However，themostimportantquestionofallwiththemanoflettersasamanofbusiness，iswhatkindofbookwillsellthebestofitself，because，attheendoftheends，abooksellsitselfordoesnotsellatall；kissing，afterlongagesofreasoningandagreatdealofculture，stillgoesbyfavor，andthoughinnumerablegenerationsofhorseshavebeenledtowater，notonehorsehasyetbeenmadetodrink。Withthebest，ortheworst，willintheworld，nopublishercanforceabookintoacceptance。Advertisingwillnotavail，andreviewingisnotoriouslyfutile。Ifthebookdoesnotstrikethepopularfancy，ordealwithsomeuniversalinterest，whichneedbynomeansbeaprofoundorimportantone，thedrumsandthecymbalsshallbebeateninvain。Thebookmaybeoneofthebestandwisestbooksintheworld，butifithasnotthissortofappealinit，thereadersofit，andworseyet，thepurchasers，willremainfew，thoughfit。Thesecretofthis，likemostothersecretsofaratherridiculousworld，isintheawfulkeepingoffate，andwecanonlyhopetosurpriseitbysomeluckychance。
Toplanasurpriseofit，toaimabookatthepublicfavor，isthemosthopelessofallendeavors，asitisoneoftheunworthiest；andIcan，neitherasamanoflettersnorasamanofbusiness，counseltheyoungauthortodoit。Thebestthatyoucandoistowritethebookthatitgivesyouthemostpleasuretowrite，toputasmuchheartandsoulasyouhaveaboutyouintoit，andthenhopeashardasyoucantoreachtheheartandsoulofthegreatmultitudeofyourfellow—men。That，andthatalone，isgoodbusinessforamanofletters。
Thefailuresinliteraturearenolessmystifyingthanthesuccesses，thoughtheyareuponthewholenotsomortifying。I
haveseenagoodmanyofthesefailures，andIknowofonecasesosignalthatImustspeakofit，eventothediscreditofthepublic。Itisthecaseofanovelistwhoseworkseemstomeofthebestthatwehavedoneinthatsort，whosebooksrepresentourlifewithsingularforceandsingularinsight，andwhoseequipmentforhisart，throughstudy，travel，andtheworld，isoftherarest。Hehasastrong，robust，manlystyle；hisstoriesarewellknit，andhischaractersareofthefleshandbloodcomplexionwhichweknowinourdailyexperience；andyethehasfailedtoachieveoneofthefirstplacesinourliterature；ifI
namedhisnamehere，Iamafraidthatitwouldbequiteunknowntothegreatestpartofmyreaders。Ihaveneverbeenabletoaccountforhiswantofsuccess，exceptthroughthefactthathisstoriesdidnotpleasewomen，thoughwhytheydidnot，Icannotguess。TheydidnotlikethemforthesamereasonthattheydidnotlikeDr。Fell；andthatreasonwasquiteenoughforthem。Itmustbeenoughforhim，Iamafraid；butIbelievethatifthisauthorhadbeenwritinginacountrywheremendecidedthefateofbooks，thefateofhisbookswouldhavebeendifferent。
ThemanoflettersmustmakeuphismindthatintheUnitedStatesthefateofabookisinthehandsofthewomen。Itisthewomenwithuswhohavethemostleisure，andtheyreadthemostbooks。Theyarefarbettereducated，forthemostpart，thanourmen，andtheirtastes，ifnottheirminds，aremorecultivated。Ourmenreadthenewspapers，butourwomenreadthebooks；themorerefinedamongthemreadthemagazines。Iftheydonotalwaysknowwhatisgood，theydoknowwhatpleasesthem，anditisuselesstoquarrelwiththeirdecisions，forthereisnoappealfromthem。Togofromthemtothemenwouldbegoingfromahighertoalowercourt，whichwouldbehonestlysurprisedandbewildered，ifthethingwerepossible。AsIsay，theauthoroflightliterature，andoftentheauthorofsolidliterature，mustresignhimselftoobscurityunlesstheladieschoosetorecognizehim。Yetitwouldbeimpossibletoforecasttheirfavorforthiskindorthat。Whocouldprophesyitforanother，whoguessitforhimself？Wemuststriveblindlyforit，andhopesomehowthatourbestwillalsobeourprettiest；butwemustrememberatthesametimethatitisnottheladies’manwhoisthefavoriteoftheladies。
Thereareofcourseafew，averyfew，ofourgreatestauthors，whohavestrivenforwardtothefirstplaceinourValhallawithoutthehelpofthelargestreading—classamongus；butI
shouldsaythatthesewerechieflythehumorists，forwhomwomenaresaidnowheretohaveanywarmliking，andwhohavegenerallywithuscomeupthroughthenewspapers，andhaveneverlostthefavorofthenewspaperreaders。Theyhavebecomeliterarymen，asitwere，withoutthenewspapers’readersknowingit；butthosewhohaveapproachedliteraturefromanotherdirection，havewonfameinitchieflybygraceofthewomen，whofirstreadthem，andthenmadetheirhusbandsandfathersreadthem。Perhaps，then，andasamatterofbusiness，itwouldbewellforaseriousauthor，whenhefindsthatheisnotpleasingthewomen，andprobablyneverwillpleasethem，toturnhumorousauthor，andaimatthecountenanceofthemen。Exceptasahumoristhecertainlyneverwillgetit，foryourAmerican，whenheisnotmakingmoney，ortryingtodoit，ismakingajoke，ortryingtodoit。
IX。
IhopethatIhavenotbeenhintingthattheauthorwhoapproachesliteraturethroughjournalismisnotasfineandhighaliterarymanastheauthorwhocomesdirectlytoit，orthroughsomeotheravenue；Ihavenottheleastnotionofcondemningmyselfbyanysuchjudgment。ButIthinkitisprettycertainthatfewerandfewerauthorsareturningfromjournalismtoliterature，thoughtheententecordialebetweenthetwoprofessionsseemsasgreatasever。Ifancy，thoughImaybeasmistakeninthisasIaminagoodmanyotherthings，thatmostjournalistswouldhavebeenliterarymeniftheycould，atthebeginning，andthatthekindnesstheyalmostalwaysshowtoyoungauthorsisaneffectoftheself—pitytheyfeelfortheirownthwartedwishtobeauthors。Whenanauthorisoncewarminthesaddle，andisridinghiswingedhorsetoglory，thecaseisdifferent：theyhavethenoftennosentimentabouthim；heisnolongertheimageoftheirownyoungaspiration，andtheywouldwillinglyseePegasusbuckunderhim，orhavehimotherwisebroughttogriefandshame。Theyareapttogirdathimforhisunhallowedgains，andtheywouldbequiterightinthisiftheyproposedanywayforhimtolivewithoutthem；asIhaveallowedattheoutset，thegainsAREunhallowed。Apparentlyitisunseemlyforanauthorortwotobemakinghalfasmuchbytheirpensaspopularministersoftenreceiveinsalary；thepublicisusedtothepecuniaryprosperityofsomeoftheclergy，andatleastseesnothingdrollinit；buttheparagraphercanalwaysgetasmileoutofhisreadersatthegrossdisparitybetweenthetenthousanddollarsJonesgetsforhisnovel，andthefivepoundsMiltongotforhisepic。IhavealwaysthoughtMiltonwaspaidtoolittle，butIwillownthatheoughtnottohavebeenpaidatall，ifitcomestothat。Again，Isaythatnomanoughttolivebyanyart；itisashametotheartifnottotheartist；butasyetthereisnomeansoftheartist’slivingotherwise，andcontinuinganartist。
Theliterarymanhascertainlynocomplainttomakeofthenewspaperman，generallyspeaking。Ihaveoftenthoughtwithamazementofthekindnessshownbythepresstoourwholeunworthycraft，andofthehelpsolavishlyandfreelygiventorisingandevenrisenauthors。Toputitcoarsely，brutally，I
donotsupposethatanyotherbusinessreceivessomuchgratuitousadvertising，exceptthetheatre。Itisenormous，thespacegiveninthenewspaperstoliterarynotes，literaryannouncements，reviews，interviews，personalparagraphs，biographies，andalltherest，nottomentionthevigorousandincisiveattacksmadefromtimetotimeupondifferentauthorsfortheiropinionsofromanticism，realism，capitalism，socialism，Catholicism，andSandemanianism。Ihavesometimesdoubtedwhetherthepubliccaredforsomuchofitallastheeditorsgavethem，butIhavealwayssaidthisundermybreath，andIhavethankfullytakenmyshareofthecommonbounty。A
curiousfact，however，isthatthisvastnewspaperpublicityseemstohaveverylittletodowithanauthor’spopularity，thougheversomuchwithhisnotoriety。Thosestrangesubterraneanfellowswhonevercometothesurfaceinthenewspapers，exceptforacontemptuousparagraphatlongintervals，outsellthefamousestofthecelebrities，andsecretlyhavetheirhorsesandyachtsandcountryseats，whileimmodestmeritislefttogetaboutonfootandlookupsummerboardatthecheaperhotels。Thatisprobablyright，oritwouldnothappen；itseemstobeinthegeneralscheme，likemillionairismandpauperism；butitbecomesaquestion，then，whetherthenewspapers，withalltheirfriendshipforliterature，andtheiractualgenerositytoliterarymen，canreallyhelponemuchtofortune，howevermuchtheyhelponetofame。Suchaquestionisalmosttoodreadful，andthoughIhaveaskedit，Iwillnotattempttoanswerit。Iwouldmuchratherconsiderthequestionwhetherifthenewspaperscanmakeanauthortheycanalsounmakehim，andIfeelprettysafeinsayingthatIdonotthinktheycan。TheAfreetonceoutofthebottlecanneverbecoaxedbackorcudgelledback；andtheauthorwhomthenewspapershavemadecannotbeunmadebythenewspapers。Theyconsignhimtooblivionwitharumorthatfillstheland，andtheykeepvisitinghimtherewithanuproarwhichattractsmoreandmorenoticetohim。
Anauthorwhohaslongenjoyedtheirfavor，suddenlyandrathermysteriouslylosesit，throughhisopinionsoncertainmattersofliterarytaste，say。Forthespaceoffiveorsixyearsheisdenouncedwithaunanimityandanincisivevigorthatoughttoconvincehimthereissomethingwrong。Ifhethinksitishiscensors，heclingstohisopinionswithanabidingconstance，whileridicule，obloquy，caricature，burlesque，criticalrefutationandpersonaldetractionfollowunsparinglyuponeveryexpression，forinstance，ofhisbeliefthatromanticfictionisthehighestformoffiction，andthatthebase，sordid，photographic，commonplaceschoolofTolstoy，Tourguenief，Zola，Hardy，andJames，areunworthyamoment’scomparisonwiththeschoolofRiderHaggard。Allthisoughtcertainlytounmaketheauthorinquestion，andstrewhisdisjectamembrawideovertherealmofoblivion。Butthisisnotreallytheeffect。Slowlybutsurelytheclamordiesaway，andtheauthor，withoutrelinquishingoneofhiswickedopinions，orinanywiseshowinghimselfrepentant，remainsapparentlywhole；andheevenreturnsinameasuretotheoldkindness：notindeedtotheearlierdayofperfectlysmooththings，butcertainlytoasmuchofitashemerits。
Iwouldnothavetheyoungauthor，fromthisimaginarycase，believethatitiswelleithertocourtortodefythegoodopinionofthepress。Infact，itwillnotonlybebettertaste，butitwillbebetterbusinessforhimtokeepitaltogetheroutofhismind。Thereisonlyonewhomhecansafelytrytoplease，andthatishimself。Ifhedoesthishewillveryprobablypleaseotherpeople；butifhedoesnotpleasehimselfhemaybesurethathewillnotpleasethem；thebookwhichhehasnotenjoyedwriting，noonewillenjoyreading。Still，Iwouldnothavehimattachtoolittleconsequencetotheinfluenceofthepress。Ishouldsay，lethimtakethecelebrityitgiveshimgratefullybutnottooseriously；lethimreflectthatheisoftenthenecessityratherthantheidealoftheparagrapher，andthatthenotorietythejournalistsbestowuponhimisnotthemeasureoftheiracquaintancewithhiswork，farlesshismeaning。Theyaregoodfellows，thosepoor，hard—pushedfellowsofthepress，buttheveryconditionsoftheircensure，friendlyorunfriendly，forbiditthoroughness，anditmustoftenhavemorezealthanknowledgeinit。
X。
Whetherthenewspaperswillbecometherivalsofthemagazinesasthevehicleofliteratureisamatterthatstillremainsindoubtwiththecarefulobserver，afteradecadeofthenewspapersyndicate。OurdailypapersneverhadthehabitofthefeuilletonasthoseoftheEuropeancontinenthaveit；theyfollowedtheEnglishtraditioninthis，thoughtheydepartedfromitinsomanyotherthings；anditwasnottilltheSundayeditionsofthegreatdailiesarosethattherewasanyrealhopefortheserialinthepapers。Isuspectthatitwasthevastdemandformaterialintheirpages——twelve，eighteen，twenty—four，thirty—six——thatcreatedthesyndicate，foritwasthenecessityoftheSundayeditionnotonlytohavematerialinabundance，but，withallpossibleregardforquality，tohaveitcheap；andthesyndicate，whenitcameintobeing，imaginedameansofmeetingthiswant。ItsoldthesamematerialtoasmanynewspapersasitcouldforsimultaneouspublicationintheirSundayeditions，whichhadeachitsspecialfield，anddidnotcompetewithanother。
Idonotthinkthesyndicatebeganwithserials，andIdonotthinkitislikelytoendwiththem。Ithasratherworkedtheveinofinterviews，personaladventure，popularscience，usefulinformation，travel，sketches，andshortstories。Stillithasplacedagoodmanyserialstories，andatprettygoodprices，butnotgenerallysogoodasthosethemagazinespaythebettersortofwriters；fortheworsesortithasofferedperhapsthebestmarkettheyhavehadoutofbookform。Bythenewspapers，thesyndicateconceives，andperhapsjustly，thatsomethingsensationalisdesired；yetalltheserialstoriesithasplacedcannotbecalledsensational。Ithasenlargedthefieldofbelles—lettres，certainly，butnotpermanently，Ithink，inthecaseoftheartisticnovel。Asyetthewomen，whoformthelargest，ifnottheonlycultivatedclassamongus，havenottakenverycordiallytotheSundayedition，exceptforitssocialgossip；theycertainlydonotgotoitfortheirfiction，anditsfictionismainlyoftheinferiorsortwithwhichboysandmenbeguiletheirleisure。
Infactthenewspapersprefertoremainnewspapers，atleastinqualityifnotinform；andIheardastorytheotherdayfromacharmingyoungwriterofhisexperiencewiththem，whichmayhavesomeinstructionforthemagazinesthatlesswiselyaimtobecomenewspapers。Hesaidthatwhenhecarriedhisworktotheeditorstheystruckoutwhathethoughtthebestofit，becauseitwaswhattheycalledmagaziny；notcontemptuously，butwithaninstinctivesenseofwhattheirreaderswantedofthem，anddidnotwant。Itwasapparentthattheydidnotwantliteraryart，oreventheappearanceofit；theywantedtheireffectsprimary；
theywantedtheiremotionsraw，oratleastsaignantesfromthejointoffact，andnotpreparedbythefancyorthetaste。
Thesyndicatehasnodoubtadvancedtheprosperityoftheshortstorybyincreasingthedemandforit。WeAmericanshadalreadydoneprettywellinthatkind，fortherewasalreadyagreatdemandfortheshortstoryinthemagazines；butthesyndicateofSundayeditionsparticularlycultivatedit，andmadeitverypaying。Ihaveheardthatsomeshort—storywritersmadethesyndicatepaymorefortheirwaresthantheygotfromthemagazinesforthem，consideringthatthemagazinepublicationcouldenhancetheirreputation，buttheSundayeditioncoulddonothingforit。Theymayhavebeenrightornotinthis；Iwillnotundertaketosay，butthatwasthebusinessviewofthecasewiththem。
Inspiteofthefactthatshortstorieswhengatheredintoavolumeandrepublishedwouldnotsellsowellasanovel，theshortstoryflourished，anditssuccessintheperiodicalsbegantobefeltinthebooktrade：volumesofshortstoriessuddenlybegantosell。Butnowagain，itissaidthebottomhasdroppedout，andtheydonotsell，andtheiradversityinbookformthreatenstoaffecttheminthemagazines；aneditortoldmetheotherdaythathehadmoreshortstoriesthanheknewwhattodowith；andIwasnotofferinghimashortstoryofmyown，either。
Apermanentdeclineinthemarketforakindofliteraryartwhichwehaveexcelledin，orifwehavenotexcelled，havedonesomeofourmostexquisitework，wouldbeapity。
Thereareothersortsoflightliteratureoncegreatlyindemand，butnowapparentlynolongerdesiredbyeditors，whooughttoknowwhattheirreadersdesire。Amongtheseisthetravelsketch，tomeaveryagreeablekind，andreallytoberegrettedinitsdecline。Therearesomereasonsforitsdeclinebesidesachangeoftasteinreaders，andapossiblesurfeit。Travelitselfhasbecomesouniversalthateverybody，inamanner，hasbeeneverywhere，andtheforeignscenehasnolongerthecharmofstrangeness。WedonotthinktheOldWorldeithersoromanticorsoridiculousasweused；andperhapsfromaninstinctiveperceptionofthisalteredmoodwritersnolongerappealtooursentimentorourhumorwithsketchesofoutlandishpeopleandplaces。Ofcoursethiscanholdtrueonlyinageneralway；thethingisstilldone，butnotnearlysomuchdoneasformerly。
WhenonethinksofthelonglineofAmericanwriterswhohavegreatlypleasedinthissort，andwhoevengottheirfirstfameinit，onemustgrievetoseeitobsolescent。Irving，Curtis，BayardTaylor，HermanMelville，RossBrowne，IkMarvell，Longfellow，Lowell，Story，Mr。James，Mr。Aldrich，ColonelHay，Mr。Warner，Mrs。Hunt，Mr。C。W。Stoddard，MarkTwain，andmanyotherswhosenameswillnotcometomeatthemoment，haveintheirseveralwaysrichlycontributedtoourpleasureinit；butIcannotnowfancyayoungauthorfindingfavorwithaneditorinasketchoftravel，orastudyofforeignmannersandcustoms；
hisworkwouldhavetobeofthemostsignalimportanceandbrilliancytoovercometheeditor’sfeelingthatthethinghadbeendonealready；andIbelievethatapublisherifofferedabookofsuchthings，wouldlookatitaskance，andpleadthewell—knownquietofthetrade。Still，Imaybemistaken。
Iamrathermoreconfidentaboutthedeclineofanotherliteraryspecies，namely，thelightessay。Wehaveessaysenoughandtospare，ofcertainsobererandseverersorts，suchasgrapplewithproblemsanddealwithconditions；butthekindImean，theslightlyhumorous，gentle，refined，andhumanekind，seemsnolongertoaboundasitoncedid。Idonotknowwhethertheeditordiscouragesthem，knowinghisreaders’frame，orwhethertheydonotofferthemselves，butIseldomfindtheminthemagazines。IcertainlydonotbelievethatifanyonewerenowtowriteessayssuchasMr。Warner’s\"BacklogStudies，\"aneditorwouldrefusethem；andperhapsnobodyreallywritesthem。NobodyseemstowritethesortthatColonelHigginsonformerlycontributedtotheperiodicals，orsuchasEmersonwrote。
Withoutagreatnamebehindit，Iamafraidthatavolumeofessayswouldfindfewbuyers，evenaftertheessayshadmadeapublicinthemagazines。Thereare，ofcourse，instancestothecontrary，buttheyarenotsomanyorsostrikingastomakemethinkthattheessaycouldnotbeofferedasagoodopeningforbusinesstalent。
Isuspectthatgoodpoetrybywell—knownhandswasneverbetterpaidinthemagazinesthanitisnow。Imustsay，too，thatI
thinkthequalityoftheminorpoetryofourdayisbetterthanthatoftwenty—fiveorthirtyyearsago。Icouldnamehalfascoreofyoungpoetswhoseworkfromtimetotimegivesmegreatpleasure，bytherealityofitsfeeling，andthedelicateperfectionofitsart，butIwillnotnamethem，forfearofpassingoverhalfascoreofothersequallymeritorious。Wehavecertainlynoreasontobediscouraged，whateverreasonthepoetsthemselveshavetobeso，andIdonotthinkthatevenintheshortstoryouryoungerwritersaredoingbetterworkthantheyaredoingintheslighterformsofverse。Yetthenotionofinvitingbusinesstalentintothisfieldwouldbeaspreposterousasthatofaskingittodevoteitselftotheessay。Whatbookofversebyarecentpoet，ifweexceptsomesuchpeculiarlygiftedpoetasMr。WhitcombRiley，haspaiditsexpenses，nottospeakofanyprofittotheauthor？Ofcourse，itwouldberathermoreoffensiveandridiculousthatitshoulddosothanthatanyotherformofliteraryartshoulddoso；andyetthereisnomoreprovisioninoureconomicsystemforthesupportofthepoetapartfromhispoems，thanthereisforthesupportofthenovelistapartfromhisnovel。Onecouldnotmakeanymoremoneybywritingpoetrythanbywritinghistory，butitisacuriousfactthatwhilethehistorianshaveusuallybeenrichmen，andabletoaffordtheluxuryofwritinghistory，thepoetshaveusuallybeenpoormen，withnopecuniaryjustificationintheirdevotiontoacallingwhichissoseldomanelection。
Tobesure，itcanbesaidforthemthatitcostsfarlesstosetuppoetthantosetuphistorian。Thereisnooutlayforcopyingdocuments，orvisitinglibraries，orbuyingbooks。Infact，exceptashistorian，themanofletters，inwhateverwalk，hasnotonlynoneoftheexpensesofothermenofbusiness，butnoneoftheexpensesofotherartists。Hehasnosuchoutlaytomakeformaterials，ormodels，orstudiorentasthepainterorthesculptorhas，andhisincome，suchasitis，isimmediate。Ifhestrikesthefancyoftheeditorwiththefirstthingheoffers，asheverywellmay，itisaswellwithhimaswithothermenafterlongyearsofapprenticeship。Althoughhewillalwaysbethebetterforanapprenticeship，andthelongerapprenticeshipthebetter，hemaypracticallyneednoneatall。Sucharethestrangeconditionsofhisacceptancewiththepublic，thathemaypleasebetterwithoutitthanwithit。Anauthor’sfirstbookistoooftennotonlyhisluckiest，butreallyhisbest；ithasabrightnessthatdiesoutundertheschoolheputshimselfto，butapainterorsculptorisonlythegainerbyalltheschoolhecangivehimself。
XI。
Inviewofthisfactitbecomeagainveryhardtoestablishtheauthor’sstatusinthebusinessworld，andatmomentsIhavegravequestionwhetherhebelongsthereatall，exceptasanovelist。Thereis，ofcourse，nooutlayforhiminthissort，anymorethaninanyothersortofliterature，butitatleastsupposesandexactssomemeasureofpreparation。Ayoungwritermayproduceabrilliantandveryperfectromance，justashemayproduceabrilliantandveryperfectpoem，butinthefieldofrealisticfiction，orinwhatweusedtocallthenovelofmanners，awritercanonlyproduceaninferiorbookattheoutset。Forthisworkheneedsexperienceandobservation，notsomuchofothersasofhimself，forultimatelyhischaracterswillallcomeoutofhimself，andhewillneedtoknowmotiveandcharacterwithsuchthoroughnessandaccuracyashecanacquireonlythroughhisownheart。Amanremainsinameasurestrangetohimselfaslongashelives，andtheverysourcesofnoveltyinhisworkwillbewithinhimself；hecancontinuetogiveitfreshnessinnootherwaythanbyknowinghimselfbetterandbetter。Butayoungwriterandanuntrainedwriterhasnotyetbeguntobeacquaintedevenwiththelivesofothermen。Theworldaroundhimremainsasecretaswellastheworldwithinhim，andbothunfoldthemselvessimultaneouslytothatexperienceofjoyandsorrowthatcancomeonlywiththelapseoftime。
Untilheiswellontowardforty，hewillhardlyhaveassimilatedthematerialsofagreatnovel，althoughhemayhaveaccumulatedthem。Thenovelist，then，isamanofletterswhoislikeamanofbusinessinthenecessityofpreparationforhiscalling，thoughhedoesnotpaystore—rent，andmaycarryallhisaffairsunderhishat，asthephraseis。Healoneamongmenoflettersmaylookforwardtothatsortofcontinuousprosperitywhichfollowsfromcapacityanddiligenceinothervocations；forstory—tellingisnowafairlyrecognizedtrade，andthestory—tellerhasamoney—standingintheeconomicworld。Itisnotaveryhighstanding，Ithink，andIhaveexpressedthebeliefthatitdoesnotbringhimtherespectfeltformeninotherlinesofbusiness。Stillourpeoplecannotdenysomeconsiderationtoamanwhogetsahundreddollarsathousandwords。Thatisafactappreciabletobusiness，andthemanoflettersinthelineoffictionmayreasonablyfeelthathisplaceinourcivilization，thoughhemayoweittothewomenwhoformthegreatmassofhisreaders，hassomethingofthecharacterofavestedinterestintheeyesofmen。Thereis，indeed，asyetnoconspiracylawwhichwillavengetheattempttoinjurehiminhisbusiness。Acritic，oradarkconjurationofcritics，maydamagehimatwillandtotheextentoftheirpower，andhehasnorecoursebuttowritebetterbooks，orworse。Thelawwilldonothingforhim，andaboycottofhisbooksmightbepreachedwithimmunitybyanyclassofmennotlikinghisopinionsonthequestionofindustrialslaveryorantipaedobaptism。Stillthemarketforhiswaresissteadierthanthemarketforanyotherkindofliterarywares，andthepricesarebetter。Thehistorian，whoisakindofinferiorrealist，hassomethinglikethesamesteadinessinthemarket，butthepriceshecancommandaremuchlower，andthetwobranchesofthenovelist’stradearenottobecomparedinabusinessway。Asfortheessayist，thepoet，thetraveller，thepopularscientist，theyarenowhereinthecompetitionforthefavorofreaders。Thereviewer，indeed，hasaprettysteadycallforhiswork，butIfancythereviewerswhogetahundreddollarsathousandwordscouldallstanduponthepointofaneedlewithoutcrowdingoneanother；Ishouldratherliketoseethemdoingit。Anothergratifyingfactofthesituationisthatthebestwritersoffictionwhoaremostindemandwiththemagazines，probablygetnearlyasmuchmoneyfortheirworkastheinferiornovelistswhooutsellthembytensofthousands，andwhomaketheirappealtotheinnumerablemultitudeofthelesseducatedandlesscultivatedbuyersoffictioninbook—form。Ithinktheyearntheirmoney，butifIdidnotthinkallofthehigherclassofnovelistsearnedsomuchmoneyastheyget，Ishouldnotbesoinvidiousastosingleoutforreproachthosewhodidnot。
Thedifficultyaboutpayment，asIhavehinted，isthatliteraturehasnoobjectivevaluereally，butonlyasubjectivevalue，ifImaysoexpressit。Apoem，anessay，anovel，evenapaperonpoliticaleconomy，maybeworthgolduntoldtoonereader，andworthnothingwhatevertoanother。Itmaybeprecioustoonemoodofthereader，andworthlesstoanothermoodofthesamereader。How，then，isittobepriced，andhowisittobefairlymarketed？Allpeoplemustbefed，andallpeoplemustbeclothed，andallpeoplemustbehoused；andsomeat，raiment，andshelterarethingsofpositiveandobviousnecessity，whichmayfitlyhaveamarketpriceputuponthem。
Butthereisnosuchpositiveandobviousnecessity，Iamsorrytosay，forfiction，ornotforthehighersortoffiction。Thesortoffictionwhichcorrespondstothecircusandthevarietytheatreintheshow—businessseemsessentialtothespiritualhealthofthemasses，butthemostcultivatedoftheclassescangeton，fromtimetotime，withoutanartisticnovel。Thisisagreatpity，andIshouldbeverywillingthatreadersmightfeelsomethinglikethepangsofhungerandcold，whendeprivedoftheirfinerfiction；butapparentlytheyneverdo。Theirdumbandpassiveneedisaptonlytomanifestitselfnegatively，orintheformofwearinessofthisauthororthat。Thepublisherofbookscanascertainthefactthroughthedecliningsalesofawriter；buttheeditorofamagazine，whoisthebestcustomerofthebestwriters，mustfeelthemarketwithamuchmoredelicatetouch。SometimesitmaybeyearsbeforehecansatisfyhimselfthathisreadersaresickofSmith，andarepiningforJones；
eventhenhecannotknowhowlongtheirmoodwilllast，andheisbynomeanssafeincuttingdownSmith’spriceandputtingupJones’s。Withthebestwillintheworldtopayjustly，hecannot。Smith，whohasbeenboringhisreaderstodeathforayear，maywriteto—morrowathingthatwillpleasethemsomuchthathewillatoncebeaprimefavoriteagain；andJones，whomtheyhavebeenaskingfor，maydosomethingsouncharacteristicandalienthatitwillbeaflatfailureinthemagazine。Theonlythingthatgiveseitherwriterpositivevalueishisacceptancewiththereader；buttheacceptanceisfrommonthtomonthwhollyuncertain。Authorsarelargelymattersoffashion，likethisstyleofbonnet，orthatshapeofgown。Lastspringthedresseswereallmadewithlaceberthas，andSmithwasread；
thisyearthebutterflycapesareworn，andJonesisthefavoriteauthor。Whoshallforecastthefallandwintermodes？
XII。
Inthisinquiryitisalwaystheauthorratherthanthepublisher，alwaysthecontributorratherthantheeditor，whomI
amconcernedfor。Istudythedifficultiesofthepublisherandeditoronlybecausetheyinvolvetheauthorandthecontributor；
iftheydidnot，IwillnotsaywithhowhardaheartIshouldturnfromthem；myonlypangnowinscrutinizingthebusinessconditionsofliteratureisforthemakersofliterature，notthepurveyorsofit。
Afterall，andinspiteofmyvauntingtitle，isthemanofletterseverabusinessman？Isupposethat，strictlyspeaking，heneveris，exceptinthoserareinstanceswhere，throughneedorchoice，heisthepublisheraswellastheauthorofhisbooks。Thenheputssomethingonthemarketandtriestosellitthere，andisamanofbusiness。Butotherwiseheisanartistmerely，andisalliedtothegreatmassofwage—workerswhoarepaidforthelabortheyhaveputintothethingdoneorthethingmade；wholivebydoingormakingathing，andnotbymarketingathingaftersomeothermanhasdoneitormadeit。Thequalityofthethinghasnothingtodowiththeeconomicnatureofthecase；theauthoris，inthelastanalysis，merelyaworkingman，andisundertherulethatgovernstheworkingman’slife。Ifheissickorsad，andcannotwork，ifheislazyortipsyandwillnot，thenheearnsnothing。Hecannotdelegatehisbusinesstoaclerkoramanager；itwillnotgoonwhileheissleeping。Thewagehecancommanddependsstrictlyuponhisskillanddiligence。
Imyselfamneithersorrynorashamedforthis；Iamgladandproudtobeofthosewhoeattheirbreadinthesweatoftheirownbrows，andnotthesweatofothermen’sbrows；Ithinkmybreadisthesweeterforit。InthemeantimeIhavenoblameforbusinessmen；theyarenomoreoftheconditionofthingsthanweworkingmenare；theydidnomoretocauseitorcreateit；butI
wouldratherbeinmyplacethanintheirs，andIwishthatI
couldmakeallmyfellow—artistsrealizethateconomicallytheyarethesameasmechanics，farmers，day—laborers。Itoughttobeourglorythatweproducesomething，thatwebringintotheworldsomethingthatwasnotchoatelytherebefore；thatatleastwefashionorshapesomethinganew；andweoughttofeelthetiethatbindsustoallthetoilersoftheshopandfield，notasagallingchain，butasamysticbondalsounitingustoHimwhoworkshithertoandevermore。
Iknowverywellthattothevastmultitudeofourfellow—workingmenweartistsaretheshadowsofnames，ornoteventheshadows。Iliketolookthefactsintheface，forthoughtheirlineamentsareoftenterrible，yetthereislightnowhereelse；andIwillnotpretend，inthislight，thatthemassescareanymoreforusthanwecareforthemasses，orsomuch。Nevertheless，andmostdistinctly，wearenotoftheclasses。Exceptinourwork，theyhavenouseforus；ifnowandthentheyfancyqualifyingtheirmaterialsplendorortheirspiritualdulnesswithsomeartisticpresence，theattemptisalwaysafailurethatbruisesandabashes。Insofarastheartistisamanoftheworld，heisthelessanartist，andifhefashionshimselfuponfashion，hedeformshisart。Weallknowthatghastlytype；itismoreabsurdeventhanthefigurewhichisreallyoftheworld，whichwasbornandbredinit，andconceivesofnothingoutsideofit，oraboveit。Inthesocialworld，aswellasinthebusinessworld，theartistisanomalous，intheactualconditions，andheisperhapsalittleridiculous。
Yethehastobesomewhere，poorfellow，andIthinkthathewilldowelltoregardhimselfasinatransitionstate。Heisreallyofthemasses，buttheydonotknowit，andwhatisworse，theydonotknowhim；asyetthecommonpeopledonothearhimgladlyorhearhimatall。Heisapparentlyoftheclasses；theyknowhim，andtheylistentohim；heoftenamusesthemverymuch；butheisnotquiteateaseamongthem；whethertheyknowitornot，heknowsthatheisnotoftheirkind。Perhapshewillneverbeathomeanywhereintheworldaslongastherearemasseswhomheoughttoconsortwith，andclasseswhomhecannotconsortwith。
Theprospectisnotbrilliantforanyartistnowliving，butperhapstheartistofthefuturewillseeinthefleshtheaccomplishmentofthathumanequalityofwhichtheinstincthasbeendivinelyplantedinthehumansoul。