New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-07-02
REVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LITERATURE. TiLrsTzaTED
~ IHE GENUS ~ DisTINsrIsHED Mss By HrSzY
IUcEEENay Pn.adeiphs Lin3say Blsk.sion
Mr TrcKsRNaN is always happy in bis choice
Of subjects. He never selects repuls7e or un-
consenisl theme, nor one Of which he s not com
pletely master. Hence. he has no strsining after
effect, no attempt = see anything beyond the
sphere n bis own vision, 10 melancholy failure
Ga the endeavor 70 display more learning. more
wisdom, more eioqueDce, more grace than he
real possesses. His books have the charm Of
well bred and agreeable companion, who is not
2 ways taxing your admiration with bis intoler-
able brliia1cy, who does not discourage you from
striving to keep up with him BY the display OF
prodrious and improbable excellences, bat
Eho always meets you simply and without pre-
tension, and leaves you 70 discover from the care
ess ease Of his conversation, the extent Of his
culture and the calbre Of his mind. Mr. Tucker
nan makes no professions Of superior ability. He
does not demand your attention 10 the expression
Of sny great truths He is neither q moralist a
philosopher, nor politician he has no pet theo
ries 10 magnify His mind does not revove in a
favorite circle Of ideas He does not tell YOU what
he thinks OF the Tariff, Of the Pope, nor Of human
oerfectibility. But he writes from the impulses
Of highly cultivated mind sweet and generous
nature, and passion for ell that is lovely and
graceful in the creations Of Art and the express
sions Of Literature. II yon sometimes get imps-
tent with the smooth fow Of his language, you
feel that the fault is in yourself, and that you
should train your taste for the elegant reireshment
set before you rather than crave after ooarer
and more piquant relish. With these traits, Mr.
Tuckermsn's popularity is not surprising. 1t has
never advanced with whirlwind rspidity, but
has grown with a constant and healthy increase.
We see no reason why it should not be perma
nent We think he will never want admirers.
Compared with the majority Of English essayists,
he certainly deserves them.
The present work OF Mr.. TUcEERMAS will add
to his wel-earned reputation. lis characterized
by the same refined, quiet beauty the ssmescholar-
like tastes, the same kind and genial criticism,
the same ripe, unostentatious learning, and the
same serene, meditative, and humane spirit, which
give their peculiar charm TO his former produc
tons. The subjects which il discusses all Of
All interesting cl aracter. We have the Phioso-
pher ia Sir Thomas Browne, the Dilettsnte in
Shenstone, the Moralist in Claiming, the Wit in
swift, the Philanthropist in Roscoe, the Humorst
Ia Charles Lamb, the Historian in Macaulay the
Ileast in John Sterling, the Rhe,orician in Burke
and the Scholar in Akenside 1t Will at once be
perceived that sphere is thus opened sngulsry
adapted to the authors tastes and literary HABITS.
We find that in most instances he has done emn-
ent justice TO his diversified subjects. Not that
We always give our assent 70 his criticisms. -
On the contrary, we are often compelled to differ
from opinions which be most earnestly maintains
Bat we can never view him in the light of an
antagonist. He is so wholly free from dogmstism,
so sincere and manly in the expression of his
thoughts, and pervaded with the spirit ofliteray
Justice, that it is impossible not to give him
friendly hearing, even when he differs mos, widely
rom our own convictions. r.