Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-21

The studies are amply equipped with
biographical data without in any sense
being merely chronological records of
accomplishments. A properly selective
process chose for recording only the
events Of the mems lives that deserve
incorporation on account OF their ac-
centuation by public events.
-. 1t Is interesting to compare Doctor
SharpleSs's appraisal of Perm with the
harsh estimate Of Macaulay. The for
mer writes, in scattered passages The
veneration in which his name was held.
and the beneficent results of his poll
cies and principles became after his
death--most intensively with his own
denomination, but not confined to it
the. origin Of almost too great, a reputa :
tion for sanctity and wisdom, and leav-
ened the life of the province through :
out its whole history. There
are, however, certain weaknesses in
Penn's character, not seriously discred-
liable to him, but which detract some :
thing from the universal praise so often
accorded him. He was poor judge of
character. His deputy governors were
often most unfortunate choices.
These then were the weak spots in
men and a certain tinidity in dealing
with difficult situations when his large
plans would be thereby endangered.
More than this (hedging in his dealings
with the crown Reviewer) can hardly
be fairly charged against him. But-Ma
caulay's charges, disproved in the large
and sometimes in the minute by Hep
worth Dixon, are permanently embalmed
in one of the noble lords S most brilliant
essays. II will be impossible for history
or even apologists to catch up with the
scandal which Macaulay spread in his
most sweeping rhetoric. His name has
become throughout all civilized coun
tries synonym for probity and philan
thropy. Penn had u strong
sense Of religious duty and fervent
desire to promote the happiness of man :
kind. Or one or two points of high
Importance he had notions more correct
than were in his day common even
among men of enlarged minds. . -
But his writings and his life furnish
abundant proofs that he was not mar
Of strong sense. He had no skill in
reading the characters of others. .
His enthusiasm for one great principle
sometimes impelled him I'd violate other
great principles which he ought to have
held sacred. Nor was his integrity al :
together proof against the temptations
to which it was exposed in, that splendid
and pollte but deeply corrupted society
with which he Eow mingled
bribes may be offered to. vanity as well
as to cupidity, and it is impossible to
deny that Penn was cajoled into bearing
part in some unjustifable transac-
tions. He was a jealous JAG
obite. 1t was hardly possible
to be at once consistent Quaker and
courtier; but it was utterly impossi
BILE to be consistent Quaker and cor
spirator. 1t is melancholy tc
relate that Penn, while protesting te
consider even defensive war as sinful
did everything in his power to bring d
foreign army into the heart of his OWL
country" Thus Macaulay ard more
to the same effect. Doctor Sharpless
says of these charges: ''Where a score
read the attack, but one knows the de
fense, and So the misstatements viii
forever be renewed and believed" A.
to his hobnobbing with royalty and no
bility, Penn himself says: II know o.
no religion that destroys courtesy, ci
Witty and kindness" AS to his part il
transactions by which somebody profitet
wide Macaulay) Penn himself solemnly
protested that his hands were free from
Illicit gain and that he might easily
while his influence at court lasted, have
made a hundred and twenty Thousand
pounds.
POLITICAL LEADERS OF PROVINCIAL
PENNSYLVANIA. By Isaac Sharpless
New York. Macmillan Co.