"... from theoretical treatments of the aeronautical arts to other less appropriate matter, such as the 'dime novels' ...." (AtD, Pt. I, p. 5) "dime novels" E.g., ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dime_novel http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/dp/pennies/ http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/tri015.html