BIB_ID
430318
Accession number
MA 1617.3
Creator
Archer, William, 1856-1924.
Display Date
London, England, 1890 January 18.
Credit line
Purchased as the gift of Edwin J. Beinecke, 1955.
Description
1 item (6 pages) ; 17.8 x 11.3 cm
Notes
This letter is one of six letters from William Archer to W.E. Henley (MA 1617.1-6) and part of large collection of manuscripts and letters written by and to William Ernest Henley.
Written from "40, Queen Square, W.C." on stationery engraved with the address.
Henley became the editor of the "Scots Observer" in 1889.
The newspaper clipping enclosed in this letter of the paragraph written anonymously by Archer in the Pall Mall Gazette reads as follows: "The school of journalism which finds its raison d'être in insolence is excellently represented in Scotland by the Scots Observer of Edinburgh. Its usual occupation is, of course, to revile Mr. Gladstone; but in leisure moments it turns the stream of obloquy upon less prominent personages. Its latest achievement is an onslaught on Dr. F.J. Furnivall, in which it suggests that the Browning Society was established because the Founder ascertained that 'the author of Sorello always had lunch on the table at one o'clock.' The Browning Society is certainly an institution open to criticism and ridicule; but this is neither - it is stupid vulgarity."
Written from "40, Queen Square, W.C." on stationery engraved with the address.
Henley became the editor of the "Scots Observer" in 1889.
The newspaper clipping enclosed in this letter of the paragraph written anonymously by Archer in the Pall Mall Gazette reads as follows: "The school of journalism which finds its raison d'être in insolence is excellently represented in Scotland by the Scots Observer of Edinburgh. Its usual occupation is, of course, to revile Mr. Gladstone; but in leisure moments it turns the stream of obloquy upon less prominent personages. Its latest achievement is an onslaught on Dr. F.J. Furnivall, in which it suggests that the Browning Society was established because the Founder ascertained that 'the author of Sorello always had lunch on the table at one o'clock.' The Browning Society is certainly an institution open to criticism and ridicule; but this is neither - it is stupid vulgarity."
Provenance
Purchased as the gift of Edwin J. Beinecke, 1955.
Summary
Concerning a paragraph he wrote in the Pall Mall Gazette about the "Scots Observer" and enclosing the newspaper clipping of it; saying "You have no doubt seen the enclosed par which appeared in the "Pall Mall" today. As I utterly disbelieve in the so-called 'privileges' of anonymity, I feel I cannot do otherwise than tell you that I wrote it. Also I have to say that while I do not retract a word of it, I regret having written it, for the following reason : The "S.O." [Scots Observer] reached me this morning at about 5 minutes to 8 while a boy was waiting to take copy to the "P.M.G." [Pall Mall Gazette], which has to be despatched [sic] not later than 8 o'clock. Obeying my first impulse, I wrote the par & sent it off, though I felt at the time that it would probably involve me, in what I should seriously regret, an estrangement from you. But in the hurry of the moment it didn't occur to me that I was positively using a paper which was sent me by your courtesy in order to write a distinctly hostile paragraph. I should not have done so; had the matter struck me in that light I would not have done so; for after all, Furnivall is quite capable of fighting his own battles, & I was under no obligation to say anything at all. Therefore I apologize, though with only the faintest hope that my apology will mitigate your legitimate offence. At the same time I cannot regret the matter of the paragraph, though I should not have written it. Furnivall is no friend of mine. I have only once spoken to him; his personality is so distasteful to me that I have avoided keeping up the acquaintance; & I have a hearty contempt for the Browning Society. Furthermore, I quite admit that Furnivall's own controversial style is indefensible; but two blacks don't make one white, & really the phrase I quote (& indeed the article in general) seems to me hitting below the belt. I have now made a clean breast of it. If you feel my sin unpardonable I shall be more sorry than surprised. Of course my action in this particular case arises from a far wider difference of opinion on the ethics, or at any rate the manners, of journalism. If you feel that difference places a barrier between us, I cannot complain; but on my side of the barrier, I shall continue to think kindly of you & to admire your work both as a poet & as an editor - for whatever its faults, the "S.O." is undeniably a 'live' paper."
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