New-York tribune., 1908-05-27
The 4d0entures Of "Dick Donouan,
Writer and Wanderer.

Mitchell kennerley.
It would not be rash to infer that a man who
had produced over half a hundred novels OF
mystery and adventure-even under cover of a
pseudonyrne- have in him, somewhere a
good dash of the daredevil At least such an
inference is beautifully borne out in the case of
J E. Preston Muddock. alias Dick Donovan"
Mr. Nuddock is author even In his own
name: he has done historical novels, guide
books. newspaper correspondence and editorial
work; but 1T is only within these latter years
that he has Acknowledged his still more pro-
li7c alter coo, record breaker believe. even
among detective writer's Mr.. Muddock tells U.s.
II is true. that he has never. personally, been in
full sympathy with his Donovan work" Else
where he says: When l began these stories
had no intention Of continuing them beyond a
certain number which 1 had determined before
hand, but their success was beyond anything
that had been anticipated The first series
was issued in volume under the title
The Man Hunter. and from that moment my fate
was sealed. I could not turn back: was lured
by the checQue-book- 1 freely confess my
weakness. and hope TO be forgiven"
There is contrition for you. certainly. And
Vet despite ALL could suspect the notorious
Dick Of being favorite son. Would the check
book alone have enabled TO produce fifty
Two ''thrillers,'' which, whatever their literary
shortcomings have been invariably pounced
upon by an enormous and Unsuitable public;
oepted the bona f5de productions of pro-
fessional detective? His works written
from experience, sir asserted casual railway
acquaintance 10 Mr. Muddock. And besides.
happen TO know for fact that Dick Donovan
was for years in the secret service OF the Rus
sian government 1t was vain for Mr.. Mud
dock 70 urge his modest opinion that Donovan
was a mere story teller"-why. sir, the idea was
simply preposterous. Did not his companion
know the authentic history OF Dick Donovan?
Was not Donovan a. personal friend of a per
sonal friend Of his?
No we are afraid that the check book serves
Nr Muddock only a convenient scapegoat.
His case was hopeless from the start. He could
no more help perpetrsting the Dick Donovan
series than he could help turning his own career,
from first 10 last. into one unf1agging and mag
r7ifcent adventure It's his way Of taking
things Indeed. in turning the pages Of this in
formal. rambling. candid and picturesque auto
biography. one cannot fail to detect here and
there. pleasant yet unn1istaka bic tincturing Of
the romancers practiced pen-but let that pass!
Let any others who have been boy adventurers,
cruising among the Cannbal Islands, claim
T5lenary Indulgence for whatever stories they
may bring home. Says the author:
Soon afterva-d left Shanghai and went down
IN 4 Beche-de-rner, fishing schooner, TO New
Guinea We sailed about between there and the
sroTJn etc for many months, enjoyed delight
ful time. and had . little excitement occasi2nay:
hand and the reefs and rocks on The 9th other
nv life / had the honor Of being specially enter
1eined by royalty Ny esteemed host vas a can
seemed undecided whether ! should form the
se 6e5 oh nf ceebTa1nF his success in WiPing out
reighboring tribe. be his guest and dine with
arf. p5ii hoxeTe2 u Of Brand new shefied jack
knife. which he took fancy 10. so touched his
hear
zowed that I was his friend for evermore
That evening was publicly entertained at dinner
in the town hall or corrohorie house, to give II
rs .2SaI 5eco~steS with The skulls Of mine
hosts dead enemies. sorry cannot repro
f4s asfe f Te Chief dish vas sfeNed snake served
@ - Iies HFif6 cng often recall the flavor
sfudder.
This is but a sample from the life and ad-
ventures Of that incorrigibie youngster. Al
ready he had been TO India; had been in the
employ Of the East India Company at Cossipore
at the time Of the terrible Mutiny. Upon the
dissolution OF the famous company he had re
turned to England. but only TO take passage al
most Immediately for Australia, as private sec
retary 70 a government agent. Thence he had
gone out 10 the gold diggngs, and when his
taste for that had paIled little he had
bumped his swag" and gone forth with a GER
tain Jim" 10 live the glorious life Of freedom
re share-aI and Neutrality-suspicious. eAISOeOe
which men lead in the wilderness But the time
came at last vyher We had TO part" Just why is
not clearly explained, except that, about that
time Young Nuddock felt like going to China.
and the chance TO go presented itself. SO he
visited Shanghai and Annoy on a trading ship;
and then-ho for the Cannibal Isles! Such
record Of hairbreadth escapes, Of shipwrecks
srnbushes, Observation-Disclosures Of every sort |
tv land and sea- il is the lot Of few 10 record |
And Yet the edge of his appetite was never once |
blunted. |
During all his life he seems TO have had a |
horror Of settling down An incident scarcely |
sfteen years back Of his Journalistic career. is |
characteristic he had renewed three-year |
cc-tract with the proprietors Of two Dundee |
journals His work had been erainently sue |
oessful. remunerative and quite 10 his taste
81 At the end Of he fourth year Eas EeaTy
f.-re5 IN nv veins once more and it led 10 a |
.it-le friction between me and Messrs: hornSon.
h-. vas entirely blame informed tkern mat
p-as going TO make tour through Canada They |
ve-y properly objected, but, the more they o9-
!ected The more ] insisted. ard with the head.
ttrorg determination which, on more than one |
occasion an afraid. has caused me 70 run my /
head agatns: q brick wall. went 10 Cdflaoa-
4 nature Of this sort exasperating may be |
Is vagaries at certain moments. is sure TO win /
nary friends There is something Irresistible |
3bout such zest and impetuosity and good /
spirits Nuddock has known many Of the lead
ng spirits in what he likes TO call the intel /
lectual Bohemia" Of the last half century. The /
Savage Club Is his hearts home. Most gently |
and afectionately he recalls notable Savages of
En earlier day-Thorlas Hood. the poets son;
Henry I. Byron, the dramatist' Henri Van
taun the critic: John L. Toole. the actor:
e1sr