Upon that theory it may be well to watch and correct our own
decisions, always holding back the hand from the least
appearance of irrelevant dexterity, and resolutely fixed to
begin no work that is not philosophical, passionate,
dignified, happily mirthful, or, at the last and least,
romantic in design.
CHAPTER V - MY FIRST BOOK: 'TREASURE ISLAND' (17)
IT was far indeed from being my first book, for I am not a
novelist alone. But I am well aware that my paymaster, the
Great Public, regards what else I have written with
indifference, if not aversion; if it call upon me at all, it
calls on me in the familiar and indelible character; and when
I am asked to talk of my first book, no question in the world
but what is meant is my first novel.
Sooner or later, somehow, anyhow, I was bound to write a
novel. It seems vain to ask why. Men are born with various
manias: from my earliest childhood, it was mine to make a
plaything of imaginary series of events; and as soon as I was
able to write, I became a good friend to the paper-makers.
Reams upon reams must have gone to the making of 'Rathillet,'
'The Pentland Rising,' (18) 'The King's Pardon' (otherwise
'Park Whitehead'), 'Edward Daven,' 'A Country Dance,' and 'A
Vendetta in the West'; and it is consolatory to remember that
these reams are now all ashes, and have been received again
into the soil. I have named but a few of my ill-fated
efforts, only such indeed as came to a fair bulk ere they
were desisted from; and even so they cover a long vista of
years.
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