The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-08


not have been better if it had been spe-
clally prepared for this crisis. The &C
count OF the present condition Of the coGn-
try is full. interesting and dispassicnate;
the report OF the concessions to the pow
ers and their relative claims and priVi-
leges admirable. One sets comprehsn-
sive view Of the whole situation. There Is
host OF people who want such BOOK
as this
Book News" for July has frontispiece
Of Robert Nelson Stephens, author and
playwright, with a biographical sketch OF
his life.
The late Stephen Cranes book. 1.-The
Red Badge of Courage" is to be published
Immediately by ID. Appleton q Co. in
new edition. with a portrait and bio
graphical sketch.
1.-The Girl at the Half way House" is the
title of Mt. E. Hough's novel Of the
plains, to be published by ID. Appleton
& Co.
Laird & Lee announce THE Worlds
Best Proverbs and Short Quotations" for
public speaking, literary work and every
day conversation. a new compilation from
ancient and modern American and foreign
sources, alphabetically arranged by sub
jects. BY George H. Opdyke. NJ. A.
The Critic says:
Mr. Karl Edwin Hartman. OF Ann Harbor,
Mich, who spent several weeks last fall with Mr..
Crane in his English home, scouts the idea that
the story writer contracted tuberculosis in Cuba.
Ills home killed him. writes Mr. Hartman.
'.Tbe old manor house il. which he lived for the
past two years was loaned him by Mr.. Frewen.
the owner and built in the thirteenth century
| of almost porous stone. The chill, damp, and
draughts Of the old house were terrible, believe
me. The floors are OF fagging, with great decep-
tive frepaces and the wind whistled through the
easements every moment of the day and nignt.
Cranes study was in the tower-the dranghtiese
Of ALL. Mr.. Hartman caught severe COLDS every
time he visited the place. Late in April last,
before Mr.. Crane taken down with the III
ness which the immediate caise OF his death,
Mr.. Hartman had long Letter from him In which
he told of his work. "rve finished 5000 words
on romance of Ireand-GeoTge ii time; some
folks call it ripping-but don't know; tell me
what you think Of it when you get your copy
Mr.. Hartman, judging from the way he worked,
thinks that Str Crane must have finished the
story before his death lie would write lO,ooo
or 1000 words at stretch, and then rest for
day or two and go at II again.
When Mr. Harris Dickson was travelling
in the North not long ago he was pre-
scented to charming Young woman who
had heard Of the author OF 1.-THE Black
VOLTS Breed but hal .lot read his novel.
After they had passed the time Of day"
the young lady told the novelist how she
had been given copy Of his book shortly
after its appearance, by a friend who, to
quote her expression, was crazy about IT.
Something in the tone Of her voice must
have betrayed her. for Dickson, with his
most winning smile, replied: You have
heard, I'm sure that you can lead horse
to water, but you can't make him drink"
The young woman was wise enough to
laugh and admit that she had her thirst
still to quench.
Mr.. William Archer has been studying
America, and he likes American slang.
Apropos of Mr.. Ade, Mr.. Dunno, and Mr..
Townsend he says:
plead guilty to an unholy relish for Chimnie's
and Artie's racy metaphors from the music-hal, ]
the poker-table, and the "grip-car.' But it is To
be noted that both these profound students Of
slang. Mr.. Townsend and Mr.. AIDE. like the
creator of the delightful Dooey, express them
selves in pure and excellent English the moment |
they drop the mask Of their parsonage This Is
very Characteristic. Many educated Americans
take delight, and even pride. in keeping abreast
of the daily developments of slang and patter but |
this study does not in the least impair their |
sense for, or their command Of good English. she
idea that the English language is degeneratIng |
in America is an absolutely groundless illusion. |
Take them all around. the newspapers OF the lead
ing cities in America, in their editorial coll |
umns at any rate, at least well written as |
the newspapers Of London; and in magazines and |
books the average level OF literary accomplish |
ments is certainly very high. There are bad and |
vulgar writers on both sides OF the Atlantic; but
until the beams removed from our own eyes, |
may safely trust ihe Americans to attend to |
the notes in theirs
The continuation Of TIL Ribot's article in |
the July issue of the '"Interna 'onal |
Monthly" develops many interesting |
points. Thus in writing of invention. |
which is a product OF the mind, and which |
has been ascribed by some studerts Of
psychology as an instinct SO wonderful |
1t seems, and go unevenly granted to men,
he shows that 1t is but the answering
impulse Of the brain called into action |
by the demands Of nature Every inven-
ton is born Of some special need of hu- |
man nature that acts in It's sphere, and |
for its own peculiar end" So what is |
called the Unconscious factor" comes into
play.
At its beginnings, inspiration attributed |
literally to the gods; among the Greeks, for |
example, TO Apollo and the MUSES.; and this is !
true also of the various polythestic religions. !
After this, to supernatural spirits, angels saints,
etc. In one way or another, the inspiration is |
always regarded as exterior, superior to hui |
man nature. AT the beginning Of all inventions
agriculture, navigation, medicine, commerce,
legislation, the fine arts, etc) the belief in |
revelation Is present; the human mind concludes |
that It is incapable of having created all these |
marvcls. The creation, is supposed burst
forth all at once, one does not know how by |
reason of his ignorance OF the steps that have |
gone before.
Subsequently, these superior beings become |
empty formulas, survvals; there remain /
only the poets who invoke them. and that with |
out believing in them, simply by force OF ira
diton But along with these survivals OF forms
there exists a mysterious ultimate ground, which,
Is commonly explained by vague expressions and
metaphors; enthusiasm poetic frenzy, possession.
the wind bloweth where it lsteth. etc. One has
given up the supernatural without endeavorinS,
however, to offer positive explanation OF the |
phenomena OF inspiration. Finally, in the third |
phase one essays to fathom this unknown. The
psychologist there peculiar manifestation L
o. mind, a singular condition, half conscious,
half unconscious. which must now study.
First q ALL and contemplated under its mega
tive FORM inspiration presents very clearly
defined character; it does not depend upon the l
will of the individual Just for sleep or diges-
ton We may try certain measures for melting, |
favorr,r, prolonging the inspiration; but We do
20. always succeed. Inventors, both great and
small never grow weary in complaining OF those |
periods Of sterility to which they are subjected |
against their will. The more sagacious OF them
await the peculiar moment, while others, less |
wise, struggle against their evil fate. and en-
deavor to create against nature.
Considered under its positive aspect. inspra.
ton has two essential signs; slddenness, imper-
sonaity.
New Books Received.
OVERLAND TO CHINA. BY Archibald R. Col
auhoun New York: Harper L Bros. $500.
BEOt1EATHED. By Beatrice Whi;by. New York: |
Harper Bros. $50
THE MELoON FARM BY Maria Louise Pool New |
York: Harper & Bros. $50.