The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-12

AND WIKoFF AS LITTERATEURs.-In the good
old times book making was considered as an
art, the practice of which required some scho-
larship and tact; and there are some people at
present who hold to the absurd opinion that an
author should be man of genius. But they
are in minority. The Elizabethan era was
the golden age Of literature. Young America
has inaugurated an age Of brass; and now every
strong minded woman, every Fourierite jour
nalist, every strolliDg actor, every sixpenny
Snowman, writes his autobiography. With
shameless effiontery they boast of their errors,
their swindling exploits, and their crimes,
The last brochure is, ostensibly, from the pen
of the Chevalier Barnum. 1t would be hard to
find a more disgusting mess of trash, and the
hook seems to have been published to
show to what vile uses printers ink
tells The public how he has hu nbugged and
swindled it. His greatest ambition seems to
have been to obtain the money of unsuspecting
country gentlemen. women and children. with
out giving them any material consideration for
the same and, if he could succeed in hoaxing
Look lis out. 1t has been advertised all over
the Union. Every trick Of the trade has been
used to put it before the public but it does
mot eel. The trade orders have been counter
manded. The Chevalier of Iranistan has
ruined bis reputation-his motto is success is
the criterion of merit" aud he has failed. He
is no longer successful humbug He must
look for some new horror, some more disgust
ing iusus nature with which to repair his
shattered reputation.
The Chevaler Barnum's book contains nothing
new. The public is well aware of all the mate
rial points OF his career-the journals have KEEP:
them pretty well posted up in those matters. The
only interesting matter treated OF in the book
is the Jenny Lind mania, and that is much bet.
Ter described elsewhere. The HERALD files give
a much more accurate and pleasing description
ofJenny Lind's career in the United States
than that which is contained in the last humbus
ofthe Cbevalier Barnum
The Chevalier Greeley has his life and ad-
ventures in press, but he seems to have kept il
the shade for the past two weeks probably out
Of courtesy to his cher ami, the Chevalier Bar
mum. 1t will not do t. give the public too
much medicine at once. The Chevalier of the
Red Bank Bloomer Fourierite Phalanx can
not compete with the brilliant originator of the
Fejee mermaid, Joice Heth, and the African
Twins.
The failure of the Chevalier Barnum, and the
classic retirement of the Diogenes of Spruce
street leaves q clear field for the Chevalier
Henri Wikof, whose autobiography will soon be
published by Derby. The Chevalier has issued his
programme. How much more interesting it is
than the common place and vulgar affair put
forth by the Chevalier Barnum! Wikoff deals
with emperors, ambassadors, cab,ne. ministers,
bankers, lords, viscOunts, heiresses and .fgu
rantes; while Barnum tells us about cheating
his schoolfellows, pawning his watch, humbug
giDg countrymen, hunting monstrosities, an
quilting the public. The persons that figure in
Barpum's book are Connecticut deacons, super
animated negresses, third rate showmen, dwarfs
and temperance lecturers while the Chevalier
WiEoff introduces us to such persons as Mr.
Joshua Bates (of Barring Brothers), the Emperor
Napoleon, Lord Palmerston Marquis of CAvour
Capbdlu IdhcDH0U, OOuHt VI NuleJVe, Dr.
Baker ~. S. Consult. Mr.. Kinney (U. S.
Charge d'Afaires) Mr.. Hobson British Ambas-
sador), Timothy Brown British Consul), Baron
de B RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR. Count Dor
say, Fanny Elssler, Thnrlow Weed, and many
other distinguished individuals. The public
are anxious to see the Chevalier Wikoff's book;
he will give us all the Miss Gamble correspon-
dence, and the ladies are dying to read the de-
tails Of the life of the irresistible Chevalier, aud
particularly the history of the Genoa elope-
ment =
The Chevaliers Greeley and Barnum may as
well give up book.making. The Chevalier
Wikof has entered against the field, and al
ready the odds are in his favor. We really do
not know what new device the other Chevaliers
can start-all their old tricks have ceased to
be profitable. Suppose they should try Kansas
the field is first rate one, and Barnum AMI
Greeley might make good thing of II in a sort
Of Holy Alliance. What . glorious firm it