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Some Critics on the Hearth are not only good-natured, but have rather too high, or, if that is impossible, let us say too pronounced, an opinion of the abilities of their literary friends.

James Payn

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James Payn
Age: 68 †
Born: 1830
Born: February 28
Died: 1898
Died: March 25
Novelist
Writer
Berks
Opinion
High
Natured
Friends
Hearth
Ability
Pronounced
Rather
Abilities
Heart
Literary
Good
Critics
Impossible

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For my part, I do not feel that the scheme of future happiness, which ought by rights to be in preparation for me, will be at all interfered with by my not meeting again the man I have in my. mind.
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One would think that in writing about literary men and matters there would be no difficulty in finding a title for one's essay, or that any embarrassment which might arise would be from excess of material. I find this, however, far from being the case.
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There are, it is true, at present no great prizes in literature such as are offered by the learned professions, but there are quite as many small ones - competences while, on the other hand, it is not so much of a lottery.
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And what holds good of verse holds infinitely better in respect to prose.
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In all highly civilised communities Pretence is prominent, and sooner or later invades the regions of Literature.
James Payn
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To the truly benevolent mind, indeed, nothing is more satisfactory than to hear of a miser denying himself the necessaries of life a little too far and ridding us of his presence altogether.
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It is better, however, for his own reputation that the story-teller should risk a few actions for libel on account of these unfortunate coincidences than that he should adopt the melancholy device of using blanks or asterisks.
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As a rule, anyone who can tell a good story can write one, so there really need be no mistake about his qualification such a man will be careful not to be wearisome, and to keep his point, or his catastrophe, well in hand.
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The idea of bringing young people up to Literature is doubtless calculated to raise the eyebrows almost as much as the suggestion of bringing them up to the Stage.
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It is certain, indeed, that the sacred writers were apt to make great allowances for people with empty stomachs, and though I am well aware that the present profane ones think this very reprehensible, I venture to agree with the sacred writers.
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A nobler example, because a less personal one, of the pinch of poverty, is when it prevents the accomplishment of some cherished scheme for the benefit of the human race.
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A great philosopher has stated that the worst evil of poverty is, that it makes folks ridiculous by which, I hope, he only means that, as in the above case, it places them in incongruous positions.
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How large and varied is the educational bill of fare set before every young gentleman in Great Britain and to judge by the mental stamina it affords him in most cases, what a waste of good food it is!
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One forgives the critic - perhaps - but never the good-natured friend.
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I never had a piece of toast particularly long and wide, But fell upon the sanded floor, And always on the buttered side.
James Payn