The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-12

Mr.. ]. NJ Stoddard. the well-known edi-
tor, who has been living in New York for
the past few years, has returned 10 Phila-
delphia to reassume the editorial charge OF
Lippincott's Magazine.
Nine. Sarah Grand is just finishing new
novel. which will probably be brought out in
the autumn. 1t will appear in serial form
before being printed in a book This viii be
the authors first experience in publishing
her work in such manner
In writing to feminine ''soul-searching
member of some local Ruskin society Mr..
Ruskin once observed: ITO answer your
main question about having a right TO be
happy, IL IS not only everybodys right but
duty, TO be so. Only TO choose the best sort
or happiness. And the best sorts are not
TO be had cheap"
Here is an item that may be OF great lit
erary interest towards the end of the next
century. 1t is of passing interest now:
Aubrey and Lionel Tennyson, eight and ten
years of age, and grandSons of the late poet
laureate, have obtained a prize and an hon,
rable mention respectively for poetical
compositions in contest started by an Eng
lish childrens magazine.
The English society of authors, under the
prodding Of Sir Walter Besant, is turning
at bay in open defiance of the oppressive
publisher. One of the bills drafted at the
meeting held during the past week provides
that authors whose manuscripts nave been
accepted snail be regarded as preferential
creditors in the event OF a Suspension of the
periodical. The theory is that the accept
ance of the manuscript is a contract, and
that the claim holds. even if the article is
not printed before the failure of the maya
zine. In England Ii is the universal rule
to pay on publication. and the suspension
of periodical brings much loss TO its con-
tributors.
Andrew Lang, writing in Longman's
rDr.. -
method of writing as peculiar. He thought
out all his characters, story and conversa-
ton for months before putting pen to paper.
Then the book was done-he had only to
copy it out. Others tell me that they men,
tally see situation, sit down, draw Ii in
words and let the rest develop out of IL.
Any method is good If the results are good;
the latter plan involves a good deal of re-
writing, L fancy. Mr. Blacks mote" was to
bring the eye of painter Of the last Scot
fish school but one TO nature, and use words
instead of pigments. The landscape is
kind, manly and successful life, and proved
great benefactor mortalibus aegris. We
have all heard of the old lady who sent from
her deathbed TO ask how one of his stories
was TO end.
Rudyard Kipling may now be expected TO
write a book with a trained nurse as its
heroine, or one of its leading figures if one
of the stories told about his illness is true.
When Mr.. Kipling first became i'll and his
condition had not taken a serious turn, he
amused himself constantly by questioning
the trained nurse about her profession. He
seemed never to weary of what she told
him about its responsibilities and variety.
His conversations with her on this subject
put him into possession of all the informa-
ton concerning the case, and he can now
write a story about the profession IL he
cares to. The young woman attending him
was engaged in nursing the greatest story
teller in the world. But IL was the nurse
who was called upon to tell of her profess
sion for his entertainment and, presumably,
for the profit of him and the public If he
puts his information into a story.
When it comes 10 prices, says the Spring
field Republican, the mere men of letters
who only know how TO write, are hopelessly
distanced nowadays by the men of action.
Naval Constructor Hobson received 5000
for his articles on the sinking of the Merri
mac, published in the Century, and the
profits of his hook are yet TO be counted.
He could we'll afford TO decline $1,000 for
lecture tour. Admiral Dewey, according to
the London Academy, declined 5000 Of
fered for single magazine article on the
Philippines, with the curt reply, Thanks,
when offered $4,000 for anything in the
shape of a book with his signed to
it, replied: mo, thank you. j shall remain
a soldier" Ii must be said that none of our
warriors, however they may emulate the
military fame of Julius Caesar, have yet
shown signs of possessing his literary gifts
always excepting Gen. L. 5. Grant