New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-04
LITERARY NOTES.

That was an unusual tribute paid few days
ago by the Italian Minister Of Marine to the dead
Dominican priest. Pater Albert Gugieimo'u. since
the reconstruction of Italy and the advent OF the
strained relations between the ChuTch ana Sta'e'
no Cabinet officer has introduced his daily report
o. order with n eulogium of a churchman. But
Pater Guglielmotti who enjoyed this distinction
had unusual claims TO the gratitude or the I'al'an
naval officers. He despite his peacefui cai'''s,
one OF the leading authorities on naval affalrs ana
his writings were law 10 the Italian seanen bouhd
when fifteen years old by the oath OF his order
Cu-,,emotu could only follow theoretically his
natural love for the sea- Possessed OF great SCI
en,ifc knowledge. which was supplemented py
long Journeys. the priest devoted all HIS spar
time to historical marine studies The fruits OF his
labor were works on old Roman ships Inc ba'"e
OF Lepanto." 1.-THE Papal Marine and It's History
iron, 100 IN 1901" a Marine and Military Die
tionary" and a complete history OF the Papai
naves in nine volumes with an atlas attachcd.
The author was frequently consulted by "eheraI
Cadorna, Nino Bixo. Admiral SAINT bon anu
others Saint Bon. who was Minister OF MARINE
FOR a year wished TO name man-of-war after
the priest but he was unable TO carry out MS pan
The relations OF Guglielmotti, VINO always enjoyed
the highest confidence Of the Pope with General
Bxio the outspoken enemy Of Church ana priests
were especially cordial. He kept up his CORE
spondence with the marine monk ana ali'"eu
no New YEAR TO pass by without consratuiatns
him These letters always began: Politics aside,
n happy New Year" Pater Guglielmoti lived TO
be eighty-one years Old. and was erect as soldier
TO the day Of his death. Representatives OF the
Marine Ministry followed the priest 10 the grave
ard even King IIumbert sent his adjutant ana ex-
pressed his sympathy to the surviving relatives
Thoughts on God and Man. Is a little volume
OF selections from the writings OF robertson Oh
brighton NIunt Eaton. New-Yor(O. II contains
some Of the striking thoughts OF the great
preacher tabulated for every day in the year by
Joseph r. Burroughs.
From Houghton. Miflin & Co. comes THE Epic
of the Higher Life" being new metrical transis-
ton of the Book OF Job, with notes and an intro
ducory study by John f. Genung. The volume
IS n valuable contribution to the literature OF TINS
wonderful book. and seems to us to bring out
more clearly than mos: commentaries the true
meaning OF the book as drama OF life and
destiny.
The same publishers also bring out THE Son OF
a Prophet" by George Arson Jackson 1t Is
stirring and vivid picture OF life IN the Gays OF
King Solomon, the hero of which is the Eleazar or
the Book OF job. Without any offensive parade
Of learning. the author embodies In his story many
of the conclusions of modern Biblical scholarship;
md the result is a story that is at pleasing
and instructive
Professor Georg Ebers writes to a friend n letter
explaining why he postponed so long the writing of
his new novel, Cleopatra Many years ago ne
saws II determined make this remarkable wo-
man the heroine Of a romance But whenever be-
gan the work my courage. which is not small in
ordinary times failed M. The historians differ so
much In describing the extraordinary woman
that she often reminds one of her counryman, Pro-
teus Now have rsked II at last. and If become
somewhat enamored Of Cleopatra whom even her
enemies admit TO have possessed beauty. ceverness
and female charm. l hope I have not thereby
wronged my work. / have not been blind 10 her
faults and weaknesses. but these form part OF her
charms A woman without a fault is but wax
figure and women who a halo round their
heads instead of feather in their hats, belong 10
the legend, and not to the novel;
Some new matter relating to Byron's experiences
In Greece has been derived from unpublished letters
and will be printed in future Harper"
Mr. Saintsbury says. what few observers would
be disposed dispute that among writer's of second
or lower classes there few who hold their places
I'm such precariou fashion the humorists-
whereas their brethren of the first class occupy
perhaps the surest position of all. One humorst of
the second class Mr. J. *. jerome. complains pite-
ously that the superior critic won't give him
credit for seriousness:
The serious public don't SCI n to think thing IS
serious unless it is put in serious msnner The
IS IS s eSery bit t" as Serious as Carlyle
f Taht me TO to "a" say t in the form of farcca
tale than to put i forward in an essay With hig
to see serious thing under light way of putting
1t. If Aesop came and wrote today. only the ed-
tors of childrens magazines would notice his fables
Some of Josh Billingss sayings are as serious as
Thomas Hardys. but yet every one looks on Josh
Billings as an American dr0e. HumOr is often
very deep seriousness run TO bitterness. A man
often attempts to laugh and joke a thing he
feels is too deep and painful discuss In any
other way. There are thoughts you know, that lie
too deep for tears: but you not express them
with a laugh. however paradoxical 1t may sound?
Humor Is not so much peculiar way OF looking at
life Of expressing what one sees and knows OF
life Humorsts clearly any one. and per- |
haps clearly tran most. the serious side Of
human life