New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-04
"THERRS NOTHING True BUT HEAVEN."

"TUERE'S NOIHING IkUE DOL HHA' Nv
The above affirmation occurs in hymn that mas
come down to us from a former generation. III Is
not precisely Trustworthy; obviously it IS to be
taken with n distinct grain of salt All the same,
it is doubtful If even tho nged angel OF
Truth herself will claim that it is anything worse
than an hypcrbole. The statement that there
nothing true but Heaven, while not an unGllDyed
fact is founded on facts-On a number OF weghty
facts Long ago the worlds attention was called
to some of these facts. William Tell was shown to
be abstract and not n concrete personage. lho
faithful greyhound Gelert, which died III
successful effort to protect his masters child from
the fangs of n wolf only to perish by his masters
hasty sword. was resolved into n canine Myth
incapable of imparting tydrophobia to tie most
nervous OF Newark people. Prestcr John anu Other
gentlemen in whom the Middle Ages had reposed
confidence were forced by the fierce white light Of
investigation into the limbo devoted to popular
delusons. Not long ago The TRIBUNE took
occasion to revert to these and related mistakes OF
truth-of- history in an article commenting on
the discovery that flying fish are.unabe to fly and
that Saddlerock" oysters. although still proni-
nent on bills of fare long ago closed their honOred
career OF late this largo volume OF testimony
which goes TO establish the proposition that there's
nothing true but Heaven has received some notable
additions
First. there is the historic apple. The reference
Is not to the which Sir lsaac Newton saw fall'
but TO the much earlier and more significant one
that Eve handed to Adam on a memorable occasion.
1t seems that this apple must go. We read that
Professor Eaton of Yale in recent lecture 10 his
students told them that it not certain that Eve
tempted Adam with an apple lie thinks probably
il was a quiUee." 1t is needless to remark that
Professor Eaton would not presume to displace the
al Ia. tlrelC
convinced III his own mind that he was warranted
in so doiug-that the displacement was due to hat
is humorpusy known M MISUNDERSTANDING.
Then there is Lucrelia Borgla. 1t seems that this
eminent malelactoress is no slch person She has
been made out to DO the Wickcdest Woman of
Europe. who would have been a truly sympathetic
helpmeet for the Wickcdcst Man Of Newlork, OF
whom we used TO hear good deal-ln western
papers. Mr.. William Waldorf Astor has come to
the rescue of her reputation. lie does not indeed
claim that Lucretia was the founder of the sunday
school system Of Italy does lac call her the star
eyed goddess OF continental reform Bat he does
argue that the-trnth-oi-history has done her
hagrant Injustice. Ihe stain upon her. writes
Mr.. Astor in lie North Amuicda, IS from sur
roundings she could neither change nor escape
We're IL not that she TOO stands within the halo OF
the sacred precincts of her fathers office her fame
ana tlc story OF lIdlllto Noulh bdloiS NAN
a trace upon the page vi italian history
Like Lucrctla Borgla the good name of that
beautiful bird the peacock, has also been under
cloud for centuries lie has been stigmatizcd as
miracle of vanity. AS vain M peacock long
ago took its place among the proverbs and the
aNoms But here comes dealer in birds who
presumably has made the habits of the peacock a
close study, who is intimately acquainted with the
peacock ana what does he say He yohemcntly
denies that the peacock is vain Here Is his contrl-
button 10 the-truth-of-history,a furnished TO The
Philadelphia Aetrs
IL Is simply the gaudy plnnage OF tho peacock that
has le the story Oi hi vanity suppose IN days gOne
by when parsOu other had text, was mad
because money went for bOnnets instead Ot the con
triOuton box he Just nc tine peacock subject and
Jumped In without reEarl 10 nice distinctions IN natural
history. / dont suppose that peacock has sense
en- Dtg know that his feathers gauly or his fee
ugly. It's dead fact that ho has smaller head
and Ia any bird you mention that Is half
HIS size In Dody. Vanity bo Dlowodi'
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