The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-15
imam or poet, lot us take him as the eloquent

''scholar and be thankful"
But still moro severe is Miss Martineau's
Judgment OF Dc Quinccy, especially as regards
his relations with Wordsworth. Having writ
ten to tho poet in terms Of admiration and
sympathy, he was invited to Wcstmoreland
valley and shared largely in tho hospitality and
kind Offices of the fast;dious poet. In return
for this treatment, he wrote series OF letters
exposing everything which he knew to the
disadvantage OF the Wordsworths. little
anecdote in condection with this passage Of
Dc Quincey's life. related by Miss Martineau,
is worth repeating. San old friend was talk
"ing with him by the freside, and mentioned
s.De Quincey's magazine articles. Wordsworth
sbegged to be spared any account Of them. say
sing that the man had long passed away from
"the family life and mind; and he did not wish
ITO ruf1e himself in useless way about
s,misbehayior which could not be remedied.
''The friend acquiesced, saying, well, will
"ttell you only one thing that he says, and then
"'we will talk OF other things. He says your
''dim eyes lighted up instantly, and he started
"from his seat and flung himself against the
'mantleplece, with his back to the 4re, as he
"cried with loud Enthusiasm that's true!
"'There he is right' and his disgust and con-
"tempt for the traitor were visibly moderated.
One of the most striking sketches in the
volume ls that of Lord Brougham,. with whom
Miss Martineau was at one time on terms OF
personal friendship. Vanity, she says, con-
sumed the resources of his mind and charac-
ter. There was constitutional want Of bal
ance which paralyged the action Of his noble
intellectual powers. The main element OF bis
life was inconsistency, it being even doubted
by those who knew lin best, whether he
would ever fulfill any Of his virtual pledges to
the people. The sketch is concluded with o
rather happy comparison "Lord Broueham
''was at his chateau at Cannes when the first
introduction OF the daguerreotvpe process
'"took place there; and an accomplished neigh.
''bo. proposed to take view Of the chateau.
sswlth group OF guests in tho balcony. The
'sartst explained the necessity Of perfect i'm.
mobility. He only asked that his Lordsbia'
and friends would keep perfectly still for five
s'promiscd that he would net stir. He moved
"about too soon, however, and the conse-
ssQuence was-n blur where Lord Brougham
''should be; snd 30 stands the daguerreotype
.sy1ew to this hour. There is something mourn
'.fully typical iir this. In the picture of our
''csutury, as taken from the life by history,
.'tbis very man should have been q central
s'fgure;. but now, owing to his want Of stead
''fastness, there will be forever blur where
"Brougham should have bcen."
Miss Martineau gives some line sketches OF
eminent women, drawn WITH discrimination
and free from any tincture of envy or dispar-
agement. The tragic features in Mrs. jane
sons history are lightly touched on, wi lie JUS
ticc is done to her merits in tbs sphere OF PIC
turcsgue description and aesthetic criticism.
uniform impression is left BY her writings
and her character, "that OF o wlrm.hearted
s'and courageous woman, of indomtable soci-
liability of nature, lMgo liberalitics, and deep
''prejudiccs." The notice Of Charlotte Brontc
is unequal to tho interest of the subject con-
ssting chiefly Of superficial ard desultory de-
tails, with no attempt at philosophical analy.
sis Of her character. OF Miss Milford, she
commends the attractive cheerfulness and
charming humor which brlghtoned her delieh
full style, though she denies her claim to any
insight into passion, the depths of human
character, or tho scope Of human experience.
The book as n whole is one OF the most valu-
ablo that have recently been published. 1t is
an admirable literary production, notwithstand
ing the drawbacks of which we have spoken;
and it will, better than any other work of
which we know, make the reader acquainted
with men and women who arc part of the bis,
tory of the times. AS We have said, the tale
of their lives is not always impartialy told; but
it is botter to know them as Miss Martineau
knows them, and according to her honest
Judgment, than to wait idly for that per-
feet biography or personal history which
may come with the millennium, but will not
come before.
The book is printed with antique type, on
tinted paper, with broad margins and side
notes.