The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-11-29
LITERARY NOTES.

II Shakespeare were alive to-day and reading
modern literature he would never ask again In q
skepilcal tone, "Whats In q name" A dip into
almost any OF tho leading periodicals would shortly
convince him that the name had to do with Its
matter than anything else A rose may smell as
sweet by any other name, but an author wouldn't
sell his articles half as fast not II his happens to be
well known. The last number OF the Century con-
tains contribution from Frank Il. Stockton that is
an illustration OF the power OF a name. Mr.. Stock
ton has whimsical Imagination that has been rather
zine reader. But the ,story OF Seven Devils y is
a most abominable piece OF trlckery to practice
upon the conndlng reader who turns TO the author
OF "Negatve Gravity" for something original. In
the first place. 1t Is noorigina In the second place,
II s better told In dozen words; and In the third
Itself deserves the respect which useful old age
always commands. 1t ID still favore with those
coored wno @ San annh me dialect o. ne
er sex Under certain circumstances 1t may still be
produced with some effect. The argument Of the
OF Mary Magdalen and out OF no other woman, con-
sequently all other women have them yet, Is not
w,aSp WI, s , certain % amusing m .oge butt, does not I'D
stockton loads 1t In the Century. The poor little
grain OF fun ~ quite buried In four pages OF chan.
II Is usually pleasant 10 meet old friends In uncx-
pected places, but In the case OF finding an old
story, no matter how much we esteem 1t, among the
Ia embarrassing. We pity the poor antiquated relic
dressed up In new clothes and made TO do more
than lis legitimate duty, and the harmless anecdOte,
ashamed 70 be found In this unbecomiDg disguise,
tries TO hide It's modification by making Itself as u
Interesting az possible. II u safe 10 assume that
the Seven Devils would have been Immediately " cast
out" II offered 10 the Century by an unknown
writer Mr. stockton should take warning by his
own story oi"M Wife's Deceased Sister, o aud not
fall below his own level.
Referring TO the latest social accession to the list
OF authors, " "Brunswick" writes TO the Boston
Gazette as follows: "The fact that Willie Astor mas
written novel seems to have made good deal OF
excitement In social well literary circles II 10
rather doubtful compliment, 1t seems to me, this
hurrah on the part OF the public when millionaire
uses his brains for any purpose other than money
getting IL seems 10 me that we ought 10 look to the
sons and daughters OF mlionalres for the best
Work that Ii done In science, literature and the arts
for the very reason that they have time cultivate
that they do. Aud as every one knows the greatest
Incentive 10 work, even 10 work OF the imagination
u poverty, and the most work In this direction, and
the best, that has been done 10 that Of those who
mann, which have Just been looking over, 10 case
In point. When he was q hard-worked clerk In
Dutch mercantile house, where his hours were from
Six in the morning ill after dark al Night, he man
SELF 10 the secusion Of his garrett bedroom, by the
light OF penny dip. II IL certainly the men who
nave the most obstacles TO overcome whose lives
snow the greatest accomplishment i do not want
due Mr.. Astor, for 1t Is much 10 his credit that he
mas chosen TO strike out In line for himself and TO
put his leisure 10 such good use than pass his time
as usual among the soma OF millIonalres. Such
career AZ hs Ia In delightful contrast TO that OF the
sporting young swells who recently distinguished
themselves by dressing the head OF one Of their
number az salad while he lay In drunken stupor
cnaI!es scri0ner's Sons, who are 10 publish Mr..