New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-07
LITERATURE BETTER FOR HIS LABoRs.

The death Of George Ripley was not unex-
pected. Last Winter he lad an attack OF gngina pee
toris which returned few weeks ago. For the last ten
days u was known that he could not recover ana or
sunday h. expired. IN lis seyentyelShth year 80 Las
ended. peacefully and beautifully, the career or
talent '''' Earched BY the. best scholarship,
and consented noble ends Mr. kpeys name Is pre-
emincnty associated with American literature. Among
critics he deservedly stood IN the first rank lie be
louqcd 70 IN historic family when produced famous
generals and cerymen, and his mothers side lie was
He was Dorm in western Massachusetts IN 1902 gradu-
afin4 with distinction at Harvard IN MS twenty rSt
ye ea5g gn IN 4ses AFTER spendns two years more
a Boston parigh in which lie dstne-
ton By the vgor OF his thought and the freshness OF MS
divided the Coneregationalists Of New-Engand into
Unitarian and Orthodox wings had just closed
Channng aud his associates mad gained position
new and unloOked-for influx Of ideas. The bold
German criticisms ana specuiatiOns round American
transiafors new doctrine or universal inspiration
fouud adberents. and everywhere dissatisfied think
er were reaching our IN al directions for new lZ1t OF
mis- bodv OF Transcendentllsts Mr.. Ripley
one OF the leaders. and his controversial papers
sent pain and through TIE ranks OF Tie co-tfYa-
H. Tnitorians He was in immediate association and
svmnafhy with Emerson. Parker. Dwight. Margaret
80 re Di1I famous But Mr. Ripley's mind was
DracsieaI In its tendencies He was not salts
arted IN mako every vision real IN new social ORDER
he was interested in new theories Of social reconsrc-
Roo Cook Farm Association near Boston where an
attempt was made to realize ideal OF
oneratior OF the union OF philosophical study
and manual labor Of high culture with the simplest v
ing The "a eme failed but probably no one Interested
In IL regre ted making the experiment.
kter spending some time abroad Mr. Ripley
sett.ed In this city and devoted the rest
OF his life TO literature. He contributed TO
various periodicals and reviews, rendered I'm
nortaut service o. the Messrs. Harper In their
inblications and IA 1s40 became the literary
edItOr Of The TRIBUNE. II was In that position
that he made third reputation, and excited
nowerful Influence the literature OF the country.
Mia criticisms books characterized by cOnscien-
ttous fairness a discriminating appreciation, and
knowledge often far exceeding that OF the author He
made a department helpml TO both readers
- authors which contributed largely 20 the OF
the neper especially educated Readers Hundreds
Of neo1e as ked before reading huOk what Mr.. pey
bed aid VI It. He made a book more valuable by
his luminous and instructive comment upon IL,
and in this way set example OF great bene-
AZ 70 tIe criticism OF the country But MI Ripley's
rive mind and trained industry could not rest with The
work which would have taxed an ordinary brain 10
tbe utmost He was the chief editor OF The New
American CyclopRdia published IN sixteen volumes by
tIe Ne.srs Appleton, aud which was az forward
nefey revised under his careful supervision. Indeed,
III latter edition OF " The CycOpedia" Is virtually "a
naw work Eight years OF almost Incredible
toti was spent on these works. Yet Mr. Ripley
Sonua time for his regular literary work. aud
dId IL well and frequently appeared IN society," where
his genial disposition and courteous dignity and often
hri liant conversation made hlIn always @ wei
came guest. The kindness of his heart. his in
SSrest IN young men, his hospitality to
thononts his conscientious fidelity TO bis friendship
sn1 trusts endeareI him 20 all VINO knew MIN well and
Ill make his memory fragrant forever American lit
tr il richer and better for his labors. and his life
has added something to the moral property OF the world