The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-09

Life of Modern America" very elab0rately
Collin admits that Hamsun is talented
man. but claims that authors stipends are
not merely intended TO give young prom
Using writers a schooling in the rudimen-
tary elements of literature. If such were
the case, there are other young authors
who stand more in need Of that kind Of
schooling than Hamsun. Besides, one
journey abroad would not suffice for Mr..
Hamsun, whose sojourn in America does
not seem to have improved him officially.
ITO be sure says Collin, '+he seems to
have entertained some regard for Emer-
son, America greatest ethical cnuncator.
What he found good and useful in Emer-
son, however, was that authors happy
faculty to say things ana invent inter
esting possibilities while he was repulsed
by Emersons passion for the ethically
beautiful Hamsun speaks of this great
est quality of Emerson's as a deaf man
would of music. Emerson is surcharged
with moral feelings. Morals were III
stinctive with him and born In him.
terrible inheritance! And that is undoubt-
eddy, Mr.. Hamsun. the reason why Mr..
Emerson didn't amount 10 anything, In
spite OF his happy faculty TO say things
We must remember" continues Mr.. Col
lin, that Hamsun while in the United
States studied the art of saving interest
ing impossibili;ies' and that he in all like
tihood wrote his book about modern spir-
. ftuaf life In America for the Copenhagen
ers, Georg Brandes' Copenhageners. II
was DR.. Brandes who had the pleasure OF
Introducing the book 10 the Norwegian
public. Hamsun is not only witty. but
surprisingly funny. The book shows that
he has lived and extraordinarily and
! mentally. The book about America is a.
revenge.
"Hamsun has not been able to digest
American poetry because il 'trifies KIN
r. md
TO have suffered from climatic fever in the
moral climate Of America One gets the
impression that he does not feel well
whenever he shifts the air of morality. like
[ certain persons who are uneasy if a cat
is in the vicinity.
What is the story Of American innl,-
grafton. according TO Hamsun? First
there came few good people industrial
( slaves. muscular animals Then there
came stray cofree-house keeper who had
failed. Time Tassed. a harlr
anchored in Portsm outh Farbor: Il CART d
hundreds Of slaves thousands of pounds
OF presses. half a dozen murderers, four-
teen forgers and twenty thieves. people OF
all races and tongues. bankrupt merchants
ard criminals. adventuTcrs ard insane ner-
sons priests and negroes Then follows in
line by itself; And no noble SOULS
Good heavens' After Hamsun's4 return
there is not In great America a single
undetermined disciple OF the great Coper-
hagen doctor in modern arIstocratIc cul
tnre
The book vas disgusting and irrltatin.
One could not help but feel for the gff.ea
and giftiess author who snapped his fin
gers az the greatest names and works Of
the world-culture
Hamsun is a born hurnorfst. but no, a
great author. He lacks ethical education
and gifts. He stands on a r4Idirnantarv
step in ethical respects and is unable 70
depict the workings OF the human so.1l
and human life. Time will show that even
such an eminent art critic as Or. Geore
BTandes interestingly has hurt Norwesia n
and Danish literature by overlooking ths
authors ethical educa. ion."
Society ladies' in Christiania recently
gave fair for the benefit OF the servant
girls union. which Melted q 90 crowns.
The Danish brig Claus of Nordbv Cant
Hansen. stranded recently off Fauo. The
crew was drowned.
PriVy Councillor Astrup and Consul
Thames have left for Paris 10 make the
necessary arrangements for the partlcIpa
ton Of Norway In the international exposi-
ton in 1890.
EDWARD Grieg and wife we're recsntlv fba
/ g1esis Of Queen Victoria at Windsor cas-
lie The queen expressed herself as he
n4g great admirer OF Grieg's music. Mrs