New-York tribune., 1872-07-13
.NEW.Y0RK MAGAZINES.

THE AUGUST GALAXY - CHARLES KINGSLEY
ARISToCRAr AND REFORNBR-EViPT AND
ROME.
Mr.. Justin Mccarthy sketches lightly and
easily in the August Galary the Rev Charles Kingsley,
priest poet orator philosopher novelist aristoerat re-
former and Of soeiety-the impulsve, unreasona-
bic author OF "Aton Locke" who once hero both
an England and America The romantic yonng repuol-
cans in our colleges seized the book with delight
when It first appeared here and echoed its pas
sionate protests with callow enthusiasm. OF course,
that did not last and Mr.. Mccarthy need
scarcely ask IL necessary explain 10 some of his
the young taOrs story since few OF the rsnR
generation OF Americans know anything OF the book
of ancient English family very proud OF bis de-
scent aud attached his class, Kingsley owed 10 the
leadership and teaching OF more practical reformer the
opportunity and impulse Of this outburst As pupil OF
that largehearted sweetnatured man, Frederick Den
son Maurice, he brought into frequent intercourse
with Of the London Chartists, and straight
way ms impetuOus sympathies took hre ana
famed out in ALTON Locke" The book was
great success, in spite Of the christening name
of Young Remnants &" it got from Blackwood"
and lts own grave faults. Mr.. Mccarthy especially d.
reefs attention its absence Of practical thinking
power Nowhere you find any proof that tue author
IL able think about anything. An idea strikes him.
he sezes It, and TO use Hawhornes expression, wieds
IL like fal" Then he throws 1t down aud takes up
something else to employ it in the wild and nco
herent fashion. This is Kingsley all out, and always
He is not content with developing his one only gift OF
any literary value-the capacity to paint big strik-
ing pictures with a strong glare or glow on them.
He firmly believes himself profound philosopher
and social refOrmer, and he will insist on obtrud-
ing before the world all occasions his ab-
soute lncapacity for any of reasoning on
any subject whatsoever. Wild with intellectual egotis,
and blind 10 all teaching from without, Kingsley rushes
at great and difficult subjects head downwards Ike a
bull Thus he tackled Charsm, and society, and com
hot not IN fa
Aon Locke !" and thus he has gone ever since. and
will TO the end of his chapter always singing out for the
display Of his powers the very subjects whereof he
knows least and by the whole constitution Of his in
telect and temperament least qualified 70 Judge By
and by came Westward Hop the first appearance OF
the school OF Muscular Christianity, and the next
idea which seized the author after the Chartlst
fever had passed away The notion success, and
in a moment English literature flooded with pious
athletes who knocked their enemies down with texts
from Scripture and left-handers from the shoulder
Kingsley himself appears 10 have become possessed" J"
by his own idea as by some unInanageabie spirit 1t
baDshed all his chartsm and democracy and Liberalism
and the rest Of IT, Under it's influence Kingsley out
Caryled Carlyle in the worship of strong despotisms
and any kind He went out Of his way to ex-
cuse Slavery in the Southern States. He became the
feryent panegyrist Of Gov. Eyre Of Jamaica. When
SIDES possible TO any question of human poll
ncs he was sure TO the wrong and since then
he has become about the most perverse and wrong
headed supporter Of every political abuse the most dog
matte champion OF every cause in domestic and
foreign politics that State Church has for many
years produced There has been hardly one great public
question but Charles Kingsley at the wrong side Of
g. The vulgar gorication Of strength and power
dsgaceful characteristic Of modern public opn-
ion, never had louder-tOngued vOtary than he The
apostle Of liberty and equality as be seemed In early days.
has Of late only himself the champion of slave
systems of oppression and the iron reign Of mere force
Meanwhile his irrepresslble energy was always driving
him into fields Of work 1t never allowed him time
10 think The moment any sort of idea struck him, he
rusbed at IL crushed il into the shape of book
an essay. He wrote historical novels, philosophical
novels and theological novels He wrote poetry-yards
of poetry-volumes OF poetry He published essays,
tracts, lectures and sermons without number. He
TO have made up his mind 10 publish in book form
somehow everything that he had spoken written any
where He inundated the leading newspapers with let
TINS that and the other subject Perhaps II he
had done less he had done better Touching success at
many points he has absolutely mastered in none Yet
men OF far greater intellect have made their presence
lees strongly felt and imprinted their image much less
clearly the minds of their contemporaries. He is an
example OF how much may be done by energetic temper,
fearless faith in self, absence Of all sense of the
ridiculous, passionate sympathy, and wealth OF haA-
poetic descriptive power If ever have a wOman's
parliament in England" says Mccarthy Charles
Kingsley ought to be it's chaplain for know of no clever
man whose mind and temper moreApty illustrate the
Illogical lmpulsveness the rapid emotional changes, the
generous. often wrOngheaded yehemence, the eOpous
Cow Of fervid words vivid freshness OF description
without analysis, and the various other peeuarites
which, justly unjustly, the world has generally
agreed 10 regard the special character
ptics Of woman" OF Kingsley as orator we
very attractive picture, for ne is described as
rather tan, very angular. surprisingly awkward with
thin staggering legs hatehet face adorned with
gy gray whiskers faculty for falling into the most
gainly attitudes and making the most hdeous eontor
tions OF visage and frame; with rough provincial
accent and uncoHth way of speaking which would be
set down absurd carieature the boards Of comic
tbeater.
Mr. Albert Rhodes talks agreeably about the "Egyp-
fians at Home of Cairo, queer mixture Of grave ORR
entasm and French comedy and upholstery of Fatima,
vailed, beautiful, and nane-a rose at eighteen hag
at fifty; Of the Khedive, whose mind was developed
under the operaboufe empire OF Monsieur de Chisel
hurst Egyptian gacrOohe, jolly and keen and OF
many other things which give entertaining idea OF
Eastern life Gen. Clusters " Life the Plains" has
apparently no end, unlike the "Cave of the Winds"
which closes in an "entirely expected man
uer with the death Of the devious and dark
person and the reward Of goodness and long
Suffering. "In Paradise" is a little mountain
sketch which smells OF ferns and wild Of good
sense and good nature Mrs. MOultOn has pathetic
love story and Mrs. Anna L. BOtta graceful sonnet
collection OF James Gordon Benefits sGntiations"
has mOmentary interest. It's writer says OF Ben
netts success as journalist that It's keynote his
selfsubordnation-i that be content to become
the mouthpiece Of the people among whom he dwelt
An article on the Papal controversy attempts to prove
that St. Peter at Rome, by various historical
quotations, serptural and otherwise
ROCKS or THE WEEK.