THE HESPERIAN,
ulously as they read such a marvel of modest expression.
Then Drown makes another of his characters say, in all
earnestness, after venturing into Philadelphia during the
plague. "Some will regard my conduct as the last degree
of temerity, or of heroism." An egotistic expression will
vf more apt to cause merriment than regard.
Drown's works arc almost entirely an account of what "I"
did the "I" varying to suit the occasion. As a rule, too
there is about as much life in one of his scenes as in the aver,
age review. I don't remember when I have read anything
which reminded me so much of a talking machine or of auto
matic figures. Perhaps this criticism is unjust and due to
my particular state of mind at the time. I had been reading
Tolstoi and the descent may have specially impressed itself.
There is one other criticism but whether of the author or
publisher I am uncertain. The paragraphing is abominable.
Continually, in the conversational parts, one starts a different
paragraph; supposing another character is speaking but
finds when half through that it should be a continuation of
the former paragraph.
The March Forum contains an article on "The Profitable
Reading of Fiction," which is well worth reading. The
author shows a lingering preference for Richardson, and re
fuses to see the merits of "Tom Jones" a position savoring
of the inconsistent, but perhaps we have no right to criticise
his personal likings. He says, too "It must always be
borne in mind, despite the claims of realism, that the best
fiction, like the highest artistic expression in other modes, is
more true, so to put it, than history or nature can be." This
proposition will hardly be accepted unquestioned. Just in
this connection there is an article entitled "The Present
State of the Novel," in the January Fortnightly, which is
especially valuable in its criticism of Zola, DaudetandOhnet.
The tendency is to make the term "French Novel" entirely
too general in its condemnation, and we should be careful
not to confuse in any way the school of Dalzac or Hugo with
that of Zola or Dandct. Even in France the opinion is
growing that the style of the latter is unwarranted.
ASA GRAY.
Asa Gray was born in the village of Sanquoit, Oneida
county, New York, November 18, 1810, and died January 30,
1888 in Cambridget Mass.
He received a common school education, and graduated at
the Fairfield Medical College in 1831. He, however, aban
doned the practice of medicine and devoted himself to the
study of botany, in which branch of science he had no equal
in America.
lie early made the acquaintance of many eminent botan
ists, and the contact with them, no doubt, did much to stim
ulate him to the utmost effort in his work.
" He came forward at a time when the Linnrcian artificial
system of botany was being replaced by the natural system.
Dr. Gray was among the first to arrange the heterogeneous
assemblage of species upon the natural basis of affinity.
He was an independent investigator, and a most critical
observer. The results of his investigation, which have
been 'published in the form of text books, pamphlets, and
articles in the different magazines and papers, make up a
good sized library, very valuable to any student in botany.
His first publication was on a set of grasses and sedges; his
first printed paper was "A Monograph of North American Ry
chosperoe." In 1834 he was appointed botanist to the U.'S.
Exploring expedition; but, as the time of departure was de
layed, he resigned that situation. For a number of years he
was engaged as teacher of chemistry, botany, geology, and
mineralogy in a private school in Utica. In 1838 he was
elected Professor of Natural Histoiy in the just organized
University of Michigan; but he never filled the position, as
the institution was in a very chaotic state, and not prepared
for his services. In 1842 he was elected Fisher Professor of
Natural History at Harvard, and remained in connection
with that institution until his death. In 1873 he retired from
active service as teacher, and devoted himself to the charge
of the herbarium of Harvard College, and to scientific work.
Four times he had the degree of LL. D. conferred upon him,
the last time, in the presence of the most learned and re
nowned men of Europe at Edinburg in 1887. He was a
member of a number of societies, both in America and
Europe, and did honor to them all.
It has been said that the worth of a man is seldom appre
ciated until his death, at which time all that was true and
"beautiful in his life is dwelt upon, and his achievements
praised as much as his short comings had been condemned
during his life. If this be the rule, Asa Gray was certainly an
exception to it. For many years he enjoyed the distinction
he holds after death; and unlike most men.he wore this honor
gracefully, without conceit or egotism. He early showed
qualities that were bound to make him succcd in life. He
was possessed of a bright intellect; an investigating turn of
mind; a great degree of pcrservence; and a desire to cxcell.
With these traits of character he was well qualified to grapple
with so fragmentary and incomplete a branch of science as
botany was when he first studied it. Dy applying himself
diligently, he made rapid strides in his work. Each year
brought to him some fresh laurel, and it was not long before
he was the guest, companion, and even equal of world re
nowned botanists.
He did not devote himself to the subject of boUny until
after he had taken his M. D. degree; and the habits acquired
in the study of medicine, together with the practical exped
ience received while at work at home, one, no doubt, inval
uable to him, and laid a firm foundation for the arduous
labor of his later years.
There arc few at the present time who realize the condition
of botany when Asa Gray first studied it. The little which
had been contributed was unscientific and ill arranged, and
the study which is now so attractive and inviting, was then
verv different. One of Dr. Gray's contemporaries says,
"Those who now take up the study of botany can have little
idea of the difficulties that beset those of a generation or so
ago. Where they groped and guessed, doubtful whether
they were in the right path or wrong one, the way is now
made clear. The old rubbish is brushed aside, and the
student now can walk in pleasant paths, guided by the clear
est light of modern science." And fortius wonderful trans
formation Asa Gray above all others deserves the credit. Out
of chaos, by unceasing labor, he brought botany, so system
atized and classified that even a child can understand
it, while before it puzzled the brightest minds.
An idea exists among a certain class of people that a dffr
cull subject must be abstrusely dealt with. Asa Gray be
lieved in expressing things in the plainest and simplest way
possible. In this lay the secret of his success. He handles
the most difficult and perplexing subjects in such a plain and
lucid manner that it seemed more like reading an interesting
tale than a scientific treatise.
He was an indefatigable worker, a just and searching critic,
a man of penetrating intellect, of determined spirit, and of a
self sacrificing disposition. His manner was gen:al. and
served to reflect the beauty and sweetness of the flowers of
EQB
,Mfl.L i..iimww!wi 111. 1 . I
MaaiMIMaMMMM ihn.nAT; -
