New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-22
MEN AND MEASURES.
n Collection of Discourses by Lord
1Ucbmy

ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES: lseS-i-o3. BY The
Right I5on. Lord Avebury- $40, pp. 26- The
Macmillan Company.
Nothing could testify more strongly 10 the
cathollcity of interest exhibited by Lord Ave
bury IN the affairs Of man and nature than the
subjects of the addresses he has made and the
essays ne has written during the last three
years. fifteen of which are here gathered to-
gether They range from ''Huxey's Life and
Work 10 Bank Holidays" The Present Po-
sition Of British Commerce and an Address
TO the Churchmen's Union" Lord Avebury Is
not a master of style, would one naturally
look for close literary methods in articles pre-
Jared originally for the most part for public
delivery. But there is directness in his
thoughts. simplicity i'm his language. that
make for easy reading and popular understand
ing. In his address delivered before the An
,hropologicaI Institute he pays loving tribute
10 Huxley. who his close friend and asso-
ciate through many years. Speaking of the
criticism TO which Huxley subjected during
his life, he writes.
Huxley once complained to Tyndal in joke. that
the clergy seemed 10 let him say anything he
phrase But 1t was not always SO. Tyndan and
went, in the spring Of 1874. TO Naples TO see an
the crater shelved very gradually 10 the abyss and
being ANXIOUS t, 70 o tba r te Gs' b s3m yn
dali delivered his celebrated address 10 the British
also much criticised. and one of the papers had an
article Huxley and Tyndall, praisins Huxley
very much at Tyndalrs expense. and ending with
this delightful little bit OF hathos:
better illustrate Professor Tyndalls foolish reck-
lessness and the wise practical character OF Pro
fessor Huxley. than by mentioning the simple fact
that last spring. at the very moment when Pro-
fessor Tyndall foollshly entered the crater OF
Vesuvius. during eruption, Professor TEndall
on the contrary, took seat on the London school
Board"
In this article on Ruslin, he speaks with
gentle appreciation of the apostle of art, and
while he admits that in Ruskin's writings the
expressions are sometimes extravagant the facts
incorrect and the opinions contradictory" he
holds that the spirit is always true and noble.
His counsels. as Mr.. Collingwood says, were
counseis Of perfection; his warnings in many
cases Just and the more take them to heart.
the better for u.s." In the same article Lord
Avebury takes occasion to refer to his much
abused list of one hundred books ex-
ample Of the different points of view held by
himself and Ruskin. but which never formed
cloud a shadow between US"
] remember. for instance. receiving a great shock
when, some years ago. having ventured TO draw up
q list of hundred books which thought every
one might read with advantage, suddenly found.
two nights afterwards. in The Pail Mall a
criticism by Mr.. Ruskin. condemning what he
But confess 10 being somewhat relieved when,
hooking through the books he had struck out
OF my list. ! found they included. among Others
Marcus Aurelius Aristotle Confucius. Thomas a
Emerson, so that hope had not done so much
harm. after all.