The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-30
ON 9TH STREET

riddles propounded by nature have until
now defied investigation and failed to re-
ceive solution. And the general drift of
his address was to the effect that most
of the principal problems would never be
solved by natural man. Science" he
declared, may tell us much that rs in
teresting and useful; but to the questions
whence we come, whittier we go, and to
the hundred thousand problems bound up
therein, science can give us no answer"
1t may safely be stated that there was
hardly a man among that distinguished
audience who had not entered the conven-
ton hall with a certain degree of assur-
ance and consciousness of his own emf
hence in some one or other of the various
branches of science and learning. There
was not one on the other hand, who did
not leave the hall a humber and there
fore "a wiser and a better man.
His favorite nephew, Arthur Balfour,
now First Lord of the Treasury, has
achieved celebrity OF a European char
acter by several works of philosophical
character demonstrating a profoundly of
thought and an extent of research, for
which no one, judging from mere appear
ance this seemingly lackadasical, SUI
premely lndolent, noVel-readtng. statesman,
whose only form of physical exercise con-
sists in dwadling over golf links. would
give him credit, until glancng" through
the imposing looking volumes on the title
page on which his name figures as author.
The father of the present Lord Derby,
who was one of the most popular prime
ministers of the Victorian reign, and who
used to be known as the Rupert of debate
by reason of his fiery eloquence shared Mr.
Gladstones passion for the study of HON.
er, and one of the standard translations
of the Illiard represents his idea of reere-
alton, his only other form of pastime be-
ing the national sport of horse racing. 1t
may be doubted whether the laurels
achieved by John Morley and by the late
Sir George Otto Trevelyan in literature
will not prove of a more enduring charc-
ter than any fame which they may have
gained as statesmen and cabinet ministers,
while Lord Beaconsfeld found not only re-
Taxation but likewise a considerable source
of income and fame In the writing of num-
erous novels.
One of the most famous Austrian states
men of the present century. to whom his
countrymen are indebted for many of
their civic rights and political liberties, was
Count Auersperg, the determined foe OF the
Absolutist regime of the Prince Meter
nich. Yet enshrined as Is the counts name
In the hearts of all Austrians as thai of an
enlightened patriot and statesman, his
memory is still more dear to them as their
favorite poet, his lyrics, which occupy the
highest place In the literature of German
Austria having been published under the
so widely known and popular pseudonyme
of "Anastasius Gruen."
Had Adolphe Theirs not won for him
self conspicuous place in modern history,
first as premier of King Louis Philippe,
then as leader of the constitutional oppo-
sition during the empire, and last but
not least, as the President of the republic,
who presided with such wisdom over the
destinies of his terribly stricken and sadly
demoralized~country during the first few
years that followed the war with Ger
many he would be entitled 10 a niche
in the temple of fame as an historian, his
History of the French Revolution" and
his still more celebrated History of the
Consulate and of the Empire" displaying
a wonderful amount of research and in
vestigation, and conveying the idea that
they were the work of a long lifetime, de-
voted to nothing else. Yet to the diTnin-
utive, squeaky-voiced Adolphe Theirs
these thirty volumes represented merely
his recreation-the relaxation OF the tiny
statesman from his absorbing duties as
cabinet minister political leader and chief
magistrate Of his country.
His principal political opponent during
the earlier portion of his career, Francis
Gulzot, with whom he alternated ss
prime minister throughout the reign OF
King Louis Philippe, possessed the same
ideas with regard to rest and recreation.
and II Is difficult 10 predict whether his
History Of the English Revolution his
Life Correspondence and Writings Of
Washington" or his History of France
as Told by My Grandchildren" are not
likely TO retain for his name more endur-
ing celebrity than his achievements as a
statesman.
Gen. Very du Vernois admittedly the
most clever and most capable minister OF
war who has presided over the destinies
of the German army at Berlin since the
days Of Gen. Won Room, was in the habit
Of seeking relief from the overwhelming
burden of his official duties by writing
very successful plays, one OF which is /
now drawing crowded houses at Berlin
while the monumental History Of Cardr- |
nal Richeeu," which has just won for
its author a seat in the French Academy |
at Paris, represents the learned leisure |
Of the present minister of foreign affairs
at Paris.
Many more instances of a similar char
acter could be cited to illustrate these Pc
culiar methods of recreation 10 which the |
most conspicuous statesmen of the old |
world resort for the purpose of obtaining |
relaxation and rest from their political |
and administrative dutles-methods that |
are to be commended, since they tend to
keep at the highest state of brlliancy and J
keenness the intellectual faculties of those |
who are intrusted with the direction Of |
their country's destinies