New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-30
HARPER.

The first article in this number revives the
memory OF the old Pennsylvania botanist. john Bar
tram whose perfect simplicity of character love of ma
ture and devotion to science. form the subject OF an
attractive stndy. BartTaIn may be regarded the
father of American botany aud natural science aud was
pronounced by Lnnaus " the greatest living natural
potanst" but lie retained TO the last day OF his life
the habits customs OF the simple farmer folk OF
whom he counted himself The ancient dwelling In
the suburbs Of Philadelphia in which Bartram lived
stil shown TO visitors wonderful state OF
ton. The wanton hand of the destructive present
seems to passed 1t by in its shady retreat Some
OF the rooms papered the great open fireplace. in
which John and his wife Ann used TO sit each side OF
the blazing fire. lie smoking and reading, she smoking
and spinning has been filled the old Franklin stove
in the sittug-ioou--a present Benjamin himself
like euougb-has been removed but beyond this. the
old house. the grounds and tue surrounding outhouses
stand In state OF involate preservation, far the
hand OF modern vandalism Is concerned On the sunny
old porch 1870 years standing then as II does now,
John Barran IN the light asserting his specl
mems or reading volume-a present from Lnneus,
neutrality-suspicious. nose pipe in mouth. deciousy
absorbed" A Visit TO the Republic Of san Marino."
by Mr. John Bigelow, presents an interesting descrip
Of the smallest we'll the Oldest republic of the
world, to which the writer made u pilgrimage IN
the year 1873 This miniature state lies in
Southern Italy, about twelve miles from the
City 3 of Rimini, at q short distance from
the shores OF the Adriatic. and dates its history
from the time OF Charlemagne. Mr.. Bigelow was
favored with an interview with the President when
he found IN bis palace, plain stone building with moth
ing the exterior TO distinguish 1t from the other
houses except that il had little space the side
fronting the street. The visitors their arrival
shown into a reception room, which decorated with
paiutines Of some of the lustous friends and ct
xcns the republic The President soon made his ap
pearance, young man with handsome intelligent
face and a fine figure OF medium height, and about
twcnty-eight years OF age The writer was received
with gracious cordaty and at once entered into con-
yersation with the President and his Prime Minister.
IL took him but short time to learn that San Marine
was not much more of republic than the Empire OF
Russia IL has population OF about 1900 people, of
whom 900 live IN capital. They governed by
Council OF Sixty close corporation, nominslly COM
posed OF twenty princes twenty OF the middle class.
aud twenty OF the peasant class but in fact they
all mobiles The council chooses the executive, appoints
all committees imposes taxes and In reality conducts
the government. The defence Of the republic Is IN
trusted to OF thirty men. The expenses OF the
government IL ali depart ments are about $1,000
year. There is q State physician who IS required to
intend on all who need the services Of doctor, but
there neither newspaper printing press. Whether
jts "exiguity viii much longer protect its autonomy"
Is n question which the writer does not undertake to
discuss. Washington as Burgher," by William f.
Carne furnishes particulars regard to the per-
sonal and family life OF Washington at Mount
Vernon both before aud after the Revolution
1.-THE Perchcron and Norman Horse" by A. b.
Allen, gives some useful, practical information
10 regard 10 breed OF working which are now
claiming the attention Of American farmers "Hecter
Beroz" by Emily Royal, Is attractive biographi
cal and critical sketch and there is variety
Of ex celIent fiction.