The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-13
THE HIGHEST
FORM OF TRUTH
Mr.. Israel ZaugwiII Says That Such
is True Fiction,
CELEBRATED AUTHORS LECTURE
lie Contends that Fiction Is Truth Be
cause IL is Made Up OF Atom
H. Parts of Science aud
Philosophy.
CELEBRATED AUTHORS LECTURE

The third Richmond Lyceum course
started In last night most auspiciousiy'
with every seat IN the Academy OF Mu-
sic occupied and with one Of the most
eminent and famous OF English novclists
as the attraction.
The speaker was well-known. through
his works to every one In the house. His
fame had preceded him. and the great
success Of his latest novel ana play, The
Children Of the Ghetto" had but added
to lnc brilliancy OF bis reputation as
novelist, critic and playwright.
Much was expectod OF him. And the
expectations Of tn nIdience were more
than satisfied.
Mr.. Israel Zangw.n is a man OF medium
height. with broad forehead and musical
voice. and with waving hair that suggests
strength of purpose and hxity OF ideas.
His manner IS most attractive, and even
with all the greatness that has been
thrust upon him. because he deserved ~.
he IS most apprOachable. and received me
in his dressing room with the cordially
Of an everyday man.
lie has travelled extensively, and THIS Is
his FIST visit TO Richmond Yesterday
ne drove around the city, and observed
many Of the points O. interest. and he
will take a ride around again to-day before
leaving on the noon train for the North.
Mr.. Zangwill is stopping at the Jefferson
Hotel which he thinks is one ~ The most
beautiful and complete he has ever seen.
Last night after his lecture he was en-
tcrtained by the jefferson Club al their
handsome clubhouse. where he was in
PRODUCED 10 many prominent citizens. and
enjoved fsnlcndd BUFFET lunch.
PRESENTED by DIR. CALTSCH.
Mr.. Zangwiirs subject last night was
Fiction the Highest Form Of Truth" He
was introduced by DR.. y. y. Calisch In
a few pleasant words and IN that delight
ful. magnetic manner that IS wholly his
own.
we are especially happy" said Dr..
Calisch. in introducing 10 the members Of
the course so famous man as the speak
er of ;he evening. lie D. a most successful
novelist and playwright. and his great
play The Children OF the Ghetto" has
been pronounced by the Northern critics
as classic"
Mr.. Zanewin was easy. and not az all
Disconnected at any time during the lee
ture. Ills voice was soft and musical,
and his delivery, with a noticeable British
accent, was quite pleasant
Ills purpose was TO impress upon the
audience the idea, as he had conceived
H. that true fiction was the embodiment
OF truth. and that true fiction could be
nothing else than truth. even though the
characters portrayed I'm works or fiction
were but creations Of the mind. lie con-
tended tnat just as a glass OF water was
liked tact composed, as u was. of many
atomic parts, 80 was a work of fiction the
highest form OF truth. composed. as it
was. a. atomic quantities Of scientific,
mathematical and philosophical parts
In order TO create a true work Of fiction
the artist must take up many ingredients.
each one Of which is given life study Of
he scientific specialist or the specialist
OF some other class
The lecturer used "A number Of metaphor
ical phrases which were well put, and
Emphasized his contention that fiction was
a high form Of truth when he said that
the point Of view was the main thing
FICTION OF THE ARTIST.
OF course there were certain kinds of
fiction that had no more semblance 10
truth than the sensational dime novels.
But he dealt not with that class Of fc-
ton. His fiction was that OF the artist,
he man who in writing his book gathered
little grains Of truth as he found them
IN science. in astronomy. in botany, in
mathematics I'm everyday philosophy and
IN sociology. and Of these grains formed
one great truth that revealed Itself in
the completed work.
from different standponts. but the truth
still existed oven in the different shapes
II is a fact that every baby is the prettiest
and smartest 10 its own mother. That
may be considered fiction by some, but
IL Is the truth. II is not necessary for
unanimous expression Of opinion in any
given direction 10 make Of the thing in
view fact or a truth. II a fact exists It
s a truth from the separate points OF
view.
Fiction is the concentration Of atomic
truths and facts into one great and sub
stantial truth The characters pictured In
fction do not represent one person, bit
hey Iepitsent thousands. concentrated
into one by the art of the novelist.
Richmond IS the only city i'm this country
hat has been honored with a lecture by
Mr. Zangwil. and from the reception ne
-cC6ivod and the Cyrressions Of pleasure
that were made at his delightful lecture
there are hundreds Of Deople who hope 1t
will not be his last visit here.