New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-12

From this rather prolix and sentimental book
1e reader may nevertheless obtain an interest
ING impression OF Of the most remarkable
women OF the Italian Renaissance. Mrs Jerrold
Is not particularly skilful biographer, but she
has been Industrious and careful In the assem-
bling 4 her facts She draws fairly accurate
z not especially inspiring portrait Of her hero
Inc. The book is filed out, too, with sketches
Of the salient figures in that heroine's CIRCLE a
eevel oprrent % the scheme which was really
necessary. for Vittorta Colonna IS important TO
us not so much through any OF her specific
achievements IS through her relation with divers
potabNities OF her time The story OF her life
Is significant as the story of a phase of social
Hte in the sixteenth century. AS we follow the
experience Of this distinguished woman we
learn something Of the manner in which Renais-
sance types OF culture lived their curious lives
OF Blended materialism and aspiration
II IS 10 be said for Vittoria herself that she
rteeTed her way through the turbid waters OF
her period with finer steadfastness than char
scterized any save the very greatest of her con-
te-nporaries The daughter of the historic ana
splendid house of Colonna she seems IN have
had al or the qualities of the grande dame in
her bIood' and TO have had superadded thereto
genius Tor goodness and a certain mental
Po-Se' pecuh2rly rare IN age of violence
She was still in her teens when she was married
70 the Aarchese di Pescara, a clever and gallant
solder whose darker traits doubtless causa5
her pain, but were apparently not in her onin- !
lo'-' uliIorg1VabIe' for it Is said that when on
pls way 10 MS bedside she learned OF his death !
she was so overcome with grief that she fa1l !
from her horse and remained for two hours in |
ha1I-dead condition" She had at this time
as Ms, JerroId notes, three possible fut,ras
from which 10 choose She might have taken
Up me lie OF wealthy widow, holding stately
court on her own estates. She might have mar
red again. or she might have taken the veil
She preferred to adopt a simple mode of exist
eoee uhoF one conVentual roof or another
playing the part Of a disinterested adviser n
her reckless brother Ascanio Colonna. and sbar
ing II the Intellectual interests Of some of the
finest spirits In Italy Her friendship with
Eict2el Angelo IS historic; il IS indeed the cpl
so5e n her lie which has done most 10 pra-
serTe her faI1-e He was. however, only one
among scores which she singled out for sy1npa
t1etc Intercourse She loved books and works
of art She was devout. Enough of woman Of
the world 70 intervene, on occasion in vgorI7,
matters, and 10 good purpose she fmpresses us
chiefly as Jealous servant OF the hlIr-lanit !
one 10 whom the things Of the mind and the
sou Were the true objects Of q well ordered life
The incidents OF her career that are most con-
fpcCous in the record are generally illustrations
OF her urbanity, of her taste and OF her learning
From letter written to her by Duke FEDERICO
CT MaDtIa il appears that she Ionged to have a
picture Of St Mary Magdalen from the hand II
a. excellent painter Whereupon the duke sent
70 Venice and commissioned Titan to produce
ths work, which 50 rejoiced the lady that, when
thanking FEDERICO, she sent him a present Of
most sweet perfumes and cosmetic Of rozes in
4 beautifully wrought casket" Another char
acteristc episode IS that Of her long retention
Of the manuscript Of Castiglione's "Cortegiano"
The poor author on the eve Of his departure for
Spain, yeutured TO remind Victoria that he was .
waiting for his book She replied in a letter
which shows so wei the mood OF the Renais-
rance Lterat their enthusiasm and their grace
n turning apprecative phrases, that we must
quote al OF il that Mrs. JerTold gives:
er-trary, that have !
vel because IL has continually from me The
pleasure e such a beautiful book, thinking that I
ghou.d have 10 SEND il back without reading il a.
have hs-1ed ne By keeping il well impressed on
ny ne--lry-- Since you have been disoAI.c.-..y
enough 10 press ne for il, and since | already
y the middle Of my second reading OF il :. :
roUr LorLsaip 70 allow finish IT, and then /
promise 10 return IL u you ! hear from
you By Letter mat you are going 10 leave Rome !
You w not need 10 send for il. for
VII return i carefully and safely. would
for the reason that your LOrGShiD SAYS you
cannot speak Ct the beauty Of the SignOra
Dochessa but for the promise made you; and
shaI trouble write yOu an Ella b0rate letter
7lrr NIB van lsEr fgaT fFrrr n