Famous Authors (Men)Harkins, E. F. (Edward Francis)
General
Famous Authors (Men)
Harkins, E. F. (Edward Francis)
Authors, American -- 19th century -- Biography
"'I was interested when I read your first book,' said the Englishman.
'Didn't think a great deal of that book; but the other one, "Richard
Carvel," I was willing to become responsible for that.'
"Then it developed that each had been responsible for the other to a
greater or less extent. For this reason it was inevitable that they
should meet."
As a matter of fact, mail for the Englishman, simply directed "Winston
Churchill, Boston, Mass.," had been sent to his namesake's residence
on Beacon Street. Later it was told that the American met the same
embarrassment in London. "When I was staying at Brown's Hotel," he said
to the Parliamentarian, "I found it almost impossible to get my mail.
They compelled me to sign for it personally."
The Englishman, by the way, is the author of a romance in regard to
which the London critics seem to hold an opinion similar to that which
he admittedly holds in regard to the American's first novel--"The
Celebrity."
Speaking of "The Celebrity" reminds us of the still prevalent notion
that its contemptible hero is Mr. Richard Harding Davis. In fact we
believe that the author was openly charged with having written the
satire merely to pay a private grudge. We heard an echo of the charge
as late as this year. Yet, more than two years ago Mr. Churchill, in
a public letter, took pains specifically to deny the imputation. "The
Celebrity" he said, in effect, was entirely an imaginary work. No one
at all resembling the chief character had ever been met by him. So far
from paying grudges, he had no grudge to pay. Indeed, the young writer
grew so tender on the subject that the Colonial atmosphere of "Richard
Carvel" was attributed to his desire to avoid contemporary themes. But
the truth is, he completed "The Celebrity" while temporarily short of
historical material for use in the history of Richard and his Dorothy.
Twice he thoroughly revised "The Celebrity" before sending it to the
publishers.
And who is this Winston Churchill? He is the son of Spalding Churchill
of Maine and Emma Bell Blaine of St. Louis, and he was born in the
Missouri metropolis on Nov. 10, 1871. The first sixteen years of his
life were spent in his birthplace; and there, at Smith Academy, he
prepared for college. The college proved to be the Naval Academy at
Annapolis.
As a boy he was inclined to be uncommonly studious, but at the Naval
Academy he developed a strong inclination towards athletics. It was
largely owing to his energy and his enthusiasm that the cadets revived
rowing. Like most other cadets, he learned to fence expertly; and
you will find an intimate knowledge of this accomplishment in his
treatment of one of the most dramatic scenes in "Richard Carvel." He
took to horseback riding, also to golf and to tennis, in short, to all
the pastimes that strengthen the body and enliven the mind. It is his
devotion to physical exercise which has enabled him to work long and
hard without distress.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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