The San Francisco call., 1904-07-24
London Literary Meas.
Special Correspondence.


70 the striking interview with George
Meredith, which has just appeared in
the London Chronicle. During many
years OF invaHdism the mind Of the
greatest living writer Of English has
maintained its brilliancy and its
possessor kept closely in touch with
current events, but it was feared by
his admirers that Mr.. Aeredith's re-
cent serious illness might have proved
too much for even his amazing mental
vitality. The recluse Of Box Hill is
now 76 No one, however, needs to do
more than read this interview with
George Meredith to be assured that all
is well with the mind that produced
Richard Feveral" Evidently. how
ever. the master" as he is called
reverenly here, viii write no more, as
he says that since this last illness he
has felt "a peculiar disinclination for
work OF all kinds" and adds that the
thought Of taking UP q pen is quite
abhOrrent." But Mr.. Meredith says
that though his mind now seems as
If Ii could not give out any more" he
is as receptive as ever. And there is
no doubt about that. He must read his
morning paper with avidity. for we
. find him perfectly informed upon every
topic which the world, and particularly
this country, is discussing to-day. The
war in the East, the subject Of women s
rights, the political situation in Eng
land, the question about conscription,
the tendency OF modern journalism
with all Of these topics he is absolutely
familiar, and he is equally incisive in
dealing with each one Of them. But
probably it is what Mr.. Meredith had
10 say regarding literary matters that
wiz be read with most interest in the
United States.
In modern book reviewing he finds
what he terms an almost excessive
urbanity Of treatment 1T seems as
If critics were afraid to blame any
thing" he says. This is particularly
evident in reviews Of poetry which have
been frequent Of late. Our Laureate
is wrong in supposing people will not
read poetry now. It seems that they
were never so anxious TO read it. They
are continually on the lookout for 1t,
and they appear TO be receiving a fair
quantity, which is nearly always
praised.
Critics used to lay about them with
a viii To be sure 1t was rather a
broadsword and bludgeon style. But
now, ] think, criticism is becoming al
most too urbane. 1t is true the general
level Of literature has immensely i'm
proved. In my youth we had q few
great names-Dickens, Thackeray and
George Eliot. I think you have moth
ing to compare with them now in the
front rank. But in the rank close be-
hind the front your attainment is GER
tainly much higher than anything we
then possessed"
Much Of what Mr.. Meredith says will
be resented IN this country. For in
stance, his declaration that fear of
death is the real cause OF the English
objection to conscription. Men come
10 me-" he says, and say their trade
would suffer or they could not spare
TWO years OF their apprenticeship. Their
real meaning is thet they are afraid
OF being called out and getting shot
at So they pay others to do the killing
and dying for Them
Meredith's own creed with regard to
the fear Of death is characteristic mo
one" he says. should consider death
OF think Of IL as worse than going
from one room into another. Every
night when go to bed know 1 may
not rise from It. That is nothing to
me. / hope I shall die with a good
laugh. Ike the old French woman. The
cure came wailing to her about her
1-r1 ~
told him her best improper story and
died The God Of Nature and human
nature does not dislike humor. YOU
may be sure, and would rather hear it
in extremity than the formless official
drOne. Let US believe in hearty God
one 10 love more than to fear"
In referring TO America, Mr.. Mere
dith calls her the shrewdest leader Of
men," and adds, the Americans have
lowered the world with priceless IN
ventions, promise Of the great things
TO be expected Of them. And they are
humane, q large-hearted people; but
they are very young people stiIl and.
hitherto, perhaps the country has been
rather too large for them"
George Meredith's now almost co,.
slant companion is Edward Clodd. who
like Mr. Stedman and Kenneth era.
hame, is both banker and author hts
works being chiefly on philosophical
questions
hrs. Sidney Webb's declaration a,
the Women Writer'S dinner that sbe
cared little for novels and "positivejv
hated" poetry affords striking evidencs
Of the mental Ifyatts fsor,S ,f =.
tioDally gifted woman. Before he,
marriage she was well known as Miss
Beatrice Potter and enjoyed the dis.
tinction OF being one of the few women
whom Herbert Spencer as he relates
IL his autobiography, greatly esteemed
on account OF her intellectual attain
n1ents. The great philosopher regarded
her as one Of BIS chosen disciples and
It was a source Of appointment to
him when she became an ardent social