New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK'S WORKS


The fact that a complete edition of the works
Of Thomas Love Peacock was issued ny ben'ieS
in 1875, and that new edition is being put
forward, appears 10 refute the assertion OF more
than one critic, that Peacock never could be
popular author In effect there is in his literary
work an amount and kind of humor which have
given salt 10 his books; and while few writer's
have more freely employed contemporary events
and persons as objects satire and carcature,
these presentations have not consigned Peacock 70
forgetfulness as would certainly have been the
case with less gifted writer. But Peacock was, as
Lord Houghton wrote in his preface 70 the Bentley
edition of the Works." IAN English gentleman.
who was scholar and poet, and above all, a
man of letters" Nor was he an impractical man.
His real occupation a responsible once III
the East India House, and literature was his
relaxation He was strongly individual, and he
put this strong individuality into all his writings
Full of prejudices and odd ways of looking at
things, he accustomed to frame his arguments
and contentious i'll language as vehement as
Lander employed. No doubt one reason OF
bis survival is his habit of carcaturng his famous
contemporaries, though it must be said that his
portraits are by no means all charge In his
first novel Headlong Hall, he introduces charac-
teristics rather than living men and women.
DIR. Caster represent temperament in the main.
1t might be thought that such a method could
only ensure failure, but Peacock's queer ideas.
scholarly diction, and vital energy Of express
sion, give bouyancy to the tale, and an interest
which does not pail.
In Nightmare Abbey" the poet Shelley was
made the hero, figuring under the name OF
Scythrop. Peacock has contrived almost TO para
phrase the realities OF Shelleys career, Yet while
producing ludcrous effect has skilfully avoided
offence. In fact Shelley was greatly amused by
the book, and so far he and the author were
concerned it may be said that friendships wing
never moulted feather"-tO borrow sentiment
from the immortal Dick Swivcller. In the same
book Colcridge was introduced as Mr.. Flosky;
Lord Byron is briefly represented In MIR. Cypress:
and the Hon. Mr.. Listess stands for a reigning
dandy Of the PERIOD the Hon. T. Shenington
about whom much is recorded in Captain Gronow's
amusing "reminiscences For several years his
work at the India House was so absorbing that he
wrote little or nothing. 1t must therefore be
concluded thai his official duties Che preceded John
Stuart Mill in the Examiners office much
more exacting than when in the subjoined lines, he
slxetched the character of official day. 1t must
be promised that all the employees who arrived at
the office before 10 a. had their breakfast
given to them. This is Peacocks day:
From ten to eleven, ate breakfast for seven,
From eleven to noon to begin twas boo soon;
From twelve to one asked, What's to be done?'
From to two found nothing to do,
From two TO three, began to toreSee
That from three 10 four would be ID bore
After his muse had been silent these many
years, he published Maid Marian" capital
Robin Hood story, interspersed with several
equally capital ba!l,ds. II dramatized by
blanche as an opera, and produced with success
at Covent Garden, Bishop composing the music.
Next came The Misfortunes of Elphin, wherein,
under the guse of a story of ancient Wales, Can
ming and other politicians were shrewdly satrIzed
and many delightful songs, ballads and bits OF
poetry were inserted. "Crotchet Castle was in
general aim much like it's predecessors, though
he introduces perhaps "amendc" 70 the
clergy for the several preposterous pcrsonagcs in
orders in others of his books, Doctor Folliott,
whose function is TO crticse and expose the folly
of the guests at the Castle generally, and who
does it with great deal of wit and learning
Dr. Garnett, in the new edition of Peacocks
Works introduces "Melincourt" in somewhat
doubtful, not to say disparaging manner. 1t will
be remembered that ii is in this book that Lord
Monboddo's theories are defended from ridicule.
Perhaps the story is too long, but cannot agree
with DR.. Garrett that the attacks on Coerdgc
and Canning excite compassion for the assailant
rather than amusement at the expense of the
assaied." Surely the critic who cannot perceive
the fun of these attacks must be deficient in the
renss of humor Peacock's more pretentious poems
have little merit One OF them should be eN-
cepted. Byron admired RhodOdaphne, and Lord
Houghton thought it "a great improvement on
the rest But in lyrical verse Peacock was sue
cessful. The ballads and songs in Maid Marian
will live long, and some of the Welsh ballads in
1.-THE Misfortunes Of Ephin" are admirable As
Lord HoughtOn observes: The warsong of Dinas
Mawr is perfect in its kind, with its humorous
ferocity and predatory swing and every poem in
the Circle of the Bards' has its merits The
same good Judge observes: The bacchanalian
and sentimental songs interpreted through THESE
novels remind one of the best of Captain Morriss
with greater polish of language, and the broad
comedy of the satirical verse does not degenerate
for moment into vugarity.7 1t will thus be
seen that the qualities of Pcacocks prose and
verse are of Kind TO preserve. at least the
greater portion of it, from quick oblivion and the
demand for fresh edition of his work con-
clusively proves that appreciation of the author
of Headlong Hall is not on the wane.
"A YEAR IN PORTUGAL. 1ss91eo0. BY George
Bailey LOrng, NJ. ID. Svo, PIP. 3l3. u. r. tut
MANS Sons.
Dr. Loring spent year In Portugal Minister from
The United states he has recorded his impressions
OF the country in this volume Description OF places,
buildings and public monuments occupies large por-
ton of the book, and the author has paid much aen
ton agricultural facts and statistics, which VIII be
found Interesting and valuable. lie gives some ac-
counts Of state functions and ceremonies at which he
was present and his portraits OF various Portuguese
princes mobiles and statesmen drawn with care.
But when the reader looks for some evidence Of that
observation OF the Portuguese people their distinguish
ing characteristics their manners and customs, such
information which can alone convey clear impres-
sion OF country, Is not 10 be found. DIR. Dorng, in
deed furnishes plenty Of historical scraps, but rather
too much after the venerable fashion OF the guide
hooks and these also may be studied for descriptions
Of show places and public buildings, etc. Not many
travellers II true possess the gift of representing