New-York tribune., 1901-04-08
LITERARY NOTES.

Father sergius" is said TO be the title Of
novel upon which TolstoI is at work. II deals
with the mental conflicts of a monk who. once
dissipated aristocrat has come to be regarded
as saint.
Mr.. Augustine Birren notes that the closing
hours OF the nineteenth century marked
by all the painful symptoms of extreme self
consciousness. In literature he said the other
evening. il hard to see what was left to do
what niche remained unoccupied But the
paths that were now TO be trodden not
those our forefathers trod. Our attitude toward
life and death. own language, our
thoughts. any bit of literary work did hon
estly. be it done well i'll. would he
echo or an imitation. but our own.
An extra illustrated work. for which many COL
lectors will doubtless contend. is TO be sold in
London April 22. 1t is copy Of Moore's
Life and Letters OF Byron" extended 10 twenty
three quarto volumes by the addition Of $500
portraits views. etc.
Another valuable lot from the same library
that Of the late Sir William Augustus Fraser
is a copy Of Thomas Gray's "Odes," the first
edition. printed at Strawberry Hill in 1851, with
numerous important MS. notes by the author in
the margins with autograph letter of the
author. and the autograph MSS. Of the song
written for Miss Speed. "Thyrsis when we parted
swore," and Of Midst Beauty and Pleasures
Gay Triumphs Langush."
Prince Kropotkin has many admiring things
10 say about young Cork, a Russian writer who
has been for some years a waiter on a steamer
and has lived the life Of the navvies and tramps
in Southern Russia The characters he describes
are taken from the lowest classes, and are con-
sidered powerful in drawing.
II is said that Cork is almost embarrassed
by HIS popularity. He cannot reconcile
himself 10 his role OF celebrated per-
sonage, and is inconsolable over the loss
OF his former independence. Recently he
attended the performance of a new play
by Tschechof in a theatre Of Moscow AS
as he was recognized the audience forgot
the play. All eyes turned in his direction. and
the cheering and clapping of hands in
cessant. Gorki by means fiattered by the
ton. grew angry, and addressed the audience
impetuously: What the deuce are you staring
at me for? I'm not ballerina, nor a Venus of
Milo, a man just saved from drowning! All
do is to write stories which have the good
fortune to please you. So much the betteri
But this is reason why you should cape
me There. on the stage. a most excellent
piece is being played. You had better give It
your attention and leave alone!"
We need not say that this speech did not
cause the cheering to subside. Poor Cork, in
fact, does not know how TO escape the OBJ
trusve enthusiasm OF the public Wherever he
goes he is nonized: wherever he stops his
n numerous tramping tours through the country.
young men come consult 1.-The tramp how to
live and to express their admiration in the most
exalted terms. Cork had not always been so
honored. The author Besobidin tells OF his first
meeting with the now celebrated writer. Cork.
with other laborers. one day suddenly appeared
at a small railway station. Winter was ap-
preaching, and his thin clothes shabby
and torn He was very modest in his demands;
all he wanted "a job the freight trains
There work for him there. and they
offered him the place OF a watchman al a small
station He did not hesitate TO accept the place.
and later describeo his impression TO Besobidini.
81 satisfied With my position" he wrote.
'T know my duties, anS perform them scrupu-
lously. I am getting very nicely with my
fellow workmen. / succeeded in gaining the fa-
vor Of the station master, who every day orders
me to remove the rubbish from his kitchen
Isn't this grand! I only want to know If this is
part Of my official duties or a special mark OF
his personal affection for me-" Thus Gork
despite the menial work he had TO perform,
never lost his cheerfulness. and after a short
time he could inform Besobidini that he had
been advanced the rank Of head kitchen
sweeper and head watchman Of the station
The new Edinburgh edition OF Walter Scott lin
forty-eight volumes) is to be uniform IN every
detail except binding with the Edinburgh Ste
venson II IS TO be limited to a thousand SETS
printed directly from the type which will be
distributed" with the passing OF the last set
The edition VIII contain twenty photogravure
portraits Of Sir Walter Scott, some Of which are
reproduced for the first time. Scott's notes
and introductions will he used; no others will
appear in the edition
The design for John Ruskin's tomb is cross
OF the early English type. hewn out of block
by symbols. On the face. the candlestick of the
Tabernacle represents the Seven Lamps" the
Lion OF ST. Marks. the Stones OF Venice:
IN the centre, artist a pine forest and
before the rising sun suggests Modern Paint
ers.' while below is figure with Tyre. On the
back are ST. George and the Dragon the Crown
OF Wild Olive Fors Clavigera, Sesame and
Lilies, and the foot Unto this Last is repre-
vineyard.
In his historical study OF Charles William
Ferdinand. Duke OF Brunswick. which Long
mans. Green & Co. bringing out. Lord Ed
Ynond Fitzmaurice undertakes TO clear up an
nnaccountabe haziness that has cung around
a figure prominent in the history Of the French
Revolution and the empire This duke was a
nephew and the favorite pupil OF Frederick the
Great His i'll defined sphere and enigmatic
action in the events Of the period have long baf-
fed historical students and il has been difficult
10 account for the unqUestioned position he has