New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-16
A WAR CORRESPONDENT.

BIR JOSEPH GROVES "REMINISCENCES OF
THE CRIMEA. THE INDIAN MUTINY
AND SOLDERING.
London October g.
One Of the most interesting books now In press
Is Sir Joseph Groves "reminiscences of thirty
nve years Of active life as a journalist and
diplomatist. 1t will he published In London by
John Murray who has the faculty. inherited from
three generations. OF discerning the intrinsic
value and literary merits of an important book.
Sir Joseph Groves work q journalist prac-
tically ended a long time ago. when he entered
the consular service at Leipsc. and subsequently
devoted his energies and practical knowledge to
the defence Of the commercial interests Of Great
Britain as a negotiator OF treaties: but his early
life as an artist. writer and correspondent in
three important campaigns was exceedingly in
teresting. and his record OF 1t. while modest and
unpretentious in form and manner is well worthy
OF preservation. Born seventy years ago within
the sound of Bow Bells in London. he passed his
early years in Paris where his father was the cor
respondent Of London journal in the days when
letters were sent by carrier pigeons to Boulogne
and taken thence to Dover by sailing boat The
boy learned drawing we'll music and the
classics. and when his resources a journalist
subsequently failed in London 1t his knowl-
edge Of art that enabled him go to the Crimea.
TO India during the Sepoy rebellion and finally to
Italy during the war between France and Austria.
and to make brilliant reputa ton pioneer in
enterprises of that order. The best chapters in
his book Of "reminiscences are those which relate
his experiences and adventures in these cam
paigns
STORIES OF THACKERAY
Thackeray intimate friend Of the Grove
family. and many interesting glimpses of him are
obtained In this volume. He was frequent WIS.,
ator at the house in Paris. where there was al
ways seat for him on Saturday. He would come
into the drawing-room about hour before din
ner and hardly have time to sit down before the
children would surround him and beg for a draw
ing. For the girls he would draw coal-heaver
running open mouthed after a child and for the
boys he would illustrate the Spanish adventures
OF Brine. a friend of the family or would choose
subjects from Byron--a boy gailopng for life on a
pony In the last canter' OF Chslde Harold or a
man up to his neck in ice as the Prisoner Of
Chillon
The acquaintance was renewed when the family
removed TO London "Of Thackeray." the author
says. Il saw most at our family place in Hamp-
stead, whittier he would direct the PAGES of
stout cob. which he rode with such grace as his
long legs would allow. Once in our dra wing room
he was apt TO forget the hours would stop to
partake Of an early dinner. though bound to Join
q later festivity Of the same kind elsewhere and
1recollect him now as If 1t were yesterday wipine
his brow after trying vanly to help the leg of a
tough fowl and saying he was heaving thigh
1t was Thackeray who recommended him to
Charles Mackay at a low ebb in his fortunes
as man who could sketch we'll and procured
Tor MIN the position of war correspondent Of
1.-The Illustrated News during the Crimean
War. 1t was also Thackeray who welcomed him
at Kensngton upon his return. and to whom he
conf1ded lis ambition OF entering the consular
and diplomatic service
DICKENS AND OTHER CELEBRITIES
Dickens the author frequently In his
early years. His abundant hair of sable hue"
ne remarks, "enframed grand face somewhat
drawn and thrown into capricious ridges. His
dress was hord satin cravat of the deepest
blue. relieved by embroideries; green waistcoat
with gold flowers dress coat with velvet COL
lar and satin facings. opuence Of white cuff.
rings In excess. made up rather a striking whole.
and gave In the main false impression of one
whose power OF analysis whose memory of
scenes he had witnessed and quaintnesses he had
observed, were great and whose capacity for
assimilation was so prodigous that he was able 10
create without effort out of all these elements
the grand originals which fill his novels"
Passing glimpses Of Douglas Jerrold John
Leech Tennyson and many other literary celeb
rifles are also offered In these "reminiscences
which are recounted with light touch and In an
agreeable manner.
The interest of the book centres In the chap
tiers describing the authors life as special artist
and war correspondent He started for the
Danube and the Crimea toward tie close Of
1858, after Thackeray had declined an offer from
1.-The Illustrated News" to serve It with pen and
pencil As the authors salary was only 80 a
week. win all expenses paid. Thackeray's disin-
clination for adventure may be easily under
stood Grove started from London on twenty
four hours notice. and halted at Vienna long
enough to show his English traits He en-
ployed hotel valet to find brace Of pistols
with ammunition. The servant returned with the
arms. but as the price seemed high. Grove re-
fused to take them. In the course OF the dav
looking into armorer's shop he noticed the
very pair Of pistols which he had rejected and
easily purchased them at half the price which
the valet had named Returning to the inn he
sent for the valet and accused him of attempt
ing to swindle a stranger. An insolent reply was
returned. whereupon Grove took him by the collar
dragged him to the landing and kicked him
down stairs. This incident not only disclosed
the Englishmans adherence Of imposture, but
also the fighting Journalists instinct.
Groves service began uneventfully at Widdn
Schumla, and Silistria. since the Turks witt,
10000 troops. could not undertake any really i'm
portant action against the Russians until there
could be some combination with the forces which
France and England were sending to the seat OF
war. He had abundant opportunities for sketch
ing and much hard riding good shooting and
fishing and many interesting adventures. and he
visited COnsfa N char nd Var 10