Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-22

academy 1t now seems quite probable
lola will occupy one of the three vacant
chairs He is more eligible to the posi-
ton than any other man in France, and
1t is possible that the prejudice which
has kept him out long ago degenerated
into obstinacy on the part of his de-
tractors. 1t is strange, though, to note
that the book which introduced him to
France as popular writer, Mama is
the chief STUN bling block in his way to
the academy.
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett has
achieved an enviable reputation, and
from her lofty emnence stands with
pleasure as the sponsor of young Aus
tralian writer, Ethel Turner" She has
met with success in her stories-"The
Family at Misrule" nd 1.-The Story of a
Baby" Her latest story of child life,
"Seven Little Australians" has created
q furore in Australia, and is regarded in
England as a remarkably clever work
Another admirer of Miss Turner is Mrs
Louise Chandler Moulton."
1t has not been many years ago since
Hamlin Garland first drew the attention
of the reading public to himself, and Mr.
w. d. Howells did not hesitate to predict
and believe that this young writer prom
ised to create a distinctly national school
of literature. If he has not entirely ae-
complished this, not less surely has he
gained steady, widely established repu-
tation as a writer of rare ability, and by
his persistent efforts has proven his great
devotion to the national idea. All of Mr.
Garland's works, from Main Travelled
Roads" to his latest story, are well
known and appreciated by that great
class of American readers who are aware
of the resourcefulness of the verites in
literature, the wonderful art of making
it true. In recent interview Mr.. Car
land said Yes. find the love of truth
gaining among the people. They recog-
nize truth when they find it in stories
dealing with a kind of life that they
know, and they want 1t in stories dealing
with other lands than their own. In
many cases they consider a story that
is obviously unreal not worth while. |
think that the majority of adult persons
when.o off their guard are realists-that is
they prefer truth to artificiality."
In person Mr.. Garland is described as a
man "of not more than medium height,
though his erect sturdy bearing makes
him appear almost tall, with a brown
bearded determined face, a finely shaped
head and with brown eyes full of
strength and sentiment" Mr.. Garland
possesses to a wonderful degree that
broad, deep insight of human nature, an
intuition, which Balzac defines "as one of
the faculties of that inner man of whom
specialization is an attribute" His every
page pulsates with the breath of nature,
and the conflicts, struggles and homely
realities of life are treated with such
earnestness and Breadth of perception
that he never fails to reach the inner
heart of his reader. OF his early life in
the west Mr.. Garland tells of his first
leanings toward literature and of his
preparation in the thorough study OF the
development of English literature, that
he might write a book about 1t. II was
getting near realism" said Mr.. Garland
Nl,.NR ,.Ct INN Lee hot 7 II
it came from reading one of Mr.. Howelfs
novels. One day in 1881 l happened to
pick up The Undiscovered Country I
glanced at it first. supposing that 1t was
a scientific work of some sort. read 1t
and became attracted at once. 1t made
an indelible impression on me. Though
it didn't Immediately affect my literary
ideals, it stole insiduously into my
mind. I knew it was the best English I
had ever read, but I wouldn't admit that
then, as was fresh from Hawthorne and
Victor Hugo"
Mr. Garland says his first perception of
a style without exaggeration came with
the opening page of 1.-THE Undiscovered
Country MY first realization of the
power of homely subject came, think,
with reading The Hoosier School Mas
ter I hold Eggleston in much respect
because of his early appreciation of the
value of common things"
Gertrude Franklin Anterior, the
writer is a. native of California ard
some of her early work was well received
and contained elements of great promise.
1.-THE Vengeance of Padre Arroyo was
an exceptionally good story. Since those
early days, however. Mrs. Anterior has
allowed herself fuller scope in what she
claims as delineation of the passion and
genius of California.
In "a Whirlwind Asunder" the tropi-
cal grandeur, warmth of color and seduc-
tive beauty of the far west is but feebly
realized in the passionate vehemence
and impetuousness of Helena Belmont"
and as the reader finishes the thin, mea-
gre recountal, called story, he cannot
help exclaiming: 'If Miss Belmont Is
the typical or ideal California girl it Is
to be hoped that the propagation may
reach a swift and untimely end"
PAUL PRY.