The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-09-25
AN AUTHORS LIFE.
How the Publishers Took Col
Inns First Novel.
HIS INTIMACY WITH DICKENS.
Spain and Morocco Biggest Gold Brick Ever
Run-A Union Pacific Rumor Denied
Determinations by Railroads.

Especial 10 THE HERALD-Examlner Dlspateh-J
NEW YORK, Sept. A.-F'Or the first
twelve years of Wilkie Collins life he was
taught at a private school, being instructed
mainly in the rudiments of Latin and
Greek, (which, +" he wrote in letter, "have
not been of the slightest use to me IN my
after life"
Wilkie Collins had to undergo the same
brusque rebuffs and experience, the same
terrible sinking of the heart which Thack-
cray, Chattertoon and host Of others before
and after him had to- Publishers would
not venture to publish his first book; one
after another declined, and all gave excel
lent reasons for their decision. However,
the best reason in the world is given in the
authors own words.
1.-The scene of the story" said he, was
laid in the island of Tahiti before the period
OF its discovery by European navigators.
Ny youthful imagination ran riot among the
noble savages, in scenes that compelled
every respectable British publisher to de
clare that it was impossible TO put his name
on the title page of such novel. For the
moment. 1 was a little discouraged, but l
got over it and began another novel;"
Besides novels, Wilkie Collins was a
successful writer of dramas. Most of his
novels have been dramatized. AS the
whole world knows. he wrote mo Thor
Oughfaren with Dickens. His first drama
was 1.-THE Lighthouse which was acted IN
the private house of Charles Dickens. 1t
was first performed at the Camden house,
Kensington, the residence of Colonel
Waugh, for the benefit of a charity con-
uected with the army in the Crimea.
The audience was most brilliant and not
less so the performance. Charles Dickens
assumed the part of Aaron Guerenoch, the
head light keeper; Wilkie Collins that OF
Martin Guerenoch; Jacob Male was acted
by Mark Lemon; a ''shipwre cked LADY, by
Miss Hogarth, Dickens sister-in law
Phoeba by the eldest Miss Dickens.
The acting of Dickens on this occasion
was the marked feature of the evening
which, according to Tom Taylor, was
treat individual creation of kind that has
not been exhibited before" 1t has been
said that the association of Miss Hogarth
with Dickens in this play was the occasion
Of the separation from his wife.
For many years Wilkie Collins was one
OF Dickens closest and best cherished
friends. They often walked together ON
the streets of London, Collins, short and
rather thickest, with a bold forehead, a
Long black beard large bright blue eyes,
and gold spectacles, forming sharp con-
trast with airings and sailor like aspect OF
his great friend. Frequently might these
TWO be found dining together at Nerry's
restaurant. at theupper end of Regent street,
near Oxford street. where they had little
table to themselves in corner reserved
especially for Dickens by the restaurant
keeper Collins also visited the famous old
house on Gad's hill where Dickens lived
and died, and Dickens often called at the
plain house in Gloucester place, Portman
square, occupied by Collins.
The following is an anecdote which illus
trates his case about his books. His last story
vas originally called My Lord Harry"
but in conversation with some friends one
evening, Wilkie Collins was reminded that
by the Lord Harry was common form
of oath in England with people who were
100 conscientious to use stronger ''cuss
words.' He at once changed the title to
Blind Love-"
A correspondent for one Of the great New
York dailies recently interviewed him in
ais library His literary works were
written in London. The apartment was
nothing more than com Portable; in it were
several shelves of books, handily arranged |
and obviously much used; few good pic
TIRES. and two or three oil colors, which |
were hardly distinguishable in the dim light
Of the closely curtained room. 1t was not |
particularly a cold day, but bright fire /
blazed on the hearth, and the first thing |
Wilkie Collins did after he came into the |
room and said good morning, was 10 seize |
= stalwart brass poker and stir the Goals |
till the flames fairly roared up the old fash |
toned chimney. Then he sat down in big |
arm chair, lodged quill over his right ear /
and was ready to talk, and very enthusi- |
astc ally did Mr.. Collins talk about his 1
visit TO America, our bracing climate, our |
push, our enterprise, our system of popu-
lar education and various other things. |
But his eyes fairly blazed with indigna-
ton when he discussed our lack of |
An international copyright law, and |
the fact that he was able to de-
rive no pecuniarY benefit from the thou
sands of copies of his novels printed |
and sold in America. This used to be
theme for an evening growl between him
and his warm friend Charles Dickens II
am sixty five years DID, he said as the cor
respondent rose to go, 'yet hope to live
TO see the day when an American pub
Usher, like an English publisher viii re-
ward me for my labor. l am strongly in
favor of cheap books, but a man has no
right TO cheaper books by stealing my