The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-24

Wnkle COuinSs Last OF the Gredt EngnSn
Novelists of the Dickens -Thackeray Era.
LONDON, Sept. 2S.-Wilkie Collins. the
novelist, who has been seriously i'll for
some time, died to-day.
Probably no English writer of recent
years was more famous than Wilkie Col
lins. His father was a celebrated painter
of rustic scenes. and his mother was one of
a very distinguished family of artists
William Wilkie was born in January, 1924,
and nature seemed to have given him as
clear title to the genius of his ancestors
as to their estates He received his educa-
tion under the most competent instruction
in private school of London. where the
family resided, and on completing his
studies went on trip to Italy with his
parents. During the two years of his stay
abroad, Wilkie, as he in after life declared
received the most valuable part of his edu-
cation. Upon their return. and after con-
articled for four years to a tea merchant,
and Immediately set to work in his Office.
He soon tired of commercial life. 1t was
not dull, but it's liveliness was of decided
ly uninteresting and prosaic kind. He
thought upon the whole he had rather be q
student He plunged into the law with
great vigOr, but like man who plunges
under the water, he soon ascertained that
he was out of his element. and was not at
all cOntented to remain there. In the coZy
retreat of that old court inn he began to
quently published in some of the small
periodicals of the city. In about six weeks
he gave up the study of law. but remained
nominally a student at Lincoln's Inn. writ
but the young author, like other young
authors, failed to find anyone who was
willing to publish his first ambitious effort.
He set about rewriting the story; changed
the scene to Rome, and in 1850 it was pub
ished as "Antonina; or the Fall of Rome"
1t had good sale. and evoked the most
favorable criticism.
William Collins, the painter. died in 1s47.
and the next year his biography appeared.
written by his son Wilkie 1t was manly
vigor Of young writer. The Woman in
White" which is probably the best story he
ever wrote. was published in 1850, mo
Name" in 1862 "Armadale' in 1866. ''The
New Magdalen" in 1873 The Law and the
Lady, in 1875, and "rhe Black Robe" in
1881. He also contributed frequently to
Household Words and other well-known
periodicals, and but recently completed a
serial for Harper's Magazine.
Wllkle Collins was the most cherished
IIChu VA Shdi iCS DicktuS. I'D WHO'LL he was
related by marriage. Almost every day
when they were both in London, this dis
tinguished couple might be seen walking
arm in arm along the Strand, or sitting tete-
a-tete over chops and coffee in Verrey's res
taurant on Regent street. Dickens
enjoyed quite. reputation as an amateur
actor in London. and was particularly
clever in the dramas of his friend. Col.
lins. THE Lighthouse" undoubtedly the
best play that Wilkie Collins ever attempted
to write. was acted in Dickens's private
house. and also at Camden House, Kensing
ton. Dickens was the light-house-keeper
and his sister-in-law, Miss Hogarth. played
leading business with him. This is said tC
have given rise to that domestic infelicity
which finally separated the great novelis
and his wife.
In the opinion of the best critics. Wiki,
Collins never produced really great work
but all hs productions display genius. III,
was master manipulation of circumstance
and was most skillful in developing q plot
Other Deaths.
RoME. Sept. 23.-Cardinal Schiaffina j
dead. He was born in 1929 and made
cardinal in 1885.