New-York tribune., 1908-03-12

letters and hundreds Of congratulatory dis
patches. OF the two veterans Mr. Meredith
has the more phiosophic mind and exhibits in
old age more serenity of spirit. Long ago he
was convinced that his working time had passed
and he has been content with watching the
progress of literature and the growth of
regulations without making explosive comments
on the degeneracy of the age and the decline of
standards Of art Mr.. Meredith is easily drawn
INTO talk and sometimes becomes garrulous
when an enterprising reporter is in search of
copy for startling headlines on marriage and
social reforms; but he leads quiet life at Box
Hill and leaves his literary work to the mature
Judgment of the greatest among his rivals. Many
of then-Mrs. Humphry Ward among them
delight to call him the master Of English fiction;
ana his only rival for supreme distinction among
living noveists :n the Kingdom is Mr.. Hardy:
and the two men such close friends and
generous that neither would challenge the others
supremacy. Mr. Anthony Hope, who has headed
one Of the birthday delegations. has been strong
ly Influenced by Mr.. Merediths literary methods.
and Mr. Maurice Hewlett in THE STOPPING
Lady has taken color from them without los
ing his individuality of style. The veteran is
as vitality interested in Radical politics and
social questions as he was in the old days when
Mr.. John Morley and Mr. Frederick Greenwood
were his intimate friends. His only recreation
is daily drive in donkey chaise, and he lives
with Spartan simplicity and Ciceronian serenity.
1t is the ideal old age for high minded master
of letters
Sir James Knowles. who was A1r. MeredlthS
Junior by three years, had not been in infirm
health more than a few weeks, so that his death
Brighton has given sudden shock to a large
circle of friends. He a prominent figure in
the most thoughtful section Of London society
and his house in Queen Anne's Gate was famous
for delightful hospitality. In openness of mind
quality in Engiishman-he was
rivalled only by Mr.. Gladstone 1t made hirn
an ideal editor Of that most influential of re-
views 1.-THE Nineteenth Century for 1t enabled
him to look at every public question from op-
posite points of view. He had also the gitt or
attracting eminent men and of inducing them TO
write for him because they liked him and found
unpleasant put him off with refusal He
began by drawing together many of the keenest
intelIects into the Metaphysical Society, and
ended by making them contributors to his maga-
zine whenever he wanted their services. Genial
without being loquacious or dictatorial, he was
an ideal host for he tolerant OF critical or
hostile opinion, and enabled men of con-
ficting views TO differ smiaby among them
selves He had to be a patient listener. for
among his most intimate friends were Gladstone,
Huxley and Tennyson, who seldom relieved the
monotony Of disputatous talk with what Sydney
smith USe0 to describe as eloquent HdShNS VI
silence. Yet he had the habit of reserving juds-
ment until the ground had been cleared and
then of summing UP an argument with lucidity
Of mind and perfect temper.
During recent years this practical man of
business. who seemed to know intuitively what
the public wanted. lost the showmans interest
in good names; and il not strange when
he had known so many famous men and looked
upon them as intimate friends. London literary
l,,li tho had
entertained Tennyson. Gladstone, Huxley, Tyn-
DALI Froude Ruskin, Bagehot. Maurice Man
ming Martineau. aud scores cf other worthless;
and he must have had a sense of loneliness after
the disappearance of his greatest and most in
terestfng friends. Yet so electric was his own
vitality that he kept with his work almost
TO the last, and one of the most familiar
figures at art galleries, theatres and literary
gatherings. and always ready to talk about
his earliest professional Observation-Disclosures
Few men in England could have had more
varied files of correspondence than this success
ful editor: and it is to be hoped that arrange
nents have been made for biography under
the direction of competent literary executor
The London pageant makers have wisely de-
ferred their big show until next year 1t was
easy for them obtain impressive lists of titled
figureheads and social patrons, and sympathetic
press notices: but eighteen rather than SIX
months were required for systematic prepara-
fions for SO stupendous undertaking. The
committee speedily became convinced that
folk-play worthy of the greatness of the me
tropolis of the world could not be produced with
\ precipitate rush Possibly they were warned
I.v Mr. Stead's iocose offer to impersonate
Cromwell and by other fantastic nominations
for walking parts that there danger of turn
ing the erandiose project into ridiCule- Certain
" they were seriously embarrassed by the diff
Guilty of obtaining a proper site, since Regent
Park was closed against them and a section OF
HYDE Park or kensington Gardens could not
he reserved without prolonged negotiation and
strenuous agitation. Now that the fatuous at
ta,,,nt IN organize in the course Of d few months
truly representative and artistic pageant for
so 11nu1a ma geabIe d confederacy of cities as
,,e,rorolit3n London has been abandoned IT is
"a he hoped that the most experienced master of
,a,-aIa will he selected as the director of the en-
tarnrise This is Mr.. Louis N Parker, who has
a real genius for stage managing town shows
Unity Of direction is more important than
continuation of artistic talents. J. y +.
cR,TrEN1oN MISSION ASKS HELP.
Provisions and clothing for needy women are re-
ovested By the Florence Crittenton Mission.
scarcity Of work and reduction in wages have made
this winter especially difficult for women and rem
scrod then, peculiarly liable temptation. from
which it is this missions work 10 protect them
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