New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-10
THE HERO AND HIS WORKS.

= On Yesterday celebrations took place in Edin-
burq. Glasgow. and Aberdeen; on Tuesday next
the Fifteenth of August in many of the chief
cities of Europe and America celebrations will
take place, commemorating the One HQGdredth
Birthday of WALTER ScoTT-P9et, Novelist and
Man of Letters. One hundred Years ago, in the
capital of Scotland, he came into the world-a
creature destined to exercise profound, far
reaching, and permanent influence upon its emo
tons and thus, under Divine Law, TO act a con-
spcuous part in its moral development and guidance.
To the greatness of his intellect and the nobleness
and beauty of his spirit there is abundant testimony
in his voluminOus writings, and in the authentic
record of his life, which are among the things best
known to the human race. Everybody who reads at
all has read something from the pen of Scott, or
something commemorative of him and il is not too
much to say that in every mind to which his name
is known it is known as the synonym of goodness,
greatness aud beauty. Thousands. therefore, who
do not directly participate in the Scott Centenary
celebration will cordially sympathize with its spirit
and purpose.
Ii is perfectly vital movement Ii does not take
its life from name, merely, but from man. 1t
does not appeal to cold respect but TO intelligent
admiration and loving enthusiasm. II Is not cere-
monous pageant, in recognition Of constituted au-
thorty but it is the tender and heartfelt nterance
of afectionate homage to the shade OF benefactor
of mankind 1t records the gratitude Of generations
of readers 1t speaks the honest pride OF human ma
ture In one of its gapdest specimens and exnonents
Ii paws fitting honor TO the memory OF man who
symboized that freedom Of utterance for which the
soul is perpetually longing, and that lofty
ideal of mental and moral excellence towards
which all that is good in humanity forever strives
Creditable to all who support IT, and especially sig
nifcant Of the culture and sensibiity that tnge the
civilization Of to-day, il is very eloquent token Oh
the greatness and the worth of him whom IL COM
memorates. The general mind is by no means
wax TO receive and marble to RETAIN IL does not
take deep impressions easily, and unless they be
very deep, il does not keep them long. lhere must
have been an amazing vitality of spirit. pro-
digious power of intellect, irresistible charm of
personoty. and very lovable purity and sanctity Of
moral nature. in the man whom thousands, that
never saw him living-men and women of a later age
and in different countres-know, and remember and
love to-day, as Walter Scott.
Much careful thought centers, at the moment,
upon this illnstrious person. The Minstrel comes
once more TO view. The story of his life is again
read over. The impressive array of his great and
brilliant achievements is once more contemplated
with ioy and pride. Nothing that relates 10 him can
now be ont of place The time is one OF intellectual
iubilee-and that is always time which journalism
should especially improve, with heart and strength
The topic of the hour indeed is one to be approached
with drunkenness and ditlidence Scott was a great
man and great artist and. in the presence oil
theme so vast as that the most profound and sympa-
thetic student of letters and Of human nature might
well stand abashcd For own part, with no pre-
tense OF rendering adequate Justice To the exacus
OCCASION we shall be well content with rejecting "'
spilt II is not one to be lightly dismissed "h'o'