Page:Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales (1888).djvu/14

xii But the poetic figures, the emotional language, and the brilliant pictures presented so vividly to the reader, whether young or old, thrilled to the heart; and not only testified to the wonderful imagination of the writer, but to the purity and youthful freshness which breathed through every page, and lived in the heart of Andersen to the latest hours of his life.

In the early part of Andersen’s career he had been greatly pained, but not daunted, by the severe and even mocking criticisms which his writings received, in Copenhagen especially.

The first to notice them were the editors of comic periodicals, and in these they were criticised and made a mock of, often with a want of delicacy most painful to the sensitive author.

By others his style was pronounced to be intricate, confused, and crude. At the same time, it was acknowledged that the writer possessed great power of language, and a remarkable richness of thought and imagination, rendering the word-pictures his fancy drew too attractive to be passed over unread.

One of Andersen’s oldest friends was Count Conrad of Rantzsan-Breitenburgh. This gentleman, who had been Prime Minister in the Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein, had given Andersen his first step as an author, which the narrow limits of his own poor dwelling rendered almost impossible. The Count had, however, heard of him, sought him out, and recognised at once that the humble-minded young writer was destined to become a popular poet and author.

This was the turning point in Andersen’s career, the unkind criticisms referred to had so disheartened him that he was tempted to despair of success. The Count’s opinion gave him fresh courage and energy for renewed efforts, which, as we now know, brought him glory and fame.

When the Count left Copenhagen he did not forget Andersen, but made him promise that at the first opportunity he would come and visit him at Castle Breitenburgh.

The opportunity presented itself after some years, and Andersen used to say that the weeks and months of his stay at Castle Breitenburgh, belonged to the most beautiful period of his life, and truly he might say this; for Count Conrad, the owner of the castle was in the highest degree a man calculated to arouse and console the tender-hearted, poetic, and often sad spirit of his guest.

Andersen was one of those clever men who are totally devoid of vanity, and he would often express in a straightforward and touching manner his modest opinion of his own talents, and yet at the same time acknowledging how greatly he longed for and needed encouragement. And all this time within his soul, thoughts were pressing full on his creative fancy which he longed to send forth to the world, yet dreaded with pain these adverse criticisms.

Not even in his old age, when he had been recognised by the whole civilized world as a poet and author, could Andersen harden himself to treat with indifference the unjust criticisms of the most insignificant critic.