New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06

beautiful design In mutually helpful, harmoni-
Gus and effective relation to each other so that
the outward aspect of the University should bet
ter consist with its object place for the
best education OF The youth Of the Nation. Such
a superb piece Of patriotism Is hardly to be ex-
pected in this generation but at some time 1t
must be accomplished by individual or by public
means, il the University is ever to fulfil one OF
it's most important functions"
Charles Eliot Norton did not become a teacher
at Harvard till The latter part Of 1874. nearly
thirty years after his graduation from the col
lege. In his class were Professor Francis J.
Child to whom oxford and Cambridge UNIVERSE
ties in England have sent pupils FOR instruction
in early English and in British balladry; Pro-
fessor George VI. Lane who became the head Of
Harvard's Latin department. both Of whom
have recently died. and George F. Hoar. senior
United States Senator from Massachusetts.
After graduation young Norton travelled ex-
tensvely In Europe. especially in Italy. and
there gained a knowledge Of the subjects upon
which he has become an authority.
NORTON AND RUsKIN MEET.
II was in the course Of his travels in the if-
ties that he met John Ruskin, then young man.
and formed the strong friendship that has ever
since existed Ruskin tells of their first meet
ing In his "Prseterta," and the anecdote Is
worth repeating II was on a little steamboat
on Lake Geneva Ruskn was with his father
and mother, and Norton was travelling with his
mother and sisters. Ruskn noted that Norton,
from across the little cabin. glanced frequently
at his father. Ruskin goes on To say: I'm a few
minutes after had begun to notice these looks.
he (Norton) rose with the sweetest quiet smile
/ ever saw on any face (unless perhaps nuns
when she has some grave kindness 70 do)'
crossed to our side OF the cabin. and address,
ing himself to my father. said. with true ex-
preston Of great gladness and Of frank trust
that his joy would be understood. that ne knew
who we were, was most thankful to have met
us. and that he prayed permission To introduce
| his mother and sisters to US. And thus | be-
came possessed of my second friend. after Dr.
| John Brown. and of my first real tutor. Charles
| Eliot Norton"
This was the beginning Of the friendship that
brought such help and comfort to both men
and that resulted in the editing Of Ruskin's
works by Norton. In fact, it due largely to
Norton's urgings that Ruskin undertook the
writing Of his own life. And Ruskin lost no OPP
portunity Of testifying his appreciation Of Nor
ton and his debt to him. 1t is in "Preterita'
again that the famous English nan Or letters
goes on to say of Norton: Charles himself was
a man Of the highest natural gifts. in their
kind; observant and critical rather than imag-
NATIVE, but with all-pervadinS sympathy
and sensibility absolutely free from envy, am
bition covetousness scholar from his cradle.
In every branch Of literature he was my su-
perior knew old English writer's better than /
much more old French writer's. Norton saw all
my weaknesses. measured all my narrownesses.
and from the first took serenely. and as 1t
seemed of necessity. a kind IF paternal author
ity over me- and right Of gudance-though the
Younger of the two-and always admitting my
full power in It's own kind; not only admitting,
but in the prettest way prasins and stimuat-
ing. 1t was almost impossible for him To speak
To any one he cared for without some side flash
of witty compliment and 10 me his infinitely
varied and loving praise became constant
motive To exertOn and aid i'm effort: yet he never
allowed me in the slightest violation Of the laws
either of good writing or social prudence, with
out blame warning.
HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH LOWELL
The friendship between Charles Eliot Norton
and James Russell Lowell was Of still more
intimate nature. They were lifelong comrades;
AT Cambridge spending hours weekly in each
others society. and. when they wclc separated
by the ocean. writing vouminous and delightful
letters constantly Many of thes" letters to Nor
ton are dated at Elnwood. Lowers beautiful
home in Cambridge, and far back a. lAd be-
gin MY Dear Charles" The comradeship that
existed between these two men was no ordinary
friendship Both had extraordinary powers OF
intellect, and each gave the best he mad To the
help of the other This intimacy was kept up
fill the day of Lowells death. Since then. AZ