BOSTON'S OLD MAGAZINES. Alpha Child. Boston Tran script for April 1.

CHATS WITH OCTAVE THANET. Lillie B. Chace Wyman. Omaha World-Herald for April 2.

MR. W. W. ASTOR AS A PUBLISHER. New York World for April 2.

THE BUILDING OF "RUDDER GRANGE." Frank R. Stockton. Youth's Companion for March 30.

LITERARY MEN IN POLITICS. Frederick S. Schilling. St. Louis Globe-Democrat for April 30.

OUR STORY-TELLERS. George Newell Lovejoy. Chicago Inter-Ocean for April 30.

THE WORLD'S NEWSPAPERS. W. E. Jarvis. Reprinted from New York Home Journal in Pittsburg Bulletin for April 8.

NEWS AND NOTES.

Worthington's Illustrated Magazine is a new monthly journal for the family, published at Hartford, Conn. It is essentially a home magazine, and is well printed, well edited, and well planned.

The Spider's Web, a new Boston fortnightly paper, will have in each number one short story, book reviews, dramatic criticism, and gossip.

Fetter's Southern Magazine, published at Louisville, Ky., reaches its tenth number with the May issue.

The Colorado Magazine is a new Denver monthly, the first issue being that for April.

Storiettes is the name of a new short story magazine to be published monthly in New York.

There will be general regret that the publication of the well-conducted Boston weekly, Two Tales, has been suspended.

Lucy Larcom died in Boston April 19. John Addington Symonds died in Rome, Italy, April 19.

The Critic for April 29 contains portraits of John Addington Symonds and Lucy Larcom. Hereafter, at the beginning of each month, the Critic will publish a review of the new magazines, filling several pages.

Professor A. S. Hardy will continue to be associate editor of the Cosmopolitan for at least another year.

An elegant publication is the Knight-Errant, "a quarter-yearly review of the liberal arts,"

of which the first three numbers have been published in Boston. Its conductors entitle it "a magazine of appreciation," and certainly its typographical beauty and the loftiness of its purpose will be appreciated by all cultivated readers. The frontispiece of the first number was a fine photogravure reproduction of "La Columbine," by Bernardino Luini, from a photograph by Braun. Poems by Louise Imogen Guiney, Agnes Lee, and Herbert E. Clarke, and prose contributions from Charles Eliot Norton Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, Ralph Adams Cram, Brander Matthews, Bliss Carman, Fred Holland Day, and others made the number attractive. To the bibliophile the Knight-Errant must be a delight. During the first year only five hundred sets are being printed, and the magazine is to be delivered only in unbroken numbered volumes at the subscription price of three dollars a year.

Rev. Robert Collyer, of New York, has in his possession a relic which most literary people would give a great deal to possess. At first sight the plain blackthorn walking-stick does not seem to be of any great value, but a closer scrutiny reveals a small silver plate, bearing the name and address, “Charles Dickens, Gad's Hill, London." In one corner of the plate are the initials "C. D. to J. T. F.” The stick, which is now carefully cherished, has evidently seen good service, and one cannot help feeling honored at being allowed to touch the handle which was so often grasped by the hand which penned the pathetic story of "Little Nell," the sad love affairs of Tracy Tupman, and the delightfully humorous utterances of "Samivel Veller." When Dickens visited America he found most congenial friends at the home of James T. Fields, of Boston, and when he returned to his native land, he left his English walking-stick with Mr. Fields for a remembrance, chronicling the gift by having inscribed on the plate the initials of himself and friend. When Mr. Fields died the stick was given to Dr. Collyer. There are many relics of more intrinsic value at the doctor's home, but any one of them could be purchased for less money than this plain stick, which is made doubly valuable by its association with an illustrious fellow-countryman and a well-remembered dearly-loved friend.

The success of the Review of Reviews is due to the merit both of the idea conceived by Mr. Stead and of its execution. Two editions of the magazine are published now, one in London and one, better suited to the needs of American readers, in New York. The Review of Reviews gives each month a complete view of current periodical literature.

McClure's Magazine, which is to be started in New York about May 15 by S. S. McClure, the head of one of the largest of the newspaper syndicate agencies, is to be more journalistic than most magazines, and to be sold at only fifteen cents a copy.

In the May Atlantic Professor James J. Greenough, of Harvard College, treats of the poor English at the command of schoolboys' pens, and suggests a plan for bettering it.

Sir Edwin Arnold is going back to Japan. It is said that in connection with the writing of his "Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner," Hon. E. L. Pierce has read almost forty thousand letters written to or received by Mr. Sumner.

Hamlin Garland had a strong paper on "The Future of Fiction "in the April Arena.

In the Idler for May H. Rider Haggard tells how he came to adopt literature, and about his first book, "Dawn."

In the North American Review for May Elizabeth Stuart Phelps has an article expressing or explaining her present views of the future life, as compared with those she held twenty-five years ago, when "The Gates Ajar " was written.

The Critic says that John H. Scribner, who, for fifteen years has been identified with the firm of Charles Scribner & Sons as a literary adviser, has resigned that position to accept a similar one with the Presbyterian Board of Publication in Philadelphia, where certain business responsibilities will be coupled with his literary cares. Mr. Scribner is a Princeton man, and a nephew of the late Charles Scribner, who founded the Scribner firm. E. W. Morse succeeds Mr. Scribner, without, however, resigning the post he has filled so acceptably for several years that of editor of the Book Buyer.

The Cassell Publishing Co. has issued a new portrait catalogue, in which nearly forty fullpage portraits of authors are included.

The publishing firm of Macmillan & Co. puts forward a monthly called Book Reviews, after the manner of the Scribners' Book Buyer. The May number is the first, and it is devoted to literary notes, reviews, and special articles.

Success is a new Baltimore magazine, edited by Eugene L. Didier.

"Laura Dearborn," the name on the title-page of "At the Threshold," is the pseudonym of Nina Pictou.

Jules Verne is about to publish his seventyfourth novel.

The best magazine for children under eight years old is Our Little Ones and the Nursery, published by the Russell Publishing Co., Bos"Oliver Optic" is the editor, and his taste in selecting matter which is interesting to children, as well as wholesome for them to read, seems to be almost infallible.

ton.

In the Exposition Number of Scribner's Magazine - that for May-W. D. Howells has an illustrated autobiographical sketch, "The Country Printer," which embodies recollections of his youth. This number of Scribner's, by the way, contains one-third more reading matter than the usual issue, and the illustrations are unusually numerous.

In Harper's Magazine for May Professor Charles Eliot Norton writes of the life of James Russell Lowell in its private relations.

April 15 was the anniversary of the publication, in 1755, of Dr. Samuel Johnson's great "Dictionary of the English Language." The fact is recalled that when Andrew Millar, the publisher of that long-delayed work, received the last proof-sheet from Dr. Johnson, he wrote him this brusque note: "Andrew Miller sends his compliments to Mr. Samuel Johnson, with the money for the last sheet of the copy of the 'Dictionary,' and thanks God he has done with him." To this the doctor replied: "Samuel Johnson returns his compliments to Mr. Andrew Millar, and is very glad to find, as he does by this note, that Andrew Millar has the grace to thank God for anything."

In no department of literary work have there been more changes and improvements than in religious journalism. The old-time religious newspaper was rather a dreary affair. It was unhandy in form, and conventional and stilted in style. The contributors were mostly voluntary and unpaid. Any one who had a "piece" or a "poem " sent it along. The reading matter consisted largely of sermons, didactic and doctrinal, obituary notices, "extracts" from standard theological works, and original contributions written in an artificial and heavy

manner.

That this picture is not overdrawn, witness

No. 6.

the following titles of articles taken from some religious magazines published in the early part of this century: "Evidences of the Truth' of the Christian Religion; Extracted from the New Edinburgh Encyclopædia." This was continued from month to month. "A Short and Candid View of Popery, in a Sermon Preached at the Old Jewry, November 3, 1754." The magazine in which this appeared was published in 1819. "Memoir of Mr. John Man, Missionary in Nova Scotia." "Extracts from Arminius' First Oration on Theology." These extracts ran through several numbers. "Memoir of Archbishop Cranmer." This was copied from the "New Edinburgh Encyclopædia." "Extracts from 'Clark's Commentary.'" Of original contributions there were very few. The poetry, however, was chiefly original, and much of it was "fearfully and wonderfully made." "Miranda" was a favorite writer. Upon the death of an infant she writes:

"By faith we trace thy shining way,

Thro' liquid telescopes of tears;
Where angel minds their charms display,
Susan's celestial form appears."

A marked peculiarity of the old-time writers is the amount of italicizing they did. Some of them put so many words in italics that the reader must have been like Mark Twain's horse. This horse, he says, was so nervous that he shied at every telegraph pole, but as there was a telegraph line running along each side of the road, it kept him exactly in the middle.

The religious press of to-day is alert, enterprising, and abreast of the times. The best contributors are sought out and liberally paid. Considerable attention is given to secular news.

There are medical, legal, home, and agricultural departments, and in some cases, even a "funny" column. The editorials are upon timely topics, and compare favorably with those of the ablest secular papers. Nor are the children forgotten. There is an attractive depart ment for them, filled with stories, puzzles, and other good things. Some of the religious weeklies are handsomely illustrated.

Religious newspapers are of two sorts, the denominational and the undenominational. The denominational papers have the most reliable patronage; the undenominational have more freedom in the selection of material, not being expected to give so much merely local church news, and not being required to give so much space to matters of interest to only one sect. Tact and talent are necessary to make a good writer of religious articles. They should not be lengthy. Many articles are rejected simply because they are too long. If not written by special request, or as editorials,

they should be of permanent, rather than passing, interest. He who would succeed in this line of literary work must be pious, without being prosy; orthodox, but not dull; and original, but not eccentric, in his thinking. The sermonic style will not do. People like to hear sermons better than they do to read them. Controversial articles are not in demand. There is little taste in these days for theological debate. Articles upon dry and recondite doctrinal points will find a poor market. Mummies are not very attractive anyhow, and theological mummies are the least attractive of all. A crisp, bright, and direct style is required. The field of subjects is well-nigh without limit. Articles for the children's department are about the most difficult to write. They must contain moral and religious truth, and yet be interesting and entertaining for the children to read. Such articles are always in demand.

MIDLAND PARK, N. J.

Rev. Jesse S. Gilbert.

The beginner in "ways that are literary" learns many lessons which, although sometimes disagreeable, are, nevertheless, generally valuable and always interesting.

In the first place, he discovers that American editors, as a rule, are a very respectable set of men and women, and that they are "given to hospitality," if the seeker for admission conducts himself properly. Truly, sometimes the house is full and the applicant for quarters must be turned away, but the disagreeable duty is done in such a kind manner that the refusal seems almost agreeable.

He learns that when an article is sent to an editor, that functionary examines it with reference solely to what use may be made of it, and that there is no personal animus toward the au

thor if it is not found available. Authors soon learn the truth of the couplet:

"Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why."

In process of time the beginner becomes aware that it is not always necessary for the editor to wade through a long paper to determine its disposal. Send an article on "The Great Wall of China " to the editor of Childhood, and only a glance at the title is required ere the verdict is rendered and the judge has delivered the manuscript to the executioner, who forthwith seals the enclosing envelope and at the same time its doom.

The beginner also finds that there is much philosophy in the old phrase, "the persever

ance of the saints," and he does well if he keeps on trying, though his manuscripts come back to him like the return balls which amuse the children.

He mournfully is convinced, that poetry does not seem to be particularly appetizing to hungry editors or to the public either; and that the only apparent reason for accepting most poems is the use they serve in making a printed page look beautiful.

He perceives that phrases like "Her cheeks were wet with the dews of morning, fresh from the limpid hand of Night," are apt to assist in the return of an article.

One of the hardest tasks that falls to the lot of the beginner is to learn that he should expend all possible care upon the preparation of

his work, but after sending it off, forget all about the matter for a season. Nothing is worse than worrying about the condition of an absent manuscript. It is usually in good hands and carefully nurtured. It is not, however, in a hospital, and if it is defective, it will not be doctored; but by and by it will return for repairs.

One provoking annoyance that the beginner sometimes encounters is the habit of a few editors who allow the amount of return postage to be marked in ink on the first page of the manuscript, thereby rendering the article more agreeable to the eyes of the next editor to whom it may be sent.

PHILADELPHIA, Penn.

Wilbur M. Vansant.

John G. Whittier, our noble Quaker poet, used to say that he never had any method. "When I felt like it," he said once, "I wrote, and I neither had the health nor the patience to work afterward over what I had written. It usually went as it was originally completed."

Whittier preferred the daytime—and the morning, in fact - for writing, and used no stimulants whatever for literary labor. He made no outline or skeleton of his work-and claimed that his verses were made as the Irishman made his chimney-by holding up one brick and putting another under. He was subject to nervous headache all his life, and for this reason often had to force himself to work when he would rather have rested, especially while he was associate editor of the National Era and other papers.

Philipp Galen, the German novelist, composes during the daytime, and sometimes labors till ten o'clock in the evening. He makes an outline of his story before he prepares the "copy" for the press. He requires no stimu

lants at work, but when he is through he relishes a glass of wine. He has a habit of perambulating the room when engaged in meditation about a new book, and he writes with remarkable rapidity. He never puts pen to paper without inclination, because, as he says, he always feels disposed to do literary work. Formerly he worked daily from twelve to fourteen hours; now he spends only from six to eight hours at the writing-desk every day.

W. D. Howells always keeps his manuscript six or seven months ahead of the time for publication. Being of a nervous disposition, he could not rely on himself to furnish matter at short notice. When it is possible, he completes a book before giving a page of it to a magazine. He finds the morning to be the best time for brain-labor. He asserts that the first half of the day is the best part of a man's life, and always selects it for his working hours. He usually begins at nine and stops at one, and manages in that time to write about a dozen manuscript pages. After that he enjoys his