Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1900-11-08
A EVIL.
By James L. Ford.

ine tempest that was recently
raised in the literary teapot by the as
serI1on that u professed critical jour-
nals OF literature were devoted to wan
ton puffery rather than Just and dis
terminating criticism, has, at least,
served to direct popular attention to an
eVll that has sprung up in the profess
sion of letters.
1t seems to me that In the recent dis
cussions of the subject, one phase of
this evil has escaped the condemnation
winch 1t deserves, and hat is the de-
pIorable effect of insincere and lisbon
est Hattery on young writer's at the
very when they stand most in
need of the fair criticism and honest
advice that long experience and a care
FULLY trained mind alone can give.
L have in mind at the present moment
a young mar who possesses great lit
erary ability, a distinctly fine gift in
phrasIng the English language and a
genuine honesty of but who
is nevertheless on the high road to
literary decadence, simply because of
the persistent praise that has been CIV
en- him for the worst work that he can
do.
This young man took his first false
step about four years ago, and was so
highly praised for the loathsome pic
lures of life which he called ''natur-
alism" and a certain tiresome affecta-
ton of world WEAKNESS, which has
gained for him a reputation for cyni-
cism, that he has been getting deeper
and deeper into the mire of the road
that leads away from Parnassus, ever
since. It positively makes me shud- |
der to read the puffs that are printed
of this talented but misguided youth, |
n I often wonder if the hacks whose |
necessities compel them to write these |
f~alsehoods have any sense or
compunction for the wrong they are /
doing.
Another case in point is that of a
woman, born of honorable par
ents, and brought up to fill a place in a
most excellent grade of society. If it
had not been for the buzzing of the
literary bee, this young woman might
nave lived happily and perhaps proved
an ornament to the station in life unto
it pleased God to all her. But
IN an evil hour she began to write
that have made her the laugh
ing stock of the intelligent circle in
which she moves.
If the critical journals which are fav-
bred with the advertising patronage
of her publishers had only printed the
'e1narks Of some of the brigh young
~ '-AOAA ~ L . 4
among her intimate friends, it is prob
lble that she woul not nave commit
ed a second offence, and it is even like
y that in the fulneSs Of time the first
would nave been forgotten or condoned.
But, unfortunately for her, and perhaps
.ortunately for the advertising col
the usual flood tide of puffery
vas turned on, and this young girl, who
eally was better suited to kitchen work
h a " 80 1a0 kT1ro
egree that she will probably keep on
18th her bad writing as long as she is
BILE to hold {, pen.
1t is not pleasant to tell a young wo-
IAN in cold type that she is an often
lVely bad writer, and I can imagine
the girl who has been told by all
he leading critical journals hat she is
second Bronte would find a criticism
this sort anything but pleasant read
1g; nevertheless, the writer VIII dared
} print such al excellent bit of truth
7ould be certain of the approval of
IS own conscience, and perhaps, in la
er life, the thanks of the young per-
On whom he had turned from the =
to the right path.
But praise is bestowed in these lit :,
journals for other things besides 9
writing I know that when I see =
ny one inordinately puffed I want to =
at once what magazine or pub >
shing house he buys manuscript for: =
as to the praise of the dead, it is .
ever in proportion to the worth of =
lie departed, but to the amount of :!
-anuscript held by publishers at the =
of his death. If an author dies =
ter a long period of idleness very lit =
e grief is manifested over his demise, y
1T let him dispose of half a dozen =
anuscr1pts just before the end, and | g
e can depend upon it that his memory =
i'll be kept green by the aid of Dor :
ats and biographies and "'apprecia- -
ons' until his ~posthumous work can .
printed. /.