New-York tribune., 1870-09-30

n second time had he not been asked to revise them
for republication and only one which holds high
place in his affection An author must be considered
fortunate when he discovers that the pubc's mem
ory is better than his own an editor dOubly so,
when the articles wlkch he has written TO meet the
demands of the hour, and never meant to reperuse,
arc called for by those who wish to possess them in
q more durable form. The heterogeneous character
of the material which Mr.. 1ilton has selected for
preservation is doubtless explained by the variety of
tastes which he was bound to crafty. The opening
article is a description Of an interview with Wash
ngton Irving. Just before his death then follow
political leaders from The Independent, articles on
prison discipline woman suffrage, a paper on Mrs.
Browning. description of a visit TO Mr.. Greeleys
farm. notices of pictures, and finally, story for
children.
The volume is very good illustration, not only of
the range of topics which an editor is required to
discuss. but of the style and manner of treatment
which make them acceptable to the editors special
public The stamp of the passing day is upon them,
and even without the appended dates, the reader
might easily guess the time when many ot the aftl-
cles were published. The very rapidfty with when
they were produced under the freshness of imme-
date impressions and with the eamestness which
ALWAYS seeks TO impress Others gives them their pc
cular character, which would probably be lost in
revision which might round them into completer
literary form. The same necessity for immediate
effect upon public opinion also deprives them OF the
calm impartial atmosphere which the scholar loves
to breathe. They reflect the tumult OF political
movements the sharpness of controversy and the
inextinglishable faith and enthusiasm of the propa-
gandist. The latter quality is even manifested in
Mr.. Tlton's paper on Mrs Browning, which is not
critical analysis of her genius, but an intense and
unmxed eulogiuni.
The volume, therefore, cannot be fairly judged by
the ordinary literary standards. 1t must be accepted
with the explanation given in the preface The
large circle Of readers who enjoyed the articles as
they appeared win still recall their early effect and
enjoy its repetition. They will still be warmed by
Mr. TiltOns sincerity of views charmed by his senti-
ment, strengthened by his occasional yigor, and
stirred by the keen cut-and-thrust with which he
encounters n sanctifcd secular antagonist The
qualities which have made him successful as an cd-
tor or speaker are well exhibited in the various
papers he has collected. He never hesitates TO take
hold of a question and deal with its moro obvious
phases If he is less inclined to go TO the bottom OF
things and occupy himself with laws rather than
their remote phenomena, we must remember that
many Of his readers would not be so willing tofoow
him.
Mr.. Tiltons faults are as clearly manifested as his
dency toenthusasns buthis temptation to make easy
filings against those who differ with him in opinion
isindulged quite too frequently. In one of the
keepest articles in the book, a Lotus-Eatng Law
yern he saws: Every clever nave. sooner or later
gets his public dinner. Even John Quincy Adams
will have one in due time" In biographical pane
gyric of Mrs. H. b. Stanton after mentioning that
she received q votes for Congress, he adds 1t VIII
be seen that the number of sensible people in the
District was limited" If this be wit (Which we
Doubt il is of the cheapest kind and we hope that
the tongue of fire." or the baptism of fire., when
Mr. Tilton is perpetually invoking, will teach HIM
the taste which his ardent sympathies enttle MN 10
possess.
The volume of Hugh Miller's leading articles
contains some papers of general interest, which the
many readers of the unfortunate Scotch geoogist
will be glad to possess, and others upon sub
iects of scarcely more than local importance. Taken
collectively however they will contribute nothing
to the fame Of their author Most OF the articles are
concerned with questions Of controversy not only
referring solely to Scotland, but during n PERIOD
from 1910 to 1Sis already remote enough we should
imagine. to weaken much of the interest which they
might have possessed Hugh Miller's style, in these
articles is grave and proix to the verge of heayi-
ness. One feels that he addresses a serious and
patient audience, who would repel the lighter hand
| ling of an important subject. Education the ma
terial condition of the people and religion, are dis
cussed, and even the papers which suggest literary
criticism by their titles viii be found to deal with
religion rather than literature. Thus Che article
headed Criticism: Internal Evidence proves to
be an attack on the Rev DR.. Cumming; The
Sanctites Of Matter has nothing Of physical science
but combats the Episcopalian idea Of the consecra
ton belonging to church buildings; and Z" Vision
of the Railroad" discusses the question Of Sunday
travel As an illustration of the character of Edin-
burgh journalism, twenty-five years ago, the volume
NAV attract small class of readers; but there is
little in the subjects or the manner of their pre-
sentation which calls for salvage from the sea into
which they were cast.
AN INDEX HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, Volumes
l. T. XL: June, 1850 to MAJ 1870 Harper Brothers.
! The comDlctioD of the fortieth semi-annual