New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-03-01
7ynrk Dailp Grib1l,re
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
TIE SORROWS OF GRATTAN.

zyos., syO. London.
Some twenty years ago, certain fussy, pomp-
Gus, lively little irish gentleman landed IN New
YoIk, and after being almost frightened cut OF his
sense. by the AstOr House dinner.gOng, which he
mstOok for peal of thunder in clear sky, makes
the best of bis way to Boston where he expected
to receive the homage Of sdmiring thrOngs, ooEA IN
his character as the author Of some popular
sketches called Highways and Byways, and SIS
her Britannia Mojesys Consul for the State Of
Massachusetts,. Nor was the consul greatly disap-
pointed in the roseate hopes which had suldsed his
diplomatic cOuntensnce with glow Of selfcom
placent enthusiasm. The Americans, at that time,
were more susceptible than at present TO the pres
tige of foreign pretensOn. 4 dissins uished official
title, or celebrated literary rank, was apt to prove
the open Sesame to many doors, that had little
reputation for profuse or diUsive hospitality. Even
the national reserve seemed to fad a piods con-
ISOLATION 10 afectionate condolences with European
strangers. which we're seldom accorded 20 our own
countrymen. A few years before the advent Of
Grattan on these bsrbarous shofcs, Harriet Mar
ti1esu made a SIT of ttumphal progress through
the land, and her India-rubber ear trumpe. be.
came the depository of family secrets, personal
grief, and private gossip sufficient to furnish ma
terisl for large volume Of scsndalOus chronicles.
What she heard in the ear in closets she faithfully
proclaimed from the housetOp', giving the currency
Of the pen TO the most intimate revelations, and
astonishing crowd OF well-meaniDg simp!etOns by
betraying their too goOdnatured frankness. Graf
tan has placed himself in g similar relation ~ the
essy individuals who for seven years reOced under
the benign influences of bis consulshp in Boston. He
had go sooner stepped foot the payements of that
bleak metropolis than he loaded with ciyilities
and compliments. His right hand was almost lsmed
for life by the feryOr with which II was shaken.
No public celebration, no social festiyity, vas com
pete, without the presence Of Gca;tan. He was
admitted to tetea-tetes with the most eminent
officials, and On all occasions was placed 10 the
poet of honor, as well as treated with truly
sublime unreserve. Everett, Bancroft, Judge
Story, Winthrop, and the rest of the elite of our
modern Athens, hung their hearts on their
sleeves" while converting with Grattan, and for
getting " al time, all seasons and their change"
could have little anticipated the malignant treachery
warded.
For few months, the British Consul expanded
like corn ard melons in tie sun.hine, under the
genial influence of Boston hospitality. Every
thing wore a rose coored tint; all went merry as
marriage bell; Grattan was too well satisfied With
himself not to fall in love with the half civilized
Americans. Bat scarcely year b,d elapsed before
be began TO fnd many fond illusions fading
from bis eye. His situation is changed from bed
Of ro,es to pillow Of thorns. For the last three
or four years Of bis residence in Boston his suffer
ings grew more sud more intOlerabe, and his
thoughts were mainly intent on procuring relief
from his misery. The jolly diplomatic is trans
formed into sentimental Wetter, whose sOrro.s
called forth, not exactly By the sigh. OF Char
lotte cutting bread and butter bu. by the horrld
household WAYS Of Brother Jonathan, of whose
disgusting hospitality be has been made the ,harer
and the victim.
This is the burden of the two scandalous volumes
which Mr. GIattan has inflicted 90 the public, III
tent on emitting the venom of his spleen even
at the e1pen,e Of bis own reputation, il any he had,
for decency, courtesy, or common seose. Ills
fippant and exaggerated criticisms, his enor-
Gus self concert he vulgar and ridiculous pom
pesity, biz utter insblty to look at any thing save
in the light of hi. own preudices, and his reckless
comment. on private character, have had 40 paral-
lei among British traveller, in this country, since
the palmy day. Of Mrs. Trollope, the Rev. Isaac
Fidler ard other worthless Of tn lsehymO.esbusiye
school. Compared viii Gra.tan, Dickens is PSF
sgon of modesty and the very flower Of gentle
manly cOur!esy. Not that We complain of bis
severity Of remark on American manners a1i IN
.titUtions. We trust our cogntrymen are recover
ing from their thin-skinued seniitiveless - tie
casil, Of foreign tourists and visitors. They can
hear il asserted w.thou: falling into sp,,m,, that
10 woman il the United States las good msnlers,
and no man good education. Bu. no one can fai!
10 detest the social treschery, which takes st7an.
age Of familiar acquaintance to open the houses
of Jour family T. the riiicule Of he public, aad
feed The appetite for gossip b. descantirg on the
domelti. economy of eminen. men, imPud-n'y
describing the cut Of their cost snd the color OF
their shoes.
Alihogss tie Sollues are e1efy made y d tie