There may be, and there are, two
opinions as to the permanent value of Mallarme's work, but there cannot be
two informed and honest opinions as to his profound sincerity. It is
indubitable that he had one aim--to produce the finest literature of which
he was capable, and that to this aim he sacrificed everything else in his
career. A charming spectacle, this nuncio of mediocrity and of the
Academie Francaise coming to London to assert that a distinguished writer
like Mallarme was a "fumiste"! If any one wishes to know what is thought
of Mallarme by the younger French school, let him read the Mallarme
chapter in Andre Gide's "Pretextes." In this very able book will be found
also some wonderful reminiscences of Oscar Wilde.
* * * * *
Speaking of the respect which ought to be accorded to a distinguished
artist, there is an excellent example of propriety in Dr. Levin
Schuecking's review of Swinburne's "The Age of Shakespeare," which brings
to a close the extraordinarily fine first number of the _English Review_.
Dr. Schuecking shows that he is quite aware of the defects of manner which
mark the book, but his own manner is the summit of courteous deference
such as is due to one of the chief ornaments of English literature, and to
a very old man.
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