New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-18

ranks and titles ecclesiastical dress all re-
pugnant to the spirit of Christianity The laty, like
brute beasts. SIT taney und this usulpati0n man.
house he must not thank for the blessings OF Prov
dsnse at bis table nc pledge thu his la y S
offspring must be sprinked by sacred hands anh at
another spiritual incarnation.
This is about as respectful to the priests as Vol
taire.
Messrs. Macmillan e. Co. have just issued the
"Statesman's Year Book " for 1876 by Frederick
Martin being the thirteenth annual publication of
this invaluable handbook. To quote the descrip-
ton its titlepage it is Statistical and HistOr-
ical Annual of the States of the Civilized World"
Invaluable is not too strong word to apply to a
book the scheme of which is well devised, and
which long experience has proved to be substan-
tally accurate and trustworthy. Nowhere else can
the same information be found so compactly and
completely set forth. Each country is described by
itself. Of each the constitution and government
given, and the reigning soveregns and some ac-
count of them; following which are sections on
church and education, revenue and expenditure,
army and navy, area and population, trade, COM
merce, and industry, money, weights and measures,
and finally list of books of reference for the par
ticnlar country under treatment The whole is COM
prsed in 12mo. volume of 765 clearly printed
pages with good index. A careful and early re-
vision and re6diting brings each issue down to late
dates as NAV be seen by the full statistics and other
information given about the Suez Canal, under
Egypt. Most men who have occasion to concern
themselves with the current affairs of any one or OF
many countries must already he familiar with MIR.
Martins work. and TO such not word need be said
in its favor. To others, the best suggestion / can
give is to get the book, which, having once used,
they viii never again be without.
All doubt on the subject of the late Dir. Forsters
library and other collections is set at rest by the an
nouncement that his widow, who might have Kept
them till her death, has resolved to hand over the
whole at once to South Kensington. The bcquest is
larger than was supposed. Mr.. Forster was cata-
loguing his books and the titles as far as " T" fill
272 closely printed Svo pages. / quote from no.
tice in Iho lines "A few examples OF interest.
The first page that turn over contains Addisons
"Travels in Italy," with this inscription, ITO Dr. iona
friend. and the greatest genius Of his age this book Is
presented by his humble servant the author Gong
Scotch Reviewers" given by him TO Leigh Hunt with
Byrons autograph and many corrections made by him
the original edition OF Robinson Cruso; the corrected
proofs Of Dickenss novels the first cdtons OF
Goldsmth's Traveller" and Deserted Village : Popes
copy OF Garths Dispensary," with autograph, notes.
&c. bequea thed by him 10 Bishop Warurton; the PROOF
sheets OF Johnsons Lives of the Poets corrected
HIMSELF Lamdors "Ima ginary Conversations, the origi
nal volumes with very large additions III lindors MS
"Thc Dunciad," with this AUTOGRAPH IJonath sSi.i
with anoiher autograph, ITO the Right Honorable tic
Earl OF Oxford from his most oDcSienl humDe servant
A. Pope" and the first and second folio Shakespeare
There are MANY volumes of autographs of which
Mr. Forster was q we-known collector and lie is
SAID to have possessed all the original manuscripts
with one exception of the works of the late Mr.
Charles Dickens. The exception may possibly be
more than one for one the Christmas CAROL is at
this moment on sale by London bookseller, and Oh
exhibition in his window.
Mr. Irving continues to play Oiollo at the
Lyceum, though his reception i'll this play has been
far less favorable than in either of his other two
Shakespearean characters. He has been, in fact.
very sharply criticised, and much OF the criticism
was lust but it has been carried within the last few
DAYS to point which those who really care for the
drama must regret. bitter attack upon him is
made by a writer in evening paper who ayows
that he has not seen Mr.. Irving's Othei0. One not
less bitter is admitted TO the leader columns OF
Tory morning journal. The point in both is the
same-that the praise heretofore bestowed on Mr..
Irving was undcserved, and that his fame as an
actor is fictitious. 1t would be perfectly fair to
reply that criticism of that kind is simply malevo-
lent, and bears the marks of personal enmity.
know neither of these two writers. am quite GER
tain that rs "A rule the dramatic articles of the chef
London Journals honest as they are able. But
if the in question are honest and right, then
pretty much all the Others that have been Published
for some years past dishonest and wrong. OF
the two, i should prefer to condemn the minority.
II is indeed, idle at this day TO deny to Mr. Irving
the possession of great powers. In particular play
he NAV use them Ill. or he may attempt part no
doubt to which his abilities not adapted, or his
conception Of Sbakespearcan character may he II
mistaken one. So much fear, must be said of his
OHeUo. But what then Where is the actor who
never failed 7 Garrick VIGOROUSLY and completely
failed in this very OtkeIlo. Where is the actor who
can hope to be equally great i'll every play Who
will venture to say that Savin. whose Othe''o held
the town all last season. succeeded in HdmiefF And
what Justice or decency is there in Selling the OPP
portunity of Mr.. Irvings present mistake to decry
ali that he has done before There is none at all.
Neither do believe such an attempt will do Dir.
Irving any lasting harm. still think, as l say III
nv letter on his OhIo that he Is suffering from the
effects of Oyerworli-of a greater strain than the
greatest actors before him endured. With time
to regain his natural vigor, and once more in the
right path, he will speedily put his detractors to
flight. g. W. 4.