The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-09-18
MEN, WOMEN AND BOOKS.
EDITED IN THE INTEREST on THE CAIRO
PUBLIC Library.

Il
BRowNINas "The Lost LEADER was
thought to be Goethe; but now, on the
poets own authority, IT is settled that he
refers TO Wordsworth. Critic.
"A PHILADELPHIA Press correspondent
writes from London; "Apropos Of Mr.. Hen
ry James, Jrs. return to London from Italy,
was talking a few days ago to friend of
his, clever man, whose writings are be-
ginning to be known in the United States,
and in the course OF conversation mention
was made Of Edward Everett Haes best
short story. All said the Englishman, i
suppose the man without country is Mr..
Henry Jamesg This is almost as good as
Colonel Higginson's neat remark that Mr..
James was not true cosmopolitan, because
q true cosmopolitan is at home even in his
own country
"MR. JAMES PAYN, the novelist, tells us
that when he was very young man, and
had very little experience, he was reading
on acoach box an account of some gigant-
ic trees. One of them was described as
sound outside; but within, for many feet
amass Of rottennes and decay. "Ifa boy
should climb up, rdnesting into the fork
Of it, Thought I, he might go down feet
| first, and never be heard of again. Then"
| he adds, "it struck ME what an appropri-
ate end it would be for bad character of
novel; Before had left the coach box,
had thought out "Lost Sir Massingberd."
Such process lasted for shorter time
with Mr.. Payn than with the majority of
novelists; with many the little seed might
have terminated for years before ii brought
forth fruit. Yet Mr.. Payn is remarkable
for the clearness and coherency Of his plots;
they always hang we'll together, and have
substantial back bone"
II constantly happens that authors them
selves prefer those of their books which the
public fail to appreciate. This was GER
tainly the case with the late Lord Lytton.
In one of his letters to Lady Bessington,
he says: ~ have always found one is
never so successful as when one is least san
guine. felt IN the deepest dependency
about 'Pompeli' and Eugene Aram,' and
was certain, nay, most presumptuous about
'Devereux,' which is the least generally
popular Of -Mritngs.r In the same
way, George Eliot was far more anxious to
be known as the author of "The Spanish
Gipsy" than "Adam Bede." II is quite
natural that authors who make composition
a study, should pride themselves on those
books which have cost them most pains and
] trouble. But these books are not always
their masterpieces. The comic actor who
is full of the idea that his forte is tragedy,
. suddenly and Unexpectedly finds himself
Kissed Critic
A CORRESPONDENT of the New York OBJ
server rises to defend DR.. johnson from the
charge of being an incorngible bore: San
admirer of DR.. johnson respectfully begs
leave to protest against the severe structures
which you have lately passed on the per-
sohal character Of the father of our lang
, uage, especially as your words are read by
many who may never look into any Of DR..
Johnson's own works, or into the life. "A
bear in manners no doubt he was, but bis
i generosity and bencvolence were not less
q celebrated than were his irsscible temper
aud rough address. Born in humble sta
: ton, struggling during many years with
hard fortune, always suffering under pain
full disease, and without the restraint and
correction of a refined education, such de-
fects in his ordinary bearing might well BE-
lamented and forgiven, particularly If you
will consider DR.. Johnson's free liberality
of pen and purse, his readiness to atone
pablicly for every harsh or unjust wore
slrken to any individual, and the softeninl
Of his disposition in old age. In the time
Z In which he lived, religious and politica
intolerance we're not peculiar to DR.. John
son, while his orthodoxy and sincere piet,
were in that day remarkable, and his pres
euce acted as check on the profanity the
almost universal"
~, "LoRD EaREMoNT once invited Turner
stay week at Petworth and paint two pit
lures for him of some favorite bits {
scenery on the estate. On the first morr
ing Of his visit Lord Egremont asked Tu