Friday, December 11th., Rue de Calais, Paris.
Yesterday I worked from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., chiefly on "A Great Man". I was exhausted, but also satisfied. I have been rather gloomy of late, seeing little prospect of improving my situation, but if this novel continues in the present vein it may just be the breakthrough I need to put my name before a wider public.
There was a long article in Le Temps on Herbert Spencer, which confirmed the view which Wells expressed to me about him in the early part of last year; namely that, as a thinker, he was 'woolly'. I must admit that I was ready to be convinced by Spencer's ideas about social evolution when I first came upon them. But I am now more sceptical. My first thought these days when presented with some idea is: "What is the evidence for it?" It seems to me now that Spencer made a leap from Darwin's theory, which is supported by evidence, and has feet of clay. I have also noticed that other lesser thinkers are latching on to Spencer's ideas to support their own theories about racial superiority. This is distasteful, and may become inflammatory.
I meant to go and see Brieux's "Robe Rouge" at the Theatre du Peuple, but as I was busy, and as they had allotted 500 seats to 'midinettes' last night, I refrained. Three plays by Brieux are being done in Paris this week: the new "Maternite" at Antoine's; "Le Berceau" at the Comedie Mondaine, and the "Robe Rouge". I am green with envy. It seems that once a playwright becomes fashionable then he can do no wrong, and his name alone is sufficient to guarantee success (at least for a while). That is what I am aiming for.
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