New-York tribune., 1896-12-27
LONDON LITERARY NOTES.
THE BOOKS OF THE YEAR-AMERICAN
COMPETITION-UTILIT OF THE
SHORT SENTENCE

| a
in literary activity. or the making OF books
there has been no end; but. while the presses
| have been in constant motion and the lists u
! new and old editions have been long and pre-
| tentious few important contributions have been
! made to the worlds working stock o' thought
| Activity in the book trade does not necessarily
imply either Inspiration or original energy In
! the library II has been year OF pot-boiers.
and the printers have been busy Ine great
literary artists OF the day have been waiting
for flashes Of inspiration which have not come.
The most notable literary event OF the year
has been the completion Of Mr. Herbert Spen-
| GERS "Prlncples Of Sociology" II marks tho
consummation Of his exposition OF system Il
synthetic philosophy and brings TO close the
| lifework Of perhaps the greatest, certainly the
most original. thinker Of the Victorian period
| ~ letters II Ia a memorable event which does
much to dignity and ennobe the Intellectual
life CT the year Its unique importance is dls-
closed by comparisons with the Duke o' ArgyHs
| "Philosophy OF BELIEF or Mr.. Gladstone's
Studies" Of Bishop Butter. which have been
the most pre,entious UNDERTAKINGS in the high
est regions Of philosophic thought
The intellectual poverty Of the year has been
unerrngIy disclosed by the poetry. The APP
pontment of Poet Laureate ought. perhaps.
to have been a source Of inspiration. but 1t has
seemed to exercise depressing effect upon the
English muse. The Poet Laureate has pub
llshed new volume but he has done nothing
to Justify his appointment. Possibly he has
been warned by his indiscreton in allowing
! himself to be drawn too eagerly into a lyric on
Jameson's Ride. without taking the precaution
OF submitting ii to the censorship ~ Mr Cham
ber.ain at the Colonial Office; and he may he
holding himself il reserve for the ceremonial
I.f..
have either been silent or have been fumb!lng
on the strings which once resp lnded 20 the
touch OF master artists. Mr. Swirhurne has
written only one poem. ard that has hardly
been worthy OF his reputation. The most popl-
lar book of poems Of the year mas been NJ.
Rudyard Killings Seven Seas which has
appealed strongly to English Imagination Mr.
William Watson has been industrious but his
sonnets on The Purple East" have a theatre
cal ring with unpleasant crash Of stage
made thunder behind the scenes.
When the retrospect Of The English literary
year Is closed-and it must be rapid ana M
perfect view, owing 70 the difficulty II obtaining
a correct perspective Of what is 50 clos, a. hand
there Is nothing to dispirt American fellow
craftsmen or to prevent renewed ardor in honor
able emulation with their Engllsh associates
The new copyright system is sometimes De-
Scribed as q methOd OF encoufdSiHS dh" '''' ''"-
ing English authors especially fiction writer's
at the expense OF American rivals. That ls
shallow invention Of ignoDe minds. American
writer's of force and character would not be
benefited IL the home market were flooded with
pirated editions in violation Of the Eighth Com.
mandment They cannot be placed at a dlsaf-
vantage If their English rivals are paid for their
literary property instead Of being p.underef
through lack Of international comfy. Their
relative rank in the literary world Is raised ana
their calling is dgnfed by a system ot inter-
national morality which gives to every au'hof'
whatever may be his nationality, his Just dues
When, moreover, critical estimate Is mao" OK
the output Of a years intellectual activity IN
England, like that which is now ending. there -
small reason for disbursement on the part "t
American authors There have been many nun
dreds OF new books, for English literature Is
now great trade; yet it has been barren year
without the inspiration Of original genius. Amer
lean competition. far from being Impossible or
even arduous, is made easy by these low levels
Of mediocrity.
THE INDUSTRY OF ENGLISH WRITER'S
Whatever may be SAID OF the average cnar-
acter OF the literary product of the year. 1t IS
nevertheless true that the leading English WRIT
ers of the dey are most laborous workers. IN
our novelsts at home complain because we
publish so many English novels. We have I'D
prejudice against home talent. We do every
thing in our power to develop it. But 1t is
matter of fact that our own noyelists are con-
tent to dash off stories instead Of writing. re-
writing and constantly revising them as no
best English fiction writers are doing. That
was an expert opinion from one VINO had COM
pared manuscripts and proof sheets. certalny
it cannot be doubted that the English novel;
lists who are doing the best work are most
laborious and painstaking In all their literary
processes Mrs. Humphry Ward is among the
slowest Of writer's and revises every page many
times. Mr. George Meredith's refinement OK
style Ii the result Of continuous labor. MI
Hall Caine carries plot for story in his head
for two years before he writes line. and then
he makes three distinct drafts Of the book en-
largng each version until final revision becomes
possible Sarah Grand has already written her
story twice. and she has taken 1t to SPAN
for q third revision during the winter The
English fiction writer's al least know how 10
work, even II they do not always succeed IN
surprising their own best achievements.
well-known man Of letters from America
who has been passing through London on holt
day journey. remarked to me day or w.
ago; Il am eager to return to New-York where
there short sentences IN the newspapers
have been reading the London leaders for
fortnight and am hungering and athirst Tor
short sentence. Sen;entious writing seems 10 pe
a lost art in England" II this eager searcher
after conciseness Of style had attended MI.
Zangwilrs lecture on the drama last night De-
fore the London Institution. he would nave
found his hearts desire. Nearly every sen.
tence was short one The address fairy
sparkled with epigrams
What was the precise aim Of this address on
THE Drama as an Artistic Product | shal.
not undertake explain. II the work ot
a free lance whose hand was raised indis.
crimir atery against playwright actor. critic ana
playgoer Everything was grist that came 10
his mill. and the grinding was exceeding
small His own method was artistic. even II rs
criticism were marciless and his tone cynceI