New-York tribune., 1902-06-05

THE USEFUL LIFE AND THE DovABLE CHARAC-
TER OF y. J. BARTLETT.
From The Boston Literary World.
For more than q generation-nearly half a
century-the name and personality and business
Of the late Nathaniel J. Bartlett were Identified
with Boston's Cornhill and the book store at
M. 2S, over which his sign had hung and his
gentle genius presided for more than twenty
years, came nearer TO being the rendezvous of
seekers and buyers Of the best books IN the
higher ranges of literature than any other shop
in the city. II was especially the haunt, as Mr.
Bartlett was especially the guide, OF stuoehts'
ministers and theologians, ali of whom found IN
him a master of the world they lived in and on
his shelves and counters a tempting assortment
of all that newest and freshest, as well as
old and well seasoned. Many a large private
library has been distributed through his dex-
ferrous hands, and many existing private
library has found its chief growth ana enr7cn-
rnent through his advice and agency MI Bart
lett was Of New-Hampshire BIRTH or LoWeH
training and Of Williams College educaIlon'
where he was graduated in 1876. The Christian
ministry was then his destination, but after one
year at Princeton and a second year at An
dover he found his truer vocation for life IN
the path Of literary helpfulness of the ministry,
and TO that ne devoted himself His nrst step
was to open the bookstore in Boston, whose
style retaining the name Of Bartlett through all
changes among his partners, is likely TO remain
unchanged Cornniu LANDMARK Tor many La9as i!a
years 10 come. All that these preEnlnaTies
counted for and presaged was fulfilled IN MT
Bartlett's character and career. He was
Christian gentleman, most loVaple IN ms spIIt'
and most honora bic in his dealings His text
ure was fine, his nature dignihed- Thoroushi!
= business man. he enjoyed the fellowship OF
professional men, and his customers were more
TO him than their custom. He lived IN q large
circle of friendship, and his friendships trans
figured the commercialism out OF which lheS
grew
He was one Of the most real and true Of men
Business with him was always pleasure. ne
made life broader and richer for all VINO CANT CANT
IL contact with him through his chosen meoluIa
s,,st kind devout, serious. gentle. human, tul
OF refined intelligence and subEnated synlpa-
tbv II was 2 benefcent providence to know
him the interested. discreet. wise, patent, ek-
pert brotherly helper that ne was Sei,;, - al,
came 10 him. To use the dehcate dlScflihlIid-
ton of the late Henry Stevens, ne was not q
bookseller but seller OF books He kept MIN.
self an courant with all that was gong, not
on1v IN general literature. but in those ne!os OF
learning wherein it is disgracetul Tor CnIistIah @
minister be ignora II blnncat cilcic9r.a toi.a
Church history, theology, philosophy, sclehcs'
ali were his familiar fields He could tel MINIS >
+ers and students not only what they Wailteu S "
80 ,-tet hooks they ought to read. He was a
sor- ~ Professor Extraordinarlus. as DT- f1ei-
-ic,< felicitously calls him His shop was mere
80 as 6afiqffful a resort as II necessary;
+rst by reason of his rare personality ano t MA
Of the associates whom he gathered AROUND t:ii'
rben because Of the peculiar atmosphere winch
ths nIece generated and again for the com,
naninnable fraternity OF bookbuyers who hMao M
inn- been wont 10 assemble there on Monaay
a5,iner The house was free to the inquirer
from attic TO cellar, and every oeparlil ot
literary achievement was represented "ltAn I'M m I.s
---.ne To more than one Of his frienos OF many
rears whose lives and work he had helpeo
s-eefi-- TO enrich ana who gratefully acknoWl-
go ir7Sehtedness to him far above the nghteS
ee tbeir hills a large part Of Boston has van
fshed in his death -. - IT, ,o+a-
,o-on his 17ays were so quiet that he was marcy
seen His voice was heard IN the streets
Ee was there the lover Of the books OF "hlC.
a. Isoe+on he was the buyer and the seller: "A
train of family circumstances had brough la.o
his possession an ancestral home on Cehlta
a curiously double structure as tmo 1nsssf
had sided together with the hope OF Ihe clIsess
rnion and then with ardor cooled nan reiIlaitieo
shoulder TO shoulder. like q courtshlp tldt @ Las
not ended in marriage. In this peautlful nome
with this prospect Of old associations. Mr. bar.
lett spent his last years and oeo- Its rooli' ~
one- freplace. its heavy beams across lhe 4oN'
ceiling lent il air Of country wholesofhtIess
good pictures and not over numerous ooohs
many Of them beautifully bound, ADDED theii
touch OF refinement