The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-21
SOME NEW Booxa
Ernss ., R...s.s Reeo,i, sys.s.

Tho lhtlo book called RecoiLections dnt
Letters Of FINEST Rsndn OF which m English
variation has boon brought out by the Cassel
Publishing Company. is a supplement VI the
same authors Souvenirs" which appeared
come years ago. The papers here reprinted
were collected Mt the suggestion Of tho late NJ
Caln,ann Levy. who. having computed that tho
fourth volume otthe History OF tho People
Of Israel would not DO ready before the end OF
1850. thought that N. Renan ought to publish
something In tho Interval. The latter apollo.
giles In his preface for again talking about
himsei and reminds us that on several occa.
slppA he has reproached tho minds OF our doy
with being too subjective. with busying them
selvos too much ovor them solves. aud with not
being sufficiently carried away by the object
that IL to say. by what IA before us. by tho
world. nature. history
~ -.
Having laid down tho principle. however.
chat II Is always bad to talk of ones self. II.
Ienan proceeds to violate Il In the most de-
lightful way. He assures us that his life has
been precisely that which ho wished that
which he conceived us tho best II no had to
live II over aenin he would not make any great
change. On tho other hand. he conicssps that
no little afraid Of the future: he expects to
have his biography and his legend. As for his
Legend. having some experience OF ecclesiasti-
cal writer's. he thinks lie ran sketch out in I'D
vance how 1t will DO written up in Spanish in
the year 1000. "Heavcnsr he says. how
black shall be!' Nevertheless. NJ Rcnan Is
conndent that the enlightened norton VI
humanity. tho only ono for which no
carcs. will hold him IN some esteem.
Five hundred years hence tho Com
nisslon on The Literary History OF
Franco OF tho Academy CT Inscriptions and
Belles-Lettres will write his obituary notice.
1t will he obliged to combat documents which
will inform II that NJ. Renun received n million
francs from n. de Rothschild for writing the
Life OF Jesus and nearly AS much from tho
Emperor Napoleon ILL.,. who. later on having
dismissed him. gave him q lucrative snecurc
on the journal des Sarants He has filth that the
Commission will unravel all this In accordance
with the rules Of criticism. and he feels sure
that It's verdict will be admitted by sensible
roople II. Rennn goes on In his preface to |
show that he has hal his share OF calumny in |
his time. and he socurs to the subject later In |
an article setting forth his "reminiscences OF the
Journal des bJbats. to which paper 1T will be
remembered) he has contributed during the
whole OF his literary career. In this article
no tolls us that no Is indebted to
ono OF tho conductors Of that journal.
M. Cstazade dc Sacy, for several Of tho moral
precepts which he has invariably followed. In
neverto reply to journalistic attacks. On this
point NJ. de Sacy concurred with NJ. GulZot in
holding that no caunny can reach it's mark IL
you dtsdain them ALL Some one having sug-
gestsd various cases wherein an exception
should possibly he made he replied: Mover.
never, nsyer." N. Renan says that he has con-
scientifically conformed to tho advice OF his old
mnster In this matter. Thus when one journal
had published In fac. smile pretended auto
nj .,f 70. al, 4,
with ridicue had 1t been authentic. he said
nothing. aud no did not in tn. end perceive
that II Ind d"nn him any harm. In
Itke manner ho has opposed silence TO
reports Of conversations which contained
not word of truth. md to dcscrip.
tons OF dinners and breakfasts furnished by
come person who had never received glass
dior In his house. Ho Is persuaded that
the enlightened men " the future will dlstin.
Guish tho truth clearly 50 far rs he is con-
cefnet. in srite "f a!l cnumninton He is
careful however, to say enlightened. because
the following course OF reasoning would appear
vsrl solid in mediocre minds 1T Is averred
by good authorities" they. vii! say tina.
ksuAn received . million rom NJ de Roths-
child. His rartisans insist that no received
nothing. The truth possibly lies between these
two extremes. Let us be moderate: no re-
ceived several hundred thousand francs"
), iet. while NJ. ksnan Is convinced that NJ. dc /,
sHcy counsel was sound an'i we'll adapted to
~" ep'oh NJ whirh 1t was given. he Ia by no :
"rahs certain that 1t IL equally deserving OF ,
being followed to-day or In tho future. lie
considers that the rule OF opposing silence to G
'hiulEny was excellent Mt the perio! when
here existed an enlightened society which 6
ormeu It's opinions In a deliberate. wary.
'aionai manner. 1t would. on the other hand.
% dangerous IN democracy. Tho masses
IRE naturally credulous-their first impulse Is
g nelievo what is told them. Methodcal '
'nhot 10 something that they are least
'o'e 10 comprehend. iabtuated to rough )
Ways. the' assume that an insult which Is not =
eplled 10 Ia. by that very fact. accepted: upon y
he'n acme effect Is always produced by II. So v
= sonetimes occurs to NJ. Renan that at the q
present moment A. dc "acy might change his
MUST reporters Tor example. 10 per-
hitteo TO attribute to YOU things thousand 9