The sun., 1908-06-24
hooks AND AUTHORS.

Tha London Book Monthly publishes some
interesting data concerning the giving OF
books for wedding presents. The Premier
and Nirs. Asquith. having literary tastes
and literary minds. often give books for
wedding presents. Mr.. Arthur Balfour.
Mr.. John Morley and Mr.. Augustine Birrell
also are fond Of giving books for wedding
presents. People Of the lower working
classes are moro inclined to present what
they call something useful The pro-
fesslonal classes-men of letters. clergy
men. lawyers, &c.--do present books to
bridal couples of their acquaintance
books chosen both for their contents
and tasteful bindings. The gentry and
nobility" do not patronize literature
In marriage gifts. Occasionally O per-
son Of taste spends e10 on the best
books by different authors to form the
nucleus Of a library instead of buying silver
that often embarrasses a young couple Of
small means with the necessity Of buying
safe in which to keep it.
A high authority On our language in
England. according to the London Book
Monthly, has been pointing out that we are
getting to be very slovenly takers. that we
do not take the trouble to pronounce our
words correctly. and that one reason for
this is the dying out Of home reading aloud.
This writer says that II people want their
children to speak we'll and elegantly there
Is no training like reading aloud two or
three evenings a week. and. moreover. 1t
introduces the children very pleasantly
to good books. He ascribes the decadence
Of reading aloud to the cheapness Of books.
When books were dearer one volume had to
serve for a company. but now each person
may have a volume for himself.
One family holds an extraordinary record
for long servce at the Riverside Press.
for forty seven years, his brother for thirty
seven years, his two sons for thirty-three
and thirty years respectively. and his Ave
daughters an average Of ten years apiece,
making total Of over 1877 years.
Charles Belmont Davis. the author of
'The Stage Door was present at the
Arch Street Theatre. Philadelphia, when
John Drew made his first appearance on
the stage as Piumpsr In the farce Cool As a
Cucumber" This was in 1873, and since
that time there have been few stage
productions which Mr.. Davis has not wit
messed. The late l.. Clarke Davis, the
authors father, pr many years editor OF
the Philadelphia Ledger, used to say jok-
ingly that he had no sooner established
place for himself in the world than he
came to be known as the husband Of Re-
Gecca Harding Davis. A few years later
both he and Mrs. Davis were referred to
as the parents of Richard Harding Davis
And now with THE Stage Door another
member Of the family is winning distinction
in the story telling world.
Harrison Rhodes, whose latest book Is
filed with "The Adventures Of Charles
Edward" Is a native of Cleveland. He
was one Of the editors Of the Chap Book,
and after this periodical went out Of ex-
istence Mr.. Rhodes went to London. where
he stayed for some years. doing all kinds
of literary work. But Mr.. Rhodes Is
confirmed traveller. He prides himself
upon possessing no personal belongings
which cannot be packed into his trunks
at a moments notice, and his most ardent
hope is to continue in the same condition