New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-25
GOSSIP FROM BOSTON.
POLITICS, LrTeRATURE AND ART.

BosroN. April 21.--News is something ike the
small boys definition of salt; THAT kind o stuff
that makes things taste bad when there amt any
of it In emn And in this respect the Hub 70 ct this
passing moment without particular SAVIOR Not to
say that there IS absolutely nothing stirring
oh, mo- there. for instance is the Legislature still
legislsting and the enterprsing burglar at the
South End is always s-burglng, willie the grass Is
growing green on the Common, and the hyacinths
are blooming all the way up and down Beacon-st,
which is much more seasonable and to the pur-
pose.
AprOpos of the Legislature, they have done
few good things not to be passed over in silence.
First and foremost. they have helped US on to BIZ
ennal sessions of the General Court that hence
forth we may not DO leglsated to death, and
may be relieved, moreover, of this eternal din OF
local politics. 1t is vastly easier to make laws than
TO keep the run Of them, as some OF the lawyers
nd upon whose shelves the array Of blue.books Is
already growing formidable; but this too, is to be
amended-in another way; for Commission has
been charged with the revision of the statutes The
last Overhauling was In 1860. Twenty years is
long enough, in all conscience, without such a
housekeeping. The obnoxious Civil Damage Law
has furthermore been amended, so that now the
owner OF building in which q glass of rum has
been sold is not liable i'll damages IL the
topper falls in the gutter and breaks his
head on the way home. But the drollest
bit of law-making is the "screen bill,"
by which all the unoceut-lOoking blinds, screens,
etc. IN the respectable drani-shops are to be ruth
lessy swept away and tipplers on the sly must run
to other cover-a measure which will carry con-
sternation to all the Joseph Surfaces in the COM
munity.
But not to hover too long about the State House,
] may mention in passing the Tramp Act, which, 1T
10 70 he vii oft
vagabondsi the charter of tho Cape Cod Canal
Company and the grant of land in the Back Bay to
the Public Library.
In connection with this subject am reminded
of certain movements now pending in our
railroad circles. There are two bids OF
a million dollars each now under coDsid-
GRAFTON by the State In different forms, for
the sale of the South Boston Flats: one made by
private parties directly to the Land and Harbor
Commissioners accepted by them and now only
awaiting the signature Of the Governor, the other
in the shape of bill being pressed through the
Legislature to provide for selling the same lands to
| the New-YOrk and NeW-Engand Railroad Com
| pany. One OF the other will inevitably be &C.
cepted the Flats will be redeemed and improved,
tho terminal facilities of Boston enormously in
creased so as to allow her to enter into favorable
| competition with New-York for the carrying trade
| of the West.
Tho land granted by the State for the Public
Library is assessed at $125000 Of course it is too
| carly yet to say anything of the new building.
| The grant was made on condition that the city
should build within three years, and the city has
not yet accepted. With the new art Club" build
| ing matters are more forward the architects are
| busy nj their competitive drawings. The building
il 20 be situated IN the Back Bay, the corner Of
Newbury and DartmOuth-sts., is to be ninety feet
| az, nd 70
will have n large gallery for oils, smaller one for
water-colors one or two print rooms, conversation
| and committee rooms, a library, dining-room and
Kitchen II will add one TO the circle of beauti-
full edices In this notable square. which includes
! alfeady the Art Museum, Trinity and New Old
! south Churches, archaeological School, Natural
| History Museum, and Brunswick Hotel Other
| public buildings projected nre the Mechanics
! Exhibition" and the new Court House; while per-
haps the most interesting private ediRce now under
| way is tho beautiful parsonage which Trinity
Church is building for its PASTOR the Rev. Phillips
Blocks Of which the only distinctive feature thus
| tar is the fine ROmanesque arch over the doorway.
This fine house. OF COURSE Is sufficient 10 set all the
| gossips buzzing with matrimonial schemes for the
reverend bachelor.
Meantime there is the usual Spring furry in the
| book trade; besides the various pew publications
which need not mention. there arc some interest
ing announcements. Roberts Bros, who ought By
| this time 10 have earned for themselves the
| Psalmists benediction paraphrased by Sairy Camp
"'Appy Is the man rs 'as his culver full of SIGH"
are almost ready with another of their big aggra-
| vaJing and delightful Interrogation points. The
newcomer is to DO &" Mrs Beauchamp Brown" o
Boston society novel; destined to stir up breeze at
the West End, where there will doubtless be q brisk
trying-on Of the caps and coats that distinguish
| the various characters. The story opens with a
dinner party on Beacon Hill where Mrs. b. b. is in
troduccd in the following vigorously drawn cal
| toon:
| A very queer person was Beauehamp Brown and
quite much OF liberal edncatioD y you studied ner
exhaustively Lady Mary Wortoy MOntagu TO those
who loved her. leader you might SAY The leader OF
her world for forty years as
OF them AL What Is u be known OF ibis word III lH
social asgec ana history sne knew %na meyer wos
remarkable made other prope accept IN spite
Of themselves: she endured none but ultramOnianlss
near hor throne and II Pope Joan be- as they say r
myth, Mrs. Beauchamp Brown was the reality she pre-
figured. For the rest she widow chldiessweathy
and worldly.
This 10 picture which, allowing for the necessary
coloring of the storyteer, may not be so very dl-
cult of recognition. Indeed, l fear, dear dowagers
and bellies of tho Hub. you will discover that " n
| chiel has been amang ye takn' notes"
Close upon tho heels OF this bright novel
is to como Fanny Burney's Diary. in two
volumes. edited by Miss Woolsey' 10 match
the autobiography Of Mrs. Delany, which 1t follows
| in chronological order. All remember what a
pleasapt poriraiturs the prattling Fanny gives Of
! the latter in her Charming Diary which many rank
os only next to Boswell in interest. 1t is curious
coincidence too, that it should come ont just now
when all the world is reading Madame de Remusats
Memoirs treating of time 30 closely contemporary,
TINS affording MS an opportunity to contrast the
pictures of the rival courts drawn by these clever
women. 49,
Besides this fiction and biography the same house
| has in press q new poem by the author OF The
| Epic of Hades" called The Ode Of Life" poem
treating of the whole experience Of human life from
the crnde 20 the grave. II II be all as simple strong