The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-15
THE AUTUMN BOOKS.

The output Of books TINS autumn. has
been very large Whether the increased
supply IS caused by an increased demand
is Impossible 10 determine; but there
can be no question that the supply has
been greater than for any similar sea-
SON It IS a noticeable fact that, with
one exception. The proportion of subjects
do not greatly vary from year to year.
even though tic total production be much
larger. The exception is furnished by
fiction, which is constantly increasing so
that it is changing in its proportion TO
the rest. The output OF fiction this fan
has been little short of enormous. We
lave had novels OF all kinds-thc novel
OF purpose. the novel of problem, and the
novel which only prcteDds to entertain
and too often only pretends. OF these.
The latter class shows steaoy gain. 1t
is true that the problem novel Is s,jl
with us; but 1t shows signs of becoming
moribund Notwithstanding the fact
that some very excellent specimens of
this class OF fiction have been published.
OF late. they are attracting less and less
attention. The novel of purpose seems
TO maintain its hold on the public; Lat
1t cannot be said to have increased II.
The merely entertaining novel. on the
other hand-the novel which sets itself
no end beyond the telling of a story or
It'll delineation of character--is constantly
growing in favor. 1t is our opinion that
this state Of affairs is for the best :n-
tcrests of literature and we have been
glad to welcome this autumn some very
admirable pieces Of normal fiction.
Romance seems to be on the decline.
less in output than in appreciation. This,
however, simply means that there IS to
be a sitting of the wheat from the chaff
and that the mere designation of Il wc'k
OF the imagination as "A Romance"
will not IN future be su:fc. ,nt 20 cause
its sale TO run into the teas ot thousands.
1t looks as if some of our once-popular
romances would have to tarn to ''cresh
fields and pastures new in th-r quest
for a living; but we see in this fact no
cause for CONSERVATION. Some of them
will be driven to the writing Of ,.ovcls.
and some of them will be driven
TO commercial pursuits. Both Of
these things may be very desirable Tor
the welfare of literature. There are still
with u.s. howver, some WIS of romance
whose hold on the public attention seems
assured, and these will re-anin as teliers
of tales that will delight our cars
Most closely connected with fiction in
the popular mind. though hardly Of right,
Is poetry. The autumn output of poetry
has not been as large as has that Oh some
other seasons within our knowledge. bit
the average quality has hc>n higher. We
are still waiting for the Great American
Poet, and we see no signs of his advent;
but there are several min " singers v h.
have won n deserved place in CTR If
.fctions. and some of these have given I.
new songs.
To our mind. biography is the nearest
lapproach to fiction: but it is not so GATED
of custom. There is a Constants" in
creasing demand for biography, and he
supply, of course keeps pace with the de-
mand. Some very excellent specimens
of biography have appeared this autumn,
Including more than one Lite of sery
general interest There has Teen of late
a distinct advance in biographical meth
DDS, and the works have gained n IN
terest as in value.
History. while more important than
biography, attracts less attention, as a
rule; but there have been issued this fall
a number of valuable historical works
which we could i'll afford to lose. Some
OF these are general. some particular
occasionally monographs-while some
are primarily intended as textbooks;
but the average of all has been high, and
Ijf no very important additions lave been
made 10 our knowledge in this respect,
we have been presented with the knowl-
edge in new and attractive forms.
Essays, always popular. have been well
represented. and while there have been
perhaps fewer works of real Importance
in this department of letters than in
Others. a number OF readable books of
this class have been issued. They range
from the grave TO the gay. from the pom
derous to the humorous, and all manner
of tastes can find satisfaction in the sea-
sons output of essays.
There has been quite the average out
put of reprints, from new editions Of
Shakespeare to fresh editions of Mother
Goose" We note with especial pleasure
the growing tendency to place on the
market well-bound and printed editions
of works which have become classics
such editions being offered at reasonable
prices. There have also been given US
lsumptuous editions of well-known books
OF the past, which delight the hearts of
connoiseurs in hook-making.
Altogether the season has fully equal
Ied-we think suspassed-any other with
in our knowledge in the gifts which it
has brought US in the matter of books
The most exacting can find wherewithal
to please his fancy and deplete his
pockot-book. And to do these things is
the aim of the publishers