New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-23
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LORD BRouGHANrs AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
THE IIFE AND TIMES OF HENRl LORD BkUUGIi
n W,fft nv IA Three Volumes Vol

AM written by Himself In Three Volumes. Vol.
l. syo. PIP. $50. Harper Brothers.
Lord BrOugham has scarcely done as much justice 10
himself in this instalment Of his autobiography, he
did 10 the various eminent peIsonages whose lhNes
he undertakes 10 record and which form sointercstng
portion of his written productions He has gathered
an immense mass of materials in the course OF ms
long and active life for illustrating the history OF
the century but he has failed to reduce them to
the form of a symmetrical narrative, leaving them
in certain crude and ineoherent condition, wmch
cannot fail to impair the pleasure of the reader III
the pemsal of the work. Still it is a book OF rare
interest. Astounding in personal details III regard 10
his own career and that of his distinguished cote-
poIaneS il brings up series OF VIVID pictures Oh to
past which combine the charm of biography ana
history The sketch of DR.. Adam the rector OF inc
Edinburgh High School, to which Brougham was
sent at the age Of seven years may recall TO readers
of past generation the memory of early sorrows
in attempting TO solve the mysteries Of Latin Gram
mar
He WAS jealous friend Of liberty, and in those times
and i'm that place termed democrat YET with an
the violence OF party and the influence OF the preoo
Uant powers-the Dundases-nO exception was taken 70
his dwelling those topics in illustration or ana N cor or
neeton with, the books he taught OF course htehf
hut when crimes of the French mob had snsaiped
many admirers of the Revolution he carefully mai class
which chung TO the Revolution more less in Sp'S Works
f{fiu
and his reproachable character, as scharge of his
diligence and exemplary patience IN endeared him 10
duties commanded the respect OF ~ bis instrncton
those who had the inesmabe benefit Of M @ ~ tbe
He had the faculty Of exciting eo. an, nfo an that re-
lated 10 them Stirred by Precepts and examines ISeo
spent the months during VIII, trvi"g mn hand M com.
Ssitt ress made during this illness clearly
Id =, ny ~ tbines first the Importance of allow
~ 49, s,,en time for reading, instead OF devoting
ihs Whole daV Is AZ school, Latin and Greek exercises
next the great benefit Of having teacher who would
de nnon subjects connected with the lessons he taught
nt hen ond those lessons thus exciting the desire OIL USE
AM knowlegde in his pupils
" Nan had been Violently assailed for his excellent
n.,sr bv Gilbert Stuart who had also attacked Dr.
Eptops History OF Scotland" in various reviews
ht Gondo, an In one which he established in Edin-
bnrcb Stuart was in both instances. and lndeeu III an
his writings entirely influenced by his violent temper
ana ms ssnterest. Tie historian was attacked pc
cause he was supposed to have as prnclld @
attempts obtain proiessorship; the ma T
attacked because his work had superseded one by
cousin Ruddiman stuart was man OF eAII @
which pubisbc before he was OF obtained Tor MN
the degree OF doctor Of laws But ms progte NE ~
want OF all principle brought nm INTO MI,
works some OF which have great merit nave SUM nl.o
that through thcm, aud deprVes them Oi al
wOrthiness.
The celebrated historian, DR.. Robertson, at that
time PRINCIPAL of the University of Edinburgh was
a kinsman of young Broueham, and took the deepest
interest in everything that regarded his education
On his visits TO Brougham's father at the country
residence of the family. the bnght-eyed lad would
accompany him in his walks in the woods, when he
would often repeat aloud Greek or Latin verses
His quality as pulpit orator is thus touched upon
III the memoir
Ibave often heard the great historian preach, and
tbongh very young the time struck with me eA-
oSle md tbe usefulness OF his discOurses. His mo-
ton of practical moderation and the wish TO avoid the
fanaticsn OF the HighChurch party whst WIN us
woud be called the LOwC Church or Evangelical led him
Generally 10 prefer moral TO theological or Gospel SUI
jects. Yet he mingled also thlte THEMES tL
duties of Christian pastor He loved 10 dWeh ON ne
goodness Of the Deity, shown forth DOT only IN me
demption of mankind He delighted 70 expatiae on the
fate of man future state OF beng ana 70 contrast lne
darkness of the views which the wlseSt OF the heathes
mad with The perfect light Of the dispensalOn. lie
Uftentimes would expOund the Scriptures, taking as is
subject of what is called lecture cOntradsunguished
from sermon: and in these dscOurses the richness Of his
facility of ms Illustration sbOne forth as ven as the
eOgency and elegance of his practical appcaoh ~ our
duties in l'e the end aud aim OF all his teaching such
was he "a a preacher.
pleasing sketch is given Of Dr. Robertson's habits
as a student.
His diligence in study was unremtting, and he pur-
surd his education at the different classes for eight years
with ndeiatigabe zeal He had laid down for himself
strict plan OF reading ana OF ne notes wnc me 1o I
was only fourteen, an bearing the sentence as motto
that he delighted it abstTacedy and for its own sake
without regarding the uses to when IL might DC tuAed
when the London University now called University
College, was founded IN 1925 had good deal OF COTE
spOndence with Lord Robertson VINO slI9hgR rTcV Ii
I1cnded taking as our motto This inscrlp9n IN ms ms
Fat ]
gloss upon the motto or text advisedy.
His whole lie was spent in study; well remember
his constant habit OF quitting the drawlngrOOnl' Doth
after dinneran again after tea ana remaining smut up
In his library. The period Of tiue when saw TINS was
after the History OF America had been punished ana
before Major ReWClPs map ana memoir appeared Wllc
he tells us st suggested the DlsquisltOn on Ancient
india" Consequently for above ten years he was In
tbe cOurse Of constant stRdy engaged IN extending his
information. examining and revolving the iactS OF htO
10 MS fancy With the strains OF Greek and Roman poe
try or warming j al inc Ie OF anGei I 81
all tins study produced not one written line though
thus Vnemttediy carried on The same may be SsG Of
beginning Of his residence in small parish very niue
clerical duty, olJ2 when we know nom ms letter 70
composition Of his three great works spread over peT0u
nearly thirty years, clearly eyinces that during TINS
long time his studies must have been much more subser
Went his qualification than TO the preparation OF
his writings which never could have required one-han
that number OF year, Tor their completion
In l74 according to the constitution OF the Scotch
Church Inc licensed by the Presbytoy OF Edinburgh
10 orders being only conferred upon presentation
to a living kirk Two years after, lie was appointed
and event happened fortunately on the eve Of the
iTeparabe loss sustained by the family IN the death OF
both their parents which left hs brother and his sisters
wholly without provision. ,,,
and wOald form no connection by marriage until ne had
seen them placed in situations of Independence. He thus
remained single for eight years during which his eldest
and fayOIte sister suPelhtn1ed MS hOusehOd ~ her
sound Judgment he always had the greatest confidence
rn temper inherited from Their mother with greater
meekness OF disposition An instance OF her f0rtude
and presence OF mind was sometimes mentioned by him.
though never alluded 10 10y her swarm of bees having
settled on her head and shoulders while sitting the
garden she remained mOtOnless until they took wing
titus saving her Hfe winch was in imminent jeopardy.
che was married in 1850 and the year after he married
his cousin Miss Nesbitt.
The young men of BrOuRhams time appear to
have been Jolly set of scamps, III spite Of the Sc
verify of Presbyterian discipline. They were in the
habit Of forming small parties for scrambling excur
sions through different parts of the Highlands, in
which Brougham always put his best foot foremost.
He gives an odd account Of the adventures of this
"mrthful crew" both in town and country.
Ny companions generally my brother James,