AUTHORS--AND AUTHORS

Whereas to Mr. Hillyer the task of writing a review of "Confusion"--Mr. Cozzens' recently composed novel--without having read the whole text of it, has seemed somewhat difficult, the task of comparing the novel with the work of other college authors, without having read any of it, will doubtless appear more difficult still. And yet the mere fact that Mr. Cozzens, a sophomore in the University, has written a novel which is "competent and occasionally brilliant" is significant in itself. The University now has a young author whom it can place side by side with Mr. Fitzgerald of Princeton and Mr. Benet of Yale.

This is an age when everyone writes who has anything to say, and many more write who have nothing at all to say. It is an age of mass publication and greater mass composition. Maupassant, if he were living now, would be very much out of style. For Maupassant practised writing for seven years before trying to publish any of his works, and then only began cautiously.

But in the world of literature, as in the world of athletics, "youth will be served." F. Scott Fitzgerald, not long out of college, has achieved a reputation for collegiate realism. Stephen Benet has made a name himself by his somewhat sensational writing. Mr. Cozzens is now publishing his first novel.

If writing of this sort offers a college man's point of view in looking at the outside affairs of the world, it is worth its paper. If it gives a vivid picture of actual college life, it justifies itself. If it amuses anyone besides its writer, then it is successful in proportion. In any case, any work by young writers is worth encouraging, and if the work deserves praise, so much the better. The University will await the appearance of "Confusion" with genuine interest.