The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-18
MAGAZINE NOTES.

The Chap Book of June l contains a
poem by Emma Carleton. 1t is in good
company. two acts of melodramatic farce.
by Robert Louis Stevenson and William
Ernest Henley, occupying most of the re-
naming space.
The Overland Monthly for June is a
Hawaiian number, it's history, its CONNER
cial developments, it's industries, social
characteristics and political prospects all
being considered by various writers. The
Overland is in favor of annexation of these
islands.
The human document feature of Nc
Clure's Magazine proves conclusively one
thing, namely, that the boosted beauty Of
youth is something of a myth, at least
SO far as pictures are concerned lnvar,
iably the advantage of expression and
comeliness is in favor of maturity dis
covery more or less gratifying to the OBJ
server on whom the morning sun has
ceased to shine.
The "Nickeu Magazine" price cents,
issued by the Russell Publishing Company.
Of Boston, is similar in style to Munsey.
its literary features being on the same
lines and its illustrations profuse: even
it's cover is suggestive Of the other 1mi-
tation is said to be sincerest fiattery and
if 10-cent magazine meets a popular want
a 5-cent periodical may do the same. 1t Is
at least worth the price asked.
In magazine literature there is little that
is new but the Midland Monthly Oes
Moines) is able to offer two articles in it's
June number on subjects that are at least
unhackneyed One is an account of bicy-
Gle trip In the Indian country, the other a
description of a naturalist'S voyage down the
the same issue is given to information con-
corning women's clubS-a subject which Is
certainly not new.
The three largest life insurance companies
in New York. says the Bankers Magazine,
have an aggregate of S57,692 outstanding
policies. If three persons on the average
are interested in policy. and the number
is probably greater, no less than .2673.O70
persons would be seriously affected by any
mishap TO these three institutions. The
amount insured by the poll cies outstanding
is over $500 1000. The amount of cash and
invested assets of the three companies
reaches an aggregate of s523, 703 1874. 1t is the
money OF these people which is invested in
mortgages upon all sorts of paying properties
in the country, and not that OF the Million
aires. blatant calamityites assert
OF magaZinelets on the order of the Chap
Book there is no end. The latest is called the
Philistne, but its resemblance to the Chap
Book is only in outward seeming. Within,
far that Chicago publication is con-
cerned, 1t is ravening wolf The Philistine
Is periodical o of protest" and nd on its
Calvin: Those Philistines who engender
animosity. stir up trouble and then SMILE"
1t protests" against the Chap Book and
certain literary fads which IT represents,
makes merry with 1t. gibeS IL, burlesques
IT. and all with an air of somewhat mali
cious enjoyment. 1t says some very clever
and witty things. but whether or not il
can continue to exist as mere Kicker
without claim TO public favor is a question
yet to be answered. 1t should have care.
The Arena for June has for its frontis-
piece a portrait of Prof. John Clark Rid
path. In a review following of Helen IL.
Gardeners story. IAN Unofficial Patriot"
the Professor writes himself down mild
sort of Anarchist. Or if not that. then
what does this mean: THE mistake in her
philosophy is that she seems to think The
existing order may be preserved and it's
abuses destroyed. She seems TO imagine
that the LEAKAGE and blossoms and fruits
OF the social tree may be improved and
changed into beauty and wholesomeness.
and the tree itself be left standing. She
imagines that mere results can be re-
formed She aSsails the phenomena of So
ciety, falling TO note that the vice is not in
mere products not in phenomena, not in
blossom and fruitage, but in the existing
order ITSELF.
The Cosmopolitan has an editorial discus
sion on the subject Of fiction which treats
all social questions with perfect freedom.
untrammeled by the bugbear of the young
girl. who, according to the accepted theory.
must not be made TO blush. One party to
the discussion argues that readers do not
want sincere. honest, soul-written discus
sions of the philosophy of life. that not one
in twenty wants to read anything except
what is in line with his convictions.
As a result Of the contention the editor
asks an expression of opinion by the maya
zine readers on the question of whether or
not they wish to read all sides of the vital
questions agitating mems souls, regardless
OF their own beliefs; provided always that
they are formulated sincerely and unselfish-
w. An answer TO this question might be
made very brief. The philosophy of life,"
and the vital questions, no matter how
startling will be welcomed by the public If
they are presented with true artistic skill
OF fact. the unpopularity OF such books is
commonly owing 10 the fact that they are
deadly dull-the effort to point a moral being
too obvious, and that they do not carry
the force OF genuine conviction on the
writer's part Even Grant Allen, whose
book, 1.-The Woman Who Did," gave rise
to the editorial discussion. lacked the cour-
age he professed. for his story, by its ending
taught different lesson from that which he
undertook 10 teach, Notwithstanding his
PREDATORY assertion that he wrote to satisfy
his conscience.
Mr.. Walter Firth, an Englishman, writes
in Temple Bar about spring in New York
and the Eclectic reproduces II. AS mat
ter of course the American girl comes in