The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-14
MORE GLORY THAN GOLD.
Imaginative Literature oners Foor
nanciaI Rewards to It's Dcvotees'
Especial Corrcspondence.I

be disappointed If they expect 10 ma any
romance or charming love tale In this latest
work. It will have calfskin covers ana
will be found In many Libraries. Yet IL u
safe 10 say that no person Will ever read IL
through from beginning TO end. MI oUiih-
SONS latest book is work 1or lawyers
IJnon IL he has spent more Tune IMAM ne
ever did on any Of his novels, and IL VIII
nrohably bring him much larger income
than his stories ever did, and will give him
a fame among professional men, who never
heard sf him as J. s. OF Dale, the novelist
when Mr.. Stimson was graduated from
Harvard those who knew his power as
literary man were inclined 10 think that
he was the coming novelist. He had en-
tbusiasm for romantic composition,
charming style and knew how TO tell
good story, and yet do it in an unconyen-
tional way. or at least an original one. His
novel "Guerndale" was published when
he had been but a few years out Of college.
1t caught the favor of the critics, and II IL
did not make a great hat was one OF the
books Of the year which were talked about
1t seemed TO Stimson and his friends as
though he might have brilliant literary
career ahead.
The Young author discovered, however,
what many others have found TO be the
truth. that the favor of the critics and
even some measure Of popularity do not
in this country assure TO the writer OF
fiction sufficient income TO justify max
ing il a vocation unless the author has
some other means of support. Boyle
O'Reilly was urged often TO give himself
I'D entirely to literature, but he used to
smile when such propositions were made
and say that journalism was kinder and
more prodigal mistress. His income from
his newspaper was equal TO that OF some
of the most influential bank presidents,
but his income from pure literature he be-
heved could not be the tenth part OF what
he gained in his profession.
O'Reilly and StimsOn were friends, ana
the brilliant poet and journalist did not
hesitate to advise his young friend to place
noreliance upon literary work for asupport.
Stimson turned TO the law, although his
friends always claimed that he meant to
make that his life business, and while the
law is a Jealous mistress, not permitting
much TO be done in the way of literary
work. Mr.. Stimson has found time to in
dulge in legal literature at least, and while
no sentimental maidens or romantic youths
will ever read his book it will probably in
crease his bank account, and that is more
than his novels ever did.
Stimson's experience is not unlike that
of some others who have yentured when
young into literature. Robert Grant would
pretty nearly starve if he depended upon
his literary work for support William
D. Howells, who is called our most sue
cessful novelist, finds it necessary to do
journalistic work in order TO gain sur
ficieut income from which he can save
enough to provide for him in his old age.
Mr. Howe. who wrote THE Story OF
Country Town." one of the literary sue
cesses of few years ago, said TO a friend
while on visit TO New York that while
the sale Of the book was large he was sur
, prised that the pecuniary results were so
small. and although be has written sew
eral novels since, yet he depends for his in
come upon the earnings of newspaper
which he in part owns.
John Habberton, whose "Helen's Babies"
has the largest sale of any story ever pub
lshed in America, excepting Uncle Toms
Cabin, "Ben-Hur" and one or two other
novels, rEmains 4 journalist, wrifing stories
as an avocation rather than vocation.
Mrs. Stowe, Miss Alcott and Mark Twain
are the only authors Of recent years who
have made not only a handsome income, but
a considerable fortune, by the writing of ro-
mances and tales. Washington Irving re-
ceiyed more for his Life of Washington"
than for any of his imaginative literature,
and FeDimore Cooper was wealthy man,
not dependent at all upon the income from
the sale of his novels.
The common belief is that Mrs. Burnett
received large sums for her stories, yet
the truth is that while she was paid well
for some of them she owes her prosper
ity entirely to a single play dramatized
from her story of Little Lord Fauntle-
roy" When that drama was having its
run in New York city, Mrs. Burnett was
receiving royalties OF from $500 to $l,2OO
week. She said TO friend with whom
she was staying In New York that for the
first time in her life she had experienced
the delicious sensation of finding that her
balance at the bank was constantly In
creasing, and that she was weekly III re-
CENT of a great deal more money than she
needed to spend 1t was this experience
which caused her to say that when the
contract she had made to write two or
three new novels had been fulfilled she
would devote herself entirely to the drama.
Mark Twain's fortune was very greatly
increased by dramas which he controlled.
None of his books, excepting THE limo
cents Abroad, >" brought him great for
tune but his play of Mulberry Sellers"
Welded him in four or five years nearly
$4,000 in royalties, and the prince and
Pauper" has been a most profitable
venture.
Edward Eggleston, who has been one OF
the most fortunate of American novelists,
does not make over 50, 200 or s., 900 on any
one of his stories. including payment for
serial publication, and it is said in pub
fishing circles that the largest sums earned
by any writer Of fiction are those paid 10 a
person writing under a nom de plume
certain detective stories for sensational
weekly papers.
Charles Dudley Warner was a hard
working journalist for number of years
before he gained fame. The editorial con-
duct of the Hartford Courant was in his
charge. as the duties of General Hawley,
the editor in chief, as governor and senator
made it possible for him to do but little
work. Mr.. Warmers fame came almost
by accident. He wrote a series of papers
for The Courant some twenty years age
descriptive of the life of an amateur
farmer He wrote them without any idea
that they would bring him fame, but they
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