The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-13
GoEDw1N SMITH IN TORONTO.


To THE EDITOR or THF SuN-Sr: One OF
the most interesting characters In the worlu
of letters this week celebrates his eighteen
birthday. IL is DR.. Goodwin Smith, the
historical, whose important works on the
United Kingdom, Canada and the oniteo
States have contributed 10 largely TO the
bast literature of the period. 1t has been
this distinguished mans custom for quar-
ter OF q century to contribute occasionally
TO the columns of THE sun He has often
observed that the style Of the journal al
ways appealed TO him and he regarded 1t
as the pattern of modern journalism, as
containing the best thought Of the day pre-
scented in the most alluring form. Though
writing much Of others it Is a matter OF
serious efrcrt to induce DR. Smith to write
OF himself. His disquisitions on current
topics arc much sought In Canada and his
historical works are always in demand As
master of the English language he is
probably best known. His histories give
not only the story but wealth Of reflec-
ton and philosophy. One Of Their features
il the manner in which one period will be,
illuminated by another. In telling you
about the Saxons he will illustrate his mean
ings by the events Of the Stuart dynasty
or Of the present day. All his stores OF
Earning are placed at your disposal and
you are aided by that wonderful style that
has earned for him his place as writer Of
English
Age deals gently with DR.. Smith.
Erect Of figure, faultlessly attired and OF
striking mien. he attracts much atten-
ton in Toronto. He writes much and
with ease. He declares that he secures
the keenest delight in the pastime. His
splendid home. much like the old Eng
lish manor house, surrounded by we'll
appointed grounds. is the centre Of con-
genial circle of literary men and women.
He is essentially democratic. He came
to the western hemisphere from England
that he might satisfy the desire for this
sort Of atmosphere. He has maintained
this suggestion throughout his writings.
As professor of Cornell University, he
learned to love the institutions OF the
States
1t in a curious illustrat lion Of the defeat
Of a great mans personal wishes that
coming to Canada with the avowed pur-
pose of seeking more democratic sur
roundings. he now resides in the grounds
laid out by one Of the families of the old
aristocracy, and the state in which he
lives is throughout suggestion OF the
very thing which it is said he left Eng
land to avoid. "The Grange" is fur
nished in the period of century ago.
and the style is in keeping with the mag
nifcence OF the aristocracy Of that age.
1t came to DR.. Smith through his mar
riage with a member Of one OF the in
fluential old families of the British pos
sessions on this side. While man Of
simple tastes, DR.. Goodwin Smith takes
pride in the fine estate of which he is
master.
What is the secret of the charm of this
writer2 That is the topic that has been
broadly discussed. The student of
Goodwin Smiths style is struck by its
clearness and simplicity, and may he de-
ceived into the belief that what is easy
to read must be easy to write. Take
this sentence: at Chris tianityi was
borne to Northumbria by another Roman
missionary, Paulinus, and there well
coined, according to a pretty fable, as a
solution Of the mystery OF human life,
which otherwise was like the fight of a
bird through the hall where the King
and his lords were sitting round the fire,
out Of the night and back into the night"
One of DIR. Smiths literary friends here,
John Lewis, says of the historian; Gold
win Smiths fame will not rest upon his
opinions. whether you agree or disagree
with them He will be known as an his
torian and master of the English language.
Unfortunately great deal Of his best work
has been given to journalism, that grave
yard of honest endeavor, But not all. We
have in permanent form many Of his essays
on various current topics and his works on
Canada, the States and the United King
dom. The last, think. will stand as his
masterpiece. II ia a short history covering
the whole period from tho coming Of the
Saxons, in little more than thousand pages.
At points we wish il were longer. az. for
instance. in the gossipy eighteenth CEN
tury, about which the writer must have a
perfect treasury Of anecdote, but it's brevity
makes II neither dry nor obscure"
Though 80 years old Dr. Smith enjoys
splendid health. GARNErr CLAY PORTER,
TORONTO, Canada, Aug. ~.
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