Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-24

'Trilby,' pleaded. "Was she an origina
character, and were any Of the incidents O
the story connected with your own expert
| ence?"
'Trilby' was lie," replied the author
with SMILE "and SO was Peter Ibbetson
'Trilby herself had no original prototype
You see, like to take people who are seve
or eight feet high, as it were, people wit
| something supernatural about them, and the
| weave those characteristics into story o
| course, all fictitious characters are more O
| less suggested by people whom you have met
| The Laird, however, was an original, an in
innate friend of mine, a Scotchman. Yo,
are liable to see him drop in at any momen
while you are sitting here. Little Billie,
| also. while not referring to any one person
| Is compound of several whom have known
When l was very young man l entered
| Gleyres studio In Paris to study drawing anC
| painting, and it is Gleyre's studio that hav,
described in 'Trilby.'
Eyes, was born in Paris" said the artist
ut was in a little house in the Champ.
Elysees and bore the number so. My father
sold the house and 1t has long since beer
pulled down. Had he kept the property II
would have made him wealthy man.
Won't you please tell me about your
Maurier?" 1 asked WAS Thackeray still
on its staff when you Joined the paper?'
NO" was the reply, my first contribution
to Punch was in June 1860. and Thackeray
was not connected with it after 1854 1t
has been stated that he left the periodical
ILL.,, whose anger he thought it impolitic
to arouse. But imagine, rather, that it was
because he had become such literary
giant. In fact, his work then commanded
such high price that there would be no
object in his remaining with the paper.
Did you know Thackeray?" inquired.
II never met him personally" said the
artist, but have often wished that had.
feel sure that / should have known him
well. l have the greatest admiration for his
books, and think must have read them
all at least ten times. Indeed 1t has been
said OF my writing that 1t is somewhat imita-
tive OF the great master. think 1t not un-
likely that we have looked at some phases
OF lie win the same eyes, for we both lived
much in Paris during our early years. and
then have all my life SO eagerly devoured
his works. l saw him once, however, at a
reception given by Mrs. Sartors. Mrs. Sar-
torls. VINO was Adelaide Kemble. knew my
for the great novelist, and kindly
onered to present me to him. But was
very shy, and he lowered so, both in stature
and intellect, above the company, that l
neglected the opportunity. But all that
evening l remained as close to him as possi-
BILE intently listening to his words
Neither did ever meet Charles Dick
ans," continued my informant, although I
saw him twice. The first time was at a
heater, the second at John Leech's funeral
ook the same house in Devonshre Terrace
where Dickens afterward lived, and where
,e wrote David Copperfeld.' am happy
q say however, that number some Of the
members OF his family among my good
riends.
"Leech, whom first mentioned, was, of |
curse, one of my intimates; my master, ! |
nay say, for to some extent my work was |
modelled upon his. He was a kind, amable |
nd genial man. He died In November 1864,
nd was buried at Kensa Green, the funeral |
ervice being read by Dean Hole. who had
een Leech's companion on that Little Tour
n Ireland which they have jointly recorded
With pen and pencil. ! shall never forget
he scene at his funeral When the first sod
ell with sounding thud on his coffin, Mil
ais, who was standing on the edge of the
rave, burst out sobblng. II was as sig
al, for the moment after each man In that
reat coneourse OF mourners was sobbing
ke child. 1t was memorable sight"
II remember, Mr.. Du Maurler that when
liver Wendell Holmes was last In England
o was very desrous OF meeting you. What
as your impression Of the genial Autocrat?"
Il had the pleasure OF meeting DR..
olmes at dinner three times In one
eek" said the artist. ''The first
,casion was at club where Or. Holmes
poke. I had not then been presented to
i'm, but he Was kind enough to look down