The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-08-06
DTSRAELI n THE
TITLES OF BOOKS
Hints in .'CuriOSi6es Of
Regarding the Christening OF
Literary Works.
BY Miss S. OH. Dickson.

b Miss S. OH.
In Disraeli's "Curiosities Of LItera-
ture"-now a yeritable literary curl
osity itseif-we find a very entertain
ing chapter under the above heaolng,
which, in this day Of the making OF
many books, may furnish US with a
confirmation Of Solomon's assertion
that there is nothing new under the
sun.
He begins by saying that II we
should inquire Of an ingenious writer
what page of his work had occasioned
him most perplexity. he would often
point TO the "title-page.' And who
has esen taken pen In hand to write
for the press, but has felt this per-
plexity- Who that has not heard tier
ated and reiterated the advice: =
sure you have a taking title?'
1t was said that Beatrice Harraden
a written the story that gave her
temporary fame under quite a differ
ent title. and that when h offered 1t
to the publisher, he told her that the
story went well enOugh but that she
sure you have a taking title?
What shall 1 call it?" she asked in
dismay. and in reply he seized on the
heading Of one of her chapters:
Ships That Pass in the Night" We
all know how much that title had to
do with the sale Of q book by SO new
= writer.
But to return to Disracii. He says
that Jewish and Oriental writer's were
fond Of a%ilegorical titles. 1t might
exercise an able enigmatist to explain
their illusions. For instance: The
Bones OF Joseph" is an introduction
to the Taimud. The Garden Of
Nuts and 1.-The Golden Apples are
theological discussions.
1.-The Modern Fanatics" he contin-
ueS-and we must remember that he
wrote q undred years ago-"have
had a most barbarous taste for titles.
We could produce numbers from
abroad and at home"
Some works lave been called
Matches Lighted at the Divine Fire"
"The Gun of Penitence.' Another one
OF these works, bears the following
elaborate title: Some Fine Biscuits
Baked in the wen Of Charity, Care
fully Conserved for the Chickens Of
the Church, the Sparrows of the Spirit
and the Sweets Of Salvation!
Some Of the obscure titles have an
entertaining ~abSurdity, as: "The Three
Daughters of Job" which is a treatise
on the three virtues Of patience, forti-
tude and pain. THE Sound of q
Trumpet" is a work on the Day Of
Judgment.
DiSraeli goes on to remark very
wisely that 'if a title is obscure it
raises A prejudice against the author.
We are apt to suppose that an am
biguoUs title is the effect Of an intr1-
cate or confused mind. The false idea
which a title nvey is alike prejudi-
cial to the author and the reader. I'll
ties are generally too prodigal OF their
promises, and their authors are con-
demned."
He quantity adds: after all. many
authors are neither SO vain, nor SO
honest as they appear. for magnificent
or simple titles have often been given
from the difficulty Of forming others
1t is too often with the titles Of books
as with those painted representations
exhibited by the keepers OF wild
beasts. where, in general, the pictur,
itself is made more striking and IN
viting to the eye than the enclosed
animal is always found to be-"
The moral Of which for those Of u.
who write is: The selection of a title
be it for a book. or for a magazine
article. is not the least important par
OF the authors work.