New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
henry CRABp RoBINsoN's REMINIsCENC.

more than half q century with the most celebrated
people of the time, and yet was himself so little
known to the public that his life may be fairly called
obscure one. Born in the middle rank OF society,
educated a Dissenter at a time when Dissent meant
exclusion from the Universities and deprivation In
many another form, living up to middle life GA very
slender means and without settled pursuit earning
afterwaTd competence at the par but never acqur-
ing fame, loving literature, but publishing only
few TRANSACTIONS which were hardly noticed,
and spending the close of his long life
IN the luxury of intellectual intercourse, he
did nothing to- attract the eyes OF the
public and his death in 1867 at the age OF 92 passed
almost without observation. Yet life like his was
certainly neither vain useless, nor an unhap-
nv one To the man who near the close OF his ca
reer. could write: "Were this my last hour land
that of an cctogenarian cannot be far off, would
thank God for permitting me TO behold so much OF
the excellence conferred on individuals; of woman
saw the type of her heroic greatness in the person
Of Mrs. Sddons of her destinations in Mrs Jordoh
and Mdlle Mars; listened with rapture to the
dreamy monologues of COcridge-' that old maA elo-
auent;' travelled with Wordsworth, the greatest OF
our philosophical poets relished the VIII ana
pathOs of Charles Lamb conversed feeiV Win
Goethe at his own table, beyond all competition the
sapreme genius of his age and couDdy ;c-to suGiTa
man the years must have been loaded with gratefnl
memories, and for his diary of them mankind
owes debt of gratitude. Mr. Robnsons
Etrengy-marked character, remarkable mental
activity, keenness of perception, intellectual
accomplishments, and extraordinary powers
of conversation were the secrets of his
cess in securing welcome admission TO the
best literary society," though he had advantages of
wealth. family, or personal celebrity. The cultiva-
ten of this society he made the principal business OF
his existence. He had all the instincts of hero
worshiper, without the meanness of a Boswell He
was hearty afJhirer, but he never fattered. Like
many other good takers he did not always know
when he had talked enough Rogers one day at
breakfast party warned his guests: " If there is any
one here who wishes to say anything he had better
say it at once for Crabb Robinson is coming;' and
the diarsts friend Edwin Field urged him when his
strength was beginning to fail to refrain from talking
"more than two hours consecutively" For all this
he was a charming guest and an inmitable host.
His breakfast parties especially were lannon's,
though the foundation of the entertainment-the
breakfast itself-was of the most airy and
unsubstantial character. The fare was plain, the
attendance was still worse and prime requisite
Of the table was sure to be forgotten that friends
who knew the ways Of the place generally break
tasted elsewhere before they took their seats at Mr.
Robnson's board but the conversation was always
60 delightful and the representative men of various
phases of gious and political thought met there
with much cordiality and freedom that admission
was q dearly coveted privilege. The records kept by
Mr. Robinson Of the men with whom he associated
n this manner and the distinguished characters
whom he knew during his long visits to the continent
embrace brief journals reachinga far 1870 thirty
five closely written volumes lof adary beginning in
1911 and stopping only five days before the writer's
death, "reminiscences reaching down to the
year lSi3 about thirty volumes of journals OF tours
and an immense mass of correspondence and
miscellaneous papers. From this overwhelming
abundance of material Mr. Sadler, who sympathzed
strongly with Robinson in his fondness for German
philosophical and pOetical literature, has made his
selections apparently with good Judgment and given
us not only valuable store of personal sketches and
anecdotes but vivid and most entertaining picture
OF Robinson himself Mr. Robinson had made some
progress in preparing portions of his papers for post
humous publication. About six weeks before his
death he said to Mr.. Macmillan, the publisher al
early found that bad not the literary ability to
give me such place among English authors as
should have desired but thought that had an
opportunity of gaining knowledge of many of the
most distinguished men of the age, and that might
do some good by keeping record of my interviews
with them"
His first visit to Goethe, whose famo be afterwaFd
took so much delight in spreading through England,
was made in 1901. He writes:
HAD sad to seume that wished to speak with VIE.
Rand and took at Goethe-and literally and exactly had
nay desire NV sense of his greatness that had
Tie opportunity offered, think should have been In
capable OF entering into conversation With hm but as
s. was was allowed TO gaze on him in silence Goethe
lived Ia large and handsome hOnse-hat IS for Weimar
Before the door of his study was marked III mosaic,
SALyE On our entrance lie rose and with rather cool
aud bcek0ned 70 TO take seats As he fixed
his burning SCumc who took the lead, had his
profile before me- and this the during the whole
OF orr minutes stay He then about 50 years Of
arc, and beginning 10 be cOrpulent He was,
think, one OF the most Oppressvey handsome men
ever saw. Y feeling of awe heightened by acct
dent. The last play which had seen in England was
mafkab.e moments when kcmDle Uhe Duke, dis
euised Is a monk had his hood pulled off by Lucio On
this, Kemblc with expression OF wonderful dignity,
assembled The throne aud delivered judgment on tie
Goethe sat in precisely the Same attitude. and had
precisely Tie same view of his sdeface The
ZION was quite Insignificant Ny companions talked
about herso lyes-Scuine about LIS youth OF adVersly
and strange adventures. Goethe smiled, with, as
thought, The bcngnly Of condescenslon When we were
dismissed ud was IN the open air lict as II weight
were removed from my breast and exclaimed, Got sci
Dauki"
Twenty eight years later he spent five evenings
with the poet at Weimar-a visit to which Goethe
devOtes two PAGES of his correspondence with Zelter
speaking of Robinson a sort of missionary be-
half of English poetry. great deal of the converse
ton was about Lord Byron:
This. and indeed every evening believe, Lord Byron
was the subject Of his ase. He said: Is sind ktrs
Flckr6rlcr an Gedtchte." There is padding in his
pOetyD And he compared the brlliancy and clearness
OF his style 10 a metal drawn through plate.
the complete edition o. Byr0ns works. including the
Life by Moore there statement Of the connection
between Goethe and Byron Attic time Of my interviews
with Goethe ByrOms Life was actually in preparation.
Goethe was by no means Indifferent account which
be given the world OF his relations TO the
English poet. and DESTROYS Of contributing all In his
power completeness For that purpose he into
my hands photographic dedication OF sardanapaus"
10 himself and al the original papers which had passed
hotel, ana to do with them what pleased: 10 other
words was to copy them, ana add such reeeoiectons
as was able 10 supply 81 GOethes remarks on Byron.
filled very clOsely-wTitlen folio letter. which