The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-05
AUTHORS As READERS.
DR.. Conan Doyle win Take the Platform
IN This Country.

INV ANNha MAANA 80 y AtNN wars NAW
the manuscript of romance written by an
author then unknown was offered "a sew
eral American publishers, both Of books
and periodicals. II was refused until, A. a
last chance, it was sent % che Editor 90
periodical. who accepted it gladly and was
reioicod TO find that his judgment Of it was
correct. for it proved 20 be one Of the popu-
lar stories of the year since that time the
then unknown author has gained a SPLEEN
did fame. a large income aud probably
more readers Ia che United States even than
I'm his own couutrv-Grcat Britain tie Is
DR. A. Conan Doyle. who gave up the prac-
tice Of medicine when be discovered that
his talents and his disposition enabled him
to do better or at least more profitable
work with the pen than with the ~calpel
DIR noyle's earnings I'm the past five or
six years have averaged more than $4,000
a year, aud handsome as such an income is 4
DE has recently made contracts which will I
probably bring him rs much IN two years
as be has gained from an his writings lie
has consented 90 come 20 America aud give
series of public readings In every oonsid-
cradle city boz the United States. his selec-
tions being made frum his own writings.
Some 90 The adventures of sherlock
Iolmes furnish admirable opportunities
for dramatic elocution. sud there are pas
sagcs in his historical romances which. il
read with skill. ought Go create as much i'm
terest ia am audience a. is possible without
the accessories uf the stage such as COS
tuning and scenery
Exactly what Dr.. DOYLE is Go receive for
these readings is 81 course known only 60
himself and the agent with whom be has
made his contract, hut hc was guaranteed
large sum of money and besides that a
share iu the net receipts lfnr Doyle main
taiu- upon the platform the popularity
which he gained through his writings, he
ousht tn take back 20 England consider
able sum OF money.
some disposition 20 criticise DR. Doyle
for thus becoming what the ultra critics
call public Snowman has been made man
ill-t. and b, is exactly the note of complaint
Which was heard when Dickens decided to
appear upon ,he platform The feeling
which occasiouel such criticism has been
recognized by Rudyarl Kipling. who was
also urged Co give q series Of public read
ing. and was promised guarantee which d.
would have made him "a comparatively :
wealthy man. But Mr. kiplng declined
such proposition for two reasons One a,
was based upon his fear that his creative {,
work would Doe somewhat impaired or 40 %
least bis creative ability be stuuted IL be b.
consented 20 make public appearance and Cd
elocutiun In connection with bis own writ u
ings. bl
Then another reason led him 10 refuse. c.
that being a sentimental one. lie is re- 81
ported 20 have said THAT the instant great 81
literary worker becomes "a Snowman he
cheapens his art and cheapens himself
Therefore he threw away the chance Of
making in theme three or four years more
than 100000 There are high critics who l.
praise him for this determination, but to
most persons 10 seems like an eFceutricity 4
born of a supersensitive and unreasonable Al
apprehension. A
This whole matter was gone over az the ~
time that Dickens proposed TO his friends n
20 read In public and for price from bis y
own works. The truest friend that Dick
ems had argued long and earnestly with
him in opposition, but Dickens said that
he could not see why il was any more igno- =
bic to read his works in public than TO dis IN
tribute them TO the public when the object l.
in each case was primarily the earning OF
an income. lie admitted that if pa ic 4
readings tended TO impair his creative abil-
tiles then there might be reasonable obiec- a
ton 10 his doing il.
Dickens never regretted his decision in e.
this matter. OF course. when the enormous ne
earnings which his readings brought him. Iie
amounting in all 70 more than S20O.000. are "A
considered, 10 appears that the public
justified it even If the critics did not. and
10 is certain that his creative capacity had a
already begun 90 fail before be appeared oz
upon the platform The great fortune
which he gained by these public readings ,a,
relieved the closing years of his life Of an 81
apprehension which had become almost 30
n mouomania with him-the fear that be ~
UrIII IanNt4 his oh
means 90 make them independent Ian
Dickens success as a public rraderdid not
inspire Inackeray with the same purpose q
as has been so often asserted, because dlt
hackeray really appeared on the platform
10 years before Dickens did Thackerav i
would never have commanded the interest
Which Dickens did as a reader. because he d
lad none Of that intense dramatic power
nd charm which characterized Dickens =.
nd made it apparent that be would have
een ole OF the greatest comedians upon The y
.nglish stage had he followed his first pur-
ose and become au actor Thackeray
'rote Two series of lectures. lie did u pure =
. as money making venture. and Vet 80
nr wa. tle lime Of discrimination that the
cry critics Who condemned Dickens for
uhl~ reading applauded Thackeray for
ub.c occurring
These lectures rather than bis books
lnde ihaceeray independent After be
ad returned from bis second American
Zip Dee hYneef 3D. iIue house. and be said 10
anthony IroI.pe. For the first time iu
ly ltt ANA independent / own my house
ud have permanent income Of Al, 30 a
ear and t4at wil take care ct my girl
.hateNtr happens to m-
There ha- aetI u1cludemuationo Of Ameri-
1n auth lhr Marx Twain or Thomas
F.. |aH.rr D.