New-York tribune., 1873-05-03
CHANCES AT CURRENT THEMES.


IFROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
LONDON, April 19.-Mr. Emerson's visit to
London will TO end next week when he leaves
for journey into Wales going thence back to Ok
ford, afterward 10 Scotland, and finally TO Liverpool,
from which port he sails for Boston the 18th OF May
When Mr. Emerson here last October his stay was
very short and his presence known to but few The town
was empty Also that his friends had little chance to
see him. During the fortnight he has spent in Lon
don more people here though the Easter holidays
sent almost everybody away for ten days Of it. His
health too, better and his friends have been
permitted TO make festival Of his visit He has been
seeing them and seeing The familiar sights OF the town
with much vyacity, and hope with as much enjoy
ment when he was here fve-audtwenty wears ago
That be should nd parts OF London grown out Of
his recollection nothing wonderful; that old friends
should ind him also little changed wonderful. A
quarter of century in the life Of than in
the life Of a city. OF the Is years l cannot
speak for any great part, but Of the great
benefit 90 his health since he passed through
here on his way 10 Egypt there is, happily no question
BE speaks of his voyage up and down the Nle that long
sesa deck under burning sun, as most helpful TO
him. whether the fogs and east winds Of London are
equally 50 NAV doubted but there is sunshine in the
faces of his English friends. know no American-in-
deed. there be other-who has in England com
pany of such friends and disciples those who gather
about Mr.. EmersOn-nO for whom so many rare men
ana women have a reverence 80 ahecuonate-no one
who holds to the best section Of English students and Of
her religious and cultivated minds, relation so
delightful both. Tue genius Of the writer won him
English admirers almost as early as American. The tie
between Emerson and Carlyle-twO perhaps equally
noble, but with scarcely intellectual characteristic N
common-has been from the first peculiarly close one
Iueed say nothing and Ongh TO say nothing, OF the re-
uewa OF their personal intercourse in these last days
may perhaps, say what a felicity Nj Emersons too
fr,ao q1 la oIta rru
Of his manner and Of his conversation remains what it
always was possibly sOftenel by long period OF unceT
tain health marked always by the same sweetness,
the same delcacy mingled with the same penetration
and force
II Mr. Cushne's manifesto meant to stir mp the
wrath of the English press, IL has not yet done is com
pete work. But three London papers, FAR have
seem have noticed at all and of the three moved
10 mirth rather than anger. This mornings Daily crs
devotes column to the book column OF good-natured
banter wherein Mr.. Cushing viii md all. OF q good
many of his titles fame set forth, far tribute paid
bis undoubted abilities. and description Of his work
which VIII amuse him II 10 does not square with
his own notion of it, We did not suspect" says The
Duily Neies that there could anywhere be found
veteran lawyer, politician soldier diplomatst, and
literary reviewer capable OF such Achieske hate. The
book is really very interesting; indeed 1t is almost aoso
lutey unique. II is combination of partisan pamphlet
personal ampOon, idyue eulogy, naive sei-sloritca-
tion polite anecdote, elegant biography and complete
decsveness on every possible conceivable subject Of
controversv Mr. Cushing himself will admit that this
Is good-tempered view for an Englshman TO take Of
his book; as is the following passage:
In prasng Count ScOps he not merely writes an en-
thusasc review OF mat eminent person ne not 9I!y
commeuds his stature, As department. nls rdnh ana lls
breeding hut be takes occasion JO celebrate savoy W
Italy, 20 lay wreath OF the siayes oi C%4yout %
ana ID AzegIO, 10 pay handsome compliment 70 Mont
Blanc. and To SAY the kuuest things OF Monte Rosa
Wien Ie masses Mr. staenpf In review he speaks OF
lfIprfs
s think another Rousseau Is painting the retreat OF an
ofheT Iulie and he tenders such compliments 20 the
Iungfa that could but understand them her snowy
brOws would assuredly be sutused with crimson
tt is Just possible that there may be people in England
who do not feel distressed gIeved on account Of Mr.
C1sbng attack on sir Alexander CJckburn, anbposs-
BILE that the writer have quoted one OF them. But
Mr. Gushing must be aware OF thing that his con-
t-overyy with the Lord Chief Justice Will more than sup
DIy anv element that be wanting TO that func-
roparvs popularity among his c0unrymen IN general
An article on Robert t. Lee. in The Edinburgh RcDeD
for APRIL published to-day. possesses certain interest
for American readers Southerners viii like II because
IL is eulogy upon their late leader. Northerners viii
find il curious illustration OF the passionate admiration
with which great numbers of Englshmen regarded Lee
an admiration binding them then and now % anything
like clear view OF the fact that the Confederacy was
organized perpetuae Slavery, which most English
men urofess 70 hate Lee s held up az this
day by this reviewer man who was victim OI Iate,
an innocent expator OF the truth ne told OF wrongs
done in ages past 10 epess Africans" He died we are
informed, without the sign OF ailment outwardly,
y7itbouta word Of PAIN great heart which repned
rot for his own loss Of dignity or OF ancestral fortune
ying way al last under the continued pressure Of the
run and degradation the beloved state 70 the freedom
Of which the prospects OF his whole life had been
sacrificed" This latter clause the political keynote
TO the article. Lee fighting for Virginia which the
Federal Government was trying 70 ensave. To that
ft u.
eight wears after final defeat Of the great struggle OF
the south in behalf of the peculiar institution The
writer in question was he avows friend ana cor
respondent Of Lee lie hopes some euloglst worthy OF
the grandeur OF the theme Will arise hereafter" but
thinks il time an attempt should be made do justice
10 the virtue and patriotism Of the man known hhertO
70 Englishmen as one Of the greatest Of modern
generals" It appears that this writer entertans high
ounon also Of the military abilities OF Gen. Mcclellan.
perbaps the two estimates viii answer for the military
part OF the article without further extracts For its
estimate of the general place that Lee Is 70 hold IN
American history the following sentences will suffice as
well as a volume:
civil strife will sleep IN Oblivion, and North ana south
do justice eacn others motives ana FORGET each
voice the deeds done on either SIDE ana the CIT
whole Union do justice 10 he memory o lhe
lead and Mace above all others the OF the great
chief OF whom we written In strategy mighty IN
battle Terrible adyersty as IN prosperity, nero m
deed, with the simple devotion 70 duty ana tue rare
purity Of the ideal Christian knight he Joined all the
angly qualities OF a leader OF men,. Is u WOhdT0us
future indeed that lies before America Dut lh Aer
annals OF years 10 come, in those oi the past tneIe
viii be found few names that can rival IN 1Isuled
user that Of tine heroic defender u his nalYe virginia.
/ Robert Edward Lee"
Dean Stanley has given another proof OF the kindly
feeling he is known entertain toward Americans and
/ the Protestant Episcopal Church in America lie
learned accidentally that the remains OF the late Dr.
Mellvaine Bishop Of Ohio were ON their way from
Florence where the Bishop diedl 10 America and that
there was some difficulty nnding suitable resting
pace FOR the body while in England lie at once offered
Westminster Abbey, and his kindness was OF eourse
I gratefully accepted. The body arrived n London on