New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A HISTORY OF OUR OWN TINES. BY JUSTIN McChR-
TBY Vols l. II. tFranklin-square LoraiyI o'" ~
ll2 Harper Il Brothers.

A HISTORY OF OUR OWN TIMES BN JUSTIN -NNNns
liz. Harper & Brothers.
The recent work of Mr.. Justin Mccarthy,
who has left highly honorable remembrance anu
large host Of personal friends after his BRIEF resoehe
IN this country here presented TO the American pup
lie I'm convenient FORM and will doubtless be net with
no less grateful welcome than that which mas tenueu
fts reception among the most intelligent classes OF Eng
hsh readers Commencing with the accession OF queen
Victoria TO the British throne in 1887 the history relates
the progress of current events to the date OF .e
Congress presenting a vivid panorama OF the poF
,al social and Intellectual incidents of the time, ar
ranged in true and admirable perspective with singular
freshness and brliancy OF cOl0rng, but Win INQUEST
proprety and of dcton that marks the genuine
and accomplished scholar. Mr. McCarthys style VIII n
ont the slightest tincture OF pretension In the
eomposition OF his narrative he gives no IL
oense to the figures of speech In which his
naturally lively imagination might tempt MN
10 indulge. Its tone is that OF easy conversation
rather than of formal rhetoric. With sufficient ehpe
rshment for the assurance of grace and animation IL Is
wholly free from any vicious tendency to fine WrlhS
The author records his impressions with no view 10
scenic effect winning the confidence of his readers Dy
the simplicity of his manner no less than DIV MS trans
parency OF thought. HIS work is so richly lrelgu'eu
with information to be eminently instructive; out
never so didactc stately expression as to be iouhd
arid or wearisome in perusal. the majority Of per-
sons the portraits of character which abound
I'm the history will prove the most attractive portions
they form an agreeable relief to the recital OF events
combining the exacness OF Photographic sketch with
the freedom OF an artistic pencil
The contrast between Lord Melbourne and LOrd
Brougham in one of the earlier chapters Of the work
affords fine example of the authors shrewdness OF
observation keonness OF Discrimination and yvacy OF
description Lord Melbourne, the first minister to the
crown when the Queen succeeded TO the throne is set
forth as a man OF kindly, somewhat indolent nature ;
fair and even generous toward his political opponents
of the most genial disposition toward his friends But
he was neither a strong man, nor statesman Ills
best qualities purely negative He was uhrortu-
natey not content with the reputation for sort OF III
doent good nature. HestrOve to make himself appear
hopelessly idle, trivial, and careless When he was
really serious and earnest. tried to assume the air
of Indifference He ar ted the levities which he never
had lie took great pans to keep the character OF
tifer and would occupy himself with blowing
feather, caressng a sOfa-cushion whhe receiving
sensitive deputaon from therOmmercial interest The
strenuous energy and almost fierce earnestness OF
Brougham showed in strong relief the happy-gOIueky
airs and graces OF the Premier" No stronger or
stranger figure than his is described in the modern his
tory of England. He gifted with the most varied
and striking talents, and with almost superhuman
capacity fOr labor His love Of work amounted to pas
sion His restless energy fought every side for new
fields OF action. The study which enough to
wear out the frame Of other men was only
recreation TO him. His physical strength never
gave way. His high spirits never deserted him. His
Felf-cOnrdeuce was bOunuleSs. ne tHouSut no hho"
everything and could do everything better than any
other man. His vanity overweenlng and made
him ridiculous almost as often as his genius made MN
admired BrOugham no doubt great parliamentary
orator. His style diuse and uncOuth; his action
was wild and sometimes furious his gestures
graceful and his manners grotesque but OF his power
his hearers there could be 10 doubt On law on
politics literature science. art he protested to
pronounce with the authority OF teacher. 1t was
maliciously remarked by oConnen. when Brougham
became Lord Chancellor: The new Lord Chancellor
knows little OF everything the world-even OF law"
Mr.. McCarthy's sketch of the Duke OF Wellington is
one happest porraures presenting In an impress
sve light the character and services of the great COM
mander. The place which the Duke had won for him
self at the time of his DEATH was absolutely unique.
His deeds belonged to past time. He was scarcely
anything of statesman he knew little OF what may be
called statecraft and practical administrator he
had made many mistakes But the nation cherished an
unlimited trust in his judgment counsellor His 10y
atty TO the sovereign had touch Of the antique His
personal devotion gave certain romantic dignity to his
conduct though little of the poetic or the
sentimental I'm his 1t for this tried allegi
apce TO ne national good that he became the object Of
such ardent admiration and reverence from the people
of England. He had not what would be deemed love
able temperament yet the nation loved him. He Was
cold and brusQue IN manner he displayed little Of the
emotional clement his demeanor; yet he did not lack
affection the sentiment of friendship as was proved
by his conduct on more than occasion. AS soldier
Wengto possessed to wonderful degree the art of win
ming victories. There doubt that in original genius
Napoleon far surpassed the Duke of Wellington. With
Napoleon war splendid game; with Wellington
st a duty to be through with quickly
possible for sake Of his country. The difference be-
tween the two cannot be better Illustrated. Ma
poleon has made deeper impression history, but
henearly ruined his He fell through his want
OF the devotion duty with which Wellington al
ways inspired. wellington" says Mr. Mccarthy,
ed Washington than NaDOleOu.
He was much greater soldier than Washington but
he not on the whole so great man."
Leaving the field of craftsmanship aud war, Mr.. Nc
Carhy devoes the closing chapter of the present In
stament of his work to rapid but comprehensive
survey OF the literature of the Victorian era His ud
ments are quietly expressed the merits OF the great
authors OF the age summed up with pregnant
brevty of statements and, although his crisp, terse
criticisms may be accepted by every reader one
can find fault with tue spirit OF his discussion or the
effectiveness of his style. The following brief passage
affords an example OF the picturesque glow with which
he often epyens the course OF his narrative The
earlierpart Of the reign richer in literary genius
than the later thus far BEEN of course the dividing
line which draw is loosely drawn, and may some
lines appear 10 be caprclOus Some OF those who won
their fame the earlier part continued active workers,
IN certain Instances steadily adding to their celebrity,
through the succeeding years. The figure OF Thomas
Carlyle familiar stll 10 all VINO live in the neighbOr
hood OF Chelsea. IL late in the reign of Victoria
that Stuart MIL came out for the first time on public
platform in London after life divided between official
work and the various reading and study lie di
vided too between the secluson of Backheath and the
more poetic seclusion of AyguOn. among the nightin
gales whose song afterwards sweet to his dying
ears He came, strange and say, INTO a world which
knew him only in his books, and TO which
the gentle and grave demeanOr OF the shrink
Ing and worn recuse seemed out of keeping
with the fearless brain and heart which his
thinker proved him to have The reign had run FOR forty
years when Harriet Martineau taken from that beau