The San Francisco call., 1909-04-11
LIFE IN INDIA
WITH NOVELIST
F. Marion Crawford's Career
AS Editor in Bombay IS
Described by an
Associate
By JOHN HAMILTON dILMoUR


Shortly after his arrival, there was
started In Allahabad, the capital of the
Northwest provinces, the Daily Herald
by wealthy native who, too, had
grievance. Crawford was recommend
ed for the editorship, and every gov
ernment servant who had a. real or
fancied grievance poured out the walls
of his wrath in the Herald's columns.
1 was in Allahabad when some one
said:
paper? He is an American, handsome
as the deuce. a great favorite with the
ladies. and clever no end. But he can't
ride, and every gateway sheds bricks
when he approaches them in his tum
tum'' (vernacular for a dogcart).
Crawford was all that was de-
scribed He was then In his early
thirties, and one of us promptly chris
tened him "Antinous" for his great
personal beauty. His head was covered
his eyes were clear blue, and his COM
plexion, unspoiled by sun or evil liv-
ing, would have made even a Lily
Langtry envious.
We were soon fast friends, and I
tried vainly to get him to go out In
the districts and see Anglo-Indian life
properly, and not as it is in the larger
stations.
Being transferred to Allahabad,
Crawford and the scion of a noble
Irish family. who was the future Kill
dare in Mr.. Isaacs," and I lived to-
gether in Allahabad. and his particu-
lar delight was to shock the sensibili-
ties of the station. He was a welcome
guest at every house, and particularly
at that of a we'll known banker a
explorer.
At that time the now famous Roman
Catholic cathedral was being built un-
der superintendent of italian work
men. The gentle Father Francis.
whose name is spoken with veneration
all over India, had raised the funds for
its construction. He was an italian,
and at that time Crawford was a
Protestant. Mrs. Wollaston, who was.
half Italian, brought Crawford and
Father Francis together and their COM
panionship led Crawford to Rome. The
Italian workmen were singular in their
habits. They inhabited a tent on the
church grounds and did their own
work, which for a white man to do in
India is unspeakable.
Come and dine with me and some
friends this evening" said Crawford.
To my amazement his friends were
these worthy Italians. 1t was not a
pleasant meal for me- They chatted
in Italian, and not till Father Francis
Joined us did I feel relieved He. too,
was a social favorite. for his great
goodness endeared him to the hearts
of all.
Funny friends you have" I re-
marked to Crawford as we strolled
home.
You think so, do you?" he laughed.
We'll, youngster. those chaps over
there would make you blush for your
lack of appreciation of the classics.
do you know" he continued, those
men there read the old Roman poets
as you read English verse? They are
we'll educated men,"
''They neglected the education of
their table manners 1 protested
Another example of your insular
prejudices," he observed. why do
you Englishmen make your standard
that for the world?"
Crawford was so we'll liked that he
was elected secretary of the Masonic
lodge in Allahabad, and thrill of
surprise ran through the station when
it was announced that he had re-
signed and had Joined the Church of
Rome.
l ventured to speak to him on the
subject, and he abruptly closed the
conversation by saying:
''Youngster. if you joined the Church
of Rome 1t would benefit you. What
men most need is mental discipline.
perhaps more than moral
I did not at that time understand
what he meant. His words, however.
remained in my memory, and in later
years l appreciated what he said
There is too little religion among
men," he would say ''You English
youngsters seem to be ashamed of be-
ing religious, though half of you young
beggars are religious at heart, only
you have not the mental courage to
proclaim the fact
"Englishmen are the bravest men
in the world physically he often
said. but not mentally. Perhaps 1t
is your public school training makes
you that. for you are keenly sensitive
to ridicule.''
I was dissatisfied with the govern
ment service. most young servants
are, and complaining of the dull and
dreary work-the intoIerable life in
the districts--Crawford said to me:
why don't you go to American"
Yes, and starve there" 1 replied.
'Starye Rot. / know people In
every city, and they will give you a
hand. Get into writing"
l had written my fancied grievance
for his paper. which developed into a
real grievance against me, and / was
eager to be beyond the surveillance of
a paternal government.
/ accepted his suggestion md