New-York tribune., 1902-03-21
WHO READS THE COOP OLD BoooKs

SOME WISE WORDS FROM ONE WHO KNOWS
THEM WELL
John Albee in The Chicago Dial
a recent article in The Atlantic gives just
and appreciative tribute to the poet George
Crabbe, which l am sure Will do something to-
ward the revival Of his poetry, if il is in need Of
reNiVlng. The writer in The Atlantic wonders
why Crabbe is not now read Permit me to
answer that he is read. Let no draw the
Inference that because standard books are not
advertised and brulted in the critical and per
sonal columns of newspapers and magazines,
therefore they are not read. They do not need
such exploitation. they have passed that
happy experimental stage. and have come finally
20 thelr own. They rest from the dread ordeal
which a novel venture must undergo. The
crowd goes TO see new invention put in oper
and reap and enjoy the benefits Of it
Crabbe and many other good old authors like
MN are sun read by those to whom newspaper
advertising and unCritlCa puffery of books have
become nuisance and a stencil in the nOstrilS
1t seems though the last degradation Of lit
erature had arrived when quantity rather than
quality Is the criterion. But let us take COur-
age; ii is only noise buster. superattves. large
type and monotonouS adjeCtves that make lis
feel for the moment that all discrimination is
submerged. all real distinction longer pos
slnie Far away. in more quiet seats. the wise
ana sincere lovers Of good literature are still
reading good books. the good old ones. and
sometimes the good ones which are equals
OF me OLD ana ny some miracle creep in between
the pushing and blatant hundred thousand edi-
tions Of phenomenal and soon to he forgotten
works
What. m general is a new book II is one
YOU do not care to read again-only another.
newer one Such books are printed to sell, they
DO not endure. and never do they depose the
oiu' lheE may be kent on the surface of
shallow and rapid stream. but sink when they
come TO deeper and wider waters-waters navi-
gated by experienced pilots, sailing by the
and stars All the while these monstrous edi-
tons of popular books are being printed there
goes on the quiet sale and reading Of those to
Ea sol
and from which the accidents Of chance have
heen eliminated. The fact that certain writer's
are reegated To the rear in catalogues. and are
no more mentioned by reviewers. is no index to
their real place in literature or to their per
manent sale
\ recent critic. in publication devoted in
cidentally to the review Of books and chiefly to
miscellaneous literary news and gossip. had the
ie!nerlty 10 state, in effect. that there no
longer any sale for Emerson's writings He
mad his ready fgures-for these critics are
mathematical in their distribution of honors n
authors and settle their position by the formula.
How many copies does he sell i'm a week.
They forget TO inquire in regard TO the steadi-
ness of the demand the class of readers
which latter point is the most important Of all
for any just estimate of the ultimate fate Of
book.
AS for Craboe 1 repeat that he is read. I am
a very obscure person, living in one Of the most
remote corners Of New-EngIand Vet I still read
Crabbe with admiration, and know Of others
who co. ! cannot believe that we are eXcep-
tional; nor can I doubt that among those Of
larger opportunities and with ambition
still be numerous readers OF Crdbbe's Tales"
But whether there not makes differ
ence to US We stand Up boldly. and not
ashamed to declare that read and admire
these works, and that they ought to be read and
admired If We need an ally and defender. there
is Edward FitzGerald, d man whose instincts
were infallible in poetry.
was very glad TO see that the writer in The
Atlantic" laid much emphasis upon the "atmos-
phere' Of the Tales" This is true insight.
To he sure, ''atmosphere' is rather a large and
a vague word; but there is none nearer the thing
meant. and after reading Crabbe one may feel
the force of the term and need not try 10 analyze
it, Let him enjoy it. and give the poet his due
measure of praise. This atmosphere is, I be-
lieye. the distinguishing characteristic which
Crabbe would claim for his work; for. contrast
ing his own style-in the preface 10 the second
series Of ''Tales"-With that of Pope. he says
that the poems Of Pore are without "atr0os-
Dhere
The style Of Crabbe is simple enough: it has
conceits and little embroidery. the plots are
rather bare and loose jointed When he paints
men. manners and things" which he says is
his chief aim. his pen is truly his own. and in
imitable. This is why believe he is still read
such is my faith in the living strength and
tinuance OF the attraction which real literature
possesses.