New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-31
NEW PUBLNAI IONS


American literature il fully sustained By the puoh-
Gallon Of this volume. lie has attained the emi-
n.nce which be enjoys, rot by any superficial oru-
| lisney of manner or the afectaoon oi STARVING
phrases. but by the catholic, orderly well-oaancel
and judicial qualities Of his mind. the variety ana
| richpess Of his information and the polished ele-
qsDce of his style. a prominent characteristic OIL
bis writings is the genial love of literature BY which
| they are inspired. Few modern authors, whose
productions range over such a wide extent OF sun
iects. exhibit less Of the sprit of task-work or
more truly Unborn taste for the attraction of letters
His studies have qualified HIN for the delicate ap-
probation of literary excellence in all rs forms
and with such ample standards OF comparison, his
| critical judgments possess no common value. Ills
writings. certainly, have a decided flavor OF the
Gbrary-they show that his favOrite pas'imes are
found among boOks-tba; he enters cordially into
the spirit Of the elder classics Of our language
but al The same time they are free from any tinge
Of pedantry and prove that scholastic research has
not diverted his interest from the affairs OF every
day life
In his literary tastes and convictions Mr. Tucker
man asO inclines 10 the cautious conservative aud
sometimes perhaps timid character of the ancient
school rather than to the bold, dash;Dg uns .rupu
ous tendencies Of more recent period. He has
net q particle Of sympathy with the writer's who
mistake veheuCnce for strength, recklessness for
originality and sweeping generaza!lons for COM
pass of thought. Nor does he affect the dainty
niceies OF phrase which beeuile so many impress
sIbe readers into admiration of the ingenuity OF
tie author, while they conceal bis actual poverty
Of idess No seductive tricks of rhetoric find IA
yor nilh Mr.. Tuckerman. lie never sacrifices his
sense Of justice aud propriety for the sake OF max
ing an effective point. Aiming at truth Ct princi-
pie and accuracy of statement rather than at i'm
posing displays. he inspires confidence in the con-
scientousness Of bis inquiries and the justice ct
| bis Criticisms. He does not deal in the fierce
slssbirg yirdictive style Of literary comment
which degrades the critical function into a gadla
torial contest. Without regarding the author OF
book as a victim for the altar he discusses his
merits in a spirit Of appreciation which does not
| cease TO be acute because il is generous. Before
placing the subject of his remarks in his proper
niche, be does not deem it necessary to iay him
alive. He finds sufficient force in his pen with
out converting it into tomahswk or scalpng- knife
| Mr. Tuckerman is often retlcent, but never re-
served If be ab.tains from stringent expression
Of opinion, il is not from the love of concealment,
but from n delicate discrimination of Judgment lie
| bas too much mental integrity, too keen sym
patty with the refnements If literature, to seek for
the fame of a sensation. writer. Hence his produc
| tons will gain ia permanent interest whatthey
| = 81 IL
aston,h as prodgies, they will hereafter be respec
| ted as classics.
The volume now issued consists of series Of
ESSAYS On various historical characters, each of
whom is regarded in a special point of view,
although no restriction il thus placed on the range
of discussion and illustration, in which the author
| INDUCES. Washington az a Patriot, Chesterfield
ar Il Man of the World, Southey as Man of Let
| tiers, De Witt Clinton rs National Economist,
| Theodore K0rner as Youthful Hero are among
| the subjects who have furnished materials for his
| gallery, and whom he has depicted with truthful
ness and force which will make his sketches models
| of biographical composition.
Mr.. Tuckerman is equally happy in the narration
of events and the portraIture of character, while
his critical remarks and general reflections often
present excellent specimens Of the essay a
| species of writing in which few succeed in hitting
| the happy medium between afiectatOn and common
place The following passage in the paper on sgd
ney Smith for instance, combines some Of the best
qualities of essay writing and biographical denea-
| ten:
Literature has gradually merged the courageous in
tie artistic element style, instead OF being the yeh
| Gle OF moral warfare and practical truth has degener
| aed into an ingenious means OF smees elect. To
elaborate a borrowed tmsy idea, TO exagPerste
| limited ard unimportsnt experience, anG TO minister
exclusively 10 the of amusement, bnye become
the primal objects of popular writers lhey have, IN
numerous instances ignored the relation 81 thought to
action of integrity expression, aud OF truth to eo-
| GuenCc. They have dreamed, dalled, cOquetted on
Iaper exactly as the butterflies Of life 90 IN soclety,
giving no mpre s>iOn Of individuality or esraestncss
To div EFT vacant hour 10 beguie iatter puzzle and
relieve The ennui OF thOughtess II inds appears the
hight Of thor ambition The conventional, the lighter
gtaces the eeostC inunities OF setoye, 50 predonl
Lsie that We gain fresh impulse receive no mental
stimuli behold 10 veil of error rent, aud vista Of
truth opened ad. The OF Letters Is often,
10 our Consciousness GOT prophet, an oracle hero,
but iuggler pet. or, al best graceful Toy. We
realize the ola prCuCice that 10 write Tor the public
amSs ement il vocation based on humanity piaDcy-a
mtrcenary pursuit which inevitably conflict. with self
rosIect deals in gossip and trenches on the dignity OF
social refinement. Personal contact not seldom
6,strovs whatever Illusion taste may have created.
We find an ey asiNe habit of mind, efemnate
of reputation. fear OF self compromise, dearth OF
original, frank, genial utterance. Our ideal author
UOyes mere dtH11tc ssys pretty thlngs Is II COM
nitted 10 memory TO- the occasion, picks lngenou.
ttws 20 indicate superior dscernmen lnterards bis
talk with quotations is oil things TO al men, and
peoisly 10 all women makes himself genei ally agree
able by system OF artificial conformity, ana leaves Us
uureirtshed by cir lie glimpse OF character or one
heartfelt utttiance We stIive 10 recognize the thinker
and The hu disco