The Collector. By Henry F. Tuckertnan, with an Introduction by
Dr. Doran. (Hotten.)—It would have been well if Dr. Doran had done what one supposes he undertook to do. Seven-and-twenty pages of gossip are not an introduction because they happen to come at the beginning of the volume instead of the middle or the end. We
ought to have been told something about Mr. Tuckerman, who he is and what he has written. A reviewer, of coarse, knows all this, as he knows everything, but the public is possibly not so well informed. And we are a little puzzled about the date of these Essays. Mr. Tuckerman, "On Bridges," tells us that Westminster Bridge is " as truly the Swiss Laboyle's monument of architectural genius, fortitude, and patience, as St. Paul's is that of Wren." Some few years have passed since West- minster Bridge could be called the monument of its architect's genius. Dr. Doran's gossip is pleasant as usual, though somewhat careless. He spells Ben Jonson's name with an "h," and speaks of the infamous calumniator of Milton as "Lander," instead of " Lauder." Mr, Tuckerman himself disappoints us, partly for a reason which implies no fault on his part. We want to hear about the Now World ; he writes for readers who want to hoar about the Old. We are familiar to weari- ness with much of his anecdote and allusion. We seem, for instance, to have read half-a-dozen times before such a passage as the following,
though it is probably as original as it can be Evelyn and Pepys note Betterton's triumphs ; Tillotson learned from his effective elocution ; Tucker painted, and Pope loved him. The Miler comments on haughty George Powell ;' Jack Lacy still lives in his portrait at Hampton Court The great Mrs. Barry ' is buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, &c., dm." We would ton times sooner hear something about American actors, but are not allowed a single word. Altogether there is little character- istic or national about our author. On " Statues " he is emboldened to say something about American success in sculpture, and the essay on "Preachers " indicates decided views about religion. Generally ho is somewhat wanting in colour, yet readable, nevertheless.
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