West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-02-02
IOOD PRESTON COUNTYWVA. SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 3 1878
Literary Notes.

Josh Billings was formerly an auctioncer.
His writings, he says, were not popular un.
I'll he began TO spell badly, in imitation Of
Artemus Ward.
The English newspapers buy their paper
by the pile. The London NdRdard lately
advertised for GO, ,20S miles.
Jules Verne, the popular story writer,
owns n steam yacht Of one hundred tons, in
which he has visited all the seas of Europe
joaquin Miller is in Baltimore and has
paid visit to Poe's grave. lie says he de-
SireS TO be crcmated after DEATH aud wants
no marble slabs. lie also soothingly re.
marks that he can't find the traditional
seautiiul woman in Baltimore.
The Philadelphia North american in going
to issue a special edition printed in the
/ Spanish language for circulation in Central
and South America, devoted 10 the interests
of Philadelphia business houses.
M. Edward Terquem, of Paris, who repre-
sented the French book trade efficiently at
the Centennial Exhibition, has lately come To
this country To promote a satisfactory repre-
sentation of the American publishing inter
ests at the Paris Exposition.
Mrs. Virginia Terhune marion IIarlandl,
who has been abroad for some time past, has
recovered her health, and will, tits thought,
soon revisit America. During her absence
she has been engaged in preparing for pub
ltcation "A work To be entitled "The Yearly
Dinner" embracing notes for dinner for the
A. IL. Meacham, cx-Superintendent of In
dian Affairs and eX.United States Indian
Peace Commissioner, has started at Phil
adelphia the CoUncG Firo, n monthly paper
devoted To the history and traditions of the
American Indians, also 90 discoveries of the
relations OF the government and the people
TO them
Novelists are not so well paid. now In
France as they were formerly. "George
sand was paid two francs per line by the
Revue Dies DoUr Monde; the feuiRotORS of
Alexander Dumas We're paid for at the rate
of three francs per line those of Frederic
Soluble, one frame twenty centimes; and
those OF Eugene Sue from seventy-fve
centimcs to one franc.
The late Charles +. Briggs was for many
years the intimate friend of Edgar A. Poe.
In posthumous article from his pen he
give, gives the S, following personal sketch Of the
head, high and broad forehead, his pale
complexion, large gray eyes-which always
had sad and fearful look--and his finely
formed mouth, all indicated delicacy and
refinement of thought and tenderness of
feeling. He never laughed, and rarely
smiled; but when he did smile, there was
always partially suppressed expression of
sadness. He spoke with great precision, as
though he were debating TO an amanuensis,
and never for moment gave utterance to
what might be thought q spontaneous or
unconsidered idea. His dress was neat and
free from anything eccentric. lie never
wore an ornament and avoided colors.
Ills manners were free from aficctation,
aud, although they were graceful and tIn-
restrained, yet he was respectful aud
deferential."
II. Adolphus Trollope has Just published
n history of the life Of Plus TX Trollopes
book relates more to the personalities than
the historical events of the .Pope's reign,
and aims TO take a superficial rather than a
profound view of its heros career. Five
years ago Mr.. Trollope lost all his property
by sudden turn of Fortunes wheel, and
sn ce he has been very busy trying TO re-
cuperatc through his pen. His vein
OF novelwriting not suiting Mudie's
counters, as well as that Of his brother An
tony, he has exclusively devoted himself to
ready-made work, or adapting old material
to new compilations. Thus he has compiled
book on Italy, giving descriptions from
the Alps TO Sicily, as the present volume OF
the Pontihcal doings; he has written arti.
Giles for magazines on the customs, ruins,
legends, peasant life OF the Sunny Penin-
sula, and acted as correspondent for several
newspapers, chief among which are the
London Standard and New York Tribune.
He has produced nothing original, and his
compilations have not been very profitable /;
he formerly lived at Florence i'm great style,
but now resides modestly at Rome, some
what under the supporting shadow of the
Vatican and its occupants. A good many
foreign correspondents at Rome make n
living out OF the Pope and although they
have been long learning to chronicle his
demise, when lac does leave they will not
be so well of i'm worldly goods as they are
now. They had taken the gauge Of the
Pope so minuteIy that they win never be fit
for anything else.