New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-22
politics, law and letters for mny generations

and he himself has been sceltinc student, e..
pecially biologist Of established reputation II
there be a trace OF shyness In his manner 1t II
a sign Of his HABITS Of ABSORPTION In scientific
study and of his boOksh tases. high-bred
simplicity Is one of his stronger and most agree
able traits He has the most marvellous tale to
tell of maritime adventure 4 be found in the
annals OF modern times. but he relates his ex-
periences among the foes as petly and modest
ly as a veteran pleasure-seekG would describe
month at Monte Carlo. Without touch Of affec-
tation or pedantry, he reveali his own character
az he tells his wonderful stor.. 1t is a character
| with the intrepid spirit and bye Of adventure Of
| the old-time viking the ruling motive. but
combined with 1t are the sttdious habits OF the
modern man Of science. the rfinernent and taste
| NJ the we-bred gentleman and the heart OF a
| child, generous. impusive, joyous and nome
| loving.
| snectacle The wealth. fashion and intelligence
Of London were assembled W thousands 10 honor
| This man Of action from tn North. The Prince
Of Wales was on the patfrm TO present 10 nun
| Society The Duke and Duchess or YORK, vet
Grams Of Arctic exploration the dignitares OF tne
| Geographical Society, the ambassadors OF nearly
| all foreign Powers and tfn most eminent lead
| ers OF English science and literature were massed
| around him. In front Of hin the great amphi-
| theatre packed from foor TO dome WIN one
| OF the most brilliant anc representative audi
| ences ever seen in the metropolis. Inc ngnts
were turned low, and set OF magic-iantern plct.
| ures was displayed on hgh screen ana out OK
| tho darkness came a strolg voice, pltcned nign,
| but all but inaudible in he vast spaces "hcn
| only an orchestra and al oratorio chorus couId
adequately fill Only thos' favored WIN SCI , 81,
! the platform and well in 'front.' on the moor couid
| hear either DR. hansen or sir Clements -idi A. ~
| ham or the Prince Of Wales but everyDody
| could see the man who had driftec, kayakeo,
! skied and trudged Farth,st North. and tnat was
| enough. They welcomed him with sucn le,Nyr
| OF hero worship that the pensive lady WIN oaIh
| ctf
| behind the Duchess of York must nave FORGOT
| ten In the hour Of her husbands triumph ,ne
| three long years when she was alone WIN n.y.
"Iiv." YEARLY waiting with searching OF .he
| heart for news from the treacherous Polar sea-
HIS VISIT TO AN ERICA
Americans are to have the privilege Of not only
seeing but also OF hearing DR. hansen, for Mr..
| pichard Heard has made arrangements for
| course Of lectures cerainly fifty and probably
! a hundred in the autumn DR. Nansen himself
| is looking forward with pleasure TO this journey
in America after he has fulfilled his engagements
| in England, Paris, Norway, Berlin and u.
| Petersburg Mrs Nansen shrinks from the
ocean voyage and the fatigue Of the American
| circuit but have told her that an even hearter
reception is in reserve for the explorer there thah
here, and that she ought to witness MS .rarsa,
| lantic triumphs and not 10 disappoint American
| audiences, which Will be as anxious 10 see the
| wife the husband .
| The of this nero or MODERN duNeiieuic
can hardly fail to be source Of inspiration theIe
| as IL is here When this noble idealist, VINO mas
| attempted the most difficult Work IN the "ofiu,
| not from sheer love OF adventure Dut Iiv'ii
| lofty aspiration to promote the enlargement OK
| the stock OF human knowledge, is seen ana heard.
| il is a revelation OF the dignity and resources OK
character that makes II seem worth WINE 10 os
| a man without fear and without reproach, ana
| like one of Homers men. he Is chlldllAe ana SIM
| pie magnanimous in praise OF MS associates,
| whom he describes not as the crew Dut as ms
| alyi -
fection and pride Of his ship and with trenor Oh
voice of the last dog which he was compelled 10
kill; laughing cheerily over his Christmas FESTIVE
tiles in the snow, but when he could only chdiise
| his shirt inside out and take a bath in teacup
| of hot water in honor Of the day, ana loving MS
| wife and child with the same intensity OF deVo-
tion with which he serves an honorable ampllloh'
| Perhaps this revelation of idealism ana nero.
! ism produces more marked effect In England
| than it may in America. 1t offers contrast "
| the feverish hero-worship which Or Jameson
| and the millionaire raiders Of South Africa IN
| spired for while, and Of which some symptoms
still remain in disordered minds MI. Cecii
| Rhodes ha- complained Of the unctuous rec'i-
| tude" which has chilled English appreciation or
| the services Of large-minded. heroic men III .ne
| Colonies engaged in magnificeht WORK pl I'M
| perial expansion and destiny Certainly ne mas
| not been hOnored with public admiration a,iu
| sympathy since his return 10 England: Dr.
| Jameson and his fellow-prisoners or HoiioNay
| have dropped out Of sight and are remembered
| not as the heroes of whom the Poet Laureate lui-
| pulsively sang but as marplots IN the service OF
millionaire conspratOrS. VINO lacked Doth the cur
age and skill required for leading momentous
| revolution in South Africa. The Transvaal raid
was revealed long ago in its true light as a sor-
| did Spectators movement. as ill-directed as II
| was indefensible. The leaders were pincnpecK
| heroes most of them with great fortunes 10 De
| doubled by a stroke Of litico-hnanciering.
| The Elizabethan era when freebooters on iand
| and sea returned to England To be knighted ana
toasted as vrtuOus cOrsairs and pirates. heroes OF
| the Reformation defenders Of the nations lioer-
| Ties and founders Of a maritime empire, is no
| more. 1t may be 'unetuous recttude, OF IL may
| be national morality. but the chartered Com
| pany and the capitalists of the Rand ana cape
| are held responsible for their public trusts, ana
| are condemned for renouncing their hignes, op-
| legations in a sordid speculative scramble IL Is
! not a time when mock heroics over discredited
raiders and ilibusters can he tolerated under the
| guse of imperial patriotism and glory Yet the
| time has not yet passed when men like Dr. Nan
| sen who have taken their lives in their hands
from, the highest Of motives. and made trenlen-
dous sacrifices for the sake OF the expansion or
| the empire Of human knowledge can return 70
| England without being crowned as victorious
| vikings heroes of adventure. noblest among
men of action. l. " r.