New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MATRICES FRIENDSHIP OF BOOKS.


posthumoas writings. the editor complains with not
little severity of the want Of appreciation which
was the lifelong experience of their author. MT
Hughes regards him not only as the first theologian
Of his time but as the man who has done more than
all Others TO extend and deepen the compass OF En-
glish thought Still he was entirely ignored oy the
dispensers of Church patronage This however, the
editor remarks may not be surprising MI Maurice
was not Of the stuff of which dignitaries are maue
The government of the Church does not often place
prophets OF apostles in stalls or thrones bu' IL 10
strange he contends, that his peculiar CLAIMS OH
the reading and working classes of the nation
should have been recognized only by small MINOR
ity in all the higher departments OF literature, MS
writings presented mine of learning and original
tbonoht adapted to the humblest capacity, such as
no other man of his day had produced. They were
freely drawn upon by inferior authors, who never
acknowledged the debt Even those who
were enriched by the plumber of bis ideas,
represented him to the public as con-
fused mystic, mere heater of the air.
But in spite of Mr.. Hughcs's eloquent pleadlngs,
we think il is idle complain of any want OF rec0g
milton even in the case of 80 rare and beautiful
character as was exhibited in the present instance
A. rule in the long run, every man receives the
appreciation to which he is Justly entitled. If his
merits are not fully acknowledged, the fault is usu-
ally his own. His worth in certain points is OBJ
secured by his deficiencies in others. However emil
nent his virtues OF brilliant his endOwmeDts, with
ont the power OF efficient action the public, his
personal excellence will be of little avail. The
world at large will take but slight note of
ms presence unless he comes INTO complete
aud vital contact with its interests ms
We apprehend was the with Mr.. Maui
rice His mind was too evenly balanced
"a permit the eccentriuty of character or haolt
which always commands attention from the crowd.
His very love of truth bar to his popular sue
.ess His temperament was cautious, perhaps even
"a timidty he cherished a singularly modest esti-
mate Of lus own abilities, and with his native
,leicacy If mind he shrank from the strong state
Intpts which makea powerful impression on the mass
Of the people lie was 50 fearful of eX9ggeration,
of false coloIng, of inaccurate proportions, As 10
restrain his energy of expression, aud TO deprive his
language Of the vehemence which is the natural
condition of popular effect. There was no
love Of paradox IN his composition. He
avoided even startling conclusions, through ms
tender reverence for the eXactncss OF truth. lie
had no taste for the intellectual surprises of which
many writers OF inferior quality make effective a
use He preferred to conduct his readers by a
gradual ascent to the nights of truth. HIS state
Ioonts were always guarded and considcrate, dread
1ue however less TO offend than TO shock, earnestly
seeking 10 connect new idea with previous eX-
perence and even vailiug his originality of thought
by the simplest and most familiar forms OF express
,ion Bot while these methods were unfriendly 10
general recognition, the want OF which Mr Hughes
takes 70 seriously To heart they do not impair the
value Of has writings source OF practical Wis
dom and high ethical suggestion. They viii even
enhance their heathfu influence receptive read
ers whose sympathios with the nobest expressions
of thought ore quick to need the impulse OF ar-
fetal excitemeuts
The contents Of this volume have been selected
from g variety Of lectures which the author dey-
cred in different parts Of England, and to all kinds
at audiences With no special attractions of style
az illustration. they will commend themselves to
readers Of culture and reflection by the pious sim
.eritv Of conviction with which they ale inspired,
fhe broad humanity Of their views. their strenuous
grasp Of thought and the rich dOw OF THEN fruitful
,ucgcstiveness lu the discourse on "Ghe Friend
.hip Of Books. with which the volume opens, Mr..
Maurice attaches no trayagant importance TO a
taste for literature and points ont Of its dan
gers aud temptations The true of books he
maintains is 10 cultivate the feeling OF friendship
for then writers. An age of reading is not always
favorable 10 this friendship. We can never make
sny book our friend until We have learned to look
npon il as the work Of an L. The charm of book
~ ia its revelation Of the author. " He may be
writing about gttat many things; but there is q
man who writes and when you get acquainted
with that man, You get acquainted with the book
IL is no more collection Of letters and leaves it is
friend" Ii may he thought that Shakespeare is
81 exception 10 this rule But says Mr. Maurice, he
makes friends With his readers, not by obtruding
his own personality. but by throwing himself with
she most cordial sympathy into their feelings. His
own use of books affords case IN point. Mr..
Maurice describes his method by comparing hun
with his great dramatic contemporary.
Ben Jonson, though he the son of 8 brickloyer.
made himself thoroughly GOOD Latin and Greek scholar
which Illustrated them he wrote Two plays on subjects
taken from Roman history. Very striking subjects they
we're The hero OF one was taiIiiHc, who tried
throw the social order OF the Republic the hero Of the
other was stJdnus Who Ecr SCENTS, S ms Si'r0en ava
tie Glys OF Tbarus ia dealing with these subjects,
c in.or nan The helm oi Two OF The greatest Roman
authors both 81 them possessing remarkable powers OF
narration, of them man az earnest character subtle
isht deeu reReciion Though few men IN MS day uH-
pre'ood these authors and the government ana crcum
stances Rome better than JonsOu, though ne was
.Eifll ana experienced lay-writer. most readers
piad when thev have got CstIiue and seianus fairly
done with. They do not nnd mat they hHFo received
any distinct impressions them Of Roman life 10
foam what u va they must So 90 the authors whom he
has copied. Shakespeare wrote three plays ON Romen
suoiects.-CorioaBus Julius Cesar, Antony anu Cleo
patrs lie knew very little OF Latin, aud the materials
he had 10 work win we're tolcrab.e translation 81
IIvys History, and capital one of tlutarch's Lives
shire peasants, ana London citizens, he has taught US
more Of Romanse has made more az homo IN heir
lived upon The sol able 20 DO J0nson studied their
books shakespeare made 7f"0I d theia. 10 dq Ju-t
she same with Old Chronicles. lie read OF King John,
81 Richard H.. OF John OF Gaun Of istIy O L'ncaseI'
az Hotspur and owen GicudoWer - me sOOd mum,
ghrey OF GlosleE and the dsr4 Csfd.nS Beaufort OF
stood up before hh' lcal slmcu .th % kI'cttul 7oi
rowing women. Instead J being dead letters they AL
became living persons not appearing m solitary gran
deur but forming grO1ps not cach "lth hKed im,
movable nature, out acted upon snd educated 0y All
imaginary word. Dut warmed - tae sun Of Italy,
pinehed by ,he ehl,g msn,' o. Dehinsi4- senta.ly