New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-31
LITERARY CRITICISM
AND BOOK NEWS
More Of John BigeIow's "Retrospections :
An EngIishman's Record in Many Chimes
Life and Customs In the Argentine.

ment as Austrian Ambassador 10 Eng
land To her maiesty's fear that the
lively princess might have bad in
nuence ON London society. The Ger
man Ambassador at the Court OF st.
Jamcs's. Count Minister. told our
diarist that BcaConsfeld was
greatly overrated man. who sue
ceeded by fattcry and intrigue, and
had told the queen that he read only
three books, the Bible. Shakespeare and
her majestys Life OF the Prince Con-
sort" while on the subject Of diplo-
macy, il should be added that the curl
Gus will find here several references to
the perplexities created by the visit Of
Grant 20 the European capitals on his
tour Of the world Having, as eX-
President. no official status in his own
country, the question Of precedence at
official functions greatly bothered both
our ministers abroad and the court
cham berlalns
Mr.. Bigelow devotes some pages 10
that now practically forgotten Mrs.
Leo Hunter" the late Mrs. Botta. who
i'm her day--it is not so very long ago
presided over one Of the few really
agreeable, interesting. and therefore
successful. salons New York has ever
had. Another Of the good things" upon
which one constantly happens in these
pages must be quoted. Writing TO Mr..
Bigelow from Albany in 1917. Daniel
Manning said: a gentleman from
New York tells me he knows that
Dorsheimer is a disappointment down
there. ! suppose they have discovered
that he cannot deliver according to the
promise of his physique" Remember
ing the fight Of time, one hastens to
inform a younger generation that the
late William Dorsheimer, Lieutenant
Governor of the state under Tilden,
was a man of enormous height and
girth, and we'll pleased with himself.
Therefore one revives, without apol-
ogy, one Of the best things the late
William Trayers ever said. Travers.
driving buggy, encountered DORIS
Ntlllei dlpbt' PtN III 9dlu Nis'
drawing up. Il am too big" answered
Dorsheimer. "G-g-get In" repeated
the famous suffering wit "p-p-per-
haps you are not so b-big as you think
you are"
one more quotation. Among his in
Vulnerable acquaintance Mr.. Bigelow
counted a young German diplomatist.
who, in accordance with the fashion Of
the day, kept an album OF "senti-
ments," to which celebrities Of many
nations had contributed. He was
proudest Of the three entries that fol-
low:
My long life has taught me two bits Of
wisdom. which j nave often been forced
TO carry into practice: one is 20 forgive
much; the other. never TO forget
Paris March q. $50 GJlIOT.
A little forgetfulness mars neither the
sincerity nor the dignity Of forgiveness.
Paris. APPEL o, 1870. THEIRS.
My life has taught me that ] have much
TO forget and much 20 be forgiven for
Berlin. November II. 1871.
In this review OF these Two volumes
their auecdotal side has been kept IN
! the foreground Their serious phase
was briefly referred TO AZ the begin
ming Of this article. Nothing remains
to be added, except the repetition of a
( desire for the early publication OF
whatever remains of Mr.. Bigelow' =
. diaries and correspondence.