8
THE BOOK SHELF.
[Conducted by ALBERT LEE, ’91.]
It is only within recent years that
literature has been generally recog-
nized as a profession for which one
must serve just as hard an appren-
ticeship and make just as serious a
preparation as thousands of young
men are constantly making in their
ambition to become lawyers, doctors,
artists or civil engineers. I doubt if I
am even now fully warranted in stat-
ing that it has been generally so rec-
ognized; for I dare say that any Yale
Senior of the present day who should
announce that, upon leaving College
he was going to study literature as a
profession would be sneered at clan-
destinely by a great number of his
fellows, if not openly ridiculed by
many.
A very general opinion has prevail-
ed that literature is a vocation that
may be embarked upon when every
other resource has failed. ‘“T’ll write
for the magazines,” glibly says the
young man who finds himself by a
sudden defection of fortune forced to
look to his own efforts for the com-
forts that have hitherto been provided
for him. He never says:‘“‘T’ll open a
law office,” or “TI’ll practice medicine.”’
Both would demand years of study
and preparation and, in addition, the
State would require some proof of ca-
pacity in the form of a diploma or
certificate. But nothing of this kind
is necessary for him who wishes to
practice literature,—and that is where
the pitfall lies. Yet, when you come
to consider the matter, the literary
man must earn his diploma as well
as any of his professional brethren;
and his examiners, the reading pub-
lic, form a stricter and a more nearly
impartial tribunal than either’ the
County Medical Association or the
Board of Regents.
The absolute necessity for long and
patient preparation before one can be °
YALE ALUMNI
a I
qualified to pursue the profession of
literature is clearly brought out by
Mr. Arlo Bates in his “Talks on Writ-
ing English” (Boston: Houghton, Mif-
flin & Company), and any man who
has the slightest idea of writing, eith-
er for his livelihood or for the mere
love of the art, will do well to study
these essays carefully. There is much
in them, of course, that is didactic and
technical, but nothing that is not ini+
portant and interesting. I assume
that every intelligent reader has more
or less of a desire to know the meth-
ods by which good writing is done,
just as we all have a certain curiosity
concerning the production of a vol-
canic eruption or an earthquake in a
melo-drama. Mr. Bates takes you be-
hind the scenes of ‘iterature ald
shows you just what. kind of work
must be performed in order that you
may be qualified to practice the pro-
fession of literature; but the mete
reading of his essays will no more
qualify you to write than the stage
manager’s explanation of how the
earthquake is produced would make
you capable of properly carrying out
the illusion yourself. You have got
to “know the business,’’ and the only
way to “know the business” of liter-
ature is to follow some course of study
as is suggested by Mr. Bates. fe
But entirely aside from the techni-
cal and practical value of these pa-
pers to the student, many of then
will prove of very decided interest to
the general reacer. They will enable
him to know why he likes a well-
written, well-constructed book,—and
there is a good deal of satisfaction to
be derived from that. As the essays
were originally delivered in the form
of lectures to the Lowell Free Classes,
it is only natural that a great many
points should have been made and
brought out by Mr. Bates for the ben-
efit and entertainment of non-profes-
sional listeners, and the one thing we
should particularly thank him for is
his championage of the idiom, which
he says is to the race what style is to
the man.
An idiom “is the crystalli-
zation in verbal forms of peculiarities
of race temperament,—perhaps even —
of race eccentricities.’’ And then he
|
Wee KRLY
gives illustrations. Further along
there is a little dissertation on tak-
ing notes, which will prove valuable
reading even to those of us whose
Writing is restricted to epistolary cor-
respondence,—for how many persons
think it is necessary to make memo-
randa’? It have heard more than one
Say that they preferred to train their
memories,—an expensive education,
you may rest assured.
Another pleasing book of essays is
Prof. Brander Matthews’ ‘Aspects of
Fiction’ (New York: Harper & Bros.)
Which, although treating of literature
from an entirely different standpoint,
contains many statements corrobora-
tive of what Mr. Bates has been ex-
pounding. For instance, in discussing
the successof ‘“‘Trilby,’’ Professor Mat-
thews praises Du Maurier’s gift of
Story-telling, but criticises his work
from the standpoint of literature, ac-
counting for the short-comings on the
ground that the artist-author had not
“studied fiction as an art diligently
from his youth up.” The introductory
essay on “American Literature’ may
be characterized as patriotic. There
is plenty of good advice in it for the
young American writer: ‘“A fit motto
for an American author might be, ‘I
go to Cosmopolis’—I go to see the best
the world has to offer, the best being
none too good for American use; I
go as a visitor, and I return always a
loyal citizen of my own country.”
We have also received: ‘“‘The Gray
Man,’ by S.°R. Crockett, (New York:
Harper & Brothers); ‘A Primer of
“College Football,’ by W. H. Lewis,
(New York: Harper & Brothers);
“William Henry Seward,” by Thorn-
ton Kirkland Lothrop, (American
Statesmen Series; Boston: Houghton,:
Mifflin & Co.); “Judith and MHolo-
fernes,’’ a poem, by Thomas Bailey
Aldrich, (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin &
Co.)
—_++
At a recent meeting of the Faculty
of Cornell University, the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
was abolished, and the degree of
Bach2lor of Architecture was adopted
instead. Cornell is the first Amer-
ican University to confer this degree.
Tighe. Lane, Wheeler & Farnham,
Attorneys at Law,
109-112 Manhattan Building,
St. Paul, Minn. ©
JOHN W. LANE.
CHARLES W. FARNHAM.
AMBROSE TIGHE.
HowakD WHEELER.
Report of University Co-opera-
live Society.
The regular annual meeting of the
directors of the Yale Co-operative Cor-
poration was held in the Superinten-
dent’s office last week. After the elec-
tion of Greenway, 1900, Hine, M. &.,
and Alsop, ’98S., to fill vacancies in
the Board, the Superintendent’s re-
port was presented and accepted. The
report is as follows:
RESOURCES.
Merchandise on hand, per inven-
BUNT ae eg aS ee, ik igs ot oa $5,189 18
Consigned stock on hand.......... 944 2
Office furniture and fixtures...... 239 35
Accounts receivable......... secec- 606 93
OS DI es ss ec Sok shines enecess 199 27
$7,179 26
LIABILITIES.
Accounts payable including all
CONSIQTIMENTS....0. sescecce covers ,074 43
ING capited SbOCK. .inccce. sccecieee 4,504 82
Capital stock at last report........ 3,140 72
I TOR Gece be sobs he cw oes $1,364 10
Total cash business ’95-6............ $32,136 32
Total cash business ’94-5............ 28,389 26
PROTCARG ii. ocd Os hoa se yt oo en ee . $3,747 06
Comparing the cash sales of 1892,
just four years ago, from the begin-
ning of the term to November ist of
the same year, with the cash sales of
this year for the same length of time,
it is seen that they have doubled. In
1892 they were somewhat over $5,000,
this year over $10,000.
The membership last year was 6831,
about one-third of the entire Univer-
sity, and it is expected that there will
be also a large increase in this figure
during the present year. Wesley G.
Vincent, ’96, is still in charge.
ee
The annual Gun Club shoot between
Yale, Harvard and Princeton will be
held at Soldiers’ Field, Cambridge, on
November 6th.
ee ge ten nt tintin eerie pnt Srl aati
HOUGHTON. MIFFLIN & CO’S NEW BOOKS
The American Revolution. : :
By Joun Fiske. Illustrated Edition. Containing 22 photogravures of portraits and
paintings, 15 colored maps and plates, and 280 text cuts and maps. 2 vols., 8vo, $8 00.
Large-Paper Edition, limited to 250 copies, printed on English hand-made paper, 2 vols.,
large 8vo, $16.00, net. |
_ These volumes, which are of a very high order of value and interest, are profusely
illustrated with superb portraits, maps, plans of battles, pictures of historic buildings and
scenes, medals, facsimiles, etc. They are very handsome books, suitable for Holiday gifts.
Chapters from a Life. |
By EizapeTH STUART PHELPS, author of ‘A Singular Life,” ‘‘ The Gates Ajar,” etc.
With 24 portraits and other illustrations. 12mo, $1.50.
This is a remarkably attractive book of biographical and literary interest. It describes
her girlhood, her entrance into the field of literature, her life at East Gloucester, and
gives glimpes, sometimes full views, of Longfellow, Holmes, Whittier, Mr. Fields, Bishop |
Brooks, Mrs. Thaxter, Miss Larcom, Mrs. Lydia Maria Child, and others.
Cape Cod.
By Henry D. THornav. Holiday Edition. Illustrated in water colors by Miss AMBLIA
M. Watson. 2 vols., crown 8vo., very handsomely bound from designs by Mrs.
WHITMAN, $5.00.
Thoreau’s unequalled description of Cape Cod is supplemented by a hundred admira-
ble illustrations, printed in colors on the margins. Their great variety, the happy
choice of subjects, and their high artistic character, make this a notable Holiday book.
Letters of Victor Hugo.
Kdited by Paut Meuricr. In two volumes 8vo, carefully printed, and bound in hand-
some library style. First Series, with a fine portrait, $3.00. [The Second Series will
appear in a few months. |
A work of remarkable interest, including Hugo’s unpublished letters to his father,
wife, children, and to many famous persons, including a notable series of fifty letters to
Saint Beuve.
Talks about Autographs.
By Dr. Grorce BirKBECK HIt1, editor of ‘‘ Boswell’s Life of Johnson.”
and facsimiles
label, $8.50 net.
With portraits
Square 8vo, bound in antique leather, $3.50; in buckram, paper
Marm Lisa.
By Kate Dovetass Wiaern, author of ‘The Bird’s Christmas Carol.” $.100.
Little Marm Lisa is a fresh child-figure in fiction. The very interesting story describes
the quickening of her clouded and burdened life till her pathetic faithfulness ripens, in the
climax, into heroism, It is the longest story, and one of the best, Mrs. Wiggin has written.
The Country of the Pointed Firs.
By Saran Orne Jewett, author of “ The Life of Nancy,” etc. 16mo, $1.25.
This summer story of a village on the coast of Maine and the adjacent islands, forms
one of the most delightful of Miss Jewett’s books. It is marked by all those fine qualities
which make her stories so charming a part of American literature.
’ Barker’s Luck, and Other Stories.
By Bret Hart. 16mo, $1.25.
ee book of Mr. Harte’s inimitable stories, of which the public never has quite
enough,
7 A-Birding on a Bronco.
A delightful book on birds and their nests in Southern California, by Florence A.
MerRIAM, author of ‘ Birds Through an Opera Glass,” and ‘‘My Summer in a M
Village.” With numerous illustrations. 16mo, $1.25, Boe aw
Sold by Booksellers. Sent, vostpaid, by HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO., Boston,
‘ ee ida
SES ; PAO ETN NE Eo I GRE | GRE SS RMR WEIR OIE ETRE NP ONEBPE LP Beis DE BSAC CONE CES FH aes ae PE
KING NOANETT.
A Story of Old Virginia and the Massachusetts Bay
A NEW HISTORICAL NOVEL.
S. of Dale.)
By F. J. STIMSON, (J.
‘¢ We are not afraid to predict that ‘King Noanett’ will take its place in the hearts
of the people with such books as ‘Lorna Doone’ and ‘The Little Minister.’—A most
noble book.”—James MacArthur, in the September Bookman. :
‘Tt is marked in conception and execution alike by a trait which, without reserve,
we may name beauty. The quality of charm which pervades the romantic tales of the
Old World is just what distinguishes ‘King Noanett.’ The real spirit of the book, the
temper which gives it inevitable romantic charm, comes from no documents at all, but
straight from nature. The beauty of this book in its conception is like the beauty of
our woods and our fields, of our fields and our streams. Itis native. That is why we
love it. Subtly rhythmical cadences which belong to the essence of lyric prose. In sub-
stance and in style alike, then, we may welcome ‘King Noanett’ as a thing of beauty.”
—Prof. Barrett Wendell, of Harvard University, in The Boston Transcript.
‘(So far as American fiction is concerned ‘King Noanett’ is far and away the book
of the year. Certainly nothing fresher or more original has found its way into our
literature for many a year. The volume possesses a distinct historical value.” —Literary
Editor, The Boston Transcript.
‘¢A book which it is hard to put down until the end is reached. The climax is a
triumph of clever manipulation. It is a credit to American letters to have produced such
a book. We trust that no one will miss the opportunity of making the acquaintance of
‘King Noanett.’”"—N. Y. Haaminer.
‘¢We have read few fictions whose interest was so steady, so continuous and so
absorbing. ‘King Noanett’ must, however, be read in full to be justly appreciated.
We sincerely commend the story to our readers.”—N. Y. Independent.
‘It is interesting. It is spirited. It has movement and life. The young Irish
cavalier is a delightful acquaintance. ‘King Noanett’ possesses positive merits.”—
Literary World.
‘‘ A stirring and delightful romance.”—Congregationalist.
‘¢ And who but an Irishman could have said ‘Heigho! ’Tis the women who make
the trouble of this life—and life worth the trouble.’ Mr. Stimson has done his best
work in ‘King Noanett,’ and in Miles Courtenay he has added an immortal figure to the
characters of fiction.”—James Jeffrey Roche, in The Pilot.
‘“‘Tt is difficult to describe the fascination of its style, the enchantment which it
wields, and the spiritual beauty which illumines the whole work.”—James MacArthur,
in The Bookman.
‘<¢ King Noanett’ is a book designed for all ages.” —N. Y. Tribune.
‘¢Mr. Stimson writes as good a story as DuMaurier ”—Brooklyn Eagle.
f
’
LAMSON, WOLFFE AND COMPANY.
Boston. London. New York.
