[We] feel no hesitation in affirming that in these artless lyrics of [Hard Lines] Mr. Nash is also "a good wrietor." In case—as doesn't seem possible—any reader has so far missed acquaintance with the casual Muse of Mr. Nash, we may say that, for one thing, he has turned a new trick in light verse with the aberration of his rhymes….
But there is quite a bit more to Mr. Nash than that. There is his whole point of view, which seems to us so eminently sane and honest that no wonder he has gained a reputation for being a wonderful nonsense-writer…. He is right about literature…. He is right about art…. He is right about people who go abroad, about Mr. Marc Connelly, about the Vanities, and about most ministers of the gospel. He is most refreshing concerning people who are always minding your own business….
This is a free excerpt of 146 words. There are 392 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Nash, (Frediric) Ogden 1902–1971: Critical Essay by William Rose BenÉt Access Pass.