The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-25
LITERARY GOSSIP.

lllthAhr dUSolr.
O little town of Bethleheml
How still we see thee lie:
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by:
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
Bishop Phillips Bro ks.
Tho admirers OF Margaret Deland Will
be pleased to know that collection of
Der short stories under the title odd
Cluster Tales" is just from the press.
These have been published serially dur
ing the year. and are now issued in book
form. They are character sketches or
as Jerome X Jerome would say 'chaf-
acter scopes" The quaint old charac-
tiers make one think OF Crawford. This
seems to be an age Of REVEALS and
Crawford" by Mrs. GaslSell has taken a
new lease on life a beautiful new edi-
ton has just been brought out.
1.-THE Modern Marriage Market IS an
nounced. II seems to be Il bit of patch
work by Marie Coreil Lady Jeune. Susan
Countess Of Maimsbury) and Mrs. Flora
Annie steel.
One OF the most important Of the new
books Is THE Life OF Henry DrummOnd'
by George Adam Smith This is tho au-
thorize6 biography Of the author of ma
turaI Law in the Spiritual World" and
The Greatest Thing in the World" The
work includes many unpublished letters,
journals OF travel, and new series Of
addresses to young mon. Henry Drum
mond's writings influenced millions OF
persons all over the world. yet Henry
Drummond the man. is almost unknown
10 the world at large. owing to his quiet
modesty and reticence: so that Mr.
Smiths sympathetic narrative comes as a
revelation even to the warmest admirers
Of his books.
Along the revival line comes the newly
discovered letters of Charles Lamb, Sam
mel Taylor Coleridge and the Lloyds
The letters are published under the title
Charles Lamb and the Lloyds." Speak
ing Of Charles Lamb brings to mind Pope.
who died just before Lamb was born.
and the following anecdote:
Alexander Pope. the poet. was a dimi-
nutive hunch- back, who had himself
dressed by a servant every morning. lie
was well known for his testiness and III
temper whenever he was crossed and
occasion. some gentlemen at a London
coneo-house were examining a Greek
manuscript. and found a sentence which
more Of them could translate Presently
a young officer. who was standing by,
asl-ed the privilege of examining the
manuscript. Pope was angry at the youth
who asked 10 see a sentence which the
trar slator of Homer had failed to con-
strue; so he said. in his most satfrical
tone: 80, yes: let the young gentleman
see the manuscript" The officer took no
apparent notice of Pope's testiness but,
upon examining the sentence, he saw
and pointed out that an Interrogation
mark introduced at certain point would
make the sentence perfectly Ineligible
The gentlemen all saw this. after it was
pointed out. Pope was furious and, turn
ing to the youth, asked. I'm the most con-
temptuous tone: And pray. sir. what is
an interrogation mark2" Looking down
upon the bent form before him. the
young man reioined: An Interrogation
mark is a little, crooked thing that asks
quest ions"
THE Mormon Prophet is the title Of
new novel by Miss Dougall. As the name
indicates the leading character is Jo-
seph Smith. the founder Of the sect OF
the Latter Day Saints
Crawford's book ave Roma Immortal
lis" is growing in popularity, as Il is
discovered that Roma" makes an ex-
cellent guide book for the authors Itai-
ian novels II will be found that Ave
Roma Immortals' with its ages of ro-
nance. while historical work in its main
features. contains suggestions and ma
terial for many such novels as the SARA
cinesca" series.
A dramatic version OF George Mere
dith's "The Egotst" VIII shortly make
it's appearance in London written by the
author.
Some critics says that Il IS impossible
TO take up a literary article and not find
some notice of Kipling, SO here's mention
Of recent compliment TO him, during
the trip he made on board the English
flagship Majestic during her cruise In the
Channel. by request" Mr.. Kiplng read
his Soldier and Sailor Too" and then
In their enthusiasm some dozen young
subalterns hoisted the poet on their
shoulders and marched him along I'm tri-
umph. and then the bands on shipboard
al burst out with Hes a Jolly Good Eel
ow." IL was the sincerest compliment an
author ever received.
A few of the books that have been
called for within the last month almost
beyond supply are Ruyyard KiplIng's
The Days Work" which IS I'm its for
tieth thousand Miss Gertrude Halls
ranSls, lca OF Edmond Rostand's ICY
roma de Bergerac." twentieth thousand;
Bird Neighbors," by Neltje Blanchan.
tenth thousand; THE People of Our
by Mary +. wilkins. fif-
zenith thousand; Alfred Oilivants bob
Son Of Battle" seventh thousand. Sec
md editions are reported for The Name
ess Castle by Maurus Jokai; Songs OF
Action" by a. Conan Doyle; "A Gunner
aboard the Yankee" introduction by
Rear Admiral Sampson: and What Shall
Dur Boys Do for Living2' by Charles
:. Wingate.