New-York tribune., 1881-03-25

MADAME DE sTAEL A Study Of Der Life and Times;
Tue Frst RsvOlutlcn and the FrsL EmPre: BY
ABEL. STEVENS. LID. In two volumes. evo, pp.
367, 373. New-YOrk Harper Bros.
DIR. Stevens, in his preface to the American edit
ton of this work. states that he was not able to find.
in apy language, anything like IN adequate
biography of Nine. dc Stael although there were
innumerable biographical sketches. There was am-
pe material, but IL was not OF character easily 10
be reduced to the correlation aud consiStence
requisite for biography of the usual FORM" he
thinks no biography practicable except upon the
plan which he has adopted-A Study OF her Life ana
Times He admits that his work must necessarily
be mosaic, but pleads that the mosaic egitimatey
belongs to art aud he also assures that nine
tenths of his data have before been presented
IN any consecutive form. He undertook the task as
recreation. but he has not been able to resist its
fascination it has grown upon his hands TO such
completeness that European literary friends have
iudged IL worthy Of publication. There can be no
question of Dr. Stevenss industry and research, and
If the book is biography in the highest sense
of the word the fault is not his own.
The chapters devoted to the childhood and eduoa-
tion of Nine. de Stael, following some account Of
the Neckers her parents, are among the most inter-
esting in these volumes. The mother had theory
| of education of her own, and acted upon cram
ming system neglecting the cultivation OF the
faculties her Tlg0r oppressed ner OauRuter' hcr
daily, her hourly life was under rule. her sports
were restrained her attitudes regulated her studies
| severely mechanical
But her ardent nature was ever spontaneously
breaking away from this bondage 80 foreign TO its
| nstincts she vas full OF gayety. OF abandon, Of
franknsss, of lectionate impulses, OF the love OF
dramatic efects--nOt to say dramatic tricks. Mar
mOntel SAYS that she was az times an auable lit
tie mlschisf nakerP BOnstetten in later years her
admirng correspondent, says thai, as he was walk
ing alone in NeGkers garden, he was rudeiy struck
frcm behind tree with gwitcht turning 20 resent
the blow, he saw the child then fye or six Years
| old gleefully WELDING the stick. Mamma" she
exclaimed wishes me 70 learn to use my lett hand,
I and you see am trying to do s0." " She stood IN
great awe OF her mother" writes Simond. the
traveller. who knew ber from infancy, F" but was
OF her father. Madame Neeker had no sooner let's
X the room, one day after diuner, than the young
girl tall then Hmdly decOr0us. suddenly BelEed her
napkin and threw 1t across the table at the bead Of
1 her father, and then. flying round to him, hung
/ upon bis neck, suff0eatiag ell his repfoofs by her
ful Bobstetten tells the story with some variations.
4 According 10 him, she fairly drew Necker into
dance around the table, and vas arrested only by
sounds Of Che returning steps Of her mother when
they resumed their seats At tho board with the ut'
most sobriety.
The child was unusually precocious. At fifteen
years OF age her facilities, If not her style, showed
The maturity usual with cultivated minds attwenty-
hve.7 But constant study aud reading aud wiring
nearly ruined her health uutl Tronchin. her physi-
ciau, sent ber into the open air aud commanded
that all serious sindes should be laid ASIDE B6t abe
stIil continued her intellectual activity. wrote
tragedies and poems and tales. come o. wineA were