New-York tribune., 1899-10-07

ly with tolerance, often with open con-
tempt across the Atlantic. Those English
critics speak of us not az fellow-Anglo-
Saxons, but as a race Of barbarians. One
would suppose that we wrote in . strange
tongue not comprehended Of the English
people. and IL they sometimes are reluct-
antly forced to acknowledge talent they
make Of 1t a nine days wonder as though
the utterly unexpected had happened. Are
we not separated by but brief time from
the so-called mother country? Is not
theirs our language, and all their writers
ours by right OF common tongue? Have
we not real advantage over them? For
with the tradition OF the older literature
we have the novelty Of fresher scenes. .
newer. yet not less interesting. environ
ment which must give to our writers cer-
tain sort OF originality that Is a charm in
itself. And let US recognize our charm. be
generous to cur native artists, and defend
their claims in the midst OF gainsaying.
outside world.
These thoughts which have been often
reading the much alked-of Browning let
ters-a delightful contribution to literature
We are all agreed. These volumes are bought
and read In our public and private Libraries.
and yet II there has been a single protest
uttered against some harsh criticisms Of
America In them l have not seen 1t. My
own Indignation is great when l read the
contempt in which both Mr.. and Mrs.
Browning held our writer's, and the ingrati-
tude they showed for intelligent apprecia-
ton. Witness Mrs Browning. She had just
received newspaper from America, " ad-
dressed just to lily name, Poetese. Lon
dom" and comments:
Think of the simplicity Of those wild
Americans In calculating that people IN
general here in England know what
poetess " Is. Well. the Post Office authori-
ties after deep meditation, l do not doubt,
on all probable varieties of the chimpanzee
and glance to the Surrey Gardens on one
side and the Geological Department OF Re-
gents Park on the other. thought OF " poets
corner" perhaps. and wrote at the top OF
the parcel. Inquire at Paternoster Row.
Whereupon the PaternOster people wrots
again, 60 to Mr.. Moxon.' and l received
my newspaper.
Poor wit, is it not? The Americans had
not supposed that the English knew more OF
chimpanzees than of fine poets In that the
wild animals had letters addressed to them
through the post or in any other way. Then
Mr.. Browning is astonished to find gen.
erous and honest bookseller among the
wild Americans" Hear him:
tvA
a remittance of TIA from the self-sams
bookseller In New York who agreed To
print my poems at his own risk ana give
me 10 per cent. on the profit. Not that
terms offered. And always considered the
percentage" quite yisionary-put In for the
sake OF effect TO make the agreement LOOK
better When you get near the backwoods
and the red Indians. it poetry) turns out
to be nearly as good for something as " cab
bages" after all.
Could anything be more contemptuous?
Then Mrs. Browning has the grace to ac-
knowledge that she has just read letter
from America with shame and confusion Of
face, mot able to keep back smile.
though. notwithstanding. And she writes:
send It to you to show you how you have
made me behave. 10 say nothing Of my
other offenses 10 the kind people or Bos-
ton. and To a strong gentleman Ot t-Hlid"
delphia who Is to perform a pilgrimage
next year he SAYS, to visit the Holy Land
and your f. B. b. | was naughty enough
to take that letter TO be a circular from the
address OF Europains.
And did she never get any letters from
her own beloved countrymen with some alb
surdties and accidents OF Orthography?
But hear the Brownings when they come 10
our Mr. Lowell His book had been given
to Mr. Browning and Mr.. Lowell has his
sympathy because he admires you.' Mrs
3D. and Is mot Indifferent to his good
word for myself" Condescending. But
these American books should not be reprint
ed here. One asks what and where is the
class to whom the Brownings address thein-
selves for no doubt we have our congre-
cations of ignoramuses that enjoy the pro-
foundest ignorance imaginable on the SUBJ
jects treated Of but thos are evidently
not the audience Mr. Lowell reckons on
He goes on to state that everybody. n cam
ing English only. has said everything that
was TO be said about poets &c. and Mr..
Browning finds IT 50 ridiculous that things