New-York tribune., 1902-10-01

ment than Mrs. Marble possesses, this lively and
friendly account OF him could not but invite the
reader 10 make closer acquaintance with the
subject. and that. after all. is the authors chief
purpose. Her book is handsomely printed and
contains. in addition 10 a good frontispieoe
portrait, several opposite Illustrations
Mr.. John Albee. in his ''Renembranoes Of En-
erson" (Robert G. Cooke). which embraces
chapter OF personalia and two critical essays, is
disposed, like Mrs. Marble. 10 write in too laud-
atory a vein. Emerson was his friend ana Mr..
Albee owes much 10 the sages writings, so he
presents him 10 II as a greater figure than ne
IS admitted 70 be by more impersonal readers.
Alluding 20 the obscurities in the essays. ne at
tempts 10 explain them in part as IAN impa-
thence OF the commonplace O. the smooth, facile
style which turns itself round and round the
subject, lingering over an idea until IL is 50
comminuted that It's force is lost" Some OF us
have always thought that Emersons obscure
writing was due more 10 obscure thinking than
10 anything else There are Ions pauses" Mr..
Albee continues between Emerson's sentences.
Their brilhance. their power and suggestion are
often IN these intervals Ordinary punctuation
Is inadequate for their indication. Stop, reader
and think; reflect he is doing; let not the
stimulated imagination he embarrassed by the
want CT logic" The reader is apt 10 murmur,
and quite Justly, that he prefers the masters
who have managed 10 rub along with ordinary
punctuation, and that the want OF logic which
he 30 often feels in Emerson does not embarrass
him IN the least. but only annoys and bores him.
Here and there Mr.. Albee throws out a sound
reflection on his author but the whole we
fnd him most interesting in his FIRST chapter
entitled "A Day with Emerson" in which he
gives some pleasant glimpses Of his old friend
at home We quote his best passages, as fol-
lows.
Thoreau was already there. ] observed
that he was much at home with Emerson; and
as he remained throughout the afternoon and
evening, and left him stll al the freside ne
appeared 10 me 10 belong an some way 10 the
household. observed also that Emerson con-
rnually deferred 20 him and seemed 10 antici-
pate his view, preparing himself obviously for
a quiet laugh at Thoreau's negative and biting
criticisms, especially In regard 10 education and
educatonal Institutions. He was clearly fond
OF Thoreau: but whether in a human wav or as
an amusement could not then make out.
lie began with nature and ended with II
between there should lay long succession OF
studies ana adventures which We're 10 be in
cluaeo IN ms IDEA of culture. In his converse
ton with me. however hc spoke more Of men
ana books than 81 nature. he commended Adam
smiths Moral Sentiments also J. 81 Johns
volume on Greek Manners and Customs
Doubtless he conformed himself 10 his visitor
and became hlt Of a pedagOEue. Then he talked
OF Chaucer with great enthusiasm. and recited
some lines IN a tone and modulation which rem
dered their music perfectly.
Emerson spoke of Plato a so. saving that A
was great day in mans life when ne first
read THE Banquet 1 was glad 10 hear him
say that, because I knew there were such DAYS
having had just one ln my short life and eager
ly heard there was possibility Of more He
brought forth some souvenirs OF men and litera-
ture; among Them daguerreOtype Of Carlyle.
he spoke ~ his physiognomy. his heavy eve
brows and projecting base OF the forehead un-
derset 10y the heavy lower jaw and lip. between
which between millstones NJ said. every
humbug was sure 20 be pulverized The brow
pierced a.. the ioNl Crunched II. Emerson said
Claiming called his under lip Wrapper -iawed
j asked him something about Carlylp's manner
of speech remembering 10 have read some
where OF peculiar refrain In his conversation
Then he good naturedly initiated n for me Fm-
ersOn excellent mimic when ne chose 10
be. He said the conspicuous point in Carlyles
style was his strength 81 statement.
Besides these fragments ~ the hours I speut
with Emerson. i find in any memoranda that ne
held light opinion 81 things this side - the
water; that We Americans are solemn in tribes
and superficial In the weighty; that there is no
American literature. GriswOld SAYS there is
but N s his merChandse-he Keeps It's shop
Had Emerson also forgotten tho Rev. Cotton
Mathers three hundred and eiEhty-tWO works
he said we needed some great poets. orators
He was always looking out fOr them. and Was
sure the new generation OF young men would
contain some.