AMERICAN FACTS. From the Literary Gazette. American Facts, &c. Of course the Roman Catholic prelates in self and to those officially connected with Ireland are all loyal subjects, all devoted him-to whom alone his party is now reto the family now on the throne, all inca- duced. pable of teaching or allowing to be taught, doctrines inconsistent with the indepen dence of the realm and the principles of the Constitution. Our ministers of course are quite certain that all the successors of the present prelates will be equally loyal and attached to the English constitution. Yet what is now happening in France, and what has been going on for some years past, might excite some apprehension. The Irish bishops cannot be more loyal than the French ones; might they not find it their duty to inculcate doctrines at variance with the constitution and the laws as un- THIS is a volume very full of miscellanederstood by the advisers of the crown? ous and useful information respecting Might they not think that the Pope is their America; and, as the title states, sums only superior in all affairs which they up the "Facts," shedding light upon the deem not subject to the civil power? And statistics, governments, manufactures, comare they to have a right of disseminating and teaching these doctrines, not only undisturbed but at the expense of the great majority of the nation from which they differ? At this moment we are on the most intimate terms with his Holiness, to whom our ministers act as spies, whilst he, on the other hand, with an audacity for centuries unknown in this realm, writes letters | as spiritual chief of the Catholic hierarchy, to influence the political conduct of British subjects. But suppose we were not always on such terms? Suppose he found it his duty to direct doctrines to be taught inconsistent with the honor of England, with her interest, with her laws, and with her independence? Suppose he were to write letters, not to discourage the repeal of the Union, but to encourage it on religious grounds? Sir R. Peel thinks, most probably, that those who shall be ministers then will get out of the difficulty as well as they can; he has a majority and is determined to do what he thinks right with his own; and if he can crush Mr. O'Connell, no matter what the future consequences may be, he thinks he will have fulfilled his duty, if not to his country and sovereign, to him Roman Catholic priesthood in Ireland provided for out of the funds of those who have plundered them; that is, the Church of England in Ireland Why should we Scotch Presbyterians, for instance, be condemned to make restitution to the Catholics for what the Anglican Church enjoys? It may be very convenient and very comfortable for Lord Sandon to pay the debts of his Church at our expense; but we do not consider the practice very agreeable or much more honest than that which renders restitution requisite. merce, religion, arts, literature, education, manners, and customs of the country. It seems to be as fairly done as could be expected from a citizen of the States; for if there be a national bias and couleur de rose (as indeed there must be), they are not carried to that pitch which should make us doubt or disbelieve the statements of the author, or do more than take a little salt with his favoring panorama. In short, we consider it to be a compilation which will convey much intelligence, in the smallest possible compass, to every class of readers. A distinct map is prefixed, and there are some portraits, transferred hastily by a new process, of which they are not such favorable specimens as we should expect; for the illustrations of the American expedition under Commander Wilkes, (frequently noticed by us), and some original productions we have seen at Messrs. Wiley and Putnam's, show us that the fine arts are rapidly advancing in the United States. We will not dwell upon gazetteer subjects, but briefly mention a few broad heads. In 1790, the population was estimated at 3,929,328; in 1840, at 17,062,666, including 2,487,355 slaves, in thirteen of the twenty-six states. The electors are calculated at two and a half millions, of whom from 150,000 to 200,000 are foreigners, natives of Europe, of whom we are told: "Compared to the whole, this number is not formidable; but, unfortunately, these 200,000, though nearly all incapable of understanding the nature and peculiarities of a republican government-and with noth The following additional observation, is not so worthy of the writer's good sense and tone: ing whatever at stake in the national coun- There are then, at least, some 800,000 or cils-have yet been permitted to enjoy 900,000 volumes in public collections, privileges which give them in fact a con- mostly well chosen, and placed within the trolling power in public measures: for reach of all classes." their numbers are sufficient to turn the scale of the political parties, and hence they are courted and feared by each party, and they hold the balance entirely in their own hands. The evils arising from this state of things are now beginning to be apparent; and a strong effort is being made, and very properly, to limit the right of suffrage either to natives of the country, or to residents of twenty-one years." "Are they not (he asks, in a vulgar and flippant style) more adapted to be useful, as far as they go, than two or three times the amount of learned lumber piled in folios and quartos on miles of dusty shelves, and rarely disturbed in their slumbers? But learned lumber is not quite neglected, and many important additions have recently been made to the collections mentioned." How can important additions be said to be made to lumber-in the book way, not in the West India trade? In 1840, "there were 1552 printing offices, 447 binderies, 138 daily newspapers, 125 semi or tri-weekly, 1141 weekly, 227 periodicals: the whole employing 11,523 persons, and a capital of 10,619,054 dollars. The total amount of capital employed in manu- "There are in nearly all the States hisfactures of every kind was 267,726,579 torical societies, for collecting and preservdollars, or say fifty-five millions sterling." ing national records, books, coins, &c., esAbout repudiation we shall say nothing; pecially those relating to the early history and must refer readers, for the particulars of the country. The historical society of of the various powers of the general and Massachusetts has published twenty-seven each provincial government, to the details volumes of "Collections; "that of New of Mr. Putnam, who places them briefly York, about six volumes; those of Georgia and clearly before us. and Ohio, one or two volumes each. "The addresses at historical commemorations and centenary celebrations,* which are peculiar to the United States, become the means of recording and perpetuating much historical information. Probably there are 500 different pamphlets of this kind. The original archives of other States have been carefully arranged; those of the general government, with the State papers, have been printed in about forty folio volumes: at least 2000 volumes of documents have been printed by Congress and the State legisla tures. All these, with the private publication of more than seventy different volumes of American historical memoirs and diplomatic correspondence-among which the writings of Washington, in twelve expensive octavos, have been actually sold to the extent of 6500 copies.† These facts should make another qualifying note to Mr. Allison's assertion, that the Americans wholly regardless of historical records and monuments.' are needs be very few, unless the Irish immigrants *The centenaries of American history must keep them very tenth year.-Ed. L. G. "Another rather curious historical fact is the sale of 22,000 copies of an octavo volume, by J. Priest on American Antiquities. The demand for some other historical works in the United States has also been definitely ascertained, and is mentioned in the second part of this volume." "The promiscuous introduction into the United States of the works of English authors, unrestricted by international laws of copyright, has had the tendency, unquestionably, of checking the progress there of a native literature. It is thought, however, that those who suppose that American literature has thus been utterly extinguished, or that no such thing ever existed, are somewhat in error—or, are at least too much influenced by prejudice and incredulity. As we are simply noting the facts most suitable to our columns, we may mention the slight sketches of American authors and their works as among the most agreeable portions of the volume. But these, as well as similar brief particulars connected with the fine arts, we must leave to be consulted in the publication itself, and conclude with one closing illustration of its style and character: "Many of the pictures of American "American authors are not always de- society and manners, by British tourists, prived of just remuneration for their wri- have been wrongly drawn and colored in tings. The Harpers, of New York, are three particulars. They have been taken said to have paid Mr. Prescott 7500 dollars (far too much for a fair average), 1, from (15007.) for the first edition of his Con- the travelling population; 2, from the quest of Mexico,' and to have offered double large sea-ports, where are centred the povthat sum (which was declined) for the en-erty and vices of the worst class of European tire copyright. In two years the sale of emigrants; 3, from the western and south'Barnes' Notes,' yielded the author alone western borders and from the back woods more than 5000 dollars. President Day has received more than 25,000 dollars (50007.) for an Algebra; and Dr. Webster had about the same sum from a spellingbook (!); and all these yet retained their copyright in future editions. A Philadelphia publisher paid to authors 135,000 dollars in five years. These are certainly peculiar instances; but much more proof could be given, that native literary genius and useful talent are not neglected, but receive a fair amount of encouragement from American publishers and the public." The writer expresses a hope, indeed an expectation, that a fair international copyright measure will soon be agreed upon between Great Britain and the United States. And it is only right to quote the following passage: The number of American books reprinted in England is much greater than is usually supposed, because many a one gives no indication of its origin. Who reads an American book?' was asked by the witty Sydney Smith, in the Edinburgh, perhaps twenty years since; and he had no unfriendly doubts. Now many do read these outlandish books, without being themselves aware of it. In about ten years, the 'London Catalogue' chronicled in the same list with their English brethren, the following English reprints from the American : -far distant from the older states and more cultivated society-a region yet in a state of fermentation, and showing its crude and unsettled materials on the surface. It is always better to start fair.' The last thing I expect to do is, to prove that society and manners in the 'new world' are universally pure, polished, and unexceptionable. No American of common sense is so presumptuous as that. Let the disagreeable superfluities of tobacco-chewing and spitting be scourged as they deserve, and more than one American will say Amen! I can sympathize in the most hearty antipathy to such practices, without assuming a selfrighteous fastidiousness. Vulgarity and rudeness of manners are not necessary consequences of free and enlightened republicanism,' or one might well desire less freedom and more civilization. For one, I will not quarrel with the most caustic satire, or with the broadest burlesque, which would hold the mirror up to any American propensity offensive to good manners or good taste, in any way which would cure it. Let the castigation be ever so severe to sensitive nerves-if given in a right spirit, it will do no harm." "But though there is a want of refinement among the masses which is to be lamented, and though their manners and customs might graze roughly against the fastidiousness of one accustomed to the more quiet, dignified, and polished circles among the wealthy of the old world-and though this noted sin of 'expectoration' is so offensive and so prevalent in certain quarters-I still maintain that the English popular pictures of American popular manners represent the whole subject about as fairly as the MICHELET ON AURICULAR CONFESSION. 'fore and aft' passengers of a Thames steamer on a Sunday would represent Eng * * par From the Foreign Quarterly Review. Jules Michelet. Paris: 1845. lish society: life in Bethnal-green, or Spi- Du Prêtre, de la Femme, et de la Famille, tal-fields, or Billingsgate, would just as truly be life in London." "The rush to the dinner-table in hotels DURING the last four years, France has and steamers, and the almost equally rapid been the theatre of a passionate struggle of rush away from it, are justly lashed by for- which few tidings have reached us here in eigners, and are far too peculiarly American England. It is not because the struggle habits. Let such habits be dosed till cur- was unimportant, or unworthy of European ed. The eager mechanic or man of busi- attention, but because other and political ness is unfortunately apt to be governed by struggles which made more noise, usurped the hurrying principle, even at his meals; our attention, that we heard so little of the and more quiet people are too prone to fall angry and profound dissension which agiinto the ranks; for in this age of screw- tated most serious minds. The struggle propellers no one likes to be the last.* we allude to is that between the Jesuits and the Philosophers; and we hope to present our readers with a detailed account of it in our next. 66 A common English charge against Americans is that of excessive love of money, inordinate greediness for gain. There is, doubtless, too much of this. Dollars are Meanwhile, there lies before us the sought for and talked about. The people latest manifesto of the anti-Jesuit partyof all grades find dollars useful; they think the brilliant book of the historian Michelet of them, work for them, plan out schemes-which is exciting such a sensation, that on large and small scales for obtaining we must at once take notice of it as a septhem; with many, indeed, this is the chief arate publication. It is, indeed, a book occupation and dollars have been dis- which has an individual interest quite incussed in drawing-rooms, sometimes-dependent of the quarrel whence it originamuch to the detriment of good taste. This ted. It is a book which at all times would spirit and practice is changing, however; be welcomed as a profound insight into the and, it is to be hoped, will be radically social life of France, but which is particu cured." -na larly valuable at the present time, when in And to sum up, according to our author- our own country there is a powerful, perseity, who distinctly affirms “1. That the vering influence at work, which strives to substantial, thriving, and intelligent popu- hurry society into accepting spiritual direclation of the United States, is essentially tion and celibacy, the two monster evils of that part which is purely American-n Catholicism. We speak of that active, tives of the country, or descendants of the ardent, and, if successful, terrible sect, the founders of the nation. 2. That four-fifths Puseyites. Its more recondite principles of the crime, poverty, and disorder, and we are not now to discuss; but what it of the causes of bad faith, belong to the openly avows, we may openly challenge; population which Europe has bestowed upit avows its preference for the celibacy of on us within the last thirty years. Ameri- priest;s and it avows, though less] boldly, cans must work out the cure of this evil; its approbation of confession and spiritual and while their country may yet be a home direction. for the oppressed of all nations, they may, with their own artist-poet, say of England: "All hail, thou noble land, Our fathers' native soil! And still from either beach The voice of blood shall reach, Remember this is in promiscuous tables d'hote of public conveyances and hotels. We are inclined to believe that American private life is somewhat different." This brings the subject of M. Michelet's work home to our 'business and bosoms.' This makes that which is a subject of European interest a special subject of English interest. His work is full of eloquent indignation, piquant portraits, historical traits, and subtile analysis; but these are literary qualities which the majority of people would be tolerably indifferent to, did they not all combine to illustrate one strong, vehement purpose, and that purpose practical. "The family is in question; We must not dissimulate, we must frankly confess to ourselves the real state of things. There exists in the bosom of society-in the family circle-a serious dissension, nay, the most serious of all dissensions. after so many useless efforts, so many illusions | devout, serious girl, is sold in marriage to destroyed. We return home very wearied... an ambitious, occupied, or frivolous man. do we find repose there? But the man, whether he be ambitious, over-worked, or frivolous, is sure to be indifferent to all religious matters. We reWere he a positive skeppeat indifferent. tic, he might convert her; and then, at least, there would be sympathy. But he does not attempt it. All her religious scruples are received with a shrug, her heart's effusions seared by a bon mot; her sympathies are outraged. She married without love; she is soon to be a wife without respect, as well as without love for him who ought to be her all-in-all. We may talk with our mothers, our wives, or our daughters, on all those matters about which we talk with our acquaintances; on business, on the news of the day, but not at all on matters nearest the heart, on religion, on God, on the soul. Take the instant when you would fain find yourself united with your family in one common feeling, in the repose of the evening, round the family table; there, in your home, at your own hearth, venture to utter a word on these matters; your mother sadly shakes her head, your wife contradicts you, your daughter although silent disapproves. They are on one side of the table, you on the other, and alone. It would seem as if in the midst of them, opposite to you, sat an invisible man to contradict what you say." Such is the mysterious opening of the work. That invisible enemy is the priest. To show how the priest becomes your enemy, and your powerful enemy, is the object of what follows. Although we entirely agree in the reasons M. Michelet alleges, and quite see the force of his arguments against celibacy, confession, and direction, as destructive to domestic peace, we think he has omitted two elements of the social anarchy, elements which marvellously facilitate the dangerous powers given to the priest by confession and direction. These, as supplementary rather than contradictory to his work, we may briefly in But her sympathies though chilled, are not stifled; they are agitating the heart, they struggle for utterance. An English wife so situated, if not cursed with some female friend and counsellor,' would soon make up her mind; keeping her thoughts to herself, praying in her own way, and praying for her husband, she would devote herself to the education of her children. There would be a silent sorrow' in the home, as there must always be when such But the husband would differences exist. possess a wife, the children a mother, the house a mistress. The French wife has not this refuge. The priest is at her side. To him she is bound to confide her sorrows, and how willingly does she perform the duty! To him she tells all-the secret of her soul, the secret of her home. She asks advice and receives it; but from that moment she is lost. The priest sits at the hearth, in the place where the husband should sit. The priest has all the deepest utterances of the young heart poured into his ear; he is the only one to sympathize with her. She is une femme incomprise; 1st. The husband has not the same faith but the priest is there ready to understand as his wife. In France, while the girls her; he is there, with the most poisonous are sedulously educated in the principles of all flattery-sympathy! He is there, of the church, and turn out religious, often unconsciously, unwillingly, the refuge for devout women, the boys, with the greater all her disappointed aspirations, all her license of public schools, and the general, almost universal skepticism, or at least, indifference in matters of religion prevalent amongst men, and apparent in every shape of French literature, are found to have no religion at all. There is very little Voltairianism in France; but there is a widespread indifference; no polemics, but no fervor of belief, not even fervor of disbelief. When we say France, we mean, of course, Paris; for to some of the provinces the same charge will not apply. dicate. What is the consequence? A timid, outraged feelings. She does dot love her husband; love-matches are rare in France, and the affection she could bestow on him, and which in time might ripen into love, she bestows on another. This is no exaggerated picture; it is the inevitable result of an unhappy position. The priest is perhaps the hastener of the evil; he is not the first cause of it. If he were the first cause, why is he not so wherever Catholicism is accepted? Why not in Spain, in Italy, in Ireland? M. Michelet will not contend that the sad evil |