The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-02-17
CHxRLEs READE.
An Inferesffng Interview with the Vet
Ht - f-ee Gran Novelist

ttondon ccrrespondenee View YORK liines-l
- / called on the veteran novelist and
playwright, Charles Reade. / found
him surrounded by a few of his " house
hold gods," supplemented by some new
furniture, and reading the monthly mag
azines by candle-ight. He looked much
better than / expected to find him.
He made ali kinds Of inquiries about
America, expressed great interest IN the
progress of the international copyright
movement, though he said Messrs- har-
per had always paid him handsomely tor
his work, and, therefore, this interest Is
not personal, but covers the ground OF
Justice to others, both American and
English. The two great American mag
rzmes-Harpers' and Scribgser, now the
Century were, he thought, marvelously
cheap. Their contents are so varied,
he said. and they do not depend upon
a leading story for their attraction the
last few numbers of Harpers' are simply
admirable.
| asked him if he would not soon begin
a new novel. He shook his head and
smiled sadly He has no longer any IN
ducement to write, certainly not work
of any great length. Once or twice
lately he had thought of continuing the
series OF short stories which he began
some time ago. But he had not the
heart to undertake a great work. de
reminded me of the great reading and
research which had always been involved
in his novel writing, and now his method
made fiction to him serious and very
hard work. He talked benevolenly OF
men and events in general, and not re-
gretfully of anything except once to re-
fer to the loss which shadows his life III
these latter days. He was sorry he
could not go to the theater and see The
Lights o. London, which, he gathered
from the papers, is really bona tide
success He is greatly surprised at the
last profitable revival of his own play,
II is NeUer Too Late to Mend, which
has replenished the Golfer of the Adelphi
Theater, where, / believe, Drink is to
follow. Charles Warner being the lead
ing man at this old home of melodrama.
Mr. Reade evidently thinks his forte is
the drama He spoke with great mod
esty of his novels, almost depreeiatingly
of himself as anovelist His heart is
more on dramatic works than novel
writing. Many of my readers who form
their opinions of MIR. Reade from his
strong spistolary contributions to public
controversy would be surprised at his
gentle and unassuming manners. He
has in company something of that self
abnegation which makes men so much
at home with Mr.. Gladstone. The pre-
mier listens as if he valued your opinion
and accepts information with a sort of
pleasure that is eminently hattering TO
most people. Charles Reade is an
equally good listener and always seems
to find instruction in anything you have
to tell him. asked him about the pros
pect OF the reproduction of his idyllic
play of Dora and found that it had
been under consideration at the Court
Theater, the management, however,
taking Mimi in preference.
Without any breach of confidence or
departure from good taste, / send you
these few notes about Mr.. Reade, con-
corning whose health and whose retire
ment many inquiries are made and many
suggestions offered. He may sit down
to his desk again and with great results,
but at present he appears to consider
that his mission in life has had its chief
fulfillment though his intellect is still
fresh and vigorous.