[EXPLANATION BY THE PUBLISHER]
ABOUT the time the November number of this magazine was on the press a
letter was received from Houghton Mifflin Company saying that Miss Nora
A. Smith had complained to them about the title of the forthcoming
magazine, an advance notice of which had come to her attention. It
appears that Miss Smith and her sister Mrs. Kate Douglas Wiggin, some
years ago published, through the Houghton Mifflin Company, a book
entitled “The Story Hour.” Miss Smith assumed that this magazine was
named in honor of their book, and resented it. Lest others should think
likewise to our discredit, it is fitting to explain that this magazine
did not find its name from any book, print, writing, word or advice from
anybody, but was entirely original with the publisher, who had never
seen or heard of any book or other print bearing such title.
In the course of the preliminary correspondence regarding a proposed
periodical, Mr. Wyche stated (last August) that among those interested
in such a publication would be the playground workers, who would find it
useful for their story hour, referring to the practice in some
playgrounds of setting apart an hour each day for story-telling. It
struck the publisher at once that THE STORY HOUR would be just the title
wanted, and he was delighted to have hit upon so excellent and
appropriate a name. That he was not familiar with the book bearing the
same title is not a reflection upon the book, which is undoubtedly quite
excellent in every way, and is said to have enjoyed a wide circulation,
but it is due to the fact that for several years he has not been in
direct touch with educational interests, hence is not acquainted with
current literature along such lines.
The publisher has no apology to offer for adopting so excellent a title,
but does disavow any intention, inclination or necessity for “borrowing”
for this or any other literary purpose. THE STORY HOUR magazine is for
the benefit of a worthy educational movement—for the good of
children—and there is room for both it and the book of the same name to
be a blessing to the rising generation. In doing good, time and priority
are not factors, but the will and the deed.
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