St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-07-01
UNCONSCIOUS CRITICISM
[Original.]


society, surprised 'the SWIM" who had
thought her mere butterfly, by pub
fishing a novel; The reviews were ia
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 MEM
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.
GAIL kinds that are good stories"
"Do your preferences usually coincide
with those of the publicr
Sometimes. Not often. I believe,
however, that when the better classes
accept story there must be some
thing in it, and I often try to discover
what that something is"
"Do you succeedT'
CASUALLY, SO far as I can judge Of
what have no proof"
There were trankness 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 we'll 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 book he had
stabbed with the merciless point Of a
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 ur
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 sail
or would say, flat aback." Then she
remembered that one of such profes
sion might protect himself against dis
putes with authors by just such I
statement.
"Why do you think so?' she asked.
THAT'S rather a difficult question t
answer; it involves so much. But
will say, first, that different books aI
peal to different people, the critics a
well as the laity; secondly, the critic
are SO loaded down with work that al
!, author cannot be sure that his individ
ual book will receive proper attention
!; These two statements are simply head
upon which l could write pages"
"You seem familiar with the sub
ject."
"I should be; write criticisms"
"Have you ever written criticism
on novel called 'Adrienne' BY Sh
pretended to have forgotten the name.
II can't help you to the author.
don't remember that, since have s.
many books to criticise, but ! remembe
the story very well. The style was de
lightful, the ideas fresh, a depth o
feeling
Miss Cloverlee burst out laughing
Her companion looked disconnected.
"Mr. Eggleston," she said, when sh
, had controlled her mirth, ''in yc"r crit
icism of this book in the Anaiy tica
: Review you referred to the author
love experiences as attachments be
. tween schoolboys and schoolgirls.
! happened to read it." 'N ''''''+'
3 Miss Cloverlee," he said after
: pause, my explanation must be conf
Dental"
Certainly"
"The Analytical Review has litel
4 airy policy. l am instructed to cor
7 denim everything. Once in awhile tn
] editor hands me a dry as dust move
: in which the characters are suppose
e to work out certain philosophic prime
pies that exist only in the authors b.
clouded brain. Having taken a brie
= cc.sse o Of -e.hilosonhy ip Germany.