National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-14

Mr.. Stedman. Yes; ali Of US. Nevertheless
there has been something restricted and special
not so much about the work referred TO as will
relation to their market. Both have been thu
features Of single generation which we canno
expect to be succeeded by another of equal i'm
portance. have an idea that Boston hal
borne to New York relation similar to thai
formerly borne by Edinburgh to London. Al
artificial market for literature has centred
there, maintained by the Intellectual suprem.
acy of few living men, and therefore necessa-
rily of temporary nature. Just Is the lite
rary centre shifted from Edinburgh to London,
the true metropolis, so 1t is now shifting in the
United States from Boston to New York.
Reporter. But is It true that Boston has held
the supremacy only for q single generationi
Mr.. Stedman. Yes. Prior to that the Knick.
erbocker school, such as 1t was in the mere
department Of literature and represented by
Cooper, Irving, Bryant, Halleck, &C., occupied
the popular regard. Even in the early history
of y" PutDam's Magazine," before the "Atlan-
tic" was founded, New England writers, poets,
and philosophers found their best market in
its pages. But before the recent war litera-
ture, whether in New York, Boston, or the
South, was more or less local and provincial.
1t is now In q transition state, with every indi-
cation that broad and catholic American
school is to concentrate and find its market In
the great centre of commerce, art, journalism.
Literary and social life the past few seasons
have been very brilliant and stimulating in
New York, and the brighter young men and
women among our magazine contributors, jour-
nalists, and book makers are gathering there
in large numbers.
Reporter Has not the Atlantic" really been
removed to New York;
Mr.. Stedman. No; that is a mistake. The
"Atlantic" has been sold by j. R. Osgood & Co.
to Hurd & Houghton, New York house; but
Hurd & Houghton also have an establishment
in Cambridge, and the "Atlantic" continues to be
published as Boston magazine. The day that
it should be moved to New York would be its
doomsday, for its commercial value depends
upon its prestige as . representation of New
England thought.
Reporter. Isn't there something like an
affection for the 'Atlantic" among msgazinists'
Mr.. Stedman. Yes; strong one. Every
American author, worthy the name, feels a
personal interest in the maintenance and sue
cess of the old atlantic" in Its representative
capacity.
Reporter. Has its subscription list been af-
fected of latel
Mr.. Stedman. It's subscription list may have
been affected by the success of "Scribner's
Monthly" the ''Galaxy," "Old and New, - and
other metropolitan or local magazines which
now circulate largely in the New England
States-but there is ample room for all.
Reporter. Arc there special and particular
literary centres and eoteries in New York;
Mr.. stedman.' do not know of any cliques
devoted to special modes of work and thought.
The metropolitan atmosphere is not favorable
for them. But there are certain centres, such
as "Harper's," "Scribner's, ""Appleton's" the
"Century Club, !" the "Lotus Club" and, ia
fact, too many to mention where literary peo-
pie and artists gather, each one Of which would
suffice for so-called school in any other city
than New York. The influence of one or two
great newspapers within the last few years has
gathered around them large groups of profess
sionrl authors, and wonderfully stimulated
activity in literature.
Reporter. should like, Mr.. Stedman, your
opinions of some of your fellow Eteratsurs,
Bret Harte, for instance, who have gone to New
York for a residence or q market.
Mr.. Stedman. For many reasons feel sverse
to an expression Of them; but Bret Harte is q
man of beautiful genius, who deserves the wide
reputation he has got. 1 do not consider his
poetry any great addition to literature, and
b ardly think he does himself. His comic verss
is better tnan his sentimental. The "Stanis-
q, e., fks
"Jim," as an expression of the grotesque and
pathetic in combination is a perfect idyl, but in
prose Bret Harte can do anything he has mind
to, and the only question Is whether he will
"make an effort"
Reporter. With what great writer can his lit
erary career be comparedi
Mr.. Stedman. Now 1 think of it, 1t seems
to me 1t has been curiously like Thackeray's up
to his present age. He has written famous
dialect poems and the most exquisite short
prose character sketches produced In this
country. The question now is whether he can
write his "Vanity Fairp believe he can and
hope he will. Just now he is suffering from
social caprice sure to follow great popularity.
Society has dined and wined and driven him
day after day, and after completely taking up
his time, is abusing him for not having pro-
duced sustained work.
Reporter Pray tell me something of John
Hay, who was formerly q resident of our cityi
Mr.. Stedman. am perfectly willing to talk
to you about Colonel Hay, for admire him
greatly. He has taken a very high professional
rank, and, if am not mistaken, the public ere
long will appreciate his larger work as thor
oughly as It has enjoyed his dialect poems and
lighter metrical recreations. His serious verse
proves him to be genuine and most artistic
poet, and there Is no more accomplished and
versatile prose writer In this country. The
amount Of thoughtful, finished editorial writ
ing which he performs In the course of every
week is well known to his professional associ-
ates. He has been remarkably fortunate in
his experience and knowledge of the world
during his official career at home and abroad,
and after touching life at all points, has now
settled down in the flower of his manhood to
his true calling-that of an author and jour-
nalist. We all expect great things Of John
Hay. The fine thing about him is that he has
convictions, and acts up to them in whatever
he writes or does.
Reporter. What is the condition of Ameri-
can art now in New York;
Mr.. Stedman. 1t Is having q marked revival
In quality, manifested chiefly in the enthusiasm
which has made the spring exhibition at the
Academy of Design the most important in the
history of that association. Contrary to their
course of late years the leading artists, such as
the two Gihords, McEntee, johnson, Homer,
Whittredge, Martin, Huntington, Perry, &C.,
have sent their most important works to this
exhibition. My friend, ]. Q. A. Ward, presi-
dent of the Academy, has been untiring in his
efforts to bring about this result.
Reporter. Observing on your table list of
stock quotations, recollect that you are
member Of the Stock Exchange, and IT'S good
time now to let me have financial opinion.
Mr.. Stedman. 1t is SO wide jump from art
TO finance that can ouly make a statement to
you which lies within the knowledge of every
speculator, banker, broker, clerk and Office
boy in the vicinity Of Broad street. 1t is this !:
For every one thousand dollars of additional
currency issued by the Government, specula-
ton will absorb two thousand from the amount
afoat. The West and South will reap no real
advantage from the increase, and the next
onia hat az as ant INN xufn he