New-York tribune., 1873-01-28

ing Like Wordsworth and Emerson he c0ntompIates
Nature with profoundly thoughtful spirit but WIN
no attachment to the reflective analysis OF principes
or their orderly array in infexible systems. Inc
Brook which he celebrates does not wlnd its Vei-
durous way with more spontaneous treeGom thah
he sings the enchantments which he has reeeiVod
from the heart of Nature.
OF the remaining poems in this volume, we have
no space for single specimen, are they perhaps
of character to he generally enjoyed without pre-
vieus initiation into the manner of the author Inc
fault which many will find in them is the too elabo-
rate texture of their composition, which frequently
resembles a cloth of gold both in the splendor ana
the stiffness of its embroidery The occasional en-
ployment of unusual words, and sometimes those OF
excessive length would give an air OF pedantry to
productions less natural in grain and essence. ana
as it is they impede the flow of the verse when Is
often no less allurng by the sweetness 0i IT'S eouy
than by its wealth of fancy
rHR CLUBs OF NBw-YORK By PR,scI. GERRY FAIRFIELD
limo pp. J4s. Henry Ia Hilton
The contents of this volume have required
no extraordinary outlay of antiquarian research in their
preparation Although club life in NewYork has boomed
forth 10 more exuberant vitality than In any oher Guy
in the world with the exception OF London lts origin
dates from quito recent period. According 10 the
statement OF Mr. Fairfield, there are now in operation IN
aggregate membership OF not less than fifty thou
sand. Yet it Is scarcely forty years since the
establishment OF the first associations or the Khd
that have gained any considerable degree OF social I'M
portance. The Union club was founded in the Summer
OF 1885, the Hone club later in the same year. ana the
Kent club the Autumn OF 1885, The birth OF the Cen
tury club which has since comprised among its mem
bers large a OF the artistic and literary
culture OF NewYor took place in January, lsi7 under
the auspices OF Mr.. Chapman Mr.. Durand, Mr. InghaD'
Mr.. Fdmonds the well-known American painters, Mr'
A. NJ Cozzens, and Mr. Henry T. Tuckermau. AT the
commencement OF its second decade, the Century De-
came corporate body. aud at present includes the
names OF many OF the most distinguished authors arhts
and professional men in the metropolis OF the CLUBS
more recently established large space given IN these
pages 10 the Lotos and the Arcadan. The Lotos was
founded less than three years by few oung jour
nalsts OF Eew-York, with the idea OF bringing INTO
agreeable social relations with each other the members
OF the different liberal professions who cherished an In
erest in the aesthetic well the practical pursuits
Of life The name of the club is significant well as
poetcal II Indicates place of where freedom
from care and the charms OF social intercourse could take
the place OF professional activity, and furnish atempng
repose overworked energies The Arcadan
ssan oshoo from the LotOs established for the same
general purposes with especial strength as we are in
formed by Mr. Fairfield, in the department OF musical
and dramatic criticism. Among the remaining clubs in
NewYork of which a historical sketch is here given,
together with details of their membership and man
agement, are the Union. the Yacht club the Union
League the Manhattan the Jockey club the Travellers
club the Americus and ,others, presenting complete
portrature the institution is found In Newfork
and afording ample OF comparing It with similar
establishment in other cities. Mr.. Fairfield has evil
IDENTIFY performed his task with keen interest In
the subject, and great zest of description His plan
embraces copious personal sketches, which to many
readers will form the most attractive feature OF the
fastf fnnaf fqgfA mr.
natural reserve would have preferred the golden silence
10 silver speech Such book could scarcely have been
written without less indulgence in personal
gossip and so long It eyinces so little malice OF i'm
pertinence as is shown in these pages, the nature
OF the work may be accepted as an excuse for It's
toeration The author, however, makes no pretenson
20 an unhuman freedom from prejudice and OFTEN ex-
presses both his likes and his dsikes with more decided
unction than will command the sympathy OF the cold
blooded reader. He possesses very positive talent
both for compliment and SATIRE and 1t Is not In mans
fallen always to abstain from the exercise OF 30
dangerous "a gift,