DOI Kapitel:
Preface
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62482#0016
viii PREFACE
he appears to have taken great interest in so doing. At
one time he was in the habit of scribbling down a thought
that might strike him at the moment on any scrap of paper
that might be at hand, on every kind of subject. As these
generally referred to conversations he had had with my
husband and myself, he would often give these jottings to
me by way of continuing the argument. I find I have for-
tunately preserved many of these jottings with his letters.
On every scrap of paper is an idea, valuable as a criticism
on art, morals, or manners. The first letter I possess is
dated April 7, 1876—the last, April 2, 1904. Besides the
more important letters, there are many notes which are
only personally interesting as recalling little daily events
that were characteristic of the life Watts was leading at
the time they were written. In re-reading, these letters the
thought came—will there ever be an exhaustive Life written
of the man who penned them ? There is ever the same
difficulty as regards biographies. When interest is keenest,
it is then precisely the moment when it is hardly wise or
seemly to challenge criticism by endeavouring to write a
complete estimate of a notable individuality. When, in
the future, certain difficulties no longer exist, even greater
arise. Those who could have given a true and subtle
atmosphere and vividness to the picture, editing the letters
with a full knowledge of the circumstances and feelings
which incited the writing of them—these will also have
passed behind the veil. And not only does time rob the
world of the right biographer, but also of the interested
reader. No time seems exactly the best moment when a
full biography should be written. Unless the history of great
public events or discussions, having a literary or political
value and interest, are connected with the personal life of an
individual, there remains no vivid desire to know the vraie
he appears to have taken great interest in so doing. At
one time he was in the habit of scribbling down a thought
that might strike him at the moment on any scrap of paper
that might be at hand, on every kind of subject. As these
generally referred to conversations he had had with my
husband and myself, he would often give these jottings to
me by way of continuing the argument. I find I have for-
tunately preserved many of these jottings with his letters.
On every scrap of paper is an idea, valuable as a criticism
on art, morals, or manners. The first letter I possess is
dated April 7, 1876—the last, April 2, 1904. Besides the
more important letters, there are many notes which are
only personally interesting as recalling little daily events
that were characteristic of the life Watts was leading at
the time they were written. In re-reading, these letters the
thought came—will there ever be an exhaustive Life written
of the man who penned them ? There is ever the same
difficulty as regards biographies. When interest is keenest,
it is then precisely the moment when it is hardly wise or
seemly to challenge criticism by endeavouring to write a
complete estimate of a notable individuality. When, in
the future, certain difficulties no longer exist, even greater
arise. Those who could have given a true and subtle
atmosphere and vividness to the picture, editing the letters
with a full knowledge of the circumstances and feelings
which incited the writing of them—these will also have
passed behind the veil. And not only does time rob the
world of the right biographer, but also of the interested
reader. No time seems exactly the best moment when a
full biography should be written. Unless the history of great
public events or discussions, having a literary or political
value and interest, are connected with the personal life of an
individual, there remains no vivid desire to know the vraie