New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-04
MOTIVES OF LIFE. BY DAVID SWING l2mO ID. lG2.
Chicago Jansen, McClrr, & Co

MOTIVES OF LIFE. By DAVID SWING 12mO, pp lG2
Chicago Jansen McClurr, & Co
The vivacity and point with which the au-
thor Of this volume is wont to set forth the cardinal
principles Of social ethics and religious aspiration
eOmmends every fresh production Of his pen 70 the at
tenton Of the public. In the present volume he dis-
ousses some Of the chief motives which prompt men to
action and which lie the foundation OF public order
aud morality Mr. Swing, OF course, does not undertake
10 exhaust the subject within the compass of small
volume but made wise selection Of topics, such
as touch closely tho most intimate interests Of life,
Including 'Intellectudl Progress" Home" Good
Name" The Pursuit OF Happiness" BenevOience'
"Relicon." in thn chapter good name, Mr. Swing
has some forcible remarks the connection between
character and literary genius In age has the inlu-
ence of high principle intellectual effort been more
apparent than the present "a large majority OF the
English and American thinkers wear winter raiment
than clothed the souls OF literary men In former tmes
The example Of Macaulay and Carlyle and Words
worth and TennysOn and Gladstone ana Mrs Browning,
among others England and this side of the OF
BRYANT and gielow, Whittier and Emerson, isreerIed
10 az proof that there is class of living wOrkmen
who strive FOR the union OF genius and honor III their
inmost souls. Almost hundred and fifty gifted poetic
writers saws the author, have become famous In Eng
land within the last fifty years and no former era has
ever bound together much talent and so much honor
It may be that there is something IN literature which
invites the heart toward a secOntrol and moral de-
yelOpment and that bv their calling It's N0sros hold
q advantage
wheat or ninge IN politics." The Bench Of The current
tinea moreover. MI Swing aGlrms pure the
closet OF literature The judges in our highest courts,
both East and West to draw their decisions from
The law and evidence. Educated men in literature
and the professions for time past have more and
more sought 10 combine fame Of integrity with tier
mental gifts and their high position IL viii perhaps be
the quality OF The future the author suggests that what
Is now demanded Of the Bench, and of the historians
and poets and essdyists Will hereafter De demanded OF
neu In all their walks OF practical life whether on the
Exchange or Congress that thew combine tue glits
Of intellect with integrity and nobleness Of character
Mr. SWING not unfrcquenty introduces choice bit OF
sccpar wisdom as an illustration enforcement Of ms
moral Thus in showing that happiness OF pleasure ID
fatal unless founded on the laws OF our belhg'
No remarks: "Happnoss is much like money
money must represent actually IL must stand Tor
some sOredup labor Of Individual OF DauOn II a man
has earned farm o house, or has dlggcd pot OF
cold he may issue bills Of paper TO the amount Of value
I'm his farm OF house pot Of gold but should he issue
checks or drafts 10 ten times the value OF his really
his bills decline TO ten cents on the doar SO as 10
harmonic with his possessions No an, ana no Sate
howevcr powerful, can create value. No state can
make land or a wheat crop Their bills Of exchange
nist represent what is God alone can create One
Of the most remarkable features OF Mr.. swings writings
Is the felicity and strength Of their Illustrations Ho
never loses himself IN cloud Of absraou0ns Inc truth
which he presents always surcharged with freshness
vitality, RADIANT Win Co4OI anu dVtif IA
He never AIMS az erratic, meretrlcous originality;
he would rather fan in popular effect than
rain II by such unworthy means; his taste
IS too pure and his judgment too sound to strive for
Influence or applause by violating the wholesome pro-
pretie OF literary art The spirit Of hs writings Is III
unison with their intellectual power lie preserves inc
tone OF temperance aud sfrestrant even In Bis most
appeals With no trace Of tameness in bis
he is never led away by the tempest OF
passlon. His wise counses betray not only an alice
tionste, loving nature. the sweetness and hght
true culture but certain tender cOnsderateness which