The morning call., 1893-07-16
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

THE STORY OF My LIFE.-One of the
most IN nteresting of recent publications is
the ''Story of My Life" by Georg Ebers.
the eminent Egvptologist and novelist.
The only regret the reader will have after
having finished the volume will be that
there is not more OF it and that the
author did not continue the story
down past the time of his early
man God. Ebers was posthumous child.
having been born fortnight after his
fathers death ut was to soothe
mothers heartbreak," he writes, that
came in the saddest hours of her life. and
though my locks are now gray l have not
forgotten the joyful moments in which
that dear mother hugged her falherless
little one, and among other pet names
called him her comfort child.
The devoted love and attachment which
he bore his only parent is noticeable all
through the book, and he appears in his
early years to have fairly worshiped his
mother His early instruction he obtained
from her, and he appears to have had her
pleasure only in view in most Of his llter-
ary abOrs.
His first teacher after his mother was
Frnbel. His recollectiOns of the fouhder of
the kindergarten are especially interest
ing "Froe5el Wishes" says Ebers. 'to
have the child regarded as a bud on the
great tree of life. and therefore each pupil
needs to be considered individually. de-
veloped mentally and physically, fostered
and trained as bud on the huge tree OF
the human race"
He had intended devoting himself to the
study of the law. but his mind took turn
toward Egyptology, to which it was dl-
rected by his tutnr, Lepsus. He was in
formed, too, that he must understand
English and Italian. since many things
which the Egyptologist ought 10 know
were published in these languages, as we'll
as in French. Once started in the direc-
tion of Egyptian Antiquities his mind ap-
pears to have become fascinated with the
study, and he pursued it with real zest.
he thus speaks of his first work of fic-
ton, the Egyptian Princess" published
in 1864: 81 began because l could not help
1t. and probably scarcely any work ever
stood out more clearly arranged, down
to the smallest detail. in its creators
imagination. than the Egyptian Princess
ia mine when | took up nv pen.
AS for the characters. most of them were
familiar. How many of my mothers
traits the beautiful, dignfied Rhodopis
preserved! King Amasis was Frederick
William ". The Greek, Planes. re-
sembled Frederick Seitfart. Ntetis, too.
l knew. l had often jes'ed with
Atossa. and Sappho was combination
of my charming Frankfort cousin,
Betsy. with whom | spent such
delightful days in Rippoldsau and lovely
Lima Won Addison. Like the characters
in the works OF the greatest writers-I
mean Goethr-not one of mine was wholly
invented. but neither was any an accurate
portrait of the model"
For years he resisted the opportunities
OF The publishers to again venture in the
realms Of fiction, but it was not until he
nao suffered a stroke of paralysis that he
complied. and as he says gave way to
the muse he had s" long denied" The
charming romance "Uarda" was the re-
suit During long days of suffering" he
Mil.es: romance was again Kind and
powerful comforter"
a. we nave said. the reader. after he has
nnlsned The Story of My Life" will feel
keen regret that it has not been con-
| tlnued anwn to the years of Ebcrs' later
labors. The work of translation has
been well done by Mary. J. Stafford. New
York: ID. Appleton & Co. For sale by
the Bancroft Company
GENERAL GREENE.-The latest addition
to the Great Commanders series is life
of General Nathaniel Greene, written by
namesake and descendant. Captain
Francis VintOn Greene. U. S. A. Nathaniel
Greene was one of the most interesting
characters brought to the front by