The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-15

can be clearly seen tnat American A~ literature haa maintained marked advance in all it's departments. More mo- table novels have come from the presses of the various publishers. by more or less well known authors, than in any year for at least five or six past The total number of novels published may not come up to that of 1901, which year was a record breaker, but the merit of each book has been far superior. During the fall there was quite an avalanche of new novels, and the fact worthy of note concerning them is that the great ma- jority were by authors who have been silent for a number of years. It Is the opinion of the writer that many of these fall books which have been showed under temporarily, are destined eventually to have a large share in the public favor. Some of the books which have hardly received any mention at all are veritable sleeping giants. waiting only for the morning to dawn to spring forward to an activity unprecedented. Certainly 1t is true that the literary merit of many that lie neglected is far superior to that of a number having large sales. In later article some of these neglected books will be taken up and their merits pointed out.
 Next week we hope to present g ccm- prehensive review of the successful novels for the year 1909, showing clearly the standing of the South through her writers in the shape of popular favor. We think the result of this showing will be ex- ceedingly gratifying. Another advance in the literature of America has been made through ono publication which has been needed for many long years. Pro- lessor Woodrow Wilson ,an old resident of Atlanta, has published q history of the American people in about a dozen volumes which is the greatest masterpiece on the American people ever attempted. The praises of the work are being sound ed from all over the country and the ac- curacy and justice of its presentations ad- mitted by all. In this history of the American people, which is unQuestionably destined to supplant every previous ef- fort, the Southern people are placed in a light which reflects the greatest honor upon them and their section. Professor Wilson is Southern born man and his treatment of the South in this great work entities him to the deepest gratitude on the part of his mother section.
 Stiil another step forward has occurred in the publication of new editions of standard works. A greater number of these new editions have been published than ever before and their sale has been fully twice as large as in 1901. This is an exceedingly gratifying report. show ing the growing taste for better litera- ture on the part of the reading public As to the other lines of literary effort the spirit of elevation and advancement has seemed to prevail: and at the beginning of a new years work there is much call culated to produce a spirit of thankful ness and hope.
 Current Topics.
 Quite an amusing controversy has been going on for the past few weeks over the spelling of the word negro; as to whether a capital letter should be used or not. The last writer on the subject contends that unless the word red, when applied with reference to an Indian. be capitalized. that the word negro. when applied to the colored race, should not be capitalized. It is quite evident that our Northern friends desire the negro to go by the dIgnifed appellation of ''coiored gentleman" but it is probable that the title negro" is the one best suited to his general status.
 A good story of the way Frank T. Bullen, the author of excellent sea tales got into hterature appears in a current issue of The New York Times Saturday Review. It seems that he reached the point of dire necessity. and as he was earning only about si0 week, he felt compelled to do something to add to this sum. He began work on his first book called 'Srhe Cruise of the Cachelot," and In @ remarkably short time had 1t com pleted. Taking 1t to a publisher they gave him a check for $500 in exchange for the manuscript This was the eouiv- alent of years salary in the work which had engaged his attention for a number of years. and 1t is needless to say that he has been literary man ever since. .-,.
 The controversy in regard to the plagi- arism of Poe has been reopened by the publication in the January Century of an exhaustive article on the subject. A condensed review of the article will ap- pear on this page in the near future.
 Miss Mary Johnson, whose book, ''Au- drey," fell so fiat because so far inferior In every way to her former efforts. is to begin a new romantic novel in Harper's Magazine in the early spring. It is cer- tainly to be hoped she will improve upon the style in Audrey"
 It was to have been expected the publi- cation of the 'Leopard's Spots," Is taken as the ground for an answer to 1t to be published in novel form early in March, by Miss p. Raynor. a Northern writer of considerable ability. Miss Raynor in- tends to give the negro's side of his strug- gle for freedom, and its title is to be Handicapped Among the Free" The publication of the book will be looked forward to with interest, though the sub ject is one whih 'handicaps" the author before she begins her work.
 The author of Ships That Pass in the Night" Is soon to publish a new work. Her last production was a great disap- pointment, and her main strength with the public still rests upon the first named publication.
 It Is said that David Harun"' has passed through hundred editions, and that in November and December of last year 10000 copies of the book were sold bearing the imprint of D. Appleton 6, Co. It is really remarkable what a hold this work seems to have on the American public.
 Rev. Theodore l.. CuyIer's last two books. "Recollections of a Long Life. and Good Cheer" are two of the loftiest reItptous nroductfopa aNDaa rth -. S-.-- .,