New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-18
ALPHONSE KARR At HOME.


From The London. World
AlphonSe Kari is of the few men remain NO
out OF the brilliant plead of writer's who shed such
lustre on French Literature thirty forty years
ago, and which comprised Alexandra Dumas pcre,
jules Janin, Frederic SoulIc, Merry, Eugene Sue
and last. not least, Victor Hugo, who is, besides
Kari, the only survivor. Without seeking to dis
euss their respective merits, il may be said that
karrs individuality was always strongly marked
sound common sense and love of Nature bemg liz
chief CHARACTERISTICS. profound observer and a
Keen critic, he has constantly fought abuse and in
two great attractions of bis life have been the sea
and the garden cities he always Stunned Nice
being too frequently interviewed by stran
gers Iori although genial companion an
for society. 1t was in vain he had affixed on bis
door tins uninvitng inscription: On est pri6 de ne
Here is an amusing instance of this mania for dis
turbng him in his cherished solitude One day
heard ring at the gate, and being close by he
opened It himself. Russian princess alighted from
hef rs SaTrsge ana q9s9g from the simplicity not
want ordered him haIghtiy to take her card TO his
master He as haughtily returned it, saying She
vowing vengeance, and the next day brought n
letter from her demanding the instant dismissal of
was myself" was Karr's brief reply. It is useless to
add that ne Is no nrter; yet he was a great ia
Grand Duchesses, who not only put up with his
binnt ways, but rather appeared to enjoy them.
N. Kari migrated short after to st; Raphael.
his brght-eyed daughter jeanne in WIN
long, low house close to the shore with roof some
what like an inverted boat. His study occupied
nearly half the space, and lighted the end bv
two large windows, from which nothing but the sea
loon OF an old-fashioned ship. This idea delighted
him, as he could travel in imagination with his eve
the sky blended in an azure of almost eouai intnn'
sity. The situation very wild the stony ground
was cleft asunder by deep ravlne and looked very
nnpromising as the seat of a future garden; but
Kari, with the quick eye of an expert botanist had
f9reseen at once the advantages he could derive from
the position by utilizing the torrent as fertilizer
and the fluctuations of the ground points of want
age, His anticipations have been andy Justified
by the result N. karr has named this romantic re-
treat Maison Close, a gentle hint to all intend
ing visitors that he dispense with the honor of
their company but although recuse he Is no
misanthrope, and his dOors closed against the in
trnding stranger, are never shut against friend.
on Mphonse Karrs appearance. HIS stalwart framn
still stands perfectly erect; his intelligent face
beams as brightly as eyer in the frame of his snow
white hair and beard; and his kindly eye speaks
the golden heart which beats within somewhat
rough envelope, and which is well Indicated i'm
He is always ready to enjoy chat over old times
and unforgotten fricnds-Dumas Hugo and others
explain the latest additions to the ', art
Treasures Treasures IN his sanctum Among the most
friend short time before he died and actnoIIv ro
touched on his deatll-bed by the great seminar him,
venir. "s 'oi-
Through the two broad windows abutting on the sea
y III a ked
boat called Mistral, and smaller one called Al
phonse, after his grandson, both moored by n pic
turesque boathouse covered with luxuriant yepeto-
ton. When asked why it was long since he had
produced novel; Alphonse Karr replied 81 do not
write novels since have ceased to lipe them and
as to other peoples novels. never knows
enough OF them to enibody them properly" In a
ramble through his garden NJ Karr points out with
some degree OF pride the oasis he has raised in the
former Sahara. These are all my friends" he
says, pointing to the trees and flowers. Il know
them all personally. visit them daily and
attend to their wants. Let me Introduce
you to some of the most remarkable indi-
yiduals among them. OF rose-trees have about
five thousand, including all the most esteemed
species. My camelllas are the finest in the country
and remain out all winter These heliotropes
pelargoniums and fuchsias all arborescent
Now turn TO this miniature lake, which have
formed out OF the torrent; you see blooming it's
bosom nymph@ds OF every shade, the apOnoDeton
dystachiOn the p0ntedcria cOrdata, the Egyptian
papyTus. and many other aquatic plants. The rose
lauress which have planted round have grown into
fine tall trees; they give flowers of twenty different
colors."
From the lake there is but one step to neat little
cottage, which NJ. Kari has had built in his grounds
for his daughter Jeanne, n happy wife and
mother glance at this delicious interior serves to
show that II Alphonse Karr deems an anchorte's |
abode sufficient for himself, he has spared nothing
for the comfort of his children "Que vOulez ~
said he, when this fact was remarked upon; I'VE |
Old people have few years to live that it is quite
natural that should devote them to the happiness
Of those We love"