New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-03


lar tho ,,lc of lie Icrc GcUgfc.
All This time he wes still working us "a "erhi'A
au,hor Ills first contribution to Paiisiah Jo"f"'
ism was a short, humorous article i'll ''c VI"
"Caulcis" signed Albert A." Some oaS' Ne'
Wolff was in "a cafe much ireqneh'c' ny J
;s,s and among others at table near HIM was
Villcmcssant the chief cfitor OF flg1ro' my
were discussing the mysterious aruci' l" 'Ne
"Gaulois' and Vicmessant seemed 10 Nv "'".,
taken with il. If | knew who ms h"o''
was. he should write for Figaro, he declared ~
is unnecessary TO say that Wolf lost no time IN
introducing himself At the close oil a 'e"
minutcs conversation Vllemessant said: brins
mo such an article for my paper for all you can
write rs good IA that one, ] Will pay you ~"
frames" But a dozen sketches which WON wro'e
after that failed 70 please Villemcssah, VINO rom
cally dubbed him 9" the man 0t one "'"''
Finally however, he began Ia api~nr III 'ho 'o'-
unns of lie Figaro" and in other Faris papfs "s
we'll He was taken on the regular s'@h
of Figaro" where he had charge Of the depart
ment Echos de Paris" The number OF chai-
lengcrs to mortal combat the epierammauc "er-
man received il testimony TO the success OF IA"
editorshp
When the war broke ont in 1870. Wolf went IN
Brussels where he wrote the book entitled Deux
Empcreurs," wherein both Wilhelm and Napoleon
were impartially denounced, the one for cor
poralizing' Germany and the other for running
France At the end II October, 1871, he re-
turned 10 Paris and was received with omen arms
by Villcmessant. The other editors OF Figaro
were inclined 10 resent his presence among mem,
but NillcmeSsant declared that WON should
remain if all the rest II the establishment
had 10 90. II suggested tha'
the once popular fcuilletons' writ" under an as
sumed name. 10 evadc the luminosity OF the ul'rl
Prussian haters, but Wolf absolutely rrfuTd To-
entertain such a proposition. Tho first article
written affer his return assured the Parisans that
he would as his difficult position required, avoid
the tender question of politics. but that he would
never be guilty of the cowardly act of assuming
a mask in a place he had long called his home.
Before nome the article concluded have
reason 70 east down my eyes ard SO, boldly ana
calmly, in the broad light Of day. sign as for
merly, Albert Wolff
The article produced great sensation. Inc ex-
tremists denounced the audacious Teuton IN bitter
est terms. but the more sensible Parisians agreed
that not even a Frenchman coull have acted with
more admirable tact Won added 10 his popn-
larity when lie sought AMI Obtained naturaliza-
ton as Frcnchman. \ Nt,urlise Naincu, he
called himself
When Villemessant died. Wolf. with three
others inherited the Journal. Since then he has
leading article in French paprFs. II is known.
deals less With politics than with the sciences.
the arts and society. VOLTS essays were always
charming in the style that belongs strictly To
French writer's. Yet the philosophy and the
culturc underlying their lghtness and grace were
of German birth Wolf travelled much and made
friends in many countries Even the Sultan OF
Turkey. who was never known ms patron of
letters. overwhelmed the wit Of Figaro with
gifts and decorations.
Rcsies his labors a journalist. he wrote "a
series of comedies. ms we'll - numerous novels
and some historical works. Memories du Bous-
varl," Cent Chcf-dOeuyrc DIES Collections
Pari-icnncs," Memories dun Parisien." La
lIantr Noce' In G,orie a Paris" La
Capirale Ge Tart" and "Trgaro-Sa,on7 ARE among
his NEST important writings He also
wsot, several Plays in coliaboratir with Roche.
tort; "Lhomme du >id. Myslcrc, de rlIotel
dcs vcntcs," and Memories de Reseda." His
latest drama was Egmont," produced IN 1857.
But it must always De- art critic that
Albert Wolf will be chiefly remembered. Thens
is no other man with influence a. great His
power Was absolute \ void from him made OF
nnmadc a man; favorable notice Of a pLrilcu-
lar picture IN the columns Of Figaro sold that
picture at the artists own price. HIS taste IN
srnstiyencs, Ia beauty the most delicate. Buv
al this could not have established his lnialh.
buty had he been les, sincere. less honest, less
candid aud unSparing IN lilo judgments From
1855 Ia ls9l his annual review OF the Salon was
pu blishcd in book form and translate into Eng
iish German and Italian. Nothing like them has
ever been written: ttev are art classics.
WOLF, houS, in Paris II workable art museum,
for he rot only admired pictures. hut lie bought
them. Many also were given him by the
painters \ magnificent portrait Of himself
was presented Wolm by Carolus Duran: Bistien
Iepage made an etching 90 his strange. weird
head with its maSk-llke c0untenancc and drOOp-
Iug eyes Personally ne of the mOsr
incomprrhcnsblr of men. i thousand stories Of
his cccenfrlcitcs, his whinlS and odd cOnceits,
have been told H. had a di-aCrccahc and irri-
tating voice "A most alarming habit of bawling
ont his comments at first night performances.
lis great vice was gambling: he became almost
insane at times over cards. and 10 hs death the
pa ssiOn for play was the strongest in his nature
Like all gamblers he absurdly >upcrstltious
His ducl> were numerous those of most
French editors One which he fought with his
bosom friend, Lefebvr, of the Francai>e,' at
tract"l much attention nj the time Lefcbvre
took offence AZ of VOLTS criticisms and a
meeting the result For years the two were
bitter enemies. but they finally resumed their old
friendship. and became more intimate than ever.
Few men AT their death leave n vcritable
vacancy but of Alder; WoG il can he sail that
there il one. AT present at least 10 take his
place. lie leaves no family To mourn for him
but whole city, Whole world of art IN fact,
regrets his death honestly and will miss him
dccpy.
4 SiEE NDTEI