New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-01
NEW PUBLICATIONS
THE LIFE OF BEACONSFIELD.

~~~-~~'
THE INTERNATIONAL STATESMEN SERIES. Ed
itcd by Lloyd c. Sanders. Life of lord Beacons
field BY T. +. Kcbbel 12mo., Pr xvi go,
Philadelphia: J. Is. Lippincott Co.
The life of Lord Beaconsfeld' is the initial vol
Juno of series intended, explained by the
editor to comprise collection Of brief biographical
studies of the great men who have Influenced the
political history of the world" The biography OF
Beaeonsfcld may presumably be regarded indicat-
ing the scope of the enterprise 1t is full enough to
afford such have everything to learn concerning
The subject measurably clear idea OF the man. Inc
political of the great Tory leader is presented
with considerable funcss. But the limitations OF the
scheme seriously interfere with the impessveness OF
the picture IT is not possible to isolate statesman
from the times he acted in and influenced ana 10 con-
fine the chronicles of his deeds 10 the bare acualtes
without sacrificing large part OF the interest whch
naturally belongs to such history, and without op
securing the significance of his achievements In many
instances This applies with particular force IN INC
OF Disracl whose character was so seicontahea
and his expression so guarded that the colleagues
who worked with him and the party which followed
him were often perplexed TO his real purposes ana
positions.
No man--no modern, at least-stands more In nced
of the illuminating power of his environment, In
short and 10 separate him from it is to incur inc
risk of stl further confusing many problems already
sufficiently difficult One point, however, certainly
does show the consplcuously for this lsolauoh
"A bald sketch of his political career does much 10
demonstrate the general consistency of his beliefs and
of his positions Tory he began and Tory he ended
and II the course of English politics during his later
life diverged so far from the lines advocated by him
In youth as TO him almost in the air, 1t must DO
acknowledged that not few OF the predictions ven
tured by him half century ago, in respect 10 the
consequences of going counter to the policies he es
poused have been curiously fulfilled MI. hcopeis
attempt 10 indicate paraIlesms between the opinions
advanced in his political novels and his public utter
snces and measures hardly be thought successful
The bographcr indeed finds it necessary to ADMIT tha'
Disrac very often wrote one way and acted announcer
Not that there is anything surprising IN
tbis In writing he irresponsible, and
controlled the situation in acting he was responsipe'
and the situation largely controlled him' fc'
there were views of his which may be SAID 10 haNo
dominated both phases of his life, and one OF inc
most Interesting of these relating 10 the history ana
destiny of his race, receives quite inadequate treat
,oort IN this volume This seems unfortunate
circumstance for TO understand Dsraeli 1t Is indis-
pensable to study what be called the oen'a sue
of his character 1t undoubtedly this side OF him
which made him even 10 the last puzzle 10 nan
England and which. because of its incomprehensiD'y
nv the average British mind rendered him for so long
a time the object of sharp suspicion and poh.lcai
distrlst 1t was, perhaps, this side OF MIN WHICH
rbieay melted the coalition whose antaeonism 10
always ascrbed TO personal hatred OF himself
Mr. Kebbel succeeds in exhibiting the aertness OF
intellect. his ad1OltnesS as parliamentary '"0-
iciap his indomtabe resolution, his versatnty, VIII
and caustic humor though somewhat dimiy ior INC
most mart In truth. the speeches which wheD de-
livercd convulsed the House reused II read tamey
enough in cold print but fund of anccdote OF which
Dizzy is the centre accumulated during his long
Parliamentary career and might surely nave
becn drawn upon 10 illustrate anu
10 enliven this biography. OF his many dueis Win
MIR Gladstone numerous graphic accounts are extant,
and many portrait of him as he stood or 1ough'
with gladiatoiial pluck and fereness in the arena
Nothng Of this material has been used 10y MI heDpei'
and we think it pity for after all, the most genuihe
Dsraeli was the Disrael of the House OF commons
and perhaIs 1t might be added, when on the oppos'-
tion benches The time has not yet come for assign
fnr him his final place in history and in statesman
shp though IL is safe prediction that the ueiec.s
Of his character and the mistakes Of his career Will
seem less grave and disastrous than large proper
,ion Of his contemporaries thought them, While inc
reality and depth of his patriotism Will cease W NC
seriously qucS toned The biogIapher who deals III
fincly and broadly with his life VIII moreover DC care
fu 70 bear in mind the hereditary tendencies ana IN
,ellcctla pecuarlties which separated him from Ills
.eIIow-subiects and which, Notwithstanding his Ut
most efforts at complete assimilation, doomed MIN 70
he and to appear, from beginning to end, an English
man with difference.