New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-13
GEORGE 7ICKNOR AND HIS Ways.


From Courier.
The character of br. TicknOr's literary work
marks tho character OF the man. IL was complete
and honest throughout lio hated shams OF all
sorts; nor did he hesitate to say 80. even 20 .he
sham himself. Hence half of his unpOpularity
He was % very direct man. When ho granted
favor it was promptly done, but without ELUSIVE,
ness when he refused one. II was with equal
cuscs He was very frank In speech. 1t was |
can help yon, and I will :" or, can do nothing
for you and there is more to be said about it,.
From what saw of Mr Ticknor, | am persuaded
that no man who meant business-wno had any
thing to give. and especially no one who had any
thing TO ask, ever approached him and made MN
self known in his true character no matter how
humble without, at tho instant. awakening tho
beXr an S pat
in such cases exhaustloss, his toll unfiaggng'
and the result usually beyond the most sanguihe
There once hung-periaps still hanGs-in the on.
trance hall of George Ticknors mansion bas-reict
representing young man asleep from l0li, sehlo"
Mt table Oh which is placed an expiring lamp INTO
which from out % partly cOncealing cloud. q down.
reaching hand pours the rcyiving Oil. rms has
relief symbolizef an representations act OF kiunrsS
tor in Italy Respondent from non recognition ana
failing resources and at the same time 81 pressrd
the gratitude of the artist years later when no
discovered the source from whence came the sorcly
needed relief. "
Mr.. Tcknor held all the resources Of his intellect
and all the requirements OF q StudouS NO. ana no
most valued books at the command. not only OF MS
friends, but of oil Corners who had worthy pilr-
and were In earnest Ill ltS pursuit. no hOtlO
In his book plate ouiqHc he translated, re-
turn when you have done with it," Onco ven
tured-it was in tho carly days Of acquaintance
with hin,-to ask him IL he ever lent his books
never refuse to lend tbcm" he replied, to any one
VINO has need of them" was present years later.
when this rule was put to Il severe test. AS on
terd his library letter was placed in his hands.
He asked me to be seated, and excused himself
moment while he broke the seal and read l saw,
or have since fancied saw his face flush, and then
a shade Of perplexitv settle upon it tor moment
But both wore soon gone. Here is q man." he SAID
a Mr. Somebody. whom don't know from Adam,
who writes me from the Eastern shore OF Mary land,
without any reference, asking mo TO send TO his
agent, ct Baltimore two volumes from my library.
Ho says he is writing upon certain subject winch
happen to know is worth investigating. lie says.
further, that have these two volumes and that
they can DO found nowhere else, which know to
be true for both are unique in America, and one
nearly or quite 80. In Europe and that they are
essential to his further progress which can readily
understand He adds that, were they purehasablc,
the expense would be far beyond his means. about
which know, of course, only what he says. lilo
hopes will send the boOks-and Will"
have the best OF reasons for believing That this
anecdOte is characteristic Of the man.
Mr. Ticknor has been represented as having no
sympathy with, and but little confidence III. the
peOple; put am persuaded that If the matter were
incurred into little would DO found to support the
statement; and that littlo would be chiefly an III,
ference from the intensity with which he hated anu
the vigOr with which he denounced, demagogucs OI
all specieS.