……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。