CURRENT LITERATURE.
The most notable paper in the April number of the Century Magazine is an article by Mr. Henry James on Mr. R. L. Stevenson, which, though somewhat heavily embroidered with smart phrases, is a very clever and, on the whole, sound piece of criticism. We notice two things specially good. In the first place, Mr. James says that half the charm Mr. Stevenson has for us lies in the fact "that he wears a dress and wears it with courage, with a certain cook of the hat and tinkle of the supererogatory sword; or, in other words, that he is curious of expression, and regards the literary form not simply as a code of signals, but as the keyboard of apiano and as so much plastic material?'" and that "the colour of Scotland has entered into hint altogether, and though, oddly enough, he has written but little about his native country, his happiest work shows that she has the beat of his ability!' Not only the colour of Scotland, but the east wind of Edinburgh has entered into Mr. Stevenson (fortunately, into his bead only, not
into his heart), and pervades the 'views of life which he pats into the months of certain of his characters. Next in importance to Mr. James's paper on his brother-novelist, is an article by Mr. Edward L. Wilson, entitled "From Dan to Beersheba," and bearing oat the meaning of Its title in the most literal fashion. It is a piece of condensed (though not too condensed) description, and it is admirably illustrated. "Two Kentucky Gentlemen of the Old School" is as pretty a little picture of the better and yet more pathetic side of Southern life after the war as we have seen. Altogether, this number of the Century is an exceptionally good one.
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