New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
TRoLLOPE'S "REMINISCENCES.

"reminiscences naturally suggested TO Mr. Trollope
the expediency of working the same vein furner
Most men of his age would have been content
with what had been accomplished. hut the
Trollope family have been distinguished during
Two full generations by facility OF literary pro-
duction and continued ability to compose
mcritorous though not frst-rate books. which
really gives them a position by themselves when
one thinks of the work done by Anthony Trollopc
and by Mrs. Trollope in her day. and then turns
10 the prolific octogenarian. whose gossippy re-
membranes have been so fuenty recorded in
this and the preceding volume. it does not APP
rear nj all surprising that the author should have
led an active life, taken great deal OF exercise,
travelled extensively, entertained largely gone
freely into society," and in despite of all these oc-
cupations and diversions, have continued TO pour
out novels, magazine articles, newspaper contri-
buttons and correspondence. almost precisely as
though he had had nothing else TO do. OF course
nuaptitv does not compensate deficiencies of quail
ity. and the writings of Thomas Adolphus Troliope
are not remarkable for their force. But there IS
in them brightness which attracts, an observa-
ton which pleases and commonsense winch
no doubt appeals TO the majority.
In this first volume of his recollect1ons MI
Tiollope chronicles in outline what may well ne
called his second life At the age of fifty-five he
many men before him situated have thought,
that life could hold nothing further for him. that
his career was closed. But his wife in dying
had left baby girl in his charge, and as Bice
grew and her education had to be attended TO,
the cxiecncies of the case prepared the way for
consolation and domestic reconstruction lie
asked young lady who had been an intimate
friend of the first wife TO come and take upon
herself the care of Bices education. The lady
consented and q second marriage was the result;
a result which had been foreseen by others.
though not by Mr.. Trollope himself. The events
which led to the removal of the Italian Court
from Florence TO Rome proved disastrous to our
author He had bought villa near Florence and
had spent too much money in remodelllng ana
suiting it to his own tastes and requirements
Had the seat of Government remained at Florence
he would however, have lost nothing, for he
could have easily sold out at high figure; but
the departure of the Court upset everything, and
ultimately cost him $50 .000-which was nearly
all his fortune. This serious disaster, however,
did not cast him down even for the time lie
went about and enjoyed society and travel, wrote
his novels and articles as usual, and lost no sleep
or appetite over the gloomy aspects of the situa-
ton cheerier man of his years, indeed, IL
would be difficult to find, and his sangune and
optimistic spirit was soon rewarded by the prefer
of the lucrative post of correspondent at Rome
10 THE London Standard, An Office which he
held for number of years, and which he filled
admirably.
This volume is not so trimming over with
anecdote as the first. 1t is much more record
of travel in various parts of Italy, Switzerland
and Germany and an interesting record too IN
its way There is also much curious information
about country life on a Florentinc farm. concern
ing the manners and customs OF the peasants. and
the daily life of the region. Mr.. Trollope had
the unhappiness of losing his beloved daughter
Bice only a year after her marriage to MI
Wortey. She was sweet and lovely girl. and
the villa residents of Florence all admired. loved
and petted her She possessed decided musical
genius a pure and flexible voice Of much COM
pass, and gift of sympathetic experience
and Interpretation. This loss, however. occurred
after the sale of his old home after he had parted
with that library fifty feet long and those four
teen thousand books which he recalls with un-
conscious frequency. and his lingering regrets
concerning which will be sympathizcd with by
every man of letters and book lover and col
lcctor. Not that Mr. Trollopc appears TO have
been collector, for the price at which his books
went indicates that they formed working
library. and he says himself that they were
chiefly Italian. An offer of $4,000 was made by
n bookseller to Trolopes agent. who foolishly
rejected it. The amount which the library
actually fetched was less than S.. 900. not half
of what had been offered. Neither this nor any
other disappointment could break the spirit Of
our author who put stout heart to steep
brae' and refused 10 be downed" by misfortune.
In writing this volume he has followed what
may be considered happy thought. which is
to record any anecdote that occurs TO himI
st hat +ha
to mind, instead of waiting TO set it in orderly
sequence at the risk of not remembering it again.
This plan has obvious advantages in a work like
the present, for it is really seldom that the time
and place Of story are related to its interest
and point, and this is especially true of Mr..
Trolopes stories. He has several fair ghost
stories here but they are all too long for quota
ton. The most remarkable is that Of party
of ladies and gentlemen who, while walking
afternoon village, heard the church bell
toll as for DEATH and presently a funeral
procession coming along the road toward them.
AS it approached they stepped to the side of the
road TO make way for it, and all clearly the
sexton and priest, then the bier with its bearers
then long line of mourners walking two and
two. The funeral cortegc advanced until it was
abreast of the spectators the roadside, and
then-vanishcd utterly and instantly. Was this
q collective hallucinati0n, and if So what caused
it? Nothing followed 10 any of those who had
seen the phantom funeral. No friend relative
Of any of them either proved TO be dead died
soon after. None of them died, and in short. no
light OF any kind ever thrown upon the case.
curious instance of onc-sidcd tenderness Of
conscience is given in the account Of an Italian
cook who had plotted TO swindlc the author by
appropratng the sums given him for marketing,
and declaring that lie had received the
money. The matter was taken into court. land
the magistrate said that he should administer an
oath to the man. The way this was done. or
was then done at Florence, was by placing a
crucifx in the hand Of the person to he sworn.
who, graspng the long end of the cross in his
right hand, and holding it up in front Of him. was
required TO speak the words of his assertion rs
it WERE face TO face with the Saviour on The cross
and as il addressing them 10 him This my thief Of