The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-04-22

father OF history. But modern research
takes OF the stigma once put upon HERODo-
TUs, and shows him to have told only the
truth even when he seemed most TO stretch
facts. Ho does not belong in tho category
OF liars. The world ia full OF strange
things, and we arc often skcptical only be-
cause wo arc ignorant The English essa yist
looks on HERoDoTrs az "morc or less Of an
impostor," and thinks his style, oven Mt the
best, " Immature and lacking finish" But
liERODOrUs was no impOstOr, as the RAW
LINsoNs havo clearly shown, and the latest
discoveries in Africa prove that he derived
his Information about that continent from
credible sources, and recorded facts and not
tho fables his stories were once held to bc.
Tho great Greek historian did n work the
world will never forget, and II he had not
written, there would be an important miss
ing link In the records Of society.
But there are historians and travellers OF
whom we cannot speak in such terms. Baron
MuNcHAusEN Is one, and Sir JOHN MANDE-
VILE is another. No modern investigation
can gild the edge OF their lying, or put them
In tho ranks of trustworthy travellers. Yet
both are agreeable writer's to read. simply
because they lie 80 prodigiously. liar
who makes a business of the art, and never
lacks assurance in its practice, never Is dis
comltcd when confronted with tho truth,
and never hesitatcs to keep on living when
he knows everybody sees through him, Is
oftcntllncs an interesting study, and may
be an amusing companion. He is harmless,
because though he los he never deccvcs.
There are some men who cannot tell the
truth, not because they love lies, but because
they do not see things straight. They never
look at facts. but are fascinated with the
creations Of their own maglnations, and are
driven by their preconceptions OF what
things ought to be. They have eyes, but
they see not; ears, but they hear not. They
are not listening TO what occurs around
them, but are lending car TO the stories told
by their inner consciousness. Such people
SEQ marvellous things, and listen to sounds
not audible by ordinary sense. They are not
liars, yet the truth il not in them.
But we cannot pursue this great question,
and indeed it's discussion il rather foreign
to our present purpose. We desire TO cele-
brate veracity and not faschood, and what
we undertake to do. and we do it proudly Is
~ show that for men of truth we need only
look to our own country and our imme-
date time.
Chief among our truth-tcllers we put Dca.
con RICHARD SMITH Of Cincinnati, unit
Tuesday last the Ohio candidate for the mis-
sion 10 Spain. lie labors against great OBJ
staclcs. due 10 his association with a number
Of wicked partners. who hate the word OF
vcracity as much as he loves 1t. Yet, spite
OF this discouraging condition OF things
I,n.np IL nl.ln To ~
ally utter the truth that is in him, and I,
display the generosity Of his nature in advo
eating the claims Of the martial MURAL
HALsTEAD, has vigorous competitor at Gin
cinnat for q foreign mission. cnioynG
which he will be removed from rivalry Will
the truly good man.
OF other men of truth we find none 80 dc
serving II mention as our noble advocat.
and historian. GEORGE, the Count JoANSEss
With the Count. the pursuit and practice q
truth are due not merely 10 n love OF tina
cardinal virtue for itself as all men shoul,
love it, but also To the pride " n nohlcman, e
whom motif ssc obii9e il the inspiring motto
The Count is just now engaged in n lawsuit
growing out Of his unique performance q
Richard M at Niblo's Garden In 1871. ii,
alleges that lie failed to get from Messrs
JARRETT 4 PALMER the money due him TO
that effort Of his histrionic genius. or tn,
merits OF the ease we know nothing, though
the Count has engaged our sympathies b,
publishing the fact that THE SUN pays hin
at the rate Of $3.50 column for his mcnta
products. We are glad this Is 80, because thu
money will serve him In good stead in th
prolonged and expensive litigation We SCI
ahead for him in the pursuit of his rights.
or our poets, undoubtedly the most vera
cious Is the clcgiac laureate, c. WASHING
TON CnILDs. A NJ. He does not suffer Tn
wings Of his sad fancy to lift him above In
mattcr-of-fact truths II death and the grave
, II sometimes he too highly nuds the viz
tues of the deceased, it il not because h
means 10 say anything untruthiul hut ho
cause the surviving friends have paid f.
the verse, and the contract compols him t
furnish It - n sort 10 suit their taste II.
autobiugraphical notes. and his description
OF his expensive entertainments, interview
, with the nobility, and bOuntiful hcne.actions
as published III the Almanac, are models q
naked truth.
If We were asked to name the champion
truth-tcller among reporters, We should no
> hesitate u moment. hut at once pick out tn
, Hon ELI PIRRINs. the voracious chronicle
and successful huuorst. The characteristic
, quality of our American humor is its cxag
gcration, duo TO the play Of fancy In tn
realms above the dry regions of hard fact
, but Mr.. PERKINS Is not troubled with imagi
, nation, and hence he can describe things ON
actly as they are.
There may bean art of lying, but, after al
truth is better in the end and it brings 1t
1 own reward
The Bribery Amendment.
In the fail of 1874 the poOnlo of this Stat