New-York tribune., 1895-02-17

The late Charles Gayarre was descended from .
Spanish famiiy-one OF his ancestors was Governor
OF Louisiana during the Spanish occupation-and he
brought 70 the unfolding OF his the impulsve
enthusiasm Of a Southern Probably his family
foresaw special advantages In the cultivation or
his imaginative gifts. and he had himself keen
love OF politics. At any rate he did not begin lie
as a worker in pure literature, but spent many
wears In hard work as lawyer and politician.
Whom at last he reached what then almost
the highest point OF an Americans ambition in
becoming United States Senator. he found that he
had taxed his energies too severely; he was COM
pelled TO resign his and TO go abroad for rest
and recreation Recreation in this instance meant
close historical researches with a View 10 future
works on the development OF Louisiana, for by this
time Gavarre had begun to feel that his faculties
were fitted to do serviceable work IN literature
His "Histolre de Ia Louisiana appeared IN lef'
though its inception dated from much earlier
neriod Gayarre seems to have dedicated himself
70 the history OF Louisiana as soon as ne discoV
o,ad his literary self and II Is upon his historical
work that his fame will rest Francis ParKmah
used 10 say that the Southerners rescue ana 'iass
ac,tion OF documents relating TO the French phases
OF early American history were Invaluable ana
that he himself had prohted by them to large ex-
,n, rou.l forces in the development OF Gayarres
work and in the leavening of the great mass OF
facts with which it was concerned, were the au-
thor's delicate literary genius, his romantic SYM
nathv and his almost novelistic gift for narrative
In
"Fernando de I.emos" which he followed up py
SEQUEL: he essayed comedy and he had mastery
NJ the short dramatic sketch in prose. In his more
serious work he sacrificed no truths TO picturesque
effect but obtained the latter through reliance upon
the generic traits mentioned above.
II Is not easy to analyze the charm OF the region
and eras upon which the Louisianan's fascinating
pen was so much employed. The reader VINO APP
preciates II most is he who has feit the auain."e''
the complex parti-colored and even old woru peau'
ty OF the South IL is expressed In the pictu'esq
physiognomy OF New-Orieans. In the iegendary ep''
sodes OF that old citys llfe in the music OF i'
Creole patois. Gayarre belonged himset 10 "nas
,o ora accustomed TO call "the old school, ana
no had an instructive felicity in renewing the very
Gait and tone of those stately hgures win VIM"
tho early years OF the South were peopied' ne
Lrsw the temper OF the hot-blooded popuiauo"
which still fills for an imaginative NINA the VEN
.oh,a p,ace a. 'Armes, now Jackson Square Baron
a, carondelet was living personality 10 hfh
along with a myriad Of other personages from
bewitching past. and he could divine all the raoy
nscu,iarities of Spanish and French domlna''o"
uraer the changing surface OF a locality which even
In his time saw the gradual growth OF America"
,dsas II ia because he gives you so incisvey ahu
vet so exouistely the special composite quai's y,
that southern life and scene that he Is equa"'
OF instruction and delight Read In demons'a
OF this any page from his History OF Lous'''
and see with what clarity and grace OF outline -"
or,ra,,s 70 rounded out See with what feeling ne
keeps alive always that strange undercur'e".
Latin aexlb,lity and that curious implication .,
Latin temperament which makes tne w" ~. ,,r
OF New-Orleans piquant and individual -
petuosity Of Mr. Gayarres nature founa e.pe 60
during the civil war In his devotion 10 ',e .,
federate cause His later days were Pea'' -
his interest in life and work was ma'h's'"e' "
extraordinary extent.
A novel called philip MacGresor ia" 49,.
written nv the Rev. DR.. W. W. Newton W "a
aa,d The scene OF the book-whcn 's "es,''
as having q religious drifts laid IN INC ''''''
mans own town.
rhorsor,s writings have been drawn upon ~
,h. n,enaratIon of a volume OF selections mnus %
NV his English biosrapher. Mr.. H. ). SAT- Inv
Macmil.ans will publish the book
Mrs Flora Steel. who is in an humble way M'
Kipling's rival has acquired hve OF 'ne ,..rv na
indian dialects for the purposes OF ssr "'e'S'
work.