“THE POTIPHAR PAPERS,” on which George William Curtis’s reputation as an essayist chiefly depends, were published separately between 1850 and 1856. In the latter year they were collected in a volume which continues to be reprinted from time to time. “Our Best Society” is often printed as a separate volume. The inspiration for these “papers” was drawn from Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair,” and Curtis does his master no discredit. Occasionally he passes the limits which separate the essay from the story and Mrs. Potiphar and her friends become characters of fiction. Addison, however, is often guilty of the same charming transgression—else we would never have had Sir Roger de Coverley as he is.

  Curtis was born in Providence, Rhode Island, February 24th, 1824. He was for many years editor of Harper’s Weekly and of the “Easy Chair” in Harper’s Magazine. He played a most important part in politics as well as in literature. Among his works are “Nile Notes of a Howadji,” “Lotus-Eating,” and “Prue and I.” He died at Staten Island, August 31st, 1892. With his death New York city lost not merely an accomplished writer, but a brave and steadfast gentleman with that quality of conscience which alone can make educated brains serviceable to humanity.