New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-10-03
MIR. ALCOrT,s TABLETS


The author Of this volume has9eVcr achieved the
conspicuous eminenee IN literature, which, WIN
more ambitious more ardent temperament
would have been the natural fruit of his rare intel
lcetual endOwments. lie is chiefly known 10 iahle
a. one of the circle of high thinkers who with Elmer
son and Thoreau have given wide rcnOwn 10 the
secluded village of Concord in Massachusetts, Ills
contributions To the dial under the title OF Or
nbic Savings " many years ago called forth feeling
of wondcrment among the ScIibcs and Phariseos OF
Boston by the strange beauty OF their style, ana
their nlvsiic subtety of thought Other productions
of his pen from time TO time chiefly in the interests
of education, bctrayinc mind of singular acueneSs
and suggestive power have kept his name familiar
with the advanced portion of intelligent readers,
although he has made hut slight Impression on the
public at large His public Conversations" in diff
fcIent cities of the Union. in which the highest
themes of philosophy and morals are subjected TO
popular discussion under his inspiration and guild
ance. have probably exerted wider influence than
his literary compositions. 1t is more interpreter
of spiritual ideas than writer in the sphere OF
art, that he has made his marx on his genention
and will be more or less remembered in the future.
Mr. AlcOtt's peeuliaritics thinker arc distinctly
brought TO the surface in the present volume, al
though not exhibited in the salient relief which gives
such marked character to ms previous productions
The most striking quality Of his mind is the union Of
the interpretive faculty with the love of nature
His avorite taste is for the contemplation and anay
sis of The interior life. bu, this is relieved by pro-
found sympathy with the external universe An adj
nrabe balance is thus provided for lis mental con
sttntion. Which preserves him alike from the dreamy
worship of Nature and the arid distractions Of purely
speculative thought.
Among the leading traits of Mr. Acott we note
certain Sociatic tendency to questioning; Inc has no
disposition to take anything fOr grantod the most
beautiful compounds separated ia ms genie but
pIe,s ANALYSIS: hut his gift of synthesis or recon
structon is not equally remarkable. Nor do we
ascnLc 10 him the power OF original ceaiion' so
much as Of original suggestion. His mode Of expression
is oracular it has a certain prophetic bfeNiV ana
obscurity; but il often covers the uteTauce OF Ia
iuiliar truth. But he always stimulates the minds
with which he comes in contact, even II he fails TO
instruct al. fuctfy them. Not that he takes his
tone from external Influences. lie is not easily mag
netiled or impressed by foreign thought or sympa-
thics Though lover of good books. lac is indebted
10 sfndy for but few acquisitions. We believe that
Bis Thought is the fruit Of a genuine spontaneous
movement hut il seldom gives birth 10 an absolutely
novel conception. His highest ideas old III their
Intrinsic substantial contents, although exhibited
under new aspects and applied variety of new
relations.
In the essential character of his mind Mr.. Alcott Is
a mystic not a reasopeT. lie loves 10 make ac-
ouantance with truth by familiar intuitye elances.
rather than by amy formal processes of deduction
Hencyer aims at an orderly connection in the de-
yclopmcnt Of ideas prcfcIing the isolated flashes Of
thought which sometimes illuminate whole hem
sphere. His mysticism is less Of the Oriental than
tho Occidental type plrtlkug of tie quiet depth OF
the medieval thinkers rather than the passionate !
uNurouce Of the ancient East. No storm OF feeling
dstmh~ the almost divine rcposc Of his coutcmpla
lions He disdans the use Of argument, recognizes
no man az IAN antagonist. but keeps al0of flom tie
communion OF minds that are mpelled ly She force
If conviction not drawn by the sweetness 81 sym
usthy Prom the serene nights of intuition, he
uttcrs the burden of his soul; but no drapcry OF
language impairs its naked simplicity; he yonoh-
safes no illustration from fancy, no show OF logical
urs,of not the semhianoe Of complete, coherent
system of thought. His composition reminds you oi
polished coat Of mail in which each link Is OF exquisite
finish but the joints are left without baud % r'et
and which has not sufficient hrmnes- OF consistency
toIesi,t "a strenuous attack
The moral qualities of Mr. Alcott have probably
more 80 do with the secret OF his influence than h's
pcculiar mental endowInents Every page Of bis
writings evnces n singulaIly pure and unworldly
character They appear more like leaves torn from
sorno fragrant antique volume, than the products of
TIL, competitive rapacious age. They transport ms
To- some peaceful island beyond the reach of the
btons and Ti lrics of the day lie lives in serene
atmosphere free from all secular pertuLations No
earthly stain dscolors the spotless whiteneSs Of his
soul il is no wonder that I've is listened 10 IN speech
less reverence by an c7Otcrc circle. and that his
words are clothed with authority, beyond the
power Of Candy rhetoric purely intellectual
demonstration
In the volume now published, the dnal tendencies
ot Mr.. AlcotCs mind to which have referred,
receive abundant instratiop II is divided into two
PARTS practical and speculative in the first OF which
he dwells lovingly the environment of the garden
and orchard, Of books and friends OF affection aud
sympathy. which contribute their graoos TO human
culture; while in the second hc gives scope to lof-
ticr fight discoursing the reconcile mystic
res OF existence, and often lowering the dim
fines between the known and the unknown Many
OF hi, pages Are envenod by flavor Of not ungrace-
ful egotism. the very franIrless Of which disarms
criticism and leads one 10 ascrbe it to a certain UNI
conscious simplicity, rather than 10 an immOdest
sense Of personal importance OF such book, 1t is
Of course impossible to give tolerably faithful
idea by any extracts but few selections may
10 illustrate the spirit if not the substance of its
tents. - .s.as
TIE PRAISE OF GARDENS. .... -.
We associate gardens and orchards with the perfect
condition Of mankind Gardeners ourselves By brthrght
also mytholOgize ana plant our Edens IN the Last VI
ms Tho OUT ancestors the sacredDess Of earth aud heaven
stl clinging the ter Of the ground Hin We esteem
lie pattern man. the most favored OF any HIS labors
have charming innocency They yield The gains Of a
selfIospect denied 10 other cangs HIS IS an 0cenpa
lion friendly to every virtue; the frcest OF any from
righteousness and dcbssing cares " IL full Of honest
profits manly lab0rs, and brings aud administers all ne
cesnres gives the largest leisure for study and recrea
oi, whc il auswers most tendery tho Inequalities u
Friendship aud fine claims Of home. The delight df chill
man a. tis The ornament Of the gentleman the praise OF
che scholar the Security OF the citizen places man III
tn fbaQa rle4 must