New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-07
INTERVIEW WITH AN AUTHOR
FROM OUR ESTEEMED CONTEMPORARY,
"THE DAILY UUE-AND-CRY."

A reporter Of "The IIue-and- Cry yesterday found
Sir Charng Cross Bowbell, the popular and famous
English novelist and poet sDugly ensconced IN
pleasant suite OF apartments at the Rule britannia
Hotel In Fifth-ave. The reporter had expected TO
experience considerable difficulty In gaining Ambulance
Sir Charing, many stories OF his hauteur ana ex
,luslveness having come across the pond and was
lnccoriingy prepared to disguise himself as Delboy
or chambermaid 10 accomplish his purpose; but this
stroke OF enterprise not necessary. tao gentle
nan instantly sent down Instructions that the re-
prter be shown up.
On entering the apartments the reporter was met
With q hearty handshake by the celebrated man and
,sked 10 SIT Sir Charfng dressed In light per.
pchdicularly striped trousers and pum-coored
dressing gown. lie Is seemingly about forty Of
age and wears full beard. The ends OF his mus
tache are cured up apparently with iron though
Il was evident to the reporter that the beggary valet
had not re-heated the Iron during the operation az
the curl on right side was considerably pro-
nounced than on the left. Sir Charing Is somewhat
bald but there is still a merry twinkle in his eye.
"Of course he said In a bluff, jovlal manner, in
London one can't see everybody but in America, alb,
that IS different, yOu know. And then. The Hue
and Cry who has not heard OF it7' The reporter
bowed in acknowledgment OF this handsome, albeit
deserved tribute the leading paper and asked Sir
Charng how no liked America
"vcry much very much" replied Fir Cha-ing 1T
a
this morning / have not had much opportunity TO
study It as a whole, but know / shall like 1t. Your
people are charming and hospitabe, and, may
add intelligent. Really, 1t IS delightfuland aston.
ishing And they welcome one so heartily. Why. DO
YOU know, they seemed TO expect me. had intended
my coming a surprise and had no idea that 1t was
generally known. DO pray tell me, II you can, how
1t got out
The reporter asked Sir Charlng to step to the
window, and pointed to the billboard the opposite
side OF the street as a partial explanation OF the
mystery sir Charng adjusted his mon0cle with
well-bred air, and establishment deepened on his
face read in letters eighteen inches high Coming!
Sir Chang Cross Bowbell, the celebrated author OF
A Nilkmad's Love and The Darkness OF Africa
Lectures and readings. Secure seats early" At
first SIR Charing seemed dumiounded. Then he
turned to the reporter and said
Really most extraordinary Who could have done
it-your Lord Mayor
NO, Sir Charing., replied the reporter; "your
manager General Hopkins whackabout, Of the whack-
shout Lecture and Stereopticon Bureau
Well, we' laughed the poet as he resumed his
seat, how extraordinary remember General
Whackabout now had some correspondence with
him. come to think OF IT, And dare say the sly dog
has had paragraphs put in the papers about too,
ehl"
"Yes SIR returned the reporter. he has. Yester.
day your press agent arrested for annoying
editors on the street,
Young man, you astonish me. Really. lid Mr..
-er-General whackaround provide another-er-man,
you know TO take this ones place!"
The reporter assured Sir Charing that he had. and
then asked for some incidents Of the visitors varied
and interesting life.
"Do you really think the readers OF The fiue-and'
Cry care about Well, well. perhaps-one some
times reckons oneself too lightly. Let me see, let
me see, and the great author threw his feet up on .
nd hcuQ
poctlcal eyes, "What / say that will interest
the thousands OF readers OF the great Hue-andCryF
Ah / have Tiny first story. "A Milkmaids Love-
You know my books have been extraordinarily popu-
lar / say 1t modestly, but 1t Is fact MY publishers
print the first editions the first move they hake'
without taking the plates or the press ! sometimes
have as high as three plays running at different
theatres at one time. Then my poems. too. have an
immense sale. But II not this way once. No
far from IL. Shall l forget that first novelI
You know II Is In its four hindredth EDITION, ana
has been translated into all the leading modern IAN
cuages with an edition about to appear In Noapuk.
Nv Young friend / anticipated the trouble should
have in finding A publisher for that story. so wrote
II on parchment-good nrstquality, drum-head paroh-
ment subsequent events showed the wisdom OF the
move sent "A Mlkmaids Love = TO every pubiisher
In Great Britain and Ireland. Every one rejected IT,
used TO wait the postoice when 1t was que Win
new addressed wrapper and renal it to another pub
his window and pass 1t out saying, here's your MIX
maids Love- Mr. Bowbell.' OF course was plain
Mr., then How odd it sounds now. II took two
years for that story TO make the rounds OF the pup
fishing houses. 1t came out OF the strife somewhat
worn along the edges but otherwise In good conciton
Was discouraged Not In the least. simply
waited for new publishers TO begin business, and -
soon as heard of one anywhere sent him my story.
"A Milkma.ds Love sometimes waited two weeks In
the hands Of postal authorities for new publisher
to open his office and get ready to receive mail.
Every postman In London knew the package, ana
finally gave them the privilege Of reading II odd hours
while waiting for publisher to open. II became
very popular among them. At last one OF them, VINO
had come into a good property on the death OF q
relative, started publishing house himself and ac'
cepted my story. 1t took five editions TO supply the
demand the first week. In three months loo.ooo
copies had been disposed OF, and had 900 letters
from publishers who had rejected 1t asking for my
second work. Yes, young man, you may say for me
to the American people, through The Huo-and Cry
ttat the young author has Ills trials
"what are your plans for the future, Sir CharinsP
ventired to inquire the reporter.
| have no plans for the future beyond enjoying
your magnificent country and revealing in your open;
hearted Hospitality h ON, ye Oh Darss in sI "a.
arranged these things doubt not, by s the way dS
A tan rsporsT the has that
saa 9esm and tell S SsF you go
thing which occurred TO this morning. Went TO
cali on an old friend Servant ut the door sald What
name. SIR l drew myself up.to my full height
(sr Charing is at least ivefee,-six. and In deep
voice said .Y0u may tell your master that Inc
Darkness OF Africa has come fancy the fellow
had heard OF my great poem, for he seemed mach
frightened and made of rapidly Really. was
amusIng and the poet laughed heartily the reporter
of me Hue,and-Cry joining In with vigor. Inc
brilliant novelist poet and playwright accompanies INC
reporter TO the head OF the stairs and wished MN
warm godspeed. "Oh I say he called a. the re-
porter was halfway down, as II true that the hue
and Cry had bona tide ads. than any otnei
paper In the month OF Apr?' The reporter assured
sr Charing that It was true and passed on Ing
d nguished guest evidently appreciates onssh.:
breezy and brainy journalism such as Is exempnSr
in The Hueand-C Cry see coupon on hrst page TOT
voting as 10 which IL the more popular, sir Channe
the able American novelist and poet Charles fe'es
kllgall0n Sh0rth0rse