Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-17

II 3
Aubrey Lanston, whose first novel,
1.-The Harvesters'' shows such intimate
knowledge of English life during the
eighteenth century, explains that TACT
by confessing that no period in history
appeals to his interest so strongly; he
ls in fact, already an authority on that
era. Though a graduate at law from
the Georgetown University and men,
Der of the bar of the state Of Washing
ton, Mr.. Lanston had a definite predi-
lection to letters and has devoted his
energies largely to composition since he
was old enough to write. THE Harv-
csters," most of which was written in
the pretty Danish village OF HelIerup,
is, as Mr. Lanston says, MY first ac-
ously intended novel;
Some twcnty-nine booksellers have
recently been arrested in Chicago, on
the charge of having violated IL law
passed several years ago by the
Illinois legislature prohibiting the sale
OF inflammatOry and unWhOlcsOmc
literature" The specifications are to
the effect that the respondents sold to
Chicago school boys what are ordi-
narily designated dime novels though
as an actual fact such literature is
usually sold at five cents the copy. The
prosecutors go so far as to say, in sup
port of the charge that many OF the
crimes committed in Chicago in recent
years can be directly traced to the in
Iiuence of this class of literature.
There is no doubt that much of this
class of literature may be unduly eX-
citing to youthful minds and imasina-
tions. That it may create Irrational
desires in the minds of boy readers to
become detectives, and scouts and COW
boys may well be believed. But that it
of itself creates an appetite for crime
is scarcely credible. For while such
stories are cXtravagant and full of bold
deeds. the villain always gets his de-
served punishment and the hero is al
ways triumphant. The moral, so far as
there is a moral, points to truth, virtues
courage and manliness, not to crime.s If
Il campaign IS to be made against de-
mor#lizing literature the dime novel"s
of boyish fancy is by on means the
class that most needs attention.
Portland Advertiser.
The author of "The Visits OF Eliza
BETH Mrs. Eleanor Glyn, has written
q new book 1t is entitled THE Dam.
sci and the Sage" and it is to be pre-
sumed that it will be in the same Vein
as that of the earlier novel. "
The high regard which prns.i..n'.
Roosevelt cntertains for Ja a. y /; -.
has been expressed on nuLcin.:- q.
casions, but never quite 50 cAp.i.ii.,
as when he stopped the other day at
Richmond Hill, Long Island, long.
enough to tell the neighbors of Mr.. Ris
what he considered an. ideal citizen
When ] Observation-Disclosures citizen.
ship" said President Roosevelt. IT can
turn to Jacob Riis and think he has
practised just what have been preach
ing. The worth of any sermon lies in
the way in which that sermon can be
and is applied in practice. OF course, /
am glad to have the chance of being
with q main who shows by his life that
he knows how practically to apply the
spirit pof deccncy unaccohpa MED by
l1.tournfulness OF false pvetepses Of any
Flfnd, or any weakness. Mr.. Riis, who
asts a newspaper reporter. as well as an
author. has been the long time friend of
tthc President. His latest book "Theo-
dore Roosevelt the Citizen" is soon to
be published by The Outlook Company.
Miss Elizabeth Robins, who made a
mild sensation with Il novel called Tho
Open Question" four or five years ago
has new story in press, 'The Mag
netic North" Mr. Bran Stoker. whose
"Dracula" is pleasantly remembered
is going to publish novel called The
Jewel of Seven stars" other rev
fiction now impending Includes THE
Idol of the Town." by William lie
Queux; Little Joan" by John Strange
Winter: Tho Red Window" by Fer
gus hume, and The French Wife," by
Miss Katherine lyman.
Miss Marie Corelli is to try her for
tune as poet. She has in press q
volume entitled Songs and POEMS"
The following extract Is from a letter
written in 1859 by George Eliot to her
friend and publisher, John Blackwood
apropos of certain contemporary criti-
cisms of Adam Bede:" Il have not
v"ntured to look into the folio myself:
but | learn that there are certain
threatening marks. in ink, by the side
of such stock sentences as best novel
of the season. or best novel we have
read for a long time from such au-
thcrities as the SUM-. or Morning Star
or other orb of the newspaper iirma-
ment--as If these sentences were to be
selected for reprint in the form OF ad-
vertisement. / shudder at the sugges-
ton. Am taking liberty in entreat-
ing you to keep a sharp watch over tn,
advertisements that no hackneyed
pulling praise of this kind may be
tackled to my book? One sees them
garnishing ever other advertisement of
trash; surely no being above the rank
of an IDIOT can have his inclination
coerccl by them; and it would gall me
as mitch as any trtle could. to see my
book recommended by an authority
who doesn't know how 10 write decent
English. l believe that your taste and
Judgment will concur with mine in the
conviction that no quotations of this
vulgar kind can do credit to n book.