New-York tribune., 1922-12-07

tion-for a new eoltioh VI III
Cruise Of me Jaspcr B." which vii!
be issued before very long
We are short Of copy II
would almost ill a column in
short. the temptation to print 1t In
the paper before we slap it into the
front Of the novel is more than we
can resist.
So here goes:
Preface to A Second Edition, and
dedication
4 friend who read this book five
or six years ago told me that while
IL was a pretty good adventure
story he thought he could detect
spirit Of levity in certain places. I
tried 10 persuade him that this was
intentional on my part, but nc would
not believe me.
NO. he said, looking al me sol
emnly, - do not think you were con-
scious Of it; think it crcpt into
the book out OF your subconscious
mind in spite Of YOU"
This set me 70 thinking-always
q dangerous process Tor the author
Of n story Of adventurc-with the
result that ] am now not at all ccr-
tain whether the levity got into the
book from my conscious mind or
from my subconseious mind. Some
times when ! read the story-and J
read it frequently, for ! admire it
very much am 20 carried away
by the sweep and speed Of the mar
rativo that / almost miss the levity
entirely.
The first edition was dedicated
"to all the copy-readcrs or al the
newspapers Il America" This was
not merely affection on my part; a
was calculation rs well. / rcckoned
tkat there must be thousands Of
copy-readers In America, and that
they would an OF them be so pleased
and hattercd by the dedication that
each would buy q book FOR himself,
and then 60 and buy another copy
10 give % some one az Christmas.
And this would happen Christmas
after Christmas. ! thought.
More than that, copy-readers who
were bringing up their sons 70 be
eQpy-readers land il is a strange
fact. which I present % the sociolo.
gists for what it is worth, that all
copy-readers wish their sons also 20
be cory-readers) would give their
sons this book. II seemed 20 me
that I was made. not only in a lit
erarv way but financially, by this
one happy stroke.
But the copy-readers Of America
have not responded. Other persons
have read the book, thousands Of
them, but 50 far as i have been
able TO gather not one single copy
reader has ever perused IL. Or, II
they have. they will not talk about
il. Copy-readers 20 whom / have
actually given copies never mention
il again.
am not angry about this, but /
confess that ] am disappointed. The
book IS a good book, and they ought
70 be damned glad 10 was dedicated
10 them, and make a noise about L.
The truth seems % bel have ar
rived al the conclusion reluctantly
that they are not, as q class,
worthy Of the dedication.
Therefore, strip Il from them,
as far as this second dedication is
concerned.
dedicate so per cent Of this
book as II stands % Mr.. Christopher
Morley, poet, novelist, essayist and
Founder Of the Three Hours FOR
Lunch Club.
I dedicate the chapter containing
the account OF the storm at sea 20
Capt. David Rome, Of the Cunard-
Anchor Line ship Tusc1nid. ] did
not have the advantage Of a con-
ference with Capt. Bone before
writing II, but he tells me that the
sehmanship. while unusual. Is inter-
esting.
I dedicate the chapter containing
the duel scene % Mr.. Richard NAL
CHEN. formerly champion fencer Of
America, and one Of the best In the
world Mr.. Malchien says ne wishes
I would consult him before ! write
another duel scene.
But, Dick" | told him, "the main
part Of that duel scene must be all
right. / stole il right out Of one
Of Dumas's rcmances."
Dumas didn't know anything
about fencing" said Mr.. Malchien.
I dedicate all Of Chapter XVI TO
the Poetry Society Of America and
It's heirs and assigns forever.
The last three pages Of the last
chapter ] dedicate / was
going 70 say 20 the King Of Eng
land, but that is not inclusive
enough. ! dedicate It to the Kings
Of England, for all time. I hereby
give them the power 70 hand down
this dedication from father 20 eldest
son. just as the crown Il handed
down. II the present reigning fam
ily should ever retire from public
HFr - fba Cfna,-eu 0rI T..I.~- -