Tales from the Old world and the New

Preface

Most of the twenty are Old World tales for they have a richer past to draw upon, but the New World has its romance too, and every once in a while it happens that it vibrates to a half for¬ gotten string and something that has been before takes shape anew.

In the days of its might and glory the Roman army invaded the trackless forests of the Balkans. Hostile eyes watched from crag and leafy cover but the soldiers built them a road and over it carried the eagle banners to victory. Centuries later, in the New World, another army found it¬ self in a forest equally as wild. Once again sav¬ age eyes looked down and gloated over anticipated spoil, once again the roadmakers led the way, but not to victory this time. Trajan’s expedition was carved in marble, Braddock’s won him no renown, but it helped a young Washington prepare for future laurels.

Old World Benvenuto made a brave fight to give expression to his art and finally gained his desire when he cast his Perseus. But the fiery Florentine had the work of the greatest of all times before him as a fount of inspiration, so, after all, why should not fame be his? Hiram Powers and Shobal Clevenger, sons of American pioneers, amid barren surroundings drew inspira¬ tion from tombstones and waxworks and learned to shape ideal figures from the marble block.

PREFACE

Their names are not among the greatest yet their achievements are not mean and they belong to our country’s story.

Intrepid souls they were, those old Venetians, who built their city in the sea and made it beauti¬ ful with all the wealth their ships could find in distant lands. But our New World Venice sent its sailors over wider seas and they too, brought treasures out of the East each time they set their prows for home, and the bold sea life bred up a hardy race, well fitted to defend our shores. Oh, golden days of our merchant ships, are you indeed forever gone ?

Yes, the New World has its romance which it shares with older lands. It has, besides, things all its own; it has its “Abe,” the story of its rivers, its red men; but the Old World offers us beautiful pictures and ancient buildings wonder¬ ful to behold; Fairytale dwelt in its woods, and the knights of old; Dante it offers and Mozart, and the Tale of Troy — how poor we should be without these Old World gifts.