New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-20
WHIPpLE's CHARACTER AND CHARACTER
ISTIC MEN

4
WIN p WmrrIR emo pp. 81. Tcnor Fields.
II IS seldom that writings prepared for occasional
purposes exhibit any qualities which afford assurance
of permanent interest The charm OF the lecture, The
anniversary discourse the popular Grafton, the bril-
liant article in the magazine daily journal, passes
away with the excitements Of the opportunity that
gave them birth The public taste is less exacting IN
regard TO performances which lay 10 claim on the Ia
ture. but are prompted by the demands Of present
necessity. Often the production Of the moment
awakens an agreeable surprise by its contrast with the
inferior matter that is found in its company COM
position of little more than the usual brlliancy or
grace is extoed in periodical when il would meet
with but slight favor in book Hence literary merit
is severely tested when it comes to Judgment IN the
pages of a volume. As rule, an anthof VINO nus
gained credit By the ephemeTal creations OF his pen IS
guilty of an unwise ambition if he cOvets the honor OF
seeing them preserved in good type and handsome
binding. OF course there are signal exceptions 10
the correctness OF these remarks. There are some
authors whom are delighted 10 meet IN Whatever
form they may make their appearance. Come when
they will, they are always welcome. Served up III
every shape even ten times repeated, their broken
fragments find caressiDg reception. Not line IRON
the pen of Washington Irving or IbacheTay, though u
has done duty in hundred ways, but possesses
priceless value. The living writer, though cha-
longing no comparison with those ilustrious masters
of the pen, who can yet command the attention oil
the public to the echoes Of his past utterance thereby
egtimateS his clam to the possession OF quales %
sterling worth.
In questioning the general value Of Scellaneous re-
prints We have had reference 10 the author
volume only in the way Of contrast impressed win
the original thought analytic acnmen, vigorous cN-
presson and affiuent illustration, which WHY us
pages we have been naturally reminded Of the signal
difference between them and the mediocre productions
which aspire from transient reputation to lasting
fame-the mortal Yainly striving TO put on immortal
itv Mr. Whippe on the contrary, Is the pOssessor
of intellectual traits which ente the offspring OF bis
mind TO an honorable place IN our permanent htera-
ture He is essentially a man OF books. lie mas
read widely and read we'll His singular iacilty OF
association makes what he has once mastered his own
forever His deXterous handling OF tho large resources
of literary history is remarkable. Few men, even
those whose lives have been exclusively devoted to
letters have such wide acquaintance with the writ
ten wisdom Of the great teachers OF every age. But
he is never oppressed with the burden OF erudition.
He has too rich vitality Of mind 10 become The slave
of his own studies. No favOrite master Of thought
exercises sufficient power over his spirit 10 impair the
elasticity Of It's temper. He Is slngularly receptive OF
the highest idea, ne dlsdans to accept impress
sions from worthy and noble external sources but he
does not cease, on that account, 10 keep MS own
forces completely in hand; bis reverence never be-
comes serylty nor his submission TO good influences,
passiyeness
In his critical capacity, the department in which
perhaps be has won his highest distinctions. Mr..
Whpple is remarkable much for the business OF his
intentions as Tor the sagaClty OF his judgments. No
love OF paradox. temptation OF rhetorical effect no
assumptions OF originality, are permitted toalure hm
from the integrity of his purpose in deciding on the
merits Of intellectual productions We need not say
that he is never guilty OF the Undesirable meanuess
OF dsDarqgng the works OF on author through Jealousy
Of his fame vtating the purity OF his estimates by
personal anupathes. The paltry rya.rieo Tor which
certain class of peteDders 20 literary hOnOrs are pro-
verbal. are wholly foreign 20 his nature. His de
cisiOns though We do not say that uey always com
mard assent, are founded on broad aud generous
principles. Ii he sometimes fails IN tneir application,
II is not from prejudice certainly never from malice,
seldom from nafTOwness OF view. but iron The neces'
sary limitation OF the human faculties.
The diCtOn of Dir. Whippe, though Oiten belray-
ing q curious elsborateuess OF structure, does Lot
always do Justice to the clear and sharp outlines OF
his thought In numerous instances, th0,precisOn Of
the idea is impaired bya too luxurious expenditure
OF words. His sentences might be coined into
more polished surface, with greater neatness OF finish,
without losing their naturalness or becoming tncal or
eheminee. They are never wanting IN point or
force often even they are models of snewy strengths
but they would have no less masculine energy II
they exhibited little more elegance aud grace in
their costume.
In rare cases, Mr.. whippe's yivacity seems
TO be combined with slight dash OF petulance.
Though not easily provoked his patience is not absc
lutely nexhaustible His liberation OF dullness and
pretensOn is perhaps creator than Is common with
men, but it will hardly entire him to place among
the angels.
Some cavorite forms Of expression Of such FREE
ouent recurrence although their temperate doubt
less enhances the hveliness Of his style. almost 10
subject Mr.. Whipple 70 the charge OF tendency at
least TO an occasional vicious mannerism. He in
dulges largely in the figure OF sntithess and Oisen
with admirable effect. MANY Of his happiest sentences
sre suggested by an antithesis Of thought For in.
s,ance The great danger OF the conservative Is his
temptation TO surrender character and trust in habits
the great danger Of the radical is bis temptation TO dis
card habits without forming character. one IS liable
10 meutai apathy, the other 20 mental anarchy; aud
apathy aud anarchy equally destitute Of csusatve
force ana essential individuality
Another pssSage presents 3 string of Ye!-ccnCeYed
sntitheses and as whole presents favorable Illus
traton Of Mr.. Whippes Characteristic style; Car
lyle always writing Of herOism y rarely heroic,
because ne hates falsehOod rather than loves
truth and is a disOrganiZer Of wrong rather than
organiEef of right. His writings tend TO sJft the
mind iuto kind of splendid disorder and purchase
some shining fragments Of thought az the expense Of
weakened will Being negative. he cannot commune
cate life and inspiration % others; for Begaton ends
in despair and love alone can communicate the lie OF
hope. His negative thought, therefore, can never be-
come positive thing; il can poui, sheer g5e, groTl,
hate declam destroy: but il cannot cheer il cannot
create Now men may be soldiers, patriots, and re-
formers from the inspiration OF hatred; but they can
not be hc.Oc IL Is love- and love alone, whose sweet
might libefates men from tbe iluaGGm OF personal
considerations and lifts them into the exhilaratng
gion Of unselsh activity. IL is not lie fear OF shame,
but love Of glory which makes the purely heroic sol
der Ii Is not haired OF other nations bu love OF is
Own, Vb ch makes tho heroic pari0t ltE.O laEed u
iasercDdan wrong but lovs o. t'uih and sight. which
makes ;he heroic thinker snl rporncr. Ana D. ~ NOT
q rt d t,rfq ..l fha teN f.4 e.