New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-02

any glow VI IHspilitiOH' ~
feryor of Imagination in the remembrance u
noble examples of human worth, no curious
felicities of description, no charm OF rhetorical
establishment. Even the legitimate graces OF
historical writing are for the most part absent
and the narrative is almost as meager ana barren
Of attraction as the catalogue OF an auc-
t;oneer. Mr.. Hildreth himself, though his tenn
nerament was not, in any eminent degree at
least poetical, was ardent in his feelings, ana
bv no means destitute of Imagination. Inc
dryness of his history we have no DOUBT was
with him matter of principle. lie cher'Sncu
mighty scorn for all the airs OF authorship py
which, q shining coat of varnish Is made 10
cover ingrained defects of substance. lie De-
lieved that the refnements OF taste were ho'
called for in the relation of facts; and hence nc
tells the story Of Puritanic devotedneSs anu
heroism, with more than Homeric simplicity
and with nothing of Homeric eloquence.
For several years previous to his acceptance
of the consulship at Trieste, Mr.. Hidreth had
been resident of New-York. His connection
with this journal is probably known to many Oh
orr readers. His regular and frequent coniripu'
lions to our columns were of a strongly.marked
character, and needed not the addition OF his
name to secure their identification. lie
was always ready with the productions oil
his pen, always knew what to say,
and always seized the happy moment OF
SAYING it. He possessed, in very rare degree,
the qualities Of facility and promptness so es-
sential to the efficiency of conductor OF the
daily press. His industry was perpetual mar
vel. even to men who are supposed to know
how to work diligently themselves. He seemed
never TO indulge in an idle moment. He was
not the one to celebrate the praises OF leisure.
With him, mental labor was not only recrea-
ton, but a passion. He was never at loss for
q subject, never at loss for the method
or matter of its proper treatment. His memory
was capacious and exact. He appeared to have
all the resources of history at his command.
His knowledge of American politics, of legisla-
ton, and of legal decisions was both extensive
and accurate. His mastery Of expressive Ian
guage never failed him. Ii pretender were to
be set aside, or any other nuisance abatcd, he
was the man to do the work. At the same time,
he studied politics as science, ana loved to
ascend to first principles in the discussion OF its
most exciting themes.
In his personal character, Mr.. Hildreth, we
believe. had the credit of habtual auSterlty, per-
haps even of certain degree Of moroSeness.
His manners, ii is true, were not concillatory
He had no soft words to throw away upon bores
and drivelers. He did not hesitate to express
opinions which he was aware were disagree
able to the nearer. lie had no morbid
love of gaining friends, no cowardly fear
of making enemies. He always wished to ex-
press himself honestly, and took little heed to
the consequences. Still, to those who knew
him intimately, though never paragon OF gem
teness and acquiescence, he daily revealed
disposition of true modesty and sweetness.
The roughness of the chestnut bur could
not conceal from them the bland and well
Favored kernel. In the various relations OF
private life, he was without fault, unless such
NAV be deemed his freedom from seltishnesS
which gave him no passport to popnlaraavor,
and impcdcd his worldly success.