Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-16

Julia Ward Howe continues her
already famous "Reminiscences in
the current Atlantic Monthly, making
one wonder, however, how much her
estimate of Charles Sumner is shaped
by the defeat of the annexation scheme
for San Domingo, mainly due to him,
and which her husband, as one Of
President Grants commissioners, had
espoused most warmly. Anyhow, the
great Senator shows up rather poorly
beside Wendell Phillips and Theodore
Parker, being devoid alike of tact and
magnetism. When it came to verbal
encounter, Mrs. Howe could get the
better of him every time. Prince
Kropotokin gives the strongest pos.
sible picture of the terrible reactionary
years, 1862 1866, which followed the
| liberation of the serfs. There is no rea-
sonable doubt but that torture was used
| and every open effort was directed
| against modern education, technical
training being regarded as the very
| the resources of the country were de-
! veloped not at all. The Prince also
depicts the stern strife and unseltish
heroism which won at last some rights
to higher education for Russian women
at home. For long timo Zurich was
A their principal resort.
| After some excellent deductions, par
| ticularly as to the Indispensable neces.
4 sity for civil service reform in view OF
the enlarged administration taken upon
| us, POLITICS give place to literary
matters. Both John Burroughs and
bradford Tory arc suggestive tu all
such as make or love literature,
1 whether their conclusions be wholly
adopted or not. The vital touch, says
Mr.. burroughs, comes only through
the personal quality. This, perhaps,
depends upon two considerations,
whether that quality be obtruded, also
| the kind Of literature undertaken.
4 Certainly in this number of tho
Atlantic tho most inspiring personal
article is the resume Of the work of
President Eliot Of Harvard, work by
no manner of means, confined to his
own university, but one of vitllizing
reform which has reached down even
to the grammar schools. The writer
has the first requisite of discipleship,
absolute faith in his leader. All that
has been accomplished by this icono-
elast and epoch maker, he heartily
endorses. So he writes a most moving
4 paper. Miss Carter describes the
kindergarten Child" as developed
in subsequent schools. Unfortunately,
there is some solid truth in this racy
and entertaining account of her tribu--
| lations and consequent eyasperations
! Though good inestimable hus been
done by the kindergarten, it is still
worth while to heed what is here sug.
gested. From full experience, likewise,
John Fiske shows what literary cranks
are capable of, give them, ever SO little
rein, while Grant Squires gives q pic
turesque impression of tho alert service
demanded of a war censor.
st. Nicholas continues every effort
both to impart clear ideas of the
methods OF the war and to impress
ITS lessons. The March number has q
graphic account by Henry La Motto of
his leaving the University of Berlin
and Joining forces with our naval
attache to secure u torpedoboat for the
United States before war was declared.
After u deal of brave effort, they Sc
cured the Somers, detained, it will be
remembered, in Falmouth harbor till
need for her was over. We think, how
ever, that Lieut.. La Motto had further
Interesting adventures crossing on the
Topeka, which he has not yet given to
the public. This is supplemented by
an account of the apprenticeship Of
seamen for the United States Navy.
No able bodied, fairly educated boy,
between IA and II, who has his parents
consent, is rejected and, though I'M
likely ever to obtain a commission, he
may as warrant officer rise to 81, 800 u
year. 1.-THE Case of Mrs. Burrows is
funny and true, the picture of poor old
dim" with its shuttle and its shrewd1
ness; capitally drawn. Little Pleasant"
is also an excellent story with telling