Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-06
SOUGHT AND HoNoRED.
me Attention That Wealth II Beginnins
to Pay Talent.
Especial Cc-respondence.]


York sort OF informal association OF an-
thors and playwrights, which half facetions-
" and half seriously is called New forks
Forty. in imitation of the Forty Immortais
of the French academy. Although there are
more than 40 persons who have won more
or less distinction in New York and through
ont the country as writers, nevertheless
this association contains some OF the most
distinguished of American writers whose
babi,ation is in New York city and vicinity:
few weeks ago these men with some Oh
their friends entertained Mark Twain at
dinner. and quite recently they similarly
honored Mr.. Brander Matthews, who' pe-
sides being novelist, playwright ana mag
azinc editor, is also professor IN ColuhoM
college.
These dinners and the attendance OF men
of affairs at them indicate the change IL,
the relations between men OF letters anu
men of business which has been very rap
idly taking place in recent years, ana ihoi
cate the firm hold which literature, not
only rs an art, but Il profession, IS securing
in this country. Not more than ten or a
dozen years ago business men OF New Aorh
and in many other parts of the country eA-
cepting Boston, regarded wrlser Ne'y
much as they looked upon an actor-as "a
person who had no substantial means OF
support, whose prosperity was due TO pub
lie within and whose business was not
tangible one.
Now the greater writers arc sought ana
honorcd by the greater men OF affairs, hoa
only because they are writers, but because
business men have learned that the proxies
sion of letters is quite as much OF nusi-
ness undertaking as is that of law, medi-
cine or engineering. Mr.. Howells since he
has lived in New York has chosen to re-
main much of the time in retirement, but
he would be welcomed as guest at any
house in New Yorl; city where culture anG
refinement prevail and would be received
as u lion in other places where the display
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 hali OF
them he would be obliged to be present nj
two or three dinners every evening IN the
week. Nor is he invited as curiosity,
lion, IL sensation, but as man OF AFFAIRS
who has achieved distinction and won Tor
tune in n vocation which more than any
other, excepting politics and the stage,
brings a man who is successful into pubic
notice
Mr.. Bronson Howard. the playwright
has conquered society, although he cares
but little for it. He is Il 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 tinancier 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
full banker or railway president, and Charles
Dudley Warner finds the doors of many
homes in New York within which the cul'
ture is delightful open to him, and he Is
received as II companion and an equal.
But perhaps the most distinguished social
honors have been those bestowed upon Hen
nv Irving since he has been in New York
playing an engagement at one OF the thea
tiers 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
" beginning at midnight and lasting fire.
ouently until dawn comes At these enter
tainments many of the ablest and some o!
the most distinguished men of affairs in
New York have been found. Mr.. Irving is
recognized not only as II very great actor,
but a mos. felicitous writer and speaker,
- &c i, H. oil to m