Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-09

declares II 10 be an addition to the per-
manent literature OF romance, II is In
terestin- TO so back TO the beginnings
Of the literary effort that has produced
two such remarkable romances as ITO
Have and To Hold" and prisoners OF
Hope" In 1899 the Johnstons removed
to New York city. which they made
their home for several years. In the
following year Miss Johnston's health,
always delicate. failed 80 that she be-
came for a time practically an inyllid.
Forced to lie quietly and 70 give up all
active effort. she could stlll read and
study, and at length she began TO write
a little for her own amusement. A year
or two later housekeeping was given
up on account Of Miss Johston's con-
tinung IN health. and apartments wers
taken IN one Of the big apartment
houses overlooking Central Park. Here
she began Prisoners Of Hope" Work
upon it was finished after two years Of
effort more or less interrupted by sea-
sons ~ IN health and published with
eminent success for the first work OF
an unknown author. So well was the
romance received that Miss Johnston
determined TO make literature a serious
pursuit That she was justified in so
doing has been ahundantly attested by
the iudiCiOus praise which has been
bestowed upon TO Have and To Hold
In most discerning quarters, as we'll as
by the immense popularity the book has
achieved 80 Immediately upon It's publ
cation.--sold by George @. Cannon &
Sons
The fact that Richard lie Galllienne's
George Meredith: Some Character
istics," has now reachd fifth edition.
may be taken as practical evidence that
Il has found a market. Yet one lays II
aside in some wonder as 10 the particu-
lar purpose II was intended 20 subserve
beyond the all-importaht one OF re-
cording Mr.. lie Gallienne's Impressions
about something or somebody. And
as Mr. lie Galnenne's personal views
are really OF no special significance
save to himself and his friends, the in
terest which the larger reading public
has shown in his criticisms must be
accounted somewhat OF O mystery.
The volume IS indeed one which Illus
trates more forcibly than any argument
the curiously bookish tendencies Of our
modern literature. Here are MIR Mere
diths novels and poems. They might
be allowed 20 speak for themselves.
Those who consider them the greatest
things OF the time In the language have
a right 10 their opinion; those who do
not like them are at liberty TO leave
them alone. II critics, under such cir
cumstances feel inspired 10 pass judg-
ment upon them. surely a magazine
article would suffice. But Mr. lie Galli-
enne must needs turn his microscope
upon them. and tell the world what he
thinks about them-and, incidentally,
what a low opinion he has OF every
body who does not agree. with HMM
a couple Of hundred pages. To COM
plete the absurdlty we should now have
some other highly self-consclous young
man to write a book or an article for
muating the views OF Mr.. lie Galll--
enne's views OF Meredith. The most
useful part OF the volume Is 70 be found
In the appended photography by John
Lane.
What has been said above may be
taken In general 10 apply TO the same
writer's Just published "Rudyard Kip
ling; a Criticism" II should be added.
however. that this Is distinctly the bet
ter book Of the tWO-the more manly,
the stronger. the more suggestive. In
the chapter on Kipings significance
and influence Mr. lie Gallienne writes,
indeed with real grasp and earncstness
and scores some excellent points. He
does not hesitate TO show up KiplIng's
coarseness and brutality In their true
light, and when he says that perhaps
no one ever wrote 50 pr0fanely of death
or with such heartless vulgarity,' his
criticism goes straight home 10 the
heart. Summing up he goes even so
far as 10 declare that In Kipling pro-
gresslve thought IN England has the
most dangerous influence Il has met
against Il far many years. "Of all
that our best poets, philosophers and
social economists have been working
for he IA directly or indirectly a pow
crful enemy As
writer AIR. Klpllng Is delight as an
influence he Is a danger. OF course. the
clock OF time Is not Ia be set back by
gifts ten times as great az Mr. Kip
hng's. The great world movement viii
still go on, But there
are influences that speed II along and
others that retard a. II Is TO be regret
ted that Mr. Klpllng's influence should !
be one OF those that retard."
AT the Sign OF the Harp" Is the title |
OF a small and dainty hook Of verse and !