The San Francisco call., 1913-07-27


where he dove into miniature booR
rack reserved for his fsvorites. After
1 moment of fruitiess search he said:
"rt isn't here. How stupid! took
it upstairs week ago, remember. II
is in my dressing room. Do you mind
coming up?"
At the risk OF being tedious | must
describe Cameron's dressing room. II
was not large-probably 20 fest square
with three doors, one on each OF
three sides. That which admitted
from the passageway faced that
which opened into the bathroom. On
the left the third door connected with
Cameror's bedchamber. On the right
were two windows, giving upon an
outside balcony Between them was Z
fireplace.
To the LETT OF the bathroom was the
entrance to huge closet. guarded by
heavy curtain OF old rose velvet. TO
the right was stationary washstand
and above 1t a rectangular mirror.
probably 10 inches wide and foot
long, and very curiously framed.
Across from this. against the wall
which divided the room from the pas
sage, was an enormous chest Of draw
ers. In the rooms center was round
table, on which rested q reading lamp.
Between the table and the fireplace
was q reclining chair. Other chairs.
three or four. were variousiy placed.
That In furnishing and adornment
the room was plainly utilitarian Is not
SO material. But there Is one excep-
ton to this general declaration. The
mirror above the washstand possessed
= distinction quite aside from its prac-
teal utility. Cameron had showed 1t
to me with degree OF pride early in
our acquaintance. explaining that it
was at once a relic and an heirloom.
Originally the property OF Nell
Gwynne. 1t had descended to him
through three or four generations Of
maternal ancestors.
The glass was framed in colored
beadwork. to which were attached wax
figures In high relief-at the top a
miniature portrait Of Charles III In his
state robes. at the bottom one of Nell
herself in court dress. The king ap-
peared also on the right In hunting
costume. and on the left was another
figure of his favorite in less orna-
mental garb. According to q legend,
it was Nell Gwynne's own handiwork.
Cameron told me he had used II as a
shaving mirror as long as he could
remember
As Cameron poked about for his
Baudelaire stood gazing at the glass
and thinking of all had ever read of
the illiterate but saucy, sprightly &C.
tress whose sole claim to fame hung
on her winning the favor OF that easy
going. royal hypocrite. Charles II.
Here's the binding!" heard Cam
eron say.
"You know something of bookbind-
ing" he went on with enthusiasm.
'Now examine that carefully and tell
me il you ever saw anything more ex-
quisits.'
1t was ver.table gem in it's way
and could not blame Cameron for his
raptures.
When had applauded and bepraised
to his content he took the little vol
ume from my hand and. opening it
with sort Of slow reverence, OBJ
served with something like patronism:
I'm afraid you don't quite UNDER
stand Baudclairs."
Does anybody" dung back.
He is not SO obscure az his critics
would have us believe" Cameron as
serted. ''Sit down In that lounging
chair = moment and I'll read you
something"
One poem after another he read,
while | lay back listening.
There was one verse which i'm
pressed me particularly al he read II.
and remained with me tor long while
afterward, for, Ia view of everythine,
1t seemed to have special appositive-
ness. The lines to which refer have
been translated in this wayy:
From Heaven's high balconies
Seel in their threadbare robes the dead
years cast their eyes.
And from the depths below regrets
wan smile appears.
Cameron sat with his back to the
door leading to the passageway and
facing, diagonally, across the table.
the Nell Gwynne mirror. My own back
was toward the washstand, and my
gase was on him as he read.
As he finished the verse he lifted his
eyea. ! thought to meet mine, but his
look rose over my head and clung,