Sorrell. The contributor pictures himself in his book-lined library sitting down to compose an article for H.W. – an intention that is thwarted by his love of idleness (Thomas Idle of "The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices" is "a fellow completely after my own heart") and by the stream-of-consciousness working of his "discursive mind." An example of the latter process is his recollection of a sunset viewed from the Drachenfels, of Weimar, and of "the mighty" Goethe, called forth by his lighting a German tobacco pipe. The recollection leads to his taking from the shelf Eckermann's Conversations with Goethe – "an especially delightful book." Among other matters referred to in the article are Punch and Judy shows and their French and Italian counterparts.
The writer's interests indicate that he may be WilIiam J. SorrelI, member of the Dramatic Authors' Society, joint author of various dramatic pieces, and author of "Drawing Room Theatricals." which forms the first part of T. H. Lacy's Amateur's Hand-Book and Guide to Home Drawing Room Theatricals, 1866. In his portion of this work, Sorrell refers to "the great master" Goethe and quotes from Eckermann's Conversations. Lacy, in his preface to the book, speaks of SorreIl as an experienced amateur actor and "a literary gentleman and dramatist."
Author: Anne Lohrli; © University of Toronto Press, 1971
