The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-18
Indiana
The Current. Chicago.

nv 49, NhANN@Cs
There are In Indiana a number of writers
forming a group which is doing quite as much
toward the development of American literature
as any other literary coterie in the country.
They have long been in great request at home,
and have succeeded in attracting the favorable
attention of those beyond tho boundaries of the
State who rejoice in all the indications that
point to the growth of a literary spirit in other
sections than those which have had the advant-
age OF earlier settlement. The Current has I'M
dertaken. not only to give this fact a distinct
recognition, but to demonstrate its own belief
in the splendid future of this Indiana company,
by submitting, in its issue of April 10, examples
OF the work OF some OF its members, and is sure
that all who read will find the greatest pleasure,
both in the contribution themselves and the
promise of future prestige they afford. TIL list,
OF course, does not include all Indiana writers of
note, but the Current gives a sufficient number
representation to make the demonstration com
p1ete.
Mr.. Maurice Thompson contributes a discrimi-
mating sketch Of the late F. o. Ticknor, the
Southern poet, presenting the character of the
man in the clearest light, and gives certain ex-
amples of his poetic style which illustrate his
genius in its crudest, dis well as its best nantes
tation, with pertinent observations as to the in
huenee of the war upon Ticknor and his work.
Ben d. House contributes a poem, "A Summer
Day" which shows a mastery of detail in the art
of poetic picture painting, as well as a fine fac
ulty for enlivening and exquisite metaphor.
Benjamin 5, Parker. at present United States
OpAouA a. inv IOON Coii"teAt SihS VI AICtly
Mary, o" and his song has a rare charm. D.. L.
Paine looks with a poets eye upon 'Chequame-
gon. that noble bay of Naples of the Superior
region, and all who have visited that beautiful
spot will know that Mr.. Paine has, with singular
skill and happy imagery, most wildly limned an
inviting subject. James Whitcomb Riley, who,
in the past few years, has made rapid progress in
popular regard everywhere, his genius
being of a distinct and positive quality-ap-
pealing strongly to the hearts of his readers
has a bit of genre, ''Scotty, the humor of which
is fine and rare. Hart Vance, formerly of Indi-
ana but now of Kentucky, in 'Crisis," has an
interpretive poem full Of strong thought. A..
w. Macy makes his first appearance as a lite
rateur in a sonnet ITO the Nightingale" and it
shows true perceptions Of poetic essentials.
General Alvin P. Hovey adds another to his ad-
mirable series of Peruvian Pictures the pres
ent one, Ie legend of Santa Rosa, enabling him
to put a legend into verse and at the same time
make an interesting contribution to legendary
lore. Mrs. Louise Andrews begins a review of
American Literature, the purpose of which is
to show that the record abounds in splendid
achievement DR.. b. A. Tayior's poem, ''Ter-
hacker" will be a genuine surprise to every
reader. 1t is a contribution to dialect verse
which is entirely unique, and is
entitled to a respected place among
examples of provincial v%ernacular. 1t is thor
oughly an Indiana product, and, being without
~olfense. is wholly enjoyable.