The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-26

WILLIAM DEAN HowELLS.
rigidly business looking, much like the
corner OF the average managing editor of
daily newspaper.
1t has been my pleasure and good fortune
TO interview many prominent men in
politics, financial circles and the world
Oh science, art and literature. 1t
has been my experience that the
most contented men are those outside of
the world of politics and finance sue
cess IN 4 professional career seems to bring
greater happiness than in any other Mr.
novels Is one OF the best evidences of this
contentment of wel-merited success.
The interview with Mr.. Howelis was not
confined to one visit The questions were
asked during two visits. There We're
many left to be asked but it would have
been unreasonable to push his courtesy
too far He was much more frank than a
politician. He refused to answer no ques-
tons put to him. These questions COW
cred number of widely varying topics
He was first asked what led him to adopt
literature as profession. He said he
could not answer such question as that.
and gave specific reason. He could not
remember time when he was not in
literature. He could not recall the day
when he began to read. So far back
as his memory goes, he has always
known how to read His father was
man of books, and in the printing
office of the elder Howeils his literary
tastes were stimulated. He said that his
first writing was an essay upon the
subject of life. This was not written, but
was composed at the case. He does not
know what has become of this contribu-
ton to American literature. His next
step in the direction of literary study was
when he discovered the laws of prosody
That opened up TO him the possibility of
writing poetry, and lot of precious rub
Dish he said it was that he composed at
that time.
In speaking of his career in literary de-
velopment, Mr.. Howells dwelt upon Eu-
rope as his university. He thought moth
ing that could have happened could have
done him more good than the four years
of tranquility in a world stepped in tradi-
ton, world of art, subject TO the pow
erful influence of the old civilizations
which make such deep and lasting inn
preston upon the minds of those who
come from the newer world TO study.
Here he had four years of per-
feet freedom freedom from all
financial care. and with perfect
surroundings fer the development of a
writer. He had sufficient leisure during
his occupancy of the post to travel all over
Italy, and to visit some of the other coun-
tries of Europe. 1t is Italy, however,
which he knows best. Upon his second
visit to Europe, he made a tour of Great
Britain, and spent much time in London
where he found his books circulating
nearly as widely as at home.
asked Mr.. Howells which one of his
books he liked best. | then asked him.
without waiting for that answer, which
one of his books had the best popular sue
cess, feeling instinctively that the author s
pet was never the one that was the most
popular. He said he considered his strong
est book was The Modern Instance" OF
his novels, "A Hazard of New For
tunes" had had the largest sale.
| asked him then, considering his sue
cess in literature, what were the induce
ments of financial character TO hold out
to a youthful aspirant. Mr.. Howells said
that he did not think that any one should
ever go into literature on account of any
great profits 10 be realized therein. \
man who did nos depend upon journalism
might work long time before arriving at
an income of 81. 200 year. Literature is
| i'll paid in comparison with the work of
almost any other profession. Mr.. Howells
said:
II know very well the business value Of
my own reputation. | know exactly what
/ have accomplished in that direction.
The success that l have made, and the
reputation that | have obtained.
would in any other profession entltle
me TO at least four or I'VE times what
now receive" He then added: Il
make at the outside between $4,000 and
$4,000 year. This result. viewed
from the standpoint of 4 beginner IN the
literary work, has a colossal look. Viewed
from the standpoint Of an equal success IN
other professions, the result Is meager
But il is just 10 add that writers DO not
work as many hours as the men OF other
professions. This is not generally adj
mitted as the writer's nave had all there Is
he
writer never underestimate the weary
labor OF his profession, but III reaity inter-
ary people work less hours than 10 the
| members of almost any other profession.
This is equally true OF artists The artistic
temperalnent takes kindly 10 leisure.
You do not believe In moods, then,
| that one hears So much about IN the liter
| airy and artistic world
Mr. Howells laughed as he said: Il am
| afraid | do not believe III moods. As they
| are usually defined. writer or an
artist is III 4 good mood for his best Work
when he has overcome the natural dlSin-
| clInation TO work so as 10 assume, AT least,
| the virtue of industry.
This financial result ~ accomplished, &C
| rordinr TO Mr.. Howells. through steady
work and in several ueids. lie has been a
regular monthly contributor to periodicals
| for wears. He was first the director OF
| The atlantic Monthly; then H6ptr $ -Hdg Wage
! zine" secured his services. ana now me
! Tasuopolifda flies his name as editor.
| Besides his novels, he has always
| had these editorial duties 10 oc-
| rnnv his time. Ills writing hours are
always in the morning. lie writes from
| tbree TO four hours, finishing at the !nnch-
con hour, / O'Clock. His AFTERNOON l.:
Generality devoted to editorial work and
! Ia reading. his evenings To socia! diversion
| and casual readings. He never writes IN
| the evening. for il he did he would not De
/ able 20 sleep.
! Mr. Uowens has written some critical
/ ESSAYS upon Journalism. | asked nam Il
| he considered that the work OF journalism
| (Con;auei on Page ~