“Celebrities” have hitherto been valuable to the interviewer, photographer, and proprietor of a Magazine in due proportion.  Is it not high time that the Celebrities themselves have a slice or two out of the cake?  If they consent to sit as models to the interviewer and photographer, let them price their own time.  The Baron offers a model of correspondence on both sides, and, if his example is followed, up goes the price of “Celebrities,” and, consequently, of interviewed and interviewers, there will be only a survival of the fittest.

FROM A. SOPHTE SOPER TO THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

SIR,—­Messrs. TOWER, FONDLER, TROTTING & Co., are now engaged in bringing out a series of the leading Literary, Dramatic and Artistic Notabilities of the present day, and feeling that the work which has now reached its hundred-and-second number, would indeed be incomplete did it not include your name, the above-mentioned firm has commissioned me to request you to accord me an interview as soon as possible.  I propose bringing with me an eminent photographer, and also an artist who will make a sketch of your surroundings, and so contribute towards producing a complete picture which cannot fail to interest and delight the thousands at home and abroad, to whom your name is as a household word, and who will be delighted to possess a portrait of one whose works have given them so much pleasure, and to obtain a closer and more intimate acquaintance with the modus operandi pursued by one of their most favourite authors.

I remain, Sir, yours truly,

A. SOPHTE SOPER.

To the BARON DE BOOK-WORMS, Vermoulen Lodge.

FROM THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS TO A. SOPHTE SOPER, ESQ.

DEAB SIR,—­Thanks.  I quite appreciate your appreciation.  My terms for an article in a Magazine, are twenty guineas the first hour, ten guineas the second, and so on.  For dinner-table anecdotes, the property in which once made public is lost for ever to the originator, special terms.  As to photographs, I will sign every copy, and take twopence on every copy.  I’m a little pressed for time now, so if you can manage it, we will defer the visit for a week or two, and then I’m your man.

Yours truly,

BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

MR. A. SOPHTE SOPER TO THE BARON DE BOOK-WORMS.

MY DEAR BARON,—­I’m afraid I didn’t quite make myself understood.  I did not ask you to write the article, being commissioned by the firm to do it myself.  The photographs will not be sold apart from the Magazine.  Awaiting your favourable response,—­

I am, Sir, Yours,

A. SOPHTE SOPER.

FROM THE BARON TO A. SOPHTE SOPER.