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The Author
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<em>The Author</em>
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A digitised run of the Society of Authors' monthly periodical, <em>The Author</em>, 1890<span>–</span>1914, made available together for the first time.<br /><br />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.
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1890–1914
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The-Author-Issues
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1901-03-01
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11
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10
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169–188
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19010301
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The Author.
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)
CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT.
VOL. XI.–No. 1067
VOL. XI.—No. 10.)
_
MARCH 1, 1901.
MARCH 1, 1901.
[PRICE SIXPENCE.
----
--
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.
signed or initialled the Authors alone are As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or
doctor!
responsible. None of the papers or para-
graphs must be taken as expressing the III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM.
collective opinions of the Committee unless It is above all things necessary to know what the
they are officially signed by G. Herbert proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly
Thring, Sec.
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.”
M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all
1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT.
requests that all members not receiving an answer to The main points are :-
important communications within two days will write to him
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.
without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union
(2) Keep control of the advertisements.
Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.
letter only.
GENERAL.
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four
Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on above mentioned.
all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.
jocts whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are Never sign any agreement without competent advice from
returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. 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 :-
GENERAL MEMORANDA.
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement
means.
IT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong
agreement. There are four methods of dealing to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the
with literary property :
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or
I. SELLING IT OUTRIGHT.
withheld.
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
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.
Secretary of the Society.
II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of 1. NTEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to
agreement).
the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some
In this case the following rules should be attended to :
competent legal authority.
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. the production of a play with anyone except an established
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the manager.
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS
in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise.
IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :-
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT.
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses,"
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters
anless the same allowance is made to the author.
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental
tract for production of the piece by a certain date
rights.
and for proper publication of his name on the
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.
play-bills.
VOL. XI.
## p. 170 (#236) ############################################
170
THE AUTHOR.
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
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus
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.
lence 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 payments
due according to agreements.
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between
5 and 15 per cent. An anthor 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 (i.e.,
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 (6.) 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 reserved.
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.
9. 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.
cracts, those authors desirous of further information are
referred to the Secretary of the Society.
THE READING BRANCH.
EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this
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 term MSS.
includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic
works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement,
technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of
competence and experience. The fee is one guinea.
NOTICES.
THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the
1 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
68. 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
21st 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.
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.
1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive
L 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 agreoments do not generally fall within the
## p. 171 (#237) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
171
LITERARY PROPERTY.
1.-FRANCE LEADS THE WAY.
M HE following interesting case, which has
passed through the office, is placed before
the members of the Society, as the opinion
which has been obtained is of interest to all
writers and tends to show the liberality with
which the French nation in copyright legislation
have treated authors all over the world. In the
legislation for the production of literary and
artistic works the French nation has always been
in the vanguard.
A member of the Society, American by birth
and nationality, residing in England, came to the
Society for assistance in regard to what he
thought was a piracy of his work in France. The
question that arose was what interpretation the
French would give to the international arrange-
ments between England and America as affecting
the terms of the Berne Convention. The secre-
tary accordingly immediately wrote to the Société
des Gens de Lettres in Paris, giving particulars
of the case, which were as follows:-
" An author of American nationality who is
domiciled in England produces a book in 1899
simultaneously in England and America, securing
thereby under the existing arrangement between
England and America copyright in both countries.
• The book is then pirated by a French pub-
lisher, and a French translation is put on the
market in Paris and sells well.
“ The author remonstrated with the publisher,
but the publisher refused to pay any compensa-
tion, on the grounds that he pirated from
America.
“ Under the Berne Convention an English
author who has copyright in England is entitled
to protection in France for his translation during
ten years. The question that now arises is,
whether under the French interpretation of inter-
national law an American citizen domiciled in
England, who has obtained English copyright, is
entitled to the benefits of the Berne Convention
as existing between England and France ?”
The French Society, with great courtesy and
promptitude, wrote back and stated that they
would gladly put the question before their own
counsel, and would obtain an opinion for the
Society on the matter.
Accordingly, in due course the secretary re-
ceived the following opinion :-
"In reply to the question proposed by your
English correspondent: — To commence. In
France, in principle, no translation of any work,
French or foreign, can be published without the
authorisation of the author of the work. The
VOL. XI.
author of the translation is certainly invested
with the rights of an author as regards his trans-
lation ; but, as regards the author of the original,
he is guilty of infringement if he has not asked
for authorisation. This is the principle applied
by French jurisprudence by the interpretation of
our law of 1703, of the decree of February, 1810,
and of that of May 28, 1852, without any ques-
tion of reciprocity on the part of the foreigner.
- In any case the effect of the terms of the
articles 2, 3, and 5 of the International Conven-
artin
tion of Sept. 9, 1885 (Berne Convention), is
that, without entering into any question of the
dispositions of the American law, or of the par-
ticular arrangements existing between England
and America, or between America and France
(Federal law of May 3, 1891, and declaration
respecting Belgium, France, Great Britain, and
res
Switzerland of July 1.1801). the American author.
who has published his work at the same time in
England and America, enjoys in France the pro-
tection of his rights of translation for ten years
at least from the date of the publication in
England.
"To sum up, by placing himself under the pro-
tection of the Berne Convention, the American
author, although his country has not entered into
the International Union, is protected in France so
far as regards his right of translation, at least for
ten vears, by the mere fact (article 2 of the Con.
vention) that his work has been published in a
upionist country-to wit, England.
“But it must, of course, be understood that
the protection is dependent upon (article 4 D,
March 28, 1852, and 6 Law of July 19, 1893) the
deposit of the copies of the original work in the
Bibliothèque Nationale—that is to say, at present
at the Ministry of the Interior.".
The opinion is that of Mr. Alfred Mack,
advocate to the Court of Appeal in Paris, 9, rue
de Septembre.
The Committee felt deeply indebted to the
French Society for the prompt assistance it gave,
and passed a unanimous vote of thanks for their
courtesy and kindness. The opinion of the
French advocate will be interesting to all
members of the Society.
It is pleasant to state, in addition, that the
French publisher who pirated the work paid an
agreed compensation to the author before he had
received the opinion of the French counsel.
G. H, T.
II.—THE COPYRIGHT Bill.
The King's Speech at the opening of Parlia-
ment, delivered in person by His Majesty,
announced that “legislation has been prepared
for amending the law of literary copyright." In
## p. 172 (#238) ############################################
172
THE AUTHOR.
the House of Commons on the same day (Feb. 14) out of the first edition — they therefore have
the Right Hon. Gerald Balfour, President of the certainly paid the cost of production: of the
Board of Trade, stated his intention of bringing remaining thirty-nine, sixteen are by authors
in on an early day a measure consolidating and popular enough to insure the success of their
amending the law of literary copyright.
books—perhaps not a big success, but more than
The Copyright Bill, which is about to be intro. enough to cover cost of production and royalties
duced by the Board of Trade, will run closely on or purchase, and to leave some kind of profit to
the lines of Lord Monkswell's Bill which passed the publisher. There remain twenty-three, or
the House of Lords last summer, and which was nearly one-half, of which the outsider can only
drafted by Lord Thring. As soon as it is possible say that they are doubtful. These figures show
to obtain a draft of the same, such draft will be rather more than one in a dozen which succeed.
printed in The Author, and the differences exist. But there is much more to be considered. The
ing between the Board of Trade's and Lord outsider does not know the reader's opinion: the
Monkswell's Bills will be dealt with at length. whole of these twenty-three books may have been
G. H. T. most warmly recommended; nor does he know
how many are paid for by the author, a practice
III.- PROJECTED NEW GERMAN COPYRIGHT becoming more and more common, and as disas-
LAW.
trous in its results as can be expected, considering
The Deutsche Reichstag, on its reassembling on the monstrous claims of the Publishers' Committee.
Jan. 8, proceeded to a first reading of the project Nor, again, does the outsider know how many
of a law respecting copyright in works of litera- copies are taken at the outset by the circulating
ture and music. No very great interest is libraries : how many are subscribed by the trade:
apparently taken in the new law, but it is a how many go to the colonies: how many are
hopeful sign that the discussion appears to be copyrighted in the States.
proceeding independently of any party politics. That there is over-production it would be
Our contemporary Das Rechte Feder is dis mischievous to deny. Booksellers, however, are
tinctly despondent about the protection of becoming wary: they cannot be readily talked
authors from publishers, which it compares to over into subscribing a novel : their shelves are
protecting sheep from wolves. Several of the filled with failures and losses. Now, if booksellers
remarks made in the course of the discussion of will not subscribe a book, and if libraries will
the new law indicate on the part of the speakers not take a book, what harm is done to the public
a very elementary idea even of what copyright is. by over-production ? There is more work thrown
on the paragraph-reviewer : and that is all. The
public does not see the books: the bookseller
· IV.-OVER-PRODUCTION.
does not subscribe for them : nobody sees them :
The Publishers' Circular calls attention to the there are hundreds of books produced every year
over-production of six-shilling novels. Not long which are not published, because publishing means
ago a bookseller had fifteen offered him in one exhibition and offering to the public as well as
day, and refused to take any. Not one of these printing.
novels in a dozen, the Circular thinks, pays for the Again, to return to the over-production. There
cost of production. It then advises publishers has arisen quite recently a kind of gambling in
to keep before them for reference the net result of novels. A publisher makes an unexpected
each novel published during the year, and thinks success. He thinks that he may make another.
that the contemplation of these figures will He can afford to lose a certain sum in the experi-
act as a wholesome restraint for the future. ment. How much is his risk? He binds very
Perhaps it might: but one always imagines that few copies : he spends very little money in adver-
every man of business must observe the simple tising the renture: the libraries take a limited
precaution of knowing how his goods sell.
number: the risk is thus reduced to a very small
Let us, however, descend from vague talk to sum. The actual loss may equal the risk; but
facts and figures. It is, of course, easy to say he bas had his venture. And the whole reason
that not one novel in a dozen pays. What kind for the production of so many novels is just the
of dozen is it? Not a baker's dozen, certainly. chance of making a great and unexpected success
For instance, an examination of the advertising —that and nothing more.
pages of the Athenæum of Feb. 23 shows that
eleven publishers — the number may be taken
as representing the fifty or sixty who need be
considered — are advertising, as current novels,
fifty altogether. Of these eleven have passed
## p. 173 (#239) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
173
V.—CANADIAN Notes.
pages additional are devoted to an explanation of
On behalf of Morang and Co., owners of the the methods used in making this inquiry, with
British copyright in “ Ăn Englishwoman's Love the Commissioner's summing up of such evidence
Letters," we have just succeeded in obtaining as he has succeeded in collecting.
judgment of injunction against two local firms
Tables are printed showing (a) the number of
who have been importing cheap American copyright entries, and amount of fees applied,
reprints. The book, unfortunately for the house from July 10, 1870, to Dec. 31, 1900; (6) the
of John Murray, was not copyrighted in the number of entries of foreign and United States
States.
productions respectively, and the fees for the
I notice that a public document of more than same from July 1, 1895, to Dec. 31, 1900; and
usual interest has just been published in the (c) the number of articles deposited at the Copy-
United States in the shape of the report of the right Office during the last three fiscal years. In
Commissioner of Labour in response to the this last table the articles are arranged by classes,
resolution of the Senate of Jan. 23, 1900, direct but no distinction has been made between pro-
ing that official to investigate the effect upon ductions of foreign authorship and works by
labour production and wages of the International native authors, so that it is difficult to see how
Copyright Act, 1891, and report the result of his any deductions can rightly be made from these
inquiries. The large majority of the opinions tables as to the effect of the law upon the number
got heartily favour the law, but the individuals of entries made or articles deposited. It is
or firms represented favour certain changes. assumed that one effect of the law has been
[For list of these see article below on the greatly to increase the number of copyright
International Copyright Act. - ED. Author] entries, because the year 1890 (that immedi-
The fourth proposition—" That the publica- ately preceding the passage of the Act)
tion in the United States of unauthorised trans. shows an increase of but 1813 entries over the
lations of copyrighted books of foreigners, number for 1889, while the year 1891 shows
other than English, should be prohibited ”—is an increase over 1890 of 6119 entries, although
apparently met by the provision in the present
“the Act did not become operative until
United States Revised Statutes, section 4952, as
July 1 of that year.” A careful examination,
amended by the Act of March 3, 1891, reading as
however, of the table of entries and fees, from
follows :-
1870 down, shows such noticeable fluctuations
« And authors or their assigns shall have exclu. that it is doubtful if such an assumption can
sive right to dramatise or translate any of their safely be made. Unfortunately, no exact figures
works for which copyrights shall have been are available for the foreign and United States
obtained under the laws of the United States."
entries, respectively, up to July 1, 1897, but for
WALTER BARWICK.
the three calendar years following the entries
are: 1898, foreign, 7779, United States, 69,095 ;
(Barwick, Aylesworth, and Wright, Barristers
1899, foreign, 8122, United States, 78,370; 1900,
and Solicitors.)
foreign, 8478, United States, 89,489, while the
Toronto.
increase in the entries, foreign and United States,
VI.—THE INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT ACT.
respectively, for the last two years was : 1899,
foreign, 343, United States, 9275; 1900, foreign,
[From the New York Evening Post.]
356, United States, 11,119, showing that, of the
A public document of more than usual yearly increase, the foreign entries made a very
interest is the report of the Commissioner of small proportion. It is probable that, of the
Labour in response to the resolution of the total increase from 1890 to 1891, a larger per-
Senate, of Jan. 23, 1900, directing that official to centage was due to entries for foreign pro-
“ investigate the effect upon labour, production, ductions, but even so, it was probably a small
and wages of the International Copyright Act, proportion of the total increase of 6119; and
approved March 3, 1891, and report the results up to 1900, inclusive, the highest number of
of his inquiries." Such results as were obtainable entries for the productions of foreign authors,
are set out in a pamphlet of ninety-nine pages, of &c., in any one year, since the Act went into
which the last eleven pages consist of a republica force, July 1, 1891, was only 8478.
tion of the copyright laws in force. Of the The Commissioner explains that, on its becoming
remaining text, seventy-seven pages contain apparent that detailed statistical information of
verbatim statements from publishers, leading the character contemplated by the resolution
printers, the American Copyright League, &c., could not be secured, an endeavour was made to
giving opinions, pro and con, as to the value and obtain expressions of opinion from the class of
effect of the Act in question, and less than six people whose conclusions would be of most value
VOL. XI.
z 2
## p. 174 (#240) ############################################
174
THE AUTHOR.
-publishers, printers, and the official members induced led to cheap work, and consequently
of printing unions and allied trades unions-by narrowed the compensation earned by printers as
addressing to them a series of seven questions compared with that obtained through the higher
designed to bring out the views of the persons quality of book production under the protection
and establishments to whom they were submitted, of the copyright law.
regarding the general results of the law as The questions sent out were as follows: (1.)
affecting labour and production. Altogether, Has the international copyright law been detri-
seventy responses were received, of which fifty mental or beneficial to (a) publishers or book
five are set down as regarding the law and its manufacturers ; (6) compositors, pressmen, book-
results more or less favourably, while fifteen binders, and employers generally; (c) American
consider it detrimental.
authors; (d) foreign authors; (e) the book-
Commissioner Wright points out that the purchasing public ? (2.) In what respects has
clause requiring the manufacture in the United the law been detrimental or beneficial to each of
States of copyright works, the feature of the law the above-mentioned classes ? (3.) Has the
directly affecting “labour, production, and effect of the law been to increase or to reduce the
wagas," was adopted at the instance of the selling price of books ? About how much per
typographical unions; but although prominent cent. ? (4.) Was “piracy,” as practised prior to
members of the International Typographical the enactment of the international copyright law,
Union in several principal cities were personally beneficial or injurious to printers or publishers ?
interviewed, and requested to submit facts and (5.) Do American and European publishers
their own views regarding the beneficial or detri. exchange stereotype plates, or are European plates
mental effects of the Act, only oral statements used to any extent in the production of books in
could be obtained from some of them, to the America ? (6.) What is your general opinion as to
effect "that, in their opinion, the law has been the operation and effect of the international copy-
of no real benefit to printers or allied crafts- right law ? (7.) In what respects do you think
men ; that the manufacturing clause of the the law in question should be amended or changed ?
law, requiring copyrighted works of foreign The responses to these questions indicate,
authors to be printed from type set or from according to the summary, that a large majority
plates made from type set in the United States of the establishments interviewed heartily favour
is violated to a considerable extent by the fraudu- the law, believing it to be highly beneficial in its
lent importation from Europe of stereotype general operation and effect, although some of
plates, which are used for the printing of such them criticise certain of its features, and express
works in the United States ; and that the effect their views as to amendments of the law that are
of the law is to confine the labour of production deemed desirable. On ihe other hand, “a com-
of each copyrighted work to the employees of the paratively small but highly respectable number"
single establishment to whom the monopoly of of establishments are said to be “utterly opposed
publication is secured under the law, whereas to the law,” believing it to be pernicious in prac-
were it not for the law, the works of many
tice and wrong in principle.
foreign authors would be published by several
Whether favourable or adverse to the law, the
different establishments, thus giving employment
to a largely increased number of operatives."
individuals or firms represented favour certain
The Coinmissioner adds that effort was made to
changes in the copyright laws now in force, the
secure definite statements giving instances of
principal alterations proposed being summarised
as follows:-
violation of the “ manufacturing clause," but
none could be obtained, and no expression of
(1.) It is believed by many publishers that the "manu.
facturing clause," requiring the manufacture wholly within
views beyond oral ones, such as quoted, could be
the United States of copyrighted books, photograpbs,
secured.
chromos, or lithographs, whether the work of residents or
It is to be presumed that the statement that, non-residents, should be abrogated.
were it not for the existing law, the works of (2.) That the requirement of publication of copyright
many foreign authors would be published by
works in the United States not later than the date of their
publication in any other country (which has the effect of
several different establishments, thus giving
requiring simultaneous publication on both sides of the
employment to a largely increased number of
Atlantic of the works of English (and American] authors)
operatives, is made in remembrance of the old should be changed so as to allow a reasonable time to elapse
times of literary piracy, when there was a possi between publication abroad and at home.
bility of free scrambling for the works of popular
(3.) That the term of existence of copyright should be
extended beyond the limited period now granted.
foreign authors; but the document under con-
(4.) That the publication in the United States of un-
sideration contains evidence from most competent authorised translations of copyrighted books of foreigners
sources that the competition this very scramble other than English should be prohibited.
## p. 175 (#241) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
175
OUTU
........
This last proposition would seem to be
adequately met by the provision in the present
law, Revised Statutes, section 4952, as amended
by the Act of March 3, 1891, reading as follows:
“And authors or their assigns shall have exclu.
sive right to dramatise or translate any of their
works for which copyright shall have been
obtained under the laws of the United States."
What is desired, apparently, is that in the case
of books in foreign languages, not now copy.
righted in the United States by reason of the
type-setting stipulation, the author or assignee
should be allowed to secure copyright on an
authorised English translation, to the exclusion
of any unauthorised translation into Englisb.
Thanks are due to Commissioner Wright for
having elicited and brought together the very
interesting and valuable opinions on this impor-
tant subject printed in his report, and we hope
in a subsequent article to present a collated
summary of them.
Roe, Mrs. Harcourt
Rossetti, W. M. ...... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ......
S. B. .........................
Sanderson, Sir J. B. ...........
Skeat, The Rev. Prof. ..............
Spielmann, M. H.
Stanton, Miss H. M. E
Toplis, Miss G. .......
Tweedie, Mrs. Alec................
Watt, A. P........
Wheelwright, Migg E. E. ...
Williams, rs. E. L. ........
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)......
Alexander, A. ..........
Avery, Harold ............
.........
Beckett, A. W. à ......
Bebant, Sir Walter.....
Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. ...........
Brodhurst, Spencer.
Clodd, Edward
Cresswell, Rev. H. ............
Crockett, S. R.
Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for
10
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Ooouoen ocenomenoumero on one on onenen om
-oo o o o ōn our one-oő õenann oooo ono oro
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
I001
)
................................................
PENSION FUND.
18.......
Ellis, Miss M. A....
Esmond, H. V. .......................................
Gilbert, W. S......
Gribble, F. ....
Guthrie, Anstey..
.....................
Gwynn, S. ..........
Hawkins, A. Hope
Home, Francis....
Jerome, Jerome K. ..............
Kelly, C. A........................
Lely, J. M. ..............
Marchmont, A. W. ...............
Pemberton, Max............
Pendered, Miss Mary L. ..................
Pinero, A. W.....
Roberts, Morley ........................
Rose, Edward .................
Sinclair, Miss ...........
Stanley, Mrs. ....
Ward, Mrs. Humphry ...........
Watt, A. P. .......
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
.
.
.
.
.
:
-
>g-
..............
NHE following is the list of donations
and subscriptions at present promised or
received :-
DONATIONS.
A. S. ...
£100 0 0
Alcott, E. ...........
50
Anonymous .....
100 0 0
Baldwin, Mrs. A. .........
Barrie, J. M.
100 0 0
Benecke, Miss Ida ..
3 0 0
Besant, Sir Walter........
100 0 0
Boevey, Miss Crawley ....
Chambers, Miss Beatrica ...........................
0 3 6
Cordeaux, Miss .................. ..........
5 0 0
Craigie, Mrs. .........
100 0 0
Doyle, A. Conan ..........
...........
100 0 0
Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............ 5 0 0
Esmond, H. V.
3 3 0
Fowler, Miss E. T.
10 10 0
Freshfield, D. W........
100 0 0
Gibbs, Miss .
100
Hawking, A. Hope ............
200 0 0
Hutchinson, Rev. H. ........
2 0 0
Jacberns, Raymond .................
I 10
Jones, Henry Arthur................................
Keltie, J. Scott .......................................
Kipling, Rudyard ...................................
100 00
Loftie, Rev. W. J. .....................................
Macfarlane, H. .......
Marshall, Capt. R. .
Meredith, George .........
Moncrieff, R. Hope.
Norris, W. E..
Oliphant, Kingston
Parker, Gilbert ...................
100 00
Phillpotts, Eden ....................................... 10 0 0
Pollock, Sir Frederick ............
5 5 0
NEW YORK LETTER.
.
öwen : nonow -
mooooooo-000-OooooWo O O OWNOOO-000
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
.
.
M
.
.
New York City, Feb. 12.
HE United States Senate last year passed a
resolution which directed the Bureau of
Labour to investigate the effect of the
International Copyright Act upon labour, pro-
duction, and wages in this country. The Bureau
has made its report, through Mr. Commissioner
Wright, who sought the required information
among the heads of the International Typo-
graphical Union, the leading American book
publishers, and the documents on file in the Con.
gressional Library and the Treasury Department.
Such reports are doubtless more significant to
those who happen to know precisely what the
.......
ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ
.
## p. 176 (#242) ############################################
176
THE AUTHOR.
Bureau wished to find, than they are to those in This last sentiment of Colonel Watterson's
ignorance of the Bureau's desires, but neverthe- comment is familiarly prevalent with us, where,
less the recommendations made to the Senate indeed, the man of letters seldom enters with
may be of general importance and interest either force or grace upon the discussion of public
(see p. 174).
questions. Mark Twain, for example, has pro-
Congress has taken no action upon the results voked a sizeable storm by an article in the last
of the investigations of its commission. We do number of the North American Review. Mr.
not believe that any change in the law would be Clemens's effort is called "To the Person sitting
proposed without obtaining the testimony of in Darkness”; and, while our famous humorist's
working authors, to whom apparently the Bureau purpose in writing it is not quite clear, it seems
of Labour did not appeal.
to be an arraignment of the methods of civilisa-
An editorial writer of the New York Book tion in dealing with the non-civilised. He pays
Buyer makes the meaty suggestion that the his respects to Mr. Chamberlain, Emperor William,
growth of the American reading public has not and President McKinley. “Mr. Chamberlain
been quite so great as has been believed of late, manufactures a war out of materials so inade-
but rather that the international copyright Act quate and so fanciful that they make the boxes
has given our writers an equal opportunity by grieve and the gallery laugh, and he tries hard
outlawing the cheap and pirated English reprints. to persuade himself that it isn't purely a private
We are reminded of the ingenuous lady in “ The raid for cash, but has a sort of dim, vague re-
Rise of Silas Lapham ” who asks: “Is · Daniel spectability about it somewhere, if he could only
Deronda' a new book? It has only just got into find the spot; and that, by-and-by, he can scour
the Seaside Library.” Good writers are now the flag clean again after he has finished dragging
brought at once before the public, without the it through the mud, and make it shine and fash
offices of Seaside Libraries, and make their great in the vault of Heaven once more as it shone and
and popular successes, but we must not forget flashed there a thousand years in the world's
that the old collections of unauthorised reprints respect until he laid his unfaithful hand upon it."
were evidences of a vast reading public in the Mr. Clemens's animadversions on McKinleyism
United States before the days of “Richard are, to us at least, even more surprising. Our
Carvel” and “ To Have and to Hold.” For the administration in the Philippines, he observes,
vogue of American authors among us, we must has treacherously stamped out a just and intelli-
thank the advocates of international copyright gent and well-ordered republic; has stabbed an
while we doff caps to the talented young oppor- ally in the back and slapped the face of a guest ;
tunism of American literary workers.
has invited our clean young men to shoulder a
We have regarded with especial interest the discredited musket and to do bandit's work under
political aspirations of Mr. Hope and other a flag which bandits have been accustomed to
British men of letters. Within the month, two fear, not to follow ; has debauched America's
of our popular authors have had a try at states honour and blackened her face before the world.
manship, with results which cannot be called It appears that Mark Twain is Colonel Watter-
entirely gratifying. Mr. F. Hopkinson Smith, son's " hopeless politician” in more senses than
the pleasant creator of “ Colonel Carter of one, but it is something of a comfort to remark
Cartersville," has announced that Mrs. Stowe's that American authors are more concerned by
“Uncle Tom's Cabin ” did as much as any one Mr. Clemens's pyrotechnical exhibition than is
thing to precipitate our Civil War, and that the the American public at large. As a real factor
novel was a “vicious, appalling, criminal mis. in our politics, the literary man is still reputed
take.” Mr. Smith advances it as his opinion generally negligible.
that the very reason why a compromise between Another enlivenment of the winter has been the
the North and the South was impossible was appearance of M. Coquelin upon the witness
because books of that sort were written, and that stand in Chicago and his evidence in a law suit
poor Mrs. Stowe brought about the war by brought by a Mr. Gross, of that sprightly metro-
“ viciously” presenting a mistaken and distorted polis, for the purpose of establishing Mr. Gross's
view of the situation. Many critics have taken legal rights as the author of “Cyrano de
issue with Mr. Smith, and none in a more con. Bergerac," ordinarily set down as the work of M.
vincing vein than Colonel Watterson, a well. Rostand. Mr. Gross asserts that several years
known Southern editor, who declares that Mrs. ago he wrote a piece called, unless I am mistaken,
Stowe's novel was merely a spoke in an inexor- “The Merchant Prince of Corneville,” that this
able wheel, which for the time being represented masterpiece was for a lengthy period in the hands
perpetual motion, and that there “ never was yet of M. Rostand, and that most of it was incorpo-
a literary man who was not a hopeless politician.” rated, with neither acknowledgment nor remune-
## p. 177 (#243) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
177
ration, into the play in which M. Coquelin is so
MORTUARY PARAGRAPH.
successful. The Chicagoan has been persistent Prominent in the obituary list of the past
in his claim—so persistent, it seems, that M. month figure the names of two eminent Acade-
Coquelin spent an entire morning in giving micians—the Duc de Broglie and the Vicomte Henri
his evidence, and sustained his part with his de Bornier. The former-symbol in his later years
usual careful facility. After it was over the of moderation, wisdom, and comprehensive
distinguished Frenchuan said, with tears in his indulgence—was an erudite writer, an ardent
eyes, that he had wasted two hours and a half of Conservative, and a defective politician. Though
his life. Mr. Gross's suit is as yet undetermined, “ he acted the part of Richelieu to that modern
but Mme. Bernhardt and M. Čoquelin have not Louis XIII. called MacMahon, and leaves no other
excluded “ Cyrano" from their repertory.
trace in French history than the record of an
John RUSSELL DAVIDSON.
impossible enterprise and two incoherent endea-
vours ”—his historical research, literary talent,
and political probity earned him the respect and
esteem of his colleagues. “Le Secret du Roi,”
“Marie-Thérèse et Frédéric II.,” and “ L'Histoire
PARIS LETTER.
de l'Eglise chrétienne au quatrième siècle” (the
latter being a collection of rather remarkable
4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts.
articles, formerly published in the Revue des
Deux Mondes, etc.), rank among M. de Broglie's
· It was just that Providence destined the Queen best-known works. He had attained the ripe
of the greatest maritime Power of the adiverse to breathe
her parting sigh in this Osborne residence, in this Isle of age of eigay..years.
Wight bathed by the waves, facing tbe Portsmouth Arsenal,
In the Vicomte Henri de Bornier France
symbol of Imperial power and soul of the British Navy. It mourns one of her noblest sons and most gifted
was just that the English fleet should be the first to render
poets. His life was pure and good. All his
the last rites to Queen Victoria. It was just, also, that
the maritime Powers of the world—from France to Japan,
writings were characterised by a chivalrous en-
from Portugal to Germany-should take part in this cere-
thusiasm and lofty patriotism. His physical
mony. ... in rendering a supreme homage to the defects were forgotten immediately he opened his
Queen of whom posterity will anite with her contemporaries lips. Nothing was niggardly in this little man,
in saying that as perfect wife, mother, and sovereign, she save his stature. He came to Paris, poor and
carried with her to the tomb the respect and admiration of friendless, over fifty years ago. A shabby garret
all the nations of the earth.
in the rue du Bac was the only shelter within the
CYUCH was the tribute paid our late beloved limits of his narrow purse; an evening stroll
Sovereign by the Figaro correspondent in among the narrow streets and quaint bookstalls
a leading article detailing the impressive of the Latin Quarter his favourite recreation.
concluding pageant of her long and illustrious Lingering wistfully one evening outside the
reign. Nor have the other standard French Odéon theatre, he encountered a discontented
papers been a whit behindhand in their expres- habitué who good-naturedly offered the stripling
sions of esteem and regret. Le Matin alone the use of his check. The young de Bornier
ventured on essaying a caustic tone; but the force eagerly accepted the proffered ticket, and made
of cultivated public opinion speedily induced the the acquaintance of the Odéon fencing-master,
adoption of a more respectful and dignified to whom he timidly submitted an historical drama
phraseology. Among the upper classes, and in entitled “Du Guesclin.”. Shortly after he pub-
official circles, the manifestations of sympathy lished a volume of poems, “ Premières Feuilles,”
and regret were undoubtedly sincere. But the which was honoured with the approbation of Victor
feeling of the bulk of the population remains Hugo, Chateaubriand, and Béranger. In 1848
unchanged. A certain most impolitic publica he entered the Arsenal library (of which he became
tion hawked in the street, and the inimical curator in 1889), and in 1895 his magnificent
caricatures of the new monarch which appeared epic drama, “La Fille de Roland," was per-
on the boulevards ere the week was out, sufficiently formed with unprecedented success at the Théatre
indicated the sentiments of the masses. The Française by Mme. Sarah Bernhardt and M.
demagogues of the French Press assuredly envy Mounet Sully. “ Les Noces d'Attila” and
our Royal House the loyal esteem of its subjects, “Le Fils de l'Arétin” were followed in 1899
since they so persistently seek to tarnish its by a second dramatic masterpiece entitled
merits in the eyes of their own countrymen. “ France. . d'Abord!” M. de Bornier was
Under these circumstances their disparagement elected a member of the French Academy in
must be accepted as an involuntary and reluctant 1893. He died eight years later, Jan. 29, aged
seventy-six years.
homage.
## p. 178 (#244) ############################################
178
THE AUTHOR.
M.Jules Barbier (born 1825), author of upwards
of a hundred popular plays and librettos, and
several volumes of graceful verse; Mme. Edmond
Caro, an agreeable novelist and accomplished
member of Parisian society; M. Arthur Desjardins,
a thoughtful writer, whose articles on the Peace
Conference at The Hague and the Transvaal War
made quite a sensation here; and M. Maurice
Block, economist and statistician (born in 1816),
contributor to the Figaro, Temps, Journal des
Economistes, &c., have likewise passed away since
my last letter,
A THREEFOLD PROGRESS.
Three new institutions-marking three distinct
steps in advance in the respective domains of
feminism, psychology, and ästhetics—have held
their inauguration fetes within a few days of one
another. (1) L'Association des Étudiantes de
Paris (8, rue Danton); (2) L'Institut Psycho-
logique International; (3) Le Collège d'Esthétique
Moderne. The object of the Association des
Étudiantes is a rapprocher les étudiantes de
diverses facultés, à faire naître entre elles des liens
d'intimité et de solidarité, à les encourager dans
leurs études en leur fournissant un appui moral et
des secours matériels. Non-members are admitted
to the lectures given at the Feminine Students'
Club. L'Institut Psychologique International is
reported to have already established branch
societies in London and in several Continental
towns. Its exponents assert that this science will
play an important role in the criminal jurispru.
dence, pedagogy, and therapeutics of the future.
Information re the progress achieved by the
various sections of the society will be published
in the Bulletin de l'Institut. (3) M. Bjöern.
stjerne Björnson, the great Norwegian writer,
t;
presided ai the inauguration ceremony of the
Collège d'Esthétique, of which M. Emile Zola has
accepted the office of honorary president. A
number of literary celebrities were present on
this occasion. M. de Bouhélier dwelt at some
length on the object of the foundation, and M.
Le Blond on the practical advantages to be
obtained from the mutual federation of the
representatives of literature, art, and science.
“Modern Beauty” was the appropriate title of
the first lecture delivered under the auspices of
the new college.
Famous AUTOGRAPHS.
The various prices obtained at recent sales for
sundry autograph letters, signed by illustrious
defunct writers, give a tolerably correct idea of
the actual mercantile value and popularity of the
works of those lights of literature, to wit :-
A letter written by Voltaire fetched 135
francs ; a literary letter (lettre littéraire), by
Sainte-Beuve, 120 francs; seventeen letters of
Madame de Stael were sold for 410 francs; a
letter from Chateaubriand to M. de Vitrolles
immediately fetched 105 francs; a letter from
Diderot to Grimm, 380 francs; a letter from
Barbey d'Aurevilly to a lady, 120 francs ; a
genuine Balzac autograph (in the commencement
of “ Père Goriot "), 52 francs; while a letter
written by Alexandre Dumas fils to a literary
critic obtained 125 francs, being 67 francs in
advance of the sum given for an autograph letter
written by Cathérine de Médicis to her Royal
son, Charles IX. A literary letter from Emile
Augier to a dramatic critic fetched the compara-
tively small sum of 29 francs; while a literary
letter from M. Paul Bourget's pen obtained 30
francs-notwithstanding the fact that its author
is still living. The autographs of George Sand
are rare, and, consequently, much sought after.
An expert is reported to have asserted that an
autograph letter of George Sand is worth more
at the present time than the amount originally
received by the famous author for several of her
most popular works.
IN THE LAW COURTS.
Legal arbitration is slowly but surely super-
seding the homicidal duel which was so highly
in favour during certain epochs in the last
century. That an historian can, when necessary,
quote a passage from an article, book, or speech,
without the author's authorisation, is established
by the “ Droit de Citation Littéraire.” Whether
an editor or author can likewise reproduce a
sketch or caricature, without the artist's permis-
sion, is the question the law has been called on to
decide in the action brought by M. Ibels, carica-
turist of the Sifflet, against M. Grand-Carteret re
the latter's interesting publication, “L'Affaire et
l'Image." Maître Labori pleaded on behalf of
M. Ibels; Maître G. Maillard upheld the right of
“ Citation Graphique”; and Maître Levy-Salle
appeared on behalf of the Siècle, at whose office
the offending work was published.
A propos of the action for libel brought by M.
Bruyerre, the well-known dramatist, against his
political adversary, M. Montorgueil of the Eclair,
on account of an injurious personal article pub-
lished in the latter paper Feb. II, 1900, the
First Civil Chamber has at last arrived at the
following decision :-
“Seeing that—in an article entitled 'L'Envers
d'un drame,' published in the Éclair, Feb. 11,
1900–Georges Montorgueil has imputed to
Louis Bruyerre actions hurtful to his honour,
and prejudicial to his public reputation; ...
that Montorgueil vainly asserts to have been
within his right in censuring the private indi-
## p. 179 (#245) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
179
viduality of a writer who had himself given to
NOTES AND NEWS.
the publicity of the stage a domestic drama in
which he was one of the actors; that, though the "T ITERATURE” puts in a timely word in
dramatic and literary author's work may be
favour of the recognition of men and
within the critic's jurisdiction, it is not the same
women of letters. It points out that,
with his private conduct—whether or not the according to some, an Academy of Letters would
latter be in harmony with his work”-for these, be a foundation worthy of a new reign. The
and sundry other reasons duly detailed by the subject is thorny, and must be discussed else-
First Chamber, M. Montorgueil was condemned where. It also points to a reform in the distri-
to pay one thousand francs indemnity to bution of pensions never intended for the widows
M. Bruyerre, as compensation for the injurious of Government officials, and further suggests
article published in the Eclair. The last that a more adequate recognition should be given
cited phrases in the above judgment, joined to the claims of men and women of letters. The
to the 5000 francs (2000 francs d'amende, 3000 Author has advocated these reforms for some
francs de dommages intérêts), which the Ninth vears, and we ought to rejoice that a paper
Civil Chamber has ordered the director of the
of wide circulation has at last taken up the
Petit Caporal to disburse for having indulged in subject. Of course, the initial objection will be
a somewhat similar freedom of language regarding raised that authors themselves may be jealous
the Seine-et-Oise deputy, M. Perillier, afford
whatever distributions are granted. Perhaps :
matter for wholesome reflection to several but this point may be neglected. There are dis-
impetuous French journalists who are extremely contented members of the Bar and of the medical
redoubtable—in print.
profession, but the fact does not interfere with
the recognition of lawyers and doctors as worthy
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
of the national distinctious. It is not in order to
. “Monsieur Bergeret à Paris," by M. Anatole
please writers that we ask for recognition of
France (chez the Figaro), which is asserted to
letters: it is in order to teach the people the very
have attained its thirty-ninth edition in three
great and necessary lesson that literature is an
days; “Le Friquet,” by “Gyp” (chez E. Flam-
occupation, profession, or calling that is worthy
marion); “L'Essai d'une psychologie politique
of respect. When the State begins to honour
du peuple Anglais au dix-neuvième siècle," by
letters systematically, the people will begin to
M. E. Boutmy (chez Armand Colin), a most inter-
respect the calling of literature.
esting work whose import is sufficiently indicated
by its title; “ Problèmes politiques du temps
présent,” by M. Emil Faguet (chez Armand Colin); The following passage is taken by permis-
“ Fléau qui passe," a sensational novel by M. sion from Mr. Churton Collins's new volume,
Ernest Daudet, the clever inheritor of a famous “Ephemera Critica,” which has just been pub-
patronymic; “ Vallobra," by M. Paul Alexis, lished by Messrs Constable :-
which narrates the history of a well-known
Matthew Arnold very truly observed that one of the
Parisian statesman under the transparent dis most unfortunate tendencies of our time was the tendency
guise of a fictitious personage; “Notre Ennemi," to over-estimate the performances of “the averago
by M. Cattier, being a well-written novel, dealing
man." The over-estimation of these performances is
no longer a tendency, but an established custom.
with the pernicious effects caused by alcohol;
Literature in all its branches is rapidly becoming his
“ Midship,” a promising first novel by M. Pierre
monopoly. As judged and judge, as author and critic,
Custot, a young author of talent; “ Études et there is every indication that he will proceed from
Réflexions d'un pessimiste," by M. Challemel. triumph to triumph, and establish his cult wherever books
Lacour (chez Fasquelle), the said pessimist being
are read. Now the only sphere in which “ the average
man" is entitled to homage is a moral one, and he is most
an elegant and interesting writer; and “ Les
venerable when he is passive and anambitious. But if
Femmes docteurs en médecine, dans tous les
ambition and the love of fame are awakened in him, he is
pays,” by Madame Haryett Fontanges.
capable of becoming exceedingly corrapt and of forfeiting
DARRACOTTE Scott.
every title to veneration. He is capable of resorting to all
the devices to which men are forced to resort in manufac.
turing factitious reputations, to imposture, to fraud, to
circulating false currencies of his own, and to assisting
others in the circulation of theirs. Even when he is free
from these vices, so far as their deliberate practice is con-
cerned, he is scarcely less mischievous if he be ancontrolled.
To say that his standard is never likely to be a high one,
either with reference to his own achievements or with
reference to what he exacts from others, and to say that
the systematic substitution of inferior standards for high
## p. 180 (#246) ############################################
180
THE AUTHOR.
ones must affect literature and all that is involved in its
infuence, most disastrously, is to say what will be generally
acknowledged. And he has everything, unhappily, in his
favour-numbers, influence, the spirit of the age. For one
who sees through him and takes his measure, there are
thousands who do not: for one who could discern the
justice of an exposure of his shortcomings, there are
thousands who would attribute that exposure to personal
enmity and to dishonest motives. His power, indeed, is
becoming almost irresistible. The one thing which he and
bis fellows thoroughly anderstand is the formidable advan.
tage of co-operation. The consequence is that there are pro-
bably not half a dozen reviews and newspapers now left which
they are not able practically to coerce. An editor is obliged
to assume honesty in those who contribute to his columns,
and also to avail himself of the services of men who can
write good articles, if they write bad books. In the first
case, it is not open to him to question the justice of the
verdict pronounced ; in the second case, the courtesy of
the gentleman very naturally and properly predominates,
onder such circumstances, over public considerations—and
bow can truth be told ? Nor is this all. Assuming that
an editor is free from such ties, be bas to consult the
interests of bis paper, to study popularity, and not to
estrange those who are, from a commercial point of view,
the mainstay of all our literary journals, those who adver
tise in them—the publishers. “If,” said an editor to me
once, “I were to tell the truth as forcibly as I could wish
to do, about the books sent to me for review, in six months
my proprietors would be in the bankruptcy court." It is in
the power of the pablishers to ruin any literary journal.
There is probably not a single review in London which
would survive the withdrawal of the publishers' advertise.
ments.
equality in his work to over-production. A letter which
Mr. Marsh has just addressed to the chief literary journals
explains both the inequality and the apparent rapidity of
his work. It seems that the publishers to whom his earlier
work was sold are taking advantage of his present popalarity
in a fashion that must be called at least disingenuous.
“During the last year or two,” says Mr. Marsh, “work of
mine which appeared in print twelve years ago has been
brought out as new. The impression has consequently
grown up that I flood the market with books turned out by
machinery. ... An author can have no reasonable
objection to the production of fresh editions of his books,
but he has every right to protest against his old work being
issued by owners of copyrights as if it were new. It is
unfair to the public, to reviewers, and to the writer himself.”
With this protest we are entirely in accord. Only it must
be said that the author has always a prospective remedy
against this sort of ill-usage by declining to part with the
copyright of his books. No doubt at present this is a
counsel of perfection. The young writer who can only get
his works issued on condition that he sells them outright can
hardly be expected to choose the alternative of not appear-
ing in print. But the sooner the Society of Authors
succeed in getting every writer to follow their banner in the
contest for the author's full rights the better it will be for
the writing and reading world. In the apparent remoteness
of that happy consummation it ought to be no difficult
thing to guard against this particular trick of the unscrupo-
lous publisher by inserting in the next Copyright Act a
brief clause to ensure that the date of original publica-
tion shall be placed on the back of the title-page of every
new edition. Messrs. Macmillan and some other publishers
have already adopted this plan, which is most helpful to the
bibliographer. We gbould like to see it made compulsory,
whether by legislation or by the force of public opinion.
The above extract, made by permission of the
author, should be very carefully considered by
our readers. Brief comments, or additional evi.
dence, on the subject are invited, but not vague
talk. It is hoped to return to the subject in
the April number. There are not many points
connected with the well-being, the interests, and
the independence of literature more important
than those raised by Mr. Collins.
I have received, by the kindness of Miss
Clementina Black, one of the vice-presidents of
the Women's Industrial Council, their report for
the last year. An appeal is there made for
additions to the library. The books, which now
number over 1000, are used for twenty-seven
associations, each of which is entitled to so many
volumes a year. There is very little margin for
the purchase of books, and the report asks for
be report asks for
presents of books. Will members and readers
make a note of the request and write for a copy
Copy
of the report? The office of the Council is at
12, Buckingham-street, Strand. Members would
perhaps see their way to sending copies of their
own books.
The foregoing note is from the Manchester
Guardian. The grievance is, as there stated, the
republication of old work as if it was new. That
is to say, most agreements, whether of royalty, or
of profit sharing (?), or of commission, or by
sale outright, include the power of republication
in any form and at any time. This, however, is
not necessarily the sale of copyright. The dis-
tinction has been often laid down by Mr. Thring,
and will be explained again. As regards, how-
ever, the right of republication, with which we are
here concerned, it would be possible, perhaps, to
get a short clause to the effect suggested inserted
in the Bill, but in the case of young writers,
anxious above all things to get their chance of
being heard, nothing would be easier than a clause
in the agreement securing that right to the pub.
lisher despite the
lisher despite the Copyright Bill. No clause in
an Act, I believe, can be so framed as not to be
set aside by agreement. The only possible way
to meet this difficulty, and a great many others
of the same kind, is what I have elsewhere
described as the “ Method of the Future," which
is simply for a writer of position in any branch to
take over the publication of his own work with a
commission publisher who is nothing else. As
soon as this system is universally adopted—there
The surprising fecundity of a novelist of some reputation,
Mr. Ricbard Marsb, has been more than once commented
opon by the critics, who have attributed a certain lack of
## p. 181 (#247) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
181
is no trouble about it, and in the case of such a
PUBLISHING ON COMMISSION.
writer no risk-the ordinary publisher would be
left with the rubbish to deal with as he pleases. CYOME interest has been awakened by the
We should then hear no more of those monstrous
paper in the February number of The
claims advanced by the Publishers' Association " Author on the “ Method of the Future.”
which demand practically the right to take just Letters have been received by the Editor asking
whatever they please for themselves, with com- if the facts and conclusions there stated can
missions on everything and unlimited power over possibly be based on agreements issued by
advertisements.
respectable firms. One writer abuses the Editor
in round terms for untruthfulness in letting it
Meantime, and until writers of distinction
be supposed that the terms as set forth in that
understand their own power as a commercial paper can really be advanced in accordance
factor, and are prepared to take as much care with the conditions of the Publishers' Associa-
over their literary property as they now take over tion. It would, indeed, be difficult to believe
an estate, a house, a coal mine, the only thing to that such figures were possible were not the
do is to insist upon a clause in the original agree. documents before the world as issued by the
ment to the effect pointed out by the Manchester comunittee of that body-documents which are,
Guardian. This clause should be adopted at indeed, truly wonderful.
once by all literary agents. Perhaps the Com. In justification of that paper let us quote the
mittee of the Society will take up the matter. documents themselves.
The meaning of publishing by commission has
There is, of course. no hope whatever that a hitherto been understood to be that the pub-
publisher who is in possession of an early and a lisher puts the book through the press—the
forgotten work by an author who becomes
corrections being, of course, made by the author
popular will not take advantage of that popularity
-advertises it, and sends it round the trade in
for his own interests. As well believe what some the usual routine. For this work he was con-
publishers still pretend, that the trade exists for sidered to be properly paid by a commission on
no other purpose than the advancement of litera- the sales. Observe that he ran no risk: his
ture. One might as well pretend that a glover in
work was of a purely routine character: it takes
Bond-street exists for no other purpose than the
a few minutes only to decide the type, paper,
improvement and advancement of the tannery
and binding-I speak from experience, because I
interest. Both glover and publisher exist for the
have done this work myself for many books.
sake of making money by their trade. The state-
For the use of his office, and for that very
ment is not an accusation: it is a plain fact. In small amount of personal service, he received a
the same way brewers, although they are some-
commission.
times raised to the House of Lords, exist for the All this is now altered. The publishers demand
purpose of making money by their trade. The in addition to the commission a blank percentage
same thing may also be said, of course, as regards upon everything. In addition, mind, not in sub-
the professions. Anyone, in fact, who is paid for stitution for a commission. In addition, every-
the exercise of his skill is, in a sense, a trades- thing is to be so charged as to make it the interest
man. If we recognise this fact in all its bearings
of the publishers to make the unhappy author
we shall be saved a large amount of gush and
accept as high an estimate as they think will
subsequent ill-feeling. We come back, over and
be possible, an estimate furnished, observe, by
over again, to the broad distinction between litera-
themselves, not by printers, binders, and paper-
ture as an art and literature as a profession, trade,
makers. Here, however, are the exact terms,
or calling. And from the former point of view taken from their own published “ Forms of Agree-
there is no possibility of estimating literature by ment":
means of money-eg., a writer who is indignant (1) There is to be a blank fee paid in advance,
because Milton received only £10 for “ Paradise in order, one supposes, to meet the case in which
Lost” misunderstands the whole question, there would be no sales. It should be a fee“ on
while the sum paid for “ Paradise Lost" should account” of commission, which, if moderate,
in equity-perhaps it did-represent the com-
would be fair.
mercial value of the poem at the time.
(2) The estimate above-mentioned to be sent
WALTER BESANT.
in by the publisher (!) on which he is to charge a
commission. So that the door is left open to
direct fraud and overcharge in the estimate, on
which, not on the actual cost, the publisher is to
charge a commission.
## p. 182 (#248) ############################################
182
THE AUTHOR.
But why even on the exact cost? What is notices of certain books. Among other short
the publisher paid for at all, except for the very articles is an extract from the New York Tribune
trifling service of sending the book to the on the literary agert. It is sad to observe that
printers ? He receives a commission on the sales, the American publisher loves him not. The
for which he gives the use of his office and such reason is, according to the Tribune, not that he
personal service as he renders.
conducts affairs of business from a business
(3) A discount added to the commission on the point of view, but because he breaks up “the
charges of not more—which, of course, will be pleasant personal relations between the authors
interpreted " not less "—than 71 per cent. and the publishers.” It is not for us to
(4) Payment of all their charges in advance. inquire into the history of those relations in
(5) A blank commission on the sales.
the United States. On our side the relations
(6) Accounts rendered and payment made a have been pleasant, very pleasant-for publishers,
blank number of months afterwards.
that is, so long as authors never inquired what
If the reader will apply figures to these con- they meant. When an abominable and deplor-
ditions it will be found that the paper in able spirit of curiosity impelled them to ascer-
The Author understated the case.
tain for themselves the meaning of royalties,
In addition, however, to these conditions the “half profits,” advertisements, printing, paper,
“ draft agreements” preserve an absolute silence and binding, there was an outcry. The ways
about charging advertisements not paid for, i.e., in of pleasantness and the paths of peace were
the publishers' own organs and by exchange. disturbed. The old friendly relations were
This silence must be designed in the face of the destroyed. In other words, the old suspicions
representations continually made as to these and heartburnings which characterised the old
charges. Nothing, observe, is to prevent a pub- relations were explained and investigated. So
lisher from charging whatever he pleases for far, the position of the author, with us, has been
advertising a book in a way which costs him enormously improved, while the publisher has
nothing. And not one word is said by the ceased to maunder and to mourn over the
Publishers' Association in condemnation of this imaginary friendly relations of old. Occasionally,
power or the practice.
too, he still catches an author who is credulous
Observe, also, that, so far as is known, not a enough to believe that in publishing, alone among
single publisher has remonstrated with these all transactions affecting property, the word of
monstrous claims : so that not only the small fry, one side is to be accepted without question or
but also the most important houses, have endorsed doubt.
and approved these Forms.
Under these circumstances it is surely common
prudence not to give a book to be published on CANADIAN SOCIETY OF AUTHORS.
commission to a general publisher.
The conditions thus set forth are not hard to REPORT READ AT THE ANNUAL MEET-
understand. Readers will be able to strengthen
ING—TORONTO, JAN. 21, 1901.
the Society's hands very materially by making THE Canadian Society of Authors was formed
them known among their friends.
W. B. 1 at a meeting summoned by circulars
addressed to all known writers in Canada,
and held at the Canadian Institute, Feb. 6, 1899,
on a resolution moved by Hon. G. W. Ross,
THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS. seconded by the late Professor Rand, and carried
with practical unanimity. Through a variety of
THE Bulletin of this Society for Dec. 1900 is causes, however, the holding of the first annual
1 before us. It contains an account of a meeting has been delayed until the present date,
dinner given to Mark Twain, with his although, according to ordinary routine, it would
speech on the occasion-an excellent speech, of have been held at an earlier period.
course. There is no one in this country who is After inauguration, the following officers of the
not prepared to acknowledge the tribute of the Society were elected :-Hon. President, Goldwin
Washington Post quoted in the Bulletin. Only, Smith, D.C.L. ; President, Hon. G. W. Ross;
instead of “this vast country," one would be dis- Vice-presidents, Hon. J. W. Longley (Halifax),
posed to substitute the words “the vast territories W. D. Lighthall (Montreal), and Professor
governed by the Anglo-Saxon communities.” Mavor (Toronto); Secretary, Bernard McEvoy ;
The rest of the Bulletin is made up mainly of Executive, Messrs. James Bain, O. A. Howland, J.
short paragraphs. There is nothing in it con- Castell Hopkins, John A. Cooper, B. E. Walker,
cerning literary property. There are, however, and Pelham Edgar.
## p. 183 (#249) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
183
Immediate efforts to increase the number of Your secretary has collected a considerable
members were made by correspondence with quantity of information regarding the writings
Canadian authors, and a membership of eighty- of members of the Society, which is available for
three has been enrolled, of which thirty reside in any future action that may be taken in connection
Toronto, twenty-eight in other parts of Ontario, with it.
twelve in Quebec, two in Nova Scotia, four in Your Society has to lament the loss of two
British Columbia, three in London (England), members by death-viz., Professor Theodore
two in the North-West Territory, one in California, Rand, of Toronto, and Hon. J. Marchand, of
and one in New York. Numerous letters were Quebec.
received, approving of the incorporation of
Canadian authors into a permanent organisa-
tion.
THE FRASER HOMES FOR INDIGENT
Your Society early gave its attention to the
AUTHORS.
study of the question of Canadian Copyright,
which, at its inception, was in an unsettled and NHE homes at Colinton, to found which the
unsatisfactory state. In accordance with a reso-
late Sir William Fraser, K.C.B., LL.D.,
lution of your Society, the president prepared a - bequeathed £25,000, have now been built,
comprehensive memorandum on the subject which and are ready for occupation. Sir William, it
was printed and freely distributed. This was may perhaps be remembered, directed his trustees
subsequently the basis of discussion at several to apply the sum mentioned " in the foundation
meetings of your executive, and ultimately and endowment of certain homes for the poor in
certain clauses were agreed upon which it was the city or county of Edinburgh,” declaring it to.
recommended should form a part of any fresh be his wish that the persons to be benefited
legislation on the subject that might shortly be “should include preferentially those who may be
introduced in the Dominion Parliament, while ascertained to be authors or artists, and who,
Vice-President Professor Mavor, who was going either from non-success in the profession or work
to England, was deputed to lay the views of your of literature or of art, or from whatever other
Society before a Committee of the House of cause, are in necessitous circumstances, the
Lords, which at that time was considering a new character of the said beneficiaries being always
Copyright Act. This he did with considerable found to be satisfactory to the administrators.”
success, appearing on several occasions before the The rules and regulations to be made for admis.
Committee, and interviewing many persons con- sion to the homes, and for their management,
cerned. Messrs. 0. A. Howland and A. H. F. were left entirely to the discretion of the trustees.
Lefroy also gave careful attention to important Ground was feued by Sir William's trustees in
legal aspects of the question, and made a valuable the vicinity of Colinton railway station, and the
report thereupon, which was laid before the work of building the houses was begun in May
Ministers at Ottawa who were considering a new last. The site is an excellent one. It is on the
Copyright Act. Professor Mavor subsequently high ground to the north of the railway, and
attended at Ottawa and explained the views of overlooking the village of Colinton. The build-
your Society to several members of the Cabinet. ings consist of twelve houses, forming three sides
Your Society may therefore legitimately consider of a square, and facing a central court. This
that it exerted a proper and significant influence court has been nicely laid out, and has a terraced
in connection with the preparation and passing walk round it, and a small fountain in the centre.
of the fairly satisfactory Copyright Bill which The houses vary in size from two to four rooms,
received the assent of the Governor-General last and are fitted up with all the latest sanitary and
year, and that it has done its best to place its other conveniences. There is a large hall and
ideas on the subject of copyright before the reading room which is to be used by the inhabi.
Imperial authorities in London.
tants of the homes in common. The buildings
On Oct. 24, 1899, your Society held a banquet have a highly picturesque appearance. They are
at the Temple Café, Toronto, which was attended of stone, and are harled and whitewashed, the
by about sixty members and friends, the guests red corn-sickle dressings standing out boldly
being Mr. Gilbert Parker and Mr. George against the white surroundings. The court has
Herbert Thring, Secretary of the Society of a southern aspect, and commands a magnificent
Authors, Great Britain.
view, bounded only by the Pentlands.
On April 9, 1900, your Society gave an evening The balance of the £25,000, after payment of
reception to Louis Frechette, C.M.G., at the the cost of erecting the homes, is to be invested
Canadian Institute, which was attended by about by the trustees, and the income applied in the
100 members and friends.
upkeep of the buildings, and other necessary
## p. 184 (#250) ############################################
184
THE AUTHOR.
expenditure. The balance of income still remain-
ing is to be applied for behoof of the inmates of
the homes. The trustees also reserve to themselves
power to receive donations.-Scots Pictorial.
CORRESPONDENCE.
owners of the copyright something; I never
heard of an English reprinter sending those who
are morally the holders of the copyright a six-
pence.
I have been told, on what I believe to be good
authority, that at least one “eminent” publish-
ing firm have reprints of popular books ready to
bring out the moment they are free of the law.
I remember, when I first knew anything of the
publishing trade (alas, 'tis hard on sixty years
since), two publishers—Tegg and Daly-used to
be spoken of as by no means reputable because
their chief trade was that of pouncing on books
the copyright of which had expired. Moral
feeling does not appear to have grown stronger in
fifty years.
F. S. ELLIS.
I.—THE MOTE AND THE BEAM.
TN times gone by English publishers have been
1 as loud as English authors in their con-
demnation of the practice of literary piracy
in the United States of America. I imagine they
would still think themselves aggrieved where books
are reprinted of which the publisher has neglected
or been unable to fulfil the conditions of the
American Copyright Act. But will the English
publishers, who make it a practice to pounce down
on the works of any popular author the moment
they are out of copyright, explain to us how
much better they are than their American
brethren whom they so freely and justly
condemn ? The answer or excuse is the same in
both cases. “There is no copyright.” “The
copyright has expired.” I would ask these
gentlemen what would be the case with them if
the law protected the author for twenty years
instead of forty, or ten, or five, or one? If their
conscience allows them to appropriate a book as
soon as the law ceases to protect it, would they
be a bit more scrupulous if they had immunity
after a shorter period ?
A particularly outrageous, not to say dis-
graceful, form of this practice I complain of is,
where cheap reprints are issued of early editions
of books which were afterwards revised and
recast by the author, misleading those who know
no better to suppose they are buying a complete
book, when they are in truth having imposed
upon them a book which the author would desire
to withdraw from circulation. The case of
avowed facsimile reprints is, of course, another
matter; to those I do not refer.
I lately came on a reprint of the first and
boyish version of a poem, which the author
subsequently rewrote, put forth without one word
of explanation. This crude version was printed
in a magazine in 1850, while the author's revised
version did not appear till 1870. Hence the
sketch is at the mercy of the pirate while the
complete version is not. The English publisher's
code of honour in reprinting “out of copyright”
books seems to me to be exactly on a par with
that of the American publisher who reprints " no
copyright” books. But there is a difference.
Many of the American houses would send the
II.-BOOKS AND REVIEWS-A REPLY.
I did not think that the propositions which I
presumed to advance in the January Author
would call forth such an interesting paper as that
entitled “Books and Reviews,” by our Editor.
As my few remarks have caused a little interest,
perhaps I ought to say something to vindicate
my position, which I find rather awkward owing
to the indefinite nature of certain sentences in
my first letter.
I certainly said that “reviews are intended for
the guidance of readers,” but I did not add
criticism, which the Editor has done, in the
first sentence of his second paragraph. I must
express my sorrow for not placing the term
“review" between inverted commas, which I
meant to do, and thus should have run less risk
of being misunderstood. It is the “ reviewing,"
or lumping system, to which I referred, for the
word conveyed very little other meaning to me,
True! I always thought there might be a subtle
significance in the term-a hidden meaning
known only to the writers—but to me such
“reviews” only meant a guide to readers ; criti.
cism has always appeared to me to be quite
another matter.
Our editor very rightly says that these
“ reviews should be, first of all, designed to mark
and to illustrate the present condition of litera-
ture; to maintain a standard, and to keep before
the world the canons of criticisms." Very true;
they should have this intention, but have
they? If they are so designed, very few signs of
such intentions are visible. After reading the
editor's article I made a careful study of the
review columns in the principal literary papers,
and the conclusion I was compelled to form was
that very few papers indeed act up to the ideal of
criticism so ably portrayed by him. There are a
few which do so, but I need only mention two of
the best—the Scotsman and the Manchester
## p. 185 (#251) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
185
un U-
Guardian. I don't know what the system to literature. Here let me say in reply to
of these papers may be, but as nearly every H. M. E. Stanton's letter that I am a devoted
review, even in the same class of litera- book lover ; to me books are the dearest things
ture, differs from the others in the general on earth; they are materialised thoughts, and as
character and style of writing, I should say that such I love to review them, no matter how bad
they adopt the system of the Glasgow Herald, they inay be, for even in those amateurish
and give one book per week to a private reviewer. attempts which no one will review I find grains
No matter how they work it, their critical columns of golden thought, even though they are expressed
are worth reading, both as specimens of critical in unliterary and ungrammatical words. These
art, and also as guides to the best in literature books have no claim to be called contributions to
No doubt the old-fashioned critical articles were literature, yet I review them all the same-for
the best; blackguardly though they may have been, my own benefit; the editors for whom I work
one would prefer those murderous slatings of fifty would not use the reviews if I sent them. Such
years ago rather than the “review” of to-day. books come in the parcels with the good ones-
A book must have been a contribution to literature evidently the editors who send them think they
to get even condemnation; to-day neither the may be useful to my barber ; but the barber does
author nor the public can know of what literary not see them; they are stored upon my shelves
value a book is from the Press notices. Have we with any little good points carefully marked.
to assume that with the higher standard of educa- To me they are the dead and gone fancies of
tion, the greater output of good books, the many a struggling mind, and I love them.
correspondingly greater number of critical readers, I do not go so far as to suggest the wholesale
and last, but by no means least, the rapid publication of bad books, but I do say that there
advances made in journalism, the standard of may be good even in the worst. Certainly a book
criticism has degenerated ? I greatly fear that should not be condemned for, perhaps, a few
this melancholy question must be answered in the phrases of questionable morale, as so many are.
affirmative. Why should the greater output of Like immoral pictures, immoral books can be
books have this result, assuming that every book exquisite works of art, and should be treated as
is to-day regarded as a literary event, to be such ; their literary value should be discussed
judged accordingly? Even the few brief lines apart from the critic's notions of morality. The
given in the“ lumping "columns of the Spectator reviewer is not required to give his religious
might be in accordance with the canons (sic) opinions, but his literary judgment, which should
of criticism. Better still, if a book ought to be not be so much his own opinion as a proper expo-
noticed at all, why should it not receive a para- sition of the canons of literature.
graph of some few dozen lines, and let these With regard to my other proposition, that
lines be well written? Let praise or condemna authors “ do not buy books,” I referred more to
tion be given in well-formed sentences, stating novels—modern novels. Of course, every author
the literary reasons why such praise or condemna -and novelist-buys his Scott, Dickens, and
tion is given. There is too much of the personal Thackeray, if he can afford it, and also the works
element in modern "reviewing," and à propos of our great contemporaries; but I do not think
of this a reference pregnant with meaning they buy novels that are talked about in the
is given by Mr. T. Edgar Pemberton in his papers as other members of society are supposed
newly-published treatise on Bret Harte, concern to do. Again, in reply to H. M. E. Stanton, it is to
ing the first appearance of “ The Luck of Roaring this kind of literature that my “principle”
Camp." A narrow-minded printer and a prudish applies. I never bought a modern “popular"
young lady proof-reader objected to a phrase in novel, but I have bought, and love to buy, as
the story, with the result that a magnificent piece many books as I can afford from the pens of
of word-painting was nearly lost to the world. It such writers as our editor, J. M. Barrie, and
was only through the firmness of both author George Meredith. Books from these masters are
and publisher that the story was printed. One is as necessary to the young writer as books on
inclined to think that much of this sort of thing anatomy are to the medical student. No; I am
still goes on. How many good books are not tired of the books, even after I have
“slated” through the prejudice taken by some “reviewed” them—they are always things of
narrow-minded reviewers against certain phrases joy; but I certainly weary of the long, “ lump-
in them? I venture to say there are many ing" columns of Press notices which are in every
hundreds. We want—very much want-review- way so useless. There is both instruction and
ing done for the sake of pure art; each article interest in such critical articles as appear in the
should in itself be a specimen of critical art; and Saturday Review, and monthly in the Bookman,
it should treat its subject also as a contribution which of all purely literary papers is distinctly
## p. 186 (#252) ############################################
186
THE AUTHOR.
the best. The criticisms contained in this latter
journal combine nearly all the designs of criti.
cism mentioned by Sir Walter Besant; but, alas!
when will the dailies and weeklies turn out such
paragraphs as the Bookman ? Certainly all of
us who have the privilege of reviewing—and a
noble work it is, if well done-should aim at
attaining this high standard.
Jas. BAGNALL-STUBBS.
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.
DROFESSOR YORK POWELL is engaged
on a book which will be called “ The Reign
he Reign
published by Messrs. Constable.
“The Fish Crown in Dispute,” the fairy tale
by Miss F. Lancaster Lucas, which Messrs.
Skeffington and Son will publish at Easter, is of
interest as being the first book dedicated to
H.R.H. the Duchess of Cornwall and York in her
new title, she having graciously accepted the
dedication.
Dr. H. Bellyse Baildon will issue a book through
Chatto and Windus this month, entitled “Robert
Louis Stevenson : a Life Study in Criticism.” Dr.
Baildon was a schoolfellow of Robert Louis
Stevenson, and in later life correspondence kept
them in touch with each other. When Steven.
son had made a name, Dr. Baildon had become
a lecturer on English Literature to German
students on the Continent, and he tried to infuse
into his pupils an admiration for Stevenson's
work as being something more than mere adven.
ture books. The book will contain a portrait
hitherto unpublished, and will be uniform with
the six-shilling edition of Stevenson's works.
Mrs. Katharine S. Macquoid, the novelist and
travel - book writer, quietly kept her golden
wedding day on Jan. 28. She has been working
for the public for nearly forty years. Her health
is delicate, but she still works, when health
permits, with her accustomed spirit. She has
lately finished a historical romance.
Mr. B. T. Batsford announces a second issue
of Mr. Edwin 0. Sachs's monumental work,
“Modern Opera Houses and Theatres,” which
will be published in the spring. Mr. Sachs's work
comprises three grand folio volumes with two
hundred and twenty plates, and over one thousand
illustrations, and the first edition appeared
between 1896 and 1898, after having required
more than eight years' preparation. The work is
the most comprehensive on any special architec-
tural subject published during the past century,
The new issue will be in no wise inferior to the
original, and will contain a special prefatory
note dealing with the latest developments and
improvements in theatre architecture which Mr.
Sachs has to such a great extent been instru-
mental in bringing about, not only at home, but
in foreign countries.
A new novel is announced by Miss Mina
Sandeman, entitled “ Veronica Verdant."
Mr. Frederic Carrel, the author of “The Pro-
gress of Pauline Kessler," is now reading the
proofs of his new novel “ Paul Le Maistre.”
Mr. Charles Grant, the author of “The Middle
Temple,” “A Baltic Cruise,” “La Marguerite,”
is writing an account of his cruise to the Mediter-
is writing
ranean, and of his travels in Sicily, Sardinia,
and Corsica. The book will be ready early
in March.
Mr. Poultney Bigelow sails for America imme-
diately in order to lecture at Yale and Columbia
Universities on the History of Colonies and their
Administration. He proposes to return as soon
as the lectures have been given.
Mr. John Cordy Jeaffreson died on Feb. 2, at
Maida Vale. London, in his seventy-first year.
Although chiefly known for his works on the
learned professions—“A Book about Doctors,"
“A Book about Lawyers,” and “A Book about
the Clergy”_Mr. Jeaffreson's work in fiction.
especially “ Not Dead Yet," was also popular.
A book of his personal reminiscences appeared
about seven years ago.
The Rev. Henry Grey Graham, author of
“Social Life in Scotland in the Eighteenth Cen-
tury,” which has been published in a one-volume
edition, is engaged on a volume dealing with the
Scottish literature and literary men of the same
period. It will not be ready till about the end of
the year.
Mr. Thomas Wright's forthcoming edition of
Cowper's Letters will contain many new letters.
cowpers
from the original manuscripts.
The author of “An Englishwoman's Love
Letters,” concerning whose identity there has
been so much feverish curiosity, is stated to be
Mr. Laurence Housman.
The Life of the late Bishop of London (Dr.
Mandell Creighton) has been undertaken by Mrs.
Creighton, and will be published by Messrs.
Longmans, Green and Co. Mrs. Creighton
appeals to those who may have letters from the
Bishop to lend them to her for the purposes of
the work.
## p. 187 (#253) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
187
A history of the recent campaign in Ashanti
by an officer who was with the relieving force is
about to be published by Messrs. Methuen. The
author is Captain H. J. C. Biss. The book will
be fully illustrated with photographs and plans.
Lady Hodgson, wife of Sir Frederic Hodgson,
formerly Governor of the Gold Coast, has written
an account of the siege of Coomassie, which is
published by Messrs. Pearson.
“Anticipations” is the title of a new work upon
which Mr. H. G. Wells is at present engaged.
It is to be a series of speculations on the world's
development, based on scientific knowledge and a
reasoned survey of the tendencies of the age.
The work will first appear serially in one of the
monthly reviews.
Literature understands that the late Mr. Stephen
Crane's uncompleted novel “ The O'Ruddy,” is
being finished by Mr. A. E. W. Mason, and will
be dramatised and produced by Mr. David
Belasco.
Mr. A. C. Bradley, who has been Professor
of Modern Literature at University College,
Liverpool, and at Glasgow University, now
succeeds Professor Courthope in the Chair of
Poetry at Oxford. Mr. W. J. Woodhouse,
M.A., Lecturer in Ancient History and Political
Philosophy at St. Andrew's, has been elected
to the Professorship of Greek at the Univer-
sity of Sydney. Mr. Woodhouse's “Tutorial
History of Greece" will be published in a few
months.
"A State Secret, and Other Stories," by Mrs.
Croker, and a novel entitled “A Narrow Way,"
by Miss Mary Findlater, are being published by
Messrs. Methuen.
A recent number of Light, the weekly organ of
spiritualism, contained the following curious
announcement from the hon. secretary of the
Society of Spiritists:
We have received two or three messages from Florence
Marryat-the first on the day of her funeral, and others at
different times since then, during our materialisation
séances. She stated that she hoped to communicate with
as abortly, but that she would never materialise, as that
was not a part of her work in the other life, but we ander.
stood that she would dictate a book to us of experiences
since she crossed the river. She wished it taken down in
shorthand, and we have made arrangements for this to be
done.
Mr. William Archer contributes to the Inter-
national Monthly for February (London: The
International News Company) a paper entitled
" The Real Ibsen.” He remarks at the outset
that Henrik Ibsen has been more widely miss
understood than any artist, past or present.
After dealing with the points upon which he
claims that Ibsen has been misunderstood, Mr.
Archer in conclusion says:
T he people who seek to construct a "gospel,” a consistent
body of doctrine, from bis works, are spinning ropes of
sand. He is “everything by turns and nothing long." He
is neither an individualist nor a socialist, neither an aristo.
crat nor a democrat, neither an optimist nor a pessimist.
He is simply a dramatist, looking with piercing eyes at the
world of men and women, and translating into poetry this
episode and that from the inexhaustible pageant. Poetry-
poetry: that is the first word and the last of any true
appreciation of Ibsen. It is largely because he has applied
to purposes of poetry a vehicle hitherto ased only for
prosaio ends that he has been so strangely misunderstood.
But the period of misunderstanding is passing away, and
the real Ibsen is emerging from the mists in which pre-
jadice and imperfect knowledge have enveloped him, to take
his predestined place among the great poets of the nine-
teenth century.
Journalism is in a flourishing condition in the
Argentine Republic, where it enjovs perfect
liberty, and, according to the U.S. Education
Report, is constantly increasing in influence and
improving in quality. In 1881 only 165 news-
papers and periodicals were published in the
entire country, but in 1896 the number had
increased to 610, of which 279 were published in
the capital city, 327 in the provinces, and four in
the national territories. The best newspapers
correspond in size to the leading daily papers of
the United States. They have a complete tele-
grapbic service, and publish every day dispatches
giving the important news from all parts of the
world.
“Premières of the Year” is a volume by Mr.
J. T. Grein, which Mr. Macqueen is about to
publish.
Mr. Max Pemberton's new novel, “ Pro Patria,”
which ran serially in the Windsor Magazine, will
be published this month by Messrs. Ward, Lock
and Co. It is reported that Mr. Pemberton has
written a comedy for Miss Julia Neilson and Mr.
Fred Terry.
Mrs. Aylmer Gowing's new novel, entitled “A
Spider's Web," is now ready, and may be
had of all booksellers. It is described as a
work of considerable strength and of sustained
interest.
A new novel by Mrs. de Courcy Laffan (Mrs.
Leith Adams) may be looked for early in the
spring. It will be entitled “ The Vicar of Dale
End: a Study,' and dedicated, by special permis-
sion, to Sir Henry Irving. The story is founded
on certain facts that happened about a hundred
years ago. A volume of collected stories (from
All the Year Round and Household Words), by
the same writer, is in the press, and will shortly
be published; as also a third and cheaper edition
of "The Prince's Feathers.”
## p. 188 (#254) ############################################
188
THE AUTHOR.
Messrs. Jarrold and Sons have issued a new to-day seems too crude to deal with its delicate
two-shilling edition of Mrs. de Courcy Laffan's perfection. The front, in Shaftesbury-avenue,
earlier works, under the title of “ The Imperial reminds one of a pavilion in the park of Versailles,
Series.”
although at the same time it asserts itself as
On Feb. 6, Mrs. Laffan lectured before a
undoubtedly a theatre.” The house was opened
crowded and distinguished audience, at the
with “The Belle of Bohemia,” a musical farce
Sesame Club, on “Fictional Literature as a
written by Mr. Harry B. Smith, the music by Mr.
Profession for Women.”
Ludwig Englander.
Mr. F. D. Bvrne has translated Sudermann's The new Savoy opera, “ The Emerald Isle,” is
“ Johannisfeur" on an order from Mrs. Patrick
intended for production about Easter. The
Campbell. It is a four-act play in the East
libretto is by Captain Basil Hood, and the late
Prussian dialect. The English title given is
Sir Arthur Sullivan's partial setting is being
“Bonfire Night,"
completed by Mr. Edward German.
Mr. W. S. Crockett is the author of a book on
Mrs. Langtry will open the reconstructed
“ The Scott Country.” which Messrs. A. and C. Imperial Theatre, on April 18, with her new play
Black are about to publish. It aims at present.
founded on the life of Marie Antoinette.
ing information upon the district associated with A dramatised version of “ Vanity Fair” has
Sir Walter Scott upon a more compact and com- been secured by Mr. Frank Curzon, and will
prehensive plan than has yet been attempted. probably be the next production at the Prince of
Mr. Crockett is the author of “In Praise of Wales's Theatre. Miss Marie Tempest, who is
Tweed.”
now playing in “ Peg Woffington” at that
Professor Masson is writing his “Reminiscences theatre, is spoken of for the part of Becky Sharp.
of a Literary Life.”
A new modern comedy by Mr. R. C. Carton
Mr. A. Lys Baldry is engaged on a large illus-, will be produced at the Criterion about Easter.
trated volume to be called “ Professor Hubert Meanwhile that house is about to witness a
von Herkomer and his Works.” It is not revival of Mr. Sydney Grundy's adaptation from
expected to be ready before the autumn. Messrs. “Les Surprises du Divorce,” entitled “ Mamma."
Bell are the publishers.
Sir Henry Irving has accepted a play by Mr.
Mme. Sarah Grand's new novel, “ Babs the Fergus Hume.
Impossible,” will be published in a few weeks by
Messrs. Hutchinson. The same firm will issue
A morning performance of Mr. Zangwill's
Miss Adeline Sergeant's new novel, “ The Trea-
comedy, “ The Revolt of the Daughters," is being
arranged by Mr. J. T. Grein for a day in March.
sure of Captain Scarlett.”
Mr. Forbes Robertson begins his management
Mr Warwick H. Draper has written a book on of the Comedy on April 20.
King Alfred, which Mr. Elliot Stock is publishing,
It will have an introduction from the pen of the
Bishop of Hereford.
Mr. Neil Munro's new novel, “ Doom Castle,"
which is appearing serially, will be published in
a month or two by Messrs. Blackwood.
Earl Percy has written a volume on the High-
SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS.
lands of Asiatic Turkey, which he recently
visited. It will be published by Mr. Arnold.
[ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.
The scene of Mr. Baring Gould's new novel,
“The Frobishers," is laid in the Staffordshire
pottery district. It will be published imme-
... .. 8
diately by Messrs. Methuen.
... ... 1
Quarter of a Page
... ... 0 15 0
In the descriptive pamphlet distributed at the Eighth of a Page
... ... 0 7 6
Single Column Advertisements
per inch 0 6 0
opening of the Apollo Theatre on the 21st ult.
Bills for Insertion
Mr. Louis N. Parker wrote: “To describe this
beautiful building properly one ought to have the
Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Six and of 25 per cent. for
Twelve Insertions.
pen of Addison. The whole thing has been
All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the
carried out so thoroughly
carried out so thoroughly in the style of the
me suyle 01 the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Omice, 4, Portugal-street,
eighteenth century that the current language of London, W.C.
“THE AUTHOR.”
.
... £4
0
0
Front Page
Other Pages
Hall of a Page ..
per 2000
3
0
0
## p. 188 (#255) ############################################
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## p. 188 (#256) ############################################
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The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 10 (March 1901)
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<em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 10 (March 1901)
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1901-03-01-The-Author-11-10
publications
The Author