Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-10-07
LITERARY LIFE.
Conditions of Literary Lifo In England
aud America,

The conditions Of the literary life in
America are less determined than they
arc in England. The only organization
within which authorship may DO said
to find substantial shelter is journalism,
and this profession is SO exacting and
SO inmcal 10 most forms of literature,
that those who have most serious
thoughts Of the literary life arc rather
DESTROYS OF escaping from journalism
than OF using 1t rs vantagc-ground.
1t might seem at first blush rs II the
universities and colleges would offer q
desirable fastncss from which to send
out ventures in literature; but the
academic life is Il somewhat sterile one;
it is with us so identified with tho peda-
gogic that the energies of the profess
sor, If they moyo the production Of
books, are most likely to be occupied
with the tools OF the profession. Text
books in abundance issue every year
from college faculties, but very few
contributions to humane literature.
The academic life again is so special
lied that even the professor of English
literature rarely produces work upon
which his successor or associate may
comment. His attitude toward tho
subject of his teaching is too critical to
allow him much freedom of mind, and
he is besides so conscious of his posi-
ton that he is undermined in his reso-
luton, and rendered abnormally sensi-
tive to the criticism Of others Us well as
of himself.
The constitution of the English uni
vcrsities, on the other hand, directly
encourages and sustains the literary
life. This is not to say that literature
in its frcest expression is not there, as
here, outside the walls of the college,
but that man of literary taste and
ambition may deliberately possess him
self OF academic situations which will
make it possible for him to lead
literary life, free from fret and carking
care; and also that the prizes for
scholarship offered by the universities
distinctly suggest to the student liter
airy occupation. A man, in other
words, with fortune enough to secure
him university education, may hope
to win Fellowship which will demand
only slight academic duties, leaving
him free to devote himself to literature;
and q student devoted to learning who
falls into such place will, by the very
force OF his own nature, be urged into
literary production. Thus the univcr-
sity, by provision which cnlargcs Tie
scope Of university life, is more than n
training-school for immature minds; it
is society Of scholars, and as such,
directly encourages and suStains the
literary life,
The university, however, is not the
only English organization which fosters
literature and makes vantage ground
for the man OF letters. As it is demon
strably more efficient in this respect
than lis American congencr, so the
civil service Of England has offered
more convenient shelter for the littcra-
tcur than tho same service in America.
Our government, indeed, has not been
slow to rccoSnH; authors, but it has
been chiefly in the way OF rewards in
diplomatic service for those who have
already won Il certain distinction. Now
and then, notably in the case of the
New York Custom House, government
Offices have served rs means to hard
working literary men, but the general
insecurity which has hitherto attached
to this employment and tho peril to
ones sclf-respect in seeking appoint
ments have hndcred such men from
counting upon this resource. One of
the probable results Of Il service organ
lied upon the merit system is the at
traction to it OF men capable of clerkly
labor, but chiefly ambitious OF literary
fame. The freedom from concern
which enables one to lay aside his bust
ness mind, like an office coat, when
the clock strikes three, and don the
literary habit, is especially necessary
to the calm and cheerful pursuit OF
literature. Such state of things ex-
lists in London to-day. and may be con-
iidcntly predicted OF Washington, New
York, aud other cities, in tho near fu-
turc-jHy .ltiaHtc.