The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-14

"In Re, the case of Mr. Ellwood Hend-
 rick versus Dr. George M. Gould, sub
 ject, Concerning Lafcadio Hearn'
 MT. Ellwood Hendrick of No 139 East Fortieth street, New York, wrote a let ter to The Age-Herald under date of June 1, published June 8, correcting a review made in this department on pr. George M. Gould's book, Concerning Lafcadio Hearn,' published in this paper May 25. There was no "correctng" necessary in so far as. the facts stated in the review were concerned. This reviewer did not go into the question as to whether what Dr. Gould said about Lafcadio Hearn's life was true or not. That is not the province of book reviewer. A book reviewer, to be satisfactory, should first tell what is the book about?" Then does the au- thor accomplish in a pleasing way the work he undertook. The review made of "Concerning Lafeadio Hearn" was worked out strictly on that line. Dr. Gould Is the proper person whom MT. Hendrick should 'correct." The Age-Herald simply told in its review what MT. Gould had to say and has nothing further to add or take back on the subject.
 It could be added with truth that with the light before all of us in regard to Fafcadio Hearn's life in Cincinnati, New. Orleans and Martinique, even including the Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, edited by Elizabeth Bsland-that people who did know Hearn In the days written about by Dr. Gould (when Mir Hendrick admits he did not know Hearn) will con- tend that, leaving out everything else the fact that Hearn did wish and made an attempt to marry a negro woman in Cin- cinnati- Is sufficient for most people to know as to his immoral viewpoint.
 As far as an unbiased reader of Dr. Gould's book can judge, it does seem that the author has only written the truth. The fact that Hearn's tastes, matrimonial hopes and even realizations in Japan, ran in the off-color line, has nothing on earth to do with the work he produced-other than to make 1t more remarkable.
 But if MT. Hendrick insists upon "cor- Iecting somebody, no doubt pr. Gould can be reached in care of his publishers, Messrs. G. W. Jacobs & Co.,, No. 1216 Walnut street, Philadelphia.
 When a book comes for review to The Age-Herald 1t will be discussed solely on what is In it-without any argument for or against it-other than just criti- cism, backed by personal knowledge of the reviewer. In so far as pr. Gould wrote in Concerning Lafcado Hearn,' book which appears, with all the facts before the southern people particularly as volume of truthful side lights on the man and his work-this reviewer attempt ed to say so on May 25. Dr. Gould has produced documents and facts which might never have seen the light had not the energetic friends of Hearn made their attack upon Dr. Gould personally and his book. These documents and facts confirm and strengthen the position taken by Dr. Gould in his book that Hearn was a man without character or morals, that his literary achievements were con- fined in large part to the interpretation of the creations of other minds and that he was temperamentally incapable of loy- alty and friendship. Mr. Hendricks ad- mits that-about loyalty and friendship in his letter of the 4th. pr. Gould de- fends himself quite well in regard to the books of Hearn-that he had possession of Hearn's library on any but the most perfect title. He publishes the whole facts and says that even Houghton, Mifflin & Co.,, publishers of Miss Bis lands Life and Letters'' in which Dr. Gould was first charged with dealing un- fairly with Hearn, have agreed to elimi- nate that passage from all future print ings of the book. Dr. Gould shows con- clusively that the transfer to him from Henry M. Alden of the books was en- gineered by Hearn himself; that Hearn left abundant written evidence of this fact that Dr. Gould tried repeatedly by letter to Hearn in Japan to induce him to permit the shipment of the library and that Hearn sent him promissory notes for various sums for which he never had been asked This chapter of the contro- versy concerning the ownership of Hearn's $ library, does seem as if it never should have been raised by persons claiming to be friends of Hearn. Dr. Gould published in the New York Times of May 16 long three-column statement regarding some of the facts in his book. Readers of The Age-Herald are referred to that state ment for any further information de- sired
 In any event The Age-Herald and it's reviewer have nothing on earth to do with the controversy between Dr. Gould and some of Hearn's friends. Dr. Gould lives in Philadelphia and he is much nearer to No. .139 East Forteth street. New York; than Birmingham is-and judg ing from his book (not The Age s review of it) he needs great deal of correcting" from the viewpoint of Hearns partisans.
 "R. Us Mother and Some Other People,"
 by Margaret Deland. Harper & Bros.
 The simple announcement, which should really be al that is necessary of a new book, either short stories or novel, by Margaret Deland. who has given to many of us such pleasure in The Awakening of Helen Richie,'' "The Old Chester Tales, "Dr. Lavenders People," is some- thing of literary event to some people this reviewer at any rate. Her new col lection of short stories is very charming. All six stories are good. and 1t would be difficult to select from them one or two which might be called best. If it became life and death' matter to selec- tion, no doubt "R. J.'s Mother" "The Mormon,' and 'The White Feather" would be picked out. But in doing so it would be a great question in ones mind as to whether Many Wcters," ''The House of Rimmon." and "A Black Drop" wouldn't after all win the prizes. So when there are six stories-and so very good that it Is so difficult to select three from the six as best-that in itself is the answer.
 One of the greatest charms of Mrs. De- lands stories-especially the short ones is the basis for thought that each one con- tains and conveys for and to the reader. One can hardly read a story from her delightful pen without stopping to think after perusal of it of this or that poss- bility should such and such a thing have happened. The ordinary short story is really nothing more nutrlcious or strengthening than Melin's Food would be for grown nprSop oyar candle DOWar