: Papa knows best by Umphrey Wallace Poulton Peter Illustrator - Science fiction; Short stories; Artificial intelligence Fiction; Apocalyptic fiction

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INTERLUDES BEING TWO ESSAYS, A STORY, AND SOME VERSES

BY HORACE SMITH

London MACMILLAN AND CO AND NEW YORK 1892

ESSAYS.

Although criticism is the act of judging in general, and although I shall not strictly limit my subject to any particular branch of criticism, yet naturally I shall be led to speak principally of that branch of which we--probably all of us--think at once when the word is mentioned, viz., literary and artistic criticism. I think if criticism were juster and fairer persons criticized would submit more readily to criticism. It is certain that criticism is generally resented. We--none of us--like to be told our faults.

"Ode, Epic, Elegy, have at you all."

He says--

"A man must serve his time to every trade Save censure. Critics all are ready made. Take hackney'd jokes from Miller, got by rote, With just enough of learning to misquote; A mind well skilled to find or forge a fault; A turn for punning--call it Attic salt; To Jeffrey go, be silent and discreet,-- His pay is just ten sterling pounds per sheet; Fear not to lie, 'twill seem a sharper hit; Shrink not from blasphemy, 'twill pass for wit; Care not for feeling--pass your proper jest,-- And stand a critic, hated yet caress'd."

Sneer: "I think it wants incident."

Sir Fretful: "Good Heavens, you surprise me! Wants incident! I am only apprehensive that the incidents are too crowded."

Dangle: "If I might venture to suggest anything, it is that the interest rather falls off in the fifth act."

Sir Fretful: "Rises, I believe you mean, sir."

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