New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-18
DEATH OF f. P. WH1PPLE.

LEA Iii VI Il. L. w I'LL ill.,
A DISTINGUISHED MAN OF LETTERS GONE
HIS CAREER AS A CRITIC AND LEcruRER-piAN'
OF PNEUMONIA.
Boston, June 17.-E. p Whipple died oi
pneumonia at his homo Last night after an illness o
several weeks
Edwin Percy whpple born in Gloucester Mass
on March g. 1919. He entered Salem bank rs oe'h
n, tho aoe NJ nttesn Three years later he accepted
similar position Ia Boston bank. whore he subsequently
held the chief olerkshp. His literary tendency de-
veloped early. He was an active men"er OF inc oo"
Mercantile Library Association and became the ieaus
spirit In literary clue which was formed by me"perS Va
that association. They accustomed to meet reau
rapers on various subjects discuss knotty points IA
literature and enjoy what they called Attic Nish'S'
Mr. whipple was a man of thoroughly sunny tcmiera-
ment aud whatever he had TO do with vas sure W "'
the impress genial rit His literary peht was 90
well gnzed that he apponte1 superintendent VI
the Reading Room OF the Merchants Exchange al ns
foundation and lie continued to hold that once un'
1860.
He does not appear perceived at the beginning
the critical bias of his genius He first appears IN puoo
as the author Of humorous poem whch NO reao pcoio
the Mercantile Library Association Two years "'e ITO
WAS invited by the municipal authorities tn deliver the
Fourth OF July Grafton then not so hackneyen Iuncoh
as at present. and his essay on Washington and inc
Principles of the American Revolution attracted n
great deal Of attention and appreciation Before this
however. he hau made his mark by an essay on
Macauay, attached to new edition o. the historian
works II appreciative yet critical and the SUBJECT
OF testified his satisfaction with the work by letter In
which he spoke highly OF Mr.. Whpples performance.
By this time his literary Judgment fully recognizci
and he was writing papers for The North american Re-
rer The Christian Examiner and several othsr pubica-
tons OF character to increase tho regard in when ne
held. At later period he ascenhed the lecture
platform. II when the best thought OF the DAY
found expression there and when all tnat was brightest
and most progressive in both sexes crowded the lecture
halls with an eagerness which promised well for the
future Edwin Whpple's lectures we're always m"'n
admired though the smoOthness ana grace OF Ms 'cfS
style not seldom deceived his hearers as to the radical
ism Of his utterances and the extent of his conoca'
It was period however when everything was In state
OF GuY; revolutionary period, when hopes whch per
hans now seem chmerical to many gave wonderful
eageess and enthusiasm 10 discussion ana nnqoesuoh
ahy i'm pa rted 1. holiness and serious aspect such
as the agnostc spirit is wholly alien from Whprle 4
quick inclnscnce could not but take fire from the In
nammablo mental stuff all around him, bat 1t turned
with steady light and disinclned to 81 ritual pyro-
technics
His published works. consisting largely OF essays and
Papers collected from the periodicals In which they nrst
appeared include Essays and Reviews q vols lSis)
Lectures on subjects connected with Literature ana
Life Qsi9 Life -of Macauay" us60) pIehxcd TO
an edition OF his works Character and Characteristic
Men," QsG7 The Literature of the Age OF Elizabeth,
course OF lectures delivered before the Lowell lns
tute SEQ, and volume OF essays QS1D. Tie leading
characteristic OF Mr.. Whpples criticism Its genality
The critical faculty may be possessed by two men to
the same exte I, and yet their expression may De
radically diverse Given the power of weighing
evidence. the Judgment the same Felicity OF state
ment makes all the difference whether The temper a.
men, of the critic be optimistic pcssiinisc. Ihe
atrabious temI er hment is ildstatei In criticism 10y
E.irlk
Wbipple His native disposition to LOOK at tho bright
sidn of everything in 10 way intercfcred with tue
elective exercise OF his critical functions. Ills good
nei her blinded nor gagged hlm. IL no%ever IN
70 mel his judgments with CHART ana diSnlhed DIS
virws ~ giving them oftg and higb spirited tone
The critic all the good that inheres IN ms sho
AIS Is in the nature Of things the best balanced Of
critics, ana this Mr.. whippe's literary attitude
Possessing delicate discrimination anu an orlelha "ay
o. regarding many maeis his endeavor always was 10
bring tot Ter IN one locus every confederation Weq
deeds: and tie result WAS body OF criticism so just
acute penetrating, catholic and considerate that his
concentrations leave little opportunity or hope for a
| reversal of Judgment on appeal go
not however be determined When the earnest and
Jealous band Of thinkers WHO understood hin most
clearly fell with time. not only the absorbing lnnu-
OF moment national ISSUES obscIred all tnc hcs
bat the IN II. Td
The injury OF purely American regulations There was
exercise Of the critical faculty European training
held necessary. Emerson's indeed was a chasIcn 81
ere Work H~' Of Eawin wh,ppe has not often
rassed by the bes men OF the Od World ana Gel
tauly no American who not studied his essays can
said with tho most solid Literature OF
his own country. -,
MI Whippe spent his later years in pleasant home
on Iinckney- st. Boston. He had formed coisehai
circle OF friends and hs h0sptabe home was the mecca
| of many a Young pilgrim who needed and was sure to
receive KIND words and helping hand the thoronghly
of the put him en- rapport WI II
all that deserved kindly consider alton Ills friendship
was held precious by many His advice ana counsel
were sought eagerly and constantly. lie was modest
and never olTuded himself. Perhaps toward the last
he may suspected that he had survived the genera
iended him most July. But certainty
betrayed senss o. loss and IN fact he han niue
reason TO- the ana affection OF his own circle
could compensate for the fading OF that vague absrac-
ton called world He belonged TO time VINE N there
were giants in land His most vivid "reminiscences
were Choate and Emerson and hawthorne and Long
fellow and tne brilliant band that made Boston worthy
Of her half -humOronsly bestowed title " The Modern
Athens" One by they have PASSED away. ara IN
the death OF Mr. Whippe recognize the taking on OF
by no means distinguished and hcnored member
OF that bright COIL any.