Ballantyne's Influence On Henty

Did Ballantyne influence Henty to start writing his books, or did Henty influence Ballantyne? Erin Go Bragh! G. B.

Regrettably there is no evidence that Ballantyne knew Henty. It is true, though, that Henty read some of Ballantyne's works and Referenced Ballantyne in his book For Name and Fame. G. A. Henty says (speaking of the Boys' Schools of the time) "Among the books [that the boys had] were Robinson Crusoe, Midshipman Easy, Peter Simple, three or four of Cooper's Indian tales . . . and Ballantyne's books. These opened a wonderland of life and adventure to the boys." (Page 35, chapter two, published by Robinson Books.)