Being One s Own Critic. 73 



people do. He made money fast, and when he found that 

 the trade in pills, powders and lotions was not as good as it 

 had been, he retired and bought the Pioneer, which he 

 managed according to big, open-handed ideas. He soigne'^ 

 the Government and particularly the ladies who pulled all 

 the loose official strings upon which they could put their 

 pretty and unprincipled hands. He gave le beau monde at 

 Simla picnics, presents, balls and fetes, and was repaid in the 

 usual way by information which helped to make the Pioneer 

 the most valuable newspaper in India. Mr Allen panted for 

 social and political advancement. Although at last he got 

 decorated, it was only with a C.I.E. Indian society, though 

 quite ready to eat his excellent dinners, drink his expensive 

 wines, and accept his costly presents, would not fraternise 

 with anyone who had been in trade. In this respect it is far 

 more ' select ' than royalty. I believe that its extraordinary 

 exclusiveness is due to the fact that a considerable proportion 

 of its members are sons of tradesmen or of shopkeepers. 

 The only way a man like Mr Allen could gain the intimacy 

 of Indian society is by keeping a strong racing stable, 

 verb. sap. 



Phil. Robinson once gave me a piece of advice which I 

 have found very useful. Speaking about the difficulty I often 

 experienced in judging of the merits of my own literary work, 

 he replied that if my writing, on reading it over, pleased me, 

 the probability would be that it would please the public ; but 

 that if I did not feel satisfied with it, the best thing to do 

 would be to tear it up. In other words, that an author should 

 be his own most careful critic. Anyhow, an author cannot, in 

 his heart, feel satisfied, or even pleased with work which he 

 has in any way slurred over. The well-known and particu- 

 larly wise remark that no one is strong enough to play tricks 

 with one's public, is specially applicable to literature. 



The Field has always been a very kind friend to me. 

 Professor Brown, Principal of the Royal Veterinary College 

 (Camden Town), who I believe is its veterinary editor, has 



