New-York tribune., 1907-08-11

This volume dealing with George. the splen-
,,s ,oung noble Of Palestine. the pattern Of
- and generous soldiers, and the tutelary
,.,,+ of England. has been prepared in a spirit
: careful and erudite II is enthusiastic
,--..+ever can be CLEANED concerning his life
ss.a yna-tvrsom may be found in these pages,
! .ogsff3er with details Of the commemoration Of
.irn tn church lturgies and in the Orders estab-
s-,os nv King Arthur-whom the author by
:, means regards as mythical hereby Ceur
% lion and by Edward OF Windsor. Notices
the most celebrated knights Of St George,
..,,nr from the sixteenth century TO the
,ven4ieth ere included and chapter is devoted
:. the appearance OF the saint in art. hosteis.
.1storns and traditions
There are few great historians who may be
,eld bla1neless of blunders. Gibbon certaint
ras not one Of them. and ne deserves a blacR
mark for his carelessness in confusing the mar
-vred son Of the Governor Of Diospo.is with
George of Cappodocia, the disreputahle Aris a
bisbop of Alexandria, a man known for his
cruelty and avarice George the soldier-saint
WIS born a LYDIA in Palestine Of Christian
ssulIry q high rank He IS described by an
,ient writers as being possessed OF much beauty
.rs strength OF great intelligence and Of rare
courtesy. lie was d trusted and important Of
4oer fl The army Of Diocletian and a favorite
- fine Emperor. who. drawn 10 him by the
memory of his dead fathers services, was also
attracted by the youths courage and his win
ring manners AT the end Of the Persian cam
nairr George lived for q time AZ Berytus or
Ref-Ct, and il is thought, says the author, that
mcclellan then sent him on al expedition to
Britain There ne became known 10 the Chris
$50, Helena mother Of Constantine the Great
.Ao soy,ereigr lady who twenty years after dedi-
.o-aa ? church IN Jerusalem 70 the memory OF
,er noble visitor George was apparently stiu
., Britain when Di0cletian's edict for the exter
r,ination Of Lis Christian subjects was pro
claimed Tlis edict, We are told. caused George
n AT once lay down his arms and cast il his
n. with 1he more helpless though no less de-
vu,ed members Of his Church"
41;s mother died when he WAS twenty years Of
sse and left him. If is recorded. a large fortune
= returned 10 LYDIA freed MS slaves sold ms
az disrersed household and retainers. and deter
-e,ed ro 30 direct 10 the Emperor and interceoe
Ttsa77 hrefFreTl Of course At the immediate risk
= his life i in vain that his friends tried TO
q veil as they could have but one end-a terrible
Seath Ore Of the writers Of the COptic Texts tells
ID hear that / am dead. 90 the kindness. for
Christs sake. 70 take my body TO my haiHe Slag
-7gn George heard these things. they WePt a Iois
t.ae but afterward they saluted him (anc Weh'
theT way -, ,z =. $500, .. r,.,z-
rs g- Beirut when his way 10 the Emperor,
-hat ST Georges conflict with the dragon LOOK
lace A ruined tower near this city stih marks
- site nj the encounter: the beautiful bay on the
eaurh Of which. a projecting point Is slAuAteo
ne city Of Beirut is 10 this day called oI Sstoi
= rhs 1irEt book Of his travels says: We fouho
here nothing worthy OF note. but an old rulnous
ba1rel bTii7 IN place. where they say St
- Cd he Kings daughter GGt O1 IL-
sg-v laws OF . dreadful dragon
What was that dragon which met its death a.
no hands OF the former officer Of the Imperial
cuar5, The author seems TO believe that Il
night have been q crocodile; and, apropos of
-fese creatures he offers some Interesting notes
Am the Hloathely worries" Of British tradition,
which. he thinks, suggest q possibility Of the
survival and occasional reappearance CT some
now extinct species Of carniYorOus reptile
After delivering the young princess from the
trician from LYDIA went on his way 70 Nico-
media where Diocletian was then staying He
appealed to the Emperor in vain, and was ap-
Barenfly apprehended for tearing 70 shreds 4
ropy Of the imperial edict posted in the public
street Even the Roman officials who judged
hin were moved by his noble and gentle bearing
and his steadfast courage 20 exhort him 20 cast
aside the faith, promising al hono-s and
snouments n return Their urging was with
Ut effect ard after hideous torture and while
rrsying for his prosecutors George was be
heaaed- The date Of the tragedy was April %
s4 ID.