pleasure a delightful occupation. He is as keen to-day, he declares,
on the "right way of putting three words together" as he was when he
began to write. His mellow, witty, and gentlemanly style is saturated
with the sounds, scents and colours of literature. The exercise of his
cultivated judgment is not a trade, but a sacred trust. To look at him
and to think of his admirable career is to realise the dignity of his
calling--discussing with authority the books of the world as they come
from the press.




VI

LITERARY LEVITIES IN LONDOW

Now it's a funny thing, that, come to think of it. Some folks have
questioned whether, the other way round, it could be done in this
country at all. It's a pleasant view anyhow that the matter presents
of that curious affair the English character.

There is a notion knocking about over here that considerable rigmarole
is required to meet an Englishman. And very probably few who have
tried it would dispute that it is somewhat difficult to "meet" an
ordinary Englishman to whom you are not known in a railway carriage.
With the big 'uns, however, the business appears to be simple enough.
Foolish doings do clutter up one's luggage with letters of introduction
when all that is needed to board round with the most celebrated people
in England is a glance at a "Who's Who" in a public library to get
addresses.