A Notable Book

M. with contributions from James S. McCartney, Mary Baker Eddy

The following telegrams prefaced the delivery to Rev. Mary Baker Eddy at her home, Pleasant View, on Tuesday last, of four magnificently bound copies of the edition de luxe of "Bohemia," a notable book just published by the International League of Press Clubs.

Philadelphia, Pa., September 25, 1904.

Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.
Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

Your especially made volumes "Bohemia" ready for delivery Monday. Shall we delivery them to your representatives here, or would it be more agreeable to have official presentation by League representative? We are more than anxious to have your wishes gratified. Answer.

James S. McCartney.

Concord, N. H., September 25, 1904.

Mr. James S. McCartney,
Care of Philadelphia Record, Philadelphia, Pa.

I deeply appreciate your courtesy, kindness, veracity, but beg to be excused from further favors bestowed on me by the honorable League's representative, however much I value the proposition thereof.

Mary Baker Eddy.

The Journalist in its issue of August 6 says of this book,

"It is the most novel and complete newspaper symposium of literature and art ever published. In its more than six hundred pages 'Bohemia' gives to the discriminating reading world the best efforts of the greatest writers, artists, and caricaturists identified with the American press, and with these contributions are published able articles expressly prepared by the President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt, ex-President Grover Cleveland, President Diaz of Mexico, King Leopold of Belgium, Admiral Dewey, Rear-Admiral Schley, Rear-Admiral Sigsbee, General Miles, Chief Justice Fuller, Cardinal Gibbons, Sir Henry Irving, Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy, Rev. Edward Everett Hale, Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf, Col. William Jennings Bryan, George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of State John Hay, and scores of the world's great men, all of whom have cheerfully joined in the great work under the general direction of the International League of Press Clubs. The book itself has intrinsic value almost equal to its literary worth, but it will be treasured forever because of its distinctively unique character, an imitation of which will never be attempted. 'Bohemia' stands alone."

Those who have seen the copies specially bound for Mrs. Eddy pronounce them the very acme of perfection, both from the printer's and the binder's point of view. These books are bound in full levant, handsomely decorated with inlaid leathers, in various designs, and ornamented with letters stamped in gold. The covers differ in style, and on the back of each is the announcement that this volume has been "Made expressly for Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy."

It is gratifying to learn that Mrs. Eddy has been selected by the representative newspaper men, who have compiled this book on behalf of the International League of Press Clubs, as the one woman, out of the great number whose names have been associated with religious achievement, to be represented in so great a work. This is evidence that true merit must command the attention and respect of those who have widest opportunities to know and appreciate the world's great leaders, — those who have rendered the most important service to the cause of human progress.

The following is taken from the Concord Monitor's very interesting account of the delivery of these books to Mrs. Eddy.

"Mr. Albert E. Miller of Philadelphia, member of the Christian Science Publication Committee, was in Concord to-day as the personal messenger of the International League of Press Clubs, bearing to the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, four copies of 'Bohemia.'

" 'Bohemia' is a monumental work undertaken by the League on behalf of the proposed Journalists' Home, and has been issued under the managing-editorship of Colonel Alex K. McClure, one of America's best-known journalists. It is probably the most novel and complete symposium of literature and art ever published.

"Mrs. Eddy was one of the first women invited to contribute to 'Bohemia," and she is the only writer of her sex who treats of a religious subject, her theme, 'Fundamental Christian Science,' being most compactly yet illuminatingly treated. Accompanying her article is a sketch of Mrs. Eddy by Judge William G. Ewing of Chicago.

"The League has expended great care in the making of the volumes which were to-day delivered to Mrs. Eddy, and of the special numbered autograph copies of the author's edition de luxe, hers are numbers one, two, three, and four. The four volumes are differently bound, one in royal blue levant, one in tan levant, one in green levant, and the fourth in crushed royal levant in the beautiful shade of green. The bindings are all richly tooled and ornamented with gold, with inlaid leather ornamentation in dainty flower designs. They are lined with leather inserted panels and faced with rich watered silk.

"Mrs. Eddy's volumes left the bindery yesterday, and were brought here by special messenger. The number succeeding hers is to go to the King of the Belgians, and will be taken to his majesty by the American minister at Brussels, Mr. Lawrence Townsend, who chanced to be at the bindery when Mrs. Eddy's volumes were delivered to the messenger.

"It is a notable fact that Mrs. Eddy's is the only contribution in the book which deals with other than a literary or personal theme, and this will be taken as another indication of the widening scope of her recognition and influences and will be hailed gladly by her thousands of students throughout the world. Certain it is that the jewels of her thought never lay in richer casket than is afforded them in the volumes of 'Bohemia.'" M.

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