Page:The Story of the House of Cassell (book).djvu/243

 Cassell's have not engaged. They have produced books on Cookery and Household Management, among them the well-known works by Phyllis Browne and Lizzie Heritage; books on Nursing and Hygiene; books on Politics and Social Economics; books for boys and girls, including the adventure tales of Edward S. Ellis, the stories of Mrs. L. T. Meade, and the famous collection of songs by John Farmer; books on Sports and Pastimes, and also Guide-books. Among a multitude of books of this last genre is one that was notable from its authorship and character. This is how the House came to publish "The Governor's Guide to Windsor Castle," by the Marquis of Lorne, husband of Princess Louise, and presently ninth Duke of Argyll.

One day towards the latter end of 1894, when almost everyone was out at lunch, a clerk went to Mr. Manson's room at the Yard to say that a gentleman who called himself the Governor of Windsor Castle wished to see someone about a book. Manson did not know who was the Governor of the Castle, but asked the clerk to bring in the visitor. Thereupon he withdrew to the door and, going into the corridor, waved his hand, calling out, "Walk this way, sir." The Chief Editor noted that he was uncommonly like the Marquis of Lorne. However, they fell at once to business.

"If you will kindly run your eye through this book," Manson remarked, taking down Vol. I of Robert Wilson's "Life and Times of Queen Victoria" from a shelf, "you will see how well we could illustrate your book at small cost."

The visitor turned over the leaves and paused at the portrait of the eighth Duke of Argyll, remarking, "I see you have my father's portrait." That settled the question of the visitor's identity.

From the day the terms were settled the Marquis sent in his MS. at frequent intervals, sometimes from Windsor, at others from Osborne, or Kensington Palace, or Inveraray, or from an hotel en route to and from one of his