The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-01-24

PERSONAL AND LITERARY.

Tho novel '.Manch," written by
drs. Mary 4. Bryan, was Alexander
stephens favorite work OF fiction.
MIR. Rider Haggard's friends COM
,lain that while he received only $3.50
or the original edition OF king Solo
mons Mines" tho publishers have
made 500, 600 out OF the book.
| MIR. Gladstone IL said to know
Homer by heart in the original Greek,
md 10 able to recite straight of any
,age Of the ..Iliad'' or Odyssey Of
which the first line Is read TO him
John Jacob Astor owns the most
valuable manuscript In this country,
Judging from the price paid. 1t is tho
Sforza Missal. for which 1850 was
paid. It Is dated In the fifteenth cent
Try and comprises 484 pages Of vellum
pound In red morocco.
Robert Browning's first poem was
written at the early age of four Ono
lay, just as his mother was about to
yive him a dose Of medicine, the youth
.ul poet struck an attitude and rccitcd !:
''ill people, II you y sh 70 see
boy take physic, look at me-"
George KEENAN,, the journalist and
author, lives In quaint and modest
little house In Washington, u. c. He
is for ty-threc years old, and has long,
thin face; b is mouth is concealed by q
heavy mustache; his eyes are large
and dark, and his figure Is spare.
Mr.. KEENAN, keeps himself In condi-
lion by daily spin OF ten miles on his
bicycle.
M. Victorien Sardou. the eminent
French novelist and dramatist, from .
letter he has just written to the Gau-
lois is evidently believer In all such
phenomena rs como under the name Of
magnetism, hypnotism, second sight
and the rest-phenomena which, he
says. he has watched with curiosity
for over forty years, but which were
in his youth ridiculed by men OF sci-
encc.
Tho Critic prints hitherto-un-
published letter from Mrs. Carlyle, In
which she says: MY husband. / re-
greet to say. is lost in his books beyond
redemption; and it has long been
clear to me that the only thing can
do with him is to let him well alone.
II you are fortunate enough TO have
your own way you would think /
should make struggle at least to
have mine, but when one knows ones
self sure of being defeated, 1t Is best to
make a merit OF necessity. Is it not.
and let q man travel his own road in
peace?'
The late William w. Fulton, Of
the editorial staff Of the Baltimore
American. had great many interest
ing experiences during his long jour-
nalistic career. He heard debate in
the old Senate chamber between Clay,
Webster and Calhoun, travelled with
President Taylor, made a trip to New
York in company with President Fill
more and Daniel Webster, knew Ed
gar Allan Poe. heard Jenny Lind sing.
saw Patti in her teens and witnessed
her rendition OF Martha in honor Of
the Prince of Wales, then in Philadel-
phia, and dined with President Grant.
Mr.. Rider Haggard is said to be
by no means toiler in q garnet. The
sixth son of Squire William Haggard,
OF Bradenham-a place which has been
in the family for four generations-he
married q Norfolk heiress and SO be-
came possessed. in right OF his wife, OF
tho Manor Of buckingham. on the
edge of the Bath hills. Here he writes
in a pleasant corner room Of the
charming old house, which is over.
run with Banksia roses, clematis and
jasmin; and hers, at the door, he may
be seen in jacket and knicxerbockers
OF brown tweed. soft felt hat, thick
knitted stockings and serviceable
boots; and between his lips black
ened briarwood pipe. His home is
full Of beautiful and curious thinga