The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-11-17
DigeStion,S Relation y ~
y y To Literature.

H. g. Wells who has been making display OF versatilv
Ss contributor OF essays literature the magazines
writes with what seems TO be mock seriousness in the Eng
lish illustrated Magazine concerning what he claims ~ ~ -
intimate relationship between the digestive organs and liter
sty pIoduetVy' says writer in the Philadelphia Times
saturday Review His theory is that great Of liter
airy art has ever been written by with healthy sou
aen and that is imperative should ruin the digestion in
ooe 70 arrive al distinction III letters Mr. Wells wholly
impersona in the expression Of his theory which he neVcts
to huwsrk with anything in the shape illustrative argu-
ment To be perfectly frank his humor in this ESSAY il
somewhat heavy and dulhat u.s. course be intended
and proifered humor II not then would it interest the
average reader of good books 10 know Mr. eus ooniors
as to who have and who have written great things We
know we'll be known about the personal habits
general physical condition OF many Of the Great rnrs
who have OF the argument might be made pv
Mr. Wells in each instance that is wholly healthy
on the principle that majority of aenists bid us
know that no is wholly But there is something
too comforting in the thought of the old theory regarding
mems sana IN eorpore sano for readily to Mr.
Wells expressed point OF view
IT, will be generally supposed he merely meant to be
funny he ought know that the thought has expressed
better and with infinitely verbage by the professional
funny men who write for our comic papers We had smell
OF that kind of joking during the of Mr. Haggards
yarns like She" and King Soomons Mines and h seems
to us that all possible changes the idea that
time In his particular field maker of fiction, Mr..
Wells is better literary arsor artisau--tban Mr. Hag-
gard ever proved himself to be but the latter certainly
new tu'her tnoh Iae autnor oil Inc inc Machine and
The War Of the Worlds into that realm fancy that sug
eests conflict between the amentary canal and French
cookery.
Mr. Wells indeed mpresses us as being very much in the
position as his fellow counymau. II. Greenough Smith,
found himself several ago when he took try play
writing As the editor in chief OF important magazine
Mr. Smith found bidders for his FIRST drama and gra
cousy of actors Mr. Mansfield permission
it in this country. Mr. Mansfield spent money and
great deal OF time preparing the play for productions and
had his outlay and labor for his pains everybody who
the entertainment pronounced it stupid indeed Mr. Smith
then forward with explanation the effect that he
didn't wish his drama be taken seriouslythat did
him injustice in calling silly and that he intended it
he unnya purposefu satire, in fact the very kind of
play Mr. Mansfield and the OF thought Mr. Smith had
been trying write. Mr. Smith had simply neglected
label his humor such and Mr. Wells intent may be funny
for all learn from reading his paper in the
English Illustrated.
Certain it is that all nearly all the writers who occupy
place Of distinction in the literary annals Of Mr.. Wells
land lived in indicate that they spent
little OF their earnings The manufactures OF aids dges
Shakespeare Fielding and his fellows Sterne Doctor
Johnson Goldsmith Thackeray and down to Mr. Kip
ling and Mr. Game think OF them writer's
whose most characteristic efforts had have inspiration in
somaeha disorders due disodered digestion Mr. Game,
true and Miss Corelh write much stuff that is conducive
to indigestion the part the and International read
cr but can be regarded and effect And
would look beyond the possibilities of indigestion
asceanug what troubles the present laureate Mr..
Austin the young who wrote "Dodo"