The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-03
NOVEL OF THE FUTURE.

One Of the most interesting features Of
modern journalism is the tribute which it is
constantly levying for the public benefit upon
the experience and knowledge of men who
are specialists by the force Of native or ac-
quired aptitudes. few days ago there APP
peared simultaneously in a number of our
Northern exchanges q series Of contributions
from the leading American writers Of fiction
as TO what in their judgment would be the
character Of the novel Of the future. 1t was
question of more than usual importance, and
the contributions are proportionately valua-
BILE II for no other reason because they throw
light upon the individual preferences of their
distinguished authors. among whom il may be
remarked are included two yirginians,
Thomas Nelson Page and Mrs. Terhune.
The value, though not the interest, of these
contributions is. as might have been expected,
diminished by the fact that each author in
giving his opinion is influenced more or less
by the characteristics of his own genius.
Thus Howells reiterates the expression of his
confidence that the realistic novel will entire
ly supplant the novel dealing with the ideal
by the prevalent tone of French fiction, Max
O'Rell has equal confidence in the permanent
triumph Of psychological fiction. Augusta
Evans Wilson, with characteristic earnestness
of spirit, believes that the novel of the future
will be novel with moral purpose. Rose
Terry Cooke thinks on the contrary, that the
novel of the future will be wholly devoid of
such purpose.
With some important exceptions, all Of the
different authors contributing are quite a. far
apart in their general views as the few whom
we have referred 10 specifically. Each one
quite naturally follows the suggestions of his
own idiosyncrasy, which gives his conception
Of the character Of the future novel distinct
bias of its own. The views Of men Of ripe
scholarship, but totally lacking in any power
of invention, would probably be nearer the
mark of what the character of the
future novel will be than the views of the long
list of authors who have recently expressed
an opinion on the subject The novelist of a
realistic bent believes that the novel of the
future will be essentially realistic. The COM
poser Of romsnces is convinced that the roman
tic novel will represent the triumphant type Of
the future and SO on indefinitely. The
trained critic with no special leaning towards
any one school. but with the cultivated taste
TO appreciate the merits of all, looks to the
novel Of the future without any marked pre-
objection to obscure or distort his vision.
Such critic would find in number of the
contributions referred TO- an expression of
opinion which he would heartily endorse, but
II is quite notable that these particular contri-
buttons are not from authors of the highest
distinction. that is from authors of such
marked idiosyncrasy as TO diminish the value
Of their critical opinion on account of the
special bias which such idiosyncrasy would
inevitably give.
Charles Dudley Warner remarked that in
the novel Of the future there would be abso-
lutte truth to nature. but with much more
ideality than is observed in the popular novel
of the present day. In the future, as In the
past" Gays Edna Dean Proctor, the master
will be he whose plains OF reason are over.
looked by mountains Of vision and inspira-
ton" Tho novel Of the future" said Rich
ard Watson andss. will depict nature In the