The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-04-27
Literary News and Notes.

Plans for small concrete house are
given in the May number of Popular
Mechanics Magazine. Two stories and
an attic are provided for, giving eight
rooms, and large, roomy hall. The
estimated cost is $4,000.
An interesting bit of literary news is
that DR.. S. Weir Mitchell's forthcoming
novel, "John Sherwood" is a Maine
story-that is, the scene is laid in this
State. Some years ago when Thomas
Bailey Aldrich was asked what he con-
sidered the two greatest American nov
els he named ''The Scarlet Letter" and
Mitchelps Hugh Wynne.'
The May number of Woman's Home
Companion contains ninetysix pages of
interesting reading. From the charming
cover, "Apple Blossoms, painted by T.
K. Hanna, to the Fun Page, there is not
a dull feature in the magazine. The first
aim and purpose of the editors of Wom-
ans Home Companion is to make this
magazine of service to it's readers, and it
seems to US that this end has been ad-
mirably accomplished in the May issue.
In the May Wide World, Mr.. H. Hes
keith Prichard commences his account of
the remarkable journey he made "Across
Unknown Labrador The opening
chapters are highly interesting, and will
be read with deep attention by all who
can appreciate the dangers and delights
of exploration in untraversed lands.
Major P. M. Sykes also begins series
of articles, entitled Through the Wilds
Of Persia" and Mrs. Ellen Beadnell de-
scribes her Holiday in Japan" There
are some highly exciting stories-'"The
FiveBranched Cocoanut." Sin the
Grip of the Blanket Fish, " Lost in an
Underground Lake" and THE King of
the Sticks. The articles and stories
deal with all parts of the globe and con-
tain an immense amount of geographical
information served up in highly attrac-
tive way.
The recent 10th birthday of Mrs. Har-
riet Prescott Spofford has recalled to
older older readers the Joy they felt ti in reading
The Amber Gods" "Azarian," and a
long list of other works. In their tropi-
cal richness of style these tales were un-
like anything that had previously appear
ed in the field of American literature,
and even the author has never repeated
the success of her earliest ventures. That
she did not continue in the same vein was
due not to lack of ability, but to a
change in public taste. which demanded
''more matter with less art" In any
case the years have not intercepted the
distinctive quality Of her work. Mrs.
Spofford made her debut as an author
when in the Newburyport High school
with story entitled 'In Cellar" in
The Atlantic Monthly, that won her III
slant recognition. Indeed, its literary
merit was of so high an order that the
editors of The Atlantic could not believe
it to be the production Of school girl
until they had made investigation.
- The May Strand is an attractive num-
Der, both as regards fiction and articles.
There are stories by Conan Doyle "a new
Sherlock Holmes "Remniscence" en-
titled 1.-The Adventure of the Red Cir
cle'O, w. W. Jacobs (prince of humor-
ists,) Barry Pain, E. M. Jameson, Ran
dolph Bedford, Austin Philips and others.
Wendell Phillips Dodge contributes the
first part Of highly interesting article
dealing with "Wall Street: Its History
and Romance" This should attract
those who have lost money specializing
as well as those who have successfully
"played the market" Lee Shubert, the
theatrical manager, writes interestingly
on the Difficulties of Play Production, -
and Arthur Morrison tells US that "Sek-
igwa" means japanese "Impromptu-
Pictures" Every one who has ever
handled playing card will read with
astonishment the marvellous number of
times pack may be arranged without
repetition. A colored section devoted to
pretty and well-known actresses is an
attractive feature.