New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-28
GOOD MOTEL WRITING.

One OF the most accomplished critics IN the
range of English literature has paid THE TRIB-
uSr a fine compliment. He has characterized
the stores which have been published in the
Sunday issues az among the best work that Is
now done in American fiction. Few readers
who have followed from week to week the
chapters of THAT Carolina Gal" Rowony'
"Mrs Bradford Keats and Katharine North
will consider this tribute to be overweight
or misjudged Miss Pools stories have been
recognized from the first as fiction OF rare
quality. Thousands Of our readers spend their
most pleasuiable hour on Sunday over her
chapters. When "Rowenys" course seemed
to have been run prematurely, appeals poured
in upon us from all sides to have the story
continued The same hearty appreciation has
been displayed respecting the charming story
now in course Of publication. Moreover, the
life of these novels does not end with the closing
instaments in our columns. When reprinted
the books have large and constantly increas-
ing circulation, even among the most critical
readers.
II we were asked 70 explain the secret Of
Miss Pools remarkable success as novelist
and il must be conceded to be very creative
would ascribe it in large degree TO the dis
tinctivc American character Of her stories. Her
stories smack Of the soil, and have all its racy
qualities and hOmely traits When MIR. Lowell
died younger poet gave an illuminating
reminjscence of his critical faculty and sound
Judgment. In his earlier youth Mr. Stcdman
had written volume Of American lyrics
conpled with more laborcd pieces on classical
themes. The older poets preference was shown
for the home product. Keats, Lander and
Tennyson. he thought, could not be outrivalled
In ambitious antiques. When you write
American ballads" he said, you are on your
own ground, breathing your own air. and have
touch OF your own Miss Pools novels have
the characteristic qualities OF American life.
They have an Indigenous flavor. The author
10 an her own ground, instinct with American
feeling and purpose, and breathing her own
air. The strongest qualities of her work come
from close contact with American soil.
Then there is another explanation OF Miss
Pools popularity as writer, and OF the prompt
recognition which her genius has received from
critical Judges. Her style is free from some
Of the faults of labored analysis and undue
elaboration into which leaders Of the new
school of fiction have fallen. Romola" was
splendid product OF George Eliots art but
the mannerisms and analytical methods which
she acquired in writing it marred and weakened
all her subsequent work. These faults have
been initiated and exaggerated by recent writ
ers until the exposition of character has come
to resemble the processes OF the dssecting-
room. The modern novel too often is an ex-
haustng and tedious study of motive and in
tellectua processes Every act, word. glance
and change of facial expression is subjected to
analysis and commentary. Characters are not
allowed to reveal themselves by word or deed.
The patient reader is not even suffered to draw
his own differences in peace and quiet from
what they say and do. The authors insist upon
supplying him even with intuitions.
Now Miss Pool docs not take this unfair
advantage of her readers. They are allowed
to think for themselves without being distract
cd by interminable exposition of motive. Ro-
weny and Katharine North act their own parts
and work out their own destinies by virtue
OF the life that is in them. Their acts and
words are recorded. and the reader watches