New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-20
LITERARY NOTES.

LII ERAhI NOl G'o.
rc-v and cheaper edition Of Sidney Laner's poems
f. announced by scrbner. 1t Is pleasant to note tls
evidence Of popular appreciation oil true Poo|
For Ionier had genius and might have been n great
Ginger rhat shall add to that "if'? IT, perhaps
with tic charming air he sang he had comolhed lile
heavenly orderlincss OF harmonious chords HIS
.o,ce is n curious mixture OF inspiration and COM
monplace.
Massachusetts undoubtedly lives up to her blue
China. She has as many public libraries as all TIE
states mt together; sixty memorial buildings have
been erected and tho Of S5,5o0,000 has been
given outright by individuals for them
William Bladcs's History Of Printing was prac-
iically completed before his death; and carefully
edited and enriched by memoir Of the author ana
list OF his writings on printing, 1t Will soon DC pup
| lished By Elliot Stock. q
John Holmes the wise and accomplished brother
OF orr delightful Autocrat = and the old friend or
Lowell has an admirable letter on the poet In the
columns of.aTle Writer" Writing of Lowen's social
ATTITUDE Ne says that he never brought his own
personality to notice than the interest OF his
friends demanded cable speaker as he was ne never
harangucd in the social circle. His narrative was
always concise and successful His laugh, sufficiently
explosive TO carry with 1t the proper !ocund force
was hearty manly, and pectoral. If any intended
smile TO its immediate sepulture His dignity con-
sisted in doing nothing undgnhed and his manly good
mature precluded every thought OF that quality.
have alluded 10 his sefcOntrol. lie seemed rany
above falling into passion. Though strong ana
ready in argument, he never indscreetly prolonged
H. and his energetic replication was usually prefaccd
with a courteous, Il beg your pardon, the buffer
that he lnterposed to prevent even the aspect OF
harsh intellectual collision. have spoken of his
freedom from egotism. Returning from courts and
public life to his quiet circle, the attentions nc had
| received at home and abroad never made the
subject of narrative by him, but at the desire OF his
friends Mr.. Lowell was emlnently loyal to friends
and to places that he loved. and to old associations
In n whist club which had existed for very long
period and for latter years had consisted OF the
four members his social virtues were conspicuous
His LOYALTY here showed itself by his ready response to
any call, and his vigilnnt watch for any opportunity
to convene the club HIS genial harity and uniform
good temper amid the vicissitudes OF play wore
pleasant to sce ard his ready hmOr most benencaly
envened The social intervals. He was constitutonay
brave and generous In tie only case in which
know him TO have been peculiarly endangered, no
volunteered to meet the risk In his young days he
went to the rescue OF small boy who had fallen
| through the fee, and broke in himself This was
most dangerous and helpless situation. The boy
was saved The tender regard Of his friends testified
to his general kindness Of disposition, and to numerous
private acts Of bencfcence. Beyond all ordinary
kindness he could show without sentimental weak
ness OF nerve delicate and tender sympathy, the
last and finest adornment of manly character
Mr. ouiller Couch-otherwise "Q."-is editing a
representative collection of stories Of all ages and
countries Cassen will print the collection In parts
under the general title Of "The World Of Romance"
An extraordinary list Of blunders made by readers
at certain public library is recorded by "The Library
Journal These books were called for within few
months past: as Sara. Zenasd," "Sequel Of saraclr
Mesa which IS ST. Haro," (" IIworth case" "Arsto
GRAFT Of the breakfast table, "Cluster en- the HEARTH
Marie Dashkershrb, Alsop's Fables lily Spata,'
Danas Emanuel OF Geology" Bonbary ROose. by
Dickens "Helcn's Water BabIes.' "Great Orators
their habits and nature when young" Caesars Con-
tcmp0rares," "Tents Of Ham," "EgglestOns Circus
ridcrs "Guyots Earthen Man, Lambs Essay on
roast mutton" "ROe's Escape from Eden" " Butter
and Eggs and Kisses" "Mrs. Burnet's Vera Cruz
"Trowbrldges Three ScOots," "StOck's Lady of the
Lake. "Kenelworth and Chilllngly Sacred Letter
by Hawthorne, Expectation Expatriaton). Wonld
anybody imagine on hearing a man talking about
NIX vOmica' that he meant Professor Dummond's
"Pax vobscum77 This Is actual case Of render
ing also noted by the " Journal
Major Joseph Kirkland, the author of "Zury"-n
book whose strength has not yet been fully appre
ciated by the pubc-is writing two histories Of
Chicago.
In Mr.. oscar Wilde's last book there are some
interesting passages of which the following is an eX.
ample: "The subjects discussed were merely such
ms form the ordinary conversation OF cultured Amerl-
| cans Of the better class, such the immense
superiority OF Miss Fanny Davenport Sarah Bern
yardt rs an actress the difficulty Of obtaining green
corn bucIwheat cakes and hOminy even In the best
English houses, and the sweetness Of the NewYork
| accent rs compared to the London drawl.' 1t is
the nerpetrQtion Of banalIties Of this kind says
| William Sharp In "The London Academy (which
| dl,gusts Engslnicn as well as cultured Americans