The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-29

ing, and which imposes rather than con-
Quers--a physiognomy which lacks, as in
our estimation also lacks his method of
scientific criticism, admirable and benefi-
cent though it be, viz. lightness, airiness,
30 admirably given by st. Beuve.
Truly he is the inventor of that power
full machine called scientific criticism, a
criticism immovable, inexprable, which in
some sort destroys individual liberty,
making of man the simple product of
precise and defined factors from which
he can under no pretext disengage him
self, such as race, epoch, surroundings;
which cassiiies and labels all literary
works like specimens in a museum Of nat
ural history; which seeks, above all, the
law, and forgets, in its desire to bring all
things into common, this element OF diff
ference which is felt, this vibration of soul
TO soul, this something which escapes and
which constitutes genius.
Yet this systematist is by moments an
exquisite poet and has in certain pages
depicted nature as one who understands
and profoundly appreciates her, bringing
to his descriptions his unique style these
warm shades and purple tints which class
him as the first writer of our time.
Have you remarked" said one Of his
friends to us lately, 1.-THE adjectives of
Tainef" They are extraordinary and are
almost substantives--they add always an
idea, expressed or understood" And he
cited that phrase, so characteristic, which
says in three words all that is important
to know. The subject was "The Nor
MANS" that people at once SO courageous
and SO covetous. Taine says in
speaking of them: Sees cOureurs
heroiques darentures proftables." Can a
more faithful portrait be givenN with
greater conciseness? Each word has
signihcance-has in some part far-reach-
ing and historical bearing. Taine's youth
was a most austere and laborious one;
without fortune, he had to work. not only
for his own livelihood, but also that of a
mother whom he adored and surrounded
up TO her death with the most touching
attention. Even now that glory and sue
cess have assured him a fortune the ma
teriai pre-occupations OF his early years
nave lett in his mind a sort of vague dis
quletude; material questions do not rank
as secondary in this great mind, and one
sees again and again the profound philoso-
pher calculating very prosaically the per-
centage of such and such an investment,
concerning himself about the economical
crisis, not as a philosopher, but as citizen
and shareholder.
1t was during these early years of hard
work that Taine obtained that prodigious
amount Of varied knowledge which has
enabled him TO speak with authority on so
many diverse subjects-literature arr, phil
oSophy, politics, etc. At that time he read
OIL that was possible to read, and stored up
ms treasures; but il was asking too much
o' the human machine and took its re-
venge.
One fine day this brain, which nothing
mad discouraged, which st. Beuve had
qualified as IAN ostrich's stomach" re-
fused 10 swallow the pebbles which were
persistently offered for its digestion, and
u became necessary bon gre mai gre to give
II repose.
Ii was in 1S55-Taine being then 25 or 70
that appeared the philosopher Fran
cas-, then successfully LA Fontalne,
La Literature Anglaise," lie Voyage en-
talle, "llntelligence. Between whites.
ms position having improved and the
iature seeming assured, he married the
daughter of an architect of great talent, M.
uennel and one may say that the twenty
iionr years of this unlon-ot which have
eeen born son and daughter-haye never
been crossed by cloud. Taine was, so 20
speak, born father of = family-showed
himself As such even before his marriage,
as the following little story treated by the
same mouth which recounted the story OF
the Normans) proves showing also TO what
degree this great intellectual possesses
heart, tender and good.
Tie related to Us then that the hrst time
ne called upon Taine-this was IN 1850;
long before the war-he arrived all
trembling, bringing with him one OF ms
works, which the master-for he was
already master-had willingly consented 10
look over. He is ushered into the room
and perceises Taine, seated on the moor IN
'front.' OF an armchair, upon whlch SAT
child OF or 3 years. Pardon me, said
Tame, without disturbing himself, VIII
you excuse me minute eut-he
VII permit nobody else 70 cut his toe
nailsn'
This baby, whose toe-nails Tame was
ousy IN cutting. was no other than ms
nephew, Andre Chevrillon, who Is now
man and whose journey in India made
great sensation on its appearance last year
al the hSrte des 4sttr M0ades
Yes. this great man adores children. ana
nas, IN common with other poor mortais'
some Weaknesses For instance. ne loves
e2tS, or rather dotes upon them III Is no
rare thing 20 find him sitting on the
ground before the fire with puss or hpehe
'n hls arms, or again on his knees peiofe