The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-01

REVIEWS OF NEW BOOKS.

REPRESENTATIVE LIFE OF HORACE GREELEY,
U. Reavts. New York: G. w. Carleton 4 Co.
1872 l2mo., PIP. $40, with Portrait.
One OF the least equvocal mischiefs to which
American literature IL subjected is the swift
renee OF our Presidential campaigns. For then we
are periodically deluged with biographies, lives OF
all the candidates, strung together pe nell for
popular consumption, and commonly destitute Of
all the elements which constitute a good book,
while Astounding In all the vices that go to make up
the bad one. To these ephemera productions
nothing but their novelty and the passing curiosity
TO know something about men prominent In the
public eye can lend even mOmentary interest.
Crude In conception, inaccurate In facts, bunging
In arrangement, and turgid In style. they are
monty filed with undscernng laudation OF the sub
ject and with little else. 70 this class of works
most OF the campaign literature which quadren-
nialy afilicts the press belongs
NMr. Reavis' bOok-sOmewhat affectedly styled
"a Representative Life OF Horace Greeley'-dOes
not exhibit all the ear-marks Of the unwholesome
school to which it belongs 1t is chiefly owing to the
fact that it was prepared in large part, more than
year ago, and to the further fact that much the
larger share OF its contents written not by the
author but by the subject ofthe book. Indeed had it
not been for the saving wisdom evinced by Mr. L. U,
Reavis in resolving to let Mr.. Greeley tell the story
OF his life and of his principles for the most
part himself tremble for the consequences,
both to the public ana to the philosopher OF Chap
paqua. For we can canddly say that more stilted,
absurd and ungrammatcal writer than Mr.. L. u
Reavls has seldom attempted authorship. Con
trasted with the clean-cut, sinewy English which
constitutes Mr.. Greeleys foremost claim to eminence
as journalist. what does the reader think of such
bungling sentences as these, which are culled at
random from Mr.. Reayis' part of the volume?-
The earnest, honest and Independent selfhOod,
which knows no policy that is not dictated by his
own convictions OF right and juStice-Such poll
No one viii deny that Horace Greeley is not IA
miliar with the theories and forms OF ancient and
modern governments and that his Judgment upon
the rights OF man and their true interests are as
far advanced as any man 9f his age, ans! that, there
FORE he Is entitled to be ranked with the first states
men OF this or any other country, and, in many re-
spects, equal to the most advanced legislators OF
his age
That Horace Greeley is a statesman In the highest
sense OF the term, is established by two facts,
around which will cluster in all time che greater
efforts Of the wisest legislators.
Mr.. Greeley has, without question, done more to
advance thegeneral welfare Of the American people
his comprehension OF advanced political principles,
establishes, beyond question his craftsmanship,
and entities him to rank with the greatest or living
legislators. His scope of mind and wisdom on all
questions auxiliary to the establishment and main:
tenance of good government and the welfare OF
the people add vastly to make him an embodi-
ment of advanced craftsmanship and capable ana
worthy to mould the sentiments OF his country
men, and impress his thoughts upon the institn-
tons of the republic. Having considered his
Abilities his scope and sagacity of mind as well as
ment and subjects subsidiary thereto it remains to
! consider his efficiency and wisdom upon auxiliary
| questions OF government and society.
When Mr.. Reavis only attempts simple narrative
he does better, though even here he is immeasura-
bly, below Mr.. Parton, who has told the story OF
Mr.. Greeley's life in an entertaining volume, and
| both iufa IN Mr. Grap m a.
who, as the historian OF his life, writings and
opinions deiles all possible competition.
The story goes that when the famous DR.. Johnson
| heard of the intention of James Boswell to write
his tJolnson's) life, he roundly declared that he
would prevent it by taking BOswes. How a
writer like Mr.. Greeley could ever have consented
that writer like Mr. Reavis should usher forth to
the world the authorized Representative Life" of
himself by which the public are invited to judge of
him. Is one of those profound political and personal
mysteries which defy augury, unless 1t be that
the subject of this book is undlscerning judge OF
fitness as well as oil character when great personal
admiration and hero worship are concerned.
GET THEE BEHIND ME-, SATAN: A Home born Book
of Home Truths. By olive Logan (Mrs Writ
Sikes). Adams, victor & Co., New York. 12mo.
| PIP. 29S.
In the last chapter of this rather erky and dis
cursve work the author lets the public into little
bit of confidence, as follows :-"SOmetimes when I
look back over the manuscript leaves of this book
I am tempted to destroy it," Perhaps II the
temptation had prevailed the world would have
lost lttle And yet there is a warm sincerity and
earnestness in the whole production which will go
far with many readers to condone the primal fault
Of publishing book such little squibs OF essay,
anecdote and Renaissance as would well enough
suit the fugitive columns of newspaper but which,
set forth in the stately shape Of a volume,
seem hardly worth the conservation OF the library.
Several OF the chapters (a, in fact, which have led
the writer to fall into the pet mannerism Of the
day by straining after strong tltej are aimed at
the pernicious doctrines Of one whom the writer
calls Mrs. Freelove. Very hearty and honest are
the denunciations which this heresy receives.
There are in other chapters mixture Of sense and
humor on the vexed question OF housekeeping and
whimsical series Of pictures illustrating the
horrors OF servantgallsm. We believe this is the
sixth or seventh book which Olive Logan has thrown
before the public, and must conclude that there
are people to buy and read them or they would not
appear I'm such numbers.
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.
NEW HISTORICAL BOOK forthcoming is Mr..