The morning call., 1890-04-13
PACIFIC COAST
POETS.
Rose III. ThOrp, Author of "CurfeW
Must Not Ring Tonight"
Mrs ID. B. M. Toland, the Accomplished Writer
the Author Of Only Waiting Till
the Shadows FALL"

FAT is fact worthy of note that California
I and, indeed, all the Pacific States, are
~ rapidly coming to the front with local
writers-both in prose and verse-many of
whom are not only celebrated at home, but
are quoted beyond our borders, and last
year, when the Magazine of Poetry offered
prizes for the best quatrans and the con-
test included all the States in the Union,
California carried off the first two prizes,
while some of her other poets received
special mention. The first prize was gained
by Charles Markham, formerly a school
principal Of San Jose. but who has recently
purchased a tract of land near Oakland
next to that owned by Joaquin Miller,
where he intends to devote the future to
writing aud cultiyatng his land. In his
quatrain verses occurs the following lines
She comes like the hushed beauty of the night,
But sees too deep for laughter;
Her touch is a vibration and light
From worlds before and after.
Many Of Markham's poems have been
published in Eastern magazines and by the
daily press.
Frances l.. Mace who received special
mention for her quatran vesres in the prize
contest, was born in Orono, Maine, in 1885,
but has long been a resident of San Jose.
II er first poems were sent out when she was
but Is years OF age. She has written con-
stantly for many years for Harpers' Maya
zine, and has published two volumes of
poems, one of legends, lyrics and sonnets,
the last volume being entitled, Under
Pine and Palm" She is also the author of
"Only Waiting Till the Shadows Fall" 1t
is doubtful if any other religious poem has
been so often quoted, stolen or its author
ship falsely claimed as the one in question.
One of her well-knOwn poems opens with :
When Eden's gate was barred winged wind
Stole out with the forbidden sweetness fraught;
In poetry II whispers 10 the mind
And is the fragrance and the flower OF thought.
Virna Woods of Sacramento is another
poet who was fortunate enough to receive
special mention in the prize quatrain. She
is a native of Ohio and began making rhymes
when only child of years of age Among
her other accomplishments she is proficient
in Greek and is at present engaged in
bringing out Greek drama in London,
published in book form in the style Of
Swinburne's ATLANTA" 1t has already re-
ceived many fine criticisms and the day is
not lar distant when California will receive
the first copies from this talented writer of
the Pacific Coast. Among her verses which
received special mention occurs the follow
ing:
Pecan of peace and ancient battle song.
,Loye-lyrics and pastime voice thy varied arti
Man and the universe to thee belong,
Interpreter of nature and the heart.
Ina Coolbrith of Oakland is perhaps better
known in our Immediate vicinity than any
other lady poet. She was born in Illinois
of New England parents, but her early
youth was passed in Los Angeles. She is
now the Librarian of the Free Library of
Oakland. Miss Coobrith has been much
admired by LongieliOw, Whittier and other
poets OF the day, who speak of her as a
dainty and graceful writer. 1.-The Poet"
paE IlnNF afl
of hers are often quoted. In the first-named
article these beautiful lines occur:
He walks with & cd upon the hill
And sees each morn tue world arise,
New bathed In light OF Paradise.
Miss COolbrith has been complmented by
the Bohemian Club by being made an hon
orary member.
John Vance Cheney, the Librarian of the
Free Library of San Francisco, is a native
of New York. lie was educated for law
yer and admitted to the bar in Massachu-
sets. he first began writing when j. &.
II olland was conducting ScribneTs Maya
zine, and 1t was through him Mr.. Cheney
made his debut as poet. Among his works
"Wood Blossoms" His critical essays are
very popular He says in one of his poems:
The heart that has grown old
With nature cannot, hap ., leave her long.
Herbert Bashford of Tacoma is certainly
the coming poet of the Pacific Coast.
His Sunset" is worthy of more cele-
brated writer. His works show much force
and color and have been extensively ac-
cepted, especially his quatrains, by Eastern
periodicals.. He says in his Sunset:
Like some huge bird that sinks to rest,
And DER the waters placid breast
Ii lays Il scarlet outstretched wing.
Ella Higgnson, a native of Council Grove,
Kans., is now a resident of Sehome on Puget
Sound, Wash. Although better known as a
prose writer, she has recently been putting
ings is The Luxury Of Woe" Another
very beautiful poem by this lady begins
with:
Silently sat the artist alone
Carving Christ from the ivory bone
title by little, with toll and pain.
He wins his way through the sghiless grain
Mary Camilla Foster Hall Wood is
claimed by Santa Barbara, although she
was born IN New York, where she was
educated. She has written much for news
pa ers and the press in general. The first
and only book she has published Is entitled
'Sea Leaves" In speaking of herself, she
SAYS she is plain working woman, with
little time to brood over the idea of fame.
In one Of her poems she says:
What's foe? A man who hates
A man who curses me-but goes!
Heaven! take my friends, aud spare my foes
Carrie Stevens Walter, formerly of Mis-
souri,, has long been resident OF San
Jose. Her father, who was exceedingly
proud OF his gifted child, published some
rhymes that were written by her between
the age OF and 10 years. The Idyl of
Santa Barbara" was her first success full
work. Another .well-known poem is en-
titled California" in the closing verse OF
which is:
The rose entwines the orange tree, the sea winds
rock the pines,
And wheat sheaves lift their golden heads amid the
clustering vines.
Rose Hartwick Thorp was born at Misha-
waka, Ind, but California has long been
her home. Her present residence is Bonita
Vista Cottage, Pacific Beach. II may not
be generally known that Miss Thorp is the
author of the famous poem, "Curfew Must
Not Ring Tonight" 1t is, of course, her
most successful work. This poem has been
celebrated for years. 1t has been translated
into several languages, set to music, played