The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-18

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SIR EDWIN AnNoID's HOUSE AT ABAzEE, TOXIC.
said some very erroneous ones. But the
opinion of this talented man, who for
thirty years has been the head of Eng
lands great newspaper in point OF circula-
t%ion-why that was another thing. So !
put the question directly.
ION the whole. 1 must say that your
newspapers make me shake my head. There
are many good ones, but the general o
is distressing. Once picked up q paper
in Washington, while l was waiting in the
presidents room. l glanced down the col
umn, aud the following headline caught my
e~ye-'Sunset Cox is dying II shocked
me. Just fancy speaking SO of a statesman,
whose name should be sacred to the heart
of every true American-one who has done
so much for his countrymen. This sort OF
thing makes me sorry. You need not be
dull, heavy or goody goody, but journalism
should be dignifed. and these American
headings shock me sometimes. However,
the American press was very kind to me,
and l owe nothing but q debt OF gratitude
to American journalism"
All this was certainly plain, even if it was
not complimentary to American journalism.
Sir Edwin spoke 80 freely and earnestly
that | was disposed to urge him on.
what, in your opinion. will the news
paper OF the future DO ike! Will IL ulueI
much from that of the day?"
II don't Think said he seriously, ''that
the newspaper of to-day can be improved
very much in point of composition and
writing. I consider that our own paper
and the Times are almost perfect monu-
ments of composition, but l think that art
as applied to newspaper illustrations will
come into very general use. I don't know
how it is to be done. but the pictures will
have to be perfect. Illustrated journalism
is in its infancy yet. The reporter of the
future will have to draw of course"
Then he went on speaking of the require
ment of the journalist of the future. IA
man can not be too we'll educated for the
press; nobody can be good enough or too
good. The more you have read the more
you know; the more fit you are; but you
never can be perfectly fit. 1t deserves the
very best work" :
the ~press?"
Eyes, I am,'' replied the great editor,
because it is such a mighty instrument for
good. l am very proud to have served the
press for thirty years, during which time I
have written $500 leading articles besides
my editorial work. I look back upon this
labor with very great satisfaction"
Sir Edward was then led to speak of
woman in literature, her place and her
prospects. OF course he talked entertain
ingly. .. ;.
II think everything ls possible to
women, he said: IT do not M%o believe in the
admit them to academical honors what
happens? Miss Fawcett becomes senior
wrangler, and ladies take high degrees.
There is no question whatever about their
capacity"
Passing on, Sir Edwin spoke of the in
come earned by women in journalism or in
literature generally.
81 am not good at the financial side of
journalism" he said. "My impression is
that no woman at present makes any large
income, although there is no reason why
they should not be as we'll paid as men,"
posed to talk upon personal matters, but
when asked him if there was any truth
in the reports of his intention of settling |
for life in Japan, he promptly replied:
mot the slightest. it was not worth
contradicting, or I would have lone So"
l asked him if it was true that he was 60
ing to give the reading public any new
books on japan.
We'll. yes in a sense" he replied. "My
publishers have recently brought out a
book revised from my letters from Japan.
l have also one or two poems and legends
on Japan coming put separately in differ
ent magazines."
BY this time cards of visitors were
brought in. 1t would be t%respass Of the
worst kind to stay longer. SO I rose to go.
He stopped me long enough to speak of his
coming visit to America, remarking that if
it proved one-half as pleasant as his former
visit he would be we'll satisfied. Sir Edwin
did not limit his kindness to granting me
an interview. Despite the fact that he is a
very busy man, he himself showed me
through several of the departments of the
Daily Telegraph. A wonderful, machine it
is, too. One of the attaches of the papsr,J
told me later that Sir Edwin Arnold was
the oG1fnr nf the pQrar in tho moot fhnrn11nh |
sense OF the term, advising and directing
his subordinates, writing leaders himself
and overlooking every department person
ally. The poet editor shook me kindly by
the hand as | was leaving him.
The home life of Sir Edwin Arnold has
always been unostentatious. Since the
death OF his wife, it has been even more
quiet than before. Much of his vacation
time no has intterly spent in Japan. but he
is an Enalishman to his finger tips, and
what is more, n lover of London.
AS might be expected of n poet of such
rich imagination and exquisite fancy, his
home is a most beautiful one. He has been
a great traveller. and in addition an indus
trious and intelligent collector of rare gems
in the way of bric-a-brac. These are scat
tered all about the house. The rare taste
of the poet and scholar is shown in these
gems that he has picked up in various
parts of the globe rs thoroughly as any
thing could show it. But in addition TO
these are others that came to him as pres
ents from the sultan. the shah, from kings
and from Indian princes and rainhs. No
one in England outside of the court has
such a collection as that which adorns his
home.
Pictures and books too are there, but not
in great profusion. The poet does not be-
lieve in that sort of thing. But his pic
lures are masterpieces and his books are
books written by men of genius like him
self.
1he closest companion of the poet now is
his daughter. Sho shared his home in ia
pan when he WAS there and she is the mis-
tress of his London home. She has inher-
tied much of her fathers genius and is a
writer of much promise. The poets son is
also of a literary turn of mind and is an as
~soeiate editor upon the Daily Telegraph, of
which Sir Edwin is editor.
Although Sir Edwin lives quietly, he is by
no means a hermit. You will find the fore
most men Of London, ~ his house at times.
men who stand in the front rank in art,
music or literature and very delightful
meetings these are too. He is a member of
most of the leading clubs and is a frequent
visitors at their rooms. In addition ne is a
regular theater-goer, and as a first nighter
ranks with Mr.. Justin Mccarthy and In
Douchere. He figures some in society and
10 much run after by the good DANES of the