New-York tribune., 1899-12-19

contribution TO this number is a story by Mark
Twain which will be read with huge enjoyment
long after these and other Christmas holidays
have passed away. We refer TO THE Man That
Corrupted Hadleyburg." a tale In which the
author brings to the art Of social satire some OF
his richest and most spontaneous humor. The
tragic and the comic muses. both supported him
In the writing OF this story. At times ii is
broadly funny, as when in the sudden stiffness
Of a public meeting the chairman is described
as hearing the gnawing OF his own microbes.
But the essential drift Of this work is deeply
significant. Mark Twain has paused to anayze
some Of the great truths Of human nature, and
he has done 1t with uncommon power.
THE Century" draws It's especially holiday
material from the most diverse sources. Miss
Thomas and Dr. Mitchell contribute romantic
poems the charming stanzas of the former being
accompanied by some remarkable illustrations
from the brush Of Mr.. Henry HUT; and Mr.. Riis,
in the brief narrative called THE Kid Hangs
Up His Stocking" touches our sympathies by
exploiting a theme found in the common life at
our doors. This number. which is further nota-
BILE for the instalments it gives in Mr.. Morleys
"Oliver Cromwell and Mr. -Thompson's
enthralng Biography of Grizzly" Is radiant
in q special cover OF beautiful design and color
"Scribner's Magazine" also in a charming dec
orative dress suitable to the season. contains
Christmas ballad by Mr. Harrison s. Morris
with striking illustrations. but its most salient
feature is exceptionally good collection Of
short stories by Bliss Perry, Arthur Cotton,
Octave Thanet and others. We are glad 10 see
that the color printing in this magazine is being
more and more effectively developed Mr.. Glack-
ens's sketches for THE Partate Ultmatum"
thax- tI.r
reproduced In "McClure's Magazine" there are
also some interesting color prints accompanying
the first instalment Of THE Life Of the Master"
Ian Maclaren's new work. Mr.. Corwin Knapp
Linson. the designer OF these illustrations. fol-
lows rather obviously in the footsteps of NJ. Tis-
sot. and subjects himself to an inevitable com
parson from which he as inevitably emerges
with doubtful glory. The French artist achieved
his great task of illustrating the life OF Christ
so successfully that Mr. Lnson's attempt seems
superfuots especially as he has far less skill.
The picture Of THE Visit of Mary to Elizabeth"
in this number seems faint echo Of Tissot.
But aside from the question Of Mr. Linson 8
originality and power these plates form an inter-
esting contribution in the field of color printing
in periodical literature. We await with interest
further examples OF the work promisingly be-
gun. "Lippincott's NJ lgazine" for December has
religious picture by Mr.. n. r. Poore for
frontispece. but the contents Of the number
are, as usual, miscellaneous. with special stress
laid, IL anywhere upon the fiction. Ernest Phys,
w. b. Howells and Mrs. Steel the important
contributors TO this department. chapter by
NJ Rafaelh on "Aphonse Daudet and His In
Inmates presents some readable anecdotes and
personalia. Merson's Justly celebrated painting.
THE Repose in Egypt forms the frontspiece
| TO Frank Leslie's Magazine this month. and n
| group OF other opposite pictures is also repro
| duced. The text embraces one OF Mr.. Howells =
| inimitable farces Room Forty-fve." story
by Henry James called Paste" and the first
three chapters Of The Bath Comedy" the new
serial. by Agnes and Egerton Castle. Fiction
| and most Of It extremely interesting. In to the
fore in The Cosmopolitan" the chief pictorial
feature OF which 10 a richly illustrated article