r in the "Sharps and Flats" column.
Only quotations from some of his reports of their imaginary meetings
can do justice to these children of his brain. These I should preface
with the explanation that Field always sought to preserve in his
fiction some general and distinguishing characteristics of his Saints
and Sinners, who were all real persons bearing their real names. His
many inventions stopped at bestowing fictitious names upon either his
Saints or his Sinners. I have selected "corners" which have not been
published between boards. It is, perhaps, needless to say that I am
always made to figure as a Philistine in these gatherings, as a penalty
for my lack of sympathy with the whole theory of valuing books by their
dates, editions, and bindings rather than their "eternal internals."

SOUVENIRS FROM EGYPT

At a meeting of the bibliomaniacs in the Saints and Sinners Corner
yesterday, Mr. E.G. Mason announced that he was about to start for
Africa. It was his intention to leave Chicago on the morrow, and
sail from New York on Saturday.

Mr. G.M. Millard: "Do you go in the interests of the Newberry
Library, or as the agent of Mr. Charles F. Gunther?"

Mr. Mason: "I go for pleasure, but during my absence I shall cast
around now and then for relics which I know my good friend, Mr.
Poole, desires to possess. For example, I am informed that the
Newberry Library is in need of a stock of papyrus, and if I can
secure a mummy or two I shall certainly do so. Indeed, I hope to
bring back a valise full of relics."

The Rev. Mr. Bristol: "Maybe the gentleman would like to borrow a
trunk?"

In the course of further parley it transpired that Mr. Mason
contemplated extending his tour to Syria, and he answered in the
affirmative Mr. Slason Thompson's inquiry whether he carried with
him from his venerable friend from Evanston (Dr. Poole) a letter of
introduction to the Pooles of Siloam and Bethesda. Mr. Mason only
agreed to fill the commissions involving procurement of the
following precious souvenirs:

An autograph letter of Rameses I, for the Rev. Mr. Bristol.

A quart of chestnuts from the groves of Lebanon, for Colonel J.S.
Norton.

One of Cleopatra's needles, for Mrs. F.S. Peabody.

The original Pipe of Pan, for Mr. Cox's collection of Tobacco-ana.

A genuine hieroglyphical epitaph, for Dr. Charles Gilman Smith.

A live unicorn for Mr. W.F. Poole; also the fav