The morning call., 1893-01-08

What are the seven beat books by CALI
fornia writers. Judged as productions Of
literary genius as works Of literary
art?
The query proponnded in yesterdays
CALL has already directed wide attention
to the field of California literature. Many
who for generation or more have been
familiar with the current literary produce
tons of the Pacific Coast and whose interest
and acquaintance may have been stimulated
by cherished personal associations have
found pleasure in making lists of seven to
suit their own tastes and judgments.
In a few days they may compare their
ideas with those Of some of the critics.
What the critics say will not be the only
interesting feature of the discussion. Few
Pacific Coast people realize how rich and
varied and vouminous the literary treasures
of California are. They do not know how
proud they should be OF the intellectual
progress and genius that has attended the
romantic and unceasing pursuit of wealth
since the end of the sleepy and peaceful old
days Of Mexican rule.
Now California's writers, living and
dead. are to be placed on dress-parade. We
are to have literary exposition of all that
CRHIoTnla naS produced.
Names that once belonged to local fame
and that are now almost forgotten will, in
cidentally at least, be revived with kindly
praise. and works that are not read to-day
as often as are Bret Harte's Luck of Roar
Ing Camp" or Mark Twain's "Roughing
IT, or Joaquin Miler's poems will be re-
called for renewed acquaintance by many.
There is much in California literary work
that is seldom read to-day, and which may
or may not be worthy of mention beside
the ''seven best" but which does not at
leastdeserve complete oblivion.
W. II. Rhodes bright sketches of Califor-
mia life in Its romantic age will be often
praised by those who remember "Caxton's"
stories and "'fhe Remarkable Case of Sum-
merfield." and j. Ross Browne, the versatile
author of "Yusei" and many sketches of
travel. will long be prominent figure in
reviews of CALIFORNIA; literary past. Many
such old writers are yet fondly remembered.
and there are many yet living who have
passed their productive age, but whose fresh
and bold work. full of unique local coloring
and of a spirit as strong and fresh as the
days they portrayed. we cannot afford to
lose or forget
These literary ghosts OF the past will be
brougb. up by the retrospective glances the
colating now being done will occasion, and
there will be a measuring Of great deal
that yet belongs to the present.
The library of California literature which
will go to Chicago and then return to re-
main like monument will be for much
that has been written merely tomb for the
preservation OF remains that else might be-
come lost as completely as though on flIe at
the bottom of the sea. but there are names
hardly requiring mention for which no such
preservation process is needed.
Harte, Twain. Miller. Sill. Coolbrith,
Stoddard. Cheney aud more OF them-they
will not be forgotten tomorrow.
The naming of the best seven books brings
with it incidentally an estimate of California
literature as a whole. a perception of its
uniqueness and originality. recognition of
the genius it displays and an attempt at
general appraisement.
What, then, Is best in California prose
ana poetry? The answers will soon be
along.