THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1858.

Colonist, Issue 37, 26 February 1858, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1858.

" As "truth is truth, And, told by halves, may, from a simple thing By misconstruction to a monster grow, I'll tell the'whole truth."

Sheeidan Knowles.

By a misreading of the printer, in our last Friday's issue, we are. made to represent Addison and Johnson as "great formalists," when we only meant to advert to them as great journalists. It is true the massive lexicographer had a certain formality of expression. His terms were Roman, his sentences measured, his antithesis uniform, and his whole style was the mannerism of a sonorous formality pre-eminently his own. But we did not. allude to the mere modus of his literary art. We more directly referred to the gravity of thought on topics of moment by which his writings, no less than those of the graceful Addison, were distinguished. Their periodical contributions to literature were more suited to their times than ours. But this arose from the selectness of their readers no less than the superiority of the writers. If these illustrious essayists surpassed the ■ niediocrity of our days, they did so both from a love of studied propriety generally and.respect for their supporters, who were mostly persons of taste and information. They were commencing the weighty task of forming the great British :public into an universal patron. The Chesterfields were no more Caesars in the empire of refinement, with dependent crowds waiting in their " outer courts," for their protection and encouragement; multitudes were beginning to relish the wit, beauty, and eloquence.of both prose and song. As yet, however, the increasing numbers of "gentle readers," carried nothing but fans and lap-dogs, gold lace, and gold-headed canes. But uncommon religious stimulous, and political also, induced enlarged inquiry; and inquiry caused acquaintance, with the riches of authorship. At this period, many fine and masterly productions in Belles Lettres won the admiration and applause of the more studious. The pleasures of thought, like every other form of true enjoyment, are social, and consequently communicative. With them "no crude surfeit reigns;" on the contrary, as in attentive stellar observations, they enlarge their range with

every experiment,

The French Revolution, notwithstanding its frequent tragedies, developed many extraordinary minds in Europe, and some even- in America. The general wars, to which it was so powerfully provocative, were hot-beds of thought. Parliamentary discussions, then maintained with all the dazzling effect of nightly fireworks, were continually throwing forth splendours of oratory compared with which our more modem attempts in that line are chiefly fireside colloquies. The tame, monotonous prattle, the "remark" here, and the " observation there,—the stolid stiffness of immovable modern senators—the mere Vauxhall festoons of flickering lights that make no distinct.ideasio emerge from darkness, —such luminous obscurities as these were then meetly hid under the bushels and tubs of mind to which they were. native. "* No one was so dosing and prosing as to conceit 'that such things could embellish parliamentary oracles in any Council, whether Colonial or nearer the two great Houses. Our Foxes aud Burkes, like the Pitts, thundered, lightened, and shook—the world. They were none of your misses in men's apparel— talking as if they simpered with nice grace over a tiny glass. Their voices startled the lobbies, and were often known and felt in the very streets. They were speakers—orators— not talkers whose lispings might be anything or nothing.

The only men who have lately approached this clas3 of public men of a former period were Brougham and O'Connell. Both were rich in modulations—inflections exegetical of their meanings—and, if dissimilar in many respects, they equally pealed, when strongly moved, nay sometimes roared and ranted; but we have heard them, when deeply affected, uttering their collected souls, like the almost-silent rumbling of the earthquake. While you listened and trembled, you felt as if you must catch hold of your neighbour^ or be lost I These men, too, in a variety of ways* have created and multiplied readers: a large part of the modern public may be*called their offspring.

To such agents as these, the public press is immensely indebted, for they have popularised our language and evolved intelligence. Shakspeare, Milton,Dryden, and Pope became general quarries of ideas and sentiments. Novelists, such as Defoe, Fielding, Scott,- and Buiaver might be added to the list of men who have augmented the floods of general opinion; and, perhaps, the emotional Byron may be regarded as one of the mighty rivers of European mind, visibly pouring its affluence into the put-spread and collective soul of nations. Historians, travellers, and scientific men of all grades have insensibly but cumulatively enlarged the aggregate; but, above all, the periodical publications, daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly are the mighty tides, with myriads of waves, heaving their treasures on every shore. It would be.ungrateful indeed, were we to forget the vast contributions from Italy, France, and Germany, to which English literature is so greatly indebted; but we only speak, at present, of what more directly affects our prevalent, sources and'channels of information. . , •

Let our readers forgive us: we only meant at starting to correct a blunder; and our correction has grown into a little dissertation. But it is one, intended to shew our obligations to illustrious men, and to beneficial organs; to great benefactors, rising.like Alpine treasures of snow, ever melting, and streaming in blessings to our race.

The Council resumed its sitting on Tuesday. The Dog Nuisance measure was considered in committee. One or two important additions were made on Thursday. On Wednesday Mr. Saunders brought forward his motion of censure on the Trustees of the College for mal-appropriation of the funds under their trust. The rod meant for the Trustees should, it seems, have been prepared for the Governors, who are to stand as pillars in the grand Institution, whenever its turrets shall grace the hills that wait for it.' Mr. Saunders and others, we fancy, couldnot tell what had become of the money. It was unfortunateforMr. Saunders that he only partially established his position as to the said mal-appropriation. By failing in making good his main averments of course he only confirmed the powers of those whom he accused. In all cases of this kind it is infinitely better to

be quiescent until the path of corrective duty be opened in clear and well-defined extent. A failure in this respect will ever be a serious injury to the cause of the accuser. All unsupported assertion in such matters is a capital fault. Such was that put forth by the honorable gentleman just.namad. His case was spoilt by his want of pre-caution.

We were interested in finding that the views of Dr. Monro, with regard to the preservation of Trafalgar-square for ornamental and sanitary purposes, were in accordance with those of a correspondent, whose interesting letter we- shall; insert in our next. Well would it be for the: fair sex in Nelson, the rising generation, and'indeed the citizens generally," if public walks with floral decorations on either side of them,.seats, fountains, and sylvan charms, displayed attractions for all disposed for exercise or recreation.

Arrival op the Bishop of New Zealand. — His Lordship, arrived here in his yacht yesterday afternoon. As it is ' likely he will be some ten days in the Settlement, we hope the public will have opportunities for profiting by his apostolical visit and ministrations. When devoted men, like Dr. Selwyn, so obviously covet their reward in their work, rather than in wealth, honour, or ambition, they dispose the hearts of men to long for no higher miracles than those of the divinity of their virtues and labours, and the benign " signs following."