New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-10-10

r6lo. and was not successful. As matter of fact,
II is probable that the has been ms nearly as
possible reversed. and that the aspiring historian
or novelist has found tho goal Of bis labors in q
newspaper Office. There are, of course. mary
varieties of newspaper writer's and all, from the
humblest writer to the editorial Jove rank as
journalists. But the man who intends to make
anything out of journalism must not look at his
apprenticeship to it as probationary stage IN his
literary experiences he must regard 1t as q pro-
fcsson in itself; and unless he devotes himself
heart and soul 10 its daily abors and businesses the
noble ambition to emulate Shakespeare and Others
he will find journalism q beagarly business.
II journalism is approached in spirit OF earnest
industry. and with some natural qualifcations-1
il is persevered in for years, and II the worker
enjoys an average amount of good fortine-the
newspaper writer WILL perhaps hnd himseii IN
possession OF about Onethird of the income which
would he enjoyed by barrister or doctor VINO
had achieved u corresponding measure OF success.
Yet, although journalism. when all me QUALITIES
which contribute to secure success IN IL are reinem-
berod-the disciplined capacity OF work, tne Wen
drilled aertness of mind, the qulckness OF obser-
vat;On the readiness TO seize essential points the
necessity of being in constant state OF inteiiec-
tual Trainings paid far worse than any other
kind OF profession, only heaven-born anthors,
poets. historians, nOvelists can hope to 1--we by
their pen without the assistance of Journalistic Yet
it is only in n very small percentage OF cases that
journalism be said TO lead to anything. In
ninety-nine instances out of every hundred the
career of journalists resembles the case OF old age
1T has no future. The newspaper writer who re-
ceives consulshp after fivc-and-twenty year,, CT
unlagging industry may esteem himself lucky: TIC
"A
tention wanders, his courage finches, or his
conduct fails the chances that he collapses IN
the struggle. There are those who persist IN
speaking of the journalist even III cheese days; ms
genial reckless, thOughtless Bohemian, brilliant,
but unsteady his conversation perpetual How OF
good things and his life succession OF charming
impudence. The typical journalist OF tho period IS
a grave. sedate. self-cOntained gentleman; who
talks little, and who. for the most part, lives
severely by rule who is much given to the con-
sumption of Blue-books and who is frugal even to
austerty in his habits
There is IN England at the present time consd-
erablc demand for good political writers as distn-
guished from the mere social cssayist These
writer's not equipped fully for their task With
ont much preparation and careful practice. When
pract ice and preparation are added to natural
anti ude some measure Of success may be generally
achieved. Success in journalism is dependent npon
the conditions as success in any other walk OF
professional life. This fact il now pretty widely
perceived and one of the results of its recognize Jpn
is the extensive improvement which has of late
taken place in the personnel Of those who write for
newspapers. The opportunities of the career are
gradually being better appreciated. and IN time
this will effect a substantial Improvement IN the
journalists position,