The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-10
AN ACCOMPLISHED CRITIC.
How Mayo w. Hazcitinc Writes Reviews
for the New York Sun.
Especial Corfcspondcncc.I

Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, April 5.-Probably the best
known writer Of critiques connected with
the New York press Is Mr.. Mayo w. Hazel
tine. For some fifteen years he has fur
nshed every Sunday page Of reviews Of
the books that are deemed worthy of a
specially careful criticism. His authority
is accepted 10y the best literary men Of
New York. and many Of bis reviews have
attracted attention from the ablest lit
terateurs Of Great Britain. But besides this
work Mr.. Hazeltine also writes for The
Sun the greater part OF its editorials upon
European politics, and his pen is in con-
slant demand by publishers OF weekly re-
views and the magazines. He is therefore
a very busy writer Probably the weekly
average Of matter which he turns out will
exceed 10000 words, and in fertility he sur
passes probably any American writer, I'M
less it be George Alfred Townsend and one
or two other correspondents.
When the character Of Mr.. Hazeltines
work IL taken into consideration some idea
of the amount of his labor is received. 1t
is not all of the work of reviewing simply
to write the critiQue 4 very thorough ex-
animation Of the book IS necessary, and 1t
is easy to distinguish between those re-
views which are based upon most cursory
glance OF the pages of book and those
which result from an exhaustive reading
Of it. Moreover 70 review great work
requires not only familiarity with other
literature of like kind with the book, but
an examination Of the authorities, and this
of itself takes n great deal of time. 1t is
comparatively easy 10 serve rs a reviewer
for great monthly or quarterly, like
Blackwood's or The North American Re
view, but when such work is TO be per
formed 80 as 10 appear every week 1t en-
tails an amount of consecutive labor which
is little appreciated by those who enjoy In
the comfort Of their libraries on Sunday
the articles which appear from Mr.. Hazel
tines pen
Mr.. Hazetine has been connected with
The Sun FOR nearly twenty years He is
Massachusetts, man, getting his early
training there and afterward spending sew
eral years in one Of the English universities
and also upon the Continent, where he
made thorough study not only OF con-
temporary history but even of medieval
historical lore. The diplomacy OF Europe
had a singular fascination for him, and he
is esteemed by many as probably the best
informed man in New York city upon that
subject. When he came TO The sun his
writings attracted immediate attention,
and his personality was recognized by rea-
son OF the fact that the editor of The sun
departed from journalistic custom in New
York. which then insisted upon imperson-
atty, and permitted Mr.. Hazeltne to sign
his initials to some Of his reviews. After
a few years work of this sort some OF the
most popular Of his writings were collected
and published in book form.
Mr.. Hazeltine's manner Of work may be
of some interest He very rarely goes 10
The Sun office, but does his writing in his
apartments on Thirty-fourth street. For
some years he lived in a beautiful villa on
Staten Island for his income from his
work enables him to live in luxury. lie
begins work at 10 o'clock in the morning,
and from that hour until IS not out OF
his library unless his work necessitates
visit TO the Astor library. After spending
some hours Of careful reading, 10 which he
makes frequent notes referring 20 various
authorities, he changes his manner OF
work by studying the references and map
ping out MS line OF treatment. This may
20 on for two or three days, until ne has
the book at his fingers ends and his treat
ment of it thoroughly digested. Then he
sits down with his stenographer and die
tates. frequently remaining IN his char
steadily for four or five hours.
Meanwhile he must furnish each day an
editorial upon European politics or some
subject akin thereto. The subject ID
usually suggested to him by the cable dis
patches from Europe, but very frequently
Mr.. Dana, the editor Of The Sun, indicates
to him an editorial article Mr.. Hazeltine
has written some famous editorials for
The Sun. which being impersonal have not
been attributed to him. Only few days
ago a double loaded editorial appeared at
lacking the British government and insist
ing that it had no friendship, but moth
ing but distrust. dislike Of America and 4
covert desire that American institutions
should fail. The editorial attracted a
great deal Of attention. 1t was written by
Mr.. Hazetine 1t almost equaled in I'M
portance another famous editorial which
appeared in The Sun and which con
tanned the famous epigram that General
Hancock is a good man and weighs 2oO
pounds" The writer OF that editorial was
Mr.. Bartlett, although the authorship OF It
was generally attributed to Mr.. Dana him
self. Mr.. Bartlett was man of extraor-
binary ability, whose friendship for Mr..
Dana began in the time Of the war, and
who contributed frequently some Of the
most striking and sensational editorial ut
terances that ever appeared in The Sun.
Mr.. Hazeltine is one of the most delight
full of hosts, and he has 50 many friends
that he has abundant opportunity 10 dis
plsv such charm. As a conversational
his wonderful information, his wit and his
anecdotal resources make him one of the
most interesting of dinner table compan-
panions. Yet he is hard working jour
nalist, and he is not exactly optimistic in
his ideas of the opportunities which jour
nalism offers to young men. 1t is his opin-
ion that an able young man can make Il
fair living in it, and that is about all, I'M
less he gains a proprietary interest
l.. j. EDWARDS.