The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-10-31
LITERARY LONDON.
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portanco OF Lomdon ~ great literary
and artistic center Of Epglish-speakipg
people has been steadily increasing.
Not only have Edinburgh and Dublin,
in the old world, lost that literary char
acter which once attached to their
names, but Boston, PhiAdelphia and
Richmond, in America, have IN like
manner failed to maintain the promi>e
Of earlier days. New York has for
some years past been the real literary
center Of the United States, but it is
now . little doubtful whether this dis
tinction can long be hers.
Hall century ago American au-
thors were content 70 abide In their
own country, and 70 ind inspiration
there. To-day it is to. England tha.
most Of the prominent literary work
era are turning for the recognition
which il denied them here, and while
Besant, Barrie, Blackmore, Du Maurier.
William Black, Anthony Hope, Conan
Doyle and other Englishmen are writ
ing for American periodicals, Henry
James, Bret Harte, Robert Barr, Henry
Harland, w. L. Alden and score OF
younger American authors have made
London their residence apd rankamongg
the most popular OF the Contributors to
English periodicals.
The reason for this state Of things is
obvious to all persons who are in touch
with the literary and artistic circles OF
both England and America In the
United States literary workers aud
artists have long felt the want of prop
er organization. The little coteries al
ready formed are too exclusive.
In England, literary men, artists and
journalists live in world Of their own.
When once q man has demonstrated
true literary ability, no matter what
his pecaniary or social position may be,
he meets all his fellow workers on .
common ground. An introduction from
q literary friend or some editor with
whom his manuscripts have found
favor will secure him an entree to some
literary at home" and from that time
on his social advancement il question
of either personal popularity or lit
erary success. Every week he meets
new faces and makes new friends. He
soon numbers among his acquaintances
some Of the best known exponents Of
contemporary literature, and it is not
long before he begins to experience
feeling Of comradeship with men who
have won high staneing.
One Of the moeE striking features of
London literary hfk1-its sterling de-
mocracy. There is no aristocracy in
the field Of London letters. The wealthy
author may have . secret preference
for the atmosphere Of the exclusive
Athenaeum club, but he never disdains
to mingle at times with the rank and
file At the ~New Vagabonds." or at tic
numerous "at homes, !" where the strug-
Cling literary tenants of bloomsbury,
Camberwell and Brixton attics drink
tea and talk shop" with young illus
traitors and embryo journalists.
The London literary eat home" has.
unfortunately, no equivalent in Ameri-
ca It IL usually held from four to
seven o'clock in the afternoon, or from
nine to twelve at night. Tho "at home"
of Lady Jeune and Douglass Sladen are
probably the best known in London.
and are deservedly popular with all
those who are fortunate enough to
have the entree. = ~<s * <,als; ss;;ssiisa,s34
Many of the younger literary men
whose success has enabled them to
change lodgings for chambers are to be
found domiciled in the picturesque old
inns of'court- Gray's, FurnivaPs, Lin
coin and others. Here each us.slly
sets aside some night in the week for
the entertainment of his friends. These
informal functions are as delightful as
they are numerous, and there 10 usually
no night in the week that writer who
h fairly well acquainted cannot, after
short stroll or bus ride; find himself
In = circle Of kindred spirits.
In London, artistA novelists and
journalists belong to the same clubs,
attend the same social functions and
patronize the same restaurants. The
English tayexn, or public house." ~ it
is now called, Is no longer the rendez-
vous for Englishmen Of letters that it
was in the preceding centuries, but
there are still places that may be re-
garded 40 the legitimate successors OF
1.-The Cheshire Cheese" and 1.-The Cock
which. though still in existence, have
lost muchof their former fascination for
idle writer's. In the Press club. just OF
Fleet treet,and in inseverafmodestdr drink
ing houses in the vicinity Of Covent
Garden and Soho, one may ind ct IL
most any hour in the day men Of more
or less celebrity who earn their bread
by means Of their pens.-N. 7. Sum.