Authors, American -- 19th century -- Biography; Authors, American -- 20th century -- Biography; Davis, Richard Harding, 1864-1916
At times, in our work, we all tried our hands at describing the
Salonika of those early days of the Allied occupation, for it was
really what one widely travelled British officer called it--"the most
amazingly interesting situation I've ever seen"--but Davis's
description was far and away the best, just as his description of Vera
Cruz was the best, and his wonderful story of the entry of the German
army into Brussels was matchless as one of the great pieces of
reporting in the present war.
In thinking of Davis, I shall always remember him for the delightful
qualities which he showed in Salonika. He was unfailingly considerate
and thoughtful. Through his narratives one could see the pride which
he took in the width and breadth of his personal relation to the great
events of the past twenty years. His vast scope of experiences and
equally wide acquaintanceship with the big figures of our time, were
amazing, and it was equally amazing that one of such a rich and
interesting history could tell his stories in such a simple way that
the personal element was never obtrusive.
When he left Salonika he endeavored to obtain permission from the
British staff to visit Moudros, but, failing in this, he booked his
passage on a crowded little Greek steamer, where the only obtainable
accommodation was a lounge in the dining-saloon. We gave him a
farewell dinner, at which the American consul and his family, with all
the other Americans then in Salonika, were present, and after the
dinner we rowed out to his ship and saw him very uncomfortably
installed for his voyage.
He came down the sea ladder and waved his hand as we rowed away. That
was the last I saw of Richard Harding Davis.
End of Project Gutenberg's Appreciations of Richard Harding Davis, by Various
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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