The Washington herald., 1907-11-24


Of most interesting personal chat about
notabilities. and among them all his de-
scription of Robert Louis Stevenson is
perhaps. the most significant. He first
met him in 1878. when Stevenson was on
the very threshold OF his career. and he
designed for him the frontispiece TO IAN
Inland Voyage" Several times during
that period they met at the Savile Club.
He used 60 stand on the hearthrug i'm
the smoking-room." says Mr.. Crane. "the
center Of an admirlng circle. and dis
course very much in the same style as
that in which ne wrote. 1t gave one the
impression of artihciality rather-I mean
his manner Of speaking and choice Of
words. as if carefully selected and culti-
waited. If a remark was offered by one
Of the company he would perhaps ac-
cept II, and turn it about, much as a con-
Juror does when he borrows Il handker-
chief or q hat from some one in his audi
ence; or perhaps he would work il into
his next sentence. returning IL 20 his
interlocutor mproved-wrapped in silver
paper, metaphorically speaking. His per-
sonal appearance was quite as unusual
as his speech. A long. pale. thin face
and lank hair, quick and penetrating
eyes, and rather sardonic smile. The
world in general, especially in clUbland
wore white shirts and collars as a rule,
but Stevenson sported black ones" After
this, Mr.. Crane never saw Stevenson
again. nor was he called upon to act as
his illustrator.
NJ. Maurice Albert, whose death is an
nOunced in the Athenaeum. was a pro-
fessor at the Lycee Convorcet. at the Sor-
bonne. and at the EcOle PoIytechniQue.
and the author Of several works of value.
His most successful book was La Lit
terature franchise sous la Revolution.
lEmpire. ct In RestauratiOn. 17S9-lSS0, %
which has gone into several editions He
also wrote curious volume on Les
Theatres de Ia Foire, 1660-l7S9," which
appeared seven years ago. Another of
his works, Les Medicin grecs a Rome"
was awarded a prize by the Academy.
He was a son of Paul Albert the Maitre
des Conferences at the Sorbonne. and
professor OF French literature At the Col
lege de France
1t was just seven months ago that Lord
Cromer resigned from his high position
in Egypt. He has now placed in the
hands Of a London publisher for publica-
ton early in 1908 the manuscript Of a
book on modern Egypt. filed with the
fruits Of his observation and experiences
during one Of the most remarkable pro-
consulates in history.
Here IS the list Of most popular books
at the Public Library during the past
week: Nonhction. James. "Pragmatisln, -
Keister, Corporation Accounting" Fic-
ton. Burnett, The Shuttle" Wharton.
Fruit of the Tree" Juvenile. Alcott
Little Women" Alcott. Under the
Lilacs;'' Arabian Nights" Domestic
architecture is a subject of great popular
ity. Two books that were much sought
for during the last week were Hodgson's s
Practical Bungalows" and Pdlliser's s
'Up-to-date House Plans" In the field
Of sociology there We're calls for Hodges
Faith and Social Service" and Giddings'
principles of Sociology"
George Sand and Her Lovers" by
Francis Gribble. has just been brought
out in this country. This is the only full
and adequate life Of George sand that
has yet appeared in English II is based
chiefly on her own letters and those OF
her friends and lovers. including a mum
Der Of ChOpin's which have not hereto
fore been published. The story of George
Sands extraordinary career, OF her ad-
ventures and experiments in sentiment
successful and unsuccessful but so nu-
merous and varied that when Jules San.
deau was told that she had said "My
heart is a cemetery, he returned, NO
IL is a metropolis" makes a very enIiv-
ening book. There are many glimpses OF
the famous men and women Of the time
with their keen and witty comments or
the various incidents in George Sands
emotional history. and the story Is told
in very readable way. The book is q
really valuable study Of one of the great
literary talents OF the last century and
at the same time as entertaining as a
novel. There are a number of portraits
OF George Sand herself and Of De Mus
set. Sandeau, Chopin, and others.
rs Mars Habitable?" is the question
asked by DR.. Alfred Russell Wallace in
the title of a volume which Macmillan
will publish. It is a critical examination
of Mr.. Percival Lowell's- book. Mars and
It's Canals" and 1t suggests an alterna-
tive explanation.
Among the early sales Of the season
at a weIl-known auction house will bt
three dozen letters addressed to the
Countess of Blessington by Thackeray
Dickens. and Dsraeli. The most interest
ing Of the series is that from Charles
Dickens, dated Paris, January q. 1871
giving n description of his life in the
French capital, and the following grim
Impressions Of the family of Victor Hugo.
much struck by Hugo himself who lock-
n genius. az he certainly IS and very interesting
from head 10 foot HIS wife IS a handsome woman
with flashing black eyes. aud looks as If she might
poison his breakfast one morning when the humo
seized her. There is also q ditto daughter Of ffteer
or sixteen, with ditto eyes and hardly any draper,
above the waist, whom I should suspect of carryn,
sharp poignard IN her stays
TShere is also the letter which Queer
Victoria wrote to Prince Christian Vic.
tor on May ., 1885 thanking him foI
presents sent on her birthday. saying:
Many loving thanks for your dear little letter
and for the beautiful presents you and YOUR school
fellows. including. uf cours,, ABBY. have sent me
which value very much. II is such A kim
thought and ] shall have It Cngrared on the pres
ents from whom got them. Pray tell me IN
names Of all the boys who joined in this kind gift
This week z. P. Dutton & Co. issue the
following books: The IngoIdsby Leg.
ends" illustrated in colors by Arthur
Rackham: The Old Venetian Palaces
and Old Venetian Folk" by Thomas
Okey. Illustrated in colors and line by
Trevor Haddon; "The Builders Of Flor
ence." by J. Wood Brown NJ A., illus.
trated by Herbert Railton. "Old and New
Japan" by Give Holland. with colorec
pictures by Montague Smith; "Palgrave's
Golden Treasury" illustrated in colors
and line by r. A. Bell; The Christ Face