Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
XI SIX MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTE, 129 1. The Boudoir Balzac, 129 2. A Stranger on Parnassus, 134 3. A Merchant of Mush, 138 4. The Last of the Victorians, 139 5. A Bad Novelist, 145 6. A Broadway Brandes, 148
It is hard to choose between stories so high in merit, but surely “The Purpose” is one of the best. Of all the latter-day Germans, only Ludwig Thoma, in “Ein bayrischer Soldat,”...
3. Part 3It is easy to discern in it, indeed, a note of distinct hostility, and even of disgust. The long exile of the author is not without its significance. He not only got in France s...
8. Part 8An understanding of this plain fact not only explains the MacLane and her gingery carnalities of the chair; it also explains a good part of latter-day American literature. That...
5. Part 5Confronted by such considerations, it seems to me that there is little truth left in Prof. Dr. Veblen’s theory of conspicuous consumption and conspicuous waste—that what remains...
11. Part 11The same phenomenon is constantly witnessed upon the lower level of daily journalism. Let a vociferous “reform” newspaper overthrow the old gang and elect its own candidates, an...
2. Part 2Since then the decline of Wells has been as steady as his rise was rapid. Call the roll of his books, and you will discern a progressive and unmistakable falling off. Into “The...
4. Part 4As a critic he belongs to a higher level, if only because of his eager curiosity, his gusto in novelty. His praise of Howe I have mentioned. He dealt valiant licks for other déb...
13. Part 13Bear this theory in mind, and you have a clear explanation of Nathan’s actual performances—first, his merciless lampooning of the trade-goods of Broadway and the pifflings of th...
14. Part 14The external facts of the chronicle are simple enough. The son of a school teacher turned petty lawyer and politician, the hero is brought up under such barbaric rigors that he...
9. Part 9Alas, what would you? It is ghastly drivel, to be sure, but isn’t it, after all, thoroughly American? I have an uneasy suspicion that it is—that “In the Heart of a Fool” is, at...
10. Part 10Such fine distinctions, so ardently supported, raise many interesting questions, but the attempt to answer them quickly gets one bogged. Several years ago I ventured to lift a s...
6. Part 6Miss Monroe, if she would write a book about it, would be the most competent historian of the movement, and perhaps also its keenest critic. She has seen it from the inside. She...
12. Part 12This holy man, I believe, was honest, and took his platitudinous compositions quite seriously. Regarding other contributors to the literature it may be said without malice that...
1. Part 1XI SIX MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTE, 129 1. The Boudoir Balzac, 129 2. A Stranger on Parnassus, 134 3. A Merchant of Mush, 138 4. The Last of the Victorians, 139 5. A Bad Novelist,...
15. Part 15The existing tombstone was erected by a committee of Baltimore schoolmarms, and cost about $1,000. It took the dear girls ten long years to raise the money. They started out wit...