The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-04


osuid not expected - keep Itself sos~x with tho
intellectual progress OF Europe Controlling circumstances
IN the revolutionary sse-l mean from NE stamp ACT
country political channels In that department, and
In political history, some works OF great ability pro
duced but OF native literature properly called
WAS next TO nothing Books We got only by importation
the classics OF our language not republished
this side Of the Atlantic do not remember that tse
been reprinted in America Possibly some enter
prisng booksellers in the large cities an ventured
Mon, eapa SN, one s sr,, ." asoaon Of ts
kind my remark believe, will De found 70 hold uue.
Toward contemporary English literature there was Me
indifference Bosweils Johnson, Of which LORD
Ascaulay says, that q" is read beyond the assssippi
and under the Southern cross and likely 70 Dc READ AZ
oDg a. The English exists ~ hooks would be
lhed At the present Gay In this country before sne snees
dry from the English press appeared 0o Eng ma IN
year az the darkest hour which preceded the dawn Of
our national literature, tho first purple CLEAN
Soon hs sky was seen 70 redden and glow with the
ing hope and expectation strained their wait
ing eyes toward the glorious light and anon the sun OF hs
resplendent genius oee with healing 10 his WINGS aud
moved with steadfast glory up to the meridian Then
ike the Gibeoni stood stlla long and gladstone
TN went down at length with unclouded beams To the
golden west His fame and his favor grew with the
growth and strengthened with the strength OF the coun
try. His early productions were the favortes of the club
room and the Preside, when we counted some seven
millions Of population in 1909 his life Of Co
lumOu6 and IRE OF washington nave Deen received
as classics by four times thai number whose overflow has
spread to the Pacdc ocean. The most popular Of
writer's In his YOUTH where there were nons 70 contest
the palm, he led, with cheerfuy acknowledged superi.
GRITTY the rapidly increasing company Of names not
worthy be cassed with his own, and went down his
grave in biz well earned, undspused, unenved pre-
eminence
Such he was to his countrymen American writer,
was his career less distinguished as member Of the
great republic Of European and especially OF English let.
ters. Milton Observed two centuries ago. that the s
ians not forward to bestow written encomums
men Of this side OF the Aps II might be said with equal
truth fifty years ago, not now, that the English
not forward to bestow written encomums on men this
side Of the Atlantic. 1t must be owned, however,
had not been many occasions to put that Hberay
respect to the lest. About the time that Mr. lrvngs
career began had been asked, rather nvidousy than
unjustly, by kind hearted humorist, who really loved
America. IWho reads an American book9' Thanks TO
the pen Of accomplished countryman, the question
sketch Book II might with equal proprety have been
asked, "Who does not read an American book"' Mr.
Irving however, went abroad %;oS inc or most una
thor could present himself before the British
public To the general prejudices to which have sllud
ing connected with reoollectons OF the Revelation,
superadded the irrations Of recent war. OF all lite
ssa as aoun s oT
Even there no obstacles Of this kind to be
mounted, Mr. Irvng's arrival in Europe conceded with
Rogers, Ooleridge and Wordsworth But, with
calm self reliance Of sterling merit, he fearessy
entered the oympian race with these iiussrioas
rivals he entered unknown TO the great English pub
lie, with but one friend among the literary magnates OF
the day But, with courage, set of by unaffected diff
dence, he guided his glowing axle along the imperial
shout Of generous applause cheered the
gallant stranger the brightest eyes in England rained in
fuence on his noble adventure; more than one Of the
candidates for public favor dropped SUCCESSFULLY
behind him. and wheeled bis parting courses In triumph
to the goal abreast of the most admired Of his compe
tors Il would be highly presumptu0us in me, sir after
what has been said BY the distinguished eulogst Of the
evening, and the other gentlemen who have proceeded
me- TO pursue In any detail the noble career OF our
departed friend Happy in his genius, happy in the
early bloom Of his reputation Ut home happy, win say
in his msfortunes, happy In the success OF his mis-
cellaneous writings, he thrice happy in the choice
Of the subjects Of his two great historical compost
tons. One might ask what theme 20 suspicious
or the %1st popular II. AmsrSsn wFs the
found for his later years still more suspicious theme in
the "Ie of Washington" What unexamped felicity, not
"weeping, but bearing precious Seed" but also 70
"come again with rejoicing At tho evening Of tho
Father Of his CountryI How favored the life beyond
all ordinary measures Of human happiness Opening
with the year which gave recognized national exist
to the by the bepedicon Of
Washington on his infant head--and permitted to
hearse, all coming time, the wondrous tale Of hid
frdm Ssn;nd the Va. Of waters. ana that stun more pom
drous, still glorious tale Of that peerless name, In
which al the blessings and hopes: and destines Of
that found world lowered out In the loneliness OF
the life Of Irving that must not Be forgotsen-I mean
that ne was permttoQ 70 ENJOY Wnuo uvlpg, IN al lib
amplitude and without deduction, his world. wide repu-
tation. 50 cheerful, unanimous recognition Of CO.
temporary merit has, perhaps never been Witnessed.
Success, fame, aluenco, political ENTHUSIASTICALLY
to the candidate fer public favors-roused up enemies
him. Ne envied his good fortune, one qualified
his praise no one hated, no malgned him. Derac-
melted into kindness by the angelic loneliness Of
his character and voice but that Of respect affection
and veneraon reached bis ear So be heard and 50 he
did. These posthumous honors but the echoes Of
those which you delighted TO pay him while he soourned
among u.s. and the chapet which you reverenty place
be added to the happiness Of such life and such DEATH
Mr.. Everett retired, as he had advanced amid thun-
ders of applause the resolution was put and unanimously
carried and the large audience soon after dispersed but
not before many OF them had taken advantage Of the
casion to pay their respects 10 General Scott and Mr..
Everett.