MR. H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1678, 27 April 1904, Page 21

MR. H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON

A COLONIAL IN LONDON. Mr Henry Brevet on Ma rriott T\atson —not to be Confused, as lie sometimes is, with Mr Charles Marriott, author of “The Column,” nor with Mr Malcolm Watson, of the “Daily Telegraph”—was born at Caulfield, Melbourne, a trifle over forty years ago. At the age of nine he left Australia for New Zealand. Amid the lovely scenery of the South Island lie grew to manhood, receiving liis education at Christchurch Grammar School and Canterbury College. In 1885 lie came to London on a visit with .his father, the incumbent of St. John’s ( Christchurch, and—lie never returned* A natural love of writing as a; boy had by that time developed into a passion, and he determined to stay in London and to become a successful author. The prudent parent insisted on arranging for liis son’s return passage should things go badly; but if. during the next year or two, Dir Watson was sometime? tempted to beat a retreat, lie stuck the hard times out, and was by no means unhappy in life garret. Mr Frederick Greenwood and the “St. James’s Gazette” gave him his first regular work as a journalist. Then he became one of Mr W. E. Henley’s galaxr and, through Henley, assistant-edi-tor'of the “Pall Mr/ll Gazette.” Fora time Mr Watson was also assistanteditor of “Black and White,” to-day conducts the literary column cf the “Daily Mail,” and much journalism lias left him with a still fresh and unspoiled love of reviewing. A COLLEAGUE OF MR BARRIE’S, It was whilst working for the “St, James’s” that Mr Wa itson foregathered with Mr J. M. Barrie, whose “Auld Liclit Idylls’” were then appearing in that journal. By-the-way, the introspective and susceptible “Marriott” cf “My Lady Nicotine’' not drawn from Mr Watson, althougli Mr Barrie borrowed one of life names, bu.tf ftom the late Mr Joseph Thomson, the..'African traveller. To resume;—Mr Barrie and Mr Watson became friends, and regularly used to take their walks abroad together every afternoon. Even in

these days Mr Barrie’s interest in the theatre was moat pronounced, and, to use a homely expression, be was always nosing about them, no detail connected! with the stage being considered too trivial for bis earnest attention. So when Mr Watson bethought himself or a subject for a play it was natural that he should take it to his friend, and between them they wrote “Richard Savage, ’’ which eventually -was produced at their joint expense. / HIS FIRST NOVEL.

Mr Watson’s literary first-horn was a romance called “Marahuna.” He wanted to send it to Longman’s, but was advised not to do so on the ground that, as Longman’s were publishing Mr Rider laggard’s romances, they would not wire for a book in similar _vein. So the noth or endured the rejections of two, or three other publishers and then in despair sent it tio> Longman’s, by whom, it was immediately accepted. So much tor expert adivice. . Longman’s, however, would not have his next novel, so the struggling author sent it to Messrs Chapman ancl Hall. After waiting a long time far a, reply lio -called on tlie firm, and' saw Mi Gliap>man, who sent for the reader’s report. It was favourable, but ended] with the damning words “I do not think th„s book would sell.” Sick at heart, the author was stumbling out when Mr Chapman called him back. “Stop l a moment,” he said; “you needn’t be in such a hurry. .That is high praise from Mr George Meredith.” Mi’ Watson i$ a big man, tali and strong, with curly light brown hair", a high forehead, grey eyes, and strong fear tures. His wife is well-known a,si a poetess of distinction, whose latest work is “After Sunset,” just published by Mr John Lane. It is receiving very favourable reviews.—“M.A.P