The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-10-27
JAMES ANTHONY FRoUDE.

| JAMES ANTHONY FROOUE-
The death of James Anthony
Froude, historian whose name has
been familiar on both sides of the
| Atlantic for more than generation,
is announced. Although, past the al
lotted age of man, the general public,
however it may have been to his per-
sonal circle, was not prepared for the
intelligence, says an eastern exchange
Only few weeks ago a new book
from his pen, The Life and Letters
of Erasmus" appeared in London and
New York, and 1t Is perhaps the most
valuable of all his contributions to
literature. 1t certainly lacks none of
the wealth of research, depth of
thought and virility of style which
have madeNhis name famous.
MIR. Froude came into prominence
as man of letters in 1856, when he
published the first two volumes of his
"History of England from the Fall of
Wolsey to the Defeat of the Spanish
Armada" Fourteen years later the
twelfth and last volume of that great
work was published. Few literary
productions ever created so much hos
tile criticism. All recognized its
strictly literary merit and its thorough
ness of research, but it was an
attempt to reverse what is usually
called "the verdict of history" in sew
eral respects but more especially as
regards Henry VIII. He was an ar
dent admirer and a bold apologist of
a sovereign whose name had always
been held In detestation for his gross
seesuality and cruelty. The last of
the Henrys is the Blue Beard of roy
atty, and when Mr.. Froude undertook
to present in clear and overshadowipg
outlines the better side of his character |
and reign there was loud, shrill cry |
of indignation.
The English-speaking people every
where cling to their pet detestation in
way suggestive of devil worship.
They had an ideal monster en-
shrined In the temple of sovereignty,
and they resented the attempt to over
throw and abolish him. Bravely did
Mr. Froude hold his ground. His ad-
versaries assailed him with all the
weapons of criticism, but he never
wavered or was vanquisbed.
1t cannot be said, however, that
Froude succeeded in reversing the
general verdict of mankind as to the
father of Elizabeth and the slayer of
her gracious mother. The friend of
his latter years, Mr.. Carlisle, was far
more successful in his kindred effort
to reverse the popular verdict on
Oliver Cromwell. 1t is no longer
good form to repeat the opprobrlous
eplthe.s once SO freely heaped upon
the great Commoner, mourn over the
first Charles as martyr, and rejoice
D. er the last of the name on the throne
,f England as q national blessing
rhe hammer OF Thor which the
doughty Scot welded with such tre-
nendous force was too heavy for
Froude. No doubt good many his
orical details have been corrected as
he result of Froude's researches and
,en, but the cid sentence of condem-
,ation which he tried so hard to have
et aside still stands.
Incidental reference has been made
o the friendship between Carlyle and
froude. That friendship strength
ned with the old age of the sage of j
Jhelsea. During the later years of
lis life, the friends of his youth, nearly
IL gone, the intimacy became so great
hat the two we're almost inseparable,
nd to the Younger, but still far from
'oung, Froude, was intrusted the re- /:
of being Carlyle's literary !;
xecutor. In the discharge of that
rust he gave the world several very t
volumes on the private and
domestic life of the Carlyles. To
many his exposure of the weaknesses
+ his greater friend was severely cen
urable. Certain it is that it would
ave been better for the reputation of
Thoma Carlyle if James Anthony
Troude had never been born. I.
Incidental reference has also been O
1ade to Froude's Erasmus. This a
atest volume consists of series of {
,cturss recently delivered at Oxford. u
'hese lectures are of exceedingly great =
alue. They throw search light of b
power upon one of the Il
iandest characters of all ages. The
,rvices OF Erasmus as religious and ii
,hical reformer have been unestim- b