Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-10-20
LITERARY NOTES.

His Grace the Duke of Argyll (bro ther in
law of Edward VII.) contributes 20 the Novem-
Der number of The Smart Set long poem en-
| titled "The Three Little Africanders," which
| is delightfully."- humorous. The ventures of
royalty into literature are always interesting,
and this contribution by His Grace will be
| read by everyone. The Countess of winchel-
sea is also represented in this issue by short
poem OF distinct merit.
''The Game and the Candle" by a new writer
of great promise, Frances Davidge. is the
| novelette, which opens the November number.
lt presents fine picture of modern New York
society, and the plot, hinginR upon the mar
riage of young man of wealth and station to
a girl almost wholly lacking i'm culture. is en-
crossing. The authors pen is delightfully."-
! eptgrammatic and satirical, and she knows
thoroughly the life of which she writes.
Verse is scattered through the pages from
poets as well known as Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
John Kendrick Bangs, Frank Dempster Sher-
man and Theodosa Garrison. The November
Smart Set is remarkable gathering OF the
literary brains of two continents.
"GovERNMENT REGULATION OF RAILWAY
RATES."
In view of the widespread interest IN the
proposal to regulate railway rates by govern
ment authority, the Macmillan Company who
are bringing out Professor Hugo Richard
Meyers book Of the above title. anticipate a
much more general demand for il than is usu-
al with works of this character. A first edi-
ton of sixty-five hundred copies is being
printed and, from the heavy advance orders
received, the publishers anticipate q second
printing within very short time. Certainly
no book dealing with an economic subject
could possess the element of current and gen
eral interest in greater degree. The book
embodies the results OF twelve years spent i'm
careful investigation of the subject of govern
ment ownership and control in many lands
and is the most important and convincing
contribution 70 the discussion of this much
discussed subject that has appeared thus far
WHY birds GO SOUTH.
Il once asked a confirmed old bachelor. saws
Mr.. Craig S. Thoms in the New Idea woman's
Magazine for November, "why he did not
marry. to which he replied, Il have gotten over
wanting to- Is there n tide in the affairs of
birds fora certain period in the autumn which
draws them southwark And If the fall be
pleasant, as was that of 1904, and they remain
longer than usual, does this tide of inclination
pass away and leave them stranded with US for
the winter2 Or, when they have stayed dur
ing long, pleasant autumn, do they reason
like the old man who said that IL would not pay
- ---A ~ SNe AoAoc ASSbn uohs ludJ Ills llfuc
was too short2
1T Is usually thought that the determining
factor in the birds going or staying is not that
of cold, but OF food; and for this there Is doubt
less considerable evidence Yet for the evi-
dence To be conclusive. il would need to be
shown that the food is lacking when they go
forth and leave us, as well as present when
they stay throughout the year.
I'm the autumn of 1904, i'm the groves which
skirt the rivers in South Dakota, wild grapes
were unusually abundant. The autumn was so
long and dry that they cured upon the vines
and were sweet somewhat juicy, and very
palatable during the entire winter. In these
groves found companies of bluebirds in early
January, when the mercury stood between
eight and ten degrees below zero.
In opposition to this fact. Mr.. Thoms notes
that although everg winter goodly supply of
berries, seeds, buds, etc, remains on the
bushes, yet the robins, who eat these, constant
ly migrate. Mr.. Thoms comes TO the conclu-
sion, therefore, that "there is a migrating
instinct which has its season, Just as there is
mating instinct which has its season: and IT,
owing TO pleasant conditions, that season
passes without the birds being moved TO 20
south, they do not go at ALL"