NOVEL WITH A PURPOSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14835, 11 November 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

NOVEL WITH A PURPOSE.

A novel in which the names of wellknown writers are bestowed upon its characters as a protest against the present law of libel is about to be published by Mr. Stephen Swift.

The story, " Motley and Tinsel," . by. John K. Prothero, appeared some months ago as a serial in Lloyd's Weekly News. To bo strictly accurate, only tho opening chapters were published, for the commencement of an action by an actor whose name was similar to that of one of tho original characters brought it to an abrupt close.

At the trial of the action the author, a lady, went into tho box and declared that the character complained of was a purely fictitious one, and was not intended in any way to represent the plaintiff. Nevertheless, tho jury considered that the plaintiff was entitled to £200 damages.

In publishing the novel in book form the author has given her own name—Prothere— the character which was the subject of the libel . action. "Extraordinary as tho law of libol appears to be," she says, " I have not yet learned that one can libel oneself." ' V ■

Her appeal to other authors to give their consent for tho use. of their names has been strikingly successful. - Some of the characters, indeed, now bear very interesting names. - George Bernard Shaw represents a stagedoor-keeper, : George R. Sims is a cab-driver, Robert Barr is a stage manager, with Pett Ridge as call boy, and " Cyril Chesterton, a fiery-tem-pered lover. Barry Pain divides his namo between an aged man of weak intellect and his dead son.

In giving permission for the use of his namo Mr. Geo. R. Sims wrote this amusing letter to the author :—

" By all means use my name in the way you suggest, but be careful about the cabman. I have not the slightest doubt that there are several of them who bear the aristocratic name of Sims. I know that a Sims was very nearly hanged a few years ago, and one was a famous thief. But if a cabman named Sims brings an action against you, you can call me as a witness to prove that the namo has long been associated with crime and other, amusements of the period."

Mr. Cecil Chesterton wrote : "You can rely on me to bring no libel actions. You may depict me as a burglar, ,or a blackmailer, or a man who steals pennies from blind beggars, or even as a politician..