Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-29
A Brief Biography of James, the Novelist.

George Philip Rainforth James was born
in George-street Hanover-square, London,
in 1901. He received his early education at
Il school at Greenwich, kept by French en-
igrant, and was afterward placed under the
private tuition of Rev. VIM. Carmalt, with
whom he remained until his sixteenth year,
when he was sent to France, where he re-
mained several years. In very early boy
hood he commenced to show his aptness for
literary composition, and became an anony-
nous contributor to the magazines. At q
later period, but while he was still ayouth, he
wrote several short stories for the amuse-
ment of his friends, some of which, straying
out of the circle theywere intended for, came
to the notice of Washington Irving, who ad-
vised him to attempt q work of some i'm
portance. The Life Of EdVard, the Black
Prince, book he did not care afterward to
acknowledge, was the result Of this counsel.
But shortly afterward appeared RieheIieu,
published in his twenty-sixth year, the sue
cess of which confirmed him in his resolution
to pursue literary career. The manuscript
of this novel had been submitted TO Sir Wal
ter Scott before its publication, and that great
soul. in whom no thought Of literary envy
ever existed, seconded the advice of our own
illustrious country,man, and urged the young
writer still to further and better efforts.
The death of the Earl of Liverpool, a
| friend of his father, from whom he had
reason TO expect Government appointment,
made il necessary for him to be Industrious,
and the intoxication Of his first success added
spurs which he was too willing to wear, to
| that necessity. Thenceforward he wrote in
cessantly. Novel after novel, romance after
romance, tumbled from his pen. There are
| some seventy of them in all, of various
| merit, of course but all above the average
| His imagination was as fertile as that of Lopt
| de Vega, and he produced his works almost as
rapidly. For a long period he would moi
| write himself, but dictated to amanuenses
| and sometimes carried on the construction o.
| two novels at one time, walking from ont
| room into another and giving each scribe 1
sentence TO convey to paper. Thus, though
he did not write all his novels, they wert
| still his own composition, and were moi
merely dignifed by his name in the title
page, like so many of the tictions of Alex
andre Dumas. Without approaching thu
standard of the great master, the works o
James have been almost as widely read a
the romances of Scott, and while they will
not maintain any enduring popularity, Their
are some among them which will not sooI
be forgotten. They have been translated init
most European languages, and are quit
popular in Germany. In this country, they
have been several times republished, AM
some of the latest ones, written here, mad'
their first appearance from the press of th
Harpers in New York.
Mr.. James was also the author of severa
histories and biographies, including tn
Lives Of Charlemagne, Richard Ceur de Lion
Henry Nv of France, and Louis XIV. Thes
are less known than his other works, an
have already attained the popularity tina
was their due. For brief period he bel
the Office of Historiographer of Great Britain
by appointment of William w. In 1851
removed to this country with his family, an
took up his residence in Stockbridge, Berk
shire County Mass. In 1852, he was aI
pointed British Consul in Norfolk, Va, /
which post he remained till, in 1858, he wa
transferred to the British Consulate at Venic'
where he has since remained.
Mr.. James was a gentleman Of winnin
manners, good conversational powers and III
failing courtesy During his residence !
this country he commended himself to tn
regard and esteem of all with whom he cam
in contact--and there are very many socii
circles where, in spite of the fact that he cam
here stranger and remained but fe'
years, his death will be mourned as that of
i personal friend. 1sa aiT 9tt gta