PREFACE COPYRIGHT, 1950, BY THE DUKE UNIVERSITY PRESS THE STUDY of the life of Thomas Sergeant Perry (1845-1928) in- vites an inquiry into how far he was a representative of his age and his region. His distinguished ancestry, his wide reading in the classi- cal literatures, his travels in Europe and studies in modern foreign literatures, his friendships with men of intelligence in Boston and I Iarvard, and his early writing for the Atlantic, the Nation, and the North American Review in their palmy days-all fit him into the pattern of New England's late flowering and early Indian summer. One might also say-with a measure of truth-that the succession of disappointments which began to fall upon him in the early sev- enties and fell with continued severity in the eighties mirrors the decline of the spirit of New England. Between the ages of forty- two and sixty-four he spent nearly half his time outside of the country, mostly in France, where he found a stimulating intellectual atmosphere. After each of his foreign residences he returned with reluctance to the emptiness of Boston. When he did finally settle down in this country, it was to spend only the winters in Boston, for he purchased a farm in New Hampshire for a summer residence. Thus in a sense the decline of his literary activity closely parallels the eclipse of Boston as a literary center. In a positive way, moreover, his many critical articles written during the seventies and his books written in the eighties show that he made a significant contribution to American literary criticism. I de was a pioneer in the appreciation of Turgenev and the Russian and French novelists; with Howells and James he staunchly upheld the cause of realism in fiction against the romanticism of popular PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA novelists and against the coming naturalism of Zola. He was second BY THE SEKMAN PRINTERY, INC., DURHAM, N. C. only to Charles Eliot Norton in America in recognizing the merits [ vi PREFACE PREFACE vii of Edward FitzGerald's Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. And he was This study of the life and critical work of Thomas Sergeant regarded by Howells as the initiator of the new school of evolu- Perry has been made possible by the generous permission of his tionary criticism in this country. Above all, he was an omnivorous daughter, Miss Margaret Perry, of Hancock, New Hampshire, to reader and a great appreciator, and when he gave up writing for use the forty diaries and the three or four thousand letters in her the public, he devoted his energies to a voluminous correspondence in collection, covering the years from 1859 to 1928. addition to the which he constantly recommended to his friends the scores of authors, letters written by Perry to his friends, the collection includes a con- native and foreign, who were advancing the progress of letters. miderable number written by William and Henry James, Moorfield His correspondence gives him a place among literary letter writ- Storey, John Fiske, John R. Dennett, Hercules Warren Fay, Wil- ers, for he commented both upon books and upon the social and liam Dean Howells, John T. Morse, Jr., John Addington Symonds, political events of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Salomon Reinach, Leopold von Schroeder, Edwin Arlington Robin- His accumulated ten years of residence in Europe and his three years son, and others. All of these manuscripts have been valuable to me in Japan acquainted him with men of varied interests and enabled for ascertaining the facts of Perry's life and for understanding his him to study history in the making with an eye to its international character as well as for establishing his authorship of unsigned con- significance. In politics, in society, in literature, and in art he com- tributions to periodicals, particularly his reviews of recent fiction in pared causes and effects as they operated in various countries, at- the Nation between the years 1871 and 1878.) Grateful acknowl- tempting to understand the "national equation" in its relation to the edgment is due to others who have contributed Perry letters for this development of the whole. study-to the late William Lyon Phelps, to Mr. Charles M. Storey, Perry's social life represents very well the informal society of of Boston, to Mr. Van Wyck Brooks, and to Mr. M. A. DeWolfe Boston in the late nineteenth century, chiefly as it can be seen among Howe. Permission was also granted by the Corporation of Harvard the members of The Club, which had a continuous existence for College for the use of material in the President's Papers in the nearly sixty years. Although it was less well known than the Sat- Archives of the college library. To Dr. Henry W. Nordmeyer, of urday Club, it counted among its members many men of distinction, the University of Michigan, for suggestions regarding Perry's study representing a variety of intellectual interests. Perry delighted in of German literature in his From Opitz to Lessing; to Mr. Harry his friendships, and the study of his life is valuable, therefore, for Hayden Clark, of the University of Wisconsin, for suggested read- the glimpses which it gives of his associations with John Fiske, ings on the evolutionary critics; and to my colleagues, the late William Dean Howells, Henry James, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Mr. Edwin B. Nichols and Dr. Edward B. Stevens, for help in and many others, evaluating the work of Perry in French and Greek literature, I am Although his failure to fulfil the promise of his early years can also indebted. The original manuscript has been read by Professors be attributed in some measure to the sterility of Boston in the late Jay B. Hubbell, Paull F. Baum, and William H. Irving, of the nineteenth century, he himself must be held accountable for a good Duke University faculty, and by Miss Ermina M. Mills, of the De- part of it. He was not only a product of his time, but he was also an Pauw University faculty, and to each of them I am indebted for val- individual with a particularly sensitive temperament which shrank uable criticisms and suggestions. It is a particular satisfaction to from censure and disappointment. Moreover, he lacked any strong acknowledge my obligation to Professor Clarence Gohdes, who rec- ambition to succeed in a public way, since he cared little for money commended for investigation a subject which has brought delight and and less for public renown. Rather than exercising self-discipline or enrichment and who carefully read the successive chapters and gave making whatever compromises might be required for successful not only encouragement but wise and scholarly counsel. authorship, he found his satisfaction in living unostentatiously with Two biographical volumes published in 1929-Edwin Arlington his books and his friends. Robinson's Selections from the Letters of Thomas Sergeant Perry Selections for the better at There Sergeant Perry. INTRODUCTION ANYONE who had the privilege of knowing per- Ed. Edwin A. Robinson. sonally the subject of this volume will be glad to find him again in these few letters of his which have been selected from the many hundreds that he wrote; and N.Y : Macumlla, 1929. those who did not know him will find in them at least a reflection of a personality that was as engaging as it was unusual, as facetious as it was ferocious, and as amiable as it was annihilating. He was not always engaging or facetious or amiable, but even in his But depressions and indignations he was always dis- tinguished. After the surrender of Cervera at (1/07) Santiago, an American officer is reported to have said, "It is asking a great deal of any man to climb aboard an enemy's battleship with nothing but his aword and his underclothes to distinguish him, and will look like an admiral, but Cervera did it." Thomas Bergeant Perry could have done it, if he had been an admiral-or, like his illustrious ancestor, a commo- dore, But with all his dignity and intelligence, and with all his youthful activity as a boatman and a swimmer, one doubts if he would have been a happy admiral, or commodore, or if in later life he would have been altogether at case or at home on the ocean. He must have admired the ocean, as he admired all sublime [1] Introduction Introduction and magnificent things, and he had been over it to a to tell him the quality of his prey. A native sophisti- considerable extent; yet one suspects that, like cation, long disciplined, served as a protection against Lucretius, he found it on the whole more attractive the ephemeral and the unsubstantial. For one who and more impressive when studied comfortably from read SO much, and along SO many lines, he lost an the shore. On land he was an indomitable walker incredibly small amount of time in experimenting and tennis-player and bicycle-rider, and yet he was with mistakes or in getting himself involved in not, in any proper way of speaking, a man of action. voluminous and able works that might command his He was a man of books. He liked physical exercise, respect without arousing his interest. Once in a and always took good care of the remarkable body while, however, he would read such a work, and he with which he was born, and with which, fortunately, would sigh with a scholar's recognition of SO much he never had much trouble until old age came upon toil and learning gone to the making of SO little that him, rather swiftly and kindly, and with far less pain Was alive. Such books were monuments, perhaps, than is usually allotted for mortals before their but to him it was almost a personal sorrow that a release. But he was born a man of books, and a man writer should be at the same time SO competent and of books he lived and died. to hard to read. But they were books, all the same; He was a great reader, a great friend, and a great they were worthy and admirable books, and were not gentleman. Whether or not he might have been a to be dismissed with levity or with disrespect. They great writer is more than one can say, for he never were like some worthy and admirable people whom took the trouble to find out. He was an accomplished be would rather not have in the house. writer always, or when he chose to be one, and per- There is no careless exaggeration in saying that haps he was content to let it go at that. He left mostly broks to him were like people. Books to him were to others the pangs and pleasures of literary creation, living things, and a world without them would have holding himself always in readiness to enjoy or to been, in his estimation, as complete an inferno as the execrate the result. Alone in his study, with a most diabolical of medieval minds could have troublesome world forgotten and out of his way, he disingined for the damnedest of heretics. Books were made one think sometimes of an experienced and the next thing to the breath of life to him, and with- insatiable spider-beneficent or terrible, as the case our them the breath of life itself would have been, SO might be-waiting there to suck the living juice, if far its he was concerned, a phenomenon hardly he found it, of anything literary that might fly into worthy of investigation, and surely not one to be pro- his clutches. A taste, and often a glance, was enough tringed He regarded life frankly, and without com- [ [3] Introduction Introduction or criticism, as a mystery so tragic and Although an aristocrat by birth and instinct and bewildering as to be beyond all human comprehension environment, he was far more democratic in his feel- conjecture, and had therefore not much veneration ings and interests than were most of the professional for metaphysical philosophers. "Philosophy," he proletarians who might have regarded him as one of taid one day, with all possible cheerfulness, "is at its the last of the Boston Brahmins, or as an exclusive and highest the attempt of someone to tell me conservative clinging sadly to the crumbling rem- he doesn't know." He always respected, on the nants of the old order. But he was too energetic and other hand, the religious convictions of his friends, too sensible for that. He knew, like many others, though it would be a false loyalty to pretend that he that the Great War had carried away with it the much thought to them, or that he attached to world that he had known, and in which he had best them any particular significance beyond the comfort belonged ; he knew also that time was at his heels, and that others might find in them. In the meantime he that the new world would somehow take care of itself estimated character and conduct far beyond accom- without him. He was undoubtedly more at home plishment or glory, and acknowledged only with sor- with his Victorian memories than with his twentieth and reluctance that a great genius was not always century questionings and apprehensions-wl occu- greatman. Sometimes, again, his prejudices, which pied but a small part of his time. The new order, active and incurable, may have blinded or or disorder, might destroy the landscape, along with fened him to the enjoyment of beauty that he other familiar things that he had liked, but it could not see or hear. He had, for example, SO not destroy his books- dispensation for which he for Wagner as a man that he would was snugly thankful. It could even produce new his music only under compulsion. He would books that he could read and enjoy. Though nur- gladlyha found pretty much the same tom-cats and tured on the classics, and still on easy terms with his valerian in parts of the Ring and in Tristan that the Latin and Greek, he surprised himself and all his Dr. Max Nordau succeeded once in finding friends in his later years by learning Russian-not But his prejudices, though violent and expen- the alphabet and how-do-you-do, but the whole for- prejudices are likely to be, were for the most midable language-and in reading almost everything harmless, and were perhaps more picturesque la Russian that could be called literature. His part than important. His really righteous indignations naturally realistic, or rationalistic, mind found at last from the depths of his sincerity and his experi- in the plays and tales of Chekov something for which hi had been always looking, and he admired them MCC. [5] [4] Introduction ume, I can only hope that the result may not be too far from what they wished it to be. The letters them- selves, I trust, will ensure the evasion of any violent disapproval. E. A. R. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE New York, January 21, 1929. Thomas Sergeant Perry was born at Newport, Rhode Island, January 23, 1845, the third child of Christopher Grant and Frances (Sergeant) Perry. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry of Lake Erie Jame was his grandfather, and Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, noted for his negotiations with Japan, was his great-uncle. Benjamin Franklin, on his mother's side, was his great-great-grandfather. After his graduation from Harvard in 1866 he went abroad for further study, and on his return he was for a time lutor in French and German at Harvard, a position which he resigned to become editor of the "North American Review." After this he was instructor in English at Harvard for five years. On April 9, 1874, he married Miss Lilla Cabot, the daughter of Dr. Samuel Cabot, of Boston. He lived abroad for several years with his family, and in 1897 accepted an invitation to Japan, where for three years he was Professor of English Literature at the Keiogijiku University. On his return to this coun- try he resumed his residence in Boston, having also a summer place in Hancock, New Hampshire. He died at 312 Marl borough Street, his Boston house, on May 7, 1928. [ 14] Imong his published writings, not including many [15] Thomas Sergeant Perry To William James your already honoured name, but for your too few words at the dinner the other day, in which you anyone. They buttress the convictions already created a sensation by uttering the startling paradox formed. Still, I don't mean to imply that he would that possibly a university concerned itself with mat- have done no further good work. That I do not ters of thought. They were words of undoubted think at all. He ought to be able to do good truth and most well worth saying. The club (social work from the other side, for he knows our diffi- and athletic) side of Cambridge life is SO ludicrously culties. I am sorry you are not coming here next prominent that the mere reminder of anything else winter when we expect to be here. I suppose we disturbs the normal movement. I didn't hear you shall then go home, though after all why I should not because I abstain from the noisy joys of Commence- spend my declining years in a congenial atmosphere ment as a pious Jew from high mass, but I enjoyed I don't see, and Paris is in many ways very congenial. reading the report of the speech in last night's -The struggle between Church and State interests "Transcript." You deserve the gratitude of the me mightily. When the other day the Chamber Republic. turned out Rouvier, I was furious at their selecting that moment. There has gone in a radical ministry Paris, March I4, 1905. Dear W. J. Many thanks who, it seems to me, are sure to make votes for for your good long letter which was full of interest. the Right. But it's not my business.-When you A week or SO ago I saw Piddington who was passing want an interesting book, take Gustave LeBon's through Paris on his way to the South, and we had Psychologie de l'Education. Make them buy it, as some talk. He seemed to have a very clear notion of also S. Reinach's Cultes, Mythes et Religions, 2 vols., what he wanted to do, and of the nature of the prob- Leroux. It's about the most important of new books. lem that lay before him in America. I think he is a I see your works translated, on every stand. clever, practical man who will straighten things out. I was able to give him no new ideas; he is already Hancock, N. H., Aug. 21, 1905. I believe you have admirably prepared.-He has taken Hyslop's meas- some part of the responsibility for my writing a ure and will, I think, put that gentleman out of the Beacon biography of John Fiske. It was a singular way, but perhaps I am too sanguine. I know I am choice, for I know nothing of philosophy, of history, sanguinary. of religion, but at any rate the book is done. The Yes, Richard Hodgson's death was lamentably premature-to our eyes-he would publisher says it's too short and loudly cries for more have written other books, but books seldom convince words. It's a strange complaint that a book is too [ 42 ] short, certainly a rare one. I can't think excessive [ 43 ] Thomas Sergeant Perry To William James brevity is its only fault, and I hope that when you see matism, what real philosophy is now I can only wait it you will pardon all its shortcomings. --- How comes for real proofs. Meanwhile I shall rest satisfied with on your system of philosophy? Have you made his destruction and criticism. When Bourdeau car- mincemeat of all your predecessors? Beware! I ries out his high-sounding threat, I mean to send you hear choppers sharpening to make mincemeat of you. nis article. He is always most interesting, even to a Young R. Pumpelly has succumbed to your eloquence philistine like me. In November I had a most and bursts forth with philosophic raving; his condi- delightful visit at Rye. Harry [James] and I had tion is most pitiable and you are responsible. I must many long talks that did my heart good. It was a write a counterblast against philosophy. It will have great pleasure to see him and I am looking forward one good effect: it will unite you all in common to his arrival here next month. This Church and execration of the philistine: monists, dualists, plural- State business is most interesting. It is curious how ists, etc. I don't even know your nicknames. My many good Catholics approve the measure. philosophy remains Nietzsche, because when I read him I understand what my contemporaries mean by Paris, March 20, 1907. I have received your glow- being imperial and bullying and haters of a brown ing circular about pragmatism it is full of promise or black skin. I have no respect for N. (he is a about what that great innovation really isn't, but I philosopher, and SO debarred), but through his pipe want to know what it is. This I shall doubtless learn blow all the airs of the present. in succeeding Abdrücke; with seven lectures before you, you were not going to say all you had to say Paris, Jan. 22, 1907. I am sending you a Débats in the first lesson. What I read filled me with many containing an article by Bourdeau which says what emotions, what are called "conflicting" emotions. I I have always said about philosophy. The wise wanted to go out and bang you, and these symptoms Italian at length pricks the bubble and I have sent became SO violent that nothing would stop them but for his book to have one authority in support of my the thought that I must be a philosopher myself, and disbelief.--But then, it is your only consolation, he so unable to endure any other man's system. This speaks in favour of dogmatism-I mean pragmatism reflection cooled ne.-What I really think is that -in which you have been revelling, and he tells me philosophers are what in old times, when the Bible what I suppose you for the moment believe, that here was coming out, used to be called prophets. In at last is something sound. We shall see.-If I had prophecy, the prophets were most incompetent; they stayed in Boston, I might have known what prag never got anything right, but they made delicious [44 ] [ 45 ]