The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-10
"OLD BROOKS"
His son Recalls the Admirable Qualities
~ the Friend of Many Men Of Genius.

To THE EDITION OF THE SUN---SN: My
attention has Just been called to THE
SUN of February 3. which contains an
article on THE New Thackeray Letters"
AZ the only surviving son OF the Rev W.
H. Brookfield I appeal to your sense OF
fairness to lot me have space for Few
observe tons.
I shall not obtrude my personal feelings
about what is no doubt ~ subject of legiu-
mate interest to the general public. though
may observe IN passing that tho orig
lIal sale of the letters WAS effected with
out my knowledge or approval. Rut tho
letters having been published II becomes
a matter of Importance that any comment
UPON them should be fair. Or ut least
founded ON fact. The identity Of the
writer in last Tuesdays news article IL
unknown 90 me but / desire 10 protest
against the gross caricature that aie has
made of the personality and character of
the late Mr.. BrOokficld. No one having
any close knowledge OF the literary So
cioty of sixty years ago. OF the brilliant
cotcfio which used TO gather at The
Grange and elsewhere. ana certainly no
ono who ever heard OF the Cambridge
APOSTLES" would have venturcd 20 sncer
at one % the most shining sodnl lights
OF those times ~ ~ clergyman of small
accomplishments" and n mere glance into
the Dictionary Of National Biography
might have saved the writer In TIE SrN
from so greatly msihforming his readers.
I do not know what sort OF testimony
70 Mr.. Prooknelds abilities will make an
impre ssion on tho minds OF the American
public, During his lifetime lie enjoyed
the close personal friendship of n number
OF men Of undOubted genius and great
distinction. including especially Tennyson
and Thomas Carlyle The churches whore
he preached used to be crowded TO over
flowing Queen Victoria made him one OF
her praise. lie was one of her MaNsty's
inspectors OF schools. and hence the allu-
sion to the inspector" which seems 10
have So greatly puzzled the writer In The
sun With regard TO his endeaNor to give
an Offensive turn to Thackcray's use OF
the sobriquet "Tomkins" I may mention
that those two most Intimate friends were
in tho habit OF bestowing on each other
nicknames Of every kind "Tomkins" and
MIR. Williams were favorite terms used
in talking and writing 10 Mr.. Brookheld,
who retaliated by calling Thackeray
"Peacemake," "Titmarsh." "Titmouse"
ana "Thackwhack II IL recorded that
Thackeray said that the two men he liked
best IN the world We're william Brook
held ana Edward Fftzoierald: and have
the best possible authority for saying
that Frank Whitestock. IN 1.-The Curate's
Walk" Is T'hackeray's own sketch ~ the
clergyman of small accomplishments"
The writer IN TEE SIN does not appear
70 realize that u - possible for the best
II friends 20 differ. or TO think that the
circumstances which ne cites would make
ary ntTe e.trangement natural and proper,
To return 10 Mr.. prookhed's "snall
accomplishments when he died .he
leading English newspaper. the Times,
wrote Of him:
Iii corversa:ioE was richer IN dramatic
appreciation and reproduction Of character
than that OF any hymosiS, Of his time
II may Ne doubted whether any master o..
humorous de,ineatlon caused so much pleas.
ure TO his hearers at she cost OF so little
pa!-. 20 the subjects % his discourse
Lord Houghton. better known a. Monck-
Ton Mines, wrote the epitaph which Is on
his tomb, which Includes these words
Endowed with special gift OF preaching.
sound sense acute WI, and mental sympathy
that attracted men OF the highest culture.
! refrain from saying much more that I
could say. and hope YOU will see that
nave said no less than'wa demanded
| would IN conclusion refer the writer
n THE Sun 50 Tennyson's sonnet on the
leath Of the Rev. W. H. Brookhed:
R.ooks Tor thew called you 90 TINT knew
YOU best
~ Brooks who loved so wei, 90 mouth ny
rhymes.
You r'3n = humorous me.lrcho'r mark.
our iindIer. trusti-r jacques past await
sod bless YOU, shall 'o'n you in a DAY.
A. ". BRookrIEr.p.
Parrish CONSULATE. Savannah. Ga.
February :.