St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-11-06
Letter from Boston.
MAUD HowR's "MR. IsAACs.n-soME
HOLIDAY BOOKS.
BosToN. Oct. 25. 1884.

of Mr.. +. Marion Crawford, the novel
list, and Miss Bessie Berdan but, then,
Boston folks take il as personal mat
ter, because it feels that through the
has claim on Mr.. Crawford and his
fortunes, so the Crawford b rdan mar
| riage is rather talked of as local af-
fair, and the society dOwagers are re
ally glad "that Mr.. Crawford is at last
settled" OF course, you all know that
the young author, who sprang into
such wonderful popularity with his
first novel, is the nephew of Mrs. Julia
Ward Howe, and cousin to the latest
developed female novelist, Miss Maud
Howe, and he passed much of his time.
while in America with his relatives in
both their Boston and Newport homes.
"Mr. Isaacs" was written ut Mrs.
llowe's Newport house, and it was
done in about six weeks of steady
work. 1t was written at the joint
suggestion of Mrs. Howe and Mr.. Sam
Ward; indeed, they may be said to be
its god-parents. Mrs. Howe read the
manuscript while the novel was in
progress, and was very much impress
ed with its originality both of concep-
tiOn and expression still she could not
tell how it might strike the capriciOus
public, so her words of encouragement
to her young relative were tempered
with caution born of long experience
from dealing with that large but un-
certain quantity-the novel-reading
public. In spite of the difference of
style, there is something similar in Mr..
Crawford's and Miss Maud Howe's
literary work there is the same luxu-
RANT dictiOn, a sort of revelling in Ori-
entail description, warmth and glow
of expression sometimes redundancc
of expression, and yet | would not
have you understand by that, that |
think Miss Howe has copied her cousin
at all. Each one is individual, and
the resemblance is purely accidental, IL
sort of family likeness in mental CON
ditioms, possibly.
The Howes are still lingering in
their lovely Newport home, although
Boston will welcome them soon, since
Mrs. Howe has accepted the presidency
of the woman's department of the New
Orleans exposition with headquarters
ut No. > Park street, aud rs the work
is really beginning, she must he here,
although the brunt of the labor will
come upon the chairman Of the execu-
tive committee, Mrs. Henrietta l.. Il.
Wolcott. For once person has been
rightly placed, and the name of ''exec-
ntive" as applied to Mrs. Wolcott is
most fitting. She has the clearest Wis
ion, and to quote from the street, the
most level head of any woman know.
She sees the needs and the possibilities
of a movement at "a glance, and it re
matter before her so that she will un-
dcrstand its every side. Just, equable,
calm, well balanced and unfiinching in
her ideas of right and wrong, that is
Mrs. WolcOtt, the woman who stood at
the head of the woman's department of
the Institute fair as general manager,
greSs, and was the first woman to be
admitted rs Il member Of the British
Scientific association. She and Mrs
Howe work together admirably and
each supplements the other. am
very glad that these two representa-
tive New England women are going to
represent the north in New Orleans,
for | really believe their presence and
influence will do much to bridge the
gulf that seems to have grown between
the women of the different sections of
our country even more than between
| the men.
Apropos of southern women, Rev
A. ID. MaryO, who has been serving for
several years as National educational
commissioner for the south, tells me
| that there is tremendous awakening
among the young women of the south.
and they are anxious to do something
for themselves, "tO amOnnt to some
thing" as they say. This wOman's 5
| department ut New Orleans will meet
this new desire, and the result will, !
do not doubt, be ii happy one for the
south.
We are already catching the spirit
of the approaching holiday season,
and the book publishers are already
sending ont their special books. The
firm that is leading most decidedly this
year III holiday preparation is the
house of Lee x Shepard. Their list OF
holiday books is not only large, but it
! contains many absolute novelties. By
/ far the handsomest book is Gone Years
| Sketch Book" by Irene E. Jerome. 1t
| is. without exception, the most exqui-
site volume. both liz sentiment and ap-
peaTance, that has been issued from
any house this season. 1t is series of
illustrations, forty-six, of the scenes OF
all the year, and is the years record
of the best efforts of talented artist
reproduced by the skill of the finest
| engrayers. Each illustration is ac-
companied by some fitting quotation
and it certainly is the model gift-book
of the season. Natural beauties are
taken from all the year around, in
landscape and water sketches, by flashes