New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-31
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
TEN DAYS IN LoNDoN.-No. VI


YIEws-PROFEsSoR MORLEY AND MILTON
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
BADEN BADEN Arg. 5.-Among the literary men
whose acquaintance he'd the good fortune To make
in London was NJ i..uis Blanc, the celebrated his
torian of the Frenvu Revolution. and member Of
the Provisional e a mt Of AS who became an
exile on account nh teal opinions on the ae-
cesson OF LOu!, y S,~.a, and since that time
has been for the llnst psr resident of England. In
spite OF repeated offer; OF anesty. and invitations
to return to his sti" lSno bas chosen the life Of
an exile rather than % 9 Inow ledge the rule of a
usurper. He SUPP 1rts mSeif by the productions Of
his pen, being connected with the press both
in Paris and Lou'-u. anil a favorite con-
tributOr to some aner' AN journals. His mas
terry of English ao 1st perfect writing with equal
and correctness n 10th languages. In terseness
and vigor Of style, he Is few rivals The extent OF
his political knowledge combined with q sagacitS
that amounts almost 20 prescience, gives him an
eminent rank among the .blcists of Europe. His
shrewd conectures the course of events have the
character of vatcinatiou, and it is rarely that his
predictions are falsifed II. Blanc takes deep in-
terest in American affairs. His devotion TO liberty
made him our ardent friend lring the war OF the
rebellion. From the first, he comprehended the char
acter of the struggle and was confident of the sue
cess of our cause. found him when the excitement
hight. He at once commenced the dis
cussion of the subject, unfolding the principles
that were at ISSUE and the facts that re-
quired adjudication, with precision and force that
would have commanded the admiration of an Amer
lean statesman. The views which he presented were
the same as those of the most udicous thinkers, in
our own country, and which have since made remark
able progress among the b, It minds in England. NJ
Blanc, IN addition to the keen and incisive charac-
ter Of his intellect, possesses wonderful flow OF nat
ural elOQuence. In his own language, it would not
be easy TO match him by any living orator. Under
the Inevitable restraint of speaking English it 10 GU
rious to watch the operations of his mind. With his
thorough knowledge of the language, he has
no trouble in writing II with idismatic
strength and elegance. But in the ordinary
intercourse of conversation. he sometimes hDds
himself at loss for the right express
sion. The common TOPICS of social life aP-
pear not to possess sufCiept interest, to awaken hs
intellect offs highest action. He speaks with the
seriousness of choosing his words. and OF course,
vita a certain degree gf embarrassment. The inyol-
untary powers in rho exercise of which the secret OF
genius consists have not yet into play. Hence.
his enunciatOn, Though correct and impressive, is
comparatively abored too deliberate and formal for
the magnetism of society. But the moment he crap
pies with an important subject which stimulates his
faculty of analysis and calculation, his whole man
ne. is transformed his words flow pure and spark
ling as the waters OF mountain stream. and his ar
dent nature pours itself forth in gush of imprisoned
rhetoric. Seldom have heard the English Ian
guage applied witt more racy flavor more mascu
line strength THAI IN scme If these glowing IMPROVE
sations.
In person, NJ. yaBis B.anc Is below the middle
stature, his hands anu f7et are of almost feminine
delicacy which, WIKI E:S bright and fresh complexion.
air onla riv il
capaciOus head howe, er, is the seat of massive
brain. He has tie nervous temperament which 80
often belongs to highly intellectual organizations
and every word and gesture indicates exuberant
vitality.
The name of Frances Power Cobbe is familiar TO
many of your readers ~ holding prominent place
among the female WI i" Of England in the higher
walks of literature. Ter intellectual history re-
markable. DESCENDED ,'om one Of the ancient aris-
tocratic families * G.t Britain she was educated
in all the Traditional. conservative prejudces OF her
caste The very idea of innovation in the received
opiuIons of Church and State was alike foreign TO
her nature and habits Still COARSE OF more
extended study than Is usual among women
of her own, or any other country could not but
awaken her to reflection. She became acquainted
,g:sh the writings of the great masters OF modern
though , and was lei to suspect the falacy OF many
points in her hereditary faith Her temperament
was to delicate and susceptible TO endure che agony
of protracted religi Us doubt. positive belief was
necessity of her natr But she could find no ightin
the usually accredt ources ofreligious instruction
One after another the fixed stars to which she
had looked for cheer al guidance faded away from
the armament In th condition of vague aspirssion
and dim conjecture lunging and hoping for clearer
revelation of divine things, she became acquainted
with the writings OF Theodore Parker. and IN his
strenuous exposition of the principles OF
absolute religion aid the decay Of It's
the labyrinth in which she had been
a forlorn wanderer, s new light dawned upon her
path and fresh and IA althful impulse given 10
the purposes of her 'ife. The shadows OF doubt
passed away from her mind forever, and although
her inherited cree - dc1rvedo of its ample dmen-
sons the essent .aiiJ oi the soul received Largo
accession in clearres abo strength. Her correspond
ence with iMr. Parker rpened into an intimse
friendship, although they never met until rev ua'
before his death in Florence when he WIS., 90 ia
gone as hardly to be conscious Of his former SELL
Miss Cobbes writings are chiefly devoted TO topics
of morals and theology, to the discussion Oh winch
she has brought the habit OF deep renecuon' "Iue
attainments in learning and excelleht ghls vi aga
nan, and illustration. Her mind 10 OF masculine
oaot tborob she is dec dsdy feminine in character
and manners She is less addicted to dainty fancies
.hor "a nrofound research and earnest discussion.
r., nersons have thought more deeply on the rehg-
IONS problems of the age and her attempts 70 con-
.trpct positive faith amid the "broken lights OF
the day. if not completely successful. are certainly
interesting contributions TO the philosophy of reiie
ion In addition to her serious labors. she has
written numerous popular essays, and sketches OF
travel, many of which betray lively humor, and
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