Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-04-08
rhomaa Noon raltourd.

.
Thomas Noon Taltourd.
The announcement of the sudden death OF this
distinguished lawyer and poet has excited apro-
fond sensation Of regret upon this side Of the At
lantic. Few literary characters of the century
have inspired larger degree Of public and private
regard than.the genial and gifted author of "Ion"
His rare powers were imbued with fine humanity
that exalted them infinitely above the mere splen-
doris of intellect, and=clothed emanation from his
head with Il softer gruces of peerless heart
Talfourd IS chiefly known in this c1untry-by his
clerical and miscellaneous writings, and by his
beautiful tragedy of 'Ion,'' upon which he lavish.
ed the whole wealth of his genius. He was loo
much Of a literary woishipperto lie great critic,
but none who comprehend the full sweetness, ele-
vation, and harmony of s"lon" will deny that he
might easily have been great poet. As a critic,
he always reminded US of the wild fancy of Jean
Paul. who, in one of his gorgeous rhapsodes, ex-
presses wish 10 lay poised upon the outer brink
of The universe, aud contemplate the circling
worlds, until, saturated with sublimty, he should
sink TO The earth like bee coyed with sweetness.
Talfourd seemed 10 realize kinjrt i luxury in ia
king his critical obseryauons-poisingh himself on
the wings of vivid sympathy, and drinking in the
beauties Of his author until he sunk in admiration,
raining bright eulogy as he fell. His brilliant no.
tees of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Lamb, and Mac
kenzie ore really no more critiques OF their sub
iects than the honey heaped upon the thighs of
bee is crtque of the flowers he has rifed OF their
sweetness. They are splendid panegyrics-ecs-I
tatic hymns Of praise-but not critiques. Unlike
lago, he was nothing il not sympathetic. Talfourd
produced two other tragedies of great excellence,
but of less celebrity that "Ion''-'.The AtEenian
Captive and "Gencoe." The latter. especially,
is a noble DIANA, OVERLOOKING with grandeur and
beauty Of sentiment and expression, and marked
by exquisite delineait n of character. We subjoin
very discriminating tribute 10 his character from
the London Times:-L0uissiLc Journal.
There have bevu more astute lawyers. more ac-
complisheu orators, and more tranScendant poets
certainly than Tallourd, but it is much 10 have
earned distinctions so various in such different
fields of action. We question il any man in The
records OF the har, who lived so earnest life of
legal industry, ever won so much distinction in
lierature rs the author of "Ion.' To have al
tanned puiSne iudgeship is success in life, even
though man las not soul above demurrer or
a legal point; TO have made half dozen good
speeches IN Parliament would certainly put man
well with The club cOteries and attract The atten-
ton of the Treasury bench; TO have written a sue
ceSSlnl tragedy has been accomplished by three or
four men only slice the Puritans shut up the thea
tres. Ta!iOurd did all these things. He was no
Foliett at the bar, and no Mansfield on the bench;
but in either post he was an industrious, clear.
headed, and PainsIuking lawyer, certainly equal,
and probably, above the average of those who
have risen Ia the distinctions of the profession-
There are not, again, many men, other than pro-
feSSed orators or statesmen, " no have addressed
The Lower House OF Parliament in more effective
manner than was done by Talfourd on the copy-
right question.
With regard to that dramatic work, as the au
thor oil which this eminent man was chiefly known
mi al nh L.
writing literary criticism, it is but fair say that
the play was eminenily an original one. Such as
IL was, II was the growth of his own mind. The
author had not copied Iton any contemporary or
immediate predecessor the trick of his diction the
turn OF his plot the cast of his characters. Even
untayorabie critics, must admit that The play or
poem OF Ion contains many passages OF singular
grace AMI exquisite feeling, and that il was coll
structed with great knowledge of stage effect,
attained, not by art.fce or clap-tIap, but by the
natural development of simple, though effective
plot. II We are not mistaken, the lawyer and
Judge Will be remembered in English literature as
The author oil n most chaste and classical drama
which will be long read and admired. Spt aking,
then OF the intellectual qualities of Talfourd, we
are not disposed to place him among the formes,
men IN any walk OF active or speculative life
SUCH prominence is generally won by the sacri-
tee OF ul the faculties and capacities one, 10
the lmmoderate cultivation of that one quality on
which the success of life is staked. In Mr.
Justice fntouId, we note "a her the singular blend
seemingly so diverse, in one harmonious whole.
II remains 10 speak of his uufi:nching industry
OF the unsnllie,i name which lie has beQueath-
ed 10 his children al their best Inheritance. In
consequence, we believe, OF family reverses Tai
loud wos thrown early upon his own resources,
and manfully prepared himself Tor The Struggle of
life. From the humble but honorable position of
repore ON this Journal he advanced TO the pros
ecutlon OF his studies at the bar, and these were
carried on with success which in time brought
practice. The practice was moderate nj first, but
certain. TafouId never fatered in the career
which he had commenced with determination TO
succeed, and so year followed year, and time
brought with il honor, experience, and gain. II
was said at the lime, that the of his tray
edy brought with il some discredlt as a lawyer
not because lie had s!l, wn himself bad lawyer
but because he was proved 10 be tood poet
We know not how Ills may be, and it boots moi
much To inquire. The ia CT remains that he prac-
hced his profession with SO much success that he
was III time thought worthy of the judges ernIue
Re" men can expect 10 be so much Regretted, go
few have been so generally sssee'neu, as Thomas
Noon TalCuurd-
New York Crystal Palace.
Ii is now stated that NIr. Barnum has consented
10 iorego his intention OF resgning the Presidency
of the Crystal Palace Association In n conn,u