The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-16

She Has Recently Been Made Editor of
Harpers Bazar-Her Easy Success in the
World Of Letters-she Is Grandmother
Herself, and Loves Children.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, May 6.-Mrs. Margaret E.
Sangster, whose benign face adorns this col
umn, has assumed the position of editor of
Harper's Bazaar, which position was recently
made vacant by the death of Miss Mary L.
Booth. 1t is one of the foremost positions in
the editorial world Of the United States, if
not, indeed, the very highest that is occupied
by woman, and the character and person
ality of the woman who has won it by her
talents and industry are worthy of more
than word of notice.
Mrs. Sangster is Brooklyn woman. That
is, her home is in the eastern district of that
suburb, and she has there for many years
dispensed hospitality which has made her
house favorite resort in circle of friends
whose refinement and social standing are on
par with the very proudest in the land
She is woman of mature age, having al
most if not quite completed the half of
century, and being proud grandmother, as
her son was married some years ago. Her
widowhood is therefore not without sweet
solace.
From her pen have come for many years
some of the choicest contributions to the cur
rent literature of this country, and it is said
that few poets have been more widely copied
in the newspaper press of the country than
She She is an author by instinct and began
writing when still in her teens. Her first
work was little collection of religious poems
and essays, and was published without
thought, she says, of pecuniary gain, but SIM
ply as a means Of enabling her to make
pretty holiday present to some of her friends.
The publisher, however, to whom she offered
it was more than pleased to accept it and paid
her literally for her work. Probably moth
ing was needed to fix the direction of her ca
reer, for nature had done that already; but
it is certain that after this experience there
was 10 faltering. She continued to write
and has maintained herself ever since with
her pen.
A number of books have been published
over her signature, the best known being
"Hours with Girls" MAY Stanhope and
Her Friends" Splendid Times, ""Miss Dew
berry's Scholars" Give Happy Weeks"
Poems of the Household" and one or two
other volumes of poems. The first named
has been one of the remarkable successes of
| the publishing business, both in this country
and abroad, and was the occasion of a well
known English publisher applying to her
when he republished the book in England
| 1-o1 b ln+h l-,,Nxu ~
advance before publishing another work in
this country, so that he could make arrange
ments to publish it simultaneously on the
other side.
In addition to these works of authorship,
and her almost continual contributions to
newspaper columns, Mrs. Sangster has been
for number of years q hard working editor.
She was for long time associated with
Eggleston in the editorial work of Hearth
and Home, and to her ability was largely
due the great success of that publication
more than dozen years ago. The firm OF
Harper Brothers, always on the lookout for
available talent, then secured her services in
the editing of Harper's Young People, and
she took charge of the "Post Office Depart
ment" in that journal. This position she re-
tanned until she was called to fill Miss Booths
place.
This was a position most congenial to her
and one for which she was peculiarly fitted.
Sunny and warm hearted, although retiring
and gentle in her disposition, she is great
lover of children, and her constant contact
with them through the medium of their let
tiers to Young People was continual and
keen Joy to her. This love Of children, by
the way, has been amply gratified in her ex
perence, for she has reared son.. two step
daughters and nephew and niece, and il
now beloved by two babies who call hel
|