128
PARTISAN REVIEW
teresting ones, that is; none of the above notions are developed at
all,
they are just tossed out, and then, as he would put it, on to the next
pas seul
in the dance of life! Someone has noted that the general
~
always boring, and that interest only begins with the concrete. This, I
think, applies to philosophers as well as to novelists, and certainly to
M r. Miller, who lacks the intellectual vitality to carry his copious gen–
eralizations on to the stage of becoming specific.
The appearance of this book, and of others like it-as, Ezra
Pound's
Guide to Kulchur,
also recently put out by New D irections, a
chaotically unintelligible series of jottings that date back to the late
'30s when Pound's mind had already become affected-is evidence of
the way the avant garde has become institutionalized of late years
(after it has lost its creative force). As the pious of certain Eastern
religions treasure the trimmings from their holy men's fingernails and
hair, so the epigones of the avant garde now treasure every scrap of
writing by
their
Gurus, every passing word, no matter how trivial
(Miller ) or wacky (Pound). We may be sure that Mahatma Miller
will
"round out" the story of his life in "several volumes" and that
New
Directions will publish it, doubtless at a loss, but what sacrifice is too
great for Art ?
Dwight Macdonald
GI RL WANTED to do 10-12 hours volunteer editorial and secretarial
work weekly for PRo Some experience desirable, but shorthand not
required. Working hours flexible. Apply by letter only, PARTISAN
REVIEW, 30 West 12th Street, New York City II.
H ere is an art that is on the move -
The Paintings of WILL
BARNEn
with an introduction
by
James T. Farrell
Format: Sy, x 10l/.! • 96 pages ' 36 reproductions • price 3.50
PRESS EIGHT
182 Third Avenue
New York City 3, N. Y.
