New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-12


ness. He was twice Lord Chancellor. and has
left his mark on the whole administration OF
justice In this Kingdom. by his passage of the
Judicature act. which reorganised and remod-.
elled the judicial system of England. We In
America, perhaps. knew him best a. leading
counsel for England at Geneva in the Alabama
Arbitration. There. too. his moderation was
conspicuous, and the more conspicuous by con-
trast with the Incorporate craftsmanship OF Sir
Alexander Cockburn. who was the English arbi-
TRAITOR Lord Selbornes only recent activity
has been either In the House OF Lords or In Or
ganizing the defence of the Church. Personally
he was Of gentle manner. sedate. elaborate IN
his old fashioned and beautiful courtesy. kindly
and agreeable.
Very different was Sir Robert Peel who died
suddenly on Thursday at the age OF seventy
three He was like none Of his family. except
in the possession Of great abilities. or these
the Others including his father and his brother.
who has just ceased to be Speaker. made the
most; Sir Robert made the least. He had every
opportunity in life and flung everything away
fortune, political position. great career, even
social position. He was one Of the best speak
ers in the House Of Commons. and one OF the
most entertaining takers ever known In Lon
don society. He dies leaving no vacancy In
either, and only such regrets as are due to his
ever attractive and often delightful personal
gifts He had no seriousness OF purpose. no
political stability, no settled convictions, ana
paid no Difference to the unbending English
demand for the respectable.
The Dean Of Winchester has published through
the Macmillans two volumes Of the life and let
ters of Freeman, the historical writer. Free
mans life was, perhaps. worth writing. for ne
was a character; but q character so compounded
of the coaiser parts OF human nature as never
to be attractive, still less sympathetic. He mad
learning and one Of the worst tempers ever
known He was always storming and swearing
at those who presumed to differ from him on
doubtful point OF history. He could not contain
his wrath when the world did not accept his
views on the politics OF the hour. He had hobbies
and aversions OF the judicial temper there Is
never a trace Among his bitterest pre)udices
was one against a great race, the Jews whom he
desired to kick out altogether Carlyle he calls
an affected ass Gladstone he idoized; that will
cover a multitude of greater sins. He detested
pisraeM The catalogue Of people and things
he detested would be- q long one His. no doubt
was a vigorous nature: he toiled hard, and left
behind him a mass Of historical writing-which
is mostly bad writing-while his critical and
controversial work bristles with brutalities
These volumes are we'll done; whether they were
worth doing is another question.
Mr. Escotts monograph on Randolph Spencer
Churchill as a Product of His Age" (Hutchin-
sons. pubnshers) is a disappointing book The
very title ia a mistake. Less than most men
was Lord Randolph product Of his age what
he borrowed, or the impress which he TOOK from
what was about him was accidental or casual
relating for the most part to politics. Inc n'an
Randolph was a thousand times more interest,"
ing than politics. He was original indiViuuai'
UNIQUE What was most characteristic In him
Mr. Escott fails to bring out completely, well as
no know his subject at one time. Probably the
,efects of this book may be set down to Mr.. Es-
colts still imperfect health. He has been lot
wears In retirement. His breakdown was thousht
to be final. Happily he has recovered put Is not
his old self. The few American readers tnoush
they need expect no true picture or Lord ran
dolph In these pages. nor any quite accurate ac-
count Of his career. will find some anecootes
which are fresh. mostly relating TO MS carrier
life. They will be wise not TO trust LOO con-
pletely to MI Escotts view of current political
history or Of Lord Randolphs relation 10 the
events in which he played a great part
Edmund Gosses charge OF ''unbridied greedi-
nsss. against certain unnamed great authors"
has earned him a vote of censure from the COM
mittee OF the Society Of Authors. They invited
him, moreover. to supply particulars or proofs.
He refuses; his only defence is to publish the
report of his speech, emitting the words "un-
bridled greediness." which occur In both "Ihe
Times" and The Standard" reports, and which
he undoubtedly used. This leaves Mr.. Gosse In
position which his friends can only deplore' out
his accusation ceases to have any force.
c.. w. 8.