The New York herald., 1878-10-28
LITERATURE.

"Diderot vs. Dlderot. and whose does not like him
is Phstine, I" said Goethe; yet how few PEOPLE OF
to-day really KIN Nv anything Of this brilliant French
man. In 'Diderot and tho cEcyclop@dists' tScrbncr
& Weiford) Mr.. John Morley has given complete
history OF this remarkable man and valuable crti-
cism OF his work. Comic describes him the great
genius Of the eighteen III century, but not
quite prepared 10 agree with this yordct. voltaire
and Rosseau, who the subjects OF former vol
umes by Mr Morley, were the heads OF two mpor
tan schools each OF them set deep anc unmistak
able marks both on the opinion and events Of the
century. Dderot alone, OF this famous trio, had In
his mind tho idea of scientific method. Though i'm
measurably inferior both to Vollare and Rosseau
In gifts OF literary expression he was their superior
In breadth and reality OF artistic expression. He
the originator OF natural, realistic aud sympathetic
school Of literary criticism. He aspired to impose
new forms upon the drama. Both IN imaginative cre-
alton and in criticism his work a constant appeal
from tho artificial conventions of the classic schools
10 the actuaities OF common lite.
Denis Didcros was born at Langres in 1713 and
cnme OF good ana respectable family Like so
many Of the eighteenth century reformers he was a
pupil Of the Jesu,s Alter ne left college his father
desAcd him TO study law or medicine He declined
the former because he did wish spend his tmo
in attending to other peoples business, and the lat
ter because he had taste Tor killing. he
thrown upon his wits In Paris at time when Of
letters Jared badly thero they did in Grub street
Want or broad compelled him write, and no was
often Obliged TO do himself injustice. There is not
single piecc OF his work that was no; written after
the fashion Of the loosest newspaper writing.
great deal of II never got into print
during his lifetime. Nothing like complete
edition OF his work appeared until nearly
century after his death. The exceedingly mis-
cellancous character OF his writings cannot but ex-
cite wonder, while some OF them tho most
Objectionable topics, others, again, cannot be dis
cussed IN polite society. Diderot was art critic.
philosopher, writer ply steal ncc, a drama
tist, q novelist, letter writer dozen things be-
sides. Mr. Morley has gonc not only through hts
acknowledged contributions to tho "Encyciopeiin."
but also through the works of contemporary authors
to which Diderot is known suspected to have
tributed Ono of the most interesting of all tho
documentary memorials OF the century is to bo found
In the letters which piderot wrote Mllc voland.
He appears to havc written her openly and without
disguise. Some OF them nconcevaby gross, but
great deal must be allowed for the time and fash
ion. The chapter on the stage Is one OF tho in
tersstng Dderot was critic we'll as play wright.
He saw Garrck in 1865. He saw him pass his head
between Two folding doors, and in tho space OF few
SECONDS his face went SUCCESSFULLY from mad joy
quillity to SURPRISE from surprise to astonishment
from astonshment to gloom, from gloom to utter de-
jecion, from detection to fear, from lear to horror
from horror TO despair, and then reascond from this
lowest degree the point whence he had started or
Diderots art criticisms Carlyle says, '.What with
their unrivaed clearness, painting tho picture
again for us that wo, too, It and judge IT.
what with their sunny fcrvor real aris-
Ito genius, which wants nothing but hand, they arc
with some few exceptions In tho German tongue the
only pictorial criticisms know oil worth reading.n
II would be o truly imperial luxury, wrote Schege
get collection Of pictures described Tor one's self
by DideroI The pity is that this gifted critic did
somo better pictures upon which to expend him.
self. He, however, does not conhne himself to tho
works Of art before him. AT one moment ho gives
account OF tho picture, at another he diverges
into discussion Of abstract points of philosophy or
aesthetics.
Mr.. N Morley's Dderot Is one Of the most Interest.
Ing biographies have ever road not only ior/the
that its subject is Interesting, but that
biographcr knows how to handle 1t to advantage.
Those persons whom Diderot is almost II not quite
a stranger. as woll as those by whom he Is known
and admired cannot but be grateful for this volume.