The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-31
WORK OF THE YEAR
NIEETY-sEVEv HAS GIVEN A GOOD
ACCOUNT OF ITSELF.

Good Showing Made In Literature, Art
and Science, Though Nothing Particu-
larry Epoch-Marking Unies. in the
Light OF Subsequent Great Results
From Small Begininss in Scisnes-Un-
doubted Scientists Josiied by Equally
Uudoubtsd Cranks In the Equally De.
| termined Efforts to Invent Something.
Chicago, Dec. 31.-While the year of
1897 was in no sense an annus mira
bills, it was in some respects very re-
narkaole, and if considered as whole
it will be found that its achievement 5
in the world OF intellect are quite as
numerous and possibly quite as impor-
tant as those of any previous year DUR
ing this epoch.
In the various fields Of intellectual ef-
fort some of the results are not so rich
as IN previous years. Thus it would be
rash. perhaps false, to say that as great
| literary and artistic works have been
produced during 1897 as at any other
time during this decade, but on the other
hand, he would undertake most dif-
| fcuit task who would attempt to prove
that any previuos year has been more
| fertile in the field of inventions and ap-
| piled science.
A glance back over the literary and
| artistic work OF the year makes it plain
| tnat the public interest in both art ard
literature is az great as it ever was.
The production OF any great supremely
great art work may not be chronicled,
but the numerous art sales and exhib.-
tions are abundant evidence that the
public taste in this direction has no Whit
deteriorated. The fine work displayed
at the Paris Salon attracted unusual at
tention, as as did the able review Of
them by Henri Rochefort No one is bet
ter qualified than NJ. Rochefort to write
on this subject, and his keen and criti
cal remarks on the pictures in the Salon
were highly appreciated by those who
read them.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ART
Another notable foreign exhibition was
the one held at Venice last August. at
recent works Of American and continen-
tai artists. OF the art sales held in Eu-
rope during the year probably the most
interesting, not only for the intrinsic
value OF the work themselves, but also
for their associations, was the sales and
exhibitions of the Goncourt collection In
New York there were the unsual
exhibitions. one of the most attractive
of tine latter being the Brooklyn Insti-
tute's loan exhibition. This country al
SO produced one Of the most .sumptuous
books on art ever publshed-William T.
Walters costly work on ceramic art.
Two incidents relating to art in this
country are especially worthy OF atten-
the Dingley, tariff bill, and the other
was the rejection of the famous statue,
"Bacchante," by the trustees OF the Bos-
ton Public Library. Artists everywhere
were loud in their criticisms of the Ding
ley tariff on paintings, and in conse-
quence Of the unexpected action OF the
Boston library trustees the general pub
NC was for several days keenly interes-
ted in the fate of the beautiful 'Bac-
chante." What the result was in both
cases is well known. The Dingley tariff
bill as regards paintings was somewhat
amended and "Bacchante'' bade scorn-
full farewell to iler strait-laced Boston
critics and found more congenial home |
elsewhere.
IN A LITERARY WAY. .
The literary achievements of the year, |
while on the average, of high order,
were, with a few table exceptions, by |
no means of the highest order of merit.
Hundreds Of clever. entertaining. |
fthoughtful books were produced, but it |
is doubtful if more than few dozen OF !
them will be read 20 years hence. This, |
after all, is the crucial test. Now, among |
the books of the year which are almost |
certain to find honored and permanent
places in libaries 1T is safe to name such |
masterpieces as Sloan's Life of Napo- |
leon Bonapart," Bourgeois France |
Under Louis XIV" Geriapp's ''Biogra- |
ply OF Prince Bismarck fine illu- |
strations in these three books add great |
ly to their interst and vaiue-Alfred |
Tennyson's biography "a most delightful |
book and a model in its way); Quo |
Vadis,' one Of the most superb and en- |
trancing historical romances that have |
appeared for many year; NanSen's |
graphic account OF his famous journey |
to the Arctic regions, Tyler's Literary /
History Of the American Revolution a
work OF great scholarship and OF singu-
lar value to the historical student; Ib-
sens impressive drama. Ca briel Bork-
man." DR.. Peters graphic account of the
al Nippur, and Captain
Mahan's instructive work on Lord Mel
son. Probably any one who has read
that handsome and accurate book on the
American navy by Lieutenant Com
mander Kelley. Will add il 10 this list.
4 glance at books written on special sub
jects and not primarily designed for
general readers will show some OF un-
usual importance, among them being
DR.. Phelps book on pistol shot wounds
and their effects.
SOME NOTABLE ROMANCES.
In work OF fiction the year has been
especially rich. II addition to "Quo
Vadis' there'ls such entertaining works
as Crossing the Equator by Mark
Twain; The Devil Tree OF Eldorado,"
The Fourth Napoleon" and numerous i
translations from the works Of the best
known F'rensh and Italian aut.Hors
Among the latter the foremost place is
occupied by Gabrielle d'Annunzio, whose
fne romance recently created so much
stir in this country. Mrs. Burnett. too,
has delighted book readers with a TO
nance written in her OWE graceful style,
and F. Anstey has recently given a5un-
dant evidence that his sense OF hunor
IS az keen as /. ever was. Sarah Grand
has produced The Beth Book" and NJ.