,illu/ration3 ,title page ,! ,art ( ,fiction ,by ,walt] ,besant ,au?or ( ,! ,orange ,girl1 etc4 etc4 ,a ,new ,edition ,london ,*atto ,w9dus #aijb ,a ,lecture deliv]$ at ! ,royal ,in/itution1 ,april #be1 #ahhd ,,! ,,art ,,( ,,fiction ,i desire ?is ev5+ to consid] ,fiction z "o ( ! ,f9e ,arts4 ,9 ord] to d ?is1 & be=e do+ x1 ,i h fir/ to advance c]ta9 propositions4 ,!y are n new1 !y are n likely to be disput$1 & yet !y h nev] be5 s g5]ally receiv$ z to =m "p1 s to speak1 ( ! national m9d4 ,^! propositions are ?ree1 ?\gh ! la/ two directly spr+ f ! fir/4 ,!y are3 #a4 ,t ,fiction is an ,art 9 e way wor?y to be call$ ! si/] & ! equal ( ! ,arts ( ,pa9t+1 ,sculpture1 ,music1 & ,poetry2 t is to say1 h] field is z b\ndless1 h] possibilities are z va/1 h] excell5ces z wor?y ( admiration1 z may be claim$ = any ( h] si/] ,arts4 #b4 ,t x is an ,art :i*1 l !m1 is gov]n$ & direct$ by g5]al laws2 & t ^! laws may be laid d[n & taught ) z mu* precision & exactness z ! laws ( h>mony1 p]spective1 & proportion4 #c4 ,t1 l ! o!r ,f9e ,arts1 ,fiction is s f> remov$ f ! m]e me*anical arts1 t no laws or rules :atev] c tea* x to ^? :o h n already be5 end[$ ) ! natural & necess>y gifts4 ,^! are ! ?ree propositions :i* ,i h to discuss4 ,x foll[s z a coroll>y & evid5t d$uction t1 ^! propositions once admitt$1 ^? :o foll[ & pr(ess ! ,art ( ,fiction mu/ be recognis$ z arti/s1 9 ! /ricte/ s5se ( ! ^w1 j z mu* z ^? :o h delight$ & elevat$ mank9d by music & pa9t+2 & t ! great ,ma/]s ( ,fiction mu/ be plac$ on ! same level z ! great ,ma/]s 9 ! o!r ,arts4 ,9 o!r words1 ,i mean t :]e ! highe/ po9t1 or :at seems ! highe/ po9t1 possible 9 ?is ,art is t\*$1 ! man :o has rea*$ x is "o ( ! _w's greate/ m54 ,i _c suppose t !re are any 9 ?is room :o w\ld refuse to admit ^! propositions2 on ! contr>y1 !y w seem to mo/ "h self-evid5t2 yet ! application ( !ory to practice1 ( pr9ciple to p]sons1 may be m difficult4 ,= in/ance1 s b\ndless is ! admiration = great ,ma/]s su* z ,raphael or ,moz>t1 t if "o 7 to propose t ,?ack]ay %\ld be plac$ beside !m1 on ! same level1 & z an equal1 !re w\ld be felt by mo/ a c]ta9 %ock4 ,i am n sugge/+ t ! art ( ,?ack]ay is to be comp>$ ) t ( ,raphael1 or t !re is any simil>ity 9 ! "w ( ! two m52 ,i only say t1 ,fiction be+ "o ,art1 & ,pa9t+ ano!r & a si/] ,art1 ^? :o atta9 ! highe/ possible di/9ction 9 ei!r are equal4 ,let u1 h[ev]1 g outside ?is room1 among ! multitudes by :om a noveli/ has nev] be5 consid]$ an arti/ at all4 ,to !m ! claim t a great noveli/ %\ld be consid]$ to occupy ! same level z a great musician1 a great pa9t]1 or a great poet1 w\ld appe> at fir/ a ?+ ludicr\s & ev5 pa9ful4 ,consid] = a mom5t h[ ! _w at l>ge reg>ds ! noveli/4 ,he is1 9 _! eyes1 a p]son :o tells /ories2 j z !y us$ to reg>d ! actor z a man :o tumbl$ on ! /age to make ! audi5ce laugh1 & a musician z a man :o fiddl$ to make ! p dance4 ,?is is ! old way ( ?9k+1 & mo/ p ?9k fir/ z !y h be5 taught to ?9k2 & next1 z !y see o!rs ?9k4 ,x is1 !re=e1 q easy to und]/& :y ! art ( novel-writ+ has always be51 by ! g5]al mass1 und]valu$4 ,fir/1 :ile ! lead]s 9 e o!r bran* ( ,art1 9 e dep>tm5t ( ,sci5ce1 & 9 e k9d ( pr(ession1 receive _! %>e ( ! ord9>y national di/9ctions1 no "o ev] he>s ( hon\rs be+ be/[$ ^u noveli/s4 ,nei!r ,?ack]ay nor ,dick5s 0 ev]1 s f> z ,i "k1 (f]$ a ,pe]age2 nei!r ,k+1 ,que51 nor ,pr9ce 9 any c\ntry ?r\gh\t ! :ole _w takes ! lea/ notice ( !m4 ,i d n say !y w\ld be any ! bett] = ?is k9d ( recognition1 b its abs5ce cle>ly proves1 to ^? :o take _! op9ions f o!rs1 t !y are n a class at all wor?y ( special hon\r4 ,!n1 aga91 9 ! mod]n craze :i* exi/s = e k9d ( art--s t we meet ev]y:]e1 9 e h\sehold1 amateur actors1 pa9t]s1 et*]s1 sculptors1 modell]s1 musicians1 & s+]s1 all ( !m s]i\s & e>ne/ 9 _! aims--amateur noveli/s alone reg>d _! ,art z "o :i* is le>n$ by intuition4 ,?irdly1 noveli/s are n associat$ z are pa9t]s2 !y hold no annual exhibitions1 d9n]s1 or conv]sazioni2 !y put no lett]s aft] _! names2 !y h no ,presid5t or ,academy2 & !y d n !mselves seem desir\s ( be+ treat$ z foll[]s ( a special ,art4 ,i d n say t !y are wrong1 or t mu* w\ld be ga9$ = ,art if all ! noveli/s ( ,engl& 7 invit$ to ,c\rt & creat$ into a ,royal ,academy4 ,b ,i d say t = ^! ?ree reasons x is easy to und]/& h[ ! _w at l>ge does n ev5 suspect t ! writ+ ( novels is "o ( ! ,f9e ,arts1 & :y !y reg>d ! /ory-tell] ) a sort ( contempt4 ,x is1 ,i ackn[l$ge1 a k9dly contempt--ev5 an affectionate contempt2 x is ! contempt :i* ! practical man feels = ! dream]1 ! /rong man = ! weak1 ! man :o c d = ! man :o c only look on & talk4 ,! g5]al--! ,phili/9e--view ( ! ,pr(ession is1 fir/ ( all1 t x is n "o :i* a s*ol> & a man ( s]i\s views %\ld take up3 ! tell+ ( /ories is inconsi/5t ) a well-balanc$ m9d2 to be a tell] ( /ories disqualifies "o f a he>+ on important subjects4 ,at ?is v day !re are ?\s&s ( liv+ p :o w nev] und]/& h[ ! au?or ( ,con+sby & ,vivian ,grey c possibly be reg>d$ z a s]i\s /atesman--all ! ,disraeli lit]ature1 ev5 to ! comic c>toons1 expresses ! popul> s5tim5t t a noveli/ mu/ n presume to call himself a /atesman3 ! intellect ( a noveli/1 x is felt--if he h any intellect at all1 :i* is d\btful--mu/ be "o ( ! mo/ frivol\s & lighte/ k9d2 h[ c a man ^: m9d is always full ( ! loves ( ,corydon & ,am>yllis be tru/$ to =m an op9ion on practical matt]s8 ,:5 ,?ack]ay v5tur$ to conte/ ! city ( ,ox=d1 we "k :at happ5$4 ,he ?\ght 8 failure 0 because ! p ( ,ox=d _h nev] ev5 he>d ( him2 ,i ?9k o!rwise4 ,i ?9k x 0 because x 0 :isp]$ f h\se to h\se1 & 0 c>ri$ f %op to %op1 & 0 m5tion$ 9 ! ve/ry1 t ?is fell[ f ,london1 :o ask$ = _! votes1 0 no?+ b a common noveli/4 ,) ^! p mu/ n be conf\nd$ ano!r class1 n s l>ge1 :o are prep>$ to admit t ,fiction is 9 "s qualifi$ s5se an ,art2 b !y d ?is z a concession to ! vanity ( its foll[]s1 & are by no means prep>$ to all[ t x is an ,art ( ! fir/ rank4 ,h[ c t be an ,art1 !y might ask1 :i* has no lectur]s or tea*]s1 no s*ool or college or ,academy1 no recognis$ rules1 no text-books1 & is n taught 9 any ,univ]sity8 ,ev5 ! ,g]man ,univ]sities1 :i* tea* e ?+ else1 d n h ,pr(essors ( ,fiction2 & n "o s+le noveli/1 s f> z ,i "k1 has ev] pret5d$ to tea* 8 my/]y1 or spok5 ( x z a ?+ :i* may be taught4 ,cle>ly1 !re=e1 !y w\ld g on to argue1 su* art z is requir$ = ! mak+ & tell+ ( a /ory c & mu/ be ma/]$ )\t /udy1 because no mat]ials exi/ = ! /ud5t's use4 ,x may ev51 p]haps1 be acquir$ unconsci\sly1 or by imitation4 ,?is view1 ,i am sorry to say1 l>gely prevails among ! majority ( ^? :o try _! *ance 9 ! field ( fiction4 ,any "o1 !y ?9k1 c write a novel2 !re=e1 :y n sit d[n & write "o8 ,i w\ld n will+ly say "o ^w :i* might disc\rage ^? :o are attract$ to ?is bran* ( lit]ature2 on ! contr>y1 ,i w\ld enc\rage !m 9 e possible way4 ,"o desires1 h[ev]1 t !y %\ld approa* _! "w at ! outset ) ! same s]i\s & e>ne/ appreciation ( its importance & its difficulties ) :i* !y und]take ! /udy ( music & pa9t+4 ,i w\ld wi%1 9 %ort1 t f ! v beg9n+ _! m9ds %\ld be fully possess$ ) ! k t ,fiction is an ,art1 & t1 l all o!r ,arts1 x is gov]n$ by c]ta9 laws1 me?ods1 & rules1 :i* x is _! fir/ bus9ess to le>n4 ,x is1 !n1 fir/ & be=e all1 a real ,art4 ,x is ! olde/1 because x 0 kn[n & practis$ long be=e ,pa9t+ & h] si/]s 7 9 exi/5ce or ev5 ?\ght (2 x is old] ?an any ( ! ,muses f ^: company %e :o tells /ories has hi!rto be5 exclud$2 x is ! mo/ widely spread1 because 9 no race ( m5 "u ! sun is x unkn[n1 ev5 ?\gh ! /ories may be always ! same1 & h&$ d[n f g5]ation to g5]ation 9 ! same =m2 x is ! mo/ religi\s ( all ! ,arts1 because 9 e age until ! pres5t ! lives1 exploits1 & suff]+s ( gods1 goddesses1 sa9ts1 & h]oes h be5 ! fav\rite !me2 x has always be5 ! mo/ popul>1 because x requires nei!r culture1 education1 nor natural g5ius to und]/& & li/5 to a /ory2 x is ! mo/ moral1 because ! _w has always be5 taught :atev] little morality x possesses by way ( /ory1 fable1 apologue1 p>able1 & allegory4 ,x comm&s ! wide/ influ5ce1 because x c be c>ri$ easily & ev]y:]e into regions :]e pictures are nev] se5 & music is nev] he>d2 x is ! greate/ tea*+ p[]1 because its lessons are mo/ readily appreh5d$ & und]/ood4 ,all ?is1 :i* might h be5 said ?\s&s ( ye>s ago1 may be said to-day ) ev5 great] =ce & tru?4 ,t _w :i* exi/s n1 b is an inv5tion or an imitation--t _w 9 :i* ! %ad[s & %apes ( m5 move ab\t be=e our eyes z real z if !y 7 actually liv+ & speak+ among u1 is l a great !atre accessible to all ( e sort1 on ^: /age are enact$1 at our own sweet w1 :5ev] we please to comm& !m1 ! mo/ beautiful plays3 x is1 z e !atre %\ld be1 ! s*ool 9 :i* mann]s are le>n$3 "h ! majority ( read+ mank9d le>n ne>ly all t !y "k ( life & mann]s1 ( philosophy & art2 ev5 ( sci5ce & religion4 ,! mod]n novel conv]ts ab/ract ideas into liv+ models2 x gives ideas1 x /r5g!ns fai?1 x prea*es a high] morality ?an is se5 9 ! actual _w2 x comm&s ! emotions ( pity1 admiration1 & t]ror2 x creates & keeps alive ! s5se ( sympa?y2 x is ! univ]sal tea*]2 x is ! only book :i* ! great mass ( read+ mank9d ev] d read2 x is ! only way 9 :i* p c le>n :at o!r m5 & wom5 are l2 x r$eems _! lives f dulness1 puts ?\ghts1 desires1 k1 & ev5 ambitions into _! he>ts3 x tea*es !m to talk1 & enri*es _! spee* ) epigrams1 anecdotes1 & illu/rations4 ,x is an unfail+ s\rce ( delight to millions1 happily n too critical4 ,:y1 out ( all ! books tak5 d[n f ! %elves ( ! public libr>ies1 f\r-fif?s are novels2 & ( all ^? t are b\ght1 n9e-t5?s are novels4 ,comp>$ ) ?is trem5d\s eng9e ( popul> influ5ce1 :at are all ! o!r ,arts put toge!r8 ,c we n alt] ! old maxim1 & say ) tru?1 ,let him :o pleases make ! laws if ,i may write ! novels8 ,z = ! field ) :i* ?is ,art ( ,fiction occupies itself1 x is1 if y please1 no?+ less ?an ! :ole ( ,humanity4 ,! noveli/ /udies m5 & wom52 he is conc]n$ ) _! actions & _! ?\ghts1 _! errors & _! follies1 _! greatness & _! meanness2 ! c\ntless =ms ( beauty & con/antly v>y+ moods to be se5 among !m2 ! =ces :i* act ^u !m2 ! passions1 prejudices1 hopes1 & fe>s :i* pull !m ?is way & t4 ,he has to d1 above all1 & be=e all1 ) m5 & wom54 ,no "o1 = in/ance1 among noveli/s1 c be call$ a l&scape pa9t]1 or a pa9t] ( sea-pieces1 or a pa9t] ( fruit & fl[]s1 save only 9 /rict subord9ation to ! gr\p ( *>act]s ) :om he is deal+4 ,l&scape1 sea1 sky1 & air1 are m]ely accessories introduc$ 9 ord] to set (f & br+ into great] prom95ce ! figures on ! /age4 ,! v fir/ rule 9 ,fiction is t ! human int]e/ mu/ absolutely absorb ev]y?+ else4 ,"s writ]s nev] p]mit any?+ at all 9 _! pages :i* %all div]t our ?\ghts "o mom5t f ! actors4 ,:51 = in/ance1 ,*>les ,reade--,alas6 t we mu/ say ! late ,*>les ,reade1 = he is dead--:5 ?is great ,ma/] ( ,fiction1 9 8 incomp>able tale ( ,! ,cloi/] & ! ,he>?1 s5ds ,g]>d & ,d5is ! ,burgundian on t j\rney ?r\gh ,france1 x is ) ! fewe/ possible ( words t he sugge/s ! sights & p]sons met ) on ! way2 yet1 s great is ! art ( ! writ]1 t1 almo/ )\t be+ told1 we see ! road1 a m]e r\gh track1 w9d+ beside ! riv] & along ! valleys2 we see ! sil5t =e/s :]e lurk ! r\ti]s & ! robb]s1 ! cut-?roat inn1 ! m]*ants1 peasants1 begg>s1 soldi]s :o g rid+ by2 ! writ] does n pause 9 8 /ory to tell u ( all ?is1 b yet we feel x--by ! m]e action ( ! piece & ! dialogue we are compell$ to see ! sc5]y3 ! life ( ! fifte5? c5tury passes be=e u1 ) h>dly a ^w to picture x1 because x is always kept 9 ! backgr\nd1 s z n to int]f]e ) ! c5tral figure ( ! "y cl]k j\rney+ to ,rome4 ,! human int]e/ 9 ,fiction1 !n1 mu/ come be=e aught else4 ,x is ( ?is _w1 :olly ( ?is _w4 ,x might seem at fir/ z if ! limitation ( ?is ,art to ?+s human plac$ x on a l[] level ?an ! ,arts ( ,pa9t+ & ,music4 ,t1 h[ev]1 is n s4 ,! /up5d\s subjects :i* 7 und]tak5 by ! old ,italian pa9t]s are1 x is true1 beyond ! p[] ( ,fiction to attempt4 ,x may be que/ion$ :e!r !y are n also1 accord+ to mod]n ideas1 beyond ! legitimate scope ( pa9t+4 ,c]ta9ly1 j z !re is no?+ 9 ! :ole ( creation m wor?y ( be+ /udi$ & pa9t$ ?an ! human face & =m1 s !re is no?+ m wor?y ( repres5tation ?an m5 & wom5 9 action & 9 passion4 ,! anci5t poet plac$ ! ,gods !mselves ^u ! /age ) ! ,furies & ! ,fates4 ,!n we _h ! sa9ts1 confessors1 & m>tyrs4 ,we next desc5d$ to k+s & great lords4 ,9 our times1 pa9t]1 poet1 & noveli/ alike are cont5t$ ) pla9 humanity1 :e!r cr[n$ or 9 rags4 ,:at picture1 let u ask1 :at picture ev] pa9t$ ( angels & bless$ s\ls1 ev5 if !y are m\nt+ ! hill on :i* /&s ! ,f\r-squ>e ,city ( ! jasp] wall1 is able to comm& our int]e/ & sympa?y m pr(\ndly ?an ! simple & fai?ful /ory1 truly & fai?fully told1 ( a lov] & 8 mi/ress8 ,x is1 !re=e1 ! especial *>act]i/ic ( ?is ,art t1 s9ce x deals exclusively ) m5 & wom51 x n only requires ( its foll[]s1 b also creates 9 read]s1 t s5tim5t :i* is de/9$ to be a mo/ mighty eng9e 9 deep5+ & wid5+ ! civilisation ( ! _w4 ,we call x ,sympa?y1 b x means a great deal m ?an 0 =m]ly und]/ood by ! ^w4 ,x means1 9 fact1 :at ,pr(essor ,seeley once call$ ! ,en?usiasm ( ,humanity1 & x fir/ appe>$1 ,i ?9k1 ab\t a hundr$ & fifty ye>s ago1 :5 ! mod]n novel came into exi/5ce4 ,y w f9d x1 = in/ance1 conspicu\s = its abs5ce 9 ,defoe4 ,! mod]n ,sympa?y includes n only ! p[] to pity ! suff]+s ( o!rs1 b also t ( und]/&+ _! v s\ls2 x is ! rev]5ce = man1 ! respect = 8 p]sonality1 ! recognition ( 8 individuality1 & ! enorm\s value ( ! "o man1 ! p]ception ( "o man's relation to ano!r1 8 duties & responsibilities4 ,?r\gh ! /r5g? ( ?is newly born faculty1 & aid$ by ! guidance ( a great arti/1 we are enabl$ to disc]n ! real inde/ructible man b5ea? ! rags & fil? ( a common ca/away1 & ! possibilities ( ! meane/ gutt]-*ild t /eals 9 ! /reets = its daily bread4 ,surely t is a wond]ful ,art :i* end[s ! p--all ! p--) ?is p[] ( vision & ( feel+4 ,pa9t+ has n done x1 & c\ld nev] d x2 ,pa9t+ has done m = nature ?an = humanity4 ,sculpture c\ld n d x1 because x deals ) situation & =m1 r ?an action1 ,music _c d x1 because ,music 7if ,i und]/& rightly7 appeals especially to ! individual conc]n+ himself & 8 own aspirations4 ,poetry alone is ! rival ( ,fiction1 & 9 ?is respect x takes a l[] place1 n because ,poetry fails to tea* & int]pret1 b because ,fiction is1 & mu/ always be1 m popul>4 ,aga91 ?is ,art tea*es1 l ! o!rs1 by suppression & retic5ce4 ,out ( ! great procession ( ,humanity1 ! ,comdie ,huma9e :i* ! noveli/ sees pass+ ev] be=e 8 eyes1 s+le figures deta* !mselves "o aft] ! o!r1 to be que/ion$1 exam9$1 & receiv$ or reject$4 ,?is process goes on p]petually4 ,humanity is s va/ a field1 t to "o :o goes ab\t wat*+ m5 & wom51 & does n sit at home & evolve figures out ( 8 inn] consci\sness1 !re is n1 & c nev] be1 any end or limit to ! fre%ness & int]e/ ( ^! figures4 ,x is ! "w ( ! arti/ to select ! figures1 to suppress1 to copy1 to gr\p1 & to "w up ! incid5ts :i* ea* "o (f]s4 ,! daily life ( ! _w is n dramatic--x is monoton\s2 ! noveli/ makes x dramatic by 8 sil5ces1 8 suppressions1 & 8 exagg]ations4 ,no "o1 = example1 9 fiction1 behaves q 9 ! same way z 9 real life2 z on ! /age1 if an actor unfolds & reads a lett]1 ! simple action is done ) an exagg]ation ( ge/ure :i* calls att5tion to ! ?+ & to its importance1 s 9 romance1 :ile no?+ %\ld be all[$ :i* does n c>ry on ! /ory1 s ev]y?+ z x occurs mu/ be acc5tuat$1 & yet depriv$ ( ne$less accessory details4 ,! ge/ures ( ! *>act]s at an important juncture1 _! looks1 _! voices1 may all be not$ if !y help to impress ! situation4 ,ev5 ! wea!r1 ! w9d & ! ra91 ) "s writ]s1 h be5 made to emphasise a mood or a passion ( a h]o9e4 ,to "k h[ to use ^! aids arti/ically is to ! noveli/ exactly :at to ! actor is ! "r pres5tation ( a lett]1 ! h&+ ( a *air1 ev5 ! removal ( a glove4 ,a ?ird *>act]i/ic ( ,fiction1 :i* %\ld alone be suffici5t to give x a place among ! noble/ =ms ( ,art1 is t1 l ,poetry1 ,pa9t+1 & ,music1 x becomes a vehicle1 n only = ! be/ ?\ghts ( ! writ]1 b also = ^? ( ! read]2 s t a noveli/ may write tru?fully & fai?fully1 b simply1 & yet be und]/ood 9 a f> full] & nobl] s5se ?an 0 pres5t to 8 own m9d4 ,?is p[] is ! v highe/ gift ( ! poet4 ,he has a vision & sees a ?+ cle>ly1 yet p]haps af> (f2 ano!r :o reads him is enabl$ to get ! same vision1 to see ! same ?+1 yet clos] & m di/9ctly4 ,= a l[] intellect ?us to lead & in/ruct a high] is surely a v great gift1 & grant$ only to ! highe/ =ms ( ,art4 ,& ?is x is :i* ,fiction ( ! be/ k9d does = its read]s4 ,x is1 h[ev]1 only ano!r way ( say+ t ,tru? 9 ,fiction produces effects simil> to ^? produc$ by ,tru? 9 e o!r ,art4 ,s f>1 !n1 ,i h %[n t ?is ,art ( ,fiction is ! mo/ anci5t ( all ,arts1 & ! mo/ popul>2 t its field is ! :ole ( humanity2 t x creates & develops t sympa?y :i* is a k9d ( second sight2 t1 l all o!r ,arts1 its function is to select1 to suppress1 & to arrange2 t x sugge/s z well z n>rates4 ,m might be said--a great deal m--b en\gh has be5 said to %[ t 9 ^!1 ! lead+ *>act]i/ics ( any ,art1 ,fiction is on exactly ! same level z h] si/]s4 ,let me only add t 9 ?is ,art1 z 9 ! o!rs1 !re is1 & w be always1 :atev] has be5 done already1 some?+ new to discov]1 some?+ new to express1 some?+ new to describe4 ,surgeons dissect ! body1 & acc\nt = e bone & e n]ve1 s t ! body ( "o man1 consid]$ z a collection ( bones & n]ves1 is s f> exactly l ! body ( ano!r man4 ,b ! m9d ( man _c be s exhau/$3 x yields discov]ies to e pati5t /ud5t2 x is absolutely inexhau/ible2 x is to e "o a fre% & virg9 field3 & ! mo/ successful inve/igator leaves regions & tracts = 8 successor z va/ z ^? he has himself gone ov]4 ,p]haps1 aft] all1 ! greate/ ,psy*ologi/ is n ! metaphysician1 b ! noveli/4 ,we come next to speak ( ! ,laws :i* gov]n ?is ,art--,i mean1 ^? g5]al rules & pr9ciples :i* mu/ necess>ily be acquir$ by e writ] ( ,fiction be=e he c ev5 hope = success4 ,rules w n make a man a noveli/1 any m ?an a k ( gramm> makes a man "k a language1 or a k ( musical sci5ce makes a man able to play an in/rum5t4 ,yet1 ! ,rules mu/ be le>n$4 ,&1 9 speak+ ( !m1 "o is compell$1 s close is ! connection betwe5 ! si/] ,arts1 to use n only ! same t]ms1 b also to adopt ! same rules1 z ^? laid d[n by pa9t]s = _! /ud5ts4 ,if ^! ,laws appe> self-evid5t1 x is a pro( t ! g5]al pr9ciples ( ! ,art are well und]/ood4 ,consid]+1 h[ev]1 ! va/ quantity ( bad1 in>ti/ic "w :i* is e week laid be=e ! public1 "o is incl9$ to ?9k t a /atem5t ( ^! pr9ciples may n be )\t usefulness4 ,fir/1 & be=e ev]y?+ else1 !re is ! ,rule t ev]y?+ 9 ,fiction :i* is inv5t$1 & is n ! result ( p]sonal exp]i5ce & obs]vation1 is wor?less4 ,9 "s o!r ,arts1 ! design may foll[ any l9es :i* ! design] pleases3 x may be fanciful1 unreal1 or grotesque2 b 9 mod]n ,fiction1 ^: sole end1 aim1 & purpose is to portray humanity & human "*1 ! design mu/ be 9 accordance ) ! cu/oms & g5]al practice ( liv+ m5 & wom5 "u any propos$ set ( circum/ances & conditions4 ,t is to say1 ! *>act]s mu/ be real1 & su* z might be met ) 9 actual life1 or1 at lea/1 ! natural developm5ts ( su* p z any ( u might meet2 _! actions mu/ be natural & consi/5t2 ! conditions ( place1 ( mann]s1 & ( ?\ght mu/ be drawn f p]sonal obs]vation4 ,to take an extreme case3 a "y lady br\ght up 9 a quiet c\ntry village %\ld avoid descriptions ( g>rison life2 a writ] ^: fri5ds & p]sonal exp]i5ces belong to :at we call ! l[] middle class %\ld c>efully avoid introduc+ 8 *>act]s into ,society2 a ,s\?-c\ntryman w\ld hesitate be=e attempt+ to reproduce ! ,nor?-c\ntry acc5t4 ,?is is a v simple ,rule1 b "o to :i* !re %\ld be no exception--nev] to g beyond y\r own exp]i5ce4#a ,rememb] t mo/ ( ! p :o read novels1 & "k no?+ ab\t ! art ( writ+ !m1 recognise be=e any o!r quality t ( fidelity3 ! greatness ( a noveli/ !y measure *iefly by ! k ( ! _w display$ 9 8 pages2 ! highe/ praise !y c be/[ ^u him is t he has drawn ! /ory to ! life4 ,x is exactly ! same ) a picture4 ,if y g to ! ,academy any day1 & li/5 to ! comm5ts ( ! cr[d--:i* is a v in/ructive ?+ to d1 & "o recomm5d$ to "y noveli/s--y w pres5tly become aw>e t ! only ?+ !y look = 9 a picture is ! /ory :i* x tells1 & !re=e ! fidelity ) :i* x is pres5t$ on ! canvas4 ,mo/ ( ! o!r qualities ( ! picture1 & ( ! novel z well1 all t has to d ) ! te*nique1 escape ! g5]al obs]v]4 ,?is be+ s1 ! fir/ ?+ :i* has to be acquir$ is ! art ( description4 ,x seems easy to describe2 any "o1 x seems1 c set d[n :at he sees4 ,b1 consid]4 ,h[ mu* does he see8 ,!re is ev]y:]e1 ev5 9 a room1 su* a quantity ( ?+s to be se53 f>1 f> m 9 field & h$ge1 9 m\nta9 & 9 =e/ & beside ! /ream1 are !re c\ntless ?+s to be se52 ! unpractis$ eye sees no?+1 or next to no?+4 ,"h is a tree1 "h is a fl[]1 !re is sun%9e ly+ on ! hill4 ,b to ! obs]vant & tra9$ eye1 ! intellig5t eye1 !re lies be=e him ev]y:]e an inexhau/ible & bewild]+ mass ( ?+s to see4 ,rememb] h[ ,mr4 ,jeff]ies sits d[n 9 a coppice ) 8 eyes wide op5 to see :at ! re/ ( u nev] dream$ ( look+ =4 ,long be=e he has half f9i%$ tell+ u :at he has se5--behold6 a volume1 & "o ( ! mo/ delightful volumes conceivable4 ,b1 !n1 ,mr4 ,jeff]ies is a pr(\nd naturali/4 ,we _c all describe aft] 8 mann]1 nor %\ld we try2 = ! simple reason t descriptions ( /ill life 9 a novel mu/ be /rictly subord9at$ to ! human int]e/4 ,b :ile ,mr4 ,jeff]ies has 8 h$ge & dit* & brook1 we h our t[ns1 our villages1 & our assemblies ( m5 & wom54 ,among !m we mu/ n only obs]ve1 b we mu/ select4 ,"h1 !n1 are two di/9ct faculties :i* ! int5d+ noveli/ mu/ acquire2 viz41 obs]vation & selection4 ,z = ! p[] ( obs]vation1 x may be taught to any "o by ! simple me?od adopt$ by ,rob]t ,h\d91 ! ,fr5* conjur]4 ,?is me?od consi/s ( not+ d[n cont9ually & rememb]+ all k9ds ( ?+s rem>k$ 9 ! c\rse ( a j\rney1 a walk1 or ! day's bus9ess4 ,! le>n] mu/ c>ry 8 note-book always ) him1 into ! fields1 to ! !atre1 into ! /reets--:]ev] he c wat* man & 8 ways1 or ,nature & h] ways4 ,on 8 return home1 he %\ld ent] 8 notes 9 8 commonplace-book4 ,!re are places :]e ! production ( a note-book w\ld be emb>rass+--say1 at a d9n]-p>ty1 or a /reet fight2 yet1 ! man :o beg9s to obs]ve w spe$ily be able to rememb] ev]y?+ t he sees & he>s until he c f9d an opportunity to note x d[n1 s t no?+ is lo/4#b ,! mat]ials = ! noveli/1 9 %ort1 are n 9 ! books ^u ! %elves1 b 9 ! m5 & wom5 he meets ) ev]y:]e2 he w f9d !m1 :]e ,dick5s f\nd !m1 9 ! cr[d$ /reets1 9 tra9s1 tram-c>s1 & omnibuses1 at ! %op-w9d[s1 9 *ur*es & *apels3 8 mat]ials are ev]y:]e--!re is no?+ too l[1 no?+ too high1 no?+ too base1 no?+ too noble = ! noveli/4 ,humanity is l a kaleidoscope1 :i* y may turn ab\t & look into1 b y w nev] get ! same picture twice--x _c be exhau/$4 ,b x may be object$ t ! broad di/9ctive types h be5 long s9ce all us$4 ,!y h be5 us$1 b ! com=t is t !y c nev] be us$ up1 & t !y may be con/antly us$ aga9 & aga94 ,c we ev] be tir$ ( !m :5 a ma/] h& takes "o ( !m aga9 & gives him new life8 ,are !re to be no m hypocrites because we h already _h ,t>tuffe & ,pecksniff8 ,d we suppose t ! old mis]1 ! "y sp5d?rift1 ! gambl]1 ! adv5tur]1 ! coquette1 ! drunk>d1 ! soldi] ( =tune1 are nev] to re-appe>1 because !y h be5 h&l$ already8 ,z long1 on ! contr>y1 z man %all cont9ue /ory-tell+1 s long w ^! *>act]s occur aga9 & aga91 & look z fre% ea* "t t !y are treat$ by a ma/]'s h& z if !y 7 newly discov]$ types4 ,fidelity1 !re=e1 c be only assur$ by acquir+ ! art ( obs]vation1 :i* fur!r assi/s 9 fill+ ! m9d ) /or$ exp]i5ce4 ,i am q sure t mo/ m5 nev] see any?+ at all4 ,i h kn[n m5 :o h ev5 gone all r\nd ! _w & se5 no?+--no1 no?+ at all4 ,em]son says1 v truly1 t a travell] takes away no?+ f a place except :at he br\ght into x4 ,n[1 ! obs]vation ( ?+s ar\nd u is no "p ( ! ord9>y pr(essional & comm]cial life2 x has no?+ at all to d ) success & ! mak+ ( money2 s t we d n le>n to obs]ve4 ,yet x is v easy to %ake p & make !m op5 _! eyes4 ,"s ( u rememb]1 = in/ance1 ! "t :5 ,k+sley a/oni%$ ev]ybody ) 8 descriptions ( ! wond]s to be se5 on ! sea%ore & to be fi%$ out ( e pond 9 ! field4 ,!n all ! _w began to poke ab\t ! seawe$ & to cat* tritons & keep wat]-grubs 9 little tanks4 ,x 0 only a fa%ion1 & x pres5tly di$ out2 b x did p good1 because x made !m und]/&1 p]haps = ! fir/ "t1 t !re really is a good deal m to see ?an meets ! casual eye4 ,at pres5t1 ! lesson :i* we ne$ is n t ! _w is full ( ! mo/ /range & wond]ful creatures1 all eat+ ea* o!r p]petually1 b t ! _w is full ( ! mo/ wond]ful m5 & wom51 n "o ( :om is mean or common1 b to ea* 8 own p]sonality is a great & awful ?+1 wor?y ( ! mo/ s]i\s /udy4 ,!re are1 !n1 abundant mat]ials wait+ to be pick$ up by any :o has ! wit to see !m ly+ at 8 feet & all ar\nd him4 ,:at is next requir$ is ! p[] ( ,selection4 ,c ?is be taught8 ,i ?9k n2 at lea/1 ,i d n "k h[1 unless x is by read+4 ,9 e ,art1 selection requires t k9d ( special fitness = ! ,art :i* is includ$ 9 ! mu*-abus$ ^w ,g5ius4 ,9 ,fiction1 ! p[] ( selection requires a l>ge %>e ( ! dramatic s5se4 ,^? :o already possess ?is faculty w n g wrong if !y be> 9 m9d ! simple ,rule1 t no?+ %\ld be admitt$ :i* does n advance ! /ory1 illu/rate ! *>act]s1 br+ into /rong] relief ! hidd5 =ces :i* act ^u !m1 _! emotions1 _! passions1 & _! int5tions4 ,all descriptions :i* h9d] in/ead ( help+ ! action1 all episodes ( :atev] k9d1 all conv]sation :i* does n ei!r advance ! /ory or illu/rate ! *>act]s1 ought to be rigidly suppress$4 ,closely connect$ ) selection is dramatic pres5tation4 ,giv5 a situation1 x %\ld be ! fir/ c>e ( ! writ] to pres5t x z dramatically1 t is to say z =cibly1 z possible4 ,! gr\p+ & sett+ ( ! fiction1 ! due subord9ation ( description to dialogue1 ! rapidity ( ! action1 ^? ?+s :i* naturally sugge/ !mselves to ! practis$ eye1 des]ve to be v c>efully consid]$ by ! beg9n]4 ,9 fact1 a novel is l a play3 x may be divid$ into sc5es & acts1 tableaux & situations1 sep>at$ by ! end ( ! *apt] in/ead ( ! drop sc5e3 ! writ] is ! dramati/1 /age-manag]1 sc5e-pa9t]1 actor1 & c>p5t]1 all 9 "o3 x is 8 s+le bus9ess to see t none ( ! sc5es flag or fall flat3 he mu/ nev] = "o mom5t =get to consid] h[ ! piece is look+ f ! front4 ,! next simple ,rule is1 t ! draw+ ( ea* figure mu/ be cle> 9 outl9e1 &1 ev5 if only sket*$1 mu/ be sket*$ )\t hesitation4 ,?is c only be done :5 ! writ] himself sees 8 figures cle>ly4 ,*>act]s 9 fiction d n1 x mu/ be und]/ood1 spr+ ,m9]va-l f ! bra94 ,!y gr[3 !y gr[ sometimes sl[ly1 sometimes quickly4 ,f ! fir/ mom5t ( conception1 t is to say1 f ! fir/ mom5t ( _! be+ se5 & caught1 !y gr[ cont9u\sly & almo/ )\t m5tal ef=t4 ,if !y d n gr[ & become e day cle>]1 !y _h bett] be put aside at once1 & =gott5 z soon z may be1 because t is a pro( t ! au?or does n und]/& ! "* he has himself endeav\r$ to create4 ,to h on "o's h&s a half-creat$ be+ )\t ! p[] ( f9i%+ him mu/ be a truly dreadful ?+4 ,! only way out ( x is to kill & bury him at once4 ,i h always ?\ght1 = in/ance1 t ! figure ( ,daniel ,d]onda1 ^: portrait1 blurr$ & unc]ta9 z x is1 has be5 drawn ) ! mo/ amaz+ c>e & ) endless t\*es & re-t\*es1 mu/ h become at la/ to ,george ,eliot a k9d ( awful veil$ spectre1 always 9 h] bra91 always seem+ ab\t to reveal 8 true features & 8 m9d1 b nev] do+ x1 s t to ! end %e nev] cle>ly p]ceiv$ :at mann] ( man he 01 nor :at 0 8 real "*4 ,( c\rse1 :at ! au?or _c set d[n1 ! read] _c und]/&4 ,on ! o!r h&1 h[ possible1 h[ capable ( developm5t1 h[ real becomes a true figure1 truly und]/ood by ! creator1 & truly depict$6 ,d we n "k :at !y w\ld say & ?9k "u all conceivable conditions8 ,we c dress !m z we w2 we c place !m 9 any circum/ances ( life3 we c always tru/ !m1 because !y w nev] fail u1 nev] disappo9t u1 nev] *ange1 because we und]/& !m1 s ?or\ghly4 ,s well d we "k !m1 t !y become our advis]s1 our guides1 & our be/ fri5ds1 on :om we model ourselves1 our ?\ghts1 & our actions4 ,! writ] :o has succe$$ 9 draw+ to ! life1 true1 cle>1 di/9ct1 s t all may und]/&1 a s+le figure ( a true man or woman1 has add$ ano!r exempl> or w>n+ to humanity4 ,no?+1 !n1 x mu/ be insi/$ ^u z ( ! greate/ importance1 %\ld be begun 9 writ+ until ! *>act]s are s cle> & di/9ct 9 ! bra91 s well kn[n1 t !y w act _! p>ts1 b5d _! dialogue1 & suit _! action to :atev] situations !y may f9d !mselves 91 if only !y are becom+ to !m4 ,( c\rse1 cle> outl9e draw+ is be/ :5 x is accompli%$ 9 ! fewe/ /rokes2 & ! great] "p ( ! figures 9 ,fiction--:]e9 x diff]s f ,pa9t+1 9 :i* ev]y?+ %\ld be f9i%$--require no m "w ^u !m1 9 ord] to make !m cle>1 ?an half a doz5 bold1 intelligible l9es4 ,z = ! me?ods ( convey+ a cle> und]/&+ ( a "*1 !y are _m4 ,! fir/ & ! easie/ is to make x cle> by reason ( "s mann]ism or p]sonal peculi>ity1 "s trick ( spee* or ( c>riage4 ,?is is ! wor/--z may g5]ally be said ( ! easie/ way4 ,ano!r easy me?od is to describe y\r "* at l5g?4 ,?is also is a bad1 because a t$i\s1 me?od4 ,if1 h[ev]1 y read a page or two ( any good writ]1 y w discov] t he fir/ makes a "* intelligible by a few words1 & !n all[s him to reveal himself 9 action & dialogue4 ,on ! o!r h&1 no?+ is m in>ti/ic ?an to be con/antly call+ att5tion 9 a dialogue to a ge/ure or a look1 to laught] or to te>s4 ,! situation g5]ally requires no su* explanation3 9 "s well-kn[n sc5es :i* ,i c\ld quote1 !re is n a s+le ^w to emphasise or expla9 ! attitude1 mann]1 & look ( ! speak]s1 yet !y are z intelligible z if !y 7 writt5 d[n & describ$4 ,t is ! highe/ art :i* c>ries ! read] along & makes him see1 )\t be+ told1 ! *ang+ expressions & ! ge/ures ( ! speak]s1 & he> ! v>y+ tones ( _! voices4 ,x is z if "o %\ld close "o's eyes at ! !atre1 & yet cont9ue to see ! actors on ! /age z well z he> _! voices4 ,! only writ] :o c d ?is is he :o makes 8 *>act]s intelligible f ! v outset1 causes !m fir/ to /& be=e ! read] 9 cle> outl9e1 & !n ) e additional l9e br+s out ! figure1 fills up ! face1 & makes 8 creatures gr[ f ! simple outl9e m & m to ! p]fect & r\nd$ figure4 ,cle>ness ( draw+1 :i* includes cle>ness ( vision1 also assi/s 9 produc+ directness ( purpose4 ,z soon z ! actors 9 ! /ory become real 9 ! m9d ( ! n>rator1 & n be=e1 ! /ory itself becomes real to him4 ,m ?an ?is1 he becomes /raightway vehem5tly impell$ to tell x1 & he is mov$ to tell x 9 ! be/ & mo/ direct way1 ! mo/ dramatic way1 ! mo/ tru?ful way possible to him4 ,x is1 9 fact1 only :5 ! writ] believes 8 own /ory1 & kn[s x to be e ^w true1 & feels t he has someh[ le>n$ f e "o conc]n$ ! secret hi/ory ( 8 own "p 9 x1 t he c really beg9 to write x4#c ,we "k h[ sometimes1 ev5 f a practis$ h&1 !re comes a "w m>r$ ) ! fatal defect t ! writ] does n believe 9 8 own /ory4 ,:5 ?is is ! case1 "o may g5]ally f9d on inve/igation t "o cause at lea/ ( ! failure is t ! *>act]s1 or "s ( !m1 are blurr$ & unc]ta94 ,aga91 ! mod]n ,engli% novel1 :atev] =m x takes1 almo/ always />ts ) a consci\s moral purpose4 ,:5 x does n1 s mu* are we accu/om$ to expect x1 t "o feels z if !re has be5 a debasem5t ( ! ,art4 ,x is1 =tunately1 n possible 9 ?is c\ntry = any man to defile & defame humanity & /ill be call$ an arti/2 ! developm5t ( mod]n sympa?y1 ! gr[+ rev]5ce = ! individual1 ! ev]-wid5+ love ( ?+s beautiful & ! appreciation ( lives made beautiful by devotion & self-d5ial1 ! s5se ( p]sonal responsibility among ! ,engli%-speak+ races1 ! deep-seat$ religion ( our p1 ev5 9 a "t ( d\bt1 are all =ces :i* act /rongly ^u ! arti/ z well z ^u 8 read]s1 & l5d to 8 "w1 :e!r he w or n1 a moral purpose s cle>ly m>k$ t x has become practically a law ( ,engli% ,fiction4 ,we mu/ ackn[l$ge t ?is is a truly admirable ?+1 & a great cause = congratulation4 ,at ! same "t1 "o may be p]mitt$ to ?9k t ! prea*+ novel is ! lea/ desirable ( any1 & may unfeign$ly rejoice t ! old religi\s novel1 writt5 9 ! int]e/s ( ,high ,*ur* or ,l[ ,*ur* or any o!r ,*ur*1 has gone out ( fa%ion4 ,next1 j z 9 ,pa9t+ & ,sculpture1 n only are fidelity1 tru?1 & h>mony to be obs]v$ 9 ,fiction1 b also beauty ( workman%ip4 ,x is almo/ impossible to e/imate too highly ! value ( c>eful workman%ip1 t is1 ( /yle4 ,e "o1 )\t exception1 ( ! great ,ma/]s 9 ,fiction1 has recognis$ ?is tru?4 ,y w h>dly f9d a s+le page 9 any ( !m :i* is n c>efully & ev5 elaborately work$ up4 ,i ?9k !re is no po9t on :i* critics ( novels %\ld place great] importance ?an ?is1 because x is "o :i* "y noveli/s are s v liable to ignore4 ,!re ought n to be 9 a novel1 any m ?an 9 a poem1 a s+le s5t5ce c>elessly word$1 a s+le phrase :i* has n be5 consid]$4 ,consid]1 if y please1 any "o ( ! great sc5es 9 ,fiction--h[ mu* ( ! effect is due to ! /yle1 ! balanc$ s5t5ces1 ! v words us$ by ! n>rator6 ,?is1 h[ev]1 is only "o m po9t ( simil>ity betwe5 ,fiction & ! si/] ,arts4 ,!re is1 ,i "k1 ! dang] ( atta*+ too mu* att5tion to /yle1 at ! exp5se ( situation1 & s fall+ a prey to priggi%ness1 fa%ions1 & mann]isms ( ! day4 ,x is c]ta9ly a dang]2 at ! same "t1 x sometimes seems1 :5 "o reads ! slip%od1 c>eless ,engli% :i* is (t5 ?\ght good en\gh = /ory-tell+1 t x is almo/ impossible to ov]-rate ! value ( /yle4 ,!re is com=t 9 ! ?\ght t no reputation wor? hav+ c be made )\t att5d+ to /yle1 & t !re is no /yle1 h[ev] rugg$1 :i* _c be made beautiful by att5tion & pa9s4 ,h[ _m times1 a writ] once ask$ a girl :o br\ght him h] fir/ ef=t = advice & criticism--h[ _m times h y re-writt5 ?is page8 ,%e confess$ t %e _h writt5 x once = all1 _h nev] read x aft]w>ds1 & _h n ! lea/ idea t !re 0 su* a ?+ z /yle4 ,is x n presumptu\s 9 ! highe/ degree to believe t :at "o has produc$ )\t pa9s1 ?\ght1 or tr\ble1 w give any pleasure to ! read]8 ,9 fact1 e sc5e1 h[ev] unimportant1 %\ld be completely & c>efully f9i%$4 ,!re %\ld be no unf9i%$ places1 no sign any:]e ( we>9ess or ha/e--no scamp+4 ,! writ] mu/ s love 8 "w z to dwell t5d]ly on e page1 & be lit]ally unable to s5d =? a s+le page ( x )\t ! f9i%+ t\*es4 ,we all ( u rememb] t k9d ( novel 9 :i* e sc5e has ! appe>ance ( be+ hurri$ & scamp$4 ,to sum up ^! few prelim9>y & g5]al laws4--,! ,art ( ,fiction requires fir/ ( all ! p[] ( description1 tru? & fidelity1 obs]vation1 selection1 cle>ness ( conception & ( outl9e1 dramatic gr\p+1 directness ( purpose1 a pr(\nd belief on ! "p ( ! /ory-tell] 9 ! reality ( 8 /ory1 & beauty ( workman%ip4 ,x is1 moreov]1 an ,art :i* requires ( ^? :o foll[ x s]i\sly t !y mu/ be unceas+ly occupi$ 9 /udy+ ! ways ( mank9d1 ! social laws1 ! religions1 philosophies1 t5d5cies1 ?\ghts1 prejudices1 sup]/itions ( m5 & wom54 ,!y mu/ consid] z _m ( ! =ces :i* act ^u classes & ^u individuals z !y c discov]2 !y %\ld be always try+ to put !mselves into ! place ( ano!r2 !y mu/ be z inquisitive & z wat*ful z a detective1 z suspici\s z a crim9al lawy]1 z eag] = k z a physici/1 & )al fully possess$ ( t _s to :i* no?+ appe>s mean1 no?+ contemptible1 no?+ unwor?y ( /udy1 :i* belongs to human nature4 ,i repeat1 t ,i submit "s ( ^! laws z p]haps self-evid5t4 ,if t is s1 _m novels :i* are daily submitt$ to ! review] are writt5 9 wilful neglect ( & disob$i5ce to !m4 ,b !y are n really self-evid5t2 ^? :o aspire to be arti/s 9 ,fiction almo/ inv>iably beg9 )\t any und]/&+ at all ( ^! laws4 ,h5ce ! lam5table e>ly failures1 ! wa/e ( good mat]ial1 & ! l[ level ( ,art ) :i* bo? ! novel-writ] & ! novel-read] are too (t5 cont5t$4 ,i am c]ta9 t if ^! laws 7 bett] kn[n & m g5]ally /udi$1 a v l>ge proportion ( ! bad works ( :i* our critics compla9 w\ld n be produc$ at all4 ,& ,i am 9 great hopes t "o effect ( ! e/abli%m5t ( ! newly f\nd$ ,society ( ,au?ors w be to keep "y writ]s ( fiction f ru%+ too ha/ily into pr9t1 to help !m to ! "r und]/&+ ( _! ,art & its pr9ciples1 & to guide !m into true practice ( _! pr9ciples :ile !y are /ill "y1 _! imag9ations /rong1 & _! p]sonal exp]i5ces z yet n wa/$ 9 fooli% failures4 ,aft] all ^! prelim9>y /udies !re comes ! mo/ important po9t ( all--! /ory4 ,!re is a s*ool :i* pret5ds t !re is no ne$ = a /ory3 all ! /ories1 !y say1 h be5 told already2 !re is no m room = inv5tion3 nobody wants any long] to li/5 to a /ory4 ,"o he>s ?is k9d ( talk ) ! same wond] :i* "o feels :5 a new mon/r\s fa%ion *anges ! beautiful figure ( woman into some?+ grotesque & unnatural4 ,m5 say ^! ?+s gravely to ea* o!r1 especially m5 :o h no /ory to tell3 o!r m5 li/5 gravely2 9 ! same way1 wom5 put on ! newe/ & mo/ prepo/]\s fa%ions gravely1 & look ^u ea* o!r )\t ei!r laugh+ or hid+ _! faces = %ame4 ,x is1 inde$1 if we ?9k ( x1 a mo/ /range & wond]ful !ory1 t we %\ld cont9ue to c>e = ,fiction & cease to c>e = ! /ory4 ,we h all along be5 tra9+ ourselves h[ to tell ! /ory1 & "h is ?is new s*ool :i* /eps 91 l ! ,ne$y ,knife-gr9d]1 to expla9 t !re is no /ory left at all to tell4 ,:y1 ! /ory is ev]y?+4 ,i _c conceive ( a _w go+ on at all )\t /ories1 & ^? /rong ones1 ) incid5t 9 !m1 & m]rim5t & pa?os1 laught] & te>s1 & ! excitem5t ( wond]+ :at w happ5 next4 ,=tunately1 ^! new !ori/s contradict !mselves1 because !y f9d x impossible to write a novel :i* %all n conta9 a /ory1 al?\gh x may be b a puny bantl+4 ,fiction )\t adv5ture--a drama )\t a plot--a novel )\t surprises--! ?+ is z impossible z life )\t unc]ta9ty4#d ,z = ! /ory1 !n3 & "h !ory & tea*+ c g no f>!r4 ,= e ,art !re is ! correspond+ sci5ce :i* may be taught4 ,we h be5 speak+ ( ! correspond+ sci5ce4 ,b ! ,art itself c nei!r be taught nor communicat$4 ,if ! ?+ is 9 a man1 he w br+ x out someh[--well or badly1 quickly or sl[ly4 ,if x is n1 he c nev] le>n x4 ,"h1 !n1 let u suppose t we h to d ) ! man to :om ! inv5tion ( /ories is "p ( 8 nature4 ,we w also suppose t he has ma/]$ ! laws ( 8 ,art1 & is n[ anxi\s to apply !m4 ,to su* a man "o c only recomm5d t he %\ld ) ! greate/ c>e & att5tion analyse & exam9e ! con/ruction ( c]ta9 works1 :i* are ackn[l$g$ to be ( ! fir/ rank 9 fiction4 ,among !m1 n to speak ( ,scott1 he might pay especial att5tion1 f ! con/ructive po9t ( view1 to ! truly admirable %ort] /ories ( ,*>les ,reade1 to ,george ,eliot's ,silas ,m>n]--! mo/ p]fect ( ,engli% novels ,haw?orne's ,sc>let ,lett]1 ,holmes's ,elsie ,v5n]1 ,blackmore's ,lorna ,doone1 or ,black's ,daught] ( ,he?4 ,he mu/ n sit d[n to read !m = ! /ory1 z uncritical p say3 he mu/ read !m sl[ly & c>efully1 p]haps backw>ds1 s z to discov] = himself h[ ! au?or built up ! novel1 & f :at orig9al g]m or conception x sprang4 ,let me take ano!r novel by ano!r writ] to illu/rate my mean+4 ,x is ,james ,payn's ,confid5tial ,ag5t1 a "w %[+1 if ,i may be p]mitt$ to say s1 con/ructive p[] ( ! v highe/ ord]4 ,y h all1 )\t d\bt1 read t /ory4 ,z y "k1 x turns ^u a diamond robb]y4 ,to ! unpractis$ h& x w\ld seem z if /ories ( !ft _h already be5 told ad nauseam4 ,! man ( exp]i5ce kn[s bett]3 he kn[s t 9 8 h&s e /ory becomes new1 because he c place x ^u 8 /age ) new incid5ts1 new conditions1 & new actors4 ,accord+ly1 ,payn connects 8 diamonds ) ?ree or f\r q ord9>y families3 he does n se>* = /range & ecc5tric *>act]s1 b uses ! folk he sees ar\nd him1 pla9 middle-class p1 to :om mo/ ( u belong4 ,he does n try to %[ ^! p clev]]1 bett] cultur$1 or 9 any respect at all o!r ?an !y really are1 except t "s ( !m talk a little bett] ?an 9 real life !y w\ld be likely to d2 t is to say1 9 dialogue he ex]cises ! art ( selection4 ,pres5tly1 9 ?is quiet h\sehold ( age & y\?1 love & happ9ess1 !re happ5s a dreadful ?+3 ! "y husb& vani%es amid circum/ances :i* give rise to ! mo/ horrible suspicions4 ,h[ ?is ev5t acts ^u ! m9ds ( ! h\sehold & _! fri5ds3 h[ ! fai?1 sorely tri$1 ( "o1 breaks d[n1 & t ( ano!r rema9s /eadfa/3 h[ ! tru? is gradually disclos$1 & ! innoc5ce ( ! suspect$ man is made cle>--all ?is %\ld be c>efully exam9$ by ! /ud5t z a lesson 9 con/ruction & ma*9]y4 ,he w n1 "o hopes1 neglect ! o!r lesson taught him by ?is novel1 :i* is ! art ( tell+ ! /ory1 select+ ! actors1 & skilfully us+ ! pla9 & simple mat]ials :i* lie ar\nd u ev]y:]e ready to our h&s4 ,i am q sure t ! *ief lesson to be le>n$ f ! /udy ( ne>ly all our own mod]n noveli/s is t adv5ture1 pa?os1 amusem5t1 & int]e/ are f> bett] s\ght among lives :i* seem dull1 & among p :o seem at fir/ beyond ! rea* ( romance1 ?an f ecc5tricity & peculi>ity ( mann]1 or f viol5t & extreme rev]ses & accid5ts ( =tune4 ,?is is1 inde$1 only ano!r aspect ( ! increas$ value :i* we h le>n$ to atta* to individual life4 ,"o ?+ m ! ,art /ud5t has to le>n4 ,let him n only believe 8 own /ory be=e he beg9s to tell x1 b let him rememb] t 9 /ory-tell+1 z 9 alms-giv+1 a *e]ful c\nt5ance works wond]s1 & a he>ty mann] greatly helps ! tell] & pleases ! li/5]4 ,"o w\ld n h ! noveli/ make cont9ual ef=ts at be+ comic2 b let him n tell 8 /ory ) eyes full ( sadness1 a face ( woe1 & a %ak+ voice4 ,8 /ory may be tragic1 b cont9u$ gloom is a mi/ake 9 ,art1 ev5 = a trag$y4 ,if 8 /ory is a com$y1 all ! m reason to tell x *e]fully & brightly4 ,la/ly1 let him tell x )\t app>5t ef=t3 )\t try+ to %[ 8 clev]ness1 8 wit1 8 p[]s ( epigram1 & 8 le>n+4 ,yet1 let him p\r )\t /9t or measure into 8 "w all t he kn[s1 all t he has se51 all t he has obs]v$1 & all t he has rememb]$3 all t !re is ( nobility1 sympa?y1 & en?usiasm 9 himself4 ,let him sp>e no?+1 b lavi% all t he has1 9 ! full confid5ce t ! wells w n be dri$ up1 & t ! spr+s ( fancy & imag9ation w fl[ aga91 ev5 ?\gh he seem to h exhau/$ himself 9 ?is "o ef=t4 ,"h1 !re=e1 we may leave ! /ud5t ( ?is ,art4#e ,x rema9s = him to %[ :e!r he does wisely 9 foll[+ x f>!r4 ,( "o ?+ = 8 enc\ragem5t he may re/ assur$3 9 ! ,art ( ,fiction1 m ?an 9 any o!r1 x is easy to ga9 recognition1 f> easi] ?an 9 any ( ! si/] ,arts4 ,9 ! ,engli% s*ool ( pa9t+1 = example1 !re are already s _m good m5 9 ! field1 t x is mo/ difficult to w9 an ackn[l$g$ position2 9 ! drama1 x is next to impossible to get a play produc$1 9 spite ( our ?irty ,london !atres2 9 poetry1 x seems almo/ hopeless to get a he>+1 ev5 if "o has rea*$ ! second rank2 b 9 ,fiction1 ! :ole ( ! ,engli%-speak+ race are always eag] to welcome a new-com]2 good "w is in/antly recognis$1 & ! only dang] is t ! univ]sal cry = m may lead to ha/y & immature production4 ,i d n mean t ready recognition w imm$iately br+ ) x a great pecuni>y success4 ,un=tunately1 !re has gr[n up ( late a bad fa%ion ( measur+ success too mu* by ! money x seems to comm&4 ,x is n always1 rememb]1 ! voice ( ! p :i* elects ! be/ man1 & ?\gh 9 mo/ cases x foll[s t a successful noveli/ comm&s a l>ge sale ( 8 works1 x may happ5 t ! ,art ( a great writ] is ( su* a k9d t x may nev] become widely popul>4 ,!re h be5 among u two or ?ree su* writ]s4 ,"o case w imm$iately occur to mo/ ( u "h4 ,x is t ( a man ^: books are fill$ ) wisdom1 exp]i5ce1 & epigram3 ^: *>act]s are mo/ admirably /udi$ f ! life1 ^: plots are +5i\s1 situations fre%1 & dialogues extraord9>ily clev]4 ,yet1 he has nev] be5 widely popul>1 &1 ,i am sure1 nev] w be4 ,"o may be pretty c]ta9 t ?is writ]'s money value 9 ! m>ket is consid]ably less ?an t ( _m ano!r ^: g5ius is n half s great1 b 8 popul>ity twice z l>ge4 ,s t a failure to hit ! popul> ta/e does n always imply failure 9 ,art4 ,h[1 !n1 is "o to "k1 :5 p d n ask = 8 "w1 if he has really fail$ or n8 ,i ?9k he mu/ "k1 )\t be+ told1 if he has fail$ to please4 ,if a man s+s a song1 he c tell 9 a mom5t1 ev5 be=e he has f9i%$1 if he has pleas$ 8 audi5ce4 ,s1 if a man writes a novel1 he c tell by ! criticisms 9 ! j\rnals1 by read+ betwe5 ! l9es ( :at 8 fri5ds tell him1 by ! expression ( _! eyes1 by 8 own inn] consci\sness1 if he has succe$$ or fail$4 ,& if ! latt]1 let him f9d out z quickly z may be ?r\gh :at causes4 ,! unlucky dramati/ c compla9 t 8 piece 0 badly m\nt$ & badly act$4 ,! noveli/ _c1 because he is sure n to be badly read4 ,!re=e1 if a noveli/ fail at fir/1 let him be well assur$ t x is 8 own fault2 & if1 on 8 second attempt1 he _c am5d1 let him = ! future be sil5t4 ,"o is m & m a/oni%$ at see+ ! repeat$ ef=ts ( writ]s ^: fri5ds %\ld make !m und]/& t !y h n ! lea/ *ance ( success1 unless !y unle>n all t !y h le>n$1 & beg9 aga9 ^u entirely diff]5t me?ods & "s k ( ! sci5ce4 ,x mu/ be a cruel bl[1 aft] all ! "w t goes to make ev5 a bad novel1 aft] all ! tr\ble ( gett+ x publi%$1 to see x drop unnotic$1 /ill-born1 ?\ght h>dly wor?y to receive words ( contempt4 ,if ! disappo9tm5t leads to exam9ation & self-am5dm5t1 x may prove ! greate/ bless+4 ,b he :o fails twice1 probably des]ves to fail1 because he has le>n$ no?+1 & is incapable ( le>n+ any?+1 f ! lessons ( 8 fir/ failure4 ,let me say "o ^w ^u ! pres5t condition ( ?is mo/ delightful ,art 9 ,engl&4 ,rememb] t great ,ma/]s 9 e ,art are r>e4 ,p]haps "o or two appe> 9 a c5tury3 we ought n to expect m4 ,x may ev5 happ5 t ^? mod]n writ]s ( our own :om we h agre$ to call great ,ma/]s w h to take l[] rank among po/]ity1 :o w h great ,ma/]s ( _! own4 ,i am incl9$1 h[ev]1 to ?9k t a few ( ! n9ete5?-c5tury noveli/s w nev] be suff]$ to die1 ?\gh !y may be rememb]$ pr9cipally = "o book--t ,?ack]ay w be rememb]$ = 8 ,vanity ,fair1 ,dick5s = ,david ,copp]field1 ,george ,m]$i? = ,! ,ordeal ( ,ri*>d ,fev]el1 ,george ,eliot = ,silas ,m>n]1 ,*>les ,reade = ,! ,cloi/] & ! ,he>?1 & ,blackmore = 8 ,lorna ,doone4 ,on ! o!r h&1 )\t ?9k+ or tr\bl+ ourselves at all ab\t ! v]dict ( po/]ity1 :i* matt]s no?+ to u comp>$ ) ! v]dict ( our contempor>ies1 let u ackn[l$ge t x is a bad ye> inde$ :5 we h n produc$ "s good "w ( a v high k9d1 if n immortal "w4 ,an exhibition ( ! ye>'s novels w\ld g5]ally %[ two or ?ree1 at lea/1 ( :i* ! c\ntry may be1 say1 reasonably pr\d4 ,does ! ,royal ,academy ( ,arts %[ e ye> m ?an two or ?ree pictures--n immortal pictures1 b pictures ( :i* we may be reasonably pr\d8 ,"o w\ld l1 x is true1 to see few] bad novels publi%$1 z well z few] bad pictures exhibit$2 ! /&>d ( ! "w :i* is on ! bord]l& betwe5 success & failure %\ld be high]4 ,at ! same "t1 ,i am v sure & c]ta9 t !re nev] has be5 a "t :5 bett] works ( ,fiction h be5 produc$1 bo? by m5 & wom54 ,t ,art is n decl9+1 b is advanc+1 :i* is cultivat$ on true & n on false or conv5tional pr9ciples4 ,ought we n to be full ( hope = ! future1 :5 su* wom5 z ,mrs4 ,oliphant & ,mrs4 ,?ack]ay ,rit*ie write = u--:5 su* m5 z ,m]$i?1 ,blackmore1 ,black1 ,payn1 ,wilkie ,coll9s1 & ,h>dy are /ill at _! be/1 & su* m5 z ,l\is ,/ev5son1 ,*ri/ie ,murray1 ,cl>k ,russell1 & ,h]man ,m]ivale h j begun8 ,i ?9k ! fiction &1 inde$1 all ! imag9>y "w ( ! future w be f> full] 9 human int]e/ ?an 9 ! pa/2 ! old /ories--no d\bt !y w /ill be ! old /ories--w be fitt$ to actors :o up till rec5tly 7 only us$ = ! purposes ( contra/2 ! drama ( life :i* =m]ly 0 assign$ to k+s & pr9ces w be play$ by figures tak5 z mu* f ! great /ruggl+1 unkn[n masses4 ,k+s & great lords are *iefly picturesque & int]e/+ on acc\nt ( _! beautiful co/umes1 & a traditional belief 9 _! p[]4 ,co/ume is c]ta9ly n a /rong po9t 9 ! l[] ranks1 b ,i ?9k we %all n miss t2 & :]ev] we g = our mat]ial1 :e!r to ! high] or ! l[] ranks1 we may be sure ( f9d+ ev]y:]e love1 sacrifice1 & devotion = virtues1 ) selfi%ness1 cunn+1 & trea*]y = vices4 ,out ( ^!1 ) _! endless comb9ations & *anges1 t noveli/ mu/ be poor inde$ :o _c make a /ory4 ,la/ly1 ,i said at ! outset t ,i w\ld ask y to accord to noveli/s ! recognition ( _! place z arti/s4 ,b aft] :at has be5 said1 ,i feel t to urge ?is fur!r w\ld be only a repetition ( :at has gone be=e4 ,!re=e1 ?\gh n all :o write novels c rea* ! fir/1 or ev5 ! second1 rank1 :]ev] y f9d good & fai?ful "w1 ) tru?1 sympa?y1 & cle>ness ( purpose1 ,i pray y to give ! au?or ( t "w ! praise z to an ,arti/--an ,arti/ l ! re/--! praise t y s readily accord to ! e>ne/ /ud5t ( any o!r ,art4 ,z = ! great ,ma/]s ( ! ,art--,field+1 ,scott1 ,dick5s1 ,?ack]ay1 ,victor ,hugo--,i1 = "o1 feel irritat$ :5 ! critics beg9 to appraise1 comp>e1 & to e/imate !m3 !re is no?+1 ,i ?9k1 t we c give !m b admiration t is unspeakable1 & gratitude t is sil5t4 ,?is sil5ce proves m eloqu5tly ?an any words h[ great1 h[ beautiful an ,art is t ( ,fiction4 #a ,x has be5 object$ to ?is ,rule t1 if foll[$1 x w\ld entirely %ut out ! hi/orical novel4 ,n at all4 ,! int]e/ ( ! hi/orical novel1 z ( any o!r novel1 dep5ds ^u ! exp]i5ce & k :i* ! writ] has ( humanity1 m5 & wom5 be+ pretty mu* alike 9 all ages4 ,x is n ! sett+ t we reg>d1 s mu* z ! act+ ( ! *>act]s4 ,! sett+ 9 an hi/orical novel is v (t5 absurd1 incorrect1 & incongru\s2 b ! human int]e/1 ! skill & k ( "* %[n by ! writ]1 may make u =get ! errors ( ! sett+4 ,= in/ance1 ,romola is und\bt$ly a great novel1 n because x conta9s a true1 & !re=e valuable1 reproduction ( ,flor5t9e life 9 ! "t ( ! e>ly ,r5aissance1 = x does n2 nor because x gives u ! ideas ( ! age1 = x does n--! *>act]s1 especially t ( ! h]o9e1 be+ full ( n9ete5?-c5tury ideas3 b x is great z a /udy ( "*4 ,on ! o!r h&1 9 ,! ,cloi/] & ! ,he>?1 we d really h a description ( ! "t & its ideas1 tak5 bodily1 sometimes almo/ lit]ally1 f ! pages ( ! man :o mo/ truly repres5ts !m--,erasmus4 ,s t "h is a rule = ! hi/orical noveli/--:5 he mu/ describe1 he mu/ borr[4 ,if x be object$1 aga91 t he may d ! same ?+ ) contempor>y life1 ,i reply t he may1 if he please1 b he w mo/ assur$ly be f\nd out ?r\gh "s blund]1 omission1 or confusion caus$ by ignorance4 ,no d\bt ! same blund]s are p]petrat$ by ! hi/orical noveli/2 b ^! are n s readily f\nd out except by an ar*ologi/4 ,( c\rse1 "o :o desires to reproduce a "t gone by1 w\ld n g to ! poets1 ! div9es1 ! hi/orians1 s mu* z to ! famili> lit]ature1 ! lett]s1 com$ies1 tales1 essayi/s1 & newspap]s4 #b ,i e>ne/ly recomm5d ^? :o desire to /udy ?is ,art to beg9 by daily practice 9 ! description ( ?+s1 ev5 common ?+s1 t !y h obs]v$1 by report+ conv]sations1 & by ^w-portraits ( _! fri5ds4 ,!y w f9d t ! practice gives !m firmness ( outl9e1 quickness ( obs]vation1 p[] ( cat*+ important details1 &1 z reg>ds dialogue1 read9ess to see :at is unimportant4 ,prelim9>y practice & /udy ( ?is k9d w also lead to ! sav+ ( a va/ quantity ( valuable mat]ial1 :i* is only wa/$ by be+ prematurely work$ up into a novel writt5 be=e ! elem5ts ( ! ,art h be5 acquir$4 #c ,h>dly any?+ is m important ?an ?is--to believe 9 y\r own /ory4 ,:]e=e1 let ! /ud5t rememb] t1 unless ! *>act]s exi/ & move ab\t 9 8 bra91 all sep>ate1 di/9ct1 liv+1 & p]petually engag$ 9 ! action ( ! /ory1 sometimes at "o "p ( x1 sometimes at ano!r1 & t 9 sc5es & places :i* mu/ be omitt$ 9 ! writ+1 he has got no /ory to tell1 & _h bett] give x up4 ,i d n ?9k x is g5]ally und]/ood t !re are ?\s&s ( sc5es :i* belong to ! /ory & nev] get outside ! writ]'s bra9 at all4 ,"s ( ^! may be v beautiful & t\*+2 b !re is n room = all1 & ! writ] has to select4 #d ,a correspond5t asks me if ,i d n l ! "w ( ,mr4 ,h[ells4 ,( c\rse1 "o _c *oose b l 8 writ+4 ,b "o _c also avoid comp>+ 8 "w ) t ( 8 c\ntryman1 ,na?aniel ,haw?orne1 :o add$ to ! *>m ( /yle ! int]e/ ( a romantic & excit+ /ory4 #e ,see ,app5dix4 ,,app5dix ,i h be5 ask$ n to leave ! "y noveli/ at ?is po9t4 ,let me1 !re=e1 v5ture ^u a few words ( advice4 ,i d ?is )\t apology1 because1 l mo/ m5 :o write1 ,i receive1 e week1 lett]s f "y beg9n]s ask+ = c\nsel & guidance4 ,to all ^! ,i recomm5d ! consid]ation ( ! rules ,i h laid d[n1 &1 above all1 att5tion to tru?1 reality1 & /yle4 ,i 0 once ask$ to read a ,,ms4 novel writt5 by a "y lady4 ,! "w 0 hurri$1 scamp$1 unreal--9 fact1 x _h e fault4 ,yet1 !re 0 some?+ 9 x :i* made me ?9k t !re 0 hope = h]4 ,i !re=e wrote to h]1 po9t+ out ! faults1 )\t sp>+ h]4 ,i add$ t1 if %e 0 n disc\rag$1 b w\ld beg9 aga91 & w\ld prep>e c>efully ! sc5>io ( a novel1 fitt$ ) *>act]s duly ?\ght out1 ,i w\ld give h] su* fur!r advice z 0 9 my p[]4 ,! v next day %e s5t me five sc5>ios4 ,i h n he>d f h] s9ce1 & ,i hope %e has r5\nc$ ! ,art ^: v elem5ts %e c\ld n und]/&4 ,let me suppose1 !n1 t ! writ] has got 8 novel complet$4 ,"h beg9s ! tr\ble1 z ! ,am]icans say4 ,& at ?is po9t my advice may be ( use4 ,rememb] t all publi%]s are eag] to get good "w3 !y are prep>$ to consid] ,,mss4 c>efully--mo/ ( !m pay m5 on ^: judgm5t !y rely1 m5 ( lit]>y /&+1 to read & ta/e = !m2 !re=e1 x is a simple & obvi\s piece ( advice t ! writ] %\ld s5d 8 "w to "s good publi%]1 & x is p]fectly c]ta9 t1 if ! "w is good1 x w be accept$ & publi%$4 ,!re is1 z ,i h said 9 ! ,lecture1 little or no risk1 ev5 ) an unkn[n au?or1 ov] a really good novel4 ,b1 !n1 ! fir/ "w almo/ always conta9s immaturities & errors :i* prev5t x f be+ really good4 ,m (t5 ?an n1 x is on ! bord] l9e--n s good z to make its publication desirable by a firm :i* w only issue good "w1 or by any means safe to pay its exp5ses4 ,:at !n8 ,i w\ld advise ! au?or nev]1 f any consid]ations ( vanity or self-confid5ce1 to pay money to a publi%] = br++ out 8 book4 ,!re are c]ta9 publi%+ h\ses1 n ! be/1 :i* br+ out ye>ly quantities ( novels1 ne>ly e "o ( :i* is paid = by ! au?or1 because !y are n good en\gh to pay _! own exp5ses4 ,d n1 ,i w\ld say1 swell ! ranks ( ^? :o give ! enemy reason to blaspheme ?is ,art4 ,refuse absolutely to publi% on su* ignom9i\s t]ms4 ,rememb] t to be ask$ = money to pay = ! exp5se ( publication is to be told t y\r "w is n good en\gh to be publi%$4 ,if y h tri$ ! half-doz5 be/ publi%]s1 & be5 refus$ by all1 realise t ! "w w n d4 ,!n1 if y c1 get ! advice ( "s exp]i5c$ man ( lett]s ^u x1 & pond] ov] 8 judgm5t4 ,if y _c1 reconsid] ! :ole /ory f ! beg9n+1 ) special ref]5ce to ! rules :i* are "h laid d[n4 ,if necess>y1 rewrite ! :ole2 or1 if necess>y1 put ! :ole into ! fire1 &1 )\t be+ di%e>t5$1 beg9 aga9 ) ano!r & a bett] /ory4 ,d n aim at produc+ an absolutely new plot4 ,y _c d x4 ,b p]sev]e1 if y feel t ! root ( ! matt] is 9 y1 till y\r "w is accept$2 & nev]1 nev]1 ,,nev] pay = publi%+ a novel4 ,let me end ) a little piece ( p]sonal hi/ory4 ,a good _m ye>s ago1 !re 0 a "y man ( f\r- or five-&-tw5ty1 :o ard5tly desir$ be=e all ?+s to become a noveli/4 ,he sp5t a c\ple ( ye>s1 giv+ to ! "w all 8 unemploy$ h\rs1 ov] a novel ( mod]n life4 ,he took imm5se pa9s ) x1 rewrote "s ( ! sc5es half a doz5 times1 & sp>$ nei!r lab\r nor ?\ght to make x z good z he c\ld make x4 ,:5 he really felt t he c\ld d no?+ m ) x1 he roll$ x up & s5t x to a fri5d ) ! reque/ t he w\ld place x anonym\sly 9 ,mr4 ,macmillan's h&s4 ,mr4 ,macmillan _h x c>efully read1 & s5t ! au?or1 /ill ?r\gh ! fri5d1 8 read]'s op9ion4 ,! read] did n sign 8 op9ion1 b he 0 a ,cambridge man1 a critic ( judgm5t1 a man ( ta/e1 a k9dly man1 & he _h once be51 if he 0 n /ill1 a ma!matician4 ,^! ?+s 7 cle>ly evid5t f 8 h&writ+1 z well z f ! word+ ( 8 v]dict4 ,?is 0 to ! effect t ! novel %\ld n be publi%$1 = c]ta9 reasons :i* he proce$$ to give4 ,b he laid d[n 8 objections ) v great consid]ation = ! writ]1 indicat+ = 8 enc\ragem5t :at he consid]$ po9ts ( promise1 sugge/+ c]ta9 practical rules ( con/ruction :i* _h be5 violat$1 & %[+ :]e ignorance ( ! ,art & inexp]i5ce ( life _h caus$ faults su* z to make x mo/ undesirable = ! au?or1 z well z impossible = a publi%] ( /&+1 to produce ! "w4 ,! writ]1 aft] ! fir/ pangs ( disappo9tm5t1 pluck$ up he>t1 & began to pond] ov] ! lessons conta9$ 9 t op9ion4 ,! "y man has s9ce become a noveli/1 ( a sort1 & he takes ?is opportunity ( return+ 8 mo/ s9c]e ?anks to ,mr4 ,macmillan = 8 k9dness 9 consid]+ & refus+ to publi% an immature novel1 & to 8 anonym\s critic = 8 invaluable lett]4 ,w\ld t all publi%]s' read]s 7 l unto t read]1 z consci5ti\s & z k9dly1 & z anxi\s to save beg9n]s f putt+ =? bad "w6 ,pr9t$ by ,,ballantyne1 ,,hanson ,co ,london ,ed9burgh