Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-28
LITERARY N0BS.
some of the Famous Writers one
sees I'm London.

Correspondence Cincinnati Commereial.l
/ have been happy since | reached
London. Fortunately as'here thrown
among class OF people | had always
admired-almost race by themselves
the re-Raphaelites," who appear to
me like little green island set in the
middle of smoky, grimy, money getting
London. / met poets, painters and
sculptors, men Of letters and doctors oi
philosophy, literary critics, art-critics
and editors, to say nothing of other sorts
of brilliant people.
| had taken "lodgings' in the house
where my old friend. Joaquin Miller,
lived. Here also | found Prentice Mul-
len, another Californian, to say nothing
of a distinguished Polish baron, also a
writer.
The other day / received cards from
Lady Hardy for reception at her home,
where all the literati meet, or hope to
meet. There / saw many Of the great
men of the place-few Of them great by
wealth or title, but all of them great by
reason of intellect.
1t is reported here that Joaquin Mil
Ter is to be married to the only daughter
of Sir Thomas and Lady Hardy. She is
tall, lovely girl, graceful as calallby,
and has written two books herself. Her
mother also is an authoress, and has
published several works.
/ have seen the proof OF Joaquin Mil
ler's new book, which is now in press
It relates to his life among the Modocs
can say that it will create sensation.
Lord Percival Graves, who has just
published volume of sweet little Irish
poems, came up TO Mr.. Miller to be com
plimented. Mr.. Miller brought him to
me. / found him a modest, stirring
youth whom you would hardly suspect
of poetic proclivities.
Swinburne / have met also, somehow
he does not strike me pleasantly. He ISL
think, fearfully ugly, and has nervous
ness about him. that he makes you wish
he would keep still just one moment.
Swinburne lives with his father, short
distance out of town. Every now and
then he escapes from rigid parental au.
thority, takes run up to London, and
has what he calls time. We in Cali
fornia would call it "spree. But he
seems to have the kindest feelings for
his fellow-men.
To see this famous poet (Swinburne)
write is a terrible experience. he took
sudden inspiration in my room Gne
day, and, without word Of explana-
ton or apology, seated himself at my
writing desk, displaced all my things,
and commenced writing, His whole
face worked vehemently; he pounded
steadily with his left hand upon the
table, and his feet kept time in unison
with his body to the monotonous thump-
inc. AS soon as he had finished, he
Jumped up, seized .his hat, and with
hurried goodbye" rushed of to lind
his friend Watts, to whom he always
submits every line for criticism. His
handwriting is as cranky and nervous
as his manner.
DIR. Hake, who has published two vol
umes of as sweet poems as ever we're
written, has been frequent visitor oi
mine. His calm, placid manner and
noble face, crowned with silvery hair, Is
always a zest and joy; and his low
voice and slow speech are q pleasant
contrast to Swinburne.
Mr.. O'Shaughnessy, another pre'Ra-
phaelite poet, has dropped in upon me
occasionally. Once he brought his
fancee, daughter Of DIR. Marston, the
play writer.
ihave also seen DR.. Huffer, genial
German, with face like a ripe autumn
moon, and Mr.. Watts, and William and
Christina Rosetti, the poets. Christina
ia a delicate woman, with very beautiful
dark eyes, and a very sweet, expressive
face. Her brother is darker, and has
dark. passionate-looking eyes. Dante
Rosetti | did not see.
/ was at the grand banquet given for
the benefit Of destitute authors, at which
Premier Gladstone presided. Joaquin
Miller had an Invitation, and, at last, the
wild poet Of the Sierras adopted a
swallow. tailed coat and white neck-tie
and went. A number OF ladies had invi-
tations 10 go-and look on--and see the
British literary lion eat. Through the
kind Offices Of Lady Hardy / had one
sent me; and so, with her and her daugh-
~, went The lion ale till he fell into
: oonaiose state. and then he com
menoed toasiing and speechifying. We
ia5;es had the exquisite pleasure OF being
lookers-on at the banquet and listeners
,o'tbe speeches. i made many mental
nbotograph Of ridiculous situations, bat,
IN ooarse' il would never do 70 tell them
So seaing il al, ] think life IN London
TO an American Is like living IN another
uor1I