The times., 1897-11-07

profession is more often called upon for
his contribution to their treasures by au-
toeraph collectors. But ne has a keen
appetite for autographs himself. His pas
sion is for the autograph OF the author
III mis- work-all the better If il Is en-
riched by the addition Of a line or two
and his collection Of these is most in
tcresting. The flyleayes Of many OF his
books bear famous names.
Among them he VIII snow you, with par
donable prize, a first edition OF The
Harbinger,' Ia an excellent state Of pres
ervation, upon the flyIeaf OF which is
written
Where go the poets lines?
Answer, ye evening tapers,
Yc auburn locks, ye golden curls,
Speak from yonr folded papers.
"written for Francis wilson, Nov. - 1893.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLINESS
Harriet Beecher stowe wrote, with a
hand that evidently treubled, in a first
edition of Uncle Toms Cabin
I've come TO buy you and take you
home
"oh, Masser George. we're too late; the
Lords bought me, and is going to take
me home. Heaven IS better than KIN
tucky.
May :, 1888"
Carl schurz, in a volume Of his speeches,
writes:
ITO deny the existence OF an eyil they
do not mean to remeds u ascrfbe 10 party
causes, the origin OF great problems they
do not mean 10 solve 70 charge those who
define the nature Of an existing difficulty
with having originated it-theSe are ex
pedients which the opponents OF refoTua-
tory movements have Tesorted to since
mankind had history.
Solitude, Oct. 81, 1898
&C. sCHURZ."
The writing is most peculiar, angular,
and hard To read, but that does not lessen
the value of the page IN Mr. Wilson'S
eyes:
The types OF mankind are various. They
differ like the waves, but they are ole
like the sea.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
jackson Park, Get. L., 1893.
These lines Were written for Francis
wilson,
SO says a page Ia the Narrative Of the
Life of Frederick Douglass written by
himself.
To Mr.. Wilson'S collection of autograph
books, by the way Mr.. Eugene Field was
the most frequent, and decidedly the most
entertaining contributor. Indeed, his name
appears so often and generally with SO
mucn preceding it, that on "a lew selections
are possible within the limits Of this article.
Mr.. Field drops into poetry" often, and
not frequently turns illustrator, nor does
he hesitate 20 mingle the two. a superb
japan paper copy OF Trump petand Drum,
with etchings by W. II. ". BickneIl and r.
II. Garrett, has on the flyleaf comicaI
water-color by Mir. Field. On the left is
a tree, none too true to nature, In the
branches OF which sits an enormous cat,
at which from off to the right, a little
dog is longingly gazing. Beneath is the
legend:
Have you ever heard Of the sugar plum
tree?
TITS marvel OF great renown."
Fields Echoes from Sabine Farm has
an Illuminated poeTa on the fIyleaf, with
sketches in pen and ink by BickneIl and
Garrett. In a very handsome number, one
copy OF the Second Book of Verse, the
lines having IN illuminated initial, appears
Writing the names of those 1 love the
best
Lo! Francis Wilson'S name leads all the
rest
AS let this gift Of mine to him attest.
december. 1892. EUGENE FIELD
In First Editions Of American Authors. =
by Stone, Field writes:
To Francis Wilson, Esq:
"In Answer TO your loud petitions
TO Autograph your First Editions
1ltS snail the world apprlSe,
That l have quit all bibho-ma dness,
And view with pententiai sadness,
This tome which YOU peruse with gadness,
And mildly criticiSe.
oh, would that You may change for better,
Bursting each bibliomaniac fetter,
To join your grateful friend and debtor,
Collecting butterflies.
EUGENE FIELD"
The page is ornamented with painted
butterfly.
In little book Of Western verses, these
lines are on the flyleaf:
when Eugene Field lay dying
The death that good men die,
Came Francis Wilson flying,
AS only he can fly,
Ny friend, before you peter,
| And seek the shining shore;
Write me, in common metre,
Some autographic lore!
Then Eugene Field smiled sadly
And his eyes grew wan and dim;
| But he wrote the verses gladly,
| His friend required Of him.
| And having done this duty,
From out its home of clay;
That soul of spotleSs beauty,
To Canaan scared away
"April 5, 1896. EUGENE FIEI.D.'"
In another copy Of the same work i;
''Dibdin' Ghost"' in manuscript. And thur
| Field might be quoted to the extent oi
/ columns.
| On the flyleaf of Old Fashioned Roses
| is written:
my relig'en IS to Jest,
Do by all my level best,
Feelin' God'n Go the rest
Fact is, fur as l can see,
The good bein, maxim ME,
III make ma what ort to be-
Very truly your Hoosier friend.
| JAMES WHITC0MB RILEY.
| "oct. 25, 1884,
In an exquisite copy of that charming
pnn III.