Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15

| may have become and debased ~ un-
| bridled indulgence. 1t would DO unJus. "
say that the CLEAN OF what ID sooo .n
nura was a mere literary accomplishment
ana not the prompting Of deep feehns
and a better nature Such CLEANS VIII
remain as the triumphs. even temporary
| ly, Of good over evil.
AGED JULES VERNE.
Jules Verne, in his personal appearance.
does not fulfil the popular idea OF
great author. Rather does he give one
the impression of being a cultured coun-
try gentleman. and this. Notwithstanding
the fact that he always dresses In the
sombre black affected by most French
men belonging to the professional classes.
His coat Is decorated with the tiny red
button denoting that the wearer possesses
the high distinction Of being an ohicer
of the Legion of Honor. AS he sits talk
ing he does not look his Is years. and.
indeed. appears but little changed since
the large portrait, hanging opposite that
of his wife, was painted some twenty-odd
years ago.
81 cannot see," he said. good-naturedly,
what interest the public can find In
such things; but I will initiate you into
the secrets Of my literary kitchen. though
do not know that / would recommend
anybody else to proceed on the same plan;
for always think that each OF US works
on his own or her own way, and instinct
lively knows what method is best. Well.
/ start by making a draught Of what is
going to be my new story. l never begin
a book without knowing what the be-
ginning, the middle, and the end will be.
Hitherto ] have always been fortunate
enough to have not one, but half dozen,
definite schemes floating in my mind. IL
ever find myself hard up for a subject,
shall consider that IL Is time for me
to give up work. After having completed
my preliminary draught, draw up plan
of the chapters, and then begin the actual
writing Of the first rough copy in pencil,
leaving half-page margin for corrections
and lamentations. then read the whole.
and go over all have already done in ink.
l consider that my real labor begins
with my first set of proofs, for not only
correct something in every sentence. but
1 rewrite whole chapters ] do not seem
to have a grip on my subject till / see
my work in print; fortunately, my kind
publisher allows me every latitude as re-
CARDS corrections, and / often have as
many as eight or nine revises. / envy,
but do not attempt to emulate, the ex-
ample of those who. from the time they
write chapter l. to the word finis, never
see reason to alter or add single word"
SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHY.
It is a strange confession that Beatrice
Harraden makes regarding the weird title
of her book, ships That Pass in the
Night" She was considering the best
| name to give her work when, without
| any thought regarding its applicability
| TO the subject of the work, she wrote on
| a slip Of paper the title, "Ships That Pass
in the Night" She sent the title to the
| publishers with the suggestion that, as no
| other occurred to her at the moment,
| II be used 'for the present, just for the
sake of calling the bookisomething" Since
the book became popular. Miss Harraden
has been overwhelmed with inquiries as
| to the meaning of the title, but can only
answer helplessly to all inquiries that she
| doesn't know why the book should be so
| called. except that when she came to one
| or the last chapters of the first part of
| the book, where the melting of the snow
had begun, and the guests Of Petershof
were speeding on their own way, each in
utter disregard of any one else, certain
words that had been in her mind since
childhood swept across by remembrance,
and prompted her to call the chapter,
Ships That Speak Each Other in Pass
Ing" This was the real origin Of the
| puzzling title.
Concerning the way in which she wrote
the famous book, Miss Harraden SAYS:
Il had been resting at a mountain health
resort called Petershof, from which much
Of the material of the book is taken. I
had written little before this, but l was
quite out Of practice and out of touch.
and 1t seemed impossible to me that |
should ever manage to set down six con-
secutive words. 1 felt entirely bereft of
ideas and inclination and enthusiasm:
and, moreover, my hand, which for some
time had been entirely useless, was still
a very troublesome member, often tickle
and uncomfortable. But this did not fret
me so much as the bereftness: IL was
that which made me feel that IL was folly
TO waste the time and energy on attempts
which were foregone failures. l should
never have gone on with my task bur for
the tender solicitude of the friends 10
whom the little book was dedicated. II
was written chiefly in their home, and /
count 1t my greatest pleasure in remem-
Dering how deep an interest they took in
every sentence, and how gratified they
were when / seemed TO be less dissatisfied
than usual with my mornings efforts.
THE OUTCOME OF VAGUE IDEAS.
When L began my work again, I had
no idea of inventng a story about
Petershof; but as / bent lazily over the
blank sheet Of paper, memories of the
hurndus came croWding over me, and
much to my own astonishment, the first
chapter contrived itself But that did
not help me greatly, for I could not think
what TO make out of the characters which
L had thus casually introduced on the
scene; but Went on in a dull kind of way
not knowing from one sentence TO another
What L was going to say next And. in
deed. 1t was not until / arrived at the
thirteenth chapter that / felt was begin
ming to take hold of my people and 10
FORM some vague idea Of what might nos
sibly be done with them. But for all that
1t was very vague idea; and, indeed. the
dimness of purpose pursued me TO the
last word Of the book. The great draw
back was that l could not use nv hand
FOR more than quarter of an hour or 50
al a time; and on account OF this
hindrance my work seemed TO be greatly
disconnected, done In such snatches and
without the advantage Of continuous an.
plication. But, with the exception of 2
word here and there / made no altera.
tons, and the pages stand Just as | origi.
nally wrote them.
The second chapter in the first part
containing a few details about NV he.
roine's life previous to her departure fol
Petershof, was written last OF all anC
gave me some trouble. knew. of course
that should have TO account for Berna.
dimes existence. and refer. however
briefly. 10 the surroundings; but l pu
this off TO the end, Sinking the difficulty
until / was obliged TO turn and face IL
In reading novels have always felt irri
tated when the author gives q lop,r opf