Art and Handcraft in the Woman's Building
of the World's Columbian Exposition

108 ART AND HANDICRAFT the “ Nightcap ” series, is recalled by the writer with tender affec- tion. Mrs. Rebecca Harding Davis has written little of late years, but her powerful novels have won her an enduring place in litera- ture. Miss Constance Fenimore Woolson, to whom we owe the joy of “ East Angels,” not to be forgotten; Mrs. Whitney, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Gail Hamilton, Celia Thaxter, Harriet Prescott Spofford, Elizabeth Stoddard—this is degenerating into a mere cat- alogue; but what is a poor scribe to do, who is limited to so many words, and who sees ever new files passing before her, pen in hand, laurel on brow, waving the foolscap banner? I would fain dwell on each of these honored names, but must pass on to others no less worthy of honor. Mrs. Burnett, to whom the crown of the chil- dren’s love has been given since Miss Alcott laid it down; Mrs. Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Burton Harrison, “Susan Coolidge,” Kate Doug- las Wiggin, Mary Hallock Foote, and those sweet singers, Edith Thomas and Helen Gray Cone. A step further and we greet Mrs. Deland, “ Charles Egbert Craddock,” and those three who string" jewels on a golden thread, the queens of the short story, Miss Jewett, Miss Wilkins, and Octave Thanet. Following these come Maud Howe Elliott and Louise Imogen Guiney, Amelie Rives, Agnes Repplier, and Chicago’s poetess, Harriet Monroe. But now I can no more; and I feel as the hostess does who has tried to invite all her acquaintance to an entertainment. If it is only in this last breath that I speak of Mary Hartwell Catherwood and Elizabeth Cavazza; if it is only now that I greet the sweet mem- ory of Emma Lazarus, that flower of Israel—it is not because I honor them less, but because the human brain has limits, while the number of women of letters to-day has none. Greeting to one and all, and love, and honor; those whom I have left out, sitting at the world’s great feast, will not miss the spoonful of victuals that I unwittingly deny them; those of whom I have spoken will pardon the brief and insufficient mention. And so, roll-call being over, the Literary Brigade shoulders pens, raises the banner once more, and passes on, Laura E. Richards.