New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-19
LITERARY NOTES.

The concluding sale OF the Brinley Library began
I'm Boston yesterday and will be ended tomorrow
There is much that Is valuable In this fifth part OF
the library but the long periods elapsiDg between
the sales have served in some measure TO damp the
interest OF buyers.
One of the greatest of the author is the plague
OF letters strangers mostly admirers inquirers
and autograph-hunters. "Many people," says Pro
fessor Huxley, "appear to have the notion that am
proprietor OF a moral and intellectual drygoods store,
and provide them at once with an opinion on
any topic that interests them from my extensive
warehouses. ought, no doubt, 10 feel the deiu'i"i
an honor, but, fact, 1t Is dire oppression ana
many time makes me wish had early recolec'ed
that wisest OF saws 'Bene qu atuit bene viXt, ana
never put my name to line of print Fhilip Till
bert Hamerton says: 81 am burdened with work
every hour, every minute of my day Is apporuohed
20 definite duty or necessary rest, ana three
strangers make OF the post to ask me questions
To answer them l must make references however
brief the letters may be, they will take time alto
gcher. the three will consume an hour. Have these
correspondents any right to expect me 10 work an
hour for them Would cabman drive them about
the streets Of London during an hour for nothing
Would a waterman pull them during an hour on the
Thames for nothing! Would q shocblack brush their
boots and trousers an hour for nothing And why
am 1 to serve these men an hour gratuitousy, and
to be called ibrcd discoureous person if tacity
decline TO be their servant! 2"
Miss Yonge. most ndefatigable OF novelsts. has
begun to write in collaboration with others. Her
forthcoming book, "Strollng Players" has on its
title page not only her but also that of Chris
label Coler1dge.
Under the title OF "Toscaneln" the first number
Of an interesting magazine has been published in
French at Florence, Italy, b. Westermann Co being
the New-YOrk agents. This publication. as shown In
Its preface, treats especially OF the Notes and Doci-
ments Concerning the Relations between Italy and
America" from a geographical and not from po-
litical point of view This Is sufficiently Indicated
by its name. Toscanelli the famous geographcr
who communicated to Christopher Columbus the maps
and Information which finally led to the discovery Of
America. The present number Of the magazine CON
tans the reproduction Of heretofore unpublished docu
ments about Columbus and Amerigo Nespucc
A new edition of the novels OF Maria Edgeworth Is
coming from the press of Dodd & Mead. The vol
umes will be brought out in instruments and VIII
contain photogravure Illustrations
Among the letters from Charles Dickens left by
his sister the late Mrs. Austin, is one in answer TO
one OF hers inviting him 10 her adopted sons funeral
After pleading press OF business as reason Tor re-
fusing the invitation, he adds: Between ourselves
have the greatest objection 10 attend funeral In
which my affections not strongly and Immediately
concerned have no notion of funeral as a mat
ter Of form ceremony. And, Just as should ex-
pressly forbid the summOning to my own burial OF
ANYBODY who not very near or dear TO me. so
revolt from myself appearing at that solemn rite
unless the deceased near or dear TO me- can
not endure being dressed by undertaken as part Of
his trade show. / not in this poor. good fellows
house in his lifetime and feel that l have no
business there when he lies dead In It, My mind Is
penetrated with sympathy and compassion Tor the
young widow, but that feeling Is real thing and my
attendance as a mOurner would not be-to myself"
With the May number "The Century" is to have
pfordN n
was By the way the designer of the cover which re-
placed the old purple cover of "Scrbner's Monthly"
In 1880.
A book which has been twenty years In the press
should be noted. 1t is the fac-simile reprint OF the
original Spanish edition, together with literal trans
lation into English, Of 'The New Laws OF tie indies
"The Pail Mall Gazette says OF Il: 1t has been
printed for private subscription only at the ChsWck
Press and IS Of the several specuations OF the
late Henry stevens, of Vermont who preiixes to 1t
an historical Introduction. THIS volume Is In small
folio Size and the fac-simile IS made from the unique
CODY on velum In the Grenve Library OF the British
Museum Of the original Spanish edition OF the Laws
dated Alcala de Henares, July sth. 1913 TITS Is the
first reprint of the first translation into English OF
hook of singular importance to all students and col
lectors of works on American history. The entire
impression consists Of only thirteen copies on the
finest writing vellun. and seventyfce on the finest
hand made paper. As II Is illustrated not ONLY with
numerous ornamental DlOchS OF i1uEis D"l VII wv
traits OF Columbus, its appearance Just now Is very
opportune. 1t Is not, however everybodys book IN
asm,ch as ten guineas Is demanded for the cheaper
COPIES and COG SIS. for the yellum examples"
The keen interest which NJ. Tanc took IN literature
ts Illustrated by a story that his deathled he sent
for the proof sheets Of NJ. Jose Maria de HereoaS
new volume of poems because he did not expect 10
live until the volume was published
or Tame by the way, this little personal Description
is given by an English friend TaDe struck me before
no chatted as solid comfortably off Belgian OF the
Flemish provinces. He feshy but not corpulent,
had well-shaped features and massive head Inc
sandy beard was sparse, his hair a pale brown, ana
his face rather sallow and OF complexion rhymihg
with that word. His eyes were pleasant once ne
GOT into touch, they expressing hnd, m'eligeht
curiosity and honesty, the cast Notwithstanding Ills
manners could not have been more unassumins. But
10 use an expressive French phrase, they We're meh
noses and spoke Of the habit OF feeling goou
nosion which relieved him from the need OF pushing
his way Nobody could have been more free from
that hateful vice Of day, the passion Tor sell
advertisement photograph of his was never In the
market He sat with reluctance for his portrait as
. staf writer OF les Debats' 1t was TO BE- brought
into a collective picture OF all his then living col
leagues for history of that paper that was 10 appear
on ito centenary. Tanes unObtrusve disposition led
him 10 heep quietly in his home circle, to dread
press publicity"