The Nation and Athenaeum, 43 (21 Apr 1928) 74
Sir, – Mr. Edwin Muir, in his interesting review of Mr. Sherard Vines’s book in your issue of April 14th, speaks very amiably of what he calls “the school of criticism which is represented chiefly by The Monthly Criterion.” 1 For this we should be grateful, but I should like to forestall a possible misconception. It would be unfortunate if a myth arose to the effect that “the Criterionschool of criticism” consisted of a compact body of theorists all holding one and the same theory. Someone would eventually demolish this myth, and the “group” itself would be held responsible for its propagation. I see the danger of misunderstanding in the way in which Mr. Muir joins the names of “Mr. Eliot, Mr. Read, and Mr. Richards.” I have great respect for the theories of the two latter: but it does not follow that I accept all of their theories, or that they accept all of mine or each other’s. There are manifest divergences of which everyone is aware; and if we add the names of other Criterioncontributors, including foreign writers such as Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Curtius, the scope of divergence will be still more patent. 2 In short The Criterionis not a “school,” but a meeting place for writers, some of whom, certainly, have much in common; but what they have in common is not a theory or a dogma.
As for Mr. Muir’s other criticisms, I should be very glad if he would develop them at more length than is possible within the limits of a review of a book. 3
Yours, etc., 24, russell square, london, w.c.1. t. s. eliot april17 th, 1928.
