Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-08
Prnsidnnf Rnnrd Of Health
Charles Reade's Workshop.

lfal-Nall baleue.t
Charles Reade was yoluminous writer,
hut OF the extent OF what he has left be-
hind him il is impossible a. yet 10 speak.
He had planned out huge work on the
Wisdom and Folly OF Nations" dealing
with politics and social and domestic de-
tails, for which he had gathered many facts
and made many notes. Then he had
partly written dissertation on GER
tan Bible characters, and some OF
the sheets have even ben printed
for his own private use. But these
are scarcely likely to be published. Another
literary curiosity Il an auto-crticism OF
.Christie Johnstone." which has never
seen the light. Mr. Reade kept journal
for many years, but in desultory fashion,
writing, perhaps. few pages, then making
no further entries for two or three weeks.
Ii was not until Mrs. Seynour's death In
1879 that ne began TO keep diary in the
strict sense OF the word, when he missed
that long-cherished companionship. The
sympathetic ear into which he had
poured his troubles was gone. so
he turned TO the blank pages OF
his journal. These notes, most scrupu-
lousy preserved, would possibly Gil three
volumes. Then there are many short
stories which have appeared In news
papers and magazines, and some again
which are in manuscript. Their pecuniary
value IL il impossible 10 estimate. For
some Of his novels Mr.. Reade received very
large sums. He would perhaps be paid
G2O00 for the right Of printing his story in
serial form in nespaper or magazine, and
from 81 900 to 1000 for its publication in
book form. He received almost as much
from the American publishers for early
sheets Of his novels. For short articles or
stories he was generally paid at the rates OF
E5 page.
Charles Reade despsed literary foppery.
He had 4 weakness for marquetry. indeed,
and was fond Of pictures, but his work.
shop-oI bis literary st0rerO0m. rather, for
he did but little actual writing here-is
bare enough for an anchorite. One side OF
the room Il taken up with shelves OF all
sizes, varying from that OF the Times to
the duodeclmo. Here are stored those
wonderful guard-books, scrap-books, and
folios, to keep up which used to
be one Of the pleasures and labOrs OF
his life. They have never been dis
turbed since be took his last look at them.
How many romantic stories do they con-
tain: how many tales OF cruelty, OF OPP
preston What notes Of fiery Indignation
are to be found at their side What innu-
merable pages OF curious phraseology.
figures OF Speech what volumes OF in-
ciGents What Augean stables 10 be
cleaned out by that vigorous and I'M
tiring hand; what pages OF jokes,
Of forgotten scandals, Of police re-
ports. "A tortuous maze, Of which for
the present the key Is goue. This vast coll
lection was divided into notebooks, scrap
books, and folio cards, and these again
were divided into giant folios, folios. and
large QuartOs. He filed UoydS Weekly
Neus as chronicle OF events. On the
lower shelves are volumes OF the Times,
the illustrated London Ne,ns. the Graphic,
the Police Ne,oS, Days DoingS, the New
York Police Gazette. He used to devote
one day In the week to the entering up II
his various newspaper materials. catting
out OF the great masses OF papers and maya
zines such paragraphs or pages as he
thought would he useful to him.
AT 8 o'clock he used to rise. At he
breakfasted. AT 10 he began bis work,
which generally lasted until 2. or there
abouts. His work was done In the draw
ing.room, from the windows OF which he
could look on to the smooth lawn. some
times watching the traffic as 1t passed the
bottom Of the garden, or looking on at
game Oh tcuuie, VI unuscu W Tue
gambols Of his tame hares. When
the French windows were closed no
noise from the street could reach
him, though he was not as some ali-
thors, for he even tolerated the presence
OF friend when OF work. When he had
fairly broken the ice Of O story he worked
with great rapidity, and sometimes for many
hours without rest. lie loved great sheets
Of 6rab manuscript paper, great pens, and
the blackest OF ink. As each sheet was
done it was numbered and thrown on 10
| the floor, which after few hours was car
peted with manuscript. The maid servant
gathered up the sheets; they were put in
order and sent to his fayorte copyist, who
| returned them written out clean In q neat
round hand. Mr. Reade went over them
again, slashing here or adding there. The
revised sheets were once more copied out,
| once more revised, and then sent TO the
printer. Punch once declared that 4 COM
positor threw himself of Waterloo bridge in
a tit Of madness induced by Charles Roade's
manuscript--a little Joke which he took
much TO heart. II proved effective, how
ever. and was good for both composltor
and copyist. At times he dictated story,
but this happened very seldom. He took
no lunch, but dined late, often going to
the theatre after dinner.