Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-06
NOTES OF BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

There is disposition in some quarters to
question the publishers claims to the great
editions of the popular novels issued by
them. Those who thus doubt the circula-
ton of these books appear to forget The
great range of the novel-reading field, the
ersrmous population of this country and
England, where these works are sold and
the wide spread of the reading habit, in
cuicated by the free schools, libraries and
newspapers. There are, however tangible
evidences at hand here and there if the
sheptic will heed them, of the substantial
winnings of the successful novelists, who
have passed through the early stages of
Interrogation and severe competition and
in most cases have tasted the bitter fruits
OF poverty The writers who in a COM
paratively brief time have risen from hum
BILE financial circumstances to comparative
atfiuence could be named by the dozen, were
ii not invidious to speak of the living.
George Gissing, who died in London the
other day had his long hard struggle, at
one time living almost literally on the edge
o. things. At the time of his death mis-
royalties had begun to yield him a large
income and his future ease was perfectly
secured. later death of a man who
passed through the valley of dependency
was that Of Hugh Sewell Scott who was
better known as Henry Seton Merriman.
He had his early struggles for recognition
and reward and al his death he had scored
one of the highest places in contemporary
English fiction. His estate, according to
the will filed for probate, amounted to
more than Zoo. which, while not conf
parable with the winnings of the steel
makers and the trust promoters was
nevertheless sufficient to keep the wolf
from the Scott door.
1t is announced that Mr.. Francis E.
Leupp the Washington correspondent of
tl,A Nayu inD pnGt mill OH +1tr
publish through the Appleton press a bio
graphical sketch of the President under TIE
tile The Man Roosevelt" founded upon
the authors intimate personal acquaintance
with the chief executive, extending
through a quarter of a century. This work
1t is said. will not be along conventional
biographical lines. but viii seek to depict
the many sides of Mr.. Rooseyelts
means of anecdotes. 1t viii be specially il.
Illustrated and will doubtless command clos1
attention in view of the campaign soon 70
open.
1t has been asserted that there are only
forty good stories in the world and that all
over that number are variations of these
fundamental themes. II this be true, then
1t is no wonder that old familiar friends are
constantly returning to please or vex u.s.
Nor is 1t surprising that occasionally such
stories get into print as having been told
by this or that parsonage more or less in
the pubic eye III a prominent man tells Z
story in general hearing it is only fair and
courteous to him-to appear to enjoy it, even
if il be venerable. AS. for instance, not long
ago Owen Wister whose own stories are
reao. with keen relish by very wide circle,
was quoted in a newspaper as having while
In Buffalo related with marked effsc. q
certain aneedote to illustrate the influence
of woman In the domestic circle. n the
course of time II reached the eye of a
reader of The Star. blessed with a long
memory. who forthwith wrote to this pa
per to protest against the practice OF what
he styles as plagiarism in the re-telling of
he acknowledges, may be innocent, but MS
friends are indiscreet. This is not a safe
Indictment of either the author or bis
friends. Good stories." az the phrase goes