The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-15

Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin Garland, at West
Salem. Wis. where they are passing
the summer.
A copy of THE Autobiography Of a
Thief published by Fox, Duffield &
Co. New York, was sent to a medical
journal for review. The good doctor-ed-
itor, and his wife, after due elaboration
thought they discovered improprieties
in the book and decided to return 1t as
unfit for exploitation in the medical
journal On second thoughts, however,
the doctor, with great honesty. sent a
cheque to the publishers, and present.
ed the book to young lady, who is a
probation official in a boys reforma-
tory, where its lessons, he thought,
would be Of great value. One may not
see Immediately why a book suitable for
a probation officer should not be COM
mended to all others who have at heart
the best interests OF youth in the great
cities. But then again, many people be-
lieve with Emerson that consistency is
jewel of doubtful lustre.
The Bureau of Equipment of the
Navy Department has added to the list
of books for the selection Of crews Ii
braries in the United States Navy
George S. Wasson's collection of New
England saltwater sketches entitled
"Cap'n Simeon's Store.''
Mr. c. Hanford Henderson's romance
John Percyfield" is steadily winning its
way and the fourth edition is already
announced. Mr. Henderson is spending
the first part of the summer in New
Hampshire. but will soon leave for
Japan, as he plans to make a trip
around the world.
Thomas Bailey Aldrich is at Saranac
in the Adirondacks. His forthcoming
book, "Ponka pog Papers" is to contain,
among other essays. biographical and
critical study of Robert Herrick the
Man and the Poet.
Rev William Elliott Grifis, author Of
Young Peoples History of Holland, :"
and several other books on the Neither
lands, has resigned his pastorate in
Ithaca, N. Y, and will devote his whole
time to historical literature and lectur-
ing. His favorite branches of history
are the influence of the Netherlands on
the progress of Europe, and on Ameri-
can colonial and federal history and the
relation of feudal to modern Japan.
In a review of Prof. George B. Carl
sons Texas" american Common
wealths) the Nation says: THE discrip-
ton of the rivalry between France and
spain for possession, and the discussion
OF the types of Spanish settlement, the
weaknesses and failure of Spanish Co
lonial method, constitute the best treat
ment of the subject in English in brief
space"
Virginians say that Thomas Dixon.
Jr's., home, "Elmington Manor" at
Dixondale, Va, on the shores of the
Chesapeake bay is one of the most beau
tiful estates in the place. He has a mile
and more of beach on his own place. and
! 1t is a drive of two miles from his front
gate to his house. There are 800 large shade
trees on his lawn. Although his house
has thirty-1ve rooms he built a log
cabin down near the water that he
might have an isolated place to write in.
Mr. Dixon is one of fhOca fortunate all
thors who has a large income from his
novels, and his new novel of the evils of
divorce and socialism, called THE One
Woman" though only published a few
days ago, promises to be his most sue
cessful book in a financial way.
The great financial success of Frank
Norris 1.-THE Pit" still fourth on the
list of best selling books, intensifies the
tragedy of his death. Norris, almost
from the time he wrote his first book,
was recognized as one Of the most bril-
liant of the younger American writers,
perhaps the most powerful of them all /;
but, as is true of almost every man
who writes books of the kind that have
made Norris famous, he had at first
only literary success. THE Octopus, .
the first of the "trilogy of the wheat"
had not nearly the popular success of
1.-THE PITT the second of the SERIES Nor
ris had an office position with Double
day. Page & Co. which supported him
and his wife-he had not yet earned a
living by his pen alone. Then, when
fate was about to give him an income
from the royalty on his novels and a
life of ease with his young wife, he
died-before the publication, even, of
The Pit" The tragedy is even greater,
perhaps. than that of the death of any
other young writer or artist in America
for many years past. This fall his short
stories and essays, entitled "A Deal in