LIFE AND LETTERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1016, 5 July 1930, Page 24

LIFE AND LETTERS

Interesting Memoirs of Henry Arthur Jones IRVING AND AN ECLIPSE “The Life and Letters of Henry Arthur Jones,” by Doris Arthur Jones (Mrs. Thorne), is an admirable biography of a famous dramatist and vivid personality. Mrs. Thorne, his daughter, is concise, judicial, yet writes throughout in a lively manner. Much of the interest of the book centres in the many letters from famous men and women to Henry Arthur Jones, and from him to them. Some of his own letters are decidedly vitriolic, for though agreeable and generous he was one of the most pugnacious of men, and capable of telling a celebrated film producer to his face that he “did not know his own damn silly business.” His long and violent controversy with Bernard Shaw is fully and fairly dealt with by Mrs. Thorne, who pays a tribute to Mr. Shaw’s generosity and good temper. Sho declares that she has decided not to attempt to publish “Mr. Mayor of Shakespeare’s Town,” ail extension of the controversy for which Henry Arthur Jones was unable to find a publisher. Irving and An Eclipse | Henry Arthur Jones, who began life | in a draper’s shop aud was for some years a commercial traveller, won j his first big stage success with “The Silver King.” Henry Irving went to see it: You know Irving’s love for dark scenes, mysterious and gloomy scenes. Wilson Barrett got out of the train I in quite a light scene, and when Irving | went round after to see him 1 u said. “Wasn’t that scene a little light, my I boy?” ••Well, you see, it’s eleven' in the ; morning.” Irving: “1 should have had an eclipse.” H.A.J. added: “And he would.” Mrs. Thorne tells an amusing story of Charles Frohman, the famous American producer: One day he got stuck in the lift behind the scenes, and it was over half an hour before he was released. In fear and trembling the door was opened, as those present expected to be cursed roundly for the mishap; but, as Frohman stepped out, he said with his winning smile: “That’s the first holiday I’ve had for over 12 years.” Change in Public Taste How immeasurably public taste has changed in the past 30 or 40 years is illustrated by letters from Sir Charles Wyndham and others taking Henry Arthur Jones to task for his daring and advanced ideas. It is interesting to learn that the dramatist’s favourite among his plays was “Michael and His Lost Angel.” which liad a very short run. Among Henry* Arthur Jones’s'correspondents were Matthew Arnold, 'William Morris, Max Beerbohm. Rudyard Kipling, and Watts-Dunton, who when asked to persuade Swinburne to write a song for “The Crusaders” made an irresistible excuse: *‘Our friend cannot produce even a sentence of prose to order, much less a song.” Mrs. Thorne has included several amusing letters from Mr. Bernard Shaw and a characteristic letter from Ellen Terry: I am wondering whether or no Mr. 11. A. Jones might chance to have a wee play by him—knocking about somewhere, perhaps only half-done—something out of the common run—something very bright, perhaps rustic —perhaps a servant girl and a soldier—a sailor and a fisher girl—a gnome and a fairy—a Bobby and a fat Cook . . . “Choosing Enemies” Here are some of the dramatist’s savings, recorded in this book: I’ve a very choice collection of enemies, thank God. You ought to be as careful choosing your enemies as ! you are your friends. Of Sir James Barrie: “He’s a charming little genius.” Of Henry James: “I used to see him in the Reform Club, aud it would take him twenty minutes to say ‘Good morning/ and then he wouldn’t say it without some qualification.”