The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-13
S@TEVENSON'S STORY
TOLD IN LETTERS
Interesting Collection Begins
With Authors BoyhOOd-
Will BE Sold.
VALUE IN CATALOGUE TOO

TIE collection of autograph letters
of Robert Lou Stevenson now on view
IN the Anderson Galleries preparatory
TO an auction sale beginning February
IS IL interesting the still numerous
leaders OF the works OF the novelist and
poet. The letters are the property OF
Mrs. Salisbury Field. who Inherited
them from her mother. the late Mrs.
Il. l.. Stevenson.
They begin with the earliest baby
scrnwls of his childhood and progress
TO the times when Stevenson discussed
with his father plans for writing a
book that would be a sort OF spiritual
guide for young men the sort OF
book. he says. that he wished SOM" one
had placed with him in his youth.
One of tho earliest manuscripts L. In
Steverson's mothers hand and has the
heading by her. Remarks for about
o~ne-quarter of an hour by Mr.. Smoutic."
y heading that shows that the mother
had exactly the right amount of hui
moi and tenderness TO bring up such a
son.
Pride of Authorship In Bog hood.
All OF the Incidents of Stevenson's
school life are touched upon in the
lively, intimate correspondence will
the family at home. In n letter to his
father he writes: Il have tone some
thing. ! have made a grand step. I
have appeared tefore the eyes OF the
public az an author" probably referring
to the SchooibouS' Md0dsine. the first
of the Numerous magazines that were
started by the novelist. \ copy of this
magazine IL included in the collection.
Another genuine cry from the heart
and algurv OF the many physical trou-
bles that were TO bes"t Steyenson's life
IS this MY dear papa. YOU told me-
To tell YOU whenever ! wac miserable.
l do not feel well and I wish to gel
home IlcaS" take me with YOU"
Stevenson NJ one time hoped to entel
n German university. but his health be
came 50 ~prcCdrious that lie had to Civ,
up the plan. He did. however. go Il
Frankfort. and the series Of letters from
there Is one of the most amusing In IN,
book. There are all sorts Of conpari
sons Of the French and Germans tina
make significant reading at present. Tn.
descriptions in them clearly show tn
ability that was later TO become worlC
famous.
"a Hundred Jinpiinp 0uid."
There are references to most of thu
well known books. In a note 10 hi
parents signed Treasure ELAN N
writes "Thcr. has been offered 10
] ! IttNNIf lFlhl lhA' - Nv ~ vi
pose I believe Il would be an eNccllen
Jest 10 keep the answer till my mex
letter. For two cents | would do SO
snail |? Anyway III turn the pag'
FIRST. So-wcll-a hundred pounds. Al
alive. oh. A hundred jinglinc. tinglinG
golden. minted Guid"
Famous pcrsonaccs are referred Z
!, here and there. N. mentions John ;
=. sargent. the portrait painter "A charm
ing. simple. clever. honest young man
he has delighted us. Il appears ina
Gladstone talks all the time about Treas
are Island he would do better TO atten'
to IN, Imperial affairs Of England"
There ia one letter actually addresse
r TO Gladstone, for whom Stevenson ha'
an aversion. and which probably neve
was sent II was signed Your felIo'
crimlnal IN the eyes of %
The catalogue of this collection is
volume of decided value TO students q
this writer.