corn and beef, and buy tea and sugar. We want the true characteristics, the real manners and customs and principles of every nation, with such an account of their country as will make us acquainted with them at their own homes. All who have devoted much attention to the higher parts of this science, regard it as highly interesting; but it receives very much less attention than it merits. Why is it that history is so much more esteemed than geography? Is it indeed far more important to know what has been than what is? It may well be believed that a reading community will one day cease to prefer tales ten thousand times told-and often with questionable profit-to works which make us accurately and intimately acquainted with our cotemporaries. Give us good works of this character, and they will not long remain idle.

It is, more especially, with reference to the state of liberty among the Greeks, that the work of Mr Heeren makes a seasonable appearance in our language. Mr Mitford, with mild feelings and a perfectly gentlemanly spirit, has uniformly pleaded the cause of arbitrary power among the Greeks, and given the most unfavourable view of their democracy. There is really so much good nature evinced in his able work, that notwithstanding the frightful inference to which it is designed to lead-that men in society ought not to govern themselves-you see in it only a customary deference payed by an Englishman to aristocratic principles, as to a part of the established system of his country. But Heeren's work is written in a much better tone; not that of a champion and an apologist, but that of a man who gathers traits of greatness with a kindred feeling; who sees in the patriotic exploits, the admirable literature, and beautiful arts of Greece, testimonies more decisive of the excellence of their institutions in the main, than the opposite language of their popular excesses. However, we do not recommend the work, that converts may be made by it; for it is really written in no spirit of proselytism. We recommend it because it contains profound original views;-the fruits of much learning with the display of a very little; and a judicious selection of topics out of the great mass of Grecian history and tradition. Mitford must still be read; and it is to those who read him that Mr Heeren's work will prove both most useful and most interesting.

It needs not be said that ancient Greece is the school, where the politician may find some of those lessons which he requires, and where the really great politicians have found them. It is a remark, which may be confirmed by a very long induction, that the course and part which a man will take in the great controversies of modern politics, may be judged of by the opinions he entertains of those of Greece. A striking instance has lately suggested itself to us. In the last number of the Quarterly Review-a number, not disgraced, but characterized by a pitiful libel on America-we find this sentence:-"To us, indeed, who have no great taste for assassination, even though executed by a sword hid in the myrtle boughs which graced one of the most beautiful of the Grecian processions; to us, with whom the song of Harmodius and Aristogiton, though written in better metre* than the 'Marseillois hymn,' and in language less vulgar than the Tragala, perro,' of modern days, is not a whit the less a vile revolutionary song, giving the noblest of names to one of the most detestable of deeds, originating in the most infamous of motives; to persons of this way of thinking, the first wearer of the name (Aristogiton) had left The translation of this work by Mr an abomination upon it, which it required Bancroft is very good ;-far better than no successor to the appellation to augment." the translations usually made from German We shall not dispute with this temperate into English. It is the performance of a man writer whether Harmodius and Aristogi- who understands not only the language but ton conspired against the life of Hippias and Hipparchus, as tyrants and unlawful rulers, as most accounts state, and as the Athenian people implied, when they erected a monument to them in the Ceramicus, "because they had slain the tyrant and given EQUAL LAWS to Athens;" or whether it was a movement of private indignation on account of the seduction of the sister of Harmodius by Hippias, as the best ancient

the subject. To prepare it was an honour-
able employment of honourable leisure.
And parents, who love their children, may
well feel happy that they can send them
to a school, which bears fruit like this, in
the brief hours of relaxation which its con-
ductors spare themselves.

Sketches of the Earth and its Inhabitants,
with one hundred engravings. By J. E.
Worcester, A. A. S. Boston, 1823. 2 vols.

12mo.

*The criticism of this learned Theban is as valuable as his politics. The song in question is an inartificial compilation of four different verses by different authors, and partly in different metres. THE changes which have been made in our

The book before us is of this kind, and the success it has already met with, proves the demand which existed for it. The diligence and fidelity of the author have been well attested by his Gazetteers and Elements of Geography. His reputation for accuracy is certainly merited; and we know not whether it is necessary even to remind him, that his obligations to great circumspection increase with his reputation. The Sketches consist of descriptions of

The use of the distributive either as synonymous with each, is not very uncommon among good writers. It is not, however, well established; and all will avoid it, who consider how important it is to preserve exact modes of expression. An example of this error occurs, vol. ii. p. 83; "closed at either end by statues."

the most interesting natural objects in every | of Thermopyla. "It consists of a narrow
country; the character and customs of the passage, five or six miles in length, but
inhabitants; and their civil, literary, and only 50 or 60 paces in breadth, and in the
religious institutions. A considerable part narrowest part only 25, in the time of the
of these descriptions is taken from books of Greeks, now nearly double from the retir-
travels, and great judgment and fidelity are ing of the sea."
manifested in excluding from them every
thing of an immoral tendency. It is, in-
deed, difficult to give a faithful view of the
character and manners of the various
classes in society, without resorting to lan-
guage too gross and indelicate to be exhib-
ited to children; and books of travels are
seldom recommended by a great degree of
purity. The art of describing licentious
scenes or habits in an inoffensive manner,
does not consist merely in marking them
with just opprobrium. If the mind of the
writer be in itself pure, a savour of inno-
cence will characterize all that it does, and
all that it produces, and do more than the
severest censure, to protect the reader
against the enticement of evil.

We have discovered other errors, but
forbear mentioning them, lest it should be
inferred that the faults bear a considerable
proportion to the excellencies. Although
we cannot concede to Mr Worcester a
very good talent for descriptive writing,
he certainly possesses a rare faculty for
selecting the most important facts, which
his subject affords; and, with a few excep-
The style of this work is, in general, tions, he presents them in a manner not
pleasing and correct; and many of the only intelligible, but highly interesting.
descriptions are uncommonly beautiful. It Considering the great difficulty of describ-
would be difficult to name two volumes, ing works of art in a manner intelligible to
which display finer specimens of this kind children or common readers, he has suc-
of writing. For this, however, Mr Wor- ceeded very well. We doubt not that the
cester is principally indebted to his author-present edition will soon be disposed of, and
ities. We frequently notice a want of ease we shall offer a little advice in relation to
and simplicity which will render the sen- improvements.
tences of his own writing obscure to chil-
dren; and, occasionally, a deficiency in
grammatical correctness. There are also
many passages, to understand which, will
require more science than most of his read-
ers can be supposed to possess. He some-
times aims at the lighter graces of compo-
sition, but with no very great success. He
has much better taste in selecting than in
writing, but even here he sometimes fails.
His assiduity in searching every where for
the useful and the important, is not beyond
his judgment in choosing, from his gathered
stores, whatever it is peculiarly necessary
that his readers should know; but he does
not always cull the most beautiful flowers,
nor wreathe them very tastefully.

We have noticed two or three instances, in which the definite article is used for the the indefinite; as, vol. ii. p. 121, in describing the Grotto of Antiparos. "The sides are planted with petrifactions, also of white marble, representing trees; these rise in rows one above the other, &c." If there were but two rows, this would be correct. The very prevalent error of using the singular adjective any after an adjective in the superlative degree, sometimes occurs; as in vol. ii. p. 288. "The largest of these temples and of any [all] in Egypt, is that of Carnac."

In vol. i. p. 275, we read: "The Lithuanians, who were formerly under the same government with the Poles, but now chiefly included in the empire of Russia, resemble the Poles and Russians." The imperfect tense here supplies the places of both the imperfect and present. Still greater confusion is produced in the following passage, vol. ii. p. 119, from leaving both tenses to be understood. He is speaking of the pass

As to the style, we have already made some remarks, which may have the effect to correct some errors. As to the matter, it would be well to describe the religions of several countries, especially in Asia, or to omit to mention them. The book may be filled with what is highly important and interesting, and, at the same time, intelligible; and it is injurious to the minds of children to accustom them to read or commit to memory what they cannot understand. We do not state this as a universal principle, for there are many important exceptions to it; but whatever can be made comprehensible should never be forced upon the mind unexplained. It is, therefore, rather worse than useless, to encumber the work with a remark that the religion of a certain country is that of Boodh, of the Grand Lama, of Sinto, or of Vishnu, without any explanation of its character. We might apply the same remarks to some other subjects, which are occasionally introduced in a manner that gives no important information. The Sketches are not a purely elementary work, and should not, like the Elements of Geography, admit general statements. They may receive a little improvement in this respect.

A very important object, which we expect these Sketches to promote, is to excite a more general interest in works which give similar information. To gratify this interest, it might be well to add an appendix, giving a short account of the principal authorities, especially of those which are not common in our booksellers' shops. There are some serious objections to books of travels, which might be obviated; and they would then constitute a very suitable and highly interesting part of our literature. These

The

objections relate principally to their want
of moral purity, and their containing so
much that is uninteresting and useless.
We will merely suggest to Mr Worcester
the propriety of publishing other volumes
of extracts from books of travels.
course of his reading must have qualified
him to select, with little labour, a great
variety of useful and interesting matter
which it is not easy for all to obtain, and
which, connected as it is with much that is
unprofitable or injurious, costs far too
much.

The author has not stated in what manner the Sketches should be used in schools. We will suggest a method, which seems to us a good one. After the study of an ele mentary work on geography, it may be reviewed; and during the review, the Sketches may be studied in connexion with it. Short lessons of the geography should be given, that the scholars may have suitable time to attend to the descriptions of the most interesting objects; and in no case should. their progress in the geography exceed that in the Sketches. The recitations should consist of answers to such questions as may be propounded by the instructer, and should never be made verbatim. The work is adapted only to the higher classes in our schools, but we hardly know any work which will be more interesting to them.

The engravings are sufficiently well executed, and they add much to the value of the work. The typography is neat, and has very few errors.

For the Oracles of God, four Orations. For Judgment to Come, an Argument, in nine parts. By the Rev. Edward Irving, M. A. Minister of the Caledonian Church, Hatton-Garden. New York, 1823. 8vo.

It is difficult to say what constitutes genius, or to provide a criterion which shall determine its existence and its measure. Perhaps there is no better test, than the power of influencing others, especially if the mind to be subjected to examination, is wholly devoted to the work of acting upon other minds. If we judge him thus, Mr Irving is surely a very great man; and it would be difficult to deny him, on any grounds, the credit of possessing an extraordinary intellectual and moral character.

Every one, who reads the newspapers, knows that the Caledonian Chapel, in which he preaches, is crowded with the highest rank and fashion and talent of London. He gathers, Sunday after Sunday, an audience who could not be gathered unless he spoke to them with a power victorious over habit, and pride of rank, and love of ease, and contempt for religion;-an audience, who, as they could not be drawn into his presence by any common enticement, so neither could they be deluded by oratorical quackery into a belief that glittering nothingness was eloquence. Still so many papers and literary journals ridiculed him, we thought he must be somewhat ridicu lous; and as it was confidently said, that he had destroyed his power and popularity by