though i have been a close student of mr. webster for years and have carefully examined his style, i am free to say that his ideas about writing a book are not the same as mine. of course it is a great temptation for a young author to write a book that will have a large sale; but that should not be all. we should have a higher object than that, and strive to interest those who read the book. it should not be jerky and scattering in its statements.