Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-26
New Books.

Illustrations New York: Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons 1894. Pages, 20s. Price, $50.
j. W. Randolph & CO., Richmond, Va.
Even to those well acquainted with the
writings of Or. Holland this appreciatve
resume of them will be very welcome,
especially as 1t is accompanied by a loving
and sympathetic sketch of highly honor
able and successful literary career Mrs.
Plunkett was an admiring friend OF long
standing and has done her work con
amore. Her southern readers as well
az his, Will have TO make allowance for
some of their prominent and cherished
sentiments; but it is only fair that this
should be done. and We are getting pro.
perry used TO it,
Dr. Holland was not Of the New Eng
land Brahmin caste" but he was born
to Puritan respectabilty, and also TO
poverty. The removals Of his family gave
him several early homes besides his
native Belchertown, Mass. He worked
on the farm and in the factory, but was
also n schoolboy, and part OF the time
In high school. lie borrowed good books
and read them. His scholastic ad
vantages, however. were not extensive
lie had the good sense to acquire
handwriting which enabled him 10 make
few much-needed dollars by teaching
penmanshp. At last. as a compromise
between his ambition for a collegiate
course and his finances, he became "A
physician, and made several unsuccess-
full efforts To get into a paying practice
He was already Of both a religious and
literary turn; and engaged in Sunday
school and church work. besides employ
ing his pen for the Youths Companion
and other papers OF the day. He did not
like one OF his illustrious predecessors
exactly lisp in numbers but we are
favored with his earliest poetic effuson,
which he sent forth at night from his
trundle-bed beside his parents: oh
father. | have made a verse:
Il like a little pigeon.
| think 1t Is very good meat;
But In the colder region
They have no pigeon To eat"
THIS boy was afterwards the father OF
Bitter Sweet" and "Kathrlna," and no
doubt 'pigeon-holed" thousands Of better
verses by himself and others.
In lA7 he undertook the publication OF
The Bay State Weekly Courier. but
soon sold II out to tho Springfield Re
publican, with which he was afterwards
connected for so many years
But prior TO this, in 1916, he had taken
wife. Elizabeth Chaplin who proved a
two years from this important event. his
experiments in both medicine and literature
had tailed. and he was still In strait
ened circumstances. Mrs. Plunkett SAYS,
AT that date 0S47-'iS) the South drew
largely on the North for its schoolnas-
ters, and he accepted position as
teacher In a private school In Richmond,
va. But II was not very long before
he went on to Nicksburg Miss, where
A. nn1 h..
public schools, in which he gave satisfac,
ton and made friends. Here his wife
who had not come to Richmond Joined
hlm' ana also taught His pen was not
ldle, and made contributions 10 the
hhlckerbocker. Home Journal, and the
Springfield Republican.
After year and a quarter OF work
well done in Vicksburg, his wife's health
and the approaching death OF her mother
carried him back to Springfield, and very
shortly after his arrival there he became
permanently associated with Mr.. Sam
Bowles in conducting his Republican.
The dream and hope OF his life were
about 10 be realized and his active and
restless spirit TO be consoled after the
struggles and disappointments OF the
last nine years. He was now 30 years
old BowleS was emily ., but they
We're team that could pull together
Holland not only wrote for his own
Journal. but engaged In other literary
work, and had the good fortune 10 make
a strong friend OF Mr.. Charles Scrlbner.
who took hold Of his productions when
some other publishers were afraid OF
them He was also Il popular and sue
cessful lecturer.
AT length, in 1867. he was able to crafty
himself ana family by trip to Europe.
when he had become so thoroughly ire
pared to reap the greatest benefit from
such tour OF two years. and even they
could profit by it, He carried abroad
with him standing offer from Mr.. Serb
ner 10 take the control OF the Hours
at Home" a periodical which Nr. Serb
ner was already issuing. But he was
meditating something In that line far
larger and holder. He had become &c
quainted with Mr.. Roswell Smith. a
lawyer, OF Indiana, and had formed a
very high opinion OF his business ca
pacity. He met Mr.. Smith in Europe.
and they discussed the matters pertain-
ing to the Hours at Home" They were
together on bridge in Geneva, end DR..
Holland told him that instead OF enter
Ing upon the editorship OF an existing
magazine he would like TO start a new
one. Mr.. Smith announced himself ready
W engage III tuSit enterprise rs DLsi-
ness manager. and then and there a
verbal agreement was entered into that
upon their return 10 America they would
unite their forces for the purpose OF ac-
complishing H. Mr.. Smith returned first.
and brought 10 Mr.. Scrbner very strong
letter Of recommendation from Dr. Hol-
land.
The plans for "scribner's Monthly"
were matured during the summer and fall
OF 1870. and It's first number appeared In
November. with an issue Of 1900 copies,
which was increased TO largely over
10000 1t absorbed Hours at Home, Put
mans. and The Riverside Mr.. Scribner
enjoyed Its grand success for less than
one year. when he was called to his lest.
but his sons maintained II. and pr. Hoi-
land firmly. faithfully. Inn proudly ad-
hered TO Its helm for eleven years. when,
In 1851. he was compelled to let Il co. more
suddenly than unexpectedly For a sw ord
had been hanging for years over his head,