The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-07
MAGAZINES OF THE MONTH.

The Youths Companion retains Its charm
for old as well as young. No literary peri
odical gives greater satisfaction or main
tains SO even a standard or excellence.
The Christmas number of Puck appears
doubled I'm size, with a decorative cover
and profusion OF Illustrations and sea-
sonable jokes. Some OF the contributions
belong TO a higher grade of literature than
mere w.t.
In spite of the overproduction of liter
AZURE on Japan. Lafcadio Hearn's Japanese
papers in the Atlantic hold their interest.
The reason is. of course, that he studies the.
poetry. and the folklore OF the country and
deals but little with statistics and dry de-
tail.
The Art Amateur for December is es-
peclally rich in Illustrations. Among feat
ures reproduced are Murillo's "Jesus and
john" Lady Hamilton by Romney and a
Spring" by Feyen-Perrin. Color plates
represent the fieur de lys and a figure Of an
old vioiinist.
Lippincott keeps the even tenor Of Its way
and does not bloom into a Christmas lux
offers. as theater advertisements have IT,
full bill of entertainment. Its complete
novel for the month IL THE Old Silver
Trail" by Mary Stickney, whose tales or
Western life have pleased many readers.
The December magazines are all in gala
attire. The Bookman, Century. Harper, st.
Nicholas and Mcclure appear each in new
cover with designs of Christmas sugges-
tiveness, while others, making no change
in outward appearance, have within a pro-
fusion of holiday literature and illustra-
tion. They add distinctive feature to the
cheer of the season.
street car story by Harriet Allen in the
Christmas st. Nicholas suggests q possi-
billty that it is OF Indianapolis origin.
Some letters OF Robert Louis Stevenson,
written 10 children and contributed by
Lloyd Osbourne. have all the charm con-
tanned in the same authors correspondence
with older friends. A poem by James
Whitcomb Riley, called 1.-The Dream March
of the Children is pleasingly illustrated
by George Varian
Fiction, including n comedy by Howells
and the first chapters of serial story,
''Briseis," by William Black, make up
large part OF the Christmas Harper. An
account of a journey on snow shoes in the
far Northwest. "A description of the Heb
Caracas, the Paris of South America" by
Richard Harding Davis, are other features
OF interest. a fine color print representing
scene in wood carver's shop forms the
frontispiece of the number.
kiplilg's story, the ''Brushwood Boy" in
the Century. brings with 1t an atmosphere In
great contrast TO the lurid mists envelop-
ing the mass OF modern fiction. A young
man with no unusual attributes and no es-
pecially saint-like qualities. but who. though
exposed TO all the temptations OF nine
teenth century life, comes at last TO the
girl he marries as chaste and innocent as
she is indeed a novelty among heroes. The
bond OF dreams which brings the pair to-
gether may be far-fetched, but the tale is
refreshing.
In story in Harpers Magazine Brander
Matthews puts forward an elderly woman
of refinement, good education and old-fash-
toned conservatism and makes her say, in
speaking of herself, that she is not good
locker" meaning that she Is not handsome
Where was the boasted staff OF eagle-eyed
editors, subeditors and readers when such
a vulgarism was allowed TO pass? And
why should Kate Douglass Wiggin de-
scribe the invention of Mr. Packard. of
The mysteries of magazine literature are
many.
McClure's Magazine for December caters
well 10 the popular taste People never
tire. apparently. OF reading about Lincoln
and q fresh installment OF anecdotes re-
latins TO his carly life in Indiana and lii
nois is given by Miss Tarbell. \ chapter
Phelps makes plea SAINT reading. The True
Story OF Annie Laurie" Is told and ac-
companied by authentic portraits of the
cessful lover. a paper by Sir Robert Bail
on the suns heat, a biographical sketch OF
Hall caine. and Zenda story by Anthony
An article in the Atlantic on Being a
Typewriter ought TO interest and benefit
both employer and operator, describing. as
it does, certain points which there is
apt TO be a misunderstanding. The writ
er says: Let the typewriter become as pop
ular the piano and the absurdity OF in
trusting the transcription of important
manuscripts TO young men and women un-
trained in their mother tongue will be
apparent 70 every one. Is II not i'll done
TO employ for the manipulation OF words
and sentences a person who cannot always
be trusted TO spell correctly. who knows
nothing whatever about punctuation. who
cannot make out obscure handwriting, and
TO whom every foreign phrase every line
OF poetry, every other proper name, is
stumbling block? l do not. I trust, un-
derrate the Importance of music as a fac
tor IN EDUCATION. vet l look for time
when the piano will be less common than
the typewriter. and when the use of the
latter will be taught 10 children az q