The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-11-03
The First Num Der of .he Century n.razinc.

Inc ifss Nunf Der OF the Century Magazine.
With the November, number SaiJncris MontIIy
takes on its new name.
The first feature to attraet attention is the front
pece-portrait of George Eiot, which is published
through the Cenfury Aasa-ise by Mrs Cross family
and s the one by which they desire tha; size shoali
be known to possery its life-likeness and autheati
city being vouched for 1t presents the full face
strong and adequate though by means a eomley
countenance Mr.. Cross aesires it to be known that
other portrait indorsed by the family has been or
viii be published The engraving is made by Mr.
j. E. Whitney from the plate which the distinguish
ed French etcher. Rsion. has recently made, on a
commission from Mr.. Cross after the Burton erayon
from life. This and the other existing portraits are
the subject Of short account in this number, TO
which also Mr.. Frederick W. II. Myers contributes
delicate piece Of writing about the intimate life Of
George ElEot-hcr character, and her moral. reli-
gous, and philosophical beliefs, with anecdotes,-a
paper that will interest every reader of her books
Not inferior. perhaps is the Savni interest of the
nnmber. II was announced some months ago. that
the trsgedian had written paper giving his impress
sions Of certain Shakspearean characters. This pa
per now appears. The subjects are Hamlet
.'0thello," and Macbeth and to some extent the
paper is necessarily defense of the writer's own
splendid impcrsonations. An apPreciative paper on
Salvini is also contributed by Miss Emma Lazarus,
with drawings from life, by Robert Blum, of Sal
vini as othello and Macbeth. Salvini has so often
refused to sit in character that these portraits are
almost the only sueh representations be had The
Macbeth is especially interesting being his most
recent role. and not before portrayed
The fiction of the number is especially readable
Mrs. Burnett be gins her new novel of Washington
life, Through One Administration and stakes out
an interesting field, embracing Smithsonian pro-
fessor, army officer, and an ingenious and charm
ing young heroine, who is spoken of a clever lit
tie dev-.r That Mrs. Burnett has something be-
yond conventional lovetale in store for the reader
must be Inferred from the fact that she can afford to
marry oil her heroine in the first part.
The fun of the number is chiefly in the two short
stories: "a Curious Experience" by Mark Twain,
Eli" by the author of .'The Village Convict" n
story in the August SebHer which made hit. 'Eli"
is only interesting in itself but confirming the
belief of many that a writer of unusual ability
has appeared Mr.. Clemens story deals with thrill
ling episode of the civil war; its principal character
being drummerboy who didn't pray fair
The art features of the number chiefly num-
Der of exquisite engravings, By Cole and Closson
of Fortuny and Regnault's pictures, accompanying
an account by Mrs. L. W. Champney, of jaunt
through Spain to Algiers in the footsteps of those
painters; paper Cape Ann, beautifully illustra
ted with cngravings after etehings by Stephen Par
ish; Costumes in the Greek Play at Harvard" a
popularity written paper by Frank ID. Millct, with
drawings from life by Alfred Brennan; Mrs. Mary
Hallock Foote's picturesque account IN text and
drawings of u recent Diligence Journey in Mexi-
co.." and the 'So-called Venus of Melos--a paper by
W. j. Stillman, the art-critic to prepare which the
writer was sent to Melos special commission by
this magazine. The last paper is n comparative stu
dy of the statue with regard to its origin date and
original significance Further light is thrown the
subject by twenty-five Illustrations, including fine
drawing of the statue itself.
The poetry of the number is by James Russell
Lowell IA beautiful poem on the PhGbe-bird), Austin
Dobson, Edmund Clarance Stedman, Edmund w
Gossc, Mary Mapes Dodge, Andrew L. Saxton, Rich
ard W. Glider, and Roger Riordan.
There two other body articles Of special inter
est; Compulsory Lane Routes on the North Allan
tic" by Captain Horatio Mckay, of the Cunarl Line,
points out the constant danger of collision at sea,
and suggests certain fixed rontcs. The recent nu
merous accidents of this kind make the sulieet n
timely one, and this paper is to be followed up by
agitation of the subject in Parliament and Congress-
"liy Escape from Slavery" by Frederick Douglass,
tells for the first time Of the and ercumstan
of his memorable change of residence from Mary
land to Massachusetts,.
The only change in the department il the rechris-
tening of Culture ard Progress" which is
called "Liternture." Topics of the Time" was
waitten by the late DIR. j. G.. Holland, who, few
days before his DEATH had the pleasure of seeing
bound copy of this first number OF the Century His
contributions a sautatory for The Century Nagd
sine and articles 'The Contingency of Inability
and "Publc Spirit and there is communication
entitled "a Worl to the Friends Of America
Abroad, - by Mr.. Glider. ain Home and Society
are "Fivc and Fourteen"-of help to mothers-and n
poem, Two Visions" Among the books noticed are
Parton's "voitaire" and Oscar Wildes poems. The
Worlds Work is full of variety; among the subjects
are Reproductions of Pompeian Pavements, New
Typewriter, New Domestic Motor, New Tension
Belt, New Boats Mast. Welding Nickel with Iron,
Novel Foundation for Seashore Structures etc, etc
.Brica-B contains poetry of sentiment and light
hunor. A Postscript contains poem, AT the
Presidents Grave by r. W. Glider.
The December number will be in largo part me-
mortal Of DIR. Holland and of President Garfield. II
will appear Nov 18th, the day the latter would have
been fifty years old, and will contain portrait of
each by Cole, with material of universal interest
garding both. Mr.. Howells' New Novel, 81 Modern
Instance will begin in this number, and there will
be several papers Of adventure of n curious char
aeter.