New-York tribune., 1872-04-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
JJEE or CRTTTENDEN.

In these ample volumes the mateIhs "i0
scented for forming intelligent estima'e vi '.'
public services and personal character u ."o i'.0
eminent Senator of Kentucky. The Work mas evil
-, No., nronared with conscientious labor; no
Mains have been too great for the exhaustive coilec
a., of documents in illustration Df the SUBJECT;
r hos the tlial affection of the writer been per-
,nittod 70 throw false coloring around the history
which she relates Doubtless the narrative would
have possessed greater degree OF popular interest
~ IL had been cast in more artistic FORM ana ell
he,ished more largely with the legitimate graces OF
literary composition The biographer appears 10
have distrusted herself, or to have shrunk from
allowing full scope to her pen, through dread OF the
uudue influence of family sympathes and the par
,ialties of kindred blood. She has accordingly
limited herself almost exclusively to the
modest task of compilation. She seldom
ventures upon the experiment or con-
nected original narrative. The reader VIII regret
this the more keenly as the few specimens whlch
are given of her pen indicate admirable sense ana
feeling if not high literary culture, aording COM
pete assurance of success in wider range than sue
has marked out for herself in the preparation OF the
work MFR. Crittendens career is well known to the
American public We need not rehearse It's incl
dents or subject it to formal criticism. His prl-
yate life is presented in the merest outline, showing
little more than the frame of the skeleton without
fbe warmth or color of flesh and blood. In the ear
er portions of the work several scenes are descroed
illustrative of social life in Kentucky, and shedding
an incidental light on Mr.. Cnttendens personal
habits and peculiaTities His home was stragglinV
dfashoned mansion ir one of the prnclpal streets
of Frankfort. 1t was the custom OF the family on
pleasant Summer evenings TO drink tea some tIhe
before dnsk. and then assemble at the front door
which opened Immediately upon the street. Inc
house was entered by two broad stone steps, oppo-
a. tuhi
upon which the family and the guests-of whom
there was never any lack-would seat themselves
after tea. The neghbors and friends would soon
gather in and join the group at the front door.
Stragy yers taking their evening walk would stop
awhile take part in the conversation. and then move
on while a new set would ill the vacant seats Mr.
Crittenden never appeared to greater advantage
than at these mpromptu gatherings. His cordial
smile lighted up the whole circle. He had rare
gift of relating anecdotes and his charming stories
always called forth the velest hilarity. Mrs. Chap
man Coleman remarks
Every man in Kentucky politician. and felt that
he had the might and the right to he pn1ie SpeakeiH II
ne chose and and children generally though
the same themselves In early tunes reconect d
row OF tai LonDardy p3p%i ar az @ sicns oyn9 % ever % np
ward having neither fruit nor flowers and giving no
shade;" they considered cumberers of the ground
and were cut down and replaced by locusts. remem,
ber them with regret The tree has grown out M OF
fashion. but whenever | 10 brings back misty
recolecOns of the past and OF the Old home ne mr.
(rttendeu
topped from time to time, and watched over with
great He had habit OF talking TO hinset WIN
and walked in trout of the house. if alone he talked
and gestculated earnestly to the amusement OF tne
strangers guests in the house would sometimes eaten
glimpse M OF ~ hun dT and S say Se highly amused When the
thing explained and join the children AT tnelr posi-
of observation The old corner tree, which twisted
and gnared and unsghtly to every other eye, was his
especial favorite he would stand by it every morning
tapping with his cane and holding with IT. seemingly
an animated conversation. These trivial things to
minded % po of t6e Sa and these simple facts will bring back
with them other memories of Mr. Critenden his cheer
iatohs Sospitay ana ali the Charm Of man
ner which his political opponents could resist
way not many are with their superfuity, for in
his whole life, he knew "ntat thing" 1t was his
custom entertain the Senators and members OF the
Kentucky Legislature every Winter, giving about three
week. and thus entertaining before the session
closed, every member more than once These dinners
of the simplest character. In early days old
Bourbon figured largely at the feast Out later WDen
times grew hard and money scarce, IL was dispensed
cpa dishes, and vegetables OF old Kentucky growth the
only addition In those days confident that French
suspicion aid avoided. believe that nerrier and wit
tier set Of fellows were never assembled around any
liable than those Kentucky lawyers ana pOLtlelaps
An interesting letter from Archbishop Spalding,
written about year before his death, thus describes
the reception of Mr.. Critenden at great political
meeting in Nashville.
"As not civilian, but clergyman, feel some re-
lueanee III complying Win your & Tege]ese ] 10 VIII 0u
OF our mutual friend, DR.. Samuel d. Gross in Pbiiadel-
pha, the 9th OF August III regard to your venerable
as a Kentuckan whose state pride was all aglow when
remembering incident among the popular forensic
facts briefly referred TO on that OCCASION were in sub
stance follows Finding myself accidentally Iii Nash
vale ~ 4G @ Sh1eT 1 I Ts9S ebd Tor to pSPosS aSS td C
great south Western Wing Convention. Mr.. Crittenden
be the chief orator Of the day, Mr. Clay having
spoken the day before. went not as politician for
took interest in politics. but as kentuckaD anx-
ious 70 hear brother Kentuekian speak and was well
forgotten the deep impression produced upon my mind
by Of the most brilliant and impassoned bursts Of
Ofacry 1t has ever been my privilege TO listen to- either
In Europe America. The whole scene Is before me
now, fresh and rird as on that morning when stood
enraptured by your fathers eloquence still hear his
slvery voice still hear the acclamations Of thirty
thousand people whose very souls he commanded and
bore along with him throughout his mastery Grafton
Mr Crittenden had taken low stand upon the PLATFORM
aud still hear the cry, Higher, higher, Mr.. Crittenden
Go up; VIC Iwsh your Uhole statureP And he
higher in eOquence. He took UP every cry Uf that vast
audience when he about TO close they threw to
and then another OF the great political ques
Of and the changes upon IT, becoming
and grand III eloquence at every step OF his
phy and moral elevation, showing that he aud his
audience 1 particularly remember his com
pairing outery OF the people for political change 10
au avalanche rushing down from the summit OF the Ale
chaDes 10 the East and TO the West and bearing all be-
fore II. This brilliant figure was carried out I'LL the I'm
multitude made the weikln ring with their ap
plaudng shouts Seldom have witnessed such success.
well remember, also, the acclanations with which Mr.
Clay aud hnse greeted by the multitude on their
departure from Nashville. Mr. Clay spoke JrSt, from
guard Of the ste with his usual and elo
Quence Ithen the cry was, Crittenden, Crittenden"
Your father stepped forward, and in his most happy
manner he said (sining and bowing 10 Mr. Cay,
suppose this hattering greeting Is chiefly owing 10 the
good company In wch1 have the privilege found
Not al dHP shouted the multitude Not at all 1t Is
for yourself! Come again-cOne alone next time, and
Nc viii prove IL ~ you!"
Mrs. Coleman's account of a visit to Mr. Crittenden
10y Daniel Webster presents characteristic picture