New-York tribune., 1896-10-29
LITERARY NOTES.

One Of the most engaging bits Of fiction when
Charles Reade gave TO his contemporaries was MS
Peg Wellington" The sum he got for il and the
persistency with which he went on wrting would
so to show that there is in the popular con-
tention that starvation of authors is good for ~
erature. For this little work of art Reade received
the munfccnt sum Of S25.
This is the time of year when the presses sroan
with the production of books adapted to the sea-
son." and the annual output Of Christmas puolica-
tons has grown TO be familiar thing that its
magnitude need not excite any more wonder TINS
year than il excited in 1885, Nevertheless, there Is
one striking point to he noted in the publishing
business to-day. and that is that the evolution OF
the ''chdren's book" is absorbing more and more
attention Whether II an Improvement IN
the quality Of the books is question only TO be
answered after careful examination OF the great
pile which keeps mounting higher and higher. Rut
the most cursory glance shows how enormous that
pile is. fact in itself significant and after the eX-
celcnce Of tho press work and manufacture gener-
ally has been observed. scrutiny OF the backs OF
the pretty bindings develops little surprise in the
matter OF authorship.
One book is by Charles G. II. Roberts, a
writer whose name upon the title page OF book
assures US that it will be worthy of serious at'en-
tion. not the trashy stuff that has so lons domi-
mated in the field of juvenilia Another. by Mrs.
Mabel Osgood Wright is the result OF that clever
lady's efforts to put the history of birds ana niue
four-footed creatures into form which Will lure
young minds into love Of nature through an ap-
peal to their love Of fun. To illustrate her text.
A. D. Blashfeld has drawn a great numoer OF
pictures as funny In their way Mr.. Frosts pic
lures for Uncle Remus.' which is saying great
deal. Mr. Newell has been making more OF MS
Shadow Pictures,' and altogether much OF the
best skill in the country seems TO be devoting sei
20 the amusing OF childish readers May the gooc
work go The further away we get from the
silly patitudes of the Juvenile literature which
has held sway long. and Is not DEAD yer. inc
better off our young minds will be. debt OF
gratitude will always be due to periodicals Ike
st Nicholas "Harper's Round Table" The
Youths Companion and the now unfortunately
defunct "Widea wake" They have done great
deal in raising the standard Of taste In matters OF
books written for children.
The first of interest TO appear in regard 10
MI Du Maurier is that short story Of his. the
only one he ever wrote is being printed in The
London Magpie." The Magpie will be looked for
with curiosity. The tale is said TO be an early
production, and this rouses a suspicion that some
busybody has been at work resurrecting story
which Du Maurer himself would perhaps have pre-
ferred 10 suppress. This kind of treatment which.
let us hope the author of The Marian has been
spared can never he too severely condemned. We
are glad TO see that 1.-The Saturday Review" has
some pointed things to say OH the subject:
The bitterest enemy of great man or great
Of letters is the creature who brings TO
light writer's discarded work. His best he gave
his he kept ii ought TO be left 10 literary
man or woman to say which. and how much, OF his
or her products shall be given finally M to e" ne wcrn @
fact that a writer leaves manuscripts behind him
circuIa,ed They may be utterly unworthy of him.
and tend TO minimize his fame and influence
They need lecture like this in London. where
the literary grave-dsger is constantly bringing
old bones to the surface which he might better
leave buried "The Saturday spurred 10 its
comment by the announcement OF A new edition or
"The Works of the Brontes' The prospectus of
this edition states that valuable copyright matter,
furnished by the Rev. A. B. Nichols the husband
of Charlotte BroniG. will be included" To this
"The Saturday, pe~tinently adds the reflection that
the matter will not be valuable "simply because 1t
was penned by Charlotte. or Emily. or Anne: 1t
nigh; represent the writer at her worst AT any
rate lie; lovers of literature be upon their guard.
The Bron,e sisters are in their graves; and nobody
has any right TO publish manuscript work of theirs
which would in any way impair their reputation
II is the same journal which hits very neatly the
newest dodge of a certain kind OF hungry publisher
trying his best 10 capture tho elusive shilling lie
seems to have decided 10 protect his ventures by
appealing in curious way for public support IN
advance. He publishes by popular vote.
~ firm OF publishers. having just issued the
hurdredth volume of of its libraries invites
the purchasing public TO say what the hundred
and-irsi volume shall be- The publishers will give
the preference. we may suppose 10 the classic
which receives most recommendations. The idea
Is not a bad one-from the publishers point Of view.
What a lot of anxiety and loss might he avoided by
our book producers If they could their way 10
carving 10 perfection the pebisce system. The
ar, of publishing would be reduced TO its simplest
form Would YOU like another "kailyard" story?
Gould YOU stand another poem by Sir Lewis Nor
ris?' shall we neg Miss Core TO give us her next
volume? Would you like another romance by
Anthony Hope? If the publishers could only get
direct answers TO simple questions like these what
u happy and prosperous life they would lead'
In their programme FOR the coming year the pub
fishers of "Harpers Magazine enumerate all sorts
Of promising titles but khere is nothing in the long
lis, which exctes pleasanter expectations than
the announcement Of some new sketches OF West
crn life by Mr. owen Wister. He has not been
heard from for time. If he has been lying
fallow and now comes forward 10 start afresh. SO
much the better. That will mean that he has
given his work time to mature. 1t has been so
good. anyway. that TO have it bettered will mean
positive delight 10 his readers.
A year ago an invaluable work on italian archi-
lecture covering the period from the sixth TO the
eleventh century. Catteneos history. was an
nounced TO be published in an English translation.
Then fire took place in the lofts Of the printer
and the book had be postponed 1t is now about
10 be published and promises 10 be OF great service
10 English and American students 1t Is an i'm
portant work and has already considerable vogue
in italian. French and German editions.
The Century Company has published book
by Professor Shaler which cannot fail Of cordial
welcome i; Is the book on American High
ways" upon which he has been working for
some time. The subject is not literary. but few
subjects need to be that to make good material for
literature and II Professor Shaler has not shown
that the latter epthot may be applied to his writ
ings on our roads, at least he has proved that he
can be Interesting and helpful The book is eabor
ately illustrated.