New-York tribune., 1873-05-20


some Interesting details concerning the early
career Of the poet OF the Argonauts ana uo0o'.Vs
the genesis of the successive prou"o~
have made his namo famous, closing WIN
characteristic tribute from Freigrath' VINO n trans
lated n volume of his prose tales into German never
,ho,osho remains what he is-the Californian and the
o,d d,oer But the gold for which he has dug, and
which n, found is the gold In the bed OF nvers-
not the cold In veins OF mountains IL Is the Rod OF
1--we of goodness, Of fidelity, OF humanity, which even
in rude and wild hearts-eyen under the rubbish OF
vioes and snsremans forever uneradicated from the
bpman heart That he there searched for this god,-
that he found IL there and rumphanty exhibited 1t to
the word-that is his greatness and his merit That 1t
is which drew hearts to him wherever the language
OF Shakespeare, of Milton and Byron is spoken
And that 1t is which has made me, the old German poet
the translator of the young American colleagues and
which has led to-day TO reach TO him warmly and
cordially my hand across the sea. Good luck Bret
Hartel Good luck my gold digger ~ Under
the Topics OF the Times" the editor oners
opportune suggestions the Lessons OF the At
lantc Disaster" justly remarking that the world does
not possess another line Of ocean travel so nchly
freighted with life and treasure that between New
York and Liverpool, or one which demands such
thorough seamanshlp and high character in those who
areengaged management. He ascrbes the recent
terrible loss of life to the incompetence OF the
captain, and argues that If the officers were Det
ter paid there would be less risk in the voyage
But we believe is well understood that the post OF an
officer of an ocean steamer is considered highly de-
srable one. and a rule, commands the best Services
that the lines which have been most free
from accident have paid proportional amount to ther
officers Of common on the part OF steamer
officials indicated by incredible negligence ana rash
ness is the chef of danger at sea TO say nothing
of its inevitable pers and this cannot always be pre-
vented bv money payments,-Under the same head tne
editor descants the notorious want OF Valne OF cur
rent literary criticism both this country and in Eu
rope With the exception of the best and richest OF the
city newspapers, the literary department OF the press
he informs u.s. is under the control OF SET OF uh-
prncpled writer's who read nothing but the preface
of the books they review and who have no bowes OF
mercy" for the authors they cruelty He speaks, with
feeling sense, OF the malicious treatment to which
that thn-skinned tribe subject He describes them
as preternaturay sensitive generation, trembling Dc
fore the critic who stands like fierce bird OF prey
ready pounce upon the delicate and dainty offspring
Of their brain and picking TO pieces the wonderful crea
tons to which they have their choicest hearts
blood Against this there is oredress and no defense
They have committed sin in publishing book and are
compelled TO the feet OF any man VINO nous
periodical press at his command We are even informed
that the greatest literary woman living was forced 10
leave her country the conclusion oher greatest work.
through fear of the malevoence and injustice OF the
critical spirit which would assail her sensbites. This
story has a strong mythical flavor and can hardly
imagine the name of the woman TO whom such faD-
ulous weakness could be ascribed. Indeed, the
whole tone Of the writer strikes us as NOR
bid and perverse. Critics are not such de-
| MONS nor authors such poltroOns as he supposes
very nearly the quality OF human nature
as other persons. A man woman who writes book
usually faces it's destiny at least with foruude The
fainthearted craven whom the editor pictures is
creature of his Imagination. An author, as rule, may
trust TO the justice OF his reviewer, who If he is man.
az is probably the case, Of average sense and feeling
Will treat him according TO his deserts He must not ex
pect to be danded the knee as IL he were sucking
babe and little vigorous treatment may do no
harm to his constitution The editor is not quite cor
rect in affirming that literature can only thrive III an
atmosphere of kindness and encouragement This may
be true OF dwars and crppes IL does not apply to au
thors of and muscle and who strong enough to
walk without go-carts The giants OF literature have
fought their own battles without asking favor Of critics
What encouragement had Hume, whose best writings at
first "fell dead-born from the press :" What at
mosphere OF kindness cherished the blossom
ing genius Of ByrOnl Where the cordial
sympathes greeted the rising star OF Wordsworth
Who stretched forth friendly hand to Coleriage, or
Shelley or Keatsl What crowds Of admirers hailed the
advent OF Tennyson and Browningl How many years
Of lonely musing in the woods Of Concord, before the
splendors Of Emerson appreciated by the pubic
When were the thirsty that rushed to fill their
cup from the Rs OF the Town Pump" that gave re-
freshing promise of poet in Hawthornef 1t is
true as the editor remarks, that criticism from
which author may learn anything must DC con-
scienous conservative But critics do not write for
the benefit of authors They do not undertake to apply
the Rarey process to the wild colts that come within
their inclosure. n many other cases. they are called to
st in Judgment on writer's of far greater knowledge and
ability than themselves They do not set up for school
masters OF at whose feet they would gladly sit and
learn. They "wad nae haze the presumption" any
more than who did not venture 10 under
stand the sermon Of Dr. Chalmers Their business is with
the public, whom without undue conceitedness, they
may hope TO instruct as to the merits OF
books which the said public has not yet found time
70 read II is doubtless their duty the author sug
gests TO regard our literary and women our
treasures aud glory He does not exaggerate in saying
that they are the fountain of purest intellectual
delights and deserve TO be treated as such. All that Is
good in them should have abundant recognition, and all
that bad should be pointed out in spirit Of such
friendess and courtesy that they should be glad to
read it and grateful for it, II many Of them become
morbid sour. resentfu impatient uupeasantly self
asserting it ought 70 be remembered their behalf
that they have been stung by injustice, ana badgered
by malice and made contemptuous by discour-
teous treatment II is not unjust 10 say that all crit
cs which does bear the front Of personal courtesy
and kindness and the warrant Of careful conscience
Ia curse TO literature, and to the noble guild upon
which we depend for its production" But the very fact
OF the importance OF authorship imposes a painful
responsibility upon the critic. He is bound TO stand
between the porch and the altar and bar the entrance
to intruders and impostors. If he yields to facile
good nature he is false TO his trust. With judicial
inpartiaty he must separate between the sheep and
the goats He is Judge, and jury, and executiOner in
himself, and must rgidly administer the law, with no
court Of appeal but his Of right and the
opinion of the literary public. He is often Obliged 10
utter severe sentence, sometimes 10 nflct capital
punishment For the faithful performance of this duty
he should not be accused OF a want OF civy, even