The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-11

Horwill on Biographical Literature Herbert M. Horw!ll, in the September Forum, makes comment that Mir. Penn berton has been too hurried in his work manship of the Life of Bret Itarte. He thinks that he has not the literary qualifications for his work as biogra- pher since he speaks of Bret Harte as the pioneer of the short story We think Mir Horwills own statement of Mir. Pembertons estimate of Mir. Harte, will somewhat deny his accusation of in- efficiency. He has this to say of the biographical record Tt shows clearly how his experience as prospector, ex- press agent. drug store assistant, print er school master, soldier and secretary to the mint gave him knowledge of Vest ern men and things which furnished scope for his imagination. There is in- formation. too, we'll worth having about Harte's methods of composition, espec- lally of that sensitive accuracy which would not tolerate any slovenliness or expression. When editing "The Over land Monthly" he would alter the name of article two or three times in or der that the table of contents might read harmoniously.
 MT. Horwill expressed the opinion that his biographer has contributed nothing 10 the estimation of Bret Harte's place In American literature, but shows that he has given a valuable biographical survey of the mans work. We think that he shows further, that MT. Haite made his own place in American litera- ture. The following quoted from MT. Horwill will signify our meaning. MT. Pemberton is very anxious to make us believe that Bret Harte could not write so effectively about Germans and Scotch men as about Californians. He will make few converts. Calforniars. we are told resented his representations of the life of their pioneers, so that the pro- phet himself received no honor in the country he helped to make famous. Whatever local opinion may have said, or may say, the mischief or the beneht- judge it as one may-is frreparable No westerner. living or dead, with the pos sible exception of Brigham Yorng-is anything like so widely known through out the world as Jack Hamlin or Col Starbottle. Bret Harte gave these and similar types a permanent place in the portrait gallery of fiction, and they in return established for him an abiding fame.
 MT. HorwilIs finest, may be unwilling, praise of Harte's genius. is in reference to the posthumous work. Trent's Trust which he says breathes as authentic an atmosphere of the early West as any thing written in, San Francisco. One cannoE help .ad5nirinE not only this ten dency Of first Impressions.
 American Humorists-M:. Horwill gives third place, in the estimate of Ameri- can literature, to American humorists. II, places the New England schools first and then Poe. We would ask why. is not the humorist as great master. as the philosopher? What is the difference in their mission and what the difference fin their hearing? The old art masters painted divine subjects, and drew ador- ing multitudes to their canvass in our day an artist arose who painted a great human subject, Breaking Home Ties, ,' and a cry went up. before that picture from the throb Of the human heart
 Mir. Horwill confirms the human re- sponse when he says that there are no other living American writers so eager ly quoted in the English press as Mark Twain and Mir. Dooley. in spite of the difficulties presented by some of the latter's local coloring to readers who have never walked along the archey