Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-16
IiferarY kOtes.


Literary Notes.
The reviewers have fallen foul OF the
MARQUIS of LoRsL's book From Shadow
to Sunlight" Says one eminent critic
1.-The writing is so bad and the story 80
dull that even the dignity OF noble name
cannot save 1t from derisive comment.
The mystery is how q man so high in posi-
t;on could be content to do go little a
thing and do it so ILL.," The Marquis evil
IDENTITY furnishes another illustration OF
the old adage-ne sutor ultra creptddm. Had
he stuck to his profession of royal figure
head he would have escaped this mortifi-
cation and abuse.
Recently we commended the new Vir-
ginia novel, DIANA Fontaine," by ALGER-
NON RIDGEwAY. We are pleased to note
that more competent judges also praise it,
very high literary authority calls it "a
very delightful story" and makes other
favorable mention of it. We are unsc-
quainted with the author. If he were not
apparently of the male sex we should feel
tempted to ask what Miss FRANCES CoURr-
NEY BAYLOR has been writing recently?
Mr.. W. T. STEAD, in his article on the
Prince of Wales in the Rerie,o of Rer,e,os
for August. makes the interesting state
ment on the authority of the Princes pri-
vate secretary that the heir apparent does
not owe farthing that he cannot pay.
The tendency of many newspapers to
give more prominence to literary matters
in their columns is very pronounced, and
lie O healthy sign, inasmuch as 1t argues in
creased public intelligence and an i'm
proved taste. ALI of the great dallies of
the country have their regular literary de-
psrtment, which in some instances, is con-
| Quoted by men Of frst.class ability and
reputation. The Chicago Tribune has just
engaged the services, in this capacity, of
Mr. EDWARD j. HARDING, O distinguished
hnerateur Of New York. The newspaper
Is crowding the magazines more and more
every day. Its possibilities are almost
boundless.
A Boston gentleman whose privilege it
has been to read the manuscript Of AMfLrE
RIvEs's new story, According to St.
john" now running in the Cosmopolitan,
says Of it: at is not until another month
that the magazine reader will witness the
barring of the questions rival to the
famous query of Mona CAIRD-'I Is second
love O failure?' Not in 80 many words is
it stated. but we find man and wife sepa-
rated by the Unseen yet depressing vision
of former wife. The very kiss given in
betrothal calls up the earlier kiss with
another maiden, and the presence Of the
first rises to cause O SILVER and q shudder.
Such kisses are always the seal of despair
or happiness. faith or treachery, self-aban-
donment or self-sacrifce.' says Mrs. CHAN.
IKR, and the reader begins then to query
with himself whether real love ever
comes twice in q lifetime to one person
IL What Mrs. CHANLEg's personal
belief is In regard to this query
: do not know; some one will undoubtedly
} inquire when her proposition in literature
sets the reader discussing; but she ha:
assuredly put forth this ideally romantic
side of one eternally lasting love in vigor.
GUS form and so surrounded by tragic con.
sequences in the breaking OF Its assumed
law as to bring series Of dramatic Incl
dents before the mind" This is all Of thu
plot that the gentleman will disclose. TIT
strange title of the book is founded on the
text, "Greater love hath no man than this
that q man lay down his life for hi.
friend"
Mrs. BURTON HARRISON returned to thi
country from Europe last week after three
months spent in England and Scotland.
: Ex-Minister EDWARDS PnHRnPoNr ex
poets to publish volume of political ant
social comment in the fall. ION Many
Things" is reported to be the title-i
rather poor one.
Mr.. W. i. HENLEY, an English poet anc
the friend of RoBERr LOUIS STEVENSON
: will compile an anthology from the best
English verse of the last three centuries
descriptive of heroic action and lauda
tory Of heroic sentiment" OF which
CHAnLEs ScRrBNrR's Sons are to be tn,
.. American publishers. The same house II
about to publish The Business Of Life,
by the author of "How to Be Happy
Though Married."
An edition de htre OF Lord LYrroS's nov
! els, limited to Ave hundred copies, i
about to be published by GEORGE RoUr
LEDGE 4 Sous. There will be thirty-tw'
volumes, issued at the rate of two a montl
and enriched by about two hundred pho
togravures.
, The PublishsrS Circular reports tha
|. THAcxERAy's fame is steadily gong up
. Booksellers and librarians all over tn
: country report an increasing demand TO
. his works." This Is as it should be. N
, other writer displays such charm of styl
. Is does THAcKERAY, or has enriched tn
= literature of fiction with more fnishe,
. gallery Of portraits, not even excepting
: DICKENS, whose style 10 execrable ans
. whose characters are mostly caricaturef
!. DICKENS, however. appeals to the heart
= while THAcKElAY chiefly enlists the mind
:. The health Of the poet wHlrrrEs is re
q ported to be failing rapidly. Ho canno
, endure the fatigue of driving. and hi
a hearing Is such that it is with difficulty b
a can converse.
:. Iniprsity Exzmsion Is the title Of ne,
monthly journal. "devoted to the interes
Of popular education" II IL published b
]. HAsELrmx BENIN for the American 80
9 ciety for the Extension Of Universit
: Teaching, Philadelphia.
II The spectator charges that the gfea
!. proportion Of tho upper and middle elias
Of England never buy book for thsi
; own pleasure from one years end to IN
! ! oAhAe. The lending ibxAzE a9ord