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| 343 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/343 | Index to The Author, Vol. 12 (1903) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index+to+%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+%281903%29">Index to <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 (1903)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a>; <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index">Index</a> | 1903-The-Author-12-index | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=78&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=The+Society+of+Authors">The Society of Authors</a>; <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=78&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Bradbury%2C+Agnew+%26+Co.">Bradbury, Agnew & Co.</a> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1903">1903</a> | | | | | | | | | | | | https://historysoa.com/files/original/4/343/1903-The-Author-12-index.pdf | publications, The Author |
| 344 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/344 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 01 (June 1901) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+01+%28June+1901%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 01 (June 1901)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1901-06-01-The-Author-12-1 | | | | | 1–16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1901-06-01">1901-06-01</a> | | | | | | | 1 | | | 19010601 | The Autbor.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.—No. 1.]<br />
JUNE 1, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
PAGE<br />
Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... ...<br />
Mrs. Humphry Ward on the Art of Writing Fiction... ... ... 10<br />
Literary Property.-A Publisher's Agreement and Mr. " Abso Some American Views ... ...<br />
11<br />
...<br />
... ...<br />
gi lute”<br />
Actor-Managers and New Plays ...<br />
... 12<br />
... ... ... ... ... ...<br />
Correspondence.-1. The Dating of Books, and other Suggestions<br />
Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... ... ...<br />
for Copyright. 2. Authors' Deductions and Income Tax.<br />
Annual Dinner of the Society of Authors ... ...<br />
3. Magazines and Literature. 4. Editors<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors ...<br />
Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14<br />
...<br />
...<br />
«<br />
« « «<br />
*<br />
12<br />
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18.<br />
2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary<br />
Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum,<br />
post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 1os. 6d. per vol.<br />
3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38.<br />
4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18.<br />
5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.)<br />
6. The Various Methods of Publication. Py S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the<br />
papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to<br />
Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the<br />
various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their<br />
agreements. 38.<br />
Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT TARING. Being additional facts collected at<br />
the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and<br />
advice. 28.<br />
Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With<br />
Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the<br />
American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Is. 6d.<br />
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT<br />
(Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 15.<br />
9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst<br />
LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d.<br />
10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT<br />
THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 18.<br />
[All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.]<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. (#332) ################################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT.<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL<br />
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBson.<br />
The Rev. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE.<br />
J. M. BARRIE.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A. W. DUBOURG.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
ROBERT BATEMAN.<br />
SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D.<br />
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.<br />
F.R.S.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
J. C. PARKINSON.<br />
SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.<br />
EDMUND GOSSE.<br />
The Right Hon. The Lord PiB.<br />
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
BRIGHT, F.R.S.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. | H. RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Barto,<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH THOMAS HARDY.<br />
LL.D.<br />
CLERE.<br />
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.<br />
HALL CAINE.<br />
JEROME K. JEROME.<br />
E. ROSE.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
W. BAPTISTE SCOONES.<br />
P. W. CLAYDEN.<br />
RUDYARD KIPLING.<br />
Miss FLORA L. Shaw.<br />
EDWARD CLODD.<br />
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS.<br />
W. MORRIS COLLES.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. W.E.H. LECKY,M.P. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.<br />
The Hon. John COLLIER.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
J. J. STEVENSON.<br />
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
F. MARION CRAWFORD.<br />
SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN.<br />
Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD.<br />
OF KEDLESTON.<br />
Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.<br />
Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
E, ROSE.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
SUB-COMMITTEES.<br />
ART.<br />
Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. I M. H. SPIELMANN.<br />
COPYRIGHT.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
W. M. COLLES.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
DRAMA.<br />
HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman).<br />
F. C. BURNAND.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
EDWARD ROSE.<br />
SFIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
Solicitors-<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street.<br />
Secretary-G. HERBERT THBING.<br />
OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C.<br />
ESTABLISHED 1896.<br />
THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. LTD.<br />
INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS.<br />
MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing.<br />
NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED.<br />
WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 1 (#333) ##############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.-No. 1.]<br />
JUNE 1, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are<br />
signed or initialled the Authors alone are<br />
responsible. None of the papers or para-<br />
graphs must be taken as expressing the<br />
collective opinions of the Committee unless<br />
they are officially signed by G. Herbert<br />
Thring, Sec.<br />
M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all<br />
1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and<br />
he requests members who do not receive an answer<br />
to important communications within two days to write to<br />
him without delay. All remittances should be crossed<br />
Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by<br />
registered letter only.<br />
-<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
E<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjoots whatever. Articles which cannot be<br />
accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany<br />
the MSS.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“Cost of Production."<br />
IV. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :-<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
TERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
n agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :-<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to :<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise.<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for " office expenses,"<br />
anless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con.<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
B 2<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 2 (#334) ##############################################<br />
<br />
TIIE AUTHOR.<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
yr old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you<br />
are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are<br />
reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing<br />
the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen.<br />
dence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of<br />
members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof<br />
safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con-<br />
fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who<br />
will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :-(1)<br />
To read and advise upon agreements and to give advice con-<br />
cerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness<br />
for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements.<br />
(4) To enforce payments due according to agreements.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipte<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set ont under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed.<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the sabject of dramatic con.<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA.<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
TEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers of<br />
its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated<br />
as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS.<br />
includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY AND<br />
DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under special<br />
arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers<br />
are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one<br />
guinea.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the<br />
1 Society that, although the paper is sent to them free<br />
of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very<br />
heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
68. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to ..<br />
the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln'g-inn<br />
Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER THAN<br />
THE 2186 OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB is situated at 3, Whitehall court,<br />
London, S.W. Address the Secretary for information<br />
concerning rules of admission, &c.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub.<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice bought is such as can be given best by a solici.<br />
tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the<br />
Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's<br />
opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him<br />
Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
2. Remember that questions conneuted with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreoments do not generally fall within the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 3 (#335) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
LITERARY PROPERTY.<br />
aned<br />
I.-A Publisher's Agreement and Mr.<br />
"Absolute.”<br />
AGREEMENT made this day of<br />
BETWEEN<br />
of<br />
(hereinafter called the AUTHOR) of the<br />
one part and<br />
of<br />
(bereinafter called the<br />
PUBLISHER) of the other part, WHEREBY it is agreed as<br />
follows:-<br />
1. The PUBLISHER agrees to purchase and the AUTHOR<br />
agrees to sell the entire copyright, without any reserve, in<br />
the United Kingdom and all other parts of the world, of a<br />
work entitled<br />
, the completed manuscript execated<br />
in a proper manner of which the AUTHOR has delivered to<br />
the PUBLISHER, and all future editions thereof in considera-<br />
tion of the following payments, viz. :<br />
A royalty of on the pablished price of all copies<br />
sold op to 3000, a royalty of after 3000 (this last<br />
increase oply taking place as long as the book is not<br />
reduced in price lower than 68. and as long as 500 copies<br />
are sold in each year).<br />
2. The PUBLISHER will according to his own judgment<br />
and in such a manner as in bis anfettered discretion he may<br />
consider advisable at his own cost print and publish a first<br />
edition of the said work, and further editions if in his judg.<br />
ment further editions are required, and in his absolute<br />
discretion advertise tbe same, and shall determine all<br />
details and in bis absolute discretion make all arrangements<br />
of and incidental to the printing, publishing, advertising,<br />
sale price, and reviewing of the said work.<br />
3. The PUBLISHER sball in his absolute discretion have<br />
the right to sell, exchange, assign, or otherwise dispose of<br />
all and every right of publication or of translation of the<br />
said work on any terms and for any period and either<br />
wholly or partially or exclusively or otherwise as he shall<br />
think expedient for the colonies and foreign conatries, and<br />
an amount equivalent to 50 per cent. of the net profits<br />
realised and actually received by tha PUBLISHER shall be<br />
paid to the AUTHOR.<br />
4. If the PUBLISHER shall sell an edition (or such number<br />
of copies as may be fixed on by the PUBLISHER in his own<br />
absolute discretion as constituting an edition for the purpose<br />
of this clause) to & publisher or bookseller in the United<br />
States of America, the provision as to royalties in clause i<br />
hereof provided shall not apply, but the AUTHOR shall be<br />
paid a royalty equivalent to one half the royalty that would<br />
be paid were the copies in question sold to the English<br />
trade.<br />
5. If the said work shall be included in any edition of<br />
works published in England for exclusive sale in any<br />
colony, the royalty shall be ad. on each copy sold.<br />
6. The PUBLISHER may, in his absolute discretion, sell,<br />
excbange, assign, or otherwise dispose of the remainder of<br />
any edition at remainder prices, and the AUTHOR shall not<br />
be entitled to any royalty in respect thereof, but shall in<br />
lieu thereof be entitled to a payment equivalent to 5 per<br />
cent. of the net profit realised by such sale and actually<br />
received by the PUBLISHER.<br />
7. The AUTHOR shall revise and return for press with all<br />
reasonable speed the proof sheets of the work so that the<br />
same may be printed without interruption.<br />
8. If the printer's charges for author's corrections of the<br />
first or any other edition of the said work exceed an average<br />
of 68. per sheet of thirty-two pages, the excess shall be<br />
repaid to the PUBLISHER by the AUTHOR and may be<br />
deducted from royalties due or to become due bereunder or<br />
from any moneys held by the PUBLISHER on account of the<br />
AUTHOR.<br />
9. The AUTHOR shall revise with all possible despatch<br />
any new edition of the said work and correct the proofs and<br />
otherwise assist as may be required by the PUBLISHER.<br />
10. The AUTHOR shall not write or publish, either<br />
directly or indirectly, any other work on the same subject<br />
of such a kind that the sale of the work shall be in any way<br />
prejudicially affected, and should be write anotber work on<br />
the same or cognate subjects be sball in the first instance<br />
give the PUBLISHER the right to acquire the work by<br />
purchase or otherwise as may be arranged.<br />
11. This agreement is entered into by the PUBLISHER ON<br />
the warranty by the AUTHOR that the said work does not<br />
infringe any copyright, and that the said work does not<br />
contain anything of a libellous nature. If the said work<br />
does contain anything constituting or alleged to constitute<br />
& breach of such warranty, and proceedings<br />
or brought for any alleged infringement of copyright or for<br />
any alleged libel, and it is deemed advisable by the PUB.<br />
LISHER in his absolute discretion not to contest the matter<br />
but to arrive at a settlement thereof, or if the action is<br />
successfully contested, then and in every case the AUTHOR<br />
shall pay in advance to the PUBLISHER & sufficient eum to<br />
cover the estimated costs of the PUBLISHER in defending<br />
such action or threatened proceedings, and shall at the same<br />
time give to the PUBLISHER Security satisfactory to him to<br />
indemnify him against any damage awarded in such action,<br />
and shall on demand repay to the PUBLISHER all costs (as<br />
between solicitor and client), damages, and expenses<br />
incurred by the PUBLISAER in respect of or resulting from<br />
or incidental to the publication, advertisement, withdrawal<br />
of, and other dealings with the said work, to the effect that<br />
the PUBLISHER shall have full and complete indemnity<br />
from the AUTHOR in respect of all out of pocket expenses<br />
in connection with the said work.<br />
12. The PUBLISHER shall keep proper books of accounts<br />
showing the number of copies of the said work sold, and<br />
also accounts showing the sales up to the 30th day of June<br />
and the 31st day of December in every year, as far as can<br />
be accurately ascertained, shall be delivered to the AUTHOR<br />
as soon as practicable after these respective dates, and the<br />
royalties dae and payable sball be paid not later than the<br />
ensning 30th day of November and the 3180 day of May<br />
respectively in every year, and in estimating such royalties<br />
thirteen copies of the said work sball be counted as twelve.<br />
13. The PUBLISHER shall give to the AUTHOR free of<br />
charge six copies of the said work.<br />
14. Nothing in this agreement contained shall constitute<br />
or be taken to constitute a partnership between the<br />
parties.<br />
M HE agreement printed above has nearly all<br />
the faults which from an author's point of<br />
view it could possibly contain. These<br />
faults have been criticised over and over again in<br />
The Author, and also in the work published by<br />
the Society entitled “ Forms of Agreement issued<br />
by the Publishers' Association, with Comments<br />
by G. Herbert Thring and Illustrative Examples<br />
by Sir Walter Besant.” But it has been thought<br />
essential to reproduce this special form, as it is a<br />
new form recently brought forward. Several<br />
copies have been sent to the Secretary for his<br />
comments. It is much to be regretted that pub.<br />
lishers who really desire an equitable agreement<br />
between the parties should still persist in putting<br />
forward such a document.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 4 (#336) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
· CLAUSE 1.-The author sells every right he has nothing further need be said, the amount that<br />
in the world in England, her Colonies and an author can obtain in royalty being merely a<br />
Dependencies, in America, and under the Berne matter of bargaining, but attention should be<br />
Convention. The folly of this course is evident. drawn to the latter part of the clause, which is<br />
The English publishers should only hold a licence inserted in brackets. It might lead the unsus-<br />
to publish in England, her Colonies and Depen. pecting author into considerable difficulty, as the<br />
dencies. It is sometimes necessary to except publisher nowhere undertakes to produce the<br />
Canada. All other rights are generally left book at 68., and it is possible that he might, if<br />
in the hands of an agent, and much better so than the sales were averaging about 500 a year, stop<br />
in the hands of publishers, for this reason—that a them before they reach that number.<br />
publisher does not as a general rule undertake the In CLAUSE 2 Mr. " Absolute" has everything at<br />
work of a literary agent; that his office is not to his “ unfettered discretion ” and practically takes<br />
place literary work in other hands, but to produce all the powers into his own hands. He does not<br />
literary work for the author; that work of this mention the date when he will publish, and he does<br />
kind left in the hands of publishers is not likely not mention the form in which he will publish, nor<br />
to receive anything like the same attention as it does he mention the price at which he will pub-<br />
is if left in the hands of a literary agent; that lish, and at his “absolute discretion ” he adver-<br />
the publisher is the only person who gains by tises or not, and at “his absolute discretion " he<br />
having control of this work, and that the author makes what arrangement he likes with regard to<br />
loses by leaving it in his hands. It should be the production of the book. He is particularly<br />
pointed out further that the publisher does not "absolute” in this clause. It is needless to say<br />
anywhere in the agreement undertake to secure that such a clause as this is “absolutely ” bad<br />
the American copyright for the author, nor even from the author's point of view. Some of the<br />
to do his best to obtain it. It may pay an difficulties of CLAUSE 3 have already been pointed<br />
English publisher better to sell sheets or stereos out when commenting on clause 1, but Mr.<br />
to America and pay the author a royalty as per " Absolute” makes his position exceedingly clear<br />
clause 4. It should be added (see clause 3) that to the unfortunate author. The publisher, as<br />
for tbis agency work, while the literary agent already pointed out, pockets 50 per cent. of the<br />
charges 10 per cent., the publisher generally asks profits, for which the negotiations, in many cases,<br />
from 30 to 50 per cent. (in tbis case 50 per cent.). entail the mere writing of one or two short letters;<br />
Out of a large series of agreements before the and again it should be pointed out that the sale<br />
Society from all sorts and conditions of pub- of these minor rights may entail great delay in<br />
lishers the lowest charge for this literary agency publication in addition to the efforts of the<br />
business has been 25 per cent., and this only in publisher being careless and balf-hearted.<br />
one case.<br />
Again, in CLAUSE 4, the publisher safeguards<br />
Further, a publisher who makes his profit out himself against obtaining the American copy-<br />
of the English book publication looks upon the right. As a general rule, it does not pay a<br />
increase in his profits from these other sources as publisher to obtain the American copyright for<br />
little extra luxuries. He does not push to get a an author. In clause 4 if he does not obtain such<br />
fair price for the author or to keep up the author's copyright, the author is to have half the royalty<br />
position in the literary market, but he readily that he would obtain if the copies had been sold<br />
accepts any offer that is made.<br />
to the English trade; this, quite irrespective of<br />
An example was recently before the Secretary any bargain which Mr. “Absolute” may make<br />
where the serial rights of a 68. novel, held by the with the American house with which he is dealing.<br />
publisher, were sold for £30. The book was The arrangement may be an exceedingly good<br />
by an author of no mean reputation, who could arrangement for the publisher; no doubt Mr.<br />
obtain without difficulty £100 if his work had “ Absolute” will see that it is a good arrange-<br />
been fairly marketed.<br />
ment, otherwise he will not accept it, as the<br />
There is another point-that publishers very acceptance or rejection lies entirely with him,<br />
often delay the publication of a book in order to and it is possible that he might arrange with an<br />
market these minor rights, and it is quite pos- American publisher to obtain more than 50 per<br />
sible that, as the agreement stands, if the pub- cent. of the just returns.<br />
lisher was desirous of serialising both in England Iu CLAUSE 5 it will be noticed that the author<br />
and America the publication might be delayed is to have 2d. on each copy sold to the Colonies.<br />
almost indefinitely.<br />
As the book to which this agreement refers is<br />
· That there should be a rising royalty is only presumably a 6s. book (no price being actually<br />
fair if the author cannot claim the highest fixed), it is as well to point out that the ordinary<br />
royalty at once. With regard to this point, price paid to an autbor is from 4d. to 4 d. a<br />
GILUMO<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 5 (#337) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
copy. The arrangement by which the author from all loss would necessarily render him care.<br />
gets 2d. is an exceedingly good one for Mr. less as to the costs he might incur, the settle-<br />
* Absolute.”<br />
ments he might make, and his whole course of<br />
The next clause (6) is also a dangerous clause action. The author would be powerless under<br />
for the author. It is wearisome to repeat the the clause as it stands. Mr. “Absolute” has<br />
reasons, but attention should be drawn to the “out-Heroded Herod," “pray you avoid him.”<br />
fact that the author is paid 5 per cent. on the net It must be repeated that where a publisher makes<br />
profits, the publisher taking the rest.<br />
an out-and-out purchase, as he does in this agree-<br />
With regard to CLAUSE 8, again, it is fair that ment, the motto should be caveat empter, and the<br />
the publisher should be protected against the author should not give a guarantee to the<br />
heavy expense of corrections brought about by publisher.<br />
the author, but the amount, 6s. per sheet of The account clause (12) is not satisfactory;<br />
thirty-two pages, as quoted in this agreement, it is not, however, as bad as some. The irony<br />
is perhaps the smallest amount that has been of clause 14 is perhaps its most amusing point.<br />
allowed to any author in any agreement that has Apology must be made for a merely superficial<br />
come before the Society.<br />
commentary on this extraordinary agreement. If<br />
In CLAUSE 9, again, the author is entirely at the any member of the Society would care to have<br />
beck and call of the publisher. The work is the further details he must apply to the secretary.<br />
author's, but he is not allowed to revise it unless Space does not allow of the further unravelling of<br />
the publisher desires him to do so, and his Mr. “Absolute's" methods.<br />
G. H. T.<br />
revision, even, is subject to the publisher's<br />
discretion.<br />
In CLAUSE 10 the author is forbidden to publish<br />
a work which is likely to conflict with the<br />
PARIS LETTER.<br />
interests of Mr. “ Absolute.” but our friend Mr.<br />
" Absolute” might, on the other hand, desiring<br />
to control the market with regard to a certain<br />
4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts.<br />
style of publication, kill a book at “his absolute M HE first spring of the new century has been<br />
discretion” in order that it might not in any way I signalised by an outburst of literary and<br />
conflict with any work of his own on the same intellectual activity. Place aux jeunes !<br />
subject already on the market. If the author is might be its watchword. A marked favour is<br />
bound not to produce, it is only fair that the being shown to young writers and the ideas pro-<br />
publisher should be equally bound.<br />
mulgated by the rising generation. The reading<br />
CLAUSE 11 is perhaps the most absolute clause committee of the Comédie Française—that erst<br />
of this absolute agreement. If the book was the stronghold of precedent, protection, and prejudice<br />
author's, and the publisher bad a licence to -is placing itself in the advance guard of the<br />
publish, it is fair under certain circumstances, movement by accepting new men's work, rightly<br />
and to a certain limited extent, to guarantee the esteeming that the hall-mark of original talent<br />
publisher against infringement of copyright and counterbalances the lack of a celebrated signa-<br />
libel; but as the book is the publisher's, he ought ture. Of the second revolution going on in the<br />
to protect himself before the purchase. In any heart of the Comédie itself it is not our<br />
case, the author is asked to concede much too province to speak. The proceedings of the first<br />
much. A case once arose in which the publisher general assembly of the Association internationale<br />
of a scientific book dealing with the sex question des Académies have, likewise, been duly detailed<br />
on scientific lines was prosecuted by the police. elsewhere. In his opening speech the president<br />
The publisher pleaded guilty to obscene publica made a graceful allusion to the services rendered<br />
tion, and the author, although his book was by the Royal Society, to whose initiative the idea<br />
approved by some of the greatest scientists in of an international catalogue of scientific litera-<br />
Europe, had no power of clearing his character. ture was due. The floral games at Toulouse, and the<br />
This case is not an exact analogy, but power is pretty ceremonies which accompanied the bestowal<br />
given to the publisher of making any agreement by the Clémence Faure Academy of the silver<br />
without the author having any opportunity of violet, primrose, pink, eglantine, lily, and mari.<br />
clearing himself. It is possible that under gold (marking the respective order of merit<br />
similar circumstances the publisher might consent attained by the poem thus recompensed) must<br />
to the payment of a large sum to satisfy a case also rauk among the matter“crowded out.” That<br />
rather than permit the author to vindicate his the judge's office was no sinecure is attested by<br />
character with regard to what he had written. the fact that out of a total of 759 poetical<br />
Besides, the fact that the publisher is protected effusions only ten were deemed worthy of reward<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 6 (#338) ##############################################<br />
<br />
6<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
--to wit, five poets and three poetesses, one M. SAINT-GEORGES DE BOUHÉLIER. ::<br />
fortunate lady being thrice declared victress.<br />
The literary magazines of the new generation-<br />
À propos of associations, M. Marcel Prévost viz., La Clavellina, L'Effort de Paris, Gallia,<br />
announces the formation of a new society of Le Pays de France, and La Revue naturiste-<br />
Parisian journalists, entitled Nouvellistes parisiens. have united in giviug a banquet in honour of the<br />
“ Let us render homage in this matter," writes publication of the “ Tragédie du Nouveau Christ”<br />
he, “to the journalists of our country; the French of M. Saint-Georges de Bouhélier, the young<br />
Press is one of the most healthy as regards infor- chief of Naturism, who was saluted on this occa-<br />
mation.” If the French journalist require sion by M. Charpentier as the incarnation of the<br />
strengthening in this "literary prubity and ideas, hopes, and generous soul of the literary<br />
moderation," he has only to consider dans quel vouth of to-day. In seven powerfully written<br />
discrédit sont tombées certaines presses étrangères tableaux, M. de Bouhélier develops the hypo-<br />
par l'abus de l'information à outrance, de l'infor- thesis of the Saviour's re-integration in human<br />
mation grossière, non controlée et cyniquement form. He returns to earth to encounter the<br />
proclamée. “Written in a certain tongue,” he same outrages, misunderstandings, and rebuffs.<br />
continues, "all news is to-day suspicious, even together with the same life and death-as when<br />
to those whose tongue it is.” It would be He suffered centuries ago to redeem a world that<br />
interesting to know if the new society con 2000 years of Christian proselytism has apparently<br />
sidered the above remarks as shining examples made no better. The mysticism of the idea of this<br />
of “the professional dignity,” “the severe curious, pessimistic work is allied with the most<br />
moral discipline,” “the solidity, polish, and brutal realism in form. It is conscientiously<br />
good taste," advocated by M. Prévost in the thought out, and impressively written ; neverthe-<br />
leader in question ?<br />
less, we doubt if it will be widely read. The<br />
A VIEW OF MODERN JOURNALISM.<br />
literary critic of the Figaro advises M. de<br />
Bouhélier to be more accessible to the true<br />
“The papers would be excellent if the journa- public; to lower his intellectual range, and bring<br />
lists did not spoil them,” was the frequent down his writing to the comprehension of ordinary<br />
assertion of M. Emile Girardin, progenitor of the people. “We know he has talent.” adds this<br />
advertising system now almost universal. M. friendly writer : “ we would like him to offer<br />
Adolphe Brisson is still more severe on modern others than his friends the possibility of being<br />
French journalism, though he attributes its short convinced of it.” It remains to be seen whether<br />
comings to the abnormal expansion of M.<br />
M. de Bouhélier is sufficiently alive to his<br />
Girardin's innovation. The following paragraph own pecuniary interests to profit by the hint.<br />
taken from “Paris intime” (one of the set of<br />
The recently published “ Travail” (Vol. 2 of<br />
volumes unanimously rewarded by the Academy the “Quatre Evangiles." chez Fasquelle) of his<br />
as containing the best portrayal of Parisian<br />
friend and master, M. Emile Zola, likewise deals<br />
manners and customs of the present day) can with the working classes, being a study of the<br />
scarcely be considered eulogistic.<br />
struggle between capital and labour, and the<br />
. “The advertisements should pay a paper's reorganisation of the latter such as is being<br />
expenses!'” he writes, quoting Emile de Girardin's slowly brought about in the present day.<br />
favourite formula. “ This reasoning has given<br />
birth to the modern newspaper. Girardin's idea<br />
A BENEVOLENT BOOKSELLER.<br />
has borne fruit; it has made his fortune, and M. Le Goaziou, an enterprising bookseller, has<br />
enriched those who imitated him. The ancient discovered to his cost that benevolence towards.<br />
gazette at three sous is at death's door. It is customers is an expensive and unappreciated<br />
supplanted by the halfpenny paper, that journa- virtue. Having ascertained that his business<br />
listic shark which penetrates into the villages, connection permitted him to dispose advan.<br />
eagerly seeks out readers there, and inundates tageously of books at 40 per cent. reduction, in lieu.<br />
France with bad paper. “The advertisements of the 20 per cent. established by the publishers'<br />
should pay a paper's expenses !' The editors and booksellers' syndicates, he forthwith lowered<br />
have applied this formula too literally. The the price of his wares. Whereupon his name was<br />
journalists of 1830 sinned through excess of put on the black list of the two syndicates, and<br />
candour; those of the twentieth century are no all the large publishing houses (Hachette, Belin,<br />
longer so naïve. The daily paper was formerly a Delagrave, Larousse, &c.) refused to continue<br />
tribunal where ardent, sincere, and almost always business relations with him. Nothing daunted,<br />
disinterested, voices discoursed. It has become a M. Le Goaziou sued nine Parisian publishers and<br />
commercial house which sells its publicity to all booksellers for infraction of article 419 of the<br />
comers.”<br />
Penal Code, which article declares that any<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 7 (#339) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
coalition existing between holders of the same exercise of the liberty of coalition, &c. [L'exer-<br />
merchandise for the purpose of operating a rise cice de la liberté des conventions. Wherefore<br />
above the price fixed by free competition is illegal the decision of the Ninth Chamber was adverse<br />
and punishable by law.<br />
to M. Le Goaziou.<br />
M. Bruyant, substitute, asserted, on the con-<br />
trary, that the publishers and editors in question<br />
LOVE-LETTERS AND MATRIMONY.<br />
were perfectly within their rights. “ Publishers,” Love-letters are apparently in vogue, since the<br />
said he,“ are not holders of the same merchan fervid “Lettres à ma Fiancée" of Victor Hugo<br />
dise, each book preserving a distinct individuality. (chez Fasquelle) have been followed by the publi-<br />
A novel by Anatole France is not the same cation of the letters of the “ Marquise de Sade,"<br />
merchandise as a novel of the Rose Library series, which epistles have been unearthed from among<br />
nor a grammar by Lhomond the same merchan- the dusty archives of the eighteenth century<br />
dise as a grammar written by a Jesuit. Books and duly edited by M. Paul Ginisty. The letters<br />
escape the economic law of supply and demand of the unfortunate Marquise to her reprobate<br />
because they contain a double element-one husband during his fifteen years' well-merited<br />
material (the paper and printed characters), the captivity are true love letters, indicative of a rare<br />
other immaterial (the thought of the author). abnegation and affection. According to all con-<br />
Human thought cannot be monopolised, even by temporary testimony, she possessed the pure,<br />
an American Trust agency. It is not a product angelic disposition usually accredited to celestial<br />
like sugar and vitriol. Thus, no market price beings. Nevertheless, her husband — a chef<br />
existing, there is no market!”. [Donc, pas de d'ouvre of Nature as regards innate baseness,<br />
cours, pas de marché !]<br />
vice, and ferocity-chose to suspect her of infi.<br />
The Ninth. Chamber of the Correctional delity. At this crowning outrage the meek<br />
Tribune sharing M. Bruyant's opinion, M. Le devotee revolted. Only for one day, however.<br />
Goaziou lost the case. His disbursal of costs has On the morrow she wrote: “If you are capable<br />
probably not tended to increase his esteem for of poniarding me, under the present circum-<br />
cheap book buyers in general.<br />
stances it would be a happiness to me not to<br />
exist longer." Scrawled on the margin of this<br />
THE CHAMBER'S DECISION.<br />
piteous letter by its unworthy recipient we find<br />
The decision was made known in the following the reflection : "Quelle platitude, grand Dieu !<br />
terms :-<br />
Quelle platitude !"<br />
Granted that the text of the Code provides Social Paris has been much interested in the<br />
against a coalition existing between holders of betrothal of Mlle. Sardou (daughter of the cele-<br />
the same merchandise ; that, in the case in point, brated dramatist) to Comte Robert de Flers,<br />
this condition is not realised ; that, in reality, the a rising literary critic and dramatist, reputed<br />
publishers having each their speciality, the books to possess more than average talent. M. Sardou<br />
published by them preserve their individuality; is also to be congratulated on the satisfactory<br />
that there are as many different wares (marchan- statistics furnished by the annual report of<br />
dises) as there are publishers; that these wares the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Drama-<br />
(marchandises) not being the object of a free tiques, of which association he is president. The<br />
competition, escape almost completely the law of royalties collected by the society (from March 1,<br />
supply and demand, and that there exists for 1900, to Feb. 28, 1901) amount to a total of no<br />
books neither market nor fixed value. [Il n'existe less than 4,569,207 francs. 24,834 francs have<br />
pour les livres ni marché ni cours.]<br />
been distributed among indigent members, and<br />
Granted, on the other hand, that the coalition 105,250 francs expended in old age pensions.<br />
foreseen in article 419 of the Penal Code appears M. Decourcelle's project for augmenting the<br />
—at least, since the law of 1884 on professional funds of the caisse des retraites was unanimously<br />
syndicates—to be only unlawful and punishable voted by the adherents of the society.<br />
when accompanied by fraudulent maneuvres<br />
which have, in influencing the market price,<br />
New BOOKS.<br />
occasioned its rise or fall.<br />
“Rhapsodies Passionées," a volume of verse by<br />
Granted that, in reality, the object of profes. the Comte du Bois; “En Pleine Épopée," a<br />
sional syndicates is the defence of reputable journalistic chronicle of the Transvaal war, by M.<br />
economic interests; that a syndicate of pub. Jean Carrère, French correspondent in South<br />
lishers cannot be refused the right to fix, in Africa; “La Liberté de la Presse " (1789-1815),<br />
accord with the retail booksellers, a net price by M. Le Poittevin (chez Arthur Rousseau);<br />
below which books cannot be sold ; that the “Le Progrès Social à la fin du Dix-neuvième<br />
liberty of commerce itself is limited by the Siècle," a most interesting work, by M. Louis<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 8 (#340) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
HA<br />
Skarzinski; “La Théorie de l'Ordre," by M. of the present day seemed to be getting smaller<br />
Jules Delafosse; and the usual shoal of sensa. by degrees and beautifully less. (Laughter.)<br />
tional novels.<br />
DARRACOTTE Scott.<br />
He could not help hoping that, as the world of<br />
letters had conferred so much benefit upon the<br />
two great legislative assemblies, they might see<br />
their way to returning the compliment during the<br />
ANNUAL DINNER OF THE SOCIETY<br />
present session by passing a measure in which<br />
authors, and especially that Society, took a great<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
interest--the Copyright Bill—and so alleviate, if<br />
not altogether remove, the injustice which so long<br />
M HE annual dinner of the Incorporated Society had hung over literature. (Cheers.) The measure<br />
of Authors was held on May 1 in the had been entrusted, and rightly so, to the care of<br />
King's Hall, Holborn Restaurant. The his noble friend, Lord Monkswell, and he had<br />
Right Hon. the LORD BURGHCLERE presided with great discretion transferred the burden from<br />
Among the 220 who were present were Lord his own shoulders to the broader-he would not<br />
Monkswell, Sir Algernon West, Sir Wm. say the abler-shoulders of the present Govern.<br />
Kennedy, Sir Joshua Fitch, the Archdeacon ment; and he sincerely trusted that in the ensuing<br />
of London, Mr. J. Henniker-Heaton, M.P., session the legislators and Government might see<br />
Mrs. Campbell Praed, Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Reeves their way to pass the Bill. (Cheers.) He<br />
(Helen Mathers), Mrs. Tweedie, Mr. A. Hope congratulated them on the success of the Society,<br />
Hawkins, Mr. Douglas Freshfield, Mr. Harold Since the advent of their present Secretary it had<br />
Spender, Mr. Bernard Shaw, Mr. F. G. Aflalo, very nearly doubled its membership. The Society<br />
Mr. Frank Harris, Mr. W. W. Jacobs, Mr. was able to help others--not only those who had<br />
Oscar Browning, Mr. Mackenzie Bell, Mr. risen, but those who were rising. They were able<br />
Lewis Hind, Mr. M. H. Spielmann, Miss to assist the younger members of the profession<br />
Montresor, Mr. Julian Corbett, Mr.J.K. Spender, in their entrance to their career. They had, he<br />
Mr. F. T. Dalton, Mr. W. L. Courtney, Mr. understood, a pension list; he did not know<br />
Francis Storr, Miss E. Sharp, Miss Pendered, Mr. whether it referred to old age pensions or not.<br />
W. H. Besant, Mr. Basil Tozer, Mrs. Belloc (Laughter.) They had no debt, and their taxa-<br />
Lowndes, Mr. Douglas Sladen, Miss Arabella tion consisted of one guinea a year. The Society<br />
Kenealy, Mrs. Desmond Humphreys (“Rita"), contained some of the most distinguished names<br />
Mr. F. Gribble, Mrs. Arthur Stannard, and Mr. of the day in all the various branches of literature<br />
G. H. Thring (Secretary).<br />
and art. If there were any who were not on the<br />
The CHAIRMAN proposed “ The Society.” It list, he might say something which would give<br />
was with considerable diffidence, he said, that them reason for reconsidering their position.<br />
he occupied the chair, in view of the various The Society was not only made for those who had<br />
eminent men who had presided in the past and been successful, but perhaps its special task was<br />
the many distinguished names on the rolls of the to help those who were commencing their literary<br />
Society. He was not going to indulge in the efforts. It seemed to be the bounden duty of<br />
growing custom among speakers of obtaining those who, either by luck or skill, had obtained<br />
applause by some cheap sneers at the two legislative comfortable seats on the top of Parnassus to hold<br />
assemblies of the country, although the tempta- out their hands to their younger and weaker<br />
tion was very strong. He would prefer to trace brethren who were trying to struggle up the<br />
the intimate and very ancient-he might almost steep ascent. (Cheers.) In that spirit he wished<br />
say hereditary-connection between politics and success to the Society. (Cheers.)<br />
the world of letters. In illustration of this Mr. DOUGLAS FRESHFIELD, in reply, thanked the<br />
relationship, the noble chairman mentioned the chairman for the way in which he had spoken of<br />
names of Chaucer, Tennyson (who was made a the work of the Society. His Lordship's praise<br />
lord of Parliament in 1883), Byron, Edmund was the more agreeable because he himself was<br />
Waller, Andrew Marvel, Milton, Matthew Prior, not a stranger to literature. He might allude to<br />
Addison, George Villiers (second duke of Buck- his work—which he hoped would soon be pub-<br />
ingham), R. B. Sheridan, Lord Lytton, Bacon, lished—a translation of the pastoral poetry of<br />
Clarendon, Burnett, Marquis of Halifax, Lord Virgil, in which they recognised that Lord<br />
Chesterfield, Lord Macaulay, and Sir George Burghclere was well worthy to travel along the<br />
Trevelyan ; while among the spiritual lords were paths in which so many statesmen had found<br />
Dr. Stubbs and Dr. Creighton. If there was one recreation. They poor authors were a very un-<br />
thing more than another he had noticed in the protected race. Painters had their Academy,<br />
delightful realm of fiction it was that the novels architects their Institute, and men of science their<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 9 (#341) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
100<br />
Royal Society, which looked after them well. THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
But authors had had nowhere to lay their griev.<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
ances. Their Society could not, of course, pre-<br />
tend to any proud position such as was held by T a meeting of the Pension Fund Committee<br />
the French Academy. They claimed no honours<br />
held on Tuesday, May 7, at 4 o'clock, the<br />
and could confer none, but they had a very prac-<br />
following resolution was unanimously<br />
tical aim, which was not always correctly appre passed :<br />
ciated even by members. There seemed to be an “That a pension of £60 a year be awarded<br />
idea abroad that the Society was an engine for<br />
to Mrs. J. H. Riddell, author of George<br />
attacking publishers. He did not take that view. Geith of Fen Court,' • The Senior Partner,'<br />
Authors and publishers were naturally allies, and and many other well-known novels.”<br />
the main business of the Society was to strengthen In announcing this decision the Pension Fund<br />
the alliance by making its terms more clear and Committee desire to express their satisfaction,<br />
definite in each individual case. Vagueness in which they think will be shared by the Society at<br />
literary contracts had been the source of much<br />
large, that the first pension awarded under the<br />
misunderstanding.<br />
Society's scheme should be the means of expressiug<br />
Sir Joshua Fitch proposed “ The Guests." the respect so widely felt for Mrs. Riddell's<br />
Such a Society as theirs must be of public value literary gifts and achievements.<br />
if it did as it was said to do--that was, to keep in<br />
view the highest interests of authorship, to watch<br />
all public measures, legislative and otherwise,<br />
The following is the list of donations and<br />
likely to influence the interests of literature, to<br />
subscriptions at present promised or received :-<br />
promote mutual concord and mutual understand.<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
ing among authors, and to aim to make equitable MEREDITH, GEORGE, President of tbe Society<br />
arrangements between makers and distributors<br />
(first donation)............ £100 0 0<br />
of books. There was no class of work done<br />
Meredith, George (second donation)................ 10 00<br />
A. S.<br />
100 0 0<br />
under circumstances of more isolation, and no<br />
Alcott, E. .......<br />
......................................... 50 0 0<br />
class more thoroughly needed the help and sym Anonymous .........<br />
pathy which arose from association than authors. Arnim, The Countess von ................<br />
Anything that would help to give strength to our<br />
Baldwin, Mrs A. ...........................<br />
Barrie, J. M. ..........................................<br />
literature, to alleviate the profession of letters,<br />
Benecke, Miss Ida ....................................<br />
and to encourage endeavour after literary excel.<br />
Besant, Sir Walter.......................<br />
lence must be not only an advantage to litera. Boevey, Miss Crawley<br />
ture, but a great-public benefit. (Cheers.)<br />
Chambers, Miss Beatric. ............<br />
Sir Algernon West replied.<br />
Clifford, Mrs W. K. .<br />
Cordeaux, Miss ..................<br />
Mr. A. HOPE HAWKINS gave“ The Chairman,"<br />
Craigie, Mrs.<br />
to whom the Society was not only indebted for Davy, Mrs. E. M. ..........<br />
presiding and for his very interesting speech, but Doyle, A. Conan ...<br />
also for his very cordial, ready, and substantial Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years)<br />
5 0 0<br />
aid. In connection with the Copyright Bill, he<br />
Esmond, H. V. ........<br />
3 3 0<br />
Fowler, Miss E. T... .................................<br />
had always placed at their disposal his experience<br />
10 10<br />
Freshfield, D. W....<br />
100 0<br />
and knowledge of Parliamentary affairs.<br />
Gibbs, Mise ............ .............<br />
10<br />
In response, the CHAIRMAN said he had had the Hallward, N. L. ...<br />
.........<br />
honour of being a member of the Council of the Harraden, Miss Beatrice<br />
.........<br />
10 0 0<br />
Society since its formation, but the meetings of<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope<br />
.................. 200<br />
Hutchinson, Rev. H.<br />
the Council seemed to be of very rare occurrence.<br />
Jacberns, Raymond<br />
How many times he had been called to assist<br />
Jones, Henry Arthur..<br />
would ever remain a secret between himself and Keltie, J. Scott<br />
the Secretary. (Laughter.) On any future occa Kipling, Rudyard ........<br />
sion, if his bumble efforts could be of any good to<br />
Loftie, Rev. W.J.<br />
Macfarlane, H. ......................................<br />
the Society, they would be placed with the greatest<br />
Marshall, Capt. R. ..................................<br />
pleasure at its disposal. (Cheers.)<br />
Miles, Eastace ...,<br />
Moncrieff, R. Hope<br />
Montresor, Miss F....<br />
Morrah, Herbert<br />
Norris, W. E. .....<br />
Oliphant, Kingston ..<br />
Parker, Gilbert<br />
Phillpotts, Eden .........<br />
.............. 10 0<br />
O<br />
JOWO<br />
............<br />
OOOONO 0-0--000-000-0oOwo O-Oouw No0o- en OOOOO<br />
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO<br />
8-enn-ö -7 - -<br />
..........<br />
.<br />
100<br />
..<br />
100<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 10 (#342) #############################################<br />
<br />
10<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
00000<br />
0- oceneno - ÖNNON ou<br />
nobeno oo oooo õen<br />
OOOOO<br />
0<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS.<br />
..........<br />
o<br />
.....<br />
ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ<br />
Pollook, Sir Frederiok<br />
50 night at the Authors' Club. We are indebted to<br />
Roe, Mrs. Harcourt .....<br />
10 O the Queen of May 25 for the following report of<br />
Roggetti, W. M. .........<br />
the gathering. The great hall of the Hotel<br />
S. B. ........<br />
Sanderson, Sir J. B. ..<br />
Cecil was crowded with members and their<br />
Skeat, The Rev. Prof.<br />
friends. In proposing the toast of the<br />
Spielmann, M. H.<br />
o evening, DR. CONAN DOYLE, who was in the<br />
Stanton, Miss H. M. E.<br />
chair, treated his audience to a masterly con-<br />
Toplis, Miss G.....<br />
sideration of Mrs. Humphry Ward as a<br />
Tweedie, Mrs. Alec.....................................<br />
Watt, A. P. .....................................<br />
novelist. Dr. Conan Doyle's speech is fully<br />
Weyman, Stanley ......<br />
reported in our contemporary. In conclusion, he<br />
Wheelwright, Miss E. E. .<br />
said : The public knows a writer by his or her<br />
Williams, Mrs. E. L. .....<br />
work, but there is another point of view which<br />
Young, Ernest<br />
o 60<br />
authors must take. They are a profession, a<br />
noble profession, and they honour those members<br />
à Beckett, A. W. ...........<br />
5 0 0 of it who conform to the highest traditions of<br />
Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... 10 0 0 that profession. We feel that Mrs. Humphry<br />
Alexander, A. ......<br />
110<br />
Ward has always done so, and that the tone of<br />
Avery, Harold<br />
o 10 6<br />
Besant, Sir Walter...<br />
5 5 0<br />
the profession has been the higher from her<br />
Bond, R. Warwick<br />
I 10 presence within it. (Cheers.)<br />
Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G.<br />
Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD, in reply, said :-As to<br />
Brodhurst, Spencer.................<br />
0 10 6 “novels with a purpose," I am inclined to think<br />
Clodd, Edward ..<br />
that if a novelist imagines that he or she is going<br />
Cresswell, Rev. H. ....................................<br />
Crockett, S. R. .............<br />
to conquer art by much preaching, that the novel<br />
Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for<br />
is merely the pamphlet or the sermon writ long,<br />
1901) ..........<br />
that “ prose is verse and verse is merely prose"<br />
Ellis, Miss M. A.<br />
—then, in the words of Goldsmith, "nothing<br />
Esmond, H. V.<br />
Gilbert, W. S.<br />
cau exceed the vanity of his existence but the<br />
Goldsmith, W. H.<br />
o 10 0<br />
folly of his pursuits.” It is no good opening out<br />
Gribble, F. ........<br />
“cauld harangues on practice and on morals.”<br />
Guthrie, Anstey .........................<br />
Nothing has any power in the world of art but<br />
Gwynn, S.<br />
the things of feeling and the things of beauty,<br />
Harraden, Miss Beatrice<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope ...........................<br />
On that we all agree. What is sincere, what<br />
Home, Francis..........................................<br />
touches the artist before it is offered to the<br />
Jerome, Jerome K. ....................................<br />
public, that we all agree is the first, almost the<br />
Kelly, C. A...................... ............<br />
only, condition of good work. But that condition<br />
Lely, J. M. ........<br />
includes much that the critics are often ready to<br />
Macdonald, Mrs..................<br />
Marchmont, A. W.<br />
deny us. If the play of religious opinion, or<br />
Pemberton, Max.........<br />
social reform, or political power, as they affect<br />
Pendered, Miss Mary L.<br />
0 10 0 human life is what interests the writer, and if<br />
Pinero, A. W. ..........<br />
5 0 0 that writer is drawn towards the form of the<br />
Roberts, Morley ..........<br />
0 novel, what authority bars the way? Some of<br />
Rose, Edward ..........<br />
5 0 0<br />
the greatest authorities of the world are on his<br />
Rumble, Mrs. .....<br />
side.<br />
Sinclair, Miss .....<br />
10<br />
0<br />
The only point to be considered is-can<br />
0<br />
Stanley, Mrs. .....<br />
he touch other minds, can he throw what he has<br />
Ward, Mrs. Humphry ... ... ... ... ...<br />
to say into shapes that move and live ? And<br />
Watt, A. P. ................<br />
that turns upon another question. Can he see<br />
Woston, Miss Jessie L. ... ... ... ....<br />
0 5 0<br />
these things and reproduce them, not as the<br />
student sees and reproduces them, but as the artist<br />
sees them interpreted through the forms of human<br />
life, and interfused with beauty or with terror ?<br />
MRS. HUMPHRY WARD ON THE AR<br />
If he can, let the critic say what he will. The<br />
WRITING FICTION.<br />
whole purpose of Tolstoy's “ Resurrection” is to<br />
lead up to those last pages in which a man of<br />
I RS. HUMPHRY WARD was entertained burning sincerity presses upon Europe a new<br />
as the guest of the evening by the view of the gospel message. For that purpose he<br />
- Authors' Club on May 20 at the Hotel has carried the whole marvellous load of that<br />
Cecil. This is the first occasion for several years book, and but for the purpose he would never<br />
upon which ladies have been admitted to a guest have lifted it. Are you going to glorify the<br />
oo 000<br />
O-Oooooen oeren oo-enoun--enoooer on enounouceno - our<br />
aroo on ooo õen onerrocera-075 oczern ooo ooceno - oo<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 11 (#343) #############################################<br />
<br />
TIE AUTHOR.<br />
11<br />
book, and denounce the purpose ? Perfectly than we hate to our latest breath ; and admire<br />
true that the purpose is nothing without the art; chiefly, perhaps, the things that we could never,<br />
but humanity, the reader, the true and ultimate never du ourselves, the things that seem to<br />
public, will take care of that.<br />
us inconceivable and unattainable—the peaks<br />
Meanwhile, though I will always maintain furthest from our own treading, under the com-<br />
that art knows no limitations but those that mon light of poetry and truth.<br />
spring out of itself, though all genres (save the<br />
Innumerable mountains rise and rise,<br />
hideous and inhuman) have their burgher rights<br />
Ambitious for the ballowing of thine eyes.<br />
in the great city, an artist is worth little, I think, So might we say to arı, “I'll walk where my<br />
who cannot at times hate his own genre, and own nature would be leading "—there is the<br />
everything that concerns it, in order to fall in typical cry of the artist; but woe betide him if<br />
love with the genres of other people. How good he do not also ask of the gods as much happy<br />
for those who are not capable of such things, to curiosity and love as they will grant for the<br />
be filled with envy of the invention that gives us wanderers on other paths than his, and the shep-<br />
a “ Sherlock Holmes " ; of that pure story-telling herds of other sheep. (Cheers.)<br />
art whereof “Tusitala ” is king and priest ; of<br />
the plots, the adventures, the “moving accidents<br />
by flood and field,” over which some magicians of<br />
the novel have power. And I will dare to say how<br />
SOME AMERICAN VIEWS.<br />
good for the writers of adventure, or the realists,<br />
to have a passing fit of indulgence for the poor WRITER in the Evening Post, of New<br />
followers of Rousseau and George Sand!<br />
York, commenting on a report that the<br />
In the love letters of Balzac there is a delight-<br />
authors' profits on some novels which<br />
ful letter describing a visit of the great realist to have sold largely in the United States in the past<br />
George Sand at Nohant. He did not think year are given as £15,000, £9000, £7800, £6000,<br />
much of George Sand's art. That was inevitable. &c. :-<br />
“ She knows and says about herself the very Four of these novels have been dramatised, and are now<br />
things that I think about her, without telling presented on the stage. With one exception, the publishers.<br />
them to her, that she has neither strength of con-<br />
are not in a position to state definitely what additional<br />
ception nor the faculty of constructing plots, nor<br />
royalty the authors receive for the right of dramatisation.<br />
It is said that two authors sold the right for a stipulated<br />
the art of the pathetic, but that, without knowing amount. The lowest royalty considered for & success is<br />
the French language, she has style ; and such is usually 5 per cent. of the gross receipts of every perform.<br />
the fact."<br />
ance. Those, therefore, whose good fortane has been<br />
Well, George Sand has her own views, and<br />
associated with the three plays which have enjoyed con-<br />
tinuous success since the early autumn, and often drawn<br />
expresses them, about Balzac. But they both<br />
audiences paying eight and nine thousand dollars a week,<br />
meet on this common ground. Without knowing<br />
will have received between foar and five hundred dollars<br />
the French language she has style, Balzac admits every seven days from the theatrical manager. Old Dr.<br />
-that is to say, she is a writer, whatever foolish Johnson's notion that Thrale's brewery afforded “the<br />
things she may choose to write about. She has<br />
potentiality of growing risb beyond the dream of avarice"<br />
may be suggested in comparison with the idea of wealth<br />
the heightenins, the incommunicable gift, she has<br />
aroused by the contemplation of the new novelist's revendes:<br />
sincerity, she has vision ; he holds out to her the And it should be added that two of these novels were pub.<br />
hand of a comrade; he accepts from her a big lished serially, for which separate payment was received<br />
hookah and Latakia like her own; and the two<br />
wn · and the two before they were brought out in book form.<br />
smoke, and discuss by the hour the problems of Colonel Harvey, president of Messrs. Harper<br />
the métier.<br />
and Brothers, on his return from a visit to<br />
Cannot we all of us be richer in this ultimate London, said to a representative of the New York.<br />
indulgence the one for the other? All that we Tribune :-<br />
ought to ask, it seems to me, one of another is There simply does not exist in London to-day what.<br />
that each of us should be true to his or her own American publishers would consider even & moderate<br />
vision and instinct-should write what we love to<br />
demand for either books or periodicals. It is well known<br />
that one of the most conspicuous and apparently popular<br />
write-should strive for the perfection of what<br />
magazines in London has been in the market for some<br />
we write—within the bounds of beauty, within months because its proprietor has reached the conclusion<br />
the bounds of social service. I do not disguise that it cannot be pablished except at a loss—and no<br />
my own opinion—that all things are not lawful purchaser appears. . . . It has but receatly come to<br />
in literature, that there are social ends that<br />
be understood in England that, coincident with her<br />
splendid development along other lines, the United<br />
transcend the literary ends ; but with this limita-<br />
States has become the great book market of the world:<br />
tion, how much is it to be wished, for our health The Latin countries, of course, need cot be considered.<br />
of mind and soul, that we should admire more But take as an example “ Eleanor”-a purely English book<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 12 (#344) #############################################<br />
<br />
12<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
with English characters, Eaglish scenes, and written by People who assert tbat unknown writers don't have<br />
an English author. It was a great success in England, their work read are entirely wrong. Speaking for<br />
of course, as any book done by Mrs. Ward must be neces.<br />
sarily, and yet nearly three times as many were sold in<br />
myself, I'm always on the look-out for good<br />
America--and that without at any time holding the lead plays.<br />
over all other books in point of sales. Moreover, during Mr. Charles Wyndham observed :-“In all the<br />
the recent stagnation in the trade in London the output five-and-twenty years that people have been<br />
of American publishers has increased nearly 40 per cent.<br />
showering plays upon me, I have not found a<br />
From the Literary Era:<br />
single one worth producing. It was not that the<br />
It is reported from London that many English publishers work was bad in every case--far from it; it was<br />
who have hitherto established no branch houses in America merely unsuitable for my purpose.”<br />
will speedily open them. It is even intimated that some of Asked what quality in particular he considered<br />
the greater houses, long represented here by branches, will<br />
a play to require to render it successful : “ That<br />
transfer their headquarters to the country which has begun<br />
to be the depôt of their largest sales. They will retain<br />
of 'heart' above everything else," was the reply.<br />
their London offices merely as branches.<br />
“ It was 'heart' that made · David Garrick' so<br />
For during the past twelvemonth English books pub popular, and enabled me to revive it over and over<br />
lished in London have often found their most remunerative again.”<br />
market here and not in England. If such be the record for And what quality is wanted in a player ?”<br />
a year, what may we expect from the next decade? ...<br />
It is not impossible that within the lives of men now living<br />
“Naturalness," returned Mr. Wyndham, “ is<br />
the United States may become the centre of distribution for<br />
the first consideration nowadays. Once the public<br />
the literature of the world!<br />
demanded good elocution before it. Of late<br />
Not only English authors, but German, French, Russian, years, however, tastes have changed.”<br />
Italian, and other authors will have to send their MSS. for<br />
approval and acceptance, not to the great cities of their own<br />
Mr. Bourchier's met hod of dealing with these<br />
land, but to Philadelphia, to Boston, to New York, maybap<br />
offerings was as follows:-Every manuscript sent<br />
to Chicago and San Francisco.<br />
him by a person of whom he knew nothing was<br />
passed on to a “ reader" to deliver pronouncement<br />
upon. As for those written by people with whose<br />
work he was himself familiar, these he took 'home<br />
with him to apply a certain test to. This consisted<br />
ACTOR-MANAGERS AND NEW PLAYS.<br />
in reading them in bed, with the idea of seeing<br />
whether they would send him to sleep or not before<br />
A N interesting article on actor-managers and he had finished the first act. Those that had this<br />
A their ways of reading plays appears in result would, as may be imagined, be promptly<br />
the June number of the Pall Mall returned ; those that, on the other hand, failed in<br />
Magazine. Mr. Frederick Harrison, in reply to this respect would be accorded more careful con-<br />
a question about new plays, replied :-<br />
sideration at the first convenient opportunity.<br />
á Well, Mr. Maude and I have had something “So far," observed the originator, “ I have found<br />
like six hundred during the four years we have this scheme most efficacious. None of the 'send.<br />
been in partnership. The reading of these, as me-to-sleep' plays have met with a producer after<br />
you may imagine, is not the lightest part of our being returned by me, while, though I have been<br />
work."<br />
compelled to decline many of the keep-me-awake'<br />
I asked where they chiefly failed to meet with<br />
ny failed to meet with ones, a number of these have achieved a certain<br />
acceptance, and learned that this was largely due degree of success at other theatres, and have had<br />
to a want of knowledge on the part of their nice things said about them by the critics."<br />
writers as to the requirements of the stage. “It<br />
takes peculiar qualities to write a successful play,”<br />
observed Mr. Harrison, reflectively.<br />
“What one in particular?” I demanded.<br />
“ That of sentiment, I am inclined to think," was<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
the ready response. “People ask for it nowadays,<br />
and insist upon having it, too. Another point that<br />
a dramatist should aim at is to suit the traditions 1.-The Dating of Books, and other Suggestions<br />
of the theatre for which he is writing.”<br />
for Copyright.<br />
Mr. George Alexander says:-“ Plays come to TN consequence of illness I have only quite<br />
me by the dozens, simply. To give you an idea of I recently been able to read the last few<br />
how greatly this is the case, I may say that quite - numbers of The Author, and hence my<br />
lately I had to read no less than two hundred plays reason for referring only now to an article<br />
in five weeks. They were all carefully considered, which appeared so long ago as March. In<br />
too-no actor-manager can afford to do otherwise. the issue for that month there is quoted, on<br />
ch appeareferring onlythor, ande,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 13 (#345) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
13<br />
w<br />
p. 180, under the heading “ Notes and News," 1896, concerning provisional copyright registra-<br />
an article from the Manchester Guardian, in tion, and if, Mr. Editor, you will, on some future<br />
which the suggestion is made that the date occasion, grant une a little space, I shall be<br />
of the original publication of every book should pleased to make two or three other suggestions<br />
be placed on the back of the title page of on this subject of copyright. HUBERT Hass.<br />
every new edition thereof. From this it would 28, Bassett-road, London, W.<br />
naturally be inferred that the date of publication<br />
May, 1901.<br />
appears compulsorily in the original edition. It<br />
is, however, and most regretfully, not one of the<br />
essentials for the obtaining of copyright in this II.-Authors' Deductions and Income Tax.<br />
country, and consequently many books are issued<br />
I am now called upon by the authorities—as is<br />
on which no date at all appears.<br />
their unpleasant habit at this time of the year,<br />
My object in writing this letter is to propose<br />
to make a return of my professional income for<br />
that a clause be embodied in the impending new<br />
assessment, basing the return upon the average<br />
Copyright Act, enacting that the date (that is to<br />
of the three preceding vears.<br />
say, the year) of issue be printed on the title-page<br />
According to schedule D, in computing the<br />
of every book issued in the United Kingdom,<br />
balance of profits to be returned, deductions are<br />
not only in the first edition, but in every sub-<br />
allowed:<br />
sequent one, and that its presence be one of the<br />
conditions on which copyright is granted. It<br />
For repairs of premises occupied for the parposes of the<br />
trado or manufacture, and for the supply or repair of<br />
would greatly help those who have occasion to<br />
implements, utensils, or articles employed...<br />
compare various editions of any work if the For a sua not exceeding two-thirds (as the Commissioners<br />
suggestion of the Manchester Guardian were shall allow) of the annual value on which daty has been<br />
included in this clause, and it were made com.<br />
paid ander schedule A in respe-:t of any dwelling-bonde<br />
occupied by the owner and partly Ased for the purposes of<br />
pulsory to state in each edition, besides its own<br />
business.<br />
date, the date of publication of the first.<br />
For any other disbursements or expenses wholly and<br />
This subject of the dating of books is of far exclusively laid out for the purposes of the trade, &c.<br />
greater importance than appears on the surface, Now. sir, my dwelling-house is occupied by<br />
and I would like much to enlarge upon it, but it the owner and partly used for the purposes of<br />
would occupy far too much space. Perhaps, my business as a writer. My study requires<br />
however, I may have the opportunity a few repairs from time to time; my pens wear out;<br />
months hence of making public some remarks a great mass of foolscap is used up, and a sea of ink<br />
thereon.<br />
is slung. I disburse a guinea a year to the Society<br />
While on the subject of copyright, I would like of Authors exclusively for the purposes of my<br />
to add another suggestion which has already trade; I employ persons to make searches and<br />
appeared in print (in the St. James's Gazette of verify matters at the British Museum ; I purchase<br />
Nov. 16, 1900, and other papers), viz., that books of reference: I spend considerable sums<br />
another of the conditions of obtaining copyright on typewriting, and I not infrequently call in the<br />
for books published in the United Kingdom, aud aid of a professional photographer in the matter<br />
the object of which is to make sure that a copy of of illustrations. This is to name but a few of<br />
every book published in this country finds its way many like disbursements.<br />
(automatically) into the national library, should And I have never claimed any deductions. I<br />
be the depositing in the British Museum a copy should much like to learn whether any of my<br />
of the work ; tbat, in fact, copyright should not fellow authors have done so, and if so, what<br />
exist for Great Britain for any work published success they have had in making such claims<br />
therein-by a citizen of whatsoever country from the Commissioners. G. S. LAYARD.<br />
written-until a copy of the work has been<br />
deposited there; that the depositing a copy at the<br />
British Museum shall be, in fact, what creates<br />
III.-Magazines and Literature.<br />
copyright for the United Kingdom. That means<br />
that the date of depositing a copy there would be The opinion of Mr. Walter Page as to the<br />
the date of publication for this country, and this connection between magazines and literature<br />
would at the same time effect what is so much to should not be allowed to pass unchallenged by<br />
be desired-viz., the compulsory registration members of the Society of Authors.<br />
(without any fee) of every book published in this Such a sweeping assertion as “ The making of<br />
country.<br />
magazines is not literature ; it is journalism,”<br />
I would like to call attention once more to the carries with it forcible evidence of a narrow and<br />
suggestion which I made in The Author of Jan., even distorted attack upon periodical publication.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 14 (#346) #############################################<br />
<br />
14<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
“ Those editors who are trying to get out Whilst writing on these subjects, I will relate an<br />
monthly literature are making dull magazines.” amusing occurrence which happened to myself some<br />
Let me, as a reader and lover of literature, years ago. In 1893 my “ Collected Poems" were<br />
protest. Does Mr. Page really believe there is published with my full name in large plain letters<br />
no class to whom a scholarly essay or article, a on the title-page. On Dec. 16 of the same year the<br />
refined poem, a grammatical story, appeals with editor of the Realm gave a review of the work,<br />
swifter welcome than details concerning “Toe- saying it was by Thomas Winton Hood! Under<br />
nails of Celebrities,” particulars as to the what head would the editor of The Author place<br />
garments, food, habits, and domiciles of third- such a quixotic feat ? Do not perpetrators of<br />
rate theatrical and other vainglorious notoriety such outrages deserve a niche in a “comfortable<br />
hunters ? Does he flatter himself that editors of corner”?<br />
his calibre have quite superseded those of the Thomas WINTER Wood (“Vanguard”).<br />
caste of the late James Payn?<br />
The inquisitive vulgarian is not omnipotent,<br />
though certain editors, in collusion with whole-<br />
sale manufacturers of literary shoddy, may delude<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
themselves into the belief that he is.. Acting<br />
upon the dictum that “ appetite grows by what<br />
M HE Lane Lectures, delivered by Sir Michael<br />
it feeds on," these people stimulate this false<br />
T Foster at the Cooper Medical College in<br />
appetite by flooding bookstalls and newsagents'<br />
- San Francisco last autumn, are being pub-<br />
shops with the rubbish they produce.<br />
lished by the Cambridge University Press. The<br />
Semi -illiterate, bird-witted devourers of<br />
title of the volume is “ Lectures on the History of<br />
worthless sensationalism, fulsome personalities,<br />
Physiology during the Sixteenth, Seventeenth,<br />
grandiose self-advertisements, garnished by and Eighteenth Centuries."<br />
gaudy covers and rudimentary “illustrations,"<br />
patronise these publishing and editing Cheap<br />
Mr. Arnold Glover and Mr. A. R. Waller are<br />
Jacks, no doubt, just as a lower human stratum<br />
editing a complete edition of the works of Hazlitt.<br />
still gloats over the brutalities of the gutter<br />
It will include the entire literary, political, and<br />
dramatic essays, together with his art criticism,<br />
prints.<br />
Theatrical managers bave long since perceived<br />
his miscellaneous lectures and prefaces, and his<br />
that, while melodrama of the crudest kind draws<br />
fugitive writings, now collected for the first time.<br />
best in poor-class neighbourhoods, plays of quieter<br />
lieter<br />
1<br />
The edition, for which Mr. Henley is to write<br />
action, thoughtful plot, and truer art, prove<br />
an introduction, will be published by Messrs.<br />
remunerative where audiences of taste and dis-<br />
Dent.<br />
crimination gather together.<br />
The Daily Chronicle states that Mr. Herbert<br />
HERBERT W. SMITH. Spencer has had his autobiography printed, and<br />
that there is now every probability that it will be<br />
published during Mr. Spencer's lifetime.<br />
IV.-Editors.<br />
Sherlock Holmes is to be revived. Mr. Conan<br />
Doyle will shortly contribute to the Strand a<br />
Mr. Doveton's spirited letter in the May number<br />
story in which the great detective is the principal<br />
of The Author induces me to broach a few further<br />
character; and it will be published as a serial of<br />
questions bearing on the subject of editors'<br />
from 30,000 to 50,000 words.<br />
pranks and privileges.<br />
As Mr. Doveton does not say how long he<br />
An appeal is to be made to admirers of the<br />
waited for the “ comfortable corner,” it is difficult<br />
late Miss Charlotte Yonge and her works for<br />
to judge his complaint aright. But as to the<br />
funds to place a memorial to the novelist in<br />
other question, of course no editor divulges the<br />
Otterbourne Church, where she worshipped, and<br />
name of pseudo-writers without their consent.<br />
to erect a new reredos in the Lady Chapel of<br />
But to come to personal matters, I once<br />
Winchester Cathedral. The memorial committee<br />
addressed a letter to the editor of The Author<br />
includes the Bishops of Winchester, Rochester,<br />
suggesting the adoption of the term “ typograph”<br />
for typewritten matter. Now, I look upon this as Lieutenant of Hampshire and Surrey.<br />
a perfectly legitimate literary question, involving Mr. Rider Haggard's account of his recent<br />
an obvious want, as no one appears to know what tour in Palestine, which has been appearing<br />
to call this, now common, production; thus it serially in the Queen, will be published in the<br />
remains an unaccountable stumbling-block. Why autumn by Messrs. Longman. The title of the<br />
keep it so ?<br />
book will probably be “A Winter Pilgrimage.”<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 15 (#347) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
15.<br />
A descriptive work on Naples, intended to rank The great History of the Royal Navy, by Mr.<br />
as supplementary to a guide, has been written by W. Laird Clowes, which has been appearing<br />
Mr. A. H. Norway, and will be published by during the past year or two, is to number seven<br />
Messrs. Methuen under the title of “ Naples, Past volumes instead of six. The sixth volume is<br />
and Present.” It is fully illustrated.<br />
about to be published, and the subject which has<br />
Mr. Charles Duguid has written “ The Story of<br />
rendered the concluding one necessary is ihe<br />
work of the Naval Brigade in the South African<br />
the Stock Exchange ” of London, which passed<br />
its centenary only the other week. The book will<br />
campaign.<br />
be illustrated by Mr. Joseph Pennell and Mr. The second volume of Dr. M. R. James's<br />
Dudley Hardy.<br />
descriptive catalogue of the Western manuscripts<br />
in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, will<br />
“ The Vivisector,” No. 1 of a series of “ Testa-<br />
be published in a few days from the Cambridge<br />
ments” by Mr. John Davidson, will be issued by<br />
Mr. Grant Richards on June 4. In a “Note"<br />
University Press.<br />
prefixed to the volume Mr. Davidson says:<br />
A new work by Mr. Cuninghame Graham,<br />
entitled “ A Vanished Arcadia," will be published<br />
The Testament of a Vivisector, the first of a series of<br />
poems which I purpose pablishing at intervals, will hardly<br />
in a few days by Mr. Heinemann. It relates to<br />
recommend itself to vivisector or anti-vivisector; and the the expulsion of the Jesuits from Paraguay.<br />
Dew statement of materialism which it contains is likely to<br />
Mr. Francis Gribble's book, “ Lake Geneva<br />
offend both the religious and the irreligious mind. This<br />
poem, therefore, and its successors, my “ Testaments,” are<br />
and its Literary Landmarks,” will be published<br />
addressed to those who are willing to place all ideas in the this month by Messrs. Constable.<br />
crucible, and who are not afraid to fathom what is sub-<br />
A new novel by Lieut. Colonel A. C. Haggard,<br />
-conscious in themselves and others.<br />
entitled “ Love Rules the Camp," will be published<br />
For the election to the Slade Professorship of immediately by Messrs. Hutchinson.<br />
Fine Art at Cambridge University, Mr. Charles<br />
Mr. A. J. Dadson is the author of a little book,<br />
Waldstein, Litt.D., King's College, who succeeded<br />
entitled “ Evolution and Its Bearing on Religion,”<br />
Mr. Middleton in 1895, did not seek re-election.<br />
which will be published by Messrs. Sonnen-<br />
The vacancy was filled on May 25, when the<br />
schein.<br />
choice of the electors fell upon Sir William<br />
Martin Conway, M.A., formerly chairman, and<br />
Mr. Robert S. Rait is preparing a volume, for<br />
now a member of Council, of the Society of publication by Messrs. Constable, containing<br />
Authors.<br />
hitherto unpublished autograph poems by King<br />
James the First of England and Sixth of Scot-<br />
"A Child of Art” by Annabel Gray, the second<br />
land, the existence of which, in the Bodleian<br />
of the series of her novels, is now published by<br />
Library at Oxford, has only recently been dis-<br />
Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., price 38. 6d.<br />
covered.<br />
“ The Mystic Number 7,” now in a fourth edition,<br />
will be issued at is. by same firm in the autumn.<br />
“An Eton Boy's Letters " is the title and<br />
subject of a work by G. Nugent Bankes, which<br />
“Anthems and Anthem Composers,” by Mr.<br />
Messrs. Cassell are about to publish. Purport-<br />
Myles Birket Foster, which Mr. Murray is to pub-<br />
ing to be written to relatives and friends, the<br />
lish, is described as an essay on the development letters narrate the vicissitudes of the boy's<br />
of the anthem from the time of the Reformation<br />
career at school, and illustrate the manners and<br />
to the end of the nineteenth century, with a com.<br />
customs of the college.<br />
plete list of anthems belonging to each of the four<br />
The Fellows of the Royal Society met at<br />
centuries.<br />
Burlington House, on May 9, to discuss the ques-<br />
A life of Synesius the Hellene has been written<br />
tion of enlarging the scope of the Society with a<br />
by the Rev. W. S. Crawford, vicar of Checkley, view to constituting a more distinctive literary<br />
Stoke-on-Trent, and will be published by Messrs. and philological section. The proceedings were<br />
Rivington.<br />
private, but it was announced at the close that<br />
A grammar of Cape Dutch has been prepared no decision had been come to, and that another<br />
by Miss A. Werner, of King's College, London, meeting would be called shortly.<br />
and will be published shortly by Messrs. Williams<br />
The Archbishop of Canterbury presided at the<br />
and Norgate.<br />
annual dinner of the Royal Literary Fund on<br />
"Some Recollections of Jean Ingelow and Her May 17, and spoke of the excellent services<br />
Friends" is the title of a volume which Messrs. rendered by the fund to distressed writers. It<br />
Wells Gardner will issue shortly. It is written was hardly conceivable, he added, that we could<br />
by three friends of the late poet.<br />
ever sum up the debt we owed to great writers.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 16 (#348) #############################################<br />
<br />
16<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Of all the things for which he was grateful to<br />
God, he knew but one that stood above the gift<br />
of à noble literature, and that was God's own<br />
revelation; and when we put that high above<br />
everything, still he knew nothing he could rank<br />
higher than the literature which ennobled our<br />
country.-Subscriptions amounting to nearly<br />
£1000 were announced at the dinner.<br />
Mr. H. G. Keene has republished in book form<br />
the interesting series of articles he contributed to<br />
the Calcutta Review on the French and English<br />
free-lances who found their opportunity in the<br />
chaos which preceded the establishment of British<br />
power in India. Sir Richard Temple contributes<br />
a felicitous preface. The brochure is published<br />
by Messrs. Thacker, Spink, and Co., of Calcutta,<br />
and of 2, Creed-lane, London.<br />
Prince Kropotkin, the Russian scientist and<br />
exile, promises to bring out immediately a popular<br />
edition of his interesting work, “ Fields, Factories,<br />
and Workshops,” hitherto available only to those<br />
who could afford half-a-guinea or so. The book<br />
is a study of economic tendencies in the realms of<br />
modern industry and agriculture. Messrs. Swan<br />
Sonnenschein and Co. will be the publishers.<br />
The format will be especially good, both in the<br />
shilling (paper) and two-shilling (cloth) edition.<br />
In addition to the usual budget of short fiction,<br />
Crampton's Magazine for June will contain an<br />
article by Björnson on French exclusiveness and a<br />
discussion of “Is the • Yellow Peril’ a reality ?”<br />
by Lieutenant-General Türr, the Garibaldian<br />
veteran ; M. de Bloch, the famous Moscow<br />
banker and adviser of the Tsar; and Mr. Alexis<br />
Krausse, author of several works on China.<br />
Her Majesty the Queen has graciously accepted<br />
a copy of “Alien's” new novel, “ Another<br />
Woman's Territory.”<br />
Mr. B. T. Batsford regrets to announce that<br />
the second issue of Mr. Edwin 0. Sachs's<br />
monumental work, “Modern Opera Houses and<br />
Theatres,” promised for the opening of the opera<br />
season, bas been unavoidably delayed by the<br />
illness of the author. It is now scarcely probable<br />
that Mr. Sachs's work can be reissued before the<br />
autumn.<br />
“ The Nana's Talisman” is the title of a new<br />
novel, now on sale, by Mark Ashton, author of<br />
“ She Stands Alone,” &c. The publishers are<br />
Messrs. Hutchinson and Co.<br />
From a notice on the fly-leaf of Mr. Robert<br />
Cromie's “ Kitty's Victoria Cross,” which Messrs.<br />
Frederick Warne and Co. have just published,<br />
we learn that a new edition of Mr. Cromie's “A<br />
Plunge into Space” is in the press. The latter<br />
will contain twenty illustrations by Mr. Lancelot<br />
Speed. Among the many claims to prophecy<br />
made by authors-some of which are a trifle<br />
shadowy-we may instance Mr. Cromie's wireless<br />
telegraphy forecast in “A Plunge into Space,"<br />
the first edition of which was published in 1890.<br />
Tesla and Marconi had not then commenced to<br />
work their wonders, but Mr. Cromie's paragraph<br />
—which will appear in the new edition without<br />
the alteration of a single word-has been admitted<br />
by an electrical science journal to be a fairly good<br />
definition of wireless telegraphy up to the moment<br />
of going to press.<br />
Two matinées for the benefit of the Waifs and<br />
Strays Society will be given at the Criterion<br />
Theatre on June 3 and 4, when, among other<br />
attractions, two one-act pieces will be performed<br />
—one by Lady Bancroft, the other by Mr. F.<br />
Anstey.<br />
At the Lyceum, Madame “Saps-Gêne” will be<br />
revived on June 10, “The Lyons Mail” on<br />
June 19, and “Charles I.” on June 24.<br />
Mr. J. T. Grein is proposing to start a “ Théâtre<br />
Français” in London.<br />
“Ben Hur,” the religious drama which has<br />
been so successful in the United States, is to be<br />
produced at Drury Lane next Easter.<br />
Mr. T. E. Pemberton is writing a Life of Miss<br />
Ellen Terry.<br />
The Stage announces that the F. R. Benson<br />
Company (Limited) has been registered, with a<br />
capital of £1000 in £i shares. The first directors<br />
are 0. S. Andreae, F. R. Benson, and C. F.<br />
Leyel.<br />
Mr. Stephen Phillips has nearly completed<br />
“Ulysses,” the play he is writing for Mr. Tree.<br />
An interesting “real conversation between Mr.<br />
Phillips and Mr. William Archer, in which the<br />
question of dramatic criticism by the newspapers<br />
is discussed, appears in the current number of<br />
the Pall Mall Magazine.<br />
Mr. Martin Harvey will produce shortly a new<br />
romantic play by Mr. Freeman Wills.<br />
“ THE AUTHOR."<br />
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<br />
## p. 16 (#349) #############################################<br />
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## p. 16 (#350) #############################################<br />
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WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY WHYMPER<br />
AND OTHERS.<br />
STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
JUDICIAL DECISIONS.<br />
Chapters I., II., and III.--The Bear.<br />
IV. and V.—The Panther.<br />
A Compilation for General Use.<br />
VI., VII., and VIII.-The Tiger.<br />
IX. and X.-The Indian Bison.<br />
By J. M. LELY, M.A., Barrister-at-Law.<br />
XI. and XII.-The Elephant.<br />
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repealed and unrepealed.<br />
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Decisione,<br />
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APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills-Comprehension Bill of 1689. Eccle-<br />
siastical Appeals Bill 1850. Ohurch Discipline Bill of 1899.<br />
Statements by English Church Union and Church Association.<br />
Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trept. The<br />
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Ninth. And & Copious Index.<br />
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Appenatica. Scappels camins 186o.orge Dicipline bu sor 1999: PRINCIPLES OF CHESS<br />
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JAMES MASON.<br />
BY<br />
London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's Buildings, E.C.<br />
Crown 8vo., with illustrations, price 68., to be had of all booksellers. | CONTENTS. – 1. Elements of Chess. 2. General Principias,<br />
| 3. Combination. 4. Exposition of Master Play Complete.<br />
TOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British<br />
Prince at the Court of Trajan. By L. M. P. BLACK.<br />
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Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. | https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/344/1901-06-01-The-Author-12-1.pdf | publications, The Author |
| 345 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/345 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 02 (July 1901) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+02+%28July+1901%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 02 (July 1901)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1901-07-01-The-Author-12-2 | | | | | 17–36 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1901-07-01">1901-07-01</a> | | | | | | | 2 | | | 19010701 | The Author.<br />
1.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Scriety of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
VOL. XII.-No. 2.]<br />
JULY 1, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
PAGY<br />
:<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
Memoranda ...<br />
... 17 The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors ...<br />
Authors and the War Fund<br />
Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... ...<br />
Death of Sir Walter Besant :<br />
Notes and News<br />
Portrait ... ... ...<br />
Tribute from the President ..<br />
The Women Writers' Dinner<br />
Tribute from the Committee...<br />
Correspondence<br />
Memoir. By S. Squire Sprigge<br />
Tribute from Paris<br />
The Proposed Memorial to Arcbibald Forbes<br />
From the Committee<br />
The Handling of MSS.... ...<br />
Literary Property :<br />
Authors' Deductions and Income Tax<br />
Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. Pearson<br />
| Robert Buchanan ... ... ... ... ...<br />
The Same Old Agreement<br />
The International Literary and Artistic Association ... 29 | Book and Play Talk... ...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18.<br />
2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary<br />
Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum,<br />
post free. Back numbers from 1892, at ios. 6d. per vol.<br />
3. Literature and the Pension List By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38.<br />
4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18.<br />
6. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.)<br />
6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the<br />
papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to<br />
Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the<br />
various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their<br />
agreements. 38.<br />
Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at<br />
the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods.” With comments and<br />
advice. 28.<br />
7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With<br />
Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the<br />
American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 18. 6d.<br />
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT<br />
(Chairman of Committee, 1888-1892). 18.<br />
9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst<br />
LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d.<br />
10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT<br />
THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. is.<br />
[All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.]<br />
NST<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 16 (#352) #############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT.<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL<br />
Sir Edwin ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Austin Dobson.<br />
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE.<br />
J. M. BARRIE.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A. W. DUBOURG.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
ROBERT BATEMAN.<br />
SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D.<br />
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.<br />
F.R.S.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
J. C. PARKINSON.<br />
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.<br />
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE.<br />
THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIB.<br />
The Right Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. | SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
BRIGHT, F.R.S.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH H. RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
SiR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,<br />
CLERE.<br />
THOMAS HARDY.<br />
LL.D.<br />
HALL CAINE.<br />
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
JEROME K. JEROME.<br />
E. ROSE.<br />
P. W. CLAYDEN.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
W. BAPTISTE SCOONES.<br />
EDWARD CLODD.<br />
RUDYARD KIPLING.<br />
Miss FLORA L. SHAW.<br />
W. MORRIS COLLES.<br />
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G, R. Sims.<br />
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. W.E. H. LECKY, M.P. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.<br />
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
J. J. STEVENSON.<br />
MRS. CRAIGIE.<br />
The Rev. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
F. MARION CRAWFORD.<br />
SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc.<br />
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN.<br />
MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.<br />
OF KEDLESTON.<br />
Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.<br />
Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
E. Rose.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
SUB-COMMITTEES.<br />
ART.<br />
Hon. John COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONway.<br />
M. H. SPIELMANN.<br />
COPYRIGHT.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
W. M. COLLES.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
DRAMA.<br />
HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman).<br />
F. C. BURNAND.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDI.<br />
EDWARD ROSE.<br />
Salinitore FIELD, Roscoe, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street.<br />
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING.<br />
OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C.<br />
ESTABLISHED 1896.<br />
THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. Ltd.<br />
INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS.<br />
MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing,<br />
NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED.<br />
WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 17 (#353) #############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
Vou.. XII.—No. 2.]<br />
JULY 1, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are<br />
signed or initialled the Authors alone are<br />
responsible. None of the papers or para-<br />
graphs must be taken as expressing the<br />
collective opinions of the Committee unless<br />
they are officially signed by G. Herbert<br />
Thring, Sec.<br />
M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all<br />
remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and<br />
he requests members who do not receive an answer<br />
to important communications within two days to write to<br />
him without delay. All remittances should be crossed<br />
Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by<br />
registered letter only.<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“Cost of Production.”<br />
IV. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :-<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other for«ns of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements hy letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjoots whatever. Articles which cannot be<br />
accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany<br />
the MSS.<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
SERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :-<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to :<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreemeat in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise.<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
anless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipte<br />
in preference to the American system. Sbould<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
D2<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 18 (#354) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen.<br />
lence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of<br />
members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof<br />
safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con.<br />
fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who<br />
will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :-(1)<br />
To read and advise apon agreements and to give advice con-<br />
cerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness<br />
for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements.<br />
(4) To enforce payments due according to agreements.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nigbtly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the feos<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Anthors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. Tbis is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rigbts, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed.<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly specnlative : that be runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatio con.<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA.<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers of<br />
its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated<br />
as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS.<br />
includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY AND<br />
DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under special<br />
arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers<br />
are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one<br />
guinea.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the<br />
1 Society that, although the paper is sent to them free<br />
of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very<br />
heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
68. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn<br />
Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER THAN<br />
THE 2180 OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work whicb it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB is situated at 3, Whiteball.court,<br />
London, S.W. Address the Secretary for information<br />
concerning rules of admission, &c.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
-<br />
AUTHORS AND THE WAR FUND.<br />
1. T VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
N advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub.<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici.<br />
tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the<br />
Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's<br />
opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him<br />
Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
2. Reinember that yaestions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreoments do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to ase the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you<br />
are fighting the battlos of other writers, even if you are<br />
reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing<br />
MSEMBERS of the Society of Authors will<br />
be pleased to hear that the book issued<br />
under the editorship of Mr. Cutcliffe<br />
Hyne, the proceeds of the sale of which were to<br />
go to the War Fund, has had a thoroughly<br />
successful circulation, and a first contribution of<br />
£214 10s. 7d. has been forwarded. Authors<br />
may look upon this result as highly satisfactory,<br />
and special thanks must be given to the editor<br />
and the contributors for the trouble they have<br />
taken.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 19 (#355) #############################################<br />
<br />
<br />
By kind permission of Messrs. Ellis and Watery.<br />
SIR W ALTER BESANC.<br />
Died at Frognal End, Hampstead, June 9, 1901.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 20 (#356) #############################################<br />
<br />
20<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
SIR WALTER BESANT. maintain and enforce. It is not necessary on the<br />
present occasion to recapitulate these; readers of<br />
THE FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS.<br />
this journal are familiar with them. The years<br />
that have elapsed since that paper was read have<br />
From the President.<br />
witnessed no departure from those principles and<br />
UR Society has to sustain a heavy blow in have been filled with work upon those lines.<br />
the death of Sir Walter Besant; and, Though no longer chairman, Sir Walter did not<br />
although vitality breathes from a bright abate in the smallest degree his labours on behalf<br />
example, such a loss may well seem to us at the of the profession of letters. As an energetic and<br />
moment irreparable. It is hard to speak of him diligent member of the Committee, and as the<br />
within measure when we consider his devotion to conductor of The Author, he continued to inspire<br />
the cause of authors, and the constant good the Society which he had founded, and to give to<br />
service rendered by him to their material inte. it his time, his thoughts, and his affection with<br />
rests. In this he was a valorous, alert, persistent that unmeasured generosity which seemed to<br />
advocate, and it will not be denied by his oppo belong to him alone, and with the ardent enthu-<br />
nents that he was always urbane, his object being siasm which had enabled him to overcome all<br />
simply to establish a system of fair dealing opposition and all difficulties in the early days of<br />
between the sagacious publishers of books and our existence. Nothing but illness kept him<br />
the inexperienced, often heedless, producers. from the meetings of the Committee; he edited<br />
How unselfishly, with how pure a generosity he The Author till within a month of his death; he<br />
gave his valuable time to the previously neglected never ceased to seek how the work of the Society<br />
office of adviser to the more youthful of his pro might be advanced and extended, and how its<br />
fession, may be estimated by a review of his position might be yet further fortified and con-<br />
memorable labours in other fields. They were solidated.<br />
vast and toilsome, yet he never missed an occa- Faith, zeal, courage, self-devotion—these were<br />
sion for acting as the young author's voluntary the great qualities which he brought to his<br />
friend in the least sentimental and most sensible chosen work—the work of developing in men of<br />
manner. He had no thought of trouble or letters a sense of their brotherhood, of the dignity<br />
personal loss where the welfare of his fellow. of their profession, of the duty of maintaining<br />
workers was concerned. We have lost in him the steadfastly its independence and its rights.<br />
very beating heart of our Society, and it is by What he warred against was, in his own words,<br />
holding his name in grateful remembrance that “the feeling, ridiculous, senseless, and baseless,<br />
we may best hope to have something of his that it is beneath the dignity of an author to<br />
energies remaining with us.<br />
manage his business affairs as a man of business<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH. should, with the same regard for equity in his<br />
agreement, the same resolution to know what is<br />
meant by both sides of an agreement, and the<br />
From the Committee.<br />
same jealousy as to assigning the administration<br />
When, in the year 1892, Sir Walter Besant of his property.” Against the old bad way—the<br />
retired from the chairmanship of the Committee hand-to-mouth existence, indolence and ignorance<br />
of the Society, he himself gave an account parading as the superiority of genius, i slipshod<br />
of bis stewardship in the form of a “ brief negligence that ended in recriminations and<br />
history of the Society from its foundation.” wranglings, he set his own face and armed his<br />
This paper, read at the Annual Meeting, con- comrades. For it was to his comrades in the<br />
stitutes still the best account of the origin, first instance that his message spoke. Their<br />
establishment, and progress of the Society. fate was in their own hands; it was in their<br />
In it our founder lays down the lines of our power to make justice, knowledge, and common<br />
activity and the principles which we exist to sense prevail in their business arrangements.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 21 (#357) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
21<br />
“We have enabled you to meet men of business authors. The loyalty and love of his comrades<br />
as men of business,” he said, rightly discerning in literature-not least of the younger men and<br />
that only thus could independence exist and women whom he welcomed so cordially and<br />
reciprocal respect be in the end secured.<br />
appraised so generously-were his without stint<br />
“I can at least plead that I have always placed in his lifetime, and follow him in affectionate<br />
the Cause before any other consideration.” All sorrow beyond the grave.<br />
our members know one sense in which this was By order of the Committee,<br />
so abundantly true. He placed it before his ease<br />
(Signed)<br />
and his leisure ; for its sake he endured violent<br />
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS, Chairman.<br />
attack, supercilious comment, ill-informed criti.<br />
June 17, 1901.<br />
cism; for it he suffered himself to be represented by<br />
many as false to the very thing he loved best of<br />
all—the true and highest interests of literature.<br />
Memoir.<br />
But there is another sense in which his words SIR WALTER BESANT was born at Portsmouth<br />
come back to those whose privilege it was to be sixty-four years ago. He was educated at Ports-<br />
intimately associated with him in the work and mouth, at several suburban schools, at King's<br />
counsels of the Society. For a man of his ardent College, London, and at Christ's College, Cam-<br />
mind and strong convictions it could not have bridge, where a successful student's career was<br />
been easy to subordinate his judgment to that of rewarded by a high place in the mathematical<br />
others, and to work as one of several equal members tripos. He was eighteenth wravgler. From<br />
of a consultative body. But this as a member a small boy a hard worker, he read much<br />
of the Committee he was always ready to do. and in many directions during hours when his<br />
He based no claims on his unique services or on schoolmates were playing, for his short sight<br />
his unrivalled experience. However strongly he prevented him from taking a prominent part in<br />
might advocate a particular view or a particular athletic pursuits; though it should be added<br />
course, he accepted loyally the decision of his that when he was at Cambridge he became fond<br />
colleagues. He never liked to have it said that of rowing. As a youth he was an excellent<br />
he “was the Society," and to say it was to do an classic, having read sufficiently widely to appre-<br />
injustice to one of the greatest graces of his ciate the study of Latin and Greek; and it<br />
character and to one of his most valuable seems to have been by accident rather than by<br />
qualities as a member of a corporation.<br />
natural bent that his attention was turned to<br />
Thanks to him far more than to any other mathematics. Certainly his love of literature, his<br />
man the Society of Authors has now reached devotion to historical and antiquarian research,<br />
such a position that no individual loss can shake and his keenness in tracing the ethical develop-<br />
or cripple it. None the less the loss we have ments of his fellow-men—the influence upon<br />
suffered is heavy and irreparable. The difference them of heredity and environment-seem to mark<br />
which his departure makes must be great. It him out rather as a student of the humanities<br />
should be the work of those who survive him to than of the abstract sciences. He always re-<br />
lessen it by all means in their power; this would gretted that he had not continued to read classics<br />
have been his first wish. It is to be hoped when at Cambridge, and made rather light of his<br />
that a worthy memorial of him may be set on mathematical powers, which were so considerable<br />
foot. But there would be none that he himself that in many men they would have dictated a<br />
would value so much as the continued and grow- career.<br />
ing usefulness and prosperity of the Society. It had been his intention to enter the Church,<br />
That is the only reward he ever looked to receive but when the time came near he found his dis-<br />
for all his labours. One other he did receive, taste for Holy Orders to be insuperable, and in<br />
which at this time it is permissible to express to 1861, after a brief experience as an under master<br />
those dear to him in the name of his brother at a school, he applied for and obtained a<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 22 (#358) #############################################<br />
<br />
22<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Government appointment as professor of mathe- extraordinary power of application was perhaps as<br />
matics in the Royal College of Mauritius. He much displayed in connection with the Palestine<br />
held the post for six years, resigning in 1867 Exploration Fund as in any part of his life-work.<br />
through ill-health. He has described in oue of The Fund, which has done such admirable<br />
his earlier novels the life of enervating laziness service in illustrating and verifying the Scrip.<br />
which prevailed at that time in a tropical island, tures, had in him a literally indefatigable servant.<br />
and to this he never got acclimatised. When He managed the office, edited the Transactions,<br />
he returned to England he resolved to devote and wrote the hand-books; and it was always a<br />
himself to a literary career, for which be felt that source of regret to him that he had never been<br />
he had a strong bent, and to follow which had to the places with whose topography he was so<br />
been one of his earliest hopes as a lad. As a familiar. I remember that he once pointed out<br />
beginning he published a volume of studies in to me a short footnote in one of the publications<br />
early French poetry, the result of a great deal of of the Palestine Exploration Fund which he said<br />
reading undertaken during his residence in had necessitated the reading of three books<br />
Mauritius with the help and encouragement of a before the speculation which it contained could<br />
Frenchman whom he met there named Léon be supported. Later discovery proved its com.<br />
Doyen. This volume was succeeded by bio. plete correctness. To me the significance of the<br />
graphies of Coligny and Whittington, contributed story was not that he had taken such trouble to<br />
to a series of books of biography entitled "The verify the grounds of his hypothesis, but that,<br />
New Plutarch.” In 1873, and for a few years having acquired so much knowledge by the way,<br />
later, he was a frequent contributor to the columns he should be content to add only a little foot-<br />
of the Daily News, and in the former year he note. This was Besant all over, but it is not the<br />
brought out a volume entitled “The French way of many historians.<br />
Humourists,” which showed him to be a very It was in 1872 that a chance contribution to<br />
accurate and appreciative student of Rabelais. Once a Week introduced him to James Rice.<br />
By this work he proved himself to have a power The story has often been told how Besant called<br />
of graceful expression, a ready wit, and a store of on Rice to remonstrate with him for publishing<br />
rather unusual scholarship, and he soon found an article in the magazine which was full of<br />
ample employment for his pen in magazines and misprints, the author's proof having miscarried.<br />
newspapers.<br />
The interview led to Rice inviting Besant to<br />
Almost immediately upon his return to collaborate with him in a serial novel. The book<br />
England he had become closely associated was “ Ready Money Mortiboy.” It was a success,<br />
with the group of scholars and explorers who and was followed by a real triumph—" The<br />
founded the Palestine Exploration Fund, and by Golden Butterfly.” During the next ten years<br />
them was appointed secretary, a position which the joint authors produced a series of novels<br />
he held for upwards of twenty years, only which won them immediate popularity, and a<br />
resigning it to become hon. secretary in the year permanent place in English letters. An enormous<br />
1886. His friend Mr. Morris Colles has recorded amount of conjecture has been expended over<br />
the value of Besant's work to the Palestine the respective shares of the two novelists in their<br />
Exploration Fund. During the years which admirable stories, and to this conjecture no<br />
the Survey of Western Palestine was in progress absolute end can be put, as the only two persons<br />
Mr. Colles was living with Professor Palmer, able to separate the compounds into their respec-<br />
the great orientalist, who edited the Survey with tive elements are dead without communicating<br />
Besant, and he testifies to the profound and their formula to the world. But this much may<br />
; ritical knowledge over an amazingly wide field here be said. The books were truly written in<br />
» f learning that Besant would display. Palmer, collaboration, though here and there a scene is<br />
of course, was supreme as an orientalist, but in painted which was outside Besant's experience,<br />
all else Besant's help was invaluable. His or a place described to which Rice had never<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 23 (#359) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
23<br />
been. In every case the first draft was in<br />
Besant's handwriting, though the plot was<br />
not necessarily his original idea.' The scheme<br />
of each book was decided upon by them both<br />
before the draft was made, and every chapter<br />
was debated between them, the emendations<br />
and developments that followed being such<br />
as were approved by both. From a literary<br />
point of view, therefore, each wrote every word. It<br />
is completely unfair to relegate, as some have done,<br />
all the scholarship and graceful fancy to one<br />
partner, and all the broad humour to another.<br />
Something of the share that each played in the<br />
collaboration might be guessed by reading Rice's<br />
separate work and Besant's many novels written<br />
after the death of Rice in 1882, but the inference<br />
made would be misleading, for each man exercised<br />
an influence on the other. That is all that I ever<br />
heard Besant say on the matter. He was talking<br />
of collaboration in general, and not of his own<br />
works, but I have no doubt that it was from<br />
personal experience that he was speaking. He<br />
pointed out that if A. and B. truly collaborated,<br />
allowing nothing to be published which had not<br />
received their common approval, their separate<br />
qualities would be so modified by the process<br />
that the result would not be the expected or<br />
even the probable derivative of their individual<br />
talents.<br />
In September, 1883, a group of twelve or fifteen<br />
men, their closest link being, I believe, member-<br />
ship of the Savile Club, met in Mr. Scoones's<br />
chambers in Garrick-street to form a Society of<br />
Men and Women of Letters. Exactly what they<br />
were going to do they hardly knew. It was only<br />
felt vaguely that the position of literary men was<br />
unsatisfactory, a discontent which, as Sir Walter<br />
Besant recently said in these columns, “ may be<br />
traced back for 150 years simply by the con-<br />
tinuous beaded string of epigrams in which they<br />
have relieved their angry souls.” The Society of<br />
Men and Women of Letters started with a short<br />
programme of three objects :-<br />
1. The maintenance, definition, and defence of<br />
literary property.<br />
2. The consolidation and amendment of the<br />
laws of domestic copyright.<br />
3. The promotion of international copyright<br />
vol. xii.<br />
On these lines a prospectus was produced and<br />
the adhesion was sought of all who lived by<br />
literature. Besant was the preliminary chairman<br />
during the organisation of the society, and to his<br />
untiring efforts and never-failing enthusiasm<br />
such measure of success as was obtained was due.<br />
He had first-hand experience of printing accounts,<br />
gained at the office of the Palestine Exploration<br />
Fund, and by the publication of the earliest<br />
work by Besant and Rice at its authors' risk ;<br />
while he had also acquired knowledge of certain<br />
frauds that were then being practised by pub-<br />
lishers of the baser sort, so that he knew, if a<br />
little vaguely, in which direction the association<br />
should begin its work, and he was able to give a<br />
reason for the enthusiasm with which he infected<br />
others. I am not be littling the part which the first<br />
council and committee of the Society of Authors<br />
played when I say that they almost all gave their<br />
original adherence “ to oblige Besant.” Later he<br />
was able to show them, and a large proportion of<br />
the literary world, that to support the Society of<br />
Authors made for the benefit of all, but at first<br />
it was Besant's perso nality that kept the Society<br />
together. He was loved as well as respected.<br />
He had gone to the top of the literary profession<br />
with a few quick strides, and success had made<br />
no difference to him. The absolutely simple,<br />
genial, unassuming man was unaltered. When<br />
such a man initiates a movement a response may<br />
be obtained that is quite surprising to many who<br />
have seen noisier and more declamatory efforts<br />
fail. All Besant's friends followed him because<br />
they knew the man rather than his cause. There<br />
was no suspicion that he was doing the thing for<br />
his own aggrandisement. Everyone felt that it was<br />
his sense of justice and his desire to be helpful<br />
that inspired his actions, and were ready to<br />
follow where he was leading, even though the<br />
direction was, as he has said, not quite clear even<br />
to himself. This is the sense in which it may<br />
truly be said that Besant founded the Society of<br />
Authors. Men of repute in the literary and<br />
business world belonged from the beginning to<br />
the movement. Admirable volunteer service was<br />
done by counsel, solicitors, and auditors, a strong<br />
committee of management was backed by an<br />
influential array of vice-presidents, and the first<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 24 (#360) #############################################<br />
<br />
24<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
president was Tennyson. Most of these were re-<br />
cruited into the service of the Society of Authors<br />
by half-a-dozen men who knew them intimately<br />
and were related to them, and these half-a-dozen<br />
men were Besant's friends.<br />
The following words from Besant's pen are<br />
probably familiar to readers of The Author, but<br />
no sketch of his life, however brief, should leave<br />
in doubt exactly what he meant by the definition<br />
of literary property and the maintenance of the<br />
dignity and independence of letters :-<br />
There has existed for a hundred and fifty years at least,<br />
and there still lingers among us, a feeling that it is unworthy<br />
the dignity of letters to take any account at all of the com-<br />
mercial or pecuniary side. No one, you will please to<br />
remark, has ever thought of reproaching the barrister, the<br />
solicitor, the physician, the surgeon, the painter, the<br />
sculptor, the actor, the singer, the musician, the composer,<br />
the architect, the chemist, the physicist, the engineer, the<br />
professor, the teacher, the clergyman, or any other kind of<br />
brain worker that one can mention, with taking fees or<br />
salaries or money for his work; nor does anyone reproach<br />
these men with looking after their fees and getting rich if<br />
they can. Nor does anyone suggest that to consider the<br />
subject of payment very carefully-to take ordinary pre-<br />
cautions against dishonesty-brings discredit on anyone<br />
who does 80; nor does anyone call that barrister unworthy<br />
of the Bar who expects large fees in proportion to his name<br />
and his ability ; nor does anyone call that painter a trades-<br />
man whose price advances with his reputation. I beg you<br />
to consider this point very carefully. For the moment any<br />
author begins to make practical investigation into the value<br />
--the monetary value of the work which he puts upon the<br />
market-& hundred voices arise from those of his own<br />
craft as well as from those who live by administering<br />
his property-voices which cry ont upon the sordidness, the<br />
meanness, the degradation of turning literature into a trade.<br />
We hear, I say, this kind of talk from our own ranks-<br />
though, one must own, chiefly from those who never had an<br />
opportunity of discovering what literary property means.<br />
Doos, I ask, this cry mean anything at all? Well, first of<br />
all, it manifestly means a confusion of ideas. There are<br />
two values of literary work—distinct, separate; not com.<br />
mensurable—they cannot be measured—they cannot be con-<br />
sidered together. The one is the literary value of a work-<br />
its artistic, poetic, dramatic value ; its value of accuracy,<br />
of construction, of presentation, of novelty, of style, of<br />
magnetism. On that value is based the real position of<br />
every writer in his own generation and the estimate of him,<br />
should he survive, for generations to follow. I do not<br />
greatly blame those who cry out upon the connection of<br />
literature with trade; they are jealous, and rightly jealous,<br />
for the honour of letters. We will acknowledge so much.<br />
But the confusion lies in not understanding that every man<br />
who takes money for whatever he makes or does may be<br />
regarded, in a way, and not offensively, as a tradesman;<br />
but that the making of a thing need have nothing<br />
whatever to do with the price it will command; and<br />
that this price in the case of a book cannot be measured<br />
by the literary or artistic value. In other words,<br />
while an artist is at work upon a poem, a drama, or a<br />
romance, this aspect of his work, and this alone, is in his<br />
mind, otherwise his work would be naught. But, once<br />
finished and ready for production, then comes in the other<br />
value—the commercial value, which is a distinct thing.<br />
Here the artist ceases and the man of business begins.<br />
Either the man of business begins at this point or the next<br />
steps of that artist infallibly bring him to disaster, or at<br />
least the partial loss of that commercial value. Remember<br />
that any man who has to sell a thing must make himself<br />
acquainted with its value, or he will be-what? Call it what<br />
you please-over-reached, deluded, cheated. That is &<br />
recognised rule in every other kind of business. Let us do<br />
our best to make it recognised in our own. Apart from<br />
this confasion of ideas between literary and commercial<br />
value, there is another and a secondary reason for this<br />
feeling. For two hundred years, at least, contempt of every<br />
kind has been poured upon the unsuccessful author. Why?<br />
How did the contempt arise ? It came to us as a<br />
heritage of the last century. In the course of<br />
our investigations into the history of literary property-the<br />
result of which will, I hope, appear some day in volume<br />
form-I recently caused a research to be made into the<br />
business side of literature in the last century. Publishers<br />
were not then men of education and knowledge, as many of<br />
them are at the present moment; they were not advised by<br />
scholars, men of taste and intuition ; the market, compared<br />
with that of the present day, was inconceivably small; there<br />
were great risks due to all these causes. The practice,<br />
therefore, was, in view of these risks, to pay the author so<br />
much for his book right out, and to expect a successful book<br />
to balance, and more than balance, one tbat was unsuc-<br />
cessful. Therefore they bought the books they published<br />
at the lowest price they could persuade the author to accept.<br />
Therefore—the consequence follows like the next line in<br />
Euclid—the author began to appear to the popular imagina-<br />
tion as a suppliant standing hat in hand beseeching the<br />
generosity of the bookseller. Physician and barrister stood<br />
upright, taking the recognised fee. The author bent a<br />
humble back, holding his hat in one humble hand, while he<br />
held oat the other humble band for as many guineas as he<br />
could get. That, I say, was the popular view of the author.<br />
And it still lingers among us. . . . We constantly read<br />
here and there of the generosity of a publisher. My friends,<br />
let us henceforth resolve to proclaim that we do not want<br />
generosity; that we will not have it; that we are not<br />
beggars and suppliants ; and that what we want is the<br />
administration of our own property-or its purchase-on<br />
fair, just, and honourable terms. Let us remember that the<br />
80-called generosity must be either a dole--an alms-over<br />
and above his just claim, in which case it degrades the<br />
author to take it and robs the publisher who gives it; or it<br />
is a payment under the just value, when it degrades the<br />
publisher who gives it, while it robs the author who<br />
takes it.<br />
Such was Besant's view of the position which<br />
authors should take up towards the public and<br />
the publisher, and in elucidation and support of<br />
it he spared no pains. He was generally accused<br />
of, blind and sweeping hatred of publishers, but<br />
the accusation was an ignorant and short-sighted<br />
one. His real attitude was this : Having asserted<br />
that ordinary business routine, either carried out<br />
personally or by an accredited agent, cannot<br />
possibly be ºpposed to the production of matter<br />
of the first artistic excellence, he set to work to<br />
make clear the principles which should underlie<br />
the commercial relation of the author and the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 25 (#361) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
· 25<br />
publisher. The earliest business done by the influential men; he spoke with pride of the<br />
Society of Authors made it clear that the publish- strides already made and with hope of future<br />
ing world—like every other trade and profession developments; he allotted large credit to everyone<br />
-contained a few deliberate thieves. The who had ever done any work for the Society; but<br />
impunity of these persons was due to their asser- he entirely omitted to say—even to suggest that<br />
tion that many of their methods were hallowed by he had been the prime mover in its affairs from<br />
custom in the publishing world. Besant declared the beginning, that he had initiated its policy,<br />
at once that, if this were so, customs which moulded much of its fortunes, that he had<br />
allowed the black sheep to carry on a life of fraud advanced money whenever necessary, and had<br />
ought to be discontinued by all publishers. This toiled hour after hour and day after day at self-<br />
was, and is, the opinion of the Society of Authors, imposed tasks that the Society might reach an<br />
and it is not likely that anyone will be found unassailable position. Besant never “was the<br />
publicly to disagree with it. Besant was never Society," and had a great objection to the allega-<br />
tired of publishing it abroad, but it is difficult to tion, for he was always ready to ask and act upon<br />
believe that any right-ininded judgment could the opinion of his colleagues ; * but during his<br />
consider his words as dictated by wholesale and chairmanship he possessed such an intimate<br />
sweeping hatred of all publishers.<br />
knowledge of all the details of the business of<br />
Sir Walter Besant was chairman of the Society the Society that he was almost invariably able<br />
of Authors on three separate occasions, his last to speak with authority.<br />
tenure of office lasting from 1887 to 1892. Until In 1892 Sir Walter Besant resigned the chair-<br />
the day of his death the affairs of the Society manship of the Society of Authors, but remained<br />
formed an integral part of his life, and while he on the Committee, continued to edit The Author,<br />
was chairman the amount of time that he and in every way kept the affairs of the Society<br />
cheerfully spent upon its business is well-nigh amongst his foremost thoughts. Soon afterwards<br />
incredible. The time that I was secretary of the he made a start upon a colossal work, “ The<br />
Society coincided almost exactly with his last and Survey of London.” For the last five or six<br />
longest period of office, and during four years he years he had been working daily at the offices<br />
came three or four days in the week to Portugal- of Messrs. A. and C. Black upon this Survey, and<br />
street prepared to discuss every imaginable point shortly before he died he said that he considered<br />
of difficulty. Nothing was too large for him to go the hardest part of his task was over. His<br />
through with, nothing was too small for him to original design had been to bring “ Stowe's<br />
attend to that bore upon the profession of letters. London ” up to date, but the enormous masses of<br />
And he took no credit to himself for the enormous information that he acquired in so many diverse<br />
sacrifice of his time and the unceasing call upon directions led him gradually to modify his scheme.<br />
his thoughts; on the contrary, if an opportunity He left himself as his contribution to the work<br />
occurred, he gave other people the praise. When the writing of the story of London up to the end<br />
ever he attributed to me good deeds of his own- of the nineteenth century, and this was to be<br />
and this was his habit at the meetings of the supplemented in all necessary ways by articles<br />
Society of Authors during my secretaryship—he from specially qualified contributors. One volume<br />
always wore afterwards the air of having scored out of, I believe, eight, he lived to finish, and it is<br />
off me. It fell to my lot to accompany him sincerely to be hoped that the arrangements for<br />
to America in 1894, when we attended the the others are so far forward that the work, which<br />
Authors' Congress at Chicago as representatives must always be associated with Besant's name,<br />
of the Society. Besant made a long statement to can be completed in accordance with his design.<br />
an enthusiastic audience concerning the fortunes<br />
of the Society of Authors. He described its * Since writing this I see that Mr. Anthony Hope<br />
small beginnings, its early struggles, its good Hawkins has said almost exactly the same thing, but I<br />
think the repetition may stand, for my recollections refer<br />
fortune in obtaining from the first the support of to an earlier period in the Society's affairs.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 26 (#362) #############################################<br />
<br />
26<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
His acquaintance with London was very close,<br />
and his admiration for the capital — for her<br />
institutions and for the great part she has<br />
played in the national history-was unbounded.<br />
That he should acquire and assimilate all that<br />
scholarly and antiquarian research could teach<br />
him of London was not so surprising as was his<br />
great familiarity with the external features of<br />
the city. How did a man who rarely walked in<br />
the streets at a less pace than four miles an<br />
hour, and was quite shortsighted, contrive to<br />
know where the best views could be had of<br />
quaint façades, where there were particularly<br />
splendid iron railings, where there were espe-<br />
cially hideous gargoyles ? Anyone who has ever<br />
tramped about the streets with him knows that<br />
the list of attractions that he had to point out<br />
could be increased indefinitely, and the things<br />
that Besant knew about London were not in<br />
books.<br />
In 1895 Sir Walter Besant was knighted in<br />
recognition of his prominent position in the lite-<br />
rary world and of the practical good that he had<br />
done with his pen. That the distinction was due<br />
to him was allowed on all hands, and the occasion<br />
was the signal for an outburst of ardent esteem<br />
for the man and his works.<br />
His health did not begin to fail until the last<br />
year of his life, nor was he, to all appearance,<br />
seriously ill until the spring of this year. But<br />
the complaint from which he suffered was one for<br />
which but little could be done at his age, and his<br />
decline during the three weeks preceding the end<br />
was rapid.<br />
Sir Walter Besant married in 1874 Mary<br />
Garrett, daughter of Mr. Eustace Forster-<br />
Barham, of Bridgwater, by whom he leaves four<br />
children—two sons (fighting with our army in<br />
South Africa) and two daughters.<br />
and scientific life-work of Sir Walter Besant.<br />
The books from his single pen, written both<br />
before and after the death of his collaborator,<br />
speak for him and show him to be a fore-<br />
most figure in Victorian literature ; and it has<br />
been with the greatest pleasure that his friends<br />
have learned from the various obituary notices of<br />
his career that this fact is universally recognised.<br />
The good work of a veteran does not always<br />
appeal to judges a generation younger than the<br />
author, and we have all of us read criticisms of<br />
Sir Walter Besant's books that were, I have no<br />
doubt, sincere, but which were completely<br />
unfair, in that he was blamed for not doing what<br />
he had never tried to do. It was good that this<br />
injustice should be set right when his life-work<br />
was finished, and when a summary of it had to<br />
be given to the world. And almost without<br />
exception Sir Walter Besant's biographers have<br />
felt the responsibility laid upon them, and<br />
have recognised with affectionate zeal the high<br />
claims of the author of “ All Sorts and Condi-<br />
tions of Men,” “The Revolt of Man,” and<br />
“Dorothy Forster”—the author's own favourite<br />
book.<br />
Brave man and loyal friend, he burned to<br />
succour the poor and weak ; he hated injustice<br />
and disregarded all personal considerations in<br />
his efforts to maintain fair play. It may be<br />
that occasionally he tilted a windmill, but the<br />
number of times that Besant's instinct was wrong<br />
and his onslaughts unjustified were few indeed.<br />
All who have worked with him will remember<br />
instances when a rapid generalisation of his seemed<br />
hardly warranted—when it might be easy, by<br />
using some particular instance, to display the<br />
course he was advocating as quixotic or hasty;<br />
but all will agree that as a rule he was absolutely<br />
right. Where there were risks Besant led the<br />
open attack; if only credit was likely to be<br />
obtained from action he was ever content to<br />
follow others. A glance through his daily<br />
correspondence would reveal that his counsel<br />
was asked, and seldom asked in vain, by all<br />
sorts and conditions of men. To his charity<br />
there was no end — the charity that cannot<br />
think evil. This was a beautiful life.<br />
S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.<br />
When I was asked to write this necessarily<br />
inadequate note upon our lost leader, I knew that<br />
nothing in the nature of a critical estimate of his<br />
literary work would be required of me. Most of<br />
the things that I have put down are common<br />
knowledge, some he told me, and some I could<br />
not but observe. I would not have under-<br />
taken to sit in judgment upon the artistic<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 27 (#363) #############################################<br />
<br />
W<br />
27<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
LITERARY PROPERTY.<br />
Tribute from Paris.<br />
On Tuesday, June 11, the death of Sir Walter<br />
Besant was announced here. Sincere regret<br />
at the news was expressed in Anglo-Parisian<br />
circles. Sir Walter Besant's place in litera<br />
ture must be determined by posterity. He<br />
perhaps owed his influence and the prestige<br />
of his position as much to his independent<br />
character and sturdy integrity—to his sound<br />
business ability and the shrewd common sense<br />
which understood how to realise his Utopian<br />
dreams — as to any extraordinary exhibition<br />
of literary talent. And he may truly be<br />
esteemed a great man. For he was great in his<br />
endeavour to aid his weaker brethren ; great in<br />
the purity of his aims and the strength of his<br />
convictions ; great in his unswerving devotion to<br />
the cause of the poor and oppressed, which he<br />
made his own; great, above all, in the practice<br />
of what he preached. The good that he achieved<br />
during his busy career will assuredly survive him.<br />
Not only as a recognised literary leader officially<br />
decorated by the State, but as a sterling moral<br />
force, will his nanie be inscribed on the roll of<br />
illustrious Englishmen.<br />
DARRACOTTE SCOTT.<br />
Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. Pearson.<br />
NHE case between Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs.<br />
T C. Arthur Pearson will be followed by all<br />
authors with the greatest attention; as,<br />
unless the question is settled on a side issue, a<br />
very interesting point is at stake. Mr. Pearson<br />
contracted with Mr. Hall Caine for serial rights<br />
of a story in the Lady's Magazine. This story<br />
had run for several months, but in the June<br />
number Messrs. C. Arthur Pearson have inserted<br />
the following notice, and the story has been with-<br />
drawn :<br />
The proprietors of this magazine announce with regret<br />
that they have felt compelled to discontinue the publication<br />
of “ The Eternal City.” Differences have arisen between<br />
them and the author as to the suitability of the story<br />
for the Lady's Magazine, and the proprietors have, in<br />
consequence, commenced proceedings against Mr. Hall<br />
Caine.<br />
It would be obviously improper to comment further upon<br />
matters which are the subject of pending litigation, but<br />
the proprietors feel assured that the reasons for their action<br />
will commend themselves to their readers when the facts<br />
are in due course disclosed in a court of law.<br />
The consequence is an action at law. Mr.<br />
Pearson, it appears, will be the plaintiff and Mr.<br />
Hall Caine the defendant. It is impossible, even<br />
if it were not unwise, to make any comments on<br />
the case from the information that is as yet<br />
before the public. The main points, however,<br />
appear to be : (1) What was the nature of the<br />
exact passages that Messrs. Pearson objected to,<br />
and (2) what were the exact terms of the con-<br />
tract; and on these two points, it would appear,<br />
the main issue must rest. In the number of<br />
Literature dated June 8 there are some instances<br />
quoted of a similar difficulty arising; the most<br />
important, however, is that referring to Mr.<br />
Hardy's publication of “ Tess of the D'Urber-<br />
villes” as a serial in the Graphic. In this case<br />
the matter was settled, Mr. Hardy publishing the<br />
chapter that was the subject of discussion in the<br />
National Observer. This chapter was afterwards<br />
duly incorporated in the book. The Secretary of<br />
the Society can recollect one similar instance. It<br />
was as follows: A humorous writer made a<br />
contract with an American magazine for the<br />
publication of a short story. The American<br />
editor expected a humorous story. The story,<br />
however, though an exceedingly good one, was not<br />
in a humorous vein, and the American editor<br />
objected and returned the story. The author<br />
placed the story to considerable advantage else-<br />
where, so that he was unable under the circum-<br />
stances of the case to claim damages either<br />
financially or to his literary reputation, as the<br />
appearance of his story had not been announced<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
WING to the lamented death of Sir Walter<br />
Besant, and to the necessity of making<br />
fresh arrangements for the publication of The<br />
Author, the Committee have decided not to<br />
publish a number in August and September. A<br />
special autumn number will be published in<br />
October.<br />
At a meeting of the Committee, held at the<br />
Society's offices on Monday, June 17, Mrs. Craigie<br />
(John Oliver Hobbes) was elected a member of<br />
the Council, to fill the vacancy caused by the<br />
much-regretted death of Miss Charlotte Yonge.<br />
“ Windmills," by Mr. W. Kingsley Tarpey, and<br />
“ The Unseen Helmsman,” by Miss Laurence<br />
Alma Tadema, were produced by the Stage<br />
Society at the Comedy Theatre on June 17.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 28 (#364) #############################################<br />
<br />
28<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
in the American paper. Here again it will be to purchase 350 copies by the end of six months<br />
seen that the matter was not decided in court, as at the price of 3s., making in all a sum of £52 108.,<br />
there was no legal damage, and it would have a sum which must go a long way towards paying<br />
been a further question whether it would have the cost of production, if not covering it alto-<br />
been worth while to sue the American editor gether, especially as no mention is made of the<br />
for the small amount of money involved for pay- size of the edition. If 750 copies only were<br />
ment of a short story.<br />
printed, it may be understood that the publisher<br />
For some reasons it is to be sincerely hoped would virtually have no risk. This is not all,<br />
that Mr. Hall Caine's case will not be settled out however. It does not pay the publisher to push<br />
of court, and it is to be hoped also that the exact the book in the least degree for the first six<br />
terms of the contract will be such as to prevent months, for if he should do so he will not obtain<br />
the question being settled on a side issue. the author's money. He therefore has nothing<br />
About these matters it is vain at the present to do but let the book lie on his shelves and at<br />
time to conjecture.<br />
the end of the six months send in his account for<br />
the number of copies unsold. No agreement<br />
should be drawn on such lines that it is not for<br />
The Same Old Agreement.<br />
the benefit of the author and publisher to be<br />
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT made this day<br />
working in unison.<br />
of<br />
, 189 between<br />
of<br />
hereafter Looking into the agreement further, it is<br />
called the publisher of the one part, and<br />
of<br />
obvious that no mention is made whatever of<br />
hereafter called the author, of the other part.<br />
the profits to accrue after the sale of 350 copies,<br />
The said publisher agrees to produce in tasteful form, and<br />
except in the last clause, in which it says:<br />
publish in the usual manner at bis own expense, an edition<br />
of a volume written by the said author and entitled<br />
“ This edition is to be the property of the pub-<br />
" ," the said volume to consist of one hundred and lisher.” As has been pointed out, no limit is<br />
ninety-two pages crown octavo size, and to be published at mentioned to the edition. If, therefore, the book<br />
five shillings per copy.<br />
chances to be a success the publisher could go on<br />
The said author hereby agrees to be responsible for the<br />
printing and selling the book, putting all the<br />
sale of three hundred and fifty copies of the said volume,<br />
and undertakes at the expiration of six months from the<br />
profits into his own pocket and stating that the<br />
date of issue to purchase at the rate of three shillings per first edition was, say, 10,000 copies. The Pub-<br />
copy whatever namber of copies, if any, may be necessary to lishers' Association have not yet settled that great<br />
make the sales up to the said number of three hundred and point as to what number should constitute an<br />
fifty copies.<br />
edition.<br />
This edition to be the property of the said publisher, but<br />
it is understood that the copyright is and remains the pro-<br />
Summing up the whole results, therefore, of the<br />
perty of the said author. All proofs of the said work to be agreement, it does not pay the publisher to work<br />
corrected and returned promptly to the printer by the said in unison with the author. Their benefit is not<br />
author.<br />
mutual. The publisher runs no risk and may<br />
The agreement printed above has again been possibly make a large profit. From the author's<br />
handed by a member of the Authors' Society to point of view the author stands to lose £52 10s.<br />
the Secretary. The agreement has been printed in and cannot possibly make anything, however<br />
The Author and other productions of the Society, successful the book is. This agreement, therefore,<br />
and the dangers arising from such agreement cannot possibly be called equitable as between<br />
explained. That in one certain case the agreement the parties, and it may be stated generally that<br />
may have worked out fairly is not an argument any agreements embodying the system of<br />
that the agreement is a good one, but this argu- guaranteeing a fixed sum according to the sales of<br />
ment has been put forward by the publisher; for a book must be unsatisfactory.<br />
an agreement should be so drawn that in any case Similar kinds of agreements have been put<br />
and whatever the sale of the book, it should be forward by other publishers, and, though varying<br />
an equitable agreement between the parties con. in detail, still cannot be recommended for the<br />
cerned. The dangers of this agreement have so reasons put forward. There is no stimulus to the<br />
often been set forward that it was hoped, as publisher to push the book, indeed there is every<br />
indeed has been the case for some time, that no reason why he should neglect it.<br />
such agreements had been recently circulated. A publisher is but a tradesman and human.<br />
Perhaps it will be necessary to explain once more He is a tradesman first, and that prompts him<br />
in general terms the unreasonableness of the to make money with as little trouble as possible.<br />
agreement as it stands.<br />
He is, secondly, human, and this also prompts him<br />
To begin with, the book is a small one, 192 pp. to look after himself.<br />
cr. 8vo., and it is published at a large price for Better to pay a fixed sum at once and know the<br />
such a small book, viz., 58. The author guarantees utmost limit of your loss than, under the guarantee<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 29 (#365) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
29<br />
system, lay the flattering unction to your soul<br />
that you will not be called upon to redeem your<br />
pledge.<br />
..................<br />
I<br />
I<br />
Congress of the International Literary and<br />
Artistic Association.<br />
We are indebted to the courtesy of the secretary<br />
of the above association for the following infor-<br />
mation respecting the twenty-third congress,<br />
which will take place at Vevey (Switzerland)<br />
from Aug. 7 to 13:-<br />
The subjects laid before the congress will be:<br />
1. Preliminary consideration of a revision of<br />
the Berne Convention.<br />
2. The present legal situation in different<br />
countries, considered from the point of view of<br />
the Berne Convention.<br />
3. Comparative study of the Conventions of<br />
Berne and Monte Video.<br />
4. Publishers' contracts and the German legis.<br />
lation.<br />
5. Artistic copyright and dramatic art.<br />
6. Performance and reproduction by means of<br />
mechanical apparatus.<br />
7. The constitution of an international tribune<br />
to deal with literary and artistic copyright.<br />
8. The creation of an international legal voca-<br />
bulary.<br />
9. History of copyright in all countries during<br />
the nineteenth century.<br />
Freshfield, D. W...........<br />
............. £1000 0<br />
Gibbs, Miss ........<br />
bs, Miss ..............................<br />
1 0 0<br />
Hallward, N. L. .....<br />
Harraden, Miss Beatrice<br />
10 0<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope ..<br />
200 0<br />
Hutchinson, Rev. H.<br />
Jacberns, Raymond ..<br />
Jones, Henry Arthur......<br />
50 0 0<br />
Keltie, J. Scott<br />
5 0 0<br />
Kipling, Rudyard .....<br />
100 0 0<br />
Loftie, Rev. W. J. .........<br />
Loraine-Broke, Lady Freda ........................<br />
Macfarlane, H. ...,<br />
1 1 0<br />
Marshall, Capt. R...<br />
..........<br />
10 10 0<br />
Matheson, Miss A. .....<br />
Miles, Eastace..<br />
Moncrieff, R. Hope.<br />
Montresor, Miss F..<br />
Morrah, Herbert<br />
2 2 0<br />
Norris, W. E. ...<br />
Oliphant, Kingston ............<br />
Parker, Gilbert ....................<br />
Phillpotts, Eden ............<br />
Pollock, Sir Frederick<br />
Roe, Mrs. Harcourt<br />
Rossetti, W. M. .....<br />
S. B. ...........<br />
Sanderson, Sir J. B. ...............<br />
Sheldon, G. W.<br />
Skeat, The Rev. Prof.<br />
Spielmann, M. H. .........<br />
Stanton, Miss H. M. E............<br />
Toplis, Miss G. ......<br />
Tweedie, Mrs. Alec....................................<br />
Watt, A. P..............................................<br />
Weyman, Stanley .......<br />
Wheelwright, Miss E. E. ...........................<br />
Williams, Mrs. E. L. ......<br />
Young, Ernest<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS.<br />
à Beckett, A. W. .......<br />
5 0 0<br />
Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... 10 0 0<br />
Alexander, A. .........<br />
I 10<br />
Avery, Harold ..........<br />
Besant, Sir Walter....................................<br />
Bond, R. Warwick ...........<br />
Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. .................<br />
Brodhorst, Spencer..............<br />
Clodd, Edward ...........<br />
Cresswell, Rev. H. .........<br />
Crockett, S. R. ............<br />
Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for<br />
1901) ..........<br />
Ellis, Miss M. A.<br />
Esmond, H. V.<br />
Gilbert, W. S......<br />
Goldsmith, W. H. ....................................<br />
Gribble, F. .............................................<br />
Guthrie, Anstey .......................................<br />
Gwynn, S. .....<br />
Harraden, Miss Beatrice ...............<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope .<br />
.................................<br />
Home, Francis.........<br />
Jerome, Jerome K.............<br />
Kelly, C. A............<br />
Lely, J. M. .....<br />
Macdonald, Mrs..........<br />
Marchmont, A. W. ...........................<br />
Pemberton, Max................<br />
......<br />
0-oor en orönen Nonono : -enn-Ō- 0 0 - -<br />
no ģeroomoo our oeno ou O OOONO o-no-<br />
000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO<br />
.........<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
5 0<br />
10<br />
MIHE following is the list of donations<br />
and subscriptions at present promised or<br />
received :-<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
MEREDITH, GEORGE, President of the Society<br />
(first donation)............ £100 0 0<br />
Meredith, George (second donation)...............<br />
0 0<br />
A. S.<br />
0 0<br />
Alcott, E. ...<br />
0 0<br />
Anonymous.<br />
o<br />
Arnim, The Countess von<br />
Baldwin, Mrs. A.<br />
Barrie, J. M. ..........................................<br />
0 0<br />
Benecke, Miss Ida ...<br />
0 0<br />
Begant, Sir Walter....................................<br />
0 0<br />
Boevey, Miss Crawley ................ ...........<br />
2 0<br />
Chambers, Miss Beatrice .............<br />
Clifford, Mrs W. K. ...<br />
Cordeaux, Miss ..........<br />
0 0<br />
Craigie, Mrs. ....<br />
0 0<br />
Davy, Mrs. E. M. ............<br />
10<br />
Doyle, A. Conan ..<br />
0 0<br />
Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............ 0 0<br />
Esmond, H. V.<br />
3 3 0<br />
Fowler, Miss E. T.............<br />
... 10 10 0<br />
-õen<br />
uero omen oer--eroooon enou oermeno<br />
en oenen - over--05 berenn ooooo-eno<br />
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 000000000<br />
Benecke, M<br />
188<br />
Ida<br />
....................................<br />
öwen - Senen on SW 8-en 8686<br />
oo-ooerw NoOoero ooo<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 30 (#366) #############################################<br />
<br />
30<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
OOOOOOO<br />
Pendered, Miss Mary L.<br />
100 ture, Science, and Art have practically nothing to<br />
Pinero, A. W. .......<br />
5 0 0 fall back upon, although, in time, it is hoped, the<br />
Roberts, Morley ....<br />
Pension Fund started by the Society of Authors<br />
Rose, Edward .....<br />
Rumble, Mrs. ....<br />
will be sufficient and adequate to meet the<br />
Sinclair, Miss ....<br />
claims of those persons—members of the Society<br />
Stanley, Mrs<br />
—who have merited the gratitude of the public<br />
Stevenson, Mrs.<br />
by the beauty and soundness of their writings in<br />
Ward, Mrs. Humphry ....................<br />
literature or science.<br />
Watt, A. P.......<br />
1 1 0<br />
Weston, Miss Jessie L..<br />
0 5 0<br />
It is all the more necessary, therefore, as<br />
Wilkins, W. H.<br />
....................................... I I 0 the Civil List pensions are not only exceedingly<br />
small in amount, but are also diverted into<br />
-ooo<br />
other channels, that the Pension Fund of the<br />
A SHORT article on the Civil List Pensions, which Society of Authors should be more adequately<br />
was published in Literature on June 1, is espe- supported by those who live by Literature,<br />
cially interesting to members of the Society, as Science, and Art, and who, more fortunate than<br />
it recognises the steps the Society has taken in their brethren, have made the pursuit of these<br />
the past with a view to securing fuller recogni. subjects a financial success. It will be seen from<br />
tion for the representatives of Literature, Science, the list of subscriptions to the Pension Fund<br />
and Art from the Civil List. It appears from the which is published in The Author from month to<br />
returns just issued from the Treasury chambers of month that the number of the subscribers is<br />
persons now in receipt of pensions that there are gradually increasing, together with the amount of<br />
306 recipients, and the total amount of the pen- capital, and it is hoped that the time is not far<br />
sions per annum is £23,840. The pensions, accord. distant when the members of the Authors' Society<br />
ing to the wording of the statute, are “ for such - theological historical scientific and other<br />
persons as have just claims on the Royal bene- writers—will, by their own combined efforts and<br />
ficence, or who by their personal services to the looking upon themselves as debtors to their pro-<br />
Crown, by performance of duties to the public, or fession, have subscribed such sums that there will<br />
by their useful discoveries in science and attain. be no need whatever for any members of the<br />
ments in literature and the arts, have merited the brothership of the pen to look to the public for<br />
gracious consideration of their Sovereign and the support in their old age. It is to be feared,<br />
gratitude of their country.”<br />
however, that there are, and always must be in<br />
These terms are very limited, and the distribu- any body of men met together, some few, with<br />
tion of pensions in many cases can hardly be said selfish aims in view, who disregard the other<br />
to have been restricted to this limitation.<br />
members of the fraternity. The strong and<br />
It is doubtful whether daughters and sisters increasing support the Society receives, however,<br />
and widows of the eminent people referred to can tends to show that the number of members who<br />
come within the conditions set out by the statute, still take the narrow view is gradually diminish-<br />
except under the heading of “Just claims on the ing.<br />
Royal beneficence.”<br />
Mr. W. Morris Colles, formerly a member of<br />
the committee of the Society of Authors, and a<br />
PARIS LETTER.<br />
present member of the Council, produced on<br />
behalf of the Society in 1889 a very useful and<br />
instructive book with regard to the Civil List<br />
4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts.<br />
pensions, and pointed out in his notes some very THE literary events of the month are legion.<br />
curious instances of the qualifications of the 1 Vain were it to attempt even to tabulate<br />
recipients. To those who would go more fully * them in order. The triumph of M. Edmond<br />
into the matter this useful handbook is recom- Rostand at the Academy was a foregone con-<br />
mended. It is worth while to consider the clusion. The extraordinary scenes taking place<br />
point how far these Civil List pensions should in the Figaro office have augmented the circula-<br />
be granted to eke out the service pensions of tion of the Journal and Matin, despite the latter's<br />
those public servants who have claims on other reputation for“ trimming." The upholders of the<br />
funds of a similar character. With this object Déroulède-Habert programme have chosen this<br />
in view Mr. Colles wrote his pamphlet, in which moment for launching a new halfpenny daily<br />
he stated: “Inadequate as the allowances to the entitled Le Drapeau, advertised as “républicain.<br />
widows of our soldiers and sailors and police plébiscitaire," and supported by a phalanx of<br />
constables admittedly are, these are only properly well-known contributors, to wit: M. Maurice<br />
chargeable on the Consolidated Fund.” Litera- Barrès (editor), MM. François Coppée, Quesnay<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 31 (#367) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
31<br />
de Beaurepaire, Willy, “Gyp," Maizeroy, Quentin violets on the stone, while the other softly wiped<br />
Bauchart, Talmeyr, and others.<br />
away her tears, gazing wistfully at the epitaph.<br />
Feministic questions are, likewise, occupying a “Oh! philosophers, makers of systems, never<br />
fair amount of attention. Mme. Andrée Téry is will a similar homage be rendered you!” wrote<br />
vigorously advocating in the Fronde M. Hubbard's the witness of this touching little scene.<br />
proposal of a mixed jury-viz., a jury composed<br />
of an equal number of persons of both sexes.<br />
A CURIOUS AGREEMENT.<br />
M. Marcel Prévost, chosen champion of Feminism, Posthumous publication is rarely chosen by<br />
supports the same idea in a leading article in the living authors. Nevertheless, the curator of the<br />
Figaro. “ La Femme," he writes; "c'est même Bibliothèque Nationale possesses both Lamartine<br />
dans une vieille nation comme la nôtre, un peuple and Victor Hugo manuscripts which cannot be<br />
jeune ! C'est le trésor d'énergies morales encore published before 1910. M. Malot has decided to<br />
inemployées et accumulées depuis tant de siècles !” follow the example of his illustrious predecessors.<br />
He points out the impossibility of an accused It may, perhaps, be remembered that four years<br />
person being judged by her peers (as expressly ago M. Malot wrote a book entitled “Le Roman<br />
enjoined by law) in the case of feminine offenders; de mes Romans," explaining why he laid down<br />
and insists on the fact that the average intelli. his pen for ever on the morrow of a success.<br />
gence possessed by the majority of women is He had no wish to act the role of a superannuated<br />
precisely the intelligence which – united with favourite whom the public accept with indulgent<br />
masculine prudence-is most likely to arrive at indifference, simply for the sake of what he has<br />
a just conclusion. Which reminds me that the once achieved. He preferred to bid farewell to<br />
twentieth Congress of the Société d'économie his readers while the laurels of his thirty years'<br />
sociale et des Unions de la paix sociale has been literary career were still untouched by time.<br />
studying the “ Condition de la Femme" from the Henceforth he would live for himself alone.<br />
economical, moral, intellectual, and juridical points But in making this assertion M. Malot<br />
of view.<br />
reckoned without his host-or rather, without his<br />
THE DAUDET MONUMENT.<br />
grand-daughter. Having reflected on the desira-<br />
A sum of over 12,000 francs has been volun. bility of adding a round sum to her dot,<br />
tarily subscribed for the Daudet monument he found a means of evading the letter, if<br />
That being insufficient to defray the cost of not the spirit, of his self-imposed sacrifice. A<br />
M. Saint-Marceaux's beautiful statue of this few months ago he collected his dormant<br />
most poetical and intensely French writer, a energies, and wrote an extremely entertaining<br />
very successful Daudet benefit was given at the tale for the young entitled “Le Mousse.” This<br />
Odéon. The curtain dropped with effect on the done, he signed a treaty with his publisher, M.<br />
crowning of a plaster cast of M. Saint-Marceaux's Ernest Flammarion, empowering the latter to<br />
vivid creation. The original is being exhibited issue the work within three months after its<br />
at the Great Palace, where it attracts much author's death. The profits obtained therefrom<br />
attention.<br />
are to be inherited by Mlle. Perrine Mesple.<br />
The benefit for the Dumas fils statue has been According to the terms of the agreement the little<br />
postponed. No writer ever laid firmer hold of the lady will receive 50,000 frs, on the publication of<br />
Gallic imagination than this poignant sentimenta. “Le Mousse.” A goodly sum, even without<br />
list. A trivial incident which occurred at the reckoning the further profits accruing from serial<br />
last Fourier anniversary bears witness to this rights and dramatic and foreign royalties. Mlle.<br />
fact. On the day in question a handful of phalan. Perrine is fortunate in possessing a talented<br />
sterians and disciples were grouped around their grandfather, whose latest document proves that<br />
leader's tomb in the Montmartre cemetery. he thoroughly understands the value of post-<br />
Wearied alike of the laboured perorations of the humous literary property.<br />
various speakers and the ardent strophes of the<br />
Gnostic patriarch, one of their number stepped<br />
“EVE VICTORIEUSE."<br />
aside to visit the toinb of Alphonsine Duplessis, The above is the title of Mme. Pierre de<br />
the Marguerite Gauthier of the celebrated “Dame Coulevain's new novel. It is a clever, well-<br />
aux Camélias” of Dumas fils. On approaching written book, breaking comparatively new ground.<br />
it he was surprised to perceive that others beside It stands apart from ordinary productions of<br />
himself had desired to pay the dead woman a its class by the fact that the interest of the tale<br />
passing tribute of compassionate sympathy. Two does not lie in the amorous intrigue which is the<br />
“ petites ouvrières" in simple garb, with glossy raison d'étre of the average French novel. “Eve<br />
hair unbonneted, stood beside the melancholy Victorieuse" appeals to the higher mental calibre<br />
mausoleum. One tenderly strewed lilacs and of the reader, and shows that a Frenchwoman<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 32 (#368) #############################################<br />
<br />
32<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
can produce really entertaining and interesting to get them translated. Eh, bien ! What<br />
reading without being immoral. It would be a next ? "<br />
good thing for France if she possessed a few more For once M. Huysmans was too much taken<br />
writers of the type of Pierre de Coulevain. aback to reply. He literally fled.<br />
Nor must we omit to mention the much-<br />
praised “Caur Innombrable," a volume of poems<br />
A JOURNALIST'S REMINISCENCES.<br />
by the Comtesse de Noailles. One enraptured M. Jean Carrère, the well-known French<br />
critic declares that until these verses appeared no Transvaal correspondent (author of “En Pleine<br />
woman had ever comprehended how to enunciate Epopée), has likewise been giving the public<br />
“ la réalité directe.” Mme. de Staël was merely several anecdotes relating to his early career.<br />
a fair mirror who polished the thought of the Once as he wandered aimlessly round the<br />
men in her neighbourhood in reflecting it; while Luxembourg Gardens, penniless and dinnerless,<br />
George Sand, despite the flowing music of her he suddenly espied a merry band of long-haired<br />
phrases, never succeeded in being original. We young men of every type, in whom he forthwith<br />
beg leave to differ from this appreciation. Mme. recognised the chiefs and disciples of all the rising<br />
de Staël and George Sand may be “terriblement young literati of Paris discussing and haranguing<br />
femmes”; while Mme. de Noailles may possess with unusual amiability. Desirous of ascertain-<br />
the superfine genius accredited her by her pane- ing the reason of this unwonted fraternity, he<br />
gyrist. Unfortunately, it is too subtle to be demanded of X., a would-be author whose<br />
perceived by the ordinary reader. He would impecuniosity was proverbial :<br />
probably esteem the last-named lady as merely a “Heavens! Where are you all going together<br />
graceful versifier, a disciple of the Sully Prud- like this?”<br />
homme school.<br />
“To the table d'hôte,” was the reply. “Will<br />
you accompany us?”<br />
M. JORIS KARL HUYSMANS.<br />
Carrère made an eloquent gesture, explicative<br />
The celebrated Joris Karl Huysmans is correct- of his penniless condition.<br />
ing the proofs of a new work, “Sainte Lydwine “ That does not signify. You will come as my<br />
de Schiedam,” in his Poitou retreat. One guest,” said X., grandiloquently.<br />
edition is to be printed in Gothic, the other in Imagining that X. had at last found a pub-<br />
ordinary characters. In chatting with an old lisher, Carrère acquiesced. He was too hungry to<br />
pressman, M. Huysmans recently related several care to solve the mystery.<br />
amusing anecdotes connected with his journalistic The invitation was repeated. For fifteen days<br />
career.<br />
he lunched and dined sumptuously with this<br />
On one occasion he was contributor to a paper merry company free of cost.<br />
whose editor was asserted to have made his début But on the sixteenth day all was finished.<br />
in life as a cook. He had lived long in the East, Vainly he awaited the gay band. At 12.30 he<br />
and was reported to have tried his 'prentice hand approached X., who was eagerly perusing the<br />
at innumerable trades before essaying press work. advertisement column of a daily.<br />
One morning M. Huysmans was summoned in “So nobody lunches to-day?” he remarked,<br />
haste to the editorial sanctum. Immediately be interrogatively...<br />
appeared his employer pointed to an enormous “Have you money to go to the neighbouring<br />
pile of papers, and complacently explained : restaurant?" was the counter question asked in<br />
"Voilà ! Each of these English, Russian, a cavernous voice.<br />
German, Italian, Swedish, Turkish, Roumanian, “ If you wish to. But what about the François<br />
and Dutcb papers contains an article on Zola Premier Café?”<br />
You will read them all at once, and write me a “Alas! it is sold !”.<br />
spicy article on •Zola Abroad.'”<br />
“Sold ? What do you mean?<br />
M. Huysmans objected, averring his ignorance “ You have not yet solved the enigma. The<br />
of the languages in question.<br />
proprietress wished to dispose of the business,<br />
“That does not matter. You can easily and as she had few customers instructed me to<br />
get the stuff translated."<br />
procure her some non-paying ones in order to<br />
“Impossible! Think of the cost!”<br />
keep up appearances. Unfortunately I brought<br />
“ Listen, and do as I tell you. I will send too many, and she found a purchaser imme-<br />
immediately for a carriage to convey you and the diately."<br />
papers home. There, since you do not know “No matter. Come and lunch with me.”<br />
foreign languages, you will merely choose out the “Wait an instant, there's a good fellow. I<br />
most striking passages in these papers, and mark want to see if no one else has a café to dispose<br />
them round with a blue pencil; I will undertake of!"<br />
DARRACOTTE SCOTT.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 33 (#369) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
33<br />
OC<br />
NOTES AND NEWS.<br />
in the House of Commons “his intention of<br />
bringing in on an early day a measure con.<br />
TN its literary column of June 19 the Sketch<br />
solidating and amending the law of literary copy-<br />
1 announces that “a very distinguished firm,<br />
right.”<br />
that is specially remarkable for its list of<br />
novels and for the liberal advances it makes to<br />
It appears from the papers that Sir Walter<br />
the authors,” “has sent out a circular to book-<br />
Besant has left an autobiography. This is in<br />
the hands of Mr. A. P. Watt, who acted as his<br />
sellers offering a choice of twenty-five novels from<br />
their six-shilling list for 278., and laying stress on<br />
literary agent. Those who counted Sir Walter<br />
ainong their friends will be very anxious to know<br />
the undoubted fact that many distinguished and<br />
when it will be published.<br />
popular authors appear among the contributors.<br />
If this be carried out,” continnes the writer, “it<br />
needs no prophet to see that the six-shilling novel<br />
A great many letters have been received at the<br />
is practically doomed. What will happen in the<br />
offices of the Society, from members and others,<br />
first instance is that no bookseller will stock the<br />
giving expression to the grief and sense of<br />
productions of the second-class novelist. He will<br />
personal loss felt by the writers on hearing of<br />
say to his customers, ‘By-and-bye the book mayihe death of Sir Walter Besant. These letters<br />
be had at is. 6d., and in the meantime I can give come from all parts of the country, and each and<br />
you something better.' But even the distin. all breathe the same spirit of warm regard for<br />
guished authors will be very much injured.<br />
the distinguished friend whose death is so deeply<br />
Sometimes everyone wants to read a book, and deplored.<br />
many people will put down the price without<br />
thinking of it. But this is a rare occurrence; in<br />
the matter of books the public shows a singular<br />
THE WOMEN WRITERS' DINNER.<br />
and even lamentable patience. In my opinion it<br />
spells ruin to all novelists save a very few."<br />
THE “ Women Writers" held their dinner at<br />
the Criterion on Monday, the 17th. Now<br />
The writer goes on to say that the state of<br />
Mr. Stephen Gwynn, in his paper entitled<br />
things he discloses “has been brought on by the “A Theory of Talk,” roundly asserts that women<br />
practice of advancing more to writers than their are less amusing than mon. He says that there<br />
popularity warrants.” It is certainly difficult to is no reason in nature wby they should be, but<br />
believe that “very distinguished firms” are in the that their inferiority is obvious. He points out<br />
habit of making mistakes of that kind, but that that “thirty or forty men will meet at seven<br />
is not the immediate question. The question o'clock, dine together, and pass the evening<br />
which demands an answer in the first place, is : very agreeably till midnight. Imagine thirty or<br />
Does the Publishers' Association countenance forty women called upon to do the same; would<br />
this practice of offering booksellers a choice of they be able to amuse themselves ?” It seems<br />
twenty-five 6s. novels for 278. ? We cannot almost a pity that the exclusiveness of the<br />
suppose for a moment that they will consent to do women writers would not aliow Mr. Gwynn<br />
so. We know with what displeasure the pub personally to observe whether they were amused<br />
lishers view the practice of underselling when it or bored on Monday night. In number there were<br />
is carried on by bookseller against bookseller. nearly two hundred, and there certainly did not<br />
What action, then, will they take to prevent a appear to be any lack of enjoyment or of laughter,<br />
member of their own trade from conducting but then it is also a fundamental belief with men<br />
business on the “job lot” fashion described that women are early adepts at hiding their true<br />
above?. The matter, of course, involves a serious feelings.<br />
enough question for authors. For the present, Lucas Malet occupied the chair, and her care-<br />
however, we content ourselves with the hope that fully prepared speech was read out by Miss<br />
the circular issued by the “ very distinguished Sydney Phelps. Standing at the base of the<br />
firm” will receive the very strict examination statue of one of the world's greatest authors, and<br />
which it deserves at the hands of the Publishers' that, we regret to say, not a woman but a “ mere<br />
Association.<br />
man,” Miss Phelps, speaking for Lucas Malet,<br />
said there was good cause for women to con-<br />
We are informed that there is not the slightest gratulate themselves that, whereas there had<br />
hope that the Government will proceed with the been Thackeray, Dickens, the brothers Kingsley,<br />
Copyright Bill this session. It was on Feb. 14 and Wilkie Collins among authors, authoresses<br />
that the President of the Board of Trade stated could boast of George Eliot, Mrs. Gaskell,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 34 (#370) #############################################<br />
<br />
34<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Miss Yonge, &c., and she felt that in the<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
future they might equal, she would not<br />
say rival, their “brother man.” At this The Proposed Memorial to Archibald Forbes.<br />
courageous vaunt our glance involuntarily strayed<br />
to the statue, anticipating that it would<br />
LARGE number of journalists and others.<br />
be moved to at least a wink; but overwhelmed,<br />
who appreciate the services of one of the<br />
greatest of our war correspondents are<br />
perhaps, by the presence of so many “sister-<br />
women,” it gave no sign. The speech was long,<br />
desirous in some permanent and material form<br />
to do honour to the memory of Archibald Forbes,<br />
lasting for over thirty minutes. It touched on<br />
the evils of lowering work to what might be a<br />
LL.D., who died in March, 1900, to the loss of<br />
present commercial but fleeting value ; it con-<br />
the journalism he adorned and the literaturejhe<br />
tained much that was excellent, and tendered<br />
enriched.<br />
some good sound advice; perhaps it dwelt a trifle<br />
The committee formed to attain this object<br />
too, insistently upon the obvious, and it was<br />
have found a sympathy with their object so<br />
serious even to solemnity. But then “women<br />
widely spread that they have no doubt of being<br />
are so serious."<br />
able to carry it out successfully.<br />
Mme. Sarah Grand's reply was couched in<br />
The Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral<br />
far lighter vein. It slipped into the anec-<br />
have most kindly assigned an excellent wall<br />
dotal, and was altogether more in the mascu-<br />
space in the crypt of St. Paul's for a suitable<br />
memorial.<br />
line line of after-dinner speaking. It offered no<br />
It has occurred to me as one of the hon.<br />
advice save on the advisability of laughter; it<br />
lingered for a moment on the sorrows of misin-<br />
secretaries of the committee that many of my<br />
fellow members of the Authors' Society would<br />
terpretation and misunderstanding, and included<br />
like their names to be added to the list of<br />
some amusing examples. Mme. Sarah Grand<br />
possesses a sympathetic voice, and is very plea-<br />
contributors. This being so, may I say that<br />
sant to listen to.<br />
subscriptions may be sent to the hon. treasurer,<br />
It is characteristic of the gravity with which<br />
Major Arthur Griffiths, at 57, Curzon-street,<br />
Mayfair, London, W., or to the account of “ The<br />
even in play hours women regard their “work”<br />
Archibald Forbes Fund,” at Messrs. Cocks,<br />
that the majority of guests preferred the more<br />
serious matter of Lucas Malet to the light personal<br />
Biddulph, and Co., bankers, 43, Charing Cross,<br />
S.W.<br />
note of Mme. Grand. The dinner itself was very<br />
ARTHUR WM. A'BECKETT,<br />
good, and it was noticeable that whilst at the<br />
Authors' dinner on May 1 but few women availed<br />
President of the Institute of Journalists.<br />
Garrick Club, June 21, 1901.<br />
themselves of the permission to smoke, at the<br />
women's function scarcely one was without a<br />
cigarette. Coffee was served at the table, and<br />
afterwards the company broke up into groups.<br />
The Handling of MSS.<br />
The committee numbered among its members<br />
Why is it that editors and publishers never<br />
Miss Beatrice Harraden, Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Craigie,<br />
seem to realise that the MSS. sent to them are<br />
Miss Christabel Coleridge, Miss Violet Hunt, and<br />
not their own? Most editors scribble numbers,<br />
many other favourite writers. In the company<br />
sometimes in red or blue ink, on one's copy, and<br />
present there were Dr. Jex.Blake. Mrs. Adv. Dr. often the marks cannot be effaced. Aud nearly<br />
Margaret Todd. Miss Adeline Sergeant.' Mrs. all publishers' readers mutilate the MS. books<br />
Mona Caird. Mrs. Burnett-Smith. Mme. Albanesi. given into their hands. Might they not reflect<br />
Miss Nora Maris. Miss Kenealy, and others; and that, when a poor author has paid five or six<br />
the following presided at the tables : Lucas pounds to have his copy neatly typed, it is heart.<br />
Malet, Mme. Sarah Grand: Mrs. de la Pasture, rending to have it come back with pages torn<br />
Miss Montresor, the Lady Mavoress. Mrs. L. T. away, with splashes of tea or coffee all over it,<br />
Meade, Mrs. Alec Tweedie. Mrs. Walford. Mrs. and crumpled edges. I bave just had a MS.<br />
B. M. Croker. Miss Violet Hunt. Miss Beatrice novel returned to me from its first publisher in<br />
Harraden. Mrs. Belloc Lowndes. Miss Violet such a state that it is scarcely fit to go out again!<br />
Brooke-Hunt, Miss Thorneycroft Fowler.<br />
May we not make, in your pages, an urgent<br />
A. H. appeal for more justice, if not courtesy, in this<br />
matter? Every reader must know when he<br />
injures a writer's MS. that he is prejudicing the<br />
Sir Walter Besant's historical romance, “ The next reader against it. And, after all, it is not<br />
Lady of Lynn," will be published by Messrs. his property; he has no right to treat it care-<br />
Chatto and Windus on July 4.<br />
lessly and deface it. A POOR NOVELIST.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 35 (#371) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
35<br />
Authors' Deductions and Income Tax.<br />
The statement presupposes a little knowledge<br />
As a reply to Mr. G. S. Layard's inquiries on of what items of disbursement will be allowed<br />
this subject in the June Author may be of interest and what not, and I have no objection to assist<br />
to many of your readers, I venture to offer them gratuitously any fellow-member of the Society, as<br />
a professional opinion on the matter.<br />
far as I can, in the preparation of the account in<br />
The author should ascertain what sums he has case he or she should be so unfortunate as to be<br />
received from his literary labours during the year surcharged and obliged to appeal.<br />
ending April 5 last and what is still due to him,<br />
WILLIAM ROYLE.<br />
excluding all bad and doubtful claims, and on 5, Bedford.row, W.C.<br />
that he should base his estimated return for the<br />
current year, so far as his receipts are concerned.<br />
If carrying on his business in his dwelling.<br />
house, he is entitled by law to deduct from his<br />
ROBERT BUCHANAN.<br />
receipts :<br />
Firstly, such sum, not exceeding two-thirds of D OBERT BUCHANAN is dead, and has<br />
the annual value of his house, as the Commis.<br />
been criticised—as the custom is-<br />
sioners of Inland Revenue in the case of an<br />
copiously, hastily, not ungenerously, but<br />
appeal to them may deem reasonable—but in most incompletely. Much has been said of<br />
estimating the amount the author should have himself, and of his every day output of rapid<br />
regard to the proportion which his study bears to writing; but of his best work very little.<br />
the rest of the house.<br />
And he has been spoken of, for the most part,<br />
Secondly, such sums as he may expend on as a strong man whose strength was misdirected ;<br />
repairs, renewals, and alterations in his study, the truth being rather that it was precisely<br />
and in books of reference, maps, plans, and strength-the highest strength-that he lacked.<br />
implements for use in his vocation—this amount Not that he was wanting in vigour or virility,<br />
is to be calculated on the average of the past but that such a life as his required a grit, a<br />
three years—and should not include the initial tenacity, altogether unusual; and these, in this<br />
charge of furnishing, but may include an item measure, he had not.<br />
for depreciation.<br />
His experience of life was a bitterly sad,<br />
Thirdly, wherever he carries on business he though not, except in degree, an uncommon one.<br />
should deduct the full amount he may expend He started with an ideal-or shall one say a<br />
during the year on his personal outlay connected fancy picture ?-of the existing world, which<br />
with his calling, the charge for fires, lights, and could only bring him disappointment when he<br />
service, the subscription to our Society, the cost came to see the world as it was ; and he was<br />
of assistance, searches at museums and record unlucky in the side of life which, at that critical<br />
offices, typography, photography, and materials moment, he saw. So he was soured, and passed<br />
quo ipso usu consumuntur, such as stamps, inks, from idealism to cynicism, and this was the<br />
pens and papers required in earning the income tragedy of his soul and the shipwreck of his<br />
to be taxed.<br />
work.<br />
Mr. Layard says he has “never claimed any The loss was probably far greater than most of<br />
deductions," and wants to know if others have his critics realise. They have spoken of his<br />
and with what results.<br />
novels, bis plays, his literary duels, his poems;<br />
These facts seem immaterial, as no deductions and between the lines of their criticism one has<br />
have to be claimed on making the annual return read the verdict that all these writings of a hasty<br />
to the tax-gatherers. The author has merely to man will be forgotten before the last of his con-<br />
state without details the net amount of his temporaries is dead.<br />
estimated annual profits for the year, whether B ut this is surely wrong. The present writer<br />
they be £200 or £2000, or any intermediate knows nothing of Buchanan's novels, and thinks<br />
figure.<br />
that of his plays and his polemics enough has<br />
Then, if the surveyor of taxes is not satisfied been said : ves, and would give up to oblivion the<br />
with the sum stated and thinks it too small, he greater part of his verse. But his best poems-<br />
will surcharge him. Against this assessment the they are not many, and there is no need to count<br />
author may appeal to the Commissioners of Inland them here: yet they are true poetry, and to some<br />
Revenue, in which case he will appear personally of them even the test of all great poetry may be<br />
before them prepared with a neatly constructed applied—the question, Are they not unsurpassed<br />
statement of accounts, and will doubtless get in their kind?<br />
the assessment settled at a proper figure satis Take as an example the “ Legend of the Step-<br />
factory to him.<br />
mother”: is there anything finer in the whole<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 36 (#372) #############################################<br />
<br />
36<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
class of imaginative ballad-poetry to which it Mr. Clement Shorter is to edit a new Wednes-<br />
belongs ? One need use no stronger argument day illustrated paper, dealing mainly with Society<br />
for Buchanan's claim to the title of poet than the and the Stage, which will shortly be published<br />
quotation of as much of this beautiful ballad as from the same office as the Sphere. It will be called<br />
an editor vigilant orer his space will allow : the Tatler, and the price is to be 6d. weekly.<br />
As I lay asleep, as I lay asleep,<br />
A new volume by John Oliver Hobbes, which<br />
Under the grass as I lay so deep,<br />
will be published by Mr. Unwin, is made up of a<br />
As I lay asleep in my cotton sirk<br />
play dealing with a Carlist rising and entitled<br />
Under the shade of Oar Lady's Kirk,<br />
“ A Repentance," and three stories entitled “ 'Tis<br />
I wakened up in the dead of night,<br />
I wakened up in my death-sirk white,<br />
an Ill Flight without Wings,” “ Prince Toto,” and<br />
And I heard a cry from far away,<br />
“ The Worm that God Prepared.” Messrs.<br />
And I knew the voice of my daughter May.<br />
Methuen are about to publish John Oliver<br />
“Mother, motber, come bitber to me!<br />
Hobbes's new novel, “ A Serious Wooing.”<br />
Motber, mother, come hither and see !<br />
Lucas Malet's new book is announced as the<br />
Motber, mother, mother dear,<br />
longest novel the publishers (Methuen) have ever<br />
Another mother is sitting here :<br />
sent to press. It is entitled “The History of Sir<br />
My body is bruised, and in pain I cry,<br />
On straw in the dark afraid I lie;<br />
Richard Calmady,” and it will appear shortly.<br />
I thirst and hanger for drink and meat,<br />
Under the ciile “ Granuaile, a Queen of the<br />
And motber, mother, to sleep were sweet!"<br />
West,” Messrs. Jarrold and Sons are publishing<br />
I heard the cry, though my grave was deep,<br />
an historico-romantic poem in six cantos, by the<br />
And awoke from sleep, and awoke from sleep.<br />
Rev. Dr. Panter, author of “ Orpheus and<br />
Eurydice, and other Poems." The poem opens<br />
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BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
between Queen Elizabeth and Granuaile, the<br />
Irish princess.<br />
DROFESSOR WOOLDRIDGE is writing Mrs. Düring's new novel, “ Malicious Fortune,”<br />
P two volumes on music in the earlier and now running serially in the Argosy, was pub-<br />
later Ecclesiastical Period for a history of lished in book form at 6s. by Mr. George Allen on<br />
music which the Clarendon Press has projected. June 18.<br />
The history will be completed in six volumes, the The Bookman understands that Mr. Anthony<br />
third of which will be by Sir Hubert Parry on Hope's new novel is to be published serially in<br />
the Seventeenth Century, the fourth by Mr. J. A. the Cornhill Magazine, and afterwards in book<br />
Fuller-Maitland on the Age of Bach and Handel, form by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co.<br />
the fifth on the Viennese School by Mr. W. H. Mr. Albert Strong has completed a book on<br />
Hadow, while the concluding volume by Mr. E. musical and dramatic copyright<br />
Dannreuther will deal with the Romantic Move. Mr. Henry Arthur Jones is writing a new play,<br />
ment.<br />
in which the leading part is to be played by<br />
The Hon. Mrs. Alethea Weil is writing the Miss Lena Ashwell.<br />
volume on Verona for Dent's Medieval Towns A new theatre is to be erected by Mr.<br />
Series.<br />
Mulholland in the Hammersmith-road, at the<br />
Professor James Gordon Macgregor, LL.D., corner of Rowan-road.<br />
Munro Professor of Physics, Dalhousie Univer- The Savoy Theatre has passed into the hands<br />
sity, Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been appointed of Mr. William Greet and Mr. E. C. Engelbach.<br />
Professor of Natural Philosophy in Edinburgh Mr. Herbert Waring has taken Mrs. Langtry's<br />
University.<br />
theatre for the autumn season. He will produce<br />
The national memorial to Miss Mary Kingsley there, in the middle of August, a new play by<br />
has taken shape in the establishment of an Mr. Boyle Lawrence.<br />
African Society to propagate the study of native Mr. William Gillette's version of Sherlock<br />
laws and customs.<br />
Holmes is to be introduced to London at the<br />
Mr. William Allison is the author of “The Lyceum on Sept. 9, after having been produced a<br />
British Thoroughbred Horse : His History and few days earlier at the Shakespeare, Liverpool.<br />
Breeding,” which is about to be published by Mr. Mr. Barrie's new play will be produced first in<br />
Grant Richards. It gives tabulated statistics New York.<br />
from the racing results of all countries.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Kendal will be seen at the St.<br />
Mr. W. J. Ford is writing a history of James's Theatre in the autumn.<br />
Cambridge University cricket.<br />
At Her Majesty's Mr. Tree will produce Mr.<br />
Mr. W. J. Locke's new novel, “ The Usurper,” Stephen Phillips's “ Ulysses” as the principal<br />
will be published in September by Mr. John Lane. item in his programme in the autumn.<br />
-<br />
-- --<br />
--<br />
--<br />
-- --<br />
--<br />
--<br />
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| 346 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/346 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 03 (October 1901) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+03+%28October1901%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 03 (October1901)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1901-10-01-The-Author-12-3 | | | | | 1–28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1901-10-01">1901-10-01</a> | | | | | | | 3 | | | 19011001 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
VOL. XII.–No. 3.<br />
OCTOBER 1, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
PAGE<br />
General Memoranda ...<br />
Warnings to Dramatic Authors ...<br />
How to Use the Society ... ... ...<br />
The Reading Branch ... ... ...<br />
Notices ... ... ... ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors<br />
From the Committee ...<br />
Miss Eleanor Ormerod<br />
The Work of the Society-A Retrospect ...<br />
Work the Society Does Not Do ... ...<br />
Authorities ... ... ... ... -<br />
Author and Literary Agent ... ... ...<br />
Sir Walter Besant ... ... ... ...<br />
Authors' Corrections ... ... ..<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property<br />
Kipling v. Putnams... .. ... .<br />
The Canadian Authors' Society ... ...<br />
The Publication of Educational Books ...<br />
Book and Play Talk ... ... ... ...<br />
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::::::::::<br />
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28<br />
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## p. 1 (#377) ##############################################<br />
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The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.–No. 3.<br />
OCTOBER 1ST, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
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with literary property :-<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules shonld be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
0.<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation<br />
á<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
* Cost of Production."<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :-<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-.<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
CEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 2 (#378) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
leaders are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
1. D VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefo re, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
1 the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed<br />
or initialled the Authors alone are responsible.<br />
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken<br />
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless<br />
such is especially stated to be the case.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) lo stamp agreements<br />
in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 3 (#379) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
Tweedie, Mrs. Alec ...........<br />
Watt, A. P. ............<br />
Weyman, Stanley ........<br />
Wheelwright, Miss E. E.<br />
Williams, Mrs. E. L. ........<br />
Young, Ernest .....<br />
£5 0 0<br />
5 0 0<br />
26 5 0<br />
0 10 0<br />
1 0 0<br />
06 0<br />
THE following is the list of donations and<br />
subscriptions at present promised or<br />
received :-<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS.<br />
5 0<br />
10 0<br />
1 1<br />
0 10<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0 10<br />
5 0<br />
0 10<br />
5 0<br />
0<br />
6<br />
0<br />
6<br />
0<br />
50<br />
100<br />
0<br />
0-0 OWN000-0000<br />
à Beckett, A. W. ......<br />
Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years) ...<br />
Alexander, A ..............<br />
Avery, Harold .......<br />
Bond, R. Warwick .............<br />
Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G.<br />
Brodhurst, Spencer ........<br />
Clodd, Edward ...........<br />
Cresswell, Rev. H. ................<br />
Crockett, S. R. ..<br />
Dobson, Austin (annual amount unstated-for<br />
1901) ........<br />
Durand, Sir H. Mortimer, G.C.M.G. ............<br />
Ellis, Miss M. A. ....<br />
Esmond, H. V.<br />
Gilbert, W. S. .....<br />
Goldsmith, W. H.<br />
Gribble, F.<br />
Guthrie, Anstey<br />
Gwynn, S.....<br />
Harraden, Miss Beatrice....<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope ...<br />
Home, Francis ...<br />
Jerome, Jerome K.<br />
Kelly, C. A. .........<br />
Lely, J. M. .<br />
Macdonald, Mrs. .......................................<br />
Macdonald. Mrs..<br />
Marchmont, A. W. ...........................<br />
Pemberton, Max ........................................<br />
Pendered, Miss Mary L................................<br />
Pinero, A. W. .............<br />
Roberts, Morley .............................<br />
Rose, Edward<br />
Rumble, Mrs. ....................<br />
Sinclair, Miss ......<br />
Staniey, Mrs.<br />
Stevenson, Mrs. ..........<br />
Ward, Mrs. Humphry....................<br />
Watt, A. P. .........<br />
Weston, Miss Jessie L. ..................<br />
Wilkins, W. H.<br />
...<br />
--0667 TO 19<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
MEREDITH, GEORGE, President of the Society<br />
(first donation) ...... £100<br />
0 0<br />
Meredith, George (second donation)<br />
0 0<br />
A Beginner<br />
1 1 0<br />
A. S.<br />
100 0 0<br />
Alcott, E. ........<br />
Anonymous<br />
0<br />
Arnim, The Countess von ..............<br />
Baldwin, Mrs. A. .............<br />
Barrie, J. M...........<br />
Benecke, Miss Ida ...........<br />
Besant, Sir Walter .............................<br />
100 0 0<br />
Boevey, Miss Crawley..............<br />
2 0<br />
Chambers, Miss Beatrice ..............<br />
0 3 6<br />
Clifford, Mrs. W. K. ..............<br />
5 5 0<br />
Cordeaux, Miss .......................................<br />
5 11 0<br />
Craigie, Mrs...........<br />
100 0 0<br />
Davy, Mrs. E. M. ....................................<br />
1 1 0<br />
Doyle, A. Conan ....................................... 100 0 0<br />
Esier, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............<br />
5 0 0<br />
Esmond, H. V.......<br />
3 3 0<br />
Fowler, Miss E. T. ......<br />
10 10 0<br />
Freshfield, D. W. ...........<br />
100 0 0<br />
Gibbs, Miss ..........<br />
i 0 0<br />
Hallward, N. L. ...........<br />
1 0<br />
Harraden, Miss Beatrice ...........<br />
10 0 0<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope .................<br />
00 0 0<br />
Hellier, H. G. ........<br />
1 0<br />
Hutchinson, Rev. H.<br />
0 0<br />
Jacberns, Raymond..<br />
i i 0<br />
Jones. Henry Arthur<br />
50 0 0<br />
Keltie, J. Scott<br />
5 0 0<br />
Kipling, Rudyard<br />
0 0<br />
Loftie, Rev. W.J.<br />
Loraine-Broke, Lady<br />
i o<br />
Macfarlane, H.<br />
i 0<br />
Marshall, Capt. R.<br />
10 100<br />
Matheson, Miss A.<br />
0 5 0<br />
Miles, Eustace .......<br />
1 1 0<br />
Moncrieff, R. Hope .........<br />
10 100<br />
Montresor, Miss F. ..........<br />
1 0 0<br />
Morrah, Herbert ...............<br />
Norris, W. E. ................<br />
5 0 0<br />
Oliphant, Kingston ..........<br />
Parker, Gilbert................<br />
100 0 0<br />
Phillpotts, Eden ...........<br />
10 0 0<br />
Phillpotts, Eden (second donation), amount<br />
recovered by Society for infringement of<br />
copyright ..........................................<br />
Pilley, Mrs. ...................<br />
0<br />
Pollock, Sir Frederick ...<br />
Roe, Mrs. Harcourt...<br />
Rossetti, W. M.,<br />
S. B. ...........<br />
0 5 0<br />
Sanderson, Sir J. B...............<br />
2 0 0<br />
Sheldon, G. W. ...........<br />
5 5 0<br />
Skeat, The Rev. Prof. ..............<br />
2 0 0<br />
Spielmann, M. H...<br />
10 0 0<br />
Stanton, Miss H. M. E. ..................<br />
1 100<br />
Toplis, Miss G...<br />
0 5 0<br />
5 5 0<br />
0 5 0<br />
5 0 0<br />
1 1 0<br />
0 5 0<br />
0 5 0<br />
5 00<br />
u<br />
u<br />
..............<br />
10<br />
reda<br />
1<br />
0<br />
1<br />
1<br />
5<br />
1<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
2<br />
2<br />
0<br />
i<br />
0<br />
0<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
2<br />
INN<br />
C70<br />
M HE offices of the Society have been removed from<br />
1 4, Portugal Street, to 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, Westminster. The Committee were forced to<br />
take this step owing to the compulsory purchase of the<br />
land in Portugal Street. They consider, however, that on<br />
the whole the new situation will prove more convenient to<br />
the members of the Society.<br />
The Committee have to regret the death of another<br />
member of the Council, Miss E. A. Ormerod. She was one<br />
of the first lady members elected to the Council, and was<br />
chosen on account of her distinguished position as a writer<br />
on scientific subjects.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 4 (#380) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Miss Eleanor Ormerod.<br />
Society throughout. The question involved was not so<br />
important on account of the money at stake as on account<br />
D Y the death of Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod, on of the principle involved. The question was how far a<br />
D July 19th last. Economic Entomology has publisher of an Encyclopædia under certain circumstances<br />
lost one of its most competent exponents.<br />
had the right to use contributions of the author's in a<br />
different publication, and whether such use under all the<br />
Miss Ormerod was, moreover, one of the first lady<br />
circumstances was not an infringement of the plaintiffs'<br />
members of the Council of the Authors' Society, copyright.<br />
while her eminence as an entomologist was recog-<br />
The plaintiffs were successful. The Committee, however,<br />
nised by the conferment of the degree of LL.D. by<br />
are unable to put before the Society at the present time a<br />
detailed account of the case owing to the fact that the<br />
the University of Edinburgh, of which University<br />
defendants have appealed. When the matter has been<br />
the deceased lady was an examiner in Agricultural finally decided it will be fully reported.<br />
Entomology. Miss Ormerod's first appearance<br />
The Author will in future be issued from the offices of<br />
before the public as one conversant with<br />
the Society, 39, Old Queen Street. Ten numbers will be<br />
issued every year, the numbers for August and September<br />
entomology was in connection with the Royal<br />
being omitted. The subscription to The Author in future<br />
Horticultural Society in 1868; a collection of will be 58. 6d, instead of 68. 6d. It is hoped that the<br />
insects, whose life histories bore upon economic members of the Society will give The Author their strong<br />
problems. was formed partly under the guidance support, not only financially but by forwarding, to the<br />
offices of the Society articles on literary subjects that may<br />
and largely at the suggestion of Miss Ormerod.<br />
be of interest to members.<br />
The Society recognised the value of her services<br />
by awarding to her the Silver Floral medal. Miss<br />
Ormerod's first scientific work of importance was<br />
her “Manual of Injurious Insects," published<br />
in 1881, and since that year a large number of THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
“Guides” and “Annual Reports ” have enriched<br />
the literature of the subject. We do not in this<br />
country suffer from the ravages of locusts, though<br />
A RETROSPECT.<br />
two serious locust plagues would seem to have<br />
T the present moment, when all members of<br />
occurred in the years 1693 and 1748. But Miss A the Society of Authors are mourning the<br />
Ormerod detected in 1893 a possible source of<br />
a loss of its founder, and the Society proceeds<br />
future plagues of these undesirable Orthoptera.<br />
to continue its work, no longer assisted by his<br />
In fodder imported from abroad she was able to<br />
counselfish courage and noble singleness of purpose,<br />
fipd—and report upon the unwelcome discovery-<br />
it is a tribute due to his memory once more to<br />
occasionally living, though fortunately more often<br />
place plainly before the whole world of letters the<br />
dead, locusts. Miss Ormerod's wide knowledge of<br />
object with which the Society was founded, the<br />
her subject was utilised by the Royal Agricultural<br />
work which it has hitherto accomplished, and the<br />
Society, who appointed her Consulting Extomo-<br />
means which it is employing to carry iuto effect<br />
logist, a post which she held for some years.<br />
the aim of its existence. The purposes which Sir<br />
FRANK E. BEDDARD. Walter Besant had in view when he inaugurated<br />
the first English association for the protection and<br />
advancement of the rights of authors do not con-<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
cern members of the Society alone. They are of<br />
CINCE the last number of The Author was published equal importance to all connected with literature.<br />
the Secretary has had in hand thirteen cases in which The professional position of the, unhappily, still<br />
he has been forced to interfere between publisher or large number of anthors who (for selfish or other<br />
editor, and author. Of these, four have been satisfactorily<br />
terminated, and three have been placed in the hands of the<br />
reasons) continue to remain outside the Society,<br />
Society's solicitors; the remainder are in the course of whilst benefiting by its existence,<br />
negotiation. During the same period the Society has put ameliorated by these exertions as that of the<br />
in hand to carry through the Courts if necessary six cases,<br />
writers who are giving the Society their loyal<br />
five of these being small county court actions. The sixth,<br />
however, is an important question for all authors. It<br />
support. For that reason the attention of all is<br />
refers to the methods of dealing with a book and the title claimed for the following statement of facts.<br />
of a book after the author has conveyed his copyright to In September, 1883, Sir Walter Besant and a<br />
others.<br />
few other men of literary eminence met to con-<br />
It is to be hoped that the matter will finally come into<br />
Court, when the decision will be set out fully in The<br />
sider what steps could be taken to form a<br />
duthor,<br />
combination of men of letters for the protection<br />
At the end of the last sittings of the Courts a very of their property. The time seemed ripe for<br />
interesting case from the author's point of view came action. À feeling of discontent. arising partly<br />
up for trial, Aflalo & Cook v. Lawrence & Bullen. The<br />
case is especially interesting to the members as the brom ignorance o<br />
from ignorance of the author's real position, and<br />
plaintiffs, members of the Society, had the support of the partly from unbusiness-like dealings, was general.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 5 (#381) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Some remedy for the highly unsatisfactory state of From the moment of its foundation the Society<br />
affairs was a crying need. In Sir Walter's own threw all its weight and influence (by no means<br />
words-<br />
so great then as now) into obtaining a friendly<br />
“ The air was full of discontent."<br />
understanding with American authors and those<br />
other Americans who were interested in the passing<br />
The Society of Authors thus started was actually of an equitable copyright law. New copyright<br />
incorporated some months later, on the basis of a legislation was obtained in America in 1891. As<br />
limited liability company under a Board of Trade everyone knows, even this new law left much to be<br />
licence. The certificate of incorporation is dated desired. The Society is still engaged in efforts to<br />
the 30th day of June, 1884. Prior to the avail itself of every opportunity to obtain a more<br />
inauguration a circular had been issued by the generous legislation on the part of the United<br />
promoters of the Society, stating in general terms States. To proceed with caution is, however,<br />
the objects for which the Society was to be formed. necessary. A false move might prove fatal.<br />
The circular was issued with the aim of showing In the direction of consolidation of domestic<br />
that it was the duty of all who were connected copyright the Society has been able to act more<br />
with “the literary calling" to support an associa- directly, and with more important results. The<br />
tion which would be the only one in the country Society from the outset tuok up this question with<br />
for the maintenance and definition of literary vigour. The questions before it were such as<br />
property. That reason for asking the support admitted of no difference of opinion, and no need<br />
of all is as urgent to-day as at the time when the existed for hesitation. A copyright committee<br />
circular was first issued.<br />
was appointed. Numerous meetings were held.<br />
• It should be here remarked that the term Other bodies interested in copyright were con-<br />
“ literary calling” has always been understood sulted, and finally a new copyright law was drafted<br />
by the Society in its widest possible meaning under counsel's care. This was a full consolidating<br />
The Society does not endeavour to assist writers and amending bill, dealing with copyright property,<br />
of fiction alone, but labourers in all branches of literary, dramatic, artistic, and musical. To bring<br />
literature. Theological writers, dramatic writers, it before Parliament ultimately proved impossible,<br />
scientific writers, historical writers, and musical but it was found useful to have such a bill ready in<br />
composers, writers on technical subjects, on case any chance of presenting it might occur.<br />
subjects of all kinds which it would be too Subsequent events have, it is true, demonstrated<br />
tedious to enumerate here, and especially educa- this bill to have been cumbersome and inadequate.<br />
tional writers, were invited to combine for a The action of the Society was, however, at the<br />
common cause. The invitation was justified by time sound, and proved beneficial to authors.<br />
the fact that all would benefit by the common In 1891, after the passing of the new United<br />
united action, for the more united the action the States law, the Society found itself in a position to<br />
greater the benefit it is possible to confer, both take a further step. Lord Monkswell brought<br />
generally and in particular. The acceptance of the forward a bill that had been drafted by the Society.<br />
presidency of the Society by Lord Tennyson com- This bill reached a second reading in the House of<br />
pelled the public from the outset to regard the Lords, but was not taken further. In 1896 a new<br />
association from a serious point of view.<br />
copyright law committee was formed. This com-<br />
To relate the early struggles of the Society is mittee becoming persuaded that the time for<br />
not the purpose of the present article. The record obtaining a hearing for a consolidating act had not<br />
of unselfish labours on its behalf undertaken by yet arrived decided to draft a small amending bill.<br />
many men of letters, and especially by Sir Walter This bill was drafted by counsel, and was, after<br />
Besant, is long. Instances of financial support much expense and labour, agreed upon in its final<br />
generously given in addition to valuable time, stage.<br />
again especially by Sir Walter Besant, were many. Of this bill, Lord Monkswell, always indefati-<br />
To show in what manner and with what success gably interested in questions of copyright and ever<br />
the Society has exerted itself to carry into effect willing to assist the efforts of the Society, took<br />
the purposes of its original programme is the more charge. The bill passed its third reading in the<br />
immediate purpose of this paper. And here it House of Lords on the 23rd of July, 1897. In the<br />
may be convenient first to record what has been autumn of the same year a consolidating bill was<br />
done for the consolidation and amendment of the brought forward by the Copyright Association.<br />
law of domestic copyright, and for the promotion The latter bill and the bill of the Society ran<br />
of international copyright—the second and third concurrently at the beginning of 1898. Finally,<br />
points mentioned in the original circular.<br />
however, the whole question was taken up upon a<br />
The question of American copyright was one of new basis. A bill was drafted by Lord Thring<br />
the first to occupy the attention of the Society. separating literary from artistic copyright. This<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 6 (#382) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
bill was carefully studied by the members of the improvement of domestic legislation upon the<br />
copyright and dramatic committees of the Society, English Government, and it is in constant touch<br />
and a number of valuable suggestions regarding it with other countries on all questions relating to<br />
were offered. The Secretary of the Society, and international copyright. In these circumstances the<br />
other members of the committee interested in copy- committee are able to congratulate the Society upon<br />
right questions, appeared before the committee of the results of its efforts to strengthen the author's<br />
the House of Lords, and the bill passed through rights, and to extend the limits of his property ;<br />
that House. It was also adopted by the Govern- and it has a right to claim that such results<br />
ment, but finally put aside in consequence of merit the support of all members of the literary<br />
pressure of business. In 1900, owing no doubt in profession.<br />
a great measure to the persistent action of the The next point demanding consideration is what<br />
Society, the Government made a public declaration the Society has done to maintain, define, and<br />
of an intention of taking up the question of copy- defend literary, dramatic, and musical property.<br />
right. It must be added with regret that since It has, in the first place, published technical<br />
this declaration nothing in the shape of a draft works on a number of questions of primary import-<br />
bill has appeared from the Government offices. ance to authors. These works contain accurate<br />
But the above record will suffice to show how un- information previously nowhere to be found.<br />
finchingly and perseveringly the Society has During the earlier years of the Society's existence<br />
laboured for the amelioration of domestic copyright. much time was devoted to the collection and due<br />
It need hardly be said that the expenses have been arrangement of a mass of statistics now embodied<br />
heavy, whilst the members of the committee and in these works. The publication of these books,<br />
others have generously made ungrudging sacrifices though a small undertaking when compared with<br />
in order to forward the objects of the Society. the more important enterprises in which the<br />
Colonial copyright has, during the same period, Society has been engaged, is one of serious moment<br />
presented serious difficulties. In this direction to authors. Never before had authors been able<br />
the importance of the Society's action can hardly to ascertain the real truth about the cost of pro-<br />
be overestimated. The committee of the Society duction. Never before had authors been in a<br />
were the first body to perceive that the colonial position to discover how much exactly the publisher<br />
position formed one of the chief impediments in really took in the division of profits. Never before<br />
the way of new copyright legislation on the part had the faults and tricks incidental to publishers'<br />
of the Government. To put the matter on a more agreements been disclosed. If any single author<br />
satisfactory basis became immediately one of the did discover them he discovered them by bitter<br />
Society's foremost aims. At one time Mr. Hall experience. It was possible for accounts to be<br />
Caine was appointed delegate of the Society during charged with unfair and exorbitant items without<br />
a visit which he paid to Canada. Subsequently, the author's being aware of the fact. What was<br />
in 1899, the Secretary of the Society visited the still worse, his ignorance left him powerless to<br />
Dominion. The persevering efforts of the Society defend himself. The publications of the Society<br />
to solve the complex difficulties which existed were have altered all that. Here again Sir Walter<br />
rewarded with success when the Canadian Parlia- Besant's name must be mentioned. He was the<br />
ment, in 1900, passed an act embodying the ideas soul of this department of the Society's work.<br />
for which the Society had been so long contending. His time and labour were given without hesitation,<br />
Respecting international copyright it may suffice and without prospect of return. His practical<br />
to say that all its bearings, ramifications, and mind grasped and his mathematical talent enabled<br />
modifications have the Society's constant attention. him to make plain what particulars were to be<br />
The Society is in touch with those interested in investigated, and how the results of the investiga-<br />
its development in France, Germany, Italy and tions could be lucidly presented. In both he was<br />
other countries. All changes in the domestic or ably seconded by Mr. Squire Sprigge, the first<br />
international copyright laws of different countries Secretary of the Society, whose name is associated<br />
are carefully watched both from the domestic and with “The Cost of Production” and “ Methods<br />
international point of view. The information at of Publication."<br />
the Society's disposal is kept strictly up-to-date, Of still greater importance to authors has been<br />
and everything of importance is duly chronicled the fact that at the Society's offices information<br />
in the pages of The Author.<br />
can always be immediately obtained respecting the<br />
To sum up, the Society has done everything numerous questions which present themselves to<br />
that it is possible to do in the way of procuring every one who is contemplating the publication of<br />
more liberal legislation in America. It has a book. The Secretary is constantly present to<br />
brought about satisfactory legislation in Canada. give advice regarding the course to be pursued,<br />
Its perseverance has forced the question of the and to receive the complaints of authors who have<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 7 (#383) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
been unjustly treated. Those who can readily Small county court cases, and minor legal matters<br />
find a market for their wares he counsels as to the connected with the profession of letters, are con-<br />
form of contract that should be adopted. Those stantly being successfully fought by the Society.<br />
who have a difficulty in discovering a market he Though they are of importance there is no<br />
guides in the choice of publishers and editors to occasion to lay much stress upon them. They are<br />
whom they should address themselves, and the merely the police supervision of literary property.<br />
terms which they should accept. To none is his The Society has been instrumental in exposing<br />
assistance of more value than to those who find a number of literary swindles, and in throwing<br />
themselves obliged to expend money upon the bankrupt and worthless magazines off the literary<br />
production of their works. This warning is market. The actual number of cases in which the<br />
especially applicable to technical writers. It is Society interferes between author and publisher,<br />
most important to these authors that they should author and editor, or dramatic author and<br />
see that the amount expended is as small, and the theatrical manager, few in the earlier years of the<br />
returns as large as possible When the author is Society's existence, becomes annually greater. The<br />
ignorant of the secrets of publication he is often number is at present about 110 a year.<br />
liable to be overreached in these particulars by This work of advice, warning, and legal protec-<br />
the publisher armed with full knowledge.<br />
tion is performed every day by the Society on<br />
Authors are constantly in need not only of behalf of its members, almost as a matter of<br />
business but also of strictly legal advice. Legal routine.<br />
questions arising out of the many disputes between There are editors with whom the Society has<br />
author and publisher, author and editor, or had no disputes, and publishers with whom the<br />
dramatist and author, are common. In these Society's disputes are few. Others exist whose<br />
instances the Secretary, himself a solicitor, is behaviour to their authors brings them constantly<br />
competent to advise from the legal point of view. before the Society's notice. There are publishers<br />
When cases of difficulty arise, the opinion of the who often after they have entered into an agree-<br />
solicitors of the Society is obtained. In those of ment refuse to be bound by it. With these the<br />
great importance, either on account of the principle Society is bound to deal severely and stringently.<br />
involved or on account of the amount in dispute, It should, however, be remembered that the<br />
counsel's opinion is taken on behalf of members. author's legal position is the only one which the<br />
It follows that the legal expenses annually incurred Society can support. Though the Society has, on<br />
by the Society are very high ; and every literary one or two rare occasions, written a letter of remon-<br />
man should remember that this heavy expenditure strance to the publisher when the legal position has<br />
benefits not only the individuals whose causes are been against the author, the committee feel that this<br />
espoused, but every member of the literary pro course is, as a general rule, ill-advised, and that it<br />
fession, and it should be remarked that this legal is useless for the Society to remonstrate unless the<br />
advice, which could only be obtained, if at all, at remonstrance can be enforced in a court of law.<br />
great expense from the ordinary solicitor, can be Members, therefore, when laring complaints before<br />
gathered from the Society for the fee of £1 1s. the Society should always be ready to fight, if<br />
The mere settlement of an agreement would cost necessary, to an issue in the courts. A fighting<br />
£2 2s. or £3 3s. in a lawyer's hands.<br />
vitality in the members of the Society is really the<br />
This point would not have been dwelt upon if quality surest to secure a friendly understanding<br />
it had not been too frequently forgotten.<br />
between author and publisher. " Si vis pacem<br />
It may here be remarked in passing that a para bellum."<br />
charge is not infrequently brought against the The Society has also been accused, by those who<br />
Society that it never takes an action into court. (for some reason best known to themselves) enjoy<br />
Scoffers have considered this as evidence that the scoffing at its work, of degrading the profession of<br />
work of the Society. is practically useless. The letters, and of regarding it too much from the<br />
answer is simple. It is a very difficult thing to commercial point of view. It was, however, often<br />
get a publisher to fight an action through the pointed out by Sir Walter Besant that a due<br />
courts. The Society has had before it countless attention to the commercial situation has no<br />
cases which have been settled before the action connection at all with the dignity of letters, and<br />
came before the public gaze. On sundry occasions, can in no possible way degrade an author. A<br />
however, especially in cases when the publisher, man of imaginative power and literary skill who<br />
being in a bankrupt condition, had nothing to lose, feels himself prompted to write a book sets about<br />
the Society has carried matters through the courts it without any consideration of the financial side<br />
to a successful issue. Such cases have been a of the question. He is inspired by his subject.<br />
great strain upon the Society's resources, owing to He works attentively and lovingly. He spares<br />
the impossibility of obtaining any money return. neither time, energy, nor labour. Years of work<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 8 (#384) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
may be necessary before he produces his master- WORK THE SOCIETY DOES NOT DO.<br />
piece. During this period no thought of market<br />
value has presented itself to him. No merely<br />
mercantile aim has vitiated his work. But when CEMBERS of the Society who subscribe their<br />
the work is at last completed, no reason can exist<br />
guinea merely on the hope of getting a<br />
why he should not market it upon the best terms<br />
heavy money burden taken off their<br />
possible. The two operations are essentially and shoulders cannot fail to be disappointed, but the<br />
absolutely distinct. In the mind of every man cause of this disappointment is with themselves.<br />
devoted to his art they will always remain so. As some members of the Society claim as a right<br />
The fact that men exist who write with mixed from the committee the undertaking of business<br />
motives—which these scoffers appear to regard as that the Society never pretended to undertake, nay,<br />
the normal condition of literary production—is no always stated that it could not bind itself to under-<br />
argument for the degradation of literary ability by take, it is necessary again to put forward some of<br />
a desire for equitable sale. The fallacy is the the causes which the Society, although very willing<br />
familiar one of false analogy, and as unreasonable to uphold, if in a position to do so, does not promise,<br />
as the assertion that the existence of thieves and never has promised, to uphold on the demand<br />
disproves the possibility of honesty in man.<br />
of a member and as a matter of course.<br />
In conclusion, attention should be paid to the 1. Obtain counsel's opinion.<br />
fact that the Society of Authors is the only 2. Take up an action for a member.<br />
institution in the Empire for the protection of 3. Vouch a member's accounts by paid accoun-<br />
literature. For that reason alone it deserves the tant or otherwise.<br />
support of every author in the three kingdoms and 4. Draft formal agreements.<br />
the colonies. The protection and assistance which 5. Act as literary agents.<br />
it gives authors become yearly more far-reaching. With regard to the first the member has a right<br />
The effects of its influence are felt directly or to a legal opinion from the Secretary and the<br />
indirectly not by members of the Society alone, Society's solicitors, and in nearly every case of real<br />
but by all who write. Every author is in some importance the committee are willing to obtain<br />
degree benefited, and those who are benefited, in counsel's opinion if the finances of the Society will<br />
some cases largely, but are not members of the allow, but that the committee must decide.<br />
Society, are, to a certain extent, living upon other With regard to No. 2 it may be stated that the<br />
people's money—are, in plain English, unworthy Society, during the past two or three years, has<br />
recipients of charity. That any who are thus never hesitated to take up county court actions on<br />
benefited by the Society should refuse to join it, behalf of its inembers, and has not refused, when<br />
should leave the members of the Society to bear alone the case has been approved by the Society's lawyers,<br />
the burden of the combat for the cause of all, to support an action in the Higher Courts. This<br />
is a wrong. At its commencement the Society again, however, is a question in which the financial<br />
numbered 68 members. It now contains 1,400. side has to be carefully considered.<br />
That increase alone is eloquent evidence of the With regard to No. 3 the Secretary will always<br />
value of its work. But the Society ought to be look through a member's accounts and compare<br />
three times as large as it is.<br />
them with the agreement to see whether, on the<br />
Every author is needed in this great guild of face of them, they are correct. It sometimes occurs<br />
literature. Every author ought to feel that it is that one or two of the items want vouching, and<br />
his duty to support the Society which exists for though on occasions the Secretary has personally<br />
the defence of his rights, both by joining himself undertaken to vouch them, it would be impossible<br />
and by getting others to join.'<br />
for him to do so in every case on account of the<br />
And in proportion as the Society becomes more time that it is necessary to expend in going through<br />
and more nearly an association of all British the books of a firm. Under certain circumstances,<br />
authors, and is recognised as the one body able to however, the committee have been willing to<br />
give advice and assistance to all who aspire to appoint and put in an accountant to go through<br />
distinction in letters, the more rapidly will it be the books. Here again the question of finance<br />
able to accomplish the object which it has set arises.<br />
before itself of raising the position of authors. The Society does not undertake to draft formal<br />
When the Society can justly boast that it speaks agreements, though on agreements submitted it<br />
and acts in the name of the entire body of gives full advice with regard to the clauses to be<br />
English men of letters, the moral and material inserted or rejected. To draft agreements would<br />
interests of the profession will be protected and entail too much time and too much responsibility.<br />
advanced in a manner hitherto unattempted and The Society cannot act as literary agents, as it<br />
unanticipated.<br />
must keep a free hand to deal with publishers and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 9 (#385) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
literary agents in whatever way may seem fit to That some of the references contained in these<br />
it. It is requested, however, that those members notes are old is due to the fact that the August<br />
who desire the Society to undertake difficult and September numbers of The Author have not<br />
matters should not be offended in case the com been produced, but, though old, it is never too late<br />
mittee refuse to act, and should not go away and to point a useful moral, and when this is possible<br />
say that the Society is incapable of assisting and essential it has been done.<br />
authors. As has been pointed out over and over<br />
again at other times and in other places, the legal<br />
advice which is given gratis by the Society cannot In one of the issues of the Sphere in June last,<br />
be obtained anywhere except at the Society's offices, the following note appeared :-<br />
and if obtained from a lawyer would cost three<br />
or four times the member's subscription. Besides,<br />
“ The whole dignity of the publisher's profession is abro-<br />
gated thereby (i.e., by the fact of the publisher con-<br />
the technical knowledge is exceedingly valuable to<br />
descending to do business with the author through a<br />
members of the Society, and is worth a considerably middleman-the author's agent), and there is a latent<br />
higher figure than the payment of the guinea a suggestion that he (the publisher) is not an honest man.”<br />
year. Finally, the claims of an old member, other<br />
things being equal, will have precedence of those of<br />
The italics and the brackets are ours. Surely the<br />
writer has mistaken the point of view. The<br />
a new member.<br />
It has been thought necessary to put forward<br />
majority of publishers are known to be acute men of<br />
these points, as on one or two occasions members<br />
business. The majority of authors are absolutely<br />
have been exceedingly put out by the committee<br />
ignorant of the commercial values of literary wares.<br />
declining to take up their matters, either by refusing If the author chooses to employ an agent who<br />
to pay an accountant to vouch accounts, or by refus- knows all about market values, surely there is no<br />
ing to commence action, whether the moral or legal necessary suggestion of the publisher's dishonesty.<br />
aspect of the case was in favour of the author or If the publisher refuses to deal with the agent.<br />
not.<br />
a deduction might be made on the other side.<br />
The moral is clear. In all societies containing a<br />
If publishers would only dismount from the<br />
large membership there are bound to be grumblers.<br />
The committee desire to limit the number to those<br />
pedestal on which some of them like to stand as<br />
with a legitimate grievance.<br />
patrons of literature and its generous supporters,<br />
and would recognise themselves for what they are<br />
-men of business—it would be far better for<br />
the profession of literature and for the trade of<br />
publishing.<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
Finally, so long as publishers are clever men of<br />
business and not philanthropists, and so long as<br />
the authors fully comprehend the distinction, so<br />
TT is necessary with the new issue of The Author long will the literary agent flourish, even though<br />
I under new management to ask for the kind at times his dealings may not be everything the<br />
forbearance of all members of the Society. publisher could desire or the author could wish.<br />
To the most unsophisticated the difficulties of the<br />
position must be evident, and we realise their<br />
magnitude. What Sir Walter has done for The<br />
As the question of the position of literary agent<br />
Author no one else could do.<br />
(1) to the author whom he advises ; (2) to the<br />
publisher with whom he deals, is of the greatest<br />
interest to writers, and as there is so much<br />
Sir Walter's fighting spirit, combined with his<br />
to be said on both sides, we have invited a<br />
virite pen, was a mighty force, not only to attack<br />
member of the Society to contribute an article<br />
the shams and cheating, the unfair business upon the question of the employment of agents,<br />
methods, the mock generosity and empty patronage<br />
without reference to personal experience of the<br />
of certain publishers towards those who lived by dealings of individuals, hoping that other members<br />
the literary profession, but also to uphold the of the Society may be able to supplement views<br />
rights and define the property, and to maintain thus generally expressed, and to illustrate them<br />
the honour and esprit de corps of the great<br />
from their particular experiences, or dissent from<br />
brotherhood.<br />
them if they deem it proper to do so. We have<br />
Longo intervallo, it must be our effort to follow at the same time invited a well-known publisher<br />
out the same course, and to work out the destiny to contribute his views upon the question—views<br />
of the Society on the same lines.<br />
which, coming from such a source, should be<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 10 (#386) #############################################<br />
<br />
10<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
read with very great interest by authors. We need In these days of smart books on smart society-<br />
hardly say that these two articles were written by terms not our own—where the conversation, as<br />
each contributor without reference to the other, the critics say, bristles with epigrams, it might be<br />
but we may add that they were in our hands before as well to consider what an epigram really is.<br />
the subject was touched on in a recent number of We find in Murray's New English Dictionary<br />
Literature, and have not been altered since. We<br />
the following definitions :<br />
reserve our comments until the question has been<br />
more fully ventilated.<br />
Epigram :<br />
1. An inscription, usually in verse.<br />
2. A short poem, ending in a witty or ingenious turn<br />
We are glad to see that the International Literary<br />
of thought, to which the rest of the composition<br />
and Artistic Copyright Congress, which held its<br />
is intended to lead up.<br />
b. Loosely used for a laudatory poem.<br />
first sitting of the year on August 8, decided, after<br />
3. A pointed or antithetical saying.<br />
some discussion, to prepare a scheme for the<br />
b. Epigrammatic expression.<br />
revision of the Berne Convention by drafting an<br />
ideal convention, which it is intended to submit<br />
The modern epigram cannot certainly be classed<br />
to all the literary and artistic societies of all under 1 and 2. There 18 even some doubt as to<br />
countries.<br />
whether it can be fairly brought under No. 3.<br />
This suggestion was very fully discussed and There are many so-called epigrams which are<br />
elaborated in an article on International Copyright, antithetical and not pointed, and many which are<br />
written by the Secretary of the Society in the Maypointed but not antithetical, and many which are<br />
number of the Fortnightly Review.<br />
neither pointed nor antithetical. The definition<br />
It is to be hoped that such action will have a is not exhaustive, or the critics are at fault.<br />
satisfactory result with regard to the next meeting If The Author was in the habit of giving prizes,<br />
of the plenipotentiaries of the signatories of the it would be interesting to offer a sum for the<br />
convention at Berne.<br />
best definition. It is to be hoped that some of<br />
our readers will try to define the modern epigram<br />
as distinct from the classical. The result would be<br />
In an article on Sir Walter Besant in the July<br />
ter besant in the July interesting to see.<br />
number of the Bookman, the following statement<br />
appears :-<br />
“How do you get on with your literary work ? "<br />
“The Author, under the most prosaic disguise of figures, “Oh, famously! I have invented an extremely silly<br />
was full of the impossible and the untrue, but if ever a attitude in which to be photographed for the literary<br />
man desired to tell the truth, and tried to set forth the periodicals, and have now only to write something."<br />
facts of life accurately, it was Sir Walter Besant."<br />
The above is taken from an American paper.<br />
Although the editor has been asked to com-<br />
It is necessary to make this statement, in case any-<br />
municate with his correspondent, in order to obtain<br />
one might think we were inclined to personalities.<br />
identification and proof as to “ the impossible and<br />
the untrue," he has taken no notice of the letters<br />
G. H. T.<br />
that have been written to him.<br />
These charges were constantly being made<br />
against Sir Walter Besant during his life when<br />
AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT.<br />
he was capable of defending himself, but the<br />
proofs as to the “impossible and the untrue"<br />
were never forthcoming, and time after time Sir<br />
Walter exposed these statements, as unfounded M HE usefulness of the literary agent to the<br />
as they were rashly made. It is a pity that author is a subject upon which opinions<br />
immediately after his death, when he is incapable vary, and with regard to which different<br />
of wielding his vigorous pen in self-defence, oppor- authors have naturally different views based largely<br />
tunity should have been taken to renew these upon their personal experiences and consequently<br />
attacks, and that all efforts to obtain a satisfactory limited by them. I should like to submit a few<br />
reply, either from the editor or from his corre- opinions and deductions to the readers of The<br />
spondent, should have been ignored.<br />
Author hoping that some may be induced to<br />
Sir Walter Besant's statement of facts touching confirm or contradict them, and that, if possible,<br />
literary property and literary methods was never certainty may thus be arrived at. For this pur-<br />
"impossible” and never “untrue.” His work was pose I ask leave to divide authors arbitrarily into<br />
much too accurate to have such a charge brought two classes, authors who have published and<br />
against it.<br />
authors who have not, and again to subdivide the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 11 (#387) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
11<br />
former class into the "authors of many books” examining it, and his business really is to be<br />
and the "authors of few books ” (using the term posted in the financial capabilities of publishers,<br />
"books” for literary productions generally, whether to be able to ascertain who wants a story for a<br />
in the form of books or of articles, &c.), while Christmas number, or a serial for a new magazine,<br />
I subdivide each of these again into the very and so on, and above all to know how to get the<br />
successful, the moderately successful, and the best price that he can for his principal. I submit<br />
unsuccessful. I am quite aware that all such that in such cases the agent can do better than<br />
classification must be in some particulars open the author, and I should say that he can be<br />
to objection, just as any attempt to lay down particularly useful in the case of the well-known<br />
general rules as to the usefulness of literary author (and of others too, if he will take the trouble)<br />
agents must be liable to failure owing to the in placing short stuff, such as short stories, articles,<br />
number of exceptions that will present them. and verse, in newspapers and magazines so as to<br />
selves. I will, however, endeavour to show secure a good price for his employer with the least<br />
incidentally the reasons for which I have adopted possible trouble to him. I take it that in most<br />
the above rough system of classification. I take it cases of this kind the agent not only can but does<br />
that we all admit that there are authors who may get a better price than the author could. Whether<br />
be termed without unfairness “ very successful” he also invariably makes the best bargain that<br />
when compared with their fellows. Such a term could possibly be made in the circumstances is a<br />
attempts no discrimination of literary merit, no matter upon which even the authors of many<br />
prophecy as to how long the popularity of indi successful books can, I take it, only offer opinions.<br />
vidual writers or individual works may be likely I suppose agents, like other people, make mistakes,<br />
to last. Such authors have established a market, and I suppose that at times they are actuated by a<br />
each of them appeals to a more or less wide circle desire to make the most of the bird in hand, and<br />
of readers, and will probably continue so to appeal so perchance may miss the brace in the bush. I<br />
until his work shows signs of “going off” to a am, of course, assuming their commercial honesty.<br />
marked extent. I am writing of the “very suc- It would be absurd to warn authors against dis-<br />
cessful” authors who have published “many honest agents, and Utopian to expect more than<br />
books.” To these, I submit, the literary agent ordinary every-day commercial honesty in those<br />
may be very useful, especially if the author is not conducting ordinary every-day commercial transac-<br />
a good man of business when dealing with his own tions. I do not, however, call taking a commission<br />
wares; useful, that is, in order that the pecuniary from both sides-i.e., from the publisher as well as<br />
return to the author may be proportionate to the from the author without the knowledge of the latter<br />
wide sale of his books. Some popular authors are —“honesty”; it is ordinary commercial dishonesty.<br />
good men of business : they can make their own Turning to the “ successful authors ” of “ few<br />
bargains either with or without the advice of a works,” by whom I mean authors who have on<br />
person of wider experience, such as the Secretary one or two occasions written with marked success,<br />
of the Society of Authors; others are almost but who cannot be called prolific writers, I would<br />
incapable of completing a decent bargain however point out that these probably have more time for<br />
anxious they may be to do so. With regard to all considering their plans with regard to publishing<br />
these, however, the successful authors of many books, than the busy men who devote a large portion of<br />
I would make this observation. The functions of every day to literary work, and I think it is possible<br />
the agent with regard to their books are almost that these may sometimes be better able to dispense<br />
entirely mercantile ; far more so, at any rate, than with agents than those who write more—on account<br />
with regard to the other classes into which I have of their greater leisure. Here, too, the test comes in<br />
divided authors. The agent knows, without read that I have already suggested. The writer of few<br />
ing it, the class of work he is dealing with, and his books has a less established name, a less clearly<br />
duty is limited to finding for it the best market defined market. His new book may be of a<br />
that he can, with the knowledge that he will earn different class altogether from his previous pro-<br />
a handsome commission for his services. I take it ductions. It may well be that he may know better<br />
that I shall hardly be contradicted if I say that an than the agent what firm of publishers would be<br />
agent entrusted with a novel by Mr. Blank or Mr. most likely to (1) accept it, and (2) produce it to<br />
Dash, authors whose names are almost household best advantage. At all events, in his case the duty<br />
words, need not trouble himself with literary of the agent ceases to be purely mercantile. He<br />
criticism, or with any anxiety lest the work, has to read and appreciate what is entrusted to him<br />
perhaps unwritten, should turn out to be either to sell. Can he do so ? Does he in all cases do<br />
an English version of “La Terre,” or a disquisition so ? These are questions which authors of the<br />
on higher mathematics disguised as a romance. class indicated probably entertain opinions derived<br />
He knows what he has to sell, practically without from experience.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 12 (#388) #############################################<br />
<br />
12<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Coming to the less successful writers, those who that article to confirm me in the views I have<br />
have written and published much, or only a little, ventured to express or suggest.<br />
and who have made writing pay either moderately I have not drawn attention to more or less<br />
or not at all, some of these will, I believe, be obvious matters of detail, but I fancy they will<br />
found to have suffered from their inability to put generally be found to bear out the points that I<br />
their work on the market in the way that will pay have endeavoured to establish. For example, it<br />
them best, and to have selected publishers or made seems obvious that the agent when dealing for the<br />
agreements with publishers that have not contri- successful author who has written “many books"<br />
buted to wide circulations. It is quite possible will have much less trouble, and be paid better<br />
that agents may be useful to such as these, but it (very much better in proportion to his trouble),<br />
must be remembered that some amount of trouble than when endeavouring to find a publisher for the<br />
and literary appreciation will be required in the work of an unsuccessful author of one of two<br />
agent before he will be able to deal effectively with published works, or for an author who has never<br />
that which has not got an established reputation had anything published. It also seems obvious<br />
and a ready market. With these the agent has, to that one agent may work harder than others, and<br />
varying extents, to press wares upon more or less that an unknown writer may get better treated by<br />
indifferent buyers, not to discriminate between one agent than by another. Some may work best<br />
more or less eager ones. I can remember an when working for the men at the top of the tree.<br />
instance where a well-known literary agent did I have perhaps had novel-writers in my eye for the<br />
very useful work for a lady author. She had most part, but it seems obvious that what I have<br />
made her own business arrangements and pub- said as to the agent knowing the contents of the<br />
lished her novels without profit. The agent book and where to take it, applies even more in the<br />
advised her to change the name under which she case of biographies, essays, educational works, &c.,<br />
wrote, and make a fresh start altogether under his than in the case of fiction. If any would urge that<br />
auspices. He found her better publishers, she the agent knows better what the publisher's line is<br />
obtained a better sale, received good prices, and than the author does, and that therefore he can<br />
became a moderately well-known writer, with a choose a publisher for the author better than he<br />
recognised if not very exalted position as such. can choose for himself, I am inclined to say that it<br />
The agent had reason to be proud of his work in this is obvious that unless and until the agent has very<br />
instance, but many men and women of moderate carefully read and considered a particular work, the<br />
powers as authors can no doubt do as well for them- author must know best the class to which his work<br />
selves. It is not easy to lay down rules. Agents are belongs, or that at any rate he must know to what<br />
no doubt useful to those who cannot do their own class he means it to belong. Beyond this he<br />
business, or wish to be relieved of the trouble must know, or ought to know to some extent, if he<br />
of it.<br />
is at all observant, what publisher publishes par-<br />
I have only now to mention those authors who ticular kinds of books, for a man or woman must<br />
have never published anything. Can an agent do read and observe before he or she can write.<br />
anything for these that they cannot do as well or I have not referred to the fact that some pub-<br />
better for themselves ? If he is to do so he must lishers do not like dealing with agents. I will not<br />
read their manuscripts, and consider where he may discuss the possible reason for this, but I believe it<br />
best send them, or much time will be wasted, and to be a fact, and I take it that, although something<br />
they may never reach any office at all where they may be said on both sides, it is not altogether to<br />
could possibly have any chance of being accepted the discredit of the agent.<br />
When the agent has obtained an offer will he make In conclusion I submit to the readers of The<br />
the best possible bargain for the new writer, or will Author that, speaking generally, the literary agent<br />
he be inclined to push the business through, and earn is of most use where he deals as agent for the vendor<br />
a certain commission down, and will be therefore of an article of more or less known value, and where<br />
advise the author to take anything he can get the agent's commission is likely to be large, and is of<br />
even if it involves the signing of a disadvantageous least use where the value is unknown, where literary<br />
agreement ? Here the experience of those who have discrimination is necessary for the proper perfor-<br />
dealt through agents in such circumstances may be mance of the agent's duties, and where the agent's<br />
useful to others.<br />
commission is likely to be small, while part of it<br />
I have read an article in The Author (Vol. XI., has, perhaps, been paid before the work was under-<br />
p. 114, Dec. 1900) signed with the initials of the taken ; and further, that the comparative usefulness<br />
Secretary of the Society, in which he gives some of the agent depends largely on the ability or<br />
of his own experiences of agents' bargains, and inability of the author to deal on his own account.<br />
expresses his own opinions in the light of those I have, however, only expressed opinions, and<br />
experiences. I think that much will be found in sought to reason in justification of them, and I<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 13 (#389) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
13<br />
feel sure that the experience of those who have publisher ; he can in an emergency, after all, have<br />
cause to dissent from or assent to what I have recourse to the Authors' Society, or to his solicitor,<br />
written will be of value to many who have no whose charges, did he all that the agent could do,<br />
experience of their own to which they can refer. would be infinitesimal in comparison.<br />
E. A. ARMSTRONG.<br />
(c) Because the author's agent is successful only<br />
after an author's reputation has been established<br />
by the publisher, but never with a young and<br />
unknown author, so that he merely comes in for an<br />
A Publisher's Letter.<br />
enormous share of profit at a time when a guinea<br />
or two to a solicitor (say the Authors' Society's<br />
II.<br />
own) would ensure a better-drawn agreement and<br />
I AM asked to write down for The Author my a more responsible management than could be got<br />
views on the literary agent. I am flattered by from an irresponsible author's agent who extorts<br />
this request, and hopeful that the future may percentages which are out of all proportion to the<br />
produce a much better understanding between services rendered.<br />
authors and publishers, from the very fact that the<br />
opinion of a publisher should be considered worth<br />
(d) Because the author's agent fosters in authors<br />
asking by the organ of the Authors' Society. I<br />
the greed for an immediate money return (for this<br />
will give my opinion with perfect frankness, rely-<br />
means cash percentages) at the cost of all dignity<br />
and artistic repose, pledging the author's time,<br />
ing upon the good faith of my hosts that I, as<br />
thought, inspiration, and work for years ahead,<br />
the invited guest, shall, although a publisher, be<br />
credited with honesty.<br />
and making of the author a slave to contracts and<br />
a victim to haste and thoughtless waste of his<br />
I am opposed to the literary agent from the gifts.<br />
point of (1) the publisher, (2) the author, and<br />
(3) literature.<br />
3. Literature. (a) Because I do not consider it<br />
to be in the interests of literature that books should<br />
1. The Publisher.—(a) Because the literary be put up to auction and sold to the highest<br />
agent prevents that free and intimate intercourse bidder among publishers, who may be incom-<br />
between publisher and author which is from my petent to give the best advantages to the book in<br />
experience of unquestioned mutual advantage. question.<br />
(6) Because I have not always found literary (6) Because it is certainly very much against<br />
agents scrupulously honest in their dealings. the interests of literature that authors should be<br />
pledged and sold body and soul to syndicates and<br />
(©) Because I resent the implied imputation<br />
publishers on time bargains years ahead, with no<br />
that the publisher might take advantage of an<br />
certainty that they can stand the strain and pres-<br />
author unless his interests are looked after by a sure of production, from the point of view of their<br />
person deriving a benefit in the shape of per-<br />
physical or mental health.<br />
centages from the party with whom I am doing<br />
business.<br />
(c) Because of the fact that it discourages<br />
the publisher from taking up new authors, if they<br />
(d) Because I do not consider it in the interest<br />
are, as soon as he has borne the first risk and<br />
of my individual business or in the interest of<br />
launched them, to be put up to public auction ; and<br />
publishers in general that one of us should be<br />
there can be no doubt that it becomes more<br />
played off against the other, as is the habit and<br />
difficult for a young author to get a hearing in<br />
difficult for<br />
practically the raison d'etre of the literary agent. proportion to the prevalence and success of the<br />
(e) Because no author would be so quixotic as to parasite that lives on his produce.<br />
employ a literary agent if he did not hope to get<br />
as much more out of the publisher as the agent's<br />
To sum up, on behalf of the publisher, the<br />
commission represents.<br />
author, and literature, I am of opinion that it is<br />
waste of money to keep an agent with emoluments<br />
2. The Author.-(a) Because I believe it to be which are enormous in comparison with the services<br />
in many instances of advantage to authors to be rendered, when a little mutual trustfulness, a little<br />
in personal communication with their publishers. give-and-take, and anyhow a careful solicitor at<br />
an ordinary legal fee, would enable publisher and<br />
(6) Because I consider it infra dignitatem autoris author and literature to do without him.<br />
to assume that he cannot take care of himself should<br />
he really come into contact with an overreaching<br />
W. HEINEMANN.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 14 (#390) #############################################<br />
<br />
14<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
AUTHORS' CORRECTIONS,<br />
S the question of corrections is constantly<br />
A Tribute.<br />
recurring, and as the matter is of consider<br />
able importance to all authors, the difficul-<br />
M IRELESS, intrepid fighter, whose strong<br />
ties connected with this subject must once again<br />
1 blade<br />
Was never bared except in righteous fray<br />
be put before the members of the Society. In the<br />
For thy less stalwart comrades, ready alway<br />
first instance sundry clauses collected from different<br />
publishers' agreements bearing on the question<br />
To wage 'gainst wrong a chivalrous crusade,<br />
Ey'n were it single-handed, undismayed,<br />
of corrections are printed below for consideration.<br />
Indomitable, still resolved to play<br />
Clauses on the lines of the following appear in<br />
· Sternly the champion's part, thy cardinal<br />
nearly every agreement; they are taken at random<br />
trait<br />
as examples.<br />
A courage by self-interest never swayed !<br />
1. “The said author to correct proof sheets with all<br />
0, for all time shalt thou in honour be<br />
reasonable despatch, and if any alterations or additions to<br />
Held by thy Craft. as one whose cherished proofs are made beyond the usual corrections of printers'<br />
errors he is to pay for such extra work.".<br />
aim<br />
2. “ The cost of correction of other than the printers'<br />
Was less to gather bay, or garner fee,<br />
errors in the proofs of the said work exceeding ten shillings<br />
Than to achieve the higher, nobler fame<br />
per sheet of thirty-two pages is to be borne by the said<br />
Of seeking weal for his fraternity,<br />
author, and the amount thereof shall be payable to the<br />
And winning thence a love-illumined name.<br />
publishers by the said author within one month after the<br />
publication of the said book."<br />
WILLIAM TOYNBEE. 3. “All details as to the time and manner of production,<br />
publication and advertisement, and the number and desti.<br />
nation of free copies, shall be left to the sole discretion of<br />
the publishers, who shall bear all expenses of production,<br />
publication, and advertisement, except the amount (if any)<br />
by which the cost of corrections of proofs other than<br />
A Message from America.<br />
printers' errors at per printers' invoice exceeds an average<br />
of five shillings per sheet of sixteen pages of printed matter,<br />
THE resolutions printed below have been for- which amount shall be borne by the author."<br />
warded to the Society by the American Society of 4. “All alteration in proof sheets made by the author<br />
Authors. It is exceedingly interesting to receive while the book is passing through the press, the cost of<br />
these warm tokens of affection from the other<br />
which shall exceed sixteen shillings per sheet of sixteen<br />
pages, shall be at the expense of the author."<br />
side of the water for one who was throughout his<br />
5. “That the author shall not be liable for expenses of<br />
busy life such a champion of literary work and<br />
author's proof corrections (exclusive of the correction of<br />
such a helper to literary workers.<br />
printers' errors) up to the amount of £5, equivalent to one<br />
Resolved : “ That the Society of American<br />
hundred hours of work, but that should such charges exceed<br />
this amount, the author shall be debited with the excess."<br />
Authors tenders fraternal greetings to the English<br />
Society of Authors, and extends profound sympathy The first three are exceedingly dangerous to the<br />
and condolence to the brethren across the sea on author. In the first clause the author is bound to<br />
the sad and deeply to be deplored decease of Sir pay for all extra work. This is unfair, for, as will be<br />
Walter Besant, at once a warm patriot and a firm pointed out later, some printers' errors must under<br />
friend of America, a distinguished man of letters, the most favourable circumstances be included in<br />
a philanthropist, and especially a sympathiser and author's corrections. In the second clause the<br />
helper of literary workers the world over. Sir author is allowed a sum of ten shillings per sheet<br />
Walter Besant's pen, known wherever the English of thirty-two pages (this is a very low allowance),<br />
language is spoken, has enlightened and brightened and is bound to pay the amount within a month<br />
many lives in this country, and his encouragement from the publication of the book. This is not<br />
and kind feeling toward the Society of American customary; the amount (if any) is generally deducted<br />
Authors will always be most gratefully and from the returns. In the third clause the author<br />
enduringly remembered.”<br />
has to pay anything over five shillings a sheet of<br />
Resolved : 66 That copies of these resolutions be sixteen pages, again a very low allowance. In the<br />
sent to the English Society of Authors and to the<br />
fourth clause the amount the author has to pay is<br />
family of Sir Walter Besant.”<br />
anything in excess of sixteen shillings per sheet of<br />
sixteen pages. This clause would be a favourable<br />
one for the author if printers' errors had not been<br />
included. In the fifth clause he is bound to pay<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 15 (#391) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
15:<br />
anything over £5, which is equivalent to one that the printer may make mistakes unnoticeable<br />
hundred hours' work : this is a low allowance. by the reader but very clear to the author, and<br />
The charge the author has to bear in agreements every author who has been accustomed to read<br />
from the best publishing houses varies from any. proofs will know that, as a matter of fact, he never<br />
thing over ten shillings to anything over sixteen receives a proof clear of printers' errors. He has,<br />
shillings per sheet of sixteen pages. Let us however, on the printer's own confession, to be<br />
consider for a moment what this means.<br />
responsible to the publisher for more than his own<br />
The ordinary six-shilling book runs to about corrections—in the result this position, however<br />
320 pages, generally rather over that amount. unfair, is almost unavoidable. An honourable<br />
This would be twenty sheets of sixteen pages, and house will, however, act fairly, but a dishonest<br />
if the author was allowed ten shillings per sheet, publisher not unfrequently takes advantage.<br />
he would be therefore allowed for corrections an In case of a dispute is it possible to determine<br />
amount of £10 for which he would not have to what are printers' errors and what are author's<br />
pay. It will be seen, therefore, that the amount corrections, and how much time is expended on<br />
put forward in the above clauses, with the exception the one and how much on the other ? It is almost<br />
of Clause 4, would be exceedingly small ; and in impossible. The author should keep duplicate<br />
Clause 5 whether the amount was reasonable would proofs and should make his corrections on both,<br />
of course depend on the size of the book. In any and in both cases should make the corrections of<br />
case where a fixed allowance is made care should printers' errors in different coloured ink from his<br />
be taken that the amount is reasonable as com- own corrections. This would be the most secure<br />
pared with the cost of composition. If the author way of ascertaining correctly the facts of the case,<br />
exceeds the sum of £10, say he has to pay £10 but again the time necessary for alterations even<br />
himself, this would mean there would be £20 of when picked out by this method is only approxi-<br />
corrections, or in other words would mean 400 mately ascertainable and tends to make the sugges-<br />
hours' work, or the work of one man for forty days tion valueless. Even when the author has kept<br />
at the rate of ten hours a day. This will give the corrections distinct by this carefully regulated<br />
some idea of the absurdities of some charges made process, the fresh difficulty will arise in determining<br />
under cover of corrections.<br />
the time expended on the re-composition for the<br />
In the draft agreements issued by the Publishing correction of printers' errors as apart from those of<br />
Association we find the following clause :-<br />
the author, and if the matter has to be settled before<br />
66 The author agrees that if costs of corrections and a judge as the final arbiter expert evidence can<br />
alterations in the proof sheets exceed 25 per cent. of the only prevent an exorbitant overcharge, but no<br />
cost of composition it shall be deducted from the royalties expert can reduce the question to the accuracy of a<br />
payable to him."<br />
mathematical problem. If, then, the printer or<br />
The cost of composition of the ordinary six- publisher intends to be dishonest to the extent of<br />
shilling book varies between £20 and £30. Here £5 to £10 no power on earth can prove the dis-<br />
allowance for the corrections free to the author is honesty. On some publishers' accounts these few<br />
very small, especially as the clause makes no state- uncheckable pounds are always in evidence. The<br />
ment whatever with regard to printers' errors. It safest way, therefore, is to know exactly how to<br />
is a clause to be avoided therefore. There is one correct at the least cost, and the author should be<br />
point, however, on which the clause is reasonable, careful to make such alterations and to such an<br />
namely, that the amount should be deducted from extent that the lines should not overrun and<br />
the royalties, and in most publishers' agreements necessitate the carrying forward of the whole type.<br />
where it is not expressly stated this course is Sometimes an exceedingly small correction, from<br />
generally adopted.<br />
the author's point of view, will be an exceedingly<br />
The next point for consideration is how the large one from the printer's.<br />
author's corrections are to be distinguished from It has been stated above and it should be<br />
printers' errors. Printers will tell you that the repeated that the cost of corrections is vouched for<br />
proofs are read over before they are forwarded to by the printers' sheet showing so much time spent<br />
the author, and the author, therefore, has a clean by the compositor, whose time is reckoned at one<br />
sheet. Anything over that is author's corrections, shilling per hour. As a matter of fact he is not<br />
and that if the author finds many printers' errors paid so much, but it is one of the many plans by<br />
still in the proofs he should return them for a clean which publishers and printers put a little into their<br />
sheet before he makes any corrections of his own. own pockets.<br />
This would be an admirable way of ascertaining One other point should be mentioned, and that<br />
the difference if the printer's reader was infallible, is the question of corrections in the American cost<br />
but not only is such a position impossible, but this of production. It is much more difficult to settle<br />
further difficulty must be taken into consideration, any disputes with American publishers than it is<br />
a<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 16 (#392) #############################################<br />
<br />
16<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
with a publisher in England owing to the distance,<br />
and the fact that if the matter is taken finally into<br />
the courts it is hardly worth while to bring an action<br />
in America unless the amount involved is very large<br />
or the principle very important. Authors, however,<br />
should be much more particular in dealing in<br />
America as to the position of the publishers and<br />
as to the form of correction clauses, and should be<br />
careful to deal with those houses only of an<br />
established reputation.<br />
This further point must<br />
This further point must<br />
also be noted : the cost of labour in America is<br />
higher than the cost of labour in England, and<br />
therefore the cost of corrections is proportionately<br />
greater.<br />
Finally it has been suggested that the author<br />
should not in any case be liable to pay for correc.<br />
tions above a certain fixed amount. But such an<br />
arrangement it is feared would never be agreed to<br />
by the publisher, and would be hardly fair, as the<br />
author might involve the publisher in an enormous<br />
expense and the publisher would have no possi-<br />
bility of obtaining any redress. As the fault of<br />
many corrections must lie with the author 16 18<br />
only fair that the author should pay a reasonable<br />
proportion. What such reasonable proportion is<br />
will adjust itself by the conditions of the trade<br />
when at last the full details of cost are known to<br />
both author and publisher.<br />
having taken such copyright, while the serial numbers of a<br />
magazine in which the contents of the book were first<br />
published were copyrighted by the publishers, and the<br />
notices printed therein showed such copyright in their name,<br />
I t appeared that while the parts of a book were being<br />
published serially in a magazine the book as a whole was<br />
copyrighted by the author and published. The remaining<br />
parts were thereafter published in the succeeding numbers<br />
of the magazine, which were copyrighted by the publishers,<br />
and notice of such copyright in their name was printed<br />
therein. It was held that the parts which had appeared in<br />
the magazine prior to any copyright by such publication<br />
became public property, under the Copyright Law of 1831<br />
(4 Stat. 436, ss. 1, 4), and that as to the remaining parts,<br />
the author's copyright was vitiated by the copyright notices<br />
printed in the magazine giving the name of the publishers,<br />
instead of the author, under section 5 of the Act, which<br />
requires a notice of copyright to be inserted in the several<br />
copies of each and every edition " published, stating, among<br />
other things, the name of the person taking out such<br />
copyright. The Court said in part:<br />
In the two cases at bar it appears from the allegations of<br />
the bills that before any copyright was taken out the first<br />
twenty-nine of the forty-two chapters of “ The Minister's<br />
Wooing," by Harriet Beecher Stowe, were published in the<br />
serial numbers of the Atlantic Monthly, beginning with<br />
December, 1858, and ending with October, 1859, and that<br />
ten of the twelve parts of " The Professor at the Breakfast<br />
Table.” by Oliver Wendell Holmes, were published in the<br />
serial numbers of the same magazine, beginning in January,<br />
1859, and ending with October, 1859. In October, 1859,<br />
Mrs. Stowe took out a copyright in “ The Minister's<br />
Wooing," as a whole before its publication. The notice of<br />
copyright inserted in the book was as follows: "Entered<br />
according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by Harriet<br />
Beecher Stowe, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of<br />
the District of Massachusetts."<br />
After the publication of the book, the remaining thirteen<br />
chapters of "The Minister's Wooing" were published in the<br />
November and December numbers of the Atlantic Monthly<br />
for the year 1859. The publishers took out a copyright in<br />
these numbers of the magazine. The notice of copyright<br />
on the page following the title-page was as follows:<br />
“ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859,<br />
by Ticknor & Fields, in the clerk's office of the District<br />
Court of the District of Massachusetts.”<br />
By section 5 of the Act of February 3, 1831 (4 Stat. 436),<br />
it is provided : “ That no person shall be entitled to the<br />
benefit of this Act, unless he shall give information of copy.<br />
right being secured, by causing to be inserted, in the several<br />
copies of each and every edition published during the term<br />
secured on the title-page, or the page immediately following,<br />
if it be a book, ... the following words ; viz. : - Entered<br />
according to Act of Congress, in the year — by A. B.,<br />
in the Clerk's office of the District Court of -<br />
Upon the authority of Holmes . Hurst (174 U.S. 82;<br />
19 Sup. Ct. 606 ; 43 L. Ed. 904) the first twenty-nine<br />
chapters of “The Minister's Wooing" became public pro-<br />
perty, and we have only to consider whether a valid copyright<br />
exists in the remaining thirteen chapters. It is true that<br />
Mrs. Stowe, by taking out a copyright in her whole work in<br />
October, 1859, secured a valid copyright in these thirteen<br />
chapters. The question is, Has she not vitiated this copy-<br />
right by failing to insert the proper notice of her copyright<br />
in the November and December numbers of the Atlantic<br />
Monthly, in which this portion of her work was also pub-<br />
lished ? The magazine contained a notice that it was<br />
copyrighted by Ticknor & Fields, and it is maintained<br />
that this is not a compliance with the notice required by<br />
section 5 of the Act of February 3, 1831. The law seems to<br />
be settled that the name of the party taking out the copy-<br />
right must be inserted in the notice of every edition<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
M<br />
H E following case in the United States Circuit<br />
Court affecting copyright has been taken<br />
from the “Bulletin of the American Society<br />
of Authors." It is of interest to English authors as<br />
showing the nature of the pitfalls which beset the<br />
writer who endeavours to secure copyright in the<br />
United States of America, and the necessity for him<br />
and his publishers to comply with all prescribed<br />
conditions. The distinction between this case and<br />
the latter of the two which follow (also taken from<br />
the “Bulletin of the American Society of Authors ")<br />
is not quite obvious, but assuming Mifflin v. Dutton<br />
and the cases cited in it to be correct interpretations<br />
of the law, it is evident that in the United States<br />
author and publisher may have to pay an over-<br />
whelmingly heavy penalty for a technical mistake<br />
made, perhaps without any negligence, by one of<br />
them.<br />
In Mifflin e. Dutton, decided by the United States Circuit<br />
Court, D, Massachusetts, in March, 1901 (107 Fed. R. 708),<br />
it was held that a copyright of a book is invalid where the<br />
notice printed therein gives the name of the author as<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 17 (#393) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
17<br />
using its service in omitting the copyright notice were not<br />
binding upon it. Upon each of these contentions Judge<br />
Kohlsaat ruled in favour of the Daily Story Publishing<br />
Company.<br />
IV.<br />
published, and that the failure to do this vitiates the copy.<br />
right. A literal compliance with the statute may not be<br />
required, but the notice must contain the essentials of the<br />
name, claim of exclusive right, and the date when obtained.<br />
Under the authorities, I must hold that the insertion of the<br />
name “ Ticknor & Fields" in the copyright notice in the<br />
Atlantic Monthly for the months of November and December,<br />
1859, was an insufficient notice of Mrs. Stowe's copyright,<br />
and invalidates her right to any copyright in that portion<br />
of her book. The contention of the complainants that<br />
Ticknor & Fields were the agents of Mrs. Stowe, and that<br />
the insertion in the notice of the name of an agent suffi.<br />
ciently satisfies the requirements of the statute, is clearly<br />
unsound (Thompson 7. Hubbard,1 131 U. S. 123, 149, 150;<br />
9 Sup. Ct. 710 ; 33 L. Ed. 76 ; Lithographic Co. *. Sarony,<br />
111 Ù. S. 53, 55 ; 4 Sup. Ct. 279 ; 28 L. Ed. 349 ; Osgood 7.<br />
Instrument Co., C.C., 83 Fed. 470 ; Id., C. C., 69 Fed. 291:<br />
Hoertel r. Tuck Sons Co., C. C., 94 Fed. 844 ; Higgins 1.<br />
Keuffel, C. C., 30 Fed. 627 ; Id., 140 U. S. 428 : 11 Sup. Ct.<br />
731 ; 35 L. Ed. 470 ; Jackson r. Walkie, C. C., 29 Fed. 15).<br />
In “ The Professor at the Breakfast Table” the facts<br />
alleged in the bill are somewhat different, although the<br />
case is governed by the same principle. The last two parts<br />
of this work were published in the December number of the<br />
Atlantic Monthly for 1859, and a copyright was taken out<br />
by Ticknor & Fields in that number. In the latter part of<br />
that month Dr. Holmes entered his entire work for copy-<br />
right, and subsequently published it, inserting the following<br />
notice in his book : " Entered according to Act of Congress,<br />
in the year 1859. by Oliver Wendell Holmes, in the Clerk's<br />
office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts,”<br />
A previous copyright having been obtained in the name<br />
of the publishers, Ticknor & Fields, the subsequent notice<br />
of copyright by Dr. Holmes in his book must be held<br />
insufficient under the cases above cited.<br />
II.<br />
In a trial before Judge Leaventritt last month, the term<br />
" book rights" was interpreted to mean the right to publish<br />
in book form only, thus excluding the right to dramatise or<br />
to publish as a serial.<br />
The action was between Doubleday, Page & Co., and<br />
L. C. Page & Co.<br />
Authors, as well as publishers, will be interested in this<br />
decision, which will undoubtedly receive the sanction of a<br />
higher court.<br />
International Literary Copyright: its Possibilities.<br />
By G Herbert Thrina (The Fortnightlu Berican May<br />
1901).<br />
(From Le Droit d' Auteur, June 15, 1901, p. 72.)<br />
In the present defective condition of the English<br />
copyright law it is only natural to find in the<br />
English reviews for the most part merely more<br />
or less timid or elementary proposals in favour of<br />
a revision of the statutes. If perchance questions<br />
of an international nature do occur amongst these<br />
suggestions, they are discussed from a pre-eminently<br />
national point of view<br />
national point of view. Mr. Thring, the devoted<br />
Mr Thrinath<br />
secretary of the Society of Authors, has, therefore,<br />
given us an agreeable surprise by publishing his<br />
remarkable article on the question of a universal<br />
copyright protection. an article stamped with a<br />
cosmopolitan, and at the same time an essentially<br />
practical spirit.<br />
The subject is divided into two parts. The<br />
first briefly sketches the present situation-a pro-<br />
tection restricted in its extent and in its duration.<br />
The fact that legislation is not always drafted in<br />
favour of the author and against the public, but<br />
often in an in verse sense, is pointed out ; the<br />
attitude of the different countries towards the<br />
Berne Convention, which is at least a step in the<br />
direction of " world-wide copyright," is described ;<br />
and the arguments adduced against it by certain<br />
countries (by Austria-Hungary and the United<br />
States of America for example) in order to justify<br />
their isolated position are stated.<br />
The second part of the article is dedicated to<br />
the examination of the essential principles of a<br />
future uniform legislation, and of an ideal law<br />
that shall be universally accepted. This law<br />
would determine the following points : the persons<br />
to be protected; the works which are the subjects<br />
of protection ; the moment from which the term<br />
of protection shonld begin (we may here note that<br />
" publication” is to be universally understood in<br />
accordance with the declaration of May 4. 1896):<br />
the right of translation (to be completely assimi-<br />
lated to that of reproduction); the rights of<br />
performance and representation ; the protection<br />
of articles in newspapers and reviews : the duration<br />
of protection (the author's life and eighty years);<br />
01 pro<br />
and the formalities. The definition of piracy and<br />
the penalties are left to local legislation. Respect-<br />
ing every one of the above questions Mr. Thring<br />
advocates the most liberal provisions, with the<br />
sole exception of the question of formalities. He<br />
III<br />
An interesting copyright suit has just been decided by<br />
Judge Kohlsaat in Chicago. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat<br />
bought two stories from the Daily Story Publishing Com.<br />
pany, agreeing to print the copyright notice with each story.<br />
The copyright notice was accidentally omitted from one of<br />
the stories, and that story was clipped by the American<br />
Press Association, and sent by it as plate matter to various<br />
papers. The Daily Story Publishing Company promptly<br />
made claim on all the papers using their copyright<br />
story without their permission, and began suit against<br />
the American Press Association. In order to bring the<br />
issue directly both parties agreed to a statement of facts,<br />
leaving the question as to whether the omission of the copy.<br />
right notice by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat gave the<br />
Son<br />
American Press Association the right to appropriate the<br />
story, and thus invalidate copyright protection to the Daily<br />
Story Publishing Company. The latter company contended<br />
that it had complied with all the requirements of the copy.<br />
right law ; that the newspapers using its service were not<br />
its agents, but its licensees, and that the acts of newspapers<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 18 (#394) #############################################<br />
<br />
18<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
considers that registration is indispensable. But<br />
the general tendency of evolution is, on the con-<br />
trary, towards the suppression of all formalities, a<br />
system already adopted by the majority of unionist<br />
countries.<br />
Mr. Thring considers none of the difficulties which<br />
lie in the way of the elaboration of a “ Universal<br />
Copyright Law” insurmountable. The delegates<br />
of the unionist countries should, on the occasion of<br />
their next meeting, lay the foundation of this law.<br />
They should adopt the solutions of the various<br />
questions which are already matured, and set aside<br />
for future consideration the points respecting which<br />
agreement has not yet been reached. Their law<br />
would not be imposed upon the different nations,<br />
but would serve them for a model in their future<br />
enactments. Thus—and herein lies the originality<br />
of the suggestion—the preparatory labours of the<br />
International Literary and Artistic Association<br />
would be officially resumed at the next conference,<br />
which would in its turn draw up a typical law with<br />
a view to a universal legislative unification.<br />
LETTER FORWARDED WITH TERMS OF THE<br />
COMPETITION.<br />
September 2nd, 1901.<br />
DEAR SIR,—We venture to request your careful perusal<br />
of the enclosed conditions for the open competition for<br />
Tunes.<br />
The Committee will esteem it a great favour if you will<br />
kindly forward any original tunes of your composing for<br />
their examination and approval, on the conditions named,<br />
and will feel further obliged if you will make this competition<br />
widely known.<br />
We are, Dear Sir,<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
Hon. SECS.<br />
V.-A Prize Competition.<br />
One prize of Ten Guineas is offered for the best original<br />
tune submitted in open competition, for insertion in the<br />
selection of Hymns and Tunes for Whitsuntide Demonstra-<br />
tions.<br />
The decision of the Committee will be final, and not to<br />
be questioned. The Committee will not be bound to<br />
award this prize in full, if they should consider that none<br />
of the tunes submitted reaches the required standard. In<br />
making the selection the Committee will have the assistance<br />
of a Mus. Doc. (Oxon.).<br />
The Committee will have the option of purchasing the<br />
sole copyright of any of the tunes submitted in addition to<br />
the prize tune, at prices to be fixed by the Committee<br />
ranging from 20s. to 58. each, but no original tune will be<br />
used that has not been made the exclusive property of this<br />
Union.<br />
As these tunes are for use at large open-air demonstra-<br />
tions of Sunday Scholars, it is very desirable that the<br />
melodies be within easy compass of juvenile voices, and<br />
they be bright, tuneful, and readily taken up by young<br />
people.<br />
Each competitor can forward not more than three tunes<br />
in all, set to any three hymns taken from the enclosed list.<br />
All compositions must be legibly written in ink, in Short<br />
Score Staff Notation, on one side of the paper only, each<br />
tune to be on a separate sheet, and numbered in accordance<br />
with the hymn chosen,<br />
Every tune to be original, and not to have been printed,<br />
multigraphed or sung in public previously.<br />
The name and address of the competitor to be written on<br />
a separate slip of paper and enclosed in a sealed envelope ;<br />
the music manuscript to be marked only by a motto or<br />
“ nom de plume," and corresponding number of the hymn.<br />
An entrance fee of one shilling will be charged. The<br />
results of the competition will be forwarded to every<br />
competitor as soon as the selection has been made, together<br />
with the manuscript copies.<br />
All compositions to be delivered not later than Saturday,<br />
October 12th, 1901, to the Honorary Secretary.<br />
The Society has from time to time called the<br />
notice of its members to prize competitions which<br />
have appeared in various papers, pointing out the<br />
methods employed for obtaining a large amount of<br />
“copy" at small cost, and the inadequacy of the<br />
terms offered to authors.<br />
The competition printed above is put forward<br />
for the benefit of its musical members.<br />
In the letter attached, the promoters “would<br />
feel obliged to anyone who would make the com-<br />
petition widely known.” We have much pleasure<br />
in making it known as widely as our circulation<br />
will admit, with the idea of dissuading musical<br />
composers from entering.<br />
The chief prize offered would be a low remunera-<br />
tion for a successful composition of this kind, vet<br />
if this were the only prize, and all rejected MSS.<br />
were returned to authors, then no complaint would<br />
have been raised, but note under clause three that<br />
the committee do not undertake to pay the full<br />
sum of £10 10s. if they do not think the tune<br />
submitted reaches the required standard, the<br />
committee's decision to be final. So much with<br />
regard to the tune that gets the first prize. With<br />
regard to other tunes the committee would purchase<br />
the whole copyright for sums varying from 58. to<br />
£1, and the committee impress upon competitors<br />
that they won't pay unless they can obtain exclusive<br />
property in the composition.<br />
It is possible, however, that many first-class<br />
tunes might be obtained at a ridiculously small<br />
figure, and those purchasing under the terms put<br />
forward would hold the sole right of publication<br />
and the performing rights of these tunes during<br />
the legal term of copyright. It is well known that<br />
a successful hymn tune is often a little gold mine<br />
to its composer, so that if the purchasers obtain<br />
even one tune of this standard they will pay them-<br />
selves exceedingly well, and will have benefited<br />
greatly by the liberal offer they have put forward.<br />
This, however, is not all. An entrance fee is<br />
charged of 1s. for each competitor. This entrance<br />
fee of 1s. will, no doubt, cover the postage expenses<br />
incurred in the circularising of the competition<br />
and the printing of the circulars.<br />
--<br />
-<br />
- --<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 19 (#395) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
19<br />
Those composers who chance to be members of from their point of view, is that it is impossible<br />
the Society must clearly consider all these points for them to put the amount of money and push<br />
before they think of throwing their work away on into a first book if they are not sure that they<br />
the chance of receiving a paltry 58. or 10s.<br />
are likely to get the second book of the author as<br />
well ; but the argument, though it sounds favour-<br />
able, does not work out at all in favour of the<br />
author on the lines laid down by the publisher.<br />
VI.—The German Copyright Law.<br />
Many are the accounts that have been before the<br />
We regret to see that considerable opposition Secretary of the Society from publishers who have<br />
in the summer was brought against the German made it a habit of inserting this clause in their<br />
copyright law by the leader of the Radical agreements, and the methods of dealing with the<br />
Party. It would hardly have been worth while first book have been clearly divulged. They have<br />
to mention this except that some of the reasons shown that, far from treating the first book favour-<br />
put forward for this antagonism are of a very ably in order to get a successful market for the<br />
extraordinary character.<br />
second, the publisher has never troubled himself to<br />
One of the questions was whether the term of go further than to get such a sale for the first book<br />
copyright should be increased from life and thirty as will pay him for the cost of production and give<br />
years to life and fifty years. The first argument him a fair 20 per cent. or so on his money, as he<br />
was the old cry that the lengthened term of copy- knows full well under any circumstances he is<br />
right was contrary to public policy. It is a curious bound to get the second book of the author on the<br />
thing when the public have possessed themselves same terms and can publish with the same success.<br />
unlawfully of other people's property for a Again, the publisher is much more likely to get the<br />
lengthened period, how difficult it is to make second book of the author if he treats the author<br />
them understand that they are doing wrong. It fairly with regard to the first issue, and there is<br />
took a long time to overthrow slavery, but relief therefore no need to bind the author by a hard<br />
came at last.<br />
and fast agreement. The publisher's theory is<br />
We did think that this argument had been beautiful on paper, but an explanation of the<br />
thrown aside as fallacious by all men of sense. facts shows that it is absolutely useless in practice.<br />
The second argument was that such a lengthened In nearly every case where this clause is inserted<br />
term of copyright would benefit the Wagner family, in the agreement the author has applied to the<br />
who, it was asserted, had been using every effort Secretary for advice as to whether it is possible to<br />
to get the law passed. Every law is passed with get clear from the arrangement that has been made,<br />
the idea of benefiting individuals as members of a for the reason quoted above, namely, that the pub-<br />
community, but it is impossible to see the logic of lisher has not put sufficient energy and labour into<br />
this gentleman's remarks against the clause merely circulating the first book. The Secretary has had<br />
because its benefits were of greater value to one with regret to explain that the application has been<br />
member than another.<br />
made too late.<br />
It would not matter how far an individual We can but repeat what has been often stated in<br />
member of the community had laboured to get The Author before : Never sign an agreement that<br />
the law passed if it was a benefit to the whole binds you for future work.<br />
community. It is to be hoped, however, that the<br />
time is not far distant when authors will have<br />
satisfactory control both as regards time and<br />
VIII.—German Copyright Legislation.<br />
country over the property which they have created<br />
after so much trouble and with so much skill.<br />
The Federal Council has sanctioned the new<br />
German copyright law and the new German law<br />
of contract. The new laws have been signed by<br />
VII.-An Objectionable Clause.<br />
His Majesty the Emperor, and will enter into force<br />
on the first of January, 1902. By the new copy-<br />
Among the many bad clauses occurring from right law the duration of protection has been<br />
time to time in publishers' agreements there is one extended from thirty to fifty years after the death<br />
to which the author should under no circumstances of the author.<br />
consent. The clause runs as follows :-<br />
“That the author agrees to give the publisher the refusal<br />
of his next books on similar terms to those contained in<br />
IX.-Hungary and the Berne Convention,<br />
the above agreement."<br />
The question of joining “The Berne Convention”<br />
We have discussed this clause with some is being seriously discussed in Hungary. The<br />
publishers, and their argument, specious enough Budapesti Hirlap, one of the Hungarian journals<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 20 (#396) #############################################<br />
<br />
20<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
which circulates most widely amongst the intelli-<br />
gent classes, has recently published an article on<br />
the subject which deserves the attention of all<br />
thinking people. This article urges, amongst<br />
other reasons for vigorous international copyright,<br />
the following :--<br />
When a country has attained a certain standard of<br />
intellectual cultivation it requires a vigorous international<br />
protection of literary copyright, not in the interests of its<br />
own authors and industries alone, but in the interests of<br />
its distinctive national derelopment.<br />
It is not because the works of Hungarian authors are<br />
little known outside the country that they are seldom<br />
translated. They remain unknown in consequence of the<br />
defective character of our international copyright relations.<br />
The short protection given by Hungarian legislation to the<br />
rights of translation results in this—the right lapses before<br />
it is acquired. In consequence when a translation of a<br />
Hungarian work is offered to a publisher, he has to run the<br />
risk of another translation appearing if the work proves at<br />
all popular. A protected translation might cost the pub-<br />
lisher a little more, but he would acquire a right that<br />
would make him contented to bring out a work with the<br />
prospect of the edition being exhausted in a few years.<br />
“ Distinctive national development” is a thing<br />
about which no man in Europe has more right to<br />
speak than the Magyar. It has been his watch-<br />
word for a thousand years, he has bled for it, and<br />
he has won it. By insisting on it he adduces the<br />
noblest plea for international copyright that exists.<br />
To natures too chilly to appreciate it, the second<br />
argument may appeal more strongly. It is one we<br />
have often urged. Anything that can serve to<br />
spread the influence of a distinctive literature, as<br />
that of modern Hungary is, is a benefit to<br />
humanity, and we hope that it may not be long<br />
before we have the pleasure of announcing that<br />
this great and enlightened nation has joined the<br />
Berne Convention.<br />
that a final decision has not yet been rendered on<br />
the question which in Mr. Kipling's view is the<br />
principal question at issue, and of the utmost<br />
importance to himself and to authors generally.<br />
That question, put succinctly, is as follows : Does<br />
the purchase of a copyright book in sheets by a<br />
publisher or bookseller entitle the purchaser to add<br />
to that book, without the author's consent, such<br />
additional copyrighted matter or illustrations as he<br />
may think of interest to the public at the time or<br />
of advantage to his own interests ?<br />
Messrs. Putnams' action in adding to “ The<br />
Seven Seas” two new copyright poems, one picture<br />
and an index, raises the above question. It is<br />
evident that the right claimed by them, if it be a<br />
right, might be exercised in a more extensive form.<br />
and that it is of the greatest moment to authors<br />
that the law on the subject shall be ascertained<br />
and defined. We abstain from further comment<br />
pending the decision of the American Courts, but<br />
the progress of the case will be watched with the<br />
greatest interest.<br />
THE CANADIAN AUTHORS' SOCIETY.<br />
KIPLING v. PUTNAMS.<br />
N the trial ofthis case the Court of first instance<br />
leaned to the view that some of the publishers<br />
who had been joined with the Putnams as<br />
defendants should have been joined as parties with<br />
the plaintiff. In consequence of this technical point,<br />
and in order not to try the action piecemeal, the case<br />
was taken from the jury. Mr. Kipling's position<br />
is that the rights involved, which he claims have<br />
been infringed, are his personal rights, which he<br />
has not transferred to any of his publishers, and in<br />
which none of his publishers have any legal interest.<br />
An appeal has been taken and the point will be<br />
argued in due time before the proper Court of<br />
Appeals.<br />
With regard to the foregoing announcement, it<br />
will be observed that the case is still pending, and<br />
M HE following interesting notes have been sent<br />
1 from the Canadian Society of Authors. We<br />
congratulate the new Society on its growing<br />
importance. There is no doubt that Canadian<br />
authorship wants as much protection as authorship<br />
in any other country. Founded on a sound basis<br />
this Society ought, in time, to have a large and<br />
increasing influence.<br />
“ At the annual meeting held in Toronto on<br />
January 23rd, the following officers were elected<br />
for the year :<br />
Hon. President: Goldwin Smith, D.C.L.<br />
President : Hon. G. W. Ross, M.P.P.<br />
Vice-Presidents : G. R. Parkin, C.M.G., LL.D.,<br />
Louis Frechette, C.M.G., LL.D.,<br />
F. Blake Crofton.<br />
Secretary: Pelham Edgar, Ph.D.<br />
Treasurer : J. A. Cooper, B.A.<br />
Executive Committee : B. E. Walker, James Bain,<br />
jun., 0. C. Howland,<br />
Fraser Lefroy, Bernard<br />
McEvoy, Casteli Hopkins,<br />
and the officers.<br />
“The Society has largely increased in member-<br />
ship, and its meetings and receptions have been<br />
interesting and successful in every way. On<br />
June 6th the President of the Society, the Hon.<br />
G. W. Ross, the Premier of Ontario, and Mrs.<br />
Ross gave a reception in the Speaker's Chambers<br />
in honour of Dr. Louis Frechette, C.M.G., the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 21 (#397) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
21<br />
distinguished poet of the Province of Quebec.<br />
The affair was most enjoyable. and not without<br />
importance as accentuating the increasingly<br />
cordial relations between the two races in<br />
Canada."<br />
THE PUBLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL<br />
BOOKS.<br />
I.-A Warning.<br />
M HE statement has often been made by well-<br />
I known publishers, whose names it is not<br />
necessary to mention, that in the publica-<br />
tion of fiction the works that pay turn out on an<br />
average to be in the proportion of one in ten. The<br />
statement appears to be extraordinary when the<br />
number of volumes of fiction brought before the<br />
public is taken into consideration.<br />
If the assertion is correct the fair deduction to<br />
make is that either the mass of publishing houses<br />
must, almost of necessity, be on the verge of<br />
bankruptcy, or the profits on the tenth book must<br />
be enormous. Yet what is the case ?<br />
There are many large and wealthy publishing<br />
wealthy pubnishing<br />
houses whose partners or managers not only<br />
maintain great offices and large staffs, but very<br />
frequently have not only a town house but a house<br />
in the country as well. Again, the number of<br />
publishers is constantly increasing. If the business<br />
was a bad one, business men would not go in for<br />
it. The merest tyro in the doctrines of political<br />
economy must therefore conclude that, not only is<br />
the publishing business a good one, but that it<br />
pays very satisfactorily. Is this the result of the<br />
profit on the tenth novel ?<br />
An answer has been put forward to explain the<br />
statement we have referred to quite independently<br />
of the above deductions. This answer is that many<br />
of the book publishing houses only exist by reason<br />
of the profits they make out of their educational<br />
and technical publications.<br />
This opens up a subject in which the Society of<br />
Authors has long been interested, and makes it<br />
necessary to bring before the writers of educational<br />
works generally the miserable market value that<br />
they are receiving for what is an exceedingly<br />
valuable article.<br />
If the statement with regard to educational works<br />
is correct it must mean that the author is not<br />
getting a fair price for his work. The report of<br />
the sub-committee on educational books which was<br />
issued by the Society of Authors goes very strongly<br />
to prove this. The report makes the following<br />
statement :<br />
There is no literary property more valuable than a<br />
successful class-book. The yearly consumption of such<br />
books in elementary schools may be reckoned by the<br />
hundred thousand, and even in secondary schools a class-<br />
book of repute has a sale of from five to ten thousand copies<br />
a year.<br />
Hitherto the educational writer has, as a rule, been either<br />
a schoolmaster who regards what he makes by the pen as an<br />
unexpected bonus in addition to his regular salary, or else a<br />
distinguished specialist who, at the request of a publisher,<br />
writes a primer of history or geography in his leisure hours,<br />
and is content for a mere nominal sum to dispose of a valu-<br />
able property because it has cost him little time and trouble<br />
to create it.<br />
It may be argued that by so doing the scholar only wrongs<br />
himself, and that not only the publisher, but the general<br />
public, benefits by his careless generosity; as a matter of<br />
fact, it is only the publisher who gains. The published<br />
price of the book is not appreciably, if at all, affected by<br />
the consideration<br />
the consideration whether the author has been paid £10 or<br />
.£1,000 for the copyright; but the terms that a publisher is<br />
willing to give are determined by what the leading authori-<br />
ties are willing to take. In this way the market price is<br />
lowered, and the output of educational literature is stopped.<br />
It ceases to be a paying profession. In all branches of<br />
literature the professional author must expect to be<br />
under-bid by the amateur, but the conditions under<br />
which educational works appear are in some respects<br />
peculiar.<br />
Very often the inducement to write is the need that the<br />
author has felt for a certain manual or class book in his<br />
own teaching, and if he can find a publisher who will pro-<br />
duce the book he needs, and relieve him of all risk, he is<br />
indifferent to any profit.<br />
Let us urge upon all persons connected with educational<br />
literature to take over into their own hands the manage-<br />
ment, in part at least, of their own books.<br />
Then follows a brief statement of some of the<br />
cases brought to the Society's notice, which prove<br />
conclusively that the price paid for educational<br />
works is far below their market value. No doubt<br />
the publisher would say, “ We are bound to strike<br />
an average ; if we lose on fiction we must gain on<br />
technical works.” But this point cannot possibly<br />
be maintained by the author or any society that<br />
represents his profession. From the author's point<br />
of•view each book must stand or fall upon its merits,<br />
and it is unfair to cut down A. in price because B.<br />
is unsuccessful. It is necessary, therefore, after<br />
looking into the whole question, once again to place<br />
before the public the position of educational books<br />
and the value of educational property.<br />
It must not, however, for a moment be allowed<br />
that the statement with which this article opens is<br />
a true statement. It is not correct that nine works<br />
of fiction out of every ten published do not pay.<br />
The numerous accounts which come before the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors conclusively<br />
show that this is not the case. It is true that in<br />
some cases the profits are not so large as perhaps<br />
the publisher might wish. If, however, he makes<br />
a fair interest on the money expended and secures<br />
the return of his capital, he surely has done well.<br />
It is clear from many accounts that a publisher<br />
will make 5 per cent. and get the return of his<br />
capital in three months. If he can turn the same<br />
amount over twice again in the same year he will<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 22 (#398) #############################################<br />
<br />
22<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
have made 15 per cent. profit. This profit should<br />
satisfy any sound tradesman.<br />
To sum up, then, it is not true that nine books of<br />
fiction out of ten do not show a profit, otherwise the<br />
publishing business woulil cease to exist.<br />
It is not true that publishers are content to lose on<br />
fiction, but make their profit out of educational works,<br />
as many publishers do not publish educational works<br />
at all.<br />
Finally, let the Society once more impress upon<br />
its members, as well as upon those who do not<br />
belong to it, that the profit on educational books<br />
is undoubtedly very great, and that authors of such<br />
works should be very careful how they handle their<br />
property.<br />
II.-An Illustration.<br />
[Reprinted by kind permission of the Author<br />
from the Westminster Gazette of September 10th.]<br />
The information about literary earnings given from time<br />
to time to the public commonly concerns the two extremes<br />
the highly successful history, novel, or school-book, and<br />
the meritorious poem, treatise, or translation which costs<br />
its author time and trouble beyond count, and brings him<br />
in nothing or next to nothing by way of return. Everyone<br />
knows about the thousands of pounds which George Eliot<br />
received for her tales, the £20,000 which Longmans paid<br />
to Macaulay for the first edition of his History, and the<br />
fortunes which Pope in the eighteenth century and<br />
Tennyson in the nineteenth, alone among poets, built up<br />
by verse. But little is known about the earnings of the<br />
average author-i.e., of more than 90 per cent. of the<br />
men and women who make some profit by writing. Dr.<br />
Dabbs has lately given some figures which show the yearly<br />
average earned by a novelist of the second rank. This<br />
worked out at £133. His comment was that Holme Lee<br />
(the nom de plume under which the novelist worked) did<br />
well to have another occupation. My own experience is<br />
not dissimilar ; my annual earnings have been just a little<br />
larger, and I have made the greater part of my income by<br />
other occupations.<br />
' I began first forty years ago with a school-book, the idea<br />
of which was suggested to me by my own work. I was<br />
then a master in a public school. It is now practically<br />
out of print. I find that I have received from it £82 138.<br />
During the next sixteen years I published eight other<br />
school-books, five of which still sell. The most profitable<br />
has produced £216 78. ld. This is a book of elementary<br />
exercises, and certainly cost me less pains than anything<br />
else that I have done. The more elementary the book the<br />
greater the return. An edition of an English classic on<br />
which I bestowed ten times as much labour brought me in<br />
about a twentieth part of the remuneration. My eight<br />
school-books have produced a total of about £670. Not<br />
less than a quarter of a million have been sold ; but then<br />
the price was very low (I take no account of some other<br />
books of the same class which I put together, either alone<br />
or in collaboration, at a fixed price).<br />
My chief work in this direction, however, has been the<br />
translation in collaboration with a relative) of the whole<br />
of Tacitus and of five books of Livy. These occupied a<br />
large part of such leisure as I had during the years 1860-<br />
1875—I might date the beginning even earlier, for I began<br />
to work at the Tacitus early in the fifties. My receipts<br />
under this heading have been about £280 (representing,<br />
it must be remembered, half the Author's profits). It is a<br />
striking instance of the advantage of retaining, if possible,<br />
an interest in literary work that I sold my share in the<br />
translation of the Histories of Tacitus for £18, while the<br />
Annals, for which I still receive a royalty, have brought<br />
me in £212 ls. ld. This figure should be reduced to £170,<br />
as the latter book was published at a higher price, but<br />
even then the contrast is remarkable. My half share in<br />
the translation of Livy has amounted to £3158. ld. The<br />
labour on this has certainly been ill-paid. The publishers,<br />
too, cannot have found it a remunerative enterprise, ils the<br />
balance was against the book for at least ten years.<br />
I have written twenty-nine volumes which may be<br />
generally described as " Books for the Young." Among<br />
them are adaptations from the classics, sketches of Greek<br />
and Roman personages, stories of classical and mediæval<br />
times, etc. For these I have received between four and<br />
five thousand pounds. The most lucrative has been the<br />
first published," Stories from Homer," the total for which<br />
is, up to the present date, £741 12s. I may remark that<br />
the royalties on these books are necessarily small, the cost<br />
of production being largely increased by the illustrations.<br />
I receive for a book published at five shillings serenpence<br />
farthing, and for one published at three shillings and<br />
sixpence fourpence three farthings. The amount of copies<br />
sold I cannot give accurately, two of the books having<br />
been sold outright; but I may say that of the most popular<br />
about 25,000 have been sold. I will not weary my readers<br />
with further details about my books, but will give at once<br />
the total figures. The volumes which I have written alone,<br />
or in collaboration, amount to sixty-two (of which about<br />
800,000 have been sold), and the whole amount received<br />
for them may be stated approximately at £6,650. Dividing<br />
this sum by forty-the years during which I have been at<br />
work-I arrive at an average of £166. This is not an<br />
imposing figure-it has seemed incredibly small to more<br />
than one collector of taxes, but then these gentlemen take<br />
optimistic views about the incomes of other people. It<br />
certainly goes to prove the truth of the remark that<br />
literature by itself is but a poor occupation.<br />
literature by itself is<br />
If I had<br />
given my whole time to it, the pecuniary results would<br />
have been somewhat, but not proportionately, larger. An<br />
author must limit his output. As it is, my sixty-odd<br />
volumes may seem to some-and they sometimes seem to<br />
myself-preposterously numerous. It is only fair to say<br />
that I make no complaint against publishers. I have had<br />
dealings with several houses. I have commonly met with<br />
fair and sometimes with generous treatment.<br />
But I cannot help wishing that American copyright had<br />
been given earlier in my literary career. In the pre-copy-<br />
right days I received but one spontaneous acknowledgment<br />
from an American publisher. This was of £10 : the book<br />
has produced in England more than £500. Another firm,<br />
on my application, sent me £100; this was for ten volumes,<br />
the "Homer" being one of them. I find that books of this<br />
kind have a larger sale in the States than they command<br />
here. I may mention that I did a fairly profitable piece of<br />
work by writing a classical story for one of the American<br />
Reading Unions. The number of readers is certainly larger<br />
there than it is here; but the machinery of distribution is<br />
apparently very costly, and the number of “Press copies"<br />
many times greater than that usual here. The establish-<br />
ment of copyright seems to have raised the level of publish-<br />
ing morals. Property in books is regarded even when they<br />
are not protected. It would not however, I imagine, be<br />
safe for a really popular author to trust to this feeling. I<br />
may mention that I have never received a farthing from<br />
any one of the Colonies.<br />
ALFRED J. CHURCH,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 23 (#399) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
23<br />
Major-Gebeted by Ernest Radford. one hundred<br />
Scribemann in Englandshed this month bapan,"<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
Mr. Birrell has also contributed an introduction<br />
to “ Boswell's Life of Johnson," in six volumes,<br />
MONG the important books to be published which Archibald Constable & Co. publish this<br />
this autumn is “All the Russias,” by Mr. autumn. It will be illustrated with one hundred<br />
Henry Norman, M.P., author of “ People portraits selected by Ernest Radford.<br />
and Politics of the Far East,” “ The Real Japan,” Major-General Sir Reginald Clare Hart, K.C.B.,<br />
&c. It will be published this month by Mr. V.C., &c., is bringing out immediately a sixth<br />
Heinemann in England, and by Messrs. Charles edition of his book,“ Sanitation and Health.” A<br />
Scribner's Sons, in New York.<br />
third edition of his “ Reflections on the Art of<br />
“ All the Russias” will contain travel-sketches War” will also appear. To the latter has been<br />
and studies of contemporary conditions and pros- added a chapter on “ Mountain Warfare."<br />
pects in European Russia, Finland, Siberia, the Last month Mr. Grant Richards published<br />
Caucasus and Central Asia. The volume will be « The Soverane Herbe : A History of Tobacco,"<br />
lavishly illustrated, chiefly from the author's by W. A. Penn. This book is the first attempt<br />
own photographs, and will contain several maps since 1859 to adequately chronicle the develop-<br />
specially drawn to illustrate railway and national ment of smoking. The manufacture of tobacco,<br />
development..<br />
cigars, cigarettes, pipes, the literature of tobacco,<br />
Mr. Norman has visited Russia four times tobacco and genius, the hygiene of tobacco, and<br />
during the last two years, to collect his material ; many other similar matters are dealt with.<br />
during one visit he travelled more than 20,000 On October 2nd « How to Study English<br />
miles. He had previously visited Eastern Siberia Literature<br />
Literature ” will appear. It is a new volume of<br />
while travelling in the Far East. He was afforded<br />
the “How To" series. The author, Mr. T.<br />
every assistance by the highest Russian authorities,<br />
Sharper Knowlson, begins by pointing out the<br />
extending to such courtesies as a special train,<br />
difference between reading and study; then he<br />
and on another occasion to a personal escort of<br />
discusses definitions of literature, the elements of<br />
Cossacks. Mr. Norman paid special attention to<br />
the various literary forms, standards of criticism,<br />
such important questions of the day as the com-<br />
examinations, and so on. A number of fine passages<br />
mercial and industrial development of Russia, her<br />
in prose and poetry is given in an appendix.<br />
financial situation, and the employment of foreign<br />
These passages are selected by eminent authors<br />
These vas<br />
capital in Russian enterprises.<br />
and critics. The book is addressed rather to the<br />
Miss Norma Lorimer, authoress of “A Sweet home student than to the scholar.<br />
Disorder,” “Mirry Ann,” and “ Josiah's Wife,”<br />
“How to Write an Essay ” was the previous<br />
has now written à travel book entitled “ By the<br />
volume of this series. It appeared last month.<br />
Waters of Sicily." She spent three winters in<br />
Sicily gathering the impressions and information<br />
The book teaches literary inethod and sequence in<br />
essay writing, and though intended chiefly for<br />
which make this rolume. There is a love-story<br />
beginners, will not be without service to the<br />
running through it, and it has a coloured frontis-<br />
piece and sixteen full-page illustrations. It is to<br />
experienced hand.<br />
be published almost immediately by Messrs.<br />
“ The Student's Manual of English Literature,”<br />
Hutchinson & Co.<br />
being a history of English Literature and the chief<br />
Early this month Messrs. Chapman and Hall will English writers, founded upon the Manual of<br />
publish a new book by Mr. Henry Charles Moore<br />
Thomas B. Shaw, by A. Hamilton Thompson,<br />
named “Omnibuses and Cabs." It is a history of<br />
B.A., has just been published by Mr. John Murray.<br />
omnibuses, hackney-coaches and cabs from their Dr. Richard Garnett, C.B. and Mr. Edmund<br />
introduction into England to the present day. Gosse are publishing “An Illustrated History of<br />
Mr. Moore has had access to the private records of English Literature," which appeals to student and<br />
many old-established omnibus and cab proprietors. general reader alike.<br />
This book, which will be the first devoted entirely On the 17th of last month Dr. Garnett unveiled<br />
to omnibuses and cabs which has ever been issued, the London Millenary Tablet to Alfred the Great,<br />
will be amply illustrated by reproductions of rare the kingly founder of our Anglo-Saxon prose, of<br />
old engravings, prints and photographs.<br />
whom Mr. Frederic Harrison has said :<br />
Mr. Augustine Birrell will publish during the “ He laid the very foundations of our literature, the most<br />
coming season a new volume of essays, uniform noble literature the world has ever seen. He collected<br />
with the first edition of “ Obiter Dicta.” It will and preserved the poetry based on the traditions and<br />
contain, among others, articles on “ John Wesley,”<br />
legends brought from the German forests. ... He made<br />
bis children learn their songs; he had them sung in his<br />
“ The Ideal University,” and “ The Reformation.”<br />
Court. The tradition goes that he could himself sing them<br />
Mr. Elliot Stock will be the publisher.<br />
to the music of his own harp. This wild and spontaneous<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 24 (#400) #############################################<br />
<br />
24<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
poetry which Alfred preserved is the beginning of our own<br />
noble choir of poets. In other words, the foundation of<br />
that stately Palace of Literature built up by our poets and<br />
writers for the admiration and instruction and consolation<br />
of mankind was laid by Alfred. Well, but he did more<br />
than collect the poetry : he began the prose. Before Alfred<br />
there was no Anglo-Saxon prose.”<br />
The tablet has been presented to the Sir Henry<br />
Tate Public Library at Brixton by Mr. R. C.<br />
Jackson, a well-known local antiquarian. It is<br />
dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. The<br />
of bronze on an alabaster slab. The<br />
head of Alfred is carved on it, and underneath are<br />
the words : “Alfred the Great, born 849, died<br />
901.” A further inscription reads :<br />
“I desire to live worthily all my days, that after death I<br />
might leave to my successors a memory of good works<br />
done."<br />
The fifth edition of the Poet Laureate's Drama,<br />
“ England's Darling," is now issued by Messrs.<br />
Macmillan with the new title, “ Alfred the Great,"<br />
for the Millenary Anniversary of Alfred's death.<br />
Then Mr. Edmund L. Hill has given us his<br />
“ Alfred the Great." a Drama in three acts ; and<br />
the Rey. Stopford Brooke contributes a little book<br />
on “ King Alfred,” as educator of his people and<br />
man of letters.<br />
Besides these contributions to King Alfred<br />
literature, there is the popular “ Story of King<br />
Alfred," written by Sir Walter Besant for George<br />
Newnes' Library of Useful Stories (1s.). This<br />
successful little volume was a veritable labour of<br />
love ; it is a life of the greatest of all Englishmen,<br />
written for all classes of the English people.<br />
In his introduction the author says :<br />
"I desire to write such a history of the great King as<br />
shall be accessible and instructive to the great body-every<br />
year growing greater-of those who read books and wish<br />
to be acquainted with the national history. I shall<br />
endeavour not to exaggerate the achievements of the King<br />
—they want no exaggeration ; or to overstate the obligations<br />
which the posterity of Alfred owe to his memory—they can<br />
hardly be over-stated. The plain and unvarnished story<br />
should be sufficient. I would rather write a book for the<br />
people than anything else that the world can offer."<br />
A new version of Asser's “Life of King Alfred”<br />
is being issued at once by the Oxford University<br />
Press. It is edited from the MS. by M. W. A.<br />
Stevenson of Exeter College. He also contributes<br />
an introduction and commentary. “The Annals<br />
of St. Neot,” which have been wrongly ascribed<br />
to Asser, will be included in this volume.<br />
The name of Alfred's country has been revived<br />
by a Wessex man, Thomas Hardy, and now Mr.<br />
John Lane is publishing Professor Windle's book<br />
dealing with “ The Wessex of Thomas Hardy."<br />
Professor Windle loves Mr. Hardy's Wessex, and<br />
has been exploring it for years. Mr. E. H. New<br />
illustrates it, and it is dedicated to "to the onlie<br />
Begetter of this Wessex.” Mr. Hardy has given<br />
the writer valuable assistance, which is duly<br />
acknowledged.<br />
The Rev. Thomas Davidson, M.A., the editor of<br />
Chambers' English Dictionary, has now finished<br />
his work on Chambers' Twentieth Century Dic-<br />
tionary of the English language. It contains<br />
over a hundred thousand references, and all the<br />
most recent words entitled to a place in a<br />
dictionary of the English language.<br />
An important new work is being published by<br />
Messrs. Cassell & Co. It is called “ London<br />
Afternoons,” being chapters on the social life,<br />
architecture, and records of the great city and<br />
its neighbourhood. There are sixty full-page<br />
illustrations. The author is the Rev. W. J.<br />
Loftie, B.A., F.S.A., author of “In and out of<br />
London," " A History of London,” &c. Mr.<br />
Loftie is a recognised authority on the subject.<br />
There are descriptions of London at various<br />
periods, and of visits to interesting places—the<br />
scenes of great events or famous for sylvan beauty<br />
in its environs. The illustrations are selected<br />
from drawings, old prints, and modern photographs.<br />
Messrs. Chatto and Windus have published a<br />
cheaper edition of Sir Walter Besant's very<br />
successful “ South London.” This popular<br />
edition, with an etching by F. S. Walker and<br />
110 illustrations, costs 78. 6d.<br />
Mr. M. H. Spielmann, editor of “The Magazine<br />
of Art," and author of “ The History of Punch,"<br />
&c., has produced a book entitled “ British<br />
Sculpture and Sculptors of To-day.” This volume<br />
consists of 176 large 4to pages, and there are<br />
some 200 illustrations, representing most of the<br />
Pancipal<br />
principal works of living artists in all the branches<br />
of sculpture. About sixty sculptors will be<br />
represented. Messrs. Cassell & Co. are the<br />
In “ The Magazine of Art ” yearly volume,<br />
published by the same firm, Mr. Spielmann has<br />
written two special articles, viz. : “Gems of the<br />
Wallace Collection” and “Her Majesty Queen<br />
Victoria and the Fine Arts.”<br />
A number of arnorts have not winter too hool-<br />
on“ Dangerous Trades," to be published very shortly<br />
by Mr. John Murray. It is edited by Dr. T. Oliver,<br />
M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., and deals with the historical,<br />
social, and legal aspects of industrial occupations<br />
as affecting public health.<br />
Among the contributors are: Miss Anderson,<br />
H.M. Principal Lady Inspector of Factories ; Mr.<br />
and Mrs. H. J. Tennant; Miss M. McMillan ;<br />
Dr. T. Oliver; Mr. H. J. Wilson, H.M. Inspector<br />
of Factories ; Dr. Haldane; Commander Hamilton<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 25 (#401) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
25<br />
Smith, R.N.; Dr. Whitelegge, H.M. Chief Iu-<br />
spector of Factories, Home Office ; Miss Deane,<br />
Miss Paterson, and Miss Rose Squire, H.M.<br />
Inspectors of Factories.<br />
Mrs. Humphry Ward has contributed a pre-<br />
face to “ The Case for the Factory Acts,” which is<br />
edited by Mrs. Sydney Webb. Mr. Grant Richards<br />
is the publisher.<br />
Mr. John Murray is publishing “A General<br />
History of Europe, 350-1900," by Oliver J.<br />
Thatcher and Ferdinand Schwill. It has been<br />
revised and adapted to the requirements of English<br />
colleges and schools by Arthur Hassall, M.A.,<br />
Christ Church, Oxford. There are biographies at<br />
the end of each section. These and the maps are<br />
special features of the book.<br />
Mr. Gilbert Parker's new novel is called “ The<br />
Right of Way.” It deals with a marriage problem,<br />
Mr. Heinemann is the publisher.<br />
“The Giant's Gate," just issued by Messrs.<br />
Cassell & Co., is Mr. Max Pemberton's longest<br />
novel. It is the story of a French soldier who<br />
made himself so popular in Paris that the French<br />
people wished to make him Emperor. The author<br />
gives us pictures of storm and calm, of barrack and<br />
palace, of the haunts of the Anarchists and of those<br />
who are conspiring against the Republic. Some<br />
of the scenes are laid in England, some by the<br />
Riviera ; but the most thrilling scenes of action<br />
take place in Paris. Mr. Pemberton has been<br />
able to study many little-known phases of life<br />
in modern Paris.<br />
Miss Rosa N. Carey's new novel, “ Herb of<br />
Rosa. N. Carey's new, novel; “ Herb of<br />
Grace," just issued by Messrs. Macmillan, concerns<br />
the fortunes of a certain Malcolm Herrick and a<br />
much younger friend, Cedric Templeton, to whom<br />
he acts as a good Providence, rescuing him from an<br />
entanglement of gaming debts, and also from an<br />
undesirable engagement. In the end, after many<br />
disappointments, Herrick is rewarded with the<br />
affections of Cedric's sister. There are many<br />
characters in this novel who play small but<br />
necessary parts and help to maintain the interest.<br />
· Miss Helen M. Burnside has compiled a “ Birth-<br />
day Book” from the works of Miss Rosa Nouchette<br />
Carey, with original introductory verses. The<br />
volume will be out shortly, and the publishers are<br />
Messrs. S. H. Bousfield & Co.<br />
Messrs. Macmillan have taken over from other<br />
publishers those stories not already in their lists,<br />
and are now issuing “ The Light of Scarthey,”<br />
previously published by Messrs. Harper. “ Con.<br />
sequences" and "The Pride of Jennico ” are at<br />
the same time issued in a binding uniform with it,<br />
and at the same price—3s. 6d.<br />
In that popular romance, “The Light of Scar-<br />
they,” the author tells how the story came to be<br />
written ; he also answers some questions certain<br />
readers might ask, he replies to some of his critics,<br />
and he speaks boldly in honour of Fiction.<br />
A novel by Geraldine Kemp, entitled “ Ingram,"<br />
will be published shortly by Messrs. Chapman and<br />
Hall.<br />
The same firm have just published the novels of<br />
Samuel Richardson in twenty small crown 850<br />
volumes, 28. 6d. net. There are seventy-eight<br />
illustrations, reproduced from the engravings of<br />
Thomas Stothard and E. F. Burney, and a portrait<br />
of Richardson.<br />
A year or two ago Mr. Rider Haggard published<br />
his novel “ Dr. Therne,” in which he advocates<br />
vaccination. We are now to have a reply to it<br />
entitled “Lord Dorchester : or the End of Dr.<br />
Therne.” The author is Lieut.-General Arthur<br />
Phelps, President of the Anti-Vaccination Society.<br />
Mr. A. W. Marchmont's new novel, “ For Love<br />
or Crown," runs on the same lines as his successful<br />
“By Right of Sword.”<br />
Mr. Hamilton Aidé has just published his new<br />
novel, “ The Snares of the World," through Mr.<br />
John Murray. The heroine is an Irish girl who,<br />
after trials and various experiences, happily marries<br />
the right man.<br />
Messrs. Nisbet have brought out a book which<br />
contains new information about the childhood of<br />
Queen Victoria. Mrs. Gerald Gurney is the<br />
authoress of it. She is the grand-daughter of<br />
Bishop Blomfield, one of the Queen's early advisers.<br />
Mrs. Ġurney has been able to make use of letters<br />
and papers written by the Duchess of Kent and<br />
various friends of that period. These have to do<br />
with the education and training of the Queen.<br />
The King has sanctioned their publication.<br />
The third and concluding volume of the supple-<br />
ment to the “ Dictionary of National Biography,"<br />
which will be published very shortly, will contain<br />
a memoir of Queen Victoria.<br />
Mr. Hall Caine has revised the MS. of Mr. Fred<br />
Kenyon's monograph, “ Hall Caine, the Man and<br />
the Novelist,” which forms the next volume in<br />
series. Letters by Gladstone, Ruskin, and other<br />
famous men will be found in this little volume,<br />
together with some hitherto unpublished remin-<br />
iscences of Mr. Hall Caine which were compiled by<br />
the Rev. W. Pierce.<br />
Messrs. Fisher Unwin are the publishers of<br />
Mrs. Archibald Little's new book on China.<br />
Among other points she aims at making the Boxer<br />
movement clearly understood by the ordinary<br />
English reader.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 26 (#402) #############################################<br />
<br />
26<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
“ Andrey," by Miss Mary Johnston, the authoress Russians well. For five years he was a University<br />
of “ The Old Dominion,” and “ By Order of the Professor, and much of his life has been spent<br />
Company,” is announced for publication early next in Russia. Dr. Dillon can speak with authority<br />
year by Miss Johnston's publishers, Messrs. Archi- regarding Tolstoy, for his personal knowledge of the<br />
bald Constable & Co. Her two previous books great writer extends over a number of years. Messrs.<br />
have already reached a sale of over 426,000 copies Hodder and Stoughton are to be the publishers.<br />
in England and America.<br />
“ Letters on Life,” by Claudius Clear, will also<br />
The same firm have arranged to issue, in fifteen be published this autumn.<br />
volumes, a pocket edition of Mr. George Meredith's<br />
“ Tom Genuflex ; or, Life's Little Day,” is the<br />
novels. The books will be bound in red cloth, and<br />
title of a new novel by the lady who writes under<br />
the author's autograph will be the only ornament.<br />
the nom de guerre of “ Aunt Cherry.” The book<br />
They will be printed on paper specially manufac-<br />
is published by the authoress, and copies can be<br />
tured for this edition, and the text will be that<br />
of the finally revised édition de luxe. There will be<br />
obtained from her at Llwyn-y-brain, Whitland,<br />
South Wales.<br />
two prices—2s. 6d, net, or 3s. 6d. net per volume,<br />
bound in full leather.<br />
The King and Queen have accepted copies of<br />
Messrs. Archibald Constable & Co. will also<br />
Mrs. Aylmer Gowing's lines on “ Victoria Day" ;<br />
publish the Works of Tobias Smollett, in twelve<br />
also of her last novel, “ A Spider's Web.” A sixpenny<br />
volumes, deniy 8vo, 78. 6d. net each volume.<br />
edition of this work appeared in August, published<br />
Mr. W. E. Henley contributes an introduction,<br />
by T. Burleigh.<br />
and there will be photogravure frontispieces. The<br />
Mrs. Ernest Ames's new book for children is<br />
works will be sold in sets only.<br />
called “ The Bedtime Book," and, like last year's<br />
The works of William Hazlitt are to be added<br />
“ Tremendous Twins," will contain twenty-four<br />
full-page pictures in colours. Mr. Grant Richards<br />
to Mr. Grant Richards' “ World's Classics.” A<br />
start is to be made immediately with “ Table<br />
is the publisher.<br />
Talk; Essays on Men and Manners.” In the In October Messrs. Jarrold will publish a new<br />
same series will appear immediately “The Vicar story, “Worth the Struggle," by Miss Montgomery<br />
of Wakefield.” Both books, as with previous Campbell, whose last year's book, “ Not Wise but<br />
volumes of the series, will appear in cloth and<br />
Fond,” is to appear shortly in its third edition. It<br />
leather bindings.<br />
has met with quite exceptional success for parish<br />
libraries.<br />
Mr. E. W. Hornung has written a new book,<br />
which he has called “The Black Mask," wherein “A Mackenzie Bell Treasury” is the title of a<br />
he relates further episodes in the career of those small pretty paper-covered volume, price 3d., pub-<br />
amiable scoundrels “ Bunny” and “Raffles," lished in London by Thomas Burleigh. The poems<br />
familiar to readers of “ The Amateur Cracks are selected by Albert Broadbent, who publishes<br />
man.” In “ The Black Mask” the amateurs have them in Manchester.<br />
become professionals. Mr. Grant Richards is to Among the best selling fiction lately published<br />
publish it shortly.<br />
are “ The Eternal City," by Mr. Haīl Caine ;<br />
On October 4th Messrs. Nisbet & Co. will “Tristram of Blent," by Anthony Hope; “The<br />
publish “ The Dolly Dialogues,” by Anthony Hope. Lady of Lynn," by Sir Walter Besant ; “ Love<br />
There will be four new dialogues, and there will and His Mask," by Ménie Muriel Dowie (Mrs.<br />
be illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy. The Henry Norman); and “The Serious Wooing,” by<br />
price is 68., but there will be a special Presentation John Oliver Hobbes.<br />
Edition at 10s. 6d.<br />
Among this season's books will be “Three<br />
Mrs. Alec Tweedie's new book, “Mexico as I saw Stories and a Play,” by John Oliver Hobbes, also<br />
it,” is to appear almost immediately. There are over the new Haymarket play by the same author.<br />
one hundred illustrations, taken on the spot, and the Messrs. Hutchinson are about to publish a book<br />
writer has also contributed water-colour sketches of travels by the late Sir Richard Burton, K.C.M.G.<br />
Mrs. Tweedie was present at the latest Aztec excava- Mr. W. H. Wilkins has edited it, and has also con-<br />
tions, which are the richest finds yet made in tributed a Preface and Notes. This book covers<br />
Mexico. There is a special chapter on mining the period from 1853 to 1870, the most active<br />
and trade, as well as a map. Messrs. Hurst and years of Burton's active life ; they began with the<br />
Blackett are the publishers here, and Macmillan Pilgrimage to Mecca and ended with his recall to<br />
in America.<br />
Damascus. The editor has allowed Burton to give<br />
Mr. Heinemann will publish a "Life of Tolstoy," in his own words an epitome of his principal travels<br />
by Dr. E. J. Dillon, who knows Russia and the during the period mentioned. Certain local and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 27 (#403) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
27<br />
topical allusions have been deleted, and where the one which Madame Bernhardt will perform.<br />
notes were too sketchy they have been amplified; Monsieur Schwob, who made the prose translation of<br />
otherwise they are reproduced exactly as they left “Hamlet,” has not collaborated with Mr. Crawford.<br />
the author's hands.<br />
His version is simply an accurate translation of<br />
Messrs. Hutchinson are also publishing “In an Mr. Crawford's English drama.<br />
unknown Prison Land,” by George Griffith, author Mr. Crawford has drawn his play from the true<br />
of " The Angel and the Revolution,” “The Out- story of Francesca da Rimini, and not from the<br />
laws of the Air," &c. This prison land is New current legends. He has strong evidence to show<br />
Caledonia, and in it Mr. Griffith gives an account that he has found the actual room in which<br />
of his voyage to the penal settlement, and what he Francesca was murdered, in the castle near Rimini.<br />
saw of the life there during his stay in an official<br />
capacity for a large corporation. There are to be<br />
A five-act tragedy, “Francesca da Rimini,”<br />
thirty-two illustrations.<br />
has just been completed by Signor Gabriele<br />
D'Annunzio, and Madame Eleonora Duse will play<br />
Mr. Frankfort Moore's new novel is entitled<br />
the leading rôle. Rehearsals are to begin at<br />
“A Nest of Linnets.” Most of the action of the<br />
Florence on October 15th. Each act of the tragedy<br />
story takes place in Bath and the neighbourhood.<br />
is divided into five scenes ; there are fifty dramatis<br />
Sheridan's love story forms the central interest,<br />
persona. An overture precedes the first act, and<br />
and such well-known characters as Dr. Johnson,<br />
each act has a musical prelude.<br />
Horace Walpole, the Duchess of Devonshire, David<br />
Garrick, Mr. Boswell and Mrs. Thrale are intro-<br />
Mr. Edward Rose's adaptation of Mr. Stanley<br />
duced by the author, whose “ Jessamy Bride " told Weyman's “ Under the Red Robe” will very<br />
the love story of Oliver Goldsmith.<br />
shortly be revived by Mr. Herbert Waring at the<br />
“Nine Unlikely Tales" is the name of Mrs. E.<br />
Imperial Theatre.<br />
Nesbit's new book for children, published by Mr.<br />
Mr. Hall Caine's drama, founded on his novel<br />
T. Fisher Unwin. There are a number of black “The Eternal City,” has already been produced,<br />
and white illustrations by H. R. Millar. Mrs. E. under the author's direction, at the Gaiety Theatre,<br />
Nesbit is known as the authoress of “ The Treasure Isle of Man.<br />
Seekers,” a children's book, illustrated by Gordon Mr. J. M. Barrie's new play, “Quality Street,” is<br />
Brown and Lewis Baumer ; and of “ The Would-be to be produced in America by Miss Maud Adams,<br />
Goods,” a sequel to “ The Treasure Seekers.” Mr. while another American actress, Miss Blanche<br />
Fisher Unwin is the publisher of both.<br />
Walsh, is to appear in a dramatic version of Mr.<br />
The authorised biography of Robert Louis S. R. Crockett's “ Joan of the Sword Hand.” Miss<br />
Stevenson by his cousin, Mr. Grahain Balfour, Walsh now has her much-desired chance of playing<br />
will be published immediately by Messrs. Methuen. a male part. Readers will remember that in the<br />
It will be in two volumes, and will be uniform with novel, Duchess Joan of Hobenstein, in order to<br />
the Edinburgh edition.<br />
see the man to whom she is betrothed as other<br />
Messrs. Pearson are publishing an authorised<br />
men see him, goes to his principality in male<br />
biography of Miss Ellen Terry and her sisters.<br />
attire.<br />
Mr. T. Edgar Pemberton is the writer, and both “Ben Hur,” which is to be produced at Drury<br />
Miss Ellen Terry and Sir Henry Irving have given Lane next Easter by Messrs. Klau and Erlanger,<br />
him assistance. It is illustrated.<br />
began its third American year at the Illinois<br />
Mrs. W. K. Clifford, who lately published a new<br />
Theatre, Chicago, last month.<br />
novel, “A Woman Alone,” through Messrs. General Lew Wallace, the author of this well-<br />
Methuen, has a play in last month's “Fortnightly." known book, was asked not long ago for permission<br />
It is called “ A Long Duel : A Serious Comedy." to translate it into Arabic. There is an Arabic<br />
There are four acts, and the scene is laid in France. translation already in existence, made by Dr. Van<br />
It is founded on a short story of Mrs. Clifford's, Dyck, the oldest Protestant missionary at Beirut,<br />
written in 1891.<br />
Syria. Bedouins play a prominent part in the<br />
Madame Sarah Bernhardt has signed a contract story.<br />
to produce at her theatre in Paris a drama written Mr. H. V. Esmond's new play " When we were<br />
by Mr. Marion Crawford. The subject is “Francesca Twenty-one,” which has had a successful career in<br />
da Rimini.” Mr. Crawford wrote the play in English, the United States, was produced last month, for<br />
but made a rough French translation, which he the first time, at the Comedy Theatre, and seems<br />
read to Madame Bernhardt when she was in London in for a long run. Mr. Esmond's play “ The Wil-<br />
this summer. Since then it has been arranged derness," produced by Mr. Alexander last season,<br />
that Monsieur Marcel Schwob's version will be the was an undoubted success.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 28 (#404) #############################################<br />
<br />
28<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Judging from Dr. Georg Brandes' report, there<br />
IS IT FAIR JOURNALISM ?<br />
seems no doubt that Dr. Hendrik Ibsen is dying.<br />
Writing from Christiania Dr. Brandes says :-<br />
To the Editor of THE AUTHOR.<br />
"Nothing can be compared with the intense interest<br />
SIR,—Here is a choice specimen of what I take<br />
everybody takes in Ibsen's condition. Three physicians to be quite a unique violation of accepted journalistic<br />
are attending him, the State bearing all expenses. Nearly<br />
all day he rests in bed or on a lounge, being unable to<br />
Letters of mine addressed to the Editor appear-<br />
move his legs. He has become irritable beyond conception.<br />
He is quarrelsome, and finds fault with everything and ing in a well-known suburban newspaper are often<br />
everybody; but his mind is not affected. It is just as clear calmly appropriated the following week by another<br />
and sharp as it used to be, and he works almost daily for organ serving the same district. No acknowledg.<br />
two hours. He is writing the “Apologia’ of his life.<br />
ment of their source is ever given. I may add that<br />
Whether this will be a drama or an essay no one knows,<br />
and he himself will not tell. With characteristic stubborn.<br />
the same paper recently reproduced oneof my articles<br />
ness he refuses the aid of an amanuensis, and writes every in the same cool fashion. Perhaps some fellow-<br />
word himself.”<br />
scribblers may have been similarly treated and would<br />
“ The Calling of the Weir" is the title of a<br />
favour us with a record of their experiences, with<br />
novel, by the Rev. Frederick Langbridge, which mode of remonstrance ?<br />
OLD BIRD.<br />
Messrs. Digby, Long & Co. will publish in<br />
October.<br />
AUTHORS' CLUB, S.W.,<br />
September 17th, 1901.<br />
Mr. Martin Harvey will produce at Dublin, on<br />
the 7th October, a drama dealing with the story of<br />
Eugene Aram, by Messrs. Freeman Wills and<br />
Frederick Langbridge. The authors, while follow-<br />
SIR,—Complaints are inade by your corre-<br />
ing roughly the sequence of Lord Lytton's novel,<br />
spondents from time to time of defacement of their<br />
have deepened the spiritual side of the interest<br />
and have trusted entirely to their own dialogue.<br />
MSS. by editors and publishers' readers—certainly<br />
a very irritating practice, and one that entitles<br />
The title of the play is “ After All.”<br />
the owner of the Ms. to our hearty sympathy.<br />
“ Iris," Mr. Pinero's remarkable new play, was<br />
At the same time, may I inquire whether these<br />
produced at the Garrick Theatre on the evening<br />
things are done by really good houses ? I am<br />
of September 21st. It was received with great afraid to say how many times my last MS. novel<br />
enthusiasm. Miss Fay Davis played the part of<br />
has been returned : but they were all first-class<br />
Iris, while Mr. Oscar Asche interpreted Maldonado,<br />
firms to which I sent it, and in no case has it been<br />
the half-civilised Jew, the grandson of a Spanish defaced--a very light pencil note of a few words<br />
Jew. Maldonado is a compound of prudence and was once made on one of the pages ; possibly<br />
passion. There are five acts, and two of the acts numbers may have been written on the title-page<br />
are subdivided into three episodes. “ Iris" is a (a thing which certainly happens to copy sent to<br />
strong tragedy. At the fall of the curtain authoreditors). One could always send a front sheet<br />
and actors were repeatedly called by an appreciative<br />
with title, address, &c., written by oneself. This<br />
first-night audience.<br />
could be renewed without applying to the typist,<br />
and it is easy to point out in the accompanying<br />
letter that the rest of the MS. is type written. I<br />
never received any but a courteous letter of refusal,<br />
sometimes containing a word or two of kindly<br />
criticism or explanation. My experience of editors<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
is the same as my experience of publishers. I<br />
should be very sorry to express anything but the<br />
WANTED: A REFERENCE.<br />
sincere sympathy I feel for authors suffering from<br />
“ A Poor Novelist's” very real grievance, but it<br />
To the Editor of THE AUTHOR.<br />
seems right, as well as satisfactory, to say when one<br />
has been well treated.<br />
SIR,—I should be greatly obliged if any of your<br />
readers could tell me the author and date and<br />
FRANCES HEATH FRESHFIELD.<br />
place of publication of the following :-<br />
“ Qui cessat esse melior, cessat esse bonus.”<br />
I have searched all the quotation books in vain.<br />
Quinx.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 28 (#405) #############################################<br />
<br />
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M. J. C., 31, LAMMAS PARK ROAD, EALING, W.<br />
Literary Agents.--Authors are warned against dealing with<br />
any Literary Agent without re erring to the Society for infor-<br />
mation. Authors are also warned not to sign Agreements on the<br />
advice of Literary Agents alone. All Agreements should be<br />
submitted to the Society for advice.<br />
By Order, G. HERBERT THRING,<br />
Secretary Society of Authors,<br />
39, Old Queen Street, Sturey's Gate, S.W.<br />
TYPEWRITING.<br />
Authors' MSS. accurately copied from 8d. per 1,000<br />
words. Experienced in all kinds of scientific and<br />
difficult MSS. Reduction for large quantities.<br />
MISS, CARRINGTON,<br />
27, Kelmscott Road, Clapham, S.W.<br />
The “Forms of Agreements" issued by the Publishers'<br />
Association can be obtained at the Office, with a full explanation<br />
of their meaning, price 1s. post free. Authors are warned not<br />
to sign any agreement which may embudy the Clauses exposed<br />
without submitting it first 10 the Society.<br />
By Order, G. HERBERT THRING,<br />
Secreta y Soc ety of Authors,<br />
39, Old Qat en Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.<br />
Printed by BRADBURY, AGNEW, & Co. LD., and Published by them for THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (INCORPORATED),<br />
at 10, Bouverie Street, London, E.C. | https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/346/1901-10-01-The-Author-12-3.pdf | publications, The Author |
| 347 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/347 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 04 (November 1901) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+04+%28November+1901%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 04 (November 1901)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1901-11-01-The-Author-12-4 | | | | | 29–52 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1901-11-01">1901-11-01</a> | | | | | | | 4 | | | 19011101 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
-<br />
-<br />
Vol. XII.—No. 4.<br />
NOVEMBER 1, 1901.<br />
PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
--- =-<br />
----<br />
-----<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
PAGE<br />
..<br />
...<br />
...<br />
34<br />
...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
42<br />
General Memoranda ....<br />
Warnings to Dramatic Authors ... ...<br />
How to Use the Society<br />
The Reading Branch ... ... ... ...<br />
Notices ... ... ... ... ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Author:<br />
From the Committee ...<br />
The Work of the Society<br />
Authorities<br />
...<br />
30, 31<br />
:* ::::<br />
Author and Literary Agent<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property<br />
An Old to a Young Reviewer ...<br />
"" ...<br />
The Publication of Educational Books<br />
Bookselling ... ...<br />
King Alfred as an Author...<br />
The Authors' Club<br />
Book and Play Talk ... ...<br />
Correspondence... ... ...<br />
... ... ...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
51<br />
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
hlication. By us forms of is explained: diff<br />
1. The Annual Report for the current year. ls.<br />
2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary<br />
Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 58. 6d. per annum,<br />
post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 10s. 6d. per vol.<br />
3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 2s.<br />
4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 1s.<br />
5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.)<br />
6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the<br />
papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to<br />
Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the<br />
various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their<br />
agreements. 3s.<br />
Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at<br />
the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and<br />
advice. 2s.<br />
7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With<br />
Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the<br />
American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. ls. 6d.<br />
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT<br />
(Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). ls.<br />
9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST<br />
LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d.<br />
10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association; with Comments. By<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 1s.<br />
[All prices net. Amply to the Secretary, 39, ou Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.JI.]<br />
Ameri<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 28 (#408) #############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
-<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT,<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL.<br />
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., ('.S.I. | AUSTIN DOBSON.<br />
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETOX-WAKE.<br />
J. M. BARRIE.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.<br />
A. W. A BECKETT.<br />
A. W. DU BOURG,<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
ROBERT BATEMAN.<br />
SiR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.<br />
F.R.S.<br />
J. C. PARKINSON.<br />
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G.<br />
D, W. FRESHFIELD,<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.<br />
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD PIR-<br />
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE.<br />
BRIGHT, F.R.S<br />
THE RIGHT Hox. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. | SYDNEY GRUNDY,<br />
SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH. ! H. RIDER HAGGARD,<br />
LL.D.<br />
CLERE.<br />
THOMAS HARDY.<br />
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.<br />
HALL CAINE.<br />
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
E. Rose.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
JEROME K. JEROME.<br />
W. BAPTISTE SCOONES.<br />
P. W. CLAYDEN.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
Miss FLORA L. SHAW.<br />
EDWARD CLODD.<br />
RUDYARD KIPLING.<br />
G. R, SIMS.<br />
W. MORRIS COLLES.<br />
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.<br />
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER.<br />
THE RIGHT Hox.W.E. H.LECKY, M.P. J.J. STEVENSON.<br />
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
MRS. CRAIGIE.<br />
THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.<br />
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
E. MARION CRAWFORD,<br />
SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD,<br />
THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD ('URZON PROF. J. M. D, MEIKLEJOHN.<br />
OF KEDLESTON.<br />
llon. Counsel - E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.<br />
Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
A. W. , BECKETT.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D).<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY,<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, V.P.<br />
E. ROSE.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
SUB-COMMITTEES.<br />
Hox. John COLLIER (Chairman).<br />
I<br />
M. H. SPIELMANN,<br />
ART.<br />
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
COPYRIGHT.<br />
A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
W. M, COLLES.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman).<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
DRAMA.<br />
F. C. BURNAND.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
EDWARD ROSE.<br />
Solicitors_<br />
FIELD), ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
i G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W.<br />
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING.<br />
OFFICES: 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 29 (#409) #############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
( The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.--No. 4.<br />
NOVEMBER 1st, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
-<br />
-<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
ITERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
M agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of patting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“Cost of Production.'<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :-<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
13.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 30 (#410) #############################################<br />
<br />
30<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning,<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTIJORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS. includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
lieaders are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
TIHE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
1. D VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
clesirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer,<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
for<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed<br />
or initialled the Authors alone are responsible.<br />
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken<br />
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless<br />
such is especially stated to be the case.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Inion Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 31 (#411) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
31<br />
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.<br />
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors<br />
has been removed to-<br />
39, OLD QUEEN STREET,<br />
STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
The Secretary during the last month has dealt<br />
with seven fresh cases, in three of which he has<br />
already been successful. With the exception of<br />
three cases which are still in the course of negotia-<br />
tion, he has satisfactorily terminated those that<br />
were before him at the date of publication of last<br />
month's Author. The Committee have determined<br />
to take counsel's opinion on behalf of one of their<br />
members in a complicated case on the interpretation<br />
of an agreement where a large amount of literary<br />
property is involved.<br />
The Committee have decided to call a meeting of<br />
the Copyright Sub-committee, with a view to again<br />
raising the question of the Copyright Bill. The<br />
course that the Copyright Sub-committee adopts<br />
will be reported in due course in these columns.<br />
NOTICE.<br />
M HE EDITOR begs to inform members of the<br />
Authors' Society and other readers of The<br />
Author that the cases which are from time<br />
to time quoted in The Author are cases that hare<br />
come before the notice or to the knowledge of the<br />
Secretary of the Society, and that those members<br />
of the Society who desire to have the names of<br />
the publishers concerned can obtain them on<br />
application.<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
M HE following is the total of donations and<br />
1 subscriptions promised or received up to<br />
the 1st October, 1901.<br />
Further sums will be acknowledged from month<br />
to month as they are received, as it has been con-<br />
sidered unnecessary to print the full list with<br />
every issue.<br />
Donations ........<br />
...........£1439 16 6<br />
Subscriptions...<br />
......... 107 18 6<br />
Sir Walter Besant Memorial.<br />
The Committee feel that the debt of gratitude<br />
owed by the Society to their founder, Sir Walter<br />
Besant, should be adequately recorded in a per-<br />
manent memorial, and are sure that all members<br />
of the Society will share this feeling. In their<br />
opinion such memorial should commemorate not<br />
only his distinction as a novelist, and as an<br />
historian and a citizen of London, but also his<br />
services to his fellow writers, and the special<br />
position he occupied amongst them.<br />
The summer holidays intervening have caused<br />
a certain amount of delay in the Committee's<br />
action, but they have conferred with Lady Besant,<br />
who gives the project her cordial approval. The<br />
approval of George Meredith, the President of<br />
the Society, has also been accorded to it, and it<br />
has been decided, with the sanction of the Dean<br />
and Chapter, to place a memorial in the crypt of<br />
St. Paul's, adjacent to the tablet that commemorates<br />
Charles Reade.<br />
Mr. George Frampton, A.R.A., has promised to<br />
undertake the work, and it is hoped that such a<br />
sum will be raised as will enable the scheme to be<br />
carried out in a manner worthy of its object.<br />
A letter has already been sent to the members<br />
of the Council of the Society, and in due course<br />
a circular containing further particulars will be<br />
sent out to all mernbers, and from time to time<br />
the list of subscriptions will be published in The<br />
Author.<br />
The Committee make this statement as a pre-<br />
liminary notice, in order that it may not appear<br />
to those who loved and admired our late founder<br />
that any unnecessary delay has taken place in<br />
organising the expression of the affection and<br />
regret felt towards their founder by the members<br />
of the Society.<br />
Oct. 10, Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet)<br />
Oct. 15, Rossi, Miss L. ...<br />
5 5<br />
0 10<br />
0<br />
6<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
VER. OWEN SEAMAN has been elected<br />
y a member of the Council of the Society of<br />
Authors and member of the Committee<br />
of Management.<br />
Mrs. Harrison (Lucas Malet) has been elected a<br />
member of the Council.<br />
The Committee elected at their meeting in<br />
vctober twenty-five members and eight associates<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 32 (#412) #############################################<br />
<br />
32<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
TT will be our endeavour to publish in every<br />
1 number of The Author at least one article from<br />
the pen of some well-known member of our<br />
Society. Several have already promised to write<br />
articles on some literary subject which will be of<br />
interest to their fellow-writers, and we trust that,<br />
on reading this notice, other members will volun-<br />
tarily offer their services. The length of such<br />
articles ought to be about four columns.<br />
The above paragraph points the reason of the<br />
failure of the commission book. A publisher has<br />
nothing to work for if he publishes a commission<br />
book, and therefore, in the great majority of cases.<br />
a work put on the market under an arrangement<br />
of this kind is bound to fail. If it is successful, it<br />
is generally owing to the action of the author. not<br />
of the publisher<br />
Until the publisher rise<br />
Until the publisher rises up who will publish<br />
nothing but commission books, the same resnlt will<br />
alway<br />
always occur.<br />
We have inserted a notice in The Author con-<br />
cerning the bona fides of the cases quoted in its<br />
pages. It has been necessary to do so owing to the<br />
fact that a great many detractors of the Society have<br />
stated that these cases never really occurred. The<br />
main reasons for withholding names are generally<br />
two. Firstly, the fear of the member concerned lest<br />
he should be involved in an action for libel ; and<br />
secondly, his dislike for any publicity which he con-<br />
siders may prejudice him should he be seeking<br />
further publication.<br />
The latter point, no doubt, acts as a very strong<br />
lever. Members of the Society used to fear the<br />
publication of the fact that they were members, on<br />
the ground that publishers would refuse to deal with<br />
them, and even now there are some who are afraid<br />
of this position. This is one of the reasons why<br />
the votes of the members of the Society were against<br />
the publication of a list of members. This fear,<br />
however, has to a great extent passed away, and<br />
subscribers to the Society are only too anxious to<br />
proclaim their membership when they are in diffi-<br />
culties with publishers. As a matter of fact, there<br />
are those who are not members, and never have<br />
been, who are only too glad at times to make a<br />
false statement in order to bring a publisher to a<br />
reasonable understanding.<br />
The discussion of this subject calls to our mind<br />
the question of the one-book man, which has<br />
been mentioned in The Author from time to time.<br />
Now that the war has been raging in South Africa<br />
for some time, the point is perhaps brought more<br />
forcibly before the public.<br />
Many on their return from South Africa desire<br />
to publish their reminiscences, and laying their<br />
maiden effort at the feet of a publisher are met<br />
with the usual answer that there are too many books<br />
of the kind on the market, but that, if the author<br />
cares to pay for the cost of production, he will<br />
publish the book on commission. This is the<br />
publisher's harvest. It is quite certain that the<br />
one-book man, whether he is a yeoman returning<br />
from the war, or whether he is a man of distinction<br />
writing his memoirs, will not, as a rule, obtain<br />
advice on a matter of this kind. He will trust<br />
himself to the publisher as he would to his con-<br />
fidential adviser—the pity of it.<br />
The absurdity of the position has often been<br />
mentioned, but the fact remains the same. The<br />
consequence is, a considerable outlay by the author<br />
usually exceeding the ordinary market price of the<br />
cost of production of the book, and no return in<br />
the way of profits. The reason of the lack of profits<br />
arises, firstly, because—coming back to Sir Walter<br />
Scott's statement—the publishers have no stimulus<br />
to push the book ; secondly, because of the over-<br />
charge (this word is not the word used by the<br />
publishers) for printing, paper, advertising, and<br />
other details of the cost of production,<br />
It may be instructive to draw the attention of<br />
the members of the Society to the opinion of pub-<br />
lishers expressed by Sir Walter Scott, quoted in<br />
“ Lockhart's Life," vol. 2, chapter 4. Sir Walter<br />
states as follows:--<br />
“ The publishers are very like farmers who flourish best<br />
to high rent, and in general take most pains to sell a book<br />
that has cost them money to purchase.”<br />
From experience at the Society's office, it is quite<br />
clear that Sir Walter Scott was well aware of the<br />
peculiarities of the publishing trade, and his state-<br />
ment continues as true now as it was then. If an<br />
author will but value himself at his proper standard,<br />
he is much more likely to obtain satisfactory<br />
arrangements, and have his books more liberally<br />
pushed, than his fellow who may be constantly<br />
underselling his own market.<br />
It is curious to note that in the case of theatrical<br />
performances the tendency of the public is to<br />
demand pieces which are light, pleasing and<br />
amusing. For every serious drama that is pro-<br />
duced there must be at least two of a lighter and<br />
more amusing kind, yet, on turning to literature,<br />
we see wonderfully few amusing writers compared<br />
with the number who write serious, problematical<br />
and heavy fiction.<br />
It would be interesting if some of the latter-day<br />
philosophers would write an article dealing with<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 33 (#413) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
33<br />
this question from the psychological point of view.<br />
It is impossible to think that those who read the<br />
works of fiction placed on the market read them<br />
with a view to a serious study of life, rather than<br />
with a view to their personal amusement.<br />
will forward statements containing figures--that<br />
is, of the price given, of the circulation, and of<br />
other details—we will gladly work out the returns<br />
to the publisher and the author, and again test the<br />
truth of the publishers' statement regarding the<br />
profits from school books.<br />
The following paragraph taken from the New<br />
Zealand Times will have a mournful significance<br />
to many members of the Authors' Society :-<br />
* A visit to the grave of R. L. Stevenson would disappoint<br />
many people. While some time back visits to this famous<br />
hill were most frequent, the limit must now be six persons<br />
yearly. And no wonder! The place is quite overgrown<br />
with weeds, and perhaps will some day be hard to discover.<br />
I understand that on receiving a complaint from a Sydney<br />
resident, a little while back, the British Consul sent some<br />
of his men up and the place was cleared. It is now time<br />
for another clearing."<br />
"To write a book is an easy task ; it requires only pen and<br />
ink and some patient paper. To print a book is slightly<br />
more difficult, because genius often expresses itself in<br />
illegible manuscript. To read a book is still more difficult,<br />
as one must struggle against sleep. But the most difficult<br />
task that anyone may attempt is to sell a book. -Felir<br />
Dahn.”<br />
The above cutting from the Publishers' Circular<br />
is mildly satirical. It is also inaccurate. We let<br />
it pass. It is not the first time The Author has<br />
been reminded that genius lies with the publisher,<br />
and that the great literary undertakings of the<br />
world would fall flat without “a goose to lay the<br />
golden egg.”<br />
In the last number we had reason to make some<br />
remarks about epigrams ; the following, culled from<br />
a comic paper, may suggest an idea to some member<br />
on the point of writing an article on the subiect<br />
on the point of writing an article on the subject.<br />
She (to unromantic brother) : He called me the apple<br />
of his eye. Is that an epigram ?<br />
He: No, it's piffle.<br />
We have taken the liberty of printing the late<br />
James Runciman's opinion on the subject of<br />
literary men being businesslike ; it is pithy and<br />
powerful. It may act as an antidote to those who<br />
from time to time objected to some of the methods<br />
of our Founder.<br />
“ No babble sickens me so much as that about the fading<br />
about the fading<br />
of noble aspirations. The talk about contempt for money<br />
mostly comes from men who are too self-indulgent to<br />
undergo exertion, but who will readily take whatever they<br />
can get without trouble. In my own experience of life, I<br />
have found that if you want to see an unscrupulous grabber<br />
of the worst type you must seek out a wild poet who despises<br />
Philistines. He will not deny himself anything ; he will<br />
feed from any hand, and he will write lightsome sarcasms<br />
about everyone who feeds him. He is generous to himself,<br />
and he is overpoweringly bitter towards those who make<br />
life an affair of half-pence; but he snatches half-pence<br />
greedily enough when they have been earned by other<br />
people. He is secretly ashamed because his own impotence<br />
reduces him to being beholden to the Philistine, and he<br />
eases his shame by making scornful comments on his<br />
providers.<br />
“ The men who do the lordly acts of generosity, the men<br />
who are beneficent to their families, to the poor, to the<br />
State, are the hard fellows who take their work as they find<br />
it, live rationally, forego indulgences, and gather the form<br />
of force which we call money. They can afford to be<br />
munificent, and they are good citizens, for the simple reason<br />
that they recognise the laws of existence and preserve their<br />
self-respect. There is more real poetry in the heart of a<br />
merchant who goes soberly homeward wondering what he<br />
can do to gratify his wife and children than there is in the<br />
whole tribe of fribbles who think that the main duties of<br />
life are to wear ugly hats and derive'impressions.' People<br />
like Firth and Nasmyth and Armstrong have given more<br />
happiness to the world than have all the rhymers and<br />
prosers that ever moaned about the waywardness of fate<br />
and the accursed influence of .dross.'<br />
" JAMES RUNCIMAN."<br />
Mr. Robert MacLehose, of the well-known<br />
Glasgow firm, has kindly written an article on<br />
“ The Net System,” which is published in this<br />
month's Author.<br />
The matter may not appear of much importance<br />
to members of the Society, but the price at which<br />
books are sold to the public, and the maintenance<br />
of a flourishing book trade throughout the country,<br />
should not be looked upon with indifference by the<br />
producers.<br />
With the author should lie ultimately the power<br />
of determining in what manner and at what price<br />
his wares should be marketed, that he may receive<br />
the fair reward of his labour.<br />
In those countries where the publisher and<br />
booksenler by strong combination rule the market,<br />
the author suffers and the tradesmen flourish.<br />
The policy of all should be to obtain a just return.<br />
It is to be hoped that further articles on the book<br />
rade m uture numbers may lead to the clearing<br />
up of certain disputed points.<br />
We have put forward in the last number of The Quite recently a case came before the Society of<br />
Author and are printing in this number some a book published in cheap form in England under<br />
remarks on the production of educational works. an author's name which had never been written by<br />
If any member of the Society, or the public, the author.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 34 (#414) #############################################<br />
<br />
34<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
The Society readily dealt with the matter and American writers. For Continental rights, too, an<br />
the book was withdrawn from circulation with agent in each of the countries where translations<br />
apologies.<br />
are issued is a necessity if anything like the full<br />
We regret to say that the same mistake has pecuniary value is to be extracted for them. Then<br />
frequently occurred the other side of the water, again, for an English writer living abroad (say, in<br />
and is much more difficult to deal with.<br />
a colony) or travelling, a London literary agent is,<br />
The American pirate has in many cases grown if not a necessity, at any rate a luxury. The<br />
bold, through freedom from persecution. He finds literary agent may be of service also to the “one-<br />
an English writer whose works sell in quantities in book” man--the writer who publishes only now<br />
America, proceeds to take a certain amount of copy and again, the writer who knows that his books<br />
-Heaven knows where he gets it from-binds it will not sell, and does not look to get a profit out<br />
up in cheap form, and publishes it, with the name of them.<br />
of the popular writer referred to.<br />
As to whether the London literary agent will<br />
This naturally causes the author in England consent to handle the work of this latter class, is<br />
inany heart-burnings, as his literary reputation is another matter.<br />
at stake, and the damage that may accrue may But for the professional writer, the writer who<br />
possibly be very large.<br />
pens matter which sells, the writer who looks to<br />
To strike at this grievance, although a matter of make a living, or part of a living, out of his books<br />
import, is a question of considerable difficulty, as and serial rights, I emphatically hold that the<br />
it is very often the case that the author, unwilling literary agent, as at present on offer in London, is<br />
to journey to the other side of the water, does not a clog and a hindrance.<br />
care about starting an action in America. He The literary agent's first object is very naturally<br />
accordingly refrains from taking up the matter, to make his own living. Observe how the author's<br />
with the exception, perhaps, of writing a few letters interest clashes with this at the very outset. The<br />
to the American papers, and the pirate flourishes agent has, say, three short tales by three tolerably<br />
on his ill-gotten gains. The Society, however, has well-known pens, A., B. and C., in his hands, each<br />
some influence in New York, and has succeeded on worth for serial use about £20. He wants to sell<br />
one or two occasions in settling cases of this kind, all three to one magazine, as he knows that other<br />
owing to the weight of its name, without the markets are crowded. He knows quite well that<br />
necessity of commencing action.<br />
the pay-sheet of that particular magazine will not<br />
There is another amusing trick that some of the stand £60, though it would be quite equal to taking<br />
American publishers indulge in. This is not so one tale at £20, which at 10 per cent. commission<br />
harmful from the literary standpoint, but to the would produce him £2. This also would leave the<br />
author is rather a cause for amusement than a other two tales on his hands and cause him further<br />
reason for alarm.<br />
trouble. But instead of selling this one tale at<br />
When in America we noticed several cheap full price, he prefers to make a bargain for the<br />
editions of books written by famous authors, with three at £10, which produces him £4, and the<br />
the portraits of the authors on the paper cover bother of the thing is over as far as he is con-<br />
outside. In many cases the portraits bore no cerned. It is a case of small profits and quick<br />
resenıblance whatever to the author in the flesh as returns.<br />
we knew him in England, and in many cases went I think a point of view has been missed over<br />
beyond this and bore an extremely strong resemb- this matter. Authors should remember that they<br />
lance to other well-known authors with whom we are all in competition against one another, and<br />
have the honour of being acquainted.<br />
why competitors in the same affairs should employ<br />
G. H. T. the same agent to represent them, is a riddle which<br />
no sane business man can answer.<br />
Authors should remember, too, that they are per-<br />
AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT. sonally responsible for anything this agent chooses<br />
to bind them to, accidentally or otherwise. Lite-<br />
rary agents are notorious for making slipshod<br />
agreements. Literary agents are constantly ignor-<br />
S the Secretary of the Society of Authors asks ing their principal's definite instructions on the<br />
1 my opinion on the utility of the Author's doubtful ground of expediency. Literary agents<br />
Agent, I wish to say that in most cases he (presumably on the old plea that all writers are<br />
seems to me a useless and expensive excrescence. fools) charge, at the lowest, the grotesquely ex-<br />
To take first the exceptions. For an English cessive fee of 10 per cent. on all monies received.<br />
writer, an American agent is a necessity, and the From a beginner this charge might not be<br />
converse may to a lesser degree hold true for exorbitant; but then the literary agent is far too<br />
I.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 35 (#415) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
35<br />
wise to handle a beginner's work. For a writer among the incompetent. Mr. Heinemann, with<br />
whose writing income is over, say, £500 a year, a protective zeal, complains that it is against the<br />
charge of £50 per £500 is ridiculous. A man in interests of literature that an author should be<br />
that position would, with the exercise of a little pledged body and soul “ years ahead.” An author<br />
common sense, have no trouble whatever in selling who can be overworked by his agent, or forced by<br />
his wares, and if he grudged the hour or two a "pledges” into over-production, is an author who<br />
week necessary to attend to a few simple letters, will ruin himself in any case. Tragedy of this<br />
he could with his £50 hire the services of a clerk kind depends on those circumstances of life which<br />
or secretary who would serve him far more profit drive other men than authors to desperate-in-<br />
ably than any general agent.<br />
variably killing-efforts to fight an unphilanthropic<br />
Finally, what does experience show? How many world. So far as my own experience of agents is<br />
of the writing men and women, who are at the top concerned, I can but say that in the first instance<br />
of the ladder to-day as regards money receipts for I managed my own transactions. I did not manage<br />
their work, employ a London literary agent ? them badly : I have no grievances to air: I am<br />
There is one doubtful exception : all the rest do quite willing that the publisher should make his<br />
not. (Remember, I am not speaking of American legitimate profit on what is always for him not<br />
or Continental agents.)<br />
merciful patronage, but speculation absolutely. I<br />
The writers to whom the services of the present have now given the arrangement of my contracts to<br />
literary agents may be recommended, are those who a well-known, very able, and very courteous agent.<br />
are lazy, incompetent, or self-indulgent. The others I do not find my “ physical and mental health”.<br />
should give up one entire half-day to mastering the sinking under his influence. I write when I please,<br />
very simple business aspects of the matter, and then as I please, and for a sum of money which I myself<br />
either handle their own affairs personally, or (if fix-either on account of royalties, or for a fee<br />
they are abnormally large) put them in the hands outright. My agent collects this, deducts a reason-<br />
of a secretary, or an agent or solicitor who in able commission for his trouble, sees that my agree-<br />
literary matters acts for them, and for no one else. ments--subject to my own approval--are in order,<br />
OMEGA. that my interests are protected abroad and else-<br />
where. Publishers may not like him : I have no<br />
fault to find.<br />
II.<br />
In the case of the author with his first<br />
I HAVE been asked to offer some reply to Mr. Success :- An agent will not advise him against<br />
Heinemann's straightforward letter in the October his interest. This is certain. In the case of the<br />
number of The Author.<br />
unknown author--who wishes for information, for<br />
I do not propose to discuss the agent from the an introduction, the agent will not mislead him.<br />
publisher's point of view. That is not my business. Quite the reverse. He will tell him actual facts<br />
But as an author 1 may perhaps be allowed to hold about the commercial side of “art." And why<br />
a strong opinion with regard to writers generally not? What is the matter with commerce that a<br />
and literature.<br />
person of supposed refinement is expected to shrink<br />
What is this nonsense about the author's "greed” from it with disgust? If men have been expressly<br />
for an “immediate money return ” ? This snobbish taught to get their bread by preaching the Word<br />
attitude in the matter of an artist and his fees was of God, there is certainly no reason why they<br />
never found at any time among the distinguished. Should rate their own compositions as too precious<br />
Michael Angelo wanted his money paid, and his for any earthly payment, or too sublime to be<br />
contracts arranged, many years in advance. Shake- treated with in legal contracts. Mr. Heinemann<br />
speare, Molière, Balzac, George Sand, George Eliot, has the reputation of being a generous publisher<br />
de Maupassant, and Sir Walter Scott were never so. and an appreciative one. He cannot have had<br />
vulgar as to affect indifference to financial affairs. a disheartening struggle with the “literary”<br />
I take it that of all peculiar signs of an essential classes. But he must know that the weak among<br />
commonness in an artist, this one of prattling them were born weak, and not made so by un-<br />
about the indignity of accepting money for "art" scrupulous middlemen.Authors are marred by<br />
is the most striking. I have never met a person over-advertisement and worthless praise--never<br />
with such insincere views who did not live on the because they insist on adequate payment, and are<br />
complaining generosity of relatives and friends. represented by efficient men of business.<br />
Art is work; the artist is a working man or<br />
PEARL MARY TERESA CRAIGIE.<br />
woman, and the moment that an author, or a critic,<br />
or a craftsman seeks to better a condition of such<br />
honesty by making it a mood or a pose instead of<br />
a necessity and a calling, he may be counted<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 36 (#416) #############################################<br />
<br />
36<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
.<br />
III.<br />
for complaint on this score. It, on the other hand,<br />
he does find that this is the case, it seems to me a<br />
An Answer to Mr. Heinemann.<br />
very good argument, from the author's point of<br />
view, for employing an agent, even at the sacri-<br />
In the October number of the Author there fice of that “intimate intercourse with the pub-<br />
appeared a most interesting letter from Mr. lisher” which Mr. Heinemann finds so helpful.<br />
W. Heinemann, on the subject of the literary Nor, again, do I see that the “immediate money<br />
agent, which stated very distinctly and lucidly return” (on account of royalties, I suppose) which<br />
the view of an eminent publisher on this ques. Mr. Heinemann accuses the agent of fostering is<br />
tion. He took no middle line, and from the procured “at the cost of all dignity and artistic<br />
point of view of both author, publisher and litera- repose.” Personally I have published books both<br />
ture, condemned the agent with resonant anathe- with and without immediate money return, but I<br />
mas. This was very valuable, because it stated do not recollect any disturbance in my own repose-<br />
the case of the publisher frankly and without fulness. In fact, I do not quite see what Mr.<br />
loophole for misunderstanding, and leaves no doubt Heinemann means.<br />
as to why the publisher-for we cannot be wrong I suppose there are bad agents as well as good<br />
in taking Mr. Heinemann's utterances as excellently ones; I suppose also there are bad publishers as<br />
representative—dislikes the agent.<br />
well as good ones, but I am happy to say I have<br />
On certain points I feel myself hopelessly incap- never yet met an inferior variety in either kind,<br />
able of agreeing with Mr. Heinemann : he says, nor do I wish to. More especially I desire to steer<br />
for instance, that “no author would be so quixotic clear of the figure, which Mr. Heinemann's vigorous<br />
as to employ a literary agent if he did not hope protest calls up—a sort of Mephistopbeles, by<br />
to get as much more out of the publisher as the whom the unfortunate author is “ pledged and<br />
agent's commission represents." Would Mr. Heine- sold body and soul to syndicates and publishers<br />
mann, therefore, argue that the landlord who on time bargains years ahead!” Now, authors are<br />
employs an agent hopes to get as much more out not probably a business-like class; they are much<br />
of the tenant as his agent's income represents ? too futile and dreamy-that, indeed, is why they<br />
Both author and landlord appear to me to employ are right to employ agents—and it is exactly to save<br />
an agent-primarily-for a very different reason, an author some gross mistake of binding himself<br />
namely, that by using one they save themselves a that agents may be, and I think often are, useful.<br />
good deal of trouble, and of time which they find Certainly I have never met with one who would<br />
they can otherwise employ more profitably. More not strongly dissuade an author from the very<br />
especially is this true, I think, of any author wbo course which, it appears to Mr. Heinemann, they<br />
either contributes to magazines or desires a serial are apt to inculcate. But here, again, publishing<br />
appearance for his work. In his case (particu- is a business, and it would surely be equally ill-<br />
larly if the author does not habitually read the judged on the part of a publisher to buy the yet<br />
magazines in which he wishes his work to appear) unwritten produce of an over-driven author, for<br />
the agent is invaluable. If he is at all competent he would probably make a very bad bargain.<br />
he will be far more likely to know that magazine Nor, again, do I see why the author should not<br />
which will be suitable for his author's work, and get as much as he can for his work. Given that<br />
in the case of serialisation what magazines have he has completed his book, his artistir effort is<br />
openings, than the author himself. Given then over. His book is now a property, to be sold,<br />
that the agent has arranged a good serialisation and the agent, rightly, so it seems to me, gets as<br />
for a story, is the publication of it then to be much for it as he can, asking terms (unless his<br />
taken out of his hands ? That does not seem to author has a strong predilection for a certain<br />
me quite fair.<br />
publisher-and I think most authors have) not<br />
Publishing is a business. At least, in the from one house only, but, it the terms there offered<br />
majority of cases I do not suppose that a man do not seem sufficient, from another, or, if he<br />
embraces that calling with the sole and altruistic chooses, from a third. Why he should let one<br />
aim of bringing masterpieces within the reach of publisher have it cheap, if, ceteris paribus, he can<br />
the million (though he is probably quite happy in get more from another, or why such a proceeding<br />
reaching the million); and, while no good publisher is derogatory to literature, I cannot imagine. But,<br />
would wish that the imprint of his house should as this business of securing the best market for<br />
godfather a work of rank and beastly tendency, the goods is a matter requiring time, trouble, and<br />
yet his object is primarily to make his business experience, and is not to all a congenial employ.<br />
pay. Unless, then, he finds that the employment ment, it seems to me only wise of the author to<br />
of an agent by an author tends to make his busi- entrust it to someone who presumably has the<br />
ness less paying, I do not see what grounds he has experience, and for whose time and trouble he is<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 37 (#417) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
37<br />
content to pay. And here, I imagine, Mr. Heine- so to do, and, as a rule, I think he does it. Besides,<br />
mann's far more serious accusation against the he thereby increases his own dividends.<br />
agents applies. He says he has not always found One word more. If all publishers were like<br />
them scrupulously honest. It is very distressing Mr. Heinemann, I think the calling of the agent<br />
that it is so, but, on the other hand, from the would be seriously endangered. But in the present<br />
author's point of view, it is equally distressing to state of this imperfect world they are not. Mr.<br />
find he has in his ignorance signed some contract Heinemann with a becoming modesty assumes<br />
which gives his publisher a quite undue share of that they are. I wish I agreed with him.<br />
profit in the success of his book. Such contracts<br />
E. F. BENSON.<br />
have been signed. But it is really beside the point<br />
to argue the question on such grounds. Dishonest<br />
agents I hope are as rare as dishonest publishers,<br />
IV.<br />
and bona fides must be assumed for the abstract<br />
argument.<br />
With regard to the very interesting discussion<br />
Nor is it on such grounds that personally I now being carried on in your paper in reference<br />
employ an agent. As I have said, I have never to Literary Agents, I venture to offer a few<br />
yet met with a dishonest publisher, and I do not suggestions<br />
employ an agent to save me from his possible A n inexperienced author—I mean an author who<br />
clutches. On the other hand, in the case of a is not well acquainted with the publications or<br />
book which I once published without employing the personal characters and characteristics of large<br />
an agent, I found that no account had been rendered numbers of publishers—is very likely to attack the<br />
to me for over three years, and that when, with wrong publisher, or to attack the right publisher<br />
suitable courtesy I hope, I applied for it, it was in the wrong way or at the wrong time. I<br />
not without some personal trouble and "dunning" know this by bitter experience. Fortunately (or<br />
that I succeeded in getting it. Now, I object to unfortunately), I still believed that my books<br />
dunning anybody : I do not happen to like it. ought to be published. But the number of<br />
But I do not in the least object to instructing my possible publishers was too vast. It was the same<br />
agent to do so. That is one of the things for which with editors. There were too many of them, and<br />
“he is there." And, in this case, I regretted I. I did not know which (if any) would be likely to<br />
had not employed him before.<br />
accept this or that article at this or that time.<br />
Finally, I disagree with Mr. Heinemann in his One of my chief mistakes was to try the old-<br />
assertion that agents are of no use to the untried established firms first.<br />
author who at present has no market. It seems Then I found an experienced agent, and he<br />
to me that it is exactly here—if they are com- immediately said, “ This piece of work will be<br />
petent—where they are most useful. The agent accepted by A. or by B. or by C. or-by no one.<br />
knows, more or less, what ten per cent. on a six. That piece of work we'll offer to A., if he does<br />
shilling book means. The untried author has no idea. not accept the first piece. This third piece of<br />
And this innocent child of nature is confronted work is, I fear, hopeless." Within a few weeks<br />
with a document which says that twelve copies he had placed all the MSS., except two, that I<br />
are counted as eleven, or thirteen (I forget which), put into his hands, and had bearded several lions<br />
that he receives ten per cent. on the first thousand (as I then thought them) and had arranged for<br />
and twelve and a half per cent. on the second future works. Apart from this agent I think I<br />
that in case of a colonial edition he gets 211, per should have given up in despair.<br />
copy, and something obscure occurs to remainders, With another agent, however, I might have<br />
which are also obscure. More particularly there paid initial fees and then have been just as badly<br />
may be a sublime silence about American sales and off as before. But it seems to me that the<br />
American copyright, and he knows nothing of the inexperienced author is likely to do better if he<br />
stringency of law prevailing in that remarkable tries to choose an agent than if he tries to choose<br />
continent, which really seems expressly designed a publisher or editor. For there are far fewer agents<br />
for the confusion of budding authors, and as likely than publishers or editors. It is far harder to make<br />
as not American rights and protection then get mistakes in attempts to find a good agent.<br />
left out of the contract altogether. Poor bleating There is another point. The sensitive author<br />
lamb! yet that sinister shepherd the agent could despairs because he has his MS. rejected, let us<br />
have saved him.<br />
say, by two publishers. They state that they do<br />
And here I speak from bitter experience. True, not see a public for the book. The agent is not<br />
it is not in any sense at all the business of the sensitive : offer him a good commission, and he<br />
English publisher to make his author acquainted will try again and again. He may be refused by<br />
with copyright law. But it is the agent's business some publisher who would have accepted the MS,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 38 (#418) #############################################<br />
<br />
38<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
direct from the author. But I fancy that few for complaint. All other arguments against the<br />
publishers are such fools as to refuse a good book agent having failed, it is now declared that the<br />
because it comes through an agent, or to accept a literary diplomatist is only of use to authors of<br />
bad book because it comes direct from the author. established reputation. That I can deny as far as<br />
How little right an author has to be discouraged my own experience has shown. Years ago, when I<br />
simply and solely because one or two publishers was unknown, and as yet scarcely published, it was<br />
have refused some book, numerous authors past my agent who took me by the hand. To him I<br />
and present can testify. Within a week I had a have applied for advice in more than one crisis of<br />
MS. refused by one publisher (A.), as having no a somewhat adventurous career, and to his good<br />
likely sale, and then quite eagerly accepted by judgment and guidance I owe whatever fruit of<br />
another publisher (B.). B. at the same time my work I now enjoy. It is the young and in-<br />
refused a second MS. for the very reason that A. experienced writer who is in need of advice. To<br />
had just given, and this second MS. was straight the established author the agent is an absolute<br />
way accepted by A.<br />
necessity, in order to look after his interests in<br />
The agent, then, is likely to save the author various directions, and more especially so when, as<br />
from too hasty despair ; but, on the other hand, in my own case, the author habitually resides out<br />
should the author have mistaken his profession in of England, and is unable to have personal inter-<br />
life, then no despair can be too hasty. And the views with editors or publishers.<br />
agent who honestly or dishonestly encourages false Finally, I should like to ask Mr. Heinemann,<br />
hopes may be wasting some of the most valuable who has (in print) such a marked antipathy to the<br />
months or years of a man's whole life. I should literary agent, a single but direct question. My<br />
add that, if the author refuses to pay the agent brother authors and myself would be interested to<br />
anything until he shall have placed the MS., and know whether it is not a fact that in order to effect<br />
agrees to pay a royalty then, the agent will not be the sale of his English books in America he<br />
encouraged to take up MSS. which he knows to be actually employs a literary agent in New York !<br />
utterly “unlikely.” The worst possible plan seems Until the question is answered further comment<br />
to me to pay the agent his full pay in advance, is needless.<br />
whether he shall succeed or not. For then he<br />
Yours truly,<br />
only has the expense of carrying or posting the<br />
WILLIAM LE QUEUX.<br />
MS. to fresh publishers or editors at varying Castor, Peterborough,<br />
intervals. He has comparatively little interest October 12th, 1901.<br />
in really exerting himself and interviewing the<br />
publisher or editor personally, as my agent did<br />
with such good effect.<br />
EUSTACE MILES.<br />
SIR,—It happens occasionally that a publisher<br />
may act as an agent. For instance, a well-known<br />
v.<br />
firm succeeded in serialising a novel which it had<br />
To the Editor of THE AUTHOR.<br />
undertaken to issue for me, the commission was<br />
fifty per cent! I am not complaining of the rate,<br />
SIR,—In common with many other authors I<br />
because it had been specified in the previous agree-<br />
have been much amused and somewhat surprised<br />
ment. I have by me other agreements signed by<br />
at Mr. Hcinemann's remarks regarding that much-<br />
a different firm in which also it is stated that the<br />
abused necessity to the novelist, the literary<br />
commission in the event of serialisation is to be<br />
agent. It seeins to me that the majority of the<br />
fifty per cent. Now, my agent's commission is<br />
reasons given for objecting to the agent are the<br />
only ten per cent.<br />
very reasons why an author should employ him.<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
But, apart from these, Mr. Heinemaun makes a<br />
Fact.<br />
distinct assertion which is certainly open to con-<br />
tradiction when he complains that the agent fosters<br />
in the author a spirit of greed. I have no know-<br />
DURING the summer months the Secretary<br />
ledge of the methods of other agents save my own, received a letter, of which the following is a<br />
but I can honestly say that my own agent, in<br />
copy :-<br />
selling one of my books, keeps before him the fact<br />
that the sale is not in my best interests if the<br />
“Dear Sir, I have decided to discontinue my sabscrip-<br />
publisher does not have an opportunity of making<br />
tion to the Authors' Society. I have put my affairs as<br />
regards my literary work into the hands of an agent. With<br />
a fair profit.<br />
many thanks for the kind help you have so often given me,<br />
Personally I fail to see Mr. Heinemann's cause believe me to be, very truly yours,"<br />
VI.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 39 (#419) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
39<br />
We would like to make some remarks upon it.<br />
In the early days of the Society the publishers were<br />
very naturally opposed to the idea of having their<br />
agreements and their methods of doing business<br />
overlooked by the Society of Authors, and one of<br />
the best known houses sent round a circular to all<br />
the authors who published with it, asking them<br />
not to join the Society. Those days, we are glad<br />
to say, have long passed ; not only have authors as<br />
a mass found the Society useful, but even in some<br />
instances the publishers have been bound to<br />
acknowledge that the work it does is good and<br />
fair. From the letter quoted above it would<br />
appear that the agent is also objecting to have his<br />
methods looked into from the point of view of the<br />
Authors' Society. That a feeling against having<br />
their business arrangements overlooked has been<br />
growing amongst agents is clear from the informa-<br />
tion that has come to the Society. The interest of<br />
publisher and author is bound to be antagonistic ;<br />
it is natural, therefore, that the publisher should<br />
object. The interest of agent and author is<br />
identical. It is very serious, therefore, for the<br />
author when the agent assumes an attitude of<br />
antagonism. We must state finally that the<br />
placing of your work in the hands of an agent<br />
is an additional reason for belonging to the<br />
Society, as an author in this position has two<br />
people to look after, firstly the publisher,<br />
secondly the agent.<br />
Perhaps after all the letter was only an outcome<br />
of the silly season.<br />
standing against the total from “ The Cost of Pro-<br />
duction ” of £7 13s. The moulding is the same<br />
price in both estimates, and the binding also.<br />
When a fresh edition of“ The Cost of Production”<br />
is brought out it will have to be entirely revised,<br />
and it is hoped that it will be possible to include<br />
an exhaustive statement at the same time of the<br />
American cost, which American publishers boast<br />
is as low if not lower than the English.<br />
Authors, note this statement.<br />
ESTIMATE FROM " THE COST OF PRODUCTION.”<br />
500 Copies, crown 8vo, Small Pica type,<br />
Composition, 17 sheets at €1 78. 6d.<br />
per sheet .......... ............. 423 7 6<br />
Printing, 17 sheets at 58, 9d. per sheet 4 17 9<br />
Paper, , „ 98.<br />
7 13 0<br />
Moulding,<br />
:58.<br />
5 0<br />
Binding, at 4d, a vol. .... ....... 8 6 8<br />
.<br />
£48 911<br />
RECENT PRINTER'S ESTIMATE.<br />
500 Copies, crown 8vo, set in Small Pica.<br />
Composition, 17 sheets at 228. 6d ....... €19 26<br />
Printing, 17 sheets at 58. 3d............. 4 9 3<br />
Paper, 8£ reams, 60 double-crown 158. 6 7 6<br />
Moulding only, 5s. ..........<br />
Binding, 4d....<br />
8 6 8<br />
£42 10 11<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
I.-Cost of Production.<br />
THE first estimate printed below is taken from<br />
1 the third edition of “The Cost of Production,”<br />
which was issued in 1891.<br />
The book is now out of print; but to show that<br />
the prices for printing, paper, etc., were fair at the<br />
time of issue-although at first this was frequently<br />
denied by the publishers—and are fair at the<br />
present date, a second estimate is put forward<br />
which was obtained from a printer only a year<br />
ago. The printer's name is not given, but it is<br />
sufficient to state that he is a man in a large way<br />
of business, with works in the neighbourhood of<br />
London, who does extensive trade with the chief<br />
publishers.<br />
On comparing the two estimates, it will be seen<br />
that the composition is considerably cheaper, as<br />
much as õs, a sheet, and the printing 6d. a sheet.<br />
The paper is also cheaper, the total £6 78. 6d.<br />
II.-American Copyright.<br />
The Publishers' Circular has an article with<br />
regard to the production and circulation of books<br />
in America, and complains, as is not unnatural,<br />
of the lack of reciprocity in the American Copy-<br />
right Law. It points out that many publishing<br />
houses have started branch offices in America.<br />
This effort of English publishers is, no doubt, use-<br />
ful, both for the trade and for the English authors ;<br />
but the Publishers' Circular makes a suggestion<br />
that English printers ought rather to start branch<br />
establishments in New York. This suggestion,<br />
from the author's point of view, would be much<br />
more satisfactory than a branch publishing house,<br />
and we commend it to the notice of some of the<br />
larger printing firms. It is useless at this hour of<br />
the day to grumble about the American Copyright<br />
Law. It is better than no copyright law, but the<br />
Americans, save only a small intellectual minority,<br />
have failed to grasp the great principles referring<br />
to literary property<br />
The day may come, and we hope at no distant<br />
date, when they will take a more enlightened view<br />
of the position, and join the signatories of the<br />
Berne Convention.<br />
What authors have to do at present is to make the<br />
best of existing circumstances, and it will be more<br />
satisfactory for the profession to have a trustworthy<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 40 (#420) #############################################<br />
<br />
40<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
English printer established in New York than an no reason why it should not also become of unlimited<br />
English publisher, however trustworthy.<br />
duration.<br />
"A new law published in the latest Gazette brings Siam<br />
into line with Western nations in the matter of copyright.<br />
The preamble points out that hitherto authors have had no<br />
III.-A Publisher's Trick.<br />
protection for their work in this country, anyone baving<br />
A well-kuown publisher, writing to an author<br />
the right to republish and sell any book. The new enact-<br />
ment follows the lines of the English law, giving protection<br />
who objected to the terms of his agreement, stated<br />
for forty-two years, or the period of the author's life, with<br />
as follows, “ that the agreement was settled by a grace of seven years, whichever is the longer. To copy-<br />
--- , K.C., and is identical with the one signed right a book it has to be registered at the Royal Scribe<br />
by all my authors."<br />
Department within twelve months after publication ; the<br />
fee charged is five ticals, and a copy has to be presented to<br />
We have frequently pointed out before that the<br />
the Department mentioned, another to the Royal Library,<br />
Publishers' Agreements issued by the Publishers' and another to the Royal Buddhist Library at Wat<br />
Association were approved by Mr. Joseph Walton, Benchamabopit. Translation is also prohibited. The<br />
K.C., who has recently been raised to the Bench,<br />
passing of such a law is a wise proceeding, even if the<br />
result on literature cannot be expected to be very notice-<br />
and we have shown in the pamphlet published<br />
able. We hope it may have the effect of encouraging the<br />
by the Society how disastrous they are to authors. Siamese author. But as trade bulks so very much larger<br />
Mr. Walton, no doubt, followed his instructions than letters in modern Siam, it is to be trusted that the<br />
and approved the agreements that best served bis<br />
Government will without delay follow up this law with<br />
another giving protection to trade marks. The need of<br />
clients, the publishers. So that the point which<br />
some system of registration which will protect both the<br />
the publisher is putting forward, although it has seller and the buyer of genuine articles is very real. The<br />
been frequently successful in silencing the objec consular courts in Bangkok enforce laws to prevent the<br />
tions of authors, is really no argument whatever<br />
perpetration of such frauds, and the anomaly of the<br />
Siamese courts being unable to do anything in the matter<br />
to induce an author to sign an agreement. In<br />
has been pointed out often enough."<br />
fact, if anything, it should at once lead him in<br />
the opposite direction. A clever K.C., when asked<br />
to draw an agreement, would be bound to make<br />
that agreement more strongly in favour of his<br />
V.–Press Copyright.<br />
client than the layman who might be drawing a The letter in your last number signed “Old<br />
similar document.<br />
Bird," and a recent correspondence in a contem-<br />
The second part of the publisher's statement is porary anent the republication of a leading article<br />
untrue. But if it were true, it is no argument, in a London newspaper practically unaltered in<br />
because certain authors are ill-advised in signing matter or phrase, the second version differing only<br />
an agreement, that other authors should be equally from the first in the signature appended, suggest<br />
ill-advised, and we have pointed out on former a larger question than any personal dispute. The<br />
occasions with regard to the publication of books subject of press copyright is one which has often<br />
in a series what a trap this argument has been to been discussed, and the possible legislation for its<br />
the unwary author.<br />
betterment has been many times forecast, but the<br />
Again we find it necessary to put forward these result so far is nil. A quarter of a century ago,<br />
remarks, because again the publisher brings forward when the mills of the press, following a high pre-<br />
his misleading statements.<br />
cedent, ground slowly, the grievance of journalistic<br />
theft was not so keenly felt and the delinquent<br />
was only in a small way of business. At present<br />
the malpractice has become so systematic and<br />
IV.—Copyright in Siam.<br />
universal that we have arrived at the preposterous<br />
We print the following cutting from the Bangkok position of a journal being deliberately undersold<br />
Times.<br />
and paradoxically pushed out of the market by<br />
It is interesting as showing the gradual evolution the illegitimate sale of its own contents.<br />
of literary copyright in foreign countries. It was This is a sweeping statement. Let us examine<br />
not long ago that Japan joined the Berne Conven- it. Examples of the Tit Bit order of papers in<br />
tion, and now Siam has passed a Copyright Law. which the same paragraph goes the round of all<br />
This, perhaps, may be followed by their becoming and appears consecutively in the whole series are<br />
signatories to the treaty.<br />
not relied on. The identical item apparently<br />
There seems to be little doubt that as friendly serves as well for all as for each, and from the<br />
intercourse between nations increases, copyright regularity with which it reappears, and from the<br />
will become universal at no distant date, and it dim memories which it often reawakens, it was<br />
is to be hoped that when this point is realised, not original to the paper first issuing it. Nor is<br />
legislators will also realise that there is absolutely the dissemination of the world's news, the beneficent<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 41 (#421) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
41<br />
growth of knowledge through journalistic inter- No doubt it is hard for a Government, or a<br />
change, the popularisation of the eternal verities Parliament, smothered in a maze of heterogeneous<br />
in the form of meteorological reports, or the duties which range from the conduct of a great<br />
apotheosis of the commonplace in paragraphs, or war abroad to the transfer of a constable or the<br />
mishaps to battleships, herein impeached. No trespass of a goat at home, to undertake new<br />
newspaper possesses copyright in the incidence of legislation on any question which presents im-<br />
events or their direction; the weather is the (some- mediate as well as ultimate difficulties. And<br />
times undesirable) heritage of mankind. But the certainly the question of press copyright presents<br />
comments of the editor on the mismanagement of both. Nevertheless it should be attacked. The<br />
the universe, and the experiences of the contributor present anomalous conditions are unfair to honest<br />
in this insignificant microcosm, are as much their journals, unjust to industrious contributors, and a<br />
own copyright, and should be as rigidly protected fraud on the purchasing public.<br />
by the law, as the jocularities of the farceur or the<br />
OUTLANDER.<br />
inventions of the fictionist. Take a concrete<br />
instance of the journalistic buccaneer and note his<br />
NOTE.— The law on the subject is quite clear. If<br />
nefarious influence.<br />
a paper does not care to enforce its rights, the<br />
There is a well-known high-class weekly matter is different. The Times has on sundry<br />
provincial paper, with an enormous circulation, occasions brought actions and has shown very<br />
published at one penny, which reprints in every effectively that a paper, if it desires, can, under the<br />
issue several columns from London sixpenny existing law, absolutely protect its articles and<br />
journals. In some cases the acknowledgment of contributions.-ED.<br />
the source from which these are lifted is given<br />
prominently at the beginning or end of the matter<br />
annexed. Often, however, it is embodied in the<br />
VI.<br />
middle of the article—"says a writer in,” “writes<br />
The following cutting from the Daily Chronicle<br />
Mr. — in” – so that to a casual observer the<br />
will be of interest to dramatic authors :-<br />
article in question is original matter specially<br />
contributed to the paper. This great provincial<br />
An author's rights are strangely interpreted by the com.<br />
mittee and stage management of the Comédie Française.<br />
newspaper also prints weekly a notice in heavy<br />
It appears that M. Gaston Schefer, whose piece, “ Le Roi,"<br />
type to the effect that it requires no outside is about to be produced, has been harassed during the<br />
contributions and will pay for none such. I rehearsal period by being forced to alter and cut his scenes<br />
cannot afford to buy the London journal at six-<br />
to please M. Le Bargy, who is entrusted with the staging<br />
according to the rules of the theatre. The playwright<br />
pence when I can get all of it I have time to read<br />
revolted at last when he was coolly asked to change the<br />
in the provincial paper for a penny. The provin dénouement which makes the "King" abdicate from sheer<br />
cial paper cannot afford to pay me for an original discouragement. M. Jules Claretie has under pressure<br />
contribution when it, and the contemporaries with<br />
resolved to produce “Le Roi" in its intact form almost<br />
immediately.<br />
which it must compete, can appropriate what they<br />
please gratis from journals which have paid A dispute of this kind not infrequently arises<br />
liberally for the “copy" of which they are thus with regard to theatrical representation. It can<br />
audaciously dispossessed.<br />
only be settled in two ways, (1) by agreement,<br />
This state of affairs is disgraceful. The law (2) by the doctrine of expediency.<br />
must deal with it. It must be made as penal to There are many dramatic writers of established<br />
steal a journal's matter as a man's hat. Library position who insist upon inserting a clause in their<br />
books and umbrellas have long, by a curious mental agreement that their piece must not be altered,<br />
obliquity, been regarded as communal. But this but must be acted verbatim. They sell a licence<br />
specialisation is wholly irrational. As it exists, to perform to an actor-manager. If any dispute<br />
however, we must put up with it. And in the arises as to the wording of the play or its alteration,<br />
same way journals which reciprocate each other's the author can either refer to the agreement and<br />
theft may very well be left to fight the matter out enforce his rights as against the manager, or, if he<br />
amongst themselves. The law does not concern deems it expedient, accept the alteration and let<br />
itself very intimately with the lighter wrangles of the matter go forward.<br />
professed lawbreakers, and a man in Whitechapel In the case of young dramatic authors it is very<br />
may kick his wife to death at leisure provided he often impossible to insert a clause of this kind.<br />
observe the amenities by not doing it in the street. Under these circumstances, if the manager has<br />
But it is certainly time that journals which employ merely a licence to perform the play, he must per-<br />
their own staff and pay their own contributors form that play and no other play, and may not<br />
should have legal protection from the hooligans alter it.<br />
of the press.<br />
The question of expediency may again arise, as<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 42 (#422) #############################################<br />
<br />
42<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
sibethor<br />
it is more important for a young author to have inadequate private income by reviewing. In this<br />
his play put before the public than it is to obtain career I was very fairly successful. Not that I flatter<br />
a monetary return by way of damages from a myself that I was qualified for my task by any<br />
manager, however large.<br />
special interest in or knowledge of literature. Apart<br />
The attention of all dramatic authors must be from a certain natural turn for epigram, I consider<br />
drawn to the point which is put forward in the that my success was due to the practical view I<br />
“Warnings to Dramatic Authors," namely, that it is took of my occupation. I have no doubt from<br />
essential to give to a manager a licence to perform what I know of you and of your work that your<br />
only. If he transfers the whole of his rights, he talents are superior to any of which I could boast,<br />
hands over a piece of property which, within certain while you have always shown a genuine love of<br />
bounds, a manager will be able to alter and vary. letters, a taste which I have been free to develope<br />
If he gives the licence to perform, a manager only in later years. I doubt, however, if either<br />
can only perform what has been handed to him as faculty or enthusiasm will compensate for the new-<br />
a whole play, and can make no alteration without fangled scruples by which I understand that you<br />
the consent and sanction of the author.<br />
are hampered.<br />
From the foregoing quotation it is really impos- Let me deal with some of these. I hear that it<br />
sible to see what were the author's rights, as every. is a fixed principle with you never to review<br />
thing must depend upon the form of agreement, a book unless you have read it, or at least the<br />
but it is sufficient to state that authors should avoid greater part of it. Things must certainly have<br />
all chance of such disputes arising by settling the changed since the good old times. You surely<br />
agreement on a satisfactory basis before the play is realise how such a method must limit your output.<br />
handed over.<br />
Unless the standard of remuneration has been<br />
greatly raised, I cannot understand how the most<br />
modest income can be earned on such terms. Nor<br />
VII.<br />
can I believe that this system prevails generally<br />
The“Journal of the American Society of Authors” among your contemporaries. I notice, for example,<br />
states that Mr. Vanderbilt has had his house that one of the “weeklies " reviews, in a single<br />
both the exterior and the interior-photographed issue, from six to twelve novels, all the notices<br />
from all points of vantage with a view of pro- being, so far as I can judge, by the same hand.<br />
tecting himself, by copywriting every negative; Cau it be supposed that the reviewer reads from<br />
against the man with the Kodak.<br />
six to twelve novels to make “copy” worth at most<br />
From the English point of view, the execution from two to four guineas ?<br />
of Mr. Vanderbilt's idea does not afford him any In my own time the problem for us reviewers was<br />
protection. There is no doubt that to whatever far more strict. Besides receiving our honorarium<br />
extent a private house has been brought under the for “copy," we kept and sold the book reviewed, a<br />
camera by one person, this would not prevent any custom which I understand is now less common.<br />
one else from taking a photograph from exactly the The volume fetched more if the pages were uncut ;<br />
same standpoint with exactly the same effect, if and in order to reap the full harvest, we had to<br />
this were possible; but it would be a distinct criticise on the strength of such limited examina-<br />
infringement of copyright to photograph another tion as this condition prescribed. This may seem<br />
person's photograph or in any way to copy his to you to be a difficult or risky method. In point<br />
original negative.<br />
of fact, it was quite possible to concoct a plausible<br />
judgment from glimpses between the sheets. Often<br />
the arrangement of these admitted of a glance at<br />
AN OLD TO A YOUNG REVIEWER.<br />
the Preface, which might prove invaluable : the<br />
method of the book was usually ascertainable from<br />
accessible portions : samples of style and quotations<br />
M Y DEAR GEORGE,--Your relatives, who could be extracted and adapted to the critical<br />
I are naturally anxious for your success in the attitude assumed by the reviewer ; and many<br />
career on which you have now for some time other methods were developed by practice. Indeed,<br />
been embarked, have asked me to advise you from my among the confraternity with which I associated,<br />
own past experience, especially with regard to certain he would have passed as a mere “ 'prentice hand”<br />
scruples which I hear that you entertain, and which who thought it necessary to mutilate his books by<br />
seem likely to injure your prospects. You are cutting their pages. I do indeed recall that on<br />
aware that before my marriage with your poor one occasion I got into trouble with my editor in<br />
aunt, which brought me, if not domestic happiness, consequence of an insufficient examination of a<br />
at least the modest competence which I still enjoy, work he had submitted to me. I had condemned<br />
I was compelled for many years to supplement an it for giving no illustrations, though the subject<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 43 (#423) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
43<br />
was one which eminently demanded them. On would be more beneficial to the interests of a book<br />
closer examination the book proved to be full of than one of censure. I remember, for example,<br />
illustrations, though these, being mainly on the that a friend of mine, by a savage onslaught, sent<br />
pages, had escaped my notice. This misadventure a book through three editions. He had written<br />
was, however, condoned in consideration of my long that “if the public was prepared to wade through<br />
tried devotion to the interests of the paper. a desert of dulness in search of an occasional oasis<br />
You, as I hear, maintain that you can form an of impropriety," that was the book for it. The<br />
opinion of a book only after full perusal. In my public was so prepared, and made a rush for it, such<br />
own experience the reviewer was rarely called upon as no "puff” could have secured. Remember, too,<br />
for an independent judgment. Either his cue was that no author of experience ever protests, and if<br />
given him, or his acquaintance with the interests he does, no editor need take any notice. Besides,<br />
or tendency of the paper indicated what sort of when all is said and done, you, as the father of a<br />
notice would be acceptable. There were in those young family, have no right to take any such line<br />
days very distinct divisions of political or literary as will limit your earnings or alienate your<br />
faction which had to be reckoned with : there was employers. Do not allow any whimsical scruples<br />
also keen rivalry between publishing firms, as to hamper your career. Justice, like Charity,<br />
between those of “Bungay and Bacon.” Even if begins at home.<br />
these considerations did not indicate the line to be If, after all that I have said, you are still deter-<br />
taken, we could be sure that the proprietors of the mined to waste your time in reading your books, I<br />
paper would not be too well pleased if we “ slated " advise you to adopt a plan, not unknown in my<br />
a work put out by a publisher who spent hundreds own day. You must make your reading go as far<br />
a year in advertisements with us, or in praising as possible by multiplying your reviews. I myself<br />
the publications of those who neglected us. And, at one time adopted this method with some success.<br />
if the author's reputation suffered in consequence, I wrote anonymously (as many notices as I could<br />
surely author and publisher are in the same boat. place), under a nom de plume, and in my own name.<br />
They have combined their interests, and must sink There was in this system the charm of variety.<br />
or swim together. The remedy, moreover, was in One had to adapt the several notices to the views<br />
the publisher's own hands. Also it not infrequently of each editor, or the interests of each paper, and<br />
happened that author or publisher had been asked to vary the style so as to escape identification. If<br />
and selfishly refused some favour : early sheets, for I were reviewing the work of any writer of influence,<br />
example, or an interview ; and it was only just I usually arranged that the most laudatory notice<br />
that he should suffer for his curmudgeonliness. should be that which appeared under my own<br />
And, apart from these considerations of business, name. By this means it not infrequently happened<br />
it seldom occurred that the author was entirely that, while my various notices neutralised each<br />
dissociated from our personal likes or dislikes. other, there accrued to my account a valuable<br />
Either he was a friend or enemy, or the friend or friendship and literary alliance, as well as the<br />
relation of some one towards whom we had favour reputation of a kindly critic. This may prove to<br />
or the reverse. No one, surely, would grudge the you by no means the least valuable hint I am able<br />
reviewer his satisfaction in fulfilling the claims of to give.<br />
friendship ; nor consider him less justified in using I am told that it is becoming a common practice<br />
his opportunity so soon as his enemy had, by for editors of the higher class to entrust the books<br />
publication, delivered himself into his hands. I sent them to specialists on the subject treated, to<br />
well remember the thrill of anticipation with which authors, and to men of literary culture and of<br />
we watched the publishers' announcements.<br />
leisure, to whom the honorarium is of less impor-<br />
In the absence of any such predisposing senti- tance than interest in the subject. As for the<br />
ments or interests, the reviewer had to consider specialist, I would ask such editors what they<br />
what kind of notice best suited his style and the suppose encyclopædias were made for ; and, with<br />
ear of the public. My own manner lent itself regard to the employment of amateurs, whether<br />
more readily to incisiveness, and in those days they think it fair to take the bread out of the<br />
the public loved dissection. These considerations mouths of a diligent, long-suffering, and honour-<br />
necessarily influenced the tone of my anonymous able profession in order to increase the already suffi-<br />
reviews.<br />
cient incomes of dilettanti ? Personally I have<br />
You will ask, no doubt, how this method could no fear that this movement will go far. Such<br />
secure justice to authors. Is it not clear that, for superior persons are little likely to fall in with the<br />
them, it all came right in the end ? If the Argus rules of the game : they will insist on taking their<br />
condemned from such motives as I have indicated, own line, and there will be an inevitable return to<br />
the Fulminator would praise on analogous grounds; the regular hand, prepared to perform his allotted<br />
nor could it be assumed that a laudatory notice task punctually and obediently. For my own part,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 44 (#424) #############################################<br />
<br />
44<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
I may confidently say that from the moment I When will educational writers as a body come to<br />
became independent I have never deprived my late learn the real value of the product of their brain ?<br />
profession of a sixpence. I have honourably When will they join together to combat the<br />
abstained from writing, and have simply enjoyed present prices, to prevent the oft-repeated claim of<br />
my leisure. Though never a bookish man, I have certain publishers that they make their profits on<br />
acquired a considerable taste for letters, a taste educational works ? and when will they remember<br />
which, during my literary career, I had neither that the value of the smallest primer must not be<br />
time nor inclination to cultivate, and have often calculated from the mere time it takes to put pen<br />
been ainused to find how great a delight I can take to paper, but must be reckoned from the time<br />
in books which I had pronounced unreadable. spent in obtaining a life-long experience as scholar<br />
I sincerely hope that this long letter may not be and teacher ?<br />
thrown away on you, and that, by giving due atten The Committee of the Society have from time<br />
tion to the precepts and example I have endeavoured to time proclaimed this. It is not without its use<br />
to put before you, you may attain to the success to state it once again.<br />
which I am sure your talents are able to command. When the leaders of one of the greatest pro-<br />
fessions have realised that selling their stored<br />
I am,<br />
knowledge cheap is not generous, is not altruistic,<br />
Your affectionate Uncle,<br />
does not benefit the vast numbers who are yearning<br />
JUDAS QUILLDRIVER. for that knowledge, but only puts profits into<br />
the pocket of the publisher, they will not only<br />
deservedly reap what they have laboriously sown,<br />
THE PUBLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL but will be acting in a kindly and generous spirit<br />
BOOKS.<br />
towards those who are beginning to struggle along<br />
the paths that they as masters have long ago left<br />
behind them.<br />
Another Illustration.<br />
To show that this is no imagined statement, it<br />
SIR,- The article on “ Literary Earnings” in your issue<br />
is sufficient to mention that in one or two cases<br />
of Tuesday last, by Mr. A. J. Church, is very interesting that have come before the Society where educa-<br />
May 1, as one who has had a similar experience, be allowed tional writers have troubled to publish their own<br />
to make a brief statement of its practical results! Like<br />
books-in spite of all the disadvantages of fight-<br />
Mr. Church, I began with a book of school exercises, which<br />
is still on sale. This was in 1876, twenty-six years ago to<br />
ing against trade prejudices and trade prices—they<br />
the present year, inclusive. During this time I have gathered in for themselves a substantial and, in<br />
edited or compiled twenty books in all, for which I have<br />
some cases, a golden harvest.<br />
received (in round numbers) £2,400-i.e., not far off €100<br />
It must once again be stated that the circula-<br />
per annum. These include (1) Elementary school books,<br />
such as Latin and Greek exercises and selected passages<br />
tion of successful educational books is enormous<br />
for translation ; (2) school editions of classical authors, and continued, and surpasses by thousands the<br />
with notes and introductions ; (3) annotated editions of circulation of any work of fiction.<br />
two English classics. The last cost more time and trouble<br />
G. H. T.<br />
than all the rest, and the result has been that I have<br />
received on an average less than 65 per annum for one of<br />
these books and nothing at all for the other, against which<br />
a considerable debt is still standing. As to the school<br />
BOOKSELLING.<br />
books, nearly three-fourths of the protit has come from the<br />
selected extracts and exercises, compilations requiring very<br />
little brain-work-only a certain amount of judgment gained<br />
by experience in teaching. Of the classical texts with notes<br />
The “Net” System.<br />
I find that those which cost the most labour in production M HE object of this paper, which is written at<br />
have proved least remunerative. During the past year<br />
1 the request of the Editor of The Author, is<br />
about 2,000 copies of these editions were sold, comprising<br />
thirteen volumes, of which only five gained any profits ; of<br />
two-fold : in the first place, I wish to show<br />
the " selection" books (five in all) were sold 3,124 copies, that the “net" system was not devised in the<br />
yielding a profit of over £100. I have not yet had a interests of one class, the booksellers, at the<br />
statement of accounts for the English books above men.<br />
expense of the authors and the publishers, but that<br />
tioned, which are published by another firm ; but, judging<br />
by the average of former years, I should say the profits<br />
the interests of authors and publishers have been<br />
from them will not be over £5, probably somewhat less. considered equally with those of the booksellers ;<br />
Yours, &c.,<br />
and, secondly, to deal with a few of the objections<br />
C. S. JERRAM. raised against the system.<br />
Oxford, September 14.<br />
The usual discount given by the booksellers to<br />
By the kind permission of the author, the above the public for cash payment on“ ordinary” books,<br />
letter, which appeared in the Westminster Gazette, is i.e., on books not published at “net" prices, is<br />
printed in these pages.<br />
25 per cent. off the published prices, or “3d. in the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 45 (#425) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
45<br />
shilling.” Now it has been proved that with such consideration if it were the case, as is contended<br />
a discount, that part of a bookseller's business by, some critics, that the days of bookselling are<br />
which consists of the selling of new books, cannot past. If the conditions of the time had brought<br />
be made to pay. I say “cannot be made to pay” it about that the decay of bookselling did not<br />
advisedly, for the “new books” department must matter, then the booksellers would have to be left<br />
pay its share of the cost of rent, assistance, and to their fate. It is true that the conditions of<br />
incidental expenses of the business, and under these the time have changed. The spread of education,<br />
conditions this department yields no profit, and and the introduction of free libraries, have made the<br />
often involves a loss. It has long been known in position of the bookseller different from what it<br />
a general way that this was so, and that book- was. But though it is generally agreed that his<br />
selling was fast decaying ; but it has now been position is different, it is equally felt that his<br />
shown from figures that with the heavy expenses existence is necessary. Sir Walter Besant has<br />
required for the upkeep of a bookselling business, frequently insisted in The Author, with much<br />
it is impossible to make it pay at “threepence in emphasis, that the bookseller's counter is an<br />
the shilling” discount. The booksellers who do essential element in the publication of a book,<br />
make a living out of their business, do not make and that no book is really published till it has<br />
it off the sale of new books; they make it off other found its place there.<br />
things, such as second-hand books, or stationery, or We are thus placed in this dilemma :--On<br />
remainders, or fancy goods, or a circulating library. the one hand, we have booksellers working under<br />
It will thus be seen that there is not much conditions which leave them no profit on the<br />
encouragement to the bookseller to push the “new sale of new books; on the other hand, we have<br />
books” department of his business. Publishers, authors and publishers requiring the assistance<br />
especially the publishers of the more ephemeral of booksellers for the sale of the books they<br />
literature and of non-copyright books, have sought have written and published. It is perfectly<br />
to remedy this evil by increasing their allowance clear, then, that the demand of the book-<br />
to the booksellers. But this has only made matters sellers that the authors and publishers should<br />
worse, for while, on the one hand, the allowance to help them in devising some scheme which should<br />
the booksellers from the publisher has increased in make bookselling profitable, was a demand as<br />
the case of " light literature,” it has not increased much in the interests of the authors and<br />
to the same extent on the less popular books, and publishers as of the booksellers.<br />
on books of a more permanent standing; and on The problem of how to make bookselling profit-<br />
the other hand, the discount given by the book- able is no new problem. It has exercised the<br />
seller to his customer has increased. The retail minds of booksellers and publishers for many<br />
discount, which at one time was 10 per cent., has years. But it is only within the last two years<br />
increased from 20. in the shilling to 3d. in the that a practicable working scheme has been given<br />
shilling, and in the case of some libraries to 4d. in a fair trial. The difficulty was to devise a scheme<br />
the shilling and even more! Further, while, as which should be compulsory, and yet allow a<br />
all readers of The Author know, the allowances to certain measure of freedom to author, publisher, and<br />
booksellers by the publishers vary from about bookseller alike. It was strongly urged at one<br />
25 per cent, to about 42 per cent. off the published time that there should be a compulsory limit of<br />
prices of different books, the discount given by discount on all books. This was objected to on<br />
the bookseller to the public off them all is uniform. the ground that it left no freedom to any one. On<br />
The bookseller can afford to give a large discount the other hand, the increase of discount given by<br />
off books on which he receives an allowance of some publishers to booksellers was valueless, as it<br />
12 per cent., but he obviously cannot afford the was met by an increase of discount given by the<br />
same discount off books on which he receives an booksellers to the public. The introduction by<br />
allowance of 30 per cent. After allowing for some enterprising publishers of net books, i.e., of<br />
working expenses, which must be reckoned at from books off which no discount was to be given to the<br />
12 per cent. to 15 per cent. on his “turnover,” he public, was a step in the right direction ; as the<br />
can still give a discount of 25 per cent. on novels public, though it demands a uniform discount and<br />
of a very popular nature, and leave a slight margin as large a discount as it can get, is contented, as a<br />
of profit; but the same discount given off “solid” rule, with no discount, if a book is published at a<br />
literature often means actual loss to him. But net price. But this step was not sufficient, as<br />
the public does not realise this, and demands a some booksellers began to give a discount off net<br />
uniform discount on all books. It takes little books, and if this had become general, the advantage<br />
calculation to see that, under these conditions, of having books published at net prices would be<br />
bookselling cannot be made remunerative.<br />
neutralised.<br />
This state of matters would not warrant serious The plan which has now been adopted is<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 46 (#426) #############################################<br />
<br />
46<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
this : Books are divided into two classes : (1) " ordi- made by the publishers and the great majority of<br />
nary” books, off which booksellers can give booksellers to compel the very small minority of<br />
what discount they like to the public without unwilling booksellers to sell net books at net prices.<br />
interference from any one ; and (2)“ net” books, (2) The country booksellers sometimes complain<br />
off which it is agreed that no discount may be that while on “ordinary” books they can charge<br />
given either to the public or to libraries. This rather more than the charges made in London,<br />
plan, it will be seen, meets the objections of those they cannot charge more on net books. Country<br />
authors or publishers who object to compulsion, as booksellers, it is contended, have to pay carriage<br />
they can publish their books as “ ordinary” books. from London, while London booksellers are saved<br />
At the same time it meets the demand of those this expense. In reply to this last contention, the<br />
who have shown that compulsion is necessary, as London booksellers state that their expenses for<br />
all books published at net prices must be sold “collectors ” about equalise the expense of carriage<br />
without discount to the public.<br />
to the country. But whether this be so or not, if<br />
The objections which have been raised against the country bookseller has a sufficient profit on<br />
the present “net" system are chiefly four: “net” books and cannot be undersold, it is no<br />
(1) That it is compulsory. (2) That it makes hardship to him if the London bookseller makes<br />
it necessary for country booksellers to supply larger profits. His other complaint is that while<br />
books at the same rate as in London. (3) That he can charge, say, 4s. 9d. for a 6s. novel which is<br />
no advantage is gained by cash payment; and charged 4s. 6d. in London, he cannot charge more<br />
(4) Libraries and schools which buy many books, than 4s. 6d, for a net book that is charged 4s. 617.<br />
and large purchasers, are charged at the same rate in London. While this is true, he forgets that it<br />
as small purchasers.<br />
pays him better to sell a 4s. 61. net book at 4$, 611.<br />
I admit that all these objections are valid objec- than to sell a 68. "ordinary” book at 4s. 9.<br />
tions; but I am equally convinced that in all cases Further, if he has to order a net book specially for<br />
the advantages of the net system outweigh the a customer, he is quite entitled to charge 2d. or 31.<br />
disadvantages.<br />
for carriage if he likes.<br />
(1) While “free trade" in books, as in every- (3) The objection that a customer who pays<br />
thing else, may be an excellent thing, book selling, cash gets no advantage is a more serious one. But<br />
as a trade, ceases to be “ free” when the discount this is an objection that holds true in other trades.<br />
given by one bookseller becomes of necessity the It is not customary, so far as I know, to give<br />
standard of discount among all the booksellers in discount for cash payment for meat or groceries<br />
the same town. With few exceptions it has been or the like. Indeed the customer who runs an<br />
found that if one bookseller increases the discount account often gets a small allowance when he pays<br />
to the public all his neighbours must follow suit. his account, while the cash purchaser gets none.<br />
In some towns there has been for years an agree. It is certainly a hardship that a bookseller who<br />
ment among the booksellers as to the terms on cannot get payment for, say, two years, should not<br />
which books are to be sold; but such agreements be able to charge more than he does to a cash<br />
are frequently upset by an increase in discount purchaser. On " ordinary” books he can do so,<br />
being given by a new bookseller, or by a draper or for a 6s, novel that is charged 4s. 6il, or 5s. for<br />
a chemist who wishes to get the name of being a cash will be charged 6s, net if not paid for in two<br />
cheap draper or a cheap chemist because he sells years. But it seems to me that the proper way to<br />
books cheaper than the legitimate bookseller. deal with this difficulty is to charge interest on<br />
Voluntary agreements are not sufficient, as they unpaid accounts. This is already done in other<br />
can be destroyed at any moment. A bookseller trades, and I see no reason why it should not be<br />
knows that he cannot be undersold in “net” adopted with books.<br />
books, and the more books become net the more (4) Lastly, it is objected that large purchasers<br />
will he be able to afford to make his stock more pay the same rate as small purchasers. But the<br />
attractive, and to pay for better assistants; and if giving of special terms to large purchasers is not a<br />
the public have to pay a little more for their books, matter of principle, and is not always expedient.<br />
they will gain compensatory advantages.<br />
For instance, it is obviously much more expensive<br />
But the subject of “ Free Trade” is a wide one, for a railway company to carry a passenger one<br />
and cannot be argued out here. It is sufficient to mile for one penny than 400 miles for 400 pence.<br />
note that the whole value of the present system But the large purchaser of 400 miles of railway<br />
turns on its compulsory character. And if authors travelling gets no advantage over the small<br />
and publishers are free to publish books as purchaser of one mile of travelling. It is a<br />
“ ordinary” books, which are not liable to inter. question of averages. One librarian may give a<br />
ference, and booksellers are free to refuse to stock bookseller a great deal of trouble, another may give<br />
net books, none need complain if an agreement is no trouble ; but the bookseller cannot differentiate<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 47 (#427) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
47<br />
between the two. The advisability of giving a done. The King called his common-placebook<br />
discount off net books to libraries and schools was “Enchiridion," and liked to have it always at<br />
fully discussed, but it was decided that it was hand. It must have contained, besides Latin<br />
expedient to make no exceptions to the rule of quotations, memoranda written by the King him-<br />
supplying net books at net prices.<br />
self. A few fragments of it are preserved in<br />
The "net" system is now on its trial. It William of Malmesbury.<br />
remains to be seen whether “ordinary” books It was after this that the King became an<br />
or “net ” books will gain the day. The rapid author. All his works are translations. The first<br />
increase in the number of books published at net was the “ Consolations of Boëthius," a book ex-<br />
prices, and the general welcome given by the public tremely popular throughout the middle ages, in<br />
to the net system, argues well for its future. So which the last remnants of the classical spirit are<br />
far the net system has not spread to any extent to mingled with the Christian thought of a later<br />
novels and light literature; but it is gradually epoch. At the date of the translation the King<br />
doing so. But I think it is better that the system was not entirely master of Latin, and must have<br />
should be adopted gradually rather than at a had Asser's assistance.<br />
forced rate. It is better that authors and the The next work was a translation of Orosius'<br />
public should see for themselves that it is the “History of the World.” Orosius, a Spanish priest,<br />
best, as it is the most rational system of book- became, in 410, acquainted with Augustine of<br />
selling, than that they should feel in any way that Hippo. At Augustine's suggestion he undertook<br />
they are forced to adopt a system which they do a history of the world, with a view to demonstrating<br />
not understand. In America, where the same that Christianity had not been the cause of the<br />
problems have had to be faced, it is proposed to fall of the Roman Empire-a view held by the<br />
make the net system practically universal, and to aristocratic pagan party. The historically worth-<br />
apply it at once not only to the more expensive less work became popular with the clergy, and<br />
books, but also to novels. Whether our American supplanted better means of self-instruction.<br />
friends are wise in trying to adopt suddenly the The merits of Boëthius are not great ; Orosius<br />
system which we are desiring to introduce gradually, has none. Alfred's translations have a value not<br />
time only will show; but it is at least satisfactory possessed by the originals, in consequence of his<br />
to know that the system which has been adopted having been a very free translator. He not only<br />
here has been accepted as the model for America. omitted much, but added without hesitation matter<br />
ROBERT MACLEHOSE. of his own.<br />
Thus he appends to Boëthius historical matter<br />
of a subsequent date; and supplements Orosius'<br />
KING ALFRED AS AN AUTHOR, imperfect geography by his own more accurate<br />
knowledge of Northern Europe. He adds little<br />
Ta date when the celebration of the millen- scraps of information here and there, and now and<br />
A nium of the death of King Alfred the Great then makes an allusion to himself.<br />
is justly commanding national attention, we His third work was a translation of Bede's<br />
offer our 'small tribute of a brief record of the Ecclesiastical History. In making this the King<br />
King's literary labours.<br />
omitted much that was of interest only to<br />
They belong to the later part of his life, the Northumbrians, but carefully retained everything<br />
second half of that interval during which the relating to the early Kings of Wessex. He made<br />
struggle with the Danes was suspended.<br />
no additions, and it is to be regretted that he<br />
Strange to say, the very day of their commence should not have given himself the trouble to<br />
ment is known-the feast of St. Martin, the 11th supply from his own knowledge historical facts<br />
of November, 887. Before that Alfred had written with which Bede was unacquainted.<br />
himself a little prayer-book, a copy of the Hours, to Thus far the King's works were mainly historical<br />
which he had added various devotions. On the date and philosophic. His last book was purely theo-<br />
mentioned, his tutor, Aeser, * was reading to him. logical, a translation of St. Gregory the Great's<br />
Struck by a certain passage, Alfred requested Asser “Regula Pastoralis,” a sort of “ Whole Duty of<br />
to write it in his prayer-book. Every page had Priests." This work may have been taken up in<br />
been filled by the additions which the King had at 890, for in the Preface Alfred alludes to the<br />
different times made. Asser suggested that they assistance he had received in his previous works<br />
should begin a new book, a separate collection from Asser and others. The most interesting<br />
of passages that pleased the King. This was morsel of all that he wrote is his own really<br />
admirable Preface to this book. In it we possess<br />
* Asser was a mouk of Saint David's, subsequently pro-<br />
moted by Alfred to the bishopric of Sherbourne. He was<br />
a valuable memorial of his own mind, and of the<br />
the King's biographer.<br />
purposes which he had in setting forth his works.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 48 (#428) #############################################<br />
<br />
48<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
He explains that he desired by his own example to some time next year. “Rural England” will<br />
revive the learning which had so entirely vanished, probably be the title of this volume which deals<br />
and to this end he reminds his readers of those with a subject of national importance.<br />
better times long passed, whose glory could only Says the author :_<br />
be regained by means of education and instruction.<br />
"I can conscientiously say that no fatigue or effort has<br />
Allusions are made to other books begun by him, been spared—and I may add that the work involved in<br />
among them a translation of the Book of Psalms, dealing with many localities and among many people<br />
but the remaining works ascribed to him are with these problems and investigations is not light. It<br />
is, in short, something not unlike the labours of a Royal<br />
either very doubtful, or certainly the work of other<br />
Commission faced single-handed."<br />
writers. He may have had a hand in some of<br />
The effort is at once the most arduous, the most<br />
them. Some may be due to his influence or<br />
suggestion. But literary myths soon gathered<br />
exhausting, and the most interesting of the author's<br />
life. He has striven to treat his task in a tem-<br />
around him. Works in which he had taken no part<br />
perate and impartial spirit, to weigh and sift the<br />
were assigned to him. Folk literature fell under<br />
the spell of his name, and such productions as col-<br />
evidence, and to set down nothing he does not<br />
believe to be true.<br />
lections of popular sentences, proverbs, and parables<br />
circulated as “ The Proverbs of King Alfred.”<br />
Mr. G. Bernard Shaw is to re-issue, in a revised<br />
His real claim to literary greatness rests upon<br />
form and with a new preface, his early novel,<br />
the higlı aims with which he wrote, and the great “ Cashel Byron's Profession.”<br />
impetus which he gave to a vernacular English He is also publishing, through Mr. Grant<br />
literature.<br />
Richards, a new version of the story in Elizabethan<br />
blank verse, entitled “ The Admirable Bashville ;<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.<br />
or, Constancy Unrewarded”; and “A Note on<br />
Modern Prize Fighting.”<br />
Mr. W. H. Wilkins, the author of “The Love of<br />
W ITH the return of members from their<br />
an Uncrowned Queen,” is publishing, through<br />
V holidays the Authors' Club, like other<br />
Messrs. Longmans, a new historical work in two<br />
clubs, is showing renewed life.<br />
volumes — “ Caroline the Illustrious." It is a<br />
Preparations are being made for a series of<br />
of memoir of Caroline of Anspach, wife of George II.<br />
dinners in the autumn, when the Club will enter-<br />
There are portraits and illustrations.<br />
tain, as heretofore, a number of distingushed guests.<br />
Simultaneous editions of Mr. Rudyard Kipling's<br />
These dinners have for a long time been a feature<br />
“ Kim” have been published in England, the<br />
of the Club, and take place on Monday nights.<br />
Colonies, Canada, and the United States, as well<br />
Many of the most famous men of the day have<br />
honoured the Club with their presence-ambassa-<br />
as in France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and<br />
Denmark.<br />
dors, lawyers, generals, doctors, artists, musicians,<br />
and others.<br />
Messrs. Macmillan are issuing an édition de lure<br />
Admiral Sir E. H. Seymour. G.C.B., has accepted besides; and later on “Kim” will be included in<br />
the invitation of the Club for November 4th.<br />
the Outward Bound edition of the author's works<br />
published by Charles Scribner and Sons, of New<br />
York.<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
Some of Mr. Kipling's stories are, we under-<br />
stand, being translated into the Malayan language.<br />
TN his new book, “A Winter's Pilgrimage" Although Lucas Malet's big novel “ Sir Richard<br />
1 (Longmans), Mr. Rider Haggard gives an Calmady ” was only published on September 13th,<br />
account of travels in Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, the first and second editions are exhausted owing<br />
and Palestine. The author believes he has to the enormous demand for it. A third edition is<br />
identified Golgotha. He says, “ As it chances, on being issued. Messrs. Methuen are issuing a special<br />
the cliff at this spot, the face of the rock looking edition as well. It is limited to 500 copies in<br />
towards Jerusalem has undoubtedly a fantastic, but two vols., 12s.<br />
to my fancy, a very real resemblance to a rotting The same firm is publishing, in 3s. 6d. form,<br />
human skull.” The photograph which illustrates Lucas Malet's earlier novels: “The Wages of<br />
the spot helps to strengthen the author's statement Sin,” “ Colonel Enderby's Wife,” “ The Gateless<br />
in a striking manner.<br />
Barrier,” &c.<br />
The substance of the articles by Mr. Rider It seems that up to the end of September soupe<br />
Haggard, entitled “Back to the Land,” which have 190,000 copies of Mr. Hall Caine's "The Eternal<br />
been appearing in The Daily Express week after City ” were sold in England and America. The<br />
week since May, will be published in book form demand steadily continues.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 49 (#429) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
49<br />
Mr. Anthony Hope's “ Tristram of Blent” Sharp is known as the authoress of “ Wymps," and<br />
stands high on the list of recent novels selling other popular stories.<br />
well ; there is a steady demand for it.<br />
Mr. Thomas Cobb has written a new story for<br />
Miss R. N. Carey's “Herb of Grace" also children. It will be issued shortly in the series of<br />
continues popular. Rita's “ A Jilt's Journal”; Dumpy Books for Children. The same author's<br />
Maxwell Grey's “A Four-leaved Clover”; and successful story, “ Bountiful Lady," appeared as<br />
Mr. Frankfort Moore's “ A Nest of Linnets” are one of the Dumpy Books. Mr. Grant Richards is<br />
doing well.<br />
the publisher.<br />
“The Secret Orchard,” Mr. and Mrs. Egerton “Old Knowledge," a story of present-day<br />
Castle's new novel (Macmillan, 6s.), is doing Donegal, is the name of Mr. Stephen Gwynn's<br />
excellently well. The scene is laid in France, in new book. In it the author relates the experiences<br />
a great château owned by the Duke of Cluny, a of an English girl who goes to lodge in an Irish<br />
descendant of the Stuarts, who inherits their cottage in order to fish and paint.<br />
charm and their faithlessness.<br />
The central figure in the story is an old peasant,<br />
It will be remembered that Mr. and Mrs. Kendal a man rarely gifted, a visionary who paints his own<br />
produced “ The Secret Orchard " in the form of visions. The “ Old Knowledge" means the folk-<br />
a play.<br />
beliefs of the peasants, which are interpreted by<br />
Mr. F. Marion Crawford has just published him in the light of modern mysticism.<br />
through the same firm his new novel, « A Maid Miss Jane Barlow's new book, “ From the Land<br />
of Venice.”<br />
of the Shamrock,” is a collection of sketches of<br />
A new and uniform edition of this popular Trish<br />
Irish life and character.<br />
author's works is being issued fortnightly by The Board of Education has selected as the his-<br />
Messrs. Macmillan at 38. 6d. a volume.<br />
torical subject in 1902, for students in men's training<br />
“ Deep Sea Plunderings” is the title of Mr. colleges, “The History of Europe from 1814-1848,"<br />
Frank T. Bullen's new book just issued by Messrs.<br />
and Mr. Oscar Browning has written a work to<br />
and Mr. O<br />
Smith Elder & Co. There are eight illustrations<br />
meet the demand thus created for a convenient book.<br />
by Arthur Twidle.<br />
In fourteen chapters he sketches the restoration of<br />
the Bourbons, and the ascendancy of the Holy<br />
The same author is publishing through Messrs.<br />
Alliance and absolutist principles throughout<br />
Hodder & Stoughton “The Apostles of the South<br />
Europe ; the dawn of the revolutionary spirit in<br />
East,” 6s.<br />
Greece and her liberation ; the abortive revolutions<br />
Miss Agnes Giberne has just published, at 5s., of 1830, and the gradual growth of the reaction<br />
“ The Mighty Deep, and what we know of it." against unlimited monarchy and aristocratic privi-<br />
Messrs. Pearson are the publishers.<br />
lege in the several European countries; and finally,<br />
“Great Lowlands” is the name of Annie E. in France, the fall of the monarchy of July. Messrs.<br />
Holdsworth’s new novel. Messrs. Hodder & Macmillan publish it.<br />
Stoughton are the publishers.<br />
Mr. Horace G. Hutchinson's new book is entitled<br />
Mr. George R. Sims is editing Messrs. Cassell “Dreams and their Meanings." There are many<br />
& Co.'s “ Living London.” This big work deals accounts of experiences sent by correspondents, and<br />
with London from the human side. Mr. Pett two chapters, contributed mainly from the journals<br />
Ridge is among the contributors.<br />
of the Psychical Research Society, on Telepathic<br />
Another contribution to King Alfred literature and Premonitory Dreams. Messrs. Longmans,<br />
is the Rev. Stopford A. Brooke's “ King Alfred,” Green & Co. are the publishers.<br />
ls, net. There is an appendix of passages from The same publishers have ready the third volume<br />
the writings of Alfred, selected and translated from of Mr. John Beattie Crozier's “ History of Intellec-<br />
the old English by Kate M. Warren.<br />
tual Development on the Lines of Modern Evolu-<br />
Also there is “God Save King Alfred” by the tion.” This volume is political, educational and<br />
Rev. E. Gilliat, late of Harrow School. This book social, including an attempted reconstruction of the<br />
for boys is a romance of Alfred's life ; his youth, politics of England, France and America for the<br />
exploits, courtship, betrothal, and kingship are twentieth century.<br />
dealt with. It is illustrated with drawings by Mr. Andrew Lang's new book, “Magic and Reli-<br />
Gutzan-Borghum.<br />
gion” (10s. 6d. net, Longmans), contains a series of<br />
Miss Evelyn Sharp's new book, for girls in their criticisms of recent speculations regarding early<br />
teens, is called “ The Youngest Girl in the School.” religion, dealing especially with Mr. Frazer's theories<br />
There are illustrations by C. E. Brock. Miss in “The Golden Bough.” Other essays deal with<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 50 (#430) #############################################<br />
<br />
50<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
the latest results of anthropological research in the<br />
religious field, and in that of magic.<br />
“ The Essays of an Ex-Librarian,” by Dr. Richard<br />
Garnett, C.B. (716, Heinemann), is a volume of<br />
literary criticisms. There are critical studies on<br />
Peacock, Beckford, Moore, Coleridge, and Matthew<br />
Arnold, and essays on Shelley, Lord Beaconsfield,<br />
&c., &c.<br />
The “Illustrated History of English Literature,"<br />
which Dr. Garnett and Mr. Edmund Gosse are<br />
publishing through Mr. Heinemann, in four volumes,<br />
has been prepared on entirely new lines by the authors,<br />
who have given a life-study to the subject.<br />
A consecutive history of the entire course of<br />
English literature, from the Anglo-Saxon to our<br />
own day, will be given in one type, so that this, if<br />
the reader so desires, can be read alone as a narrative<br />
of the evolution of English style.<br />
A biography of each author is to be supplied in<br />
a different type, and from the work of each leading<br />
writer at least one characteristic quotation will be<br />
made.<br />
Jean Delaire, author of “A Dream of Fame,"<br />
has recently published a new book called “Two<br />
Girls and a Dream.” The writer tells how the two<br />
girls, Gem the painter and Loise the waiter, struggle<br />
in London to make a living. Ultimately Loise<br />
becomes a famous writer, but a heart-lonely woman;<br />
while Gem marries happily. There is an obvious<br />
moral in the story.<br />
The first of Messrs. Anthony Treherne & Co.'s<br />
1s. series of sporting novels is “ Little Cherie, or<br />
The Trainer's Daughter," by Lady Florence Dixie.<br />
His Majesty the King has accepted a copy.<br />
The Leadenhall Press are also issuing Part I. of<br />
a book of poems written by Lady Florence Dixie<br />
when she was a child, under the pseudonym of<br />
- Darling." The book consists of nearly 400 pages<br />
and contains selections of poems written between<br />
the ages of ten and seventeen vears. It is dedicated<br />
to the first Lord Lytton and contains a poem of<br />
some fifteen lines by him recording his first meeting<br />
with the child authoress. The popular edition is<br />
2s.6d., but the édition de luce costs 7s. 61.<br />
Mr. H. B. Baildon, M.A. Cantab., formerly<br />
lecturer on English in the University of Vienna,<br />
has been appointed to the lectureship in English<br />
Language and Literature in University College,<br />
Dundee. Mr. Baildon was a contemporary at<br />
school and college of Robert Louis Stevenson, and<br />
stevenson, and<br />
a second edition of his “Life-Study and Criticism".<br />
of that writer was published in September last.<br />
Messrs. Duckworth have just issued a translation<br />
of Mr. Charles Hastings' “ The Theatre," 8s. net.<br />
The authorised translation is by Miss Frances A.<br />
Welby.<br />
Mr. Pinero's “Iris" is doing so well, and is so<br />
likely to hold the boards for months to come, that<br />
Mr. Bourchier has not troubled to make any<br />
definite arrangements regarding its successor.<br />
After the run of “ The Second in Command,"<br />
which has been played over 300 times, and has had<br />
a very successful tour in the provinces, Messrs.<br />
Maude and Harrison will produce at the Hay-<br />
market Theatre a four-act adaptation from the<br />
French, by Mr. Sydney Grundy.<br />
“The Emerald Isle" at the Savoy is to be<br />
replaced very shortly by the musical version of<br />
Captain Basil Hood's playlet “Ib and Little<br />
Christina -<br />
Mr. Martin Harvey intends to produce his new<br />
play “After All” in London as soon as possible.<br />
“ After All” was received with great enthusiasm<br />
when played in Dublin last month.<br />
The third special Wednesday matinée of “ The<br />
Second Mrs. Tanqueray,” given by Mrs. Patrick<br />
Campbell at the Royal Theatre, takes place on the<br />
6th inst.<br />
A new book by the Rev. W. Robertson Nicoll.<br />
LL.D., is announced by Messrs. Hodder &<br />
Stoughton.<br />
Stor<br />
Its title is “ The Church's One<br />
Foundation : Christ and Recent Criticism.” Price<br />
De ce<br />
Also by the same author a series of articles<br />
which appeared in the British Weekly have been<br />
put into volume form and called “Sunday After-<br />
noon Prayers.” Its price is also 3s. 6d.<br />
Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton are also publish-<br />
ing “ The Pulpit Bible," by the Rev. Joseph<br />
Parker, D.D. The original notes and comments<br />
on Holy Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation,<br />
are printed in the margin of a quarto Bible,<br />
specially printed in new type and strongly bound<br />
in Persian levant.<br />
Messrs. Methuen have published an unusually<br />
large first edition of the “Life of Robert Louis<br />
Stevenson," by his cousin, Mr. Graham Balfour.<br />
The interest in Stevenson is, however, so great<br />
that a second edition has been immediately called<br />
for to meet the demand. The Life is in two<br />
volumes, 258. net.<br />
Dr. Conan Dovle is bringing his history of the<br />
South African War up to date for the new edition<br />
to be issued by Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.<br />
Sir Wemyss Reid, who kuew the late William<br />
Black intimately, has nearly finished his life of<br />
that popular novelist.<br />
The popular shilling edition of Prince Kropot-<br />
kin's book, “ Fields, Factories, and Workshops,"<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 51 (#431) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
. 51<br />
which was published about three months ago, has A monograph on the Russian musical instrument,<br />
been quite exhausted, and another large edition is “The Balalaika,” by Algernon Rose, has just been<br />
now in the press.<br />
published by the Musical Association. The essay<br />
The first editions of Mr. James Baker's new treats of the instrument in its various forms, and<br />
journalistic novel, “ A Double Choice,” have been sizes, from the piccolo to the contra-basso balalaïka.<br />
quickly exhausted, and seem to have aroused the The leading makers of the instrument are men-<br />
public's curiosity. The Morning Post concluded tioned, and a minute description of the structure<br />
its review with the words :<br />
and method of playing forms the body of the<br />
article.<br />
- Journalism is surely the freest profession in the world,<br />
and every paper is open to anyone who has something to<br />
say, and knows how to say it.".<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
That bright little weekly, “ The People's Friend,”<br />
for 21st inst. contains an interview with Edith C.<br />
Kenyon, authoress of “ The Hand of His Brother,"<br />
FICTION.<br />
who has of late years devoted herself more especially SIR, --Mr. Egerton Castle has lately put out an<br />
to serial writing. The same journal has taken her ingenious defence of fiction--a branch of art which<br />
new serial, “ Love's Golden Thread.”<br />
may perhaps be thought capable of taking up its<br />
Mrs. E. Rentoul Esler's new book, " The own defence on the obvious ground of success.<br />
Awakening of Helena Thorpe,” has just been But a suspicion may be lurking in minds of<br />
issued by Messrs. S. W. Partridge & Co. It exceptional intelligence like his, that a little reac-<br />
treats of the perennial problems that become fresh tion may threaten its enormous popularity. If,<br />
when seen through a fresh temperament.<br />
urges Mr. Castle, characters and events in a story<br />
The floral farms at Wisbech form the opening<br />
be of convincing power, “it can make no differ-<br />
scene of Mrs. Bertram Tanqueray's new novel,<br />
ence in the intellectual pleasure of the reader<br />
“ The Call of the Future,” which has been published<br />
whether what he is made to realise so vividly is a<br />
this autumn by Messrs. Hurst & Blackett.<br />
record of fact or mere fancy.” But surely pleasure,<br />
even if intellectual, is not the whole object of life,<br />
“ The Week's Survey " is the title of a new<br />
and the pleasure derived from watching the course<br />
penny Weekly Review of Literature, Politics, and of a “ love affair "--such being the usual interest<br />
Social Affairs. It is strongly supported both on of an English novel---can hardly claim any very<br />
the literary and the business sides. The ideal of high level of intellect. Is not Diana Vernon ... as<br />
the paper is to be at once substantial and interest-<br />
living now as Rob Roy Macgregor? Do we not<br />
ing. Its low price should enable it to reach a see in our mind's eye the lovable John Ridd ...<br />
large number of people.<br />
or Mr. Samuel Pepys ... or King James ? It<br />
Miss May Bateman's new novel, “ The Glow- may be so, but ought it? The story of James the<br />
worm” (formerly announced as “ The Idealist”), Second is full of useful warning; the story of Di<br />
has just been issued by Mr. Heinemann. Miss Vernon or that of Lorna Doone can but be an<br />
Bateman has had to change her title owing to the expression of an author's fancy. One is a decora-<br />
appearance of another work of fiction bearing the tive painting, the other a serviceable chart. Some,<br />
same name.<br />
indeed, appear to assume that the historic romance<br />
A selection of new pieces which have been printed 18 of more value than history itself, but they do<br />
in journals of repute is a feature of Mr. Mackenzie not bear in mind that by the very exigencies of his<br />
Bell's “ Collected Poems” to be published at once by<br />
art the romancer is bound to distort the truth.<br />
Mr. Thomas Burleigh.<br />
The object of “ Ivanhoe” or “ The Talisman” was<br />
to provide a pleasant pastime, that of Thierry and<br />
Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. are<br />
Freeman was quite different. Subject to personal<br />
the publishers of Mr. Ernest A. Tietken's volume<br />
limitations these show what our ancestors were and<br />
of poems, “ The Heavenly Link," price 5s.<br />
what they did not draped in the elegancies of a<br />
Under the title “ Mr. Punch's Dramatic Sequels” fancy ball, but in their own barbaric vigour. The<br />
Messrs. Bradbury, Agnew & Co., Limited, will great use of history is to connect the present with<br />
republish at the end of October the series of con- the past; the great weakness of fiction is that it<br />
tinuations to famous plays by St. John Hankin helps to stimulate emotions for which it can find<br />
which appeared in Punch in the early part of the no employment. It is true that Thierry gave<br />
year. Mr. E. J. Wheeler has provided fourteen high praise to Scott's perception of life in Norman<br />
illustrations for the “Sequels” in which the times; Scott was the fashion when Thierry wrote,<br />
portraits of many prominent actors will be and his pleasant ways completed the hypnotism.<br />
recognised. The price will be five shillings (net). But Thackeray came and torpedoed the paradox.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 52 (#432) #############################################<br />
<br />
52<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
one of fact, which I could bring abundance of<br />
unquestionable authority to support, while the<br />
article generally was on a subject concerning which<br />
I have a specialist's knowledge. Consequently I<br />
do not know which to admire most, the rudeness<br />
of the editor in defacing a MS. as such, or the<br />
impertinent annotations on a subject of which he<br />
palpably knew nothing, and I, admittedly, a good<br />
deal. I say “admittedly" because I write there-<br />
upon for five journals every week, and I have not<br />
yet found a proprietor complacent enough to pay<br />
specialist's prices without value received.<br />
A MEMBER.<br />
(The Editor will give the name of the magazine<br />
to any member of the Society who may desire the<br />
information - Ej<br />
“ Ivanhoe," as read by him, was clearly not history.<br />
Indeed, in all Scott's gallery there is not one<br />
historical figure introduced that is true to nature<br />
--even Louis Onze in “ Quentin Durward ” is<br />
idealised. The reason is in the very nature of the<br />
art. But if this be the case in the higher ranges of<br />
fiction and in the hands of the greatest masters,<br />
what must it be with fiction as an industry, with<br />
tales which depend for prosperity on their power<br />
to stimulate barren emotions and to excite idle<br />
curiosity ? And observe, there is here no question<br />
of quality ; novelists of great momentary vogue<br />
could be named whose work is not literature at all.<br />
If we are told, then, of the enormous popularity of<br />
such works we need not surrender our case—we<br />
merely turn in another direction. We muse on the<br />
taste of the reading public and on the indications<br />
atforded of its intellectual and moral conditions.<br />
It is easy to see that such criticism will not apply<br />
to the masterpieces of the art, so long, at least, as<br />
it does not distort our historical impressions. But<br />
the public will prefer--absolutely prefer- bad novels<br />
to good, just as a Kaffir would not exchange his<br />
bottle of “ Cape smoke" for a flask of wine from<br />
Prince Metternich's vineyard. The glorification<br />
of a royal Stuart, the defamation of the Eliza-<br />
bethan Catholics, are as much an abuse of pen and<br />
ink as the production of trashy trade love stoires ;<br />
fortunately these are not as influential or enduring<br />
as great works of pure imagination. Against such<br />
there is no law: but it is to be feared that the<br />
public won't discriminate.<br />
SENEX.<br />
“THE HANDLING OF MSS.”<br />
SIR, Mr. F. H. Freshfield asks whether the<br />
defacement of MSS. is ever practised “by really<br />
good houses”? Let me give an example. Some<br />
three or four months ago I forwarded a type-<br />
written article to the editor of a magazine pub-<br />
lished by one of the best-known houses in the<br />
the hostelznown houses in the<br />
world. In a few weeks the MS. was returned<br />
and, of course, I do not complain of that. I<br />
addressed an envelope to another high-class publi-<br />
cation, and was just enclosing the MS., when I<br />
decided to glance through it anew. To my surprise,<br />
I found several passages scored in pencil at the<br />
sides, and in one place the word “Rubbish !” was<br />
written in the margin.<br />
Having removed these obnoxious marks, I posted<br />
the MS. In four days it was in type, without a<br />
word excised, and in less than a month I had<br />
received £8 188. 6d. as payment. Presumably,<br />
therefore, the article was not without worth.<br />
What I particularly desire to explain, however, is<br />
that the incidental statement which the editor of<br />
the first magazine had marked as “rubbish” was<br />
“HALL CAINE, THE MAN AND THE NOYELIST."<br />
To the Editor of THE AUTHOR.<br />
SIR, I regret to find in the October number of<br />
The Author a paragraph co the effect that Mr.<br />
Hall Caine has “ revised” the MS. of my forth-<br />
coming book relating to himself and his work. I<br />
have seen this paragraph in other papers, but have<br />
left it uncontradicted, because it was my intention<br />
to wait until the publication of my book in order<br />
to give the erroneous statement the refutation for<br />
which it called. But now that the paragraph has<br />
appeared in The Author—a paper in which all<br />
literary news is not only correct but “official ”—I<br />
feel compelled to state the true facts of the case.<br />
I can do this best by quoting from a letter<br />
addressed to me by Mr. Hall Caine a few weeks<br />
ago-<br />
DEAR MR. KENYON,—I have looked over the portion of<br />
your manuscript which you sent me, and have made a few<br />
comparatively unimportant changes. They concern what<br />
you say of my friends, living and dead, and therefore I<br />
have felt it to be my duty to set you right where I thought<br />
you were wrong. With what you say of myself, whether<br />
in the way of criticism or biography. I do not feel that I<br />
have any right to interfere, and I fear I must deny myself<br />
the pleasure of writing the Preface which you are good<br />
enough to request. If your view of my life and my books is to<br />
have any value for the public, it must stand as your own,<br />
without any criticism or endorsement from me. ...<br />
Yours very truly,<br />
HÅLL CAINE.<br />
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right. That, and the loan of some interesting<br />
letters, constitute the whole sum of his respon-<br />
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I am, etc.,<br />
C. FRED. KENYON.<br />
Ellesmere Park, Eccles,<br />
October 13th, 1901.<br />
<br />
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| 348 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/348 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 05 (December 1901) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+05+%28December+1901%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 05 (December 1901)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1901-12-01-The-Author-12-5 | | | | | 53–80 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1901-12-01">1901-12-01</a> | | | | | | | 5 | | | 19011201 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
Vol. XII.—No. 5.<br />
DECEMBER 1, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
PAGE<br />
...<br />
53<br />
...<br />
...<br />
53<br />
54<br />
General Memoranda ...<br />
Warnings to Dramatic Authors<br />
How to Use the Society<br />
The Reading Branch ...<br />
Notices ... ... ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors<br />
From the Committee ... ... **<br />
Authorities ... ... ....<br />
Author and Literary Agent ...<br />
How to make Plays Readable<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property<br />
Publishers' Methods and the Society's Action ...<br />
Memorial to R. D. Blackmore<br />
The Sixpenny Book ... ...<br />
Kipling v. Putnam .<br />
Neufeld v. Chapman & Hall, Ltd. ...<br />
Mr. Harry Quilter and the Society of Authors<br />
Judgment in Fiction ... ...<br />
The Autumn Season ...<br />
Publishers' and Editors' Delays ...<br />
The Method of the Future ...<br />
The Authors Club<br />
Book and Play Talk ...<br />
Correspondence...<br />
:::::::<br />
::::::::::::<br />
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5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.)<br />
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Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at<br />
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Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. 1s. each. Illustrated.<br />
Maps by JOHN BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S.<br />
THE ISLE OF WIGHT.<br />
THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.<br />
THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN.THE NORFOLK BROADS<br />
BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY.<br />
BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY<br />
BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS<br />
ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY.<br />
MALVERN, HEREFORD. WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER.<br />
LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES.<br />
BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE.<br />
LLANDUDNO, RHYL, BANGOR, CARNARVON, ANGLESEA.<br />
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The Author.<br />
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FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.-No. 5.<br />
DECEMBER 1ST, 1901.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
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VOL. XII.<br />
TEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
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2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
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obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 54 (#438) #############################################<br />
<br />
54<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements.<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution.<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
This<br />
The<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA.<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
CEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
Readers are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
T the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
1. D VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
V advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed<br />
or initialled the Authors alone are responsible.<br />
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken<br />
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless<br />
such is especially stated to be the case.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 55 (#439) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
55<br />
Society<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
·<br />
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.<br />
At the meeting of the Committee held on<br />
November 18th twenty new members and<br />
associates were elected.<br />
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors The Committee have the pleasure of congratu-<br />
has been removed to-<br />
lating the Society on the judgment obtained by<br />
39, OLD QUEEN STREET,<br />
Mr. Neufeld against Chapman and Hall.<br />
STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
The further business transacted was as follows :<br />
It was decided to take counsel's opinion on<br />
another important case regarding the rights of a<br />
member of the Society to prohibit the dramatic<br />
NOTICE.<br />
recitation of his work.<br />
And, secondly, owing to the favourable opinion<br />
expressed by counsel on the case mentioned last<br />
M HE EDITOR begs to inform members of the<br />
month, the Committee will support the member<br />
1 Authors' Society and other readers of The<br />
whose property is involved, and, if necessary, carry<br />
Author that the cases which are from time the case throngh the Con<br />
to time quoted in The Author are cases that have<br />
A few other minor matters referring to disputes<br />
come before the notice or to the knowledge of the between Authors and Publishers were gone into<br />
Secretary of the Society, and that those members<br />
and settled.<br />
of the Society who desire to have the names of<br />
the publishers concerned can obtain them on<br />
application.<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
Donations from Members of the Council.<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY Meredith, George, President of the<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
. .£10 0 0<br />
à Beckett, A. W.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Barrie, J. M. .<br />
. . . . 5 5 ()<br />
M HE following is the total of donations and Bateman, Robert<br />
5 0 0<br />
1 subscriptions promised or received up to Beddard, F. E..<br />
2 0 0<br />
the 9th November, 1901.<br />
Bonney, Rev. T. G. .<br />
Further sums will be acknowledged from month Clodd, Edward . .<br />
to month as they are received, as it has been con Colles, W. M. .<br />
5 5 0<br />
sidered unnecessary to print the full list with Collier. The Honble. John<br />
every issue.<br />
Conway, Sir W. Martin<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Donations ..................<br />
......£1439 16 6 Craigie, Mrs. .<br />
Subscriptions .................... 107 8 6 Dobson, Austin . .<br />
Doyle, A. Conan.<br />
15 0<br />
Dubourg, A. W..<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
Foster, Sir Michael, M. P., F.R.S.<br />
Nov. 9, Dale, Miss ......<br />
2 11 0 Freshfield, D. W.<br />
Oct. 10, Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet) 5 5 0 Garnett, Richard<br />
Oct. 15, Rossi, Miss L. ....<br />
0 10 6 Gosse, Edmund .<br />
Oct. 25, Potter, M. H. ......<br />
0 12 0 Grundy, Sydney.<br />
2 2 0<br />
Oct. 30, Stanley, Mrs. .......<br />
Haggard, H. Rider .<br />
Hardy, Thomas .<br />
Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet)<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope<br />
0 0<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
Jerome K. Jerome .<br />
. 2 2 0<br />
Keltie, J. Scott . .<br />
1 1 0<br />
Kipling, Rudyard .<br />
2000)<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
Lely, J. M.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
The Committee have deemed it advisable, owing Loftie, Rev. W.J. .<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
to certain information they have received, to take Middleton Wake, Rev. C.<br />
Rev. C. H. . . 2 2 0<br />
no further steps for the present touching the Norman, Henry .<br />
petition it had been proposed to lay before the Parker, Gilbert ..<br />
• . 3 3 0<br />
Board of Trade with regard to Copyright Pinero, A. W..<br />
. 5 5 0<br />
Legislation.<br />
Pollock, Sir F..<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
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· ·<br />
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· ·<br />
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· ·<br />
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108-107NCO N Coco er NET N<br />
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<br />
<br />
## p. 56 (#440) #############################################<br />
<br />
56<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Rose, Edward .<br />
£220 Although the piracy of books goes on to a some-<br />
Scoones, W. Baptiste. .<br />
1 1 0 what similar extent, it is much more difficult for<br />
Sims, George R.. · · ·<br />
... 5 0 0 the publisher to escape detection, and to benefit<br />
Sprigge, S. S. . .<br />
2 2 0 by the piracy, without running the risk of subse-<br />
Ward, Mrs. Humphry .<br />
5 0 0 quent retribution, as he generally possesses an<br />
office and has a “ local habitation.” Not so the<br />
The list of subscriptions set out above, amounting dramatic pirate. Should every colony pass a law<br />
in all to £137 18s., comprises the contributions of<br />
on the lines suggested, it would do a great deal to<br />
the Council so far received in answer to the circular stop the infringement of dramatic rights<br />
issued from the office.<br />
There are many people who would run the risk<br />
The Committee now lay the matter before all the of performing a play if only subject to the payment<br />
members of the Society, and would ask all those to<br />
of a remote pecuniary damage who would be pre-<br />
subscribe who value the work of the founder of the<br />
vented from doing the same thing if they were<br />
Society and have benefited by his ungrudging liable to imprisonment.<br />
devotion and unselfish labours. A short state-<br />
In England, which is a small country, there is<br />
ment was made in last month's Author as to the<br />
very little difficulty in tracing performances of a<br />
arrangements that have been made, with Lady play : but in some of the towns and cities in the<br />
Besant's full approval, and with the sanction of West of America, in the depths of Cape Colony, or<br />
the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's. To this in the back part of Australia it to?<br />
members are again referred. Cheques should be for news to travel to the writers of the play and<br />
made payable to the Incorporated Society of to the holders of the copyright.<br />
Authors, and crossed London and Joint Stock<br />
Bank, Westminster Branch.<br />
We see that Mr. Hall Caine has taken up politics<br />
in the Isle of Man, and that he has been elected a<br />
member of the House of Keys by a majority of<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
267 at a bye-election for the town of Ramsey.<br />
We congratulate him on his success.<br />
The theme of politics is not one which is very<br />
ULTE have much pleasure in inserting a state- popular among writers of fiction, though of late<br />
ment of the judgment in Neufeld v. vears sundry novelists have stood for Parliament,<br />
Chapman and Hall. The matter has been some without success and some with success.<br />
supported throughout by the action of the Com- Mr. Gilbert Parker is M.P. for Gravesend. Dr.<br />
mittee of the Society of Authors, and the decisions Conan Doyle stood unsuccessfully for Edinburgh.<br />
that have been come to under the judgment have Mr. H. Rider Haggard was unsuccessful in Norfolk.<br />
amply justified the action of the Society in the matter. and Mr. A. Hope Hawkins would have stood at<br />
All those who read the judgment will see that the last election but was debarred from doing so<br />
there are one or two very important points to on account of ill-health.<br />
authors which came forward for decision.<br />
Though the Author is not a political paper, it<br />
may interest many of the members to have a brief<br />
statement of Mr. Hall Caine's propaganda-we<br />
The following cutting is taken from the Hobart<br />
extract from the article in the Daily Mail :-<br />
Mercury (Australia) :-<br />
COPYRIGHT IN PLAYS.-A movement is on foot among<br />
1. To re-establish the credit of the island.<br />
leading theatre managers to get an Act passed by the<br />
2. To prevent a recurrence of financial disaster-<br />
Federal Parliament similar to the law existing in America,<br />
(a) by nationalising certain industries of the island ;<br />
making the appropriating and using of plays, operas,<br />
(6) by establishing a principle of co-operation in<br />
musical pieces, or any portion thereof, an offence punishable<br />
others.<br />
by imprisonment.<br />
3. To float the Isle of Man on that great wave of social<br />
and economic reform which is passing over the free<br />
If this is true, the action is one of considerable and enlightened peoples of the world.<br />
importance to all dramatic authors, and should be<br />
strongly supported. The piracy of dramatic works<br />
In the same article Mr. Caine proceeds to discuss<br />
in the Colonies and in America is, we regret to<br />
how he hopes to attain some of these objects.<br />
say, a very crying evil. It is so exceedingly easy<br />
On the other side of the water also we are<br />
to have a performance of a play without being<br />
informed from a paragraph in Literature that<br />
found out by the author of the play. Many months<br />
Samuel L. Clemens (“ Mark Twain”) is taking<br />
pass, and then when the matter comes to the up politics, and has been speaking forcibly in<br />
author's ears there is no chance left of obtaining opposition to Tammany doctrines in New York.<br />
damages for the infringement.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 57 (#441) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
57<br />
A certain firm of publishers who hold a high<br />
SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR.<br />
position amongst publishing houses in England<br />
I like the Fret-ful Por-cu-pine.<br />
has a custom of writing letters to authors, and<br />
De-cep-tion is not in his line ;<br />
upon the author demanding a formal agreement, of<br />
With him there is no Make-be-lieve;<br />
replying that they consider their letters good as<br />
He wears his Thorns up-on his Sleeve.<br />
Un-like some Hu-man Por-cu-pines,<br />
an agreement if accepted in their entirety.<br />
Who care-ful-ly Conceal their Spines,<br />
We fear this firm must be suffering from<br />
His Bad Points stick out eve-ry-where.<br />
heredity, and cannot free itself from the unbusi-<br />
'Tis true he's Fret-ful as a Bear,<br />
nesslike habits of the publishing trade in years<br />
And Vain-er than a Pop-in-jay;<br />
Yet has he One Re-deem-ing Trait<br />
gone by. Several of these letters which embody<br />
That to my heart en-dears him Quite :<br />
the terms of the agreement have been laid before<br />
Though full of Quills, he Does Not Write.<br />
the secretary of the Society.<br />
- Century Magazine.<br />
With due acceptance by the authors they<br />
certainly become binding contracts as far as<br />
they go, but the curious part of the whole case<br />
The Editor of the “Literary Year Book” has<br />
is, that there are many clauses omitted which are<br />
forwarded us the following note :-<br />
customary in all agreements, not only benefiting<br />
“The sixth issue of the Literary Year Book'<br />
the author but also the publisher.<br />
is now in active preparation.<br />
From constant experience it appears that nearly<br />
“Authors who have not received forms for the<br />
all complications arising between author and<br />
Directory of Authors are requested to send their<br />
publisher are brought about owing to the lack<br />
names to the Editor. It is intended to develop<br />
of finality in the contracts. If, therefore, there<br />
this portion of the Year Book' by inserting<br />
is any method calculated to arouse complications, it<br />
fuller details of literary activity, and the Editor<br />
is the method of writing a letter as suggested<br />
will be grateful for any assistance. All communica-<br />
by the publishing firm referred to, and merely<br />
tions should be addressed to the Editor of the<br />
obtaining an acceptance from the author.<br />
*Literary Year Book,' 156, Charing Cross Road,<br />
If the letter was in the form of an agreement, wau.<br />
and was drawn up on a legal basis, and contained<br />
We have much pleasure in giving prominence to<br />
all the clauses that were necessary to cover all<br />
this announcement, as the “ Literary Year Book”<br />
the contingencies that might arise, then nothing<br />
has, under its present editor, become a matter of<br />
further could be said. The contract would be<br />
interest to all authors, and it is of importance that<br />
final, clear, and decisive.<br />
a work of reference of this kind should be made as<br />
But unfortunately the letters are far from being<br />
perfect as possible.<br />
drafted along these lines. Not bad so far as regards<br />
the points they deal with, they are full of omissions<br />
rather than commissions. The mistake is a great<br />
one, and even the publisher's reputation cannot<br />
cover the delinquency.<br />
We see it stated that Mr. Andrew Lang thinks<br />
We cannot help thinking, therefore, that the the biographies of authors are of little use; that<br />
matter is the result of heredity, which is a most we know enough of an author who is merely an<br />
stubborn disease and most difficult to subdue. author from his works or from his letters, if he<br />
If not in this generation, we hope it may be himself has deemed them worthy of publication.<br />
rooted out in the next.<br />
The question of biographies is one that needs<br />
careful consideration. Men who have made their<br />
name by their actions as great commanders, as<br />
We níust congratulate Miss Netta Syrett on great diplomatists, as great civil administrators,<br />
having her play accepted in the competition as great politicians—these men deserve a biography<br />
arranged by the Playgoers' Club.<br />
for the benefit of the world in general and their<br />
We regret that the announcement was too late compatriots in particular, in order that the methods<br />
to place in the last number of the Author.<br />
by which they attained to greatness may be made<br />
Miss Netta Syrett's literary record has been put patent to all members of the human race, and<br />
forward in nearly every literary paper. It is may urge forward others to follow or avoid their<br />
sufficient to say that she has written many examples. But those who have come to greatness<br />
short stories, and has produced one or two by the writing of fiction, by scientific discoveries<br />
novels.<br />
embodied in their works, by poems, or by musical<br />
We hope that her play will have the success composition—these and others of a like kind are<br />
which a knowledge of her stories would seem to much better without biographies. In many cases<br />
augur.<br />
the stories of their lives, the many details of their<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 58 (#442) #############################################<br />
<br />
58<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
They continue that their personal relations with<br />
Mr. Stevenson were those of unclouded cordiality<br />
to the day of his death.<br />
On investigation, we find that “ Treasure Island”<br />
has been published in the following editions in<br />
England : 58., 38. 6d., 6d., 6s., 12s. 6d., and 3s.6d.,<br />
illustrated.<br />
Taking 58. as an average price, we find that<br />
10 per cent. on 80,000 copies amounts to £2,000.<br />
From Messrs. Cassell's point of view the “un-<br />
clouded cordiality” is readily explained.<br />
G. H. T.<br />
everyday existence, the sordidness of their motives,<br />
and sometimes the pettiness or harshness of their<br />
nature, take away from them the glory which they<br />
have deservedly obtained from the world in general<br />
in another line.<br />
It is not a kindness to write a biography of<br />
these men. It is mere idle curiosity on the part<br />
of the public which stimulates the desire for such<br />
biographies—curiosity that should not be gratified.<br />
The relation of these details—this sordidness and<br />
pettiness—cannot arouse their fellow-mortals to go<br />
and become famous in a path of life which brought<br />
them fame, for there is no connection between the<br />
public fame and the private misery; but the relation<br />
of a life of action may easily have an invigorating<br />
and ennobling effect, and may act as a life tonic.<br />
While thoroughly agreeing, therefore, with Mr.<br />
Lang that the biographies of authors are of little<br />
use, we go further and say that the biographies of<br />
those men obtaining their fame and their greatness<br />
by other means than a life of action are of little<br />
use, nay, may do a great deal of harm by damaging a<br />
brilliant reputation deservedly obtained ; and lastly,<br />
that the biographies of living men, whether men<br />
of action or men of thought, should, under no<br />
circumstances, be tolerated.<br />
AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT.<br />
I.<br />
The King of Italy, judging from the following<br />
cutting, is about to become an author :-<br />
The King of Italy is about to be added to the list of<br />
authors, a distinction not shared by many of the members<br />
of Royal Houses. He is learned in coins, and the title of<br />
his book will be, not“ Corpus Numinorum Italicorum," as<br />
a contemporary gravely assures its readers, but “ Corpus<br />
Nummorum Italicorum." It ought to be a mighty tome,<br />
for there have been in all some 250 different mints in the<br />
Peninsula.<br />
The subject is no doubt a difficult one, and must<br />
entail an amount of research for which it would be<br />
thought a reigning monarch had scarcely time.<br />
As far as royal authors are concerned, we should<br />
not forget that the late Queen added some inter-<br />
esting books to the output of English literature,<br />
and that other royalties have also entered the field<br />
of writing. President Roosevelt, again, is a man<br />
of considerable literary distinction, as the record of<br />
his book production shows.<br />
W E have written to sundry publishers since<br />
Mr. Heinemann's article appeared in the<br />
Author, asking them if they would do us<br />
the honour of writing on the subject which is of<br />
interest to all parties. We regret to say, however,<br />
that so far they have all made excuses; but Mr.<br />
C. J. Longman has kindly written a short note<br />
stating that it would be impossible for him to<br />
spare the time to discuss the question with the<br />
requisite detail, but putting forward his views as<br />
follows :<br />
“(1) I see no reason why an author who feels<br />
himself incompetent to carry on the business side<br />
of his calling should not employ an agent, as is<br />
done universally by land-owners, in dealing with<br />
farmers, labourers, public bodies, and so forth.<br />
“(2) The danger of employing an author's agent<br />
is the possibility that direct communication be-<br />
tween the author and the publisher should become<br />
less frequent and less intimate, to the serious loss<br />
of both parties.<br />
“(3) If the business is properly conducted by the<br />
author's agent, this danger ought to be avoided.<br />
The fact that pecuniary questions never come up<br />
for discussion seems to me to tend to increase<br />
the probability of intimacy between author and<br />
publisher, and my experience bears out this view."<br />
One important point that Mr. Longman makes<br />
is the fact that the discussion of financial questions<br />
being left to the publisher and the agent tends to<br />
make the intimacy between the publishers and the<br />
author, in many cases so necessary for the proper<br />
production of a book, stronger, more efficacious.<br />
Without betraying any confidence we may quote<br />
an instance which occurred with Mr. Longman's<br />
firm of which he may perhaps be personally<br />
unacquainted.<br />
A writer of considerable position came to the<br />
society for advice as to what agent to entrust with<br />
negotiations with Messrs. Longman, for the very<br />
In a letter of Messrs. Cassell & Co., Ld., to the<br />
Times, they repudiate the idea, suggested appa-<br />
rently from one of Stevenson's letters published<br />
in the new “Life of Stevenson," that £100 only<br />
was paid to Stevenson for the copyright of “ Trea-<br />
sure Island,” and state that the amount paid up<br />
to the present time is upwards of twenty times<br />
that amount (i.e., £2,000).<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 59 (#443) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
59<br />
II.<br />
III.<br />
reason that, being a personal friend of Mr. Longman, I therefore decided to negotiate my MSS.<br />
he had no desire to discuss the financial side of myself, and by a judicious selection of the most<br />
the question with him. The result was satisfactory suitable channels I successfully disposed of every-<br />
in every way. The book was produced without thing I wrote. An increasing output of literary<br />
friction between the parties and with the happiest matter, and other pressure on my time, decided me<br />
results.<br />
to again offer my wares to a literary agent for<br />
disposal, and I sent them to a gentleman who<br />
charged me a heavy “booking fee” above the<br />
usual commission terms. Now I am beginning to<br />
WITH regard to the controversy concerning<br />
regret my employment of this agent, who, in spite<br />
authors, publishers, and agents, it must be surely<br />
of the fact that he declared at the outset that he<br />
better for an author to be safeguarded by a good<br />
was well acquainted with my work, and knew the<br />
agent who is a capable man of business, their<br />
right channels in which to set it afloat, has, after<br />
interests being identical. At the same time, should<br />
several months, secured no results. Query : Can<br />
difficulties arise with a publisher or an agent who<br />
I demand the return of my booking fee ?<br />
may be hostile to an author, it is very unwise, if<br />
The antipathy of some publishers to the literary<br />
not ungrateful, to throw over the protection of the<br />
agent I can also illustrate. I am about to publish<br />
Society of Authors and withdraw from membership.<br />
a book which I personally offered to a London<br />
I can only say that, personally, I have received<br />
firm. Terms were proposed by the publisher, and<br />
every kindness and much assistance from the<br />
I informed him that my agent would arrange the<br />
Society of Authors on many occasions where<br />
details on my behalf. Thereupon the publisher,<br />
otherwise a lawyer must have been employed, and<br />
evidently not having hitherto expected that I was<br />
probably a heavy bill of costs run up.<br />
represented by a business man, treated me to a<br />
ANNABEL GRAY. short discourse on the disadvantages of employing<br />
a literary agent from what, he wished nie to under-<br />
stand, was the author's point of view, but which I<br />
knew was really from his own, and in the end<br />
THE Perusal of several interesting letters on declined my book.<br />
the value of the literary agent in the last two My early experiences of the ways of the literary<br />
numbers of The Author has infected me with an agent make me feel justified in borrowing a phrase<br />
attack of cacoethes scribendi.<br />
from Mr. Benson's letter in your last issue, in<br />
My complaint against the literary agent is that signing myself<br />
he does not lay himself out to introduce an<br />
“A Poor BLEATING LAMB !”<br />
unknown author to publishers and public. I will<br />
illustrate. A friend of mine wrote to a well-known<br />
literary agent, asking him to act as her business<br />
representative. She had published several fugitive<br />
HOW TO MAKE PLAYS READABLE.<br />
essays and papers on popular subjects, but she<br />
was comparatively unknown. As she could not<br />
produce newspaper testimonials she was politely VIVE years ago every publisher who was<br />
refused as a client. About the same time another<br />
approached with a view to publishing a<br />
lady friend, who had published two books, asked<br />
p lay at once said, “No use : people won't<br />
the same agent to represent her. She showed him read plays in England." This was unfortunate,<br />
several very formidable reviews of her two novels, because the economic conditions of theatrical enter-<br />
was able to prove her success, and he at once prise had by that time made it impossible to ask<br />
accepted her as a client.<br />
à manager (except with a deliberate view to his<br />
A few years ago a literary agent was asked to ruin) to produce any but very widely popular plays;<br />
represent me by a well-known novelist for whom and if neither the managers nor the publishers<br />
he acted as business representative. I, also, will touch the higher stratum of dramatic art, what<br />
was only known to the reading public through is to become of the unfortunate authors whose gifts<br />
occasional papers and short stories I had published lie in that stratum ? Must they relapse into novel<br />
in certain newspapers, reviews, and magazines. writing, or depend on the fact that though the<br />
This agent's excuse for not wishing to represent production of really philosophic plays at the com-<br />
me was that he was too busy with other clients' mercial theatres is an economic impossibility in<br />
work to undertake mine. Yet, shortly after, when the present state of popular culture, yet the thing<br />
a popular author, with whom I am acquainted, may actually occur from time to time, either as a<br />
made a similar suggestion on his own account, pure error of judgment on the managers part, or<br />
it was not in vain.<br />
in one of those emergencies created by the failure<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 60 (#444) #############################################<br />
<br />
60<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
of the supply of popular plays, when, having to facts for our business paper, not as "green-room<br />
choose between an experiment in high art or the gossip."<br />
closing of his theatre, the manager accepts what is Of course, if I had foolishly and snobbishly stood<br />
to him the less of the two evils ? I have dissuaded sneering at Ibsen, at the Independent Theatre, at<br />
managers from committing these acts of despera- the New Century Theatre, at the experiments of<br />
tion with plays of my own often enough to convince Charrington, Grein, Waring, Miss Farr, Miss<br />
me that a capable dramatic author can get any sort Robins, and the other pioneers, instead of seizing<br />
of play, however excellent (or the reverse), pro- the opportunity to help dramatic literature and<br />
duced at one time or another, provided he is ready train myself as a practical playwright at the same<br />
to take advantage of the manager's infatuation, time, all this would not have happened to me. But<br />
his artistic enthusiasm, his ambition to be regarded the fact that it did happen, not only to me, but to<br />
as an intellectual connoisseur, or his occasional others in proportion to their activity as uncom-<br />
destitution in the matter of new plays. But as mercial playwrights, seems to me to prove that it<br />
no honorable author will take up dramatic work is quite worth any young author's while to peg<br />
seriously on the chance of being enabled, by acci- away at the superpopular drama with a reasonable<br />
dent at some uncertain date, to add to the losses certainty of gaining sufficient stage experience and<br />
of a cornered or too appreciative manager, imme- newspaper renown to ensure him a place among<br />
diate acceptance and success at the commercial the commercially successful dramatists, if he<br />
theatres may be left out of the question by the chooses afterwards to turn his apprenticeship to<br />
writer of plays which are “ above the head of the account by writing what the managers and the<br />
public": that is, the sort of head represented by public want.<br />
the greatest common measure of, say, 75,000 But since this road to fame lies partly through<br />
metropolitan playgoers.<br />
the publication of plays, of what use is it to point<br />
On the other hand, 2,000 purchasers or so, at it out if the publishers say, “No use : in England<br />
six shillings, less threepence in the shilling, will people dont read plays”? Well, of course they<br />
pay for the publication of a volume of plays, and dont; but pray, whose fault is that? I suggest<br />
leave, perhaps, £100 for the author, which sum, that it is the fault of the playwrights who delibe-<br />
eked out with a little journalism, will at least rately make their plays unreadable by flinging<br />
save him from the starvation threatened by the repulsive stage technicalities in the face of the<br />
unmarketable nature of his genius. The play, once public, and omitting from their descriptions even<br />
published, will probably get performed by the Stage that simplest common decency of literature, the<br />
Society or by Mr. Grein, and thus procure for the definite article ? I wonder how many readers<br />
author some practical experience of the stage, and Charles Dickens would have had, or deserved to<br />
give him a good advertisement into the bargain, have, if he had written in this manner :-<br />
leading possibly to a commercial commission for a (SYKES lights pipe—calls dog—loads pistol with<br />
popular play “as you [the populace] like it," as newspaper—takes bludgeon from R. above fireplace<br />
soon as he has learnt how to write one.<br />
and strikes NANCY. NANCY: Oh Lord, Bill !<br />
A striking contemporary instance of this process (Dies. SYKES wipes brow—shudders — takes hat<br />
is Hauptmann, who came to the front as a dramatist from chair 0.P.-sees ghost, not visible to audience<br />
through single performances of his plays in Germany —and exit L.U.E.).<br />
by dramatic clubs like the Stage Society, and by This sort of thing, in which literary people<br />
their publication. I myself have published ten trying their hand at the drama for the first time<br />
plays. Seven of them may be classed commercially revel as ludicrously as amateur actors revel in<br />
as unacted. But of these seven, five have been flagrant false hair, misfitting tunics and tin spears,<br />
performed at London theatres with the same is not a whit less dishonoring to literature and<br />
ceremonies of first-night celebration, press notices, insulting to the public than an edition of Shake-<br />
and—what is far more important—the same spear would be if it were cut down in this<br />
experience of the stage gained by the author at fashion :-<br />
rehearsal as if they had been built by Mr. Pinero, Sc. 2. Change to carpenters' scene and set room in<br />
Mr. Jones, or Mr. Cecil Raleigh to run a thousand<br />
the Tower behind. RICHARD on prompt to centre.<br />
nights. Through that experience and advertise-<br />
ment I was enabled to write and find a manager<br />
RICHARD. Now is winter of our discontt.<br />
for a melodrama which brought me in from America<br />
Made glorious summer by sun of York<br />
alone more money than I could have earned at<br />
And all clouds th, lowered, &c.,<br />
journalism in the time it took me to write all my<br />
In deep bosom of ocean buried.<br />
ten plays. My two unperformed plays are in that If the reader's imagination may be quenched,<br />
condition for special reasons which do not affect the his taste offended, and his good sense revolted<br />
argument. I chronicle these matters as business merely to save the author's time in describing the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 61 (#445) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
61<br />
action of a piece, why should not the same thing pains to commit just such outrages. The fact is,<br />
be done in handling the dialogue ?<br />
the actor and the reader want exactly the same<br />
But there is another party to be considered thing, vivid strokes of description, not stage<br />
besides the author and the reader. There is the manager's memoranda or impertinent instructions<br />
actor (who is nowadays the manager also), an in the art of acting from literary people who<br />
exceptionally susceptible, imaginative, fastidious cannot act. It is true that most authors consider<br />
person, easily put out by the slightest incongruity, themselves born actors, and that most actors<br />
easily possessed by the slightest suggestion. His consider themselves born authors; but these weak-<br />
work is so peculiar and important; its delicacy nesses should be confessed under seal of rehearsal,<br />
depends so much on the extent to which a play not proclaimed to a derisive world. To do the<br />
can be made real to him and the technical conditions actor justice, he tries not to carry the stage about<br />
reduced to unnoticed matters of habit ; above all, with him wherever he goes, whereas the would be<br />
it is so necessary to his self-respect that the playwright never lets you escape from it, even in<br />
obligation he is under to make himself a means to print. If the reader attempts to forget that what<br />
the author's end should not be made an excuse he is reading is fiction, he promptly has a pin<br />
for disregarding his dignity as a man, that an stuck into him by the statement that such and<br />
author can hardly be too careful to cherish the such a piece of furniture is R. or L. or “near the<br />
actor's illusion and respect his right to be ap- front of the stage,” or that the masterpiece of<br />
proached as a professional man and not merely painting on the easel, which the villain or adven-<br />
ordered to do this or that without knowing why. turess will presently slash with a knife, is “ turned<br />
Imagine, then, the effect of handing an actor a part, away from the audience.” It is just as if a<br />
or an actor-manager a play, drawn up exactly like novelist were to write, “A keen pang shot through<br />
a specification for a gasfitter! How can any man the mother's heart ; for she saw at a glance that<br />
or woman of letters be so foolishly inconsiderate as her child had not many chapters to live," or<br />
to suppose that an actor-manager, at the moment “When we left Grimwood, he had just dealt the<br />
when he is full of curiosity and hope as to the coward's blow that stretched young Alton Dale a<br />
opportunity of striking the public imagination corpse three lines from the foot of the first page of<br />
offered him by a writer whom he can only judge signature c.” A dramatist's business is to make<br />
according to his or her power of imaginative and the reader forget the stage and the actor forget<br />
vivid description, really likes to receive a silly the audience, not to remind them of both at every<br />
amateur attempt to imitate a fiyman's scene plot turn, like an incompetent “extra gentleman” who<br />
and a prompter's memorandum of positions and turns the wrong side of his banner towards the<br />
list of "props" ? When I read the prompt copies footlights. Every such reminder is a betrayal in<br />
that are not only sent in to managers for accept art and a solecism in manners. Why should<br />
ance, but actually to the printers for the delectation novices advertise their inexperience by sedulously<br />
of the unprofessional public, I often wonder how committing them on every page, and even clinging<br />
many managers or readers would ever get as far as to the “exits” and “exeunts” which survive from<br />
the second page in “Hamlet "if it were presented to the time when dramatists like Chapman wrote all<br />
them in so loathly a fashion.<br />
their stage directions in Latin, perhaps to avoid<br />
Let me give an example of a stage direction of spoiling the illusion by them, perhaps only to show<br />
my own which has been rebuked as a silly joke off their scholarship.<br />
by people who do not understand the real relations The safe rule is, Write nothing in a play that you<br />
of author and actor. It runs thus : “ So-and-So's would not write in a novel ; and remember that<br />
complexion fades into stone-grey; and all movement everything that the actor or the scene-painter shows<br />
and expression desert his eyes.” This is the sort of to the audience must be described -- not technically<br />
stage direction an actor really wants. Of course specified, but imaginatively, vividly, humorously,<br />
he can no more actually change his complexion to in a word, artistically described--to the reader by<br />
stone-grey than Mr. Forbes Robertson can actually the author. In describing the scene, take just as<br />
die after saying, “ The rest is silence.” But he much trouble to transport your reader there in<br />
can produce the impression suggested by the imagination as you would in a narrative. Your<br />
direction perfectly. How he produces it is his imaginary persons must not call " off the stage”;<br />
business, not mine. This distinction is important, your guns must not be fired “behind the scenes”;<br />
because, if I wrote such a stage direction as “ turns you must not tell the public that “ part of the<br />
his back to the audience and furtively dabs vaseline stage is removed to represent the entrance to a<br />
on his eye-lashes " instead of “his eyes glisten with cellar.” It will often strain your ingenuity to<br />
tears," I should be guilty of an outrage on both describe a scene so that though a stage manager<br />
actor and reader. Yet we find almost all our can set it from the printed description, yet not a<br />
inexperienced dramatic authors taking the greatest word is let slip that could remind the reader of the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 62 (#446) #############################################<br />
<br />
62<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
author's personal friends) one copy of a new<br />
play when they order several hundred copies of a<br />
new novel.<br />
G. BERNARD SHAW.<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
footlights. But it can be done; and the reward<br />
for the trouble is that people can read your plays –<br />
even actor-managers, who suffer just as much from<br />
the deadening, disillusioning, vulgarising effect<br />
of the old-fasbioned stage direction as other<br />
people do.<br />
I may add here parenthetically that if some of<br />
our novelists would work out the stage manage-<br />
ment of their scenes, they would be heavily taken<br />
aback at the number of physical impossibilities<br />
their descriptions involve. Not that it matters in<br />
a novel ; but it does matter very much when the<br />
novelist takes to play-writing.<br />
Finally, do not drop into the Elizabethan tradi-<br />
tions of play publication. Remember that on<br />
Shakespear's stage descriptive recitation did a<br />
great deal that is now done by stage business and<br />
scenery. “Before my body," says Macbeth, “I<br />
cast my warlike shield ” ; but the modern leading<br />
man cannot very well say “I take my revolver out<br />
of my pocket and pull the trigger.” The scene<br />
between Richard and Lady Anne at the funeral of<br />
Henry VI. is full of action; and so is the scene<br />
between Falstaff and the Lord Chief Justice. Yet<br />
they do not need stage directions. “Lo, here I<br />
lend thee this sharp pointed sword . ... and<br />
humbly beg the death upon my knee," says<br />
Richard. “Go pluck him by the elbow : I must<br />
speak with him says the Lord Chief Justice.<br />
Shakespear, who had no faith in “inexplicable<br />
dumb show," used all his cleverness to make his<br />
plays tell their own story ; and the modern play-<br />
wright should use his cleverness to the same end,<br />
though he cannot use Shakespear's methods,<br />
because the modern actor, on his pictorial stage,<br />
does things which Burbage, with his platform<br />
crowded by spectators, could only have described<br />
himself as doing. Therefore the modern play<br />
wright, if the reader is to see the play in his<br />
mind's eye as well as to read the dialogue, must<br />
interpolate strokes of description which in Shakes-<br />
pear's works form part of the dialogue. Most<br />
modern plays would be incoherent and consequently<br />
only half intelligible without such descriptive<br />
interpolations; and why authors should assume,<br />
as they generally do, that these interpolations<br />
need have no artistic character—which means that<br />
they are to be unreadable except by stage carpenters<br />
as a matter of business can only be explained as<br />
a survival from the time when the proportion of<br />
interpolated description to dialogue was, as in<br />
“ King Lear,” perhaps one to a thousand. There<br />
are modern plays in which one to four would be<br />
nearer the mark ; and as long as authors persist in<br />
issuing books that are one quarter unreadable, and<br />
the rest unintelligible without that unreadable<br />
quarter, they must not be surprised if Mudie<br />
and Smith order (under pressure from the<br />
I.-Performing Rights at the Cape.<br />
TN the Supreme Court at the Cape, before the Acting<br />
1 Chief Justice (Sir John Buchanan) and Mr. Justice<br />
Maasdorp, Sir H. Juta, K.C., again mentioned the<br />
matter of Sass v. Wheeler. This matter originally came<br />
before the Court on a motion calling on the respondent to<br />
show cause why he should not be restrained from playing<br />
in any part of this Colony the play “ Magda." The appli-<br />
cation stood over for further affidavits. The affidavit of<br />
James Murray Wilson was now produced. He said he was<br />
sub-manager in Cape Town for Mr. Edward Sass, who is<br />
now in Natal. Mr. George Alexander, of St. James's Theatre,<br />
London, was the bolder of the English-speaking rights of<br />
“Magda," and Sass held from him the sole right of perform-<br />
ance in South Africa for one year, under an agreement<br />
dated September 9, 1900. The applicant objected to the<br />
production of “Magda" in Cape Town by the respondent,<br />
and said it was his intention to produce the play on his<br />
return to Cape Town in October.<br />
Mr. Searle, K.C., on behalf of the respondent, read the<br />
affidavit of Frank Wheeler, theatrical manager, who stated<br />
that his firm were the lessees of the Good Hope Hall, and<br />
they had come to an arrangement whereby the O'Neil<br />
Company were allowed to use the hall. As far as he could<br />
understand Mr. McKee Rankin held the rights of production<br />
of “ Magda " in South Africa,<br />
Mr. McKee Rankin, in his affidavit, described the success<br />
of Herr Suderman's play when produced in Germany some<br />
ten years ago, and its subsequent translation into English,<br />
under the title of " Magda," and its production in America.<br />
The author copyrighted the play in America, and a person<br />
named Lederer was appointed as Herr Suderman's agent<br />
in America. Since 1998 Miss O'Neil had produced the<br />
play all over the United States, Australasia and Canada,<br />
and when he undertook the management of her tour he<br />
secured from Lederer the sole rights of production of the<br />
play " Magda " in Australia and South Africa. Lederer<br />
informed him that the English rights were confined to<br />
Mr. George Alexander, but he understood that this only<br />
meant the rights of production in the British Isles.<br />
Sir H. Juta suggested that seeing that the play had<br />
been already played, this matter should stand over. It<br />
was only a question of costs at present.<br />
Mr. Searle objected on the ground that the applicant<br />
had made out no case for an interdict.<br />
After argument, the Acting Chief Justice, in giving<br />
judgment, said the applicant held under cession from Mr.<br />
Alexander the English-speaking rights of the play. The<br />
respondents advertised that they were going to perform<br />
this play in South Africa. Thereupon the applicants wrote<br />
to them stating their rights and claiming that they would<br />
give an assurance that they would not do so. The respon-<br />
dents, after communications, refused to give this assurance,<br />
and the applicants gave notice that they would apply to<br />
the Court for an interdict. Meanwhile, before they could<br />
get the interdict, the respondents proceeded with the play,<br />
and played it several times in Cape Town. The play not<br />
now being further advertised, the applicant was willing<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 63 (#447) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
63<br />
that the question of costs should stand over until the action spoke. The Attorney-General, in reply, said that<br />
for damages was heard. Under these circumstances, no<br />
he would convey all that had transpired to the<br />
interdict would now be granted, but as applicant had very<br />
President of the Board of Trade, in whose care the<br />
strong prima facie rights, the question of costs would stand<br />
over until the action was heard.<br />
contemplated new Copyright Bill is. He would<br />
also, in the event of a fresh application to him for<br />
his fiat, consider the same afresh.<br />
II.- Piracies of Copyright Music.<br />
From The Times, November 6th.<br />
III.-- Australasian Copyright.<br />
A DEPUTATION of music publishers from the SENATOR KEATING has given notice in the Senate<br />
Music Publishers' Association and the music of his intention to move for leave to bring in a<br />
trade section of the London Chamber of Com- Bill relating to copyright. The object of the<br />
merce waited on the Attorney-General (Sir Robert measure is to simplify the copyright laws existing<br />
Finlay, M.P.) by appointment, on the subject of in the different States, and make one uniform Act<br />
“ piracies of copyright music.” The following for the Commonwealth. It will be divided into<br />
formed the deputation : Mr. Edwin Ashdown five parts—literature, music, art, the drama, and<br />
(President of the Music Publishers' Association),<br />
newspapers—and will seek to give a measure of<br />
ayton (President of the music section protection not before possible.<br />
of the London Chamber of Commerce), Mr. Arthur<br />
Boosey, Mr. Emile Ascherberg, Mr. Cosmo Pavona<br />
(Messrs. Ricordi and Co.), Mr. David Day, Mr.<br />
Philip J. Rutland (Messrs. Francis, Day, and PUBLISHERS' METHODS AND THE<br />
Hunter's solicitor), and Mr. George Dixey (secre-<br />
SOCIETY'S ACTION.<br />
tary of the Music Publishers' Association). Mr.<br />
Ashdown drew the Attorney-General's attention to<br />
the seriousness of the systematic pirating of copy M HE case we are about to describe was one<br />
right songs by street hawkers, and the great injury 1 which the Society was able to settle out of<br />
sustained by music publishers, as also by music<br />
Court, but we think well to deal with it at<br />
dealers, authors, and composers. Mr. Day said some length, on account of its general interest to<br />
that an application was made, but without success, authors as an example and a warning.<br />
as far back as 1895 to the then Attorney-General In the spring of 1898 an author who was<br />
(Sir R. T. Reid), on behalf of his firm, through desirous of publishing a series of books was<br />
their solicitor, and by him through Mr. Hammond introduced to the literary adviser of a certain<br />
Chambers, Q.C., for his fiat to allow criminal pro- publisher. This gentleman undertook, on behalf<br />
ceedings being taken under the Newspaper Act, the of the author, to make arrangements for the pub-<br />
piracies having been issued without any printer's lication of these books, and not long afterwards<br />
name or address. Applications for assistance had the following terms were put before the author :-<br />
been made to the Commissioner of Police of the That the publisher would produce the books on<br />
Metropolis, the Commissioner of the City Police, a royalty of 12per cent., to rise to a further per-<br />
and the Home Secretary, but with no satisfactory centage if the books were a “success, i.e., after a<br />
result. The Music Publishers' Association and the certain number had been sold.” It was also stated<br />
music trade section of the London Chamber of that a certain number would probably be sold<br />
Commerce had drawn up suggested clauses for without royalty, such number depending upon the<br />
incorporation in the new Copyright Bill that was amount spent in the cost of production.<br />
being prepared, providing for summary remedies It will be seen how delightfully vague and<br />
for such piracies. Mr. Day added that at the uncertain the terms of the proposed contract<br />
International Congress of Publishers held at were. The author then wrote to the publisher,<br />
Leipzig in June last he attended and read a paper who, in the first instance, had been acting through<br />
on the subject, when a resolution was unanimously his literary adviser, and obtained from him an<br />
passed by that body recommending the adoption of acknowledgment of the terms set out above. In<br />
these clauses to the attention of the authorities. his answer he stated that the royalty should not<br />
Mr. Clayton urged that the proposals for summary commence until a certain number had been sold,<br />
proceedings with respect to such piracies were fully such number depending upon the ainount of money<br />
supported by the Royal Commission on Copyright. he had to outlay for the art work; but this he<br />
He also suggested that the Newspaper Act might asserted was a minor matter, and he promised, as<br />
be made to apply, and, further, that a charge of soon as he heard from the artist, to lay the matter<br />
criminal conspiracy might be brought against those clearly before the author—a promise which was<br />
engaged in this nefarious trade. Mr. Rutland also never carried out.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 64 (#448) #############################################<br />
<br />
64<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
The whole of the negotiations so far are delight matter into Court at the expense of the Society,<br />
fully wanting in exactitude and definitionbut considering the case to be one of importance to<br />
the author was given to understand that the authors generally, as well as one where, without<br />
letter was sufficient guarantee for the terms, and the help of the Society, the author was in danger<br />
that the final agreement would be settled later. of losing his rights.<br />
Without drawing up and submitting a formal Before stating the proceedings taken in Court,<br />
document, the publisher proceeded to produce an it will be interesting to put forward in detail some<br />
enormous number of each of the books, which of the positions taken by the publisher in the course<br />
were placed on the market in the beginning of of the prolonged negotiations :-<br />
1899.<br />
(1) In addition to registering himself at<br />
The author had also written a separate book Stationers' Hall as the owner of the copyright<br />
explanatory of the series, which was accepted and as above mentioned, the publisher copyrighted<br />
published by the publisher without any business the books in America in his own name, though<br />
arrangement at all, beyond a vague understanding he had not even obtained from the author a right<br />
(never reduced to writing) that it was to carry a to publish them.<br />
similar royalty.<br />
(2) The books were very elaborately illustrated,<br />
In February of the same year, after their pub- the illustrations being an important adjunct to<br />
lication, a form of agreement was laid before the the system propounded. In these illustrations,<br />
author, who was much surprised at the large for which the publisher had paid (as he had for<br />
number of books it was proposed to sell before the the other expenses of publication), he claimed the<br />
payment of any royalty. In addition, no mention full art copyright. The artist himself denied that<br />
whatever was made of the promised rise in royalty he had conveyed the copyright to the publisher,<br />
in the event of a “success." The author protested stating that he only conveyed the right of repro-<br />
against the large postponement and on other points,<br />
but the publisher showed no disposition to meet The Society's solicitors several times asked the<br />
him, and took such a personal line that the author publisher and his solicitor to produce his title to<br />
felt unable to deal, and accordingly joined the the copyright in the illustrations. The publisher<br />
Authors' Society on the suggestion of one of his and his solicitor, however, refused to produce the<br />
friends.<br />
artist's letters, on which they relied, which were<br />
In the autumn of the year the secretary sug- admittedly in their possession.<br />
gested that the case should be placed in the (3) On the author's advisers calculating the<br />
lawyer's hands, in the hope that the matter would amount of the royalties the publisher proposed to stop<br />
be satisfactorily settled when the publisher saw on account of the“ outlay for the art-work,"it became<br />
that it was the intention of the Society to take apparent that by this means the publisher would<br />
the matter up in earnest. The first result of the be repaid the full amount he had paid to the artist<br />
author mentioning that he would act through a with liberal interest. Nevertheless, the publisher<br />
solicitor was that the publisher stated he should continued to claim the pictures as his sole property,<br />
withdraw any concession he had made on the and that he could use any of them in any way he<br />
agreement, and hold to it as drafted without any chose, although they had been specially designed as<br />
amendment, whatever. It is needless to add that a series to illustrate the books in question. The<br />
he did not persevere in this frame of mind, but publisher then set up that by “ art-work ”he meant<br />
took the more sensible course of calling in his own the cost of printing off the pictures.<br />
solicitor to act for him.<br />
(4) The publisher demanded a postponement of<br />
Negotiations on the draft agreement then pro- royalty on the explanatory book above mentioned,<br />
ceeded for a good deal over a year without a settle- although the artist bad drawn no pictures for it.<br />
ment being arrived at. At an early stage of these (5) Whenever the publisher was brought to bay<br />
negotiations it transpired that the publisher had (as by an intimation of Court proceedings) he always<br />
registered the books at Stationers' Hall as his came forward with some proposition for parting<br />
own copyright, and set up that this gave him an with his venture. These proposals were on a<br />
indisputable title. When called on at a later date diminishing scale, which is very instructive. First<br />
to explain his action on affidavit in Court, the he required to be compensated not only for the<br />
publisher could set up nothing but an “under- stock in hand, but “ for the enormous amount of<br />
standing” that he was to have copyright in the labour spent upon it"; then he wished to be com-<br />
first edition in consequence of his great outlay. pensated “ for any material loss." Later he offered<br />
This “understanding” was never mentioned to accept out-of-pocket expenses, and last of all to<br />
before, and the author entirely denied it.<br />
take 10 per cent. off the cost of production.<br />
As a reasonable arrangement appeared to be This sounded an eminently satisfactory proposal,<br />
impossible, the Committee decided to take the but when it came to the settlement of the terms<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 65 (#449) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
65<br />
love and honour the author of “The Maid of<br />
Sker” and “ Lorna Doone.”<br />
Subscriptions should be sent to R. B. Marston,<br />
Esquire, hon. secretary of the Blackmore Memorial<br />
Fund, St. Dunstan's House, Fetter Lane, London,<br />
E.C., who will gladly send a full copy of the circular<br />
to all readers of The Author who desire a more<br />
detailed statement of the action that it is proposed<br />
to take.<br />
“I have been asked to act as hon, secretary and hon<br />
treasurer of a fund to be raised with the object of placing<br />
a memorial of the late Mr. R. D. Blackmore in Exeter<br />
Cathedral, and, having known Mr. Blackmore intimately<br />
for nearly thirty years, and enjoyed the great privilege of<br />
his hearty friendship, I need hardly say that in accepting<br />
the position I do so with the feeling that whatever work it<br />
may entail will indeed be a labour of love.<br />
"It is probable that the Subscription Fund will be more<br />
than sufficient for the erection of a suitable memorial in<br />
Exeter Cathedral, and I have proposed, with the sanction of<br />
Mr. Blackmore's representatives, that any surplus should be<br />
invested for the benefit of the Authors' Benevolent Fund,<br />
which has recently been established in connection with the<br />
Society of Authors.<br />
“I am, yours faithfully,<br />
“R. B. MARSTON."<br />
again the publisher proved himself exceedingly<br />
difficult. He began by refusing to give a detailed<br />
statement of the amount expended, and afterwards<br />
asked a sum which appeared to the author and his<br />
advisers to be exorbitant. However, whether this<br />
was the case or not, the sum was subsequently<br />
reduced by the publisher ; but even then the price<br />
asked was considerably more than the author<br />
felt inclined to give, or to induce any other pub-<br />
lisher to give for the right of publication.<br />
In the end the Society decided to put the<br />
dispute, as before mentioned, to the arbitrament<br />
of the Law Courts, and (on the advice given<br />
them) in the first instance to raise the question<br />
whether the publisher was within his legal rights<br />
in registering himself as the owner of the literary<br />
copyright. An application was accordingly made<br />
by the author, supported by affidavit, for the rectifi-<br />
cation of the register.<br />
On the very day in the summer of this year) on<br />
which the motion was going to be heard, the pub-<br />
lisher, through his counsel, made overtures to the<br />
author, and in the result the agreement of publica-<br />
tion was arranged between the counsel on both<br />
sides on the basis of the agreement approved of by<br />
the solicitors of the Society, with some additional<br />
stipulations designed to make the terms still more<br />
clear and definite. An order of the Court was then<br />
taken by consent to rectify the register, and<br />
directing the publisher to pay the costs of the<br />
motion.<br />
This was the best arrangement for the author,<br />
but from other points of view it would have been<br />
exceedingly interesting to have had discussed in<br />
open Court the whole course of the negotiations,<br />
and the publisher's lengthened action for over three<br />
years.<br />
A satisfactory result has in the end been<br />
achieved, but at the cost of a considerable amount<br />
of money and great friction and loss of time. The<br />
publisher is of course the heavier sufferer, in money<br />
expended at any rate, and if in the first place he had<br />
not tried to claim more than his rights, all this might<br />
have been avoided. In the present instance the<br />
author has got a satisfactory settlement, due to the<br />
intervention of the Society.<br />
THE SIXPENNY BOOK.<br />
M HE question of book production in sixpenny<br />
form is naturally a question of vital import-<br />
ance to the author. As we pointed out in<br />
our last number the final settlement of the price of<br />
the book must lie with the producers.<br />
The first question is whether the sixpenny book<br />
can be placed on the market so that by its sale it<br />
will make a profit for the publisher, bookseller,<br />
and the author. After several attempts made by<br />
different publishers it has been found impossible<br />
to produce a book direct from the author's pen at<br />
the price of sixpence, and at the same time to<br />
obtain an adequate return for all parties. This<br />
statement of course refers not to trashy sixpenny<br />
works, but to works from the large number of<br />
writers whose books stand in the ranks of literature<br />
above mere sentimental gush or melodramatic<br />
humbug. We well know that there is still such a<br />
thing as a penny novelette, but this type of book<br />
does not come within the scope of the argument.<br />
The next question that arises is whether it is<br />
possible and profitable (because the possibility must<br />
depend upon the question of profit) to produce<br />
novels from our better class writers in sixpenny<br />
form at any time. On looking through the book<br />
lists and on reading various statements, this seems<br />
to have been carried out with success in a great<br />
many cases lately. The fact appears to be that the<br />
production in sixpenny form touches a different<br />
MEMORIAL TO R. D. BLACKMORE.<br />
M<br />
H E following letter has been forwarded to the<br />
I office of the Society referring to the memorial<br />
to R. D. Blackmore. We have much pleasure<br />
in publishing it in the columns of our paper, both<br />
because of the fact that Mr. Blackmore was for many<br />
years a member of the Society, and also because we<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 66 (#450) #############################################<br />
<br />
66<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
public from the one that has already perused the Messrs. Warne, and others have issued a great number<br />
book in its six shilling issue, and that therefore, as of sixpenny books which have sold and are still<br />
it would be impossible to touch this public by any selling in their hundreds of thousands. These books<br />
other means, the additional price that the author are principally non-copyright books and books<br />
and publisher obtain is an addition to and not a whose copyright has expired-such popular and<br />
diminution from the profits that might have been well-known authors as Lytton, Marryat, Ainsworth,<br />
obtained.<br />
Dickens, &c., &c. These and many other authors<br />
The next side of the question is the discussion always have had and always will have a steady sale in<br />
that has arisen in the papers as to whether the their sixpenny form. During the last two or three<br />
sixpenny book should be sold at a discount or net. years the sixpenny novel has made great advances<br />
This point embraces the whole of the net system, into public favour ; nearly every publisher has<br />
which is a question rather too long and too intricate entered into competition and produced a large<br />
to be discussed in a mere paragraph, and has been number, until, unfortunately, the public are begin-<br />
dealt with elsewhere. But certain writers in the ning to expect that the very latest and the very<br />
public Press, pretending to represent the public best of our novels will appear in the sixpenny form,<br />
interest, assert that if the discount system is given and I am constantly told, when I am asked for the<br />
up with regard to the sixpenny novel the privileges latest book by any popular author, that they will<br />
of the great public are threatened. A similar note wait until it appears in the sixpenny edition. For<br />
has been struck in one or two letters to the papers this reason I use the word “unfortunately," as so<br />
from different pens.<br />
many good books have lately appeared in a sixpenny<br />
This way of putting the matter is, of course, form that the public imagine they can get every and<br />
absurd. The question is simply a trade question any book of note in this form ; probably they will<br />
of supply and demand, and if it is impossible to if they wait long enough—that is to say, until the<br />
obtain a sufficient profit out of the book subject to copyright expires. The publication of a new novel<br />
the usual discounts, the book will go off the market, at sixpence that has never appeared in any other<br />
and if the public do not submit to the sixpenny form before is a mistake. An older novel that has<br />
net they will get no sixpenny book at all, so that made a name always sells readily, therefore I think<br />
the outcry that is being raised against the abolition that any author who contemplates bringing out his<br />
of the discount system might tend to deprive the newest story in sixpenny form to gain thus a much<br />
public of the actual thing that they are clamouring larger public than if he brought it out at 6s., had<br />
for, namely, good literature in cheap form.<br />
better disabuse his mind at once of the idea, as it will<br />
There is no doubt that the book trade is still never pay him or his publisher. Take, for instance,<br />
passing through a period of evolution. What the the excellent series of sixpenny novels issued by<br />
ultimate issue may be must depend upon a wide Messrs. Chatto & Windus. These novels have gradu-<br />
trade question, and the wide principles of political ally run down the gamut of price, first issued in the<br />
economy. One form will be thrown off the market old form, three volumes 31s. 6d., then 6s., then<br />
if it is found not to pay, and in its stead another 3s. 6d., then 2s., and lastly 6d. ; each edition has in<br />
form will be substituted. If sixpenny books cannot no way clashed with the other ; there is and<br />
be produced subject to the usual discounts, and always will be a public for each (except the obsolete<br />
make a sufficient return, they will be produced at three volume 31s. 6d. circulating library edition).<br />
net prices. If then the return is insufficient, some So I am sure the author of the future will have no<br />
other evolution is bound to take place; but to talk reason to fear the sixpenny edition. If the book is<br />
of the rights of the public to insist on a certain by an author of reputation, it will sell much better<br />
form at a certain price is like insisting that your in the six shilling edition than in any other or cheaper<br />
tradesman should provide you with food at the form. After it has had its day (which year by<br />
price which is convenient for you to pay, and not year gets shorter owing to the multiplicity of new<br />
at a price which will return a fair profit to the novels issued) the reissue in a cheaper form will<br />
tradesman.<br />
G. H. T. give it a fresh lease of life and bring it before a<br />
larger public. Only one firm, I think, has been<br />
daring enough to bring out an original novel in<br />
II.-A Bookseller's Notes.<br />
the first instance at sixpence, and I fancy it has<br />
For very many years past there has been a six- no intention of continuing the scheme, as it has<br />
penny novel. It is no new idea ; there has been and proved that older novels, which have previously sold<br />
always will be a large section of the public who will in higher-priced form, are much more successful in<br />
not buy a book above the published price of sixpence, the sixpenny edition than an entirely new work by<br />
and these people always have and always will insist a first, second, or third-rate author.<br />
upon having it at the discount price of fourpence- To bring out future novels at a net price of<br />
halfpenny. For many years past Messrs. Routledge, sixpence and not allow any discount will, I am sure,<br />
--<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 67 (#451) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
67<br />
editions come out so soon after the higher-priced<br />
ones, the public prefer to wait for the former<br />
instead of purchasing the latter.<br />
KIPLING v. PUTNAM.<br />
be a great mistake. The public who will not buy a<br />
higher priced book than sixpence are the very people<br />
who insist upon having a discount, and I am quite<br />
convinced that any novel issued at net price will<br />
prove a mistake. Is not a novel a luxury? You<br />
cannot, anyway, say it is a necessity; therefore,<br />
make it as cheap as possible by giving the public<br />
a discount and thus hold out an inducement for<br />
them to buy the six-shilling (or any other price)<br />
novel at a cheaper rate than the advertised price.<br />
They will then think they are saving money and<br />
will and do buy more freely.<br />
Is it not so in all trades? Can you deny that<br />
Messrs. Linen & Cotton, the well-known drapers,<br />
by largely advertising a sale, all prices marked<br />
down, their 30s. bonnets sale price 258., and so on,<br />
do not offer an inducement to the ladies to flock<br />
to their shop and buy things they would not if this<br />
inducement was not offered ? Undoubtedly it is<br />
so in all trades. What will be the result if this<br />
net system grows ? Why, the second-hand book<br />
seller will find his trade flourishing, as the public<br />
rather than pay the published price (that is, the<br />
top price) would say, “ I'll get it second hand,” and<br />
in the case of novels would not Messrs. Mudie &<br />
Smith reap the advantage by increased demands<br />
for their surplus books ? and would this do the<br />
author any good ? Rather let the discount be cat<br />
down to 4d. in the ls. if the number of copies<br />
sold is to be the desired end. Who can deny that<br />
the greater the competition the brisker the sales and<br />
demand ?<br />
With professional and technical books it is quite<br />
another question. No one will buy these unless<br />
they are absolutely required for their education,<br />
and thus they are the “ tools of their trade," and<br />
should undoubtedly be net in price. But with<br />
novels and general literature produced for the<br />
amusement or entertainment of the book-buying<br />
public, it certainly goes without saying that small<br />
profits and quick returns are best for the three<br />
parties concerned, author, publisher, and<br />
Yours obediently,<br />
THE BOOKSELLER.<br />
E regret that in the October number of<br />
The Author it was stated, with regard to<br />
this case, as follows: “Does the purchase of a copy-<br />
right book in sheets by a publisher or bookseller<br />
entitle the purchaser to add to that book, without<br />
the author's consent, such additional copyrighted<br />
matter or illustrations as he may think of interest<br />
to the public at the time, or of advantage to his<br />
own interests ? "<br />
This statement is, owing to a misprint, inaccu-<br />
rate, and we have been asked by Mr. Kipling to<br />
correct it. To those who have read the article<br />
carefully it is evident that the paragraph should<br />
have run as follows :-<br />
“Does the purchase of a copyright book in sheets<br />
by a publisher or bookseller entitle the purchaser<br />
to add to that book, without the author's consent,<br />
such additional uncopyrighted matter or illustrations<br />
as he may think of interest to the public at the<br />
time, or of advantage to his own interests ?'<br />
We tender our apologies to Mr. Kipling for<br />
omitting this note from the November number.<br />
-ED.<br />
NEUFELD v. CHAPMAN AND HALL, LTD.<br />
III.<br />
The Council of the Associated Booksellers wish<br />
to call attention to the great increase in the issue<br />
of sixpenny editions, and more particularly to the<br />
early publication at that price of books having a<br />
good sale in the 6s. form. The Council are of<br />
opinion that the sale of the higher-priced issues<br />
is greatly interfered with by the premature<br />
publication of sixpenny editions, and they hope<br />
that publishers will take steps to prevent the<br />
market from being deluged with the cheap copies.<br />
They also desire to point out that as the sixpenny<br />
M HIS action was brought by Mr. Charles<br />
Neufeld for an account of all sums due<br />
to him in respect of the publication of<br />
his book entitled “The Prisoner of the Khalifa,”<br />
for royalties and otherwise, and for a sum of £60,<br />
part of a larger amount alleged to have been paid<br />
by him for photographs supplied to the defendants.<br />
It appeared from the evidence given that Mr.<br />
Neufeld had been kept in captivity for some twelve<br />
years by the Dervishes, and on his release in 1898<br />
by Lord Kitchener he was approached by a large<br />
number of publishers who were desirous that he<br />
should write an account of his experiences whilst<br />
he was a prisoner.<br />
The defendants were among the number who<br />
requested him so to do, and eventually an unsigned<br />
agreement was sent to the plaintiff, who was then<br />
in Egypt, by the defendants at the end of 1898,<br />
but the agreement was not signed until July, 1899.<br />
The agreement was as follows:<br />
“Indenture made the day of December, 1898,<br />
between Charles Neufeld of the one part and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 68 (#452) #############################################<br />
<br />
68<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Chapman and Hall, Limited, of 11, Henrietta The plaintiff alleged that he had expended a<br />
Street, Covent Garden, in the City of London, sum of £207 in and about obtaining photographs,<br />
of the other part. Witnesseth, that in considera- and he claimed £60, being part of the costs so<br />
tion of the sum of £800 and a royalty of 15 per cent incurred by him for the photographs, some of<br />
upon the published price of all copies sold beyond which were used by the defendants to illustrate<br />
the number of 4,000 (reckoning 13 as 12), that the book.<br />
Charles Neufeld hereby grants and assigns to The defendants, by their defence, said that by<br />
Chapman and Hall, Ltd., the copyright in the the terms of the agreement the royalty of 15 per<br />
work written by him relating the story of his cent. was payable only upon copies of the work<br />
captivity, part of the manuscript of which is now which were published and sold by the defendants.<br />
in the hands of Chapman and Hall, Ltd., and They denied that they were liable to pay any<br />
the residue whereof the said Charles Neufeld royalty upon the serial publication in the Wide<br />
hereby undertakes to forward as soon as possible. World Magazine, but they paid into Court, with a<br />
And it is hereby agreed between the parties denial of liability, a sum equal to 15 per cent.<br />
hereto that the aforesaid assignment is intended upon the purchase price received from Messrs.<br />
by the said Charles Neufeld to convey and assign, Newnes.<br />
and in the case of dispute shall be considered as They also said that they were under no liability<br />
conveying and assigning, to Chapman and Hall, to pay any royalty in respect of copies sold by the<br />
Ltd., the entire manuscript of the said work and German publishers in Germany, but they paid into<br />
the sole and exclusive right to publish the said Court, with a denial of liability, a sum equal to<br />
work, whether in serial or book form, in Great 15 per cent. on the amount received from the<br />
Britain or elsewhere, and for the purpose of German publishers.<br />
effectuating this intention the said Charles With regard to the copies sold to American<br />
Neufeld covenants not to grant the right of publishers they pleaded that the plaintiff had<br />
publication to any other company, person, or verbally agreed with them that he should only<br />
persons in any country whatsoever, and upon receive 15 per cent. upon the price at which the<br />
request to execute any further assurance or do defendants actually sold the copies to the American<br />
any further act that may be necessary for carrying publishers, but they eventually paid into Court a<br />
his intention into effect. Lastly, it is agreed that sum equal to 15 per cent. upon the full published<br />
this Indenture shall be construed according to price, and this sum was taken out of Court by the<br />
English Law.”<br />
plaintiff before the trial.<br />
The book was published in England by the With reference to the photographs the defendants<br />
defendants in October, 1899, but before that time denied that the plaintiff procured the photographs<br />
an agreement had been made by the defendants, for them or that they authorised the alleged<br />
in February, 1899, with Messrs. Newnes & Co., expenditure, and whilst denying liability they paid<br />
giving them the right, for £250, to publish £23 into Court in full satisfaction of the claim.<br />
copies of the work in the Wide World Magazine. In the alternative the defendants counter-claimed<br />
The publication of the work in the Wide World for a rectification of the agreement upon the ground<br />
Magazine commenced in June, 1899, and was that it did not carry out the intention of the<br />
completed in eight numbers. Certain portions of parties and was entered into under a common<br />
the work were left out, but substantially it was a mistake.<br />
copy of the whole book.<br />
The action was tried before Mr. Justice Walton<br />
About the month of July, 1899, the defendants without a jury on the 30th October last, when Mr.<br />
also agreed to sell to certain German publishers the Scutton, K.C., and Mr. W. 0. Hodges (instructed<br />
right of publishing copies of the work in Germany by Messrs. Field, Roscoe & Co.) appeared for the<br />
for a sum of about £242.<br />
plaintiff, and Mr. J. Eldon Bankes and Mr.<br />
In cross-examination, the plaintiff said he did Montague Shearman (instructed by Messrs. Baxter<br />
not suggest that his royalty was payable on the & Co.) for the defendants. Mr. Justice Walton,<br />
total price of the magazine, but suggested that the after stating the facts and reading the agreement,<br />
royalty ought to be calculated upon the proportion gave judgment as follows :-<br />
which his story bore to the whole number of pages “Two questions arise upon the construction of the<br />
of the magazine—i.e., if the magazine contained agreement : first, whether the plaintiff, Mr.<br />
200 pages and his story took 50 pages, he was Neufeld, is entitled to royalties upon the copies of<br />
entitled to his royalty on one-fourth of the price his work which have been sold in Germany by<br />
of the magazine.<br />
German publishers under the authority which they<br />
The defendants had also sold a large number of acquired from Messrs. Chapman and Hall. It<br />
copies to American publishers under the agreed is contended on behalf of the defendants that they<br />
published price.<br />
are not liable for the copies so sold. They say<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 69 (#453) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
69<br />
they are orly liable for copies at any rate published with some other treatise added by some other<br />
and sold by themselves, and that they are not liable author-suppose they published Mr. Neufeld's<br />
for royalties upon copies sold by German publishers work and something else in a single book--it could<br />
in Germany. It can scarcely be doubted that scarcely be doubted that Mr. Neufeld would be<br />
Messrs. Chapman and Hall, if they had thought fit entitled to his royalties on the sale of the copies of<br />
to transfer their rights to other English publishers his work so published, and I feel unable to dis-<br />
and the other English publishers had published tinguish that kind of case from the case of a<br />
copies of the work, that Messrs. Chapman and publication of what undoubtedly was, and admittedly<br />
Hall would have been responsible to Mr. Neufeld was, a copy of his work in a serial form.<br />
for royalties upon the copies sold by the other “But there is a difficulty, because what he is<br />
English publishers under the authority or licence entitled to is 15 per cent. of the published price of<br />
given to them by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. the copies sold, and it is difficult no doubt to say<br />
“Now, Messrs. Chapman and Hall had exactly the what was the published price of the copies of his<br />
same right to publish in Germany which they had work which were in fact published and sold in the<br />
to publish in England, and if what I have said is Wide World Magazine. There was a published<br />
correct with regard to copies published by other price—that is, the price of the magazine--but that<br />
publishers who bought a right to publish from price is a price for something more than the copy<br />
Messrs. Chapman and Hall in England, I do not of Mr. Neufeld's work.<br />
see how it makes any difference that Messrs. “But again, of course, the same thing might<br />
Chapman and Hall, who had the exclusive right to happen, as I have said, in publishing the work in<br />
publish copies in Germany just as they had in book form with something else added.<br />
England, transferred that right to publishers in “Is Mr. Neufeld deprived of his royalty because<br />
Germany ; and it seems to me that in one case as the publishers, the defendants, who are the persons<br />
in the other Mr. Neufeld must be entitled to his who can do just as they please, choose to publish<br />
royalties upon the copies sold whether in Germany his work with something else at a price which<br />
or elsewhere under a grant or licence or authority includes both ? I think that cannot be so. There<br />
given by Messrs. Chapman and Hall.<br />
is a published price.-whatever the price is—of the<br />
“That is the first question, and therefore with magazine, and 15 per cent. of the published price<br />
regard to that my judgment is that Mr. Neufeld is of the copy of Mr. Neufeld's work in the maga-<br />
entitled to an account of the sales so made.<br />
zine must be arrived at in some way.<br />
“Now, the second question, with regard to which “It is included in the published price of the<br />
I had very much more difficulty, is whether Mr. magazine, and how to precisely analyse that price<br />
Neufeld is entitled to a royalty upon the copies of and say how much of it ought to be attributed to<br />
his work which have been published and sold in Mr. Neufeld's work, and how much to the other<br />
the Wide World Magazine.<br />
articles, is no doubt extremely difficult to deter-<br />
“What was published and sold in the Wide mine ; but taking one number with another, I<br />
World Magazine did consist substantially and suppose the interest of other articles in the<br />
certainly for the purposes of the Copyright Acts of different numbers of this magazine as compared<br />
copies of Mr. Neufeld's work, and if he is to have with the interest of the plaintiff's work would<br />
15 per cent. upon the price of all copies sold of his vary—sometimes there may have been other<br />
work--and that is what I think the word 'copies' articles more attractive ; at other times the<br />
means in the contract--I have not heard any plaintiff's may have been the principal attraction-<br />
sufficient reason for not including in that right and I think, taking the eight numbers all round,<br />
the right to have a royalty upon copies sold in probably the fairest way of dealing with the<br />
serial form.<br />
matter, and perhaps the only way of dealing with<br />
“Messrs. Chapman and Hall could have published it, is to allow to Mr. Neufeld so much of the pub-<br />
this book in parts ; it was entirely at their dis- lished price of the magazine as the pages of his<br />
cretion ; they could do what they liked ; they could article are of the total matter in the magazine. I<br />
publish it in parts, and if they had done so, I do do not see how I can arrive at it in any other way,<br />
not think for a moment they could have disputed and that is the way I think upon which the<br />
their liability to pay royalties.<br />
plaintiff's claim is put forward.<br />
“They could publish, if in parts, together with “Now with regard to the photographs, there is<br />
other matter if they chose. They were open to do really very little evidence either that Mr. Neufeld was<br />
it by the rights which they had acquired from the asked to obtain them, or that there was any con-<br />
plaintiff ; and I do not see that because they tract at all to pay him for them. Apparently some<br />
chose to add other matter therefore the plaintiff's of his photographs have been used, and the pub-<br />
right to his royalty is taken away.<br />
lishers have-I think, very fairly—said that they are<br />
“Suppose they published the book in cheap form willing to pay £23 for them. That is the figure<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 70 (#454) #############################################<br />
<br />
70<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
which they have paid into Court, and I think that annual subscription, or what definite purpose is<br />
£23 is quite enough.<br />
achieved by the Society—these are things few<br />
“Therefore the plaintiff will have judgment for people understand.”<br />
the £23, and he will be entitled to an account of Here Mr. Quilter once more shows either a<br />
the copies sold upon the basis which I have woful ignorance or a lack of understanding. All<br />
indicated.<br />
those who are concerned with the benefits which<br />
“ With regard to the ratification there is no the Society gives understand accurately the policy<br />
evidence before me upon which I can act.”<br />
of the Society and its work. If Mr. Quilter is one<br />
Judgment was accordingly entered for the of those people who does not understand, it is<br />
plaintiff upon the claim and counter-claim, with because he has never taken the trouble to obtain<br />
costs, the plaintiff to have no costs of the issue as the necessary information, or because he is lacking<br />
to the £23 after the date of payment in.<br />
in mental calibre.<br />
Mr. Eldon Bankes applied for a stay of execution These are trivial matters, but later on in the<br />
pending an appeal, upon the ground that the case article Mr. Quilter states as follows : “There is no<br />
was one of importance, and the learned judge club-house, and the only privilege that the members<br />
granted the application, remarking that it was one possess, so far as we can ascertain, is that of con-<br />
of some difficulty.<br />
sulting the society on any question of agreement,<br />
in which case a formal letter is generally received<br />
suggesting that the company's solicitor should be<br />
employed to advise upon the matter-at, of course,<br />
MR. HARRY QUILTER AND THE SOCIETY the client's expense."<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
The fact that there is no club-house is merely<br />
because the Society is a business body and not a<br />
social one. The latter part of the quotation, how-<br />
M R. HARRY QUILTER, with a great ever, is a charge against the Society of a more<br />
M f anfare of trumpets, has produced a book serious kind, as there is no foundation for it in<br />
called “What's What.” As far as the fact. If Mr. Quilter had been sincerely interested<br />
Authors' Society is concerned, it might, with much to find the rights and wrongs of the case, he<br />
more reason, have been called “What's Not.” would not have recklessly libelled the Society and<br />
The criticisms in other papers have been fully its work.<br />
exposing the faults of this book as a book of As all the members of the Society know, it is<br />
reference. Here it is only necessary to deal with never the general custom of the secretary to refer<br />
the article on the Society.<br />
letters to the society's Solicitors. As a rule he<br />
In a book of reference accuracy in statement of gives advice and answers the questions in the<br />
fact as the result of careful research is supposed member's letter without any such reference. If<br />
to be combined with soundness of judgment in the matter is referred to the Society's solicitors it<br />
criticism from wide and general knowledge ; but never has been at the client's expense. One of the<br />
Mr. Harry Quilter, from flagrant inaccuracy and first principles of the Society is that a member is<br />
gross misstatement of fact, the result clearly of entitled to the opinion of the Society's solicitors<br />
no adequate research, has made, as would be gratis on payment of his subscription.<br />
natural, a criticism as worthless as it is erroneous, Mr. Quilter tries to save his position by saying<br />
and exhibits a lack of knowledge simply appalling. “80 far as we can ascertain." This statement<br />
It is not difficult to knock Mr. Quilter from his I deny emphatically, as he could have ascertained<br />
pedestal of universal information in the case of the information had he desired to do so with con-<br />
the Society ; his falsehoods must almost be apparent summate ease. It is only another instance of<br />
to those who have never heard of its existence. Mr. Quilter's slipshod methods. Some of the<br />
For example, he commences by calling us “ the other statements contained are equally unfounded<br />
Royal Incorporated Society."<br />
and absurd. He states that in sixteen years of<br />
It is a matter of common knowledge that the the Society's existence it has done absolutely<br />
word “ Royal ” is never permitted to be applied to nothing. What efforts has Mr. Quilter made to<br />
a contentious body. The very life of the Society find out what the Society has done or has not<br />
is its fighting force.<br />
done ? What reason has Mr. Quilter for putting<br />
He talks of Sir Martin Conway as Secretary of forward this valueless string of falsehoods ?<br />
the Society. If he had taken the trouble to During the last three years the Society's solici-<br />
enquire for any of the Society's pamphlets or tors' bill has averaged between £300 and £400<br />
reports, he would have known the statement to be a year in obtaining advice and support for its<br />
untrue.<br />
members. During the same period the secretary<br />
He goes on to state, “What is done with the of the Society has settled on behalf of the members<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 71 (#455) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
71<br />
between 300 and 400 cases. This statement does ment in fiction. Those opinions, whatever their<br />
not include the numerous letters of advice that the value, have at least the distinction of being<br />
secretary writes daily in answer to the many queries perfectly disinterested. That is to say, they are<br />
put before him, nor does it include cases that have the opinions, arrived at without bias, of a plain<br />
been settled by the Society's solicitors, either by reader with no vested interests at stake but those<br />
action in court or otherwise, nor does it include of an admirer of good literature, who wishes to<br />
those cases in which the Society obtains counsel's have as much of it as he can get, and who there-<br />
opinion, either for the benefit of the individual fore looks for guidance in its pursuit to those who<br />
author or for the benefit of the collective body of<br />
occupy high places in the courts of criticism.<br />
members.<br />
From this frankly confessed standpoint my views<br />
With regard to the letters of advice the secre may perchance have some slight interest in the<br />
tary writes on an average four or five a day, or in columns of the representative organ of English<br />
the year about 1,500, thus giving gratis to members authorship.<br />
1,500 legal opinions, the secretary himself being a The subject of criticism is by no means a new<br />
solicitor.<br />
one, but some of its later developments in relation<br />
With regard to the cases which the Society takes to fiction, the predominant literary force of our<br />
through the Courts, these amount to between twenty time, leave me in bewilderment; and I find myself<br />
and thirty a year. With regard to the counsels' compelled to ask the primary question, Is it, or is<br />
opinions, putting it very low, they would average it not, possible to tell a good novel from a bad<br />
five a year.<br />
one? And yet that is too tame a way of putting it.<br />
In an airy fashion Mr. Quilter ends his article Rather let us say, given a book purporting to be a<br />
by saying: "We shall be glad to revise our opinion work of creative imagination, is it conceivable<br />
if it can be shown to be a practical and business that one class of critic should honestly mistake<br />
like undertaking.”<br />
it for drivel, whilst another declares it to be a<br />
He ought to have made this enquiry before he great and vital production ? I am not dealing<br />
started writing his tissue of fabrications. But he with a merely hypothetical case, as I will presently<br />
has gone further than merely stating that the show. Meanwhile let me emphasise the question.<br />
society is unbusinesslike. He suggests that the I am quite aware that criticism is not a fixed<br />
funds of the Society have been improperly used. science; but surely this does not mean that it has<br />
Here again, had he made proper research, he no laws, no standards, no touchstoneg—that it is<br />
would have been able to see the statement of all purely a matter of idiosyncrasy and personal<br />
accounts which is issued yearly to all members, and standpoint. If it meant that, the term “ classic,"<br />
is again placed before them at the general meeting;<br />
for example, and indeed the term “ literature”<br />
but once more it appears that his ignorance is as itself, would have no definite significance ; such,<br />
gross as his assertions are strong.<br />
accordingly, must be an impossible supposition.<br />
It is hardly worth while taking much further What, then, are the inferences to be drawn from<br />
notice of Mr. Quilter's aspersions on the work of some recent manifestations of the reviewer's art ?<br />
the Society, and on the action of the committee The most serious of these, as it seems to me, is.<br />
who deal with its funds, amongst whom are included the indication that we are entering upon a period<br />
some of the best-known authors in England.<br />
of critical decadence, and that the methods and<br />
It remains to say that if the other articles in the temper of present-day anonymous reviewing are<br />
book are written with as great a disregard for truth reverting to those of a century ago. In those<br />
as the article on the Society of Authors, then the days the literary world was more or less dominated<br />
book is worse than useless—it is a lylng guide. by the great “Empire of Dulness" of which the<br />
G. HERBERT THRING.<br />
early reviewers were the critical kings. Their<br />
usages and influence are matters of history. The<br />
sceptres they wielded were yard-sticks of the most<br />
artificial rigidity, failing which they had recourse<br />
to the bludgeon or the tomahawk. Living in a<br />
JUDGMENT IN FICTION.<br />
great creative era, they were blind and deaf to its<br />
fertility and power. They focussed everything<br />
through an inverted telescope. They never dreamt<br />
NTOT being a member of the Society of Authors, of judging an anthor by his intention, or conceived<br />
IV and having no pretensions to the equipment that his standpoint could be other than their own.<br />
of a professional critic, it is with some of fundamental aim and central motive as qualities<br />
sense of temerity that I venture to invoke the which might inspire and energise a work of creative<br />
hospitality of The Author's pages for the expression literature they had simply no conception. Their<br />
of a few personal opinions on the subject of judg. delight was to seize upon irrelevant trivialities of<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 72 (#456) #############################################<br />
<br />
72<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
detail and magnify their method of treatment into essence or ethical intention, have the defects been<br />
a criminal offence, alike ignoring any fresh breadth indicated with insight, sincerity, and moderation ?<br />
of mental aspect and sneering at any new evidence Let us see.<br />
of artistic originality. And when, as not infre. From the mass of reviews which might be cited<br />
quently occurred, the critic was seized with a I select three-—those, namely, which appeared in<br />
special accession of intellectual impotency, he made the Spectator, Saturday Review, and Academy, and<br />
up for the defect by his redoubled virility with the treat them in summary. We find Mr. Hall Caine<br />
cudgel and an increased effusion of personal spleen therein described as an “orotund and oleographic<br />
upon the head of the luckless possessor of a genius master," who is “lavish of emotional outbursts,"<br />
which it was not even in his nature to comprehend. of “unctuous ecstasy,” and “luscious sentiment-<br />
Had the bark of these critical watch-dogs been ality.” In “ The Eternal City" he sets up a<br />
obeyed, the splendour of Scott's achievement and “whole apparatus of blood-and-thunder melo-<br />
the delightful art of Jane Austen would never have drama." He writes “ drivel,” and “fills 600<br />
realised their consummation.<br />
pages to the satisfaction of fools and ignoramuses."<br />
Now what do we find to substantiate my conten- His hero, David Rossi, is a “perfectly Christian<br />
tion of a reversion to those “old, unhappy, far-off young man, living with anarchists and directing<br />
things”? We find, as I am driven to think, the their operations, with the intention of establishing<br />
same obliquity of vision, the same petty enlarge- forth with Christ's Kingdom on earth by means of<br />
ment on minor details, the same misconception of bombs and daggers." His heroine, Roma Volonna,<br />
the author's fundamental aims, the same sinister is a “wicked and beautiful young woman " who<br />
note of personal abuse. Especially vigorous is the “sets out to seduce the good young man." Alto-<br />
treatment meted out to the writer who makes any gether the novel is “wildly impossible," "unthink-<br />
attempt to combine moral purpose with artistic able," contains " no humanity," " no genuine<br />
intention. A man may tell stories, but what right observation of life," and is “sentimental and<br />
has he to enforce principles ? A novelist may melodramatic to the verge of crudeness.” And<br />
touch life at every point of its surface, but let him so forth, the important fact which remains to be<br />
beware of the problems beneath. He may work noted being that in regard to no single one of the<br />
wonders with incident, but the moment his incident charges here alleged is there the slightest attempt<br />
bases itself on motive he becomes falsely psycho- to substantiate it, by quotation, by illustration, by<br />
logical and vulgarly melodramatic. Such at least constructive argument, or by any shred of proof<br />
are some of the deductions which appear to me whatsoever—with the solitary exception of the<br />
inevitable from certain recent pronouncements. Academy, which adduces two short extracts, making<br />
I take for illustration the outstanding book of 20 lines in all, as sufficient to dispense with<br />
the moment in the province of fiction-Mr. Hall “ analytic criticism” in relation to a book of more<br />
Caine's “ Eternal City.” Here is a writer whose than 600 pages! Neither is there the smallest effort<br />
works have placed him in the front rank of his to grasp the author's intention, or to cultivate that<br />
compeers. His early promise was warmly recog- sympathy of standpoint which Coleridge declared<br />
nised by such masters of the craft as R. D. to be the first qualification for sanity of judgment<br />
Blackmore, Wilkie Collins, and Sir Walter Besant; in matters of literature. The critics simply stalk<br />
and the promise has been redeemed by a series of solemnly forth and fling broadcast their pompous<br />
triumphs which have brought him world-wide objurgatory inanities as in the brave days of old.<br />
fame. At the height of his career he devotes four How far the principle of anonymity may be respon-<br />
years to the writing of a book which, upon its sible for the style of reviewing here exhibited would<br />
appearance, commands instant and universal atten- form a suggestive inquiry. At all events, it is only<br />
tion. What has been the reception accorded to a consummation of the reader's bewilderment on<br />
this book by prominent journals which readers turning from this series of anonymously oracular<br />
could formerly consult in the certainty of meeting verdicts, which would simply exclude “ The Eternal<br />
therein broad and reasoned judgments on any im- City” from the pale of literature altogether, to find<br />
portant contribution to literature—verdicts which the same book so differently characterised by men of<br />
might be unfavourable, and even strongly condem- position and achievement in the craft of letters.<br />
natory, but which usually did the writer the justice “I cannot understand,” says Mr. Coulson Kernahan,<br />
of understanding him ? Have these critics tried “the attitude of mind of those who are unmoved<br />
to gain even an elementary comprehension of the by the magnificent humanity of one of the noblest<br />
work in question ? Have they treated it on such characters in fiction. The character of David<br />
lines of intelligent exposition as the character and Rossi could only have been conceived by a man of<br />
standing of the author and the great constituency great heart and great ideals." The book, declares<br />
of his readers might alike in fairness expect? Mr. Clement Scott, “is so fascinating that once<br />
And if found wanting in any quality of literary taken up it cannot readily be set down." Dr.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 73 (#457) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
73<br />
Robertson Nicoll asserts that the novelist “has professiona pronouncement and popular response,<br />
respected, and that deeply, his message, his art, the meaning of which I submit to be this: that<br />
and his readers,” and says that “ if The Eternal the professional literary tribunal must mend its<br />
City' is an immense popular success, our novelists manners and readjust its code, if there is not to<br />
may take courage and give the public their very ensue a complete severance of its interests from<br />
best." Dr. Joseph Parker affirms that Mr. Hall those of the public whose intellectual welfare it<br />
Caine “always succeeds in being great," and assumes to guard. There must be a reversion<br />
undertakes out of this book “ to bring pictures to first principles and established precedents ; a<br />
enough to crowd the walls of the Royal Academy renouncement of the luxury of personal abuse ; a<br />
itself.” Sir Edward Russell discerns in Roma “a clearing of the mind from cant, and of the mouth<br />
feast of fair things—sound, sincere, holy, refined,” from its phrases. There must be a cultivation of<br />
and in David Rossi one who “besides being in the spirit of sanity in appreciation, and of fairness<br />
politics an able and serene enthusiast, masterly by and sincerity even in condemnation. In short,<br />
ability, is also of knightly devotion to his love,” there must be a willingness of disposition to “see<br />
and describes the book as a whole as “a great things as in themselves they really are."<br />
novel, revealing the author at the very zenith of<br />
his gift.” And Ian Maclaren finds in it “not one<br />
HIRAM TATTERSALL.<br />
or two but a dozen scenes of profound emotion and<br />
intense dramatic interest."<br />
I need not further multiply examples. Those<br />
THE AUTUMN SEASON.<br />
already given will serve to indicate the position to<br />
which we are brought. Here is a work of fiction<br />
which, on the one hand, meets in the pages of TN a number of Literature issued in October<br />
anonymous, if representative, journalism with the<br />
I there is a long Supplement containing a classi-<br />
most concentrated opprobrium, and which, on the fied list of Publishers' Announcements for the<br />
other, is greeted by men of name and standing in Autumn Season.<br />
the world of letters with the utmost warmth of Those who may be interested in the details of<br />
enthusiasm. What is the upsophisticated reader the autumn publications cannot do better than<br />
to think? Can both classes of exponent be right refer to this list. We have taken the liberty of<br />
-or both wrong? I revert to the question with totalling the number of books under each heading.<br />
which I started. Granted two types of critic, of as the literary output at any period cannot but be<br />
common honesty and intelligence ; is it consonant a matter of extreme concern to all members of the<br />
with, let us say, elementary common sense that Society.<br />
one should bodily condemn a book as mere catch- The details as they stand afford subject for<br />
penny rubbish, and the other proclaim it with instructive comment. Fiction stands at the head<br />
equal unanimity an accomplishment of high artistic with an output of 367 books, almost 150 more<br />
merit ? The dilemma would seem to be really too than any other form of production,<br />
absurd, and vet it is the problem with which Interesting figures as to the number of readers<br />
modern criticism confronts us.<br />
of fiction might be deduced from this output.<br />
What, meanwhile, of the general public—that Taking it that each volume has a circulation of at<br />
public to whose intellectual guidance the exalted least 500 copies, which on the whole ought to be<br />
organs of opinion above referred to are supposed a low estimate, and each copy circulated has at<br />
to devote themselves ?. Within a month of the least five readers, giving again a low average, the<br />
appearance of “ The Eternal City " they have total would come out at a reading public of<br />
bought and read the book by scores of thousands. 917,500. No account is here made of the fact<br />
Burke declared that to impeach a nation was that a great many of these people might read at<br />
ridiculous ; is it not at least equally so to arraign least one-quarter of the number of books issued ;<br />
a whole world of readers ? They wait no longer but under any circumstances that there should be<br />
for the fiat of such journals as the Spectator, the such an output shows that the fiction-reading<br />
Saturday Review, and the Academy. They calmly public must attain extremely large proportions.<br />
ignore them and go their own way, selecting their That this is the case, the figures that have been<br />
books for themselves. And why? Because, so reached in the circulation of some of the more.<br />
far as they are concerned—and they form the popular books of late gears go to prove.<br />
“collective voice” to which all appeal must Did not Mr. Hall Caine's novel, “The Eternal<br />
ultimately be cast — anonymous criticism has City,” go to press with an edition of 100,000<br />
become a discredited thing, a mere crackling of copies ? Has not Mr. Anthony Hope's “ Prisoner<br />
thorns under the pot.<br />
of Zenda” had an enormous sale ? Some of Mr.<br />
Thus we see an emphatic dislocation between Robert Louis Stevenson's books have reached<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 74 (#458) #############################################<br />
<br />
74<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
80,000 and 90,000 copies. “ Called Back" sold It would be interesting to make a detailed study of<br />
half a million copies in a very short space of time; the whole list, dealing with the subject from many<br />
and Mr. Jerome's “ Three Men in a Boat” having standpoints. But though by this means a work both<br />
reached 160,000 copies, is, we understand, still recondite and erudite might be produced, it would<br />
selling.<br />
hardly be suitable for this periodical, or of sufficient<br />
Again, look at the figures of some of the books interest to any but the student of human nature.<br />
produced by American writers—“Richard Carvel ” The total number of books appears, however, to<br />
365,000, “The Choir Invisible,” 213,000. “David be very high—1,772 volumes. Is this in excess of<br />
Harum” must have nearly broken the record with other years ? or is it an average yield ? Truly of<br />
400,000 copies.<br />
the making of books there is no end. How many<br />
What may be the effect upon the human rące of of the one thousand seven hundred will be on the<br />
this greed for devouring fiction it is perhaps early market ten years hence ? How many twenty<br />
at present to consider, but in the meantime there years ? Perhaps one hundred, perhaps ten. It is<br />
is the feeling that authors whose business is a sign of the times. In the rush for existence<br />
properly conducted will be able to live free from sometimes a genius may be trampled under foot by<br />
the generosity of their patrons.<br />
the coarse-grained cad, and the seed that he has<br />
It is somewhat astonishing to note that the down by the labour of his hands may never bear<br />
next item on the list is Theology, which it appears fruit.<br />
reaches an output of 220 volumes. We hardly The serious side of the subject must be dealt<br />
dare to prophesy for these so large a reading with by others ; here only is room for a statement<br />
public as for the works of fiction.<br />
of facts.<br />
Books for the Young come third with 205 issues.<br />
TOTALS OF THE CLASSIFIED LIST OF PUBLISHERS'<br />
This is also a sign of the times and of the progress<br />
AUTUMN ANNOUNCEMENTS.<br />
of modern education. Children's books nowadays<br />
nonood in hoontifin formand full of Archæology ............... 7<br />
are produced<br />
and full of<br />
in beautiful form<br />
Lettres .......<br />
Architecture ............<br />
4 Medical<br />
interesting matter.<br />
Art ........<br />
... 50 Miscellaneous ............<br />
The only point which seems to be surprising is Biography ..<br />
Music ...<br />
that the books for children should not have sur Books for the Young... 205 Natural History and<br />
passed the issue of fiction at this time of year.<br />
Classical .................<br />
17 Gardening ............<br />
Drama .....................<br />
12 Oriental ..................<br />
It is possible perhaps that the two overlap, that<br />
Economics and Soci.<br />
Philosophy<br />
the catalogue is not quite accurate.<br />
ology .................<br />
Poetry .....................<br />
The item that comes next, strange to say, is Educational............... 92 Political ..................<br />
Biography. There are to be published 110 books ungineering ............<br />
Reprints ..................<br />
Fiction ........... ...... 367<br />
of biography. Is it possible that there are so many<br />
Science and Mathema.<br />
Folklore and Anthro-<br />
tics ....<br />
as 110 illustrious individuals in Great Britain<br />
pology ...........<br />
Sport........................ 23<br />
whose lives are worth recording in one autumn ? History and Geography 72 Theology .................. 220<br />
Perhaps the number is swollen by the pride of the<br />
Law Books ...............<br />
...... 30 Topography and Travel 73<br />
Literature and Belles-<br />
writers when living, and the relations of the writers<br />
1,772<br />
when dead.<br />
How many of these biographies will reach the<br />
circulation of 3,000 copies? How far will the PUBLISHERS' AND EDITORS: DELAVS<br />
British public, as a public, have any interest in<br />
their production ? These are questions which it<br />
is impossible to answer, but in many cases no DROBABLY many would agree with me in<br />
answer is needed if the love of a relative is I thinking that the most interesting pages<br />
satisfied by a printed record of the friend that is of The Author are those which frankly<br />
gone.<br />
give the experiences of different writers. Whether<br />
Educational works are high up in the list, but these are happy or the reverse, they touch a sym-<br />
compared with the other numbers the total is pathetic chord. I suppose we like to read even of<br />
small.<br />
misfortunes and failures which some of us know<br />
Perhaps the Autumn Season is not the best only too well, and a real success gives us new hope<br />
season for the publication of educational books, and courage. With the object of contributing to<br />
and this reason may account for the deficit. In the general store, I should like to relate some<br />
a country teeming with good, bad and indifferent experiences of what is, perhaps, one of the greatest<br />
education, among a people constantly demanding hardships a writer has to bear the publishers'<br />
from the educational theorists something new, it is delay.-<br />
indeed a wonder that the educational market does I began to write before I was out of my teens<br />
not produce a larger result than even that of fiction. (now, alas ! a long time ago), and then first became<br />
9<br />
10<br />
48<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 75 (#459) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
75<br />
acquainted with some of the publishers' little ways. educational books, even though these books are<br />
Chiefly, I suppose, from my upbringing in a clergy- generally at a disadvantage, as they have to be<br />
man's family, I turned instinctively to the religious sold, in order to keep the market, at a particularly<br />
press. A huge publishing society accepted my work low price.<br />
more than ouce, and paid for it; but the period Again, a book published at the author's expense<br />
between acceptance and payment was the dis- with a publishing house that does not confine itself<br />
couraging part of the transaction.<br />
to commission publishing, is naturally handicapped,<br />
Once, I remember, I sent an article to an as the publisher desires to cover the return of his<br />
American religious periodical. Months passed own capital, and to sell those books for the cost of<br />
away, when, by accident, after I had given up producing which he has had to pay. Yet with<br />
all hope of ever seeing it again, I came across all these disadvantages books so published have<br />
a copy of the paper containing my article. I brought in, and do bring in, under certain circum-<br />
promptly wrote for payment, which was sent to stances, an excellent return to the author.<br />
me. In this the American editor acted more Why, then, do authors not adopt the system ?<br />
honourably than an English editor, who, having There are many reasons. Firstly, it is very<br />
accepted and printed an article of mine about the difficult to upset the old-established trade routes.<br />
same time, was requested to forward his usual rate Secondly, authors are in many cases timorous and<br />
of remuneration, when his only reply was an abusive fearful of losing some portion of their income by a<br />
letter.<br />
new venture. Thirdly, it does not appear that any<br />
All this was in the bad old time before the publisher has as yet entered the market with such<br />
Society of Authors had come into being ; but, a grip of the literary world, the publishing and<br />
even now, much more recent experiences convince book trades, as to get the necessary backing.<br />
me that this very real evil is by no means banished. If a young and energetic publisher would start<br />
To prove this, let me tell you my treatment by a a business confining himself (this is an essential)<br />
well-known paper with an enormous circulation, to book publishing on commission, and if he could<br />
which is, I suppose, one of the most valuable obtain the support of the right kind of author, the<br />
properties of the kind in existence. A short success of the enterprise is assured.<br />
article, accepted, and printed in this paper on Where is that author with courage and<br />
November 1st, 1900, was paid for in January of enterprise ?<br />
the following year. Another article printed early Where is the publisher with energy and<br />
in August this year remains unpaid for.<br />
knowledge ?<br />
This is the delay after the thing has been The following figures, compiled by one who is<br />
printed and published. How can such a delay eminently capable of dealing with matters of this<br />
be justified ? Having accepted an article, what kind, whose knowledge of the printing and publish-<br />
right has the editor or publisher to keep the, ing trades is undoubted, will show what results<br />
probably poor, author waiting for months before may be obtained.<br />
ħe pays for it ? Failure and hope deferred the This is not fiction : it is a fact. A publisher<br />
writer has to bear with what philosophy he may, but starting under these conditions does not even need<br />
why should his very success be embittered by this to ask for money from the author, but' merely a<br />
heartless system of deferred pay? If the Society guarantee of a minimum circulation.<br />
of Authors could devise some remedy for this The estimates are based on a uniform volume of<br />
gross injustice, it would do another real service 320 pp., small pica type, of about 100,000 words;<br />
to the struggling author.<br />
selling price 6s., trade price 3s. 4d.<br />
It will be seen that the estimates are if anything<br />
slightly against rather than in favour of the<br />
author.<br />
THE METHOD OF THE FUTURE.<br />
2,000 COPIES.<br />
NE of the late Sir Walter Besant's ideas was<br />
£ 8. d. £ 8. d.<br />
the publication of books at the author's ex- 2,000 copies 68., net 38. 4d. .........<br />
333 6 8<br />
pense on commission, the publisher merely Less :<br />
Cost of production, as below......... 95 1<br />
acting as an agent and being paid a percentage on<br />
8<br />
Advertising, about ............. ...... 40 00<br />
the returns.<br />
Publisher's commission, 15 per cent.<br />
That such a publication is possible and will pay on £333 68. 8d....<br />
....... 50 0 0<br />
the author considerably more than he would be<br />
185 18<br />
likely to receive under existing circumstances, is<br />
Author receives ...... ,<br />
£148 5 0<br />
abundantly clear from the instances that have come<br />
before the secretary of the Society. At present (Or over 1s. 520. per copy, say<br />
the examples chiefly arise from the publication of 25 per cent., 13 as 12.)<br />
C. P.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 76 (#460) #############################################<br />
<br />
76<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Note.-Cost of production as above :<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
Composition, 320 pp. small pica, 96,000 words 23 5 0<br />
Moulding, 53 by 31 at 3d. ............<br />
4 0 0<br />
Printing, 20 reams quad crown at 128. ............ 12 0 0<br />
Paper, 20 reams quad crown, 90lbs., at 3d....... 22 10 0<br />
Binding, 4d, per copy .........<br />
33 6 8<br />
€95 1 8<br />
Note.-Cost of production as above:<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
Composition, 320 pp. small pica, 96,000 words 23 5 0<br />
Stereotyping, 58 by 3), at 9d............ ............ 12 00<br />
Printing, 100 reams quad crown, at 78............. 35 00<br />
Paper, 100 reams quad crown, 90 lbs., at 3d. ... 112 10 0<br />
Binding, 4d. per copy .........<br />
... 166 13 4<br />
£349 8 4<br />
3,000 COPIES.<br />
£ 8. d. £ 8. d.<br />
3,000 copies 6s., net 38. 4d. .........<br />
500 0 0<br />
Less :<br />
Cost of production, as below ...... 127 2 6<br />
Advertising, about ..................... 50 0 0<br />
Publisher's commission, 15 per cent.<br />
on £500..<br />
75 0 0<br />
252 2 6<br />
Author receives ......<br />
£247 17 6<br />
(Or 18. 8d. per copy.)<br />
Note.-Cost of production as above :<br />
£ $. d.<br />
Composition, 320 pp. small pica, 96,000 words 23 5 0<br />
Moulding, 59 by 31, at 3d. ...<br />
4 0 0<br />
Printing, 30 reams quad crown at 108. 9d. ...... 16 2 6<br />
Paper, 30 reams quad crown, 90lbs., at 3d....... 33 15 0<br />
Binding, 4d. per copy .................................... 50 0 0<br />
£127 2 6<br />
50,000 COPIES.<br />
£ 8. d. £ $. d.<br />
50,000 copies 68., net 38. 4d. ......<br />
Less :<br />
Cost of production..................... 1,557 0 0<br />
Advertising, about..................... 150 0 0<br />
Publisher's commission, 10 per cent.<br />
on £8,333 68. 8d. ......<br />
833 00<br />
— 2,540 0 0<br />
Author receives ......<br />
£5,793 6 8<br />
(Or over 28. 31d. per copy.)<br />
From these figures it is clear that on the sale of<br />
2,000 copies only an author might obtain about<br />
25 per cent.<br />
Again, on the sale of 5,000 the author receives<br />
ls. 10d. per copy—a much larger percentage than<br />
any publisher would offer.<br />
Neither has the publisher any cause to complain.<br />
He obtains £125, and has risked but little.<br />
On the sale of 10,000 copies and over the author<br />
obtains a sum which even the most successful<br />
modern author may wonder at.<br />
These are facts.<br />
In some cases already—as has been stated<br />
above—the method has proved thoroughly suc-<br />
cessful. Given a fair chance it ought to have a<br />
wider success with the publication of fiction.<br />
Trade opposition would be strong, as the publisher<br />
always resents any scheme that may cause him to<br />
lose his grip on the throat of the author—that is<br />
one reason he objects to the agent. But a good<br />
cause is worth fighting for, and stimulates virility,<br />
and virility is life.<br />
It is to be hoped, then, that at no distant date<br />
not only the publisher will spring up, but that he<br />
will get the support of the author, and that the<br />
full results of a successful experiment may be laid<br />
bare in the pages of this periodical.<br />
G. H. T.<br />
5,000 COPIES.<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
5,000 copies 6s., net 38. 4d. .........<br />
Less :<br />
Cost of production, as below......... 196 1 8<br />
Advertising, about ..................... 600 0<br />
Publisher's commission, 15 per cent.<br />
on £833 68, 8d. .........<br />
125 00<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
833 6 8<br />
381<br />
1<br />
8<br />
Author receives ......<br />
£452 5 0<br />
(Or about 18. 10d. per copy.)<br />
Note.-Cost of production as above :<br />
£ $. d.<br />
Composition, 320 pp. small pica, 96,000 words 23 5 0<br />
Stereotyping, 54 by 3 at 9d. ........................ 12 0 0<br />
Printing, 50 reams quad crown, at 88. 6d ........ 21 5 0<br />
Paper, 50 reams quad crown ........................ 56 5 0<br />
Binding, 4d. per copy ...........<br />
836 8<br />
£196 1 8<br />
$. d.<br />
£ $. d.<br />
1,666 13 4<br />
10,000 COPIES.<br />
£<br />
10,000 copies 6s., net 38. 4d. ..........<br />
Less :<br />
Cost of production, as below ......... 349<br />
Advertising, about ..................... 100<br />
Publisher's commission,12} per cent.<br />
on £1,666 138. 40. .................. 208<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.<br />
8<br />
0<br />
4<br />
0<br />
6<br />
8<br />
657 15<br />
0<br />
Author receives ......<br />
N Monday, November 4th, the Authors' Club<br />
opened its autumn season by giving a<br />
dinner to Admiral Sir Edward Seymour, G.C.B.,<br />
who has recently returned from China. Though<br />
the night was one of the most foggy that has been<br />
£1,008 18<br />
4<br />
(Or over 28. per copy.)<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 77 (#461) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
77<br />
known in London for many years, there was,<br />
nevertheless, a large attendance to meet the<br />
distinguished guest.<br />
Lord Monkswell took the chair, and after the<br />
health of the King had been drunk, proposed the<br />
toast of “ The Guest of the Evening."<br />
Admiral Seymour, after returning thanks, spoke<br />
seriously about the magnitude of the international<br />
competition which was bound to take place in the<br />
course of the present century, and put before his<br />
audience the great importance of the Navy to the<br />
English people. He also stated that he thought it<br />
would be a mistake to overbuild ships at any given<br />
time, as those which were suitable for to-day's<br />
needs might be practically useless ten years hence.<br />
His remarks with regard to the friendly relations<br />
that he had held with the other nations represented<br />
in Chinese waters were most interesting. He<br />
stated how—happening to be the senior admiral-<br />
it fell to his lot to take command of the cosmo-<br />
politan force, among which the greatest harmony<br />
had existed in their endeavour to reach the Legation<br />
at Pekin.<br />
Dr. Conan Doyle, the Chairman of the Club, and<br />
Mr. Poulteny Bigelow also spoke.<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
is one of this season's notable publications. This<br />
vivid man-Tennyson calls him a “jolly, vivid<br />
man-vivid as lightning”-eager, unresting, who<br />
never spared himself, was influenced by the teach-<br />
ing of F. D. Maurice, took Holy Orders, and for<br />
nine years laboured in the East End and at Hoxton.<br />
What time he could snatch from strenuous work<br />
among his people he spent at the British Museum.<br />
For years he was a regular contributor to the<br />
Saturday Review'.<br />
Green, who died learning, was a born historian,<br />
and he knew it. His fascinating “ Short History<br />
of the English People” had an extraordinary<br />
success. Like Louis Stevenson, Green was a con-<br />
sumptive. Mrs. Humphry Ward thus describes<br />
sumptive. Mrs. Humphry Ward<br />
him as he was towards the end of his life :-<br />
"There in the corner of the sofa sat the thin, wasted<br />
form, life flashing from the eyes, breathing from the merry<br />
or eloquent lips, beneath the very shadow and seal of death<br />
-the eternal protesting life of the intelligence. ... There<br />
was in him a perpetual eagerness, an inexhaustible power<br />
of knowledge, that were ever putting idler or emptier<br />
minds to shame.”<br />
Mrs. J. R. Green has written a memorial sketch<br />
of her friend the late Miss Mary Kingsley for the<br />
first number of the African Society's Quarterly<br />
Journal. The African Society was founded<br />
in commemoration of Miss Kingsley and her<br />
work.<br />
Another notable publication is the “Life of<br />
Pasteur,' translated from the French of René<br />
Vallery-Redot by Mrs. R. L. Devonshire. It is<br />
in two volumes with a portrait (Constable, 32s.),<br />
and is a comprehensive biography. Louis Pasteur,<br />
who was one of the greatest observers of his century,<br />
and possessed a constructive imagination as well,<br />
lived only for his work. He stopped an annual<br />
waste of many millions of francs in the silkworm<br />
industry through his exhaustive researches into<br />
the cause of the pebrine epidemic among silkworms.<br />
The wine and beer industries also benefited by<br />
his labours.<br />
This great man, whose name is connected with<br />
the discovery of a cure for rabies, was of a loving<br />
and tender nature, while his sensibility to pain in<br />
others was extreme. Often he went home sickened,<br />
even ill, from the operating theatres. Lister wrote<br />
to Pasteur, generously acknowledging that the<br />
“principle upon which alone the antiseptic system<br />
could be carried out” he owed to the great<br />
Frenchman's researches.<br />
Then there is “ The Life and Letters of Lady<br />
Sarah Lennox, 1745—1826,” edited by the<br />
Countess of Ilchester and Lord Stavordale, 2 vols.,<br />
32s. net. Mr. John Murray is the publisher.<br />
Lady Sarah Lennox, fourth daughter of the second<br />
Duke of Richmond, after her divorce from Sir<br />
HE publication of a new volume of poems by<br />
Mr. Thomas Hardy is one of the important<br />
literary events of this season. In his little<br />
Preface to “ Poems of the Past and the Present "<br />
(Osgood, 68.), Mr. Hardy says :<br />
"Of the subject-matter of this volume which is in other<br />
than narrative form, much is dramatic or impersonative<br />
even where not explicitly so. Moreover, that portion<br />
which may be regarded as individual comprises a series of<br />
feelings and fancies written down in widely differing moods<br />
and circumstances, and at different dates. It will prob-<br />
ably be found, therefore, to possess little cohesion of<br />
thought or harmony of colouring. I do not greatly regret<br />
this. Unadjusted impressions have their value, and the<br />
road to a true philosophy of life seems to be in humbly<br />
recording diverse readings of its phenomena as they are<br />
forced upon us by chance and change."<br />
There are some ninety-eight poems in the<br />
volume. The first set are called “War Poems ;”.<br />
then come “Poems of Pilgrimage”;“Miscellaneous<br />
Poems” follow; “Imitations” include half-a-<br />
dozen poems ; in “Retrospect” there are three.<br />
Of these, the last is a specially significant expres-<br />
sion of the author's attitude towards Life and its<br />
Maker.<br />
“ The Letters of John Richard Green” (Mac-<br />
millan, 158. net), edited by Mr. Leslie Stephen,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 78 (#462) #############################################<br />
<br />
78<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Charles Bunbury, married the Hon. George Napier. Dr. Selwyn defends the genuineness of the Second<br />
One of her sons was Sir Charles Napier, the Epistle of St. Peter, develops his theory that<br />
conqueror of Scinde ; another was Sir William, St. Luke wrote that Epistle for St. Peter at Rome,<br />
the author of " The History of the Peninsular and identifies Luke with Silas.<br />
War."<br />
Over sixty thousand parts of the “Twentieth<br />
Dean Hole has lately published, through Messrs. Century New Testament” have been sold. The<br />
Hutchinson & Co., a book which he calls “ Then chief aim of this new translation is to rely upon<br />
and Now" (168. net). It is full of amusing stories. simple modern English, all words and phrases not<br />
Dean Hole in 1892 presented His “ Memories” to used in the English of to-day being excluded. A<br />
the reading public, and in 1895 he published company of about twenty translators has been<br />
“More Memories."<br />
engaged upon the work for ten years.<br />
Mr. F. G. Kenyon, of the British Museum, is Dr. Richard Garnett has contributed an interest-<br />
publishing through Messrs. Macmillan a “ Roman ing introduction to “ What Makes a Friend," a little<br />
Handbook to the Textual Criticism of the New volume compiled by Volney Streamer (Truslove,<br />
Testament,” designed for students. Mr. Kenyon Hanson and Comba). It consists of a selection of<br />
gives an account of the available textual material; the best of what has been said upon friendship<br />
ancient versions in various languages and quota- by those whose moral and intellectual rank entitles<br />
tions from it in the early Christian writers. At them to a hearing.<br />
the head of each chapter is a list of authorities Messrs. Macmillan are the publishers of a work<br />
most likely to be useful to the student who wishes by Mr. B. Seebohm Rowntree. This important<br />
to push enquiry further. Copious indices are given, contribution to practical sociology contains the<br />
and there are sixteen full-page facsimiles (reduced)<br />
results of a thorough investigation into the con-<br />
from MSS. of first to eighth centuries.<br />
ditions of life and labour in New York, somewhat<br />
Miss Adeline Sergeant. the prolific novelist and on the lines of Mr. Charles Booth's great work on<br />
story writer, is one of the contributors to “ Roads “Life and Labour in London.” It seems that<br />
to Rome.” a volume which contains personal records over twenty thousand souls in New York live in a<br />
of some of the more recent converts to the Catholic state of chronic poverty. The broad result of Mr.<br />
Faith. Cardinal Vaughan has written an Intro Rowntree's investigations goes to show that there<br />
duction, and it is compiled and edited by the is an almost identical proportion of poverty in the<br />
author of “ Ten Years in Anglican Orders”<br />
provincial city of New York and the Metropolitan<br />
(Longmans, 78. 6d. net).<br />
City of London.<br />
Miss Adeline Sergeant's novel, “ The Mission of<br />
Messrs. Swan, Sonnenschein & Co. publish this<br />
month a new poetical drama entitled “Frithiof the<br />
Margaret,” will be published on December 2nd by<br />
Bold,” by F. ). Winbolt, author of “King Helge"<br />
John Long, price 6s.<br />
and “ Aslog.” Its price is 3s. 6d.<br />
Mr. Murray is the publisher of “ Old Diaries,<br />
aries, Mr. G. H. Perris has just published through Mr.<br />
1881–1900," by Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower.<br />
Grant Richards a volume called “The Life and<br />
Lord Ronald Gower has selected from the diaries<br />
Teaching of Leo Tolstoy." It is a book of extracts,<br />
kept during the last twenty years passages relating with an introduction of more than ordinary interest.<br />
to the distinguished men and women whom he<br />
Says Mr. Perris :-<br />
met in this country and abroad. These include<br />
“ Tolstoy is stimulating as much by his insistence upon<br />
reminiscences of H. M. the late Queen Victoria, the<br />
the superior importance of moral over material progress as<br />
Empress Frederick, Lord Beaconsfield, Mr. Glad-<br />
by his marvellous power of depicting the drama of the<br />
stone, Lord Dufferin, Cardinal Rampolla,“ Ouida," inner life. His attempt to formulate a moral dynamic<br />
J. A. Symonds, and Mr. Swinburne.<br />
is open to criticism, but it voices a hunger that is spreading<br />
and deepening in every country where machine industry<br />
The Memoir of Sir George Grey, G.C.B., 1799 and plutocracy are the governing conditions of the popular<br />
-1882, by Dr. Mandell Creighton, the late Bishop<br />
life .... He will not be canonised by any Church, and it<br />
is only after long years of laborious growth into complete<br />
of London, is just out (Longmans). This is a<br />
self-possession and self-expression that this rare mind<br />
reprint of a volume privately printed in 1884. shows us, reflected, all the agonising search and struggle of<br />
Sir George Gray held offices in the Ministries of the soul of our time."<br />
Lorá Melbourne, Lord John Russell, and Lord Mr. Aylmer Maude is editing a revised edition<br />
Palmerston. He was Home Secretary during the of Tolstoy's works. The most scrupulous care has<br />
Chartist troubles of 1848.<br />
been taken to present reliable versions. The first<br />
Dr. Selwyn, the Headmaster of Uppingham, has volume, “Sevastopol,” translated by Louise and<br />
written a sequel to his work “The Christian Pro- Aylmer Maude, has appeared. Mr. Grant Richards<br />
phets,” entitled “St. Luke the Prophet.” In it is the publisher.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 79 (#463) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
79<br />
“La Chartreuse de Parme," translated from the In this second edition of “The Lectures and<br />
French of De Stendhal, by the Lady Mary Loyd, is Essays "two essays belonging rather to the domain<br />
the first volume of the series of French romances of mathematics are omitted.<br />
being published by Mr. Heinemann. Mr. Maurice Mr. S. Baring Gould's famous West of England<br />
Hewlett has written the introduction. It is a<br />
romance “ John Herring" is the latest addition<br />
handsome volume in blue and gold, with four<br />
to Mr. George Newnes' sixpenny series. Mr. F.<br />
dainty coloured plates, a frontispiece portrait of Anstey's well-known “ Vice Versâ." John Oliver<br />
Stendhal, and six portraits of him at various Hobbes' “ The Herb Moon,” Mrs. Humphry Ward's<br />
ages.<br />
“ Robert Elsmere ” and “The History of David<br />
In his new novel, “ Marietta—a Maid of Venice," Grieve,” Mr. Rider Haggard's “ She” and “ Jess,"<br />
Mr. Marion Crawford has collected, and used with and six of Dr. Conan Doyle's novels are included in<br />
his usual skill, a mass of curious and picturesque this series.<br />
knowledge about Venetian glass-blowing. He has<br />
There was an interesting meeting of the Play-<br />
drawn on fifteenth century records of a certain<br />
goers' Club in the Victoria Hall at the Hotel Cecil<br />
Zorzi Ballarin, who, being taken into the office of<br />
on the evening of November 17th, when Miss Nella<br />
Angelo Beroviero, a great craftsman in the art of<br />
Syrett presided, and Mr. F. Norreys Connell read<br />
glass-blowing, shows such aptitude for the art, that<br />
a paper on “Should Novelists write Plays ? " It<br />
he is admitted to the practice of it, in defiance of<br />
provoked an animated discussion. Mr. Connell<br />
the law which forbids any foreigner to learn and<br />
said that the novelist whose sole concern was to<br />
practise the art in Venice. .<br />
tell a story could write plays easily. But to the<br />
Mr. Eden Phillpotts' new novel, “ Fancy Free” novelist whose story was also a serious criticism of<br />
(Methuen, 6s.), is a humorous medley, illustrated life the stage offered no opportunities. Two of thuse<br />
by Mr. J. A. Shepherd and others.<br />
who took part in the discussion said that novelists<br />
“The Making of a Marchioness," by Mrs. Hodg needed to learn the art of play construction, and<br />
son Burnett, has lately been issued by Messrs. that most novelists were deplorably ignorant of<br />
Smith Elder (68.). It is a story of modern English stage requirements.<br />
life, and makes pleasant reading.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Kendal and Mrs. Tree are playing<br />
Mr. A. E. W. Mason's new novel “Clementina ” at the St. James' Theatre in Mr. W. K. Clifford's<br />
is a stirring historical romance. It is doing well. successful drama, “The Likeness of the Night,”<br />
Messrs. Methuen are the publishers (6s.).<br />
which has been played in the provinces and at<br />
“ Light Freights," by Mr. W. W. Jacobs, is<br />
Fulham. A version of it appeared in the Anglo-<br />
another of the same firm's successful publications.<br />
Saxon Review; it is also published in volume<br />
Mr. Jacobs is happy in being able to give the<br />
form.<br />
public an amusing book, for such books are greatly Mr. George Alexander is to resume the run of<br />
in demand just now.<br />
Mr. H. V. Esmond's “The Wilderness” at the<br />
Miss F F Montrésor's new novel “ The Alien ” St. James' Theatre this month, and he will give<br />
is in its second edition : so. too. is Mr. B. M. matinées during the Christmas holidays of Mr.<br />
Croker's novel “ Angel,” Mr. Eden Phillpotts' R. C. Carton's pretty comedy “Liberty Hall.”<br />
“ The Striking Hours," Dorothea Gerard's “The Mr. Sydney Grundy's latest adaptation from the<br />
Million," and Mr. Baring Gould's“ Royal Georgie.” French will be produced at the Haymarket on the<br />
Mr. Rudyard Kipling's " Kim” has been selling 10th inst. The cast includes Miss Emery, Miss<br />
at the rate of about 500 copies a day, and is still Ellis Jeffreys, and Mr. Cyril Maude.<br />
going remarkably well.<br />
Mr. Edward Martyn, the author of “The Heather<br />
The editor of the Cornhill Magazine has been Field,” has just published two plays through Mr.<br />
fortunate enough to secure the serial publication of Fisher Unwin. They are “ The Tale of a Town”<br />
Mr. Anthony Hope's new novel. Messrs. Harper and “ An Enchanted Sea.” Mr. Martyn is an<br />
Bros. will publish it simultaneously in America in Irishman.<br />
one of their magazines. It will be remembered “Aladdin ” is to be the pantomime at the Hippo-<br />
that “ Tristram of Blent" appeared serially in the<br />
drome, while Mr. Arthur Collins is providing a<br />
Monthly Review.<br />
gorgeous spectacular display at Drury Lane. A<br />
“ The Lectures and Essays of the late Professor property elephant, resembling that on which Miss<br />
W. K. Clifford" forms a welcome addition to the Edna May rode in “ An American Beauty,” is to<br />
Eversley Series (Macmillan, 2 vols.). Mr. Leslie be an important feature of the pantomime. A<br />
Stephen is the editor. There is a sympathetic troupe of elephants hailing from Paris may take<br />
biographical introduction by Sir Frederick Pollock. part in the proceedings.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 80 (#464) #############################################<br />
<br />
80<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
and social position; those who admit exceptions<br />
agree that such exceptions are congenital idiots.<br />
In truth—and this is the underlying fact-not one<br />
PUBLISHERS AND MSS.<br />
writes from the point of view of art. Not one even<br />
SIR,– My experience of“ really good houses” in the refers to the attitude of mind necessary for a man<br />
matter of defacing MSS. exactly accords with that of to give the world honest, lasting achievement. All<br />
“Member” in the last issue of the Author. After write from the point of view of the writer, and of<br />
submitting MS. of a work to which I had devoted what is advisable for him personally.<br />
much time and research to two of the best houses May 1, cynically, suggest that your correspon-<br />
in the trade, I happened to open the MS. in a part dents write honestly ? May 1-also cynically-<br />
I had not carefully examined when returned on the suggest that it is this tradesman-like spirit per-<br />
former occasion, and found the page lined with vading literature which accounts for the fact that<br />
pencil marks and the notation “not true" appended -except as to the works of one living man-<br />
to statements of fact. Unfortunately, I could not fix no modern romance has any chance of more than<br />
the guilt on any one of these firms, or I should ephemeral life?<br />
have given the “ gentleman” a bit of my mind.<br />
Your correspondent, who wrote from an excep-<br />
After this experience of publishers' readers I tional point of view, affirmed that no man can<br />
invariably affix to the front of my MSS. the possibly achieve living success who does not write<br />
appended notice, which has had an excellent from sheer love of writing. He suggested that one<br />
effect:-<br />
pound a week is sufficient for such a man to live on,<br />
“ As this manuscript is private property, the pub- and he further suggested that to succeed in depict-<br />
lishers and their readers are requested to treat it ing humanity a man must live face to face with<br />
in an honourable manner, in the same way as they humanity, and not peer at it through the spectacles<br />
would expect their own property to be treated when of a class, however admirable in manner and dress.<br />
“ lent on approval ” with a view to sale ; and not Did this correspondent say that not one single<br />
to turn down the corners or otherwise damage it, man born to wealth and high rank has given the<br />
or return it in a filthy condition, as is sometimes world one single work of genius in romance ?<br />
done by dishonourable firms and their employées.”<br />
As this ridiculous world is constituted, the writer<br />
November, 12th, 1901.<br />
H. N. S.<br />
must write for money to clothe his back and fill his<br />
stomach. Success may give him social position.<br />
OLD AND YOUNG REVIEWERS.<br />
But for living work he must write from sheer love<br />
of work ; wealth and position must be simply inci-<br />
To the Editor of THE AUTHOR.<br />
dental. The man who writes for the admiration of<br />
SIR,--I do not agree with “ Judas Quilldriver.” a class must keep his finger on the pulse of that<br />
Twenty years ago any contributor to the old<br />
class—he loses the pulse of humanity.<br />
Saturday Review under Mr. Philip Harwood, or to<br />
In trying to turn the old Bohemian republic of<br />
the old Pall Mall Gazette under Mr. Greenwood or<br />
literature into an aristocracy with rewards of<br />
Mr. John Morley, would have acted altogether at<br />
wealth and position, the twentieth century is making<br />
his peril if he had made a practice of reviewing a deadly mistake. Humanity is swamped ; criticism<br />
books without reading them. Also the practice of becomes a criticism of clothes ; language and con-<br />
throwing in the book as part of the reviewer's<br />
struction are looked to, not the ideal.<br />
reward was certainly not uniform then.<br />
We may laugh at Hall Caine or Marie Corelli for<br />
ANOTHER OLD REVIEWER.<br />
their huge circulation. But they touch humanity.<br />
November 14th, 1901.<br />
Regarding literature from the shopkeeper's point of<br />
view, I do not believe that one single writer can<br />
attain a huge circulation without writing from<br />
MONEY AND LITERATURE.<br />
sheer love of work. Mere inhuman refinement of<br />
SIR,—Though it is as ridiculous for the cynic to language and perfection of construction may gain<br />
come out of his tub and discuss a question of art as the critic's applause and some measure of readers ;<br />
it is dangerous for a free-born Briton to suggest genius may fail ; in the races of literature the best<br />
that the destruction of nationalities is not Christ- horse may be shut out and an outsider win. But be<br />
like, I cannot resist writing a few words touching sure of this : no man ever attained the position of<br />
one fact which underlies your published corre- a Shakespeare, Molière, Alexandre Dumas, or, to<br />
spondence on the above subject.<br />
come to the present, the position of the one man I<br />
With one remarkable exception, all your corre. have referred to, who did not write from sheer love<br />
spondents deal with the question of reward from a of writing. And no man absorbed in a class of<br />
severely practical and personal point of view. Some humanity ever has or ever will achieve a work of<br />
say that all men without exception write for reward genius.<br />
CYNICUS.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 80 (#465) #############################################<br />
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## p. 80 (#466) #############################################<br />
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| 349 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/349 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 06 (January 1902) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+06+%28January+1902%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 06 (January 1902)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1902-01-01-The-Author-12-6 | | | | | 81–108 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1902-01-01">1902-01-01</a> | | | | | | | 6 | | | 19020101 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
Vol. XII.-No. 6.<br />
JANUARY 1, 1902.<br />
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submitted to the Society for advice.<br />
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and References on Application.<br />
to sign any agreement which may embody the Clauses expose 1<br />
without submitting it first to the Society.<br />
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By Order, G. HERBERT THRING,<br />
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39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 80 (#470) #############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT.<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL.<br />
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | AUSTIN DOBSON.<br />
J. M. BARRIE.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A, W. DU BOURG.<br />
ROBERT BATEMAN,<br />
Sir MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P.,<br />
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.<br />
F.R.S.<br />
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D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.<br />
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D.<br />
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE.<br />
THE Right Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH. H. RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
CLERE.<br />
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SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon.W.E. H.LECKY, M.P.<br />
MRS. CRAIGIE.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
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THE REV. W.J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.<br />
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OF KEDLESTON,<br />
PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN.<br />
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THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIR-<br />
BRIGHT, F.R.S<br />
SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,<br />
LL.D.<br />
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.<br />
E. ROSE.<br />
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OWEN SEAMAN.<br />
Miss FLORA L. SHAW.<br />
G. R. SIMs.<br />
S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE,<br />
J. J. STEVENSON.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.<br />
Hon. Counsel — E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.<br />
A. W. BECKETT.<br />
d. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
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Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
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OWEN SEAMAN.<br />
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COPYRIGHT,<br />
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A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
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W. M. COLLES.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
DRAMA,<br />
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OFFICES: 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 81 (#471) #############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.–No. 6.<br />
JANUARY 1st, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
1<br />
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.<br />
Nov. 21, Balfour, A. ....<br />
.<br />
Nov. 22, Risley, J.........<br />
:r;';'...ccccccc<br />
Nov. 25, Walker, W. S..<br />
...<br />
0<br />
0<br />
1<br />
5<br />
5<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors<br />
has been removed to-<br />
39, OLD QUEEN STREET,<br />
STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.<br />
Nov. 25, Vaux, P. ....<br />
Nov. 25, Lambe, Lawrence ........<br />
1<br />
1<br />
1<br />
1<br />
0<br />
0<br />
NOTICE.<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
NHE EDITOR begs to inform members of the<br />
Authors' Society and other readers of The<br />
Author that the cases which are from time<br />
to time quoted in The Author are cases that have<br />
come before the notice or to the knowledge of the<br />
Secretary of the Society, and that those members<br />
of the Society who desire to have the names of<br />
the publishers concerned can obtain them on<br />
application.<br />
TT is with much regret that we have to record<br />
the death during the past month of Mr. F. W.<br />
Robinson, the well-known novelist, who has<br />
been a member of the Society of Authors almost since<br />
its foundation. He joined in 1888. He has been a<br />
constant and sincere supporter of the work it has<br />
done for the benefit of the profession as a whole,<br />
although he has seldom had occasion to obtain any<br />
direct benefit.<br />
We must also mention with regret the death of<br />
E. Livingstone Prescott (Miss Spicer Jay), whose<br />
work was deservedly appreciated. She was also<br />
a member of the Society for some time.<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
M HE following is the total of donations and<br />
1 subscriptions promised or received up to<br />
the 1st December, 1901.<br />
Further sums will be acknowledged from month<br />
to month as they are received, as it has been con-<br />
sidered unnecessary to print the full list with<br />
every issue.<br />
Donations .........<br />
......£1439 16 6<br />
Subscriptions ......<br />
... 106 7 6<br />
In re A. M. de Beck, Limtd.<br />
A COMPULSORY winding-up order was made<br />
against this company.<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
2 u<br />
5 5<br />
0<br />
0<br />
Nov. 9, Dale, Miss .......<br />
Oct. 10, Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet)<br />
Oct. 15, Rossi, Miss L.<br />
Oct. 25, Potter, M. H. ............<br />
Oct. 30, Stanley, Mrs. .....<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
During the past month the Secretary has had on<br />
hand, in addition to and outside of his correspon-<br />
dence, ten cases. Four of these have been completed;<br />
the rest are in process of settlement.<br />
The Society has taken up two county court<br />
actions, one of which has been settled without the<br />
issue of a plaint. A solicitor's letter appeared to<br />
be amply sufficient.<br />
0 12<br />
0 10<br />
0<br />
O<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 82 (#472) #############################################<br />
<br />
82<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
· ·<br />
.<br />
.<br />
· · ·<br />
.<br />
· · · · · · · · ·<br />
· · · ·<br />
·<br />
Nerer<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
Donations from Members and Others.<br />
As it appears from the subscriptions sent in to Bell, Mackenzie . .<br />
. .<br />
the Secretary that the members of the Society as<br />
. . 1 1 0<br />
Boevey, Miss Crawley . . . .<br />
a whole cannot have read the notice published in<br />
() 10 0<br />
Dale, Miss Nellie ...<br />
0 10 6<br />
last month's Author, the Committee again desire Kelly, C. A.<br />
to state that subscriptions to the Memorial are<br />
. .<br />
• . 2 20<br />
Moncrieff. A. R. Hope<br />
now invited from all members, and they trust that<br />
Stanton, Miss A. M. .<br />
.<br />
there will be no difficulty in obtaining a sum<br />
.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Toynbee, William<br />
m .<br />
.<br />
. . . 1<br />
sufficient to cover all possible contingencies.<br />
1 0<br />
Watt, A. P. & Son .<br />
. .<br />
The full statement of what it is proposed to do<br />
. 26 5 0<br />
Wilkins. W. H.<br />
. .<br />
has already been set out in The Author.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Wilson, Miss Aphra ..<br />
Cheques should be made payable to the Incor-<br />
. 1 1<br />
Woods. Mrs. M.A.<br />
. . . 1 1<br />
porated Society of Authors, London Joint Stock<br />
0<br />
Bank, and crossed “ Walter Besant Memorial.”<br />
SIR WALTER BESANT'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.<br />
Donations from Members of the Council.<br />
Meredith, George, President of the<br />
CYIR WALTER BESANT'S Autobiography,<br />
Society . . . . .£10 0 0 D which is now in the press, and which will<br />
à Beckett, A. W. .<br />
. 1 1 0 be published shortly by Messrs. Hutchinson<br />
Barrie, J. M. .<br />
5 5 0 & Co., is not at all like the autobiographies to<br />
Bateman, Robert . . . . 5 0 0 which we are accustomed. It is neither a diary,<br />
Beddard, F. E..<br />
0 0<br />
nor does it contain lengthy transcripts from a<br />
Bonney, Rev. T. G. .<br />
2 0 diary ; it includes no letters from eminent friends,<br />
Caine, T. Hall, amount dependent on<br />
and is remarkably free from personal references ;<br />
what sum required<br />
it says nothing at all about the pecuniary side of<br />
Clodd, Edward . .<br />
.<br />
.<br />
1 1 0 his career as a professional man of letters; and is<br />
Colles, W. M. .<br />
5 5 0 quite silent about his domestic life. It tells<br />
Collier, The Honble. John .<br />
O briefly and modestly of the influences which led<br />
Conway, Sir W. Martin<br />
1 1 0 him to be a novelist and an antiquarian, and of<br />
Craigie, Mrs. .<br />
2 2 0 the circumstances which conduced to his success ;<br />
Dobson, Austin.<br />
10 and undoubtedly the main purpose which Sir<br />
Doyle, A. Conan.<br />
. 15 0 0 Walter Besant had in writing it was to draw<br />
Dubourg, A. W..<br />
0 attention to what he considered to be the proper<br />
Foster, Sir Michael, M. P., F.R.S.<br />
1 0 equipment for sound and useful literary perform-<br />
Freshfield, D. W.<br />
• 5 0 0 ance. He tells the story of his childhood with<br />
Garnett, Richard<br />
some detail, and draws an interesting picture of<br />
Gosse, Edmund . .<br />
3 0<br />
his school and college life ; and from his descrip-<br />
Grundy, Sydney . .<br />
2 0 tion of how the various situations in which he was<br />
Haggard, H. Rider.<br />
. 3 3 0 placed affected him, the reason for his religious<br />
Hardy, Thomas . .<br />
. 2 2 0 convictions—which he states—can be gathered.<br />
Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas M<br />
• 1 1 0 Some foreword was considered by Sir Walter<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope<br />
0 0 Besant's literary executor, and by others to whom<br />
Jerome K. Jerome .<br />
2 2 0 his memory is especially dear, to be necessary, to<br />
Keltie, J. Scott.<br />
1 1 0 explain to some extent the limitations of the book,<br />
Kipling, Rudyard<br />
0 0 and the responsibility of writing a preface has<br />
Lely, J. M.<br />
10 been entrusted to Mr. S. Squire Sprigge.<br />
Loftie, Rev. W. J.<br />
1 0 We are certain that a life of Sir Walter Besant,<br />
Middleton-Wake, Rev. C. H. .. 2 2 0 whatever its scope or aims, whatever its contents<br />
Norman, Henry.<br />
1 1 0 or omissions, cannot fail to be deeply interesting<br />
Parker, Gilbert ..<br />
3 3 0 to the members of the Society of Authors. His<br />
Pinero, A. W..<br />
5 0 affectionate zeal for the Society can never be<br />
Pollock, Sir F..<br />
1 1 0 fogotten by us. He gave us of his best with<br />
Rose, Edward .<br />
2 2 0 the utmost cost to himself. At the busiest period<br />
Scoones, W. Baptiste .<br />
1 1 0 of his life, when his great success as a novelist<br />
Sims, George R.. .<br />
5 0 0 made his time of the first pecuniary value to him,<br />
Sprigge, S. S. . .<br />
2 2 0 and wheu his expenses were necessarily at their<br />
Ward, Mrs. Humphry<br />
. . 5 0 0 highest point, he devoted half his working day<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
·<br />
0<br />
.<br />
·<br />
.<br />
8-100 - NCN CO er NON<br />
ONCON COCO O NON<br />
·<br />
.<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
.<br />
·<br />
.<br />
·<br />
.<br />
·<br />
.<br />
·<br />
1<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 83 (#473) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
83<br />
for years to our cause—the cause of his colleagues There are also many reproductions from quaint<br />
of the pen. But this is no place to run into a engravings in out-of-print volumes, and over forty<br />
needless eulogy of our dead friend. It is sufficient street scenes from photographs taken by the author<br />
to say, in alluding to the forthcoming biography, and Mr. E. B. Cochrane, of Hillhurst, P.G.<br />
that any message which Sir Walter Besant gives<br />
A special feature of the book is the amount of<br />
to the world is sure to be received with keen<br />
information it gives about curio-buying. Messrs.<br />
welcome by one class. Brethren of his craft<br />
Sands & Co. are the publishers. The price is<br />
will read with pleasure the passages of his life<br />
£3 38. net.<br />
which he has bequeathed to the public, feeling<br />
The Rev. Walter Skeat, Elrington and Bosworth<br />
that any lessons which he may inculcate are<br />
Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University of<br />
bound to be worthy of attention, as coming<br />
Cambridge, has edited the complete works of<br />
from a good, brave, and generous man.<br />
Chaucer from numerous manuscripts. This<br />
admirable edition (1 vol., 3s. 6d., Clarendon<br />
Press, Oxford ; Henry Frowde, London) will be a<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
boon to students and lovers of Chaucer. The<br />
book is handy to hold and easy to read. Professor<br />
Skeat's short but full preface gives the reader all es-<br />
TR. A. W. à BECKETT, who is a member<br />
sential information, and those poems which research<br />
M of the Council, of the Committee of<br />
has proved not to be Chaucer's have been eliminated.<br />
Management, and of the Sub-Committees<br />
on Copyright and Drama, is lecturing on the “Comic<br />
Sir George Young, the translator of Sophocles,<br />
Century.” The humours of the years 1801 to 1901<br />
has rendered a selection of Victor Hugo's poems<br />
are' illustrated with slides from the best-known<br />
into English verse. The selection ranges over the<br />
caricaturists of the century. Mr. à Beckett would<br />
whole of Hugo's immense and multifarious work,<br />
be exceedingly pleased if any members of the Society<br />
and contains over 10,000 lines of verse, so that<br />
having caricatures which they would allow him to<br />
the English student may get from it a fair<br />
reproduce in the form of lantern slides would com conception of Hugo's poetry, excluding the dramas.<br />
municate with him to that effect as soon as possible. “More Letters of Edward Fitzgerald,” edited by<br />
Commander the Hon. H. N. Shore, R.N., whose Mr. W. Aldis Wright (Macmillan, 5s.), will be<br />
book, “ Smuggling Ways and Smuggling Days”<br />
warmly welcomed by those who have appreciated<br />
(Cassell & Co., 1892), was the fruit of eight years'<br />
the Fitzgerald Letters already published. They<br />
experience and investigation as inspecting officer of<br />
are Letters first and foremost and all through.<br />
the Coastguard in England and Scotland, is pub-<br />
By their means Fitzgerald brings his readers into<br />
Jishing through the columns of the Kent County close contact, primarily with his own quaint<br />
Examiner a series of articles entitled “Half Hours personality, and then into intimate touch with<br />
with Kentish Smugglers," which deals with the smug. many of his distinguished contemporaries.<br />
glers of the south-east coast of England exclusively. “The Life of the Right Hon. Sir William Moles-<br />
The period treated of is that which followed the<br />
worth, Bart., M.P., F.R.S.," by Mrs. Fawcett, LL.D.<br />
close of the long war with France in the early part<br />
(Macmillan, 8s. 6d. net), is a timely publication,<br />
of the 19th century. Over a large part of Kent<br />
though Sir William died in 1855. This far-seeing<br />
and of Sussex smuggling was carried on with<br />
statesman and true Liberal entered Parliament for<br />
brazen boldness. The coast was infested with<br />
East Cornwall in 1832. In 1855 he took office as<br />
armed gangs who defied the Government officers Secretary of State for the Colonies in the Govern-<br />
and terrorised the law - abiding. Commander<br />
ment of Lord Palmerston.<br />
Shore's narrative comprises much sensational and Molesworth held that the Colonies should have<br />
hitherto unpublished matter which may be of responsible government. The following statement<br />
especial value to novelists.<br />
of his has a peculiar value at the present time :-<br />
Mr. Douglas Sladen's new book, “In Sicily,” Every war (with an external foe) is necessarily an<br />
follows hard on the heels of Miss Norma Lorimer's<br />
Imperial war i... In certain cases it would not be<br />
unreasonable to expect that the colonies should assist the<br />
“ By the Waters of Sicily” (Hutchinson, 108. 6d.<br />
Empire both with troops and with money, and I feel con-<br />
net). Mr. Sladen spent the winters of 1896, 1898, vinced that if the colonies were governed as they ought to<br />
and 1900 in Sicily, collecting the materials for this be, they would gladly come to the aid of the Mother<br />
important work, which is in two volumes, large Country in any just and necessary war.<br />
quarto, with maps and some 300 illustrations. Sir William worked with Buller and Gibbon<br />
Thirteen of these are from original oil-paintings Wakefield, John Stuart Mill and Lord Durham, to<br />
by Miss Margaret Thomas, the artist-author of encourage colonisation in South Australia and New<br />
“Two Years in Palestine and Syria.”<br />
Zealand, and to bring peace to a distracted Canada.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 84 (#474) #############################################<br />
<br />
84<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
He is remembered too as the editor of “John English jury is not to lose time. Mere finesse they don't<br />
Hobbes."<br />
appreciate; go straight at the witness and at the point ;<br />
throw your cards on the table. It is a simple method, and<br />
66 The Tragedy of Sir Francis Bacon” is the I think it is a good method.<br />
title of a work by Mr. Harold Bayley, Mr. Grant Another important book is the “ Life of Sir<br />
Richards being the publisher. The book is a com-<br />
William Wilson Hunter, K.C.S.I., &c.," by Mr.<br />
prehensive study of the recently discovered cypher F. H. Skrine (Longmans, 16s.). Sir William was<br />
narration concealed within the plays of Shakespeare,<br />
a collector of facts, a historian, a man of extra-<br />
and an examination of the evidence leading to show<br />
ordinary industry. He directed the statistical<br />
that Francis Bacon was not only the author of the<br />
survey of India, and he wrote many books. His<br />
plays and of much contemporary work hitherto<br />
“ Thackeray in India” contains interesting infor-<br />
attributed to other writers, but that he was further<br />
mation about that novelist's early years.<br />
the son of Queen Elizabeth. This is indeed to<br />
He came into contact with Mr. Kipling, and in<br />
out-Shakespeare Shakespeare !<br />
his review of the third edition of “ Departmental<br />
Mr. Walter Wall, who was for many years editor<br />
Ditties ” (Academy, 1888) he said,<br />
of the Mining Journal, is publishing through Mr.<br />
Grant Richards a volume entitled “How to Specu-<br />
Some day a writer will arise - perhaps the destined<br />
man- who will make that noble. Anglo-Indian world<br />
late in Mines.” The object of the book is to known as it really is. It will then be seen by what a<br />
instruct the ordinary capitalist and to give him hard discipline of endurance our countrymen and country-<br />
disinterested advice. The principal goldfields of women in India are trained to do England's greatest work<br />
on the earth. Of this realistic side of Anglo-Indian life<br />
the world are dealt with, and there are chapters<br />
Mr. Kipling also gives us glimpses. His serious poems<br />
on “ Prospective Criticism,” “How Markets are<br />
seem to me the ones most full of promise. Taken as a<br />
Influenced,” “Bulls and Bears," " The Financial whole, his work gives hope of a new literary star of no<br />
Press," &c. There is an index, and a glossary of mean magnitude arising in the East.<br />
mining terms.<br />
• Sir William Hunter's great work was “The<br />
A very different book is to be added immediately History of British India."<br />
to Mr. Grant Richards' Religious Life Series. It A useful and timely volume is “The Foundation<br />
is a reprint of Bishop Hall's “ Meditations and of British East Africa,” by J. W. Gregory, D.Sc.<br />
Vows." Bishop Hall was one of the later Elizabe- (Horace Marshall, 6s. net). In it the author<br />
thans. His “ Meditations and Vows” first relates the chief events in the history of the<br />
appeared in their original form in 1605, but were country down to the appointment of Sir Harry<br />
subsequently revised and considerably enlarged. Johnston as Commissioner of Uganda. There<br />
The present edition will be complete and will be are maps and illustrations.<br />
edited by Mr. Charles Sayle.<br />
Number 42 of the Portfolio Monographs ·<br />
“The Life of Lord Russell of Killowen " (Smith, (Seeley & Co) is “ Mediæval London," by the<br />
Elder, 10s. 6d. net), by Mr. R. Barry O'Brian, is Rev. Čanon Benham, D.D., Rector of St. Edmund<br />
one of the season's successful books. That this the King in Lombard Street, and Charles Welsh,<br />
biography of the late Lord Chief Justice is so F.S.A., Librarian to the Corporation of London.<br />
interesting is partly because Mr. O'Brian's bio. The first twenty-one pages is a comprehensive<br />
graphical intentions were known to Lord Russell, “ Survey of Mediæval London.” Then come<br />
who willingly talked to the point. Lord Russell's chapters on “Civic Rule," “ The Thames,"<br />
family have also supplied papers. This masterful “ Religious Life," “ The Fortresses, Palaces,<br />
man, endowed with a magnetic personality, who and Mansions,” and “The Passing of Medieval<br />
imposed himself on the jury and the Court, was London.” The monograph is exquisitely illus-<br />
considered by many to be the biggest advocate of trated. There are four plates printed in colours<br />
the century.<br />
and reproductions of a series of Antonie Van den<br />
The following opinion of his with reference to Wyngaerde's drawings of Elizabethan London,<br />
the difference between English and Irish juries now in the Bodleian Library. All who love<br />
has been considerably quoted, but it will bear their London will welcome this scholarly mono-<br />
repetition :<br />
graph. Price 5s. net ; or in cloth 78. net.<br />
In dealing with an English jury it is better to go Two books which have a special interest for<br />
straight to the point ; the less finesse the better. It is<br />
those who live in and about London are (1)<br />
different with an Irish jury. An Irish jury enjoys the trial.<br />
They can follow every turn of the game. They understand<br />
“London City Churches” (Constable & Co.), by<br />
the points of skill; the play between an Irish witness and A. E. Daniell, who knows these churches and has<br />
an Irish counsel is good fun, and they like the fun, and they carefully studied their monuments and archives ;<br />
don't mind the loss of time. They get as good value out of the and (2) - London Riverside Churches,” by the<br />
trial as they would out of the theatre. With an English<br />
jury it is different. They are busy men, and they want to same painstaking author<br />
same painstaking author. Both volumes are fully<br />
get away quickly. The great thing in dealing with an illustrated.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 85 (#475) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR,<br />
85<br />
A volume which is particularly interesting just aquatints, &c., &c. There are also valuable hints<br />
now is “ English Coronation Records,” edited by to beginners. Mr. Whitman is an acknowledged<br />
Leopold G. W. Legg, B.A. (Constable & Co., expert.<br />
31s. 6d. net). It consists of documents illus-<br />
Mr. Edward Clodd has finished for early publi-<br />
trating the history of English coronations from<br />
cation a brief monograph on Professor Huxley,<br />
the seventh century to the nineteenth. There<br />
which will be issued by Messrs, Blackwoods & Sons<br />
is a general introduction on ceremonies and<br />
as a volume of their “ Modern English Writers<br />
customs, and an account of services due at the<br />
Series."<br />
coronation. There are numerous illustrations from<br />
contemporary sources. The edition is limited to<br />
The seventh Annual Continuation of “Chitty's<br />
500 copies.<br />
Statutes of Practical Utility,” of which the 5th<br />
edition was brought out in 13 volumes in 1894-5,<br />
The students of heraldry will be interested in<br />
has just been brought out by Mr. J. M. Lely, and<br />
“ Some Feudal Coats of Arms,” by Joseph Foster<br />
published by Sweet & Maxwell, Limited, and<br />
(James Parker & Co., 63s.). There are some<br />
some Stevens & Sons, Limited, at 7s. The new volume<br />
2,000 illustrations in this volume, which is in the<br />
contains a summary of the selected Statutes, with<br />
first instance a collection from certain heraldic<br />
notes, in which the bearing of the Civil List Act<br />
rolls.<br />
on the Civil List Pensions is fully treated. A<br />
A large paper edition, limited to 250 copies, of consolidating volume containing the seven con-<br />
Mr. Barry Pain's new book,“ Stories in the Dark," tinuations, with additional notes, will shortly<br />
is being prepared by Mr. Grant Richards.<br />
be issued.<br />
Among the important art books recently published Mr. Anthony Hope's new play will follow "Iris"<br />
is “ Sir Henry Raeburn, R.A.," by Sir Walter at the Garrick. It is a new and original modern<br />
Armstrong, Director of the National Gallery, comedy in four acts, and the cast will be very<br />
Ireland. There is an introduction by (the late) carefully selected. Mr. Bourchier will appear in<br />
R.A. M. Stevenson, and a catalogue raisonné of the leading part, and Mr. Esmond will make a<br />
Raeburn's works by J. L. Law, Curator of the reappearance in an important character.<br />
National Gallery of Scotland (Heinemann, £5 5s.).<br />
Mr. Martin Harvey will present his new play<br />
Raeburn's reputation has grown slowly but very<br />
“ After All,” by Freeman Wills and Frederick<br />
surely, and his pictures are now eagerly sought<br />
Langbridge, for the first time in London at the<br />
I<br />
after. A Raeburn is among one of the most<br />
Avenue Theatre this month. The drama, which<br />
recent acquisitions of the Musée du Louvre. There<br />
is founded upon “Eugene Aram," was recently<br />
are 70 plates in this fine volume ; 66 are in<br />
produced in Dublin and was favourably received.<br />
photogravure and 4 in lithographic facsimile.<br />
Mr. H. V. Esmond's "The Wilderness” may be<br />
Another important book published through<br />
followed by a revival for a short run of “The<br />
Messrs. Longmans is the English edition of<br />
Importance of Being Earnest.” Preparations will<br />
“ Andrea Mantegna” (Paul Kristeller), by<br />
be active for the production of Mr. Stephen<br />
S. Arthur Strong, M.A., Librarian to the House of<br />
Phillips' tragedy “Paola and Francesca,” which is to<br />
Phi<br />
Lords and at Chatsworth. £3 108. net is the<br />
be put on early next month. Miss Elizabeth<br />
price of this finely illustrated book on the artist<br />
artist Robbins is cast for the important part of Lucrezia.<br />
R<br />
of Padua.<br />
Early in February a new piece is due at the<br />
Then there is an admirable new work on<br />
Lyric. It is “My Best Girl,” by Seymour Hicks and<br />
“Modelling,” by Professor Lanteri, of the Royal<br />
Walter Slaughter.<br />
College of Art, South Kensington (Chapman &<br />
Hallº 15s. net). It is meant primarily as a Mr. Sydney Grundy's new play, .“ Frocks and<br />
guide for teachers and students. "M. Lanteri is Frills," will be produced at the Haymarket on the<br />
well known as a remarkably successful teacher. evening of January 2nd. As Miss Winifred Emery<br />
who aims at bringing out any originality his is compelled under medical advice to take a few<br />
pupils may possess.<br />
months' rest, her part will be assumed by Miss<br />
There is also “The Print Collector's Handbook"<br />
Grace Lane, who has done well under Mrs. Kendall.<br />
by Mr. Alfred Whitman (Bell, illustrated, 15s, net). Mr. Charles Frohman is sending into the pro-<br />
There has been such a run on the book that it is vinces four companies (under the direction of Mr.<br />
practically out of print already and copies are not C. E. Hamilton), with the successful drama “Sher-<br />
very easily got. Mr. Whitman, of the British lock Holmes,” by Dr. A. Conan Doyle and Mr.<br />
Museum, gives some interesting information about William Gillette. The companies will be provided<br />
the Print Rooms of the Museum. There are with new scenery and the special electrical effects<br />
chapters on line engravings, mezzotints, etchings, which have been used at the Lyceum.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 86 (#476) #############################################<br />
<br />
86<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
One of the events of the theatrical season has of a further volume containing the historical books,<br />
been the brilliant and extremely successful revival although the Books of Moses have not yet been<br />
of “ Iolanthe" at the Savoy. “Iolanthe" was first many weeks out of the press. The whole work is<br />
produced nineteen years ago. Miss Rosina Bran- intended to be contained in four volumes, and<br />
dram as Queen of the Fairies made a marked there is every indication that Mr. Fenton's version<br />
success.<br />
of the Old Testament will be as popular as his<br />
We understand that Mr. W. S. Penley has gone<br />
translation of the New Testament has been, and<br />
abroad for a short holiday. On his return he will<br />
continues to be, both here and in America.<br />
reopen the Great Queen Street Theatre with a new A new volume of verse is being issued by F. B.<br />
piece.<br />
Doveton through Messrs. Baker and Son, of Clifton.<br />
Mrs. Patrick Campbell's American tour com-<br />
The volume's title is “Mirth and Music," and the<br />
mences at the Grand Opera House in Chicago.<br />
poems contained in it have been collected and<br />
The elerenth annual dinner in aid of the Actors'<br />
reprinted from various magazines and papers, both<br />
Benevolent Fund was held in the Whitehall Rooms,<br />
London and provincial.<br />
Hôtel Métropole on the evening of December 18th.<br />
“In the Blood " is the title of a recently pub-<br />
The Right Hon. Lord Alverstone was in the chair,<br />
lished book by Mr. W. S. Walker_“ Coo-ee.”—<br />
and was supported on his right by Mr. Charles which shows that Australian larrikinism revels in<br />
Wyndham, and on his left by Sir Squire Bancroft. the big cities of the island continent on much the<br />
Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins, Mr. Murray Carson, same lines as does hooliganism in London.<br />
Sir Anderson Critchett, and Mr. George Grossmith Mr. Lewis Melville, author of the “Life of<br />
were among those present. It was announced Thackeray," will this month publish, through<br />
during the evening that the subscription list Messrs. Greening & Co., a novel dealing with<br />
amounted to over £900, the chairman having the stage. It is called “In the World of<br />
contributed 100 guineas.<br />
Mimes.”<br />
The fifth English edition of Mr. F. Howard Collins A new book, “Shrouded in Mystery," by Sarah.<br />
“ Epitome of the Synthetic Philosophy of Herbert Eleanor and Harriet Stredder (Deane, 3s. 6d.) is a<br />
Spencer” was published recently (Williams and contribution to psychic stories. All the four stories<br />
Norgate, 21s.). It now represents the Philosophy are founded on fact.<br />
as it at present stands, having been revised and<br />
enlarged where necessary. There are second and<br />
Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously<br />
third separate editions of it appearing in America,<br />
pleased to accept a copy of “King Helge-A sloq,"<br />
dramas based upon the Scandinavian legends, by<br />
France, and Russia, and last year a German<br />
F. J. Winbolt.<br />
translation appeared.<br />
“ The Student's History of Philosophy," by “An Angelico Angel” is the title of a little<br />
Professor A. K. Rogers (Macmillan), falls into volume of short stories by Miss Emily Underdown<br />
three parts. The first deals with the Greeks from (Norley Chester). It is published by Messrs. J.<br />
Thales down to the Neo-Platonists and the advent Clarke & Co., price 1s., and all profits will be given<br />
of Christianity ; the second treats briefly of the to the United Kingdom Beneficent Association.<br />
Middle Ages and the Schoolmen, and of the transi. Copies may be obtained from the office of the<br />
tion from them to modern philosophy in the works Association, 7, Arundel Street, Strand : from Miss<br />
of Bacon and Hobbes; the third, occupying half the E. Underdown, 22, Belsize Crescent, Hampstead,<br />
book, is concerned with the Moderns, from Descartes N.W., or from any bookseller. Norley Chester is<br />
to Herbert Spencer and the Evolutionists.<br />
known as the author of “A Plain Woman's Part,"<br />
Dr. Westermarck's “ History of Human Mar-<br />
“Stories from Dante,” “Songs and Sonnets,"<br />
riage” is now issued in a new edition. This is the<br />
&c., &c.<br />
third within ten years—a success too rare with We understand that the circulation of The<br />
books of philosophy. Messrs. Macmillan are the Lady's Realm (Hutchinson & Co.) has gone up<br />
publishers.<br />
considerably, owing to its new serial, “ No Other<br />
Mr. Ferrar Fenton has put into the hands of his<br />
is Way,” by Sir Walter Besant. The same firm have<br />
printers the second volume of his “Bible in Modern<br />
fortunately been able to secure Sir Walter Besant's<br />
English,” which will be issued to the public through<br />
Autobiography.<br />
the house of S. W. Partridge & Co., 8, Paternoster Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler's new serial,<br />
Row, London, E.C. The very favourable reception “Fuel of Fire," begins in this month's The<br />
of his first volume of the Hebrew portion of the Woman at Home (Hodder & Stoughton). Some<br />
Bible, containing the “Five Books of Moses," both 200,000 copies of “ Concerning Isabel Carnaby”<br />
in Britain and America, has led to a call for an issue have now been sold.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 87 (#477) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
87<br />
Mr. Hannilton Aïde's novel “ The Snares of the LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
World” has gone into a third edition. Mr. John<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
Murray will publish early next year a volume of<br />
short plays by Mr. Hamilton Aïdé, entitled “ We<br />
are Seven,” “Half-hours on the Stage,” “ Grave<br />
1.-Cost of Production.<br />
and Gay.”<br />
TT not infrequently happens that a young author,<br />
“Mr. Horrocks the Purser," by Mr. Cutcliffe<br />
I ignorant of the technical question—the amouni.<br />
Hyne, will be published by Methuen on January<br />
of words contained in the ordinary 6s. volume<br />
15th, by Lewis and Mayo in the States, and in<br />
-makes his maiden effort of a length which causes<br />
translations in Germany and France. Mr. Hyne<br />
the publisher to fight shy of its production. It is of<br />
has also written another series of “ Adventures of<br />
great importance, therefore, for the beginner to<br />
Captain Kettle” for Pearson's Magazine, to appear<br />
write a book that is rather under than above the<br />
in 1902, and is collaborating with Mr. Murray<br />
average. The average may be taken as about<br />
Carson in a play dealing with the “ Adventures of<br />
85,000 words.<br />
Captain Kettle.”<br />
The length of a book, however, not infrequently<br />
causes the publisher to make demands on an author's<br />
pocket that he would not otherwise have done, and<br />
“HAMPSTEAD ANNUAL," 1901. in an indefinite way leads the author to think that<br />
a book of 170,000 words will cost twice as much<br />
This, the fifth number of the “ Hampstead to produce as a book of 85,000. This is very far<br />
Annual,” has a special interest for members of from being the case, as the example given below<br />
the Society. Mr. S. Squire Sprigge has con- will show.<br />
tributed a most interesting and sympathetic Let no author, therefore, be led into paving<br />
article on our founder, who was for many years exorbitant sums merely on account of a slight<br />
a distinguished resident of the suburb on the advance in length.<br />
heights. Sir Walter Besant wrote a preface, A novel, crown octavo, of twenty sheets, of sixteen<br />
“graceful and cordial,” for the first “Hampstead pages to the sheet, with 260 words for each page,<br />
Annual,” which appeared in 1897. The present small pica type, will amount to approximately<br />
number, admirably edited by Mr. Greville E.<br />
82,000 words—in reality it is 82,200—and the<br />
Matheson and Mr. Sydney C. Mayle, is full of cost of production of 1,000 copies works out as<br />
good things possessing a more than local interest. follows :-<br />
For instance, Dr. Richard Garnett's illuminating<br />
article on “ Sir Francis Palgrave as a Precursor of<br />
Composition. 1 7 6 per sheet £27 10 0<br />
Printing : 0 10 6 , ,<br />
Ruskin” is likely to arouse wide interest and con-<br />
10 10 0<br />
siderable comment. Professor John W. Hales, in<br />
Paper . . ( 19 6 , , 19 10 0<br />
his scholarly “Shelley's Adonais,” explains-con-<br />
vincingly, one thinks—wby Shelley styled Keats<br />
Total cost . . . £57 10 0<br />
Adonais, in his noble monody, “ an In Memoriam The next point for consideration is the cost of<br />
poem of immortal beauty.” Then Mr. H. W. composition of a novel of twice the length, say<br />
Nevinson, of war correspondent fame, whose “Plea 164,000 words.<br />
of Pan” (John Murray) has been one of the year's Instead of setting up the work in small pica<br />
literary successes, has written a delightful article type, the publisher sets it up in long primer,<br />
about his old school upon the Severn-Shrewsbury with the following result:<br />
to wit-under the title of “ Sabrina Fair." Sir That in the twenty sheets (the number taken<br />
Richard Temple has a contribution on “ Londoners above) which take 82,000 words in small pica<br />
and London"; Mr. James E. Whiting gives “Some type, the publisher can set up 108,000 words,<br />
Notes on the Flora of Hampstead”, Miss Beatrice approximately, in long primer, reckoning 340<br />
Marshall writes on “ Romney's Connection with words to the page, crown octavoin reality<br />
Hampstead”; Canon Ainger contributes an article 108,800. The cost of composition of long<br />
on " Mrs. Barbauld”; Miss Beatrice Harraden has primer type is, giving ample margin, 5s. more<br />
a short prose parable,“ The Talisman”; and Maude expensive than small pica. The result, there-<br />
Egerton King's story is called “ The Play Angel." fore, will be that the cost of production will be<br />
Miss May Sinclair's poem - emphatically it is exactly the same as above, with the exception that<br />
poetry—“A Fable,” is remarkable. There is a the cost of composition is 5s. a sheet more, with<br />
short poem by Dollie Radford, and a long one by the result that £5 must be added to the cost of<br />
Mr. B. Paul Newman. There are some sixteen production, making in all £62 10s.<br />
interesting illustrations, carefully produced. The But we are still 56,000 words short. Reckoning<br />
“ Annual” is well worth its price-2s.6d, net. that each sheet of sixteen pages set up in long<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 88 (#478) #############################################<br />
<br />
88<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
primer as above will take 5,440 words, eleven 6. The MS. does not infringe in any way upon any<br />
sheets will amply cover the 56,000 words that existing copyright.<br />
NAME<br />
are still wanting.<br />
ADDRESS<br />
The cost of eleven sheets, 1,000 copies, basing<br />
N.B.-All MSS. must be typewritten, bear the name and<br />
our calculations on the amount stated above, will address of the sender, and be accompanied by stamped and<br />
be as follows :<br />
addressed envelope for its return.<br />
Composition, 11 sheets at £1 12s. 6d.<br />
This method of doing business is from some<br />
per sheet.<br />
£17 17 6 points of view exceedingly satisfactory, as it sets<br />
Printing, 11 sheets at 10s. 6d. per<br />
forth clearly the responsibilities of the editor and<br />
sheet .<br />
5 15 6 the position of the author, but there are some<br />
Paper, 11 sheets at 198. 6d. per sheet 10 14 6 points in which it has serious blemishes. Firstly,<br />
in Clause 2 a fixed date should be limited for reply ;<br />
Total. . . . . £34 7 6 the words “longer than necessary” are far too<br />
indefinite, and contracts that lack clearness are<br />
Total cost of 20 sheets . . £62 10 0 almost sure to give rise to disputes. Secondly, in<br />
, , 11 , . . 34 7 6 Clause 3 there is no definition of "current prices.”<br />
Now, either the magazine pays a regular amount<br />
Total cost of both . £96 17 6 per page or it does not, but suits its price to the<br />
author. If it pays a regular amount per page, the<br />
It will be seen, therefore, from the example that current price ought to be definitely stated. If it<br />
a book of 82,000 words will cost £57 10s., but a suits the amount to its author, then the vague<br />
book of 164,000 will cost only £96 128., or barely phraseology of “current prices” should never have<br />
£40 more.<br />
been inserted.<br />
It should be remarked also that the figures Thirdly, in Clause 4 the magazine is to have<br />
taken are very liberal from the printer's point the “sole right to this MS. in the English<br />
of view, and that a book produced according to language in the event of its acceptance."<br />
the size and type named would not really cost Authors should never sell the copyright and all<br />
so much. This point, however, does not directly their rights to a magazine.<br />
bear on the argument.<br />
They should only sell the serial use of their MS.<br />
G. H. T.<br />
for that one magazine, and this is the plan by<br />
which nearly all serial work is placed in England.<br />
Lastly, the author cannot publish in a foreign<br />
II. - The Management of MSS.<br />
language without the proprietor's leave. This<br />
An American magazine entitled Smart Society<br />
restriction is quite unnecessary for safeguarding<br />
has been much in evidence during the last few<br />
last few the magazine's property, and only likely to cause<br />
months on the English bookstalls. It has estab-<br />
irritation to the author.<br />
blished an office in London, and is full of excellent<br />
reading in many branches of literature.<br />
In consequence members of the Society have<br />
III.-Half Profits on Sheets to America.<br />
forwarded MSS. for the perusal and, if possible, THE following point in a publisher's agreement<br />
the acceptance of the editor. In reply the follow- must be brought before the notice of the members<br />
ing document is sent to them for signature : of the Society of Authors. It is not an uncommon<br />
thing for publishers to enter into an agreement for<br />
Gentlemen,<br />
My MS., entitled , is submitted to you on the<br />
the publication of a book, undertaking to pay the<br />
following conditions :<br />
author a royalty in England, and—failing to secure<br />
1. If published, the MS. should appear under the name the American copyright-half profits on the sale of<br />
of<br />
as author.<br />
sheets or stereos in America. A clause drafted on<br />
2. I agree not to offer this MS, to anyone else, or permit<br />
its publication unless and until I receive the reply from<br />
these lines is a distinct pitfall to the author, and<br />
you of your Editor rejecting it. You agree that this reply is one of the many tricks, off the line of fair<br />
shall not be delayed longer than necessary.<br />
trading, by which the publisher obtains an advan-<br />
3. The MS. is submitted at the current price for contri.<br />
tage to himself to the detriment of the author.<br />
butions, payment to be made on application.<br />
4. You to have the sole rights to this MS, in the English<br />
Such a strong phrase has been used advisedly and<br />
language in the event of its acceptance, and it is not to be for the following reasons : 1. Because to the<br />
published in any other language until after it has appeared ordinary person the difficulties with which the<br />
", and then only with your permission in clause is pregnant are altogether invisible. 2. Be-<br />
writing.<br />
5. The MS. has never been printed anywhere in any cause the amount the author receives in royalty<br />
form.<br />
is always calculated-see the books of the Society<br />
in<br />
66<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 89 (#479) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
on the point-on the basis that the full cost of account of £2 10s., as the sale to America has<br />
composition is charged against the English failed to cover the cost of production.<br />
edition. If this were not the case, the author As soon as the edition is sold and the amount is<br />
ought to receive a higher royalty. Let us worked out against the author he prints 10,000<br />
explain what we mean more fully.<br />
copies for the English edition, but never takes<br />
Take the ordinary 68. book :-<br />
into account the proportion of the cost of pro-<br />
Cost of composition of 3,000 copies. £30 0 0 duction of the 500 sent to America to the 10,000<br />
Cost of printing<br />
printed in England. Again, supposing you take<br />
Cost of paper<br />
» .<br />
458<br />
£58<br />
»<br />
0<br />
Ö<br />
0<br />
the first instance and 20,000 were subsequently<br />
sold, the cost of the 2,000 sold to America is taken<br />
Total . . . . £104 0 0 into proportion to the cost of the 3,000 printed.<br />
It will be seen, therefore, that quite apart from<br />
Of the 3,000 copies the publisher sends 2,000 to<br />
the contract being unfair and a pitfall to the<br />
America, and receives for the same (say) 1s. a copy<br />
unwary (as to the ordinary author on the face<br />
-£100. The cost of composition was compulsory<br />
of the agreement the difficulty is invisible),<br />
for the completion of the English edition, the<br />
even if it is worked out by a publisher with an<br />
author's royalty, as stated, being based on this<br />
honest (?) idea of doing nothing dishonourable,<br />
understanding ; but the publishers take two-thirds<br />
the result of its working out its natural evolution<br />
of this cost towards the American edition, as<br />
becomes a fraud on the author. The position is<br />
well as two-thirds of the cost for the print and<br />
ridiculous. It is to be hoped that the Publishers'<br />
the paper, leaving to be divided between himself<br />
Association will disassociate themselves from this<br />
and the author-<br />
form of agreement.<br />
By sale of 2,000 copies to America. £100 0 0<br />
Two-thirds cost of production<br />
£69 6 8<br />
A LITERARY ADVERTISEMENT.<br />
£30 13 4<br />
It is at once seen that the result is unfair, as<br />
the cost of composition has no right to be charged TT was a curious and unusual advertisement. It<br />
against the American edition, but only the cost I caught my eye in a daily paper which has<br />
of print and paper, which would work out as a column devoted to literary wants. The<br />
follows :-<br />
advertiser required special articles for one week ;<br />
By sale of 2,000 copies to America. £100 0 0 the remuneration to be thirty shillings; and<br />
Two-thirds cost of print and paper £49 6 8 applicants were summoned to a certain number in<br />
the Brixton Road at 3 p.m. to ascertain particulars.<br />
£50 13 4<br />
Fired with curiosity and craving to understand<br />
the methods of one of London's literary advertisers,<br />
Instead, therefore, of the author receiving<br />
I took the train for this remote district, and after<br />
£25 6s. 8d., by the publisher's method of cal-<br />
a long, wearisome walk past garish and glaring<br />
culation of half profits, the author receives<br />
shops, respectable villas, and gloomy terraces, I<br />
£15 6s. 8d. and the publisher £35 6s. 8d. It<br />
knocked at the door of the house indicated. It<br />
is almost as reasonable an arrangement as the<br />
was one of a row of buildings, sombre-looking<br />
ordinary half profit agreement whose clauses<br />
and dingy-hued. A woman answered my ring, a<br />
and workings have so often been exposed in<br />
female with untidy light hair and a ruffled dress, who<br />
The Author.<br />
smirked and spoke with a light-hearted accent.<br />
To show how this method may be worked out in<br />
“ I have called about the advertisement," I said.<br />
the interests of untrustworthy publishers unfairly to<br />
The young woman's countenance beamed afresh,<br />
the author, say the publisher in the first instance<br />
as if my call had renewed her pleasurable excitement.<br />
only publishes a thousand copies. The cost of<br />
I was offered a seat in the hall. Next to me<br />
composition would still be £80 ; printing, £10;<br />
sat a serene-faced, spectacled young man, waiting.<br />
paper, £20. He sells 500 copies to America, and<br />
I glanced at the cheap prints on the walls, and<br />
on the same principle the following sum is worked<br />
borne to my ears was a gruff voice of an applicant<br />
out :-<br />
in the adjoining room. I heard him expatiating<br />
Half cost of production,<br />
£30 0 0<br />
on his own merits and his work, in his anxiety to<br />
By sale of 500 copies to America at<br />
secure this thirty shillings for a week's literary<br />
18. per copy . . · · £25 00 employment. In the meantime two other appli-<br />
cants had been offered seats in the hall.<br />
£5 0 0 “Your turn, I think?" said the smiling, untidy.<br />
This would leave a deficit against the author's looking young woman.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 90 (#480) #############################################<br />
<br />
90<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
I bowed deferentially. The gentleman with the the • Dictionary of National Biography' is pub-<br />
gruff voice passed out and I entered the room, lished to-day, he commands me to congratulate<br />
A young man with a self-complacent smile and a you on the final completion of this great work.<br />
self-important manner accosted me, nervously “ It is one which cannot fail to be most useful<br />
twirling my card about his fingers and glancing at to everybody, and no English library should be<br />
it, as if to assure himself that it was a real card without a copy.<br />
“Will you give me particulars of your advertise “ From what His Majesty has been able to read<br />
ment?” I asked, in a respectful and persuasive of the various articles he is much struck by the<br />
voice.<br />
ability and research which have been shown by the<br />
“Well, it's just this,” he replied; “I am writing writers, as well as the admirable and careful way<br />
a book of travel. I have nearly finished it, but I in which the work has been edited.<br />
want assistance."<br />
“Believe me, yours very truly,<br />
"And the nature of the assistance ?" I asked,<br />
“FRANCIS KNOLLYS.”<br />
deeply interested.<br />
“Reading up a bit and writing about 3,000 We must congratulate Mr. Sidney Lee on the<br />
words a day," he informed me.<br />
recognition he has received from the King of the<br />
“ That would be just 18,000 words in the week, arduous work which, begun by Mr. Leslie Stephed,<br />
besides the necessary research, and all for thirty he has so conscientiously carried through to the<br />
shillings! Hardly good enough for me," I replied. end.<br />
I retired. The hall was now so crowded with<br />
applicants that I pushed my way to the door with<br />
difficulty.<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.<br />
This true experience ought to prove interesting<br />
to literary aspirants.<br />
LUNETTE.<br />
URING November and December the<br />
Authors' Club has had some interesting<br />
guests at its Monday night dinners.<br />
THE DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL<br />
On November the 25th Mr. Morley Roberts<br />
BIOGRAPHY.<br />
took the chair, and Mr. E. W. Hornung was the<br />
guest of the evening. It was a curious fact that<br />
in years gone by, both the guest and the chairman<br />
CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE KING.<br />
had been working on the same ranche in Australia,<br />
wing letter has been sent to the press and they told some very amusing stories of their<br />
1 by Mr. Sidney Lee :-<br />
experiences out there.<br />
On December 9th Prof. Rucker was the guest<br />
SIR,— On the day of publication of the third and Sir Michael Foster took the chair, Sir<br />
and last of the supplementary volumes of the Michael Foster spoke from his intimate knowledge<br />
“ Dictionary of National Biography " the King of the guest of the evening, as a friend of long<br />
was graciously pleased to honour me with a letter standing, and made an interesting and amusing<br />
of congratulation on the completion of the under- speech, to which the learned professor aptly<br />
taking. At the time I was travelling in Italy, responded. He drew a parallel between men of<br />
whence I am just returned.<br />
science and writers of fiction, stating that both<br />
I feel that every member of the little army of were endeavouring to discover the truths of nature,<br />
writers and collectors of information who have though working from different standpoints.<br />
helped the editors and publishers to build up the On December 16th Prof. J. Rhys, the renowned<br />
great edifice of the Dictionary ought to have an Celtic Scholar and Principal of Jesus College, was<br />
opportunity of reading His Majesty's congratu- the guest, and Mr. E. W. Brabrook, C.B., the<br />
latury words. I have therefore sought and chairman. Prof. Rhys, in an amusing speech,<br />
obtained permission to make public the generous repudiated any claim to real authorship, unless<br />
communication.<br />
being an authority on a subject could be called<br />
I am, sir, your obedient servant,<br />
authorship. He gave some amusing instances of<br />
SIDNEY LEE. the disadvantages of being a referee on any subject.<br />
15, Waterloo Place, London, S.W.: Dec. 3. In January and February the club has an<br />
interesting list of guests: F. Carruthers Gould,<br />
“ Marlborough House, Pall Mall, S.W.:<br />
Austin Dobson, A. E. W. Mason, and Hesketh<br />
“ October 25th, 1901.<br />
Prichard.<br />
“MY DEAR MR. LEE,—As the King believes The members appear to be dealing out honours<br />
that the last of the supplementary volumes of to the profession with a liberal hand.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 91 (#481) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
91<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
(.) sa<br />
ITERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
01 agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :-<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher,<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“ Cost of Production."<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :-<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production,<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Nerer sign any agreement without competentadvice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
MTEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 92 (#482) #############################################<br />
<br />
92<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination,<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed<br />
or initialled the Authors alone are responsible.<br />
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken<br />
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless<br />
such is especially stated to be the case.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society ; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
Readers are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
W E see it stated in some of the French papers<br />
V that a proposal is being put forward to<br />
levy a tax on all books sold in Paris.<br />
One of the suggested advantages which would<br />
accrue from adopting this measure is that the<br />
author would have a Government Certificate of<br />
his sales.<br />
In the large publishing houses it must very<br />
seldom occur that mistakes are made in the sale<br />
accounts of a book. There may be a clerical<br />
error now and again, but the idea that any<br />
well-established firm would keep duplicate sets<br />
of books or fraudulent clerks seems to be wholly<br />
absurd.<br />
There are no doubt some authors who are<br />
continually complaining of publishers' accounts ;<br />
these, we fear, would not be satisfied even with a<br />
Government Certificate.<br />
It seems quite clear also that if a publisher<br />
thought it worth his while to send fraudulent<br />
returns to the author, it would not be very difficult<br />
for the same man to defraud the Government.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
TIHE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
T the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 93 (#483) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
93<br />
We have much pleasure in printing in addition,<br />
as an inset in the January number, notices to<br />
contributors collected from many magazines.<br />
It must not be taken from this that we do not<br />
strongly advocate the careful consideration of<br />
accounts sent in by publishers. This is especially<br />
applicable to accounts in which the cost of produc-<br />
tion is included, as many items in these accounts<br />
which are not fairly charged to authors are taken<br />
direct from the books of the publishers and<br />
should be at once disputed.<br />
In royalty accounts, however, the matter is rather<br />
different, and unless the author has grave reasons<br />
almost amounting to adequate legal proof to suspect<br />
that the sales are erroneously stated, it would be<br />
hardly worth his while to appoint an accountant<br />
to investigate the matter.<br />
In many cases the publisher would make no<br />
objection whatever to showing the vouchers. If,<br />
however, he raised an objection, and the author<br />
decided to carry through the case, it is quite<br />
possible, if the accounts proved to be correct<br />
when the publisher showed his books under com-<br />
pulsion, that the author would then have to pay<br />
his own costs in the case. The loss would be a<br />
heavy one for the author to bear.<br />
The right of an author to investigate accounts,<br />
as we have often pointed out, is a common law<br />
right, but it should be exercised with extreme<br />
caution, not only because of the expense that the<br />
author may be incurring, but also on account of<br />
the trouble and annoyance—not to mention the<br />
interruption of business—that it may give to the<br />
publisher.<br />
The great effort that is being made in America<br />
to com pel the sale of books on the net system is a<br />
matter that should not be overlooked by the<br />
English author.<br />
The same effort on a more modified scale is<br />
being made in the English book trade, and an article<br />
appeared in the Author from Mr. Robert MacLehose,<br />
of Glasgow, on this subject. We have written to<br />
an American publisher, and trust to be able to<br />
place before our readers at no distant date the<br />
result in America of this method of trading.<br />
There is one serious point, however, which<br />
should be put forward, and which Sir Walter<br />
Besant was very strong upon when the subject on<br />
a former occasion came under discussion.<br />
If the net system means that the extra profit<br />
accruing on the sale of the books goes to the book.<br />
seller, so that, where he is now ruined, he may<br />
drive a flourishing trade, then the author cannot<br />
raise any objection. But there is the danger that<br />
part of the sum may go into the publisher's pocket,<br />
who already, as middleman, Aourishes on the<br />
profits of the author, whom nobody, as yet,<br />
has had the boldness to state is in an unsound<br />
financial position. Even if this is quite a diminu-<br />
tive amount per book, say a penny (taking the<br />
penny as the average on the varying prices), then<br />
on the books sold in the year the increase on the<br />
publisher's profits would be enormous.<br />
It is necessary that this point should be very<br />
carefully looked into, as, if the publisher is going<br />
to obtain his share from the public the author<br />
must also obtain his.<br />
LIFE.<br />
“ A little struggle, a little growth ;<br />
A little pause; and nothing loth ;<br />
Decay and death ; and welcome both.”<br />
A. C: B.<br />
On reviewing the cases that have been dealt<br />
with by the Society during the past year, we find<br />
that forty cases have passed through the Secretary's<br />
hands referring to the detention and return of<br />
MSS. by editors and publishers, these amounting<br />
to nearly half of the total numbers.<br />
As the question of the forwarding of MSS. to<br />
magazines is a most important question from the<br />
author's point of view, and as authors naturally<br />
place a very high value on their MSS.—a point<br />
of view which the publisher or editor does not very<br />
often perceive—it has been thought well to reprint<br />
Counsel's opinion that was taken some years ago on<br />
this important subject, setting forth the respon-<br />
sibilities of editors.<br />
We cannot too strongly repeat the advice, always<br />
given, that authors must send in their MSS.<br />
typewritten and must retain copies.<br />
In the introductory chapter of “ The Pen and the<br />
Book," by Sir Walter Besant, we find the following<br />
paragraph :-<br />
Now, if you look at the Census of 1891, you will find<br />
returned as authors, editors, and journalists in England<br />
and Wales the number of about 5,800. As authors, editors<br />
and journalists do often overlap and run into one another's<br />
field of work, we will not try to distinguish them. But<br />
you would carry away a very false impression of the<br />
numbers engaged in literary work if you think this<br />
number represents all, or even a half of those who produce<br />
literature. There are clergymen, professors, lecturers,<br />
teachers of all kinds, lawyers, doctors, men in every<br />
branch of science, artists of all kinds, all of whom produce<br />
literary work. Literature is universal, and embraces<br />
everything, and the number of those who are literary men<br />
by profession is small indeed compared with the number<br />
of those who are literary men in fact. Take, for instance,<br />
the clergy. Consider how many of them are literary men,<br />
writers of books-books on theology, on scholarship, on<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 94 (#484) #############################################<br />
<br />
94<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
archæology, on criticism, on history, on poetry, on fiction. showing what we have constantly asserted, that<br />
Think what we should lose if such men as Dean Stanley, the publication of educational books is a great<br />
Chalmers, Stubbs, Lightfoot, Maurice, Kingsley, Martineau,<br />
had never written. And so in other professions. For one property, and that those educationalists who are<br />
man who actually lives by literary work there are three or constantly producing books and reap a bare profit<br />
four to whom the production of literature is an occasional of £100 or £150 a year, are distinctly ignorant of<br />
event, perhaps an occasional necessity. I think we should<br />
the proper way in which to manage their business.<br />
not be far wrong in placing the whole number of men and<br />
women engaged more or less in literary work at something<br />
On one or two occasions the old answer is still<br />
like 20,000.<br />
heard that the educational editor or the educa-<br />
Let us take the number at half that put forward<br />
tional writer does not believe the statements pot<br />
by Sir Walter. We candidly think that the forward in The Author, and is quite content with<br />
Society ought some day to approach so high a his miserable pittance. In cases of this kind the<br />
total. We must repeat that the Society does not disease is past cure.<br />
merely include writers of fiction and members of We should like to obtain a strong combination<br />
the dramatic profession, but includes all those of educational writers to fight this sistem of<br />
various branches mentioned in the above para underpay, and to obtain a satisfactory reward for<br />
graph. If in the production of one book-nearly<br />
the books which are the result of years of stored-<br />
all those included who do not live by their writings up knowledge and experience.<br />
but are occasional writers, produce considerably<br />
more than one volume—the Society can save them<br />
£5, either by their obtaining higher royalties, or<br />
We have much pleasure in announcing that an<br />
by its better knowledge of literary prices, or by<br />
S or by article from the pen of Mr. Henry Arthur Jones<br />
showing how that amount can be saved in the cost<br />
will appear in one of the coming numbers of The<br />
of production, the Society will have done sufficient<br />
Author on “The Modern System of the Censorship<br />
to cover the subscription for five years at least.<br />
and the Licensing of Plays.”<br />
If in the production of two volumes it can add<br />
£10 to the return of these writers, life member-<br />
ship subscription will have been earned, and any<br />
In the December number of The Author a<br />
further sums would be clear profit to the writer.<br />
Again we desire to impress upon all writers-<br />
practical article was inserted with regard to<br />
Commission Publishing, entitled “The Method of<br />
not only those who live by their pen, but those<br />
who write, say, a volume every third year or every<br />
the Future.”<br />
fifth year that the Society can assist them, and<br />
The figures were supplied by one who was<br />
may probably save them sums much larger than<br />
thoroughly conversant with the book and publish-<br />
they would pay in their annual subscriptions.<br />
ing trades, and the cost of printing, binding, etc.<br />
It is these occasional writers—more, perhaps,<br />
In the calculation, however, there was one slight<br />
than any others—who need the Society's help, as<br />
mistake. The number of copies given away for<br />
review had not been counted. These would<br />
their ignorance of the literary market makes it<br />
very easy for them to obtain a bad contract and<br />
amount to 80 or 100 at the outside. On the other<br />
to throw away the work of years for a mere<br />
hand, there is always the possibility of “ overs,"<br />
pittance.<br />
which generally amount to 20 or 30 in a large<br />
edition.<br />
One important warning, however, we should like<br />
We should like to impress upon the members to place before the members of the Society who<br />
once more—not only those who conduct their own are considering this method, namely, the fact that<br />
business, but also those who conduct their literary publishers very often do not give the author the<br />
work through the hands of an agent—that it is benefit of cash payments, and in addition take<br />
most important that The Author should receive from the author, beyond their commission on the<br />
early notices of books about to be published, as sales of the book, a commission on the cost of<br />
great inconvenience is caused by the sending of production. Some publishers do this without<br />
notices within a few days of publication of the<br />
saying anything about it; other publishers do it<br />
monthly numbers. We trust that all members of openly, stating the facts in their agreements.<br />
the Society, especially those who have made their<br />
Of the first case we have examples in the office.<br />
literary fame, will see that notes of their coming of the second case the publishers' own agreement.<br />
books are forwarded regularly to The Author by issued by their association, is sufficient proof.<br />
their agents.<br />
The clause runs as follows :<br />
In another part of The Author we publish a<br />
The publisher will supply the author with estimates for<br />
the printing, and will charge a commission of per cent.<br />
further article on educational books, again on the trade prices for printing, paper, binding, advertising,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 95 (#485) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
95<br />
and other disbursements, and reserves to himself the right<br />
to take the usual credit or the equivalent cash discount for<br />
cash payments, but no such discount shall exceed 74 per<br />
cent.<br />
It would be impossible to insert all these in The<br />
Author, but we print in the Correspondence the<br />
first that was opened by the Secretary.<br />
The following is the comment on the clause<br />
contained in the pamphlet published by the<br />
Society : -<br />
In Clause 2 the publisher is going to hand in estimates<br />
to the author, and on these estimates he is to charge a<br />
percentage. This course makes the publisher's and author's<br />
interests in direct variance, for the higher the estimates<br />
the greater the publisher's percentage. From this point of<br />
view the clause is a bad one, quite apart from the right of<br />
the publisher to have a percentage on the cost of produc-<br />
tion at all in addition to the other profits that he is going<br />
to make out of the books. Again, he is to be allowed to<br />
take 7 per cent. discount for cash payments. This dis<br />
count he will be able to obtain at once, as under Clause 3<br />
the author is to pay the publisher a sum to cover the<br />
estimated cost of production before the work is sent to<br />
press. More than this, he is to pay for the advertisements<br />
at the same time, when it is hardly possible that the cash<br />
will be needed for advertising until three or four months<br />
later at the earliest. To the end of Clause 2, therefore, the<br />
publisher makes in the way of profits a fee to begin with,<br />
à percentage on the cost of production, binding, and<br />
advertisement, it being to the publisher's interest to make<br />
these charges as high as possible, and a discount of 7) per<br />
cent. on the same items. This is a good beginning when<br />
the publisher is to have no risk whatever as regards the<br />
book, all expenses being covered by the author.<br />
There is no space to put forward at the present<br />
time the many other difficulties connected with<br />
this agreement passed by the Publishers' Associa-<br />
tion. Members of the Society are referred to the<br />
Society's pamphlet “ Publishers' Agreements, with<br />
comments by G. Herbert Thring, and illustrative<br />
examples by Sir Walter Besant.” If, however,<br />
members are desirous of adopting commission-<br />
publishing, they must, as set forth in the article<br />
“ The Method of the Future," be prepared to pay<br />
the publisher a reasonable percentage on the sales,<br />
but must take care at the same time to deal with a<br />
man who will give them the real cost of production<br />
and does not want to take a percentage on it.<br />
We must not treat the editor of “What's What”<br />
too seriously. He cannot expect it. Has he not<br />
rather published the book with a view to making<br />
merriinent at Christmastide ? His article on<br />
Copyright confirms us in this opinion.<br />
He commences, “ Copyright is one of those things<br />
which ‘no fellow'really understands, least of all<br />
the lawyer." We are not surprised, therefore, to<br />
find that Mr. Quilter-keeping up his Merry<br />
Christmas jest—writes himself down as a barrister-<br />
at-law.<br />
The article proceeds, “ The law will protect that<br />
right (the copyright of any article or publication)<br />
for forty years or for twenty years after the author's<br />
death, whichever be the longer period.” Both<br />
these periods are wrong. It is the time of the<br />
year when the clown and harlequin run riot and<br />
the practical jester is licensed, but we must warn<br />
authors not to treat the book as a reliable book<br />
of reference<br />
of reference, as far as Copyright is concerned.<br />
for<br />
He next endeavours to explain the 18th section,<br />
an avowedly badly drawn and difficult clause ;<br />
but whatever its interpretation, it certainly is not<br />
explained on the lines suggested by Mr. Quilter.<br />
On Artistic Copyright he is equally at fault.<br />
If we thought it worth while, the paragram<br />
(Mr. Quilter's word) should have a critical article,<br />
but a warning to members is quite sufficient. As<br />
editor, he states that every one of the paragrams<br />
is original. The originality of the one dealing<br />
with Copyright convinces us of his sincerity. We<br />
hope Mr. Quilter has passed a Merry Christmas<br />
with his jest-book.<br />
AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT.<br />
We publish two more articles on the advantages<br />
of commission publishers. The first is an actual<br />
case, and, therefore, of great practical value. The<br />
second is from Mr. MacLehose, the Glasgow publisher,<br />
We are delighted to have a letter from one who<br />
knows the trade so well. We do not entirely agree<br />
with his dedactions, but hope to deal with them in<br />
the next issue.<br />
TT was not my intention again to occupy your<br />
1 pages, but as my remarks on the Literary<br />
Agent in the October Author have been mis-<br />
understood by one or two of your correspondents,<br />
I will ask you to permit me to make my position<br />
clearer.<br />
The string of falsehoods written about the<br />
Society by Mr. Quilter brings its compensation in<br />
the shape of many pleasant letters from members<br />
speaking of the benefits derived from its work.<br />
Your correspondents seem to assume that I was<br />
complaining of the literary agent. I did nothing<br />
of the sort; I simply followed your invitation to<br />
explain my views on the advisability of employing<br />
a literary agent. As for myself and any grievance<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 96 (#486) #############################################<br />
<br />
96<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
I might have against certain literary agents, I am<br />
II.<br />
quite prepared to take care of myself, so that if a<br />
literary agent can cheat me, he is welcome to do An author's property in his work may be<br />
80. I do not complain of him, nor of the author classed under the following heudinys :-<br />
who acquiesces in the use of fair or foul means (1) Book rights—the right of production in<br />
towards me. But I will certainly never willingly book-form, and (2) serial rights—the right of<br />
give a literary agent (or anyone for that matter) publication in the form of a periodical or magazine<br />
two chances of getting the better of me. Thus issue.<br />
I have always had agreeable relations with Mr. Book rights may be subdivided into the follow-<br />
Benson's agent, and I continue to do business ing : rights in Great Britain, America, the colonies<br />
with him which is satisfactory to both of us ; but and dependencies of Great Britain, Continental<br />
there are other literary agents in London whom rights, and right of translation. Serial rights may<br />
I prefer not to deal with. I don't complain of be divided : (1) rights in some English magazine<br />
their methods ; but as I have found their methods or paper; (2) rights in some American maga-<br />
so different from my methods, it seemed best not zine or paper ; (3) secondary rights in England;<br />
to be in business relations with them. I mention (4) secondary rights in America ; (5) rights in<br />
this only in explanation of my personal position, the colonies and dependencies of Great Britain ;<br />
which has been brought into this matter by your (6) in translation form in foreign countries.<br />
correspondents. It has nothing to do with the It will be seen, therefore, that not only writers<br />
statement I sent you, which purported to be a state- of fiction, but writers of technical works, educa-<br />
ment of policy, not of individual expediency. That tional works, and the many other branches of<br />
is why I fail to see where Mrs. Craigie has detected literature have a considerable number of rights to<br />
in my letter a “prattling about the indignity of be dealt with, and the point under discussion is<br />
accepting money for art;" on the contrary, it whether it is advisable to employ an agent with<br />
seems to me that an artist, just as a business inan, a view to marketing all these rights. A long<br />
depreciates his goods if he sells them under their experience at the office of the Society forces this<br />
value-even if their value be fixed by auction. fact before one's notice, that, as a general rule,<br />
Mr. Benson is right when he says that it would when an author is sufficiently well known to have<br />
be madness to let one publisher have a book a market for all these rights the agent is essential,<br />
cheap, if, cæteris paribus, the author can get more and further that the majority of well-known<br />
froni another."<br />
authors (in spite of the statement made in the<br />
I cordially welcome “ Omega's ” statement that Sphere) employ an agent to market their work.<br />
“authors are all in competition against one another, There are certainly half-a-dozen, or perhaps even<br />
and why competitors in the same affairs should as many as ten, who, as a general rule, do not<br />
employ the same agent to represent them is a employ an agent. These, however, bare a parti-<br />
riddle which no sane business man can answer.” cular faculty for doing business, and consider<br />
And I emphatically repeat (1) that a literary agent that the time spent in these negotiations can be<br />
is of no use to a beginner, (2) that when an author afforded more easily than the payment of an agent.<br />
has succeeded, the business entrusted to an agent On this point I entirely agree with them, and<br />
can be done better and more reasonably by a consider, on the whole, that as far as the more<br />
solicitor.<br />
popular writers are concerned the agent is an<br />
Mr. Le Queux addresses to me a direct question, expensive item. It is the author's fault, however,<br />
saying that his brother authors and himself “would if his contract with an agent is unsatisfactory.<br />
be interested to know whether it is not a fact that Though it is an undoubted fact that with the<br />
in order to effect the sale of my English books in popular authors an agent is essential, yet all<br />
America I actually employ a literary agent in New authors should be careful not to accept contracts<br />
York.” I have much pleasure in satisfying his laid before them by agents without careful<br />
curiosity by stating that I have a salaried employé investigation and advice.<br />
in New York, who attends to my affairs in America Secondly, in the case of the author with smaller<br />
exactly as my London manager and staff attend markets and lower circulations an agent may still<br />
to the details of my business in London. Mr. Le be necessary, as in the majority of cases authors<br />
Queux will on reflection see, however, that the are unbusinesslike, and if not unbusinesslike are as<br />
employment of an agent for the sale of a manu- ignorant of the law of copyright, of the rights they<br />
factured article would be open only to the least possess, and of the prices of literary property as the<br />
of my objections.<br />
ordinary niortal is of the law.of conveyancing and<br />
Wu. HEINEMANN. land transfer. But in this second case it is even<br />
more necessary for the author to be exceedingly<br />
careful, and to obtain sound and substantial advice<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 97 (#487) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
97<br />
with regard to the agreements laid before him by DESIRABILITY OF STANDARD RULES<br />
the agent. The popular author with a large FOR PRINTING, AND A METHOD TO<br />
circulation has generally, through long experience,<br />
OBTAIN THEM.<br />
considerable knowledge of his market value, of the<br />
law of copyright, and the details of his business,<br />
and employs an agent to save his time. The other M HE Committee of the Society of Authors<br />
with the smaller circulation lacks this essential I have requested me to put together a few<br />
knowledge, and the agent, being naturally desirous suggestions upon “The Desirability of<br />
to place the work, is liable to persuade him to enter Standard Rules for Printing, and a Method to<br />
into an unsatisfactory agreement. This author obtain them," so as to gauge the interest of the<br />
employs the agent partly to save trouble and members in the question, and to enable an opinion<br />
business worries, but generally to supply the to be formed as to the advisability, or not, of<br />
knowledge in which he is deficient. Sometimes thoroughly investigating the whole question, ana,<br />
he is disappointed.<br />
if possible, of formulating such a set of rules. This<br />
With regard to those who are just entering the request came in reply to a suggestion of mine that<br />
profession the agent is of very little use. They it was very desirable, and distinctly within the<br />
can obtain full advice and information from the province of the Society, to formulate such a standard<br />
Society should they so desire, and, as a general for the guidance of authors, editors, publishers,<br />
rule, have sufficient time to attend to their business compositors, readers, and, in fact, all connected<br />
duties.<br />
with the making of books.<br />
Finally, the author should be careful of what As a compositor would say, the question is to<br />
agent he employs, the agreement that the agent see if the “customs of the house" in each separate<br />
puts before him, and the commission he pays the printing establishment could not, by a little<br />
agent for the work done.<br />
give and take, here and there, be made into one<br />
It only remains to make a few remarks on the uniform set of rules in black and white, to be<br />
publisher's attitude.<br />
followed by all.<br />
Granting that, as a general rule—and this may At the present time, one may say, that if exactly<br />
be stated for a certainty-the author's agent is the same copy be sent, without special instructions,<br />
necessary, is that agency work generally carried to a dozen different printers, the resulting proofs<br />
out better through an independent individual or will all differ in some particular. They may differ<br />
through the aid of the publisher ? As far as the in punctuation ; in the use of large and small<br />
individual is concerned his charge is 10 per cent., capitals ; in spelling, especially the suffixes " ise"<br />
a price which works out at a very high sum in the and “ize”; in placing the hyphen in divided words ;<br />
case of large authors, but to counteract this he can in contractions of words ; in the use of numerals ;<br />
devote his whole time to his clients, if his clientèle in italicizing anglicized foreign words ; in the<br />
is not too large. The publisher, on the contrary, printing of authorities mentioned, or titles quoted ;<br />
looks upon this agency work as a secondary sort in spacing; and, in fact, in many ways too<br />
of business, his main business being publishing. numerous to mention. This means, in short, that<br />
He cannot, therefore, devote his whole time as one method of printing must be right, all, or all<br />
and attention to it, and in addition asks 25 per cent. but one, of the proofs will be wrong.<br />
seldom-generally 50 percent. on the author's In order to see if this divergence of practice<br />
returns.<br />
could not be done away with, I recently wrote to<br />
These figures appear in the agreements of the some dozen of the leading printers as to the<br />
best houses in London. There is no doubt, there. “customs of the house” in their particular estab-<br />
fore, that, of the two, the private individual as lishments, and the possibility of evolving a standard<br />
authors' agent is much better than the publisher set of rules. With two or three exceptions they<br />
as authors' agent. There is no comparison between wrote that they had no printed rules, but worked<br />
them.<br />
in accordance with their own unwritten laws.<br />
If you employ an agent remember these three All are agreed upon the great importance of<br />
points<br />
typographical uniformity, and would apparently<br />
1. Take care of your contract with him. Do welcome any thoroughly good set of rules could<br />
not pay him too large a percentage.<br />
one be formed and acknowledged by the majority of<br />
2. Take care of his contracts with the publishers. authors. For, as they say, nothing can be done in<br />
3. Take care that you get adequate attention this matter without their concurrence. The great<br />
and application for the amount you pay.<br />
trouble at present arises from each author wanting<br />
G. H. T.<br />
some one particular detail varied, because in many<br />
cases he is evidently in doubt as to how it should<br />
be printed, for he can refer to no acknowledged<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 98 (#488) #############################################<br />
<br />
98<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
authority. As one very well-known firm writes given, and for supplying so generously copies of<br />
me, an author frequently insists on having his own his work, which is truly priceless from the fact<br />
MS. “ accurately copied,” notwithstanding that the that it is only "privately printed," and therefore<br />
same word is spelt in two or three different ways has no price!<br />
on the same page!<br />
May I ask all those who have any wish to see<br />
In fact, I may say that the underlying truth of books more correctly printed in the future than in<br />
all the replies is that nothing can be done without the past, and who take sufficient interest in their<br />
first of all getting the authors to come to some own work to desire it to be at least accurately<br />
common understanding amongst themselves. A printed, to obtain a copy, to read it over carefully,<br />
proof, as it seems to me, that the matter is most and to forward to me a list of queries, suggestions,<br />
distinctly within the province of our Society, and and so forth ? As it is only by collating a mass<br />
one which it would well repay all our members to of such opinions that reliable and lasting progress<br />
give a helping hand to investigate, so that it may can be hoped for.<br />
be put upon a sound and lasting basis.<br />
I should like to have sent to me at Iddesleigh,<br />
I use the term basis, for like everything in this Torquay, as many answers as possible to these<br />
world, evolution would take place in it, leading in questions :-<br />
subsequent years to developments and improve- (1) Do the “Rules” meet with the entire<br />
ments which at the present time cannot be foreseen. approval of the member ; and would he be willing<br />
But this is no reason for not doing our best to dig for his future work to be printed in accordance<br />
the fouudations upon which a structure may be with them? If not, (2) the points of disagree.<br />
subsequently raised. For the rocks must be pre- ment; and if possible, (3) the reasons for them ;<br />
pared at some time for this work, and the sooner they and (4) the specific alterations and additions<br />
are, the sooner may we hope to erect the light desired.<br />
house for the illumination of what is now but if members will favour me with some con-<br />
a dark, dreary, desolate waste of contradictory siderable number of replies, I will investigate<br />
practices.<br />
and tabulate them, and publish the results and<br />
To come now to a consideration of the practical inferences from them, in a future number of The<br />
work required, the great question arises, are any Author.<br />
of the printed rules now used by the two or three It may be as well here to point out that Mr.<br />
separate printers referred to, sufficiently good to Hart's Rules having passed through eleven<br />
be adopted en bloc; are they good only to serve as editions at the Oxford University Press, and also<br />
a foundation for our work ; or, must a completely having been reprinted by others — apparently<br />
new set be made ?<br />
without his permission-have a character which<br />
I venture to say that the only rules known to shows them to be of considerable use and<br />
me which can in any way be considered worthy of standing.<br />
adoption, or even discussion, are, as the title-page I will now, for those who may not know them,<br />
says, the “ Rules for the Compositors and Readers give a brief summary of this small pamphlet.<br />
employed at the Clarendon Press, Oxford, compiled Small, for the rules are contained in twenty-one<br />
by Horace Hart, M.A., printer to the University pages—three and a half by five inches-of read-<br />
of Oxford. The English spellings revised by Dr. able type.<br />
J. A. H. Murray and Mr. Henry Bradley, Editors The first seven pages deal with the spelling of<br />
of the New English Dictionary. Oxford, words which have two or more forms. A rule is<br />
1901."<br />
given whether the ending “able” is to have an “e,"<br />
In order that any member of the Society of or not, preceding : such as movable, changeable,<br />
Authors may make acquaintance with these rules, &c. Then follows a list of thirty words spelt with<br />
Mr. Hart has most kindly fallen in with a sugges- the final “ise," and a much longer one of those<br />
tion which Mr. Thring made to me, and sent with the suffix “ize :" the spelling here being<br />
gratis to the Secretary a batch of these “ Rules " so founded on the “New English Dictionary." A<br />
that any member interested in this subject—and rule for placing "e" before the termination<br />
all should be—may obtain a copy by sending a “ment ;” and four pages of words the spelling<br />
postcard to 39, Old Queen Street, S.W., asking for of which is far from uniform in ordinary usage,<br />
one to be sent to him.<br />
as enclose, insure. The use of the apostrophe in<br />
I desire here to express my personal thanks to the possessive case. A list of those words of foreign<br />
Mr. Hart for his courtesy in this matter, and for origin which have, by constant use, become angli-<br />
the trouble he has taken in what has been to me cized and should not therefore be printed in italics,<br />
an interesting correspondence. In fact, whatever as vice versa : followed by a list of those whicli<br />
result we may arrive at, I feel that the thanks of should, as en masse. And the use of "a" or "an"<br />
the Society are due to him for the help he has before vowels.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 99 (#489) #############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
in smal<br />
Ankle.<br />
After spelling we come to the proper forms for A.D. : (Anno Domini) to be An herb.<br />
such contracted words as ain't, Exod., etc. Rules<br />
- heroic.<br />
Advise.<br />
for the printing of poetry, and a couple of pages<br />
- historical.<br />
Ad loc. : not italics.<br />
- honest.<br />
dealing with the use of the hyphen, with nouns, ae: (the digraph) should – honour, -able.<br />
adjectives, adverbs, and words with one or more be separate in Latin and – hotel.<br />
accents.<br />
Greek words, as Aenid, - hour, -glass,<br />
Aeschylus, Caesar, and in<br />
Capital letters are “ to be avoided as much as<br />
English as mediaeval. In Anybody.<br />
possible, but to be used in the following and similar Old English names, and Any one.<br />
cases.” With a page of directions: and also illus in French, they should Anything.<br />
trations for the use of small capitals.<br />
not be separated, Elfred, Anywhere.<br />
Cædmon.<br />
The division of English words, when they must<br />
Apologise.<br />
Aërial.<br />
Apophthegm.<br />
be divided, is upon the principle “that the part<br />
A European.<br />
Apostasy.<br />
of the word left at the end of the line should suggest A ewe.<br />
Apostrophize.<br />
the part carried over.” Thus, happi-ness, not hap-<br />
A ewer.<br />
Appanage.<br />
Affranchise.<br />
piness. (This section should apparently be included<br />
Apple-tree : with hyphen.<br />
Aggrandize.<br />
Apprise : (to inform).<br />
in the one dealing with the hyphen.)<br />
Agnosti-cism : when neces. Apprize : (to appraise).<br />
The hints—they cannot be called rules—upon sary.<br />
d priori : itals.<br />
punctuation are few, and, many would say, could Agonize.<br />
A propos : itals.<br />
A hospital.<br />
with advantage be expanded.<br />
Armchair : no hyphen.<br />
A humble.<br />
Artisan.<br />
The remark that the titles of books are frequently A. H. : (Anno Hegira) small Ascendancy.<br />
printed now in italics, instead of inverted commas, caps.<br />
Atmo-sphere : when neces-<br />
and “must be determined by the directions given Aide de camp: not italics. sary.<br />
with the copy,” lacks in a marked degree that<br />
Albumen.<br />
A unanimous.<br />
Alkalize.<br />
A uniform.<br />
“ light and leading " which generally characterizes Almanac.<br />
A union.<br />
Mr. Hart's remarks.<br />
A. M. (Anno Mundi) to be A universal.<br />
After a few more words on spacing, italics, small caps.<br />
A useful.<br />
figures and numerals, we come to the appendices :<br />
a. m. (ante meridiem) lower A usurper.<br />
case, not caps.<br />
Authorities : at the end of<br />
I., written by Mr. H. Stuart Jones on the division<br />
Amour propre : itals.<br />
quotations or notes thus :<br />
of Greek words ; and II., by Prof. Robinson Ellis Analyse.<br />
HOMER Odyssey ii 15,<br />
on that of Latin words.<br />
Ancien régime: itals.<br />
but print Hor. Carm, ii.<br />
It will be seen from the foregoing that the<br />
Anathematize.<br />
14. 2 ; Hom. Od. iv, 272.<br />
Anatomize.<br />
“Rules” are in the form known to librarians as a<br />
Authorize.<br />
Anglicé : itals.<br />
Ay : always.<br />
“ classed catalogue.” In other words, one has to Anglicize.<br />
Aye : (yes—" the ayes have<br />
know the contents of the book thoroughly before Au heir.<br />
it").<br />
being able to refer to the remarks upon any one<br />
particular word. The advantages of this classifi-<br />
Those who already know these “Rules" will, i<br />
cation of matter in the present instance appears to think, agree that the foregoing arrangement is the<br />
me very open to question. An alphabetic arrange-<br />
better one. If Mr. Hart would arrange a new<br />
ment would enormously increase facility of reference, edition upon these lines we should, I think, have<br />
and would, I think, be a great advantage in many<br />
much to be thankful for. And as helping towards<br />
ways, as it would enable any question arising to be<br />
this end I have offered to supply him with the<br />
as quickly settied by those quite ignorant as by necessary “copy,” if it should meet with his<br />
those thoroughly conversant with the book. In the approval.<br />
case of authors, whom we are at present considering, May I repeat, in conclusion, the request already<br />
the advantage would be very great indeed, for few made, that every member of the Society should<br />
of them would have the time, or inclination, to send a postcard to the Secretary, 39, Old Queen<br />
learn the whole book by heart, and even if they Street, S.W., for a copy of Mr. Hart's “ Rules,”<br />
had, would, I imagine, more readily acquire the and should forward to me for tabulation at Iddes-<br />
knowledge if arranged in this way.<br />
leigh, Torquay, replies to the four questions asked<br />
To show the advantages of this arrangement I in this article.<br />
have extracted all those entries which would come To those who will thus lend theiraid in developing<br />
under the letter “ A,” and here append them in typographical uniformity, I offer my thanks.<br />
alphabetic order :-<br />
F. HOWARD COLLINS.<br />
A: the article, not to end Act: initial capital when<br />
a line.<br />
referring to Act of Parlia-<br />
Abun-dance: if necessary ment, or Acts of a play.<br />
divide thus.<br />
Acts : scriptural book of<br />
Advertise.<br />
the.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 100 (#490) ############################################<br />
<br />
100<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
THE ADVANTAGES OF COMMISSION giving a description of the book, and the cost of this<br />
PUBLISHING<br />
is included in the cost of the first three thousand.<br />
A second impression was almost immediately<br />
demanded, and in this the advertising was included.<br />
Actual Figures and Actual Facts.<br />
The cost of the impression with some additional<br />
charges, and including advertising, amounted to<br />
£148 19s. 5d.<br />
TN the December number of The Author an article A sufficient number of copies of the second<br />
I was printed on “ The Method of the Future,” impression were sold to cover the cost of production<br />
pointing ont the large percentage to be of that impression, and to give the author a profit<br />
obtained in cases where the author takes the cost of of £31 198. 2d., and this, although a large edition,<br />
production in hand himself, and uses the publisher was sold in sheets at a comparatively cheap rate to<br />
merely as an agent to publish on commission. the Colonies, and the book was withdrawn from<br />
Figures simply set out to prove a theory are not the market before the sales ceased.<br />
always satisfactory, and many doubts will arise in The attention of authors should also be called to<br />
an author's mind before he would attempt to carry the fact that this was a book of 470 pages, and<br />
out a method he might consider merely theoretical ? therefore a long book compared with the ordinary<br />
The figures printed below, however, are figures novel—the book taken in the example quoted in<br />
referring to the sale of a book that was actually “ The Method of the Future” was only about 350<br />
published on commission, and tend to show that pages.<br />
this method of publishing will not only give the In working out this sum on a royalty basis in<br />
author a larger profit than he would otherwise order to compare it with the“Method of the Future,”<br />
obtain, but will also do away, if satisfactorily we find that if the advertising set forth in the cost<br />
handled, with the profits that are spent on the of production of the second edition is thrown into<br />
author's agent.<br />
the first edition, reducing the author's profits to<br />
In the statement contained in the article to £230, this works out as a royalty on a six shilling<br />
which reference has been made, there was one book of over 26 per cent.<br />
slight mistake. The seventy copies or thereabouts In the example previously given the figures<br />
sent for review were not included. In the figures worked out at ls. 8d. a copy. The difference<br />
given below, however, this item is appended, as it between the two is very small. In addition,<br />
is the account of a book actually published and although the advertising has been thrown into the<br />
placed on the market.<br />
first edition it is hardly fair to throw the whole of<br />
FIRST EDITION, 3,000 COPIES, 470 PP.<br />
the advertising into the one edition ; indeed, under<br />
the circumstances of this particular case it will be<br />
£ $. d.<br />
hardly fair to reckon it into the first edition at all,<br />
Printing and Paper . . 97 0 0<br />
Extras, including Moulds . 14 10<br />
as the first edition was practically sold without any<br />
3<br />
Frontispiece :<br />
8 10 0<br />
advertising. But we do not want to underestimate<br />
the figures.<br />
Binding 3,000 . . . 39 10 10<br />
The result of this shows that the “ Method of the<br />
Printing Circulars, etc. . 2 16 6<br />
Future,” if entered into by an author, must bring<br />
£162 7 7<br />
in, if properly managed, a larger profit, and a more<br />
satisfactory return, than any other method.<br />
2,930 at 38. 3d. . . . 476 2 6<br />
The time will no doubt come when all authors<br />
Commission 10 per cent. . 47 12 2<br />
with an ascertained circulation will adopt book<br />
production on these lines.<br />
428 10 4<br />
Cost of Production . . 162 7 7<br />
II.<br />
Profit to Author : £266 2 9<br />
DEAR SIR,<br />
Your article in the December Author on the<br />
The author will at once exclaim, " But what has “Method of the Future” has interested me much,<br />
become of the advertising ?” It is merely neces- but I venture to dispute your conclusions, as your<br />
sary to say that practically the first edition was adviser, “whose knowledge" you say “ of the<br />
hardly advertised at all, but to prevent any cavilling printing and publishing trades is undoubted,” has<br />
in reckoning the profits of the first edition on the forgotten three facts which materially affect your<br />
royalty basis as set out in the figures below, a sum calculations. He has forgotten (1) that the ordinary<br />
of £35 13s. 5d, has been included in the cost of 6s. novel, that justifies an edition of 2,000 copies,<br />
production. A circular was sent round to the trade exceeds 96,000 words in length; (2) that an<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 101 (#491) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
101<br />
author always makes corrections in his proofs;<br />
and (3) that an edition of 2,000 does not mean a<br />
sale of 2,000 copies.<br />
(1) I took up at random ten popular novels, all<br />
of which were printed in small pica, and found<br />
that their extent in pages and lines was as follows<br />
(excluding title-sheet) :-<br />
Pages.<br />
Lines.<br />
368<br />
35<br />
620<br />
44<br />
412<br />
35<br />
384<br />
440<br />
32<br />
33<br />
518<br />
344<br />
328<br />
446<br />
27<br />
(A) He can be paid for the copyright of his<br />
book. In this case the publisher takes all risks,<br />
and loses or gains as the case may be.<br />
(B) The publisher may pay a royalty from the<br />
beginning with or without a payment to account<br />
of royalties. In this case the author gets something<br />
whatever number of copies are sold.<br />
(C) He can get a greater royalty after expenses<br />
are paid, or what comes to the same thing, can<br />
share with the publisher in the profits.<br />
Now, let us apply these systems of payment of<br />
authors to the account in question in cases where<br />
1,000 and 1,500 copies are sold, and assuming that<br />
in the first system the publisher pays £50 for the<br />
copyright, in the second that he pays a royalty of<br />
124 per cent. on every copy sold, and in the third<br />
that author and publisher share equally in the<br />
profits; and then let us compare these with<br />
(D) The “ Method of the Future.”<br />
Let 1,000 copies be sold at 3s. 4d.=£166 13s. 4d.<br />
According to the different systems<br />
the result will be (leaving out shillings<br />
and pence) —<br />
(A) Purchase of Copyright.<br />
Publisher's Outlay.<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
Cost of production and advertising<br />
as above<br />
... ... ... 161 0 0<br />
Payment to author ... ... 50 00<br />
£211 00<br />
408<br />
36<br />
Allowing ten words to a line, the average of<br />
these ten novels was about 154,000 words as<br />
against your 96,000. This would be equal to a<br />
volume of over 480 pages, instead of 320 pages, of<br />
30 lines each. Most publishers, however, would<br />
prefer to put this amount into, say, 400 pages of<br />
about 37 or 38 lines. The alteration in cost of<br />
production on the basis of your figures would be<br />
about once and a half your cost for composition,<br />
and once and a quarter for moulding, printing,<br />
and paper. The binding I do not propose to<br />
increase, though the number of sheets to be folded<br />
is increased.<br />
(2) An allowance for corrections must be made<br />
at a minimum of 48. per 16 pages.<br />
(3) A number of copies are given away and a<br />
number are almost always left over. To base<br />
calculations on the assumption that nine-tenths<br />
are sold is a generous calculation,<br />
On the basis of these figures, and on your<br />
suggested arrangement that a 68. novel should be<br />
credited at 3s. 4d., less 15 per cent., I find the<br />
following results on an edition of 2,000 copies.<br />
Sales (say) 1,800 at 38. Ad.<br />
Composition ... ... £35 | Cost of produc-<br />
Corrections ...<br />
tion ... £121<br />
Moulding<br />
Advertising... 40<br />
Publisher's<br />
Paper ...<br />
commission 45 206<br />
Binding<br />
Leaving a profit of £94<br />
£121<br />
Or about 1s. a copy.<br />
It is not difficult to show that, unless a large<br />
proportion of an edition is sold, this is the worst<br />
bargain that the author could make for an edition<br />
of 2,000 or 3000. For (1) the author, not the pub.<br />
lisher, runs the risk, and (2) the author has to wait<br />
for his profit till the publisher has been repaid, not<br />
only his outlay, but his profit. The ordinary ways<br />
in which an author can be paid are three.<br />
£300<br />
(B) Payment by Royalty.<br />
Publisher's Outlay.<br />
1. £ s. d.<br />
Cost of production and advertising<br />
as above<br />
... ... ... 161 0 0<br />
Royalties to author ... ... 37 10 0<br />
£198 100<br />
(C) Equal Profits.<br />
Publisher's Outlay.<br />
£ s. d.<br />
Cost of production and advertising<br />
as above<br />
... ... ... 161 00<br />
(D) Method of the Future.<br />
Author's Outlay.<br />
£ $. d.<br />
Cost of production and advertising<br />
as above ... ... ... 161 0 0<br />
Publisher's commission ... ... 25 0 0<br />
Printing<br />
15<br />
33<br />
£186<br />
0<br />
0<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 102 (#492) ############################################<br />
<br />
102<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
According to the system of-<br />
(A) Author gains £50. Publisher loses £44.<br />
2<br />
„ £45.<br />
, £32.<br />
(C)<br />
£2 10s.<br />
gains £2 10s.<br />
y loses £20<br />
£25<br />
If 1,500 copies were sold the results would be<br />
Sales = £250.<br />
The cost according to the<br />
different systems would be-<br />
(A) Publisher's outlay for production and<br />
copyright ...<br />
211<br />
Publisher's outlay for production and<br />
royalties ...<br />
216<br />
") Publisher's outlay for production ... 161<br />
(D) Author's outlay for production and com-<br />
mission<br />
198<br />
Leaving the result that in-<br />
(A) Author gains £50 Publisher gains £39<br />
(B) ,<br />
(C) , ., 44<br />
(D) , , 52<br />
In the same way a novel of which 3,000 copies<br />
were printed and boarded would require to sell 2,000<br />
before the author gained £75, which is exactly<br />
equal to a royalty cf 124 per cent.<br />
From this it will be seen that according to the<br />
“Method of the Future” the author is expected to<br />
Findertake all risks and cannot, on editions of a<br />
novel of average length with a circulation of 2,000<br />
or 3,000, gain as much as he would from a royalty<br />
of 124 per cent. unless he sells more than two-<br />
thirds of the edition.<br />
I am, yours faithfully,<br />
ROBERT MACLEHOSE.<br />
34<br />
44<br />
37<br />
their countenances to the historical novel which<br />
continues to dominate contemporary fiction.<br />
Winston Churchill's “ The Crisis," which sur-<br />
passed in interest and popularity his “Richard<br />
Carvell,” led the way, together with Irving<br />
Bacheller's “D’ri and I,” and “Granstark; the story<br />
of a Love behind a Throne” and “The Helmet<br />
of Navarre,” by the new writers George Barr<br />
McCutcheon and Bertha Runkle. Sarah Orne<br />
Jewitt's “The Tory Lover” is a sympathetic<br />
and graceful story dealing with the American<br />
Revolution and introducing the vigorous personality<br />
of Paul Jones. It is her longest, if not perhaps<br />
her strongest, work. The scene of Robert W.<br />
Chambers's “ Cardigan” is New York, on the eve<br />
of the same period ; and Clinton Scollard's “ The<br />
Son of a Tory” is located in New York State<br />
in 1777. Mrs. Caroline Mason's “A Lily of<br />
France," and Charlton Andrews's “ A Parfit Gentil<br />
Knight,” take us two centuries further back ;<br />
while the seventeenth century is treated of in<br />
Jessie Van Zile Belden's “Antonia” and Ruth<br />
Hall's “The Golden Arrow.” Robert Nelson<br />
Stephen's “ Capt. Ravenshaw” is an Elizabethan<br />
story; and Cyrus Townshend Brady's “The<br />
Quiberon Torch " a sea romance of the eighteenth<br />
century, in which Hawke, the great British admiral,<br />
figures. It is the writer's longest and not least<br />
delightful performance. The « Deborah ” of<br />
James M. Ludlow deals with the much more<br />
remote times of Judas Maccabæus in a frankly<br />
imaginative manner. Another romance which has<br />
attracted much attention is of a semi-historical<br />
character, since the hero is Eleazar Williams, one<br />
of the numerous persons who claimed to be the<br />
real Louis XVII. The book is called “ Lazarre,”<br />
and the author is Mary Hartwell Catherwood.<br />
The war of 1812 is the subject of Dr. Jas. Naylor's<br />
“ The Sign of the Prophet.”.<br />
But the Civil War is the period which finds<br />
most favour with the historical romancer. It has<br />
inspired Miss Lafayette McLaws to make her<br />
début with “ When the Land was Young," a simple<br />
story of more than average merit, but in which<br />
there is no attempt at character-drawing. The<br />
writer hails from the South. Other Southern<br />
stories of some interest are “ The Night Hawk,"<br />
by Alix John, in which a woman acts as the secret<br />
agent of the Confederates and there is much<br />
blockade-running ; "Warwick of the Knobs," by<br />
John Uri Lloyd, who introduces a portrait of the<br />
Confederate leader, Morgan; and “The Marrow of<br />
Tradition,” by Charles W. Chesnutt, a Northern<br />
champion of the contemporary negro. “ Mistress<br />
Joy," by two Tennessee ladies, Mrs. Booth<br />
McKinney and Miss Grace McGowan, deals with<br />
Missisippi and New Orleans at a somewhat earlier<br />
AMERICAN NOTES.<br />
NHERE has been a vast output of books during<br />
the fall season, but few volumes have<br />
appeared of extraordinary merit or perma-<br />
nent value to literature. It is noticeable, too, how<br />
prominently European products stand out in the<br />
publishers' lists. These last we shall, however,<br />
leave out of the account in our present survey, as<br />
they are only nominally American issues.<br />
By far the largest proportion of books published<br />
consists of course of novels, this being still more<br />
the case in America than it is in the Old World.<br />
Over here the romantic movement, stimulated by<br />
the new Imperialism, is still largely in the ascen-<br />
dant; and new issues of the works of George<br />
Sand, Harrison Ainsworth, Fenimore Cooper, and<br />
Croly's “Salathiel, the Wandering Jew," lend<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 103 (#493) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
103<br />
period, Aaron Burr coming into the story. Mr. G. said to be at the head of “the year's refined fun-<br />
W. Cable, in “The Cavalier,” has also occupied him- makers.” Hoping that we have been able to pick<br />
self with the Civil War, and has written a stirring if out at least the chief prizes from the bran-pie of<br />
somewhat theatrical tale of love and fighting. fiction, we must now pass on to other departments<br />
A first novel of great promise was “Tom of literature.<br />
Beauling," by Gouverneur Morris, great-grand Turning to poetry, we find the harvest very<br />
son of the great diplomatist of the same name; meagre. Dr. Howard Furness has added<br />
and “The Road to Ridgeby's" had such merit as “Twelfth Night” to his great Variorum Shake-<br />
to cause great regret to be felt at the premature speare. "A Little Book of Tribune Verse"<br />
death of the young author, Frank Burlinghame completes the output of Eugene Field, the sweet<br />
Harris. Another posthumous work is “ The singer of Michigan. Dr. William Henry Drum-<br />
Teller," by Edward Noyes Westcott, whose mond, author of "The Habitant,” has gained great<br />
“ David Harum” is having the largest sale of credit and success with “ Johnnie Courteau and<br />
any American novel since “Uncle Tom's Cabin.” other Poems," which are rather off the beaten<br />
We omitted from our selections of stories of the track. Paul Leicester Dunbar with “Candle-<br />
Civil War period Pauline Bradford Mackie's “The Lightin' Time” and Eli Shepherd with “ Planta-<br />
Washingtonians,” in which Lincoln and his wife tion Songs for My Lady's Banjo” have made<br />
as well as Horace Greeley appear.<br />
contributions to dialect verse.“ Beowulf," by<br />
" The Tempting of Father Anthony,” by George Samuel Harden Church, is something more than a<br />
Horton, tells of modern Greece.<br />
paraphrase. Charles G. Blanden's “Omar Resung"<br />
Miss Wilkins, in “The Portion of Labor," and is based upon Huntley McCarthy's and not Fitz-<br />
Sarah P. McL. Greene in her “ Floodtide,” are gerald's version of the Rubaiyat. There are<br />
concerned with New England ; and the scene of ten new poems in Louise Chandler Moulton's<br />
Basil King's divorce story, “Let no man put “ Swallow Flights." Edwin Markham has pub-<br />
asunder,” is Boston. Two political novels bring lished “Lincoln, and other Poems"; and Gelett<br />
before their readers the mysteries of Tammany Burgess, of “ Purple Cloud” fame, “A Gage of<br />
Hall. These are “ The Victors," by Robert Barr, Youth”-lyrics from “ The Lark" and other poems.<br />
and “J. Devlin, Boss,” by Francis Churchill James Easby Smith's “ Songs of Alcæus," con-<br />
Williams. The politics of the West are described sisting of a memoir, text, and notes, besides the<br />
in Walter Bart's “Shacklett.” Hermann K. verse translations, is a scholarly volume by the<br />
Viele's “Last of the Knickerbockers" and Ellen author of the “ Songs of Sappho.” An ambitious<br />
Olney Kirk's “Our Lady Vanity” are studies of and scarcely commendable work is Mr. William<br />
New York society ; “The New Americans,” by Turk of Chicago's “ Completion of Coleridge's<br />
Alfred Hodder, supplies a realistic but unpleasant • Christabel.'” Rodney Blake has edited a collec-<br />
view of the influence of women and their methods. tion called “Hasty Pudding Poems," and Myron<br />
“ The Wage of Character," which is concerned with T. Pritchard has made a compilation of the “Poetry<br />
New York and Washington, may be described as of Niagara.” A history of American verse has<br />
semi-political. “Amos Judd,” by John A. Mitchell, been written by James L. Onderdonck.<br />
is a mystical romance of some power. Miss Eliza Neither is there much to say about scientific<br />
G. Jordan's “ Tales of the Cloister" are pitched in works, though we have to record the publication<br />
quieter key," as also is Anna Fuller's “Katherine of the results of the great Alaskan expedition<br />
Day." Nath. Stephenson's “They That Took the conducted by E. H. Harriman, who took with<br />
Sword” tells of Cincinnati in '62. Of notable him to the far North-West twenty-five scientists,<br />
books depicting life outside the towns may be three artists, and two photographers. The<br />
mentioned Melville Dawson Post's “Dwellers in narrative is by J. Burroughs ; whilst John Muir<br />
the Hills,” a story of the West Virginia hill cattle- writes on “Glaciers,” Dr. G. B. Grinnell on “Forest<br />
country ; Ralph Connor's “The Man from Glen- and Stream," Chas. Keeler, the Californian authority,<br />
garry,” dealing with the lumbermen of the great on “ Birds,” and William Healy Dall on the<br />
North land ; and “Calumet K," the romance of “History of the Country.” The editing and<br />
a grain-elevator. Among other novels which illustrating of this magnificent collection was<br />
attracted attention were “ King Midas,” by Upton undertaken by Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Dr. L. 0.<br />
Sinclair, a new writer ; Anna Katherine Green's Howard has produced a readable but thoroughly<br />
detective story, “ One of my Sons”; “ The Potter scientific book on “Mosquitoes”; his popular but<br />
and the Clay,” by Maud Howard Peterson ; and authoritative “ Insect Book " treats of more than<br />
“ Margaret Warrener,” by Alice Brown. John 135 families. Clara Morris Weed's “ Nature Bio-<br />
Kendrick Bangs added to the gaiety of nations graphies” contains some new observations on<br />
with an account of “Mr, Munchausen's” recent common American insects. R. Osgood Mason's<br />
adventures ; but “A Twentieth Century Boy” is “Hypnotism and Suggestion," a moderate book,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 104 (#494) ############################################<br />
<br />
104<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
cites from experience gained in practice cases of doyen of music in America ; the stage reminiscences<br />
the beneficent use of hypnotism upon children of Clara Morris and Mrs. Gilbert; and going<br />
Books like Seton Thompson's “Lives of the further back in the past, Prof. Alfred C. Downer's<br />
Hunted” and “Wild Animals I have known” work on Frédéric Mistral, the Provençal poet,<br />
have become numerous and popular.<br />
i and Miss Mary Pepper's “Maids and Matrons of<br />
In history and biography we have a much richer New France.” “The Early History of Syria and<br />
record. Mr. H. E. Scudder's sympathetic and well- Palestine,” by Prof. Lewis Bayles Paton, condenses<br />
informed “Life of Lowell” is probably the most the results of modern research in those regions.<br />
important book of the season, and will be acclaimed Prof. W. M. Sloane's “ The French Revolution and<br />
in England by all who realise how much the Religious Reform” is a re-cast of lectures. Everett<br />
literary diplomatist did for the relations between Tomlinson has added yet another to histories of<br />
the two countries. It is supplementary to the the American Revolution.<br />
“ Letters " which were edited some years ago by In Philosophy, we would call attention to the<br />
Prof. Norton, but the author has had access to late Prof. Fiske's “Life Everlasting," and in theo-<br />
further correspondence. Prof. Hart, of Harvard, logy to Dr. A. W. Moore's “Rational Basis of<br />
has completed with the last of his four sections Orthodoxy" and Dr. Levi L. Paine's "The Ethnic<br />
(" The Welding of the Nation, 1845–1900") his Trinities and their Relation to the Christian<br />
very valuable and interesting collection, “ American Trinity.” Under one or other of these categories<br />
History told by Contemporaries.” A “ History of should also be placed Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps Ward's<br />
the American people” by Dr. Fras. Newton Thorpe “Within the Gates.” Prof. Hugo Münsterberg's<br />
is useful for the last twenty-five years. J. Howard “ American Traits," and Dr. Lyman Abbott's<br />
Brown's “ Biographical Dictionary of the United “Rights of Man," seem to belong to the former,<br />
States” approaches its end. “The Views of an under which also perhaps may be classed “The<br />
Ex-President,” edited by Benjamin Harrison's Lore of Cathay ; or, the Intellect of China," with<br />
widow, are interesting, but hardly of the first which the President of the Chinese Imperial<br />
importance. “A Life of Gen. McClellan," by the University at Chicago, Dr. W. A. P. Martin, has<br />
late General Peter S. Michie, has been added to complemented his “Cycle of Cathay." We may<br />
Appleton's “Great Commanders.” The series of add that the international “ Dictionary of Philo-<br />
“Historical Towns of the Western States," edited sophy and Psychology,” which is edited by James<br />
by Lyman P. Powell, for Messrs. Putnam, has Mark Baldwin, Ph.D., is American in plan.<br />
been finished this fall.“ The True Jefferson,” by Under Art all that seems worthy of mention is<br />
Will. Elroy Curtis, follows similar works on covered by W. C. Brownell's “ French Traits," and<br />
Washington, Franklin and Penn. Cyrus Townsend “American Mural Painting,” by Pauline King.<br />
Brady has added a second series of his “ Colonial We may place under the heading of either Law or<br />
Fights and Fighters." “ Whittier as a Politician” Sociology the useful work called Hirsch's “ Tabu-<br />
has been treated through the publication of his lated Digest of the Divorce Laws of the United<br />
letters to Prof. Elizur Wright, and the “ Person- States."<br />
ality of Thoreau” has been illustrated in a similar We must not forget to mention Mr. W. D.<br />
way by Frank B. Sanborn. The late John Howell's “Heroines of Fiction;" John C. Van<br />
Codman's “ Arnold's Expedition to Quebec" tells Dyke's “ The Desert,” the fruit of two years' wander-<br />
the story of the attempt on Quebec in 1775 in a ings in Western America ; Prof. Washburn Hop-<br />
highly interesting manner. “The Spanish Settle- kins's edition of the Mahabharata, “ The Great<br />
ments within the Present Limits of the United Epic of India” ; or Poulteney Bigelow's “The<br />
States, 1531–61,” by Woodbury Lowery, deals Children of the Nations”-an account of colonial<br />
with Mexico in a scholarly spirit. Prof. Browne's experiments based on travel experiences. Among<br />
“Essays in Historical Criticism” contain an notable miscellanea is to be counted Rosa Belle<br />
important paper on the settlement of Oregon, Holt's “Rugs, Oriental and Occidental.”<br />
entitled “ The Legend of Marcus Whitman”; Coming lastly to translations of foreign works,<br />
but the “ Biographical and Other Articles” by exclusive of the classics of the ancient world, we<br />
William C. Todd, President of the New Hants note that William Morton Payne, the American<br />
Hist. Society, though rich in personal experiences, pioneer of Ibsen, has added to his version of the<br />
lack the sense of perspective. General Alger's Life by H. Jaeger an additional chapter made up of<br />
* History of the Spanish-American War” is an renderings of the six most recently produced plays.<br />
apology for his own administration rather than a Helger Drachmaun's love idyll “ Nanna " has been<br />
historical work. “Eugene Field,” by Mason translated from the Danish by Francis P. Browne ;<br />
Thompson, is an intimate study. Among other Jeremiah Austin has presented in “The Argo-<br />
noteworthy biographical volumes are “Memories nauts” a version of the Polish romance of Eliza<br />
of a Musical Life,” by Dr. William Mason, the Orzeszko ; and Maxim Gorky's work has been<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 105 (#495) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
105<br />
introduced to the American public in translations Sir Philip Warwick, who, in the seventeenth<br />
by Isabel F. Hapgood of “ Fomá Gordyéff” and century, gave his name to Warwick Street, and a<br />
“Orloff and His Wife.”<br />
successful rival; for when Lord Southampton died<br />
In conclusion we may remark that the publish in 1667 the duties of Lord High Treasurer were<br />
ing business of the season generally is reported to put in commission, and Sir Philip Warwick, who<br />
be flourishing, and the new system of net prices to had been secretary to Lord Southampton, was not<br />
be working well.<br />
made a commissioner, while the post of secretary<br />
to the commission was filled by Downing. It is<br />
curious, too, that it should be proposed to oust one<br />
name associated with literature and replace it with<br />
THE CHANGING OF STREET NAMES. another. Sir Philip Warwick's “ Memoirs of the<br />
Reign of King Charles I.” are not to be named of<br />
course with Smollett's writings as works of litera-<br />
M HE Daily Chronicle stated the other day that ture, but they are, nevertheless, well known con-<br />
1 Warwick Street, Pall Mall, a cul-de-sac temporary records of the historical events and<br />
which runs out of Cockspur Street, nearly personages of a particularly interesting epoch.<br />
opposite the end of Suffolk Street, is about to be As a matter of fact the projected change has<br />
renamed Smollett Street, its connection with the been under consideration for some little time, and<br />
author of “ Roderick Random ” being apparently Tilt-Yard Street is a name that was suggested but<br />
found in the British Coffee House, which he has been abandoned for the good reason that the<br />
frequented, situated not in Warwick Street but tilt-yard was not at or even very near the site of<br />
in Cockspur Street, between Warwick Street and Warwick Street, but the Daily Chronicle also informs.<br />
Spring Gardens. There are at least six Warwick us that there was at one time a proposal, also since<br />
Streets in the county of London, and no doubt any abandoned, to disguise Warwick Street by renaming<br />
change such as that proposed would be to the con- it “ Kyte Street.” Why “Kyte” Street we are not<br />
venience of the post-office, while it cannot be informed. There was a Kyte once who was a mezzo-<br />
denied that to call a street after a great author is tint engraver of moderate skill, but won more<br />
to some extent a compliment to literature, even conspicuous fame in his day by being sentenced to<br />
though the author's fame is not likely to be the pillory for forging bank-notes. Is this the<br />
materially increased thereby. One of the other gentleman whose name was to supersede that of<br />
Warwick Streets is also in the South Western Warwick, of whom Pepys wrote: “I honour the<br />
Postal District, and no doubt this is the reason man with all my heart, and I think him to be a<br />
why a change has been suggested : but if it be very able and right honest man.” Pepys, by the<br />
granted that one of two streets must be re-named, way, went down Warwick Street to Warwick<br />
need the older, and the one whose name is the House on the 3rd of January, 1665, and found<br />
better known to history, be the one selected for the streete full of footballs, it being a great<br />
alteration ? Warwick Street, Cockspur Street, or frost," and Sir Philip Warwicke with Mr. Coven-<br />
Pall Mall (it is known with both distinctive try walking in St. James's Park. There is a<br />
additions), may not be famous, but it has unques- passage now through a mews into Carlton House<br />
tionably old and honourable associations. Will Terrace which may preserve a trace of the old<br />
anyone claim honourable associations for Warwick egress from Warwick House, but there is no<br />
Street, Pimlico, old or otherwise ?<br />
acknowledged thoroughfare, although there is<br />
It will be observed, moreover, that the link enough traffic to render the roadway unsuitable<br />
between Smollett and Warwick Street is not a for football. Warwick House was the residence<br />
very close one. The street did not contain the of Princess Charlotte of Wales, and is described,<br />
coffee-house, and the coffee-house was only one as regards her period of residence (1813), in the<br />
of many that the author used. Perhaps it was “Autobiography of Miss Knight.” Apparently<br />
his favourite one, but neither when living in the name Little Warwick Street was at one time<br />
Downing Street nor when living in Chelsea can used, for in referring to it Wheatley says, “At<br />
his nearest route to the site of Stanford's well. No. 4, Little Warwick Street, lived General<br />
known map-shop have taken him even past the Conway, the cousin and correspondent of Horace<br />
entrance to Warwick Street, of the existence of which Walpole.” (“ London, Past and Present,” vol. 3,<br />
he may have been almost unconscious. In Downing 452.)<br />
Street Smollett lived in his early days of practice as As regards Warwick Street, therefore, there are<br />
a surgeon in London, but presumably Downing reasons that particularly appeal to men of letters why<br />
Street is not likely to be renamed. It is interesting the name that it has borne for a couple of centuries<br />
however, to note that Downing Street took its name should be retained, and the reasons which apply to<br />
from Sir George Downing, a contemporary of Warwick Street apply to almost every other street<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 106 (#496) ############################################<br />
<br />
106<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
of any antiquity. To rename a street or place is £300 short of expenses. I retorted that I at<br />
to obliterate a landmark. The name may not length appreciated Dr. Johnson's definition of half<br />
have been originally one of very striking appro- profits—"a plan of publication that gave all the<br />
priateness, or with interesting associations attached gains to the publisher and all the glory to the<br />
to it, but the associations have grown and the author.”<br />
inappropriateness has been forgotten. Old build. It was certainly very pleasing to hear that the<br />
ings have been replaced by new ones, but the sites editions thrown off reached the exalted standard<br />
at all events remain. Spring Gardens are not of ten thousand at a time, and that there existed<br />
gardens, Moorgate Street leads to no city gate, a large stock which, when sold, would show a<br />
and Pump Court might commemorate the name of considerable balance. Much stress was laid on<br />
some famous chancellor or jurist, instead of a pump cost of advertising ; but, on asking for a specific<br />
which has been replaced by a water-tap ; but to statement thereof, the request was declined with a<br />
alter the name of spots such as these would obscure superciliousness that made me thoroughly ashamed<br />
their history. It would confuse every reference to of my impertinence.<br />
them in every chronicle of London, and in the I then announced that I was about to venture<br />
contemporary records of lives and events before on the experiment of competing with myself, and<br />
the change. Care should be taken, no doubt, in candidly offered an outline of my scheme. The<br />
naming new streets not to allot to them titles that assembled firm was delighted, and urged me to<br />
are silly, or that will be confused with old ones, put it into operation at once. While assenting to<br />
and there is obvious inconvenience where similar this, I suggested fresh terms, and that the profits<br />
names are liable to be confused. But it is sub- of the successful series should be separate and<br />
mitted to the consideration of the County Council independent. A palaver as usual followed without<br />
(a body which we all know is actuated by no other fruit. Accordingly, I offered to pay all expenses<br />
motive than the desire to benefit London in every of production and to give over the right of<br />
way that lies in its power) that, as a general sale on the usual commission terms. Proposal<br />
principle, where one name has been borne longer rejected with scorn! On approaching one of our<br />
than the other, and particularly where other names largest booksellers, he eagerly closed with the<br />
are interwoven in its history, the claims of the offer, showing me a room amply stored with my<br />
older should prevail, while further it must not be current publications bought by subscription.<br />
thought that the change of a name two hundred On arrival at home, I found a telegram from<br />
years old will be commended simply because it the mystic“ House" alluded to, complying<br />
gives the name of a great man to a blind alley. fully and literally with my terms, and insinuating<br />
The associations that adorn the blind alley may be a subtle suggestion to relieve me of the trouble<br />
lost, while the fame of the great man cannot of printing, &c., at a merely nominal rate of<br />
possibly be increased.<br />
percentage. Of this I took no notice, seeing<br />
E. A. ARMSTRONG. that I had declined their condescending services<br />
altogether.<br />
The new series consisted of seven volumes,<br />
whose complete preparation for the market cost<br />
THE PUBLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL<br />
about £750. In less than a year the sales<br />
recouped the entire expenditure, including stereo<br />
WORKS.<br />
plates, and plus a fair and reasonable solatium in<br />
the shape of net profit. This became a reserve fund<br />
for further ventures of an educational sort, all of<br />
Experiences of a School Book Editor.<br />
which were, more or less, so successful as to vield,<br />
under commission terms, a very handsome addition<br />
[N response to your general hint, I venture, to my income.<br />
I as an ancient school book editor, to furnish Especially with relaxed efforts, hot competition<br />
your readers with a few experiences. As an on all sides naturally reduced my returns year<br />
inspector, I was daily disgusted with the supremacy br year. Nevertheless, I grudged no trading pub-<br />
of the Irish Board series in our elementary schools. lisher the reward of honest rivalry. Assuredly,<br />
I, therefore, set to work to emulate in a fair fight, however, this remark does not apply to public<br />
and, I think, with some success.<br />
societies, largely drawing their capital from volun-<br />
My first effort, through a noted publishing firm, tary contributions certainly not subscribed for the<br />
resulted in a sale of a series of six readers of nearly purpose of destroying or diverting the legitimate<br />
a million volumes in about a year. At harvest channels of commerce.<br />
time I was ingenuous enough to expect a hand- With regard to the vexed question of publishers'<br />
some cheque, but was told that the works were still clandestine profits or unfair trading with authors,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 107 (#497) ############################################<br />
<br />
· THE AUTHOR.<br />
107<br />
it may be interesting here to note that the estab- the question of identity, imaginary incidents<br />
lishment of an Authors' Publishing Society was occurring in the life of the fictitious bandmaster<br />
long deliberated by my deceased friends M. might be taken as assertions of hers with regard to<br />
Arnold, T. Hughes, and A. Froude. I presume the bandmaster of fact. Having so far forgotten<br />
the difficulties arising from the irritabile genus at the situation in which she had placed herselt, she<br />
large stood in the way. Of course, it is impos- made the bandmaster in her story, to some extent<br />
sible to predict what, in these days of storm and at least, a musical failure, thus libelling the real<br />
stress, may yet arise from the tricks and manners bandmaster in his calling. The author's bad luck<br />
our departed presidium et dulce decus so bravely did not end with her imprudence of forgetfulness,<br />
exposed; but it is far from hopeful that, in spite for novelists have often escaped without having<br />
of your signs and warnings, authors continue to actions brought against them even by persons<br />
flounder between Scylla and Charybdis.<br />
intentionally satirised. Still, granting that Eliza-<br />
J. S. LAURIE.<br />
beth Godfrey was unlucky, it is safe to assert that<br />
considering that the law of libel is applied by<br />
juries with upsparing hands, and that people do<br />
not as a rule like being “put into books," it is<br />
better to describe types, and not particular indivi-<br />
“REAL PEOPLE” IN FICTION.<br />
duals. Such typical characters may possess features,<br />
which the author wishes to introduce, taken from<br />
• living models, but non-essential features should<br />
T the last summer assize at Winchester a be omitted. The arts of the pen and of the brush<br />
Bournemouth bandmaster won an action are near akin, and illustration from the latter is<br />
for libel against the lady who writes under easy. Suppose, for example, an artist commis-<br />
the name of Elizabeth Godfrey, securing nominal sioned to make comic pictures of sport knows a<br />
damages, and putting a stop to all further sale of man who has the worst possible seat on a horse,<br />
the book complained of, with the usual costs of the and moreover has bushy whiskers, and a crooked<br />
successful litigant. It need hardly be said that nose, wbile he habitually wears an eyeglass<br />
the defendant having to defray her own legal with a black ribbon. The artist may watch his<br />
expenses in addition to the taxed costs of the friend go across country, and come back and pro-<br />
plaintiff will thereby have been mulcted in a duce an admirable series which his unconscious<br />
sum exceeding the probable profits of the unre- model will some day laugh over consumedly.<br />
stricted sale of her novel, and equal to many Suppose, however, that the artist has crowned each<br />
times the compensation awarded to the libelled drawing with the strongly marked features of his<br />
person.<br />
friend, and inserted the eyeglass and black ribbon.<br />
The report of such a case should be read as a Will he have any right to complain if the friend<br />
warning by authors inclined to draw their char- be offended at being held up to ridicule, and vill<br />
acters and scenes from life. Elizabeth Godfrey he not have erred by introducing non-essential<br />
was no doubt a victim of what schoolboys call, or details into a picture where all that was essential<br />
used to call, “hard lines.” She had, we may was the correct drawing of the attitudes adopted<br />
safely assume, no deliberate intention to wound by various portions of a bad rider's anatomy?<br />
the feelings or injure the reputation of Mr. D. The law of libel, as administered by modern<br />
Godfrey. A bandmaster was, however, necessary juries before modern judges in courts to which<br />
for the purposes of her povel, and residing, as she many hesitate to bring more important causes for<br />
did, at Bournemouth, she described one who con- trial, is oppressive and unjust, largely owing to the<br />
ducted a band in precisely the circumstances in huge costs, out of all proportion to the injury done,<br />
which Mr. Godfrey conducted his, giving a recog- to which attention has been called above. But<br />
nisable picture of Bournemouth, and an epigram- apart from libel actions, the introduction of real<br />
matic definition of the “ Winter Garden" in which persons in a recognisable form into books is an<br />
apparently the Bournemouth band habitually unsatisfactory way of losing friends or making<br />
performs. If she ever reflected that her fictitious enemies. Charles Dickens affords a case in point,<br />
bandmaster was recognisable by the friends of a which will occur to everyone. He can hardly have<br />
bandmaster in real life, she probably did not felt that he gained reputation by the introduction<br />
realise how carefully they avd he would read her or apparent introduction of a friend into “ Bleak<br />
novel and apply its incidents. She must clearly House.” Is there anything to show that, in doing<br />
have failed to consider that while circumstances this, Charles Dickens was guilty of anything worse<br />
that apparently were common to the real band than carelessness or forgetfulness? He did not<br />
master and the fictitious one would serve to accen- plan his stories in detail before he wrote them.<br />
tuate the resemblance between them and clinch He probably took Leigh Hunt as a suggestion for<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 108 (#498) ############################################<br />
<br />
108<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
the novelist should observe before he invents, it is<br />
the lively exercise of his invention rather than the<br />
accurate transcript of his observation that we<br />
should admire in his work.<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
a character, and was amused for a time by develop-<br />
ing and accentuating certain characteristics in his<br />
original, and perhaps adding others which he<br />
thought might well accompany them in fiction,<br />
Then the exigencies of his story demanded that<br />
certain information should be conveyed to certain<br />
persons at a particular moment in the action, and<br />
he made Skimpole do a dishonourable act for a<br />
mercenary motive, regardless of the fact that he<br />
had no original intention of his being other than<br />
a harmless butterfly, and, what was more important,<br />
wholly forgetting that he had started by making<br />
him a recognisable portrait of a person with whom<br />
he and many of his most eager readers were<br />
acquainted.<br />
Modern instances of this semi-accidental unkind-<br />
ness of writers who take a character from life and<br />
forget the inferences, usually wholly unjustifiable,<br />
which may afterwards be drawn by their readers,<br />
could easily be multiplied both from dead and from<br />
living authors. It is a form of unkindness which<br />
lies in the middle between deliberate satire and<br />
wholly accidental injury of the feelings of the<br />
hyper-sensitive. Deliberate satire of individuals<br />
disguised in fiction is more or less obsolete, and<br />
modern methods, coupled with the fear of the law.<br />
courts, render it less biting and effective than it<br />
used to be ; while publishers naturally do not<br />
regard it with favour, although they may not<br />
always be able to detect it before the book is<br />
issued. There is a marked distinction (most people<br />
will readily admit) between deliberately holding an<br />
individual up to ridicule and using an individual<br />
as a type in such a way that he or she is recognised.<br />
At all events, any legal consequences that follow in<br />
the former case can hardly be regarded as unmerited<br />
accidents. On the other hand, few writers of fiction<br />
dealing with crime, or writing humorously, have<br />
published many stories without being accused by<br />
some total stranger of having made him or one of<br />
his friends play the part of a criminal, or of having<br />
otherwise held him up to opprobrium or ridicule.<br />
Almost any writer can multiply instances of this<br />
quite unintentional “ libelling” of foolish persons,<br />
who have eagerly made the cap fit their own heads,<br />
perhaps merely on the strength of their name being<br />
that of the author's character. No one can avoid<br />
occasional offence of this kind, even if he cared to<br />
do so. With regard, however, to those who choose<br />
what we may call the middle course—who draw<br />
characters straight from life to begin with, and<br />
then proceed to invent actions, possibly discredit-<br />
able, for them to perform—these should remember<br />
that a little further exercise of the same invention<br />
may disguise a few of the recognisable but not<br />
indispensable features of the original, without<br />
detracting from the general effect. It may, more-<br />
over, be suggested to them that although admittedly<br />
THE METHOD OF THE FUTURE<br />
DEAR SIR,—In his most interesting and helpful<br />
article (page 75 of the December issue), G. H. T<br />
lays great stress on the advisability of a publisher<br />
confining himself to publishing on commission.<br />
This does not seem to me to be quite fair, and is<br />
certainly not my experience. I have now published<br />
mfany books on this method, thanks to the kind<br />
advice of Sir Walter Besant, our hard-worked<br />
Secretary, and contributors to The Author. I am<br />
convinced that no publisher could have given to<br />
any of his own books more devoted care than has<br />
been bestowed upon mine by my publishers who<br />
are not solely commission publishers.<br />
A s I have myself derived so much profit from<br />
the pages of The Author, I hope I may save much<br />
time and trouble to fellow-workers by giving the<br />
name of my publishers, viz., Messrs. Simpkin,<br />
Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Limited.<br />
VICTOR SPIERS.<br />
King's College, London, W.C.,<br />
December 10th, 1901.<br />
(Ed.—Is it not a fact that the majority of<br />
books produced by this publisher are commission<br />
books !)<br />
THE SOCIETY AND “WHAT'S WHAT.”<br />
SIR, I have read the passages quoted by you in<br />
the December number of The Author from Mr.<br />
Harry Quilter's book “What's What." As a<br />
member of the Society of Authors, I desire strongly<br />
to condemn as untrue the statements made by Mr.<br />
Quilter with regard to the Society and its work.<br />
I have often received from the Secretary valuable<br />
advice, promptly given, and without any expense<br />
to me. I have acted on his advice, and have<br />
received ample proof that his advice is sound and<br />
me<br />
that the Society's work is useful and beneficial.<br />
John HOLT SCHOOLING.<br />
Fotheringhay House, Twickenham,<br />
December 3rd, 1901.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 108 (#499) ############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
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## p. 108 (#500) ############################################<br />
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Die Stamping in Colours or Plain,<br />
Process and Line Blocks,<br />
Stereotyping and Electrotyping,<br />
•<br />
IS<br />
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BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LTD.,<br />
Law, General and Railway Printers,<br />
Lithographers and Bookbinders,<br />
THE WHITEFRIARS PRESS,<br />
10, BOUVERIE STREET, LONDON, E.C.<br />
MEDWAY WHARF, TONBRIDGE, KENT<br />
Telegrams : CHARIVARI, LONDON.<br />
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National Telephones : 28, HOLBORN.<br />
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ESTIMATES FREE. SPECIMENS FORWARDED BY RETURN OF POST.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 108 (#501) ############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
vu<br />
LITERARY YEAR BOOK, 1902.<br />
An indispensable work of reference for all who<br />
are concerned in Literature.<br />
Ready in January, 1902. Crown 8vo, Cloth Limp. Price before Publication, 4s. 6d. Net, Post.<br />
Note.—ON PUBLICATION the Price of this Annual will be raised to 5s. Net. [Free.<br />
Edited by Herbert Morrah.<br />
MHE SIXTH ISSUE of “THE LITERARY YEAR-BOOK” will contain a considerable<br />
amount of new matter, the whole of the information collected in previous years being<br />
thoroughly revised and to a large extent re-arranged.<br />
The FIRST PART of the volume will contain an exhaustive Review of the Year 1901, based<br />
upon the plan general in the most valuable works of reference, and conveying, in the form of<br />
an interesting narrative, a complete impression of the literary activities of the period under<br />
notice.<br />
The SECOND PART of - The Literary Year-Book” will contain the usual Directories in<br />
amplified form. A vast amount of fresh information has been collected. The endeavour has<br />
been to cover a wider field than has hitherto been possible, and though, in view of the great<br />
expense and labour involved, a slight advance in price has been found necessary, the book<br />
will be seen to be well worth the sum charged for it.<br />
eme<br />
In PART I.<br />
Information and articles respecting the following subjects will be included :<br />
Agreements. Authorship. Book Sales of 1901. Bookselling. Calendar.<br />
Controversies of 1901. Copyright Cases of 1901. Dramatic Rights.<br />
Events of the Literary Year. Obituary (With Biography of Deceased Authors).<br />
PART II.<br />
Will be greatly enlarged as well as thoroughly revised, and will contain information with<br />
regard to the following :<br />
Agents. American Information (Largely increased).<br />
Artists (With Books illustrated for 1901).<br />
Authors (This important Section will be considerably increased). Books of 1901. Clubs.<br />
Contributors' Guide. Events of 1901. Indexers. Libraries.<br />
Literary Searchers. Pensions. Periodical Publications. Plays.<br />
Publishers, English and Foreign. Royalties. Societies. Typists.<br />
Technical Information. Trade Information.<br />
GEORGE ALLEN, 156, CHARING Cross Road, London.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 108 (#502) ############################################<br />
<br />
viii<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
SECOND EDITION<br />
OR<br />
LADY FLORENCE DIXIE'S NEW BOOK<br />
READY.<br />
66 The Songs of a Child,”<br />
Dedicated to and containing lines by the 1st LORD LYTTON.<br />
Published for the first time.<br />
Popular Edition, 2s.6d. Edition de Luxe, in white vellum gilt, 7s.6d.<br />
Both contain Coloured Portrait of Author as a Child.<br />
PUBLISHERS :<br />
THE LEADENHALL PRESS, 50, LEADENHALL STREET, E.C.<br />
AND<br />
CHARLES SCRIBNER AND Sons, New YORK.<br />
Extracts from Representative Reviews and Opinions of the Book.<br />
Reviewing this book at some length, a well-known writer and thinker writes :<br />
“As far as inspired Dreamland can ever be restored to me, it has been restored by an afternoon's revel in Songs<br />
by a Child. Again over the dull abyss of intervening years, I found myself chasing the wild bee and gathering<br />
the gowans. ... The most matured and artistic of all her lyrics, Iolanthe and Bereen,' is hardly unworthy<br />
of being compared to Hogg's · Kilmeny'; in conception and execution, in dramatic construction, in deftness of<br />
artistic touch, in melodious cadence, the piece gives evidence, not only of high possibilities, but of actual lyric<br />
and epic accomplishment. ... Although a book by a child, its perusal has given me surcease from adult cark<br />
and care, and some day when I am stricken down in the world's heartless fight, when I feel all effort useless and<br />
all life's prizes illusory, I shall betake me to this book in order that I may feel young again,”-Nov. 30th, 1901.<br />
In a lengthy review “ The Dumfries Standard” says :<br />
“ The whole volume is richer in the promise of poetic greatness than most great poets can show at so early an<br />
age; better than any extract the book itself will be, and for the nobility of its sentiment, for the vein of genuine<br />
poetry that is in it, we have no word too cordial to recommend it.”—Dec. 4th, 1901.<br />
“ Ouida” writes :<br />
"I am much moved by the pathos and beauty of many of your poems. Thanks from my heart for the · Prayer<br />
for the Dogs,' and 'Janet Lees' is lovely. It should be reprinted everywhere and 'Averille.'”-Dec. 3rd, 1901,<br />
Marie Corelli says:<br />
“Your charming book of Poems, which I find very fascinating.”--Dec. 6th, 1901.<br />
“ The Herald of the Golden Age" for December says:<br />
“ This volume of poems contains many gems of thought. There is a freshness and versatility about the book<br />
that is quite unique. There can be no doubt that the author possesses the poetic gift in a most marked degree."<br />
“ The Literary World” of Dec. 30th remarks:<br />
66. Esterelle, or the Lure Witch of the Alpine Glen’ fills fifty-six pages, and contains passages that would do no<br />
discredit to poets of riper age and more mature mind. Pathetic and beautiful thoughts are expressed on every<br />
page.”<br />
Printed by BRADBURY, AGNEW, & Co. LD., and Published by them for THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (INCORPORATED),<br />
at 10, Bouverie Street, London, E.C. | https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/349/1902-01-01-The-Author-12-6.pdf | publications, The Author |
| 350 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/350 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 07 (February 1902) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+07+%28February+1902%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 07 (February 1902)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1902-02-01-The-Author-12-7 | | | | | 109–132 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1902-02-01">1902-02-01</a> | | | | | | | 7 | | | 19020201 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
VOL. XII.—No. 7.<br />
FEBRUARY 1, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
109<br />
PAGE<br />
... 120<br />
***<br />
... 109<br />
109<br />
121<br />
110<br />
113<br />
Notices ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors ...<br />
From the Committee ... ... ... * ***<br />
Book and Play Talk ... ...<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property ...<br />
The Desirability of a Set of Standard Rules for Prin<br />
The Journalistic Free Lance... ...<br />
The Authors' Club ... ... ...<br />
General Memoranda ... ... ...<br />
Warnings to Dramatic Authors .....<br />
How to Use the Society<br />
The Reading Branch ... ... ...<br />
Authorities ... ... ...<br />
The Advantages of Commission Publishing<br />
The Nobel Prize for Literature<br />
The Irish Literary Revival ... ...<br />
“Real People" in Fiction ... ...<br />
An Epitaph on a Nameless Grave ...<br />
Schoolboys and Literature ...<br />
Correspondence... ... ...<br />
... 124<br />
... 125<br />
125<br />
***<br />
... 117<br />
129<br />
119<br />
131<br />
120<br />
131<br />
...<br />
120<br />
182<br />
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
1. The Annual Report for the current year. 1s.<br />
2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary<br />
Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 58. 6d. per annum,<br />
post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 10s. 6d. per vol.<br />
3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38.<br />
4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 1s.<br />
. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.)<br />
6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the<br />
papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to<br />
Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the<br />
various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their<br />
agreements. 38.<br />
Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at<br />
the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods.” With comments and<br />
advice. 2s.<br />
7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With<br />
Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the<br />
American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. ls. 6d.<br />
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT<br />
( Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 1s.<br />
9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST<br />
LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d.<br />
10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association; with Comments. By<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 1s.<br />
[All prices net. Apply to the Secretary, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.]<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 108 (#504) ############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT.<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL<br />
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I.<br />
A. M, BARRIE.<br />
A. W. A BECKETT.<br />
ROBERT BATEMAN.<br />
H. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.<br />
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G.<br />
JUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.<br />
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, M.P.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH-<br />
CLERE.<br />
HALL CAINE.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
P. W. CLAYDEN.<br />
EDWARD CLODD.<br />
W. MORRIS COLLES.<br />
THE HON, JOHN COLLIER.<br />
SIR W, MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
MRS. CRAIGIE.<br />
F. MARION CRAWFORD.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON<br />
OF KEDLESTON:<br />
| AUSTIN DOBSON.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D."<br />
A. W. DUBOURG.<br />
Sir MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P.,<br />
F.R.S.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD,<br />
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D.<br />
EDMUND GOSSE.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
H. RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
MRS. HARRISON (LUCAS MALET).<br />
THOMAS HARDY.<br />
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
JEROME K. JEROME.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
RUDYARD KIPLING.<br />
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S.<br />
THE RIGHT HON.W.E, H. LECKY, M.P.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.<br />
SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus. Doc.<br />
PROF. J. M. D, MEIKLEJOHN.<br />
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE.<br />
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
J. C. PARKINSON,<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIB.<br />
BRIGHT, F.R.S<br />
SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,<br />
LL.D.<br />
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.<br />
E. ROSE.<br />
W. BAPTISTE SCOONES,<br />
OWEN SEAMAN.<br />
Miss FLORA L, SHAW.<br />
G. R. SIMs.<br />
S, SQUIRE SPRIGGE,<br />
J. J. STEVENSON.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
MRS. HUMPHRY WARD,<br />
Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT,<br />
Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
A. W. A BECKETT.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P,<br />
FRANCIS STORR,<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
E. ROSE.<br />
OWEN SEAMAN,<br />
SUB-COMMITTEES.<br />
ART.<br />
Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. I M. H. SPIELMANN,<br />
COPYRIGHT.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT,<br />
A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
W. M. COLLES.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
DRAMA.<br />
HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
A. W. A BECKETT.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY,<br />
EDWARD ROSE.<br />
Sinitore_SFIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
1 G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W.<br />
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING.<br />
OFFICES : 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 109 (#505) ############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
.<br />
---<br />
VOL. XII.-- No. 7.<br />
FEBRUARY 1ST, 1902.<br />
{PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
---<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.<br />
Nov. 21, Balfour, A. .....<br />
Nov. 22, Risley, J. .........<br />
Nov. 25, Walker, W. S........<br />
0<br />
0<br />
1<br />
5<br />
5<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
ha ofice of the Incorporated<br />
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors<br />
has been removed to-<br />
39, OLD QUEEN STREET,<br />
STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.<br />
Nov. 25, Vaux, P. ....<br />
Nov. 25, Lambe, Lawrence ........<br />
Jan. 17, Prelooker, J.<br />
....<br />
.......<br />
1<br />
1<br />
0<br />
1<br />
1<br />
5<br />
0<br />
(0)<br />
0<br />
NOTICE.<br />
-<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE<br />
M<br />
HE EDITOR begs to inform members of the<br />
I Authors' Society and other readers of The<br />
Author that the cases which are from time<br />
to time quoted in The Author are cases that have<br />
come before the notice or to the knowledge of the<br />
Secretary of the Society, and that those members<br />
of the Society who desire to have the names of<br />
the publishers concerned can obtain them on<br />
application.<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
THE following is the total of donations and<br />
1 subscriptions promised or received up to<br />
the 17th January, 1902.<br />
Further sums will be acknowledged from month<br />
to month as they are received, as it has been con-<br />
sidered unnecessary to print the full list with<br />
every issue.<br />
Donations ..<br />
.......£1439 16 6<br />
Subscriptions .................... 106 7 6<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
D URING the past month the Secretary has<br />
U taken up seven cases on behalf of members,<br />
three dealing with accounts, three concern-<br />
ing MSS., and one for money due.<br />
So far none of these have been settled, but favour-<br />
able replies have been received in the majority of<br />
cases from the publishers and editors concerned.<br />
From the former cases there are still a few out-<br />
standing which, no doubt, will be<br />
standing which, no doubt, will be settled in due<br />
course. Four cases have gone into the hands of<br />
the Society's solicitors to be carried through the<br />
Courts, one against a publisher for the amount due<br />
and unpaid on an account rendered ; two against a<br />
magazine proprietor for non-payment of the amount<br />
due to the author ; and one, a serious matter of<br />
infringement of copyright.<br />
At the Committee meeting held at the beginning<br />
of the year, Mr. Gilbert Parker, Mr. A. Hope<br />
Hawkins, and Mr. J. M. Lely were re-elected<br />
members of that body. It was decided to re-<br />
publish the inset in the January number as a<br />
pamphlet, and, where possible, with an authorita-<br />
tive statement from the editors of the magazines and<br />
papers concerned.<br />
A serious case of plagiarism was brought to the<br />
notice of the Committee, but it is impossible, as the<br />
question has not yet been settled, to say anything<br />
further on this matter.<br />
The steps taken with regard to the Nobel Prize<br />
are fully set out in another part of the paper.<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
Nov. 9, Dale, Miss ......<br />
Oct. 10, Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet)<br />
Oct. 15, Rossi, Miss L. ....<br />
Oct. 25, Potter, M. H. ............<br />
Oct. 30, Stanley, Mrs. ....<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
2 11<br />
5 5<br />
0 10<br />
0 12<br />
0 10<br />
0<br />
0<br />
6<br />
0<br />
0<br />
IV, 1wObi,<br />
L10.<br />
11.<br />
.<br />
..<br />
.......<br />
<br />
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## p. 110 (#506) ############################################<br />
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110<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
.<br />
ON OR<br />
· ·<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
Infelix<br />
· ·<br />
· ·<br />
NON SONO or error<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
· ·<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
At the meeting of the Committee on January 20th, Scoones, W. Baptiste .<br />
seven new members and associates were elected, Sims, George R. i . . . . 5 0 0<br />
making in all for the current year twenty-one Sprigge, S. S. .<br />
elections.<br />
Stevenson, J. J..<br />
. . .<br />
.<br />
2 2 0<br />
Mr. A. Hope Hawkins was unanimously elected Ward, Mrs. Humphry<br />
Chairman for 1902, and it was decided by the<br />
Committee to elect also annually a Vice-Chairman.<br />
Donations from Members and Others.<br />
Mr. A. W. à Beckett was appointed to the post. Bell, Mackenzie .<br />
. . 1 1 0<br />
The Committee, under the Rules of the Pension Bentwich, Herbert<br />
.<br />
..<br />
. . . 1 1 0<br />
Fund Scheme, re-elected Mr. A. W. à Beckett as Boevey, Miss Crawley. . . . ( 10 0<br />
their nominee on the Pension Fund Committee Clarke, Cecil ..<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
for the current year. The Society, at its general Cordeaux, Miss K.<br />
M. . . . ( 10 6<br />
meeting, will elect its nominee in due course. Dale, Miss Nellie<br />
. 0 10 6<br />
Notice of this will be given subsequently.<br />
Davey, Mrs. E. M.<br />
Other matters of business were conducted at E. S. B. .<br />
0 5<br />
the meeting, but owing to their confidential Henderson, Miss Florence<br />
character, there was nothing to report.<br />
. . . . . 5 0<br />
Jacobs, W. W..<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
Kelly, C. A. . . . .<br />
22<br />
.<br />
Donations from<br />
Lowndes, Mrs. Belloc.<br />
Members of the Council.<br />
Maartens, Maarten .<br />
Meredith, George, President of the<br />
McKinny, S. B. G. .<br />
1 1<br />
Society<br />
£10 0 0<br />
Moncrieff, A. R. Hope<br />
à Beckett, A. W.<br />
. 1 1 0 P. . . .<br />
Barrie, J. M. .<br />
5 5 0 Polkinghorne, Miss Ruby<br />
188 Ruby K.. ,<br />
0 5 0<br />
Bateman, Robert<br />
Spielmann, M. H.<br />
Beddard, F. E. .<br />
. . . 2 20<br />
2<br />
Stanton, Miss H. M. E.<br />
Bonney, Rev. T. G.<br />
Stretton, Miss Hesba .<br />
Caine, T. Hall, amount dependent on<br />
Toynbee, William<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
what sum required<br />
Watt, A. P. & Son ..<br />
. 26 5 0<br />
Clodd, Edward . . .<br />
. 1 1 0 Wilkins, W. H.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Colles, W. M. ,<br />
. 5 0 Wilson, Miss Aphra ..<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Collier, The Honble. John .<br />
1 1 0 Woods, Miss M. A. .<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Conway, Sir W. Martin<br />
1 1 0 Zangwill, I. . . . . . 1 1 0<br />
Craigie, Mrs. .<br />
2 2 0<br />
Dobson, Austin . .<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Doyle, A. Conan. .<br />
15 0 0<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
Dubourg, A. W..<br />
2 2 0<br />
Foster, Sir Michael, M. P.,<br />
Freshfield, D. W.<br />
D<br />
•<br />
R. CONAN DOYLE has just published his<br />
5 0 0 1<br />
Garnett, Richard .<br />
3 3 0 -<br />
important pamphlet, “ The War in South<br />
Gosse, Edmund.<br />
Africa: Its Cause and Conduct” (Smith,<br />
.<br />
Grundy, Sydney .<br />
Elder and Newnes). It is an exhaustive reply to<br />
.<br />
2 2 0<br />
Haggard, H. Rider .<br />
the charges made by foreign and English Pro-Boers<br />
3 3 0<br />
Hardy, Thomas .<br />
.<br />
against our soldiers and our statesmen in connec-<br />
2 2 0<br />
Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Ma<br />
tion with the war in South Africa. The price of<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope .<br />
. 10 0 0<br />
the pamphlet is 6d. Every public man and every<br />
Jerome K. Jerome .<br />
220)<br />
newspaper in the country will receive a copy.<br />
Keltie, J. Scott .<br />
1 1 0 Further, it is to be translated into five European<br />
Kipling, Rudyard<br />
0 0 languages, and every deputy, statesman, and news-<br />
Lely, J. M.<br />
paper editor is to have a copy. The American<br />
Loftie, Rev. W. J.<br />
1 1 0<br />
rights have been given to the M'Clure Company on<br />
Middleton-Wake, Rev. C.<br />
2 2 0 certain conditions. By wide, selected distribution<br />
Norman, Henry.<br />
1 1 0 Dr. Doyle hopes to place what he is convinced is<br />
Parker, Gilbert.<br />
3 30 the truth before every responsible person who has<br />
Pinero, A. W..<br />
5 5 0 repeated or believed these charges.<br />
Pollock, Sir F..<br />
. 1 1 0 Dr. Doyle has of late been busy with his revised<br />
Rose, Edward .<br />
. 2 20 edition of “ The Great Boer War.” He means to<br />
.<br />
· ·<br />
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## p. 111 (#507) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
111<br />
issue in the near future a complete edition of his road of Life," " Cupid's Toll-Gate," and “ In Many<br />
novels. “A Study in Scarlet” was his first book, a Land” are good examples of the writer in his<br />
then came “Micah Clarke.” His “The White lighter moments.<br />
Company" had a great success. His world-famed The Rev. Cornelius Wetherby, late rector of St.<br />
“Sherlock Holmes,” in its sixpenny form, sold to Paul's, Old Charlton, S.E., has published through<br />
the extent of 150,000 copies in a phenomenally Skeffington & Son a book called “In the Palace of<br />
short time.<br />
Wisdom”: being some modern applications of the<br />
Mr. E. W. Hornung's new story, “The Shadow Book of Proverbs. In his Preface the author says :<br />
of the Rope," is now running in Messrs. Tillotson's In the following pages I speak of Solomon as the author<br />
Syndicate of Papers, and in Munsey's Magazine of the Book of Proverbs, by which I commit myself to no<br />
more than that which is implied in the opening words of it.<br />
across the water.<br />
It is for the critic to determine the question of authorship,<br />
It will be published by Messrs. Chatto and Windus and for the theologian to examine that of inspiration : I<br />
in England, and Messrs. Scribner's Sons in New would come in as a practical person, accepting a book which<br />
York.<br />
the Church has placed in Holy Writ, and endeavouring to<br />
apply its old-world teachings to the problems of our modern<br />
Mr. Kipling's poem, “ The Islanders," which life. Many of these papers were originally sermons ; but<br />
appeared in the Times early last month, has they have been recast into a form more suitable for private<br />
aroused a wide-spread and hotly animated dis- reading, and set free from the restrictions which the pulpit<br />
lays upon illustrations, style, and language.<br />
cussion. In fact, Mr. Kipling has raised a species<br />
of tumult among athletes.<br />
Mr. Poultney Bigelow, who went to Washington<br />
for the Annual Session of the American Historical<br />
Rita's trenchant article on the “ Vulgarity of the<br />
Association, has been invited to give a series of<br />
Age” has created quite a controversy in the<br />
addresses on the German Army and its relation to<br />
columns of the Daily Chronicle. The severity of<br />
American interests before some of the most impor-<br />
her strictures was bound to awaken criticism.<br />
tant Universities. He is due in England this month.<br />
This well-known novelist will publish her new<br />
Mr. Lucien Wolf, who is intensely interested in<br />
novel early in the spring, through Messrs. Hutchin-<br />
international politics, and whose well-informed<br />
son & Co.<br />
political articles in the Fortnightly, signed “ Dip-<br />
Miss Rosa Nouchette Carey, whose last novel,<br />
lomaticus,” are widely known, is now writing a<br />
“ Herb of Grace," is doing so well, has a new novel history of the Triple Alliance. It will be a<br />
in hand. She is not at present writing any short serious study of the diplomatic history of Europe<br />
or serial stories.<br />
during the last thirty years, and will contain a<br />
Allen Raine's new novel, “A Welsh Witch,” is chapter on the question of. alliance as raised by<br />
being published by Messrs. Hutchinson & Co., that recent events.<br />
firm having bought the copyright. Allen Raine's That the author is “ Diplomaticus” should be a<br />
previous novels, “ A Welsh Singer," “ Torn Sails," guarantee that the book will be based on first-hand<br />
By Berwen Banks,” and “Garthowen,” were material. Mr. Wolf hopes to complete it about<br />
brought out by the same firm.<br />
the middle of the year. Anthony Treherne & Co.<br />
Mrs. Alexander's latest novel, “ The Yellow will publish it.<br />
Fiend” (Fisher Unwin), has gone into a second Mr. Archibald Dunn, author of “Bridge, and<br />
large edition. The first edition was exhausted How to Play It," which has already reached a<br />
immediately.<br />
seventh edition, is publishing another volume on<br />
Mr. F. B. Doveton's “Mirth and Music,” a the same subject. It is called “New Ideas on<br />
pretty volume in green (28. 6d. nett), contains Bridge.” In it the author has dealt with the many<br />
verses both musical and mirthful. Some of them points of contention at present agitating the minds<br />
should be set to music, for they are tuneful and of Bridge players. In particular, he advances a<br />
singable. There is, for instance, a charming little novel theory as to “Declarations” and “Doubling,"<br />
thing, “The Rose Bush ”; there are also “ Wasted which is not unlikely to revolutionise existing<br />
Kisses," “ Christmas Roses," “ Rest Thee, Flut methods, and to result in placing these two diffi-<br />
tering Heart," “ The Poppies in the Corn," and culties of the game on a thoroughly sound and<br />
“ My Lost Lady."<br />
solid basis.<br />
“Goldielocks" is a pretty fancy, put into verse Crampton's Magazine is now in the hands of<br />
that goes with a lilt. In “ The Approach of Anthony Treherne & Co. The editor is Mr.<br />
Spring " Mr. Doveton shows that he can write a Harold Tremayne, author of “Dross” and<br />
pretty poem informed with true feeling ; while in “Reminiscences of a Gentleman Horse-Dealer.”<br />
· The Larger Hope," and "To an Orthodox Messrs. Heywood & Company, Ltd., have in hand,<br />
Friend," the author strikes a deeper note. “A and well advanced, a most elaborate subscription<br />
Tale of Two Topers” recalls Hood. “The Rail. work, which has been limited to a comparatively<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 112 (#508) ############################################<br />
<br />
112<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
subjectis brilliantly given us<br />
small number of sets, the subscription being ten form the chief attraction of Japanese works of art. Their<br />
guineas. This work, “ The British Empire in the<br />
wrists are supple; the picture in their minds is sure; they<br />
have learnt it line for line ; it is merely the matter of a few<br />
First Year of the 20th Century : Its Capital Cities<br />
minutes for an artist to sketch in his picture."<br />
and Notable Men," is to be issued in two volumes,<br />
and will contain over 400 illustrations and por-<br />
" Jane Austen : Her Homes and Her Friends,"<br />
traits, produced by various expensive processes. by Constance Hill; illustrations by Ellen G. Hill,<br />
There will be appendices, giving in brief form a and reproductions in photogravure, etc., 21s. nett<br />
mass of statistical, historical, and biographical (John Lane), is a charming addition to Jane<br />
information.<br />
Austen literature. In his review of the volume<br />
The compilation of the work is in the hands of<br />
(Jan. Bookman) Dr. Richard Garnett says :-<br />
(Ja<br />
Mr. W. Eden Hooper, who compiled “ The Stock “What Miss Ellen Hill is in the artistic, Miss Constance<br />
Exchange in 1900," fully subscribed at ten guineas;<br />
Hill is in the literary department of the subject. She pro-<br />
also “ The Stage in 1900.” This latter work in-<br />
fessedly does nothing but glean and piece together; there<br />
is scarcely a detail in her book which is not strictly accurate<br />
cluded amongst its supporters His Majesty the<br />
and matter-of-fact; and yet the result is a more vivid por-<br />
King, who bought it for his Sandringham library. trait of Jane Austen than we have hitherto seen. Probably<br />
The present work is under the direct patronage of this is the only way in which so shy and retiring a character<br />
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, the Duke of<br />
can be exhibited. With such subjects, conscious attempts<br />
at portraiture become exaggeration ; the only way is to let<br />
Connaught, and a number of distinguished noble-<br />
them speak for themselves, and though Miss Austen has not<br />
men, ambassadors, and statesmen throughout the told us much about herself, the little she does say is deeply<br />
Empire.<br />
significant."<br />
In “ Barry Sullivan and His Contemporaries” In “Robespierre: A Study” (Nisbet, 168.),<br />
(Fisher Unwin; 2 vols., 218. nett), Mr. Robert M. M. Hilaire Belloc has quite recently given us a<br />
Sillard has just given us an exhaustive, accurate, companion volume to his brilliant “Danton."<br />
and extremely interesting account of a famous Though the latter subject, the “sea-green incor-<br />
actor-an actor whom some old play-goers hold to ruptible,” is not at all fascinating, M. Belloc's<br />
be the greatest tragic actor of the last half century. study is of vivid interest. It is a masterly bit of<br />
Helen Faucit declared he was the best actor with historical work on the personal side.<br />
whom she had ever played.<br />
Mrs. Archibald Little, author of “Intimate<br />
There are also accounts of all the celebrated China," etc., etc., has just published “In the Land<br />
actors and actresses of his day in England, America, of the Blue Gown" (21s.). It is profusely illus-<br />
and Australia. These volumes of reference will trated. Mrs. Little, who knows her central and<br />
be of lasting value to all who are interested in southern China, describes the state of affairs up to<br />
theatrical biography.<br />
the moment of the Boxer outbreak. There are<br />
Among the important illustrated books which chapters on unexplained riots in the west of China,<br />
have appeared recently, two are especially note- the results of missionary effort, and the advance<br />
worthy. One is “ The Confessions of a Carica of the anti-footbinding movement. Mrs. Little<br />
turist,” which is the autobiography of Mr. Harry carried credentials owing to which she was received<br />
Furniss (2 vols., 32s.). There are over three by various highly-placed mandarins.<br />
hundred illustrations, many having been made for Mr. John Murray is publishing a volume of<br />
these volumes. The author sketches his career traditional Irish stories, translated by Lady<br />
from his earliest days to his arrival in London at Gregory, widow of Sir William Gregory. The<br />
the age of nineteen, and from that time to his title of this collection is“ Cuchulain of Muirthemne.”<br />
appointment on the staff of Punch. This is a very<br />
Mrs. Edith Wharton's new story is called “The<br />
readable and entertaining book.<br />
Valley of Decision." This accomplished writer<br />
The second is “ Japan: A Record in Colour,"<br />
I in Colour,"<br />
he<br />
has already published “A Gift from the Grave,"<br />
by Mr. Mortimer Menpes (A. and C. Black, 208. "The Greater Inclination,” and “Crucial Instances."<br />
nett). There are a hundred illustrations, carefully<br />
Mr. Thomas Hardy's “Under the Greenwood<br />
reproduced from Mr. Menpes' pictures. The<br />
Tree" is now included in the St. Martin's Library<br />
enthusiastic author's stories, criticisms of and<br />
(Chatto and Windus). Mr. Hall Caine's “The<br />
remarks on Japanese life are piquant, and striking.<br />
Deemster”; R. L. Stevenson's “Familiar Studies<br />
Of Japanese art and artists he says :-<br />
of Men and Books"; and Charles Reade's famous<br />
"We Westerners are taught to draw direct from the<br />
historical novel, “The Cloister and the Hearth,"<br />
object or model before us on the platform, whereas the<br />
Japanese are taught to study every detail of their model, are also published in this series of pocket volumes.<br />
and to store their brains with impressions of every curve (Cloth, 2s, nett ; leather, 3s. nett.)<br />
and line, afterwards to go away and draw that object from<br />
An Exhibition of original Water Colours, and<br />
memory. ... It is this certainty of touch and their<br />
power to execute these bold, sweeping, decided lines that Black and White Drawings and Studies by Gordon<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 113 (#509) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
113<br />
Browne, R.I., is on view at Messrs. Matthews and<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
Brooke's Bijou Art Saloon, Bradford. Mr. Gordon<br />
Browne, a son of the celebrated Hablot Knight<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
Browne (“ Phiz"), is a prolific artist. He is<br />
principally known from his contributions to Punch.<br />
He has illustrated Shakespeare, Defoe, Swift,<br />
I.-Musical Performing Rights.<br />
Bunyan, Stevenson, Scott, Pemberton, Crockett,<br />
Grimm, Andersen, etc., etc. Dexterity, charm,<br />
O WING to the fact that the performing rights<br />
refinement and humour are the distinguishing<br />
U in a piece of music are, as a general rule,<br />
qualities of his art.<br />
looked upon as of less value than the per-<br />
We understand that “ The Serious Wooing," by<br />
forming rights of a drama, it has been brought about<br />
John Oliver Hobbes, is to be translated for “La<br />
that a great many musicians and even composers<br />
Revue des Deux Mondes.” Mrs. Craigie is at<br />
are ignorant that there is any property existing in<br />
musical authorship beyond the copyright-i.e., the<br />
present engaged on a serial for Harper's Magazines. .<br />
• ' right of reproducing copies of the work.<br />
Mr. H. A. Jones's well-known comedy, “ The The reason for this peculiar state of affairs is as<br />
Liars," has been added to the edition of his plays follows: A song or piece of music obtains a large<br />
published by Messrs. Macmillan.<br />
advertisement by being played by musicians and<br />
Mr. Stephen Phillips's new drama, “ Ulysses," others, in consequence of which the composer, as a<br />
will be published in book form this month by Mr. general rule, is only too glad to get his piece per-<br />
John Lane.<br />
formed in order to obtain that advertisement,<br />
Mr. Frankfort Moore has written a one-act play,<br />
thereby securing a large sale of the copies of his<br />
which will be produced at an entertainment in aid<br />
work, on which he receives his royalty, from<br />
of the new Nurses' Home, Charing Cross Hospital,<br />
which he makes his money.<br />
to be held on 10th and 11th inst. in the Ball<br />
With regard to the drama the contrary holds,<br />
Room of the Savoy Hotel. There are also to be namely, that there is practically, no money in the<br />
tableaux designed and arranged by Messrs. George pubi<br />
publication of a dramatic piece in book form, but<br />
Frampton, A.R.A., J. J. Shannon, A.R.A., and<br />
the dramatist obtains his reward by the royalties<br />
J. M. Swan, A.R.A. Miss Viola Tree is to dance.<br />
from the performing rights.<br />
A case recently heard in the Courts (Moul v.<br />
By Royal command, Mr. Martin Harvey and his<br />
Coronet Theatre, Ltd.) brings the point again<br />
company gave a performance of “A Cigarette<br />
strongly before the public, and shows that a very<br />
Maker's Romance" at Sandringham on the evening<br />
large property may be established by the reservation<br />
of Jan. 11th. The scenery was taken from Eaton<br />
of performing rights, if musical composers chose by<br />
Hall, where a performance of this play had been<br />
a strong combination and a firm front to market<br />
given earlier in the week. The play ended shortly<br />
their wares judiciously, instead of giving them<br />
after midnight, and was a distinct success. Mr.<br />
away to the public or the publisher.<br />
and Mrs. Martin Harvey (Miss de Silva) were<br />
In England as also in Germany, it is essential<br />
presented to the King and Queen, who expressed<br />
that, if the musical composer desires to retain his<br />
their pleasure at the performance.<br />
rights, he should have a notice printed on the<br />
Before taking possession of his theatre about<br />
title-page stating that the performing rights are<br />
Easter, Mr. Edward Terry will go on a short<br />
reserved. The Musical Copyright Act of 1882,<br />
provincial tour. On his return he will appear in which is commonly known as Wall's Act, com-<br />
a new play by Captain Basil Hood.<br />
pelled this course. It was passed owing to a pecu-<br />
We understand that Miss Ethel Smyth's new liar method of trickery indulged in by a Mr. Wall<br />
opera, “ Der Wald,” will shortly be produced at that was prejudicial to the public welfare.<br />
the Berlin Royal Opera. Miss Smyth's opera, In sundry cases, however, where a German pub-<br />
“ Fantasio," founded on the play by Alfred de lisher has been asked by an English musician<br />
Musset, is in the repertory of the Weimar and desirous of performing a piece in public whether<br />
Carlsruhe Opera Houses. It has been revived he knew in whom the performing rights of the<br />
frequently.<br />
piece were vested, he has replied that he did not<br />
Madam Sarah Bernhardt's revival of Sardou's know that there was such a thing as performing<br />
“ Theodora” is proving an immense success. rights as distinct from the copyright. It is not<br />
Though it is ten years since she first impersonated likely, judging from experience, that English<br />
this rôle, this marvellous actress and extraordinary musical publishers are equally ignorant, yet it is<br />
woman seems, in the part, younger than ever. The worth while to put strongly before those members<br />
seven scenes of the play form a series of the most of the profession of musical composers the fact<br />
brilliant spectacles yet seen on the French stage. that if they chose to band themselves together<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 114 (#510) ############################################<br />
<br />
114<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
they could create by their efforts, slowly yet ment, to ask for the sale of copyright and other<br />
surely, a large property for themselves and a rights, which may be most valuable, which had<br />
larger property for the younger members of the never been mentioned in the first instance,<br />
profession.<br />
If the author is not full of knowledge as to his<br />
legal position, he is led, trusting to the position of<br />
the firm, to believe that everything is in order.<br />
The attention of the Secretary of the Society<br />
II.-Notes on Agreement Clauses.<br />
has again been drawn to this point, which is really<br />
SOME years ago a curious case was published in a very serious one, and it appears extraordinary<br />
“ the Addenda to the Methods of Publishing" issued<br />
that one of the best houses in London should con-<br />
by the Society, in which an author offered a book<br />
duct their business in such a slack way as to lay<br />
to one of the best known publishing firms in<br />
themselves open to the charge of endeavouring to<br />
London, and the firm offered to publish the book<br />
get the better of an author by methods of this<br />
for him on the royalty basis. The book was an<br />
kind. The usual excuse put forward is that the<br />
exceedingly good one, and the royalty was fair as<br />
terms settled by conversation or by letter were<br />
between author and publisher. The author con-<br />
handed to a clerk in the office to embody in the<br />
sented to the terms, and asked the publisher to<br />
agreement, and that the agreement was the usual<br />
embody them in a formal agreement. A few days<br />
printed form. This does not appear to be a<br />
afterwards he received a printed form of agree-<br />
satisfactory excuse, and the representatives of the<br />
firm must be held responsible for the mistakes of<br />
ment.<br />
This agreement, in addition to other clauses,<br />
their clerks.<br />
contained the following :-<br />
Do these mistakes ever occur in favour of the<br />
author ? We have never seen that this is the<br />
“ The copyright in this work and translations thereof,<br />
case.<br />
including all copyright, foreign, and other rights under<br />
Once more the danger of authors assigning<br />
existing or future treaties or conventions with America or<br />
other foreign countries, and under the Canadian Copyright their copyright without the full knowledge of<br />
Act, 1875, and any other present or future Canadian or what that assignment conveys must be impressed<br />
Colonial Act, and all rights of translation and reproduction,<br />
upon them.<br />
and all other Imperial, Colonial, and foreign rights which<br />
This case, however, affords an additional point<br />
now, or during the continuance of the legal term of copy-<br />
right, shall be or shall become appurtenant to the pro for discussion at the present time. It will be seen<br />
prietor of the copyright of the work, shall be the property that from the latter part of the clause quoted, the<br />
of the said publishers subject to the payment to the said<br />
publisher is entitled to 50 per cent. on the sale of<br />
author of a royalty of per cent. on the retail price of<br />
the first 1,500 copies sold, and in the shilling on the re.<br />
the author's rights. These are the minor rights<br />
tail price of all copies of the English edition sold beyond which are generally dealt with by the agent on<br />
the first 1,500 copies, and one half of any profits which behalf of the author.<br />
may be realised from the rights of translation and re- Mr. Heinemann has been objecting for certain<br />
production, or any other Imperial, Colonial, or foreign<br />
rights, which now, or during the continuance of the legal<br />
reasons to the employment of the agent by the<br />
term of copyright, shall be or become appurtenant author, and has stated that he considers the<br />
to the propietor of the copyright of the work, or from the agent's charges from the author's point of view<br />
sale of early sheets or stereotype plates of the said work in are too high. He should, however, refer to his<br />
the United States or elsewhere."<br />
own agreements, and authors will see that in the<br />
· The author, on receipt of the agreement, thought, case put before them above the publisher is asking<br />
of course, that it embodied the terms which had 50 per cent.<br />
been previously offered to him, namely, the right It is not likely, therefore, that the author will<br />
of the publisher to publish subject to an agreed ask the publisher to negotiate these rights when<br />
royalty, and was about to sign it. He, however, the agent will negotiate them at the confessedly<br />
asked the advice of the Society before taking this extravagant price of 10 per cent.<br />
step, and was at once shown the important differ- Again, as has already been pointed out, it is the<br />
ence between the original offer and the agreement. agent's business to know all the ready markets<br />
The author thereupon wrote to the publisher, and for these minor and secondary rights, and this is<br />
pointed out the difference. The agreement was not the the case with the publisher.<br />
promptly altered to conform with the original One point more.<br />
statement. There is no objection whatever to the The agent knows the value of his client's<br />
publisher stating that he would offer the author work when selling these secondary rights. The<br />
the royalty subject only to the transfer of all the publisher, as a general rule, does not know, and<br />
copyright and other rights to the firm, but it is cares less.<br />
not fair business to offer to publish a book on a Cases have been brought to this office, which<br />
fixed royalty, and then when sending in the agree- have been mentioned in The Author, where a<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 115 (#511) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
115<br />
publisher has sold serial rights in a book at the paper exchanged for the right one. Then, again,<br />
ridiculously low price of £30, where an author the defendant's was a morning paper, and the sale<br />
was accustomed to obtain at least £100. The of it was practically over before the plaintiffs' was<br />
danger of conveying these rights to the publisher on sale, and therefore it could not be said to come<br />
is very great indeed.<br />
into serious competition with the plaintiffs' paper.<br />
It is bad for the author's market and it is In all the circumstances he came to the conclusion<br />
bad for the author's pocket, and reduces his that the plaintiffs had failed to make out a<br />
chance of success, as well as his rights, to a case for the intervention of the Court, and the<br />
minimum.<br />
action would therefore be dismissed with costs.--<br />
From the Daily Graphic.<br />
III.-Is a Title Copyright ?<br />
In the Chancery Division some little time back<br />
Mr. Justice Swinfen-Eady gave judgment in the<br />
IV.-Continental Piracy.<br />
case of Willox v. Pearson.—The plaintiffs asked for From time to time members of the Society have<br />
an injunction to restrain the defendant from had sound reasons for complaining of the piracy of<br />
publishing, selling, or offering for sale a news their works in foreign countries, but have taken<br />
paper called the North Express, or under any no steps to stop this piracy, chiefly because they<br />
other title in which the word “Express " was used, feel that if the matter was carried to its final issue,<br />
on the ground that it was likely to lead the public it would not be worth while to commence an<br />
to believe that it was an edition of the plaintiffs' action in a foreign country for the recovery of no<br />
newspaper, the Evening Express, both papers very large amount. It is necessary, therefore, to<br />
being published in Liverpool.-The judge said the put before the members that many pirates do not<br />
plaintiffs were the proprietors of the Evening care to have their methods exposed, and rather<br />
Express, an old-established newspaper, with which than run the risk of such exposure will pay a<br />
was associated the Liverpool Courier. Their reasonable sum if they are worried into it, although<br />
paper was known throughout Liverpool and Lan it may well be that the author would not take<br />
cashire as the Express, and it had a large circu- action in the Courts on account of the expense<br />
lation. On December 2nd the defendant, Mr. and trouble involved.<br />
Arthur Pearson, published in Liverpool a paper Members should remember these additional<br />
called the North Express. Since that time the facts, that the Society has a correspondent in<br />
plaintiffs complained that the defendant's paper America, and that it has obtained considerable<br />
had been called out in the streets of Liverpool assistance from the Société des Gens de Lettres in<br />
as the Express, and that it was so folded and Paris, and that only last year it succeeded in ob-<br />
exposed for sale on the bookstalls and counters of taining a sum for the piracy of a story in Madrid,<br />
newsagents that the title “ Express " only was ex- by first applying to the English Consul, and then,<br />
posed to view, and that consequently in some cases through the Consular lawyer, to the pirate.<br />
people who wanted to buy the plaintiffs' paper The same member of the Society for whom the<br />
found that they had got the defendant's. The fact money was recovered in Madrid, has recently re-<br />
of the plaintiffs' paper being known as the Ex- covered a sum for the piracy of a story in Ger-<br />
press did not give them any exclusive right to many. The following is a statement of the case.<br />
that title. Sir John Willox admitted that the He sold to a German publisher the right of pub-<br />
appearance of his paper and the defendant's was lication in that country. Some time afterwards<br />
entirely different, and that there had been no another German publisher who had reproduced<br />
attempt on the part of the defendant to pass. his many translations of the same author's work<br />
paper off as the plaintiffs'. The evidence of the under the usual form of contract discovered that<br />
plaintiffs came to this, that street vendors of the the story referred to was being pirated in a<br />
defendant's paper had sometimes called out Ec- bowdlerised edition. He wrote to the author to<br />
press, and that people intending to purchase the that effect. The German publisher who held the<br />
plaintiffs' paper at bookstalls and newsagents' had rights of translation granted to the author the<br />
taken up or had given to them the defendant's right to take action in the matter, waiving any<br />
paper instead. But people who purchased news claim he himself might have in the book, as he<br />
papers were supposed to be able to read, and if was equally anxious that the pirate should be<br />
they had done so they would have immediately punished.<br />
discovered their mistake, and in the instances in The author employed the publisher who first<br />
which the customers had been deceived they had, discovered the infringement to act for him, and<br />
in fact, within a few minutes discovered their mis- through his agency obtained a sum from the<br />
take, and had come back to the seller and got the pirate. These facts are very interesting and of no<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 116 (#512) ############################################<br />
<br />
116<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
little importance to members, for there is no question was going to be discussed in the Courts, the<br />
doubt that every time a member whose rights are publisher having to pay the costs of the case.<br />
infringed in foreign countries enforces those It would be presumptuous to advise a firm of<br />
rights, or exposes the action of the pirate, to that publishers on their methods of doing business,<br />
extent is the position of literary property strength- but it is surely more economical to pay the<br />
ened in the country, and it is by similar methods amounts due to authors at the proper dates<br />
that the Society gradually strengthened the position than to pay the amounts with additional sums<br />
of literary property in England, and brought to the for costs.<br />
members of the profession of letters, whether It is satisfactory to know that with the<br />
members of the Society or not, knowledge and Society's aid these matters have been settled.<br />
assistance which they had not before.<br />
THE DESIRABILITY OF A SET OF<br />
V.–Cases.<br />
STANDARD RULES FOR PRINTING.<br />
The following cutting is taken from the Daily<br />
Graphic :-<br />
M HE answers I have already received to the<br />
In the Westminster County Court the case of Churton v 1 questions contained in my article in last<br />
Calvert, Kesterton, and Co. was tried, an action by a young month's Author, p. 98, show a much more general<br />
lady living in Norwood to recover one guinea as nominal interest, than I had hoped for, in the subject of a<br />
damages for alleged infringement of copyright. The plain-<br />
tiff's case was that she wrote a tale, and gave to the Favourite<br />
standard set of rules for printing. The unanimous<br />
Magazine the right of publishing it once for the sum of desire for such a set of rules, and the many good<br />
£1, which amount she had been paid. She had since dis- wishes expressed that I may be able to formulate<br />
covered, however, that the defendants had published the one. is indeed most gratifying and will help to<br />
same tale in the Crystal Palace Magazine, and that, she con-<br />
tended, they had no right to do, as she never sold the copy.<br />
cheer me while devoting my best energies to<br />
right.--Mr. Calvert, a member of the defendants' firm, co-ordinate the very valuable suggestions which<br />
appeared, and said that his case was that the plaintiff had have been so kindly sent to me. Some of the<br />
sued the wrong people. The judge held that there was no<br />
suggestions as to details are 80 diametrically<br />
sale to the defendants of the copyright, and that the<br />
Farourite Magazine had no authority to pass the manu.<br />
opposed that I am doubtful-whatever the final<br />
script on. In these circumstances, he gave judgment for result-whether there will be any of those good<br />
the plaintiff for one guinea damages, and allowed her the wishes left for the writer, by the time the final<br />
costs of coming from Norwood.<br />
form is reached !<br />
The action will be interesting to members of As the answers are still coming in, it is of<br />
our Society, because it was undertaken by the course impossible to give at present any analysis<br />
Committee, and because the case bears on the 18th of results. May I beg those who have not yet<br />
Section of the Act.<br />
done so, to send me their opinions as soon as they<br />
The plaintiff's contention is fully set forth. conveniently can ? For as I said in my previous<br />
The defendants maintained that the copyright was article, I should like to have sent to me at<br />
theirs under the 18th Section of the Act, as there Iddesleigh, Torquay, as many answers as possible,<br />
had been no formal agreement, and secondly, that dealing with Mr. Hart's “Rules for Compositors<br />
the plaintiff was suing the wrong person.<br />
and Readers.”<br />
As will be seen, the decision of the judge held I should be glad to have also lists of words that<br />
that there was no sale to the defendants of the are spelt in more than one way, or references to<br />
copyright, and a verdict was given for the plaintiff. such lists, as there seems a general desire to have<br />
The sum recovered was not a large amount, but Mr. Hart's “Rules” considerably expanded in<br />
the principle is one of importance.<br />
this direction : for it to contain if possible the<br />
correct spelling of all such doubtful words as<br />
Hindoo, Hindu ; yelk, yolk; and so forth.<br />
A very distinguished etymologist in a long reply<br />
Two cases have been brought by an author concludes his letter by touching upon a point<br />
against the same publisher in the course of a few which would be out of place in any rules for<br />
months.<br />
compositors only, but which is remarkably in place<br />
The first was for a small sum on an account in the columns of a paper for anthors. He allows<br />
stated, and the publisher paid the amount on the me to quote the paragraph, which is as follows:-<br />
day before the suinmons was returnable.<br />
“There is one rule to observed, which you do<br />
This second matter was for an account and for not notice, though it is of supreme importance:<br />
any further sums that might be due, and again and that is, that the author shall present his copy<br />
the publisher settled the matter only when the in such a state as to be easily legible. There is a<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 117 (#513) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
117<br />
tradition among some authors, that a crabbed is the market in question a large one, but it is also<br />
writing is given to a clever compositor, and there- a remarkably wide one. It is to this circumstance<br />
fore one ought to write badly. The gross selfish- that the contributor who writes on the chance<br />
ness of this is simply shameful, and deserves entire of acceptance, instead of in response to a definite<br />
reprobation. A man who is a gentleman will commission, is indebted for the greater portion of<br />
make his copy legible for the express purpose of his income. This is because if his article be<br />
enabling the compositor to earn more wages (and declined by one paper, there are so many others to<br />
to save his eyesight]. On this account I have which he may submit it, that, sooner or later, he<br />
carefully cultivated a rather coarse kind of writing, is almost bound to find an opening for it. Editors,<br />
which I use especially for press-copy. It may not too, though possessed no doubt of “great minds,"<br />
look æsthetic, but I defy anyone to misread it. most certainly do not “think alike," and it is<br />
Of course, in letters, one is not quite so careful: one of the unattached journalist's most common<br />
but here also it is highly desirable.”<br />
experiences to find that work which is declined<br />
F. HOWARD COLLINS.<br />
with and without thanks by one periodical is<br />
Iddesleigh, Torquay.<br />
effusively welcomed by others. In evidence of<br />
this I would put forward two or three instances<br />
from among a large number of such that have<br />
occurred in my own case.<br />
THE JOURNALISTIC FREE LANCE.<br />
A little time ago when the question of military<br />
(BY ONE OF THEM.)<br />
canteens was absorbing--for reasons which need<br />
not be here referred to--a good deal of public<br />
attention, I wrote a short article on the subject.<br />
CCORDING to the general consensus of The editors of eleven papers rejected it in turn,<br />
A opinion, the way of the “free-lance” being unable apparently to discern its high literary<br />
journalist is very similar to that which we merits. On its twelfth journey through the post,<br />
are authoritatively told is reserved for trans- however, it met with better fortune, for it was then<br />
gressors. On this account innumerable warnings accepted by the Pall Mall Gazette. Among the<br />
have from time to time been delivered against periodicals declining it may be mentioned the<br />
embarking on the career, and “awful examples” Westminster Gazette, St. James's Gazette, Chambers'<br />
of individuals who have done so in defiance of Journal, Daily Mail, and Morning Post. In the<br />
such counsels are continually being dragged into same way, the Pall Mall Gazette has declined<br />
a publicity which they themselves would willingly contributions which have subsequently appeared in<br />
shun. Even such past masters of the craft as the the Westminster Gazette, and Vanity Fair has said<br />
late Mr. Grant Allen and Robert Buchanan had no an uncompromising "No" to matter that the<br />
good words to say for it, although each of them World has hospitably said “Yes” to. Similarly<br />
for many years derived from its practice incomes with regard to the magazines. Two articles of<br />
which to the majority of “free lances" must mine were successively rejected by Pearson's,<br />
seem beyond the dreams of even twentieth century Cassell's, the English Illustrated, and the Windsor.<br />
avarice. The former, for example, once placed it When I sent them to the Strand, however, they<br />
on record as his settled conviction that, so far were promptly accepted. Again, stories declined<br />
as financial results are concerned, the sweeping by the Royal have been purchased by Harmsworth's,<br />
of a crossing offers better prospects, while the and articles that the National Review has printed<br />
opinion of the latter on the same subject was have first suffered rejection at the hands of the<br />
scarcely more encouraging. It is little matter Contemporary. Why these things should be I do<br />
for wonder, then, that when the average man not profess to be able to say: there are more<br />
learns that some friend or acquaintance of his important problems in life to engage one's atten-<br />
has plunged into the maelstrom of “free-lance tion. Consequently, when some few weeks ago<br />
journalism," he straightway laments him as Black and White published an article of mine that<br />
irrevocably lost.<br />
had been declined by twenty-six other periodicals<br />
Now, with all deference to public opinion—which, in turn, I did not think it necessary to question<br />
as a free lance myself, I naturally hold in the the editor as to his reasons for accepting it.<br />
highest esteem--I cannot help thinking that in To the proprietor the most important matter<br />
this particular respect it is somewhat prone to with which to concern himself is to see that his<br />
be unduly pessimistic. The flood of periodical paper pays its way; to the free lance it is to see<br />
literature shows no sign of abating-rather the that it pays its contributors. That the two classes<br />
reverse, indeed, is the case and there is con- of individuals are not in common accord on this<br />
sequently a large market for the unattached point is—to people in my position, at any rate-<br />
journalist to carry his wares to. Then, not only distinctly regrettable. A result of this is that<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 118 (#514) ############################################<br />
<br />
118<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
instead of there being one rate of remuneration however, they hold a contrary opinion, the reverse<br />
for all work of the same description, there are a is the case.<br />
dozen or more. Again, in some editorial offices, Although the exact amount of remuneration<br />
the rule is to pay by the thousand words, in others which the chance contributor will receive for his<br />
by the line, in others by the page, and in others, work when accepted cannot be stated, it is, Dever-<br />
again, “ by arrangement.” Exactly what may be theless, quite possible to say what he may fairly<br />
meant by this last I have never been able to discover. expect in the majority of instances. The follow-<br />
The results of its operation, too, are so curiously ing, for example, are the prevailing rates in those<br />
unequal that they would seem to call for some periodicals in which my own work has appeared :-<br />
explanation. Thus, from the Strand and Harms. National Review, £1 per page; Literature, £3<br />
worth--in each of which the system is in force--I per page ; Strand Magazine, £22s. to £6 per<br />
have respectively received twelve guineas and four 1,000 words ; Pall Mall Magazine, from £3 38.<br />
guineas for articles of precisely the same length. In per 1,000 words ; English Illustrated, Harmsuorth,<br />
the case of another monthly magazine where the “by and Royal Magazine, from £2 2s. per 1,000 words;<br />
arrangement” rule also obtains I was once offered Windsor Magazine and Chambers' Journal, from<br />
in payment of the story with which I brightened £1 11s. 6d. per 1,000 words; the World, Vanity<br />
its pages, the originals of the four pictorial outrages Fair, Pall Mall, Westminster and St. James's Gazette<br />
with which it had been “illustrated.” Presumably, pay by the column, the rate varying from £2 2s. in<br />
the editor proposed to requite the artist by presents the case of the Pall Mall, to 12s. 6d. in that of the<br />
ing him with my original manuscript. In the note St. James's. With morning papers the rule seems<br />
which accompanied this novel form of remuneration, to be to pay by the column for articles of any<br />
the editor-evidently scenting a possible unwilling- length, and by the line for paragraph matter. In<br />
ness on my part to fall in with his ideas—blandly the case of the former the average scale is £2 2s.<br />
remarked that the drawings in question were worth per column; at any rate, this is what I have<br />
at least ten guineas. My reply to this was that, received for contributions to the Daily News,<br />
as I only valued my story at half this amount, I Daily Chronicle, Daily Mail, and Daily Express,<br />
could not conscientiously accept anything that was while for paragraphs one may count on draw-<br />
so much in excess of this, and concluded with an ing threepence a line from the Westminster<br />
application to be favoured with a cheque for the Gazette, and half this amount from the Chronicle<br />
smaller sum. Instead of readily acquiescing in so and News.<br />
reasonable a request, my correspondent curtly As may be imagined, the readiest market for<br />
intimated that my views were preposterous.” the free lance is undoubtedly afforded by those<br />
Of course I may have been wrong, but I remember journals which may be described as belonging to<br />
thinking that this sort of thing was scarcely the Bits class, nearly all of which pay a fixed rate<br />
calculated to foster the formation of those friendly of one guinea per column. The scale is not unduly<br />
relations which should always exist between the extravagant, but then the standard of literary<br />
members of literary circles. From a second excellence demanded by the editors of these<br />
monthly magazine the only description of payment journals does not make any great strain on the<br />
that I was ever able to extract for a contribution writer. Indeed, the practised journalist soon<br />
duly published therein took the form of twelve comes to regard these periodicals as a species of<br />
copies of the number containing my effusion. “sink” into which he can (with the certainty of<br />
Again, the editor of a third periodical for which I receiving a guinea for it) drop, whenever he feels<br />
once wrote an article paid me some very handsome inclined to do so, a column of matter which the<br />
compliments on what he was good enough to more " literary” papers would sternly refuse to see<br />
characterise as its “delightful style.” When, any merit in. It takes some little time, however,<br />
however, I suggested-after a considerable interval to acquire the knack of writing for Queer Bits and<br />
--that a cheque would be more easily negotiable, papers of similar genre, and one's early experiments<br />
he seemed to take it as a personal reflection upon in this direction are almost certain to meet with<br />
himself. He even went, indeed, the length of failure. Strange though it may seem to say so,<br />
remarking that he was “hurt” at my “impor- there is, nevertheless, a distinct art in writing, in<br />
tunity.” That I also might be “hurt" by his a manner that shall suit the limited intelligences<br />
declining to requite my efforts in cash did not of their readers, attractive articles on "How the<br />
seem to enter into his calculations. As the free- King has his Hair Cut” or “ Busmen's Big Break-<br />
lance journalist does not, as a rule, embark on his fasts,” etc. It is an art, too, that the free lance<br />
career as such merely for the benefit of his health, should strenuously strive after, for its acquisition<br />
this question of payment for his work is an means a weekly income which, though small, is<br />
extremely important one. When editors are in none the less welcome.<br />
harmony with this view, all goes well ; when,<br />
(To be continued.)<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 119 (#515) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
119<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.<br />
He has been touched—'tis my impression<br />
This painter of the urban Past<br />
By pangs too tender for confession<br />
M HE January dinners of the Authors' Club<br />
After the Country, free and vast.<br />
have been exceedingly successful.<br />
These Piccadilly flowers we cherish<br />
On January 13th, under the chairmanship of In high Parnassian glens have grown ;<br />
Mr. M. H. Spielmann, Mr. F. C. Gould, the cele This fountain in St. Martin's Parish<br />
brated caricaturist and assistant editor of the Runs here from woody Helicon.<br />
Westminster Gazette, was the guest of the evening.<br />
And we remember great Apollo<br />
Mr. Spielmann, in proposing his health, drew a<br />
Once took a hireling's wage and task,<br />
pleasing picture of his art, stating that his ridicule<br />
To teach us bards a trade should follow,<br />
was kindly, and his satire without malice. He<br />
And lyric Hermes wear a mask.<br />
also put before those present Mr. Gould's great<br />
versatility and imaginative power. Taking his<br />
St. Paul himself—for all his frenzies-<br />
caricatures of Mr. Chamberlain for example, he Made goat-skin Tents to admiration :<br />
pointed out that Mr. Gould bad represented him Spinoza's Spectacles and Lenses<br />
in over one hundred different forms.<br />
Earned him the right to speculation ;<br />
Mr. Gould made a pleasant speech in reply, and<br />
And so some need or necromancy,<br />
pointed out the difference between the political<br />
Some Destiny (I do protest),<br />
cartoonist of the present day in England and other<br />
Veils, to our gross and purblind fancy,<br />
countries.<br />
On January 20th Mr. Austin Dobson was the<br />
The rank and lustre of our Guest :<br />
guest of the evening, and Mr. Herbert Trench the Pan from his mighty forest roof-<br />
chairman. The chairman dealt exhaustively with Pan to our humble Board has strayed !<br />
Mr. Austin Dobson's work, and pointed out the We heard him piping far aloof,<br />
excellence in finish in the art of which the club's But here he comes in masquerade !<br />
guest was such a prominent master. He finally<br />
And though, no doubt, his godship’s proof<br />
read a poem which he stated he had received from<br />
Under this board might be displayed,<br />
the secretary of the club, the title of which was<br />
We cannot see the cloven hoof<br />
“ To Austin Dobson, Esq., begging that he would<br />
That represents the Board of Trade !<br />
write a play.” We have pleasure in printing the<br />
poem below. The authorship of the poem has<br />
For Pan, when he'd a mind to spark it,<br />
not been declared. The secretary's lack of imagina-<br />
Would hie from Alps and pastures down<br />
tive power being so well known, he was reluctantly And fiddle in Verona market<br />
forced to disclaim authorship.<br />
Or lead a hornpipe through the town.<br />
Mr. Austin Dobson made a neat little speech* in<br />
And so our Bard, who will not jeopard<br />
reply, and a very pleasant evening was completed<br />
The name that to a god belongs,<br />
by his reciting a ballad of his own.<br />
Assumes the ribboned Watteau shepherd<br />
TO AUSTIN DOBSON, ESQUIRE, BEGGING THAT<br />
And fobs us off with dainty songs.<br />
HE WOULD WRITE A PLAY.<br />
Ah, if he chose to drop this magic-<br />
Show himself PLAYWRIGHT ! Sweep the stage<br />
A fool might think (and what is worse is<br />
With comedies and humours tragic,<br />
Some of the stupid wise have said it)<br />
How rich were we, and rich this Age!<br />
That Austin Dobson's perfect verses<br />
Achieve no more than courtly credit ;<br />
The Pen that gave us Porcelain Scenes and<br />
Ballades on satin, now, at leisure,<br />
As though the delicate enslavement<br />
Could give us pathos like Racine's, and<br />
Wherewith he keeps the Town in thrall<br />
Satire like Plautus’ at its pleasure.<br />
Ended with suburbs and the pavement<br />
Retired at last to sylvan Arbours,<br />
About St. James' and Whitehall.<br />
Change, Sir, the lute for louder Chords ; ,<br />
Exchange your Board of Docks and Harbours<br />
But one, at least, who closelier reads him,<br />
Sees through the sober cit's disguise<br />
For triumpbs on still greater Boards :<br />
The passion of the heart that leads him,<br />
Sir, write us Plays ! Take sock and buskin !-<br />
The living Pan that in bim lies.<br />
Steele comes to life-Rise, Goldsmith's heir !<br />
Cyrano's windbag stick your tusk in,<br />
* Note, see page 122.<br />
And be our Congreve-our Molière !<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 120 (#516) ############################################<br />
<br />
120<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
SERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“Cost of Production."<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book,<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means. Waaa<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(5.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of onc-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed.<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTIJORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
1. D VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
D advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 121 (#517) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
121<br />
' Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer,<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
an readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter.<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed<br />
or initialled the Authors alone are responsible.<br />
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken<br />
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless<br />
such is especially stated to be the case.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTEKS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements.<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution.<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
This<br />
The<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
CEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
leaders are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
TE must tender our apologies to the members<br />
of the Authors' Society for the late appear-<br />
ance of the January number of The Author.<br />
The Christmas holidays were, to a small extent,<br />
responsible for this, but the reason of the serious<br />
delay was owing to the fact that the final proofs<br />
were lost in the post on their way from our printers'<br />
London office to their printing works in the<br />
country. It became necessary, therefore, to correct<br />
a second set. Should any palpable errors or<br />
mistakes occur in the articles, we trust that the<br />
members will treat the matter with kind forbear-<br />
ance, as in some cases it was impossible to correct<br />
the final proofs from the original corrections sent<br />
in by the correspondents.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 62. subscription for the year.<br />
The way of the author is hard. The follow-<br />
ing conversation between a noted patron of all the<br />
arts and master of none, and a celebrated author<br />
largely read by subscribers to Mudie's, bears witness<br />
to this fact. “It is true," said the person of high<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 122 (#518) ############################################<br />
<br />
122<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
ideals, “ that you have attained prosperity by your There may be many explanations of this curious<br />
writings, but you have produced nothing that will coincidence, seeing how translations of foreign<br />
live.” “Well," answered the comfortable litterateur, books sell in England ; but one point strikes us at<br />
"when it came to a question of which should live, once as probable, namely, the fact that so many<br />
myself or my writings, I didn't hesitate to sacrifice Germans can read English and speak English<br />
my writings.”—The Week Enit.<br />
fluently, that they prefer reading their English<br />
novels in the original Tauchnitz edition, rather<br />
than in any other form, however good, whereas<br />
There seems to be a very nice dispute arising<br />
the average Englishman, nothing versed in foreign<br />
between Monsieur Jean Richepin, the French<br />
author, and Mr. David Belasco, the American play-<br />
tongues, prefers to read a translation.<br />
wright.<br />
In a few words the position of the case is as<br />
follows, as far as can be gathered from the state Mr. Austin Dobson's remarks with regard to the<br />
ments of either party which have appeared in the Academy in his speech at the Authors' Club have<br />
papers.<br />
been wholly misreported. What he, in fact, said<br />
Monsieur Richepin says that he was engaged to was : “ We have managed to build up a not<br />
write a play, and was to receive certain sums in unimportant Literature in the past without the<br />
payment; that he wrote the play, which Mr. Belasco assistance of an Academy of Literature, and I<br />
stated was unsuitable ; but the amount was paid think we can do without it in the future. I am<br />
according to the contract. Subsequently Mr. by no means satisfied that in the best Academy the<br />
Belasco produced a play on the same subject which most deserving authors would be members, and<br />
is practically Monsieur Richepin's play.<br />
I fear that it might become a field for wirepulling<br />
Mr. Belasco states that the Frenchman was and intrigue."<br />
asked to write a play from ideas of his own (Mr.<br />
Belasco's), but when he had written the play it<br />
was unsatisfactory, although the money was paid<br />
LIFE: AN ANSWER.<br />
under the contract. Mr. Belasco then proceeded<br />
to write a play on his own ideas.<br />
“A LITTLE PAUSE."<br />
Monsieur Richepin says he will bring an action. But must I pause ?—in this dim plain ?<br />
From this very scanty evidence it is bardly Where clouds return after the rain :<br />
possible to draw any conclusion, even if it were And blinding mists numb heart and brain.<br />
right so to do when an action is pending. We A pause for thought ? But thought is pain.<br />
trust, however, that the dispute will come before A pause for prayer? My prayers are vain.<br />
the Courts, as matters of this kind are of extreme I take my pilgrim's staff again.<br />
importance.<br />
M.<br />
It constantly occurs that complaints come to the<br />
offices of the Society on similar lines, but as<br />
The above has been forwarded by a well-known<br />
sufficient evidence has been lacking to warrant writer, a member of our Society. A thought<br />
taking the matter into Court, nothing has hitherto suggested by the few lines printed in last month's<br />
been done. We can but refer dramatic writers to Author.<br />
the warnings which are constantly printed in The<br />
Author.<br />
A new method of publishing, entitled “ The Unit<br />
Warning 9 runs as follows :<br />
Library," is going to be tried in the London<br />
“ Agreements for collaboration should be care market Books are to be vublished, so we gather<br />
fully drawn and executed before collaboration has<br />
from a pamphlet before us, in the ollowing<br />
commenced.”<br />
manner :-<br />
If the agreement had been sufficiently carefully Every sheet of twenty-five pages is to cost id.<br />
drafted, it would have been impossible for either There will be an extra cost for a paper cover of id.,<br />
party to have made use of the other's ideas on the or of cloth binding 5d., or leather binding 10d.<br />
lines put forward.<br />
Thus, if the book consists of 250 pages, it can be<br />
purchased by the public in paper binding for 6d.,<br />
A very interesting article has appeared in 5d. for the printed matter and id. for the cover. The<br />
Literature from the pen of Herr Lutz, the Stuttgart size of this new publication will be 41 inches by<br />
publisher, with regard to the circulation of 65 inches. It is stated that this size is convenient<br />
translations of English works in Germany, and it to handle, easy to carry about, and not unworthy<br />
will be seen that in none of the cases put forward of a place on the library shelf.<br />
has the circulation reached a thousand copies. Every new departure in the publishing world<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 123 (#519) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
123<br />
must necessarily excite the curiosity of authors.' and one which we hope to deal with at some future<br />
In some ways, however, this form of publication date in The Author. The second point is, if<br />
will not affect the modern author, as it appears an academy is advantageous, is it possible to divide<br />
that only the classics are going to be brought out literature into the literature of science and the<br />
under this system. This limitation is, no doubt, literature of imagination, thus necessitating two<br />
wise. To publish the works of modern authors on academies instead of one ?<br />
the unit system would be impossible, certainly at The academy whose proposed charter is at<br />
such a low price as fd. for twenty-five pages. present lying before the King deals with the<br />
From the artistic point of view also, it is literature of science, and certainly from the names<br />
objectionable to buy the outcome of the artistic supporting the petition, it would appear to be the<br />
brain at so much per piece. Books from new strongly held opinion that such an academy would<br />
authors cannot be valued in this method any be a benefit to the scientific side of the literary<br />
more than a picture can be bought by the square profession, which is composed of a much larger<br />
inch. If you are dealing with the classics, you number of workers than that which deals with<br />
are practically dealing with equality in value ; but imaginative writing.<br />
in the case of modern publications this would not It will be a matter of some import to follow<br />
be the case.<br />
what opposition there is to the charter, and on<br />
We await with interest the result of the what arguments such opposition is based, so that<br />
experiment.<br />
should there at any time be reason for a similar<br />
movement towards an academy of imaginative<br />
literature, it may be possible to deal with the<br />
We see by an extract from the Dundee Courier difficulties of the subject by experience. The<br />
that the Aberfeldy Literary Society has waxed arguments for and against are no doubt numerous.<br />
strong in debate over the following subject : There are a great many people who will tell you<br />
“Which is the greater : the Author or the<br />
that the Royal Academy has not been a benefit<br />
to the artistic profession, and that it does not<br />
Inventor" ?<br />
represent the true artistic spirit in England. No<br />
After an interesting discussion, the inventor<br />
doubt there are many who will argue the opposite.<br />
carried the day by 15 to 14. This is indeed a<br />
The same question has been discussed with regard<br />
blow for authors, and we fear that the country<br />
to the French Academy.<br />
which has produced Scott and Burns shows a sad<br />
Here also we shall await the result with<br />
falling off. The discussion of the Aberfeldy<br />
considerable attention.<br />
Literary Society will no doubt have a bad effect on<br />
the Scottish book trade in the coming year.<br />
Peebles will perhaps follow suit, and carry We see that the American Authors' Society have<br />
a similar motion by a larger majority. If this changed the name of their periodical to the<br />
event should take place the pens of Barrie, American Author. Imitation is always the<br />
Crockett, Ian Maclaren, Neil Munro and others sincerest form of flattery.<br />
will hardly suffice to stem the tide of popular In the first issue of this magazine under its new<br />
feeling, and the desertion of towns like Glasgow, title there is an article giving out the aims of the<br />
or even Edinburgh, may be the result. The Scots Society. These aims appear to be, with one very<br />
must look to their laurels. The odour of the important exception, the aims of our own Society,<br />
inventor's financial success may taint the pure the exception being that no legal work is undertaken<br />
intellectual atmosphere of the country.<br />
at the expense of the American Authors' Society.<br />
As all our members know, a legal opinion from<br />
the Society's solicitors can always be had gratis,<br />
and further, that all expenses for accountant's<br />
We have read the article that appeared in the charges, counsel's fees, and actions carried through<br />
Times with regard to the movement for the the Courts are very often entirely defrayed out of<br />
formation of a British Academy. Any subject our funds; but the sanction of the Committee<br />
dealing with literature naturally calls for the has to be obtained in the first instance for such<br />
fullest consideration from all members of the expenditure.<br />
Authors' Society, and of necessity, one that deals The American Society is very clear on the<br />
with such important branches of literature as question of publishers' accounts, endeavouring to<br />
history, philosophy, and philology.<br />
arrange with publishers to insert in their contracts<br />
One great subject for consideration is how far with authors the following points :<br />
an academy is an advantage in assisting the art to “(a) Semi-annual accounting and settling for<br />
which it belongs. This is an abstract question,<br />
books sold.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 124 (#520) ############################################<br />
<br />
124<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
on 200<br />
(6) The opening of the publishers account publisher, and the publisher considers it quite as<br />
books for examination by authors or their saleable as any of the author's previous works, I<br />
counsel.<br />
do not think he would print a smaller number of<br />
Keeping of the record of sales, so that there copies than had been sold of the writer's latest<br />
will easily appear : (1) the amount of book ; but taking the figures as they stand, it can<br />
paper used in printing of books ; (2) the beshown that even if the whole of an edition does not<br />
number of books printed ; (3) the number sell there is still a profit, and a not unreasonable one.<br />
of books bound ; (4) the number of books For instance, if a commission publisher with a<br />
given away for introductory purposes, and knowledge of the author's circulation, as suggested,<br />
to whom, and the number given away to prints an edition of 2,000, he would be naturally<br />
the press for notices, and to which papers ; disappointed if only 1,200 sold. Yet the figures<br />
(5) the number on hand.”<br />
would turn out as follows:<br />
We fear that, however good the intention of the<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
American Society may be, it will be impossible for 1,200 copies at 38. 4d.<br />
200 0 0<br />
it to make equitable arrangements on these points,<br />
Less :<br />
Cost of production and advertising £ s. d.<br />
unless the Society can show publishers, by the as quoted in former article ...... 135 1 8<br />
effect of one or two successful actions, that these Publisher's.commission 15 per cent.<br />
points are essential to any fair contract. So long<br />
............ 30 0 0<br />
- 165 1 8<br />
as it does not support by action those cases in<br />
A royalty of between 9 and 10 per<br />
which the publishers act contrary to its advice to c ent. on 1,200 copies..........<br />
£34 18 4<br />
the author, so long, we fear, it will be an inefficient<br />
Again, the publisher produces an edition of 3,000,<br />
protector of the profession.<br />
and sells only two-thirds.<br />
It has not even published, so far, an American The figures work out as follows:<br />
“Cost of Production." A book essential to every<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
author, not only if he is dealing on the antiquated 2,000 copies at 3s. 4d.<br />
333 6 8<br />
half profit basis, but also if he desires to calculate Less :<br />
a fair division of profits in the form of royalties.<br />
Cost of production and advertis. £ . d.<br />
ing as quoted in former article 177 2 6<br />
Publisher's commission 15 per<br />
cent, on £333 6s. 8d.............. 50 0 0<br />
227 26<br />
THE ADVANTAGES OF COMMISSION<br />
A royalty of between 17 and 18<br />
PUBLISHING<br />
per cent. on 2,000 copies ......<br />
£106 4 2<br />
And finally, 5,000 copies are produced, and<br />
M R. MACLEHOSE has not apparently<br />
3,300 only are sold.<br />
grasped the main points in the article 3,300 copies at 38. 4d. ............<br />
550 0 0<br />
on « Commission Publishing” which ap- Less:<br />
peared in the December number of The Author. Cost of production and adver-<br />
it is sy enough to produce instances in which tising as quoted in former £ $. d.<br />
article ....................<br />
........... 256 1 8<br />
this form of publishing will not pay, (1) by over- Publisher's commission lo per<br />
estimating the length of the novel, or (2) by cent. on £515 ........<br />
77 00<br />
underestimating its circulation. It would not be<br />
333 1 8<br />
worth the while of a publisher who is prepared to A royalty of over 20 per cent. on<br />
issue a povel on a fifteen per cent. commission, and<br />
3,300 copies.<br />
Say £217 0 0<br />
run the risk of any loss entailed through sales These royalties are better as a whole than most<br />
failing to cover the cost of production and adver- authors are in the habit of receiving. So that if<br />
tising, to “ take up” a novel by an author whose the publisher's judgment fails, and the author is<br />
average circulation is under 2,000 copies ; and it unfortunate, the profit is still considerable, and<br />
was on this understanding, and this alone, that the the advantage with the author..<br />
figures were given. It would be necessary for the Mr. MacLehose seems to believe that the length<br />
author to show the past statements of his sales of the average six-shilling novel exceeds 96,000<br />
received from his former publishers, and the com- words, and says that he took up at random ten<br />
mission publisher would naturally be guided by popular novels, and that they each contained about<br />
this information in giving the printing order, and 150,000 words. Mr. MacLehose must have picked<br />
not by the length of the manuscript, as Mr. MacLe- up “at random" novels like “ The Eternal City,"<br />
hose appears to think.<br />
“The Master Christian,” and “Sir Richard Cal-<br />
We all know that authors frequently drop in mady,” all of which are particularly long. In the<br />
their circulation ; but if a writer, whose average course of business I read a very large number<br />
sale is, say, 5,000 copies, sells a new novel to a of manuscripts and novels, and long experience<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 125 (#521) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
125<br />
teaches me that a novel 150,000 words in length is the opportunity or unwilling to respond in a suitable spirit<br />
quite the exception, but a novel of 96,000 words is to the invitation offered by the Swedish Academy. Such a<br />
response is highly desirable, both as a recognition of the<br />
a fair average.<br />
courtesy displayed by the communications made to Mr.<br />
Mr. MacLehose says that I have forgotten “that Gosse, and as an assertion of the position of British<br />
an author always makes corrections in his proofs.” literature.<br />
This is a fact which no one connected with the<br />
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,<br />
publishing business is likely to forget, and in my<br />
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS,<br />
estimate allowance was made for this item in the<br />
Chairman of Committee, Society of Authors,<br />
cost of composition.<br />
39, Old Queen Street, S.W., Jan. 6.<br />
THE MAN WHO SUPPLIED THE FIGURES.<br />
The committee thus suggested immediately came<br />
into existence, and held its first meeting at 39,<br />
Old Queen Street, on Tuesday, the 14th inst. Dr.<br />
THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE.' Garnett was in the chair, and both Mr. Gosse and<br />
Mr. Austin Dobson spoke. Lord Avebury was<br />
appointed perpetual chairman to the committee,<br />
N the 3rd of January Mr. Edmund Gosse Mr. G. Herbert Thring was made secretary, and<br />
wrote to the Times on the subject of the the names of Mr. Arthur Christopher Benson, Mrs.<br />
prize of about £8,250 awarded each year John Richard Green, Mr. R. B. Haldane, M.P.,<br />
for the most eminent work in pure literature by K.C., and Sir Robert Giffen, K.C.B., F.R.S.,<br />
the Nobel Committee of the Swedish Academy. were added. The committee, after discussion,<br />
Mr. Gosse had been communicated with by two determined to recommend a certain person of<br />
prominent Swedish academicians as to the reasons the highest eminence to all those persons in<br />
of the total abstention of England from all com- Great Britain who appear, under the Nobel Will,<br />
petition for this prize, which in 1901 was awarded to be qualified to vote for the prize of £8,250<br />
to the French poet, M. Sully Prudhomme. A which will, in November, 1902, be awarded by the<br />
correspondence on this subject was opened up in Swedish Academy. As all votes must be received<br />
the Times, in which Lord Avebury, Professor in Stockholm by the 1st of February, time was very<br />
Sylvanus Thomson, Mr. A.C. Benson, of Eton, and short. The committee, however, acting with great<br />
others took part, and it was also ventilated in the promptitude, drew up a circular which was sent to<br />
Daily Chronicle. There was great confusion in the each member of the Council of the Society of<br />
public mind as to the regulations of the Nobel Authors, and also to each professor of English<br />
Prize, which are highly complicated, and, aided by literature in the universities and principal<br />
the Swedish academicians, Mr. Gosse gave fresh colleges of Great Britaip. To these circulars a<br />
information in successive letters to the Times. very general reply was received, and the voting<br />
On the 8th of January the following letter papers were forwarded to Stockholm by Mr, Thring<br />
appeared in the Times :-<br />
well withiu the necessary margin of time.<br />
“Sir,- The committee of the Incorporate Society of These circumstances, and the correspondence in<br />
Authors have been in communication, through me, with the Times, have awakened an immense amount of<br />
Mr. Edmund Gosse, on the subject of his letter which attention in the Swedish capital. The Swedish<br />
appeared in your columns on the 3rd. As Mr. Gosse indi-<br />
Academy, which has to run the gauntlet of a great<br />
cates, the time available for organizing any expression of<br />
opinion is now very short, but it has seemed to the com-<br />
deal of local criticism, made Mr. Gosse's letters<br />
mittee to be a case in which they might and ought to take the subject of an official communication to the<br />
action as the representatives of a very large and already Stockholm newspapers, and it is quite certain that<br />
organized body of British authors. Accordingly at their<br />
there is no chance of a repetition of the total neglect<br />
meeting to-day they decided to appoint a committee of their<br />
members for the purpose of considering (and if thought<br />
of English opinion which was so uufortunately<br />
proper) of submitting and supporting names of British men manifested in 1901.<br />
of letters with claims on the attention of the Nobel Com-<br />
mittee of the Swedish Academy. Invitations to serve on<br />
this committee are being sent to the following gentlemen :-<br />
THE IRISH LITERARY REVIVAL,<br />
Lord Avebury, Mr. James Bryce, M.P., Mr. Lecky, M.P.,<br />
Dr. Garnett, C.B., Mr. Thomas Hardy, Mr. Austin Dobson,<br />
BY JOHN TODHUNTER.<br />
and Mr. Edmund Gosse—and it is hoped that they will be<br />
able to give their services. They are empowered to add to<br />
their number any persons qualified and willing to give their<br />
“MT HE West's awake, the West's awake!”<br />
assistance, whether members of the society or not.<br />
In the future, and as the existence and conditions of the<br />
This line of the “Young Ireland” poet<br />
Nobel Prizes become fully known, it may be expected that<br />
of '48, Thomas Davis, was prophetic of<br />
other bodies in this country will address themselves to<br />
the more complete awakening of the national<br />
similar action ; but for the purposes of the immediately<br />
spirit in Ireland which has followed upon the<br />
ensuing awards the appointment of this committee will at<br />
least serve to show that our writers are not unmindful of “Home Rule” agitation of more recent times.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 126 (#522) ############################################<br />
<br />
126<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
To understand the true scope and meaning of the bribery and corruption, was the consummation<br />
Literary Revival--but one aspect of that greater of the policy which ignored the unconquerable<br />
movement which seems to be the beginning of a strength of the Irish national spirit, and attempted<br />
true Irish Renaissance—it is necessary to take a the exploitation of the country for the advantage<br />
bird's-eye view of Irish history. What is that of “ English interests.” The nett result has been<br />
“Great Enchantment,” to adopt the picturesque dismal failure. The chronic, and in the main<br />
phrase of Mr. Standish O'Grady, which has held successful, agitation following on the Union, and<br />
Ireland spell-bound for a thousand years, and the extension of the franchise in both countries, has,<br />
from which she is perhaps now at last awaking ? however, done much to open the eyes of all sensible<br />
Ireland is the land of an arrested civilisation. Englishmen, and to convince them that “ force is<br />
In the early centuries of Western Christianity she no remedy" for the “disaffection" of the Irish.<br />
was in the van of progress; the great missionary What seems to me to be a most healthy and<br />
nation, the evangelist and teacher of Europe. hopeful aspect of the present literary revival, of<br />
The Irish Christian civilisation, developed out of which the germs are to be found in the similar<br />
a much earlier pagan one, was destroyed in its one which accompanied the agitation of '48, is<br />
adolescence, with its learning, literature, and art. that love of Ireland is now not so constantly<br />
A nationality, however strong—and Irish nation- expressed merely in terms of hatred of England.<br />
ality was strong enough to absorb and assimilate In much of the work now being done England<br />
her invaders when they obtained a footing on her has retreated into the background of the national<br />
shores-must remain in a semi-organised con- consciousness. We are beginning to delight in<br />
dition until it achieves a stable political system. our own country, to think our own thoughts, and<br />
This the Irish people never quite succeeded in dream our own dreams, without reference to<br />
achieving. It remained in a ganglionic condition, England at all. Ireland is happier in her mind<br />
without a governing brain. The Scotch, with a now that the political nightmare has crossed the<br />
long line of hereditary kings, were enabled to Channel, to brood over the towers of Westminster.<br />
preserve their independence until the crowns of First.—There is the enthusiastic revival of the<br />
England and Scotland were peacefully united Irish language under the auspices of the “ Gaelic<br />
under a Scottish prince. The High King of all League" and the “Literary Societies.” It had<br />
Ireland was never practically the sovereign lord almost died out, but is now rejuvenescent, and has<br />
of all the tributary kinglets who nominally owed apparently come to stay.<br />
him allegiance, for a sufficiently long period to Secondly.—The “ Irish Texts Society," under<br />
establish his power as a hereditary monarch ; and the presidentship of Dr. Douglas Hyde, is doing<br />
when Brian Boru and his sons fell at Clontarf in good work in the editing of texts with translations,<br />
1014, founding no dynasty, the last chance of and in the preparation of a much-needed “ Handy<br />
political organisation was lost. In the century Irish Dictionary.”<br />
and a half between this event and the Norman Thirdly. — The study of Irish History goes<br />
invasion, Ireland, without a settled government, briskly forward. Classes for this have been formed<br />
had receded rather than advanced in civilisation ; in connection with the Irish Literary Society" ;<br />
with the Danes, defeated by Brian, established and a standard History of Ireland based on con-<br />
under their own leaders in the maritime cities temporary documents, each period to be under-<br />
around her coasts.<br />
taken by a writer making it his special study, is<br />
The English conquest begun under Henry II., projected ; though as yet not much has been done, as<br />
and still abortive, has kept the country in chronic such an important piece of work will involve much<br />
discontent, and England in political insecurity. time and labour.<br />
Ireland has been the most dangerous “possession" Fourthly.-National music, dancing, and games<br />
of the British crown ; always in sullen endurance are being cultivated by the “ Gaelic League" all<br />
of English misrule, with frequent paroxysms of over Ireland and in London. The “ Feis Ceoill,"<br />
agitation, conspiracy, and insurrection. Her a musical festival held annually in Dublin and<br />
development along national lines was checked, Belfast alternately, is also doing good work in<br />
while no real assimilation between the two antago- attempting to encourage musical composition, and<br />
nistic nationalities resulted. The old learning, the to raise the standard of vocal and instrumental<br />
old literature, the old art were strangled ; only performances in Ireland.<br />
poetry and music lingering on, like flowers run Fifthly.—Some steps are being taken to improve<br />
wild, after the garden in which they flourished the condition of the schools of art and public<br />
was laid waste-stray survivals of her arrested libraries in Ireland.<br />
civilisation.<br />
Sixthly.—There is a very promising effort, in the<br />
There is the history of Ireland in a nutshell. “Irish Literary Theatre," to create a national<br />
The “Union," procured by the most shameful Irish drama and school of acting.<br />
<br />
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## p. 127 (#523) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
127<br />
This is not an exhaustive list ; but may serve It has idioms and constructions that seem to have<br />
to indicate the importance of the tributary forces been blown into the hearts of poets by the wind of<br />
which have, within the last ten years or so, given a mysterious inspiration, sowing seeds of sorrow<br />
vigour and volume to the great national revival, and passion and humour. It is still the language<br />
and which tend to make it permanent and pro- of lyrical poetry undivorced from music, and only<br />
gressive.<br />
waits for the art of the poet to mould it into new<br />
Of all these forms of activity the most astonish- and beautiful shapes.<br />
ing and significant is the revival of the national The heart of Thomas Davis would rejoice if he<br />
language, since Elizabeth's time under the ban of had lived, like his friend Sir Charles Gavan Duffy,<br />
penal laws, and in the nineteenth century fast to see the national movement of the present day,<br />
becoming extinct. A national language is the in which Sir Charles himself has played his part.<br />
voice of a nation's life, and it is a true instinct He was one of the founders of the “ Irish Literary<br />
which has led Irish Nationalists to make this last Society," and its first President; and he also pro-<br />
struggle to revive the old Irish tongue as the jeoted and edited the “ New Irish Library" of<br />
vehicle of modern Irish thought and feeling. twelve small volumes by various authors, dealing<br />
“ The language,” says Thomas Davis, “that grows with Irish history, biography, literature, and music;<br />
with a people, is conformed to their organs— the first of these being a reprint of Davis's<br />
mingled inseparably with their history, is fitted “Patriot Parliament,” with an introduction by<br />
beyond any other to express their most profound Sir Charles Duffy himself.<br />
thoughts in the most natural way. To impose Space does not permit me to say much about the<br />
another language on a people is to send their work of the “ Irish Literary Society," which, with<br />
history adrift among the accidents of translation, its monthly lectures, its original nights,” its con-<br />
to tear their identity from all places, to separate certs, its conversaziones, and its classes for the<br />
them from their forefathers by a deep gulf. ... study of history and language, has done much to<br />
To lose your native tongue and learn that of the unite Irish men and women of all classes and shades<br />
alien is the worst badge of conquest—it is the of opinion resident in England, for the pursuit of<br />
chain of the soul.”<br />
a common object.<br />
“In 1872 the language seemed dead," says So far I have dealt only with the broad lines of<br />
Mr. Fahy, in a lecture lately delivered at a meeting the Literary Revival; I must now say something<br />
of the “ Irish Literary Society"; and he goes on about some of the work done by the writers it has<br />
to tell how the present revival came about. In produced. I am sorry I am not able to criticise<br />
July, 1893, the “Gaelic League" was formed, its anything written in the Irish tongue, but must<br />
object being : “ The preservation of Irish as the confine myself to the work done in English, which<br />
national language of Ireland, and its extension Dr. Hyde regards as a prosaic and decadent lan-<br />
as a spoken tongue; the publication of existing guage ; yet there is now a vigorous and interesting<br />
Gaelic literature, and the cultivation of a modern literature in English, in both prose and verse, Irish<br />
literature in Irish.” There are now over two in sentiment, and dealing with Irish subjects.<br />
hundred branches of the league, and the effects of The political poems connected with the Parnell<br />
their work are already evident. “Names of streets movement are legion ; but most of them are news-<br />
and railway stations appear in Irish. Irish paper verses, often spirited and good of their kind,<br />
advertisements, leaders, and stories appear in but of ephemeral interest. Mr. T. D. Sullivan,<br />
papers. Concerts altogether of Irish songs are whose “God save Ireland” has become a sort of<br />
held. Sermons are given and public prayers are Irish national anthem, has written several smart<br />
offered in Irish. Irish speeches are given on skits, terse and to the point, in a light satiric vein<br />
platforms, and one was attempted recently in of his own, his verses being always neatly turned.<br />
Parliament.” I may add that plays have also But the tragic muse of the movement was Fanny<br />
been written and performed in Irish. At the Parnell, a sister of Charles. From a poem of hers<br />
“Irish Literary Theatre,” this year, a play in Irish, entitled “Post Mortem,” I quote a few stanzas, to<br />
“The Twisting of the Rope," founded on a short which her early death in 1882 gives a pathetic<br />
story by Mr. W. B. Yeats, and written by Dr. interest :-<br />
de, was most successfully performed; "Shall mine eyes behold thy glory, () my country?<br />
Dr. Hyde himself taking the principal part, assisted . Shall mine eyes behold thy glory<br />
by an amateur company of members of the “ Gaelic<br />
Or shall darkness close around them ere the sun-blaze<br />
League.” Dr. Hyde has also written many songs<br />
Break at last upon thy story?<br />
in Irish, and he and others are laying the founda-<br />
“When the nations ope for thee their queenly circle,<br />
tions of a modern Irish literature. Trish, with an<br />
As a sweet new sister hail thee,<br />
Shall their lips be sealed in callous death and silence<br />
elaborate metrical system of its own, has never<br />
That have known but to bewail thee?<br />
lost the innocence of the primitive imagination.<br />
<br />
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## p. 128 (#524) ############################################<br />
<br />
128<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
“Ah ! the tramp of feet victorious ! I should hear them<br />
“ Our creed is this : "'Twere better starve<br />
'Mid the shamrocks and the mosses,<br />
Than live by others' loss or dole,<br />
And my heart should toss within the shroud and quiver,<br />
And better fail than pathway carve<br />
As a captive dreamer tosses.<br />
Through fraud and wrong to wished-for goal ;<br />
" I should turn and rend the cere clothes round me,<br />
That soon or late the right shall win,<br />
Giant sinews I should borrow,<br />
The weak grow strong, the mighty fall,<br />
Crying, . O my brothers, I have also loved her,<br />
The wicked perish in their sin,<br />
In her lowliness and sorrow.'<br />
The wronged on God not vainly call.'”<br />
· Let me join with you the jubilant procession,<br />
Whether the Irish live up to this counsel of<br />
“Let me chant with you her story ;<br />
Then contented I shall go back to the shamrocks,<br />
perfection much better than their neighbours may<br />
Now mine eyes have seen her glory.'<br />
be questionable. The bitter struggle for existence<br />
Mr. Francis A. Fahy, whose name I have men- is happily tempered by sympathetic helpfulness<br />
tioned in connection with the “Gaelic League,” has among the strugglers in England as in Ireland,<br />
also written some political poems, vigorous, sincere,<br />
where such family feeling as Mr. Faby has described<br />
and full of faith in the future of Ireland. The in his “ Trish Molly 0 !" 18 so often found among<br />
one small volume he has published contains some<br />
the peasantry.<br />
excellent work. The first poem in the book But enough of politics. The best work of the<br />
“ Dreoilin " (pronounced Drole-yeen, and meaning<br />
movement is not in its political satire ; and Mr.<br />
the wren), under which signature many of his Fahy's best things are his songs, which have that<br />
poems first saw the light, strikes the keynote of<br />
true singer's lilt in them so rare nowadays. Like<br />
the whole in the first verse :<br />
Mr. Graves, whose poems are better known in<br />
England, he has written many songs to old or new<br />
“My name is Dreoilin, I'm the smallest of all the birds<br />
That pour forth their notes on Irish hill-side or in grove;<br />
Irish airs. Like Mr. Graves, he has the art of<br />
Light is my song, though my thoughts are too deep for writing singable words. He is a great writer of<br />
words,<br />
love songs, of which “ Little Mary Cassidy " and<br />
My lay is of land, and of light, and of life, and love.” “The Ouid Plaid Shawl,” with their Irish note of<br />
The poem briefly recalls many memories of the humorous tenderness, are perhaps the best known.<br />
loves, sorrows, and sufferings of the Irish people— His “Irish Molly ()!” a narrative in ballad form,<br />
things he has himself seen and brooded over ; but tells how an Irish girl, on the death of her father,<br />
ends with a note of confident hope.<br />
emigrated to make a home for her family, dying<br />
In his political poems his stern sincerity and when she had met them once more. It is a<br />
common sense keep his imagination sane. He is charming poem, admirable in its simple directness<br />
remarkably free from the besetting sins of Irish of expression. Out of many songs of great merit<br />
patriotic poetry, sentimentality and flatulent I have only space for one. “ Drimmin Dhu,” the<br />
eloquence; and when he strikes his blows tell. He title of an old Irish melody, means “The Black<br />
does not regard the Irishman as an immaculate Cow.” In the original it was a lamentation for<br />
and ineffectual angel, and “the Saxon” as a devil the death of the cow ; in Mr. Fahy's poem the<br />
incarnate. Such vapid lines as these of a former lamentation is for the cow's mistress :<br />
generation are not in his manner :<br />
“On our side is virtue and Erin,<br />
“She's gone, oh Drimmin Dhu, that loved you dear,<br />
On theirs is the Saxon and guilt."<br />
No more at milking time her song you'll hear;<br />
Your kind, fond mistress now lies cold and low,<br />
From his “ We're not the same,” in which he Oh, Drimmin Dhu declish, mo bhron go deo ! *<br />
contrasts the ideals of the two nationalities, English<br />
and Irish, satirising the seamy side of the benevo-<br />
"Oh, fair her young face looked that day of pride<br />
When with you, her portion small I called her bride ;<br />
lent English filibuster, I quote a few stanzas :<br />
No King I envied then on earth below-<br />
“ We're not the same, we're not the same-<br />
Oh, Drimmin Dhu declish, mo bhron go deo!<br />
In thought, or mind, or soul, or heart;<br />
Our likenesses are but in name,<br />
“ Who now, my Drimmin Dhu, our joy will be ?<br />
We're severed as the poles apart.<br />
The world is desolate, for you and me,<br />
We've both our theme of rightful pride,<br />
Life's lost for evermore its summer glow,<br />
We've both our cause for blush of shame,<br />
Oh, Drimmin Dhu deelish, mo bhron go deo!<br />
But here our paths diverge, divide-<br />
We're not the same, we're not the same.<br />
“Oh, voice of gentleness ! oh, looks of light !<br />
“Our creed is not the Briton's creed-<br />
Oh, heart of tenderness, noon, morn, and night!<br />
Soon, soon, in search of you, from earth I'll go,<br />
Of barter keen and money lent,<br />
Oh, Drimmin Dhu declish, mo bhron go deo?”<br />
With roots deep down in selfish greed,<br />
And branching wide in cent. per cent. ;<br />
With maxims smooth of .might makes right,'<br />
(To be continued.)<br />
'He keeps who can-he takes who needs,'<br />
'Woe to the weak in life's tough fight,<br />
* Pronounced : “On, Dhrimmin Dhoo dheelish, mavrone<br />
And Nothing like success succeeds.'<br />
udh-yeo !”-“Oh, dear black-cow, my grief for ever!"<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 129 (#525) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
129<br />
“ REAL PEOPLE IN FICTION.” nil nisi bonum is a discarded axiom, even in<br />
these days of the whitewash brush. If it is<br />
legitimate to write novels dealing with the seven-<br />
teenth century, it is equally legitimate to deal<br />
with the eighteenth, and if with the eighteenth,<br />
why not with the nineteenth and the twentieth ?<br />
M HE author of the article on “ Real People in Surely the sorites must apply. So, too, for<br />
1 Fiction,” which appeared in the last number the one thing hinges upon the other, must<br />
of The Author, has issued a useful warning to the argument apply when considering ques-<br />
writers of a certain class of novel ; but there are a tions of general interest as the subject matter of<br />
few points arising out of his little essay upon which novels. If one may write tales of adventure round<br />
some comment may not be unacceptable.<br />
the Boer war, one may write them round the<br />
It is not unfair to say that his remarks apply kidnapping of missionaries by brigands, or round<br />
more particularly to a very inferior type of novel. the coronation, or may write sociological stories<br />
There are many writers who, by giving verbal round conscientious objection or the collection by<br />
portraits of their acquaintances, recording their Methodists of a million sovereigns to commemorate<br />
actual words uttered in situations analogous to the dawn of a new century. Neither in subject<br />
those employed in the stories, and using their nor in period is there any precisely defined re-<br />
imagination only to the extent of giving these striction imposed upon the novelist, and it is<br />
acquaintances fictitious names, are simply follow difficult to see why, if in the adoption of some<br />
ing the line of least resistance, quite regardless of contemporary event as the theme of a story the<br />
at what point they may ultimately arrive. To introduction of contemporary personages is in-<br />
such as these Mr. Armstrong's words of warning volved, there need be any other objection than<br />
may be useful, but if numerically they are a large that already indicated of some conséquent limita-<br />
class, artistically they are an insignificant one. tion in the use of their creative faculty. It would<br />
The mere fact that they do thus follow the line of be easy to particularise, but the point is doubtless<br />
least resistance predicates a lack of imagination sufficiently clear.<br />
and of that creative power which distinguishes the It is when one leaves the historical or quasi-<br />
good from the bad novelist.<br />
historical novel and comes to those dealing only<br />
But, on the other hand, there are a not in- with modern social life that the issue becomes more<br />
considerable number of authors, who must be vague, and it is, of course, to the writers of these<br />
taken seriously on their merits, in whose books that Mr. Armstrong primarily refers. The value<br />
characters are drawn from life and presented of this class of story when well done, whether for<br />
under the thinnest of disguises. Are allt hese purposes of satire or of throwing light upon our<br />
to be included in your contributor's indict- times, or again of mere amusement, will hardly be<br />
ment? Not necessarily; not even if the result. questioned. An author who is a master of tech-<br />
ing picture is not so flattering as a less honest nique, and possesses a sense of humour in addition<br />
photographer might make it by judicious touching to the seeing eye, can do as good service with his<br />
up.<br />
pen as Du Maurier or Tenniel or Phil May have<br />
Consider, for instance, the historical novel, done with their pencil. Was Du Maurier less<br />
intended not only to interest as a story, but good because he employed his own family as<br />
to throw light upon a period or an event of models than Phil May, who individualises types ?<br />
general interest. "In all these books characters This is not to suggest any comparative estimate of<br />
are, of course, taken from life, and the question the merit of their work ; it is merely asking the<br />
arises, On this side of what point in time are question à propos of the use by the one of real<br />
stories dealing with historical facts to be ruled people who were known to a wide circle of ac-<br />
out of order?<br />
quaintances; and the general verdict can be<br />
There is scarcely any law-with the possible readily anticipated.<br />
exception of the law of copyright-in which there Moreover, the question might be wisely limited<br />
is so much latitude of interpretation as the law of so as to exclude caricature; wisely, because the<br />
libel. But in practice it works tolerably well, and limitation serves to clear the atmosphere. It<br />
no novelist of average ability need live in a state might be difficult for a satirist who desired by<br />
of chronic apprehension of its terrors. The ridicule to kill some grotesque fashion to escape a<br />
chronological point, therefore, on the hither side charge of having caricatured some more or less<br />
of which novelists must not use real people as well known exponent of the cult, but he might be<br />
figures in their books, is not a legally ascertained held entitled to an honourable discharge if while<br />
one. Nor, again, can it be fixed by the date of achieving the object he had in view his caricature<br />
death of the real persons concerned. De mortuis were artistically well done ; but books of this sort<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 130 (#526) ############################################<br />
<br />
130<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
are a class apart, and it is seldom that a Dunciad amount of good feeling in the world as it is, but<br />
is required.<br />
also a vast amount of practical common sense<br />
But to the abstract question of the legitimacy which gets its own way in the end.<br />
of the device of employing real people as characters<br />
in fiction, it would seem that for all practical<br />
CRANSTOUN METCALFE.<br />
purposes the answer is sufficiently simple. The<br />
justification of a work of art must always be its<br />
own artistic qualities, and no amount of mere<br />
technique can compensate for lack of the imagina-<br />
tive or poetic power which ought to prompt the<br />
artist to expression, or atone for lack of taste.<br />
I think one of the reasons why writers of fiction<br />
“ Taste,” it is true, is a word as difficult to be<br />
are so constantly accused, whether rightly or<br />
defined as “gentleman”; but its significance here<br />
wrongly, of “putting real people into their books”<br />
is obvious. If in a novel describing life in London<br />
is partly owing to the conviction-deep-rooted as the<br />
to-day there is not a word which can hurt the<br />
forest oak—in the minds of unimaginative persons<br />
feelings of, or cause the slightest pain to the most<br />
that character is only a servile photograph from<br />
refined and sensitive man or woman alive at the<br />
life. They do not believe, and it seems improba-<br />
moment, it may be argued that the author has<br />
ble they ever will believe, that a study of character<br />
committed a very venial offence if, as we watch the may be a creation.<br />
figures moving in the pretty comedy, we turn with<br />
Many persons have explained to me at enormous<br />
a kindly smile to our neighbour and say, “Ah ! length that every person in my own stories must<br />
there is So-and-So.” And the belief that the<br />
be taken from among my acquaintances, because<br />
author's good taste finds its equivalent in the good<br />
in the cood that was the only way to make characters seem<br />
taste of his unconscious model is not born of<br />
lifelike.<br />
unreasoning optimism. The price every public<br />
When I lived in the country the unimaginative<br />
personage pays for his public character is a certain<br />
among my friends discovered, to my embarrassment,<br />
limitation of his private rights, and not many<br />
when I brought out a book, that each individual<br />
public personages would resent being used to point<br />
in it, hero and villain alike, dwelt within a radius<br />
a moral or adorn a tale, provided the moral be<br />
of five miles from our front door. I remember a<br />
sound, and the tale be told with propriety and<br />
friend saying to me reproachfully, “ We all saw at<br />
taste.<br />
once that you took Mrs. Alwynn (a tiresome person)<br />
For the author who has no taste there always<br />
from Mrs. — And we all say that it is not the<br />
remains the law of libel. For the rest there<br />
least like her."<br />
is an unwritten law which is pretty generally<br />
It certainly was not.<br />
understood. For a vulgar success of scandal no<br />
When Mrs. Clifford produced her brilliant novel,<br />
detestation is too intense, no condemnation too<br />
“ Aunt Anne," several of my relations wrote to me<br />
severe ; but many people would regret a condition<br />
in great bitterness to protest against my ruthless<br />
of things which would prevent the publication of,<br />
delineation of my own great-aunt, who had but<br />
say, “ The New Republic.”<br />
recently “passed away." They had recognised Aunt<br />
It inay not be inopportune to add the suggestion<br />
Anne at once; and there is no doubt the “ Aunt<br />
Anne ” of the novel bore a certain resemblance to<br />
that a more serious danger to literature than the<br />
this relation.<br />
use of real people in fiction is the employment of<br />
fiction in the biography of real people. It is<br />
I at once wrote back, and so did my father, to<br />
always pleasant to be in good company, and Lord<br />
explain that that clever book was not written by me.<br />
Rosebery will doubtless value this tribute of<br />
(I only wish it could have been.) But<br />
approval of his recent wise words on the subject.<br />
Relations convinced against their will<br />
There is too much romance in biography nowadays,<br />
Are of the same opinion still.<br />
and no one need lament the decay of imagination<br />
in face of what is called “ personal journalism." They were not for a moment deceived by the feeble<br />
Some of the writers of these biographical personal falsehoods into which I had even dragged my<br />
remarks are magnificent liars. Lord Rosebery hitherto respected parent. And they remained<br />
made some suggestions as to the method of dealing convinced that I was the author of “ Aunt Anne.”<br />
with the crime, and regretted that his reforms They died thinking so.<br />
were Utopian. Many people are of opinion that<br />
MARY CHOLMONDELEY.<br />
any Utopia would be an exceedingly dull place,<br />
but if this discussion can be carried on a little<br />
further, it is more than probable that it will have<br />
a beneficial effect. For there is not only a vast<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 131 (#527) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
131<br />
AN EPITAPH ON A NAMELESS GRAVE. standpoint a man was better equipped if he had<br />
some command of that instrument with which all<br />
Ούνομα μοι· τί σε τούτο; πάτρις δε μοι· ες τι δε τουτο business has to be done-his own language.<br />
Κλείνου δ' είμι γενους· ει γαρ αφαυροτάτου;<br />
Mr. Bernard Shaw also spoke. He was, as one<br />
Ζήσας δένδοξώς έλιπον βίον· ει γαρ αδοξώς και<br />
would have expected, an optimist for pessimistic<br />
Κείμαι δ' ενθαδε νυν τίς τίνι ταυτα λέγεις ;<br />
reasons. He thought that boys cared nothing for<br />
PAULUS SILENTIARIUS.<br />
books, "and a very good thing too.” That boys<br />
should know less about literature now than they did<br />
My name and country were—what's that to thee ?<br />
formerly he held to be impossible; but this he in no<br />
My birth was noble-what, if it were low?<br />
wise deplored, as there was a great deal too much<br />
With fame I lived, then died—what, if without ?<br />
reading done. “Why should boys,” he asked, “be<br />
I now lie here—who to whom speaketh so ? expected to read Wordsworth, one of the dullest<br />
J. M. LELY. men who ever lived ?" And he hoped that the<br />
class mentioned by Mr. Storr would long remain in<br />
ignorance of “Locksley Hall.” The desire to teach<br />
SCHOOLBOYS AND LITERATURE. literature, Mr. Shaw maintained, arose from the<br />
habit of book fancying, or collecting, which was<br />
A T the well-known King Alfred School in just as useless an idiosyncrasy as pigeon fancying,<br />
A Hampstead a discussion was lately held on and led to such absurdities as the banning of split<br />
the question—vital to authors of the infinitives, though it was the genius of the English<br />
near future—whether the study and love of litera- language to split everything. Fanciers always<br />
ture were decaying in schools ; by which the opener wanted to force their particular fancies upon other<br />
of the discussion explained himself to mean boys' people, and so it was with the literary fancier :<br />
schools, though at the King Alfred School boys and but Mr. Shaw declared that no one had any right<br />
girls stand on an equal footing.<br />
to force any education upon a child, except techni.<br />
It appeared that there were both optimists and cal education, in the sense of education that would<br />
pessimists in the King Alfred Society, especially be useful. Latin and Greek used to come within<br />
pessimists. Mr. Francis Storr, who took the chair, that category in the days when everything that had<br />
and spoke with all the weight of many years to be read was written in them ; but that was not<br />
experience of practical schoolmastering, was for the the case now, and the teaching of those languages<br />
prosecution, and gave recent and gloomy instances was only supported by the fraud of pretending that<br />
of a class of big boys (average age seventeen), not they were necessary to the understanding of English,<br />
one of whom had ever read “Locksley Hall," nor and the “ hallmark of a gentleman,” Every other<br />
had any appreciable knowledge of Wordsworth. form of education should be the spontaneous out-<br />
“ With him” was Mr. Edward Rose, who read a come of a child's character. To talk of forming a<br />
paper on school papers. He had examined the child's mind was an outrage, and Mr. Shaw gave<br />
magazines of many schools, as Eton, Harrow, Win- it as his experience that teachers were more de-<br />
chester, Rugby, Marlborough,Shrewsbury, St. Paul's, moralised than any other class, which he supposed to<br />
.Dulwich, Tonbridge, Ipswich, and so forth, and had be due to their continual contact with defenceless<br />
tabulated the results of his investigations. A priori, minds. Their only justification, he said, lay in<br />
it had seemed likely that schoolboys cared less for the necessity for the grown-ups to defend themselves<br />
literature now than they did say thirty years ago; against the young, lest the latter should turn the<br />
a posteriori—after examining the magazines—it world upside down ; so they deceived them until<br />
appeared certain. His a priori reasons for thinking they became grown up themselves, and joined the<br />
this decline and fall probable were, first, the enormous ranks of the deceivers.<br />
interest now taken by boys in “paper athletics "— It need hardly be said that the King Alfred<br />
for example, the study of averages and the contents Society did not, as a body, accept Mr. Shaw's views :<br />
of newspapersentirely devoted to sport—and second, indeed, Mr. Ernest Rhys put in a formal protest<br />
the amount of time now taken up in schools by more against their spirit, and the Headmaster of the<br />
obviously “paying” subjects, such as modern lan- School—Mr. John Russell—spoke some wise and<br />
guages and physical science. His proofs of actual hopeful words on the side of the optimists. He<br />
decay were drawn from theschool magazines, written said, among other things, that the increasing demand<br />
by the boys themselves, which formerly were in the for good cheap literature—which was, as he believed,<br />
main literary reviews, but had now become for the largely purchased by boys-seemed to be the evi.<br />
most part mere reports of cricket matches, concerts, dence of a continuing love for it. He had always<br />
and other school news. And Mr. Rose ended by found that if a master approached literature in a<br />
protesting against the purely utilitarian view of spirit of sincerity, and not of convention or dog-<br />
education, while he added that even from this matism, recognising, for instance, that some parts<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 132 (#528) ############################################<br />
<br />
132<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
even of Shakespeare were very dull, and would read<br />
literature with his pupils in that spirit-guiding<br />
the youthful taste rather than dictating to it—he<br />
would have no difficulty in interesting them.<br />
And so, with a measure of hopefulness, the King<br />
Alfred Society ceased for the moment to consider<br />
how much its children cared for literary things.<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
“A Winter Pilgrimage ') takes credit to himself<br />
for the identification of Golgotha with Skull<br />
Hill,' not knowing, it would seem, &c., &c.”<br />
I have not seen the paragraph referred to by the<br />
reviewer, but if it can be construed in such a sense,<br />
I beg that it may be contradicted in your next<br />
issue of The Author. My real attitude on the<br />
matter of the site of Calvary will be proved<br />
sufficiently by the extract which I append. Why<br />
the writer of the notice, in the teeth of the text<br />
of the book with which he was dealing, should<br />
choose to make so peculiarly unpleasant an imputa-<br />
tion upon myself on the sole strength of a paragraph<br />
he had read in The Author, is a question which I<br />
will not discuss, since to do so without irritation<br />
would not be easy.<br />
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,<br />
H. RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
Ditchingham,<br />
3rd January.<br />
AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT.<br />
DEAR SIR,–I cannot accept without protest<br />
“Omega's” statement, endorsed by Mr. Heinemann,<br />
to the effect that “authors are all in competition<br />
against one another.” Publishers may be animated<br />
by the competitive spirit ; each one is naturally<br />
anxious to secure the greatest number of popular<br />
writers ; this is business, and publishing is a com-<br />
mercial affair — it is highly interesting, and few<br />
ways of money-making are more agreeable to men<br />
of taste, with a certain courage in speculation,<br />
But the “sales” of one author are in no way<br />
affected by the success of his confrère. M. Anatole<br />
France is not consumed by envy, we may be<br />
certain, because Paul Bourget has a larger public<br />
than the creator of “Monsieur Bergeret"; nor do both<br />
gentlemen join in a common hatred of Zola, who<br />
can beat them magnificently any day in the matter<br />
of editions. All educated readers read these three<br />
authors; the sentimental half-educated, who can-<br />
not understand the irony of Anatole France, read<br />
Bourget only; every class of reader can find some-<br />
thing in Zola. Each one of these writers knows<br />
perfectly the particular group he is addressing, and<br />
the idea of rivalship between them is ridiculous. I<br />
could tell a hundred instances where English authors<br />
me<br />
have taken trouble, and written reviews, to assist<br />
publications already more successful, financially,<br />
than their own, and they have so written, not in<br />
obedience to a forced or Quixotic impulse, but<br />
because they appreciated the books, and wished to<br />
shed to<br />
add a specialist's praise to the less critical commen-<br />
dations of casual readers.<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
PEARL MARY TERESA CRAIGIE.<br />
FROM "A WINTER PILGRIMAGE," PAGE 310, IST EDITION,<br />
BY H, RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
“This is the case, put briefly, but as clearly as I can set<br />
it out. It is not for an amateur like myself upon the<br />
strength of only two examinations, although these were<br />
careful, to be dogmatic, or express any positive opinion,<br />
and I express none on this or other disputed sites and<br />
matters connected with the Holy Land. How can I.<br />
who, lacking an extended experience of these problems,<br />
must rely mainly upon my powers of observation and de-<br />
duction, such as they may be, to guide me to the truth? I<br />
only venture to point out, not knowing whether or no this<br />
has been done in works already published, that, as I saw it<br />
in the year 1900, the surface of this cliff has a quaint and<br />
ghastly resemblance to a human skull. Taken in connec-<br />
tion with the traditions of that place, with its undoubted<br />
suitability to the dread purposes of public death, and with<br />
suitability to the dread pu<br />
the name by which the true spot was known, wherever it<br />
may have been, I submit that this resemblance is, to say<br />
the least, exceedingly suggestive."<br />
"<br />
P.S.-Since despatching the above letter I have<br />
looked through the chapter in my book headed<br />
“ Gordon's Tomb and Golgotha." I find that it<br />
contains the following<br />
already quoted :-<br />
already quo<br />
“ This, at least, is sure, that if the true Calvary was where<br />
many believe it to have been, among them myself, on the<br />
traditional site of the Place of Stoning.” (p. 305.)<br />
"But if the true Calvary was just without the wall on<br />
the borders of the Mahommedan cemetery, as think Otto<br />
Thenius, General Gordon, Colonel Conder, Doctor Merrill,<br />
and many more.” (p. 306, 1st edition.)<br />
Now this “true Calvary” whereof I speak is<br />
the same as the “Skull Hill ” of the identification<br />
of which, with the site of the Crucifixion, the<br />
reviewer suggests that I have taken the “ credit."<br />
How much credit I have taken to myself can be<br />
gathered from these extracts (to which I have<br />
added the italics only).-H. R. H.<br />
REVIEWING_NEW STYLE.<br />
SIR, -Among a packet of reviews of my book<br />
* A Winter Pilgrimage,” received by me this<br />
morning, is one which appeared in the Pall Mall<br />
Gazette that contains the following passage :-<br />
“It is to be inferred from a paragraph in this<br />
month's Author that he (that is, the writer of<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 132 (#529) ############################################<br />
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| 351 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/351 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 08 (March 1902) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+08+%28March+1902%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 08 (March 1902)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1902-03-01-The-Author-12-8 | | | | | 133–159 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1902-03-01">1902-03-01</a> | | | | | | | 8 | | | 19020301 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
Vol. XII.—No. 8.<br />
MARCH 1, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
PAGE<br />
:<br />
...<br />
149<br />
:<br />
:::<br />
....<br />
...<br />
149<br />
149<br />
150<br />
Notices ... ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors ...<br />
From the Committee ... ... ... ... ..*<br />
Book and Play Talk ...<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property<br />
Newspaper Copyright—"Thou shalt not steal<br />
Standard Rules for Printing...<br />
Perpetual Copyright ... ... ..<br />
The Journalistic Free Lance...<br />
The Authors' Club ... ...<br />
A Ballade of Incapacity ... ... ... ...<br />
133<br />
133<br />
136<br />
139<br />
142<br />
144<br />
144<br />
146<br />
General Memoranda ... ...<br />
Warnings to Dramatic Authors<br />
How to Use the Society ...<br />
The Reading Branch ... ...<br />
Authorities ... ... ...<br />
Life: A Reply to “ A. C. B."<br />
The Irish Literary Revival ...<br />
Real People in Fiction<br />
Mrs. Humphreys (Rita) v. Messrs. Butterworth & Co.<br />
Correspondence... ... ... ... ... ... ...<br />
: : : :<br />
130<br />
:::::::<br />
153<br />
153<br />
: :<br />
156<br />
158<br />
...<br />
148<br />
... 148<br />
I<br />
..<br />
159<br />
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ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
OWEN SEAMAN.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
JEROME K. JEROME.<br />
Miss FLORA L. SHAW.<br />
EDWARD CLODD.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
G. R. SIMs.<br />
W. MORRIS COLLES.<br />
RUDYARD KIPLING.<br />
S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. ,<br />
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER,<br />
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. J. J. STEVENSON.<br />
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
The Right Hon.W.E, H.LECKY, M.P. FRANCIS STORR.<br />
MRS. CRAIGIE,<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
F. MARION CRAWFORD.<br />
THE REV. W.J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. | MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.<br />
Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT,<br />
Chairman--A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
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J. M. LELY.<br />
E, ROSE.<br />
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OWEN SEAMAN.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
A. W. A BECKETT,<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
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SUB-COMMITTEES.<br />
ART.<br />
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COPYRIGHT. .<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
W. M. COLLES.<br />
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
DRAMA.<br />
HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). I F. C. BURNAND.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT,<br />
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## p. 133 (#533) ############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.—No. 8.<br />
MARCH 1st, 1902.<br />
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NOTICE.<br />
T HE EDITOR begs to inform Members of the<br />
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to time quoted in The Author are cases that have<br />
come before the notice or to the knowledge of the<br />
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application.<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
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1<br />
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FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
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M<br />
M<br />
HE following is the total of donations and<br />
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Further sums will be acknowledged from month<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
Notes from the Society.<br />
HE Committee have to regret the sudden<br />
death of Mr. P. W. Clayden, who has<br />
been a Member of the Society and Council<br />
since 1890. Though perhaps not so well known<br />
as a writer of books as a journalist, he was always<br />
in warm accord with the aims and objects of the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 134 (#534) ############################################<br />
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134<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
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Society. The death of Mr. Aubrey de Vere, who Caine, T. Hall, amount dependent on<br />
had been for some time a Member of the Society, sam required.<br />
must also be chronicled with regret. His work as Clodd, Edward . .<br />
. . £1 1 0<br />
a poet was well known and widely read.<br />
Colles, W. M. .<br />
. 5 5 0<br />
Collier, The Honble. Jol<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Conway, Sir W. Martin<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
Craigie, Mrs. .<br />
2 2 0<br />
The general meeting of the Society has been Dobson, Austin . .<br />
1 1 0<br />
fixed for Wednesday, March 19th, at four o'clock,<br />
Doyle, A. Conan. .<br />
: 15 00<br />
at the rooms of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical<br />
Dubourg, A. W..<br />
2 2 0<br />
Society, 20, Hanover Square, W. Members will<br />
Foster, Sir Michael, M<br />
1 1 0<br />
receive formal notice in due course.<br />
Freshfield, D. W.<br />
5 0 0<br />
At the February meeting of the Committee,<br />
Garnett, Richard<br />
3 3 0<br />
eighteen Members and Associates were elected, Gosse. Edmund<br />
3 3 0<br />
making the number of elections for the current<br />
Grundy, Sydney.<br />
2 2 0<br />
year thirty-nine. This number is quite on a level<br />
Haggard, H. Rider .<br />
3 3 0<br />
with former years.<br />
Hardy, Thomas . .<br />
2 2 0<br />
At the same meeting an interesting case was<br />
Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Ma<br />
1 1 0<br />
laid before the Committee, and it was decided to Hawkins, A. Hope<br />
10 0 0<br />
take Counsel's opinion on behalf of the Member. Jerome K. Jerome<br />
. 2 20<br />
It will, no doubt, be possible, in a subsequent Keltie. J. Scott.<br />
1 1 0<br />
number of The Author, to print the opinion, but Kipling, Rudyard .<br />
20 0 0<br />
at present the name and matter in dispute cannot Lely, J. M."<br />
. . . .<br />
1 1<br />
be given.<br />
0<br />
Loftie, Rev. W. J.<br />
1 1 0<br />
Since the last notice in The Author the Society Middleton-Wake, Rev. C. H. . . 2 2 0 )<br />
has had nineteen cases in its hands. Of these Norman. Henry<br />
1 1 0<br />
seven were for money due, five for the return of Parker, Gilbert<br />
3 3 0<br />
MSS., and the others for the rendering of accounts, Pinero, A. W..<br />
5 5 0<br />
and various smaller matters. The Society has Pollock, Sir F..<br />
during the said period obtained two judgments, Rose, Edward .<br />
which are still unsatisfied, against a magazine, Scoones, W. Baptiste .<br />
and a judgment on an account stated against a Sims, George R..<br />
. . . . . () ()<br />
publisher.<br />
Sprigge, s. S. . .<br />
20<br />
All the matters reported in January have been Stevenson. J. J.<br />
220<br />
settled with the exception of two minor cases Ward, Mrs. Humphry<br />
5 0 0<br />
which are in the course of settlement and of no<br />
great import. Of the nineteen entered into<br />
Total £141 1 0<br />
since the last statement, eight have been already<br />
satisfactorily concluded.<br />
Donations from Jembers anıl Others.<br />
The Committee have decided to take two actions<br />
into the County Court.<br />
. . £0 10 6<br />
Allingham, William, F.R.S.<br />
.<br />
1 1<br />
The Right Honourable the Lord Avebury, P.C.,<br />
0<br />
Ames, Percy W.<br />
. 1 1<br />
who, as previously stated, consented to take the<br />
0<br />
Anonymous<br />
1 1 0<br />
chair of the Nobel Prize Committee, has been<br />
Anonymous<br />
0 6<br />
elected a Member of the Council of the Society.<br />
Anonymous<br />
. . . . . 1 1 0<br />
Anonymous<br />
0 5 0<br />
Anonymous<br />
. ( 3 6<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
Anonymous<br />
. ( 26<br />
Donations from Members of the Council. Anonymous<br />
1 1 0<br />
Anonymous. .<br />
0 5 0<br />
Meredith, George, President of the<br />
“ Aunt Cherry”.<br />
1 1 0<br />
Society<br />
. £10 0 0 Baker, James ..<br />
1 1 0<br />
Avebury, The Right Hon.the Lord, P.C. 1 1 0 Beeby, Rev. C. E.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
à Beckett, A. W. . . . . 1 1 0 Bell, Mackenzie.<br />
1 1 0<br />
Barrie, J. M. . . . . . 5 5 0 Bentwich, Herbert<br />
1 1 0<br />
Bateman, Robert . . . . 5 0 0 Boevey, Miss Crawley. . . . ( 10 ()<br />
Beddard, F. E. . . . . . . ( 0) Bond, R. Warwick<br />
0 10 6<br />
Bonney, Rev. T. G. . . . . 220. Brodrick, The Hon. Mrs. . . . 1 1 0<br />
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Bullen, F. T. .<br />
Barrowes, Miss E. ..<br />
Carey, Miss R. N. ..<br />
Carr, Rev. A. .<br />
Church, Professor A.<br />
Clarke, Cecil .<br />
Clericus<br />
Clifford, Mrs. W. K. .<br />
Collins, F. Howard ..<br />
Cook, C. H. .<br />
Cordeaux, Miss K. M.<br />
Cox, Miss M. Roalfe .<br />
Croker, Mrs. B. M. .<br />
Crouch, A. P. . .<br />
Dale, Miss Nellie .<br />
Davey, Mrs. E. M. .<br />
de Crespigny, Mrs. .<br />
Dixie, Lady Florence.<br />
Doudney, Miss Sarah .<br />
Duwsett, C. F. .<br />
E. .<br />
E. B. .<br />
“ Edna Lyall”<br />
Ellis, Walter<br />
E, S. B. .<br />
Evans, Miss<br />
F. B. D. .<br />
Fenton, Ferrar.<br />
Garnier, R. M. .<br />
Garvice, Charles.<br />
Gibbs, Miss E. A.<br />
Gill, Miss M. .<br />
Gilliat, Rev. E. .<br />
Gleig, Cearles .<br />
Gollancz, Israel .<br />
Gowing, Mrs. Aylmer.<br />
Graham, James M.<br />
Grahame, Kenneth .<br />
Gray, Maxwell.<br />
Gray, Miss Annabel .<br />
Guthrie, T. Anstey .<br />
Hales, Professor A. H.<br />
Halford, Andrew .<br />
Hamilton, Bernard .<br />
Hardy, Thomas G. .<br />
Harraden, Miss Beatrice<br />
Harries, Miss Maud.<br />
Harries, Miss Anita . .<br />
Hellier, H. G. . .<br />
Henderson, Miss Florence .<br />
Hodgson, Shadworth H.<br />
Hoey, Mrs. Cashel .<br />
Hollins, Miss Dorothy<br />
Holmes, Miss Eleanor<br />
Honneywill, W. Keppel<br />
el .<br />
Hornung, E. W.<br />
Hutchinson, Rev. H. N. .<br />
Hyne, C. J. Cutcliffe. .<br />
. £1 1 0 1. J. A. .<br />
£0 2 6<br />
: 0) 5 0 Infelix .<br />
5 0<br />
. 1 1 0 Ivatts, E. B.<br />
6. B. . . . . . . 1 1 0<br />
1 10. Jacobs, W. W.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
-Blake, Miss Sophia, M.D. . . i I 0)<br />
1 1 0. Johnson, V. E. . .<br />
0 5 0. Kelly, C. A. .<br />
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• 2 2 0 Lefroy, Mrs. C. P. .<br />
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1 1 0 Lowndes, Mrs. Belloc.<br />
1 1 0<br />
. 0 10 6 Maartens, Maarten .<br />
1 1 (1)<br />
0 10 0 Marks, Mrs. Mary<br />
( 10 6<br />
1 1 0 McBride, Captain E. E.<br />
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0 10 6 McKinny, S. B. G. .<br />
1 1 0<br />
: 0 10 6 Miller, Miss E. T. .<br />
( 5 0<br />
. 1 1 O. Moncrieff, A. R. Hope<br />
. 1 0 0<br />
( 10 ) Nixou, J. E.<br />
. 1 0 0<br />
. ( ō 0 Nunn, J. J. W..<br />
. () 5 0<br />
1 1 0 P.<br />
. () 26<br />
. 1 1 0 Parker, Miss Nella .<br />
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. 0 10 0 Parr, Mrs. Louisa .<br />
0 0<br />
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0 5 0 Polkinghorne, Miss Ruby<br />
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5 0 Porritt, Norman .<br />
0 5 0 Prichard, Hesketh<br />
1 1 0<br />
110 Reid, Sir Hugh Gilzean. LL.D. ..<br />
1 1 0<br />
() 10 0 Riddell, Mrs. J. H. . . .<br />
1 1 0<br />
1 1 0 Roberts, Morley . .<br />
1 1 0<br />
. () 10 6 Rossetti, W. M. .<br />
( 5 (0)<br />
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1 1 0<br />
1 1 0 Saxby, Miss E. M. A. F. .<br />
. 1 1 (0)<br />
0) 100 Shaw, Commander the Hon. H. N.<br />
· 0 10 0<br />
1 1 0 Sherwood, Mrs. .<br />
0 10 6<br />
220) Smith, H. W. .<br />
( 10 0<br />
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220<br />
1 1 0 Spiers, Victor<br />
( 10<br />
1 1 0. Stanton, Miss H. M. E. . . . 1 1 0<br />
0 10 0 Street, G. S. .<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
. 1 1 0 Stretton, Miss Hesba.<br />
220<br />
1 1 0 Swynnerton, Rev. C. .<br />
0 10 0<br />
1 1 0 Thring, the Rev. Prebendary Godfrey. 1 0 0<br />
() 3 ( Todd, Miss Margaret .<br />
1 1 0<br />
0 % 0 Toplis, Miss Grace .<br />
() 26<br />
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0) 5 0 Tozer, Basil .<br />
0 10 0<br />
. 1 1 0 Twycross, Miss Minna<br />
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. 1 1 0 Voysey, Rev. Charles .<br />
0 5 0<br />
1 0 0 Walker, Sydney F. .<br />
0 10 0<br />
0 10 0 Warren, Lieut.-General Sir Charles,<br />
. 1 1 0 G.C.M.G. . . . . .<br />
. 2 20. Watt, A. P. & Son .<br />
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136<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Wheelwright, Miss E.<br />
. £0 10 0 before every important college in the States. His<br />
Whitby, Mrs. J. E. .<br />
: 0 10 0 talks were always on historical themes, and to<br />
Wilkins, W. H. .<br />
• 1 1 0 academic audiences.<br />
Wilson, Miss Aphra.<br />
An article by a Member of our Society is appear-<br />
Woods, Miss M. A. . . .<br />
ing in the current number of the Nineteenth century,<br />
Workman, James .<br />
. 1 1 0 analysi<br />
analysing the popular game of Bridge, and show-<br />
W. P. K. .<br />
.. ( 10 0 ing it in a new light as a game with unscientific<br />
Zangwill, I.<br />
. 1 1 0 foundations. It reproaches society for bringing a<br />
slur upon the nation. Why throw over the renowned<br />
Total £147 80 and world-widely played national game of whist for<br />
Council Donations<br />
141 1 0 an untested pastime?<br />
“ The Chemistry of Paints and Painting," by<br />
Total (Feb. 22nd)<br />
Professor A. H. Church, is now in its third edition,<br />
revised and enlarged (68., Seeley & Co.). As<br />
Professor of Chemistry in the Royal Academy of<br />
Arts, London, Dr. Church writes with authority.<br />
It is a valuable manual by an expert. There is no<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK,<br />
book in English on the same lines, and it adequately<br />
meets a felt want.<br />
The International Society of Comparative Juris-<br />
(R. ALFRED AUSTIN'S new volume<br />
prudence and Public Economy, which has its head-<br />
quarters at Berlin, but which boasts a distinguished<br />
1 bearing the title, “A Tale of True Love,<br />
membership throughout the civilised world, has<br />
and other Poems,” is to be published at<br />
just undertaken a work of great importance. It<br />
Easter by Messrs. Macmillan. It is dedicated, in a<br />
proposes to issue a series of volumes containing the<br />
sonnet, to the memory of Robert Louis Stevenson.<br />
Private Law of the different civilised communities<br />
Her Majesty the Queen has accepted a copy of of the world, drawn up, so far as circumstances<br />
Part I. of the “Songs of a Child," by Darling. permit, on the model of the German Imperial Civil<br />
Part II. is in the hands of the publishers (Leaden- Code of 1900. The place of honour in the series<br />
hall Press), and will appear in due course. As has been allotted to the English volume, the editor-<br />
most people know, “ Darling” stands for Lady ship of which has been entrusted to Mr. Edward<br />
Florence Douglas, now Lady Florence Dixie. Jenks, with whom a number of distinguished jurists<br />
will collaborate. It is hoped that this volume<br />
There is a long poem entitled “Esterelle ; or,<br />
or, will appear before the close of 1903.<br />
The Lure Witch of the Alpine Glen.” The poem<br />
of some eighty-six verses called “Waifs and Strays;<br />
George Paston's new book, “ Little Memoirs of<br />
or, The Wanderings of a Bohemian Abroad,” was<br />
the Nineteenth Century," is to be published about<br />
written while wandering in the footsteps of an<br />
Easter by Mr. Grant Richards. Its price will be<br />
elder brother, who had passed through the scenes<br />
10s. 611., and it is a companion volume to this<br />
described by the writer, previous to his death on<br />
author's “Little Memoirs of the Eighteenth Cen-<br />
the Matterhorn. The three “In Memoriam” verses<br />
tury,” which scored a deserved success, for the<br />
on this brother, Lord Francis Douglas, have the<br />
Memoirs were very well written, and were compiled<br />
ring of true poetry.<br />
with scholarly care.<br />
The Berlin correspondent of the New York<br />
The subjects of these “ Little Memoirs of the<br />
Nineteenth century's are: B. R. Haydon. the<br />
Times recently telegraphed to that journal that<br />
hat artist ; Lady Morgan; N. P. Willis, the American<br />
artist : Lady<br />
Prince Henry of Prussia, acting presumably on the author of is Pencilings by the Way”: Lady<br />
advice of Ambassador White, was engaged in Hester Stanhope : William and Mary Howitt; and<br />
studying Mr. James Bryce's “ American Common Prince Püchler Muskau who wrote a 6 Tour in<br />
wealth,” and Mr. J. F. Muirhead's “Land of<br />
England and Ireland,” published in 1831.<br />
Eng<br />
Contrasts,” preparatory to his visit to the United<br />
States. The latter volume is about to appear in<br />
George Paston has chosen minor celebrities<br />
a new edition, with the amended title of “ America:<br />
whose stories seemed to illustrate the social life-<br />
the Land of Contrasts.” Mr. John Lane is the<br />
more especially the literary and artistic social life<br />
publisher.<br />
-of the first half of the century. Besides a<br />
charming book on Mrs. Delaney, George Paston has<br />
Mr. Poulteney Bigelow has just returned from a published half-a-dozen good novels. Of these “ A<br />
lecturing tour in America, where he has lectured Writer of Books " was the last and the strongest.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 137 (#537) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
137<br />
e<br />
n orkabire me publish it very soon Industrious<br />
In his “ Anticipations" (Chapman and Hall) Mr. The same firm will publish about Easter a new<br />
H. G. Wells has something to say about authors and book by Mr. Robert Barr, entitled “A Royal<br />
publishers. After declaring that there is neither Tramp.” The Tramp in question is James V. of<br />
honour nor reward—not even food or shelter—for Scotland. There are to be a dozen illustrations by<br />
the American or Englishman who devotes a year E. J. Sullivan. Price 6s.<br />
or so of his life to the adequate treatment of any Yorkshire in the early years of the nineteenth<br />
spacious question, he goes on to say :-<br />
century is the scene of Mr. Halliwell Sutcliffe's<br />
“ The production of books in English, except the author forthcoming novel. There is a good deal about<br />
be a wealthy amateur, rests finally upon the publishers, the Yorkshire wool-combers in the story. Mr.<br />
and publishers to-day stand a little lower than ordinary<br />
• tradesmen in not caring at all whether the books they seil Fisher Unwin will publish it very soon.<br />
are good or bad. Unusual books, they allege-and all good Mr. S. Squire Sprigge's “ An Industrious<br />
books are unusual—are · difficult to handle,' and the author<br />
author<br />
Chevalieru isto<br />
Chevalier" is to appear about Easter. In some<br />
must pay the fine, amounting, more often than not, to the<br />
greater portion of his interest in the book. There is no<br />
twelve episodes the author relates the knavish<br />
criticism to control the advertising enterprises of publishers career of the hero, who is a smart rascal. Messrs.<br />
and authors. A bastard criticism, written in many cases by Chatto and Windus are the publishers. Price 6s.<br />
publishers' employees-a criticism having a very direct<br />
relation to the advertisement columns-distributes praise<br />
Sir Walter Besant's “ The Art of Fiction” is<br />
and blame in the periodic Press."<br />
being issued by the same firm. It is the lecture<br />
Mr. Wells declares that the New Republic will<br />
delivered before the Royal Institution in 1884. It<br />
sustain its authors.<br />
was printed as a pamphlet. Now it appears in an<br />
attractive cloth binding at 1s. nett.<br />
** In the past the author lived within the limits of his<br />
patron's susceptibility, and led the world, so far as he did There is a long novel by E. Nesbit, called “ The<br />
lead it, from that cage. In the present he lives within the Red House," running serially in Harper's Bazaar.<br />
limits of a particularly distressful and ill-managed market.<br />
... To write one's best is surely sufficient work for a<br />
There is also a serial story for children by this<br />
man ; but unless the author is prepared to add to his prolific writer appearing in the Strand Magazine,<br />
literary toil the correspondence and alert activity of a A new volume of her poems is in preparation.<br />
business man, he may find that no measure of acceptance<br />
will save him from a mysterious poverty."<br />
Miss Iza Duffus Hardy's new novel, “ Man,<br />
Mr. Wells further declares that the men of the<br />
Woman and Fate," is to be published some time in<br />
April by Messrs. Chatto and Windus. Price 6s.<br />
• New Republic will endeavour to shape great<br />
publishing trusts and associations<br />
Madame Bell Ranske's book, “Health, Speech,<br />
and Song,” is illustrated by herself. It is published<br />
** That will have the same relation to the publishing<br />
office of to-day that a medical association has to a patent by Messrs. Swan, Sonnenschein & Co.<br />
medicine dealer. They will not only publish, but sell;<br />
Mr. E. F. Benson's novel, “Scarlet Hyssop,”<br />
M F F Benson's novel "Snorlet Hysson »<br />
their efficient book shops, their efficient system of book-<br />
distribution will replace the present haphazard dealings of is a study of modern society. Mr. Heinemann is<br />
quite illiterate persons under whose shadow people in the its publisher.<br />
provinces live.”<br />
Mr. William Le Queux's latest novel is full of<br />
“ Tom Genuflex ; or, Life's Little Day,” is the mystery and adventure. It is called “ The Under<br />
title of a story by Aunt Cherry. Tom Genuflex is Secretary.” This entertaining author appeals to<br />
a very Ritualistic curate. Though vowed to an increasing public. Messrs. Hutchinson & Co.<br />
celibacy, he longs to make the fascinating-and are the publishers.<br />
unscrupulous-Desirée his wife. She amuses her- «The Golf Lunatic." by Mrs. Edward Kennard.<br />
self with him, throws him over, and marries a rich<br />
is published by the same firm. The story of the<br />
man. The end of the story readers must find out<br />
golf lunatic is told-very well told—by his wife,<br />
for themselves.<br />
who develops a cycling craze. This popular<br />
“Mamie ; or, When Daddy Comes Home,” is a authoress has done nothing better.<br />
pretty little tale by the same writer. These stories, In a little autobiography which appeared in a<br />
as well as “ Lyrics Low and Loud of Love and<br />
and recent issue of J.A.P., “Rita," who is a prominent<br />
Lamentation," can be obtained from the authoress<br />
member of the Society, says, “ This year of grace,<br />
at Llwyn-y-brain, Whitland, South Wales.<br />
1902, I despatched my fiftieth messenger to a<br />
Mr. Jerome K. Jerome's novel, “Paul Kelver," public that has been very kind to me.” Fifty<br />
is now running, appropriately enough, in that books is indeed no mean record. “Rita” says :-<br />
bright little weekly, To-Day.<br />
“My adored Charles Dickens died soon after I came to<br />
“ Bar, Stage, and Platform " is a volume of England ; but I had the pleasure of the acquaintanceship<br />
autobiographic memories, by Mr. Herman Meri-<br />
of his son, and did a great deal of work for him for All the<br />
Year Round and lIousehold Words. Indeed, when the<br />
vale, which Messrs. Chatto and Windus will publish<br />
latter periodical was resurrected after many years, I was<br />
shortly. The price is to be 128.<br />
requested by Mr. Dickens to write the opening serial.”<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 138 (#538) ############################################<br />
<br />
138<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
“ Dame Durden,” “ Darby and Joan,” “My Then there is Mr. Henry Norman's “Real<br />
Lord Conceit,” and many of her earlier novels Japan”; Mr. B. H. Chamberlain's “Things<br />
appeared in the columns of Householl Words. Of Japanese”; Mr. W. G. Aston's “History of<br />
“Rita's "later novels, perhaps “ Peg the Rake" has Japanese Literature”; and, last, but by no means<br />
been one of the most successful. It ran into least, there are Mr. Lafcadio Hearne's books.<br />
edition after edition. But a new novel from Rita They make delightful reading.<br />
is always warmly welcomed by her faithful public. The author of "Indian Nights Entertainments,"<br />
The first edition of Dr. Panter's poem, “Gran- a book which attracted a good deal of attention<br />
uaille,” published by Messrs. Jarrold and Sons, some years ago, is about to publish a similar<br />
being nearly exhausted, a second edition will collection of Indian tales under the same title.<br />
shortly appear.<br />
“No Place for Her" is the title of a novel just<br />
In important book just out is “ The Scenery of<br />
published by Miss J. S. Wolff, author of “ Stories<br />
from the Lives of Saints and Martyrs of the<br />
England and the Causes to which it is Due,” by<br />
Church,” “ Les Françaisen Ménage,” “Les Français<br />
the Right Hon. Lord Avebury, F.R.S., D.C.L., Sc.<br />
(Macmillan & Co., 15s. nett). It is admirably en voyage, &c. 38. 6d.<br />
illustrated.<br />
The “Henry Arthur Jones Birthday Book " is<br />
to be issued shortly by Anthony Treherne & Co.<br />
In this delightful book, at once fascinating and<br />
It has been arranged by Mr. Sidney Dark, author<br />
I has been a<br />
thorough, Lord Avebury deals with the scenery of<br />
of “Stage Silhouettes.” Mr. Jones's many ad-<br />
England much as he dealt with the scenery of<br />
the scenery mirers will welcome this collection of wise and<br />
Switzerland. This latter was published in 1896,<br />
890, witty extracts from his dramas.<br />
and met with an encouraging success.<br />
Mr. Jones has written two fresh plays. One of<br />
Mrs. H. E. Hamilton-King, author of “The them is to be produced at the Duke of York's<br />
Disciples," is about to publish, through Mr. Grant Theatre very soon. It is a comedy of intrigue in<br />
Richards, a new volume of verse entitled “The four acts. Miss Irene Vanbrugh is to take the<br />
Hours of the Passion, and other Poems.”<br />
part of the leading lady.<br />
Considerable interest attaches to the publication, Miss Lena Ashwell, who made such a favorable<br />
by Mr. Heinemann, of the English translation of impression in “Mr. Dane's Defence,” will almost<br />
the Latin text of the “ Trial and Rehabilitation of certainly have a strong part in Mr. Jones's second<br />
Jeanne d'Arc.” This was translated into French play, which is a serious study of modern life.<br />
by Guicheral, in the forties, for one of the French Mr. William Gillette's successful season with<br />
learned societies; but it has never before been done “Sherlock Holmes ” will terminate on Saturday,<br />
into English.<br />
April 12th.<br />
It is probably the only instance of a complete “Mice and Men,” at the Lyric, is proving such<br />
biographical record of the greatest historical im- an unqualified success that Mr. Forbes Robertson<br />
portance being taken down by evidence on oath, will extend his season until the middle of August.<br />
The depositions cover the whole pathetic story of Miss Gertrude Elliott is a charming and truly<br />
the childhood of the Maid, her military career as delightful Peggy.<br />
commander-in-chief of the French armies, her Mr. Anthony Hope's witty and satirical comedy.<br />
capture, imprisonment, and death at the stake, as<br />
the stake, is “ Pilkerton's Peerage,” at the Garrick is drawing<br />
« Pilkerton's<br />
described by eye-witnesses.<br />
smart audiences. Mr. Sam Sothern, third son of<br />
In view of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, Mr. famous Dundreary Sothern, plays --- and plays<br />
Archibald R. Colquhoun's book, “ The Mastery of admirably—the part of Herbert V. Bascom, M.P.<br />
the Pacific,” which has just been published by Mr. Mr. George Alexander will produce Mr. Stephen<br />
Heinemann, has a special interest. Mr. Colquhoun Phillips's " Paolo and Francesca " at the St.<br />
is one of the first living authorities on the Far James's Theatre on March 6th. “ Ulysses" is<br />
East. He has lately visited the principal islands doing well at Her Majesty's Theatre.<br />
of the Pacific, around which he believes the great<br />
It seems that over 6,000 copies of the English<br />
conflicts of the twentieth century will be waged.<br />
edition of “ Ulysses ” have already been sold, while<br />
The numerous illustrations are from specially taken<br />
some 70,000 of Mr. Phillips's other books have<br />
photographs.<br />
been sold since the end of 1897.<br />
A book worth re-reading in the light of recent<br />
events is Mr. J. Stafford Ransome's “ Japan in<br />
Transition ” (Harper's). The chapter on Japan<br />
as an ally is particularly to the point.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 139 (#539) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
139<br />
1<br />
By a careful arrangement the liability of the<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
contracts he has entered into is, when possible,<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
transferred to the company, and the magazine<br />
proceeds on its precarious journey.<br />
The magazine, run on parsimonious lines, fades<br />
away, and in due course the capital of the company<br />
Some Magazines, their Life Story.<br />
runs short. Straightway those who are “in the<br />
know” issue debentures securing their own debts,<br />
M HREE or four years ago, owing to the and perhaps obtaining a little more capital to<br />
disastrous way in which some magazines had carry on the concern. During the whole of this<br />
been managed, and the subsequent pro- period the magazine is generally run on cheap<br />
ceedings taken in bankruptcy against them, the lines so far as the mass of the writers are concerned,<br />
Committee of the Authors' Society decided to although one or two well-known authors contribute<br />
draft a small Bill by which contributors should on an advantageous contract, the financial side of<br />
rank as preferential creditors.<br />
which the proprietary takes good care to meet.<br />
Such a Bill was accordingly drafted by Counsel, The supply of capital then comes to an end,<br />
on the instructions of the Committee, but when it and still there are many contracts which have been<br />
came to bringing forward the question in entered into by the editor on behalf of the company<br />
Parliament considerable difficulty was experienced. which are binding at law, and from which the<br />
One Member thought the matter of too small contributors cannot retire.<br />
consequence (it was evident that he was not The crash at last comes. An enraged contributor<br />
a contributor to the magazines himself). Another or printer obtains judgment, issues execution, and<br />
thought that contributors should look after them- is at once met by the representative of the land-<br />
selves, so far as the solvency of magazines was lord or the receiver of the debenture holders ; the<br />
concerned. Another thought that the Government latter is often placed in possession, and continues<br />
would be unwilling to increase the number of to run the magazine for the benefit of those he<br />
preferential creditors. At last the Committee represents. From the point of view of the<br />
obtained a Member bold enough to support the public and the outside contributor, it still<br />
measure in the House of Commons, but, owing appears that the paper is going on a prosperous<br />
to the fact that no opportunity arose, the Bill had course. Only those unfortunates who have been<br />
to be laid aside.<br />
trapped are aware of the difficulties of the<br />
During the last year or so the difficulties arising position, and finally one of them sums up courage,<br />
consequent upon the bankruptcy of magazines realises at last that the case is hopeless, and throws<br />
have again brought this question strongly forward, the company into liquidation. A liquidator is<br />
and it is necessary again to lay before the Members appointed, and in due course the Court orders the<br />
what has already appeared in the pages of The compulsory sale of the assets. Then comes the<br />
Author, namely, the modus vivendi that some opportunity of the individual who first started the<br />
magazines adopt, deceiving the public, deceiving magazine. He obtains a little more capital —<br />
the contributors, while they supply a precarious perhaps he has a little himself—and purchases the<br />
living for the editor and a few of those who are whole assets of the company at a very low figure,<br />
in the inner ring.<br />
and continues to keep the magazine on the market,<br />
A magazine may be started in the first instance and is ready once more to run through the cycle of<br />
hy an individual with a small capital, who advertises quick changes.<br />
largely for MSS. or obtains them by personal As it is often the case that the company is<br />
connection. He then proceeds to sink the balance registered under an entirely different name to the<br />
of his capital in advertisements. The magazine is magazine, it is very nearly impossible for those<br />
run for a period of five or six months, and many outside to know the difficulties and dangers<br />
contracts are entered into by the acceptance of through which it has passed, and a further batch<br />
the "copy" sent in. The capital of the individual of contributors fall victims.<br />
then begins to run short, but he has obtained a During all these vicissitudes the editor has<br />
marketable commodity by the publication of the obtained a precarious though perhaps unsatis-<br />
magazine for the few months, and by the contracts factory living. He is a preferential creditor who<br />
that he holds with the many contributors. He can also guard himself by his knowledge of the<br />
then looks round for someone with capital whio internal affairs of the company. He in most cases<br />
is interested in literary productions, and forms a does so. He is also a debenture holder.<br />
limited liability company, dealing out shares to Though ail bankrupt magazines, we are glad to<br />
the provider of the necessary, and appointing say, are not run on such an iniquitous basis as that<br />
himself as editor.<br />
put forward, yet the dangers and difficulties in one<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 140 (#540) ############################################<br />
<br />
140<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
form or another are constantly occurring, to the<br />
detriment of those Members of the Authors' Society<br />
who live by their contributions.<br />
It must again be clearly understood that<br />
Members cannot be too careful with what<br />
magazines they deal, and must be always prepared<br />
to demand prompt payment from those who are<br />
not absolutely trustworthy. Very often when<br />
the matter has been put into the Secretary's<br />
hands at once, payment has been secured before<br />
the final crash, and as a general rule, the Secretary<br />
is cognisant of their financial position.<br />
It would be to the advantage of all parties if<br />
such a Bill as the Society prepared could pass<br />
into law. Another clause, however, which ought<br />
to be incorporated, would be to the effect that<br />
as soon as a magazine becomes bankrupt, it should<br />
be unlawful to continue to run that magazine<br />
with the same name, with the same binding,<br />
and generally the same format.<br />
As, however, it appears to be impossible to get<br />
even moderately reasonable legislation along these<br />
lines, the only resource left is to strongly advise<br />
authors that they cannot be too careful with what<br />
magazines they deal, and to see that their contracts<br />
are clear and their payments prompt.<br />
G. H. T.<br />
pocket in the case of the individual book, yet, in<br />
the long run, is bound to damage both his pocket<br />
and his reputation.<br />
Publishers collect a series of sets of 68. books,<br />
twenty-five in each set—and offer them to the<br />
trade at 1s. each, provided that the bookseller buys<br />
the whole set as selected by the publisher.<br />
In each set there is, of course, a bait to trap the<br />
unwary-say, a second-class novel by a first-class<br />
writer.<br />
From the publisher's point of view this method<br />
was for a time successful; but the better-class<br />
bookseller found that he was saddled with twenty<br />
worthless books for every twenty-five he purchased,<br />
and, in addition, had a strong objection to seeing<br />
the second-class novel by the first-class writer sell-<br />
ing at another shop for 1s. 9d. when he was trying<br />
to sell the same book for 4s. 6d. The publishers<br />
stoutly refused to call this a remainder sale.<br />
The author's side of the question is very serious.<br />
True, he is paid his full royalty, but it is no satis-<br />
faction to receive a loaf of bread to-day, when you<br />
see the loaf of bread which is yours for tomorrow<br />
deliberately destroyed.<br />
For the result may be that the public will not<br />
buy to-day the print that may drop into its mouth<br />
to-morrow,<br />
In addition, the public may easily be persuaded<br />
of the worthlessness of an author's writings if it<br />
sees them sold within a short time from publica-<br />
tion at what must necessarily appear to be remainder<br />
prices.<br />
Authors, therefore, must be careful of their<br />
agreements, and must look to it that their books<br />
are not remaindered at the arbitrary will of the<br />
publisher when and where he likes.<br />
Remainder Sales.<br />
THE question of remainders is a serious one for<br />
all authors. Many times has it been pointed out<br />
in these pages that publishers are men of business,<br />
although there may be still one or two left who<br />
like to strut about in the garb of philanthropists.<br />
But the cloak does not deceive. Snatch it away,<br />
and they are as like their fellows as peas in a pod<br />
-yes, men of business.<br />
It is certain, therefore, that the author must<br />
protect himself or go to the wall. As in other<br />
points, so with regard to remainder sales.<br />
Publishers with full lists, as soon as they have<br />
sold a sufficient number of copies of one season's<br />
books to cover their outlay and bring in their per<br />
centage, desire to clear their shelves of stock, and<br />
prepare for a fresh output.<br />
It is essential, therefore, to give a book a fair<br />
chance-which in many cases it does not get—that<br />
a clause should be inserted in the agreement by<br />
which no remainder sales should be made without<br />
the consent of the author within, say, two years<br />
from the date of publication.<br />
This clause in an agreement would seem to the<br />
uninitiated to put the case clearly, and to cover<br />
all points. But there has come to our knowledge<br />
a method of selling books at reduced prices, which,<br />
though perhaps not damaging to the author's<br />
Performing Rights.<br />
As from time to time the question “how far<br />
recitations may be called dramatic,” gives rise to<br />
different disputes between author and actor, the<br />
following opinion of Counsel, taken on behalf of<br />
one of the Members of the Society, has been<br />
published.<br />
Though no doubt each particular case must be<br />
settled on its particular merits, there are certain<br />
leading cases and certain broad lines which govern<br />
legal opinion.<br />
We regret the author does not desire his name<br />
mentioned, and that therefore it will be impossible<br />
to mention the name of the book. Such a<br />
publication would be of great importance in a<br />
matter of this kind and the non-publication<br />
a serious disadvantage.<br />
Roughly, the details are as follows :-<br />
A well-known actor wrote to an author no less<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 141 (#541) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
141<br />
known, and asked him to write a poem for recita- Thus in Fuller v. The Blarkpool Winter Gardens<br />
tion. The MS. was forwarded, and the actor at Co., 1895 (2 Q. B. 429), the Court of Appeal held<br />
once commenced reciting it in public. There was that the song " Daisy Bell” was not a dramatic<br />
no question of remuneration, but the actor stated piece, overruling the Judge in the Court of first<br />
that the fame conferred by the recitation would be instance, who had decided on the strength of<br />
as high a reward as the author deserved.<br />
Russell v. Smith that the song was a dramatic<br />
However, when the poem was recited the piece.<br />
author's name was on every occasion omitted, and it is clear that the Court did not agree with<br />
he was thus deprived of the fame which had Russell v. Smith, although that case is not over-<br />
induced him to sanction the recitation.<br />
ruled in terms. If that case is no longer to be<br />
He thereupon wrote forbidding the recitation relied upon, the author's poem is not protected.<br />
for the future, but received no reply whatever. Suppose, however, that the case would be followed<br />
The work was subsequently published in serial to-day, is the author's little poem on the same<br />
and book form, and in spite of the prohibition, the footing as the song in this case ? I think not.<br />
actor continued to include it in his repertoire. The song was written with the intention that it<br />
The questions put to Counsel were as should be sung in public, and sung with a good deal<br />
follows:-<br />
of action. The author's poem, on the other hand,<br />
1. What performing rights had the author in<br />
was first published in a magazine, and then as an<br />
the recitation of his poem? (Russell v. Smith, 12<br />
illustrated book ; and it was published primarily<br />
Q. B. 217.)<br />
as a narrative to be read, not as a piece to be<br />
represented. According to Fuller v. The Blackpool<br />
2. If he holds any rights, does he appear to have<br />
transferred these rights to the actor ?<br />
Winter Garden Co., it is a question of fact whether<br />
3. If he has transferred any rights to the actor,<br />
a composition is dramatic or not, and the question<br />
has he any action against him for non-publication<br />
must be what was the character of the composition<br />
when first published.<br />
of his name?<br />
I do not think anyone can<br />
4. If he has not transferred any rights to the<br />
say that the character of the poem when published<br />
actor, can he obtain an injunction to restrain him<br />
was dramatic. Mr. Cutler in his little book on<br />
from reciting ?<br />
Copyright suggests a test as to whether a composi-<br />
5. Generally as to the author's position under<br />
tion is dramatic or not, which is worth applying,<br />
the Copyright Acts.<br />
but which is not supported by judicial authority.<br />
He says that where a reciter assumes a personality<br />
Counsel's opinion was as follows:-<br />
other than his own he is giving a dramatic enter-<br />
Literary compositions may as a rule be classed tainment. Hence a recitation of Tennyson's<br />
under one or the other of two heads : (1) those “Northern Farmer” would be a dramatic enter-<br />
that are purely literary; (2) those that are tainment, because for the time being the reciter is<br />
dramatic. If a writing comes under the first head, the northern farmer. But a recitation of “ Enoch<br />
I know of no legal principle available to prevent Arden” could not be such an entertainment,<br />
any person from reading or reciting the piece in because the reciter is simply telling the author's<br />
public, whether for profit or not. If it comes story for him. By this test, in my opinion, the<br />
under the second head, then protection is afforded poem referred to is not a dramatic piece. At one<br />
under the Act of 3 & 4 Wm. IV. c. 15 ; which is time readings from Dickens were common at<br />
entitled “ An Act to amend the Laws relating to entertainments all over the country. I have never<br />
Literary Property," and which renders an unauthor- seen it suggested, however, that such a reading was<br />
ised person liable to penalties for giving a representa- an infringement of any copyright, or that it was a<br />
tion of any dramatic piece. “ Dramatic piece” is dramatic entertaiument. Nor have I heard of<br />
defined by 5 & 6 Vict, c. 45, s. 2, to mean “every any attempt to restrain anyone from reading in<br />
tragedy, comedy, play, opera, farce, or other scenic public copyright prose or verse which was published<br />
musical or dramatic entertainment.” In deciding with no expressed or implied intimation that it<br />
whether any particular piece comes within the was intended to be represented dramatically.<br />
protection of the first-mentioned Act, the diffi It must be remembered further that the law<br />
culty of course arises with the pieces which are will not interfere to prevent a dramatic representa-<br />
near the border line. In Russell v. Smith (12 tion of the story contained in a copyright novel.<br />
Q. B. 217) it was held that a certain song sung by On these grounds I am of opinion that the author<br />
one person with a good deal of action, but without has no performing rights in his verses, that he has<br />
costume, was a dramatic piece. It is very doubt- nothing to transfer, and that he cannot obtain an<br />
ful, however, whether the Courts will now follow injunction against the actor, or against any other<br />
this case ; it is almost certain that they will not person who chooses to read or recite his verses, for<br />
go nearly so far.<br />
profit orotherwise, with or without an announcement<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 142 (#542) ############################################<br />
<br />
142<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
of the author's name. This is, in my opinion, publishing books and other writings without the<br />
the position since the poem appeared in print. Let consent of the authors or proprietors, to their very<br />
us go back, however, to the period before it great detriment and too often to the ruin of them<br />
appeared in print. The actor recited the piece and their families." I have ventured to italicise<br />
with the author's consent, and that consent was the words " and other writings" because there is a<br />
never absolutely withdrawn, but it looks as if he tendency nowadays to recognise copyright in<br />
may have a cause of action against the reciter for books--that is, in bound volumes—as something<br />
breach of contract, though the facts before me totally distinct, and worthy of a protection which<br />
are hardly full enough to enable me to express a is denied to any other writing not in a bound<br />
definite opinion on this. When the author sent volume. It is perfectly evident that though the<br />
his poem in MS., did he expect to be paid for it? Act was avowedly" for the encouragement of<br />
If so, did he forego his right to payment in con- learned men to compose and write useful books,"<br />
sideration of the fame he hoped for from the reci- the word “books " was used to cover all literary<br />
tation of his verses by so well known an actor, matter, the penalty was fixed per sheet, and what-<br />
and was the actor's letter an undertaking on his ever was registered at the Stationers' Company<br />
part to try and bring that fame?<br />
was a book.<br />
If these questions are answered in the affirma. But in the days when that Act was passed there<br />
tive, the author appears to have a cause of action was the same opposition to this protection of books<br />
against the actor for breach of his contract, as the as there is now to the protection of books not in<br />
suppression of his name was certainly a breach of volume. In 1735 “The Whole Duty of Man," in<br />
that undertaking. I cannot suggest any other legal 1739 “Paradise Lost," in 1763 “ Thomson's<br />
step which can be taken with any prospect of Seasons," all became subjects of litigation, and no<br />
success.<br />
doubt the would-be reprinters of those works<br />
HENRY W. DISNEY. urged then much the same arguments as are urged<br />
4, Elm Court.<br />
now by people who, while they would regard the<br />
republication of the most trashy novel without the<br />
consent of the author as a dishonest act, have not<br />
the smallest hesitation in habitually republishing<br />
other literary work, which may be much more<br />
NEWSPAPER COPYRIGHT_“THOU<br />
valuable, which may have cost quite as much<br />
SHALT NOT STEAL.”<br />
effort-provided only they find it in a newspaper.<br />
Those arguments are mainly three :-<br />
(1) That it has become so common a practice<br />
M HE above quotation from the Decalogue is that it is sanctified by custom.<br />
I probably familiar to a large number of (2) That, provided the origin of a stolen para-<br />
persons who, while praying weekly that graph is acknowledged, no act of dishonesty is<br />
their hearts may be “inclined to keep this law,” not committed.<br />
only make their living by daily theft but advocate (3) That it is in the public interest that news<br />
with all earnestness, and I believe with honest should be made public, and that it is against the<br />
sincerity, that as receivers and retailers of stolen public interest that it should be confined to the<br />
goods they are performing a meritorious duty to readers of a single paper.<br />
the public.<br />
The first argument is one that at different stages<br />
The Law of Copyright is the eighth command of civilisation it was possible to urge in defence<br />
ment applied to a particular class of goods. The of all theft.<br />
complicated conditions of modern life have rendered<br />
“ The good old rule, the simple plan,<br />
necessary a variety of terms to cover the different<br />
That he should take who had the power,<br />
sorts of offences which were comprised in four<br />
And he should keep who can,"<br />
words of the Decalogue. Theft, larceny, shop-<br />
lifting, piracy, misappropriation, breach of copy is not so very old; but the fact that everyone<br />
right are among the number; the last as the most stole when he could did not make theft less a<br />
recent, and as applying to a new class of property, breach of the eighth commandment, did not render<br />
is less generally understood. It is only 250 it less immoral or less illegal. The fact that theft<br />
years ago that the property in literary work was is difficult to detect or expensive to punish may<br />
acknowledged in express terms as a Common Law make it common, but cannot make it right. “You<br />
right, less than 200 years since the first Act was might as well” (to quote Mr. Justice North)"plead<br />
passed to remedy a complaint that “printers, book- the custom of Hounslow Heath.”<br />
sellers, and other persons had of late frequently Equally fallacious is the second argument. To<br />
taken the liberty of printing, reprinting, and quote the same authority : “A man cannot justify<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 143 (#543) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
143<br />
the taking of what he has no right to take by driven to contend that there can be no property<br />
stating whence he has taken it, though he mayin newsjust as it was contended, some 150 years<br />
thereby avoid the additional dishonesty of passing ago, that there could be no property in Milton's<br />
off as the product of his own labour what really is “Paradise Lost ” or in Thomson's “ Seasons."<br />
stolen from another.”<br />
To defend this position it has been found neces-<br />
Of course, if the person from whom it is taken sary to assume that news is synonymous with fact,<br />
has no objection to its being taken with such and to assert the obvious truism that there can be<br />
acknowledgment, then it is no longer a question of no copyright in a fact. I do not know whether it<br />
theft ; but if nine persons hold this view and the was argued that spring, summer, autumn, and<br />
tenth objects the property of the tenth must be winter could not be property, and that, therefore,<br />
protected.<br />
there could be no copyright in Thomson's “ Sea-<br />
The most plausible argument is the third. Let sons,” but the one argument is as good as the<br />
us see what it amounts to.<br />
other.<br />
“It is in the public interest that news should A man has the right to the protection of the law<br />
be made public.”<br />
“ in the free use, enjoyment, and disposal of all<br />
The public, we are given to understand, is his acquisitions, without any control or diminution<br />
devoured by an anxiety to read newspapers—it is save only by the laws of the land." It is imma-<br />
almost an essential to their existence that they terial whether that acquisition is of small or of<br />
should have newspapers ; everyone who provides great value-whether, that is, it has cost him much<br />
them with a newspaper is therefore helping to or little labour to acquire it-it is his, a poor<br />
supply a public want, and anyone who renders that thing perhaps, but his own. It may be a Raphael<br />
supply more difficult is a public enemy. If the or the photograph of a daub ; it may be an epic ;<br />
law of copyright is enforced, the production of it may be the mere shorthand report of a speech.<br />
newspapers will be made more difficult and more Has he honestly “ acquired” it ? " That is all. If<br />
expensive-consequently, whoever attempts to so, and he thinks his property in it worth de-<br />
enforce the law of copyright is a public enemy. fending, it must be respected.<br />
Such, I think, is a fair statement of The arguments The argument that because there is no property<br />
used. Well, bread is also an essential to human in a fact there can be no copyright in news is<br />
existence-perhaps more essential than news- analagous to saying that, if a man has picked up<br />
papers--but no one suggests that the product of in the bed of a river a piece of quartz which might<br />
the baker should therefore become public pro- have been picked up by anyone else, he has no<br />
perty. If we could rifle a baker's shop and dis- property in the gold discovered in it, which may<br />
tribute the loaves to starving families in the alleys be stolen from him with impunity. An event<br />
and garrets, we should no doubt be conferring a takes place ; it is absolutely within the right of<br />
benefit on a large number of people, to the detri- anyone who sees, or hears of, that event to report<br />
ment only of bakers. Yet no one suggests that it it. There is no copyright in the event ; there is<br />
would be right to rob the baker, because it is copyright in each report of it, whether it cost a<br />
recognised that the general principle of protection thousand pounds by telegraphy or a penny stamp<br />
of a man's property is more important and of by post-whether it was acquired by years of study<br />
greater public benefit than even the saving of a or by the mere accident of propinquity.<br />
few people from starvation.<br />
Driven from this last shelter, the objector urges<br />
Is it seriously contended that the supply of news one other argument: “Admitted that a newspaper<br />
to the public is of such vital importance that this has the right to exclusive possession of its own news,<br />
general principle must be suspended, and that the what harm is done by allowing that news to be<br />
laws of meum et tuum, which apply to every available to all the public, at all events if the<br />
other sort of property, are not to apply to the source of that news is fully acknowledged ?" And<br />
contents of newspapers ?<br />
the answer to this is the answer that may be given<br />
In parenthesis let me ask why, if this principle to the same argument applied to any other form of<br />
is to be admitted, the providers of the literary larceny. Property must be protected, because it<br />
matter should alone suffer. If the cheapening is the only way to ensure the production of that<br />
of the cost of production of a newspaper is of such property, and, the more valuable or necessary to<br />
vital importance, may I suggest that a still greater the public is that property, the more necessary is<br />
economy might be obtained by many newspaper it that in the interests of the public it should be<br />
proprietors if they stole the paper on which they protected.<br />
print the news which they steal. Yet no one of I am far from attaching the value that is gener-<br />
them — not even the Newspaper Society-would ally assigned to the publication of news, but the<br />
defend this method.<br />
whole argument against copyright in news is based<br />
Faced by this absurdity, some people have been on the assumption that it is of importance to the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 144 (#544) ############################################<br />
<br />
144<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
public. Now I suppose it will be admitted that<br />
news is only valuable in proportion to its complete-<br />
ness and accuracy, and therefore the interest of<br />
the public is to promote news of this quality.<br />
Such news can only be obtained by the employ-<br />
ment of every grade of journalist. They have to be<br />
paid, and their pay, as in every other profession,<br />
must depend upon the value of their work to their<br />
employer. If their work is not protected—if, as<br />
soon as it is printed, it may be appropriated by<br />
any other person, who has not contributed one<br />
penny to the cost of its production—the value is x.<br />
If, on the other hand, it is protected if the<br />
employer gets the exclusive use of what that man's<br />
brains, intelligence, enterprise, or industry have.<br />
produced, then the value is three, four, or five<br />
times x. Protection to the contents of a news-<br />
paper, whether it be news, reports, articles, or<br />
paragraphs, means more value to the newspaper,<br />
therefore better pay to the journalist; therefore<br />
better work and encouragement to the careful,<br />
painstaking, accurate journalist ; therefore a better<br />
service to the public, better journals, and a higher<br />
class of journalist.<br />
C. F. MOBERLY BELL.<br />
If the compositor is working on 'stab," the loss caused<br />
by diversities of practice falls of course on the employer,<br />
who is mulcted because the compositor has been accustomed<br />
to a different “use.” to adopt an ecclesiastical term. else.<br />
where. These are but two instances; a host might be<br />
quoted, but it is not necessary to do so, as cases of the<br />
kind are so well known. It is strange, by the way, that so<br />
many diversities of all kinds occur in printing. The brevier<br />
of one founder is different to that of another, although an<br />
outsider would think that the word indicated a definite<br />
body of type. In describing a forme, the gutter means one<br />
thing in one office and something else in another. Even<br />
in regard to parts of machines there is no uniformity in<br />
the use of technical terms. ...<br />
In regard, however, to orthography, a standard might,<br />
and we think ought, to be recognised. There would be<br />
immense difficulty in carrying out the idea, and for the<br />
simple fact that we have, in this country, no standard<br />
dictionary of the English language. French printers,<br />
for instance, are free from this difficulty. They bave a<br />
dictionary, recognised by the Academy as a standard of<br />
right orthography. By referring to it a printer can at<br />
once tell whether a word is rightly or wrongly spelt.<br />
There is nothing of the kind here. Here is a case in point.<br />
In ninety-nine offices out of a hundred in Great Britain<br />
the spelling is adopted, “abridgment," " acknowledgment,"<br />
“judgment," " lodgment." At Oxford if a compositor so set up<br />
his copy, he would find that he would have to put in the<br />
e of the syllable before the "-ment”: asó abridgement," etc.<br />
Mr. Horace Hart is fortified in this custom by the learned<br />
editor, Dr. J. A. H. Murray, of the “ New English Dic-<br />
tionary.” He says, “I protest strongly against the vulgar<br />
and unscholarly babit of omitting it from "abridgement,"<br />
etc., which is against all analogy, etymology, and orthoëpy,<br />
since elsewhere g is hard in English, when not followed by<br />
e or i. I think the University Press ought to set a<br />
scholarly example, instead of following the ignorant to do<br />
ill, for the sake of saving four p's." Mr. Hart adopts this<br />
in the “learned" side of bis Press; but in the Bible House<br />
the other spelling is followed, at least partially. In an<br />
Oxford Bible of the Authorised Version, again, we find<br />
“judgment"; in an Oxford Bible of the Revised Version it<br />
is “judgement." More strange still, in an Oxford Revised<br />
Version with the Concordance appended, we find the worl<br />
spelt one way in the body of the book and another way in<br />
the supplement. The Cambridge Concordance has "judge-<br />
ment”; the King's Printers' Bibles "judgment." ....<br />
The whole subject is surrounded with great, but we will<br />
not say insuperable, difficulty. Mr. Collins will have done<br />
good service, even to the humble comp, if he can do some-<br />
thing towards abolishing the anomalies now prevalent, and<br />
which waste so much of the time of the reader as well as<br />
of the compositor, besides being a source of many vexatious<br />
troubles to book-printing firms.<br />
STANDARD RULES FOR PRINTING.<br />
M<br />
H E following extracts from a long article in<br />
The British and Colonial Printer and<br />
Stationer dealing with Mr. Howard Collins'<br />
m ind<br />
article in last month's Author are of interest as<br />
showing the importance to the composilor of<br />
standard rules for printing :-<br />
Mr. Collins concludes with a most valuable suggestion,<br />
as to a rearrangement of the matter in its alphabetical<br />
form, giving a specimen of the manner in which he would<br />
have it done. This is an admirable idea, and one that we<br />
hope may be carried out.<br />
Now, this subject concerns printers as well as authors,<br />
and is one that comes directly within the range of “Our<br />
Observatory." It affects master printers, readers, and<br />
compositors. It is an always existing source of discussion,<br />
of friction, and disagreement. A compositor takes a berth<br />
in a house with a style whereof he is not acquainted. Nor<br />
can he learn it except through costly and annoying<br />
experience, for the rules are unwritten, or at any rate<br />
unprinted. If he is working on piece, he has to carry out<br />
all the marks” made by the reader at his own expense.<br />
When his proof is returned to him by that authority he<br />
will almost certainly find that a number of these marks<br />
are not those of errors that he has made-which he would<br />
not object to do in his own time—but of alterations due to<br />
peculiarities in “the style of the house." Here the hard-<br />
ship comes in. It is not a matter of what is right or<br />
wrong in the abstract, but what is usual in that particular<br />
office. It may be entirely different from that in the office<br />
in which the compositor has previously worked.<br />
PERPETUAL COPYRIGHT.<br />
W HAT question of all importance to authors<br />
1 – the duration and limitation of copyright<br />
-seems likely again to come prominently<br />
before the public.<br />
In an issue of the Morning Post there was a<br />
long article dealing with perpetual copyright which<br />
was well worthy of consideration by all those who<br />
possess copyright property. The writer, however,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 145 (#545) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
145<br />
makes one astounding mistake. He states as reduction in taxation, the profits that arise from so<br />
follows :-<br />
valuable a property.<br />
In commencing this article it was not intended<br />
“Suppose the author dead before his book is born to its<br />
printed existence. Then the forty-two years count from to discuss the question of perpetual copyright, but<br />
the date of death, and his representatives or assignees rather to refer with interest to the opinions put<br />
benefit thereby."<br />
forward in the Morning Post by foreign writers on<br />
It is curious how a person who has studied the this subject.<br />
copyright law with evident care should have made from France it appears that those who are<br />
such an erroneous assertion, as the Act runs as members of the Société des Gens de Lettres are<br />
follows, and is particularly clear on the point : strongly in favour of perpetual copyright, but it is<br />
“And the copyright in every book which shall be curious to nnd a man with such a wide public as<br />
published after the death of its author shall endure for Pierre Loti stating that he knows nothing about<br />
the term of forty-two years from the first publication these matters, and that he has never given them<br />
thereof."<br />
any consideration. It is almost as if a farmer,<br />
The copyright runs, therefore, not from the breeding live stock for the market, stated that he<br />
date of the author's death, but from the date of did not know anything about their management, or<br />
first publication. It has been thought necessary what was the best method to be adopted to obtain<br />
to bring this point forward, not with any desire of the best results.<br />
minimising the value of the article referred to, but Monsieur Jules Le Maître's reply is almost<br />
for fear least any one reading the article should have equally vague, and Monsieur Henri de Bornier<br />
been misled.<br />
candidly confesses that he is very ill-informed re-<br />
Touching, however, the question of copyright, garding this most complicated of questions.<br />
curious ideas have been, from time to time, put Turning to some of the German opinions, we find<br />
forward.<br />
Dr. Von Wildrenbruch puts forward an opinion<br />
Granted that an author has any property in copy- which is amusing in its paradox. He says, from<br />
right, there appears to be no sound reason why the standpoint of right and justice, the property<br />
that property should not be perpetual ; but it has of an author in his work is inextinguishable.<br />
been pointed out by the Secretary of the Society in We should have thought that this standpoint<br />
certain articles that the public for many centuries was the highest it would have been possible to<br />
(owing to the fact that printing had not been in adopt, but no, he has found one higher than that<br />
vented) looked upon the author's property as its of right and justice, namely, the standpoint of the<br />
own, and dealt with it as such. From this position common weal, and from this standpoint he agrees<br />
it was very difficult to turn, but at length a copy- that the term of copyright should be limited. We<br />
right law was passed, and the tendency of all cannot but think that if the standpoint of the<br />
modern legislation has been to increase and not to common weal is not that of right and justice, the<br />
decrease the period of years confirming the rights sooner it ceases to exist the better.<br />
to the author.<br />
Prof. Kuno Fischer also puts forward an amusing<br />
The argument that there is danger to the public reason for the limitation of the term :<br />
in knowledge being withheld or sold at too high a “No writer produces of himself alone. He is<br />
price is easily refuted. The consideration of supply indebted for his productions to the spirit of the<br />
and demand has always governed the question of age, and to the people amidst whom he lives."<br />
price, and there is no book for which there has But surely no person is indebted to himself alone<br />
been a large public demand which has not been for anything. The very coat he wears, the house<br />
lowered in price in order to meet the market ré- he lives in, the food he eats are all the result of<br />
quirements. The danger of works being withheld labour of thousands of his contemporaries; but they<br />
from the public by the owners can easily be are not a wbit the less the property of the man who<br />
remedied by law. At present, there is a clause in pays for them, and the perpetual property of that<br />
the Act of 5 & 6 Victoria dealing with this point. man.<br />
The absurdity of the present position, however, is It is a curious fact, looking through the opinions<br />
readily shown by the fact that it is not the public as a whole, that many who are ignorant of the<br />
who benefit by the limitation of the term of copy- questions dealing with the property they create,<br />
right, but a limited section—the publishers—who and others who appear not to be ignorant of the<br />
make their money out of non-copyright books. If questions, are still willing to give over their pro-<br />
the argument of the property being public was perty after a limited period. The latter shows an<br />
carried to its logical conclusion, all the copyrights altruistic spirit amongst the profession of authors<br />
at their expiration should be managed by a great which is highly to be commended, but which is<br />
Governmental department, and published for the hardly practicable in this very practical age.<br />
benefit of the public, who should obtain, by a One word more. It is curious that while there<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 146 (#546) ############################################<br />
<br />
146<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
are many struggling to limit in time the rights of this fact, he neglects to make a clain for pay-<br />
that belong to authors, these same people, by ment and consequently does not receive his just<br />
international treaties, are seeking to extend the due. This applies particularly to paragraph matter,<br />
same rights territorially.<br />
although I have known an equal reticence to be<br />
Why they should seek for a world-wide recog displayed on the part of the cashiers of newspapers<br />
nition of that property which they would limit in when even important articles are concerned. I<br />
time must be left as a riddle for their own solving. myself have sustained several pecuniary losses<br />
G. H. T.<br />
owing to the enforcing of this regulation. When<br />
I have mildly hinted to the editors in question<br />
that contributors should be relieved of the necessity<br />
of searching files in order to compile their claims,<br />
THE JOURNALISTIC FREE LANCE. I have usually met with a severe reproof. I notice,<br />
(BY ONE OF THEM.)<br />
however, that both the Pall Mall Gazette and the<br />
Westminster contrive to make out their contributors'<br />
accounts, and to do 80, moreover, with a com-<br />
(Continued.)<br />
mendable and inspiriting promptitude. It is the<br />
more excellent way.<br />
TOT only does the rate of payment vary Where two or three free lances are gathered<br />
considerably according to the class of together the conversation invariably veers round,<br />
periodical in which the free lance's work sooner or later, to the discussion of what-for<br />
appears, but the time that elapses before the dis- want of better term I would call the “ Ethics”<br />
bursement is made is seldom the same in any two of editing. To all members of my craft this is a<br />
papers. For example, more than three years ago I subject that is fraught with extreme importance,<br />
wrote an article for the Strand Magazine; I was for, since editors hold us in the hollows of their<br />
paid for it last week. In the spring of 1899 I had hands, it behoves us to study their ways very<br />
a story accepted by the Windsor Magazine; I have closely. As my own experience extends only over<br />
not yet received the honorarium due for it. Twelve a period of some three years, it would, perhaps, not<br />
months after it had been accepted I wrote to the be becoming of me to lay down the law with respect<br />
editor suggesting that, since life was at the best of to this. Nevertheless, I would give it as the result<br />
but a transitory nature, a cheque in settlement of of my personal investigations that, where first-<br />
my account would be welcome. In reply, I was class periodicals are concerned, the outside con-<br />
informed that the rule of the firm by which the tributor has remarkably little to complain of;<br />
magazine was owned was to pay only on publication. with regard, however, to periodicals that are not<br />
This regulation seems to be very generally in force. in the first flight, this is by no means the case.<br />
When accepted matter is printed within a reasonable Indeed, I have reluctantly come to the settled con-<br />
period of its receipt, there is no great hardship in it; clusion that there is some subtly contaminating<br />
when, however, matter is “ held over " for months influence about association in an editorial capacity<br />
and years, it is a different case altogether. Perhaps with journals that come within this latter category.<br />
I am unduly prejudiced on the subject, but I am The effects of it, indeed, even seem to sap, as it<br />
convinced that I shall be but evolving the opinion were, the moral fibre of such individuals and to<br />
of my brother free lances when I contend that divest them of the attributes of common humanity.<br />
there is no real reason why editors should not pay Now, lest this should be accounted too hard a<br />
for matter when they accept it. If I go into a saying, let me set forth some of my own experiences<br />
shop and choose a hat I am required to pay for it in connection with this matter.<br />
forth with. It is of no use my explaining that I Some little time ago I wrote an article on a<br />
propose to pay for it the first time I happen to subject of topical interest and sent it to a certain<br />
wear it.<br />
Weekly Review. As no notification of its receipt<br />
Another hardship-or at any rate, inconvenience was vouchsafed, I reluctantly concluded—after two<br />
-to which the free lance is subjected consists in months had passed that it had been summarily<br />
the common practice of requiring him to send in consigned to the waste-paper basket, and that<br />
an account before the money due to him is for another use had been found for the stamped and<br />
warded. This, of course, necessitates his keeping addressed envelope which had accompanied the<br />
a close watch upon the paper to which his work manuscript. At the end of this period, however,<br />
has been sent. After doing this for some time, I chanced to take up a copy of the paper and to<br />
without finding his contribution printed therein, sce my contribution duly published in it. To my<br />
he probably gives up looking for it. As soon as surprise, however, it appeared in the form of a<br />
he has done this, it is as likely as not that his “letter to the Editor." I waited for four weeks,<br />
article will be inserted, and, since he is ignorant and then sent in a claim for payment. In reply<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 147 (#547) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
147<br />
I received a dignified intimation that “ it was not that there had been interpolated into it a totally<br />
the practice of the Review in question to pay for unwarranted reference to the excellence of the<br />
correspondence.'” It appeared, however, to be the hats of a firm advertising on the journal's covers.<br />
practice of the paper to fill its columns gratis by The remark in question had at a certain point<br />
the simple expedient of converting articles into in the story been put into the mouth of one of<br />
this form without the sanction of their writers. my characters, in place of the one which I had<br />
It is worthy of note, however, that the “ letter to originally selected. Although I candidly admit<br />
the Editor” in which I expressed this view did that it made no material difference to the story, I<br />
not receive the honour of publication.<br />
felt, nevertheless, that a protest would not be out<br />
A second experience occurred in connection with of place. I went off to the office, accordingly, and<br />
a certain evening paper. I sent it an article which demanded to see the “editor." In reply I was<br />
was returned as “neither topical nor suitable.” shown into a room containing three young ladies,<br />
Having a different opinion on this subject, I who assured me that they shared the editorial<br />
promptly submitted it to another evening paper. functions between them. I harangued them at<br />
Here it met with immediate publication. On the some length, accordingly, on the enormity of the<br />
day after it had appeared in print, however, I offence they had committed and almost reduced<br />
found it reproduced to the extent of a column and them to tears by assuring them that to alter so<br />
a halt in the paper which had already declined it. much as a comma, without the express permission<br />
The fact that it was described as “an extract from of the author, was taking the first step in the<br />
an interesting article in a contemporary” did not path which eventually leads to the criminal dock<br />
deter me from hinting to editor number one that of the Old Bailey.<br />
if an article was sufficiently “ topical” to copy from The goal on which the free lance fixes his eyes<br />
ilnother periodical it was sufficiently “topical” to yearningly, as he plods laboriously along his path,<br />
print when originally offered to him. This view, is of course that of promotion to the staff of a<br />
however, does not seem to have met with accept- paper. When this coveted prize is his, be pro-<br />
ance ; at any rate, although six months have cecds at one bound from the receipt of an irregular<br />
passed since I expressed it, I have not been income to that of a regular one. Instead of having<br />
favoured with any reply thereto. It is when this to rack his brains to write that which shall find<br />
sort of thing happens to him that the free lance favour in editorial eyes, it is then his more<br />
sits down and writes articles on “ Editorial pleasing task to sit in judgment on the work of<br />
Hooligans.”<br />
others. Of course, he has to give up something in<br />
Another grievance under which the outside return for this—to sacrifice a good deal of his old<br />
contributor labours at times is that of having his freedom for one thing—but he does so with the<br />
work mangled-I believe the technical term is utmost willingness, for, to the chance contributor,<br />
“sub-edited”—by those through whom it passes freedom from calls upon his time is exceedingly<br />
before it is published. Of course, when the author unremunerative. Although all the editors that I<br />
18 favoured with a proof, this seldom occurs. ever came across were always loud in their com-<br />
Still, this is not invariably the case, for in an plaints about their “pressure of work" and<br />
article which I contributed to one of the monthlies “ numerous responsibilities,” they never evinced<br />
the other day I noticed with feelings of the the slightest inclination to change places with<br />
keenest anguish several wholly unauthorised myself. The fact is, their positions are not at all<br />
einendations. The peculiar hardship in connec- easy to obtain ; and, once one has been secured, its<br />
tion with this practice consists in the fact that a occupant takes excellent care not to relinquish it<br />
signed article is naturally taken by its readers to without very good reason. As to how they are<br />
be an exact expression of the writer's views. It obtained in the first place, it is very difficult for<br />
is, however--horribly ungallant though it seem to most people to discover. After having given a<br />
say so—when working for papers edited by ladies great deal of thought to the subject, however, I<br />
that I have suffered most on this account. Quite have arrived at the conclusion that the best way<br />
recently, for example, I sent a short story to a for the free-lance journalist to find his ambition<br />
periodical which I will call Our Girls. Although realised is to go to Oxford with the son of a news-<br />
I accompanied it by a stamped envelope, I was paper proprietor. At any rate, I know of several<br />
not notified of either its acceptance or rejection. instances where this course has been pursued with<br />
As I knew that the paper was edited by a lady, I the happiest results. One such case, for instance,<br />
did not expect so ordinary a courtesy to be is that of an acquaintance of mine, who is now<br />
obserred. I accordingly looked carefully through assistant editor of a well-known illustrated weekly.<br />
each number as it appeared, and in one of them This position he owes entirely to the fact that he had<br />
eventually saw my contribution published. As the forethought to be a University contemporary<br />
I glanced through it, I found to my horror- of a near relative of the paper's chief proprietor.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 148 (#548) ############################################<br />
<br />
148<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Even with the best will in the world, however, it<br />
is not given to all of us to be able to follow this<br />
example. A second plan is to marry an editor's<br />
daughter. There is, however, a certain element<br />
of risk about this which-although I have known<br />
it to be carried out at times with immense success<br />
-makes me unable to commend it without con-<br />
siderable reservation. Difficulties, too, of putting<br />
it into practice may be caused by circumstances<br />
over which the most deserving of aspirants have<br />
no real control. For the most part, therefore,<br />
there is nothing for the free lance to do but to<br />
wait, and watch, and hope for the coming of that<br />
“tide” which in his case—as in that of any one<br />
else-will sooner or later assuredly “ lead on to<br />
fortune.”<br />
H. W.<br />
It was almost impossible, he stated, to conceive<br />
such colossal ignorance as they betrayed.<br />
The evening ended very pleasantly by Mr.<br />
Poulteney Bigelow giving a short account of his<br />
recent lecturing tour in America. He also pointed<br />
out how the American experience as colonists in<br />
the Philippines had tended to modify American<br />
feeling with regard to the Boer War and English<br />
colonisation generally.<br />
A BALLADE OF INCAPACITY.<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.<br />
M HE dinners of the Authors' Club continue<br />
1 very successful. On Monday, February<br />
3rd, Mr. Max Pemberton took the chair,<br />
and Mr. A. E. W. Mason was the guest of the<br />
evening.<br />
Mr. Pemberton, in a speech proposing the health<br />
of the guest, expressed his appreciation of Mr.<br />
Mason's writings, and made some remarks with<br />
regard to the romantic side of fiction. .<br />
Mr. Mason responded and stated shortly his<br />
ideals as far as his own writings and also as far as<br />
the aims and objects of fiction writers in general<br />
ought to be concerned. Other speeches followed.<br />
Mr. Benjamin Swift, in a few very pointed remarks,<br />
refused to romantic fiction all right to the claim<br />
of being the ideal work of the fictionist. Mr<br />
Clement Shorter responded for the guests.<br />
On February 17th Dr. Conan Doyle took the<br />
chair, and Mr. Hesketh Prichard was the guest of<br />
the evening. The guest is the author of-in<br />
collaboration with his mother—the novel called<br />
“ Karadac,” and other works. He is also a<br />
traveller of considerable experience. His book,<br />
“ Where Black Rules White,” is the relation of<br />
his adventures in the Pacific. Recently he has<br />
returned from an expedition to Patagonia, and his<br />
book on the subject will be published shortly.<br />
Though in his wanderings he has not made such<br />
a discovery among mammalia as Sir Harry Johnson,<br />
ohnson,<br />
yet he has brought home the skin of a distinct<br />
variety of puma.<br />
He made an amusing speech, dealing not so<br />
much with his own experiences as with the opinions<br />
of the inhabitants of some of the countries through<br />
which he had been travelling, on the Boer War.<br />
“My lord, I cannot speak."-MACLEAN, the highway.<br />
man (on his trial).<br />
" QYILENCE is golden,” saith the saw,<br />
D And rightly is extolled ;<br />
For speech, too oft, outrides the law<br />
By waxing overbold ;<br />
Yet he, I think (of mortal mould),<br />
Most feels the need of “ cheek,''<br />
The man who can no tale unfold,<br />
The man who cannot speak!<br />
He listens with a kind of awe,<br />
And hears around him rolled<br />
The long, reverberate guffaw<br />
That greets the quicker-souled;<br />
He hears the jest, or new or old,<br />
And, speechless, eats his " leek”-<br />
Is classed as either dull or cold,<br />
The man who cannot speak /<br />
He may have “Latin in his mawe;"*<br />
He may keep down controlled<br />
Potentialities of " jaw,”<br />
Unmatched of any scold;<br />
He may have thoughts of sterling gold<br />
For each day in the week ;<br />
But he must all these things withhold,<br />
The man who cannot speak.<br />
Envoy.<br />
FRIENDS, 'tis of me the fable's told,<br />
Your sufferance I seek ;<br />
In me that shameless sight behold-<br />
The man who cannot speak.<br />
AUSTIN DOBSON.<br />
dem.-- This was written for the dinner at the<br />
Whitefriars Club in November, 1901, and given<br />
to Mr Shorter who printed it in the Sphere and<br />
the Tatler. It was recited, by request, at the<br />
dinner of the Authors' Club on January 20th.<br />
* Chaucer.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 149 (#549) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
149<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
ITERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
1 agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“ Cost of Production."<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :-<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
1. D VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
V advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 150 (#550) ############################################<br />
<br />
150<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storer's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor xor LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are sumed<br />
or initialled the Authors alone are responsible.<br />
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken<br />
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless<br />
such is especially stated to be the case.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTEKS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR On all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
an readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
V EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
M branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS, can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
lieaders are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
M HE autobiography of Sir Walter Besant, as<br />
readers of The Author are already aware, is<br />
about to be published. We are apprised of<br />
the same fact by a paragraph in The Book Lover,<br />
which is in reality the book puff of the firm which<br />
produces the work. What is our astonishment,<br />
then, to see in that periodical the following<br />
statement :-<br />
- To the literary world Sir Walter was chiefly famous<br />
for his championship of his brother authors, though, unfor-<br />
tunately for the cause, be set about it the wrong way.<br />
mistaking particulars for generalities, and classing all<br />
publishers as rogues and the deadly enemies of authors."<br />
The italics are not ours, but the Publishers'.<br />
We are not prepared to discuss the taste of such an<br />
announcement, issuing from such a source. All<br />
lovers of our dead Founder and all who read The<br />
Author will make their own deductions. Neither<br />
are we prepared to discuss whether “he set about<br />
the championship of his brother author's in the<br />
wrong way.” The result has justified his ur-<br />
selfish and unstrerving labour. But we will not<br />
NOTICES.<br />
THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
1 the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 151 (#551) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
151<br />
ibara<br />
allow those statements thrown broadcast to pass Apropos of the same subject, it is stated that<br />
unchallenged which in his lifetime he so constantly M. Sully Prudhomme, who was one of those to whom<br />
and so frequently denied, and again we must ask the Nobel Prize was granted last year, has decided<br />
for the writer's authority for such a statement that to found an annnal prize of 1,500 francs, to be<br />
he classed all publishers as rogues and the deadly awarded to some young French poet using the<br />
enemies of authors.<br />
traditional classical verse of France.<br />
The writer continues—“ But de mortuis nil nisi The Société des Gens de Lettres will act as<br />
bonum ; and no doubt he meant well.” It is arbiters in the matter, or, at any rate, make arrange-<br />
almost ludicrous if it were not sad that the hack- ments by which the amount will be awarded.<br />
neved Latin proverb should be dragged in after This is very cheering news. Perhaps some day,<br />
such a statement when the writer knew that the when Anglophobia shall have retreated into its<br />
fighting spirit who held such a virile pen was no hole like a dyspeptic dragon, an English author will<br />
longer alive to defend himself.<br />
be crowned by the Swedish Academy, and then<br />
Of “ The Pen and the Book," the same paragraph perhaps the Capital Fund of the Society, or its<br />
states : “ This was a tirade against publishers recently-started Pension Fund, will partly share<br />
which contained a good deal of rather amusing Mr. Nobel's magnificent donation.<br />
fiction."<br />
Again we say nothing about the taste of the<br />
statement, coming as it does in this particular In last month's Author there was a note in the<br />
connection, but would ask the person, whoever he “Authorities” touching the performing rights in<br />
may be, to come from the region of fiction to the musical pieces, and it was demonstrated how these<br />
dull realm of fact and kindly forward his references rights might become a large property for composers<br />
to the Editor of The Author, who, by the way, is if rightly managed.<br />
not, as he states, Dr. S. Squire Sprigge, the writer The question is of growing importance owing to<br />
of the Preface and the editor of the Autobiography.<br />
the fact that hand organs and the many other<br />
mechanical contrivances for reproducing music, such<br />
as the pianola, phonograph, &c., are having a large<br />
and increasing sale.<br />
Owing to the misconstruction of certain writers, It was decided in a very interesting case heard<br />
presumably of an idealistic tendency, of a letter not long ago before the Courts that the perforated<br />
tbat appeared in one of the daily papers, referring sheets by which the music of composers was<br />
to the award of the Nobel Prize, No. 39, Old produced was not an infringement of copyright.<br />
Queen Street, has been the centre of a whirl of There is no doubt, however, that the reproduction<br />
excitement.<br />
would have been an infringement of the per-<br />
Mr. Robinson has considered that the Committee, forming rights if the performing rights had been<br />
instead of being merely a channel for conveying retained by the composer.<br />
the votes to the Swedish Academy, was a Com- Under these circumstances it is clear that if<br />
mittee appointed to judge of the value of his composers desire to stop this they must reserve<br />
idealistic writings, and the same idea has obscured their performing rights. The fact that there is<br />
the brain of Brown and Smith.<br />
considerable outcry amongst the profession against<br />
Robinson's epic of the Creation is no doubt this form of legalised robbery may give the<br />
full of interest, so also may be Brown's book on necessary stimulus to draw composers together,<br />
Microbes, or Smith's on the Building of Birds not only to protect themselves from piracy of the<br />
Nests.<br />
performing rights, but to protect the copyright and<br />
But the strongest and most intelligent Com- to establish some reasonable form of agreement<br />
mittee imbued with the wisdom of Solomon, and with the publishers who produce their works.<br />
granted the longevity of Methusaleh, would hardly<br />
be strong enough to deal with the demands of all<br />
personal applicants desiring a criticism of their In reading the February number of the New<br />
work.<br />
York Bookman, we come across an article entitled<br />
« But all is well that end's well," as Shake- “In the Camp of the Enemy,” which is practically<br />
Bacon wisely remarks ; and for the present year on the lines of the article from the Free Lance<br />
the wave of excitement has subsided on the duck- Journalist which is now appearing in The Author.<br />
pond of the illiterate. .<br />
We recommend the perusal of it. It shows<br />
Ample time will be given to deal with the that the path of the magazine contributor across<br />
matter more satisfactorily next year, and ample the water is impeded with thorns and brambles<br />
explanation will, no doubt, be published as to the to the same extent as is the case in the Old<br />
real functions and limitations of the Committee. Country.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 152 (#552) ############################################<br />
<br />
152<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
One memorandum that the author received from One of the artists, a man of ready wit, entered at<br />
an editor is amusing. It contains, among other once into the spirit of the jest, and wrote back to<br />
conditions: “If agreeable to you, we shall retain the vendor of preserved fruits, informing him that<br />
the MS. at your risk, paying for it when pub- he also had started a prize for the best samples<br />
lished.” On further inquiry by the author, the of preserved fruits, and that if the gentleman in<br />
editor stated that she would be willing to keep it question would forward him a dozen boxes or so<br />
for an indefinite time-it might be a month or of his choicest productions, he would have much<br />
it might be two years--she really could not say pleasure in entering his name for the prize, the<br />
which. If at the end of that time it had not been value of which he mentioned. The artist, how-<br />
mislaid or burned (in which case the author alone ever, pointed out that the fruit sent in by com-<br />
would be responsible) it would appear in print, petitors would become his property, whether they<br />
and the author would receive the princely sum of won the prize or not.<br />
five or six dollars-considerably less than half a The story does not record whether the vendor of<br />
cent a word.<br />
candied delicacies entered into the competition or<br />
We are glad to say that the author had a small the spirit of the joke.<br />
revenge.<br />
We, however, quote the story here, as the mer-<br />
Another example of New York journalism is chant's liberal offer calls to mind so forcibly the<br />
given.<br />
literary prizes offered from time to time by various<br />
The same author forwarded to a prominent magazines. Unfortunately, in these cases the<br />
Sunday newspaper an article on a local subject, contributor is denied the pleasure of the “ retort<br />
illustrated with his own photographs. The editor courteous" allowed to the artist, as the collection<br />
expressed the greatest satisfaction with them, and of penny dreadfuls, sixpenny monthlies, and other<br />
begged the author to leave them, yet they were magazine refuse would be hardly of much value<br />
returned the next day without a word of regret to the contributor who offered a prize for the<br />
or explanation.<br />
best periodical production. The magazine editor<br />
About a fortnight afterwards, in the same paper who offers a prize for a literary competition<br />
a similar article appeared, illustrated by photo has, it is clear, a decided advantage over the<br />
graphs taken from almost the same point of view. manufacturer of preserved fruit.<br />
What had happened was quite evident. The From time to time we have shown in the pages<br />
editor had sent one of his own staff—as it was of The Author the fallacious nature of these prize<br />
cheaper--and had reproduced the article. The competitions, and how an ingenious editor, by<br />
author suggests that it was perhaps justifiable what may appear to be a liberal offer, can secure<br />
according to newspaper ethics, or, he adds, the for his paper literary matter, fill his pages, and<br />
ethics of that particular paper. We trust it was save his proprietor's pocket for a considerable<br />
the ethics of that particular paper.<br />
period.<br />
Similar instances have come to our knowledge In all these prize competitions it should be an<br />
in England, but it may be fairly remarked that essential that all those contributions which do not<br />
the ethics of the particular paper are not the win the prize should be returned or definitely<br />
ethics of all English journals.<br />
accepted—if accepted, should be paid for at a<br />
It is pleasing to hear from the same pen that, reasonable rate. To retain all the contributions<br />
though an unknown writer on arrival in New as a free gift-as was the desire of the vendor of<br />
York, the author has been successful. “I believe," preserved fruits—is hardly fair to the anthor or to<br />
he says, “more firmly than ever I did, that it is the artist.<br />
perfectly possible to succeed in gaining editorial<br />
recognition without any pull whatever, provided<br />
you can do good work.”<br />
We are sorry to quote the enclosed paragraph<br />
from a contemporary :-<br />
"One of our reviewers who had — sent to him for notice<br />
wrote to say that he did not like to say what he thought<br />
A well-known manufacturer of dried fruit was<br />
about it, as it might shock our readers. Besides it would<br />
desirous of obtaining a work of art as the means offend the publisher and we sbould lose his support. Well.<br />
of advertising his wares.<br />
there is something in that. We dare not say what we think<br />
of the books in question for fear of losing the advertise-<br />
He accordingly put up a sum for the prize, and<br />
ments of the firms who publish them."<br />
issued a circular to the leading artists of his<br />
fatherland. He stipulated, among other condi This is really a serious admission, and speaks<br />
tions of the competition, that he should become volumes for the modern methods of reviewing. It<br />
the possessor of all the drawings that were sent would appear clear that the attitude of the pub-<br />
in, whether they obtained the prize or not.<br />
lishers is to blame for the action of the reviewer.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 153 (#553) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
153<br />
As authors ever since publishing was a trade<br />
have frequently suffered material damage at the<br />
hand of the united brotherhood, publishers have<br />
in their turn suffered from time to time moral<br />
and intellectual damage (we beg to thank Mr.<br />
Kruger for this apt phrase) from the pen of their<br />
victims.<br />
Byron's story is ever fresh in the memory, and<br />
Borrow in “ Lavengro” throws some amusing<br />
cynicism, a milder vitriol, over the sect.<br />
It is poignant and burns. The following<br />
quotation has, however, its amusing aspect.<br />
The author speaks :<br />
Above the far horizon's rim<br />
And steals across the sombre sea,<br />
Shall I not stir each straitened limb,<br />
And, half-awakened, drowsily<br />
Hear the faint call of sleepy birds,<br />
The timorous flutter of their wings,<br />
And know that o'er the earth which girds<br />
My narrow house, all sentient things<br />
Share the sweet privilege of light,<br />
Wake to a life, dear God! how fair ?<br />
Ah! then, poor prisoner of the night,<br />
Shall I not care, shall I not care ?<br />
St. John LUCAS.<br />
for ? :<br />
THE IRISH LITERARY REYIYAL.<br />
By John TODHUNTER.<br />
“My money was growing short, and I once asked him (the<br />
publisher] to pay me for my labours in the deceased<br />
publication.<br />
“Sir,' said the publisher, 'what do you want the money<br />
" " Merely to live on' I replied. It is very difficult to<br />
live in this town without money.'<br />
6 · How much money did you bring with you to town?"<br />
demanded the publisher.<br />
“Some twenty or thirty pounds,' I replied.<br />
“And you have spent it already ?'.<br />
". No' said I, 'not entirely, but it is fast disappearing.<br />
“ • Sir,' said the publisher, 'I believe you to be extrava-<br />
gant--yes, sir, extravagant!'.<br />
"On what grounds do you suppose me to be so ?'<br />
“Sir,' said the publisher, 'you eat meat ?<br />
** • Yes,' said I, I eat meat sometimes. What should I<br />
eat ? :<br />
"Bread, sir,' said the publisher : bread and cheese.'<br />
• • So I do, sir, when I am disposed to indulge; but I<br />
cannot often afford it; it is very expensive to dine on bread<br />
and cheese, especially when one is fond of cheese, as I am.<br />
My last bread and cheese dinner cost me fourteen-pence.<br />
There is drink, sir ; with bread and cheese one must drink<br />
porter, sir.'<br />
" . Then sir, eat bread—bread alone. As good men as<br />
yourself have eaten bread alone ; they have been glad to<br />
get it, sir. If with bread and cheese you must drink porter,<br />
sir, with bread alone you can perhaps drink water, sir.'”.<br />
It is amusing to note the publisher's interest in<br />
the domestic economy of the author, and the<br />
paternal solicitude as to the methods that should<br />
guide the conduct of the unfortunate.<br />
Rather perhaps it would be amusing if it were<br />
not sad. Far better keep to cold, unsympathetic<br />
business methods than indulge in uncertain and<br />
hollow friendships, or bow to generous patrons.<br />
We hope those times have gone.<br />
(Continued.)<br />
I MIGHT pick out many poems of merit first<br />
printed in the Irish newspapers. Mr. l'. J.<br />
McCall, for instance, author of Irish Noinins"<br />
(Daisies) and “ Songs of Erinn,” deserves more than<br />
a passing mention, and I regret that I can only<br />
give a few stanzas from his " Oh, that the Wars<br />
were All Over”—a ballad of '98. It tells howa<br />
poor woman's husband joined the “rebels," and<br />
how, seeking for news of him, she met her death at<br />
the hand of a “ Yeo"-one of the Yeomanry, who,<br />
like the Hessians, played a conspicuous part.on<br />
the English side in '98, and the subsequent reign<br />
of terror :-<br />
“ Like a wraith by the river below the bleach green,<br />
Sat the saddest of women that ever was seen,<br />
With a heart-song as sore as the skylark's despair<br />
When over his nest hangs a bawk in the air!<br />
As she wished :-. That the wars were all over!'<br />
Wishing :--Oh, that the wars were all over!'<br />
66 6'Tis seven lone Sundays,' she said, since he came<br />
O'er the stones of the river-Oh, was I to blame,<br />
When he said to me, “ Nan, I'll go fight with the boys!"<br />
That I kissed him and blest him, though mute was my<br />
voice!<br />
Then she prayed :- That the wars were all over!'<br />
Praying :-Oh, that the wars were all over!'<br />
The last stanza runs :<br />
“ She passed in the night by the Bridge of Knockclo,<br />
And there on the ledge nook stood smoking a Yeo.;<br />
He primed his horse-pistol and fired at the mark,<br />
And shot the poor wife, through the heart, in the dark !<br />
And she sighed :-'That the wars were all over!'<br />
But she died ere the wars were all over."<br />
Apropos of newspapers, I should like to say a<br />
good word for the All Ireland Review, edited by<br />
Mr. Standish O'Grady, and published by Sealey,<br />
LIFE.<br />
A Reply to "A. C. B.”<br />
WHEN I am lying in my grave,<br />
Ah ! surely I shall sometimes hear<br />
The midnight murmur of the wave;<br />
And when the dawn comes opal-clear<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 154 (#554) ############################################<br />
<br />
154<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Briers and Walker, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin. enough for Tennyson when condescending to the<br />
It is not a newspaper in the ordinary sense, but peasant mind; but is not good enough for the<br />
rather a weekly magazine of a very Irish, and, to much more delicate work of Miss Barlow.<br />
the conventional English mind, whimsical kind- It is otherwise with Miss Nora Hopper, whose<br />
racy of the soil, in l'act. Mr. O'Grady, who has prose sketches are somewhat crude, while many of<br />
done much to popularise some of our Bardic her poems are charming in their individuality.<br />
literature, in his prose epics of “The Coming of They have a genuine lyrical quality ; the emotion,<br />
Cuchullin," and his Homeric version of the wars expressing itself in the metre, gives them that<br />
of the Red Branch, is a most original editor. In vital rhythm which haunts the ear of memory and<br />
the Donnybrook Fair of Irish opinion, with its makes them pleasant and compassionable things.<br />
animosities, religious, political, and personal, still In much of their love-poetry women seem to<br />
eddying like cross-currents of the great national stand tip-toe on their soul's mountain-tops, atter-<br />
movement, he has assumed the post of reconciler. ing a somewhat thin and melancholy wail. That<br />
He valiantly opens his columns to men of all shades unappeasable babe, the human heart, always crying<br />
of opinion, with the result that he has to stand for the moon, especially when its -sex is feminine,<br />
the brunt of many indignant assaults from all tends to become monotonous in the expression of<br />
sides. He is the recipient of many letters, and the its woes. But if Miss Hopper is melancholy in<br />
subject of many articles, sometimes couched in her love-poems, she has the grace of being musical,<br />
language that may be termed ultra-Parliamentary. which is much to be thankful for. Here are some<br />
But he takes it all good-humouredly, as part of the verses from her “Moonstone”:-<br />
day's work, and firmly holds by the faith that is in<br />
“ I am a moonstone, and my heart lies deep<br />
him, answering wisely and courteously even the<br />
Under a weight of water, fixed in sleep-<br />
most bitter of his assailants. He has, however,<br />
But let the one hand touch me, though it were<br />
many warm supporters, and deserves the support<br />
Light as the flutter of a woman's hair,<br />
he has received. I commend his paper heartily to I shall hear, feel, and know the time to glow<br />
all lovers of adventurous journalism as a periodical<br />
And break my heart to let my colour show,<br />
Colour not dreamed of by the soul that strays<br />
of a most original kind. Literary evolution has, in<br />
Seeking the moonstone many weary days."<br />
the All Ireland Review, produced a new species,<br />
which I hope may survive.<br />
These lines are characteristically feminine in<br />
One feature of the Irish literary movement their note, and tender and beautiful in their<br />
worthy of note is the amount of work, in both rhythm. So also are the “ Elegy” and “ Elusion,"<br />
prose and verse, some of it of rare excellence, done<br />
which seem to me as good of their kind as any-<br />
by women.<br />
thing Miss Hopper has written, and that implies<br />
Some of the most original and interesting literary<br />
a rare freshness of sentiment and charm of<br />
work of last century has been done by women ; expression. Here is the “ Elegy":-<br />
but its value hitherto has often depended more<br />
“She had as many loves as she had follies,<br />
upon its sincerity and fearlessness of statement<br />
And all her light loves lightly sang her praises.<br />
than upon its artistic form. It is well that women But now, laid low beneath sharp-leaved sea-hollies<br />
should unpack their hearts even crudely in prose And pale sea-daisies,<br />
or verse ; but it is better that they should attempt,<br />
Here at the limit of the hollow shore<br />
Folly and praise are covered meetly o'er.<br />
as they are now doing, to make language a<br />
dexterously touched instrument for the expression “ We will not tell her beads of beauty over :<br />
of their thoughts and emotions; and it is most<br />
All that we say, and all we leave unsaid<br />
Be buried with her. There's no lightest lover<br />
gratifying to be able to say that, in poetry as in<br />
But scatters on her bed<br />
prose, some of our Irish women have done work Pansies for thoughts, and woodruff white as she,<br />
which, in form or matter, need not fear comparison And, for remembrance, quiet rosemary.<br />
with the best of what has been recently done in<br />
“ Here is the end of laughter : quenchel together<br />
England.<br />
Are grief and mirth; here dancing feet fall still,<br />
I need only mention the “ Irish Idylls" and Here where wild thyme and sea-pink brave wild weater,<br />
other stories of Miss Jane Barlow, excellent in<br />
And die at the wind's will,<br />
Bring her in dreams here to her quiet home,<br />
style as in matter. In ber stories in verse she<br />
Thou sea, her sister! bring her weeds and foam."<br />
has not as yet quite found herself. They are well<br />
told, and have turns of expression which are Irish That is an exqnisite piece of fantasy, all<br />
in feeling as in idiom ; but in adopting the apparently suggested by that first rhyme of sea-<br />
monotonous metre used by Tennyson in some of hollies with follies. It might almost be a song in<br />
his sketches in soliloquy, she is handicapped, not an Elizabethan play, it is so dainty in its perfection,<br />
by any comparison with him, but merely by the but for something modern and feminine in its<br />
metre, which in its joy-trot quality was good emotional colour.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 155 (#555) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
155<br />
an Iriin some of th, or<br />
The Inot te<br />
Mrs. Tynan-Hinkson's work in prose and verse I might quote from other ladies deserving<br />
is so popular in England as in Ireland, that it is honourable mention : Miss Ellen O'Leary, Mrs.<br />
only necessary to mention her name, to set some Clement Shorter, who sweeps from her Irish harp<br />
verse of hers aflutter in the memory of one of her wild dirges, with a recurrent note of desolate yet<br />
admirers. She is as persistent and voluble in her heroic melancholy distinctively her own ; Miss Alice<br />
song as an Irish nightingale, if we had one ; but Furlong, Miss Alice Milligan, who in her “Last<br />
is at her hest in some of those poems of domestic Feast of the Fianna” has dramatised an episode<br />
pathos like “The Dead Son," or " The Last Word,” in one of our bardic tales with a feeling of its<br />
in which her fluency of utterance has not tempted imaginative atmosphere; and others. But in<br />
her to exuberance ; and in some of her delicately- giving place aux dames I have left myself little<br />
touched impressions from nature in “ The Wind space for the men.<br />
Among the Trees.”<br />
Mr. Yeats's work in prose and verse, always<br />
In * Moira O'Neill's" little volume, “Songs original and “of imagination all compact,” is too<br />
from the Glens of Antrim," we have five-and- well known to need comment here. To him and<br />
twenty short poems, each of which is finished with Mr. Martin we owe the foundation of the “ Irish<br />
a rare feeling for artistic craftsmanship. In fact Literary Drama," which, though in its infancy, is<br />
many of these “songs" may hold their own a child of promise.<br />
against all comers; for they are original in con- Mr. Russell, who writes under the signature<br />
ception, and as nearly perfect in form as such “A. E.,” is, like Mr. Yeats, a mystic. The unseen<br />
things could be. Every word seems right, and world of the spirit is always present with him.<br />
not a word is superfluous. They have a quaint His poems are the conceptions of a grave and<br />
lilt of their own, in which the rhythm seems to limpid imagination, and always delicately finished.<br />
spring naturally out of the sentiment. It is not That entitled “ Dawn” may serve as an example<br />
easy to handle Irish dialect in serious poetry ; but of his work-<br />
here the dialect of the glens is made the poetic<br />
vehicle of that reticent expression of emotion in “Still as the holy of holies breathes the vast,<br />
which pathos is touched with humour, so charac-<br />
Within its crystal depths the stars grow dim :<br />
teristically Irish. The reader at once finds him-<br />
Fire on the altar of the hills at last<br />
self on friendly terms with these little poems, if<br />
Burns on the shadowy rim.<br />
he is sympathetic ; but they never lose their self-<br />
"Moment that holds all moments ; white upon<br />
respect, or give themselves away. They are<br />
The verge it trembles ; then like mists of flowers<br />
sensitive things, and have too much dignity to<br />
Break from the fairy fountains of the dawn<br />
hunt an emotion to death. “Moira O'Neill” is<br />
The hues of many hours.<br />
particularly happy in her use of refrains-<br />
“ Thrown downward from that high companionship.<br />
* Och Corrymecla an' the blue sky over it,"<br />
Of dreaming inmost heart with inmost heart,<br />
Into the common daily ways I slip,<br />
has the true “ lyrical cry.”<br />
My fire from theirs apart.”<br />
Such a poem as “Denny's Daughter” is a<br />
masterpiece of twenty lines-<br />
Professor Savage-Armstrong, though not a<br />
Nationalist, seems to have felt the influence of the<br />
* Denny's daughter stood a minute in the field I be to pass, literary movement in his last volume of poems,<br />
All as quiet as her shadow lyin' by her on the grass; “ Ballads of Down," in which there are many<br />
In her hand a switch o' hazel from the nut tree's crooked charming poems in the dialect of the County<br />
root,<br />
Well I mind the crown o'clover crumpled undber one<br />
Down. I have no personal acquaintance with<br />
bare foot.<br />
this dialect, which seems, from the specimens he<br />
For the look of her, the look of her<br />
gives, to be very like Lowland Scotch. Here are<br />
Comes back on me to-day,-<br />
Wi' the eyes of her, the eyes of her<br />
a couple of these poems, each in a different key,<br />
That took me on the way.<br />
and each admirable of its kind---<br />
Though I seen poor Denny's daughter white an' stiff upon<br />
her bed,<br />
THE WEE LASSIE'S FIRST LOVE,<br />
Yet I be to think there's sunlight fallin' somewhere<br />
on her head :<br />
A cannae hear his name an' hide<br />
She'll be singin' Are Jlary where the flowers never wilt,<br />
My thought wi' ony art ;<br />
She, the girl my own hands covered wi' the narrow<br />
A cannae see him come, an' calm<br />
daisy-quilt.<br />
The flitterin' uv my heart ;<br />
For the love of her, the love of her<br />
It's pain tae meet him when A walk,<br />
That would not be my wife ;<br />
Or meet him nae ava;<br />
An' the loss of her, the loss of her<br />
A wish him aye tae come tae me,<br />
Has left me lone for life."<br />
A wish him aye awa'.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 156 (#556) ############################################<br />
<br />
156<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
A dinnae kén what's wrang wi' me ;<br />
A'm vixed, A kennae why ;<br />
A cannae talk, A cannae wark;<br />
My min's a' gang'd agley ;<br />
A say sich foolish thin's at whiles,<br />
My face is scorched wi' pain ...<br />
O let them lave me tae mysel'!<br />
A jist wud be alane.<br />
That is a grave and stately poem, and shows that<br />
our men also can sing.<br />
Mr. Stephen Gwynn has recently published a<br />
volume of poems, which I have not seen ; but if it<br />
contains many poems as good as the one I give<br />
with some omissions, written in a North Country<br />
dialect, it is a promising first volume :<br />
A'm nae sae tall as Elsie Barnes,<br />
A hae nae een like May's,<br />
Yit aft he turns frae May tae me,<br />
An' ne'er wi' Elsie strays.<br />
A canna' thole tae see him laugh<br />
Wi' Grace or Rose or Jean,<br />
An' yit he's stan'in' nigh my side<br />
Mair aft than ony ane.<br />
He's aye sae courteous, kin', an' free<br />
Wi' mon an' lass an' chiel ;<br />
Mayhap he cares nae mair fur me<br />
Thau jist tae wish me weel . .<br />
But ah, the kin'ness uv his voice!<br />
An' ah, his dark blue ee !<br />
An' ah, his face an'coortly grace!..<br />
A think A jist cud dee.<br />
OUT IN THE DARK.<br />
Oh, up the brae, and up and up, beyont the fairy thorn,<br />
It's there they hae my baby laid, that died when he was<br />
born.<br />
Afore the priest could christen him to save his soul, he<br />
died;<br />
It never lived at all, they said-'twas livin' in my side.<br />
He'll sure be thinkin' long for me, an' wearyin' his lone<br />
Up in thon corner by the whins wi' neither cross nor stone;<br />
Ay, tho’ I'd died wi' him itself, they wouldna let us be-<br />
The corner o' a field for him, the holy ground for me :<br />
The graves are all that tiny that they'd hardly raise a<br />
mound,<br />
And couples o' a Sunday do be coortin' on thon ground,<br />
An' th' are none that thinks upon them ; but my heart'll<br />
be there still,<br />
On the sod among the bracken an' the whins upon the hill.<br />
I'd be feared to come o' night there, for the hill is fairy<br />
ground,<br />
But th' are, may be, more nor fairies dancin' in the fairy<br />
round<br />
Och, an' if I only thought it! sure, I'd let them do their<br />
worst,<br />
An' I'd go to see my baby, tho' I be to be accursed.<br />
But I'll never reach my wean now, neither here nor in the<br />
sod,<br />
An' I'm betther wi’ the Christians an' the souls that's saved<br />
for God :-<br />
Och, to feel his fingers on me, an' to clasp him when he<br />
smiled!<br />
Sure ye'd think there'd be one heaven for the mother an<br />
the child.<br />
DEATH AND LIFE.<br />
“ Puir Wully is deed!”-“0, is he? ” —<br />
“Ay, cau'd in his coffin he's leein'!"<br />
“ Jist noo A em muckle tae busy<br />
Tae trouble me heed aboot deein';<br />
There's han's to be got fur the reapin';<br />
We're gaun tae the wark in th' murn;<br />
An' A'm thinkin' the rain ’ill come dreepin',<br />
The-night, an' destroyin' the curn.”'<br />
I must conclude with two poems which seem to<br />
me noteworthy contributions to our Irish literature.<br />
The first is Mr. T. W. Rolleston's fine translation<br />
from the Irish, the haunting rhythm of which is<br />
worthy of the heroic subject :<br />
THE DEAD AT CLONMACNOIS.<br />
I am sorry that space does not permit me to say<br />
anything about our recent prose literature, nor<br />
about what is being done to preserve old Irish<br />
music, and to encourage the production of new. I<br />
hope, however, even this very imperfect article<br />
may be sufficient to show that the West is really<br />
awake at last.<br />
In a quiet water'd land, a land of roses,<br />
Stands St. Kieran's city fair :<br />
And the warriors of Erin in their famous generations<br />
Slumber there.<br />
There beneath the dewy hillside sleep the noblest<br />
Of the Clan of Conn,<br />
Each below his stone with name in branching Ogham<br />
And the sacred knot thereon.<br />
REAL PEOPLE IN FICTION.<br />
There they laid to rest the seven Kings of Tara,<br />
There the sons of Cairbré sleep-<br />
Battle-banners of the Gael, that in Kieran's plain of crosses<br />
Now their final hosting keep.<br />
And in Clonmacnois they laid the men of Teffia,<br />
And right many a lord of Breagh ;<br />
Deep the sod above Clan Creidé and Clan Conaill,<br />
Kind in hall and fierce in fray.<br />
row far a novelist may, with propriety,<br />
T1 select his characters from the men and<br />
women immediately surrounding him is a<br />
question which the good taste of the writer usually<br />
decides. Against flagrant abuses of the unwritten<br />
canons of literary conduct, the law of libel as<br />
it stands is no doubt adequate protection. If<br />
you deride your neighbour's morals, manners or<br />
appearance so clumsily that all who know him<br />
Many and many a son of Conn, the Hundred-Fighter,<br />
In the red earth lies at rest;<br />
Vany a blue eye of Clan Colman the turf covers,<br />
Many a swan-white breast.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 157 (#557) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
157<br />
may recognise the portrait, the victim will have now visit Tarascon in the hope of finding him.<br />
an excellent chance of obtaining damages in a Usually they are disappointed, yet the novelist<br />
court of law. These risks most publishers wisely drew a type of character whose oddities fit<br />
keep in view in their agreements with authors. not a few black-bearded, comic, self-indulgent<br />
Indiscretions of this loose nature are less frequent sportsmen who flourish opulently in the splendid<br />
than is generally assumed. Character drawing, South. In a less striking degree Daudet's bril-<br />
even with a model, is exceedingly difficult, and the liant accident may happen to any observant writer,<br />
“ people taken from real life” (usually by the although it far too rarely does. He may thus<br />
awkward amateur) are not always recognisable inadvertently offend a dozen people, who apparently<br />
even by their relations. Still there are writers had no actual existence outside his own imagina-<br />
with powers of observation and expression just tion.<br />
great enough to show up their friends in “book Social changes constantly bring fresh types<br />
form." This fumbling literary portraiture, how- of character into existence; the writer who intui-<br />
ever, is of no importance, since those who encourage tively finds thein is sometimes accused of piratical<br />
it are as proud of appearing in third-rate novels as raids on the sanctities of real life. The arrow<br />
in newspaper paragraphs. Both obscure flashes of shot at a venture occasionally hits a bull's-eye.<br />
publicity tickle that sense of personal importance In the case of Falstaff, even Shakespeare is sus-<br />
which cypics desire us to believe is a common pected. Instinct persuades us that he must have<br />
weakness of humanity.<br />
seen a dazzling fragment of the “Fat Knight"<br />
How, then, does " character "get into fiction if under the big doublet of one or other of his<br />
not "copied” from sometbing actually existing ? contemporaries. Still, so much wit, wisdom and<br />
The question is frequently put to “people who immoral audacity could scarcely have been entirely<br />
write” by people who don't, but who fancy the lavished on one mortal. Perhaps the genesis of<br />
trick must be easy because it seems so simple. Falstaff is not dissimilar to that of Tartarin.<br />
What takes place in most cases is this : the Either portrait might conceivably provoke an<br />
novelist conscicusly seeking subjects in the world action for libel simply because there is so much<br />
about him naturally falls under the influence humanity in man.<br />
of certain dominating types. The world is very When Cervantes wrote “Don Quixote,” it is<br />
busy, very active—often very ridiculous. Vitality unlikely that he had any particular hidalgo<br />
can be infused into a book of contemporary life in his mind's eye, although there may have been<br />
only through the medium of a writer's sympathy twenty unconscious sitters for that dazzling and<br />
with the movements and idiosyncracies of en- touching portrait of the dying spirit of chivalry.<br />
vironing society. It is the reflection of the what It is doubtful if one of the great characters of<br />
is without its pages which gives the novel fiction outside historical romance ever actually<br />
vivid life. Genius takes impressions as a sponge existed except as fragmentary human characteristics,<br />
takes water, but amplifies or idealises all it half un- observed and collected over a wide field by the<br />
consciously grasps. Then—and even the creator immortal writers who have filled their creations<br />
knows not how-real men and women walk into with the tenderness and breath of life. To most<br />
a book and lead an existence all their owu, over of us the inhabitants of the world of fiction are<br />
which even he seems to have but limited control. far more alive than the men and women of<br />
These men and women may resemble a dozen history. The first are portraits for which all<br />
models, no one of which the writer ever consciously humanity has sat; the others individuals whose<br />
met.<br />
personalities have been lost under raw masses of<br />
There is the well-known example of Alphonse record.<br />
Daudet. When he drew his famous Tartarin of The writer who aims at success by the crude<br />
Tarascon, the South immediately discovered the device of putting real people into his novel usually<br />
hero throughout the length and breadth of sunny fails, and deserves to fail, although commercially<br />
Provence. His very name got the author into he may obtain some sort of a reward if his trick<br />
trouble. On the hero's first appearance-I am not be discovered. His book will hardly find a<br />
sure it was not in The Figaro-his name was becoming place among the good novels even of a<br />
Dardarin. It chanced that a certain Méridional bad year. The novel should be, only not con-<br />
answered to that name. He objected, and it was sciously, a criticism of life-of types, not of the<br />
only by changing the d's into t's, and by offering individuals whose names we read in the newspapers.<br />
an apology, that Daudet escaped a libel suit. But To raid society to make fiction entails the sacrifice<br />
did the inventor of Tartarin ever meet the hero of the higher aims of the craft. Today the<br />
in the flesh? Probably not ; but throughout the novel of manners chiefly prevents atrophy in the<br />
Midi Daudet may have made his acquaintance in spirit of comedy, now that its hold on our stage<br />
fragments, out of which Tartarin grew. Tourists has grown so precarious. The charming and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 158 (#558) ############################################<br />
<br />
158<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
subtle art might vanish if it became the unblushing ... Has the author any claims against the<br />
practice of popular writers to make “real people” printers or any other parties concerned in the<br />
play the part which only the children of the distribution of the book ?<br />
imagination can worthily fill. Reduced to its 3. If the author has any ground of action, in<br />
lowest dimensions, the novel would become an what Court and in what form should proceedings<br />
impertinent and misleading form of biography. be commenced ?<br />
What, then, are the limits which should be To these questions the Counsel employed by the<br />
observed in dealing with character ? They seem Society—Mr. T. E. Scrutton, K.C., of 3, Temple<br />
perfectly clear.<br />
Gardens, Temple—answered as follows:-.<br />
The novelist is not justified in trying to produce “I think the publication by Publisher No. 3 is<br />
his effects by dragging living men and women a fraud on the public, and any purchaser buying it<br />
into his books. It is poor art and worse manners; under the belief that he was buying a novel by the<br />
it is cheap, vulgar and offensive. If, however, in author different from the novels known by various<br />
dealing with types of character the writer appear other titles, could proceed against the publishers<br />
at times to become personal—as in the case of either civilly or criminally.<br />
Tartarin-that is purely accidental, and may be “Under these circumstances I think the words<br />
accepted as evidence of the cunning of his art. “Author's' novel " -- here follows the title -<br />
The greatest writer takes his impressions from the “ followed by the old novel are capable of the<br />
world about him, tracing them consciously to no meaning that the author approves of and is a party<br />
single source. If he meet a suggestion of Don to a publication which is a fraud, and are therefore<br />
Quixote or Sancho Panza, of Falstaff or Becky defamatory, and the subject matter of an action for<br />
Sharp, of a Micawber or a Père Goriot, his imagi. libel, which would be whether the publishers were<br />
nation will, if he have genius, do the rest.<br />
or were not owners of the copyright. A somewhat<br />
PERCY WHITE.<br />
similar action was successfully brought in Arch-<br />
bold v. Sweet, 5 C. & P. 221; and Kekewich, J., in<br />
declining to grant an interlocutory injunction in<br />
MRS. HUMPHREYS (RITA) Y. MESSRS.<br />
the case where Dr. Lee complained of an abridged<br />
BUTTERWORTH & CO.<br />
edition said that the only possible cause of action<br />
was libel.<br />
“Further, if any actual damage could be proved<br />
THE following matter has been settled by the the case would come within the principle stated by<br />
I aid of the Society on behalf of one of its Bowen, L.J., in Radcliffe v. Evans, 1892, 2 Q. B. at<br />
Members.<br />
p. 527, I think an action will lie for written or<br />
It will be seen to contain many points of great oral falsehoods not actionable per se or even<br />
importance, and although the case did not actually defamatory where they are maliciously published,<br />
go into Court, as it was settled after an action had where they are calculated in the ordinary course of<br />
been commenced, yet Counsel's opinion and the things to produce, and where they do produce<br />
full course of events will afford much information actual damage, is established law. Such an action<br />
to the Members of the Society.<br />
is ... an action on the case for damage willully<br />
Many years ago one of our Members, under a and intentionally done without just cause or<br />
nom de plume, wrote a book and sold the copyright excuse.'<br />
of it 10 a publisher. The copyright was trans- “I think there is here a falsehood, and a malicious<br />
ferred, and finally came into the hands of Publisher falsehood, but I don't suppose the author can<br />
No. 2. Suddenly Publisher No. 3 produced the prove actual damage.<br />
same book in a cheap form with another title. “Answering the questions put to me I am of<br />
The public would naturally conclude that this was opinion-<br />
a new book from the author's pen.<br />
"1. That the author can sue the publishers for<br />
In the first instance the matter was laid before libel, whether or not they are owners of the<br />
Counsel, who was asked to answer the following copyright.<br />
questions :<br />
"2. That as the words published are, I think,<br />
1. Could the author, although not the holder of libellous, an action lies against the persons<br />
the copyright, take any action against Publisher distributing, including the printers, but it would<br />
No. 3—<br />
be better to sue the real culprit—the pub-<br />
() If they had been legal owners of the cops- lisher.<br />
right?<br />
“3. The action would be one for libel in the<br />
(b) Under the present circumstances of the K. B. D.<br />
case, for issuing the old book under a new<br />
“(Signed) T. E. SCRUTTON.<br />
title ?<br />
“ 3, Temple Gardens."<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 159 (#559) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
159<br />
---<br />
-<br />
On receipt of this opinion the Committee of the get rid of our practical difficulties. Many thanks<br />
Society decided to commence an action against for your help in the matter,<br />
Publisher No. 3, and also the printers. The<br />
L. GOMME.<br />
Society's solicitors accordingly issued a writ and Spring Gardens, S.W.,<br />
proceeded with the action, but before the case 10th February, 1902.<br />
came on for trial it was settled on the following<br />
[We have much pleasure in printing this letter,<br />
terms :-<br />
The payment of £21 to the author as<br />
which has been received from the Clerk of the Lon-<br />
damages ; the payment of an agreed sum to cover<br />
don County Council, and are glad to see that the<br />
Council has shown such earnest interest in main-<br />
the cost of the action as between solicitor and<br />
client; and the insertion of an apology in two<br />
taining historical associations in London.—ED.]<br />
papers, the Times and Spectator, the wording of<br />
which was settled by the Society's solicitors.<br />
We regret for some reasons that the matter was<br />
not carried to trial, but the settlement was, no<br />
STANDARD RULES FOR PRINTING.<br />
doubt, the most satisfactory for the author.<br />
To the Eólitor of THE AUTHOR.<br />
SIR, --Your readers have seen Mr. Howard<br />
Collins's letter about the Rules for Compositors<br />
which Mr. Hart has prepared, and have probably<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
agreed with him that a set of general rules for the<br />
spelling of doubtful words, and for certain ques-<br />
tions of punctuation, would be a very good thing.<br />
THE BESANT MEMORIAL FUND.<br />
Many of them, however, have probably not seen<br />
Sir,-As an old Member of the Society, I ven-<br />
the Rules themselves, and I think their attention<br />
ture to protest against the apathy shown by certain should be drawn to a chief characteristic of this<br />
of its most eminent members in regard to the<br />
little book.<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
This is, that it is in many respects an attempt<br />
In allowing their names to remain absent from<br />
to go back to the spelling of half a century or<br />
the subscription list, they are not only impairing<br />
more ago : to substitute the fast-disappearing<br />
the prestige of the memorial, but are conveying<br />
z for sin such words as civilise, authorise, apologise<br />
the impression that they are not in sympathy with<br />
-the Rules give nearly three columns of them ;<br />
Sir Walter Besant's methods and policy in con-<br />
ethods and poliere in con- to reinstate the e now almost universally omitted<br />
nection with the Society. the effects of which in judgment, acknowledgment, and so forth : to<br />
cannot fail seriously to prejudice its position and<br />
return to an hotel, an heroic, ard the like; and<br />
capacity for usefulness.<br />
to adopt many spellings now so unusual as conjurer,<br />
Surely esprit de corps, if no other sentiment,<br />
loth, install, lisyllable, siphon, stanch, tire (of a<br />
should induce the members in question to recon-<br />
wheel). The compositor is also directed not to .<br />
sider their attitude.<br />
print anglicised French words in italics, but yet<br />
to retain their French accents ; and a curiously<br />
Faithfully yours,<br />
old-fashioned air is given to the book by its<br />
RANK AND FILE. injunction not to put the initial letters of laronir,<br />
10th February, 1902.<br />
herculean, latinity, and such words, in capitals.<br />
Has any one during the last century written of<br />
“ a Laconic epistle of doubtful Latinity ?”<br />
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL.<br />
I send these comments to you, rather than to<br />
the author of the pamphlet, that Members of the<br />
DEAR MR. THRING,--Referring to the article Society may learn what are the rules they are<br />
in the Author of January last as to changing asked to endorse. I should like to add that in<br />
the name of Warwick Street, Cockspur Street, most other respects these Rules appear to me<br />
Charing Cross, I write to say that the com- sensible and useful.<br />
mittee dealing with the matter have decided<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
to alter the name to Warwick House Street,<br />
EDWARD ROSE.<br />
and have given instructions for the usual notices<br />
to be posted. Subject to the consideration of<br />
30, Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead, N.W.<br />
any objections that may be raised, the Council February 21st, 1902.<br />
will be recommended to approve the name. This,<br />
I think, will preserve the historical name, and also<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 159 (#560) ############################################<br />
<br />
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## p. 159 (#561) ############################################<br />
<br />
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THE AUTHOR.<br />
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The Work of the Society.<br />
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-8NEN CON coco era NET<br />
CONO COCO O NO<br />
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In addition to the usual letters of advice, Bateman, Robert<br />
£5 0 0<br />
solicitors' letters, and other business, the Secretary Beddard, F. E. .<br />
. 2 0 0<br />
has had nine cases to deal with since the issue of Bonney, Rev. T. G.<br />
..G. . . . . 2 2 ()<br />
last month's Author.<br />
Caine, T. Hall, amount dependent on<br />
This number is not so large as that in the sum required.<br />
previous month. Four cases out of the nine have Clodd, Edward . . . . . 1 1 0<br />
been satisfactorily settled, and the list of the Colles, W. M. .<br />
. 5 5 0<br />
former months has closed up.<br />
Collier, The Honble. John .<br />
1 1 0<br />
The Committee have taken up two cases on Conway, Sir W. Martin<br />
1 1 0<br />
behalf of members, with intent to carry them<br />
S.. . . . . . .2 2 0<br />
through the Courts if necessary. It is too early Dobson, Austin .<br />
1 1 0<br />
as yet to pass any comment.<br />
Doyle, A. Conan. . . . . . 15 0 0<br />
Dubourg, A. W..<br />
2 2 0<br />
Foster, Sir Michael, M. P., F.R.S. .<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
Freshfield, D. W.<br />
. . . . 5 0 0<br />
To the last list of subscriptions towards the<br />
Garnett, Richard<br />
. . . . 3 3 0<br />
memorial to Sir Walter Besant, the names and<br />
Gosse, Edmund .<br />
. . . . 3 3 0<br />
amounts state below must be added. We trust<br />
Grundy, Sydney .<br />
. 2 2 0<br />
that in the next few months the total will show a<br />
Haggard, H. Rider .<br />
. 3 3 0<br />
considerable increase, for the work that our<br />
Hardy, Thomas.<br />
. 2 2 0<br />
founder did for the cause of the profession cannot<br />
Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet)<br />
be over-estimated.<br />
Hawkins, A. Hope<br />
. 10 0 0<br />
The Editor regrets that owing to a mistake, for<br />
Jerome K. Jerome .<br />
. 2 20<br />
which he was responsible, Lady Florence Dixie's<br />
Keltie, J. Scott .<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
subscription in the last list was entered as 58.; the<br />
Kipling, Rudyard<br />
. 20 0 0<br />
amount was £5.<br />
Lely, J. M.<br />
1 1 0<br />
The alteration has at once been<br />
Loftie, Rev. W. J. .<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
made, bringing the subscriptions<br />
Middleton-Wake, Rev. C.<br />
C. H. .<br />
2 2 0<br />
chronicled last month up to: .£293 4 0<br />
Norman, Henry.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
To this must be added the amount<br />
Parker, Gilbert ..<br />
pero . . .<br />
3 3 0<br />
Pinero, A. W.<br />
received up to the present date, Feb.<br />
. . .<br />
5 5 0<br />
Pollock, Sir F. . .<br />
.<br />
10<br />
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1<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
6<br />
1 1 0<br />
Rose, Edward .<br />
Total . . . . £303 5 6<br />
Scoones, W. Baptiste .<br />
Sims, George R. . .<br />
5 0 0<br />
Sprigge, S. S. . .<br />
2 2 0<br />
Anonymous<br />
. . . . £1 1 0 Stevenson, J.J..<br />
. 2 2 0<br />
Champneys, Basil<br />
. 1 1 0 Ward, Mrs. Humphry<br />
5 0 0<br />
“ Colonia,” Natal, S. Africa<br />
1 1 0<br />
Fife Cookson, Lt. Col. F. C.<br />
1 1 0<br />
Total £141 1 0<br />
Gunter, Lt. Col. E. A.<br />
0 10 0<br />
Harding, Capt. Claud, R.N.<br />
1 0 0 Donations from Members and Others.<br />
Hurry, A. .<br />
0 10 6 Aflalo, F. G.<br />
Keary, C. F. (amount not to be men-<br />
.<br />
. £0 10 6<br />
Allingham, William, F.R.S.<br />
tioned)<br />
. . 1 1 0<br />
Ames, Percy W.<br />
Kinns, The Rev. Samuel, D.D. . . 0 5 0<br />
. . . . 1 1 0<br />
Anonymous<br />
Millais, J. G. .<br />
1 1 0<br />
1 0 0<br />
Anonymous<br />
Quiller Couch, Miss M<br />
0 5<br />
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0<br />
0 2<br />
Anonymous<br />
Sterry, G. Ashby .<br />
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1<br />
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1<br />
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1<br />
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1 0<br />
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Anonymous<br />
Temple, Lieut.-Col. R. C. .<br />
.<br />
0<br />
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1<br />
5<br />
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1<br />
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Anonymous<br />
Underdown, Miss E.<br />
. .<br />
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( 3 6<br />
. 05 0<br />
Anonymous<br />
. . ( 2 6<br />
Donations from Members of the Council.<br />
Anonymous<br />
. . . 1 1 0<br />
Anonymous.<br />
. 0 5 0<br />
Meredith, George, President of the<br />
“ Aunt Cherry”.<br />
. . . . 1 1 0<br />
Society .<br />
. £10 0 0 Baker, James .<br />
Avebury, The Right Hon.the Lord, P.c.<br />
. . . . 1<br />
i i ở<br />
1 0<br />
Beeby, Rev. C. E.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
à Beckett, A. W. .<br />
. 1 1 0 Bell, Mackenzie . .<br />
. 1 1<br />
Barrie, J. M.<br />
0<br />
. . . . . 5 5 0 Bentwich, Herbert . . . . 1 1 0<br />
euco<br />
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164<br />
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Boevey, Miss Crawley . .<br />
Bond, R. Warwick .<br />
Brodrick, The Hon. Mrs.<br />
Bullen, F. T. .<br />
Burrowes, Miss E.<br />
Carey, Miss R. N. .<br />
Carr, Rev. A. .<br />
Church, Professor A.<br />
Clarke, Cecil . .<br />
Clericus . . : : :<br />
Clifford, Mrs. W. K...<br />
Collins, F. Howard .<br />
Cook, C. H. . .<br />
Cordeaux, Miss K. M.<br />
Cox, Miss M. Roalfe .<br />
Croker, Mrs. B. M. .<br />
Crouch, A. P. .<br />
Dale, Miss Nellie .<br />
Davey, Mrs. E. M. .<br />
de Crespigny, Mrs. .<br />
Dixie, Lady Florence.<br />
Doudney, Miss Sarah .<br />
Dowsett, C. F. .<br />
E. . .<br />
E. B.<br />
“Edna Lyall"<br />
Ellis, Walter<br />
E. S. B. .<br />
Evans, Miss<br />
F. B. D. .<br />
Fenton, Ferrar<br />
Garnier, R. M. .<br />
Garvice, Charles.<br />
Gibbs, Miss E. A.<br />
Gill, Miss M. .<br />
Gilliat, Rev. E..<br />
Gleig, Charles :<br />
Gollancz, Israel .<br />
Gowing, Mrs. Aylmer.<br />
Graham, James M.<br />
Grahame, Kenneth.<br />
Gray, Maxwell . .<br />
Gray, Miss Annabel ..<br />
Guthrie, T. Anstey .<br />
Hales, Professor J. W.<br />
Halford, Andrew .<br />
Hamilton, Bernard<br />
Hardy, Thomas G. .<br />
Harraden, Miss Beatrice<br />
Harries, Miss Maud .<br />
Harries, Miss Anita . .<br />
Hellier, H. G. .<br />
Henderson, Miss Florence .<br />
Hodgson, Shadworth H. .<br />
Hoey, Mrs. Cashel . .<br />
Hollins, Miss Dorothy .<br />
Holmes, Miss Eleanor<br />
Honneywill, W. Keppel .<br />
·<br />
. £0 10 0 Hornung, E. W.<br />
. . .<br />
. ( 10 6 Hutchinson, Rev. H. N.<br />
. 1 1 C Hgne, C. J. Cutcliffe.<br />
. 1 1 0 1. J. A. . .<br />
: 0 5 0 Infelix ..<br />
. 1 1 0 Ivatts, E. B. . .<br />
1 1 0 Jacobs, W. W..<br />
. 1 1 0 Jex-Blake, Miss Sophia,<br />
. 1 1 0 Johnson, V. E. .<br />
:<br />
O<br />
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2<br />
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Kelly, C. A. .<br />
1 1 0 Kersey, W. H. . .<br />
• 2 2 0 Lefroy, Mrs. C. P. .<br />
O Lowndes, Mrs. Belloc.<br />
0 10 6 Maartens, Maarten ..<br />
0 10 0 Marks, Mrs. Mary .<br />
1 1 0 McBride, Captain E. E.<br />
0 10 6 McKinny, s. B. G. .<br />
0 10 6 Miller, Miss E. T. .<br />
1 1 0 Moncrieff, A. R. Hope<br />
. 0 10 0 Nixon, J. E. . . . .<br />
5 0 0 Nunn, J. J. W..<br />
1 1 0 P. . .<br />
1 1 0 Parker, Miss Nella . . .<br />
0 10 0 Parr, Mrs. Louisa .<br />
2 2 0 Pengelley, Miss Hester<br />
. 1 10 Penny, Mrs. Frank .<br />
. 1 1 0 Perks, Miss Lily<br />
0 5 0 Polkinghorne, Miss Ruby K.<br />
0 10 6 Pollock, Miss E.<br />
. ( 10 0 Pool, Miss M. A. . . .<br />
0 5 0 Porritt, Norman<br />
0 5 0 Prichard, Hesketh .<br />
1 1 0 Reid, Sir Hugh Gilzean, LI<br />
0 10 0 Riddell, Mrs. J. H..<br />
. 1 1 0 Roberts, Morley. .<br />
0 10 6 Rossetti, W. M.<br />
. 1 1 0 Russell, Sir W. H. .<br />
. .<br />
. 1 1 0 Saxby, Miss E. M. A. F..<br />
. 0 10 0 Shaw, Commander the Hon. H. N.<br />
1 1 0 Sherwood, Mrs.<br />
. 2 2 0 Smith, H. W. . . . .<br />
. 0 5 0 Spencer, Herbert<br />
1 1 0 Spielmann, M. H. .<br />
.<br />
. 1 1 0 Spiers, Victor .<br />
ci<br />
. 1 1 0 Stanton, Miss H. M. E.<br />
: 0 10 0 Street, G. S. ..<br />
. 1 1 0 Stretton, Miss Hesba . .<br />
. 1 1 0 Swynnerton, Rev. C. .<br />
. 1 1 0 Thring, the Rev. Prebendary God<br />
0 3 0 Todd, Miss Margaret . . .<br />
0 3 0 Toplis, Miss Grace ..<br />
0 10 6 Toynbee, William ..<br />
0 5 0 Tozer, Basil<br />
. 1 1 0 Twycross, Miss Minna<br />
1 1 0 Voysey, Rev. Charles .<br />
• 1 0 0 Walker, Sydney F. .<br />
. 0 10 0 Warren, Lieut.-General Sir<br />
. 1 1 0 G.C.M.G. . . . .<br />
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## p. 165 (#569) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
165<br />
.<br />
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Watt, A. P. & Son .<br />
Westall, William .<br />
Weyman, Stanley J. .<br />
Wheelwright, Miss E.<br />
Whitby, Mrs. J. E..<br />
Wilkins, W. H. .<br />
Wilson, Miss Aphra<br />
Woods, Miss M. A. .<br />
Workman, James<br />
W. P. K..<br />
Zangwill, I.<br />
· · · · · · · · · · ·<br />
. £26 5<br />
. 1 1<br />
• 2 2<br />
. 0 10<br />
10<br />
. 1 1<br />
1 1<br />
. 1 1<br />
1 1<br />
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Total £152 30<br />
. 141 1 0<br />
Council Donations<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Total (Feb. 22nd)<br />
£293 4<br />
0<br />
AN APOLOGY.<br />
To C. J. Wills, Esq., KEW GARDENS.<br />
SIR, -I regret that in the issue of Woman's<br />
Life, dated 15th February last, I inadvertently<br />
published a copyright story of which you were the<br />
author and proprietor. Had I known that the copy-<br />
right belonged to you I should, of course, have<br />
asked for your sanction before printing it.<br />
The story was originally sent by a correspondent<br />
to l'it-Bits, and secured the prize for the best story<br />
of the week ending March 22nd, 1890. It was not<br />
sent as an original story, but I was not aware that<br />
any copyright in it existed or that it was your<br />
work,<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
GALLOWAY FRASER,<br />
Editor of Woman's Life.<br />
Southampton Street, Strand, W.C.,<br />
March 11th, 1902.<br />
to the right understanding of their art and its principles,<br />
and to guide them into true practice of those principles,<br />
while they are still young, their imaginations strong, and<br />
their personal experiences as yet not wasted in foolish<br />
failures."<br />
" Rules," says Sir Walter, “will not make a man a novelist,<br />
any more than a knowledge of grammar makes a man<br />
know a language, or a knowledge of musical science makes<br />
a man able to play an instrument, ... The art itself can<br />
neither be taught nor communicated. If the thing is in a<br />
man, he will bring it out somehow-well or badly, quickly<br />
or slowly. If it is not he can never learn it.”<br />
On page 76 there is a noteworthy passage :<br />
“ Unfortunately there has grown up of late a bad fashion<br />
of measuring success too much by the money it seems to<br />
command. It is not always, remember, the voice of the<br />
people which elects the best man, and though in most<br />
cases it follows that a successful novelist commands a<br />
large sale of his works, it may happen that the art of<br />
a great writer is of such a kind that it may never become<br />
widely popular.”<br />
Again, speaking of the sort of contempt with<br />
which the world at large is apt to regard the<br />
story-teller, Sir Walter says :<br />
" It is, I acknowledge, a kindly contempt-even an<br />
affectionate contempt; it is the contempt which the<br />
practical man feels for the dreamer, the strong man for<br />
the weak, the man who can do, for the man who can only<br />
look on and talk.<br />
"The general—the Philistine-view of the profession is,<br />
first of all, that it is not one which a scholar and a man of<br />
serious views should take up: the telling of stories is<br />
inconsistent with a well-balanced mind; to be a teller of<br />
stories disqualifies one from a hearing on important<br />
subjects.<br />
“At this very day there are thousands of living people<br />
who will never understand how the author of Coningsby'<br />
and Vivian Gray' can possibly be regarded as a serious<br />
statesman-all the Disraeli literature, even to the comic<br />
cartoons, expresses the popular sentiment that a novelist<br />
must not presume to call himself a statesman ; the intellect<br />
of a novelist, it is felt-if he have any intellect at all, which<br />
is doubtful-must be one of the most frivolous and lightest<br />
kind; how can a man whose mind is always full of the<br />
loves of Corydon and Amaryllis be trusted to form an<br />
opinion on practical matters ?"<br />
One more quotation ! This from the Appendix :<br />
“ Remember that all publishers are eager to get good<br />
work: they are prepared to consider MSS. carefully-<br />
most of them pay men on whose judgment they rely, men<br />
of literary standing, to read and taste' for them ; there-<br />
fore, it is a simple and obvious piece of advice that the<br />
writer should send his work to some good publisher, and it<br />
is perfectly certain that, if the work is good, it will be<br />
accepted and published. There is little or no risk, even<br />
with an unknown author over a really good novel ...<br />
Persevere, if you feel that the root of the matter is in you,<br />
till your work is accepted ; and never, nerer, NEVER pay<br />
for publishing a novel."<br />
Our Founder's “ The Pen and the Book,"<br />
published in 1899, by Thomas Burleigh, is no<br />
doubt in the hands of many of our members. It<br />
might be read with advantage by every aspirant<br />
and beginner.<br />
Sir Walter Besant was one of the thirty<br />
“comrades in letters” who signed a letter of<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
TN the new edition of Sir Walter Besant's “The<br />
I Art of Fiction,” just issued by Messi's. Chatto<br />
and Windus at 1s. net (being a lecture<br />
delivered at the Royal Institution, April 25th,<br />
1884), there is a passage which has a particular<br />
interest for members of our Society :<br />
"I am certain that if these laws (i.e., science of fiction)<br />
were better known and more generally studied, a very<br />
large proportion of the bad works of which our critics com<br />
plain would not be produced at all. And I am in great<br />
hopes that one effect of the establishment of the newly<br />
founded Society of Authors will be to keep young writers<br />
of fiction from rushing too hastily into print, to help them<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 166 (#570) ############################################<br />
<br />
166<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
congratulation and homage addressed to Mr.<br />
George Meredith, on the occasion of his seventieth<br />
birthday.<br />
The Tatler, of February 19th, contains a poem<br />
addressed to Mr. Meredith on the attainment of his<br />
seventy-fourth birthday. The lines are from the<br />
pen of Mr. Arthur Beckett, of Eastbourne.<br />
Mr. Thomas Hardy's readers will probably be<br />
sorry to hear that Messrs. Harper and Brothers do<br />
not intend to publish an India paper edition of<br />
his works at 3s. and 28.; though a paragraph,<br />
stating that the first volume of such an edition<br />
would be issued this month, has appeared in a<br />
paper.<br />
Mr. Frank Bullen's new book is a novel of<br />
whaling life, and is entitled " The Whaleman's<br />
Wife." It is on the lines of the “ Cruise of the<br />
Cachalot,” but with a much stronger religious tone.<br />
Mr. Bullen has, of course, drawn upon his own<br />
experiences for scenes and incidents, but he has<br />
been very careful not to duplicate any of those<br />
recorded in the “Cruise of the Cachalot.”<br />
Mrs. Flora Annie Steel, the popular author of<br />
“ On the face of the Waters,” “In the Permanent<br />
Way," &c., &c., is not publishing anything this<br />
season, nor has she a book on hand at present.<br />
Neither shall we have a new book from Mr. I.<br />
Zangwill for some time to come. Owing to his<br />
absorption in Zionist work his literary activity has<br />
been much crippled. Possibly he may make a<br />
collection of his verses.<br />
Mrs. Stepney Rawson's new novel, “ Journeyman<br />
Love,” is to appear shortly (Hutchinson & Co., 6s.).<br />
It is a pure love story, and deals with the spiritual<br />
development of a young man from Western England.<br />
This Gilbert Helicar breaks loose from his family<br />
-a commercial one—and goes over to Paris.<br />
There he falls into a musical circle and meets<br />
Chopin, Georges Sand, Berlioz, &c.<br />
Mr. G. S. Layard, author of " The Life Letters<br />
and Opinions of Mrs. Lyon Lynton," has just<br />
completed a novel called “ Rupert the Mummer:<br />
an Extravaganza."<br />
“ The Power of the Past" is the title of a new<br />
novel by Miss Daisy Hugh Pryce. It is a Nile<br />
story, the scenes of which are laid among the<br />
ruins of ancient Egypt — Sacchara, Karnac,<br />
Thebes, and Philae. It is dedicated to Lord<br />
ra<br />
Kitchener.<br />
Graham Hope has recently published a selection<br />
of optimistic thoughts from the writings of Robert<br />
Browning, entitled “All's Well.” This little<br />
volume of some seventy pages is published by<br />
H. Wilford Bell, at the price of 3s.<br />
The same author's new book, “My Lord Wine-<br />
hender," is to appear on April 30th. Messrs.<br />
Smith Elder are the publishers.<br />
Mr. Frankfort Moore, author of “A Nest of<br />
Linnets," &c., &c., has followed his usual custom<br />
of publishing a modern story after one of his<br />
eighteenth century romances. His new novel,<br />
“A Damsel or Two," deals with some aspects of<br />
modern society.<br />
A new novel, called “ The Way of Escape,” has<br />
just been completed by Graham Travers (Dr.<br />
Margaret Todd). It is to be published immediately<br />
by Messrs. Blackwood, who also produced her<br />
previons novels, “Mona Maclean” and “ Windy-<br />
haugh.” The first of these is now in its fifteenth<br />
edition.<br />
“An Antarctic Queen,” by Captain Charles Clark<br />
(Fred. Warne & Co.), is a capital adventure story<br />
for boys and girls. Incidents are plentiful, the<br />
action never flags, and the hero, Percy Percival,<br />
is one of the right sort. Who the Queen of<br />
Lastfoundland is and how the story ends readers<br />
must find out for themselves.<br />
Mr. Frederick I. Winbolt's “ Frithidf the Bold”<br />
is an interesting drama in blank verse based on<br />
the Norse Saga. There is a prologue, three acts<br />
and eleven scenes. Ingeborg, the ill-fated<br />
daughter of King Bele, loves and is loved by<br />
Frithidf, son of old Roderick the peasant. The<br />
cruel, cowardly Helgi makes his sister Ingeborg<br />
wed old King Sigurd Ring, during Frithidf's<br />
absence. Ingeborg dies; but Frithidf is roused<br />
from his depair by King Sigura. Frithidf's words<br />
of hope close the drama.<br />
Mr. W. W. Jacobs's new novel, “ At Sunwich<br />
Port,” is to be published in volume form at the<br />
end of this month ; and a collection of his short<br />
stories is to appear in the autumn.<br />
Mr. Fisher Unwin is publishing shortly two new<br />
books by John Oliver Hobbes. One is “ Tales<br />
About Temperament," price 2s.6d. nett; the other is<br />
a comedy in five acts, entitled “ The Flute of Pan”<br />
(cloth, 3s. 6d. ; paper, 28. nett).<br />
We hear that Mr. Kyrle Bellew may reappear in<br />
London next season in Mr. Stanley Weyman's<br />
“Gentleman of France."<br />
The fiftieth performance of “ Pilkerton's<br />
Peerage,” took place at the Garrick on Satur-<br />
day, March 15th.<br />
The Sh<br />
The Shakespeare Festival at Stratford-on-<br />
Avon will commence on the 14th inst., and will<br />
be continued till May 3rd. “Henry VIII.” is to<br />
be revived, and Miss Ellen Terry will appear as<br />
“Queen Katherine." "Twelfth Night,” “Othello,"<br />
“Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “King Lear,"<br />
and “ Henry V.” are also to be presented.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 167 (#571) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
167<br />
Mr. Tree will almost certainly give a series of have been produced by Messrs. Hurst & Blackett,<br />
Shakespearean performances at Her Majesty's is bringing out almost immediately a new novel<br />
Theatre, before the close of the present season. entitled a “Son of Mischief.” Messrs. Digby,<br />
Sir Henry Irving is to reappear at the Lyceum Long & Co. are the publishers.<br />
on 25th, in “Faust,” revised by A. C. Calmour.<br />
Mr. J. C. Wright has just published a work<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
of considerable local interest, entitled “Bygone<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
Eastbourne." It endeavours to give an account<br />
of its people, its occupations, its government, in a<br />
word its life in the olden days, and its develop-<br />
Titles.<br />
ment as modern Eastbourne. The book is illus-<br />
trated by copies of old engravings, and the price<br />
M HE thorny question of the property existing<br />
is 8s. net.<br />
in the titles of books is one that will<br />
“Sordon," Benjamin Swift's latest novel, grips<br />
rouse even the dullest author. Disputes are<br />
the reader from start to finish. It is essentially a constantly arising. Actions are threatened, and<br />
short story based on a situation powerfully handled.<br />
blackmail is levied. Some with legal rights are<br />
It is also, as might be expected, a keen phsycho- bluffed into quiescence, whilst, others with rights<br />
logical study. About this very individual young which exist nowhere except in their perverted<br />
author's method there is more than a hint of the<br />
nt of the<br />
imagination<br />
imagination, ride roughshod<br />
ride ronchsh<br />
over their timid<br />
dashing expert surgeon and his steel-bright dis- brethren<br />
secting knife. To reveal the basic situation here<br />
The legal side of the question has been dealt with<br />
would be a work, not of supererogation, but of from time to time in The Author. so it is needless<br />
superfluity.<br />
to touch on that subject; but it might tend to<br />
In “Scottish Art and Letters” (Feb.—April, some useful end if other sides were put forward.<br />
1902), which is an illustrated quarterly review of There is no copyright in a title, so The Author<br />
literature and the literal arts, edited at Glasgow says.* Does the property, therefore, define it as<br />
by Mr. Arnold Fraser-Lovat, Benjamin Swift has you may, which is inherent in a title, last beyond<br />
an article on Philistinism, which "gives one to the period of copyright, or is it coterminous with<br />
think " more than a little. Says the writer : it ? Has the point ever been decided ? Is there<br />
“ Philistinism is the beef-essence of ignorance. But it is any power to stop authors of serious novels—no<br />
not the naïve, delightful ignorance of the peasant, that names mentioned from producing a series of<br />
ignorance of the world's affairs which almost amounts to a “Tom Jones'” or “ Clarissa Harlowes" ? Will<br />
kind of negative wisdom. Far from it. The Philistine is<br />
any one throw light on the subject ?<br />
a person of full-blown judgment. For instance, he has<br />
invincible opinions on the necessary morality' of Art.<br />
Again, coming to commercial considerations,<br />
Obviously, if Art is only a reduplication of the world, then, titles are sometimes hopelessly deceptive. The<br />
in so far as it mimics gross things, it must be regarded as a following story—the writer does not vouch for its<br />
stimulus to immoral conduct. But the mere material of Art<br />
truth-may illustrate this. The pupils of a certain<br />
can never be the subject of moral condemnation, but only<br />
'the method of handling its material.<br />
scholastic establishment were allowed to submit<br />
"I do not believe that there is anything pertaining to to the Head the list of books to be purchased for<br />
human experience which may not be nobly handled by a the library. The Head had a very strong objec-<br />
great artistic genius. But Philistine criticism professes to<br />
tion to works of fiction, but allowed “ Cometh<br />
be shocked by the mere choice of material. As if the whole<br />
world were not the theatre of Art. The miserable doctrine<br />
up as a Flower” to pass, thinking it a work on<br />
that only what is pleasant' must be reproduced by the botany. The moral is evident, and while the<br />
artist is only Philistinism parading as refined taste. If British public suffer, the author gains no material<br />
that doctrine were true, half of the best Art of the world<br />
advantage.<br />
would require to be surrendered. . . The sphere of æsthetics<br />
is co-ordinate with the entire sphere of Tragedy, and any<br />
Many will tell you that a good title is every-<br />
other doctrine reduces Art to the level of a cock-tail and a thing, but the quarrel is one of definition. What<br />
pick-me-up."<br />
is a good title ? Is it one that deceives the<br />
William Westall's “ With the Red Eagle” has public ? Is it one that, without deceiving the<br />
been translated into German by Fraulein public, affords it no information ? Or is it one<br />
Ernestine Hebberling, of Munich, and before that explains to a small degree the contents of the<br />
appearing in book form will be run serially in the book ? The curiosity inherent in human nature<br />
Deutsche Alpenzeitung, a magazine published in 1* Please give reference, as we find in Author, September,<br />
Munich and Leipsic.<br />
1900, p. 63, as follows:-(1) Speaking generally, it cannot<br />
be said that there is copyright in a title. (2) If there is<br />
R. E. Salway, author of "The Finger of Scorn,"<br />
copyright, then the title must retain distinct originality.<br />
“ The One Alternative," and other novels which ED.]<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 168 (#572) ############################################<br />
<br />
168<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
II.<br />
U<br />
desires to be satisfied to a certain extent. The<br />
deceptive title is repugnant. The colourless title ALL Members of the Society of Authors having<br />
is useless; but the descriptive title gives an qualified by publishing at least one volume may<br />
appetite for the contents. Take any literary be expected to know something about titles.<br />
paper at random-read through the list of pub- Happy those who have not experienced difficulty<br />
Iishers' advertisements. In works of fiction the either in selecting or securing the most suitable<br />
title of perhaps one in ten mildly suggests the name for their work! It is stated, upon good<br />
contents, in poetry and drama perhaps the authority, that there is no copyright in titles<br />
same proportion; but turning to biographical, as such, and in the legislation projected for the<br />
scientific, theological and historical works, the better protection of literary property it is not pro-<br />
title is generally a clear statement. The pros posed to confer the right of ownership upon the<br />
pective reader is satisfied, and chooses accordingly. first user of a title. Possibly many of the difficulties<br />
Would it not be an advantage, then, to carry out connected with titles arise from the exclusion of<br />
the same idea in fiction ? The cynic, who deems the designation of the work from such legal status<br />
it a satisfaction to start a policy of mild deception, as the work possesses. It would be presumption<br />
is surely the only person to raise an objection. on the part of a new Member of the Society, as I<br />
There was a book published called “The Vision am, who is not a lawyer to say what ought to be<br />
Splendid.” One reviewer on taking it up stated done to make the ownership of titles legally valid.<br />
that he thought its contents would prove to be a The present state of affairs is unendurable, and<br />
new “ Pilgrim's Progress." It was in reality a book must be remedied. As I understand the case, a<br />
dealing with theatrical life. Would the “Pil title is copyright only as part of a book; take it<br />
grim's Progress” title gain more readers and away from a particular work, and it is not copy-<br />
purchasers than such a title might repel ? Surely, right; join it again to some other work, and it is<br />
as a general rule, what is gained on the one side is protected in part. It is much the same as though<br />
lost on the other. But a practically descriptive my ownership of a suit of clothes could be made<br />
title would be most satisfactory thus :<br />
good at law, but my ownership of my hat could<br />
not, unless it was a cap made of the same cloth as<br />
(General) . Historical Novel.<br />
(Particular) French Revolution.<br />
the suit, or habitually worn with a particular suit,<br />
then, as long as the suit lasted, I could substantiate<br />
(Critical): Incident and Adventure.<br />
Author : Thomas Jones.<br />
my ownership of the cap, but not longer.<br />
This laxity respecting the copyright of titles has<br />
Or again :<br />
made authors, and publishers too, less particular<br />
(General) Rural Life.<br />
than they ought to be as to originality in titles.<br />
(Particular Cumberland District.<br />
Critical). Character Study of Peasantry.<br />
The piracy of printers and publishers has been<br />
stopped with a strong hand; the felony of unblush-<br />
Author . Charles Brown.<br />
ing plagiarism is punished ; but this petty larceny<br />
If the author writes two or three books along of filching titles is tolerated, just as is the pur-<br />
the same lines, then the others would be marked loining of umbrellas when it is done by the<br />
thus :<br />
respectable and reputable. It must be stopped.<br />
“Rural Life II. or III."<br />
How, the Society of Authors must determine.<br />
The grievances are of two kinds : first there is the<br />
This method of classification has been adopted taking of a title from a manuscript. This is much<br />
in the matter of music with no unsatisfactory more common than people think. The young<br />
result. Why should it not be equally successful author, the beginner, must have a good taking<br />
with literature? The purchaser would be able at title for his article or story, or it will not receive<br />
once to decide upon his purchase. The bookseller much consideration. If, by an attractive title, he<br />
would have some knowledge from which to push wins the attention of the editor, or reader, to his<br />
his wares. The purchasers would not wander MS., that may be accepted. Sometimes it is the<br />
aimlessly in search of the desired object, but could title only that is good—then that lives in the<br />
at once touch the spot, instead of taking up book editor's memory, all recollection of the article or<br />
after book in the vain hope of gaining information story fades, and, at some appropriate moment, that<br />
as to their contents-information which the book title surges up again into remembrance and serves<br />
seller is often absolutely unable to supply. Let to designate the work of the editor or of some<br />
this matter be seriously considered. Let one or other contributor ; or it may be that the editor is<br />
two of the leading authors adopt the method, and asked to suggest a title by some brother penman,<br />
the thing is done. The sale of books will be and gives away that which he knows not how he<br />
enormously facilitated.<br />
came by. I know, for I have suffered. To have<br />
A. C. B. a manuscript rejected is a matter of little moment;<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 169 (#573) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
169<br />
to have an original title annexed by the rejecter is If it be true that there is no Act of Parliament<br />
maddening. It is torture equal to having a sound which it is not possible to evade, so is the converse.<br />
tooth removed for the sole purpose of putting it into And although there is no copyright in titles, yet<br />
some fossil jaw it does not fit. It is the sort of there may be for those who agree to recognise that<br />
thing that stops the young author's bile flowing prior claim gives rights of ownership. The matter<br />
freely, and makes him wish all editors were dead, of titles concerns authors chiefly, but the co-<br />
or at least did not write—some can't, by the way. operation of publishers is to be desired. If<br />
With respect to grievances of this nature I wish Members of the Society of Authors agree, and can<br />
to anticipate some objectors. There are those who persuade publishers—or at least Members of the<br />
will say that it is more difficult to find a remedy Publishers' Association also to agree, all that is<br />
than to endure the evil. The lawyers will draw required is a register of titles. On this register an<br />
the red-herring of common law across the scent, author would claim to have a title inscribed ;<br />
and assert that a remedy is already provided for the publisher would require a certificate of such<br />
such wrongs, wherever the wrongful doing can be registration before sending the book to press.<br />
proved. The big, successful author will beg the I do not think it necessary to give exact details,<br />
question by stating that he doubts if the practice or to draft rules, but the procedure suggested<br />
exists, since he has never met it. By the way, it would be somewhat as follows :<br />
is astonishing how many of the commonest diffi- (a) The Society of Authors will depute some<br />
culties that beset the paths of authorship are missed officer to keep a register of titles.<br />
by successful writers ; all obstacles appear to vanish (6) An Associate or Member of the Society,<br />
at the majesty of their superb reputation. Then wishing to register the title of a book prior to<br />
there are those who say that all the good titles publication, shall send such title, together with<br />
have been used already. It is just as true that all a registration fee of 1s., to the keeper of the<br />
the good things have been said, and thought, and register.<br />
tbat nothing is new.<br />
c) The keeper of the register shall search the<br />
There are others who will contend that the register to see that no like title has been already<br />
minor scribe has taken a good title to append it to registered, and shall look in the index volumes<br />
inferior work, and deserves to be robbed. To of the English Catalogue (and the weekly lists<br />
these the obvious answer is that in the great published since) with the same view.<br />
republic of letters all authors must possess equal (d) If the title is not upon the register, or in<br />
rights, otherwise honest men will quickly get out. the English Catalogue, the title shall be entered,<br />
The evil exists; it is a grievance ; there must be and a certificate to that effect given to the appli-<br />
a remedy. So far I have found it most effective cant for registration.<br />
not to put good, original titles to MSS. sent out (e) If the title is already upon the register, the<br />
on approval. I use instead some designation descrip- applicant will be informed of that fact, and, at his<br />
tive of the article or story, and state that it is only request, may be put into communication with the<br />
descriptive, and that, if the MS. be accepted, I person who has already registered the title. If the<br />
should like to suggest a title for it which I believe title appears in the English Catalogue, the appli-<br />
to be better.<br />
cant will be referred to the entry, date of publica-<br />
The next order of grievance is in respect of tion, publisher, and author also being given, where<br />
printed volumes. Old titles are used ; new ones, these appear. The 1s. fee will be retained as pay-<br />
taken almost simultaneously, clash. To the first ment for the search made.<br />
division belong “ Through Siberia” (Constable), (f) Any number of titles may be registered by<br />
“ Fifty Years in South Africa” (Smith, Elder), one applicant, but a separate fee of ls. must<br />
“ All the Russias ” (Heinemann), within the last be paid for each entry and search. Titles if not<br />
year. They are the result of carelessness, because used within one year from the date of entry lapse,<br />
if the “ Reference Catalogue of Current Literature," unless renewed (g), and when so lapsed or aban-<br />
or any good bibliography, had been consulted, doned, may be re-entered either by original appli-<br />
earlier works in circulation would have been found cant or by any other person.<br />
listed. The remedy is obvious. But it has hap- (9) Titles may be renewed a second year, and<br />
pened that two authors decide upon the same title from year to year, upon application and payment<br />
for books in MS. or at press, and until one is of the fee of 1s., and also, at the written request of<br />
announced for early publication it is next to im- the registered owner, may be transferred on pay-<br />
possible for the other author to know of its exist- ment of the same fee.<br />
ence. It is for instances of this kind that I wish (h) The register shall be considered and treated<br />
to suggest a remedy-a remedy which the Society as private and confidential, and may not be in-<br />
of Authors can provide, and one which will, if spected by either an applicant for registration,<br />
adopted, raise the status of titles generally. publisher, or other person than the keeper of the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 170 (#574) ############################################<br />
<br />
170<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
register. Preferably, it should consist of a card<br />
index, numbered seriatim, so that where necessary<br />
the entry particularly required may be produced in<br />
evidence without endangering the secrecy of the<br />
file.<br />
() Persons not Associates or Members of the<br />
Society may apply for a title to be entered in the<br />
register, this application to be treated just as an<br />
application from an Associate or Member of the<br />
Society, but to be accompanied with a fee of five<br />
shillings, unless received through a publisher,<br />
when the fee shall be half-a-crown.<br />
(k) Duplicate certificates of any entry will be<br />
issued to the original applicant on payment of a<br />
fee of one shilling for each such certificate.<br />
There are several details which may be amended;<br />
for instance, each application might be made on a<br />
special form of printed card, which, numbered and<br />
dated on receipt, would itself be filed, and consti-<br />
tute the entry. Then, instead of searching through<br />
all the indices of the English Catalogue, it might<br />
suffice to go back only as far as 1880 ; and, in-<br />
stead of one shilling, it might be necessary to<br />
charge more in order to make the register pay its<br />
way, and not become a charge upon the funds of<br />
the Society; or it might be possible to give one<br />
free entry to each Associate and Member with the<br />
receipt of his subscription for the current year.<br />
If authors and publishers will agree upon the<br />
principle, I believe the plan I propose, when per-<br />
fected by experimental working, will prove of<br />
incalculable benefit to all who write books and<br />
publish them.<br />
WILLIAM GREENER.<br />
character would have remedied the evil, nothing has been<br />
done. Did the law permit a man to enter a jeweller's shop<br />
and appropriate articles of jewellery, immediate redress<br />
would be given ; but in the greatest city of the world it<br />
is apparently the business of nobody to protect the product<br />
of men's brains.<br />
"Such an abuse as the present would not be possible<br />
either in America or any other civilised country, and, con-<br />
sidering the large number of people it indirectly affects, it<br />
is astonishing that we have to request the assistance of a<br />
foreign State on behalf of its citizens before justice can be<br />
done to our own."<br />
In view of the next paragraph, the words<br />
“scandalous robbery" seem somewhat strong.<br />
DEATH OF A SONG-WRITER.<br />
Signor Henry Pontet Piccolomini, the composer of “Ora<br />
Pro Nobis," "Whisper, and I shall hear," and other popular<br />
pieces, has just died in Hanwell Asylum.<br />
The composer met with great misfortunes, which, preying<br />
upon a keenly sensitive organisation, caused him to become<br />
mentally deranged, and about two years ago he became an<br />
inmate of Hanwell.<br />
Though his publications must have brought in thousands<br />
of pounds, he derived comparatively little benefit from<br />
them. He lived and died a poor man, and his wife and<br />
children are left with nothing.<br />
Unless some effort is made to help the distressed widow,<br />
the amiable and gifted composer will rest in a pauper's<br />
bio yao<br />
grave,<br />
Do not the street hawkers rather add to than<br />
detract from the popularity of a song, in the same<br />
way as do the street organs ? It can scarcely be<br />
contended that poor people who buy a piece of<br />
music for one penny in the streets belong to the<br />
same class as those who would go to the music shops<br />
and give two shillings for the same song. If the<br />
protest were entirely on behalf of the authors, Mr.<br />
Boosey's action would be heroic, but apparently<br />
the publisher is to be the chief gainer from the<br />
present agitation.<br />
R.<br />
STANDARD RULES FOR PRINTING.<br />
1.<br />
Musical Piracy.<br />
A DAILY newspaper of the 12th of March inserts<br />
the following articles in the same column :-<br />
PIRACY OF MUSIC.<br />
LORD WINDSOR TO RAISE THE QUESTION IN<br />
PARLIAMENT.<br />
Lord Windsor has given notice in the House of Lords<br />
"to call attention to the serious loss inflicted upon copy.<br />
right holders of music by the illegal sale in the streets and<br />
elsewhere of copyright music by hawkers, and to the<br />
impracticability of their obtaining redress under the exist.<br />
ing law, and to ask His Majesty's Government whether<br />
they see their way to passing some temporary measure to<br />
protect those who suffer by reason of these illegal<br />
practices."<br />
Mr. William Boosey writes from Paris as follows :-<br />
“Now that there is a possibility of the American Govern-<br />
ment intervening to stop the pirating of music copyrights,<br />
perhaps our Government will be forced to take some steps.<br />
Failing this, there is no doubt that there will be a serious<br />
breach of the peace as a protest by copyright owners and<br />
authors against the present scandalous robbery of their<br />
works.<br />
“ The present abuse has been existing for years, and<br />
although at any time a short Bill of a non-controversial<br />
VEY best thanks to those many correspondents<br />
V who have written to me in answer to my<br />
request in the January Author !<br />
The main conclusion I draw from the letters<br />
received is that for a standard set of rules to be of<br />
any practical use it must be exhaustive. The<br />
writer upon any particular subject wants to have<br />
that one subject thoroughly dealt with, and ex-<br />
haustively treated, so that it may be possible to<br />
settle any question that arises in it.<br />
Now, as it would be quite useless to think of<br />
compiling a set of rules for each different subject,<br />
the alternative 18 to compile & much larger set<br />
of rules dealing more or less completely with all<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 171 (#575) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
171<br />
subjects likely to be wanted. This means, to deal II.-Notes on the Clarendon Press Rules for<br />
adequately with the requirements of all English<br />
Compositors and Readers,<br />
authors, editors, compositors, and readers, a book<br />
of some five hundred pages.<br />
General Observation.<br />
In order to see whether such a large work would AN author should know his business well<br />
be satisfactory to those who have expressed interest<br />
enough to be able to settle all these matters by<br />
in this matter—and I gladly acknowledge here the simply writing “ follow copy " on his MS. How-<br />
very great number of good wishes that I may be<br />
ever, as literary talent does not always include<br />
able to arrange a satisfactory set of standard rules spelling, punctuation, or the faintest sense of beauty<br />
-I have compiled to the best of my ability Part 1. in books considered as objects to be looked at as<br />
of such a set of rules as appears will alone satisfy well as read, it is as well that rules should be made<br />
the wants of such diverse writers as Novelists—who for the incapable.<br />
want nothing but the correct spelling of a few dis-<br />
puted English words ; Geographers—place-names ;<br />
Pages 7, 8. Spelling.<br />
Historians—names of people ; Chemists-names of<br />
As s and 2 mark distinct sounds, and the<br />
substances ; Geologists_names of—but I need not<br />
suppression of z is a deliberate impoverishment of<br />
continue, for every one can fill a long list on these<br />
our insufficient alphabet, the termination ize ought<br />
lines.<br />
to be used in every word that is not common<br />
This Part I. deals with the letter A only, and is<br />
enough to have made the ise irresistibly familiar.<br />
now being set up at the University Press, Oxford.<br />
Advertize, analyze, circumcize, emprize, improvize,<br />
I shall hope during next month to forward copies<br />
mainprize, minimize and paralyze, could all be<br />
of it to my correspondents, and to any others who<br />
established with much less friction than tantalize,<br />
may express a wish to see it. From the opinions<br />
criticize, exorcize, equalize, dogmatize, pulverize,<br />
sent me, I must decide whether, in that form or<br />
any other, it may seem worth while continuing it a<br />
&c., as recommended.<br />
through the other letters of the alphabet.<br />
Page 9. Footnote.<br />
In mentioning this first part, I feel I must<br />
specially thank the Committee and Secretary of<br />
Dr. Murray's attempt to restore the e after dg<br />
the “ London Association of Correctors of the does not really save any ambiguity in the pro-<br />
Press," not only for their valuable assistance nunciation. The only cases of g being hard after<br />
already given, but also for their cordial offers of<br />
offers of d are Ludgate, Fladgate, etc. A foreigner might,<br />
help in the future.<br />
on the analogy of Ludgate, pronounce judgement<br />
So many different opinions have reached me jud-ge-ment; but no human mouth could pro-<br />
with reference to the spelling of the suffixes “ ize" nounce judgment with a hard c.<br />
and “ise," that I am sure every correspondent and<br />
every reader of these columns will be pleased to<br />
Spelling generally.<br />
read the following admirable letter which has just<br />
I always use the American termination or for<br />
reached me : it goes to the root of the matter, and our. Theater, somber. center. etc. I reject only<br />
will carry conviction where such be possible : because they are wantonly anti-phonetic : theatre,<br />
“ DEAR COLLINS,-By all means stand up for<br />
sombre, etc., being nearer the sound. Such<br />
the Rules (of Mr. Hart] in respect of the use of<br />
abominable Frenchifications as programme, cigar-<br />
z in place of s wherever the sound dictates it. You ette, etc., are quite revolting to me. Telegram,<br />
quartet, etc., deprive them of all excuse.<br />
may. if you like. quote me as saying that our<br />
I<br />
language is irrationally unphonetic, and it is<br />
should like also to spell epilogue epilog, because<br />
absurd to make it more unphonetic still, and this people generally mispronounce it, just as they<br />
is done wherever s is used in place of 2 in such would mispronounce catalogue if the right sound<br />
words as authorize and anologize. To spell these as were not so familiar. That is the worst of un-<br />
though they were pronounced authorice and apologice<br />
phonetic spelling : in the long run people pro-<br />
when we have actually the letter which conver's nounce words as they are spelt ; and so the<br />
the right sound is simply a retrograde movement ; language gets senselessly altered.<br />
and the Clarendon Press Rules are to be approved<br />
for adhering to the 2, and should indeed extend its<br />
Page 15. Contractions.<br />
use. I always make my own printer substitute the The apostrophies in ain't, don't, haven't, etc.,<br />
z for the s wherever it is possible.—Truly yours, look so ugly that the most careful printing cannot<br />
HERBERT SPENCER."<br />
make a page of colloquial dialogue as handsome<br />
F. HOWARD COLLINS. as & page of classical dialogue. Besides, shan't<br />
Iddesleigh, Torquay.<br />
should be sha"n't, if the wretched pedantry of<br />
<br />
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## p. 172 (#576) ############################################<br />
<br />
172<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
indicating the elision is to be carried out, I have<br />
written aint, dont, havnt, shant, shouldnt and<br />
wont for twenty years with perfect impunity, using<br />
the apostrophe only where its omission would<br />
suggest another word : for example, hell for he'll.<br />
There is not the faintest reason for persisting in<br />
the ugly and silly trick of peppering pages with<br />
these uncouth bacilli. I also write thats, whats,<br />
lets, for the colloquial forms of that is, what is, let<br />
us ; and I have not yet been prosecuted.<br />
Page 18. Hyphens.<br />
I think some of the hyphens given are question-<br />
able. Smallpox is right; and small pox is right;<br />
but small-pox is, I should say, certainly wrong.<br />
A hyphen between an adverb and a verb, or an<br />
adjective and a noun, is only defensible when the<br />
collocation would be ambiguous without it.<br />
The rule given that compound words of more than<br />
one accent should be hyphened is, like most rules,<br />
a mere brazening-out of a mistake.<br />
Page 23. Italics.<br />
This is deplorable. To the good printer the<br />
occurrence of two different founts on the same<br />
page is at best an unavoidable evil. To the bad<br />
one, it is an opportunity of showing off the variety<br />
of his stock : he is never happier than when he is<br />
setting up a title-page in all the founts he possesses.<br />
Not only should titles not be printed in italic ; but<br />
the customary ugly and unnecessary inverted<br />
commas should be abolished. Let me give a<br />
specimen. 1. I was reading The Merchant of<br />
Venice. 2. I was reading “ The Merchant of<br />
Venice." 3. I was reading The Merchant of<br />
Venice. The man who cannot see that No. 1 is<br />
the best looking as well as the sufficient and<br />
sensible form, should print or write nothing but<br />
advertisements of lost dogs or ironmongers'<br />
catalogues : literature is not for him to meddle<br />
with.<br />
On the whole, and excepting expressly the deplor-<br />
able heresy about italics, these Clarendon Press<br />
rules will serve the turn of the numerous authors who<br />
have no ideas of their own on the subject, or who<br />
are still in their apprenticeship, or who, as English<br />
gentlemen, desire to do, not the sensible and<br />
reasonable thing, but the thing that everybody<br />
else does. At the same time, the poverty of the<br />
rules shews how far we still are from having an<br />
accurate speech notation. To the essayist and the<br />
scientific writer this may not greatly matter ; but<br />
to the writer of fiction, especially dramatic fiction,<br />
it is a serious drawback, as the desperate phonetics<br />
of our dialect novels show. Now the Claren-<br />
of<br />
don Press prints for the essayist and the<br />
professor much more than for the fictionist. I<br />
therefore suggest that some well-known printer<br />
of novels should be asked for a copy of his rules,<br />
if he has any. A Scotch printer for preference,<br />
as the Scotch intellect likes to know what it 18<br />
doing.<br />
G. BERNARD SHAW.<br />
Page 21. Division of English Words.<br />
The notion that words at the end of a line<br />
should not be divided if the division can possibly<br />
be avoided leads to a great deal of villainous<br />
printing, because the compositor gets it into his<br />
head that he may justify recklessly provided he<br />
ends the line without breaking a word. I had<br />
much rather see even a syllable divided than a<br />
line spaced so widely as to make a whitish bar<br />
across the black of the letterpress. The com-<br />
positor should be taught that the evenness of the<br />
f the<br />
color of his letterpress is far more important<br />
than the philological vedantries of word division.<br />
Even from the pedantic point of view there is no<br />
there is no<br />
sense in recommending impor-tance and respon-<br />
dent, and barring exal-tation and imagi-nation.<br />
If it is wrong to divide the last syllables of exalt<br />
and imagine, it is equally wrong to divide the last<br />
syllables of import and respond.<br />
Page 22. Punctuation.<br />
Stops are clearly as much the author's business<br />
as words. The rules given here are very properly<br />
confined to matters of custom in printing. I wish,<br />
however, that the Clarendon Press, or some other<br />
leading house, would make a correct rule for<br />
the punctuation of quotations between inverted<br />
commas. The common practice is to put the<br />
points belonging to the sentence in which the<br />
quotation occurs inside the inverted commas<br />
instead of outside. For example : Was he wise to<br />
say “Let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we<br />
die?” The correct, but less usual punctuation is :<br />
Was he wise to say “ Let us eat and drink ; for<br />
to-morrow we die" ?<br />
NET PRICES AND THE AMERICAN<br />
PUBLISHERS' ASSOCIATION.<br />
M HE following plan to correct evils connected<br />
with the cutting of prices on copyright<br />
books was adopted at a meeting of the<br />
American Publishers' Association, held February<br />
13th, 1901; amendments referring to fiction were<br />
adopted at a meeting held January 8th, 1902 :-<br />
I. That the members of the American Publishers<br />
Association agree that all copyrighted books first<br />
issued by them after May 1st, 1901, shall be pub-<br />
lished at net prices which it is recommended shall<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 173 (#577) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
173<br />
be reduced from the prices at which similar books the copies then remaining in the dealers' hands<br />
have been issued heretofore, provided, however, they must be re-sold to him on demand.<br />
that there shall be exempt from this agreement all V III. That when the publisher sells at retail a<br />
school books, such works of fiction (not juveniles) net book published under the rules it shall be at<br />
and new editions as the individual publisher may the retail price, and he shall add the cost of post-<br />
desire, books published by subscription and not age or expressage on all books sent out of the city<br />
through the trade, and such other books as are not in which the publisher does business.<br />
sold through the trade.<br />
IX. That for the purpose of carrying out the<br />
II. It is recommended that the retail price of a above plan the Directors of the Association be<br />
net book, marked “NET,” be printed on a paper authorised to establish an office and engage a<br />
wrapper covering the book.<br />
suitable person as manager, and endeavour to<br />
III. That the members of the Association agree secure from all dealers in books assent to the above<br />
that such net copyrighted books and all others of conditions of sale. Under the direction of the<br />
their books shall be sold by them to those book- Board the manager shall investigate all cases of<br />
sellers only who will maintain the retail price of cutting reported, and when directed shall send out<br />
such net copyrighted books for one year, and to notices to the Association, jobbers, and the trade,<br />
those booksellers and jobbers only who will sell of any persons violating the above provisions.<br />
their books further to no one known to them to X. That it shall be the duty of all members of<br />
cut such net prices, or whose name has been given the Association to report immediately to the said<br />
to them by the Association as one who cuts such office all cases of the cutting of prices which may<br />
prices or who fails to abide by such fair and reason- come to their knowledge.<br />
able rules and regulations as may be estaolished XI. That the Association through its agents and<br />
by local associations as hereinafter provided. members aid in the formation of booksellers' asso-<br />
A dealer or bookseller may be defined as one who ciations in the important centres and cities in the<br />
makes it a regular part of his business to sell books, United States, the object of which associations<br />
and carries stock of them for public sale.<br />
shall be to assist the Publishers' Association in<br />
IV. That the members of the Association agree maintaining prices on net books as aforesaid, and<br />
that on all copyrighted works of fiction (not net) to establish such lawful rules and regulations<br />
published by them after February 1st, 1902, the respecting the conduct of business in their locality<br />
greatest discount allowed at retail for one year as will tend to secure fair, honourable and uniform<br />
after publication shall be 28 per cent. ; and all the methods of business in each important centre or<br />
rules for the protection of net books shall apply to section of the country. That the Association<br />
the protection of fiction to this extent.<br />
pledge itself to support such local associations by<br />
The conditions governing the sale of fiction are every means in its power in maintaining such law-<br />
such that the Association does not attempt to fix a ful rules and regulations as may in this way be<br />
uniform price at which works of fiction (not net) agreed to.<br />
shall be sold, but only to name a maximum dis-<br />
count, which, however, it is hoped will rarely be In response to the request of the Secretary of<br />
given.<br />
the Incorporated Society of Authors for informa-<br />
V. The only exceptions to the foregoing rules tion about the American Publishers' Association<br />
shall be in the case of libraries, which may be and its plan for the protection of prices, I send<br />
allowed a discount of not more than 10 per cent a copy of our plan as amended at the last<br />
on net books and 33 1-3 per cent. on fiction. meeting of the Association (printed above). It<br />
Libraries entitled to these discounts may be de- will be seen that the recent changes were made for<br />
fined as those libraries to which access is either the purpose of including fiction, although it is not<br />
free or by annual subscription. Book clubs are intended to insist upon the publication of fiction<br />
not to be entitled to discount on net books, nor to at net prices.<br />
any special discount on fiction,<br />
The American Publishers' Association originated<br />
VI. That the Association suggests a discount on in a demand from booksellers for some protection<br />
net copyrighted books of 25 per cent, to dealers as against the ruinous cutting of prices, which had<br />
a general discount, leaving the question of discount, reached a point where upon many books there was<br />
however, entirely to the individual publisher. no margin of profit whatever for the retailer, the<br />
VII. That after the expiration of a year from books being advertised and sold to the public at<br />
the publication of any copyrighted book issued the lowest wholesale price. In the summer of<br />
under these regulations, dealers shall not be held 1900 a committee of leading booksellers called<br />
to the above restrictions, and may sell such book at upon the publishers and requested them to get<br />
a cut price ; but if on learning of such action the together and take some action to put a stop to such<br />
publisher shall desire to buy back at purchase price underselling. After many informal conferences,<br />
<br />
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## p. 174 (#578) ############################################<br />
<br />
174<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
a meeting of publishers was held and an Associa- books are sold in different cities throughout this<br />
tion formed, and a committee was appointed to large country ; but these provisions do not go into<br />
recommend some course of action. The report of operation until February ist.<br />
this committee was made and unanimously adopted Thus far the plan has worked with great satis-<br />
in February, 1901, and the plan went into effect faction to all interested. There have been no<br />
on May 1st. I recite these facts to show that withdrawals from the Association, a number of new<br />
action was taken with the utmost deliberation. members have been admitted and the Association<br />
Omitting from consideration the subordinate is now practically complete, including thirty-five<br />
questions of postage, libraries, &c., the plan briefly firms, representing New York, Boston, Philadelphia,<br />
outlined is as follows :<br />
Chicago, and other large cities. The entire book-<br />
Members of the Association agree to publish all trade of the country, with the exception of one<br />
their new copyright books, except fiction, at net large department store in New York and three or<br />
prices, and in order fully to protect these prices four smaller dealers, received the plan with great<br />
for one year, they further agree not to sell any of favour and has given it cordial support. Up to<br />
their publications to any one who breaks the price January 1st there were 550 books published net<br />
of a net book ai retail during the first year after on the new basis. In a few cases prices have been<br />
its publication. The rule is very comprehensive, criticised as being too high, but the general report<br />
including all copyright books, except works of is that the net system has in no way retarded sales<br />
fiction (omitting, of course, school-books and sub- and the benefit to the trade has been great. Per-<br />
scription books upon which no action was required), haps the most encouraging sign was the attitude<br />
and the penalty for underselling a “net” book of the department stores, for it has never been the<br />
includes the withholding of all books, whether purpose of the Association to confine its interests<br />
“net” or “regular.” On the other hand, these to any particular class of retail dealer. Our object<br />
regulations being observed, every publisher is free is to make the sale of our publications profitable<br />
to manage his own business in his own way. There to whoever deals in them, and we have no intention<br />
has been no interference with his right to fix his of trying to change the current of activity. The<br />
own retail prices and to decide for himself what department store is quite as important to the<br />
discount he will allow the trade. It is important American publisher as the bookseller, so called,<br />
it be clearly understood that no attempt has been and in many cities the book department is fully<br />
made to fix prices, but only to maintain them for the equal of the book-store. But the time has<br />
one year. There is, of course, the danger that passed when the selling of books in such stores is<br />
some publisher may make his prices too high, or any novelty, and it was found that they were as<br />
give too large a discount, or not give a large willing to make money at their book counters as in<br />
enough discount to the trade, but the correction other departments of their business ; besides, there<br />
of such abuses is left to the ordinary operation of is still left an indefinitely wide range of books on<br />
business laws.<br />
which bargains can be offered.<br />
The most difficult question which confronted I have not referred to any effect this movement<br />
the Association was what should be done with may have upon authors, because the interests of<br />
fiction, and as the committee could not at that the author, so far as maintaining prices is con-<br />
time recommend any action that promised success, cerned, seem to be identical with those of his<br />
it was finally decided not to attempt to regulate it publisher. The only way in which the system<br />
in any way until the plan had been tried on other might affect the author would be through the<br />
books. There was at first some disappointment at changing of the retail prices of books, royalties<br />
this, but the wisdom of not undertaking too much being usually based upon these prices. In the<br />
in the beginning was very generally recognised. case of works of fiction no change has been made<br />
The success of the plan, however, has now en in the retail price, and as to other books, a large<br />
couraged the Association to include fiction, but in and increasing number of them were already being<br />
a modified form. In the case of novels, the sale of published at net prices, and the only effect of the<br />
which has been unprecedentedly large during the regulations is to maintain those prices. And in<br />
past few years, it was not thought advisable to any case, the only books affected are new books,<br />
maintain a uniform price, but to make some con- and if any change of royalty is required, it can<br />
cession to those who prefer to sell at a “cut” easily be made. There are no “concealed profits,"<br />
price, only placing a limit to that cutting, so that and the publisher should be willing to show his<br />
some profit will be assured to any dealer who may author exactly what discounts are given to book.<br />
be forced to meet such prices. This method is a sellers.<br />
conservative one, and has the advantage of causing<br />
CHARLES SCRIBNER.<br />
the least possible disturbance to business. It New York,<br />
allows for the varying conditions upon which<br />
January 30th, 1902.<br />
<br />
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## p. 175 (#579) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
175<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
ITERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
N agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“Cost of Production."<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of onc-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important,<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTIIORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
NTEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
1. T VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
V advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
<br />
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## p. 176 (#580) ############################################<br />
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176<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
For the Opinions erpressed in papers that are signed<br />
or inilialled the Authors alone are responsible.<br />
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken<br />
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless<br />
such is especially stated to be the case.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
an readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter.<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society ; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
M branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
Readers are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
TT has been frequently stated that modern<br />
1 criticism is practically useless. To anyone<br />
perusing the praise and blame of the same<br />
book which come from the pens of the critics, it<br />
would appear that a fair standard of criticism was<br />
impossible. There is, however, one method which<br />
may mean a great deal and express very little.<br />
We give the following quotation :<br />
“Mr. 's name on a book is a sure sign of<br />
its quality.” The reader must fill up the blank<br />
with the name of a publishing house.<br />
To the outside public this criticism may be very<br />
satisfactory, but to those who know the publisher<br />
it may mean disaster to the book.<br />
It calls to mind an advertisement of a book<br />
which included several extracts from the news-<br />
papers, of which one ran as follows:“Mr. So-and-So's<br />
book is the book of the season.” To this extract<br />
was appended the name of a well-known literary<br />
paper. On reference to the paper, however, it<br />
appeared that “ for ungrammatical rabbish, and a<br />
NOTICES.<br />
THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
| the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d, subscription for the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 177 (#581) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
177<br />
total disregard of the principles of writing, Mr. reaches a higher level than the American. The<br />
So-and-So's book is the book of the season.” personal paragraph in America has been carried<br />
Critics should be careful how they word their rather too far.<br />
sentences if this advantage can be taken of them.<br />
There is another story told about Lord Beacons-<br />
field with regard to books that has a double The question of the length and evolution of the<br />
meaning, and is an example of the same kind of ordinary six-shilling novel forms a subject of no<br />
doubtful compliment: it may with advantage be small importance. This fact seems to be clear,<br />
repeated here.<br />
that the public will not buy at the price of six<br />
On receipt of a book from a gentleman whose shillings a volume by an author, however popular,<br />
qualities as a friend were greater than those as a which does not contain a certain amount of<br />
writer, Lord Beaconsfield responded, “I will lose matter. One notorious case will, no doubt, come<br />
no time in reading your book," and he took care to the mind of many authors and readers, of a<br />
that the time was not lost.<br />
story of 25,000 words which was spun out, by the<br />
use of large type, spacing, and other details, to<br />
the size of the six-shilling volume. The result<br />
was disastrous both to the author and the pub-<br />
An article in the American Bookman deals with lisher. No doubt some will say this would have<br />
the great newspapers of the United States. It is been the case in any event, that the book was<br />
anecdotal and amusing.<br />
a bad one—but we do not entirely agree that this<br />
Bennett, as everyone knows, was the founder of was the sole cause.<br />
the New York Herald. It appears that on several Another case came before our notice. A short<br />
occasions he was personally assaulted, and on one book, from a well-known author, was published<br />
occasion was chastised in his own office. The next in six-shilling form with an addition of 48 pages<br />
day there appeared in the Herald a description of of publishers' advertisements. Such additions are<br />
the affair from Bennett's pen, headed “Horse- not fair either to the author or to the public. It<br />
whipped Again.”<br />
would be well for authors to consider whether it<br />
The Tribune was the great rival of the Herald would not be worth their while to insert a clause<br />
in the forties, and there was a systematic war in their agreements forbidding the insertion of<br />
waged against the latter newspaper by “ Wall<br />
y "Wall publishers' advertisements beyond a certain number<br />
Street Holy Allies," as Bennett called them. of pages. Although this fault does not often<br />
The following selections from the epithets hurled occur, yet it is possible that, with the modern<br />
against the Herald have been cut from the same craze for advertising, it might grow into a serious<br />
article, and give a curious insight into the jour difficulty.<br />
nalism of that day.<br />
By Park Benjamin, in the Signal—“obscene<br />
vagabond,” “infamous blasphemer," “ loathsome<br />
and leprous slanderer and libeller," " wretch," In the articles that appeared in The Author<br />
“profligate adventurer," "venomous reptile," "ac- dealing with the question of agents, it was stated<br />
cursed sting,” “ pestilential scoundrel," " instinct that the agent's remuneration was too high for the<br />
of brutes," "ghoul-like propensity," "polluted work he did. In a good many cases he asks £5<br />
wretch," "prince of darkness," “ caitiff," “mon before he commences to work, and in addition<br />
ster," "foul jaws," " black hearted,” “ dirt," a charge of ten per cent. on what he places. In<br />
“ gallows."<br />
the case of a successful book ten per cent, on the<br />
By H. H. Noah, in the Evening Star—“rogue," returns is an enormous profit for the work done.<br />
“ cheat," “ licentious,” “vile,” “outrage," "com- There appears to be no other agency that takes<br />
mon bandit," "scaffold," "pollution," " depraved anything like such a large percentage on account of<br />
appetite," " not live an hour," "inquisition,” its labours. The house agent, for instance, does not<br />
“torture," " villain,” “turkey buzzard."<br />
take a percentage throughout the whole lease; the<br />
American journalism has always been a wonder scholastic agent does not take a percentage for<br />
to the more sober journalistic workers of London, all the years a master's situation endures ; no<br />
but we think that the veriest rags of journals on agent that we can call to mind takes a per-<br />
the English market have never descended quite so centage lasting during the existence of the pro-<br />
low as this.<br />
perty. We think it right, therefore, to place<br />
Another point of comparison between modern this point before all authors, and to suggest that<br />
American journalism and modern English jour. some limit should be made to these returns—that<br />
nalism is the personal paragraph.<br />
the agent should reap the benefit of ten per cent.<br />
Here, also, we think that the English journalist for a limited time, or until some limited figure had<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 178 (#582) ############################################<br />
<br />
178<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
been reached. It is exceedingly hard on an author In last month's Author we drew attention to the<br />
that his returns for one book should be burdened question of “ Advertisements and Reviews.” The<br />
by a constant drain during the whole time that statement that we then made with some diffidence<br />
copyright lasts.<br />
has been amply corroborated by letters appearing<br />
in the Publishers' Circular.<br />
Is the whole system hopelessly corrupt ? Is it<br />
Many complaints have been made in the musical impossible for a genuine Book Review co exist<br />
papers by musical publishers against the wholesale when run on absolutely independent lines ?<br />
piracy of copyright popular songs and melodies. Surely the devious methods of the financial<br />
This form of theft is begun by piratical printers press and the tricks of the notorious company<br />
and carried on by their agents, the street vendors promoters do not taint those responsible for the<br />
of music.<br />
literary reviews! and surely the heads of the great<br />
It will be impossible to eradicate this evil until, publishing houses would not demean themselves by<br />
under a new Copyright Act, some swift and sure condescending to this kind of bribe !<br />
method is devised of dealing with these people. The question has been started in the Publishers'<br />
The music publishers are loud in their complaint, Circular. Where is the Publishers' Association ?<br />
for when under the present régime the machinery Cannot they form a committee, establish a commis-<br />
of the law is brought into action, it is altogether sion, and throw light upon these dark doings.<br />
too slow and cumbersome.<br />
We trust that the Association will prove itself a<br />
The street vendor is irresponsible and impe- virile body, will boldly grapple with a great evil,<br />
cunious, and it is almost impossible to discover the if indeed it exists, and will devote its spare time to<br />
printer or the previous circulator of the stolen goods. something better than drafting impossible agree-<br />
Even when discovered he is generally a man of ments to lay before the unfortunate author.<br />
straw, and to bring an action for damages is nothing<br />
more than a waste of money. Some publishers,<br />
copyright holders, have spent much money in<br />
bringing these gentlemen to book, but have<br />
The following story is interesting as bearing on<br />
found that the result is neither final por altogether<br />
the same subject :-<br />
satisfactory.<br />
An editor of a well-known newspaper met an<br />
Summary jurisdiction, and a fine or imprisonment<br />
author-also well known—and enquired how it<br />
is the only method of dealing with these piratical<br />
street hawkers. When that ideal copyright law<br />
was that none of his books was sent him for<br />
is passed, no doubt all will be right.<br />
review, and that his publishers refused to advertise<br />
in his paper.<br />
“Oh,” said the author, “the matter is quite<br />
clear. I take great interest in the advertising of<br />
We see with much regret that Mr. Gerald my book, and never send copies to papers that<br />
Balfour does not hold out any hope of a copyright review me badly."<br />
measure being passed this session.<br />
Not long after this the advertisement agent<br />
The Society has with a praiseworthy obstinacy called round on the pablisher and asked for an<br />
and determination kept legislation continually advertisement. The publisher, who had full know-<br />
before the authorities whose business it is to deal ledge of the author's methods with regard to the<br />
with it, and everyone who is at all cognisant of the books sent for review, replied that he never<br />
ins and outs of this complicated and difficult advertised with papers that failed in a just<br />
question—a question dealing so closely not only appreciation of his publications,<br />
with intercolonial but also international relations Assurance was immediately given that if the<br />
must give the Committee of the Society and its book just published was forwarded to the office a<br />
supporters all praise for their perseverance. Dogged favourable review would be obtained, and the<br />
persistence will no doubt in the end accomplish advertisement was accordingly pressed for. The<br />
its objects.<br />
publisher, however, was not to be taken in by this<br />
We all know the proverb of the water and the method of doing business. He led the agent<br />
stone. When the looked-for millennium of copy- clearly to understand that if a farourable review<br />
right is upon us, we sincerely hope that all authors, appeared, the advertisement would be sure to follow.<br />
in whatever branch of authorship, whether Members He was not going to pay for an article which he<br />
of the Society or those who may from motives had not already seen.<br />
of their own hold aloof, will realise the work, the In due course a favourable review appeared, and<br />
time, the trouble, the money which have been the advertisement agent received the required<br />
ungrudgingly spent to obtain this great object. order.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 179 (#583) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR. :<br />
179<br />
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. obtained in the Act itself, and that it was too soon<br />
to press for more.<br />
Mr. Perry Coste raised again the question of<br />
GENERAL meeting of the Society of printing a list of the Society's members' for circn-<br />
Authors was held at 4 P.M. on Wednesday, lation in the Society only, and urged that such a<br />
March 19th, at 20, Hanover Square, W., with<br />
list, even though not complete, but containing<br />
Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins in the chair.<br />
only the names of members consenting to be placed<br />
The Chairman opened the meeting by laying in it, would be of use to those desirous of com-<br />
municating with their fellow-members upon matters<br />
mittee of Management for the year ending affecting the Society. In reply, the Chairman<br />
December, 1901. In commenting on the report, referred to previous experience with reference to<br />
Mr. Hope Hawkins referred to the loss sustained this topic, and said that the inatter should again<br />
by the Society in the regretted death of Sir Walter have the careful consideration of the Committee.<br />
Besant, and to the scheme set out in the report Mr. G. H. Perris called attention to the case of<br />
for raising a memorial to him. He called atten- Neufeld v. Chapman and Hall, suggesting that an<br />
tion to the other losses sustained in the past year undesirable result had been obtained in the setting<br />
by the Society, and also to the general increase in aside of a trade custom by a legal decision. The<br />
its numbers. Having explained the importance Chairman pointed out that the judge had to apply<br />
attached by the Committee to the employment by a contract which sold a copyright, but stipulated<br />
the Society of an official to act for it in the for payment by royalties ontú<br />
United States, Mr. Hope Hawkins proceeded to vision for payment if publication was in serial<br />
urge upon the members of the Society at large form, to what had eventually taken placenamely,<br />
the duty of supporting by their contributions the the publication of the book in serial form. In<br />
Society's Pension Fund. With regard to this it was reply to the same gentleman. Mr. Hope Hawkins<br />
pointed out that the number of subscribers is at laid stress upon the word " informal,” in con-<br />
present relatively small, and that a more or less junction with the word " inexpensive." with regard<br />
universal apnuul contribution of small sums, such to the recommendation of arbitration in cases of<br />
as ten or five shillings, would establish the fund at dispute made in the Society's report at page 12.<br />
once upon a footing more in accordance with the As there was no further discussion on the report,<br />
intentions and hopes of its promoters. On the the election of a member to the Pension Fund<br />
questions referred to in the report concerning the<br />
Committee was dealt with Mrs. Alec Tweedie<br />
employment of literary agents, the Chairman said was unanimously re-elected, and the business of<br />
that there were two impressions abroad as to the meeting was concluded with a hearty vote of<br />
the attitude of the Society and its Committee<br />
thanks to the Chairman and the Committee for<br />
- the one that there was some connection<br />
their willing labours on behalf of their fellow-<br />
between the Society and one or two individual members of the profession.<br />
agents; the other that the Society as a body dis. There were among those present. besides the<br />
approved of and denounced agents. Neither of members whose names are mentioned above: Sir<br />
these views was correct. The question whether an Joshua Fitch. Sir William Charley. K.C. Mr. R.<br />
agent should be employed or not must be decided Warwick Bond. Mr. C. A. Kelly, Mr. Edward<br />
by the author according to circumstances. There Rose, Mr. Arthur Wilson. Mr. Basil Field, Mr.<br />
were good and bad agents, and the Society advised Mackenzie Bell. Miss E. M. Symonds. Mr. Reynolds<br />
that it was of importance to distinguish between Ball, Miss Olive Katherine Parr. Mr. G. H.<br />
these, while it was able and willing to assist its Thring. &c. &c.<br />
members in doing so. In conclusion Mr. Hope<br />
Hawkins commented upon the steps taken by the<br />
Society during the year under consideration to THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF AUTHORS.<br />
assist its members in legal matters.<br />
· In the course of a brief discussion which followed<br />
upon questions arising out of the report and the M HE annual meeting of the Canadian Society<br />
Society's work in general, Mr. F. Stroud asked for 1 of Authors was held at the Victoria<br />
information upon the working of the American<br />
University on Friday, February 14th. The<br />
Copyright Law and any prospect that there might be following officers were appointed for 1902 :—Hon.<br />
of diminishing such loss as it might bring to the President, Prof. Goldwin Smith, LL.D.; Presi-<br />
British printing trade through the setting up of dent, Hon. Geo. W. Ross, LL.D.; Vice-Presidents,<br />
type in the United States for books to be published Dr. Bryce of Winnipeg, Dr. Drummond of<br />
in the two countries. The Chairman, in reply, Montreal, Dr. Frechette of Montreal, Hon.<br />
suggested that a considerable concession had been J. W. Longley of Halifax, Duncan Campbell<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 180 (#584) ############################################<br />
<br />
180<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Scott of Ottawa; Secretary, Prof. Pelham Edgar; Britain and Canada for printed matter should be<br />
Treasurer, John A. Cooper, B.A.; Executive lowered without delay, and some movement is being<br />
Committee, Messrs. James Bain, Jun., Castell made from this end with a view to agitating for<br />
Hopkins, B. E. Walker, Bernard McEvoy, Mac- this reform. The publishers of American magazines<br />
donald Oxley, Mayor Howland, J. S. Willison, have at present an undue advantage over the British<br />
Prof. Lefroy, Prof. Mavor, Prof. Davidson. A publisher, and the consequence is, we are flooded<br />
bibliography of the contributions of the members with Yankee productions which are often not to<br />
to current literature will be soon ready for dis- our taste. If it were not for the heavy postal rates,<br />
tribution in the society.<br />
many British magazines would have double and<br />
treble the circulation here they now have.<br />
The Canadian Society of Authors has during the<br />
CANADIAN LETTER.<br />
past year chiefly confined its action to occasions of<br />
à social kind. It has given two or three “pipes<br />
and ale" réunions, and last month Professor Mavor<br />
S“The Man from Glengarry” was written by<br />
gave a brilliant “At Home," in honour of Dr. W. H.<br />
a Canadian, the success that has attended<br />
Drummond, the author of "The Habitant," who<br />
. its publication here would seem to be a<br />
was at Toronto to lecture at the University. Dr.<br />
contradiction of the saying that a prophet is usually<br />
Drummond may be said to be the most popular<br />
destitute of honour in his own country. The sale<br />
author in Canada. He is also a physician with a<br />
has been larger than that of any book since “David<br />
large and demanding practice, and takes up litera-<br />
Harum.” Literature observed that “ The Man<br />
ture simply as a hobby and side issue. His success<br />
from Glengarry " had “nothing to do with litera-<br />
is due, not only to the admirable way in which he<br />
ture.” The Canadian readers, who have bought<br />
has exploited the French Canadian dialect, but to<br />
the book by tens of thousands, do not care for that the sympathetic and humorous way in which he<br />
in the least, even if it be true. What they like 16 has displayed the essential human nature of the<br />
the swing of the story, the truth and “go” of the habitant<br />
lumbering fights and scenes, the true depicting of<br />
Among the books announced for publication<br />
Canadian life, and the unmistakable evangelical during the next few weeks is one by Mr. Bernard<br />
trend of the whole. Its mingling of prayer meet. McEvoy, which will give in book form the delightful<br />
ing and pugilism is exactly to their taste. The<br />
series of letters contributed by him to the Toronto<br />
novel has had an equally good reception in the Mail and Empire during his recent extended trip<br />
United States, and people who want to write novels through Western Canada<br />
through Western Canada. The volume is entitled<br />
The volume<br />
that will be sold by the 100,000 shonld remember “From the Great Lakes to the Wide West.”<br />
that they must tap this productive vein of book- William Briggs has the work in hand, and will<br />
buyers. But there are few writers who can tap it issue it in his best style, illustrated plentifully<br />
successfully. E. P. Roe did it, and so did Mrs.<br />
with picturesque scenes-new plates from recent<br />
H. B. Stowe, and of late the respective authors of<br />
photos-along the route across the Continent.<br />
" David Harum," and "The Man from Glengarry," " A feature of the book trade in the whole of<br />
have been almost as successful. The latter work<br />
Western Canada which may be interesting to<br />
was brought out in very good style by the old yet<br />
English readers is the circulating library which is<br />
progressive house of William Briggs.<br />
to be found in every bookseller's shop. The books<br />
An altogether different reception was encoun-<br />
circulated are for the most part paper-covered<br />
tered by “The New Anteus," the Canadian edition<br />
novels, which sell in Canada at 75 cents. You go<br />
of which was brought out by Morang & Co. Not<br />
to the booksellers, pay your 75 cents, and take<br />
even the fact that it was written by the unknown<br />
away your new novel. That is, it is new to you ;<br />
and much-exploited author of. “An English woman's<br />
it may have already passed through some one else's<br />
Love Letters,” could save it from any other fate hands. When you have read it you take it back,<br />
than a succès d’estime. The reviews that appeared<br />
pay 10 cents, and get another 75-cent novel, and<br />
in Canadian papers were evidently, for the most<br />
so on as long as you like to continue the process.<br />
part, done in a perfunctory way, though a reviewer<br />
There are no fines, there is no book-keeping ; you<br />
in the Mail and Empire wrote as though he had<br />
can keep the novel as long as you like, or you can<br />
read the book, and maintained the theory that both<br />
keep it altogether. Some authors are complaining<br />
it and the “Love Letters” were written by Mr.<br />
that this passing from hand to hand of one copy<br />
George Meredith. Book-buyers were rather scan-<br />
decreases sales ; but, on the other hand, it certainly<br />
dalised by the publication of the “ Love Letters,"<br />
leads to a book being more widely read than it<br />
and as for the “New Anteus,” they could make otherwise would be<br />
neither top nor tail of it if they tried.<br />
The prohibitive postal rates between Great Toronto, 1902.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 181 (#585) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
181<br />
AMERICAN NOTES.<br />
dollars on their investment. The effect of an irre-<br />
deemable paper currency on morals seems to have<br />
been truly appalling.<br />
T AST year is admitted on all hands to have “ American Diplomatic Questions,” by John B.<br />
U been a record one for the output of books in Henderson, jun., is another book which is worthy<br />
America. Yet the publishers complain, of attention. The writer's viewpoint is less<br />
especially as to novels. Their complaints appear Imperialistic than Professor Hart's; he bases the<br />
to us to be occasionally rather contradictory. For Monroe doctrine on an organic law higher than<br />
instance, it is argued on the one band that quantity the right of self-protection.<br />
is swamping quality, whilst it is at the same time The historical romance is still in favour. Two<br />
asserted that nowadays a novel has no chance of the latest products in this field are Justin<br />
unless there is something striking in it. The one Huntly McCarthy's “If I were a King” and Miss<br />
contention seems at first sight to answer the Mary Johnston's “ Audrey." The former has<br />
other ; unless, indeed, “ striking" merely means Villon for its hero ; the latter is a story of<br />
sensational.<br />
eighteenth-century Virginia. To the same period<br />
Various anachronisms have been discovered by belongs Miss Edith Wharton's “ Valley of Deci-<br />
the diligent in that ever-popular historical novel, sion”; but the scene of her book is laid in Italy.<br />
“ The Crisis.” Mr. Winston Churchill seems to The author of " Monsieur Martin ” (Wymond<br />
have antedated the tune “ Lead, kindly Light” and Carey) brings upon his stage Charles XII. of<br />
the use of “nickel ” for five cent pieces. On the Sweden and Augustus the Strong, father of many<br />
other hand, a successful case for the introduction children, and thus breaks fresh ground. “The<br />
of “ Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean” would House of De Mailly” is a story of the court of<br />
appear to have been made out for the author. Louis XV., which king banishes the hero for love<br />
The story continues to be in great request, Mr. of his American wife. The authoress, Miss Mar-<br />
Gilbert Parker's “ Right of Way” being the only garet Horton Potter, of Chicago, who has recently<br />
work of fiction which comes near it in popularity, become Mrs. Black, is, we are sorry to say, in<br />
though some of the historical tales we mentioned trouble. At the age of sixteen-she is now, we<br />
in our last “ Notes” have by no means lost their believe, barely twenty-one—she produced a story<br />
vogue.<br />
called " A Social Lion," under the name Robert<br />
Of non-fictional works Seton-Thompson's“ Lives Daley Williams. This gave local offence from the<br />
of the Hunted” (which, we believe, is attracting fact that it was supposed to contain recognisable<br />
some attention across the Atlantic) continues to portraits, and publication was stopped. Now, we<br />
be much read. Another book which appeared late gather, somebody has got hold of a copy and is<br />
in the autumn, has created some stir. This is bringing out a surreptitious edition. We are not<br />
Jacob Rüs's “Making of an American,” a fresh, aware to what extent the original charge against<br />
breezy, naïve work by the author of “How the the book was true; but the fault was at any rate<br />
Other Half Lives.” It is the autobiography of a venial one in a novice, and everything possible<br />
the “boss reporter," who by a famous trip up the was done to placate the real or supposed sufferers.<br />
Croton watershed obtained an unpolluted water So that, we think, Mrs. Black is entitled to some<br />
supply for New York. The last half of the book sympathy. Meanwhile, we hear that she has<br />
tells the story of the great work he did for the ready another novel, “ Istar of Babylon,” from<br />
slums.<br />
which much is expected.<br />
Two rather notable books on American history Of fiction of a lighter nature “Bagsby's<br />
are “ The Foundations of American Foreign Daughter," by Miss Marie Van Vorst and Mrs.<br />
Policy,” by Professor Albert Bushnell Hart, and John Van Vorst, has made a decided hit on both<br />
“ The Confederate States of America, 1861-5," by sides of the Atlantic. This amusing story was<br />
Professor Schwab, of Yale. The author of the written in France, where the authoresses usually<br />
former denies the “abnormality” of American live. From Paris also hails the clever study of<br />
action in the Cuban question ; endeavours to American womanhood, entitled “Eve Trium-<br />
establish the thesis of continuity of interference in phant,” by the lady calling herself Pierre de<br />
foreign policy by a recital of historical precedents; Coulevain. It hits off very happily, from a<br />
and maintains that “territories" are not distinguish- foreign viewpoint, the peculiarities of an American<br />
able from colonies. Professor Schwab's book is woman educated in France.<br />
largely concerned with the finance of the Southern A book which will appeal to some, and probably<br />
States during the war. The history of Confederate upset the mental equilibrium of more, readers is<br />
currency is described as “instructive, entertaining, “Melomaniacs,” by James Huneker, who is known<br />
almost amusing”—except, presumably, to European as the author of a work on Chopin. His present<br />
bondholders, who, it is calculated, lost 9,750,000 effort is a collection of tales dealing in ironic vein<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 182 (#586) ############################################<br />
<br />
182<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
with modern idols, not only those of the musical is little to be said about it here. The verse of<br />
world, like Wagner and Chopin, but also heroes of Mr. Edwin Emerson is (if we may be allowed to<br />
modern culture—Ibsen, Nietzsche, and Schopen- utter such profanity), like that of his illustrious<br />
hauer. The last-mentioned is surely rather out of namesake, more philosophic than poetic. Miss<br />
his element in this company.<br />
Josephine Preston Peabody's dramatic poem,<br />
A volume of short stories published by McClure, “Marlowe,” however, shows much promise, which<br />
Phillips & Co. is of more than ordinary we trust will soon become achievement. Books<br />
merit. The author is Shan F. Bullock, and his on Shakespeare are always, we suppose, coming<br />
theme the Irish peasantry. The collection is out, so that it is not necessary to attribute any<br />
aptly named “ Irish Pastorals.” Two tales of the impulsive force to the arch-heretic, Mrs. Elizabeth<br />
North and South Pole, though not of equal literary Gallup. That lady, by the way, has been most<br />
merit, are perhaps as much off the beaten track. unmercifully dealt with by an anonymous scribe<br />
The hero of “ Thyra : a Romance of the Polar Pit” in the Critic, who shows a very pretty talent for<br />
goes to the Arctic in a balloon. “The Great humorous versification. We notice, too, that the<br />
White Tale," by Albert Bigelow Paine, is a tale of editor lends support to his orthodoxy in sober and<br />
the deepest South, whither a jocular millionaire chastened prose. But some of these aforesaid<br />
conducts an expedition.<br />
Shakespeare books are superfluous, if not silly. As<br />
A notable piece of biography by a good work- the first we should characterise a book by Professor<br />
man is John Coleman Adams's study of William L. A. Sherman, of the University of Nebraska,<br />
Hamilton Gibson, artist, naturalist, and author. called, “What is Shakespeare?” This is described<br />
Another good piece of work in this department of as “an attempt to make it possible for any reader<br />
literature is Professor Alpheus S. Packard's treatise to come into direct personal relation with<br />
on Lamarck, the forerunner of Darwin, who, Shakespeare without the intervention of an inter-<br />
except in France, has completely overshadowed preter.” But what is there to prevent this,<br />
his fame as a scientific pioneer. Yet another life should the reader desire it ?-that is to say, if<br />
of Washington—this time from the pen of Mr. any definite meaning is to be assigned to this<br />
Norman Hapgood. In connection with American deliverance at all ? Apparently, however, all that<br />
heroes, an undertaking is on foot which will do the Professor really aims at is merely to bring out<br />
for them on a small scale what the British the human interest of the plays and avoid its<br />
“ Dictionary of National Biography” has done for being obscured by textual criticism. He seems,<br />
those of the mother country. This is “The however, to be in some confusion, since, while<br />
American Immortals," which Mr. George Cary girding at the latter, he proceeds to supply some<br />
Eggleston has written for Messrs. Putnam. The of those very technicalities which he set out by<br />
selection is catholic, but one would have thought declaring so unnecessary. An example of the<br />
that places might have been found for Oliver simply silly is a preposterous work on “ The<br />
Wendell Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe, not to Secret of Hamlet," issued by the Abbey Press.<br />
mention certain earlier worthies. It is remarkable The author (who shall be naineless) has discovered<br />
also that no women are admitted into the Valhalla, that Hamlet was a “psychometrest"; and he<br />
not even Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. But then finds a world of meaning in an etymology he has<br />
Victoria Woodhull did not secure election to the constructed for himself out of the names Hamlet,<br />
Presidency of the United States.<br />
Horatio, and Ophelia. They all, he solemnly points<br />
A book of contemporary biography which should out, begin with an “H,” which letter, he declares,<br />
be full of interest is the “Sixty Years in Public signifies spirit. No other characters of the play<br />
Affairs” of George S. Bontwell, who was Grant's have this letter in their names, we are further<br />
Secretary of the Treasury, Governor of Massachu- bidden to remark. We are not acquainted with<br />
setts, and many years member of Congress. The two Icelandic, and cannot therefore challenge the<br />
volumes may be out before these notes appear. assertion that aml means “toil," and lothi<br />
Meanwhile, we have something in the shape of a “devoted to " ; but we still retain enough Greek<br />
link between fiction and biography in “ Captain to confute the statement that Ophelia in that<br />
Jinks, Hero," the author of which, Ernest Crosby, tongue connotes “serpent." (Elsewhere in his<br />
has written a satire on up-to-date militarism. The book the writer endeavours to get into the name<br />
hero begins his military ardour as the owner of the word for sun, which, to put it mildly, is a<br />
lead soldiers, next enters a boys' brigade, and trifle inconsistent.) And we are really unable to<br />
culminates in a cadetship at“ East” Point. There attach any coherent meaning to a sentence which<br />
is undeniable humour here, though whether it will speaks of a secondary significance of the name as<br />
be to the taste of a large audience remains to be referring to “her mental Ophelia or Aphelia."<br />
seen.<br />
The man who wrote this book thought, let us<br />
Poetry does not flourish in America, and there hope, that he meant something by this strange<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 183 (#587) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
183<br />
I.<br />
medley of bad philology, confused logic, and<br />
THE LITERARY YEAR BOOK.<br />
watered German sentiment. But there seems<br />
always to be a public for smatterers who deal in<br />
imperfectly apprehended terms of science or philo-<br />
sophy, and in America that public is sometimes M HE sixth issue of the “ Literary Year Book"<br />
a very large one.<br />
has come to hand, and we gladly give it<br />
We turn from these futilities to note two useful<br />
the praise it deserves.<br />
undertakings which are just being launched by We have read through, with great care, the<br />
the Harper Brothers and Dodd, Mead & Company. parts that are most interesting to Members of<br />
The first is the “Encyclopædia of United States the Society, namely, those that deal with the<br />
History,” in ten volumes, which, we learn from the technical side of literary property—the article<br />
draft prospectus,“ presents rare, original documents on agreements and the article on copyright.<br />
and maps and plans, and gives all the great epoch-<br />
The method of dealing with agreements is cer-<br />
making orations and speeches in full.” The four tainly more satisfactory than the method adopted<br />
thousand biographical sketches are accompanied in previous issues. Fairly common forms of<br />
in many cases by portraits ; and there are over agreements are dealt with in a sound and critical<br />
three thousand illustrations in addition. The late spirit. But to discuss a subject so wide in the<br />
John Fiske, Cardinal Gibbons, Professors Goldwin space allotted, when the clauses are constantly<br />
Smith. Moses Coit Tyler, and Alber B. Hart are varying, and the traps and pitfalls for the unwary<br />
among the chief contributors. The span of the author are many, would be an impossible task.<br />
work is from 458 to 1902 ! Special advantages are The book, therefore, cannot be taken as a reliable<br />
held out to those who accept à“ before publication guide from which an author could judge every<br />
offer.” The other enterprise is less ambitious but agreement that might be set before him ; but<br />
not less serviceable. It is a new magazine, The the points that are put forward, and the deduc-<br />
Bibliographer, the title of which explains its object. tions that are made, are satisfactory. Authors<br />
It is to be edited by Paul Leicester Ford, but is will still want special advice if they desire full<br />
not to be confined to American literatureexclusively. protection, and the question must be asked<br />
Special features will be facsimile reprints of whether this half advice is not rather a snare<br />
rarities and advance notes, and reviews of impor- than a safeguard ; "a little knowledge is a<br />
tant auction sales ; and there will be a department dangerous thing.”<br />
of notes and queries. The subscription price is Similar remarks may be made when referring to<br />
five dollars a year, which will include pine num- the article on copyright. It is absolutely im-<br />
bers, as publication is to be suspended in the possible to deal with the question of copyright,<br />
summer months. There should be a ready welcome<br />
months. There should be a ready welcome also full of dangers and pitfalls, in the space<br />
for a periodical such as this.<br />
allotted. Yet here, also, the result, as far as it<br />
The new edition of Mr. Nathan Haskell Dole's goes, is good.<br />
Multivariorum “Rubáiyat” of Omar Khayyam, The question to be considered is, whether it<br />
which is to be brought out by Messrs. L. C. would not be better to take one form of agreement,<br />
Page & Co., is another bibliographical venture of or one point in the copyright law, annually, and<br />
this spring, which promises to be only less busy a deal with it at length and exhaustively.<br />
season than was the fall.<br />
By this method the consecutive volumes of the<br />
We cannot close this article without referring “Literary Year Book,” to those who bought it<br />
to the loss which American literature in general. regularly, would in the end form a thoroughly<br />
and the firm of Houghton, Mifflin & Co. in sound and reliable guide, supposing that the ques-<br />
particular, has recently met with in the death of tion of agreements and the Copyright Law had been<br />
Mr. Horace E. Scudder, whose “Life of Lowell” dealt with on a sound and reliable basis. It would<br />
we noticed appreciatively in our last “Notes.” not be difficult to pick holes in minor matters as<br />
The death of the former editor of the Atlantic far as the agreements and the comments upon<br />
Monthly was immediately followed by that of Mr. them are concerned, or to handle in the same way<br />
Azariah Smith, who was also connected with the the essay on copyright; but this, perhaps, would<br />
same house, and was remarkable for the blended be hypercritical. It would be easier still to point<br />
literary and commercial skill which he displayed to sins of omission, errors in silence which might<br />
in writing their bulletins. To the obituary list is carry with them disaster and dismay to the ignorant;<br />
also to be added the name of Elbridge T. Brooks, but this is the fault, not of the editor or the author,<br />
late literary adviser of the Lothrop Company, a but of the system. A literary year book is bound to<br />
former editor of St. Nicholas, and the discoverer of contain something authoritative on the matters<br />
Irving Bacheller.<br />
under discussion, and on the whole the work is good.<br />
The rest of the matter in the book, as far as<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 184 (#588) ############################################<br />
<br />
184<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
we have been able to look through it, is a distinct<br />
improvement on the issue of last year.<br />
There is a sound and appreciative statement of<br />
the relations between Sir Walter Besant (our<br />
founder) and the Society, and there are other<br />
short and interesting essays.<br />
The tables seem to be very full and complete,<br />
though a table of authors must necessarily be<br />
deficient.<br />
Two names that happened to strike us on looking<br />
casually through the list were found wanting:<br />
Prof. Arthur Hassall, the well-known educational<br />
and historical writer ; and Mr. E. H. Lacon Watson,<br />
the author of that pleasant novel, “ Christopher<br />
Deane.”<br />
From an author's point of view, the book ought<br />
to be an essential. No doubt it will be found on<br />
the bookshelves of all our Members.<br />
G. H. T.<br />
contained therein reveals several errors. Thus, a<br />
number of magazines, &c., are referred to as though<br />
they were still in existence, when they have been<br />
defunct for some little time past. In the same<br />
way, some of the addresses of editorial offices are<br />
incorrectly stated. Again, Black and White is<br />
declared to accept no fiction, when, as a matter of<br />
common knowledge, quite the reverse is the<br />
case.<br />
These, however, are comparatively small matters,<br />
and it is chiefly as a serious attempt to compile a<br />
volume of real value to its consultants that « The<br />
Literary Year Book for 1902” must be judged.<br />
Considered from this standpoint, the volume is to<br />
be heartily commended.<br />
H. W.<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
II.—The Author's Vade Mecum.<br />
EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS.<br />
AMONG the fixed impressions of every author<br />
and journalist is that he could compile an ideal SIR,—There can be no doubt that contributors<br />
6 literary year book.” It is not until-some in the past have suffered many things at the hands<br />
confiding publisher taking him at his word—he of editors and have at times been actually de-<br />
finds himself called upon to undertake the task frauded, and our Society has done good service in<br />
that he realises the difficulties besetting it. exposing such discourtesy and injustice.<br />
Writers are notoriously hard to please, and each May I point out, however, that there is another<br />
individual one of them is, as a rule, pleased in a side to the case, as the following instance will<br />
different way. A real debt of gratitude is ac- show ?<br />
cordingly due to the one who will make the essay. Two years ago I published a short article by<br />
In the present (which, by the way, is the sixth) an anonymous and, to me, unknown contributor.<br />
issue of "The Literary Year Book” this task has The letter accompanying the article was accidentally<br />
been assumed by Mr. Herbert Morrah. The con- mislaid, and as there was no name on the MS. I was<br />
crete result of his labours is, on the whole, a unable to discharge the debt, which has since been<br />
praiseworthy one, and the volume for 1902 cer- standing on the ledger of my journal. Last week<br />
tainly justifies its existence. In every way it is I received a letter from which I will quote :-<br />
a distinct advance upon its predecessors, and it “Some two years ago I sent you an article. I<br />
may at last be properly regarded as being of real did not receive even an acknowledgment, and<br />
value to those for whom it is primarily intended. supposed that you had rejected it as unsuitable.<br />
As compared with last year's issue, the present What was my surprise some months after to have<br />
one shows an increase in size from 420 pages to my attention directed to an article on pub-<br />
468. It contains many new features of a useful lished in your paper and to find it word for word<br />
nature, and omits several whose inclusion in the my own! I always supposed that a respectable<br />
former volume was scarcely called for. Prominent journal at any rate offered some remuneration for<br />
among the new features are a biographical direc- the articles it accepted, and that at any rate it<br />
tory of authors, and a useful list of photographers would not print an article in this sort of under-<br />
in different portions of the world. The editor hand way."<br />
being merely human, there are of course some The gentleman received a cheque by return of<br />
notable omissions in each of these departments; post, accompanied by a mild expostulation, but in<br />
on the whole, however, they have been compiled acknowledging it he declined to admit that in<br />
very thoroughly.<br />
bringing the charge of dishonesty he has done<br />
To the journalist—as apart from the author anything unworthy of an Oxford M.A, and a<br />
proper-the section entitled “The Contributors' gentleman.<br />
Guide” will be specially interesting. An expert<br />
Yours, etc., .<br />
examination of the list of “periodical publications"<br />
AN EDITOR.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 184 (#589) ############################################<br />
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Authors' MSS. 9d. per 1,000 words. In duplicate, 1s.<br />
The “Forms of Agreements" issued by the Publishers'<br />
Association can be obtained at the Office, with a full explanation<br />
per 1,000. Plays, Translations, General Copying, Samples of their meaning, price 1s, post free. Authors are warned not<br />
and References on Application.<br />
to sign any agreement which may embody the Clauses exposed<br />
without submitting it first to the Society.<br />
MISS JANET WAY,<br />
By Order, G. HERBERT THRING,<br />
Secretary Society of Authors,<br />
33, Ossian Road, Stroud Green, N.<br />
39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.<br />
Printed by BRADBURY, AGNEW, & Co. LD., and Published by them for THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (INCORPORATED)<br />
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| 353 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/353 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 10 (May 1902) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+10+%28May+1902%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 10 (May 1902)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1902-05-01-The-Author-12-10 | | | | | 185–212 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1902-05-01">1902-05-01</a> | | | | | | | 10 | | | 19020501 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
VOL. XII.—No. 10.<br />
MAY 1, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
185<br />
PAGE<br />
197<br />
185<br />
197<br />
:::::<br />
Notices ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors<br />
From the Cominittee ... ...<br />
*** *** "<br />
Book and Play Talk ... ... ..<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property<br />
A Common Fraud ... ... .. . *** "<br />
A Heavy Handicap ... ... ... ...<br />
Patchwork Legislation and Musical Performing Right<br />
General Memoranda ... ... ...<br />
Warnings to Dramatic Authors<br />
How to Use the Society<br />
199<br />
199<br />
:::::::<br />
202<br />
The Reading Branch ... ... ... ...<br />
Authorities ... ... ... ... ..<br />
Whom the Gods Love...<br />
"The Censorship of Plays "... ...<br />
The Autobiography of Sir Walter Besant<br />
Feuilleton: Right is Might ... ... ...<br />
The Compleat Journalist ... ... ...<br />
Financial Obligations of Art to Trade ...<br />
The Kingdom of Dreams ... ... ...<br />
Correspondence... ... ...<br />
185<br />
186<br />
188<br />
189<br />
190<br />
192<br />
196<br />
196<br />
196<br />
203<br />
206<br />
208<br />
...<br />
210<br />
***<br />
211<br />
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
kinds examined. offic<br />
1. The Annual Report for the current year. ls.<br />
2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary<br />
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papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to<br />
Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the<br />
various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their<br />
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Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT Thring. Being additional facts collected at<br />
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advice. 2s.<br />
7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With<br />
Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the<br />
American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 1s. 61.<br />
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT<br />
( Chairman of Committee, 1888-1892). 18.<br />
9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST<br />
LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d.<br />
10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association; with Comments. By<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 1s.<br />
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and Periodicals deal with MSS. and Contributions. 6d.<br />
[All prices net. Apply to the Secretary, 39, ou Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.]<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 184 (#592) ############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
CHATTO & WINDUS'S NEW BOOKS.<br />
NEW SIX-SHILLING NOVELS.<br />
A Slow Awakening, By Edith GRAY WHEELWRIGHT, Author of “ Anthony Graeme.”<br />
Man, Woman, and Fate. By Iza DUFFUS HARDY, Author of "The Lesser Evil," &c.<br />
Mazeppa. By FRED. WHISHAW, Author of " A Forbidden Name."<br />
The Shadow of the Rope. By E. W. HORNUNG, Author of “ Peccavi," &c.<br />
An Industrious Chevalier. By S, SQUIRE SPRIGGE, Author of “ Odd Issues."<br />
The Tear of Kalee. By HERBERT INman and HARTLEY ASPDEN.<br />
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Judah Pyecroft, Puritan. By HARRY LINDSAY, Author of " Methodist Idylls," &c.<br />
A Blow over the Heart. By ROBERT MACHRAY, joint Author of “The Vision Splendid."<br />
The Old Bank. By WILLIAM WESTALL, Author of "With the Red Eagle." SECOND EDITION,<br />
The King's Counsel. By FRANK RICHARDSON.<br />
(Shortly.<br />
Annals of the Horse-Shoe Club. By Finch MASON. Illustrated by the Author.<br />
[Shortly.<br />
NEW THREE-AND-SIXPENNY BOOKS.<br />
Between Ourselves : Some of the Little Problems of Life. By Max O’RELL, Author of “Her Royal<br />
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Shillelagh and Shamrock. By M. McD. BODKIN, K.C., Author of “Dora Vyrl."<br />
Rash Conclusions. By G. W. APPLETON, Author of "François the Valet."<br />
Through a Keyhole; and The Glamour of the Impossible. By Cosmo HAMILTON. In one volume. !<br />
As it was written. "By T. W. SPEIGHT, Author of The Mysteries of Heron Dyke,” &c.<br />
Uniform Edition of Zola's Novels. Edited with Introductions by E. A. VIZETELLY. Crown Svo,<br />
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Doctor Pascal.<br />
Germinal: Master and Man.<br />
The Fat and the Thin.<br />
Lourdes.<br />
The Honour of the Army, and Other Stories.<br />
Money.<br />
Rome.<br />
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The Tale of the Serpent. By SUNDOWNER. I A Sappho of Green Springs. By BRET HARTE.<br />
His Own Ghost. By D. CHRISTIE MURRAY.<br />
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Plotters of Paris. By EDMUND MITCHELL.<br />
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St. Katherine's by the Tower, BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
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The King's Assegai. Bv BERTSAM MITFORD.<br />
Vincent Trill, Detective. By DICK DONOVAN.<br />
The Waters of Edera. By OUIDA.<br />
Dark Deeds. By DICK DONOVAN<br />
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A Crimson Crime. By GEORGE MANVILLE FENN,<br />
The Drift of Fate. By DORA RUSSELL.<br />
| The Red Shirts. By PAUL GAULOT.<br />
In London's Heart. BY GEORGE R. SIMs.<br />
The Track of a Storm. By OWEN HALL.<br />
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Joan the Curate. By FLORENCE WARDEN,<br />
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Foul Play. By CHARLES REATE.<br />
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<br />
<br />
## p. 185 (#593) ############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.- No. 10.<br />
MAY 1st, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.<br />
considered unnecessary to print the full list with<br />
every issue.<br />
Donations ......<br />
......................£1439 16 6<br />
Subscriptions .................... 111 6 0<br />
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors<br />
has been removed to-<br />
39, OLD QUEEN STREET,<br />
STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
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NOTICES.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
TOR the opinions expressed in papers that are<br />
N signed or initialled the Authors alone are<br />
responsible. None of the papers or para.<br />
graphs must be taken as expressing the opinion<br />
of the Committee unless such is especially stated<br />
to be the case.<br />
.<br />
DONATIONS.<br />
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The Editor begs to inform Members of the<br />
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1 1<br />
1 1<br />
0 5<br />
( 5<br />
1 1<br />
0 5<br />
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1 1<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0)<br />
0<br />
(0)<br />
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6<br />
an<br />
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY<br />
OF AUTHORS.<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
M HE Society has to deplore the death, during<br />
THE following is the total of donations and 1 the past month, of Prof. J. M. D. Meikle-<br />
subscriptions promised or received up to<br />
john, of St. Andrews University.<br />
the present date.<br />
Like Sir Richard Temple, Prof. Meiklejohn had<br />
Further sums will be acknowledged from month been a member of the Society since its foundation.<br />
to month as they come to hand. It has beenHe was elected in 1884.<br />
VOL. XII.<br />
.<br />
L<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 186 (#594) ############################################<br />
<br />
186<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
·<br />
·<br />
BOLO<br />
NA<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
As one of those educational writers who pub- “ Colonia," Natal, S. Africa<br />
£1 1 0<br />
lished his works at his own expense, he on several Fife Cookson, Lt.-Col. F. C. . . 1 1 0<br />
occasions helped the work of the Society by sup Gunter, Lt.-Col. E. A. .<br />
0 10 0<br />
plying interesting accounts of this method of pub- Harding, Capt. Claud, R.N.<br />
1 0 0<br />
lication and its profits.<br />
Hurry, A. _ .<br />
0 10 6<br />
Only a few months ago, when the discussion Keary, C. F. (amount not to be men-<br />
concerning Commission Publishing was going on tioned)<br />
in The Author, he kindly volunteered to place some Kinns, The Rev. Samuel, D.D. . 05.0<br />
fresh statements before the Secretary.<br />
Millais, J. G. .<br />
1 0 0<br />
Unfortunately, a meeting was never arranged, Quiller Couch, Miss M. .<br />
0 5 0<br />
and consequently those facts can never be made Sterry, J. Ashby .<br />
1 1 0<br />
public.<br />
Temple, Lieut.-Col. R. C. .<br />
1 1 0<br />
Prof. Meiklejohn's experience shows that in Underdown, Miss E. .<br />
0 · 0<br />
certain circumstances and under certain conditions Lockyer, Sir T. Norman<br />
22 0<br />
it is more profitable for an author to produce his Beale, Miss Mary<br />
own books than to receive a royalty from a publisher, Bolam, Rev. C. Ē. .<br />
(0) 5 0<br />
however large.<br />
Egbert, Henry . .<br />
0 5 0<br />
Eccles, Miss O'Connor<br />
1 1 0<br />
Darwin, Francis<br />
1 1 0<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
Campbell-Montgomery, Miss F. F. . 1 1 0<br />
At the Committee meeting, held on Monday, Mediecott. Cecil<br />
0 10 6<br />
April 14th, fifteen Members and Associates were<br />
es were Saxby, Mrs. .<br />
. . . . 1 1<br />
elected to the Society, making a total of seventy-<br />
0<br />
Caine, T. H. Hall<br />
10 0)<br />
four elections during the year.<br />
The Committee decided to have a telephone put<br />
up in the office. As soon as the work is completed,<br />
formal notice will be given in The Author and on<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
the paper of the Society.<br />
Mr. Frampton, R.A., has now been instructed to<br />
TN his recent address to the Sesame Club Mr.<br />
proceed with the Besant Memorial, and it is hoped<br />
Gilbert Parker, M.P., said many interesting<br />
that at no distant date it will be possible to print in<br />
and suggestive things regarding the Art of<br />
The Author a sketch of the proposed medallion.<br />
In one of the cases brought before the Com-<br />
Fiction. Here are a few of them :-<br />
- Books of real power are not the mere incandescence of<br />
mittee it was decided to take counsel's opinion on<br />
genius ; works of art are not tossed off. · Works of pure<br />
behalf of the Member concerned.<br />
fancy, like · Tartarin of Tarascon,' “The Prisoner of<br />
During the past month the Secretary has had to Zenda,' and Mr. Isaacs, tales of fantastic imagination,<br />
deal with sixteen cases. Of the sixteen, four related whether written in a week or in a year, have behind them<br />
to accounts, six dealt with the questions of money<br />
a lifetime of knowledge. A man must know truth to write<br />
fable."<br />
unpaid to contributors, five referred to the non-<br />
“ There are no such things as 'schools of fiction'; fiction<br />
return of MSS., and the remaining one was a can be learned but cannot be taught. ... In the art of<br />
dispute about an agreement.<br />
fiction the individual is thrown on his own innate talent.<br />
He may saturate himself with the style of great men and<br />
their methods, but unless he has in himself that true<br />
temperament which schools cannot give, he cannot pass<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
their style and methods through the crucible of his mind<br />
The Besant Memorial now stands as follows : and spirit and produce a crystal of his own making in<br />
Up to the end of March subscrip-<br />
the end."<br />
“ No worthy work of fiction may properly be labelled<br />
tions were received, according to the<br />
romantic, realistic, or symbolistic, since every great work<br />
long list already issued, amounting to. £293 4 0 of art contains all these in some proportion. Love and<br />
During the month of March the<br />
tighting are not necessarily romance; nor are soup-kitchens<br />
subscriptions received amounted to . 10 1 6<br />
and Divorce Courts necessarily realism ...".<br />
"Mere transcription is not the work of an artist. ...<br />
During the month of April the sub-<br />
There seems no reason why the artist should not choose<br />
scriptions received amounted to . 17 9 () any subject, if the production itself contributes to the<br />
satisfaction of the world, making a picture of life, or of a<br />
Total ... £320 14 6<br />
phase of life, in compliance with the demands of art,<br />
beauty and truth. Taste is the arbiter of the subject, for<br />
taste is always moral, always on the side of the angels,"<br />
Subscriptions received during March and April.<br />
“There is only one test for a novel : that it be, first and<br />
Anonymous<br />
before all, a well-constructed story ; that it deal sincerely<br />
with human life and character ; that it be eloquent of<br />
Champneys, Basil . . . . 1 0 feeling ; that it have insight and revelation ; that it<br />
:<br />
Champneys, Basii<br />
.<br />
£1 1 0<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 187 (#595) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
187<br />
preserve idiosyncrasy ; but before all, that it he wholesome. many well-known people. Several articles on the<br />
To produce such a book, a sane, tolerant, impartial<br />
subject, written by her, have appeared in The<br />
temperament and a wide knowledge are necessary.'<br />
Queen, Pall Mall Gazette, &c.<br />
In conclusion, Mr. Gilbert Parker said :-<br />
Mrs. Aylmer Gowing's last novel, “ As Cæsar's<br />
“In the thing really great there is no eccentricity, Wife," deals with a cause célèbre in England by<br />
nothing morbid. It is all normal, but the normal form<br />
and power are infused with life, composed of genius-a<br />
which the fortunes of a rising young barrister<br />
supreme and perfect sanity. This means, of course, that became entangled with those of a dangerous<br />
one must be in earnest. A man must hold his art foreigner, a beautiful unscrupulous baroness from<br />
seriously, himself as nothing—the vehicle, the machine, Bavaria. An interesting story is involved. A<br />
the loom through which pass the strands of emotion or<br />
experiences of passion, of human comedy and tragedy<br />
good deal of the action passes in Bavaria among<br />
woven into a web of life, which men seeing shall say : the Passion Players, and their beloved “Mad<br />
* Behold, this is the garment of truth ; this is the mantle of King” appears as a picturesque historical<br />
beauty !'"<br />
personage. The book has already attained a larg<br />
The Coronation Ode by Sir Lewis Morris was circulation.<br />
written 'at His Majesty's request, and, with his Miss Montgomery-Campbell has been gathering<br />
approval, has been entrusted by Sir W. Parratt, the fresh material for her pen in Southern Tyrol. For<br />
Master of the King's Music, to Dr. F. M. Cowen this her knowledge of German dialects has given<br />
for setting. This setting is now approaching her special facilities. Her last book, “Worth the<br />
completion.<br />
Struggle” (Jarrold), has proved an even greater<br />
The Ode is ninety lines long ; probably only a favourite than its predecessor, “Not Wise but<br />
portion of it will be set to music. It was intended Fond,” with the women of the working classes.<br />
for the Abbey service, but as time will not allow of Miss Beatrice Harraden is at work on a long<br />
its being used there, it will be given at some of the book which will be finished at the end of the year.<br />
State functions during the Coronation Week. It will appear serially in The Queen, and it will<br />
For a full report of Mrs. Craigie's brilliant afterwards be published by Messrs Blackwood.<br />
lecture on the “ Art of Composing Dialogue," Part of the scene is laid in Norway. Translations<br />
delivered a short time ago to members and friends will be published simultaneously with the English<br />
of the 0. P. Club, we refer our readers to The book in Swedish, Danish, French, German and<br />
Stage of March 27th.<br />
Dutch.<br />
There is one enlightening passage, however, Miss Harraden hopes to finish a play before the<br />
which we must quote :<br />
end of the year—a light comedy-which will<br />
“ The truth is that the greatest epigrammatists have probably be published first in book form. She is<br />
been Englishmen. The old English comedies, beyond any also planning a volume of short stories.<br />
question, are the most epigrammatic productions in any<br />
The third poem of the new series which Mr.<br />
language. Congreve has written more epigrams than all<br />
the French dramatic authors put together; and it is well John Davidson is writing is called “The Testa-<br />
known that Voltaire himself came to England in order to ment of an Empire-Builder.” The poem is<br />
see the man who could write with such unsurpassed and<br />
preceded by a prose parable in which Mr. Davidson<br />
dazzling brilliancy of phrase. Congreve was not a<br />
financial success, and the greatest comedy of manners in appeals against recent personal attacks upon him-<br />
the English language was à failure, because no audience self. This number is more than twice the length<br />
could possibly think so quickly as that phenomenal genius. of its predecessors.<br />
He condensed whole chapters of psychology into one<br />
paradox, whole family histories into one pithy speech.<br />
Mrs. Gertrude Atherton's new novel, “The<br />
... But the old comedy-writers must not be judged Conqueror," is to appear at once. It is an<br />
by Congreve only. Wycherley, Farquhar, Vanbrugh, historically accurate life of Alexander Hamilton<br />
Sheridan, and Goldsmith were all masters of the epigram- presented in fiction form. Messrs. Macmillan are<br />
matic manner. I do not place that school above the<br />
sentimental school, or below it. I merely wish to point the publishers.<br />
out that it is purely English."<br />
“The Holy City, Athens, and Egypt, founded<br />
Mrs. Alec Tweedie took the chair at a recent on Personal Observation and the Researches of<br />
New Vagabond dinner--it was a Ladies' Night - Modern Explorers.” Such is the title of the work<br />
and Mr. Pett Ridge made a most amusing speech. just completed by Sir William Charley. He has<br />
Mr. Gilbert Parker, M.P., who was the guest of been engaged on it for the last three years.<br />
the evening, spoke on “ Authors in Politics." Miss Clementina Black has written an essay on<br />
There were nearly three hundred people present. Frederick Walker. It is to be published by Messrs.<br />
Mrs. Alec Tweedie's “Mexico as I saw it" Duckworth and Co., in their Popular Library of<br />
has run into a second edition. About eighteen Art. This is a series of volumes planned expressly<br />
months ago she was in Canada, and saw something for the general public. There will be from thirty<br />
of the Eastern Provinces under the auspices of to sixty illustrations in each volume.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 188 (#596) ############################################<br />
<br />
188<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
thoughts, and sufferings of commonplace people,<br />
with great breadth of sympathy, compassion, and<br />
love.<br />
Miss Netta Syrett's play, re-named “The Finding<br />
of Nancy,” will be produced by Mr. George<br />
Alexander early this month. It will be played for<br />
one matinée. The proceeds will be given to the<br />
Actors' Benevolent Fund.<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
A new and cheaper edition (1s.) of “The Case<br />
for the Factory Acts” has just been issued by Mr.<br />
Grant Richards. The volume is edited by Mrs.<br />
Sidney Webb, and there is a Preface by Mrs. Hum-<br />
phry Ward. Miss Black, who is an acknowledged<br />
authority on the subject, has contributed a paper<br />
on “Some Current Objections to Factory Legislation<br />
for Women.”<br />
Miss May Sinclair is engaged on a longer novel<br />
than any she has yet written. It is a study (purely<br />
imaginary, of course) of a modern man of genius.<br />
The scene is laid chiefly in London. This clever<br />
writer's last volume did very well. It contained two<br />
stories, (1) “The Cosmopolitan,” (2) “Superseded,"<br />
under the title “ Two Sides of a Question.” Messrs.<br />
Constable & Co. published it.<br />
“High Treason : a Romance of the Days of<br />
George the Second,” is the title of an anonymous<br />
historical novel lately published by Mr. John<br />
Murray. The author of this well-written story is<br />
a Member of the Society. In it we are introduced<br />
to a Jacobite maiden, her Hanoverian lover, Prince<br />
Charles Edward, Mr. Pelham, and last, but far<br />
from least, to the author of “Tom Jones.”<br />
In “The Royal Parish of S. Martin-in-the-<br />
Fields,” the accounts of the church wardens from<br />
1525 to 1603, edited by Mr. J. V. Kitto, we have a<br />
volume that will be of much interest to the anti-<br />
quarian. It is also of value because it is an exact<br />
duplicate of the original, and therefore preserves<br />
the records of the parish clerk (in his accounts),<br />
should the original be damaged or destroyed by<br />
any ill-chance. The index of people and places was<br />
carefully carried out, under the editor's direction,<br />
by Miss Rose H. Schloesser and Miss W. M.<br />
Willis-Swan.<br />
Captain Lionel Trotter, author of “ John Nichol-<br />
son” and “A Leader of Light Horse,” is now<br />
engaged upon a popular life of Sir James Outram,<br />
whose brilliant career extends from the days of<br />
Lord Hastings to those of Lord Canning and the<br />
Sepoy Mutiny. Captain Trotter's book, while based<br />
on published documents, will comprise some new<br />
materials which Sir James Outram and other note-<br />
worthy persons have kindly placed at his disposal.<br />
The fifth of a series of Oxford University<br />
Extension Lectures on “Some Nineteenth Century<br />
Novelists " was delivered, a short time ago, by the<br />
Rev. E. J. Bodington, M.A. (Brazenose College),<br />
in the Southgate Lecture Hall, Gloucester.<br />
George Eliot was the subject of Mr. Bodington's<br />
coinprehensive lecture. He thought that for<br />
episodes, particular incidents and scenes done to<br />
perfection, “ The Mill on the Floss ” was the best<br />
of all her books. George Eliot had an almost<br />
infinite appreciation of the value of the doings,<br />
Newspaper Copyright.<br />
A propos of the able article written by Mr.<br />
Moberley Bell in the March number of The<br />
Author, entitled “ Newspaper Copyright: Thou<br />
shalt not steal,” we insert the following letter<br />
which has been issued by the London District<br />
of the Institute of Journalists :-<br />
78, FLEET STREET, E.C.,<br />
March 12th, 1902.<br />
DEAR SIR,—The following resolution was unanimously<br />
adopted at the last meeting of the District Committee,<br />
held on March 3rd :-.<br />
“ That the following memorandum be printed and issued<br />
to the editors and managers of every newspaper in the<br />
London District; to every member of the Newspaper<br />
Society ; to every member of the London District of the<br />
Institute ; and also to the Secretaries of the other Dis-<br />
tricts, inviting them to place the matter before their<br />
Committees, with a view to similar action being taken<br />
throughout the country, viz. :-<br />
“ The Committee of the London District desires the<br />
co-operation of all in a position to lend their aid in taking<br />
steps to put a stop to the practice, on the part of some<br />
journals, of pirating matter contributed to other papers<br />
without payment to the author. This practice is illegal,<br />
and it is hoped that all connected with the management of<br />
newspaper offices will make a point of giving such instruc-<br />
tions in their sub-editorial and business departments as<br />
will secure to the writer the remuneration to which he is<br />
entitled. The Committee invites all journalists who may<br />
have cause of complaint in the matter to lay their cases<br />
before it with a view to obtaining such advice and assist.<br />
ance as may be necessary to secure redress."<br />
In accordance with the terms of the first paragraph, I<br />
have the honour to bring the above resolution to your<br />
notice.<br />
Yours very faithfully,<br />
RICHARD A. NORTHCOTT,<br />
Hon. Secretary.<br />
Prices.<br />
The prices paid for literary work vary greatly,<br />
and probably many writers who contribute to the<br />
leading magazines are quite ignorant of the scale<br />
of remuneration offered by the minor periodicals<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 189 (#597) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
189<br />
published “ for the million.” From some trust- his contributor, or of any desire of the editor to<br />
worthy information recently received it would appear appropriate an author's work without his consent.<br />
that the writers of novelettes are willing to accept The letter, however, reminds me of a form of<br />
almost anything by way of honorarium which fraudulent traffic, which I imagine to be more or<br />
may be offered to them. The following items less common, with regard to which also I should<br />
are an account of actual transactions :-The rather like to know the opinion of the readers of<br />
Aldine Co., 50s. for 17,000 words, £t for 20,000; The Author. I refer to the republication of<br />
66 The Orb " Co, paid £3 13s. 611. for 15,000 words; stories, articles and other short matter, which is<br />
“The Family Budget," £5 for 22,000 words; either sent to an editor by a literary thief who<br />
“ Princess Novelette,” £8 for 26,000 words; and pretends it is his own and is paid for it, or is<br />
“ Cherry Blossom,” £4 108. Od. for 16,500. In possibly, in the case of lower-class publications,<br />
comparison, therefore, the sums paid by such inserted by an editor who has lifted it for himself.<br />
better known publishers as Pearson, Harmsworth, I say that I imagine this kind of thing to be<br />
and Roberts are extravagant. Transactions with common because it has happened twice to myself<br />
these firms show : Roberts, £5 5s. Od. for 13,000; to have found short stories of my own, a few<br />
Pearson's “ Home Notes Library,” £7 10s. Od. for years after their original publication, inserted in<br />
13,000; Harmsworth’s “Heartsease Library,” £10 periodicals to which I had never sent them, illus-<br />
for 22,000 words. In all cases the prices are trated, and with the names of strangers, as their<br />
for fiction, chiefly love stories, and refer to the authors, prefixed to them, and if this has happened<br />
period just before the commencement of the twice in my case who am not a prolific writer,<br />
South African war. Since that date there is said I imagine that it must have happened more<br />
to have been something like a decline in literary frequently to others. What I want to know,<br />
values, and possibly some of the firms mentioned however, is what the author should do, and what,<br />
above do not now exist, and others may be offering in the opinion of authors, the editor should do.<br />
less, with the exception of the last three, whose In both cases to which I have referred, the editors<br />
prices are stable.<br />
expressed regret, and in both cases I asked for<br />
and obtained a cheque for the use of my story.<br />
Although I offered to assist in every way in my<br />
Some idea of the present stagnation in the power in convicting and punishing the persons<br />
literary market may be gained from the following who, the editor said (no doubt truly), had sent<br />
figures supplied to us by a Member, who has a them the stories, I regret to say no prosecu-<br />
system of book-keeping which admits of ready tion followed. In the one, the editor told me<br />
reference. During the quarter which ended Lady the person who sent him the story had asked for<br />
Day last he offered work in eighty-two places and obtained payment before it appeared, and<br />
Forty-four of these offers related to MSS. on a had since changed his abode. This person, no<br />
subject of which he has special knowledge. Three doubt, was untraceable without some difficulty, but<br />
were placed, thirty-one rejected, ten offers were the police might, of course, have been allowed to<br />
still under consideration. Thirty-eight offers try their hands. In the other case, the editor<br />
were of MSS. of a miscellaneous character ; of declined to initiate any legal proceedings, giving<br />
these two were accepted, twenty-five rejected, and as his reason that if it were made known how easily<br />
eleven still under consideration. A novel offered the fraud could be achieved, it would become<br />
in three places was not accepted, and nearly all more prevalent, and editors would suffer still more<br />
the MSS. sold were short, the longest realising often than before by being made its victims.<br />
only £15. Next quarter, if there is greater From this view I respectfully but entirely dissent.<br />
activity by this writer, or more enterprise among I have no hope that the honest man, whether an<br />
the periodicals, we hope to be able to give further author or not, will ever be unduly rewarded, but I<br />
figures for comparison with these.<br />
have an old-fashioned desire to see the dishonest<br />
punished, and I believe in putting a check on<br />
crime by detection and punishment. It is quite<br />
obvious that tons of literary matter are at the<br />
A COMMON FRAUD.<br />
disposal of the literary thief. Probably in a<br />
number of cases his theft will be unrecognised,<br />
but I believe he is usually of a class that will be<br />
THE “ Apology" printed in the last Author, deterred by knowing that a month or two of hard<br />
1 from the editor of Woman's Life, suggests labour will certainly reward him if and when he is<br />
that the editor has started a form of com- caught. Typewriting renders his detection and<br />
petition likely to lead to legal complications, but conviction more difficult, but I am not discussing<br />
there is clearly, no suggestion of fraud on the part of this side of the question. I should like to know<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 190 (#598) ############################################<br />
<br />
190<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
whether, in the opinion of others, a prosecution Yet it is quite apparent. What, for instance,<br />
(presumably for obtaining, or attempting to obtain, was the motive underlying the movement for an<br />
money by false pretences) is not a better course in Imperial penny postage ? Was it not patriotism<br />
the interest of writer and editor alike, than an and British imperialism in a mild form ? But<br />
established policy of clemency or inaction. the penny postage was only one of the reforms<br />
Curiously enough, at another time, when I was which have been urged. There are still anomalies<br />
editing an illustrated newspaper, I came across a in that system which must be eradicated. The<br />
somewhat similar but not altogether identical chiefest of these anomalies is the prohibitory<br />
case with regard to an illustration. A casual rate charged for the carrying of newspapers and<br />
contributor, in order to illustrate some current periodicals within the Empire. It costs one<br />
topic in one of the colonies, sent in a sketch, which dollar a year to deliver The Weekly Globe of<br />
I published. It was a scene in the country Toronto to an English subscriber. It takes<br />
referred to, containing a group of its inhabitants, seventy-two cents in postage to deliver The<br />
and it was in due time recognised by a firm of Canadian Magazine to a subscriber in Great<br />
photographers as a copy of one of their produc Britain, Cape Colony, or Australia. It costs about<br />
tions. For this infringement of their copyright ninety-six cents a year to carry Pearson's, The<br />
they obtained, quite properly, pecuniary compensa- Strand, Pall Mall, Blackwood's, The Windsor, or<br />
tion, but in this case I do not know that there any other British monthly or weekly to a Canadian<br />
was a clear intention to defraud on the part of or Australian subscriber. It costs 2 d. a week<br />
the contributor. He knew the country, and had to mail an Australian weekly such as The Mel.<br />
helped himself to draw bis picture by borrowing bourne Leader or The Sydney Town and Country<br />
from the photograph, but to draw a scene which Journal to a Canadian subscriber, or about $1.20 a<br />
someone else has photographed, from the photo- year. The Toronto Public Library pays nearly<br />
graph, is not, to my mind, the same thing as $200 a year postage on British publications. The<br />
taking someone else's story, copying it out, imperial newspaper and periodical rate is eight<br />
putting a fresh title to render discovery less likely, cents a pound, an exorbitant, unwise, and unpa.<br />
adding an imaginary author's name or initials, triotic tax on the publications which make for<br />
and last, but not least, drawing payment as for an British sentiment.<br />
original contribution. Personally, as I have said, On whom lies the blame for this unpatriotic<br />
I believe that in this case the matter should be tax? In a paper read before the Canadian Press<br />
put in the hands of the police, and that an editor Association last March, Mr. E. B. Biggar shows<br />
who obtains the punishment of such an offender that the Hon. Mr. Mulock, our Postmaster-General,<br />
defends himself effectually from any possible is not the guilty person.<br />
suggestion that he is himself the delinquent. At It is quite evident that the Canadian authorities<br />
the same time I admit that there is some force in have been willing to reform the system in this<br />
the argument that the fraud is easy and may regard. Further, many Canadians have brought<br />
become popular. Easy it certainly is, for of the matter before the British authorities. Mr.<br />
course no editor can be expected to be omniscient, James Bain, librarian of the Toronto Public<br />
and the matter lifted is usually short and trivial. Library, urged it some seven years ago, when<br />
No one would “serialise” a well-known author's on a visit to London. Mr. Hale, of The Orillia<br />
short story or a novel of 80,000 words who had not Packet, has been an ardent advocate of it for<br />
unusual nerve as well as ingenuity and dishonesty. some years. At the meeting of the Canadian<br />
A. A.<br />
Press Association referred to above, the following<br />
resolution was passed :-<br />
---<br />
-<br />
A HEAVY HANDICAP.<br />
A Canadian Outlook.<br />
IMPERIAL RATES ON NEWSPAPERS AND<br />
MAGAZINES.<br />
IMPERIAL POSTAGE,<br />
“Believing that a cheap system of news, book,<br />
and letter postage is of the highest necessity in<br />
bringing about the full interchange of thought and<br />
knowledge by which the peoples of the Empire can be<br />
brought into a mutual understanding of each other,<br />
into common ground of action, and into closer<br />
commercial relations, this Association warmly<br />
commends the efforts already made by our Post-<br />
master-General to this end, and earnestly trusts<br />
that the Canadian Government will continue to<br />
TT may be a matter of some surprise to find a<br />
I writer urging that there is a relation between<br />
the Post Office and patriotism, between the<br />
Post Office and the ideals of a British people<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 191 (#599) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
191<br />
urge upon the Imperial Government the early in Australia, and other colonies, and even getting<br />
inauguration of such a postal system for all parts a strong foothold in Great Britain itself. Where-<br />
of the British Empire, and that, as a first step to ever they go they are leading United States<br />
such a system, the Canadian Government offer to manufactures with them. With a large home<br />
the British Government a free exchange of all our market for profitable subscriptions under the low<br />
mail matter at the present domestic rate of each domestic rate, the United States publisher can<br />
country.”<br />
afford to lose a little on foreign subscriptions for<br />
In considering this question the reader must the sake of the reputation it is giving him and the<br />
remember that international postal rates depend trade he is helping to create for his own country's<br />
upon international agreement and sanction, and that goods. In fact, a little loss in subscriptions is<br />
inter-imperial postal rates depend upon Imperial no loss in reality, for it is more than made up in<br />
agreement and approval. The Canadian Post the advertising revenue it brings to his own paper<br />
Office must charge eight cents a pound on news- through the foreign business he creates for his<br />
papers, periodicals and books mailed to Great patrons. On the other hand, the British publisher<br />
Britain, because that is the rate charged by the is so handicapped by the burdens of the rate of<br />
British Post Office on similar matter.<br />
postage at home that he cannot afford to lose on<br />
What are the present consequences of this his subscriptions abroad.”<br />
unpatriotic postal tax ? In the first place, the The Canadian historian, the Rev. Dr. Withrow,<br />
United States charges only one cent a pound on strongly urges the reduction of this unpatriotic<br />
newspapers, periodicals, and certain classes of rate.<br />
books sent to Canada, and United States magazines The Montreal Gazette quotes this opinion<br />
and periodicals have crowded British magazines approvingly in an editorial in its issue of Nov. 20.<br />
and periodicals out of this market. The Strand The Toronto World for Nov. 25, says :-<br />
sold here is an American edition, smaller and less “ The scarcity of the British newspapers and<br />
valuable than the British edition. So with Pear- magazines in Canada is owing more than anything<br />
son's and others. The Illustrated London News, else to the excessive postal rates charged on papers<br />
The Graphic, Black and White, Studio, and other and periodicals. Canada has a reciprocity treaty,<br />
British periodicals come to Canada through New as it were, with the United States, for the handling<br />
York, with a New York dress. Canadians have of mail matter. We accept free at the border all<br />
to be satisfied with emasculated, Americanised matter coming from the United States, and the<br />
editions of British periodicals, or else pay a tax of latter similarly accepts ours when it reaches the<br />
from one to two dollars a year for the British United States. But the deal is not a fair one<br />
edition. This may be satisfactory to the Britisher, for Canada. Perhaps fifty times more papers and<br />
who does not foresee the inevitable result, but to magazines come into Canada from the United<br />
Canadians who do not look with complacency on States than pass the other way. The convention<br />
the ending of British connection with this con between the two Post Office departments is alto-<br />
tinent it is far from pleasing.<br />
gether in favour of the United States. If a similar<br />
convention cannot be established between Great<br />
TRADE FOLLOWS THE PRESS.<br />
Britain and Canada, something at least ought to<br />
be done to stimulate the interchange of the<br />
Another consequence of this unimperial rate is periodicals and newspapers between the mother<br />
to encourage United States trade at the expense of country and her leading colony. The substitution<br />
British. Mr. Biggar sums this up in a strong of the English magazines for those from the<br />
paragraph :-“Now, leaving out of consideration United States would be a commendable change,<br />
the higher claims of the press as a means of while the circulation of the Canadian papers in<br />
education and moral influence, it can be safely Great Britain, especially between emigrants in<br />
affirmed that no instrument for creating trade can Canada and their friends in the old country, would<br />
be compared with the printer's ink. As stated at prove an effective emigration medium. A cheap<br />
the outset, trade follows the newspaper in all newspaper rate is of even greater importance for<br />
civilised countries, and hence the people of the the unification of the Empire, than Imperial penny<br />
United States have shown true foresight in framing postage as applied to letters. The former would<br />
their postal policy with the object, not of making appeal to a much larger constituency than the<br />
revenue, but merely to cover the cost of the service, latter. The question is ripe for action.”<br />
wbich enables its publishers to push their literature<br />
over the English-speaking world. United States<br />
WOULD AID CANADIAN LITERATURE.<br />
newspapers and trade and technical publications Canada has a vital interest in this question.<br />
are not only flooding Canada, but have been for Every class of publication in this country, with<br />
years guining on British papers in South Africa, the possible exception of the daily newspaper, is<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 192 (#600) ############################################<br />
<br />
192<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
suffering from the keen competition of the public<br />
cations of the United States. The restriction of<br />
that competition and the opening of the gate to<br />
an Imperial circulation would make a wonderful<br />
difference to Canadian literature. For it is not<br />
an idle statement that the growth of literature<br />
under modern conditions is due in a considerable<br />
measure to the demand for articles and stories to<br />
fill the columns of the magazine and the weekly<br />
journal. If Canada had four or five magazines and<br />
four or five strong national weeklies circulating<br />
throughout the Empire, the demand for Canadian<br />
literature would be ten times as great as it is.<br />
The increased market value of native literary<br />
material would greatly stimulate its production.<br />
The opening of the Imperial market for reading<br />
matter would mean a beneficial reciprocity. The<br />
United States market is open to Canadians, but a<br />
conflict of political sentiment and interest prevents<br />
reciprocity. To Great Britain, Canada is au<br />
interesting possession, to Australia, the Dominion<br />
is sister to the Commonwealth, to the United<br />
States, Canada is an interesting strip of territory<br />
forming the southern boundary to the North<br />
Pole.<br />
This matter was brought up in the British<br />
House of Commons last session, and a stereotyped<br />
reply received to the effect that the four-and-a-half<br />
million annual surplus in the British Post Office<br />
required, as a safeguard, the maintenance of this<br />
prohibitory tax on the interchange of British<br />
periodicals and newspapers between the mother<br />
country and the colonies. Recently Lord London-<br />
derry, as Postmaster-General, in reply to a request of<br />
The Canadian Gazette for uniform halfpenny postage<br />
for newspapers between Great Britain and Canada,<br />
stated that “the financial objections to a general<br />
scheme of this kind are insuperable.” Never-<br />
theless, if the question were considered by the<br />
authorities at Ottawa, either in Council or in the<br />
next session of the House, and a request made of<br />
the British Government looking to the needed free<br />
trade in literature, it is tolerably certain that this<br />
anomaly would vanish within six months.<br />
JOHN A. COOPER,<br />
Editor of The Canadian Magazine.<br />
Mr. T. E. Scrutton, K.C., in his book entitled<br />
“The Law of Copyright,” page 46, says :<br />
“Since 1842 artistic copyright has been dealt with by<br />
an Act of 1862 ; the drama is the subject of an Act of<br />
1833, known as Bulwer Lytton's Act ; lectures are partially<br />
provided for by an Act of 1835 ; and music has been very<br />
unsatisfactorily legislated for in 1882. The whole patch.<br />
work and piecemeal collection of Acts waits, and has waited<br />
for years for a codifying and simplifying measure, which<br />
Parliament cannot find the leisure to bestow."<br />
In addition to the Acts above mentioned may<br />
be cited the International Act of 1844, the Inter-<br />
national Act of 1852, the International Act of<br />
1875, the International Act of 1886, endeavouring<br />
to give effect to the Berne Convention, and the<br />
Musical Compositions Bill of 1888, to say nothing<br />
of the Colonial Acts.<br />
Mr. Scrutton states in the same work :<br />
· Thus books, plays, which may be either represented or<br />
printed, lectures, which may be both orally delivered and<br />
printed, engravings, sculptures, paintings, drawings and<br />
photographs, and music, have each a separate statute or<br />
statutes to establish and regulate copyright therein. These<br />
statutes are, without exception, of most involved and inar-<br />
tistic draftsmanship, and present to the Legislature a<br />
suitable, even an urgent, case for codification, though<br />
nothing has been done to attain this desirable end since<br />
the report of the Copyright Commission in 1878."<br />
On referring to the report of the Royal Copy-<br />
right Commission of 1878, we find the following<br />
opinion expressed therein on the state of the law<br />
as it then stood : -<br />
- Art. 7.--The first observation which a study of the<br />
existing law suggests is that its form, as distinguished from<br />
its substance, seems to us bad. The law is wholly destitute<br />
of any sort of arrangement, incomplete, often obscure, and<br />
even when it is intelligible upon long study, it is in many<br />
parts so ill-expressed that no one who does not give such<br />
study to it can expect to understand it."<br />
"Art. 9.—The fourteen Acts of Parliament which deal<br />
with the subject were passed at different times between<br />
1735 and 1875. They are drawn in different styles, and<br />
some are drawn so as to be hardly intelligible. Obscurity<br />
of style, however, is only one of the defects of these Acts.<br />
Their arrangement is often worse than their style. Of<br />
this the Copyright Act of 1842 is a conspicuous instance."<br />
" Art. 10.- The piecemeal way in which the subject has<br />
been dealt with affords the only possible explanation of a<br />
number of apparently arbitrary distinctions between the<br />
provisions made upon matters which would seem to be of<br />
the same nature."<br />
" Art. 12.-The law is not only arbitrary in some points,<br />
but is incomplete and obscure in others."<br />
“ Art. 13.-l'pon all these grounds we recommend that<br />
the law on this subject should be reduced to an intelligible<br />
and systematic form. This may be effected by codifying<br />
the law, either in the shape in which it appears in Sir<br />
James Stephen's Digest, or in any other which may be<br />
preferred ; and our first, and, we think, one of our most<br />
important recommendations is that this should be done.<br />
Such a process would, amongst other things, afford an<br />
opportunity for making such amendments in the substance<br />
of the law as may be required."<br />
Since 1878, the date of these scathing strictures<br />
by the Copyright Commissioners, we have had, as<br />
PATCHWORK LEGISLATION AND MUSICAL<br />
PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
TN an article mainly dealing with musical and<br />
I dramatic copyright it may not be out of<br />
place at the present time to quote the opinions<br />
expressed by some eminent legal minds as to the<br />
state of our copyright laws.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 193 (#601) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
193<br />
if to make confusion worse confounded, the Act<br />
of 1882 (about as muddlesome a piece of panic<br />
legislation as could very well be conceived), the<br />
International Act of 1886, and the Musical Com-<br />
positions Act of 1888, than which it would be<br />
impossible to imagine anything more encouraging<br />
to piracy; and since then Committees of the House<br />
of Lords have sat month after month, year after<br />
year, enquiring into copyright matters.<br />
Bills have been drafted and redrafted, even<br />
reaching the stage of second reading in the House<br />
of Lords, but only to be dropped for a new Bill to<br />
be brought forward : again drafted and redrafted<br />
and dropped, in a desperate endearour to bring<br />
about something like comprehensive legislation on<br />
copyright matters.<br />
Thus those interested in copyright matters have<br />
had the following proposed Bills to study since<br />
1890 :-<br />
On the 25th of November, 1890, a Bill intituled<br />
an Act to amend and consolidate the law relating<br />
to Copyright.<br />
On the 8th of February, 1898, a Bill intituled<br />
an Act to amend the law relating to Copyright<br />
in Periodical Works, Lectures, Abridgments, and<br />
otherwise.<br />
On the 4th of March, 1898, a Bill intituled an<br />
Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to<br />
Copyright.<br />
On the 18th of April, 1899, a Bill intituled an<br />
Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to<br />
Literary Copyright.<br />
On the 18th of April, 1899, a Bill intituled an<br />
Act to simplify and aipend the law relating to<br />
Copyright in Artistic Works.<br />
On the 24th of July, 1899, a Bill (as amended<br />
by the Select Committee) intituled an Act to<br />
amend and consolidate the law relating to Literary<br />
Copyright.<br />
On the 5th of March, 1900, a Bill intituled an<br />
Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to<br />
Literary Copyright.<br />
On the 13th of July, 1900, a Bill intituled an<br />
Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to<br />
Literary Copyright (brought before the Lords the<br />
13th of July, 1900).<br />
Over and abore these Acts, there are the volu-<br />
minous reports of the various copyright committees,<br />
and their minutes of evidence, showing an appalling<br />
amount of work done and time occupied which,<br />
judging by results, can only be said to have been<br />
wasted.<br />
Copyright may by many be considered to repre-<br />
sent a very small, even insignificant, part of the<br />
nation's affairs, but if the above is a fair sample of<br />
legislative attempts, then it is no wonder that<br />
Parliament cannot find time to do its business,<br />
seeing that the same work is gone through over<br />
and over again, only to be put on one side as it<br />
reaches completion.<br />
The late Mr. Cecil Rhodes is reported to have<br />
said in one of his answers given to the South<br />
African Committee, “ Governments spend their<br />
whole time in making Conventions and in tearing<br />
them up again.” It would certainly appear as if<br />
the Special Commissions and Committees on Copy-<br />
right had spent all their time in drafting Bills,<br />
only to tear them up again.<br />
Such a state of affairs is very deplorable, and it<br />
is difficult to see how copyright owners can be<br />
expected to know what their legal rights are, or if<br />
they have any at all, when the judges themselves<br />
are so constantly puzzled to define them.<br />
A more fruitful cause of litigation it would be<br />
difficult to imagine.<br />
In the case of Enoch & Sons v. The “ Morocco<br />
Bound” Syndicate, Limited, and Miss Letty Lind,<br />
in 1893, Mr. Justice Chitty said that “in the pre-<br />
sent state of the law such questions were very<br />
difficult to determine," and he expressed his “re-<br />
gret that the Legislature has not amended and<br />
consolidated the mass of enactments upon the<br />
interpretation of which such enactments depended.<br />
It was of great importance to the public that<br />
piecemeal and patchwork enactments on such a<br />
subject “ should be consolidated and presented in a<br />
form which ordinary men could unclerstand.”<br />
It is sufficiently evident from the foregoing that<br />
intellectual property has never been legislated for<br />
in a definite and comprehensive manner. As a<br />
consequence we have a series of detached Acts of<br />
Parliament, grudgingly granting certain limited<br />
rights in various forms of literary and artistic pro-<br />
perty, each liberally strewn with obscure provisions<br />
and legal riddles which none but the copyright<br />
owner with a very long purse and great philan-<br />
thropic or combative qualities can afford to unravel<br />
for the benefit of the less fortunate of his confrères.<br />
When a copyright question comes up for de-<br />
cision, simple and clear though it may be, it will<br />
go hard if the counsel employed are not able,<br />
by liberal quotations from various contradictory<br />
statutes, to make it obscure and incomprehensible.<br />
As a result the judges themselves find it difficult<br />
to know what the Acts do or do not mean.<br />
Seeing the deplorable results which have hitherto<br />
followed piecemeal legislation it is sincerely to be<br />
hoped that our legislators, now that so much time<br />
has been spent in endeavouring to draft a compre-<br />
hensive measure including all forms of intellectual<br />
property, will not allow themselves to be worked<br />
up to a state of panic, nor induced to pass any<br />
more slapdash, patchwork Bills in the interests of<br />
one section only.<br />
The dangers of panic legislation will become<br />
still more apparent if we reflect on the frequently<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 194 (#602) ############################################<br />
<br />
194<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
divergent natures of copyright and performing publishers. I have referred to the Acts of 1882<br />
right.<br />
and 1888.<br />
Let us take, as an example, musical and dramatic By the Act of 1882 the owner of the performing<br />
works. There are two rights in musical and right was placed absolutely at the mercy of the<br />
dramatic works—the right of publication and the publisher, who, if he thinks it worth his while, can<br />
right of performance.<br />
omit to print the mention of reservation, or may<br />
They are separate and distinct properties, legis- print it on the first edition and not on a subsequent<br />
lated for at various times in separate and distinct one. The owner of the performing right can only<br />
Ways.<br />
find that out after he has taken an action at law<br />
They may be, and very often are, vested in and lost it on account of the absence of the<br />
entirely different hands. The right of multiplying reservation.<br />
copies is one which authors almost invariably Such absence may be due to oversight, neglect,<br />
assign to the publisher, either for the payment of or may be wilful on the part of the publisher. But<br />
a sum down or the payment of a royalty, or both. the owner of the right may in all innocence think<br />
As regards the performing right, its exercise has it is there, take action, and lose his case.<br />
two objects : That of allowing the author to pro- In any event it seems certain that the publisher,<br />
tect himself against inferior performances of his however valuable a performing right may be, can<br />
work, and that of obtaining adequate remuneration wilfully destroy it by omitting to print the reserva-<br />
for his work by authorising its performance on tion, and it would appear that he is only liable to<br />
payment of certain fees or royalties.<br />
pay a few pounds to the owner of the performing<br />
Some works are valuable only from the point of right for so doing, whilst the latter may have to<br />
view of the performing right, others only of the risk hundreds of pounds to obtain them. As very<br />
publishing right; many are valuable from both often the two rights are in separate hands, and<br />
points of view.<br />
the owner of the performing right does not know<br />
The libretto of a comic opera, as a rule, has what has been done, or what is being done with<br />
very little value apart from that of performance, the publishing right, the former is constantly in<br />
though the lyrics may have a certain publishing jeopardy.<br />
value in conjunction with the music.<br />
But granting that he has been able through<br />
The majority of novels are valuable only for sheer good fortune to get the mention printed on<br />
publication ; a minority of them lend themselves every copy of his work, he has then to run the<br />
to dramatisation, but such value does not accrue to gauntlet of the Act of 1888, which compels him to<br />
the author of a novel, inasmuch as our copyright prove (in spite of the notification of performing<br />
law does not yet protect the novelist against right reserve on the copy) that the parties respon-<br />
dramatisation.<br />
sible for the performance knew that the rights<br />
Some dramas are valuable from the point of were reserved. If he fails to prove this to the<br />
view of publication as well as performance. On satisfaction of the Court he may lose his case.<br />
the other hand, we have musical compositions in Supposing he has come through successfully and<br />
which the dual rights exist, but with seeming proved his case, he may get a shilling damages and<br />
greater antagonism than in any other form of be condemned to pay all his own costs.<br />
copyright property.<br />
It is difficult to conceive under the circumstances<br />
The composer, in the case of a purely musical what object Parliament had in reserving the right<br />
composition, and the composer and the author, in at all, inasmuch as the owner appears to be treated<br />
the case of a song, usually assign their copyright by this style of legislation as one who, if he seeks<br />
to the publisher. For many years the performing to protect his own property, is doing something<br />
right was not dealt with at all, except in a few cases. undesirable, from which he ought to be restrained<br />
The publishers have invariably objected to its as far as possible.<br />
exercise when it has not been under their own It would have been more intelligible if the<br />
control, and in the majority of cases the owner of Legislature had suppressed the right entirely<br />
the publishing right would most gladly see the instead of placing it in the unsatisfactory position<br />
performing right destroyed. But such destruction it at present occupies.<br />
would be as much piracy as the unauthorised print- The presumed object of the Act of 1888 was to<br />
ing of the work by the owner of the performing prevent innocent members of the public un-<br />
right in his own interests. But is it always con- wittingly performing a protected composition from<br />
sidered so ?<br />
being mulcted in heavy penalties and damages by<br />
We may perhaps find some light on this point if any uncrupulous owner of performing rights.<br />
we pause to consider two Acts passed since 1878 This purpose would have been as well attained<br />
(the date of the report of the Special Commission by fixing a minimum nominal penalty and placing<br />
already referred to), and mainly promoted by the costs at the discretion of the judge.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 195 (#603) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
195<br />
But the Act goes much further in its protection frequent, though the owner of the performing right<br />
of piracy. It relieves all interested in the perform- may, and generally does, meet with very little<br />
ance from any responsibility at all, even if they sympathy in the matter.<br />
have never taken the trouble to find out whether a Any unprejudiced mind that takes the trouble to<br />
work is protected or not, and even where the read the Acts of 1882 and 1888 cannot fail to<br />
mention of reservation may figure on the copy of recognise how unfairly performing right owners are<br />
the music.<br />
dealt with.<br />
Under this Act, it would appear that anyone is These Acts in effect destroy the performing right,<br />
free to perform a work, whether it bears a notifica- whilst pretending to do nothing of the kind.<br />
tion that the rights of performance are reserved or Personally, I should like to see all rights dealt<br />
not, until the owner of the performing right finds with on a basis fair to the owners of rights and fair<br />
it out.<br />
to the public. But of meddlesome and muddlesome<br />
He then bas to notify them, and if after notifica legislation there has been enough and to spare.<br />
tion they continue to perform, he can proceed For years past we have been promised a codifica-<br />
against them with some chance of getting a tion of the law, and copyright owners of every kind<br />
shilling damages and possibly no costs.<br />
and degree have waited in patience for the new<br />
A proprietor, tenant or occupier, which practically order of things ; and there can be no justification<br />
includes everybody, is free from all responsibility, for all their hopes being frustrated by a little more<br />
and may go on performing, or causing to be panic legislation for a class interest.<br />
performed, and get all the benefit from such per It may be as well to consider whether the<br />
formances. until the owners can discover the performing right is really a valuable right or not,<br />
infringements of their right and give him notice particularly as at the time of the passing of the<br />
to discontinue.<br />
Act of 1888 it was stated in the debate in the<br />
I particularly desire to emphasise this, which is the House of Lords, that “in the evidence given before<br />
actual state of the law as to performing right, the Commission it was stated by a music publisher,<br />
because, as it was brought about by piecemeal who was well qualified to judge, that he did not<br />
legislation in the interests of the publishers, who believe any living composer had derived sixpence<br />
strongly backed it up, it will be curious to contrast profit from the performance of his songs. That<br />
what they consider sufficient protection to the was the kind of property which the noble lord said<br />
owner of the performing right as compared with would be taken away by this Bill-property which<br />
what they deem to be adequate protection for the had never been worth sixpence to its owner.”<br />
owner of the publishing right.<br />
This was one of the most outrageous statements,<br />
They are at present asking for a new Act. ignorant or worse, ever permitted to influence<br />
I do not say that publishers should not be given legislation.<br />
as ample provision for the protection of their rights Many thousands of unauthorised performances of<br />
as would be adequate to enable them to prevent the musical compositions upon which the right of public<br />
piracy of their properties. On the contrary, it is performance is reserved annually take place through-<br />
of course only right and necessary that they should out England, and it is utterly impossible that the<br />
enjoy such protection.<br />
owners of the performing right, in the present<br />
But all other owners of rights are equally state of the law and of performing right interests,<br />
entitled to consideration on the part of Parlia- can stop them. The performing rights of many<br />
ment, to enable them to adequately protect their musical compositions have undoubtedly very great<br />
property.<br />
value, but it is only by a combination of all<br />
The Copyright Laws are even more unfair to performing right interests for mutual protection<br />
many other forms of property than that of that anything can be done to give performing<br />
publication.<br />
rights any permanent settled value at all.<br />
The difficulties in the way of the owners of It is obvious that as the law at present stands, no<br />
performing rights are much greater than those of individual owning a performing right can success-<br />
owners of publishing rights for the protection of fully protect his works from piracy with any<br />
their respective properties, because the infringe- advantage to himself.<br />
ment of a publishing right takes some tangible If we look abroad we can see what methods have<br />
form, producing a visible record of the piracy. been adopted to successfully protect performing<br />
It is therefore easier to trace and to find out, rights and render them really valuable property,<br />
whereas in the case of performance the difficulty of and I will in my next article deal as briefly as<br />
finding out that a right has been infringed, and of possible with the history of the Société des Auteurs,<br />
proving it to the satisfaction of judge or jury, is Compositeurs et Editeurs de Musique, of France.<br />
infinitely more difficult.<br />
ALFRED MOUL.<br />
Such infringements, however, are common and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 196 (#604) ############################################<br />
<br />
196<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
TERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property —<br />
I. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“ Cost of Production.”<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Shonld<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.c.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that ne<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed.<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very greåt risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
1. LIVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 197 (#605) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
197<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
u solicitors. Therefore, do not scrupleGate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
to use the Society.<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
whether members of the Soc<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus publish.<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire. THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers : answer to important communications within two days to<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
an readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep by registered letter only.<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
D Y order of the Committee, the inset in the<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members,<br />
D January number of The Author, entitled<br />
“Periodicals and their contributors," has<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society ; so do<br />
been considerably enlarged and republished.<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions The sanction of the editors has been in many<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
cases obtained to the form and substance of the<br />
insertion, and where this is the case a note to that<br />
effect has been appended.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
Three hundred copies of the revised edition<br />
have been printed, and are now for sale at the<br />
offices of the Society. The price is 6d. a copy.<br />
M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this As the pamphlet cannot fail to be of use to all<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers those who contribute to magazines, the Committee<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
trust there will be no difficulty in disposing of this<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
number.<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
lieaders are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
Mr. George Morang, publisher, of Toronto, has<br />
written a pamphlet on the Canadian Copyright<br />
Question.<br />
We shall have much pleasure in forwarding a<br />
NOTICES.<br />
copy, on receipt of a postcard, to those Members<br />
of the Society who are interested in following the<br />
T HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of course of events,<br />
1 the Society that, although the paper is sent to them Mr. Morang's pamphlet is a clear exposition of<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
the Canadian copyright legislation up to the<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
present date. It has been written with the purpose<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
of convincing the Toronto Board of Trade that<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 198 (#606) ############################################<br />
<br />
198<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
considerable danger exists in attempting to obtain This method has its risks. It may be legal to<br />
a distinct law for the Canadians, which would seize the printed copies of songs, but it is illegal<br />
have the effect of withdrawing them from the to commit an assault. It is difficult, therefore, to<br />
influence of the Imperial Statutes.<br />
accomplish the one without the other when a lusty<br />
This important subject has been constantly street hawker is hanging on to the property he<br />
before the Committee of the Society. They have has acquired by purchase.<br />
from time to time during the past years dealt fully T he result is not always satisfactory, and a fine,<br />
with the intricacies and difficulties involved. or in the alternative seven days, has been the result<br />
We see with much regret, therefore, that Mr. in one case. In the meantime, what are the<br />
Morang-although he has all along been cognisant composers doing? Are they taking any steps to<br />
of the efforts that the Committee have made with protect themselves from the publishers, as the<br />
a view to settlement—has entirely ignored the work publishers from the pirates ? Apparently not.<br />
of the English Society of Authors in the solution The publishers' action may in the end benefit<br />
of this question.<br />
the composers. When the former have forced<br />
His statement of the law is clear and correct. through satisfactory legislation by bringing the<br />
He has, however, made serious omissions in ex- question within the range of practical politics, the<br />
plaining the causes that brought about the present latter may combine to obtain satisfactory agree-<br />
results. From the historical standpoint these ments and to secure their property for themselves<br />
omissions are regrettable. It is only just to the and their heirs. Will the composers explain the<br />
Committee that the Society's work should be reason for their apparent indifference ?<br />
recognised. Some day, no doubt, it will be possible<br />
to give all the facts. In the meantime a mild<br />
remonstrance is not untimely.<br />
In a letter forwarded recently by one of the<br />
Members to the Secretary a complaint was raised<br />
that a communication received through his pub-<br />
The following paragraph appears in the lishers had been opened.<br />
American Author :-<br />
He objected to the course the publisher had<br />
" The leading publishers have responded with alacrity to<br />
thought fit to adopt, and not without reason.<br />
the effort of the Society of American Authors to establish The position was aggravated by the publisher, in<br />
a standard form of contract, which shall be mutually pro answer to a letter of remonstrance, remarking that<br />
tective of the rights and interests of author and publisher. it was the custom of the trade to open all letters<br />
While an agreement may not be reached at once, the directed to antbors "pare of their publishers<br />
outlook is hopeful.”<br />
We should hardly have thought that a matter of<br />
It is quite natural that the publishers should this kind would have come within the range of<br />
show alacrity in responding to the efforts of the “trade custom.” It is surely a matter of good<br />
American Society of Authors. They are likely to feeling and good manners.<br />
gain much more than they lose by a compromise The Secretary at once wrote to Mr. Macmillan<br />
of the kind suggested. If the publishers propose and Mr. John Murray. It is satisfactory to state<br />
agreements drawn on the same lines as those put that both these gentlemen repudiate the “trade<br />
forward by the English Publishers' Association, custom."<br />
the American Authors' Society will have a tough No other answer could possibly have been<br />
fight.<br />
expected from the representatives of these old and<br />
To have a standard form of agreement is a responsible firms.<br />
mistake, and may inflict considerable hardship The point is mentioned, however, as this is not<br />
on authors. The interests to be protected are the only complaint that has occurred.<br />
so diverse, it is impossible to settle one form of<br />
agreement which will deal satisfactorily with all<br />
the rights that an author possesses, and to multiply<br />
In the Canadian letter printed in the April<br />
standard forms is a course which would only tend<br />
number of The Author reference is made to the<br />
to make confusion worse con founded.<br />
prohibitive postal rates between Great Britain and<br />
Canada.<br />
This subject, as will appear from the article<br />
The musical publishers appear to be taking the law printed in the present number, is evidently one<br />
into their own hands. The Daily Chronicle remarks that exercises the minds of the Canadians to a<br />
“they have gone down into the street, tucked up great extent, and, from the arguments put forward<br />
their sleeves, and fought for the property which in the letter, deservedly so.<br />
some person or persons unknown stole from them.” The article has been printed not only because<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 199 (#607) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
199<br />
Mr. John A. Cooper is a well-known Canadian<br />
author, editor of the Canadian Magazine, and<br />
a member of the English Society of Authors,<br />
but also for the reason that English authors and<br />
the English public appear to have no knowledge<br />
of the question—a question which, satisfactorily<br />
solved, might bring great benefit to those engaged<br />
in literary production in England.<br />
to read. This boycott may cause Mr. Hocking a little<br />
financial loss, but we feel sure that he will welcome the<br />
measure as the sincerest compliment possible to the power<br />
and importance of his works.<br />
Either Mr. Hocking does lose money or he<br />
doesn't lose money by his literary protests against<br />
the insiduousness (sic) of the Romish Church, but<br />
we do not know whether to rejoice or weep with<br />
him,<br />
The following story may amuse those who are<br />
interested in the intricacies of language :-<br />
WHOM THE GODS LOYE.<br />
"Johnny had written a composition in the narrative<br />
style, and was showing it to his mother for her approval<br />
before submitting it to the teacher.<br />
THE gods their best-belovèd take<br />
" · Here's a sentence that will not do, Johnny,' she said, as 1 In the meridian of life's May,<br />
she read it : "When the man found that he had called at<br />
- While yet the emerald gems the brake,<br />
the wrong door he politely explained himself away.' A<br />
And the merle lavishes his lay!<br />
man can explain a thing away, my dear, but not himself.'<br />
** I don't see why,'contended Johnny. 'A man can bow For them no pall shall winter spread<br />
himself out, can't he ?'<br />
Of stricken leaves and sterile sods ;<br />
"Certainly.<br />
Only the vernal turf they tread,<br />
** Then why can't he explain himself away?'”<br />
The best-beloved of the gods !<br />
Among the hypercritical the question how far<br />
They pass, by sorrow's shaft unfound,<br />
colloquialisms may be retained as part of the great<br />
Unpierced by tribulation's thorn,<br />
English language, is like the golden apple of dis-<br />
With arrowy footsteps, amaranth-crowned,<br />
cord cast among the gods and goddesses assembled<br />
To the sun-mantled slopes of Morn!<br />
in conclave.<br />
Jaded of soul and sere of heart,<br />
The spelling of the great English language<br />
Life's pilgrim on his journey plods,<br />
sometimes produces a similar uproar.<br />
But in their golden prime depart<br />
This calls to mind another story :-<br />
The best-beloved of the gods !<br />
An able-bodied seaman was passing the neces-<br />
sary examination in the elements of English, and<br />
WILLIAM TOYNBEE.<br />
was asked to spell “ blocks." He at once replied<br />
“b-1-0-x."<br />
On being informed by the examiner that the<br />
“THE CENSORSHIP OF PLAYS.”<br />
spelling was incorrect, his retort was ready : “If<br />
b-l-o-x don't spell blocks what does it speli ? "<br />
“ Immoral ! God bless my soul, gentlemen !"— De Quincey.<br />
Messrs. Ward. Lock & Co. should have revised M HAT man is not to be envied who can rise<br />
the paragraphs which they have circulated about<br />
from reading the “ Areopagitica” without<br />
Mr. Joseph Hocking's anti-papistic novels before<br />
being inflamed against all censorships what-<br />
inviting the Press to insert them. Apart from<br />
soever ; so amply has the English nation justified<br />
spelling, these paragraphs contain an obvious<br />
Milton's faith in its good sense, and fulfilled his<br />
error of fact. In the first the following sentences<br />
ecstatic prophecy of the greatness that should<br />
may be found :-<br />
attend her freedom of speech. And to-day nobody<br />
In numerous instances public attacks have been directed<br />
would be so foolhardy as to propose a censorship<br />
at Mr. Hocking's works, and in some localities efforts have<br />
of the English press, or of English literature.<br />
been made to exclude them from the public libraries. Of Milton's main unanswerable argument against<br />
course, far from obtaining the desired results, the books the censorship of books, is of equal force against<br />
have been more talked about than would otherwise have<br />
the censorship of the modern English stage ;<br />
been the case, and the normal sale of his works in the<br />
Southern Continent doubled.<br />
namely, that the palate of any healthy community<br />
Just as an editor has worked himself up to may be trusted to find out what is good for it.<br />
congratulate Mr. Hocking on the fact that his<br />
“ Doth not the ear try words ? And the mouth<br />
purse is not suffering by his conscientiousness,<br />
taste his meat ? ”<br />
he may read in the second paragraph :-<br />
It may be urged, however, that in the matter of<br />
So stirred has Rome been by his treatment that Mr,<br />
stage-plays the bearings of the question are shifted<br />
Hocking's books have been included in the Index Expur by reason of their being performed in public.<br />
gatorius-the list of books which Catholics are not allowed A crowd does not behave as the individuals<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 200 (#608) ############################################<br />
<br />
200<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
composing it would behave. A crowd leaps to foolish and his most earnest opinions and convictions turn<br />
and unreasonable judgments ; is easily startled into the windiest commonplaces, the moment he<br />
into panic ; loses its head in all sorts of ways. leaves Westminster and steps upon the boards of a<br />
Would it not be well, in the matter of stage-plays, theatre. So little have party politics to do with<br />
to brush aside all Milton's arguments, and to hunt that essential humanity which alone is raw<br />
up some all-wise benevolent policeman, and set him material for the serious dramatist.<br />
over us, to prevent us from making asses of our- Good-humored farcical handling is best fitted<br />
selves, or doing ourselves some mischief in respect for political matters on the stage, and from under<br />
of those grave matters where we are so eager to go this guise the dramatist may shoot much wisdom.<br />
astray--religion, politics, morality, decency? truth, and satire at current events and opinions.<br />
These are obviously the four concerns which in But it may be asked, “Why may he not equally<br />
the theatre are committed to the charge of the shoot his truth and wisdom and satire at prominent<br />
licenser of plays.<br />
political personages ? Our present-day statesmen<br />
We will deal with religion first.<br />
and public men are caricatured in Punch and other<br />
Nearly twenty years ago I had occasion to periodicals, and no objections are raised, nor do<br />
inquire into the relations of religion and the private or public reputations sensibly suffer there-<br />
drama ( Religion and the Stage," Nineteenth Cen- from. Why, then, should not prominent political<br />
fury, January, 1885). I claimed that so far as personages bè caricatured on the boards of our<br />
religion is a matter of character and conduct, the theatres ? " The only answer that can be made to<br />
dramatist is within his right to deal with it on the this argument is, that the theatre so intensifies<br />
stage ; but that so far as religion is a matter of the feelings and so inflames the passions that it<br />
doctrine and a system of theology, he has no would be very difficult, if not impossible, to draw<br />
business with it. I think that broad rule is a safe the line between legitimate caricature and cruel<br />
one to govern the treatment of religion on the and spiteful libel, while the latter would probably<br />
stage. Whatever his own particular creed may be found to be the most popular, and would draw<br />
be, scarcely any playgoer would wish that the the most money.<br />
mysteries and dogmas of Christianity should be Further, though it is more than a generation<br />
exposed in an argumentative way on the London since the English Government of the day has been<br />
stage to-day. But so strange are the whims and threatened with serious internal disturbances, vet<br />
riots that men are led into by harebrained a social revolution is always conceivable in a<br />
enthusiasm, or by thirst for notoriety, that it complex civilisation such as ours. Our democracy<br />
is quite conceivable the withdrawal of the censor- has recently shown an admirable coolness and<br />
ship might bring about occasional mockeries which patience and good sense under very trying and<br />
would be highly offensive both to believers and galling conditions. But who can answer that this<br />
to unbelievers. And if in regard to this aspect of self-control would be maintained in a European<br />
religion, the licenser of plays regards himself as an war after the loss of a naval battle or two ? Even<br />
all-wise, benevolent policeman, whose duty it is to the gradual loss of our commercial supremacy, as<br />
interfere before the event, I do not see that any soon as the pinch was felt, might very possibly<br />
great objection can be taken to his office. But if rouse a state of public feeling in which the theatre<br />
he strangles, or attempts to strangle, plays that would become the manufactory of explosives more<br />
sincerely deal with religion in so far as it informs subtle and maddening and destructive than any<br />
character and conduct, then he may easily do great that could be generated in an ordinary public<br />
mischief to the drama, and in the long run will meeting. We have so long enjoyed an internal<br />
be found an equally bad friend to religion.<br />
serenity that this last danger may appear too<br />
When we return from religion to politics, we remote and imaginary to need serious attention ;<br />
find somewhat similar reasons for retaining the but inasmuch as it is the first necessity of<br />
services of our all-wise, benevolent policeman. It every government to protect its own existence,<br />
is difficult on the stage to take a serious view of I have thought it worth while to bring it into<br />
present-day home politics, and an air of unreality review.<br />
has hung over all attempts to portray a modern But even if we dismiss the possibility of any<br />
statesman as an actual living personage, and to revolution that might be guided or influenced by<br />
place him amongst actual every-day events. The theatrical representations, our all-wise, benevolent<br />
political questions upon which men feel strongly policeman is still left with a considerable field<br />
and take sides, are instinctively felt to be unsuitable wherein to exercise a good-humored forbearance<br />
for heroic stage treatment. The sturdiest defender with all political satire and criticism that is not<br />
or attacker of the licensing laws, the doughtiest obviously personal and libellous. That is to say,<br />
champion of Home Rule on the one hand, or of no great objection can be taken to his office while<br />
Imperialism on the other, becomes a man of straw, he maintains a general beneficent neutrality, and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 201 (#609) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
201<br />
never threatens to show bis truncheon except in currently supposed to have formed our national<br />
such cases as those I have glanced at.<br />
character, to whose influence our present greatness<br />
It is scarcely, however, on the grounds of religion is constantly ascribedif these books were to be<br />
or politics that the office of the censor of plays is published for the first time to-day, they would lie<br />
challenged. He is chiefly brought into notice as so far outside general acceptance as a heavenly<br />
the champion of public morality. In mentioning revelation, that it is probable some zealot would<br />
the four national concerns which come under his start a criminal prosecution against them. While<br />
jurisdiction, I have purposely made a division to come back to the matter of this article, it is<br />
between decency and morality. We are all agreed quite possible that Shakespeare would fare little<br />
as to the boundaries of public decency, and here our better after an original performance of “ Hamlet.”<br />
all-wise, benevolent policeman may be of consider. “Why bring this most unpleasant theme into an<br />
able service to prevent any possible trespassing. English theatre, where English wives and daughters<br />
But when it comes to a question of morality, I are assembled.? Can Mr. Shakespeare devise no<br />
think our all-wise, benevolent policeman should other foundation for a play than the incestuous<br />
sheathe his truncheon and leave the public to love of a fratricide for his brother's wife ? Are<br />
judge for itself. In America there is no censor- there no pure love-stories to be told, that our<br />
ship of plays, and I am sure that public morality dramatists must needs rake into these filthy recesses<br />
has not thereby suffered. Indeed the public taste of human nature ?”<br />
in America is at once more capricious and more It is difficult to thread a path through all this<br />
severe than in England. In England the strangest maze of confused hypocrisies; but above them all,<br />
results have followed from the attempt of the one wild, sweet madrigal is ringing ever fresh<br />
censor to constitute himself the guardian of public and clear, whose music the very heart of nature<br />
morals. Thus we find that quite putrid French herself is thumping out, “ Vitality is morality,”<br />
farces are sanctioned, while the instances of pro- “Morality is vitality”; “ Vitality is morality,"<br />
hibition that soonest spring to remembrance are “Morality is vitality.” Perhaps that is what we<br />
“ Oedipus," " The Cenci,” and “Ghosts.”<br />
really believe, whatever maxims may pass our lips.<br />
In George Meredith's essay on “Comedy” there is I could place this subject in a far fiercer and<br />
a sovereign phrase which we may repeat to illumine stronger light, but enough has been said to show<br />
the whole matter. It runs thus,“ It is deeply that of all the thankless and thorny positions held<br />
conceived, therefore it cannot be immoral.” Now by man, the office of censor of plays must be<br />
“Oedipus” and “The Cenci” deal with terrible the most thankless and the most thorny. And<br />
subjects, but the heightened beauty of their treat- so far as morality is concerned, it is surely a<br />
ment purges them from any sickly or unwholesome reductio ad absurdum of the whole business when<br />
infection. As regards the play of “Ghosts," its we find that the recognised masterpieces of the<br />
iron-hard realistic treatment brings it into another world's literature are condemned, and that any<br />
category. God be praised, I have no use for it French farce is admitted that hastily snatches the<br />
either medicinally or aesthetically. But nobody scantiest covering over its corrupt nakedness.<br />
can deny that “It is deeply conceived, therefore Milton's main argument remains unanswerable,<br />
iu cannot be immoral.”<br />
and can be hurled again and again at any one who<br />
How bewildering, how stupefying it is to glance questions that in matters of morality the public<br />
at this question of morality on the English stage is the first, the last, the only judge. No possible<br />
and in English life! How impossible it is to get gain can come to English morality by proclaiming<br />
English people to sort out their notions, and to ask from the Lord Chamberlain's office that men and<br />
theniselves what they do really believe and what women are not men and women, but are in fact<br />
they do really practise, and what relation the one wax dolls, and act not according to the laws of<br />
has to the other !<br />
morality that prevail amongst human beings, but<br />
Shelley, the atheist, the scoffer at matrimony, is according to the laws of morality that prevail<br />
expelled from his college at Oxford, and after two amongst wax dolls. While what gain can come<br />
generations returns in marble to mock at the codes to the drama by enforcing a standard that had it<br />
and conventions that could neither bind, nor prevailed in the past would certainly have excluded<br />
break, nor gag, nor sequester him.<br />
three-fourths of English general literature, and<br />
Byron, the libertine, the arch-violator of all that more than nineteen-twentieths of the dramatic<br />
British morality and respectability holds dear, is literature of the civilised world ?<br />
so far from being execrated amongst us that we To sum up. In the matter of public decency,<br />
have awarded him a far more enviable and more religion, and politics, it may be advisable to<br />
lasting place in our affections than we have retain the censor for the prevention of possible<br />
awarded even to the late Mr. Spurgeon.<br />
eccentricities and disturbances. But all matters<br />
To go a step further, if the books that are of morality should, I think, be left to the good<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 202 (#610) ############################################<br />
<br />
202<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
sense and good taste of the public at large. And<br />
meantime, we may take as a useful guide the<br />
sentence I have quoted from George Meredith-<br />
“ It is deeply conceived, therefore it cannot be<br />
immoral.”<br />
Henry ARTHUR JONES.<br />
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SIR WALTER<br />
BESANT.*<br />
M AIS autobiography will give great pleasure to<br />
I all who have any intimate relations with<br />
literature, as well as to those who know the<br />
profit that may be derived from studying in detail<br />
the lives of good and great men ; it will assuredly<br />
be read with peculiar interest by the members of<br />
the Society of Authors, in whose behalf Sir Walter<br />
ant spared no pains and for whose benefit he<br />
incurred misrepresentations that have hardly ceased<br />
with his lamented death.<br />
In a forecast of the work, which circumstances<br />
placed us in a position to make. we said in the<br />
Author :-<br />
" It is neither a diary, nor does it contain lengthy trans.<br />
scripts from a diary ; it includes no letters from eminent<br />
friends, and is remarkably free from personal references ;<br />
it says nothing at all about the pecuniary side of his career<br />
as a professional man of letters ; and is quite silent<br />
about his domestic life. It tells briefly and modestly of<br />
the influences which led him to be a novelist and an<br />
antiquarian, and of the circumstances which conduced to<br />
his success; and undoubtedly the main purpose which<br />
Sir Walter Besant had in writing it was to draw attention<br />
to what he considered to be the proper equipment for<br />
sound and useful literary performance. He tells the story<br />
of his childhood with some detail, and draws an interesting<br />
picture of his school and college life.”<br />
Now that the completed volume is in our hands<br />
we have only to expand our forecast to give an<br />
accurate estimate of the work.<br />
The earlier portions of the autobiography form a<br />
charming record of Sir Walter Besant's childhood<br />
and boyhood. His description of his home in old<br />
Portsmouth, of the friends that he made as a<br />
child, of his father and mother, of his rural<br />
rambles, and, especially, of his infant dreams,<br />
bear the imprints of absolute sincerity. Here is<br />
no adding of picturesque touches to accentuate the<br />
pathetic side of an episode, or to broaden the<br />
humour of an escapade. No one can fail to see<br />
that Besant has recorded his memories exactly as<br />
they were present in his mind, and the result is a<br />
picture of his up-bringing which accounts in a<br />
striking manner for much of his after fame.<br />
Bookish from infancy, he was born in a house<br />
well-stored with books ; industrious by nature, he<br />
was reared in an environment of domestic frugality<br />
and inspired by the academic successes of an elder<br />
brother ; with a keen eye for the humorous, he<br />
was fortunate enough to have parents who could<br />
appreciate the ludicrous side of affairs. For it<br />
must be remembered that in the “forties," with<br />
evangelical conviction weighing on the spirits of a<br />
large proportion of the people, there were many<br />
households where goodness was tantamount to<br />
gloominess, and where Besant's bubbling spirits<br />
might easily have been quenched.<br />
With armfuls of prizes from different grammar<br />
schools, Besant proceeded to King's College.<br />
London. Thence, with more prizes and also with<br />
a substantial scholarship, he went to Christ's<br />
College, Cambridge. Introduction to University<br />
life was one of the great events in his career ; in<br />
fact the influence exercised over him by Cambridge<br />
cannot be over-estimated. He points out in his<br />
autobiography that at the time of his matricula-<br />
tion the University lad was a very different<br />
person from the undergraduate of to-day. The<br />
school curriculum of the “ fifties” gave a boy no<br />
insight into general affairs, no knowledge of litera-<br />
ture, no familiarity with current events. Travel<br />
was unknown to the average lad, who arrived at<br />
Oxford or Cambridge straight from the sixth form<br />
benches or the country vicarage, whatever his equip-<br />
ment in Greek or trigonometry might bappen to<br />
be. Therefore, Oxford and Cambridge were schools<br />
of manners in those days to an extent that they<br />
are not now for the undergradnates had evers.<br />
thing to gain from a social intercourse, arriving, as<br />
they did, with all their local prejudices bristling.<br />
Besant, who entered Christ's under a strong tutor<br />
when it was one of the best colleges of the<br />
University, made the best of the opportunities he<br />
found under his hand. As far as academic studies<br />
went he took a good degree, being fourteenth<br />
wrangler, but mathematical lore was the smallest<br />
thing that he acquired at Cambridge. What he<br />
gained was the society of clever men, the power of<br />
appreciating good literary work, increased mental<br />
breadth and the stimulus of serious ambition.<br />
His college set was a brilliant one, and they recog.<br />
nised in Besant one who had a right to belong to<br />
their set-one, indeed, who would be heard of later.<br />
College life was followed by an agreeable inter-<br />
lude in the Mauritius. And here Besant made a<br />
new set of pleasant and clever friends, read an<br />
enormous amount of French, and equipped himself,<br />
more or less unconsciously, for his future as a<br />
novelist. The chapter which tells of his colonial<br />
experiences is one of the most interesting in the<br />
book, not only because it is told in a particularly<br />
lively and pleasant fashion—it having been an<br />
evident pleasure to the writer to set down his<br />
* “ The Autobiography of Sir Walter Besant.” With<br />
Prefatory Note by s. Squire Sprigge, and etched portrait.<br />
(Hutchinson & Co., 16s.)<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 203 (#611) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
203<br />
tropical reminiscences—but because we can see in his picture with grace and accuracy, often with<br />
it how much his tolerant views, his hatred of humour, and always with modesty. Never before,<br />
priggishness, and his zeal for justice grew out of we believe, has a successful man made his life into<br />
his sojourn in the Ile de France, with its steady a book with such an entire absence of undue self-<br />
course of varied reading and its amusing intercom. assertion. Dignified allusion is now and again<br />
munication with all sorts and conditions of men. made to his unquestioned triumphs, but through-<br />
On his return from the Mauritius, Besant became out, the presentment is studiously modest.<br />
Secretary of the Palestine Exploration Fund, where There are certain passages, especially those deal-<br />
his work was congenial to his antiquarian turn of ing with the religious views of the old-fashioned<br />
mind and where he was thrown into intercourse Evangelical party, and with the reviewing methods<br />
with able men of varied schools of thought. It of certain modern journalists, that are written with<br />
was during his term of office at the Palestine great asperity. Mr. Squire Sprigge, who has edited<br />
Exploration Fund that he met James Rice, and the autobiography, and written a brief introduction<br />
laid the foundation of his literary fame by the to it, suggests that these passages would have been<br />
part production of “Ready Money Mortiboy " and modified if Sir Walter Besant had lived to revise<br />
16 The Golden Butterfly.” With regard to the his proofs. It may be that verbal alteration woulu<br />
details of his partnership with James Rice he have been made, and that by doing so a risk of<br />
remains almost silent, and gives his reason for this giving offence to some people would have been<br />
attitude:<br />
avoided ; but all who love truth, as Besant loved<br />
“If I were asked," he says, “ for my opinion as to collabora ruun, WI verad that the autobiography has been<br />
tion in fiction, it would be decidedly against it. I say this published without mutilation. His views are set<br />
without the least desire to depreciate the literary ability of before us, and a little crudity of expression here<br />
my frierd and collaborateur. The arrangement lasted for and there should not weigh for a moment against<br />
ten years, and resulted in as many successful novels. I<br />
i a frankness that in these days is all too rare.<br />
only mean that, after all, an artist must necessarily stand<br />
It<br />
alone. If two men work together, the result must inevit. is because of this frankness that we have read the<br />
ably bear the appearance of one man's work ; the style book with absorbing pleasure. No sensational<br />
must be the same throughout; the two men must be rolled incidents and no well-considered anecdotes, such<br />
into one ; each must be loyal to the other ; neither can be<br />
held responsible for plot, incident, character, or dialogue.<br />
as contribute to the success of most autobiographies,<br />
There will come a time when both men fret under the con- will be found here. Besant secures and retains<br />
dition ; when each desires, but is not able, to enjoy the affectionate attention in a worthier way by the<br />
reputation of his own good work; and feels, with the intimate manner of his relation of simple facts.<br />
jealousy natural to an artist, irritated by the loss of half of<br />
himself and ready to accept the responsibility of failure in<br />
The author is throughout the good and brave man<br />
order to make sure of the meed of success. Now that Rice that his books proved him to be; and he speaks to<br />
is dead it is impossible for me to lay hands upon any passage us in his pages, as his wont ever was, truthfully,<br />
or page and to say. This belongs to Rice—this is mine." modestly, and clearly.<br />
We need not pursue the thread of Besant's life One word more, we must thank Mr. Squire<br />
story further, for from this point all our readers Sprigge for his admirable preface. From the<br />
know what there is to be said. As novelist, time Mr. Sprigge was elected Secretary of the<br />
historian, philanthropist, antiquarian, and executive Society of Authors, he became the firm friend of<br />
chief of our Society, he lived his full and useful life Sir Walter Besant. No one, therefore, was better<br />
before our eyes. He may have had some feeling qualified to put before the public, with sympa-<br />
that the publicity of the last twenty years of his thetic feeling, those points in Sir Walter Besant's<br />
life made an autobiography less necessary for the character which must necessarily be lacking in an<br />
understanding of his views, as the later chapters of autobiography written by such a man. He has<br />
the book are much briefer and scantier in detail than<br />
carried out his difficult task to the satisfaction of<br />
the earlier ones. Probably his brevity at the end may Sir Walter Besant's friends ; no greater praise is<br />
have been due to the fact that the real purpose of<br />
his autobiography was largely fulfilled when he<br />
had brought the record up to his thirty-fifth year.<br />
For the design of the work was to describe the<br />
FEUILLETON.<br />
evolution of a novelist, to show how, taking his<br />
own case for an example, his parentage and early<br />
Right is Might.<br />
social position, his home, his education and his<br />
friends, his chance opportunities and his deliberate “T H ERE!” he said in a tone of exultation,<br />
achievements, had all had their influence in equip.<br />
turning the envelope upside down, so<br />
ing him for his career of man of letters. He<br />
that they fell out upon the table. “Do<br />
presents himself in his autobiography as the inevit. you recognise anybody?”<br />
able derivative of the events of his life, and draws “Oh, Christopher !” she exclaimed, " what<br />
nece<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 204 (#612) ############################################<br />
<br />
204<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
simply splendid photographs! how like you! was a defeated rival of Christopher, who on<br />
wbat a lot of positions too! what must they have account of a few thousand pounds left him by his<br />
cost!”<br />
father and a reputation for astuteness earned by<br />
He was a little inclined to be extravagant in the success of a journalistic venture in which he<br />
the newness of his prosperity, and she had a was known to be deeply interested, had won and<br />
frugal soul, as a maiden should, who is about to long enjoyed the favour and support of Dorothy's<br />
marry literature, and to depend, beyond the limits father and mother. She had, however, told them<br />
of her own dress allowance, upon literature for that "Vitriolic Bits” was not really a quite nice<br />
her sustenance. Twelve months before he had paper, although no doubt many found it amusing.<br />
thrown himself at her feet, after a period during Neither her father nor her mother read anything<br />
which, if one of her dearest friends was to be but the Morning Post as a rule, and neither was<br />
believed, she had persistently and consistently well enough able to understand “Vitriolic Bits"<br />
thrown herself at his head. Eleven months later, to know whether it was a “nice” paper or not.<br />
the marked success of his newest book, “ A Quest Their friends took it in largely.<br />
in a Cul-de-Sac,” had broken down the stubborn<br />
opposition of her parents, and for one month of<br />
unclouded happiness Christopher bad been engaged Three weeks after the day on which Christopher<br />
to Dorothy.<br />
showed Dorothy his new photographs, he came to<br />
« They cost nothing," he said, looking at his tea on Sunday afternoon. He had evidently<br />
portraits with satisfaction. “They take celebrities something on his mind and was silent and absent,<br />
free. These are by a new man who has just set until she took him into the back drawing-room<br />
up near Baker Street. He took me in five posl- and asked him what was the matter.<br />
tions, and he gives me six copies of each free, with<br />
“They have got a very complimentary review<br />
as many more as I like at two guineas the dozen.<br />
of the Quest'in · Vitriolic Bits,” he said, drawing<br />
I'm not likely to want more than thirty to give a folded paper in a bright blue cover from his<br />
away though, am I ?"<br />
pocket; "they give me a whole page and repro-<br />
“I shall want one of each for myself and a few duce one of those photographs, amite large. What<br />
for my friends to look at,” said Dorothy. “But does it mean? Does that beast want to be<br />
how does it pay the man ? I don't like anybody asked to the wedding ?.<br />
being able to buy your photograph. I know a “It means he shows very good feeling ; I shall<br />
girl who has a perfect gallery of her favourite certainly invite him," said Dorothy, immersed in<br />
authors and actors—will she be able to buy the notice of Christopher's masterpiece.<br />
you?”<br />
“ Timeo Danaoset ilona ferentes," quoted<br />
“I suppose so,” said Christopher. “And then Christopher, but she was so busy that she did<br />
the illustrated newspapers will take them to not even ask him what he meant.<br />
reproduce and pay half a guinea or so each<br />
time I write a new book. They are to have<br />
me in ‘Literary Snips' next week, with an<br />
“Dash it all !” exclaimed Christopher the next<br />
interview."<br />
time he saw Dorothy, which happened to be on<br />
“How lovely!” exclaimed Dorothy. “Won't<br />
the following Sunday. “What does it mean?<br />
• He' be green? He'll want to put it in his<br />
That beast who runs Vitriolic Bits '" (he never<br />
horrid paper, but he won't get it."<br />
could bring himself to name his defeated rival),<br />
“He won't wish to," answered Christopher. “He<br />
“has got a whole page of me in yesterday's<br />
has not eren given me a notice yet, though I'm in<br />
number. He has reproduced all five of those<br />
nam<br />
my third edition.”<br />
photographs, and only last Wednesday in the<br />
""A Quest in a Cul-de-Sac" had had a genuine<br />
column he writes in the Overlooker,' he had a<br />
and well-deseryed success. It was a detective<br />
paragraph slating literary men who advertise<br />
story of considerable merit, and the element of<br />
themselves. He says they often send their<br />
mystery which had deepened in each successive<br />
portraits to new illustrated papers and tell small<br />
chapter as it ran through the most popular<br />
stories about themselves for publication. I shall<br />
magazine in England, had been sustained to the<br />
write to the photographer and stop it.”<br />
very last page. In volume form it was already<br />
earning royalties at a rate beyond the wildest<br />
dreams of its author, and he had already “planted”<br />
a half-finished work on the strength of his first Next week “Vitriolic Bits” changed its tone<br />
real success.<br />
slightly. It had a note about young authors and<br />
“He' is a pig,” said Dorothy, emphatically. the King's English, and it quoted from “ A Quest<br />
“He" was never alluded to by name. «He” in a Cul de Sac” a line which had already cansed<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 205 (#613) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
205<br />
some offence to Dorothy, even though it was put<br />
in the mouth of the villain :—“In order to fully<br />
appreciate single-blessedness, a man must get<br />
married." Christopher's portrait accompanied the<br />
paragraph, with the “cut-line" beneath, “ A Cyni.<br />
cal Young Author who uses the Split Infinitive.”<br />
“ Those photographers,” Christopher said to<br />
Dorothy after they had jointly cremated “ Vitri-<br />
olic Bits” in the back drawing-room fire, “ have<br />
the cheek to say that as I did not pay for my<br />
photographs, I have not any copyright in them,<br />
and it does not concern me who publishes<br />
them.”<br />
The following week's issue of “ Vitriolic Bits”<br />
caused Christopher to take a cab to Montagu<br />
Square, on Saturday afternoon.<br />
** Did you say the beast' who bosses this rag<br />
played Rugby football for Oxford ? ” he cried,<br />
crumpling it in his wrath.<br />
“I did," answered Dorothy.<br />
.“ Then what am I to do ? Look at me. I weigh<br />
nine-stone twelve, and look at this." He smoothed<br />
out “ Vitriolic Bits” for her inspection.<br />
There was his portrait, one of the largest and<br />
most life-like of the series of five, and under it was<br />
the query “Is this the mysterious author ?”<br />
Below again came a paragraph setting out the<br />
number of editions through which “A Lady's-<br />
Maid's Love Letters " had run. Almost everyone<br />
had read them who could afford to spend half-a.<br />
crown, net, on a copy. Dorothy's brother had<br />
left his about, and their father, after reading it,<br />
had burnt it, declaring that anyone who brought<br />
such books into his house should go out of it.<br />
Dorothy, who was a very nice girl, had always<br />
said she did not care for what was vulgar without<br />
being funny, and had not read it, but had heard it<br />
quoted with disapproval.<br />
“ It's a libel,” she remarked at once.<br />
“That's what I said,” answered Christopher,<br />
“ but a friend of mine, a barrister, whom I showed<br />
it to, said he did not see that it would be libellous<br />
to suggest that I had written a book which has<br />
gone through nineteen editions and been refused<br />
admission to Smith's and Mudie's. Besides, I've<br />
suffered no damage yet.”<br />
“You will, if papa sees it and won't believe<br />
that it's a mistake,” said Dorothy. “ What<br />
is to be done ? Surely a solicitor can do<br />
something !<br />
And so a solicitor did do--something--but not<br />
much. He earned, or at all events sent in a bill of<br />
costs to the amount of, £27 13s. 4d., and he drew<br />
up a statement of what he had discovered, which<br />
he declared himself ready to embody in a brief, for<br />
the opinion of counsel. This, with a copy of the<br />
correspondence and counsel's fee, would cost an<br />
additional £9 15s. 8d., and the facts disclosed<br />
amounted to this :--The photographers liad sold to<br />
the proprietor and editor of “Vitriolic Bits,"<br />
(Christopher's defeated rival) their copyright in<br />
the five photographs of the author of "A Quest in<br />
a Cul de Sac," subject to their being permitted to<br />
print from the negatives such copies as Christopher<br />
might require, according to his agreement with<br />
them. The “ Vitriolic Bits" man denied that he<br />
had infringed any right belonging to Christopher,<br />
or that he had libelled him ; indeed, he pointed to<br />
his review of the “Quest” and the advertisement<br />
of its author in his pages in disproof of all malice.<br />
He had meanwhile printed one of the portraits<br />
next to that of a celebrated mad murderer, invit-<br />
ing a comparision of their phrenology, and another<br />
(which he declared to be an accidental circum-<br />
stance) upside down, with a paragraph announcing<br />
Christopher's approaching marriage. He had put<br />
in two more à propos of nothing. He further<br />
declared his intention of reproducing them when-<br />
ever occasion offered or did not offer itself, and he<br />
defied Christopher's solicitor to prevent him. He<br />
also admitted that he had assigned or leased the<br />
right to multiply the photographs for advertising<br />
purposes to a manufacturer of a medicine for<br />
strengthening the brain, and the patentee of a new<br />
soap. He wrote to the effect that he could not<br />
conceive what the connection might be between<br />
Christopher and brains, a question which was the<br />
advertiser's affair, but that he did not see that it<br />
could be libellous to suggest that he had brains or<br />
used soap, even if either or both innuendoes were<br />
proved to be untrue. These details, however, he<br />
repeated, concerned those who published the<br />
advertisements, and were of no consequence to<br />
limself.<br />
He ended by saying that he had found the five<br />
copyrights cheap at £20 a-piece, and that he was<br />
ready to make an offer for more if the talented<br />
subject of them would consent to sit again as<br />
he appeared when writing one of his adinirable<br />
novels.<br />
The solicitor did not consider it necessary to<br />
disguise his own view of the situation. He was<br />
an old friend of Christopher.<br />
Christopher had only one suggestion to<br />
make.<br />
“I must alter my appearance and change my<br />
identity at once,” he said. “I shall wear my hair<br />
long and grow a beard."<br />
“Shall you ?" was Dorothy's rejoinder.<br />
“And I shall change my name,” he added.<br />
“ Then I shall not,” said Dorothy. “Long<br />
hair and a beard! Oh-h-h! Besides, a man who<br />
will part with the copyright in his own face-<br />
But tears drowned the end of her sentence.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 206 (#614) ############################################<br />
<br />
206<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
A<br />
T<br />
interdentably less estenderish appreciate<br />
“contributions should be accompanied by stampau<br />
THE COMPLEAT JOURNALIST.<br />
and addressed envelopes, for return in case of<br />
rejection," and that “manuscripts should not be<br />
written on both sides of the paper.” The infor-<br />
T intervals (which I could wish might be mation, however, that the Athenaum does not<br />
considerably less extended) an honoured publish short stories, or that M.A.P. articles<br />
1 relative testifies to his high appreciation should not as a rule exceed ten thousand words<br />
of myself by sending me a small but welcome in length, is withheld. The omissions are<br />
cheque. His largess, he invariably explains in a noticeable.<br />
covering letter, is to be applied to the purchase The most ambitious of these guides to the<br />
of pens, ink, and paper, "as this is all that is manufacture of The Compleat Journalist is, it seems<br />
necessary to enable you to successfully follow your to me, the one entitled “How to Write for the<br />
career as a journalist.” I have only to remark Magazines.” Concealing his identity under the<br />
that my worthy benefactor hails from Inverness veil of an “impenetrable anonymity," its author<br />
to absolve him from the charge (which might simply writes himself down as • £600 A Year From<br />
otherwise be levelled against him) of writing in a It."<br />
vein of humour. He is, I am confident, abso- An author such as this, who deliberately sets<br />
lutely sincere in his impression that a regular out to instruct the world in the secrets of his craft<br />
supply of the items thus enumerated amply suffices and the art of making a £600 A Year From It,"<br />
the busiest press-man for all his needs. In this has every claim to be considered a philanthropist.<br />
naïve belief he is by no means alone, for I have It is not so certain, however, that he can be<br />
found it held with equal firmness by a very large regarded equally as a stylist. Here, for example,<br />
number of other persons. Indeed, its general is the concluding sentence of his second para-<br />
prevalence makes one blush for a country in which graph: “ It is intended by the writer of this<br />
compulsory education has been in force for some book that it should be of some, probably much.<br />
thirty years.<br />
practical use in guiding writers thus placed into<br />
A few days ago one of these good people sent what it is hoped may indeed prove profitable paths<br />
me (out of the kindness of his heart) three little for them, as it has already done for the author<br />
books, which he said might help me to succeed in himself.” Similar flowers of lucidity will be found<br />
my profession. I think that he was secretly scattered elsewhere throughout the volume's 150<br />
disappointed at not finding me (after three years pages.<br />
of journalism) installed as editor of the Nineteenth A gift-book, however, should not be looked at<br />
Century. He was considered by his family to be too closely in the style. I will, accordingly.<br />
a person of no mean literary attainments, having proceed now to deal with the subjects treated of<br />
once published a letter in the Times to say that by its modestly-opinionated author. These are<br />
a cuckoo had been heard in his village on the more or less what one would expect of a volume<br />
21st of February. The correspondence that this professing to throw light on the dark places of<br />
contribution occasioned is one of his proudest free-lance journalism. Thus, the reader is solemnly<br />
memories. I mention these family matters in no told to suborn his own views to those of his editor.<br />
boastful spirit; my object is merely to point out to make his work interesting rather than merely<br />
that my esteemed relative did not take me to task instructive, and that articles accompanied by suit-<br />
without authority.<br />
able photographs are more likely to meet with<br />
The reinforcements which my library thus acceptance than are others, etc., etc. On the impor-<br />
received are called respectively (1) “ How to tant matter of deciding which periodical to submit<br />
Publish a Book or Article,” (2) “How to Write one's contributions to our guide gives us the follow-<br />
for the Press," and (3) “How to Write ing valuable hint : “It is obviously unlikely that<br />
for the Magazines." The lack of originality in the Quiver will accept an article glorifying the<br />
the titles of these manuals is no less marked in slaughter of soldiers upon fields of battle, seeing<br />
their contents. Each of the trio, for instance, that that magazine, being a religious one, is<br />
has chapters on “ Preparing a Manuscript,” “ The supposed to be constantly opposed to warfare."<br />
Art of Interviewing,” Payment for Contributions," To drive the principle still further home, the same<br />
“Short Story Writing,"and finally, “How to Dispose subject inspires this second announcement: “Nor<br />
of Manuscripts.” So far as they go, the hints given would the proprietor of the Gentlewoman care to<br />
on such subjects by the compilers of these volumes see too many articles about horse-racing in his paper<br />
are sound enough. I am by no means convinced, for ladies." The information, too, that a manu.<br />
however, that they go very far. It is a little script should always be addressed to “The Editor."<br />
difficult, for example, to believe that even the should earn for its imparter the gratitude of those<br />
yoụngest writer requires to be seriously told that who have hitherto been under the impression that<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 207 (#615) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
207<br />
it ought to be addressed to the lady-typist or the already referred to. It is in the refusal of its<br />
junior office-boy.<br />
author to take refuge in any anonymity. Unlike<br />
Another book on the same subject, but which “ £600 A Year From It,” or “ An Editor,” the<br />
is marked by considerably less fatuity on the part compiler of these chapters proclaims himself a<br />
of its writer, is the one entitled “How to Write pioneer by having his name blazoned on the title-<br />
for the Press.” As with the volume already page for all the world to read.<br />
discussed, anonymity once more shrouds the author- As will be gathered from its title, the scope of<br />
ship of this one. All that the purchaser is per- this volume is a somewhat comprehensive one.<br />
mitted to learn thereon is that it is the work of “An Journalism is not the only subject dealt with<br />
Editor.” One may therefore regard it as being therein—as is the case with “ How to Write for<br />
written by the literary director of any periodical the Magazines,” and “How to Write for the Press"<br />
one pleases—from the Times to Ally Sloper. ---for two-thirds of the contents are devoted to<br />
From internal evidence, however, I doubt if our books and plays. To deal with these portions,<br />
“ Editor" adorns the staff of either of these journals. however, is not within my present province.<br />
I am of opinion, rather, that he is a valued con- Shunning their attractions, accordingly, I will<br />
tributor to Best Bits, or some other paper of this examine only those chapters referring to writing<br />
class. He writes simply, yet vigorously, and for the periodical press.<br />
contrives as a rule to serve up his rather trite T hese are twenty-six in number, but many of<br />
observations in a fairly attractive form. The them are of so brief a description that it would be<br />
saving graces of being practical and keeping complimentary to describe them as anything but<br />
strictly to the point are also his. Thus, he does paragraphs. Their scope is decidedly catholic,<br />
not set out to write a chapter on, say, “ magazine dealing as it does with such matters as "Early Dis-<br />
remuneration,” and suddenly wander off into a appointments,” “Traps for the Unwary,” “Making<br />
long discussion on the" advantages of typewriting," a Beginning,” “ Magazine Verse," and “Rates of<br />
as does the compiler of more than one other of Payment,” together with many others on subjects<br />
these volumes.<br />
equally germane to the issue. To a certain class<br />
In bis advice to the budding pressman, our of readers the hints given thereon may prove<br />
author makes the somewhat amazing confession helpful ; one of them, at any rate, clears up all<br />
that he has “ always held the belief that the finest doubt on the vexed question of where an author<br />
training for the journalist is a thorough ground ought to write his name and address. The correct<br />
work in Euclid and Algebra.” Now, I have place is--it is here remarked in language that can<br />
certainly known the elementary propositions con- leave no room for doubt-the first page of the MS.<br />
tained in the former science to be regarded as It is obvious, therefore, that those who think it<br />
models of construction and development for writers ought to be inscribed on the back of the envelope,<br />
of short stories, but I cannot see that proficiency or in the middle of the concluding paragraph, are<br />
in discovering the value of x will stand the most altogether in the wrong.<br />
persistent of paragraphists in much stead. Still, The literary neophyte desirous of acquiring the<br />
the author of “ How to Write for the Press " is three volumes of this “ How To" series will have<br />
pleased to think otherwise, and his opinions are to to expend nine shillings and sixpence on their<br />
be respected, for he has the courage of them. That purchase. Of course, it is possible that he may<br />
they require it is evidenced by the fact that he borrow the books and thus avoid a cash transaction<br />
does not shrink from characterising the Pall Mall altogether. The borrowing of books, however, is<br />
Gazette as a “ dull sheet."<br />
not a practice that can be commended. Rather<br />
The cover of the third and last of these manuals than hare it on my conscience that I have in any<br />
in my possession is inscribed tout court“ How to way encouraged it, I am prepared to present the<br />
Publish.” On the title-page, however, this is world free of all cost with a certain guide to the<br />
elaborated into “How to Publish a Book or whole art of achieving success in journalism. It<br />
Article, and How to Produce a Play.” In case, is contained in four short words—“ Write what is<br />
apparently, this should not make the nature of the wanted.”<br />
H. W.<br />
volume quite clear to prospective purchasers, a<br />
second explanatory line — " Advice to Young<br />
Authors ”—is added as well. Consequently, any Just at present every one is naturally interested<br />
one who buys the volume, under the impression in the late Mr. Cecil Rhodes. People who know<br />
that he is thereby acquiring a treatise on Chinese are saying unhesitatingly that the most exact<br />
cookery, or a guide to the British Museum, has appreciation of the character of this remarkable<br />
only himself to blame.<br />
man that has hitherto appeared is that one which<br />
In one important feature “ How to Publish” (of course under a veil of fiction) is to be found<br />
differs from either of the companion works I have in Mr. Morley Roberts' novel, “ The Colossus."<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 208 (#616) ############################################<br />
<br />
208<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF ART<br />
It seems to me not superfluous to echo this<br />
master's sentiments, for there is a prodigious amount<br />
TO TRADE.<br />
of nonsepse written in many of the literary papers<br />
of to-day. I would even go a little farther, and say<br />
that so far as the output of their books is concerned,<br />
(We have pleasure in publishing this article supplied by<br />
authors are tradesmen too, and suffer no loss of .<br />
anthors are tradesmen<br />
a gentleman who is not a member of the Society.-ED.)<br />
dignity by openly confessing the truth that they<br />
D EING recently one of a company of people desire to make money by their wares. The Incor-<br />
engaged for the most part in literary pur- porated Society of Authors is not a police force ;<br />
suits, I was interested when the conversa- it is to all intents and purposes a Trade Union,<br />
tion turned upon the Society of Authors and the and in its general objects is exactly analogous to<br />
conduct of its official organ, The Author. I found the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. If this<br />
that by most of those present the former was latter body may deal with, say, Sir John Aird on<br />
regarded in the same sort of light as is our police the basis of his being a tradesman, why may not<br />
force—as an organisation required to deal with a the former deal with, say, Mr. John Murray on the<br />
criminal class which doubtless exists, but is not same basis ? Both societies are founded to regulate<br />
commonly met with in polite society, and, for all the conditions of labour in the trades included in<br />
that was known to the contrary, as an efficient them and the relations of their members with them.<br />
organisation, but nevertheless one that is accepted and to promote the general and material welfare<br />
and tolerated only because it is less an evil than of their members. Quâ publishers, authors are<br />
that which it may prevent.<br />
tradesmen, just as publishers are quâ authors.<br />
With regard to The Author, the general opinion Quâ anything else both can be artists, professional<br />
was adverse to the periodical ; its tone was criti- men, and gentlemen. Most of them are. If The<br />
cised to its disadvantage ; the objection was raised Author were to contend that no tradesman is a<br />
that it is too fond of calling people names ; its gentleman it could be refuted by Debrett and<br />
matter was open to question, and its manner was killed by ridicule.<br />
not characterised by the best possible taste.<br />
There is, however, one respect in which I think<br />
To all of this Î, being of a somewhat silent most of the publications issued either officially by<br />
habit, listened with due humility, hoping to derive the Incorporated Society of Authors or unofficially<br />
some ultimate advantage therefrom.<br />
by sympathisers with its objects, have hitherto failed<br />
Presently one of the party, a member of the to be quite equitable ; they have not made adequate<br />
Society and a well-known writer, delivered himself acknowledgment of the financial obligation under<br />
somewhat as follows:<br />
which the art of authorship lies to the publishing<br />
“As Sir Roger observed on another occasion, trade. Omitting, as less liable to the obligation,<br />
there is much to be said upon both sides. The the two classes of poetry and fiction, literature<br />
fact is you are all too damned superior "—the con- owes a large debt to those who may be described<br />
versation was post-prandial. “ Publishing is not as the merchant princes of the world of books.<br />
a profession which can be practised only after Historical instances need not be cited in a note<br />
qualification, under licence from a faculty, and such as this, which is a suggestion merely, and not<br />
subject to a defined code of custom and etiquette ; an elaborated essay.<br />
it is not an art, whether mechanical or liberal ; it It should not be forgotten that in proportion to<br />
is a business of buying and selling carried on for the amount of money expended by the proprietor<br />
profit, and as such it is a trade and nothing of a great newspaper business on paper and ink, to<br />
else. If The Author calls a publisher a tradesman, say nothing of plant and wages, the cost of author-<br />
it calls him by his proper name; if it calls him ship is insignificant. It is a humiliating reflection<br />
a dishonest tradesman, it can be mulcted in that the author may not matter, may be a person<br />
damages, if it has done him an injustice or an of no importance ; but in the newspaper world it is<br />
injury.”<br />
true. The reason why so many periodicals perish<br />
“Moreover,” he proceeded with some vigour, “if in infancy is that they owe their existence to<br />
a publisher informed me that he was not a trades- literary amateurs who have not learned the elemen-<br />
man, I should not desire to have commercial dealings tary fact that if the management is all right the<br />
with him. I want a man who will buy my books editorial department is relatively unimportant;<br />
and sell them as widely as possible. My first novel they pay so much attention to their copy that they<br />
was issued by a philanthropist, and I didn't have forget all about their distribution, and the result<br />
enough to eat; since then I have resorted to trades- is no sale. Their journals are not put before or<br />
men, and I am rivalling Jeshurun. Tradesmen ? taken up by the trade, and consequently they do<br />
Of course they are tradesmen, or ought to be," and not get through.<br />
he snorted.<br />
The point of the remark is that the money which<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 209 (#617) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
209<br />
most of us are seeking is to be found in the lap of is also possible that publishers have more initiative,<br />
the trade. Few artists make a fortune ; many art- a shrewder notion, developed by their knowledge<br />
dealers do. In the newspaper world it is the of trade, and a quicker anticipation of what the<br />
“ trade," not the journalist, that makes the fortune, public want.<br />
but there is no grievance in that. If the journalist For it is not only in " series” and “libraries ”<br />
contributes to the success of the newspaper pro- that publishers display their initiative power, nor<br />
prietor he is, in his own turn, benefited thereby, for cyclopædias that they reserve their enterprise.<br />
for the newspaper businesses, in which such a huge Just as in journalism many a man owes his reputa-<br />
capital is invested nowadays, commission a vast tion to having been sent out as special commissioner<br />
amount of authorship which, but for them, would to investigate some particular question or do some<br />
never see the light.<br />
particular thing, so in literature does many an<br />
And of journalism, so of literature. The pub author owe his beginnings to a publisher who has<br />
lishers who sit in their offices and wait for fortunes chosen him to write up some particular subject.<br />
to be brought to their doors in the shape of packets It applies to history, genealogy, and biography, to<br />
of manuscript, wait in vain. The history of all science, to travel and sport, and within my own<br />
the great publishing houses goes to prove that their knowledge there have been frequent cases of “ the<br />
fortunes have been made by sheer hard work in trade” employing authors to write books for which<br />
trade, and not upreared on a few isolated literary it believes there will be a demand, but which the<br />
successes. If you buy for a pound, and sell for a authors would not bave thought of doing if left to<br />
pound and a penny, you will come home if your themselves. Some question is in the air; a year<br />
turnover is large enough; but you will never come hence it will be of the first importance. Ninety-<br />
home if you buy for a penny on the chance of being nine out of every hundred authors wait until the<br />
able to sell for a pound. Yet that is one respect year is up and then cry simultaneously, “ Lo ! here<br />
in which I venture to think the Society of Authors is a subject; come let us write about it," and they<br />
misapprehends the publisher's policy ; it is apt to all do so at once. The publisher, with his trade<br />
assume that publishers run their business on those instinct, anticipates the event. He selects some<br />
lines, whereas in fact they do not. If the Society man to go to the spot and study the question, write<br />
of Authors can teach its members not to make the book upon it at his leisure, and when the year<br />
improvident bargains, it will justify its existence is up the book is ready-the standard up-to-date<br />
and the trade will not mind, for when the Society work upon the question before the world. The<br />
has done its utmost and settled an absolutely author receives the fee agreed upon, and ranks as<br />
equitable agreement, there will still be enough left the authority upon the subject; it is his own fault<br />
for the publisher to make his profit out of if there is if, having thus become a specialist, he derives no<br />
really any money in the book; if he does not think further advantage from his learning; the publisher<br />
so, the chances are that the agreement is not abso- receives the profits, to every farthing of which he<br />
lutely equitable; but in any case he can decline is in equity entitled. For some of us who write it<br />
to complete the matter, and the negotiations can is an alarming thought that the publisher should<br />
be broken off without anybody being a penny the have so many of us from whom to select. What-<br />
worse.<br />
ever difficulty there may be in hitting upon fresh<br />
The first point, then, is that publishers make subjects for books, there is none in finding authors<br />
their fortunes by sticking to their trade, not by competent to write them : competent authors are<br />
robbing improvident geniuses, and I do not think very common objects of the strand.<br />
it will be seriously questioned. The second point However all this may be, the amount of work<br />
is possibly more contentious. It is that most of suggested to and commissioned from authors by<br />
the literary ventures to which authors are indebted publishers is very large, and represents an ever-<br />
for so much remunerated employment nowadays increasing sum of money. I only pu: forward these<br />
are originated by the trade. From the “Dictionary notes, which owe their origin to a chance conversa-<br />
of National Biography,” down to the latest penny tion, in the hope that in any future computation of<br />
series, whatever it may be, the originating idea as the mutual indebtedness of authors and publishers,<br />
well as the financial support necessary to maintain this liability of the art to the trade may not be<br />
the scheme during the interval between its con- omitted. If the obligation exists, authors will only<br />
ception and its development into success ought add to their reputation for courtesy and honour by<br />
most commonly to be credited to the “trade." It making frank and generous acknowledgment of the<br />
is possible that one explanation of this lies in the debt.<br />
fact that authors are not, as a rule, moneyed folk,<br />
and lacking means to put their ideas into execution<br />
for themselves, allow them to remain latent rather<br />
than incur the risk of having them stolen. But it<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 210 (#618) ############################################<br />
<br />
210<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS.*<br />
method, and finds that his great power lies in his<br />
intense local feeling. Scott could scarcely admire<br />
a landscape that was innocent of legend ; but, as<br />
TN the preface to his volume, Mr. Henry A.<br />
Stevenson saw, he was intensely alive to the human<br />
Beers has admitted, or perhaps one should<br />
possibilities of the lonely moor, the weather-beaten<br />
rather say, has boasted, that he has used the<br />
term<br />
inn, the dark, sea-lashed shore where the smugglers<br />
“ Romanticism” in its narrower sense ;<br />
landed, or the mountain side where the fiery cross<br />
regarding it as connoting only the revival of the<br />
flared. “Background,” says Mr. Beers, “was the<br />
style of mediæval Christian and popular literature.<br />
important thing in his novels.” Background,<br />
“Every writer," he says, " has a right to make his<br />
indeed, is the key-note of all the music of romance.<br />
own definitions”-a dangerous assertion, surely, in<br />
“ Point de salut sans la couleur locale," writes<br />
an age when few people are clever enough to avoid<br />
Prosper Merrimée, and Mr. Beers admits that “the<br />
authorship-but apparently Mr. Beers disdains to<br />
picturesque, while by no means the highest of the<br />
trust in himself, for immediately afterwards he<br />
tells us that he prefers “the simple dictionary<br />
literary arts, is a perfectly legitimate one.” But<br />
he forgets that the picturesque is not merely an<br />
definition ” to any more pretentious explanations.<br />
appeal to the sense of curiosity, it is an appeal<br />
Mr. Beers is doubtless perfectly in the right when<br />
to the sense of beauty also. “Why," he asks,<br />
he asserts that mediævalisin is the inost charac-<br />
“does the picturesque tourist (sic), in general,<br />
teristic element of Romanticism, but it is not an<br />
object to the substitution of naphtha launches for<br />
essential ; the romantic spirit, as Pater has said,<br />
gondolas on the Venetian canals ? Perhaps,<br />
only sought the Middle Age because, in its over-<br />
because the more machinery is interposed between<br />
charged atmosphere, the qualities of curiosity and<br />
man and the thing he works ou, the more imper-<br />
the love of beauty could best be illustrated. The<br />
sonal becomes his nature.” But, surely, the<br />
“Romantic Revival” was not an atavistic movement,<br />
objection in this case is purely aesthetic ; a naphtha<br />
but a renaissance ; a macabe renaissance, perhaps,<br />
launch is ugly, a gondola is lovely; that is all.<br />
but still a definite return to the literature of human<br />
Mr. Beers' explanation is far too ingenious, and we<br />
emotion, and a definite protest against formal tra-<br />
would remind him that tourists are not necessarily<br />
dition and didacticism. Mr. Beers is unashamed,<br />
picturesque because they are in search of that<br />
and rightly unashamed, that his definition excludes P<br />
Cowper, Wordsworth, and Shelley ; but does he feel<br />
quality.<br />
9<br />
Space forbids us to do more than make a mere<br />
no pang of regret for “Wuthering Heights"?<br />
allusion to Mr. Beers' careful catalogue of the works<br />
The characteristic element of Romanticism, we<br />
that influenced Scott. His genius was essentially<br />
admitted, is the mediæval; but the essential<br />
chthonic ; he owed little to the German ballads<br />
element is quite distinct from it, and may be found<br />
that he loved in his youth, or to Tasso, Ariosto,<br />
in a work so “unromantic” as the Bacchæ of<br />
and Pulci; but everything to such books as Percy's<br />
Euripides, and in the Odyssey of Homer-an<br />
“ Reliques" und Macpherson's “Ossian.” He was<br />
epic whose romantic quality even Mr. Beers admits..<br />
The desire for the strange, the mysterious, the<br />
always a historian, and his wildest tales were con-<br />
nected with definite places. His influence on the<br />
haunting, finds its satisfaction in the spirit of any<br />
age of the world's history—is, in fact, an inseparable<br />
romantic movement in Germany, and on the latest<br />
adjunct of life itself, and may be traced from<br />
revolt in France that began with “ Hernani” and<br />
Æschylus down to the last foolish novel of our<br />
the gilet rouge of the admirable Gautier, cannot<br />
be over-estimated ; and though he cared little for the<br />
commonplace epoch.<br />
But it is scarcely necessary to attack Mr. Beers<br />
literary conflict that waged around the claims of<br />
Pope to a place on Parnassus, a conflict which Mr.<br />
on what is, after all, greatly a question of nomencla-<br />
Beers discusses admirably in his second chapter, and,<br />
ture. He has added to our somewhat unremarkable<br />
indeed, never posed as a high priest of the move-<br />
collection of literary histories a work that is both<br />
ment at all, yet his position in Europe was certainly<br />
scholarly and interesting, and has fortunately not<br />
as important as that of Hugo in the France of<br />
been afraid to pass beyond the limits of his “ dic-<br />
the thirties.<br />
tionary definition,” as, for instance, when he deals<br />
Mr. Beers' study of Romanticism in Germany<br />
with the influence of the old Norse Sagas on William<br />
cleverly elucidates an age terribly bewildering to<br />
Morris. Realising that there is one man towards<br />
the ordinary reader. He has emphasised the great<br />
whom all the lines of the eighteenth century romantic<br />
truth that whereas in England and in France the<br />
movement converge, Walter Scott, he has devoted<br />
romantic revival was mainly a literary movement,<br />
his first chapter to a careful exposition of his<br />
in Germany it extended to philosophy and theology,<br />
and was, indeed, an upheaval of the whole fabric<br />
* " History of Romanticism in the Nineteenth Century,"<br />
of national thought. Even its purely literary side<br />
by Henry A. Beers. (London : Kegan, Paul.)<br />
was deeply tinged with mysticism, and it affected<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 211 (#619) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
211<br />
the other arts, causing a movement in painting the history of our literature, and though, as he<br />
analogous to that of our own Pre-Raphaelites, and says in his preface, he regards the writers whom<br />
sowing the seeds of the music dramas of Wagner. he describes from the single point of view that is<br />
Through Coleridge, and later, through Carlyle, indicated by his title, it is obvious that he possesses<br />
German romance invaded England a second time ; aesthetic as well as historical judgment.<br />
but as Mr. Beers points out, this invasion was of<br />
Sr. J. L.<br />
far less importance than the irruption in the days<br />
of Bürger and Götz, and Monk Lewis and the<br />
youthful Scott. In 1820 our romanticism was a<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
native growth that flourished healthily. The French<br />
romantic movement, so charmingly chronicled in THE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY BUREAU.<br />
Gautier's“Histoire de Romantisme,”and caricatured<br />
TO THE EDITOR OF The Author.<br />
in his “ Jeune France," was in its most important<br />
aspect a revolt against outworn academic tradition,<br />
Mr. John Samson, editor of the South American<br />
and a return to the realism of the Renaissance<br />
Journal, and director of the “ International<br />
rather than a revival of the Middle Age. “Hernani,"<br />
Literary Bureau," at Dashwood House, 9, New<br />
however, the bolt that slew the classicists, not only<br />
Broad Street, E.C., desires to intimate that as it<br />
deliberately violated every rule of Racine, but<br />
has been pointed out to him that the title he<br />
had for its subject the chivalric stock-in-trade of<br />
originally adopted-namely, “ The International<br />
Spanish romance; and long before Chateaubriand<br />
Literary Agency of London ”-might lead to con-<br />
had uttered the romantic note that Byron after-<br />
fusion with that of the “ Literary Agency of<br />
wards reiterated so loudly. The movement in<br />
London," of 5, Henrietta Street, W.C., he has<br />
France was influenced by England and by Germany;<br />
decided to alter it as above.<br />
its counter-influence was not apparent in England<br />
JOHN SAMSON.<br />
until much later. Though purely artistic, it was<br />
Dashwood House, E.C.,<br />
taken very seriously by the French, who, in spite<br />
22nd March, 1902.<br />
of their volatile nature, seem always to realise the<br />
importance of art. If an academy of letters has<br />
no other use, at least it serves to lend weight to<br />
EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS.<br />
the revolt against its own pompous authority.<br />
Having examined Romanticism abroad, Mr.<br />
SIR,—Should it not have occurred to “ Editor"<br />
Beers returns to pick up its threads in England. (p. 184 of Author for April) that he might have<br />
As he says, there is scarcely a poet since Keats appended a note to the article in question, stating<br />
who has not been romantic in at least one of his that the author's address had been lost, and asking<br />
poems. This list (in spite of that dictionary defi him to communicate again ? An obvious expe-<br />
nition) is too long for comment. A movement dient of this kind is, as a rule, easily hit upon,<br />
towards Mediævalism is too borně to end otherwise when it is a question of claiming, instead of paying<br />
than sadly, and the thought of the crowd of those money.<br />
who imitated imitation is depressing. But though<br />
the form to which Mr. Beers is bound by his defini-<br />
J. F. MUIRHEAD.<br />
tion has expired, let us hope for ever, the fine spirit<br />
of romance, which he affects to regard as secondary to<br />
mediævalism, can never die. It is not in such work<br />
EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS.<br />
as “ The Forest Lovers ” that we must seek it, but<br />
II.<br />
ratherin“A Shropshire Lad”and“ Richard Feverel." SIR, -As your correspondent in the April number<br />
Space has forbidden us to comment on Mr. Beers' justly observes or suggests, the path of the Editor<br />
excellent criticism of Keats, and his exposition of is not always strewn with roses. He puts forward<br />
Byron's attitude in the Pope controversy. His one incident; let us consider another. An author<br />
study of the art of the pre-Raphaelites is most unsolicited forwards me MSS. to the office. After<br />
convincing; he has emphasised the relations the lapse of a few days, perhaps a week, a letter is<br />
between the Oxford movement and Romanticism, received complaining that no decision has been<br />
and shown how William Morris's socialism and come to.<br />
love of the Middle Age were connected. The neo- The Editor is human. He is annoyed, and<br />
Celtic school he regards with interest, apparently, returns the MSS. by almost the next post. Another<br />
but he has not learnt that their high priest is called batch of MSS. arrives from the same quarter. As<br />
William. J. B. Yeats is the name of the clever the Editor's annoyance, for he is still human, has<br />
artist who illustrated “The Secret Rose.” Mr. not worn off, he puts the MSS. aside. The author<br />
Beers' book, in fine, is a valuable contribution to commences to write. His first letter is generally<br />
Yours,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 212 (#620) ############################################<br />
<br />
212<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
promptly answered, but it is impossible to reply to question which may result in a good deal of litiga-<br />
the many letters that follow.<br />
tion, and I cannot do better than illustrate it by a<br />
The Editor is full of good intentions, and is case in which I am interested. A book of mine,<br />
hoping daily to get time to peruse the author's which still has a steady sale, was published some<br />
invaluable productions, but everyletter in the well- eight years ago. The price was mentioned in the<br />
known hand rouses his temper a little more and agreement, and the royalty was, of course, also<br />
postpones the issue.<br />
mentioned. The book was then pubiished at 58. 6d.<br />
At last the importunate author appeals to your The publisher of this book has recently adopted<br />
Society, and a politely-worded letter is the result, the new system, publishing all his books at net<br />
asking for a notification of acceptance or for the prices, and my book now appears at 5s. 6d. net,<br />
return of the MSS.<br />
which is a higher price than before. I believe he<br />
The Editor, ever ready to grant a polite answer had no right to thus raise the price without my<br />
to a polite communication, returns the MSS. and consent, and he declines to pay any larger som in<br />
the incident closes.<br />
respect of royalties per volume than he has hitherto<br />
Some day I hope it may be possible for me to been paying, though his profit is greater, and the<br />
record fully my many experiences, in your valuable public pay more. I am fairly confident that his<br />
paper.<br />
contentions are legally unsound, and as the question<br />
Do not, however, wait for that event, but hasten is one which must be of importance to many authors,<br />
to obtain the expression of the views of some other I trust the opinion of the legal advisers of the<br />
Editors of more importance than those of<br />
Society will be obtained upon it and published in<br />
Yours truly,<br />
The Author.<br />
ANOTHER EDITOR.<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
John BICKERDYKE.<br />
STANDARD RULES FOR PRINTING.<br />
Gurnard, Cowes, Isle of Wight,<br />
I have now received from the printer copies of<br />
April 21st, 1902.<br />
my attempt to codify the best typographical<br />
customs in use at the present day. It deals<br />
THE INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS.<br />
so far only with those matters which come under<br />
London District.<br />
the heading of the letter A, and is a development of<br />
the Oxford “ Rules for Compositors and Readers,"<br />
DEAR SIR,—The Coronation Ceremonies Sub-<br />
Committee desire to make arrangements for, and<br />
and of the correspondence which resulted from my<br />
article in the January number of The Author for 1902.<br />
assist in every possible way, those colonial and<br />
American journalists who may be coming to London<br />
It runs to eighty-eight pages in length, and is<br />
on professional work in connection with the<br />
printed with a single column only on each page, Coronation. With a view to obtaining the names<br />
so that ample margins are left for remarks.<br />
of these journalists, so that they may have no<br />
I shall be pleased to forward a copy to any one<br />
who may be sufficiently interested in the matter to<br />
difficulty in being brought into touch with us, and<br />
go carefully through it, and who will subsequently<br />
thus securing whatever assistance and introduc-<br />
tions we are able to give them, I beg on behalf of<br />
send ine their remarks and criticisms.<br />
tbe Sub-Committee to ask you to be kind enough<br />
F. HOWARD COLLINS.<br />
to give publicity to the following paragraph.<br />
Iddesleigh, Torquay.<br />
Yours very faithfully,<br />
RICHARD S. NORTHCOTT,<br />
AUTHORS' ROYALTIES ON NET BOOKS.<br />
District Hon. Secretary.<br />
SIR,— A question of great importance has arisen<br />
18th April, 1902.<br />
in connection with the general adoption of the net<br />
system by publishers and booksellers. Under the Colonial and American journalists who may be<br />
net system a book published at 10s. is charged at coming to London on professional work in connec-<br />
a higher price, both to the bookseller and to the tion with the Coronation ceremonies, are requested<br />
public, than is a book published at 10s, under the to communicate with Mr. Richard Northcott, 78,<br />
old system. The publishers, however, seem very Fleet Street, E.C. A Sub-Committee has been<br />
much disposed to pay authors exactly the same authorised by the London District of the Institute<br />
royalties, whether the book is published on the old of Journalists to assist these gentlemen in every<br />
system or on the new, though the profits in the possible way, and to facilitate matters, visitors<br />
former case are greater than in the latter.<br />
should state the name of the journal they represent,<br />
With regard to new books, authors can make and the probable date of their arrival in the<br />
their own arrangements, but there is a more serious metropolis.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 212 (#621) ############################################<br />
<br />
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| 354 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/354 | The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 11 (June 1902) | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+12+Issue+11+%28June+1902%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 11 (June 1902)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1902-06-01-The-Author-12-11 | | | | | 213–236 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=12">12</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1902-06-01">1902-06-01</a> | | | | | | | 11 | | | 19020601 | The Elu tbor.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
VOL. XII.-No. 11.<br />
JUNE 1, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
PAGE<br />
226<br />
213<br />
226<br />
228<br />
228<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
Notices ....<br />
213<br />
The Reading Branch ... ... ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors<br />
Authorities ... ... ...<br />
From the Committee ...<br />
After Sunset<br />
214<br />
...<br />
..<br />
... ***<br />
Book and Play Talk<br />
215<br />
Literary Provluction in England ...<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property ...<br />
210<br />
Two Americans...<br />
S... ... ...<br />
The Annual Dinner ...<br />
218<br />
William Black: a Biography<br />
Patchwork Legislation and Musical Performing Right<br />
219<br />
The Obligations of Art to Trade ... ...<br />
Tauchnitz Editions<br />
".. .. ... ... ... ... 221<br />
A Page from a German Publisher's Advertisements<br />
Bricks and Mortar ...<br />
223<br />
Romantic Germany... ...<br />
General Memoranda ...<br />
225<br />
The Literary Side of President Roosevelt ...<br />
Warnings to Dramatic Authors<br />
225<br />
How to Use the Society<br />
Correspondence... ... ... ... ... ...<br />
230<br />
::::::<br />
231<br />
232<br />
232<br />
233<br />
234<br />
235<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT.<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL<br />
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD CURZON ! THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD AVE OF KEDLESTON.<br />
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE.<br />
BURY, P.C.<br />
AUSTIN DOBSON.<br />
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.<br />
J. M. BARRIE.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
A. W. 2 BECKETT.<br />
A. W. DUB0UᎡG.<br />
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E. Rose.<br />
CLERE<br />
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| J. M. LELY.<br />
| MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.<br />
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COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.<br />
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d. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
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FRANCIS STORR.<br />
S.Jitme (FIELI), ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W.<br />
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING<br />
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<br />
## p. 212 (#624) ############################################<br />
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THE ISLE OF WIGHT.<br />
THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.<br />
THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORFOLK BROADS.<br />
BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY.<br />
BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY.<br />
BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS.<br />
ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY.<br />
MALVERN, HEREFORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER.<br />
LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES.<br />
BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE.<br />
LLANDUDNO, RHYL, BANGOR, CARNARVON, ANGLESEA.<br />
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The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Jonthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.–No. 11.<br />
JUNE 1ST, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
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0 10<br />
1 1<br />
0 5<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
6<br />
(0)<br />
0<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 214 (#626) ############################################<br />
<br />
214<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
Ta meeting of the Committee held on Monday,<br />
| May 12th, it was decided to close the office<br />
of the Society on Saturday, June 28th-<br />
the Saturday following the Coronation holidays.<br />
The sanction of the editors has been in many<br />
cases obtained to the form and substance of the<br />
insertion, and where this is the case a note to that<br />
effect has been appended.<br />
Three hundred copies of the revised edition<br />
have been printed, and are now for sale at the<br />
offices of the Society. The price is 6d. a cops.<br />
As the pamphlet cannot fail to be of use to all<br />
those who contribute to magazines, the Committee<br />
trust there will be no difficulty in disposing of this<br />
number.<br />
Canadian Copyright.<br />
THE Committee consider that the time has now<br />
arrived to make a full statement of their action<br />
with regard to Canadian copyright.<br />
They take this step as there appears to be mis-<br />
understanding of their position by certain trade<br />
associations in Canada which are not in sympathy<br />
with certain aspects of the Imperial view of the<br />
copyright question.<br />
Since the refusal of the Canadian Government to<br />
collect the royalties under the Foreign Reprints<br />
Act, and since the passing of the Canadian Act of<br />
1900, an Act which gives to the Canadian pub-<br />
lisher security of contract when trading with the<br />
English author, the Committee have advocated no<br />
alteration in the status quo.<br />
It was in order to place before the Canadian<br />
authorities the views of the Committee, and in<br />
order to throw the weight of the Society's in-<br />
fluence on the side of a just and liberal policy,<br />
as opposed to the narrow trade issue of a printing<br />
clause, that the Committee sent Mr. Thring, the<br />
Secretary of the Society, to Canada in 1898.<br />
His efforts were advantageously forwarded by<br />
Mr. Gilbert Parker, a member of the Authors'<br />
Society Committee, and in 1900 an Act was<br />
passed which effectually secured those points for<br />
which the Committee had been struggling.<br />
The Committee desire a free and untrammelled<br />
copyright, unbampered by trade restrictions of<br />
printing, licensing, and Government-collected<br />
royalties. Firstly, for the benefit of Canadians<br />
and Canadian literature, and, secondly, for the<br />
protection of the property of the authors in the<br />
United Kingdom and the Empire at large.<br />
To put forward anything else would be in the<br />
interests of a system of copyright legislation<br />
destructive to international agreement, and<br />
analogous to the legislation of the 18th century,<br />
prior to the existence of any international agree-<br />
ment with regard to copyright.<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
Since the last issue of The Author, the Secretary<br />
has dealt with ten cases.<br />
Of these, five referred to the return of MSS.,<br />
two were claims for money, one for breach of<br />
contract, and two for the rendering of accounts.<br />
Of the cases taken up in previous months there are<br />
still four unsettled. Of these, three claims are for<br />
money due ; but as two are against a bankrupt<br />
magazine, it is probable that the authors will<br />
obtain nothing. The third case is in course of<br />
satisfactory settlement, and a substantial offer has<br />
been obtained from the other side.<br />
Three of the cases taken in hand during the<br />
past month have already terminated in favour of<br />
the author.<br />
Since the beginning of the year, eighty-nine<br />
members and associates have been elected to the<br />
Society. The last election registered eleven<br />
members and five associates.<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
The Besant Memorial now stands as follows :-<br />
Up to the end of February subscrip-<br />
tions were received, according to the<br />
long list already issued, amounting to. £293 4 0<br />
During the months of March, April,<br />
and May the subscriptions received<br />
amounted to . . . . . 31 11 6<br />
Total ... £324 15 6<br />
Subscriptions received during March and April.<br />
Anonymous . . . . . £1 1 0<br />
Champneys, Basil .<br />
“ Colonia,” Natal, S. Africa<br />
1 1 0<br />
Fife Cookson, Lt.-Col. F. C.<br />
1 1 0<br />
Gunter, Lt.-Col. E. A. .<br />
0 10 0<br />
Harding, Capt. Claud, R.N.<br />
1 0 0<br />
Hurry, A. . .<br />
0 10 6<br />
Keary, C. F. (amount not to be men-<br />
tioned)<br />
Kinns, The Rev. Samuel, D.D. . . . ā 0<br />
Magazines and Contributors.<br />
THE inset in the January number of The<br />
Author, entitled “Periodicals and their contri.<br />
butors," has been considerably enlarged and<br />
republished by order of the Committee.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 215 (#627) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
215<br />
·<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
·<br />
.<br />
· ·<br />
er oororo<br />
.<br />
.<br />
·<br />
.<br />
· ·<br />
.<br />
.<br />
·<br />
.<br />
·<br />
.<br />
·<br />
Millais, J. G.<br />
• 1 ( 0) expects to get it finished in preliminary form, and<br />
Quiller Couch, Miss M.<br />
0 5 0 the first pripting done, sometime in June. It will<br />
Sterry, J. Ashby .<br />
1 1 0 then undergo two different revisions -one for each<br />
Temple, Lieut.-Col. R. C.<br />
1 1 0 number as it comes out, and the other before it<br />
Underdown, Miss E.<br />
0 - 0 finally appears in book form.<br />
Lockyer, Sir T. Norman<br />
2 2 A translation of " Eleanor” is appearing as the<br />
Beale, Miss Mary .<br />
0 2 feuilleton in the Giornale d'Italia. It is at<br />
Bolam, Rev. C. E. .<br />
0 5 0 present uncertain when the dramatised version of<br />
Egbert, Henry . .<br />
0 5 0<br />
* Eleanor” will be produced.<br />
16 Floone" willen<br />
Eccles, Miss O'Connor<br />
1 1 0<br />
Mr. Arthur Morrison's new novel, “ The Hole in<br />
Darwin, Francis .<br />
1 1 0<br />
the Wall,” is to be published in the autumn. by<br />
Campbell-Montgomery, Miss F. F. 1. 1 0<br />
Messrs. Methuen & Co., and in America by<br />
Medlecott, Cecil<br />
0 10 6<br />
Maclure, Phillips & Co. It is a story of London<br />
Saxby, Mrs. .<br />
1 1 0<br />
life. The scene is laid in Wapping and Ratcliff<br />
Caine, T. H. Hall .<br />
10 0 0<br />
Highway, with the docks and river, about thirty-<br />
Marris, Miss Murrell<br />
0 5 0<br />
five years ago, when that neighbourhood was one of<br />
S. B.<br />
0 5 0<br />
the most picturesque in the world, despite its squalor.<br />
Bloomfield, J. H. .<br />
1 0 0<br />
F. 0. B. (Coventry).<br />
“ Fuel of<br />
0 5 0<br />
Fire," Miss Ellen Thorneycroft<br />
Seton-Karr, H. W..<br />
1 0 0<br />
Fowler's new novel, is to be published in book<br />
Heriot, Cheyne<br />
( 5 0<br />
form at 6s. next October, by Messrs. Hodder and<br />
Charley, Sir W. T.,<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Stoughton.<br />
Mr. Louis Zangwill has been working at a long<br />
novel entitled “One's Womenkind,” which will<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK,<br />
probably be published in the autuin.<br />
There is a strong article in the May number of<br />
The New Liberal Review by Mr. I, Zangwill under<br />
“ CYEVEN Years' Legislation " is the title given<br />
the title “ Why Jews Succeed.” He begins by<br />
O by Mr. J. M. Lely to the just published<br />
saying, “I welcome the task of answering this<br />
supplemental and fourteenth volume of the<br />
question, Why Jews Succeed, if only for the<br />
fifth edition of “ Chitty's Statutes of Practical<br />
opportunity of explaining that they do not.”<br />
Utility” (Sweet & Maxwell, Limited ; Stevens &<br />
Sons, Limited). It contains more than two hundred<br />
Mr. John Huntly Skrine, Warden of Glenalmond,<br />
and author of "A Memory of Edward Thring,"<br />
Acts, from 1895 to 1901, both inclusive.<br />
“Joan the Maid,” etc., etc., has just published a<br />
The Acts selected and annotated include the<br />
volume entitled “Pastor Agnorum : A School-<br />
Friendly Societies Act, 1896 ; the Workmen's<br />
master's Afterthoughts” (Longmans, 58. net).<br />
Compensation Acts of 1897 and 1900 ; the Bene-<br />
fices Act, the Criminal Evidence Act, and the<br />
Mr. Foster Fraser's new work, “ The Real<br />
Vaccination Act of 1898; the London Govern-<br />
Siberia,” has just been published by Messrs.<br />
ment Act of 1899; the Commonwealth of Australia<br />
Cassell & Co. It contains eighty-seven illustra-<br />
Constitution Act : the Companies Act, and the tions from photographs.<br />
Agricultural Holdings Act of 1900 ; and the Civil The serial rights of Mr. G. S. Layard's novel.<br />
List Act of 1901. The work is a consolidation, "Rupert the Mummer," have been purchased by<br />
with additional notes up to date, of the seven Messrs. Pearson.<br />
annual issues which followed the publication of the Miss Jetta S. Wolff, author of “Les Français<br />
fiſth edition in 1894.<br />
en Ménage,” “Les Français en Voyage," etc., etc.,<br />
In the Preface attention is drawn to the curious and of the recently-published novel, “No Place<br />
facts that the Ballot Act and about 100 other Acts for Her," has just brought out a third volume of<br />
are still temporary only; and that our twice- the series illustrative of French life and language.<br />
revised Statute Book still treats Calais as part of It gives a succession of scenes from child-life in<br />
England, still consigns perjurers to the pillory (to France, under the title “Français pour les tous-<br />
which they are to have both their ears pailed), and petits.” Like the preceding volumes, it is<br />
Sunday traders to the stocks; and is still in admirably illustrated by Mr. W. Foster (Edward<br />
various other ways strangely in conflict with Arnold, is.).<br />
modern legislative views.<br />
Miss Rosa Nouchette Carey's new novel is to be<br />
Mrs. Humphry Ward is still at work on her new published in the autumn by Messrs. Macmillan.<br />
novel, “ Lady Rose's Daughter,” which has begun The same publishers have just issued a sixpenny<br />
to appear in Harper's this month. Mrs. Ward edition of Miss Carey's first novel, “ Nettie's<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 216 (#628) ############################################<br />
<br />
216<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
ixpenny seringillan, and added een purchased by<br />
Memories.” It has been abridged by Miss H. M. Queen,” published by Mr. Edward Arnold, bas<br />
Burnside, the poetess.<br />
just been produced by Messrs. Appleton & Co. in<br />
“ Other People's Lives," another of Miss Carey's America. The New York Press have given it<br />
novels, which was formerly in the hands of Messrs. good reviews.<br />
Hodder & Stoughton, has been p:irchased by In a recent interview (" The Young Man ") Dr.<br />
Messrs. Macmillan, and added to the three-and- Garnett speaks hopefully of the literary future.<br />
sixpenny series of Miss Carey's works.<br />
He does not think that there is any decline in the<br />
In her new novel, “ The Blood Tax: A Military proportion of students of the best literature. The<br />
Romance,” Dorothea Gerard deals with the spread of culture is preparing the taste of the<br />
question of conscription. The authoress, whose people for something better, and the demand for<br />
real name is Madame Longard de Longgarde, is higher quality will produce those capable of satisfs-<br />
the wife of an Austrian officer, and as such she ing the demand. The writers of to-day are paving<br />
has had special opportunities of studying the<br />
opportunities of studying the the way for the approach of a grander and more<br />
various Continental military systems at close<br />
brilliant literature than has hitherto been known.<br />
quarters. Messrs. Hutchinson & Co. are the Miss Mary Cholmondeley has nearly completed<br />
publishers.<br />
a new novel. Miss Cholmondeley is a most pains-<br />
- “ The Night Side of London," by Mr. Robert taking writer, every sentence being carefully<br />
Machray, consists of a series of sketches describing weighed, and if necessary rewritten.<br />
London night life, and it is illustrated with about The first edition of Mr. Aylmer Maude's book,<br />
a hundred original pictures by Tom Browne, “Tolstoy and His Problems," has been out of print<br />
R.I., R.B.A.<br />
for some time. A second and cheaper edition will<br />
This book has been in preparation for more shortly be issued by Mr. Grant Richards.<br />
than a year, and is a faithful record by pen and Mr. Richard Whiteing has written an introduc-<br />
pencil of things seen in London at night during tion for the new edition of “ No. 5, John Street,"<br />
1901—2. There is an édition de lure at one which Mr. Grant Richards is issuing as the first<br />
guinea. The price of the popular edition - the volume of a new three-and-sixpenny series of<br />
first impression consists of 10,000 copies—is 6s. select novels. The volume has been re-set from<br />
Mr. John Macqueen is the English publisher, and fresh type.<br />
Messrs. Lippincott are publishing it in America. We must not expect to see any drama from the<br />
Mr. Robert Cromie has published, through pen of Mr. Sydney Grundy produced this season.<br />
Messrs. Digby, Long & Co., a romance called “Pilkerton's Peerage” will be withdrawn at the<br />
“ A New Messiah.” The story is crowded with Garrick on June 6th. Mr. Arthur Bourchier will<br />
exciting incidents. Mr. Cromie is known as the produce a new comedy by Mrs. Craigie and Mr.<br />
author of “The Crack of Doom,”. “Kitty's Murray Carson, called “ The Bishop's Move."<br />
Victoria Cross,” “A Plunge into Space,” etc., etc.<br />
Early in October Messrs. Marlborough & Co.<br />
will publish a companion or supplement to Eastern<br />
guide-books, entitled, “Hints for Travellers in the LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
Near East.” It is written by Mr. E. A. Reynolds-<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
Ball, and it will contain all kinds of practical<br />
advice, hints, maxims, wrinkles (exploring, sport-<br />
Reduction of Postage on Authors' MSS.<br />
ing, medical, etc.), likely to be of use to those<br />
travelling in Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Egypt,<br />
CANADIAN, writing from the standpoint of<br />
Palestine, Greece, Malta, Cyprus and the Levant.<br />
a patriot and an Imperialist, brought forward<br />
“Horrors at Holmlands," by J. Harris Brig.<br />
this question in The Author—the question<br />
of reduced postage on MSS. From other motives<br />
house, a member of our Society, is a short,<br />
the American Authors' Society has prepared and<br />
exciting tale in pamphlet form. The mysteries<br />
brought forward a Bill before Congress. It has been<br />
have, we understand, a scientific solution.<br />
introduced by the Hon. Amos J. Cumming, and<br />
Mr. Hamilton Aïdė's new volume is a collection referred to the Committee on Post Offices and Post<br />
of seven little plays, called “We are Seven : Half Roads.<br />
Hours on the Stage, Grave and Gay.” One of The American Author says :<br />
these little pieces has been acted by Madame “ Perhaps there is nothing in which writers are so uni-<br />
Sarah Bernhardt; another has been played by versally interested as in this movement. The lengthening<br />
Mrs. Kendal, and another by Madame Modjeska. of the duration of copyright appeals only to the few who<br />
Mr. John Murray is the publisher.<br />
have been long in the field, and who tind the period of<br />
forty-two years insufficient for the full realisation of profit<br />
Miss Theodora Wilson - Wilson's “ T'Bacca from their classic productions, and to those who hope their<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 217 (#629) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
217<br />
efforts may live to be classic for the benefit of their the very essence of this case, that has been con-<br />
descendants.<br />
stantly brought before the members of the Society<br />
“ It is the young writer particularly who sees the fruit of :<br />
his toil eaten up, often before it is earned, by the amount<br />
in other forms and with a bearing on other matters.<br />
which he must expend for the frequent trips to be made It is essential in the publication of a book, in the<br />
by his manuscript before it reaches favourable consider. publication of an article in a magazine, in an<br />
ation, and is returned accompanied by the printed arrangement between an author and agent, in all<br />
reproduction.<br />
in the arguments in favour of the Bill are many, and it matters of business, to have a precise contract<br />
is difficult to think of any reasonable cause for opposition. clearly defined and clearly expressed. Fully half<br />
The postal revenues are large, and but for extensively the disputes that arise are due to this lack of<br />
subsidised star routes and many abuses of second-rate finality,<br />
matter, which might easily be remedied, there would be a<br />
.<br />
"M<br />
Mr. Heinemann, in the article he wrote for The<br />
namonn in the in<br />
considerable surplus revenue.<br />
" The question has been asked, How could the privilege Author some months ago with regard to agents,<br />
once granted be safeguarded ?<br />
said that the work done by an agent could be<br />
“ That a law may be violated is no reason why it should<br />
settled as easily by a solicitor. This statement we<br />
fail of enactment. The regulations of the Post Office<br />
Department now provide for the examination of all mail<br />
have grave reasons for doubting. Many contracts<br />
matter not sealed, and it would be easy, if necessary, to have come to the office settled by the ordinary<br />
formulate additional rules to prevent letter writers availing solicitor which were by no means final. There<br />
themselves of manuscript privileges; then, too, a severe<br />
were many omissions which might give rise to<br />
penalty would act as a deterrent.<br />
“ When accompanied by proof manuscripts are now<br />
difficulties and quarrels owing to the solicitor's<br />
carried at third-class rates—why not when alone ?<br />
ignorance of the technical side of copyright law<br />
"His manuscript is the author's merchandise. Why and publishing contracts.<br />
should he be discriminated against when all other mer Mr. Longman, at the same time, suggested that<br />
chandise goes for third-class rates ? England has seen her<br />
way clear to make this reduction, and many other foreign<br />
agents were useful in that they took away the<br />
countries have followed suit. They have been able to<br />
business part of the contract from the author, and<br />
prevent its abuse-why not the United States ?<br />
thus enabled the author and the publisher to meet<br />
. “Manuscript can be sent to, or returned from, publishers together on more friendly grounds, to discuss<br />
in foreign countries at third-class rates, why should it cost<br />
other questions dealing with the publication of<br />
more to send them from Dobbs Ferry to New York, or<br />
from point to point in the city? To send ten ounces of the book.<br />
manuscript to a publisher in England costs five cents. To We are inclined to agree with Mr. Longman.<br />
send it to one in Twenty-third Street costs twenty cents. Many authors go to publishers because they<br />
** An author must pay two postages on every manuscript<br />
know them personally.<br />
in<br />
to carry it to a publisher and bring it back if rejected, and<br />
this process is ordinarily repeated many times before the Some sort of contract is entered into either by<br />
final resting place is reached. On the other hand, the dry word of mouth or contained in a series of letters.<br />
goods stores deliver small packages of goods which are<br />
The exact terms are obscure, misty, and indefinite.<br />
The exact terms are obscure misty and<br />
handled but once, and pay but once, one cent for every Thors or omissions about which the author<br />
There are omissions about which the author<br />
two ounces. In the interests of fair play and justice, the<br />
change should be made, and now,<br />
knows nothing. He does not take advice, he is<br />
• Every one interested should unite with the Society in dealing with a friend. Even on some points that<br />
its effort for the benefit of the craft, and promptly impor- are clearly antagonistic to his interest he is silent.<br />
tune his, or her, representative in Congress to carry the Why? fe is dealing with a friend.<br />
measure through at this session."<br />
The result is often disastrous. The author,<br />
Whatever motive prompts those who are agitating perhaps, is dissatisfied on some minor question, and<br />
in this cause, this point is clear, that the greater finds that the contract is ill expressed. He loses<br />
facilities given to authors throughout the world faith in his friend's honesty, when as a matter<br />
for the transport of their MSS., the greater will be of fact with a little business precision at the<br />
the benefit to those who live by their pen.<br />
commencement everything might have been<br />
“ His MS. is the author's merchandise.” Cheap clear.<br />
transport of merchandise must benefit the producer. Something beyond mere honesty is desired on<br />
both sides in order to avoid disputes, namely, that<br />
everything should be settled on a business footing<br />
by those who understand the business. The<br />
Contracts.<br />
publisher, the editor, and the agent as a rule<br />
THE case of Fitzgerald 2. Newnes was decided understand the business, when, probably, the<br />
in the Courts at the end of April, and judgment author does not. The moral from the author's<br />
was given for the defendants.<br />
point of view is clear-<br />
There were many points in dispute bearing on (1). Have a thoroughly sound contract.<br />
literary property and the work of literary pro- (2). Hare some one who is thoroughly versed in<br />
ducers. These were fully set forth and discussed dealing with literary property to advise you on the<br />
in the judgment. There is one point, however, contract.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 218 (#630) ############################################<br />
<br />
218<br />
TJIE AUTHOR.<br />
Nett Prices.<br />
we do, where should we be, without the Society ?<br />
An article from the pen of Mr. Maclehose, of<br />
The chairman pointed out, with a passing gibe at<br />
Glasgow, on the above subject, was printed in<br />
the Academy of Letters, that, with the exception<br />
The Author of November, 1901. The American<br />
of the body he represented that evening, literature<br />
standpoint has been ably treated by Mr. Charles<br />
had no corporate existence. Time was when the<br />
Scribner, President of the American Publishers'<br />
individual author stood absolutely alone—a shorn<br />
Association.<br />
lamb exposed to the untempered wind. After a<br />
The American Author has had several interesting<br />
rapid and comprehensive review of the work of<br />
articles on the same subject, dealing with the<br />
the Society (in which he hinted that the com-<br />
methods employed in America for enforcing the<br />
mittee were not infrequently expected to perform<br />
system, and the success which has attended those<br />
impossibilities), he laid some stress upon the<br />
methods. To all authors, of whatever nationality,<br />
improved position to which this much-abused<br />
the welfare of the Booksellers—those who put their<br />
body had now attained. Serene in conscious merit,<br />
wares before the public is a matter of primary<br />
it could now afford to disregard insulting para-<br />
importance, and both in England and America<br />
graphs. It continued to fight—so long as it<br />
the nett system appears to have worked with<br />
existed it would continue to fight; but it was<br />
satisfactory results.<br />
noticeable that it could now afford to fight, so to<br />
speak, with more urbanity than before. It had no<br />
intention of relaxing its efforts in the cause of<br />
authors' rights, but certainly in the relations<br />
between author and publisher matters were now<br />
THE ANNUAL DINNER.<br />
more harmonious than they used to be. We<br />
understood Mr. Hawkins to say at this point that<br />
COME two hundred members and guests of the when he died the words “Canadian Copyright "<br />
D Society met together at the Hôtel Cecil on would be found engraved upon his heart.<br />
April 30 for the double purpose of discussing an The Committee, he complained once more, did<br />
excellent dinner, and of listening to some very their best, but could not always give satisfaction.<br />
admirably expressed after-dinner oratory. In fact, They were asked not only to shut the stable door<br />
the speeches were distinctly above the average. after the horse had been stolen, but even to<br />
Post-prandial eloquence is not commonly held to recover the steed and restore it to its careless<br />
be an English characteristic, but the Society of owner. What the committee really liked, he<br />
Authors is exceptionally fortunate in possessing explained, was a good, hard, dry point of law.<br />
in Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins a master of On such they had always hitherto scored successes.<br />
polished phrase who, whether he has anything of Mr. Hawkins concluded a very interesting speech<br />
importance to say or not, always says it in the with an eloquent appeal on behalf of the Pension<br />
best possible manner ; while it would be difficult Fund.<br />
to find in any country speakers more agreeably The composite toast of “Literature and the<br />
fluent and incisive than Mr. W. L. Courtney, Mr. Drama” was allotted to Mr. W. L. Courtney, who<br />
Pett Ridge, and Captain Marshall.<br />
opened by observing that cynics might say the<br />
After the customary loyal toasts, Mr. Hawkins two were strangers. However pleasant they might<br />
rose to explain his position in the chair and to sound in conjunction, it was rare to find them<br />
propose the health of the Society. We gathered comfortably mated in real life. In favour of<br />
that the committee of management, finding itself “Pilkerton's Peerage” he made a gracious excep-<br />
happy in the possession of an ideal chairman, had tion. Many flashes of epigram and paradox<br />
skilfully contrived a jesolution that the director decorated the remarks of the eminent critic who<br />
of its own councils for the time being should proposed this toast. Pessimism, par esemple, “the<br />
preside also at the annual dinner. In former occasional solace of age and the perpetual privilege<br />
years it had been the custom to pounce upon stray of youth.” He turned out his Pandora's Box of<br />
men of eminence-a practice that naturally gave giſts literary and dramatic, and was gratified by<br />
rise to envy and all uncharitableness. It was finding Anthony Hope at the bottom thereof. It<br />
perhaps a good sign, he modestly explained, that might be a paradox, but he thought literature and<br />
the Society felt itself able now to contemplate with the drama did meet, perhaps, in criticism : that is<br />
equanimity the selection of so undistinguished a to say, they joined readily enough in abusing the<br />
chairman as himself. By an easy transition he critic, as husband and wife, though apt to quarrel,<br />
passed on to review the work of the Society, will combine to repel any meddlesome intruder.<br />
founded twenty years ago by the eminent novelist Of critics in general he remarked that they<br />
and man of letters whose death last year still cast generally agreed upon two things—the very good<br />
a shadow over all who were present. What should and the very bad. An Eastern legend was quoted<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 219 (#631) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
219<br />
in support of the proposition that criticism was while besides Mr. Hawkins (chairman) and the<br />
one of the oldest of all professions. Adam's first other speakers mentioned above, the list also com.<br />
recorded remark (uttered presumably while naming prehended Mr. R. Garnett, Mr. A. Colquhoun, Sir<br />
his subjects) is said to have been, “ This is an Joshua Fitch, Mr. S. S. Sprigge, Mr. A. P. Graves,<br />
Ass.” The Oriental fable was provocative of much Mr. E. H. Lacon Watson, and Mr. G. Herbert<br />
laughter, as was also the story of a certain Thring, secretary.<br />
American dramatic critic who proposed that a<br />
performance of “Hamlet” which he had just<br />
witnessed should be utilised to solve the Shake- PATCHWORK LEGISLATION AND MUSICAL<br />
speare-Bacon controversy. “Open the tombs of<br />
PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
the two celebrated men,” he wrote, “and see which<br />
has turned in his grave.” Mr. Courtney's was per-<br />
(Continued.)<br />
haps the speech of the evening-excellently turned<br />
and full of humorous touches. He coupled with TN striking contrast to the condition of English<br />
his toast the names of Mr. Pett Ridge (literature) 1 copyright legislation, with its chaotic<br />
and Captain Marshall (drama).<br />
jumble of Acts, are the broad and simple<br />
The genial humorist who rose in reply affected principles governing French legislation on the<br />
to believe that the gentleman who arranged the same subject.<br />
toast-list invariably looked round for the least So far back as 1791 the importance of conserving<br />
eminent writer present to fill the position he now and protecting the performing right in that<br />
occupied. Nevertheless, so great a respect had he country was recognised and comprehensively<br />
for a self-confident manner and a sonorous voice dealt with by law, enabling the establishment<br />
that he believed, if the toast-master had called of a Society for the collection of royalties and<br />
upon him for a song and dance, he would have fees on dramatic works.<br />
complied to the best of his ability. As a fact, he This Society was established for the protection<br />
spoke at some length, fluently and with plenty of of the author's rights of dramatic performance,<br />
fun. Captain Marshall, who followed, delivered and the collection was limited to theatres only.<br />
a carefully prepared harangue in delightfully Outside such dramatic performance all frag-<br />
polished language. He had the air of reciting a ments of operas, symphonic music, light or classical<br />
written speech, which perhaps rather marred the music, dance music, songs, and chansonnettes<br />
effect of his deftly-turned periods ; but this was no could be freely sung in public without any<br />
doubt an illusion due to his excellent delivery. restriccion.<br />
Mr. A. W. à Beckett next proposed the guests There was suitable provision in the law of<br />
with extreme cheerfulness, taking occasion to France for their protection, but no effort had been<br />
introduce a story of a Highlander, out of compli- made to systematically control the rights of<br />
ment, no doubt, to Dr. Robert Farquharson, M.P., performance in musical compositions.<br />
who responded. The doctor spoke rapidly and composer could not by himself protect his<br />
vivaciously in reply, but so indistinctly that we performing rights, and in addition to that dis-<br />
failed to catch any of his remarks except a re-issue ability there was the opposition of publishers to<br />
of the time-honoured jest about Daniel in the lions contend against; so that before anything could be<br />
den. The health of the chairman was proposed done as regards the formation of a Society, it was<br />
by Mr. W. W. Jacobs, who was understood to necessary to obtain some decision from the French<br />
express a wish that Mr. A. H. Hawkins would in Tribunals to show that the law of 1791 applied to<br />
future confine himself to after-dinner speaking, performing rights of all musical works, whether<br />
and give less popular writers a chance. The dramatic or not.<br />
chairman returned thanks in a few suitable In 1818 two chansonnette writers were passing<br />
phrases, and the meeting slowly dissolved into the a café concert in the Champs Elysées, and catch-<br />
adjoining room.<br />
ing a few notes of a chansonnette of which they<br />
It was a successful evening, perhaps one of the were the authors, they decided to go in and hear it.<br />
pleasantest of the annual reunions held under thc The proprietor of the establishment claimed an<br />
auspices of the Society, and the speeches, as we admission payment of two francs from each of<br />
have indicated, were decidedly above the average. them. “But," said they, “it is our song and we<br />
Mr. Hawkins is always an admirable chairman. want to hear it.” “ That does not matter to me,”<br />
Among those present we noticed the names of replied the proprietor, “ you must either pay or<br />
Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler, “Helen Mathers,” go.” They paid, vowing that the disbursement of<br />
“ Rita," Mrs. Alec Tweedie, Mrs. Mona Caird, their four francs should be an expensive affair for<br />
Miss May Sinclair, Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, Mrs. R. him in the long run.<br />
Connor Leighton, representatives of the fair sex ; One of the song-writers in question, with the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 220 (#632) ############################################<br />
<br />
220<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
help of his collaborateur, another composer, and a catalogues, to create agencies and draft out a<br />
publisher, discussed the subject from a practical policy of administration capable of enabling the<br />
point of view, finally coming to an understanding work of the Society to be efficiently controlled in<br />
not to allow their works to be performed in future all its branches, and to secure its extension and<br />
at public places without their consent, which continued prosperity.<br />
would only be given on payment of a reasonable fee. This control was to extend to every form of<br />
The little committee of four obtained two other performing right which up to that time had been<br />
adherents, and a campaign was opened by inter unprotected, and to every class of establishment<br />
viewing the publishers in order to try and get that had hitherto compiled its programmes free of<br />
them to co-operate in the new undertaking. Pro- all restrictions ; to all forms of concerts, music.<br />
prietors of public places of entertainment were halls, public balls, musical societies, municipal<br />
interviewed in order to feel the ground in that entertainments, circuses, fragments of dramatic<br />
direction, and to find out the nature and strength works, and musical works in theatres, in which<br />
of the opposition which might bave to be encoun latter establishments the Dramatic Society (up to<br />
tered ; and opposition very speedily made itself that time) alone had collected fees.<br />
manifest, bitter and uncompromising, both from It was not easy to make it clear to the minds of<br />
entertainment managers and publishers.<br />
all public caterers that the Society had right on its<br />
Nothing daunted, however, the little band of side, and that it was fully justified in charging<br />
reformers struggled on, and in the course of the fees for the performance of the works of its<br />
years 1848, 1849, and 1850 actions were taken in members.<br />
the names of authors and composers against concert Violent opposition continued to be met with on<br />
and music hall entrepreneurs for unauthorised all sides, and during the first period of twenty<br />
performances.<br />
years actions at law were taken in every part of<br />
The various Tribunalsin every instance recognised France against concert promoters, proprietors of<br />
that the principle of the performing right con- café concerts, and of public balls. Each and all<br />
tained in the law of 1791 extended to all works had to be dealt with in turn, but with the result<br />
without distinction, whether dramatic or musical. that the Society, whose receipts for the year 1851-<br />
Strengthened by these decisions, the little group no 52 amounted to the small sum of 14,000 francs,<br />
longer hesitated, but it was not till 1851 that had increased in the year 1861-62 to 115,400<br />
owing to numerous new adherents, they became francs for the year.<br />
sufficiently important to think of forming a Society. The opposition of the theatrical managers was<br />
At that period, with the exception of one pub- very great, for although they had been in the habit<br />
lisher, Colombier, the music trade was stubbornly of paying fees for the dramatic works since 1789,<br />
hostile to the Society and the principle of the they could not understand why they should now<br />
reservation of the performing right. But in spite be made to pay for the works which had been per-<br />
of all opposition, the authors and composers held formed freely at their establishments before 1851.<br />
their meetings, drew up rules and regulations, and Many actions had to be taken before this opposition<br />
on the 31st of January, 1851, the Société des was finally laid to rest.<br />
Auteurs, Compositeurs et Editeurs de Musique, of As a result of the collection of fees at theatres<br />
France, was definitely established.<br />
by the new Society, authors of dramatic works<br />
The new Society had for its object the placing also hastened to become members.<br />
in common of the rights of the members.<br />
But all these results were not reached without<br />
By their adhesion to the rules of the Society, grave difficulties, inside the Society as well as out-<br />
the members made over their rights to it; this side of it, for the members had incessantly to<br />
was the only possible way to successfully establish encounter and combat the opposition of their<br />
a new form of property, and to appoint a Syn- publishers, and it required unceasing labour to<br />
dicat (or Board of Directors) having full and bring them little by little to look more favourably<br />
exclusive power in itself, or through its power of upon the subject of the reservation of the performing<br />
attorney, an agent-general, to authorise or forbid right.<br />
the public performance of the works of its mem. It was not till 1854 that the publishers at last<br />
bers, and to collect fees in France and abroad. gave way, and seeing that the authors and com-<br />
Since the 31st of January, 1851, the Society has posers were determined to control their performing<br />
been working regularly. It had from the start to rights, they agreed to become members of the<br />
provide for every contingency, to regulate every- Society,<br />
thing, to establish catalogues for the formation of The founders of the Society had already foreseen<br />
the repertoire, to distribute the fees among the and provided for this contingency, and the statutes<br />
inembers, to establish a system for the declaration of the Society admitted the publisher to a share of<br />
of works to the Society, to help to form the the revenues ; this explains how it came to be<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 221 (#633) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
221<br />
named the Society of Authors, Composers and<br />
Music Publishers."<br />
From year to year the receipts of the Society<br />
have steadily increased. The war of 1870–71 only<br />
produced a temporary break in the scale of pro-<br />
gress, and as figures are more eloquent than words,<br />
the best way to summarise the work of the Society<br />
will be to give the amounts of its revenue year by<br />
year from 1851 to 1900.<br />
ANNÉES SOCIALES<br />
DE 1851<br />
au 30 Septembre, 1900.<br />
TOTAUX<br />
DES<br />
Recettes brutes.<br />
10<br />
13<br />
Tre Année 1851-52<br />
1852–53<br />
1853–54<br />
1854–55<br />
1855–56<br />
1856–57<br />
1857-58<br />
1858-59<br />
1859—60<br />
1860-61<br />
11<br />
1861--62<br />
12<br />
1862-63<br />
1863-64<br />
14<br />
1864-65<br />
15<br />
1865-66<br />
1866–67<br />
1867-68<br />
18<br />
1868-69<br />
1869–70<br />
18704-71<br />
1871-72<br />
1872–73<br />
23<br />
1873-74<br />
24<br />
1874–75<br />
1875–76<br />
1876–77<br />
1877–78<br />
IIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
14.408 50<br />
24.689 75<br />
28.818 30<br />
40.789 85<br />
51.800 55<br />
64.953 45<br />
71.991 44<br />
96.678 72<br />
107.448 31<br />
115.434 67<br />
129.455 42<br />
148.830 12<br />
170.903 88<br />
200.776 19<br />
246.209 51<br />
294.775 49<br />
384.408 13<br />
360.110 12<br />
376.820 60<br />
203.717 64<br />
325.023 28<br />
412.191 41<br />
462.552 17<br />
505.534 45<br />
531.258 75<br />
562.656 37<br />
600.237 21<br />
It will be seen from the above that it took the<br />
Society thirty-five years, from 1851 to 1886, to<br />
reach the total collection of 1,000,000 francs in<br />
the year—i.e., £40,000 per annum, The Berne<br />
Convention coming into force in 1887, agencies<br />
were founded in such of the European countries as<br />
it was found possible to do so, and within the last<br />
fifteen years the Society has more than doubled<br />
that first million.<br />
The revenue for 1901-2 exceeded 2,500,000<br />
francs, or £100,000 for the year, a truly stupendous<br />
result when it is remembered that no capital has<br />
been furnished to bring it about. The Society has<br />
been from the first to the last self-supporting ; its<br />
only capital has been drawn from the fees collected.<br />
The enormous revenue of £100,000 per annum<br />
would represent the return on an invested capital<br />
of £2,000,000 sterling at five per cent. per annum.<br />
This magnificent sum may fairly be said to repre-<br />
sent at the very least the amount which English<br />
authors and composers permit their publishers to<br />
throw away annually in England, for there is no<br />
doubt that had a similar Society been established<br />
in England for the same period as in France, its<br />
annual revenue to-day would be equal to if not<br />
surpassing that of the French Society.<br />
Thanks to their powerful organisation, the<br />
Society has been strongly represented at all the<br />
International Congresses, and has been able to<br />
voice its opinions and make its influence felt to<br />
the benefit and the extension of international<br />
rights.<br />
Its immense revenue is regularly distributed<br />
quarterly and pro rata among all its members<br />
whose works have been performed in public during<br />
that period. A small percentage of the funds is<br />
put on one side annually as a pension fund. All<br />
members of twenty-five years' standing over sixty<br />
years of age are entitled to a pension, and there<br />
are now 168 bénéficiaires.<br />
There is also a fund for the relief of impecunious<br />
members and for medical aid.<br />
Since 1851 more than 40,000,000 francs, or over<br />
£1,600,000, has been collected, and if the income<br />
of this French Society continues to increase at its<br />
present rate, it bids fair before very long to exceed<br />
the entire revenue of the London publishing trade<br />
-an income earned without capital !<br />
ALFRED MOUL.<br />
- - -<br />
TAUCHNITZ EDITIONS.<br />
16<br />
17<br />
19<br />
20<br />
21<br />
22<br />
1878-79<br />
1879--80<br />
- du 16/3 au 30/9 1880<br />
701.028 74<br />
682.306 89<br />
376.023 46<br />
31<br />
35<br />
|||||||||||||||!!<br />
1880--81<br />
1881-82<br />
1882-83<br />
1883-84<br />
1884-85<br />
· 1885-86<br />
1886-87<br />
1887--88<br />
1888-<br />
1889 -90<br />
1890-91<br />
1891-92<br />
1892-93<br />
1893–94<br />
1894—95<br />
1895–96<br />
1896–97<br />
1897--98<br />
1898–99<br />
1899-1900<br />
812.678 02<br />
841.540 86<br />
882.771 74<br />
928.473 33<br />
990.419 08<br />
1.045.386 00<br />
1.057.315 88<br />
1.095.057 29<br />
1.212.735 51<br />
1.228.068 01<br />
1.382.798 94<br />
1.405.614 11<br />
1.518.130 06<br />
1.564.900 18<br />
1.624.883 51<br />
1.694.992 59<br />
1.734.775 73<br />
1.862.160 42<br />
2.017.570 61<br />
2. 234.347 81<br />
N<br />
HE prices that authors receive for their books<br />
1 in England from royalties and other methods<br />
of payment have, from time to time, been<br />
quoted in The Author, and compared with the<br />
profits obtained by the publisher.<br />
-<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 222 (#634) ############################################<br />
<br />
222<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
....<br />
...<br />
1450<br />
Sir Walter Besant has several times tabulated taken as the price paid to the most successful<br />
the profits of both parties, taking into account authors. The average price runs between £10<br />
large sales, small sales, large costs of production, and £25. Let us take £20 on which to base our<br />
small costs of production.<br />
calculations.<br />
Though these matters have been exhaustively<br />
Marks.<br />
dealt with, the questions of authors' other rights in £20 at 21 marks to the £ equals ... 420<br />
America, in translations and in Tauchnitz editions Publisher's profit on the sale of 3,000<br />
have never been tabulated on the same principle. copies<br />
The following statement, therefore, may afford Less average amount paid to author... 420<br />
some information to those authors who are selling<br />
their rights in the Tauchnitz editions of their<br />
Profit to the publisher ... ... 1030<br />
works.<br />
Even supposing that a certain amount of this<br />
Take the ordinary book of about 80,000 words. sum, say 10 per cent., be taken off for what is<br />
This would be produced from the Leipsig house<br />
commonly called "publisher's expenses, sundries,<br />
in one volume. At the lowest computation, 3,000<br />
&c.," there is still a profit to the publisher of over<br />
copies would be printed. The numerous markets twice the amount received by the author.<br />
covered by these books must be considered. They Authors should consider the position.<br />
circulate in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Take again the same example, only substitute<br />
Russia, from China to the North Sea, Egypt, £50 as the amount paid to the author instead of<br />
South America, and many other large book-buying £20. The following result is obtained :-<br />
countries. If we take, as a basis of calculation, an<br />
Marks.<br />
edition of 3,000 copies, the number may be safely<br />
£50 taking 21 marks to the £ ... 1050<br />
reckoned as a small edition.<br />
The cost of production of 3,000 copies, roughly Deducting this from the cost of production,<br />
reckoned, amounts to 1,400 marks (the roughness 1,400 marks, the balance in favour of the pub.<br />
is in the publisher's favour), and these 3,000 copies lisher is 350 marks, no mean return for the capital<br />
are sold to the trade (very few being sent out for invested.<br />
review) at the following prices :-<br />
It is not likely, however, that the book of an<br />
author whose reputation is so large as to be able<br />
Mark. Per Cent.<br />
to obtain a price of £50 for the Tauchnitz edition,<br />
Single copies on credit ...<br />
would only sell to the extent of 3,000 copies, or<br />
For ready money ...<br />
•05<br />
that only 3,000 copies would be printed.<br />
For 7 vols, at a time<br />
.95<br />
The next case to be considered occurs when an<br />
For 100 , „ ...<br />
edition of 5,000 copies is printed.<br />
For 500 , „ ..<br />
.85<br />
Roughly speaking the cost of production is 1,800<br />
marks. This is an excessive calculation, but we<br />
The same price rules when francs are paid, the<br />
only difference being that between the value of the<br />
gladly give the publisher the benefit of the<br />
difference.<br />
franc and the value of the mark.<br />
For instance-<br />
Taking the sale price of the book to be the<br />
Franc. Per Cent. same as in the former case,<br />
Marks.<br />
Single copies on credit<br />
•50<br />
5,000 copies will sell for... ... 4750<br />
The same for cash..<br />
.25<br />
For 7 copies<br />
•20<br />
Deducting the cost of production<br />
For 100 ,<br />
from the sales ... ... ... 1800<br />
For 500 ,,<br />
6<br />
Profit<br />
2950<br />
The average price, however, can be taken at<br />
Again reckoning the average price<br />
.95 marks, or in francs, 1.20.<br />
given to the author for the book 420<br />
An edition of 3,000 copies would therefore<br />
Profit to the Publisher ... ... 2530<br />
bring in -<br />
Reducing the same to £'s, about £120.<br />
2850<br />
If we take the author's remuneration at £50,<br />
Less cost of production ... 1400 the sum will work out as follows :-<br />
Marks.<br />
Profit ... ... ... 1450<br />
Profit by sale<br />
...<br />
2950<br />
To author of book<br />
1050<br />
The next point is the price that is given to<br />
English authors for these rights. £50 may be Profit to the publisher ...<br />
1900<br />
20<br />
.90<br />
...<br />
Marks.<br />
...<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 223 (#635) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
223<br />
Reducing it again to £'s, about £90.<br />
of figures, an author with a moderate reputation,<br />
One inore example.<br />
on the sale of 5,000 copies would obtain half of<br />
The cost of production of 10,000 copies is 2,950 marks, or 1,475 marks. These marks turned<br />
approximately 2,800 marks.<br />
into £'s would amount to £70 58., or between 30.<br />
The sale of the 10,000 copies at the average and 4d, a copy royalty on every copy sold ; 3d.<br />
price as before, ·95 marks, would bring in 9,500 a copy amounting accurately to £62 108., 4d.<br />
marks.<br />
a copy to £83 6s.<br />
Deduct from this the sum of 1,050 marks paid to In the case of the successful author the profits<br />
the author, a profit of 8,450 marks is left to the on the sale of an edition of 10,000 copies would<br />
publisher.<br />
amount, after the cost of production had been<br />
It is necessary now to sum up the question from deducted, to 4,750 marks, or £226—between 5d.<br />
the facts displayed in this article. On an edition and 6d. a copy on every copy sold. The royalty of<br />
of 3,000 copies, which may be reckoned when the 5d. a copy amounts to £208 68., a royalty of 6d. a<br />
huge extent of the Tauchnitz markets are taken copy to £250.<br />
into consideration, an average sale for an average As the figures in the cost of production and on the<br />
author, the profit to the publisher is 980 marks, sales of the books have been taken slightly in favour<br />
and the profit to the author is 420 marks.<br />
of the publisher, an author would not be asking by<br />
If erery advantage in the figures is given to any means too high a figure if he demanded 3d.<br />
the publisher, and every possible expenditure is a copy royalty on the sale of 3,000 copies, 4d. a<br />
taken into consideration, the publisher's profit is copy on the sale of 5,000, and 6d. a copy on the<br />
twice as large as the author's. Even in the case of sale of 10,000.<br />
an exceedingly popular author, and a small edition, The reader should also bear in mind that these<br />
the profit to the publisher is not at all unreasonable, figures are worked out on the understanding that<br />
when the capital invested is considered.<br />
the book is produced as one volume. When a<br />
As the editions grow larger, the profits to the novel runs to more than 80,000 words it is usually<br />
publisher also grow in proportion, for it is quite produced in two volumes, and the profit is propor-<br />
the exception that a royalty is ever paid to an tionately increased. It follows, therefore, that the<br />
author on this form of issue. At last, when an royalty should be paid on every volume. The fact<br />
edition of 10,000 copies is published, the profit to that the firm of Tauchnitz act as their own printers<br />
the publisher is 8,450 marks against the sum paid no doubt enables them to put the books on the<br />
to the author of 1,050 marks. It follows, there market at a cost smaller than that shown by the<br />
fore, that the publisher's profits are to the author's figures printed above. This is a further advantage<br />
remuneration in the proportion of 8 to 1.<br />
that this firm obtains.<br />
After a careful consideration of these figures, it English authors would do well to make a study<br />
is clear that some effort should be made by authors of these figures, and to approach the head of the<br />
in order that matters may be arranged on a more great firm with a view to obtaining, if possible,<br />
equitable basis.<br />
some equitable basis on which to found future con-<br />
It will afford no small advantage to look at tracts. It is quite possible that Baron Tauchnitz<br />
the position from an entirely different point of has never looked at the figures from this point of<br />
view.<br />
view, and has never had his attention drawn to<br />
Take, for instance, the case of the ordinary a comparison between the profits of author and<br />
author, who can obtain a sale of 3,000 copies. publisher.<br />
According to the figures that have already been put The great reputation of the firm is well known.<br />
forward, there would be a profit of 1,450 marks, No doubt if the case is clearly stated, authors will<br />
after deducting the cost of production from the find their views favourably considered.<br />
amount realised by sales. If the author takes a<br />
G. H. T.<br />
half-share of these profits he would obtain 725<br />
marks. (It must not be considered that half-<br />
profits to the author is essentially a fair return,<br />
but it is a good basis on which to build a calcula-<br />
BRICKS AND MORTAR.<br />
tion.) Seven hundred and twenty-five marks if<br />
turned into English money at the rate given<br />
above, of twenty-one marks to the £, would W HEN an architect undertakes to work out a<br />
work out to £34 10s., or between 2 d. and 3d. a W design for a house it is not sufficient that<br />
copy on every copy of the edition. 24d. a copy " he should bring into play his imagination<br />
royalty works out to £31 58., 3d. a copy to for the lines of beauty in the scheme of the out-<br />
£37 10s.<br />
side structure or his technical skill in satisfying<br />
If the same principle is applied to the next set the needs and comforts of men in the internal<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 224 (#636) ############################################<br />
<br />
224<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
development. He needs more than this. He “ royal octavo.” This portion of the book is no<br />
needs full knowledge of the different materials doubt one of the most important parts to him who<br />
out of which the house is built-of the wood, of would gain full knowledge of the “ bricks and<br />
the bricks, of the slates and tiles, of the pipes, of mortar.”<br />
the mortar.<br />
“Methods of Illustration ” comes next. Nowa.<br />
It is quite true that an author, unless he is days illustration in books is distinctly on the<br />
publishing on commission, has no call for the increase. It follows then that the maker of books<br />
same intricate knowledge of materials, and does should understand some of the methods by which<br />
not need to handle the details of structure in the his work is rendered more fascinating to the<br />
same intimate way; yet this knowledge, though general public. The days have gone by when the<br />
not absolutely essential, may be exceedingly useful. addition of the simplest picture was looked upon<br />
It is curious what a lack of information most as a serious and expensive item. Nowadays<br />
authors have. They cannot tell what a book costs beautiful and artistic work can be reproduced at a<br />
to print, or what kind of type should be used, very moderate rate. The different processes are<br />
although in an indefinite kind of way they may here fully explained.<br />
know what kind of type they prefer. The same Chapter V. deals with papers. If “ Types and<br />
remark applies with equal force to the paper and Margins ” was one of the most important portions,<br />
binding.<br />
“Papers” is the most important. Upon the<br />
An author's answer may well be that the Society quality of the paper depends the longevity of the<br />
has at its command all the information that is book. Paper is sold by weight. It sounds a<br />
requisite. To a certain extent that answer is simple transaction, but in fact is complicated by<br />
justifiable, but the man who can do a thing for technicalities. Paper is of many kinds, of which<br />
himself has always more power than the man who the two main classes are machine made and hand<br />
has to employ an agent.<br />
made. The subdivisions are numerous; the most<br />
Detailed information concerning the “bricks important are dealt with.<br />
and mortar” that go toward book production has The chapters on “The Sizes of Books" and<br />
been collected by Mr. C. T. Jacobi.* He first “Binding" cannot be passed orer. Knowledge of<br />
deals with the manuscript, and puts forward some these points is essential.<br />
useful suggestions. On this point it is possible that It is doubtful whether there was any need in a<br />
the author may need but little assistance. He has book of this kind to deal with “Publishing" and<br />
most probably learnt his lesson by bitter experi- “ Copyright." These subjects bear but little on<br />
ence, but he may well take to heart the paragraph the questions of the “bricks and mortar," apper-<br />
on page 8:-<br />
taining to the solicitor's rather than the architect's<br />
“ The charges made for corrections are based on department. They are involved and highly<br />
the time consumed in making them, and are very technical. To deal with them in these short<br />
difficult to check even by an expert." This sub- chapters is impossible, and a mere superficial state-<br />
ject has been dealt with exhaustively in The ment is likely to do more harm than good.<br />
Author, and with the exception of advertisements, To sum up, there is very little to be said against<br />
is the most frequent cause of dispute between the method the author has employed in dealing<br />
author and publisher.<br />
with his subject. He shows full knowledge; he<br />
The next chapter, “ The Index,” is hardly has placed it clearly before the public. The cost<br />
satisfactory. To many books no index is neces- of many of the items has not been touched upon<br />
sary. But the author who desires to compile an except in a few general statements. This, the only<br />
index needs fuller instructions to make the result fault, is a serious one. It is not enough to know<br />
reliable.<br />
that one paper is good and another bad, or one<br />
“Types and Margins.” Those who are dwellers form of illustration more expensive than another.<br />
in the printing chapel have a wondrous language The writer who goes so far in his study of<br />
of their own. To the ordinary mortal it is as a “bricks and mortar" will certainly demand inore<br />
foreign tongue. Let him then, if he thinks of details of finance. This side ought to be dealt<br />
turning author, carefully digest these pages. He with in some other issue.<br />
will be able to stand the test of the severest The Glossary is instructive. Pages full of type<br />
examination and puzzle himself and his hearers by<br />
varying in shape and make, leaded and solid, and<br />
discussing learnedly about “founts," “ems,” others made up of different samples of paper, com-<br />
"ens," "pica," "double pica," “crown,” and plete a treatise really useful and satisfactory to all<br />
those—and there should be many—who are<br />
interested in the details of the material side of<br />
* “Some Notes on Books and Printing," by C, T. Jacobi.<br />
Published by the Chiswick Press, Took's Court, Chancery book production.<br />
Lane.<br />
A. C. B.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 225 (#637) ############################################<br />
<br />
• THE AUTHOR.<br />
225<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
STERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property S<br />
1. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise.<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
"Cost of Production."<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book,<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld,<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.c.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning.<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication,<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTITORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
1. DIVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 226 (#638) ############################################<br />
<br />
226<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
an readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
U ITH the assistance of that valuable society,<br />
the Association Littéraire et Artistique<br />
Internationale, the brass-workers of Paris<br />
have been successful in their endeavours to put<br />
their designs under the protection of the French<br />
copyright law. The protection which this law will<br />
now give them is of a very extensive character,<br />
and will prevent piracy of designs of every kind.<br />
France was and is always in the forefront when<br />
it is necessary to protect works of literary or<br />
artistic merit.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS. includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
leaders are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea.<br />
While mentioning the subject of artistic copy-<br />
right, it is interesting to call to mind the case of<br />
Brittain and Others v. Hanks Bros. & Co., which<br />
has recently been decided in the Courts.<br />
hos<br />
In this case the plaintiff brought an action<br />
against the defendants for copying the design of<br />
a tin soldier which the plaintiff was selling as a<br />
toy for children.<br />
After hearing the case the Judge decided that<br />
the model had artistic merit, and that therefore,<br />
as the plaintiff had complied with the other<br />
provisions of the Act, an injunction must be<br />
granted.<br />
The real position of these cases must depend<br />
upon the fact how far the production is a work of<br />
NOTICES.<br />
THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
T the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of prodncing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
58. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 227 (#639) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
227<br />
art. It is quite possible that a tin soldier might Hawkins say to a Society of Orators ? " Well,<br />
be as high an artistic production as the statues what would he say? Where is the “fundamental<br />
that are set up in the prominent squares of absurdity”? Are all trade and professional com-<br />
London.<br />
binations absurd ? Where is the analogy ? Oratory<br />
is neither a trade nor a profession. And lastly,<br />
where is the logic ?<br />
A WRITER in the Pall Mall Gazette commented<br />
a little bitterly on the statements of our Chairman<br />
at the dinner of the Society.<br />
"The author,” he says, scoffing at an assertion of<br />
An intricate question came before a member of<br />
Mr. Hawkins', “was always as free as any other<br />
the Society. How should it have been answered ?<br />
citizen to consult and instruct a solicitor." True,<br />
The details of the case are as follows :-<br />
At the desire of a certain wealthy American, a<br />
but the writer has not taken the trouble to<br />
remember that the Copyright Acts are difficult<br />
member of the Society was employed to compile a<br />
and involved, and that the dealings with copyright<br />
book. A limited number of copies of the book,<br />
property are peculiar and technical<br />
which was an expensive work, were printed, bound,<br />
We have seen agreements for the publication of<br />
and delivered in completed form in England. The<br />
books and for the performance of plays prepared<br />
book was not for publication, but for the private<br />
by the family solicitor ; they were interesting<br />
use of the American.<br />
curiosities. Technical information on a highly<br />
A number of copies, amounting in all to 500 or<br />
technical subject is essential; this the Society<br />
so, had to be forwarded to America, and, under<br />
the American Tariff Act, it is necessary to state<br />
affords. The number of its Members is a fair<br />
proof that its work is appreciated.<br />
the value of the book as merchandise. Ought the<br />
Secondly, he states, “as the case of Macdonald<br />
books to have been valued at their actual cost of<br />
v. the National Review showed, the Society had<br />
production, or at the probable amount they would<br />
bring in if offered for sale in the open market ?<br />
been too ready to disturb men as honest as them-<br />
The actual wording of the law is that dutiable<br />
selves by vexatious litigation.” A man may be<br />
honest; he may also be unbusinesslike. The<br />
articles " should be appraised at their fair market<br />
value.”<br />
Society deals with the business side of literary and<br />
dramatic effort, and in endeavouring to obtain<br />
We believe it has been the custom for pub-<br />
lishers to invoice books to America at the cost of<br />
proper business methods between editor or publisher<br />
and author, is doing good to all three parties.<br />
manufacture. In this case, however, there was no<br />
Some of the present Members may forget the<br />
market value, as the books were for private<br />
details of the case.<br />
circulation.<br />
An author sent an MS. to the National Review.<br />
It was set up in type and returned for correction.<br />
The author returned the MS. Subequently the A purposed notable feature in the coming St.<br />
article was rejected.<br />
Louis World's Exposition is an exact reproduction<br />
The Judge held that the setting up in type of the birth-homes of two or three of the greater<br />
was such a dealing with the article as to constitute English and Scotch writers—littérateurs who are<br />
acceptance, and the proprietor had to pay ; that is recognised as “the world's men of letters.” The<br />
the rough outline of the facts.<br />
suggestion is that exact facsimiles of the buildings<br />
This is distinctly not vexatious litigation. The and the chief historic relics they contain shall be<br />
editor had merely to write a business letter pointing made. It is proposed that these shall be rebuilt<br />
out that the article was not accepted. The author in permanent form, so that they may remain in<br />
would then have had the option of withdrawing Forest Park, St. Louis, long after the less stable<br />
the article or waiting the editor's pleasure. What portions of the World's Fair have done their<br />
did the editor expect the author to conclude? Did duty and disappeared. Recent talk on these sub-<br />
he expect him to wait calmly and indefinitely for jects has now become a fact. The Burns' Cottage<br />
the editor's decision?<br />
Association has been organised in America, with<br />
The editor's side is “vexatious litigation,” the John V. Dick as President, and James Muir<br />
author's “ vexatious delay"; and the Society's Dixon, Secretary<br />
point of view is finality in business as well as The “Auld Clay Buggin," the very humble<br />
honesty. The Society's standpoint is justifiable. cottage under the thatch of which Robert Burns<br />
The third “Occasional Note” is amusing in its was born on the 25th of January, 1759, is of clay,<br />
illogical deduction, “Only let it be remarked that with a sanded front, whitewashed, and was built<br />
there is something fundamentally absurd in the mainly by the hands of the poet's father while<br />
idea of a Society of Authors. What would Mr. he was working as a gardener for Ferguson of<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 228 (#640) ############################################<br />
<br />
228<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
LITERARY PRODUCTION IN ENGLAND.<br />
Doonholm. The house, as all pilgrims to Ayr know,<br />
is one storey high, and consists of a kitchen in one<br />
end and a best parlour in the other. In the latter<br />
is a fireplace, and, in a niche by its side, is a bed.<br />
As to Bobbie, it is the opinion of the old wives of<br />
the town that,<br />
66 The bed in which he first began<br />
To be that various thing called man,'<br />
was in the tiny kitchen. Replicas of the bed and<br />
of the other important items in the little white<br />
house in Ayr are included in the St. Louis<br />
scheme.<br />
The co-operation of the leading Burns' Societies<br />
and other Scottish associations, both here and in<br />
America, has been promised. A suggestion has<br />
been made that the replicas of the cottage and<br />
relics shall be free gifts from the sons of Scotland<br />
-Whether at home or abroad-to St. Louis.<br />
Further, if permissible, it is proposed also to build<br />
some other historic Scottish structure on the Fair<br />
Grounds, as room will be needed for the accumula-<br />
tion of Scottish relics that promises to pour in.<br />
The Scotch element is strong and influential in<br />
American life, and keeps itself in closer relations<br />
with the old home than any other foreign strain<br />
to be found there.<br />
The address of Mr. George F. Parker, the Resi-<br />
dent British Representative of the World's Fair,<br />
is Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, Westminster,<br />
S.W.<br />
THE Editor of The Author has asked me to give<br />
1 some statistics relating to the production of<br />
books in this country. Books, of all things,<br />
are essentially individual entities whose qualitative<br />
worth interests more than a quantitative view of<br />
them, but despite this obvious disadvantage, it is<br />
possible that the following facts concerning books<br />
in bulk may have some interest. Moreover, a not<br />
inconsiderable proportion of the books may per-<br />
haps be regarded more appropriately in bulk than<br />
as separate existences.<br />
Every year the Publishers' Circular contains an<br />
analytical table of the new books published during<br />
the preceding year. I have summarised these<br />
tables for the last ten years, so as to get a broad<br />
fact-base into which are merged the accidental<br />
fluctuations of individual years. The following<br />
statement contains the essence of these ten years'<br />
facts, and it relates only to new books, not to new<br />
editions of books.<br />
NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED KIxGDOM<br />
DURING THE TEN YEARS 1892–1901.<br />
Class of Book.<br />
Number<br />
published.<br />
Percentage<br />
of each Class,<br />
upon the total<br />
number<br />
published.<br />
per cent.<br />
299<br />
16,434<br />
6,269<br />
114<br />
AFTER SUNSET.<br />
9.5<br />
5,206<br />
4,540<br />
8.2<br />
3,572<br />
5:1<br />
1. Novels, tales, and juvenile<br />
works. .<br />
2. Educational, classical, and<br />
philological . .<br />
3. Theology, sermons, bib-<br />
lical, etc. . . .<br />
4. History, biography, etc. .<br />
5. Year-books and serials in<br />
volumes .<br />
6. Political and social eco-<br />
nomy, trade, etc. .<br />
7. Poetry and the drama .<br />
8. Belles - Lettres, essays,<br />
monographs, etc.<br />
9. Arts, sciences, and illus-<br />
trated works . .<br />
10. Voyages, travels, geo- i<br />
graphical research .<br />
11. Medicine, surgery, etc..!<br />
12. Law, jurisprudence, etc..!<br />
13. Miscellaneous, including<br />
pamphlets, not sermons<br />
2,822<br />
2,460<br />
2,38+<br />
2,294<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
-<br />
2,056<br />
1,415<br />
895<br />
3.7<br />
2.6<br />
1.6<br />
[Reprinted, by kind permission of the Author, from<br />
* Sonnets of this Century,” edited by William Sharp.]<br />
V OCAL, yet voiceless, lingering, lambent,<br />
white<br />
With the wide wings of evening on the fell,<br />
The tranquil vale, the enchanted citadel,-<br />
Another day swoons to another night.<br />
Speak low : from bare Blencathra's purple height<br />
The sound o' the gbyll falls furled ; and, loath<br />
to go,<br />
A continent of cloud its plaited snow<br />
Wear's far away athwart a lake of light.<br />
Is it the craft of hell that while we lie<br />
Enshaded, lulled, beneath Heaven's breezeless<br />
sky,<br />
The garrulous clangours and assoiled shows<br />
Of London's burrowing mazes haunt us yet ?<br />
City, forgive me : Mother of joys and woes,<br />
Thy shadow is here, and lo ! our eyes are wet.<br />
HALL CAINE.<br />
-<br />
-<br />
4,650<br />
8:53<br />
i<br />
Total, new books published,<br />
1892-1901 . . .<br />
54,997<br />
1<br />
100.0<br />
We see that during the last ten years 55,000<br />
new books have been published in England.<br />
An average of 5,500 per annum, or, taking 300<br />
working days to the year, eighteen new books per<br />
diem without cessation.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 229 (#641) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
229<br />
the output of new books during the two five-yearly<br />
periods was-<br />
1892-1896 ... ... ... 26,059<br />
1897—1901 ... ... ... 28,938<br />
It is impossible to conceive that there has been<br />
a demand for this vast supply of new books. I,<br />
myself, am responsible for four of these 55,000<br />
books, and only two of the four books have<br />
justified their existence. It is not unlikely that<br />
à considerable proportion of them-in Class 1,<br />
novels, etc., for example-have been published at<br />
the authors' expense, without regard to adjusting<br />
supply to demand.<br />
But although we may not be able to regard this<br />
supply of new books as balancing the demand for<br />
them, it is not improbable that the foregoing<br />
widely-based facts do give a fairly reliable indica-<br />
tion of the relative degrees of demand for each<br />
class of book. Looking at the facts in this light,<br />
we see that novels, etc., make up 30 per cent. of<br />
the total number, educational books coming second,<br />
and books on theology, etc., third. These three<br />
principal classes, merged into one group, supply<br />
more than one-half of the total output of new<br />
books—their combined share being 50-8 per cent.<br />
Of the ten other classes, books of history,<br />
biography, etc., lead with 8 per 100 new books<br />
published. Books on political and social economy,<br />
etc., have a slight lead over poetry and the drama,<br />
each of these two classes coming near to 5 per cent.<br />
of all new books. Medical books and law books<br />
are, as might be expected, the last two classes on<br />
the list.<br />
Looking at the output of new books in each year<br />
of the ten now under survey, without classification<br />
of the books published, the facts are as follows :-<br />
Total... ... 54,997<br />
This is an increase of nearly 3,000 books, i.e., of<br />
11 per cent., during the later period as compared<br />
with the earlier five years, and we may ascertain<br />
how this rate of increase compares with the increase<br />
in the number of persons who—to use an actuarial<br />
term-have been “at risk” of reading the books<br />
produced. The use of this technical term is per-<br />
haps justified, for although the readers of the<br />
books have not read them at the risk of death,<br />
they have certainly read some of the new books at<br />
the risk of injury to themselves.<br />
Taking the population of the United Kingdom<br />
as the number of persons at risk of reading the<br />
books, the increase in this number from the earlier<br />
to the later period was at the rate of under 5 per<br />
cent., and this is a smaller rate of growth than the<br />
rate of growth of the output of new books.<br />
If during 1897—1901 the growth of new books<br />
had coincided with the growth of the population<br />
during the same period, the number of new books<br />
published during 1897—1901 would have been<br />
27,290. But the actual number of new books<br />
published during 1897—1901 was 28,938, and<br />
thus the actual output exceeded the “expected”<br />
output by nearly 1,650 new books. This is not a<br />
very large difference between theory and actuality,<br />
in the matter of new books published; but it<br />
suffices to show that, despite all disturbing causes,<br />
the output of new books during the last five years<br />
has exceeded the normal expectation.<br />
This last point reminds me that the editor of<br />
The Author has asked me to make a statement with<br />
regard to the output of books at the beginning of<br />
the nineteenth century as compared with the output<br />
of to-day. I am not able to do this, for 'lack of the<br />
facts. But we can go back as far as seventy years<br />
ago, thus including the whole of the Victorian era.<br />
The following statement shows the average<br />
yearly number of new books published in this<br />
country during the periods named, and also the<br />
average yearly number of new books per million<br />
of the population.<br />
Year of<br />
Publication.<br />
Number of new<br />
books published.<br />
1892<br />
1893<br />
189+<br />
189.7<br />
1896<br />
1897<br />
1898<br />
1899<br />
1900<br />
1901<br />
4,915<br />
5.129<br />
5.300<br />
5,481<br />
5,23+<br />
6,24+<br />
6,008<br />
5,971<br />
5,760<br />
4,955<br />
Total<br />
1892–1901<br />
54,997<br />
After fluctuation during the period 1892-1896,<br />
the maximum was reached in the year 1897, when<br />
6,244 new books were published. From 1897 to<br />
1901 there was a continuous decline in the output<br />
of books, until in 1901 the number was only<br />
slightly in excess of the output in 1892. Reviewers<br />
may perhaps have thanked the war for mercies<br />
other than the consolidation of the British Empire.<br />
Ignoring the fluctuations in individual years,<br />
Period.<br />
Average Yearly<br />
Number of New<br />
Books published.<br />
Average Yearly<br />
Number of New Books<br />
published, per million<br />
of our population.<br />
1828–1832<br />
1866—1869<br />
1892–1896<br />
1897-1901<br />
1,060<br />
3,220<br />
5,212<br />
5,788<br />
105<br />
13+<br />
143<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 230 (#642) ############################################<br />
<br />
230<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
The growth of books bas, we see, largely ex- his death, sprang into fame so long ago as the year<br />
ceeded the growth of population. Seventy years 1870, when “ The Heathen Chinee" first captured<br />
ago, the yearly output was only 45 new books per the ear of the public, and a mighty peal of laughter<br />
million of population. To-day, the yearly output ran rippling from one end of the English-speaking<br />
is 143 new books per million of population—a world to the other. Bret Harte never, to our<br />
more than three-fold growth in the output of knowledge, wrote a successful long book, but he<br />
books per million of population. And this has was a master of the conte, and not until Kipling<br />
occurred during the last seventy years.<br />
appeared can his supremacy in this line be said to<br />
I am tempted to suggest that the vast produc- have ever been seriously assailed. “The Luck of<br />
tion of new books which has now been stated Roaring Camp," “ The Outcasts of Poker Flat,"<br />
would not have occurred if the makers of the “ The Idyll of Red Gulch," may be cited as in-<br />
books had pondered the words of the popular stances of his supreme excellence in the difficult<br />
Latin poet, written more than 1900 years ago, art of the short story. He combined, perfectly, a<br />
whose admirable sense of propriety causes his wonderful pathos, fine descriptions of camp life<br />
ancient thought to be a valuable working-maxim and western scenery, vivid and masterly delineation<br />
for authors of to-day :-<br />
of character, and a humour which was often irre-<br />
“Ye authors, choose a subject suited to your sistible. “The Heathen Chinee” may be said to<br />
abilities, and long ponder what your strength have been unknown and unappreciated by the<br />
is equal to, what it is too weak to support. Anglo-Saxon race until Bret Harte discovered him<br />
He who chooses a theme according to his in the rude mining camps of California, labelled<br />
powers, will find neither command of language him, and introduced him to the American and<br />
nor lucid arrangement fail him. And herein British world. Who that takes up that inimitable<br />
lies, unless I deceive myself, the power and picture in verse, even after this long interval of<br />
beauty of arrangement ; if a writer says at time from its first appearance in print, can resist<br />
once only what ought to be said at once, its trenchant satire and abounding humour ?<br />
reserving most points, and omitting them for For thirty years had Bret Harte continued to<br />
the present."<br />
pour forth tales, poetry, and sketches. It was in-<br />
J. HOLT SCHOOLING.. evitable that some of his later work should have<br />
lost the freshness and force of his earlier writings;<br />
yet the reader will find, even in his last book of<br />
stories, published in the very month of his death,<br />
TWO AMERICANS.<br />
work which showed distinctly that his hand had by<br />
no means lost its ancient cunning. He never could<br />
forget the scenes and the characters of that strange,<br />
EATH has, within these last few weeks,claimed wild Californian life which in his early and im-<br />
two notable figures from the ranks of litera- pressive youth laid such a hold upon his imagina-<br />
ture. Frank R. Stockton and Bret Harte, tion. In his last book he returns, and returns with<br />
whose loss the whole reading public have to lament, success, to the old familiar ground, stakes out his<br />
bad long since established their fame. Both claim, and quarries good ore. Bret Harte will<br />
died elderly men ; yet neither had retired from live, if only for his “Plain Language from Truthful<br />
the great army of active workers ; nor can it be James,” his inimitable “Heathen Chinee," his<br />
said that either had outlived his reputation. “ Poker Flat," and "The Luck of Roaring Camp.”<br />
Frank Stockton, who died a week or two before We should like to see a good anthology of his<br />
his fellow countryman, had never attained quite poems, and a couple of volumes of his best short<br />
the world-wide popularity of Bret Harte; nor stories. Upon these his fame would stand assured<br />
probably will his writings linger so long in the for many a long day.<br />
public mind. Yet he had accomplished much good The death of Bret Harte only serves to accentuate<br />
work, and the present generation will still cherish the extraordinary dearth of anything like real<br />
in their minds pleasant recollections of “ Rudder humour in the literature of the present day. Is<br />
Grange,” and others of his books. That curious this quality to become extinct ? Are the con-<br />
little study, “ The Lady or the Tiger,” will, from ditions of life so onerous, so stern, or so re-<br />
its very incompleteness, and the problem which it pellent, that humour, always a delicate plant, is<br />
leaves to the reader, live, probably, longer than not now to be raised among us? It is a curious<br />
any other of Stockton's writings. An admirable problem. Upon the whole, we are inclined to<br />
humorist of the quieter sort, Frank Stockton's think that the next decade or two may see a<br />
death is sincerely to be regretted.<br />
marked revival of this lost art of amusing people,<br />
Bret Harte, whose last volume of stories, “On of creating hearty laughter. Just such a revival<br />
the Old Trail," was published about the time of took place after the Restoration. Purged, of<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 231 (#643) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
231<br />
course, of its grossness, we could welcome such an author had such a tribute paid to him as was<br />
a rejuvenescence of an almost lost art. At present paid to Black by the artists who jointly illustrated<br />
we can count our lumorists easily upon the his“Macleod of Dare.” Pettie, Graham, Boughton,<br />
fingers of one hand. The sudden rise and success Orchardson, Colin Hunter, MacWhirter, C. E.<br />
of Mr. W. W. Jacobs indicates very clearly how Johnson, Aitken, and Thomas Faed, all contributed<br />
eagerly the advent of any writer capable of stirring to translate into pictures Black's written words,<br />
genuine laughter is welcomed among the publishers. the greatest possible compliment to his descriptive<br />
Yet Mr. Jacobs' example seems as yet to attract powers from those best able to judge.<br />
few followers into the same field.<br />
He also possessed what Sir Wemyss Reid well<br />
describes as a “sympathetic insight which enabled<br />
him to depict the characters and temperaments<br />
of pure and beautiful women in such a manner<br />
WILLIAM BLACK. A BIOGRAPHY.*<br />
as to command universal assent and appreciation.”<br />
The artist's eye and sympathetic insight are,<br />
however, most commonly accompanied by a retiring,<br />
TROM all those who enjoyed the privilege of almost secretive, disposition, and Black's best<br />
intimate friendship with William Black qualities must, therefore, be sought in his own<br />
Sir Wemyss Reid's Biography will receive books, and not in books about him ; consequently,<br />
a welcome in which there will be no suggestion to say that one is conscious of some chose qui<br />
of reserve. His straightforward account of a life<br />
manque in Sir Wemyss Reid's life of his friend is,<br />
which, without being eventful, was still a full one, perhaps, tantamount to saying that one wishes the<br />
will serve as a storehouse of memories for all who<br />
book were other than it is. This particular reader<br />
participated, however slightly, in it. I cannot help<br />
would have preferred a biographical and critical<br />
thinking, however, that thosc, like myself, who study to a biography pure and simple, but doubtless<br />
never saw Black, but derived a rare pleasure from Sir Wemyss Reid preferred to let Black's work be<br />
his work, will be conscious of a certain sense of judged by all upon its merits, and confine himself<br />
disappointment when they lay the volume down. to a mere record of his old friend's daily life.<br />
It has, it is true, the essential merit of being<br />
Black was a member of the Society of Authors<br />
interesting, but somehow in Sir Wemyss Reid's<br />
from its very early days, and while he did not<br />
work the touch of the great portrait painter is identify himself with it in the same way that Sir<br />
missing, and the picture does not seem alive.<br />
Walter Besant did, it is interesting to seek in this<br />
This is not to suggest that it could have been “life” of the one some corroboration of what is to<br />
done better by any other hand. I do not, indeed,<br />
be found in the “autobiography” of the other, in<br />
at all suppose it could, for Black's principal<br />
the shape of advice to those of us who are still at<br />
characteristic seems to have been an unusual faculty<br />
the bottom of the ladder.<br />
of detaching himself from the world while he was The first lesson taught in practice by both men<br />
at work, and an equally unusual faculty of detaching<br />
is that no one should embark upon the struggle<br />
himself from his work when that was done; add for life as a man of letters unless he has something<br />
to this a reserve amounting almost to austerity, fixed and definite in the way of income to fall back<br />
except where his most intimate friends were upon. In Besant's case the something was com-<br />
concerned, and it becomes sufficiently obvious that paratively easy to find because of his academic<br />
Sir Wemyss Reid's self-imposed task of showing qualifications ; in Black's case it was less easy,<br />
the real man would have been beyond the power of because he never had “any systematised education<br />
almost any one else to perform.<br />
to speak of "—the words are his own—and his<br />
The “artistic temperament” is a phrase so youthful work for the Glasgow newspapers was not<br />
commonly abused that one is loth to use it in sufficiently remarkable to gain him a journalistic<br />
connection with any author for whose works one appointment in London at the outset. He took<br />
has great admiration. Of Black it is better, the first post that offered--a clerkship in Birchin<br />
perhaps, to say that he had the artist's eye for<br />
Lane--and there remained, devoting all his spare<br />
nature, and a rarely developed power of reproducing time to the production of copy, until he got his<br />
natural beauty through the medium of words. first journalistic appointment on the editorial staff<br />
He appropriated the Hebrides as Hardy appro- of The Morning Star.<br />
priated “Wessex” and Blackmoor Devonshire,<br />
The second lesson taught by both, as it is taught<br />
and his fine word-painting was inspired by love by all who succeed in any and every department<br />
of the region he described. Seldom, if ever, has of life, is the necessity of work, of unflagging<br />
industry and perseverance. Success is only won<br />
* By Wemyss Reid (Cassell & Co., Limited, London,<br />
that way, and, what is perhaps more important to<br />
1902)<br />
remember, it is only kept that way. Sir Wemyss<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 232 (#644) ############################################<br />
<br />
232<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Reid makes it plain that although literary work when the publisher waited for the unknown author<br />
was congenial to Black-was, indeed, his true to come to him with his manuscript. But of late<br />
vocation--it was real and even hard work, during the unknown has so frequently developed under<br />
the doing of which everything in the shape of exploitation, and by direct solicitation of the pub.<br />
amusement was laid aside, and with which nothing lisher, into a “money-making proposition" of such<br />
was allowed to interfere. That is an interesting formidable proportions that there is hardly a pab-<br />
part of Sir Wemyss Reid's book in which he lishing house that does not now hunt him out with<br />
describes Paston House, and Black's mode of all the resources at its command. Certain fields<br />
work—the pains he took over his descriptive pas- are worked with the thoroughness, almost, of a<br />
sages, minutely sketched in note-books on the spot; political canvass, and if a given State-say, for<br />
the care with wbich he thought out every detail instance, Indiana-has suddenly evolved into a<br />
in a chapter before committing it to paper ; the region of great literary activity, it is open to<br />
silent seclusion in which he passed the alternate suspicion that it is not because there is any<br />
days devoted to the actual task of writing ; and the inherent literary quality in the people of the place<br />
severely simple room in which he conjured up the greater than in other States, but that certain firms<br />
visions that have charmed so many people since of publishers are “ working the ground.”<br />
There are few writers to whom the existence of the<br />
creatures of their brain has been more intensely<br />
real than it was to William Black ; but men make<br />
worlds for themselves only by infinite pains, and<br />
Black was no exception to the rule.<br />
A PAGE FROM A GERMAN PUBLISHER'S<br />
For the rest, it is enough to say that this bio-<br />
graphy is characterised by good taste and restraint.<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
It shows the vigour and virility of Black's nature,<br />
his scorn of affectation and insincerity, and the<br />
reticence and reserve which had been inculcated in<br />
Literary Hints for the Wealthy and Cultivated.<br />
him as a child. If it fails at all, it fails in reveal-<br />
ing to those who did not know the man the lovable A GENTLEMAN does not give his daughter<br />
qualities wbich evoked such a friendship as endured<br />
a dowry of from five to fifty thousand<br />
between Villiam Black and Sir Wemyss Reid<br />
pounds and forget to provide her with a<br />
himself.<br />
book-case.<br />
V. E. M.<br />
A gentleman does not have a full wine cellar<br />
and empty book-shelves.<br />
A gentleman does not use eau-de-cologne and<br />
THE OBLIGATIONS OF ART TO TRADE.<br />
read greasy volumes from a circulating library.<br />
A gentleman does not borrow good works which<br />
he is in a position to buy.<br />
A gentleman does not talk about the latest<br />
[TAE following paragraph is taken from an article<br />
entitled "Salt and Sincerity,” by Frank Norris, published<br />
literature when he is acquainted only with what<br />
1<br />
in the American Critic for May. We print it without has been said of it by the reviewers.<br />
comment à propos of the article in the last issue of The A gentleman does not cut books with his fingers,<br />
Author, entitled - The Obligations of Art to Trade."- even after having washed his hands.<br />
Ev.]<br />
A gentleman does not possess a box of carpenter's<br />
T present the stimulus to, and even the tools, but no paper-knife.<br />
A manner of, production of very much of A gentleman does not receive books for review<br />
American fiction is in the hands of the pub- and give them away or sell them without opening<br />
lishers. No one not intimately associated with any them.<br />
of the larger more important“houses” can have any A gentleman does not make presents only of<br />
idea of the influence of the publisher upon latter-day things which are entirely without intellectual<br />
fiction. More novels are written-practically-to value.<br />
order than the public has any notion of. The pub. A gentleman does not send to his bookseller for<br />
lisher again and again picks out the man(one speaks, a parcel of books on approval, and, after having<br />
of course, of the younger generation), suggests the read them, return them saying that none of them<br />
theme, and exercises in a sense all the functions of suit him.<br />
instructor, during the period of composition. In A gentleman does not buy only sixpenny cheap<br />
the matter of this “ picking out of the man ” it is editions.<br />
rather curious to note a very radical change that A gentleman does not depend for his reading<br />
has come about in the last five years. Time was upon the daily journals and illustrated weeklies.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 233 (#645) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
233<br />
ROMANTIC GERMANY."<br />
Romanticism in Germany was the result of a<br />
definite movement, or rather, a definite conspiracy,<br />
whereas in England the members of the Romantic<br />
TROM the point of view of literature, the School worked independently. The Germans were<br />
T Romantic movement in Germany may be intimate friends; they worked together, and had<br />
summed up in the outworn phrase, “ Much their common art theories and programmes.<br />
cry, but little wool.” This, at any rate, is the Novalis and Wackenroder were edited by<br />
impression given by the second volume of Dr. Tieck and Friedrich Schlegel ; Arnim married<br />
Brandes' great work, and though, as he says in Brentano's sister Bettina — Goethe's Bettina ;<br />
conclusion, the School possesses permanent literary Caroline Böhmer was the wife of A. W. Schlegel<br />
interest, and compares favourably with equivalent and, later, of Schelling. And in Germany the<br />
groups in other lands, he rather discounts this reaction, as a recent critic has shown, was not<br />
judgment by observing in his introduction that merely literary: it concerned itself also with religion<br />
“ of all that the German Romanticists produced,<br />
in Romanticists produced and with the affairs of actual life. Schleiermacher,<br />
little will endure-some masterly translations by Friedrich Schlegel, and many others, had decided<br />
A. W. Schlegel, a few of Tieck's productions, a theories on the marriage laws, and did not hesitate<br />
handful of Hardenberg's and another of Eichen- to reduce them to practice ; Tieck and Wacken-<br />
dorff's lyrics, some of Friedrich Schlegel's essays, roder were the apostles of Roman Catholicism,<br />
a few of Arnim's and Brentano's smaller works,<br />
and Brentano passed six years in ecstatic con-<br />
a select number of Hoffmann's tales, and some<br />
templation of the stigmata of the nun Catherina<br />
very remarkable dramas and tales from the pen<br />
Emmerich. One and all were the apostles of<br />
of that eccentric but real genius, Heinrich von freedom, though to the majority the word seems<br />
Kleist."<br />
to have meant nothing but thraldom in the dungeon<br />
It is not, perhaps, a very imposing group ; to of their own hallucinations and desires.<br />
the present writer, at least, it seems to compare<br />
To Lessing, the liberator of German thought,<br />
unfavourably with the movement in France which the Romanticists really owed little; as Dr. Brandes<br />
could boast such names as Chateaubriand, Hugo, says,<br />
Gautier, de Musset, and Baudelaire. One is<br />
“The Romanticists could not possibly claim a champion<br />
tempted to think, too, that one “St. Agnes' Eve"<br />
of reason, pure and simple, as their forerunner, hence they<br />
is worth all the terrors that a host of Hoffmanns attempted to characterise the nutritive element in Lessing's<br />
could conjure up, and that the “Undine" or the works as mere seasoning, as the salt which preserves from<br />
“ Sigurd ” of de la Motte Fouqué, whose heroes, as<br />
corruption. They owed far more to Herder.... In Herder<br />
Heine wittily said, have the courage of a hundred<br />
the new century germinated, as in Lessing the old had<br />
come to its close. Herder sets genesis and growth above<br />
lions and the sense of two asscs, cut a sorry figure thought and action. To him the true man is not only a<br />
beside " Ivanhoe” and “The Talisman." And thinking and moral being, but a portion of nature. ...<br />
these impressions are strengthened rather than The man of intuitions is to him the most human.”<br />
diminished by a study of Dr. Brandes' book. His<br />
aim, as he avows, is “to treat the history of<br />
Herder excluded the idea of purpose ; he was<br />
literature as humanly as possible, to seize upon<br />
the foe of all i posteriori reasoning, and this<br />
the remotest innermost psychological movements<br />
attitude appealed most powerfully to the Romanti-<br />
which prepared for and produced the various<br />
cists. Their philosophy of aimlessness is only a<br />
literary phenomena." The defect of this method<br />
caricature of his theory, but, wretched though it<br />
lies in the fact that when it is applied to a<br />
seens, it owed its origin to his wide intellectual<br />
movement consisting of one or two great writers<br />
powers and quick, clear-sighted genius. Indeed,<br />
and a swarm of neurotic nonentities, it inevitably<br />
from the philosophical standpoint, the history of<br />
results in a mode of criticism that is pathological<br />
German romanticism is the history of distorted<br />
rather than literary. Dr. Brandes has shown us<br />
ideas, and a lamentable example of how the<br />
the brain-sickness, the neurosis, the feeble intellects<br />
theories of genius may be reduced to absurdity<br />
and morbidly excitable senses of a great number<br />
by the stupid zeal of fanatics.<br />
of interesting ladies and gentlemen with such<br />
From Goethe the Romanticists derived their<br />
wonderful skill that we are almost forced to regard<br />
theory of the rights of the free personality. The<br />
the literary aspect of these people as that which<br />
early works of Goethe and Schiller had been<br />
possesses the least iinportance.<br />
inspired by the “ Freigeisterei," the antinomian<br />
demand for freedom ; both “Götz” and “Die<br />
Räuber” are declarations of war against society.<br />
• "Main Currents in 19th Century Literature: II. The<br />
But the Romanticists' strife against convention<br />
Romantic School in Germany," by George Brandes<br />
was not for the sake of the rights of humanity, but<br />
(Heinemann, 1902).<br />
for the rights of the heart; “not against the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 234 (#646) ############################################<br />
<br />
234<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
wrongs of life, but against its prose.” And here THE LITERARY SIDE OF PRESIDENT<br />
we may discover the secret of that antinomian<br />
ROOSEVELT.<br />
attitude which the school adopted. They were<br />
angry because actual life did not resemble the<br />
finer, shadowy existence of their dreams ; they (Reprinted from the “Bulletin of the Society of<br />
could not understand that the romantic glamour American Authors.")<br />
which they admired so greatly was a purely literary<br />
CINCE the days of Thomas Jefferson, no literary man<br />
product.<br />
D has held the office of chief magistrate until the<br />
Goethe, Schiller, Herder, and the philosophy of coming of Theodore Roosevelt, who for twenty years<br />
Fichte, with its doctrine of the absolute authority has been a most prolific writer on out-door life and historical<br />
of the Ego-these are the great fountain-heads<br />
topics. The Times says that Mr. Roosevelt's writing is at<br />
its best when it approaches the most nearly to action :<br />
from which flowed the so troubled stream of “In his histories and biographies Roosevelt the writer is<br />
German romanticism. From these it derived most successful when Roosevelt the man is most completely<br />
(with how little real authority from the first two enlisted, and when his subject is of the sort to which his<br />
sources !) its defiance of order, its exaltation of<br />
multiform activities have been most closely related. They<br />
are best, certainly they are most interesting, where they<br />
selfish caprice, and its amusingly deliberate aim-<br />
are the unconscious representation of the author's mind<br />
lessness. These qualities, and the enmity to and character. He misses, for instance, some of the most<br />
Hellenism, that it learned froin Hölderlin (for significant phases of the curious and original nature of<br />
whom Dr. Brandes, to us, at least, seems to<br />
Gouverneur Morris, one of the strongest, most penetrating,<br />
and most strangely limited minds in our early or later<br />
possess a strangely exalted admiration), may be<br />
history, but he grasps firmly and renders clearly the<br />
traced in the critical work of A. W. Schlegel, the working of the essential forces that went to the · Winning<br />
dreary, ostentatiously naughty “Lucinde ” of his of the West.' These he feels ; he has been in active alliance<br />
brother. Tieck's “ William Lovell." Jean Paul's and co-operation with them, and has had to wrestle with<br />
them. He has known in personal intimacy the survivors<br />
“Titan”; indeed, in almost every work of the<br />
and present representatives of the victors in that mighty<br />
members of the School, and in most of their lives. struggle, and the men who are developing what their<br />
Such qualities, of course, cannot harm a great ancestors or forerunners won. His sympathies are intense<br />
artist; Fichte's philosophy finds its most melodious and so is his imagination, but they are also somewhat<br />
limited, and his estimate of men and events when his<br />
echo in Shelley, and there are not a few who prefer<br />
sympathies are not awakened or his imagination kindled<br />
Swinburne the antinomian to Mr. Swinburne the is sometimes defective and even unjust.<br />
serenader of infancy; but it was the misfortune of “ His essays are models of their kind, and their kind is<br />
Germany that her romantic movement possessed<br />
an extremely difficult and risky one. They are direct in<br />
narrative, clear and succinct in description, well weighed<br />
few men of real genius.<br />
and convincing in their judgments, moderate in temper<br />
Dr. Brandes' second volume is especially remark and simply indispensable to the reader who wishes to study<br />
able for the way in which he has attained minute the subjects with which they deal. They reveal directly,<br />
historical detail without endangering his usual fine<br />
as the histories and biographies reveal indirectly, the mind<br />
and character of the writer. They are almost entirely free<br />
critical standpoint. Especially interesting are his<br />
from the extreme criticism and sweeping theorizing which<br />
studies of Wackenroder and of Novalis, with the dis for this hater of mere critics and theorists seem to have a<br />
tinction drawn between the instability of the latter fascination that he can resist only when his mind is engaged<br />
strange, chaotic genius and Shelley's championship<br />
on facts with which he himself has dealt. Of his defects<br />
and temptations there are also examples in the essays,<br />
of truth. The account of the mysticism of the<br />
especially in those that suggest lay sermons, in which the<br />
romantic arama, with the " plays within plays O preaching is strikingly inferior to the author's practice."<br />
Werner and Kleist, is far more amusing than the His first publication, an historical work, appeared when<br />
most fantastic collection of dreams, and the chapter he had been only a year out of Harvard, where he was<br />
graduated, in 1880 ; * The Naval War of 1812 ; or, The<br />
on Romantic Politicians contains a very interesting<br />
mg History of the United States Navy during the Last War<br />
criticism of Gentz. But though the book is a with Great Britain," was published in 1882.<br />
part of one of the classics of European literature, Mr. Roosevelt's next work, published three years later,<br />
one closes it with a sigh. The story of German<br />
was entitled “Hunting Trips of a Ranchman ; Sketches<br />
of Sport on the Northern Cattle Plains, together with<br />
romance is infinitely more pathetic than their most<br />
Personal Experiences of Life on a Cattle Ranch." It was<br />
tearful volume. One feels that it should have illustrated by A. B. Frost, R. Swain Gifford, J. C. Beard,<br />
been published by the Psychical Research Society. Fannie E. Gifford, and Henry Sandham.<br />
Still, like all people who possess a deficient sense<br />
In 1887 Mr. Roosevelt wrote the "Life of Thomas Hart<br />
Benton," and in the following year “ Gouverneur Morris,"<br />
of humour, the German Romanticists are very<br />
both duodecimo volumes published in the “ American<br />
amusing.<br />
Statesmen " series. In the same year another duodecimo<br />
Sr. J. L. volume by him was published by the Putnams under the<br />
title “Essays on Practical Politics." It was in the series,<br />
“Questions of the Day." His most important work<br />
appearing that year, 1888, however, was “Ranch Life and<br />
the Hunting Trail," illustrated by Frederick Remington.<br />
The first two volunes of the work which has been called<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 235 (#647) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
235<br />
perhaps Mr. Roosevelt's most substantial literary achieve.<br />
ment, the-Winning of the West," were issued by the Putnams.<br />
The whole work is in five volumes, octavo, with maps.<br />
The third volume came out in 1894. Its sub-title is “The<br />
Founding of the Trans-Alleghany Commonwealths,” and it<br />
deals with the period from 1784 to 1790.<br />
In the fourth volume, issued in 1996, he was still engaged<br />
with this phase of American development. The volume is<br />
" Louisiana and the Northwest, 1791 to 1807."<br />
In 1891 Mr. Roosevelt published his “ New York" in the<br />
“ Historic Towns," a new edition with a postscript appearing<br />
in 1895 ; 232 pages, duodecimo. .....<br />
“ The Wilderness Hunter ; An Account of the Big Game<br />
of the United States, and its Chase with Horse, Hound<br />
and Rifle," was published in 1893, illustrated by Frost,<br />
Beard, Sandham and Remington. Many of the illustrations<br />
are not ideal drawings, but studies of animals which Mr.<br />
Roosevelt himself killed.<br />
In the same year came “ American Big Game Hunting ;<br />
the Book of the Boone and Crockett Club." In this Mr.<br />
Roosevelt and G. B. Grinnell collaborated in the editing.<br />
It is devoted to big game hunting in this country and to<br />
questions of forest reservation, different papers having<br />
been contributed by various members of the club. An<br />
appendix gives a short account of the literature of American<br />
big game hunting, a list of forest reservations, etc.<br />
* Hunting in Many Lands." also a part of the book of the<br />
Boone and Crockett Club, in which Mr. Roosevelt again<br />
collaborated with Mr. Grinnell, was published in 1895, and<br />
in 1897 still another volume of this club book appeared,<br />
from the same editorial hands, entitled “Trail and Camp<br />
Fire." Also in 1897, Mr. Roosevelt published “ American<br />
Ideals, and other Essays, Social and Political.” Its con-<br />
tents are : - American Ideals : True Americanism; The<br />
Manly Virtues and Practical Politics : The College Graduate<br />
and Public Life ; Phases of State Legislation ; Machine<br />
Politics in New York City: Six Years of Civil Service<br />
Reform ; Administering the New York Police Force; The<br />
Vice-Presidency and the Campaign of 1896 ; How not to<br />
Help our Poorer Brother; The Monroe Doctrine ; Wash-<br />
ington's Forgotten Maxim ; National Life and Character;<br />
Social Evolutions ; Laws of Civilization and Decay."<br />
Two years before this Mr. Roosevelt, in conjunction<br />
with Serator Lodge, of Massachusetts, had prepared a<br />
volume of “ Hero Tales from American History.”<br />
In 1899 appeared “The Rough Riders," followed by<br />
“ Oliver Cromwell” and “ The Strenuous Life."<br />
There may be omissions in this list, which certainly is a<br />
remarkable output from a man who has also been soldier<br />
and statesman, and is only in his forty-fourth year.<br />
It is my practice to write a polite letter of<br />
inquiry as to MS. of mine which has been<br />
retained by editors for more than six weeks, and,<br />
if necessary, a week hence to write again; and they<br />
are usually returned within a few days, but never<br />
with one word of apology for their retention. Is<br />
this politeness?<br />
I do not think it fair or reasonable for any<br />
editor to retain MS. for longer than a month<br />
without first asking the permission of the con-<br />
tributor. In social life it would be bad manners.<br />
to do otherwise. But editors are a law to<br />
themselves.<br />
Editors declare they are not responsible for lost<br />
MS. I doubt if that would hold good at law. A<br />
case should be tried in the county court; and the<br />
editor's books requisitioned to show if the MS.<br />
was received, etc. Such books are, or should be,<br />
1<br />
kept. A jury would be more likely to decide<br />
against the editor than for him. And certainly, if<br />
anthors were to register their MS. and enclose<br />
with it postace for return registration editors<br />
would not have a leg to stand on. But so long as<br />
authors are willing to be snubbed by editors, so<br />
long do they deserve the scant courtesy and civility<br />
they occasionally receive.<br />
I have before me the MS. of an article recently<br />
returned by the editor of a first-class magazine.<br />
It is scored in places with blue pencil marks, and<br />
my gra!nmar has been altered in two places, though,<br />
in my humble opinion, without improvement. No<br />
sort of apology was offered me for this act of<br />
impertinence; and before I can submit the article<br />
elsewhere, I shall have to rewrite the MS.<br />
(1,500 words). Is this the act of a gentleman<br />
editor or of a common fellow?<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
SCRIBBLER.<br />
Jay 8th, 1902.<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS.<br />
I.<br />
SIR, -I don't doubt others better qualified than<br />
me will reply to your correspondent, “ Another<br />
Editor.” But if you can find space for a few<br />
remarks of mine, I should be obliged.<br />
I agree with him that editors are human, by<br />
which I understand, amongst other things, that<br />
they can put on their worst manners when it suits<br />
them. As to polite letters from editors to polite<br />
letters from contributors, it is not my invariable<br />
experience.<br />
SIR, I imagine many of your readers must<br />
share my amusement at the ingenuous letter of<br />
“ Another Editor” in your May issue. The descrip-<br />
tion of this poor harassed creature, “full of good<br />
intentions," and occupied in despatching“ prompt”.<br />
and “polite” notes to the unreasonable authors<br />
who expect him to read and decide upon their<br />
unsolicited contributions within a few days—“per-<br />
haps a week '—would be both impressive and<br />
pathetic, did it not, alas ! compel an unbelieving<br />
chuckle. Unfortunately “ Another Editor” pro-<br />
tests his promptitude and politeness a little too<br />
much.<br />
In the first place, the incident he quotes hardly<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 236 (#648) ############################################<br />
<br />
236<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
seems worthy of the importance be assigns to it. discussed and disputed authorship. It would be<br />
No one but either the crudest amateur, whose interesting to know whether it has been declared<br />
doings it were unprofitable to discuss, or a writer in any other way more likely to reach the general<br />
of such eminence as to have a right to an imme- public, and if not, why any further attempt at<br />
diate decision, would dream of expecting any editor concealment should be kept up. In Mudie's new<br />
to decide on a MS. within a week. The ordinary catalogue published this year neither of the two<br />
contributor, conversant with the habits of the works referred to are inserted under the name of<br />
ordinary editor, knows better than to expect any Housman, but both under that of the author of<br />
such supernaturally prompt attention. If he the “ Love Letters.” It is to be presumed that it<br />
received it he would be sure that the editor was is only with Mr. Housman's sanction and consent<br />
too good for this world, and might reasonably feel that the authorship has been disclosed in the<br />
anxious as to his state of health.<br />
Literary Year Book, and one wonders why the<br />
The real fact of the matter—which “ Another “Englishwoman's Love Letters” was not also<br />
Editor" ignores-is, that authors are subjected to included in the list of his works given there.<br />
a great deal of annoying delay at the hands of<br />
N. C.<br />
editors which cannot possibly be necessary, at any<br />
May 12th, 1902.<br />
rate in the case of a writer whose name is in any<br />
way known. Personally, I do not ask for polite<br />
notes and good intentions. What I do ask is, that<br />
AUTHORS' LETTERS.<br />
an editor shall read a contribution submitted to SIR, À propos of the complaint raised by a<br />
him within a reasonable time, and either accept or<br />
accept or member of the Society in your last issue, “that a<br />
reject it without further delay. If his hands are<br />
communication received through his publisher had<br />
so full of copy that he is unable to consider MSS.<br />
been opened,” an experience of my own may not be<br />
until several months after receiving them, then he<br />
without interest.<br />
should notify that fact on the front page of his<br />
A few years ago I contributed an article to one<br />
magazine, and return all contributions unread.<br />
of the leading magazines published by an “old and<br />
No one, I should think — except " Another responsible firm.""<br />
Editor's” important contributor-expects to receive Within a week or two I received a flattering<br />
an editorial decision within a week of submitting letter from the head of 7<br />
MSS., but on the other hand a delay of, say, two<br />
lunch at his country house to discuss the writing of<br />
Innch at his conn<br />
months over the consideration of a few short stories<br />
a book which he had long held to be a necessity,<br />
is surely as ridiculous as it is uncalled for. Yet a<br />
but for which he had not hitherto found a com-<br />
case of this kind is at present engaging my own petent author. I was to have two years for the<br />
attention, and, though I have already written twice<br />
task, generous remuneration, and a fine advertise-<br />
on the subject, I have received none of the polite<br />
ment. Then the publisher died, the scheme fell<br />
notes which “Another Editor" is always despatching<br />
through, and the book has not been written by<br />
to his more fortunate contributors. Neither do I<br />
me or any one else.<br />
expect to do so. But, when the gentleman I refer<br />
Two or three years later I contributed another<br />
to receives my third letter--which he will do shortly · article to another leading magazine. In sending<br />
---requesting the immediate return of my MSS.<br />
me a cheque for the contribution, the Editor<br />
unless he wishes me to apply for the assistance of<br />
incidentally asked me how it was I had never<br />
your Society to recover them, I have not the slightest<br />
answered a letter which he had addressed to me,<br />
doubt that he will wonder aggrievedly why I am<br />
care of the first-named publisher, on the occasion<br />
in such an extraordinary hurry, and consider him-<br />
of the publication of the first-named article, in<br />
self as much an innocent and misunderstood martyr which he had asked me whether I was willing to<br />
as “ Another Editor."<br />
undertake for him the writing of a book on the<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
very subject discussed by me with the first-named<br />
publisher at his country house.<br />
I replied that I had never received his letter,<br />
and he then informed me that the envelope which<br />
A MODERN ANTÆUS.<br />
covered it had borne the device of his firm.<br />
SIR.—May I draw attention to the fact that in The conclusion to be gathered was obvious, and<br />
the Literary Year Book for 1902, “A Modern I was thus deprived of a commission which I<br />
Turray, 1901), is given in the list of could, at that time, ill afford to lose.<br />
books by Mr. Laurence Housman ? Now as " A<br />
Modern Antæus” is published by the author of an<br />
I am, yours truly,<br />
“ Englishwoman's Love Letters,” this is, of course, Malvern,<br />
G. S. LAYARD.<br />
equivalent to an announcement of the much May 2nd, 1902.<br />
USCRIPT.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 236 (#649) ############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
ESTABLISHED)<br />
[XVIII. CENT<br />
The Athenæum Press, Taunton.<br />
BARNICOTT & PEARCE<br />
INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING.<br />
ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN.<br />
TYPEWRITING.<br />
Authors' MSS. carefully and accurately copied. Plays and Scientific MSS. a speciality. Contract prices for books or<br />
permanent work. Machines and operators sent out to all parts of London or the Provinces.<br />
Miss RANSOM, 2, Westbourne Grove, London, W.<br />
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Translations executed by skilled workers. Privacy and accuracy guaranteed.<br />
Special Terms for large quantities or contract work. Estimates and Specimens free on application.<br />
In One Volume, Crown 8vo, Scarlet Cloth. Published Price, 3/6. Usual Discount.<br />
"FRITHIOF THE BOLD." By F. 1. WINBOLT,<br />
Author of "King Helge," "Aslog,"<br />
" In stirring blank verse. Mr. Winbolt recounts the ancient Scandinavian legend. Frithiof the Bold.' The drama is in three acts, and besides<br />
providing an interesting and enthralling story, is calculated to convey to the reader an excellent idea of the primitive motives which prevailed<br />
among the Norse and similar hardy races. Frithiof is of humble birth, but, like the typical hero, he is bold and brave, and graceful of<br />
limb...."-Nottingham Guardian.<br />
LONDON: SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., LTD.<br />
AUTHORS' TYPEWRITING,<br />
ITO AUTHORS.—Young man (28), well-educated, lengthy<br />
1 Press experience, desires appointment as Assistant to<br />
Novels typewritten, from 9d. per 1,000 words; Literary Gentleman (whole or spare time). Could revise<br />
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PRICE LIST AND AUTHORS' OPINIONS ON APPLICATION. home. Any MSS. deciphered. Accuracy guaranteed.<br />
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The “ Forms of Agreements" issued by the Publishers'<br />
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39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate S.W.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 236 (#650) ############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
Part II. of LADY FLORENCE DIXIE'S BOOK<br />
"THE SONGS OF A CHILD,"<br />
WITH WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED<br />
A THIRD EDITION OF PART 1.<br />
It may be ordered of Messrs. W. H. SMITH & SON, 186, Strand, W.C.;<br />
J. D. MENZIES, Edinburgh; or any other Bookseller or Library.<br />
• · PRICE 5s, ..<br />
IT CONTAINS THREE COLOURED PORTRAITS.<br />
PUBLISHERS-<br />
THE LEADENHALL PRESS, 50, Leadenhall Street, E.C.<br />
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, New York.<br />
Reviewing an advance copy of this book, The Literary Guide for May says:-. The perusal of the SECOND PART of<br />
Lady Florence Dixie's poems increases our astonishment at the extraordinary development of her mental powers in<br />
early life. The present volume possesses special interest. . . . Her poetic drama · Abel Avenged 'was written at the<br />
age of fourteen, and one knows not whether to be the most astounded at the boldness of her language or the fact that<br />
at so early a period of life the doubts and the obstinate questionings which the work reveals should have arisen at all.<br />
The chief personage is Cain, whose character is conceived with striking power and sympathy. ... Lady Florence<br />
Dixie is a writer who dares to think for herself-one who can, moreover, express her ideas with refreshing vigour and,<br />
in most cases, unmistakable clearness. The Poetry of Revolt and the Poetry of Sympathy with animal life are<br />
distinctly enriched by the publication of this volume. To have performed such a service is an achievement of which<br />
any author might be proud. That it should have been done by a child is one of the most remarkable facts in<br />
present-day literature."<br />
In a long review of an advance copy of the book in The Agnostic Journal of May 10th, “ Saladin" remarks in his<br />
"At Random” sketch :--The lyric of the poem “Saladin ') is deft and musical, but it is the little schoolgirl's<br />
chivalrous treatment of he who was Christendom's most formidable foe that entitles it to distinction. To try a person<br />
or a cause by his or its intrinsic merits, and not in the light of the extrinsic prejudices with which it has come to be<br />
encrusted, is, in addition to the function of a poet, the deed of a heroine. ... The child's precocious rejection of<br />
religious orthodoxy is recorded in the ambitious dramatic effusion, `Abel Avenged,' an earnest and gifted child's<br />
succedaneum for Byron's Cain,' and in • The Sceptic's Defence. The assault on Orthodoxy is from the moral side.<br />
The teaching of the Church is impugned on the ground of its incompatibility with truth and justice, and-nobly<br />
characteristic of the writer--for its disregard of the sufferings of sentient creatures. . . . Any educated lady of rank<br />
and fashion can secretly hold unpopular tenets; it takes a Douglas to avow them. The volume here is of gold.”<br />
AN ADVANCED CHRISTIAN'S VIEWS OF PART II.<br />
In a letter dated May 1st the Editor of The Golden Age writes :—“ Please accept my warmest thanks for the<br />
pleasure you have given me, and let me offer you my sincerest congratulations. The world has been certainly the<br />
poorer in consequence of the delay in the publication of the poems, for they are both beautiful and remarkable in<br />
many ways, to say nothing of the helpful thought and sentiment contained in them. If · Abel Avenged' had been<br />
issued as a lost manuscript (re-discovered) by Milton, no one would have doubted the authenticity. Are you Milton<br />
re-incarnated ? I wonder! The manner in which you have thought out the deepest problems of Life and handled<br />
them in this poem and in The Sceptic's Defence'is remarkable."<br />
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(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
Vol. XII.-No. 12.<br />
JULY 1, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
PAOE<br />
251<br />
253<br />
253<br />
:<br />
239<br />
25<br />
Notices ...<br />
The Pension Fund of the Society of Anthors ...<br />
From the Committee ...<br />
Coronation Honours ...<br />
Book and Play Talk ...<br />
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property<br />
“ Brockhaus "--The New Centenary Edition<br />
Standard Rules for Printing... ...<br />
Canadian Copyright ... ... ...<br />
English Authors for French Readers ...<br />
Performing or Play Rights ... ...<br />
A Book about Books ...<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
237, 264 Financial Obligations of Trade to Art<br />
237 General Memoranda ...<br />
238 Warnings to Dramatic Anthors<br />
How to Use the Society<br />
239<br />
The Reading Branch ...<br />
242<br />
Authorities<br />
244<br />
Dumas Père (1802–1870) ...<br />
245<br />
American Notes<br />
246<br />
Paris Notes .......<br />
247<br />
The Annual Dinner of the Women Writers<br />
248<br />
The Authors' Club<br />
250<br />
Correspondence...<br />
:::::::::<br />
::::::::::::<br />
254<br />
254<br />
256<br />
258<br />
260<br />
262<br />
262<br />
... 263<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT,<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL<br />
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. 1 THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD CURZON J. M. LELY.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD AVE- OF KEDLESTON.<br />
THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.<br />
BURY, P.C.<br />
AUSTIN DOBSON.<br />
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE.<br />
J. M. BARRIE.<br />
SIR CONAN DOYLE.<br />
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.<br />
A. W. à BECKETT.<br />
A. W. DUB0Ꮯ ᎡG.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
ROBERT BATEMAN.<br />
SIR MICHAEL Foster, K.C.B., M.P., SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.<br />
F.R.S.<br />
J. C. PARKINSON.<br />
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G., C.B. D. W. FRESHFIELD,<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.<br />
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD PIR<br />
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE.<br />
BRIGHT, F.R.S.<br />
THE RIGHT Hox. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. SIDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
Sir FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,LL.D.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH. H. RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.<br />
CLERE<br />
MRS. HARRISON (LUCAS MALET). E. Rose.<br />
HALL CAINE.<br />
THOMAS HARDY.<br />
W. BAPTISTE SCOONES.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS,<br />
OWEN SEAMAN.<br />
EDWARD CLODD.<br />
JEROME K. JEROME.<br />
G. R. SIMS.<br />
W. MORRIS COLLES.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.<br />
The Hon. JOHN COLLIER.<br />
RUDYARD KIPLING.<br />
J. J. STEVENSON.<br />
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY,<br />
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. FRANCIS STORR.<br />
MRS. CRAIGIE.<br />
THE RIGHT Hox.W.E. H. LECKY,M.P. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
F. MARION CRAWFORD.<br />
| LADY LUGARD (Miss FLORA L. SHAW). | MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.<br />
Ilon. Counsel - E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.<br />
Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
Vice-Chairman -- A. W. A BECKETT.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
E. Rose.<br />
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.<br />
OWEN SEAMAX.<br />
SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
SIR CONAN DOYLE.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD,<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY,<br />
Solicitore<br />
FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
(G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W.<br />
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING.<br />
OFFICES: 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 236 (#652) ############################################<br />
<br />
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LESSONS GIVEN. AUTHORS' REFERENCES.<br />
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BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY.<br />
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## p. 237 (#653) ############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XII.- No. 12.<br />
JULY 1st, 1902.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.<br />
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors<br />
has been removed to-<br />
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Donations ...... ..........£1439 16 6<br />
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ܕ ܒܰܡܘ ܕܘ ܗ ܟܬ ܥܛ ܕܝܢ ܝܕ<br />
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Mch. 20, Beeching, Rev. H. C. ......<br />
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VOL. XII.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 238 (#654) ############################################<br />
<br />
238<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE.<br />
date, and members are requested to assist in this<br />
effort by sending to the Secretary early notification<br />
Publication of a List of Members.<br />
of the material particulars.<br />
A copy of the form to be sent to members and<br />
TT will be in the recollection of members to be filled up and returned to the Secretary is<br />
1 who attended, or read a report of, the subjoined :-*<br />
last General Meeting, that the question<br />
DEAR SIR,<br />
of the publication of a list of members of the<br />
1. I object (or do not object) to my name being<br />
Society was raised, not for the first time, and<br />
printed in the list of members.<br />
that the Chairman, in response to speeches<br />
2. I object (or do not object) to my address<br />
urging such a step, undertook to bring the<br />
being printed in the list of members.<br />
matter before the Committee. In the early days<br />
3. I wish (or do not wish) my pseudonym<br />
of the Society, when members were few and<br />
(viz., ) to be printed,<br />
membership was liable to create a prejudice against<br />
(a) With my own name,<br />
the member in some quarters, the publication of<br />
such a list was considered inexpedient. The Com-<br />
(b) By itself.<br />
Yours truly<br />
mittee do not differ from the opinion of their<br />
Name<br />
predecessors, but, having considered the question<br />
Address<br />
anew, they have come to the conclusion that the<br />
change in the position and standing of the Society By order of the Committee,<br />
justifies an alteration of practice. The reasons<br />
(Signed) G. HERBERT THRING,<br />
against publication of names have lost their force<br />
Secretary.<br />
with the increase of members and of strength<br />
which it has been the good fortune of the Society<br />
to secure ; the reasons for it have become more<br />
The Work of the Society.<br />
urgent. It is most desirable that members should Since the last issue of The Author, the Secretary<br />
know who are brethren and who are not, that they has taken in hand eleven cases.<br />
should bare the means of approaching and (if need Two cases were claims for money due, three<br />
arise) of canvassing fellow members in regard to for infringement of copyright, five for the<br />
the action of the Managing Committee or any other return of MSS., and one for accounts. It is<br />
matter of common concern, of uniting to secure the satisfactory to state that eight out of the eleven<br />
election of proper persons to the Pension Committee, have already been settled, and that those left open<br />
and of exercising by joint effort an influence on the from the former month have all been closed with<br />
policy and conduct of the Society.<br />
the exception of cases against bankrupt papers.<br />
The Committee, therefore, have decided that a list To enforce the author's rights would have been to<br />
of members shall be printed and be sold at a small incur needless expense with no adequate return.<br />
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indicate in reply whether they desire any one or all from magazines and papers, and reprinted in smaller<br />
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strong feeling in favour of the publication of It not infrequently occurs—in spite of the efforts<br />
names and addresses which has been shown, the of the Times—that mere statements of news are<br />
Committee feel justified in publishing them unless reproduced without acknowledgment; that is bad<br />
express notice of objection is received. They will be enough, but it is going a little too far and is unfair<br />
much obliged if all members will fill up and return to the author to reproduce articles and short stories<br />
the form sent to them immediately; but in case no bodily without remuneration.<br />
answer be received on or before the 15th August, The Society has, however, been able to obtain<br />
1902, they will deem themselves at liberty to insert recognition of the rights infringed, although the<br />
full particulars in each case. Where members editors of some provincial papers are inclined to<br />
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will be respected, and a statement of the number right of birth. In fact one editor was astonished<br />
of members whose names are not inserted will be at the tone the author adopted, as the author,<br />
given at the end of the list. It is hoped to publish he asserted, had gained a valuable advertisement<br />
the list annually, and to keep it thoroughly up to by this form of publication.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 239 (#655) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
239<br />
·<br />
· ·<br />
·......<br />
· .<br />
..<br />
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· ·<br />
Magazines and Contributors.<br />
Bloomfield, J. H. . . . . 1 0 0<br />
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F. 0. B. (Coventry).<br />
0 5 0<br />
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Seton-Karr, H. W..<br />
1 0 0<br />
butors,” has been considerably enlarged and<br />
Heriot, Cheyne .<br />
republished by order of the Committee.<br />
Charley, Sir W. T., K.<br />
1 1<br />
The sanction of the editors has been in many<br />
Anonymous<br />
05<br />
Charlton, Miss Emily<br />
0 5 0<br />
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CORONATION HONOURS.<br />
As the pamphlet cannot fail to be of use to all<br />
those who contribute to magazines, the Committee<br />
trust there will be no difficulty in disposing of this W E must congratulate Sir Conan Doyle and<br />
number.<br />
W Sir Gilbert Parker, two active members<br />
of the Committee of the Society of<br />
Authors, on receiving the honour of Knighthood.<br />
Besant Memorial.<br />
Amongst the other gentlemen distinguished in<br />
literature we see that Sir F. C. Burnand has been<br />
THE Besant Memorial now stands as follows :-<br />
made a Knight. He is on the sub-committee of<br />
Up to the end of February subscrip-<br />
the Society that deals with dramatic questions.<br />
tions were received, according to the<br />
Sir William Laird Clowes and Sir C. Villiers<br />
long list already issued, amounting to. £293 4 0<br />
Stanford are also among those who have received<br />
From March to the date of issue the<br />
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editor of that excellent production, the “ Dictionary<br />
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Subscriptions received from March to the date of issue. any honour the King thought fit to confer.<br />
Sir Henry Bergne, who has acted with such<br />
Anonymous .<br />
£1 1 0<br />
Champneys, Basil<br />
distinction in the cause of International Copyright,<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
• Colonia," Natal, S. Africa<br />
has received in addition to his K.C.M.G. a C.B.<br />
. 1 1 0<br />
Fife Cookson, Lt.-Col. F. C.<br />
The new Order of Merit has been conferred on<br />
Gunter, Lt. Col. E. A. .<br />
the Right Honourable John Morley, and the<br />
0 10 0<br />
Right Honourable W. E. H. Lecky. The latter<br />
Harding, Capt. Claud, R.N.<br />
1 0 0<br />
Hurry, A.<br />
has been a member of the Council of the Society<br />
. .<br />
. (10 6<br />
Keary, C. F. (amount not to be men-<br />
for some years.<br />
tioned)<br />
Kinns, The Rev. Samuel, D.D. .<br />
0 5 0<br />
Millais, J. G. .<br />
1 0 0<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
Quiller Couch, Miss )<br />
. 0 5 0<br />
Sterry, J. Ashby .<br />
• • . 1 1 0<br />
Temple, Lieut.-Col. R.<br />
1 0 A N important work of Mrs. L. T. Meade's will<br />
Underdown, Miss E.<br />
0 5 0 A come out in the early autumn. It con-<br />
Lockyer, Sir T. Norman<br />
220)<br />
sists of the stories of the Bible written<br />
Beale, Miss Mary .<br />
0 2 6 in a new form and most beautifully illustrated.<br />
Bolam, Rev. C. E. .<br />
0 5 0. These stories have already appeared in The Sunday<br />
Egbert, Henry . .<br />
0 5 0 Strand under the title “Voices out of the Past."<br />
Eccles, Miss O'Connor<br />
1 1 0 The publishers will be Messrs. Newnes & Co.<br />
Darwin, Francis<br />
1 1 0<br />
Campbell-Montgomery, Miss F. F.<br />
Mrs. L. T. Meade's usual girls' books will also<br />
1 1 0<br />
Medlecott, Cecil<br />
be published in the autumo.<br />
.<br />
0 10 6<br />
Saxby, Mrs. . . . . . 1 1 0 Mr. Carlton Dawe's new farcical comedy<br />
Caine, T. H. Hall .<br />
· 1000 “Brother Bill,” which has lately been delighting<br />
Marris, Miss Murrell<br />
: 0 5 0 suburban audiences, is now making a tour of our<br />
S. B. . . . . . . 0 5 0 chief provincial cities, and is doing very well.<br />
1<br />
1<br />
0<br />
0 oor<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 240 (#656) ############################################<br />
<br />
240<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Mr. Dawe's novel, “ The Demagogue,” recently Mr. St., John Lucas writes forcibly on " the<br />
published by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton, is true decadence.” He demonstrates wisely the<br />
being considerably talked about. This is hardly misapplication of the term to those who, filled<br />
to be wondered at, as the book deals with certain with true if eccentric genius, break away from<br />
social and religious topics which are of perennial convention and run riot through the established<br />
interest to the educated reader.<br />
laws of art, and confines its true application to<br />
Mr. Charles Garvice's new novel will be pub- those writers who are remarkable for general and<br />
lished by Messrs. Sands & Co. in the autumn.<br />
mournful deficiency in artistic spirit, whose readers<br />
The second edition of the same author's “ Just a are callously contented with the slovenly and the<br />
Girl” is in the press.<br />
garish. And he proceeds :-<br />
Lady Florence Dixie has a work called “ The “When realism degenerates into a chronicle of the<br />
Story of Ijain ; or, The Evolution of a Mind," unimportant, and romanticism becomes a puppet show of<br />
coming out in a serial form in the columns of the paint and tinsel whose limp figures jerkily obey the<br />
unimaginative commands of the archæologist or the<br />
Agnostic Journal. On completion it will be issued<br />
historian ; when the drama is a show room for the dresses<br />
in book form. It is a synopsis of Part I. of a and doings of the dull, or a temple where the devout can<br />
much larger work of the same name commenced worship sham princes and impossible peers ; when poetry<br />
in 1877, and completed that year. Part II. was<br />
totters on the slack wire of convention, and painting<br />
possesess a Helicon of its own with a number of prosperous<br />
completed last year. Neither will be published at<br />
gentlemen for Muses—when, in fine, the art of any country<br />
present.<br />
not only becomes slavishly imitative of antiquity or firmly<br />
Another work written by Lady Florence in fettered by a dominant school, but also gradually gives<br />
place to the spurious products of those who are not artists,<br />
1877 will shortly appear in serial form, and will<br />
then, surely, the real decadence appears. The true decline<br />
afterwards be published in book form, entitled of art begins with the popularity of the inartistic."<br />
“Isola or the Disinherited.” This will be followed<br />
by the issue, in the order in which they were Benjamin Swift's last novel, “ Ludus Amoris," is<br />
written, of all Lady Florence's unpublished as far as scenario goes, the most complete thing<br />
writings between 1877 and the present day. this author has yet done. Covent Garden, with its<br />
The King has been graciously pleased to thank<br />
heaps of fruit and flowers, is the centre of the<br />
Miss Stredder for her verses on the Coronation,<br />
game of love which is not mere comedy: it is<br />
also tragic sport. The writer's beloved Sussex is<br />
which have been printed for private circulation<br />
introduced. Indeed, half the work was written<br />
only.<br />
out of doors, in a boat on the river Arun, near<br />
It seems that the Dorset rustic sometimes looks<br />
Arundel.<br />
askance at printed references to himself. A<br />
Bridport paper recently made liberal extracts from<br />
Mr. Frank Bullen's new novel will be dedicated,<br />
Mr. Wilkinson Sherren's “Wessex of Romance"; by permission, to Theodore Roosevelt, President of<br />
and one of its subscribers, thinking he recognised the United States of America.<br />
a family portrait, wrote to the editor complaining<br />
of its accuracy.<br />
President Roosevelt, whose “The Strenuous<br />
Sir W. T. Charley's recently published book, Life” has been doing remarkably well, is the fore-<br />
“ The Holy City, Athens and Egypt,” mentioned most and principal contributor to an illustrated<br />
in a previous number of The Author, represents volume in the American Sportsmen's Library, which<br />
the diligent research and careful study of many treats of the “ Deer Family” in America. His<br />
months. The student of theology will find it à experiences of hunting the Mule-deer, the White-<br />
valuable work of reference. There are illustra- tail, the Pronghorn, and the Wapiti are recorded<br />
tions beautifully reproduced from photographs. with enthusiasm, for the President is a keen<br />
Macmillan's Magazine for June has three articles naturalist and sportsman. He has the true sports-<br />
that strongly appeal to those who follow the literary<br />
man's disiike for the wanton destruction of game<br />
or dramatic profession.<br />
and the shooting of record bags.<br />
Mr. W. P. James deals with Opera and Drama. Under the title of“ The King Alfred Millenary"<br />
Mr. James is a skilled essayist. He is sure to Messrs. Macmillan are publishing a volume compiled<br />
illuminate whatever subject he grapples by his by Mr. Alfred Bowker, late Mayor of Winchester.<br />
lucidity of style and by his thoughtful treatment. It contains a reprint of all the principal speeches<br />
An anonymous writer has some sensible remarks delivered at the preliminary meetings and during<br />
to put forward on “Our Unhappy Language.” the ceremony, as well as a detailed account of the<br />
“ Split Infinitives” “and which ” and “ American proceedings at Winchester, and of the subsequent<br />
isms” are roughly handled, especially the last. honours paid to the King's memory in the United<br />
Some wonderful examples are quoted.<br />
States. The volume is illustrated.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 241 (#657) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
241<br />
“Greater Russia” is the title chosen for the<br />
book on Siberia and Manchuria which Mr. Wirt<br />
Gerrare will publish in September through Mr.<br />
Heinemann. The American edition will be issued<br />
by the Macmillan Co., of New York.<br />
A guide to Lake Ulleswater and the neighbour-<br />
hood has been published by Mr. George Reed, of<br />
Penrith, Cumberland. It is illustrated with over<br />
sixty reproductions of photographs by well-known<br />
amateur photographers, and the letterpress is<br />
concise to a praise worthy degree. This Guide can<br />
be purchased for sixpence.<br />
Mr. Grant Richards has, amongst his autumn<br />
books, a volume entitled, “Wit, Wisdom, and<br />
Philosophy of Modern Women-Writers," being a<br />
series of quotations, compiled and arranged, with<br />
critical notes, by Frances Tyrrell-Gill, a member of<br />
this Society. The excerpts are from some of the<br />
best-known women authoresses, including, amongst<br />
others, Mrs. Meynell, Lucas Malet, Mrs. Humphry<br />
Ward, Sarah Grand, Mrs. Rentoul Esler, Miss Chol.<br />
mondelev, and Miss Harraden, and are examples of<br />
some of the finest things they have written.<br />
Mr. James Bryce, M.P., who is a member of<br />
our Council, delivered the Romanes Lecture at<br />
Oxford on June 7th. The subject of his address<br />
was “ The Relations of the Advanced and Back-<br />
ward Races of Mankind." In the course of his<br />
eloquent and most interesting lecture he said :<br />
“ Broadly speaking, a point has been reached at which the<br />
conditions likely to affect the relative development of the<br />
various branches of mankind have become so far known<br />
that students may begin to deal with them in a positive and<br />
practical way. They have passed from the chaos of con-<br />
jecture into the cosmos of science. ...<br />
* It is hardly too much to say that for economic purposes<br />
all mankind is fast becoming one people, in which the<br />
hitherto backward nations are taking a place analogous to<br />
that which the unskilled workers have held in each one of<br />
the civilized nations. Such an event opens a new stage in<br />
world-history, a stage whose significance has perhaps been<br />
as yet scarcely realised either by the thinker or by the man<br />
of action."<br />
Mr. Bryce said, in conclusion :-<br />
“ I have sought to call your attention to a great secular<br />
process in the history of the world, a process the steps in<br />
which are reckoned by centuries, and whose magnitude<br />
transcends the political or commercial questions that claim<br />
our thoughts from day to day. It is a process which has<br />
now entered a critical phase, and we see opening before us<br />
a long vista in which there appears possibilities of an<br />
immense increase in the productive powers of the earth<br />
and man, possibilities also of trouble and strife between<br />
races now being brought into a closer and more general<br />
contact. ...<br />
The sentiment of race-pride, the keenness of race-<br />
rivalry, have been intensified. But the sense of a common<br />
humanity has grown stronger. When we think of the<br />
problems which are now being raised by the contact of<br />
races, clouds seem to hang heavy on the horizon of the<br />
future ; yet light streams in when we remember that the<br />
spirit in which civilized States are preparing to meet those<br />
problems is higher and purer than it was when, four<br />
centuries ago, the great outward movement of European<br />
peoples began.”<br />
Mr. Bryce is at present gathering for publica-<br />
tion a number of biographical sketches written<br />
during the last twenty years.<br />
“Johnnie Courteau and Other Poems” (Put-<br />
nam's Sons) is the title of Dr. William Henry<br />
Drummond's new volume of Canadian poems,<br />
daintily illustrated by Dr. Coburn, who is, like<br />
Dr. Drummond himself, a Canadian.<br />
In such poems as “ Johnnie Courteau ” ; “ The<br />
Corduroy Road” ; “The Cure of Calumette”:<br />
“My Leetle Cabane ” ; “ The Hill of San Sebas-<br />
tien”; “The Windigo”; “Madeleine Vercheres”;<br />
“ The Log Jam"; and “ The Red Canoe,” Dr.<br />
Drummond sings the feelings, the thoughts, the<br />
doings of those simple, sturdy folk of the North<br />
Woods who are members of the British Empire.<br />
Like his former volume of poems, “ The Habi-<br />
tant,” of which, by-the-bye, 25,000 copies have<br />
already been sold, “ Johnnie Courteau” has more<br />
than an ephemeral value ; it throws a revealing<br />
light on our kinsfolk living and working in the<br />
great and growing Dominion across the water.<br />
“A Guide to the Best Historical Novels and<br />
Tales,” by Jonathan Nield (Elkin Mathews), is a<br />
useful and timely compilation. The order in which<br />
the books are placed is, on the whole, according to<br />
the periods dealt with, from the Pre-Christian era<br />
to the present century. Author, publisher, and<br />
subject are tabulated after the title of the book.<br />
As a help in the choice of suitable books for the<br />
attainment of a truer historical sense, the author<br />
has made out, at the end of the volume, two special<br />
lists for boys and girls respectively.<br />
Among the members of the Society whose poems<br />
have been put under contribution by Mr. Orby<br />
Shipley for the second series of the Carmina<br />
Mariana are Sir Edwin Arnold and G. N. Count<br />
Plunkett, F.S.A. Mr. Plunkett is known as the<br />
author of " The Jacobite War in Ireland,"<br />
“Sandro Botticelli,” &c., &c.<br />
Mr. Frederick C. Nicolls has just published a<br />
useful book for students of music called “ The<br />
Technique of the Pianoforte Pedals.” Rubenstein<br />
has been known to say: “ The more I play the more<br />
thoroughly I am convinced that the pedal is the<br />
soul of the piano,” Mr. Nicolls considers that the<br />
art of using the pedals, more especially the right<br />
or sustaining pedal, has only begun to receive the<br />
careful attention due to it.<br />
Mr. Lawrence Binyon, who has been in Italy<br />
this spring is working at some poems on Italian<br />
subjecus.<br />
subjects. He has also completed a romantic<br />
narrative poem. Part of his poem “The Death<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 242 (#658) ############################################<br />
<br />
242<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
of Adam,” which appeared in The Monthly<br />
Review, has been published recently in L'Occident.<br />
Mr. Edward Rose, who is a member of our<br />
Committee of Management, is publishing at once,<br />
through Messrs. Methuen, his “Rose Reader.” It<br />
is a new method of teaching children to read,<br />
which gets over the great difficulty of the<br />
irregularity of English spelling by employing only<br />
regularly-spelt words till the learner has a firm<br />
grasp of the principles of reading, and of its<br />
practice.<br />
A work of the first importance just out is,<br />
66 All the Russias : Travels and Studies in<br />
Contemporary European Russia, Finland, Siberia,<br />
the Caucasus, and Central Asia," by Mr. Henry<br />
Norman, M.P., who is a member of our Council,<br />
and is also on our Committee of Management,<br />
There are a hundred and thirty-seven illustrations<br />
in this handsome volume, chiefly from the author's<br />
photographs, and four maps.<br />
In his preface Mr. Norman tells us that the<br />
volume is the outcome of fifteen years' interest in<br />
Russian affairs, culminating in four journeys—one<br />
of nearly 20,000 miles-in European and Asiatic<br />
Russia.<br />
He goes on to say :-<br />
- My own modest aim has been to present a picture of<br />
of<br />
the aspects of contemporary Russia of most interest to<br />
foreign readers, with especial reference to the recent<br />
remarkable industrial and commercial development of<br />
Russia, and the possibility of closer commercial and<br />
political relations between Russia and Great Britain. This<br />
last I regard as the most important question (after Anglo-<br />
American relations) in British foreign politics to-day."<br />
As our very limited space prevents anything like<br />
adequate quotations from its fascinating pages,<br />
our readers are, one and all, referred to “All the<br />
Russias” itself.<br />
Mr. Leonard Williams, late correspondent of The<br />
Times at Madrid, and author of “ Ballads and<br />
Songs of Spain ” and “ A Child's History of Spain,"<br />
has finished two new works relating to that country,<br />
which are in the press, and will be published very<br />
shortly by Messrs. Cassell & Co., Ltd. Their<br />
titles are, * The Land of the Dons,” and “Madrid:<br />
Her Records and Romances.” Many of the illus-<br />
trations will be from Mr. Williams' own drawings<br />
and photographs. The binding also is from his<br />
design.<br />
Another new and important book is “ Lord<br />
Milner and South Africa,” by E. B. Iwan-Muller<br />
(Heinemann, 15s. net).<br />
Mr. Edward Clodd's recently published book on<br />
Huxley (Blackwood) is doing well. It meets a<br />
want. Mr. Clodd deals with Huxley as the man,<br />
the discoverer, the interpreter, the controversialist,<br />
and the constructor.<br />
“Rossetti," with fifty illustrations, by Mr. Ford<br />
Madox Hueffer, and “Rembrandt," with sixty<br />
illustrations, by Auguste Bréal, have just been<br />
issued by Messrs. Duckworth & Co. They are<br />
the two first volumes of their Popular Library of<br />
Art;, planned expressly for the general public<br />
(cloth, 28. net ; leather, 28. 6il. net).<br />
“ The Bishop's Move," a new play by John<br />
Oliver Hobbes and Mr. Murray Carson, was<br />
successfully produced by Mr. Bourchier on the<br />
night of June 7th, at a special performance in aid<br />
of Queen Alexandra's fund for the families of<br />
soldiers and sailors.<br />
Some loyal verses by Mr. Owen Seaman were<br />
effectively recited by Sir Squire Bancroft at the<br />
end of the concert which preceded the play.<br />
Mr. William Le Queux is busy re-writing his<br />
new novel of Italian life, “ The Uunamed," which<br />
has just concluded in Cassell's Magazine. There-<br />
fore it will not be issued by Messrs. Hodder and<br />
Stoughton until the autumn.<br />
Rear-Admiral H.R.H. the Prince of Wales has<br />
accepted a copy of “With the Flag at Sea," by<br />
Walter Wood, published by Messrs. A. Constable<br />
& Co., Ltd., and containing, amongst other<br />
original matter, the log of the Victory for the<br />
Trafalgar period, from the MS. General the Duke<br />
of Connaught has accepted copies of the same<br />
author's histories of the Rifle Brigade (of which<br />
regiment His Royal Highness is Colonel-in-Chief)<br />
and the Northumberland Fusiliers. These two<br />
regiments have been the heaviest losers in the<br />
South African war.<br />
Messrs. Longmans have decided to publish in<br />
October an important new historical romance<br />
entitled “By the Ramparts of Jezreel.” bs Le<br />
Voleur, in collaboration with Arnold Davenport,<br />
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL<br />
PROPERTY.<br />
Germany and the United States Copyright.<br />
M HE German-American Literary Treaty of<br />
1 1892 is not considered by the Germans to<br />
be working satisfactorily. They point out<br />
that under the terms of reciprocity the Americans<br />
obtain ipso jure all the advantages of the new<br />
German law, including a protection of longer dura.<br />
tion than they have in their own country. On the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 243 (#659) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
243<br />
contrary, the more successful a German work is, the The same publisher offered £5 for the copyright<br />
worse the author finds himself protected in the of a technical work of about 50,000 words, from<br />
United States. It is asserted that during the year the pen of a well-known authority on the subject.<br />
1901 only two German works obtained copyright in Here, again, the offer was rejected.<br />
the United States, whilst every work produced in It is quite right from a strictly business point<br />
the United States had copyright in Germany. of view that the publisher should seek to buy in<br />
the cheapest market, but it is quite right from the<br />
author's point of view that he should endeavour<br />
to sell his wares to the best possible advantage.<br />
The International Literary and Artistic<br />
Surely a publisher would hardly expect, unless<br />
Association.<br />
there were some special circumstances arising from<br />
We have received from M. Lermina, Perpetual<br />
the poverty or the affluence of the author, that an<br />
offer of so small an amount would be accepted.<br />
Secretary of the “ Association Littéraire et Artis-<br />
tique,” the programme of the approaching Con.<br />
on. Another publisher purchased the sole copyright<br />
gress of the Association, to be held at Naples 23rd<br />
in a MS. of 95,000 words for £15. It subsequently<br />
to 29th September next.<br />
came out that he had sold the American rights on<br />
The subjects to be discussed at the Congress are<br />
a substantial royalty to a first-class American<br />
as follows :--<br />
firm. In this case the acceptance of the offer was<br />
1. The revision of the Berne Convention.<br />
due to one of the reasons stated previously. No<br />
2. Means of procuring new adhesions to the<br />
doubt the publisher has made an excellent bargain.<br />
These facts are put forward, not with a view of<br />
Berne Convention.<br />
3. The institution of a paying public copyright.<br />
a vaving public copyright hurling abuse at the publisher, but merely as a<br />
hurling at<br />
4. Legal deposition of literary and artistic<br />
warning to the author.<br />
In no circumstances should a book be sold out-<br />
works.<br />
5. Mechanical musical instruments.<br />
right for an absurdly inadequate sum. Such a<br />
6. Legislative movements in various countries.<br />
course is disastrous to the author.<br />
Co<br />
It throws<br />
Italy— Proposed reform of the Italian legislation.<br />
temptation in the path of the publisher.<br />
France-Consequences of the law of 11th March.<br />
An author should always be able, if, as some-<br />
Germany-Application of the new laws respecting<br />
times occurs, his book secures a large sale, to reap<br />
literary and artistic works ; reform of the laws<br />
part of the profits of that sale, however small his<br />
respecting plastic arts and photography. Greece-<br />
remuneration may be to commence with.<br />
The position of literary and artistic copyright in<br />
There are but few publishers nowadays who do<br />
Greece. Roumania-Protection of foreigners.<br />
not admit the justice of this principle.<br />
United States of America—The refabrication<br />
An author who asks for this advantage will<br />
clause. South American States—A pan-American<br />
receive the concession.<br />
convention.<br />
7. Intellectual property from the point of view<br />
of theatrical art.<br />
An Author's Account Book.<br />
8. The constitution of an international tribunal<br />
nalIn the May number of The Author a cor-<br />
of arbitration.<br />
9. The creation of an international juridical<br />
respondent, giving some information on the<br />
vocabulary.<br />
slackness of the literary market and drawing his<br />
deductions from offers he had obtained for his<br />
own MSS., alluded to his method of keeping his<br />
Prices.<br />
books as one which admitted of ready reference.<br />
Letters from other members of the Society have<br />
In the May number of The Author the prices come to the office inquiring if it was possible to<br />
for certain articles given by certain magazine pro- obtain any information on the subject of this<br />
prietors were quoted. Since that article appeared method of bookkeeping.<br />
some further offers have come to our knowledge. It is with much pleasure, therefore, that the<br />
A publisher offered £10 for the copyright of a sample page is printed below.<br />
novel of 80,000 words, basing his offer on the fact It is needless to say that the example taken, both<br />
that the former work of the same author had not as regard the names of the magazines and the prices,<br />
been successful, and that he had lost £100. It does not relate to any special case.<br />
this was the case it seems curious that it should The member who kindly forwarded this sample<br />
have been worth the publisher's while to offer the sheet states that the register is of 100 pages to<br />
author anything at all for so long a story. The (the size is reduced for the purpose of The Author),<br />
offer was refused.<br />
with an alphabetical index for the titles of the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 244 (#660) ############################################<br />
<br />
244<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
articles, and that at the end of the book there is a to the periodicals to which the articles have<br />
series of cash columns for entries of the payments been sent.<br />
obtained for each article. For instance, £1 78, 3d. Personally he uses a blank sheet for this further<br />
in the example printed would be carried to the index, and crosses out the number as soon as the<br />
cash column at the end of the book.<br />
MS. is returned or paid for.<br />
The book, however, he regrets to say is not It is clear, however, that an index in the book<br />
perfect, as in addition there should be an index itself would be much more satisfactory.<br />
TITLE, “PAYING HOBBIES.” BY A. TYLDEN.<br />
Ref. No. 86.<br />
DESCRIPTION... Article.<br />
LENGTH...1000.<br />
To WHOM SENT.<br />
DATE SENT.<br />
DATE<br />
RETURNED.<br />
Paid OUT.<br />
£ 8. d.<br />
DATE.<br />
7/698<br />
16/6/98<br />
Johnson (Typist)<br />
Young Woman<br />
Our Sisters (B.)<br />
Woman's Weekly ...<br />
Lady ... ..<br />
Ladies' Field<br />
English woman<br />
Reporter's Mag. ...<br />
Money Maker<br />
11/6/98<br />
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78/98<br />
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10/11/99<br />
16/6/98<br />
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29/6/98<br />
6/8/98<br />
9/8/98<br />
15/8/98<br />
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Written<br />
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Received<br />
Less paid out<br />
29<br />
1<br />
7<br />
3<br />
Remarks :-<br />
* Price to be arranged.<br />
B. wrote asking to call.<br />
Copyright bought.<br />
Paid by P.O.<br />
101158 10/-<br />
Sent to Smith.<br />
3,446004 Sent to Fowner.<br />
33<br />
“BROCKHAUS”—THE NEW CENTENARY<br />
EDITION.<br />
The Value of Translations.<br />
On Monday, June 16th, before Mr. Under-<br />
Sheriff Burchell and a special jury, Messrs.<br />
Swan Sonnenschein & Co., Ltd., publishers,<br />
of Paternoster Square, were awarded $350 and<br />
costs against Mr. Kaur Trübner, a publisher<br />
of Strassburg, for breach of contract to give the<br />
right of producing an English translation of a<br />
“ Short Comparative Grammar of Indo-Germanic<br />
Languages,” which is being brought out in German<br />
by Professor Brugmann, of Leipzig, being an<br />
abridgment of a treatise in five volumes brought<br />
out by him some years ago in collaboration with<br />
Professor Delbrück, of Jena University. The<br />
translation was to have been executed by Professor<br />
Chase, of Cornell University, in the United States<br />
of America. The defendant did not appear before<br />
the Under-Sheriff to contest the question of<br />
damages.<br />
m o praise “Brockhaus "would be an impertinence<br />
1 on my part. I have had this work at my<br />
elbow, in successive editions, since the year<br />
of the Franco-German War, and at the same time<br />
the “ Britannica” and the “ American Appleton<br />
Encyclopædia.” Of late years I have also found<br />
much comfort in the “Century Dictionary of Names"<br />
— particularly good for the verification of a<br />
biographical or bibliographical fact when in a<br />
hurry.<br />
But“Brockhaus" is the one which, after all, comes<br />
in for the most handling, because of the enormous<br />
number of heads under which to search — the<br />
conciseness, impartiality, and completeness that are<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 245 (#661) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
245<br />
apparent everywhere, even on such a theme as If the ending is in e, keep the “e”; if there is no e in<br />
the war in South Africa.<br />
the ending of the infinitive present, do not add one,<br />
“Brockhaus” was started in 1796, and we have e.)., changeable, workable.<br />
now the 14th edition before us—at least, the first There should be exceptions only for<br />
eight volumes of the set of 17. There will be 3. Words of Latin origin, which take ible<br />
some 17,000 pages, and about 10,000 plates of instead of able. Let them do so in all cases ; why<br />
various kinds. Each volume costs 148., and these allow accept, etc., to be an exception ?<br />
volumes succeed one another at intervals of two 4 . The tendency of the English language has been<br />
months.<br />
hitherto to abolish “ ize" endings, and to establish<br />
Nothing is easier than to find fault with a & universal “ ise" in its place. Why not let the<br />
cyclopædia or a military campaign. Indeed, I tendency continue ? Unless people know Greek,<br />
have in a merely casual glance through the first they never know for certain which ending to use<br />
eight volumes stumbled upon one or two-but it if there are two possible ones.<br />
would be idle to waste time in such a search. 5. We ought to agree with Dr. Murray about<br />
Here it is more to the point to call the attention of words ending in ment; let the rule be to add ment<br />
my fellow-craftsinen to a work which is a marvel to the word as it stands, like the proposed rule<br />
of accuracy, of comprehensiveness, of convenience. about words ending in able.<br />
The maps, and plates, and tables alone entitle it to 6. The same principle should be held in spelling<br />
pre-eminence. The purchase of reference works is participles ; ing should be universally added to<br />
å burden which few active authors can escape. I the present infinitive, without any cutting off of<br />
find this item alone a fairly heavy annual budget, “e's.” The syllable ed begins with an “e”; it is<br />
from “Whitaker's” and “Who's Who” to the various reasonable and comprehensible to cut off an e<br />
Dictionaries of National Biography. If, however, before adding it, so as not to bring two “e's ”<br />
I had to limit myself to one work alone as a together.<br />
travelling reference library it would be this 7. Fullin composition should drop an “l"univer-<br />
“Brockhaus."<br />
sally, e.g., fulfill, or skillful, willful, useful ; but<br />
POULTNEY BIGELOW. there is no reason why verbs and nouns should.<br />
MÜNICH, June 22.<br />
Their greater importance should be accentuated<br />
by the retention of the double “1.".<br />
8. When a verb ends in a consonant preceded<br />
STANDARD RULES FOR PRINTING. by a vowel, there has been a rule to double the<br />
consonant before adding ed or ing. But there<br />
have been so many exceptions, that the rule is no<br />
1.<br />
rule. Either let it be universal-(it only requires<br />
M R. HOWARD COLLINS is to be con- the dictum of a Dr. Murray to make it so)-or let<br />
M<br />
g ratulated on an imprimatur which his the practise be to add el, ing, er, or whatever the<br />
“Rules for Authors, Editors, Readers syllable may be, to the present infinitive of the<br />
and Compositors" have lately received. The verb, without any consonant doubling.<br />
committee of the London Association of Correctors 9. Why keep the z in cognisance ?<br />
of the Press has passed a resolution “generally Why keep the x in connection ?<br />
approving ” Part I., dealing with the letter A., Why keep the a in dependent ?<br />
and has also offered the assistance of its members Why keep the x in infection ?<br />
for the remainder of the work.<br />
License, practise, prophesy, should always have<br />
the “s"; the context tells the part of speech.<br />
10. Some words beginning with h no longer<br />
II.-Note on the Clarendon Press Rules.<br />
have the “h” mute, as in earlier times, and as is<br />
1. Rules for compositors are rules for all the mentioned ; surely herb, hero, history, hotel,<br />
English-speaking world, including its children. hostel, have so grown, and might have an a<br />
The commencement of a new Dictionary, like the instead of an before them. Let those only that<br />
one in progress by Dr. Murray, was a great oppor have not so grown continue the an—viz., heir,<br />
tunity for authors, compositors, and school teachers honour, honest, hour, (h)ostler.<br />
to organise for some kind of reform, so as to render 11. Let people who use slang and provincialisms<br />
our system more regular. We have too many sense. spell them as they please ; why make any rule<br />
less exceptions to our grammatical rules; these about the spelling of ain't? it ought not to be<br />
are a sore puzzle to children and foreigners; and recognised at all; it is not a real word.<br />
seldom have any good reason for their retention. 12. Page 25. Dates.--If you are writing a date<br />
2. For instance, words ending in able. Why in figures the order is (1) day, (2) month, (3) year ;<br />
not in all cases add able to the infinitive present. if a letter or heading of a chapter is being dated,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 246 (#662) ############################################<br />
<br />
246<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
this universal order should be followed ; thus, similar lines to those originally suggested by our<br />
“19 May, 1862.” But if a date is being mentioned Committee, as shown by the following letter of<br />
in a descriptive sentence, the number of the day Professor Pelham Edgar, secretary of the society,<br />
should be written in letters, thus, “ It happened to the Dominion Ministers on the subject :-<br />
on the nineteenth of May, 1862.”<br />
13. English Counties, same page.—Why make a<br />
I beg respectfully to submit the following statements on<br />
the question of copyright. I speak as representing the<br />
quite unnecessary difference between contractions opinion of the Canadian Society of Authors :-<br />
in the spelling of the counties ? Bucks. and 1. We endorse any action which the Canadian Govern-<br />
Hants, are as much contractions as Yorks. Wilts. ment may take towards securing increased legislative<br />
Berks. etc. Let there be one rule ; let all con-<br />
privileges in this as in all questions where doubt as to the<br />
extent of Canada's prerogative exists.<br />
tractions of words be marked by a point.<br />
2. While affirming this position we would deprecate any<br />
14. The proposed division of words is depre- retrogressive legislation which would impair the privileges<br />
cated. On page 21 dimin-ish, inter-est, and Canada at present enjoys as a part of the British Empire.<br />
3. We would as strongly register our protest against any<br />
pun-ish are correct. Why not follow the same<br />
action being taken that would involve our withdrawal from<br />
rule—the rule of the root-in the other cases the Berne Convention. This agreement we regard as an<br />
mentioned, and in all other cases ? The endings enlightened measure, which recognises the principle of<br />
ance, ence, ant, ent, er, or have well-defined and reciprocal international concessions, and accords to the<br />
well-known meanings as separate syllables. The<br />
author the right to control the products of his own brain,<br />
4. Any licensing clause upon the lines proposed by the<br />
divisions should be abund-ance, depend-ent, cor-re- Board of Trade would necessitate our withdrawal from the<br />
spond-ence, esta-blish-ment, import-ance, minist Berne Convention.<br />
er, respond-ent. So also starv-ation, observ-ation,<br />
5. Canada would then be isolated in the civilized world.<br />
exalt-ation, gener-ation, imagin-ation, origin-ally,<br />
a system of retaliation would be substituted for a system of<br />
international reciprocity, and Canadian authorship would<br />
and so on; the rule being that all words should<br />
be seriously hampered in its growth,<br />
be divided according to their natural syllabic The Federal Executive, by maintaining existing condi-<br />
formation.<br />
tions, can, on the other hand, encourage the development<br />
F. P.<br />
of a Canadian national literature.<br />
6. The foremost publishers in Canada are opposed to the<br />
introduction of such a licensing clause. The publishers in<br />
question-Geo. N. Morang & Co., Limited, the Copp.<br />
III.<br />
Clark Co., Limited, and Wm. Briggs of the Methodist Book<br />
SIR,—It is very easy for Mr. Bernard Shaw and<br />
and Publishing House-brought out forty-nine British and<br />
American copyright works last year, as against two pub-<br />
his like to say that the author can settle such<br />
lished by the firms now agitating for a change.<br />
matters as spelling, for instance, himself, and order 7. We humbly submit that the views of the united body<br />
the printer to “ follow copy.” But how about the of Canadian authors have more intimate bearing upon<br />
small author ? For thirty years or more I have copyright than the views of a section of Canadian printers.<br />
written the word judgement with an "e" after “g,” Mr. Morang, the Canadian publisher, has also<br />
and spelt advertize and artizan with “z”; but never been in the forefront of the battle supporting the<br />
have I seen the word printed so, although I may same view of the case.<br />
have corrected two sets of proofs.<br />
It is to be hoped that neither the efforts of the<br />
As to Americanisms, one must grin and bear them Canadian Society of Authors nor of the Canadian<br />
if one sends copy to the United States. “Odor," publishers, headed by Mr. Morang, will be less<br />
“ favor,” etc., etc., make me shudder ; and even energetic owing to the reactionary views adopted<br />
French names of towns, such as Lyons and Nismes, by a few Canadian printers.<br />
appear in print as witnesses of the poor author's The Canadian question, it appears, will be one<br />
ignorance and want of observation when he travels of the questions discussed at the meeting of the<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
Premiers.<br />
The printers of Canada should not be given the<br />
power of dealing arbitrarily with property not their<br />
own—the copyright of Canadian authors, or the<br />
CANADIAN COPYRIGHT.<br />
contracts of Canadian publishers ; nor the inter-<br />
international and colonial arrangements of the<br />
Empire be upset in order to benefit a small trade<br />
TN last month's Author the Committee made a section in Canada.<br />
I statement setting forth the course of action Everybody throughout the Empire who is<br />
they had adopted on the question of Canadian interested in the preservation of the status quo<br />
copyright. This course of action, begun some owe gratitude to the Canadian Authors' Society<br />
years ago, has been persistently pursued.<br />
and to Mr. Morang, who has so energetically led<br />
Since the formation of the Canadian Authors' the Canadian publishers and defended the rights<br />
Society it has been strenuously working along of property and stability of contract.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 247 (#663) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
247<br />
ENGLISH AUTHORS FOR FRENCH on this feature, fiction and plenty of it, that<br />
READERS.<br />
the able editors of the French printing offices to-<br />
day compete. For years past, ad ex., there has<br />
been the keenest possible rivalry between Le Petit<br />
F late a certain demand has arisen in Paris Parisien and Le Petit Journal, and the battle has<br />
for the French translation rights of modern been exclusively fought by the champions of the<br />
English fiction, a circumstance which adds serial story for the respective proprietors. And<br />
somewhat to the profits of the English novelist's recently the directorate of Le Petit Parisien decided<br />
métier, and may be more profitable yet as the to give the Marinoni paper a knock-out blow, and<br />
demand develops. And this it is likely to do, at so enlarged their sheet to six pages, with three<br />
least for some time to come.<br />
serial stories. Upon which Le Pelit Journal<br />
In this article, at the request of the editor of followed suit, and now supplies an equal banquet,<br />
this magazine, I express my personal views on the in three feuilletons, for the daily halfpenny.<br />
cause of this demand and the results that it is These papers, of course, do not concern the British<br />
likely to lead to. If, on the one hand, and in the author. He could never aspire to appear in<br />
first place that is to say, as to the cause of this translation in their pages -- I use the word<br />
demand--my l'emarks are not very flattering to my “aspire” in an ironical sense--for the fiction here<br />
British brother authors, and in the second place, is special, and must be home-made. But the<br />
as to the probable net results thereof, I do not example they have set has forced the other<br />
show very optimistic, those interested may dis journals which comprte for a vast reading public<br />
regard as purely personal observations what I all over France-halfperny papers like Le Journal,<br />
am saying here.<br />
L'Echo de Paris, Le Matin, Le Français, &c.—to<br />
I do not think, then, that the Entente Cordiale give more and more space to fiction, and as the<br />
or any similar society of reciprocal admiration and competition is sure to be waged vet. more<br />
friendliness has had anything to do with the lessly in the future, and as fiction is the only<br />
demand in the literary Rialto of Paris for British feature on which competition is obligatory, the<br />
fiction. Nor do I think that this demand in any demand is likely to increase. I expect soon to<br />
way implies that our neighbours the French have read the announcement that Le Petit Journal is<br />
suddenly aroused themselves to the fact that we offering four diurnal dollops of sentiment and<br />
English produce, in the matter of imaginative sensation, an announcement which is sure to be<br />
literature, a good and substantial article. I do followed by the further notice that if you want<br />
not think that English novels will ever be popular five thrilling serials for your halfpenny you must<br />
in France, for the French and we are men of a go to Le Petit Parisien, and no other. The other<br />
breed and a psychology altogether different. Our papers will have to follow suit or to abandon all<br />
bumour puzzles them, our sentimentality bores hopes of deviating into their reservoirs any<br />
them, and our theories on the relations and mutual trickling streams of the copper Pactolus.<br />
observances of the sexes are to them a constant Now in France, serial fiction of the approved<br />
cause of irritation. Not a single British author, order is a costly commodity, and has to be paid<br />
either of the past or of present times, can rightly for. At tenpence a line, which is the usual price,<br />
be described as popular in France.<br />
and where<br />
Still, there is the demand, and here it is I fear to “ Yes."<br />
read unflattering.<br />
“ No.<br />
Newspaper proprietors in France have recently “Yes, I say."<br />
awakened to the fact that the French public don't " The Baron smiled."<br />
read newspapers, and that if they buy newspapers “The Marchioness wept.”<br />
it is because these contain other things than news represent five lines, or four shillings' worth of copy<br />
In which opinion they are altogether in the right. (the late Alexandre Dumas having established the<br />
The average Frenchman cares nothing about news · "line" from the feuilletonist's point of view to<br />
and nothing about politics, and in this connection, mean any alinéa), the purchase of a feuilleton<br />
did space allow of it, I could relate some startling means a considerable outlay of capital. Montépin<br />
experiences and observations which I have made made from £2,000 to £:3,000 for the first serial<br />
during the past twenty years in various parts of rights of any of his stories, and gave the best<br />
the territory of the Republic. What the average dinners in Paris. And the other feuilletonists do<br />
Frenchman wants in his daily paper, for what he is just as well.<br />
prepared to alienate his beloved halfpenny, is To be constrained, therefore, to give his readers<br />
fiction, feuilleton, and the editor who gives him three serials a day is a very heavy charge on an<br />
most fenilleton of the quality he likes is the able editor, and if the enormously wealthy pro-<br />
man for his halfpenny and himself. It is therefore prietors of such papers as Le Petit Journal and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 248 (#664) ############################################<br />
<br />
248<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Le Petit Parisien can afford to pay such high PERFORMING OR PLAY RIGHTS.<br />
prices for their three serials, this is impossible for<br />
papers of less financial standing.<br />
Yet the three, or as a minimum the two, daily DOR the dramatic author who desires to study<br />
serials have to be provided, or all hope of com- n exhaustively the legal and other difficulties<br />
peting has to be abandoned, and this is, I believe,<br />
that surround the question of performing<br />
the reason why the French editors are purchasing rights there are three main points to consider :-<br />
as make-weights, the translation rights of foreign (1) His rights before publication.<br />
authors, not English alone, but Italian, Spanish, (2) His rights after publication, that is, after<br />
German, and Polish also. I look on these trans- they come under the statutes -<br />
lations mainly as make-weights, because I notice<br />
(a) In the British Empire.<br />
that anything is considered suitable. Thus, at the<br />
(b) In the United States.<br />
present moment, two translations of Dickens are (3) The different method of obtaining his rights<br />
running in two leading Parisian dailies, “Un Drame in both countries, and how to protect himself to<br />
Sous La Révolution” (“A Tale of Two Cities ") cover all rights in both countries.<br />
and “Oliver Twist,” and, though these are very To an English dramatic author the most im-<br />
admirable tales, one would hardly expect to see portant rights are his performing rights throughout<br />
them at this time in their careers in serial form in the Empire, and his performing rights in the<br />
a metropolitan daily.<br />
United States. With these it is proposed to deal.<br />
In one word, I attribute the present demand for The rights of an author under the Berne<br />
foreign fiction, including British fiction, to the Convention, his international performing rights,<br />
necessities of French editors, who cannot afford to are not, for the moment, considered. Nor are the<br />
supply the requisite quantity with home-made performing rights in musical pieces.<br />
goods, at home prices, alone.<br />
Firstly, then, it would appear, as regards the<br />
This brings me to the second point on which British Empire, that prior to public representation,<br />
I have been consulted-as to the price that the the author has, at common law, an absolute per-<br />
British novelist can expect. I am pessimistic, petual performing right in his own work, and he<br />
although, of course, I may be mistaken. I think can restrain other performances.<br />
that the matter is demanded only because it is very If, however, the play or dramatic piece has been<br />
cheap, and that consequently little more than a printed and published, the case is not quite so clear.<br />
nominal price can be obtained. Dickens sold Most probably the author would still have the<br />
“ David Copperfield" to M. Hachette for £20— right of restraining performances. This is the<br />
the Hachettes will show you his receipt for that view adopted by Mr. Scrutton in his “Law of<br />
sum-and I know that not many years ago this Copyright."<br />
was looked on as a maximum price for all French This is the position under the present Acts that<br />
rights.<br />
govern the question in the Empire, but in the<br />
But in those days there was little or no demand United States the case is different, and from this<br />
for English books. To-day, as we have seen, such difference arises all the difficulties and complications<br />
a demand exists, and by its nature is a growing with regard to obtaining the performing rights in<br />
one, and doubtless, or else political economy is all both countries.<br />
poppycock, prices have improved. But I do not In the Empire the first public performance<br />
think that they will ever reach a point where they takes a dramatic piece from the care of the<br />
can be taken into serious consideration as a factor common law and makes it a child of the statute.<br />
of income. In most cases the rights are bought In the United States the securing of copyright<br />
outright for a sum (usually small) by the translator, by the author of a dramatic piece by printing and<br />
who makes the best bargain he can for himself. registering according to the Act carries with it the<br />
Few English books which appear as serials would right of “acting, performing, or representing."<br />
be likely to be bought by a publisher for publica. It may be argued, therefore, that so long as a<br />
tion in book-form. If such an arrangement were dramatic piece is not printed and copyrighted in<br />
proposed to an author, it would be to his interest America, so long does the common law performing<br />
to sell outright. The royalty system, for reasons right remain with the author, even after a public<br />
into which I do not care to go, would likely prove performance has taken place.<br />
highly unsatisfactory. But, when all is said, I do The second question for consideration is the<br />
not think there is much money in it.<br />
rights of an author after his work has come under<br />
Again, I may be mistaken, and for personal as the statute-<br />
well as general reasons I sincerely hope I am.<br />
(a) In the British Empire.<br />
(b) In the United States.<br />
ROBERT H. SHERARD.<br />
The Acts that govern the question of dramatic<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 249 (#665) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
249<br />
copyright in the Empire at the present time are the ment is dramatic according to the interpretation<br />
Acts of 3 William IV. c. 15, and 5 & 6 Vict. c. 45. of the Act, and the representation is public, then<br />
Under these Acts the author of a dramatic piece the statutory protection is secured.<br />
or entertainment has as his own property the Turning next to the rights of a dramatic author<br />
liberty of publicly representing the piece at any in the United States. It must first be noticed<br />
place or places of dramatic entertainment for the that United Siates performing rights are obtained<br />
period of forty-two years from the date of such by printing the book of words and registering<br />
representation, or for the life of the author and under the same rules and regulations that refer to<br />
seven years afterwards, whichever is the longer the copyrighting of books. It would seem more<br />
period. And this right of property, most probably, natural to obtain performing rights by a public<br />
exists whether the piece is printed prior to such performance, but the British method has this dis-<br />
representation or not.<br />
advantage, that not only is it not in accord with<br />
There are three important points for the practical the methods of the United States, but it is also at<br />
person to consider.<br />
variance with the methods of other countries.<br />
(1) What is a dramatic piece or entertain This latter case, however, does not bear on<br />
ment?<br />
Anglo-American, but International Copyright. It<br />
(2) What is a public representation ?<br />
is only nientioned in order to point out that a<br />
(3) What is a place of dramatic entertain- divergence even as small as this may raise con-<br />
ment ?<br />
siderable difficulties in the way of international<br />
Question 1 has to a certain extent been dealt legislation.<br />
with by Counsel's opinion in the March number of The Act of the United States that at present<br />
The Author. To this the reader is referred. Mr. deals with perforining rights is the Act of December<br />
Scrutton states in his work already mentioned 1, 1873, amended by the Act of March 3, 1901.<br />
that the dramatic character consists in the “repre. Under this Act the author of a dramatic composi-<br />
sentative" as opposed to the “narrative" element. tion shall, upon complying with the provisions<br />
It is doubtful, however, how far this could be therein contained, have the sole liberty of printing,<br />
taken as an accurate definition. “ It is in each repripting, etc., the same, and in the case of a<br />
case a question of degree and of fact.” Writers dramatic composition, of publicly performing or<br />
of poems, of dialogue, of musical songs should all representing it, or causing it to be performed or<br />
remember that they may hold performing rights, represented by others.<br />
and should guard their property zealously. They And authors or their assigps shall have the<br />
should also remember that the assignment of per- exclusive right to dramatise any of their works for<br />
forming rights gives no right to the assignee to which copyright shall have been obtained. Under<br />
multiply copies by publishing books of words. If the laws of the United States copyright endures<br />
this right, is required it must be paid for, and for twenty-eight years, with a further period of<br />
should be limited by an assignment of the right fourteen years upon the author if he be still living,<br />
of publication to programmes at particular per- or his widow or children--if he is dead—complying<br />
formances, or by words fitted to each particular case. with certain regulations under the Act.<br />
What is a public representation and what is a There are many difficulties that meet the author<br />
place of dramatic entertainment must be taken who desires to obtain copyright-copyright, as has<br />
together.<br />
been pointed out, including performing rights.<br />
Here, again, it is very difficult to give a definition. The book must be printed in the United States<br />
Each case will have to be decided on its own merits. from type set up or blocks manufactured there.<br />
It is the custom at what are commonly known Registration under certain conditions must be<br />
as “statutory performances" to take money at the made at Washington, and is a sine quâ non. A<br />
door, but it does not appear to be absolutely notice must be printed at the same time in the<br />
essential that money should be taken as long as several copies of every edition declaratory of the<br />
the performance is genuinely open to the public. fact that the work is copyright, and the name of<br />
And, again, a representation may be regarded as the party by whom such copyright is taken out.<br />
a public one though the privilege of admission be It is difficult, though not necessarily impossible,<br />
extended to certain persons only. It is easy enough for an author to obtain these rights unaided, for<br />
to point out examples of public performances and he runs the risk of losing what he is trying to<br />
examples of places of dramatic entertainment gain through non-compliance with some of the<br />
about which there would be no dispute. It would details. It is much better, therefore, for an English<br />
militate against a clear declaration of the position author to employ an agent in America—a publisher<br />
either to refer to cases bearing on the point-this in preference—who is well acquainted with all the<br />
article is not a legal treatise—or to attempt a fuller essential particulars, whose frequent practice makes<br />
explanation. If, however, the piece or entertain- bim safe and reliable.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 250 (#666) ############################################<br />
<br />
250<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Lastly, it is necessary to consider how the per- invalidate his United States performing rights,<br />
forming rights may be secured in both countries in which are not created by a public performance,<br />
such a way that the rights obtained in the British but by copyright registration. His performing<br />
Empire do not destroy the rights desired in the rights in both countries will be then secured in<br />
United States, and vice versa.<br />
the Empire under the Statutes, and in America<br />
An author must on no account do any of the under the common law. It is safest, then, not to<br />
following acts :-<br />
publish a book of the words either in England or<br />
He must not have a public performance in the the United States.<br />
United States prior to obtaining the copyright, or if it is important to publish a book of the<br />
prior to holding a public performance in England. words, then it must be copyrighted simultaneously<br />
This will lose him his British performing rights, in both countries. For by this process all perform-<br />
as in order to secure the rights under the Imperial ing rights in both countries and all copyrights will<br />
Statute the first public performance is bound to have been created and secured under the statutes<br />
be within the British Empire (Boucicault 1. in force in both countries.<br />
Chatterton).<br />
It has been deemed sufficient to give a plain<br />
He must not, prior to having a statutory per- statement of facts rather than a complicated essay<br />
forinance in England, copyright his work in the setting forth the why and the wherefore, amply<br />
United States, except in his own name. It is not illustrated both with legal cases and the dicta of<br />
an unusual custom to assign the United States the judges. As far as possible the word copyright<br />
copyright in a book or play to the American has been omitted, and the question of copyright<br />
publisher.<br />
property not dealt with. But owing to the pecu-<br />
As stated above, if the copyright in the United liarity of the United States law, the methods of<br />
States is secured, this carries with it performing obtaining copyright had to be considered by the<br />
rights. Therefore the English performing rights side of the method of obtaining performing rights.<br />
might be endangered by the owner of the copy Lastly, the author must be warned never to<br />
right in the United States holding a public per confuse copyright and performing right. The pro-<br />
formance before the statutory performance in perties are absolutely distinct. Confusion brings<br />
England. It may be of interest to quote a curious with it all kinds of danger,<br />
case arising from this difficulty.<br />
To those who think of studying the subject<br />
A well-known English author wrote a novel further it must be pointed out that the term per-<br />
which was produced simultaneously in England forming right is often known as stage right, play<br />
and the United States ; unfortunately, for con- right, or dramatic right. It is a pity that one<br />
venience sake, he sold the United States copyright word has not been universally accepted.<br />
to the English publisher, who registered in his<br />
G. H. T.<br />
own name at Washington. The English author<br />
subsequently dramatised the work, but on attempt-<br />
ing to place the piece in the United States, was<br />
met by the English publisher, who not only claimed<br />
A BOOK ABOUT BOOKS.*<br />
all dramatic rights in the United States, but stated<br />
that he had already sold them.<br />
The author in the agreement for publication of “TTIEROGLYPHICS” is not a particularly<br />
his book had not taken the point into consideration. I attractive title for a book, or one that<br />
An author must not, prior to the statutory per-<br />
is calculated to offer any very irresistible<br />
formance in England, copyright the book simul- temptation to the average library-subscriber. The<br />
taneously in both countries, unless the copyright volume thus oddly named, however, is none the less<br />
be registered in his own name in the States for a thoroughly readable one. It is true that the class<br />
the reason just stated.<br />
it appeals to primarily is sorr.ewhat circumscribed<br />
Neither should he copyright the book in England (being confined almost entirely to those who<br />
alone, as that would invalidate the United States appraise literature above halfpenny journalism),<br />
copyright, which carries with it the United States but as this will accord it an intelligent apprecia-<br />
performing rights; and the play might be pirated tion, the fact that it is not likely to achieve the<br />
in the United States by public performance, and indignity of a popular success should be accounted<br />
thus the British performing rights be destroyed. to its author for merit.<br />
The safest plan of all, therefore, and the plan The general scheme of the book is to reproduce<br />
that the dramatic author should whenever possible certain conversations which the author, Mr. Arthur<br />
adopt, is to have a statutory performance in England<br />
first. This creates a property in his performing<br />
rights under the Imperial Statutes, and does not “Hieroglyphics," by Arthur Machen (Grant Richards).<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 251 (#667) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
251<br />
Machen, had with a literary recluse some few years and ready test, and one that is foredoomed to<br />
ago. This individual dwelt apart from his fellows failure on account of the difficulty of applying it.<br />
in the suburban fastnesses of Barnsbury, and from Who is to say in what “ecstasy” consists ? Some<br />
this safe retreat was wont to deliver his judgments people may derive it from the pages of“ Bradshaw,"<br />
on men and books. In Mr. Machen he seems to have while others might read “Paradise Lost” from end<br />
found the ideal listener, for throughout the couple to end, and yet fail to find a vestige thereof. Surely,<br />
of hundred or so pages in which his disquisitions it is a matter of temperament. Even the qualifying<br />
are contained no observation from their receiver concession that one may substitute for this term<br />
is permitted to appear. The most confirmed of that of “rapture, beauty, adoration, wonder,<br />
monomaniacs could not ask for better treatment awe, mystery, sense of the unknown, a desire<br />
than is here accorded this apocryphal hermit. for the unknown,” does not help us to any great<br />
The protagonist of Mr. Machen's entertaining extent. For example, the works of the minor<br />
chapters is more than something of an iconoclast. novelists are more than likely to fill their readers<br />
He has but scant respect for several of the gene- with a sense of wonder, but it cannot be seriously<br />
rally accepted idols of the circulating library, and contended that they are to rank as “fine literature"<br />
does not hesitate to dub even Thackeray “nothing on this account.<br />
but a photographer; a showman with a set of Some of the ex cathedrâ judgments in Mr. Machen's<br />
pictures.” At the most he declines to yield him volume are notable. Here, for instance, is one<br />
à higher niche in the Temple of Fame than that that may comfort the un-read: “ If a great book<br />
due to him as “the chief of those who have pro- is really popular it is sure to owe its popularity<br />
vided interesting reading matter”; nor does the to entirely wrong reasons." Another and less<br />
writer to whom we are indebted for “ Adam Bede" paradoxical opinion of the same authority declares<br />
pass unscathed through the furnace of his criticism, that “ loneliness is merely another synonym for<br />
since he can find it in his heart to call her “poor, that one property which makes the difference<br />
dreary, draggle-tailed George Eliot.” As may be between real literature and reading matter.”<br />
imagined, the really small fry in the province of Whether there be any of this elusive quality<br />
authorship are assessed at a very low valuation about “ Hieroglyphics” is for Mr. Machen's<br />
indeed.<br />
readers to settle among themselves.<br />
Early in the course of his duties as a Barnsbury<br />
H. W.<br />
Boswell, Mr. Machen records a portentous question<br />
on the part of this trenchant critic. The<br />
subject under discussion had been the peculiar<br />
quality in a book that makes for literature. As<br />
the term is one that the poverty of the English<br />
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF TRADE<br />
language has compelled us to apply to practically<br />
TO ART.<br />
anything in print-from a company prospectus to<br />
the works of Shakespeare-it of course became<br />
necessary to go further into the matter. Accord- TT HERE appeared in The Author for May an<br />
ingly, the hermit puts this problem :-<br />
article entitled, “Financial Obligations of<br />
Art to Trade,” in which, among certain<br />
" What is it that differentiates fine literature from a more nebulous conclusions, the writer calls pub-<br />
number of grammatical, or partly grammatical, sentences<br />
lishers the “merchant princes of the world of<br />
arranged in a more or less logical order? Why is the<br />
Odyssey to come in, why is the “ literature” of our evening books," says that authors are tradesmen, and adds,<br />
paper to be kept out ? And again, to put the question in very kindly, that tradesmen can be gentlemen.<br />
a more subtle form : to which class do the works of Jane Thus, while those of us who happen to write will<br />
Austen helong? Is “ Pride and Prejudice" to stand on<br />
be surprised to find we are tradesmen, yet we<br />
the Odyssey shelf, or to lie in the pamphlet drawer ?<br />
Where is Pope's place? Is he to be set in the class of have the consolation of knowing we may be<br />
Keats? If not, for what reason? What is the rank of gentlemen. Now, by what process of argument<br />
Dickens, of Thackeray, of George Eliot, of Hawthorne; and, the writer of this article arrives at the fact that<br />
in a word, how are we to sort out, as it were, this huge<br />
multitude of names, giving to each one his proper rank<br />
authors are tradesmen I have in vain tried to find<br />
and station ?”<br />
out, and, failing to do so, must suppose that it is<br />
an intuition on his part. It is true that authors<br />
The solution to the weighty question asked in produce things for which they are paid ; but at this<br />
the foregoing is, we are assured, contained in the rate barristers, bishops, schoolmasters, anyone in<br />
word ecstasy. Where this quality be present, fine fact who earns anything is a tradesman. If this is<br />
literature is the result; where it be absent, then the meaning of the writer of this article, he is of<br />
at the most we cannot get more than something course quite at liberty to use the word “trades-<br />
that is merely “very good.” It seems a rough man" in this sense, only it would be wise to<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 252 (#668) ############################################<br />
<br />
252<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
remember that probably no one else in the world the author of this article will recommend me a<br />
does so. Nor do I the least mind being called a publisher who will supply me with ideas. I am<br />
tradesman : he may call me a bootblack if he likes. sadly in need of them.<br />
I am bound to confess that after several readings Indeed, it is difficult to take these statements quite<br />
I cannot understand quite what the article is seriously. One might as well say that the railway<br />
driving at. Towards the end of it, however, there lines of the kingdom are under a great financial<br />
is a certain summary given as follows :-<br />
obligation to “Bradshaw” or the “A.B.C.” The<br />
“The first point is that publishers make their public—the travelling public-are, just as the read-<br />
fortunes by sticking to their trade, not by robbing ing public are, under an obligation to publishers.<br />
impecunious geniuses. ... The second ... that It is in fact just because the authors are not trades-<br />
inost literary ventures to which authors are indebted men that they have to employ publishers, who are<br />
for so much remunerated employment nowadays middlemen and render the authors' works accessible<br />
are originated by the trade.”<br />
to the public. On the other hand, the financial<br />
Now, with regard to the first point, the language obligation of the trade to art is surely an appre-<br />
used is so exaggerated as to render any discussion ciable quantity, for it is the asset of the trade.<br />
on the exact terms futile. The question really is Without bringing into the question the confusing<br />
(a question which the Society of Authors devote and not analogous question of the relation of the<br />
their time to solving), What is the fair distri. journalist to the newspaper proprietor (which is<br />
bution of profits between author and publisher ? an entirely different matter, since journalism for<br />
Let us by all means call the author an impecunious the most part is not literature, and the success of<br />
tradesman, the publisher a merchant-prince. But any paper depends so largely on its advertisements).<br />
it is surely clear that the better bargain the the financial obligation of the trade to art so vastly<br />
merchant-prince makes, the quicker he will make outweighs any other financial obligation there may<br />
bis fortune, while the better bargain the im- be that it is impossible to speak of the two to.<br />
pecunious tradesman makes the sooner will he gether. Or are we seriously to imagine that<br />
become solvent. No doubt if the merchant prince's publishers are altruists of the most wonderful<br />
turnover is big enough (as this writer himself sort, and pursue their merchant-prince calling for<br />
suggests) he will come home by making a penny no thought of gain, but simply in order to diffuse<br />
in the outlay of every sovereign. But clearly in among the millions the masterpieces of art and<br />
this case he must be a prince of considerable wealth literature ? In any case they have to get them in<br />
to start with.<br />
order to diffuse them. And they get them from<br />
Of course, if there is no problem at all of the the authors.<br />
first relations between author and publisher, there It is, of course, perfectly true that many fine<br />
is no more to be said, but if there is, the solution books, such as the “ Dictionary of National Bio-<br />
is not advanced by overstating the question or bygraphy,” owe their inception to the enterprise of<br />
truisms about the advisability of sticking to trade. publishers ; but, invaluable as these are, they all,<br />
On the other hand, it is idle to deny that publishers broadly speaking, come under the head of books<br />
have often made large sums of money by pur- of reference, and it must be seriously questioned<br />
chasing outright the work of an unknown author, whether any real lover of literature would not<br />
which happens to run to many editions. The cheerfully make a holocaust of them all rather than<br />
unknown author, it is true, has consented to the lose a play of Shakespeare or even a novel of<br />
arrangement, and to impute fraud to the publisher Tolstoi. And though it is inspiriting to be told<br />
is clearly out of the question. At the same time that competent authors are very common objects<br />
he probably knows quite well that had the author of the strand, and that there is no difficulty in<br />
been more experienced he would not have parted finding authors competent to write on fresh sub-<br />
with his copyright on such terms, and that he jects, we regretfully confess that such optimism is<br />
himself has taken advantage of the author's ignor- beyond us, unless by the word "author" is meant<br />
ance. It is the business of the Society of Authors merely the industrious compiler of guides to<br />
to save their silly sheep from such bargainings. cathedral towns, and such-like interesting little<br />
The second point referred to above seems to me works. But to assume that books of reference,<br />
on sober reflection to be one of the most remark- even when we consider the “ Dictionary of National<br />
able statements ever made. “Most of the literary Biography” or the “Encyclopædia " under this<br />
ventures to which authors are indebteil for so much head, are more than a bucketful in the sea of<br />
remunerated employment nowadays are originated by literature, seems to us an untenable position. And<br />
the trade ? " I hope my publisher will mark this, for all except books of reference, the public is<br />
and send me as soon as possible half-a-dozen plots indebted entirely to the author, and not to the<br />
for stories. Excellent as he is in all other respects, publisher.<br />
he has hitherto failed in this particular. Or perhaps<br />
E. F. BENSON.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 253 (#669) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
253<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
TTERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
with literary property :<br />
1. Selling it Outright.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of<br />
agreement).<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to:<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements<br />
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author.<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
rights.<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
III. The Royalty System.<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“Cost of Production."<br />
IY. A Commission Agreement.<br />
The main points are :-<br />
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
General.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
above mentioned.<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
from the outset are:-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
withheld.<br />
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con.<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
play-bills.<br />
OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should<br />
be reserved<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-<br />
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication.<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-<br />
tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-<br />
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
TEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the<br />
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-<br />
petent legal authority.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
manager.<br />
A VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,<br />
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's<br />
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is<br />
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's<br />
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 254 (#670) ############################################<br />
<br />
254<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's<br />
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER<br />
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.<br />
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,<br />
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to<br />
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their<br />
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to<br />
publish.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE<br />
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on<br />
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to<br />
return articles which cannot be accepted.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to use the Society.<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send<br />
the document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society<br />
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you<br />
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are<br />
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the<br />
independence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception<br />
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire.<br />
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as<br />
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,<br />
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :<br />
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give<br />
advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements<br />
in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep<br />
agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to<br />
agreements.<br />
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary<br />
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful<br />
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary<br />
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-<br />
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This<br />
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The<br />
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.<br />
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from<br />
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do<br />
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions<br />
and act accordingly.<br />
THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice<br />
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post,<br />
and he requests members who do not receive an<br />
answer to important communications within two days to<br />
write to him without delay. All remittances should be<br />
crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent<br />
by registered letter only.<br />
AUTHORITIES.<br />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers<br />
of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and<br />
treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term<br />
MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY<br />
AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under<br />
special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The<br />
Readers are writers of competence and experience. The<br />
fee is one guinea,<br />
W E have received a publication from the<br />
Canadian Society of Authors, entitled<br />
“ A Bibliography and General Report."<br />
It contains a list of the members, together with<br />
a list of the works that they have produced.<br />
That the Society is in a healthy condition, and<br />
that the membership includes the names of those<br />
best known in Canadian literature speaks well for<br />
its future activity.<br />
It is pleasant to see three members of the Cana.<br />
dian Society, Sir Gilbert Parker, M.P., Mr. John A.<br />
Cooper, and Mr. J. Castell Hopkins, are also<br />
members of our Society. The Honorary President<br />
of the Society is Professor Goldwin Smith, whose<br />
writings have for so many years marked with<br />
distinction the literature of the Dominion and of<br />
the Empire. The Acting President is the Hon.<br />
G. W. Ross, the Premier of Ontario, whose reputa-<br />
tion has been made in politics rather than litera-<br />
ture. His political position cannot fail to be of<br />
great importance to the Society on the vexed<br />
question of Canadian copyright. On this point<br />
he is, we understand, in full accord with the<br />
Canadian Authors Society and our own Society.<br />
Amongst the names of those well known through-<br />
out the Empire are Dr. Drummond of Montreal,<br />
Dr. Louis Frechette. Mr. Clive Phillipps Wooller.<br />
Sir James Le Moine and Mr. Ernest Thompson<br />
Seton.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of<br />
the Society that, although the paper is sent to them<br />
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a<br />
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br />
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br />
ös. 60. subscription for the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 255 (#671) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
255<br />
It is hoped that at no distant date the Society, some of the United States publishers paid to<br />
born while the literature of the Dominion is still English authors for the use of their stories what<br />
young, will foster such a spirit amongst the they called a honorarium. But though this was<br />
Canadians, and take such practical steps to protect the usual custom, it appears that a certain<br />
the property of its members by aiding Imperial American firm took some of Mr. Kipling's work<br />
copyright, unhampered by trade restrictions, that and reproduced it without proper acknowledgment.<br />
the School of Canadian Literature will be worthy Sir Walter Besant, Mr. William Black, and Mr.<br />
of the country that produced it, and maintain the Thomas Hardy wrote to the papers defending the<br />
high standard that marks its infancy.<br />
dealings of the American house in the matter of<br />
the publication of their own writings. Mr. Rud-<br />
yard Kipling's method of retort was the ballad<br />
above referred to, in which he called the tbree<br />
In a paragraph from the Sunday Sun, headed<br />
great writers mentioned the “Three Great<br />
“ Authors and Publishers," the following statement<br />
Captains."<br />
is made with reference to the literary agent :-<br />
The poem opens with the following lines :-<br />
“I learn, however, that the latest move of the literary<br />
agent is to arrange with some publishing house to take the<br />
“At the close of a winter day,<br />
first reading of all manuscripts that come in his way, and Their anchors down, by London town, the three great<br />
to receive in return a fee or a salary."<br />
captains lay;<br />
And one was Admiral of the North from Solway Firth<br />
The writer in the Sunday Sun objects, and to Skye,<br />
rightly so, to the course taken by the literary And one was Lord of the Wessex Coast and all the lands<br />
agent in receiving a salary from the publisher,<br />
thereby,<br />
And one was Master of the Thames from Limehouse to<br />
but his objection rests on the grounds that the<br />
Blackwall.<br />
literary agent is thereby less likely to deal effec. And he was Captain of the Fleet-the bravest of them all.”<br />
tually with the author's MSS., firstly by oftentimes<br />
submitting them to the wrong publisher, or<br />
Later on in the same ballad he draws into his<br />
secondly by making a lenient contract with the<br />
verse the names of the three writers in a triple<br />
publisher owing to the fee he receives. If what<br />
pun.<br />
The lines run as follows:-<br />
the writer states is true, there is a much more<br />
serious side to the case, namely, that the literary “We are paid in the coin of the White Man's Trade-,<br />
agent is in a confidential position to the author The bezant is hard, ay, and black."<br />
who employs him, and in such a position is not<br />
Of the three great Captains one only is left.<br />
only legally but morally wrong in accepting com-<br />
Their works will, no doubt, be with us long after<br />
mission from any one but his employer, whether<br />
de ner<br />
the little di<br />
the little dispute has been buried in oblivion. It<br />
the honorarium-as no doubt he would term it-<br />
is almost forgotten now, at any rate at the present<br />
is by direct payment or an unwritten agreement time it<br />
time it has no significance, but this note may<br />
based on the interchange of business. It is not a<br />
be of interest to those who read with delight<br />
question of expediency; it is a question of morals. Mr<br />
. Mr. Kipling's poem yet fail to grapple its exact<br />
It is impossible that any respectable literary<br />
agent would have dealings with a publisher on this<br />
meaning and its exact purport.<br />
basis. Rumours have been floating about bearing<br />
out to a certain extent the statement of the writer<br />
in the Sunday Sun. Has any direct evidence been Mr. Pett Ridge in his usual amusing manner<br />
forthcoming ?<br />
deals with the question of “ Literary Gents and<br />
If the writer in the Sunday Sun has such Literary Agents in the English Illustrated Maga-<br />
evidence to produce, the Secretary of the Society zine. In the course of certain remarks he states<br />
will be glad to hear from him at 39, Old Queen as follows :—“Young women are fond of declaring<br />
Street, Storey's Gate.<br />
that there is a ring in literature. This does not<br />
mean that they expect to find there opportunities<br />
for matrimony, but that in their opinion the work<br />
The deaths of Sir Walter Besant and William is in the hands of the few ; hence they adopt<br />
Black take away two of three actors in a miniature schemes of great ingenuity, as, for instance, the<br />
literary drama which called forth one of Mr. addressing of stories to the wives of bachelor<br />
Rudyard Kipling's virile efforts. All those inte. editors, or enclosing with the script a bunch of<br />
rested in Mr. Kipling's writings have read the violets. Not by this means does the literary agent<br />
ballad of “ The Three Captains,” but few under- place the wares of his clients."<br />
staud its application.<br />
We wonder how far the schemes of the ladies are<br />
In the days before the American Copyright Act successful. Editors are but human.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 256 (#672) ############################################<br />
<br />
256<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Mr. Pett Ridge does not inform us whether at<br />
DUMAS PÈRE (1802–1870).<br />
any time photographs are also enclosed. Is it<br />
possible that he has had pleasant, or, maybe,<br />
bitter experience ?<br />
T seems likely that the birth centenary of<br />
Alexandre Dumas on the 24th of this month<br />
will receive more notice in England than in<br />
France. Here the air is full of Dumas literature;<br />
It is hardly fair to English readers to mention in Paris the recent Hugo doings have apparently<br />
the Baconian theory. It acts no longer as a red exhausted for the time the possibilities of cele-<br />
rag to a bull, but rather as a soporific. The following bration. But as the two men were born so near<br />
cutting from the Baltimore Neu's, where the subject together, as they were fellow-workers at the begin-<br />
seems to have lost but little of its freshness, may, ning and close friends ever afterwards--"a friend-<br />
on account of the many theories put forward, waken ship which ” (Dumas wrote) “ has survived exile.<br />
a flash of interest. It runs :<br />
and will, I trust, survive death”-it is almost a<br />
pity that they could not have been bracketed<br />
Some of the latest theories promulgated are as follows :-<br />
(a) That Bacon and Shakespeare were one and the same<br />
together for commemoration. Doubtless, to the<br />
man ; (b) that Bacon wrote the Shakespearian plays while pious devotee of the poet such a suggestion would<br />
in prison, serving a sentence of one year for profanely be little short of profanity. In this country, how-<br />
cursing and swearing on the public highway ; (c) that the ever, we are not much given to Hugolatry, either<br />
name Bacon was merely Shakespeare's nom-de-plume,<br />
assumed because the bard was a ham actor ; (d) that<br />
because our admiration for the literary artist is<br />
Shakespeare, being ashamed of his plays, blamed Bacon; tempered by some qualms about the man, or<br />
(e) that Shakespeare invented the Baconian theory in order because we do not take kindly to apotheosis, or<br />
to mislead his creditors ; (f) that the real author of the simply because we prefer to be amused rather than<br />
plays was Bacon's father-in-law, a saloon-keeper, named<br />
George W. Ferguson ; (g) that Shakespeare sold out his<br />
edified. With our good Dumas there are no diffi-<br />
i<br />
play writing business to Bacon after writing half of the culties of this sort. Nobody in France has thought<br />
plays; (h) that Shakespeare and Bacon were partners; of deifying him, or of adding him to the permanent<br />
(i) that they were not : (i) that maybe they were ; (k) that glories of the nation : no one can pretend that he<br />
nobody knows whether they were or not.<br />
preached to the world, and no one can deny that<br />
in his day and generation he amused and thrilled<br />
it very successfully.<br />
All honour, then, to the author of La Reine<br />
The following note has been received from a Margot and Les Trois Mousquetaires, to the writer<br />
correspondent :-<br />
of the best impressions of travel that were ever<br />
“ May I point out," he writes, “ a branch of the penned, and the most charming bric-à-brac about<br />
collecting mania that, whatever its other merits, everything and nothing that ever came in useful<br />
at least promises to add to the revenue of the to fill a printed page. Primarily the most remark-<br />
author. For long enough collectors have bid able thing about Dumas is his encylopædic cha-<br />
against one another for Burns's MSS. and for the racter : dramatist, conteur, novelist, historian--<br />
original drafts of Byron's poems, but the supply of nothing came amiss to him, and the marvel is, not<br />
these is necessarily limited, and there is not that much of his work failed of the highest excel-<br />
enough to go round. Some more modern victim lence, but that so little of it fell below a good<br />
of the collecting habit ? has, therefore, evolved average readable quality. Before all else he was<br />
an appetite for the original script of the more a dramatist, and-in the opinion of M. Sardou,<br />
popular of the current books. The worse the than whom no better authority can be wished-<br />
* copy' from the compositor's view, the better it the best all-round homme de théâtre of the nine-<br />
is from the collector's. Deletions and erasions he teenth century. That faculty was in him innate ;<br />
pays for in extra pounds sterling, and instead of the others, which came afterwards, grew out of it.<br />
demanding type-written matter, he quotes prices It may be said, of course, that the twenty-five<br />
at least 80 per cent. higher for drafts in the volumes of the Théâtre of Dumas represent what<br />
original pencil or ink. For storage purposes, the is now mostly lumber, and that, with the exception<br />
MSS. are bound ; and when placed on shelves, a of the three or four standard comedies included in<br />
copy of the printed work is put beside them as a the répertoire of the Français, his plays are seldom<br />
bandy translation to words which are more than or never performed. This, however, is no measure<br />
usually ill-written. Already there is an upward of dramatic importance — Shakespeare, for that<br />
tendency in the prices asked and given.”<br />
matter, is seldom seen on the stage. The question<br />
is rather of the extent to which subsequent drama<br />
has undergone his influence. Granting that for<br />
mechanism the theatre is more indebted to Scribe,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 257 (#673) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
257<br />
for analysis and philosophy to Balzac, it remains carried them to their full capacity of popular<br />
true that in the whole sphere of emotional effects appreciation : herein lay the quality of his genius.<br />
no one can touch Dumas. The Tour de Nesle, Henri III. was not the first essay in romantic<br />
for example, has been a prototype, in the way of drama, but it was the first that made an impres-<br />
suggestion, for melodramas by the score: it is sion : how effective a basis of fiction inight be<br />
even more certain that Antony and the group of laid by the juxtaposition of the abnormal and<br />
plays allied to Antony have a long and distinct the commonplace had been illustrated by Soulié<br />
progeny in the modern social drama, beginning (Mémoires du Diable) and by Eugène Sue (Atar<br />
with Dumas fils and Emile Augier, and ending- Gull) before Dumas did the same thing more<br />
if haply it has ended—with the “problem” play largely in Monte Cristo. Years before Le Chevalier<br />
of recent memory. Under different forms the d'Harmental and La Reine Margot, French writers,<br />
substance of all these is the assertion of egoism influenced by Scott, had woven history and romance<br />
and the treatment of moral laws—one in particular together. Prosper Mérimée in his Chronique du<br />
-as a question of society instead of the Decalogue. règne de Charles IX., and Victor Hugo in Notre<br />
To say that the elder Dumas originated this—and Dame ; but neither of them, however much they<br />
if not Dumas, then one must step back over the might appeal to artistic or critical taste, hai<br />
French Revolution to Beaumarchais-is not to say the verve or vividness or geniality which are<br />
that he did so consciously. His nature did not necessary for a really popular work, and whiclı<br />
tend to problems, and he felt things rather than characterise the best of Dumas' historical<br />
understood them. But most vividly he did feel romances. .<br />
the young France of 1830, and his dramatic gifts In saying that he is popular, meaning thereby<br />
made him the best interpreter of that “incan- that he has the qualities of popularity, one admits<br />
descent ” age. With the next generation another -as cheerfully as Dumas himself did when he said,<br />
stage was reached in the evolution of the modern “Moi, je suis vulgarisateur.”—whatever superfine<br />
spirit-a development, not a reversal. Much as critics may find to sneer at in his unstylish style,<br />
has been said of the contrasts between père and his exaggeration and lack of reserve, his redun-<br />
fils, the inheritance of the younger Dumas from dancies and repetitions, to say nothing of his<br />
the elder is so patent that it would be better to free plagiarism, and his wholesale collaboration.<br />
discard, as regards them, such labels as Romanticist Against such defects it might be enough to urge.<br />
and Realist.<br />
the advantages of resourcefulness, ease, lucidity,<br />
From the dramatist arose the story-teller, by and so forth. But neither defects nor qualities<br />
which we understand the metteur en scène in book will explain the popularity of Dumas unless we<br />
form of varivus episodes of travel and imagination, take into account also the more than conventional<br />
which reached their climax in the famous Comte de bond between the writer's self and his writings<br />
Monte Cristo. It was in his capacity as a conteur, the feeling that here we have no detached artist<br />
first displayed in the early Impressions de Voyage, contemplating and polishing his work—things<br />
that Parisians recognised Dumas as possessing the which Dumas never did—but a man, or let us say<br />
esprit they esteemed so much. They did not, it a good fellow, who, having himself hugely enjoyed<br />
is true, set equal value on his erudition, when he the creation of his characters and incidents, is<br />
produced a solid book on France in the middle anxious that others should share the enjoyment<br />
ages. But this was only a coup d'essai-a pre- with him. It is a truism to speak of an author<br />
liminary canter before starting on that course of as identified with his works : in the case of Dumas<br />
dramatic-historical fiction in which he came in an it is also a truth.<br />
easy winner. It is necessary to say “dramatic” In the same way with the reproach of impro-<br />
as well as “historical,” for the novels of Dumas risation, of which one has heard a good deal, and<br />
present a series of stageable scenes, divided and which, in this instance, appears to mean partly<br />
spaced out—here the conteur comes in—by descrip- that the production was too hasty, partly that.<br />
tive passages which serve to the story as scenery there was too much of it. The haste, however,<br />
serves to a theatrical piece. Every novel of adven- was not always so great as it seemed. That Dumas<br />
ture lends itself more or less to dramatisation, but was phenomenally rapid in execution is well known,<br />
none so conspicuously as his, because none have but it is forgotten that the conception was often,<br />
been written so palpably with memories of the with him, an affair of weeks, months, and some-<br />
theatre behind and prospects of the theatre in times even years. Once the conception was clearly<br />
front.<br />
arranged, the execution—the mere writing, pause-<br />
For one thing, then, all Dumas' work is dramatic; less, unrevised, unpunctuated—did not count with<br />
for another, it is essentially popular. Alike in plays him as anything. And as to his abundance, or super-<br />
and in novels, happy in the moment of his arrival, abundance, summarised in the axiom that no one<br />
he assimilated the ideas or efforts of others, and has ever read all that Dumas wrote—not even<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 258 (#674) ############################################<br />
<br />
258<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Dumas himself-that belongs to the dispensations boundary between Virginia and North Carolina in<br />
of Nature : it would be as idle to talk of the 1728, and at his death owned a hundred and<br />
excess, the defect and the mean, as it would be seventy thousand acres of the best land in the<br />
to censure an apple-tree for being overladen with former state. He had been educated in England<br />
fruit. on the supposition that if the apples had and elected to the Royal Society. He kept a<br />
been fewer they might have been of more journal which Professor Moses Coit Tvler has<br />
excellent quality. A vain expectation.<br />
called “one of the most delightful literary legacies<br />
A. D. which that age has handed down to us,” and which<br />
has, indeed, a charm comparable to that of “ Pepys's<br />
Diary" itself. One of Colonel Byrd's daughters<br />
AMERICAN NOTES.<br />
was “ Beautiful Evelyn Byrd," who figures in<br />
Miss Johnston's romance " Audrey," which, by-the-<br />
bye, holds its own against even “ The Hound of<br />
T HERE has been a very large output of novels the Baskervilles” as the best selling book in<br />
this spring, but very little else of any America.<br />
account. On the other hand, what is Another work of no slight historical interest is<br />
known as “library business,” which, of course, Dr. James K. Hosmer's “ History of the Louisiana<br />
covers many works of heavier calibre, is reported Purchase," a subject which has lately been brought<br />
to have kept up remarkably well. On the question before European readers in Mr. J. H. Rose's<br />
of the effect that woight be produced on the sale of excellent “Life of Napoleon.” The work is com-<br />
fietion if the public libraries stopped purchasing mendable both as history and literature. In<br />
we incline to the view recently expressed by “ Reconstruction and the Constitution," Dr. J. W.<br />
Mr. Frank Norris rather than that held by the late Burgess, of Columbia University, completes the<br />
Frank R. Stockton. We believe that the overplus “ American History " series to which he had pre-<br />
of fiction read is an evil; but we do not think that viously made important contributions. “ The New<br />
it would be increased by the suggested remedy (not England Society Orations," collected and edited by<br />
that Mr. Stockton, being a novelist, looked at the Cephas and Eveline Warner Brainerd, may also be<br />
matter in this light). The author of “ The Octo- mentioned in this connection, also another con-<br />
pus” complains bitterly of the predominance of the tribution to the national story, Mr. James Curtis<br />
super-amiable, embodied in the person of the Ballagh's “ History of Slavery in Virginia," which<br />
amiable young girl, in American fiction of to-day, forms the new volume of the “ Johns Hopkins<br />
and maintains with some reason that it is not the University Studies."<br />
normal, but deviation from the normal, that makes Although one may be permitted to question the<br />
for interest in literature. But perhaps he is unduly publisher's claim that Aaron Burr is to-day “by<br />
pessimistic when he goes on to deplore the growing far the most mysterious, interesting, and attractive<br />
imitativeness of the national literature which he character in American history”--there must be<br />
attributes to its preoccupation with well-bred some who do not even know his name—there will<br />
people. Surely the great vitality of present-day certainly be many readers who will be glad to hear<br />
fiction, at least in America, is a sufficient answer about the man who killed Mrs. Atherton's hero<br />
to this foreboding of a decay of originality in the from so well-accredited a biographer as Mr. Charles<br />
nation.<br />
Burr Todd.<br />
Before touching upon the aforesaid fiction we The only other biographical achierement which<br />
will notice a few books in other departments of we feel called upon to record here is the life of a<br />
literature which seem worthy of attention. A book naval celebrity, John Ancrum Winslow, of Alabama<br />
which is likely to continue to be much read is fame.<br />
Mr. Carnegie's “ Empire of Business." It is Coming to publications which are more imme-<br />
hardly, perhaps, necessary to dwell upon its con- diately concerned with the present, we may call<br />
tents here ; but it may be of interest to note the attention in passing to “ Democracy and Social<br />
ingenuity shown by the publishers (Doubleday, Ethics,” by Miss Jane Addams, of Hull House,<br />
Page & Co.) in making to customers an offer by Chicago, as a temperate exposition of the socialistic<br />
which they induce them to take two years' sub- panacea. Of kindred interest are three books deal-<br />
scription to “ The World's Work" in combination ing with the subject of Trusts. Professor John<br />
with monthly payments for the book.<br />
Bates Clark believes that if regulated they may<br />
Another work issued by the same publishers become something less than an evil, and would, to<br />
should be of interest to English readers. This cite his sub-title, “curb the Power of Monopoly<br />
is the reprint by John Spencer Bassett of “ The by a Natural Method.” The author of "Com-<br />
Writings of Colonel William Byrd, of Westover, in mercial Trusts," on the other hand, favours<br />
Virginia, Esq.” This gentleman surveyed the a laissez faire policy in dealing with these<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 259 (#675) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
259<br />
combinations. Dr. Le Rossignol, in his introductory pleased at the way in which the drafter of the<br />
sketch, called “Monopolies, Past and Present," Declaration of Independence is treated by this<br />
writes somewhat vaguely about returning to old author.<br />
ideals, and is, perhaps, the least satisfactory of the A book which has received a very hearty wel-<br />
three writers.<br />
come is “ The Thrall of Leif the Lucky," by Miss<br />
Mr. Peters, a Baptist clergyman of New York, Ottilie Liljencrantz. The scene of this story of<br />
has entered the lists with some success against Viking days shifts from Norway to Greenland,<br />
Mark Twain, who had charged the Jews with and from thence to the unknown American coast,<br />
incapacity for patriotism. In “The Jew as a and has the charm of decided freshness. It has<br />
Patriot” a highly creditable record of civic virtue been elaborately illustrated by Mr. and Mrs. Troy<br />
is presented on behalf of the Hebrew race both in Kinney, of Chicago.<br />
America and Europe.<br />
A story of a less remote period which is arousing<br />
In view of the Rhodes bequest, and the close much interest is “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon<br />
connection it seems destined to bring about Hall," in which Mr. Charles Major has struck<br />
between Oxford and people on this side, Mr. out quite a new line. The tale is of Elizabethan<br />
Corbin's impressions of the University (" An days, and Mary Queen of Scots comes in for very<br />
American at Oxford ") will be read with interest. severe treatment at the writer's hands.<br />
M. Paul Bourget, the French novelist, has lately, Emerson Hough's “ Mississippi Bubble” is<br />
it may be remembered, communicated to the world another historical romance which has caught on.<br />
his experiences of the same centre of culture. John Law, the Scottish speculator, is, of course,<br />
Among recent essayists we must reckon Mr. the hero ; and two English ladies have much to<br />
Charles Dudley Warner, who has reprinted various do with his fate. This writer is thought to be<br />
literary and social papers under the title “ Fashions stronger in the delineation of masculine charac-<br />
in Literature”; Mr. Hamilton W. Mabie, whose teristics than in dealing with the subleties of<br />
“ Works and Days” is of ethical and didactic feminine psychology.<br />
import; and Mr. Richard Burton (“Forces in Kate Douglas Wiggin's “ Diary of a Goose<br />
Fiction"), who thinks we make too much nowa Girl" also takes the reader to England. It is in<br />
days of technic, and are too fond of making lighter vein than most of the romances we have<br />
imaginary creations less human beings than spoken of. “ The Misdemeanours of Nancy,” by<br />
“ more or less colourless exponents of a principle, Eleanor Hoyt, is likely to be much discussed.<br />
a class, a theory.”<br />
Miss Anne Douglas Sedgwick has followed up<br />
Miss Clara Morris's stage memories have now her previous successes with a story of heredity<br />
been followed by Mr. Henry Austin Clapp's called “The Rescue," the scene of which is laid<br />
“ Reminiscences of a Dramatic Critic,” which in Paris.<br />
extend over a period of a quarter of a century. Mr. Chatfield Taylor, of Chicago, has written a<br />
Under the heading of Poetry we have as usual novel which is much talked about. It is called<br />
but little to chronicle ; but it may be announced “ The Crimson Wing," and is to be dramatised by<br />
that ping-pong has found its laureate in the Mr. E. E. Rose.<br />
person of Mr. Burges Johnson, whose “ Bugle Miss Marie Van Vorst has had to change the<br />
Song " has some felicitous lines.<br />
title of her new novel to “ Philip Longstreth."<br />
Before plunging into the whirlpool of Fiction, Some one else seems to have used “ The Sacrifice<br />
we may just advert to the fact that among other of Fools.”<br />
books in some demand are Goldwin Smith's “Com- Messrs. Scribner, who have issued so many of<br />
monwealth or Empire,” F. Schuyler Matthews's the recent successes, are bringing out Clara<br />
“ Field Book of American Wild Books," and a Morris's “A Pasteboard Crown.” We shall soon<br />
book by the veteran Charles Warren Stoddard, be able to judge whether she excels as much in<br />
the Loti of America, entitled “In the Footsteps romance as on the stage and the platform.<br />
of the Padre.”<br />
Mr. Stewart E. White's “ The Blazed Trail ” is<br />
“ The Valley of Decision,” by Mrs. Edith a rattling good story, and American enough, we<br />
Wharton, is quite a new departure for her, and should think, to content Mr. Frank Norris. So<br />
to some extent also in American literature. It is again, in another direction, is “ Morchester," a<br />
less of a novel than a study of the conditions of life political novel of the Eastern States, and Mr.<br />
in Italy towards the end of the eighteenth century. William Sage's tale of the Civil War, “ The<br />
Mrs. Gertrude Atherton's "The Conqueror" is Claybournes."<br />
being much talked of, and exciting some criticism. Mrs. Henry Dudeney's “Spindle and Plough " is<br />
It was begun as a biography of Alexander Hamilton, complementary to her “Folly Corner.” It is a<br />
but ended as a romance with the soldier-statesman study of the eternally interesting conflict in women<br />
as its hero. Admirers of Jefferson are not greatly between the instincts of sex and maternity.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 260 (#676) ############################################<br />
<br />
260<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
M. G. W. Cable has broken new ground with Francis Richard Stockton will also have a niche,<br />
“ Bylow Hill,” his first Northern story, as also it but much lower down, among American writers<br />
might be thought had the author of “ Uncle who will be remembered. “ The Lady of the<br />
Remus," to judge from the title of his latest Tiger ” will suffice to keep his memory green, even<br />
work. “The Making of a Statesman,” however, if “ Rudder Grange ” be forgotton. Nor was his<br />
a novelette, is accompanied by a collection of short last work,“ Kate Bonnet," lacking in that vivacity<br />
stories of Georgia Life of the old kind.<br />
which so eminently characterised the man. We<br />
Some discussion has been going on in the do not think that any of the various stories we<br />
literary journals as to whether such a thing exists have read of Stockton are sufficiently worthy of his<br />
as the « New Humor.” We dare not venture an reputation to warrant quotation here.<br />
opinion on so difficult a question. We may note, Paul Leicester Ford was a successful man of<br />
however, that Mr. E. J. W. Townsend has brought letters, but not to be compared with Stockton,<br />
out a new “Chimmie Fadden" book (“ Chimmie much less with Bret Harte." We have not heard<br />
Fadden and Mr. Paul”), and has been able to defend who is to take his place as editor of “ The<br />
without difficulty the naturalness of his creations. Bibliographer,” to which he had already made<br />
Of established American writers we may mention contributions of some interest. A story from his<br />
that Mark Twain has brought out “ A Double- facile pen will appear in the July “Century.” A<br />
Barrelled Detective Story," and that George Cary more important work had been almost completed<br />
Eggleston has written in “Dorothy South” another when he came to his tragically sudden end.<br />
masterly study of the Southern States. We have Another name which must be added to our<br />
space only to mention the names of a few other obituary is that of Dr. Thomas Dunn English, the<br />
books which are in some considerable demand : writer of the once popular “ Ben Bolt." He died<br />
“Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” Mr. Dixon's in April.<br />
“ The Leopard's Spots,” Miss Glasgow's “ The<br />
Battle Ground,” Robert Shackleton's “Many<br />
Waters : a Story of New York.” A first book of<br />
PARIS NOTES.<br />
some promise is Mrs. Banks's “Oldfield,” another<br />
Kentucky novel.<br />
Paper-bound fiction has, we understand, almost THE close of the season has been particularly<br />
ceased to have any sale. There has long been<br />
brilliant in the French literary world, and<br />
noticeable a falling-off in this market.<br />
some most interesting and valuable works<br />
Bret Harte's swan song had quite the old ring. have been published.<br />
“Openings in the Old Trail” recalls memories of The memoirs, biographies, and letters which<br />
“ The Luck of Roaring Camp,” “Flip,” and have recently appeared are as fascinating as any<br />
those other creations in which he showed himself novels, and are quite as eagerly read.<br />
probably the greatest master of the short story in A most important work has just been edited by<br />
the English language. He was never much at the Comte d'Haussonville, entitled “ Souvenirs<br />
home away from these Western scenes. The story sur Madame de Maintenon. Mémoire et Lettres<br />
of how “The Heathen Chinee " was evolved from de Mlle. d'Aumale.” It opens with an introduc-<br />
an admiration for · Atalanta in Calydon” is, we tion to the last period of the reign of Louis XIV.<br />
suppose, too well known to be repeated here ; but Mlle. d'Aumale was the daughter of a poor<br />
we may perhaps refer to the history of an earlier nobleman, who was a captain in the regiment of<br />
poetic achievement. At the age of eleven, Berry. She entered the school of St. Cyr at the<br />
Francis Bret Harte had printed in the Sunday age of seven, and when twenty-two years old was<br />
Atlas of New York some verses headed “ Autumn chosen by Madame de Maintenon to be one of her<br />
Musings " ; and he used to tell what consternation secretaries. She gives us a full account of her<br />
this produced in his family. It seems that the patroness, and as—thanks to her position-she<br />
conception of a poet which prevailed in the was intimately acquainted with the celebrated<br />
domestic circle was founded entirely upon “ The woman whose influence was so great over the<br />
Distressed Poet” depicted by Hogarth, a book of King, she tells us many incidents which show<br />
whose drawings was in the possession of Mr. Harte, Madame de Maintenon in quite a new light.<br />
senior! Bret Harte was in the best sense of the Renan's letters to his mother, “ Lettres du<br />
word an American, typical of his race, cultured but Séminaire,” is also a most interesting work. The<br />
not exclusive, tender-hearted but not sentimental, letters were written between the years 1838.and<br />
Cosmopolitan yet racy of the soil. He was person- 1846, and commence with the boy's first epistle to<br />
ally a most striking-looking, not to say handsome, his mother in Brittany, on taking up his abode in<br />
man. He ranks with Hawthorne and Poe as the the college for priests in Paris. He is at that<br />
most original of American writers.<br />
time fifteen years of age, extremely conscientious<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 261 (#677) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
261<br />
and religious. He describes in detail the life in friend of many of the most influential men of her<br />
the college, and has the highest opinion of his times, including Talleyrand. She was most beau-<br />
professors and spiritual directors. At the age of tiful, witty, and intelligent, and, being imprisoned<br />
twenty, as the day approaches for the preliminary at the same time as André Chenier, her beauty<br />
ordination service, he is troubled by doubts. inspired the poet with those celebrated verses<br />
“ Considerations," he writes, “which I had not entitled “ La Jeune Captive.” M. Lamy's “ Intro-<br />
sufficiently weighed, when examined again between duction," which forms about half of the volume,<br />
God and my conscience, make me dread taking enables us to enter thoroughly into the romantic<br />
a step, the importance of which I thoroughly story of the heroine, and to take a keen interest<br />
realise.”<br />
in the Memoirs penned by her.<br />
Later on he commences the study of Hebrew, “L'Étape,” by Paul Bourget, is a novel written<br />
and is fascinated by it.<br />
with a purpose. It is a kind of allegorical example<br />
Gradually, and by reading between the lines of of the theory maintained by the author. There<br />
these letters to his mother, one realises the change are three extremely dramatic episodes in the book.<br />
that has come over him.<br />
It is the history of a fainily brought up with no<br />
In the last one, written at the age of twenty- religion. The father is an upright, honest man,<br />
three, he says : “I only know one vocation for who believes he is doing his duty in bringing up<br />
a man, and that is, to realise the ideal of his his children rationally. Each of them suffers<br />
nature. ... What honest man would not approve through this education, and in two cases out of<br />
avd respect me for sacrificing to my conscience three a catastrophe is the result.<br />
the greatest happiness of my life?” Renan's M. Bourget's theory is that we cannot break<br />
deep affection for his mother is expressed in nearly away from old beliefs and old traditions and<br />
every phrase of the letters. His first meeting customs without great danger. We must advance<br />
with Berthelot, then a student like himself, and by stages or étapes, and we ought not to burn<br />
destined to become one of the greatest savants of our bridges behind us, as they are needed by those<br />
the age, is described. The two young men struck who come after.<br />
up a friendship like that of David and Jonathan. Madame Henry Greville's death occurred just<br />
The devoted sister Henriette is also spoken of as her latest novel had been commenced as a serial<br />
frequently in this volume, and several names are in one of the French daily papers. Another novel<br />
mentioned which have since become world-famed. had recently been published : “ La Mamselka.” It<br />
The first volume of Madame Juliette Adam's is the story of a Russian Becky Sharp, who in her<br />
memoirs has recently been published, under the anxiety to attain her own ends does not sbrink<br />
title of “Le Roman de mon Enfance et de ma from crime.<br />
Jeunesse." In her family she played the part of M. Schuré has now published the second volume<br />
peacemaker from an early age. Her grandmother of his “Théâtre de l'âme.” The author's dream is a<br />
was an Orleanist, her grandfather an Imperialist, theatre which shall be a great educating and moral<br />
and her father an ardent Republican, who, in force. “Les Enfants de Lucifer," “ La Seur<br />
order to carry out his principles of equality and Gardienne,” and “ Roussalka ” are among the<br />
fraternity, would have liked his daughter to marry pieces in this book.<br />
a working man.<br />
The chief event at the close of the theatrical<br />
The miracle was, that with all these opposing season was the arrival of Madame Yaworskaïa and<br />
influences at work on her, Madame Adam should, her Russian company, and her series of perfor-<br />
at quite an early age, have possessed such sound mances at the Antoine Theatre. Madaine Yawor-<br />
judgment. Her description of the état d'âme skaïa is a daughter of General de Hubbenet, and a<br />
of the bourgeois class, before and during the niece of a former minister of the Empire. Her<br />
Revolution of 1848, is particularly interesting. husband, Prince Bariatinsky, accompanied her,<br />
Another volume of memoirs worth reading is the and it was with one of his plays that the Russian<br />
one just edited by M. Etienne Lamy, “Mémoires theatre in Paris opened.<br />
d'Aimée de Coigny."<br />
Another piece given by this company was by<br />
This book should be of interest to the English, Gorki, but the most interesting performance was<br />
as the descendants of the elder branch of the certainly Madame Yaworskaïa's interpretation of<br />
de Coigny family belong now to the English “ La Dame aux Camélias.” She is an admirable<br />
nobility. Gustave, Duke de Coigny, married, in actress, and throws herself heart and soul into the<br />
1822, the daughter of Sir Henry Hamilton. One part she is playing.<br />
of the daughters of this Duke de Coigny married<br />
ALYS HALLARD.<br />
Lord Stair, and the other one Earl Manvers. Aimée<br />
de Coigny, who was one of the Grandes Amour-<br />
euses of the Revolution days, was an intimate<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 262 (#678) ############################################<br />
<br />
262<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE WOMEN her words, Mrs. Clifford closed, and Miss Ireland<br />
WRITERS.<br />
Blackburn rose to inform the company that about<br />
five hundred invitations had been issued, and one<br />
hundred and eighty or two hundred accepted,<br />
M HE Women Writers held their annual dinner among whom there were six not distinctly con-<br />
1 at the “Criterion” on Monday, June the 9th. nected with literature. A picturesque figure<br />
Mrs. W. K. Clifford was the Chairwoman on among the fashionable, artistic, and un-noticeable<br />
this occasion, and after an excellent dinner she rose gowns was that of Miss Cornelia Sorabjii, in her<br />
to propose the health of their Majesties. One verse native clinging garments; with an absence of all<br />
of the National Anthem was then sung by a lady rustle and " frou-frou” of silken skirts she moved<br />
present, but as it was not joined in by the rest of about, evidently keenly observant of this large<br />
the company, excepting a very small number, it gathering of her Western sisters. Mrs. Humphry<br />
had not a very exhilarating effect. Mrs. Clifford Ward, Mrs. Harrison (" Lucas Malet"), Mrs. Alec<br />
went on to say that as a Coronation favour there Tweedie, and Miss Beatrice Harraden took the<br />
would be no speeches. Now this was distinctly ends of different tables, as well as Mrs. Belloc-<br />
disappointing, because, although it is true that Lowndes, Miss E. Thorneycroft Fowler, Mrs.<br />
women do not, as a rule, speak well or readily on Stannard, and many others. After dinner, little<br />
such occasions, not having, we presume, inherited animated groups were formed, which strayed in-<br />
a facility in making after-dinner speeches from their formally into the adjoining room, and dispersed at<br />
mothers, however much they may have acquired a fairly early hour. Nearly all those present were<br />
aptness in “curtain lectures" from the same “ labelled” with little cards, on which their names<br />
source—yet, at the same time, it is decidedly were neatly written, so that young and ardent<br />
interesting to hear what they wish to say, and to candidates of literature were enabled to worship at<br />
note the point of view they take. Mrs. Clifford, whichever shrine they most affected. We over-<br />
however, made a short speech, or rather an address. heard one exceedingly naïve young person say<br />
She had written it beforehand, and read it from that since her first book had been accepted and<br />
the paper erected in front of her. This reading published, she had travelled about in search of<br />
out alone destroys the spontaneity and the inspiration, but had unhappily received none !<br />
quick turn of wit that springs into existence from It is to be hoped she went home well stocked with<br />
the lips of a ready speaker ; the eyes fastened on ideas after meeting so many of the craft.<br />
the page miss the flash of delighted acquiescenee<br />
ARTHUR HOOD.<br />
or indignant protestation from the observant eyes<br />
around, and the words flow on in their carefully<br />
prepared channel, quiet and even as the waters in<br />
a made canal, without any of the buoyancy and the<br />
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.<br />
rush and sparkle of a natural stream. Then, too,<br />
Mrs. Clifford's words were too weighted with that<br />
rather ponderous seriousness with which women N Monday, June 16th, the Authors' Club gave<br />
workers regard themselves and their doings, right a dinner to the Hon. Alfred Lyttelton, K.C.,<br />
and proper enough no doubt, but a trifle out of M.P,<br />
season after a sociable gathering. She spoke of Sir Conan Doyle, the Chairman of the Club,<br />
the high importance of work, and she maintained presided. The primary motive, no doubt, in<br />
that, if the work was good, it was of no consequence asking Mr. Lyttelton to be the guest of the evening<br />
whatever what became of the worker, either in was to give a dinner to a good fellow and a good<br />
this world or the next-a predication that seemed cricketer, and to one who had, as Chairman of the<br />
somewhat to scare some of the milder members. Concessions Commission, distinguished himself<br />
She warmed to enthusiasm over the mysteries of in South Africa.<br />
the craft — the mysteries of the poet, of the Mr. Lyttelton could only in a secondary degree<br />
historian, of the fictionist, and of the journalist, be reckoned an author, as he himself readily<br />
and she dwelt upon the pleasures of the enchanted admitted in his speech.<br />
palaces into which these happy persons could retire After the loyal toasts, Sir Conan Doyle proposed<br />
at will. In our own minds we thought, perhaps the health of the guest of the evening<br />
profanely, that she might have touched also on Sir Conan Doyle has a faculty of dealing with<br />
that other mystery, namely, the acceptance of some everything he touches in a large, healthy, straight-<br />
of the present-day writings, some of the journalism, forward way ; even the simplest action with him<br />
some of the rhymed couplets—for here be mysteries has some connection with the eternal verities,<br />
indeed. With a kindly hope that young aspirants and on these lines he spoke with regard to Mr.<br />
might in the zenith of a future fame remember Lyttelton's carcer, and the part that cricket had<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 263 (#679) ############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
263<br />
taken in it. He referred to the much criticised Scriptural goat; in the second it is placed among<br />
lines of Kipling's about “the flannelled fools," and the sheep, i.l. passed on by the sub to his chief.<br />
. stated that he entirely agreed with the point of This is all supposition, as I know no editors nor<br />
view that Kipling took, that cricket should be the publishers ; but I would like to add that if hang-<br />
means to the end, and not the end itself. He put ing committees would treat artists as well in<br />
forward as examples the cases of many cricketers carefully studying their work as editors seem to<br />
who bad given their lives for their country in the treat their contributors, artists would not grumble.<br />
late South African War. He further pointed out At the R. A. a minute decides the fate of three<br />
how the career of the guest of the evening bad pictures ; and yet people grumble at an editor<br />
been developed and strengthened along the same keeping a MS. six weeks! Moral, to authors:<br />
lines. He complimented him on the arduous Remember we are all human, even editors.<br />
duties that he had completed in South Africa, and<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
at the same time complimented Mr. Chamberlain :<br />
B.<br />
on the ability with which lie chose his agents-<br />
always the mark of a great man.<br />
II.<br />
Mr. Lyttelton made a very pleasant and inte-<br />
resting speech in reply. He laughingly referred<br />
SIR,-Permit me to narrate some of my ex-.<br />
to the fact that the chairman had written a large<br />
hat the chairman had written a large periences of the above.<br />
white book which had been read by nearly every- 1. There is a certain magazine which directs<br />
body, while he had written a large Blue-book in its “Notice to Contributors” that MS. must<br />
which had been read by hardly anybody. He also “never be rolled.” In an evil hour I sent a<br />
stated that while out in South Africa he had contribution to this magazine. It was returned<br />
indulged in the game of cricket, which, he hoped, in a few days rolled in such a way as to render it<br />
would become the national game in South Africa, practically useless to me. I ventured to address<br />
as it was in England. He heartily supported à polite letter of remonstrance to the editor. But<br />
Sir Conan Doyle's views with regard to the use of that “ bloated aristocrat” did not deign to notice<br />
cricket and sport generally as aids only towards it. There is, I suppose, one law for editors and<br />
life training and life work.<br />
another for contributors.<br />
The health of the other visitors was proposed,<br />
2. There is another editor who accepted a story<br />
and Lord Harris replied.<br />
of mine two years ago, but has not published it<br />
The gathering was a large one. Among the yet. He keeps putting me off with bland but<br />
members present may be mentioned, beside the delusive promises.<br />
Chairman, Sir Henry Bergne, K.C.M.G., Mr. E. 3. Yet another editor has in his possession two<br />
W. Brabrook, C.B., Mr. Percy White, Mr. E. W. MSS. of mine, which he accepted some eighteen<br />
Hornung. Mr. E. H. Lacon Watson. and Mr months ago. He resents as SO many personal<br />
Carlton Dawe.<br />
insults my modest requests that he will publish<br />
theni,<br />
I could multiply instances, but let these typical<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
cases suffice.<br />
Several other gentlemen have lost the MSS.<br />
which I forwarded for their consideration. I have<br />
EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS.<br />
no remedy, for they took good care not to<br />
acknowledge their receipt.<br />
SIR,_Conscience obliges me to come to the<br />
SCRIPTOR QUIDAM.<br />
rescue of the characters of editors. Never have I<br />
lost a MS., never have I had one torn, and only<br />
once have I discovered pencil comments. My only<br />
III.<br />
grievance is that sometimes the pencilled number SIR,-Many of the correspondents of The Author<br />
has been scribbled with a twopence-a-dozen black have frequently vented their grievances against<br />
lead which will not rub out; but this is a very editors for unreasonable detention of their MSS.<br />
small matter. As to payment, I have received it Of course, writers who are not as yet on the<br />
the following month to publication, the following favoured heights of fame and fortune have<br />
quarter, and after a year. My MSS. have been grumbling propensities. We like to “tune our<br />
kept weeks, months, and years before rejection or distresses and record our woes.” It is a privilege of<br />
acceptance. But I never worry an editor-I send our uncertain profession. At the same time, editors<br />
a MS. and pray for its acceptance ; sometimes it ought not to bear the entire brunt of our<br />
returns at once, sometimes after a long period—I complainings. I have a great respect for these<br />
imagine in the first instance it is treated as the elevated individuals whose decision can either<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 264 (#680) ############################################<br />
<br />
264<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
plunge a literary aspirant into the lowest depths The cost of production, like " the flowers which<br />
of despair or raise him to the dizzy height of bloom in the spring, tra, la," has nothing to do<br />
elation. I almost stand in awe of a person whose with the case. Extravagant sums may have been<br />
pen, "mightier than the sword,” is such an instru- expended on sumptuous bindings, illustrations, or<br />
ment of potential importance. Consider for a paper, and any of these expenses may have been<br />
moment the results to a nation or to mankind incurred several times over, owing to the fasti-<br />
which may turn on a phrase, or on a word! And diousness of the taste of the wealthy American.<br />
yet, with this knowledge of his importance and and these, though increasing the cost, do not add<br />
responsibility, thousands of unsolicited MSS. are to the market value. This test therefore fails.<br />
poured on his desk by heedless writers who The next test is the price the public would pay,<br />
naturally expect them to be accepted and actually if they had the opportunity of purchasing, and<br />
paid for, and who are chagrined and even angry this a book-dealer could estimate ; but if the books<br />
when they are kept for a few months! Have they were of such a character that the public would not<br />
no consideration or thought for an editor's position buy, we have to fall back on their value as old<br />
and momentous, grave duties ? It is not easy to materials only, and I think they should be<br />
discover demerit and faults. One has to be schooled estimated as so many pounds of paper at so much<br />
to the task ; and it is difficult for editors to value a pound, and so much more for 1,000 sheets of<br />
the literary worth of an outsider's MSS. when their board for use in some other form.<br />
critical powers and time may have to be expended Neither literary merit nor the estimation of the<br />
on their own! Let us make allowance for them. proprietor under such circumstances seem to be<br />
And no one can expect the method and pre- material in arriving at what is required—viz..,<br />
n editor's sanctum which are common “ the fair market value.”<br />
to a merchant's office. How can his high in-<br />
W.R.<br />
tellectuality or splendid endowments concern<br />
themselves with the vulgar, trivial details of an<br />
MISLEADING MEMORIAL TABLETS.<br />
orderly arrangement of papers ? The idea is pre-<br />
posterous. If a MS. is mislaid, lost, laid aside,<br />
Sin,Renewed attention has been directed of<br />
forgotten, or unread, one ought to excuse him and<br />
late to the inaccuracies so often displayed in the<br />
not to blame him. His thoughts have a higher<br />
wording of medallions affixed to certain spots in<br />
Wording of medo<br />
range and sweep than these petty methods.<br />
the metropolis associated with illustrious writers<br />
I conclude this paper with an actual letter from and others.<br />
an editor who kindly takes a few months about<br />
It has been pointed out by a diligent researcher<br />
making up his mind :-"I have not used your<br />
how the absence of the all-important word "site"<br />
article — and I am quite unable to say when we<br />
from the tablets renders them worse than valueless<br />
shall do so. The other MSS. are still under con-<br />
as reliable indicators. Four notable cases are<br />
sideration, but I have asked our reader to look at<br />
instanced-namely, the inscriptions purporting to<br />
them immediately."<br />
denote the actual dwelling places of John Dryden,<br />
But I am in no hurry. I can wait. Within in Gerrard Street, Soho ; Hogarth, in Leicester<br />
six months or a year I may know the result. I<br />
Square ; Turner, in Queen Anne Street; also No. 24,<br />
patient and resigned: don't complain. i Holles Street, Cavendish Square, claimed to be the<br />
honour editors too much.<br />
birthplace of Byron. The latter must be regarded<br />
LUNETTE.<br />
as the most conspicuous example of error, for<br />
the walls have been twice razed since the interest-<br />
ing natal event it is desired to chronicle, and<br />
AMERICAN DUTY ON BOOKS.<br />
on both occasions the deceptive statement per-<br />
SIR,—The “intricate question " which came petuated. This is a pity, as the record attached in<br />
before the Society on this subject does not appear<br />
the year 1900 is something quite unique as a com-<br />
to present much difficulty when analysed.<br />
memorative design, with its handsome bronze bust<br />
Books are dutiable articles when sent to America: and elaborate setting of Portland stone.<br />
dutiable articles are to be " appraised at their fair Surely it would be no very difficult task to<br />
market value.”<br />
rectify the several omissions, as well as any others<br />
These books, you state, had no market value, as which may exist ? Thus the mistakes would be<br />
they were for private circulation only, and not for no longer continued to the deception of future<br />
sale ; but the material forming 500 books must generations.<br />
have some market value, if only as waste paper to<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
pulp up again, and what a stranger would give<br />
CECIL CLARKE,<br />
for them is their fair market value, and is the sum AUTHORS' CLUB, S.W.,<br />
on which duty should be levied.<br />
June 19th, 1902. | https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/355/1902-07-01-The-Author-12-12.pdf | publications, The Author |