The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20

New York Sun
Mrs. Edward Wharton, or Edith Wharton,
as she signs her works, is, above all others,
the woman who excites feminine literary
ambition. Apart from her position among
the writers of the day, she is, in the high
est degree, smart.
Her victoria, with her coachman and
footman in black liveries with steel blue
velvet collars, her man at the door in the
same livery, her brougham, the appoint
ment of her home on Park avenue and her
summer residence at Lenox-all of these
features of her existence are what the
French would call the last cry of smartness.
There is nothing exaggerated about the
smartness of the establishments and they
are no smarter than the persons who come
to them
Literary persons are always much more
eager to know Mrs Wharton than she is TO
know them, which is rarely true of the So
ciety author, who is usually so anxious TO
have about her persons who have written
cupation that she is willing TO receive
almost ANYBODY with book OF any KIND
or n magazine article to his credit.
Usually the men are preferred. However
ambitious the society novelist may be she,
is not likely TO take an interest in the lit
erary woman.
There are various reasons for this point of
view. Men, whether they have made reputa-
lions as writer's or not, are usually glad
to accept the invitations of charming host
esses TO attractive houses. The literary
ambitions OF the lady of the house, as the
pedders describe her, may be rather anus
ing 10 them, but they can be no real draw
back to a pretty woman under any circum-
stances.
Literary women of reputation would prob.
ably never be so patient with the hostess S
dreams of being a great author, and they
might even look bored or say sharp things
If the hostess gave expression to her views
on letters. They might also prove more
attractive to the men who were looking
for brightness and intellectually than the
hostess herself.
So in the gatherings of the socially liter
airy II Is the men only who are likely 10 be
professional writer's. The women are gath
cred by the hostess as IA general rule, from
the circle of her friends who have not been
in the least infected by the literary mi
crobe. This is certainly pleasanter for the
lady and is generally more agreeable for
the men.
The Duer sisters, one of whom is married
and is now Mrs. II. Wise Miller. made their
first literary appearance in a volume OF
verse. They started the present fancy for
writing among the younger generation OF
New York society women-the generation
that followed Mrs. Cruger and Mrs. Har-
rison.
Miss Duer and Mrs. Miller are among the
most regular contributors TO the maya
zines of fiction. and their stories are always
in demand. Mrs. Clarence Mackay. their
cousin, has written short play In verse
and novel. Mrs. Reginald De koven. who
! lived IN New YORK years ago, mas written
several novels, and will do magazine arti-
| cles on any subject from Western society &c
/ the furthest limit of the editors enterprise
The literary interest which has just now
seized New Workers manifests itself in an
| other way. There are this year four lit
| erary clubs i'm New York, composed OF
women whose names are frequently seen In
| the reports of social functions. They meet
one afternoon every two weeks and read
| original compositions. Sometimes these
| compositions are fiction. at others verse
| and the more serious minded members write
| essays.
In these clubs are several young authors