Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-10
Literary Chat.

]. NJ. BARRIE, new writer. is now
coming forward for portion OF the praise
erstwhile so layishly bestowed on RuD-
YARD K1pLMG. He is thirty years old and
has written two books, the last OF which,
1.-The Little Minister" is spoken of by the
Philadelphia Press as "a great novel" 1t
deals chiefly with the humor and pstho5
of humble Scottish life. The Press, by
the wey, has undertaken 10 revise SHAK-
sPEARH. Ii SAYS that dull book is sure 10
come TO the fate of
the fat weed
That roots itself ia ease on Lethe's wharf.
EDGAR SALrUs, the novelist. who at one
time seemed to aspire 10 the distinction of
being called the American lola. is de-
scribed as small man, with sturdy
frame, fine head. an obseryant eye. and
a moustache black as night.
Miss OLIVE ScHRErsER, distinguished for
her books on South Africa. Is said to smoke
cigarettes and to be perfect Dr VERNON
III the saddle.
ALEXANDRA DUMAS has proposed a tax
upon diners-out for tho benefit OF the poor.
How about those persons who dine out be-
cause they have nothing to eat at homo?
GEORGE EIIor's widower. Mr. Cross, is
described as kind. clever, and charm
ing.n In this instance SHAKESPEARE was
right about there being nothing in a name.
The third volume of JOIN BACH McMAs-
ryEs' History has just been issued by the
APPLEroSs. 1t covers the history Of the
people OF the United States from the LOU
isiana purchase down TO the beginning of
the war of 1872, and HUNS surrender at
Detroit. The story of the BURR conspiracy
is feature Of it.
The Rev. Howard MAcQUzARY, whose
theological difficulties have recently gwen
him much newspaper notoriety. is writing
a novel which will have religious basis
and will be called dudley Caring tor"
Really. Mrs. WARD had better hurry up her
long promised successor to Robert Els
mere" else she may be forestalled.
The Brooklyn Eagle of January Sd devotes
nearly three columns to ISAAC MCCLELLAN,
a veteran sportsman and poet of Long
Island. whose writings were held in high
estimation by LoNarELL ow. WILLIS. and
Others. Some of his work Is given, which
is very good indeed. He is eighty-fve years
old and has published three volumes of
poetry, all Of which are now out Of print.
The journal just mentioned Is at present
bothered with case Of disputed author
ship. poem which recently appeared in
its columns being claimed by two persons.
The number of such instances is constant
ly increasing, and it looks as if it may soon
be necessary for editors to require sworn
affidavit with every precious Offering of
the muse. Come to think OF it this would
not be a bad means of decreasing the an-
nual output and lessening the burdens of
the editors.
1t is predicted by those who are in . DO
sition to know thar the craze" for big
names in the magazines is on the decline,
and that hereafter young writers OF merit
will stand better chance. 1t is 10 be
hoped that this is true, but the young
writer's need not feel too sauguine about
it. We notice more than one magazine
which still makes practice of printing
the names of the authors In large letters
and those of the articles in small. With
such 1t is evident that the names " the
thing"
The series OF lectures delivered recently
by EpMuxD CLARKScE SIsDMAs. "The
Banker Poeh" on The Nature and Els-
ments OF Poetry will DO published in tho
spring issues Of the Century. and will then
appear in book form.
ANNA CArHAzrSs GRKxs's next story will
be called 1.-THE Romance OF the Sisters"
Unlike its predecessors. 1t will not be de-
tective story.
One OF the important features OF bar
pev's Magazine this year vii b the publ.
cation Of ok papers BY JA,U RusszlL
LOWELL on the old English dramatists.
A "vicas Of Wakefield" Was sold "a