New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-13
CHARLES LAMB.
LECTURE AT BOSTON BY JAS. t. FIELDS.

IONS OF CHARLES LAMB-SoMB NEW ANECDOTES |
AND CHOICE SAYINGS
PROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rR1BUSE
Boston, Nov ia procession OF well-dressed
men and women some two blocks long. remarkable
for patience and good humor Notwithstanding the
frequency with which its members trod on each
others heels slowly disappeared in the Office of the
Lowell Institute a few days ago. Its length was
result of the demand for tickets for JAS T. Fieldss
course of lectures on subjects connected with
Modern English Literature. Not since Dickens was
here has there been such a rush for tickets. The
course includes six lectures The first OF these was
delivered tonight to a crowded house.
Mr. Fields said:
BY common consent, the literature OF England ia re-
garded as one OF the nobest the world; and have
been guided my selection OF subjects for these six
evenings by earnest desire TO do what can to help
bring back something Of that old enthusiasm for II
which formerly distinguishing feature in the CON-
munty and which you will pardon me for saying, s no
longer prominent trait either In our culture or our
reputation. No properly Informed In the matter VIII
for moment deny that we have lost ground In that
special regard for own literature which properly
belongs to it, 1t is not quoted as 1t formerly was IL
not read 40 years ago IL IS not studied
one might almost say, at all.
One hundred years since, David Hume told dibbon
not write his history in any OF the continental Ian
guages as he intending TO do but TO publish 1t IN
English because,
establishments America promise superior stability
and duration TO our mother tongue" Seventy years
after this advice rendered and accepted accom-
psed American scholar then Minister at the Court
OF 81. James, happily remarked at the Royal Literary
Fund Dinner In London that the Language which carries
Shakespeare and Milton to the world, carries repre-
sentative government the trial by Jury and the freedom
Of the press" Aud when the voice, speaking to
the citizens Of a court, told them that Burkes "diyne
OF Cancellation with America excelled in his Judg
ment everything form OF elOQuence that has
down TO from Greece Rome our great New-EnSand
orator knew as he always did, what he saying. and
spoke fun knowledge of the worth and durability
Of his native tongue That good reply of Dr. John
sons who when they asked the rstrate old lover and
maker of English whether he didn't think Burke resem-
bed Cicero ono, Sir" grOwed Johnson cicero re-
sembled Burke, Sir"
To 20 back step further-fot $50 years are bat
step in the worlds history. When We inclined to
undoryalue inheritance OF speech, let call TO
mind that undaunted faith and courage, planted deep
down in the heart Of the Pilgrim when he built the first
schoOlhouse in the snowy forests and wisely decided
that the English language good enough for him and
his children to pray and to study in and let US not
forget that this Pilgrim, IN the wds OF Massachu
setts bloodreated TO those sturdy men who were
at that period carrying the English translated
Bible their iack-bOots, while they were riding with
Gen. CrOmwell's army on TO victory.
Good reading in English letters was once the habit or
this city. The muncent founder OF these Lowell In
sute lectures was himself diligent student in them
and devoted much OF his leisure to the perusal the
best English authors. his library being richly fur
nished with native writers. Although the bent OF his
mind was 10 the direction of mathematics and Biblical
criticism he cultivated with keen appreciation the
standard works Of British genius and was always happy
to lend from his shelves good book in prose or
poetry TO any young person who desired improvement
in English In that codc to his Will WHICH he
sent home his knsman and trustee, written believe
IN 1886 amid the ruin of Thebes Mr. Lowell expressly
provides In these words for OF lectures to be
delivered on the literature and elegance OF our Ian
guage" and he afTms as his opinion IN connection with
this thoughtful provision that the prosperity OF his ma
tive New En- gland must depend after the moral quail
ties on the intelligence aud information Of It's inhab
itants."
There are other noble examples left TO us of English
research and scholarship III this vicinity. 1 remember
20 have heard who had prominent right TO judge
not long that the best reader and critic Of Shake
speare and other great English poets he hadt ever h
tened TO- either in Europe America was not Macready
or KeInbe Kean. but the venerable john Quincy
Adams President OF the United States, surrounded by
his children and grandchildren with his friends in
Quincy. Some OF us are old enough TO remember the
lecture OF Mr. George Tcknor and those Of Mr. Richard
Dana senior The valuable instruction OF Prof Chan
ming at Howard University, who is never TO be
toned but with gratitude by all students Of English
who fortunate enough TO call him master" can
not be forgotten. Years these and host OF other
scholarly persons gave intellectual tone not only TO
our city but to the whole State and TO degree up and
down New England; tone which, for one, should be
rejoeed TO see again revived everywhere among
1t is grand TO witness the onward march OF all the
sciences and to hail IN day and generation that
divine philosophy which is neither harsh Grabbed
but a plea for q general study OF English tera-
ture cannot be out OF place IN this hall. believe that
schools and our colleges are now lamentably sui
fering from TOO long neglect Of that wholesome era
ture which was conceived and written in that language
We were all Of born 10 speak and TO which should
do just homage If there time could give you
tying proofs that young people not instructed
English they were and as they ought TO be.
know it tacty understood that instant death should
beall any one who publicly or privately doubts the
perfection OF all colleges and schools. Unt year
ago we used TO court the asperty OF sentence
whosoever limited unbelef in Fire Department.
Our semnaries OF learning IN many respects excel
lent and may be very exceptionally good. few are
fauless in their English drilling. Some OF them
amply supplied with teachers who although they could
discourse eloquently about Spinoza and his denial
Of final causes, would hesitate without referring
biographical dictionary TO decide whether Dryden lived
before or after Shakespeare and could not IL the
alternative thumb repeat ten lines OF Pope
or Goldsmith from memory. Speaking without AFRO
eance but In all modesty Of shortcomings am will
ing TO appear somewhat uncompmentary, even accusa
tory If you please that may emphasize my earnest
desire drop seed here and there which may spring
up IN the daily path OF young woman and
help better reading OF these sterling pages OF En-
gsh genius which have not received among OF late
that enthusiastic attention which they richly deserve
After this general introduction TO the OF lee.
lures Mr. Field began the special subject for the
ing by saying that In all modern English prose lit
erature there name fragrant and enduring
than that Of Charles Lamb for he had those indigenous
faculties OF couresy, generosity humanity and benig
nifty which strengthen virtue enrich the fancy Danish
selfish mercenary passion and teach the aptest lessons
of sweet and honorable thought and action. With wit
10 In Inat uritI. j