EDITORIAL NOTES. LITERATURE. AMERICAN.-Uncle Tom's Cabin will have more to answer for, than the unjust pictures of which our Southern friends complain. It has suggested a number of replies and defences, which are really a greater injury to the cause they espouse, than the original assailant. They are written in such transparent ignorance of the questions at issue, give such false views of life both at the South and North, and advance such unsound arguments, that, in spite of their amiable intentions, they must do good to few only, and injury to many. A novel is not an appropriate vehicle for the exposition of doctrine, at the best; and when it happens to be badly written, is an exceedingly inappropriate one. The object of it should be to represent life and manners as they are, and not to advance the cause of a party or sect, by caricatures of its opponents, or flattering likenesses of its friends; for it then loses its character as a work of art, and sinks to the level of a polemical pamphlet. These remarks are suggested to us by Mrs. CAROLINE LEE HENTZ's recent novel, called "The Planter's Northern Bride," not because they are applicable to it, in their whole extent, but because it is a type of a large class of works which have lately overwhelmed the press. It is a story of an accomplished and wealthy Southerner, who marries the daughter of a New England abolitionist, and who, by means of his own excellence, and the agreeable light in which his relations to his slaves are placed, by actual experience, converts the entire family into good pro-slavery people. The intention is, to do away with the Northern prejudices, which are supposed to exist, and to exhibit society at the South in its true aspects. But we object to the book, apart from our general objection to all novels having a set moral purpose, that it proves too much, and, consequently proves nothing. paints the South so entirely couleur de rose, that the reader, knowing that there are some and great evils in all societies, suspects it to be untrue. The relation of master and slave is made so agreeable, that the only legitimate inference from it is, that it would be better for the working classes all over the world to be reduced to the same condition. Now, we know that many gross misrepresentations have been given in respect to slavery, and we can easily pardon a little reaction It towards a favorable view of it; but a writer, who endeavors to persuade us to such an extreme inference as this, cannot be a reliable teacher. The mind rejects the conclusion, and is inclined to imagine that the whole story is an attempt to deceive. Thus, the very purpose of the book is defeated, and the cause it was meant to serve, unintentionally injured. Mrs. Hentz is a skilful narrator, of excellent sentiments and a fine poetic vein ; but we would counsel her, patriotic as her purposes are, to leave the discussion of slavery to other persons, or to undertake it in some other form. As she is a Northern woman, who has lived many years at the South, her personal experiences on the subject would be more authentic and valuable, than the same views essentially presented as fiction. -Since the publication of the Marquis de Custine's book on Russia, no more entertaining or valuable work on that subject has appeared, than "Russia As It Is," by COUNT ADAM DE GUROWSKI. It is, indeed, in many respects superior to the celebrated French book, because, as it seems to us, it is more reliable in its details, and more philosophical in its spirit. Custine, like other Frenchmen, loved to tell a vivacious story, without being overparticular about the truth of it; and thus, while he made a most entertaining narrative, he did not always impress the reader with the perfect reliability of his statements. The famous "Revelations of Russia," on the other hand, written, as they are, with marked ability, betray too evident a bias against the Czar and all his people, to be accepted with the most entire confidence. But Gurowski, a Pole by birth, an exile, with no special reasons for liking Nicholas or his policy, possessed of large experience, and accustomed to view the political questions of the day, in the light of a comprehensive theory of the destinies of races and nations, is peculiarly fitted to give us a thorough, impartial, and sound judgment of the country which is just now making so much noise in the world. His book. therefore, is not only a timely, but a most important contribution to our knowledge. It is no rehash of the French and English publications on the East. no echo of the opinions of interested parties, but an independent and original expression of the views of one who has long been familiar with his theme, and who speaks entirely from his own standpoint. 1854.] We do not mean to say, that the prejudices of the Pole and the exile are not apparent in this work, or that we are ready to accede to all its principles; but what we do mean, is, that the book is written in the most intelligent and earnest spirit, by a strong-minded thinker, profoundly acquainted with the past, observant of the present, and hopeful of the future. The leading thought of Count Gurowski, in his development of the history and condition of Russia, is, what will be found elsewhere expressed, in this number, that Czarism, or autocracy, has been only a transitional necessity, while the nation at large is in the process of working out its own emancipation, as well as a higher destiny for Western Europe. Russia, at present, by her compactness and force, powerfully sustains the conservative or retrograde interests of the continent, but she contains within herself an abundance of fermenting elements, whose ebullition is becoming daily more intense and menacing. A social commotion is imminent for her, and for all the Sclavic races; and when it shall have once broken out, and accomplished its ends, as it surely will, the hour has sounded for the liberties of all the rest of Europe. It is a peculiarity in the structure of Russian society, that the whole controversy there is between the Despotism and the People, trained by their communal organization to some degree of self-government; and when the latter shall begin the revolutionary movement, they will not be obliged, as in the rest of Europe, to meet the opposing combinations of royalty, nobility, and burghership, but will simply apply themselves at once to the only enemy, Czarism. When that is toppled down, the People are all in all, for the aristocracy is only nominally existent, while the peasants and the middle class are not separated. We wish we had space to extract from this book the interesting details given of the army and navy, and the general organization of the government; but we must content ourselves with referring our readers to the original. -An English translation of GUIZOT'S "History of Oliver Cromwell.” has been reprinted by Lea & Blanchard, of Philadelphia. It forms the second part of the history of the English Revolution, which the distinguished author has projected. The first embraced the reign of Charles I. and his conflict with the Parliament; the second relates to the Commonwealth, summed up in Cromwell; the third will comprise the Restoration, and the fourth the Reign of Charles II. and James II., and Guizot has so long occupied a position success. A The execution of Guizot's book is for the most part admirable: the narrative is perspicuous and vigorous, the style simple, without inflation or forced writing, and the groupings generally dramatic and impressive. His picture of the great scene of the Dissolution of the Long Parliament, is, perhaps, too much encumbered by details, to be effective; but the several views of the obstructions raised to his government by the squads of impracticables and fanatics, by whom he was surrounded, are full of animation. His sketch of the foreign policy of the Protector, is strikingly just, too, and the various minor incidents of his career are artistically introduced. Here is an anecdote, which the reader may have seen before, but which seems to us well told: "Being informed that Harrington was about to publish his republican Utopy, the Oceana, Cromwell ordered the manuscript to be seized at the printer's, and brought to Whitehall. After vain endeavors to obtain its restoration, Harrington, in despair, resolved to apply to the Protector's favorite daughter, Lady Claypole, who was known to be a friend to literary men, and always ready to intercede for the unfortunate. While he was waiting for her in an ante-room, some of Lady Claypole's women passed through the room, followed by her daughter, a little girl three years of age. Harrington stopped the child, and entertained her so amusingly, that she remained listening to him until her mother entered. Madam,' said the philosopher, setting down the child, whom he had taken in his arms, 'tis well you are come at this nick of time, or I had certainly stolen this pretty little lady.' 'Stolen her!' replied the mother; pray, what to do with her?' 'Madam,' said he, though her charms assure her a more considerable conquest, yet I must confess it is not love, but revenge, that prompted me to commi: this theft.' 'Lord!' answered the lady again, 'what injury have I done you, that you should steal my child? None at all,' replied he, but that you might be induced to prevail with your father to do me justice, by restoring my child that he has stolen;" and he explained to Lady Claypole the cause of his complaint. She immediately promised to procure his book for him, if it contained nothing prejudicial to her father's government. He assured her it was only a kind of political romance, and so far from any treason against her father, that he hoped to be permitted to dedicate it to him; and he promised to present her ladyship with one of the earliest copies Lady Claypole kept her word, and obtained the restitution of the manuscript, and Harrington dedicated his work to the Protector. The gentleman,' said Cromwell, after having read it, would like to trepan me out of my power; but what I got by the sword, I will not quit for a little paper shot. I approve the government of a single person as little as any, but I was forced to take upon me the office of a high-constable, to preserve the peace among the several parties in the nation, since I saw that, being left to themselves, they would never agree to any certain form of government, and would only spend their whole power in defeating the designs or destroying the persons of one another.'" In the appendix to the volumes are several highly interesting documents, taken from the Spanish archives of Simancas, and from the archives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and various public libraries in Paris, relating mainly to the foreign relations of the Protectorate, which now appear for the first time. Among the rest, are two letters from Louis XIV. to Cromwell and Fairfax, interceding for the life of Charles, and also many State papers relating to the intrigues of Spain and France to secure the alliance and favor of the new king, as he was called. -A work destined to produce a sensation in the religious as well as scientific world, is the one on "Types of Mankind" just published by Dr. J. Č. NOTT and GEORGE R. GLIDDON. It is altogether the most elaborate treatise of Ethnolo gy that has yet been printed, not excepting the voluminous essays of Prichard; and, as the conclusions at which it arrives, are not at all in accordance with the orthodox standards, we may look forward to considerable controversy in regard to it. The principal contents may be described as follows: 1. A memoir of Dr. Samuel G. Morton, the distinguished naturalist, written by Dr. Henry S. Patterson, and giving an extended account of the original and important researches of Morton in the various provinces of ethnology and natural history. 2. A paper by Agassiz, on the natural provinces of the animal world, and their relation to the different types of man, in which the eminent writer developes at great length, and with masterly ability, his views as to the coincident distribution of certain fauna, or groups of animals, with certain permanent human species. 3. Essays by Dr. Nott, combatting the commonly received ideas of the unity of the human races, and going to show, by a vast variety of illustrations. that men were created in groups or nations. in different parts of the globe, and have not been propagated from a single pair, placed in a single centre of creation. 4. Excerpta from the unpublished manuscript of Morton, setting forth the same views. 5. A contribution from Dr. William Usher on palæontology and geology, in connection with the origin of man. And 6. A variety of dissertations by Gliddon, on archæology, Biblical ethnography, and chronology. Thus, it will be seen that the work covers a vast and prolific field of scientific investigation. The general results at which the authors arrive, may be summed up. for the sake of brevity and clearness, under the following heads: 1. That the surface of our globe is naturally divided into several zoological provinces, each of which is a distinct centre of creation, possessing a peculiar fauna and flora; and that every species of animal and plant was originally assigned to its appropriate place. 2. That the human family offers no exception to this general law, but fully conforms to it; mankind being divided into several groups of races, each of which constitutes a primitive element in the fauna of its peculiar province. 3. That history affords no evidence of the transformation of one type into another, nor of the origination of a new and permanent type. 4. That certain types have been permanent through all recorded time, and despite the most opposite moral and physi- 5. That permanence of type is 6. That certain types have existed (the 7. That the ancient Egyptians had already classified mankind, as known to them, into four races, previously to any date assignable to Moses. 8. That high antiquity for distinct races is amply sustained by linguistic researches, by psychological history, and by anatomical characteristics. 9. That the primeval existence of man, in widely separate portions of the globe, is proven by the discovery of his osseous and industrial remains in alluvial deposits, and in diluvial drifts; and more especially of his fossil bones, embedded in various rocky strata, along with the vestiges of extinct species of animals. 10. That prolificacy of distinct species, inter se, is now proved to be no test of a common origin. 11. That those races of men most separated in physical organization, such as the blacks and the whites, do not amalgamate perfectly, but obey the laws of hybridity; and hence, 12. There exists a genus homo, embracing many primordial types or species. These positions, it is obvious at a glance, if they can be sustained, overturn many popular theories and theological dogmas, and give an entirely new phase to the science of the natural history of man. The Mosaic account of the derivation of all men from a single pair-Adam and Eve; of the deluge and destruction of all animals and men, save Noah, and those he took into the ark; of the building of Babel, and the dispersion of nations, are brought into dispute, as well as the chronology of the Hebrew and Septuagint Scriptures. These positions have also a vital connection with the prevailing interpretations of the Bible, and scarcely less with many accepted ancient histories. They bear with peculiar emphasis on the questions which are agitated in regard to African slavery, and the general progress of civilization. They will be canvassed, therefore, with the keenest scrutiny, and not a little polemic bitterness and prejudice. The Church is openly dared to the issue, and scientific men will find much to disturb their traditional faiths. Whether the positions are sustained, 563 we shall not venture to say, in this place, because the subject is one which requires an elaborate and extended notice, and which some of our contributors, we hope, fully qualified for the task, will undertake. In the mean time, however, we will remark as critics, that the volume, as a whole, does great credit to the literary and scientific attainments of the country. It is marked by unusual learning, by profound research, and by an independent spirit. But there are two defects in it at least, which ought to have been avoided. In the first place, coming from different contributors, there is a great deal of needless repetition, which a more careful editorship would have pruned; and, in the second place, the tone of Mr. Gliddon's Biblical criticisms is repulsively flippant and inflated. They sound more like the pert paragraphs of a country newspaper, than the wise elucidations of science, and aim at a wit which is entirely out of place in discussions of such a nature. matter of the volume is calculated to As the arouse many animosities, it was extremely injudicious to add to the offence, by the manner of it. No one doubts, that theological writers have fallen into absurd mistakes and grave errors, and many that they are sometimes arrogant and bigoted; but a scientific man, in exposing their errors, or in controverting their opinions, is not called upon to imitate their example. His duty is simply to declare the truth, as he has learned it, leaving the task of ridicule and banter to mingled with their more strictly scientific the smaller wits. Both editors have also researches, a variety of opinions and conjectures, not directly connected with the main subject, which it would have been better to suppress. It is a universal remark, that men are apt to speak most dogmatically on the abstrusest subjects, while they are satisfied with the plainest terms, and the most unpretending assertions, when they declare what they really know. We are sorry to see the scienimpertinences. tific value of the volume depreciated by MUSIC. THE destruction of Metropolitan Hall two fashionable churches, there is really nothing to record. Meanwhile the Opera House advances rapidly to completion, and the passages of Grisi and Mario are already reported taken. But as we remember to have heard the same delightful rumor a year since, and as these artists are now engaged at Covent Garden, we postpone faith and wait for sight. The daily papers have given full and, doubtless, accurate details of the Opera House. The great experiment of its success is yet to be tried. In ourselves we confess our scepticism as to the result. In New York the Opera cannot be profitably maintained as a luxury, and it remains to be proved that it can be made attractive enough to the popular taste to secure its success. Among civilized nations there is, probably, none so little musical as the American. In any company of a score of men the chance is that not one sings. It may be assumed that a glee is impossible among them. In Italy, Germany, France, Spain, in all the northern nations, and, perhaps, England, the chances are precisely the reverse. We do not regard the Ethiopian opera and the popularity of Old Folks at Home as proof of a general musical taste. At the concerts of the Philharmonic Society at least half of the audience is German, and at the Opera, if the number of those who go in obedience to fashion and from other unmusical notions. is deducted, there is not a large audience left. But we do not wish to decide too soon. The experiment of the best artists with low prices is yet to be tried. We are sure of one thing, as we have been from the beginning, that it will be a sad failure if it be attempted to base the success of the undertaking upon any sympathy or support other than musical. The structure of society in this country is really so different from that of other countries, that any such effort must fail, as it deserves to fail. If, however, we have not heard much music during the winter, there has been a musical correspondence as bitter and fierce as the doings of musicians are so sure to be. It commenced by a notice, by Mr. Willis, Editor of the Musical World and Times, of Mr. Fry's music. That gentleman responded in defence of his music, and, in the course of the correspondence claimed a position as a composer, which Mr. Willis would by no means allow. Assertions were made to the effect that the Philharmonic Society gave no countenance to American productions, which drew Mr. Bristow and the Society into the correspondence. The Editor of Dwight's Journal of Music, published in Boston, had a word to say, in the most goodhumored manner; but Messrs. Fry and Bristow, who pursued the subject with great ardor, took every thing in sad seriousness, and the latter gentleman, as we understand, resigned his connection with the Philharmonic Society. Whether Mr. Fry succeeded in establishing the point that his music is as good as any body's music, we are unable to say. It seems to us, however, that he mistook the means of doing so. If a man can compose as well as Mozart and Beethoven. let him do it. If a man can paint as Titian painted,-let him paint and not talk about his painting. If he has composed and painted, and insists that the result is as good as Titian's and Mozart's, but that, of course, we are so prejudiced in favor of the old and foreign that we will not recognize the excellence, then, equally, it is foolish to argue the matter. for the very objection proposed, proves the want of that critical candor which can alone justly decide the question. If we like music because it is old and foreign, it is clear that we do not like it for its essential excellence. But Mr. Fry claims to compose fine music,-why. then, should he heed the opinion of those who do not determine according to the intrinsic value, but by some accidents of place and time? Why does he not go on composing, and leave his works to appeal to the discriminating and thoughtful both of this and of all ages? Burke advised Barry to prove that he was a great painter by his pencil and not by his pen. It was good advice, we think, because it was common sense. We are glad to state that the Philharmonic was never more flourishing than it is now. It is unfortunate that their concerts were given in the Tabernacle. that most dingy and dreary of public halls. But the music performed was of the best. It was German music, most of it, it is true, but then, German music comprises so much of the best of all instrumental compositions, that it was almost unavoidable. Has Mr. Fry, and those who complain of over-much German in the selections of this Society, yet to learn that art is not, in any limited sense, national?" Raphael's Transfiguration is as much American as Italian. A devout Catholic of the western hemisphere feels its meaning and enjoys its beauty as much as the Pope. Homer celebrates events occurring before America was discovered, but he is much dearer to a thoughtful American than Joel Barlow. In the realm of art it is not possi |