New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LAST YEARS OF EMANUEL DEUTsCH'
mn CONTEMPORARY REVIEW. ArRiL.

Oh 10
~ eminent oriental scholar. whose early death was SO
-. calamity 70 the cause Of antiquarian learning
-, Few are as yet OF the tragedy presented by
,no xperence his last two years can listen to the
oc.al Of his suferngs without feeling OF wonder that
no sad lot should befall man Of letters IN modern
society the current number Of the Contemporary
Review" there is painfully interesting narrative by
The Row H. r. Haweis Uhe writer whose miscellaneous
works have recently gained great degree OF popular
fame) describing the depth Of poverty and disease
which darkened the close Of Mr.. Deutscs life with u
speakable misery.
For nearly two years before his death he had almost
entirely disappeared from the world ana ior ono 'o"'
OF least he was by most OF his muun"'o "9
ciates The greater part of that time was spent III .no
house OF Mr. Hawes who appears to have received 'ue
noble sufferer within his doors from an Impulse Vi
friendly charity To an immense outside pubic says
The writer Mr Deutsch simply the gifted author OF
tbe Quarterly Review" article on the Talmud which
made such sensation in 1867 but 10 very large circle
he was known as a man OF deep sympathes, keen wit
rare humor, immense range Of brilliant conversation,
encyclopedia knowledge, and not only the finest
living Semitic scholar, but the most genial
and true-hearted OF friends" Mr. Haweis was IN
the habit Of meeting him occasionally at syden-
ham, after the appearance OF the famous Tai
mud article. lie then in perfect health and full
of spirits passing from the absorption OF study TO the
relaxation Of society with characteristic ease ana
profound enjoyment The whole man was In
every action and every word. His How OF
spirits was amazing His ready wit was tenn
pered and sOftened by his boundless aud nnfall-
ing senialty. But at this time, tie immense
strain Of work had begun TO tell uponhIm Strange to
ray, the wonderful success of his Tamud article OPP
pressed and saddened him. This article only CO.
lossa fragment thrown of as forease OF the special
work which he hoped would one day eliminate in an lu-
porant contribution to the literature OF the world He
heard OF the sensation which this fragment was produe
ing with mingled excitement and fear AT first when it
was upon all mems lips he felt inclined to hide himself
from the praises which followed him. The stir which he
had created seemed 20 him premature and ncommensu
rate He was oppressed at having called forth expecta
tions early which he knew would take Nun years OF
health and labor TO realize.
If was late in tie Summer OF 1869 when Mr.. Hawes
FIRST spoke seriously him about his health He looked
worn and anxious He had not his usual hghtheafted
flow OF spirits. His Gayety seemed httle FORCED lie
was excited and restless He confessed that he could
get no sleep producing in the mind of his companion
strange presentiment that all not right. Mr..
Haweis charged him with overworkinc himself, and in
pored him 10 rest in time. He found that he was III the
habit at times OF writing all night. Mr.. Deutsch was
determined that neither his special studies nor his
literary work should interfere with the exact discharge
of his official dutesthe oataloguing OF books IN the
British Museum The morning often found him with pen
in hand after night spent in sleepess toll He would
then hastily swallow breakfast and appear at the
British Museum at the regulation hour. There his mid
day meal was often elected or omitted altogether lie
was trading madly upon an iron frame.
When Mr.. Hawes became aware OF this, he wondered
that his friends not more anxious about him. But
he was still so merry and brilliant that every was
thrown off his guard remember" says Mr.. Haweis,
"urging him TO marry, and then became acquainted
with his peculiar views upon the subject which he has
often repeated TO since. Never TO marry set
lied principle in his life. lie thought it at all times
hazardous experiment fortwo people to make, especially
IN country where legal separation very difficult.
Personally regarded himself he was extremely open
and explicit and knew him waver; he said,-'l
should marry. il lived hundred years. don't
want to be happy Ny mother longs so for me to
End a wife, but either marTes or becomes great
Tie more diverse ms interests the for what ought
10 absorb his whole Nfchs work. and when the cases
of hustrOus married were quoted, his wit readi-
ness and encyclopedia knowledge supplied him with
torrent of ready answers. Socrates married TO learn
pa'ieuce Napoleon tired lt twice and failed; NeIsOn
Byron Shelley were other opposite If man had
been great and happy married. stl he might have been
greater single. His own father, nc would say. would
have been a remarkable man had he never mar
red aud that had been o lesson to him"
His view Of women quite Jewish. He regarded
them as inferior men, though he was full Of tender
ness and respect toward them Nor did he IN the least
underrae the genius of many iustrious women OF his
acquaintance whom lie regarded as exceptions that ne
did not care for. but nothing could reconcile
him 10 the woman's rights movement Yet he was
strenuous advocate for the better education OF women
Womau's sphere he believed AZ home, and with the
platform woman ne had patience. He was a great
favorite with women. and always gained their good
graces by his sweetness and high-mInded chivairy
Only to them he the Sir Gaahad OF scholars whom
they could never turn away from the Holy Graal Of his
ardent pursuit He took pleasure in their society with
The simple enjoyment of child In this way he was on
intimate terms with several, but in no other way He
laughed the of his being III love, or intending
marriage. which sometimes abroad, though he
never contradicted Them Let them cank,' he would
FAY. with his pride in his own character. In
heart he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, Pharisee Of
the Pharsees with Pharisee's contempt for the
weaknesses OF common men. and for titt;eatte. "He
had the most genuine lOathng for immortality Of any
man ever knew" says Mr.. Haweis but II did not
partake of the nature SANITY ascetcsm IN him at all
II was merely the taste OF scrupuousy clean man who
would 10, touch pitch" He not hard upon others
He thought them weak he seldom believed them to be
bad OF himself he would say, with an intensely jewish
pride, " | am L.
MI Deutsch slowly awakened TO the fact that, with
a few exceptions. lac was officially surrounded by men
IN the British Museum only mentally, but morally
Inferior himself. He entered upon MS official duties
eighteen years ago with light heart burning enthu-
sias, suguaIly vigorous constitution, and such quail
flies for the attainment Of the highest results
rarely combined IN any one student. His ambition
of lofty character. He strOve achieve fame, but
10 deserve Hence ne content 20 wait aud work
IN happy obscurity for nearly twenty years. He
the Joyous the most helpful, the most generous.
The guiclcss OF men. On all hands he used by
scholars and students II anything wanted in the
Museum, MI Deutsch the II there
insoubie problem ilegiOe inscription, characters
that o could read, books one could catalogue,
references no one could make out Mr. Deusch was ap
phed to- and never applied ia vain. IL did
10 notice that unworthy OF him often sucked his
brains. II the work done, he never Jealous
AT ot should he WoFkyy he