Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-05
SOME BOOK TALK.
[By W. 4. A.l

ture: "There have been no distinct
successes, no 'fads,' 90 to speak, since
the Kreutzer Sonata had its remarkable
rum" Such is the fact a fact, from an
ethical and artistic point Of view, moi
greatly to be regretted; on the contrary
perhaps, one upon which we ought
rather to felicitate ourselves.
Generally speaking, the latter'day
book which makes what is considered
bit, and enjoys what is known as run,
bases its claim for popularity upon an
appeal to the worser instincts OF man,
kind. 1t is apt to be spiced
with q high flavor of sensational
ism, gross sensuality. or disgust
Ing salaciousness and is eagerly
sought after by the bestial, to whose
base appetite it panders, or by the over.
curious, who toy with it for the sake OF
being delightfully."- shocked. The only
successes which have not been OF this
character are those dealing with start
ling. and, may add to my mind, ,prepos.
ferrous remedies for real or supposed
social evilsn or which lifted impious
hands against things sacred and were
read for their audacity. 1t is really,
therefore, matter for earnest congrat-
ulation that We have passed through q
period OF nearly two years-a perid OF
marked book making activity-without
having produced any one work that is
thus pre-eminently bad.
Yet, withal, this period of compar-
alive quietude has Witnessed the making
Of many good books; has chronicled the
rise and success OF more than one
contestant in the literary arena; and
has lent added luster to the fame OF
many, who, by stern worth, have
thrust themselves head and shoulders
above the multitude.
Two years ago Rudyard Kippling was
scarcely discovered; while now "he
doth bestride this narrow world like q
Colossus" He is our nearest approach
to . fad and good, cleanly, deserving
fad withal-a fad, too, that wears well /;
and one that bids fair to eclipse his
present fame with his future achieve
ments.
l Icannot speak Of Kippling without
paying the tribute of passing sigh to
the memory of one who was winning
laurels with him in their literary part
nership. Death found q shining mark
when he struck Wolcott Ballistier. Re-
quiescat inspace! ~
Mrs. Humphrey Ward, in her History
of David Grieve, has firmly established
her reputation az maker Of books, and
OF most excellent books.s David Grieve
will never create the stir accorded Rob-
ert Elsmere, but / venture to say 1t will
be more thoroughly enjoyed by those
who are fortunate enough to read it,
and it will be far more read for its innate
= II
work. In my estimation David Grieve
author to confederation as great nov
certain critics in high places who mate
rally differ with me on this point.
Another writer whose fame has gone
forth upon the wings of the morning,
and whose name has become q house,
hold word in the mouths OF his people,
is Hamlin Garland. He is son Of the
people, and in close, sympathetic touch
with their everyday needs. His power
1.-THE breezy call of incense breathing morn.''
and filled with great heart-throbs of
human interest, his strong pen portraits
OF the average man and woman of today,
struggling against oppression and hoping
againet hope, will do more than thou
sand dream-books from the pens of our
visionary Bellamys to ameliorate the
condition of the masses.
Nor has this quiescent period been
unproductive Of much that is excellent
in other directions from it. It has
given birth to that charming character
sketch, Colonel Carter OF Cartersville.
DR.. Egglestone has emerged from his
mountain home and the musty tones of
history, to enrich it with The Faith
Doctor. Thomas Hardy has given to it
his masterpiece. Within this period,
the dear old "Autocrat," far younger
than his years, has added another divine
cluster to his wreath of immortelles.
Mary E. Wilkins has delighted the
world with her short stories; and the
poems of Emily Dickson have been res
cued from their hiding place. A new
volume of Carlyle's lectures has been
unearthed and published. Stockton,
Stevenson, Meredith, Howells, and a
score Of others more or less noteworthy,
have strengthened their claims to pop
ularity.
Robert Grants Reflections of Mar
ried Man, now coming out in Scribner's q
Magazine, and soon to be issued by the
Scribners in book form, is very pleasant
reading.
Rudyard Kippling has again expressed
himself, in his own felicitious way, upon
America and Americans. His opinions
are not pleasant things for US to look
| upon; and especially does he pour forth
| the walls of his wrath upon New York'i
| devoted head.
~
The novel of the future is becoming
more and more shadow without sub
stance, and those who prophesied itI
early advent are losing hope. We arr
indebted to Current Literature for thiI
spicy bit Of information.
~.
Just what Mr.. Lloyd Osborne's shar'
in the Stevenson Osborne literary co
partnership is we are not prepared II
say, but we feel morally certain that b.
had no share in the installment of Th'
/ Wrecker that appears in the May Serb
ner's. That is in the true Stephenson
style-crisp, forceful, vigorous. Here
fore The Wrecker has been appreciabl
below the standard of Mr.. Stevenson
best work.
On the whole, therefore, if the strean
of literature during the last year or 60
j has not poured forth it's Quick or th
Dead, its Kreutzer Sonatas, its Shivel
ing Shudders, or even its Looking Bach
wards or Robert Elsmeree- 1t has bee
of the still-Water kind. which runs deer