We
had perhaps better reviewing, certainly much better mediums of
criticism, such, for example, as _The Nation_, and, later, _The
Critic_, but not more really excellent criticism. The magazines and
newspapers improved, the weekly, as a medium of reviewing, established
itself, though it functioned imperfectly; the individuals of force and
insight who broke through current comment into criticism were more
plentiful, but not more eminent.
The new era in reviewing, our era, began with two phenomena, of
which the first had obscure beginnings and the second can be
exactly dated.
The first was modern journalism. Just when journalism became
personal, racy, and inclusive of all the interests of modern life,
I cannot say. Kipling exhibits its early effects upon literature,
but Kipling was an effect, not a cause. No matter when it began,
we have seen, in the decade or two behind us, reviewing made
journalistic, an item of news, but still more a means of
entertainment.
The journalistic reviewer, who is still the commonest variety, had
one great merit. He was usually interesting. Naturally so, since
he wrote not to criticize the book that had been given him, but to
interest his readers.
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