New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-05


and Of pbysical research. which opened too wide q
field for the labors of single intellect, however
omprehensive,-although his favorite themes re-
lated to the portraiture Of character as exhibited In
the creations of genius.
The critical faculty of Sante-Beuve consisted IN
the sagacous application of what may be called the
psychological method to the judgment OF literary
productions. The estimate of book with MIN was
not only the exercise of high artlsuc SKILL
but the result of keen mental analysis; it
was an intellectual labor, no less profound, no
less conscientious of no less Tesp0nsDe CnIacler
than the solution of a scientific problem, OF the com
position of history, although II was one mo Wich
he threw his heart completely that betrayed no
odOr of midnight oil, but had all the iIeeuol anu
airy grace of spontaneity. He regarded DOCK, not
as n collection of verbal wonders, an eAnlpltlon Oh
rhetorical articles, display OF personal anDltlon
but as "the precious lfe-bloOd OF naster-splrlt,
suited to be the nutriment and medicine OF coming
ages; and those which did not III some degree
approach to this standard had no power 70 t0uch MS
imagination and were passed by with as NIUE inter-
est as though they had been unwntten leaves OF
parchment or papyrus. The human aspect OF DOOR,
so to speak, was OF more lIpoItan0 W nm
than its literary relations. IL was the expo
nent of the authors soul, rather than q
cunning composition of prose ana verse hence
although cOnsummate Judge OF literary arr; MS
criticisms of work dwelt less on the external form
and expression. than on the inward spirit ana ere,
alive idea which presided at its BIRTH Inc actual
accomplishments of writer, III MS view, were Oh
which gave the impulse to his endeaNoTs. NO man.
certainly ever excelled Salnte-Beuve IN the happy
faculty of reproducing, the contents OF WORK Oh
genius of expressing the essence OF large volume
i'm brief essay and of reporting the exact measure
ment of its intellectual proportions; but he was not
content with this he assembled from the stream 10
tue fountain; detected the spirit of the author In
the cooung of his work; analysed his genius rom
it's development in words and from the to0t OF her
cules drew portrait of the person. Perhaps u rs
not too much to say that his criticisms often did
more Justice to writer, than the writer dld 10 MN
self He understood not only what was sald, Dut
what was intended. Beneath an Imperfect expires
sion. he would detect profound subtle thought.
He entered so fully into the mind of an author that
he would present in striking perspective and impress
i've illustration the conception or fancy when was
left obscure in the original, and needed the warmth
of sympathy for its complete exposition. , .
For above ALL Sainte-Beuve was sympathetic
critic. lie was wont to speak OF the writers tnat
came under his notice, as his patients or clients,
never as his victims. He knew too we'll the Sc
crets Of literary composition, not 10 be awe
certain tenderness for those who had attempted IT
unsuccessfully The line which separates excellence
from medOcrity is of so shadowy character that
he had passion for placing the elect on one sue,
and the condemned on the other. lie had no belief
in purgatory bat also no desire to define the limits
between heaven and hell. The man who writes
poor book in his opinion, was not necessarily elther
an idiot or knaye, and one to be driven out at the
point of the bayOnet. Nothing but vanity, preten-
sion aifectatiOn, nsinceriy, was TO INN the meet
subect of literary Castigation; the punishment OF
woTtblessness was neglect; he had a wide liking for
every variety of mental accomplishments he opened
Hospitality his doors to authors OF lnanltod degrees
of merit; he treated them all II not with smiling
welcome with courteous hndllness though no was
not afraid to smte and when he struck hestruck sore
Still he loved rather to dwell on the positive SIDE OF
every production of literary art He had no taste for
scanning the defects Of "A work, and displaying ms
own acumen and ingenuity at the expense OF the
author. With the school of jeffrey ana sydney
Smith and the critics of BlackwOOds magazine,
which delights to expatiate on the shortcomings
which 1t discovers and to treat the writer from
whom II differs In taste or OPINION WIN contempt
rather than with discrimination, he had no amnlty'
Nor was his tolerance the result of blind and elem
mate charity Ii not because he feared 10 offend
that he brought ndugent generosity To the Juug-
ment of authors. Rather II grew out OF the
catholic extent Of his appreciation, the
largeness of his nature which took in every variety
of manifestation, and the vitality OF ms tastes winch
were alive TO every expression OF humanity. Ills
work was less the work of dissection than OF recon-
struction. He was one of the few critics who dWet
with more emphasis on the POSITIVE QUANTITIES Oh
book than on its negatiOns and impeIiecuons, ana
passed Judgment on an author according 10 what he
had done, rather than To what he bad lett nudone
1t part of the critical junction IN ms view"
TO give the last quieus 10 the helpless abortlons OF
literature but rather. 10 discover and cherish the
symptoms of healthy life. -.
After all he regarded the productions Of literature
AZ illustrations of humanity rather than as creations
of art. Hence his peculiar interest III WoIhs OF q
biographical character, for IL was these that gave
him occasion To pass from the rules of literary com
position 10 sketches of experience and the analysis
of passion reproducing the DersOnages OF history IN
the living cOors of reality. lie delighted most IN
books which brought him into contact with persons
which pivoted on the lights and shades of character
and afforded him materials for bis masterly dclnea
tionof special Municipalities and his dramatic group
ing of events the panoramic displays of society
The detection OF the human element in a WORK OF
literature always touched his Imagination and m
spired his pen with fresh power. Hence his
graphic sketches and illustrations of character in
many respects form the most significant commentary
OH the history of his age.
In early life, Sante Beuve exhibited strong re-
gOus tendencies and not devoid of the elements
which enter into the composition of the deyotee. His
mother was an English woman OF excellent accom-
pshments disciple of the Christian faith after the
approved English fashion, and her example aud IN
huence produced deep impression on the tender
hearted boy. At a subsequent period, his acqualn-
lance with La Mennas gave him tinRe OF the mys'
tic piety which that fine enthusiast combined with
his zeal for the elevation of the people and the adj
vancement of society. The progress of thought,
however in maturer years left hum without Vestlge
of his original creed. Not the shadow Of a
dogma remained Of his early faith. lie made
no rude assault the convictions OF Others he gave
no boast of his emancipation IRON the legends OF
antiquity; but the power OF his youthful pety had
passed from his soul forever. Though abstainlng
from controversy OH speculative points he became
the implacable enemy of the priesthood and OF all
churchly rule presenting obstacles to the sincere
investigation OF truth, and the free development OF
humanity. His religion was reduced 10 the love OF
the True the Beautiful and the Good without creed
covenant and he renamed firm III this position 10
the last. By his express direction his funeral which
took place last Saturday, was without religious
sOlemnity pTiestly benediction. OF the four
thousand persons, including all that was distin-
gushed in letters and art in Paris who stood around
his grave not one was permitted 10 bid farewell TO
the spirit that was gone. could have wished that
a few words of tender commeInOTatlon might have
fallen over his remains. To part with 30 gracious
and so noble soul without breath of aflectonate
remembrance would seem 10 DO an injury and sui
lenness against nature" x. I