THE NEW ACADEMY. "Whoever observes attentively the genius of the English nation, will be struck with two facts-the sureness of its common sense and practical ability; its deficiency in general ideas and commanding intellect, as applied to theoretical questions. If we open an English book of history, jurisprudence, or any similar subject, we seldom find the real foundation, the ultimate reason of things. In all matters, and especially in politics, pure doctrine and philosophy-science properly so called-have prospered far more on the Continent than in England; they have at least soared higher, with greater vigour and boldness. Nor does it admit of doubt, that the different character of the development of the two civilizations have greatly contributed to this result."-GUIZOT. (1) "There exists a prejudice, unhappily too general, that learning and ennui are nearly synonymous. This indeed, is a sort of commonplace. It is no doubt admitted that here and there you find men of so exceptional a temperament, that though learned they are still agreeable and lively: but that a book of erudition can be, I do not say amusing, but even readable, is assumed to be impossible outside a small circle of persons, who aspire to be grave."-REVUE DES DEUX MONDES. (2) "It is seldom that men study for the mere pleasure of learning; they generally require some useful object for their exertions."-DICT. DE L' ÉCON. POL. (3) "The power of reward is the last asylum in which arbitrary power has entrenched itself. In the infancy of society, punishments, pardons, and rewards, were lavished without stint and without fruit. Men have long felt the necessity of submitting punishment to rules. The utility of regulating the privilege of pardon will also be acknowledged: and the subject of rewards will follow. If punishment must needs have an examination with judicial forms, why should not reward also have its procedure?" -DUMONT. (4) Essay I. LIBRAR OF THE THE NEW ACADEMY. UNIVERSITY IT is not a wholesome practice to be constantly dwelling on the greatness of our country; just as it would not have been a wholesome practice for Madame Recamier, the handsomest woman of her time, to stand gazing at her image in a mirror. Fourth of July orations are pernicious to the Americans, as leading them to undervalue "effete ” Europeans in comparison with themselves. It is not the usual fault of English writers to utter fulsome praises of their country; but in the midst of the extravagant philippics which some of them do utter against it, it is well that we should be sometimes reminded of our real greatness. Tried by an ideal standard, England is indeed defective: tried by the standard of experience she is indeed great. As the object of this Essay is to suggest a certain B |