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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (May 28, 1898)
THE COURIER. envy of politicians of all faiths. To accept a colonelcy for which he has had no training puts the great prole taire in a false position which can only be justified by a display of military accomplishments as remarkable as those which compelled admiration in the late campaign. The command of unconvinced and dissenting troop?, who have had a better training than their colonel, will be a difficult and unprofitable position for magnetic Mr. Bryan. As to his reasons for enlisting no body donbts his patriotism and he.is a man of family and of peace. To the charge of cowardice which is always made against those whose vocal gifts arouse other men to action, Mr Bryan can better afford politically to answer with silence than to engage in an un dignified scramble for a place which cannot increase his reputation. Every real soldier feels that military train ing and achievement s'jould be the basis of a commission rather than political influence or rare oratorical talent. But such appointments have been the peril of all nations in time of war. It is so in England where "Lord Nin compoops youngest sons" are given commissions in the army in which there is every opportunity to commit mistakes of fatal consequence to the soldiers and of great injury to the country. In strict justice and expedience the officers of the regular army should take precedence of all others. At great expense the country has edu cated and prepared them for war and to set them aside for those, who in time of peace have monopolized civil honors, is very bad statesmanship. It is well enough to make a president out of a greet general who has led the army of the United states to victory because such victories require inspired judgment which in turn is in constant requisition by a president. But to make a colonel out of a distinguished presidential candidate is running a risk not justified by experience or in telligence. And whatever happens to Colonel Bryan as a soldier will be laid at the president's door. If Colonel Bryan's regiment is sent to a post of danger the president will be trying to get rid of a rival, if the regiment is kept at home to guard the coast, the president may be charged with an un willingness to allow Colonel Bryan an opportunity to distinguish himself as a warrior. For there is little doubt that military glory added to Colonel Bryan s persuasive manners would sweep away the opposition and his addresses would be received with frenzied yells of adoration. The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning in two volumes, edited by Frederick G. Kenyon, satisfy an in terest in a personality at once re served and frank. Those who now read her letters to Miss Mitford, Mrs. Jameson. Miss Browning and Mrs. Martin, to Tennyson Buskin, Mr. Ken j'onand Mr. Chorley are apart of that public whom she rigidly excluded from all knowledge of the incidents of her- life with a horror of publicity whkhTalways characterizes fine souls. Yet she accepted the fact that a post mortem recital of her life and a dis cussion of her character as well as her poems was a consequence of theliterary fame which she had won. Therefore we read the letters with the uncom fortable sense of violation somewhat lessened. Her marriage to Robert Browning greatly prolonged her life and made it happy by placing that sensitive soul in an atmosphere of sympathy and un selfish love. By removing her to Italy ber sensitive lungs ware for the first tine enabled to breathe an air all the year around which did not irritate them. Born with an all-feminine na ture she loved her father, sisters and brothers with an absorbing tenderness that failed to perceive until Robert Browning's love-making revealed it, that she herself was not a necessity to any of the family. The fact of her secret marriage is well known but the reasons for it have not been under stood until the publication of these letters Mrs. Browning's father was an obstinate cold-blooded man who liked his own way so much that hav ing covenanted with himself that he would not forgive anyone who foi'ed him, he kept his vow even though the keeping broke the heart of an invalid whose only fault was that she loved her father more than he deserved. Mr. Barrett would not consent that an son or daughter of his should get mar ried. When the time and the bride came his sons were excommunicated if they chose to obey their hearts and disobey their unnatural father. When his daughters were wooed they were forced to run away to be married and thereafter the household was ordered never to mention the names of the matrimonial crimiuals Though Elizabeth Bar rett wrote constant loving letters to her father he sent them all back again unopened and on her rare visits to London he himself left it in order that he might not see her. He was a paternal Bluebeard and deserved a goblin punishment, which there is no record of his having received. But according to the system of recompenses established here Mrs. Browning mar ried a poet, who took her to a warm dry climate, who loved her and under stood a poet's requirements of solitude and sympathy. He did his work and she hers as the genius of each directed unhindered by cares of society, busi ness or the household. Mrs. Brown ing's letters are fervid expressions of a loving, loyal heart. What in Ten nyson's letters must be assumed in or der to comprehend, her letters reveal with a clearness and lack of reserve in affection that pertain solely to women. The effect of her marriage upon her character, vision and style is very ap parent. The style is more direct and stronger, her character is less morbid, and her vision is broadened immensely. She is interested in politics and humanity and she learns to laugh and about the uses of humour. The last, more than anything else, relieves the strain of life. Robert Browning was just and good as well as a poet and his supersensitive "lyric love" learned some of his sanity and repose. In the two volumes of letters there is a singular absence of references to dress. Once when she arrived in Paris she wrote to a friend in Florence: "Only pray draw your bonnets more over your faces." That is the only allusion to "what to wear" little, sweet, clever Mrs. Browning makes. In regard to the obscurity of which both she and Robert are accused she says that she will not do as she has been advised, viz, pick out the stupid est acquaintance she has and write down to her comprehension. She says the way is to write for the bright est and the meaning will gradually percolate through until it is compre hended by the average intelligence. The history of the growth of Robert Browning's popularity shows that the rule is not without justification. In the revelation of the satisfaction which two perfectly mated human be ings can get out of a few years asso ciation with each other 1 know of no book like these two volumes. It con soles for the amount of incompatibil ity evident in the neighborhood, and is a proof that the kingdom of heaven need not begin only after death. It was a lack of judgment in the GOOL HOUSES Are what everybody wants in the summer, and nothing- flrvAC en THiir-1-t crnnA 4- mnta n tinnco nnrA nc mnfiMrr nn Vio floors. We have just put in a new stock of fine designs. j "We have a fine grade of linen warp matting that is usually V u i. ia- j rrr i i. on a c Zi. V 0 sum tit wl per yarn, we uniy itsK owe per yaiu iui il. 1 We also have a heavy grade of straw matting at 15c per 1 yard. Just think ! You can cover an ordinary room for V about $3.00. I 11 HIE iill . 1124 O St, Lincoln, Nebr. (? $ e my9 ii 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 MH WHAT IT TAKES 10 EA 1 IWI The secret of success in nearly everything- lies in the material and workmanship. Fine marble, chiseled by a poor sculptor would be a failure, poor material used b3"a fine workman would not live. It is the excellent material wjich g-oes into the SHAW PIANO which makes it so durable. It is the fine and most scientific workmanship that gives it its rich, refined appearance, most beautiful tone and responsive touch. No apprentice can get a posi tion in the Shaw Piano Co. 's factory. !HKTEYI$ PtoHQ CO. Western Representatives, 130 So 13th st. i H A full line of C3 1 De VOES' Pure Paints and Varnishes The Best Goods on the Market. XV. A. BAUBJY, 1S40 O street. K& SUTTON AND HOLLOWBUSH Twelfth and O. Funke Opera House Block. Are now ready to meet their old customers and many new ones at the old place, which has recently been fitted up in a most pleasing manner. Everything is new and we feel confident that the new stock which is now on sale cannot but meet the . . . APPROVAL OB Ax.r. )i I