New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-20
OBITUARY.
GEORGE GROTE.

The death of George Grote, the venerable
historian of Greece announced having taken place
In London. Sunday June IS, In the seventy eighth
year of his age Mr. Grete born ut Clayhi Kent In
1884, his ancestors having emgrated from Germany to
England at tho beginning OF the last century His father
was at the head Of eminent banking house In London,
in which, after pursuing his early studies at the Charter
House School, Mr.. Grote became clerk be-
fore the completion OF his seventeenth year.
His taste for letters manifested while
yet boy and the pursuits Of business were not per-
mied to interfere with his devotion to study. The pre-
cocity his mind enabled him to engage In the most DIFF
fcut fields of research He pursued with avidity the
investigations which usually reckoned the exclusive
province Of the marest ntelects His studies In his
tory the science OF politics, and general literature, az
this PERIOD laid solid foundation for the great literary
enterprise which formed the chief labor OF his fe Ills
master In political economy was Mr.. James MILL
whose writings exerted potent influence over his mind
although he a slavsh adherent OF system, but
sought for truth In different schools Of thought not ex
cepting tho Positive Philosophy OF Comte, In whose
specuations he at time. cherished profound In
terest His first publication reply to an article in
The Edinburgh Review parliamentary reform from
the pen OF Sir James Macintosh. He took lively In
terest in the discussion of this subject setting forth
his views OF ts essential conditions IN subse-
quent work which has been naturally eclipsod in the
spendor OF his later productions In 1929 he commenced
the preparation OF his great historical work. collecting
materials from great variety Of sources and studying
the original authorities with scholarlike enthusiasm,
though with judicial discrimination but without impair
ing his zeal and activity in the cause Of political
reform. In December. 1882. he stood for par
Lament In the city OF London, as o radical
candidate, and, after strenuous contest sue
ceeded in carrying the election. The parliamentary
measure to which he devoted his principal en-
eges the adoption Of the ballot and his speeches
on that question present example Of lucid statement.
ofa and
equaled in the annals Of deberative eloQuence. Their
dicon was remarkable for freedom from superfuous
ornament while their reasonngs produced conviction by
their intrinsic solidity and power In 1871 he retired
from parliament In order TO devote himself exclusively
to the composition of his History Of Greece of which
the first two volumes published In ls6 The twelfth
volume which completes the work, brought out in
1885, which time his studies mainly devoted to
the Grecan philosophers with tho intention Of preparing
elaborate survey OF tho ancient philosophical schools
The first three volumes Of his work this subject
were published in 1885, containing mastery exposition
Of tho writings of Plato, Of which great use has been
| made by the students of the Platonic philosophy.
although it has not attained the eminent position IN
letters which, by the common consent OF the learned
| world has been accorded to the Grecian history.
| Tho reputation Of Mr. Gr0te as scholar and O
thinker Is founded on that monumental work. With no
support from rhetorical embellishments, chaste and Sc
we're in its style the pures specimens OF Grecia
sculpture and with pretensions to tho charms OF
graceful narrative,' 1t has won Its high place In
, the literature of the age, by the fullness md
accuracy of Its erudtlon, the wonderful fidelity
of its descriptions, the soundness and temperance
Of is Judgments and the masculine vigor of Its Ian
guage no less than by its devoted loyalty to the prnc
pies Of popular liberty. and human progress, Exhaust
ing the free life of collective Helas" Mr. Groe is said
to have feeble health during the latter years oil
his fe attracting marked attention In the streets oil
London by his intelligent features and venerable form
which were always accompanied by the gracious Suay
and kindly manners that soften the aspect Of age.