The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-01-27

and the society are suggestive of newly
acquired wealth. But neither Mr.. Howells
nor any other American writer of distinc-
ton would consent to be lionized.
Mark Twain, to whose career perhaps
writers are very greatly indebted for the
change in view regarding their vocation, is
in receipt of so many invitations that were
he to attempt to accept even the half of
them he would be obliged to be present at
two or three dinners every evening in the
week. Nor is he invited as a curiosity, a
lion, "a sensation, but as man of affairs
who has achieved distinction and won for
tune in vocation which more than any
other, excepting politics and the stage,
brings man who is successful into public
notice.
Mr.. Bronson Howard, the playwright
has conquered society, although he cares
but little for it. He is nomadic sort of
person, believing that he receives the best
inspirations for his work while upon the
wing. But when he is in New York he re-
ceives the courtesies which are the lot of an
able merchant or financier from another
country or city who is visiting New York.
Thomas Nelson Page was the companion
of men of affairs, being received with the
courtesy and distinction which would have
been accorded to him had he been success
Dudley Warner finds the doors of many
homes in New York within which the cui-
ture is delightful open to him, and he IL
received as n companion and an equal.
But perhaps the most distinguished social
honors have been those bestowed upon Hem
ry Irving since he has been in New York
playing an engagement at one of the thea
ters 1t is not possible to entertain Mr.
Irving at dinner excepting upon Sunday,
so that the courtesies extended to him have
either been in the form of breakfasts, be-
ginning at IL o'clock and frequently lasting
through the afternoon, or at suppers, usual
ly beginning at midnight and lasting fire.
quently until dawn comes. At these enter
tainments many of the ablest and some of
the most distinguished men of affairs in
New York have been found. Mr.. Irving is
recognized not only as very great actor,
but most feicitous writer and speaker,
and it is a delight to hear him respond to a
toast, for his speech is full of wit, humor,
and characterized by some of the personal
peculiarities which distinguish his acting
Mr.. Irving sat with a notable companya at
supper at the house of ex-Congressman
John S Wise, who few years ago removed
from Richmond to New York to practice
law. There were gathered about the board
three or four distinguished lawyers, two
capitalists worth together perhaps Sl0,O0O,-
600, the president of the Union League club
and score of influential men of affairs,
and Mr.. Irving was at his happiest on that
night Only two nights later he supped at
the Union League club with General Hor-
ace Porter, ex-Mayor William r. Grace,
General Thomas L. James, Frederick Tap
PAN chairman of the New York clearing
house committee, and it was said that the
aggregate wealth represented at that table
was not far from $50,000,0OO.
Only night or two after Mr. Irving was
entertained at the Lotos club sitting with
great company of men prominent in af-
fairs until dawn streaked the sky, and the
number of entertainments of that sort at
which he has been the guest il almost equal
to the number of days that he has been in
the city.
dozen years ago such distinction wouldz
have been impossible for man of letters,
the only one who was ever accorded such
social honors of American birth being Mr..
Irving, and Of foreign birth Charles DicR "
ems. The honors that await successful
writers are no longer merely fame and ne-
cuniary reward, but the association with
men who have done great things in the
world of affairs. Z. j. EDWARDS. &
An immense coal bank in Wyoming IL
called the burning mountain" 1t has
been on fire ever since the first white man
visited the country. q