New-York tribune., 1902-12-20

West published by the Harpers, is spending
the winter in California She is completing
new story OF Western life which is soon to fol-
low her first book
One OF the most patient and reserved OF book
men broke out the other day in something like
q TRADE on feature Of current newspaper criti-
cism TO which he took exception. It all started
with his turning the advertising pages Of a fresh
magazine and exclaiuling over such lines as
these which struck his eye: Has the drollery
and winning rascality Of David Harum." quoted
from. say. The Valparaiso Observer: Does
for the lobster pots what David Harum did for
the hitching post" quoted from The Hen and
Chickens Iightstip Sentinel" How long," said
the gentle booknan, almost hercely, how long
are we 10 endure this? I read David Harun1, ,
and 1 enjoyed It. But then. I enjoyed David
Copperfield' when I read that. I even enjoyed
the Psalms. I have no objection 70 a books
selling itself out Of all recognition. but why
should it need to invade literary Judgment? 1t
is time TO call a halt on this David HaTum
school Of critics not for any illwill 10 the book,
but in contempt Of the method. We may be
able TO stand having every young woman writer
that appears. down TO Mary MacLane. being
labelled the Suuashopolis Marie Bashkirtseff.
But what defence shall We have when the Nladi-
vostock crop Of Mary AIacLanes comes along?
land, where fish Of countless varieties abound,
the word fish means cod. They set it down
10 native uarrowness. But il is still.worse TO
call all fish cod. Why will not some one sug-
gest that the edges Of the David Harum yard
stick are getting rubbed? Any sign Of even tenn
porary eremitism among this class OF critics
would. 7 think. be welcome"
The Metropolitan Magazine" is to turn over
q new leaf under the editorship Of John Ken
drick Bangs, who has been put in charge by
Colonel George Harvey, its recent purchaser
It is announced that the new magazine viii be
devoted 10 the human side OF metropolitan
life as it appears in this city.
Gardner F Williams, general manager Of the
De Beers Consolidated Mines, Limited, mas
published a somewhat full book on The Dia-
mond Mining Of South Africa" Of diamond
digging camps he draws this picture:
Fortune teIlers and wizards who professed
10 be able to see through the earth did not
need 10 dig diamonds Credulous spectators
filed their laps with silver and gold PaEton
thronged day and night with eager oupes
showering shillings upon her, and her income
was reckoned al $50 day. Many Oh ttie .pg DGei
had mistaken faith in her. when sne toio q
poor Dutchman that there was noInlng IL llS
claim. he could not be persuaded 10 ois any
longer. II she promised diamonds ana r2t noLe
were found she had an easy defence: Ihe
niggers must have stolen them" Then the
wrathful claim holder would pounce upon ms
kafi-s and haul them TO the Ironk, Ihe
police station Of the camp, wnere the e elacnS
were searched 10 the tips Of their toes; some
times the wizard guessed right, for dlamono
stealing common, and precious stones WouI9
be brought TO light. with Joy 70 the owner 1iio
credit 70 the fortune teller
The Oxford University Press has prepared
collotype facsimile Of the First Folio OF
Shakespeare Of 1879 The Chatsworth copy oy
Permission OF the Duke Of Devonsnire' was
placed temporarily in the Bodleian LlDEais anu
used for reproduction. The size OF the Original
is retained, with the margins. and tne enIne
sl0 pages Of the First Folio are tncluoeo II
one volume Sidney Lee writes q prlei Oi0d0
graphical introduction with as full LIST as
possible OF known copies The paper Is spe-
cally made the binding is n calf and In ooaros'
and the edition was undertaken ano oispOseu
Of by subscription. The division II aeOs'
scenes und lines has been indicated throughout
hut without DESTROYING the effect OF the re-
Produced page
II is often the case that an author Is oiS
aatished with the particular audience whose
attention he holds. There was SpeFenson'
after hard won success as an ingenious
writer who appealed especially TO those "ho
he' value on skjlfui phrasing. always ee
Eaout lameasins that he was not the aulnor "a
some Jesse James" tale that woulo De Inc
Srenpied companion Of every messenger Oos-
1r Kipling took somewhat the same 'oiis