New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-19
LITERARY NOTES.

Jocoseria, " before that volume appeared
As Mr. stimson's responsibility as the author of
"Guerndale" has never been publicly acknowledged.
1t would be interesting to know on what grounds
he has become a candidate for membership OF the
Authors Club.
The Great Unknown does not always remain
the most successful card to play in the game OF
literature eve have had" says The beeR, OF
Toronto. "almost enough of this anonymity. 1t
has become mere advertising trick The curiosity
Is piqued the work is examined with far more
attention than would otherwise have fallen to its
lot and every critic must have either his guess at
the authorship or his comment on the cnshrouding
mystery"
There is queer old curiosity-shop in Fetter-lane
London which many years ago was n circulating
library and was much frequented by Dickens. The
ancient and eccentric dame who is the proprietor
has many "reminiscences of the novelist, for whom
she had great liking In those early days Dickens
was devourer of sensational novels and was par
ticularly attached to the lawless Turpins and the
daredevil Kids who figured in some of the TO-
Inances OF the time. He never went away without
pile of books under his arm which he used TO re-
turn at his next visit Dickens. so goes the story
was generally accompanied by o friend named
Wiffen who was apprenticed to a gold and silver
smith close by These two and the old danes nus
band who was master printer, used TO SIT long
together in the little shop where the details Oh Tic
Lost new novel the latest murder the last forgery
or the most recent sensation were discussed with
fervid eagerness which grew IN intensity as the
minutes flew by. Wihen was boisterous youth,
full of animal spirits, with hearty, exhllaratlng
laugh and hot temper. One memorable evening
these two had rare quarrel, and the old dame
gives vivid account, which it would be impossible
TO describe of how they Quarreled about Fenimore
Coopers Red Rover which they had both been
reading Wiffen denounced the American novehst
roundly for abusing the great English nation and
for praising his own. Dickens took up the cudgels
on his behalf and protested with unusual fire that
q novelist who took any other course was base
renegade. The dispute waxed warmer, and Dickens
snatched the unucky volume and hurled 1t at the
head of poor Wiffen. However, peace was made
between them, and no more was said about the
matter.
Mr. A. A. Hayes's striking story of 1.-The Denver
Express" lately published in >wintoa's Story Teller
shows this young gentleman to be possessed of an
unusual talent for rapid anddramatc narrative. 1t
is one OF the best short stories of the season. 1t
appears In England in the pages of the January
Belgdrid.
Madame de Witt the daughter Of Guizot, has just
published the first volume of her edition in modern
language of extracts from the old French chrOni
clers. The work begins with Gregory of Tours and
will end with Philippe de Commines. This hrst
volume embraces the origins of French history aud
carries the reader to the end of the First Crusade
1t is full of matter descriptive of manners and char
acter.
Mr.. Putnam's handsome edition of prose Mas
terpieces" has had such that another edi-
ton has been prep AIRED.
Fourteen jealous English publishers tried to get
hold of the English translation of John Bull ct
son Ile." The first and the second TO whom 1t was
offered so disguised the author by beating down his
price that he would have nothing more to do with
them The third publishing house. Ye Leaden-
hale Presse was wiser. 1t not only acceded to Max
ORers price, but offered a check on the spot;
and it is reaping the reward of its clever
in sale of thousand copies day.
There are unhappy American authors who
little know how unnecessarily painful is their I'M
aided toll. In q short sketch of a worthy youn
lady skilled in stenOgraphy current Photographic
periodical says: ITO such writers as Felix Adler
w. ID. Howells or Henry James she would be an
invaluable intellectual assistant, rs, by the aid of
her ready pen and cultured mind, she would be able
to render them stenographic and literary service
that would add to the value of their productions
With her pen she would catch their insp red utter
ances and cothe them if necessary with the choicest
language"
Two volumes containing A Sketch of the Mod
ern Languages of Africa have lately been pub
lished in England. They represent enormous
amount of hard work and are said to be invaluable
to the specialist.
There is Divinity in Odd Numbers" is the
Shakespearian motto Of the semi literary, semcon-
vivial club in London called re " Settle of Odd
Volumes" They unite once month to form
perfect Settle" and each Odd Volume is forbidden to
talk unasked on any subject he understands. Nor
n Unl,,
than three minutes unless the inspired Odd Vol
umen chooses to go on till his voice is drowned in
general applause" The subscriptions are paid IN
odd pounds and odd shilings and the title of the
president is " His Oddship.'
The Current the literary weekly of Chicago,
is geographically handsome, aud has varied table
of contents. Mr. James b. Gable, brother of the
novelist, is contributing to its pages series of
Southern Silhouettes"-pretty little sketches.
neatly drawn. These two verses printed in the
last number of The Current under the title Of
"DAllegro";
A red light on the Tiber
From scarlet banners waved on high;
city wrapped IN smoke and fame,
With blazing columns Lit the sky.
Above the tramp of rushing feet,
And DER the oOnfaeratioRs din,
Arose, In measure clear and SWEET,
The music Of a violin.
Queen Victoria's new book is to be Ornalnented
with numerous portraits and other illustrations.
The touching persistence with which the late J.
r. Green, the historian, labOred in his last days
upon his book, 1.-The Conquest of England" is
chronicled by his widow. "The pa ges" she writes,
(which now close it the last words ever writ
ten by hls hand-words written one morning in
haste for weakness had already drawn on so fast
that, when in WEAKNESS he at last laid down his
pen, he never again found strength even to read
over the words he had set down. have work to
do that know is good, he said when he heard that
he had only few days to live; 1 will try to win
but one week more to write some part of it down