The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-19

Creator. Now man always wants some
thing that he hasn't. At "A, an age when
some of the greatest poets have completed
all their best lyric work, 1 had written
nothing but few inferior verses. gave
up science for art. I feel that art counts
most of all. 1t is most rounded. 1t an
swers most the need we all have. 1t is
the only thing that enduringly gives the
mind and soul of man what he seeks.
Politics and business offer certain things
to man. They have an end, but they go
very far roundabout in trying to satisfy
men. One wants to feel as well as to
know and do things. Why build a sky
scraper of forty stories? Because some
body else has built one of twenty. That
reason would not make me want to build
a skyscraper. l feel that of all the ac-
tiviths possible to man architecture, mu-
sic, poetry, painting and the drama give
a man most, and life is so short that we
all seek what will give US most. But
America has a vision of art and ideals?
CALLER-It is often said that we are
material with practical ends to serve
chiefly.
DUNSANY-I cannot talk about
America. 1 have only just arrived.
CALLER-But your plays were recog-
nized here as early as anywhere.
DUNSANY-As early and more keen
y.
CALLER-So before you came YOU
must inevitably have had some preconcep-
ton of America.
DUNSANY-Yes. I felt america is
alive" l said to myself, there is a country
that is alive; there is a country that is not
interested only in the art of men who are
dead. l thought that it would be COM
Portable to be in America because would
surely meet some enc who knew that I
had written plays, while my own neigh
bors know me better for cricket and fox
hunting. Many of them know me as a
fox hunter and don't know that I've writ
ten plays. I'd rather be known as a
writer of plays than as fox hunter.
GALLERIES. more satisfying to
bring out play than it is to bring down
big game.
DUNSANYAWc all want something.
In London we say, "Let's get drunk and
go to the Derby" But some of us feel
that that isn't enough. 1.-THE telephone
rings. LORD DUNSANY rises and holds
the telephone in his hand, but eaves the
receirer on the hook Some people say,
"Iet us make million dollars" and some
OF us feel that isn't enough 1.-The tele-
phone rings long, loud and clear. LORD
DUNSANY looks at the telephone, start
led. He is so startled that he sets the tele-
phone back on the table and returns tor
his chair. Some Of US feel that art alone
matters, the best we can do in art, the
best we can do in detecting life and put
ting it in form, bodying it forth in truth,
in suggestion, in resemblance. (The tele-
phone rings gerry impatiently. The fold
ing doors open. LADY DUNSANY en-
tiers and answers the telephone. She sees
that the conversations is proceeding and
there is the slightest bit of hesitation in
her manner as she says into the telephone,
at sOom't be but minute noaD") And
some of us not only feel, but know that
the artist deals directly in the goods that
the politician and business man deal in
indirectly if at aiEthings that satisfy
the human spirit Moods We feel that
a mood is concrete and tangible thing,
a thing of moment and great value to US
all, thing as lasting as marble
CALLER (rising) THE telephone
your other callers
DUNSANY-Ah, yes, the telephone
1 fear l have kept someone waiting. 1
must come back to Irish politics.
CALLER (going)-I mustn't stand in
the way of Fame.
DUNSANY (shaking hands Pm glad
you knew was writer of plays and not
an Irish politician.
CALLER qoes. When the door into the