The times., 1898-07-03
LITERARY NOTES.

Carroll" were sold at auction in Oxford
last month Among the articles sold
were the authors watch, shaving mate
rials, table linen, walking sticks and UNI
brellas. The library contained many val
uable4 first editions, and the authors
proof copy of Alice in Wonderland"
which has manuscript poem on the fly
leaf, was sold for ESQ. A first edition of
''Sordello" went for 60, and first edi-
ton of Keats "Endymion" brought 93.
Many Of the lots were bought by under
graduates. The sale was attended by
dealers from all parts of the country.
One of the correspondents of The Book
man has written to the editor of that
publica tion to inquire what should be
considered the most humorous incident
connected with the war with Spain. This
is subject worth consideration and cor
respondence. Opinions are freely invited.
James Lane Allen is said to be at work
on a Kentucky novel, which he says will
combine the hunor of "A kentucky Card
inal," the philosophic frankness of Sum
mer in Already" and the spiritual serious
ness of The Choir Invisible" 1t will be
twice as long as any other work which
Mr.. Allen has attempted. and he says
that he considers it7the first novel of his
life, and that ii will appear in print only
when he is satisfied with it.
I'VE Ten: or, The Story of the Roses"
by Barbara Yechton, was one of the best
of the books for young people published in
1896 The author is now writing sequel
to the story, which will be issued by Dodd,
Mead & Co.
A limited edition of THE Nature Poems
lished, and Mr. w. Hyde, who did the IL
lustrations, has also made a series of
drawings, called London Impressions"
which viii be published in September by
the Messrs. Constable
Mr.. s. Eevett Yeats, author OF "The
Honor of Savelli," has just completed a
new story called "A Maid of Honor"
which viii appear serialIy in the Graphic
and viii then be published in book FORM
Two new novels by George W. Gable
are expected to appear before very long.
One is called 'fThe Entomologist' and the
scene is laid in New Orleans during the
great epidemic Of 1875 This story is in
the hands of Scribner's Magazine. The
other is not yet finished and the novelist
is at work on it in the intervals of being
Honized in London. II is based on his
experience as cavalry soldier during the
civil war.
One of the anecdotes recounted by I.
Zangwill al a Booksellers Dinner lately
given in London was of lady who once
told him that she had read one of his
books six times, whereuDon he replied
that ne would much rather hear that she
had bought six copies
The latest bit OF gossip about LIE Cal
Nenne Romance of Zion Chapel is 10
the effect that the original Theophilus
Londonderry was well-known Congre-
gat.onal minister Of Manchester. who was
formerly = sch0olfellow OF Mr.. lie Gal
Eenne
The Bookman- for July contains one
page Of most thoroughly original and
remarkable work. 1t can hardly be called
verse, II is certainly not prose- and il is
headed simply Lines" and signed Paul
kester." Many people viii remember
Mr.. hesteTs fine work in Tales OF the
Real Gypsy" and in the play What
Dreams May Come" written by him for
MADAME Janauschek; but this bit of
writing is in some respects still finer.
There Is quaint sort Of rhythm in it
and wonderful depth and simplicity OF
thought. The Bookman has made find.
Quo Vadis" has almost disappeared
from the lists of best selling books"
II IS no longer at the head of the favor
ite half-dozen. and in several cities il
does not appsar. at all. The leading hon
-ors seem ito be divided between Caleb
West" THE Girl at Cobhurst," and
Marching with Gomez" For some
reason or other, Cincinnati has the
unique distinction of placing at the head
OF its list Infantry Drill Regulations
of the United States Army" Hichens' Gu
rious book, The Londoners." has found
favor only in Boston. In nearly all the
Southern cities Simon Dale is holding
its own, and in Atlanta THE Prisoner
of Zenda" is still bought. Chicago has
given attention TO THE Law of Psychic
Phenomena" which stands fourth on its
list. Folks from Dixie appears among
the fayorites in Chicago. Albany and
San Francisco, while THE Pride of Jen-
nico"- is anew fayorite, which appears
on several lists. There seems to be some
thing erratic which determines the first
sale of book in any particular locality
part Of this eccentricity of popular
taste Is. doubtless due to the fact that
many people read new books who never
buy any books at all. They borrow. BY
and by they pick out the book they have
read and like, and give 1t 10 some one as
a present. Thus the true popularity of
a DOOh Is ueleIIllHeu Dy age anu the cir
culating libraries. ss
One of the juicy bits of gossip in a re-
cent number of The Critic is to the effect
that Mrs. Kendall has said that she never
reads a newspaper, never allows her serv-
ants TO read one has never shaken hands
with anyone connected with the press,
and is not going TO imperil her hopes of
future salvation by doing So There is
some queer work here somewhere, but
The Cantab is said to be responsible for
the yarn.
The new volume of Scribner's Magazine
will contain series of musical impress
sions from the letters of the late Sidney
Lanier.
The first edition of Richard Harding
Davis new novel, "The Kings Jackal,"
was exhausted before it left the press.
In Congressional Committees DR.. Lau-
ros G. McConachle has given us study
of the origin and the development Of our
national and local legislative methods.