The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24
eessip Of Books and People Who Make Them

George w. Jacobs & Co. have estab-
lished novel loan library plan in
connection with their book selling busi-
ness. A number of open shelves have
been set up and new books of fiction
are arranged alphabetically in them,
so that prospective borrower can
make his choice. Any person of good
credit may take out the volume he
chooses at the rate of 2 cents day
for the time elapsiDe until its return.
The minimum charge is for three days.
In this way the newest books, in an
entirely clean condition. can be read
by the patrons of the firm without
the Inconvenience of induIging in the
competition at ths loan desk of a public
library. When the volume has served
it's uses at cents day it will appear
at the hurt book" counter. The idea
in combination with a book store seems
TO he new. 1T is enjoying much popu-
larity.
Clara NovelIo. the singer to whom
Charles Lamb dedicated a poem-"O,
Tuneful Daughter of Tuneful Sire"
he sang-died in Rome several weeks
ago at the age of 90. There is another
literary association with her name-she
was the heroine of that highly ssnti-
mental musical novel. Charles Auches-
ter
Houghton. Mifiin & Co. announce the
Forthcoming Incorporation of their nrni
under the name of Houghton Miniin
company. The business was founded
by Henry Oscar Houghton more than
80 years ago. This will involve no
change in it's mana ement or conduct
The present partners retain their full
interest and active participation. Mr..
James Duncan Phillips. Mr.. stephen 3.
Davol, Mr.. Roger L. Scaife, Mr.. Edwar
r. Houghton and Mr.. George Harrison
Miffin Jr.. who have been actively a.
sociated for several years. will be msm-
bers of the new corporation
An interesting cartoon showing stg
California redwood tree and pictured
from its roots to it's topmost branch
some of the important historical events
and discoveries that have occurred dur
ing the srowth Of one of those forest
antediluvians, recently appeared In
Life The picture was drawn By c.
Broughton and is about to be pub
iished by one of the Pacific railroads
as an advertisement Of the wonders OF
California.
Mr.. William de Morgan's career
should be an inspiration to all young
lads OF so to take up the work OF
writing novels. After years OF devotion
to the making OF artistic tiles. be-
ginning at the age OF So to publish
novels. although he Is not yet 20. he
has given US three exceptionally long
and. to the lover OF good literature.
very interesting books. The shortest
of them, Somehow Good" contains
270.00 words. Lovers of Dickens men
tion his name in connection with De
Morgan's books, and admirers of Troll
lope ind the quiet meandering stories
suggestive of those which Trollope
penned-
The first volume of Anatole Frances
new life of Jeanne dare has just been
brought out in Paris. It's appearance
is lie. aided as something OF a literary
event.
The distinguishes actor, John Hare.
is about to publish his "reminiscences in
serial form. 1t is stated that guam
tity of uncommonly interesting
sketches and photographs will accom-
pany his chapters
A new novel by Mary Austin will be
among the fiction of early spring. The
story. to be entitled santa Lucia, is
of California. with the difference that it
is the newer suburban California in the
vicinity of San Francisco. and not the
city proper. which supplied ancestors
to- Gertrude Atherton. or which offered
the early camp fire coloring to Bret
Harte-
Qnckc 1nrosuod