Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-11-01
aAi5fGllanfQn6.
GOSSIP ABOUT WRITER'S.
JAMES PATRON

JAMES PATRON.
OfaI American writer's few are more strict
" national than James Parton or more de-
serving the praise Of Americans. Born in
England 1922, he came TO this country at an
early age, and after teaching for short time
began the life of journalist. He has been
connected with several newspapers but first
attracted notice as writer ofDrilliant articles
f,r the Home Journal. and as editor Of the
PLreaologicaI Journal. His connection with
the former paper led TO his acquaintance with
Fanny Fern, whom he afterwards married.
/ About the same time be began his Life Of
Horace Greeley, which proving successful,
led him to adopt literature as profession,
and with the exception of a number of review
articles and a series of short Biographical
contributions to the Ledger, he has since de-
voted himself TO book-mxkiug. His history
has had few incidents. Like Southey he has
led the life of recluse, closely occupied with
his literary labors. and only closing them for
visits to collect materials for his works. His
resemblance to SoutheY is still further shows
in the most successful work of each. Mr..
Partons Batter at Ne,c 05ieo5ls, like Mr.
southeys Life 81 Nelsoa, was piece Of hack
work, written to supply an emergency; and
like the latter, proved most successful, and
/ had an enormous sale.
The character Of Mr.. Parton, Ike that OF
most men, has been largely Influenced by
circumstances. Compelled to subsist hy news
paper writing, where success depends so
much on expression, aud where the art Of
putting things mas besn reduced to science,
4 he has been forced to study style, and expires
/ sion. and as a result displays in all bis writ
! inrs q sometimes excessive tendency towards
/ brilliancy and effect We do not mean that
1 be wilfully misrepresents anything, or alters
the truth to suit his purpose, but simply that
I ike Macauley. and all similar writers, he has
/ been tempted, in order to put things 10 a
striking light, to exaggerate, or anderstate
the truth. Probably from intention his sub
I ecls have an been suited for the display Of his
( peculiar talent
/ Among so many works of contemporary
/ writers, perfect impartiality is hardly to be
expected. The life Of Greeley and Butler,
I pre-suppose a strong faith in their subject and
are, perhaps, as fair as was possible urder the
circumstances. in the case Of Aaron Burr,
it was natural that the odiam attached to his
peculiar facination, should induce a strong
4 sympathy in his biographer, and an apparent
partiality. In he main, however, Burr
character is fairly expressed, and his faults
nroperIv reprebated
The life Of Jackson was task beset with
difficulties, which twill begeneralIy aeknowi.
edged Mr. Parton has fairly overcome, aud
produced a standard work which has already
reached deserved popularity. Mr.. Parton has
/ expressed the opinion that his life Of Frank
/ lin Is his best work, and posterity viii pre-.
badly confirm his choice though its sale has
been less than any other Of his writings II
( isf however, an admirable work, written II
( his best style aud with few defects.
His latest, and in some respects best work
Famous americans If Modern Times, CON
l'sists Of various magazine and review articles