New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-08
FOGAZzARO DEAD
Touching Scenes at Bedside OF
Italian Novelist.

Venice. March Antonio Fogazzaro,
the author. died to-day. He had been III
for several days and recently under
went an operation for cancer Of the
liver For a day or two the patient APP
peared 10 be improving, but Yesterday
he suffered a relapse.
This was followed by a slight change
for the better and the novelist fingered
through the night. An hour before
death came Fogazzaro murmured 10
nun who was nursing him. Bring me
the last communion" From the next
room where he had waited Franciscan
monk entered and Foga zzaro's wife,
daughters and other relatives and friends
knelt sobbing AT the bedside. Their grief
noticoably affected the dying man. who.
placing q hand upon the head Of his
daughter Maria. said DO not be afraid.
7 asked myself for tho last communion
n was too late. however, for as he
spoke the man who in his writings had
so frequently given offence 10 the Nati-
can lapsed into unconsciousness. and the
only office left 10 the monk was that Of
administering extreme JUNCTION
Again. just before the end. there vas
a fash of consciousness when Fogaz
faro asked if tho sun was rising and
begged those about him to open wide
the window Of the room that ne might
500 the light once moro before he died.
The lights were lowered and the vim
dow shades were raised. but before the
sun pseped IN the author had lapsed
into a state Of coma and died at $50
o'clock.
Viceuza. where FoEazzaro vas born.
the Venetian provinces which knew him
So well and indeed, all Italy are in
mourning to-day. Expressions Of grief
aud coincidence have been received by
the family from King Victor Emmanuel
Premier Luzzatti. tho presidents Of the
senate and the Chamber Of Deputies.
and oven from tho cardinals and bishops,
despite the fact that his writings were
considered unorthodox.
Antonio Fogazz8ro. among the FIRST ~
Italian noveliSts. was likewise the author
Of several volumes Of poems and an ac-
complishad musician Though a man o.
philosophical and retiring temperament and
no lover Of controversy he nevertheless
found himself storm centre Of criticism
in both tho literary and religious world
While MANY acknowledged his great genius
others expressed doubt Of his sanity.
Though himself a deyout Roman Catholic
some Of his writings on account Of their
treatment ~ religious subjects were placed
under tho band ~ the Church. In the end,
however. the leading minds Of Italy united
in his praise.
lie was born AZ Nicenza in lSD. After
completing his preliminary education he
studied law and took up practice. but soon
turned from IL 20 the profession OF letters
His father was already convinced that
poetry was the young mans true vocation.
Ills first work Of any importance was MI
randa. a melancholy poem. which brought
him considerable public attention. He fol-
lowed this with volume OF lyrics Then
he began novel writing with "NIalombra'
a roman, replete with striking incidents
and situations After this came "Daniele
Cortis." which received much popular TO
tice. and The Mystery or a Poet" philo-
sophica romance. Then came "Piccolo
Monde Moderno" C'The Sinner, consid-
O. Cd one OF the strongest ~ modern novels.
IL was with III Santo." published i've
years ago. that he achieved the greatest
fame and the harshest criticism. II vas
declared unorlhodox ard placed under the
ban of the Holy See He decried tho work
OF false. dereitful clergymcn and sPoSe
for moro tolerance and good sense in the
Church.
Despite the verdict OF the Pope 10 which
the author humby submitted. the book
was TRANSLATED into many languages. II
was demanded by many ot his critics that
Le resign from the Superior Council u tic
Ministry 81 Public instruction. Of which
ho was member. but he refused 10 do 50
some universities we're closed for time
as a result Z the controversy, but the
storm finally subsidized and Fogazzaro died
honored throughout the literary world.