The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-06
With Makers an0 Lovers of Literature
TREND OF THOUGHT
 ALONG PATHS LITERARY

Nordau, the artist will see according as he is: the writer, will speak according as he thinks, and the musician will mirror his soul in mems hearts. So further conclusion is drawn from Mir. Carmens critical consideration of art and letters" that the finest technique is not always necessary to the finest art, for, says he. technically speaking. there have been many English poets far better than Shakespeare"
 Life With Literature in It.
 Mir. Howells said in his Literature and Life-which is an oracle to many young would-be writers-that he was never quito sure of life unless he found literature in it. Which acknowledgment has been a prolific source of artihciality in the search for material on fiction writing. Some one has said that ito distrust and to disa- VOW literature which has not life in it would be safe rule for criticism; but the converse theory Is a questionable one." All human life is neither interest ing or gracefui-on its surface. To the undivining mind, there might be much loss of good copy in following this rule-for many might overlook the dia- mond in the rough or fail to appreciate the germ of grace in the uncomely situ- ation. The writer may pursue an artistic ideal until he himself becomes artificial. SuUuuluS dli hdtiNc inSliitIts ctoAhP~ ing out of his work all semblance of in- dividuality. The finest art being but an effort to portray nature-it may content itself to sit expectant before life, and wait for the moving spirit. Mir. Howeirs own nature being reflective, he would naturally find the point of interest in any situation. but for the many unscerning writers to adopt his rule of art above everything else, might bring about a very husky" literature; engaging to the aes- thetic. perhaps. but kernelless, and never reaching the depths of the soul.
 Some time ago an artist was employed to reproduce the portrait of a poet. not more distinguished for his genius than for his highest moral and spiritual ideals When the artist had finished his work, the reproduction at first seemed perfect. The two portraits were put side by eide for study; every detail in one was re- produced in the other. yet something was felt to be wanting. The new picture was unsatisfactory. It lacked inspiration. One day. the owner of the two pictures show ed them to friend who unwitingly sup piled the solution. We'll knowing the art ist who had made, incidents in his life were related, showing most conclusively his inability to appreciate the incorrupti- ble purity of the poet. whose face he had attempted to portray. His own charac- ter was written in negatives on the pic- ture he had failed in making.
 An old story of Howelfs is that when young admirer asked for his autograph. when he should find time to write it-sent courteous little autograph note, after the twenty years lapse of time, which said that he had just found time"
 When the Octopus was first given to the public, Frank Morris announced that he would write ''Triology of the Epic of the Wheat" which would be in three novels. The first of the production, "the Octopus" the second the consumption. "The Pit" the third the distribution of the American Wheat. "The Wolf' which was to have been tale of the relief of community in the old world from a famine-will never be written, since MT. Norris so lately laid aside his pen for ever.