New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-08
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.
LETTER FROM JULIAN HAWTHORNE.
PROTESTS AGAINST THE STUDY OF HIS FATHERS
lice Ely MR. LATnROP.

SIR: May be allowed, through the meulum vi
your columns to discharge duty made incumbent
upon me by the recent publication of work enti-
tel "a Study of Hawthorne" by George Parsons
Lathropi II is duty which wOdld gladly eyade'
as being both painful and an ungracious one; but
speak as the chosen mouthpieco of all the survlv-
ing members of the late Nathaniel Hawthornes
family who vet bear his name; and furthermore
sneak IN behalf of those whom death has deprived
of the power to defend themselves
II is not unknown that the Late Mr.. Hawthorne
had q strong aversion to being made the subject OF
any work of biographical nature-to having the
details OF his private life revealed and Their sigh-
canoe commented on or made the basis Tor theories
of his character. This aversion Ire repeatedly de-
elared 70 those most nearly related to him. so that
after his death there remained indelibly impressed
upon their minds the obligation sacrediy to respect
IT. and so far as lay in their power, to make re-
spectod by others. In compliance, however, with
generally expressed desire for some additional
knowledge respecting so eminent man OF letters
Mrs Hawthorne few years ago made puohc some
volumes of extracts from his Journals and note
books accompanying the publication with an mt
nation that the privacy of his written and unwrlt-
ten records could no further be invaded, ana that
whoever in the future might attempt an analysis OF
Nathaniel Hawthornes personality OF genius must
he content to proceed upon such data only as those
, Not long after the issue of the notebooks, MIS-
Hawthorne died somewhat suddenly, and large
number of papers, among them many letters OF pc
cuarly private and delicate nature, were left I'M
protected These papers and letters Mrs hawthorne
had however, previously given to her son. accom-
panying the legacy with an earnest injunction never
to let them pass from his hands, be open to for
eign perusal Some months before her DEATH her
son was called to America, and expecting TO return
almost Immediately, he left the legacy with her III
Europe Circumstances prevented his rejonng her
when he had expected to do and before reunion
could be made possible, she died. Mr.. CT Lathrop
who had already been admitted to a friendly footing
with the family now connected himself with 1t by
marriage land the elder daughter of Mr. Hawthorne,
beng inoapacitated by illness from attending to the
arrangement Of affairs and the son being still I'M
- avodably on the other side Of the Atlantic, Mr.
Iathrop assumed direction, and most OF The personal
effects including the legacy of papers and letters
came into his possession.
This occurred upward of three years ago. Since
that time I, in conjunction with my sister have used
every means at our disposal to prevail upon Mr.
lathrop to surrender the papers of which he had
thus accidentally got control. Mr.. Latlrop at INST
maintained that he had an equal claim to them with
myself; but subsequently he agreed to rctnrn them
after having had opportunity to make himself
familiar with their contents. To TINS condltlon
WAS Obliged 10 accede. although feeling 1t 10 be
somewhat out OF accordance with my late mothers
desire Months passed by; and a. length MI. La
throp was again addressed on the subject tbs re-
ply was to the effect that the papers had not as yet
received full examination but that when TINS had
been done. they should be sent Oh. Some time after
ward | received notice through his publishers OF
his intention to publish book upon Nathaniel haw-
ihorne, coupled with the inquiry whether had any
objection TO such proceeding. Upon Investigation
Twas given to understand that the projected work
was TO be simply literary criticism OF Nathahlci
HaUthoTne's works and genius. ana shohd contain
nothing Of biographical or personal nature. Atei
consultation with my sister and with Mss lie N.
Hawthorne. the surviving sister Of my father. /
animated our consent TO the publication OF such
book; expressly stipulatiug however that the let
trs and papers should be restored 10 or POSSESSION
Sitbort further delay. This again promised;
Int a,9iu the performance Of the promise was de-
iayed ard when at length the papclA IN question
BEGAN 20 0e given up, il appeared that UT. LaVhlop
had considered it justiable to retain copies OF All
such passages in them as had specially interested
him; and Furthermore that he proposed -sins me
information gained from their perGsai 10 III oui the
pages OF his study"
Tins Intelligence put g new face upon affairs; but
Twas indsposed to believe that there could actually
he an intention on Mr. LathroPs part TO overs'op
the exul!cIt conditions of our agreement; and II
pas NOT until the tone of two articles published
s1nul ancously in SGiJAo'8 and Inc AHa"hc
oyer his signature lone discussing the comparative
merits Of Irving and Hawthorne. and the other con-
trastiUc Hawthorne with the cary American novel
istsl rad convinced me that such must be ms pnI-
pose that my sister and myself fell called upon to
offer q rcmonstraucc. My sister then addressed to
him letter urging upon Mr. Lathlop his promise as
u the letters and papers and my fathers aversion 10
abiagrauhy as expressed 10 lis family THIS letter
was rcDlie, to by Mr.. LathrOp, admitting our posi-
ton as 10 the letters and papers above referred TO-
There was also letter from Mr.. LatMops pub
ashers pointing cut ther inability, as business men,
10 cancel book the greater part OF which was al
ready In type; and 10 this and 10 Ar. Iathiops
letter replied, still urging what seemed 10 me the
hiabor morality of the matter. Messrs. Osgood sub
seouentlv wrote ne tie information thai Mr. La
throp now saw no reason Tor making any modlhca-
ti0ns in the work, and by the same mail / received
an carly copy of the work ITSELF pcrusal OF winch
convinced me that such was indeed the fact
Such part of the public as may have read this
"Studv,n and among them perhaps Mr. Lathrop
himself might think that since the evil has been
done and cannot be recalled, the wisest course Tor
the disaflected of the late Mr.. BawthOInes family
yould be silence In order 10 explain why we
Thought otherwise it VIII be necessary Tor me 20
add 10 this already lengthy communication a few
critical remarks on the book in question: At the
out,et the writer parties by anticipation the ogec-
tiops Of those who know Of sir. ilGwthoTnes aver
sion 10 a biography by declaring that his book isnCt
"a biography but as the title proclaims il, a study
THE distinction between study OF man ana a
biography of him is perhaps greater than the differ
ence. IN the uye,eDt instance at least, the difference