speare, Molière, and Modern English Comedy," and "The Old Comedies," and the volume closes with "A Plea for Farce." Mr. Matthews is right in thinking, as he says in his prefatory note, that being himself a maker of plays he has considered the art of the dramatist with a fuller understanding of its technic, and with a more intimate sympathy than is possible to those who know the stage only from the far side of the footlights. W. H. H. CATALOGUE OF "A. L. A." LIBRARY. Five thousand volumes for a popular library, selected by the American Library Association and shown at the World's Columbian exposition. 592 pp. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1893. The United States Bureau of Education has just published this catalogue of a model library of 5.000 volumes, representing as nearly as possible the 5,000 books that a new library ought to obtain first for its collection. The catalogue, however, does much more than give a desirable list of books. It shows two very complete systems of classification, and, in this respect, is the most instructive volume yet printed on the subject of libraries. It is divided into three parts: Part I., classed catalogue according to the Decimal classification; Part II., classed catalogue according to the Expansive classification; and Part III., Dictionary catalogue. Part I. is preceded by alphabetical lists of biography and fiction. All the books included in the library would cost at retail $12,125.90. W. H. H. 150 pp. SHORT FRENCH GRAMMAR. By C. H. Grandgent. Mr. Grandgent is now director of modern language instruction in the Boston public schools, having been formerly a tutor in modern languages in Harvard university. This new grammar of his combines the following advantages: (1) brevity without undue conciseness, (2) treatment of the subject from the point of view of the American pupil, (3) a strictly systematic arrangement, and (4) a scientific but easily intelligible study of French pronunciation. The "Lessons and Exercises " are based on a little text with which they are published in a pamphlet which accompanies the grammar. There will be one or more similar pamphlets, so that the teacher may not be obliged to use the same exercises with successive classes. W. H. H. SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT. By Beatrice Harraden. 235 pp. Cloth, $1.00. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. 1894. "If every one who wrote books now would be satisfied to dust books already written," the author of "Ships That Pass in the Night" makes her Disagreeable Man say, "what a regenerated world it would become!" It is certain, as the Disagreeable Man says further later on, that "there are too many books as it is; and not enough people to dust them." Still "Ships That Pass in the Night" has found a welcome. It is a story of life among the invalids at an Alpine health resort, and its novelty, both as regards its subject and its method of treatment, sufficiently accounts for its success. The Disagreeable Man is an interesting character, but only a little more so than the invalid heroine of the book, Bernardine Holme. Incidentally he gives her some advice, in talking with her one day, which all writers of books might heed with distinct advantage. One of her life wishes is to write a book herself.. "Whatever else you may do," says he, "don't make your characters hold long discussions with each other. In real life people do not talk four pages at a time without stopping. Also, if you bring together two clever men, don't make them talk too cleverly. Clever people do not. It is only the stupid ones who think they must talk cleverly all the time. And don't detain your reader too long: if you must have a sunset, let it be a short one." you have the courage to be simple when you come to the point, you will succeed." The author of "Ships That Pass in the Night" lives well up to her literary theories. Her book is straightforward, clear, simple, and direct. seems a pity, however, that Bernardine should not have seen the Disagreeable Man's pathetic love-letter; and it seems a pity, too, that the book should have so utterly unnecessary an unhappy ending. This edition of the story, by the way, is the authorized American edition. It is an attractive one, but it seems strange to find the Putnams' proof-reader allowing "châlet" to pass for "chalet," and "tack" for "tact." "If W. H. H. It IN EXILE, AND OTHER STORIES. By Mary Hallock Foote. 253 pp. Cloth, $1.25. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, & Co.. 1894. Mary Hallock Foote has a genius for storytelling, and since she established her reputation with "The Led-Horse Claim," a few years ago, everything that she has written has increased the number of her friends. The present collection of short stories includes "In Exile," "Friend Barton's Concern," "The Story of the Alcázar," "A Cloud on the Mountain," "The Rapture of Hetty," and "The Watchman." Four of these are tales of Western life, the CAMPFIRE MUSINGS. Life and good times in the woods. By William C. Gray, Ph. D Second edition. 304 pp. Cloth, $1.50 Chicago: The Interior Company. 1894. To every lover of life in the woods every new book on camp life is a source of keen delight. Every such book is sure to be a good one, for no one who loves the woods well enough to write about them can fail to be an entertaining companion, and no book that has the flavor of woods life in it can fail to call up pleasant recollections in the minds of all among its readers who know by experience what woods life is. Just to look at the camp pictures in Dr. Gray's book will send a pleasant thrill through the veins of every old camper-out, and the text of the book throughout has the flavor of the forest. The author's camping experiences have been varied, and he has made the most of them. He has a lively sense of humor, and a spirit of genuine philosophy pervades sketches odorous with the sweet flavor of the fir balsam and the spruce. It is no wonder that a second edition of the book has already been required. W. H. H. Cloth, OUR VILLAGE. By Mary Russell Mitford. 256 pp. $2.00. New York: Macmillan & Co. 1893. This reprint of Miss Mitford's delightful village sketches is made attractive by 100 illustrations by Hugh Thompson, and an introduction by Annie Thackeray Ritchie is prefixed. The story of Miss Mitford's life, as it is told by Miss Thackeray, is pathetically interesting. Her literary work was done under all the disadvantages that unceasing domestic difficulties bring, and it is astonishing that under such circumstances she was able to accomplish what she did. Her pictures of English country life included in this volume appeal to every lover of nature, and are written with a grace and delicacy of literary expression that renders them worthy of the attractive dress in which they have been issued by the publishers. W. H. H. BEAUTIFUL JOE. An autobiography. By Marshall Saunders. With an introduction by Hezekiah Butterworth. 304 pp. Cloth. Philadelphia: Charles H. Banes. 1894. What "Black Beauty" has done to lessen illtreatment of the horse, "Beautiful Joe" is likely to do to lessen ill-treatment of the dog. It is a story of a real dog, and nearly all its incidents are founded on fact. The manuscript won a prize of $200 in the third competition opened by the American Humane Education Society for the best book illustrating kind and cruel treatment of domestic animals and birds in Northern [All books sent to the editor of THE WRITER will be acknowledged under this heading. They will receive such further notice as may be warranted by their importance to readers of the magazine.] ELEVENTH CROP, PICKINGS FROM PUCK. 62 pp. Paper, 25 cents. New York: Keppler & Schwarzmann. 1894. HAWAIIAN LIFE. By Charles Warren Stoddard. 288 pp. Paper, 50 cents. Chicago: F. T. Neely. 1894. REMINGTON TYPEWRITER LESSONS. By Mrs. M. V. Longley. 48 pp. Paper. Cincinnati: The Phonographic Institute Company. 1893. CALIGRAPH LESSONS. By Mrs. M. V. Longley. 48 pp. Paper. Cincinnati: The Phonographic Institute Company. 1893. THE PEERLESS COOK BOOK. By Mrs. T. J. Kirkpatrick. Illustrated. 320 pp. Paper, 25 cents. Springfield, Ohio: Mast, Crowell, & Kirkpatrick. 1894. HELPFUL HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. [Under this heading it is intended to describe any handy little contrivance that may be of use in any way to literary workers. Facts about home-made devices particularly are de-sired. Paid descriptions of patented articles will not be printed here on any terms; but this shall not hinder any one from letting others know gratuitously about any invention that is of more than ordinary value to literary workers. Readers of THE WRITER are urged to tell for the benefit of other readers what little schemes they may have devised or used to make their work easier or better. By a free exchange of personal experiences every one will be helped, and, no matter how simple a useful idea is, it is an advantage that every one should know about it. Generally, the simpler the device, the greater is its value.] Memorandum Paper.— I, too, have adopted the plan described by "C. D. J." in the February WRITER. At first I stitched across oneend of the bunch of memorandum paper with the sewing machine, but I found that the needle and close stitches cut the paper. I now use wrapping twine and a chenille needle, making one long stitch on the under side and tying the ends together on the upper side. GLENWOOD, Iowa. Alta L. Lyon-Irons. Tablet Covers for Manuscripts. I think most writers will find "F. E. H.'s" plan of using tablet covers for keeping loose leaves of manuscripts in order better than large advertising envelopes. Since 1888 I have used) pasteboard cut in strips of convenient size. These strips, which are the full length of the sheet, are placed one on top of the other in a neat pile with a rubber band slipped over each end and one around the centre. This pile of strips has a place in one of the long compartments of my desk. When a manuscript is ready to put by, I measure off ten inches on one of these pieces, place a brass-edged ruler on the mark, and cut through the pasteboard with a knife. In a drawer of my desk is a nursery pin on which are strung several dozen small rubber bands. I place a sheet of pasteboard each side of the manuscript, write the title on the upper one with a lead pencil, and slip a band across each way. If the copy is finished, all I have to do is to enclose it in an envelope or wrap it with manila paper, address it, and attach the stamps. As rubber cannot always be depended upon, I tie the package with linen shoe thread before mailing it. L. O. S. Filing Cuts and Biographies. Now that portraits are such a common feature of newspapers, portrait blocks are bound to accumulate in every newspaper composing-room. Unless some system for taking care of them is adopted, the cuts are likely to get injured, and when one is wanted it frequently cannot be found until after long and persistent search. Perhaps the simplest effective plan for handling cuts and the biographies that go with them is that which is described as follows: In a strong pasteboard box are arranged twenty-six envelopes lettered from A to Z. The flap of each envelope is tucked inside, so that the interior of the envelope is accessible. When a new portrait cut is made, a proof of it is taken, and the slip, numbered "1," for instance, is filed, with the accompanying biographical matter, in the envelope bearing the initial of the subject's name. The cut is numbered "1," with ink, to correspond, and is put on its edge on a shelf, with the number outside, so that it will show. When a cut is wanted, the editor turns to the proper envelope, and the proofslip enclosed shows the number of the block, which is thus instantly available. If the number of cuts in the office is very large, it will be well to subdivide the initial letters on the "first letter and first vowel" system-the five "B" envelopes, for instance, being marked "Ba," "Be," "Bi," "Bo," "Bu." Under this system biographical material relating to "Brown" would be filed in the "Bo" envelope. ELMIRA, N. Y. J. D. H. Ink for Writing on Glass. The writer who does not wear a diamond, and who may sometime want to write a quatrain on a window pane, may prepare an ink that will serve his purpose as follows: Heat over a hot water bath: Saving Manuscript Paper.-C. D. J., and all others who rewrite largely and wish to save manuscript paper, will find the following plan an excellent one: Select the unsealed envelopes that come in nearly every mail, rejecting those that are not gummed. Straighten the flaps and lay the envelopes, addressed side down, in a neat pile, one on top of the other, until there are twelve or fifteen of them. Moisten the gum on the flap of the envelope at the bottom of the heap, press the flap of the next envelope down upon it. Moisten the gum on the second, and press the third down upon that, etc., until all are fastened. Then with a pen or paper knife cut the ends of the envelopes, and open each one. This makes a convenient writing tablet or pad upon which to make the first draft of an article, and there is THE HEAD OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. T. T. Munger. Century (38 c.) for April. A GENTLE WARNING TO LECTURERS. Agnes Repplier. Forum (28 c.) for April. TENNYSON'S RELIGION. With portrait. Rev. W. H. Savage. Arena (53 c.) for April. MR. RUSKIN IN RELATION TO MODERN PROBLEMS. E. T. Cook. Reprinted from National Review in Eclectic Magazine (48 c.) for April. PRIVATE HISTORY OF THE "JUMPING FROG" STORY. Mark Twain. North American Review ( 53 c.) for April. FRENCH CARICATURE OF TO-DAY. Arsène Alexandre. Scribner's Magazine ( 28 c. ) for April. MRS. CECILE VIETS JAMISON. With portrait. Olive Otis. St. Nicholas (28 c.) for April. Reprinted from MATTHEW ARNOLD. Leslie Stephen. National Review in Eclectic (48 c. ) for March. A WORD FOR HANNAH MORE. Reprinted from Temple Bar in Eclectic (48 c. ) for March. IS THE WEST IN LITERARY BONDAGE? George Hamlin Fitch. Californian (28 c. ) for January. THE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE Press. William A. Spalding. Californian (28 c. ) for January. THE ONLY LITERARY SUCCESS WORTH HAVING. Topics of the Time. Century (38 c.) for March. How I WROTE "LOOKING BACKWARD." With portrait. Edward Bellamy. Ladies' Home Journal (13 c.) for April. MRS. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. With portrait. Alice Graham McCollin. Ladies' Home Journal (13 c.) for April. MY LITERARY PASSIONS. W. D. Howells. Ladies' Home Journal (13 c.) for April. Richard Burton. NATURE IN OLD ENGLISH POETRY. Atlantic Monthly (38 c.) for April. EARLY LATIN POETRY. R. Y. Tyrrell. Atlantic Monthly · (38 c.) for April. BRONSON ALCOTT. Atlantic Monthly ( 38 c.) for April. A PALE GIRL'S FACE. The history of a scoop. A story. Ewan Macpherson. Harper's Monthly ( 38 c.) for April. POPULAR TASTE IN LITERATURE. -THE REPORTER AS A DETECTIVE. Editor's Study. Harper's Monthly (38 c.) for April. SOME GREAT LIBRARIES of the United States. S. G. W. Benjamin. Worthington's Magazine ( 28 c.) for April. AMERICAN ENGLISH. Richard Burton. Worthington's Magazine (28 c.) for April. C. P. THE MAKING OF A METROPOLITAN NEWSPAPER. Stine. National Printer-Journalist (23 c.) for January. THE STORY OF A LOST LETTER. Facts about the United States Postal Service. Arthur Field. Demorest's Family Magazine (23 c.) for April. THE ART OF ILLUSTRATION. W. Lewis Frazer. American Journal of Photography (28 c.) for March. Α PHILADELPHIA ILLUSTRATOR (Joseph Pennell). American Journal of Photography (28 c.) for March. ARE INTELLECTUAL WOMEN LOVABLE? Junius Henri Browne. Worthington's Magazine ( 28 c. ) for March. THE PHILOSOPHY OF AUTHORSHIP. Paul Siegvolk. New York Home Journal (8 c.) for January 17. SIR WALTER SCOTT'S FIRST LOVE. Caroline H. Dall. Nation (13 c.) for March 8. THE LETTERS OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. Reprinted from Blackwood's Magazine in Littell's Living Age (21 c.) for March 3. EARLY RECOLLECTIONS OF TENNYSON. Reprinted from Temple Bar in Littell's Living Age (21 c.) for March 10. PHOTO-TELEGRAPHY. Photographic Times (18 c.) for March 30. WILLIAM D. MCCRACKAN. With portrait. Weekly (13 c.) for January 25. Literary HAMLIN GARLAND. With portrait. Literary Weekly (13 c.) for March 8. WALTER BLACKBURN HARTE. With portrait. Ernest Newton Bagg. Literary Weekly (13 c. ) for March 15. JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY. With portrait. Literary Weekly (13 c.) for March 22. JOSEPH HOWARD, JR. With portrait. Journalist (13 c.) › for March 24. THE MAKING OF GREAT PARIS DAILIES. With portraits. R. Lodian. Journalist (13 c. ) for March 24. MY FIRST BOOK. Reprinted from the Idler in Chicago Graphic (13 c.) for March 10. WILLIAM FREDERICK POOLE, LL. D. With portrait. H. D. Suddith. Chicago Graphic ( 13 c.) for March 10. THOMAS HARDY. With portrait. Chicago Graphic (13 c.) for March 24. A. CONAN DOYLE. With portrait. Chicago Graphic (13 c.) for March 31. JOHN KENDRICK BANGS. Portrait. (13 c.) for March 17. Harper's Weekly JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY ("The Danbury News Man"). With portrait. Harper's Weekly for March 24. NEWS AND NOTES. William Frederick Poole, the originator of "Poole's Index," died in Chicago March 1. George Ticknor Curtis died in New York City March 28. Miss Olive Schreiner, author of "The Story of an African Farm," is engaged to be married. Her betrothed, who is four or five years younger than the bride, is Cron Wright, the son of a well-known South African farmer and member of the Cape Parliament. The good-will and plant of Godey's Magazine have been sold for $5,000 to Harry Wakefield Bates. A corporation is now being organized to take over the title and continue the publication of the magazine. The publishers of Storiettes (New York) offers a bicycle as a prize for the best bicycle story of from 2,000 to 3,000 words, written by a cyclist and sent in before July 4. The trustees for Dartmouth college have announced the offer for 1894 for the Fletcher prize of $500 for the best essay calculated to counteract the present tendency to a "Fatal Conformity to the World." The following subjects are assigned, with the date at which each essay is to be forwarded: (1.) "In what ways ought the conception of personal life and duty to be modified?" December 31, 1894; (2.) "Should any restrictions, legal or moral, be placed upon the accumulation of wealth?" December 31, 1896; (3.) "How can education be made a greater safeguard against materialism?" December 31, 1898. These subjects may be treated singly or in course. No essay is to exceed 250 pages of 270 words each. A circular containing further particulars will be forwarded to those who apply to William Jewett Tucker, president of Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., mentioning THE Writer. The American Peace Society offers three prizes of $100, $50, and $25 for the three best "The Economic Waste of War," essays on written by seniors or juniors in American colleges. Full information is given in the January number of the Advocate of Peace (Boston). The annual announcement of Mrs. Crawshay's literary prizes is as follows: BryonShelley-Keats In Memoriam (endowed) Yearly Prizes, for the Best Essay in English, Written by a Woman of Any Nation. The prizes for 1894 will be as follows: Shelley's "Mont Blanc" first prize, 10; second prize, £5. Shelley's "Letter to Maria Gisborne - first prize, £10; second prize, £5. Byron's "The Prophecy of Dante "-first prize, £5; second prize, £2 10s. Bryon's "The Morgante Maggiore "first prize, £5; second prize, £2 10S. Byron's "Hints from Horace "-first prize, £5; second prize, £2 10s. Bryon's "The Devil's Drive" first prize, £5; second prize, £2 10s. Keats' "Sonnets" (20) - one prize, £5. Essays to be sent before June 1, 1894, to Mrs. Rose Mary Crawshay, Cathedine, Bwlch, Breconshire. Prizes awarded in August, 1894. Essays not to exeed ten pages of twenty-one lines in length. Only one side of the paper to be written on. A narrow margin to be left. Pages to be numbered. The writer's name and address in full, to be written on the back of the last page, also Christian name. Pages to be fastened together with a metal clip at the left hand corner at the top. Competitors may send in essays on all the subjects, but cannot be awarded more than one first prize. Essays will be returned to those competitors only who enclose a stamped and addressed cover. subject of each essay to be named outside the wrapper and posted singly; if this be not done, essays will be destroyed unread. Essays may be typed if desired. Winners of prizes are disqualified from taking prizes in after years. The A new monthly magazine called Books and Authors, and devoted to current religious litera ture, has been started by the Fleming H. Revell Company, New York. The April number contains a sketch of Professor George D. Herron by B. Fay Mills, accompanied by a portrait. Labouchère's income from Truth is eighty thousand dollars a year. It was born about twenty years ago. Inheriting a large fortune from an uncle, Mr. Labouchère was able to spend money on his very clever weekly until it grew strong enough in popular favor to be a source of abounding revenue. It is sometimes a blessing to have a rich uncle. |