The San Francisco call., 1909-08-08

- kANC1S MARION= CttA w FOND, VINO
l. died at Sorrento, Italy, on April 9,
has been so continuously and promi-
nently before the public since his first
book was published that 1t is hard to
realize how comparatively short his
career has been. A prodigious worker,
he produced not less than 40 novels
and historical works; yet Mr.. Isaacs."
his first book, was written only 2S
years ago. With this and the books
that followed in rapid succession he
perhaps reached a larger public than
any other American novelist of the last
so years. Not only was he immensely
popular in America, but he was equally
a @favorite in England, while his fol-
lowing in Italy, France. Germany and
other European countries was undoubt-
edly greater than that of any other
American.
Mr.. Crawford once told a newspaper
reporter that he had written one OF his
longest novels in six weeks, and, more
over, this novel was written out in his
own hand within that space of time
Much of the manuscript was so mi
nutely written as to be almost impossible
to decipher except by the strongest
eyes. When a glass was used upon it,
however, it was found that every letter
was perfectly formed; and among the
friends to whom his manuscripts were
shown it became matter of remark
that the more closely a manuscript was
written the better and more interest
ing it turned out to be.
This remark of Mr.. Crawford's to the
reporter, however, was unfortunate as
it led to the inference that he worked
hastily. and used his great talent
chiefly with view to its Immediate
reward. Those who knew him well,
and had watched his career since his
first success, know that such an infer
ence would be unjust to his high sense
of responsibility toward himself and
the public. He had many natural gifts.
but he had also the patience and power
of concentration which are often lack
ing in gifted natures. His observation
was always, and almost unconsciously
keen, and his desire TO learn une
bounded. AS he used to say, "Islike to
know how things are DONE" and he
could do many different things himself
Readers of Casa Braccio" (Which he
thought his best book) may remember
that one of the minor characters, an
old cobbler is described in manner
which shows intimate acquaintance
with his trade. That was easy to do.
because when Crawford was preparing
for Cambridge at Hatfield Regis, the
Lonely Parish one of his friends had
been the village shoe maker, and he
made a pair of shoes Just to learn
how" He also Joined the local bell
ringers and became familiar with their
complicated system OF peals and
chimes. The description of silver CHS
cling in "Marzio's crucifix" is also the
result of actual experience, for he once
worked at this branch of art, and il he
had gone on could have supported him.
self by it. Like many left handed men.
he was skillful In the use of tools.
and his capacity as practical me-
CT sic was tested when he put COM
plete system of American plumbing
into his villa at Sorrento, assisted by
couple of workmen who had never seen
such appliances and could only solder
q joint.
As a young man Mr.. Crawford was
the envy of his friends and acquaint-
ances, for not only was he tall and
straight. extremely handsome. and pos
sessed Of great bodily strength. but
he had in addition much charm of man
ner, and a mind capable of grasping
with ease tasks which were impossible
to others, or only obtainable bv months