Life — January 2, 1908 — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

os “LIFE: " How Lire Began Reprinted jrom the Tenth Anniversary Number of Life, 1893 EN years ago an unsuspecting studio at the corner of Broadway and Twenty-seventh Street was occupied by the author of this history. It inight be well to introduce myself as The Fool, or the Deluded Jackass, not so much to avoid analysis of character as to convey a clear idea of my position in the eyes of intelligent friends during the struggle herein related. It was an afternoon in the May of 1882, while at work on a drawing for “Our Continent,” that a disturbing idea came in and took possession of the studio and myself. There came at first the realization that making sketches of life and character was far more interesting than painting pictures; that they contained more spirit and human interest; that moreover there were thousands to see and enjoy such drawings to the few who cared to look at a painting when once upon a wall. ‘Then, with the regret that no medium existed by which to reach the public, save one page in the back part of a dying magazine, came the seductive thought: “Why not do it myself?” It was one of those ideas that once in possession lays hold for victory. The very next morning I sought my friend H., the publisher, and unfolded the scheme. H. smiled upon it. Moreover he knew just the man to make it a success. That man was M., the clever author. A meeting was soon arranged when we lunched at the clever author’s house, and a delightful afternoon it was. The clever author was brimming over with ideas. He outlined with skill and decision the make-up and policy of such a paper, and, although many of his theories were very different from my own, he filled me with a great respect for H——'s judgment in selecting so capable a man, The paper, to me, seemed already in existence. But the end was cruel. He regretted that other work prevented his taking any active part himself in the enterprise. It was evident he preferred being outside the project to being in it. That this should have a cooling effect upon H. was only natural, as he had already expressed the opinion that the clever author was the only man in New York capable of conducting such a paper successfully. Other men were suggested, but with no results. Various signs at this time seemed to indicate with some clearness that the wind was in the wrong direction; and H., who was not a Deluded Jack- ass, began to lose the keen edge of his desire. ‘The summer went by and the autumn came, but it brought no progress, nor signs of any, H. had other matters demanding his attention, and the new paper was not among them. He finally told me I must count him out. There was cold promise in a periodical without a publisher, par- ticularly as my ignorance of the business was of that depth and profundity where language fails to give a just conception. But there was no time to waste in caution, and I resolved to go ahead by myself. If the first number came out within a year, it should appear at least by January, and now October had nearly gone. It was a happy hour for the new enterprise when Edward S. Martin consented to take charge of the literary end. He possessed just the qualities demanded, His prose and verse were already well known among a chosen few. There was in his work an unusual freshness and delicacy, and when necessary a humorous but telling satire, that rendered him the very man for such a paper. A letter was dispatched to him, and I hurried back to New York. While waiting for Martin’s answer, an energetic search was begun for a business manager. As the chances of securing an able, honest, and reasonably per- fect business manager seemed to dwindle as the search continued, overtures were made to one or two publishers, but always with the same result. In fact, the sarcastic smile with which success had so far held aloof seemed now to become a hearty laugh as the business. end refused to develop. Martin soon came, and his confidence in the undertaking was. strong enough to induce him to remain. He at once began a gallant struggle to accumulate material. This was dispiriting work, as the men of reputation were, as a rule, unwilling to bury their work in such an experiment. ‘The result was that he produced himself as much matter as he received from other hands. It was now Novem- ber, with no indications of a business department, and the first issue was to appear in January. By this time discouragement had come to be a portion of the daily life, and we took it in giant doses. ‘The idea of starting such a paper had from the very outset excited among sensible friends only astonishment and pity. ‘Thus far scarcely a cheering word or a prophecy of success had been heard, so when a friend offered one day to present me to the business manager of a prominent illustrated weekly I gladly accepted, say- ing to myself, “This man who knows the business can see the sense of the endeavor and will give me information and encourage- ment There were threads of silver in the hair of the business manager, and there was decision in his voice. He listened politely to a de- scription of the aims and hopes of the future paper, then, after a few intelligent questions, said: “As I understand, you mean to give the public a periodical about half the size of Harper's Weekly, Puck or Judge, and yet ask the same price for it. Now, to get that price, your smaller publication must be unquestionably better in quality, both artistic and literary. Have you secured the men whose work and reputation will assure you that position ?” “No. The artists are not to be had.” And the literary men ‘The same with them.” ‘That's bad enough. Is your own experience in journalism such as to warrant you in going ahead under such—peculiar circum- stances? “T have had no experience in journalism.” None whatever ? “None whatever.’ The man of experience indulged in a smile, but a smile of sad ness and pity. “Would you mind telling me," he asked, ‘just to gratify my 'y—on what you are building your hopes of success ?”” “On the fact of there being an unoccupied field for it. If such papers can thrive in Europe, there must be a place for one in America,” “Previous efforts have demonstrated the reverse, and they have done it pretty clearly.” “But this paper will be a very different thing from any of its predecessors—of a higher grade and far more artist “How can that be when the best men hold aloof? “That will occur only at the beginning. I think it will prove an opportunity for talent now unrecognized to come to the front.”” Again the business manager smiled the sorrowing smile. “All that you have said is pure theory, without a single solid fact on which it would be safe to risk a dollar. Take my advice and drop the whole business while you can. A year from now you will be amazed that you ever seriously thought of it.”” When the writer stepped out upon the sidewalk after this inter- view, he said to himself: “Probably the advice is good, but if I listen to reason I shall weaken. So the next morning I hastened to De Vinne's to make arrange-