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Article REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. ← Page 7 of 9 →
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Review Of New Publications.
great censure ; it is throughout scandalously incorrect ^ there hardly a page without several grammatical inaccuracies . Wehave nettrd of anotjjer translation of this work published under a different title , which we hope can boast greater merit . Sketch of Democracy ^ By Robert Bissef , L , L . D . Svy .. ( 5 _ . boards . Mathews * THE object of this publication is to demonstrate from history the fatal
effects of Democracy . Dr . Bisset takes a view of Democracy in Athens and other Greek States , in Rome , and in England . In a clear narrative of authentic facts , judiciously selected and skilfully chained together , he demonstrates the unfitness of Democracy for producing happiness to society . The fafls , though known to literary men , have never before , that we recollect , been brought together , as connected premises to constitute the foundation of the superstructure which
he raises . Our Author shews himself well skilled in that useful mode of reasoning , Induction . The arrangement is lucid and orderly , evidently the result of a comprehensive mind , that grasps the whole of his subject , and perceives fully the relations of its various parts . The language is clear , and strong , though frequently careless . The carelessness appears to proceed from too exclusive ail attention to essential qualities . Though perspicuity and strength be the primaiy qualities of languageyet ought not the secondary
, Qualities , elegance and harmony , to be neglected . Splendid attire does not hide muscular strength . The language , however , is , on the whole , very AVell adapted to its end , the conveyance of salutary truths to common readers . ¦ Our Author refers for the attestation of the facts he advances to English authorities . In this , we think , he has acted judiciously , as the classes most liable to be tainted with Democratic notions are not those most conversant in
the Greek and Latin Authors . The quotation of Xenopbon and Thucydides might have displayed philological knowledge , but the display Avould have been useless pedantry , as it would not have illustrated to many readers the bad effects of Democracyi On the whole , we think that the Author very full y and ably makes put his case . ' His best description of the effects of Democracy is in the account of Pericles and Alcibiades in Athens , and in the history of the Gracchi , Marius and
Co . and Julias Csesar in Rome . To quote these at full length would exceed the plan of our work . As specimens of the execution . we are obliged to cite shorter passages . The following brief account of Aristophanes we think combines just literary criticism with political philosophy tracing that literature to its cause . ' Aristophane . s possessed , without doubt , a very great degree of genius : ;>; d of comic humour ; but the direction of his powers rendered his
performances very hurtful to the people for whom lie wrote . The manners and sentiments of Democracy are coarse and indelicate . Special circumstances may temper in particular cases this grossness ; but rudeness and vulgarity have ever been characteristics of Democratic manners . Comic Avriters , whose object is to please , will never fail to fall in with the manners and notions of the times . The comedies of Aristophanes exhibit as striking a specimen of Democratic taste and predilectionas is any where to be seen in
, ancient writings . Nothing pleases the vulgar , in general , more than the abuse . of their betters . Never was the licentiousness of comedy carried to such pernicious lengths as by Aristophanes . Every thing great and respectable , in talents and in conduct , was by him made the subject of ridicule , The poetry of Euri pides , so replete with fine sentiments of morality , and just reflections on the actions of men , which stirs up the best passions of the heart
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
great censure ; it is throughout scandalously incorrect ^ there hardly a page without several grammatical inaccuracies . Wehave nettrd of anotjjer translation of this work published under a different title , which we hope can boast greater merit . Sketch of Democracy ^ By Robert Bissef , L , L . D . Svy .. ( 5 _ . boards . Mathews * THE object of this publication is to demonstrate from history the fatal
effects of Democracy . Dr . Bisset takes a view of Democracy in Athens and other Greek States , in Rome , and in England . In a clear narrative of authentic facts , judiciously selected and skilfully chained together , he demonstrates the unfitness of Democracy for producing happiness to society . The fafls , though known to literary men , have never before , that we recollect , been brought together , as connected premises to constitute the foundation of the superstructure which
he raises . Our Author shews himself well skilled in that useful mode of reasoning , Induction . The arrangement is lucid and orderly , evidently the result of a comprehensive mind , that grasps the whole of his subject , and perceives fully the relations of its various parts . The language is clear , and strong , though frequently careless . The carelessness appears to proceed from too exclusive ail attention to essential qualities . Though perspicuity and strength be the primaiy qualities of languageyet ought not the secondary
, Qualities , elegance and harmony , to be neglected . Splendid attire does not hide muscular strength . The language , however , is , on the whole , very AVell adapted to its end , the conveyance of salutary truths to common readers . ¦ Our Author refers for the attestation of the facts he advances to English authorities . In this , we think , he has acted judiciously , as the classes most liable to be tainted with Democratic notions are not those most conversant in
the Greek and Latin Authors . The quotation of Xenopbon and Thucydides might have displayed philological knowledge , but the display Avould have been useless pedantry , as it would not have illustrated to many readers the bad effects of Democracyi On the whole , we think that the Author very full y and ably makes put his case . ' His best description of the effects of Democracy is in the account of Pericles and Alcibiades in Athens , and in the history of the Gracchi , Marius and
Co . and Julias Csesar in Rome . To quote these at full length would exceed the plan of our work . As specimens of the execution . we are obliged to cite shorter passages . The following brief account of Aristophanes we think combines just literary criticism with political philosophy tracing that literature to its cause . ' Aristophane . s possessed , without doubt , a very great degree of genius : ;>; d of comic humour ; but the direction of his powers rendered his
performances very hurtful to the people for whom lie wrote . The manners and sentiments of Democracy are coarse and indelicate . Special circumstances may temper in particular cases this grossness ; but rudeness and vulgarity have ever been characteristics of Democratic manners . Comic Avriters , whose object is to please , will never fail to fall in with the manners and notions of the times . The comedies of Aristophanes exhibit as striking a specimen of Democratic taste and predilectionas is any where to be seen in
, ancient writings . Nothing pleases the vulgar , in general , more than the abuse . of their betters . Never was the licentiousness of comedy carried to such pernicious lengths as by Aristophanes . Every thing great and respectable , in talents and in conduct , was by him made the subject of ridicule , The poetry of Euri pides , so replete with fine sentiments of morality , and just reflections on the actions of men , which stirs up the best passions of the heart