Читать книгу Violets and Other Tales - Alice Dunbar Nelson - Страница 4

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These fugitive pieces are launched upon the tide of public opinion to

sink or swim upon their merit. They will float for a while, but whether

they will reach the haven of popularity depends upon their enduring

qualities. Some will surely perish, many will reach some port, but time

alone will tell if any shall successfully breast the ocean of thought

and plant its standard upon the summit of fame.

When one enters the domain of authorship, she places herself at the

mercy of critics. Were she as sure of being commended by the best and

most intelligent of her readers, as she is sure of being condemned by

the worst and most ignorant, there would still be a thrill of pleasure

in all criticism, for the satisfaction of having received the praise of

the first would compensate for the harshness of the latter. Just

criticism is wholesome and never wounds the sensibilities of the true

author, for it saves her from the danger of an excess of pride which is

the greatest foe to individual progress, while it spurs her on to

loftier flights and nobler deeds. A poor writer is bad, but a poor

critic is worse, therefore, unjust criticism should never ruffle the

temper of its victim. The author of these pages belongs to that type of

the "brave new woman who scorns to sigh," but feels that she has

something to say, and says it to the best of her ability, and leaves the

verdict in the hands of the public. She gives to the reader her best

thoughts and leaves him to accept or reject as merit may manifest

itself. No author is under contract to please her readers at all times,

nor can she hope to control the sentiments of all of them at any time,

therefore, the obligation is reciprocal, for the fame she receives is

due to the pleasure she affords.

The author of these fugitive pieces is young, just on the threshold of

life, and with the daring audacity of youth makes assertions and gives

decisions which she may reverse as time mellows her opinions, and the

realities of life force aside the theories of youth, and prosy facts

obscure the memory of that happy time when the heart overflowing

with----

"The joy

Of young ideas painted on the mind,

In the warm glowing colors Fancy spreads

On objects, not yet known, when all is new,

And all is lovely."

There is much in this book that is good; much that is crude; some that

is poor: but all give that assurance of something great and noble when

the bud of promise, now unfolding its petals in the morning glow of

light, will have matured into that fuller growth of blossoming flower

ere the noonday sun passes its zenith. May the hope thus engendered by

this first attempt reach its fruition, and may the energy displayed by

one so young meet the reward it merits from an approving public.

SYLVANIE F. WILLIAMS.