The age-herald., 1898-03-13

A good deal of fun is being made of a new London journal called "The Quill Driver" in which every book review is written by tho author of the book himself. This Is not a bad idea, for then no one can say of any of its review that the re- viewer has never read the book.
 One of the most delightful books Ian Mac laren ever wrote Is a little volume entitled "The Upper Room" which is in it's fiftieth thousand Dr. Watson has written another book similar in it's religious tone, which will be published about Easter, entitled 'erhe Companions Of the Sorrowful Way"
 The arrival of MT. and Mrs Richard Le Galienne in this country has created no small amount of interest and gossip. They will remain in this country possibly six months. Major Pond is arranging lec- ture course for the latest singer of the Rubaiyat, and in the meantime John Lane is publishing his new novel, 'The Romance of Zion Chapel
 Mir. Joseph Conrad's new story published within the last few weeks in England, is doing very well there, in spite of it's un- gainly title. "The Nigger of the Narcis- sus'' means nothing to the average mind Mr. Conrad, it is understood is delighted with the title given to the American edition. namely, '"The Children of the Sea" MT. Conrad was stoulty recommended for the Academy prize.
 In a London letter of a recent review is found the following: "One pleasant feat ure of the year has been the popularity of certain American novels. American au- thors seemed to be sinking out of sight in England, but last year MT. James Lame Allen, MT. Richard Harding Davis. and one or two others achieved subr tantial success here. The books of Mr. Hamln Garland, I am glad to say, receive d some recognition, although 1t might have been more. Perhaps '"The Choir Invisible" was the most popular of these volumes, al- though many good critics were enthusiastic over Miss Wilken's Jerome"
 Every little while plan is proposed and discussed in London for an English acad@- my founded on the manner Of the Frenca academy But still the English powers are towing with the matter and nothing defi- mite has been reached. Recently, a we'll known critical journal, the London Acade- my unanimously elected itself to the posi- ton of mentor and offered prize or one hundred guineas to the book Of signai merit published in the year 1sS and a prize of fifty guineas for the next best hook. It was quite a daring thing to do on the part of the Academy people, And now for the result. The first prize was given to Stephen Phillips for his volume or poems The second prize was awarded to MT. W. D. Henley for his Essay on the Life, Genius and Achievement of Burns. " The Academy remarks: ''It is not likely that the choice will please every one, but the most patient consideration of the whole matter convinces us that we have done we'll" MT Stephen Phillips will be re- membered as the author of "Christ in Hades," and is a descendant of Wads- worth.
 Lillian Bell, a Chicago novelist of some thirty years of age, has steadily increased in fame recently and is rapidly proving herself to be an author of no mean merit. Her early work "The Love Affairs of an Old Maid" had wide sale and is con- sidered a most estmable work. 1.-The