The Lady Whose Book Was Peach

On the left, Cautionary Tales for Children (1907), written by Hilaire Belloc and illustrated by Basil Blackwood, who decorated some of Belloc's books but died in combat in the First World War in 1917. On the right, "St. Mercer St., Soho" posted by the Sartorialist on Monday May 10, 2010.

I don't know whither the hands of this elegant lady have gone, but I would like to imagine that if her left hand were present she would be holding this famous Belloc book. It goes so well with her finger waves, Mary Poppins medicine bag, and salmon polka dots. And it goes so well with her sly smile, as if she at one point had been a Matilda "who told such Dreadful Lies" or a Rebecca "who slammed Doors for Fun."

Belloc was once asked why he wrote so much. "Because my children," he replied, "are howling for pearls and caviar."