The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-15
BIT OF LITERARY HISTORY.

a correspondent furnishes the New York
Tribune with the following interesting item-
Sir:-One Of the peculiar attractions to
students and men of letters in the cultured
city of Edinburgh is an antiquarian book-shop
which, for the past forty years, has been
known as The Head Of Sir Walter Scott
for some sixty years previously, simply as
''StevsusOn's"-R the history of which ia
identified, to greater or less extent, with
that of nearly every Scotchman noted or dis
tiDguished in the various branches of litera-
ture during that period It was a favorite
resort of Jeffrey, Murray, and Sydney s smith;
Of Brougham, Horner, and Thomas Brown; of
Lord Cockburn, Sir Henry Raeburn, and Sir
Walter Scott later, of Chalmers and Guthrie,
Tytler and Allison, Lockhart, Mother we'll,
and christopher North" after them, of
Hallam and Aytoun, Gilfllan, Bell and Lling,
Alexander Smith, the brothers Chambers,
Burton, Maidment, and Carlyle. Here was
the proposed hdtnbUrgh Reoteao talked over,
in the winter of 1912; here was the Banna-
tyne Club discussed just twenty years after
wards; here have been published hundreds of
volumes, original works, and rare reprints,
illustrating the history, poetry, bibliography,
and antiquities of Scotland; here have been
executed the most perfect printing on
vellum, the most accurate replica of
old folios in the rich black-letter
text, the most faithful fac-siajyes of
ancient MSS, and here have been distributed
catalogues and other gratuitous pamphlet
publications now worth their weight in gold
The same family have owned the shop and
carried on the business for generations. The
present proprietor, Mr.. Thomas George Ste
vensoD, a ripe scholar and courteous gentle
man, is the only son of Mr.. John Stevenson
a lifelong friend of the author of "Wavar-
ley" Among the treasures of the shop there
are preserved some fifty letters from this
illustrious correspondent, all unpublished,
and handsomely bound. The present Mr..
Stevenson whose recollections 90
back to the early part of the century-is
assisted in the discharge of his duties and
the extension of his hospitality by an only
SOD, Mr.. John A., himself the accomplished
editor of several works. During one of the
delightful c0n0erSaSi0ni here a few months
ago the Rev. DIR. Rogers spoke of project
to erect a monument in Edinburgh to the
Bruce, which had been undertaken by num-
Der of Scotch n0blemen, who had requested
his friend Mr.. George Cruikshank to model
design. Of this model the Doctor had Just
received a photograph, which he allowed the
party to examine. This called forth some
close criticism and some merited COM
pliments to the veteran artist, and
was the means of bringing out some
clever anecdotes of him. One of the gentle
men present mentioned that one of his ear
liest pictures representative combat between
the patriot King and the three assassins; and
this picture, he stated initiated the move-
ment in favor of correct costume, not only In
painting but also in dramatic representation.
Another stated that there could be no doubt
but that he originated the now prevalent style
of book illustration-that of late years there
had existed mania for the collection of his
etcbipgs, which brought, wherever found,
large price. A number of these. with some
rare volumes containing wood-cuts de-
signed by him nearly sixty years ago, were
shown by Mr.. Stevenson. An American gentle
man present declared it to be his belief that
the reputation of Mr. Dickens early works
was in a great degree attributable to the
admirable illustrations of this artist accompa-
nyipg them, whereupon he was assured that
Mr. Cruikshank had illustrated one or two
only of MIR. Dickens works. This led to
discussion, which resulted in a wager by the
American that Mr.. Cruikshank had illus
trated no less than Si1 of Mr. Dickens works.
1t was taken up by publisher present, and
note was at once addressed to the artist, at
London, explaining the circumstances. A few
days afterwards the following answer was re-
ceived, disclosing some singular facts in
regard to Mr.. Dickens. The veracity and
honor of the writer cannot adrnit of adoubt:-
1858, HAMPSTEAD ROAD, N. W. LONDON, Nov. H.
1ST0-DBAR sIR:-Y ou have lost your wager for
did not illustrate the works OF the late Mr.. Charles
Dickens to the extent that most people suppose but
/,
for the otber artists employed upon his works imi-
tated my style closely as possible, and hence the
public supposed-as Dickens wrote under the name
| OF Boz'-that designed and etched under the
name OF 'Phiz, but who was very clever artist OF
| the name OF Hsblot X. Browne. / was, however,
| the first artist TO illustrate any OF Mr.. Dickens
writings, and The earliest If these was the first
volume OF sketches by Boz January 1886 and the
next was the second volume under this tlte, the
greatest part Of which were written from my hints
| and suggestions.
Some time after this, Mr.. Bentley started his
MISCELLANY, appointing Mr.. Dickens editor, aud
myself the illustrator; and the first plate in that
| work is design OF mine, which Mr.. Dickens wrote
| up to- There was also wood cut OF a oeade, etc.
Then followed lS39) oliver Twist which entirely
my own idea ana suggestion and all the characters
| are mine. And this will account for the fact Of
oliver Twist being very different from any or his
! other writings. When Mr.. CrOne, the publisher,
volume was brought out for the benefit of his widow.
illustrated; and these all the designs and ets-
ings that did to illustrate the works OF that author
| am preparing TO publish explanation OF the
reason why l old not illustrate the iOhOle OF Mr..
Dickens writings, and this explanation Will not at
| al redoUnd TO his credit. 1t only yesterday
evening that got some OF the prOspecuses for the
! Bruce monument four of which l forward to you
| by the same post as this letter.
with respect TO the American editions OF Mr,
Dickens works, there may be copies o. some OF lay
designs therein, but none by the hand of, dear sir,
yours truly, GEORGE CRUIKSHANK.
"W. j. Mcclellan, Esq"
| AN ODD PHysIcIAN-Dr Monsev was one