Books in Brief: H. L. Mencken’s Un-Neglected Anniversary

H. L. Mencken’s Un-Neglected Anniversary, by P. J. Wingate (Holly Press, 73 pp., $6). This is the first book to be published for the Mencken centennial, and it is an item of vertu: a small hardcover of no doubt small press run, it will be a rarity akin to The Ombibulous Mr. Mencken (1968). It is as important and earthshaking as that volume, and of necessity lighter than the scholarly book of essays to be published on HLM’s birthday by Knopf. Reprinted here, with suitable commentary, are Mencken’s “A Neglected Anniversary,” a superb 1917 hoax purporting to be the history of the bathtub in America, wherein he claimed Millard Fillmore was the first President to install a tub in the White House; “Melancholy Reflections,” the author’s exposure of the hoax; and “Hymn to the Truth,” more reflections. Also included are short essays on the progressive acceptance of the hoax as historical truth, a reprint from Menckeniana on HLM as a Baltimore Episcopalian, and an appreciation of his work in behalf of the American language. This is rich stuff; perhaps not worth a book, but, after all, you can never get enough Mencken. For those who understand, no explanation is necessary. For those who don’t understand, no explanation is possible.

JM

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Joe Mysak

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H. L. Mencken’s Un-Neglected Anniversary, by P. J. Wingate (Holly Press, 73 pp., $6). This is the first book to be published for the Mencken centennial, and it is an item of vertu: a small hardcover of no doubt small press run, it will be a rarity akin to The Ombibulous Mr. Mencken (1968). It is as important and earthshaking as that volume, and of necessity lighter than the scholarly book of essays to be published on HLM’s birthday by Knopf. Reprinted here, with suitable commentary, are Mencken’s “A Neglected Anniversary,” a superb 1917 hoax purporting to be the history of the bathtub in America, wherein he claimed Millard Fillmore was the first President to install a tub in the White House; “Melancholy Reflections,” the author’s exposure of the hoax; and “Hymn to the Truth,” more reflections. Also included are short essays on the progressive acceptance of the hoax as historical truth, a reprint from Menckeniana on HLM as a Baltimore Episcopalian, and an appreciation of his work in behalf of the American language. This is rich stuff; perhaps not worth a book, but, after all, you can never get enough Mencken. For those who understand, no explanation is necessary. For those who don’t understand, no explanation is possible.