New-York tribune., 1902-08-24
Gbe Netu'llo1sk Gribam1e.
ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT.
SUNDAY, AUGUST "a, 1902.

The journalist who is dissatisfied with things
as they are in his profession here, or in most
countries abroad, should set about learning how
to write in Italian There is now before the
Parliament at Rome bill called the Journal
lists Contract Law" in which interesting
measures are proposed. According to this bill,
contract between the proprietor of paper
and journalist could not be made for less than
two years in the case of a chief editor, or for
less than one year in that of an ordinary writer.
A journalist taken on trial becomes full
nedged journalist at the end of two months, If
not discharged, and he is entitled to an indenf-
ntv should the sale of the paper, a change
in its political policy affect the stability of his
position or force him to do work not in accord
ance with his own political opinions. This in
demnity is equal TO the amount of the salary
he would receive at the end of his engagement.
In case of bankruptcy the editors have
privileged lien the furniture, the machinery
and the material, and in case of litigation be-
tween journalist and an owner an arbitration
tribunal is to be called in, to be composed of
two journalists and two owners selected out OF
a list of three of each presented by the ltigants
Any arrangement entered into contrary to the
terms of this bill is void. 1t will be interesting
TO see what the Italian Parliament will do with
this document
The silly and patronizng tone taken toward
Matthew Arnold by writer's of a certain sort,
to which we recently referred in reviewing MIR.
Herbert w. Pauls biography of the great critic,
finds no encouragement whatever, We are glad
to observe, among English commentators on
that unsatisfactory production. The journals
Just to hand are strikingly unanimous. in fact,
AS to the vitality Of Arnold's writings and the
inadequacy of Mr. Pauls treatment of them.
fha infIu Of
author of Essays in Criticism is clearly Wis
ible in contemporary writings on books and, for
that matter, good many other subjects.
Nevertheless it is pleasant to witness the 10y
atty of his literary countrymen and their readi-
to rebuke the mpertinence of q self -sat It's
fed and dogmatic biographer 1t is pleasant
not simply in its implication of the permanent
hold which Arnold has upon the minds Of right
thinking critics. but in that il tcstifcS to the
preservation of a high standard aside from all
personal feeling. Mr.. PauI's book is resented
because those who love Arnold the man as we'll
as Arnold the writer cannot endure having him
paved over by an unsympathetic hand But 1t
is resented still more because it does violence
to the ideal of criticism and Of intellectual life
generally which all the great writer's have In
bored TO establish and strengthen. Arnold's
best critics know that he is not old fashioned.
as so many smart young men would have us
believe, because they know that the principles
embodied in his works principles of un
questionable and enduring validity, the priI-
ciples of the masters in all ages.
The latest resource proposed for the anxious
reader, anxious because neither the literary
journals nor the book shops satisfy his curiosity
as to the publications of the hour, is announced
by Mr.. w. Beauchamp Marshall, of Chalfont
IIn * fhn a IN
of ''Intcrnational New Books Society,"" the
object of which would be to collect and exhibit
all new books. Everything published would be