The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-20

Somewhere recently there appeared an
article called "a Literary Syndicate"
by Carolyn Wells. The reason FOR tho
existence OF the syndicate was the pre-
pairing of n novel which would break all
the records for popularity and quick sales
achieved by other novels. Heretofore,
argued tho promoter Of the syndicate.
each and every one Of the popular novels
had had some week point, some fatal
break on tho dyke, which let In the
waters Of oblivion; but the great syn
dcnte novel should be made up by all Of
the great modern writer's working only
on the passages for which they were
best fitted and the novel would out
IIerod IIerod. Every people excepting
tie Patagonians. the Hawaiians and a
few Bushmen Of Australia. would buy 1T.
Richard Harding Davis was to draw
the characters Of the heroes. because
his heroes were nice and tall and looked
we'll in Illustrations. 1ilplinEs name was
to be written on the title page as the
author, since anything he wrote would
SELL James Lane Allen would write tho
woodsy parts and Ellen Olney Kirk, If
l remen Der rightly, was to dilate on
the kisses. And since Mrs. Humphrey
w u
dressed than any others, she would hs
engaged to furnish costumes for all the
females in the book. For the ideas of
these and all the other writer's. Henry
james was to furnish the vehicle OF
style. since he was always $50 stylish"
This is by way Of saying that Henry
James, in his own novel, The Ambassa-
doris, ia as stylish as ever, and Just as
subtle and elusive. 1t has always seemed
to me that Henry James should have
been writing in the days when men and
women could spend a fortnight IN going
to the springs and year In reading a
novel Since the time Of Daisy Miller
1t has been 80 much easier in reading
his books to take them slowly, to them
attention al It were, on the installment
Plan.
Colonel Carriers Christmas. another OF
the Christmas books Is volume which
again puts the public under obligation
to Hopkinson Smith.
To send any one Of Kate Douglas Wig
gins books to friend Is to send to him
or to her several hours of enjoyment.
Rttecca Of Sunnybrook Farm, her latest
book, and the Diary of a Goose Girl.
which IS comparatively new. too. are no
exceptions TO this rule. Rebccca is writ.
ten in rather different style from her
predecessors. though; the Jester not
showing himself SO much at court In
Sunnybrook as heretofore.
Twin volumes, containing Mrs Wigs
ind Lovey Mary, are for sale now, illus
,rated by Florence Scovil Shinn. who is
always such sympathetic accompanist
fer works Of humorous import. Any Of
our friends, who Is SO destitute as not
to own these books, should be presented
with them before another Christmas
comes around.
Wee A1agregor is another book which
may always be sure OF warm welcome
wherever 1t Is sent.
Gallops .. by David Gray, is a series
OF well written, short stories about a
group of young people who seem to have
had a plenty OF time and u plenty of
horses.
There Is particularly beautiful copy
o. AS You Like 1t. this year. with mar
ginal decorat lions, and full page drawings
by VIII Law.
And equal in artistic beauty is Japan,
Records4n Color. The numerous three
color illustrations are exquisite In tint
ano finish. showing how much better they
do that sort of thing In England, where
the book was published. than anywhere
else at present.
The Heart of Ancient Rome Is ono OF
The best OF Marion Crawford's novels.
dainty volume. l have heard that now
adays books are sold to the big FIRMS
chiefly by dummies; that is. by giving to
the drummers the bindings of the books
full. OF blank pages, excepting for the
first leaf or so, which Is left to show
the marginal decoration or the style Of
illustration. Judged in this way, The
Heart Of the Hyacinth Is altogether
charming. The cover design IL worthy
OF book which treats OF Japan. the land
OF artists.
Philosophy -Four Is story OF Harvard
undergraduates, which is delightfully."- true
to life. In fact, Owen Visitor IN these
pages has cut of for us a piece OF college
SAIL on which several lively. irresponsi-
BILE students are going aobut their ordi:
nary occupations.
Four Years Under Marse Robert, by
Major Robert Stiles, Of this city, is one
OF the most valuable books published
recently; valuable both as an entertain
Ing narrative and as an important page
OF history.
Another book well worth presenting ia
any OF our friends is n series OF essays
entitled Happiness, by Carl Iiitiy. In his
introduction TO the book, Professor
Francis Ct. Peabody. OF Harvard, says
very itt!ngly: His short essays are the
msditatons OF Marcus Aurclus. told In
the language Of modern life: the lmitu-
lions of Christ, expressed with tho aca,
demic reserve Of a modern gentleman"
From the pen OF Thomas Bailey Aid
r!ch. too, we have volume Of essays
which is a fantasia Of wit and humor,
For the children there are the always
popular Olcott books, published In new
ard attractive form. BE sure that you
CHI I p1i fg'g ST IN
children, IL as a friend once grace.