American Literary Centersby William Dean HowellsOne of the facts which we Americans have a difficulty in making clear toa rather inattentive world outside is that, while we have apparently aliterature of our own, we have no literary centre. We have so muchliterature that from time to time it seems even to us we must have aliterary centre. We say to ourselves, with a good deal of logic, Wherethere is so much smoke there must be some fire, or at least a fireplace.But it is just here that, misled by tradition, and even by history, wedeceive ourselves. Really, we have no fireplace for such fire as we havekindled; or, if any one is disposed to deny this, then I say, we have a...　

The Essays of Montaigne, V16by Michel de MontaigneTranslated by Charles CottonEdited by William Carew Hazilitt1877CONTENTS OF VOLUME 16.VI. Of Coaches.VII. Of the Inconvenience of Greatness.VIII. Of the Art of Conference.CHAPTER VIOF COACHESIt is very easy to verify, that great authors, when they write of causes,not only make use of those they think to be the true causes, but also ofthose they believe not to be so, provided they have in them some beautyand invention: they speak true and usefully enough, if it be ingeniously.We cannot make ourselves sure of the supreme cause, and therefore crowd agreat many together, to see if it may not accidentally be amongst them:...　

Flying Machines: Construction and OperationW.J. Jackman and Thos. H. RussellA Practical Book Which Shows, in Illustrations,Working Plans and Text, How to Build and Navigate theModern Airship.ByW.J. Jackman, M.E.,Author of "A B C of the Motorcycle,""Facts for Motorists," etc. etc.ANDTHOS. H. RUSSELL, A.M., M.E.,Charter Member of the Aero Club of Illinois, Author of"History of the Automobile," "Motor Boats: Constructionand Operation," etc. etc.WITH INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER BYOCTAVE CHANUTE, C.E.,President Aero Club of Illinois1912PREFACE.This book is written for the guidance of the novice in...　

ANNE of the ISLANDbyLucy Maud Montgomerytoall the girls all over the worldwho have "wanted more" aboutANNEAll precious things discovered lateTo those that seek them issue forth,For Love in sequel works with Fate,And draws the veil from hidden worth.-TENNYSONTable of ContentsI The Shadow of Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9...　

"Speaking of Operations"by Irvin S. CobbRespectfully dedicated to two classes:Those who have already been operated onThose who have not yet been operated onNow that the last belated bill for services professionally renderedhas been properly paid and properly receipted; now that the memoryof the event, like the mark of the stitches, has faded out from avivid red to a becoming pink shade; now that I pass a display ofadhesive tape in a drug-store window without flinchingI sit medown to write a little piece about a certain mattera small thing,but mine ownto wit, That Operation.For years I have noticed that persons who underwent pruning orremodeling at the hands of a duly qualified surgeon, and 　

THE ENVIOUS NEIGHBOURLong, long ago an old couple lived in a village, and, as they hadno children to love and care for, they gave all their affectionto a little dog. He was a pretty little creature, and instead ofgrowing spoilt and disagreeable at not getting everything hewanted, as even children will do sometimes, the dog was gratefulto them for their kindness, and never left their side, whetherthey were in the house or out of it.One day the old man was working in his garden, with his dog, asusual, close by. The morning was hot, and at last he put downhis spade and wiped his wet forehead, noticing, as he did so,that the animal was snuffling and scratching at a spot a little...　

Four Short Playsby John GalsworthyCONTENTS:HALL-MARKEDDEFEATTHE SUNPUNCH AND GOHALL-MARKEDA SATIRIC TRIFLECHARACTERSHERSELF.LADY ELLA.THE SQUIRE.THE MAID.MAUD.THE RECTOR.THE DOCTOR.THE CABMAN.HANNIBAL and EDWARDHALL-MARKEDThe scene is the sitting-room and verandah of HER bungalow.The room is pleasant, and along the back, where the verandahruns, it seems all window, both French and casement. There is adoor right and a door left. The day is bright; the timemorning.[HERSELF, dripping wet, comes running along the verandah,...　

Personal Memoirs of P.H.Sheridan V1 of 2by Philip Henry SheridanPREFACEWhen, yielding to the solicitations of my friends, I finally decidedto write these Memoirs, the greatest difficulty which confronted mewas that of recounting my share in the many notable events of thelast three decades, in which I played a part, without entering toofully into the history of these years, and at the same time withoutgiving to my own acts an unmerited prominence. To what extent I haveovercome this difficulty I must leave the reader to judge.In offering this record, penned by my own hand, of the events of mylife, and of my participation in our great struggle for national...　

SOPHOCLESOEDIPUS THE KINGTranslation by F. Storr, BAFormerly Scholar of Trinity College, CambridgeFrom the Loeb Library EditionOriginally published byHarvard University Press, Cambridge, MAandWilliam Heinemann Ltd, LondonFirst published in 1912ARGUMENTTo Laius, King of Thebes, an oracle foretold that the child bornto him by his queen Jocasta would slay his father and wed his mother....　

A Journey in Other Worldsby J. J. AstorA ROMANCE OF THE FUTUREBY JOHN JACOB ASTORPREFACE.The protracted struggle between science and the classics appearsto be drawing to a close, with victory about to perch on thebanner of science, as a perusal of almost any university orcollege catalogue shows. While a limited knowledge of both Greekand Latin is important for the correct use of our own language,the amount till recently required, in my judgment, has beenabsurdly out of proportion to the intrinsic value of thesebranches, or perhaps more correctly roots, of study. Theclassics have been thoroughly and painfully threshed out, and itseems impossible that anything new can be unearthed. We may.　

TAMBURLAINE THE GREATTAMBURLAINE THEGREAT (FIRST PART)EDITED BY THE REV. ALEXANDER DYCE.1- Page 2-TAMBURLAINE THE GREATTamburlaine the Great. Who, from a Scythian Shephearde by his rareand woonderfull Conquests, became a most puissant and mightyeMonarque. And (for his tyranny, and terrour in Warre) was tearmed, TheScourge of God. Deuided into two Tragicall Discourses, as they weresundrie times shewed vpon Stages in the Citie of London. By the right...　

On The Firing Lineby Anna Chapin Ray and Hamilton Brock FullerCHAPTER ONESix feet one in his stockings, broad-shouldered and without an ounce of extra flesh, Harvard Weldon suddenly halted before one of a line of deck chairs."I usually get what I want, Miss Dent," he observed suggestively."You are more fortunate than most people." Her answering tone was dry.Most men would have been baffled by her apparent indifference. Not so was Weldon. Secure in the possession of a good tailor and an equally good digestion, he was willing to await the leisurely course of events."My doctor always advises mild exercise after lunch," he continued."You are in the care of a physician?" she queried, with a whim