New-York tribune., 1901-09-01


there will he much figuring and casting up of
accounts But it is more suggestive to think of
the hopes and fears agftating the literary
bosom; of the jubation and despair involving
more than the question of dollars and cents; of
the talents new-delicated To high ideals by sue
cess or failure, and Of those driven by either
force To cheap methods and commercialism.
While the gentle art OF Quibbling does not
ordinarily command the sympathy of mankind
il occasionally justifies itself by provoking a
smile. Witness the beautiful instance supplied
by Mr.. Charles IInnell. who gave 10 The
Athen;rum' that true story" OF the publication
of John lnglesant" in the authors own wonis.
When we reproduced it naturally took it as
giving the quietus to the old report that Mr.
James Payn had rejected John Inglesant"
Years ago. when he was reader for Smith Elder
co. Every one took it in that light The
Ms was never sent 10 any publisher" quoth
MI ShorthouSe; and the challenge which has
been in the air ever since has spurrcd Mr.
l-innell To confirm the statement in another
letter TO THE Athennum" He confirms it In
unconsciously funny fashion:
Yes. Mr. Payn did respect the book but not
me Ms. When Mr.. Payn wrote lit had
b'''d him in manuscript he had forgotten that
he had read John Inglesant' in print.
Let me say that the book was sent TO MessrS
Smith. Elder ~ CO., together with IA letter NV
letter was brief: Would Messrs Smith Elder
X 60. read the book. and. If they thought well
of it, could they undertake its publications.
great opportunity awaits the scholar who
has the courage of the convictions of Mrs Eliza
beth Wells Gallup the American author of
The Bi-literal Cypher of Sir Francis Bacon"
II is sweet composition. proving beyond the
shadow of a doubt that Bacon not only wrote
Shakespcare's plays, but produced works COM
monty attributed to Spenser. Ben Johnson Bur
ton-of the "Anatomy"-and divers others We
have seen this precious volume and very anus
ng we found it. So also does Mr. Andrew
Lang find it. and in his remarks on the subject
i'll The London Morning Post he is evidently
"tckled' by the neat manner in which Bacon
beth and an heir to the English throne We
have heard il gravely stated by II Gallup enthu-
siast that King Edward VII was interested in
having the book neglected; the speaker darllly
limiting that persons close to his majesty had
perceived in him Il fear that too much pub
hcify might lead 10 agiiations imperilling his
tenure of office Well, the English publishers
81 the work do not seem To fancy Mr.. Iang's
lrreverent treatment of il at all They write to
remind him that, having merely discovered the
ypler, Mrs. Gallup is not to be blamed for the
lranslations that have been made with its aid
and they then set forth the opportunity men
TONED above. We reproduce, with bated breath
The closing sentences of their letter:
Mrs. Gallup was at work mt the British Mu
scum this time last year and Interested several
persons who her ut work, and we s,g-
%ested 10 two eminent literary authorities that
"A If IN fifn
see her working on Bacons bi-litcral cypher
our suggestion refused. but we have no
doubt could obtain her consent To come To
London again if Il committee of scholars with "A
practical printer or two were ready to inveSti-
gate this bi-Iiteral cypher of Sir Francis Bacon