New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-09
EUROPEAN GOSSIP.
sou,,rondenee Of The ~ Y Tribune.

tgTTsspllGtLCe Of The N I. Tribune.
LONDON, Jan. %, 1857
The criticism Of spirit-rapplng seems 10 have be-
come a popular topic in London. The last number
Of The National Rerieu, contained an essay on
spirit literature, and in the next number OF me
Bestminsttr Rerieo April will appear well
written paper on the same subject, with the perusa
Of which have been favored.
There is a tendency prevalent in England 10 study
celebrated political and literary characters of former
times, and biographies are the order OF the day.
French worthless are no longer the only public aud
private men who think VI writing their memoirs,
and after all many circumstances which are Of
great Importance 70 the future historian of our
epoch, are brOugh. 10 light BY this self-indulgng
81 de mic Among the biographies which have
been lately published, that OF William Wordsworth
by Edwin Paxton Hood, occupies a prominent
place. Tbs biography il, the author states,
" aesthetic, that il. "a life viewed in rs ideal at
t.tudes; 10 speak more plainly Mr. Hood intends
a. give 20 the world history of the poets mind,
al of continuation of what Wordsworth himself
has done for his EARLIER days in the Prelude. Ii Is
NY humble belief that sOmew bat less than thick
volume was wanted 10 describe the feelings Of that
simple writer, Of whom your Emerson has tod 80
many pretty anecdotes in biz Traits. Enjoyment
OF, or rather communion with nature was his great,
BIZ OILY pleasure. His nephew relates that the
poets servant replied 10 visitors, who expressed
the With % zee his study: " the library where my
master ieeps b. books is in that room, but his
study il the ields."
A republican, Ike all generous and BIZ minded
meH at the close Of the last century, he embraced,
he side nature, only one even. with passion, and
that Vas the French Revolution; an interest which
he shared with the German philosophers, Kant ald
Fichte. Wordsworth became the leader Of
school in poetry, which Is marked by tendency ~
study and reproduce nature. This spirit OF the
age, yl,lble IN the drama, IN poems and novels az
Veil a. IN the arts Is embodied in his works. Ma
ture IN painting, real life ID romances, the uni
versal requisites Of the day. Events which come
under the eyes Of all, alone able 10 awake IL
;eresr. and Thackersy and Dickens are the most
popular novel writers.
Although Wordsworth exercised only an lndirec.
influence this influence Is the less great and last
iug The DO not read his poetry but the authors
whose writings are in eyerybodys hands hsve been
inspired BY his genius. Indeed, the poets whose
fame Is permanent are generally those who are only
read and appreciated by iew chosen lmaglnatlOns.
hi. = The case with the immortal Milton, whoa
all profess 10 admire but who is actually known by
a few; this IS the csse with Dante, AriOsto,
ard Camoens. Pope Of tie last century told
French ambassador that two Italian noolemen
fought duel, because they admired exclusively,
the one LudoyIco AriOsto, the other Tor.
quai0 Tasso. The Iartisan Of the Orlando
Furioso TEL deadly wounded, and, before
expiring, exclaimed mourniully: What Ounce
&" lam ! sm going 10 die for an author whom |
' have never read, aid whom stupid a. am-
would peyeT have understood, even II had read
him. How many proie.sed admirers Of the
leader Of what h. csle.. the Lake school" resen.
bic this Italian nobleman, though tbsy are by no
means inclined 10 share his melancholy fate
Mr. 1hackersys lectures on the -Four Georges
are the great success Of the day. You are already
acquainted With these excellent Outpoursg. Of the
III eli.h humorist, Of Whch. moreover, all the Lon
don papers give al account. The author Of Vanity
FAIR has become hon, like Albert Smith and
Gordon Cumming. add the MayIebone Literary
and Scientific Institution = crowded 10 .ufocatio1
on the days which are appointed for the sarcastic
hsioFiao. Lectures AID mA,sr1s literature seem