New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-18

London dispatch says the late judah L. Benla-
min left no materials for biography believing
that the treasurng mp of old papers created half
the misery of life" Certainly in this respect the
late Judah p. Benjamin must be said to have sat
good example and indeed with the awful warning
of certain recent biographies and autobiographies
before him be may well have been deferred from
leaving behind him any temptations to similar pos
thumOus calamitles. In these days lives of great
men all remind us that obscurity Il the most pre-
ciOus boon vOuohsafed to those who are
not great and that immortality is hardly
worth having If those who have joined the
majority are doomed TO know how they are
handled by their bographers. The lust of postum
nous fame must be greatly subdued by the
modern practice of putting our prominent peoples
souls upon psychological disSectInS table, and
publishing illustrated catalogues of their vices and
fobes as soon as the breath is of their bodies.
1t is in truth custom which has added a ter
ror to death and which will do more to discourage
the Religion of Humanity than all the arguments
Mr. Spencer can devise. Mr.. Benjamin has put his
condemnation on the fashion most scaSOnably, and
II may be hoped that his example will prove iniu-
entail.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson in The Womdn's
Journal takes Issue with those who assert that tho
New-England stock Is deteriorating and, on the
the most eminent physicians in this region de-
clares that the thing really to be anxious about
lust now is not the physiological condition of the
English, but of the Irish, stock in America, from
the rapidity with which pulmonary weakness
is developing itself among tho Americanized
Irsh.D Now, If only this eminent physician"
will give facts and figures IN support Of
this statement, as the upholders Of the
othei view have already done, the public mind
will be thrown into fine state of confusion ana be-
wderuent; and 1t VIII then be in order for third
school to arise, whose mission 1t shall tie to demon
strate how it Is that while both the native and for
eign stocks are thus rapidly declining the popula-
ton Coutside of hnmigrahonl continues to increase
almost precisely though the agencies OF national
destruction were not in operation at ALL
ShOuld q final location for the route of the
Nicaragua Canal not be decided upon by September
40 next the concession granted by Nicaragua TO
American citizens will pass beyond our control. As
Congress has not oven discussed the subjeet OF
granting an act Of incorporation. shall have no
reason TO complain if the canal is finally taken
| by citizons of another Power. Since the publica-
ton of Rear Admiral Ammen's book on tho subject
/ In May, 1880, further surveys have been made,
| WHICH through an improved section. reduce the
estimates for material aud labor TO 81 |. 900, 00o
The commission Wacn maze It's report III February
! 1875. and of which Admiral Anmsn was msm-
Dor. insisted on contingent as great as tho esti'
mates Admiral Ammon recently remarked in
W Washington that he should not be surprised to SEQ
tho canal completed On a contingent Of dfty or
SIXTY per cent. including interest ON the money now
paid in that is to say. total cost OF from
500. 900 TO, $70.000.0o0. Ii the Government
IL really anxious to promote tho construction
| Of the Nicaragua Canal all it has 10 do b
to pass an enabling act to take o majority