Nevertheless, the fight is in the open, we know
the adversaries, and the final judgment, whether to salute a
victor or condemn an impostor, is ours.
Thus, figuratively, one might describe the proper function in
criticism of a liberal journal of catholic criticism to-day. One
thing I have omitted, that its duty is not limited to criticism,
for if it is to be comprehensive, it must present also vast
quantities of accurate and indispensable facts, the news of
literature. And one prerequisite I have felt it unnecessary to
dwell upon. Unless its intent is honest, and its editors
independent of influence from any self-interested source, the
literary tournament of criticism becomes either a parade of the
virtues with banners for the favorites, or a melee where rivals
seek revenge. Venal criticism is the drug and dishonest criticism
the poison of literature.
THE RACE OF REVIEWERS
As a reviewer of books, my experience has been lengthy rather than
considerable. It is, indeed, precisely twenty-two years since I
wrote my first review, which ended, naturally, with the words "a
good book to read of a winter evening before a roaring fire.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235