New-York tribune., 1871-03-31


last tbere should be no end. You find in him that
which Won have already found in Homer now
ripeped into thought,-the poet converted into
philosopher with lofier strains of musical wisdom
:han Homer reaChod as if Homer We're the yonth'
and Plato the finished man; yet with no less security
of bold and perfect song when he cares to use IT, ana
with some harpStrugs fetched from higher heaven
He contains the future, as he came out OF the past
In Plato you explore modern Europe IN lts
causes and seed,-all that in thought when the
history of Europe embodies has yet to
embody The wel-informcd man finds hm-
self anticipated. Plato is up with him too.
Nothing has escaped him. Every new crop in the
fertile harvest Of reform every fresh suggestion of
modern humanity is there. If the student wishes to
see both sides and justice done to the man of the
world pitlcss exposure of pedants, and the SUI
premacy Of truth and the religious sentiment, ne
shall be contented also. Why should not young men
BE educated on this boo7 1t would suffice for the
tniton of the race-tO test their understanding ana
70 express their reason The knowledge on when
this admirable statement of the position OF Plato IN
the world Of thought is founded does not imply a
study of the original Greek Mr.. Emerson has told
us that he rarely reads any Latin. Greek Ueril,'
Italian sometimes not French book in the original
when he can procure good version. Il should as
soon think saws he, of swimming across ChIles
River when wish TO 20 to Boston as OF reading al
my books in originals when have them rendered
for me ia my mother tongue" Inc sentiment
announced in this confession holds true WIN
a remarkable degree of adaptation. TO the writings
of Plato Few classical scholars, whatever their AT
tainments i'm the ancient languages, have attained
that mastery in Greek which enables them 10 ENJOY
the ideal visions of Plato with the same sense OF
appreciation which they bring to the descriptions OF
Homer. or the narratives of Xenophon. The Ian
cuaCe is of too fine and subtle quality to give the
assurance that they have gTasped the delicate spirit
of its expressions and that it conveys to their minds
the refined distinctions of thought which ii was in
tended TO represent The small class of English
students who have attempted in earnest to "un-
sphere the spirit of Plato" have relied chiefly on the
quaint versions Of Thomas Taylor, whose rugged
and pedantic language fails to do justice to the dis
cipleship which the master-passion OF his life
The present work of Professor JOwett will accord
ingly be welcomed with profound interest as the
only adequate endeavor to transport the most pre-
cious monument of Grecian thought among the
familiar treasures of English literature. In passing
modest Judgment upOn its merits we rely solely on
the intrinsic character of the production that is
offered 10 our hand. without pretending to either
the knowledge or the ability essential to critical
oomparison with the original. The noble reputation
of Professor Jowett both thinker and scholar,
IL nav be promised, however is a valid guarantee
for the excellence OF MS II hnONh
as one of the most hardworking students of the En-
glish universities in the departments of pbiology
and criticism. whose exemplary diligence is fully
eoualed by bis singular acuteless of penetration, hls
clear and temperate Judgment and his rare and abso-
Iute fidelity the interests of truth Holding dstin-
puished official place in English letters, no man
exhibits less Of the pride Of POSITION or is devo-
ted to the cultivation of learning with greater
simplicity of purpose and an equal almost cmldllke
sweetness of life A devoted adherent of
the Established Church. he is free from eccle-
siastical preudices. Without the natural pas
sion for innovation, which is so often the
principal spur of ardent reformers, he has stood in
the front rank of the advocates of progressive and
liberal theology OF retired and gentle habits, he
has shrunk from personal sacrifice, when great
crisis has demanded an open avOwa OF OPINION III
opposition to worldly and conventional interests.
But the peculiar distinction of Professor Jowett Is
his eminence as scholar, especially in the language
and literature of ancient Greece. OF this the I'M
press is stamped the pages of the great
work before u.s. With no parade of learning,
there is perpetual evidence of profound mas
tery of the subject; the and grace
with which the matter is handled comes from know
ledge that is an habtua possession of the mind and
not prepared for the occasion; while the ldlOmauc
force and precision of the style shows an intimate
acquaintance with the resources of the English
tongue. The pleasant flow of the language makes
the reading of the translation a constant enjoyment
We do not know the theory which it is founded
or if il is founded on any theory at all but is GER
tain that apart from the nature Of the topics under
discussion and the local colOring and environment
of the scene there is little to remind that it is not
an original production in the veTnacuar For aught
that is here indicated to the contrary the bees that
settled PlatOs lips might as well have swarIned
from an English Attic hive.
The Introductory Noticesby ProfessOrJowctr which
preeede the respective dialogues are remarkable for
the clearness of their expotons and the tcTse and
compact summaries which they present of the
of reasoning and illustration the subjects Of the
discourse They exhibit the speculations of Plato
which are always tentative rather than dogmatic in
their character, i'll adapted to the level of
popular comprehension. Free from every vestge of
a scholastic spirit they handle the theories of ideal
philosophy in connection with the positive tenden-
cies of modern thought. The gulf which separates
Elemental striyngs of ancient times from the pres
emf ia brdged over by the calm good sense Of the
writer and the yotaries Of scientific research are
placed in friendly contact with the pilos phic sage
NV his spirit of wise reconciliation. Professor Jowett
il eoually removed from a blind irrecognitiOn
of the merits of Plato, and fancful sense Of
his importance among the great thinkers Of the
world He makes no attempt to adorn his name with
factitious glory He sets forth the defects Of his
methods and his achievements with the same candor
with which he exhibits his characteristic eXcellenees
Az examples of lucid and unimpassioned discussion,
free from the disturbing influences OF personal en-
thusiasm and at the same time animated with the
warmth of generous sympathy, these notices are
matched by few similar compositions IN the IAN