New-York tribune., 1870-12-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THEODORE PARKER's PosTHu"oUs
VOLUME.


hiSAOi''O iqmo. I'D. sl2. Horace Il Fuller
=. 80 r,derstood at the time of Theodore Par
- decease. a little more than ten years ago,
tbat among his pOsthum0us papers were seNeiM
L..,ures ON the lives Of certain eminent public
men of this country, in a state of complete prep
aration for the press. In the interesting preface
"a this volume by the editor the Rev. y. B
Rockingham, il is stated that they were written
out in full after careful elaboration, and that they
are now printed from copies Of the original manu-
script with no more correction than was required
by occasional omissions that had to be made good,
by infreQuent slight defects, AID by few misplaced
references. The volume consists Of four niograpn-
ical discourses. devoted to Franklin, Washington
John Adams and Jefferson.
To follow the line of thought suggested IN the
editors preface the subject of snu-SIayery occupied
large space in these lectures but although that issue
has become obsolete by the result Of the war; the
discussion Of il in this volume retains not little
interest as contribution TO history, and as ilustri-
tions of character or Mr.. PaTkers religious opln-
ions although they too vital 10 him 10 be eA-
oluded from any kind Of discourse there few cX-
uressions in the present work. His design IN the
compOsition of the lectures 10 trace back the
principles that have exerted supreme influence on
the American character TO their origin in the crea-
tive minds of the nation. lie had doubtless the fur
II
toric names to bear on the minds Of his cotempora-
res quickening their faith in the reality OF moral
priuciplc clearing their conceptions Of truth, and
iusuiring them with the sentiment of honor.
courage. and true manlincss. But no view
Of this kind ever tempted him 10 swerVe
from the stcruest LOYALTY to truth He made the
truth serve his purpose when he could, but he would
never attempt TO bend the truth 10 serve his pU-
pose The truth he would have at any rate whether
If served him OF not. The conscientousness OF MS
biographical studies was something wonderful IL
has few parallels in the history Of literary research
No labor was too formidable III order TO satisfy II
He always went 10 original sources, however Dim
cult of attainment or whatever pains was required
for their comparison. Every effort was made to
purge his mind from all faint of prejudice He recog-
nzed neither hate nor love when delineating char
actor Mr. Parker has been regarded by some as an
iconocast delighting to shatter great reputations
but there could scarcely be greater error concern
ing his dispostiOn in age Of false reverence and
sentimental Illusions lie destroyer OF idols by
the uterauce Of truth; but he never TOke the idols
save for the purpose to reveal the man.
In portraying the characters Of the great men who
are the subjects Of his biographies, Mr.. Parker al
WAYS makes an unconscious exhibition OF hs own
The volume now before us is permeated with the
expression Of his peculiar individuality. His lofty
constantly recalls the acuteness and breadth of his
intellect his singular power of analysis, his consu
mate masteryof details his auence of graphic illus
tration and his robust masculine eloquence, as we'll
"a the noble ethical spirit which formed the essence
of his cenius. In this point Of view the work viii
he welcomed as q new and precious memorial OF his
character, by the friends who loved him for his
worth "a well as a contribution to literature 10y those
who only knew the gifts of his intellect.
In the lecture on Dr. Franklin, Mr. Parker remarks
that oh the materials for judging him not yet
before the public historians and biOgapheIs, like
other attorneys sometimes withhold the evidence
and keep important facts out of sight TO secure
verdict which does not the whole case
There are writings Of Dr. Franklin which still
kept in concealment. But enough is known 10 enabl
us TO form Just opinion of this great man.
DR. FRANKLINs INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
Franklin had great understanding moderate inoe
a. eminent poet orator. With such, the means Is ha
the fur arts with the single exception OF music. He
fond Of works Of imagination, and IN his boyhood
torcc collections. Perhaps ne underrated the bcautf
and the sublime. DO not remember IA the ten voluIn.
Of his writings line containing single reference
either. This defect in his mental structure continual
HpI@r' Do h works ana lh ms me, hShIe, Iheie mere Is
and little cOarseness and rudeuess. Hence
firl' minded man. Kant Kcp'cr, Dcscartcs Leibnt
s,hcue, were men OF great imagination which gives
6DJ i'm tGr 'SIxou phi0sophcrs Bacon Locke NevgtOr
%Ti Si IA, r. men of vast ability hui moi Iinapin,
tive or poetic. Franklin thinks investigates, thcOriZc
inveuts but does ne dream No haze hangs ON Oh
sbarp outline of his exuc idea 10 lend il an added charn
Beside tlis immense understanding, Franklin had a
Immense reason, which ave him great Insight and powe
IN a. practical plilosophic aud speculative matters
WAS a man OF the most uncommon common sense. Ii
clearly into the remote causes Of things aud IA
great power Of g,neralzluoh 10 discuss me unFsrsa
laws the Crnal principle the manifold and float
ING facts lie did not come TO ispeilosophc conclusion
aud discoveries 10y tDat poetic Imagination which create
hypothesis after hypothesis until some one fits the case
did reach them by that logical process
which D. caed lnduttOI BuI ne rather perfected hl
wonderful inventions by his own simple greatness Of u
causaity, which led him 20 the point at He an
nOunced his discoveries with no parade. He does th
Inonest thiugiu the world. His simplicity appears moi
only in bis manners and in his life, but also in his intel
leciual method. Accordingly he great inventor o.
clitce te pbiosopi Of States. In 3otb rIpHjng beor,
The experience Of tho world. II only his philosOphiC
writings had come down 10 us should say, Here
mind Of the first order-a brother Of Leibntz Newton
Cuyicr Humboldt" II nOught but his political writings
preserved, his thoughts on agriculture, manu-
colonies the effect Of certain them the
historical development OF America and her ultimate
relation to England then We should say, Here was one
of the greatest political thinkers OF the age or Of the
world" For while he anticipated the scientific discOv
cries OF future philosophers he does the same IN the de-
partments OF the politician and the statesman. he
understood easily the complicated affairs Of Nation
and clearly the general laws which determine the
welfare Of the individual of the State Yet he made
occasional mistakes for the swift forethought OF genius
the whole, Is not as the slow experience
the human race; Nobody IL great everybody. Con
He knew how make his thought thing put his scen
tdc idea into matter, making machine, his social idea
into men, creating institution. He could produce the
maximum Of result with the minimum outlayof means.
His cOnIiyances, mechanical and social, many and
surprising He improved the printing press invented
stoTeotyping, and manifold letter.wrters lie cured
smoky chimneys Of their had habits He amended the
shape and the rig OF ships. He showed the sailors
they might take advantage Of the Gulf Stream 10 shorten
their eastward transit OF the Atlantic and how 10 steer
10 avoid IL the westward passage He told them
how few men might haul heavy boat, and how they
might keep fresh provisions at sea He suggested
provements in the soupdishes of sailors, and in the
wster-troughs OF horses. He introduced kinds Of
seeds, grass, tumps brOOmcOrn, curious beans from
England vines from France any many other vegetables
and plants. He drained lands skllfuly, and gathered
n Ne nd In