The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-02
Mr.. Bret uarte,s New Romance.


The rapid strides TO fame made by Mr..
BRET HARTE, whose new romance will be
begun in to morrows Sun, ought TO afford
encouragement aud teach a lesson to those
young writers who think they have the
ability ana only need the opportunity to
WIN high place in our literature. Mr..
HARTE's career shows thatthere are oppor-
tunlties enough provided there is ability
that rare popular talents, indeed, make
their own opportunities, and do not have
TO beg place for their exercise. From
the Pacific coast Mr.. HARTg made himself
heard throughout the continent and over
Europe. because he had 81 something new to
say ana had the gift of expressing himself
with beautiful literary art. We were not
looking to San Francisco for the rising OF
II new name and an original element IN
our literature, but Mr.. HARTE compelled
us 10 turn our eyes thither by producing
there what we could not fail to recog-
nizc as something fresh and artistic
III conception and treatment, aud
something we wanted. He didn't re-
quirc the forcing of II literary atmos-
pherc, or the patronage of II literary clique,
which sometimes tries to manufacture
poets and dramatic writers. but grew up
where lie Glanced to be placed. and flOw-
cred under the rays of the sun which shOnc
on the virgin soil Of region far removed
from the literary centres of the country
lie couldn't have done 1t # he hadn't pos
scssed the real sap of hgh talent or rare
genius-thc eyes to see what is obscure to
the ordinary vision.
Mr. IIARrE's success is not accidental. nor
is Ills talent one that has sprung up like n
weed in rich soil. lie has perfected his
powers by study and aborious practice, by
trimming and pruning. and 10y careful self
criticism. lie is not one of the writers who
boast of dashlng of things, but patient
tker who has diligently studied his art.
and is himself less easily satisfied with his
performances than the public are. His
work always bears the marks of care in its
preparation and delicate manipulation In
its finishing. so 1t is with the better works
Of all forms Of art. To accomplish them,
whatever the natural ability, the prelimi-
nary education in the use of the tools and
the pigments. patiently and thoroughly
pursued, is necessary, and when ease comes
it is after the hand and the eye have been
We hold Mr.. BRET lIARTE in high cs-
teen rs literary artist, and are pleased
To see that success has not led him to slow
enliness in writing IN order 10 produce
with rapidty He seems to work with the
same care and delibentiou ms ever, aud re-
fuses to sacrifice the finish of his art TO
supply the demand for the productions OF
his pen. This sclf-control and reserve OF
his faculties promise that he will enjoy
something more than an ephemeral repu-
tauon. and viii grow instead of resting on
his laurels. IL was fortunate for him that
he won his fame when he had passed the
vnnities of youth. and when he could
rightly appreciate the need of advance III
merit. even in order To maintain the ground
| of popularity he had once gained.
The story Of which we shall tomorrow
| begin the publication is entitled Thank
| ml Blossom" AMI il Mr.. HARrE's latest
| contribution TO literature. ltisa story Of
| the Revolution. something new in scene
aud character for the author, and which on
| that account. rs well rs because OF his
reputation, will command unusual interest.
| This romnncc Of ire JERSEYS will satisfy
| its delcacy of touch dramatic force.
| graceful humor, and gentle pathos II is
not the old cut-and-dried Revolutionary
tnle but one which vibrates with new life
and is warm with emotion. The readers
! of THE SrN have n great pleasure in store
| for them which will be enjoyed all the
| more at this time when mems minds. over
| taxed by political anxieties, need the re-
Taxation of such II romance ms that in
which Nj. HARTE viii engage and keep
| their interest.