A little dissipation

Sunday, January 9th., Royal York Hotel, Brighton.

Last week I wrote 4,500 words of "Clayhanger" and two articles. So that it was a good beginning. 

Rickards came on Friday night. Up till then the only dissipation we had was a visit to the Aquarium. His conversation remains what it was, the most human and genuinely poetic in texture of any that I have ever enjoyed. But he must be allowed to talk only of his own experiences. Every now and then he constructs a fine and original idea.
Also for Rickards see 'Eating companions', December 23rd., -
http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/eating-companions.html

Last night we went to the Hippodrome, a vast circular human sight. 

The Grade II Listed Brighton Hippodrome in Middle Street, Brighton was originally built in 1897 as an Ice Rink but was later converted to a Theatre in 1900 by the renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham. The auditorium of the Theatre, which has a capacity of 1,400 or thereabouts, is circular in shape and has one balcony following the lines of the walls with seven rows. The greatest number of people to witness one performance has been over 4,500.
http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Brighton/Hippodrome/HippodromeTheatreBrighton.htm

Rickards made a good caricature of Seymour Hicks who was in a stage box. Hicks is staying here. He wore a flannel shirt all day and all evening, but dined upstairs, probably to hide it. Drove off to the Hippodrome at 9, and there rolled about with laughter at the comic turns in the sight of all. I liked him for his frank enjoyment of the most mediocre things. He had a fine rich voice and his unavailing but well-meant efforts to appear natural and non-celebrated are our joy.

Sir Edward Seymour Hicks (1871 – 1949), better known as Seymour Hicks, was a British actor, music hall performer, playwright, screenwriter, actor-manager and producer. He became known, early in his career, for writing, starring in and producing Edwardian musical comedy, often together with his famous wife, Ellaline Terriss. His most famous acting role was that of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol

Letter from the new editor of the English Review asking me to contribute.

Additionally for January 9th., see 'A picturesque survival' -
http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-picturesque-survival.html

The "beach" (for it is not a wharf) on the Surrey side of the Thames at Putney Bridge presents one of the most genuinely picturesque sights in London.