New-York tribune., 1906-12-02

with a Life by Frederick latham Edited r-.,-7
the original Manuscripts. with an IrtrO4l7-5.-l
and Notes. BY Archibald G. b Russell WIZ
Scribners Sons
When we were reviewing the ,a,,- a4;.i ~.
Gilchrist's Life of Blake and Mr. Swfnburna.z
Essay only few days ago we hardly expected
lhat another contribution to the subject v-o,,;4
turn up almost Immediately Il has arrived f.,
the shape OF 4 volume that is no less worth
having than are the two publications to vrhs-r,
we have already referred. MI Russell has r.r-
students of Blake in his debt by PUBLISHING r,-
the first time the brief biography written NV
Frederick latham. and by printing with +, \
valuable little collection e letters The toou-
ments are all we'll edit-, : prefixed to tH,-9
is sketch OF Blake whica is itself an excellent
piece of work few good illustrations. round
out this singularly useful volume
latham was 4 young sculptor and rnf7;a-,--
ist who came into Blake's life two or three ve7~=
before its end He must have been a Iikat.,
creature for Blake admitted him to his intimacy
and. when he died. left him 10 be a kind -.
artistic and literary executor In that capaef--
Iath2m appears To have acted with sometime
less than perfect discretion The greater part =
the material in manuscript bequeathe5 d, his
care he unhappily destroyed on conscientious
Erouhds having been told by certain members Of
the Catholic Apostolic Church. TO which rs rs-
doctrines We're contained in them" It has basn
suspected. too. that he did no: destroy rs. .r,-.h
as he claimed to have disposed of in thar vg.1,-
but sold documents by Blake for his OWL. p-aat-
however this may be latham was ar a,v -ata
loyal adnlrer Of Blake'S genius and the short
HE That he wrote-it is a mere essay-tbo,l.-h
reSrettabiy perfervid in style, Is enthusiastically
worthy IN spirit. of its noble subject Il con-
talnS too, some interesting facts
The pages on Blakes visions are adnai-abla
Iathan believed in then. and believed in
'Neih an the more because he had a common
sense conception of their character. "'These Vi
siohs OF Blake he says. seem TO have been
more like peopled imaginations and personifed
thoughts. visions. indeed. such as any rran II
sensitive qualities might claim to have latham
Is 1uu OF appreciation OF the finer elements IN
blakes makeup. but he is especially serviceaS.s
In the vivid pictures that he draws OF the man
In ms habit as he lived Here for exarnpIs 5
one which enables US TO the artist and poet
in his home:
Blake resided IN Hercules Buildings in 4 prr.tv
clean house OF eight ten rooms and az first k-a-
servant out nndlnS (as Mrs. Blake declared and
every else knoyyS) the more s,sryice rhs -s
inconvenience. she. like all sensible women wh1 arc
poSseSseu OF industry and health and only g.
Srstle tie1hS relindulShed this inCesSnt ur.1
uoHeSuc comfort did all the work herself Acrt
tue mouse clean and herself tidy. besides prut~-,
~ hltNC numerous enSraviIGSS. which Was a r.~>
i Siute Suucteht Tor any industrious woman t.i-.
a. Ihere Is no state or scheme .t
without us accompanying evil. Flake had reaSo-
LeStrt S ms having LETT no one IN possession
mouse DURING his and Mrs Bllke'S absence. Toy ..
day. paying friendly visit some tri...s
So, @ 'rV ~ 2ud CARRIED away plate 20 the v--.- q
''0 anu VI'''eS 10 tie amount Of 40 moro S,--a