W. D. Howells: Two New Documents

Two new Howells documents have recently come to light: an interview with the New York Tribune in 1894 and an after-dinner speech before the National Sculpture Society published in the New York Evening Post in 1900. The Tribune interview begins with a conversation about modern interviewing practices before moving into discussions of “the American girl,” Howells’ views on famous novelists, and the standards of contemporary book-reviewing. Howells’ after-dinner speech is less about sculpture per se than about the arts in general, and his remarks are very much in keeping with his idea from Criticism and Fiction that “the arts must become democratic.” Howells reiterates his skepticism of the vested interests of criticism and his admiration of artists who are simple, direct, and true. And, drawing on statues from Central Park as brief examples, Howells discusses the relation of art to “the average man.” Both of these documents are appearing in print for the first time since their original publication over a century ago.

“Mr. Howells’s Views,” New York Tribune, 27 May 1894, 14.

William Dean Howells has the reputation of being one of the busiest American men of letters, and inasmuch as he is at present in his fifty-seventh year, when his productive power may be said to have reached its zenith, it might reasonably be assumed that his leisure moments are exceedingly few and far between.¹ But it happens that this successful author, whose name is so constantly before the public, whether in the domains of fiction, essay or literary criticism, rarely devotes more than half a day to actual labor of the pen. Consequently he finds ample time for wide reading, not to mention some of the lighter diversions enjoyed by lesser mortals.² It was the good fortune of a recent visitor to find the “Traveller from Altruria” at during home one of these intervals, when he was disposed to greet a guest with abundant amiability, although his genial smile seemed to express volumes of pity when he learned that an “interview” was threatening him.³

“Why, my dear sir,” he remarked, “I should certainly be pleased to oblige you, but you must be aware that I have already talked on every imaginable subject for newspaper publication. I really don’t think you will be able to suggest anything new.” This was the least bit discouraging, perhaps, but nevertheless during a pleasant hour the visitor succeeded in calling forth some of the author’s original and always interesting criticism and comment. They sat in his cozy apartment overlooking Central Park.⁴ The scene without, by the way, afforded glimpses or rural loveliness such as are rare in Gotham, while through the broad windows poured the glorious afternoon sunshine of a perfect spring day.

Mr. Howells’s massive head, large features and rugged countenance, united to an almost insignificant figure, are sufficiently well known in these days. His manner suggests the thinker of calm and equable temperament, not likely to be ruffled by trivial annoyances. He talked easily in a pleasant modulated voice and with unvarying decision, usually resting his chin on his hand as he leaned back in a comfortable armchair. Incidentally he prefaced his conversation with some strictures on modern interviewing.

“Judging from my own experiences,” he commenced, “the average newspaper interviewer of today, while undeniably possessed of a fair amount of intelligence, is by no means apt to approach the ‘subject’ sufficiently prepared, as he certainly should endeavor to be. Hence, his questions, if any, are usually vague and indefinite. They are uttered haphazard, and one is naturally slow to respond. For instance, I am asked to talk about my books, and in five minutes I discover that the reporter is in absolute ignorance of the content of most of them, if not of the titles. Of course, I don’t expect him to have read them all. That would be absurd. But should I not reasonably hesitate to discuss my works in detail when I know that I shall be addressing an unsympathetic listener? Then, again, the interview is too often written under pressure and with undue...