The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-20
GOODWIN SMITH.

GOODWIN SMITH.
fond Of comparing ages. I may mention that
Matthew Arnold was about eight months his
senior. while Ernest Rcnnn comes between the
twn In mentioning these three names
have referred to three OF the most consummate
literary artists Of the century.
The school days OF Goodwin Smith were
srent ct Eton. whence he passed to Oxford.
There he carried of tho Hertford and Ireland
scholarships. as well as prizes for English
prose and for Latin prose and verse. and In
1876 he was graduated with flrst-elass honors
in classics. His undergraduate life covered
much the larger part Of Sir Robert Peefs seq
onl Premiership. and We can readily believe
that the discussions which wore carried on at
that time with so much vigor and heat within
the walls ri Parliament found their echo with.
In those OF the university. After graduation
no thought Of law as = career. but soon aban-
doned the idea. Literature and the scholastic
life had more charms for him. so he accepted o
Fellowship and tutorship in University COL
lege That Rnve him ample opportunity for
literary work: and on the establishment OF
the SATURDAY. Rsrie,r. he became one of It's reau-
Lar contributors. During that period no was
named as Assistant Secretary Of ono Royal
Commission and as Secretary OF q second. to
inquire into tho condition and administration
of the university. and In the same year In
which he received his Regius Proiessorship he
was appointed MS member Of another Royal
Commission to inquire into the state OF popu-
l1f education in England. Evidently the
brilliant graduate must have distinguished
himself for something more than nero schol-
arship. or he would hardly have been chosen
for positions calling for the exercise Of high
measure OF practical and executive ability.
The report OF tho Education COMMISSIONS
very thorough piece Of work. forming an 90
tavo volume Of some 700 pages-appeared in
tho same year as the Lectures on the Study
Of History" The latter revealed literary
talent of tho very highest order and COM
msnded the admiration even Of those who
found much fault with the general drift OF the
argument Conspicuous among these was
Ma Frederic Harrison. whose acceptance Of
the doctrines Of the French philosopher Comte
brought him into direct collision with the
conception OF historical development pre-
sented BY the Oxford professor. The chair Of
modern history at Cambridge was held at
this time by writer OF wide literary
reputation. the Rev. Charles Kingsley. who
few months before had put forth an inaugural
lecture. entitled Tho Limits OF Exact Science
% Applied to History" Mr. Harrison gave
himself the task Of criticising FIRST the Cam
bridge and then the Oxford manifesto In the
pages OF the Westntnster Rerien. at that period
the leading organ OF advanced opinions In
Englend. HIS remarks were sufficiently
sfenchant 1t Is not too much to say" he
declared. that professor Is supported at
oach university for tho purpose Of decrying
the science he Processes. OF demonstrate
Ing its uselessness. and. ss far as In
him lies. deterrtnR sensible men from
wasting their time and attention upon
IT." He recognized great difference.
however. between the two professors. Kings
!eys lecture no described as a"feeble. con.
FUSED. ANA pretentious performan CO." while Of
the volume published bv the Oxford professor
ne wrote as follows: We nro the very lrst to
40 justice to the many excellenoes this work
possessek Ar. Goodwin Smith IL clearly mas
eer of . power OF expression which has scarcely
rival among us. His language has native
strength and purity which rises not seldom into
truc poetry. He ID. too. obviously possessed by
real convictions and q genuine enthusiasm for
moral greatness. These lectures have ane
thoughts sta:arsd In noble words" Much has
been written about the literary style OF Prof
Goodwin Smith, but 1t IL DOUBTFUL whether
SIMPLER or more satisfactory testimony to It's
merits has ever been borne than In these
words OF most accomplished and. at the
moment, hostile critic. Mr. Harrison. how
Svsr. bad things to say that were not so pleas
ant For example: One would suppose that
lrovidence had raised him up as b sort OF
voitalre on the orthodox side. Here and there
y sesnas "a II he had conceived the ingenious
Idea OF sneerln5 religion into favor As the
fanaous Methodist thought the devil should
not have oil the good tunes. SO he seems to
think 1t q pity to let him have oil tho bon
motA" Thss was well put; but the Oxford
professor was not deferred from making bon
note as the expense OF theories he disliked.