Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/814

 798 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

the first chap-book to appear at stated intervals. Coming out semi-monthly, it was sold at five cents a copy and one dollar a year. It was very small and of the bibelot shape, something new at the time, and a means of emphasizing its unique character.

But for this "miscellany and review of belles-lettres" to ful- fil the post-office regulations, reading-matter containing general information was required, and the title-page, which, like every other of its pages, was odd from being printed in red as well as black ink, contained these words :

The Chap-Book, Being a miscellany of curious and interesting songs, ballads, tales, histories, etc. ; adorned with a variety of pictures and very delightful to read, newly composed by MANY CELEBRATED WRITERS ; to which is annexed a large collection of notices of books.

In the character creation, during the first two months of the periodical, Mr. Stone was assisted by Bliss Carman, the poet. Together they wrote some original notes and essays, and edited the contributions. Sharp remarks about new books, reviews containing views framed solely from the feelings of the one who happened to write each critique, gave the Chap-Book its keynote. All of the notes were in the first person and signed. The essays, stories, and poems published, were marked by the most distinct individuality and originality. In making their bow, the chap- men of 1894 had added a word that contributions from writers "unknown" as well as from those "wellknown" would be printed. Both men who had written before and men who had never written for publication, but thought that they could do so, at once saw in the Chap-Book a medium for their freest expres- sion. They soared in freedom from the commercial chains of the established publishers who judge literary output by the stand- ard of the conventional demands made by the book- and maga- zine-buying public. The independence of the Chap-Book was emphasized by the fact that Mr. Stone and Mr. Kimball con- tinued their publishing despite a threat from the Harvard faculty that if it was not discontinued they could not be graduated.

This new periodical, so novel in character, leaped into in- stant popularity with its first numbers. Such a reception took