198 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Fredericton, jST.B., the issue of " The Kit-Bag," ^ In the three numbers 

 already issued we find contributions in prose and verse by Charles Gr. 

 D, Eoberts, poet and novelist now of the city of New York, and Eliza- 

 beth Eoberts MacDonald of Fredericton, a verse writer of ability, 

 brother and sister respectively to the editor. Among the contributors 

 were also Bliss Carman, who needs no introduction to Acadian readers', 

 and his sister Jean M. Ganong, wife of Professor W. F. Ganong, Ph.D . 

 of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, both of them first cou- 

 sins to the editor. 



Mrs. Ganong contributed a short story to the second issue of the 

 magazine entitled "The Wall-Flower," a love story that is somewhat 

 away from the stereotyped form, with which magazine readers have 

 been familiar for generations. 



Theodore Eoberts is himself a writer of verse of no mean ability, 

 many of his best pro'ductions having a freedom^, an easy swing that is 

 not mere jingle, and a poetry of rythm that is charming. 



Having previously edited The Newfoundland Magazine, published 

 at St. John's, Newfoundland, and having other experience gained in pro- 

 fessional editorial work elsewhere, Mr. Eoberts did not, by any means 

 enter the arena of Acadian Magazine literature as a novice or an ama- 

 teur, with much to learn and many impracticable ideals to overcome. 

 In fact before making his bow to the literar}' public, to whom he looked 

 for support in the new enterprise, the announcement was made, through 

 the medium of advance notices in the press, that The Kit-Bag would 

 contain no amateur work, and that its readers might depend upon that 

 magazine containing only the finished work of professional writers. 



Having thus deliberately cut himself off from association with, or 

 assistance from amateur writers, of whom there are not a few of ability 

 in the Acadian Provinces, it remains to be seen whether Mr. Eoberts 

 will be able to maintain that standard of freshness and originality which 

 is essential to the success of any magazine. 



If the work of professional writers only is to be utilized, a fund 

 must be created out of which to remunerate such contributors, as with 

 them fresh ideas and well written stories or verses mean dollars. 

 However, willing they may be at the outset to help along a good cause, 

 they cannot afford to continue without remuneration to contribute the 

 result of their best thought. 



The first number of The Kit-Bag contained 32 pages of well written 

 matter, the third contains but twelve, while the price has been increased 



^ The Kit-Bag has now ceased to exist, three numbers only having been 

 published. Its editor, Mr. Theodore Roberts, .has removed to Bern:uda, where 

 he intends to reside for the wiinter. D. R. J., 1903. 



