Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1902 — Authors’ Expedients. [ARTICLE]

Authors’ Expedients.

Those who suppose that the work of authorship is easy may be Interested to learn some of the expedients resorted to by distinguished men of letters as set forth by Dr. Regn&ult in the Revue Universelle. With strong and vigorous men, like Victor Hugo and Gatulie Mendes, a walk is sufficient to stimulate ideas; the weak, on the contrary, like Descartes and Leibnitz, find their inspiration by lying down. Cujas usually wrote lying on ach.’ Rossini and Ambrolse Thomas were inspired only when in bed. Chateaubriand used to dictate to his-sec-retary while walking" barefooted up and down his chamber, Rossuet wrapped his head in warm linen. Balzac wore a monk’s cowl, and Gautier a red dressing gown. It is said that without his scarlet Jacket M. Francois

Coppee could not write. Lord Derby when writing filled his mouth with cherry brandy. Fenlmore Cooper sacked gum, and Pierre Loti has recourse to perfumes. Dr. Regnault, strangely enough, says nothing in his article about the influence of tobacco on authorship. Has it any?