The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-29
LITERARY BIOGRAPHY.

every reader of current literature that the
puryeyors of intellectual pabulum are furnish
ing an amount of biographical information
that, if not disproportionate to the supply OF
other forms OF literary work, is at least in ex-
cess Of the demand. This prodigality OF per-
sonal history is particularly noticeable from
the fact that the subjects are SO extremely
hkely to be literary people. Statesmen war
riOrs, Headers" in any line of life, are reason
ably sure to have circumstantial account OF
their habits, peculiarities and exploits set
lorth in print, but it is not necessary that 9
writer shall be especially distinguished to be
considered proper subject for biographical
treatment Let a writer but produce
single story which one or more kind
~ critics prcnounces 'good" and straight
way that authors history is given
to the world in careful detail 1t is not enough
to be told that he was born, an inference that
might be drawn with sufficient accuracy from
the fact that the story was written, but we
mUSL De IredLeu 10 u Ol6CuoSlUu VI LID ouSOo7
tors and their characteristics, accompanied
with ingenious speculations as to the effect in
herRed talents had in leading to the produc-
lion of the story in question. Then the
writer's early life is carefully considered and
If any prominent points Of interest can
be discovered in his youthful career,
such as stern parental discipline, habits
Of idleness and tendency to 60
a-fshing-sure signs of genius when genius
happens to possess them-all these are ana
lyzed with view to getting at their proper
bearing upon the evolution Of the author OF
the story. The influence Of his environment
from infancy up must necessarily be great;
and to decide just what circumstances caused
his mind to turn to the creation of the work
In question, is a favorite theme forspeculation
on the part of the biographer. Whether
his mind received the fateful bent towards
literature through the application of birch to
his physical frame on an eventful occasion,
whether he neglected his studies at school
and was therefore marked by nature for intel
lectual supremacy-as is so often proved III
records of this kind to be the case-or whether
q habit of telling tall stories in daily inter
course with his fellows led to the writing of
one, all these are questions in which the
reader is assumed to have an absorbing inter
est Concerning the writer of play public
interest is held to be even more intense, and
not the smallest detail of his history is per-
mitted to escape discovery and subsequent
narration. When the author writes second
story and the play-writer another tragedy
nothing is left for the world to know since it
is already familiar with him and knows
whether'he breakfasts on oatmeal or wheaton
grits and is informed concerning his tastes
IN the matter of 'sweetening" in
poffee. Now it is not to be de-
MED that biography is in some respects
the most attractive and even fascinating va
riety of literature. 1t gratifies the desire in
herent in the human breast to know more of
its kind. There is satisfaction, not alto
gether pralseworthy but undeniably natural, in
learning that the faults and foibles of the
great men of earth were not unlike our own;
that, in fact, their weaknesses were so pro-
Aounced as to excite the wonder and pity of
less brilliant but more evenly balanced minds.
1t is also more or less edifying to observe the
re nf talnnf and m M ba ~
cumstances by means of which men of genius
have fulfilled their destiny. All this is a
laudable interest which one of commonplace
nature may naturally feel in those who
are in any way distinguished above
Che common herd. In everyday life
and concerning those who are about
us, this interest degenerates into curl
osity sometimes inpertinent, and to
crafty which is to indulge in idle gossip
Because biography, personal history, the de-
tails of private life of individuals more or
less prominent are printed in digniied period
tcals, or even embalmed in independent vol
ames. it does not follow that this may not be
gossip, also, and of as little value to the com
nunity as discussion of ones neighbors In
The case of literary men and women this
seems to be often the case. Allowing for the
eact that certain amount of personal infor-
nation in regard to writer's is given out for
kade purposes, there still remains an assump
ton on the part of publishers that the public
has an Unsuitable appetite for such knowledge,
which we hol5 to be incorrect. AS rule,
We believe it to be true that the reader of an
agreeable book cares little as to the personality
Of the writer. He may be interested in know