New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-17
A SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.

Allen ThorndIke Rice was born in Boston on jan
uary 10, 1853. At the age of nine he was taken 10
Europe by his mother remaining for hve years IN
Germany, France and England in which countries the
foundation Of his splendid education was laid lie &C
ouired a thorough knowledge Of the German and French
languages during his studies abroad and spoke ootn
as duently as he did that of his native land Nheh
he was fourteen years old he returned 10 America
his mother remaining in England. His education was
continued here under private tutors until he was
eighteen years Old when, his mother having oeu' ho
returned 10 England.
Shortly after his arrival in England young Rice
entered Christs College, Oxford, where he studied for
four years graduating with the degrees OF B. A. ana
H. A. During his college career he was nofed among
his fellow students for his intense application 10 his
studies his being such 10 excite the wonder
OF the other students and the admiration Of the faculty
At the age of twenty two Mr. Rice returned to this
country with his spirit OF American
ism much strengthened by his studlcs
Of foreign governments and institutions. His father
had died while he was at Oxford, leaving him q con.
siderable fortune of which he assumed possession
upon his return Notwhst anding the fact that he had
ample for the qualification OF such pleasures as
a life of comparative leisure affords Mr. Rfe relaxed
not at all In his energetic course of sudous work On
the contrary, he began almost Immediately 10 deVote
such of his time was not involved In literary
researches writing anonymously for leading journals
and magazines During his pursuit OF this work he
conceived the idea that tho serious periodical literature
of the worh should undergo process OF information
IN order TO adapt itself TO the requirements
Of the present day-a conclusion reached as result
Of his discovery that the English reviews and
cuarterlles had fallen into decline thar threatened
their existence AS the circulation OF these periodicals
decreased that Of tho newspapers grew largely anu
Mr. Rice became convinced that the daily press was
superseding the periodicals. by securing as contributors
tho writer's who had formerly given their producuohs
to the great magazines.
He believed however, that reviews were necessary
to correct guide the necessarily hurried judgments
of the daily press and he determined TO try to revive
the higher class Of periodical literature by extending
its scope 1t was his idea that experts IN any de-
psrtment of practical science and men OF affairs
werc better qualified to wrte upon subjects in which
they had direct personal interest than were nero
professors IN colleges who, however profound their
general knowiedgo might be, could have nothing
moro than Incidental interest in the subjects OF
which they were called upon TO treat and that
articles signed by and known to be nom the pens
Of such experts and of affairs would carry moro
weight than the learned dissertations Of anonymous
writers. In this he cast reflection upon tho
learning and ability Of those who were "mere writer's
for az be himself outlined the idea he believed that
both sides Of every great public question should be
presented by their highest representatives.
that renowned United States Senator
was better qualified 10 write on subjects
Involving constitutional Interpretation than the most
brilliant professional writer. This idea was cap
TALLY set forth by Mr.. Rice when he expressed the
belief that General Sherman a better critic Of
Lord wolseley than any professor Of Greek and
Latin:
In 1877 Mr.. Rice purchased The North American
R.vfews then published by J. r. 0sgo0d & Co., Of
boston, at considerable loss. Up TO the date Of
this purchase there were no partisan periodicals
All contributions were anonymous, and In any con-
ovsrsv the writer's of necessity required to take
At least a temporary part In the professional rivalry
befveen two or moro Journals
arbe North American Review had
hen edited by Harvard professors and at tho time OF
the sransactton by James Russell Lowell and Charles
o Adams after the model Of the heavy English quar-
80 and It. A. they bad DONE had fallen into do
cline. 49, 49,. -, -
g., VIZ INSTANTLY petceptble. The Review
bename popular at bound. Success continued to
,row az the ideas OF the youthful editor were devel
oned until to-day the publication Is one Of the fore
most in the world, having Tar larger aicuson than
snv other of SIMILAR nature, either In Europe or
.rosrioa Its influence as representative Of the
hest qualities Of American thought and lie Is extreme
" nowerful among thinking people OF all nations.
T. touovipg out his theories, MIR. Rice has given
M the world contributors from Edison on eioctca
science, from De Lesseps on eng'h'orlnH' anu nom
sherman, Sheridan. Grant, Beauresaru ana johnston
an rnyI,.,v science while Cardinal Gibbons and Colonel
pobrrt a Ingerso have also had access to the columns
NJ q The Review In expounding their dlametncally
opposed ecclesiastical opinions Representatives Vi
every religion and of political faith have bad
an opportunity 70 present their views. In this way
Mr.. Rice In a few years almost completely reVoiu'
ton,zsd the manner Of conducting periodicals OF tho
higher class, and his example has been iono"ea pS
many OF the English magazines, notably Inc Niho
teenth Century
Mr. Rice was noted for his great energy ana IN
dastry. He superintended every department OF Inc
Review ard spent no small share OF his tIne IN
the conduct OF "Le MAtln,' OF Paris, heWspHpor
In which he owned a controlling interest lie also
personally directed operations on an extensive rau.
sAleb IA owno1 40 New Mexico and on large estate
IN s,aryispd which he Inherited In addition 10 AL
these affairs no xas burdenod with responsibilities
as trustee Dor extensive estates
OF ME. Riees own WRITINGS the best KNOWN N'