The New Paper for the Few.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6849, 26 March 1897, Page 4

The New Paper for the Few.

INTERVIEW WITH THE EDITOR OF THE CHILDREN OF THE HOUR.

My curiosity aroused by the mysterious paragraphs spangling the literary papers, I sought out the editor of Messrs Henry and Co.'s new publication, The children of the Hour.

" Well," Sriid the editor, "you may say anything you like about me, but you must not divulge my name." And I say that his admirable air of repose, matching so excellently the delicate buff of his waistcoat, and the stupendous Bond street savor of his cravat, suits exactly the editor of what is after all a paper for the aristocracv.

" Yes," he said ; "it is really a paper for the few ; "and I shall only print a thousand copies of each issue, produced, of course, in the most elaborate way." " Then you do not compete with the daily papers ?" " Ob, dear, no ; it will only come ont twice a week, and there will be very little news in it. The main featuro of each issue will be a long essay—not dull, not dull ; and besides that there will be some notes —a pleasant scanclal—the subject of the hour;" and he waved his hand. "It is a paper for people of taste and good breeding." " But how can you cover the cost of it with so small a circulation ?" I cried.

"The subscription to it is not cheap," he said. " And what will be the aim of the paper?" " Well, we shall try to revive the art of the light essay—the essay that Steele and Addison wrote —the essay of the hour." " The Spectator up to date,*"' said I. "Yes, partly that; and besides, we shali try to send our readers out to meet the business or amusements of the day in a pleasant humor, with a sane view of some question of the hour." " And your contributors V "Ah," said the editor, and his eyes sparkled, "I have the best pens in England—exactly the 'Children of the Hour,' or at least those of them who are men (and women) of wit, in closest touch with the spirit of the hour, and able to write." " And may one ask their names "Oh, yea. They run from those of established fame—Mr Thomas Hardy, M. Maeterlinck, Mrs Oraigie—to those arriving at the temple—Mr Max Beerbohm, Mr Ernest Dowson." " But aren't you afraid lest this ephem eral work may spoil your writing ? " " Ephemera! ! " cried the editor indignantly ; "it will not be ephemeral. I only ask from each one paper every three months ; and I shall have from each his or her best piece of work in that three months ! "

" Will they sign their articles 1" said I.

" No ; the name of the writer of each essay will be published in the number following that in that which he wrote. A pretty puzzle for you people of critical taste to discover each writer by his style." " You must pay well," I said thoughtfully.

"Don't we?" said the editor. —Pall Mall Gazette,