The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-31

y W aus motner III 1901 from Brussels, he
grows reflective and dreamy over the strange
ana wonderful country OF Holland, and in
ms comments on the Dutch and Flemish
schools OF art, he says: ut is strange that
those two %amphibious, holf-submerged Re-
puphcs, Venice and Holland, should have
instructed the world in color. . . .
HOW strange that this genius should have
risen out OF the very bottom OF the sea, that
a people should have so faithfully and poet
ically represented OH canvas those charming
pastoral scenes of which they could have
only dreamed among their native dykes and
bitches, without ever seeing them in their
own land" ''Tbe Rise of the Dutch Repub-
iic' was published in 1856, and 1900
copies were sold. in England during
the first year of publication" Writing from
Florence to his mother in April, 1856, Mr..
Motley says: ut 1.-THE book has been very
fayorably received by the Athensum, the Press
aud some other papers, and Mr.. Froude's
article In the Westminster Review for April Is
uncommonly well written and very aatter-
ing" Mr.. Theodore s. Fay, the United
States Minister TO Sw~itzerland-of whom Mr..
Motley wrote to his mother from Florence
in 1865, that he is almost the best man |
ever knew, one who Is never thoroughly
happy unless he Is comforting q favor upon
some one else'-wrote 10 Motley from Berne
in the most exalted terms of praise of his his
tory. He says; at is destined to immortal
ity. IL Is a noble painting largely done, the
delineations OF character not only by q mas
ter hand, but from O heart that sees right
through the souls OF men and means 10
speak the truth. . . There is a rare
union Of simplicity and strength, of poetry
and truth. The style is limpid, forcible,
unaffected and eloquent. . . . The
author has received from nature
a high historic power and the
marks OF conscientious study and reflection
are felt in all the details" Higher praise
could not BIO conceived or more beautifully
expressed. The Dutch Republic was trans
lated into Dutch, French and German, and
everybody In Holland read ii and spoke OF il
with the greatest enthusiasm. Mr.. Motley
was presented TO the Queen OF Holland dur
ing his stay at The Hague, in 1858, 'who
received me at the door," he writes 10 his
wife, quite without ceremony, with 4 am
so glad TO make your acquaintance, Mr.. Mot.
AAef HAhN nv huNfs lltI ltttn uIt
beautiful and her hands are small, white and
exquisitely shaped" lie found her Every
%cleyers remarkably intelligent and with u
great deal Of information on all subjects, n
person who has read much aud acquired
much and with much capacity for thought
on high and important matters" She com.
%plimented Mr.. Motley on the way he spoke
English, adding "for, TO tell you the truth,
we think we can always tell the difference,
and 70 do not like American English
gcnerallyso well, but you seem to me to
speak like an Englishman:' She spoke 10
him also Of the Dutch Republic in most
complimentary terms. Mr.. Motley describes
his first meeting with William the Third
Dorangc, the King OF Holland. Exactly
as the clock struck the half.hour the door
opened and a stoutish, %youngish, tallish
man in n blue cutaway coat, checked shirt
and a turn-down collar and gray trousers,
walked up TO me and said In English, with
a loud voice: Mn. Motley, you have written
n most magnificent work. and ! am proud TO
make your acqunintance.' Two
days aftcrward received n package con-
tanning the twelve volumes OF Groen van
PrlnsiererIs Archives ct Correspondence
de Ia Maison domngc,' splendidly bound
and gilt, with a note from the Kings libra
ran informing me that II was a present
from his Majesty" Mr.. Motley's three
months sojoun In London In 1855 was
one continued ovation. lie was the lion Of
the bour and there was no one Of note or
distinction who did not render Mr.. Motley
the homage lac had won. His fame had
preceded him, and his letters at this time,
though full OF London lifc and tho
distinguished circle OF which he was tho
central figure, no one could be moro dep
rccating or less deserving Of the suspicion Of
cgotism or %snobbcry than he was. This IL
the ovcr-rccurring idea in his letters TO his
mother aud wife. lie was a remarkably
handsome man, with beautiful eyes, and II a
patrician-likc face counts for anything In
blood. Mr.. Motley looked much more the
ahstocmt than some OF those born 10 the
purple whom he met among England's
lords. II Is no wonder. therefore. that he
became the %favoritc Of London society, aud
formed friendships with some Of the proud.
est and most illustrious among the English
nobility. Mr.. Motley meeting with the
beautiful Mrs. Norton. one Of the gr,a,
sheridan sisters furnishes an example Of his
felicity In making pretty speeches. lie says:
II turned and bowed aud there she was
looking today almost as handsome NJ she
has always been described a. being. know
that you will like the sketch. She Il rather
above mSIium height. In her shawl and
crinolinc, OF course I could not pro
nouncc upon her figure. Her face
il certainly extremely beautiful. Tue
hair Is raven black-violc blnrk-without a
thread Of silver. The eyes very large, with
dark lashcs and black a. death: the nose
straight tho mouth flexible and changing.
with teeth which In themselves would make
the fortune Of any ordinary face-such Is her
phyaioguomy and when you add to this cx.
tmorlinnry poetic genius, descent from the
famous sheridan who has made talent hcrcd.
iiary In his family. a low, sweet voice aud n
hattcrinR manner you can understand how
she twisted mems hearts out, We will not be
particular how many years ago. She said 10
me ns I made my bow on introduction,
Your name Il upon every lip blushcd
aud looked A. much like a donkey ~ usual
when such things are said. Then she added,
II Il agreeable. Il II nof then had grace
enough TO reply, You ought 10 know, "
anyone" They became lifelong friends
and Mr. Motley often mentions Mrs Norton
aud her sister, Lady Duncrn, IN his
letters. Lady william Russell was an