The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-03-03

70 = Critic OF lzsr .Da.ssl Dsre.da.-

From the Athenmum
We owe the opportunity Of publishing
the following LITTER to the courtesy OF
Professor ID. Kaufman, to whom 1t
was addressed. Professor Kaufman is
we'll known by his remarks on "Daniel
Deronda," and it will be seen that his
criticisms attracted the notice OF the
novelist, and led her to writing to HIM !:
The PRIony, 81 NORTH BANK,
May 81, 1877.
My DEAR SIn-Hardly, since l became an
author, have / had a deeper satisfaction,
may say ore heartfelt JOY, than you have
given me in your estimate OF Dahiei Dc
| ronda."
| l must tell YOU that it is my rule, very
strictly observed, not to read the criticisms on
| my writings. For years have found this aD-
| stinence necessary TO preserve me from Ina.
| encouragement AZ an artist which ii-JunSed
| praise, no less than il-judged blame, tends 10
produce in me- For far worse than any verdict
| AZ To the proportion OF good and evil III our
work is the painful impression that we write
| for public which has no discernment OF good
and evil.
| My husband reads any notices OF me that
| com before him, and reports TO mo Tor else
| refrans from reporting) the general character
| of the notice, or something in particular when
strikes him AZ showing either an exceptional
| insight or an obtlseness that IL gross enough
| to be amusing. Very rarely, when he has read
| a critjqne of me, he has handed 1t TO me, say
| ing, lyon must read this" And your esti-
| mate of ''Daniel Deronda" made one OF these
rare instances.
| Certainly, if had been asked to choose what
! should be- written about my book ana VINO
| should write it, should have Saskatchewan,
| not anything so good as what you nave Writ
| ten, but an article which must be written by
| Iat hnu 81, moi alv m
| best aspirations of his race. but remarkable
| insight into the nature of art and the processes
| of the artistic mind. Believe me l should not
| have cared to devour even ardent praise II IL
had not come from one who showed the dis
eliminating sensibility, the perfect response to
| the artists intention, which must make the
| fullest, rarest Joy to one who works from IN
ward conviction, and not III compliance with
| current fashions. Such response holds Tor
an author not only what is best in the life
that now is" but the promise OF that "which
| Is to come" / mean that the usual approx
native, narrow perception Of what one has been
intending and professedly feeling In ones
| work. impresses one with the sense that 1t must
be poor, perishable stuff without roots, TO bake
| any lasting hold in the minds OF men while
any instance of complete comprehension en-
courages one to hope that the creative prompt
| ing has foreshadowed, and Will continue 10 sat-
| isfy a need in other minds.
| Excuse me that write imperfectly, and per-
| haps dimy what l have felt in reading your
article. Il has affected me deeply, and though
| the prejudice and ignorant obtuseness which
has met my effort to contribute something to
| the ennobling of Judaism in the conception OF
the Christian community and in the conscious
| ness of the Jewish community, has never for
moment made me repent my choice, but rather
| has been added proof to me that the effort was
needed--yet confess that had an unsatisfied
hunger for certain signs of SYMPATHETIC dis
| cernment, which you only have given. may
mention as one instance your clear perception
| Of the relation between the presentation OF the
| Jewish element and those of English social
| life.
| l work under the pressure Of small hurries (;
| for we are just moving into the country for the
| summer and all things are III vagrant condi-
| ton around me. But / wish not to defer an
swering your letter to an uncertain opportu-
| nity.
| My husband has said more than once that he
| feels grateful to you. For he is more sensitive
| OH my behalf than on his own.
Hence he unites with me in the assurance OF
the high regard with which / remain always
| yours faithfully. NJ 4. LEwEs.