Evening star., 1935-02-24

pruned down to 2.oO0 900. thine and
the River" was cut from 100000 to
100000 words. How about it Anthony
Adverse?
The letters of Charles Dickens to
his wife, which were deposited in the
British Museum by their daughter
Kate (Mrs. PeruginD and released for
publication by the death of Sir Henry
Dickens. will be published in full
during the Spring-the publishers
name is not recalled-perhaps Con-
stable of London. It Is said that
there are 1890 letters in all. quota
tions from 80 Of which appeared in
the London Times during last May.
The letters are edited by Mr.. Walter
Dexter. editor of Dickensian, who
besides notes, is contributing an ap-
pendix discussing in detail contem-
porary sources relative to the separa-
ton between Mr.. and Mrs. Dickens
The criticism and opinion Of later
writer's are added. The lovers Of
Dickens must not be quite sure that
they will like the rehash Of all the do
mestic tnhappiness that befell the
family.
The David Copperfield cinema
shown here recently was so delight
ful-it was really so satisfying that
one did not pause to compare Agnes
with the sister OF Mrs. Dickens, who
was thought to have compensated the
great man for many of his domestic
worries. Why not write requiesat in
pace, and go on with enchanting
memories OF the many happy hours
derived from his books.
Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt, jr's.
Farewell to Fifth Avenue" with its
gorgeous gold, outside cover-why
would q Vanderbilt not rate a gold
cover-is daring. somewhat squeamish,
not lacking in honesty and rather
readable. It smacks a bit Of the first
Cornelius, the ferryman who was re-
sponsible for the great fortune which
his descendants have so lavishly
spent. Nellie seems to be a chip OF
the old block-and a worthwhile one
at that. Mr.. Vanderbilt is not a
finished writer, but he will be If he
applies himself. It's evidently his
desire to write Of people and condi-
tions as they are for, with the pass
ing Of many Of the great mansions on
Fifth Avenue. will pass an old regime
that was not altogether admirable
and often in bad taste.
Mr.. Hesketh Pearson has done a
real service to mankind-and espe-
cially the writing kind, by sending
forth his book. Common Misquota-
tions." in which he has collected no
less than 276-quote-exampI of
popular carelessness in making QUO.
tations. The Americans cited who are
sometimes woefully misquoted are:
Jefferson, Lowell. Decatur, N. P.
Willis, Emerson and others.
In passing: Mr.. Arthur Bryant,
mentioned in this column last week
as one Of the recent discoverers of
the two very important and previously
unknown Pepys Diaries, is the
author Of "The England Of Charles
H." which is to be published during
the present month by Longmans.
Advance information sent out relates
that the main source of the material
Is the unpublished Shakerley manu-
script, the translation of which has
occupied Mr.. Bryans leisure for the
past two years.
The new book tells what happened
to ordinary people on ordinary days"
in the England of Charles u-de-
lightful monarch-what would the
present day night clubs give for such
a patron. BY the way, Mr. Bryant's
King Charles the Second" pub
lished in 1881, was a selection of the
English Book Society.