New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-25
THE NEW CRUSOE.
WITH SIDE LIGHTS UPON THE FtiIlSh
ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW METH
DDS OF THE LONDON PUB
LISTING TRADE
London, September II.

a
romance NJ Louis de Rougemont read a paper
last week before the Anthropology Section and
=, Monday a second one before the Geography
Section and in each instance there was extended
discussion AS ne is the author Of South Sea
,orance Of adventure which has been widely
advertised as new Robinson Crusoe, and
the op.ning chapters Of which have been
sharpv criticised by experts familiar with the
u,ilds of Australia this scientific body has al
lowed itself 70 be used an instrument Tor
nromoting public interest in a remarkable mar
-atiye which wall be a conspicuous feature OF a
popular English magazine for year. The en-
Hstment of the British Association in this ser
vice is a triumph Of organization and enterprise
on the part of Sir George Newnes's literary
managers who are working what may be de-
scrbed as a new Australian gold mine
II must be conceded that whatever may have
been NJ. Louis De ROugemonts vicissitudes DUR
ing his twenty eight years Of exile among the
black tribes of Australia. he has been Sipgularly
fortunate in his choice of advisers since his
arrival in England. Working his passage from
New Zealand as a deckhand on cargo steamer.
he came to London few months ago. poor and
friendless and with only an imperfect knoWi-
edge Of English If he had had faint idea Of
the value of the astonishing story which ne
could relate he would probably have been Slad
TO give an outline Of il for a fye-pound note in
the nearest newspaper office AS ii Was. ne
called at the Carlton Club upon Mr.. Henniker
Heaton NJ. p. whose wife had been born IN
New South Wales. and after he had narrated
some Of his experiences received an introduc-
ton to MI W G. Fitzgerald Editor Of The
Wide World Magazine" From that moment
his fortune Vas made. Sir George Newnes at
lilo If NJ, n
was placed at his disposal Rumor has it that
no secured control Of it for the English market
BY the payment Of IL 900 That may Or may not
be true. but arrangements We're speedily made
for disnosing II the serial and book rights in
America. France. Germany and other countries.
The adventurers "reminiscences We're raw ma
terial which could only De developed with The
Aid If expert literary worGmen. Nh FitZg raid
was placed in charge If the Robinson Crusoe
bureau. and Sir George Newnes began to ad-
yeriise the new industry with characteristic
energy Happy Crusoe 20 have fallen INTO me
arms IF one Of the most powerful puoliShhg
syndicates Of the modern world.
ITS ACCURACY CHALLENGED.
When the early instruments Of this romance
sppeared The Daily Chronicle with us N"'"
scent for any controversy which interests '"e
npblc published an article over the slshd'u'e
~Australian" conceding a substratum Oh iao'
in the story, but challenging It's accurac! III
minor details The author IF this article "aa'
beIieve NJ George Louis Becke. an Australian
Journalist now living in England Tie was porn
!, Neo South Wales and for twenty 'hFee
wears was q supercargo and trader among the
South sea Islands. He has written seven VI
e,ob, tales Of adventure and knows Australia
as few other men 30. His structures upon 'he
onaning numbers Of the new CrusOe were rehch-
ant and authoritative. but NJ De RouSemohl
no. No louqer friendless In London. He had
Mr. EYtzp.raJd and the literary bureau behind
him He had resources for replying 20 cri'ic'siH'
and explaining the shark. turtle octopus JIM
erang pearl and other reInarkapie ep'9'40''
In this way controversy OF great P'a0'''a'
utility for advertising the work couid De man"
tanned The Franco Swiss adventurer VINO was
q castaway at sixteen and naked SAVAGE
among cannibals for nearly generation was
at las, safe in port with a literary stan around
him 10 advise and support him.
The appearance Of Crusoe among the scieh'''i0
host was timely. in view Of the structures upo"
the scientific accuracy Of his superficial re-
searches in natural history and antnropoIosy'
1t was stroke Of genius on the part Oh tHe
managers Of the literary bureau IL dighlleu
the author II d popular romance OF hiSh-seiIlhs
quality and il enlarged the Aeid Of controversy
BY commanding the attention or the learned anu
educated classes. The British Association "a'
welcomed his papers as the most popular Icdt-
ure 0f a 1Cll and sOmnOlcnt session. ana hdS
honored him with a respectful hearing 1t must
b. conceded hat he made excellent impress
sion al both section meetings. He enlightened