The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-26
LITERARY LEAVES.
MISS CUTTING ON TWO GREAT
FORCES IN FICTION.

Walter scott ana hl-~ broht' ''"'' =
shrevd sense-Nictor Hugo.
The word 'supernaturalism" is here
in used in the sense OF worcester 3
deiiuitiou--namely: The doctrine that
there are in nature more than physical
causes in operat ion Supernaturalism
in fiction. then, is the attribution oil
certain results to the Iii rect or special
agency Of supernatural powers. "Psy-
chologyn is defined as "the doctrine
of the human mind or soul as distinct
from the body" Hence, the employ
ment Of psychology in fiction is the
taking Of some doctrine Of the mind or
soul. and the lifting Of it into so great
pre-eminenca. that the attention OF the
reader IL concentrated. not on the plot
not on the dramatis persona not On tne
philosophy of life. not on the etnics oi
life. either as enforcing some speciai
reform or as presenting study or
character, bat on the specific doctrine
selected. While most great novells,s
are psychological in their presentation
of character and in their comments or
reflections, there are few who have
thus taken doctrine OF the soul ana
made that the arena Of struggle ana
interest.
Lot us first speak Of supernatura.ism
in fiction. The instructive belief M su-
pernatural agency It'll holds, however
! knowledge may have conquered ere.
dulitv. and still charms. however cold
common sense would Danish its ntui
tions. As we look down the street, we
know through the understanding tha'
the lines are horizontal and parallel.
but the eye Is rested and pleased oJ
the faintly-glimmering lights tnal "Ar
row to single point.
OF writers of fiction VINO have made
conspicuous use of supernatural-n'
Sir Walter Scott and Charlotte Broate
suggest themselves as rpprest nta;ives'
Charles Dickens has al-O used d. oui
rot to any such extent as Scott. scout
makes constant appeal To- our su,cepu-
bility TO the supernatural, both in 'the
creation of those ideal beings that
hover around and overhead as ANY
agents aud companions of existence
and IN the use of those occult sciences
and ,uperstitious beliefs, that pos c,.ri
the minds Of the people ia carner
times.
Witchcraft. dcmouology, aafrol1gy.
magic. good aud evil spirits, phant'ms.
apparitiOus. being like ourselves Dat
with supernatural pOwels-aI ae made
use OF by him with skill ahd ch2rm' ID
bringab0ut desired results. lh.N lfo 'p
IN endless procession across th' pages
| of all his novels. clothing historic ut-
tail with poetic charm. add " mthln- %
contribution of material go lhe neredl-
tary British Imagination. the largest
ami most varied since Shakerelrc.
Scott invariably takes the reader lnt'
his confidence. sooner or later and rN-
plains the supernatural agencies tha,
have wrought hi- purpose; ou. lhi7
merely serves as heaithiul reaction.
and the charm Is uot broken. scott IS
shrewd sense is stronger than DIS love
of the supernatural Not SO with Cnai-
| lotte BrOlte. For her. some occult d..
| lation exists between the elements NJ
nature AMI human destiny. To beer,
presentimen,s. dreams, appariu9ns.
echOiug footsteps. voices borne Dn tne
air. are AN living forces. Cu1,lottt
| BrOnte believes in the supernatural
agencies 60 winch sire make, such pow
erlul use. aud We yield 90 their l1ecina-
ti0ns. without bringing our ,uper-l.
tious instincts o. the bar OF reason.
But new force has appeared in the
! lafer novel the force OF psychology.