EMILY DICKINSONLETTERS AND POEMS OF A LONELY

NEW ENGLAND VOHAN WHOBELIEVED IN "ART

FOR TRUTH"

A recent publisher's nete to the effect thatthe large sale of Father Tabb's poems, now intheir fifth edition, was paralleled amongAmerican poets only by the demand for theposthumous volume of Emily Dickinson, re-calls the work of the singular and gifted NewEngland woman. There appears to be an in-teresting coincidence in this fact, in view ofFather Tabb's remark, quoted by The Book-man, that "of late American poets there isnone worthy to go down to posterity exceptMiss Dickinson ." Her poems appeared severalyears ago, four years after their author's deatn.Her recently published Letters, edited byMabel Loomis Todd, reveal in part the strangepersonality of the woman who foryears andfrom her own choice never stepped outside her jfather's house.

Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst,Mass., in the year 1830. There seems to navebeen nothing exceptional about her girlhood.Her father was & prosperous man, for yearstreasurer of Amherst College, and at one timea member of Congress. The pictures of herhome show us an attractive colonial house,spacious and dignified, surrounded by spread-ingeim trees. There were three children-Austin, Emily and Lavinia. Their mother wasapparently a sensible and practical New Eng-land woman with little time for sentiment.Emilyaa a young girlappears to have had ahapr>y life. Her education was begun at thevillage "academy" and "finished" by & yearat Mount Holyoke. Her letter! at this timeare tne letters of the average schoolgirl andshow no trace of the epigrammatic transcen-dentalism which marks them later. Neither isthere any trace of the shyness which became apassion in her after life. She seems to havejoined in the social lifeof her mates and livedthe normal lifeof the young woman of thattime. Her early friend, Mrs. Ford, to whomsome of her letters are addressed, prefacestheir publication by a short sketch of Emily'sgirlhood. According to Mrs. Ford she was oneof a circle of talented young girls, several ofwhom became lamous in after years. FannyMontague, the art critic, was one, and anotherwas Helen Fiske, who wrote under the penname, "H.H.," and whose death in San Fran-cisco a few years ago was a sad loss to Ameri-can letters. EmilyDickinson, strange to say,was the wit of the group and furnished thefunny items for the school paper. The onlyhint she gave her friend of her future strangealoofness from her fellows was by asking herone day ifitdid not make her shiver to hearsome people talk '-as though they took all theclothes off their souls." Not until she is about20 do we fiad symptoms of that later malady

—ifmalady be the word for her almost fierce se-clusion.

The friend who most helped to form hergirlish aspirations was a teacher inthe acad-emy, a Mr. Leonard Humphrey, who was afew years older than herself. He was a gradu-ate of Amherst and had showed unusual in-tellectual ability and penetration. A letterto a friend at this time briefly records hisdeath. His name is only mentioned twice inthe course of her whole correspondence andonce in a letter to her literary godfather, Mr.Higginson. She says, '"My dying tutor toldme he would like to live tillIhad been apoet." This was twelve years after his death 1We cannot help wondering whether this wasnot the key of those minor cadences to whichher lifewas henceforth set. Itseems almost asort of sacrilege to try to pierce that reservein which she veiled herself. There are soulsas tremulous as sensitive plants. A yearlater in a letter to the same friend she de-clines a proffered invitation, saying: "Idon'tgo from home unless emergency leads me bythe hand, and then Ido itobstinately anddraw back ifIcan."

There is no hint as vet of her writingpoetry. About this time her brother, Austin,left home and college to take a position in Bos-ton. Her letters to him are delightfullyclever,full ofwit,with an undercurrent of sadnessand loneliness, ostensibly because of his beinggone. In these letters we begin to detect thebeat of words, the sense of cadence whichmarks her poetry rather than perfect rhymeor meter. Even inhomely sentences one per-ceives the writer to have that "ear for words"which is somewhat rarer than an ear for mu-sic. However, it need not take a verse-makerto write inthat manner. This fragment froma letter to her cousin, on the death, inhis firstbattle, of a friend's son, suggests the poet:

"Poor little widow's boy, riding to-night inthe mad wind, back to the village Durying-ground, where he never dreamed of sleeping.Ah, the dreamless sleep!"

Her letters to her Drother detail the familyand neighborhood doings, withhere and therea suggestion of her growingdislike of meetingpeople. She mentions a great village fete onthe opening of the new railroad. "They allsaid it was fine. I'spose' itwas. Isat inPro-fessor Tyler's woods and saw the train moveoff, and then came home for fear somebodywould see me or ask me how Idid. Dr.Hollandwas here and called to see us." "Dr. Holland"was J.G. Holland, the well-known author andlater the editor of the Century Magazine. Avisit to the Hollands a short time after thiswas one of the few she ever made. Her lettersto them are extremely interesting and show aconstantly increasing brilliancy.

The letters to her young cousins in the begin-ning of the second volume show the womanlyand affectionate side of her nature, that hadno warp inits attitude toward those she loved, j

But by far the most fascinating letters of all jare those addressed to Thomas Wentworth jHiggint«on. With her constantly increasingseclusion the necessity for some expressionseemed to grow. She made no occupation ofwriting,but while busy withher house dutiesor her sewing— for she was pre-eminently apractical, capable New England woman— shewould jotdown the thoughts that came to herin fragments of verse, writing them often onthe margin of newspapers or the backs of oldenvelopes. There was no system or order inher production and no thought of publication.Any sort of publicitywould have been unbear-able to the woman, whose shrinking from theeyes of strangers was so great that she re-sorted to all sorts of devices to avoid address-ing her letters in her own hand. Some-times she used newspaper labels, or iftnese were not to be had, one ofthe family performed the office for her.Her penmanship, of which a fac-simile isgiven,seems characteristic of her isolation, each let-ter standing alone. Writing for herself aloneit was not to be expected that her versesshould be finished in form. Indeed it is doubt-ful whether she understood anything of thetheory or technique of poetry. But, as one ofher critics said: "When a thought takes ourbreath away, a lesson ingrammar 6eemsan lm- ipertinence." And though her poems may befragmentary in form, they are never so insub-stance. Each contains a distinct thought.As, forexample, this:

Presentiment Is that long shadow on the lawnIndicative that sunn go down:The notice to the startled grass1hat darkness Isabout to pass.After a time the desire to have some compe-

tent authority pass judgment upon her workgrew so strong that itlea her todo what manywitha far less sensitive temperament wouldhave shrunk from doing. She had come tohave a great admiratiou for the work and thecritical ability of Mr. Higginson, who wasthen connected with the Atlantic Monthly,

and she wrote him the following letter, inclos-ing some of her poems :

'•Mr.Higginson: Are you too deeply occupiedto say ifmy verse is alive?

\u25a0'The mind is so near itself that itcannot seedistinctly, andIhave none toask.

"Should you think it breathed and had youthe leisure to tell me,Ishould feel quick grat-itude.

"IfImake the mistake, that you dared totell me would give me sincerer honor towardyou."I inclose my name, asking you, If you

niease, sir, to tellme what is true?"I inclose my name, asking you, If you

niease, sir, to tell me what is true?

"That you may not betray me Itis needles,to ask, since honor is its own pawn."

We can i-nagine how startled and interestedMr. Higginson must have been by the receiptofsuch a letter. Itmight have been writtenby an Emerson or a poet of the Concord schooland reminds us that the author was reared inthe same montal atmosphere. Mr. Higginson'sanswers have, unfortunately, not been pre-served. It would have been interesting toread the response he made to this singularand powerfully ivorded appeal for his criti-cism. We can surmise the gist of his answerby the second letter from Miss Dickinson. Shethanks him for his kindness and for his "sur-gery." He had evidently pointed out that herpoems were very irregular in form.

"You asked how old Iwas? Imade noverse but one or two until this winter, sir.• • •

You inquire my books. For poets Ihave Keats and Mr.and Mrs. Browning. Forprose Mr. RuskiD, Sir Thomas Browne and theRevelations.

• • •"

A small company of friends was that, but anexcellent one. No wonder Ruskin was her in-timate. She was a true disciple of the manwho wrote:

No weight, nor mass, nor beauty of executioncan outweigh one grain or fragment of thought.

YetIdo not believe that Emily Dickinsonwas ever consciously defiant of rules. Sherather never considered them at all, andsought only to express the thought whichgrappled her. Sometimes this was done instrikinglyhomely phraseology, as inthe poem:

Death isa dialogue betweenThe oplrltand the dust.

"Dissolve," says Death, the spirit. "Sir,Ihave another trust."Death doubts It,argues from the groundThe Spirit turns away,Just laying off, for evidence.Anovercoat of clay.

The "overcoat of clay" is stronger and comesmore freshly home to the mind than any ofthe usual phrases, such as the body being a"gar-ment to be laid aside," or the like, which havebeen said so often that we have mostly lost thefeeling out of them. IfEmilyDickinson hadwritten to-day, she would have found herselfin the fullsweep of the art movement, whichcontends for originality and freshness of ex-pression, at the sacrifice of every art lorm

—instead of the hackneyed, which is powerlessto really express.

Her letter goes on:"Iwent to school, but, Inyour manner of the

phrase, had no education. When a little girlIhad a friend who taught me immortality;butventuring too near himself he never returned.

"You ask of my companions. HillF, sir, andthe sundown and a dog large as myself thatmy father bought me. They are better thanbeings, because they know but do not tell, andthe noise in the pool at noon excels my piano."Ihave a brother ana sister. Mymother

does not care for thought, and father— toobusy withhis briefs to notice what we do. Hebuys me many books, but begs me not to readthem, because he fears they joKele the mind.They are religious, except me, and address aneclipse every morning, whom they call theirfather.

• • •"Ihave had few pleasures so deep as your

opinion, and ifItried to thank you my tearswould block my tongue.

"Mydyingtutor toldme that he would like tolive tillIhad been a poet, but death was asmuch ofa mob as Icould master then. Andwhen, far afterward, a sudden light onorchards or a new fashion inthe wind troubledmy attention Ifelta palsy here, the verses justrelieve."IfEmilyDickinson had never written any

verse these letters would have stampedher a poet. Mr.Howells has said that "ifnoth-ing else had come out of our life but thisstrange poetry weshould feel that in the workof EmilyDickinson America, or New Englandrather, nad made a distinctive addition to theliterature of the world, and could not be leftout of any record ofit."

Inthis same letter sne osks Mr. Higginson ifhe "has time to be her friend." This was thebeginning of» a correspondence and of afriendship which lasted over thirty years, juntil the day of her death, and during all thattime Mr. Higginson only saw her facetwice.Atfirst he tried to Doint out her imperfectionsof rhyme and meters, but he soon ceased,recognizing here a quality beyond all mereform. In one letter he must have told herthat her vision was "beyond his knowledge."or she answers, "

You say'Beyond your

knowledge.' You would not jest with me;but, preceptor, you cannot mean it?" Mr.Higginson's interest in the strange genius ofhis correspondent led him to visit Amherst.He has described his call upon Miss Dickinsonin the pages of tne Atlantic. Her shyness andaloofness wereso great that he feltnearer to herinletters than in conversation. He says thatfor.years she never passed beyond her father'sgarden, and there were literally years whenher foot never crossed her own doorstep. Inspite of this fact she is said to have been agracious and dignified hostess on those occa-sions, once a year, when her father in his offi-cial capacity gave a reception to the facultyand seniors of Amherst College. Mr.Howells,however, records that later in her life shecould not even once a year endure -this strain,and would often sit in a back room, her faceturned from her guests.

Early in lifeshe revolted from the orthodoxcreed, but she was none the less dominated byher austere Puritan ideals. Strongest amongthese was an intense craving for sincerity, to-gether with a loathing for cam and socialhypocrisy. Inher poem called "Real" she hasexpressed this with daring force:Ilike a look of agony

Because Iknow it's true;Men do not sham convulsion

Nor simulate a thro".

The eyes glaze over, and that la death—Impossible to feign;

The beads upon the forehead.By homely anguish strung.

Hamilton Aide reviewed her poems at lengthin the Nineteenth Century Magazine. Helamented their technical imperfections, say-ingthey were too often "like pearls in pack-thread," but he did full justice to her powerof imagination

—her "gift of seeing." That is,

after all, the iundt<mehtnl quality of the poet.Manner if

—or shou.d be— accessory to that.

She resembles Emily Brant in work and inCharacter morr nearly than any other womanwriter. Itseemed fitting that Colonel Higgin-son should read over her grave the "LastLines" of her i-ister poet. Grace S. Musses.

AN UNNAMED POEM.By KmilyDickinson-

Idied for beauty, bu:. was scare*Adjusted in the tomb.

When one who died f«r truth was UldJn an adjoining room.

He questioned softly whyIfailed »"Forbeauty,"Ireplied.

•And Ifor truth, the two are one;We brethren are," he said.

A nd so. as ktnimen met a night,We talked between the rooms.

Until the moss had reached our lipg,And covered up our names.

\u25a0\u2666

ISHALL KNOW.Bt Emily Dickinson.

Ishall know why.when time in over,And 1have ceased to wonder why:

Christ willexplain each separate anguish,In the fair schoolroom of the nkv.

He will tell me what Peter promised.And I,for wonder at his woe,Ishall forget the drop of anguish

That scald* me now. ilia,scalds me now.•—•—\u2666

—\u2666\u25a0

Miss Julia Magruder's new novel, "The Vio-let," willbe published by Messrs. Longmans,Green «fe Co., in;September, with illustrationsby Charles Dana Gibson.

DAVID STARR JORDAN.THE BTORY OFTIIIiINNUMERABLE COM-PANY, and Other sketches. By David StarrJordan, prestaeni of Ltsnml Stamord Jr Uni-

versity, tsai; Francisco: The Whltaker 4 RayCompany, publishers; clothbound; price $1 25.The volume before us is made up of separate

sketches, nine In number, historical or aile-gorical, "having in some degree a bond ofunion in the idea of the 'higher sacrifice.'"The substance of most of the sketches hasalready been given in lectures by the versatilehead of Stanford University. "The Story of

i the Innumerable Caravan" is an allegoricalreview of the religious creeds and beliefs ofthe world, in their various pilgrimages, sincethe birth of Christianity. The allegory is wellsustained. The journey over the mountainsand through the- forests and across the desertof life to the distant river, the waters of whichevery traveler must breast alone, was made byOne in early times by a way so fair that thememory of itbecame a part of the story of theland. He left a Chart behind for the puidanceof those who should come after him, but somewho tried to follow him said that the Chartwas not explicit enough, and marked outevery step of the way. Then discord arose, andnew Charts were made, resulting ingreat con-fusion, until many despised and threw theirCharts away. As time passed on the way grewbrighter, and men saw that most of the diffi-culties and dangers of the way were thosewhich they unwittinglyhad made for them-selves or others. The light of wisdom shonealong the way; men held the old Chart moreinreverence than ever before. No longer didmen say, "This path have 1 taken; this waymust thou go."

And someone wrote upon the Chart this singlerule of the forest: "Choose thou thfne own bestway, and help thy neighbor to find that waywhich for him Isbest." But this was erased atlast; for beneath it they found the older, plainerwords, which One In earlier limns had writtenthere. "Thy neighbor as thyself."

"The Story of the Passion" is a descriptionof the famous Miracle Play as it is to-day mod-ernized and perfected at Oberammergau. Theauthor shows a respect akin toadmiration forthe simple, pious peasants In the BavarianAlps who endeavor to faithfully and artistic-allyrepresent the lifeand acts of Christ. Thesketch contains never a word nor a suggestionwhich could possibly invite exception fromthe most ardent believer Inthe divinityof theholy Kazarene. The play is criticized in abroad and generous way. Mr.Jordan declaresthat only in the sense of historical continuitycan the Passion Play at Oberammergau becharacterized as a relic of medieval times;that the spirit of the age has penetrated evento that isolated valley, and that its Passion jPlay is as much a product of our century asthe poetry of Tennyson. The machinery ofsuperstition is done away with; harmony hastaken the place of crudity, and the Christ ofOberammergau is the Christ of modern con-ception.

With reierence to such scenes as those ac-companying the crucifixion, the author ob-serves that a treatment less reverent than isgiven by those peasants would make intoler-able blasphemy. Inhisopinion the perfectionof the 'Passion Play" is its justification.

"Itcan never become a show," he concludes."Itcan never be carried to other countries.It can never be given under other circum- jstances. So loDg as its players are pure inheart and humble in spirit so long can theykeep their well-earned right to show to theworld the tragedy of the cross."

"The California of the Padre" (an addressdelivered at the Teachers' Institute, Monterey,in 1893) pays a tribute to the early Spanishmissionaries, whose age of glory faded away,but "leitno stain in the pages of our history."

"The Conquest of Jupiter Pen" tells how,according to old chronicles, St. Bsrnard,through the influence of charity and truth,drove the spirits of evil from the Alps.

"The Last of the Puritans" (an address be-fore the California State Normal School, SanJose, 1892) honors the memory of the |im-mortal hero, John Brown, "whose body liesxnoldering in the grave," but "whose soulgoes marching on."

The writings of Ulrich yon Hutten, a con-temporary of Martin Luther in the great re-ligious struggle of four centuries ago, receivethe strongest praise. Hutten, with fiery pen,fought for freedom of the spirit. This sketchis entitled "AKnightof the Order of Poets."

Aplea for "Nature Study as a Means of Moral

Culture" and "The Higher Sacrifice" are ad-dresses delivered this year. A poem, "TheBubbles of Sake," concludes the volumewhich is dedicated to Mrs. Jessie KnightJor-dan, wife oi the author.

A BRIGHT VOLUMESOAF BUBBLES. By Max Nordaa. New York:>. Tennyson Neely. publisher. For sale by theEmporium Book Department; price, 75 cents.

Here is a bright littlevolume of short storiesby the author of "Degeneration." They makeexcellent reading for leisure moments." Thereare ten stories in the book. <=Cant and Hum-bug" is a humorous tale of English selfish-ness and American thriftincss. "Wifevs. Native Land" shows how a wanmay quit smoking for spite, but notfor love. "AllHadji Effendi" relates to theadventures of a wandering fanatic of Islam."The Cross at the Corner" describes thereligions devotion ol a aged Hungarian and"The Altar Painting" the love-tragedy of anItalian artist. "A Christmas Eve in Paris"gives a pathetic incident of suffering in theFranco-Prussian war during the siege ofParis. "The Stepmother" is an ingenious dis-cu^ion of that much-abused matron; and"Pas de Chance" (No Chance) tells the story ofa girl found in a morgue. "How the Fox-hunter Fared in England" has a traeic andhumorous denouement, turning upon theBriton's mode ol fox hunting; and "Within anInch of Eternity" relates how a prison phy-sician's hair turned white in a night fromhorror Inflictedon him by two escaped prison-ers. The translator is Mary J. Safford. Thecover is of unique and attractive design andthe large clear type and heavy paper areadditional points in the book's favor.

THE MEANING OF LIFE.THE PERFECT WHOLE -By Horatio W

Dresser. Boston: George H. Ellis, oubliaher.For sale by lending book-dealers; 260 pares-cloth; price $100."'

Simplicity of language and distinctness ofthought are characteristics of Mr. Dresser'swritings,and this essay on the conduct andmeaning of lifewil! enhance his reputation asa thinker and as a sincere friend of humanity.With becoming modesty the author claims nooriginality for his essay, but in his thoughtfulappreciation of the wisdom of the ages he hastaken advantage of "the best that has beenthought and said" in the pas*. He has lentthe fresh value of personal experience to em-phasize the problem of problems and hasgiven a fulland frank expression of individualconviction. The purpose of the book at handis threefold— psychological, metaphysical andpractical. As a psychological analysis itis es-pecially concerned with the higher or spiritualnature of man. As a philosophical dis-cussion, Itaims to develop a generally soundview ofreality by »consideration of material-ism, agnosticism and mysticism "In the lightof their shortcomings when compared with thedemands both of reason and the spiritualsense." Itpoints out many important distinc-tions essential to a just view of life and indi-cates the dangers of all one-Sided conceptionsof the universe. Itis an urgent appeal to life,a plea for the realization of ethics and theapplication of spiritual law in every momentof existence. Its threefold purpose and itsindividual confessions of faith are alike sub-servient to the one central idea for which itstands— the unityof all that exists inan ulti-mate spiritual reality. The author declaresthat, with true spiritual insight, "the wholewide universe of beings and things is seen tobe one piece in the great lifeof God, whoseinfinite beauty, love and goodness receivetheir full manifestation in that unsearchablewhole whose name iseternity."

A MAN'S SUCCESS IN LIFE.THE HIGHEK EDUCATION A8A TRATN-

INGFOR BUSINESS. By Harry Pratt Jud-ton. Philadelphia: Henry Altemus, publisher-price 30 cents.

'The author admits that there are many suc-

cessful men who never entered college andthat scholars are often poor business men, andhe maintains that success in business is quitedistinctly not the chief aim in the higher edu-cation. Anexcellent man ofbusiness may boa bad citizen, a bad father and an unhappyman. One may succeed in business and yeteven inhis own judgment make a failure oflife; and it is possible to fail in business andyet make lifea glorious success. Business is a

means to an end, and that end is ap. od all-around life. To succeed in business and tosucceed inlifeare two things that should beconjoined, and as modern lifeis very complexsuccess is no small thing and implies no smallknowledge.

"The dreamer isout of date," exclaims Mr,Judson. "Men must be thinking and doingwith nervous energy. Their minds are wideawake. The pace is set by steam now and notby oxen. People are no longer provincial.Tne whole world belongs to everybody."

"One who would fillany considerable placein^the world must understand the world ismore than a fragmentary waif, and that un-derstanding implies a wide and varied train-ing."

Tne successful business man must have fourprime qualifications

—industry, intelligence,

acuteness and reliability."The well-trained college man," declares

the author, "knows how to work patiently andhard; how to wrestle with new questions; howto keep at a thing until he masters it,and thisis the very essence of the habit of business.The higher education gives just the trainingin industry which a business lifedemands."

The essay is worthy of the consideration ofparents who can afford to give their boys ahigher education, and who are neverthelessundecided as to the advisability of doing so."Ifa boy is of the right sort," says Mr.Judson,"he will at college form habits of methodicalindustry quite as well as in the factory. Hewill learn a larger intelligence than can begiven by mere business experience. His mindwill be trained to ready command of all itsfatalities. If,again, he is the right sort of boyhe will learn a high sense of honor. Beyondall this, he villbecome adapted for social lifeinall its forms; he willDe at home anywhere,and he willhave his ideas so broadened andhis tastes so cultivated that he willknow howto make the most of life wherever he is. Hewillbe a larger part of the community."

LITERARY NOTES.

George Kennsn has written three shortstories for the coming volume of St. Nicholas.One is called "How the Bad News Came toSiberin," and describes how Mr.Kennan andhis comrades, while at wort on the RussianOverland Telegraph, received news of the com-pletion of the Atlantic cable. This, of course,ruined and brought to a sudden stop the en-terprise in which they were engaged. Anotherstory, called -'My Narrowest Escape," is an ac-count of an exciting adventure inRussia. Thefirst of the stories willappear in the Novem-ber St. Nicholas.

Among D. Appleton &Co.'s September publi-cations willbe, "What Is Electricity?" by Pro-I fessor John Trowbridge of Harvard University,a new volume in the International ScientificSeries; "Alterations in Personality," by Al-fred Binet, with an introduction by ProfessorJ. Mark Baldwin; "Fiat Money in France"(new edition), by Andrew D. White; "TneStatement of Stella Maberly," by F. Anstey;"ACourt Intrigue," Dy Basil Thompson, and'The Idol-Maker," by Adeline Sergeant.

Itis proposed to erect in Paris a monumentof Paul Verlaine. Abust by Niederhausen isto be placed in the Luxembourg Gardens,near the statue of Henri Murger. The moneyis to be raised by international subscription.Stephane Mallarme is president of the com-mittee and the Chap Book has been appointedto receive subscriptions inAmerica.'

Mr. Hope will furnish a sequel to "ThePrisoner of Zenda" after aIL Itwillbe called"The Constable ofZenda."

Every article in the October Scribner's ex-cept Barries serial will be by an Americanauthor, and the subjects are strongly Ameri-can and of timely interest and importance,such as "The Government of Greater NewYork," "The Expenditure ofRich Americans,""TheNew York Working-gin," "The Sculptureof Olin Warner," "Tne American LighthouseSystem,

"etc.

E.L.Godkin, editor of the New York Even-ingPost, in an article on "The Expenditure ofRich Men" in the October Scribner's, says thatrich Americans, by building great houses fora display of their wealth, excite envy, hatredand malice, and he advises them to avoidthis by expending it in erecting great publicmonuments, such as picture-galleries, mu-seums, arches, statuary, etc., which willper-

petuate their names and rid them completelyof the imputation of selfishness.

AMERICAN WOMENGERTRUDE ATHERTON TELLS

WHY THEY FASCINATEENGLISHMEN

Gertrude Atherton In the London DailyNews.The fascination of Englishmen for

American women has been much discussedof late, but the time is approaching whenthe possession of England by Americanwomen will prove a subject of far morevitalcontroversy. In fact, it threatens tobecome one of the great internationalquestions, for itmeans the reconstructionof two races. Iunderstand that an effort

| is being made by the United States Gov-Iernment to prevent its voting citizens

remaining abroad more than two years ata time, that it is seriously alarmed at theincreasing thousands of Americans whoare settling in Europe. The United Statespress has also half awakened to the factthat the defection of its women means aloss of something more than millions, al-though as yet its only suggestions in reself-protection have been to impose a taxon the dots of American heiresses marry-ing foreigners, and to create a domesticpeerage.

Meanwhile, what is the reason that atthe present moment American womenpractically own London— that they set thefashions

—have, not to exaggerate, five ad-

mirers to every English woman's one, andthe pick of the best men? A great manyobvious reasons have been advanced.They are prettier, cleverer, more vivacious,more natural, dress better

—which is to

the eye what music is to the soul—

have aborn and acute understanding of men, lessreligion, above allmore money.

These reasons are all good, but a littleanalysis willshow that they do not holdwater. Spanish and Austrian women aremore beautiful than Americans. TheFrench woman is equally clever and viva-cious, dresses as well, and what she doesnot know about men is not worth record-ing. With the Catholic races, at least, re-ligionis an airy convention, not calculatedto make man wish that all women werepagans, and there are heiresses all overthe world.

The one manifest Doint, therefore, uponwhich the American woman is sui generisis her naturalnees, her habit of thinkingout loud, her lack of self-consciousness,of mannerism. AllEnglish women talkas if they had studied elocution. AnAmerican voice, even when trainante, hasthe effect of spontaneity. And s© withthe manner, the habit of thought, thequick, fresh way of looking at life.

But this quality, delightful as it is, ishardly strong enough to constitute more jthan a passing charm, and the American 'woman's foothold in England is growingfirm as the years go by. She has come tostay, and what is more no Englishmanseems to be terrified by his brother'schoice.

Under the obvious reason, or rather setof reasons, there must then be a funda-mental and psychological reason. English-men rarely marry European women, withall their manifold charms. They makelove in Paris, Vienna, Seville, Venice andYokohama, but the foreigner they marry

is the American. Itmust be, therefore,

that they recognize in American womensomething that they most want

—some-

thing that the women of their own coun-try cannot give them.

that they recognize in American womensomething that they most want

—some-

thing that the women of their own coun-try cannot give them.

Can it be that while Englishmen havagone forward, have become more aliveevery year, have kept pace with their cen-tury

—it may almost be said that they

have set the pace— the English womanhasstood still? In many instances has shenot degenerated ? Take her literature.With some very few exceptions, no Eng-lish woman to-day is writing either intel-lectual or wholesome fiction. Leaving thesilly novelists out ofthe question, what doesthe enormous success ofthe neurotic, mor-bid and decadent effusions denote? Oneneed hardly think twice to answer that itmeans a general degeneracy among Eng-lish women. 1 hear several thousandpeople remarking, "These same bookshave had great sales in America." So theyhave, but because the United States is in-tellectually under the yoke of England,and is as yet too heterogeneous to have sj

mind of its own on the subject of liter-ature. None of these books would havaachieved success if written in America—in fact, they could not have been writtenin America. As itis, they are read out ofcuriosity, tossed aside and forgotten.

To return:Itis inconceivable that thewomen wbo read and exist in these novelsas the expression of their inner selves donot bore and disgust men. Englishmen,taking them generally, are the mostwholesome, healthy-minded men in theworld. They live a clean, outdoor life,love sport better than women and makehistory along the natural lines of evolu-tion. In them is no taint of morbidity,and itis easy to imagine how little attrac-tion the quality has for them in woman-kind.

Do the "advanced women" and theirfollowingactually believe that they canreconstruct these men

—the most domi-

nant, perfectly balanced, rapidly develop-ing and highly developed race of men theworld has ever known

—along lines laid

down Dy themselves? As well try toharness the sun. The end will be thattheir men willlet them severely alone and,marry American women. Inthe feminineliterature of to-day and in its success isthe note of decay; one can small themold.It?eems to me that this is the secret of

the- affinity between American women andEnglish men. The vast majority of Amer-ican men are composed of two elementspnly— money greed and sensuality. Theyare at the very beginnings of their owndevelopment, the most elemental raceof men in all civilization to-day. Ameri-can women have so far flashed past themthat they stand on the plane which Eng-lish women would occupy if they hadkept pace with their men. They are aliveto their finger tips; they have cast off theyoke of conventionality, cut-and-dried re-ligion, and all the old forms and tradi-tions which should be and must becomeobsolete as the higher civilization.

THE SAW FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1896. 19

'^^j^^^ '^-^^j^^JS^L^ -DRY^GOODS. . •.*:i: 4 .-;\u25a0

oiMJgWrWl^ToaqDsToraf^COLORED DRESS GOODS!

At 25 Cents.82 pieces 40-inch FIGURED CASHMERE

SUITING, in all the latest shades, willbe placed on sale at 25c a yard.

At 50 Cents.54 pieces 52-inch ALL-WOOL SCOTCH

HEATHER SUITING, in diagonaland mottled effects, willbe placed onsale at 50c a yard.

At 75 Cents.44 pieces 46-inch HEAVY ALL-WOOL

NOVELTY BOUCLE SUITING, ele-gant assortment of colorings, willbeplaced on sale at 75c a yard.

At $1.00.37 pieces 50-inch ALL-WOOL NOVELTY

FRENCH SUITING, rough effects,two-toned colorings, willbe placed onsale at $1 a yard.

SILK DEPARTMENT !

At 75 Cents a Yard.30 pieces BROCADED IRIDESCENT

TAFFETA SILK,elegant designs, richcolorings, good value lor SI 25, willbeplaced on sale at 75c a yard.

At 75 Cents a Yard.20 pieces BLACK FIGURED GROS

GRAIN SILK, new designs, extragood value for $1, will be placed onsale at 75c a yard.

At $1.00 a Yard.15 piece* 24-inch BLACK DUCHESSE

SATIN, heavy quality, good value for$1 50, will be placed on sale at $1 ayard.

BLACK DRESS GOODS.

At 37^ Cents.2 cases FINE FIGURED ENGLISH MO-

HAIR, worth 60c, willbe closed out at37>^c a yard.

At 50 Cents.2 cases 44-inch EXTRA HEAVY ALL-

WOOL STORM SERGE, worth 75c,willbe closed out at 50c a yard.

At 50 Cents.2 cases 43-inch ALL PURE WOOLFRENCH NOVELTIES, worth 85c,

willbe closed out at 50c a yard.

[Ml/Murphy Building,,/

Martet anfl Jones Streets,

——————i

,

Having received the great bulk of our MAMMOTHFALL IMPORTATIONSwe open the week with THE MOST EXTENSIVE, THE MOST EXCLUSIVEAND THE MOST ARTISTICALLY BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION OF NEWSTYLES AND NOVELTIES ON EXHIBITION,and in inviting an early inspec-tion of this PEERLESS DISPLAY we offer an additional attraction in theshape of the following UNMISTAKABLE BARGAINS from the GREAT $300,--000 STOCK NOW BEING CLEARED OUT and various lines of NEW GOODS

AT UNMATCHABLY LOW PRICES!HANDKERCHIEFS !

At 5 Cents Each.600 dozen LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S

COLORED BORDERED HEM-STITCHED, white hemstitched- andrevered, and white hemstitched withlace insertion or edged Handkerchiefs,regular price $1 per dozen, will beclosed out at 5c each.

At 10 Cents Each.250 dozen LADIES' WHITE SCAL-

LOPED EMBROIDERED SHEERLAWN HANDKERCHIEFS, regularprice $2 40 a dozen, willbe closed oatat 10c each.

At 15 Cents Each.200dozen LADIES' WHITESCALLOPED

EMBROIDERED SHEER LAWNHANDKERCHIEFS, regular price $3a dozen, willbe closed out at 15c each.

MEN'S FURNISHINGS!At 12^ Cents.

125 dozen MEN'S HEAVY MIXED-WOOLSOCKS, with double heels and toes,in sanitary gray, extra value for 20c,willbe closed out at 12>^c a pair.

At 50 Cents.96 dozen MEN'S SANITARY WOOL

AND HEAVY MIXED CAMELS'HAIRUNDERSHIRTS ANDDRAW-ERS, special value, usual price 85c,willbe closed out at 50c each.

At 75 Cents.76 dozen MEN'S AUSTRALIANLAMBS'

WOOL UNDERSHIRTS ANDDRAW-ERS, warranted undyed and thor-oughly shrunk, worth $1 25, will beclosed out at 75c each.

At $1.00.55 dozon MEN'S MIXEDAUSTRALIAN

WOOL AND CAMEL81HAIR UN-DERSHIRTS AND DRAWERS, war-ranted non-slirinkabie, regular price$1 50. willbe closed out at $1each.

ml/ Murphy Building,/Market anil Jones Streets.

LADIES' KID GLOVES.At 35 Cents.

300 dozen 5-BUTTON KIDGLOVES, inblack only, regular value $1, will beclosed out at 35c a pair.

At 75 Cents.284 dozen 4-BUTTON ENGLISH WALK-

ING KID GLOVES, embroideredbacks and large buttons, colors andblack, regular value $125, willbe closedout at 75c a pair.

At $1.00.124 dozen 4-BUTTON DERBY KID

GLOVES (extra quality), colors red,brown and tan, regular value $1 50,will be closed out at $1 a pair.

RIBBONS! RIBBONS?

At 5 Cents.No. 7 ALL-SILK, SATIN AND GROS-

GRAIN RIBBON, assorted colors,value 10c, will be closed out at 5c ayard.

At 7M Cents.No. 12 ALL-SILK,SATIN AND GROS-

GRAIN RIBBON, in assorted colors,value 15c, willbe closed out at 7>£c ayard.

OSTRICH FEATHER BOAS.

BLACK REAL OSTRICH FEATHERCOLLARETTES, finest quality feath-ers and at lowest prices.

BLACK REAL OSTRICH FEATHERBOAS, 36, 45 and 54 inch, best qualityand at lowest prices.

COQUE FEATHER BOAS, 45- inch, at $1,$1 50 and $175 each.

UU Murphy Building, /

Market and Jones Streets.

HOSIERY ! HOSIERY !

At 20 Cents.175 dozen BOYS' BLACK RIBBED COT-

TON BICYCLEHOSE, extra heavy,made specially for boys' wear, worth $4per dozen, reduced to 20c a pair.

At 20 Cents.150 dozen LADIES' BLACK MACO COT-

TON HOSE, extra high-spliced heels,double toes, Hermsdorf black, alwayssold 3 pair for $1, reduced to 20c a pair.

At 25 Cents.200 dozen LADIES' 4-THREAD FINE

MACO COTTON HOSE, extra high-spliced heels, double toes, Hermsdorfblack, regular price 40c, reduced to 25ca pair.

At 33^ Cents.180 dozen LADIES' EXTRA HEAVY

BLACK COTTON HOSE, double heelsand toes, made with unbleached andblack feet," our regular price 50c, re-duced to 3 pair for $1.

LADIES* SHIRT WAISTS.At 50 Cents.

100 dozen LADIES' WAISTS, made ofgood quality percale, in all fancyshades, latest style poods, with bishopsleeves, wortb $1 and $1 25, will beclosed out at 50c each.

At 75 Cents.LADIES' WAISTS, laundered collar and

cuffs, "Stanley waist,'' all fancy shades,regular price $1 25 and $150, will beclosed out at 75c each.

At $1.00.60 dozen LADIES' LAUNDERED SHIRT

WAISTS, in dimities, lawns andstriped and figured percales, this sea-sons goods, regular price $2 and $2 50,will be closed out at $1each.

I/ifMurphy Building, /

Martet and Jodss Streets.

CLOAK DEPARTMENT.At $3.50.

LADIES' VELVET, SILK OR CREPONCLOTH RIPPLE CAPES, fancy lin-ing, trimmed with lace and jet, regu-lar price $10; Special Sale price $3 50.

At $1.50.LADIES' CLOTH JACKETS, in.black

and navy blue Kerseys and black clayworsteds, fronts faced withsilk, worth,

\u26666; Special price to close out $150.;

At^i79O. .'.-'LADIES' MIXED CHEVIOT CLOTH

SUITS, box jackets lined, skirts linedwithcanvas, colors gray or brown mix-tures, regular price for these suits was$7 50; Special Sale price $4 90.

At $6.00. VLADIES' HEAVY SEAL PLUSH RIP-

PLE CAPES, lined with silk, stormcollar trimmed with marten fur—astylish Fall wrap;price $6.

At $5.00.LADIES' BEAVER BOX JACKETS, in

black and navy, high collar, lap pock-ets and new sleeves, value for $7; Spe«, cial Sale price $5.

BLANKETS! BLANKETS!GREAT SALE of the FINE WHITE

BLANKETS at less than mill cost.These goods are slightly imperfect. Theimperfection consists of an oil spot intheir manufacture, or irregularity in theweave. For practical purposes they areperfect, first-class goods.

10-4 FINEWHITE OREGONBLANKETS, a fine fabric,beautifully made,' millcos>t ©D £*X.$4 35. Onsaleat $0.00

11-4'

EXTRA GRADE FINEEXHIBITION BLAN-KETS, a large double-bedwidth and first class inevery respect, mill cost ©/IHK$6 12>$. Onsaleat $'*.IO

12-4 SUPER QUALITYLAMBS-WOOL BLAN-KETS, almost finest weaveproduced, mill cost $8 10. $*(* (\f\On saleat. ... ejpD.Ulr

11-4 WHITE EASTERN'

BLANKETS, very heavyand fully 66 inches wide, O-f 6)Kvalue for $2. On sale at.... <$±»6OSPECIAL! specials

About 2cases FINE MISSIONMADELAMB'S

-W O O fie

WHITE BLANKETS, fully68 inches wide, an elegantiabric, value $7 50 a pair. G*A (\f\On sale at «p-±t t/li

About 50 pairs 13-4 MissionMill's finest grade LAMB'S-WOOL WHITE BLANK-ETS, bound in deep silkribbon, value $15 a pair.<2»l f\ f\f\On sale at. JLU.UIr

mir Murphy Building, j

ffiariet and Jones Streets.