New-York tribune., 1905-08-20

In his preface to this volume, MI Dobson, TAX
ing afectionate leave Of FANNY Burnev well
says that it is "a feature of her chronicle that
10 sooner 90 we weary Of its theme than another
takes its place" The pages bringing the pres
ent edition 10 4 close are peculiarly illustrative
Of the point Carrying the record down from
1So2 TO 1910, they embrace period in which the
author enjoyed many of her most interesting
experiences and passed through some of the
Eravest crises in her long career When this
volume opens the d'Arblays are in Paris the
author Of 'Evelina' catching her first glimpse
of Napoleon, and her husband earnestly striving
10 enter the service of the French government
Al ms time the elderly but still sprightly Fanny
Is in fine feather but the story closes on a
broken woman of eighty-eight, from whom hus-
band, son and friends have been taken, so that
even her brave heart sinks beneath the burden
OF sorrow And how much lies within these last
thirty-eight years. The scene changes from
Paris 10 London and back again; it carries US
almost 10 the brink Of the field of Waterloo and
everywhere We are conscious of the presence of
q clever woman drawing from famous people
and events the material for a diary which her
Vividness and her charm have made one of the
treasures OF English literature
Queen Charlottes phrase about Nine. d'Ar-
biay, true as gold" comes constantly to mind
as we follow her through her adventures on
French soil. She is, as always, eager to see
what there is TO be seen, but her beloved hus-
band is the first object OF her socitude and
though she shows Us many great personages we
never lose sight Of her own gentle kindness Of
that unfailing tenderness which alone should
have long ago abashea the short sighted COM
mentators who have seen in her only a brilliant
bluestocking. Never was there a woman whose
nature remained so unspoiled in its womanIiness
through all the circumstances of literary fame
II was no bluestoching who, her husbands
departure 10 join his regiment, suffered the
misery reflected in the following passage:
,5t ran TO q window which looked upon the inward
win what anguish Just nounn iri1 nm ms vac ap o 0qs on,
Z none an9aL ma OF winch ne was singularly fond, but
Tor j seemed loaded with pistols and equipped
completely for immediate service the field of
batle, while DepreZ, the groom. prepared TO mount
another, and our cabriOlet was filed with baggage
and implements OF
could not be surprised since knew the destna-
ton Of the general but 50 carefully had he spared
me- the progress Of his preparations which he
thought would be killing me by inches. that had
encircled with instruments Of death-bayonets,
and efcontroi left as 10 craI softiv and giIent5
-
Ing Of beholoing ny distress.
Her love for her husband runs like a golden
thread through the diary and the letters. But
even her preoccupation with the adored object
cannot dim her interest in the passing world
She sees Napoleon, who has, she thinks far
more the air Of a student than warrior" and
If her portrait Of him is not of the best she
has drawn, she is, at all events. penetrating
enough in regard to aspect of her model.
At the review she attended he careless Of
The freaks Of his horse, and some spectators
standing near the English visitor were inclined
u doubt his skill in the saddle. 81 the last
10 be Judge upon the subject says wise
Fanny, but TeHdrkeT, he only appeared to
man who knew well he could manage
the animal when he pleased. that he did not
deem il worth his while to keep constantly in
order what he knew, if urged provoked, he
could subdue in a moment" She noticed also
that when Napoleon had to present some swords
Of honor he did so with air and mien which
changed his looks from that of scholastic Sc
verify TO one that was highly military and com
nanding." These memoranda are highly charac-
teristic Of the author. She may not always be
in the mood TO paint the full length study
which would prefer, but, on the other hand,
she almost invariably marks the little traits in
her subject which do so much to help US in re
alizing the ordinary gait and demeanor Of an
historic character.
Her thumbnan sketches are the more beguil-
ing because they are set forth whether in the
diary OF in the letters, with much spontane-
fly with such q light touch. II is true that she
knows very well how 20 practise the more cere-