The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-07-28
Example Of a Life.

Sir John Bowring, who was torn in
1892 and died in 1879, has just been re-
called to popular notice by the publica,
ton in London of his autobiography,
prefaced with memoir by his son,
Levin B. Bowring. He was one of the
men, however, who, whether remem"
bered or not by name, influence the
character and processes of law, COM
merce. politics and literature. Sir John,
with the exception of Cardinal MeHzo-
fanti, was probably the most accom-
pliShed lingust of the century. lie
would speak, write and think in almost
all the languages of modern Europe.
Among his published works are trans.
lations from Russian, Servian, Polish,
Magyar, Danish, German, Swedish,
Tristan, Dutch, Esthonian, Spanish,
Portuguese, Icelandc and other& he
not only rendered foreign languages in
to English, but made tranSlations of
English works into Spanish and
French, and when he wished to inhu-
ence public opinion in foreign countries
where he happened to be resident, pro-
duced his work in tine foreign tongue.
His translations of hymns and songs,
as for il stance the Russian Anthology,
shows that he had no ordinary powers
as poet and versiffer. Among his
published works is also the translation
of q Chinese novel, "The Flowery
Scroll"
In political pamphlets, trade and
commercial reports and sketches of
| travel his pen was most prolific. He
| pf
of whom he was a pupil in politics.
Probably it would be impossible to col
lect, or even to catalogue, ali that came
from his pen. lie was, during most of
his life, in government employment.
But his work was chiefly in that dill
gent, studious and labOrious field in
which capable men drudge without
public recognition or popular fame. In
! Parliament he originated and perfected
many measures, the operation of which
has now become matter of course. 10
social science, as in politics, he was the
! pupil of Bentham; and it is no small
wonder how the same mind could APP
preciate the "DeOntolOgy" (science of
morality and other ologies of
Jeremy Bentham and still have a dis
eliminating and poetic taste for the
"Anthology" of Russia and for the po.
etic musings of every known language.
With all his opinions nobody can agree,
and with all his conclusions none can
conclude: 1t is impossible for any man
to master all the leading topics of pub
lie knowledge and interest. This Bow.
ring seems to have attempted. Though
as a specialist he might have been
much more famous and perhaps useful,
in his diffusion of himself 1t cannot be
denied that he has left good traces oi
his work.
These facts about Sir John BOwrinG
are familiar to most readers. They are
cited here, not as new, but as placing
in stronger light, some circumstance
concerning the men of all work whcl
are not SO familiar, Bowring commenced
life rs a clerk in countng-house a
Exeter. AT the beginning of this cen
tury Exeter was a busy Commercial
place. And at that time England wa
full of refugees from the Continent
Young Bowring had for his tutors il
the languages refugee priests, foreigI
peddlers aud sailors, and the Tegula
agents and residents of the foreigl
houses with which his employers trans
} acted business. His attanments beinI
known TO his employers, he was sen
from Exeter to London as managin
clerk. And by the same house he wa
J sent to Spain and Portugal at the ag
Z of twenty to take charge of cOnsign
ments, which were principally for IN