The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-28
CALIFORNIA WRITERS

~ laughed and sang, and sang and
laughed AGAR,
Because that now 1 said, 4 shall be
known; l shall not sit alone
But reach my hands unto the other
lands, and 10 the lands shall turn,
Old, wandering, dim eyes 10 me, and
yearn-aye. they will yearn in sooth
10 my glad beauty, and my glad, fresh
youth !
Thus Ina Coolbrith, the Oakland poet
ess, pictures California. This Gold en-
state may be young in effort. but it has
stored away within its borders rich
mine OF Old Spanish romance and the
history of an epoch that will never be
repeated in the worlds development, and
which, to future generations will read
like fairy tale stranger than the Golden
Fleece. Added to this are all the won
derful and varlsd phases which nature,
with lavish and loving hand, has be e.
slowed upon her favored spot of the
planet Earth. What wonder, then, that
before the chaotic condition of the Gold
On Era had passed, literary genius began
to lift its head ana shea forth beams that
reached beyond the borders OF its native
birth. And now, less than fifty years
since the Americans occupied tue Mexi-
can purchase, California has given host.
ages to literature that any country might
be proud to claim. 1t IS only in recent
years. of course, that Califoi MIA born lit
terateurs are making their names known
and their written thoughts felt. But the
rolling expanss OF the blue Pacific be-
lore aer, and the lofty mountain heights
towering heavenward at her lack, must
give California an extra high and broad
conception OF the welcome due a stranger
she adopts him ms a Californian when
he solourns Tor never so short time
within her borders. From her adopted
sons Caifornia's literature sparkles with
richness-yet call 1t not borrowed luster
for these writers ''have taekn their point
OF view" literally from their California
environments. Whom California adopts
she gives tic as freely as her own, and he
becomes the richer, fuller, completer
man.
So abe claims Bret Harte, Mark Twain,
Joaquin Miller, Henry George, Prentice
Muliord-a noted group-stcry teller,
humorlst, poet, economist, philosopher.
Another group--not less appreciated-of
scientists are Professor Muir, immortal
lied in the Muir glacier OF Alaska; Pro-
lessor lie Conte, Professor Holden, Pro-
lessor Holder, while Hubert Howe Ban
oofft and Theodore IL. Hittell worthily
represent her historians. These few
names are by no means all, mere b,g in
ming OF long list, amongst whom we
find W. Z. Morrow, Robert Duncan Milne,
Charles NJrdnoH. Sam Davis, Richard
Henry Dana. Rollin NJ. Daggett, J.. Ross
Browne, r. Mighels, John Vance Cheney,
Lucien Foote. Ambrose BierCe merits
mention separately; he is unique, alone
in department created by himself. As
writer, dalingly outspOken, imagina
tive, satirIcal, humorous; yet his imap-
ination has a wierd gloom that would be
almost oppressive. were his diction not
SO perfect, his style not SO simple, con.
else and expressive that every sentence
gives pleasure. 1t is to be regretted that
California cannot claim him as full son
Of the soil, though his constancy to her
adoption is worthy OF imitation and she
should be appreeiative of his genius and
not open to the criticism that I'VE are
so lacking in pride as to wiithe when he
makes mouths at us. These all happen