The publication of numerous poems and tales in the Daily News during the years 1888 and 1889, together with those printed in America, culminating in “The Golden Week,” in July of the latter year, was but the prelude to the issue of his two “Little Books,” according to a unique plan over which we spent much thought and consumed endless luncheons of coffee and apple pie.  As I have intimated, Field was quite piqued over the cavalier reception of “Culture’s Garland,” and was determined that his next venture in book form should be between boards, a perfect specimen of book-making, and restricted, as far as his judgment could decide, to the best in various styles which he had written prior to the date of publication.  He did not wish to entrust this to any publisher, and finally hit upon the idea of publishing privately, by subscription, which was carried out.

The circular, which was prepared and mailed to a selected list of my friends, as well as his, will best explain the rather unusual method of this venture: 

  PRIVATE CIRCULAR

  CHICAGO, February 23d, 1889.

Dear Sir:—­It is proposed to issue privately, and as soon as possible, a limited edition of my work in verse and in prose.  Negotiations for the publication of two volumes are now in progress with the University Press at Cambridge.

1.  It is proposed to print one volume (200 pages) of my best verse, and one volume (300 pages) of tales and sketches.  These books will be printed upon heavy uncut paper and in the best style known to the University printer.

  2.  The edition will be limited to 200 sets (each set of two
  volumes), and none will be put upon sale.

3.  It is proposed to pay for the publication by subscriptions.  One hundred (100) shares are offered to my personal friends at ten dollars a share, each subscriber to receive two (2) sets of the books.

If you wish to subscribe to this enterprise, please fill out the accompanying blank (next page) and send it before March 25th, with money-order, draft, or check, to Mr. Slason Thompson, editor of “America,” who has consented to act as custodian of the funds necessary to the accomplishment of the purpose specified.

  Very sincerely yours,

  EUGENE FIELD.

The accompanying blank addressed to me read: 

Find enclosed ------ for ------ ($    ) representing my subscription
for ------ share ------ in the two-volume publication of Eugene
Field’s original work.

------
------ P.O.  Address.

If Field had any doubts as to the estimation in which he was held by his friends, they were dispelled by the ready response to this appeal, while the generous words accompanying many of the orders were well calculated to warm the cockles of a colder heart than beat within the breast of “The Good Knight sans peur et sans monnaie.”  Many persons to whom