The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-10-12
GOSSIP FROM
LONDONWORLD
OF LETTERS

i have just seen most lovely bookplate
which has been designed for the Princess
Victoria.
1t represents a marine subject symbol
cal of the sea CT life. In the foreground
is a cross with a dove resting on it, the
whole being surrounded with laurel and
oak leaves, the latter symbolical of
strength.
In one corner is the score of ''Lohen-
grin" with the swan standing near. It
evidently is her Royal Highness' favorite
composition.
I hear that Mr.. Barrett has just de-
signed bookplate for the Queen, but it
is not allowed TO be shown yet
The bookplate craze is increasing every
day, and now every smart woman is
proud to be the possessor of this adjunct
to her library.
Talking Of books, nobody is so fond of
them or takes greater care of them than
Lady Fec Stuart, who is just now in Rus
STA. She perfectly reYels in books and
pays very large sums for them and then
has them exquisitely bound. have just
seen Goupil's edition Of the Louvre in six
volumes, which she has had bound in a
lovely shade of old French red leather
most beautifully fooled. Every volume is
lined with white watered silk.
ok 1dNlu OdIOInOnS is also very fond
books and pays large sums for their bind
ing.
But, after all, nobody spends so much
money on bookbinding as the Americans,
at least so the English firms tell me.
1t is said that Rudyard KipIing's Kim
published this week in book form after
having run serially in CasselPs Magazine.
cost him more work than any of his pre-
vious books. Some sections were rewrft-
a Qnd
were perhaps cut out altogether. The
book was begun more than eight years
ago. The journeys of Kim and his lama
reproduce many of the same travels of
the author, especially the description of
the journey toward the land of Thfbet.
The end Of the book also, 1t is under
stood, is taken from actual experience.
The Benefactress," by the author of
Elizabeth and Her German Garden.
which Messrs. Macmillan will publish he
fore very long, is 1 believe a novel of
German village life. 1t is said by those
who have read the manuscript to he f,1II
of the charm of the anonymous authors
previous works. The benefactress Is
young English woman who has a fortune
left her by German relative. She takes
up her property in Germany and the
try. l believe it Is also safe to say that
the book will contain more than a few
biographical touches.
Robert Kitchens is to call his new novs1
THE Prophet of Berkeley Square" IT a
tragic extravaganza. The prophet is a
young man who comes under the influ-
ence Of great astronomer, Sir TigIatb
Butt. This charlatan and MaIkiel the SEQ
ond, a maker of wonderful almanacs nlay
conspicuous parts in the story, which Tells
Of the trials and tribulations of the vo,,nU
man after he has consulted the prouhats
With regard to what 1 said connie of
weeks ago about Mrs. Atherton's anonv-
nous publication Of THE Aristocrats ;, T
see she now writes to the Westminster
Gazette to explain why she did not issna
the book under her own name. IT w.
she says, to amuse herself with America, :,
critics, many Of whom had abused, ba-
steadily since she began to publish Fo-
this purpose she wrote as an afterthoratt
several of the most shocking thtngs T
could concoct," anticipating that tbs~a
very passages would be praised bv En-
reviewers who had formerly "ah,,sed'.
her. She now smiles at her success
All great men have their enemies
well as friends. Among these Is C1enoa a.
Scott, England's veteran leading dranos+,o
critic. He has friends and adberar+S
through his honesty and outsDolenness
1t is that same outspokenness which has