Notices of New Works: Macauley's Miscellanies [pp. 780-781]

780 oes of Yew Works. [NOVEMBER,
with the provisions of the charta, a board of curators, fif-
teen in number, and elected for four years by the joint vote
of the Senate and House of Representatives, exercise a;
general government over the university; appointing a presi-
dent, and granting diplomas above the degree of A. M.. and t
enacting the necessary by-laws and regulations. Several -
colleges are also created by the charta, which, united with
the academies, constitute the university. Each college is
under the separate government of fifteen trustees, who are
empowered to appoint its president and to manage its details. The academies are also governed by a board of thirteen trustees in a similar manner. The trustees of the colleges and academies are required to make an annual report to the board of curators, detailing the names of the
professors, tutors and pu3pils-the studies, classes, books —
the increase of the library-philosophical and chemical apparatus-matheminatical and scientific instruments-the rate
of expenses-and the general character and operation of the
branch of education over which they preside. No religious
test or qualification is required from any of the officers, professors, tutors or pupils of the university; and although we
cannot separate science from true religion, yet the state of
Missouri has wisely left to the virtuous criticism of public
opinion, the religious character of the professors; while her
university is protected from the peculiar creed of a particular sect.
The plan of the edifice embraces much beauty and convenience, and it will be constructed of the most durable
mnaterials-while many of the gigantic forest-trees of the
soil, undefiled by the axe, will be preserved in the grounds.
Such is the brief outline of this magnificent institutionshining on like a solitary star in the fulness of glory, and
proclaiming to every one the great principle of freedomthat the most intelligent people are the happiest-and that
civil liberty, and intellectual light, are one and the same
thing. A stainless laurel of fame now overshadows the
onward path of this empire state, and, in the eloquent language of the orator, a fadeless lustre has been shed on the
founders of this institution.
"They have become more ennobled by their efforts in
support of the cause of advanced education, than by all the
glitter of military pride. or the success of political intrigue.
The endowment of Oxford, will reflect more lustre on the
name of Alfred, than the invention of juries, or the romantic expulsion of the Danes. His patronage to Cambridge,
will hallow in the mind of the student and the patriot the
memory of Wolsey, when the successes of his political sagacity, and his masterly administration of England's interests, shall be scarcely known even in story. The school
of St. Cyr-that afterwards, in her day of reverses, protected
its foundress in attaching itself to the gratefuln memories of
the French nobility, has done more to place high on the
roll of fame, the name of Madame de Mainrenon, than all
the romance of her humble birth-the honor that attended,
and the wit that surrounded, the wife of the Great Louis of
France. The schools which the master-spirit of the French
Republic, with characteristic sagacity, has left behind him,
will uphold the name of Napoleon, when Marengo shall be
forgotten, and Austerlitz and Lodi shall be barely visible in
the shadowy light of by-gone years. And the French philosopher and scholar will cherish, with fondness and gratitude, his noble efforts in the cause of science, when their
eye will scarcely deign to glance at the splendor of the
achievements, that, but a few years ago, made
' The ebbs and flows of his single soul,
As tides to the rest of mankind.'
Mr. Mtacarlley's style is characterized by remarkable fluency and directness. Words flow gracefully from his pen,
and yet he is n ot ch arg eabl e wi th p rolixity. His views are
strikingly marked with the bold, good sense o f a Saxon
mind. He is a manly reasoner, and his moral perceptions
appear clear and uncompromising. The tribute to Milton
is, perhaps, the best article in the collection, and is a beautiful specimen of didactic eloquence and discriminating
eulogium. Among the most valuable of his speculations
are the remarks on History, interspersed through several
Essays, and those on the character and philosophy of Bacon. These important subjects are treated by the reviewer
with a lucid and logical sense, that must place therm in a
new light to many minds. We agree with Mr. Macauley in
his estimate of Southey as a poet, and, although more
brilliant critiques upon Byron have been written, his stm
780
Notices of J.ew Works.
[NovEMBER,
Harvard and Dana have reaped in fame the reward of their
munificence in this cause; and there is no American to
whom the name of Smithson will not bring a fond recollec