Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-18

listed in the six best sellers Howe1s
it is no sign that a book is eifbe,
wholesome or good literature, beesuss
it is found in the various lists Of bsst
sellers Neither is it proof that ,is
book is crude, or unclean. But, II i
true, of every book that gains the dir
tinction of being a best seller tfstf
has in it something, besides literss
style, that makes a strong appeal b
some one class, at least, Of reader
The book may be wholesome, or II nav
be unclean. 1t may be crude, or IN
literary style may be good.
"This is also true: A wholesons
book crudely written frequently hnds
its way into the class of best seller
while 'scavenger' book rarely attai.z
to such heights, unless its literar
style is good. Vice and crime. ilii
and vulgarity, lust and sensuality, 70
order to be the invited guests OF =
spectability must appear in faultles
attire.
Because of these things, the tern
best seller is term of contempt, il
the minds of some, and is made an En-
cuse for rejecting the whole because 4
part is bad. It is the 'scavenger' fction
of the present day, written by authors
possessing rare genius who are prcssi
tuting their work, by using materil
that decent writers reject and putting
II In Form ca attra ofira that II ANNALS
to the baser emotions of men and Ep
men affording them thrills that r.
spectability will not permit them b
public that is sapping the very lie
blood of our literary world and ieop1-
dining the proud distinction OF the prt
fession of bookselling.
Whether or not the public constr
ence can be sufficiently aroused TO ths
necessity of censure, before the yora
of the land is poisoned to the verge
degeneracy, time alone will tell b
cause of this, Harold Bell Wright :
The Eyes of the World strikes pot
erful blow at present day evils in ~
world of literature and art that Is mos
opportune, and will have tremendoH
influence for more wholesome books
Since the days of the sentiments
love story but a generation ago on
fiction has passed through meisak
The passion for political ha'
els was no more than under good neAa
till the period of the historical nova
began to have its day. Then, in tuil
came the rage for detective stories Az
venture, and western life. fHroW-
each of these periods many good oooA
were added to our literature that YER
not purposeful, but they we're csi.
and entertaining. The latter resreul
period of the sex novel, under gnise
the psychological, was not especisa'
menace, only, because IL did not oe'
endure. But how long must the poVs
seller, contrary to his dignity, seil's
spect and lofty ideals, continue 70 nae
die the .scavenger' fiction OF the P's
ent day. which he must be dong W
a sense of shame?
Harold Bell Wright's books
welding a steadily growing whoiesel
They are the germs .
new order of fiction for the strensn
the race. His first book, That rri.'.
Of Udells,'.a vigorous story OF pracss.
Christianity. has given new nops
new inspiration to millions oil rea.,.
From the date of its publication 10 Z.
It has steadily grown in popularity y
nearly 100000 copies are now sola
cry year The Shepherd OF the ns'.
published in 1907. The Calling Of -
published in 1903 ana
of Barbara Worth, pubs
in 1911. are important factors N
life and thought of the present So
lion. They are an inheritance ios
boys and girls of today who We
The men and women OF tomoi ~
Their Yesterdays published ID ~
n its exhaltation OF life and love !.
greatest contribution TO the race
he perpetuation of the race. ths'
)een made by any living author
The Eyes of the World is inc ~
ming power that will arouse Tue
worthy instincts and motives
hors who are prostituting Their
It the cost of their decaying genlaN