MASSACHUSETTS QUARTERLY REVIEW. NO. IX.-DECEMBER, 1849. ART. L JAMES G. BIRNEY. III. HENRY JAMES. IV. RICHARD HILDRETH. ment, however weak, in favor of Diavery, wou to strengthen it and raise a laugh against the abolitionists. These times are nearly, if not entirely, passed by, and the nation is now engaged in a more serious investigation. But our main design in citing these speeches, for we have other matters behind that appear to us more important,-is to let our readers know how this question, now that it has broken in on the Senate, in spite of all their management to keep it out, is entertained by a body pronounced by its own members to be the most dignified deliberative one in the world; and on what trashy notions and imperfect statements our legislators |