The San Francisco call., 1905-08-27
Notes of Literary
Importance.

A lot of skepticism has been expressed.
both in print and otherwise, as to wheth-
er Helen Woljeska, whose name appears
as the author of that remarkable little
book, "A Woman's Confessional" was
real person. One critic even went so far
as 10 reproach the supposedly anonymous
author for trading on a pseudonym pur-
posely made to resemble that of the loved
and respected actress. Helen Modjeska-
Life Publishing Company. whose imprint
"a Woman's Confessional" bears. vouches
for the fact that Helen Woijeska is
not only the name of a living person. but
that 1t belongs Of right to the author.
who Is a very charming woman, living
in one OF New York's immediate suburbs.
Further than this the publishers do not
go, leaving Ii to the author and her read
ers to settle just how much additional
light shall be thrown on the authorship
of this remarkable revelation OF a wonn-
ans innermost thoughts
Quite recently ehanced to see the re-
ply OF Mr.. Hamilton W. Mable to an In
quirer who asked him how to study
Browning-what commentaries to get.
etc. Mr.. Mable said: Get no commenta-
ries: get a good edition Of Browning Do
not approach him as a philosopher. scien-
tist or a problem; approach him as a
human poet of the nineteenth century. 1t
has been Browning's unfortunate fate 10
be enveloped in fogs Of discussion,
to be overloaded with notes. illustrations,
and explanations of every sort and kind.
The result has been that many people
who would have found Browning Of ines
timable value in their mental and spirit
ual life have been repelIed from him
New York Times.
Mr. Henry Wellington Wack, the au-
r4-A
and JuIiette Drouet," published by the
Putnams. says that a number OF readers
have written to ask him why he did not
extend his interesting story to include
the Haison between Mime. -4ugo and the
critic Sainte-Beuve, one correspondent as
sunning his ignorance OF that affair. The
only reason for mentioning this matter
in Mr.. Wacks book would have been to
avoid placing Mime. Hugo in the unde-
served position Of an innocent heroine
Mr. Wack. w1io is thoroughly familiar
with all the aspects Of the Lle Of the
Hugos, prefers that lis error should pre-
vail rather than that the exquisite story
of Victor Hugo and Juliette Drouet
should be marred by any connection with
an unlovely scandal.
The most talked of magazine of the
month is the American Illustrated Maga-
zire known for thirty years as Leslie's
Monthly. The editors evidently under
stood that the first issue under the new
name would be subjected to pretty close
criticism, for the striking thing about the
number is its very uniform excellence.
The magazine. in printing and illustra-
ton. is finished with the greatest care.
1t begins with the first chapter of a beau
tifully illustrated history of American
painting and throughout the magazine
the Americanism of the title is en-
phasized in the choice of sub
jects American heroism is en-
phasized by the first authorized account
of the Carnegie Hero Fund and the deeds
it has rewarded, vigorously written by
Henry Kitcheli Webster. American busi-
ness is significantly treated by study of
Thomas F. Ryan and a group OF his
brother traction magnate>- Throughout
the number there is the same attention
given to the personalities OF interesting
people which has characterized Leslie's
Monthly during the past year. The ic-
tion which is particularly plentiful In the
magazine, is excellent and rather un-
usually varied. The American Magazine
is we'll started in its career. We wish IL
deserved success.
A oosthumous story by Elizabeth
Cherry Walz, "a Lady of Balance" will
be one of the September Century's fea-
lures. A pathetic interest attaches to all
of Mrs. Walz's work since her death
just at the time that her first-and as IL
proved her only-book. PA Gladden.
was in press. Mrs Walz was literary
editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal
for several years. spending herself on
her work and her writing with unusual
zeal Indeed. her devotion to her work
is believed to have induced the illness
that caused her death
Mrs. Humphry Ward. il is announced,
proposes to make a visit to the United
States In December. and it is limited that