New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-09


from the pen of Mr.. Thackeray were recentlyre-
published in our columns; and it is now announced
that tho ilustrious author himself has become tho
subject of honorable eulogy and tender remem.
banee. We learn by our telegraphic dispatches Of
European news that he died after single days ill
ness on the oath of December
William Makepeacc Thackeray was born of En-
glish parcntage in Calcutta where his father WA
engaged in the service of the East India Com
pany in the year 1911. In the seventh year
Of his age, he was sent 10 England for bis educa-
ton, entered the Charterhouse school in London.
became a member of the University of Cambridge,
but did not receive degree. Upon the attain.
ment of his majority he came into possession of Q
very considerable fortune, which did not, however,
prevent him from deyoting himself to the study
Of art, with a view to making it his profession.
For several years, he resided in different European
capitals, and travelled extensively in France Italy,
and Germany. Soon after his return to England,
he abandoned the plan of becominga professional
artist and having lost large portion Of his
property by rIinous speculations, before his thir.
cth year, he decided to adopt literary career az
his vocation. As has not unfrequently been the
case with celebrated English authors, his first
efforts we're made in the newspaper and periodical
press; but it was long before he attracted any
marked attention from the public, although it
would not have been difficult for the apprecistiye
reader to predict his future distinction.
His contributions TO Fraser's Magazine under the
signatures OF Michael Angelo Titmsrsh, and George
Fzboode, consisting of tales, descriptive sketches,
criticisms. and poetcal illusions of various kinds,
betrayed an original genius, great knowledge ofthe
" highwsys and byways' Of life, and mastership
Of subtle irony and Of playful acle, yigor of ex-
preston. Upon the establishment Of -" Punch in
1911, he found eongenial field for tine exercise Of
bis power Of Sarcasm, his light, agile, trenchant
wit, and his tact and keenness in seizjDg and
depicting the ludicrous aspects OF social life His
first brilliant success as q novelist was in the pub
LEGATION OF " Vanity Fair" which issued in
numbers, and which at once brought his name be-
fore the literary world, the rival or superior Of
Dickens and Bulwer. This was followed by 50 PEN
Dennis" which was also published as a serial, and
concluded in the year 1850.
In the summer OF 1851, he delivered his lectures
on "The English Humorists OF the Eighteenth
Century" before large and adruiring audiencesin
London, and soon after repeated them in the prn-
cipel American cities. These we're published in
1853 and had very extensive circulation. Henry
Esmond" had been published during the previous
year end was followed by "The Newcomes " in
1855 series of lectures Oh "The -Four Georges"
was delivered in New-Yofk and other cities OF the
United States in 1856, aud afterward repeated in
most Of the large towns in England and Scotland.
The Virginians" followed in 1858, and in January,
1860. the first number of the "Cornhill Magazine
appeared under his editorial care in which he success
sively published "Lovel the Widower," the :" -Four
Georges and Philip"
Mr. Thackeray had made two visits to the United
States. where if he found some unfrendly critics.
be met with more congenial admirers. He was no
where the object OF more enthusiastic kindness and
affection than in this country. His frsnkness OF
manner, the bluff, burly nonchaance of his car-
rage, his sincerity of expression, sometimes
to bluntness, to apparent rudeness in
Iced. were combined with certain genality Of
humor, which, to those who knew him we'll, pos
,esscd an almost irresistible attraction He carried
bis freedom from affectation to an extreme point;
bis social realism often too sturdy and athletic
for weak and sensitive nerves; he had but few
TO tickle the palate Of people With
taste for sweets; but no one not all invalid or an
IDIOT could mistake the genuine kindness OF his
heart, OF his possession OF broad, downright;
generous, and cordial nature. The tones OF his
voice were the true expression of bis character.
Deep, rich, emphatic, varying with the subject In
hand, if not with the person addressed, they be-
irayed feeling that reached far below the surface,
and Intelligence that flowed from mind of noble
,ndowmens.
Apart from the irony, the porsifage, tho fun
he exquisite mischief, aud delightful malice which
,lay their mpish pranks in such large class of Mr.
rhackeray's writings, we have the most profound
ense of his merits a great moral teacher. In this
aspect perhaps without consciously aiming at it.
le was one of the brightest lights of the age. His
essons are full Of sound, robust, practical wisdom;
gordly wisdom il may be called; but wisdom suit
d TO the world in which ii must be exercised. He
caches both 10y flashes of sarcastic wit, and by tho
.iudest, gentest insinuations, the worth of in
egrity, of charity, Of infinite pity, of keep
NJ up heart and hope, of sinewy man
mess of serene composurc under the evils OF life,
# seornful detesaton of whatever is base treach.
,rous. false, or cowardly. His sardonic grimaces
md cynical ways are only the vail over his fine.
earnest, profound humanites; attracting notice by
heir sometimes grotesque expression, but never
,oncealing quite the tender, kindly, generous ma
nre of the hhsute, unpublished man. What a world.
# wisdom, of acqulescence in the higher Will, OF
owe. of sentiment, of pathos, of sympathy, in ths
nav. rolickinc. conyiyia Ballad OF Bouills,
,sisse.v which whose understands not, understands