New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-11
BALZAC.
H1s VIEWS ON LIFE MEN AND LETTERS.

THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF HoNoRE DE
TAKEN SES T FRoM MIsG HEf S2EBE
SWrRRfTISGs L Preceded by the Address OF NJ.
Ferdinand Brunetere. Delivered at Tours: May
Compiled and Translated by Katharine PRESCOTT
WST%ss HaGdy Pr Pra nfV Co S4O D0S'0 anu
An excellent idea is embodied IN this book
The best Of Balzac almost every one OF the
innumerable subjects he treated is, of course, to
be found In his novels. but he could not write
anything, whether in the form Of preface or
q letter, without expressing piquant ideas and
making himself readable. Miss Wormeley has
cleaned from divers sources a number OF ex-
tremely characteristic opinions. Some OF them
are eccentric enough, when Balzac speaks Of
Maturin the author of "Melmoth," as the most
original author of whom Great Britain can
boast" But. after ALL 1t is not so much the
business Of Balzac's observations with which we
are concerned as the indication In them Of his
individual point Of view his ebulent energy.
his warm enthusiasm or contempt. 1t Is anus
ing 10 read him on the subject Of Byron that
poet is presented in the pages of Moore:
Memoirs Why. that is an Irishism. How. af-
ter having burned the true Memoirs. does Mr.
Thomas Moore venture TO publish those or Wnlcn
Nine Belloc has given us a translation? Hav-
ing written confessions which would have added
treasures 10 the important documents ieft by
lean Jacques Rousseau. Casanova, upon the
human soul Lord Byron weighed scrupulously
the honor honesty and friendship OF the men
he immortelzed by allowing them 10 approach
hin, being unwilling TO leave the testimony or
his genius the relation OF his sorrows the
secret Of his thought In any but incorrup'oe
hands He decided upon Thomas Moore
Lord Byron dead. the trustee on whose nden.!
che diving great man rested burned what did not
belong to him, TO please-whom! SIT fsaiph
Milbank the mother OF the terrible Annabelia
tim to his executioners; a masterpiece to It's
enemies, Mr. Thomas Moore is forever Famous
Hudson Lowe held captive the living Napoleon'
Thomas Moore sells Byron dead. The one In
suited genius in its decline, the otner mas
smothered human thought in its germ-one the
Taller Of greatness. the other the destroyer OF
book covered with the tears OF poet THESE
pretended Memoirs-btter sarcasm!-are a COL
lection of letters written. for the most part 10
Mr. Thomas Moore by Lord Byron This gen,
teman burns what belongs to the universe ana
publishes much that might stay in his desk
What deep pity, nay what horror. must we
feel for England. her morals, her hypocrisy
Do not expect to find in this book any reve-
iatons OF Byron's heart. Mr.. Thomas Moore
has avoided speaking OF anything that has one
iota Of soul within II. He seems to be seeing an
old devil who has managed to get admitted into
Paradise. He is a thousand times more prudish
than Saint Agnes Fancy reading two volumes
Of Lord Byron only TO know that he boxed at
regular hours, ate but one biscuit day and
drank soda water!
These fragments reassembied by Miss Worme-
ley, are nothing II not candid. M. Theirs. for
example is painted by Balzac in outlines
startlingiy forcibie. Here again, as in the note
on Maturin. the great novelist seems to go a
little too far; but here again also 1t is in
teresting to feel the impact Of his independent
and vigorous thought The selection In this
volume is admirable. being broad enough In
scope TO include some Of Balzac's most notable
remarks on historical and political themes. and
comments by him not only on his own works
hut ON those of his contemporaries. The vol