New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-17

electric bell. The old letters full OF lit
made even them. the old wanderers. marvel; it
was in particular the last oloying sweet In the
rich feast of Italy; it could add a grace even
TO the grace Of Florence and a thrill even TO
the thrill OF Rome"
These pages are memorable in that affection
ate appreciation does not too rosy tighten the
edges Of just discernment. The William Story
revealed in them is real man, not the glori-
fed abstraction OF professional biography. His
gifts were many, but they were too well bal
anced for fame. The son Of one of the most
distinguished jurists of this country, he became
accomplished lawyer himself and the au-
thor Of several notable law books which are
still in use. He had through those early years
in Boston INDUCED in leisure moments taste
for modelling. and his productions seemed TO
divers fellow citizens to Justify the offer Of a
commission for a monu nent To his father. He
was something over thirty when he dropped
the law and undertook as Mr.. James puts it,
Ito learn the trade in order to make the statue"
In 1S47 he sailed for Italy with his young wife
end the final result OF the experiment was his
deliberate Remuneration of law and the DELHI
crate choice OF life Of Joyous artist work and
play in Europe. No man was ever happier
though, like so many otherwise fortunate souls,
she never quite grasped the satisfying thing at
q
painstaking achievements in the COS won the
700 facile praise Of that period but who never
did anything better than that first fine. benig-
nant figure in marble Of his father. He was a
poet whose verse showed feeling ana culture
but TO whom the heart of the Muse was never
unlocked. He keenly resented being called an
amateur, and yet that was really what he was
and remained throughout that richly varied life
of high ideals. He had missed in art that zap
premiership to his craft and Tryster-' for which
no Unborn talent and taste can make UP.
OF his winning self, who OF US who knew him
eould speak too warmly? Never was there
more steadfast friend, a more charming COM
panion, and to this phase Of his subject Mr.
James does full justice. The Story Of the years
;n the PalazzO Barberini was the most heartily
beloved of Roman soiourners. Talk was his
JOY and pleasantly. his habit" says his friend
Living in large circe-for during all The
brightest years it grew and grew-he carried
about with him in every direction his handsome
charming face. his high animation. his gayety,
3ocosity miInicry, and even more than these
things. his interest in ideas in people in every
fhing-his Vivacity OF question answer. demon
straton. disputaton." lie had a genius for
Friendship, and not the least interesting Dor
tions Of these volumes are in the intimate
revelations OF the many letters included therein.
Lowell was has long time comrade ard their cor
respondenoe is OF value in many ways. With the
Brownings his relations We're fraternal from The
first and their affection was made iran1ufa l,ls.
by the episodes OF illness and death through
which they passed together. In the early DAVIS
of their acquaintance Story wrote 10 Lowell:
He CBrOwring) is OF my size. but slighter.
with straight black hair, small eyes. wide apart
which ne witches constantly together. a smooth
face a slightly aquiline nose, ana manners
nervous and rapid. de has a great viyacity,
but not the least humOr. some sarcasm, con-
siderable critical faculty. and very great frank
rIess and frieEdliness of manner ana mind. Mrs
Browning used TO sit buried up in a large easy
chair listening and talking very quietly and
pleasantly. with nothing Of tha1 popularity
which one would expect from reading her poems
Her eyes small. her mouth large, she wears
q cap and long curls. Very unaffected and pleas
ant and simple hearted is she. and Browning
says her poems are the least good part OF
her"
Brownings letters quoted here show him in
ffe most engaging light a stanch and I'M
eelflsh friend. II was he who came 10 the rescue
of Landor when his wife and children had turned
the broken old man out OF doors. The Storys
sheltered the wanderer for several weeks and
from Mrs. Story's memoranda. made at that