This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 edition. Excerpt: ... A word of explanation Poor Ernest Dowson through his sufferings is becoming almost as famous as that earlier unhappy poet who by self-destruction set apart his lifestory in the sorrowful annals of literature. There were perhaps two Chattertons--who, at this long distance of time, can tell? There were certainly two Dowsons--one the vexed and torn spirit of the biographers, of Mr Sherard and Mr Arthur " Symons, the other a Dowson intime, known, I venture to think, to very few, but by those few greatly loved. This intimate and perhaps essential Dowson appears, I am convinced, in these thirty or so letters, now for the first time published in full or in part. In them no ugly slur of passion, no ill savours, are to be found. Instead we are refreshed by fragrance--transient and slight, perhaps, yet evident--by fragrance, be it said again, and by an unfailing touch of good breeding, a gracious and insistent air of modesty--by something diffident, boyishly shy, often beautiful and noble.-To me the re-reading of these letters of his brings back my friend as I knew him and love to remember him--the gentleman, the kindly, charming boyish friend, the scholar, the exquisite poet. I read and re-read through gathering tears, and lay them down when I can see no more. Prater, ave, atque vale! ernest dowson reminiscences It was early in the year 1888 that my old friend, Mr Charles Sayle, that greaFintroducer, first said to me: "There's a man whom you ought to know, a young poet just down from college, a man exactly like J."--naming a well-known writer; "only, if possible, more so!" Caesar and Pompey were very much alike, in the opinion of the black man, especially Pompey. And this was the case with Mr J. and Ernest Dowson, the latter being the more...