The sun., 1904-12-07
type the author has drawn In tho mistrsa
Of the house possibly escapes those who
have the foolishness to invent II.

Of the house possibly escapes those who
have the foolishness to invent It,
Samuel Hopkins Adams and Stewart
Edward White are writing book together
which tells the story Of strange ship which
Is sighted on q perfectly calm day with
her sails all set and no one on board.
prize crew Is sent out to capture her and the
ship and crew disappear together, only TO
turn up again later on o perfectly calm
day with tho ships sails all set and the
crew In service. Mr. Adams has finished
his section Of the story and has gone out
TO California, where Mr. White has been
doing his part OF 1t. They will spend the
next three or four months In fitting together
the portions OF the singular tale. which
may turn out masterpiece or may not,
but certainly promises to be unique
product.
Ono Of the books that seem to have made
the most profound impression as holiday
book Ii Edith Wharton's Italian Villas, q
sumptuous volume which appeals to all
who are interested in Italy for the fasci-
mating treatment Of the text and the beau
tful colored illustrations which accompany
1t. Indeed the color note seems to be
dominant in this seasons output OF hand
some editions. The latest addition to the
color series OF which 1The Durbar, '"World's
Children and .venice" are well known fore
runners Is the new book called Bonnie
Scotland" by Hope Moncrien, which is full
Of the purple Of the heather and the yellow
Of the bracken, softened with the mists
which enhance the beauty Of Scotland.
Several Of the books in this color series
have been brought out by the English
artist Mortimer Menpes and his talented
daughter Dorothy. The daughter. who is
scarcely out OF her teens, reproduces In color
the pictures her father has painted She
also writes the text of the books, combining
the artistic impressions Of trained observer
with all the young girls naivete and fresh
interest in the common things OF hfe-the
shopping and sight seeing and general good
time.
The new building In which Doubleday,
Page d Co. are installed stands on the
site Of David Dudley Fields's last New
York home 1t is colonial in design and
appointments, and Is built OF Harvard
brick and marble and contains fireproof
safes for manuscripts.
New Year are Thomas Dixon, Jr.'s, THE
Clansman,' q story of the South in the
stirring days Of the reconstruchon. The early
scenes Of the story are laid in Washing
ton during the time when Thaddeus Stevens
practically held the reins Of government.
The fascinating Nancy that reappeaB
In Eleanor Hoyt's 'Nancy's Country Christ
mas is the same Nancy who once said In
discussing matrimony, my New Hamp-
shire head keeps my Kentucky heart from
| running away With me, and my Kentucky
heart keeps my New Hampshire head from
reasoning me into marriage for revenue
| only
The sale OF 100000 copies Of two books
| BY q young author on the subject OF human
| immortality Is q significant feat not to
be lightly regarded, even In these days of
enormous editions. A new book by the
same author, Coulson Kernahan. entitled
.The Face beyond the Door kind Of
prose poem on the same general theme,
has recently been issued.
Mr.. Howells writes home to his old friends
from San Reno. where he has settled him
self for the winter: you have no idea how
SICK ODS R6L6 Oh 6uubuluc dllh Cdilllps blu uio
like to see a naked elm tree shuddering In
q good old northeasterly storm
Mr.. William Le Quex, a large part Of
whose latest novel, The Closed Book.
Is written about Italy, has bought from
the Marquis Cecd fine old fifteenth CEN
tury castle near Florence, with its fine
picture gallery and antique furniture. He
| has also married q charming Italian lady,
and like the Brownings and Storys and
many other English and American folk
OF letters considers Italy second home.
It Is rumored that both the Russian and
the Servian Governments have ordered
Nellie K Blissett's novel THE Bindweed"
TO be placed on the list Of books which are
under no circumstances to be admitted
within the boundaries OF these two coun-
tries. The story gets too near the real
truth Of the recent royal tragedy In Serva
and the hand Russia played in that affair
to be considered good book for the people
In general to read.
The Memorials OF Edward Burne-Jones"
by his widow, which is announced for
publication this week, Is said to be charm
ingly informal and intimate account Of the
lie ana the pictures OF tne man VINO ls at
once famous among the elect as an artist
and beloved among the people as a man
a combination Of virtues not always found
In the same individual. This authorized
, biography will contain reproductions OF
many Of the artists best pictures.
A friend OF Joseph Sharts narrates the
following conversation overheard between
two fellow townsmen OF the author:
Heard what Joe Sharts is doing now?'
Lawyer amt her
NO; he's cut that out now He's writing
fiction for living
sWhat?'
writing fiction-storiee, you know
after a solemn pause)-'Don't 1t beat
thunder what some folksll do for a little
/ money!"
Labrador and Newfoundland are loom
ing up large on the literary horizon this
year Norman Duncan, in addition to his
novel "Dr. Luke OF Labrador has an article
In the current Harper's on the heroic work
OF a real physician, DR.. Wildred Grenfell,