"My Novel" — Volume 05

This eBook was produced by David Widger
CONTAINING MR. CAXTON's UNAVAILING CAUTION NOT TO BE DULL.
I hope, Pisistratus, said my father, that you do not intend to be dull?
Heaven forbid, sir! What could make you ask such a question? Intend! No! if I am dull it is from innocence.
A very long discourse upon knowledge! said my father; very long! I should cut it out.
I looked upon my father as a Byzantian sage might have looked on a Vandal. Cut it out!
Stops the action, sir! said my father, dogmatically.
Action! But a novel is not a drama.
No; it is a great deal longer,—twenty times as long, I dare say, replied Mr. Caxton, with a sigh.
Well, sir, well! I think my Discourse upon Knowledge has much to do with the subject, is vitally essential to the subject; does not stop the action,—only explains and elucidates the action. And I am astonished, sir, that you, a scholar, and a cultivator of knowledge—
There, there! cried my father, deprecatingly. I yield, I yield! What better could I expect when I set up for a critic? What author ever lived that did not fly into a passion, even with his own father, if his father presumed to say, 'Cut out'!
MRS. CAXTON.— My dear Austin, I am sure Pisistratus did not mean to offend you, and I have no doubt he will take your—