The age-herald., 1898-07-31

sometimes it happens that a man or a wo- man will get a place only in the third rank on the strength of first good work, and as time goes on they may climb up into the second, and even into the first grade. II would be more absorbing and entertain ing to learn if ay name ever placed up high in grade took a rapid backward movement and found themselves in uncongenial com- pany on the fourth wall? The classes are arranged somewhat within classes, and a certain group is found in whom MT. Stock ton believes, though they are not consid cred ripe enough for an Olympian position on the honor side of the wall
 
 7 It makes ones heart fairly stand still to wonder what Richard Harding Davis would think to find out that he was placed in this uncertain class-eyen if he does split infinitive occasionally. There Is no doubt that MT. Davis takes himself very seriously; but, then, have not his many admirers encouraged him to do SO? The truth of the matter is that MT. Davis would agree to have his work judged by his short stories-his Van Bibber and Gal legher tales and others, that Stockton would more than likely place him high in position of rank. To this MT. Davis evil dently will not agree; he is ambitious of more laurels and in consequence pursues the long story. 'The Soldiers of Fortune was favorably received more, I think, be- cause MT. Davis wrote it than of any in herent merit of the book. But the critical public will not long contain itself on such sentimental lines.
 Near the close of the book. though MT Davis has a good idea in the episode of the American newspaper correspondent. This passage is exceedingly well worked out. For the rest there is not much to say.
 Miss Corelli has hastened to correct the
 Ntt1i in,1xr objectionable title for her next book. Why the report should have been started is hard to conceive, but it has given Miss Corelli a splendid chance to display her ability as an advertiser which she has not been slow to do. But why she should contradict the report in the "agony" column of the Times is the very natural query that is agl- tating the newspapers. The value of the free advertising thus obtained for her forth coming book is very great; and facetious critic remarks that it will no doubt cause many people to read her new book who would not otherwise think of doing so.
 After the naturalism and vlgor of the Van Bibber stories the pale, elusive ghost of romance seems feeble indeed in 1.-The Kings Jackal" and the probability is that Mir Davis will learn in one pointed way at least-that of sales-that he must show more earnestness in his work If he would succeed. "The Kings JackaP is exceedingly thin and watery d1et TOT ~ well stored mind. It will not even pass muster as a piece of summer fiction.
 The men and women are nearly all Gib- son men and women, and somehow one gets the idea that the illustrations were made first, the story written after them; for 1t possesses no possible interest and when "finis'' is reached the reader has to fall back upon his own imagination.
 It is amusing to reflect upon the varying degrees of esteem people hold in regard 10 Miss Corelli. There are those who pride themselves upon the statement that they who are such adoring admirers that they see no weak points in the popular young author and almost shed tears in their de- never read her books; then there are those fense of her. It has been great source of disappointment to such that MISS Cor eli consistently refused to be interviewed Recently however, after her very serious illness, she seems to have reluctantly ad- rnitted a young scribe and talked to hlm upon such a variety of subjects, in so fas- cinating a way, as to have completely charmed him. The writer of the interview says that the "chief reason" which anil mated him was, if possible, to do some thing to negative the extraordinary carl- catures of the "charming novelist, which SD many of my friends on the press have 30 industriously circulated" The inter view is given in the August Strand Maga- zine The entire article is very readable and gives many interesting opinions upon nonular subjects in Miss Corelli's own words. PAUL SHi'