New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-01
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

pp. go. ID. Appleton q 10 -, o.,
The pnblic services of the late Chief Justice Ohase
,ormed so important portion of his career, that
the narrative of his life assumes the character vi
,oIt;oa, history rather than of personal biography
Thoro ware few incidents of private nature 10 give
piouant zest to the composition HIS llie was per,
yaded by a rare integrity of principle INC eiauu
barmonies of a high purpose, ana certain ha.u'"i
majesty of tone, without the genial OF priIiian'
traits which are the conditions OF popular applause.
The character of the present biography is coio'eo
Throughout by that of its subject. IL Is seua'e.
un,mpassioned aud somewhat stately exposition OF
The conrse of political events in which MIR. Chase
largely shared from his early manhood The author
makes no pretension to literary skill aDdis evidently
upaconainted with the arts by which the facts OF
daily routne are presented in auring light. His
merits consist chiefly In his familiar acquaintance
with the subject his fairness of statement, his tree
dom with some few EXCEPTIONS from the expression
of politica partialities and his just appreciation OF
Mr. Chase's dignity and nobleness OF character
without induging in any illusions OF extravaganza
sentiment.
The part of the volume which possesses the great
est interest for the general reader the closing chap
ter, in which the author presents summary view OF
the leading characteristics of the Chief Justice His
first point relates to Mr. Chase's religious beliefs.
He was born in the Episcopal church, to which COM
munion he adhered throughout his life, although In
the main he sided with the school of CALVIN. lie
shrank from all ostentaion in respect OF ms religion
and was utterly free from intolerance and the love
of religious controversy. He q friend of benev-
olent re gous enterprises. and was liberal contrib
utOr both tOPrOtesant and Catholic charities In his
personal habits he was simple and inexpensive. dis
dress was invariably plain. OF all kinds Of display
he had strong dislike, and preferred the retirement
of his home and library to all other places. His de-
yVae hahituailV and reserved, lie sell
dom laughed, and had little appreciation of humor.
He sometimes told o story, but usually missed the
point. He fond of hospitality, and while Secre-
tary of the Treasury rarely failed to have guests at
his table. His establishment indeed was too expen-
siye for his resources, and retiring from office he
found himself so much in debt that he was COM
PEELED to sell real estate in Ohio He had little taste
for sumptuous fare but was fond of table-talk and
made his visitors perfectly at their ease. His
versation singularly pure and refined He hated
every form of rbaldry, and was prompt and decisive
In its rebuke. Only bold man could profane or
Indecent language in his presence.s
Mr. Chase's modesty no less remarkable than
his ability. He rarely talked about himself Few
have been little addicted to reminis-
cence. He not only abstained from volunteering
recollectons but it required skill draw
them from him. His love of truth was so great that
he would not even express an opinion on subject
of which he had not an exact knowledge He never
said what he did not believe. He rarely made
promises but never failed to fulfill those which he
had made. During his term of Office in the Treas
ury he kept record of visitors, and if any promise
was made it accurately noted down. Though
he had an excellent memory and not likely to
be deceived, he preferred the certainty of the
record.
With his singular love of truth, Mr.. Chase com
bined deep sense of justice. His temper like that
of most men of power in the practice of affairs was
quick and impetuous and sometimes gained the
mastery his habits of vigilance and repression
When he gave way to anger, his presence fear
full He was irritable under interruption when en-
ployed upon matters requiring concentration of
thought. In these moods, he was no respecter of
persons. The highest public officer. as well the
bumblest clerk. was liable to be the object of his
wrath. In this way he offended many. But if found
In the wrong man was ever more swift to repent
nnce. OF more ample in reparation. The humblest
servant of his household was of patient hear
ing, if there was complaint that he had been
unjust. There kindly dignity in his manner
at such times which the heart of the aggrleved
person. and almost made him wish that the ofense
might be repeated.
Mr.. Chase possessed, in a wonderful degree the
faculty of work, which have rashly considered
Us identical with genius. His life was of inces-
sant labor. be allowed himself no rest. His powers
we're kept constantly on the stretch. He found his
highest enjoyment in an unrelenting activity. Not
content IN the prompt performance of his own
duties he performed many which properly belonged
10 his subOrdinates He tolerated no slOvenly work
nor careless workers. The want of neatness ac-
suracy was an inexcusable otfense He read atten-
lively every paper fhat came to him for signature,
and never attached his name TO a document the his
tory of which he did not fully understand. He
suainted himself with all the details of his
office, and directed everything in person.
His labOrs in the Treasury Department were
prodigiOus The supervision or its internal
machinery task for the most energetic states
man. The patronage of the Department i'm
nense and its bestowal one of the most disagreeabe
Of public dates. In the halls and anterooms
applicants for places daily assembled by scores.
There was no escape from their opportunities.
Thousands made these personal appeals, and other
thousands sent appeals in writing. Mr.. Chase
able TO meet these enormous demands upon his time
and strength only by the observance of the most
rigid system. He usually arose in Summer at six
and in Winter not later than seven o'clock. He
worked in his library until breakfast at halfpast
eight in debating letters and receiving visitors.
After breakfast he went directly to his office in the
Department and by half-past nine and sometimes
EARLIER he would be at his desk at work. He rarely
moved from his seat, except Cabinet days, till he
arose. at half-past five or six, to return to his
house.
The first business OF the morning to read his per-
ponal letters. and such official ones required his par
ncular attention, aud dictate answers, or indicate
briefly the answers to be returned, which were taken
his signature dictated rapidly and every
bodys letters and did often change his phaseoogy
he would slash his original drafts without
mercy After answering the letters, he usually
he hrIT Wi AEaist