New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-18
DEAN HOLES MEMORIES.
A SPARKLING AND MELLOW BOOK.

THE MEMORIES OF DEAN HOLE: svo PIP. VI. 4;
Ncw-York Macmillan CO.: LONDON; EDWARD
Arnold.
Dean Hole has mastered the art of growing
old gracefully. This volume of "reminiscences Is
full Of the sparkle and freshness of youth and Of
the mcOwneSs of mature, self-containcd middle
life 4 broad-mindcd man, with a heart sweet
ened and purified by the constant outflow of SYM
pathy for all sorts and conditions Of men, he has
retained to a remarkable degree that SEN" OF
electric vitality that belongs naturally TO youth
and the prime Of life. Such volume is a treas
ure-trove for long winter evenings. Literary
cpIcures viii not choose 70 read the chapters con-
tinuousy or mcthodically. The flavor is too fine
for prolonged session under the lamp. 1t l.
like one of those cliocc aftcr-dnncr cOrdlas, In
which the sunshine, balm and fragrance OF long
summer has been stored. II Is too delicate to pe
taken with prodiga haste or in wastcfnl dranghS
Ii is to he slipped at leisure and then put away
for a bonnie -bouchc another night, when the soul
needs 10 be warmed by companon9hip with a
sympathetic nature of refined scnsibitv.
The ARRANGEMENT of this book is original and
highly PLEASING. Instead of beginning IN the
conventional way with memories OF childhood ana
school companions and following ngidly the
orderly sequence of his life the Dean asserts ana
groups his recolectons under such meanings as
these. ArcneTS, artists, authors, 'IHhN'V'7' W
clesiastics gamblers gardeners. hunters, shoDtFrs
oXOnans preachers workinCmen TINS method
of grouping the memories thronginc and pressing
upon him is uninuc in ito way, and il brings out
artistcally. vet naturally withal, the variegatcd
threads and colors Of which hi, busy life has been
woven In this way thoughts of his youth, mid
die life and closing years are happily blended IN
every chapter The play and sparkle of youth
full feeling and the full MONDAY light of middle
age are distributed through the volume. IN"
influence Of sweet. wholesome love of nature
and of his fellow man pcrVadcs thr book HIS
is an old age in which nothing seems stale Ma
ture has been his NEST intmat" friend, and Of
her tender companionship he has not grown
weary lie has touched the world on many
sides and remembers nought that l. evil The
good which ne has found in men he has cherished
with tender sympathy. His JOY in life at all
stages remains the keenest pleasure OF memory
Dean Holes acquaintance among artists has
been large, but there is of whom he writes
most afectionatcly ana with profound respect
for his attachments and character This Is
John Lccch They were intimate friends. took
holiday journeys together and many of the Dean $
hest stories were illustrated witt fine discern
ment in the pages OF Punch The artists death
was one of the chief sorrows Of his life. Thack-
eray was the first 10 alarm him as 70 his friends
health entreltng him by letter 10 get John
Leech ont of London. lie WIS in state of
nervous debility. which would he fatal if he dld
not rest Not only the street music, which he
had always abhorrcd. but now any sudden or I'M
usual sound, even the movement Of scNth"
over the lawn under his window, startled ana
depressed him" Yet Thackeray was the first
10 90 They knclt together in the chapel AZ
Charterhousc and dircd in the old hall after
ward to celebrate Founders Day and little more
than tbrec months after Thackcray found
dead in his bed Iccch told Mlllais of his pre-
sentiment that he. too, should die suddenly.
Uocartb had the same forcboding. He called
his last picture Finis," and broke his palette
when il was completed. II was published III
March, and in October he died, lust century
before Lccch. suddenly. on his return from chs
wick as Ieech on his return from NhitbN, III
London both having sought relaxation when IL
was too late.
In tie Deans estimation the world IN losing
Lecch was bcrcft of a benefactor who had ih'"'
il more happy and more wise " lie wa preacher
of righteousness. maniness, sincerity kindness
truth and purity to thousands who would nov
obey the injunction that they should hear ser
mons He suggested the grandeur OF virtue by
exposing the ueliness of vice, and the Keen "nai'
of his ridicule pierced an epidemic which was
comfy, with the ignorant and weak. He sent all
reprobatcs TO the pilory and babe the neishbor>
pelt: but he let folly 20 with box on the car
or with rebukc which hurt more than the
blow" OF many other artists and actors he
makes kindly mention, and fires this neat shot
AT clerical critics who deGOunce the evils OF the
stage: q" wonder that it never occurs TO them
10 consider the proportion OF plays which present
TO the public the victories Of virtue, as compared
with those in which vice succeeds and IS TIL
umphant: the plays in which truth and honesty
and chastity meet their sure reward, and those
in which they are made the objects of scorn and
ridicule. and in which the liar the knave and
the lascivious are promoted TO honor.
The Deans "reminiscences of the famous au-
thors whom lie has known are most charming. lie
has much TO say about Ihackeray, Dickens ana
DIR. John Brown, whom he knew intimately.
Thackeray appears in characteristic mood ana
attitude in such passages as thest:
We had many a pleasant reunion. Whenever
we met he invited me 10 his house, and always, be-
fore the guests went home, he whispered in my
ear STAY for the fragrant weed llc Oi0-
posed me for the Galrick Club, and there we
aften dincd together. | have few memories of
his conversation He said So many good things,
being the best talScr have ever listened 10
when il pleased him TO talk, that They trod down
and sufiocatcd each other: but | have d distinct
recollection of one most Interesting discussion
which he had with learned professor from Cam
bridge. The subject Of debate, suggested ny
the publication of Buckles History OF tlvilZa-
tor was upon the power of the human mind ana
tha progress of scientific discovery 10 eliminate the
sorrow and enlarge the happiness OF mankind
The professor seemed 70 think that Their" would
be hardly any limit to these attainmcnts Thack-
cray spoke as Newton spoke about gathering
rebbl,s on the shore. and affirmed that ore OF
the best results of knowledge was to convince a
man of his ignorance He seemed to preach from
the text. though he did not quote it. that the
.. - faDltg
II was a combat between pride and humility, and
pride had it's usual fall.
On one subject he was proud but it w9s "A
seltconccit He was proud OF his daughter.
hooks Il assure you.i he said tbut we tacitly
declined 10 be sure, that Annie can write ten