The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-24
THE SMART SET HAS
MUCH FOR ITS READERS

The mid-month magazine which has so
clearly defined the limitations and the
place Of the short story in art and litera-
ture has been greeted az usual with en-,
thusiastic acclaim. The Smart Set
wisely appears just after other Speriodi-
Gals have been culled and their pleasure
upon the companionshlp of their favor
lite authors, are eagerly looking f.S,
something fresh In the way OF intellec-
tual sensations and Impressions. The
phenomenal popularity which the maya
zine has attained in the South Is all the
more remarkable as it depends simply
upon the acumen and epIgrammatic
clearness Of its contributions, and con-
tains neither illustration nor serial.
The initial number for September is
over the signature of Louise Belts Ed
wards and is called "a Friend of Cara's.
It turns upon the social problems Of to-
day which seem unendngly to absorb
attention and interest. History and ad-
venture are eschewed in the pages of the
Smart Set" where men and women In
all lies phases and from every stand
point form the underlying motif Of ro-
nance and reality.
The poetry scattered among the prose
compositions OF this magazine Of Clev-
erness'' is always something quite out of
attributed unhesitatingly to Bliss Carmen
did not his signature claim the lines
which Wibrate with the music of his ex-
quisite imagery and the fire and fervor
Of scandinavian folklore in song. 1.-THE
Summer Girl has been merrily carica-
tured In rhyme by E. w. Chase, who en-
dows her with all the accomplishments
and more than all Of the Individuality
which she is inclined to claim for herself.
Theodosia Garrison outdoes herself in a
tender little poetical fragment which she
calls "Fleurette''-(an epitaph)-and that
fingers In the mind like a minor chord in
a beautiful strain of music. The last
StanZa runs thus.
This is she who was Fleurette-
To be sighed for, wished for, say
AS a rose of yesterday;
Thoughts Of twixt a smile and sigh,
Yet to-day, I wonder why.
AS I smile my eyes are wet
Fleurette."
justices Miles Forman In a characters
tic sketch under the caption of IAN Ex-
pertinent of Jimmy Rogers gives his
reader graphic insight into the
sayings and doing of the Anglo
American colony in Paris, that is into
its upper and exclusive circles. Mr.. For
mans story is full of purpose and in
a Shrewd and forceful manner expresses
an undeniable truth not often put into
words.
Alice Stead Binney exhibits much de-
licacy and quickness of intention and
perception in her description of 'The
Way of a Man With a Maid" and. by
vivid aptness of contrast, '.The way
OF a Maid With a Man. The cor
rectness Of inference and deduction in
each instance will provoke a smile over
the writer's knowledge of social under
currents and the way in which she
tlansmutes this knowledge into words.
a gay and life-like little composition
by Temple Bailey. I'm the Bachelors
Garden, seems retrospectively very at
tractive indeed. The subject is so charm
ing and the development SO idyllic that
the fancy is enmeshed and held willingly
throughout the whole from beginning to
ending.
James Branch Cabell whose success
full identification with each issue of the
Smart Set is an established fact, has
iii this one a story which ranks certainly
as among the best of the entire table of
contents. The reputation which Mr..
Cabell already sustains among littera-
teurs distinguished for beauty and purity
in English expression. is fully demon
strated in his latest publication called by
him. "As the Coming of Dawn" publ
ca ton second in force and virility only
to his "Love-Letters Of Falstah," which
appeared in Harper some months ago,
and at once provoked wide comment and
discussion. being classed among the finest
things of its kind for the month.
'As the Coming of Dawn is told in
four short chapters and in about half
a dozen pages. The play of fancy and
wit subtle and suggestive appears
throughout like light tracery, embroid-
ering and relieving material detail. The
intent is made apparent after Mr.. Ca
bells favorite fashion in dialogue, but
with a spirit. an animation and an in
dividual distinction which mark Abe
dialogue as peculiarly his own The
summer, girl who figures prominently
In it is the tgrl who, in the end outwits
the man.. because he seeks her for him
self The womanly verdict upon such an
episode will be: 1T served him right
and yet there is a tragedy for those who
read between the lines. a deeper meaning
which may be found by those who seek
for it in the annals even Of a summer
comedy, as told by. talented young
author.
1t will be matter of intereststo Rich
mond people to know that Mr. Cabelrs
first book will shortly make its appear
ance: Its title has not yet been announced
hut the greater part of it has already
been completed, and a brilliant success
is predicted for it even at this early
day.