August 19 Thursday — David Rutherford wrote from London, offering to illustrate for nothing:
Dear Sir, / In the “Idler” of February 1898 there appeared an article by Robert Barr in which he exposed a “system” advised by you for those in want of work and which had been acted upon very successfully in a number of instances by those who applied it. [...]
... My ambition is to illustrate your next book, if there will be no next book, then I would be gratified to illustrate any one of your works that has not already been done which could stand another edition. I have been at illustrating work for 15 years and have been working for various firms, but in my own name my work is practically unknown, now were you to favour and trust me with the work which I desire perhaps I should then be able to earn a living off my own bat for myself and family. I am quite young yet not yet 30, but I could go on wasting years in the service of others without credit just so long as I cared to and I don’t care to. [...] [MTP]. Note: for Sam’s reply see ? Aug 31.