Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-09
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD.
AUTHOR OF THE LIGHT OF THE
WORLD AT a PARTY.
rIs Home I'm Jspan-What lie Disclosed
of U,s Lighter Side I'm an Hours
Hospitabie Chat.


IN japan this year-not difficult matter
by any means If you we're lucky enough
10 be in the country at the same time.
sir Edwin is q man of unbounded hos
VITALITY and gives hearty welcome to
any ielow-countryman in his beautiful
japanese home.
After getting out Of our risestraws on
arriving the door was opened, or should
say pushed back, by porfectly-dressed
Jap1nese maid. who showed us through
The loveliest little Japanese house, all
tho rooms opening into each other, until
we reached the lawn, whcr. Sir Edwin
vas entertaining a large party OF Eng
hsh friends with a gentle sprinkling OF
japanese mousmies, which made q
charming bat Of color in the scene.
ma JAPANESE GARDEN.
The garden, which was quite large
one. seemed to have received n success
SION Of earthquakes in bygone genera
nors. II was full OF little hills and IA
vines, with lovely japanese naples OF
the brightest col0rs here aud there and
cherry trees in full bloom. all Of the
ouaintcst shapes, everything in a dwarf
size the tallest NAPLES only few feet
high and stretching over yards OF ground.
IL made a perfect picture the whole
scene. Ia the centre Of the garden was
largo japanese umbrella, with the tea
table under it and Sir Edwin's charming
daughter presiding. She is a duskY.
picturesdue girl, with the ease and charm
Of manners only met in those who have
accustomed themselves 10 the ways OF
many countries and manners Of people.
She was a striking contrast IN her dress OF
rich white silk tailor made), to her three
little japanese guests, in their brightest
misunderstanding kemonos and but
terfy-like ohis.
There seemed 20 me TO be every mem
her ofovory legation IN japan thus paying
homage 70 the "light OF Asia and
Miss Arnold. / was uncOmiortably shy.
Nv nomndic life is far removed from
such fashionable things garden parties.
Sir tdUin seeing this and also that ]
knew mono Of the party, having Just ar
,iy.d m Japan, turned to me IN his most
gracious wav and asked me if | should
like Ia walk round his garden and in
suect tn house. | confess TO feeling
somewhat nervous and wondering what /
should find % talk 10 him about.
AS HOURS CHAT.
After wnnderiu about for an hour ]
found we had not even got past our mu-
fual love ~ Japan. | was 80 delighted
10 hear him express in his natural and
enthusissac way what / felt and could
not express about Japan. He had made
up his mind TO see the country rs far az
possibly through japanese eyes. He was
ftudying japanese as hard as any school
10y. The grammar was even then peep
jug ont of his coat-pocket, and he was
familiar with all the old Japanese CLASH
cal legends and folklore which helps one
g. onioy japan as necessarily as Mr..
jameson on the Saints and Vosarl on
the Italian masters helps one TO enjoy
the Italian picture galleries, for the Old
World stories and fables are rs familiar
e. even the lowest order OF japanese that
they are entwined IN every picture and
artistic design IN Japan. My Co0iie boy
Taxi. who lived on about three cents a
day mot professional guide), used to
tell me these old stories with the same
enthusiasm as ones particular friend
would discuss the merits or dcmirits Of
Miss Nobody from Nowhere. "
HIPS "YoUSGEsT BORN"
Sir Edwin hnd Just sent of by the
steamer Batavia isyoungest boris. 1.-THE
Light Of the World" to America for
publication. He said he felt az though
some sympathetic companion had sailed
and there was a painful blank in his
DAVIS for tins work had been his constant
companion for five or six months. and
many parts Of Japan will always be to
him associated with scenes in this work.
While strolling the gardens We
yas-ed and repassed "A little smoking
iabIcwith call sorts and conditions" OF
tobacco aud pipes on it. | had I'M
consciously cast longing glances at the
temting display when Sir Edwin in bis
ohafryapt way said. 4" You are fond
of smoking. / feel sure" To tell tib
b. such r. man would be absurd, so |
ncceptcd the daintiest of cigarette-hold-
els and most fragrant Egyptian, and
With This between my lips and Sir Edwin
- talk 90 Was there much left to be de-
sired Besides that, reader, If you are
woman the sat sfaction that | had
bad the undivided attention for at least
an hour while there were at least two
dozen euyious female eyes watching US,
and that my gown could stand tho
6tyero,t criticism.
al am trying to cultivate the love Of
q 49,. Il N arl al
but with her 1t will always be an
acquired taste, not natural one" sug-
costing that with me 1t was to the man
ner born.
Sir Edwin is q great smoker and
thinks that the weed has a soothing III
hucuce on woman's nerves - buy the
best cigarettes and the daintiest holders
Tor my girl, but 1 find the boxes last
very long time
MS LITERARY HABIrs.
Sir Edwin sits up late at night and
writes or reads with untiring energy.
Miss Arnold told mo that sometimes
when they get home from some festivity
~ ] o'clock he viii entreat her to sit and
listen 10 his reading aloud some thrill
INK HlttNN III tllt hdN . Iditi VI wa
tise on buddhism, which would take the
freshness Of MONDAY even to follow.
Ho is most companionable though he
takes "a keen interest IN the smallest
things, even ladies dress and Japanese
curios.
He is most indulging parent and
mover tires of telling one all the different
stories OF his dear boys, for be has three
or four sons, but there is only one Miss
Arnold.
After showing me many treasures he
had collected in Japan he told me little
story connected with knife which,
though brown with rust, be always takes
with him. 10 was connected with his ac-
cident on the Nile. When their dhow
was run into and was sinking his late
wife, who was very delicate. was ON
board, his daughter and son.
TIE ACCIDENT on THE NILE.