The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-24

@LDER readers. says the New York
lI Post. will recall the phrases
modest author" "a writer who
I9xSl does not wish TO reveal his
name" and "the dignity OF let
tiers" Such obsolete expressions have been
dropped from the modern vocabulary. and
in their stead we have a riot Of personal
description and anecdote that brings the
writer's very complex and interesting self
before those who are asked 10 buy his
books. II Is useless 10 protest against the
publishers practice OF gathering and send
ing out these intimate bits" Long ago
IL was settled that selling books is bust
ness as much selling hams. Yet the
butchers jingles and jests are labeled-they
go On the bilIboards and into the advertis-
ing columns But the excellence of Mr..
wadsworth Longfellow Wrightington as
purveyor Of romantic literature is judged
10 be a matter of legitimate news interest.
But this is at least questionable. Are we
genuinely interested in the feats Of the
California writer. of whom the publishers
say:
Mr.. Blank has within the last few years
done some clever writing. He is modest
concerning his literary feats. but as a
smoker he fancies himself. All the length
and breadth OF the Pacific slope resounds
with his fame as a blower of smoke rings.
So far as is known, he holds the world 5
record, and when a noted visitor is enter
tanned at the Bohemian Club of San Fran
cisco, conversation Is hushed, and all the
air a solemn stiffness holds while Mr.
Blank blows seven smoke rings through
each other, and follows the exhibit by blow
ing seven smoke rings linked together like
a chain"
But not all the prodigies are found in
California. A Pennsylvania author is spok-
en- of in this way by her publishers:
Mrs. -'s success as the author of
- and the creator of good old DR.. -
Is equaIed by her success as fioriculturist-
Much has been written of her love of fiow-
ers, but not OF the humane and practical
use to which she has devoted it. AS some
one has said, She has but to touch plant
TO make IL live and the result Is house
and garden OVERLOOKING with blooming
plants, including even such difficult ex-
periments as fig tree" The point Is that
Mrs. sells flowers and gives the
money TO charity, as Walt Whitman sold
his autograph (see publishers note about
q conversation once held with the poet by
Mr. W c. whose works Blank
& Co. are issuing In a special edition..
This exhibit OF shrinking authors would
not be complete without including mention
OF Western writer who has spent some
months abroad. Does he know that the
country IL in possession Of the facts here
related2 The publishers declare:
Mr. again the author Of a
notable success OF which Blank & Co. are
selling repeated editions, recently made the
ascent OF Vesuvius, and had rather a dan
gerous experience. Accompanied by his
family nine guides. and a caterer. Mr.. --
neared the rim OF the crater. when show
er of stones, many of them as large as a
derby hat felf all around him. He said
that the mountain itself was not more
active than he was. as he hurriedly left
leaving his cap behind. which was later
secured by one OF the guides This
Is, perhaps. the most perfect example
known of the combination of the narrative,
the anecdotal. and the descriptive. The
nine guides, the caterer, Vesuvius breaking
forth into applause Of the author of an
other notable success. the authors modest
misapprehension OF the mountains motive
his precipitate flight, the loss of the cap
and the intrepidity of one OF the nine
guides-all these elements combine TO fix
this writer firmly in our minds. 1t is skill
full advertising, but is it news?