New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-27
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
rRoruNGHAMs LIFE OF THEODORE
PARKER,

TILT ~
BROOKS FBoTuNGHAM. l2no PIP SSS '"'"'' -
Osgood q Co. If
The interest which is attached to the memory %
Theodore Parker in the most intelligent crcies 'o'
of American and European society is largely io"iuou
on the attractions Of his personal character as wen
NJ the significance of his public career ne Ia
. object of curious admiration win many ""o II;
30, Che slightest sympathy with his opinions Ills
roronx was eagerly sought by persons 10 "noln
bis creed was an OffeDse. and his teachings an oS0
sion ~ sorrow or wrath. The stranger, VIM n'.
imagined him o hirsute radical prea'nihs ou'
,hreateninCs and slaughter against the precious va
aitions of the past, disarmed OF the pre1uuce %
tbe brave humanity and gentle hhdnheSS VI H'
,,rosence Not that there was any lack OF stern ana
6arv elements in the composition OF ms nature III
rs nublic relations he often exhibited vehemence
~ the burnnp core of the volcano, or the terrible
,o;oetv NJ the whirlwind. But whatever destruc-
tive energies he might exercise they were never JUG
fruit of passion, but always OF principle NO ono
could listen TO his feryent appeals, and not DC III
crossed with the solemn earnestneSs of the cOnYlc-
tiops bv which they were inspired. There was no
trace of concet or nsolence in their expression but
they were marked by that profound sincerity
of utteYance which reminded You OF the grandeur
AZ so,e old prophetic strain" In the scenes of pm
yate life however surrounded by ms trends al the
6resde or his books in the library, Theodore Parker
h-ipg the simplicity OF child with the tenderness
Of a woman difusing equal warmth and light over
Tho circles which counted his society among theU
dearest privileges. 1t is this aspect OF ms CHARACTER
In which Mr. rockingham directs especial attention
in the present memoir which finds the warrant for
its publication in the abundance Of fresh and novel
materials that enable the writer TO complete WhaI
was wanting in previous sketches. and I'LL out the
portraiture with more delicate touches. In tins
Al. 4 . Ia nllQV
without repeating the details of Mr.. Parkers public
activity shall draw from the lucid narrative before
T. such illustrations of his personal traits as will
shed strong light on a rare and noble individuality
The childhood of Theodore was passed amid
homely surroundings His father, upon his mar
riace went back to the old homestead to take care
of his mother. 1t was the day of small things. He
wore blue yarn stockings at his Wedding anu
brought his wife home over the rough roads, udlng
Lis tall gray horse, with her upon pillion. The
style of furniture matched the humility of the car
rage The common plates were of wood. The
pitcher, mugs, tcacups and sauceTs were OF pam
eartheuware, while the great carving dishes aspred
70 the dignity Of pewter The service for company
was Of the same material. There were few costly
wine glasses some china cups and sauccrs of the
minutest pattern. and wonderful china punch
bowl The neighbors were all farmers. There was
q shoemaker mile OF on one SIDE and blacksmith
within two miles on the other. They were generally
honest handwriting men, and went 10 meeting"
on Sundays, morning and afternoon. The houses
were as neat as good h6usevifery could make them.
You would always find tie childrens schoolboOks
singing book, perhaps a hymn book and always
good quarto Bible kept in the best roem
The family Of Theodore, like most others in what
was then the little hamlet of Lexington, was poor
The farm was small and unproductive. The soil was
.o.,r11 ho hoc4n uvaH
on tillage. The products corn and potatoes,
beans garden vegetables, and apples. The most
profitable crop was peaches. hundred dollars
worth was sometimes sold in a single season. The
father was sk,llful mechanic, a wheelwright and
pumpmaker and most of the income of the family
was from the shop. But in the whole it was hardly
sufficient to meet the daily needs The services Of
every member were put in requisition Theodore
when q mere child, was sent to Boston market with
the peach crop. Long sbefore he grown mp
he was employed IN laying stone wall, which proved
n permanent injury to his constitution. The follow
ing sketch from the fragment of an autobiography
describes some Of the features of his rustic boyhood
Among the earliest things remember is the longing
great snow bank-sometimes, when newdllen, as high
as the top Of the kitchen wlndoW-melt away IN 'front.'
of The b0ise Iloycd though to run in the snow bare
foot and with only my uish;-sIirt oD for few minutes
at q time When the snow gone, the necuuar smell
of the fround seemed TO me delicious The first
days OF Spring, which brought the bue-birds TO their
Northern home. ana tempted the bees to Try short
fights. IN which iloy presently dropped on the straw
nv proyidCut father had srewn for them about their
hvc filled with the deepest ght. In the Winter
was limited 70 tue kitchen, where could build cob
houses or form little bs OF fantastic shapes.
Sometimes father one Of my brothers would take
ne 10 the SHOP where no Pufrueu Ms losooe "oIh
the barn, whore the horse the oxen ana the COWS
were a perpetual pleasure Bat when the snow was
gone, ana The ground dry, had free range. used to
De on the ground In dry and sheltered spot, and
watch the yellow clouds OF April that rolled their
t Tg .,Tnee i fantastic. 6eatl and everchangine
forms ana my mind with wonder al what they were,
and how they came there
Theodore's giOus sentiments were developed
at a tender age. His father was a religious of
the grave, earnest sort. He went TO church. taught
his children the Ten Commandments, and would
have them say their prayers when they went to bed.
The mother was an example of sweet and fresh in
stiuctye piety. From her pure spirit, he drew in
the temper Of devotion. Religion he once said
to Mr. Weiss. "was the inheritance my mother gave
me in my birth-gave me in her teachings. Many
sons have been better born than l: few have had
30 GOOD mother. | mention these things to show
Won how came 60 have the views Of religion that
have now. Ny head is not more natural to my
body, has not grown with It, than my religion
out of nv soul and with it, With me religion was
not carpentry something built up of dry wood from
without but il was CTOwth-growth of a germ in my
soul" Theodore would often relate incident of his
childhood that made deep impression on his mind.
He was Oh his way 10 school, trudging alone
the fields. Suddenly he was accompanied by an old
man with long white beard and patriarchal aspect,
who talked with him on the way, told him what a
bright boy might do and be, making his heart burn
with strong emotion and then disappeared as unac-
couutably as he came. Theodore often alluded to
this adventure in after-life in manner that be-
trayed Interpretations belief in the visitation.