I NFL UENCES IN LITER A TURE. 1 1 3 



tore any otherfiction than Mr. James's very 

 pleasant sort will be in demand. He is master 

 of his method, and has made the most of his 

 theory. But, without finding fault with Mr. 

 James's charming novels, it may be asked if 

 they would not be better were it. possible for 

 the author to inject into them something of 

 William Black's knowledge of out-door things, 

 and to give them the color and atmosphere de, 

 manded by the places where their scenes are 

 laid. Social atmosphere he does give to per- 

 fection; but of the air his people breathe he 

 knows nothing. He never sets his story in a 

 landscape ; its entourage is always an artificial 

 one ; he frames it, like an artist, with a frame ex- 

 actly suited to its tone ; but it would look as 

 well in one place as another. In reading his 

 stories we are thoroughly charmed, and would 

 not know where to change a word ; but we 

 know all along that we are reading a story. 

 He does not take us away from the spot where 

 we are reading ; but he chains us to our chair 

 with the spell of his " representations of life " 

 until the end is reached. 



Now, a little different treatment would 

 change all this. The color and the atmosphere 

 of the place should be added, as with the brush 

 of the painter, so that we would find ourselves 

 on the spot, feel the air, smell the perfumes, 

 see the varied features of the region round 

 about, as well as talk with the people and 

 share their life. Let it be understood that I 

 do not criticise Mr. James. He is a prince of 

 novelists. I merely attempt to show that he 

 might add to his charming stories the freshness 

 of the breezes, the bird-songs, and the flowers, 



