New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-30
FOUR FEBRUARY MAGAZINES
THE ATLANTIC.

THE AlLANllC.
A quaint. and in some respects, an attractive
picture of Puritan Boston," is presented by the heV
George f. Ellis, derived mainly from the journal OF
sewal of the highest court OF the province
of Massachusetts, covering period Of nearly sixty
years Q671-l73O) and passing through the press
under the edtorshp OF a committee OF the massach"
sets Historical Society. The features OF the pf'"'
town Of Boston, delineated in this skech, are oi
peculiar qna curious character and will now ana tueh
occasion little surprise 10 the descendants OF the
Puritans The social distinctions of that day were OF
strongly marked type. The clergy and the high mags
trates were chief In public consideration omcia
posiuon was treated with Difference, but elecuoh 10
Office depended greatly on social or personal ad'an'aee
The title OF Mr. Master was restricted 10 hose ny
birthright public service were called gentlemen
worshipful or Right worshipfu was reserved Tor the
highest magistrates and Esquire was privilege 10 oe
granted not O right TO be assumed. The term Goooian
was n neighhorly ephet applied 10 worthy men i"
humble life. At feasts or funerals there was always
recognition of ranks and orders. Inc Nanus anu
beverages were sorted 10 suit the company The pet
Ter class lived in large detached dwellings win
spacious gardens and pastures, with coach and cattle
barns trees and orchards around them The houses
were substantially built aud furnished WIN Hch auu
Solid furniture Every trade and handcran hao us
fudentured apprentices. The bookstore was the eon-
mon resort of the scholarly classes. ana the
exchange and arketplace frequented by the peo-
nile in order to hear the news. The visitors in public
houses we're required to go home at the ringing OF the
evening bell O'Clock The prevailing austerity
of manner was mitigaed by a most generous nesAiy
and vnous hospitality" On all public days and on
family festivals the cheer lavish both for guests
and hosts The Chiei-Justiee hnsef Is portrayed as
person OF rare versatility OF gifts and graces lie was
an acceptable preacher at least in private meetings
an printer n writer of English and Lain
verses, a thrifty merchant prudent counsellor ana
Judge and the commander Of the Ancient and Honor
able Artillery Company. He could pitch IA psalm tune
march TO military music and grace the parade while be
prayed with and exhored the company III he failed 10
anything 1t In hitting the mark in target practice
which he ingenuously confesses TO his shame. Tile
character OF the ChefJustlce presented many agree
able traits He to have lad little sense OF humoi
and always preserved his official dignity He could.
however relax on OCCASION make lively retort TO
personal banter He resented personal arout with
great dignity toward his equals, AID with sharp reouke
10 anyone below him. He fond OF good cheer. aud
bis arder and cellar were always well supplied There
was no stint pure wines and spirits SOUND ale and ola
cider He kept In his house many little daintes winch
he carried with him to the sick and the destitute ana
store figs maImalade. chocolate, Banbury
buns, was often found in his capacious pockets Mr.
Goodwin Smiths article ON "Pess!msm" abOunds
in instructive details. he evidently writes from
study aud knowledge, not from fancy or guess
work His historical sketch Of the principle OF
Pessimism, prior to the popular reception OF the
Is OF great interest Ndiue
Mt Which he arrives view Of the tendencies OF thought
al the present day. suggestive 10 say the least Mr.
Goodwin Smith intmates that The idea OF personal I'M
mortality has overlad with fctions OF the INA
ginaton as to have become repu.nant to many phio-
sophie and scientific minds But be contends that these
offensive forms are essential TO the faith Let 1t be
admitted that the progress by which being has risen
from protoplasm the higher forms of humanity Is
destined continue, that spirit in its turn is coming
into existence and that Will not necessarily perish with
the material world. we have an hypothesis from which
scleuce need shrink unless 1t be foregone concu
sion that everything relating TO man must he found
within the domain of physiology Mr.. Smith urgently
insists that the for free discussion OF
the subject and that If religious philosophy is posi-
bie 1t should make Its appearance at the present day
paper on Wordsworth. by G. p. Cranch. an admir-
able piece OF careful, acute and Just criticism pointing
out certain defects in WordswoIths poetic genius and
EXPRESSION but maintaining that for simple. heartfelt
graphic painting from nature Tor tender touches OF hui
man sympathy, and for wise and prophetic utter
ances of the highest thoughts and ASPIRATIONS there is
no poet to surpass him. The number contains poem
by LOngfelow. story by Constance Fenmore WoolsOn,
several scellaneous contributions OF uncommon in
teresi and gives in supplement coplous record OF
the Holmes Breakfast"