The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-13

TO be an interesting and luminous contribution
70 critical Literature.
Another valuable volume TO be published
during the winter is Edmund Gosses ''Gossip
in Library" Mr.. Gossa has succeeded IN
unique attempt TO make OF n series OF biblio-
graphical studies number of delightful little
papers rich in the personal charm and ease OF
the rdcoRtear. One hopes that Mr.. Gosse may
carry this work further and enlarge the volume
In another edition. For the treasures OF Sir.
cannot go through the bookshelves under
his own guidance, will, at least,
wish to envy him from afar The
bookcase, one side of whichis replete with first
editions of the Observation-Disclosures Ofway, Mrs.
Bohn, Congreve, Farquhar and Vanburgh. Side
by side with these curiosities are others of even
greater personal yalue-a copy of "The Angel in
the House. with the authors corrections, q
first edition of "Atalanta in Calyden," with an
autograph poem by Austin Dobson, first edi-
ton of Leila" and so many. many others that
one loses count in the embarrassment OF such
riches.
Here on the wall is an Alma Tadema, here an
original Du Maurier, long since famous in Punch;
ana again portrait of Robert Browning, with q
few words in the poets own handwriting, ex-
pressing his pleasure that the picture should be
in tie care OF his friend, Edmund Gosse. And
on Sunday afternoons the company Is as inter
esting its surroundings. Author and pub
Usher rub shoulder to shoulder, forgetful or
Walter Besant; Fisher Unwin talks OF artistic
binding 10 Austin Dobson, and Mr. Heine-
Thornyeroft. In another corner is Nh.
Henry Harland, better known to fame IS
"sidney Luska," comparing the American and
English military systems to the interest of Lord
Woiseiey. And when the crowd has thinned
out, and few guests alone are left to dino. the
talk becomes more literary, and the air is full OF
anecdote-Of stories OF greatness when IL was
littleness-ot the beginnings of much genius,
anecdotes always genial. good-natured, and rich
in the spirit OF eomradeship. Yes, Mr.. Gosse,
we want more Of the treasures of your library;
shall another volume
Austin Dobson is one of Mr.. Gosse's greatest
friends, aud, like him, holds position in the
Board OF Trade. Mr.. Gosse has expressed in
felieitous verse his attraction for his friend IN
the Introductory verses TO "Firdausi in Exile"
and certain similarity in the poetic tasks OF
the two gives an additional interest TO the con-
nection. Mr.. DobsOn has just finished his "Life
OF Hogarth," which should prove an invaluable
WORK; and is also collective OF the best OF his
poems from those delicious and picturesa ne
books, "old World Idylls' and .'At the sign of
the Lyre,' into volume of selected POEMS"
which is TO be published by Messrs. Heinemann
d Baiestier in "The English Library" The
collection will be further enriched by TWO new
poems not before included in his works.
The loss OF AurrGys Magazine, already referred
TO, is II be compensated Tor by an addition to
the number of slxpenny monthlies. Jerome K.
Jerome, the author of idle Thoughts of an Idle
Fellow" still harping upon idIeness, is going TO
edit with the new year periodical entitled
The Idler. The paper wrapper bears an artistic
picture OF Thackeray' "fas hionables" on stair.
goodly array OF promise in the shape of a glow
ing list of contributors What a versatile man
is Mr. Jerome, to be sure! At one time an ac-
TOR, at another lawyer, to then become dram
attic ed tor, followed this by posing a humor-
list, and now makes his bow as an editor. Truth
TO tell, he is very funny; perhaps he will find
his own ground in turning critical. At any
rate we wish we'll TO his venture, and bow to
his infinite variety.
Mr.. jerome has able coadjutor in Robert
Barr f"Luke Sharp'), who has an equal financial
ffrl al into fhpV
zine. Mr.. Barr is one of the successful Ameri-
cans in London, both as an author OF short
stories and novels in the leading magazines and
as publisher OF the English edition of the Detroit
Free Press in London, which has a circulation
of over 100000 copies weekly. The other sue
cessful Americans are James K. Osgood, who has
established publishing house in London, and
Robert Mcclure, who manages the European
interests of the Associated Literary Press, of
which Mr. Gosse is the European editor
Perhaps the most interesting event in London
Is the receipt of the manuscript of new novel
OF adventure by Robert Louis Stevenson, the
scenes of which, ike his present serial in
Scrtbner's, are laid in the South seas. The title
OF the story is "The Beach of Falesa"
Mrs. Burnett is occupying her beautiful home
In Kensington, and has resumed work with
her old-time vigor. Besides two or three short
she is at work on some new plays, and has two
novels well toward completion.
Mr.. Howelis new novel, "The Quality of
Mercy: Is attracting considerable attention
abroad, and leading publisher has made ap-
plication for q serial story from Mr.. Howells'
pen. A curious thing about Mr.. Howells' story
in England is the fact that it is published under
another title from that in America, because an
English author, Richard Bowling, happened to
have written at the same time story with the
identical title as Mr.. Howells novel To avoid
complications, the story appears seriaily in En-
gland under the title "John Northwick, De-
fauiter"
Miss wilkins work is much in demand in
London, and so are the stories of Richard Hard
mil shars arc ndaoE riy1cy
to get stories from these two writers, who have
become famous about the same time in London