Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-08-13

volumes. Having found it good many also read
'Dernier Chouan," "Eugenie Grandet" Modesto
Mignonn aud the rest of them. We have not yet
passed the Balzac redivivus but we are already in
the midst Of Richardson and Dickens revival.
New editions of the works of these authors have
recently been issued aud calls for them at the pub
lie libraries have considerably increased. William
dean HOwells has been writing of them in Harper S
Monthly, and, with characteristic zeal and condes'
cension has been telling us what we ought to think
of them. Our critics of more or less prestige also
are discussing for our edifcatiOn their new born
popularity and artistic merits.
These occasional TeyiVals of old authors are
among the interesting phenomena OF the literary
world. They seem to occur without special cause
to fixed order. They are as impossible to predict
as the name or character OF the late novel which
will be most popular next week. Who could have
foreseen that Just at the time when the swashbuck
ler seemed the sworn favOrite OF novel readers an
old horse trader like "Davd Harum'' would crowd
in and leave him far behind in the race for popular
ity growing interest in Richardson and Dickens.
at time when the swashbuckler and horse trader
have barely passed their climacteric appears strang
er. And still more singular seems the conjunction
Of two such stars as Samuel Richardson and Charles
/ Dickens. They are among the greatest writer's Of
English fctOn but it would be difficult 10 mention
two who differ In more particulars. Richardson is
the greatest master OF pathOs in language. IL i
hard to believe that any person ever waded through
without weeping. The most engaging quality o.
Dickens, on the contrary, is his humOr. Some
times it is pOnderOus and iOrced but Dickens at hii
best is the most amusing of writer's. Richardson
depicted character and Dickens drew caricatures
but it would be little difficult for the reader o
both to say Wheather he loves the characters thS
lcaricatures the more. One who simultaneously con
siders sClarIssa' and ''PickWick Papers, will form
some idea OF the diversity Of tastes which readers
today exhibit. fst iA
i The periodical revivals OF old authors are prOba
lbly due principally to that constant rhythm which
lis perceptible throughout nature. After having
sometimes devoted themselves almost excluslvei!
to contemporary authors, readers weary of them. [
they have read the old authors they find returI
to them restful and refreshing. If they have not
they seek them for variety. When the time is rip
for such reaction, a small force may start 1t
Frequent mention particularly popular novel 0
an old author may arouse interest in him and tenn
porarily recall his Oldtime popularity The recen
celebration of the centenary Of the birth Of Dumas
likely to cali a renewal Of interest in bis stories
But regardless Of the cause, there can be doub
that these literary revivals are agreeable and salute
rv Books that have stood the test Of time are
good deal more likely TO be worth reading than thos
which are still damp from the press. And, eve
If this were not true it would benefit people to lear
something Oithe literature that delghtedthe intellect
and formed the tastes Of parents and grandpa
Z ents. The man who reads only contemporary wri
lings viii never know much about literature.
viii do the good to renew acquant with 'Clarissa,
d ssIOyelace," sSir Charles Grandson" and "Pan
: Ella. ), and with ssSamive Vellern and bis fathe
q scAIr Pickwick'' and his fellow elubmen "Day
y Copperfeld." 'sLittle Emily ''Silas Wegg, IN
l-lBofin,v "the mini0n Of fortune and the worm