The New York herald., 1876-02-28
THE BOOK WORLD.
The Late Mr.. Forster's Life of
Jonathan Swift.
"THE KING OF INSTRUMENTS"
Bric-a-Bra RecOlIectiOns "Narrying Beneath
Her. "Ralph and BrunO"-Tniyer-
sal Church History.


Biographical literature has not had important an
addition in many long day the late Mr.. John
Forster's 'Gife Of jonathan Swiftn Mr. Forster
was engaged upon this work for many years, and
had IL under way before his 'Liie of Dickensn was
written. II will be unfortunate II the work will
not advance beyond this volume. AS piece
OF literary work it ranks higher than the Dickens
biography which latter showed evident signs OF haste
and carelessncss in ITS production The Swift volume
Is written in solid and brilliant style and is unusually
entertaining for the life OF so remarkable man
as the Irish Dean. There have been numerous lives OF
swift written, but none have given entire satisfaction
Among the most famou S of his biograpncrs Lord
orrery, DR.. Johnson, Scott Macaulay and Thackeray
An essay by MT Deane Swifs, grandson Of Goodwin
Swift, Jonathans uncle and benefactor, by his mar
riage INTO the family OF Deane the regcide, is men
toned with structures by Mr. Forster who be-
lcves that he perverted facts coored the truth
suit his own ends. 1.-The rule OF measuring what is
movable Of famous by tho inverse ratio OF what
has been SAID about him is applicable TO Swift in a
marked degree, says Mr. Forster. Sew men who
have been talked about much are known so little
His writings and his life connected closely that
90 Judge of either fairly with imperfect knowledge
OF the other is not possible; and only thus be
euscd what jeffrey hardly said and many have too
readily believed that he was apostato in politics,
nndcl in religion deiamer Of humanity the slanderer
Of statesmen who had served MIN and the destroyer
the women who loved HIM. Belief in this, any part
Of H. may be pardonable where the life is known In
sufficiently and tho writings at all; but a
potent acquaintance with either both It is mon
we'll incredible" More than $50 unpub-
lishcd letters, written by Swift were placed in Mr.
forster's hands when he began this work. At the dis
pcrsion OF the library of Mr. Monck Mason of Dublin,
hc became the purchaser of Swi book and books
OF account OF his letters OF ordination OF large
ber Of unpublished pieces In prose and verse; intcr-
changed between himself and Sheridan; OF several i'm
porant imprinted letters and OF series OF contempt
Tary printed for illustration of the life in Ireland
which he aerward able to complete by the whole
OF the extremely rare wood broadsldes Besides
this IL wou' that everybody who possessed pa
pers OF tho slightest interest that could in any way
throw light upon Mr. Forsters researches forward
and put them his disposal A great many stories
that rsnectcd upon swifts college denied
this volume, and with every evidence Of authority
Mr.. Forster docs think that Swift occupied mental
position at Moor Park If he had It not likely that
Sir William Temple would have charged him with
letters and messages to the King messages that made
argument necessary and diplomacy Indispensable The
beginning and development of Swfs political power Is
traced with great and interest The foundation OF
this political influence LAID about years after
Sir William Temples death the occasion of the i'm
peachmeni Of the whig lords by the Tory leaders His
first brochure printed anonymously and at
tribued TO Of the first political writer's in the
country When Swift discovered as tho author he
was treated with tho greatest consideration and respect
BY tho most famous statesmen OF the day. He had
reached his twenty year before he determined
10 the Church. The nrst cbaplancy he held he
only consented for the chance political
Tetaryship which he beloved would accompany It, IL
was not inconsistent with the ministry those days
TO render important diplomatic service to the State.
Mr.. Forster thinks that there Is reason
TO doubt swn's respect for religion and
careful observance OF the ordinances OF the Reformed
Church This bographcr contends that the early rea-
tions between Swift and "Stella." Esther Johnson
were those OF lover and mistress They play
fellows, as father and chlld They master
and pupil the growth OF her mind began to interest
him, And in all attempts to explain the mystery OF
their later connection sufficient weight has never been
given TO the character IN which respectively they
stood each other and to all that implied in It at
the very OF her life and the maturity OF his The
portrait OF swn by Jewas. etching from which ac-
companies this volume, was taken when he about
forty years old proves him TO have remark
ably handsome Features regular yet striking;
forehead high and temples broad and massive; heavy
lidded blue eyes, TO which his dark complexion and
bushy black eyebrows unusual capacity for stern
well as briilianco a nose slightly aquilinci
mouth resolutc, with iull closed lips; a handsome
dimped double chin, and over all the face
the kind OF prido not grown of su
pcrcilou sness scorn but OF easy, conf
dent, calm superiority His beauty OF person
united with extraordinary social charm, gave him
wonderful influence women He used TO say ''Ih,
best intelligence got Of public Affairs is from the Ia
~ n tha l,rht fOrx
ioasts Of the time 10 whom no wrote OF his bes
verses
PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES BY Constable and Gillios
Edited by Richard Henry stoddard New York
Scrlbncr, Armstrong Co.
Not the least interesting part OF the Bric-a.Bra,
series arc the prefaoes written by Mr.. stoddard II
that accompanying the present volume he is parteu
arly iectouS He gives the history OF Constable, tho
publisher and Gics the author, In bright and pleas