New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-16


Tie ocmpTehersiye plan Of tsis work embrs.es
the ls.dirg features both Of biography and bio
biography, although IN The former department 1t
tie lie attempted, in most cases, beyond general
outline Of tte character and career Of the subject
Of notice 1t is IOsiay photographed direcso-
~ 10 the yast field Of Eoelsh literature that the
pstisht tolls Of the author will prove Of importance
10 the STUDENT; tae record Of dates and events IN
peuohal history, however, has been carefully pre-
pared, ard nsy be probably consulted; while tho
elew which is gwen TO the knowledge OF books IN
the Epslsh language is probably not surpassed, Tor
convenience aCd trustsOrtbiness BY any similar
production in he whole range OF modern literature.
The Arrangement Of the materials comprises, in
addition to the u,Jal photographed notices, Co
piou. selection from contemporary crae'm'
on tho principal authors, derived, for the
most part from the highest authorities, and
shswire the reception accorded to literary pro-
ductions on their first appearance, and in
many eases presenting striking contrast to
their subsequent reputation. In the execution OF
the plan the author exhibits ordinary scquaint-
snce y th the vide field Of research; an attention
to details which seems never TO weary under the
most Intricate niDu;is; q Vglant discrimination,
which watches the avenues OF error and is seldom
found noddiDg It's post and Judicial impartial
ity which, though not always proof against the ap-
prOscses Of fsvoritism, rarely yields 10 prejudice
AID perhaps never, without the con,ciouineu OF
innocent intent. In fact he 10 devoted, with such
enthusiasm, 70 the cause Of sound learning public
morals, and what he deems correct principles, that
he is sometimes little impatient at their viOli
top ard lo,es the GOODNESS Of the critic in the zeal
of the censor. The articles on GibbOn, Hobbies,
ard Jefferson may be mentioned a. examples, IN
which earnestns,s of conviction has betrayed the
author into partisan tone, inconsistent with the
spirit Of purely literary statement. Nor will the
admirers of DIR. Claiming and Mr.. Emerson be
ready to ascribe 10 accident the meager notices OF
those eminent men. Without reference to their
peculiar opinions, their position in American lterA-
ture, and their extended European reputation,
would seem 70 require as elaborate an account Of
their works, at les,t, az is given to those OF VIII
liam Belize, or the Rev. Hugh Blair. Each OF our
celebrated countrymen AIMED above ia dismissed
with ess than column, while our excellent friend
Peter Farley receives full justice in an article OF
more than seven columns.
In regard to the great Bgbts ofBrtish literature,
as general rule the treatment is ample, in.elli-
gent, and satisfactory. The article devoted to
Francis Bacon is an admirable specimen Of tho
rough and informing literary discussion, with the
exception Of the closing sentence, which strikes us
as berg wholly superfluOu', and not at all in the
best taste. After pretty full biographical
sietch Of Bacon, We have detailed account Of
hi, works, interpreted with the opinions Of
eminent critics on his separate productions, and
concluding with extracts from the writings of
great variety Of authors, regarding him in
general point Of view. Among them are Sir
Water Raleigh, Sir Henry WOtton, CoHley,
Addison, PuieDdorfi, Hume Plsyfair, Hallam, and
several Others. The article on Burke is no 10"
CON plete and appropriate. Ofthe literary men
Of th, county, Bancroft Bryant, Dana, Everett,
Hawthorne, ard Irving, are the subjects Of e1-
tended notices, written in highly sppreciative
,pirit. and filed with valuable and interesting in
formation.
A very considerable portion of the volume, from
the very nature of the plsn, is mainly occupied
than line in length, which are Of as little general
interest as the entries in city directory, thus:
"Gshsgsn, Johp, Irritabity Of Plants; in Med.
Com, 1850" There are convincing proof of the
indefatgable diligence Of the author, and, in some
rare cases, will give weary student precisely the
fact for which he has had breathless search.
But the work is by no means exclusively taken up
with details, which from their fragmentary char
acter, must needs be arid and unsttractye. Many
passages Of continuous narrative occur, in which
the lover Of books will find the charm that is
always attached to the perusal of literary history
Among the most Iesdible mOrceAux in the volume,
are the recollections Of Byron, BY Mr. TcknOr and
Mr. Everett, which we copy in full
Two Of our countrymen-Mr. George Ticknor, su'
thor Of The History Of Spanish Literature, and MIR.
EDWARD Everett late Minister Of the United States OF
Amer ca at the Court Of ST. James-have favored us
with their Ms. Rscollect,ons of Lord Byron. Mr..
Ticknor writes MS July -, lS5S, from memoranda
made at the time y:
al became acquainted with Lord Byron ia June,
1915 through the kindness of Mr.. Clifford, Editor OF
the Quarterly Review, who had personal regard for
the great poet, and to whom alone, as Lord Byron
more than or told me- he supposed himself indebted
for the kiudoets shown him in that eminently Tory
journal. Lord Byron was then living In large and
fue house in Piccaiilly. saw him there only few
times-four in aD-dwipg the ten days was 10 Lon-
don after became acquainted with himi beside which,
however met him once in MuTsys room in Abe
mnIle street and once passed an evening with him,
Lady Byron, and SIR Ralph snd Lsdy Noel IN MS pm
vste box In Druiylar Tneater, to see hean In kaie
/. Wife Lord Byron being then Of the managing
committee of that theater and an admirer of kean.
The whole OF tuch acquaintance was necessarily
not much, ard could give only the most supeIhclsl