Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-24

J2rethrcn. 4 Romance of the Cru
sades now appearing in Casselfs
Magazine. will be published at once by
Cassell * 60.
The Scottish people are becoming
very diligent in the celebration of lit
erary crntenarieS, particularly OF
minor writer's of prose and verse,
writes Walter Jerrold in The Academy.
Eut then Scotland has had many men
whose writings are wanting in the
more important elements of perna-
Money. and who yet served helpfully
their own generation and some of its
successors. Among these is John
Mnckay Wilson, who planned the
Tales of the Borders" but did not
live to see the completion of even the
first vnlmue Of Il work that was long
the favorit- literary food of rural
Scotland ana even now it is far from
forgotten. 1t has been claimed for
Wilson that he is the real Father of
the kailyard. That is hardly a claim
that is likely to raise him in the eyes
| Of tht mudcrus but il must be SAID
that ne was a much more robust writer
than most Of those who have in recent
wears come within the scope of Mr..
H"nley's happy appellation. Wilson
WAS born on Aug. Is. 1904. and died in
October. 1888. But his brief life was
busy enough. At seventeen, when a
! printers apprentice. he published a
ri"ce If Verse entitled "A Glance at
Hindostnn." which sold to the really
wonderful extent of over 500 copies.
Later he published at least two dra-
mas. besides books of verse and essays.
These. however, are now forgotten,
ana only the Tales" which We're con-
tinued by his brother, remain to keep
green the name of this editor of the
R,rwick Advertiser. 1t is proposed
to erect n memorial brass of Wilson in
the parish church of Tweedmouth, the
town where he was born and where he
died. The cost is stated at G15O, and
about half that sum has already been
subscribed.
An intimate friend Of Ruskin's re-
latcs an incident illustrating that sim
pIicity, gentleness, and sympathy
which were characteristic of his rela-
tions with the servants of his house
| hold. II was dining with Mr.. Ruskir
one evening when during the meal as
We were enjoying rhubarb tart
happened to say that it WAS the first
had tasted that season, and remarked
how delicious it was. Mr.. RuSki1
| manifested delight at my appreciation
of his rhubarb, and ringing for one o.
the servants, he said. Please tell Jack
son want him.. When Jackson came
into the room. his master said: 1 an
very pleased to tell you, Jackson, thai
your first pulling of rhuharb is quite
success. and my friend here says tina
if is delicious When we had finished
dining, n servant brought lighted
candles into the room. which was al
most dark. the windows being shaded
by the dense. overhanging trees. al
though the sun had not yet gone down
After placing the candles. she wa:
| about to leave the room when she sud
IDENTIFY stopped and said: Please. sir
there's Il beautiful surset sky just now
over the old Man Ruskin rose from
his chair. and said: Thank You. Kate
for telling us. then left the room. III
returned soon. Yes he said to m"
II is worth seeing. Come and he l"'
the way upstairs to his bedroom.
was glorious sight The sun was
sinking behind the Coniston Old Maj
mountain. and tho mist and ripples Of
the lake were tinged with 4 crimson
flush. We sat in the window recess
without speakinC a word till tho SUI
won't down behind the mountain. -
Hlrppr'S Weekly.