Monday, June 2, 2008

"King Solomon's Mines"

1895

The death of Mr. Robert Louis Stevenson reminds me of the following interesting circumstance:

Several years ago, soon after "Treasure Island" had appeared and attracted public attention to Mr. Stevenson, two gentlemen were traveling up to London from Norfolk. One of them was reading "Treasure Island." Presently, having finished the book, he dropped it into his traveling bag, remarking, "Well, I think I could myself write a better child's story than that." The other, who, by the way, was his brother, urged him to try.

Six weeks afterward the former handed to the latter a complete tale in manuscript. It was "King Solomon's Mines," the first novel that made a reputation for Mr. Rider Haggard. — London Graphic.

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