New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-06
LITERARY TASTE IN WOMEN.
AMELIA e. BARR REPLIES TO THE RE-
MARKS OF THE WORTHY sccTCHMAN.
SHE DECLARES HE IS NEITHER JUST NOR COR
RECT: THEN SHE ASKS IF MEN NEVER

SHE DECLARES HE Is NEITHER JUST NOR COR
RECT THEN SHE ASKS IF MEN NEVER
SIN IN THAT DIRECTION.
In Sundays issue an article Literary Taste
In Women" quoted Scotch professor as saying:
Literary taste In the average woman Is almost an
unknown quantity. for the reason that. like the
cut OF her gowns. It Is governed largely by the
fashion prevailing at the moment. Because some
authors out Of fashion who ought to be in. and
others In who ought to be out. she permits her.
self to be governed by popular prejudice. This is
not taste"
In reply to this attack on woman and her appre-
citation Of literature Amelia E. Barr sends the fol-
lowing letter:
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: The professors statement Is a statement
In the first place the critic ought to have accu-
rately defined what literary taste consists in;
how many kinds OF literary taste are supposed to
women to be almost destitute Of" Then he should
have so well exhibited the excellence Of this spe,
thoroughly ashamed Of their ignorance. Further
never newer SIN in this affection That they all
possess literary taste and that their Judgment
and predictions are above and beyond the sway
Of the popular taste Of the time.
But is it certain that the prevailing fashions In lit
erature are always wrong? Rather. Is 1t not likely
be even more important TO daily life than the critic
mans opinion; will he set it against the prevailing
tone with absolute certainty that he Is right
and the rest Of mankind and womankind ignorant
blunderers?
We will suppose that women are largely gov
erned in literary matters by 1.-The fashion prevail
ing at the moment" just they are governed
about the "cut Of their gowns" May not that
fashion In both cases he very suitable one? Be-
cause 1t is the prevailing fashion. Is 1t therefore
silly ungraceful? Fashions relating to dress are
never wholly good or bad there are elegant modes
and grotesque ones. and they brush each other In
the streets: there good books and bad books,
and they lie side by side on the counter;
cot, IN hA hft,lit rfad fhaf Tn6O
are just ready to have their literary taste gov
erned by popular prejudice as Women are who
overwhelming majority. Indeed. the intellect
Of men is specially subservient to popular enthusi-
asm. not only as regards books but In plays,
almost every department OF active life. 1t is a
great part OF wisdom that it should be So Is It
twenty or fifty. thousand people are as likely to he
correct as the solitary opinion OF one self-consti-
Whole stan Of review? Women in following the
popular decision about present writers-if they do
so-only evince their modesty: they also drive the
shuttle OF their thoughts and predictions between
their intellect and their experiences. 1t might be
well for critics 10 exchange little OF their closet
learning for the same broad path. whether 1t be
taste something ese-and better.
The unhealthy idea Of chvalry, which treated
women cross between an angel and an idiot. Is
will never be revived. Women have the right to
their literary taste. whether 1t FITS into men
averments and generally show good ground for
their predices and it is long past date TO insinu-
ate any special defect in their creation
The tide of woman's progress has come. and men
is no 80 far and no further No gates can be
shut against It, and the old barriers can neither
ing this fact IL all a hum-and the best way with
those who persist in ignoring it Is the short way
Of Sir simon dEwss whS moved IN .Ge no so ID
his tongue. AMELIA E BARR