New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-12
SOME MAGAZINE NOTES.
GI.rMPsEs OF THE OCTOBER PERIOD
ICALS.

GL1MPsEs OF THE OCTOBER PERIOD
ICALs
Mr. Norley's brilliant papers on Cromwell
come TO an end In the current Century" leav-
ing TO US a remarkably cool, clear headed and
Just presentment Of the man Oliver He de-
clares that when it is claimed that no Eng
Ish ruler did more than Cromwell to shape the
future of the land he governed, we run some
risk of straining history only to procure incense
for retrograde ideals. If" he says Cromwell
did little to shape the future Of the Church OF
England, neither did he shape the future Of the
Parliament of England. On the side Of consutu-
t,onal construction. unwelcome as it may sound,
q more important place belongs TO the sage
and steadfast though most unheroic, Walpole-
The development Of the English constitution mas
in truth proceeded on lines that Cromwell pro-
foundlv disIiked The idea Of a Parliament al
WAYS sitting and actively reviewing the oeIdlls
Of administration was in his sight an lntoleraole
mischief It was almost the only system against
which his supple mind so Indifferent as 1t was to
all constitutional forms. was infextoe. Yet IhlS
for good or i'll is our system to-day ana Inc
system Of the great host Of political communities
that have followed our parliamentary model.
When II is said again, that IT was owing TO
Cromwell that nonconformity had time 10 take
such deep root TO defy the storm OF the
Restoration do not overlook the original
strength Of all those great Puritan fbres from
which both the Rebellion and Cromwell himself
had sprung? It was not man. not even such
a man as Oliver; it was the same underlying
spjritual forces that had made the Revolution
,,ttob also held fast against the Restoration.
We might as we'll say that Cromwell was the
founder Of nonconformity."
Mr. Claude Phillips cartinues in The North
American Review" his careful account OF that
wonderful picture gallery of the Hermitage Here
is what has been called the greatest portrait
in the world that of Pope Innocent by Feias-
quez. Mr.. Phillips persists in holding TINS 10 De
not a repetition but a preliminary study from
life for the picture Of the Pope in the Doria
Palace. in Rome. There many canvases as
crihed at the Hermitage Velasquez, but the
Fnelishman tells US that only two can be &C
cented as genuine The second is kitchen
piece" representing two old men and boy at
table
An Italian dealing IN The International
Monthly" with the New Italy thus concludes
his recital: Historic traditions, climate, educa-
ton and heredity are conducive to the lack, in
the Italians of certain qualities which the
Anglo-Saxons and Germans possess, such as
patience calm tenacity and spirit Of associa-
ton or combination. but they have instead
vivacty, adaptability, intellectual acuteness and
less inclination TO alcoholism. Such natural gifts
should be sufficient for their complete renais-
sance."
'McClure's Magazine" prints an edifying chap
ter from DR.. Conan Doyles forthcoming book
on the Boer He makes various excuses
for the medical department, which his fellow
author, Rudyard Kipng, has vehemently at
tackled. He declares that it has less than
justice done TO it because the desperate nature
of the crisis which il had TO meet was not
realized by the public; that for reasons of policy
the grave state Of the army in Bloemfontein
never made known. The army" he adds
depended for its supplies upon a single pre-
carious line of rails, which We're choked with
the food and the remounts which were abso-
lutely necessary for the continuance Of the
campaign"
The doctors had the utmost difficulty in get
ting the tents, medicines, and other necessaries
for their work They were overwhelmed with
cases at the very moment when their means
Tor treating them were at the lowest, and I'M
happily enteric is Of all diseases the one
which needs careful nursing, special nourish-
ment and constant attention. The result was
in many cases deplorable There were hospitals
where the most necessary utensils were want
ing. In supplying these wants locally there was
as II seemed TO me- a want of initiative and OF
energy, but il sprang largely from exag-
gerated desire on the part OF the authorities to
conclnate the Free StaterS and reconcile them
TO our rule. II was thought too high handed to
occupy empty houses without permission, or tc
tear down corrugated iron fencing in order tc
make huts 10 keep the rain from the sick sol
diers. This policy which sacrificed the British
soldier to excessive respect for the feelings
Of his enemies. became modified after time
but II appeared 10 me 10 increase the difficulties
OF the doctors
Mrs Edith Wharton has undeniably a special
gift in depicting the meaner men and women OF
her day She has story in the October Lip
pincott" which is exceedingly unpleasant but
uncommoniy clever.
An agreeable sketch OF rustic Scotland, "A
Harvest Home in Thrums" fills some pages o.
this magazine. One Of the features of this festi
val is dance-in spite Of the assertion that 81
naughty amusement is not countenanceC
within the borders OF this Presbyterian land
is the reverse in country districts. the author
tells US, and he ADDS this story: Near by I,
Thrums an old minister denounced from tn,
pulpit and threatened the terrors of the law OF
all who should appear [ a ball TO be giver
within the shadow OF his kirk One elder primet
by his young folks expostulated reminding tn
minister that David danced and that Miriam
danced. There WAS seemingly silent acqut
essence. But the following Sunday the old man
eloquent in his might, he banged Bible ant
pulpit alternately. shouted in stentorian tones
David did dance. and Miriam did dance bu