Listings for Author:
Arthur Helps
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Arthur Helps : Realmah
'I read Helps's Realmah yesterday and the day before. [...] His essays are old-womanish. I have to "set a paper" on that book and am quite unprepared to ask a single question about it. The last generation of readers was so fond of what is elegant.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Walter Raleigh Print: Book
Arthur Helps : Friends in Council: A Series of Readings and Discourse Thereon
'Mary Holland has just received 'Notes from Books' from her friend Henry Taylor and said she liked them as well as 'Friends in Council'.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Holland Print: Book
Arthur Helps : Friends in Council
'As you ask me for my opinion I shall try and give it as truly as I can; otherwise it will be of no use [...] In the first place you say you do not call The 3 paths a novel; but the work is in the form which always assumes that name, nor do I think it is one to be quarrelled with. I suppose you mean that you used the narrative form merely to {convey} introduce certain opinions & thoughts. If so you had better have condensed them into the shape of an Essay. Those in Friends in Council &c. are admirable examples of how much may be said on both sides of any question without any {dogma} decision being finally arrived at, & certainly without any dogmatism. [Gaskell then discusses the merits of the concise essay form] But I believe in spite of yr objection to the term 'novel' you do wish to 'narrate', - and I believe you can do it if you try, - but I think you must observe what is [italics] out [end italics] of you, instead of examining what is [italics] in [end italics] you. [Gaskell explains the merits of this at length]. Just read a few pages of De Foe &c - and you will see the healthy way in which he sets [italics] objects [end italics] not [italics] feelings [end italics] before you. [She advises Grey to use what he observes through every day contact with real people] Think if you can not imagine a complication of events in their life which would form a good plot. (Your plot in The Three paths is very poor; you have not thought enough about it - simply used it s a medium. [She discusses the advantages of tight plotting and advises] Don't intrude yourself into your description. If you but think eagerly of your story till [italics] you see it in action [end italics], words, good simple strong words will come. [she then criticises his overuse of epithets, overlong conversations and allusions, concluding] You see I am very frank-spoken. But I believe you are worth it.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell Print: Book
Sir Arthur Helps : Conquerors of the New World
'Read chief part of Helps' "Conquerors of the New World".'
