HAVANA — April 9, 1906.
ARTHUR BARTLETT MAURICE, ESQ.
[MY DEAR MAURICE:]
I have just read about myself, in the April
Bookman,
which I would be very ungrateful if I did not write and tell
you how much it pleased me. That sounds as though what
pleased me was, obviously, that what you said was so kind.
But what I really mean, and that for which I thank you, was
your picking out things that I myself liked, and that I would
like to think others liked. I know that the men make
"breaks," and am sorry for it, but, I forget to be sorry when
you please me by pointing out the good qualities in
"Laquerre," and the bull terrier. Nothing ever hurt me so
much as the line used by many reviewers of "Macklin" that "Mr.
Davis' hero is a cad, and Mr. Davis cannot see it." Macklin I
always thought was the best thing I ever did, and it was the
one over which I took the most time and care. Its failure was
what as Maggie Cline used to say, "drove me into this
business" of play writing. All that ever was said of it was
that it was "A book to read on railroad trains and in a
hammock." That was the verdict as delivered to me by Romeike
from 300 reviewers, and it drove me to farces. So, I was
especially glad
when you liked "Royal Macklin." I tried to make a "hero" who
was vain, theatrical, boasting and selfconscious, but, still
likable. But, I did not succeed in making him of interest,
and it always has hurt me. Also, your liking the "Derelict"
and the "Fever Ship" gave me much pleasure. You see what I
mean, it was your selecting the things upon which I had
worked, and with which I had made every effort, that has both
encouraged and delighted me. Being entirely unprejudiced, I
think it is a fine article, and as soon as I stamp this, I
will read it over again. So, thank you very much, indeed, for
to say what you did seriously, over your own name, took a lot
of courage, and for that daring, and for liking the same
things I do, I thank you many times.
Sincerely yours,
RICHARD HARDING DAVIS.
