……Oh，fortunate，Mysisters，whointheheroicdawnOfracessung!TothemdiddestinygiveThevirginfireandchasteingenuousnessOftheirland’sspeech；and，reverenced，theirhandsRanoverpotentstrings。\"ItwillneverdotoallowthatweareatsuchadesperatepassinEnglish，butsomethingofthisdivinedespairwemayfeeltoointhinkingof\"thespacioustimesofgreatElizabeth，\"whenthepoetsweretryingthestopsoftheyounglanguage，andthrillingwiththesurprisesoftheirownmusic。Wemaycomfortourselves，however，unlesswepreferaluxuryofgrief，byrememberingthatnolanguageiseveroldonthelipsofthosewhospeakit，nomatterhowdecrepititdropsfromthepen。
Wehaveonlytoleaveourstudies，editorialandother，andgointotheshopsandfieldstofindthe\"spacioustimes\"again；andfromthebeginningRealism，beforeshehadputonhercapitalletter，haddivinedthisnear—at—handtruthalongwiththerest。Lowell，almostthegreatestandfinestrealistwhoeverwroughtinverse，showedusthatElizabethwasstillQueenwhereheheardYankeefarmerstalk。Oneneednotinviteslangintothecompanyofitsbetters，thoughperhapsslanghasbeendroppingits\"s\"andbecominglanguageeversincetheworldbegan，andiscertainlysometimesdelightfulandforciblebeyondthereachofthedictionary。Iwouldnothaveanyonegoaboutfornewwords，butifoneofthemcameaptly，nottorejectitshelp。ForournoveliststotrytowriteAmericanly，fromanymotive，wouldbeadismalerror，butbeingbornAmericans，Ithenuse\"Americanisms\"whenevertheseservetheirturn；andwhentheircharactersspeak，IshouldliketohearthemspeaktrueAmerican，withallthevaryingTennesseean，Philadelphian，Bostonian，andNewYorkaccents。Ifwebotherourselvestowritewhatthecriticsimaginetobe\"English，\"weshallbepriggishandartificial，andstillmoresoifwemakeourAmericanstalk\"English。\"Thereisalsothisseriousdisadvantageabout\"English，\"thatifwewrotethebest\"English\"intheworld，probablytheEnglishthemselveswouldnotknowit，or，iftheydid，certainlywouldnotownit。Ithasalwaysbeensupposedbygrammariansandpuriststhatalanguagecanbekeptastheyfindit；butlanguages，whiletheylive，areperpetuallychanging。Godapparentlymeantthemforthecommonpeople；andthecommonpeoplewillusethemfreelyastheyuseothergiftsofGod。OntheirlipsourcontinentalEnglishwilldiffermoreandmorefromtheinsularEnglish，andIbelievethatthisisnotdeplorable，butdesirable。
Infine，IwouldhaveourAmericannovelistsbeasAmericanastheyunconsciouslycan。MatthewArnoldcomplainedthathefoundno\"distinction\"inourlife，andIwouldgladlypersuadeallartistsintendinggreatnessinanykindamongusthattherecognitionofthefactpointedoutbyMr。Arnoldoughttobeasourceofinspirationtothem，andnotdiscouragement。Wehavebeennowsomehundredyearsbuildingupastateontheaffirmationoftheessentialequalityofmenintheirrightsandduties，andwhetherwehavebeenrightorbeenwrongthegodshavetakenusatourword，andhaverespondedtouswithacivilizationinwhichthereisno\"distinction\"perceptibletotheeyethatlovesandvaluesit。Suchbeautyandsuchgrandeuraswehaveiscommonbeauty，commongrandeur，orthebeautyandgrandeurinwhichthequalityofsolidaritysoprevailsthatneitherdistinguishesitselftothedisadvantageofanythingelse。Itseemstomethattheseconditionsinvitetheartisttothestudyandtheappreciationofthecommon，andtotheportrayalineveryartofthosefinerandhigheraspectswhichuniteratherthanseverhumanity，ifhewouldthriveinourneworderofthings。Thetalentthatisrobustenoughtofronttheevery—dayworldandcatchthecharmofitswork—worn，care—worn，brave，kindlyface，neednotfeartheencounter，thoughitseemsterribletothesortnurturedinthesuperstitionoftheromantic，thebizarre，theheroic，thedistinguished，asthethingsaloneworthyofpaintingorcarvingorwriting。Theartsmustbecomedemocratic，andthenweshallhavetheexpressionofAmericainart；andthereproachwhichArnoldwashalfrightinmakingusshallhavenojusticeinitanylonger；weshallbe\"distinguished。\"
XXII。
Inthemeantimeithasbeensaidwithasuperficialjusticethatourfictionisnarrow；thoughinthesamesenseIsupposethepresentEnglishfictionisasnarrowasourown；andmostmodernfictionisnarrowinacertainsense。InItalythebestmenarewritingnovelsasbriefandrestrictedinrangeasours；inSpainthenovelsareintenseanddeep，andnotspacious；theFrenchschool，withtheexceptionofZola，isnarrow；theNorwegiansarenarrow；theRussians，exceptTolstoy，arenarrow，andthenextgreatestafterhim，Tourguenief，isthenarrowestgreatnovelist，astomeredimensions，thateverlived，dealingnearlyalwayswithsmallgroups，isolatedandanalyzedinthemostAmericanfashion。Infact，thechargeofnarrownessaccusesthewholetendencyofmodernfictionasmuchastheAmericanschool。ButIdonotbyanymeansallowthatthisnarrownessisadefect，whiledenyingthatitisauniversalcharacteristicofourfiction；itisrather，forthepresent，avirtue。Indeed，IshouldcallthepresentAmericanwork，NorthandSouth，thoroughratherthannarrow。Inonesenseitisasbroadaslife，foreachmanisamicrocosm，andthewriterwhoisabletoacquaintusintimatelywithhalfadozenpeople，ortheconditionsofaneighborhoodoraclass，hasdonesomethingwhichcannotinany，badsensebecallednarrow；hisbreadthisverticalinsteadoflateral，thatisall；andthisdepthismoredesirablethanhorizontalexpansioninacivilizationlikeours，wherethedifferencesarenotofclasses，butoftypes，andnotoftypeseithersomuchasofcharacters。Anewmethodwasnecessaryindealingwiththenewconditions，andthenewmethodisworldwide，becausethewholeworldismoreorlessAmericanized。Tolstoyisexceptionallyvoluminousamongmodernwriters，evenRussianwriters；anditmightbesaidthattheforteofTolstoyhimselfisnotinhisbreadthsidewise，butinhisbreadthupwardanddownward。’TheDeathofIvanIlyitch’
leavesasvastanimpressiononthereader’ssoulasanyepisodeof’WarandPeace，’which，indeed，canberecalledonlyinepisodes，andnotasawhole。Ithinkthatourwritersmaybesafelycounselledtocontinuetheirworkinthemodernway，becauseitisthebestwayyetknown。Iftheymakeittrue，itwillbelarge，nomatterwhatitssuperficiesare；anditwouldbethegreatestmistaketotrytomakeitbig。Abigbookisnecessarilyagroupofepisodesmoreorlesslooselyconnectedbyathreadofnarrative，andthereseemsnoreasonwhythisthreadmustalwaysbesupplied。Eachepisodemaybequitedistinct，oritmaybeoneofaconnectedgroup；thefinaleffectwillbefromthetruthofeachepisode，notfromthesizeofthegroup。
Thewholefieldofhumanexperienceasneversonearlycoveredbyimaginativeliteratureinanyageasinthis；andAmericanlifeespeciallyisgettingrepresentedwithunexampledfulness。Itistruethatnoonewriter，noonebook，representsit，forthatisnotpossible；
oursocialandpoliticaldecentralizationforbidsthis，andmayforeverforbidit。Butagreatnumberofverygoodwritersareinstinctivelystrivingtomakeeachpartofthecountryandeachphaseofourcivilizationknowntoalltheotherparts；andtheirworkisnotnarrowinanyfeebleorvicioussense。Theworldwasonceverylittle，anditisnowverylarge。Formerly，allsciencecouldbegraspedbyasinglemind；butnowthemanwhohopestobecomegreatorusefulinsciencemustdevotehimselftoasingledepartment。Itissoineverything——allarts，alltrades；andthenovelistisnotsuperiortotheuniversalruleagainstuniversality。Hecontributeshissharetoathoroughknowledgeofgroupsofthehumanraceunderconditionswhicharefullofinspiringnoveltyandinterest。Heworksmorefearlessly，frankly，andfaithfullythanthenovelisteverworkedbefore；hiswork，ormuchofit，maybedestinednevertobereprintedfromthemonthlymagazines；butifheturnstohisbook—shelfandregardsthearrayoftheBritishorotherclassics，heknowsthatthey，too，areforthemostpartdead；heknowsthattheplanetitselfisdestinedtofreezeupanddropintothesunatlast，withallitssurvivingliteratureuponit。Thequestionismerelyoneoftime。Heconsoleshimself，therefore，ifheiswise，andworkson；andwemayalltakesomecomfortfromthethoughtthatmostthingscannotbehelped。Especiallyamovementinliteraturelikethatwhichtheworldisnowwitnessingcannotbehelped；andwecouldnomoreturnbackandbeoftheliteraryfashionsofanyagebeforethisthanwecouldturnbackandbeofitssocial，economical，orpoliticalconditions。
IfIwereauthorizedtoaddressanyworddirectlytoournovelistsI
shouldsay，Donottroubleyourselvesaboutstandardsorideals；buttrytobefaithfulandnatural：rememberthatthereisnogreatness，nobeauty，whichdoesnotcomefromtruthtoyourownknowledgeofthings；
andkeeponworking，evenifyourworkisnotlongremembered。
Atleastthree—fifthsoftheliteraturecalledclassic，inalllanguages，nomorelivesthanthepoemsandstoriesthatperishmonthlyinourmagazines。Itisallprintedandreprinted，generationaftergeneration，centuryaftercentury；butitisnotalive；itisasdeadasthepeoplewhowroteitandreadit，andtowhomitmeantsomething，perhaps；withwhomitwasafashion，acaprice，apassingtaste。Asuperstitiouspietypreservesit，andpretendsthatithasaestheticqualitieswhichcandelightoredify；butnobodyreallyenjoysit，exceptasareflectionofthepastmoodsandhumorsoftherace，orarevelationoftheauthor’scharacter；otherwiseitistrash，andoftenveryfilthytrash，whichthepresenttrashgenerallyisnot。
XXIII。
OneofthegreatnewspaperstheotherdayinvitedtheprominentAmericanauthorstospeaktheirmindsuponapointinthetheoryandpracticeoffictionwhichhadalreadyvexedsomeofthem。ItwasthequestionofhowmuchorhowlittletheAmericannoveloughttodealwithcertainfactsoflifewhicharenotusuallytalkedofbeforeyoungpeople，andespeciallyyoungladies。Ofcoursethequestionwasnotdecided，andIforgetjusthowfarthebalanceinclinedinfavorofalargerfreedominthematter。
Butitcertainlyinclinedthatway；oneortwowritersofthesexwhichissomehowsupposedtohavepurityinitskeeping（asifpuritywereathingthatdidnotpracticallyconcerntheothersex，preoccupiedwithseriousaffairs）gaveitarathervigoroustilttothatside。Inviewofthisfactitwouldnotbethepartofprudencetomakeanefforttodressthebalance；andindeedIdonotknowthatIwasgoingtomakeanysucheffort。Buttherearesomethingstosay，aroundandaboutthesubject，whichIshouldliketohavesomeoneelsesay，andwhichImaymyselfpossiblybesafeinsuggesting。
Oneofthefirstoftheseisthefact，generallylostsightofbythosewhocensuretheAnglo—Saxonnovelforitsprudishness，thatitisreallynotsuchaprudeafterall；andthatifitissometimesapparentlyanxioustoavoidthoseexperiencesoflifenotspokenofbeforeyoungpeople，thismaybeanappearanceonly。Sometimesanovelwhichhasthisshufflingair，thiseffectoftrucklingtopropriety，mightdefenditself，ifitcouldspeakforitself，bysayingthatsuchexperienceshappenednottocomewithinitsscheme，andthat，sofarfrommaimingormutilatingitselfinignoringthem，itwasallthemorefaithfullyrepresentativeofthetoneofmodernlifeindealingwithlovethatwaschaste，andwithpassionsohonestthatitcouldbeopenlyspokenofbeforethetenderestsocietybudatdinner。Itmightsaythattheguiltyintrigue，thebetrayal，theextremeflirtationeven，wastheexceptionalthinginlife，andunlesstheschemeofthestorynecessarilyinvolvedit，thatitwouldbebadarttolugitin，andasbadtasteastointroducesuchtopicsinamixedcompany。Itcouldsayveryjustlythatthenovelinourcivilizationnowalwaysaddressesamixedcompany，andthatthevastmajorityofthecompanyareladies，andthatverymany，ifnotmost，oftheseladiesareyounggirls。Ifthenovelwerewrittenformenandformarriedwomenalone，asincontinentalEurope，itmightbealtogetherdifferent。Butthesimplefactisthatitisnotwrittenforthemaloneamongus，anditisaquestionofwriting，undercoverofouruniversalacceptance，thingsforyounggirlstoreadwhichyouwouldbeputout—of—doorsforsayingtothem，oroffranklygivingnoticeofyourintention，andsocuttingyourselfofffromthepleasure——anditisaveryhighandsweetoneofappealingtothesevivid，responsiveintelligences，whicharenonethelessbrilliantandadmirablebecausetheyareinnocent。
Onedayanovelistwholiked，afterthemannerofothermen，torepineathishardfate，complainedtohisfriend，acritic，thathewastiredoftherestrictionhehadputuponhimselfinthisregard；foritisamistake，ascanbereadilyshown，tosupposethatothersimposeit。\"SeehowfreethoseFrenchfellowsare!\"herebelled。\"Shallwealwaysbeshutuptoourtraditionofdecency？\"
\"Doyouthinkit’smuchworsethanbeingshutuptotheirtraditionofindecency？\"saidhisfriend。
Thenthatnovelistbegantoreflect，andherememberedhowsicktheinvariablemotiveoftheFrenchnovelmadehim。Heperceivedfinallythat，conventionforconvention，ourswasnotonlymoretolerable，butonthewholewastruertolife，notonlytoitscomplexion，butalsotoitstexture。Noonewillpretendthatthereisnotviciouslovebeneaththesurfaceofoursociety；ifhedid，thefetidexplosionsofthedivorcetrialswouldrefutehim；butifhepretendedthatitwasinanyjustsensecharacteristicofoursociety，hecouldbestillmoreeasilyrefuted。Yetitexists，anditisunquestionablythematerialoftragedy，thestufffromwhichintenseeffectsarewrought。Thequestion，afterowningthisfact，iswhethertheseintenseeffectsarenotrathercheapeffects。Iinclinetothinktheyare，andIwilltrytosaywhyI
thinkso，ifImaydosowithoutoffence。Thematerialitself，themerementionofit，hasaninstantfascination；itarrests，itdetains，tillthelastwordissaid，andwhilethereisanythingtobehinted。Thisiswhatmakesaloveintrigueofsomesortallbutessentialtothepopularityofanyfiction。Withoutsuchanintriguetheintellectualequipmentoftheauthormustbeofthehighest，andthenhewillsucceedonlywiththehighestclassofreaders。Butanyauthorwhowilldealwithaguiltyloveintrigueholdsallreadersinhishand，thehighestwiththelowest，aslongashehintstheslightesthopeofthesmallestpotentialnaughtiness。Heneednotatallbeagreatauthor；hemaybeaveryshabbywretch，ifhehasbutthecourageorthetrickofthatsortofthing。Thecriticswillcallhim\"virile\"and\"passionate\"；decentpeoplewillbeashamedtohavebeenlimedbyhim；butthelowaveragewillonlyaskanotherchanceofflockingintohisnet。Ifhehappenstobeanablewriter，hisreallyfineandcostlyworkwillbeunheeded，andtheluretotheappetitewillbechieflyremembered。Theremaybeotherqualitieswhichmakereputationsforothermen，butinhiscasetheywillcountfornothing。Hepaysthispenaltyforhissuccessinthatkind；
andeveryonepayssomesuchpenaltywhodealswithsomesuchmaterial。
ButIdonotmeantoimplythathiscasecoversthewholeground。Sofarasitgoes，though，itoughttostopthemouthsofthosewhocomplainthatfictionisenslavedtoproprietyamongus。Itappearsthatofacertainkindofimproprietyitisfreetogiveusallitwill，andmore。
Butthisisnotwhatseriousmenandwomenwritingfictionmeanwhentheyrebelagainstthelimitationsoftheirartinourcivilization。Theyhavenodesiretodealwithnakedness，aspaintersandsculptorsfreelydointheworshipofbeauty；orwithcertainfactsoflife，asthestagedoes，intheserviceofsensation。Buttheyaskwhy，whentheconventionsoftheplasticandhistrionicartsliberatetheirfollowerstotheportrayalofalmostanyphaseofthephysicaloroftheemotionalnature，anAmericannovelistmaynotwriteastoryonthelinesof’AnnaKarenina’or’MadameBovary。’TheywishtotouchoneofthemostseriousandsorrowfulproblemsoflifeinthespiritofTolstoyandFlaubert，andtheyaskwhytheymaynot。Atonetime，theyremindus，theAnglo—Saxonnovelistdiddealwithsuchproblems——DeFoeinhisspirit，Richardsoninhis，Goldsmithinhis。Atwhatmomentdidourfictionlosethisprivilege？InwhatfatalhourdidtheYoungGirlariseandsealthelipsofFiction，withatouchofherfinger，tosomeofthemostvitalinterestsoflife？
WhetherIwishedtoopposethemintheiraspirationforgreaterfreedom，orwhetherIwishedtoencouragethem，IshouldbegintoanswerthembysayingthattheYoungGirlhasneverdoneanythingofthekind。Themannersofthenovelhavebeenimprovingwiththoseofitsreaders；thatisall。Gentlemennolongerswearorfalldrunkunderthetable，orabductyoungladiesandshutthemupinlonelycountry—houses，orsohabituallysetabouttheruinoftheirneighbors’wives，astheyoncedid。Generally，peoplenowcallaspadeanagriculturalimplement；theyhavenotgrowndecentwithouthavingalsogrownalittlesqueamish，buttheyhavegrowncomparativelydecent；thereisnodoubtaboutthat。Theyrequireofanovelistwhomtheyrespectunquestionableproofofhisseriousness，ifheproposestodealwithcertainphasesoflife；theyrequireasortofscientificdecorum。Hecannolongerexpecttobereceivedonthegroundofentertainmentonly；heassumesahigherfunction，somethinglikethatofaphysicianorapriest，andtheyexpecthimtobeboundbylawsassacredasthoseofsuchprofessions；theyholdhimsolemnlypledgednottobetraythemorabusetheirconfidence。Ifhewillaccepttheconditions，theygivehimtheirconfidence，andhemaythentreattohisgreaterhonor，andnotatalltohisdisadvantage，ofsuchexperiences，suchrelationsofmenandwomenasGeorgeEliottreatsin’AdamBede，’in’DanielDeronda，’in’Romola，’inalmostallherbooks；suchasHawthornetreatsin’TheScarletLetter；’suchasDickenstreatsin’DavidCopperfield；’suchasThackeraytreatsin’Pendennis，’
andglancesatineveryoneofhisfictions；suchasmostofthemastersofEnglishfictionhaveatsametimetreatedmoreorlessopenly。Itisquitefalseorquitemistakentosupposethatournovelshaveleftuntouchedthesemostimportantrealitiesoflife。Theyhaveonlynotmadethemtheirstockintrade；theyhavekeptatrueperspectiveinregardtothem；theyhaverelegatedthemintheirpicturesoflifetothespaceandplacetheyoccupyinlifeitself，asweknowitinEnglandandAmerica。Theyhavekeptacorrectproportion，knowingperfectlywellthatunlessthenovelistobeamap，witheverythingscrupulouslylaiddowninit，afaithfulrecordoflifeinfarthegreaterextentcouldbemadetotheexclusionofguiltyloveandallitscircumstancesandconsequences。
IjustifytheminthisviewnotonlybecauseIhatewhatischeapandmeretricious，andholdinpeculiarloathingthecantofthecriticswhorequire\"passion\"assomethinginitselfadmirableanddesirableinanovel，butbecauseIprizefidelityinthehistorianoffeelingandcharacter。Mostofthesecriticswhodemand\"passion\"wouldseemtohavenoconceptionofanypassionbutone。Yetthereareseveralotherpassions：thepassionofgrief，thepassionofavarice，thepassionofpity，thepassionofambition，thepassionofhate，thepassionofenvy，thepassionofdevotion，thepassionoffriendship；andallthesehaveagreaterpartinthedramaoflifethanthepassionoflove，andinfinitelygreaterthanthepassionofguiltylove。Wittinglyorunwittingly，EnglishfictionandAmericanfictionhaverecognizedthistruth，notfully，notinthemeasureitmerits，butingreaterdegreethanmostotherfiction。
XXIV。
Whocandenythatfictionwouldbeincomparablystronger，incomparablytruer，ifonceitcouldtearoffthehabitwhichenslavesittothecelebrationchieflyofasinglepassion，inonephaseoranother，andcouldfranklydedicateitselftotheserviceofallthepassions，alltheinterests，allthefacts？Everynovelistwhohasthoughtabouthisartknowsthatitwould，andIthinkthatuponreflectionhemustdoubtwhetherhisspherewouldbegreatlyenlargedifhewereallowedtotreatfreelythedarkeraspectsofthefavoritepassion。But，asIhaveshown，theprivilege，therighttodothis，isalreadyperfectlyrecognized。
Thisisprovedagainbythefactthatseriouscriticismrecognizesasmaster—works（Iwillnotpushthequestionofsupremacy）thetwogreatnovelswhichaboveallothershave，movedtheworldbytheirstudyofguiltylove。Ifbyanychance，ifbysomeprodigiousmiracle，anyAmericanshouldnowarisetotreatitonthelevelof’AnnaKarenina’and’MadameBovary，’hewouldbeabsolutelysureofsuccess，andoffameandgratitudeasgreatasthosebookshavewonfortheirauthors。
ButwhateditorofwhatAmericanmagazinewouldprintsuchastory？
CertainlyIdonotthinkanyonewould；andhereournovelistmustagainsubmittoconditions。Ifhewishestopublishsuchastory（supposinghimtohaveoncewrittenit），hemustpublishitasabook。Abookissomethingbyitself，responsibleforitscharacter，whichbecomesquicklyknown，anditdoesnotnecessarilypenetratetoeverymemberofthehousehold。Thefatherorthemothermaysaytothechild，\"Iwouldratheryouwouldn’treadthatbook\"；ifthechildcannotbetrusted，thebookmaybelockedup。Butwiththemagazineanditsserialtheaffairisdifferent。BetweentheeditorofareputableEnglishorAmericanmagazineandthefamilieswhichreceiveitthereisatacitagreementthathewillprintnothingwhichafathermaynotreadtohisdaughter，orsafelyleavehertoreadherself。
Afterall，itisamatterofbusiness；andtheinsurgentnovelistshouldconsiderthesituationwithcoolnessandcommon—sense。Theeditordidnotcreatethesituation；butitexists，andhecouldnotevenattempttochangeitwithoutmanysortsofdisaster。Herespectsit，therefore，withthegoodfaithofanhonestman。Evenwhenheishimselfanovelist，withardorforhisartandimpatienceofthelimitationsputuponit，heinterposeshisveto，asThackeraydidinthecaseofTrollopewhenacontributorapproachesforbiddenground。
Itdoesnotavailtosaythatthedailypapersteemwithfactsfarfouleranddeadlierthananywhichfictioncouldimagine。Thatistrue，butitistruealsothatthesexwhichreadsthemostnovelsreadsthefewestnewspapers；and，besides，thereporterdoesnotcommandthenovelist’sskilltofiximpressionsinayounggirl’smindortosuggestconjecture。
Themagazineisalittledespotic，alittlearbitrary；butunquestionablyitsfavorisessentialtosuccess，anditsconditionsarenotsuchnarrowones。YoucannotdealwithTolstoy’sandFlaubert’ssubjectsintheabsoluteartisticfreedomofTolstoyandFlaubert；sinceDeFoe，thatisunknownamongus；butifyoudealwiththeminthemannerofGeorgeEliot，ofThackeray，ofDickens，ofsociety，youmaydealwiththemeveninthemagazines。Thereisnootherrestrictionuponyou。Allthehorrorsandmiseriesandtorturesareopentoyou；yourpagesmaydropblood；sometimesitmayhappenthattheeditorwillevenexactsuchstrongmaterialfromyou。Butprobablyhewillrequirenothingbuttheobservanceoftheconventioninquestion；andifyoudonotyourselfpreferbloodshedhewillleaveyoufreetouseallsweetandpeaceablemeansofinterestinghisreaders。
Itisnonarrowfieldhethrowsopentoyou，withthatlittlesigntokeepoffthegrassupatonepointonly。Itsvastnessisstillalmostunexplored，andwholeregionsinitareunknowntothefictionist。Diganywhere，anddobutdigdeepenough，andyoustrikeriches；or，ifyouareofthemindtorange，thegentlerclimes，thesoftertemperatures，theserenerskies，areallfreetoyou，andaresolittlevisitedthatthechanceofnoveltyisgreateramongthem。
XXV。
WhiletheAmericanshavegreatlyexcelledintheshortstorygenerally，theyhavealmostcreatedaspeciesofitintheThanksgivingstory。
WehavetransplantedtheChristmasstoryfromEngland，whiletheThanksgivingstoryisnativetoourair；butbothareofAnglo—Saxongrowth。Theirdifferenceisfromadifferenceofenvironment；andtheChristmasstorywhennaturalizedamongusbecomesalmostidenticalinmotive，incident，andtreatmentwiththeThanksgivingstory。IfIweretogeneralizeadistinctionbetweenthem，Ishouldsaythattheonedealtmorewithmarvelsandtheothermorewithmorals；andyetthecriticshouldbewareofspeakingtooconfidentlyonthispoint。Itiscertain，however，thattheChristmasseasonismeteorologicallymorefavorabletotheeffectivereturnofpersonslongsupposedlostatsea，orfromaprodigallife，orfromadarkenedmind。Thelonger，darker，andcoldernightsarebetteradaptedtotheapparitionofghosts，andtoallmannerofsignsandportents；whiletheyseemtopresentawiderfieldfortheinterventionofangelsinbehalfoforphansandoutcasts。Thedreamsofelderlysleepersatthistimeareapttobesuchaswilleffectalastingchangeinthemwhentheyawake，turningthemfromthehard，cruel，andgraspinghabitsofalifetime，andreconcilingthemtotheirsons，daughters，andnephews，whohavethwartedtheminmarriage；orsofteningthemtotheirmeek，uncomplainingwives，whoseheartstheyhavetrampleduponintheirrecklesspursuitofwealth；andgenerallydisposingthemtoadistributionofhampersamongthesickandpoor，andtoafriendlyreceptionofgentlemenwithcharitysubscriptionpapers。
Shipsreadilydriveuponrocksintheearlytwilight，andofferexcitingdifficultiesofsalvage；andtheheavysnowsgatherquicklyroundthestepsofwandererswholiedowntodieinthem，preparatorytotheirdiscoveryandrescuebyimmediaterelatives。Themidnightweatherisalsoverysuitableforencounterwithmurderersandburglars；andthecontrastofitsfreezinggloomwiththelightandcheerin—doorspromotesthegayetieswhichmerge，atallwell—regulatedcountry—houses，inloveandmarriage。Intheregionofpurecharacternomomentcouldbesoavailableforflingingoffthemaskoffrivolity，orimbecility，orsavagery，whichonehaswornfortenortwentylongyears，say，forthepurposeoffoilingsomevillain，andsurprisingthereader，andhelpingtheauthoroutwithhisplot。PersonsabroadintheAlps，orApennines，orPyrenees，oranywhereseekingshelterinthehutsofshepherdsorthedensofsmugglers，findnotimelikeitforlyinginafeignedslumber，andlisteningtothewhisperedmachinationsoftheirsuspiciouslookingentertainers，andthensuddenlystartingupandfightingtheirwayout；
orelsespringingfromtherealsleepintowhichtheyhavesunkexhausted，andfindingitbroaddayandthegoodpeasantswhomtheyhadsounjustlydoubted，waitingbreakfastforthem。
WeneednotpointoutthesuperioradvantagesoftheChristmasseasonforanythingonehasamindtodowiththeFrenchRevolution，oftheArcticexplorations，ortheIndianMutiny，orthehorrorsofSiberianexile；
thereisnotimesogoodfortheuseofthismaterial；andghostsonshipboardarenotoriouslyfondofChristmasEve。Inourownloggingcampsthemanwhohasgoneintothewoodsforthewinter，afterquarrellingwithhiswife，thenhearshersadappealingvoice，andismovedtogoodresolutionsasatnootherperiodoftheyear；andintheminingregions，firstinCaliforniaandlaterinColorado，thehardenedreprobate，dyinginhisboots，smellshismother’sdoughnuts，andbreatheshislastinasoliloquizedvisionoftheoldhome，andthelittlebrother，orsister，ortheoldfathercomingtomeethimfromheaven；whilehisrudecompanionslistenroundhim，anddrytheireyesonthebuttsoftheirrevolvers。
Ithastobeverygrim，allthat，tobetrulyeffective；andhere，already，wehaveatouchintheAmericanizedChristmasstoryofthemoralisticqualityoftheAmericanThanksgivingstory。Thiswasseldomwritten，atfirst，forthemereentertainmentofthereader；itwasmeanttoentertainhim，ofcourse；butitwasmeanttoedifyhim，too，andtoimprovehim；andsomesuchintentionisstillpresentinit。IratherthinkthatitdealsmoreprobablywithcharactertothisendthanitsEnglishcousin，theChristmasstory，does。ItisnotsoimprobablethatamanshouldleaveoffbeingadrunkardonThanksgiving，asthatheshouldleaveoffbeingacurmudgeononChristmas；thatheshouldconquerhisappetiteasthatheshouldinstantlychangehisnature，bygoodresolutions。Hewouldbeverylikely，indeed，tobreakhisresolutionsineithercase，butnotsolikelyintheoneasintheother。
Generically，theThanksgivingstoryischeerfullerinitsdramaandsimplerinitspersonsthantheChristmasstory。Rarelyhasitdealtwiththesupernatural，eithertheapparitionofghostsortheinterventionofangels。TheweatherbeingsomuchmilderatthecloseofNovemberthanitisamonthlater，verylittlecanbedonewiththeelements；thoughonthecoastanortheasterlystormhasbeen，andcanbe，veryusefullyemployed。TheThanksgivingstoryismorerestrictedinitsrange；thesceneisstillmostlyinNewEngland，andthecharactersareofNewEnglandextraction，whocomehomefromtheWestusually，orNewYork，fortheeventofthelittledrama，whateveritmaybe。Itmaybethereconciliationofkinsfolkwhohavequarrelled；ortheunionofloverslongestranged；orhusbandsandwiveswhohavehadhardwordsandparted；ormotherswhohadthoughttheirsonsdeadinCaliforniaandfindthemselvesagreeablydisappointedintheirreturn；orfatherswhoforoldtime’ssakereceivebacktheirerringandconvenientlydyingdaughters。
Thenotesarenotmanywhichthissimplemusicsounds，buttheyhaveaSabbathtone，mostly，andwinthelistenertokindlierthoughtsandbettermoods。TheartisatitshighestinsomestrongsketchofRoseTerryCooke’s，orsomeperfectlysatisfyingstudyofMissJewett’s，orsomegraphicsituationofMissWilkins’s；andthenitisaveryfineart。
Butmostlyitispoorandrudeenough，andmakesopenly，shamelessly，forthereader’semotions，aswellashismorals。Itisinclinedtoberatherdescriptive。Theturkey，thepumpkin，thecorn—field，figurethroughout；andtheleaflesswoodsareblueandcoldagainsttheeveningskybehindthelowhip—roofed，old—fashionedhomestead。TheparlanceisusuallytheYankeedialectanditsWesternmodifications。
TheThanksgivingstoryismostlyconfinedinscenetothecountry；itdoesnotseempossibletodomuchwithitintown；anditisaseriousquestionwhetherwithitsgeographicalandtopicallimitationsitcanholditsownagainsttheChristmasstory；andwhetheritwouldnotbewellforauthorstoconsideracombinationwithitselderrival。
Thetwofeastsaresoneartogetherinpointoftimethattheycouldbeeasilycoveredbythesentimentofevenabriefnarrative。Undertheagglutinatedstyleof’AThanksgiving—ChristmasStory，’fictionappropriatetobothcouldbeproduced，andbothcouldbeemployednaturallyandprobablyinthetransactionofitsaffairsandthedevelopmentofitscharacters。Theplotforsuchastorycouldeasilybemadetoincludeatotal—abstinencepledgeandfamilyreunionatThanksgiving，andanapparitionandspiritualregenerationoverabowlofpunchatChristmas。
XXVI。
Itwouldbeinterestingtoknowthefarbeginningsofholidayliterature，andIcommendthequesttothescientificspiritwhichnowspecializesresearchineverybranchofhistory。Inthemeantime，withoutbeingtooconfidentofthefacts，Iventuretosuggestthatitcameinwiththeromanticmovementaboutthebeginningofthiscentury，whenmountainsceasedtobehorridandbecamepicturesque；whenruinsofallsorts，butparticularlyabbeysandcastles，becamehabitabletothemostdelicateconstitutions；whenthedespisedGothickofAddisondroppedits\"k，\"andarosethechivalrousandreligiousGothicofScott；whenghostswereredeemedfromthecontemptintowhichtheyhadfallen，andresumedtheirplaceinpolitesociety；infact，thepoliterthesociety；thewelcomertheghosts，andwhateverelsewasoutofthecommon。InthatdaytheAnnualflourished，andthisartificialflowerwasprobablythefirstliteraryblossomontheChristmasTreewhichhassincebornesomuchtinselfoliageandpaintedfruit。ButtheAnnualwasextremelyOriental；
itwasmuchpreoccupiedwith，HaideesandGulnaresandZuleikas，withHindasandNourmahals，owingtothedistinctionwhichByronandMoorehadgivensuchladies；andwhenitbegantoconcernitselfwiththeactualitiesofBritishbeauty，thedaughtersofAlbion，thoughinscribedwiththenamesofrealcountessesandduchesses，betrayedtheirdescentfromthewell—knownEasternodalisques。ItwaspossiblythroughanAmericanthatholidayliteraturebecamedistinctivelyEnglishinmaterial，andWashingtonIrving，withhisNewWorldloveofthepast，mayhavegiventheimpulsetotheliteraryworshipofChristmaswhichhassincesowidelyestablisheditself。AfestivalrevivedinpopularinterestbyaNew—YorkertowhomDutchassociationswithNew—year’shadendearedtheGermanidealofChristmas，andwhomtherobustgayetiesoftheseasoninold—fashionedcountry—houseshadcharmed，wouldbeoneofthoseroundaboutresultswhichdestinylikes，and\"wouldatleastbeEarlyEnglish。\"
IfwecannotclaimwithallthepatrioticconfidenceweshouldliketofeelthatitwasIrvingwhosetChristmasinthatlightinwhichDickenssawitsaestheticcapabilities，itisperhapsbecausealloriginsareobscure。Foranythingthatwepositivelyknowtothecontrary，theDruidicritesfromwhichEnglishChristmasborrowedtheinvitingmistletoe，ifnotthedecorativeholly，mayhavebeenaccompaniedbytherecitationsofholidaytriads。ButitiscertainthatseveralplaysofShakespearewereproduced，ifnotwritten，forthecelebrationoftheholidays，andthatthentheblacktideofPuritanismwhichsweptovermen’ssoulsblottedoutallsuchobservanceofChristmaswiththefestivalitself。Itcameinagain，byanaturalreaction，withthereturningStuarts，andthroughouttheperiodoftheRestorationitenjoyedaperfunctoryfavor。Thereismentionofit；oftenenoughintheeighteenth—centuryessayists，intheSpectatorsandIdlersandTatlers；
buttheworldaboutthemiddleofthelastcenturylamentstheneglectintowhichithadfallen。Irvingseemstohavebeenthefirsttoobserveitssurvivingriteslovingly，andDickensdivineditsimmenseadvantageasaliteraryoccasion。Hemadeitinsomesortentirelyhisforatime，andtherecanbenoquestionbutitwashewhoagainendearedittothewholeEnglish—speakingworld，andgaveitawideranddeeperholdthanithadeverhadbeforeuponthefanciesandaffectionsofourrace。
Themightofthatgreattalentnoonecangainsay，thoughinthelightofthetruerworkwhichhassincebeendonehisliteraryprinciplesseemalmostasgrotesqueashistheoriesofpoliticaleconomy。Innoonedirectionwashiserringforcemorefeltthaninthecreationofholidayliteratureaswehaveknownitforthelasthalf—century。Creation，ofcourse，isthewrongword；itsaystoomuch；butindefaultofabetterword，itmaystand。Hedidnotmakesomethingoutofnothing；thematerialwastherebeforehim；themoodandeventheneedofhistimecontributedimmenselytohissuccess，asthevolitionofthesubjecthelpsonthemesmerist；butitiswithinboundstosaythathewasthechiefagencyinthedevelopmentofholidayliteratureaswehaveknownit，ashewasthechiefagencyinuniversalizingthegreatChristianholidayaswenowhaveit。Otheragencieswroughtwithhimandafterhim；butitwashewhorescuedChristmasfromPuritandistrust，andhumanizeditandconsecratedittotheheartsandhomesofall。
Veryroughmagic，asitnowseems，heusedinworkinghismiracle，butthereisnodoubtabouthisworkingit。OneopenshisChristmasstoriesinthislaterday——’TheCarol，TheChimes，TheHauntedMan，TheCricketontheHearth，’andalltherest——andwith\"ahearthigh—sorrowfulandcloyed，\"askshimselfforthepreternaturalvirtuethattheyoncehad。
Thepathosappearsfalseandstrained；thehumorlargelyhorseplay；thecharactertheatrical；thejovialitypumped；thepsychologycommonplace；
thesociologyalonefunny。Itisaworldofrealclothes，earth，air，water，andtherest；thepeopleoftenspeakthelanguageoflife，buttheirmotivesareasdisproportionedandimprobable，andtheirpassionsandpurposesasovercharged，asthoseoftheworstofBalzac’speople。
Yetallthesemonstrosities，astheynowappear，seemtohaveoncehadsymmetryandverity；theymovedthemostcultivatedintelligencesofthetime；theytouchedtruehearts；theymadeeverybodylaughandcry。
Thiswasperhapsbecausetheimagination，fromhavingbeenfedmostlyupongrossunrealities，alwaysrespondsreadilytofantasticappeals。
Therehasbeenanamusingsortofaweofit，asifitwerethechannelofinspiredthought，andweresomehowsacred。Themostpreposterousinventionsofitsactivityhavebeenregardedintheirtimeasthegreatestfeatsofthehumanmind，andinitsreceptiveformithasbeennursedintoanimbecilitytowhichthetruthisrepugnant，andthefactthatthebeautifulresidesnowhereelseisinconceivable。Ithasbeenflatteredoutofallsufferanceinitstoyingswiththemereelementsofcharacter，anditsattemptstopresenttheseincombinationsforeigntoexperiencearestillpraisedbythepoorersortofcriticsasmasterpiecesofcreativework。
InthedayofDickens’searlyChristmasstoriesitwasthoughtadmirablefortheauthortotaketypesofhumanitywhicheverybodyknew，andtoaddtothemfromhisimaginationtilltheywereasstrangeasbeastsandbirdstalking。Nowwebegintofeelthathumannatureisquiteenough，andthatthebestanauthorcandoistoshowitasitis。ButinthosestoriesofhisDickenssaidtohisreaders，Letusmakebelieveso—and—
so；andtheresultwasajointjuggle，achild’s—play，inwhichthewholesomeallegiancetolifewaslost。Artistically，therefore，theschemewasfalse，andartistically，therefore，itmustperish。Itdidnotperish，however，beforeithadpropagateditselfinawholeschoolofunrealitiessoghastlythatonecanhardlyrecallwithoutashudderthosesentimentalitiesatsecondhandtowhichholidayliteraturewasabandonedlongaftertheoriginalconjurerhadweariedofhisperformance。
UnderhisowneyeandofconsciouspurposeacircleofimitatorsgrewupinthefabricationofChristmasstories。Theyobviouslyformedthemselvesuponhissoberedideals；theycollaboratedwithhim，anditwasoftenhardtoknowwhetheritwasDickensorSalaorCollinswhowaswriting。TheChristmasbookhadbythattimelostitsdirectapplicationtoChristmas。Itdealtwithshipwrecksagooddeal，andwithperilousadventuresofallkinds，andwithunmeritedsuffering，andwithghostsandmysteries，becausehumannature，securefromstormanddangerinawell—lightedroombeforeacheerfulfire，likestohavethesethingsimagedforit，anditslong—puerilizedfancywillbearanendlessrepetitionofthem。Thewizardswhowroughttheirspellswiththemcontentedthemselveswiththelastingefficacyofthesesimplemeans；
andtheapprentice—wizardsandjourneyman—wizardswhohavesucceededthempractisethesameartsattheoldstand；buttheethicalintentionwhichgavedignitytoDickens’sChristmasstoriesofstillearlierdatehasalmostwhollydisappeared。Itwasaqualitywhichcouldnotbeworkedsolongasthephantomsandhair—breadthescapes。Peoplealwaysknewthatcharacterisnotchangedbyadreaminaseriesoftableaux；thataghostcannotdomuchtowardsreforminganinordinatelyselfishperson；thatalifecannotbeturnedwhite，likeaheadofhair，inasinglenight，bythemostallegoricalapparition；thatwantandsinandshamecannotbecuredbykettlessingingonthehob；andgraduallytheyceasedtomakebelievethattherewasvirtueinthesedevicesandappliances。Yettheethicalintentionwasnotfruitless，crudeasitnowappears。
Itwaswellonceayear，ifnotoftener，toremindmenbyparableoftheold，simpletruths；toteachthemthatforgiveness，andcharity，andtheendeavorforlifebetterandpurerthaneachhaslived，aretheprinciplesuponwhichalonetheworldholdstogetherandgetsforward。
Itwaswellforthecomfortableandtherefinedtobeputinmindofthesavageryandsufferingallroundthem，andtobetaught，asDickenswasalwaysteaching，thatcertainfeelingswhichgracehumannature，astendernessforthesickandhelpless，self—sacrificeandgenerosity，self—respectandmanlinessandwomanliness，arethecommonheritageoftherace；thedirectgiftofHeaven，sharedequallybytherichandpoor。
Itdidnotnecessarilydetractfromthevalueofthelessonthat，withtheimperfectartofthetime，hemadehispaupersandportersnotonlyhuman，butsuperhuman，andtooaltogethervirtuous；anditremainedtruethathomelifemaybelovelyunderthelowliestroof，althoughhelikedtopaintitwithoutashadowonitsbeautythere。Itisstillafactthatthesickareveryoftensaintly，althoughheputnopeevishnessintotheirpatiencewiththeirills。Hisethicalintentiontoldformanhoodandfraternityandtolerance，andwhenthisintentiondisappearedfromthebetterholidayliterature，thatliteraturewassensiblythepoorerfortheloss。
XXVII。
ButifthehumanitarianimpulsehasmostlydisappearedfromChristmasfiction，Ithinkithasneversogenerallycharacterizedallfiction。
Onemayrefusetorecognizethisimpulse；onemaydenythatitisinanygreaterdegreeshapinglifethaneverbefore，butnoonewhohasthecurrentofliteratureunderhiseyecanfailtonoteitthere。Peoplearethinkingandfeelinggenerously，ifnotlivingjustly，inourtime；
itisadayofanxietytobesavedfromthecursethatisonselfishness，ofeagerquestionhowothersshallbehelped，ofbolddenialthattheconditionsinwhichwewouldfainhaverestedaresacredorimmutable。
EspeciallyinAmerica，wheretheracehasgainedaheightneverreachedbefore，theeminenceenablesmorementhaneverbeforetoseehowevenherevastmassesofmenaresunkinmiserythatmustgroweverydaymorehopeless，orembroiledinastruggleformerelifethatmustendinenslavingandimbrutingthem。
Art，indeed，isbeginningtofindoutthatifitdoesnotmakefriendswithNeeditmustperish。Itperceivesthattotakeitselffromthemanyandleavethemnojoyintheirwork，andtogiveitselftothefewwhomitcanbringnojoyintheiridleness，isanerrorthatkills。Themenandwomenwhodothehardworkoftheworldhavelearnedthattheyhavearighttopleasureintheirtoil，andthatwhenjusticeisdonethemtheywillhaveit。Inallagespoetryhasaffirmedsomethingofthissort，butitremainedforourstoperceiveitandexpressitsomehowineveryformofliterature。Butthisisonlyonephaseofthedevotionofthebestliteratureofourtimetotheserviceofhumanity。Nobookwrittenwithaloworcynicalmotivecouldsucceednow，nomatterhowbrilliantlywritten；andtheworkdoneinthepasttotheglorificationofmerepassionandpower，tothedeificationofself，appearsmonstrousandhideous。Theromanticspiritworshippedgenius，worshippedheroism，butatitsbest，insuchamanasVictorHugo，thisspiritrecognizedthesupremeclaimofthelowesthumanity。Itserrorwastoidealizethevictimsofsociety，topaintthemimpossiblyvirtuousandbeautiful；buttruth，whichhassucceededtothehighestmissionofromance，paintsthesevictimsastheyare，andbidstheworldconsiderthemnotbecausetheyarebeautifulandvirtuous，butbecausetheyareuglyandvicious，cruel，filthy，andonlynotaltogetherloathsomebecausethedivinecanneverwhollydieoutofthehuman。Thetruthdoesnotfindthesevictimsamongthepooralone，amongthehungry，thehouseless，theragged；butitalsofindsthemamongtherich，cursedwiththeaimlessness，thesatiety，thedespairofwealth，wastingtheirlivesinafool’sparadiseofshowsandsemblances，withnothingrealbutthemiserythatcomesofinsincerityandselfishness。
Idonotthinkthefictionofourowntimeevenalwaysequaltothiswork，orperhapsmorethanseldomso。ButasIonceexpressed，tothelong—reverberatingdiscontentoftwocontinents，fictionisnowafinerartthanit，hasbeenhitherto，andmorenearlymeetstherequirementsoftheinfalliblestandard。Ihavehopesofrealusefulnessinit，becauseitisatlastbuildingontheonlysurefoundation；butIambynomeanscertainthatitwillbetheultimateliteraryform，orwillremainasimportantaswebelieveitisdestinedtobecome。Onthecontrary，itisquiteimaginablethatwhenthegreatmassofreaders，nowsunkinthefoolishjoysofmerefable，shallbeliftedtoaninterestinthemeaningofthingsthroughthefaithfulportrayaloflifeinfiction，thenfictionthemostfaithfulmaybesupersededbyastillmorefaithfulformofcontemporaneoushistory。Iwillinglyleavetheprecisecharacterofthisformtothemorerobustimaginationofreaderswhosemindshavebeennurtureduponromanticnovels，andwhoreallyhaveanimaginationworthspeakingof，andconfinemyself，asusual，tothehithersideoftheregionsofconjecture。
Theartwhichinthemeantimedisdainstheofficeofteacherisoneofthelastrefugesofthearistocraticspiritwhichisdisappearingfrompoliticsandsociety，andisnowseekingtoshelteritselfinaesthetics。
Theprideofcasteisbecomingtheprideoftaste；butasbefore，itisaversetothemassofmen；itconsentstoknowthemonlyinsomeconventionalizedandartificialguise。Itseekstowithdrawitself，tostandaloof；tobedistinguished，andnottobeidentified。Democracyinliteratureisthereverseofallthis。Itwishestoknowandtotellthetruth，confidentthatconsolationanddelightarethere；itdoesnotcaretopaintthemarvellousandimpossibleforthevulgarmany，ortosentimentalizeandfalsifytheactualforthevulgarfew。Menaremorelikethanunlikeoneanother：letusmakethemknowoneanotherbetter，thattheymaybeallhumbledandstrengthenedwithasenseoftheirfraternity。Neitherarts，norletters，norsciences，exceptastheysomehow，clearlyorobscurely，tendtomaketheracebetterandkinder，aretoberegardedasseriousinterests；theyarealllowerthantherudestcraftsthatfeedandhouseandclothe，forexcepttheydothisofficetheyareidle；andtheycannotdothisexceptfromandthroughthetruth。