THE PHILOMATHESIAN. Vol. 1. May, 1834. No. 11. AUTHORS ARE PARTIAL TO THEIR WIT, 'TIS TRUE; ,, INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER OF DES CARTES. INTELLECTUAL superiority can be determined, only by the general principles on which the mind acts-the celerity of its combinations and analyses, the facility with which it discriminates truth from falsehood, and the independence it exhibits in all its inquiries. Few indeed, are those who unite these excellences, and few can advance well founded claims to this distinguished notoriety. But as the possession of some of them is indispensible even to the preferment of such a claim, so this superiority is measured by the degree in which they exist in one mind, above that in the mass around. Untiring energy is often found where no brilliant qualities dwell; unbounded ambition, or unconquerable zeal, where no true genius sheds her golden rays; still they are at most, but the substitutes for natural talents,-they merely shine, where these dazzle, or belch volumes of smoke, where these flame. Wonders, no doubt, have been accomplished in the scientific and literary world by dint of unremitted effort; Herculean labors have often been performed under the stimulus of these passions; but we know of no splendid achievements, without, at least, a partial union of those qualities, without abilities to guide, and unwavering perseverence to stretch them to the utmost. Yet the brightest genius, with energy which is never abated, can no more than give a pleasing prospect of unusual proficiency, in any profession. Unnumbered obstacles may arise-or critical circumstances wrench every intellectual muscle. Defi ciency in the mind of a great man is sure to be revealed, standing in bold relief even from lofty and high souled acts, and is sure to throw into the shade merits that in other men would be prodigies. Partial weaknesses however, bind them to earth, and create a general sympathy, through all ranks of men who can feel and appreciate the sentiments of the truly excellent, though laboring under error. But reverential astonishment is not excited for such labors however great.-We are more awe-struck, at the performances of some true Philosopher as we see him darting from truth to truth which, hitherto concealed in mystery, had nevertheless given its influence to man, and tracing each effect to its primary cause, lays open extensive fields of science. He feels superlative eminence. There is something proudly exalted in the idea, that one person should ascend such a height of distinction, and cast a glance over the ages of the past, and those slumbering in futurity, and behold himself still unrivalled, where wondering millions are rising to admire, but never to equal. Such are they, whose memory lives-their virtues and their vices, their mental vigor and defects, their benefit or injury to the common welfare of man. It is in this last sense, perhaps, that the name of Des Cartes will endure through time, while the greatness of his mind has been almost forgotten. That he commit ted errors, is true--but that he possessed the most splendid talents, is no less so. They were not only dazzling, but substantial, as his discoveries in abstruse mathematics, proficiency in the learned languages, and almost every science may well attest. A mind, bold, comprehensive, and acute, rapid in its movements as the stormdriven chariot of cloud, a brilliant imagination, yet perhaps deficient in judgment, constituted its outlines He acquired the languages with incredible facility, mathematics were his, almost by intuition, and moral science was keenly scrutinized by his penetrating intellect. In his attempt to apply mathematical reasoning to this, and metaphysics, he did more to evince his originality than heighten his reputation. He moved in an intellectual world of his own creation. Discarding the learning, the notions and partiality, the principles of others, he sought empyreal glory of his own, that should be burnished more and more by the successive flight of years. The object was grand, tho' selfish, and the result shows that its grandeur attracted unbounded admiration, but the mighty hand of time dashed it from its pedestal, to be remembered only as an eccentricity of this universal genius. Nature herself could scarcely furnish elements sufficient for his plastic hand to mould, and his all-grasping mind seemed discontented with Encyclopedian knowledge. With Bacon's rules of philosophising he might have been more than a Newton, and with the calm patience of either, he might have stood unrivaled as a philosopher. In his retirement, in the bustle, and din of the camp, the same unsated desire for the discovery of new truths, still reigned supreme within him; kindling an enthusiasm in his soul, which at once enveloped, and elevated it where kindred spirits could hardly reach. Like a Colossus, he stood alone, enshrined in the sciences he had discovered or augmented. His rules of Logic were worthy of their author, and the principles he there avows should have been his abiding principles, in all his researches. They would have led him at least on safe ground, and if he had not amazed the world with his startling hypotheses, and visionary projects, would have secured a reputation unchangeable as the stars of the firmament. In metaphysics he was a Pyrrhonist, probably from the habit early acquired of distrusting the conclusions of his predecessors in the science, and being thus led to fear his own might at some time suffer the same fate. Thence he determined so to base his speculations, that the most sceptical could not refuse to adopt them, and so would he lead them gradually from darkness to light. This proved the altar of self-sacrifice. Truth here gave way to his favorite propensity, and consequently what would have been his greatest monument of glory, is the cause of ridicule, and obscurity. As he, who has left the solid ground, to found a superstructure on a hill-side of quick-sand, must soon expect to see his labors lost, so Des Cartes' speculations, rising from false premises, could not resist the gradual operations of truth. He seemed determined precminently to be the artificer of his fortune. Even in adopting the notions of other men, he moulded them anew, so as to give presumptive evidence that he would have entertained similar views, if no one had before him. Superstition and bigotry, could not long trust him with the free exercise of his powers, lest he should sever the almost impenetrable shield that covered them,, and expose their hideousness to the sirenized gaze of their trembling votaries. Much time was necessarily spent in unprofitable theological controversies, which might have checked ostensibly the independence which ever lived undiminished at his heart. There are few whom we contemplate with more delight, and at the same time regret, than Des Cartes. Leibnitz and Campanella, had brilliant and penetrating minds; but they had their sphere. Many philosophers of far less talent will be remembered for their usefulness, while he will be mentioned as a curiosity, rather than as conferring any essential benefit on mankind. He ranged with freedom the whole field of Nature, confined only by the bounds of his invention, and those of human learning. His peculiar failing was a reliance on the phantasies of a fruitful imagination, instead of the plain, simple dictates of common sense; and those excellent talents exhibit nothing so wonderful at the present day, as the fatal effects of misdirected effort. DE SE. NAPOLEON'S DEPARTURE TO ST. HELENA. THE white flags of England proudly are waving, BRITAIN'S high nobles gaze on the blue waters, YE may look on him now, bereft of his crown, He comes not to conquer-in pride of his power, As a captive he comes in adversity's hour! BENEATH his dread sceptre the Nations bowed low, NAPOLEON'S colors no longer are flying, But those of the Bourbons' are streaming on high; As a captive he goes to the sea-beaten Isle, -1834. THE PYRAMIDS. "Tis night o'er Egypt, and her deep blue sky E'en in her ruins glorious; though the might That made her feared has fled; her power gone, Where sages studied, while yet earth was young; The proud memorials of her zenith day, And while earth stands, they too shall stand, and be Yes, they have stood the test; and trying time Has wrought her mightiest changes, since their prime. They've seen, sweep o'er the world, full many a change, From peace to war,-of passions and revenge They've seen their own bright land, the queen of earth; They've seen her fall-sink from her high degree, They've seen proud Rome, her eagle flag unfurl'd, |