The herald., 1896-04-05

ture, or even an atmosphere created by
California writer's; but q just claim is
made that scores of men and women
are doing faithful work here in all the
lines of literary effort, and with as
much success as has come to their
fellow workers in other parts of the
country. We think undue praise is
given to certain sensationalists Of the
daily press, and wrong estimate made
Of their worth and standing; but Rd-
miration for their ''smartness," no
doubt, had much to do with entering
up this Judgment. Ths fact is that the
less said about the real literary work,
the better for everybody. The loose
and lurid style of daily sensationalism
whereby certain men earn their daily
bread is not only not good literature.
but 1t is not literature at all. More
than this, it makes all just sense Of
proportions impossible and only sets a
pace which takes every follower down
hill to the end. It is dissipation
that deadens the senses and degrades
high and noble calling.
The only literary news in the article
is the announcement that Gertrude
Atherton has left California to settle
in New York, but her work classes her
with the far Western school," Here is
q woman who has done much in this
Western style, this Western SCHOOL"
If you please, a writer of whom our
author writes: against background
of romantic traditions, she paints the
world old story of passion-vague,
dreamy. idyllic, yet strong and ele-
mental"
And yet, il it be true that she is a
disciple Of a worthy school and does
worthy work in it, is it not strange that
che must look elsewhere for support
or even real sympathy?
We beg to say that we do not con-
slider her strong or in anyway excel
lent novelist; and that her latest book,
A Whirl Asunder, is one Of the very
trashiest stories imaginable. Her
California girl heroine is intolerable
and, we trust, impossible. But good
or bad, her work would not pay here,
and she, too, has departed. The sol
emn fact is, that there is no literary
market on this coast yet, and it is
strewn with wrecks to prove it. To be
wise is to admit the facts and soberly
seek the reasons for them.
We cannot help saying, at the end of
it all, that a few literary workers at
this end of the state are apparently
possessed of devout spirit aud pur-
pose, and will abide and conquer. One
Of these, the most conspicuous and de-
serving, is making The Land OF Sun
shine praised and honored the country
over. He is shifting the rocks in this
literary wilderness to some purpose.
= = y
The critics are severe upon Mrs. Bur-
nett's new novel, A Lady of Quality
that is, the bravest and surest of the
critics. 1t is plain that she made a
mistake in plan, and got far beyondlher
depth.
In the new volume on Washington
etiquette, the widow of the late Cen
eral Logan wrote the introduction,
with a note of approval, addressed to
the public, which was signed "Mrs.
John A. Logan" This is q curious
solecism.
Houghton & Mitfiin make announce
ment of the following publications,
what will be good news to all lovers
of good books:
Bradford Torrey's 'Spring notes
from Tennessee, Olive Thorne Miller's
"Four-h handed folk", Prof. Tuttle' 'The
History of Prussia, F. J. Steveson's
'Pirate Cold, DR.. Donald's "The Ex-
tension of Rsllgion"and Bynner's boys
book, The Chase of the Meteor.
| All these will be welcomed.
A very readable and suggestive little
book, albeit rather more abstractive in
tone than its title seems to imply, is
Types OF American Character Mac
miilan), ty Gamaliel Bradford, jr. OF
the seven essays contained in the vol
ume three, The American Pessimist,
The American Idealist and The Ameri.
/ can Out Of Doore, have already ap-
peared in the Atlantic Monthly; while
the others, The American Epicurean,
The American Philanthropist, The
American Man of Letters and The
Scholar are now printed for the first
time. Mr.. Bradford's book is fresh
thoughtful and stimulating, and it's
style is indicative throughout of the
excellent literary company it's author
has kept.
Zola's Rome. which is now in course
OF serial publication in the Paris Jour
nal and the Tribuna Of Rome, has been
received with much indignation in TIA
| ~. luo oulCOE VI Luo 1ElOUuh uao lcll
obliged to disclaim all sympathy with
Zola's work, which has been described
by some of the italian papers as "dull
compilation Of religious and polite Al
history" and the "hybrid and CHASTITY
conception of an unbalanced BRAIN"
The University of Chicago inaugu
rates new series OF monographs, tc
be known as English Studies, with the
publication of an edition of LydRate'l
The Assembly of Gods. DR.. Oscar
Lowell Triggs is the editor of this text
and the work was offered to the uni
versity in support of his candidacy fol
the doctors degree. 1t will also b'
published In London. in the series o
the Early English Text society
The effects of Paul Verlaine consists
of some papers in table drawer, I
bundle Of MSS. in handbag, another
the work he was engaged on last-ir
the portmanteau which was presented
to him the day before he went to Lon
don in 1898, half dozen clay pipel
and clay cigarette-holder, two pairl
Of eyeglasses, hat and nightcap.
Prot. Daniel Giraud Elliot, F. r 8. E.
the well-known author Of North Amer
lean Shore Birds, has started on hunt
ing expedition to the interior of Afric
to secure big game for the Field Oolum
L;on vuuaouru ~ Nh{naoo Ho iii H.. ~