https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/473/1900-04-02-The-Author-10-11.pdf 70ba4c1750fb179d0361aa362d603b58 PDF Text Text �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author Subject The topic of the resource The Author Description An account of the resource A digitised run of the Society of Authors' monthly periodical, The Author, 1890–1914, made available together for the first time. Currently users can browse issues and <a href="https://historysoa.com/items/browse?search=&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index&collection=&type=&tags=&exhibit=&date_search_term=&submit_search=Search+For+Items&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle">indices</a> (not available for all volumes). Full text search for all issues, and other additional search functionality, will be added in 2022. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1890–1914 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The-Author-Issues Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1900-04-02 Volume 10 Issue 11 Pages Page range in volume 229–252 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19000402 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin Che Muthbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vou. X.—No. 11.] APRIL 2, 1900. [Prick SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. Pes Se Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. tetas GENERAL MEMORANDA. ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. ‘There are four methods of dealing with literary property :— I, THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. Il. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses,” unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor ! Ill. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the ‘Cost of Production.” IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :— (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. ‘All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :— (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. eo WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. i EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :— (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (b.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 yer cent. An author should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (1.€., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be preserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in * English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. g. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con- tracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. <——<—— —_—_—_ HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. I. VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub- lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici- tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society’s solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel’s opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel’s opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher’s agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. The THE AUTHOR. Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The information thng obtained may prove invaluable. 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you — are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members’ agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :—(1) To read and advise upon agreements and publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce paymenta due according to agreements. THE READING BRANCH. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this N branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. ‘The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 6s. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln’s-inn Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor not later than the 2ist of each month. All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether members of the Society or not, are invited to communicate to the Editor any points connected with their work which it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. The present location of the Authors’ Club is at 3, White- hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. THE AUTHORS’ SYNDICATE. stated that the announcement in “The Literary Year Book,” mentioned in Mr. Thring’s letter in The Author for March, was wholly unauthorised. A correct announcement appeared in “ The Literary Year Book ” for — 1897. r \HE Authors’ Syndicate desires it to be | THE AUTHOR. LITERARY PROPERTY. I—Tue New Copyricut. (By G. HerBeRT THRING, Secretary of the Society of Authors.) By kind permission of the Editor of the Daily Chronicle. N the piping times of peace it is with the greatest difficulty that the politician is persuaded to turn his thoughts to legislation concerned with literary property. Is it possible that when the trumpet of war is sounding the author and copyright owner will receive any attention? Perhaps not. Yet there will come shortly before Parliament a Bill which cannot fail to be full of interest to many of the literary readers of the Chronicle, namely, Lord Monks- well’s Copyright Bill, as approved by the Select Committee of the House of Lords. In 1897 that militant body, the Incorporated Society of Authors, thought, no doubt, that the question of copyright law reform had been slumbering too long, and drafted a short amending Bill, which dealt with the following subjects :— 1. Translations; 2. Magazine Copyright; 3. Copyright in Lectures; 4. Abridgments; 5. Dramatisation of Novels, &c.; 6. Summary Remedy for Infringement of Dramatic Copyright. All of which points were, under the existing law, in serious need of amendment. This Bill was put under the charge of Lord Monkswell. The Copyright Association, not to be outdone by the younger and more active society, went one better and produced a full con- solidating and amending Bill, embracing both artistic and literary copyright. In its first draft the Bill was impossible, but it finally was knocked into presentable shape and put under the charge of Lord Herschell. During 1898 these two bills yan side by side. A Select Committee of the House of Lords was appointed to consider them, anda large amount of evidence was taken. Lord Hlerschell’s sudden and unexpected decease at this time was lamentable, and much to be regretted, as his support of the cause made the copyright owner’s chance of success exceedingly good. Lord Thring, however, the well-known Parliamentary draftsman, who was sitting on the Select Com- mittee, volunteered to take the matter up and to draft a Bill to submit to their lordships. This was about the beginning of 1899. As soon as it was known that the question was going to receive the serious attention of so excellent a lawyer and draftsman, the Incorporated Society of Authors and the Copyright Association agreed to with- draw their Bills and allow the matter to proceed under such trustworthy guidance. The first step taken was to separate literary copyright from artistic copyright, as the property 231 was distinct in character, and must be legislated for on distinct lines. This was a good sign. It showed that the question was to be treated methodically, and gave assurance of some satis- factory order being evolved out of the chaos of existing laws. It was decided to deal with a Bill relating to literary property first. The alterations made in the existing law were based mainly on the report of the Copyright Commission which, appointed in 1875, reported in May, 1878. It is not proposed to discuss the various drafts, but that draft only which, approved by the Select Committee, was ordered to be printed on July 24, 1899. Literary copyright was divided into three parts, as stated in the memorandum accompanying the Bill: 1. Copyright properly so-called, or the right of multiplying copies of books ; 2. Performing right, or the right of publicly performing dramatic works or musical works. 3. Lecturing right, or the right of orally deliver- ing lectures. Here, again, it is evident that the method to be adopted is not only free from confusion, but shows a sound grasp of the complicated and difficult questions that surround the subject. Taking first of all copyright property properly so-called, the Bill proceeds in clause 3 to show what such copyright embraces. As these provisions are exceedingly important to the author, it is worth while to quote them in full. It embraces the exclusive right :— 1. To make copies by writing or otherwise of a book ; 2. To abridge such book ; 3. To translate such book ; 4. In the case of a dramatic work, to convert it into a non-dramatic work ; 5. Im the case of a non-dramatic work to con- vert it into a dramatic work. 6. In the case of a musical work to make any new adaptation, arrangement, or setting of such work or of the melody thereof in any notation or system. It will be perceived by those who have any, the smallest, knowledge of the existing law that the author, dramatist, and composer are allowed a much larger scope of dealing with their property, the outcome of their own brain, than at present. It is needless to discuss the ethics as to whether they should be allowed the possession of their own or not; but, taking the principle as a sound one, every increase of the facilities accorded is satisfactory, so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of the public. The existing law allows certain forms of abridgment, but disallows others. It does not seem in any way fair that the results of one man’s brain should be altered by the 232 arbitrary power of another. Section 2, referring to abridgments, is therefore sound. Translations appear under the existing law to be considered infringements. Section 3 is therefore declaratory of the existing law. Sections 4 and 5 are addi- tions to the author’s present rights, and are based on that sound rule that a substantial. appropria- tion of the ideas or work of another is an in- fringement of copyright, and ought to be so treated. In section 6 the same rule is carried into effect with regard to musical compositions. Clause 4 deals with the conditions and duration of copyright. The term under the present law is the life of the author and seven years afterwards, or forty-two years, whichever is the longer. This Bill adopts the recommendation of the Copy- right Commission—life and thirty years. This alteration will, no doubt, in most cases give a considerable extension, although in some it may cut down the period to less than under the pre- sent Acts. Two great advantages are, however, gained. Firstly, the date of termination is fixed and easily ascertained by the public at large; and, secondly, the persons who benefit under the will of the deceased are certain of holding some property, even though the period during which it is held is not of exceeding long duration. It seems impossible, in the present state of public opinion, that copyright should be perpetual, but it is a matter of great doubt whether it would not have been better to extend the term to life and fifty years, in order to bring it more in accord either with the present laws of the great nations of the Continent, or with the drafts of laws that will shortly be before them. The nearer the English law can be brought to agree with that of foreign Powers, the nearer is the ideal of one universal copyright law likely to be. Clause 5 deals with the property of dramatic and musical authors. It does away with the exist- ing confusion, brushes aside all barriers that have been raised by the succession of isolated Acts that now govern this property, and brings the whole into harmony in a simple, straightforward manner. Yet dramatic authors should raise strong objec- tions to sections 6 and 7, which seem to have been inserted with a view to carrying out the regula- tions of the Musical Compositions Acts, 1882 and 1888. These Acts may have been exceedingly necessary to protect the property of musical com- posers, but would be disastrous to dramatists. Clause 6 deals with lecturing, and proposes a simple method of securing these rights, and upsets the complicated absurdity at present existing. By clauses 5 and 6, the duration of performing rights and lecturing rights is made to coincide with that of copyright—namely, life and thirty years. The clauses following, 7 to 12, are of special impor- THE AUTHOKL. tance to authors, and therefore must be carefully considered by all those for whom this article ig penned. They deal with :— 1. Books published anonymously or pseudo. nymously, or posthumous works, giving duration of copyright in such works for thirty years. 2. Joint authorship, giving duration of copy- right until thirty years after the death of the survivor. 3. Plurality of authors, giving separate copy- right to each individual. 4. Magazine or serial copyright, giving dura- tion of copyright in any article appearing in an encyclopedia, review, magazine, &c., for life and thirty years, and in such article as a separate work after the term of two years from the date of publication in such review, magazine, &e, (encyclopedia omitted), to the author for life and thirty years. Thus, two concurrent copyrights in the same article are created, one owned by the proprietor, allowing him to reproduce his review, magazine, &c., containing the article, the other owned by the author, giving him a right to produce the article in a separate form after two years from the date of publication. This arrangement is a distinct advance, and yet it appears faulty on two points: (a) The term copyright should not have been applied to the right held by the pro- prietor of the review, magazine, &c., who should only hold a licence to reproduce: (6) the author should be permitted to reproduce, not at a fixed date from publication, but at a fixed date—say two years—from definite acceptance, or two years. from first publication, whichever event should first happen. This arrangement would seem fairer so long as magazine proprietors are human, otherwise an author’s work once accepted by a magazine might never be produced, greatly to the pecuniary loss of the author. The newspaper copyright clause, giving pro- tection under certain circumstances to news for eighteen hours, is responsible for the most far- reaching change in the whole Bill, and though it is a short clause must therefore meet with the most careful consideration. Is such protection necessary? Is it justifiable? To both these questions the answer must be in the affirmative. The ruling principle must be that where an individual has expended large sums to acquire certain property, that property should be pro- tected if such protection does not infringe public rights. Many of the big newspapers expend enormous sums to obtain reliable information ; such a clause as the present would enable them to obtain a fair return for their expenditure im time, trouble, and money, as it appears that the result would be that the smaller papers which now — THE AUTHOR. 33 exist by cuttings would have to pay some small sum for the use of the news. Would not twenty- four hours be a more desirable limit than eighteen? The big papers should consider this. The clause is sure to create much discussion, but if not obscured by side issues it ought to obtain the support of all fair-minded people. There is another reason why the fight will rage round clause 12. It deals with the rights of newspapers. Newspapers can influence the voters, and accord- ingly politicians who also have inclinations and bias, even in an educated country, must look after their own interests. Clauses 13 and 14 deal with the assignment of literary rights. It is sincerely to be hoped that clause 14 will never be allowed to pass, as it deals with registration—a most unsatisfactory method of obtaining copyright. From this point the real interest in the Bill ceases, so far as the public point of view is concerned. The other clauses, dealing with infringement of literary rights, summary remedies, delivery of books to libraries, British Possessions, international copy- right, are not only necessary but of vital impor- tance, and it is possible that the success of the whole Bill may hang on the clauses dealing with British Possessions. Yet the interest they arouse is technical, and, though the student may recog- nise the almost insuperable difficulties that sur- round them, they do not influence the main points, or apparently increase or diminish an author’s property. The only other clause of real interest is clause 41 (Definitions). This is in the main declaratory of the present law, and satis- factory. The Bill is retrospective. Sufficient has now been said to show that this new effort deserves the support of all interested directly or indirectly in copyright property. It increases that property to its owner, it gives larger powers of dealing with it, and puts into one comprehensive Bill what is at present con- tained in disjointed and isolated Acts—Acts that in many poimts won’t read with one another, whose drafting is often incomprehensible, whose language is involved. All the existing difficulties are here cleared away, and though perhaps the Bill does not go far enough, yet as far as it goes it deals with the subject with method, clear- ness, and regularity. It has the support of the Incorporated Society of Authors and of the pub- lishers. It only remains for it to obtain that of the House of Commons. II.—Gerrman anp AUSTRIAN TREATY. We recently gave details of a copyright treaty between Great Britain and Austria-Hungary. We learn from our contemporary, Das Recht der VOL. x. 23 Feder, that a similar treaty is now under con- sideration between Austria-Hungary and the German Empire. a IlI.—Proposep New Copyricut in GERMANY. We have received from the Association Litté. raire et Artistique Interaationale a detailed pro- gramme and report of the recent Congress of Heidelburg, and an interesting report upon the projected German Copyright Law, from the pen of Dr. Albert Osterrieth. We have several times since this project of the new German law was published had occasion to point out that the proposed enactment by no means corresponds either with the legitimate desires of authors, or with modern ideas of what a copyright enactment should be ; and we have much pleasure in quoting Dr. Osterrieth’s concluding paragraph as an able summing-up of the case against the new law. “Tt must be recognised that the authors of the project have produced a very conscientious piece of work, and have exerted themselves to meet the demands of authors, publishers, and the public. But the excess of their zeal to take into considera- tion the interests of these different groups has led to some neglect of the principles affecting the rights of authors. I do not ask that the project should develop a definite theory respecting the nature of authors’ rights; but the law ought to be based upon some uniform system, which should have had the attention of the authors of the project. They have given themselves little pains to reduce their labours to a system, and hence have resulted the contradictions and incoherencies which I have attempted to indicate in my report.” LV.—CopyrigHt CONVENTION BETWEEN GREAT Britain AND AUSTRIA. On examining the file of Zhe <Au*hor it has been found that no mention has been made of the tact that a Convention exists between Great Britain and Austria-Hungary for the establish- ment of international copyright. The ratifications of the convention were exchanged on April 14, 1894. Its most important provisions are the following: Authors of literary and artistic works published in either country have in the other the same rights as if their works had been published there, and the same legal remedies against infringement. Right of translation lapses if not taken up within ten years. Authorised translations are protected as original works. The Convention applies to the whole British Empire, excepting the Dominion of Canada, the Cape, New South Wales, and Tasmania. The Con- vention is to remain in force for ten years. AA 234 V.—Proposep New Copyricnt Law For Russia. Russia has followed the example of Germany and has published for preliminary criticism a pro- ject of a new copyright law. <A full French translation of the Russian text will be found in our valuable contemporary Le Droit @ Auteur of Jan. 15, 1900, from which we quote the following articles, which seem to be those most interesting to authors. Russian authors who publish abroad have the same rights as if they had published in Russia. Duration of copyright of original works is author’s life and fifty years afterwards ; that of works produced by collaboration extends to fifty ears after the death of the last survivor ; that of collections of folk-lore, &c., life of editor and thirty years afterwards. Periodical publications, encyclopedias, &c., composed of the works of many authors, enjoy copyright for fifty years from publication ; and academies and learned societies have the same. The authors retain their inde- pendent copyright, but cannot, without editors’ consent, republish before expiration of two years. Anonymous works have thirty years’ copyright, beginning from date of publication. The copy- right of a work published in successive parts or volumes is calculated from the date of the publication of the last part, if the interval between the appearance of the successive portions is less than two years; if the interval is greater, the duration of the copyright of each part is calculated separately. Authors of works pub- lished in Russia and Russian authors whose works are published abroad have sole right of translation for ten years, provided that this right is retained by an announcement on title or in preface and that the translation appears within five years after the publication of the original work. Works published simultaneously in several languages are considered as original works in all those languages. A translator's copyright has a duration of thirty years. This right does not prevent the publication of other independent translations. Copyright exists not alone in works fixed by writing, but also in speeches, lectures, conferences, and sermons, with a few limitations in the case of judicial and political pronounce- ments. Private letters cannot be published with- out consent of both writer and receiver ; nor, after their death, without consent of heirs, for fifty years. The reproduction in Russia of the work of a foreign author without his consent is forbidden, but translations may be published in Russian or in other languages. A publisher must produce work within five years of signature of agreement. Without special agreement a single edition may not exceed 1200 copies. THE AUTHOR. Modifications cannot be made without author's consent. Right of translation does not accom- pany right to publish. An unpublished work cannot be seized by creditors. Piracy is punish- able with destruction of the whole edition and of all plates, &c., used to produce it. Action must be taken within five years. VI.—MousicaL CopyRicHr. ie (Before Mr. Justice Phillimore.) Société des Auteurs, &c., de Musique and Others v. Chappell and Co. Limited —In this case the Socicté des Auteurs, Compositeurs, et Editeurs de Musique de Paris, M. Harry Frogson: and M. Adolph Stanilas sued Messrs. Chappell and Co. to obtain a declaration that the plaintiffs were entitled to the performing rights in the United Kingdom of the music of a waltz song entitled “ Les Blondes,” of which MM. Frogson and Stanilas were the composers or of any adap- tation or arrangement of it. They also claimed an injunction restraining the defendants from representing that they were the owners of the performing right, and that the music could be performed without the licence of the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs based their claim upon the Berne Convention and the English Copyright Acts. The words of the song were written by Lucien Delormel, since deceased, and it was first per- formed in France. ‘The song was declared in writing to the Société, who collect the authors and composers’ fees throughout France, and dis- tributed the proceeds in March, 1896, and they claimed under their statutes to be entitled to the performing rights both in France and in this country. Their claim was, in the first instance, the only one made, with a view of testing the question, and the composers were afterwards added as parties to the action. The defendants denied the plaintiffs’ assertions, and claimed to be entitled to the performing rights under an assign- ment from Delormel. A number of eminent French avocats were in attendance to give evidence as to the law, and they, at the invitation of the learned judge, seated themselves within the Bar. Mr. Scrutton appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Dickens, Q.C., and Mr. Bustace Smith for the defendants. While M. Stanilas, who, at the suggestion of the learned judge, was cross-examined in French, was giving evidence, it appeared that Delormel had not the consent of the composers to assign to Mr. Chappell. - Mr. Dickens thereupon said he could not carry the case or the assignment further, and THE AUTHOR. Judgment was entered for the plaintiffs Frogson and Stanilas, with costs, and the impor- tant point raised as to the rights of the Société was not gone into.—The Standard. II. At Scarborough, Mr, H. E. Jackson, of 2, Sher- wood-street, appeared in answer to summonses, one of which alleged that he, not being the pro- prietor of the copyright of a certain copyright book first published in France—namely, the music composed by Charles Gounod, of a certain opera called “ Faust,” did sell a copy of the book between Nov. 22 and Dec. 3 last. The other summonses were for having the book in his pos- session for sale or hire, and for importing the book into the United Kingdom for sale. Mr. Ernest Wilkinson (Messrs. Wilkinson, Howlet, and Wilkinson, of London) prosecuted, and Mr. Tasker Hart defended. The evidence showed that Mr. A. A. Edwards, one of Messrs. Chappell’s managers, had his atten- tion drawn to a circular issued by the defendant relating to the book in question. He wrote to Mr. Jackson. (inclosing tos.) for a copy, which was forwarded in due course. It was then found that defendant had obtained the copy from Holland, and that he had advertised the sale of the book by circular, announcing therein that it was copyright. It was shown that Messrs. Chap- pell and Co. were the proprietors of the copy- right. Mr. Hart’s main point in defence was that the magistrates had no jurisdiction, this being vested in the magistrates of the district where the book was delivered—viz., Ealing. He expressed sur- prise that a respectable firm like Messrs. Chappell and Co. should lay what he claimed was a trap to catch the defendant. The magistrates convicted on two of the sum- monses, and imposed a fine of ros. on each, together with £4 costs, £5 in all.—Daily Chronicle, March 1. VII.—Apvertisements Nor Parp For, Readers will please take notice that an author who recently received in an account a charge for advertisements in the publisher’s own organ, called the attention of the firm to the matter, and the charge was immediately taken out. There is very little doubt that in every case where such a charge is attempted it will be withdrawn rather than face the decision of a court. VOL. X. 235 THE GENERAL MEETING. HE annual general meeting of the Incor- porated Society of Authors was held at 20, Hanover-square, on Thursday, Feb. 27. Mr. A. Hope Hawkins took the chair at 4.30 and was supported by about sixty members. He opened the meeting by commenting on the report in detail and explaining the aims and objects of the Society as exemplified by its work. He poimted out the satisfactory increase in membership, 216 having been elected in the past year, and an increase of £240 in subscriptions. He made special reference to the accession of dramatic authors. The intentions of the Committee in establishing a pension scheme were laid before the members in considerable detail, and the Chairman stated that about £1100 had been subscribed in donations and about £100 in yearly subscriptions. He hoped next year to start at least one pension. The subject of the Society’s action in the matter of the Copyright Bill was reviewed, and the im- portance of using all possible influence to get it passed was impressed on the meeting. The Chairman then turned to what he considered the really important daily work of the Society, its legal and advisory work. He stated that on this work the real strength of the Society rested, and he was glad to say that it was going forward satisfactorily. He closed his remarks by saying that the Committee had decided to issue cheap tickets for the dinner this year in crder to give all members a chance of coming, as it was the only social function of the Society. Discussion OF THE PENSION SCHEME. Mr. Zangwill then rose to oppose the pension scheme, both on what he stated to be selfish and unselfish grounds. He crystallised his opinion into the following sentence—that great authors should be supported by the public at large, and little authors not at all. Mr. Bernard Hamilton then made a few remarks, and Mr. Bernard Shaw made some useful suggestions, especially that the Committee of the Society should officially support applicants for Civil List Pensions. Mr. E. Rose, Mr. A. W. a Beckett, and others also spoke, strongly supporting the pension scheme, In fact it was really the only point in the report which was discussed. Mr. Hawkins summed up in a few words, explaining away the difficulties and objec- tions that had been raised, and thanking the members for the general support the scheme had received. AA 2 236 Tar BooxsTaLL GRIEVANCE. Mr. Mullett Ellis then proposed the following resolutions :— i. That the exercise of a literary censorship of books by the large trading monopoly, whose business is that of mere distributors and newsvendors, is not advantageous to Letters. 2. That the system of monopoly which dominates the railway bookstalls throughout the Kingdom, gives to one firm a power over the output and distribution of popular literature, and of political journals, which is damaging to the interests of authors, and of the public. 3. That a copy of the foregoing resolution be sent to the chairman and directors of the various railway companies, with a respectful request that on the next available occasion, the licenses of the railway bookstalls be given to more than one firm of booksellers, and that the principle of competition in the supply of literature be thus substituted for the existing monopoly. (a) Because it would be of financial advantage to the shareholders of the railway companies. (b) Because the dominance of one firm over the sale of newspapers and popular literature, is a political danger which may even threaten the national liberties, and is damaging to literature. (c) Because the existing system of the monopoly of one trading firm has, during many years past, been exercised in censorship of authors. (d) Because the sale of books at railway bookstalls has become so enormous that an alteration in the existing system has become a necessity, many valuable works not being now obtainable at the bookstalls, so that if the abuse be not dealt with by the railway companies, it will be necessary to seek the intervention of Parliament. Mr. Ellis read a series of letters he had received from various authors on the subject, expressing various opinions, and then proceeded to state his reasons in support of his motion. This he did by reading lengthy extracts of a letter from Messrs. Smith and Son, a copy of which had been printed in The Author. As Mme. Sarah Grand was unable to be present and second the resolutions, they were seconded by Mr. J. Louis, who explained that Messrs. Smith and Son had dealt unfairly with a paper in which he was interested, entitled Our Sisters ; as, though Messrs. Smith had taken a large number of the issue, and had promised to put them on the stalls, he (Mr. Louis) had been unable to find out that they had m any way fulfilled their promise. Mr. Bernard Shaw moved, as an amendment to the original resolution, that all the words after “railway companies” in resolution 3 should be omitted. He thought it would be a good thing to make a formal protest, but he also stated that he considered Messrs. Smith and Son’s institution a very desirable and advantageous distributing agency for authors. Mr. Zangwill seconded the amendment, on the grounds that no commercial body had any right to constitute itself a censor of literature. THE AUTHOR. Mr. Gribble opposed the whole thing as likely to make the Society ridiculous. He stated that if the Society was going to make a stir it ought to have a better case on which to go to the public than the present, and apart from this, he explained that if Messrs. Smith and Son were done away with authors would lose a great deal ; that as a general rule their methods were sound commercially. Mr. Bernard Hamilton then made a few remarks in favour of the resolutions. Mr. Hawkins, the Chairman, thereupon rose and stated at full length the action the Committee had adopted with regard to Mr. Mullett Ellis’s com- plaint during the past year, and the opinion that the Committee had formed, as he thought the members ought to be cognisant of this. The Com- mittee, he said, had made private inquiries and had been informed that Mr. Ellis’s book had been rejected primarily on financial grounds, but that Messrs. Smith and Son had not boycotted the book, as they were willing to order it when asked for. The Committee had considered the question carefully from all points of view, and had come to the conclusion not only that any action on the lines suggested would be inexpedient, but that if it had been expedient it would be unsatisfactory. The Committee did not intend to vote. Mr. Henry Norman then moved “ the previous question.” He stated that newspapers and the Press had often seriously considered the question of Messrs. Smith and Son, and that it had been found impossible, even with the great influence possessed by the Press, to effect any change, even if such change were at all likely to be desirable. The motion was put and carried by twenty-five to five, and the proceedings then terminated. PARIS NOTES. : 5, Rue Chomel. < QQ" juss on ne secourt pas les faibles, fussent-ils admirables et heroiques, il est a la fois pueril et imprudent de harceler les forts, et surtout de les outrager.” Such was the advice tendered by M. Paul Deschanel to his electors, on the occasion of a banquet given in his honour to celebrate his reception at the Academy and his re-election to the office of president of the French Chamber. Never was a similar warning more timely or necessary. During the last few months the output of scurrilous publications and obscene caricatures, ridiculing everything most dear and sacred to English hearts, has been simply revolting. Ninety per cent. of the coarse THE AUTHOR. abuse formerly lavished on the long-suffering Israelite has lately been devoted to vilifying our race. ‘The degradation of England is the advan- tage of France” was the lame excuse profferred by a member of the French Press in support of the outrageous language adopted by his confréres. This fallacious phrase caught the popular fancy and sank deep into the national mind, bearing down and obliterating the old traditions of French courtesy and generosity. The effect has been pain- fully apparent (especially during Carnival week) to the Anglo-Parisian frequenter of les grands boulevards. Gaudily-coloured, revolting carica- tures of the personage most revered among all European potentates; vulgar, obscene prints headed “ Prix aux cochons,” with the names of our bravest generals appended, in order to leave no doubt as to the personages aimed at; anda score of equally offensive productions of the same genre have affronted the beholder’s eyes at every turn. The authorities can scarcely be held responsible for a state of affairs which they are, unfortunately, unable to remedy, the inefficiency of the police re the populace having been palpably manifested during the Fort Chabrol affair. Of the 74,212 candidates who officially presented themselves for employment at the beginning of the year, only 1557 were accepted; and when the opening of the Great Exhibition joins to this large army of probably already disaffected unem- ployed the thousands of workmen now occupied within its walls, lively scenes may be anticipated. «Aprés moi le déluge,” quoth Louis XV. And the masses verified his prediction. A New Acapemy. The First Chamber of the Court of Appeal has decided in favour of the establishment of the Académie Goncourt. M. Léon Daudet (who has succeeded his father as legal executor of Edmond de Goncourt’s last will and testament) will, in all probability, be nominated president of the new association. Edmond de Goncourt was a man of high, original talent, and he was also “a rebel by nature.” He detested the existing French Academy, and frequently fulminated against it when enjoying the society of his intimate friends. His idea was to found an institution which should prove an agreeable haven of refuge to those writers whom he considered unjustly excluded from ascending the dais of the immortals. Never- theless, he expressly stipulates that until the sum of 65,000 francs per annum be accumulated, the Académie Goncourt shall only exist as a provi- ‘sional society. He likewise states that, though no other prize than the Goncourt prize can be founded by the young Academy, the latter recom- pense may be augmented from five to ten thousand re francs ; but that, when once this figure is attained, the additional capital shall be employed in augmenting the salary of the ten members, three of whom still remain to be elected. A provi- sional prize of 1200 francs for the best work of imagination in prose which shall appear during the year is also provided for, together with 1400 francs per annum to be expended in a weekly dinner (at twenty francs per head) which the aforesaid members are required to partake in company during the months of November, December, January, February, March, April, and May. In short, despite the disdainful attitude of the elder Academy and the “talon rouge” dis- played by one of its most illustrious associates, the members of the new Academy are in no wise to be pitied. “Prace aux Dames.” The present generation of French authoresses are not disposed to hide their light under a bushel. They are now meditating another step in advance, to wit, the nomination of a feminine candidate to sit on the committee of the Société des Gens de Lettres. This project was mooted last year; but so many agitating subjects were then brought forward that the ladies magnani- mously permitted their project to be set aside, being unwilling to add fuel to the flames of dis- sension already rending the society. M. Marcel Prévost, whose term of presidency is rapidly drawing to its close, is in sympathy with the movement, which can scarcely be considered as an innovation, since George Sand was formally invested with this honour, though she never attended a single meeting. The ladies have deter- mined to nominate only one candidate, in order to avoid any splitting of votes, which would assuredly result in their defeat. Mlle. Maugeret, editress of the Mminisme Chrétien, will probably be the candidate chosen. The writings of Mme. Jean Bertheroy, “ that dark-eyed, red-lipped, living incarnation of Carmen,” enjoy, in most instances, a well-merited popularity. This is, unfortunately, not the case as regards her latest novel, entitled ‘“ Lucie Guérin, marquise de Ponts.” The tale is simply the apotheosis of adultery, the glorification of criminal passion ¢o the detriment of honour, duty, gratitude, and all nobler sentiments. It is to be hoped that Mme. Bertheroy’s next venture may have as wide a popularity, and a higher moral tone than her present contribution to French literature. Press AMENITIES. Duels between members of the Press and susceptible individuals whom their nimble pens have offended are greatly in vogue. In these 238 THE discourteous days, the dexterous manipulation of sword and pistol forms a necessary part of the education of every self-respecting, life-loving, political French writer. Few journalists, how- ever, are called out by antagonists so plucky and unskilful as the councillor-general of the Charente, who recently parried his adversary’s attack by wildly plunging his sword into the thigh of the unoffending assistant-surgeon who served as one of the witnesses in the affair. The vexed ques- tion as to whether a son can, in certain cases, substitute himself bis father’s champion is still undecided. An incident in the career of Dumas fils shows that the notorious pamphleteer, Hugéne de Mirecourt, was averse to this filial substitution, which would have considerably augmented the dangers of his already perilous career. De Mirecourt had just issued a terrible pamph- let, entitled ‘Dumas et Cie,” whose implacable logic sheared away the greater part of the glory of the illustrious author of “ Les Trois Mousque- taires,’ when one fine morning his domestic pre- sented him with the card of Alexandre Dumas fils. Immediately after a stalwart young man entered the editorial sanctum, and brusquely announced—‘ You have insulted my father, and Tam come to demand satisfaction for the insult.” “Your conduct is dictated by too honourable a sentiment to allow of my refusing your request,” blandly responded De Mirecourt. ‘‘ Permit me to ask you asingle question. Is your father in good health?” Receiving a gruff response in the affirmative, he politely added, “Then everything can be easily arranged.” He forthwith rang, and ordered the domestic in attendance to inform M. Edgar he was wanted. Two minutes later the domestic reappeared, leading by the hand a pretty little fellow of some eight or ten years of age. De Mirecourt rose and, with an urbanity worthy the great Turveydrop himself, ceremoniously enunciated : “My son—M. Dumas fils. Be kind enough, sir,” he continued, turning to his visitor, “to settle with my son the little matter which brought you here.” Dumas fils had too keen a sense of humour not to be amused by the incident. He smiled at the child, bowed to De Mirecourt, and withdrew. Nothing further was heard of the affair. Joris Kari HuysMans. Among notable books of the month may be mentioned “Pages Catholiques,” by Joris Karl Huysmans, in which the author, under the pseudonym of “ Durtal,” narrates the history of his own conversion. In the preface, written by Abbé Mugnier to commend this re-edition of the AUTHOR. most eloquent pages of the celebrated “ En Route” to the perusal of the faithful, we find the following vigorous refutation of the insinu- ations of insincerity levelled against the famous convert: “Que certaines irrévérences et bizar- reries de langage alent pu surprendre ou égarer le jugement de plusieurs, il n’y a rien d’étonnant. oe On ne joue pas 4 ce point le repentir! On ne fait pas jaillir artificiellement de telles larmes! Décrire, avec cette précision, les effets de certains. sacrements, c’est les avoir ressentis, 4 deux genoux,. comme un croyant. Et il faut étre encore prati- quant pour se plaire aux mystiques pour glorifier ’Eglise avec des accents qui n’appar- tiennent qu’a ses fils . . .” From which it may be gathered that the Romish Church is disposed to be lenient to the eccentricities of its renowned convert. Close to my present abode runs the pious Rue de Stvres, where the famous author of “La-Bas” lived for so many years in reputed familiar association with the Evil One. It was impossible to see him unless he himself desired the interview, for he had constructed a species of observatory — commonly called a judas” —from which he could observe his visitors unseen; and unless their physiognomy chanced to be to his taste, he remained obsti- nately deaf to all entreaties or demands for admit- tance. He is reported to have already commenced an analytical dissection of his present feelings, which will be published under the title of “T’Oblat.” “QO cHeR Roopyar!” The above phrase, repeated some months ago with parrot-like persistency in various literary salons, completely mystified me for a time. At first, I laboured under the delusion that ‘‘ce cher Roodyar” was an amiable member of an ex- tremely numerous French family; later on, I presumed him to be either a modern Admirable Crichton of hig-lif fame, or else an aristo- cratic young dandy on whom had devolved the sceptre of fashion formerly swayed by the late Prince de Sagan; and it was some weeks before it dawned on my bewildered mind that “ce cher Roodyar” of Parisian fame was no less a per- sonage than our own _ illustrious Rudyard Kipling. The attitude he has adopted in regard to the Transvaal War has caused a temporary eclipse of his popularity ; but the cloud is already lifting. Translations of his latest “ Jungle Book”’ series are again being eagerly read, or, at least, placed well in evidence in the leading booksellers’ shops, and on the étagéres of those gilded youths who are reputed to possess cosmopolitan literary tastes. The subjoined description of his personality gives a good example of the extreme fineness of observa- THE tion and keen eye for detail which characterise the majority of word portraits limned by French writers: “ Crane vaste et fuyant de dolicho-céphale, front dégarni déja (il n’a pas trente-quatre ans) comme pour mieux montrer l’ossature de silex, la fine et forte construction de la téte: yeux noy¢s dombre sous l’arcade séche et creusée, las, dirait- on, davoir regardé trop, paisibles derriére les lunettes studieuses ; michoire effilée comme une lame; mince menton saillant et volontaire; un profil réduit A l’essential, aigu, obstiné comme une pince d’acier qui ne lachera jamais sa prise, et pourtant détendu dans du réve et de la contempla- tion, &c.” Space forbids our citing the conclusion of M. André Chevrillon’s graphic description (vide M. Emile Berr.) New PusiicaTions. Among books of the month will be found— « Au Pays des nuits blanches,” by M. Emile Berr ; “Des Histoies,’ by M. Michel Corday (chez Ollendorf) ; ‘ Draco,” by M. Paul Gaulot (chez Plon) ; ‘“ La Double Maitresse,” by M. Henri de Régnier (Société du Mercure de France) ; “ La Fin du théAtre romantique et Francois Ponsard,” by M. Latreille (chez Hachette) ; “ Musiciens et philosophes,” by M. Kufferath (chez Alcan) ; and «“ Silhouettes contemporaines, les hommes de mon temps,” by M. Paul Vibert (chez Berger-Lev- rault). Darracorre Scort. pe BOOKS FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN HOSPITALS. N consequence of the large number of edu- cated men who have gone to the front, it is of great importance to provide high-class literature for the hospitals. Miss Edith Rhodes, 22, South Audley-street, W., who has gone to the front to a base hospital near De Aar, would gladly receive contributions of books from the readers of The Aufhor, which will be forwarded by her agents to South Africa without expense to the senders, and carefully distributed to the hospitals from her depdt at Wynberg. Magazines are unfortunately too bulky and cost too much to send up country. Miss Rhodes’s depot will remain open till Easter. AUTHOR. 239 AMERICAN NOTES. N interesting plan has been devised by the St. Louis Library in dealing with novels which happen to be in great demand at theinstitution. Although fiction constitutes only 25 per cent. of the annual book product in the United States, 75 per cent. of the circulation of public libraries consists of novels. The librarian finds himself between two fires—that of the taxpayers and that of the card-holders, who are wroth because the books they want are always “ out.” How the St. Louis people have solved the problem is told by Mr. Frederick M. Crunden in a recent number of the English magazine, the Library (second series, No. 1, Kegan Paul). The library has established what it calls a “ collection of duplicates,” which consists of all the temporarily popular novels that happen to be the fad of the hour, This collection is paid for by charging five cents (24d.) a week to each regu'ar card-holder who draws one of these duplicate volumes. For example, when the regular library copy happens to be out, the seeker of “ Ben Hur,” or “ Trilby,” or “ David Harum” can be satisfied by paying a trifling fee, while otherwise he might have to wait many weeks or months without being able to draw the book. With the money thus received, the librarian or trustees can keep on buying extra copies as long as the demand exceeds the supply. In this way the St. Louis Library ultimately bought fifty copies of “ Ben Hur” before the demand slackened, but the whole lot cost the library nothing. In like manner it bought stx regular and ninety-four duplicate copies of “Trilby,” and for eight or ten weeks none of these copies was ever idle on the shelf. The ninety-four “ duplicates” paid for the whole hundred. The same has been done since with other novels for which there is an abnormal demand; and popular magazines, books, and other fiction are supplied at the same rate when the demand runs beyond the ordinary. An important decision has been given by the Supreme Court of Tllinois, in the case of the Daily Inter-Ocean of Chicago against the Asso- ciated Press. The Associated Press covers the various parts of the United States, where its agents gather news, which is wired to it, and through it such news is received by the various newspapers of the country, one of whom was the Inter-Ocean. It had deprived the Inter-Ocean of news on the ground that the latter had disre- garded a bye-law forbidding any newspaper to receive news from any person, firm, or corporation that had been declared “ antagonistic” by the Associated Press. The Jnter-Ocean violated this rule by obtaining news from the New York Sun, 240 and by authority of another bye-law the Asso- ciated Press suspended the recalcitrant Chicago newspaper. The Illinois Supreme Court has over- ruled the judgment of the lower court, and declared that the Press association cannot prevent its members from obtaining news from any sources it may choose. One of the most interesting passages in the court’s decision is that in which the obligation of the Press association to serve the public is insisted upon: “ Its obliga- tion to serve the public is not one resting on contract, but grows out of the fact that it is in the discharge of a public duty, or a private duty which has been so conducted that a public interest has attached thereto.” A rebuke is administered to American news- papers by the Chicago Dial on a small but inte- resting point. No one who has read American papers attentively can have failed to observe that in referring to persons by name they dis- regard the prefix of “Mr.” It is a little sur- prising, however, to find a correspondent of the Dial, who writes from the University of Wis- consin, Madison, protesting against that journal’s description of the Norwegian dramatist as Dr. Ibsen, and pleading the superior dignity of simple “Ibsen.” The editor’s reply is very much to the point. He says: We believe it to be a matter of the merest good manners to speak of people in print as we should speak to them in private conversation. If we were addressing Dr. Ibsen personally, we certainly should not call him “Ibsen,” and are unwilling to offer him that discourtesy when writing about him. If we did not call him “Dr.” we should be obliged to call him “ Herr,” which our critic would probably think equally pedantic. Thus the cases of Shakespeare and Byron, who are not among the living, have no bearing upon the question. Our practice in this matter illustrates one of those “little touches’”—to use Professor Peck’s phrase—that means so much to persons of refined taste. The habit which Germans and Scandinavians have of denying in print to their living fellow-countrymen the titles whereby gentlemen designate one another is a thing which —as far as it goes—indicates an imperfect civilisation, and it is one of the minor depravities of the American newspaper that itso encourages this form of. rudeness that we should now be taken to task for observing the ordinary amenities of social intercourse. Commenting on the proposed Pension Fund of the Society of Authors, the Chicago Tribune says the best feature of the scheme is that it is contributed to by writers, and will be supported solely by them. ‘The day when the author is willing to be dependent upon the bounty of a Mecenas is past, or should be.” THE AUTHOR. NOTES AND NEWS. HE Morning Post noticed in a leading article—it was on Feb. 8th but the cutting only reached me the other day—the letter in The Author concerning Australian literature. The writer argues that our Australian corres- pondent wants multiplication of writers rather than quality of work. I do not find that desire, but this part may be left for the moment. The leading article goes on to say: “This would be amusing if it were not so hope- lessly, so pathetically wrong. There lies at the root of it the base, absurd notion which has in these latter days been accidentally taught by men who ought to have known better, that literature is a profession, like the law and the church, or what not : . To take to literature as one might take to the Bar is not the way to produce anything that is worth calling literary; and the more the commercial side of literature is encouraged and maintained the less likely are the books produced to be literary in quality.” I should very much like to know who are the men referred to. Certainly they are not con- nected with the Society of Authors. We have steadfastly and strenuously pointed out the dangers of taking up literature as a profession: — the humiliations, the dependence, to which those who do so and fail are reduced. Week after week, day after day, the old con- fusion asserts itself, the confusion between literary work and commercial value. Over and over again, a thousand times, it must be repeated that the one has no necessary connection with the other. Literary work produced to sell is like everything else produced to sell—presumably shoddy and worthless. Our contention is simply this: The literary workman produces his best. While he is at work he cannot possibly regard the commercial side of his work; else, how could it be his best? The commercial value begins when it is finished. He can then do what he pleases with his work: he can give it to his publishers, as Lord Lyttelton gave his “ Henry the Second” ; or he can consent to be “ bested,” as will probably happen to him unless he takes care; or he may look after his own property. In any case how does the “ commercial side of literature” spoken of by our leader-writer come in? And bow is it encouraged ? Meantime, though we do not advocate—but quite the contrary—the attempt to live by litera- ture in any form or branch, the fact remains that there are many hundreds—even thousands—who Pt) a £ & % i THE AUTHOR. do live by literature. They write leading articles for the Morning Post and other papers: they write plays: they write novels: they write essays for magazines: they do all kinds of literary work : they write educational, scientific, and technical books. It is the custom in The Author to speak of those who live by letters as following the pro- fession of letters ; also, of those who live by acting as following the profession of the actor; while those who live by the law follow the profession of barrister. If a man cannot act, if a man has not the legal mind, he cannot live by either pro- fession. So, ifa man has not the literary gift he cannot follow the profession of literature. After all, the name signifies nothing. Let it be called a trade—or anything else; the leader-writer may class himself with the retail dealer, or the novelist with the costermonger if it pleases him. The fact remains. Here is a calling, or a trade, or an industry, by which a vast multitude earn a livelihood, and a few make very considerable prizes. Are we to encourage them to throw away their property or to defend it? Certainly not the former because we are told that this is “ encourag- ing the commercial view.” Let me quote here a warning of my own which has been in other forms often presented in The Author :— “T hope that these words and the chapters which follow will not induce any young man hastily to abandon his present employment in order to embark upon the profession of letters. The old miseries are gone, it is true, but there are many broken hearts, many cruel disappointments, many bitter disillusions, even in the present day. The literary life without a reasonable measure of success must be a disappointed and a miserable life. That reasonable measure of success is an essential. Therefore, I repeat, I should be very sorry indeed if, by any words of mine, any young man should be persuaded to exchange his certain work, whatever it is, for an uncertain plunge into literature. “ To those few, however, who think they possess the necessary qualifications: to those who feel really impelled to join the ranks of literature, I would say, ‘ Come Don’t think of making money—there are a thousand chances to one against it. pe The discussion on the pension scheme at the annual meeting showed, to begin with, that the project is imperfectly understood. One speaker seemed to object altogether to the grant- ing of pensions to literary folk. The same objec- tion would apply to the grants of the Royal 241 Literary Fund and to the pensions of the Civil List. He also seemed anxious to divide literary people into great authors and small authors. But who is to make that division? How is it to be made? - Are we to call an author great because his works circulate by the hundred thousand ? In that case, not to speak of English writers, Mr. Charles Sheldon is the greatest of living authors : also, for three-fourths of his life, Robert Browning was the smallest of his contem- poraries. Or are we to give this important divi- sion into the hands of reviewers ? But they will not agree. Or into the hands of authors themselves ? Then every poet will place himself in the front rank. Itis not, in fact, a question as to literary position, which is a very doubtful thing in most cases. The question is simply this: Every other profession has its own fund for the help of those who break down through age or sickness—why not the literary profession? We do not propose to give a pension to anyone simply because he has been a member of the profession: we only offer to those of our members who are followers of the literary craft in any of its branches assistance in the case of a permanent breakdown. But, it is ignorantly objected, there is the Royal Literary Fund. That society gives grants in aid, not 5 d Dre 5 z, es pensions. It cannot give pensions without a change in its charter. Or there is the Civil List of £1200 a year. The share of literature in this list is £400 a year. The First Lord of the Treasury can do what he likes with the grant: he may give the half of it, or three-fourths of it, to one man: as a rule, he gives nearly the whole of it to widows and daughters of the literary prefession, and in so doing probably does the best he can with the money. To return to the Society’s pensions. Nobody enters the profession of law, medicine, acting, or any other, because there are associations which befriend the wrecks. In the same way no one will enter upon the literary profession because we have founded a Pension Fund for the unfortunate. We have only to place ourselves on the same footing as any other profession, in order to understand exactly how the Pension Fund will be administered, and what will be its effect upon the literary profession generally. It was suggested at the meeting that the Society should bring its influence to bear upon the Government and its administration of the Civil List. The Society has already done so. It has published an exposure of the management of the grant: it has caused several awkward questions to be asked in the House: and the result has been a great deal more care in its administration of late years. What can the Society do more? Can it recommend persons wortby of a pension ? THE 242 Gan it make the First Lord more careful so to divide his pensions as to include as many as possible ? Can it enlarge the grant? It seems, on the other hand, a better policy to keep a watch upon the nominees, and to encourage the better plan of bestowing the pensions more ,upon the widows and daughters, than upon the writers themselves. Would it not be well to drop altogether the word “small” author? We do not find actors talking of “small” actors, medical men talking of “small” doctors, barristers talking of “small” lawyers, or ecclesiastics talking of “small” clergymen. This reticence does not exclude respect for the more distinguished in any of these professions. All we want is the reeogni- tion of a professional status by members of the profession. A correspondent in a recent number of The Author met very cleverly the common objection that since any one from the outside may come in and begin to write, literature cannot be considered as a profession. Why, he said, in effect, any outsider may go on the stage, anyone with a box of paints may paint a picture; yet no one pretends that acting is not a profession, and no one maintains that painting is not a profession. As regards the “small” author, George Eliot once wrote a paper on the subject: the fact does not justify her or anyone else in contempt for writers who have not yet stepped to the front. Let us recognise the possibilities of every follower of literature. Another subject of discussion was a resolution proposed by Mr. Mullett Ellis, on the subject of Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son’s bookstalls. The resolution was defeated by twenty-six to five. The defeat was a foregone conclusion. For, first of all, it is absurd to pass resolutions which can produce no possible effect. In this case, we have a large and most complicated machinery, the result of many years’ experience, which distributes all over the kingdom an immense mass of news- papers, journals, and magazines ; which makes every railway station the office of a circulating library, and opens a bookstall at which every book published can be bought, if it is not offered for exhibition on the shelves. This organi- zation, it cannot be denied, works well: the public are satisfied with it; there would be the greatest inconvenience if any dislocation were attempted ; the railway companies are satisfied with it. What earthly good would it be for any society, however powerful, to protest against it? Secondly, the protest, if any were made, should not come from a person who had a private grie- Mr. Mullett Ellis, rightly or wrongly, vance. AUTHOR. thinks that his novel was withheld from the stalls on account of its title. This fact deprives his protest of importance. Now, as a general rule, the bookstall is made to hold as many books as can be crammed into it. In the second place, every bookseller possesses, and exercises, the right to buy and offer for sale whatever he chooses. This right is prevented from becoming an arbi- trary despotism because the public will have- their favourites, and they have many favourites. Should we be better off if, in place of an immense firm with boundless resources, we were dependent upon a local bookseller for every railway station ? Those who complain of the bookstall should compare it with the local bookseller’s shop. They should also take a tape, and measure the space accorded by the railway company to the bookstall, and calculate for themselves how many books the stall will hold. They may next fill as much of that space as is wanted for books which the public demand. They may then proceed to ascertain how much is left for those books which the public do not ask for, but would, perhaps, buy if they were- offered. And when they have carried out these simple experiments, they will, perhaps, ask them- selves how the existing system may be improved, and if Mr. Mullett Bllis has offered any plan which would be better for the public convenience, the railway companies, the authors, and the- publishers. The following note is from the London corre- spondent of the New York Times Saturday Review. His opinion is the same as my own, that a bookseller must possess, and must exercise, the right to accept or to refuse any books he pleases, and without assigning any reason. If Messrs. Smith and Son were dispossessed to- morrow, and their place taken bya hundred book— sellers, there would be a hundred exercising this. right instead of one. How far this would be an advantage is not easy to understand : The Authors’ Society is solemnly to discuss the question whether it is right that the Smiths should have a monopoly of the bookstands. The answer seoms obvious. If the Smiths conduct their business well, their monopoly is on the whole a benefit to the public. Many complaints have been made of the way in which the Smiths condact their business. Especially has their habit of exercising a censorship, and declaring from time to time that certain books are too: immoral to be sold, been condemned; but, after all, it is. difficult to deny to the bookseller the right to refuse to sell books of which he disapproves. ————$ I invite attention to the letter on p. 248, in which the writer speaks of a little invention for the conveyance of MSS. The inventor has sent me one of her “carriers.” It is not of the right size for my own paper, but the size can easily e £ : THE AUTHOR. altered. Meantime, it seems to me a most useful little invention—a great deal better than any envelope. Anyone can have a specimen for 6d. At all events, the “carrier” will convey MSS. flat and keep them clean, and, which is important to some, will bring them back again in safety. I think that it needs no advocacy to call the attention of readers to the invitation contained in another column to send books to South Africa for the use of the wounded. The address to which books may be sent is Miss Edith Rhodes, 22, South Audley-street, W. I would suggest that the gifts should take the form of the more popular literature of the day, not novels alone, but essays, travels, biographies, history. Will readers please note that the boxes will be sent off at Haster ? Watrer BEsant. THE ACADEMY’S PRIZES. N February the Academy put forward a series of competitions, the list of which was as follows :— Tue “ AcapEMyY’s”’ SPECIAL COMPETITIONS. WE offer the sum of Thirty Guineas, to be divided into six portions of Five Guineas each, which we shall award to the successful competitors in the following literary exercises. Anybody is eligible to compete, but competing MSS. must not have been printed before, either for public or private circulation. List of Competitions. L—Five Guryeas for the best original short poem. Not to exceed twenty-four lines. Il.—Five Gurneas for the best original short story. Not fewer than 1500 words, and not more that 2000 words. Ill.— Five Guingas for the best original essay on a non- literary, light, every-day subject. Not to exceed 2000 words in length. IV.—Five Guryzas for the best original ‘“ Things Seen,” in the manner of those published in the Academy during the past year. Not to exceed 350 words. V.—Five Guineas for the best original paper ona British or foreign city, town, or village. It should take the form of a personal, impressionistic description, and must not exceed 2000 words in length. VI.—Five Guinnas for the best original set of epigram- matic cr.ticiams of six Britich or American living novelists. No single criticism must exceed 100 words in length. Conditions. The MSS. must be typewritten. They must reach the Academy office on or before March 31, 1900. The title of the particular class of competition must be written on the outside of the envelope containing the MS. Thus :— I.—* Poetry Competition.” II.—* Story Competition.” Il.—* Essay Competition.” IV.—“ Things Seen Competition.” V.— Foreign Town Competition.” VI.—“ Novelist Competition.” 243 A pseudonym, chosen by the competitor, must be written on the left-hand top corner of the first page of his or her MS., and each MS. must be accompanied by a small closed envelope containing the competitor's name and address, with the pseudonym written on the outside of such small closed envelope. Anybody is eligible to compete; but competing MSS. must not have been printed before, either for public or private circulation. A competitor may compete for as many cf the competi- tions as he or she chooses. As MSS. are received they will be acknowledged under the competitor's pseudonym in the next issue of the Academy. The prize MSS. will be printed in the Academy ; and the editor reserves the right to print any of the other MSS. sent in. Jo MS. will be returned unless it be accompanied by stamps to cover the postage. Competitors who do not comply with the above conditions will be disqualified. In paragraph 2 it appears that the sum of five guineas has been offered for a story not exceeding 2000 words. That is a fair price for a story of that length from the hand of a fairly well-known author. The same amount has been offered in paragraph 3 for an essay of similar length, and in paragraph 5 for a descriptive paper. Under the conditions of this competition, it appears that the prize MS. will be printed in the Academy, and the editor reserves the right to print any of the MSS. sent in. One of the members of the Society thinking, naturally enough, that other MSS. so printed would be paid for at ordinary rates, and that there had been a small oversight in the condi- tions, wrote to the editor on the point, but received no reply. He thereupon wrote to the Secretary of the Society, who also wrote to the Editor of the Academy in the following terms :— [copy ] Feb. 27th, 1900. The Editor of Academy. Dear Sir,—I trust you will excuse my writing to you with regard t> your competition fully set out in the number dated 17th February. You state the editor reserves the right to print any of the MSS. sent in. Would it not have been clearer if jou had stated that the MSS. so printed would be paid-for at a fixed rate (naming the rate) ? Ishould be glad to hear from you that this is an oversight on your part. (Sigued) G. Herpert THRING. P.S.—I write as I have had inquiries at this office as to whether the MSS. printed will be paid for. To this letter the Editor replied as follows :— [copy. ] March 2nd, 1900. Dear Sir,—I beg to acknowledge your letter of the 26th, referring to our Prize Competition. I would suggest that if any of your clients wish for information wich is not con- tained in our announcements, they should take the usual course of applying to this office. Yours truly, Tz Eprror (per W. W.). 244 And the Secretary again wrote in answer :— [cory.] March 3rd, 1900. The Editor of Academy. Dear Sir,—I beg to thank you for your letter. The course you suggested has been taken by one of the members of our Society, but he received no answer. I should be ex- ceedingly glad if you would let me have the information I asked for, as it would save us both no doubt a considerable amount of trouble. I am asking for the information in no carping spirit. Yours truly (signed) G. HerBERT THRING. The March number of The Author contained a note on the subject, and in the number of the Academy the 10th of the same month the editor placed the following paragraph :— The Author is in meddlesome travail over the clause of our Special Competitions announcement, which says: “ The editor reserves the right of printing any of the MSS. sent in.” This simple and usual condition was made in order that we might be free to print, for the encouragement of the writers, a few of the unsuccessful attempts. How does The Author interpret our words. Why, thus :— “As it stands, which, of course, cannot be meant, this clause gives the editor all the MSS. sent in; he may do what he pleases with them—1.e., he may, if he pleases, sell them to other papers without giving the authors anything.” “Which, of course, cannot be meant.’’? Then why suggest it, and why elaborate this idea—as The Author does at considerable length? We do not believe that our inten- tions are misunderstood, still less suspected, by a single one cof our readers or competitors—the only people concerned. The suggestion that our clause might enable us to set up a MS. shop is surely the wildest ever made by The Author, and that is saying a good deal. The editor does not in the least deny the posi- tion which The Author has taken up, but he says that the condition is a simple and usual condition. Is this remark founded on fact? Sometimes when a prize is a high one, the condition is stated, but it is not a simple or a usual condi- tion of competitions of this class issuing from the office of a responsible review. The editor does not now state if he is going to pay for the MSS., all of which he reserves the right to print. There are only two courses open: either he is going to pay for them, or he is not going to pay for them. If he is going to pay for them, why not state the matter clearly in his condi- tions, so that there will be no possibility of con- fusion? He states: ‘‘ We do not believe that our intentions are misunderstood, still less suspected, by a single one of our readers or competitors, the only people concerned.” It has been shown that this is not the case, and it would have been much better, when so many competitions are being placed before gullable authors, that the Academy should have left no room for doubt. If he is not going to pay for them the position taken by The Author is quite sound, and the Academy will probably obtain essays, short THE AUTHOR. stories, and descriptive articles worth, perhaps, hundreds by the expenditure of thirty guineas. If the Academy desires to adopt this well-known method of procuring “copy” cheap, then let it be done in such a way that there is no possibility of doubt as to the editor’s meaning. The present method is hardly fair to the author, but the editor may even now, at the eleventh hour, say : “T have never stated that I will not pay for the copy printed.” All we ask, therefore, is that he should make a direct statement whether he is trying to obtain “copy” cheap or whether he intends to pay for contributions printed. G. H. T. 2 OTHER THOUGHTS. , ie is the expression of the CREATOR. Beauty is an impression of a creature. Death comes between Origin and Perfec- tion. Every religion has part of the truth, but only art. : Faith generally lies betwixt fact and figment. Hope is a better physician than prophet. Love alone is always right. Martyrdom is more a sign of faith than a success of truth. Mysticism is a mean between genius and mad- ness. Obstinacy is a persistency of the opposite party. Our opponents seem somehow to shun the truth. There are at least as many sects as souls. Without the infection of intelligence, progress might never be weaned. Beautiful disease can always command popular support. Centuries never die—they merely change their tense. Consciences are oftener veracious than wise. Contempt is less angelic than doubt —a daughter of modesty. Disease may mimic genius, justice, love, or other phase of the truth. Genius is less an individual gift than a social growth. ; Good promotes—what evil retards—the growth of sanity. Immaturity is always in a hopeful majority. Most of us are superior to others—in number. Real genius, like ideal love, is both humble and infallible. The Past always excelsthe Present—in age and in size. . Unconventionality, sometimes a true virtue, is oftener a mere vanity. THE AUTHOR. * Virtue is not estimable by space or by time, but by use. Weak heads sometimes mistake themselves for warm hearts. Art is never what it seems. Bad manners often pose as good morals. Criticism, an ancient art, is an infant science. Critics are excellent autobiographers—most of them unconsciously. Cynicism is a burlesque of intelligence. Humour, when humane, is exceptionally sane— and proportionally Divine. Materialism is a caricature of science. Pessimism is a libel on wisdom. Poetry isa melody of words. Satire is good sauce but bad sustenance. Tact is the “ better half ””—the feminine half— of social tactics. The saner the soul, the wiser the will. We never see a perfectly sane person—even in a looking-glass. Finnay GLENELG. JOURNALISTS AND THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. FYE following letter appeared in the “ Pro- ceedings” of the Institute of Journalists, by authority of the Committee of Adminis- tration, Jan. 12, 1900 :— Srz,—I ask your permission to offer in your columns a gentle remonstrance with some of our members concerning their attitude towards a society whose aims and working they appear to misunderstand. T have been made aware, for several years, of a marked hostility towards this Society on the part of certain journalists—a hostility which, coming from such a quarter, is as surprising as it is wholly unmerited, and can only be accounted for —journalists not being usually in_the service of publishers—on the supposition of ignorance and misdirection. I find that the observations on the Society sent to me in Press cuttings are based upon one or other of half a dozen assumptions, all of which are utterly erroneous. Thus, it used to be said that the Society con- sisted of one man—myself. This was too much honour. I do not think, however, that our Council, our Committees, and our Chairman and Secretary are any longer likely to be ignored. I enclose the list. {t has been stated publicly that the “cases” published in the papers of the Society were ficti- tious. One cannot stoop even to answer such a charge. It is not distantly possible that such a 245 body of gentlemen as compose our Committee would sanction the invention of “ cases.” The third—a very common charge, or assump- tion—is generally personal—to the effect that I assert the publishers take no risk. On the other hand, we have ascertained, and have published, the true nature of the risk run in the production of books. As a matter of fact there are hundreds of writers in the various branches of literature whose books carry no kind of risk with them. As regards those which do, it is naturally the practice of the publishers to make the author, if he can, take the risk. And this risk itself, so far from being the whole cost of production, as has been impudently pretended, is the diffrence between the first subscription and the cost of production. Another charge is also personal. It is that I wish to abolish criticism. ‘To this charge I have, on more than one occasion, given the Lie Direct. I recognise the function of criticism to the full. I am only concerned that there is so little of it. I advocate the true place of criticism as a necessary and invaluable branch of literature. I desire to see the critic trained for his work by a scientific study of literature. I do not desire to see the reviewing of books entrusted to any casual person who has written a novel, or to the office boy when no one is looking. Another common charge is against the Society. It is that the figures representing the cost of pro- duction, and those of the various parts of the publishers’ trade, are fictitious. They are, on the contrary, figures obtained from printers, from real estimates, and from real accounts. The sixth charge is that literature is degraded by attention to the business side. So what does not degrade the clergyman, the painter, the sculptor, the architect, the physician, the lawyer, the actor, does degrade the author. In the words of Dr. Johnson, “ What skimble skamble stuff is this!” It rests upon a confusion of ideas between commercial value and literary value. The two are distinct—they are separate, they are incom- mensurable. We cannot estimate the literary value of a work by any standard of money; we cannot estimate the commercial value of a work by any literary standard. We ought to be able to do both: a perfected humanity will be able to do both—at present we cannot. Some worthless books circulate largely; some excellent books hardly circulate at all. What does the Society of Authors undertake ? Briefly: The defence and maintenance of literary property in the interests of authors. No one knows who has not investigated the subject how great and how increasing a property this is. No one knows, who has not investigated 246 the question, the extent to which the creators of this property have been robbed of their own. What has been, briefly, the work of the Society ? It has made known, for the first time, what the publication of books really means. It has traced the book from the MS. to the bookseller’s counter ; it has shown the meaning of every clause in every known form of agreement; it has especially exposed the true meaning of royalties ; it has dragged to light a hundred tricks previously practised with impunity, and practised every day; it has kept, and still keeps, its members out of houses which exploit authors hitherto without fear of detection. It enforces payment of just debts by legal proceedings ; it provides legal opinions for its members for nothing; it collects information of all kinds which may be useful to members; it acts as a police, in a word, to guard that great mass of literary property, the very existence of which is unknown to the general public. What has all this to do with journalists? Everything. By far the greater part of our writers during the last sixty years have been journalists. Out of the ranks of young journalists will come the writers of the future. Let us set down a few names of the dead and of the living as they occur—Dickens, Thackeray, Charles Reade, Wilkie Collins, Douglas Jerrold, Shirley Brooks, 4 Beckett, Sala, William Black, James Payn, Edmund Yates, Moy Thomas, Dutton Cook, John Hollingshead, Joseph Hatton, John Whiteley, John Morley, Rudyard Kipling, J. M. Barrie, Louis Stevenson—where are we to stop? Does not this intimate connection of journalism with authorship show that in protecting the latter we are also protecting the former ? I would, therefore, Sir, submit to the members of the Institute that a society with these aims, which is honestly and fearlessly, against every kind of misrepresentation, trying to carry out these aims, whose members include nearly all the living leaders in literature, is at least worthy of that kind of attention which consists in read- ing its reports and papers. Above all things, I would urge the consideration of the fact that, in spite of the fierce and continuous attacks made upon it, the Society has steadily increased and is ‘steadily increasing in strength and in numbers, cand in influence. As I said at the outset, I cannot believe that the things sent to me out of country papers and others would have been written were the truth known; and I cannot but hope that the members of the Institute will understand that we are fighting for their future as well as for our own present. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, Watter BEsant. THE AUTHOR. BOOK AND PLAY TALK. HE newspapers of March 23 announced the failure of Messrs. D. Appleton and Co., the well-known publishers. The New York correspondent of the Standard stated that the failure of Messrs. Harper Brothers recently was indirectly a contributing factor in Messrs. Appleton’s failure, and that, “as in the case of Harper’s, no reproach attaches to the firm.” “The assets and liabilities balance at £720,805, with book surplus of £400,000 locked up in plant and instalments.” The Rev. J. H. Skrine has published a new volume of verse entitled ‘‘ The Queen’s Highway- man, and other Lyrics of the War.’ Those who have read the Warden of Glenalmond’s other works will find his latest one of equal interest. Professor Skeat has nearly completed a small handbook on “ The Chaucer Canon,” in which it is shown how to distinguish the poet’s genuine works from others with which his name has been connected. Of the cighty-three pieces which are here discussed, at least fifty are not by Chaucer ; whilst the number of authors which these pieces represent is more than twenty. Mr. Thomas Burleigh has published a pamphlet entitled “A Few Short Poems,” written by Mr. Percy Hall, of Exeter College, Oxford. It con- tains some sixteen short pieces. “Mirry-Ann,” which Methuen and Co. in London, and Appleton in New York, published on Feb. 16th, is by Miss Norma Lorimer, author of “A Sweet Disorder” and “Josiah’s Wife,” the latter published by Methuen two years ago. The heroine of “ Mirry-Ann” is a Manx fisher-girl preacher. Miss Lorimer lived fifteen years in a fishing village in the Isle of Man, so the book is the result of personal observation of the Methodist fishing population of the island. “ Among Horses in South Africa,” by Captain M. H. Hayes, F.R.C.V.S., price 5s., published by Messrs. R. A. Everett and Co., will be read at the present time with much interest by all those who are lovers of horses. The fact of its being an account of Captain Hayes’s experiences in South Africa lends a double interest to the book. Sir Benjamin Kennedy’s_ book, announced under the title “ Wheres,” should be “ Whims.” Messrs. Methuen have just published a new story by Miss Esmé Stuart, entitled “ Christalla : An’ Unknown Quantity,” which describes the invasion of the quiet home of two old gentle- men by a young child. The book deals with the evolution of a child’s character from the point of view of the child lover. ibis eemawane ieee THE The Rev. F. R. Smith is engagel upon a new novel illustrative of modern Methodist life, which will be published in the autumn by Messrs. Horace Marshall. The patriotic lyric ‘‘ True Sons of Britain,” by Mr. Mackenzie Bell, inspired by the Colonial aid in the war, has been set to music by Mr. Charles Mulls, and will at once be published by Messrs. Hart, and sung in London and elsewhere by Mr. Henry Piercy, the well-known tenor. It is dedicated to Sir F. Young, K.C.M.G., founder and vice-president of the Colonial Institute. Mr. J.J. Nesbitt has edited with a preface, for Mr. Thomas Burleigh, a reciter entitled “The Taking of the Flag, and other Recitations,’ made up from the poems of Mr. Mackenzie Bell. As one of its contributors of a popular literary feature Mr. Joseph Hatton has long been associated with the People. He has now been appointed to the editorial chair, succeeding, during the People’s career, Dr. Sebastian Evans, M.A., Captain Carlisle, and Mr. Harry B. Vogel, son of the late Sir Julius Vogel, formerly Premier of New Zealand. Mr. Hatton has just finished a serial novel, long since commissioned by the People, which will be commenced in its columns in the first week of May. Following up the success of the sixpenny edition of Mr. Hatton’s “ By Order of the Czar,” Messrs. Hutchinson are issuing in a similar edition “The Princess Mazaroff,” which is an English story with a Russian heroine. It is mentioned in the gossip of the day that the Russians recently confiscated in Finland a Swedish edition of “By Order of the Czar,” a novel which, the author says, has had the phenomenal sale of over half a million, the major portion in America, for which he did not receive a cent, the book being published just before the international copyright arrange- ment. Mr. Osmund King is engaged on a work on Charles II., for the splendid Goupil series of monographs. Mr. Hilaire Belloc is writing a one-volume history of Paris from the earliest times. Mr. Sutherland Edwards is publishing with Messrs. Cassell a volume of “ Personal Recollec- tions.” Mr. Herbert Spencer is to be the recipient of an address from readers in Australia on his birth- day, April 27, when he will complete his eightieth year. Mr. W. L. Courtney has written a monograph on Mr. Hardy for the series of Great English Writers published by Messrs. Greening and Co. The book will appear in the summer. AUTHOR. 247 Dr. J. F. Payne is writing a monograph on Thomas Sydenham, the seventeenth - century physician and friend of Locke, for the Masters of Medicine series, published by Mr. Fisher Unwin. The late Mr. Grant Allen left a story entitled “His Last Chance,” says the Sphere, which is one of the most striking he ever wrote. It is to be published later in the year in a small volume. Mr. Kipling’s new novel, the scene of which is laid in India, will be published serially im MeClure’s Magazine. While speaking of Mr. Kipling, we place on record here the extraordinary distinction he received during the past month in having his poem, “ The Absent-minded Beggar,” issued to the troops in Ladysmith among the regim-ntal orders of the day shortly after the relief of the town. The poem was loudly cheered by the soldiers. Another American periodical has arranged to publish not only Mr. Hall Caine’s new story, “ The Roman,” but also a new series of ‘Dolly Dia- logues,” by Mr. Anthony Hope. The periodical in question is the New Magazine, a monthly which is being edited and published by Mr. Robert H. Russell, the well-known New York publisher. The first number is expected on June tI. Sir George*Trevelyan, Lord Kelvin, and Mr. Bentley have been elected to the Council of the Royal Literary Fund. Three new members of the Committee are Professor Ray Lankester, Dr. A. W. Ward, and Mr. Richard Holmes, librarian at Windsor Castle. The total sum now invested is £56,269, producing an income of £1724. At the annual meeting of the Fund the other day it was announced that grants had been made to twenty-seven men and sixteen women. Madame Sarah Grand’s new novel, which is to be published by Messrs. Hutchinson, will be called “Babs the Impossible.” It is nearly finished. Mrs. Gertrude Atherton is at present in Cuba, and gathering material for a new book. The forthcoming story by Sir Walter Besant, entitled “The Alabaster Box,” is a sketch of settlement life in London, showing the kind of work and the aims of the workers in a settlement, and the effect of their work upon the members themselves, Mr. Henry Arthur Jones is writing a comedy for production in the early autumn at the Duke of York’s. Mr. George Alexander is just producing at the St. James’s (March 28) Mr. Walter Frith’s play, «“ A Man of Forty,” which has not been seen in London before. 248 Mrs. Craigie’s new sentimental comedy, “ The Wisdom of the Wise,” will be produced at the St. James’s. The life of Benvenuto Cellini is supplying Mr. Beerbohm Tree with the subject for a new play. The production is expected early next season, and for the present the author desires that his name should not be disclosed. “Cyrano de Bergerac” was produced by Mr. Wyndham at Blackpool and at Dublin during the past month. The latter place was chosen for what may be called the “ official” representation of M. Rostand’s play, and the performance was in aid of the Irish Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Help Society. After the play a crowd greeted Mr. Wyndham at the doors, and sang popular patriotic songs. Mr. H. A. Kennedy’s version of “Tess” is shortly being removed by Mrs. Waller from the Coronet Theatre to the Comedy. Mr. Fred Terry will probably play the part of Alec D’Urberville. We announced a few months ago that Miss Cholmondeley’s novel “ Red Pottage ” was being dramatised. It is now stated that this is being done by Mr. Kinsey Peile. Messrs. Ward, Lock and Co. will in future publish The Road, and its affiliated publications, The Road Coaching Album, The Road Coach Guide, and The Road Coaching Programme. The monthly periodical, The Road, will shortly enter upon its tenth year of existence, and the occasion will be celebrated by still further adding to its attractiveness and utility. The number and quality of the illustrations will be greatly increased, coaching, riding, and driving subjects, of course, as heretofore, forming the main feature. “Fortinbras” (Mr. Percy F. Marks), who projected the journal in 1891, remains the editor-in-chief, while the majority of the contributors who have helped to popularise The Road are retained. The editorial, advertise- ment, and publishing offices will in future be at Warwick House, Salisbury-square, London, E.C. The song of “ The Gallant Fusileer,” words by Russell Gray, music by M. A. C. Salmond (published by Rossini and Co., 281, Regent- street, London, W.), is presented by author and composer to the widows of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, whatever may be its circulation and the proceeds. THE AUTHOR. CORRESPONDENCE. I.—“ EnveLoprs WANTED.” AVING experienced in common with “B. B. T.” the impossibility of getting envelopes to take ordinary foolscap, I have discarded it in favour of “sermon or essay paper,” 8 inches by 6} inches, a much more convenient size to write upon, read, and transport, at least for ordinary magazine work. Suitable envelopes for this paper are easily obtainable from a good firm. I am now using excellent ones from Messrs. Bemrose, Derby, 10 inches by 7 inches, substantial enough to carry, in addition to MSS., sketches on thick cardboard ; and plentifully supplied with “ gum.” EK. Hopess. I notice in the March Author that one of your correspondents finds a lack of suitable envelopes for the transmission of MSS. For years I ex- perienced the same difficulty, as well as the annoy- ance of having articles returned to me grimy and ill-folded, involving expense and trouble in re- typing and general tidying up. Last year I designed and patented a light cardboard case, which fastens as easily as an envelope and avoids all risk of crushing and creasing. To members, like myself, of the melancholy majority of writers, whose doves are wont to take various flights before finding a resting place, my carrier can be re-posted at will by the aid of a fresh label and string. So far I have only had my cases made by hand for my own use, but even so the cost is very slight, and if produced in quantities this might be greatly reduced. If any readers of The Author would care to have a specimen I will forward one post-free for sixpence, in the hope that some more business-hke person may make a practical suggestion as to bringing it before the public. Hevena Hearts. Hucclecote Vicarage, Gloucester. Will you allow me to tell your correspondent “RR, B.T.” that envelopes of the size he desires are sold by Messrs. A. Mansford and Sons, 95, Finsbury-pavement, E.C., at 35. 6d. a hundred. I wish the Post-office could be persuaded to sell a registered envelope of the same size. CLEMENTINA Buack. II.— TYPEWRITERS. In connection with the above, the following may be of interest. Some years ago I required to have many sheets of MSS. typed every week. I THE AUTHOR. tried no less than eight “private typists,’ if I may so term them, and paid from Iod. to Is. a thousand words, inclusive of postage. They one and all proved incompetent. A. would leave out all punctuation marks and misspell half the words ; B. would begin fresh paragraphs on her own initia- tive; C. would alter the meaning of many of the sentences, and so forth. I then sent all my copy to a large typewriting association. The work was well done there, but I was charged 2d. a folio— 2.€,, about 2s. 4d. a thousand words, exclusive of postage. One day a friend urged me to send some MSS. to a private typist whom he said he employed regularly. I reluctantly consented to do so, but I have sent my MSS. to her ever since. Her name—lI have no need to conceal it—is Miss McGuinness; her address, Jasmine, Hambalt-road, Clapham Common. She works neatly and rapidly, never misspells a word, and never omits even a punctuation mark; and the price she charges is 1od. a thousand words, inclusive of postage. There must be hundreds—there are probably thousands—of girls who typewrite as carefully as the lady I have named, but the difficulty lies in discovering them. I have come across typists who would work for 7d., some of them even for 6d., a thousand words, but I maintain that the individual willing to pay such rates wantonly encourages one of the worst forms of oppression. Basin Tozer. Boodle’s Club, March 13. May I protest against the theories expressed in the current number of The Author on type- writers ? Tam a typist of seven and a half years stand- ing; I acquired a knowledge of my work by five months spent at Pitman’s school followed by five months in a typewriting office, and eventually set up for myself at home. I have had experience of many kinds of typing and have taught pupils, and I entirely deny that 9d. per 1000 words is ‘good and sufficient pay.” The supply of work is extremely fluctuating, and while for six months in the year a typist may have more than she can do, for the other six she probably has difficulty in finding work. A good typist ought to be able to make 5s. to 6s. a day at gd. per 1000, even allow- ing time for reading and correcting the work. This gives her an income of 27s. 6d. to 33s. per week, but—and here’s the rub—she may not obtain perpetual work. Now everyone knows that home work is usually precarious, and for this reason the pay must be calculated on a scale which will allow for the lean months. How is “an educated gentlewoman” to live comfortably on 33s. a week or less for only part of the year ? 249 Moreover, the writer of the letter referred to in your article mentions that a “well educated gentlewoman ’”’ became “ proficient” at the end of ten lessons. I fancy her standard of proficiency must be very low. Was the lady capable, for instance, of writing legal documents with speed and accuracy at the dictation of hasty strangers ? Was she capable of telling a client, after glancing through the copy, how many pages his work would run to, and what it would cost him? Your correspondent affirms the lady “had a thorough knowledge of Latin and French” and was pro- ficient in typewriting into the bargain. Would she therefore have no difficulty in correctly and swiftly copying a’medical MS. full of quotations from one of the great French doctors, with an impatient client calling every half hour to know if the work were not yet ready ? These instances are of every day occurrence to one who works at home, and it is absurd to say that ten lessons can possibly make a typist pro- ficient in her work. It is far more likely that, being ignorant and unskilful herself, she will lower the average of good work and pull the wages scale still further down for her unfortunate fellow workers. If a woman chooses to work at home she has a perfect right to do so, provided she does not take advantage of her own position to lower the wages scale for others less fortunate. Whether compe- tition be a healthy mainspring or a great Moloch is an open question, but our social conditions being what they are, there is no question that a home worker shows an undisciplined spirit when she cuts down the wages of others by undersel- ling them. In her last paragraph your correspondent affirms that the work of typing or stenography can be done by “the delicate, the cripple.” Certainly they can work intermittently, but they cannot possibly keep up, year in, year out, the perpetual grind at typing necessary to earn a steady income at gd. per 1000, even if they had the work. As for shorthand, the smallest experi- ence is enough to show that it keeps the workers up late at night, is extremely trying to the eyes, and is totally unfit for a delicate or crippled person. In this letter I have endeavoured to keep strictly to your correspondent’s letter, and not to attack side issues. I inclose a prospectus as a guarantee of the genuineness of my work, and apologising for this long letter, remain, Yours truly, D. M. Ransom. 250 THE AUTHOR. TIl.— Tue Same Oip Srory—Ever New.” The letter in your January issue, signed “ EH. L. Williams,” in which the writer speaks of the long snterval between acceptance and publication which is the fate of many manuscripts at the hands of certain editors, prompts me to relate my own experience in this respect. In one instance, I forwarded a MS. to the editor of a certain excel- lent review. After a very long interval, during which I wrote one or two letters inquiring its fate, I learned that it had been accepted for pub- lication. Three years passed, and the article had not appeared. On writing to the editor pointing out the unreasonableness of keeping me so long without a cheque, he, with some -onsideration, sent a remittance. Eighteen months after, 1 wrote to him again saying that I should be glad to see my article in print. After the delay gene- rally associated with busy editors, he replied that im all his experience he had never met any author who was quite so anxious about his MS. as I was! I had received my cheque, and was not that suffi- cient? Since the receipt of that communication I have been mute. I had been vain enough to look for some small advertisement from the pub- lication of my article in the columns of so distin- guished a periodical. Three and a half years have passed since its acceptance, but still I live with hope. Yet another instance. I wrote a series of five articles for a high-class sixpenny weekly. All were taken, and one was printed a few months after acceptance. Two years later, as the second of the series had not appeared, I wrote to learn the reason. The editor answered that he could not say when he should be able to use the remainder of my contributions, therefore he was sending them back! I declined to take them in, and ventured to remind him of the accepting con- tract of two years ago. Then he published the second article; and I am hoping that the last day of 1905 will see the series completed in print. But, sir, I should like to know if the editors that helped our popular authors to success were such as these ? ArrHuR BECKETT. IV.—AurTHorRs AND THE War FonpD. In reference to the suggestion made in this month’s Author for the publication of a book the proceeds of which should go to the War Fund, may I make another suggestion of a _supple- mental kind and in no way intended to interfere with that one? Would it not be a more repre- sentative gift of the Society if, instead of hold- ing the annual dinner this year, members who would otherwise have attended it should forward their guinea to the fund? It might be replaced by a soirée with the lowest amount of expenditure possible, and ticket for which would be issued to members and their friends at a correspondingly low charge. This would enable a number of authors to contribute who would be debarred from any part in a volume which from necessity must be limited to a very few, and those the best known among us. Norury CHEster. V.—In re “ Paris Nores.” “Une Tache d’encre,” par René Bazin, may be amongst the “interesting publications of the month,” but “A Blot of Ink,” translated from the French of René Bazin by Q. and Francke was issued by Cassells as far back as 1892. T beg to suggest that a selected list of American books, like the one that has been dropped by the Publishers’ Circular, would be of interest to many readers. English lists we see everywhere, but a really good foreign list would be as interesting as the first few copies of the Review of Reviews. C. E. VI.—JameEs’ AND JAMES’S. Pending the settlement of more serious differ- ences, could we not come to an understanding with our good friends the printers on the forma- tion of the possessive case in words ending in “ a In spite of every prayer and protest, they cling obstinately to “ James’,” let us say. Authors who have not yet given up the struggle write “ James’s.” But all in vain. The printers con- tinue to teach and exasperate. It seems a little thing to ask, but it is growing apparent that nothing less than the whole weight of the Society will dislodge them from their position. Trusting that my suggestion will not be regarded as another piece of wanton aggression, I am, Sir, JULIAN CORBETT. ViII.—Der Prorunpis. Permit me to add a word to my previous letter, and to refer especially to the “Cry from the Depths,” and to the sad cases of fruitless literary struggle, sometimes ending in suicide, which have recently been discussed in your columns. I am one of those who can speak not without authority on this matter, for in my life I have fully experienced every sort of privation such as often falls to the lot of unemployed mechanics — and labourers. Years ago I escaped from all this by getting common work that gives me the plain necessaries of life. My spare time I give to books. But by going through perilous THE AUTHOR. and yet useful experiences I have perhaps established my title to speak a word of help to others. What I say is this: Entering upon the business of authorship is similar to volunteering for South Africa. The soldier who is committed to his task does not despair because his khaki is in rags, or because he starves under a hot sun and sleeps in rain. He expects all that. He is pre- pared even for defeat and death. But he has no business to commit suicide. In most cases the call to authorship is not a true one, but in the few cases in which it is a true one, and clearly discernible as such, it must be accepted, and the whole business fought through without useless complaint. From the outset a man (or woman) who chooses to enter the career must be prepared for all manner of hardship and failure, and even for total failure after the production of work that eminently deserves to succeed. The writers who are the commercialists of literature, when they are expert, can always succeed by persistence. As for those who are something better than com- mercialists, well they must accept the risks and the honours of their calling. It is almost certain that if a standard work were produced to-day, say something more or less remotely analogous— though on modern lines—with the Book of Job, or the Paradise Lost, the publishers would refuse it. It would be so different from the safe “lines” to which they are accustomed. Now, if an author thinks that he has written a classic, or that he has a message for the world, he must not forget that he is in a totally different category from that of the commercialist. It is extremely likely that his self-estimate is wrong, and hence the wisdom of the Society in dissuading authors from publishing their own books. But if he is committed to the dangerous task, then the mark of true election will probably be a genial sense of humour that overrides all discouragement, laughs at suicide, provides by any humble extra- neous toil the daily bread, but is absolutely relentless year after year in producing the great work, and in seeking to fling it by some means or other at the devoted heads of the public. The absurdity of committing suicide with a pistol is manifest, because the pistol would sell for five shillings, and that would provide food for a week of improvisation. The shadow of despair makes a writer spoil his work by a painful formal accuracy. But the public are an unsounded receptivity, and what they want, and what even the publishers want, is free extempore work. x ¥. a5! {Does not the writer make the common mistake of supposing that if a literary work has a com- mercial value, the writer is therefore a ‘‘com- mercialist’’? We are coustantly insisting on the great fact that a writer who gives himself— his best—to the work in hand cannot possibly think of the commercial value. When his work is finished it is like a picture, it is for sale: the commercial value comes in. But the artist is not a commercialist. Simple as is the position, it seems as if it is impossible for those writers to grasp it whose work has no commercial value.— Ep. | BOOKS AND REVIEWS. (In these columns notes on books are given from reviews which carry weight, and are not, so far as can be learned, logrollers.) Memories AND Impressions, by the Hon. George C. Brodrick (Nisbet, 16s.) is a volume that will be taken up by the reader, says the Daily News, “with an anticipation of information and entertainment which will not be disap- pointed.” The Warden of Merton has viewed the world with open eyes and an open mind, and at the ripe age of seventy sits down to recall what matters have left impressions on his memory. He has been brought into personal relations with not a few distinguished men and women in his time; and, says Literature, “he has always something to say worth listening to.” It is ‘‘ most enter- taining reading,” says the Daily Chronicle, and is written in an “ easy, finished style.” PAssaAGEs IN A WANDESING LirE, by Thomas Arnold (Arnold, 12s. 6d.), “is a volume which is sure to be widely read,” says the Daily News. “In the course of a long life Mr. Arnold has met many people worth remembering.” Literature speaks of the recollections of Wordsworth, Newman, Matthew Arnold (the author’s brother) and others, and adds that “ Mr. Arnold’s reminiscences show us @ man of fine qualities, both of heart and head.” ‘ Altogether Mr. Arnold’s book is interesting reading,” says the Daily Chronicle, which heads its review, “From Rugby to Rome.” “It is lifted above the commonplace and the unreasonable,” says the Spectator, ‘‘ by the attitude of the writer, which is simple, unworldly, and full of a dignified humility.” Sr. Perer iN Romm, AND HIS TOMB ON THE VATICAN Hitz, by Arthur Stapylton Barnes (Sonnenschein, 21s.). The Spectator says that “the author is a master of Roman archeology, and a master with original views of his own on many points. He has not only set before his readers the Catholic tradition as to St. Peter’s connection with Rome, but he kas given us the best account in English of that wonderful building, or group of buildings, old St. Peter’s, which stood beneath the site of the mighty basilica of Bramante and Michael Angelo.” The Guardian says that ‘the contents may be divided into two parts, the first of which is an account of St. Peter’s life and movements after his departure from Palestine up to his martyrdom, while the second gives the history of his relics and their tomb, and incidentally, of the great church which has been erected above them. The latter part is much more valuable than the former.” THE From Sza To Sua, by Rudyard Kipling (Macmillan, 28), contains the bulk of the special correspondence and occa- sional articles written by the author for the Civil and Military Gazette and the Pioneer between 1887-89. They were the outcome of a year’s holiday trip and are, says the Spectator, “‘ of far more than ephemeral interest.” ‘They are rich,” says the Daily Telegraph, “ in brilliant imagery.” Everyone, says Literature, “will be glad to read these earlier journalistic efforts of Mr. Kipling”; “ vivacious sketches which reveal so masterly an insight into the actual life of many diverse peoples.” Scruries, by Thomas Cobb (Richards, 3s. 6d.), is con- cerned with the amorous cross purposes of three attractive young women—a sympathetic widow and two sisters—and three more or less eligible young men. The Spectator describes the book as “a lively and gracefully-written romance, in which sentiment is always rescued from degenerating into effusion by the antiseptic of persiflage.” With “plenty of highly-wrought emotion as well as of elegant satirical humour” (Daily Telegraph) it is “very amusing comedy,” says the Daily News, and the author is congratulated “on his charming lightness of touch.” THER SILVER WEDDING JouRNEY, by W. D. Howells (Harper, 6s.), is said by the Spectator to be “a delightful counterpart ” to the author’s earlier work, “ Their Wedding Journey.” ‘We have been especially struck at the skill which Mr. Howells has shown in treating of the minutie of modern travel, as they would affect a culti- vated but stay-at-home couple, without fatiguing the reader or interfering with the progress of the sentimental interest.” 252 By ORDER OF THE Company, by Mary Johnston (Con- stable, 6s.), is recommended by the Spectator as being ‘quite as good reading” as “The Old Dominion.” ‘The picture of the very earliest days of Virginia is excellently painted, and the personages of the story are sympathetic and interesting.” Mr. THomas ArxKins, by E. J. Hardy (Unwin, 6s), who has spent many years in the position of a military chaplain and has seen the British soldier from almost every point of view, is “ominently readable,” says Literature, and “is brought well up to date by frequent references to events that have lately occurred in South Africa.” The Daily Chronicle refers to it as an interesting book, “full of good stories.” RESURRECTION, by Count Tolstoy (F. R. Henderson, 6s. net), translated by Mrs. Louise Maude, referred to by the Daily Chronicle as “a tract of genius,” is described by the Daily Telegraph as the most harrowing of all this writer’s novels. ‘The ‘strong meats’ are too coarse in texture and too ‘high’ in flavour to suit delicate literary taste, or even to recommend themselves to general consumption.” “It is primarily,” says the Daily News, ‘‘an exposition of the evils of the Russian criminal system. This exposition is written round a cruel, even a heartrending story.” OnoraA, by Rosa Mulholland (Lady Gilbert) (Richards, 3s. 6d.), is an “interesting and pathetic story dealing with the life of the Irish peasant.” Opening with the eviction of Onora and her family on a cold November morning, the story, says the Daily Chronicle “is an eloquent appeal on behalf of the down-trodden Irish peasantry,” and is told with “ pathetic humour, refinement, and charm.” Tun TRANSVAAL IN WaR AND Pracz, by Neville Edwards (H. Virtue, 7s. 6d. net), ‘‘ does not pretend to give an account of the Transvaal troubles, their causes and their AUTHOR. remedies, from the point of view of the philosopher or the statesman, but it is full of facts, facts about persons and places, of the past and the present. And there is an abundance of illustration.” ‘‘ Wherever we are,” adds the Spectator, “we find something interesting to read, and more that is interesting to look at.” From Carz Town To LapysmitH, by G. W. Steevens (Blackwood, 3s. 6d.), was written, as Literatwre says, “hurriedly and under difficulties, and the author had died in a beleaguered outpost of the Empire before he could revise it.’ The book shows the lust of slaughter and the glory of victory; but also its horrors and its pathos. The Daily Telegraph says “the book is full of those characteristics which earned for Steevens for the outset of his career as a correspondent the unique reputation he enjoyed.” Tum Maxine oF A Frontier, by Colonel Algernon Durand, C.B., C.L.E. (Murray, 16s.), is, says Literature, “a well-told and exciting narrative of military and political service in a frontier region which has been the scene of an exciting contest, and which may again attract the attention of practical politicians when the next move is made in the long but intermittent struggle for Empire in Asia.” Colonel Durand was British Agent at Gilgit 1889-1894, and Military Secretary to the Viceroy 1894-1899; and “to those who can read between the lines, some, at any rate, of the dubious points in our policy will be apparent.” The Daily Chronicle says the book “will appeal to all interested in the consolidation and stability of our Indian Empire.” The Spectator finds it “impossible to express in short compass” its evjoyment of the book, which is “ filled with admirable illustrations, and is altogether the most delightful specimen of its class we have met with for many years.” . InnermMost AsrA (Heinemann, 21s.), is by Captain Cobbold, who passed through a considerable stretch of country never before visited by an Englishman. The Daily Chronicle describes it as a “ remarkably well-written narrative of a plucky and adventurous journey, in which both natural and artificial difficulties were met in abun- dance,” and adds that the criticism of Russia is much the most important part of the work. Captain Cobbold writes, says Literature, “‘ with a vigour and a humour to which sportsmen seldom attain, and makes some remarks on sub- jects connected with trade and politics which are worthy of consideration in high quarters.” “THE AUTHOR.” SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. Front Page oon aa ane see ase sek ey «£4 0 Other Pages ow Ot Half of a Page ... . 110 eeacoeooso Quarter of a Page uae a . . O16 Eighth of a Page ey 3. ase ks na se Oe Single Column Advertisements perinch 0 6 Bills for Insertion per 2000 3 0 Reductions made for a Series of Sia or Twelve Inserteons. 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