New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-26
ALPHONSE KARI, HIS ASSASSIN, AND HIS
Strawberries.
Prom, IN, Pail Mall Gazette.

OF no living Frenchman are told more good
stories than Of NJ Alphonse Kari just as 1T is I'M
possible for him TO write dull line. 80 i is nposs-
BILE to mention him without SMILE. Duiness ce,-
tainly il not the CHARACTERISTIC of French people
generally: and in the case OF Nj. AlpnOnse Mar
esprit is combined with striking independence OF
character. Throughout a long literary career,
which his detractors chose to consider in ts dcca-
dence he has given free utterance 70 MS thougnIs
often to the offence of many and to his own worldly
disadvantage. No less happily endowed physically
than mentally. NJ Aphonse Karr disproves an IN IN
sular prejudice TO the effect that Frenchnen are all
esprit and no muscle A frst-rate swimmer, rover.
fencer, and marksman. he has saved more hves thah
one by his bodily proves ana MS own vera
of Mdme Louise Colet, Victor Cousins Egerla, an q
the poignard with which she had intended to end
the days of her critic This lady, more FAMOUS lor
her beauty than for the excellence of her writings
had received a severe castigation from the pen OF
Alphonse Karr 1t was more than spoiled beauty.
the insprer of philosopher, could bear so. hldlne
q poignard under her mantle, she Sought an IN.
tervew for the purpose of avenging her injuries IL
seems that she uncommonly dexterous, and
that, but for his extra strength and skill, things
might have turned ont unpeasantly for the anthor
of the Voyage AutOur de mon Jardin." lie sue.
ceeded in disarming his fair assailant not without
a scuffle and suspended the weapon on his study
walls with some such inscription as the following
.This poignard was destined for tho heart or
Alphonse Karr by Mdme. Louise Colet."
ST. Alphonse Karrs whole life ia no less amusing
than his books. and through both runs vein of
satire. His fame a gardener is European, and III
his villa near Nice he grows straw berries which TO
taste Is an event IN tHe ITO OF AN ePicmo. IA
Alphonse Karr grows Strawberries for himself aud
his friends, and not for the grand folks who would
fan patronze him. Not long ago certain Imperial
lady, doubtless bent on honorng the literary gar
dener as well MS gratifying her love of Strawberries
sent an emssaIy TO fetch some of his primeurs"
NJ. Aphonse Karr politely but curtly replied that
there was only a certain hour of the day when he
gathered the fruit, and that the Imperial wish
could not be uatifed at any other. IL this incl
dent seems to SAVIOR of churlishness set against 10
the following: Our author happened to be on tho
sands one day when two bathers within sight or
land got out of their depth and were on the point OF
drowning. Immediately throwing of his paletot
he brought the first to shore then set out in search
of the other. Both rescued, but the hero OF
this exploit disappeared, and it was some time ere
the rescued learned the name of their delverer
NJ Alphonse Karrs entire career has been In har-
mony with his writings. which hide under veil
of persiiage and pleasantly real CONVICTIONS on
many subjects. After the fall of the Empire and
the establishment of the Republic, he travelled
from part of France to the other for the purpose
CT learning the attitude Of the people, and gave no
little offence in some quarters BY relteratng that
the wish of the people is for peace"