The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-20
LITERARY NOTES.

A curious story is being told concerning the
facts which caused the publication OF one of the
most popular novels OF the day. Some months
ago New York publisher heard that John Uri
Lord, prominent chemist in Cincinnati, had
written rather remarkable story. lie had
no idea, however, of committing it to print. 1t
had been written purely as solace and an
amusement and the manuscript was being bound
to tuck away in his library, where it was to
remain until his death. The publisher, of course
begged permission to see it, On reading it he
Immediately recognized it as a novel of great
force, individuality and interest The author
was unknown, and the risk may at first have
seemed hazardous. The story was called "String.
town on the Pike" and "serialized" in liter.
ary paper. So deep was its effect and so instant
that before the date of its publication in book
form 10000 copies had been sold--a remarkable
feat for an author then almost unknown. A sec.
ond edition was put on the press and sold within
two weeks Of the date Of publication; third
edition was sold in the next week; while the
fourth edition is now selling and fifth is in
preparation (all within one month from the date
of publication. And why Is all ths2 Because the
characters are absolutely alive, absolutely Ameri-
can and truthful to the last degree.
The six octave volumes Of "Appletons' Cyclic.
paedia Of American Biography" completed in
1850, were pronounced by the historian Ban.
croft to be 'the most complete wofk OF its
character ever published" 1t contains nearly
10000 names and about 1000 portraits and other
illustrations. During the past decade many men,
comparatively unknown, have become famous
and General James Grant Wilson, senior editor
and protector Of the original cyclopaedia, has
prepared a new supplementary volume covering
nearly two thousand names OF Americans and
adopted citizens who have attained distinction
in every walk of life during the past twelve
years. Volume VII contains dozen full.page
steel portraits and Ave general illustrations be-
sides several hundred vignettes executed by Gri.
bayedoff. In the new volume will be found COM
pete lists OF the pseudonyms, nck.names, and
sobriquets mentioned in the complete work, as
well as other lists useful for biographical refer
ence. The volume is admirably printed, and
will be welcomed IN every library.
Cyrus Townsend Brady has written the story
Of hero Of the forecastle in "Reuben James,"
the new volume in the Young Heroes Of our
Navy Series, published by d. Appleton and
company. Reuben James, who had a romantic
and most remarkable career In the war with
France and the War Of 1912, illustrates the
work OF "the men behind tho guns" and he
has proved an admirable subject for such pic.
turesque and fascinating writer OF sea tales as
Mr.. Brady has proved himself to be.
"Music. Song and Story Is the descriptive
title Of forthcoming new magazine to be ready
early in December with a holiday issue dated
January 1901 1t will attempt to answer every
demand for home reading and entertainment,
and in addition to the ordinary contents Of an
illustrated literary magazine will provide sixteen
pages Of new sheet music with every issue.
It Is to be published monthly at 10 cents o
copy or u year from n Fifth avenue, N. Y.
Thomas Y. Millsrd. the war correspondent,
whose articles "with the Boer Army" attracted
so much attention in Scribner's last year. is
now in China, and will contribute to the Janu.
ary number Of Scribner's . critical comparison
Of the merits and defects of the various armies
In the field in China His criticism OF the weak.