New-York tribune., 1880-01-13
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A PHILADELPHIA YOUNG MAN.

fOuh nisi"i,i,F ~ SsoE = s I Itnnincott & 90
The twenty-five years that have elapsed since the
untimely death of Horace Bnney Wallace IN the flush
of his Youthful genius and promise. whose loss has
not vet ceased to be depored by the friends of let
,ers and art in his native city. have not brought
more tender sorrow to wider social and pubic cir
Gle than that Occasioned by the early decease
of the gifted young man whose biography
IL presented in this volume. Henry Armtt
Brown was as extensively known as he was deeply
beloved. lie was the centre of a choice circle OF
friends which cherished him with no less affection
for his virtues than admiration for bis abilities lie
had gained q prominent position before the public
at an age when the names Of most young men nave
scarcely been heard of beyond Their own iueSides'
As his biog1apher suggests. ATmtt Brown possessed
elements OF greatness worthy of the best days Oh tle
Repubic His short life eXer;ed a powerful lniiu'
ence for the political reformation OF the land ana
for n higher standard Of national character
He represented. according to his meas
ure. the best modern political spirit lie
had NOT vet attained tine full develop
ment of his powers lie attracted the eyes oi men
by his splendid promise. His life shoae as the
symbol of something lofty, rare, and beautiful ana
his star was sull in the ascendant, when IL was
covered with darkness.
Following the narrative so admirably, though
briefly related II the present volume. glance at the
career OF a young man, go bountlfnlh endowed 50
conspicuously marked, yet dead ere his prime
will afford an instructive study OF the force oi
human virtue and a bright revelation OF the luea'
beauty Il human character Henry Arnitt Brown
was the son of a representative business man III
pbiadolphia, where he born December l.
1871. Descended on his fathers side nom
IN old Quaker family Of Pennsylvania, ana
ipheritnr through his mother rich strain
,ft,f-f l. rs.li lt ! "
considered TO have been 10 less fortunate IN h4s
uncoq, tAan IN his immediate personal cnvron-
mcpt. Even in his carly boyhooI he exhibited a
strong passion FOR military life, HIS iaVoine pas
time was the study oi great battles, cspecay those
Of Napo,eop. With his young companions. II was
his delight to fight the battles over again on a
small scale aud many a lively story IS related oi
their exn,,its on the field. Has early taste seems
TO have long chung 20 him, for until ne was fourteen
years Old his principal ambition In life was 10 o.
great captain. Ills letters were fall Of imaginary
military afiaus on which h. dIscouEscd with as
mnch unction as if they lad been realities
involving the fate OF empires. He never ceased TO
in,poriune his father TO send him to Nes: Point
Academy. IL this military tendency, ms DiOgiaPher
recognizes a sigu OF his character, when Dencath
an almost feminine de,icacy Of organization con-
realcd a nature OF snewy ambition wcil adapted TO
The functions Of leadership. Even as enid hc bad
a keen sense OF personal dignity, and would never
put up with anything which seemed to lower MN
In the eyes of others. At the same time he was
briful of lifc and his love OF fun knew no bounds
He was a capital mimic, aud would often convuise
The whole school with laughter by his comic per-
formances But he seemed unconscious OF the
,lcasure which he impaired. Everyone naturally
lcll under his control. lie was director OF the mock
orchestra, commander Of the juvenile battalion
champion crckct-player, and frst-.a'c shoi'
While quite a little boy, he always brought In
the ceda.-5lrds aud small game iu abundance. lie
WAS considered an excellent scholar by his lnstruc-
tors while fitting for college, and upon his admls-
sion to Yale in 1861, at the age OF seventeen, hc
was soon felt to be a social and in some sense.
nm intellectual power, among the students Whle
be did not make positive mark as a scholar he OBJ
laned an admirable intellectual discipline. lie
yained more from his college course than many men
of higher standing in substantial Improvement. He
possessed great sensibty, which some wise Judges
deem superior to talent, and had also remaIka-
BILE power of intellectual apprec!atiyeness, though
not always manifested in regular ways. In his mer-
ricst moods lac studied his own mental powers and
aptitudes, aud the character OF his companions.
Tie lest was succeeded by the thoughtful mood
and AYR of quiet abstraction Concentration and ill.,
tense purpose were strongly marked lie read
much but III a rather dosutOry manner. He was
fond of the classics. especially of the Latin poets,
and also OF history, Of political economy, and to
certain extent of philosophy He was soon recog-
nized as an of-hand speaker. 1.-THE, graceful. and
never at loss for something witty, brilliant, and
effective. When fun was the order Of the day, he
was sure to be master of the revels. As humor-
ist there was no end to his spOrtvc fancies aud II
rcpressible drolery. AT the time of taking his first
degree he was chosen class poet, tribute TO his
popularity. if not to his poetical genius.
Soon after his graduation (S65l, Armitt entered
the Columbia Law School, where lie remained for
about year. and in the month OF June 1866. sailed
N for Europe, where he passed sixteen months in
VI travelling and the following Winter made the tour
of Egypt and Palestine, returning bS the way of
Damascus Smyrna, C0nstantinople, and Athens TO
Italy. Upon arriving home, he resumed the study
of law in Philadelphia, and was admitted to the bar
of that city in December. 1869. After another tour
in Northern Europe, he settled down TO his profess
tioia pursuits his return ana engaged IN earnest
in the most asduOus details of practice at the bar
lie was not afraid of drudgery but fny appre-
cate lis value as condition Cf success. lie plOdded
pati n;y through the " brefie $ desert that leads
fo the Promised Land. lie sarn displayed his
remarkable powers as a public syeaker aud began to
e III great request on conspicuous occasions. About
vhis zine Sir. Brown entered upon the active ser
N;css ,n efali - oOtical 1ef TN TO which he de-
vots q iho BEST nei ics of his su, luent life. The
call for change in the methods of political action
IN the City of Philadelphia led AT ,he beginning OF
the year 1872 to the formation Of the CitizeS hu-
uicipal Reform Association. The card' q IOint
aimed at in the movement was the pu''tV c eIec-
tjous. Bat a more effective oXposIt', Oi It's pur-
poses cannot be given ran In inc iuiiho"s sAo'ou
of the boGrapher -.
From the earliest beginning of this Reform move
m.nt Mr. Brown identified himself with II. His
moulding hand is seen IN all It's principles ana acis
.ssytt,v F.tIll
fact. he had found something 10 do worthy OF him.
Ihis Was a real evil to attack Ii was WORK that