New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-22

chilled the warmth Of his attachment to the lmsi.
can soil His love of home, his pride in his country
and his preference for domestic life, made him re.
gard his absences as casual episodes in his experi-
| encc, and he resumed, with fresh ador, his
share in the interests of his accustomed sphere is
principal employment for the ten years succeeding
his return the composition of tho chief work of
his lfe the History of Spanish Literature" which
has been universally accepted as the standard au-
| tbOrity on the subject, and has gwen him the wide
reputation as a scholar which he enjoyed both in
this country and IN Europe. He devoted himself TO
this labor with silent but strenuous industry. II
was founded the studies of twenty previous years.
although no use was made of the lectures which he
had prepared during that period For long time no
trace OF the work appears in hs correspondence. He
made no demand on his friends for sympathy GU a
subject which possessed singular attraction for his
own mind. II is rarely that man of letters is
| pied with so congenial theme. He bad no eager
ness to complete the work. and bring the fruit of his
labor before the public but lac rather fingered aiiec
tonately over his preparations, as If unwilling to
part with them after ten years devotion. Mean
time his occupation did not separate him from the
current of social aud domestic life His library door
always stood open. No visitor of any degree was
ever excluded Tho History of Spanish Litera-
turer was first published in New-fork in 1919,
while at the came time, a small edition was issued
i'm London. The success of the work was immediate
and complete. Its surprising excellence was at once
recognized BY scholars that were competent to ap-
preciate its merits, and il has admirably sustained Its
position from the day Of its publication to this
ment.
Mr. Ticknor's interest in the Boston Public Lii
braryD induced him to make third visit to Europe
in 1856, which he reluctantly undertook. deyotng
fifteen months to the service. His correspondence
during this tour is less deli ghtful than hi, pre-
vious Journeys Tie returned in the Autumn of 1887,
deyotnr the remainder Of his life to quiet literary
pursuits to intercourse with his friends and to the
large contentnents of a sagularly fortunate domes-
tie circle. The death of Mr. Prescott in 1853 was
cruel blow His friendship with the distinguished
historian was marked by almost feminine tender
ness He soon engaged in the preparation Of Mr..
Prescotts Lifcn aud after the Labor of nearly five
years the work published, forming one OF the
most charming pieces Of biography in any language.
The autLor had now reached his seyenty-second
year. and during the remaining period of bis life,
presented cxample Of serene and beautiful old
age. lie bad always made friends among the Young,
and his house still the resort OF persons of all ages,
who contributed 10 his pleasure by their society," The
LAST five Summers of his life were passed in Brook
line one of the most entcng spots in the attractive
surrounded by loving neighbors. he was wont to
receive their warm and cordial greetings. On the
inst of August 1870. he entered upon his eighteth
year. Although feeble, he was free from any dis
tnct bodily ailment. He had ceased 70 be active, to
rise early or to walk much, but, on the whole. no
VAS we'll The faculties Of his mind were clear.
Ills memory was unimpaired. All his senses were in
their natural state, with the exception Of a slight
deafness Ills days were calm and bright Sitting
in his library. surrounded by the treasures which
ne had 30 faithfully used, he eajoyed the COM
pany Of his friends rs ever, as wei as the
reading of such books as best suited the tasto
and humor Of the moment On the FIST OF January,
1871. which fell on Sunday, he was apparently IN
lis usual health conyersing with several visitors in
the day and evening with his accustomed animation,
and tie next day dining with his children and grand
children who came to keep the New-iears festival
with him. But on the third day there was an Oh
vious change i'm his condition. and the first signs OF
paralysis, though slight and almost doubtful, were
manifested. lie continued TO see his friends for
several days and even left left his bedroom for q
part of the day, his mind and his speech not being
NJ all affected. His friend DR.. Bigeow, though
older than himself, made him daily professional VS.
it, in which their former habits of humorous discus
lion were still kept up and once after the patient was
confined to his bed the old caasicisis heard
Illness, he was moved into his library FOR the last
time aud early in the morning OF the Goth OF jan
uary nc quietly breathed his last.
The peculiar features of Mr.. Tcknors character
are brought Out in accurate aud brilliant perspective
in lis journals and correspondence. His ruling pas
sion was the love Of learning. With him, kHowl-
eyed was the great prize 10 be conteuded for in the
battle Of lie lie sought il with al the ardor of his
nature not Tor purposes of ambition or display not
with view to the acquisition OF wealth or utlu-
ence not for tic social distinction which rs possession
sometimes confers but az precious good IN itself,
perhaps the dyinest boon which humanity enjoy.
His life was a life of study, and he one Of tho
few who cultivate literature III the same spirit with
which the man Of science pursues his researches
into the facts Of Nature. In other words he made
his books the instruments for the acquisition OF
truth rather than for aesthetic enjoyment; he was
content with 10 hasty, crude or superficial
knowledge. but in all his studies demanded
ccamcss, accuracy, proportion, harmony--the
distinctive tests of science; and labOrcd rs siren
uously to present faithful picture OF the liter
ature of a country, or the biography of an in
dividual. as does the astronomer in tracing tine
orbit of a plauet or the chemist in analyzng
the colors of the spectrum. Still lie was no book
worm. no pedant, no grim and cynical rccluse. lie
had strong taste for the pleasures of society.
He cherished lively interest in pnbhc affairs. or
his most intimate friends were some of the most
eminent statesmen of the day. He discussed poiti-
cal questions with the same zeal with which he ex-
amiued "a point Of philology, or 4 fact of history.
Emineutly conservative in his feelings, he was per
hans too impatient with tho advocates OF novelty
or too rapid progress; aud sometimes no dou0S
seemed under the influence of prejudice, when no
was only LOYAL to the tendencies OF has nature, ana