THE YOUNG CONTRIBUTOR [WH#33][whtyc10.txt]3386 An artistic atmosphere does not create artists a literary atmosphere does not create literators; poets and painters spring up where there was never a verse made or a picture seen. We hear much of drudgery, but any sort of work that is slighted becomes drudgery; poetry, fiction, painting, sculpture, acting, architecture, if you do not do your best by them, turn to drudgery sore as digging ditches, hewing wood, or drawing water; and these, by the same blessings of God, become arts if they are done with conscience and the sense of beauty. At once put aside all anxiety about style; that is a thing that will take care of itself; it will be added unto him if he really has something to say; for style is only a man's way of saying a thing. If I were to sin my sins over again, I think I should sin a little more on the side of candid severity. I am sure I should do more good in that way, and I am sure that when I used to dissemble my real mind I did harm to those whose feelings I wished to spare. The trouble with success is that it is apt to leave life behind, or apart. The successful writer especially is in danger of becoming isolated from the realities that nurtured in him the strength to win success. I think that every author who is honest with himself must own that his work would be twice as good if it were done twice. CONFESSIONS OF SUMMER COLONIST [WH#34][whcsc10.txt]3387 At this function, which is our chief social event, it is 'de rigueur' for the men not to dress, and they come in any sort of sack or jacket or cutaway, letting the ladies make up the pomps which they forego. They say frankly that the summer folks have no idea how pleasant it is when they are gone. Well, we calculate to do our work," he added, with an accent which sufficiently implied that their consciences needed no bossing in the performance. MAN OF LETTERS IN BUSINESS [WH#35][whmlb10.txt]3388