New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE LIFE OF CHARLES LEVER.

In this amusing volume the CAV, rolheking humo,
of Harry Lorrequer" and Charles OMaley
is illustrated by copious store OF personal ahec
do.e and incident connected with the career OF the
author, and drawn from the remembrance OF 'he
group of friends with whom he was on terms OF
social familiarity, literary companionship OF con-
Vivial intimacy. Lever a genuine lrlshInSh oS
birth though English in blood, and his gift oil trans
fusing the unetuous humor of his adopted nation
into the pages his novels the chief secret OF
success He was born in Dublin In 1906 Ills ta'her'
who had emierated TO Ireland, was builder Dy
profession and to wealth by the enjoyment oil
Government monopoly in the work OF the custom
House. Young Lever was educated at different
private schools in his native city, and at an early
age gave proof of the vvacty and fun which seeneu
inpraped in his character in after hfe He used 10
amuse the other BOYS by telling stories founded Oh
real occurrences that were carried on from day 10
day and afforded no little amusement to his schooi-
fellows HIS studies appear to have been cOnhheu
to the exercise of fencing the pleasant whlrl OIL te
waltz and the romance of love-mSking. Inc re-
markabe flow of animal spirits which IN MANHOOD
bubbled over with brilliant sparkles may, no donbt'
be traced to the youthful gayety of which ne was
the embodiment. At the age of sixteen he entered
Trinity College, Dublin, where he is chleny re-
membered for his exubeTant mirthfuness ana uh-
tagging diligence in the manufacture OF hVey
stories. His life in Trinity was anything put
sscetic He drove and rode much, and the cuirlcle
rather than the curriculum attracted his Thoughts
Some of his time devoted TO breaking horses Us
well as breaking hearts.
After leaving college, he passed several months
in Germany, devoting himself to the study oil
medicine in the University Of G0ttlngen' residing
for a time in other German cities, and forming an
acquaintance more or less intimate, with some OF
the principal celebrities in science and literature
then upon the stage. A droll interview with
Blumenbach, at that time the height OF his
fame at GOttingen, is thus related He describes
himself as conducted by his guide to the house OF
n great professor. Ascending the stairs, he
knocked at a peculiar door specially Labelled
Herein in a voice of thunder was the answer
from within to my still small knock. entered
and beheld a small, notwithstanding old man.
with white hair flowing in careless profusion upon
his neck and shoulders; his head almost prefer
naturally large, surmounted by green velvet
cap placed a little on one side. He was grotesquely
enveoped in fur cloak with large sleeves, and a.
together presented the most extraordinary figure L
had ever seen. was again reused by the sound OF
his voice interrogsting me in less than SIX sue
cessive languages (ere found my tOngue) as TO my
name, country, ETC., etc. immediately presented
my letters and present, with which he seemed highly
pleased, and informed Inc that his gutter treund,'
Lord Talbot, always brought him Irish snuff; and
then welcoming me to Gottingen, he seized my
hands pressed Inc down upon a seat and began
talking concerning my travels plans, probable stay
ut the University, etc. / now felt myself relieved
from the awe with which had first awaited the
interview, and looked around with mingled feel
ing of admiration and surprise at the odd meldnge
of curiosites in natural history skulls drawings,
1.1s nd Win ila1
But indeed. the worthy professor was by far the
greatest lion of the collection Lever remarked
that the newest English publications reposed on his
table, and even some from Dublin. " On standing
up to take my leave, l asked him whether the Gall
and Spurzheim theories were to compose part OF my
universty-creed course of study to which he an
swered No! but if you will wait to October, we
are to have new system preached; and then
chuckling at this hit at the Ondness OF his country
men for specializing, he pressed me soon to revisit
him and sec his collections and thus ended
my interview with the great Blumenbach"
In Weimar, where he made short stay, he had
some glimpses Of Goethe, then approaching the close
of his extreme old age. He describes "Weimar as
small villagc-ike capital with miniature palace,
n miniature theatre, quaint old park and quaint
old Platzv and that in the evening " society ,
assembled in a sombre old house occupied by a
large whte-haired man, especially fond of talking
to a number of young Englishmen then at Weimar
for military education, amongst them one who is
now a duke with one of the greatest historic
names in Europe" GOethe's talk was marked by
touches of picturesque description and humor, with
"now and then deep feeling which held bis little
auditory in rapt astOnishment that he could hold
them there entranced, while they could not, when
he had done, recall any of the magic 10y which
he worked his spell. l myself remember to have
A., etor he al
hazardous STILL TO convey some impression of how
he talked and with what lamentable failure let
nv present confession atone" His personal appear
ance and bearing at this time are graphically
described by one of his earliest friends as fol-
lows:-
al remember seeing about this time in the courts Of
atherng ron nd figure that outtopped them; every now
aud then peal hearty laughter burst forth ION the
group, which scattered for moment as II Iecolng IRON
the explosion Of she'll and then once more swsrmed
like bees round the central hgure. rms nsluIaIy az
Was all about Oh! it's only Charlie Lever all the fe
lows are running after him Ike mad had frequently
heard the nsme before, but 1t was thc hIst ume ns
ever seen the man, who was the kndest ana most uue
and must confess that the first superficial glance
Was not quite satisfactory. saw, lndeed a Ia atI
inoment but kept yeerug and ackng about, the mead
being fixed Tor instant TO denver shOt at some OF
backward hearty enjoyment OF some happy repartec
but this figure wasca literally from mead to foot with
Inc sole exception Of his boots and as much OF bis shirt
as was visible I'm uniform SUIT OF Lincoln green cut
after a German fashion totally new 10 me. perfectly
remembered that l mutteTed 10 myself: This Is the
green man become restless; but went nearer, hoping
r. catch GLIMPSE o. bis head. In TINS only partially
sncereded Tor lever then wore prOfuslOn Of long HAIR
hanging In wavy curls his neck. After time, IN
decd caught good view Of his wonderfully express
sive face his kindly smile. his brilliant though some
what deeply set eve, that sometimes flashed lire and
then again twinAed with mirth, but am not pOr-
TRAIT painter, and the impression made by that same
face when saw it for the last time one afternoon IN
lime 1871 Is still so wildly and Fegretfuly impressed
on my memory, that cannot even attempt TO describe
what IL was in all the glow and fcrvency OF youth,
strength ana hope; all say that the old face
10 me equally attractive the young one had Doen ana
It's expression was. although chastened and overcast
even then by the shadow or dea h. more aectOnate and
tender than ever That last loving LOOK can never be