The Oak Shade, or, Records of a Village Literary Association by Maurice Eugene - HTML preview

CONCLUSION.

Although the editor cannot see the least necessity for informing the readers of the “Records” that they have now reached the end of his book, (a fact which they would so certainly have discovered without his aid,) his reverence for well-established precedents would not permit him to consider his volume fully completed without a “Conclusion.” Those who have thus far perused it, must have observed that the papers it contains were the products of intervals of time stolen from the regular pursuits of their authors. This, however, though it may be somewhat of an apology for the imperfections of the manuscripts themselves, can afford no excuse for the editor. He fully acknowledges his responsibility for all the faults of the book, well knowing that he cannot be justified in thrusting it before a public already so terribly afflicted with the dregs of literature, unless it shall contain something to amuse or instruct. This reflection, at one time, overcame his determination to send the manuscripts to the publisher. Upon more mature deliberation, however, he blundered upon the conclusion, that if this be not, in fact, the age of literary mediocrity, our people have so much indulged it that it has, in its bold effrontery, risen to a premium and obtained greater “success” (to use a publisher’s term,) than ever crowned the highest talent. Where brave men had failed, the coward often succeeded, and thus infused a boisterous and overflowing courage into the whole army of little patriots, making them as presumptuous and pugilistic as the saucy cur which thinks the honor lies in attacking its superiors rather than in conquering them. A similar cause, it may be, has produced like effects amongst authors, and the editor is by no means certain that it has not been instrumental in emboldening him to send his volume forth upon its voyage. However this may be, he can now only bespeak for it the treatment which the reader may think it deserves—nothing more. He might perhaps have made better selections from the stock on hand, but he is not certain that this would have added to the attractions of the book. He can only promise, that upon the success of this volume of the Records, depends the fate of the rest—whether they shall be given to the world, or remain in the murky receptacles of the Old Association.

THE END.