New-York tribune., 1870-02-05
LITERARY BIOGRAPHY.


,HB LIPR AND LETTERS OF WASHINGTON IRVING. By His
SsRhss PssSN MI Ihy,Ss Peoples Edition Ne"fO'' r.
As originally published this interesting me-
oir consisted of four duodeclmo volumes with COM
plete alphabetical index and cOpiOus supplement-
These two features OF the work have been emina
teu of the letters OF special interest
thus reducing the size OF the publication and substituting
three volumes for four AS previously Issued it met the
wants Of library edition. anu 0nion' ~. .''-
snoo, and also as a complement to the uniform
edition OF lrvings -~s-h. It soon appeared however
that the life and Letters" had an element
popularity beyond what usually pertains to literary
biography The great personal affection entertained by
his countrymen for the memory Of Irving, the remark
able purity and prevalence OF his and the
local and social associations attractive to very large
number OF his contemporaries and their descendants rem
dered the details OF his and especially the Illus
traons thereof contained in his correspondence very
charming reading those given TO the study
OF eTatuTe the portTaiture OF the proved no less
pleasing suggestive than that Of the author Hence
the preparation Of this edition. at once compact and
comparatively inexpensive. AS a specimen Of book
craft is quite model Of neatness and beauty; the few
illustrations superior and in its present shape the
work win meet with a renewed circulation.
The annals Of native literature are yet too brief
TO yield many biographical ustratons and yet these
among the most delightful andnsructiye of memoirs,
when executed in the right spirit From Johnsons Lives
of the Poets LOckharts Life OF Scott the intellectual
history OF Great Britain may be read to the best ad
vantage the biographies OF her authors Nor is this
all Such is the intimate relation between the popular
and the normal characteristics of country and
authentic Is the testimony OF local fame, in the es
Of national character that In reading the history OF
those who instruct and delight with the pen, obtain
the cearest insight to the tendencies and traits OF
community and "a country. In later times this wide
scope and significance Of literary biography
has been deepened by social agencies
Sir Walter when asked what he deemed the highest per
sona good derived fame replied the social priv
ieges it for him and IL series OF national
memoirs learn how people thought felt, looked and
acted at a given period find the most salient phases
evolved and the most characteristic qualities recorded
the diaries correspondence and anecdotes of authors
Literary biography, therefore, when adequately repre-
sented, has historical and philosophical, well
personal value. Boswell's johnson and Crabb Robin
sons "reminiscences mako familiar with
the and manners OF the days Of George
and Victoria, than the most elaborate lives
Of eoemporaneo statesmen soldiers professional
celebrities; for the reason that literary sympathy
greater solvent literary associations free and
genial bond between the individual and society, than
any civic interest. Kit North Edinburgh. Dryden at
Wits Coffee House, Steele at the Club and Lamb in his
London LODI gngs centers OF wit and wisdom
the heart and the sympathetic intelligence Of
race than the most renowned minister OF state
the greatest general Of the through and by the lives
OF such men, recorded by living survivors, we get
glimpse the latent ught-le sentiment and spirit
Of the times "POets and philosophers" wrote Shelley
are the ged legislators Of the world" Our
literature Of biography S. have said seanty Few Of
our authors have pursued their vocation exclusively
70 yield the materials for werounded and complete
career and Of those who have devoted themselves TO
letters, few have achieved fame adequate to excite
wide interest in their private experience The lives Of
Cooper and OF Hawthorne arc yet to be written from
some sketches Of the former by his accomplished
daughter infer that memoir Of singulary American
flavor. and unadyenurOus zes might be written by
her hal and pracced hand The interest in the life Of
the author Of the Scarlet Letter is chiefly psyche
logical; but capable OF tracing faithfully
the development of HawthorDe's mind,
inspired by local influences and a sequestered
experience, would contribute a charming illus
traton TO the philosophy OF authorship. The
best experiment TO this end may bo found in Haw-
thornes Journals, two volumes OF which are pub
lished. and essentially auoboeraphic Our best lit
erary biography the strict OF the term Is Tick
nors Life Of Prescott" is the work Of scholar and
friend its facts drawn from intimate personal
knowledge; Its spirit is inspired by rare intellectual
sympathy and its execution controlled by disciplined
taste.
We regard II siDgularly fortunate that the memoirs
Of pioneer author were coDfded TO one Of his
KINDRED who had been the companion Of his studies and
The recipient OF his confidence; who, for whole life.
lime, had enjoyed bis society, shared his feelings,
and reeDroeated his aneeOn who thoroughly knew his