Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-08-22
UNCONSCIOUS CRITICISM
IOriginal.l

lOriginal.1
Miss Mildred Cloverlee, we'll known in
society, surprised 1.-THE SWIM" who had
thought her a mere butterfly, by pub
fishing a novel. The reviews IHrc fa
vorable, and everybody except Miss
Cloverlee's enemies was beginning to
think that she had done something re
markable for young girl till the Ana
lytical Review spoke of the story as
zone of those novels written by Il menu
Der of the smart set whose experiences
In love affairs are limited to the affec-
tons Of schoolboys and schoolgirls"
This criticism, of course, fell very
heavily on the young author.
One evening at a social gathering
Redwood Eggleston was introduced to
Miss Cloverlee. The topic of CONVERSE
ton fell upon literature.
What kind of stories do you pre-
fer?' she asked.
"All kinds that are good stories"
''Do your preferences usually coincide
with those of the public?"
Sometimes. Not often. believe,
however, that when the better classes
accept story there must be some
thing in it, and often try to discover
what that something is"
''Do you succeed?
Usually, SO far as I can judge Of
what have no proof"
There were frankness and common
sense about these statements that were
very pleasing to Miss ClOverlee. She
became much impressed with the idea
that Mr. Eggleston's opinion Of book
would be valuable. She would have
been delighted to have his views with
regard to her novel, but was too mod
est as well as too well bred to ask
them. Whether Mr.. Eggleston did not
know that she was the author Of
"Adrienne" or had not read it, he did
not mention it. After both had passed
one Of those delightful evenings that
occur from meeting a congenial COM
panion Eggleston, having asked per-
mission to call, took his departure.
"Who is that gentleman just going
out of the door?" asked Miss Cloverlee
of friend.
"Mr. Eggleston. He's on the staff Of
the Analytical Review. He writes the
criticisms"
Miss Cloverlee's heart sank. Now
for the first time she began to feel that
her novel was really without value.
Mr.. Eggleston called. He was still
ignorant of the fact that Miss Glover
lee was the author of a book he had
stabbed with the merciless point Of
pen. Miss Cloverlee bore him no NAL
ice. Indeed. she regarded his uncon-
sciOus criticism of great value. How
ever. she was not disposed to give up
her advantage over her critic.
"What is your opinion" was one of
her first questions, "of the literary crit
icisms that appear in the periodicals.?
Rot" replied Mr.. EgglestOn.
Miss Cloverlee was taken. as a sail
or would say, fiat aback." Then she
remembered that one of such n profess
sion might protect himself against dis
putes with authors by just such
statement
"Why do you think SOP" she asked.
That's rather difficult question to
answer; it involves so much. But
VIII say, HTSt, tlllt inherent DOCKS APP
peal to different people, the critics as
we'll as the laity; secondly, the critics
are so loaded down with work that an
author cannot be sure that his individ-
ual book will receive proper attention.
These two statements are simply heads
upon which could write pages"
You seem familiar with the sub
ject."
II should be; write criticisms"
"Have you ever written criticism
on novel called 'Adrienne' by She
pretended to have forgotten the name.
II can't help you to the author.
don't remember that. since ! have so
many books to criticise, but l remember
the story very well. The style was de-
lightful, the ideas fresh. depth of
feeling
Miss Cloverlee burst out laughing.
Her companion looked disconnected.
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