New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-13


almost amusing compacency, upon the incidents OF
his lowy life when his affections divided between
the sparks of the anvil and the Greek lexicon He cher
ishes the memories OF the eaherapron. rs II 1t had
been robe OF state. At the ZANE tne he Is singulary
free from egotism making small account OF his doings
the world striving 10 escape attention Instead OF
counting notorlety. The writings in this volume Will be
read with interest both from their intrinsic value and
the character OF their author They mostly PLAIN
direct unaffected statements on subjects OF general in-
portance. They show the ability OF the thinker as well
as the cultivation OF the scholar Wise in suggestion,
fertile in illustration and happy, and often pungent in
expression they afford favorable specimen of the con-
tributions Of blacksmith TO the literature OF bis
county
THB BRITISH QUARTERLY REVIEW. JAsrAAr The Leonard
Scott
Among the articles of popular interest in this
number that combined with of philosophical
discussions OF considerable ability, but rather unat-
tractiye notice OF Nj Elery Channing's memoir Of
Thoreau, which is treated with some Discrimination,
although the identity OF the author is bopelessy mis-
taken the apparently confounding the errauc
poet with bis distinguished relative, the Rev. William
III. Claiming OF London. The character of Thoreau,"
says the writer, was like those seaside flowers which
smell the sweeter and grow the purer in that they
arc touched by the rough sea salt" His lack of sym
patty with the religious faith Of the day seems
not TO have disconnected his orthodox eulogis who
him almost exclusively the pOetcal side OF his
nature in which aspect he s certainly presented In the
attractive light. The following portrait is not un-
faithful TO his genius poet though II fails to repre-
cent the essence OF the man.
Thoresu wac naturalist, because he was primarily
poet; and hence the fitness Of Dr. Channinss title,
rather than by hard cassncat0Ds. Instincts and
habits were ever OF more account with HIM than me
organs and functions whose expressions he held
that these were and nothing more. Yet he was OBJ
servant of these also, and seldom out in matter OF
patience and viii that Rolling could defeat or enbar.
held in closest union with fine imagination, with
out Of cOntradctionths was his first character
istic. His grand quality was sympathy. lie came 20
everything with the poets feeling the poets heart the
poets eye To observe his Joy. What pictures he
can draw OF wholly unintcresng places and things
WHAT loving rapture he falls into the commonest
ordinary sylvan occurrences the common ongonss Of
nature were TO him mighty parable, and he set some
with delighi and learn wisdom. And as he brought
every object he cxamiHed so he demanded it in those
he encountered though he had an utter horror OF false
professions II n. Therefore like ScOtchman In this,
he prone TO hide it under brusqueness til you knew
him Bat, q flowers expand IN the SUM- hs soul eI,
senses seemed TRANSPORTED and benignanty endowed
with special sensibites and attractions He was fond
one who ever attended any OF his parties attest
really fond OF sympathy, and threw himself heartily
and chdlke into the company OF young people whom
could with the varied and endless anecdotes OF his
pericnoe in field and river Aud he was always ready
a
and grapes" Yet lie is always wonderfully self-re-
strained and selfrespecting. lie makes poem out OF
I've the last 10 celebrate il such and while some
seek climax, be despsed rhetoric aud all conscious
Tie " nigu sympathies OF Thoreau referred to by the
writer were certainly not often displayed on the sur
face but, may trust the assertions of his In
tpste associates they had Judgment in the heart be-
meath the austere and chilling exterior.
The autobiography of John Stuart Mil is the subject
OF elaborate paper which shows greater freedom
from prejudice 10 tue estimate of his character than has
always been exhibited even quarters with far louder
pretensons 10 berality. In speaking OF the influence
Of Ms preposterous early education under the eye
his pedantie father the severity OF the writer IL not mis-
placed
That John Stuart MI was man OF tcnderest feeling
"nd most exquisite syDpatbes, DO who know hin,
sTsn Doubt I s TS heart G s alter
the u T%s Of nj ias s'nSf AID
beauty of the Indeed, had we not ms own WORD
for IT. Should strongly doubt alike the mutindiDous
ness of the studies aud tho nhumanty of the teacher
Not that James Mill cruel aud harsh He was SIM
ply unovely The picture drawn by his son apparently
indeed quite unconscious OF the effect that would DC
produced IN the readers estimate o his father Is tnit
of a teaching Notwithstanding driving, planning. trim
ming and al turning out Keen, sharp poshed III
srument as much distortion Of what the real john
Stuart Mill would have become under generous. human
education IL he had been allowed TO run wild in the
green lanes of Newngton, OF consort with the sest
boys in the grammar schools OF the city,
An Incidental remark concerning man VINO war u
conspicuous figure among the reformers in Benthams
school is worth quoting illustration Of the irony OF
human fame. Mr. John Bowrng, better known TO this
age as SIR John, merchant in the City o. London
He a man OF ardent temperament and mutifarlous
learning who obtained mastery over large number
Of languages and became finally the editor OF Bentham's
works. and the compiler Of Benthams life. His lsbors
in connection with British tafairs in China well
known is probable that lie will live longest In the
recollection OF posterty a Jealous reformer,
vigorous scholar and passionate sdmirer of the phi
losophy Of utility, but from two hymns which
he wrote that have found their way into the religious
services OF the almost universal Church. There is
strange irony in the history OF human renown. Bow
rings party would perhaps think 1t small praise that he
should gain some little Of that kind Of fame OF which
Dr. Watts is the immortal type while all his fine spun
theories and splendid achievements In reformative
measures should be held for little worth. Posery has
odd standards of glory"
remarkable passage on the marriage OF Mr.. Mil
seems 10 justify his glowing tribute TO the memory OF
his wife Ia the dedication OF his great work Liberty
which has been not unfIequently regarded as mere
enusion OF romantic, perhapsImorbid affection The
testimony 10 the character OF that lady possesses
weighty Emphasis, as coming from $50 high and SO
authentic a source.
When Mill twenty-five years OF age, he met the
lady who afterwsrd became his wife, between whom
and himself there spraDg up friendship which, when
IL deepened into the closer relationship OF marriage,
presented one OF the most beautiful examples OF perfect
union which biography has ever related She was the
vile OF o Mr.. Taylor, man Of high character and lib
ea Opinions nut Who does not seem TO have possessed
those mental and aesthetic which would make mis-
IN t.lafa IlA