New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-30
LITERARY NOTES.
tales.

Mr. Ruskn has confided 10 hfs admirers that shelf
of the little cabinet in his study Is loaded IN poe'
cal efusions which the delight OF my father ana
mother and which have not got the heart 10 burn.'
There is rumor that the best OF his verse ne h'ehus
to collect n ono melodous volume. There is good
de, to leave outl For example, The Broken CHAIN,
the longest poem he wrote, may be omitted Win
remarkably successful effect. Here is bit OF 1t:
"Where the flower hath fairest hue,
Where the breeze hath balmiest breath,
Where the dawn hath softcst dew,
Who're the heaven hath deepest blue,
There is death
aWherc the gentle streams of thinking,
Through our hearts that flow so free,
Have the deepest, softcst sinking
And the fullest melody,
Where the crown of hope IS nearest,
Where the voice Of Joy Is clcarest,
Where the heart OF youth is llghtest,
Where the Hight Of love Is brightest,
There's DEATH
To this sort OF platltudnous commonplace the only
RESPONSE IS True, true' DR.. Watts, In comparison
is strkingy original and imaginative
handsome new edition Of j. T. Headley's hlstor-
cal works is the press of the Scrbners. IL VII DO
complete in six volumes.
Miss Clara l. Burnham. the author Of that clever
book, "Next Door, has written new novel when
Ticknor will bring out under the title Of Young Ma DIS
and Old
It is said that Tennyson Is probably the only living
author whose works used for examination pur-
poses in India 1t was stated the other day that the
entire body OF candidates at Madras was hopeiessy
puzzled by the line from " The Princess:
"Was proxy welded to a bootless calf
An Engishman says that about four years ago he
told Mr.. Lowell that he had just received from "h
tier lively letter, as sportivc as II from boy
"Mr Whittier remarked Mr. Lowell in answer " has
led a good pure life, and have often observed that
men who lead good, pure lives are very apt 10 Dc
cheerful in their old age And be has b nd done
his faith undnmed and strong n the unseen
charming little book Is promised by the scrlbners
This is a edition in 12mo OF the delightful Leu
tiers of Thackeray' published last season in an edition
de luxe. 1t Will contain the portrait and facsmiles
Of some OF the most characteristic letters. We arc
glad 10 note that these fascinating cpstles are to be
brought within the reach Of small purses The only
near details of Thachcray's lie which we arc ever
likely TO read are TO be found in them Probably no
other biography will ever be added to Leslie stephens
monograph and Anthony Trolopcs silly essay II
saws good deal for the strength OF the impression
which the novelist made upon the writers OF j iino
that no interruptions money-maKer mas Ac, uisIo
garded his wish that no biography should DC Written
Mr. F. W. Howe's second book disappointed many
peoplc who had agreed with Mr Howellss praises
of his first book The Story Of Country Town.
They are waiting with somo curiosity the appear
anco of the third, Z" a Man story 1t IS said 10 he
larger and more elaborate work than Inc olher t"o'
Mspleson tho mpressario has Just issued his remi-
nsccnces in London, under the title OF The Mapleson
Memoirs The volumes are full Of amusing stories
and odd glimpscs of character signor Mario seems
to be the only tenor Mr. Mapleson ever met with Of
whom he can speak IN terms of unqualified admira-
ton. Giugni was childishly vain Mongni furiously
conceed Masni had tho pride of Luclier or OF a
lunatic Ravels selfesteem is said to be excessive
while the honest, simple minded Fanchel carried his
simplicity TO such point that, when he found MINI
self rcproached all sides with never having mas
tered the principles Of vocallzaton he informed MIR
Mapleson that he meant 10 take lessons In singing,
but that tho lucrative engagements offered TO him
would not allow him to do so until he had finished
his career slgnor MOngni went on one occasion
raving mad because the tailor Of Her Majesty 5
Theatre had instead OF letting out his costume, taken
II in He tore his clothes 10 pieces, stood In his
shirt brandshing sword, and declaring that any one
venturng his dressing room should at once be
put to death. Mr Maplcson could only pacify him
bv promising him that the tailor who had grcvousy
yexed him should be turned out into the streets to
starve7 together with four imaginary children, sup
posed wife, and other gratuitous appendices. Inc
next day thc semi-rcpcntant tenor begged tnat the
children might not be left TO die of hunger, inaSInuch
as according his feeling observation, 1t might In
lure him with the public Another tenor refused 70
NAV hig part in an opera because in duel with tho
baritone It was he, and not the secondary character
who had 10 be slain This artist f.. we are assured.
I'm the habit Of consulting favorte dog TO whether
or not when he feels somewhat indisposed, he should
appear before the pubic
Mr. Mapleson tells a funny story about Benedict and
Arditi Signor Arditi. with manly recognition Of
patent facts accepts his badness and even glores IN
If. The late SIR Julius Benedict, the other hand,
resorted TO artistic devices with tho view of conceal
ing what he had somehow persuaded himself was a
defect Benedict and Ardlti at time Joint
conductors under Mr.. MapleSon. Both says Mr.
Mapleson were excellent. but neither wished to be
mistaken for the other; and remember on one oc-
casion, when a grand combined performance was to
take place, Benedict going into the prima donna S
dressing room, taking up brush and carefully ar
ranging his scanty hair so as to cover as much as
possible OF his denuded craninm.
What are you doing Benedict asked.
Nothing PARTICULAR he replied; only don't
want. whilst welding inc b"Ioh' 10 10 mistaken ior
Soon afterward ArdIu appeared and with a
couple Of brushes began operating on lis hair so as
TO leave as much as possible of his bare skull eX-
posed to view. lie explained his action by eAciani'
'"ta' don't want to be mistaken for Benedict
Miss Charlotte Yongc has written another novel,
q our New Mistress which Whitaker will publish
Immediately.
Mr. r. L. Stevenson Is now writing every day on
board his yacht "Casco," and IS in much better
health than when in the Adrondacks. AT last ac-
counts he was at Nukaheva, spending much time
ashore in talks with tho adnirihg h@u'cs' no Is
probably al Tamil now.
It is shown in the October Century that Lincoln
had considerable military knowledge. The late
Colonel Robert n Scott is quoted as saying with en-
thusiasm and vchemence: tell you, NJ. the biggest
military man wo had was Abraham Lincoln lie
disclaimed for him, OF course, knowledge of military
technique; but in respect 10 what should and what
should not be done. and when and where, 10 saiu
Lincoln more uniformly right and less frequently
wrong than any man we had
A volume Of extracts from the Greek comic poets
with verse translations by f. A. Palcy will soon be
published In London.
Mr. Theodore Bacon's Life' OF bis hlnswoman,
Della Bacon, which Is on the press OF Houghton,
Miln Co.. is to contain portrait Of that originator
of the Bacon shakespeare controversy and also many
letters addressed 10 her by hawthorne, Nariylo ana
Emerson.
Professor James Bryce's american Common
wealth" will be published soon by the Macmllans
Mr. Theodore Roosevct's def ais OF Ranch Life and
tho Hunting Trail" will shortly DO brought out I'm a