New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-20
DSCEMBRR MAGAZINES

Last wear, Col. Henry 4ule, most excellent
scholar and thorough editorl brought 10 press aHo
edition OF the strange old Book OF hesser marco ioo'
the Venetian Since the days when the great uaNeor
dictated the history OF his adventures to feioweap
e IN their Genoese prison, the world has ever READ
,h delight those pages which hold so much OF fantastic
and picturesque charm, well as serious scienuhc
value Col Yue's edition is the hfyeghth ana by lar
the richest IN annexation and illustration On this last
revival of good Ser Marco our Consul mt Genoa con-
tributes an entertaining paper TO HGpes honf"@ one
which will give covetous suggestions alike 10 the
biblomaniac and to the hungry young persons VINO
have not yet read the shrewd Nenctiahs mar
vicious tales OF Asia. Col Nuie, Win soOu
Judgment omitted from hisiediton the greaterpa'
of the fourth book" words, good my lord ana butbtu
matter and has definitely ended the discussion as 10
the language in which the work fret written from
Polo's dctaton. II was in French, and not the pest
French IN the world. that the oentaLed Italian reated
Dis stories OF Asiatc powers wars manners ana curos-
Ies Of great KubaiKh and his pleasure dome' ms
wives and his elephants Of rukhs dear to the hearts OF
Arabian romancers: Of the elixir Of longevity, and OF
trees producing flour and wine or-oh shade OF MI
Dolls" tOddy and sugar"
Another illustrated article is by Mr.. Ben Perey Pore
on The Library Of Congress" II is careful history
and description Of the library. which, among other
things contains the most complete collection Of law
hooks the world Here are every volume OF English
Irish and Scotch reports, well the American,
copious collection Of case law, and perfect collection
Of the statutes Of al civilized governments including
those Of Russia since l6i9 which IN about one hundred
Quarto volumes Here, too, are many curious
law books including the first edition of Blackstones
Commentaries and original edition OF the report OF
The trial Of Cagliosro, ROhan and La Motto for the
theft OF Marie Autoiuete's diamond necklace. 1t IS
amusing 70 read Of the conservative Dryasdusty state
Of the library when rebuilt after the fire Of 1851 II had
40 modern encyclopedia; no New-York daily newspaper
OF hlc-ao newspaper indeed, except The National In
Rerieir But for compensation The London court Jour-
nal was taken and bound with great at the close OF
every year!
The "Old stacer" takes another rambe through his
memory gosspng this time of rotation in Office Of fela-
tiyc> i'm Cones-ouly once have father aud repre-
sened the State at time in both Houses-of tho
Navy old Navy quarres Of gambling in Washington
and poets yaC4rles. Whist, he remarks, was a favor
le game with the foreign ministers aud the elder states
men o. a good many years ago. Mr. Clay, Gen Scott
Mr. Bodisco. and Minister Fox often played together
hundred dollars being the usual stake Gov Marcy liked
the game but the betting; MI Webster played IT,
but nditTarenty; and President Tyler gave many a
rainy dav 10 loo in the White House. Public opinion was
I'm an amiable mood then regarded gambling. At a
party given by the wife Of cabinet minister MIS- cay
chaperouiug Dung lady from the North passed through
room where gentlemen playing cards, Mr. Clay
among the number.
l. this common Iroct.cer inquired the young
lady
".Yes' said ,irs. Clay tley always play when they
get together
Does MT it distress You 10 have Mr. Clay gambler
Ono, my dear said the good cid lady, composediyi
he most always wins"
The Z" Old stager's" paragraphs on John Howard
Payne give an excellent picture OF the clever childish,
md disappointed poet On lis release 10y the Georgia
Regulators he came Washington, ana after time
sought emp 0ymcut from the Administration being IN
sraiteued circumstances, with more thrift or prov-
dcuoe OF capacity for taking Of himself than Harold
skmpOlc. lie delightful companion, full Of
genius o. nice culture Of more taste than strength per
haps bat capable Teat deal OF labor and well fitted
for clerical duties OF any description as hc wrote
beautiful aud expeditions hand, and
steady aud industrious IN his habits lie
applied for diplomatic appointment but falling inthat,
be willing to accept Of any respectable position
where the cm0umeuts would afford him livelihood.
lie bad all the simplicity Of child was confdrg credu-
ous and easily impressed upon. and ths wags about
washngton-for the city is always hfes' with great
numbers Of practical jokers-deuded I'm with mag
n.Gcent and impossible expectations At last Lis
friends obtained position for him IL the War Depart
urut HIS duty 10 COllate, index, and make an
abstract Of Our several Indian treaties then in existence
He had pleasant all to himself good salary, and
was heartily delighted with his luck He went imne-
datey and desperately work In four months he had
finished his task in the best manner accomplishing more
ey.Iy day than any other Two clerks in the Depart
mont Uumindfui Of his friends cautions
10 steer clear Of the Secretary after exhibiting to
him specimen Of the manner in which he was perform
ing his work. to draw his salary the first Of every
month, 10 bother nobody with suggestions or adj
wee on any subject be lad sooner ended his labor
than be carried it's results III high gee % that peculiar
gentleman Secretary Spencer, VINO strdigltWay lutuH
ted that he had nothing for him to 60. Here
more trouble for Paynes friends for be one q those
unhappy persons for whom people could 60
enough. They managed TO have him appointed
Consul 70 Tuuis, and Immediately. fun OF
Hoo
uuOn being taken the OF his abOrs ~ vessel of
var While the authorities were considering TINS
quest Payne went to Nev-York to buy library and
an outfit" spent all his money in every sort OF cxtraya
CANT folly and was found penniless and despanng,
able to move in any direction But at last he got 10
Tuuis. iwhere the Boy fell in love with
him, gave him a palace and royal retinue Of
Arabs aud only thought Of dcvoting Lin TO
the gentle bow-strng when, with the true SkimpOan
grace he turned his attention reforming certain
abuses which he assumed Lad been overlooked by the
pOtentate.
Mr. Curtis sketches deicatey the life Of Julian Fame
modem Philip Sidney, whose noble and beautiful
memory IS preserved little time by recent memoir Of
owen Meredlth's. The Easy ChaT takes warm comfort
also the thought that the modern spirit does not post
pone religion to one day and gloomy place, but
uingles il with tie weak and with the common details
lie and that in these days the clergyman is ied
all other men, and is powerful and Influential as they
are, only by the force OF his individuality. The
Editors Historical Record" this molth deserves much
praise for It's careful and comprehensive makngup
The Illustrations in the December ScribIcr Of Vrgnian
scenes and New York blrd-shOps exceedingly well
done The latter particularly captiyatng,and do
honor 20 the pleasant text that accompanies them.
Prof G. writes Of A Tramp with Tyndall" among the
swiss Mountains, whose cool loitness the Professor
SAYS Mr. Tynda goes every season, frequently very
seriously out Of condition. but failing to return,
attn fou COmDlCtelV