New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-12
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE MAKERs OF FIoRENCEi DANTE GloTTo, sA-
syS ar 4M ntG CO. CITY, by Mis- or'AS'
Mrs. Ohphant describes the contents of this
volume as 81 swallow flights" of biographical essay,
bn, she has evidently devoted TO their composition
series OF elaborate studies aud the ability Of gifted
literary artist which has yielded her rich harvest OF
fame as an original writer of fiction. The work makes
no prcousious the character OF consecutive hory
of Florence although frequently touches on the most
important 20 uts the great conflict OF arms which Tor
So long a time cOnvulstd the city, but aims rather at
living portraiturc OF the iustIiou of genus whose
names have umoralizCd the banks of the ArO In the
n,st part OF the youme many PAGES arc devoted 10
Dante. between whom and shakespeare the writer draws
an interesting parallel respects the outward circum
cuustanccs which nutured their different characters
into lipoucsS and strength. To Shakespeare, England
was the world. Fu!l Of every possible type of humanity
IL Afforded hm abundant suggestions for his MAJ vicious
representations Daatc on the contrary, was comAeiey
shut in by the narrow walls Of Florence when Ioiinou
for him the visible No Otbeie II" Shy lock- no
Lady Macbeth strange 10 the soil, ever oaWc0 upon
concentrated vision HIS whole lie was LfouSh' To q
focus In one corner Of that small old Florence know
In from his cuitood every iivduai OF the quarter
and loving and hating win the intensity tha' Is
known only 20 the nearest ncighbois Mrs. GU
phaut's description Of Florence in the middle ages
affords very agreeable example of hergraphic power
Tie htile city IA Eich DAME born was altogether
ua,ike the beautiful Florence which Is now the ccuter OF
attraction to cVc4y NGrshper Of beauty and art Ihc
high houses whose narrow lines almost ran into each
OTHER across the ycad o. street had net yet assumed
The character OF Tuscan architecture The noble cattle
DIAL had not bc,Uu to when the poet was born
The old Rara.o and the PaIlzso NecciO were s meon-
Iete Santa CrJce santa Nara Noycla, and the lovely
Campauc were all in the future. The BapIstey was III
flint gray and homcy, without its coatius of marbles,
aud surrounded by gravCss Tho town had the aspect OF
n primitive country village Each quarter had It's own
Inhabitants. WHO lived closely packed together IN u'r
clusters OF houses forming siEguiaiy compact ana
intimate neieLbovAood. They we're completely aware of
each others defects and weaknesses Of each others VIZ
tues and good qualities The Same mates ANA Trend
slps like the came names and houses. passed from
father 10 son successive generations Ie details OF
Dancs private lie HE earlier years amid these lc'u-
liar surroundings copous and full of fresh Interest
Even tie coIu!uonast traditions concerning tne great
mott are clio he'd with tenderness &ut pathos hy
the delightful arts the writer Scarcely less attractive
Arr The sketches Of oto, and the other cathedral build
els of Sayouaroa the fiery herald OF the dawng Rti-
oruation. Of Michel Angelo. and Others whose names
have addcd user 20 Florence, and whose histories VIII
always possess peculiar charm for the students Of art
and culture Mrs o ipiaut bas done liberal justice To
hl fascinating themes. she writes from equal knowl-
EIDE aud sympathy. Under her powerful touch, the
faded scenes OF Tie past revived in brilliant and I'M
pressve reality Her present labors on thr borders Of
history will enhance the reputation she has won as a
novelist and secure for her friendly welcome around
many household fires well in The unsocal closet OF
the student.