Notes and Correspondence. 133 



Dedication of Stevenson Memorial. 



Professor Glenn Allen has furnished us with the following 

 account of the estabhshment of a Stevenson Memorial on Mt. 

 St. Helena: 



"The first step taken in the work of erecting a tablet to mark 

 the site of the cabin where Robert Louis Stevenson lived on 

 Mt. St. Helena, began two years ago, during Mrs. Percy S. 

 King's second term as president of the New Century Club, of 

 Napa. About that time the members of the New Century Club 

 voted, in order to expedite their work, and to diffuse interest 

 in different directions, of their large membership, to form sec- 

 tions. One of the five sections then formed was the History 

 and Landmarks Section, which at once became popular with the 

 members, and also the pioneers of Napa. Mrs. P. S. King 

 named Mrs. P. F. Powers as chairman, and she selected Mrs. 

 A. C. Johnson as her secretary. In November, 1909, outlined 

 plans, with other material, including a strong editorial from the 

 St. Helena Star "urging that steps be taken to mark this spot," 

 were read and approved by the History and Landmarks mem- 

 bers. The Secretary soon had the necessary letters written, per- 

 mission was obtained from the Pattens and Lawleys on Mt. St. 

 Helena, and the work began in earnest. 



"Garden parties and teas started the fund, a Stevenson pro- 

 gram was given at the New Century Club ; then came the united 

 assistance of the other clubs in Napa County, and success was 

 assured. 



"The following clubs gave their support: Napa Study Club, 

 Browns Valley Woman's Improvement Club, St. Helena Woman's 

 Improvement Club, Calistoga Civic Club, and the Dramatic Sec- 

 tion of the New Century Club, of Napa. The upper portion of 

 this memorial tablet is a pink Scotch granite book, on which is 

 inscribed: "This tablet placed by the Club Women of Napa 

 County marks the site of the cabin occupied in 1880 by Robert 

 Louis Stevenson and bride while he wrote The Silverado 

 Squatters.' " 



On the opposite page is a quotation from Stevenson's poem 

 "In Memoriam," and because of his early death and his wonder- 

 ful nature it seemed especially fitting to him: — 



"Doomed to know not Winter, only Spring, a being 

 Trod the flowery April blithely for a while, 

 Took his fill of music, joy of thought and seeing. 

 Came and stayed and went, nor ever ceased to smile." 



— R. L. S. 



The principal address at the dedication of the monument was 



