New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS

FbUTARCH. MS LlFR. HIS LIVES AND HIS MORALS Bv
so SSAND 'H1S'''i rAN''" D. D. LIMO up iSi Macmillan
The intellectual position of the renowned
hI0grapher of Greek and Roman worthless is here sub
ieced 70 fair and judicial estimate by the Archbishop
Of Dublin He fads the secret Of Plutarch's universal
popularity in his clear insight into the distinction oe
tween biography and history From many expressions
1t evident that he always conscious that MS ous
ness was with the former and not with the later MS
leading purpose not historical but ethical ho "nu
at viva moral portraiture rather than at the reo u
events The historical background which ne was oosou
TO give to his portraits, always IN SUBORDINATE"
10 the portrait itself. He was the representative Vi
ideal biography. He is never SATISFIED uhui NC "''
combined what was personal and private III those aou'
whom he writing, with what was tranScehueht a"" ne
roic. Plutarchs word-painng, In wmou nc WIZ wv"
match with the greatest artistsln THIS Hhe was "i'
effort Tie scenes Of suffering and terror Wnc" no uo
scribes are relieved by many pictures of dyic beauty
Modern writer's have pad an emphatic tribute TO the nat
uralness of Pluaroh by which they have maze
Of ms narratives. OF tins point the author gives
several happy Illustrations. The three great ROMAN
PLAYS of Shakespeare would never nave eNSteu'
II Pluarch had written. His treatment OF fluch
is entirely different that OF others upon whose
hints he has elsewhere spoken In most cases he makes
lint little use Of the materials offered 10 his hand MOI
40 with Plutarch Shakespeare resigns himself to the
old bographer with eOnfdiuS simplicity, content 10
follow where the other leads. He nowhere makes the
attempt TO conceal bis obligations He adopts every
thiDc even TO the very words Of Sir Thomas Notths
Translation with only such changes as may be necessary
to give them a rhythmca flow and cadence. He is too
rich 10 fear the charge Of endeavorng TO pass himself
of for such by the laying of his hands upon the nches
OF others Nor has the use OF Plutarch
by gifted poets ceased in more recent times
Taere fountains Of inspiration IN him which age mas
not yet sealed. Robert Browning, in his "Baauston
has drawn largely upon the descriptions OF PIutarcb
Wards
have been written but for the life Of the Iberaor OF
Sicily recorded by Puarch The modern poem roots
itself in the ancient narrative gathering up into one
brief eonsummate whole what the Greek bographer mas
set forth more at large.-With regard to the purely
ethical writings of Putarch the author remarks that
they indicate better state Of society than Is gene
rally attributed TO his age He does not speak as one
crying the wilderness, but as to circle Oh SYM
pathetic hearers who Will answer 10 MS appears ~
may be supposed that his native kindness OF heal'
would prevent him from taking the full measure Oh he
sin with which he was surrounded No doubt he was
deficient in the fierce Indignation which consumed the
heart of Tacus and put lash into the hands of Ju-
yenal But II is certain from many passages in his
writings that he took rosecoored view OF life Sew
era Of ms statements almost amount 10 the confession
Of original snThe conclusions OF the author ID regard
10 the character of Plutarch evidently impartial,
and IN the main, We believe them to be just. lie mas
made a calm examination of the materials within his
reach and passed upon them the cool and lucid judg-
Inent of a critical mind Upon the manner in winch
lac has performed his task, it Is impossible TO
make so favorable report The style of Arch
bishop Trench is without col0ring, and without warmth
His writing only free from the expression OF pas
sion or sympathy but destitute of animation. 1t has
nothing the fluent grace, fine subtlety OF diction
which betrays the influence of cultivated and scholarly
tastes Tne archbishop has written largely on the true
use of the English language, but he seems TO have
prohted little 10y his precepts Whatever authority
he may assume as master in this respect, his own
practice has value a model. The construction oil
his sentences not only nfeeitous, but awkward In
his chOice OF epthets, he is singulaTy lnOpp0rtune
His descriptions are not only neegant, but often yer
bose. and always without point. He presents an eX-
ample of the peril that attends the habit OF frequent
composition. With much work TO do, 1t may be
thought wonder that ii should be done with negh-
gence, and no at literary perfection. 1t may also
he supposed that the form of lectures addressed to-
popular audience did not require high degree OF
artistic Gnsh But this is an illusion at war with the
attainment Of superior excellence lie who does not
write well be every occasion Will soon form
the habit OF not writing wen at all.
APolLoS Or Tur WAY oP COP Bv A. CLEVELAND CozE limo
D. 27I }. b. LPpiucou Co.
The idea o. Christian unity is here set forth
with canesncss and power. Ia the authors view, one
Of the paramount wants OF the present day is the ex
hbiton OF organic Christianity opposed to the multi
scctS. We must 40 justice 10 the
Inens OF modern evangelcals. while OF excellence
Is pointed which they have not yet perfectly attained
AFa urete Of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Coke aims
10 present the common grounds which the work
81 rcison may be conducted. with one heart
and one mind. by CHRISTIANS Of different communlons.
lie La persuaded that the actual condition OF
mi u among the followers OF Christ cannot he
ciled with t.e spirit Of the Gospel. Every thoughtful
Cirstllu is forced 10 admit that there much need
OF a =rra, awakening as there in the days Of
WELT. Religion has become fragmeniary. Chris
iauity house divided against ITSELF Tie resources
q C4r .tiaus re wasted IN mutual strife and conten
tOn. Tic UstQucuCcs Of this according to Bishop
Cozc. arc tr"ly appalling. Missions are parayzed IN
fidelity Is rampant After three centuries OF boosted
reformation. the greater part OF Europe and America Is
still ersiav.d 90 the sGprs,itOns OF the ieudal era
The great scandal which disfgurcd the Reformation
~ ,.raut progress auong ourselves The dissensons
~ tie relarmers STOPPED The course OF reform in the
siXccu,A century, Ia America similar Discussions are
reproduced Doe such countless forms Of mingled truth ana
error that uuucof becomes the resource Of millions
VINO have neither tine time the faculties to discover
truih amid 50 many discordauj sounds. Although
Christians feel this, they take no stepsjo overcome the
Ciguntlc evil. Nobody mOurns, like a Daniel or
Nehemiah over tc broken walls o. this temple. over the
dust and ashes 81 ;he glorious city OF God" Practical
atheism is tire condition OF millions OF our people Our
great republic is drifting towards the condition OF
France, "wthout the true God. without teaching
priest and without law" Tie time Will come when the
faithful will looE back the Christianity of our times
will DO establishment Than feel when we reflect
ON the Indifference OF meOrval Christians TO the enorm
ties Of their days. Bishop Coke wishes to proclaim
truce to all dssensous IN tie church He declares that
he is tired Of tue stale wordAghts Of centuries. He has
no taste for controversies, involving old grudges and
Issues Of tno dead past " know nothing" he says
more distasteful than the endless changes rung
upon the words, bishops, priests. and dea-
cons and the discussions thereon which
have filed many books. Not even the dronins,