A Good Amateur Newspaper.
The Scribbler has completed its first year, and it makes quite an unnecessary apology for its past shortcomings. This latter is really the poorest thing about its past—this apology. Many a public speaker, after giving a good address, mars it by apologizing for it. The Scribbler has done well, and of course will do better. Its address is: Easton, Pa., and its manager, Norman E. Hart. You should see a copy. It is neat and Interesting.
Questions and Answers.
John C. Cone, 519 South Seventh Street, Hamilton, O., wants to receive sample copies of amateur newspapers. The Table has not published a description of the badge, dear Sir Sidney Mulhall, and has now none in stock. Evelyn T. Jones: Yes, the Table is glad to receive descriptions of places, industries, outings, etc., and asks correspondents to try to see how excellent they can make such morsels—correct grammar and spelling, avoidance of unnecessary words, and careful selection of descriptive adjectives. Letters from foreign places, if filled with information of general interest, are published when space permits. Good "Kinks" will be published, but new ideas are wanted, not merely new material in old forms.
Arthur J. Johnston, Box 136, Dartmouth, N. S., says, "I am much interested in politics, and would like to correspond with members of the Table, especially those living in Canada, on that subject." Cyrus Williston, Vernon, N. Y., wants to hear from members of the Order, any subject, and Louis O. Brosie, 3405 Butler Street, Pittsburg. Pa., has some quite old numbers of Harper's Young People which he does not want. He mentions the fact upon seeing inquiries in this column for these old copies, no longer in the publishers' stock. Aaron Spong asks where he can find a collection of college songs. There are several to be had. Ask for Carmina Princetonia; Columbia College Song-Book; Harvard College Song-Book. Go to your bookseller or to a music-store. Any dealer can get collections for you upon order, but Chicago dealers will have them in stock without doubt.
Henry F. French asks for information concerning the earliest national books. The Pentateuch is the oldest of books. In Greece the most ancient writings are Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, date about 900 b.c. In Latin, Plautus wrote his comedies 200 b.c. The first British author was Gildas, 500 a.d., who wrote a Conquest of Britain. At the same date Venan Fortunatus, in France, wrote the first work of that country—a book of Latin poetry. The Koran is the earliest work of any Arabian, Persian, or Turk. It was written a.d. 600. The first of Germany's literature was Walafred Strabo's book of poems and theology, 841 a.d. In Russia, Yaroslaff in the year 1000 a.d., compiled a code of laws, while Monez (1100 a.d.) is the first Portuguese author. The other countries are represented as follows: Italy, Accursius, writer of jurisprudence, 1182-1260 a.d.; Sweden, Eric Olai, author of A History of the Goths and Swedes, 1400 a.d.; Poland, Vinc Kadlubek, writer of a history of Poland, 1226 a.d. Arvine names Benjamin Thompson our "pioneer in letters." He was called "ye renowned poet of New England, learned schoolmaster and physician."