The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-27
Literary Notes.

During the exile on ST. Helena Napoleon
told his physician. DR.. O'Meara, that the
sale of the louisiana Territory to the
United States was one act of his life TO
which he looked back with the greatest
pleasure.
Mr. Kipling's new volume of stories will
be published in the coming autumn. AT
that time, too, will appear Mr.. Henry
James's new novel. Mr.. James. it is re-
ported is preparing to make visit or
some months to this country.
Kate Douglas Wiggin has just returned
to New York after a short visit in Boston.
She expects to sail about the 1st of April
for England, where for many years, she
has spent the spring and early summer.
Her latest book, 'Rebecca of Sunnybrook
Farm" is in great demand.
Mark Twain has been more active since
his arrival in Italy than for many years
past He writes to friends here that when
he is not looking for 2 new villa" he is
writing He has been in Florence about
three months, and has already sent six
short stories to Harper's Magazine. Mr..
Howells. too. has gone abroad for a short
trip with his daughter, and will return
some time during the summer.
Some French publishers have begun to
issue not only the classics, but works of
current literature, for a franc EACH in
stead of the time-honored ST soc. The
book trade has suffered severely during
the last few years, and it is believed by
bringing literature within reach of every
body il may be revived The cheap books
are as we'll made up in the matter of paper,
pictures and printing as the more eXpen-
sive ones.
At recent English literary club dinner
Mr.. Whiteing, author of mo. 5 John
Street." is quoted as having said: The
novel performs a service to society analo-
gous to that of light cavalry. 1t goes for
ward. sees everything, does not probe all,
but shows how a thing is affecting the
hearts and minds of simple men and wom
en- and what they are thinking about. Once
this is put before the people, they are on
their way to reform.
1t is not generally known that Henry
Harland studied for the bar and that some
thing over fifteen years ago he occupied
post in the office of the surrogate of New
York city and lived in Beekman place.
Under the name of Sidney Luska during
this period he wrote some very grim stories
LAS 1t Was Written, The Yoke of the
Thorah," Mrs PeiXada'-and made, a few
years later his contributions to mat queer
quarterly which he edited, THE Yenow
Book
IS. G. Tallentyre,' whose recent life of
Voltaire has been highly praised by Eng
lish critics. is now revealed by Dr. Robert
son Nicols as woman. She is Miss E.
V. Hall. daughter of Canon Hall. rector of
St. Clements Church. in Eastcheap, Lon
don Her brother-in-law, the late Henry
Seton Merriman, author of ''Barlasch of
the Guard" left her $4,000 in recognition
of literary services she had rendered him
''Merriman'' also, it will be recalled, is a
| pseudonym, the novelists real name being
Scott
The late Henry Seton Merriman scored
his greatest literary success at the end of
his career. and in that differed from the
majority of writer's. His last published
| book, "Barlasch of the Guard" was his
| most notable achievement-his greatest
| success artistically and financially. 1t is
! the leading novel of the day in England.
| It's American publishers state that up to
! date it has sold more than any other book
! of Merriman's published in the United
! States, and is selling to-day, although il
was published last season, quite as well
| as most of this seasons books.