The Washington herald., 1908-05-24

edness," by Miriam Coles Harris. marks
an epoch in American literature. No liy-
ing American novelist can present such
credentials. for her work covers period
OF fifty years. IN 1850, when "Rutledger
was published, Hawthorne was Just about
10 lay down his pen. In that year ne CAV.
US The Marble Faun." Howells had Just
appeared on the literary horizon, bur had
not yet essayed the novel The only rival
in the field Of fiction that Mrs. Harris
had was Harriet Beecher Stowe, who hae
published Uncle Toms Cabin" eight
years before.
When one realizes the comparative
scarcity of fiction at that time. II is not
surprising that such a novel as "Rut-
ledge was hailed with delight. The
book was published anonymously. but it's
author was flooded with letters from en-
thusiastic readers.
Among the letters she received was one
from a young Western girl. who sent
her ring. asking her to wear it as an
evidence Of her regard. She was so
touched by the ardor OF her young ad-
mirer that she complied with the request.
When she related the incident few years
ago she held up her finger and exhibited
the ring, which she had worn faithfully
during all these years
Much PninstakinE Labor.
such experiences are well merited com
pensations in the life OF an author. for
literary success is purchased at the ex-
pense Of much that human nature holds
dear. The worker in the field OF letters
soon learns that art is long and life is
short, and that the acquisition OF en-
during fame means complete consecra-
ton TO his art. No one can read Mrs
Harris books without being impressed
with the fact that she is a painstaking
artist.
IN this respect she resembles the Eng
Hsh writers. Our national tendency TO
hurry results in inferior craftsmanship
among American novelists. Mrs. Harris
has lived abroad so much that she has
m0iDed the leisurely methods in vogue
on the other side. She is a woman OF
deep religious feeling She was brought
up an Anglican, but entered the Catholic
Church about ten years ago. This is one
reason why she finds the atmosphere OF
Europe so congenial
During the last few summers she has
occupied historic old French chateau
near Dieppe. In the winter she usually
makes her home in Brittany on account
OF its mild climate. 1t was here in a
charming villa overlooking the Bay Of ST.
Malo that the greater part Of THE Tents
Of Wickedness" was written. The locality
Is full Of inspiration. Living within sight
OF Chauteaubriand's tomb, on the island
Of Grand Bey. and surrounded by Pierre
Lotus Breton atmosphere. Il is not sur
uhn o1f
novel
Fluent with Her French.
No one can read the opening chapter
OF 'The Tents Of Wickedness" without
realizing how much Mrs. Harris Is at
home in France. She drops into French
as easily as Mrs. Begg dropped into poet
~. Her charity Is unbounded She IS
never so happy as when she is relieving
distress among the poor. In Brittany the
people are only allowed TO beg on one
day In the week. AS many as twenty-five
have been known to come on this day TO
the villa gate. but no one ever went away
empty-handed.
Notwithstanding the fact that the artis-
tic atmosphere Of Europe appeals 70 her |
so strongly, she has shown her interest in |
her native country by depicting in her |
have had as good an opportunity as Mrs |
Harris 10 know fashionable life in New
York. After completing her education az /
st. Mary's Hall. Burlingto on. n. j.. she at /
tended Nine Cauda's school in Lafayette /
place. which was the most exclusive /
school in New York at that time
With this preparation. she began a So
cial experience OF fifty years. during
which time she was closely associated /
with many of the old Knickerbocker fam
ilies. She has watched the evolution of |
social New York with keenly observ-
ant eye.
Knows Fashionable Life.
She knows fashionable life there to-day
as well as Edith Wharton, but the differ
ence between the two writer's is this:
Edith Wharton applies the dissecting
knife with that absence of emotion which
characterizes the cOol-headed surgeon:
but Mrs. Harris weeps. metaphorically
speaking on her black k-sheep.
In this respect she exemplifes what Ian
Maclaren once said. namely. that the
author stood in relation to his creations
as a father 10 his children. He grieved
over their weaknesses, although he could
not cure them. Mrs. Harris has great
spiritual insight
1t is this which enables her TO always
read the human heart Alright and define
ate character so skillfully. Her aim Is to
portray the real in the ideal. The best art
always strives to do more than present
material facts; II interprets spiritual aspi-
rations. The thing that American art
sadly lacks Is spiritual aspirations. Mrs.
Harris work has il and is therefore en-
Titled 70 be called great