New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-26
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LONDON LETTERS.


to be literary products; though doubtless they
might advantagcously possess in greater degree
than they do some of the first qualities OF liter
ature. To say this is not to join in the fippant
condemnation which incompetent judges pro-
nounce on newspaper English for the pleasure OF
appearinQ critical large proportion OF news
paper space is necessarily appropriated 10 uihes'
1t is not to be expected, perhaps IL Is ho' !"
be desired, that writer's FOR the daily press
should universally acquire the art, wmch W.
johnson boosted, of imparting dignity 10 ulViai
things and it would certainly be dangerous l"
study that art under Or. johnson. But that clear
ness simplicity and proportion are not Deyohu INC
reach of any person who Is NJ 10 DE eihpioSo" ~
writing is proved by the fact that large anu
increasing proporton of newspaper writer's pos
sess those qualities. When that has been con-
coded it stiil remains true not only that as
+inction and charm are another matter, but also
sbat the purpose as we'll the conditions OK
newspaper writing generally determines IN ad-
vance that it shall not have permanent Vaipe
except in remote way as material 1or hs'o's
whereas though literature may be VarlousiS
defined. ii is unacceptable without the attrioue
NJ nermanency. IL is familiar fact-a fact more
familiar to readers OF The Tribune than OF most
other iournals-that not n few OF these WHO ",'
engaged in the production OF newspapers w
achieve literary distinction Ana yc'' .nUTsn
his avocation may give him an InPu.eo'
possbly an audience and an oppor'uii's'
il is more often in spite of than by means Oh HIS
connection with a newspaper that the Jourhahso
earns a place among men of letters. Rarely Is "
the mutual fortune of a newspaper anu "''
dividual to be associated for the purpose anu WIN
the result Of instructing and delighuhs '''e i'"
ers of to-day and of many days 10 come-oi SUI
fving the demands of the moment ana iores'"iihS
the desires of the future.
Those reflections are suggested by the repuo-
LEGATION in two volumes of letters seht 'o' in'
Tribune in recent years by its London corIeSpon'-
ept Since 1867 Mr.. George W. SmaileE mas
represented this journal regularly IN ohc H"s"'.
Capital, and frequently elsewhere "heh e''"'
events were in progress. newspaper Is "''''
ssrly constructed TO please many tastes ou' 'S
reader Of The Tribune is reader of Mr.. Smalcy'
and il would be difficult to indicate more eNactS
in other words the hold he has acquired, the IN
Nuence be has exercised and the pleasure he mas
hestowed We do not need to say that The IT'D
une and its readers are not always able 10 take
tho Same noint of view as Mr.. Smaley, nor 10
ocouiesce in his judgments of men ana anairs'
We have often felt impellcd to deplore his 'rroiS
upon a single field of controversy, While acHho"i
edcinC the singular power and skill WITH "i,,y"
he defends them But when we turn from ."''
ono subject on which his readers have agrecu ~
disagree with him and consider the wiue i'hse Vi
interests which he has made his own ana ours
his various knowledge, his delicate pefcep'io"S'
his manifold gifts Of insight and OF opserN a.'on'
and the admirable art with when theS en'o"
meDts and acquisitions are employed, we are NO.
AT n loss TO account for his pre-chihehce'
This republi cation comprises nearly lou le'tr's'
The first volume is devoted 10 European ceepri-
1879 and 1884 the second to social hie' fAr Ia
mont narcants and miscellaneous topics Inc
oorrcsnondcnce is arranged ccnsecutivcly accord
inc to its original dates only far rs the sequence
of two or more letters relating TO single SUBJECT
reouired: otherwise it is brought together
with the effect of producing an allurng variety
and suggesting new interest ""o
ever the eye may chance to fall III
touches upon multfarious topics and whatever ~
touches it Eliminates and adorns Nobody. whose
mind has been instructed by study and obserVa-
ton and whose taste has been formed on sonhl
models can read these letters without delight
in their vigor and their decacy. The iiavor OF
them is All their own. The charm of such writ
ing is pervasive. subtle, indefnabe; as distinct
as the odor of a flower and as incapable of nnaiy-
sis Mr. Smaley's style belongs 70 him and to
no one elsr 1t has no mannersms to suggest
and assist imitation II is equally without abrupt
moss and without DroliXity. H. takes the reader
contiye hut leaves HIM il full possession OF al
mis- faculties There is no mcretnclois 4uallS
in il and no dcceitfuness unless IL DC the SIM
pcity which seems 50 easy ana Is so hard 10"
read the letters without discovering wheie' ii any
where the writer feels most sure on himself Eaco
snccessively produces the conviction that he was
fortunate in his subject, and when you have real
them all YOU hesitate TO name faVorlt' lax
inc into consideration the period when IL was
written and published, It's Immediate purpose
the events which it describes the emotions which
thev aroused. the permanent interests involved
and the quality Of the delineation, we shouin
no inclined 10 choose A Great Night in the House
90 Commops il we were restricted to a single
choice That brilliant picture Of an historical
sccne end crisis afforded the writer an eXtraor
binary opportunity to disclose the variety OF ms
mowers and the perfection Of his art; his observa'
ton, his eye for color. his sense of cooperation
and of contrast, his minute familiarity with mel
ard his knowledge OF the impulses hy when 'h'l
are swayed his skill in narrative in description
and in portraitnre
We cannot dwell upon this admirable achieve
ment nor upon other masterpieces male pcrma
nently accessible in these volumes. nor is IT neces
sary to discriminate thcie eXcellenccs for reader
of The Tribune But we cannot forbear making
another reference TO a single characteristic OF MI
Smaey's writing Tie IS absolutely Tree iron
those pedaptic restraints which teachers Of rhet
uric love 10 impose upon the nnfortunat"s win
cit at their feet and above ALL where perfec
svnonvm is lacknc he is not in the least afrai'
of repetition No will ever learn the grea
secret of lucidi:y until he has learned not Z
waste his time in the wcarisome pursuit of Eng
lish equivalents. The best word will always b.
the best word, whether it be used once or te
times 10 the page.
There is certainly no letter in this collection
which the reader would wish to LOSE but as w
review Mr.. Smaley's long and faithful and brill
liant service, we recall many other letters whic
ought not to lie hidden in the files of newspaper
We hope that he ard bis publishers will rcsolv
10 give them a new birth by extending this reput
LEGATION. In conclusion we may bc permitted {
say that we take keen. satisfaction IN the though
IL