New-York tribune., 1879-01-07
BAYARD TAYLOR.
HIS LAST DAYS.

L
FOR wORK-To COMPLETE THE LIFE OF GOETHE
THE OBJECT OF HIS AMBITION-NR. TAYLOR As
LINGCIsT-AY INCIDENT OF THE PARIS Ex-
PosrTIoN-HIs ACHIEVEMENTS II JoURNALIsM.
PROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT oP THE TRIBUNE
LONDOS, Dec. 22-My last letter from Bayard
Taylor was dated November B. 1t fills a blank page
in one from his wife. and written with charac-
teristic thoughtuness TO relieve the anxiety about
him which his friends then felt written evidently
in the belief that a few words in his own hand
would the best proof that his condition was not
that of an invalid past hope. He said
Il am quite sure the reports about my i'll
ness have been much exaggerated. ] was
only in bed few days account Of the
operation which wasn't painful dangerous,
does Its necessity denote any chronic trouble.
have not been. for n single day, incapable OF at
tending to the business Of the legation
The handwriting of this is the same as ever; firm,
leg,bIe and elegant not a trace of weakness III
decision in it. This always remarkable in him.
never note manuscript of his which
showed marks Of haste. With the prodigious
amount OF work he did he could not atfo.d to be in
a hurry His was an orderly mmnd and
his metbodical habits carried him through great
tasks with facility and precision. His confidence IN
his physical powers is indicated IN the words have
quoted. He believed he had years Of life before
him, and he looked forward with eager de
light to the Life Of Goethe for which he
had long been preparing. He wrote
Me last May beginning with a hearty
conDlm Mt to the zeal and capacity Of the two
secretaries, Messrs. Everett and Coleman: lhe
routine business Of the Legation Is less than attic
pated, and feel tolcrlby Of three hours day
for my own work. Moreover. since arriving am
getting back my natural sleep and appetite and am
Y IN
ing could have done that biography we'll rs Mr.
TAYLOR All other gifts apart, his knowledge of
German was such A. few foreigners ever acquire. /
remember his telling me years agD that BE- could
converse witt the p,asautry of the Black Forest,
and the country hcreabouts. in each OF the ten or
twelve distinct dialects there prevailing, without
its being found ont that be was not Of
the vicinity. When he went to iceland III
1874, he learned Iceandic enough on the
way for conversational purposes and rubbed mp
his Danish 80 As 10 talk with the King of
Denmark in his own tongue. Once | said to him,
"You must have a great natural g.ft for languages
Not at all. replied he " ali know have got by
downright hard work. Yet he spoke most modern
European languages iluently, and had good knowI-
edge Of at least a dozen Others
In England Mr. Taylor was well known personally
and by his books. note from Mr.. Browning.
me for quoting. SAYS, Poor dear Bayard Tay
lCI how ! feel for him and for all his
friends l dare refer only in the briefest
way to the occasions when have Mr. Taylor
in London surrounded By some of the men most
honored in English literatuTe-to the delight they
expressed in meeting him. TO their hearty admlra-
tlou for the man and for his works. will quote,
because have leave to quote, what vas said to me
respecting his book India by Mr.. Meredith Town
send one of the Editors Of The Spectator, an Anglo
Indian OF fourteen years residence, who knows
India as few men know IT.: "Bayard Taylor's is
the onlv book ever saw on India III which found
no mistake
last saw Mr.. Taylor in Paris whittier be came
for the opening of the Exhibition on his way to
Berlin. He had by no means recovered from the
fatigue imposed upon him by the long series OF
well meant hlndnesses which marked his farewell
10 America The letters. the public festivals, the
dinners all he manifestations of private friendship
and public admiration which had been avished
on him had laid a great strain on his already
oyertaxed system. None the less was lie
profoundly touched by them and sensible OF the
frlendlness which prompted them. be spoke OF
them eptatedly and with emotion az one OF the
most precious experiences OF his life He spoke Of
hi. appointment 10 Berlin IN the tone OF man who
was modestlv conscious Of his worth, who knew
that the distinction, brilliant as 1t was, had been
fairly earned, but who was none the less grateful
for It. lie knew that he was fit for the place, and
that the honor bestowed on HIN was one to which
he IN turn was able to do honor. He had a just
pride in hearing his name associated withthe names
Of Irving of Motley Of Marsh Of Lowell-Onea and all
men who had earned their fame in literature before
they became dipomati-ts. He was tar too frank
and opcn-natured to care to hide his pleasure With
all his varied and ample experience, with all his
kpowledge of the world and mastery Of social con-
ventIonalitles. Mr.. Taylor retained 10 the last
certain freshness aud candor in expressing his IN
most feelings hich belongs only 10 those souls that
have no mean secrets to keep, no false pride or
false modesty. He was pleased and he was not
ashamed Of being pleased. II Is only man
very sure of himself who can venture Ia take the
world INTO his confidence as he did. Then, as often
before. thought II most honorable 10 him. Ii was
consistent with great dignity of demeanor' and
whoeyer fancied he could take advantage Of ii soon
found out his mistake. He submitted readily and
generously 10 all sorts Of slight imposlilOns. He
cave : francs for some service which 30 ccntmes
would have rewarded amply. he would never look
to1 closely into matters where only ms
own interest was al stake, but where
others were concerned. where II was his business
70 defend interests which had been conidcd 10
HIM, COulu De uiIu, NSih'' lAIIll'' d'i' A'i'''
was one OF his peculiar merits 4 Minister. IN
most points no two men could be more unlike than
Mr Taylor and Prince Bismarck. but they had tins
in common that they told the truth tcarle>>ly. and
found II serve their purpose where the most lnge-
uiyu, mystIica;ions would have failed Of their end
4 single iucideut-whch hope | may now re-
late without offence to anybody-wlll show how
thoroughly man Of the world he was
IN the midst Of all his simplicity. On the night OF
the first of May he to the MarshaIs Official re-
ceptop at the EIy,te He found himself on arrival