New-York tribune., 1907-12-28
BOOKS AND AUTHORS.
Current Talk of Things Present
and to Come.

Among the new importations announced by
the Scribners is a volume presenting "the true
and romantic story" of the life Of "Mirabeau,
the Demi-God." The book. which includes por-
traits and other illustrations is the work of Mr.
W. r. H. Trowbridge, the author Of Court
Beauties Of Old Whitehall" No one, by the
way. will ever give more graphic description
of Mirabeau than did Chateaubriand-'I have
seen him in the tribune, amid the awful dis
order of a sitting, sor,bre, ugly and motionless;
he reminded of Miltons Chaos shapeless
and impassive In the centre of his own con-
fusion
new novel by Miss Ellen Glasgow is nearly
ready for publication. 1t Is a story Of Virginia
lfe and its hero is dominating and conquering
parsonage The book is to be entitled THE
Ancient Law"
The Ibsen manuscripts which were discovered
some time ago in Rome have just been published
In Copenhagen under the title of Henrik Ib-
sens Epic Brand" This material seems to
be an experimental and tentative version Of
Ibsen's drama Brand containing at least one
episode which has been used In Peer Gynt-" 1t
shows something Of the authors methods of
working. and he hated to have his incomplete
work discussed It is doubtful If he would have
approved this publication. Ibsen enthusiasts
will probably welcome the fragment-others.
we believe. viii find 1t more than tiresome.
Hustled History; or the Sprinter's Guide to
knowledge" Is the suggestive title Of a sktt by
those merry authors. Messrs. Graves and Lucas.
It is, Of course. satire on the modern popular
culture made-easy book.
Caricatures in wood the oldest, funniest most
ht~y
it is stated brought Caran d'Ache within a
couple of months no less sum than $4,000
Here is the story CT Is told in "Pearson's Maga-
zine'), and 1t has its melancholy side:
Last year. by doctors orders. Caran dAche was
forbidden to draw He went for @ & holiday INTO 1a9
his steps to the workshop of joiner. and he was
tempted to try his hand at the joiners lathe and and
figures in wood. And he fen into the habit of
there Salon xS;s, Sss 55sD xo4Ss
have been the chief attraction of the show. This
an of his sr T hess oy.
al the huor @ that we have ~ ali II the the III
Of curve. all the Irresistible charm
The toy shops, 1t is added. beseged the artist
for his wares. and If the clever artists trouble
was not lessened 1T was eased.
Prince Rupert cavalier Of cavaliers and cousin
of Charles III, had devoted little dog. boy"
by name and to this little creature Mrs Malt
land has given chapter IN her new Bethia
Hardacre book Tho London Tribune" says
that this little dog was credited with the GIT
OF language and Of prophecy, and he Is said 10
have foretold the coming OF the King TO MS
own again The very courtiers were jealous of
him when he mounted 10 the table andfseemed
to whisper in Prince Ruperts ear and when the
fuIq Of
C,bristian-like morsels." Furthermore, a gentle
man usher had been heard to swear that 1t was
q great shame the dog should sit In the hlhg
chair as he always doth"
Boy was as brave and reckless as Rupert MS
prince ant he followed many fhaTgs Prfan q feaW
He met his DEATH IKE aeatnst the
ISIS a, bv Rupers horse and wrote Wears. the
chronicier among the dead men and horses whlch M
Killed.. iii aP"H 'A' : 'N'-4'
Manv readers protest that they do not Nko
the serial publication Of novels-yet that Is no
nroof that such serial publication is mistake
The mere fact that magazines continue 10 prihs
out fiction thus goes to show that the serial must
survive. We cannot, however count THE Fort
nightly Review taking this side OF the ques-
ton. It has given up the long novel-possibly II
WAS discouraged by Mr.. Hewletts Stoopins
Lady"-and during the coming year VIII Pfih'
occasional short stories
The French Minister of Education has ap-
nointed six members of the societe des Gems de
Jettres to take part in the Commission for re-
forming legislation with regard to literary
property The six include NM. Victor Marquee
rite fpresidenO. Robiquet. George Lecom'e'
,,aur,ce JebIanc Madame Lesueur and Com
tesse de Noailles 1t Is stated that NJ Pierre
n, authors rights beyond the fifty years after
the authors death. protested in public letter
against the participation of members OF tue
committee of the Societe des Gems de Lettres IN
a Commission Of this kind. The committee tnere-
fore met. and it was unanimously decided that
the members invited should take part IN the
commission. These representatives are author