The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26

H HE space allotted me does not ad- init of an extended answer to the question, "Where do writers of fic- tion find theiY characters?' Yet, in a paper as brief as this must be. a num- Der of interesting facts may be related in answer to the inquiry. I shall re- fer only to some of the characters in those novels and romances that are best known, and to a few narrative poems and dramas with which the world is most familiar
 The class of works of fiction that we call historical novels answer for them selves and everybody knows that tie principal characters in such works as Lord Lyttons 'The Last of the Ba- rons," and Scott's "Kenilworth,' as well as many scores of others of this class were actual persons who figured in the national and social events of their times.
 Legendary lore and ancient myths have furnished many characters for romantic poetry and dramatic compositions. while many operatic works of the great com posers are based upon them and in their incidents find their motif From this realm of weird and fantastic fiction came Scott's Bridal of Trermain,' Tenny- sons 'Idyls of the King" "Tannhau- ser" Faust" and many others Akin to this class of literature is that where in figures supernatural beings, angels fairies, sprites and the like, or demons harpes and furies. Many such stories were introduced into Europe in the Elev- enth century by nomadic mnstrels from fhn ct ,;,l for romantic epics. furnishing sugges- tions of characters and scenes to Boc- caccio, Tasso. Spenser and others
 The class of literature thus far men, tioned, however, constitutes but a small proportion of the stories that writers have contributed to the world Therefore I apply the question asked to the qual- ity of fiction which the world reads most.
 Characters in fiction are often the re- sutants of a method of construction "Frankenstein," a ghastly tale told by Mrs. Shelley, relates that a young stu dent formed a soulless form of a hu- man being out of fragments of men, which were picked up in dissecting rooms and churchyards.
 the student, by the use of a galvanic battery, imbued the strange being with life. In a way this story of Frank enstein" suggests literary resources. An element of mind is picked up here and there; physical characteristic is found in some one <else; another quality is brought from another quarter, all human characteristics, and they are construct- ed into a simple personality, who is sent sauntering down the lanes of Fictionland and brought into view as he is needed Sometimes the selected qualities of a high creature are brought into juxta- position with those of a base soul, as in Stevenson's startling story of "Dr Jekyl and MT. Hyde"; sometimes the loftiest qualities of soul are gathered from many personalities and made to inhere in one person. as in Bethel New comb, or as in Esther Summerson, in Bleak House; yet, again, the slums are searched for men of the lowest type, and the worst clements of human nature chosen to form the character of such per sons as Fagin and Bill Sikes. Ability thus to construct character in harmony with itself, discloses keen observation and deep penetration. stevenson, Dick ems and George Eliot possessed this abil- ity in marked degree, as Balzac' Charles Read and Willde Collins. Hugo was postmaster in this art or construc- tion of character.
 Sometimes, all unconsciously, writers fancy that they are creating charac- ters. when. truth to tell. they are simply