New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-06
THE NEW ACADEMY
Some Notes on England's Lit
erary Experiment.

posed TO much thoughtless criticism
I'll natured para graphers sarcastically
describe it Mr.. AHstin's finishing
school, and amuSe themselves by pairing
! off the somebodies outside with the no.
bodies inside. In reality the Poet Laure-
ate has had very little to do with it.
He has been less influential in selecting
tho twenty mine Imnortals than dozen
other associates have been; and while it
cannot be truthfully said that his verses
| on great occasions have any of the Ten
nysonian qualities, he has scholarship,
writes good prose and. by virtue of his
court title awarded fourteen years ago
belongs by right in the select circle Of
representative men OF English letters
AS for the omissions complained Of
nearly all are caused by the unwilling
ness of the men whose praises are trum-
peted by censorious critics of the new
enterprise to take leading part In the
Academy. They We're asked 10 lend
their authority to the undertaking, but
made excuses more or less plausible.
They could not be dragooned into SER
vice.
For example, Mr.. Kipling. instead of
being neglected and intrigued against
was warmly urged to become founda-
ton member of the Academy, but de-
clined from finical motives to join the
committee of organization. Mr.. Barrie
also stayed away for reasons equally
fussy or fastidiouS. Mr.. Balfour, instead
OF being passed over contemptuously in
If HaiIonp fha
earliest to be approached by the organ
izers; and after mature reflection he de-
cided that he ought not to have too
many irons in the fire and that his en-
ergies should be concentrated upon poll
ties l have not heard officially whether
either Mr.. Shaw or Mr. Watson was
asked. but surely there cannot be seri-
Gus controversy over the superior merits
OF Sir Arthur Pinero as d dramatist, nor
can either Mr.. Dobson or Mr.. Newbolt
be required to step down and out in
favor OF the author of The Purple
East and THE Year of Shame
Whether Mr. Birrell ought to be in
Guided among the Forty Immortais is
delicate question in the determination
of values, but he is not in the circle.
Mr.. Bryce's claims were recognized, but
lie declined to serve Oh the committee,
possibly because he was not in England.
Sir George Trevelyan pleaded advancing
years when he was invited, and he was
delighted when his son was chosen III
his place. In the French phrase, there
are still eleven fauteuils to be occupied,
and when the list is completed there
may be d fairly representative group OF
English men OF letters
There has also been much CarplnS
criticism respecting the objects of the
self-instituted committee. Caustic par
agraphers and jealous essayists have
ridiculed its proclamation that 1t VIII
endeavor Ito maintain the purity of the
English language and to hold up a
standard OF taste in style Some OF
the foundation members are derided as
authors with small and select audi
ences, and the others are reproached Tor
their folly in supposing that they can do
anything for the publication of Ian
guage or the elevation of style in
busy world OF touch-and-go newspaper
readers. The Academicians at least
will do something useful and salutary If
in consequence of their preferment they
are more careful of their own literary
workmanship. That was the effect of
close association when the French Acad-
envy was formally constituted in 1860
after d small group of literary acqualnt-
ances had been meeting weekly for five
or six years in private houses for pur-
,..,I o,J{i ,iS md follow
ship. \ start was made with eight
members and in the course of four years
there were forty and the limit was
fixed. Their object was the publication
of the French language from vulgar in
yentions and legal and clerical Jargon.
AS time went on mediocrities were occa-
sionaIly admitted: but all the acknOwl
edged masters of the literature were
welcomed. and the Academy unquestion-
ably improved the national methods Of
writing and expression and elevated the
standards of style. The new Academy
will not rival the old one in compiling
standard dictionary. for that work has
already been done on a comprehensive
scale It can become certainly strong
hold of scholarship and good letters and
possibly a high court of English litera
ture.
Cardinal Richelieu suggested the in
corporate of the French Academy, and,
when it was organized, inspired the col
lective criticism of Comedies Cid
which was subsequently published. Nc
dictatorship of this sort is possible now.
Lord Morley, as chairman of the COM
mittee is the strongest individual force,
and his personal authority in matters of
literary style and procedure is generally
recognized by his colleagues. He will be
the last man to exercise undue influence
in shaping and directing the work of
the new institution The group as at
present constituted is a singuarly cath
Ollie and comprehensive body. Not a few
of the members are strangers one to an
ether, and some of them must be sur
prised with their new associa tions. Mr..
Yeats has been shepherded into this UNI
familiar fold ny some unknown hand
other selections. Indeed, it is evident
that cliques and sets have had little to
do with the enterprise. There has been
broadmnded purpose to collect
body OF representative men of letters
and, While some of the destinations have
been unfortunate, the projectors have
Ca, yf,.I