Success in Literature.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 443, 5 February 1890, Page 3

Success in Literature.

There have been cases in which literary renown has been won unawares. In affirming this such instances as those of Mrs Harriet Beecher Stowe’s ‘ Uncle Tom’s Cabin,’ Mr Black’s ‘ Daughter of Heth,’ and Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s .Mines,’ examples of astonishing success achieved at a stroke, are not in mind. Biit Sir Walter Scott kept ■ ‘ Waverley ’ by him in manuscript for nine years, fearing that by its publication it might put in peril the reputation which was already his in virtue of his poems. It is most unlikely that Master Samuel Pepys dreamedi the immortality his ‘Diary’ was to give ; him. Miss Ferrier, the writer of the striking; stories, ‘ The Inheritance ’ and ‘ Destiny,’ has herself stated that her first work was * begun ; at the urgent desire of a.friend, and with the promise of assistance.which however failed; long'before the end of the first volume. The work was thrown aside and resumed some years after. It afforded- occupation and amusement for the idle, and solitary hours, and was published in the belief that the author’s name would never be guessed at or the work heard of beyond a very limited sphere.’ As a final; and recent instance,,; Professor Henry Drummond and his widely; circulated ‘.Natural Law in the Spiritual World’ may be quoted; The professor has told his readers 7 that that fascinating, book' ‘ was never formally written, i It ; came, into .being almost by chance.;’— ‘ Quiver.’ ‘