New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-06


romance of life in Southern California.
Another biography of Queen Victoria has just
been published in London. 1t is by the late Mr..
Fitzgerald Molloy, who never pretended to the
authority of a grave historian, but whose
dotc pages were always entertaining. The title
Is Victoria Regina: Her Court and Her Sub
1eets, from Her Accession to the Death of the
Prince ConSort.'
The biography of Whistler by Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Pennell, to which reference was made
IN this place the other day, will take rank az
the Official life of the artist. They were not
only authorized by him to produce it, but wrote
II at ms request. He supplied them with a
large amount of material for the purpose per-
sonal and literary For the special purpose Of
their reproduction in this book he permitted his
pictures to be photographed in his studio and
elsewhere.
The makers of books of travel have reason ia
bless the perfecttng of the three-coIor process
1t has given Wonderful impetus to the pubCa-
non OF their wares. Every season brings new
patch or travel Impressions" lSVishly illus
trated. The color plate and the halftone between
them have made such volumes easy to produce
and very attractive. This year we are to have
as usual plentiful allowance of books of the
kind Among them will be a series devoted tn
old World Travel An early volume will be
.Venetla and Northern Italy" written by MI
Cecil Headlam-
The current number of THE Burlington
Magazine" just published here by Moffat Yard
& Co. contains an interesting, brief paper on
the familiar cracks in the ceiling of the Sis.ine
Chapel. They familiar, but their origin and
character have escaped the historians. Refer
ence is made to Professor HerkOmer's book,
MY School and My Gospel in which he says:
Michelangelo that austere colossus, who lived
alone with his art, had distinctly sly side TO his
nature l wonder if it is generally known TO What
tricks he resorted in order to crcumvent the
the Pope to decorate in fresco the ceiline,
OF the Sistne Chapel, although the Pope knew
had set his heart on great scheme of sculpture?
He had not painted frescos, and did not want the
job But as he not let off. he bethought him
self of some way by which he could prove the
Pope that he did not understand the necessary
technique. So when he had covered some space he
! asked for visit from the Pope. that he could see
! with his own eyes that he laundering with the
material. Naturally, the Holy Father did not mount
see that Michelangelos work was already e'1dckHg-
few years ago this ceiling being restored,
close quarters, these Incompatible frescos He
then saw many cracks. Natural cracks. but he also
By Michelargcio himself Clever trick, but futile,
fortunately for future generations.
The commentator in Tho Burlington cites 4
Roman photographer who has seen the ceiling
at close quarters, and declares that most, but
not all, OF the cracks seen crossing the figures
have been made by Michael Angelo himself arti-
ficially." No cause. beyond mere caprice. can
be discovered for these curious Incidents in the
work This number of the magazine gives, by
the way. good reproductions of the fine
Van Dycks recently brought 10 this country Ey
Mr.. Widener and Mr.. Prick.
Mr.. William T. Hornaday's capital volume on
Camp Fires in the Canadian Rockies is to
have a companion, which the Scribners viii
presently publish under the title of Camp Fires
on Desert and Lava" 1t will commemorate,
with numerous illustrations from phOtograI hS,
an expedition in Southern Arizona and Mort no
western Mexico, across regions hitherto un!e"
Scribed.
The late Norman Maccoll not conspicu-
Gus as author of books, but he was widely
and approximately known among literary
the editor Of THE AthenRum." A memoir
of him and a portrait will be included in the
history of that periodical during his editorship.
which is to be published next year By MIR. John
c. Francis.
The Harpers will soon bring out in book form
Mr. Robert HichenSS latest novel. This is
called "A Spirit in Prison" The scene is laid
on a little island in the Bay of Naples.
Charles Scrihner's Sons will publish carly n
the autumn the first volume of The Encyclo-
psedia of Religion and Ethics" edited by DR..
James Hastings, editor of The Dictionary Of
the Bible" and The Dictionary of Christ and
the Gospels The work is TO be completed in
ten or twelve stout volumes Its purpose is to
give Il complete account of religion and ethics
throughout the world. 1t will contain articles on
every separate religious belief and practice and
every ethical philosophical idea and Gus
tom