Letter from W[illiam] G. Chapman to John Muir, 1909 Apr 5.

Creator

William G. Chapman

Creator

W[illiam] G. Chapman

Recipient

John Muir

Transcription

Telephone, 2377 MainCable Address, Gerard-ChicagoINTERNATIONAL PRESS BUREAUW. G. CHAPMAN, Manager84-86 LA SALLE STREETCHICAGONEWSPAPERFEATURESPUBLISHERS' AND AUTHORS'AGENTSApril 5th, 1909.Mr. John Muir,Martinez,California.My dear sir,-There is such an encouraging trend toward everything pertaining to Nature at this period, that I am tempted to issue in our service to newspapers a series of articles on the out-of-doors---articles dealing with the wild life of the woods, such as you know it, perhaps better than anyone else. And I think such a series from your pen would prove of vast interest and value to that great proportion of the reading public that looks to the newspapers for its literature, and seldom reads the magazines and the better class of books.Would you be interested in the suggestion? And would you care to undertake to provide such a series--of, say, perhaps twelve papers? Though I have some doubt that the venture would prove a large success from a view-point of pecuniary profit, that is not entirely my object in making this proposal, as the personal satisfaction of issuing such a series would be in itself a sufficient inducement. But we would of course remunerate you at a fait rate for the work.Daily Service of Humor by Great American HumoristsDaily Short Story ServiceDaily Illustrated Joke ServiceSerials, Short Stories, etc.W. D. Nesbit's "Sermons in Song""Mme. Merri's Novel Entertainments" Weekly Feature04475 Telephone, 2377 MainCable Address, Gerard-ChicagoINTERNATIONAL PRESS BUREAUW. G. CHAPMAN, Manager84-86 LA SALLE STREETCHICAGONEWSPAPERFEATURESPUBLISHERS' AND AUTHORS'AGENTS#2.If this idea appeals favorably to you I should be very happy to discuss it with you in greater detail. The best form such a series should take, I believe, would be twelve papers of about 2,000 words each, devoted to the "human interest" of the woods, fields, waters and their denizens--not a scientific dissertation, but a record of your observations presented in a manner that would appeal to and be understood by the average city dweller who has but little opportunity to study Nature at first hand.I am prompted to write you in this connection after perusing a review of your book, "STICKEEN", which I am anxious to read at the first opportunity.Trusting that the foregoing will appeal to you in some measure, and that I may be favored with an expression at your convenience, believe me to be,Yours very sincerely,[illegible]Manager[illegible]Daily Service of Humor by Great American HumoristsDaily Short Story ServiceSerials, Short Stories, etc.W. D. Nesbit's "Sermons in Song""The Kitchen Cabinet" Daily Household Feature"Mme. Merri's Novel Entertainments" Weekly Feature04475