The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-01


on the lower floor Of semi
public house could never be sure
what author OF roet occupied the gar
ret. The only sure thing was that
writer of some kind or degree was up
there But that was once upon time
There has been a literary revolution.
Today-with the exception of a few-a
very few-authors who have not arrived
men Of letters abide in palaces. Truly
this is the golden age of literature. the
world over. Writers OF the past may
have starved and gone clothed in abbre-
waited garments while sowing the har-
vest which contemporary penmen are
richly reaping.
Beginning with Gabrielle G'AnnunzIo-
one cannot consider latter day Italian
literature without recalling the profound
interest aroused by the "Romances Of
The Rose"
One critic described them as work
of genius, astounding. almost intozicat-
ing. Another called them the intimate
study and whtte-hot depletion of a great
imagined poet by one who is himself
great actual poet.
The names of EIeonora Duse and Ca
brieIe d'Annunzio were so closely. asso-
ctated for a few years that 1t was TO be
expected that upon the appearance Of
his novel, "Fuoeo,' critics would seek
10 identity the weII-known Italian ac-
tress. who lately appeared in The lead
ing cities Of America, with the authors
latest heroine, the tragedy queen Fosca-
rina
Stung to the Quick
D'Annunzio has always been singu-
1arIy Indifferent to the opinion Of his
countrymen, and for while he let the
storm rage unbaeded; but the appear
ance of q personal article by Marcel
Provost in the Figaro" stung him at
last into making something Of a public
defense. Provost. VINO at that time had
not read "Fuoco," took it. nevertheless.
as a text for a discussion Of the extent
TO which an author is justified in betray-
ing his own sentimental adventures. and
specifically inveighed against thai
strange literary sadness OF certain writ
ers who seek above all 10 relate what
viii cause pain TO the woman they have
abandoned"
Gilbert Parker: A Career
Gilbert Parker is no less a traveller
and statesman than an author He has
been q world Traveller. As boy he says
he always had a desire 10 see what was
beyond the garden wall. what was In the
next village. what was In the next town
Whenever he could he went as far as
a hundred miles from home. When he AT
last saw a chance 10 90 ten thousand
miles. though broken in health. he went
as far as he could. which was 10 the An
tiDodes.
That was the turning point ia his life,
as be had been educated for the Church
Ct England. and had passed all his ex-
amllalloIs al t4aL time lie did not
take fun orders. because it came over
him that a literary life was the only
possible life for him He was then
lecturer on English literature in Trini-
ty College. where he had been graduated
not long before. bur he had always
written verses. and even as a child o,
eight or nine years or age the poetry
OF Shakespeare and Byron unconscious
y appealed more TO his mind than
the more ordinary reading which boys
and girls as a rule know
He grieved TO say that he never knew
any fairy tales and very few tales OF
fiction when ne was young. being fed on
stronger meat-the old dramatIsts.