The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-09
TREND OF THOUGHT
 ALONG PATHS LITERARY

It would be hard to find more schol- ariy production In English literature than that by Richard 0arnett, c. B., LIs. D.. which comes as volume first to a series that will embrace all essential knowledge in regard to the literature of the English tongue. At once we recognize the slow accumulation, and the wisdom of selec- ton that would make this undertaking possible: and the favorable comment which this work receives, Is sufficient commendation for the selection of Rich ard Garnett as the author. Biography, criticisms and illustrations. brings the subject of English literature within easy grasp of the general reader. The eye views with eager interest the wonderful illustrative work which has been done here. The best material has been em- ployed; facsimiles. portraits, views. in black and color--with the best print on an ample page-ali making an exQuislteness quite in keeping with the subject matter. For although the work Is not intended for the technical student of literature, the matter is authoritative and is exciting the keenesk interest for the appearance of the remaining volumes. Volume I. is con- cerned with an essentially important pe- | riod. from the beginnings to the time of the Reformation; while Volume H.,
 written by Edmund Gosse, covers the time from Milton to Johnson.
 The review of the Elizabethan and nine- l teenth century literature is yet to be
 made, We would call special attention to this work, for with the notice which is given to classic and scientific study, there is the danger that the young student of the English tongue is liable to give much less time than has been customary, and
 that is really necessary in the perusal
 of the literature of his own lanuage. The richness of the field can hardly be imag- | ..mA Aw~ A \. "A. -f. exhibition of It's storehouse is made. as
 is to be found in. these rare volumes.
 Biography entirely authentic, selection and criticism truly discerning. illustration
 which fixes intellectual apprehension. are
 the clements which gives to the represent
 alton of any literature successful lodg-
 ment in the mind.
 Posthumous Literature.
 A certain sort of curious interest, and
 maybe, sometimes feeling akin tQs rev-
 erence Is felt for the posthumous
 work of man. It has the pos thumous work of man. It has the im- precision of an after thought"-which
 carries with 1t the significance of some- thing better And yet, we feel sure that
 1t was after thought which revealed to the author the unsatisfactory nature of his composition and caused him to with
 hold 1t. So it has always seemed, to us,
 unjust to publish that which the author did not choose to publish himself. and
 especially when 1t has to be patched up
 or completed by some friend or relative
 of the writer. There are some notable in- stances. however, of the authors failure to grasp the popular features of his own
 writing. One may have in mind. as is revealed by record in her journal long af-
 ter her pen was laid aside, Mrs. Prentiss in speaking of her work on Stepping lao Vs6 khak okn hoa h0- come a part of the soul-history of many thousand of Christian women, young and old, at home and abroad, said: T never knew how 1t was written. for my heart and hands were full of something else."
 Miss Anna Warner wrote to Dr. Prentiss after his wife's death. the following.
 which shows how little she realized the future of her book: Do you remember coming into the parlor one morning. where Miss Lyman and I were sitting
 by ourselves, and, telling us that she was writing a story but had become so dis couraged she threatened to throw it aside as not worth finishing" It is the recor6 of the aceptance, that 1t was instant and general. Mot to speak of the thousands which were sold here. It went through numerous editions in England. From England 1t passed into Australia. It fell into the family of an afflicted Swiss pas- tor, which led to its translation in French by one of the pastors daughters. Tn Germany it came into the hands of an. in- valid lady who begged the privilege of translating It."
 The following Is one of the most beau tifal as well as the most just comment on the book: "Others of her books were enjoyed, praised laughed over, but this one was taken by tired hands into secret places, bored over by eyes dim with tears, and its lessons prayed out at many a jabbok.''
 Posthumous Publications Unfair.
 It would seem to be unfair to portray to the public all that a man has written. especially when he has gone, and cannot explain that a composition was written carelessly, without any thought of it's being a subject of public favor. and oft entimes, perhaps, 1t was the little noth- ing dashed off to relieve a tense brain. We'll, we do not think it just the thing to do to publish scraps left around an authers desk, when he has been sum- just to publish private correspondence, without discrimination. as witness the Ruskin letters to Carlisle's daughter. It seems to us a pity to give just the inl- pression of unnaturalness which these letters create of Mir. Ruskin. .t.,
 Stockton &tHarte. o' 7b
 Trent's Trust, and other stories by Bret Harte, lack the life and vivldness Of his | sketches as we have known them. 9ed | the familiar character of Jack Hanshn | and Colonel Starbottle seem unfamiliar | seem, in fact. to have gotten into their | dotage and lost their sparkle. We scan- not help thinking that Mir. Harte- would | have preferred these once taking chatac- | ters to have remained in 'inocuous desue- | tude."
 One of our exchanges remarks that stockton's story. the Captains Toll l Gate" '1s merely q case of postponed l The comment upon the hook is So just that we give 1t entire
 Its author was one of our neatest literary workmen and seems to have left no travelled ends. The books suggests no of manner or need of polish. It Is one of those genial and humorous creations which we have all enjoyed an absurd situation with a twingling gravity which is delightful The heroine, who determines to marry before she Is a step-mother, her four lovers and the friends and hostess who manoeuvers her safely to the port of a happy mar | riage, are pleasant people to watch. The l industry of the lamented author Is indi- |