The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-25
THE AUTHORS MIND REVBALED.
Condolences Tint May Not Always he Pleas
ing to the Readers.

Condolences That May Not Always he Pleas
ing to the Readers.
Sometimes the revelations OF the literary
character do not deepen the interest OF readers
in the works OF writer's about whom they have
learned more than their books contain But
for that reason few persons would be willing to
forego knowledge Of the personality OF the
we-known figures with whose names and
works they are familiar. Gossip about lit
erary folk 30 much interests the public
that one publisher Is said to have ac-
cepted no stories from wel-known authors
unless they were accompanied by some bio
graphical or personal sketch. which was
printed to whet the appetite OF the reader
for the work OF person whom he had almost
come to know. or at least saw in his minds
eye rs something more vivid than name.
Authors OF repute could afford TO ignore this
condition. How many did is not known.
The public interest in the lives and PERSONAL
tiles Of writer's has at all events been gratilied
during recent years with ample details con-
corning them. Some OF this came after death.
In England there has evidently been the
same curiosity on this subject and reve
lations have been as frequent. The effect
OF this on the public can certainly not
be unauainedly advantageous. The value
of publicity in the eases Of other persons
ia public life has com" to lie questioned by
many. The former belief used to he that for
singer. an actor. lecturer or any man or
woman who came before the public for sup
port publicity Of any reasonable character
was to be constantly sought. Experience OF
score OF years has led to a doubt of the value
OF this general advertising. Up to certain
point its necessity isgenerally admitted. After
eeherai recognition nus oee" ka'heu !"
looked upon as a question OF the kind Of pub
ioit tl,art han nj ~ 10 har
81. 5,.n.t;o ~ ~, n..tIo,,,or anor, oomaointo
the dlscretion Oh the particular agent comes INTO
play. The old-timc faith In unlimited and wide
spread advertisement may have been shaken
nv ths t,ct ,hnt savnrai nersons Who hava
ny inc TACT t'hV several persons WHO h"Fe
been most generously dvulCcd to the world
apocryphally and historically have proiltcd
- ,i..i - - ,i -. -, -.
very niue Dy IL AFTER corta'h NUMBER OF years
Certain individual achievements may benefit
IT, nu. inc genera, aupahInee IS ,.a a
| some cases an excessive pnohc kho"ieuee mas
| been known TO produce reaction from. which
may not have treated c"Nte!npt, but il beeets
feeling which. for commercial purposes. Is as
on the kind rather than the extent Of publicity
after certain, standing has been gained.
yma2 he .eE whch
| come to be recognized so far us literary reli-
of per1;%ns ~, i s9m",mes 4ccidenss
American novelist's latest book because had
| heard that he was u confirmed dyspeptir and
|
| learned that interesting personal detail from
the confession of another eminent author who
perb plate enjoyed the delicious cooking OF, a
| chef. appreciated the trained service Of the
| butler and the two footmen who served the
| luncheon and did not tail TO see that his host
had eaten nothing during tn" meal but his thin
Cruel. ! do not admire his works any more
| from a knowledge OF this physical popularity.
| In fact. | have almost begun to detect the In
| huences of indigestion in his philosophy. Nor
| have taken any more enjoyment in the work
Of another famous man who crossed on an
| English steamer some months ago. He read one
| OF his stories at an entertainment given on the
steamer for the orrhanage fund lust as some
Of the other literary passengers on board hap
pened to do. But It was not true Of them that
| they declined to fee their stewards on the
| ground that they had done their duty by an
pearing at the regular concert. But this was
what the well-known author did.
"One of tho men who made that incident
known was an author who had read or made
an address or done something else at the same
concert. He did not refuse to give his steward
! the customary ice on the ground that he had
done as much as was necessary for the men
but he did not mind letting 1t be known that
the other author had. Equally dsilusion Zing
from a certain point OF view was the story told