New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-27
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

The conclusion of Mr.. Frederick Myers's
article on Victor Hugo" treats OF the political rela-
of the great French author who is represented as
a Frenchman OF the Frenohmen. summing up III one
life the conflicting tendencies OF his time. The writer
makes no conceament Of the political defects of Victor
Hugo he admits bis lack Of the high seltforgetful-
ness the resOlute justice, with which Mazzni wthst0od
lifelong torrent Of defamation; but the great fact as
he insists remains that Hugo, in spite Of amnestes
and invitations lived out nineteen years of exej bis
voice dd not fail. his heart falteTS he stood
on his rock in the free British seas, like Elijah
on Carmel; spokesman aud champion of all
those who not bowed the knee TO Baal It's this
exile that has given dignity 60 his Lief II is Punishment
from that has made him one Of her heroes In
concluding his paper Mr. Myers offers some Significant
remarks on the yaguencss and confusion OF NJ uugos
religious IDEAS and his utter inability 10 cope with the
doubt and unbelief Of the present age. Before
close our survey Of this pussant and nature
Il is natural TO ask ourselves whether discern
any guiding conception which has regulated the eXer-
else Of all these povers-any individual and consistent
view of the Of things which reveals itself from time
10 time amid these labyrnths Of song. Certain princ-
niles we can plainly discern: belief in France belief
ia Democracy true sympathy with the weak, the out
cast the oppressed. To OF us the exaggeraOn OF
his patriotism may seem TO lit it rather for boys than
To OF admir- alton for republics as such
may seem rather fanciful than sublime unless II be.
I'm Mazzni, simply the form In which a profound
craving public virtue finds from historical causes
its readicst channel Bat at rate these are living
watchwords France, the Republic, Childhood, the Op
pressed-these are worthy themes for great poet 20
sing And here would stop, but that IL is plain that
these are all that he has aimed al singing. He
claims to speak to not only as Freedman and
philanthroplst hut a preacher and a seer VISION
revelation, mission, apOstOlate-wOrds like these
ever on lips He would have believe that he has
gszed deeply the Infinite, that he has heard the
words Watch from the Mouth Of Shade As con
fdenty az any GodintoXicated mystic. he iuyokes
his authority and inspiration the Eternal Name Is
there any reality in all this Is there any harmOuzng
truth about the universe, any Illuminating conception
OF the Divine winch this great poet has received, aud
has been sent us with real with deep regret
apswer that believe thai there IL not. Reluctantly
I say that long study OF his works has revealed
only a wild snd Whirhng chaos cloudand
which reflects 10 figure grander than the poets own"
The remaining articles In the number include State
Socialism" BY George Jacob HolyOake. In which the
system denounced growth Of TOry1sm ard totally
inapulicale to the wants OF the British people, which
Will pass away the Black Death and other obsolete
pestilcnces "'Food and Feeding beir Henry Thomp-
son practical essay dietetics IN relation to health
and economy; aud " The Critic on the Hearth" by
James Payne, a trcnehant satire critics and
criticism, venting the wrath Of aRgreved author
unjust literary udges certain American writer's being
among the number Of offenders.