New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-11
SOME PLEASANT GOSSIP.
Notes Of Genial Literary Life.
1AI5ks N A LIBRARY WITH LAURENCE
SaoIIOS- Recorded by Isabel Moore. Crown
oFo. PIP 4SS q. p. Putnaru's Sons


These "reminiscences of NJ. Hutton's happy
NE OF friendship and work were well worth
recording He was to a notable number of the
authors, actors and artists Of his time a much
loved coInrade and intimate, and he talks of
them with affectionate fervor. With instructive
taste he shows them at their best. His anec-
dotes are picturesque, his descriptions vivid,
and his "reminiscences of his own career cal
culated to be extremely interesting to the mem
bers of his guild
Ihere Is much that is winning in his COM
nents on famous actors and on the kindness
Characteristic of them. The pages devoted to
Edwin Booth reveal a rarely gentle and gem
erous nature, and the picture of Lawrence Bar
rett is almost attractive. The stories he tells
Of them are matched by another concerning
an actor who still dignifes the stage: 81 have
known Irving TO devote the whole of a very
busy day IN New-York, neglecting rehearsals
ana social engagements. TO find for an English
painter OF his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES but unfort-
unate-some proper and comfortable studio and
home, where he would be able to do better work
in more cheerful and appropriate surroundings
After taking the apartment, paying out of his
own pocket three months rent in advance, he
saw that the man of the brush was carefully in
stalled in his new quarters. and then rushed
away before any thanks could be uttered OF
actors in general well behaved folk, good to
their families, Mr.. Hutton gives various Illus
trative anecdotes: and he recalls the pathetic
last hours OF Billy Florence. who lay with fold
ed hands, praying for his absent wife, 20 God,
keep me until she can Conner
Some Of the recollections Of authors presented
here ara slight indeed: some of the authors
themselves have found under perspective their
real uniInpoz tance There was a day, for ex
ample when William Black much talked
OF. and another when George du Maurier doomed
Urge the literary roll. II these days have
departed those two-and other-fgures must be
reckoned with in the literary history Of the last
quarter century and Mr.. Hutton's little stories
and pleasant glimpses will doubt. be cher
ished with gratitude. In this volume. by the
way, is preserved the passage in ''Trilby" which
Whistler denounced q libel on him and which
was consequently suppressed by the publishers
We do not find many references here to the
older ew-England authors Of the period. but
such as there are we welcome There is an
agreeable note on LongfeIlow, of whom Hut
ton says that everybody loved the man, even if
they did not admire the poet:
remember once riding from BOSTON Cam
door It was comfortably filled after ii left Har
80 oqL<lIe, WIN men Who "eIe ms nelsII9ts OF
to some point further along every man rose and
ostentatiousy done, matter Of course; and.
matter of course but very sweetly and very
kindly. he accepted it He refused the seats which
offered him by seniors Of the party.
but he took that OF a small boy who with the
little chap-who accepted il as matter of course.
too-beIween his knees he talked 10 until his
destination reached This a spontaneous
tribute to worth and genius and 10 gray hairs.
which could have occurred in other land under
the sun, and perhaps to no other in the world
at that time
In a spirit of reverence like that which moved
these Cambridge men Mr.. Hutton made the
journeys abroad which resulted in his engaging
volumes of Literary Landmarks and many
Of his experiences are set down here. A curious
episode his search for the grave of Charles
Lamb at EdmOnton-a search which revealed a
sad insensibity in Lambs countrymen. No
body knew anything about Lamb. Neither sex
ton nor gravedfgger had ever heard of him. and
there appeared 10 be no resource except to ap-
peal 10 the rector.
AS he left the vestry door after service leaning
on the arm OF a pretty young woman. approached
tim. raised hat and asked politely if he could
tell where Charles and Mary Lamb were rest
ing. Really, he could not say And l. forgetting
the day. the place and his sacred office cursed
that rector for his criminal ignorance. Great
heavenst" l said. You ought TO be ashamed of
yourself In your have been placed the ashes
of OF the foremost in the whole history o
English letters And you don't know where they
arei They have made your churchyard
parish distinguished all the world over / have
three thousand miles visit Charles Lambs
grave, and you. the rector of the church. don't
where Il is You ought be heartily ashamed
OF youTSelff'' And ! turned upon heel and
him standing there speechless and COMPOUNDED.
Never before. perhaps, since the DAYS Of Crom-
well English priest so spoken to at the porch