Life, 1900-05-31 · page 8 of 20
Life — May 31, 1900 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Seven Letters to a Poet" - Life Magazine, 1900 This page reproduces correspondence about a poem titled "Paradise Lost" submitted by poet John Milton (the pseudonym used by the submitting writer). Various magazine editors and publishers reject the work, offering different reasons: it's too long, lacks contemporary relevance, unsuitable for their readership, or concerns about illustration difficulties. The satire mocks the gatekeeping practices of early 1900s publishing. By using the famous name of John Milton (author of the actual *Paradise Lost*), the piece ironically suggests that even canonical literature might be rejected by contemporary editors fixated on commercial viability. The accompanying illustrations show figures engaged in literary pursuits, reinforcing the theme of artistic struggles against editorial bureaucracy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LTE * Seven Letters to a Poet. By Swixporxe Rrrrennouse. & No Telephone No. ‘THE COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE, Irvington, New York, January 15, 1900, Dear Sir: Tho poom “ Para- diso Lost” is entirely too long. There are fino passages in tt, however; Mt you could have Ricb~ ard Le Gallienno turn them into quatrains, as ho did the Rubatyat, we might uso some’ of them, ‘Thanking you for submitting your work, I am, Very truly yours, Joun Brisnen WALKER, XZ, 7“ A Joun Mitton, Esq. IL. CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, No. 153 Fifth Avenue, New York, February 15, 1900. Dear Str: We do not find “ Paradiso Lost” just suited to our needs. It would be impossible to print it in the Monthly, except as a sorial; it would run too long. Besides, {t is lacking In contemporaneous human Interest. Its unavailability for Scribner’s, howevor, is by no means to be understood as a reflection upon its merits. Very truly, J. Minto, Esq HARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, I. FRANK A. MUNSEY, 11L Fifth Avenue, New York, March 15, 1900. Dear 81m: Mr. Munsey likes portions of your poom. What materials have you for illustration? We shall be glad to seo any photographs you may have in hand, Very truly, Mr. Jonn Mitton. R. H, Trtnerroton, Iv. HARPER & BROS, Publishers; New York ard London, Editorial Rooms, Franklin Square, New York City, April 15, 1900, Dear Mn, Miuton: Puradise Lost " would-hardly sult the readers of the Monthly. There are too many moral problems init, The ladies who write and read the Bazar would find certain portions of it susceptible to the same criticism which necessitated the expurgation of “Trilby.” Wo might run some of it in the Weekly, if you could give it a news” interest; you know the Weekly is a nowepaper. Suppose you call and see our Mr. Bangs! Very respectfully, Joun H. Miitox, Esq. Tae Eprrons, Vv. McCluro's Newspaper Syndicate, McClure's Magazine, THE S. S M'CLURE CO. No, 141 E, 25th St, New York, May 15, 1900, Dear Sm: Thero are several reasons why we fear “ Paradise Lost” would: be unsuitable for our use, There is not enough American atmos- phore—nothing, in fact, about our great Middle West. Its handling of the Woman Question would not commend itself to our readers. Tho difficulties in the way of illustration would be great, nor does Miss Tarbell find the styio sympathetic, Sincerely yours, 8. 8. McCLung, per P, Joun MILTON. VI. THE CENTURY CO, No, 22 Union Square, New York, June 15, 1900, Dear Mr. MILTon: “Paradise Lost” does not seem to come within the scope of the present editorial programme of the Century. The 8t. Nicholas Magazine requires a lighter treatment of topics; Mr. Jenks finds our story Interesting, but deficient in humor. Thanking you for etting us see it, we are, Respectfully yours, Tue Century Co. P. 8.—As your theme conceras one of our First Families, why not try “The Smart Bet” ?—Fps, VIL. No, 17 Ann St., New York, June 16, 1900. Dear Sir: If your “Paradise Lost” is a first edition, letter perfect, you Is can get a good price for it. Asa general thing, there 1s not much money in old books just now, Truly yours, J. Mitrow, Esq, I. Menpoza, Westminster Abbey, London, England.