New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS..

Up sy6. By DAVID W B.srLsrr snleT or'on Mll-
| With the exception Of Rogers, one Of the most
! brilliantly gifted OF the class of persons called
american R-formers, the subjects of this
volume are taken from the ranks of the living
| They include Theodore Parker, Garrison. Lym II
Beecber Henry Ward Beecher, +. II. Chspo,
| William II. Seward, James Russell Lowell, flor-
ace BUSHNELL and lers. Connected with the
spirited, though Lot always accurate biograph-
ical sketches that form the principal feature OF
the volume, are extracts from the writings oil the
persons described, giving the means of arriving at
Just estimate of their comparative merits.
Several of the characters introduced have also
been made TO sit for their portraits. The work
il essentially Of a popular character, and fdrn-
ishes several striking personal anecdotes of we'll
known Americans, who have been prominent in
reform. movements though little more careful
elsbt ration would have greatly enhanced les iu-
trinsic value. Theodore Parker, for instance, is
said TO have received his academic education at
Harvard College-an honor TO which that stately
old Alma Mater of Massachusetts men can lay
no claim. The brave Theodore had little &C
quaintaDce with colleges or universities ia early
life, but picked up his learning in the intervals
Of laying stone wall aud powiog intractable
burrows, Oil his native homestead near Lexington
Monument Most of the sketch of Parker, how
ever, il so good that We select from it few
paragraphs
THEODORE PARKER.
few miles cut OF Boston, just far enough TO escape
the dust sId confusion OF the gn there is dwelling
tba p
ard natural beauty. 1t is not hsricterlled by spen-
dor and ost4 Ltston for no popous cotton merchant
ret red rumseler occupies il. IL is plain and yet
beautiful uDyretenOus and yet spsciOus IL Is sur
rounded BY shrubs and trees and flowers of every hue
and the most delightful fragrance, in the summer
time Should you chsBce some early May-morning,
TO wander past this pleasant spot, very likely in the
gsrC en- you viii zee man in plain smock froc1,
hard at work. He is rather short in stature, rather
slender in frame, and, If you catch glance OF his
eye you viii at entertain seri rus doubt II the
man be by profession gardener. Let him IN the
wide straw hat from his perspiring brow TO catch
cool breeze and you know a. that he IS no com
NOE cultiyator of the foil Theodore Parker is be-
fore YOU. Tie beautiful dwelling Ii his and his own
hands have contributed TO the loneliness winch sur
rounds it.
Theodore Parker is Of the noblest men this age
beast. No sham ever yet could find lodgment
in his brain heart. He abhors the false, and loves
the true aud manly. Not particle OF vulgar gentu-
ity not grain of arisiocratc feeling was ever in
him, or ever can get into him. He esteems a man
just according TO his moral and intellectual worth
for what be does or aims TO do. He loves men be-
cause they men; not because they are white, or
rich or trace their genealogy back five hundred
years. An outrage upon the lis hts of poor negro
in the streets Of Boston strs the blood az quickly IN
Bis cart if it had been committed upon the person
OF the Governor Of the Commonwealth. wrong
perpetrsted upon wretched drunkards wife or
child awakens the thunder of his eoquence. when,
if inflicted upon the strong or rich, he would have
kept silent IL is this gigantic manhood 10 Theodore
D. i.t,hf 20 lAtra and nd him In
spite of his inidety, which often startles and
shCcks US, we cit down involuntarily al his feet TO
listen to his great words hls courageous Utterances
sgans, the most heeriess and cruel oppression. We
receive not word OF his intidelty. To Us, Christ
is not merely the greate man that ever lived, but is
vastly more; to us the Bible is not book crarmed
with errors-the miracles exaggsrstions; and yet to
many of those who would cruelty Mr. Parker, We in
olenanily cry: 1T is not for you to denounce this
man; you VITO, in your lives each daytrample Jesus
CHI lei and the Bible under your feet you who would
refufe cue Of cold water TO your Lord and Master,
ran there in his veins s drop OF African blood -
The manliness Of Mr.. Parker is apparent IN his
daily life. A shoemaker upon his bench, il heart
noble is 10 him cher than Abbot Lawrence, with
h. acres Of cotton mills; country farmer, in his
fragrant clover fields though Of limited knowledge,
If he be possessed of generous heart and firm ln
iegiy, 5 in his eyes Of greater worth than Daniel
ebster, uEing his great intellect to perpetusts op-
preston No man will deny that Mr.. Parker Is one
Of the most remarkable men of our time, and that
i
The personal appearance Of Theodore Parker is
rot remarkable. and yet the observing will dis
Indications OF his wonderful genius in his face.
He is slightly under the average hight of men "a her
spare in ftsh has partially bald head, foe, IN
| poet brow, and flashing eye. His features are
rather small, and his organisation Is OF the finest
Cuid. There is a delicacy III bis nervous system,
which is indicated By the fneBess of his hair just
II at of celicacy which is necessary 70 make
q nervous and intense writer and speaker. man
with the nervous system Of Tom Hyer cannot become
a great orator He cannot himself feel intensely
ctLrO, understand tie subter methods of ~ sching
! tie souls Of men.
| People who have read the sermons of Mr.. Parker
Ne usually disappointed in hearrg him preach or
lecture. He IL not an accomplished orator; III or
oirary discourse ne is altogether too eless too devoid
Of geetuIe. But he has voice Of exceeding beauty
snd be can, when be chooses, charm Al audience By
| bis striking and fascinating gestures and manner.
Occasionally In bis sermons, fIom the bold and NJ
nihoenf from the intensely passionate be suddenly
| eiio.s into the calmly beautiful, The contrast at
such times Is almost overpowerng, and the heart of
the listener touched by the voice Of en- al gel.
Tie pictures Of strange and quiet loneliness which
peste among the grand mountains of his discourses
are not surpassed in poetic beauty in the writings oi
any living clergyman. The fact IT, Theodore Parker
Is poet. He has the intense and consuming fire. he
has also the gertleness and the love OF true poet.
He ia no thymer for the reformer Of these times hiss
rot tire for measured sentences when the land is in
danger of ruin.
A msjOrlty Of the sermons OF Mr.. Parker contain
nothing offensive 10 the devou, Christi n. H.s
reputation Is founded not much up his hereses,
upon bis genius and philanthropy. II . the fact
! thst he s fearless and powerful defender OF the
wronged, which glyes him place n toe hearts OF
millions who have 20 sympshy VI IL rei "a "a