San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-10-27
LITERARY LONDON.
A Strong Attraction for Americans
Who Write.
No Aristocrscy In the Field of Letters
In the English Capital - Ster-
ling Democracy Is
tho Rule.

During the last half-century the inn
portance of London as a great literary
and artistic center of English-speaking
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, Philadelphia and
Richmond, in America, have in like
manner failed to maintain the promise
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.
Half century ago American au-
thors were content to abide in their
own country, and to find inspiration
there. To-day it is to England that
most Of the prominent literary work
ers are turning for the recognition
which is denied them here, and while
Besant, Barrie, Blaclxmore, 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 and rank among
the most popular of the contributors 20
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 and
artists have long felt the want of prop
er organization. The little lotteries al
ready formed are too exclusive.
In England, literary men, artists and
journalists live in world of their own.
When once a man has demonstrated
true literary ability, no matter what
his pecuniary or social position may be,
he meets all his fellow workers on a
common ground. An introduction from
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 is question
of either personal popularity or lit
erary success. Every week he meets
new faces and makes new friends. He
soon numbers among his acquaintance
some of the best known opponents of
contemporary literature, apd it is not
long before he begins to experience
feeling of comradeship with men who
have won high standing.
One of the most striking features of
London literary life is its sterling de-
mocracy. There is no aristocracy in
the field of London letters. The wealthy
author may have a 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 the
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 "at home" has,
unfortunately, no equivalent In Ameri-
ca. 1t Is usually held from four to
seven o'clock in the afternoon, or from
nine to twelve at night. The cat 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.
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, Furnival's, Lin
coin and others. Here each usually
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 is usually
no night in the week that writer who
is fairly well acquainted cannot, after
a short stroll or bus ride, find himself
in q circle of kindred spirits.
In London, artists, novelists and
| journalists belong to the same clubs,
attend the same social functions and
patronize the same restaurants. The
English tavern, or public house." as it
is now called, is no longer the rendez-
vous for EDglishmen of letters that it
was in the preceding centuries, but
there are still places that may be re-
garded as the legitimate successors of
1.-THE Cheshire Cheese" and 1.-THE Cock"
which. though still in existence, have
lost muchof their former ascinationf for
idle writer's. In the Press club, just off
Fleet street, and inseyeral modestdrink-
ing houses in the vicinity of Covent
Garden and Soho, one may find at al
most any hour in the day men of more
or less celebrity who earn their bread
by means of their pens.-N. Y. Sun.