New-York tribune., 1880-06-20
LITERARY WORRMdNSHIP.
From The London Globe.


Cobbett's advice, to know first what you want
to say, and then 1t IN the first words that occur
Gus autobiography, tells that early in her career
wrote :" For,S She goes on to Jay, perceive that
great mischief arises from the notion that b0tchinR
in the second place will compensate for careless
ness and precision must be lost alterations . TeIS
suggested the first utterance" I" / have always
rlade sue OF what meant to say, and then have
at it again, only to see If any words weIe omitted or
repeated, and not altering single phrase"
"Ouida," 1t would appear, 10 of the same opinion,
takes her, not looking at her copy till 1t comes
to her in proof and even then makes few c0rrec-
tions Bret Harte like her. writes only. when ne
feels in the mood. but with most panstaking care,
sometimes nditing very quickly. sometimes slowly
he has written. Wikie Collins produces slowly and
revises constantly, nventing his plots as rapidly
He will go over passage again and again, bestow-
ing equal care on the sound and meaning, and re-
dnces his incidents mercilessy
Victor Hugo is never interrupted when writing.
aud will sit completely absorbed for hours, keeping
steadily on, while he is in the humor. Miss Brad
her life to acquiring the technical knowledge neces-
sary for so yOumInOus writer, and her subject 10
clearly thought out before pen is put to paper She
writes with her blOttng-pad on her knee, comfort
ably euscJnced in the chair she loves, her copy
very clear ana free from corrections, and mas al
ways good store Of skeleton plots on hand. Miss
Edgeworth's plan was to write rough sketch,
which she placed before her father and then wrote
and wrote it until both were satisfied Mrs. Opie
wrote slowly, but with great mental effort ana IN
yariably read her compositions to friends before
committing them 70 print Charlotte Bronte's man
uscripts were first written in small book and then
carefully copied according the poet Rogerss plan,
who advised TO write little and seldom, re-reading
it from time to time and re-copying Often French
writers, as rule, devote each morning to their
labors and take holiday the rest OF the day. some
times resuming thiir work in the evening, and many
of our English writers have strong predllectl0n
for the midnight oil. Jowett recommends daily
labors of short duration and attention to diet and
rules of health have, there is little doubt, con-
trolling power even over the inspiration of the pen.
Jules Simon, Carlyle, Gladstone .Ruskin. and hosts
their belief that the morning hours IN which they
are freshest aud strongest both In mind and
tions under which writers can produce their
work most largely depend on constitution and per-
sona feeling While Victor Hugo could not be dis
turbed. Paul de Cassagnac will send forth sheet
alter sheet in the midst OF the chattering of friends
with tho same power of mental concentration as
Sir Walter Scott, who appears 70 have written some
of the most vivid scenes III his novels, not only In
he midst of Overburdening anxetes, but amid dis
tracing Interruptions.
While Ganibetta writes with only sheet OF pa'
per before him. no litter OF pamphlets and no APP
parent work of reference, Theirs used TO SIT sur
rounded by books; and Dumas keeps about him on
writing table, with many pigeon-hOles, Q store OF
petizlng az fine paper. Sardou sits at large nat
table, us does Carlyle, with reading easel near at
hand and Wilkis Collins uses the same massive
table whence Dickens sent so many OF his works into
the world. Literary women of the Jellaby class are
rare, and literary no longer think that personal
eccentrciy must distinguish them from the rest OF
the world. The most successful and the busiest
writer's are Of orderly habits, for to succeed In
prolonged course of literary labor requires not only
books iled with extracts, annotated works care
fully perused. codied, and Indexed for reference;
current history understood and studied-these are
only part of their stOck-n-trade. Nothing Is OF
moro value to literary man than good memory.
Sir George Airey and Carlyle are among the few
who possess the enviable power OF making what
the next best gift and wonderful feats are recorded
of rapid authorship. Harrison Ainsworth is said 70
have written of the fourth book OF K0okwood"
on and on, carried away by tho subject