University of Virginia Library

1942. CRITICISM, Canons of.—

I have
always very much despised the artificial canons
of criticism. When I have read a work
in prose or poetry, or seen a painting, a
statue, &c., I have only asked myself whether
it gives me pleasure, whether it is animating,
interesting, attaching? If it is, it is good
for these reasons.—
To William Wirt. Ford ed., x, 61.
(P.F.,,
18161816)gt;