New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-10


his net fragment from the memoirs of some
contemporary, a chapter contributed to a period
zeal by who knew Thackoray the docu-
mentary relies of the quarrel with Yates, any
thing that bears upon Thackeray's career is
welcome and goes promptly into the compilation
The connecting links are written in a style that
in itself helps TO explain how infinitely removed
Mr.. Melville is from the possibility Of writing
adequately about the famous man he has fit
himself called upon to celebrate Most Of US
have some fayoritc classics Of poetry, the appre-
citation Of which seems to a sufficient test Of 4
persons ability to distinguish great literature
from bad. Reversing the method and applying it
to the present purpose we may say that crush
ing proof of MIR. Melvle's incapacity is offered
by such passage as that in which he comments
/ on Thackerays lament over the necessity 50 FRI
quenuy confronting an editor, the necessity Of
being cruel in order to be kind. "rhorns in the
Cushion tells us how he WINGED when he had 70
return, for example poem written BY woman
who made her personal pryatons an argument
for the acceptance Of her work. No man should
write about Thackeray who can with light
heart pcrpetratc such mawkish stuff this:
We'll, the poem was useless; it was entirely
without merit or value. and could never appear
in the "Cornhill" or, for the matter of that. in
/ any Othcr magazine. Yet ! dare swear mat the
/ manuscript in question and who knows now
many others alsO2-Was never returned to it
authoress, who, instead, received a brief and
formal note. ! can 500 the dear, great man
writing it in secret. and hurricdly thrusting the
letter into drawer at the sound Of approach
ing footsteps stating that the editor of the
/ "Cornh Magazine" had much pleasure i'm ac-
Ccptiug the little verses and inClOSinG chequ'.
quite out Of proportion 10 the length, let alone
the merits. Of the poem. And if that oheque could
be- shown should notice that, by some error,
it was drawn ON Mr.. Thackcray's own banking
. account. and not on that Of Mes&rS. Sinlln ~
Elder the proprietors Of the magazine. Ana
then, too, the poem would never appear IN thc
periodical Still more strange, and most as.
tonishng Of all, when Mr. Leslie stephen would
examine the manuscripts accepted ana not YET
printed by his predecessor. there would bc no
trace of the poem, and no record Of it in tn
books Of the hrn-but then, al the world knows
how unmethodiCal Thackeray was.
Yes, all the world knows its Thackcray, and
who, We wonder. would recognize him in the
subject Of Mr. Melyillc's sublime phrase, the
dear. great man" in the hero OF this highly
moral tale? Thackeray's manly and tender gen
erosity as familiar as his bengnant face and
huge stature, becomes a sickly silly thing III
his new "bographers' portrait Maudlin diva
cations Of the sort we have just illustrated at
front the memory Of 9 man Of genius VINO was
the soul Of dignity and reserve But II MI
Melville is distressing in the melting mood, ne
is worse when he comes to the Sears one OK
these, we suppose, is the episode to which the
compiler gives a separate chapter uhuer INC
portcntous heading Of MT. Thackoray Mr.
Yates and the Garrick Club-Thackcray ana
Dickens" The opening paragraph is touching
in its unconscious bathos. And now" says MT
Melville, drawing a deep breath Of pain ana
sorro,y. Il have 10 mention an incident in which
I thinE Thackcray behaved In q manner quite
unlike hmsef-rathcr harshly, and fear IN
correctly too" There follows the recital OF the
famous quarrel and Thackcrays appeal to the
Club Committee, which ultimately resulted IN
the dropping Of Yates's name from the list OF
members. No one cares two straws about the
matter now. a judicous writer Who was obliged
to touch II at ALL would do so with breyity and
tact. But Mr.. Melville is not to be daunted lie
is bent on putting in all the scars, and so tells
the whole drcary story from beginning to chd.
Since he has such confidence in the efficacy OF
quoting Thackcray when the cXigcncie9 Of his
task demand it, We may be pardoncd for citn6
an apposite passage Mr. Melville, quite un-
aware that the words might justly be applied
10 his own case. saves US the trouble Of going
to the Roundabout Papers" ourselves En-
bedded in his "scarry" chapter are these re
marks of Thackeray's:
Attack our books. Mr. Correspondent and
welcome They are fair subjects for censure or
praise. But Mr.. Namoless behind the
screen unlimited. pecring at the company
and the meals. catching up scraps Of the jokes
and noting down the guests ahaVior and con-
vcrsation-what a figure is hist "Allons,' Mr..
Namclcss put up your notebook, walk out Of
the hall. and leave gentlemen alone who WOULD
be private and wish you no harm
If only some candid friend had been AT MT.
Mclvillcs elbow when ne was copying this pas
! -ir nd
him i,s true iuwardn. IS. pointing out that MI
;rJi,iIuu1 ~