New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-11

eager readers the contents OF many OF the yellow and
dusty Alba folics. one has ever had the conrage
or perhaps the pr,llcgeof presenting 10 the world
succlnct account Of the Collection. or Of publishing
It's principal documents. Dnt this has been r1dcr-
taken and sfully accomplished by the - IGh-
Ter OF the Alias. the beautiful leader Of Madrid so
clety. Her book Selected Documents from the
Archives of the House OF Alba. by the Duchess 81
berwick and Alba, Cpnte Of slrcu.la7 which Hs Just
left illc spanish presses. according 10 a writer III
ubcr Land and Mccr. commands the respect ana prnis"
Of The learned and literary worlds Of Europe That the
Duchess should find time amid the cxaciing social
duties OF her position 10 publish work of such per
mancnt Importance Is gratifying u all Well ~lshers
OF her sex. II l. example ~ the capabilities OF
woman and Is worthy Of highest praise and emulation
The book of the Duchess Is OF especial Interest TO
Americans for several reasons. The thought OF I'M
dcr,aing the task of examining the thousands OF
manuscripts and preparing them for publ ati)n first
came 10 her few years ago IN connection with the
profound interest felt In spain regarding the four
hundr.dth anniversary Of the discovery Of this ooun-
try. The work therefore. includes many pages de
voted Columbus. his life, BIS successes. his dis
appointments and his failures. The volume con
ains the duplication Of documents which have lain on
shelves for eight centuries. II Is especially valuable
Us n commentary upon the events Of the sixteenth
century. There letters signed by Columbus which
throw light upon mnny Of the dark points In bis HE
most dcvout OF Catholics speak with little respect Of
the IUpes In their briefs % the siaie.nen Of their
time and confidential concentrations between Mary
stuart and Queen Bcss" snow the feelings which
at least at period animated the breasts OF the ~
famous women. The lofty character Of Don Juan
OF Austria speaks IN his correspondence with Ills
p.eb,ian mother Katharine Blombcrg. WHO gave so
much trouble 10 Philip II aud the Duke OF Alba,
statihacr other letters Show. too. The daring plans
Of tile Victor OF Lcplnto. bis bitter di,nppointmcnis
and The sOrfOwful circumstances u his early end.
There Is q tine and account Of the terrible
tragedy played by King Philip ii and his son. Don
Carlos which schiller has Imm0rtalIzed In verse.
The great Duke Of Alba himself appears Ia part In
new Hight. The account Of the intrigues OF ihr
arl,us courts ard Statesmen u his day makes fas
cnatlng reading There Is u Litter, too In the long
list which assures the rec picnt the part OF III"
piil - Of Uralg- VI annual r'n. Of 4 THOUSAND
gold tbalcrs for the murder Of the Duke Of Alba
Letters OF The present Duke show, also. bis unhapp
II. IS ard his dscnntrnt, III, dse r. d'r rather than
bear the Treatment OF the King his favor with the
women OF the Netherlands lbs Interest In the Widow
Of the Count IgmOnt. ard his love o art and WORK.
There to-, is The record Of tho plan OF "a Jewish
uhysician. and n French Leathen' 10 build Sucz
canal.
Il would take up too much space 10 give more
than the iricfest account OF The valuable work OF
This clever woman. She has been encouraged. II T.
,ad by tho success Of her first literary venture and
Will follow the publication pUssibe with
another work that also promises 10 be VI great IN.
terest and value