EDITORIAL NOTES.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTORS.
There is but one policy in editing McClure's Magazine, and that is to have subjects of the highest interest treated by the people who are most competent to handle them, whether writers or artists. The result of this policy is shown in the character of the contents of the present number and of the matter secured for the coming months.
In Mr. Dana's series of personal reminiscences we have the result of the author's intimate association with the great personages of the war. Dr. Nansen, from the wealth of experience gained in one of the most extraordinary achievements in the history of the world, will outline the future of Polar exploration. General Miles, the present commander of the armies of the United States, will give the result of his observations of the armies and commanders of Europe, under the most favorable auspices, for a period of several months, during probably the most interesting year in Europe since the Franco-Prussian War. Prince Kropotkine, the eminent socialist and scientist, drawing from vast resources and personal knowledge, will write about the Siberian railway. Colonel Waring, who for nearly twoscore years has been a high authority on all the engineering and sanitary problems connected with great cities, and who is especially noted for his wonderful work in New York City in the past two or three years, will forecast the city of the future. Young Landor, who undertook a most daring expedition into Thibet and who suffered most cruelly, will tell in the magazine his experiences on his travels. Anthony Hope, who is now in this country, and whose heroine, the Princess Flavia, is probably the most adored of women, writes the further adventures and love of Rudolf Rassendyll and the Princess Flavia, and introduces the scenes and characters of his famous story, "The Prisoner of Zenda." Rudyard Kipling, nearly all of whose recent work has appeared in McClure's, will contribute a number of poems and stories during the year. Stephen Crane will be represented both by an article of unusual interest on the fastest train and by a story drawn from his experiences in the Southwest. Mr. Garland will appear as the contributor of a series of remarkably interesting papers, one of which gives the Indians' story of the Custer massacre. Mr. Charles Dana Gibson is going to spend this winter in Egypt; the result of his observations will be set forth by his pen and pencil in McClure's; besides, he will be a constant companion to Anthony Hope in "Rupert of Hentzau."
All we ask in considering matter for the magazine is, "Has it sufficient and right kind of interest?" Matter that clearly possesses this interest is always accepted, whether it comes from known or unknown contributors, and is liberally paid for. We are glad to receive and examine contributions of any sort within the scope of the magazine—short stories and historical, scientific, and other special articles. Awaiting the special writer who can prove his right to it, we have, indeed, a standing special prize. That is a position on the staff of the magazine for any one who can do such work as we are now having done by other members of the editorial staff, such as Miss Tarbell and H. J. W. Dam.
A MEMORIAL TO ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.
The proposal to erect a memorial to Robert Louis Stevenson in Edinburgh, the city of his birth, is meeting with the approval that one would have predicted for it. Besides the fitness of it because of Stevenson's unquestionable eminence as a writer, there is to prosper it that peculiar personal affection with which he bound his public to him. An American Committee has just organized to promote the project in the United States, and issues the following address:
It has been proposed to erect in his native city of Edinburgh a memorial to Robert Louis Stevenson, and a committee of his Scotch and English admirers and friends, headed by Lord Rosebery and having among its number those as near to Stevenson as Mr. Sydney Colvin, Mr. George Meredith, and Mr. J. M. Barrie, has been already formed to carry out the project. But Stevenson is nowhere held in greater admiration or affection than in America, and it seems certain that many of his American readers would be glad of an opportunity to take part in this tribute to his memory. Many of them have felt through his books the vital and stimulating personality that made him one of the most attractive figures in recent English literature; and the idea of this memorial has appealed to them with an unusual force.
With the authority of the English organization an American Committee has been formed, which asks American readers and admirers of Stevenson to contribute to the work. The memorial is to take the shape of a "statue, bust, or medallion, with such architectural or sculpturesque accompaniment as may be desirable," and the character of those having the matter in charge ensures its dignity and fitness.
Subscriptions of whatever amount will be received for the American Committee by the undersigned, its chairman, and receipts returned in the name of the committee. To the subscribers of sums of $10.00 and upward there will be sent by the American Committee, as a memorial of participation in the undertaking, a special edition, printed for the committee, of Stevenson's "Æs Triplex," bearing the subscriber's name and having as its frontispiece a reproduction of the portrait by John S. Sargent. It need hardly be said that this edition will not be otherwise obtainable.
Chairman.
Committee:
Henry M. Alden,
E. L. Burlingame,
Beverly Chew,
Charles B. Foote,
Jeannette B. Gilder,
Richard Watson Gilder,
Clarence King,
Gustav E. Kissel,
John La Farge,
Will H. Low,
Tames MacArthur,
S. S. McClure,
Augustus St. Gaudens
Charles Scribner,
J. Kennedy Tod,
Geo. E. Waring.
