Brooklyn Life from Brooklyn, New York • Page 4

BROOKLYN LIFE. 4 ing for too much money. In any event, considering the value of the stonework of the old reservoir, it does not seem to us that its removal should cost anything like the sum stated. It is good building material that could perhaps be used for minor work on the Library if not, it could readily be sold. THE ephemeral qualities of operatic success are once more exemplified by the case of Emilie Ambre In the early days of the Mapleson regime she made something of a sensation in New York, particularly as Aula, a role to which her very dark complexion was well suited.

Now she is dead. Not long ago her effects were auctioned off at the Hotel Drouot. The whole civilized world heard the news, but there was scarcely a sigh from the public, for the singer had been absolutely forgotten. MR. DEPEW says he has changed his mind, and that he now believes in our expanding even to the extent of imperialism.

Incidentally he remarks We are going to have an army of 75,000 men, and I hope 100,000 men, and a navy that no nation like Italy can pull down." This is the kind of talk it does one good to hear, and we are glad that Mr. Depew is no longer Nortonized. ONE of the most encouraging signs of the times are the recent acts of Mr. John Jacob Astor, America's richest young man. He has done more by his example in camp and on battlefield to revise the opinion too largely held of him and his class by the people than any one else.

His simple demeanor, his unostentatious performance of every duty, his cheerful undergoing of privation, his patriotic generosity these are the qualities which have gained for him every one's respect. Other young men of wealth, too, have shown that they are made of the manliest of stuff, and their conduct at El Caney will be remembered so long as heroic deeds shine in history. HOBSON'S choice according to an interview with him is the sort of adulation that he has been receiving since he came North. We hope that his remarks have been misinterpreted, for such an expression on his part does not tally at all with the estimate of him that we had formed. He seemed to us a modest young fellow who would prefer to be allowed to go about his business when on a Government errand rather than have superfluous attentions pressed upon him.

We say superfluous, because it is war-time still and not the proper moment to crown the heads of heroes with social laurel leaves. IF Hobson were the sole hero of the war much of the sloppiness of sentiment might be overlooked. As it is, he is but one of several conspicuous ones, the rest of whom are still at the front. When peace brings them all home the time for outbursts of enthusiasm will be far more opportune than now. Then it may even be proper for young women to beg kisses, but for the present they would better curb their desire and save themselves unnecessary notoriety.

there is any possible excuse for the condition of affairs at 1 Montauk Point we should be glad to know what it is. Men enfeebled by disease and by lack of proper nourishment have been lying practically on the bare ground under a pouring rain. Only one hundred and fifteen miles away is the richest city in the United States, in which the most worthless pauper is better provided for than the Government is providing for its patriots. The same old story of incompetency and delay Fortunate, indeed, will it be for all if peace is really declared this week. After that let there be a thorough investigation ajnry methods.

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McKay, Business Manager. Vol. XVII. NEW YORK, AUGUST 13, 1898. No.

441. NOW that the real war seems to be drawing to a close the inevitable squabbling over it has begun. General Shafter accuses Surgeon-General Sternberg of being responsible for the unnecessary sufferings of our troops at Santiago and on returning transports Admiral Sampson accuses General Shafter of not co-operating properly with the Navy in the Santiago affair; many people are angry because Admiral Sampson is to get the credit (and rightly) of destroying Cervera's fleet; Secretary Long is indignant because of the attempt to belittle Sampson, and rushes into print to defend him, and all this is but the beginning. Come, come, gentlemen, let it be the end as well All of you have done the very best you knew how, and the whole world is astounded that you knew how so well. The only black spot in the whole business is the neglect of our suffering troops, and whoever is responsible for it will be judged at the people's bar.

No amount of prior protestation will protect that man, whether he be General Shafter, or General Sternberg, or Secretary Alger. In the meantime let us not judge hastily WE seem to forget when revelations concerning the English nobility, such as have been recently made by Ernest Terah Hooley, bring down upon these selected beings our righteous scorn, that they live in glass houses. Being born a nobleman does not make a man noble, but it does make him conspicuous, and, if he be weak or a rascal, a willing tool of such a low-down intriguer as this man Hooley. It is not to be doubted that, if the American people worshipped rank and position as much as do the English middle class, names of the impoverished scions of well-known American families could be bought as readily as those purchased by Hooley. We have no corner on virtue over here, however much we may allow ourselves to criticize our neighbors, and we should be a little more careful of judging the nobility of England by the actions of a few of their black sheep.

Under the circumstances the wonder is that, considering their temptations and opportunities, there are so few black sheep among them. 'T'HE city has shelved the proposition to appropriate one hun--- dred and fifty thousand dollars for preparing the new site for the New York Public Library. Technically there are sufficient reasons for this action, but it is a great pity that such an important undertaking should lag because of technicalities. Were the work pressed forward with all possible haste a crying need would be filled none too soon. As it is, what with holdup after hold-up, there is no knowing when even a start can be Uiade.

Perhaps in this case the library directors erred in ask.