1 rapidly and without fatigue, as is in contemplation be but one opinion formed. The country through provided for any inefficiency on the part of the conon other extensive roads. By this conveyance, also, which the road passes is destitute of every other tractors, has been the cause of the delay in its much the mail will be more swiftly transmitted, and a large species of material. There was therefore no alter-wished for completion. The latest period named in any contract on the portion of the numerous southern travellers, who native presented; and the only question which could now annually pass their summers, and expend their arise, would be as to the manner of making use of Western Division is the 1st Nov., 1832, the conmoney at the north, will be induced by the facility of the materials to which we are thus restricted. In tractors on which are making great efforts to com. access to your country, of cheap living, pure water, the consideration of that question but two methods ply with the time of their contracts. They have salubrious air, lucious fruits, and scenery beautiful are at ou option. Either by graduating the surface succeeded in making several extensive and favora in a pre-eminent degree, with the finest forests, noble to prepare a level bed for the whole extent of the ble sub-contracts with responsible men, which will rivers, and lofty mountains, to make their visit, road; (to do this it would be necessary to excavate enlist a force which they otherwise could not have Westward for pleasure, health, or information. through the ridges and embank across the depres. obtained, and will very much forward their opera. Having this object in view, the plan of running a sions, and valles, and to place sleepers on the sur-tions. road from the North Carolina line, through Jones face thus obtained throughout the line ;) or to adopt They will, however, require unremitted exertions borough to Selby creek on the Sandy river, would the plan above described. Two strong objections and every facility that the company can with safety militate, in a measure, against its speedy comple. exist to the adoption of the former. 1st, From the extend, to make them to comply with the time. To carry a road through the same sec.nadequacy of the Company's means. 2d, From I therefore deem it prudent to name the month of ton, either to the Nolichucky, or the Holston, the inapplicability of the labor of the country to the January, 1833, as the probable time of completion would, on the other hand, embrace all the consider-kind of work required by it. It might b sufficient of the whole work. Were it certain that we would retain the present ations we have now taken the liberty to present, into decide on the rejection of the first named plan to Le road, transierring it from accordance with our mutual purpose of promoting state, that the funds of the Qumpally would require amount or Lorce on the public good. to be nearly doubled to execute the same length of place to place as required, it might reasonably be This great work will assuredly one day be ac road; but to that it is necessary to add, that if the expected that the road would be put into operation complished. Its seed is now in the ground-aiready first plan had been adopted, the great bulk of the within the present year. On the subject of Messrs. W. & J. D. Gray's the resources of the country are adequate to its labor would have been entirely unsuited, to the early maturity. The only question is, whether we, principal labor of the country, and would conse-contract, I have addressed a separate communicaour children, or the stranger shall reap its benefits. quently had to have been performed by labor and tion to the President. Respectfully submitted: HENRY N. CRUGER, HORATIO ALLEN. HORATIO ALLEN, Chief Engineer, contractors brought from abroad. When the afficulty of obtaining such labor and retaining it during near half of the year, are considered, We cheerfully give place to the following, from Extracts from a report of H. Allen, Chief Engineer may be safely assumed that the completion of to the Bourd of Directors of the South Carolina the work would have been postponed at least one the Illinois Advocate, published at Edwardsville, Moreover, Canal and Ruil.road Company February 6, 1832. but nost probably two or three years. it must be remarked, that there would exist still the Engineer Deparment, S. Carolina Rail-read. same difficulty to contend with as to the faithful Mr. Minor will please publish the enclosed Railplacing of the foundation, in this instance, that of way and Canal proceedings, and oblige the people a traverse sleeper upon. a lately formed embank. of Illinois. Feb. 10. To the President and Directors of the S. C. Canal and Kail rod Compány: GENTLEMEN.-I have delayed communicating this statement until the present season, with the view of ment, instead of a pile in the other, to which At a meeting of the citizens of St. Clair county placing it on a firmer basis than estimates are usually would be superadded the yearly settling of the em- assembled on the 14th Jan. 1832, upon previous noconsidered to have. To anticipate the doubts of any bankmeuts, the trouble and expense of raising tice, to express their sense upon the subject of a who might be disposed to consider the statement of which to their original height, and the reconstruc- Rail road in the place of a Canal to communicate probable cost herein contained as "an ordinary es- tion of the road, would many times exceed those with the Michigan Territory, Maj. WASHINGTON tinate on which according to all experience large al- which will accrue from any imperfect driving of WEST, was called to preside, and Alfred Cowles, piles. lowances should be m de," I would observe that the discordance between the estimate and actual amounts of expenditure for a given work has arisen in nearly all the cases which have come within my knowledge or observation, rather from a miscalculation of the amount of work to be performed, than from an inadequate estimate of the cost per item. Thus on Residency. First Residency, Fifth Residency, Esq. was appointed Secretary. Whereupon, on motion of Gov. Reynolds, the following resolutions Am't done. Force. were unanimously adopted. L 300 $79,337 GENERAL SUMMARY. Co-1. 18.000 2.861 any of the canals constructed in this country, the Seventh Residency, estimated prices for the necessary excavations and enbankments have in most cases rather exceeded. that jen stort or those which the works have To the above cost of workmanship and been subsequently contracted for and executed, but materials, the estimated amount of cubic yards has frequently There must be added, for Rail-road Iron, been below the amount removed in the progress of Iron spikes, excavation. I would add, although not exactly call. Piling machinery, ed for here, that this disagreement is the result of Edisto bridge, the superficial manner in which the Engineer is re. Turn outs, quired to make his preliminary examinations, on the Inclined plane and double road, meagre data of which he is compelled to base his Engineer department. calculations and present his report. He is thus in duced by the natural anxiety of the projectors of an preparatory arrangements, to double the liability to $9,000 30,000 2,000 In the consideration and decision of the line of I. Resolved, By this meeting, that a Rail-way is preferable to a Canal to promote communication with Lake Michigan. 2. Resolved, That it is, under all circumstances, better that the stato incorporate a company to con struct such Rail.way, than for the State to undertake it, without any prospect of immediate success. 3. Resolved, That Messrs. James Mitchell, Jos. $391,677 Green, Wm. Moore, L. Beeman, Alfred Cowles, 133,800 Moses Short and Wm. G. Brown be a correspond. 12,500 ing committee to ascertain the sentiments of the 3,700 people of this state, as to their preference of a Rail. 1,700 way or Canal. And to ascertain if a company can 5,000 be formed to take stock in said Rail-way on fair and 6,000 equitable principles. 45,623 Resolved, That said committee write and publish an address to the people of the State on the subject $600,000 of a Rail road. On motion of Dr. Joseph Green, it was Resolved, That if, in the opinion of the Executive, there appear any reasonable prospect of the stock 10,000 being taken up by individuals, it would be advisable to convene the Legislature, in order to incorporate a company for that purpose. On motion of L. Beeman, Resolved, That the proceedings of the Meeting 61,000 be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and pubished in all the newspapers in this State friendly to $672,000 the above object. All which being considered, were unanimously WASHINGTON WEST. Ch'n. adopted. ALFRED COWLES, Sec'y. graduations generally, reference has been constant The latest period fixed by contract for any por. tion. In the construction of the road one of three plans stipulations of the contract. The thine is abundant. SIR: Will you publish the following proceedings are made use of, according to the situation. 1st. y sufficient to perform the whole with economy, and oblige the friends of Rail-roads in Illinois ? Where the foundation is an uniformly hard clay, but unfortunately such is the scarcity of efficient At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens transverse sleepers are firmly bedded in and on the contractors and of the physical force necessary, of Pike county, in Illinois, convened at Atlas, (preclay for the support of the rail timber. 2d. Where that we cannot take those measures which would be visus notice having been given) for the purpose of the excavated surface is of a less firm character, effectual. taking into consideration the expediency of chang. foundation timbers running parallel with the road Under these circumstances, I would name the ing the contemplated Canal to unite the waters of are bedded in the earth, on which the transverse caps month of August as the time for the completion of Lake Michigan with the Illinois river, into a Railwhich support the rail timber are secured. 3d the Eastern Division, including the bridge over the road, Doctor Henry J. Ross was called to the chair, Where the foundation is too loose or yielding to al. Edisto, which by contract is to be finished by the 1st and Col, William Ross was chosen secretary. On 'low sleepers, or the line of graduation is above the May, 1832. motion of Leonard Ross, Esq. a committee of nine surface, piles driven into the ground are made use The completion of the portion between town and was appointed to draft and report resolutions. The of to support the caps. Summerville may be expected, at the latest, between following gentlemen were chosen :-Leonard Ross, The principal difficulty in the execution of this 15th April and 1st May. I have been able within James M. Sulev, Benjamin Berney, Daniel H. Gray, work consists in having the piles well driven. the last week to put this portion of the line in a John J Ross, Lyman Scott, James Talbut, Hiram In reference to the general plan of construction inore effective state than has been the case hereto Linsey and John Berney, who reported the follow and the use made of timber (a perishable material) fore. The disappointment with respect to the force ing resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: as the medium of support and connexion, there can which we had expected to have obtainer, and thus Whereas it is universally admitted by our most enlightened and scientific countrymen that Rail-are hereby appointed agents, whose duty it shall be each mile, and the grading will be but a comparativeroads are a vast improvement over Canals, their con- to open books, for subscriptions to the capital stock ly trifling item of the expense. This part of the struction less expensive, and the result of actual ex- of the said company, and to keep the same open be route will be put under contract in a few weeks.periments having verified the same, therefore tween the hours of ten o'clock A. M. and two o'clock Timber, of the various kinds and to the full quantity Resolved, That a Rail-road ought to be substitut- P. M. of each day, for the space of five days succes- which will be requisite for the whole work, (should éd in the place of our projected northern Canal. sively, at the several places in the foregoing resolu- the expectations of finding good stone for rails and Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, tion designated, and moreover, that such agents or blocks near the line be realized, of which, we are, the most certain and efficient measure to effect this any of th m, shall have power to execute receipts to informed, from recent examinations, there is no great and desirable object would be to grant a the subscribers for the amount of the first instalment doubt) is now being delivered, agreeably to contract, charter to a company on liberal terms. paid on the share or shares subscribed, and that they, along the line of the road. The opening of the Resolved, That, in our opinion, the policy here- or either of them, do immediately after the expira-spring, therefore, will find this important work in tofore pursued by this state, in relying upon the tion of the time prescribed for receiving subscriptions full and favorable progression; and nothing but the aid of the general Government, together with her to said stock, make report to Horatio G. Phillips, of difficulty of procuring a requisite number of expe own resources, is calculated to procrastinate the Dayton, Ohio, of the numbers of shares subscribed, rienced contractors, and a sufficient force of laborers, execution of this great national work beyond the together with the amount of money paid on such is likely to prevent the entire completion of the read participations of the present generation. shares, and in their hands respectively. within the ensuing season.-[Ithaca Jour., March 8.] Transportation on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Thursday, March 8. Resolvad. That should the governor of this state Resolved Tust his Excellency the Governor of receive satisfactory evidence that a company would Ohio, General Joseph Vance of Champaign, Horatio accept a charter, that we deem this subject of suffi. G. Phillips, William Townsend, George Anderson, cient moment to justify his immediate call of the Samuel M. Lockwood, Burr Higgins, Russell H. HayLegislature. wood, and Jeremiah Warder, be, and they are hereby, Resolved, That the chairman and secretary sign Ppointed a committee, and that they be requested, i the proceedings of this meeting and transmit a copy they shall deem it expedient, to open books at the tim to the editor of the Illinois Intelligencer, for publi. specified in the foregoing resolution, for the purpose of cation, and a copy to be forwarded to the Executive btaining subscriptions to the stock aforesaid, at the to!of this state, and the editor of the Rail-road Journal,wing, and such other places as they may think proper: City of New York, Albany, Utica, Rochester in the city of New York. suitable persons as may be willing to serve as agents nd Buffalo; and that they have power to apoint such On motion, Resolved, That this meeting adjourn sine die. Feb. 20, 1832. HENRY J. Ross, Chairman. W. Ross, Secretary. MAD RIVER AND LAKE ERIE RAIL ROAD.-At a meeting of the Commissioners appointed in the act enti tled "An act to incorporate the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail-road Company," passed January 5, 1832, and the act entitled "An act to amend an act to in. corporate the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail-road Company," passed February 8, 1832,-held at the town of Bellefontaine, in the county of Logan, on Wednesday, the 22d day of February, 1832, pursuant to notice, present: Horatio G. Phillips and Charles G. Swain, Montgomery, in procuring subscriptions out of this State. Resolved, That the several agents appointed to oper books for the subscription of stock, be, and they a e ereby, requested to provide bound blank books fr ach place designated for opening the same, and that hey observe the following form as nearly as it may be applicable, in procuring the subscriptions to said stock. "Stock subscribed to the Mad River and Lake 25th days of May, 1832, inclusive. everally promise to pay unto the President and Di ctors of the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail-road Company, or unto the agent or officer by them aspoir ofed for that purpose, the amount of stock by us Pierson Spining, Samson Mason, Henry Bechtle, and Jeremiah Warder, of Clark. John C. Pearson and Janco Dallas, of Cham paign. res Noah Z. McCullock and Robert Patterson, Arrived 74 cars and wagons, containing, viz: Shorts, Soap Stone, Round Timbe,r 1.2 tons 26 tons 5 tong 6 tons 23 tons Departed 31 cars and wagons with merchandize, Arrived 47 cars and wagons, containing, viz: 18 tons 14 tons Departed 71 cars and wagons with merchandize, NEW-YORK RAIL-ROADS.-The following proceed. ings on this subject took place in the Legislature of The bills to incorporate the Hudson and Erie RailFood Company and the Hudson and, Berkshire Rail, road Company, were postponed until tomorrow. Waterford and Whitehall Rail-road.-The Senate then resolved itself into a committee of the whole... Mr. Edinonds in the chair. on the bill to incorpo. rate the Waterford and Whitehall Rail-road Com ectively subscribed, at such timeand in such manner may hereafter be required by such President ane Directors." Resolved, That a meeting of the Commissioners ap-this State on Tuesday last : pointed to carry into effect the acts to incorporate sait of Company, he next held at Springfold. Clark County on the last Wednesday in June next; at which mest to make report, and communicate among other thing such information as he may have obtained respecting the amount of stock subscribed as aforesaid. Resolved, That the proceedings of this and future meetings be recorded in a book to be pr cured for th and signed by the Chairman and Secretaris. purpose, Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published at the different points where it is proposed to On motion, Resolved, That James Hollister, of pen books of subscription, and in such other wa Huron, is appointed a Commissioner, to fill the vapers as may be friendly to the great improveu cancy occasioned by the death of H. H. Wilcoxon, named under the law as one of this Board. pany. On the question of agreeing to the first sectior, discussion of some length arose, for which we have not room. The question being taken upen the first section, it was lost, 8 to 14. The report of the committee was agreed to, and the bill rejected, aves 17, noes 9, as follows: Ayes--Messrs. Allen, Armstrong, Beardsley. Birdsall. Conklin, Cropsey, Edmonds, Fisk, Fuller Gere, Lynde, Macdonald, Mather, McDowell, Rex. ford, Sherman, Westcott-17. Noes. Messrs. Bronson, Cary, Foster, Halsey Maynard, McLean, Seward, Tallmadge, Tracr-9. The committee, Mr. Macdonald in the chair also rejected the bill to extend the time for com pleting the Waterford and Whitehall Tur pik Company, and rose and reported on the bill to in corporate the Hudson River and Owego Rail-road Company, Mr. Mather in the chair. Ithaca and Owego Rail-road. We have recently had several inquiries made of us, relative to the pro After a recess, the committee appointed to prepare gress and prospects of this work, and therefore state and report the business proper in their opinion to be the following facts, which we have neglected to no transacted at the meeting of the Commissioners tice at an earlier day. The first nine miles of the named in the acts to incorporate the Mad River and road, from the Inlet in this village to the summit le Lake Erie Rail-road Company, reported the follow. vel, were put under contract for grading, the firs' ing resolutions, which were adopted, after some week in February. The section embracing the inmodifications and amendments embraced therein: clined plain, was commenced on the 15th, conform VALUE OF RAIL-ROAD STOCK IN ENGLAND.-From Resolved, That it is expedient to cause books to ably to contract, and the contractors have performs late Liverpool paper, we extract the following quo be opened at Cincinnati, Dayton, Fairfield, Spring-ed as much work on it as the unfavorable state of field, Urbana, Bellefontame, Columbus, Tiffin, Low- the weather would permit. The work on the other tations of the price of shares in various Rail-roads, er Sandusky, Bucyrus, and Sandusky City, in the sections is to be commenced, with a competent force in order that it may be proved, that in that country. State of Ohio, on the third Monday in May next; on or before the 15th of April. The contractors abounding with canals, Rail-roads, prudently estab and that the same be kept open for the space of five are making preparations to begin as soon as the sea-lished, remunerate the undertakers of them largely. days snccessively, for the purpose of receiving sub son will pormit, and the whole grading of these sec. scriptions to the capital stock of the Mad River and tions is to be completed by the 15th of July. These Lake Erie Rail-road Company. nine miles comprize the most difficult and expensive Resolved, That Samuel W. Davies and Francis part of the road; and the mere grading, or prepara Carr, of Cincinnati, George W. Smith, Jenatban tion of the ground for the rails, will cost nearly or Harehman, and Alexander Grimes, of Dayton, quite as much as the same portion of work on the Robert Mereer, and Stephen W. Reeder, of Green, other 19 miles. A minute and careful survey, how. Charles Cavalier, and Pierson Spining, of Spring ever, has resulted in fixing upon a route, free from field, John Reynolds and William McDonald, of Ur. ravines and deep cuttings, much more favorable than bana, Thomas Armstrong and Richard S. Canby, of was anticipated; and the entire work, to the ful Bellefontaine, Lincoln Goodale and Lemuel Rey-completion of the road in the most substantial man. nolds, of Columbus, Josiah Hedges and Henry Cro-ner, to the summit level, including the inclined plain nize, of Tiffin, Samuel M. Lockwood and Rudolphus and the embank.net across the flat, will not probably Dickinson of Sandusky, Enoch B. Merriman and exceed an average cost of $9.000 per mile. From Abel Carey, of Crawford, William Townsend and the summit level to Owego, the ground is most favor. James Hollister, of City of Sandusky, be, and they able, being a gradual descent of about ten feet to just been received, NEW-YORK AMERICAN. LITERARY NOTICES. Christian world admits the moral obligation of the of distingnished men around him, whose talents he precepts of the decalogue, and yet all of them are had called forth,-the system of which he was the daily disregarded, in a greater or less degree, in eve sun, sheds a lustré upon his career, that is not the ry civil community. There are circumstances, however, connected less bright from being partially borrowed. It has THE POLISH CHIEFS, A HISTORICAL ROMANCE, by with the subject we are considering, which tend, in been said, that he merged the glory of his generals' the Author of 'Sketches of Character,' &c. 2 vols. some respects, to diminish the force of obligation actions in his own, by the substitution of titles for the 12mo. New-York, J. K. Porter.-It may speak our which would otherwise be created by an oath.names under which they had first become distin own condemnation to say, what nevertheless truth Among these, we must again advert to their frequency, and the want of a due soleninity in administer. guished. Their personal celebrity perhaps it did for compels us to admit, that we never read Sketches of ing them. a while, but a volume like the one before us, Character,' and therefore, cannot infer from that The constitutional tendency of the human mind whose cheapness ensures a general circulation, work, the merit of the present one, of which we know to pass with slight observation the common occur while its contents does justice to their deeds, not the author or country, but presume it to be indi-rences of life, needs not to be illustrated. Every day bears witness to the fact; actions seem to be. soon rights the aggrieved parties in this partigenous. We have read it; and though we cannot come involuntary by habit. Danger even grows fa- cular. The bluff and unlettered Junot, dashing commend it to our readers under the title of a ro-miliar; and the siege or the pestilence which at its Murat, and frank soldierly Ney, the cool and demance, we may say to them, that as a Cento of any commencement struck terror through a community, termined Lannes, with his handsome person and number of revolutions, including two or three in is, after a little time, and even in the midst of its de solation, regarded almost with apathy by the inulti Aaching oyo, Berthiar, Desciore, Lavalettey Lour Poland, that of the United States, the slave revolt tude. No wonder that the same occurs in regard reston, and Soult, are all again before us in their of St. Domingo, the French Revolution; and as a to an oath. Men take an oath almost without know. original characters, and with eyes undimned by the The words pass over their minds without brilliancy of stars and orders, we can do justice to gallery of portraits of many remarkable historical ing it. personages in this country and in Europe, often weli impression. The ceremony becomes a mere form, which hardly engages their attention; and after it the excellence of Duroc's character, while we con sketched, the whole held together inartificially is passed, they are left without any strong sense of trast his distinguished manners with those of the enough, by the supposed lives, loves, and death, of the condition in which they stand. An oath, indeed, awkward but noble hearted Rapp, and call back Kosciusko and Pulaski, the Polish Chiefs,-it may never imposes a new obligation. Its power is only again the youth, affability and hilarity, of the elegant serve, as well as historical reminiscences blended to add a new motive to the performance of an exist ing obligation, by annexing a new penalty to its ed with fiction ever can,-to recall many past scenes, violation. Where an obligation is already perfect, it The biographical sketches of Talleyrand and Luand to employ, not unprofitably, a leisure hour. cannot be increased. Now the obligation to speak cien Bonaparte are perhaps the most interesting in the truth on grave and solemn occasions, is a perfect one by all the principles of morality. An oath is this volume, and we may take another opportunity intended to place the speaker under a strong and im. of speaking of them. Of Josephine, though as much posing sense of this obligation; to awaken his con- the soul of the court as was her husband of the camp, make an extract, which cannot be misplaced, or with- science by a solemnity that cannot be evaded to we gave so much room to her in the last week's noout benefit, in such a great commercial community bring before him the consequences of his conduct, as this, where unhappily every form of business al. and the force of the rules by which it should be govtice, it is only necessary to show how she is here most, is verified by oft-repeated and too little observ.erned. As the confidence to be placed in the speak. contrasted with the second wife of Napoleon:er, by those who hear, is proportioned to their con- Between the two wives of Napoleon there existed viction of the force which he allows to his obligation, a striking contrast. Josephine possossed all the The religious sanction of an oath is that convic- the further object of an oath is not only to awaken advantages of art and grace; Maria Louisa the tion of personal accountability to God, which is this sense of obligation in him, but to satisfy others charms of simple modesty and innocence. The forimplied in the direct appeal that is made to him in that it is awake, and is active and effectual; - it is mer foved to influence and guide her husband; the the words of adjuration; So help me God.' May to lead them to the certainty that he considers it a latter to please and to obey him. Both were excelGod so deal with me, as I deal with the truth. serious and solemn thing, and that the form to which lent women, of great sweetness of temper, and fond THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER, for March: Boston, Gray & Bowen.-From an excellent article in this number" on Oaths, Judicial and Extra-Judicial," we éd oaths. Beauharnois. Among the French revolutionary characters to be If the frequency of occasions for the taking of he has submitted, the appeal he has made to the Su-ly attached to Napoleon. It is certainly singular," an oath did not diminish the solemn feelings, which preme Being, the religious and moral sentiment says Sir Walter Scott, "that the artificial obarar a such an appeal is calculated to make, it would cer- which is thus recognized, will control his language, should have belonged to the daughter of the West tainly be considered as one of the most serious and and compel the utterance of truth. Indian planter; the one marked by nature and simportant engagements when a moral and responsi Now an oath, if it is so common in its occurrence, plicity, to a princess of the proudest court in Euble being could be called upon to make. But neither so trifling as to its objects, and so simple in its form, rope." its frequency, nor the comparatively unimportant that it passes with little or no observation; if, in occasions on which it is required, alter the nature fact, it fails to rouse the attention of him who takes or diminish the force of the act. Its character is it, and to satisfy those who are to gain confidence noticed in the first part of the volume, with the exnot changed; its obligation is not lessened; its from its power, that it is efficient for its object, is to ception of Talleyrand, old Fouché has porhaps the weight upon the conscience is the same; and the all intents as no oath to the conscience, and fails of strongest claim upon the interest of the reader, from consequences are the same, whether men choose to the purposes for which it was designed. Even his playing such a bloody part in almost every scene where an oath may not be treated as a mere nullity, of times that witnessed so many atrocities. The The religious sanction is, however, stronger or yet, if it fail in such impression on the mind that its weaker, in practice, as men feel with more or less force is not realized, not only its proper office for the following is the account of the massacre of Lyons: sensibility the weight of this obligation; but the time is circumscribed, but its power on future occa. But whatever in the estimation of his employers, law, which imposes the formality of an oath, sup- sions is thereby sensibly diminished. This is found might be the value of Fouché's exploits at Nièvre, poses that this sensibility exists in a suficient de to be fact; and to this insensibility, or negligence, they were greatly surpassed by those which he gree to compel men to the observance of the pro- or want of suitable excitement, no small part of the shortly enacted at Lyons, in conjunction with a mise they have made. They certainly, who have no disrespect which seems to be paid to an oath, is just stage-player, the infamous Collot d'Herbois; who, religious feelings, if any such there be, they who, ly to be attributed, rather than to any deliberate having been often hissed by the inhabitants for his not speculatively, and for the display of some ec- moral dilinquency. wretched performances, had vowed the most cruel consider them or not. centricity of character, but really, are unbelievers in We are indulging in no mere theory on this mat. hatred to that city. One of Fouche's first acts was the existence of a Supreme Mind, (if indeed there ter. The course of judicial investigation will amp. to order a festival in honor of Chalier, an infuriated can be found a rational being who thus debases his ly confirm, to a careful observer, the truth of this re- jacobin, who, for his cruel misdeeds, had been tried faculties) and they who imagine or persuade them-mark. We do not depend on any trite maxim to and executed. An ass formed a conspicuous part selves that the actions of this life are perfectly improve it; though, being trite, it may be taken by of the procession, having a mitre fastened between material in fixing the condition of the future, pass consent to be true. Every day's practice shows, his ears, and dragging in the dirt a Bible tied to his through an unmeaning ceremony in taking the form that when oaths become common things, they are, tail; which Bible was afterwards publicly burnt, and of an oath. Such, however, are too few, we trust, like other common things, of little estimation. No its ashes scattered to the winds. This took placo to be made account of, in the general regulations of matter how valuable, or how indispensable, or how on the 1st of November. On the 10th, Fouché society; and over such, whether few or many, noth serious such common things may be, their power wrote to the convention,-"The shade of Chalier is ing but present personal terror of immediate cense- over the mind is weakening even by the very circum- satisfied. Yes, we swear that the people shall be quences could have any effect. But in an educa-stances which ought to increase it. avenged. Our severe courage shall keep pace with ted and intelligent community, better sentiments If there is force in these remarks, they point di. their just impatience. The soil died by the blood of may be supposed to prevail; and over the great ma-rectly to valuable and practical conclusions. The patriots shall be purified; and on the ruins of this jority of our people, surely the religious sanction of occasions for administering an oath should be di- proud city the traveller shall find only some simple an oath may be supposed to be truly felt and duly ap-minished. The aët should be more rare, that the monument erected in memory of the martyrs of lipreciated. What then, it may be asked, is the cause observance may be more sacred; and the almost in-berty." taste. Nec Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus. that it is not universally imperative? How can it numerable petty instances in which oaths are now The National Convention had directed that its be, that although the civil sanction, which may be exacted by law, should no longer be tolerated for victins should perish by the guillotine; but Fouché evaded, the religious sanction, which can never be such purpose. evaded, is not completely and universally effectual? The same questions may be asked, with nearly equal pertinence, in regard to all the moral duties of life, and the same answer may be given in respect to all. The binding obligation is disregarded by care. THE COURT AND CAMP OF BONAPARTE: New-York, lessness, inconsideration, rashness, insensibility to dist threatenings, and by that expectation of im- Harpers' Family Library, No. XXIX.-Napoleon, Brotteaux, were shot by pickets of infantry. At punity which arises, because sentence against an like Alexander, was not only great himself, but the other times, when the proscribed were got rid of by evil word is not executed speedily.' The entire cause of greatness in others, and the brilliant array cannon, loaded with grape shot, they were tied two and his colleagues resorted to means far more terrible to desolate the devoted city. They ordered the The rule is as true in morals and manners, as in shooting en masse of hundreds of human beings at a time, and boastingly wrote to their employers, that they had contrived means "de vomir la mort à grands floôts." Sometimes several hundreds, bound toge. ther with ropes, fastened to the trees of the Place de sins of the people, we are steeled against the tears and two together, and ranged along the edge of a party had not made much progress before they were more dignity than might have been expected. When, grave, which had been prepared, in compliance with pursued by one Trenta Capella, a captain of gens- according to usage, the secretary of the commission Fouché's brutal command, by their nearest female d'armes, at the head of a number of his men, Murat, entered, to inquire his name, age, and family, he relations or friends. The following is his own ac. still in the hope of making a favorable impression, hastily cut short the vain formula: "I am Joachim] count of the state of things at Lyons on the 18th advanced towards his assailants, and hailed them; Napoleon, King of the Two Sicilies ;-begone, sir." of November:-"Terror is here, in reality, the or. the only answer was a shower of balls. He enjoined He afterwards conversed with perfect calmness, and der of the day. Convinced that there are no inno-his companions not to return the fire. "I would entered into a statement of his conduct. "Iown," cont persons in this infamous city, except those who not," he said, "have my landing cost the blood of he said, "that I thought Ferdinand more humane and high-minded. I should have acted very differ were oppressed or loaded with chains by the assas-one of my people." Joachim's situation was now become desperate. ently had our situations been reversed. I entered of repentance. Their bloody corpses flang into the He saw that his only chance of safety was by reach. Naples the possessor of twelve millions of francs: Rhone present, both on the banks and at the mouth ing the sea; and, leaping from rock to rock, from and after nine years of a government which I did of the river, under the walls of the infamous Tou precipice to precipice, while the shot whistled around every thing in my power to make a paternal one, I But there a came out of it with only two hundred and fifty thoulon, a spectacle of dread. The work of demolition him. he at length reached the beach. proceeds too slowly: republican impatience de-new misfortune awaited him: the vessel from which sand franes in the world." He afterwards spoke of mands a more rapid mode of execution. The ex- he had disembarked was gone! Barbara, who had his long military life, of his services to Naples, to plosion of the mine and the devouring activity of absolutely compelled him to land, had now aban. her army of eighty thousand men which had been fire can alone express the omnipotence of the peo-doned him. A fishing boat lay on the beach he en- created, and to her navy and trade. "I have made," Some of said he, in an impassioned tone, "all the sacrifices ple. No indulgence, citizen! no procrastination! deavored to push it off, but it was fast. if you wish to produce a salutary effect." By way his companions now joined him; but bafore they conceivable for the country. I forgot my own inte. of palliating those enormities, Fouché alloges, that, could get into the boat, all were surrounded by the rests for those of the Neapolitans." He was then deep sigh, he added, "as he was only one member of a collective autho. infuriated mob. Every musket was levelled at the silent for a while, and after a rity, the power of decision was not intrusted to king, who strangely escaped them all. Seeing that calmly, "Both in court and camp my object was himself alone." But the excuse will not avail him. the struggle was hopeless, holding out his sword to the national good. I employed the public revenues The following letter, written by him to Collet the populace, he said, "People of Pizzo, take this solely to public purposes. I did nothing for myself. d'Herbois, will prove that he wanted no goading-sword, which has often been drawn at the head of At this hour of my death, I have no other wealth that he was by no means "infirm of purpose," du- armies, but spare the lives of the brave men around than that of my actions. They are all my glory and ring the occasional absence of his worthy associato. me." But he spoke to the deaf: the fire became my consolation." "FOUCHE. : as if he had no sorrows of his own. But he was He heard it unmoved. A And we also, my friend, we have contributed thicker and thicker, and in a few moments almost In this way Joachim talked for some time with to the surrender of Toulon, by spreading terror every one near him was killed or wounded. The natural eloquence and loftiness. The officers around among the traitors who had entered the town, and crowd at length rushed upon Murat, and he and the him were silent and deeply affected. At length the by exposing to their view the dead bodies of thou. wounded were dragged to the town, and huddled to door opened, and one of the commissioners entered sands of their accomplices. Let us show ourselves gether in the common prison. Here Trenta Capella to read the sentence. terrible: let us annihilate, in onr wrath, and at one stripped the fallen monarch of his purse, his dia- confessor was mentioned, and at his request the blow, every conspirator, every traitor, that we may monds, his letters of credit, his passports, and, more king signed this declaration:-"I declare that I not feel the pain, the long torture of punishing them disastrous than all, a single copy of the proclama have done good as far as it lay in my power; and as kings would do. Farewell, my friend! tears of tion, which he had taken from one of his officers, that I die in the arms of the Catholic religion." He and had imprudently forgotten to destroy. then wrote, with a firm hand, the following letter joy stream from my eyes, and overflow my heart. Joachim spent a few hours amid his companions, to his wife :"P.S. We have but one way of celebrating the most of whom were wounded, in a manner highly "MY DEAR CAROLINE: My last hour is come; in victory. This evening we send two hundred and honorable to his heart, laboring to console them, a few moments more I shall have ceased to live-in thirteen rebels before the thunders of our cannon." a few moments more you will no longer have a husOne extract more. In a letter dated Nantes, soon removed from the common room into one more band. Never forget me; my life has never been suited to his past dignity, and was there waited on stained by injustice. Farewell, my Achille; fareMarch 28, 1794, he thus wrote to the convention:The day before yesterday I had the happiness to by General Murziante, commandant of the Calabrias, well, my Letitia; farewell, my Lucien ; farewell, my see eight hundred dwellings of the royalists con- whose duty it was to interrogate him as to his dis Louise. Show yourselves to the world worthy of ine. I leave you without kingdom or fortune, in sumed by fire; to-day I have witnessed the shoot. embarkation. The conduct of this officer was hoing of nine hundred of these brigands; and for to. norable and delicate; he knew how to combine fide. united-show yourselves superior to misfortunemorrow, I and Carrier have prepared a civic bap.lity to his master with a deep sympathy for the fal- the midst of my multitude of enemies. Be steadily tiam of twelve hundred women and children-mo-len. The ex-king's first occupation was to write to think of what you are, and of what you have been, d children - his wife, and to the Austrian and English ambassa and God will bless you. Do not reproach my memocursed robbers of La Vendée. Thus, in two days. dors then at Naples, to interest them in his behalf; ry. Be convinced that my greatest pain in the last TRONIONE of my lifa io that of dying fat from my three impure generations of rebels and fanatics will but these letters word dotained by the Neapolitan government until the writer was no more. children. Receive your father's benediction-re have ceased to exist." General Murziante's duty was now about to beceive my embraces and my tears. Keep always be come more painful. On the 11th, at dinner, he seem-fore your memory your unfortunate father, ed embarrassed, and suddenly said, "There has been a telegraphic despatch; the words were, 'You will He probably consign to,' then it broke off." thers, sisters, wives, daughters, or The following was Bonaparte's opinion of this miscreant: his bed." "JOACHIM-NAPOLEON. "Pazzo 13th October, 1815." Napoleon has described him as “a miscreant of all colors-a man who could worm your secrets out o He then cut off some locks of his hair, and, enyou with an air of calmness and unconcern." Every meant to prepare his prisoner; but Murat appeared one of five successive governments he, by such arts, to feel no apprehension. After dinner on the follow. closing them in the letter, gave it unsealed to Cap. had helped to found and to overthrow. "One of the ing day, he threw himself on his bed, and, desiring tain Starage, entreating him to have it sent safe to wonders of our times," as Sir Walter Scott truly one of his officers to read passages of Metastasio, his family, along with the sea! of his watch, a corobserves, is, how Fouché, who had been the slept quietly. At midnight the fatal order came, nelian head of his queen, which was found grasped mainspring of such a complication of plots and directing Murziante to appoint a military commis. in his right hand after his death. He requested the counter-plots, and of intrigues, revolutionary and sion to try General Murat as an enemy to the pub. captain to take charge also of his watch for his counter-revolutionary, contrived, after all, to die inlic peace, and to allow him no more than half an faithful valet Amand. He then desired to see his two staff officers; but on being told that this would hour to receive the succours of religion. A commission, consisting of one adjutant-general, not be permitted, he said, "Let us delay no longer The following extract has some literary interest, When the fatal moment arrived, he walked with and commemorates at the same time a pathetic in- one colonel-commandant, two lieutenant-colonels, I am ready." two captains, and two lieutenants, was instantly appointed. Not one of them was competent, under a firm step to the place of execution, as calm, as unLe Brun possessed the talent of writing in an the existing law of Naples, to sit in judgment on an moved, as if he had been going to an ordinary reHe stood upright, proudly and undauntedly, eminent degree, and his pen was frequently of great officer of the rank conceded to "General" Murat; view. service to Bonaparte, whose style was crude, incor. nor is it much to their credit that seven out of the with his countenance towards the soldiers, and when rect, and often unintelligible. Previous to the revo-eight had been indebted for their commissions to him all was ready, kissed the cornelian, and then fixing lution, he published anonymously a prose translation of whose destruction they were about to be the in- his eyes steadfastly on it, he said "Save my face, aim at my heart!" of Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered," attributed at the struments. time to J. J. Rousseau. He also committed to the cident: On leaving his bedroom in the morning of the Thus perished one whom death had respected in press a translation of the Iliad, which is considered 13th, the captain of the guard announced to the ex- two hundred combats, and most of whose errors more remarkable for elegance than fidelity. His king that he was to be brought before the commis- must be ascribed to a wretched education, and a great riches wore the necessary result of an eco-sion, already assembled in an adjoining apartment, lamentable want of self-government, moral energy, nomy, carried in many instances to the extreme to answer for the motives of his descent on the Ca reflection, and patience. Murat was the child of of parsimony. His son, who succeeded to his title, labrias. Murat addressed him firmly; "Captain, tell impulse and feeling, not of reason and judgment.— has acquired, by a series of military services, a claim your president that I refuse to appear before his tri- Mental discipline might have concentrated his powto the gratitude of his country. At the period of the bunal." One of the officers, Starage, a Sicilian, who ers, but hardly without destroying the romance of battle of Marengo, he was aid-de.camp to the brave had been named his advocate for the trial, then came his character. As a soldier, he had never a superior, Desaix, and, according to Napoleon's bulletin, re- forward, and said, with tears in his eyes, "I am ap- but he was no general; as a king, he was liberal, ceived from him his last breath. "Go tell the First pointed to defend your majesty, and before what even indulgent, though often arbitrary from passion Cousal," said the expiring man to young Le Brun, judges-"-"They are no judges of mine," replied or caprice, and profusely extravagant, from his fond"I die with regret, not, having achieved enough to the king, "they are my subjects. You cannot save ness for show. As a man, he was generous and live in the remembrance of posterity." my life, but you will allow me to save the royal dig. open-hearted; as a politician, wavering, ill-advised, nity. The end in view is not justice, but condem-and weak. In his domestic relations, he was loved We close with an affecting account of the last mo- nation. You must not say a syllable in my de- more than respected. Of his wife, whose general fence: this I command you." But remonstrances talents were far superior to his own, he was fond ; Murat continued his course to Monte. Leone, the and protests were vain: the commission sat, and as a father, he was affectionate; as a friend, warmhearted and faithful. capital of the province. The road to it from Pizzo proceeded. is rugged, preeipitous, and difficult; and the little ments of Murat : In this last painful scene, Murat behaved with "The leadin fantara in Kine Joachim's charac 1 ter," observes an amiable and enlightened traveller, so diametrically opposed in style, thought and ex- piece, we hold Bryant's "Song of Marion's men" to "seems to have been that gallant, generous bravery pression to each other, as the author of Thanatopsis be one of the finest lyrics in the language. It is so becoming a soldier, which he displayed on all oc casions. In his very last retreat, he risked his life and the writer of Parhasius and the Dying Alche written with true old English words, and in true old to save the son of one of his nobles, who wanted mist? The versification of Bryant, so far from be- English style. The thoughts are all American, and the courage to do it himself. They were crossing ing "sluggish," is frequently animated and always while expressed with the most perfect simplicity, a river, under the fire of the Austrians-the horse vigorous-if choice of language and compactness of they are highly poetic. The structure, though unof the young man was wounded, and his situation appeared hopeless. Joachim, moved by the dis. expression impart that quality; and the "prosing common, is singularly musical; and the language, tress of the father, plunged into the stream, and blank verse" of the piece we have alluded to, is sur-sufficiently nervous, is faultlessly chosen. We read brought the son in safety to the bank. Peace to his passed in musical structure by the poetry only of the piece several times before at all appreciating it, manes! That man must have the feeling of hu- Milton himself. We quoted so copiously from these and since then it has gained upon every reading. manity shockingly preverted by political enmities who can read unmoved the story of his ignominious one in a former notice, that it is unnecessary to We had intended to notice the reviewer's remarks death." adduce illustrations here. Besides, the reviewer has upon versification; in treating of which, he at not only not backed his assertion with an example tributes as a fault to Bryant, what critics have hold THE AMERICAN QUARTERLY REVIEW, No. XXI.-to sustain it, but has not even alluded to a passage in to be a great beauty in the poetry of Milton and March, 1832.-The following are the contents of the book to illustrate his observations. We there this number: Cherokee Case-The French Opera-fore are certainly not dealing unfairly by him when boon protracted to too great a length; though an Dryden. But these hasty remarks have already Gold Districts-Constant on Religion-Renwick's thus pointing out where the beauties may be found apology can hardly be necessary for (even clumsily) Mechanics-American Lake Poetry-Memoirs of whose existence he denies. But let us go on : repelling so unjust an attack (when awkwardly the Duchess of Abrantes-Central America-The That the principal poems in this volume are upon made) upon well earned literary reputation. As an Bank Question. Of this number, which came to subjects not the most happily selected for drawing hand yesterday, we have only had time to read the popular attention, will be sufficiently seen from the American poet, we regard Bryant, with Halleck and titles of the four first on the table of contents. one or two others, as leviathans among the small article entitled 'American Lake Poetry.' Though we are about to make some observations upon this, This is a grave a very serious charge. The fry of what ought to be considered merely newssubjects, forsooth, of these poems" are not hap. paper rhymesters; and we respect him as one of we are yet almost at a loss what complexion to give them; so perfectly do we coincide with the writer pily selected for drawing popular attention." Is it those who have removed a reproach upon the litera. in many of his remarks, and so widely do we differ the subject, then, that makes the poet ? Byron ture of the country. In literature, generally, we thought otherwise, when he adopted as his own, the regard his writings, as we do those of Goldsmith; remark of Johnson, that a good poet could make among the most delightful, though not the most an epic on a broom-stick. Perhaps, however, the brilliant, in the language; and we hold the modest reviewer means merely to explain why "an author, fame of each of these authors as entitled to the reve. who has abundantly experienced the favor of the rence of every true lover of letters. periodical press, has not received that of the public." from him in his conclusions. The truth is, that once a week we are critics ourselves in a small way, and have done our little best, in the course of the last year or twe, to show up the absurd pretensions of what is generally called "American poetry," to even the honors of being done into a hot-pressed octavo. But our big brother here is so ruthless and indiscri."His subjects were not happily selected for draw. The Philadelphia National Gazette, in noticing the ing popular attention;" and therefore his book does above, mistakingly quotes us as follows-"The task minate in his slaughter of bardlings, such a remorsenot sell in " less Herod in his murder of the innocents, that it Philadelphia," which, the reviewer of defending Mr. Willis from such an assailant as tells us, contains a population much inclined to the reviewer, might be too difficult." The Gazette, makes our flesh creep to mark the operations of his tomahawk. And indeed, we feel like flinging the Poetical reading," and therefore it is not a good upon referring to the article, will see that SHELLEY book-Q. E. D. But once more hear this Daniel is the person mentioned, and that the remark is weapon back upon his invisible sconce, when he come to judgment.— buries it in a head whose laurels should have promade ironically. This misconception has probably tected it from the blow. Mr. Bryant, one of the few for the sole reason that it contains but little that we as to our having merely made allegations concernWe shall make no extracts from Bryant's volume colored the subsequent remarks of the Gazette; for American poets whom we are willing to recognize can severely condemn, and less, perhaps, that we as such, here treated as a negative. whila Mr.Joan warmly praico, Its chief blemishes are of a ing the poet in question," (Mr. Bryant, the only one Willis has at least the satisfaetion of being cut up negative description. It possesses little that can ex. whose reputation we attempted to defend,) surely at his own table. cite the reader, either by awakening his curiosity, there is more demonstration in our remarks than or interesting his heart. Page after page may be there is in those of the Reviewer. He does not even With regard to Mr. Willis, who is so roughly perused, if the reader has sufficient patience, with handled, we shall say nothing; for the amende is dull placidity, or rather perfect unconcern, so that name the piece he condemns, while we pointed out amply made to him by classing his writings, as the the book shall be laid aside without any single pas. particularly those that we approve. His observa. Reviewer does, with those of Shelley and Bryant. of recollection. sage having been impressed on the mind as worthy tions in regard to Mr. Bryant's productions, might Nor do we think it worth while to attempt parrying apply as mere words of course to those of almost the randoin, right and left blows, which the Reviewer this article ever read the work that he has thus made, refer especially to the performances under Here we have our doubts whether the writer of any other person; while ours, whether well or ill has dealt to the first of these poets. The task might be too difficult to protect him against such an as-ther, we might better say, judging by the cleverness ken about the "panegyric which has been lavished summarily condemned in this last passage; or ra. consideration. We think that the Gazette is mistasailant. Poor man, we leave him to the melancholy with which parts of the article are written, that we in New York and Boston upon Mr. Bryant's effu. fate of being read and admired in every corner of the have no doubt at all upon the subject. Is it possi- sions." If puff could be measured as you do other gas, civilized world. But for Bryant, we must endeavor ble that any mind, with a poetical sentiment in it, by the cubic foot, it would appear that Mr. Bryant, to stay awhile cau read Bryant's "lines to the Past," and then so far from receiving too great a share, has been Let us first see how the Reviewer begins with him: hold such language as that above quoted? Majesty, robbed of his due by the small lights that monopolize simplicity, and strength, are the chief characteris. it throughout the country. Though still a young We come now to the volume of Bryant, another aut or who has abundantly experienced the favor of tics of this piece; but, short as it is, it has other inan, he has long been slowly, and solely by his own the periodical press, without receiving that of the well sutained pretensions as a finished poem, and, deserts, attaining to his present estimation among his the public. The faults of this poet-we mean the like Gray's Elegy, would be alone sufficient to im countrymen: nor are his writings even yet so much obstructions to his popularity, for his admirers will mortalize its author. But we have no patience known as they ought to be. Notwithstanding our "The deep damnation of his taking off." not consider them faults are the same in kind, but with a critic who can take up a volume abounding deference for the opinion of the Gazette, we deny not in degree, with those of Willis. He belongs to 64 the same school, though he does not carry its pecu. in so many passages of exquisite poetry, affecting that they are either "trite" or "commonplace :" moliarities to such a fanatical extent. His versifica sentiment, and beautiful morality, as does this, and uotonous, when read continuously, they may be; tion is formed upon the same quaint and sluggish then tell us that "the book shall be laid aside with. but that is only an argument against the entertaining nodel; but he oftener deviates from it, and infases into it a degree of spirit, which renders inany of out any single passage having been impressed upon character of the volume, not the intrinsic worth of his productions not unpleasing to those who are the mind as worthy of recollection." Let us borrow its contents. Upon the whole, while we agree with fond of poring over sentimental stanzas or fragments the language of an Eastern critic to express our es. the reviewer in the propriety of drawing a linein prosing blank verse. timation of these pieces. We must look to Homer and a very broad one-between literary pretension Now, without meaning to throw the slightest re. or Milton," says the N. Eng. Review, "for more sub. and real merit, we think he erred egregiously in flection upon the reviewer's talents for classification, limity than is in Thanatopsis." What can be more placing Bryant upon the side which he did. Should we must confess ourselves puzzled to know by what beautiful than "The Groves were God's first Tem. all the literary talent of which our country can as method he arrives at the conclusion in the third ples ?" The "Hymn of the North Star" is only yet boast be properly elassified, we feel as confident clause of this sentence. Wherein does Bryant re-equalled, if indeed it can be equalled, by the anony. that Bryant would take his place among the first semble Willis, more than the author of the Lady of mous "Hymn to the Stars." The "Song of the Stars" ranks, as that some others, Mr. Cooper for instance, the Lake does him of the Corsair; or what kind of is at once sublime and pleasing." in spite of present popularity, would not be among To this we may add that next to Campbell's battle the foremost. a school is that which embraces two writers who are |