The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-04

There are endless books by California
WRITER'S" said Ella Sterling Cummns yes
terday. "but some OF those [ enjoy reading
most could not be classed among the best
books"
''WhOm do YOU consider California's
greatest writers" asked the reporter.
There is scarcely writer who has ever
put pen to paper in California with whose
works Mrs. Cummins is not acquainted.
Not only the writings Of the giants of our
literature interest her. but she can cite at a
moments warning every obscure produc-
ton of the varied literary dwarfs who have
added their mite to CALIFORNIA; literature.
Our greatest wrtersp said Mrs. Cum
Minis. Those to whom the world gives
sanction and recognition? Oh, certainly,
then | should pick out Joaquin Miller, Bret
Harte and Mark Twain. 1t is quite poss ible
TO find others who are great, but those are
the incompatible three of California. There
is nothing even within shooting distance OF
them.
'Now, Bret Harte," said Mrs. Cummins,
speaking in tone of genuine admiration,
has exquisite fancy and writes delightful
ENGLISH. His literary art is perfect; there
IS nothing 10 approach 1t; but his plots
and the lady paused a moment before add
ing with touch Of regret, "his plots are all
wrong"
What do you consider his best work ?"
Bret Harte has never written anything
that can surpas5 the Luck of Roaring
Camp 1t is a lovely story and may per-
haps be called his greatest work. One of
the best of his later works-perhaps. the
best of them-s An Apostle of Tulare.'
'Al Bret Harte's works are like paint
ingS; he Is literary artist, so to speak. OF
our writers, he is the truest in the descTlp-
4 F,tsf .,
Indeed, his word pictures are second only to
the realities he describes.
MARK Twain" continued Mrs. Cummins.
sis characterized particularly by vigor and
originality. and lie has also tremendous
insight into human nature. L consider
'R0ughing It one of the finest pictures ever
given Of early Nevada lie"
"Do you consider 'Roughing It his finest
work ?"
well, that is a little hard to say. No;
perhaps he eXceled himself In The Prince
and the Pauper'
joaquin MiiIer's books are perhaps the
best OF those OF our California writer's, be-
cause they strike fire in every line and be-
cause they come fresh out of the heart of
nature with new story 10 tell. Miller has
such surprising technique that IL is con-
slant puzzle to me 10 discover how he
acquired 1t. Once. indeed" said Mrs Cum
Minis, smiling. Il asked him the question,
but he evaded giving an answer by pretend
ing 10 misunderstood the meaning of the
word.
Miller is more the monarch of our Cali
fornians than the other two writer's | have
named first He has triumphed over many
difficulties, his books are so sweet, so free
from all errors, that no one could guess that
a great part of his education is self-acQuired.
And then the older he grows the better he
writes. The man is a master pOetw said
Mrs. Cummlns enthusiastically.
His greatest work." resumed the lady
thOughtfully, as though finding it difficult
10 make selection when she admired all
the poets productions, THE AiiZOnian,'
perhaps, is the best.
And them size added, ''If were only
naming prose works. should like TO give
MileU's novel Perhaps every one does not
Know that lie has ever published a novel.
And yet II IA an eXQuisitely written work,
'One Fair Woman Il is book that de-
serves to be more read, better known, than
il is.
There are some other works by Califor-
MIA writers that are not perhaps so great,
but they re books worth having, notwith-
standing" said Mrs. Cumm,ns. who in her
affection for the literature Of her native
State longel 10 put forward some more OF
Its masterpieces. These are:
The HERMITAGE by Edgar Eells.
"a Perfect Day by Ina Coolbrith.
"'Robert Grcathouse.' by j. Franklyu
Swift.
1.-The Monk and tie Hangman's
Daughter by Ambrose BieTce and G. a.
DanZg ger.
1.-The Birds Christmas Carol by Kate
Douglas Wiggn.
Los Cerritos,' by Gertrude Atherton."