New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-05

tured mind always careful ana conscicn-
Gous interpreter, an intelligent and lucid
reporter Of the thou ghts of others His opinion
of a book was judicially given. and it safe to
buy whatever he praised. Yet he was not in the
least dictstoria OF arrogant. He never wrote.
many reviewers of the old school wrote. for the
sake of giving pain. In his critical writing there
Is oftenest genial kindness which was
indication of the substantial good
ness of his heart. He liked to say
word Of encouragement to young writer's
whose performance might not be equal to their
promise. He could point cut faults very gently, and
sometimes he would take no little trouble to do So
Having the whole range of modern literature at
his command, he knew at whether any book
supplied an Acknowledged want or added to the
facilities of scholars aud of writers. When
il was necessary to do for departed author
that which we are attempting to do
for himself nothing could surpass tue tact. dehcacy
and deep feeling with which the task was per-
formed. Thus he had noticed in these columns the
deaths of many distinguished literary men. and
made here that final summary of their work aud
character which the world expects upon their de-
parture. This and all else he did with precision
and accurate estimate beyond all praise
When Sainte- Beuve died, in 1859. Mr.. Ripley was
travelling in Europe. He sat down instantly. and
without access to any biography of the departed
critic or TO any of his works. wrote to The TRIB-
UNE on the spur of the moment, mastery analy-
sis of ms literary character and sketch OF DIS
career. There is so strong resemblance. III some
things between his own methods of criticism ana
those of the French MASTER that part OF this let
ter may well be quoted here:
obtained his reputation as the critical
siderable portion OF the last half century. Born IN
~des with no Thought OF making literature thr occu-
patton his life 1t not long, however. before bis
Anatomy and other studies preparatory 10 the practice
OF medicine, and the prospect % spending MS DAYS IN
ties which ne had no power TO aleylale,-presenlrd
no charm to his Youthful DagpatSn LIS 1escsiOn T s
the pursuit OF literature. Toe first traits OF ms new ca
though marked by a certain suoety OF ment, analysis.
few Iudicatcns II inventive power ana nave osen
entirely eclipsed by the speudo OF MS suOseqnen pro
ducions. With the exception OF has eaoorate historical
was heneeiOrth devoted to critical studies which
have introduced new method mo thdt
manent monument OF the versatility and acute
ness mind Within the period OF his ACTIVITY Few
works have appeared the province OF beiles-ettres
on which he has not recorded h mature luuginShts'
He was Cqaay at nome IN poetry sp1 taste
-.xclud NJ only Tie fruits of abstract speculation ano
iaSors OF STA lie intellect however comprehensive, al
though favorlte themes relard to TIE porlIaure
of character exhibited in the creations OF genius
The critical faculty OF sante-Beuve c0nssteo ID Tue
sagacious application OF what my be called the psyche
logical method 10 tDe 1ndemen oil literary
The estimate OF book WI han was not onIy the exer
raj ANALYSIS. II intellectual labor DO .ess pro
found, less console ntous o. no less resp0nsioe
the composition OF history, although II was one nto
which he threw his hear' so completely ' hai
had all the freedom and airy grace OF spontane1iy lie
regarded a book a co lection OF verbal wonders,
an exhibition of rhetorical articles, display OF per
sOnal ambition. out as !" The precious hieoood Of
OF cmns ages and those winch aha not IN some degree
approach TO TINS standard nad no power 10
iy with as little interest though they had been
written caves OF Sp poPyd% %rc Ire p
10 MIN than literary relations. IL was The exponent
o " prcse aud verse. Hence, although a consGm-
maze Judge Of literary ART his cilicisns OF WORK
the inward spirit and creative idea whien presided 81
It's birth. The actual aceoLplshnents OF Writer Ia
ls view Of not murh moment as The intellect
ual motive which gave The inpul.e to ms en'ehvoTs.
No man certainly ever exceloo salpte-Beuve III the
Sanpy faculty OF reproducing the contents OF Work
OF genius expressing the essence Of large volume
brief essay and OF rtlorllne she eHet measure
Inent of its intellectual proportions; but nc was nGt
content with this ascendG from the stream to the
fountain detected the spirit OF the author ~ the color
ing OF has anayzed ms genius from ITS CeveOD
porraii o The person. Perhaps is not TOO mich to
say that his criticisms oitel d a, more jgsice
lilo understood Dot only what was SAID, but
INTENDED Beneath Dro,o an imperfect gaiifd
Thought lie entered fully into Tie mnd Of an
aud impressive Glustraiion the conception or
which eit OBSCURE III ne original and Needed 'be
warmth of syuI.tthy its complete exp tiOn.
For. auoye ALL Santeb euue was sympathetic critic
He WAS
LIS ms patients OF clients never as MS VIC
tlms lie knew too vel the secrets OF literary congo
sition NOT 50 alive to lis difficulties and not 10 cher
isb CERTAIN tenderness Tor those wEo had attempted II
unsuccessfully. The line which srpaiaIes excellence
from mesiOcrity ID OF so shatowy a character that
had NO passion Tor placing tue e!eeo ,l ID
He ssS 9 h a1d oe ief aTsa i but 0s
no esire to deilne limits between Heaven and Hell
To man WHO writes poor book, IN i1s opinion. vas
i bS' Given ouf at tie point Of tne oayODe,.
Nothing out vanity, prGteDsi0n, anectall0u OF
insincerity was 10 hIm the meet su jet OF
literary casgiion the punishment OF woI,esse 81
was neglect; he had wide hiking Tor every variety Oh
mental accomplishments; he opened hOsptaDh us
treated ALL If not VIVA smiling welcome WITH cOn,
teous knIuess; though he was not aiIala
sole. sun, ne loved ratner to dwell on ne
positive SIDE OF every r9aueIn o. e i a ab he
PLAYING MS own acumen and ingenuity al INT expense
Of he author with the scnoc Of J6irey and : dneJ
Smith and the critics OF BaekwooFS Mdgasine.
which delights u exptate on the sno. 'eoal.
wrer irOin whom differs in laste OPT ion with
contempt rather t1an ian %S 5 TsSa o. ne p nq hS
etfominat eaany. , wa, hS1 tS,n reEer
S SieTd to 'NI the N judgment of authors Rather
grew OUT catholic extent OF his appreciation the
and the vitality OF di- tastes winch were
alive 10 oyey expression Of s1many nad ms Tor FIX
construction. He was one Of the few critics
rive tive Qualities Of book, than its negatons ana
imperieerons, and passed judgment on an auinor ao-
had left Ii was no part OF the critical junction
In ms the last quletus 10 the hepless aDOr
fions OF literature rather to discover and cherish
The symptoms Of healthy LIE.
After regarded the productions OF literature as
Illustrations OF humanity rather than creations OF arr
Hence his peculiar interest in works of biographical
character these that gave MIN OCCASION TO
rules OF literary composition 20 sketches OF
experience and the ANALYSIS OF passion reproducing me
porsonages of history III the hving coOrs OF
reality. He dellkhbeo inost DoG ',H
whicn brought him into contact Win
persons which pivoted on the lights ana shades OF
character and afforded him materials for Ills mastery
delineatons If SPECIAL ndvdualtes and his dramatic
grouping the panoramic display OF society.
The deteeton of the human element la WORK OF
literature always touched MS imagination and inspired
lis reu til power. Hence his gfapnc sketches
and Illustrations OF character III many respects IOI III
ihe nsf sgninc COMMENTARY tic history OF Ills