The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-16
70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

now generally sd aittsd by all who have studied the
subject This, Of itself. would palists many acts
otherwise iDexcassble; fer though We may no. en-
terrain the Oriental belief Of the sanctity that
hedges in God has thus smitten, yet surely in
sanity must be regarded sufficient shield against
sersure, for things Dexcusable in possessing the
sound mind in the sound body,
Swift suffered under the desbls curse of the un-
sound mind in the unsound body, and his very
brightness Of intellect WAS healthy radiance but
the phosphorie glean that hovers over decaying
matter. On no other rational suppostion but that
of nadrefs his course and conduct be accounted
fsr-espsciaily the cruelty Of his trihing 80 lsng
aud 80 peraistenly with the affections Of two wo-
men, both devoted 70 him, and both rendered
wretcl Cd by bis insane sad Inconsistent freaks and
vagaries There Is NO saddsr page Ia English biog-
rspby, tian that which 10 recorded the sad story
OF Stella and Vsnsssa The Indignation which the
recital OF their wrongs inspires is natural and manly
real marhesd Of the Dean, whore men alone were
concerned, in ether parts Of his portraiture where
he tries 70 held him up to sentenpt fer his depor
ment towards his patron" Sir VIM Temple In
that connection, Swift more g the pa.ron' than
the elegant ard gentle scholar to whose intellectual
wants he najstersd. and whs most peniteHtally
received the truant back again, after his stubborn
spirit hcd driven hia away from service to which
his softer feelings Summoned him back That con-
nection, which tho lsstursr made tho theme Of con-
temptaons comment and ridiculs, strikes all
dispssssnste observers - equally honorable to
both. The ore did not assume, nor would
Of "pAtronage"-ner did either regard the
palsry pittsnss paid BY Sir william Temple to
bis seers'ery sn sequittal Of the obligation con-
terred by his daily counsel and society. This the
former proved BY shat provision in his viii, whero,
in oepjrasien with snail legacy, he left the entire
charge Of his literary romans to his secretary who
faithfully fulfilled the trust, and bad his labor kr
his pains. Mr. Thackerays sketch Of Swih 10,
therefore, more Of cariesture than faithful like
ness and IL IL to be regretted that the stric
lures apply 10 hjs latest novel. Henry Esnond,"
which Is but gallery Of cabinet pctures sompris-
ing tboo studies given in the lectures together With
psrtraits more plessing. drawn from fancy, but
tinciarsd with truth. The greater, therefore, tho
regret that book, which must live, should thus
carry down false porsraitsre to postsrisy. For,
let any ven ssl~ly and saxddly study the life and
writings OF Swift, aud he must reach tnis conclusion
and protee. sgainr tho fidelity Of those two
skstehes. Amid all the deGlsment Of the SCOT ard
smoke OF thai Maynard and pervsrse nature--now
soaring towards she stars, now wallsving in Glthy
sorsn-gleans Of noble and self sacrincing spirit
illuminate his pash, and show what under happier
auspices, the man might have been. One msmor-
bic instance must Suffice When the ambitious
mphleteer, with his lag o, ystsl rsEle fail IN
view, cuesscd snd courted by Boiling his frisnd