New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
sUPERFLUOUS BIOGRAPHY.


CIR NFNRY MAINE Brief Memoir Of his Nfe.
h ~ y. ( Co. &; E ''''' D'''' ' ~
Sir Henry Maine born in Leighton IN le22,
entered as scholar in the coisters OF Christ Hospa
in 1929 and after an exceptionally brilliant university
career at Cambridge called to the bar IN looo
Jncapacated by delicate health for the active practce
Of the law he became a profound student OF Its his
tory and philosophy a science. Entering upon MS
literary career Journalist and contributor 10
"The Saturday Review" he published in 1861 his
masterlv work on "Ancicnt Law" From 1S62 70
1860 he was Legal Member Of the supreme Councl
Of the overnorG OF India and had more 10 90
than anv other Engshman of his time with directing
the course and tendencies Of Indian law Returning
10 England he was appointed Professor OF Jurspru
lence in oxford life member OF the Councu o. sc'le
for India and Subsequently Master OF Iruhly Hui
Cambridge and Professor OF International Law Ills
elosng years were occupied mainly with the courses
Of lectures which furnished the groundwork ior
svillsce Communities Early History of 1nsttu-
hons Dissertations on Early law and CUSTOM, -
sPopular Government and international Law" lie
died suddenly at Cannes in 1855.
From this brief epitome Of an illstrious literary
sud urdical career 1t is evident that material is lack
ing for an interesting biography. Such life, null Of
Industry and honors as 1t was, was Slhsuariy uii.
eventnl and barren in incident. When the dates OF
his appointments TO Office and professorshiIS are re-
corded and an inventory IS made OF bis puonshed
writings there little else TO tell There is scope
for critical analysis of the nductive method Of nvesu-
eating the origin of law and political ihsutuuoiS'
and also for appreciatve estimates Of the intellect
ual Qualities which enabled him to achieve success as
a journalist a lecturer. an author and statesman
But as this has been done with refinement OF shii
and sensibntv In tie saturday Review" by one OF
Sir Henry Names lifelong associates, the main motive
for a memoir Is lacking. Indeed. we may frankly
say that the chief function Of the biographical sketch
contained ia this volume Is 10 convince the discrmi-
mating reader that such a work was superhuous'
With tie best intentions in the world, Sir NJ T..
Gran, Inf has contrlved 70 do what he knew in his
heart unnecessary and imWacncable IN an eA'
teedlngly dull and pcrfunCtory way. While he was
,sormshv conversant with the details Of Indian ad-
minstra,ion, md had been for many years on inu-
mate terms with SIR Henry Maine ne lacked both the
ousities Of mind and the literary art for undertaking
such a task sir NJ f. Grant Duff. while a volumi-
nou, and experienced writer las style couspI uOhs
for heaviness and dlffusenoss. Amabe as are h's
motives and loyal rs his affection for this great man
OF English letters, HIS sentences are 50 awRwardy
constructed and his narrative Is 50 hboriously com
piled as TO be very hard reading. The memoir Is sup
plemented by n collection OF sir Henry Names Indian
speeches and minutes prepared 10y whitley stokes.
one Of his SUCCESSORS In tho Council Of TIE Governor
General but there is nothing IN the compilation which
,,ouires preservation in This form. Two sincere ad
mirers Of a man of genius have contrlved between
them to make a book conspicuous for duness. II
they had possessed refinement Of perception they
would have known that sir Henry Maine did not need
bioarapher that the world already had In his great
est works the essence and flavor Of the NAM and That
the details Of quiet sudlous life and the raw ma
,eral OF his Ind an routine Of trivial importance
In comprlson with ais luminous and mastery oontIi
buttons to the worlds stock OF knowledge