Idon'tknowwhetherIoughttoofferanapologyforthiscollectionwhichhasmoretodowithlifethanwithletters。Itsappealismadetoorderlyminds。This，tobefrankaboutit，isaprocessoftidyingup，which，fromthenatureofthings，cannotberegardedaspremature。ThefactisthatIwantedtodoitmyselfbecauseofafeelingthathadnothingtodowiththeconsiderationsofworthinessorunworthinessofthesmallbutunbrokenpiecescollectedwithinthecoversofthisvolume。OfcourseitmaybesaidthatImighthavetakenupabroomanduseditwithoutsayinganythingaboutit。That，certainly，isonewayoftidyingup。
　　Butitwouldhavebeentoomuchtohaveexpectedmetotreatallthismatterasremovablerubbish。Allthosethingshadaplaceinmylife。Whetheranyofthemdeservetohavebeenpickedupandrangedontheshelf——thisshelf——Icannotsay，and，frankly，Ihavenotallowedmymindtodwellonthequestion。Iwasafraidofthinkingmyselfintoamoodthatwouldhurtmyfeelings；forthosepiecesofwriting，whatevermaybethecommentontheirdisplay，appertaintothecharacteroftheman。
　　Andsoheretheyare，dusted，whichwasbutadecentthingtodo，butinnowaypolished，extendingfromtheyear'98totheyear'20，athinarrayforsuchastretchoftimeofreallyinnocentattitudes:Conradliterary，Conradpolitical，Conradreminiscent，Conradcontroversial。Well，yes！Aone-manshow——orisitmerelytheshowofoneman?
　　TheonlythingthatwillnotbefoundamongstthoseFiguresandThingsthathavepassedaway，willbeConradENPANTOUFLES。Itisaconstitutionalinability。SCHLAFROCKUNDPANTOFFELN！Notthat！
　　Never！……Idon'tknowwhetherIdareboastlikeacertainSouthAmericangeneralwhousedtosaythatnoemergencyofwarorpeacehadeverfoundhim“withhisbootsoff“；butImaysaythatwheneverthevariousperiodicalsmentionedinthisbookcalledonmetocomeoutandblowthetrumpetofpersonalopinionsorstrikethepensivelutethatspeaksofthepast，Ialwaystriedtopullonmybootsfirst。Ididn'twanttodoit，Godknows！TheirEditors，towhomIbegtooffermythankshere，mademeperformmainlybykindnessbutpartlybybribery。Well，yes！Bribery?Whatcanyouexpect?Ineverpretendedtobebetterthanthepeopleinthenextstreet，oreveninthesamestreet。
　　ThisvolumeincludingtheseembarrassedintroductoryremarksisasnearasIshallevercometoDESHABILLEinpublic；andperhapsitwilldosomethingtohelptowardsabettervisionoftheman，ifitgivesnomorethanapartialviewofapieceofhisback，alittledustyaftertheprocessoftidyingup，alittlebowed，andrecedingfromtheworldnotbecauseofwearinessormisanthropybutforotherreasonsthatcannotbehelped:becausetheleavesfall，thewaterflows，theclocktickswiththathorridpitilesssolemnitywhichyoumusthaveobservedinthetickingofthehallclockathome。Forreasonslikethat。Yes！Itrecedes。Andthiswasthechancetoaffordonemoreviewofit——eventomyowneyes。
　　ThesectionwithinthisvolumecalledLettersexplainsitself，thoughIdonotpretendtosaythatitjustifiesitsownexistence。
　　ItclaimsnothinginitsdefenceexcepttherightofspeechwhichI
　　believebelongstoeverybodyoutsideaTrappistmonastery。ThepartIhaveventured，forshortness'sake，tocallLife，mayperhapsjustifyitselfbytheemotionalsincerityofthefeelingstowhichthevariouspapersincludedunderthatheadowetheirorigin。Andastheyrelatetoeventsofwhicheveryonehasadate，theyareinthenatureofsign-postspointingoutthedirectionmythoughtswerecompelledtotakeatthevariouscross-roads。Ifanybodydetectsanysortofconsistencyinthechoice，thiswillbeonlyproofpositivethatwisdomhadnothingtodowithit。Whetherrightorwrong，instinctaloneisinvariable；afactwhichonlyaddsadeepershadetoitsinherentmystery。Theappearanceofintellectualitythesepiecesmaypresentatfirstsightismerelytheresultofthearrangementofwords。Thelogicthatmaybefoundthereisonlythelogicofthelanguage。ButIneednotlabourthepoint。Therewillbeplentyofpeoplesagaciousenoughtoperceivetheabsenceofallwisdomfromthesepages。ButI
　　believesufficientlyinhumansympathiestoimaginethatveryfewwillquestiontheirsincerity。WhateverdelusionsImayhavesufferedfromIhavehadnodelusionsastothenatureofthefactscommentedonhere。Imayhavemisjudgedtheirimport:butthatisthesortoferrorforwhichonemayexpectacertainamountoftoleration。
　　TheonlypaperofthiscollectionwhichhasneverbeenpublishedbeforeistheNoteonthePolishProblem。Itwaswrittenattherequestofafriendtobeshownprivately，andits“Protectorate“
　　idea，sprungfromastrongsenseofthecriticalnatureofthesituation，wasshapedbytheactualcircumstancesofthetime。ThetimewasaboutamonthbeforetheentranceofRoumaniaintothewar，andthough，honestly，IhadseenalreadytheshadowofcomingeventsIcouldnotpermitmymisgivingstoenterintoanddestroythestructureofmyplan。Istillbelievethattherewassomesenseinit。Itmaycertainlybechargedwiththeappearanceoflackoffaithanditlaysitselfopentothethrowingofmanystones；butmyobjectwaspracticalandIhadtoconsiderwarilythepreconceivednotionsofthepeopletowhomitwasimplicitlyaddressed，andalsotheirunjustifiablehopes。Theywereunjustifiable，butwhowastotellthemthat?Imeanwhowaswiseenoughandconvincingenoughtoshowthemtheinanityoftheirmentalattitude?Thewholeatmospherewaspoisonedwithvisionsthatwerenotsomuchfalseassimplyimpossible。Theywerealsotheresultofvagueandunconfessedfears，andthatmadetheirstrength。Formyself，withaverydefinitedreadinmyheart，I
　　wascarefulnottoalludetotheircharacterbecauseIdidnotwanttheNotetobethrownawayunread。AndthenIhadtorememberthattheimpossiblehassometimesthetrickofcomingtopasstotheconfusionofmindsandoftentothecrushingofhearts。
　　OftheotherpapersIhavenothingspecialtosay。Theyarewhattheyare，andIambynowtoohardenedasinnertofeelashamedofinsignificantindiscretions。AndastotheirappearanceinthisformIclaimthatindulgencetowhichallsinnersagainstthemselvesareentitled。
　　J。C。
　　1920。
　　PARTI——LETTERS
　　BOOKS——1905。
　　I。
　　“Ihavenotreadthisauthor'sbooks，andifIhavereadthemI
　　haveforgottenwhattheywereabout。”
　　Thesewordsarereportedashavingbeenutteredinourmidstnotahundredyearsago，publicly，fromtheseatofjustice，byacivicmagistrate。Thewordsofourmunicipalrulershaveasolemnityandimportancefarabovethewordsofothermortals，becauseourmunicipalrulersmorethananyothervarietyofourgovernorsandmastersrepresenttheaveragewisdom，temperament，senseandvirtueofthecommunity。Thisgeneralisation，itoughttobepromptlysaidintheinterestsofeternaljusticeandrecentfriendship，doesnotapplytotheUnitedStatesofAmerica。There，ifonemaybelievethelongandhelplessindignationsoftheirdailyandweeklyPress，themajorityofmunicipalrulersappeartobethievesofaparticularlyirrepressiblesort。Butthisbytheway。Myconcerniswithastatementissuingfromtheaveragetemperamentandtheaveragewisdomofagreatandwealthycommunity，andutteredbyacivicmagistrateobviouslywithoutfearandwithoutreproach。
　　IconfessIampleasedwithhistemper，whichisthatofprudence。
　　“Ihavenotreadthebooks，“hesays，andimmediatelyheadds，“andifIhavereadthemIhaveforgotten。”Thisisexcellentcaution。
　　AndIlikehisstyle:itisunartificialandbearsthestampofmanlysincerity。Asareportedpieceofprosethisdeclarationiseasytoreadandnotdifficulttobelieve。Manybookshavenotbeenread；stillmorehavebeenforgotten。Asapieceofcivicoratorythisdeclarationisstrikinglyeffective。Calculatedtofallinwiththebentofthepopularmind，sofamiliarwithallformsofforgetfulness，ithasalsothepowertostirupasubtleemotionwhileitstartsatrainofthought——andwhatgreaterforcecanbeexpectedfromhumanspeech?Butitisinnaturalnessthatthisdeclarationisperfectlydelightful，forthereisnothingmorenaturalthanforagraveCityFathertoforgetwhatthebookshehasreadonce——longago——inhisgiddyyouthmaybe——wereabout。
　　Andthebooksinquestionarenovels，or，atanyrate，werewrittenasnovels。Iproceedthuscautiouslyfollowingmyillustriousexamplebecausebeingwithoutfearanddesiringtoremainasfaraspossiblewithoutreproach，IconfessatoncethatIhavenotreadthem。
　　Ihavenot；andofthemillionpersonsormorewhoaresaidtohavereadthem，Inevermetoneyetwiththetalentoflucidexpositionsufficientlydevelopedtogivemeaconnectedaccountofwhattheyareabout。Buttheyarebooks，partandparcelofhumanity，andassuch，intheireverincreasing，jostlingmultitude，theyareworthyofregard，admiration，andcompassion。
　　Especiallyofcompassion。Ithasbeensaidalongtimeagothatbookshavetheirfate。Theyhave，anditisverymuchlikethedestinyofman。Theysharewithusthegreatincertitudeofignominyorglory——ofseverejusticeandsenselesspersecution——ofcalumnyandmisunderstanding——theshameofundeservedsuccess。Ofalltheinanimateobjects，ofallmen'screations，booksarethenearesttous，fortheycontainourverythought，ourambitions，ourindignations，ourillusions，ourfidelitytotruth，andourpersistentleaningtowardserror。Butmostofalltheyresembleusintheirprecariousholdonlife。Abridgeconstructedaccordingtotherulesoftheartofbridge-buildingiscertainofalong，honourableandusefulcareer。Butabookasgoodinitswayasthebridgemayperishobscurelyontheverydayofitsbirth。Theartoftheircreatorsisnotsufficienttogivethemmorethanamomentoflife。Ofthebooksbornfromtherestlessness，theinspiration，andthevanityofhumanminds，thosethattheMuseswouldlovebestliemorethanallothersunderthemenaceofanearlydeath。
　　Sometimestheirdefectswillsavethem。Sometimesabookfairtoseemay——tousealoftyexpression——havenoindividualsoul。
　　Obviouslyabookofthatsortcannotdie。Itcanonlycrumbleintodust。Butthebestofbooksdrawingsustenancefromthesympathyandmemoryofmenhavelivedonthebrinkofdestruction，formen'smemoriesareshort，andtheirsympathyis，wemustadmit，averyfluctuating，unprincipledemotion。
　　Nosecretofeternallifeforourbookscanbefoundamongsttheformulasofart，anymorethanforourbodiesinaprescribedcombinationofdrugs。Thisisnotbecausesomebooksarenotworthyofenduringlife，butbecausetheformulasofartaredependentonthingsvariable，unstableanduntrustworthy；onhumansympathies，onprejudices，onlikesanddislikes，onthesenseofvirtueandthesenseofpropriety，onbeliefsandtheoriesthat，indestructibleinthemselves，alwayschangetheirform——ofteninthelifetimeofonefleetinggeneration。
　　II。
　　Ofallbooks，novels，whichtheMusesshouldlove，makeaseriousclaimonourcompassion。Theartofthenovelistissimple。Atthesametimeitisthemostelusiveofallcreativearts，themostliabletobeobscuredbythescruplesofitsservantsandvotaries，theonepre-eminentlydestinedtobringtroubletothemindandtheheartoftheartist。Afterall，thecreationofaworldisnotasmallundertakingexceptperhapstothedivinelygifted。Intrutheverynovelistmustbeginbycreatingforhimselfaworld，greatorlittle，inwhichhecanhonestlybelieve。Thisworldcannotbemadeotherwisethaninhisownimage:itisfatedtoremainindividualandalittlemysterious，andyetitmustresemblesomethingalreadyfamiliartotheexperience，thethoughtsandthesensationsofhisreaders。Attheheartoffiction，eventheleastworthyofthename，somesortoftruthcanbefound——ifonlythetruthofachildishtheatricalardourinthegameoflife，asinthenovelsofDumasthefather。ButthefairtruthofhumandelicacycanbefoundinMr。HenryJames'snovels；andthecomical，appallingtruthofhumanrapacityletlooseamongstthespoilsofexistencelivesinthemonstrousworldcreatedbyBalzac。Thepursuitofhappinessbymeanslawfulandunlawful，throughresignationorrevolt，bytheclevermanipulationofconventionsorbysolemnhangingontotheskirtsofthelatestscientifictheory，istheonlythemethatcanbelegitimatelydevelopedbythenovelistwhoisthechronicleroftheadventuresofmankindamongstthedangersofthekingdomoftheearth。Andthekingdomofthisearthitself，thegrounduponwhichhisindividualitiesstand，stumble，ordie，mustenterintohisschemeoffaithfulrecord。Toencompassallthisinoneharmoniousconceptionisagreatfeat；
　　andeventoattemptitdeliberatelywithseriousintention，notfromthesenselesspromptingofanignorantheart，isanhonourableambition。Foritrequiressomecouragetostepincalmlywherefoolsmaybeeagertorush。AsadistinguishedandsuccessfulFrenchnovelistonceobservedoffiction，“C'estunartTROP
　　difficile。”
　　Itisnaturalthatthenovelistshoulddoubthisabilitytocopewithhistask。Heimaginesitmoregiganticthanitis。Andyetliterarycreationbeingonlyoneofthelegitimateformsofhumanactivityhasnovaluebutontheconditionofnotexcludingthefullestrecognitionofallthemoredistinctformsofaction。Thisconditionissometimesforgottenbythemanofletters，whooften，especiallyinhisyouth，isinclinedtolayaclaimofexclusivesuperiorityforhisownamongstalltheothertasksofthehumanmind。Themassofverseandprosemayglimmerhereandtherewiththeglowofadivinespark，butinthesumofhumaneffortithasnospecialimportance。Thereisnojustificativeformulaforitsexistenceanymorethanforanyotherartisticachievement。Withtherestofthemitisdestinedtobeforgotten，without，perhaps，leavingthefaintesttrace。Whereanovelisthasanadvantageovertheworkersinotherfieldsofthoughtisinhisprivilegeoffreedom——thefreedomofexpressionandthefreedomofconfessinghisinnermostbeliefs——whichshouldconsolehimforthehardslaveryofthepen。
　　III。
　　Libertyofimaginationshouldbethemostpreciouspossessionofanovelist。Totryvoluntarilytodiscoverthefetteringdogmasofsomeromantic，realistic，ornaturalisticcreedinthefreeworkofitsowninspiration，isatrickworthyofhumanperversenesswhich，afterinventinganabsurdity，endeavourstofindforitapedigreeofdistinguishedancestors。Itisaweaknessofinferiormindswhenitisnotthecunningdeviceofthosewho，uncertainoftheirtalent，wouldseektoaddlustretoitbytheauthorityofaschool。Such，forinstance，arethehighpriestswhohaveproclaimedStendhalforaprophetofNaturalism。ButStendhalhimselfwouldhaveacceptednolimitationofhisfreedom。
　　Stendhal'smindwasofthefirstorder。HisspiritabovemustberagingwithapeculiarlyStendhalesquescornandindignation。Forthetruthisthatmorethanonekindofintellectualcowardicehidesbehindtheliteraryformulas。AndStendhalwaspre-eminentlycourageous。Hewrotehistwogreatnovels，whichsofewpeoplehaveread，inaspiritoffearlessliberty。
　　ItmustnotbesupposedthatIclaimfortheartistinfictionthefreedomofmoralNihilism。Iwouldrequirefromhimmanyactsoffaithofwhichthefirstwouldbethecherishingofanundyinghope；andhope，itwillnotbecontested，impliesallthepietyofeffortandrenunciation。ItistheGod-sentformoftrustinthemagicforceandinspirationbelongingtothelifeofthisearth。
　　Weareinclinedtoforgetthatthewayofexcellenceisintheintellectual，asdistinguishedfromemotional，humility。Whatonefeelssohopelesslybarrenindeclaredpessimismisjustitsarrogance。Itseemsasifthediscoverymadebymanymenatvarioustimesthatthereismuchevilintheworldwereasourceofproudandunholyjoyuntosomeofthemodernwriters。Thatframeofmindisnottheproperoneinwhichtoapproachseriouslytheartoffiction。Itgivesanauthor——goodnessonlyknowswhy——anelatedsenseofhisownsuperiority。Andthereisnothingmoredangerousthansuchanelationtothatabsoluteloyaltytowardshisfeelingsandsensationsanauthorshouldkeepholdofinhismostexaltedmomentsofcreation。
　　Tobehopefulinanartisticsenseitisnotnecessarytothinkthattheworldisgood。Itisenoughtobelievethatthereisnoimpossibilityofitsbeingmadeso。Iftheflightofimaginativethoughtmaybeallowedtorisesuperiortomanymoralitiescurrentamongstmankind，anovelistwhowouldthinkhimselfofasuperioressencetoothermenwouldmissthefirstconditionofhiscalling。
　　Tohavethegiftofwordsisnosuchgreatmatter。Amanfurnishedwithalong-rangeweapondoesnotbecomeahunterorawarriorbythemerepossessionofafire-arm；manyotherqualitiesofcharacterandtemperamentarenecessarytomakehimeitheroneortheother。Ofhimfromwhosearmouryofphrasesoneinahundredthousandmayperhapshitthefar-distantandelusivemarkofartI
　　wouldaskthatinhisdealingswithmankindheshouldbecapableofgivingatenderrecognitiontotheirobscurevirtues。Iwouldnothavehimimpatientwiththeirsmallfailingsandscornfuloftheirerrors。Iwouldnothavehimexpecttoomuchgratitudefromthathumanitywhosefate，asillustratedinindividuals，itisopentohimtodepictasridiculousorterrible。Iwouldwishhimtolookwithalargeforgivenessatmen'sideasandprejudices，whicharebynomeanstheoutcomeofmalevolence，butdependontheireducation，theirsocialstatus，eventheirprofessions。Thegoodartistshouldexpectnorecognitionofhistoilandnoadmirationofhisgenius，becausehistoilcanwithdifficultybeappraisedandhisgeniuscannotpossiblymeananythingtotheilliteratewho，evenfromthedreadfulwisdomoftheirevokeddead，have，sofar，cullednothingbutinanitiesandplatitudes。Iwouldwishhimtoenlargehissympathiesbypatientandlovingobservationwhilehegrowsinmentalpower。Itisintheimpartialpracticeoflife，ifanywhere，thatthepromiseofperfectionforhisartcanbefound，ratherthanintheabsurdformulastryingtoprescribethisorthatparticularmethodoftechniqueorconception。Lethimmaturethestrengthofhisimaginationamongstthethingsofthisearth，whichitishisbusinesstocherishandknow，andrefrainfromcallingdownhisinspirationready-madefromsomeheavenofperfectionsofwhichheknowsnothing。AndIwouldnotgrudgehimtheproudillusionthatwillcomesometimestoawriter:theillusionthathisachievementhasalmostequalledthegreatnessofhisdream。
　　Forwhatelsecouldgivehimtheserenityandtheforcetohugtohisbreastasathingdelightfulandhuman，thevirtue，therectitudeandsagacityofhisownCity，declaringwithsimpleeloquencethroughthemouthofaConscriptFather:“Ihavenotreadthisauthor'sbooks，andifIhavereadthemIhaveforgotten……”
　　HENRYJAMES——ANAPPRECIATION——1905
　　ThecriticalfacultyhesitatesbeforethemagnitudeofMr。HenryJames'swork。Hisbooksstandonmyshelvesinaplacewhoseaccessibilityproclaimsthehabitoffrequentcommunion。Butnotallhisbooks。Thereisnocollectededitiontodate，suchassomeof“ourmasters“havebeenprovidedwith；noneatrowsofvolumesinbuckramorhalfcalf，puttingforthahastyclaimtocompleteness，andconveyingtomymindahintoffinality，ofasurrendertofateofthatfieldinwhichallthesevictorieshavebeenwon。NothingofthesorthasbeendoneforMr。HenryJames'svictoriesinEngland。
　　Inaworldsuchasours，sopainfulwithallsortsofwonders，onewouldnotexhaustoneselfinbarrenmarvellingovermerebindings，hadnotthefact，orrathertheabsenceofthematerialfact，prominentinthecaseofothermenwhosewritingcounts，forgoodorevil——haditnotbeen，Isay，expressiveofadirecttruthspiritualandintellectual；anaccidentof——Isuppose——thepublishingbusinessacquiringasymbolicmeaningfromitsnegativenature。Because，emphatically，inthebodyofMr。HenryJames'sworkthereisnosuggestionoffinality，nowhereahintofsurrender，orevenofprobabilityofsurrender，tohisownvictoriousachievementinthatfieldwhereheisamaster。
　　Happily，hewillneverbeabletoclaimcompleteness；and，werehetoconfesstoitinamomentofself-ignorance，hewouldnotbebelievedbytheverymindsforwhomsuchaconfessionnaturallywouldbemeant。ItisimpossibletothinkofMr。HenryJamesbecoming“complete“otherwisethanbythebrutalityofourcommonfatewhosefinalityismeaningless——inthesenseofitslogicbeingofamaterialorder，thelogicofafallingstone。
　　IdonotknowintowhatbrandofinkMr。HenryJamesdipshispen；
　　indeed，Iheardthatoflatehehadbeendictating；butIknowthathismindissteepedinthewatersflowingfromthefountainofintellectualyouth。Thething——aprivilege——amiracle——whatyouwill——isnotquitehiddenfromthemeanestofuswhorunasweread。Tothosewhohavethegracetostaytheirfeetitismanifest。AftersometwentyyearsofattentiveacquaintancewithMr。HenryJames'swork，itgrowsintoabsoluteconvictionwhich，allpersonalfeelingapart，bringsasenseofhappinessintoone'sartisticexistence。Ifgratitude，assomeonedefinedit，isalivelysenseoffavourstocome，itbecomesveryeasytobegratefultotheauthorofTheAmbassadors——tonamethelatestofhisworks。Thefavoursaresuretocome；thespringofthatbenevolencewillneverrundry。Thestreamofinspirationflowsbrimfulinapredetermineddirection，unaffectedbytheperiodsofdrought，untroubledinitsclearnessbythestormsofthelandofletters，withoutlanguororviolenceinitsforce，neverrunningbackuponitself，openingnewvisionsateveryturnofitscoursethroughthatrichlyinhabitedcountryitsfertilityhascreatedforourdelectation，forourjudgment，forourexploring。Itis，infact，amagicspring。
　　Withthisphrasethemetaphoroftheperennialspring，oftheinextinguishableyouth，ofrunningwaters，asappliedtoMr。HenryJames'sinspiration，maybedropped。Initsvolumeandforcethebodyofhisworkmaybecomparedrathertoamajesticriver。Allcreativeartismagic，isevocationoftheunseeninformspersuasive，enlightening，familiarandsurprising，fortheedificationofmankind，pinneddownbytheconditionsofitsexistencetotheearnestconsiderationofthemostinsignificanttidesofreality。
　　Actioninitsessence，thecreativeartofawriteroffictionmaybecomparedtorescueworkcarriedoutindarknessagainstcrossgustsofwindswayingtheactionofagreatmultitude。Itisrescuework，thissnatchingofvanishingphasesofturbulence，disguisedinfairwords，outofthenativeobscurityintoalightwherethestrugglingformsmaybeseen，seizedupon，endowedwiththeonlypossibleformofpermanenceinthisworldofrelativevalues——thepermanenceofmemory。Andthemultitudefeelsitobscurelytoo；sincethedemandoftheindividualtotheartistis，ineffect，thecry，“Takemeoutofmyself！“meaningreally，outofmyperishableactivityintothelightofimperishableconsciousness。Buteverythingisrelative，andthelightofconsciousnessisonlyenduring，merelythemostenduringofthethingsofthisearth，imperishableonlyasagainsttheshort-livedworkofourindustrioushands。
　　Whenthelastaqueductshallhavecrumbledtopieces，thelastairshipfallentotheground，thelastbladeofgrasshavedieduponadyingearth，man，indomitablebyhistraininginresistancetomiseryandpain，shallsetthisundiminishedlightofhiseyesagainstthefeebleglowofthesun。Theartisticfaculty，ofwhicheachofushasaminutegrain，mayfinditsvoiceinsomeindividualofthatlastgroup，giftedwithapowerofexpressionandcourageousenoughtointerprettheultimateexperienceofmankindintermsofhistemperament，intermsofart。Idonotmeantosaythathewouldattempttobeguilethelastmomentsofhumanitybyaningenioustale。Itwouldbetoomuchtoexpect——
　　fromhumanity。Idoubttheheroismofthehearers。Astotheheroismoftheartist，nodoubtisnecessary。Therewouldbeonhispartnoheroism。Theartistinhiscallingofinterpretercreatestheclearestformofdemonstrationbecausehemust。Heissomuchofavoicethat，forhim，silenceislikedeath；andthepostulatewas，thatthereisagroupalive，clusteredonhisthresholdtowatchthelastflickeroflightonablacksky，tohearthelastwordutteredinthestilledworkshopoftheearth。
　　Itissafetoaffirmthat，ifanybody，itwillbetheimaginativemanwhowouldbemovedtospeakontheeveofthatdaywithoutto-
　　morrow——whetherinaustereexhortationorinaphraseofsardoniccomment，whocanguess?
　　Formyownpart，fromashortandcursoryacquaintancewithmykind，Iaminclinedtothinkthatthelastutterancewillformulate，strangeasitmayappear，somehopenowtousutterlyinconceivable。Formankindisdelightfulinitspride，itsassurance，anditsindomitabletenacity。Itwillsleeponthebattlefieldamongitsowndead，inthemannerofanarmyhavingwonabarrenvictory。Itwillnotknowwhenitisbeaten。Andperhapsitisrightinthatquality。Thevictoriesarenot，perhaps，sobarrenasitmayappearfromapurelystrategical，utilitarianpointofview。Mr。HenryJamesseemstoholdthatbelief。Nobodyhasrenderedbetter，perhaps，thetenacityoftemper，orknownhowtodrapetherobeofspiritualhonouraboutthedroopingformofavictorinabarrenstrife。Andthehonourisalwayswellwon；forthestrugglesMr。HenryJameschronicleswithsuchsubtleanddirectinsightare，thoughonlypersonalcontests，desperateintheirsilence，nonethelessheroicinthemodernsensefortheabsenceofshoutedwatchwords，clashofarmsandsoundoftrumpets。
　　Thoseareadventuresinwhichonlychoicesoulsareeverinvolved。
　　AndMr。HenryJamesrecordsthemwithafearlessandinsistentfidelitytothePERIPETIESofthecontest，andthefeelingsofthecombatants。
　　ThefiercestexcitementsofaromanceDECAPEETD'EPEE，theromanceofyard-armandboardingpikesodeartoyouth，whoseknowledgeofactionasofotherthingsisimperfectandlimited，arematched，forthequickeningofourmatureryears，bythetasksset，bythedifficultiespresented，tothesenseoftruth，ofnecessity——beforeall，ofconduct——ofMr。HenryJames'smenandwomen。Hismankindisdelightful。Itisdelightfulinitstenacity；itrefusestoownitselfbeaten；itwillsleeponthebattlefield。Thesewarlikeimagescomebythemselvesunderthepen；sincefromthedualityofman'snatureandthecompetitionofindividuals，thelife-historyoftheearthmustinthelastinstancebeahistoryofareallyveryrelentlesswarfare。Neitherhisfellows，norhisgods，norhispassionswillleaveamanalone。
　　Invirtueofthesealliesandenemies，heholdshisprecariousdominion，hepossesseshisfleetingsignificance；anditisthisrelationinallitsmanifestations，greatandlittle，superficialorprofound，andthisrelationalone，thatiscommentedupon，interpreted，demonstratedbytheartofthenovelistintheonlypossiblewayinwhichthetaskcanbeperformed:bytheindependentcreationofcircumstanceandcharacter，achievedagainstallthedifficultiesofexpression，inanimaginativeeffortfindingitsinspirationfromtherealityofformsandsensations。Thatasacrificemustbemade，thatsomethinghastobegivenup，isthetruthengravedintheinnermostrecessesofthefairtemplebuiltforouredificationbythemastersoffiction。
　　Thereisnoothersecretbehindthecurtain。Alladventure，alllove，everysuccessisresumedinthesupremeenergyofanactofrenunciation。Itistheuttermostlimitofourpower；itisthemostpotentandeffectiveforceatourdisposalonwhichrestthelaboursofasolitarymaninhisstudy，therockonwhichhavebeenbuiltcommonwealthswhosemightcastsadwarfingshadowupontwooceans。Likeanaturalforcewhichisobscuredasmuchasilluminatedbythemultiplicityofphenomena，thepowerofrenunciationisobscuredbythemassofweaknesses，vacillations，secondarymotivesandfalsestepsandcompromiseswhichmakeupthesumofouractivity。Butnomanorwomanworthyofthenamecanpretendtoanythingmore，toanythinggreater。AndMr。HenryJames'smenandwomenareworthyofthename，withinthelimitshisart，soclear，sosureofitself，hasdrawnroundtheiractivities。
　　HewouldbethelasttoclaimforthemTitanicproportions。Theearthitselfhasgrownsmallerinthecourseofages。Butineverysphereofhumanperplexitiesandemotions，therearemoregreatnessesthanone——notcountingherethegreatnessoftheartisthimself。Whereverhestands，atthebeginningortheendofthings，amanhastosacrificehisgodstohispassions，orhispassionstohisgods。Thatistheproblem，greatenough，inalltruth，ifapproachedinthespiritofsincerityandknowledge。
　　Inoneofhiscriticalstudies，publishedsomefifteenyearsago，Mr。HenryJamesclaimsforthenovelistthestandingofthehistorianastheonlyadequateone，asforhimselfandbeforehisaudience。Ithinkthattheclaimcannotbecontested，andthatthepositionisunassailable。Fictionishistory，humanhistory，oritisnothing。Butitisalsomorethanthat；itstandsonfirmerground，beingbasedontherealityofformsandtheobservationofsocialphenomena，whereashistoryisbasedondocuments，andthereadingofprintandhandwriting——onsecond-handimpression。Thusfictionisnearertruth。Butletthatpass。Ahistorianmaybeanartisttoo，andanovelistisahistorian，thepreserver，thekeeper，theexpounder，ofhumanexperience。Asismeetforamanofhisdescentandtradition，Mr。HenryJamesisthehistorianoffineconsciences。
　　Ofcourse，thisisageneralstatement；butIdon'tthinkitstruthwillbe，orcanbequestioned。Itsfaultisthatitleavessomuchout；and，besides，Mr。HenryJamesismuchtooconsiderabletobeputintothenutshellofaphrase。Thefactremainsthathehasmadehischoice，andthathischoiceisjustifieduptothehiltbythesuccessofhisart。Hehastakenforhimselfthegreaterpart。
　　Therangeofafineconsciencecoversmoregoodandevilthantherangeofconsciencewhichmaybecalled，roughly，notfine；aconscience，lesstroubledbythenicediscriminationofshadesofconduct。Afineconscienceismoreconcernedwithessentials；itstriumphsaremoreperfect，iflessprofitable，inaworldlysense。
　　Thereis，inshort，moretruthinitsworkingforahistoriantodetectandtoshow。Itisathingofinfinitecomplicationandsuggestion。NoneoftheseescapestheartofMr。HenryJames。Hehasmasteredthecountry，hisdomain，notwildindeed，butfullofromanticglimpses，ofdeepshadowsandsunnyplaces。Therearenosecretsleftwithinhisrange。Hehasdisclosedthemastheyshouldbedisclosed——thatis，beautifully。And，indeed，uglinesshasbutlittleplaceinthisworldofhiscreation。Yet，itisalwaysfeltinthetruthfulnessofhisart；itisthere，itsurroundsthescene，itpressescloseuponit。Itismadevisible，tangible，inthestruggles，inthecontactsofthefineconsciences，intheirperplexities，inthesophismoftheirmistakes。Forafineconscienceisnaturallyavirtuousone。Whatisnaturalaboutitisjustitsfineness，anabidingsenseoftheintangible，ever-present，right。Itismostvisibleintheirultimatetriumph，intheiremergencefrommiracle，throughanenergeticactofrenunciation。Energetic，notviolent:thedistinctioniswide，enormous，likethatbetweensubstanceandshadow。
　　ThroughitallMr。HenryJameskeepsafirmholdofthesubstance，ofwhatisworthhaving，ofwhatisworthholding。Thecontraryopinionhasbeen，ifnotabsolutelyaffirmed，thenatleastimplied，withsomefrequency。Tomostofus，livingwillinglyinasortofintellectualmoonlight，inthefaintlyreflectedlightoftruth，theshadowssofirmlyrenouncedbyMr。HenryJames'smenandwomen，standoutendowedwithextraordinaryvalue，withavaluesoextraordinarythattheirrejectionoffends，byitsuncalled-forscrupulousness，thosebusiness-likeinstinctswhichacarefulProvidencehasimplantedinourbreasts。And，apartfromthatjustcauseofdiscontent，itisobviousthatasolutionbyrejectionmustalwayspresentacertainlackoffinality，especiallystartlingwhencontrastedwiththeusualmethodsofsolutionbyrewardsandpunishments，bycrownedlove，byfortune，byabrokenlegorasuddendeath。Whythereadingpublicwhich，asabody，hasneverlaiduponastory-tellerthecommandtobeanartist，shoulddemandfromhimthisshamofDivineOmnipotence，isutterlyincomprehensible。Butsoitis；andthesesolutionsarelegitimateinasmuchastheysatisfythedesireforfinality，forwhichourheartsyearnwithalonginggreaterthanthelongingfortheloavesandfishesofthisearth。Perhapstheonlytruedesireofmankind，comingthustolightinitshoursofleisure，istobesetatrest。
　　OneisneversetatrestbyMr。HenryJames'snovels。Hisbooksendasanepisodeinlifeends。Youremainwiththesenseofthelifestillgoingon；andeventhesubtlepresenceofthedeadisfeltinthatsilencethatcomesupontheartist-creationwhenthelastwordhasbeenread。Itiseminentlysatisfying，butitisnotfinal。Mr。HenryJames，greatartistandfaithfulhistorian，neverattemptstheimpossible。
　　ALPHONSEDAUDET——1898
　　Itissweettotalkdecorouslyofthedeadwhoarepartofourpast，ourindisputablepossession。Onemustadmitregretfullythatto-dayisbutascramble，thatto-morrowmaynevercome；itisonlythepreciousyesterdaythatcannotbetakenawayfromus。Agiftfromthedead，greatandlittle，itmakeslifesupportable，italmostmakesonebelieveinabenevolentschemeofcreation。Andsomekindofbeliefisverynecessary。Buttherealknowledgeofmattersinfinitelymoreprofoundthananyconceivableschemeofcreationiswiththedeadalone。Thatiswhyourtalkaboutthemshouldbeasdecorousastheirsilence。Theirgenerosityandtheirdiscretiondeservenothinglessatourhands；andthey，whobelongalreadytotheunchangeable，wouldprobablydisdaintoclaimmorethanthisfromamankindthatchangesitslovesanditshatesabouteverytwenty-fiveyears——atthecomingofeverynewandwisergeneration。
　　OneofthemostgenerousofthedeadisDaudet，who，withaprodigalityapproachingmagnificence，gavehimselfuptouswithoutreserveinhiswork，withallhisqualitiesandallhisfaults。
　　Neitherhisqualitiesnorhisfaultsweregreat，thoughtheywerebynomeansimperceptible。Itisonlyhisgenerositythatisoutofthecommon。Whatstrikesonemostinhisworkisthedisinterestednessofthetoiler。Withmoretalentthanmanybiggermen，hedidnotpreachabouthimself，hedidnotattempttopersuademankindintoabeliefofhisowngreatness。Heneverposedasascientistorasaseer，notevenasaprophet；andheneglectedhisintereststothepointofneverpropoundingatheoryforthepurposeofgivingatremendoussignificancetohisart，aloneofallthings，inaworldthat，bysomestrangeoversight，hasnotbeensuppliedwithanobviousmeaning。Neitherdidheaffectapassiveattitudebeforethespectacleoflife，anattitudewhichingods——andinararemortalhereandthere——mayappeargodlike，butassumedbysomemen，causesone，veryunwillingly，tothinkofthemelancholyquietudeofanape。Hewasnotthewearisomeexpounderofthisorthattheory，hereto-dayandspurnedto-morrow。Hewasnotagreatartist，hewasnotanartistatall，ifyoulike——buthewasAlphonseDaudet，amanasnaivelyclear，honest，andvibratingasthesunshineofhisnativeland；thatregrettablyundiscriminatingsunshinewhichmaturesgrapesandpumpkinsalike，andcannot，ofcourse，obtainthecommendationoftheveryselectwholookatlifefromunderaparasol。
　　Naturally，beingamanfromtheSouth，hehadaratheroutspokenbeliefinhimself，buthissmalldistinction，worthmanyagreater，wasinnotbeinginbondagetosomevanishingcreed。Hewasaworkerwhocouldnotcompeltheadmirationofthefew，butwhodeservedtheaffectionofthemany；andhemaybespokenofwithtendernessandregret，forheisnotimmortal——heisonlydead。
　　Duringhislifethesimplemanwhosebusinessitoughttohavebeentoclimb，inthenameofArt，someelevationorother，wascontenttoremainbelow，ontheplain，amongsthiscreations，andtakeaneagerpartinthosedisasters，weaknesses，andjoyswhicharetragicenoughintheirdrollway，butarebynomeanssomomentousandprofoundassomewriters——probablyforthesakeofArt——wouldliketomakeusbelieve。Thereis，whenonethinksofit，aconsiderablewantofcandourintheaugustviewoflife。Withoutdoubtacautiousreticenceonthesubject，orevenadelicatelyfalsesuggestionthrownoutinthatdirectionis，inaway，praiseworthy，sinceithelpstoupholdthedignityofman——amatterofgreatimportance，asanyonecansee；stillonecannothelpfeelingthatacertainamountofsinceritywouldnotbewhollyblamable。Tostate，then，withstudiedmoderationabeliefthatinunfortunatemomentsoflucidityisirresistiblyborneinuponmostofus——theblindagitationcausedmostlybyhungerandcomplicatedbyloveandferocitydoesnotdeserveeitherbyitsbeauty，oritsmorality，oritspossibleresults，theartisticfussmadeoverit。
　　Itmaybeconsoling——forhumanfollyisveryBIZARRE——butitisscarcelyhonesttoshoutatthosewhostruggledrowninginaninsignificantpool:Youareindeedadmirableandgreattobethevictimsofsuchaprofound，ofsuchaterribleocean！
　　AndDaudetwashonest；perhapsbecauseheknewnobetter——buthewasveryhonest。Ifhesawonlythesurfaceofthingsitisforthereasonthatmostthingshavenothingbutasurface。Hedidnotpretend——perhapsbecausehedidnotknowhow——hedidnotpretendtoseeanydepthsinalifethatisonlyafilmofunsteadyappearancesstretchedoverregionsdeepindeed，butwhichhavenothingtodowiththehalf-truths，half-thoughts，andwholeillusionsofexistence。TheroadtothesedistantregionsdoesnotliethroughthedomainofArtorthedomainofSciencewherewell-
　　knownvoicesquarrelnoisilyinamistyemptiness；itisapathoftoilsomesilenceuponwhichtravelmensimpleandunknown，withclosedlips，or，maybe，whisperingtheirpainsoftly——onlytothemselves。
　　ButDaudetdidnotwhisper；hespokeloudly，withanimation，withaclearfelicityoftone——asabirdsings。Hesawlifearoundhimwithextremeclearness，andhefeltitasitis——thinnerthanairandmoreelusivethanaflashoflightning。Hehastenedtoofferithiscompassion，hisindignation，hiswonder，hissympathy，withoutgivingamomentofthoughttothemomentousissuesthataresupposedtolurkinthelogicofsuchsentiments。Hetoleratedthelittlefoibles，thesmallruffianisms，thegravemistakes；theonlythinghedistinctlywouldnotforgivewashardnessofheart。Thisunpracticalattitudewouldhavebeenfataltoabetterman，buthisreadershaveforgivenhim。Withalheischivalroustoexiledqueensanddeformedsempstresses，heispityinglytendertobroken-
　　downactors，toruinedgentlemen，tostupidAcademicians；heisgladofthejoysofthecommonplacepeopleinacommonplaceway——
　　andhenevermakesasecretofallthis。No，themanwasnotanartist。Whatifhiscreationsareilluminedbythesunshineofhistemperamentsovividlythattheystandbeforeusinfinitelymorerealthanthedingyillusionssurroundingoureverydayexistence?
　　Themisguidedmanisforeverpotteringamongstthem，liftinguphisvoice，dottinghisi'sinthewrongplaces。HetakesTartarinbythearm，hedoesnotconcealhisinterestintheNabob'scheques，hissympathyforanhonestAcademicianPLUSBETEQUE
　　NATURE，hishateforanarchitectPLUSMAUVAISQUELAGALE；heisinthethickofitall。HefeelswiththeDucdeMoraandwithFeliciaRuys——andheletsyouseeit。Hedoesnotsitonapedestalinthehieraticandimbecileposeofsomecheapgodwhosegreatnessconsistsinbeingtoostupidtocare。HecaresimmenselyforhisNabobs，hiskings，hisbook-keepers，hisColettes，andhisSaphos。Hevibratestogetherwithhisuniverse，andwithlamentablesimplicityfollowsM。deMontpavononthatlastwalkalongtheBoulevards。
　　“MonsieurdeMontpavonmarcheelamort，“andthecreatorofthatunluckyGENTILHOMMEfollowswithstealthyfootsteps，withwideeyes，withanimpressivelypointingfinger。Andwhowouldn'tlook?
　　Butitishard；itissometimesveryhardtoforgivehimthedottedi's，thepointingfinger，thismakingplainofobviousmysteries。
　　“MonsieurdeMontpavonmarcheelamort，“andpresently，onthecrowdedpavement，takesoffhishatwithpunctiliouscourtesytothedoctor'swife，who，elegantandunhappy，isboundonthesamepilgrimage。Thisistoomuch！Wefeelwecannotforgivehimsuchmeetings，theconstantwhisperofhispresence。Wefeelwecannot，tillsuddenlytheveryNAIVETEofitalltouchesuswiththerevealedsuggestionofatruth。Thenweseethatthemanisnotfalse；allthisisdoneintransparentgoodfaith。Themanisnotmelodramatic；heisonlypicturesque。Hemaynotbeanartist，buthecomesasnearthetruthassomeofthegreatest。Hiscreationsareseen；youcanlookintotheirveryeyes，andtheseareasthoughtlessastheeyesofanywisegenerationthathasinitshandsthefameofwriters。Yes，theyareSEEN，andthemanwhoisnotanartistisseenalsocommiserating，indignant，joyous，humanandaliveintheirverymidst。InevitablytheyMARCHENTELAMORT——
　　andtheyareverynearthetruthofourcommondestiny:theirfateispoignant，itisintenselyinteresting，andofnottheslightestconsequence。
　　GUYDEMAUPASSANT——1904{1}
　　TointroduceMaupassanttoEnglishreaderswithapologeticexplanationsasthoughhisartwerereconditeandthetendencyofhisworkimmoralwouldbeagratuitousimpertinence。
　　Maupassant'sconceptionofhisartissuchasonewouldexpectfromapracticalandresolutemind；butintheconsummatesimplicityofhistechniqueitceasestobeperceptible。Thisisoneofitsgreatestqualities，andlikeallthegreatvirtuesitisbasedprimarilyonself-denial。
　　Topronounceajudgmentuponthegeneraltendencyofanauthorisadifficulttask。Onecouldnotdependuponreasonalone，noryettrustsolelytoone'semotions。Usedtogether，theywouldinmanycasestraverseeachother，becauseemotionshavetheirownunanswerablelogic。Ourcapacityforemotionislimited，andthefieldofourintelligenceisrestricted。Responsivenesstoeveryfeeling，combinedwiththepenetrationofeveryintellectualsubterfuge，wouldend，notinjudgment，butinuniversalabsolution。TOUTCOMPRENDREC'ESTTOUTPARDONNER。Andinthisbenevolentneutralitytowardsthewarringerrorsofhumannaturealllightwouldgooutfromartandfromlife。
　　WeareatlibertythentoquarrelwithMaupassant'sattitudetowardsourworldinwhich，liketherestofus，hehasthatsharewhichhissensesareabletogivehim。Butweneednotquarrelwithhimviolently。Ifourfeelingswhicharetenderhappentobehurtbecausehistalentisnotexercisedforthepraiseandconsolationofmankind，ourintelligencewhichisgreatshouldletusseethatheisaverysplendidsinner，likeallthosewhointhisvalleyofcompromiseserrbyover-devotiontothetruththatisinthem。Hisdeterminism，barrenofpraise，blameandconsolation，hasallthemeritofhisconscientiousart。Theworthofeveryconvictionconsistspreciselyinthesteadfastnesswithwhichitisheld。
　　Exceptforhisphilosophy，whichinthecaseofsoconsummateanartistdoesnotmatterunlesstothesolemnandnaivemind，Maupassantofallwritersoffictiondemandsleastforgivenessfromhisreaders。Hedoesnotrequireforgivenessbecauseheisneverdull。
　　Theinterestofareaderinaworkofimaginationiseitherethicalorthatofsimplecuriosity。Bothareperfectlylegitimate，sincethereisbothamoralandanexcitementtobefoundinafaithfulrenderingoflife。AndinMaupassant'sworkthereistheinterestofcuriosityandthemoralofapointofviewconsistentlypreservedandneverobtrudedfortheendofpersonalgratification。
　　Thespectacleofthisimmensetalentservedbyexceptionalfacultiesandtriumphingoverthemostthanklesssubjectsbyanunswervingsinglenessofpurposeisinitselfanadmirablelessoninthepowerofartistichonesty，onemaysayofartisticvirtue。
　　Theinherentgreatnessofthemanconsistsinthis，thathewillletnoneofthefascinationsthatbesetawriterworkinginlonelinessturnhimawayfromthestraightpath，fromthevouchsafedvisionofexcellence。Hewillnotbeledintoperditionbytheseductionsofsentiment，ofeloquence，ofhumour，ofpathos；
　　ofallthatsplendidpageantoffaultsthatpassbetweenthewriterandhisprobityontheblanksheetofpaper，liketheglitteringcortegeofdeadlysinsbeforetheaustereanchoriteinthedesertairofThebaide。ThisisnottosaythatMaupassant'sausterityhasneverfaltered；butthefactremainsthatnotemptingdemonhaseversucceededinhurlinghimdownfromhishigh，ifnarrow，pedestal。
　　Itistheausterityofhistalent，ofcourse，thatisinquestion。
　　Letthediscriminatingreader，whoattimesmaywellspareamomentortwototheconsiderationandenjoymentofartisticexcellence，beaskedtoreflectalittleuponthetextureoftwostoriesincludedinthisvolume:“APieceofString，“and“ASale。”Howmanyopeningsthelastoffersforthegratuitousdisplayoftheauthor'switorcleverbuffoonery，thefirstforanunmeasureddisplayofsentiment！Andbothsentimentandbuffoonerycouldhavebeenmadeverygoodtoo，inawayaccessibletothemeanestintelligence，atthecostoftruthandhonesty。HereitiswhereMaupassant'sausteritycomesin。Herefrainsfromsettinghisclevernessagainsttheeloquenceofthefacts。Thereishumourandpathosinthesestories；butsuchisthegreatnessofhistalent，therefinementofhisartisticconscience，thatallhishighqualitiesappearinherentintheverythingsofwhichhespeaks，asiftheyhadbeenaltogetherindependentofhispresentation。
　　Facts，andagainfactsarehisuniqueconcern。Thatiswhyheisnotalwaysproperlyunderstood。Hisfactsaresoperfectlyrenderedthat，liketheactualitiesoflifeitself，theydemandfromthereaderthefacultyofobservationwhichisrare，thepowerofappreciationwhichisgenerallywantinginmostofuswhoareguidedmainlybyemptyphrasesrequiringnoeffort，demandingfromusnoqualitiesexceptavaguesusceptibilitytoemotion。Nobodyhasevergainedthevastapplauseofacrowdbythesimpleandclearexpositionofvitalfacts。Wordsalonestrunguponaconventionhavefascinatedusasworthlessglassbeadsstrungonathreadhavecharmedatalltimesourbrotherstheunsophisticatedsavagesoftheislands。Now，Maupassant，ofwhomithasbeensaidthatheisthemasteroftheMOTJUSTE，hasneverbeenadealerinwords。Hiswareshavebeen，notglassbeads，butpolishedgems；
　　notthemostrareandprecious，perhaps，butoftheveryfirstwateroftheirkind。
　　Thathetooktroublewithhisgems，takingthemupintheroughandpolishingeachfacetpatiently，thepublicationofthetwoposthumousvolumesofshortstoriesprovesabundantly。Ithinkitprovesalsotheassertionmadeherethathewasbynomeansadealerinwords。Onlookingatthefirstfeebledraftsfromwhichsomanyperfectstorieshavebeenfashioned，onediscoversthatwhathasbeenmatured，improved，broughttoperfectionbyunweariedendeavourisnotthedictionofthetale，butthevisionofitstrueshapeanddetail。Thosefirstattemptsarenotfalteringoruncertaininexpression。Itistheconceptionwhichisatfault。
　　Thesubjectshavenotyetbeenadequatelyseen。Hisproceedingwasnottogroupexpressivewords，thatmeannothing，aroundmistyandmysteriousshapesdeartomuddledintellectsandbelongingneithertoearthnortoheaven。Hisvisionbyamorescrupulous，prolongedanddevotedattentiontotheaspectsofthevisibleworlddiscoveredatlasttherightwordsasifmiraculouslyimpressedforhimuponthefaceofthingsandevents。Thiswastheparticularshapetakenbyhisinspiration；itcametohimdirectly，honestlyinthelightofhisday，notonthetortuous，darkroadsofmeditation。Hisrealitiescametohimfromagenuinesource，fromthisuniverseofvainappearanceswhereinwemenhavefoundeverythingtomakeusproud，sorry，exalted，andhumble。
　　Maupassant'srenownisuniversal，buthispopularityisrestricted。
　　Itisnotdifficulttoperceivewhy。Maupassantisanintenselynationalwriter。Heissointenselynationalinhislogic，inhisclearness，inhisaestheticandmoralconceptions，thathehasbeenacceptedbyhiscountrymenwithouthavinghadtopaythetributeofflatteryeithertothenationasawhole，ortoanyclass，sphereordivisionofthenation。Thetruthofhisarttellswithanirresistibleforce；andhestandsexcusedfromthedutyofpatrioticposturing。HeisaFrenchmanofFrenchmenbeyondquestionorcavil，andwiththatheissimpleenoughtobeuniversallycomprehensible。Whatiswantingtohisuniversalsuccessisthemediocrityofanobviousandappealingtenderness。
　　Heneglectstoqualifyhistruthwiththedropoffacilesweetness；
　　heforgetstostrewpaperrosesoverthetombs。Thedisregardofthesecommondecencieslayshimopentothechargesofcruelty，cynicism，hardness。Andyetitcanbesafelyaffirmedthatthismanwrotefromthefulnessofacompassionateheart。Heismercilessandyetgentlewithhismankind；hedoesnotrailattheirprudentfearsandtheirsmallartifices；hedoesnotdespisetheirlabours。Itseemstomethathelookswithaneyeofprofoundpityupontheirtroubles，deceptionsandmisery。Buthelooksatthemall。Hesees——anddoesnotturnawayhishead。Asamatteroffactheiscourageous。
　　Courageandjusticearenotpopularvirtues。Thepracticeofstrictjusticeisshockingtothemultitudewhoalwaysperhapsfromanobscuresenseofguiltattachtoitthemeaningofmercy。
　　Inthemajorityofus，whowanttobeleftalonewithourillusions，courageinspiresavaguealarm。ThisiswhatisfeltaboutMaupassant。Hisqualities，tousethecharmingandpopularphrase，arenotlovable。Couragebeingaforcewillnotmasqueradeintherobesofaffecteddelicacyandrestraint。Butifhiscourageisnotofachivalrousstamp，itcannotbedeniedthatitisneverbrutalforthesakeofeffect。Thewriterofthesefewreflections，inspiredbyalongandintimateacquaintancewiththeworkoftheman，hasbeenstruckbytheappreciationofMaupassantmanifestedbymanywomengiftedwithtendernessandintelligence。
　　Theirmoredelicateandaudacioussoulsaregoodjudgesofcourage。
　　Theirfinerpenetrationhasdiscoveredhisgenuinemasculinitywithoutdisplay，hisvirilitywithoutapose。Theyhavediscernedinhisfaithfuldealingswiththeworldthatenterprisingandfearlesstemperament，poorinideasbutrichinpower，whichappealsmosttothefemininemind。
　　Itcannotbedeniedthathethinksverylittle。Inhimextremeenergyofperceptionachievesgreatresults，asinmenofactiontheenergyofforceanddesire。Hisviewofintellectualproblemsisperhapsmoresimplethantheirnaturewarrants；stillamanwhohaswrittenYVETTEcannotbeaccusedofwantofsubtlety。Butonecannotinsistenoughuponthis，thathissubtlety，hishumour，hisgrimness，thoughnodoubttheyarehisown，areneverpresentedotherwisebutasbelongingtoourlife，asfoundinnature，whosebeautiesandcrueltiesalikebreathethespiritofsereneunconsciousness。
　　Maupassant'sphilosophyoflifeismoretemperamentalthanrational。Heexpectsnothingfromgodsormen。Hetrustshissensesforinformationandhisinstinctfordeductions。Itmayseemthathehasmadebutlittleuseofhismind。Butletmebeclearlyunderstood。Hissensibilityisreallyverygreat；anditisimpossibletobesensible，unlessonethinksvividly，unlessonethinkscorrectly，startingfromintelligiblepremisestoanunsophisticatedconclusion。
　　Thisisliteraryhonesty。Itmayberemarkedthatitdoesnotdifferverygreatlyfromtheidealhonestyoftherespectablemajority，fromthehonestyoflaw-givers，ofwarriors，ofkings，ofbricklayers，ofallthosewhoexpresstheirfundamentalsentimentintheordinarycourseoftheiractivities，bytheworkoftheirhands。
　　TheworkofMaupassant'shandsishonest。Hethinkssufficientlytoconcretehisfearlessconclusionsinilluminativeinstances。Herendersthemwiththatexactknowledgeofthemeansandthatabsolutedevotiontotheaimofcreatingatrueeffect——whichisart。Heisthemostaccomplishedofnarrators。
　　ItisevidentthatMaupassantlookeduponhismankindinanotherspiritthanthosewriterswhomakehastetosubmergethedifficultiesofourholding-placeintheuniverseunderafloodoffalseandsentimentalassumptions。Maupassantwasatrueanddutifulloverofourearth。Hesayshimselfinoneofhisdescriptivepassages:“Nousautresqueseduitlaterre……”Itwastrue。Theearthhadforhimacompellingcharm。Helooksuponheraugustandfurrowedfacewiththefierceinsightofrealpassion。Hisisthepowerofdetectingtheoneimmutablequalitythatmattersinthechangingaspectsofnatureandundertheever-
　　shiftingsurfaceoflife。Tosaythathecouldnotembraceinhisglanceallitsmagnificenceandallitsmiseryisonlytosaythathewashuman。Helaysclaimtonothingthathismatchlessvisionhasnotmadehisown。Thiscreativeartisthasthetrueimagination；henevercondescendstoinventanything；hesetsupnoemptypretences。Andhestoopstonolittlenessinhisart——leastofalltothemiserablevanityofacatchingphrase。
　　ANATOLEFRANCE——1904
　　I——“CRAINQUEBILLE“
　　ThelatestvolumeofM。AnatoleFrancepurports，bythedeclarationofitstitle-page，tocontainseveralprofitablenarratives。ThestoryofCrainquebille'sencounterwithhumanjusticestandsattheheadofthem；ataleofawell-bestowedcharityclosesthebookwiththetouchofplayfulironycharacteristicofthewriteronwhomthemostdistinguishedamongsthisliterarycountrymenhaveconferredtherankofPrinceofProse。
　　Neverhasadignitybeenbetterborne。M。AnatoleFranceisagoodprince。Heknowsnothingoftyrannybutmuchofcompassion。ThedetachmentofhismindfromcommonerrorsandcurrentsuperstitionsbefitstheexaltedrankheholdsintheCommonwealthofLiterature。
　　Itisjusttosupposethattheclamourofthetribesintheforumhadlittletodowithhiselevation。Theirelectareofanotherstamp。Theyaresuchastheirneedofprecipitateactionrequires。
　　HeistheElectoftheSenate——theSenateofLetters——whoseConscriptFathershaverecognisedhimasPRIMUSINTERPARES；apostofpurehonourandofnoprivilege。
　　Itisagoodchoice。First，becauseitisjust，andnext，becauseitissafe。ThedignitywillsuffernodiminutioninM。AnatoleFrance'shands。Heisworthyofagreattradition，learnedinthelessonsofthepast，concernedwiththepresent，andasearnestastothefutureasagoodprinceshouldbeinhispublicaction。ItisaRepublicandignity。AndM。AnatoleFrance，withhisscepticalinsightintoanformsofgovernment，isagoodRepublican。Heisindulgenttotheweaknessesofthepeople，andperceivesthatpoliticalinstitutions，whethercontrivedbythewisdomofthefewortheignoranceofthemany，areincapableofsecuringthehappinessofmankind。Heperceivesthistruthintheserenityofhissoulandintheelevationofhismind。Heexpresseshisconvictionswithmeasure，restraintandharmony，whichareindeedprincelyqualities。Heisagreatanalystofillusions。Hesearchesandprobestheirinnermostrecessesasiftheywererealitiesmadeofaneternalsubstance。Andthereinconsistshishumanity；thisistheexpressionofhisprofoundandunalterablecompassion。Hewillflatternotribenosectionintheforumorinthemarket-place。Hislucidthoughtisnotbeguiledintofalsepityorintothecommonweaknessofaffection。Hefeelsthatmenborninignoranceasinthehouseofanenemy，andcondemnedtostrugglewitherrorandpassionsthroughendlesscenturies，shouldbesparedthesupremecrueltyofahopeforeverdeferred。Heknowsthatourbesthopesareirrealisable；thatitisthealmostincrediblemisfortuneofmankind，butalsoitshighestprivilege，toaspiretowardstheimpossible；thatmenhaveneverfailedtodefeattheirhighestaimsbytheverystrengthoftheirhumanitywhichcanconceivethemostgigantictasksbutleavesthemdisarmedbeforetheirirremediablelittleness。Heknowsthiswellbecauseheisanartistandamaster；butheknows，too，thatonlyinthecontinuityofeffortthereisarefugefromdespairformindslessclear-seeingandphilosophicthanhisown。Thereforehewishesustobelieveandtohope，preservinginouractivitytheconsolingillusionofpowerandintelligentpurpose。Heisagoodandpoliticprince。
　　“Themajestyofjusticeiscontainedentireineachsentencepronouncedbythejudgeinthenameofthesovereignpeople。
　　JeromeCrainquebille，hawkerofvegetables，becameawareoftheaugustaspectofthelawashestoodindictedbeforethetribunalofthehigherPoliceCourtonachargeofinsultingaconstableoftheforce。”WiththisexpositionbeginsthefirsttaleofM。
　　AnatoleFrance'slatestvolume。
　　ThebustoftheRepublicandtheimageoftheCrucifiedChristappearsidebysideabovethebenchoccupiedbythePresidentBourricheandhistwoAssessors；allthelawsdivineandhumanaresuspendedovertheheadofCrainquebille。
　　FromthefirstvisualimpressionoftheaccusedandofthecourttheauthorpassesbyacharacteristicandnaturalturntothehistoricalandmoralsignificanceofthosetwoemblemsofStateandReligionwhoseaccordisonlypossibletotheconfusedreasoningofanaverageman。ButthereasoningofM。AnatoleFranceisneverconfused。Hisreasoningisclearandinformedbyaprofounderudition。SuchisnotthecaseofCrainquebille，astreethawker，chargedwithinsultingtheconstitutedpowerofsocietyinthepersonofapoliceman。Thechargeisnottrue，nothingwasfurtherfromhisthoughts；but，amazedbythenoveltyofhisposition，hedoesnotreflectthattheCrossonthewallperpetuatesthememoryofasentencewhichfornineteenhundredyearsalltheChristianpeopleshavelookeduponasagravemiscarriageofjustice。HemightwellhavechallengedthePresidenttopronounceanysortofsentence，ifitweremerelytoforty-eighthoursofsimpleimprisonment，inthenameoftheCrucifiedRedeemer。
　　Hemighthavedoneso。ButCrainquebille，whohaslivedpushingeverydayforhalfacenturyhishand-barrowloadedwithvegetablesthroughthestreetsofParis，hasnotaphilosophicmind。Truthtosayhehasnothing。Heisoneofthedisinherited。Properlyspeaking，hehasnoexistenceatall，or，tobestrictlytruthful，hehadnoexistencetillM。AnatoleFrance'sphilosophicmindandhumansympathyhavecalledhimupfromhisnothingnessforourpleasure，and，asthetitle-pageofthebookhasit，nodoubtforourprofitalso。
　　Thereforewebeholdhiminthedock，astrangertoallhistorical，politicalorsocialconsiderationswhichcanbebroughttobearuponhiscase。Heremainslostinastonishment。Penetratedwithrespect，overwhelmedwithawe，heisreadytotrustthejudgeuponthequestionofhistransgression。Inhisconsciencehedoesnotthinkhimselfculpable；butM。AnatoleFrance'sphilosophicalminddiscoversforusthathefeelsalltheinsignificanceofsuchathingastheconscienceofamerestreet-hawkerinthefaceofthesymbolsofthelawandbeforetheministersofsocialrepression。
　　Crainquebilleisinnocent；butalreadytheyoungadvocate，hisdefender，hashalfpersuadedhimofhisguilt。
　　Onthisphrasepracticallyendstheintroductorychapterofthestorywhich，astheauthor'sdedicationstates，hasinspiredanadmirabledraughtsmanandaskilfuldramatist，eachinhisart，toavisionoftragicgrandeur。Andthisopeningchapterwithoutaname——consistingoftwoandahalfpages，somefourhundredwordsatmost——isamasterpieceofinsightandsimplicity，resumedinM。
　　AnatoleFrance'sdistinctionofthoughtandinhisprincelycommandofwords。
　　Itisfollowedbysixmoreshortchapters，conciseandfull，delicateandcompletelikethepetalsofaflower，presentingtoustheAdventureofCrainquebille——Crainquebillebeforethejustice——
　　AnApologyforthePresidentoftheTribunal——OftheSubmissionofCrainquebilletotheLawsoftheRepublic——OfhisAttitudebeforethePublicOpinion，andsoontothechapteroftheLastConsequences。Wesee，createdforusinhisoutwardformandinnermostperplexity，theoldmandegradedfromhishighestateofalaw-abidingstreet-hawkeranddriventoinsult，reallythistime，themajestyofthesocialorderinthepersonofanotherpolice-
　　constable。Itisnotanactofrevolt，andstilllessofrevenge。
　　Crainquebilleistooold，tooresigned，tooweary，tooguilelesstoraisetheblackstandardofinsurrection。Heiscoldandhomelessandstarving。Heremembersthewarmthandthefoodoftheprison。
　　Heperceivesthemeanstogetbackthere。Sincehehasbeenlockedup，heargueswithhimself，forutteringwordswhich，asamatteroffacthedidnotsay，hewillgoforthnow，andtothefirstpolicemanhemeetswillsaythoseverywordsinordertobeimprisonedagain。ThusreasonsCrainquebillewithsimplicityandconfidence。Heacceptsfacts。Nothingsurpriseshim。Butallthephenomenaofsocialorganisationandofhisownliferemainforhimmysterioustotheend。Thedescriptionofthepolicemaninhisshortcapeandhood，whostandsquitestill，underthelightofastreetlampattheedgeofthepavementshiningwiththewetofarainyautumneveningalongthewholeextentofalonganddesertedthoroughfare，isaperfectpieceofimaginativeprecision。FromundertheedgeofthehoodhiseyeslookuponCrainquebille，whohasjustutteredinanuncertainvoicethesacramental，insultingphraseofthepopularslang——MORTAUXVACHES！Theylookuponhimshininginthedeepshadowofthehoodwithanexpressionofsadness，vigilance，andcontempt。
　　Hedoesnotmove。Crainquebille，inafeebleandhesitatingvoice，repeatsoncemoretheinsultingwords。Butthispolicemanisfullofphilosophicsuperiority，disdain，andindulgence。Herefusestotakeinchargetheoldandmiserablevagabondwhostandsbeforehimshiveringandraggedinthedrizzle。AndtheruinedCrainquebille，victimofaridiculousmiscarriageofjustice，appalledatthismagnanimity，passesonhopelesslydownthestreetfullofshadowswherethelampsgleameachinaruddyhalooffallingmist。
　　M。AnatoleFrancecanspeakforthepeople。ThisprinceoftheSenateisinvestedwiththetribunitianpower。M。AnatoleFranceissomethingofaSocialist；andinthatrespectheseemstodepartfromhisscepticalphilosophy。Butasanillustriousstatesman，nownomore，agreatprincetoo，withanironicmindandaliterarygift，hassarcasticallyremarkedinoneofhispublicspeeches:
　　“WeareallSocialistsnow。”AndinthesenseinwhichitmaybesaidthatweallinEuropeareChristiansthatistrueenough。TomanyofusSocialismismerelyanemotion。Anemotionismuchandisalsolessthannothing。Itistheinitialimpulse。TherealSocialismofto-dayisareligion。Ithasitsdogmas。Thevalueofthedogmadoesnotconsistinitstruthfulness，andM。AnatoleFrance，wholovestruth，doesnotlovedogma。Only，unlikereligion，thecohesivestrengthofSocialismliesnotinitsdogmasbutinitsideal。Itisperhapsatoomaterialisticideal，andthemindofM。AnatoleFrancemaynotfindiniteithercomfortorconsolation。Itisnottobedoubtedthathesuspectsthishimself；butthereissomethingreposefulinthefinalityofpopularconceptions。M。AnatoleFrance，agoodprinceandagoodRepublican，willsucceednodoubtinbeingagoodSocialist。Hewilldisregardthestupidityofthedogmaandtheunlovelyformoftheideal。Hisartwillfinditsownbeautyintheimaginativepresentationofwrongs，oferrors，andmiseriesthatcallaloudforredress。M。AnatoleFranceishumane。Heisalsohuman。Hemaybeabletodiscardhisphilosophy；toforgetthattheevilsaremanyandtheremediesarefew，thatthereisnouniversalpanacea，thatfatalityisinvincible，thatthereisanimplacablemenaceofdeathinthetriumphofthehumanitarianidea。Hemayforgetallthatbecauseloveisstrongerthantruth。
　　Besides“Crainquebille“thisvolumecontainssixteenotherstoriesandsketches。TodefinethemitisenoughtosaythattheyarewritteninM。AnatoleFrance'sprose。Onesketchentitled“Riquet“
　　maybefoundincorporatedinthevolumeofMONSIEURBERGERETE
　　PARIS。“Putois“isaremarkablelittletale，significant，humorous，amusing，andsymbolic。Itconcernsthecareerofamanbornintheutteranceofahastyanduntruthfulexcusemadebyaladyatalosshowtodeclinewithoutoffenceaverypressinginvitationtodinnerfromaverytyrannicalaunt。Thishappensinaprovincialtown，andtheladysaysineffect:“Impossible，mydearaunt。To-morrowIamexpectingthegardener。”Andthegardensheglancesatisapoorgarden；itisawildgarden；itsextentisinsignificantanditsneglectseemsbeyondremedy。“Agardener！
　　Whatfor?“askstheaunt。“Toworkinthegarden。”Andthepoorladyisabashedatthetransparenceofherevasion。Butthelieistold，itisbelieved，andshestickstoit。Whenthemasterfuloldauntinquires，“Whatistheman'sname，mydear?“sheanswersbrazenly，“HisnameisPutois。”“Wheredoeshelive?““Oh，I
　　don'tknow；anywhere。Hewon'tgivehisaddress。Oneleavesamessageforhimhereandthere。”“Oh！Isee，“saystheother；“heisasortofne'erdowell，anidler，avagabond。Iadviseyou，mydear，tobecarefulhowyouletsuchacreatureintoyourgrounds；
　　butIhavealargegarden，andwhenyoudonotwanthisservicesI
　　shallfindhimsomeworktodo，andseehedoesittoo。TellyourPutoistocomeandseeme。”AndthereuponPutoisisborn；hestalksabroad，invisible，uponhiscareerofvagabondageandcrime，stealingmelonsfromgardensandtea-spoonsfrompantries，indulginghislicentiousproclivities；becomingthetalkofthetownandofthecountryside；seensimultaneouslyinfar-distantplaces；pursuedbygendarmes，whosebrigadierassurestheuneasyhouseholdersthathe“knowsthatscampverywell，andwon'tbelonginlayinghishandsuponhim。”Adetaileddescriptionofhispersoncollectedfromtheinformationfurnishedbyvariouspeopleappearsinthecolumnsofalocalnewspaper。Putoislivesinhisstrengthandmalevolence。Helivesafterthemanneroflegendaryheroes，ofthegodsofOlympus。Heisthecreationofthepopularmind。Therecomesatimewheneventheinnocentoriginatorofthatmysteriousandpotentevil-doerisinducedtobelieveforamomentthathemayhavearealandtangiblepresence。AllthisistoldwiththewitandtheartandthephilosophywhichisfamiliartoM。
　　AnatoleFrance'sreadersandadmirers。ForitisdifficulttoreadM。AnatoleFrancewithoutadmiringhim。Hehastheprincelygiftofarousingaspontaneousloyalty，butwiththisdifference，thattheconsentofourreasonhasitsplacebythesideofourenthusiasm。Heisanartist。Asanartistheawakensemotion。
　　Thequalityofhisartremains，asaninspiration，fascinatingandinscrutable；buttheproceedingsofhisthoughtcompelourintellectualadmiration。
　　Inthisvolumethetriflecalled“TheMilitaryManoeuvresatMontil，“apartfromitsfar-reachingirony，embodiesincidentallytheveryspiritofautomobilism。Somehoworother，howyoucannottell，theflightoverthecountryinamotor-car，itssensations，itsfatigue，itsvasttopographicalrange，itsincidentsdowntotheburstingofatyre，arebroughthometoyouwithalltheforceofhighimaginativeperception。ItwouldbeoutofplacetoanalyseherethemeansbywhichthetrueimpressionisconveyedsothattheabsurdrushingaboutofGeneralDecuir，ina30-horse-
　　powercar，insearchofhiscavalrybrigade，becomestoyouamorerealexperiencethananyday-and-nightrunyoumayeverhavetakenyourself。SufficeittosaythatM。AnatoleFrancehadthoughtthethingworthdoingandthatitbecomes，invirtueofhisart，adistinctachievement。Andthereareothersketchesinthisbook，moreorlessslight，butallworthyofregard——thechildhood'srecollectionsofProfessorBergeretandhissisterZoe；thedialogueofthetwouprightjudgesandtheconversationoftheirhorses；thedreamofM。JeanMarteau，aimless，extravagant，apocalyptic，andofallthedreamsoneeverdreamt，themostessentiallydreamlike。ThevisionofM。AnatoleFrance，thePrinceofProse，rangesoveralltheextentofhisrealm，indulgentandpenetrating，disillusionedandcurious，findingtreasuresoftruthandbeautyconcealedfromlessgiftedmagicians。Contemplatingtheexactnessofhisimagesandthejusticeofhisjudgment，thefreedomofhisfancyandthefidelityofhispurpose，onebecomesawareofthefutilityofliterarywatch-wordsandthevanityofalltheschoolsoffiction。NotthatM。AnatoleFranceisawildanduntrammelledgenius。Heisnotthat。Issuedlegitimatelyfromthepast，heismindfulofhishighdescent。Hehasacriticaltemperamentjoinedtocreativepower。Hesurveyshisvastdomaininaspiritofprincelymoderationthatknowsnothingofexcessesbutmuchofrestraint。