The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-24
POLITICAL UNITY OF HIS LIFE.
Matthew Arnold's EsSays-A Priest of
Humanity at the Pen.
POETRY AND FICTION.
Cunynghame in Kaffirland- Renaissance
in France-BOOk Notes.
LIE GoFF's LIFE OF THEIRS. s."

deep fund of interest for the admirers of genius
all lands; but in country like ours, where the road
open all honors and dignites alike in politics.
science and letters where. i'll ne the obstacles to the
recognition of genius of whatever kind are mini
mized the lesson of such mans life is especially to
be learned and priced. We, therefore, pay ready
tribute to the enterprise of Messrs. G. p. Putnams
Sons which secured for American reader' work
from the pen of an accomplished Frenchman appre-
ciatively detailing the of Louis Adolphe
Theirs. 1t is not reprint. the Messrs. Putnam hav
ing secured the unpublished manuscript from the
author. NJ Francois lie Gof Its first appearance in
print is in the present volume. the work of trans
ating having been entrusted to Mr.. Theodore STAN
ton. We not obviously in position to state
precisely how well this translation has been done,
but Mr.. Stanton himself informs the public
that his part "has been than that Of
translator From the authors large mass of
script have selected and arranged these three or
four hundred pages" He has, learn also inserted
elucidaory clauses in the body of the pages well
foot notes, and has inserted anecdote
or letter and added paragraph two that would
be thought of interest to the American public As
compendium of larger work we must. therefore.
gard it; but whether it has been ourtaed because
the large mass of manuscript in the trans
lator's eyes of inferior quality interest or sim.
ply that the publishers only wanted book of a GER
tain size. left in the dark. Having explained
far Mr.. Stanton might have gone little further
As it is. he leaves rather unpleasant impression
that he is staggering a bit at the expense Of the
Frenchman and his large of manuscript'-a
phrase indefinite a lump of chalk. thor
oughly digested life of Theirs would necessitate
very much larger mass of manuscript than would fill
"these three four hundred pages" 1t is good
thing to approach serious work like this in q ruff
fled temper, so we shall dismiss the trans
lator's saying that he generally writes fair
English that his notes, although element
airy in character. will be found useful
by many American readers. and that his additions
to the body of the work do not obtrude themselves
extensively, if we may except some rather unneces.
sary explanations of NJ. Theirs bons saots The
book. however, is that recommends itself in
many ways to popular favor, since it is desirable to
have in handy form volume that will carry far and
wide, with sufficient impressiveness the lesson of
untiring industry, lofty endeavor. forttude in
disaster and moderation in power conveyed in q
life crowned with SO many striking successes and
sanctifed at its close by the regrets of the great
French nation. This the book fairly accomplishes
1t does something more. There were not wanting
in France. as in America. many who, admitting in
the frankest spirit all that could be said of Theirs
brilliance and sagscity, yet regarded him q mere
willy trimmer who knew when to take conspicuous
looked on him as an eleventh hour convert who
only adopted the theory of popular sovereignty
which the Republic embodies when by a logical
process of exclusion he found it the sole theory
possible to be put in practice. Where, as in the
case of M. Theirs so large part of a mans nature
expends itself on the smaller arts of politicsthe
and the intrgue-and to whom the discontinue of
political foes gives keen pleasure is but natural
that these features should veil if not dspace in the
popular eye the majestic traits which give the
dignity that history alone recognizes as great II Is
to vndicate VI. Theirs from such effacement of
his real greatness that NJ. lie Golf writes. In his
preface he gives the keynote of his work-namely to
establish 1.-THE unity of the political life of Theirs
As proof of his fitness tor this task he adds
/ have followed Theirs throughout almost all of
his career with keen and constant interest," not to
say regard; have read all that he has written all
that he has spoken in the tribune; have heard him
deliver most OF his great speeches the last ten
years; knew him personally. and am acquainted
with many of his friends. To this knowledge of my
subject think 1 may add fair shade Of impair
TALLY.
The political unity which NJ LIE Golf emphasizes
In his treatment of the nearly fifty years wherein M
Theirs was prominent in French affairs is his IN
varying devotion to the idea that nation was the
only sovereign. Proclaiming himself at all times
the child of the Revolution of 1885, which incarnated
the idea of national instead of absolute rule, and
easily separable from the fantastic extremes and ex
cosses of 1898. Theirs. contends M lie Gon proved
his faith by his deeds less in 1880 than in 1873
and through the varying interim. He was the foe
of absolutism. though not a declared republican.
When he came upon the stage OF French politics
Charles x had dismissed the Martignac Ministry
aud made rolignac Premier Standing upon the
rights of France laid down in the Charter TO a
share in its government, he formulated the well
known phrase which became the watchword of the
T.
govern. To him was largely due the overthrow
OF the Bourbons In 1.-THE glorious days OF
July. and the establishment of the con-
stitutional monarchy of Louis Philippe certainly
proves his devotion TO liberal principles
So FAR the course Is clear; but when in 1870
Theirs broke with Louis Philippe. and Guizot sue
cceded him at the helm of State, IL needs some spe
cal enlightenment to establish the continuity II is
found In the fact that Louis Philippe was bent on n
runous personal policy and sustained in it by
Guzot. and that Theirs opposed this on his long
laid down principle. When this opposition which
favored the growth of the republican element In tho
country eliminated In the revolution Of February
1888. Theirs gave his adhesion to the Republic. He
voted II is true for Napoleon In preference TO Ca
vaignac, but he not the only dupe of circum-
stances then. Yet we find that when the Napolconic
President was paving the way for the coup efot and
hence for absolute power Theirs was found again in
bter opposition, ana was one of the first arrested
the memorable night of December 2, 1851.
The long abstention from public life which
followed was his protest against that usur-
patton. and when he did enter tho Corps
Lcgisatif. in 1868. it as the constant domander
OF more liberty II must be remarked that NJ Theirs
while holding 10 one broad faith was too much
man OF occasion not to seize on everything that
helped his views, no matter what the source.
fnc distinction may be drawn between two men OF
high order Of political intellect In this respect by re-
calling the passage In the Chamber in July, 1870.
when Theirs voted against the imperial majority for
the repeal OF the Punishment of tho Orleans Princes
and Grevy the present President OF France dcclin.
ing to vote, TO explain the abstention. "It is
to speak supporter OF the government" said
Theirs, who sat behind him. 1T Is TO speak a. q
republican" retorted Grsvy. who will not be either