65.
1925:
Rapid City, Man. November 17,
1925
Dear Phelps,
Thus one gets hoisted with own petard. I have you "The Editor" page.
There is a talk of mine in existence called Literary Criticism
in which these two sentences occur:
"The ultimate function of literary criticism, then, is to
hold the author strictly to his own lightest standard; by
pointing out where he succeeded rather than where he failed,
it must determine the level below which he must never fall
if he wants to be free to himself. To give such praise may
be the most cruel thing for a man can do to another; as it
certainly is the most difficult thing for a man of nice feelings
to do."
You lay a Herculean task on me. I know, though for the moment
I am so bewildered with the shock of seeing that book in
print, that there are certain things in it which are done
, finally, ultimately done; and the only incomprehensible
thing about them is that I should have been the one to do
them. The book is far from being of a uniform quality. But
there must unfortunately be an end to any labor.
I have often tried to make clean to Mrs. Grove just what
attracts me in you. I gave this to-night; and she, having
read, re-read a passage or two aloud. Then she said "I admire
that, He lays the finger on the spot." "Yes," I said flippantly - and
I hope you wont be offended at the inadequacy, "he's a clever
chap!" Now laugh. And then look at the dedication page of
the book.
But is this bomb-shell to appear? If it does, send it to
me and I will have it framed: not as a boast but as a threat.
The temptation to let a thing go is enormous: it is so easy
to content yourself; so hard to satisfy yourself. A thing
is written: now to write it! Dear me, I'd like to go to Winnipeg
and flit about, spending my last few dollars; and there's
the Daily Bread and wants to be done. "T'is a moss" as Mrs.
Hurtz says, in that sketch I sent you to-day which, by the
way is from the 1 st version of "Pioneers" when it was still
panoramic".
It's almost more than I care to do at my age.
That's all for today. I've written Nellie a short, civil
note, thanking her for her courtesy in sending me the book,
adding a few lines which cost me as much labour as the Crawford
review cost you. I could not refrain from a little "dig" saying
that there are a few passages which seem remarkable for their "writing".
Rapid City , by the way, is in breathless suspense. The
F.P. has gratified them. The rapid citizen sent it to me
by to-night's mail, with underscorings, anonymously, of course.
Yours,
F.P.G.
