The Washington herald., 1907-03-24

The writer like a priest. must be exempted from
secular laboF HIS WeTs needs traic health he
must be at the top o. bis condition
-Emersoa- Poetry ard Imagination
William Dean Howells, We are happy TO
learn. has recovered from the indisposi-
ton. which threatened 10 be serious.
which followed the dinner given IN his
honor on March ], the celebration OF his
seventeen birthday. During his Illness he
was the recipient of hundreds OF letters
from admirers all over the world. He is
deeply in epistolary debt. and he hopes
mat no one viii misinterpret his enforced
silence. as he is trying hard to catch up
with his correspondence.
It IS seldom that Mr. Howells resorts TO
the typewriter. even for letters though
since his temporary indisposition he has
done so TO some extent He has never,
he says. been able to dictate his essays
OF fiction TO a stenographer. When Mr..
Henry James was in the country last year
he adopted dlctation to facilitate his work
on The American Scene" When he
called upon his old friend. Howells he
told him how he had changed his method
OF composition. and found it helpful
You know why I did it, don't you?"
asked Mr.. james.
why. no. replied Mr. Howelis. 7
don't believe I do"
7 did it just because learned that you
yourself had taken up dietation," said Mr..
James.
Mr.. HowelIs looked at him in quizzieal
astonishment. He smiled. Mr.. James
began to understand. and he smiled, too.
Il? But 1 never use. ana never have
used, dietation," said Mr.. Howells,
And Henry James was amused to find
that he had made such an important
change In his methods through the ex-
ample of an old friend even If the report
was false.
BY the way, speaking Of Mr. James, his
American Scene" seems to have pleased
his English critics. The Academy pro-
nOunces the book "an exquisite panorama
in silver point. and adds:
It is a profound essay in the psychology Of the
governing class II America NOW that you have
get riches and the power that riches give. SAYS Mr.
james TO the plutocTaCy Of his native land What do
you intend to make with themI' Mere riches and
more power. is the answer. And after that7'
Nothing. The f0Teleeued gI0Ie uf blind wealth
for the grsees and amenities Of civilized life. that.
Mr. james says IT, Is the main plot in the tragic
comedy which is being played the immense stage
of America.
The Spectator declares that Mr.. James
writes with such urbanity toward his
own couutymen that even the most ar
dent patriot could hardly take efgense. The
critic here states the meaning Of the book
very fairly:
The book is not land never was. apparently by
the author meant 30 bel concerned with Mr..
James impressions of America: but has 10 do wholly
with M-. James impressions u Henry James con-
fr1utcd by America lie visited rs land he seems
% have left England intending 20 visit us with
ms PLY yslCai eye. iuoetd. turned outward, but with
mg. not the American scene. but his own psy-
cae1Eicai Vacations uuder the stimulus Of America
revisited
They are in something Of a furry in
London over the republication in a cheap
form of the early works OF John Ruskin
on which the copyright seems TO have ex-
pired. The matter has come up in the
House of Commons. where 1t has been
asked whether something cannot be done
10 prevent il. The edition Of Ruskin now
being brought out which is causing
all the pother is the one which Ruskin
afterWard repudiated declaring that it
was full Of youthful errors, due to ig-
nOrance and pride" The changes desired
by Mr Ruskin, which he made ia the
authoritative editions of his works. are
not made IN this cheaper edition. In re-
sp0nse to queries on the subject, Mr.
LlOyd-George, hrst lord Of the treasury,
said that when the time came the evil
complained OF would not be overlooked.
RuslSin is not the only author TO suffer
from the lapse of his copyrights. New
editions, cheap and incorrect often
enough, are being brought out Of many Of
the popular authors. Darwin and Dickens
are prominent sufferers.
Miss Margaret Potter was only eighteen
when her first novel was brought out in
Chicago, and IL made something Of a SEN
sstion. A copy OF this book is hardly 10
be had now at any price. Her latest.
THE Princess" makes her fifth work of
fiction, though she is now only twenty
six. She was married in 1862 10 Mr. John
Donald Black, a lawyer. but she still re-
tains her maiden name for writing pur-
poses.
Luridly Illuminating. as showing with
true mind of Russia to-day In the midst
OF her horrible struggles to be free from
the weight that has so long oppressed
her. Is the play, "On the Eve" written
by DR.. Leopold Kampf, one Of the lead
ers in the revolutionary movement. The
book is dedicated ITO the Russian
Revelutionists: The Silent Heroes" It
IS a literary drama in three acts, meant
primarily fer reading, but it has great
possibilities for the stage. If its subject
could By any chance be made to appeal
to the American public.
As x Is. considered solely as literature.
this drama gives a striking picture OF
conditions both in the lower and the up-.
per classes in Russia 1t shows a family.
devoted TO "the cause" running in secret
q printing press. which turns out weekly
a paper called The Light" which is scat
cred all over Russia 1t shows the pre-
cautions that have TO be taken to keep
the police from discovering the work: the
signals. the hiding. the hole-in-a-corner
business that the fear of the police makes
OF life But in spite Of the fear and the
discomfort. these people. harried 70 death.
continue brave and determined and when
there is thought of the sacrifices involved.
lmpelling these revolutiOnists 10 think of
their own safety, it is a woman who cries:
To buy this Vict0ry-te1 me- IS any loss too
create What toTture5 are too h0ribleg What does
human life count for IL it can bring tie dawn
q tae mo7roW one moment socner5 Compared with
the endless suffering Of oug poor Russia ~hat does
personal suffering natter believe in the power q
saernee, believe 10 the power Of innocent blood-
That is tie revolutionary side Of it.
The upper-class side Of the fight, the bit
ter misunderstanding that makes the gulf
so wide Is EXPRESSED by a trsa sf1r-r soffi-