New-York tribune., 1901-06-30


studies in Early French Poetry" he made the
sum of 81 43. He published on the half profit
system OF late years Sir Walters practice was
70 sen ms copyrights, the price being generally
in the neighborhood of $500. 1t is recorded
that ne never quarrelled with his publishers.
Sir Walter was of the hardest of workers
and 1t is said of him that he wore always
somewhat official expression, contracted in the
ola DAYS when he was professor in Maurtius
anu expected TO be challenged and questioned
by all who approached him. Though not de-
voted clubman, he belonged to several London
clubs, and oftenest seen at the SaviIe.
Here, it is recorded he discussed publishers with
Robert Louis Stevenson, and the latter improved
the occasion by mentioning the Christian name
or publisher as that of "A right good fellow"
and then citing his surname as that Of a rascal
"A correspondent present on the occasion writes:
1 always regarded this fanciful duality of the
puohsher as the germ of the Hyde-Jekyn ere
alton Of later years.
A visitor at Besant's house remembers one odd
part OF the novelist's method Of composition.
on big card on his desk We're written all the
names Of the characters in his novel with de-
scriptons relationship etc, written opposite TO
them like elaborate descriptions OF dramatis
persona IN play. on other cards We're synopses
OF plots chapters and scenes.
Ellen Taylor niece Of the Taylors who under
the name Of "Yorkes' are described in Charlotte
Bronte shirley, has written novel which is
70 he published under the tide of A Thousand
Plues 1t is a story Of life in New-Zealand
thirty years ago.
The House Of Commons is not. if We may be-
ieVe Mr.. Augustine Birrell, literary body. 1t
was notorious, he said the other evening that
| eWtiEe Wel-seIect-d quotations-four from
Shakespeare, two from Milton two from Drv-
den, two from Pope, and one each from Prior
ana CannihE-Were enough T. establish in that
highly critical assembly a reputation for wit for
such vast erudition. for reading so vast and
varied as 10 make ii seem almost impossible
in the opinion Of their fellow members that a
mind 50 well stored. SO richly equipped, should
have ~oom in il for anything else.
There is a story that Bulwer-Lytton on a visit
20 Glasgow was much bored by literary lady
reading a long letter of Carlyle 10 him. He is
wrote hystander. somewhat deaf and she
had 10 baWl 1t into his ear He made no COM
mont out tried feebly 10 laugh. In answer to an
inquiry from Lady Alison. he replied in a very
melencholy tone that he always burnt his let
trIs' and wouid have burnt that one
Senkiewczs QUO Vadis?" has. it appears.
greatly pleased the Pope. who. after he had
finished il. sent a complimentarv letter ia tbe
author. He also sent him a marble tablet of the
time of the Emperor Constantine. recently found
IN the Ostriano Cemetery.
Ibsen is more comfortable at present tbourh
he remains seriously ILL., and it is thought that
the end must come within few months He is
hufsed with the greatest care by his wife, who
never leaves him day night. and he refuses
10 receive help from anybody else. only with
the greatest trouble can he make himself under
stood, and he has not enough strength 10 write
what his tongue refuses To speak. During the
few drives he has taken with his doctor il was
plain 10 see that his formerly strong consttu-
ton has been undermined by the illness 1t evil
IDENTITY cost him the greatest eXeTtion to sit up
right in the carriage. An impatient movement
OF the head showed that the drive and the sight
Of 50 many persons. who GaZed at him curiously,
fatigued him. His whole appearance made a
sad impression. After the first attack he re-
queSted TO he accurately informed as to the
character of the affection. He knows that mis-
condition Is dangerous. and he daily feels his
strength diminishing. With the greatest
strength Of viii he hears the daily bulletins of
the doctor. and himself gives orders as to how
the inquiries to be answered.