New-York tribune., 1868-06-12
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
6 r,rrr nr,,ur,s CEIERRATED WOMEN.

outbor although perhaps not to be ranked among
his most brilliant OF profound productions affords
very agreeable specimen of his peculiar genius and
character NJ. Sainte-Beuve is not only cOnsum
mate master of French prose, winning admiration
by the exquisite fecites of his style, but thinker
Of singular subtlety and penetration, possessing
power of just and acute analysis which has rarely
been parallelled in literature combined with
delcacy of perception and breadth OF
sympathy that give to his critical decisions
almost the authority of an oracle. His strength OF
intellect is gracously tempered by fervor OF feeling;
The gift of passionate admiration sottens the anstei
ty of his Judgment without impairng its truthful
ness and the expression of noble sentiments IN
literature or of sublime traits in character inspires
his imagination with something like lovers ehthu
,iasm. His mind seems to be haunted by visions OF
aerfection and every approach TO their realization
kindles il into certain divine rapture III
is this love of the beautiful, this mDorn
svmnatby with whatever is elevated, and
generous and true to the highest Instincts
nf humanity. that give such morning glow to his
writings. and make every page sparkle rs with the
freshness of early dew NJ. Sainte-Beuve presents
rare example of judicial sagacty in his estimate OF
literary productions with no trace Of cynclsm. or
bad temper in any form. The success of an author
docs not provoke his spleen; nor the failure to sue
peed awaken his Indignation. He has no aihnlty
with the venomous tribe who delight in detracton'
who make popular approval the signal for ill-wlu
and who do not even praise favorte but al the
expense of anOtheI's fame. In his view the dis
sOyery of faults is not the main function OF the
critic higher wisdom is shown IN the detectioh
Of latent beauties; but neither task can compare
with the sincere and impartial estimate that grasps
The secret of writer's thought and does justice 10
lhe faculties that were concerned in his productions
:. & have a strong flavor
Of individuality. He makes no conceament OF his
likes and diskes. His literary verdicts are doubt
less tincured by his personal sympathies But he IS
never prompted by prejudice to acts of injustice.
His criticisms of books do not express his private
friendships or enmities. His judgments OF character
are not founded ON transient capriceS OF taste
but are derived from comparisons with fixed
standards of excellence. From petulant IN
diligence in whims crotchets he Is singulaly
free. His favOrite subjects of discussion, re-
lating chiefly to the manifestations OF literary
culture, possess certain degree of sameness; but
they never become stale by custom and TepetitOn
his wonderful cOpOusness of resource and versatility
of illustration give character of novelty to the
most hackneyed themes The freshness OF his own
spirit is never impaired; the creations of litera-
tine spread before him perpetual feast he finds
bright flowers at every step his capacity for admira
tOn is never exhausted and his sympathy with
the nOblest achievements of the intellect eXerts
a contagious influence on the imagination of
his readers. NJ. Sante-Beuve style is
charm in itself. 1t is natural and artistic at once
The graceful flow of his narrative might lull the
mind into a soft, dreamy TepOse; but sudden turn
of expression, inimtable in its subtle fnesse, thor
Oughly arouses the attention; suggesting train
of thought and imagery, and clothing the subject
with a fresh enchantment. Compared with the pop
nar French nOvelists his vocabulary is limited and
.osht be pronounced tame by th9Ss Who ore fond Of
startling effects; but his power 6vtf language is ad
~mlrahle; fiGi1ing the familiar terms which he
santly uses into the rarest forms of beauty ana de-
!,gnr. --~- =
The translator of this volume who has performed
her work with loving sympathy rather than as an in
trnectual task has conferred an obligation on
American letters. 1t is a matter OF congratulatlOn
that our popular reading should be enriched with so
fair and so wholesome expression of foreign
culture. No French author could find more
cOngenial circle among the sincere lovers OF
literature in this country than NJ Sainte-
Beuve. 1t does not detract from the interest
of the volume that it is mainly devoted to familiar
names The sketches of Madame S6yign6, Madame
Roland and Madame de StaGl will agreeably recall
the career Of those celebrated women while the pOr
tratures Of Others who have achieved less note in
history form an attractive study of character, and
will amply reward attention by the suggestive light
they shed on many curious aspects Of society and of
human nature.
The closing paragraphs of the essay Madame
Roland present rapid parallel between her and
Madame de StaGl, and furnish good example of the
prevailing manner of the author.
The style and language Of Nine Roland are clearer.
more vigorous and concise than Nine de StaG in
her earlier manner-a difference raeeable to the charac
ter and mental habits Of the two writer's ana TO Nine
ROands ten years Of seniority In her solitary leisure,
had already written much, and on all sorts OF subjects
which she threw of in haste attest thorough and prae
ticed pena mind capable OF comprehendng ana deser
ing multitude OF relations Nine de stael arIinghea
before the same Assembly would probably have spoken
with less ealmness and sClfpOssessOn She would have
been inclined to display and easily overcome Inc one
like Roman matrOn controlling her shyness and pride,
would have hidden under the folds OF her robe her stylus
and tablets Delphne might have trembled and felt
her heart SWELL but like Morse woman, she would not
Aud yet Nine Roland is very much under the same spell
the sentimental inspiration as that other daugh
and the rules of philosophy she cries 10 Banca
believe in SureT guide ior heatnnl sous ana nat rs
with tears aud IT, later in her republican yein she de-
herself Tactus and desires no other reading,
was not the republican author Of the work literature
fed saus and the letters OF Brutus The nara
tves Of both show the utmost yivacy OF mind, and they
regard with kind Of transport Of contempt the base cal
nmuiatOrs around them. They can employ, whenever
occasion demands that play OF irony so natural TO supe
riOr women. In the course OF years think they HOnd
have assmilated still more. The former would have
learned Of the world, and would have abated her
stoeism IN presence OF the actual The powers OF the lat
ter would have npened, and ner illusions would have
passed away. tribute which rarely be paid TO great
and glorious things but which Nine. Roland especially
deserves Is hsthe deeper yOu search into her life and
letters, the simple the whole appears Always the
same language, the frank thOughts-nOt secret.
a compcatOn-whether Of passion or Of cOntending
mcnatOns and desires Even that last mysterious love
whose object is unknown, whose existence is but twice
sOnesseds majestic its silence. For the rest all is
irue, ObyOus perfectly limpid-nOt stain, vail TO
be raised Peer closely as you VIII into her house OF
Kass-traEspaTent ever the old Roman desired-the
hght OF reason and innocence irradates its welOrdered
aud refined Interior How tins woman bears scrutiny
from the stand point Of the actua Close upon death she