New-York tribune., 1873-05-22
John STUART MILL.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE DECEASED
PUBLIClST.


Asa REPUBIIo-HIs OPINIONS ON FKEE TRADE
HIS APPEARANCE IN ENGLAND SHORTLY BEFORE
HIS DEATH.
nrRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuSE1
LONDON, Nay lO.-&iy acquaintance with Mr.. Mill
began at Avgnon, where he was then living, in the
Summer of 1896. Mr.. Hughes had given me letter
TO him. Reaching AyignOn about IL the morning,
i sent messenger from the hotel at to Mr.. Mills
residence, outside of the town, with Mr.. Hughess
letter Of introduction and note incloSing it, to say
shat had made the journey from Geneva to see him.
but that had only q few hours at my control. and
asking him on that account to send word whether 1T
would be convenient for him to receive me at once.
With a considerate kindness, which afterward
found TO be characteristic of him, he replied as
had 30 little time he would not give me the trouble
70 drive out TO his house but would come 10 the
hotel Immediately. He arrived almost as soon as
the messenger who brought his note and without
sending up a servant announced himself merely by
knock at my door.
lean see as clearly as ever that dingy parlor of
the Hotel de PEurope at AyignOn into whose narrow
windows streamed ray of sunlight that fell on the
face and figure Of Mr.. Mill as he entered. A man
close ON six feet in hight, spare in body and limbs,
with the students stoop of the shoulders, and half
uncertain walk which presently appeared to be
due 10 nervousness not weakness, for he was of
into little space. Summer as it was, and in the
South Of France, he was dressed wholly in black
His face was narrow from want Of flesh, but with
sufficient breadth of jaw. and with a breadth be-
tween the eyes and under the forehead making
plenty of room for the brain that did not find room
enough in the skull that rose above and stretched so
far back and on either side TO spite of its
complete badness less high than really On the
lett side Of the forehead at the angle in front of the
temple was a sort of lump or wen, nearly circular
in shape This was noticeable Only not in the least
repulsve or annoying His eyes were restless, the
glance of them penetrating for an instant, but
quickly withdrawn diverted, and they had this
popularity, that they did not seem less frank on
Sooount of their great mobility. The nose was
strongly aquiGne the lips drawn close, but flexible,
the whole expression of the face marking
the incessant activity of the mind; q man
who you would say at once must be student and
Q great one. Not only the nose aquiline, the
whole face was cagle-llke, vet bore a kindly ex-
preston as of one who cared for something moro
Ihan books or IDEAS and whose philosophy was hu-
nan, or better STILL whose life a kindly one, and
whose affections not less strong than his purely
Intellectual qualities. In all points his appearance
was singular, yet manifestly without afectation.
The inventory l make of his traits will
convey fear, a faint impression of them, and
will convey none at all of the difhdent charm of his
manner, which somehow. contrary to the general
rule, put you at ease, though apparently showing
be was not so. 1t was, indeed, rather want Of
usefulness thana want of ease. have often noticed
1t since when he was surrounded or nearly so by
intimate friends with whom lie could be under no
sonstraint. 1t was consistent with the most perfect
intellectual serenity. Yet it amounted undoubtedly
10 shyneSs.
Ne began by saying that he was glad to see a |
tiend Of Mr. Hughes, and always glad to sec an |
American. At this time, be added, am particularly |
70, for have met nobody of late who could tell me
how matters are going in your country. OF his in
Ierest in them there could be doubt, and at the
moment, for my own sake. heartily wished il bad |
been less lie insisted questioning me, |
and when l made one or two efforts |
10 turn the conversation to topics on which |
be and not l should bear the burden OF it, |
he brought it back almost Immediately And even |
when ventured to say 10 him that he was making |
netak whereas had come to hear him talk, he !
put aside my complaint declaring that whether in |
hs home at AUgnon or at Blackheath IL London !
(e had scanty means of information respecting |
America, that there subject which interested |
hm more, none in fact in c6temp0TaDeOus politics |
EhiCh now and for years past Lad seemed to bm |
Dyital to the rest Of the world, and that really |
must allow him to get all he could out of There
III. i
have very little to repeat of the conversation
HsquestiCns went back over many debaiable fields |
If the war; especially over Emancipation, and not
outstanding his disclaimer indicated minute and
generally accurate knowledge Of events which
Eas most extraordinary IN a man who, during |
The Rebellion, had had to take most of
his facts in the shape in which it then suited the
English ana Continental press to present them. 1t
sneedess to say what his views were, OF on which
1de his opinions and feelings were enlisted. We
Americans have long known that Mr.. Mill was one
d the few Englishmen who wanted TO see the Re
public hold together. In 1866 were in the midst
embarrassments hardly less perplexing less
0ninous of disaster than during the doubtful period
h the war itself. Andrew johnson ruled over us
and 1t was a question whether the South was not
going 10 by intrigue and treachery what it
lad lost in battle and whether we were not gong
% hand over the Negro without civil rights to the
unchecked jurisdiction of the States and reestabsh
ue yindictive supremacy of bis old masters III every
thug but name. Mr.. Mills inquiries ranged
Ser all this ground He would not believe,
Ed happily his incredulity has been justi-
ted by eyents-that We could OF should
sitber sacrifice our allies Of the war; or
again imperil the national sovereignty by base
concession to the demand OF subdued States for i'm
mediate readmission. Dear as the Anti-Slavery
cause was to him. the cause of the Republic was not
ts and he held it for the interest Of the world
that the Republic should show itself as conscious of
liz rights a monarchy, and not less resolved to
maintain them whatever had to be sacrificed to do
There was no nonsense about him. if
may be pardoned such expresson,-no
desire TO refine too nicely liberation for theories
si any kind which stood in the'way Of national
sFeignty; not the slightest indication of liking
i'r constitutional metaphysics, but sound common
sense and keen nprcpDfion If nractical neceas1fea