Cape Town, September interesting reminiscence of Joseph Conrad and Lord Northeliffe being given by W. L. R, Macleod, literary editor, of London, "It was difficult indeed," he said, "to get him to write for newspaper publication, but I was fortunate in being able' to secure various contributions from his pen. For one of these I was able to send him cheque that must represent. something like a high-water mark in the matter of payment for a single newspaper article about 1,600 words in length.
happened in this way.. In April, 1919, T succeeded in getting Conrad to agree to write an article in praise of the manner in which the British mercantile marine had carried on' during the war. This was for publication in the London 'Daily Mail,' and the price asked for by Conrad's literary agent was 50 guineas, a figure which seemed to me to be quite absurdly low.
showed a proof of the article Lord Northeliffe at lunch on the day before it was due to appear.
"<This,' said Northcliffe, tis won derful stuff, wonderful. How much are you paying for it?"
'Fifty guineas,' I replied, pig YONT Biles said he quickly, or "Tes his price' said I, or rather his agent's. It surprised me.
'Well,' said I, 'I think he doesn't know his own vain "Of course, he doesn't; said he.
(t's an absurd price. Such a charm ing fellow, too, Give him a hundred guineas for it, and tell him how much I like his article.'
"PIN write to biti,' I said, 'No,' said Northeliffe suddenly, ye changed my mind. He shall have 250 guineas for it, and TIL et you to send him a telegram in my name.'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.