New-York tribune., 1902-01-29
THE MAGAZINES.
NOTES ON THE GOOD THINGS IN THE
CURRENT NUMBERS.


CURRENT NUMBERS.
N. Victor du Bled contributes TO the Febru-
airy Century a paper Of rare interest on the
salon of the Princess Nathilde. that famous
lady Of whose personality little enough has been
1srritten in days. She is. as her
latest biographer remarks. the own niece OF
Napoleon ], the daughter OF King Jerome.
cousin OF the King OF Rome TAiglon) and of
Napoleon III, sister Of Prince Napoleon ana
aunt Of Prince Victor and Prince Louis" She
married Prince Demidof, from whom. by the
way, she was soon separated. She would have
taken in any case, by right of her birth, a
conspicuous position IN the world. But If she
has long held such position, II has been oe-
cause she is woman OF extraordinary Drill
lance and charm. Her history is the history OF
all that has been most interesting in the social
and intellectual life of her time and country.
II. du Bled gives some delightful illustra-
tions but we are most grateful for those lines
in which he sketches his friend, still young,
though past eighty, and allows us to see some
thing of her character. She was fond of Ma
poleon III. but we are given this piquant specl-
men OF her candid talk about him:
never get on with the Emperor because L
go straight to the point. l have never been
caught in any intrigue-never, never! l could
never be of those who burst into tears and
get their debts paid every month The En-
perori One would think mankind amused him:
The other day servant let off syphon OF
'vichy IN his neck, and he contented himself by
holding out his glass on the other side, ana
saying nothing man whose greatest eN-
clarnation Of fury is Absurd If had mar
ried him it seems to me 1 would have broken
open his head, to see what was inside of it,
Yet when Dumas the elder used disrespectful
words about the Emperor in her presence she
showed her resentment. She called him Mon
sieur'' Dumas. Princess" he asked simply
~call me Dumas. since that is what have been
working for for twenty-five years" She was
furious with Taine when. in spite OF her inter
position, he published words OF censure on Ma
poleon !, and carried out the threat which she
uttered in this frank form: "Ah know what
/ shall do, I owe Nine Taine a call. I shall
1eave my card with p. P. c., which will mean
that L take leave of him forever. I cannot al
low a friend attack violently the head OF
my family, the without whom l should
perhaps be nothing but little orange venoer
ion the bridge at Ajaccio." But truce to
quotations. The paper must be read intact.
Among the other good things in THE Century"
is a collection Of extracts from the diary OF
Julian Niemcewicz, an aide-de-camp of Kosci-
uszko. who visited Mount Vernon and had
some interesting talks with Washington: and
Mr.. Charles Moore contributes the preliminary
pages OF an illustrated account of the improve
Inents.contemplated in the national capital.
Mr.. Francis E. Leupp opens the current num-
her Of "Scribner's Magazine" with article
In which allusion is made to the changes that
tnpend in Washington. but in which the main
point is a description Of the charms Of the city
as it stands. 1t is good piece Of impression
Sstic writing and is particularly we'll illustrated
The poem entitled "A Tryst," by Winston
Churchill. fails to suggest that the author is
m fame hY taking time for
verse from the making of popular fiction. A
timely article in this number is the by WILL
tam II. Burr, on THE Proposed Isthmian Ship
Canal" In which the facts relating TO both of
the routes now under discussion are traversed
with admirable clearness. Mr. Vanderlip con-
tinues MS study OF the American commercial
invasion of Europe, dealing this month with
Italy, Austria and Germany. Summing UP. he
finds that Italy and the dual monarchy are not
likely TO become formidable competitors OF ours
in the worlds markets; that Germany is en-
dowed with a spirit and ambition which will
probs bly, make her keenest rival, although
We have clear advantages in cheap raw ma
terials. He further remarks:
If we turn our attention toward investments
IN these countries, attractive opportunities VIII
be found in Italy but hampered by an uncer-
tain currency standard and excessive taxation.
Opportunity for the Introduction of improved
methods is even greater in Austria. but po-
than counteract that advantage, and the money
standard is quite uncertain as In Italy. There
IS much greater investment safety in Germany
and that, believe is true. in spite Of the head
long declines which securities have made on
the German exchanges.
The current Harper is notable inasmuch
as Mr.. Abbey resumes in its pages the publica-
ton of those exquisite drawings which his
activity as painter has for time threat
ened TO keep permanently from his admirers.
He provides now eight full page drawings for
1.-The Deserted Village" and they not only
very happily illustrative Of the poem, but
beautiful examples of his art Indeed these
new drawings among the loveliest he has
ever made, not excepting the best of that pc
riod in which he was devoting himself entirely
to such work Two three charming pages
about the poem are contributed by Mr.. Austin
Dobson There is some excellent fiction. at the
head of which would place Mr.. owen Wis
ters capital short story, I'm State of Sin"
From the Belgian Shakespeare NJ. Maurice
Maeterlinck. the editor has secured some Motor
this rhapsody:
/ conquer the plains. which bow down before
me. Slowly do l turn the mysterious advance
ignition" handle, and regulate well
the admission of the petrol. The pace grows
faster and faster; the delirious wheels send
forth a shrill and eager cry. And at first the
road comes moving toward me like a bride
ing palms, rhythmically keeping time TO
melody Of gladness But soon 1t grows frantic,
me. rushing under the like furious tor
rent whose foam dashes my face: II