Evening star., 1901-12-07

s4E.. 2 NN@IN N
The enormous production of novels dur
ing the past ten years has brought It's
anxieties to authors as well as its oppor-
tunities and temptations to readers. The
writer's of books were never so hard press
ed for attractive titles. book is known
by it's name far more cOnspicuously than
almost any other commercial commodity
The title stands for a definite personality.
Let the reader. or wOuld-be reader, forget
the title and the identity is gone. so far as
the carrying forth of reputation is con-
ceTned That new novel of Mr.. Blank
will not serve as a designation, for Mr.
Blank has perhaps the feverish facility of
the time which permits him to turn off half
a dozen stories in the course of a season.
The chief desire of the writer. seconded
heartily by the publisher, is TO find title
as brief as possible-one word. if may be
and thus condense the information which is
to aid in the spreading of the book tame
into the smallest possible compass. Motto
and adage titles have their vogue, but theN
soon exhaust the easy pOSSlollltlcS IL ti't
Whole world of bOOk-writerS follow the
style Undoubtedly much of the popularity
of ITO Have and to Hold arose from the
force of its title. The names of heroes and
heroines are not especially forceful In
themselves, serving mainly for purposes OF
Identification Novels have come out of
late in some number which have made their
bids for popularity on the strength of the
romance of the sword that word appear
ing frequently in the titles. Likewise the
vogue Of q certain story which doubtless
acquired its reputation at first largely in
consequence of the lack of an authors
name, has given rise to the latest fashion in
titles. with Elizabeth figuring in one
guise or another on the covers. Just what
the next style will be no one can tell, un-
less it be the shrewd interpreter of public
tastes who makes good use Of his pres
cierce to dub his next new book with
name calculated TO draw readers of its own
attractive force
The pocket edition has returned to the
market, after some years of comparative
neglect. The rapid influx of books of late
has undoubtedly led people into reading
habits which demand satisfaction even i'll
the hurry of the busy life. The pocket
edition appeals directly to the man who mas
little time to spare from his routine save in
his travels. In crowded cities it is eSpe-
cially useful. Slipped into coat. it does
not hamper the movements in the struggle
for seats or straps in public cOnveyances.
There are some readers who prefer books
TO newspapers. for reasons best known to
themselves, as mental pabulum under these
strenuous circumstances. The pocket edi-
ton. therefore, finds its field steadily
Iarging as people grow accustomed to the
thought of gathering wisdom refresh
ment in the very vortex of the great whirl-
pool of metropolitan life.
William Dean HoweIls recently declared,
in response to a question. that women were
undoubtedly the better interpreters of
feminine character in fiction, proceeding
TO differentiate between the capacities of
the sexes for this particular line of deln-
cation Men. he said, were capable of
mastery portrayal of the more obvious pc
culiarities of women characters. while Wo-
men authors We're more deft in the presen-
tatiOn of the subtler points and traits which
are likely to elude the grasp of the male
writer He fnStanced the work of George
Eliot, Mrs. Ward and Mary E. Wilkins as
the emphatic proof of his thesis. even as
against so renowned a craftsman in this
line as Henry James.
1t is a great thing for a small town to be
identified with a popular novel. A bit of
fiction may indeed prove Of more value to
a struggling communicate of the right
sOrt-than all the boomers in business could
possibly be. Thus, the successful story
of the late Maurice Thompson, Alice of
Old Vincennes," has brought considerable
profit to the Indiana town of that name
So marked has been the increase in public
interest in Vincennes that veritable traf-
nc in Information as to its past and pres
ent has sprung up, the editors of the local
newspapers undertaking cheerfuIly TO an
swer all questions. 1t is reported even that
eXcursiOnists are dropping off trains to
look over the ground. There is hint here
Tor the writer of rOmanCes. If he can make
the proper arrangements with the leading
citizens of ambitious small community
with history he may strike a paying
lead This is the day of combinations.
Miss Bertha Runkle appears to be an
exception TO the rule that a success scored
early is certain to lead to immediate re-
nswals of the literary effort. This rule has
brought distress to many a writer in the
past. despite the disposition of the reading
word to accept gratefully all that falls
from The pen of the producer of a success
Conserving her forces Miss RnOkle is
reported, has decided TO wait for inspira-
tfOn, and 10 ignore the passing even of half
dozen Eears- There is a certain amount
OF risk in this policy, for the reading world
has haJit of occasionally forgetting old
faVOrites who have not continued to amuse
H. But unmistakably the literature of
romance is likely TO be the gamer in point
Of quality thereby.
1t is said that both Miss Mathews. who
wrote My Lady Peggy Goes 10 Town"
and Booth Harrington. who wrote Mon
sleur BeducaiTe, are pleased because their
works have been favOrably compared with
each other. This is not always the case
when one novel is linked with another
There IS undoubtedly a certain similarity
Of atmosphere and action about these two.
The owners of books live in constant
dread Of borrowers. Not even the most
conspicuous of boOk-plates is sufficient as
hint that a volume so labeled is immune
from the demands Of circulation. Grolier
declared that his choice works were for
himself and his friends" but this rule of
the book lover will not serve for modern
times. Certainly Chicago borrower came
10 sad end because of his inability to ap-
prectate the first principles of book-Iove
For many months he failed to return a
borrowed volume, although repeatedly
asked for IL by the owner. Finally, he
made so bold 10 call upon the owner
without the book The matter was men
toned in the conversation. One word led
To another, and heated controversy arose
at the height of which a weapon was
drawn and the borrower fell dead One
commentator on the tragedy argues that
the habit of reading is thus demonst rated
To be dangerous Now, Will Jury be found
TO convict the slayer? And what was the