In the first place, the universally high level of education nowadays gives the popular verdict a conclusiveness on the real merit of literary work which in your day it was as far as possible from having.

In the second place, there is no such thing now as favoritism of any sort to interfere with the recognition of true merit.
Every author has precisely the same facilities for bringing his work before the popular tribunal.

To judge from the complaints of the writers of your day, this absolute equality of opportunity would have been greatly prized." "In the recognition of merit in other fields of original genius, such as music, art, invention, design," I said, "I suppose you follow a similar principle." "Yes," he replied, "although the details differ.

In art, for example, as in literature, the people are the sole judges.

They vote upon the acceptance of statues and paintings for the public buildings, and their favorable verdict carries with it the artist's remission from other tasks to devote himself to his vocation.