companying it a memorandum of the amount sent. The clerk then enters the title of the manuscript, the address of the author, the date of receipt, and the amount of postage sent, in a book ruled for the purpose, the entries being made alphabetically under names of authors. At the same time he sends to the author a postal card blank filled out to acknowledge the receipt of the manuscript and to say that it will be examined as soon as possible. On a given day in each month all the manuscripts received are given to the editor, who either accepts or rejects each manuscript sent in. In either case the editor writes a brief letter to the author, announcing his decision, and gives these letters, with the rejected manuscripts, to the mail clerk. The clerk enters in the manuscript book a memorandum of the decision regarding each manuscript, mails the letters of the editor to the authors of accepted contributions, and returns the rejected manuscripts, putting on the envelope of each the amount of postage which the book shows was received with it. No decision is delayed more than a month, while "timely" manuscripts are sent to the editor by the mail clerk to be examined immediately. The editor makes it a rule to accept only enough manuscripts to supply his needs for six months ahead, and, when he has enough, even good manuscripts received subsequently are returned. The whole system is simple, and in practice it works to the satisfaction of editors and contributors alike. It would be well if it should be adopted in the office of every periodical which has not a better plan. If any office has a better plan, the editor of THE WRITER would like to hear about it.

[The explanation is simple. In newspaper composing-rooms copy is cut up into small pieces, or "takes," and each compositor whose "take" does not end a paragraph is expected to make it "come out even," — that is, to make the last word come out at the end of a full line, so that when the next compositor's "take" is added the matter will read along without a break. In order to do this it is often necessary to put more than the usual amount of space between the words. In the special case cited, it is probable that the compositor made a doublet, – that is, set part of the sentence twice by mistake. When he had to take out the repeated words, following the marks of the proof-reader, he had to space the lines very wide to make them end even. In careful work a compositor would be required to run forward or back far enough to make the spacing even throughout his " take," but in hurried newspaper work irregular spacing is not altogether prohibited. W. H. H.]

titles at all, but are mere adjectives, and that we should say: "The reverend Mr. Coulter " and "The honorable Mr. Jones." Technically, the believers in this doctrine are right; but I believe that "Reverend" and "Honorable " have to all intents and purposes become titles of veneration. A scientific gentleman the other evening inadvertently admitted this by directing me to write "Rev." and "Hon." with a capital letter. Were his theory entertained, I ought to have written: "The rev. Mr. Love" and "The hon. Mr. Alexander." The same turning of adjectives into titles has been seen in such cases as that of : "Fighting Page Aleshire." Who would write: "The charge was led by fighting Page Aleshire"? It is not improper to speak of "The Rev. Mr. Baker" or "The Hon. James E. Campbell," but the article is not necessary. J. T. J. GALLIPOLIS, Ohio.

BARKER'S FACTS AND FIGURES. Edited by Thomas P. Whittaker. 384 pp. Paper, 50 cents. London and New York: Frederick Warne & Company. 1892.

This book is a diminutive encyclopædia of universal information. It gives valuable statistical facts about the commerce, government, agriculture, finances, population, education, religion, health, railways, wealth, insurance, etc., of civilized countries, but more especially such information as most interests and concerns the inhabitants of the United Kingdom. As a handy volume for constant reference it will be useful to writers.

O. 'W

THE HORSE. A Study in Natural History. By William Henry Fowler. 204 pp. Cloth, $1.00. New York: D. Appleton & Company. 1892.

This volume is the latest addition to the Modern Science Series, and is a valuable one. It treats of the history, the evolution, the structure, and the habits of the horse, and is written in popular style, so far as the scientific necessities of the book will allow. The illustrations are specially instructive. From a picture of the skull of a man and that of a horse, it

A REPORTER'S ROMANCE. By "The Deacon." 201 pp. Paper, 25 cents. Chicago and New York: Rand, McNally, & Company. 1892.

"A Reporter's Romance " is a novel in which the style is journalistic, and the ingredients are such as would suggest themselves to a newspaper man who had seen life in some of its more vivid phases. The plot is ingenious and wellworked out, and the story is not uninteresting. The young man in the story finally lands in the sanctum of the London Times as editorial writer and commentator on events in the United States.

L. F.

SOCIAL AND PRESENT DAY QUESTIONS. By Frederic W. Farrar, D. D., F. R. S. 377 PP. Cloth. Boston: Bradley & Woodruff. 1891.

Canon Farrar has so long been a living force in the world of thought and religious literature that anything from his pen has more than ordinary value. In this book his opinions on current social and religious subjects, and his eulogies of several of his own and America's statesmen of recent history, are published, the whole making a most readable collection. The scope of the book can best be indicated by the titles, the most attractive of which are "Social Amelioration," ," "National Perils,"" Sacredness

"Books, Their Power and Blessedness," "The Ideal Citizen," "General Grant," 66 General Garfield," "Dean Stanley," "John Bright," Count Leo Tolstoï," "The Jews." O. M.

"YOUNG UNS." Puck's Library, No. 55. 30 pp. Paper, 10 cents. New York: Keppler & Schwarzman. 1892.

OUR CHILD: A TALE OF PASSION. By Clara E. Ballou. 176 pp. Paper, 50 cents. New York: W. D. Rowland. 1891.

LOVE OR MONEY. By Katharine Lee. 380 pp. Paper, 50 cents. New York: D. Appleton & Company. 1892.

A WOMAN'S REVENGE. By Mrs. J. F. Reichhard. 224 pp.
Paper, 25 cents. New York: J. S. Ogilvie. 1892.
THE MYSTERIOUS BEGGAR. By Albert A. Day. 450 pp.
Cloth, $1.00. New York: J. S. Ogilvie. 1891.

FOR THE OLD SAKE'S SAKE. By Allan St. Aubyn. 230 pp. Paper, 50 cents. Chicago: Rand, McNally, & Company. 1891.

RODGER LATIMER'S MISTAKE. By Katharine Donelson. 378 pp. Cloth, $1.00. Chicago: Laird & Lee. 1891.

NEW MUSIC RECEIVED:

From the White-Smith Music Publishing Company, 62 Stanhope street, Boston: Vocal-"Tokay Song," M. J Murphy ager; "Come," Louis Campbell-Tipton; "Reuben and Rachel," Harry Birch and William Gooch; Bright Stars Above Me" and "Zerita," C. A. White; "My Mother's Song," song and quartette, C. A. White; "Sing and Be Happy," quartette for male voices, C. A. White; "Come, Join the Dance," quartette for mixed voices, C. A. White. Piano-"Miss Helyett Waltzes," B. M. Davison; "Dick Turpin Polka" and "Zerita Waltz," C. A. White; "Glenwood's Self-Instructor," for the flute, Walter Glenwood.

HELPFUL HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

[Under this heading it is intended to describe any handy little contrivances that may be of use in any way to literary workers. Facts about home-made devices particularly are desired. 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.]

Dictionary Study. While a large dictionary, like Webster's International, for instance, is

tionary also should be kept within easy reach. The big dictionary is needed for reference as a last resort to settle disputed questions, but the labor of referring to it is considerable, and a writer will sometimes let simple questions remain undecided rather than take the trouble to look the matter up in a big book. If he has a small dictionary at hand,- the smaller the better, as a rule, he will consult it, and in many cases the smaller book is sufficient for his needs. Have two dictionaries handy, then, a vest-pocket book to answer minor questions about spelling or definition, and a big International to settle more important doubts. CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

R. C. G.

NATURALISM

GERMAN NOVEL WRITERS TURNING ΤΟ Rudolph Bauman. Chicago Inter-Ocean for December 27. THE ETHICS OF NOVEL-WRITNG. Reprinted from Chautauquan in Public Opinion for January 30.

ENGLISH AUTHORS AND AMERICAN COPYRIGHT. Reprinted from New York Tribune in Public Opinion for January 30. CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER. Editorial. Christian Union for January 30.

STRAY GLIMPSES OF THACKERAY. Anne Thackeray Ritchie. Ladies' Home Journal for February.

WHAT CONSTITUTES A NEWSPAPER WOMAN. "Di Vernon." San Francisco News Letter for January.

EARLY EFFORTS OF AUTHORS. W. H. Small. Christian Register (Boston) for January 28.

THE GERMAN NEWSPAPER PRESS. Charles Lowe. Reprinted from Nineteenth Century in Eclectic Mage zine for February.

MRS. BURTON HARRISON. Reprinted from the Book Buyer in Canadian Bookseller for January.

CLEAR AND FORCIBLE WRITING. Printers' Ink for January 6.

Wolstan Dixey.

NEWS AND NOTES.

Lippincott's Journalist Series is continued in the February number by Julius Chambers, of the New York World, in an interesting paper entitled "The Managing Editor." He duly magnifies the office of this potentate, discloses some of his secrets, and tells by what various means he attains his most striking and profitable successes, in the two famous cases, Tribune's list of the firms burned out in the great Boston fire of November 9, 1872, and the Herald's publication, in 1887, of the President's message before it reached the Senate.

as

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Mrs. Belle Gray Taylor, author of the new novel, "The Sardonyx Seal," is a charming woman in her home life and fascinating in society. Mrs. Taylor has an unusual power of perception, both in nature and art, a keen appreciation of wit, and a quick and delicate pen. Her home is in New York City.

The frontispiece portrait in Book News for February is of James Whitcomb Riley. A short sketch of the Hoosier poet's life and work is given by Professor Ridpath.

The first edition of the “Ballads of America,” by Henry O'Meara, of the Boston Journal, having been completely disposed of, and having been complimented by flattering words from recognized critics, including John G. Whittier and Oliver Wendell Holmes, the author has felt warranted in sending forth a second edition, in which fifteen new poems appear.

The Cassell Publishing Company will publish in February“ Across Thibet, by Gabriel Bonvalot, author of "Through the Heart of Asia,” with one hundred illustrations, made principally from photographs taken by Prince Henry of Orleans.

A new monthly publication which has lately made its appearance is entitled Good Roads. It is published by the League Roads Improvement Bureau, New York. In the first number are articles entitled "The Gospel of Good Roads," "National Highways," "The Personal Labor Tax System," and 'Railroads and Wagon

Roads."

An excellent photograph of W. D. Howells serves as a frontispiece for the Cosmopolitan for February, and his work as a writer of fiction is reviewed in the same number by H. H. Boyesen.

"Uncle Tom's Cabin" still retains its phenomenal popularity. Houghton, Mifflin, & Co., having arranged to bring it out in a cheap Universal edition, began printing 100,000 copies, but so many orders have poured in that they are obliged to make the first issue 160,000At the same time with this edition will appear another in larger type in the regular issue of the Riverside Paper Series, and a new issue of the Popular edition with some illustrations.

Miss Cornelia Warren, daughter of the Boston paper manufacturer, Samuel D. Warren, has written a novel entitled "Miss Wilton," which Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. will publish immediately.

Mrs. Humphry Ward's new novel, "The History of David Grieve," has proved so great a success that the publishers, Macmillan & Co., have decided to issue at once an edition in larger type in two volumes, uniform in size and style with the Eversley edition of Charles Kingsley's works.

Two or three winters ago Mr. Lowell delivered at the Lowell Institute a course of lectures on the English dramatists. These will be published, under Professor Norton's editorial supervision, next autumn by Houghton, Mifflin, & Co.

The Magazine of Poetry (Buffalo) for January contains portraits and sketches of William Hamilton Hayne, Oscar Fay Adams, Madison J. Cawein, Frederick Myron Colby, and Julie Wetherill Baker, and sketches of Philip Bourke Marston, Albert Bigelow Paine, and other writers.

Clark Russell is an enthusiastic admirer of Herman Melville and Richard Henry Dana. He thinks that Americans have shown pre-eminent capacity in literature of the sea, and sets forth his views under the head of "A Claim for American Literature," in an article printed in the February number of the North American Review.

Charles McIlvaine (" Tobe Hodge ") expects soon to publish a volume of his short stories, which have already appeared in the magazines; and one of his humorous sketches, as published in Puck,the Detroit Free Press, and other papers. One of his stories, "A Legend of Polecat Hollow," has had a phenomenal sale in book form in England. It first appeared in the Continent, Judge Tourgee's venture, illustrated by A. B.

Frost.

A fine portrait of Herbert Spencer forms a frontispiece to the February Arena. Accom panying the picture is a biographical sketch of Mr. Spencer's life and work by William H. Hudson, for many years his private secretary.

Sun and Shade (New York) for February has eight fine photogravure pictures, any one of which alone is worth the price of the magazine.

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It is an object lesson to those who have predicted high prices for books as a result of the international copyright law that Daudet's new novel, "Rose and Ninette: A Story of the Morals and Manners of the Day," will be published in this country for fifty cents, notwithstanding the fact the Cassell Publishing Company paid a large price to the author for the copyright.

Short Stories for January announces the prize winners of its etching contest, which closed November 1, 1891. The editor states that thirteen hundred and forty-five manuscripts were entered for the five prizes of $20 in gold for the best etching in each of the five classes. These are the successful competitors, and the prize etchings are printed with the announcements: (Descriptive) Ella E. Doten, Dorchester, Mass.; (queer) Emma Frances Dawson, San Francisco, Cal. ; ( dramatic) Anne Bozeman Lyon, Mobile, Ala.; (pathetic) W. N. Harben, Dalton, Ga.; ( humorous) Chryseis V. W. Cannon, Spartansburg, S. C.

The February number of the No Name Magazine (Baltimore) contains "Poe and Walt Whitman," "How an American Wrote a Chapter of the Virginians," and "A Visit tc Cardinal Manning.".

66

Perhaps the most obvious fact about bookmaking in this country at present," says H. W. Mabie in the February Forum, "is the expansion of literary activity. If there are not, as of old a few writers of very high rank, whose work has something approaching the touch of finality, there are an increasing number of well-furnished and thoroughly equipped men and women whose work, in its range and sincerity, indicates a general advance in skill, culture, and taste. Not many months before his death Mr. Lowell commented, in a private conversation, on the ease. with which a magazine editor now fills his pages with well-prepared and scholarly articles. A quarter of a century ago the same editor found a small group of brilliant men ready to coöperate with him, but beyond this, circle there was no aid to be had."