The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-02-10
lFor the HERALp.l
FICTION.
By JOHN h. KRLs0N.

delighted attention of mankind. This
Ii true of the rudest, as vel ss the
most polished nations.
Inquiries into the origin, progress,
utility and influence of fiction form
interesting themes, and good deal
of attention has been bestowed upon
these topics by the curious and
learned.
In.the minds OF great number OF
well-meaning persons there exists q
deep>rooted prejudice against novels,
romances and fictitious matter in
general. That this unfavorable bias
Is not the result Of deep, careful and
extensive investigation of the subject
is proved from the fact. that men of
profound thought. and possessing the
most sacred regard for principles and
influences which affect public NOR
slity, haye no. only differed from this
view, but have considered fiction as 3
potent instrument of virtue and in
noxious pleasure. It cannot be de-
MED that the art OF fiction
has been prostituted to base
and infamous purposes by un.
scrupulous persons. who have
more love for self advantage than re.
gard for the public veal. But the
same can be truthfully said of many
other things. Few, il any, of the
great subjects which men pursue as
objects OF profit, improvement, or
qualification are without their dark
and dangerous side. Even religion
itself has it's margin OF Ianaticiem, and
its debssed victims OF mis-used
good.
Fiction is invention; and every
composition OF fictitious narrative
will partake largely Of the character
and qualities Of the mind which
formed it. A romance will have
good or evil tendency according to
the character and motives OF its
inventor. Viewed in this light, the
art Of fctionsosnnot consistently be
charged with the abuses and iniqui-
ties OF its instruments, any more than
the art of printing is responsible for
the black stream OF fetid literature
which mingles with and sullies its
Rowing current.
To find the origin of fiction we must
1elve deep down into the recesses of
human nature; and when the
mystic source is reached 1t will be
found to be the same as that from
which flow the love for poetry, the
lne arts and the drama. Fiction is
n at quality in our nature which
Heights in the strange and beauti-
al. the uncommon and marvellous. |
There may be souls who are con-
ent with the sordid objects which
belong to mere animal existence;
,nt such are the scum aud dregs,
lot the representatives, vi the
iunnan race.
Fiction Ia that almost universal |
ndo wment Of the intellectual fac
llsies which luxuriates in splendid |
achievements, extraordinary char
cters, striking events and unusual |
The majority of man.
lind tire Of the menotony of COM
non things. There Is a LONGING for
he novel and romantic; and people
re willing to receive and enjoy the
hadows and images Of good things
vhen the substance cannot be had.
The love for the fictitious is not q
uperfuous addendum to the human
mind; something appended as an
to the intellectual fabric,
tut q permanent arch of the struc-
ure. 1t is the longing Of the soul
OF something better than mere
'arthly objects can afford. It is q
raviDg for spiritual qualification, q
sarching beneath the subllnary for
Kings supernal; and instead of
Is being quality to be dreaded
md discouraged, it should be
egarded as proof of mans i'm.
mortality, an argument for his pre-.
'xistence. The gross ailments of
he earth will not satisfy the celes.
ial appetite. and the soul dreams of
'etter things and believes that they
10 exist; but not finding them makes
he best OF the situation, and col.
Getting and grouping the best things
II earth, feasts upon them with
Eager avidity.
1t is solace and n creation of great
Talue when the mind can turn from
he few Offices Of ordinary life and
,roup the most pleasing seems Of
nature, the startling events, the ex.
characters and new con.
iitions Of other society and spheres.
There Is Ieat variety of tastes,
,ut there is ample diversity and
abundance Of objects to afford plea.
Ire and delight 10 all.
Some MINDS are absorbed by the
,rand, the sublime and the pro-
ound. They love 10 contemplate /
iaturs In her most stupendous eff.
ort, the tempest's awfnl roar, the
ightnipg's flash, the earthquakes
lreadfuI shock, and the wrecked
hip writing in tbs angry pillows.
others are moved by the marvellous,
ne strange and picturesque. Such
minds delight to revel in elysiums CT
imaginary tsplendors; 10 rove
through green fields and shady
woods, to wander among caves and |
rottos; they are charmed with the
wonders OF magic, and entertained
y the company of ghosts
nd uoearthly beings. Still others
re delighted with the ex ,eilences
4 pereonal character and thrilling