New-York tribune., 1909-12-18
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
Talk of Things Present and
To Come.

Talk of Things Present and
TO Come.
Morning Star" is the title of a ro-
nance of ancient Egypt which Mr.. Rider
Haggard intends to publish in the spring.
1t is the love story of a queen of the
Nile. He will also bring out little
later another story entitled, Queen
Sheba's Ring" 1t is said that he is now
hard at work upon two books in which
he is describing more of the thrilling ex-
periences of our old friend Allan Qua
termain
Mrs, Gertrude Atherton's new novel.
THE Tower of Ivory is another book
| announced for early publication. 1t IS
mentioned as dealing with the diplo-
matte world and also with operatic
circles.
Mr.. Bernhard Berensons new book, "a
Sienese Painter of the Franciscan Le-
gend." will be published by the John
Lane Company about the middle of Jan
study is Stefano di Giovanni, called Sas-
setta. The volume will include twenty
! five collotype reproductions Of Sassetta's
paintings.
Mr.. De Morgans new novel, 1T Never
Can Happen Again. is apparently ap-
pealing to the book buyer. 1t is an
nounced that four large American edi-
tions have already been printed
Mr.. Charles H. Sherril, the author of
two clever books, Stained Glass Tours
in England" and STAINED Glass Tours
in France" has been enlivening the
course of business as American Minister
to the Argentine by delivering a lecture
at the university in Buenos Ayres. His
subject was 'Pan-Americanism as Put
Forward by Clay, Sarmiento and Root"
Mr. j. NJ Barrie has been writing for
immediate publication a book on the late
George Meredith
An English edition of Mrs Hutchin-
sons book, Motoring in the Balkans"
has been arranged for by the American
publishers. A. c. McClurg & Co. There
is apparently a large and growing de-
mand for records of motoring tours in
all civilized regions.
The papers of James Skene, Sir Walter
Scotts devoted friend just published for
the first time, contain many descriptions
of the Wizard of the North at work
Skene has seen him writing poetry "as
rapidly and apparently as easily as one
would write note" When, during the
fears of a NapoleOnic invasion Scott
Joined the Volunteer Cavalry, his warlike
exercises seemed to stir his Muse to per
sistent activity He occupied himself
with composition even on the parade
ground "One whole canto of Mar
1nion.'" says Skene. II think the fifth
was composed on the drill ground at
Portobello Sands. where they assembled
at : o'clock in the morning. and where,
during our evolutions, Sir Walter was
often seen lodging up and down on his
black gelding at the very edge of the
sea in complete abstraction. He used to
toin me in the rear OF the squadron when
returning from exercises and recite what
he had been IMPOSING"
Scott's translation into English verse
of a poem of Burgers brought to him by
Skene was made when he was recovering
from a severe illness. He made it, he
told his friend, as a test of the state of
his mind during that illness, for that
he had frequent misgivings in the prog
I,i
way and might never again be recov-
cred" The story continues:
Now l really am not bold enogh," he
said ito be my own eXeCutioner; do YOU
now take the manuscript, and after have
read the original, read it aloud, and let IL
pronounce the sentence Of sanity or imbe-
this singular experiment was put to the
test. Sir Walter read his part, and turn
ing his head aside desired me to go on
and upon my reading the translation which
really was very good, cast a most whim-
steal glance from under his heavy eve
brows We'll, is Richard himself agaiIl?"
There was no doubt of it. / wanted to
pocket the manuscript. but he would not
suffer me; he said 1T had answered its end
and must not be urged further.
Nine de Berry, the kind and noble
woman who was so beneicent a friend
to Balzac, is the subject of just pub
Ushed book entitled La Dilecta de Bal
zac" The daughter of Marie An
toinette's harpist and the Queens god
daughter, this lady was born into a
world of startling transitions and had
more than enough of romance and sor-
row In her own life. She was the orig
inal of Nine de Mortsauff in Balzac's
story, lie Lys dams la Vallee."
incidents of an Antiquary's Life" is
the title Of lively volume which the
Macmillan Company is about to issue. Its
author is Mr.. ID. G.. Hogarth. keeper of
the Ashmolean Museum and an accom-