New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-03

projected by the Appletons will be Father
Marquette, the Explorer OF the Mississippi" by
Reuben G. Thwaites," Editor of The Jesuit
Relations" DR. Thwaitess historical studies
in connection with the latter publication and
his knowledge Of historical sources have
pecially qualified him for the task of describing
Marquette's labors.
Children Of the Nations" (McClure, Phillips &
Coz has been promptly translated into German
by the eminent historian Professor Woker, of
the Berne University. II is published by the
Berlin house of Remer 1t is worth noting, as
a mark Of the keen interest taken now by Ger
mans in matters beyond the seas. that this work
OF Poutney Bigelow, which deals mainly with
the authors personal experience in different
colonies should have been received as authori-
tative by Germans in spite of the fact that the
author finds little to praise in the system which
he saw in vogue at Kfao-C hau, Germany's latest
acquisition in the Far East
A volume of stories by Mary F. wilkins is in
preparation by Doubleday Page & Co. that is
said to be something of the vein in which
she has heretofore worked The Wind in the
Rosebush, and Other Stories of the Super
natural" is the title and the stories are said TO
be such to bring goosehesh to the most
sceptcal"
homa, and has now returned to Chicago He
and Mrs. Garland do not remain long in one
place. They very fond of travelling,
OF roughing it, and have covered about twenty
five thousand miles III the West since their
marriage in 1899.
Mr. Howeus, in searching for the right title
for his new novel. The Kentons," decided that
he required a name for the Ohio family he
writes about which would be distinctly native
70 that State In his search he recalled one
Simon Kenton. one Of the early Indian fighters
Of Ohio. a man of might and daring. who
a great friend OF Daniel Boone's and like him,
held captive by the Indians. 1t was Mr..
Howes's conclusion that the name KentOn is
thoroughly Ohioan, and not found outside the
State So il was selected for the J modern
story Though named after this old fighter.
Mr. HoweIs's Kentons people Of peace.
There are one or TWO incidents in the book.
however that might be traced 10 a fighting
ancestry.
IAN ancient and confirmed autograph crank
is what Mr.. Adrian II. Joline calls himself in
his ''Meditations of an Autograph Collector"
that the Harpers are just bringing out He
gossips delightfully."- over his vast collection. and
his book is a collection of anecdotes and stories
illustrative OF the letters and notes from famous
persons that he quotes from il. He shows us
thus the manuscript, almost complete, OF
Southeys Curse of Kehama':
Southey wrote sngularly graceful elegant
hand, altogether literary in its character, as
might be expected of whom Byron called
1.-The only existing entire man of letters II has
10 trace Of the scriVener or engrOsser, and yet
Il is thoroughly legble. The manuscript is quite
free from erasures and interllneauons' put the
author seems 10 have experienced some changes
Of mind in regard 10 the Introductory verses.
I never could understand why Southey
should have chosen as a motto Tor ms Re
hama" the rather undignifed saying Curses
like young chickens; they always come
home 10 roost" To be sure, he had II turned
into sonorous Greek by Coeridge, and thus in
scribed it with the English original, upon the
first page Of the book, accrediung II to an
9e saTs ~ his halfwitted haIf-unce william
Tyler who was a sort Of playmate Of his boy
hood and whose quaint speeches fingered in his
mind in later years But think that the motto
IS not quite in keeping with the epic.
& second series Of Mr.. Leslie Stephens
"studies Of Biographer" Will make its appear
ance before long from the press OF the Putnams.
The first collection Of these essays appeared
about four years ago. Among the topics dis
cussed in the new volume are THE Browning
Letters,"-in which Mr. Stephen takes the
biographer's point Of view that such intimate
revelations. within certain limits, posterity has
a right to-John Dome John Ruskin. William
Godwin's novels. Walter Bagehot. Thomas
Henry Huxley and others.
Speaking OF the cost OF producing books to-
day compared with former days in the publish
ing business, a prominent publisher remarked
the other day that important factor indi-
rectly bearing upon this was the much shorter
selling life" Of thu modern book.
Even books that have been very well re-
Ceiyed" said he, and supposed to have
made a permanent place for themselves, are
quickly pushed aside by the flood Of newcomers,
# being a physical impossibilty for the public
20 keep up with the earlier and digest
even a small proportion OF the new Any
well posted person taking a catalogue Of current
literature OF i've. ten fifteen years back will
appreciate the force Of this statement. If he
has had experience as a bookseller librarian,
he viii see noted in such photographers hun
dreds Of books, well remembered by him
having been received with great interest, and
having been very successful when issued, that
to-day are practically forgotten. The publisher
cannot depend upon a steady, moderate, con-
tnued sale during series Of years Of any book,
and the bookseller is faced by increasing
number Of books that practically dead stock.
Even if there remain on his hands after the sale
ceased not more than one two copies OF each
new book, the amount in the aggregate is very
considerable
But the most important change which af-
Iects the actual cost Of a new book 10 the pub
Usher is the increased royalty that nearly all
authors receive to-day. The average royalty
paid on any new book is from % per cent TO 100
per cent greater than it was twenty-five years
ago. In the case Of authors who have made a
name by the publication OF more very
successful books, the difference is often greater
Does not the difference between a cost OF 10