The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-08

pathos, ana IN dramatic action was ruIIy
the equal of the best work of the great
French writer. The short stories of Sa-
rah Orne Jewett could compare favorably
with the best work of the foreign writer's.
Mr.. Howells did not go into great de-
tail for the moment beyond the exam
pies cited above. He thought the most
encouraging thing was the general ex-
cellence developed throughout the
country. The ability to write and to
write we'll, was becoming universal 1t
was not such a very long time ago when
the ability to write even ordinary prose
or poetry was considered q wonderful
and exceptional gift. To be able to
compose even in an ordinary way, was
| held to be a great accomplishment, and
of the utmost credit to its possessor.
The British classics were filled with
rubbish that would not have been pre-
served if it had not been composed dur
ing period when all writing was re-
garded as more or less wonderful. Many
Of the compositions of that period il
presented now, would not secure publ
Ation, or attract attention if published.
MIR. Howells thought that there WAS
most encouraging growth In the direc-
ton of poetry ia this country. He said,
"We receive very good poetry from
widely varying sources and the standard
of the contributions in this field il very
high"
Mr.. Howells said that he regretted
very much to see that two features Of
literary work were apparently going
out. These are the essay and the travel
sketch. There was nothing more de-
lightful to him than a good travel
sketch, yet the tendency Of writers was
to ignore such subjects because they
say that everybody travels now-a days,
and consequently the subjects of travel
are no longer new, and consequently
less attractive. He thought this was a
mistake. The fresh eye and the point
of view were what constituted the in
terest in a travel sketch. People who
have travelled are always more interest
ed in reading about the places they
have seen when described by some one
else than those who have never made
any voyages. Mr.. Howells said that he
noticed that in any great transition
period in literature there was some loss.
owe are going now through a transition
period. 1t is most interesting one.
There is great literary activity through
ont the country. New writers are con-
stantly coming to the front" In this
change and activity, the loss, Mr.. How
ellis thought, lay in the direction of lit
erary nicely and in forms of expression.
perhaps" said he, ''as we grow older
we become more fastidious. A friend
of mine said the other day that he found
as he advanced toward middle life that
there were not nearly so many pretty
women in the world as when he was
Young" He would not think OF indoors
ing that opinion Of his friend, but per-
haps, as he grew Older in the study of
literature, he became too particular.
He illustrated his point by telling a
little story of witty speaker at re-
cent college reunion. The gifted speak
er who was called upon to explain why
there were fewer and fewer marriages
among the graduates, said: "As we
grow older, we become more and moro
fastidious," and then, with a pause,
''Iess desirable. -
Mr.. Howells, in speaking OF his own
methods of literary work, said: 81 have
long ago learned to distrust and utterly
to disbelisve in the idea of losing ones
self in ones work. Whenever have
given way to the so-cslled inspiration
of the movement and have worked with
reckless enthusiasm, l have always
found the next day that my work was
rubbish and all lost. The writer must
not lose himself IN his characters or in
his story. He mnst retain his self pos
session, his self-controi, and be con-
stantly in the position of an outsider
studying carefully his effects. He must
be saying to himself, is this naturalf
is this right? in order to obtain the
proper gauge of the values OF his pic
lures. l believe that the greatest effects
are produced upon the stage by the art
ist who never forgets himself. If he
imagines himself TO be the person whose
part he is playing and forgets all else
but that, then he has no means of judg-
ing of the effect he produces, of how his
inspiration is being received; or, in
other words, he has lost the control
which would enabls him to present
correct aud artistic picture / know
this view is opposed by a great many
en- thusiasts, but it is my judg ment that
the most artistic work is produced by
the man who is in the clearest posses
sion OF all his faculties, and who is the
least swsyed by his emotions ia the pur-
suit Of purely intellectual work. What
would be said OF sculptor engaged in
the modelling Of a 6gure il re gave way
to his emotions, closed his eyes 10 an
outside view OF the general proportion
of his work, and plunged into general
passion of execution without any regard
to the appearance OF his work as q
wholeg' J. =, CRAWFORD
Placing Him.
Little Robby-Are you q lawyer, Ike
papa?
Doctor-So. my boy;I an q physi-