The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920Various
General
The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; London (England) -- Periodicals
Mr. Grierson states that Abraham Lincoln was "the greatest practical
mystic the world has known for nineteen hundred years," thus
unnecessarily challenging comparisons with Saint Teresa and others. His
book, both as an effort to sustain this thesis and as a book to read,
is something of a disappointment. Some of his earlier works--notably
the beautiful _Valley of Shadows_--are closely thought and admirably
written; the best have never had in full the credit they deserve. But
the present volume is little more than a small scrap-book of other
people's impressions and anecdotes of Lincoln, sprinkled with Mr.
Grierson's not very profound comments and assertions to the effect that
we are now at the end of a dispensation, and are emerging into "the
mystical dawn of a new day." That Lincoln was a very great and a very
good man we know, and that he lived in the light of conscience. Of such
we can never be told too much, and the book might well serve as an
introduction to more elaborate biographies. But we cannot say that Mr.
Grierson adds anything to our knowledge. He tells us of Lincoln's sense
of duty, his dedication to the service of his kind, his premonitions.
"One of the most memorable mystical demonstrations ever recorded in any
epoch occurred in the little town of Salem, Illinois, in August, 1837,
when Lincoln was only twenty-three years of age," and "some of his
deepest thoughts on the mysteries of life and death were never voiced
by this man, who never spoke unless he deemed it imperative to speak."
The New York _Times_ says this or that, the _Spectator_ says so-and-so;
Lincoln was a "unique" manifestation of the Supreme Mind, like Moses.
"The American people were at that time practical, democratic seers,
without whom the greatest practical mystic could not have existed."
These passages are not cheering. There is an introduction by Mr. John
Drinkwater, who says something and says it clearly.
MEN AND MANNERS IN PARLIAMENT. By SIR HENRY LUCY. Fisher Unwin. 10_s._
6_d._ net.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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