New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-15
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE,

ratiye of the biographer through the VARIOUS ahu
crowded experiences Of GerTit Smiths pubic ca
reer. 1t embraces numerous incidents when once
held prominent place in his history. but are now
important chiefly as illustrations of his personal
character The events of political life soon fade into
the obscurity of the past but the study OF On Illus
trious manifestation of human nature never ceases
TO retain fresh and vital interest. In this respect
the biography of Gerrit Smith possesses peculiar
attraction. while the more public features OF his
career are lost in the tbrong of in which
they had their origin. Mr.. rockingham presents
a truly charming description OF his private and 90
nestle environment. He enjoyed the felicity OF
singularly fortunate marriage HIS wife was ad-
mirably fitted by nature and cultivation to DC the
light and blessing Of his household. Their union
was perfect Both OF large brain and heart she was
the more poetical in mental structure, but she was
equally simple and brave. equally earnest III her hu
mainly and resolute IN her devotion. Their dlHor-
ences were friendly and as sweet as their synpa
thies Her religion like his, was interior ana pfnc-
teal: but while his was more practical, hers was
more interior II need not be said, Dir. rockingham
suggests. that Gerrit Smith not philosopher,
not close scientific thinker nor student OF theories
and principles. No more was he man OF books,
largely acquainted with the recorded achievements
of the human mind. He neither fed on literature,
nor refreshed himself with It's productions His writ
ings on religion show vigor, acuteness, originality,
but neither learning nor study. His library contained
nearly two thousand volumes, but no WORKS OF
value no rare editions, famous copies, nothing 10
tempt the lover of literature. II was remarkably
unintellectual library, even for miscellaneous
reader, who wished for only superficial acquan'-
ance with books. Even the books there evnceu no
decided or individual taste. They were not selected
but evidently picked mp. many OF them sent by
q f1,a hrar A
educated. or deeply thoughtful man. Nor was Ger
rt Smith the reader of such books as he possessed,
not even Of reviews and magazines The newspaper
Of the day furnished his chief intellectual material
Rut still he could not Justly he called superficial
man. He was gifted with extraordinary intellectual
force His mental impulse great. He was always
aliy. and awake. His faculties played easily. IL
cost him 10 effort to think. to write, or to speak
His thoughts came quickly, faster often than he
could arrange them. In business affairs his clear
hess decision and dispatch were almost unparalleled
His wealth was his opportunity. He placed none OF
# nj the disposal of his lower nature, but consccra-
ted il TO the service Of humanity. lie spent moth
ing on pleasure, nothing on amusement, and next 10
nothing on dress. He bought no luxurics. orna-
ments or tr.nkets, INDUCED in no fances for PIC
lures. or bronzes, household decorations gave no
holiday presents, provided his family with no ex-
pensive dainiics. He had time for mental discipline
and culture had be been so disposed. But bis bent
was not in this direction. His mind was full
and flowing but not inclined to closencss
and compression. He had an urgency for
expression. but not an oagemess for ac-
ouistion He was tallAer. not Il student, more
at home or the platform, and in the social circle.
than in the library. His afuent mind supplied him
with materials for public and private uses. But
GerTit Smith, according to his biOgrapher, was es-
sentally man of heart. His warmth and exuber-
auce of feeling no less conspicuous In his ma
tnre years than IN his college life His affections
were ardent and constant. His cheerful sympathies
impaired heartiness to his manner and mellowed
the tones of his voice. He had passion for chill
dren His letters 10 his wife and children perfect
inI their natural flow of expression. Religion sub
ducd and exalted all his emotions. lie was pract-
cal and earnest Christian. He made the Christian
life his law. THE sermon on the Mount contained
the sum of his philosophy the Beatitudes kept be-
fore him the vision Of happiness; the Golden Rule
was his motto
Ii is hut Just 10 snv that in the biography OF Ger
rit Smith Mr. Frothingbam has acquitted himself
Of difficult task with dignity, with delcncy. and
with great force of expression and illustration Ii in
voyed the discussion Of many pregnant questions. q
decision of important points Of fact aud fine in
sght into the lights and shades of character which
made the composition of the work no holiday amuse-
mcnt He has taken a broad aud generous view of
the various aspects OF the subject. rs we have al
ready suggested his volume shows no traces Of the
influence of personal sympathy. lie has devoted r.
faithful study to the life of Gcrrlt Smith a. II he
had been decipheIing Chaldaic inscription or ex-
plorng the ruins of Babylon His record Is marked
by the same discrimination and justice. whether lac
is delncating qualities which he admircs. or crit
c,ing traits which he disapproves The sine Gritty OF
his literary execution * u model The work shows
no passion but the love Of truth No desire Of effect
10 taste for display, stains tho purity Of ts lucid
pages. Without any superiority Of feeling, II eI
hibits qualities genuine aud substantial Us the
virtues of tho man whom 1t commentaries. and
forms permanent monument 10 exemplary worth