The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-18
WINTER BOOKS.
Sir Philip Sydney'e L1fe---Hie
Motto and Maxims.
JOAN OF ARC AGAIN P0EMATIZED.
Is Genesis a Myth ?-The Poets
Religion.

Religion.
TEE LIFE AND TINES OF srR PHrLIP SIDNEY.
IL Is a pity that the authors name ID not at
tached to this work. The mysterious initials 'S. N.
D." are very feeble clew to . man VINO Is evil
IDENTITY scholar and, what Is more and better, II
one can Judge Of character from ones purity OF
style, a gentleman The dedication to son Is
delicate suggestion that the book was written for
. definite purposo-vtz., to stimulate to emula-
ton OF one OF the purest. most honorable and
chivalrous characters OF English history. Sir
Philip Sidney is the best pattern OF high-minded
gentleman that call to mind, and as Roman
mothers, while bearing children, were wont to
spend given time every day In gazing on the
most beautiful statuary, with the hope that their
offspring might mysteriously be anected thereby,
10 Is 1t we'll for young men to study the life and
character OF Sidney, whom Elizabeth was wont
to call "the jewel Of her times" that, perchance,
they may take upon themselves the courtesy and
bravery and loyalty which made him dear to all
England.
Sidney was fortunate in his surroundings He
was born IN the very zenith OF modern literary
Bplendor and at time when some of the most
honorable and hlgh.minded statesmen, some OF
the most gifted poets and dramatists and some Of
the most brilliant and well remembered artists
graced the courts and made the history OF Europe
famous Wasingham, than whom no purer states
man ever lived; Cecil, whose depth Of scorn at the
possibility OF a bride was unIathomable; Lord
Hunsdon, a rough soldier, loving the camp better
than the court, but brave as q lion; Howard,
very Apoo, who conducted the attack on the ter
rible Armada, and many others or equal holiness
OF character were his daily friends and COM
panons His love Of adventure was stimulated
BY the presence OF Drake and Raleigh, and his
love OF learning by the very atmosphere Of reign
In which gossip gave way to Latin literature and
Greek discussions. Sidney was man Of great
personal magnetism, ana though aent on
many difficult errands to foreign courts.
managed to accomplish the purpose OF his
sovereign ana make friends for himself Tho
great political act OF his life, however, and tho
one for which he will be remembered, was the
prevention OF the marriage OF the irritable and
sell. wiled Queen Bess to the pug-nosed and pock.
marked heir to the throne Of France While her
august Ministers stood IN the background. fear.
ing to speak decisively on such delicate question
because OF the proximity Of the Tower, or, worse
yet, the sharp edge Of the neadsman's axe, Std
ney wrote manly, candid, but bold letter to tho
dried.up spinster, which she could not but admire
for its lofty PATRIOTISM and the courtesy Of which
she found 1t impossible TO resent The victory was
won. and nothing was left to the gray-haired Min
maintained sullen silence, but congratulation Of
their successful rival. sidney died on the battle
ned of poisoned bullet, which hit him just above
the knee, causing q compound fracture, In tho
thirty-second year OF his age. The bographer
lovingly reproduces the old story, which is too
good not to be repeated at every opportunty:-"As
he was borne from the field OF action, faint,
pallid and parched with thirst that attends
excessive loss OF blood, Sidney asked for water.
1t WAS obtained. doubtless with difficulty and in
scant supply. With trembling hand he raised the
cup to his lips, when his eye was arrested by the
gaze Of a dying soldier, longingly fixed on the
precious drau2ht. without tasting, he instantly
handed 1t to the sufferer. with the memorable
words, tiny necessity Is greater than mine.'" He
then sums up the whole story Of the man in these
words-"In life he was the patriot the scholar the
pride OF chivalry; in death, the hero, the phil
osopher and the Christian" The motto OF his
public life was. "dut uidns f7auenldna dut jact0m"
Il viii either ind way or make one). and many
Of the maxims OF which he was fond 1t would be
we'll for us to consider. We will end this review
of q book which. in style and matter. has given
% unalloyed pleasure, by quoting Jew OF the
best and most CHARACTERISTIC
The journey OF high honor lies not In smooth
ways.
The only disadvantage OF an honest heart il its
the hero's soul may be separated from his body.
but never alienated nom the remembrance OF
virtue.
In the clear mind Of virtue treason can md no
hi,iing place.
In brave bosom honor cannot be rocked asleep
1t is no less vain to wish death than 1t Is
cowardly to tear 1t.
The MAID OF ORLEANS: An Historical Tragedy.
by George II. Calvert. G. p. Putnam's Sons.
The American reading public is ready al any
time to give a warm welcome to any addition to
Its poetical literature, and to Judge 1t by milder
rules than those which 1T applies to the abundant
prose with winch the market is Hooded. The
volume which we are crirtcising has very at
tractive exterior, is printed on tinted paper and
does credit to the publisher. On the cover IL to
be found the escutcheon which Charles VII. gave
the Maid. as she was proud to be called
In field OF azure, sword with hilt of gold.
Blade AR, argent, lifting on Its point the crowns
Mr.. Calvert mas done his work well and with
painstaking care. His verse is quite unequal,
sometimes falling into lines which no one can
scan, and again rising into almost heroic undu-
lation. HIS portrayal OF the various characters Is
very vivid and the readers interest keeps up
until the Maid ascends from the name, while
those who helped to pile the faggots about her
fall on their knees In dismay, crying
o God have mercy usl mercy. mercyi
Mr.. Calverts description OF Joan gives US In
few words the salient points of her character:-
sheer exalted seli-forgetfulncss.
SO modest, all her doing is obedience.
Now 10 her angel voices, as Detore
10 father. mo ther and the parish priest;
All ardent impulses so clean OF SELL
Her hourly lie seems but n supplement
To other lives; her Office he ptulncss
The lines which follow VIII give a good idea OF
the writer's style ana his ability to put a thought
into its smallest compass. They describe the
Maids impaticnce at the Incidence OF the KING
Delay, delay; ever putting OF
Thriitlcss postponement Is the kngly home.
Uispctcd palace; rounded with the soft
M pillows OF luxuriOusness
His acts OF kingiy duty and BenOwn
Are in future which he grasps
That vrtuous Time aye snothcrcd In his sloth
And hence the wreck OF France tor wars success
With lazy laggardness Is conIugal
s steallllY darkness with lngcnuOuS day.