The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-05
LITERARY CHIT.CHAT.

JOHN JAMES INGALLS,, the new Kansas Senator,
has an article in the Kansas Magazine for Febru-
airy, on Deane Monahan's "Sons OF the Border,n
fresh and racy Western book. Says Mr.. Ingalls,
Civilization is a veneer. The gentleman is var
stucco upon an editice OF barbarism We ali feel
that 1t is Illuminating and cowardy to call upon the
law to avenge our wrongs, to waive our right TO
STAY the seducer, to smite the insulter, to exact
reparation from the thief Hence spring the secret
contempt for arbitration, the feroclOus eXultation
OF war; Geneva was well enough for America, be-
cause we wen the bloodless battle We can ap-
plaud William l., as the pettifogger praises the
squire who gives him his cause because he awarded
us the boundary We cOveted but, had the decision
been adverse, there is not an American who would
not have called for Grant, the soldier, and the solu
ton OF his sword.
: CAPTAIN MARRYATT used to talk Of his publishers
as though they were natural enemies, notwith.
standing he received from f400 to f7OO q novel
from them He wrote to Colburn once that one of
his chief pleasures IN the anticipation OF Paradise
was that there would be no publishers there.
ALEXANDRA DUMAS was the most energetic
Frenchman who ever made fortune by literature.
His energy Kept him going for more than forty
years after he came to Paris, and paralysis over
took him only in his sixty-nint year. His ex-
travagance was even greater than his enterprise.
On one occasion he gave ball, at which every
celebrated author, composer, artist, actor and
actress In Paris was present, and 300 bottles OF
Bordeaux were put to warm by the fire. and 500
bottles OF champagne to cool in ice.
"NEBRAsKA: ITS CHARACTERISTICS AND PROS
PEcrs," Is the title OF new pamphlet issued at
Omaha, by Professor James d. Butler, giving the
facts about the agricultural and other capabilities
OF this great State, which is claimed to be far
superior to Minnesota as field for immigrants.
TIE SUCCESS OF the Early English Text Society
founded in 1854, led to the formation OF the Spen-
ser society,"" organized in 1867, the Chaucer Soci-
ety." which began its publications in the year fol-
lowing, and the ballad Society," founded in 1868,
ut one guinea year subscription, while the Chau-
Ger aud Spenser societies are two guineas each.
Besides these there is "The Roxburghe Library"
commenced Ia 1869 and devoted to the repubica-
ton Of the works OF the early British poets and
prose writer's II mas already issued Thomas Ca
rew's and George Gascoigne's writings. beside vii.
liam Brownies and three collections Of the minor
English dramas.
1T Is FACT, however unpoetical that very few,
II any, people read Milton's paradise Lost" for
any other reason than that they feel ashamed to
confess their ignorance and want OF appreciation
Of the poem.
GusrAvUs ADoLPuUs used to carry with him In
all his travels his favorite author, Grotius-"De
JtlSe Beli Ell Pdcts.n
CHARLEs ii. used to carry about a copy of "Hudi.
bras" In his pocket, which he perused more de.
voutlv than his royal ancestors did the Prayer
Book.
WHEN CHATEAUBRIATD had to sell his country
house and his library the book he reserved out OF
all his literary treasures was o little edition of
Homer, In Greek.
WITH ALL HIS LITERARY FACILITY and fecundity,
Byron was q severe corrector OF the press. "You
will think there is no end to my villanous emenda-
tions, :" he wrote to Lord Holland. Of one favorite
passage in the bride OF Abydos" Moore tells US
that he rewrote 1t half dozen times.
MISS MILFORD who drudged for the booksellers
in order to keep . d-for-nothing father, wrote
bitterly in her latter days, mo woman's constitu-
ton can stand the wear and tear OF all this
anxiety. 1t killed poor Mrs. Hemans, and will, II
not averted. kill mev