Immortales

Princes and statesmen are wont to attempt to immortalize themselves by founding societies and orders into which they can lure men of imperishable fame in other walks of life. The great Cardinal Richelieu, for example, practically forced Corneille and the famed clique of notables who frequented informally the house of Valentin Courart to allow themselves to be "incorporated" into L'Academie franc,aise, for the greater glory of "Cardinal, King, and Country." Last week Il Duce, Benito Mussolini, rapped out a few terse commands to his Cabinet, and lo, L'Accademia Italiana sprang into being.

As yet no decision has been reached as to the nucleus of already immortal names around which the living Immortales of the new Academy will be grouped.

Extremely sage bets: Inventor Marconi; Soldier-patriot-poet-playwright d'Annunzio; Composer Toscanini (director of La, Scala, Milan, "The Foremost Opera House of Europe"); Conductor Mascagni (composer of the score for Cavalleria Rusticana); Philosopher-satirist-playwright Pirandello (author of Six Characters in Search of an Author, a play hailed with acclaim on Broadway); Statesman Mussolini and as many Fascist statesmen as are able to get in under the limit of 60 Immortales.

Illustrious Philosopher Croce and renowned Playwright Benelli, anti- Fascists, are 100 to 1 long shots.