The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-13
MAGAZINE NOTES.

William Hamilton Gibson finds the hornet
an entertaining insect, and i'm turn his
studies Of 1t are interesting and entertaining.
AS described in Harper, however, most per-
sons will find il of more interest than when
Ii calls in person and unlimited
House-boating in China, as Julian Ralph
describes it in Harper's Magazine is suffi-
GENTLY attractive TO excite a wish in the
adventurous readers mind to follow his
example and make similar tour Travel
ing In China. as most tourists picture il.
is not an agreeable experience, and Ralphs
variation from the regulation story will
therefore attract the more attention.
Miss Tarbelrs Life of Napoleon which
has been published in syndicate form and
also in McClure's Magazine, has been is
sued in pamphlet form by Mcclure with all
the illustrations. 25O In number. which first
appeared in the magazine. These include
bard's fine collection of Napoleon engrav-
ings. The pamphlet is handsomely print
ed, and, in view of the character of
the work and the pictures ii contains, is
worthy of a more permanent binding. 1t
sells for 80 cents.
The Ceramic Monthly, published at Chi
cago, is little magazine issued in the
interest of china painters. It's contributions
are from the pens Of masters OF the art.
One writer. F. b. Aulich, says that in
other countries the government spends a
of art, while ''in this country decorated
china would consist principally OF few
traced patterns on cheap tableware, as seen
at the worlds fair, If the lady amateur
had not come to the front to show US a
higher standard of work.
Thomas Janviers account in the Century,
of the presentations of the plays Of Oedi-
pus and Antigone by the Coincide Fran
caise last year in the partially restored
Roman theater at Orange is very graphic.
1t was much more than a mere theatrical
performance to him; his artistic soul was
impressed by the sentiment involved in this
reproduction of Greek tragedies on stage
where they had been played 1900 years
the affair. The effects of light and color
and waving draperieS are wildly portrayed
The illustrations accompanying this article
are illustrative in the best sense.
The Revue Franco-Americaine is new il
Illustrated monthly Magazine printed entire
ly in French, yet designed for American
readers. 1t is promised that masters of
French literature, and the best artists will
alone be admitted as contributors, and that
all schools OF literature and art will be rep
resented. The Revue will not be composed
of extended. heavy studies but will con-
tain short and vigorous articles on sub
jectS of current and universal interest.
The magazine will be printed in Paris, its
literary editor being Prince Poniatowski.
The first issue is very attractive in its
III
it's general character all that is claimed by
its projectors. The agency in New York is
at 50 Duane street
The difficulty of obeying the injunctions
Of organized philanthropy and the dictates
of ones own sympathes at the same time
in the bestowal of charity is clearly set
forth by Mr.. Howells in the Century. Ac-
cording to his account he is apt to give
to street beggars because their obvious need
that by so doing he may be-. and probably
is. encouraging mendicancy. He reaches no
definite conclusion as TO the right thing
to he done. but. evidently clings to the
opinion that fellow-creature in want
ought to be helped Jy the more fortunate,
even though the ills he suffers are the re-
reward of merit?' Mr.. Howells asks he
closes his article-but, convincing as he
il does not really prove the right and wis
dom Of indiscriminate giving.
A writer in that high-class Chicago mag
azine, Music, argues that singers should not
only thoroughly understand the language
of their songs in order to give the spirit
of them adequate Interpretation. but that
they must sing in the language best under
stood by their audiences. else their effect
iveness is in a large measure lost. He says:
so far it's being easier to sing in one
language than another, that has nothing to
do with the question:: IL is not the easiness,
but the worth of the thing. We are con-
siderng. But the only language that can
claim this distinction. Italian, plays too
small a part in the song literature of to-
day to have weight. AS for French or
German, in what respect are they superior
to our own? Is it in the delicate nasal
quality Of the one, or the cultural rasp of
the other? Some day the music lovers of
this country will be honest with them
selves and say: L know the music is beau
tiful, and / know that it would appeal 10
me with twice the force if / could only
understand what the words mean. Then
il will only be a short time before they
will dare to brave the wrath of mu-
steal Mrs. Grundy and say: We demand
to have the music sung in our own tongue.
II the music loses some of its delicacy we
are sorry, but what it loses there ii will
make I'D five-fold in its power TO stir u.s. "