New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-18

Mr.. Gleason White. the English writer and
editor who died at his home in London the other
day from typhoid fever contracted on his trav-
sls in Italy. was a man ~ interesting character
and marked abilities He came 70 this country
in 1890 and remained one wear editing the Art
Amateur during hat period Before that time
he had attracted attention by his "Bailades
and RondeauX," one ~ the most valuable 81
minor poetical anthologies and by his fugitive
writings in the English press on art and litera-
ture. When ne returned 70 London he founded
the studio" and edited il for several years.
when he joined the staff 81 the publishing house
Of the Bells and devoted himself TO the editing
and writing Of books He composed bile
work English Illustration in the Sixties.
giving the first complete survey Of the designs
OF Milais sandys. Walker Arthur Boyd Hough-
Ton and the rest. and was the author OF num-
Der Of other useful volumes on artistic hooksh
and architectural subjects.
To state these facts however. gives in
adequate account of Mr.. Whites character and
achievements For those who knew him We'll no
was perfect type Of contemporaneousness n
ert and letter. The classics he knew and loved.
but # was his special taste, one might almost
ray his passion. 10 keep himself thoroughly in
formed OF every new thing no matter how OBJ
passing fsds. He knew the ephemcral char
acter % much o. the art and verse which he
collected from cverv conceivable source. but he
recognized every gimmer of merit in the mass.
and thus anticipated every serious movement
that grew ort OF apparently hopeless expert
nents. Posters. black and-whites. book covers
book plates. typographical expedients of every
sort he Uos always among the first TO appre-
riate and collect. T. was interesting 10 accom-
psny him rarnhles Of exploration among the
old hookshors of London and Paris and New
York. lie had kind OF Instinct for the book
or print tia would really enrich his vast
stores The first edition revealed Itself 70 him
as II By magic. and after his companion had
fruitlessy turned over tho contents Of the rub
bishiest box the Quai in dingy Holywell-
ct. he would give the trash a poke and lift out
treasure His Joy in this kir, % discovery
communicated itself 70 his friends for whether
he paused rejoice on the curbstone or showed
you his precious waits and strays in his home
he poured forth stream CT dron comment and
opposite rem 'niscence. His memory to-
nacious IL ne picked up n rare collection OF
parodies he wouH proceed to illustrate the sub
5ect with endless brilliant examples that he had
FOUND at sources long since forgotten. closed
30 all but delivers in the British Museum. When
Mr.. Whistler took up li;hography he went over
20 Paris and got some 81 his work for the
studio" and was able TO gossip with the
famous painter about the obscurest sides OF the
art At NJ. Sagot's amusing shop. Of the
great poster" centres of Paris. he could touch
q sympathetic chord in the projectors breast
beyond the reach Of most collectors. His varied
interests and mis- rspidity In discerning and
supporting every new thing that had germs OF
merit in II made him strong editor The
studio" which f. to-day by all odds the best
artistic periodical printed IN English. owed its
high character 10 him. His capacity for work
was enormous. and he threw himself into the
production Of this Journal with an equal amount
OF enthusiasm. With the first number he made
tts success sure for he put aside all dry ira
dition and gave his pages more vitality than
sny other English art editor had ever secured.
later I'm his work for the Bells. In editing
books on art, designing covers for them ana
seeing them through the press he followed the
same lines and similarly refreshing. He
was. in a word thoroughly alive. snd wac thus
q source ~ sympathy and inspiration 10 all the
younger men Al Of the English wceklies. The
Atheneum." The Saturday Review. he
Spectator and The Academy" have paid
warm tributes 10 his worth. and their appreci-
alton will find a lively echo among those Amsri-
cans who knew Mr.. White or his work