The sun., 1918-08-25

knowledge. Word has been received here
from Louisville, KY, that the magnificent
library of Americana owned by the late
Douglas Shirley is to be burned under the
provisions of that gentleman 8 will. As the
library is rich in early Kentuckiana and ma
terial relating to the Southwest the loss can
be readily conjectured.
The Cadmus Book Shop is now the proud
possessor of the only complete set Of the
SoHfhern Literary Messenger that is for sale
The only imperfeetion in the set is that q
few wrappers are lacking. 1t has every
other point. 1t is well known Chat the num-
bers of the civil war period are those most
dlfhcult to obtain, as many of them are ex-
cessively rare, so that the completion of n
file at this late day is no mean accomplish
ment.
Replies to Questions.
B. D., Washington, d. C.-Claytou Ham,
iiton s On the Trail of Stevenson, about
which you inquire. was published as serial
IN the BookmdR originally, and published in
book form later by Doubleday, Page & Co.
After 1t had come out as book the Steven
son family raised objections to a consider
able number of statements that appeared in
1t, though when it was running in the maya
zine they offered none
The book was suppressed. The changes in
Its form suggested by the family were made
and the book at once republished. This,
briefly, is the history of the suppression.
As to the changes made, the following are
said to be the principal ones: On page 81.
the last paragraph; page 20, that beginning
The last result ~; page II, the one begin,
ming These conclusions are my own:
page H. when Louis was fioundering',:
page Ss, first two lines altered; page 81.
middle paragraph altered; page 90 second
paragraph; page l29, that which Legins "a
legend still y down to paragraph three, which
is all taken out; page 1873, alterations at
the end OF the first paragraph; page l47.
last paragraph.
In the original edition page 100 begins:
Inc entire truth of that great adventure
and refers to the marriage with Mrs. Steven.
son; ana II 1t Is present in your copy you
have the original edition. If the second
paragraph begins ''Stevenson' s account of
his experiences in the cabin of the 8 s
Devonia y it is the second publication. Per.
haps a close comparison of the two issues
might show other changes, but they wouId
be slight. and those here referred TO cover
all the changes that were positively urgcd
by the Stevenson family.
The book has sold for $3.50 at auction.
but 1T is thought by those most cornpeteut
to Judge that $40 is all il is now worth
w u. j., Albany, n. Y-The Tisiou of
Columbus is worth about $3.50. though it has
sold occasionally for more
n. D. l., Long Branch, n. IA fine copy
OF Bret Harte's poems can be had of dealer.
Tor about 81 In view of this Won will SEQ
the futIlity of irving to get $50 for YOURS
unless it is inscribed by the author.
Il. A. p, New York-D. NJ Bennett was n
free thinker who published many books and
pamphlets on that subject He sometimes
overstepPed the mark, permitting Ianpuaoe
TO aPDear in print to which Anthony Com
stock took exception, with the result that Ben
nett found himself subjected to great an.
noyance and finally to criminal Prosecution
After a long siege Bennett grew tired of
the Perslstency with which he was followed
up, and in order that the public might have
MS side of the case he published a pamphlet
having as IFS title An Open Letter TO Sam
"et Colgate. Touching Upon the Conduct of
A"t"0nq Comstock and the Nru York So
cie'y tor the Suppression Of I-ice. which
gave n history Of the whole affair. The
pamphlet was published in 1879 and il now
verv rare.
Fl. c. N. Brooklyn-The BERGEN nane,s
were sold at the rooms of tbe Amar;ean A.
Assoc iatlon during the past season. It was
staten ~ the time of the sale that the Long
Island Historical Society-which should have
purchased the entire lot-onIy secured
very few ineonseGuentiaI items. their hill
being less than $50. THE SIN does NOT
know the purchaser of the particular item
concerning which you make inquiry.
j. X. a.. Newhurgh. y. Y-AU the eorlr
almanacS published along the Hudson Val
ley are more or less valuable Send in your
list AMI THE Sun will try to give YOU the
approximate values. If anv are imperfect
nr in poor condition note the fact on YOUR
list.