Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02

Str Richard Burton. while now one can
scarcely look over a single newspaper or
magazine without meeting with some sort
of reference to him, and all this is owing to
the destruction of one of his manuscripts,
which hardly anyone living, excepting the
prudish widow, who burned it, can say had
specific value Too much import
ance is attached to this incident.
1t will be acknowledged that
Burton, in his writings, was more
or less actuated by desire for fame, and
may have been of the opinion that the mat
ter destroyed would do more than anything
else to perpetuate his memory; nevertheless,
the fact remains that he made his wife the
legatee of his property, of which this manu-
script was part. aud she was undoubtedly
privileged to do Just as she pleased with her
own. That she may have had good grounds
for her action will be evidenced to those
who have had an opportunity of seeing or
reading her husbands translation of '0The
Arabian Nights" in which he uses Ian
guage with Oriental freedom, and if he was
still freer, as it is claimed, in the work de-
stroyed, it is just as well that it did 60 up
in smoke.
But while so much space is devoted to
the incident of the manuscript, the man
nlmsei nds ueen lost slSht VI. burton was
undoubtedly a clever man. His works
treating of his travels have always been
read with the most eager interest. His ex-
ploration of Africa, Brazil and the Land of
Midian were all fruitful of results and have
been well covered in his entertaining books.
It was he in company with Speke that dis
covered the great Central African lake Tan
ganyika He also visited the Gold Coast,
the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and
Salt Lake City in this country, his visits to
each resulting in works which are valu able
to the world for the accurate information
which they contain.
SIGNIFICANCE OF LEoPoLD's ALLIANCE
Leopold of Belgium may have bad luck,
but there is no questioning his ability to
administer his State affairs with tact and
intelligence. His latest act, that of joining
the triple alliance as the ally of Germany
shows that he keenly appreciates his posi-
tion as the monarch of a country that is
liable to be badly torn up during a conflict
between the great powers Belgium occu-
pies very peculiar position geographically.
Bounded on the one hand by Germany, on
the other by France, it has been the theater
of some of the greatest battles of European
history. So often have these conflicts been
waged within the borders of the little king
dop that somebody has dubbed it "The
Cockpit of Europe" a name which has
clung to it for a long time.
The most curious part Of the Kings pres
ent action lies in Joining forces with Ger
many. Can this be an indication as to Leo
pold's opinion of the probable outcome of
the combat that will ensue sooner or later
between Germany and France? One would
think that the Belgians-all things be-
ing equal-would not hesitate to league
themselves with France. Flemish they
are termed, but what does that amount
to in country where 2,230,316 speak
French against 2.4s5, ,3S4 the national
tongue2 Still more remarkable is the fact
that out of grand total of 6,093, 1893 only
IS, $50 are German, and yet the Government
takes sides with that nationality against
those who represent almost half the popula-
ton of the kingdom. There is some deep
reason for Leopold's action and only time
will make it clear.
THE REIGNING BEAUTY OF PARIS.
1t may interest the ladies-and gentle
men, too-to present here a portrait of