PRINCESS MARY’S GIFT BOOK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1372, 11 March 1915, Page 4

PRINCESS MARY’S GIFT BOOK.

We have received from the publishers, Messrs Hodder and Stoughton, St. Paul’s House, Warwick Square, Loudon. E C., a copy of Princess Mary’s Gilt Book. All profits from the sale are going to the Queen’s “Work for Women” Fund, which is act ing in conjunction with the National Relief Fund, and we understand that the demand has been so colossal that nearly 400,000 copies have already been sold, and that the publishers have already paid over to the fund a sum ot .£IO,OOO on account of profits. At the price ot 2s 6d net this is probably the most wonderful volume ever placed on the market. From the frontispiece portrait of Piincess Mary, specially painted for the book. laci”g Her Royal Highness' thanks r o ‘‘the authors and aititis who have so generously contributed to mv Gilt Book,” to the last page, with its delightful nbr.iraticn by E. J. Sullivan, the :■ ' : s f ’I of beauty and cha n:. ouncesaiary’s Gift I.ook eoustories and ''Yes by 'he iojlov, mg famous authors :

Sir I. M. Barrie conltioutes a 'ly hnmr Ouo Rory entitled, “A Holiday in Bed” ; G. A. Birmingham, the famous author of ‘'General John Regan,” is represented by a characteristic Irish story entitled, ‘‘The Spy” ; Hall Caine has written a wonderful life poem ot the sea entitled, “Charlie the Cox” ; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle contributes “Bimbashi Joyce.” a story of Egypt which will tbri) every reader ; J. H. Fr-bre, the veteran French an.’ r Known as “The Insects’ Homei” ; Ellen " Thorneycroft rovvier, the tamous author of Isabel Carnaby,” who, Vi “Ao Angel of God,” tells Oi the way eyes ar<* opened to see the a- gel .:v. ts ; Cuarles Garvice,

ao.-e ‘-Mod ... ,-jluirv.” - : a charming love stoiy i the pieseut war ; oir H. Rider Haggard tells a glorious storj k heroism in South Africa in “Magepa the Buck” ; Beatrice Harraden contributes a story of ancient times with a lesson for to-day ; the Bishop of London recounts Lis experiences iu camp ; A. E. W. Mason pictures the days of the siege of Paris ; the Baroness Orczv, author of the world-famous “Scarlet Pimpernel,” gives us an entirely' new Scarlet Pimperuel story ; W. Pett Ridga, a charmingly humorous and tender story of a girl who wanted “everything different” ; Annie S. Swan, a tale of gallant Belgium ; Kate Douglas Wiggin, author ot “Rebecca of Suunybrook Farm,” a gem of a story in “Fleur-de-Lis.”

In addition to these stories there are poems by Ralph Connor, the famous Canadian novelist, who has contributed a thrilling war poem entitled, “Canada’s World”; Lady Sybil Grant, whose delightful series entitled, “Let’s Pretend” is most characteristically illustrated by Arthur Rackham, the famous illustrator of “Peter Pan” ; Rudyard Kipling, who has given permission for the inclusion in this volume of his tamous poem “Big Steamers” ; Alfred Noyes, whose “Spell for a Fairy” is a most moving and delicate piece of work; and John Oxenhafn, who is represented by a poem entitled, “What Can a Little Chap Do ?” which is already being, quoted far aud wide.

All these stories and poems are illustrated in the most elaborate manner. There are in all fourteeu plates in colour by the following world famous artists : J. J. Shannon, R.A. ; W. Russell Flint, A.R.W.S. ; Charles Napier Hemy, R.A.; R. Talbot Kelly, R.I. ; E. J. Detmold ; Arthur Rackham, R.W.S. ; Edmuud Dulac; Norman Wilkinson, R.L ; W. B. Wolleu, R.I. ; Claude A. Shepperson, A.R.W.S.; A. C. Michael; Eugene Hastain ; M. E, Gray; Carlton A. Smith, R,I. ; and over one hundred other illustrations by : C, E. Brock ; H R. Millar; Arch. Webb: A, J, Gough ; R. Talbot Keuy, x. 1.; E, J. Detmold ; Steven Spurrier, R.I. ; R. J. Hartley ; Arthur Rackham, R.W.S. ; J. Byham Shaw, AR W F ; Edmund Duk : : W.ikinscm. R.I. ; Joseph 4 K.B.A. ; W. B. Wolleu, P.I ; CU ode A. Sbcpperson,

A.R.W.S. ; H. M. Brock, R,I. ; Gordon Browi'e, R.I. ; Lewis Baumer ; Harold Earnshaw ; Ed.mund J. Sullivan, A.R.W.S. These paintings and drawings have been specially executed for the work, and the originals are being exhibited and sold by the Leicester Galleries, Leicester Square, Already we learn there is great competition among ait lovers to secure these beautiful pictures and unique souvenirs of Princess Mary’s Gift Book.

Princess Mary has recent'.' .honoured J. J. Shannon, R.A., with sittings for the p ‘ ait which is specially painted 101 her git? book, and which forms th- ,r on'' piece to that work. Quite apart from the 't which it is published, ir , Mary’s Gift Book is a ; which appeals to all. Ever y member of the family w. 'o'.: pleasure iu its pages. It is ink * a volu; :e w jich every household will treasure 0.. -' w hich, for years to come, will se-- ; e as c hy merueuto of what the Empire wrought for the women who sul tered through • - " r . °f the great war.

Piincess Mary’s Gi'.t Book, price 2s 6rt net, at all booksellers, bookstalls arid newsagents throughout the world. Published by Plodder and Stoughton, St Paul’s House, Warwick Square, London, E.C.