New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-11
Gbe Nem'llork gribnare,
ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT-.
SUNDAY, MARCH II, 1900.
ATED SUPPLEMENT.

Mr. Justin Mccarthy writes compassionately
III The North American Review" about certain
folk whom he describes as disappearing
Authors He means the authors 'who are not
disparaged moderated by any school of
critics, or, indeed by criticism of any kind, but
who undoubtedly very popular at one
time, and whose popularity is now unmistak
ably fading" Mr. Mccarthy is delightfully."-
readable this promising theme, but we
venture to doubt the necessity for his solicitude
to more than of the authors he cites
Take, for example. Charles Reade. Some one
whom Mr.. Mccarthy assures us is a good au-
tn0rity. has stated that The Cloister and the
Hearth would have Il poor chance of large
circulation in cheap form just now. Suppose
this be granted. Does it really point to the
disappearance" of Charles Reade? Abiding
to TrOllOpe, whose works contain many adj
mrable studies of English character, Mr.. Nc
earthly observes that several years before the
novelist'S death his prices were falling Off and
adds: Now seldom hears him talked of;
one hardly ever hears citation from him in
Il newspaper or a magazine" There, fear,
lies the secret of Mr.. McCarthy's miSapprehen-
sion. He forgets that the periodical literature
OF the day is by the very nature of things
obliged to give prominence to contemporary
writers. And even if this were not the case it
does not follow that The Coister and the
Hearth and white Lies" or "Barchester
Towers and The Last Chronicle of BarSet"
have "disappeared' because they not con-
stantly mentioned in print. Some one. Mr..
Mccarthy may be sure is always reading Troll
lope and Reade, to mention no others. And
some one, believe, will always be reading
them.
f.Nrri,. fait ala
tradition that the reviewer of books is born
an enemy to the human race, a baleful creature
three-fourths ignorance and one-fourth malice
lights with glee upon the confession of one of
the craft that he is bored by seeing the same
name too frequently on the title pages of books
The cynic asks ironically if it is true then that
reviewers are influenced by names? He has his
remedy. Judges at shows he writes to The
Academy, are, or We're, supposed to be in
ignorance of the contents of the catalogue until
the awards were complete. Why not hand over
books to reviewers with no clew to author or
publisher beyond a sealed envelope. not to be
opened until the review is written?" The pro-
poser of this beautiful scheme wrote over the
name of THE LObworm." But of one thing
we are certain, he is not an author The author
is not, as a rule, that kind of man. AS we
have recently had occasion to observe he is
not averse to having his name spread at large
over the title page of a book
Mr.. William Ernest Henley goes merrily on
from bad 10 worse in the matter Of STYLE until
his WardOur Street English has caused even
countrymen Of his to rebel. One of Them
"W. 5. H." rallies him in public on the strange
way III which he writes. The years end was
ever a time for meditation" says Mr. Henley
''Ie gods and little fishes" eXclaims his candid
friend. Fancy Mr.. Henley allowing one Of
his old contributors to mediate in print at the
end Of year. BriXton might mediate but no
Scottish observer" Mr.. Henley looks over the
history Of Keats, comparing him with a certain
other. "Keats-dear Keats he declares You
were reared in a sterner school" The COM
mentator is ruthless. "Henley-dear Henley
so We're you" But the amazing circumstance
IS to come This same Mr.. Henley, the head
md front of Engand's offending in latter day
preciosity and degraded English is actually
capable of writing about "PaOlo and Francesca
IN tins sane fashion a conspiracy of eulogy
does not make a tragedy He (Mr
Phillips has been compared, | hear and com
pared to his advantage, to TennysOn, Milton
Shakespeare; that in all probability he will
go writing sham Shakespearian plays . . e.
pi0usIy wOoing the Muse, and occasionally get
ting her to kiss Meanwhile, despite his euo-
gists-(despite, even, that statement g.