New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-02
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


,>,rrpcorpsr nv PHILIP GILBERT H,MER-
TON lolno pp xvi, i3o. Roberts nro'"e's .
A. an Introduction to this volume of essays MI
Hamerton prints paper On the b'n0"i''
,overins Fixed Laws governing hnihan me-
sourse and after considering various aSPeo'S Vi Wv
ease he SAYS: 4" The only approximation 10 S'",
nj law that would venture to a'nrm Is '''"' W.
strongest reason why men are drawn 'osc''o' - ~
identity OF class not identity oil race ho. ~
Interest in any particular art or science, o" ;,.o
,bere s something in their dosyncras'es that gl'cS
a charm to intercourse between the two. Mh'' "
is I cannot tell and have never met WIN 'no "''0
,,or who was able to enlighten me- IL Is no, to
a, Gov character seeing that we often respect
.,.oo,o heartily without being able to ENJOY ther
soc;otr II is mysterious sultaOlehess vi """','
hilitv and hoc mysterious 1t Is may ue III Soiio wv
crcc realized when we reflect that we oai"'' w
count for our own preferences. lh's Io
,lusion which does net conclude. III Is cq"'' "'
70 saving that people like one another because 'n1N
do. Perhaps 1t is the only possible answer ~ '"o
ouest,on We quote il not to hnG iault Win IL. ou'
because il seems to us 10 SOUND thc hc'-uo'0 " w.
1,norton's rrcscnt composition His subject Is one
1T universal interest and his thoughts upon
., s,cb "a have occurred. at least Implicitly 10
Iost overvbodv who has thought upon the sub
too, NJ oll that is TO saw if his ideas nave not peeh
actually formulated IN the general NINA, 'hey are
Al leas, such rs flow obviously. and without con-
80 oxorcisc Of the intellectual powers, from
generally accepted notions II IS TO trouoic ~ io'
g.. lin ua 10 not subtly analytical. nor
,rofornllv pcnctrative. nor boldly advcntur-
ous. lie walks in safe troddcn ways anu
I'm plnu siuht Yet upOn the whole he does NOV i'n
oress YOU rs a writer of pattuios. u" hoNciS J",'
outsidc the commonplace; Ike thore he'o'"o,'
dinner COMPANIONS who are neither philosophical
Inn
,,h,o cntprtaincd with bright and cheerful ta'h
,l,.trated with ant anecdotes and Tree from MI aI
,oor,uco of effort and from too Obvious n tant Oh
frivinlity Upon most Of Mr.. liaincitoh ieuoo
tons touching independence, Love, ifehus'"P,
Marriage the relationship between Fathers anu
Sans and Hosts aud Guests. the influence VI
Wealth and Poverty upon cohRohlNl h''''""''
tbe obstacles of Language and kcilgoh' lno ''"''
silent comment Will be- How true! nave o'''n
thou ,ht of that myself Sometimes 'no o''", '''
,roo1s too closely l.: the footsteps of the vulgar
.ro,,d The essay ON " Companion,hp in Marriage
for instance is open TO the charge Of ucaliHH 'n'
commandment. Thou shalt not Commit Adultery as
s,ciol conyention.r Mr.. lamerton does not
,neon 70 be lax; but he has fallen into kihd OF
Ihorol can't ON n subject which calls Tor robust
mor,lty rather than cuphcmistlc phrases
One reason why his writing is pleasant Is 'hat IL
:; nerfcctv easy and unaffected If our readers VIII
tnrn TO the passage which we quoted at the ocg,h-
nino Of this notice they will observe that MI
Uomerton has not attempted to disguise trte idea
bv vague or embellished language, bnt the Thought
is presented simply and the graceful turn oil ex-
preston is obtained without any loss OF dircctnesS
in the statement This is one OF the highest ana
most characteristic merits of Mr. llamertons style
One ia Ii tie disposed to complain that the substance
ofhis monoocue israther light when the manners
uupretentious so suitable, so cheerful, ana SO gentle
manly.