The News & Observer

A Comparison of Miss Cameron's Book With "The Quick or The Dead."
To the Editor: Looking idly thro' my scrap book of treasures, I came upon a poem, cut many years ago from the gallant Shotwell's paper, and written by Miss Cameron, of Hillsboro, and tho' it had been read and re-read, its beauty appealed to me as at first, and struck me as equalling any of the famous poets in sweetness. The poem recalled passages in "Salted With Fire," and I fell to thinking. Years ago I read it from beginning to ending, and was charmed with it, and after a long time read it again, and found it as beautiful as before, and it has surprised me that so few of our people have read it. A young friend of mine desiring to get it, after trying in vain at book stores, wrote to the talented author, and she kindly loaned him her copy, thus showing it was out of print. Years after "Salted With Fire" came out, another lady wrote a novel, of no plot, not much literary merit, no depth and the reading world went wild over it, making the writer rich and famous at once, and it 't look well for the novel reading public to treat so differently the two books. Miss Cameron's plot was well conceived, the characters finely drawn--the language pure and pretty--the love scenes exquisite in feeling and portrayal--the pathos tender and sweet. A woman of any sentiment could herself feel what Helen suffered when she turned from poor De Vere, whose love was strong and true, tho' some would condemn him, and kept her faith with the noble Stuart. The book ends so sadly novel readers scold because, the writer didn't have it otherwise, but it ended naturally for such people as she described. Fiction can't always conclude as we might wish, however much a writer likes to please. The other novel spoken of describes very graphically the heroine's return to her home as a young widow, how she sobbed and cried--her feelings upon meeting her husband's cousin, who resembled the dear departed; tells of races, and slides down hay mows, a pastime generally left to children, and containing more scratching than romance; of how the hero and heroine kissed, and the way her hair tumbled down on all occasions, of the struggle she had with herself when she couldn't decide whether or not she would let the Quick take the place of the Dead in her heart; calls the name of the Deity so often it seems profane--wallows about on the floor (with her hair down as usual) while she sobs and hunts for her ring, and then sends big-hearted, loving Jack away and he was so loyal and nice he deserved better treatment, besides being entitled to it, after the endearments and caresses. Perhaps had Miss Cameron's book been somewhat suggestive or salacious it might have brought its writer more money and fame, but it shows better for her, while it reflects sadly on the taste of those who pass it by, for the other. North Carolinians are charged with being negligent in according recognition of work done by our own people, till outsiders have discovered merit and praised, and we are too slow. Miss Cameron's work did not receive the treatment it merited, neither did Edwin Fuller's, but as he is now an angel above the clouds it matters nothing to him if he sang to ears that heard not, or told to unsympathetic hearts of his pretty "Sea Gift." Nothing that I have read from the pen of the prolific and readable Roe is more interesting and just see the difference in the way we treat them. It is gratifying to know that Miss Fisher won recognition as she did and that North Carolina is proud of her and it is not State pride alone that prompts this feeling. All these books are as meritorious as many we receive with warm praise. Comparing "Salted With Fire" with "The Quick or The Dead," to the disparagement of the latter, is not done because of any personal feeling and I am sorry the erratic and beautiful authoress is suffering because of the adverse criticisms of her work. I never thought there was reason for going to such lengths in talking about it as such an impure creation. The heroine was certainly a woman of considerable passion--unmindful of conventionalities, and impulsive to the last degree--doing ridiculous things--but all the time desiring to be honest with herself and lover. Miss Cameron's heroine had sufficient feeling, while she was as chaste as a woman need be, and capable of inspiring deathless devotion in a world-weary man like De Vere, and worthy of the love of a man like De Vere, and worthy of the love of the great hearted Stuart,
ROBERTA K. DUNLAY
Ansonville, N. C., Feb. 8, 1898.