Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-11-10
Edward Everett ON ThOma, DabbinEton


In the preface Of his Life of Washington
Edward Everett takes occasion TO make the
following remarks about his late friend
Macaulay:
Great as are the losses sustained by
science and letters in Europe and America
during the year 1885,. the death of Lord
Macaulay is in some respect the greatest. OF
the other illustrious persons who have been
taken from us in the course of the year, sOmey
as Humboldt, Hallam and Irving had at
tanned advanced years and nobly completed
the work given them to do. Prescott,
though leaving his last great work half
written, leaves with it three completed his
tories, either of which would, serve for a
reputation. Maeaulay, AT % time of life
which, in the course of nature, admitted
many years of added labor has been called
away in the midst ofthe triumphant prosecu-
ton of his great enterprise. While the vol
umes already given to the world will go
down to the latest posterity as one of the
most valuable contributions to the literature
of the English language, how keenly must
we not regret that they form at best but a
moiety of the work which might have been
confidently expected from his wonderful
pen With what sorrow must we not reflect
| that talent which could clothe with the in
terest of romance period of English history
not usually regarded as the most inviting;
that stores Of information collected by a
memory of truly miraculous grasp, often
! from sources the most obscure and distant,
| and arranged with matehless skill, should be
lost to us forever, and this at time when
they were most successfully employed for
the admiration OF the reading world
Absolutely identifying himself with the
scenes he describes, and mingling with fer
vor, though under the guidance of laborious
research, in the great contentious of the
times, it was scarcely possible that he. should
fall into no errors Judgment, and never form
a mistaken estimate of character. One such
has been keenly felt in this country. But
his work owes some of its highest qualities
! TO that earnestness ofconviction andwarmtf
of feeling which may, in the manner alluded
to- have occasionally warped his Judgment
But, admirable as he was as writer
Lord Macaulay was still more admirable as
man, His principles were liberal, his emo
tions generous, his manners affable, his lifI
exemplary, his morals pure. The splendol
of his page was, if possible, excelled by the
brilliancy of his conversation. His persona
d Intercourse was perpetual feast of rationa
pleasure The world admired the magnif
cence of his rhetoric, and contemplated witt
equal delight and wonder the profusion wit
which he poured forth the stores of hi
memory, gathered from the, literature {
every language and every country. Thos
who heard him loved him for his amiabl
personal qualities for the unaffected meek
ness with which he bore his transcenden
honors for the sunny cheerfulness of hi
l disposition, and the generous warmth Of hi
heart. | can not but reflect with melanchol
, satisfaction on the many happy hours passe
: in his society during four years of intima
acquaintance and on the proofs of friend
regard with which he honored me to Il
!, very last days ofhis life.