The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-16
SOME LITERARY CHAT.

Critics are beginning to say that Ste
phen Phillips promises to take rank in
English dramatic literature analogous TO
that of NJ. Rostand in France. This is
high praise, but there are indications that
IL is not altogether unmerited.
Mr.. Phillips says of his latest drama,
'Herod," that 1t is IAN attempt to paint
in dramatic verse, with an eastern back
ground, the most tremendous love
story in the world" Mr.. Phillips
knows what love story is, for he has
already put into the form of drama
that most tender and pathetic story of
Paolo and Francesca. ''Herod." how
ever. gives opportunity for splendor
and oriental magnficence and display OF
elemental passions, powerful. refined and
at the same time not far removed from
the barbaric, which asserts itself eventu-
ally with almost savage violence.
Mr.. Phillips 'Herod" is not simply the
wicked king of the Jews as known to
Christians He Is man of intelligence
as well as power. and brings his kingdom
to high degree of luxurious culture. He
is hated by his own people, the Jews, be-
cause he appreciates the art of other ma
tons and delights in craven images.
which to them are an abomination. The
grandeur and magnificence of the play
saves it from leaving a gloomy and de-
pressing effect.
Mr.. Phillips is said to be very modest,
| den popularity. He came into public no.
tice in 1897, when he received the prize
offered by the London academy for the
best volume of poems produced that year
His work gives evidence of earnestness
and sincerity and a true feeling for art.
1t Is hoped, however, that his enthusiasts
| tic admirers will not damn him with
overpraise.' injuring the character OF his
work or, what is almost equally bad, de-
preciating its worth by over-estimating
its value.
Robert Buchanan is on his deathbed
His right side is completely paralyzed and
the physicians offer no hope of recovery
Mr.. Buchanan was versatile writer As
early as 1861 he collaborated with the late
Charles M. c. Gibbons in the production
OF play, and his earlier works were
chiefly in verse. In 1876 he commenced
novel writing and met with far more
than ordinary degree of appreciation As
poet, as novelist playwright and essayist
he won distinction, and a volume of rem
iniscences which he was about to publish
VIII doubtless contain much that is OF in
terest to the literary world.
Mr.. Buchanan understood also the gem
tie art OF making enemies. From Danto
Gabriel Rossetti to Richard LIE Gallienne
he proved himself a good fighter. On the
other hand. he was loyal to his friends
warm-hearted and genial. He inclined
to agnosticism and one of his best known
novels, Rev. Annabel Lee" was written
TO show that, II all religions were de-
stroyed and perfect material prosperity
arrived at, human nature would reach
stagnation, not perfection The book
deals with the twenty-frst century. with
healthy race of men and women where
poverty, disease and crime are unknown.
Each one knows and heeds the laws OF
life and each is bent on the pursuit of So
cial happiness-the happiness OF all A
woman destroys this Eden. She becomes
dissatisfied with the. existing order and
wishes to lead the race back to a long,
since forgotten Christianity The result,
according TO the story, Is fatal
What is the matter with our poets and
novelists? 1t begins to look as II HelIcon
Parnassus ana Castaly were all out OF
date as sources OF inspiration and as IL
the corner saloon were the modern SUBJ
stitute for these far-famed resorts Only
a short time ago Paul Laurence Dunbar
lost his diamond ring, his gold watch and
other valuable trinkets while drugxed In
a saloon, and now comes Col Richard
Henry Savage. novelist, West Point grad
uate, civil war hero, LAWYER scientist "a
man experienced IN the wild life OF Ne
yada, and as United States consul know
ing the refined life at Marseilles and at
Rome. He comes with a lawsuit against
with ss.2s5 damages.
The unsophstieated colonel alleges that
he was injured TO that extent by ''knock
out drops" given him in saloon: tina,
after drinking bottle OF Champagne
there ne became unconscious and was
then robbed OF money and yalunblea
In these times OF prosperity when noets
can wear diamonds anc AN ordinary nov
elist carries 1850 around with him slmnlv
as small change. II behooves them TO turn
70 me ancient founts Of inspiration" and
let the saloons alone. Somehow Chicago
poets and writers are more Fortunate
than the literau of New York. Whether
II Is that the diamonds and dollars are
lacking or that our eaioonkaepers are
more honest or that our wielders Of the
p .s rely on LAKE Michigan and not on
KNOW, but the fact remains that Chicago
poets ana noFeissts are neither drugged