New-York tribune., 1902-08-06
A FATHER OF POETS.
THE FOUNDER OF THE RossETTI FAMILY
IN ENGLAND.

cspprErE ROssETTI. A yersifed Autobogra-
ply translated and supplemented 6y 3yo "1lllaP 3
Michael Rossetti Octave PIP. XIII ~ l. 1
Dutton g. Co
II has sometimes seemed as if Mr.. William
Michael Rossetti were taking his family too seri-
ously and if we have derived this impression
from, certain publications Of his apropos OF MS
brother and his sister We are even more sur
prfsed by the present volume The eloer KOS
setti was not an eminent man. Neither his gl11s
NOR his achievements could be said to justify the
rather imposing commemoration they now re-
ceive at the hands of his SON. But his career
WAS varied it involved association with divers
persons of Importance, and, Furthermore, he was
the father Of two interesting poets. For these
reasons, and because readable passage or TWO
NAV be found in it. the general reader will have
-,stience with book on the whole rather wearl-
some The devotee of Dante or Christina Ros-
setti will of course be grateful for this record
of their father.
Gabrielle Rossetti was born at Vasto a little
town in the kingdom of Naples, in 11S3. He was
the son of a blacksmith His mother was the
oaughter of shoemaker. His beginnings
therefore were humble enough; but he seems
20 have developed literary tastes at an early
age and in his young manhood gained some
repute as a poet, which he nursed as time went
on. without ever attaining to really high rank
sn this field At one time he served as official
poet TO the theatre of San Carlo, in Naples.
Later he Joined the staff CT the Museo Borbonico
sn that city but during the troublous years pre-
ceding the accomplishment Of Italian unity his
rolitical opinions threatened his liberty, if they
Gid not place his life in peril. and, like many
another Southern patriot, he was obliged to seek
asylum abroad. For two years he lived IN
Malta The rest of his life he spent in Eng
land. teaching Italian. laboring upon Dantesque
oT darp and
the family which was to give significant, if not
supremely important. contributions TO English
literature His autobiography, with its glimpses
of interesting events and personalities in Italian
history would perhaps have been worthier OF
preservation if it had not been set forth IN
verse, which in Mr.. William Rossett
painstaking translation is all but unreadable
through its mediocrity. That he had certain
concet of himself his son seems disposed TO
admit and the facts of his life are stated in
very trying blend of pomposity and common
place The most satisfactory things in this book
are such fragments of personalia may be dug
up from a footnote or a letter here and there.
1t is interesting TO find for example, in one
of his letters. an allusion like the following to
his poetical daughter, who in most Of the docu-
ments that remain TO us leaves an impression Oh
great physical delicacy. Il should, indeed ike
10 see our skittish Christina with those rosy
cheeks and sparkling eyes. SO like her grand
rYsther's walking all alone about the garden
like a little butterfly among the flowers We
infer from the remarks that follow that even
then Miss Rossetti not without a touch Of
,nvaIdism, yet il is comforting TO know that at
one time in her life at least she had rosy cheeks
and sparkling eyes and could be ''skittish- In
a footnote Rossetti has something 10 say Of the
Bonapartes He never saw Napoleon, but he
knew many other members OF the family In
Joseph he found many personal gifts to admire,
saying that he was kind natured and cultivated
in mind but in Naples. spoiled by courtiers, he
was bad king" OF Lucien he remarks that he
twas a Republican, but with many prejudices
NAPOLEON III is dismissed man of a char
Acter all puffed up with ambition and he adds.
never did hear from his lips a single word
Indicating liberal spirit" His remarks here
ere tantalzing in their brevity. The book as 1t
stands is of very slight value. but 1t suggests
that If the author had written his memoirs in
prose with candor and with fulness, he might
have added something worth while to the minor
literature of his period.