New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-10

LEY, H., I Edited py o e vosyoss Royal
svo, pp T., 3e5; L., 42S' hsspef
These handsome volumes enclose rarely in'er.
esting body Of correspondence, the irec ana nuen,
outflow Of brilliant and active mind, gii,eo
with strong powers OF observation ana dencav'
sprightly humor closely related TO that peculiarly
American habit of thought which threw into
bald relief and often Hinged with qualntneSs
,,,,,o..,,ro the rrotesoue the old-world institu-
tians customs ceremonies and fetishism which
the writer enjoyed such full opportunities for
observing. In editing Mr.. Motley's letters, Mr..
Curtis has, TO use his own words, withheld
wbateyer he believed that the writer's good Iuag-
ment and thoughtful consideration Tor e'hers
would have omitted. This rule includes COM
ments upon persons and affairs which, however
innocent and playful might cause needless pain
or misapprehension. 1t includes also much OF
the repetition which naturally occurs in such
letters, and large part Of the domestic ana
friendly messages and illusions, which, although
illustrating the writer's generous sympathy ana
aKectionate disposition, are essentially private
Enough remains when all necessary elisions have
been made to afford remarkably fun and
graphic chronicle Of experiences equally varied
and entertaining.
Mr. Motley began at an early age to write clever
&VttfS IHc optcautCho uSEo gwen VI VulltlISu
correspondence show an unusually alert and pre-
ooceus intelligence and an; aptitude TOR and
progress in study not often encountered. We
find him at ten years OF age writing to his father
Of his appearance In o school exhibition, when
he recited and took part in a little comedy.
About the same age he addresses a letter to his
mother in French-naturally not of the purest.
The ten year-old boy also had his opinions on the
novels OF the period, and thought Lionel Lincoln"
very interesting-s view he probably soon out
lived. On graduating from Harvard at seventeen
he went to Germany and spenta year at Gottingen
and another at Berlin His letters home at this
time begin to exhibit mature thought and that
gift OF description which, in after years, was to
lend SO strong q charm to his historical writings
From Gottingen he writes to his father gravely
recapitulating al the expenses present and con-
tingcnt of his collegiate life. and detailing his
plans for the future. 1t was during
his years of study in Germany that
he came to know Bismarck, and the friend
ship formed between the Gottingen students con-
tinued unimpairei to the end Of Motlcy's hfe
bismarck, wiz be seen presently, was warmly
attached to him, and always showed the greatest
delight in his companionslip After travelling
over the Continent young Motley was appointed
Secretary to the United States Legation
at St Petersburg, and spent eight months there,
doing little officially, but seeing plenty Of the
Court. and making shrewd and humorous CON-
ments on all he saw.
His account of his presentation to the Gar is
very amusing. At this period his native repub-
heanism was too strong for him TO view the solemn
ceremonialism of the Russian Court without mock
ing at it, but his cynieism is boyish and quite
good-humored. This is how the Gar received
him:
We drove round to the Neva side of the palace,
corridor with sesssiiasd marble fOor w Coming to
splendid staircase upon the top Of which were several
Sn n fantastic S SnS
clothes of Harlequin. One Of these shipped out and
sa Us rgs SSsrs ns @ osy the
bied There We were left with our companion in arms
sss a som the s q tS Sss
walls are =, starred all cysr With little
sn soa S s yds ee
Here We talked and walled about minglIng in mob
Nesseirode was bobbns about as usual, until a Hood
o. courters, pouring into the hall nom an inner one,
a q S .Sa ses Ss s Say T
taras and sweeping robes OF velvet and eroeade nd
despatched the victims that had been offered up TO them
IN the hal immediately preccding We were now drawn
Of the ceremonies, ami formed very respectable semi
circle, beginning with the dowager Of ST Petersburg
eud and taperng OF With those who had not yet been
presented BY This @ was Of course
attaehe and Sir Robert Porter British Charge dAaires
ct Venezuela Presently file Of ladies marched IN
hall opposite the diplomatic circle. Among these
gsre the Grand Duchess Helena the Grand Duchess s
70 ssting.sh and who were too great 70 be aimed at
,ssr M n male ana and came
They attached the Ministers first, beginning with
aplonsts stationed secordine their Official rank and
seniority of commission His Majesty, on reaching
question passing to the next man as soon as each name
was fairly announced Ny Introduction consisted tr
change s Of SoWs for as as he was about t. sdes
me With probably the usual question OF How lone
srt portor who had lived formerly great many year,
in St Petersburg, and whom the Car welcomed with
soOG meneSt aeF had kissed her hand
m my turn and the following amusing and instructive
sss soa sSsn pasS VIII
TERI Nom yotre Msieste l How d s you come au'
man Aer she had reached the bottom Of the ei ss
searp n as he ' next ana school broke
hes su We The had wo hsS
rounds were requested TO stop 10 be presented 20 INT
Grand Duke Heriser and HIS spouse
Another reception-that Of the hereditary Grand
Duchess--receives the following comment:
at last wo were ushered into room !sSolning 9Th tnt
son son and gold the drapery, and furniture ecn!
crimson satin and the walls actually Piateah . O
sss d u b soad omes and spires Of nearly an @
ssoss and pSs sdaf as a he Ssae
s GO and presently Sc Ss sersdsy orsn
hue hue made her sppearsnce, and COMMENCED opera
lions by flooring Gegers. the Dutch Chargo, who wa
s'o1a ss s ssda q ss creature dsnse
Dsrmstadt, whom The young duke married Iof iose
enc sne Ssn sonTssaflon Win me was pretty muc