AMERICA'S "BOOKS OF GOLD."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 191, 14 July 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMERICA'S "BOOKS OF GOLD."

The latest novelty in war funds has been started by Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, who, according to the 'World,' has invited her friends in New York and Philadelphia to contribute to ''what might <l»'te properly be called a royal relief fund."

Mrs. Vanderbilt is endeavouring to collect £60,000, which she intends to present in equal shares to Queen Mary, the Czarina, and President Poincare, who will be at liberty to devote the money to whatever purposes they choose.

Only thirty persons are asked to subscribe to the fund, the stipulation being that each donation shall be £2OOO —no more and no less. It is understood that the fund has now reached £25,000. Mrs. Vanderbilt and her husband started it with £2OOO each. The Queen, the Czarina and President Poincare will receive their £20,000 in gold coin, which, it is said, will be sent to them in gold bags. '•'Books of Gold" will accompany the money. Mrs. Vanderbilt proposes to have three volumes made of the precious metal, in which the names of the contributors to the fund will be inscribed. Each book will contain ten names.

Smaller ."Books of Gold" will he given to the subscribers, and they will bear the autograph of the recipient of the particular donation—the Queen, the Czarina, or the French President. As the "Livre d'Or," to give it its historical French name, the "Book of Gold" is an institution hundreds of years old. In the early sevententh century, in Venice, a number of noble families presented to their ruler the first "Livre d'Or,"' in which all their names and titles were inscribed. The gift was meant to be an expression of loyalty to and love for the ruler. These books for Queen Mary, the Czarina, and President Poincare are the first American "Livres d'Or." It is Mrs. Vanderbilt's idea to have the fund taken to Europe and presented Hi person to the three recipients.