New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-28
BRITISH GOSSIP.

CONTEST IN NORTHAMPToN-A PORTRAIT OF
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
PRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUsE.I
LONDON, Sept 12-Mr Ruskin's last "Fors' con
tains bit Of photographed information unusu-
ally explicit even for him. He has been challenging
the lie Deum singing princes, colonies, bishops ana
choristers. to say whether any of them knows what
he is singing about-what TIE means, or what Deum,
or what Laudamus-ch challenging especially the
squires Of England whether any of their hands are
ready for Gods work and for His weapons even
though they should chance to be pruning hooks in
stead of spears. Aud then breaks out: "Who am
that / should challenge you, do you askf My
mother was a sailors daughter, please You; one of
my aunts was bakers wife-the other tanners;
and don't know much more about my family ex-
cept that there used to be a green grocer OF the
name in small shop near the Crystal Palace" How
many Englishmen, known to the world as Mr. Rus-
kin is known are brave enough to PRINT such con-
fession tbatto despse the deep sentiment OF re-
spect for good blood which makes so large part OF
social religion in Englandi In America it would be
nothing; here it is an act of singular courage ana
manliness. Something of my early and vulgar
life, if it interests you, will tell in next Fors,
adds Mr. Ruskin If he to toll all that would inter
est u.s. he must devote many numbers OF "fors' 10
the story From the beginning Fors" has been more
or less autobographical as indeed all the writings Of
Mr. Ruskin and of all other authors to some extent
are. OF all living writers he is perhaps, the most
sympathetic; the nearest to his readers on con-
diton that they be not antIpathetic The gllmpses
of his own life he gives us here and there among
the most precious things in literature, and though
the world will never accept the doctrines Mr. Rus-
kin has lately been preaching, it will, venture to
predict hereafter regard " Fors Clavige" as a
book of quite exceptional worth. 1t is far from be-
ing popular one yet. The sale Of the monthly
numbers does not reach 1000 copies, and complete
sets Will presently be getting scarce. Through al
most every page runs note OF sadness, mnged
with confidence born of great thoughts and pure
life. quote passage:
And 1 was thinking, last night that the drawing
which 1 am now trying 10 make OF It, In the weakness
and despair Of declining might possibly be tho last
should make before quitting the study OF Italian ana
all other, art, for ever have no intent OF DONG
So quite the OF that But feel the separation
between and the people round me- 80 bitterly In the
world OF my own which they cannot enter; and see
their entrance to 1t now barred 80 aosoiuteV
by their own resolves Qhey having delOer-
! atey and self-cODgratulatingly chosen TOT theh-
selves the Manchester Cotton Mill instead OF the
Ttian) that IL becomes every hour more urged upon
me that shall have to leave-nOt father aud mother.
for they have left me children nor lands, for
have nonebut at least this spiritual land ana iair
domain OF human art and natural peace-because am
man Of unclean lips and dwell in the midst OF people
OF unclean lips and therefore am undone because mine
eyes have seen King the Lord of Hosts. say 1t,
and boldly. Who else Is there OF you who can STAND
with me- and say the 1t is an age OF progress,
YOU tell me- Is your progress chiefly In this, that you
cannot see the King, tho Lord Of Hosts, but only Baa
instead OF him .
There was time when Mr.. Ruskins faith was
Scriptural, so completely so that in many OF his
books-very notably in the Lectures on Archltec-
ture and Painting"-you will find arguments for art
theories based on Biblical texts. From that-from
faith in verbal revelation a basis Of reigion-he
long since broke loose, but the influence remains,
and "Fors" is full of passages like the above which
show how deeply the Hebrew writings have taken
root in him.
The contest for the vacant seat in Northampton Is
getting more complicated than ever. Mr.. Bradlaugh
Is now reported to have announced his determine
ton to stand-whoever else does, apparently, or
whatever tho Liberals may propose. And besides the
| five candidates already announced Mr.. Marmaduke
Bell now appeals on the scene describing himself as
| an Australian colonist and protesting extreme
| Radical views. infer that he is o shoemaker from
his offer to retire in the event of local working
| shoemaker coming forward to contest the borough.
This is think the first time that have heard Of
| demand for special representation by that indus
| trous body of workngmen. Hitherto they have
| respected the proverb. Are we to understand that
the shoemakeIs have particular grievance requir-
ING Parliamentary redress Is each trade to have
memberf Would the butchers dlstrust the bakers
in the House of Commonsf Or the candlestick-
makers hesitate to commit their interests toilet us
say to the retired tallowchandler or soap-boiler,
who is also present in considerable forcef Is Mr..
Bradlaugh too conservative for the cobbers or too
/ riulaf .taal fatrl
about leatherf Mr.. Marmaduke Bell has stuck to
his last or to whatever his Australian business may
have been to some purpose. He promises to con-
tribute largely to the expenses of his shoemaking
| candidate and to pay the expenses incurred on ac-
| count of his residence in London, when elected.
The desire for political promotion must be low in
| deed in the breasts of the working shoemakers OF
| Northampton if this offer tempt none OF them.
Membership of the best clubs in London, and all
bills paid for six months in the year. ought 10 make
legislative duties easy and attractive
| "Are all Americans" asks Mr.. William Black in a
| letter to The Atheneum possessed by a wish to
know minute details of the private affairs OF any
person whose name turns up occasionally In the
| public prints ~ And he goes on to narrate some
curious experiences which have led him to put this
question He is an author, and the readers OF his
books sometimes write to him to say that they like
them las they well may). Then Mr.. Black sends
civil note to his admirer and if the admirer be En-
glish the incident ends there, but if he Tor she be
an American q he Immediately replies with polite
request that should send him some particulars OF
myself and my domestic affairs" Mr.. Blacks do
nestle affairs are he us. pretty comfortable
but he cannot for the life Of him understand why
they should be of the slightest interest to stranger
| moments reflection would have suggested to Mr.
Black that the stranger might retort with familiar
quotation. But there are. it seems, public and
official inquiries also into Mr.. Blacks domestic
| affairs.