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A novel should be the truest of books. It partakes in a
certain sense of the nature of both history and art. It needs
to be true to human nature in its permanent and essential
qualities, and it should truthfully represent some specific and
temporary manifestation of human nature: that is, some form
of society. It has been objected that I have copied life too
closely, but it seems to me that the work to be done just
now, is to represent the forms and spirit of our own life, and
thus free ourselves from habitual imitation of that which is
foreign. I have wished to make my stories of value as a con-tribution
to the history of civilization in America. If it be
urged that this is not the highest function, I reply that it is
just now the most necessary function of this kind of literature.
Of the value of these stories as works of art others must
judge; but I shall have the satisfaction of knowing that I
have at least rendered one substantial though humble service
to our literature, if I have portrayed correctly certain forms of
American life and manners.