New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-05

mration WERE there was no lack Of sincerity
and appreciation. Nansen Is something mora
than national hero. The Norwegians Of every
class may fairly be said to worship him. In the
estimation of the rude fishermen Of the coast
villages where he is seen In his yachting
cruises, he is hardly less than a demi-god
Meanwhile, hansen himself takes almost
boyish pleasure in his good fortune and fame
but remains at work and maintains his chara,.
ter as a man Of science as we'll a man of
action. He Is now well-to-do, his expedition hay.
ing proved a good business venture, since a large
income from his books and lectures has been Sc
cured. He has fine yacht and has ordered
new and better one. He has a snug home among
the cliffs and woods. but he intends to build
larger and more comfortable house. Prosperity
has come to him, but 1t has not inflated his
vanity nor unbalanced his Judgment. lie is
man of singular simplicity Of nature and nobility
Of character.
THE MAN OF NEWSPAPERS
Ibsen is the other unique figure in Chrisania
the man Of letters as distinguished from the
iran of science and the hero Of action. He IA
On exhibition every day at the Grand Hotel
where he spends the greater part Of the after.
Loon He lives in a handsome house not far
day at noon as far as the hotel. His is the most
familiar figure in the streets Of Chrstania, but
although every man. woman and child knows
him by sight he does not seem to have az.
1uantances or friends. He usually carries
bundle Of newspapers in his hand and passes
rapidly through the hotel corridor TO the open.
air gallery of the dining room. He does no,
bow nor speak to any one but takes a chair
at a small table and, after ordering a bottle
OF wine or GIN becomes deeply absorbed in his
package Of newspapers.
Ibscn is a portly, larGc-framed man. with a
high. dome shaped forehead and a well-de.
veoped head He has thick white hair. keen
blue eyes behind pair Of close-fttng spectacles
and coarse features. There is intellect in his
forehead sharpness OF perception in his eyes a
suggestion of ill-temper in his nose and down.
right pessimsm in his mouth-his worst feature.
He IS carefully and. indeed ceremonlousy
dressed for hotel frequented mainly by wander.
ing tourists He wears a black suit. with silk
hat and gloves-the conventional dress for a
literary man in London, but most unusual
one for Christiania at midday He has dig.
niied carriage and a reserved manner ana looks
like a dplomatist and a man - AFFAIRS. stared
at hour after hour by strangers. he seems 10 De
unconscious Of the interest and curiosity "hlch
he excites. Occasionally his eyes leave the
| newspaper for a sudden, quick glance at the
fountain playing I'm the yard. or in the direction
Of some busting stranger advancing with heavy
tread IL is a momentary diversion OF attention.
i. In another instant he is again many fathom
deep in his newspaper and apparently uncon.
scious that many eyes are intenty watching
him. Possibly there is a touch % affectation Ia
his Indifference to public attention.
THE NEWS AS \ FEEDER FOR THE DRAMA
Nothing that is in the daily prints can escape
an eye like Ibseu's, so keen and searching is
f. lie spends an hour over a single four-pags
journal. scrutinlzing every column from top TO
bottom. and even making close study * the
advertisements. AS writer Of plays and oyels
he IS brought into touch with the pulsa;iuS lie
~ the times by daily communion aith thu presS
He finds the source Of his inspiration the.e md
also Of his pcssmsm. for it is daily record
OF the foibles yanities and evil passions Z hu-
manity. He secs in these printed columns TIE
/ weaknesses Of human nature As revealed in the
criminal news and the court trials. ami b" IN.
largcs upon them In his plays and stories. Con.
scQu-utly, il a practical journalist likn yset
cannot help but be pleased 10y observing that
man Of genius and a dramatic artist lk.
ibsrn reads the newspapers as thoroughly az
the d-time Lutherans studied their Bibles. he
must also be Inundated by the evidence tina.
tho modern press in this instance l.. o;s
philoSophic pessmsm.
Ibscn is. however. law unto himself lie s
n lonely. unsociahle man. who docs .ot enjoy
talking with his fcow-creaturcS nor ayins
intimate relations with them. He has f,w CON-
panions and lives quietly. almos; Ike 4 reciuse
| Journalists he abhors with a profound aver.
sion and denOunces as calumniators lie has
not yet forgiven the English corr .srlnI II WHO