The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-06
BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

! Lady Penelope is an unusual char
acter, which Morley Roberts has chosen for
( the theme of his new book. No less than
/ eight stiitors sue for the hand OF Lady
Penelope all types Of successful men.
each in bis own way representative Of
modern manhood. This gives peculiar
interest TO the illustrations, which are to
consist Of series OF nine portraits from
the brush of Arthur William Brown whose
work both az an illustrator and portrait
painter il well known.
The doctrine OF the Simple Life Ia evidently
not doomed to the usual fate Of American
enthusiasms--a nine DAYS wonder and then
oblivion. Leagues for the Simple Life
are organizing themselves independently
throughout the country, and have as a
purpose a united effort for doing away
with unessentials. ostentaton. display.
and vigorous pruning away Of the useless
irritating trihes that complicate daily
life and take tho time that could be spent
more prontably and more enjoyably in
more normal directions
Arthur Henry Vesey is devoted to the
French poodle, although he gives one a
rather bad character in his novel The
Clock and the Key which comes out next
week. He has two dogs Of the breed whose
ribbons and cups taken at the leading
dog shows made great display in his
house at Morristown. Toto ia the authors
fayorite because of his taste for literature,
day or two ago Toto chewed up a copy
OF "Elwell on Bridge" and put his doggy
mark upon. but did not inwarily digest,
10 RaOaptlty Mr.
finished short story in the small hours
OF the morning and left the pages lying
about in his study as usual. hattering him
self that be had written something not at
all bad The next day the bark Of Toto
awakened him betimes and he looked for
his story, eager to see il it sounded as good
IN the sober light OF morning as It had
seemed In the witching hours OF night.
But in the meanwhile Toto had read it.
1t didn't come up to his standard and he
had torn the pages 10 atoms. Mr.. Vesey
accepted tho verdict with resignation
knowing his critic was one with whom II
was useless to demonstrate.
Tho old question TO whether city or
country residence Is the mora congenial
to the literary temperament was recently
propounded to Elmore Elliott Peake, au-
thor of THE House OF Hawley." which
will be published this month, Tastes
differ, of course the author answered.
Most authors, it would seem, live in cities;
and there seems 10 De a tendency cityward
among authors living in the country espe-
chilly after they have made a ten strike.
The city affords lectures concerts, drama,
society and the fellowship Of kindred spirits
- Ia, Gtt1 thar. ~
a great deal to be said for the other SIDE.
Witness the famous authors living a rural
or semi-r1lral life. Perhaps the ideal resi-
denoe is In a small town near city, which
In a measure combines the advantages Of
both"
Richard Harding Davis has published
a new play called Miss Civilization, which
takes advantage Of up to date phrases
OF life in a unique manner The scene Is
laid in country house situated at con-
siderable distance from any other house.
the only occupants being a sick mother
and her daughter. The young woman il
the daughter OF the president OF a rail-
way company. and judging from her cool
ness and courage in the presence Of dan
gerous emergencies she il amply qualified
to be president Of railway herself There
are burglars in the house, and when she
discovers it she telephones for a wrecking
crew TO come on 10y special train 10 her
relief. puts on becoming wrapper and
goes down to entertain the burglars until
help arrives. She gives them the best cigars
and tho finest whiskey and then sits down
with them and argues with the chief Of
the gong about his calling being menace
10 civilization. The sick mother rests I'M
disturbed by the danger, and the argu
ment, the picturesque contrasts in the con-
versation between the refined girl and
the band OF criminals. is very entertaining