J M Barrie to Alexander Jeans - 1884

Description

Letter from J M Barrie to A. G. (later Sir Alexander) Jeans, manager of the Liverpool Post and Echo, from Greenbank, Dumfries, N.B.

Transcription only. Taken from The Letters of J M Barrie, edited by Viola Meynell, Peter Davies Ltd, 1942.

Transcription

Sir,

In answer to your advertisement for an experienced sub editor for a daily paper, I beg to submit my name for your consideration.

For the past two years I have been on the staff of the Nottingham Daily journal where I acted as assistant-editor. The work expected of me there included leader-writing daily as well as much dramatic and literary criticism, and I had a share nightly in the practical sub-editing of the paper. My experience of sub-editing in all its branches is sound and thorough.

I left the journal about a month ago owing to a change in its arrangements, but the proprietors were exceedingly sorry to part with me, and are ready and anxious to speak cordially in my favour.

I am in Scotland at present doing some interviews etc for the Pall Mall Gazette at the editor’s request. For some months I have been one of the most frequent of the Pall Mall Gazette’s occasional contributors, and articles of mine have also appeared in the St James Gazette and other well-known London papers. I should like much to send you my scrap book with a large selection of printed specimens of my work.

I am 25 years of age and an M.A. of Edinburgh University.

For reference as to character and general capacities for filling the vacant post I refer you to the following gentlemen:
Messrs Bradshaw, Proprietors, Daily journal, Nottingham.
Professor Masson, The University, Edinburgh.
W. T. Stead, Esq., Editor, Pall Mall Gazette, London.
Rev. A. Whyte, D.D., Free St Georges, Edinburgh.
J. C. Ross, Esq., The Times, London.
G. E. Wilson, Esq., LL.D., H.M. Inspector of Schools, Edinburgh.

In conclusion I may say that should you consider my application favourably I would be untiring in my endeavours to justify the appointment. Any enquiries will be promptly attended to.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
J. M. Barrie

[Twenty-five years later, A;lexander Jeans reminded Barrie of his application and invited him to send a message to the Echo on its twenty-fifth anniversary.]

Taken from “The Letters of J M Barrie”, edited by Viola Meynell, Peter Davies Publishing, 1942.