The times., 1899-04-23
LITERARY NOTES.


book reviewer are quaint and perplexing.
An educational work was received by The
Times for review. several weeks ago. ac-
companied by a letter from the author,
who is supposed to be a teacher of promi-
nence On the 1y-leaf of the book was
written For Riview." The letter contained
the following interesting passages:
Nearly all the promenent papers Of the country
endorse me. tSec enclose circuiar.)
1t is great satisfaction TO find that because
OF the interest manifested by the press in this
subject. There is a general demand for change
TO some more rashnal lthis was scratched out
and ''rashional' substituted plan.
1t is needless to say that the specimens
of spelling and construction found in this
letter do not lead the reviewer TO suppose
that the writer is fitted to discourse know
ingly on education.
Lamson, Wolfe & Co. announce for pub
lication in November Washington, the
Soldier" by Gen. Henry B. Darlington. To
be best informed on his theme, General
Darlington made personal surveys OF bat
tiefields, and pursued his researches for
years in the archives at Washington,
London, and Paris, and elsewhere at home
and abroad. But while bringing into. clear
er observation the soldier side of Wash
ington's genius, he has not overlooked or
too much subordinated the human aspects
of the man. The preface states the prin-
ciples OF military science which make the
soldier These are illustrated by the Civil
War and the war with Spain, and by ref
erence to the earliest records of military
history. The opening chapter gives ia
miliar sketch of Washngton's early apti-
tude for success. His career is then fol-
lowed from childhood to the close of the
Revolution, on the eighth anniversary of
the battle of Lexington. The relations of
Lafayette to Washington in the conduct
of the Revolutionary War are also fully
defined.
Among the illustrated books of the
spring prominent place will. be given to
Edgar Allen Poe's "A. Gordon Pym." The
Illustrations are by A. D. Mccormack, and
thoroughly catch the spirit of Poe's writ
ing. This book will be published by the
New Amsterdam Book Company.
"Chiid Rhymes the book of James
Whitcomb Riley, with illustrations by VIII
Vawter, that was published in December,
has reached its twelfth thousand
NJ. Francois Coppee was at work on a
volume of poetry when political events in
terrupted him. AS soon as he can settle
to work again he hopes to complete his
book, which he calls his '.Livre d'Au-
tonne" NJ. Coppee has also two new
plays in prospect. One will deal with the
first Carlist war of 1882 and the other will
show up the conflict between the French
society just created by the new dynasty in
Vienna at the time of Wagram and that
of the old regime.
new romance by William Henry
johnson is entitled king or Knave; Which
Wins?" This is a sequel to the authors
successful romance of the time of Henry Of
Navarro, entitled The Kings Henchman."
Much of its interest centres in the person.
ality of the famous Gabrielle d'Estrees and
the efforts Of Henry of Navarro to obtain
of the throne of France Some
of the most important characters of The
Kings Henchman'' are introduced.
In the May number of the Critic" will
begin the publication of a series of papers
on Thackeray's contributions to Punch"
Although there has been volume of
Thackeray's contributions to that periodi-
cal already printed it does not include any
of the letter-press or illustrations that
have been selected and edited for the
Critic" by Mr.. Frederick s. Dickson, the
well-known Thackerayan. These are vir-
tually unknown, not more than three or
four persons being aware of their exist
ence. Mr.. Dickson is one of these few,
and he gained his knowledge by patient
work and information derived from sources
known only to himself
A new edition of G. H. Lewes' Life Of
of Robespierre" is coming out in London
Henry Irying's production Of Sardou's play
of 'Robespierre" is supposed to be the oc-
casion of the reprint.
Mrs. w. X. Clifford says that when she
sits up to write at night her prevailing
fear Is burglars. She once mentioned this
to Huxley, who replied: When am work
ing at night l not only hear burglars NOV
ing about, but actually see them looking
through the crack of the door at me-"
Johnson Brigham, in the Review of Re-
views" says of the literature of the Mid
die West: 1T will continue TO be- like the
people from whom it emanates, direct
straightforward. and, in the best sense OF
the term, simple. 1t will continue to be
broad. liberal, catholic, free from literary
fads and fancies. free from mere clever
ness, free from dialect as 1t is possible to
be without injustice to the characters pre-
sented, using dialect not as cover for
vulgarity nor as substitute for talent.
but as helper to readers who would
catch the tone as well as the words OF the
characters presented"
A recent review of The Open Question"
the following information as
to the author, Elizabeth Robins: The
father of the author was Ephraim Robins,
founder of the Baptist Theological Sem
mary, in Covington. KY. Edgar Alien Poe
was her relative. Her great grandfather
was Asahel Hussey, the noted boniface of
the Eutaw House, in Baltimore, in another
century. Her mothers lineage descended
from the Calverts, of Maryland Now. Put
nam, as its name suggests. was peopled by
stern immigrants from Connecticut Zanes-
vile is of Southern population. Here were
those antipodean environments that influ-
enced Miss Robins and caused the intro
duction of old slavery views. And the cid
stone house. described as once intended
as a fort against Indian depreciation, the
old ghost pile, still stands in Put
man, venerable with its ninety three years,
and yet today the comfortable abode of en-
attorney. Much Of the antique furniture
that figures in the novel is in possession
of prior owner Before this handsome
and massive old stone building was con-
verted into a dwelling 1t had been the
meeting place Of the Ohio Legislature
when GAINESVILLE was the State capital
and within It's walls the first anti-slavery
convention that assembled west of the
Alleghenies was held. 1t was station
on the Underground Railway, and Mrs.
Gano" secreted many a fugitive slave be-
meath its floors.
The first announcement of a guide to
the Paris Exposition of 1900 has been made
by William R. jenkins, who will get out
his work next September Its title will
be THE American Cicerone." 1t will be
under the direction of Vicomte
de Keratry, and it is proposed to arrange
the text on new form, the most compre-
hensive possible. One feature will be a
bird's-eye view of the exposition, with