-
https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/394/1909-06-01-The-Author-19-9.pdf
613e2422510f4f7e36c81418cac71941
PDF Text
Text
bor.
C be Elut
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors.
JUNE
&
©
ae
tº agº** **
e
=
º
* *
* s
* *
gº*º &
tº
: ** g
º e
e
e
E
&
a
ºe
** **
* *
&
tº a * º
** e
e g ºº ** º& ºg &
* e&
&º
dº
&
©
tº *
** ** sº
* * e ... *
#
**
tº
ºgº
& **
*c © **
e *
tº * ... as
&
*
ºr
º **: ...
*
e
4
e&
PAGF
... 247
... 247
...
...
... 247
...
...
... 247
as ... 247
** *
e
... 247
*& &
º
... 248
*&
... 254
** *
... 255
Cynic's Success (concluded) 257
&
...
259
*
**
*
of
to
tº
ºº
gºtº **
tº
e gº
g
Registration Scenarios
Warnings Musical Composers
Stamping Music...
e
The Reading Branch
The Author
Remittances
** *
GeorgeMeredith, O.M.
&
GeneralNotes
wº
*- © &
He
** *
Plutocrat
the Press; or, The
Correspondence
tº
agº...
...
...
...
...
...
...
&
** *
*
T E N T S.
PAGE
229
231
234
235
237
239
240
242
246
240
246
...
...
[PRICE SIxPENCE.
...
...
*e
1909.
of
...
... ... ... ...
...
e
tº&
***
gº*
e
sºtº
ſº **
&º
*
... º 6
tº
ºº tº
sº
a
tº
*
ºgººf
G
tº
tº
tº ºº,** tº
ºtº º ſº
* s
º º ...
º
*
...**
of
as s
º... * &
4
ſº.
& gº tº
9
** *&
* e
tº
tº
&
tº
º&
...
toto
to
e &
* tº
&
gº
º& tº
gºtº
e
º ... © of ºgºtº
Notices
CommitteeNotes
Books published
Members the Society
Literary, Dramatic and Musical Notes
Paris Notes
&
&
American Copyright Again
** *
Cheap Editions
º
The Annual Dinner
º
**
How
Use the Society
Warnings
tºº
Producers Books
Warnings
*t
Dramatic Authors
*Q §º tº
tº tº
ge *
&º e
gºgºg **
e tº
...
*
by ºn
CON
1,
2
9.
A Is
Vol. XIX. No.
Monthly.)
The Author.
1s.
1.
The Annual Report for the current year.
2.
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.
of
in
or
SQUIRE SPRIGGE.
print.)
In
of
by
an
of
of
the
3s.
Copyright Law Reform.
.
of
of
at
G.
to
º
and
of
6d.
its
1s.
M.
of
J.
A
By
in
Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland.
Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association
with Comments.
HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples
Sir WALTER BESANT.
2nd Edition.
Forms
11.
-
Periodicals
12.
Society
Old
October, 1907, price
Queen
the different
6d.
which
Street, Storey's Gate,
S.
Secretary,
on
By
W.]
18.
by
Published
39,
Apply
Members.
the
prices net.
List
of
Authors.
to
of
and their Contributors. Giving the Terms
and Periodicals deal with MSS. and Contributions. 6d.
[All
ERNST
;
10.
G.
Germany,
<3
of
The Contract
Publication
LUNGE, J.U.D.
2s. 6d.
of
9.
of
of
of
of
An Exposition
Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill
1890.
With
1878, the Berne
Convention,
Extracts from the Report
the Commission
and the
American Copyright Bill.
LELY.
The Society
Authors.
Record
its Action from
Foundation. By WALTER BESANT
Committee, 1888 1892).
(Chairman
1s.
Byof
7.
8.
the
by
Publication.
in
the Society's
are examined,
S.
of
By
SQUIRE SPRIGGE.
this work, compiled from
offices, the various forms
agreements proposed
Publishers
carefully explained, with
Authors
and their meaning
account
various kinds
fraud which have been made possible
the different clauses therein.
By
Being additional facts collected
Addenda
the Above.
HERBERT THRING.
office
the Society since the publication
the
Methods.
With comments
advice.
28.
papers
to
of
(Out
3s.
18.
By
of
of
Production.
S.
The Warious Methods
COLLEs, Barrister-at-Law.
de
5.
The Cost
8.
4.
Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS
The History
the Société des Gens
Lettres.
6.
at
to
all
to to
Published ten months
the year (August and September omitted), devoted especially
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property.
protection
and maintenance
Issued
non-members, 6d.,
Members gratis.
Price
5s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back
numbers from 1892,
10s. 6d. per vol.
the
Magazines
�ii
ADVERTISEMENTS.
ſlie Šuriefn
Telegraphic
Address :
(jnrurpurated).
of Autburg
A UTORIDAD, LONDON.
Telephone
No. : 374 Victoria.
COUNCIL.
BATEMAN.
L.
J.
EDWARD CLODD.
W. MORRIS COLLES.
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER,
SIR. W. MARTIN CONWAY.
THE BIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON
of KEDLESTON, D.C.
AUSTIN DOBSON.
S.
ROBERT
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.
THE RIGHT HON, AUGUSTINE BIR
RELL, P.C.
MRS. E. NESBIT BLAND.
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S.
THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, P.C.
PHE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH
CLERE, P.C.
HALL CAINE.
J. W. COMYINS CARR.
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.
S. L. CLEMENs ( MARK TwAIN ?).
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
A. W. DUBOURG.
DOUGLAS FRESHFIELD.
THE HON. MRS. ALFRED FELKIN
(ELLEN THoRNEYCROFT
FOWLER).
SIR. W.
GILBERT.
GOSSE,
EDMUND
LL.D.
SYDNEY GRUNDY.
H. RIDER HAGGARD.
THOMAS HARDY.
MRs. HARRIson ( LUCAS MALET").
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS,
E. W. HORNUNG.
MAURICE HEWLETT.
JEROME K. J.EROMF.
HENRY ARTHUR JONES.
SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.
RUDYARD KIPLING.
SIR EDWIN RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S.
LOFTIE, F.S.A.
THE REV. W.
THE RIGHT HON. SIR ALFRED
LYALL, P.C.
LADY IUGARD
(MISS
FLORA
SHAw).
SIDNEY LEE.
J.
SIR ROBERT ANDERSON, K.C.B.
SIRWM.REYNELL ANSON, Bart., D.C.L.
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD AVE
J. M. BARRIE.
| BURY, P.C.
SIR ALFRED BATEMAN, K.C.M.G.
COMMITTEE
MRS. MAXWELL (M. E. BRADDON).
&
JUSTIN MCCARTHY.
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE,
NorMAN,
SIR HENRY
M.P.
SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P.
A. W. PINERO.
THE RIGHT HON. SIR HORACE
PLUNKETT, K.P.
ARTHUR RACKHAM.
OWEN SEAMAN.
G. BERNARD SHAW.
G. R. SIMS.
S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.
FRANCIS STORR.
SIR CHARLES VILLIERS
Mus.
Doc.
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.
MRS. HUMPHRY.WARD.
STANFORD }
PERCY WHITE.
FIELD-MARSHAL THE RIGHT HON,
THE WISCOUNT Wolseley, K.P.,
P.C., &c.
SIDNEY WEBB.
H. G. WELLS.
OF MANAGEMENT.
SIR ALFRED BATEMAN, K.C.M.G.
MRS. E. NESBIT BLAND.
J. W. COMYINS CARR.
THE HON. MRS. ALFRED FELKIN.
(ELLEN THORNEYCROFT FOWLER).
|
Chairman MAURICE HEWLETT.
Douglas FRESHFIELD.
S. SQUIRE
SIDNEY LEE.
ARTHUR RACKHAM.
G. BERNARD
SPRIGGE.
FRANCIS STORR.
SIDNEY WEBB.
SHAW.
DRAMATIC SUB-CoMMITTEE.
J.
Vice-Chairman HENRY ARTHUR JONES.
Chairman A. W. PINERO.
JEROME K. J.EROME.
H. GRAN VILLE BARKER.
G. BERNARD SH Aw.
ALFRED SUTRO.
J. M. BARRIE.
W.
LOCKE.
R. C. CARTON.
CAPT. ROBERT MARSHALL.
CECII, RALEIGH.
MISS CICELY HAMILTON.
PENSION FUND COMMITTEE.
ANSTEY GUTHRIE.
ANTHONY
PHOPE HAWKINS,
Chairman MAURICE HEWLETT.
MORLEY ROBERTS.
M. H. SPIELMANN.
MRS. ALEC TWEEDI E.
MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.
COPYRIGHT STUE-COMMITTEE.
MACGILLIVRAY.
SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P.
SIR CHARLES VILLIERS
J.
ART,
JOHN HASSALL, R.I.
G. MILLAIS.
*
Solicitors.
in
*
&
30, Pine Street, New York, U.S.A., Counsel
Secretary G.
the United States.
OFFICES.
39, OLD
H. YoxALL,
M.P.
QUEEN STREET, STOREY's
GATE, S.W.
HERBERT THRING,
; Solicitor
England
La Société des Gemsde Lettres.
to
FIELD, ROSCOE
Co., 36, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.
G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.
LAWRENCE GODKIN,
STANFORD,
Doc.
ARTHUR RACKHAM.
M. H. SPIELMANN.
J.
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER.
SIR. W. MARTIN CONWAY.
Mus:
int
E.
J.
HAROLD HAIRDY.
ANTHONY
HOPE HAWKINS,
�C be
(The Organ of
FOUNDED
No.
TELEPHONE
the Incorporated
JUNE
VICTORIA.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
:
AUTORIDAD, LONDON.
NOTICES.
º-º-e
OR the opinions expressed in papers that are
signed or initialled the authors alone are
responsible.
None of the papers or para
graphs must be taken as expressing the opinion
of the Committee unless such is especially stated
to be the case.
THE Editor begs to inform members of the
Authors' Society and other readers of The Author
that the cases which are quoted in The Author are
cases that have come before the notice or to the
knowledge of the Secretary of the Society, and that
those members of the Society who desire to have
the names of the publishers concerned can obtain
them on application.
e
º-e
THE SOCIETY'S FUNDS.
º-º-º
ROM time to time members of the Society
desire to make donations to its funds in
recognition of work that has been done for
them.
The committee, acting on the suggestion
of one of these members, have decided to place
this permanent paragraph in The Author in order
that members may be cognisant of those funds to
which these contributions may be paid.
The funds suitable for this purpose are : (1) The
Capital Fund. This fund is kept in reserve in
case it is necessary for the Society to incur heavy
expenditure, either in fighting a question of prin
ciple, or in assisting to obtain copyright reform,
WOL.
XIX.
1ST, 1909.
[PRICE
SIXPENCE.
dealing
with any other matter closely
connected with the work of the Society.
(2) The Pension
Fund. This fund is slowly
increasing, and it is hoped will, in time, cover the
needs of all the members of the Society.
or in
:
374
Monthly.)
BY SIR WALTER BESANT.
9.
NUMBER
Society of Authors.
bor.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
º-º-º-
-
HE
List of Members of the Society of Authors,
published October, 1907, can now be obtained
at the offices of the Society at the price of
6d., post free 7#d.
It includes elections to July,
1907, and will be sold to members and associates
of the Society only.
A dozen blank pages have been added at the
end of the list for the convenience of those who
desire to add future elections as they are chronicled
from month to month in these pages.
e
sº-0
PENSION
FUND.
º-º-º
N
the 5th of February, 1909, the Trustees of
the Pension
Fund of the Society, after
the secretary had placed before them the
financial position of the Fund, decided to invest
#350 in the purchase of Corporation of London
2} per cent. Stock (1927 57).
The amount purchased is £438 2s. 4d., and is
added to the list printed below.
The Trustees are glad to report that owing to
the generous answer to the circular sent round at
the end of 1908, they have been able to invest
more than £100 over the amount invested last
year.
Consols
23%..............................
Local Loans ..............................
Victorian Government 3% Consoli
dated Inscribed
War Loan
Stock
#1,000
500
...............
.................................
London and North-Western 3% Deben
ture Stock ..............................
0
0
0
()
29] 19 11
201
9
3
250
0
(0.
Vol. XIX
El u t
�A DITFIOR.
1
i
N.
,
º
©
.
.
L.
F.
H.
E.
J.
G.
S.
º
D.
1
A.
.
i
I1.
I
in
º
unavoidably
held over
July
issue.
1
P.
the
of
C.
.
to
.
I
C.
H.
5,
de
S. º
.
;
.
Wilson, Edwin
March
Hardy, Harold
March
Crozier, Dr. Beattie
March
Ross, Mrs. Janet
March
March 15, Gregory, Lady
March 31, Wizzari, Leopold
April
Burchell, Sidney
April 15, Linton,
Stuart
April 19, Loraine, Lady
&
April 19, Durand, Sir Henry Mortimer
April 20, Stephens, Riccardo
May 24, Lefroy, Mrs.
The names
those subscribers and donors which
are not included
the lists printed above are
.
1
9, 9, 5, 4, 4, 2, 2,
.
I
Francis
Falmouth, The Wiscountess
Carrel, Frederick
Lascelles
º
º
º
º
T.
.
C.
C.
R.
Jan.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb. 15, Beveridge,
Feb. 16, Toplis, Miss Grace
Feb. 19, Wilkinson,
Feb. 24, Landa, Mrs.
º
Feb. 26, Fitz Gerald, Mrs.
e
Tadema, Miss Laurence Alma
March
Reynolds, Mrs. Baillie.
March
Henry, Miss Alice
March
Stopford,
.
Jan.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
1909.
Laws, T. C.
Abercrombie,
Tanner, James
Tighe, Henry
Aitken, Robert
Bolton, Miss Anna
Williamson, W. H.
Furze, Miss Bessie
Shirley, Arthur
18,
Austin Clare
22, Williamson, Mrs.
22, Williamson,
N.
23, Brown,
Grant
28, Raphael, Mrs. M.
º
e
Wilson, Miss Theodore Wilson
Cousland, W. M.
Hardy, Thomas
Bremner, Robert
Todhunter, John
Pettigrew, W.
Russell,
e
H.
Walker, Capt.
Dutton, Miss Annie
Baldwin, Mrs. Alfred
11, Ainslie, Miss
4.
11, Steward, Miss
M.
11, Rumble, Mrs.
8, 8, 8, 8, 6, 6, 5, 4, 4, 4,
i
Jan.
Donations.
Zangwill, Israel
Hamilton, John A.
e
Sidney
12,
12,
Jan. 12,
Jan. 14,
Jan. 16,
Jan. 16,
Feb. 1, Dawson, Warrington
Feb. 4, Willard, Mrs. E. S.
Feb. 19, Paget, Mrs. Gerald
Feb. 20, Andrews, C. C.
March 5, Speed, Lancelot
&
March 8, Calderon, George
*
e
March 8, Jackson, C. S.
.
March 9, Young, Col. George F., C.B.
©
March 10, Sullivan, Herbert
March 11, Merritt, Mrs. Anna Lea
º
e
March 22, Dale, T. F.
April 13, Gask, Miss Lilian
May 17, Rorison, Miss Edith
1,
1,
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
e
Paternoster,
Stockley, Mrs.
Sir
.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Omond,
S.
Jan.
Subscriptions.
1909.
1, Twycross, Miss M. .
2, Macquarie, Arthur .
4, Sproston, Mrs. Stanley
4, Phipson, Miss Emma
4, Middlemass, Miss Jean
4, Pott, J. A.
4, Miller, Mrs.
e
Jan. 7, Marchmont, A. W..
Jan. 7, Sharwood, T. S.
Jan. 12, Durand, Ralph
Jan. 12, Laing, Mrs. .
º
Jan. 14, Banks, Mrs. M. M.
Jan. 14, Steel, Richard
Jan. 16, Garnett, Edward .
Jan. 16, Fenn, Frederick
Jan. 18, Hering, Henry A.
Jan. 18, Fox, Archibald D.
Jan. 31, Anon. .
e
&
Jan. 31, Kelly, W. P.
º
Jan. 31, Cotes worth, Miss .
Feb. 1, Phillipps-Wolley, Clive
Jan.
Jan.
9, 9, 8, 8, 7,
247
258
G.
Jan.
228
Bradgate, Mrs.
Leach, Henry
Cullen, H. N.
Lyall, The Right Hon.
Alfred, P.C., etc.
Underdown, Miss Emily
T.
200
.O()
Stock ..... a *****************************
Glasgow and South-Western Railway
4% Preference Stock..................
New Zealand 3;% Stock...........
Jrish Land Act 23% Guaranteed Stock
Corporation
of London 24% Stock,
*********eºeºestºt ************
1927 57
Jan.
Jan.
6, 6, 6, 5,
Jam.
#3200
2
Egyptian
Irrigation
Government
Trust 4% Certificates ...............
Cape of Good Hope 3% Inscribed
S
TFIES
230
�THE AUTHOR.
COMMITTEE
NOTES.
o-º-º
HE
May meeting of the committee was held
at the offices of the society on the 10th.
As Mr. Maurice Hewlett, the chairman for
the year, was abroad, Sir Alfred Bateman was
elected to the chair.
After the minutes of the previous meeting had
been signed, the chairman proposed a vote of
thanks to the retiring chairman,
Mr. Douglas
Freshfield, for the work he had done for the
Society during the period of his chairmanship.
He
reminded the members present that Mr. Freshfield,
prior to the reconstitution of the society, had been
chairman for two years, and had again taken that
position when the reconstitution
came into force
last year.
He stated how indebted the society had
been to Mr. Freshfield
for the labour he had so
generously given to its affairs, and laid especial
stress on its obligations to him for undertaking
the duties after the critical period of the society s
reconstitution.
The vote was passed unanimously.
Seventeen members and associates were elected,
bringing the total elections for the year up to 114.
The list of names appears on another page. Six
resignations brought the total of resignations up
to 62.
Mr. H. G. Wells was elected to the society's
council.
The next matter before the committee one of
great importance to novelists
was
a statement of
the result of the circular issued by the society in
regard to cheap books.
The committee decided to
print the statement, which appears in another
column.
The list of those who have no objection
to the publication of their names is also set out. In
close connection with the subject of cheap editions,
the committee discussed the question of new copy
right novels which it was proposed to issue at the
price of 2s.
They had received various letters
from members of the society bearing on this point.
After some slight discussion the whole question
was referred to the sub-committee which had been
appointed to deal with the cheap 7d. novel.
As
members may recollect, that sub-committee consists
of Mr. Maurice Hewlett,
Mr. Anthony Hope
Hawkins, and Mr. Bernard Shaw.
It is hoped
that their report will be ready for the next meeting
of the committee.
The committee next discussed the question
contained in Mr. H. G. Wells' letter in the April
issue
of The Author, referring to authors
agents and insurance,
and the secretary
was
instructed
to make enquiries in the matter and
report to the next meeting of the committee.
Owing to one or two objections having been
raised to the publication
of the names of the
231
Society's pensioners, and the amounts which they
received, the committee went into the matter very
fully, but came to the conclusion that it was only
fair to the subscribers to the fund, as well as to
members of the society who might in the future
become subscribers, that this information
should
appear in The Author.
The secretary reported the action of the copy
right sub-committee which had met during the past
month, and the desire expressed by that committee
that the chairman of the Committee of Management,
Mr. Maurice Hewlett, should, if necessary, give
evidence before the departmental committee.
He
also reported the receipt
of a letter from the
Secretary of the departmental committee as to the
points on which they desired evidence to be given.
was decided that the proofs which had been
prepared by the copyright and dramatic sub-com
mittees should be sent in together with the names
of those whom the society would suggest as wit
It
IłęSSéS.
The
committee
decided,
also, that
the
report
of the action taken by the committee during the
past year to assist the cause of copyright, which
was to be laid before the Council in June, should be
drafted by the Secretary subject to the approval of
the chairman.
The secretary reported that he had heard from
the solicitors of Miss Alice Sargant, who had, for
many years, been a member of the Society, that
she had left a legacy to the Pension Fund of the
society of all her copyrights and interests in her
published books.
The committee requested the
secretary to make further inquiries and to report
to the next meeting.
Members of the society may remember that the
question of Colonial sales was raised at the last
meeting, and the Publishers' Association was com
municated with.
From the answer of the Associa
tion, laid before the committee, it appeared that
the publishers had appointed a small sub-committee
to meet the Authors Society in order to discuss
the situation.
The matter was referred to the sub
committee which had already been appointed for
the consideration of the question of cheap books.
The secretary reported the action taken by the
Dramatic Sub-Committee at their last meeting, and
it was decided to send a notice to the papers of
their approval of Mr. R. Vernon Harcourt's Music
Halls and Theatres Bill.
The secretary then asked for an authority to
require the payment on dinner tickets from those
who did not return them within a reasonable time.
The committee decided that all dinner tickets
returned to the secretary within four days of the
date of the dinner should be paid for, and authorised
the secretary to demand payment for those tickets
which had only been returned on the day of the
�THE AUTHOR.
232
It would obviously be
to organise satisfactorily
a big dinner
such as the society's annual function, if every
member who had asked for a ticket claimed the
right to return it without payment, one, two, or
three days before the dinner.
The committee have
fixed four days as a reasonable limit.
The committee then turned their attention to
the legal cases which they were asked to support.
Of the four cases considered, the first a question
dinner in the present year.
impossible
of the infringement of an author's rights in Den
mark the committee decided to take up and
carry through the Danish courts if necessary.
The second the committee felt bound to refuse as
there appeared to be no legal cause of action.
This view was supported by the solicitors of the
society.
The third case, the secretary reported,
had been withdrawn that morning, as the matter
had been settled in favour of the author.
The
fourth case, against the editor of a magazine, the
committee decided to take up.
The committee instructed the secretary to re
draft the prospectus of the Society and to submit
it to the next meeting.
Sundry letters from members were placed before
the committee and considered.
The committee decided to send an official letter,
signed by the chairman of the society, to Mr.
Thorvald Solberg, Registrar of Copyrights at
Washington, to express their appreciation of his
efforts towards the promotion of better American
copyright legislation.
e
DRAMATIC
unable to undertake the duty of giving evidence
before that committee, and that from Mr. Comyns
Carr he had not, as yet, received a final answer.
As the chairman represented that owing to urgent
private reasons he would be unable to give evidence,
at the request of the committee Mr. Bernard Shaw
stated that he would undertake the duty if required
to do so.
The next matter before the committee was the
consideration
of the Theatres and Music Halls
Bill, Mr. Cecil Raleigh, who had taken great
interest in and had made a close study of the
Bill, explained at length to the committee all the
points which it covered and their bearing
on
authorship.
dramatic
Considerable
discussion
ensued.
As a result two points presented them
selves for the final approval of the committee.
The first, whether the committee was in favour of
free trade in amusements.
The second, whether
the office of Censor of Plays should be abolished,
and the power of licensing theatres and music
halls be left entirely to the county authorities,
subject to the clauses of the Bill set forth.
The committee unanimously agreed to the first
point. Proposed by Mr. Cecil Raleigh and seconded
by Mr. R. C. Carton, the second point was carried
r
776/77.C07?).
As the discussion of these important matters
had taken a considerable time, it was decided that
the other questions before the committee the
Managers' Treaty and the Dramatic Pamphlet
should be adjourned to the next meeting.
º-e
COMMITTEE.
I.
A
MEETING of the Dramatic Sub-Committee
of
the Society of Authors was held at the offices
of the society on Tuesday, May 4. The first
business of the meeting was to elect a chairman
for the current year. On the proposal of Mr. Cecil
Raleigh, seconded by Mr. Henry Arthur Jones,
Mr. A. W. Pinero was elected chairman, and on
the proposal of Mr. Alfred Sutro, seconded by Mr.
R. C. Carton, Mr. Henry Arthur Jones was elected
to the post of vice-chairman.
After the minutes had been read and signed, the
secretary laid before the meeting a formal proof of
the notes which had been passed at the last meet
ing. This proof embodied those points dealing
with the alteration of the law as it affected dramatic
authorship,
which the committee desired should
be laid before the Departmental
Committee now
sitting on the Berlin Convention.
The proof was
formally approved by the committee.
The secre
tary then reported that Mr. Grundy had been
II.
A MEETING of the Dramatic Sub-Committee
was held on Thursday, May 20, at the Society's
office, to consider
questions
the
various
ad
journed from the former meeting.
After the
minutes had been read and signed the Secretary
reported that the appeal lodged by the society
on behalf of Mr. Frederick Fenn in the case
of Scholz v. Amasis, Ltd., had been successful,
the judgment of the three judges of the Appeal
Court being unanimous.
The Dramatic Com
mittee congratulated
the society on the result of
its efforts in this case.
Treaty and the Dramatic
The Managers'
Pamphlet then came before the committee for
their consideration.
Mr. Shaw made a long
statement explaining the difference between the
two documents and the work the former Committee
during the past years had expended upon them.
It was decided, after some discussion, that the
Dramatic
Pamphlet
should
be
taken
first
and
finally settled before the Managers' Treaty, Was
Accordingly Mr. Pinero, as chair
discussed.
man, began the reading through of the Dramatic
�THE AUTHOR.
in
bya
is a
in
of to
be be
It
be
to
in
of
to
in
-
in
of
of
to
50,
.
G.
G.
C.
Agnes
H.
(Mrs.).
Lubbock, Mrs.
Monta
Schwarz,
H.L.
Prof.
Hon.
.
Georgima.
Rorison, Edith
B.
gue.
McEwen, John
O Brien,
The
Erpingham
Road,
Putney, S.W.
Finsbury - Square,
45,
E.C.
Southfield House, Wat
ford, Herts.
Montaigne,
17, Avenue
Paris.
Mrs. Edith C.
S.
of
a
of
In
to
an
Lambert,
George
M.
Wade
Brooklyn,
bridge, Cornwall.
Ernest,
Glenburnie,
Bideford,
N. Devon.
Fairlawn House, Wood
manstern, Surrey.
127,
Street,
Mount
Berkeley Square, W.
The Doon, Pinner.
Perth,
The Deanery,
N.B.
Box 116, Grahamstown,
Africa.
S.
Gerrard,
SINCE the last issue of The Author nine cases
have been
the hands
the secretary.
The first
publisher for the infringe
was
claim against
rights.
ment
author's
This has been
settled.
The position has been explained and the
author advised as
the course which he should
take.
There have been four cases for the recovery
money.
three
these the money has come
hand and been forwarded
the author.
The
last has only just come into the office for settle
ment.
There were four cases for the recovery
in
(Maorilanda).
Ferguson,
.
Kidlington, Oxon.
George, M.A.
Cook,
Mrs. Thornton
Fleurot,
t-sº-º
Cases.
a
Sawby).
*
Baines, Lady
Barnard,
Edmund
J.
a
at
be
-
A., M.A.,
F.R.G.S., etc. (Argyll-
Argyll-Saxby,
s
May Elections.
he
J.
it
to
to
to
inquire whether the committee
support the principles contained
-
of
to
as
of
r
to
-
E.
by
of of
-
:
be
Management
ready
would
in the Bill.
to of
of
of
in
of
In
a
to
of
t-º-º
f be
be
to
The next question before the committee was
MacGillivray,
small Bill drafted
Mr.
the
suggestion
Sir Charles Williers Stanford, for the
protection
musical composers.
After considera
tion, the committee thought
would
best that
the matter should be referred
the Committee of
-
of
of
of
of
Three other matters
the hands
the society's
solicitors have been settled satisfactorily.
in
to
of
in
to
to
to
of
of
on
of of
A
is
be
COMMITTEE.
MEETING
the Copyright Committee was held
Tuesday, May 18.
the offices
the society
After the minutes
the previous meeting had
been read and signed, the final proof
Mr. Mac
Gillivray's evidence was laid before the committee
and, after some discussion, was accepted.
The
secretary then read
the committee letters received
Committee, and was
from the Departmental
structed
write
those members
the society who
give evidence, informing them
had promised
the
contents
the letters,
the dates when they
might
called, and the evidence they would
required
give.
The secretary reported that
had already
despatched the - proofs
the Departmental Com
mittee.
at
is
a
in in
e-C-6
COPYRIGHT
on
a
the autumn.
he or
be
the Society
in
members
of
to
it to
to
to
of
dramatic
One has been successful, and the three
remaining are still
negotiation.
course
Only two cases remain open from former months.
infringement
copyright
One
case
New
reply has been received
Zealand.
this case
asking for
from the infringer, who
settlement
lower terms than those asked for
the society.
The other
difficult case
connection with
press-cutting agency.
may
worth while
very careful
mention here that authors should
their dealings with press-cutting agents. No press
cutting agent
absolutely perfect,
will supply
desires, but
the author with everything that
Some agents take the fee, supply
few cuttings and
nothing more, and the author, who may have know
ledge that his book has been reviewed
many
quarters, finds that the fee has been paid
vain.
extremely careful
Authors should
warned
what press-cutting agency they contribute, and
should never subscribe without obtaining advice
the first instance
the position and reliability
the agent.
report the settlement
The secretary has
one
infringement where the full amount asked for
case
has been paid through the society's solicitors
Spain, and one case
infringement
New Zealand,
where the sum asked has also been received.
is
the clauses
the first agreement, and the matter was further
adjourned
the next meeting, which will
held
this month.
The committee trust
be able
settle the
put
final form
the Pamphlet and
before the
MSS.
a
few
of
of
get through
a
to
disposal
at
in
in
its
Pamphlet, and the clauses in the first agreement
which it contained were discussed one by one.
The substance of the treatise was fully con
sidered.
The secretary described the basis on
which it had been drafted, and the reasons for
being put forward
the present shape.
The
committee were only able
the time
their
�THE Arra HoR.
234
11,
Place,
Grosvenor
Rathmines, Dublin.
. 30, Philbeach Gardens,
Earl's Court, S.W.
Williams, Mrs. Leonora 4,
Court,
Whitehall
S.W.
Bruce.
(One member does not desire publication of his
Francis.
Shillingford, Osmond
º-e
ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WoRLD. Edited by
A: WILLIAMS.
Part I, 11 × 8%. 64 pp. Nelson.
7d. m.
6.
Boards.
A
:
Duckworth.
58.
94.
n.
×
8
×
5.
x
. 5.
736s.
×
5.
8
×
5.
5.
×
74
73,
and
Werner Laurie.
By JANE Rowl,AND
TOM GENUFLEX.
Ouseley.
288 pp.
6s.
( Aunt Cherry. )
EMMA HAMILTON
THE
WINIFRED
GRAHAM.
5%.
By
By
REFORMER.
Digby
128 pp.
×
ROBERT
HICHENs.
53.
3s. 6d.
By HALLIWELL
GooD
INTENT.
SUTCLIFFE.
332 pp.
Smith Elder.
68.
THE SHUTTLES
THE LOOM. By
M. EDGE.
(MRs.
Murray.
CAULEEILD).
343 pp.
T8y GILBERT CANNAN.
PETER HOMUNCULUs,
53.
327 pp.
Heinemann.
6s.
By
BEYOND.
BULLEN.
310 pp. Chapman
Hall. 6s.
236 pp.
SHEEP.
TARIFF
73
6d.
84
Long.
BARBARY
K.
5.
7%
x
5.
73
OF
×
Methuen.
PRISCILLA OF THE
FHEALTH.
120 YEARS OF LIFE, AND How
REINHARDT, M.D.
CHARLES
Co., 379, Strand, W.C.
1s.
EDUCATION.
To ATTAIN THEM. By
pp. London Publicity
LITERARY,
m.
DANTE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE.
FROM CHAUCER TO.
By PAGET TOYNBEE.
CARY (c. 1880-1844).
Two.
9
×
volumes.
53. 638
757 pp. Methuen.
218.
IENGLISH LITERATURE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
By LAURIE MAGNUs.
409 pp.
Andrew Melrose,
7s. 6d.
n.
:
:
n.
:
9
×
of
of
a
to
:
PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF UNIVERSITY REFORM
Being
Letter Addressed
the University
Oxford.
By LoRD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, Chancellor
the
University.
53. 220 pp. Oxford Clarendon Press.
London Frowde.
2s. 6d.
LORD MACAULAY
ESSAY ON JOHN HAMPDEN, 94 pp.
ESSAY ON SIR WILLIAM TEMPLE, 125 pp.
ESSAY ON
STANTON
324 pp.
+
×
53.
By Cora LIE
73
×
EARNED
By MRs. CARL MEYER and CLEMENTINA BLACK.
304 pp.
63.
68.
n.
J.
By
AND UNEARNED
INCOME.
Hobson.
Longmans.
328 pp.
7s. 6d.
MAKERS OF OUR CLOTHES
Case for Trade
×
ECONOMICS.
SYSTEM.
AN INQUIRY INTO
93
18.
n.
By EDWARD GARNETT.
A.
THE INDUSTRIAL
H.
pp.
Three Acts.
Bullen.
A.
:
67 A
7+
x
4%.
in
DRAMA.
Play
Everett.
F.
T.
×
93
or
DICTIONARY
NATIONAL Biography.
Edited by
SIDNEY LEE. New Edition. Vol. 15. Oatens Pockrich.
1,352 pp.
64.
Smith Elder. 153.
THE FEUD
320 pp.
THE TEARS OF DESIRE.
HEATH HOSKEN.
:
OF REFERENCE.
BOOKS
DISAPPEARANCE OF JOHN HAVERSBAM.
By IZA DUFFUS HARDY.
Digby
320 pp.
Long. 6s.
By MAY ALDINGTON.
MEG OF THE SALT-PANs.
73
× 6s.
5s. n.
By MARGARET YouNG.
6s.
.
6.
8
×
E.
T.
A
Constable.
Cassell.
5.
FOR THE YOUNG.
THE BIOGRAPHY OF SILVER-FOX, OR DOMINO REYNARD
By
OF GoLDEN Town.
SETON.
209 pp.
BOOKS
340 pp.
THE STRANGE
7;
×
9
Nash.
15s.
By
THE LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JOHN ARDAG.H.
WIFE,
his
SUSAN COUNTESS OF MALMESBURY (Lady
Ardagh). With portraits and illustrations from drawings
by Sir John Ardagh.
Murray.
53.
479 pp.
158. In.
6s.
THE WREATHED DAGGER.
X
n.
Eveleigh
8
Cassell.
By FRANK HAMEL.
pp.
5.
BIOGRAPHY.
FAIR WOMEN AT FONTAINEBLEAU.
By
pp.
50
ASTRONOMICAI).
FARTHEST SouTH. By E. E. MIDDLETON, Tower House,
St. Matthew's Gardens, St. Leonards-on-Sea.
1d.
54.
THE GIRL IN THE BLUE DRESS. By RICHARD MARSH.
7; X 5. 318 pp. John Long, 6s.
By MABEL DEARMER.
GERVASE.
7#
53. 443 pp.
Macmillan. 6s.
By
JEANNE OF THE MARSHIES.
B. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM.
7# × 5. 320 pp. Ward Lock. 6s.
By C. N. WILLIAMSON and A. M.
SET IN. SILVER,
WILLIAMSON. 73 × 5. 445 pp. Methuen.
By REGINALD TURNER.
SAMSON UNSHORN.
Chapman
371 pp.
Hall. 68.
THE RED SAINT. By WARWICK DEEPING,
376 pp.
5.
every effort is made by the compilers to keep
this list as accurate and as exhaustive as possible, they have
some difficulty in attaining this object owing to the fact
that many of the books mentioned are not sent to the office
by the members.
In consequence, it is necessary to rely
largely upon lists of books which appear in literary and
It is hoped, however, that members will
other papers.
co-operate in the compiling of this list and, by sending
particulars
of their works, help to make it substantially
accurate.
×
º-º-e
WHILE
FICTION.
ROSE OF THE WILDERNESs. By S. R. CRoCKETT. 8 ×
336 pp.
Hodder & Stoughton,
6s.
AN IMPENDING SWORD : An Adventure by the Sea.
HORACE
ANNESLEY WACHELL.
74 × 5,
186
Murray. 2s. 6d. n.
THE SHOW GIRL. By MAX PEMBERTON.
8 × 5. 343
Cassell.
6s.
x
OF
&
BOOKS PUBLISHED BY MEMBERS
THE SOCIETY.
T.
e
ENGINEERING,
C.
name or address.)
THE WAR OF THE SPANISH SUCCESSION, 94 pp.
DEFOE : CAPTAIN SINGLETON's
EARLY ADVENTURES.
126 pp. (Blackie's English Texts.) Edited by W. H. D.
ROUSE.
63 × 23. Blackie. 6d. each.
AN ENGLISH CHURGH HISTORY FOR CHILDREN. By MARY
by THE BISHOP
E. SHIPLEY,
With
Preface
OF
GIBRALTAR. 339 pp. Methuen & Co.
&
Sheeby-Skeffington,
�TRIE AUTISIOR,
LURE : An Anthology in Prose and Verse. By
HELEN and LEWIS MELVILLE.
64 × 4}. 328 pp.
Bell. 3s.6d. n.
LONDON'S
235
Writer has endeavoured at the same
perfectly accurate and impartial.
MILITARY.
By RALPH NEVILL.
PRINTs.
The Connoisseur Publishing Co.
MISCELLANEOUS,
BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL:
Prelude to a Philosophy of the
By NIETZSCHE.
by
JFuture.
Translated
HELEN
pp.
ZIMMERN.
8 × 5+. 268
Foulis.
3s.6d. n.
SCIENCE.
£ARENTHOOD
AND RACE
CULTURE :
By C. W. SALEEBY, M.D.
Eugenics.
Cassell.
7s. 6d. m.
THE ETHER
73 × 4%.
An
Outline in
9} x 6.
By SIR OLIVER
OF SPACE.
Harper.
156 pp.
2s. 6d.
331 pp.
LODGE,
F.R.S.
THEOLOGY.
ORIGIN AND FAITH.
J.
AN ESSAY OF RECONCILIATION.
83 × 5%. 272 pp.
COMPTON-RICKETT.
Stoughton.
6s.
By
Hodder
-
&
TOPOGRAPHY.
THE HEART OF SCOTLAND. Painted by SUTTON PALMER.
by A. R. HoPE MONCRIEFF.
Described
104 × 7#.
206 pp.
Black. 7s.6d. n.
ESSEX.
Painted by L.
BURLEIGH BRUHL, A.R.C.A.
Described by A. R. HoPE MonCRIEFF. 9 × 64. 262 pp.
Black. 20s. n.
MEMORIALS OF OED LANCASHIRE.
Edited by LIEUT.-COL.
FISHWICK and the REV. P. H. DITCHFIELD.
Two
pp.
Wols.
9 × 6. 286 314
(MEMORIALS OF
Editor,
THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND.
General
REV.
P. H. DITCHFIELD, F.S.A., &c.). Bemrose. 25s. n.
A new edition of The Children's Study
History of France, of which Miss Mary C. Rowsell is
the author, has just been issued by Mr. Fisher
Unwin. The edition is published at
6d.
Mr. Ferrar Fenton has
the printers' hands an
eighth edition
his modern English version
the
paper covers,
New Testament.
This edition,
published
1s.
Over 74,000 copies
Mr.
Complete Bible
Fenton s
Modern English
have left the press.
TRAVEL.
is
C. R. HAINES has published, through
Messrs. Barnicott & Pearce, a little volume
on Joan of Arc.
The object of the book
ethical rather than purely historical, though the
R.
by
of
a
of
of
K.
the
author
the
Power
those who serve her faithfully.
The life
tragedy, but the
hero contains elements
shows the place which these elements have
of
BIOGRAPHY.
-
India
things evolved
scheme
the
Fixed
for Good" that moves towards ultimate
perfection.
Robert
of
e-e
is
NOTES.
It
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL
by
º-e
the title of
new
novel
Coralie Stanton and Heath Hosken, which
Mr. Werner Laurie issued last month.
Ahana,
M. Edge, the author
has just
published,
through
Mr. John Murray,
The
Shuttles
the Loom,
novel which deals with
the life and work
forest officer in Southern
India.
concerned with the claim made upon
of
e
FICTION.
The Tears of Desire
in
By FRANCES M. GOSTLING.
BRETONS AT HOME.
With an Introduction by ANATOLE LE BRAY. 9 x 5%.
304 pp. Methuen.
10s. 6d. n.
By JOHN FOSTER
QUAINT SUBJECTS OF THE KING.
FRASER. 73 x 5. 304 pp. Cassell. 68.
THE
is
m.
of
3s.6d.
PHILOSOPHY.
of
By A. K. CoomfARASWAMY'
Probsthain.
a
CRAFTSMAN.
73 × 5%. 130 pp.
1s.
D.Sc.
in
THE INDIAN
English Church His
Miss Mary E. Shipley s
tory for Children, A.D. 1066 1500,
published by
Messrs. Methuen & Co., contains a preface by the
Bishop of Gibraltar, William Edward Collins, D.D.
The present work is a companion volume to Miss
Shipley's first volume on English Church History
for Children, and the reader is carried from the
Norman Conquest to the eve of the Reformation.
Twelve
illustrations and one map have been
included in the work, which contains also an index.
Mr. Andrew Melrose has recently issued Mr.
Taurie Magnus' book dealing with English Litera
ture in the Nineteenth Century. The author states,
in a preface to the work, that he has attempted to
present rather a survey of English literature as a
whole than a history of that literature
between
1784 and the present day.
There is an index to
the book.
-
by
ORIENTAL.
EDUCATIONAL.
Aitken's new volume
of
GRAVES.
Illustrated
217 pp,
Sir Isaac
in
I.
in
MUSIC.
7 × 43.
120 Years of Life and How to Attain Them,
Dr. Charles Reinhardt, is a treatise upon the
use of lactic ferments for the prevention and cure
of disease and the prolongation of life. The book
is published by the London Publicity Company of
379, Strand, W.C.
is
Adapted
READINGS
AND RECITATIONs:
and
arranged for the Class-room, the Drawing-room
and the
Forsyth.
By
pp.
Paisley:
Platform.
J.
74 × 5. 200
Gardner.
By C.
HEALTH.
by
SELECT
MUSICAL MONSTROSITIES.
by GEORGE MoRRow.
Pitman. 13. n.
to be
a
72 pp.
11 × 8%.
of
MILITARY
at
BRITISH
time
short stories,
�a
the title
of it
to
&
G.
A.
in
of
to to
in in
a
on
a
of
in A
of
a
be
a
N.
&
by
a
in
by
in
by
of
R.
of
In
as
a
in
of
of
to
in
an
in
of
in
in
to
of
is
in
-
by
of
by
in
a
Gainsborough,
R.A.
by
of
&
of
Co.,
15A, Paternoster Row,
Messrs. Milner
are the publishers
two plays for children
Budgen.
Miss
The plays are Hay Time,
cantata with action, and Winter,
little action
play for children.
Both plays are published
threepence.
a
at
a
MISCELLANEOUS.
&
Sons, Ltd., are the publishers
Sir Isaac Pitman
Musical Monstrosities, being the collected
articles which Mr. C. L. Graves has contributed
dealing with the atrocities committed
the musical world.
Mr. George Morrow has
illustrated the work.
Glimpses
by
intervals,
&
a
is
Hidden India
new book
published
Messrs. Thacker
Co.
Among the aspects
Indian life which are dealt
with may
mentioned Hindu lawyers, modern
Calcutta, the Hindu student, marriage and women,
Indian progress
western lines, and editors and
newspapers.
Messrs. Black
their series
colour books,
gardens, have
which already includes several
found room for another on
Dutch Bulbs and
Gardens,
which three ladies collaborate, Miss
John Law,
of
s
he
in
the Mauretania.
Calphurnia Royal
the pro
the hero.
Gainsborough, Miss Emily Baker's
new book, published this month
Mr. Francis
Griffiths,
story
the great painter's daughter
and the times
which she lived.
The illustra
tions are from portraits and pictures
Thomas
on
a
of
in
of as
flyer,
of
The Lady
is
the Atlantic
in
of
an
it, in
he
;
shipping world and elsewhere
the stress
consequence, and the manner
endures
which
together with
faces
incident which grows
early youth.
from other actions committed
The
first and last Sections
the book are laid on board
Peggy
by
is &
on
at
is
to
a
of
a
by
of
the Sea,
which Messrs. Methuen
August 12,
Co. will publish
six shillings
new novel
Mr. Edward Noble, written round
shipowner who has climbed from small
the life
beginnings
greatness through the operation
transaction which
now known
P.P.I.
the
husband and child have both died
Spector's camp.
The result
this act
and
the Woman
told
detail.
of
Lords
remains,
on
in
respect.
the
prospector's
such
isolation creates the theme
the book,
which
important part
deciding
four candles play,
who shall take the heroine
wife since her
the book
in
on
a
to
of
a
is
at
a
Mrs. Havelock Ellis' first attempt
experi
long novel,
story founded
ments Socialistic, philanthropic, and realistic, and
points
every
the value
natural
life
late
Australia, and the circumstances
of
Downstairs.
Attainment,
Stephens,
be
by
remembered
the author
two others published,
we believe,
the same
firm,
Mr. Meyer's People and The People
quarters
Valley
in
of
be
Lathbury will
as
is
a
no
in
a
strange
another man, and the story culminates
crime with
less strange dénouement.
Miss Lathbury's novel
called
The Desert
Island.
We have received no information from
respecting
the publishers
this book, but Miss
with
is
a
a
on
as
in
her firmly established
London
dancer.
The complications
which the story turns are
consequent upon
rather
eccentric
education
which has left her involved
in relations with
collaboration
S/dney Bulletºn, journeyed from Rockhampton
three-quarter deck yacht,
1906,
the French
penal settlement
Ile Nou,
order
obtain local
big half
colour and impressions.
the book
deals with convict life
and around Noumea.
very close study
The rest contains
Australian
big cattle station outback.
life and conditions
spite
her long and severe illness last year,
Carey has completed
Miss
novel entitled
The King
the Unknown, which will
issued
September
usual
Messrs. Macmillan
Co., and simultaneously
America
Messrs.
Lippincott.
Mr. John Long will publish early this month
new novel
Mr. Henry Tighe, entitled The
Four Candles.
The story opens, and for three
to
he
of
a
a
young officer on
famous dancer who attracts
leaving England for foreign service.
the point
On his return, after some years' absence,
finds
June.
L.
its
Unwin.
Mrs. Fred Reynolds' new book, which Messrs.
Hurst & Blackett are publishing, is entitled
The Lady in Grey, and, like her previous novel,
S. David of the Dust, has its setting in the
heart of Wales amongst the Welsh people.
Messrs. Alston Rivers' announcements
include
new novels from the following members of our
society : Marjorie Bowen, E. Nesbit,
Eva Lath
bury, and Mrs. Havelock Ellis.
Miss Bowen's tale, Black Magic, is described
as mediaeval and picaresque, and has to do with
the rise and fall of antichrist.
The opening
scenes are laid
in Flanders,
whence a journey
Many
is made to Frankfort and on to Rome,
strange adventures, from which the distinctive
violence of the period is rarely absent, befall the
wanderers with whom the story is concerned.
Salome and the Head
the story by which
E. Nesbit is represented
has for
heroine
publish
Mills
Boon are
Mr. Albert Dorrington, who wrote
book which Messrs.
of
which Mr. John Murray recently issued here, has
been published in America by Mr. B. W. Huebsch.
Mr. Harold Wintle's new novel, The Waking
Hour, will shortly be published by Mr. Fisher
in in
A UTEIOR.
in at
TISIES
236
�A UTFIOR.
the
April
statutory
performance
30, at
on
Bijou Theatre, was given of Mr. Melchior
death of George Meredith is universally
English litera
regretted here by
lovers
Unfortunately very few
ture.
his books
them,
have been translated into French, and one
poor translation.
The Egoist, has appeared
Those French readers who know Meredith s works
the original greatly appreciate the psychology
Strangely enough, the last portrait
found
them.
for which George Meredith posed, the medallion
Spicer-Simson,
now being exhibited
the Salon.
naturally
great interest now, and attracts
This
great deal
Spicer-Simson
attention.
also did
excellent medallion
Watts shortly before his
death. This, too, was the last portrait for which
the great artist posed, and just after George
Gissing's death
admirable portrait
him
this same sculptor was
seen
the Paris Salom.
HE
of
of
of
by
be in
to
a
in
by
DRAMATIC.
A
e-Q-0
in
The Red King's Dream, and other poems, by
M. Rutherford, is a collection of pieces, many of
which have been published already in various
magazines.
Mr. Henry Drane is the publisher.
E.
PARIS NOTES.
of
POETRY.
º-e
in
man s History of the English Church.
Mr.
Dearmer is also publishing this month, through
Body and
Messrs. Pitmans, a volume entitled
Soul, which traces the practice of faith healing
through
from the early Church downwards
the
works of the saints, and healings at famous shrines
down to the new developments in our scientific age.
Whitby.
all
J.
of
We have received a copy of the second edition of
Commentary on the Holy Bible, which has
been produced by Messrs. Macmillan & Co. under
the editorship of the Rev.
R. Dummelow.
The
object of the originators of the work has been to
make clear to the reader many of the circumstances
under which the various books of the Bible were
composed, to present a clear statement of the
mental habits of the people to whom they were
addressed, and to indicate the actual needs which
they were designed to meet.
Introductions and
notes have been supplied to the various books with
a view to explaining the principal difficulties,
textual, moral or doctrinal, which may arise in con
nection with them.
Messrs. Mowbray announce an edition of 50,000
Every
copies of the Rev. Percy Dearmer's work,
A
be
THEOLOGICAL.
Mr. W. Somerset Maugham's play
The Ex
plorer '' was revived at the Lyric Theatre last
month.
Mr. Lewis Waller, Miss Fanny Brough,
and Mr. A. E. George are in the cast.
At a Junction, the new one-act play in which
Miss Ellen Terry is appearing this season, is
Young, whose first
by Miss Margaret
written
novel,
The Wreathed Dagger,
came out last
month.
A new one-act play by Mr. W. W. Jacobs and
Mr. Horace Mills was produced in front of The
Arm of the Law, at the Garrick Theatre, on
May 25.
It is an episode between two simple
hearted sailors and a widow, to whom one of them
is paying attentions.
The cast includes Mr. Leon
Quartermaine, Miss Mary Weigall, and Mr. Arthur
to
edition an article on underwater protection against
torpedoes.
Mr. Charles de Grave Sells, M.Inst.C.E.,
deals with the progress of warship engineering.
is
point of interest in connection with Part 2 is
that Commander Hovgaard, the famous Danish
American expert on ship design, has joined the staff
of Fighting Ships, and contributes for the 1909
of
A
an
is
announced to appear early this month. Mr. Jane has
succeeded in securing plans of the German Dread
noughts, including those of which the Government
has just confessed complete ignorance.
There are
altogether three distinct types of German Dread
noughts building. The latest designs for German
Dreadnought cruisers are also given, including the
famous
Von der Taun.
The new edition con
tains a variety of other improvements and additions.
of
-
Fighting Ships
in
The 1909 edition of Jane s
MacBride's mystery play, The Story of Glaston
the Grail.
The work deals with the
arrival in England of Joseph of Arimathea and his
party, bearing the Grail and other emblems of
Christianity; with their reception by the Druids;
with the adoption of Christianity in Britain.
The
reading was directed by Mr. Geoffrey Besant, who
was assisted by Miss Gertrude Bibby; Mrs. Edward
Stirling, as Gladys (the chief Druidess), and the
Arch-Druid Cymnitin,
Mr. A. F. Jones, Miss
Margaret Hardy, and others.
Mr. A. E. W. Mason's comedy Colonel Smith
was produced at the St. James on April 23. The
play is based on the action of a young lady who
invents a lover as the speediest means of obtaining
one, and shows
the measure of success which
attended her deception.
The cast included Miss
Irene Wamburgh, Mr. George Alexander, and Mr.
William Farren.
bury and
is
NAVAL.
Una-
a
Mima Nixon as artist, and the Misses
Silberrad and Sophie Lyall as authors.
237
an
TISIES
�TISIE A DITISIGDR.
of
of
set
a
In
of
is
by
on
to
a in
of
to of
of
a
at
to:
A
is
in
At
is
of
to
he
as
is
A
is
of
of
of a
as
of
as
a
on
a
of
as
It
of by
is
of
a
is
is
a
is to
as
to.
is
is to
he
of
in
of
a
is
in of
a
of
as
to
be
it
is
be
is
it
is
a
to it
on
of
is
in
an
in
of
be
is
at
be
de
to
be
in
of
is
in
in
of to
be
to
at
in
an
it
is
of
is
of
to
it.
to
In
it
of
as
a
he
is
in
an
for the Sordid
is
of
so
a
on
is
by
5
it In
of
be
of
to
that such
ideal
too premature
times in which we live.
the island and,
time goes
such
custom are seen by
Some
the more important members
the com
munity. Finally, there
reaction
favour
the Professor, and
decided that he shall be set
free, and that his principle shall
adopted.
When the Governor goes
the prison with these
good tidings
too late,
the prisoner has just
died.
Great sympathy
felt for his widow, but,
alone,
she tells the Governor that she will never
as she
sure of her husband s love even after
death.
Some little time after this
French boat
comparing notes,
touches
the island and,
discovered that this little colony belongs
France. The Governor,
his pride, tells
the
delighted
new law that has just been passed, and
worthy
that the colony will
the mother
country.
The officer replies
evasive manner.
1915, and
France the law has just decreed
that all marriages shall
dissolved
will.
Le Mariage
Mlle. Gimei, dactylographe,
the title
René Bazin's latest book.
idea
discussed
on, the advantages
of
of
a
is
In
a
to
or
a
à
A
an
union infinitely more ideal and
official marriage.
He educates
his children according
his theories, and the
consequence
that, out
the four free unions
his family, three prove disastrous, and the fourth
couple decide that
preferable
legalise
will
their marriage.
The conclusion
the book seems
prove that,
an attempt
the present
Society, free unions cannot
state
substituted
for legalised marriages.
This does not perhaps
prevent the author from sympathising
with the
idealist
his theories.
The conclusion
rather
unfettered
elevated than
but this idea
absolute fidelity
one wife
con
sidered rank heresy, and
condemned
Gradually, though, the
imprisonment
for life.
is
of
is
a
a
in
is
it
subject
book which brings new light
tempt
many
which has tempted and will
- ever
Writers.
Les Unis,
Edouard Rod,
another roman
Aloyse
thèse.
this author's last book,
Valérien,
though the writer
seemed
problem
had left himself with
solve.
this
appears
new work
have solved
The
subject
the novel
the question
free love.
certain astronomer and philosopher, who has
himself been fortunate
his love affairs, considers
be
of
a
is on
to
volume has that rare quality, the Science
selec
tion,
marked degree.
There
never
word
too much, and yet all sides are considered before
the critic draws his conclusions.
these days
literary,
rather unliterary, rush and Scramble,
refreshing
find
book that one feels
thought
out,
has been carefully and studiously
emigrants
out with their families, hoping
They
find peace and tranquillity
other lands.
are shipwrecked,
and only
boat laden with
children, the eldest
whom
five years old,
reaches
little island inhabited
fishermen.
the first time that the natives
the island have
ever seen any Europeans, and
their habits and
customs are Very simple, they adopt the newcomers.
course, have
language
The children,
their
They live
very friendly terms with the
own.
colony quite
inhabitants
the island, but
apart.
Time passes by, and
these children grow
up they gradually educate themselves and make
their own rules, and later on laws. Three hundred
years later this little colony has developed into
community
twenty thousand people.
One
the most curious
their laws
the one concerning
marriage.
register
kept
marriages and
démariages.
As soon
husband wishes
change his wife
gives notice
the Governor,
and the dissolution
his marriage
once
pronounced.
the time when the story opens
great excitement
there
the island.
certain
Professor and his wife have promised each other
marriage
faithful for life, and not
contract
With another person.
This
considered criminal
and illegal, and the would-be reformer
thrown
into prison.
He pleads his cause most eloquently,
is
in
Her friendship with Flaubert, her
Nohant.
him, and
study
letters
her later writings are
the last subjects
which M. Doumic touches.
intensely interesting.
The whole book
The
subject
very big one, but the author
this
marriage, divorce, and free
The questions
unions have furnished subjects for numbers
novels within the last few years.
Le Couple
invincible,
M. Louis Lefebvre,
another novel
1629,
the same theme.
band
French
is
at
in
is
in
In
a
is
on
in
to to
In
of
of
as
is a
of
in
an
or
is,
René Doumic's book on George Sand is perhaps
the most interesting
of the recently published
volumes.
He goes back to the genealogy of the
family on the maternal and paternal side and, by
this study in atavism, much that may have hitherto
seemed incomprehensible
in this celebrated woman's
less, accounted for.
character
more
René
Doumic has studied his subject thoroughly.
He
gives us,
the first chapter,
excellent Summing
up
Rousseau,
the psychology
this child
as he calls her.
He shows us the various influences
girl, had
with which she,
contend.
the
next chapter she
married
Baron Dudevant,
and
the third chapter the author considers her
a feminist of 1832.
After this we have the
series of her various romances with Alfred de
Musset, Chopin, and her other lovers.
Later on
chapter
there
the humanitarian dream and
her acquaintance
with Pierre Leroux.
1848
politics, and
deeply interested
she
the
closing chapters, we find her
her country home
It
238
�THE AUTHOR.
in
a
an
of
is
at
"
la
A
AGAIN.
COINCIDENCE.
singular
a to
a a
in
of
is
I
as
a
to
a
of
a
of
a
of
on
of
a
I
to
I
it
a
number
my suggestion
of
a
is
coincidence that the
The Author, which contains
that Great Britain and the
United States should give their respective authors
granted willingly
patentees,
the protection
should also publish
brief digest
new United
step
States Copyright Bill which actually takes
step a
only
the direction
indicated.
But
weak effort
break away from earlier trammels.
proposed
protected period
six months after
publication, and
further period
one year
payment
small fee.
The new American Act
gives one month for filing the copy
British
book and one month for applying the type-setting
Now, with all deference
clause.
The Author's
opinion,
adverse
hail this
real benefit, but
the absurdly inadequate time limits prove clearly,
my thinking, that the Act was drawn up by
someone who had very little practical experience
April
was trying
solve.
Will you
point out some phases
this
of
to
he
the difficulty
permit me
difficulty
by of
am not concerned about the leading authors
either country.
The very drawbacks imposed
this copyright muddle are good for them.
Their
books are accepted eagerly, and publishers
are
naturally prepared
fulfil the provisions
the
of
to
of
a
of
of
de
Sibéran,
TT
surely
to
in
of
at
of
the Général
COPYRIGHT
º-O-0
2
de
is
an
in
of
a
is
Clarisse, the wife
AMERICAN
to
In
on
on
in
a
In
sus.
a A a
v-º-w
of
of
a
by
of
a
of
of
of
of
a
la
of
In
entitled Connais-toi, we have one
the finest
feminine characters which this author has given
on
Une Tragédie d'Amour (Plon).
Sur les deux Rives (Calmann Lévy).
Le Soldat Bernard (Fayard).
Romanesque
Simone
(Perrin).
Un Concert chez les Fous (Ollendorf).
I
de
of
a
A.
is
et
A
of
a
de
by
an
is
been
series
articles
Le Dépeuplement
France.
Mademoiselle Chaptal, who has done
being waged
such fine work
the war that
against tuberculosis, writes
extremely interesting
Through
article entitled Histoire d'un Faubourg.
her efforts great changes have taken place
one
the most populous districts
Paris. She has
built
model lodging-house for the working man,
very
and she
now engaged
the founding
modern hospital, which she will supply with
trained nurses.
In the same review M. De
gives
study
:Quirielle
The Evolution
Maurice Barres.
Paul Hervieu's play
the Théâtre Français,
at
evy).
its
Génie
(Calmann
"
de
"
Sand (Perrin).
Les Unis (Fasquelle).
Le Couple invincible (Perrin).
Mariage
Mlle. Gimel, dactylographe
by
by
as
Le
de
is
George
of
in
form
Nion,
ALYS HALLARD.
in
at
by
in E.
book
l Amérique, with
Ribot,
preface
the
French Academy.
translation
book by
Benson has just appeared, entitled
Par quelle
Autorité P.
Douze Histoires
un Réve"
the title
translation recently published
book
Wells.
May, there
In the Revue
Paris
the 15th
Jacques Blanche
article
the Hundred
English and French Portraits.
the last three
numbers
La Revue hebdomadaire there has
or
a
is of no a
Gustave Guiches and François
having success.
Lauzun,
of
be
in
an
published
now
It
to
to
is
to
MM.
entitled
is
to
a
in
in
by
trouble might arouse her husband from his
imaginary sorrows, and enable him to produce the
masterpieces of literature of which
they both
appear to think he was capable.
The whole book
is a study of psychology and of German mentality
during the 1830 period.
Among other recent books are:
Sur les deux
Rives, by Leon de Timseau;
Le soldat Bernard,
by Paul Acker;
Simone la Romanesque, , by
Lucien Trotignon; La Course à l Abime, by
Ernest Daudet.
Un Concert chez les Fous is the title of the
volume of short stories which Charles Foley, the
author of Heard at the Telephone,
has just
brought out. The first story, which gives
name
the volume,
the one from which the play that
has had such success
Paris this winter was taken.
The translation
this story has already appeared
English magazine, and several
the others
English.
published shortly
will
The lectures given
the Sorbonne
the
American professor, Henry Van Dyke, have been
translated
Sainte Marie Perrin, and are
real
now
nothing
and real; there
the marionette about
They have not been invented merely
them.
figure
play written
quite
instruct us.
refreshing
play
have either
novel
present
long tirades
which we have
the
rights and requirements
women.
Le Scan
dale,
being played
Henri Bataille,
the
Renaissance.
At the Porte Saint-Martin the play
#
and several volumes have already been
written on the subject.
Henri Stieglitz was a poet
of an extremely melancholy and nervous disposition.
His wife finally committed suicide, hoping that a
distinct relief from
by
curious,
extremely feminine, charming woman,
the ultra-modern
woman
vogue.
All the other characters are living
We have
º
Une Tragédie d Amour is a work by Ernest
Seillière, giving the details of the suicide of
Charlotte Stieglitz.
The whole story is very
239
�TISIE AUTISIOR.
as
to
to
to
in
to
to
of
is
It
to
of
as
a
in
on
of
of
be
of
of
in
of a
of
or
or
anto
of
a
at
or
to
(I
no
at
or
in
be
in
to
of
to
all
to
be
in
or
by
in
an
of
be
or
at
of
at
of
of
to
by
of
to
to
in
if
in
to be
a
as
of
in
so
be
to
of
and 310 were from novelists.
classification
deal with
We only propose
Of these the majority gave the under
the latter.
taking suggested
and
the sub-committee
management, the
approved
the committee
favour
follows: 203
exact proportions being
against.
fourteen
the undertaking and
general
cases the writers expressed their views
terms, neither binding nor refusing
bind them
selves. Twelve cards were returned unsigned, and
consequence cannot
identified.
The lists produced below naturally only include
published.
those who have allowed their names
by
of
In
in
as
28
in
to
be
to
be
in
of
of to of
of
of
it
of
number.
by
CIRCULAR.
to
of
in
all
SOCIETY's
put before the
desire
committee
the
the society the result
members
postcard circular which was sent round
April.
the members
HE
to
THE
July
of
º-º-º
OF
the
a
to
a
-
CHEAP EDITIONS.
RESULT
inserted
far been
About six hundred answers have
Of these 290 were from those members
received.
novelists,
the Society who did not claim
to
up
he
to
he
at
º-e
those who are willing, and those who
The list
give the undertaking will
are unwilling,
fiction, but
interest, not only
writers
the booksellers when purchasing their stock
novels, and also
the publishers.
mind that this under
borne
should
taking could not possibly bind members
the
those contracts which have already been
matter
their agents,
themselves
entered into either
the signatories
stated that some
should
and
exception
who gave this undertaking made
38. 6d. editions, or, conversely, limited the
favour
non-production
undertaking
under.
1s.
the
the novelist members
From many
Society,
the list will
careful perusal
once show, no answers have been received this
any statistician
kept
point should
mind
make logical deductions but
who desires
any other names come
the
the offices
Society
Authors after this list has gone
press, they will, with the consent
the authors,
of
I
of
I
to of
in
an
If,
be
a
e
LOUIS TRACY.
of
a
is
to
as
a
It
be
be
I
far between.
hope, therefore, that The Author will withdraw
its ban, and advocate the extended period described
By payment
4s. the owner
month ago.
secure protection
able
the copyright should
has not
that time,
for eighteen months.
persuaded
his
take
American publisher
book well,
better
must write another and
any rate, one more suited
one or,
the
American market.
for
card
novels.
writer
am (OT am not)
publish
not
undertake (do not undertake)
assigns,
through my agents
edition
either myself,
price
any novel first issued
over
6s.
the
years
any time within two
cheaper form
from date
its first publication,
object)
objection
the publication
(3) have
my name
otherwise.
The Author
* Please delete these portions not applicable.
(1)
(2)
of
of
it,
of
by
It
to
is
be of
a
into print.
few and
*
68.all
?
a
SO
of
a
to
it
a
on
of of
rushed
such cases will
-
and that the following was the form
reply :
It
of
it
by
to
be
be
to
to
But
mind, this circular ran
the
call your attention
desire
bookselling
the April
the sub-committee
The Author, and will be glad should
the matter
fiction if you
writer
under discussion affect you
fill up, sign, and return the
kind enough
would
postcard.
accompanying
most important for the
those authors who
know the names
booksellers
approve
assist
the time limit and are willing
enforcing it.
The committee
report
issue
be
;
is
in
a
a
let
it
all
up
to
to
on
an in by
a
can
edition
American
within the time.
follows:
of
its
of
a
is
is
it
be
It
a
vitally important matter
such
actually constitute
simultaneous
does not give proper protec
But
pub
Secure
unable
the author who
tion
helps,
Atlantic.
the
sides
both
lisher
some few cases where the
There may
admit.
transcending merits
book (probably overlooked.
wideawake publishers when
round dozen
MS.) will demand such prompt attention that
and doubt
what does
publication.
As members will call
I I
whether simultaneous publication is insisted
It is the beginner, the unknown writer
on or not.
the man or woman with a story to tell that shall
atten
hold spellbound the multitude when once
caught who suffers most grievously under
tion
existing conditions.
one this slight
To such
simultaneous publication
the
relaxation
nearly, though not quite, useless. Take,
clause
serially
published
novel that
for instance,
may have been
appears
book form
before
running six months: what becomes then
the
the United States
two months' grace allowed
Again,
new writer
book by
non-serialised
head and shoulders over its contemporaries
Suddenly
season,
cannot leap into prominence
and an
the reading public shall know
that
adopt the needed safe
ready
American house
guards almost before the circulating libraries have
second supply.
order
their minds
made
only too clear that the two
seems
legislators who
months period was determined
print
act fairly, but lacked knowledge
meant
ing and publishing exigences. The concession
publishers
and authors whose
real boon
arrangements are already made.
saves anxiety
law,
I
240
�TFIES
A CITISIOR,
Authors who undertake not to Publish an Edition
of any Novel first issued at the price of 68, in a
cheap form at any time within Two Years from
date of its first Publication.
Ansell, Evelyn
Armstrong, Miss Julien
Askew, Claude
Atherton, Mrs. Gertrude
Baker, Miss Emily
Baker, James
Bancroft, Francis
Banerjea, S. B.
Barclay, Armiger
Barrington, Michael
Battersby,
H. F.
Prevost
Begbie, Harold,
Bell, R. S. Warren
Benson,
E.
F.
Black, Miss Clementina
Booth, Edward C.
Bloundelle-Burton,
John
Boggs, Miss Winifred
Boore, Miss E.
Bourke, Lady Florence
Brighouse, J. H.
Briggs, Miss Ada E.
Brooke, Miss Emma
J. J.
Burgess,
Haldane
Calderon, George
Cameron, Mrs. Charlotte
Capes, Bernard
Rosa
Carey,
Miss
Nouchette
Carroder, Conrad H.
Castle, Egerton
Canman, Gilbert
Chorley, Herbert
Clarke, Allen
Cobbett, Miss Alice
Coleridge,
The Hon.
Gilbert
Coleridge,
Mrs. Marion
Connell, Norreys
Corelli, Miss Marie
Cowley, Miss J. M. R.
Craig, Lieut.-Col. R.
Manifold
Crommelin, Miss May
Dawe, Carlton
De Crespigny, Mrs.
Delaire, Mrs. Jean
Mrs.
De la Pasture,
Henry
Deeping, Warwick
Dickson, F. Thorold
The Rev. J.
C
Dixon, William Scarth
Dorrington, Albert
Doyle, Sir A. Conan
Drummond, Mrs. Annie
Drummond, Hamilton
Düring, Mrs. Stella M.
Dutton,
Miss Annie
Digges,
V
Eccles, Miss O'Conor
Ellis, Mrs. Havelock
Fetherstonhaugh,
W.
FitzRoy,
Isobel (Mrs.
Arthur Hecht)
Forbes, Lady Helen
Forrest, R. E.
Forster, E. M.
Fountain, Paul
Fowler, Ellen Thorney
croft (The Hon. Mrs.
Alfred Felkin)
Fox, S. M.
Free, The Rev. Richard
Freeman, R. Austin
Fuller, Captain J. F.
C
Garvice, Charles
Gaunt, Miss Mary
Gay, Mrs. Florence
Gibson, L. S.
Gilliat, The Rev. E.
Gilson, Captain Charles
Godfrey, Miss Elizabeth
Goldring, Miss Maude
Grace, Stephen
Grand, Madame Sarah
.
Granville, C.
Graves, Frederick
Grey, Rowland
Gribble, Francis
Grier, Sydney C.
Guthrie, Anstey
(F.
Anstey)
Hachblock, Miss Emily
M.
Hamel, Frank
Hamilton, Anthony
Hamilton,
The Rev.
John A.
Harding,
Claud
Commander
Harker, Mrs. L. Allen
241
Harraden, Miss Beatrice
Harrison, Mrs. Darent
Harte, Mrs. Bagot
Heath, Miss Helena
Henderson, Miss
Florence L.
Henoch, Mrs. Emily
Hewlett, Maurice
I.
Hodgson,
Ll.
Hill, J. Arthur
Hinkson, Mrs. Katha
rine Tynan
Randolph
Holland, Clive
Holmes, Arthur H.
Holmes, Miss Eleanor
Home, Miss M. C.
Hope, Anthony
Hope, Graham
Horniman, Roy
Hughes-Gibb, Mrs.
Humphreys,
Mrs. Des
mond (Rita)
Hunt, Miss Violet
Hussey, Eyre
Jacobs, W. W.
James, Miss S. Boucher
Jepson, Edgar
Jones, W. Braunston
Reary, C. F.
Keating, Joseph
Kenealy, Miss Arabella
Rinross, Albert
Ripling, Rudyard
Koch, Mrs. Mary
Rnowles, R. B. S.
Landa, Mrs. Gertrude
Lathbury, Miss Eva
Layard, G. S.
Le Blond, Mrs. Aubrey
Lechmere, Mrs. (Cecil
Haselwood)
Lee, The Rev. Albert
Lees, Robert James
Lennox, Lady William
Locke, W.
Lodge, Juliane de
Lowndes, Mrs. Belloc
J.
Louth, Alys
Lynn, Miss Eve
Machray, Robert
Mackellar, C. D.
MacLeod, G. Hamilton
Mann, Mrs. Mary E.
Marchmont, A. W.
Marks, Mrs. Mary A. M.
Marriott, Charles
Marsh, Charles Fielding
Marshall, Archibald
McChesney,
Greenwell
Miss Dora
McCraith, L. M.
Methley, Miss Alice A.
Miller, Miss E. T.
Miniken, Miss Bertha
M. M.
Moberley, Miss L. G.
Moore, Miss Leslie
Morrah, Herbert A.
Morrison, Arthur
Munro, Neil
Needham,
Raymond
Nesbit, E.
Noble, E.
Norris, W. E.
O'Donnell, Elliott
Oliphant, P. L.
Ollivant, Alfred
Ormsby-Johnson, Major
Frederick C.
Panting, J. Harwood
Parks, H. C.
Parr, Miss Olive Kath
arine
Paternoster,
G. Sidney
Paull, H. M.
Pemberton, Max
Penn, Rachel
Penny, Mrs. Frank
Phillimore, Mrs. C. E.
Phillipps-Wolley, Clive
Pickering, Sidney
Pollitt, Milton
Porritt, Norman
Prichard, Mrs. Hesketh
Prichard, H. Hesketh
Prowse, R. O.
Ralli, Constantine
Ramsden, Lady Gwen
dolen
Randall, F.
J.
Reid-Matheson,
E.
Reynolds, Mrs. Fred.
Rhys, Ernest
Richardson, Frank
Roberts, R. Ellis
Rose, Algernon
Rowland, Mrs. Jane
Rowsell, Miss Mary C.
Russell, Fox
Russell, G. Hansby
Mary
Sanford,
Miss
Bouchier
Schwartz, Herr van der
Poorten
Sedgwick, Anne Douglas
Shaw, G. Bernard
�THE AUTISIOR.
b
at
to
in
of
of
of
to
to
in
a
in of
in
by
to
of
as
a
of
on
a
on
at
of
a
to
in
of
in
in
of
he
of
all
of
of
of at
to
is
of
I
in
a
in
he
to
a
he
to
to
a
of
a
as
of
or
of
April
in
to
of
its an
to to
its
to
of
at
in
its
Thursday,
of
of
of
on
held
at
Dinner
its
Incorporated
the
commemorating
the
foundation,
was
29,
the Criterion
of
Annual
Authors,
Society
25th anniversary
its
YTY HE
ANNUAL DINNER.
0-6-0
to
THE
to
v-v-w
to
of
of
to
C.
P. J.
E.
W.
Lucas,
of
F.
Hyne,
Cutliffe
Relly, W.
Little, Mrs. Archibald
of
E.
E.
Hornung,
W.
Hyland, Miss M.
R.
Ridge, W. Pett
Smythe, Alfred
Thomas, Annie (Mrs.
Pender Cudlip)
Tweedale, Wiolet
Vance, Louis Joseph
Weaver, Mrs. Baillie
Willmore, Edward
of is
O.
Punshom,
the hill Difficulty,
came
turn
the hill,
pleasant arbour, when
pulled his
where was
reading therein
roll out
his bosom and fell
only right that we should pause,
his comfort.
quarter
century, and fall
after our climb
reading our roll.
When we look out from our
arbour half way
the hill Difficulty, we may see
ourselves,
the fashion
old Italian pictures,
we were
the year
our incorporation.
What
we see
little group
twelve
fifteen
men, full
literature,
zeal for the protection
fight against all
and we see them set forth
gryphons and dragons, under the generous
manner
leadership
our dear old friend and comrade
Walter Besant.
Mr. Gosse went on
refer
the
ridicule and opposition which the Society had
growth from sixty-eight members
lived down,
army
the close
its first year
two
prosperity,
thousand
the present day;
power for helping others and protecting itself;
and mentioned
this connection its indebtedness
secretary, Mr. Herbert Thring.
the energy
up
Gray, Maxwell
Greener, W.
Haes, Hubert
E.
F.
Miss
Montresor, Miss
Portman, Lionel
F.
L.
P.
A.
Montgomery,
K.
L.
A.
March, Miss
Mollwo
Marshall, Mrs. Agnes
Marchbank
Aitken, Robert
Cobb, Thomas
Cornford,
Cope
Crouch,
Drake, Maurice
It
at
of
its
in
a
6s.
Members who do not undertake to refrain from
publishing an edition of any novel first issued at the
yrice of
any time within two
cheap form
ſyears from the date
first publication
a
Todd, Miss Margaret,
M.D.
Tomlinson, Miss Ella
Tracy, Louis
in
J
Swan, Miss Myra
a
J.
Stanley
White, Miss Hester
White, Percy
Whiteing, Richard
Willcocks, Miss M. P.
Williamson, C. N.
Williamson, Mrs. C. N.
Williamson, W. H.
Willis-Swan, Miss W. M.
Wilson - Wilson,
Miss
Theodora
Wood, Frances Harriett
Yolland, Miss E.
Zangwill, Israel
Stayton, Frank
Stephens, Riccardo
Stevenson, Mrs. M. E.
Strae, S.
Stuart, Esmé
Sutcliffe, Halliwell
Swallow, The Rev. Henry
in
garet
Weyman,
0Cé
of a
J.
Snaith,
C.
Soan, The Rev. R. Y.
Spencer, Alfred
Stacpoole,
Miss Flor
of
Miss
Augusta A.
Walker, William S.
Watson, E. H. Lacon
Way, Miss Beatrice
Weekes, Miss R. K.
Westrup, Miss Mar
(Mrs. Maxwell Arm
field)
Smith, Miss Edith A.
Smith, W. H. Byron
After the healths
the King and
the Queen
and the Royal Family had been drunk with
enthusiasm, the chairman rose again
order
propose The Society.
After referring
the occasion, the first jubilee
anniversary
the history
the society,
Mr.
Gosse declared himself, although not like Queen
naturally born
fear,
Constance
creature
seriously alarmed
addressing
the task
body
professional people
subject intimately
connected with their profession a large and dis
tinguished body
authors,
authorship.
He
very old member
the
was able, however,
Society,
One
the very first,
share
the
pleasure and comfort felt
all
the favourable
situation
which they found themselves.
He
recalled the first meeting
the society
Mr.
Scoones's room, when they listened
the ardent
eloquence
Walter Besant, and little imagined
that his grain
mustard-seed would bourgeon
parts
and push forth branches into
the
Among those before him who
habitable globe.
had taken part
the foundation
the society
referred
Dr. Squire Sprigge (who presided
one
the tables).
Of the rise and growth
the
society Mr. Gosse proceeded
say: The thrilling,
the tremendous point
the fact itself, namely,
that after
laborious ascent of no fewer than
twenty-five years, the members
the society have
daresay you
reached
turn
the hill road.
Pilgrim's Progress,
remember,
that when
long while clambering up
Christian had been
as
An
nesley
Warty - Smith,
to
Constance
a
Sinclair, Miss May
Smedley,
Rives)
of
(Amelie
Tuite, Hugh
Wachell,
Horace
is in
Sieveking, J. Giberne
Silberrad, Miss Una L.
Restaurant,
about two hundred
members and
guests being present.
The chair was taken
Mr. EDMUND GOSSE, who,
the conclusion
the
dinner, proposed the usual loyal toasts.
of
Trelawny, Paul
Troubetzkoy, Princess
Walwyn,
-
EI. W.
of
Shepheard
to
242
�THE AUTHOR,
in
by
of
as
of
of
a
in
it
to
in
of
in
of
of
its
he
to
by
by
a
of
in
in
its
of
he
to
to
in
a
to
to
of
of
of it
be
he to
of
he
of
at
it
he
to
an
it
;
G.
by
of
to
he
a
of
in
in
in
a
an
in
a
of
at
in
it
of
it
be
to
no
a
of
as
as
as
in
to
in
as
in
to
to
it
a
it
as
new wine and new cheese, new furniture and new
history, were
good
the old.
But Mr. Maarten
Maartens, with
juster appreciation
the case
had taken
for granted that
the achievements
good
literature
the present time there was
promise
noble vintage for the future
had
any previous age.
been made
a
to
on
to
of
in
to
unkindly statement it
Occasions,
but
was
wounded the living, and quite possibly never
reached the ears
the dead.
But
was true,
nevertheless.
Literature always had been
any
bad way. The books that were written
depth and richness
time were never equal
association, and
certain indefinable quality that
everyone understood and
one could explain,
They never would
the books
the past.
until
of
in
of
as
at
no
in
of
your roaring
any popular
the wilderness than
shilling zoo. The speaker paid
personal tribute
English literature
reached him
Holland
being
from
the accompaniment
lament that literature was
present
bad way that the books that were
written to-day were not comparable
merit with
the books that were written
the past.
This
was an almost invariable
statement on such
it
he
all
as is
by
to
Maartens
observed that
that
there was
fact
dinner but only
speeches, Daniel himself proposing the King's ever
lasting health.
propose the
He himself was thus
health
the lions, some
whom had
roar
say, Well roared,
their own wilderness, with none
lion l
After all, however,
was better
do
indisposition
Replying
Literature,
the toast
Mr.
Wells said that perhaps for the first time
his life
had heard that toast proposed without
of
a It
;
so
to
he a it
to
of
in to
is
Mr.
occasion
was prevented
present.
bya at
it
;
it
of
to
be
speech,
H.
a
to
as
of
some men achieve
and some men
kindly and firmly thrust upon them.
have
was Talleyrand was
not ? who said that
might not
speech was allotted
man
that
Talleyrand was
say what
able
meant.'
one
the half-a-dozen fortunate persons
the
last century who are credited with
the clever
things they forgot
say.
He
the favoured
Sidney Smith
French personage
that time,
was the English one, and Saphir the German one.
Lucky indeed are the wits and authors whose
plagiarism
done for them
the rest
man
Referring
kind.
the old American jest
the relief of Daniel
the lion's den
the reflec
tion that he would have
make no after-dinner
of
a
of
of
by of
no
to
by
of
in
a
in of
in
to
J.
in
making
might bear.
would also recall the sad tidings
Recently
had brought him news
the death
paying
eloquent tribute
Swinburne
the
poet's memory,
observed that
should not
said that
Swinburne was no more.
In the
literary firmament,
any rate, the fixed star shines
Coupling the toast with the name
on.
Mr.
Wells,
proposed the toast
Literature
join the name
and The Drama.
He had hoped
regretted that
Mr. Henry Arthur Jones, but
information
had been received that Mr. Jones
G.
a
as
its
in
at
once sneered
its enemies
coterie
amateurs, included
membership
two
thousand the vast majority
the professional
quarter
authors
this country, and
century had had but two presidents: Tennyson
and George Meredith.
He asked them
con
clusion
drink
the health
the Society,
reply.
toast which
custom needed
The next toast, that
Iliterature and The
Drama, was proposed
Maarten Maartens
(Mr.
M. W. Van der Poorten-Schwartz),
who
expressing his distrust
his own powers
an
speech
orator, said:
Some men are born
in H.
of
by
to
all
much with the amount as with the principle of
law involved,
with the result that every case
fought successfully, every modification obtained in
a publisher's agreement, enabled
British authors
make better terms for themselves.
The society,
English
He hesitated
continue with
list
Holland, after the chairman's
Writers widely read
Turning again
foreign piracy.
reference
the
Village already mentioned
and
the topic
spoke
delight
The Drama,
theatrical
Society, saying,
You must come and see how
through the endless winter evenings
the quiet,
frost-bound, frost-bitten country these dull peasants,
theatre, find exist
Who are beyond the reach
ence brightened
and gladdened
their slow
learning and simple costuming, their little sacri
fices, their triumphant results.
He had spoken
brought
literature
him
the post;
at
an invitation from the Board of Trade Mr. Thring
was collecting
evidence to be laid before the
Departmental Committee on the results of the Berlin
International Copyright Convention, over which
Lord Gorell will preside.
The society took
cases through the Courts and, as in one instance,
to the House of Lords, not concerning itself. So
English literary
the shape
books forwarded
friends, referring
a link
love
letters
across the sea,
and describing
down
the
Village, the workboys, after
day's often weari
Some and unhealthy
labour the village boys,
Strange
language,
costume and uncouth
bending with sparkling eyes over the latest magic
possibility,
the latest world-wonder by Wells.
of
It was not a charitable society, nor a mere debt
institution, but a corporation of the
collecting
owners of literary copyright
in the kingdom,
strengthening and defending their rights through
out the world.
The pirate waved his raw-head and
bloody bones, but the society ran him down upon
the high seas in true British style.
At that
moment, he informed his hearers, in response to
243
�he
or
or
a
in
he
be
he
of
to
a
he
to
he
be
be
if
on
in
of
in
a in
so
to
a
of
to
of
a
to
as
so
or
in
to
he
on
on
a
in if
he
to
in
he
on
he
be
in
to a
of
at
of
of
of
a
of
It
to
on
to
a
on
of
as
to
in
of
on
be
of
to
in a
a
he
of
so he
as if
be
of
to
in no
of
in
of
by
as
of
on
at
or
introduction
prose and poetry.
members a gifted craftsman
greeted Kate Douglas Wiggin,
With real pleasure
member
well as,
that night, the guest
claiming for her,
such, the
the chairman.
full token
the society's respect, Mr. Hope dis
he
be
literature
Mr. Henry Newbolt needed
In
to
of
by
by
in
by
of
he
a
was producing
of
It
to
be It
no
he
a
as
of
of
in
to
certainty whether
in as
It
to
a
to
:
to
It
in to on
show their faith
spite
that,
writing
as
of
of
if
to
by
by
a
going
their calling
adapting themselves
making any alterations
the new conditions and
living that might
necessary.
their scale
peculiar class, creatures
Authors were
once
favoured and doomed.
No writer could tell with
have
I
of
of all
;
it
a
of
of
to
express thought with the completest
literature
freedom and frankness; the idea, that one heard
sometimes,
censorship
literature, was the
most foolish and mischievous imaginable.
was
not for those who had not thought and dared not
think
control the thought
those who did.
anyone had ever been really injured
was doubtful
bad book, unless the mischief was already
suppressions and timidities and secrecies
done
that made the victim morbidly susceptible
strange suggestions.
The way
counteract bad
print good Ones.
books was
Mr. Wells said he would also like to claim for
living wage.
literature something else
was
pro
extremely puzzling
see how this could
vided, and for his own part
had
scheme
offer.
seemed possible that hard times were
coming for writers, perhaps
consequence
the
great production
cheap literature, but they would
to
nothing less, said Mr. Wells, that he found
himself sustaining in that toast just as a page
boy might carry a crown and the symbol of the
empire of the world.
For his own part, he took
literature very seriously indeed.
It was the
greatest thing in life to him.
He would rather
leave a living book behind him than die rich or
honoured, and rather add a new vein of thought
to the nation's thinking than add a province to
her empire.
He claimed for literature, before
duty
things, freedom
was the fundamental
and
of it.
and
of
the broad
In
had reference to
a
it
a
as
fundamental things of life. But it was true that
some philosophy
was not literature.
Was it
science 2 Literature was informed with knowledge,
but there was indeed knowledge which had no claim
to be considered literature.
Literature consisted
of the whole written expression of a people that
was not simply either the reiteration
of things
already said, or bare records, or shallow insincerity.
It was the conscious thought of the community,
in
inasmuch
For his own part,
knew and
believed
spoke for the majority present that
that here
whatever happened
their fortunes
the future,
writing, and very largely
was going
was
Writing what
write,
going
wanted
hiding
necessary
pound
week,
jail for debt,
whatever circumstances might
long
paper and pens were
store for him,
provided.
stop
The only way
writer who had
Once really tasted ink and the sense
authentic
creation was
shoot him. That was the peculiar
position,
weakness
the author's economic
position that Mr. Thring and the society had,
nevertheless, done
improve.
much
proposing
Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins,
The
Guests, said that he had been
certain amount
difficulty
ascertaining who were the guests
the Society
that evening and who were its
members, and that
should praise anyone who
praised and leave out anybody who
should not
mentioned,
forgiven.
should
must ask
high
his peculiar position
must hold out
diplomatic welcome
the representative
the
Publishers' Association, and being quite unaccus
high diplomatic functions,
tomed
felt rather
like Sovereign addressing
brother potentate and
saying,
am very glad
see you.
Now come
This, however,
and see my army and fleet.
the
present time
day was
rather hard way
putting
was one
the fervent hopes
the
friendship
founder
the society that relations
would reign
the future between authors and
They were now getting nearer
publishers.
that
They had found many points
ideal.
which
they
could
act together; such points
were
increasing, and the cordiality
co-operation was
heightened through there being
both sides well
Organised body.
There were men and women
familiar with the issues and able
discuss them
way.
business-like
The extremists
both
sides had become
less account, and the business
upon lines
was the more likely
carried
justice and
harmony.
For these reasons, not less
than for what he had done for literature,
bade
hearty welcome.
Mr. Heinemann
As regards
great many
the other guests, his pleasure
welcoming them would only
greater
could
greet them
members, distinguished
many
them were
the fields
literature.
The society
Lady Dorothy
was honoured
the presence
Nevill, who, secure herself
immortal youth,
linked the present with the great men
the past.
of
there was literary art that was not literature.
Was it philosophy
All literature, Mr. Wells
contended, was formally or informally philosophy,
piffle.
a
Mr. Wells went on to say that when it was
conveyed to him that he was to speak upon the
subject of literature, his mind began at once to
run upon the question : What is literature ?
Was it art, for instance 2 It might perhaps be
called so, if one were willing to talk of uncon
scious art which was absurd ; but arts swam in
literature like waves and eddies in a flood, and
he
TFIE A Dr TFIOR.
244
�TFIE A CITISIOR.
it.
a
* Smith's Leading
Cases,
into
of
In
of
to
For on these occasions the men are chief sinners
I thank dear Edmund Gosse for the honour conferred
In letting me speak for the guests this brief word.
Lord Collins I thank for dividing the toast,
Especially when in himself he's a host.
And last, friends and authors, I'm glad to be here,
Not alone for the wit and the mirth and good cheer,
But because we are sounding the praises to-night
Of an art in whose service lies keenest delight.
a
>:
by
sk
to
X
an
-
to
Sk
These then, fellow scribes, are the thoughts of a guest
Who tacitly in her first sentence confessed
She hadn't a notion of speeches at dinners,
a
×
{
Trade, and
Board
this commencement
many years' standing.
their friendship
those
early days,
reminded the society, there were
working for the Board
Trade Mr. Gosse, Mr.
Cosmo Monkhouse, and Mr. Austin Dobson, all
distinguished since
literature, with the result
that the Board had become
most perfect depart
ment.
Mr. Gosse had now left the Board of Trade
Lords, and
for the House
the result
his
catalogue.
translation had given the Upper House
paying
He concluded
warm tribute
the
qualities
asking all
Mr. Edmund Gosse, and
join
drinking his health with
present
enthusiasm.
The company responded warmly
Sir Alfred
Bateman s invitation, and after Mr. Gosse had
adjoining
made
brief reply, adjourned
room, where the proceedings closed with coffee and
conversation.
as
Davidson's gone ; he was hopeless and sad :
now he's at peace we can only be glad
That the weariest river,' when once it flows free,
Finds somehow and somewhere its path to the sea.
Now from sorrow to gratitude blessings
are many,
Tho' up to this moment I ve not mentioned any
There's one splendid voice that is still ringing true,
One worthy to rank with the immortal few,
Old or young, he's as full as a reed is of pith,
George Meredith !
. Your president, God bless him
If
to
Poor John
of
I
a
I
in
I
of
>k
in
>k
I
he
×
>k
you know what I see as stand here the guest
Of the flower of London, its cleverest, best,
Its poets, its editors, novelists, sages
see you as you are, then as heirs of the ages
Your laurels are green, see others unfaded
Tho' centuries cold are the brows they once shaded,
See ghosts of immortals whose eloquent words
Made England a forest of rare singing birds ;
Magicians whose tales are still fresh to the ear,
They spoke, they still speak, and the world bends to hear.
own the same tongue, so I share in the glory
That makes Britain famous in Song and in story.
(We imperilled our heritage slightly, you ll say,
When we ventured from out your dominion to stray,
But not one Pilgrim sailed for his bleak Plymouth Rock
Till Shakespeare was born, so we're stock of his stock I)
×
>k
×
×
×
of
>k
Do
by
Replying first for the guests, Kate Douglas
Wiggin (Mrs. George Riggs, Litt.D.) made a speech
in verse, referring in a humorous vein to literary
incidents and personalities of the day, and con
taining the following passages:
of
but he had more definite qualifications.
his earlier days, he (Mr. Hope
Hawkins)
became acquainted with two ponderous tomes
bearing Lord Collins' name on their title pages,
and from his recollection
of their contents, he
wentured to say that Lord Collins was as glad to
have finished with them as he himself.
In
of
author,
Lord Collins, following Kate Douglas Wiggin,
declared his enjoyment
of the advantage, shared
that evening by no previous respondents, of being
a junior.
It was well known that the province of
a leader in the law courts was to say all that
needed no research, and to leave his junior to fill
in the details.
His leader had, however, adopted
course, taking the whole
a different
burden
of the case, and he was grateful that at least
it was not obligatory upon him to say ditto
in an extempore poem.
Most men, especially
professional
men, ended by obliterating
from
their
constitutions
all that belonged to the
domain
of imagination,
and by reducing
to
complete inertness
the most
brilliant faculty
upon mankind.
bestowed by Providence
There
authors came in and preserved that which other
wise would become extinct in a generation or two.
Among authors, he observed, a new disease had
recently sprung up ; it was called
telepathy,
a
different name from the old days when it was
known by the simpler title of plagiarism.
There
seemed now to be an epidemic of this telepathy, so
that people who otherwise would incur penalties
for appropriating
the work of others, had only to
get their nerves into a condition
to be permeated
with the ideas of others in order to evade all
consequences. This appeared to him to be a new
and formidable difficulty with which authors had
now to contend, and he hoped that they would be
able to find some means of meeting
conclusion, Sir Alfred Bateman proposed the
health
the chairman, referring
his first acquaint
ance with Mr. Edmund Gosse
the office of the
to of
judgment in his own favour.
As Master of the
Rolls, Lord Collins might well be claimed as an
Talk of angels
Poor angels, they play and they sing,
But never a quill do they pluck from a wing !
They ve only their harps; no paper, no ink,
I d rather be author than angel, I think
I m nearly submerged in a crowd of my betters,
But proud to be known as a woman of letters ''
In
claimed any reflection upon Lord Collins.
He
could well understand that if Lord Collins were a
member of the society he might, as occupant of a
high judicial office, soon find himself sitting in
judgment on himself.
The society were incorri
gible litigants, and as they always had an unanswer
able case he would feel himself obliged to give
245
�A UITISIOR.
TISIES
246
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.
e
obtained.
But the transaction should be managed by a
competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of
the Society.
º-0
member has a right to ask for and to receive
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his
business or the administration
of his property.
The
Secretary of the Society is a solicitor; but if there is any
special reason the Secretary will refer the case to the
Further, the Committee, if they
Solicitors of the Society.
deem it desirable, will obtain counsel's opinion
without
any cost to the member.
Moreover, where counsel's
opinion is favourable, and the sanction of the Committee
is obtained, action will be taken on behalf of the aggrieved
member, and all costs borne by the Society,
VERY
1.
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright
and publishers' agreements do not fall within the experi
Therefore, do not scruple to use
ence of ordinary solicitors.
the Society.
3. Before signing any agreement whatever,
the document to the Society for examination.
send
4. Remember always that in belonging to the Society
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you
are reaping no direct benefit to yourself, and that you are
advancing the best interests of your calling in promoting
the independence of the writer, the dramatist, the composer.
5. The Committee have arranged for the reception of
members' agreements and their preservation
in a fire
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as
confidential
documents to be read only by the Secretary,
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:
(1) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action
upon them.
(2) To keep agreements.
(3) To enforce
payments due according to agreements.
Fuller particu
lars of the Society's Work can be obtained in the
Prospectus.
6. No contract should be entered into with a literary
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful
consideration
the contracts with publishers submitted to
them by literary agents, and are recommended to submit
them for interpretation and explanation to the Secretary
of the Society.
This
7. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements.
The
must be done within fourteen days of first execution.
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.
8. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from
to the Secretary of the Society; so
do some publishers.
Members can make their own
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of
agreement).
In this case the following rules should be attended to :
(1) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.
(2) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise
ments.
Therefore keep control of the advertisements.
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for office expenses,
unless the same allowance is made to the author.
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continenta}
rights.
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or
doctor |
III.
The Royalty System.
This, is perhaps, with certain limitations, the best form
of agreement.
It is above all things necessary to know
what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now
possible for an author to ascertain
approximately
the
truth. From time to time very important figures connected
royalties
published
with
are
in The Author.
IV. A Commission Agreement.
The main points are :
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.
General.
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four
above mentioned.
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.
Never sign any agreement without competent
advice from
the Secretary of the Society.
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.
The main points which the Society has always demanded
from the outset are:
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement
In ea.InS.
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong
to the author.
We are advised that this is a right, in the
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or
withheld.
(3.) Always avoid a transfer
referring matters
deductions and act accordingly.
subscription to the Society is £1 1s.
annum, or £10 10s. for life membership.
per
9. The
ERE
are a few standing rules to be observed in an
agreement.
There are four methods of dealing
This is sometimes Satisfactory,
AUTHORS,
sign an agreement without submitting it to the
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com
petent legal authority.
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for
the production of a play with anyone except an established
.
manager.
-
TO THE PRODUCERS
OF BOOKS,
with literary property:
Selling it Outright.
º-º-º
EVER
e-O-0
I.
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC
-
º
w-v-w
WARNINGS
of copyright.
*w º-v-wa
if
-
a proper
price can be
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for plays
in three or more acts:
(a.) Sale outright of the performing right.
This
is unsatisfactory.
An author who enters into
such a contract should stipulate in the contract
for production of the piece by a certain date
and for proper publication of his name on the
play-bills.
�THE A LITHOR,
in
to
a
is
of
it
of
a
if
of
it
be
a
is
to
to
of
to
e
no
º-e
REMITTANCES,
All
give notice
post.
return
London and
Union
registered
by
sent
remittances should be crossed
Lane,
Smith's Bank, Chancery
letter only.
of
by
of
the Society begs
The Secretary
all remittances are acknowledged
that
to
CENARIOS, typewritten
in duplicate on foolscap paper
forwarded to the offices of the Society, together with
a registration fee of two shillings and sixpence, will
be carefully compared by the Secretary or a qualified assis
One copy will be stamped and returned to the author
tant.
Copies
and the other filed in the register of the Society.
of the scenario, thus filed may be obtained at any time by
the author only at a small charge to cover cost of typing.
is
of
accepted.
of
SCENARIOS.
be
OF
º-º-º
be
REGISTRATION
in
of
as of
a
Communications and letters are invited by the
Editor on all literary matters treated from the stand
business, but
point
other subjects whatever.
art
Every effort will
return articles which cannot
made
of
~~
remind members
The Author begs
them
sent
the Society that, although the paper
producing
charge, the cost
would
free
great
very heavy charge on the resources
the Society
many members did not forward
the Secretary the modest
5s. 6d. Subscription for the year.
Communications for The Author should be addressed
the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's
the Offices
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor not later than the
21st of each month.
or
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete, on
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con
tracts, those authors desirous of further information
are referred to the Secretary of the Society.
HE Editor
on
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.
THE AUTHOR.
º-º-º
of
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.
greatly assist the Society
this
its work by informing young writers
branch
Their MSS. can be read and
its existence.
composition
The term
coach.
treated by
treated
fiction, but poetry
MSS. includes not only works
possible, under
and dramatic Works, and when
The
Special arrangement, technical and scientific works.
experience.
competence and
The
Readers are writers
guinea.
one
fee
º *
*
w-r-w
EMBERS will
is
be carefully
should
for collaboration
9. Agreements
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.
º-º-º
T
consideration.
BRANCH,
THE READING
to
8. Never forget that United States rights may be exceed
They should never be included in English
ingly valuable.
agreements without the author obtaining
a substantial
of
is
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.
or
The Society undertakes to stamp copies of music on
part
6d. per 100
members for the fee
behalf of
the Society's
The members stamps are kept
100.
safe. The musical publishers communicate direct with the
the
Secretary, and the voucher
then forwarded
members, who are thus saved much unnecessary trouble.
to
rights, but
6. Authors should not assign performing
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction
º-º-º
of
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and
This is most important.
time.
MUSIC.
STAMPING
be
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.
its
other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply
also in this case.
It
of
(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
0 42-e
can be added to the warnings given for the
dramatic
of books and
assistance of producers
must, however, be pointed out that, as
authors.
& rule, the musical publisher demands from the musical
C9mposer a transfer of fuller rights and less liberal finan
cial terms than those obtained for literary and dramatic
Property. , The musical composer has very often the two
He
rights to deal with performing right and copyright.
should be especially careful therefore when entering into
particular
consideration
an agreement, and should take into
the warnings stated above.
ITTLE
or
vary between
Percentages
gross receipts.
5
An author should obtain a
and 15 per cent.
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts
in preference to the American system. Should
A fixed
obtain a sum in advance of percentages.
should - be
date on or before which the play
performed.
COMPOSERS,
TO MUSICAL
WARNINGS
of
of performing right or of a licence to
perform on the basis of percentages on
(b.) Sale
247
�1881.071,
O
By 1cind permi
ºf the Daily Mail.
GEORGE MEREDITH,
1828 1909.
O.M.
�A UTISM OR.
TISIES
a
it
by
its
of
in its
to
all
of
on
as
of
of
to
of
by
in
of
an
to
21,
On
to of
of
to
at
by
in
on
of
A. we
E.
of
Mr. Meredith's
The funeral was attended
the
intimate friends, including several members
may mention
Authors, among whom
Society
Hope Hawkins,
Barrie,
W. Mason,
Clifford,
Hall Caine, Charles Garvice, Mrs. W.
and Miss May Sinclair.
12 noon on
memorial service was held
Abbey.
Saturday, the 22nd,
The
Westminster
the Society
members
north transept, allotted
Authors, was very nearly full.
Amongst those present were the following
the society),
Hewlett (chairman
Maurice
William Archer, Alfred Austin, Mackenzie Bell,
Benson, Hall Caine,
W.
Lewis Benjamin,
Clifford,
Comyns Carr, Egerton Castle, Mrs. W.
Edward Clodd, James Douglas, Sir Arthur Conan
Esmond,
Doyle, Walter Emanuel,
Mrs.
Graves, Francis
Frankau, Edmund Gosse,
Gribble, Lady Grove, Anstev Guthrie,
Rider
Haggard, Thomas Hardy, E.W. Hornung, Laurence
Housman, Miss Violet Hunt, Henry James, Rud
Locke, Mrs.
yard Kipling, Robb Lawson, W.
Belloc Lowndes, Lady Lugard, Sir Alfred Lyall,
at
K.
A.
in
to
of
:
J.
of
Edward Morton,
A.
J.
H.
P. W.
A. H.
K.
C.
A.
Fuller Maitland,
W.
Pinero,
Ernest Rhys, Frank
Richard Pryce,
Richardson, Mrs. George Christopher Riggs, Owen
Seaman, Miss May Sinclair, Keighley Snowden,
Alfred Sutro, Mrs. Thurston, John Todhunter,
Mrs. Alec. Tweedie, Humphry Ward (representing
Mrs. Humphry Ward), Percy White, Richard
Yoxall, M.P., Israel Zangwill.
Whiteing,
Many other distinguished ladies and gentlemen
H.
to
pay the last honour
were also present ready
We may mention the Prime
the great author.
to
at in
in
he
he
of
kind enough
been
his work, which we print
Friday, May
Mr. George
the remains
Woking and
Meredith were taken from Dorking
the family alone were
Cremated. The members
present
The urn containing
the sad ceremony.
Dorking, and
the ashes was then re-conveyed
Dorking *
the day following was interred
Cemetery.
J.
a
by
of
of
to
of
of
of
in
he
its
whom showed their sincere
work. Ever since Mr. Meredith
has been most active
held the position
publicly and privately, the
supporting,
both
Manage
various efforts which the Committee
He
members.
ment have taken for the body
the pension
the first contributors
was one
the
On the many points put before him
fund.
Management his interest and co
Committee
operation was
The Society
the greatest value.
must deeply regret that Mr. Meredith's health
these later years prevented him from being present
many
would gladly have
those meetings which
attended, and with which
was
full sympathy.
appreciation
THE FUNERAL.
A.
of
is
of
as
to
to
he
It
in
in
he
of
of
he
of
of
to
as is,
It is impossible, and it
service in the Abbey.
would be unseemly, to discuss the reasons that
may have prompted this decision, for we feel that
our late president, through his works and by his
life, needs no further honour to add to the glory
Mr. Meredith s connection with
of his position.
some extent, distincte from
the Society
fiction
the greatest writer
his position
Though
was not
the late Victorian period.
the society, which
the original members
one
joined the union
1884,
his
was founded
1885, and was immediately
brother authors
On the death of Lord
elected on the council.
Tennyson
was nominated president.
great honour
have had two such
the society
presidents
Lord Tennyson and Mr. George
Write
below.
M.
evident that the formal application by a body of
2,000 authors might be insufficient to bring about
the desired result, support was asked from other
The formal application of the society
Quarters.
and the personal application of a large number of
the Society's most important members and the
weight of the public Press was only sufficient to
obtain the sanction of the Dean to a memorial
Meredith, O.M.
Miss May Sinclair has
J.
father in Westminster Abbey, Mr. Maurice Hew
lett (the chairman of the society) gave authority
that no stone should be left unturned to obtain
this object, both as an honour to the late president
and as an honour to English literature. Application
was at once made to the Dean, and when it became
the members
behalf
We desire
express
the family the deepest sympathy with
them,
the loss that they and the country have
our president, George
the death
sistained
A
because they have looked upon Mr. Meredith not
only as a writer of the grandest English fiction,
but as the father of their profession.
As soon as it was ascertained at the offices of
the society that the family of Mr. Meredith had
no opposition to raise to the interment of their
of
those who love the glory of English
literature must have heard with the deepest
regret of the death of Mr. George Mere
dith, O.M., but to members of the society the
knowledge
must have come with special force,
J.
LL
Meredith, both
sympathy with
During the present year the society has lost
good many
oldest members and warmest
supporters, but
more sym
lost
none has
president.
pathetic friend than
When the
the King,
Merit was established
Qrder
the first
one
Mr. Meredith was chosen
members.
a
GEORGE MEREDITH, O.M.
249
�in
the Crossways,
the real, and
he
Diana
prophet
proclaimed
the same
at
himself
of of
chapter
a
as
a
a
of It
:
of
of
in
as
a
as
a
is
:
its is
of
it
it
to
to
all
of
all
of
to
as its
of
of
it
in
to
in
he
a
it
on
he
of
to
it
of
of
a a
of
of
a
in
by
by
it
to
an
to
the tainted sentimental
led
To not
real.
Nature, though she
Trust yourselves
lure.
For,
your sentiment.
the
make havoc
discerned the fiery spiritual
Nature
heart
pulse, through and beyond Nature the purifying
escapes his captors who
Thus
liberated flame.
pure paganism.
Would hold him
at
he
he
Nature and spirit, and the return
The unity
spirit through Nature,
Meredith s philosophy
He found his generation sickly, and for the cure
of
is
a to
be
to
Imagine,
that fear.
having
said,
the celestial refreshment
sham, real flesh,
pure decency
the place
wind-beaten,
but ascending.
Soul born active,
Honourable will fiction then appear; honourable,
live, quick with our blood.
life,
aid
fount
you love it and you
Why, when you behold
will not encourage it or only when presented
dead hands 2"
Follow the
his generation was,
His message
Meredith knew nothing
be to
a
all
all
sincerity and fear
Meredith
stood nearest
shams Thackeray was
lessness, and hatred
afraid, and put
was afraid,
record that
his
He said
man.
tell the truth about
Pendennis, and
preface
laid his cowardice
the society who had brought
the account
this pass.
fiction
of
he
shams and
the mother
He saw
mire.
hypocrisies,
illusions.
monstrous
the nurse
Thackeray, the greatest novelist
his time, who
to
of
on
a
to
he
the
very
of
of
to
he
is
of
to
of
in
cowards.
spiritual corruption.
fineness the subtlest source
He knew that sentiment early Victorian senti
height, topples over into the
ment piled
to
is
of
he
a
by
a
of
a
is
us he
of
or
a
of a to
to
*
the United States.
and not conscience that makes novelists
He recognised sentimentalism for what
sensualism,
and through
fine flower
to
of
a
in
byof
to
be
no
in
he
a
or
do
a
is
Copyright
sº
deliver the English novel from that degrada
sentiment
see that
He was the first
of
a
he
of
of
a
to
he
he to
of
of
it.
it
reproducing
insisted
was literature that
deny that
was either
and not life. Some
great poet.
great novelist
for
novelists are
The younger generation
few young
conscientious realism, and we have
critics who are conscientious too. And Meredith
peculiarly baffling
their
He eludes
these.
attempts
He seems
catch and label him.
considerable piety and now
realist
them now
Already,
the kind they most abhor.
romantic
place him.
before his death, they were trying
They are painfully anxious, elaborately careful
place him wrong.
refuses
And
not
placed.
tion.
of
it,
as
young
time, and he has died before
laboured,
For fifty-five years
man dies.
bringing forth the long and splendid procession
Richard
The Ordeal
his masterpieces, from
Feverel,
absolute and incomparable
novel
greatness,
The Amazing Marriage, which
lesser man.
would alone have proved greatness
He
has not yet come into his own.
And
literature,
king
the kings and the great lords
reign
way
the voice
said
can
but
long period
After
the Sovran people.
obscurity
has passed into the eternal possession
But, although
dreadful fate
the few.
the cultured who are
time the prey
became for
people
fairly numerous, the great heavy mass
think they read, cannot stand Meredith.
who read,
And to-day, among the cultured and the critical
reaction against him.
read him, there
who
Nobody doubts his greatness, nor the divinity
Nobody dares suggest that
did not produce
complain that
great literature: the tendency
first
to
before his
was born
he
EORGE MEREDITH
to
SINCLAIR.
to
BY MAY
of
GEORGE MEREDITH.*
as
It of
of
a
be
to
is
-
it
as
by
it
as
a
of
he
of
as
us
that our realists were our castigators
time told
for not having yet embraced philosophy.
actual
the summary
He defined fiction
life, the within and the without
was
us.
fiction, that
novelist,
came forward
Writer
novelist that they
for judgment, and
philosopher
arraign him to-day, allowing him
and, perhaps,
his teeth,
the skin
were
poet.
philoso
Now,
measure his greatness, not
novelist, we must
poet, but
pher, nor yet
the
the novelist
remember the position
He found himself between the
Victorian age.
sentiment
realism and the deep sea
devil
distorted his whole attitude
horrible position.
Meredith was the
the real.
life and his view
to
and
which was sung by the whole congregation,
Chopin's Funeral March
after the Benediction
in B flat minor was played all the congregation
standing till the last notes of the organ had died
away.
He did away with their preposterous labels once
twenty-three years ago when,
the first
for
all
Minister, Sir Philip Burne-Jones, Miss Ellen Terry,
Tree,
Sir Squire Bancroft, Forbes Beerbohm
Robertson, and Holman Hunt.
It opened
The service was most impressive.
with Beethoven's Funeral March from the Sonata
in A flat, followed by the 51st Psalm.
Then followed other psalms and prayers chosen
for the occasion. The service closed with Watts'
O God, our Help in ages past,
beautiful hymn,
OF.
CITES
a of
A
a
TISIES
250
a
-Eºº-º-º-m
�he
as
to
in
of
in
at
of
of
it
of
a
is
it
is
or
in is
at
do
at
is
it.
in
;
it
as
of
if is
his
of
to
It
is
of
is
in
a
on
of
of
is
all
be
l
of
is
It
in
is
is
of
is
is
of
in
of
is
it
he
in or
is
It
of
of
its
it
is is
It
to
in
is
It
is
it
It
or
he he of
of
of
by
or
of
at
be
is
It
It
a
by
or
in of
of
in
of
a
of
of
an
he
of
in
it.
he
be
a
be
to a
if
a
at
of
it of
a
destroys
never
the
illusion
actuality that
the illusion
tampers with.
may
conceded
once that
very keen sense
had not
the actual
local
atmosphereandsurroundings.
His characters appear
surrounded only
the cosmic spaces.
He
does not present them circumscribed
any
parochial
urban
suburban boundary.
He
seldom
ever paints
interior.
His scenic
effects we remember best are always
the open
air.
At the same time
profound sense
has
the bonds, restrictions, distinctions
society and
race and class.
For these things work
the flesh
and blood
they are part
man
the drama
his soul.
That
what Meredith shows us
Meredith
reality.
a
all
is
a
is
it is
a
at
he
is
is a
we
It
of
temperament,
vice
sorts
exuberance
and eccentricity.
tires us, and
annoys us,
too; for
feel that there
certain truth
But we are also told that
great novelist,
not
all, for the simple reason that
not novelist
poet. And that
interesting.
poet,
To
would seem,
even more disastrous than
philosopher.
For, after all, Meredith's philosophy
embraced the real.
But his poetry, they tell us,
spoils
Because, you see, his lyrical
that.
to
he
be
to
if
to
it,
he
all
by
is
by
a
all
by
an
a
to
if
I
is,
be
a
of
a
a
things
great
great psychologist,
dramatist and
was not
always
straightforward teller
his tale. And
those two things
great
take
novelist, even
man happens
have
the
irritating philosophy.
same time
Other and more serious charges have been
brought against him
our cautious and yet
irritable young men. We are
hearing
tired
that Meredith
obscure, that
sins by excess,
to
or
it
its
at
It
is
is
of
it
all
and
be
of
of
Richmond,
or
it
a
of
do
it
at
to
by
Harry
Evan Harrington,
Beauchamp's Career.
For Meredith was before
part
his art, his very perfect art.
And
the same with the
Comic Spirit.
The Comic Spirit
not Meredith.
the Spirit
immanent
the world, and akin
Mr. Hardy's
immortal Ironies.
part-creative.
Even
The Egoist, where
rampant,
play
not
play
the
the author intoxicated by his own wit,
13.aking merry over the behaviour
Sir Willoughby
Patterne.
not doing anything over
about
around Sir Willoughby.
really
him,
though
knows
not.
The Comic Spirit
an
aspect
the cosmic reality
which Sir Willoughby
has his being.
For the essence
Sir Willoughby
absurd, and the Comic Spirit, exposing
his
absurdity,
the revealer
the eternal verity
in him.
:
at
to
on
of
is in in
in
it
any
come across
the intenser psychological
moments,
any
the great dramatic scenes,
any
his inspired passages.
height
Diana and The Egoist, but even there
confined
the prologue and the interludes.
Except
way
comment,
almost entirely
absent from Richard Feverel,
Rhoda Fleming,
Lucy, my beloved
Oh, Richard
is
as
a
is
to
it
an it
as
as
a
no
intellect.
Now our conscientious young critics have
quarrel with Meredith's philosophy
philosophy.
that,
Their contention
novelist, he had no
right
have any philosophy
all. They resent
an unwarrantable interference with his drama,
irritating interruption
They
his story.
attack
artistic grounds, and because
they persuade themselves that
Meredith was not
great novelist.
Which only proves that they have
forgotten their Meredith. ...Nobody who
reads his
novels with any care will find his philosophy
intruding where
can
harm.
You will not
so
of
to
of
no
by
to
the cold idea, who say
the universal human
means universal human
of
a
of
at
he
so a
inaccessible exponents
that his appeal, was not
heart but
the
express his own emotions, and not
the
characters, and this
emotions
why
fails
produce the illusion
reality.
sounds plausible
looks
there might
be
certain amount of truth
But that
only
first sight.
Meredith's lyric passages are
there precisely because they
express
nothing
else could
the emotion of his characters.
For
emotion,
its climax,
powerless
express
anything. Lucy
itself
love, Richard
love,
are dumb, but all heaven
sounding
through
them, and
that sound
all heaven which
prose gives us.
Meredith s
True, his method
destroys the spectacular illusion for
moment, but
may preserve the illusion
does
that
emotion,
passion,
reality
its highest
intensity.
Compare him with Dickens
this
matter
Dickens, working himself up
emotion.
into blank verse over the death
little Nell,
Dickens feeling something about little Nell and
trying
express his feeling.
But Meredith
his
Penny Whistle
Diversion Played
rendering the song
the souls
Richard and
Lucy. They, poor dears, can only say:
passages
to
of
be
no
in.
in
is to
to
an
he
of
up
is
in
of
to
in
did not mean/anything abstract,
anything
the least metapºsical, anything really
incomprehensible
letters, the man
Quraíbiter
Mgredith s philosophy
the street.
brain
stuff, thought tha; makes
half
the fabric
Idéa,
the world.
said,
is vital.
He was
idealist only
Brains,
that extent.
any
good, mºtist have blood
them, and that
where
the heart comes
writer, had
No man,
greater and
fierier heart
the service
his
again
brain.
And
escapes the grasp
those
who would place him among the unhumanised,
251
a
By
prescribedſº
he
sickliness
philosophy
it
he
its
A UTISIOR.
�.
.
of
to
.
)
s.
to
Oras
a
a
he
as
of
of
at
as
;
in
be
is
in
or
in
or
in
to
is
in
of
is
in
of
to
as
of
as
an
of
so
he
is
of
of
all
of
all
is
to
of
in
of
of
.
of
to
to
it,
he
it,
to
he
her immanent deity.
his genius
His poems sprang from this joy
Nature,
all the robust and splendid
adoration
energies
Our young critics, more con
life.
they approach this divinest
Scientious than ever
as
be
of
to
to
or In
a
if
he
or
a
of
is
is
in
be
Is
it
he
2
of
of
is
Clare
joy,
the sanities
austerity,
the mother
The natural love of men and
and sanctities.
all things the sanest and most
him
women was
not their subservience
sacred. Their tragedy
Nature, but their falling from her, their sins against
to
is
in
no
a
to
of
in
so
in is
or
than
is
of
;
of
to
he
as
It
restless intellect obscures the
the possession
working
The modern
the large tragic passions.
such full, above all,
such women.
full
world
have discovered the
And Meredith claimed
her tragedy
both philosophy
are philosophers, both poets, and
temperament.
like their poetry, the result
make for the
bound
Mr. Hardy's genius
simpler and the larger tragedy, seeing that
many
regards the lives
men and women
Nature,
the eternal, insatiable lust
sacrifices
the playthings
and they themselves
implacably ironic Destiny.
Meredith, Nature, for all her darkness and
But
of its
of
in
to
so
is
It
an is.
he
is
it
is
it
any comparison must
futile,
between two
their separate territories.
masters equally supreme
raises interesting questions: Are their
But
separate
true that
territories, after all,
Meredith did not understand elemental men and
certainly true that
wrote mostly
women
education,
whom either breeding,
about people
;
is
to
to
an
of
in
to
is
a
of
of
As for the everlasting comparison with Mr. Hardy,
it
In
of
a
in
in
be
to
of
is
in
it
is
of
and Tartuffe for ever Tartuffe.
say,
the omniscient
the eyes
Mr. Henry James, Sir Willoughby Patterne would
manifestly and invariably the
not perhaps appear
equally true that
real fife
egoist
egoist
will
will believe and
man
feel remarkably like Sir Willoughby Patterne.
And our critics have forgotten Clara Middleton,
Cecilia, and all the irrelevancies and inconsistencies
the divine Diana. Mr. Henry James would
the first to take off his hat to them.
misanthrope,
real life, that
not more elemental
even poor Juley
Dahlia Fleming
Doria Forey
Yeo
And Thomas
Evan Harrington.
bright
not more divinely simple than Lucy
Feverel, nor
Rhoda Fleming less captivating
her moral beauty than Marty South. For the rest,
Hardy's women and Meredith's women are sisters
under their skin.
place Hardy and Meredith
Still,
inevitable
side, for they are the last
our great
side
many ways they are akin.
Both
novelists, and
by
in
it
is
all
to
he to
is
he
If
is,
he
is
a
us
he
l
was nothing but one thing.
strange criticism
man who knew
This
reproduce the very
more than any other how
What justice
the soul.
accent and gesture
applies only
There
The Egoist.
there
the artificial
Meredith comes perilously near
always
comedy
Molière where the misanthrope
Emmy" and Sir Lukin, Jenny Denham
even
our critics
not extraordinary
Nevil Beauchamp
extended indefinitely.
and the list could
sense
As for the elemental and the simple people, Tess
to
is
it
of
if
or
as
of
it
character, and thus
passion, the dominant note
gives
the rich, intricate
bare types, instead
inconsistencies, the splendid irrelevancies
web
real
and surprises which make up individuality
an
life. Sir Willoughby Patterne, for instance,
egoist and
man ever
egoist and nothing but
to
in
us
all
is
to
not goddesses, all women six feet high.
Mr.
this, they tell us, his art
that
inferior
Hardy.
should have
desired immortality
simple way.
He
written about simple people
should have chosen for his tragedies the elemental
He should
passions, and treated them elementally.
short, like Mr. Hardy.
have written,
On the other hand we also hear that, setting out
subtle, he
not half subtle
he does
produce the perfect illusion
enough.
He should,
reality, have written more like Mr. Henry James.
the master
the fallacy
victim
As
and chivalry, Thackeray who owned himself afraid
man, did not know
tell the truth about
woman.
knew the truth about
Meredith
perhaps
and was still more afraid.
knew
Meredith knew the truth and the whole truth, and
give the leading role
dared
tell
dared
large-hearted women
his
those large-brained,
Diana and Clara, and Ottila and Cecilie Halkett,
and Rose Jocelyn, Aminta and Carinthia Jane.
Charlotte Brontë's Shirley, and the great women
George Eliot Maggie Tulliver, Dorothea Brooke
They
and Dinah Morris are small beside them.
are modern women, and we cannot complain
abnormal, for modern women are
their stature
often six feet high.
These are his extraordinary women. But when
could draw very ordinary women, and men
chose
Look
too, and drew them
the masters draw.
Ripton Thompson, Algernon Blancous, Mrs. Lovell,
is
English social and
the Victorian age.
not Meredith s method
that
wrong. Art, they sav,
concerned
only that
pass),
only with the average, the normal (let
extraordinary people
an
and Meredith wrote
believe, applies
This, we are
extraordinary way.
goddesses,
especially
his women. They are
in
reproductions
masterly
provincial life
But they tell
with the fires
modern woman, animated
see that
positive brain-stuff.'
He was the first
his time was
the sentimentalism \{again
degradation
its women,
Even Thackeray, with his exceeding tenderness
is,
of
all
Rhoda Fleming, in Beauchamp's Career, in
Harry Richmond, and in Evan Harrington,
of
A [ſ'ſ
TRIES
252
�i
7
#
THE AUTHOR.
side of him, have suggested that his philosophy
They cite
spoils his poems as it spoils his novels.
The Reading of Earth and The Woods of
Westermain.
To be sure in
his great Nature
poems there are aisles and dells
darkness, inter
minable secret mazes, lost ways
The Questions
traversing the Enchanted Woods.
Yet every way
*:
l
of
w
to
so
is
of
is
in
to
is
in
in
in
in
he
in
of
is
is
to
in
all
of of
of
of
in
is
he
;
is
in
be is
It
to
in
2
of
of
of
a
as
by
be
or
as
he by
of
by
dear,
to of
:
it
Touched Thee, and we touch
adored, abhorred,
Dark
is
;
!
to
of
he
so
is
or
its
in
of
judging the terrible and poignant
would dream
tragedy
fragments from the
Richard Feverel
pilgrim's scrip
Who
sees Diana keeping
kneeling
her watch
her dead friend,
the
Crossways House, will
hearth
unchivalrous
enough
remember her
woman who attempted
of
of
be
If
a
a
in of
of
is
:
Well, there
Fielding,
Scott,
much
Thackeray
which
intolerable.
And yet they
spite
live.
We still read Fielding,
his per
petual digressions and the essays with which
spite
dislocates his chapters.
We read Scott
descriptive
passages;
his interminable
and
Thackeray
spite
his digressions, and
his
places
mortal tendency
moralise
his
only reasonable
suppose that
narrative.
spite
everything, even
Meredith will
read
his obscurity.
For nothing can kill the novelist
the novelist
there
and
all Meredith s
supreme.
novels the novelist
Who when
thinks
The Egoist" really remembers anything
but the sublime performances
Sir Willoughby
Patterne
the ways
Clara Middleton
Who
of
of
of
in
of
of
it
to
of
had written nothing else, that one poem
enough
ensure his immortality.
And some
the younger generation, which
cautious, are wondering
conscientious and
Posterity, they think,
whether Meredith will live.
hardly likely
tolerate what his contemporaries
him, they say,
cannot endure.
There
much
which
intolerable.
would
if of
so
of
is
of
in of
is
:::
!
of
''
of
of
of
a is
a
downwards
This that killed Thee, kissed Thee, Lord
it
on
of
of
a
in
It
a
in
is
The Nuptials
of
hammer
by
of
a
of
Attila, where
tumult and in
torrent like the hosts
the armoured Huns,
poem barbaric, superb, resonant with the clamour
IXing Harald's Trance,
battle.
There
grim and terrible simplicity. And
masterpiece
Theodolinda, that supreme
there
The Song
hymn
martyrdom,
the passion
divine
ecstasy
torture,
ecstasy.
torture perishing
passages
The most perfervid
Crashaw's
Hymn
Saint Teresa are cold beside Meredith's
Every
fire.
And the art
transcendent.
line glows with furnace heat, and beats
terrible assonances, with
the strokes
the
verse rushes
>k
a
of
I
in
liquid
lucid,
He wrote Love
the Walley, and that pro
foundest, subtlest, most concentrated
human
tragedies,
Modern Love.
There are lines there
that gleam and cut like steel, dividing the intricate
web
soul and body.
the dissection
heart
lacerating
psychology
nerves and brain-cells,
masquerading
procession
linked quatrains.
delicately analytic,
Yet the same genius,
brought forth with
stupendous and Titanic
Tragic Life.
energy the Ballads and Poems
the
Never for the chosen peace
Know,
me tormented know,
Never shall the wrestling cease
Till with our outlasting Foe
Red of heat to white of heat
Roll we
the Godhead's feet
Beat, beat White
heat,
heat, beat, beat
Red
and
The
Shrill, irreflective, unrestrained,
Rapt, ringing, on the jet sustained
Without break, without fall,
Sweet-silvery, sheer lyrical.
Among these
>}.
to
great desire,
Give me wings
Lest
look within and fail
heat, the furnace light,
Red
heat, fix
my sight.
White
Meredith wrote
continuous,
that
rapture:
it
of
>{<
of
of
of
to
of
song
of
in in
in
I
on
as
:
Rindle me
constant fire,
Lest the nail be but
nail
Woods of Westermain
Earth,
O
is of
us
who bear that stamp
me, the living sign
Scorched
Sole
earth the lighted lamp
Of the dreadful day divine.
heat, beat on
White
fast
heat, its shape has passed.
Red
Now am
by
a
an
The
of
I
of
suffering
One with Him
bliss, the Lamb.
One with Him
heat,
heat,
Red
white
This
bitterness made sweet.
Where the passions interweave
How the serpent tangle spins
Of the sense
Earth misprised
Brainlessly unrecognised
She being Spirit
her clods
Footway
the God
Gods.
But besides
::
×
it
In
all
of
Brand me, bite me, bitter thing
Thus He felt, and thus
am
Then your spirit will perceive
Fleshly seed
fleshly sins,
The Reading
Lark Ascending,
0
of
Wilest, yet most sainted here.
heat,
heat,
Red
white
hell and heaven meet,
×
faithfully followed leads
into almost intolerable
light.
Something
happens, and we find the
Meredithian philosophy (which was, after all, more
instinct than philosophy) transmuted into the
Meredithian mysticism
fire. His message sings
clear
253
�TriB A UTHOR.
an
of
of
no
of
be
of
to
of
of
in
of
of
of
or
of
to
by
a
It
to
on
in
of
a
Committee
CANADIAN
BOOKSELLERS.
to in
of
an
in
is
of byto
to
be
is,
It
all
at
is
he
so of
copyright makes
it
the term
of to
limitation
of
in
by
to
in
a
to
of
AMASIS.
WE are pleased
chronicle that the appeal
the Scholz
Amasis case, supported
the Society
v.
the
to
v.
of
is
to
of
if
THE Editor
The Author would be much
obliged
any member who happens
possess
copy
the November (1907) issue would forward
the same
the office for the benefit
the society's
file, which
short
this issue.
SCHOLZ
consider
The Bookseller and Stationer, published
Toronto, there
article headed Injustice
the Canadian Bookseller.
On reading the article,
we see the writer complains that there are certain
books copyrighted
Canada which are now out
print, that the copyright owners refuse, or, for
publish
reasons
their own, do not desire
further editions.
The booksellers think that there
are still sales for the books, but they are unable
import cheap United States reprints, because
doing they would
infringing the copyright
the Canadian holder.
Two points suggest themselves.
The first
why should the Canadian bookseller think
has
any right
the property
another person
many years authors'
the old, old story.
For
rights were not recognised
that the public
began
consider
the property
was not the
author's, but belonged
them.
To this day the
of
of
0-0-0
-
to
thought the time had come for
Select
TO
INJUSTICE
so
GENERAL NOTES.
*-
to
in to
be
to
of
by
of
in
establishing
position.
IN
us on
is
he
of
is
it
further that
a
of
us
;
carefully studied
the Dramatic Sub-Committee
appears that
question
and approved
them.
May 27 owing
was raised
Parliament
the
reply,
recent action
the Censor.
Mr. Asquith,
thought
said that
the position
Dramatic
Censorship was
most important matter, and that
was receiving
careful consideration.
He stated
us
of
the Society may call
mind that
and Music Hall Bill was
he
of
to
of
MEMBERS
Mr. Harcourt's Theatre
as
to
º-e
byof
be
it
of
*
THE CENSOR.
it
he
he
he
of
of
If
is
of
of
copyright
infringements
performing
right must depend upon the facts
each individual
case, and are matters
evidence rather than
report the case fully
law.
too late
this
publish
month's Author, but we hope
able
any points
special interest
the July number.
of
in
to of
if
a
It
is
MAY SINCLAIR.
e
the case.
All
in
as of
a
in
.
in
a
spiritual thing,
was
the courses
his blood
flashed light. To feel with him was
see more
and not less clearly.
not conceivable that
will not live,
who had more life, more virile, fertilising energy
than any Writer
the two generations that
saw rise round him and pass away before him. Our
him, wearied
own generation will return
the
lucid excellencies
the lesser men, their finished
perfection within the limits
the little.
He was
too great for us.
some
have lost sight
him
not because they have left him behind
them with the Victorian era
because they
have not yet caught up.
He was too swift for
by, and only thus can we
us.
He has passed
passing.
conceive
him
He has not yielded
up his fire
any one
us.
He
far
high for
ahead with his torch, holding
the
inextinguishable
flame.
it
result
is
by
no
is
to is
be
to
It
of
of
he
or
it.
idea,
and blood that no
no philosophy can
destroy.
And flesh and blood they had need be to
stand in the presence of their creator.
Meredith s
personality
is so overpowering
that at times it
comes between us and his creations.
He has not,
as lesser men have had, the habit of detachment.
No novelist has it completely, nor can have
He betrays his own nature more subtly
more
inevitably than any other artist, for
handles
directly the stuff
life, and we know him
the
impossible
manner
his handling.
read
Meredith without seeing him
before all things
courageous
passionately
clean-souled
and
and
greatness and
sincere.
We divine that there
no splendour
his work that had not its match
His
him.
His powers were finely mingled.
it,
intellect was blood-warm and had
heart
beating like
pulse
flame, and emotion
him
Authors, has been successfully upheld.
The
Appeal were unanimous
the Court
infringe
that Mr. Fenn's version was not
ment
Mr. Scholz's rights.
Members
the
Society may call
mind that when Mr. Fenn
put the matter into the society s hands the com
counsel, Mr. Eldon
mittee took the opinion
Bankes, before deciding what course should
taken. The members
the committee themselves
infringement had
were
the opinion that
occurred, but they considered
necessary that their
opinion should
supported.
The opinion
the
society s counsel has been amply justified
the
judges
It
more epigrams than she ever brought to perfection ?
And there is Emmy under the surgeon's knife and
Sir Lukin raving in his remorse.
There is Emilia
forsaken and Dahlia betrayed, and they are flesh
of
254
clear
�THE AUTHOR.
in
on
It
G.
H.
to
of
I
of
I
so
be to
a
is
I
of
of for
no
in
on
I
or
of
be
on
to
an
I
he
by
I
he
of
Of
is
in
in
I
it
to
no
as of
a
to
a
to
fourteen
myself
it.
II
it in
me.
of
to
I
returned
15 it
a
on
20
of
I
of
of
no
a
a
in
I
of
it
to.
then offered
one firm, who refused
another firm, who bought the serial rights for £45.
has
the volume rights, and
then disposed
per
recently been published
volume form
per cent. should
promise
cent. royalty, and
2,000 copies, which
am afraid.
sale
reach
doing.
signs
shows
it it
of
of
is
on
to
I
by
do
I
I
I
an
of
as
of
as of
a
by
as
in
so
do
do
of
by
he
of
as
of
a of
is
be
by
by
by
to
to
to
of
If,
is
to
to
he
by
of
If
of
be
CHALLICE.
to
2
as
is
in
to
of
by
it
of
in
by
to
a
his pro
the best known men
also one
who
paid him, and
asked for,
course
fession.
commission
nothing except what
earned
hold the agent who demands.
stories placed, for
open
nothing more than
advance fee
ignorance
the
freebooter, living
the Vanity
struggling aspirant.
During my connection, then, with my agent,
He succeeded
placed
his hands five long stories.
one, obtaining for
selling the serial rights
attempt
£30. He made
them the sum
volume, and, the serial publica
place the story
am now offering
tion having been completed,
publisher.
myself
The other four stories,
severed connection with him, the agent
when
these he had offered
The first
quarters without success.
offered
Miss Rachel
record the death
WE regret
Challice, who has for some time past contributed
The Author.
the columns
the Spanish Notes
writer
busy journalist,
Although
well
month, without
books, she found time month
her
any hope
reward beyond the appreciation
assist with her work the aim
fellow members,
of
if
I
a
of
a
he
is
to
to
a in
on
of
a
or
in
a
of
to
no
be
to
to
.
a
MISS RACHEL
Wells
three months ago Mr.
this paper
the columns
referred
that indispensable
the literary agent
Ever since reading that expression,
middleman.
the literary agent really
have been wondering
have looked
indispensable,
and lately
my own
through my books
remind myself
past experiences.
found them interesting, for
in bulk,
had never before viewed them
speak, and under the impression that they may
others, they are here set down.
interest
saying that while for obvious
Let me begin
taken
not give names, every detail
reasons
keep
course
exactly from my books,
every manuscript,
the 700 word articles
record
Let me also say
the 100,000 word novel.
complaint against my agent, whom
have
that
found invariably courteous and business-like, and
WO
purchasing
could
purchasing the right for the Canadian
middle
edition, using the American publisher
might
worth while for the Canadian
man.
publisher
consider the position seriously.
English author direct than
or
of
If
0-º-e
do
to
living
therefore, the Canadian tradesman who
lose
his property, chooses
the exploitation
the non-exploitation
considerable income
prove that
only tends
this property,
and
American publishers
bad tradesman.
selling
Canadian booksellers can make profits
able
cheap editions, Canadian publishers should
exploiting their pro
equally
make profits
not
perty
That they
the same way.
enterprise which we should have
lack
shows
hardly expected
that advancing colony, but we
former occasions suspected something
have
Canadian
the same kind when the question
English authors has arisen.
the works
Sales
An enterprising Canadian publisher, with some
capital behind him, could make better terms and
contracting
with the
better market
find
It
in
of
of
a
of
he
IS HE
to
or
in
to
is
If, it
º~-sº-w
as
it
to
a
So
or
in
it
in
of
in
a
it
to
he
it
all
of
copyright
therefore,
the Canadian
effort.
publish cheap edition
owner doesn't want
power which could force
book, there ought
so, and the Canadian bookseller has no
him
the
complain than
would have
more right
This the first point.
instances quoted.
the Canadian
The Second point refers
the Canadian copyrights are, we
Most
trade.
publishers.
believe, held
the Canadian
of
of
of
no
it
to
is
he
it,
it
to
of
he
it
of
to
or
freehold
Supposing Jones bought
nice bit
the country, and found, for certain reasons, that
any way, the book
utilise
was unable
seller would argue, other people might come and
right
whether
use
demand that they had
long
there are any private
not.
liked
property the argument cannot stand.
rights
personal
property
land
does not apply
applies still less
that property which,
property,
man's personal
others,
the outcome
by
of
of
enthusiastic
the society. She was
and objects
the members
Supporter
the best interests
the literary
her profession, and was well known
She
Spain about which
she wrote.
circles
the occasion
represented the Society
Authors
Spain, and placed
the Cervantes celebration
author's
the
the society
Wreath from
The Secret History
Her last work,
monument.
Spain, will appear shortly.
the Court
taken entirely from Spanish sources.
that the same feeling
the
plates
an
still exists. According to
argument, supposing
bookseller's
Canadian
Jones purchases a book, reads it and puts it on the
and has
shelf of his library, and does not use
sinning against
again,
using
intention
give
course, either
ought,
the public, for
Or, again,
away
Some other person.
sell
255.
�THE AUTISIOR.
is,
he
;
50
or
to
in
I
of
of
I
I
by
I
be so
a
to
he
I
I
a
on
all
is by
or
to
it
to
all
to
to
he to
to
I
I
So
I
of
;
of of
to
if
be
a
he
it
so
of,
I
of
a
in
to
he
is
at
do
of
of
to of
is
It
a
to
I
be
is
an
indispens
agent
achieved fame and fortune
able, may also
No doubt motor-cars
the case.
not know, but
then.
become indispensable
personal opinion
give
the
happy
shall
different, however,
earliest possible moment.
the mere average rear
view
from the point
whom his cheques are
rank and filer the man
the triumphant
the accustomed tribute
not
conqueror, but are rather each one the record
doubtful and hardly won success.
am inclined
From my own small experience
indispensable
that the
say that perseverance
indispensable
certainly
Postmaster-General
to
a
of
;
I
is
but
he
for the agent
being
;
indispensable
X
18.
-
I
us
motice
and three months
is
it
of
I
it
it
a
terminate it.
returned me
longer time, from then
have extended over
fact, while some
now,
the MSS. still left me
ultimately.
dispose
that have
yet hope
but suppose
more time
had the advantage
my work that he
was the cream
can say that
great advantage there.
disposed
had
that
really
the agent
left wondering
am
indispensable
himself
indispensable.
That
That when an author has
can well believe.
ment,
My own operations with the MSS.
be
;
I
he
at
to
an
by
I
them.
as
in it
I
to
all
it
to
to
of
I
in
it.
7.
8.
9.
it
I
possess
Then, too, the agent's dealings with my MSS.
fifteen months one year's agree
were confined
as
very glad to get.
No. 6. My agent offered this to six editors, and
The first editor to whom
then returned it to me.
sent it gave me £2 2s. for
succeeded
Neither the agent nor
No.
disposing
this.
nine editors,
The agent offered this
No.
perhaps
sold
me.
and then returned
the world,
the best known popular magazine
receiving £15 15s. for
serial rights.
This, too, neither the agent nor
No.
succeeded with.
No. 10. My agent had this declined eight times.
the fourth attempt.
for three guineas
sold
No. 11. My agent informed me that this had
had submitted
whom
editor
been lost
direct
re-typed the story, and submitted
the same editor, who gave me £3 3s? for the
to it.
so
I
I
My
generally
serial rights.
sell copyright
agent never sold anything but British serial rights,
me. They
minor rights thus being retained
comforting
me,
good
any
but
been
never
have
I
10s. for the copyright.
No. 3. The agent sold this for - £4 12s. 6d. for
British serial rights.
No. 4. This was offered by my agent ten times
I offered it sixteen times equally in vain,
in vain.
and then sold it to a leading magazine for £8 5s.
for British serial rights, and have since received a
fee of 10s. 6d. for translation into Danish.
No. 5. Offered nine times in vain by the agent,
offered it twenty times
then returned to me.
more, and then sold it for a guinea, which I was
copyright.
94.
No. 12. The agent disposed
this for £7
for British serial rights.
failed with this.
No. 13. Both the agent and
was too funny.
One editor told me
failed with this.
No. 14. Both the agent and
was too gruesome.
One editor told me
both.
No. 15. Another failure for
No. 16. Also failure for both of us.
of
of
I
f1
I
I
I
I
a
he
to
again next month.
The fourth story the agent offered twelve times,
This I am
have offered it four times.
and
inclined to withdraw permanently, but may offer it
if a suitable opening occurs.
sent
In addition
So much for long stories.
will -take the agent a number of short stories.
them one by one.
No. 1. Agent sold it for £10 10s. for British
serial rights.
No. 2. The agent offered it to nine editors.
The first editor to whom I offered it gave me
I
I
I
again
of
20
he
I
I
I
my long stories, the
Therefore with regard
that
agent disposed
five
one MS. out
my work.
per cent.
Of the four MSS.
sold
per cent.
returned,
far sold two,
have
obtained £125, with more
He obtained £30,
come for royalties.
his hands
Of the sixteen short stories placed
£22 4s. 3d. Of the
total
sold three, for
thirteen short stories he failed with and returned
me,
£35 9s. 6d.
total
have sold seven for
than
These figures are slightly more complicated
will leave the
those for the long stories,
comparative percentages
worked out
gifted than
am.
Somebody more mathematically
perceive, however, that
secured £13 5s. 3d.
more than did my agent.
secured
The agent could claim, though, that
higher rate per
the average, not invariably,
got for myself.
had
Also
thousand than
to
The second of these long stories my agent
The first firm
had offered in nine quarters.
offered it after its return to me gave
to whom
have not yet
me £80 for the serial rights.
offered it for volume publication.
The third story my agent had offered ten times
have offered it to three editors,
without success.
yet
a sale, but it is going out
effected
not
but have
is
256
Well,
Y. Z.
�\
.
TFIOR.
By
for
an
I
to
I
I
I
a
of
in
to
I
;
as
I
in
of
up
a
of
on
I
a
of
of
in
at
as
of
I
so
of
on
in of
a
I
so
to
of
a
I
,
It
as
A
to
by
of
so
by
to
P
a
I
a
of of
no
a
in
a
in
It
of
a
-
is
at
I
by
of
as
I is
a
I
I
P
of be
a
a
in
of
so 2
it
in
a
so
to
he
by
I
high
for writers
What encouragement there
what demand there
ſou know as well
scholarly type who use elegant
Occasionally
quote
the
from
§
of
I
it
2"
do
of
on
he
2
it
It
as
a
to
in
of
of
to
I
a
never
authors like Aristotle, Byron, Zola.
journal that incites
any chance interfered with
crime or men either, for the matter
lads
that.
The speaker laughed cynically.
some
Though tinged with bitterness, there
replied.
what you say,
truth
My dear fellow, responded Graves, looking
experience as
you found
did
me steadily,
in
an
to he
to
I
of
I
had struck the
wobbling start the thing went.
public taste while the iron was hot.
furnishing ide
Before, had been engaged
I
a
it
a
he
a
of
w
I
at
in
!
I
Why,
I
to
give me the cue
wanted.
exclaimed half involuntarily, you are
Wynyard Graves.
The same
His tone was quick and short.
speechless surprise for moment.
him
stared
He returned my scrutiny.
sickly sort
Presently
smile played round his
We meet again under rather changed
mouth.
circumstances,
said.
end
Recalling that night when
had made
have brought him
the manuscripts that were
name, fame and fortune,
could but assent.
Wynyard Graves, the erstwhile hard-up free-lance,
and Gregory Grub the publisher, who paid twenty
sweated his
his shareholders,
five per cent.
authors, and owned the largest and most expen
its kind
sively fitted-up place
business
couldn't
England, one and the same individual
realise it.
Did you happen upon Aladdin's lamp any
where P
his
ask after taking stock
ventured
sumptuously
furnished sanctum.
his dreamy smiles.
Graves favoured me with one
Not exactly.
earth did you
Then how
repeated, leaning back
his arm
Do
Do
chair, beating his desk with paper-knife,
very difficult. Nothing near
was not
Oh
place outside contributions.
trying
'hard
But the start how did you begin
Wynyard Graves paused
moment.
Well,
I ll candid with you.
said slowly,
picking the brains
man who had
began
After rather
novel idea.
hit with rather
made
served
of
a
a
he
"
a
I
in
as
hy
he
§
in
it
be
rous publications his will controlled,
one sense only,
Great
man.
poor figure,
bysically
cut rather
with
Nagne-bottle shoulders, pale com
His
hair.
Male eyes, and hay-coloured
every
demeanour, however, was self-assured,
prosperous man's must be.
We exchanged rather searching glances.
manner
Something
the famous publisher's
personage; but
could not
familiar
once
recalled
place
him right away.
spoke.
thin voice, yet
His was
Then
tap
unbroached section
Then determined
Somebody had circulated
the reading public.
rag made
stale jokes, idiotic drawings, and
the
went one worse
morbid sensationalism.
expected, that also struck oil.
Same line
make cash breed faster,
order
So
launched out with another paper to catch flies
penny
concocted
different kind this time.
jumble
fashion diagrams, millinery notes, love
stories,
which lords woo servant girls, villains are
advice
Wanquished and virtue triumphs, bits
forth.
love, marriage, the household, and
With this net enmeshed half the shop-girls,
the class
housemaids, and other young women
The
present
the kingdom.
ladies
known
the brain
fashion plates were evolved out
clever, but lowly born, artist, who couldn't speak
myself instructed the readers
the King's English.
connubial problems,
this precious hotch-potch
have
doing
with the greater assurance because
never married.
please the ignorant, the
had now catered
My next venture supplied
Vulgar and the silly.
brought
youthful hooligans with long-felt want.
half-penny Weekly mass
blood and thunder
out
Jack the Ripper Charles Peace literature.
Went and still goes like hot rolls. More than
once juvenile offenders have thrown blame upon
this wonder when questioned before
the tone
ragamuffins
few weak-minded
the magistrate.
commit suicide, urged thereto,
far
have gone
devouring pernicious litera
ran the evidence,
played - leading
property
my
ture,
-which
part.
incurring penalty for
dread
Are you
periodical
circulating
charactersuch
interposed.
Graves laughed.
Penalty
The law confines its labours
running-in second-hand booksellers for exposing
So
of
a
D
(Continued.)
handsome writing-table, piled
before
the
ith papers, documents, and copies
annexing some
others without recompense.
body else's schemes,
beheld myself feathering my
Own nest.
And then P
*
º-º-e
was th
unders
257
/
THE PREss; OR, THE
PLUTOGRAT
CYNIC'S SUCCESS.
OF
-
A
.."
}
�t
258
of
If
or
de
or
Spse
in of
2
.
it
as
doto
if
to
in
i
so
a
of
s
on
&
4
a
in
is
of
a
us
to
So
it
it,
of
to
in
a
to
I
to
all
do
a
as
of
I
2
in of
so
as
he
is
of
do
a
to
to
a
to
a
of
is
in
to
a
I
be a
or
!
we
an
?
an
in
if
is
in
of
to
is
to
so
I
to
is
for
of
in
as
as
to
of
I
a
of
no
or
of
a
is
as
as
is
ay is
of
a
to
is
to
of
as
It
he
it it
it
in
of
of
to
as
by
a
to
is
in
oºº Yº
I
;
a
he
on
if
by
it
A
the class
stands for poor men who thought out
their cottages and taught themselves
discoveries
We have changed all
education.
the rudiments
that.
The class Demos represents to-day, consists
chiefly
little for
work
men whose aim
passed mainly
possible. Their leisure
much pay
public-houses.
Their ambition
latest tips for race meeting. They
part loud, self-assertive, impudent,
ape all the worse qualities
the
a
!
few seconds
We both maintained silence for
asking him
his
still adhered
broke
democracy.
former expressed views
sardonic grin contorted Graves' mouth
replied.
The nation has for political purposes found
worship
expedient
little mud image which
Anything breathed against this
calls Demos.
image
saw practical
rank heresy. Times gone
inventors, engineers and scientists springing from
I
at
a
shock.
a
a
so
of
to
stultify, not
public
gentleman goes
The son
master, misses his
cheeky
He
school.
boy
sins
some other way incident
lessons
Many
flogged.
duke's son has
He
hood.
again,
hope and
Eton, and will
been flogged
believe.
board School.
labourer goes
The son
his teacher's hearing,
He uses foul language
he
chastised there
learn his task, and
refuses
uproar.
His parents
the whole country
assault and batter the poor pedagogue, and when
they ve done with him, the law prosecutes him.
Did any man ever know such absurdity
enlightened and progressive
are called
Yet
people
e
hear the editor and proprietor
was amazing
the most democratic organs published
one
thus expressing himself.
find,
good
Open confession
the soul,
make you my father confessor
will continue
order that you may
for few moments longer
the machinery which has made
close view
take
society
pander
Demos.
well
me success.
scandal too Outrageous, no per
no bit
There
tittle-tattle too
sonal interview too fulsome,
my
paltry for the columns
another
one
Nobodies believe themselves some
ublications.
of
I
I
I
to
is
do
a
to
as
4
&
22
throwing stones
never tired
The democracy
burst out afresh,
the rich,
the profligacy
you find immorality
atrocious
but where
among the denizens
mean streets
my indictment, and
have
Another clause
done.
is
If
I
a
of
a
of
or in
a
My policy
No.
Ah
asylums, refuges and
unions fill our hospitals,
would not pay
but
We know
reformatories.
opinion.
express
with our
candid
tongue
this little mud
Our cheeks we allude
image
the country.
the backbone
moment for breath.
Graves paused
keep from looking aghast
could
was
his utterances.
or
I
by
I
or do
I
to
by
in
up
University gra
the level
the world
halfpenny,
duate,
would
the expenditure
No, sir,
my pocket.
keep the copper
am not
assuredly not
parson most
schoolmaster
philanthropist. Indeed,
far
have even gone
delight for reading matter
engender
kind never before supplied.
not allude to to indecency.
You
Why
prep
Because this class
majority.
Its strikes dislocate trade. Its centralisation
Physical deterioration bids fair
generates slums.
cripples and paralytics.
nation
make
Rash and immature
Idleness swells our rates.
us
or
I
as
or
If
of
2
I
I
to
it,
a
in
P.
So
of
I
to
all
I
I
I
It
I
playing golf
they haven't reached the pitch
bath
Sunday, they are fast converting the
rowdy excursions
senseles
into day
industrious
thus are neither
yet their liberty
their grandfathers,
greater, their chances
life incompa
you were
Yet
numerous.
proprietor
opinion
the
me
Lond
what every editor
should
on the coals.
and stick
at
be sure,
at
I regret to say.
a lad is thrashed for telling the
When a writer begins
truth he often turns liar.
to understand that conscientious matter is a drug
in the market, he either renounces his ideals with
a view to scooping in the coin, or abandons the
game in disgust.
As you did.
As I did, when informed you on a memorable
evening some ten years ago that I should go into
trade.
Now am a linited liability company with
Nearly
will spare you details.
a capital ; but
my ventures have prospered.
say,
am going
You will pardon what
Why, with the wealth your firm can
began.
command, have you never undertaken the issue
far
am aware, nothing
some standard work
but the veriest rags emanate from your house.
feigned
opened his eyes
real
Graves
Surprise.
question you
who know
You ask me such
how generously the public patronises any man who
morally. Have
mentally
improve
tries
not already declared that when abandoned writing
could raise
Business
entered business
merely
public taste to-morrow
the standard
lifting my little finger,
so.
wouldn t
shop-girl
could instruct every street-arab, clerk
Not much, to
When
Well
�THE AUTHOR.
a
I
to
is
it.
an
I
to
I
to
sº
I
be
go,
said,
good
Before
will you
enough
inform me for what purpose you have
bought manuscripts
ethnographical
nature
Graves stood
an
on
a
know this particularly,
character available
your rather
figure
to of to
of
from me?
should like
Seeing that no publication
for their insertion appears
extensive list.
up
I
I
on
I
I
I
Let me see the next point. Oh
cruel and ghastly posters.
And what my posters
do for my budgets of fiction my contents bills do
for my sheets of fact.
have seen them, I said, and I think it an
infernal shame that while a poor newspaper lad
may be run in for crying false news, editors may
print misleading, grossly exaggerated bills in order
to dispose of large editions with impunity.
I agree with you, assented Graves. Blame
that ridiculous old ass, the law not us who profit
by its stupidity. Business is business.
Do you take up any position with regard toreligion ? I asked.
Religion ? No! It is played out in England.
He regarded me with an inscrutable cast of
visage as he finished the last sentence.
His utter
ances had been, here and there, so startling that
found myself beginning to wonder whether he was
speaking in jest or earnest.
He belonged to a set
of men whom it is difficult or impossible to
weigh up.
How in the world do you manage to procure
ideas for new papers, for articles, for novel com
So he does.
To the effect that the appointment
has been filled up.
grasped
Shameful ' "
shouted as
his
meaning.
Graves slowly stroked his chin.
The law allows
What more
be said.
unscrupulous fellow,
You are
answered.
harsh, cackling, disagreeable
Graves laughed,
laugh.
have gone into trade.
quit the place,
put
my hat and prepared
began
moral atmosphere
find growing
etid.
to
Ah, yes!
259
I
bodies because it suits my purposes to print their
photographs and biographies occasionally, at a price.
Let us pass on to the next point, I suggested.
I
|
his writing-table, and
behind
Once again repeated his detestable
grin.
to
in
a
to
of
in
of
of
to
on
so
or
I
on
I
I
I
I
to
right
have
ask what purposes your
manuscripts serve
our business.
I ll tell you.
They are
supplying local colour
use
some
the tales
adventure our boy subscribers love
.
dearly.
We can offer you even better terms
petitions P One brain, no matter how fecund,
continue your papers
the same subject.
began
was too disgusted
make any rejoinder.
could never breed them all,
am sure,
Turning
my heel,
left Wynyard Graves
after a pause.
Gregory Grubb as the reader prefers to
gazed at the ceiling absently for a
his
Graves
papers, his schemes, his success, his huge fortune.
moment.
Then his sickly smile played about his
The last
heard of him was his return to
mouth.
You would like to know P
WOuld.
Champion
Parliament
the
the Working
Classes.
Well, then, you shall. First the law of copy
right. Here we have a muddle so confusing that
any smart man may avail himself of its absurdities
CORRESPONDENCE.
to annex ideas from authors, from rivals, from a
e sº-e
hundred sources, without let or hindrance.
UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT.
Dishonest
exclaimed.
Certainly,
agreed Graves readily.
But
DEAR MR. THRING,
have been reading the
business.
What is to prevent me from advertising
United States Copyright Act and your interesting
article upon
seems
curious innovation
for an assistant in my literary department whether
want one or not ? Mr. Pen shall we call him 2
give such preference
foreign
countries and
exempt
answers my advertisement together with some
from the burden
the manufacturing
England.
He, and the most likely among
clauses, with the exception
scores of others.
them, are accorded interviews.
May
your paragraph
call your attention
Mr. Pen,' say, what suggestions would you about dramatic and musical compositions, wherein
my journal should you be
printed from type set
you say that they must
make to improve
they are produced for sale
appointed to the post applied for P
the United States
book form.
This would be serious alteration
Mr. Pen, poor guileless creature, unbosoms him
self.
Some of his notions are good and feasible.
the law, which does not appear
me
have
My shorthand clerk in attendance takes notes of
only books and
been intended
enacted.
them, as of the others emanating
periodicals which are mentioned
from
the
(a) and (b)
applicants I review.
section
which the manufacturing
clauses
pub
apply.
close each successive interview with a gracious
dramatic composition, even
promise that the departing
penman shall hear
lished
book form, should be described
from me.
dramatic composition
under (d) and not
You
of
as
I
to
a
I
to
of
of
all
to
I
It
it.
I
I
to
as a
is
as
if
it
to
5,
in A
I
of
in
is
It
or
to
a
if
in in in
be
I
�THE AUTHOR.
a book, and if it is so described the manufac
turing clauses would not be applicable.
I hope
you do not mind my comment upon this point,
because it seems to me that the statement
then
the type-setting clause takes effect
is inaccurate,
to
It
to
to
is
a
to
at
to
to
is
A
PROPRIETORS.
of
to
bring
should like
the notice
Society the responsibilities
the
certain
second-class periodicals
the
pro
of
to
2
NovKLIST.
a
a
a
to
a
is
to
of
prietors
and
inquire whether there
papers, and should like
satisfactory solution for the following difficulty.
magazine engages
contributor and offers
pay him
fixed rate for articles.
After
short
is he
to
of
in
,
in
as
A
Yours truly,
to
the members
the Authors
any information
the
adopt
advisable
these
to
is
course which
Circumstances.
it
be
glad
should
Society could give
the same title without
the change
the
of
on
under
creditors
of
the
responsibilities.
if
notifying
go
allowed
to
be
of of
be
to
no
to
no
is
to
he
in
In
of
:
in
is
of
it
at
the public,
he
is
is
to
on
a
in
difficulty
period, the contributor experiences
obtaining payment, and finally,
threatening
bring
action,
informed that the magazine
has changed hands and that the proprietors are not
liable for the work published before the date they
took over the responsibilities.
The contributor
the following position
has
find out what
has become
the former proprietors and where
many cases this
can apply for payment.
exceedingly difficult, and
many cases impossible.
Should he discover the whereabouts
the former
very often unable
owners
obtain payment.
owing
money and
the fact that they have
very hard upon the
assets.
Two points seem
First, that the original owner, who has
author.
most probably obtained something for the sale
his magazine, should not meet the just demands
Secondly, that the magazine should
his creditors.
I
by
is
as
Is
it
2
Authors
an
as
2
of
a
up
to
is
no
to
is
to
be
a
;
MAGAZINE
SIR,--I
A
to
is
is
it
of
I
I
I
is he
of
A
º-º-o
of
is
as
is
on
;
of
in
is
Yours faithfully,
in
|
to
a
to
is
of in
of
blame
in
to
so it
as to
as
!
in is
so
is
in
a
in
6s. NOVEL DOOMED
temperament
neither gloomy nor
pessimistic, but,
the contrary,
the most
optimistic character
yet cannot help saying that
my humble opinion the outlook
the profession
very grave.
novelist
have spent
few days
interviewing booksellers, and
briefly
sum
what passed between us,
was informed
more
than one prominent bookseller that the clamour on
daily
the part
the public for cheap reprints
growing more intensified, and that the 6s. novel
becoming less and
even prominent writers
less
demand.
Oh,
One bookseller exclaimed,
for the new
writer,
has, poor devil
chance
all.
The
position
not only serious for the latter, but
writer,
even more serious for the former class
and there
internal evidence to show that the
cheap reprints have come
stay.
the author
10
at
It
all
or
of
no
by
of
is
it
the case
Writers.
Compared with many other professional men,
e.g., Solicitors, architects,l and agents, accountants,
magazine articles need not have had
writers
pay
heavy premium
learn their profession,
practice
nor when
there the same professional
apart from personal expense, nor
there any
capital expenditure required
frequently the
business, unless, indeed, some writers are
case
disposed
look upon
few postage stamps"
capital expenditure.
H. STUART THOMPSON.
Whom
of
be
of
their order books crammed with orders running
into three and four figures for mixed reprints,
per cent.
7S. per dozen, less
really very interesting
would
know
put
whether the person
the pillory
the
bookseller
our old friend the publisher.
Or
perhaps
the taste
the public which has
depraved, eh?
become
I
SIR,-My
of
to
have only to-day, March 28th, seen the
article on this subject signed by Alfred Smythe ;
and although it contains much with which one
cannot fail to sympathise, yet being fully aware, to
my cost, of the hard struggle which magazine and
newspaper writers often have,
totally fail to see
why we should be freed from the payment of
income tax any more than any other class of
Should writers
professional men or women are.
not rather be thankful that they make sufficient by
Surely the struggling
their pen to be taxed at
many difficulties
barrister
doctor has quite
contend with for some years, and often for ever,
magazine articles
long Univer
the writer
sity education usually
essential
his case, while
IS THE
in
of
of
SIR,--I
means
to
it
to
is
WRITERS AND THE INCOME TAx.
MAGAZINE
or
is
it
trace the evolution
the cheap reprint,
obvious
the author, and also
the
spite
that
the evidence that the
enemy has come
stay, the present
diffi
culty which must somehow
overcome both for
the sake
the publishing trade and also for the
profession
novelist.
Publishers' travellers will
tell you that they are quite unable
excite the
curiosity
booksellers with regard
new 63.
novels, and that the trade will not look
them.
On the other hand, these same gentlemen have
but
trade,
HARDY.
º-º-º
2
be
thing
be
and may give rise to misunderstanding.
Yours very truly, HAROLD
who apparently find
more entertaining
read
cheap reprints than new fiction
the blame
fixed upon the trade
would
difficult
is or
260
SUFFERER.
�AD VERTISEMENTS.
TYPEWRITING.
THE TIDE MILL SECRET.
:
|
SOUTHEE, 273, Francis Rd., LEWION, LONDON,
E.
Authors MSS., I,egal Documents, Reports, &c., carefully and
accurately copied.
Orders by Post promptly attended to.
or
&
or
by
ºf
**
2:
*
to
it
D
.
i.
;-
".
..
..
..
.
&
H.
to
can afford
be without
HELP.
HINTS ofTHAT
sound
advice and
Book
instruction on the way to write
and sell Short Stories.
a
wrong way,
right way and
course,
his profes
not fully versed
and the writer who
handicapped
his inexperience.
the extent
sion
6d. post free from
HINTS THAT HELP :
in
of
There
9d. PER 1,000 WoRDs.
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION,
Two COPIES, 1s. PER 1,000 WORDS.
expert,
1s.
TYPEVVRITING
NO AUTHOR
be he amateur
a
to
;
or
&
P.
A.
carefully and quickly done on good paper.
leading Publishers.
References
Co. Ld.
Miss G. BLAXELLE, King-Potter, Clements
56, Ludgate Hill,
C.
ROME.
Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 1s, per 1,000
Duplicate copies third price. French and German
typewritten English trans
MSS. accurately copied
Messrs.
References kindly permitted
lations supplied.
Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House,
Watt
Telephone
Strand,
8464 Central.
W.C.
Norfolk Street,
Mrs.
*...º.º.
to
CO.
Typetoriting Office,
LUDGATE HILL, E.C.
words.
---
to is
(Established 1883.)
LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON,
Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
or
MRS. GILL,
35,
Tim
º'
had by sending Starmped Addressed
A
&
(Bretschreider
Regenberg),
&
a
ERMAN NO LOESCHER
1909. The Adjudicators
T
Derbishire.
Pen and Ink Drawings, many hitherto
unpublished
State
Tuscan
from
Documents
Bibliography, and numerous Copy
Archives,
righted Photographs.
THE
5,
:
º
WORK.
27
Jean Carlyle Graham and Elizabeth
Particulars may
Envelope
of
Y
will be
is
HISTORICAL
submitted before November
MRS. FLORA ANNIE STEEL,
MISS MARY CHOLMONDELEY, and
MRS. HENRY DE LA PASTURE.
D'ELSA
TUSGANW.
AWARD.
open competition For THE -BEST NOVEL
to
WAL
M.
|N
SANG|M|GNAND
AN ART
tº
lists on application, post free.
OF
Full
With
in
to
of
:
-
H. STOCKWELL,
ARTHUR.
29, L'UIDGATE HILL, E.C.
S.W.
The Literary Agency of London has pleasure
announcing that
has been instructed
by M.Y.ANDREW MELROSE
conduct an
as
to
LONDON
Rd.,
Rd.,
London,
*.*, *R*,
...,"
ºx
ºrsLoughborough
tº
(GUINEAS
of
MSS.
SMALL ORDER NOW!
Two HUNDRED AND FIFTY
.
.
.
in
of
a F.
is
E.
By MARGARET Osborn
Contains splendid photograph
frontispiece,and bound with attractive design. 2s. met.
girl
who fell love with her sister'slover
The story
Christictim.
Includes some pretty description the village.
World.
AuthorsshouldforwardMSS. any description
(Novels,Stories,Poems,Essays,&c.)direct Mr.
STOCKWELL, WhoWill immediatelyadvise,free
publication.
of charge,
sº
and cuickness.
Good References.
German.
*,
**,
**
*>
*
sº
...
§
§§§
A
SEND
MSS
sºRALLING,
->
§º wº-,e,
2.
as
Novel.
º
Correctly and efficiently executed.
English, French,
of
of
:
A
to
MON CA OF ESSEBURNI
ALL KINDS FROM 9d. PER 1,000.
Playwrights , Clergy men's, &c., MSS.
Good Work combined with cheapness
of
By JAMES STUART. Handsomebevelled boards, 1s.6d. net.
A vigorousand interesting tale the stormy life theold
Norsemen.
Scotsman.
The author writes pleasantlyand with clearness expres
sion; hehas managed bring the old-world atmosphereinto his
story.
IIull Daily Matil.
onto
of
Authors',
of Ancient
Story
A
:
VIKING
is,
is
England.
THE
5175,
*º
in
B.
in
GERMAN
TYPEYWRITING:
be
on
Novel.
A
:
in
of
all
on
THE LONG RUN
By ROBERT
art paper.
MoRENO. With Frontispiece
cloth, 2s. 6d. met.
half red and half blue,
Bound
very
novel.
PublishersCircular.
curious
A
What's On.
This novel unusual and distinctly original.
accurately copied.
Orders by post quickly carried out.
day, week, maonth.
Efficient Clerks supplied Clients
IHighest References.
application.
Terms and specimen work
Literary Work, Plays, &c., promptly
-
Poems.
By MARGARET E. FoED. A capital book of poetry, highly
fresh and stimulating verse.
lovers
commendedto
thick antiquepaper,with uncut edges,andbound
Printed
attractivebrochurecover,with flaps, 1s.6d.met.NOW READY.
In
GARDEN SONGS, and other
ºve.
MISS BARRETT,
Telephone 9677Central.
5
..tº
By PERCY YoUNG. Handsomely produced, 320 pp., with
Frontispiece, 2s. 6d. net.
A readable novel . . . life is vividly depicted. Dundee
Advertiser.
A pleasant tale. The Universe.
iii
The Literary Typewriting
46,
Bureau,
Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, ESSEX.
(Please mention The Author. )
�ADVERTISEMENTS.
HOTEL;
THAGKERAY
Great Russell Street, London.
THE COURSE OF LITERARY TRAINING
promoted by the Literary Correspondence College
teaches the aspirant to serve his apprenticeship
to Literature in the briefest time possible.
Literary Agency
The College also undertakes
business of all kinds.
once for
at
D.M. to the LITERARY CORRESPONDENCE
9, Arundel Street. Strand, W.C.
Lounges
Passenger Lifts.
on every Floor.
Bathrooms
and Spacious Dining, Drawing, Writing, Reading, Billiard
Fireproof Floors,
Perfect Sanita
and Smoking Rooms.
Night Porters.
Telephones.
tion.
By BARRY PAIN.
2s. 6d. net; 2s. 8d. post free.
The
Of this work the Westminste?' Gazette writes:
beginner who takes these lessons to heart may be
competitors.
advantage
quite assured
over his
an
Bedrooms (including
of
TO
HOW
Inclusive Charge
AUTHOR.
AN
BECOME
By ARNOLD BENNETT.
Practical Guide;
useful hints. 5s. net; 5s. 4d. post free.
Breakfast
full of
A
London.
Hart
LEssons INSTORY WRITING.
| FIRST
*||
HOTEL;
KINGSLEY
Street, Bloomsbury Square,
pamphlet
CollBGE,
for
Telegraphic
COLLEGE,
THE LITERARY CORRESPONDENCE
Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.
Table d'Hote,
10/6 per day.
on application.
and Testimonials
Addresses
6|=.
Attendance,
and Dinner, from 8/6
Full Tariff
from 3/6
attendance)
Bedroom,
to
For full particulars write
Near the British Museum.
to
*
Gentral London.
the British Museum.
Opposite
The writer, whether he aspires to write novels,
short stories, or articles, often spends years in
work, rebuffs and drudgery being
uncongenial
the only return for the time and labour spent.
*
popular Hotels
TWO
JOURNALISTS.
AND
in
T0 AUTHORS
:
iV
S,
Thackeray, London.
Thackeray Hotel
Bookcraft, London.
Kingsley Hotel
or
E8TABLISHED]
terms
if
Special
[XVIII.
Tattºtozz.
CENT.
Offices,
House,
Queen
Victoria Road. TYPEwBITING OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION, from 9d. per 1,000 words.
Eccellent Testimonials from Plrt JJ rifers.
Oswald
06 0 0 0 0
...
,
0Q 0 1 3
00
67
tº
... e
&
.
of
25
a
tº
a
@
9
tº ?
.
of
of of a
a a
Advertisements should reachthe Officenot later than the 20th for
insertion the following month's issue.
the
addressed
All letters respecting Advertisements should
ADVERTISEMENTMANAGER, The Author Office, 39, Old Queen Street,
Storey's Gate, S.W.
--Pºw
by
AGNEW,
them for THE SocIETY OF AUTHORS
Co. LD., and Published
10, Bouverie Stleet, London, E.C.
at
BRADBURY,
&
iſ
from
of
Change
KING RICHARD
a
note
to
WESTLEIGH,
be
to
Address
STREET,
of
OFFICES.
(Established 1897.)
Please
COVENTRY.
ATUTIEIOIER,.
[ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.]
...#4
Front Page
...
Other Pages
10
Page
Half
15
...
so
Page
Quarter
Page
Eighth
per inch
Single Column Advertisements
per cent.for
per cent.madefor Series Sia,and
Reduction
Twelve Imsertions.
of
20
;
;
Authors' MSS. Translations; Duplicating; Plays and Actors' Parts
Legal, General and Commercial Documents. Private Rooms for
Usual Terms. Iłeferences.
Dictation.
TELE
GIVEN.
in
223a, Harm mersmith Road, LONDON, W.
PROMPTLY
scALE FOR AD VERTISEMENTS.
(Established 1893)
TYPEWRITING
DETAILS,
**
SIPKES and SIFKES,
The West Kensington Typewriting
PRINTING.
RESPECTING
OTHER
*- o
tº tº
- 0 ºſº.
AND
** tº
- --
COST,
OF
...
INVITE ENQUIRIES
by
Albans.
BARNICOTT & PEARCE
ESTIMATES
Printed
paper.
you
Wessex Press,
The
Road,
St.
at
if
Homefield, Woodstock
HERBERT CAESAR,
mention this
Authors
to
C.
for Estimate
It
will cost you nothing, and
you require any MSS. typed
Circulars duplicated.
guarantee good work
reasonable charges.
Price List and Testimonials on application.
Orders by post receive prompt attention.
SEP
can
I
Typexyriting, Duplicating, arid Copying.
(INCORPORATED),
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Author
Subject
The topic of the resource
<em>The Author</em>
Description
An account of the resource
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.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1890–1914
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
The-Author-Issues
Publication
Date
The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format)
1909-06-01
Volume
19
Issue
9
Pages
Page range in volume
229–260
Ngram Date
Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin
19090601
Ngram Text
Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin
C be Elut bor.
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)
Vol. XIX.—No. 9. JUNE 1, 1909. [PRICE SIxPENCE.
C O N T E N T S.
PAGE PAG F
Notices ... * † ºn * & e tº tº e tº sº a * ºf G * † 6 tº e & ... 229 Registration of Scenarios * * * * * * & & & e º * * * ... 247
Committee Notes * * * * gº º tº º º tº gº º & º º * * * ... 231 Warnings to Musical Composers ... dº º g & © a * * * ... 247
Books published by Members of the Society ... ... ... 234 Stamping Music... e & as e tº sº e º & º ... ... ... 247
Literary, Dramatic and Musical Notes ... ... ... ... 235 The Reading Branch ... ... * * * * * * ... ... ... 247
Paris Notes tº º & tº tº & & & © s tº 9 tº º & * * * * * * ... 237 “The Author ’’ ... * * * : * * * * * * a º º * * * * g as ... 247
American Copyright Again ... * * * tº s º * g e gº tº ſº ... 239 Remittances tº a gº & ºr º * * * * * * tº g e * * * * * * ... 247
Cheap Editions ... * * * e tº º as gº º * * * ge tº gº & e sº ... 240 George Meredith, O.M. & © tº * & & e & e a gº º & e : ... 248
The Annual Dinner ... tº gº gº & 4 & º, º º tº tº gº * * * ... 242 General Notes * & 4 * c wº tº gº º * & e tº s º * º º ... 254
How to Use the Society & º & * * * tº ſº º tº e e * * * ... 246 Is He 2 ... * - © & e e * * * * * * * * * e = * gº tº e ... 255
Warnings to Producers of Books ... tº º º § º º tº gº g ... 240 A Plutocrat of the Press; or, The Cynic's Success (concluded) 257
Warnings to Dramatic Authors * tº ſº. tº º tº * Q & gº tº e ... 246 Correspondence ... tº º º * * * # * * & & © e E & a º e ... 259
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.
1. The Annual Report for the current year. 1s.
2. The Author. Published ten months in the year (August and September omitted), devoted especially
to the protection and maintenance of Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property. Issued
to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 5s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back
numbers from 1892, at 10s. 6d. per vol.
8. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLEs, Barrister-at-Law. 3s.
4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18.
5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.)
6. The Warious Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the
papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to
Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the
various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses therein. 3s.
Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at
º office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods.” . With comments and
advice. 28.
7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With
Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the
American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 1s. 6d.
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT
(Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 1s.
9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST
LUNGE, J.U.D. 2s. 6d. <3
10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By
G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 18.
11. Periodicals and their Contributors. Giving the Terms on which the different Magazines
- and Periodicals deal with MSS. and Contributions. 6d.
12. Society of Authors. List of Members. Published October, 1907, price 6d.
[All prices net. Apply to the Secretary, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S. W.]
## p. 228 (#288) ############################################
ii
ADVERTISEMENTS.
ſlie Šuriefn of Autburg (jnrurpurated).
Telegraphic Address : “A UTORIDAD, LONDON.”
Telephone No. : 374 Victoria.
SIR ROBERT ANDERSON, K.C.B.
SIRWM.REYNELL ANSON, Bart., D.C.L.
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD AVE-
J. M. BARRIE. | BURY, P.C.
SIR ALFRED BATEMAN, K.C.M.G.
ROBERT BATEMAN.
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.
THE RIGHT HON, AUGUSTINE BIR-
RELL, P.C.
MRS. E. NESBIT BLAND.
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S.
THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, P.C.
PHE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH-
CLERE, P.C.
HALL CAINE.
J. W. COMYINS CARR.
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.
S. L. CLEMENs (“MARK TwAIN ?).
EDWARD CLODD.
W. MORRIS COLLES.
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER,
SIR. W. MARTIN CONWAY.
THE BIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON
of KEDLESTON, D.C.
AUSTIN DOBSON.
MRS. MAXWELL (M. E. BRADDON).
JUSTIN MCCARTHY. &
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE,
SIR HENRY NorMAN, M.P.
SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P.
A. W. PINERO.
THE RIGHT HON. SIR HORACE
PLUNKETT, K.P.
ARTHUR RACKHAM.
OWEN SEAMAN.
G. BERNARD SHAW.
G. R. SIMS.
S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.
FRANCIS STORR.
SIR CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD
Mus. Doc.
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.
MRS. HUMPHRY.WARD.
PERCY WHITE.
FIELD-MARSHAL THE RIGHT HON,
THE WISCOUNT Wolseley, K.P.,
P.C., &c.
SIDNEY WEBB.
H. G. WELLS.
}
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.
SIR ALFRED BATEMAN, K.C.M.G.
MRS. E. NESBIT BLAND.
J. W. COMYINS CARR.
THE HON. MRS. ALFRED FELKIN.
(ELLEN THORNEYCROFT FOWLER).
S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.
FRANCIS STORR.
SIDNEY WEBB.
DRAMATIC SUB-CoMMITTEE.
MRS. ALEC TWEEDI E.
MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.
SIR CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD,
Mus: Doc.
J. H. YoxALL, M.P.
ARTHUR RACKHAM.
M. H. SPIELMANN.
Secretary—G. HERBERT THRING,
; Solicitor int England to
La Société des Gems de Lettres.
COUNCIL.
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
A. W. DUBOURG.
DOUGLAS FRESHFIELD.
THE HON. MRS. ALFRED FELKIN
(ELLEN THoRNEYCROFT FOWLER).
SIR. W. S. GILBERT.
EDMUND GOSSE, LL.D.
SYDNEY GRUNDY.
H. RIDER HAGGARD.
THOMAS HARDY.
MRs. HARRIson (“LUCAS MALET").
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS,
E. W. HORNUNG.
MAURICE HEWLETT.
JEROME K. J.EROMF.
HENRY ARTHUR JONES.
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.
RUDYARD KIPLING.
SIR EDWIN RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S.
THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.
THE RIGHT HON. SIR ALFRED
LYALL, P.C.
LADY IUGARD
SHAw).
SIDNEY LEE.
(MISS FLORA L.
Chairman—MAURICE HEWLETT.
| Douglas FRESHFIELD.
SIDNEY LEE.
ARTHUR RACKHAM.
G. BERNARD SHAW.
Chairman—A. W. PINERO.
H. GRAN VILLE BARKER.
J. M. BARRIE.
R. C. CARTON.
MISS CICELY HAMILTON.
JEROME K. J.EROME.
W. J. LOCKE.
CAPT. ROBERT MARSHALL.
CECII, RALEIGH.
Vice-Chairman—HENRY ARTHUR JONES.
G. BERNARD SH Aw.
ALFRED SUTRO.
PENSION FUND COMMITTEE.
ANSTEY GUTHRIE.
ANTHONY PHOPE HAWKINS,
Chairman—MAURICE HEWLETT.
MORLEY ROBERTS.
M. H. SPIELMANN.
COPYRIGHT STUE-COMMITTEE.
HAROLD HAIRDY.
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS,
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER.
SIR. W. MARTIN CONWAY.
E. J. MACGILLIVRAY.
SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P.
ART,
JOHN HASSALL, R.I.
J. G. MILLAIS.
FIELD, ROSCOE & Co., 36, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C. * * *
G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W. Solicitors.
LAWRENCE GODKIN, 30, Pine Street, New York, U.S.A., Counsel in the United States.
OFFICES.
39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY's GATE, S.W.
## p. 229 (#289) ############################################
C be El u t bor.
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.
Vol. XIX—No. 9.
JUNE 1ST, 1909.
[PRICE SIXPENCE.
TELEPHONE NUMBER :
374 VICTORIA.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS :
AUTORIDAD, LONDON.
NOTICES.
—º-º-e—
OR the opinions expressed in papers that are
signed or initialled the authors alone are
responsible. None of the papers or para-
graphs must be taken as expressing the opinion
of the Committee unless such is especially stated
to be the case.
THE Editor begs to inform members of the
Authors' Society and other readers of The Author
that the cases which are quoted in The Author are
cases that have come before the notice or to the
knowledge of the Secretary of the Society, and that
those members of the Society who desire to have
the names of the publishers concerned can obtain
them on application.
—e—º-e—
THE SOCIETY'S FUNDS.
—º-º-º-
ROM time to time members of the Society
desire to make donations to its funds in
recognition of work that has been done for
them. The committee, acting on the suggestion
of one of these members, have decided to place
this permanent paragraph in The Author in order
that members may be cognisant of those funds to
which these contributions may be paid.
The funds suitable for this purpose are : (1) The
Capital Fund. This fund is kept in reserve in
case it is necessary for the Society to incur heavy
expenditure, either in fighting a question of prin-
ciple, or in assisting to obtain copyright reform,
WOL. XIX.
or in dealing with any other matter closely
connected with the work of the Society.
(2) The Pension Fund. This fund is slowly
increasing, and it is hoped will, in time, cover the
needs of all the members of the Society.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
—º-º-º- -
HE List of Members of the Society of Authors,
published October, 1907, can now be obtained
- at the offices of the Society at the price of
6d., post free 7#d. It includes elections to July,
1907, and will be sold to members and associates
of the Society only.
A dozen blank pages have been added at the
end of the list for the convenience of those who
desire to add future elections as they are chronicled
from month to month in these pages.
—e—sº-0—
PENSION FUND.
—º-º-º-
N the 5th of February, 1909, the Trustees of
the Pension Fund of the Society, after
the secretary had placed before them the
financial position of the Fund, decided to invest
#350 in the purchase of Corporation of London
2} per cent. Stock (1927–57).
The amount purchased is £438 2s. 4d., and is
added to the list printed below.
The Trustees are glad to report that owing to
the generous answer to the circular sent round at
the end of 1908, they have been able to invest
more than £100 over the amount invested last
year.
Consols 23%.............................. #1,000 0 0
Local Loans .............................. 500 0 ()
Victorian Government 3% Consoli-
dated Inscribed Stock ............... 29] 19 11
War Loan ................................. 201 9 3
London and North-Western 3% Deben-
ture Stock .............................. 250 0 (0.
## p. 230 (#290) ############################################
230
TFIES A DITFIOR.
Egyptian Government Irrigation
Trust 4% Certificates ............... #3200
Cape of Good Hope 3% Inscribed
Stock ..... a • * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 200
Glasgow and South-Western Railway
4% Preference Stock.................. 228
New Zealand 3;% Stock........... 247
Jrish Land Act 23% Guaranteed Stock 258
Corporation of London 24% Stock,
1927—57
* * * * * * * * * e º e º e s tº t → * * * * * * * * * * * *
Subscriptions.
1909.
1, Twycross, Miss M. .
2, Macquarie, Arthur .
4, Sproston, Mrs. Stanley
4, Phipson, Miss Emma
4, Middlemass, Miss Jean
4, Pott, J. A.
4, Miller, Mrs. e
7, Marchmont, A. W..
7, Sharwood, T. S.
12, Durand, Ralph
12, Laing, Mrs. . º
14, Banks, Mrs. M. M.
14, Steel, Richard
16, Garnett, Edward .
16, Fenn, Frederick
18, Hering, Henry A.
18, Fox, Archibald D.
31, Anon. . e &
31, Kelly, W. P. º
31, Cotes worth, Miss .
1, Phillipps-Wolley, Clive .
1, Dawson, Warrington
4, Willard, Mrs. E. S.
Feb. 19, Paget, Mrs. Gerald
Feb. 20, Andrews, C. C.
March 5, Speed, Lancelot
March 8, Calderon, George &
March 8, Jackson, C. S. . * e
March 9, Young, Col. George F., C.B.
March 10, Sullivan, Herbert ©
March 11, Merritt, Mrs. Anna Lea
March 22, Dale, T. F. º e
April 13, Gask, Miss Lilian
May 17, Rorison, Miss Edith
Donations.
1909.
Jan. 1, Zangwill, Israel
Jan. 1, Hamilton, John A. .
Jan. 4, Stopford, Francis
Jan. 4, Falmouth, The Wiscountess
Jan. 4, Carrel, Frederick
Jan. 4, Laws, T. C. . º
Jan. 4, Abercrombie, Lascelles
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
I-
.O()
2
1
1
i
i
5, Bradgate, Mrs.
6, Leach, Henry
6, Cullen, H. N. º º º
6, Lyall, The Right Hon. Sir
Alfred, P.C., etc.
7, Underdown, Miss Emily
8, Omond, T. S. e e
8, Paternoster, G. Sidney
9, Stockley, Mrs.
9, Tanner, James T. .
12, Tighe, Henry
12, Aitken, Robert
12, Bolton, Miss Anna
14, Williamson, W. H.
16, Furze, Miss Bessie
16, Shirley, Arthur
18, “Austin Clare’” .
22, Williamson, Mrs. C. N.
22, Williamson, C. N.
23, Brown, R. Grant ,
28, Raphael, Mrs. M. . º e
4, Wilson, Miss Theodore Wilson
4, Cousland, W. M. . © º
4, Hardy, Thomas
5, Bremner, Robert L.
6, Todhunter, John
6, Pettigrew, W. F.
8, Russell, G. H. e
8, Walker, Capt. J. H.
8, Dutton, Miss Annie
8, Baldwin, Mrs. Alfred
11, Ainslie, Miss 4.
11, Steward, Miss E. M.
11, Rumble, Mrs.
15, Beveridge, A. S.
16, Toplis, Miss Grace
19, Wilkinson, D.
Feb. 24, Landa, Mrs. º
Feb. 26, Fitz Gerald, Mrs. . e
March 2, Tadema, Miss Laurence Alma
March 2, Reynolds, Mrs. Baillie.
March 4, Henry, Miss Alice
March 4, Wilson, Edwin .
March 5, Hardy, Harold .
March 9, Crozier, Dr. Beattie
March 9, Ross, Mrs. Janet
March 15, Gregory, Lady . º
March 31, Wizzari, Leopold de S.
April 5, Burchell, Sidney H.
April 15, Linton, C. Stuart
April 19, Loraine, Lady . & -
April 19, Durand, Sir Henry Mortimer
April 20, Stephens, Riccardo
May 24, Lefroy, Mrs. C. P.
Jam.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
º
S
º
1
i
I1.
;
I
I
1
The names of those subscribers and donors which
are not included in the lists printed above are
unavoidably held over to the July issue.
## p. 231 (#291) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
231
COMMITTEE NOTES.
—o-º-º-
HE May meeting of the committee was held
at the offices of the society on the 10th.
As Mr. Maurice Hewlett, the chairman for
the year, was abroad, Sir Alfred Bateman was
elected to the chair.
After the minutes of the previous meeting had
been signed, the chairman proposed a vote of
thanks to the retiring chairman, Mr. Douglas
Freshfield, for the work he had done for the
Society during the period of his chairmanship. He
reminded the members present that Mr. Freshfield,
prior to the reconstitution of the society, had been
chairman for two years, and had again taken that
position when the reconstitution came into force
last year. He stated how indebted the society had
been to Mr. Freshfield for the labour he had so
generously given to its affairs, and laid especial
stress on its obligations to him for undertaking
the duties after the critical period of the society’s
reconstitution. The vote was passed unanimously.
Seventeen members and associates were elected,
bringing the total elections for the year up to 114.
The list of names appears on another page. Six
resignations brought the total of resignations up
to 62.
Mr. H. G. Wells was elected to the society's
council.
The next matter before the committee—one of
great importance to novelists——was a statement of
the result of the circular issued by the society in
regard to cheap books. The committee decided to
print the statement, which appears in another
column. The list of those who have no objection
to the publication of their names is also set out. In
close connection with the subject of cheap editions,
the committee discussed the question of new copy-
right novels which it was proposed to issue at the
price of 2s. They had received various letters
from members of the society bearing on this point.
After some slight discussion the whole question
was referred to the sub-committee which had been
appointed to deal with the cheap 7d. novel. As
members may recollect, that sub-committee consists
of Mr. Maurice Hewlett, Mr. Anthony Hope
Hawkins, and Mr. Bernard Shaw. It is hoped
that their report will be ready for the next meeting
of the committee.
The committee next discussed the question
contained in Mr. H. G. Wells' letter in the April
issue of The Author, referring to authors’
agents and insurance, and the secretary was
instructed to make enquiries in the matter and
report to the next meeting of the committee.
Owing to one or two objections having been
raised to the publication of the names of the
Society's pensioners, and the amounts which they
received, the committee went into the matter very
fully, but came to the conclusion that it was only
fair to the subscribers to the fund, as well as to
members of the society who might in the future
become subscribers, that this information should
appear in The Author. -
The secretary reported the action of the copy-
right sub-committee which had met during the past
month, and the desire expressed by that committee
that the chairman of the Committee of Management,
Mr. Maurice Hewlett, should, if necessary, give
evidence before the departmental committee. He
also reported the receipt of a letter from the
Secretary of the departmental committee as to the
points on which they desired evidence to be given.
It was decided that the proofs which had been
prepared by the copyright and dramatic sub-com-
mittees should be sent in together with the names
of those whom the society would suggest as wit-
IłęSSéS.
The committee decided, also, that the report
of the action taken by the committee during the
past year to assist the cause of copyright, which
was to be laid before the Council in June, should be
drafted by the Secretary subject to the approval of
the chairman.
The secretary reported that he had heard from
the solicitors of Miss Alice Sargant, who had, for
many years, been a member of the Society, that
she had left a legacy to the Pension Fund of the
society of all her copyrights and interests in her
published books. The committee requested the
secretary to make further inquiries and to report
to the next meeting.
Members of the society may remember that the
question of Colonial sales was raised at the last
meeting, and the Publishers' Association was com-
municated with. From the answer of the Associa-
tion, laid before the committee, it appeared that
the publishers had appointed a small sub-committee
to meet the Authors’ Society in order to discuss
the situation. The matter was referred to the sub-
committee which had already been appointed for
the consideration of the question of cheap books.
The secretary reported the action taken by the
Dramatic Sub-Committee at their last meeting, and
it was decided to send a notice to the papers of
their approval of Mr. R. Vernon Harcourt's Music
Halls and Theatres Bill.
The secretary then asked for an authority to
require the payment on dinner tickets from those
who did not return them within a reasonable time.
The committee decided that all dinner tickets
returned to the secretary within four days of the
date of the dinner should be paid for, and authorised
the secretary to demand payment for those tickets
which had only been returned on the day of the
## p. 232 (#292) ############################################
232
THE AUTHOR.
dinner in the present year. It would obviously be
impossible to organise satisfactorily a big dinner
such as the society's annual function, if every
member who had asked for a ticket claimed the
right to return it without payment, one, two, or
three days before the dinner. The committee have
fixed four days as a reasonable limit.
The committee then turned their attention to
the legal cases which they were asked to support.
Of the four cases considered, the first—a question
of the infringement of an author's rights in Den-
mark—the committee decided to take up and
carry through the Danish courts if necessary.
The second the committee felt bound to refuse as
there appeared to be no legal cause of action.
This view was supported by the solicitors of the
society. The third case, the secretary reported,
had been withdrawn that morning, as the matter
had been settled in favour of the author. The
fourth case, against the editor of a magazine, the
committee decided to take up.
The committee instructed the secretary to re-
draft the prospectus of the Society and to submit
it to the next meeting.
Sundry letters from members were placed before
the committee and considered.
The committee decided to send an official letter,
signed by the chairman of the society, to Mr.
Thorvald Solberg, Registrar of Copyrights at
Washington, to express their appreciation of his
efforts towards the promotion of better American
copyright legislation.
—e—º-e—
DRAMATIC COMMITTEE.
I.
A MEETING of the Dramatic Sub-Committee of
the Society of Authors was held at the offices
of the society on Tuesday, May 4. The first
business of the meeting was to elect a chairman
for the current year. On the proposal of Mr. Cecil
Raleigh, seconded by Mr. Henry Arthur Jones,
Mr. A. W. Pinero was elected chairman, and on
the proposal of Mr. Alfred Sutro, seconded by Mr.
R. C. Carton, Mr. Henry Arthur Jones was elected
to the post of vice-chairman.
After the minutes had been read and signed, the
secretary laid before the meeting a formal proof of
the notes which had been passed at the last meet-
ing. This proof embodied those points dealing
with the alteration of the law as it affected dramatic
authorship, which the committee desired should
be laid before the Departmental Committee now
sitting on the Berlin Convention. The proof was
formally approved by the committee. The secre-
tary then reported that Mr. Grundy had been
their consideration.
unable to undertake the duty of giving evidence
before that committee, and that from Mr. Comyns
Carr he had not, as yet, received a final answer.
As the chairman represented that owing to urgent
private reasons he would be unable to give evidence,
at the request of the committee Mr. Bernard Shaw
stated that he would undertake the duty if required
to do so.
The next matter before the committee was the
consideration of the Theatres and Music Halls
Bill, Mr. Cecil Raleigh, who had taken great
interest in and had made a close study of the
Bill, explained at length to the committee all the
points which it covered and their bearing on
dramatic authorship. Considerable discussion
ensued. As a result two points presented them-
selves for the final approval of the committee.
The first, whether the committee was in favour of
free trade in amusements. The second, whether
the office of Censor of Plays should be abolished,
and the power of licensing theatres and music
halls be left entirely to the county authorities,
subject to the clauses of the Bill set forth.
The committee unanimously agreed to the first
point. Proposed by Mr. Cecil Raleigh and seconded
by Mr. R. C. Carton, the second point was carried
776/77. C07?). r
As the discussion of these important matters
had taken a considerable time, it was decided that
the other questions before the committee—the
Managers' Treaty and the Dramatic Pamphlet–
should be adjourned to the next meeting.
II.
A MEETING of the Dramatic Sub-Committee
was held on Thursday, May 20, at the Society's
office, to consider the various questions ad-
journed from the former meeting. After the
minutes had been read and signed the Secretary
reported that the appeal lodged by the society
on behalf of Mr. Frederick Fenn in the case
of Scholz v. Amasis, Ltd., had been successful,
the judgment of the three judges of the Appeal
Court being unanimous. The Dramatic Com-
mittee congratulated the society on the result of
its efforts in this case.
The Managers' Treaty and the Dramatic
Pamphlet then came before the committee for
Mr. Shaw made a long
statement explaining the difference between the
two documents and the work the former Committee
during the past years had expended upon them.
It was decided, after some discussion, that the
Dramatic Pamphlet should be taken first and
finally settled before the Managers' Treaty, Was
discussed. Accordingly Mr. Pinero, as chair-
man, began the reading through of the Dramatic
## p. 233 (#293) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
Pamphlet, and the clauses in the first agreement
which it contained were discussed one by one.
The substance of the treatise was fully con-
sidered. The secretary described the basis on
which it had been drafted, and the reasons for
its being put forward in the present shape. The
committee were only able in the time at their
disposal to get through a few of the clauses of
the first agreement, and the matter was further
adjourned to the next meeting, which will be held
this month.
The committee trust to be able to settle the
final form of the Pamphlet and to put it before the
dramatic members of the Society in the autumn.
—e-C-6–
COPYRIGHT COMMITTEE.
A MEETING of the Copyright Committee was held
at the offices of the society on Tuesday, May 18.
After the minutes of the previous meeting had
been read and signed, the final proof of Mr. Mac-
Gillivray's evidence was laid before the committee
and, after some discussion, was accepted. The
secretary then read to the committee letters received
from the Departmental Committee, and was in-
structed to write to those members of the society who
had promised to give evidence, informing them of the
contents of the letters, of the dates when they
might be called, and the evidence they would be
required to give. r f
The secretary reported that he had already
despatched the proofs to the Departmental Com-
mittee. - -
The next question before the committee was a
small Bill drafted by Mr. E. J. MacGillivray, at the
suggestion of Sir Charles Williers Stanford, for the
protection of musical composers. After considera-
tion, the committee thought it would be best that
the matter should be referred to the Committee of
Management to inquire whether the committee
would be ready to support the principles contained
in the Bill. -
: - - - —t-sº-º-
Cases.
SINCE the last issue of The Author nine cases
have been in the hands of the secretary. The first
was a claim against a publisher for the infringe-
ment of an author's rights. This has been
settled. The position has been explained and the
author advised as to the course which he should
take. There have been four cases for the recovery
of money. In three of these the money has come
to hand and been forwarded to the author. The
last has only just come into the office for settle-
ment. There were four cases for the recovery of
MSS. One has been successful, and the three
remaining are still in course of negotiation.
Only two cases remain open from former months.
One is a case of infringement of copyright in New
Zealand. In this case a reply has been received
from the infringer, who is asking for a settlement
on lower terms than those asked for by the society.
The other is a difficult case in connection with
a press-cutting agency. It may be worth while to
mention here that authors should be very careful of
their dealings with press-cutting agents. No press-
cutting agent is absolutely perfect, or will supply
the author with everything that he desires, but
Some agents take the fee, supply a few cuttings and
nothing more, and the author, who may have know-
ledge that his book has been reviewed in many
quarters, finds that the fee has been paid in vain.
Authors should be warned to be extremely careful
to what press-cutting agency they contribute, and
should never subscribe without obtaining advice in
the first instance as to the position and reliability
of the agent.
The secretary has to report the settlement of one
case of infringement where the full amount asked for
has been paid through the society's solicitors in
Spain, and one case of infringement in New Zealand,
where the sum asked has also been received. - -
Three other matters in the hands of the society's
solicitors have been settled satisfactorily.
—t-º-º-
May Elections. s
Wade-
Argyll-Saxby, A., M.A., “Brooklyn,”
F.R.G.S., etc. (Argyll- bridge, Cornwall.
Sawby). - .
Baines, Lady * Kidlington, Oxon.
Barnard, Edmund 50, Erpingham Road,
George, M.A. Putney, S.W.
Cook, Mrs. Thornton 45, Finsbury Square,
(Maorilanda). E.C. -
Ferguson, J. C. M. G. .
Fleurot, George G.
Gerrard, Mrs. Edith C.
Lambert,
(Mrs.).
Lubbock, Mrs. Monta-
gue.
McEwen, John B.
O’Brien, The
Georgima.
Agnes H.
Hon.
Rorison, Edith S. . •
Schwarz, Prof. Ernest,
H.L.
Southfield House, Wat-
ford, Herts.
17, Avenue Montaigne,
Paris.
Glenburnie,
N. Devon.
Fairlawn House, Wood-
manstern, Surrey.
127, Mount Street,
Berkeley Square, W.
The Doon, Pinner.
Bideford,
The Deanery, Perth,
N.B.
Box 116, Grahamstown,
S. Africa. -
## p. 234 (#294) ############################################
234
THE Arra HoR.
Sheeby-Skeffington, 11, Grosvenor Place,
Francis. Rathmines, Dublin.
30, Philbeach Gardens,
Earl's Court, S.W.
Williams, Mrs. Leonora 4, Whitehall Court,
Bruce. S.W.
(One member does not desire publication of his
name or address.)
Shillingford, Osmond .
—e—º-e—
BOOKS PUBLISHED BY MEMBERS OF
THE SOCIETY.
—º-º-e—
WHILE every effort is made by the compilers to keep
this list as accurate and as exhaustive as possible, they have
some difficulty in attaining this object owing to the fact
that many of the books mentioned are not sent to the office
by the members. In consequence, it is necessary to rely
largely upon lists of books which appear in literary and
other papers.
co-operate in the compiling of this list and, by sending
particulars of their works, help to make it substantially
accurate.
ASTRONOMICAI).
FARTHEST SouTH. By E. E. MIDDLETON, Tower House,
St. Matthew's Gardens, St. Leonards-on-Sea. 1d.
It is hoped, however, that members will
THE WAR OF THE SPANISH SUCCESSION, 94 pp.
DEFOE : CAPTAIN SINGLETON's EARLY ADVENTURES.
126 pp. (Blackie's English Texts.) Edited by W. H. D.
ROUSE. 63 × 23. Blackie. 6d. each.
AN ENGLISH CHURGH HISTORY FOR CHILDREN. By MARY”
E. SHIPLEY, With Preface by THE BISHOP OF
GIBRALTAR. 339 pp. Methuen & Co.
ENGINEERING,
ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WoRLD. Edited by
A: WILLIAMS. Part I, 11 × 8%. 64 pp. Nelson.
7d. m.
FICTION.
ROSE OF THE WILDERNESs. By S. R. CRoCKETT. 8 × 54.
336 pp. Hodder & Stoughton, 6s.
AN IMPENDING SWORD : An Adventure by the Sea. By
HORACE ANNESLEY WACHELL. 74 × 5, 186 pp.
Murray. 2s. 6d. n.
THE SHOW GIRL. By MAX PEMBERTON. 8 × 5. 343 pp.
Cassell. 6s.
THE GIRL IN THE BLUE DRESS. By RICHARD MARSH.
7; X 5. 318 pp. John Long, 6s.
GERVASE. By MABEL DEARMER.
Macmillan. 6s.
JEANNE OF THE MARSHIES. By B. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM.
7# × 5. 320 pp. Ward Lock. 6s.
SET IN. SILVER, By C. N. WILLIAMSON and A. M.
WILLIAMSON. 73 × 5. 445 pp. Methuen. 6s.
SAMSON UNSHORN. By REGINALD TURNER. 73 × 5.
371 pp. Chapman & Hall. 68. .
THE RED SAINT. By WARWICK DEEPING, 8 x 5. 376 pp.
Cassell. 6s. -
THE WREATHED DAGGER. By MARGARET YouNG. 8 ×
5. 340 pp. Cassell. 6s.
THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF JOHN HAVERSBAM.
7# × 53.
443 pp.
By IZA DUFFUS HARDY. 74 × 5. 320 pp. Digby
Long. 6s.
“MEG OF THE SALT-PANs.” By MAY ALDINGTON. 8 × 5.
320 pp. Everett. 63.
THE TEARS OF DESIRE. By Cora LIE STANTON and
HEATH HOSKEN. 73, x 5. 324 pp. Werner Laurie.
68.
TOM GENUFLEX. By JANE Rowl,AND (“Aunt Cherry.”)
7; X 5. 288 pp. Ouseley. 6s. .
EMMA HAMILTON : THE TARIFF REFORMER. By
WINIFRED GRAHAM. 84 × 5%. 128 pp. Digby
Long. 6d.
BARBARY SHEEP. By ROBERT HICHENs. 73 × 53.
236 pp. Methuen. 3s. 6d.
PRISCILLA OF THE GooD INTENT. By HALLIWELL
SUTCLIFFE. 73 × 5. 332 pp. Smith Elder. 68.
THE SHUTTLES OF THE LOOM. By K. M. EDGE. (MRs.
C. T. CAULEEILD). 7% x 5. 343 pp. Murray. 6s.
BIOGRAPHY.
FAIR WOMEN AT FONTAINEBLEAU.
Eveleigh Nash. 15s. n.
THE LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JOHN ARDAG.H. By
his WIFE, SUSAN COUNTESS OF MALMESBURY (Lady
Ardagh). With portraits and illustrations from drawings
by Sir John Ardagh. 9 × 53. 479 pp. Murray.
158. In.
By FRANK HAMEL.
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.
THE BIOGRAPHY OF A SILVER-FOX, OR DOMINO REYNARD
OF GoLDEN Town. By E. T. SETON. 8 × 6. 209 pp.
Constable. 5s. n.
BOOKS OF REFERENCE.
DICTIONARY or NATIONAL Biography. Edited by
SIDNEY LEE. New Edition. Vol. 15. Oatens—Pockrich.
93 × 64. 1,352 pp. Smith Elder. 153.
DRAMA.
THE FEUD : A Play in Three Acts. By EDWARD GARNETT.
7+ x 4%. 67 pp. A. H. Bullen. 18. n.
ECONOMICS.
THE INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM. AN INQUIRY INTO EARNED
AND UNEARNED INCOME. By J. A. Hobson.
328 pp. Longmans. 7s. 6d. n.
MAKERS OF OUR CLOTHES : A Case for Trade Boards.
By MRs. CARL MEYER and CLEMENTINA BLACK. 94.
× 53. 304 pp. Duckworth. 58. n.
EDUCATION.
PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF UNIVERSITY REFORM :
Being a Letter Addressed to the University of Oxford.
By LoRD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, Chancellor of the
University. 9 × 53. 220 pp. Oxford : Clarendon Press.
London : Frowde. 2s. 6d. n.
LORD MACAULAY : ESSAY ON JOHN HAMPDEN, 94 pp.
ESSAY ON SIR WILLIAM TEMPLE, 125 pp. ESSAY ON
93 × 6.
PETER HOMUNCULUs, T8y GILBERT CANNAN. 73 × 53.
327 pp. Heinemann. 6s.
BEYOND. By F. T. BULLEN. 73 × 5. 310 pp. Chapman
& Hall. 6s.
FHEALTH.
120 YEARS OF LIFE, AND How To ATTAIN THEM. By
CHARLES REINHARDT, M.D. 50 pp. London Publicity
Co., 379, Strand, W.C. 1s.
LITERARY,
DANTE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE. FROM CHAUCER TO.
CARY (c. 1880-1844). By PAGET TOYNBEE. Two.
volumes. 9 × 53. 638 + 757 pp. Methuen. 218. m.
IENGLISH LITERATURE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
By LAURIE MAGNUs. 409 pp. Andrew Melrose,
7s. 6d. n.
## p. 235 (#295) ############################################
TRIE AUTISIOR,
235
LONDON'S LURE : An Anthology in Prose and Verse. By
HELEN and LEWIS MELVILLE. 64 × 4}. 328 pp.
Bell. 3s.6d. n.
MILITARY.
BRITISH MILITARY PRINTs. By RALPH NEVILL.
11 × 8%. 72 pp. The Connoisseur Publishing Co.
MISCELLANEOUS,
SELECT READINGS AND RECITATIONs: Adapted and
arranged for the Class-room, the Drawing-room and the
Platform. By J. Forsyth. 74 × 5. 200 pp. Paisley:
Gardner.
MUSIC.
MUSICAL MONSTROSITIES. By C. I. GRAVES. Illustrated
by GEORGE MoRRow. 7 × 43. 217 pp, Sir Isaac
Pitman. 13. n.
ORIENTAL.
THE INDIAN CRAFTSMAN. By A. K. CoomfARASWAMY'
D.Sc. 73 × 5%. 130 pp. Probsthain. 3s.6d. m.
PHILOSOPHY.
BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL: Prelude to a Philosophy of the
JFuture. By NIETZSCHE. Translated by HELEN
ZIMMERN. 8 × 5+. 268 pp. Foulis. 3s.6d. n.
SCIENCE.
£ARENTHOOD AND RACE CULTURE : An Outline in
Eugenics. By C. W. SALEEBY, M.D. 9} x 6. 331 pp.
Cassell. 7s. 6d. m.
THE ETHER OF SPACE. By SIR OLIVER LODGE, F.R.S.
73 × 4%. 156 pp. Harper. 2s. 6d.
THEOLOGY.
ORIGIN AND FAITH. AN ESSAY OF RECONCILIATION. By
J. COMPTON-RICKETT. 83 × 5%. 272 pp. Hodder &
Stoughton. 6s. -
TOPOGRAPHY.
THE HEART OF SCOTLAND. Painted by SUTTON PALMER.
Described by A. R. HoPE MONCRIEFF. 104 × 7#.
206 pp. Black. 7s.6d. n.
ESSEX. Painted by L. BURLEIGH BRUHL, A.R.C.A.
Described by A. R. HoPE MonCRIEFF. 9 × 64. 262 pp.
Black. 20s. n.
MEMORIALS OF OED LANCASHIRE. Edited by LIEUT.-COL.
FISHWICK and the REV. P. H. DITCHFIELD. Two
Wols. 9 × 6. 286 -– 314 pp. (MEMORIALS OF
THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND. General Editor, REV.
P. H. DITCHFIELD, F.S.A., &c.). Bemrose. 25s. n.
TRAVEL.
THE BRETONS AT HOME. By FRANCES M. GOSTLING.
With an Introduction by ANATOLE LE BRAY.
304 pp. Methuen. 10s. 6d. n.
QUAINT SUBJECTS OF THE KING. By JOHN FOSTER
FRASER. 73 x 5. 304 pp. Cassell. 68.
9 x 5%.
—e—º-e—
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL
NOTES.
—e-e–
BIOGRAPHY.
- R. C. R. HAINES has published, through
Messrs. Barnicott & Pearce, a little volume
on “Joan of Arc.” The object of the book
is ethical rather than purely historical, though the
Writer has endeavoured at the same time to be
perfectly accurate and impartial.
HEALTH.
“120 Years of Life and How to Attain Them,”
by Dr. Charles Reinhardt, is a treatise upon the
use of lactic ferments for the prevention and cure
of disease and the prolongation of life. The book
is published by the London Publicity Company of
379, Strand, W.C.
EDUCATIONAL.
Miss Mary E. Shipley’s “English Church His-
tory for Children, A.D. 1066–1500,” published by
Messrs. Methuen & Co., contains a preface by the
Bishop of Gibraltar, William Edward Collins, D.D.
The present work is a companion volume to Miss
Shipley's first volume on “English Church History
for Children,” and the reader is carried from the
Norman Conquest to the eve of the Reformation.
Twelve illustrations and one map have been
included in the work, which contains also an index.
Mr. Andrew Melrose has recently issued Mr.
Taurie Magnus' book dealing with “English Litera-
ture in the Nineteenth Century.” The author states,
in a preface to the work, that he has attempted to
present rather a survey of English literature as a
whole than a history of that literature between
1784 and the present day. There is an index to
the book. -
A new edition of “The Children's Study’”
History of France, of which Miss Mary C. Rowsell is
the author, has just been issued by Mr. Fisher
Unwin. The edition is published at 1s. 6d.
Mr. Ferrar Fenton has in the printers' hands an
eighth edition of his modern English version of the
New Testament. This edition, in paper covers, is
published at 1s. Over 74,000 copies of Mr.
Fenton’s “Complete Bible in Modern English ’’
have left the press.
FICTION.
“The Tears of Desire” is the title of a new
novel by Coralie Stanton and Heath Hosken, which
Mr. Werner Laurie issued last month.
K. M. Edge, the author of “Ahana,” has just
published, through Mr. John Murray, “The
Shuttles of the Loom,” a novel which deals with
the life and work of a forest officer in Southern
India. It is concerned with the claim made upon
India by those who serve her faithfully. The life
of the hero contains elements of tragedy, but the
author shows the place which these elements have
in the scheme of things evolved by the “Fixed
Power for Good" that moves towards ultimate
perfection.
Robert Aitken's new volume of short stories,
## p. 236 (#296) ############################################
236
TISIES A UTEIOR.
which Mr. John Murray recently issued here, has
been published in America by Mr. B. W. Huebsch.
Mr. Harold Wintle's new novel, “The Waking
Hour,” will shortly be published by Mr. Fisher
Unwin. -
Mrs. Fred Reynolds' new book, which Messrs.
Hurst & Blackett are publishing, is entitled
“The Lady in Grey,” and, like her previous novel,
“S. David of the Dust,” has its setting in the
heart of Wales amongst the Welsh people.
Messrs. Alston Rivers' announcements include
new novels from the following members of our
society : Marjorie Bowen, E. Nesbit, Eva Lath-
bury, and Mrs. Havelock Ellis.
Miss Bowen's tale, “Black Magic,” is described
as mediaeval and picaresque, and has to do with
the rise and fall of antichrist. The opening
scenes are laid in Flanders, whence a journey
is made to Frankfort and on to Rome, Many
strange adventures, from which the distinctive
violence of the period is rarely absent, befall the
wanderers with whom the story is concerned.
“Salome and the Head”—the story by which
E. Nesbit is represented — has for its heroine
a famous dancer who attracts a young officer on
the point of leaving England for foreign service.
On his return, after some years' absence, he finds
her firmly established in London as a dancer.
The complications on which the story turns are
consequent upon a rather eccentric education
which has left her involved in relations with
another man, and the story culminates in a strange
crime with a no less strange dénouement.
Miss Lathbury's novel is called “The Desert
Island.” We have received no information from
the publishers respecting this book, but Miss
Lathbury will be remembered as the author of
two others published, we believe, by the same
firm, “Mr. Meyer's People” and “The People
Downstairs.”
“Attainment,” Mrs. Havelock Ellis' first attempt
at a long novel, is a story founded on experi-
ments Socialistic, philanthropic, and realistic, and
points to the value of a natural life in every
respect.
“Lords of the Sea,” which Messrs. Methuen &
Co. will publish at six shillings on August 12, is
a new novel by Mr. Edward Noble, written round
the life of a shipowner who has climbed from small
beginnings to greatness through the operation of a
transaction which is now known as P.P.I. in the
shipping world and elsewhere ; of the stress he
endures in consequence, and the manner in which
he faces it, together with an incident which grows
from other actions committed in early youth. The
first and last Sections of the book are laid on board
the Atlantic “flyer,” the Mauretania.
“The Lady Calphurnia Royal” is the title of a
book which Messrs. Mills & Boon are to publish in
June. Mr. Albert Dorrington, who wrote it in
collaboration with A. G. Stephens, late of the
S/dney Bulletºn, journeyed from Rockhampton in
a three-quarter deck yacht, in 1906, to the French
penal settlement of Ile Nou, in order to obtain local
colour and impressions. A big half of the book
deals with convict life in and around Noumea.
The rest contains a very close study of Australian
life and conditions on a big cattle station “outback.”
In spite of her long and severe illness last year,
Miss R. N. Carey has completed a novel entitled
“The King of the Unknown,” which will be issued
as usual in September by Messrs. Macmillan &
Co., and simultaneously in America by Messrs.
Lippincott.
Mr. John Long will publish early this month a
new novel by Mr. Henry Tighe, entitled “The
Four Candles.” The story opens, and for three-
quarters of the book remains, in a prospector's
Valley in Australia, and the circumstances of such
isolation creates the theme of the book, in which
four candles play, an important part in deciding
who shall take the heroine to wife—since her
husband and child have both died in the pro-
Spector's camp. The result of this act to the hero.
and to the Woman is told in detail. -
“Peggy Gainsborough,” Miss Emily Baker's
new book, published this month by Mr. Francis
Griffiths, is a story of the great painter's daughter
and the times in which she lived. The illustra-
tions are from portraits and pictures by Thomas
Gainsborough, R.A.
Messrs. Milner & Co., of 15A, Paternoster Row,
are the publishers of two plays for children by
Miss L. Budgen. The plays are “Hay Time,” a
cantata with action, and “Winter,” a little action
play for children. Both plays are published at
threepence.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd., are the publishers
of “Musical Monstrosities,” being the collected
articles which Mr. C. L. Graves has contributed
at intervals, dealing with the atrocities committed
in the musical world. Mr. George Morrow has
illustrated the work.
“Glimpses of Hidden India’’ is a new book by
John Law, published by Messrs. Thacker & Co.
Among the aspects of Indian life which are dealt
with may be mentioned Hindu lawyers, modern
Calcutta, the Hindu student, marriage and women,
Indian progress on western lines, and editors and
newspapers. s
Messrs. Black in their series of colour books,
which already includes several on gardens, have
found room for another on “Dutch Bulbs and
Gardens,” in which three ladies collaborate, Miss
## p. 237 (#297) ############################################
TISIES A UTFIOR.
237
Mima Nixon as artist, and the Misses Una
Silberrad and Sophie Lyall as authors. -
NAVAL. -
The 1909 edition of Jane’s “Fighting Ships” is
announced to appear early this month. Mr. Jane has
succeeded in securing plans of the German Dread-
noughts, including those of which the Government
has just confessed complete ignorance. There are
altogether three distinct types of German Dread-
noughts building. The latest designs for German
Dreadnought cruisers are also given, including the
famous “Von der Taun.” The new edition con-
tains a variety of other improvements and additions.
A point of interest in connection with Part 2 is
that Commander Hovgaard, the famous Danish-
American expert on ship design, has joined the staff
of “Fighting Ships,” and contributes for the 1909
edition an article on underwater protection against
torpedoes. Mr. Charles de Grave Sells, M.Inst.C.E.,
deals with the progress of warship engineering.
THEOLOGICAL.
We have received a copy of the second edition of
“A Commentary on the Holy Bible,” which has
been produced by Messrs. Macmillan & Co. under
the editorship of the Rev. J. R. Dummelow. The
object of the originators of the work has been to
make clear to the reader many of the circumstances
under which the various books of the Bible were
composed, to present a clear statement of the
mental habits of the people to whom they were
addressed, and to indicate the actual needs which
they were designed to meet. Introductions and
notes have been supplied to the various books with
a view to explaining the principal difficulties,
textual, moral or doctrinal, which may arise in con-
nection with them.
Messrs. Mowbray announce an edition of 50,000
copies of the Rev. Percy Dearmer's work, “Every-
man’s History of the English Church.” Mr.
Dearmer is also publishing this month, through
Messrs. Pitmans, a volume entitled “Body and
Soul,” which traces the practice of faith healing
from the early Church downwards through the
works of the saints, and healings at famous shrines
down to the new developments in our scientific age.
POETRY.
“The Red King's Dream,” and other poems, by
E. M. Rutherford, is a collection of pieces, many of
which have been published already in various
magazines. Mr. Henry Drane is the publisher.
DRAMATIC.
A statutory performance on April 30, at
the Bijou Theatre, was given of Mr. Melchior
MacBride's mystery play, “The Story of Glaston-
bury and the Grail.” The work deals with the
arrival in England of Joseph of Arimathea and his
party, bearing the Grail and other emblems of
Christianity; with their reception by the Druids;
with the adoption of Christianity in Britain. The
reading was directed by Mr. Geoffrey Besant, who
was assisted by Miss Gertrude Bibby; Mrs. Edward
Stirling, as Gladys (the chief Druidess), and the
Arch-Druid Cymnitin, Mr. A. F. Jones, Miss
Margaret Hardy, and others.
Mr. A. E. W. Mason's comedy “Colonel Smith ”
was produced at the St. James’ on April 23. The
play is based on the action of a young lady who
invents a lover as the speediest means of obtaining
one, and shows the measure of success which
attended her deception. The cast included Miss
Irene Wamburgh, Mr. George Alexander, and Mr.
William Farren.
Mr. W. Somerset Maugham's play “The Ex-
plorer '' was revived at the Lyric Theatre last
month. Mr. Lewis Waller, Miss Fanny Brough,
and Mr. A. E. George are in the cast.
“At a Junction,” the new one-act play in which
Miss Ellen Terry is appearing this season, is
written by Miss Margaret Young, whose first
novel, “The Wreathed Dagger,” came out last
month.
A new one-act play by Mr. W. W. Jacobs and
Mr. Horace Mills was produced in front of “The
Arm of the Law,” at the Garrick Theatre, on
May 25. It is an episode between two simple-
hearted sailors and a widow, to whom one of them
is paying attentions. The cast includes Mr. Leon
Quartermaine, Miss Mary Weigall, and Mr. Arthur
Whitby.
——º-e——
PARIS NOTES.
—e-Q-0–
HE death of George Meredith is universally
regretted here by all lovers of English litera-
ture. Unfortunately very few of his books
have been translated into French, and one of them,
“The Egoist,” has appeared in a poor translation.
Those French readers who know Meredith’s works in
the original greatly appreciate the psychology to be
found in them. Strangely enough, the last portrait
for which George Meredith posed, the medallion by
Spicer-Simson, is now being exhibited in the Salon.
This is naturally of great interest now, and attracts
a great deal of attention. Spicer-Simson also did
an excellent medallion of Watts shortly before his
death. This, too, was the last portrait for which
the great artist posed, and just after George
Gissing's death an admirable portrait of him by
this same sculptor was to be seen in the Paris Salom.
## p. 238 (#298) ############################################
238
TISIE A DITISIGDR.
René Doumic's book on George Sand is perhaps
the most interesting of the recently published
volumes. He goes back to the genealogy of the
family on the maternal and paternal side and, by
this study in atavism, much that may have hitherto
seemed incomprehensible in this celebrated woman's
character is, more or less, accounted for. René
Doumic has studied his subject thoroughly. He
gives us, in the first chapter, an excellent Summing
up of the psychology of this “child of Rousseau,”
as he calls her. He shows us the various influences
with which she, as a girl, had to contend. In the
next chapter she is married to Baron Dudevant,
and in the third chapter the author considers her
“a feminist of 1832.” After this we have the
series of her various romances with Alfred de
Musset, Chopin, and her other lovers. Later on
there is a chapter on the humanitarian dream and
her acquaintance with Pierre Leroux. In 1848
she is deeply interested in politics, and in the
closing chapters, we find her in her country home
at Nohant. Her friendship with Flaubert, her
letters to him, and a study of her later writings are
the last subjects on which M. Doumic touches.
The whole book is intensely interesting. The
subject is a very big one, but the author of this
volume has that rare quality, the Science of selec-
tion, in a marked degree. There is never a word
too much, and yet all sides are considered before
the critic draws his conclusions. In these days of
literary, or rather unliterary, rush and Scramble,
it is refreshing to find a book that one feels
has been carefully and studiously thought out,
a book which brings new light on a subject
which has tempted and will ever tempt so many
Writers. -
“Les Unis,” by Edouard Rod, is another roman
à thèse. In this author's last book, “Aloyse
Valérien,” it seemed as though the writer of it
had left himself with a problem to solve. In this
new work he appears to have solved it. The
subject of the novel is the question of free love.
A certain astronomer and philosopher, who has
himself been fortunate in his love affairs, considers
an unfettered union infinitely more ideal and
elevated than an official marriage. He educates
his children according to his theories, and the
consequence is that, out of the four free unions in
his family, three prove disastrous, and the fourth
couple decide that it will be preferable to legalise
their marriage. The conclusion of the book seems
to be an attempt to prove that, in the present
state of Society, free unions cannot be substituted
for legalised marriages. This does not perhaps
prevent the author from sympathising with the
idealist in his theories. The conclusion is rather
that such an ideal is too premature for the Sordid
times in which we live.
5
The questions of marriage, divorce, and free
unions have furnished subjects for numbers of
novels within the last few years. “Le Couple
invincible,” by M. Louis Lefebvre, is another novel
on the same theme. In 1629, a band of French
emigrants set out with their families, hoping to
find peace and tranquillity in other lands. They
are shipwrecked, and only a boat laden with
children, the eldest of whom is five years old,
reaches a little island inhabited by fishermen. It
is the first time that the natives of the island have
ever seen any Europeans, and as their habits and
customs are Very simple, they adopt the newcomers.
The children, of course, have a language of their
own. They live on very friendly terms with the
inhabitants of the island, but as a colony quite
apart. Time passes by, and as these children grow
up they gradually educate themselves and make
their own rules, and later on laws. Three hundred
years later this little colony has developed into a
community of twenty thousand people. One of
the most curious of their laws is the one concerning
marriage. A register is kept of marriages and of
démariages. As soon as a husband wishes to
change his wife he gives notice to the Governor,
and the dissolution of his marriage is at once
pronounced. At the time when the story opens
there is great excitement in the island. A certain
Professor and his wife have promised each other to:
be faithful for life, and not to contract a marriage
With another person. This is considered criminal
and illegal, and the would-be reformer is thrown
into prison. He pleads his cause most eloquently,
but this idea of absolute fidelity to one wife is con-
sidered rank heresy, and he is condemned to.
imprisonment for life. Gradually, though, the
idea is discussed in the island and, as time goes
on, the advantages of such a custom are seen by
Some of the more important members of the com-
munity. Finally, there is a reaction in favour of
the Professor, and it is decided that he shall be set
free, and that his principle shall be adopted.
When the Governor goes to the prison with these
good tidings it is too late, as the prisoner has just
died. Great sympathy is felt for his widow, but,
she tells the Governor that she will never be alone,
as she is sure of her husband’s love even after
death. Some little time after this a French boat
touches at the island and, on comparing notes, it
is discovered that this little colony belongs to
France. The Governor, in his pride, tells of the
new law that has just been passed, and is delighted
that the colony will be worthy of the mother
country. The officer replies in an evasive manner.
It is 1915, and in France the law has just decreed
that all marriages shall be dissolved at will.
“Le Mariage de Mlle. Gimei, dactylographe,” is
the title of René Bazin's latest book. -
## p. 239 (#299) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
239
“Une Tragédie d’Amour” is a work by Ernest
Seillière, giving the details of the suicide of
Charlotte Stieglitz. The whole story is very
curious, and several volumes have already been
written on the subject. Henri Stieglitz was a poet
of an extremely melancholy and nervous disposition.
His wife finally committed suicide, hoping that a
real trouble might arouse her husband from his
imaginary sorrows, and enable him to produce the
masterpieces of literature of which they both
appear to think he was capable. The whole book
is a study of psychology and of German mentality
during the 1830 period.
Among other recent books are:—“Sur les deux
Rives,” by Leon de Timseau; “Le soldat Bernard,”
by Paul Acker; “Simone la Romanesque,”, by
Lucien Trotignon; “La Course à l’Abime,” by
Ernest Daudet.
“Un Concert chez les Fous” is the title of the
volume of short stories which Charles Foley, the
author of “Heard at the Telephone,” has just
brought out. The first story, which gives its name
to the volume, is the one from which the play that
has had such success in Paris this winter was taken.
The translation of this story has already appeared
in an English magazine, and several of the others
will be published shortly in English.
The lectures given at the Sorbonne by the
American professor, Henry Van Dyke, have been
translated by E. Sainte Marie Perrin, and are
now published in book form as “Le Génie de
l’Amérique,” with a preface by A. Ribot, of the
French Academy. A translation of a book by
Benson has just appeared, entitled “Par quelle
Autorité P.”
“Douze Histoires et un Réve" is the title of a
translation recently published of a book by Wells.
In the Revue de Paris of the 15th of May, there
is an article by Jacques Blanche on the “Hundred
English and French Portraits.” In the last three
numbers of La Revue hebdomadaire there has
been a series of articles on “Le Dépeuplement de
la France.” Mademoiselle Chaptal, who has done
such fine work in the war that is being waged
against tuberculosis, writes an extremely interesting
article entitled “Histoire d'un Faubourg.” Through
her efforts great changes have taken place in one
of the most populous districts of Paris. She has
built a model lodging-house for the working man,
and she is now engaged in the founding of a very
modern hospital, which she will supply with
trained nurses. In the same review M. De
:Quirielle gives a study of “The Evolution of
Maurice Barres.”
In Paul Hervieu's play at the Théâtre Français,
entitled “Connais-toi,” we have one of the finest
feminine characters which this author has given
sus. In Clarisse, the wife of the Général de Sibéran,
We have an extremely feminine, charming woman,
a distinct relief from the ultra-modern woman
now in vogue. All the other characters are living
and real; there is nothing of the marionette about
them. They have not been invented merely to
figure in a play written to instruct us. It is quite
refreshing to have either a play or a novel at
present in which we have no long tirades on the
rights and requirements of women. “Le Scan-
dale,” by Henri Bataille, is being played at the
Renaissance. At the Porte Saint-Martin the play
by MM. Gustave Guiches and François de Nion,
entitled “Lauzun,” is having success.
ALYS HALLARD.
“George Sand” (Perrin).
“Les Unis” (Fasquelle).
“Le Couple invincible " (Perrin).
º # Mariage de Mlle. Gimel, dactylographe " (Calmann-
evy).
“Une Tragédie d'Amour” (Plon).
“Sur les deux Rives” (Calmann Lévy).
“Le Soldat Bernard” (Fayard).
“Simone la Romanesque " (Perrin).
“Un Concert chez les Fous” (Ollendorf).
a – A – a
v-º-w
AMERICAN COPYRIGHT AGAIN.
—º-O-0–
A COINCIDENCE.
TT is surely a singular coincidence that the
April number of The Author, which contains
my suggestion that Great Britain and the
United States should give their respective authors
the protection granted willingly to patentees,
should also publish a brief digest of a new United
States Copyright Bill which actually takes a step in
the direction I indicated. But it is only a step—a
weak effort to break away from earlier trammels.
I proposed a protected period of six months after
publication, and a further period of one year on
payment of a small fee. The new American Act
gives one month for filing the copy of a British
book and one month for applying the type-setting
clause. Now, with all deference to The Author's
adverse opinion, I hail this as a real benefit, but
the absurdly inadequate time limits prove clearly,
to my thinking, that the Act was drawn up by
someone who had very little practical experience
of the difficulty he was trying to solve. Will you
permit me to point out some phases of this
difficulty 2
I am not concerned about the leading authors of
either country. The very drawbacks imposed by
this copyright muddle are good for them. Their
books are accepted eagerly, and publishers are
naturally prepared to fulfil the provisions of the
## p. 240 (#300) ############################################
240
TISIE AUTISIOR.
law, whether simultaneous publication is insisted
on or not. It is the beginner, the unknown writer
—the man or woman with a story to tell that shall
hold spellbound the multitude when once its atten-
tion is caught—who suffers most grievously under
existing conditions. To such a one this slight
relaxation of the “simultaneous publication ”
clause is nearly, though not quite, useless. Take,
for instance, a novel that is published serially ;
before it appears in book form it may have been
running six months: what becomes then of the
two months' grace allowed by the United States ?
Again, let a non-serialised book by a new writer
be head and shoulders over its contemporaries of a
season, it cannot leap into prominence SO Suddenly
that all the reading public shall know of it, and an
American house be ready to adopt the needed safe-
guards almost before the circulating libraries have
made up their minds to order a second supply.
It seems to be only too clear that the two
months period was determined by legislators who
meant to act fairly, but lacked knowledge of print-
ing and publishing exigences. The concession is
a real boon to publishers and authors whose
arrangements are already made. It saves anxiety
and doubt on such a vitally important matter as to
what does actually constitute “simultaneous”
publication. But it does not give proper protec-
tion to the author who is unable to Secure a pub-
lisher on both sides of the Atlantic. It helps, I
admit. There may be some few cases where the
transcending merits of a book (probably overlooked.
by a round dozen of wideawake publishers when
in MS.) will demand such prompt attention that
an American edition can be rushed into print.
within the time.
far between.
I hope, therefore, that The Author will withdraw
its ban, and advocate the extended period I described
a month ago. By payment of 4s. the owner of
the copyright should be able to secure protection
for eighteen months. If, in that time, he has not
persuaded an American publisher to take up his
book—well, he must write another and a better
one—or, at any rate, one more suited to the
American market. -
LOUIS TRACY.
—e—º-e—
CHEAP EDITIONS.
—º-º-º-
RESULT OF THE SOCIETY's CIRCULAR.
HE committee desire to put before the
members of the society the result of the
postcard circular which was sent round
to all the members in April.
But such cases will be few and
As members will call to mind, this circular ran
as follows:– -
“The committee desire to call your attention to the
report of the sub-committee on bookselling in the April
issue of The Author, and will be glad—should the matter
under discussion affect you as a writer of fiction—if you
would be kind enough to fill up, sign, and return the
accompanying postcard. It is most important for the
booksellers to know the names of those authors who
approve of the time limit and are willing to assist in
enforcing it.”
and that the following was the form of card for
reply :— -
“* (1) I am (OT am not) a writer of novels.
“” (2) I undertake (do not undertake) not to publish
either myself, or through my agents or assigns, an edition
of any novel first issued at the price of 6s. or over in a
cheaper form at any time within two years from date of
its first publication,
“” (3) I have no objection (I object) to the publication
of my name in The Author or otherwise.
“* Please delete these portions not applicable.”
The list of those who are willing, and those who
are unwilling, to give the undertaking will be of
interest, not only to all writers of fiction, but to
all the booksellers when purchasing their stock of
68. novels, and also to the publishers.
It should be borne in mind that this under-
taking could not possibly bind members in the
matter of those contracts which have already been
entered into either by themselves or their agents,
and it should be stated that some of the signatories
who gave this undertaking made an exception in
favour of 38. 6d. editions, or, conversely, limited the
undertaking to non-production at 1s. or under.
From many of the novelist members of the
Society, as a careful perusal of the list will at
once show, no answers have been received—this
point should be kept in mind by any statistician
who desires to make logical deductions—but if
any other names come in to the offices of the
Society of Authors after this list has gone to
press, they will, with the consent of the authors,
be inserted in the July number.
About six hundred answers have so far been
received. Of these 290 were from those members
of the Society who did not claim to be novelists,
and 310 were from novelists. -
We only propose to deal with a classification of
the latter. Of these the majority gave the under-
taking suggested by the sub-committee and
approved by the committee of management, the
exact proportions being as follows: 203 in favour
of the undertaking and 28 against. In fourteen
cases the writers expressed their views in general
terms, neither binding nor refusing to bind them-
selves. Twelve cards were returned unsigned, and
in consequence cannot be identified.
The lists produced below naturally only include
those who have allowed their names to be published.
## p. 241 (#301) ############################################
TFIES A CITISIOR,
241
Authors who undertake not to Publish an Edition
of any Novel first issued at the price of 68, in a
cheap form at any time within Two Years from
date of its first Publication.
Ansell, Evelyn
Armstrong, Miss Julien
Askew, Claude
Atherton, Mrs. Gertrude
Baker, Miss Emily
Baker, James
Bancroft, Francis
Banerjea, S. B.
Barclay, Armiger
Barrington, Michael
Battersby, H. F.
Prevost
Begbie, Harold,
Bell, R. S. Warren
Benson, E. F.
Black, Miss Clementina
Booth, Edward C.
Bloundelle-Burton,
John
Boggs, Miss Winifred
Boore, Miss E.
Bourke, Lady Florence
Brighouse, J. H.
Briggs, Miss Ada E.
Brooke, Miss Emma
Burgess, J. J. Haldane
Calderon, George
Cameron, Mrs. Charlotte
Capes, Bernard
Carey, Miss
Nouchette
Carroder, Conrad H.
Castle, Egerton
Canman, Gilbert
Chorley, Herbert
Clarke, Allen
Cobbett, Miss Alice
Coleridge, The Hon.
Gilbert
Coleridge, Mrs. Marion
Connell, Norreys
Corelli, Miss Marie
Cowley, Miss J. M. R.
Craig, Lieut.-Col. R.
Manifold
Crommelin, Miss May
Dawe, Carlton
De Crespigny, Mrs.
Delaire, Mrs. Jean
De la Pasture,
Henry
Deeping, Warwick
Dickson, F. Thorold
Rosa
Mrs.
Digges, The Rev. J.
C
Dixon, William Scarth
Dorrington, Albert
Doyle, Sir A. Conan
Drummond, Mrs. Annie
Drummond, Hamilton
Düring, Mrs. Stella M.
Dutton, Miss Annie
V
Eccles, Miss O'Conor
Ellis, Mrs. Havelock
Fetherstonhaugh, W.
FitzRoy, Isobel (Mrs.
Arthur Hecht)
Forbes, Lady Helen
Forrest, R. E.
Forster, E. M.
Fountain, Paul
Fowler, Ellen Thorney-
croft (The Hon. Mrs.
Alfred Felkin)
Fox, S. M.
Free, The Rev. Richard
Freeman, R. Austin
Fuller, Captain J. F.
C
Garvice, Charles
Gaunt, Miss Mary
Gay, Mrs. Florence
Gibson, L. S.
Gilliat, The Rev. E.
Gilson, Captain Charles
Godfrey, Miss Elizabeth
Goldring, Miss Maude
Grace, Stephen
Grand, Madame Sarah
Granville, C. .
Graves, Frederick
Grey, Rowland
Gribble, Francis
Grier, Sydney C.
Guthrie, Anstey (F.
Anstey)
Hachblock, Miss Emily
M. -
Hamel, Frank
Hamilton, Anthony
Hamilton, The Rev.
John A.
Harding, Commander
Claud
Harker, Mrs. L. Allen
Harraden, Miss Beatrice
Harrison, Mrs. Darent
Harte, Mrs. Bagot
Heath, Miss Helena
Henderson, Miss
Florence L.
Henoch, Mrs. Emily I.
Hewlett, Maurice
Hill, J. Arthur
Hinkson, Mrs. Katha-
rine Tynan
Hodgson, Randolph Ll.
Holland, Clive
Holmes, Arthur H.
Holmes, Miss Eleanor
Home, Miss M. C.
Hope, Anthony
Hope, Graham
Horniman, Roy
Hughes-Gibb, Mrs.
Humphreys, Mrs. Des-
mond (Rita)
Hunt, Miss Violet
Hussey, Eyre
Jacobs, W. W.
James, Miss S. Boucher
Jepson, Edgar
Jones, W. Braunston
Reary, C. F.
Keating, Joseph
Kenealy, Miss Arabella
Rinross, Albert
Ripling, Rudyard
Koch, Mrs. Mary
Rnowles, R. B. S.
Landa, Mrs. Gertrude
Lathbury, Miss Eva
Layard, G. S.
Le Blond, Mrs. Aubrey
Lechmere, Mrs. (Cecil
Haselwood)
Lee, The Rev. Albert
Lees, Robert James
Lennox, Lady William
Locke, W. J.
Lodge, Juliane de
Lowndes, Mrs. Belloc
Louth, Alys
Lynn, Miss Eve
Machray, Robert
Mackellar, C. D.
MacLeod, G. Hamilton
Mann, Mrs. Mary E.
Marchmont, A. W.
Marks, Mrs. Mary A. M.
Marriott, Charles
Marsh, Charles Fielding
Marshall, Archibald
McChesney, Miss Dora
Greenwell
McCraith, L. M.
Methley, Miss Alice A.
Miller, Miss E. T.
Miniken, Miss Bertha
M. M.
Moberley, Miss L. G.
Moore, Miss Leslie
Morrah, Herbert A.
Morrison, Arthur
Munro, Neil
Needham, Raymond
Nesbit, E.
Noble, E.
Norris, W. E.
O'Donnell, Elliott
Oliphant, P. L.
Ollivant, Alfred
Ormsby-Johnson, Major
Frederick C.
Panting, J. Harwood
Parks, H. C.
Parr, Miss Olive Kath-
arine
Paternoster, G. Sidney
Paull, H. M.
Pemberton, Max
Penn, Rachel
Penny, Mrs. Frank
Phillimore, Mrs. C. E.
Phillipps-Wolley, Clive
Pickering, Sidney
Pollitt, Milton
Porritt, Norman
Prichard, Mrs. Hesketh
Prichard, H. Hesketh
Prowse, R. O. -
Ralli, Constantine
Ramsden, Lady Gwen-
dolen
Randall, F. J.
Reid-Matheson, E.
Reynolds, Mrs. Fred.
Rhys, Ernest
Richardson, Frank
Roberts, R. Ellis
Rose, Algernon
Rowland, Mrs. Jane
Rowsell, Miss Mary C.
Russell, Fox
Russell, G. Hansby
Sanford, Miss Mary
Bouchier
Schwartz, Herr van der
Poorten
Sedgwick, Anne Douglas
Shaw, G. Bernard
## p. 242 (#302) ############################################
242
THE AUTISIOR.
Shepheard - Walwyn,
EI. W.
Sieveking, J. Giberne
Silberrad, Miss Una L.
Sinclair, Miss May
Smedley, Constance
(Mrs. Maxwell Arm-
field)
Smith, Miss Edith A.
Smith, W. H. Byron
Snaith, J. C.
Soan, The Rev. R. Y.
Spencer, Alfred
Stacpoole, Miss Flor-
€0Cé
Stayton, Frank
Stephens, Riccardo
Stevenson, Mrs. M. E.
Strae, S.
Stuart, Esmé
Sutcliffe, Halliwell
Swallow, The Rev. Henry
J
Swan, Miss Myra
Todd, Miss Margaret,
M.D.
Tomlinson, Miss Ella
Tracy, Louis
Trelawny, Paul
Troubetzkoy,
(Amelie Rives)
Tuite, Hugh
Wachell, Horace An-
nesley
Warty - Smith,
Augusta A.
Walker, William S.
Watson, E. H. Lacon
Way, Miss Beatrice
Weekes, Miss R. K.
Westrup, Miss Mar-
garet
Weyman, Stanley J.
White, Miss Hester
White, Percy
Whiteing, Richard
Willcocks, Miss M. P.
Williamson, C. N.
Williamson, Mrs. C. N.
Williamson, W. H.
Willis-Swan, Miss W. M.
Wilson - Wilson, Miss
Theodora
Wood, Frances Harriett
Yolland, Miss E.
Zangwill, Israel
Miss
Members who do not undertake to refrain from
publishing an edition of any novel first issued at the
yrice of 6s. in a cheap form at any time within two
ſyears from the date of its first publication —
Aitken, Robert
Cobb, Thomas
Cornford, L. Cope
Crouch, A. P.
Drake, Maurice
Gray, Maxwell
Greener, W. O.
Haes, Hubert
Hornung, E. W.
Hyland, Miss M. E.
F.
Hyne, C. J. Cutliffe
Relly, W. P.
Little, Mrs. Archibald
Lucas, E. W.
March, Miss A. Mollwo
Marshall, Mrs. Agnes
Marchbank
Montgomery, Miss K. L.
Montresor, Miss F. F.
Portman, Lionel
Punshom, E. R.
Ridge, W. Pett
Smythe, Alfred
Thomas, Annie (Mrs.
Pender Cudlip)
Tweedale, Wiolet
Vance, Louis Joseph
Weaver, Mrs. Baillie
Willmore, Edward
v-v-w
THE ANNUAL DINNER.
–0-6-0–
YTY HE Annual Dinner of the
Society of Authors, commemorating the
25th anniversary of its foundation, was
held on Thursday, April 29, at the Criterion
Princess
Incorporated
Restaurant, about two hundred members and
guests being present. The chair was taken b
Mr. EDMUND GOSSE, who, at the conclusion of the
dinner, proposed the usual loyal toasts.
After the healths of the King and of the Queen
and the Royal Family had been drunk with
enthusiasm, the chairman rose again in order to
propose “The Society.”
After referring to the occasion, the “first jubilee
anniversary in the history of the society,” Mr.
Gosse declared himself, although not like Queen
Constance a creature “naturally born to fear,”
seriously alarmed at the task of addressing a
body of professional people on a subject intimately
connected with their profession—a large and dis-
tinguished body of authors, on authorship. He
was able, however, as a very old member of the
Society, as One of the very first, to share in the
pleasure and comfort felt by all in the favourable
situation in which they found themselves. He
recalled the first meeting of the society in Mr.
Scoones's room, when they listened to the ardent
eloquence of Walter Besant, and little imagined
that his grain of mustard-seed would bourgeon
and push forth branches into all parts of the
habitable globe. Among those before him who
had taken part in the foundation of the society he
referred to Dr. Squire Sprigge (who presided at one
of the tables). Of the rise and growth of the
society Mr. Gosse proceeded to say: “The thrilling,
the tremendous point is the fact itself, namely,
that after a laborious ascent of no fewer than
twenty-five years, the members of the society have
reached a turn in the hill road. I daresay you
remember, in “Pilgrim's Progress,” that when
Christian had been a long while clambering up
the hill Difficulty, he came to a turn in the hill,
where was a pleasant arbour, when he pulled his
roll out of his bosom and fell to reading therein to
his comfort. It is only right that we should pause,
after our climb of a quarter of a century, and fall
to reading our roll. When we look out from our
arbour half way up the hill Difficulty, we may see
ourselves, in the fashion of old Italian pictures, as
we were in the year of our incorporation. What
we see is a little group of twelve or fifteen
men, full of zeal for the protection of literature,
and we see them set forth to fight against all
manner of gryphons and dragons, under the generous
leadership of our dear old friend and comrade
Walter Besant.” Mr. Gosse went on to refer to the
ridicule and opposition which the Society had
lived down, to its growth from sixty-eight members
at the close of its first year to an army of two
thousand in the present day; to its prosperity, to
its power for helping others and protecting itself;
and mentioned in this connection its indebtedness
to the energy of its secretary, Mr. Herbert Thring.
## p. 243 (#303) ############################################
THE AUTHOR,
243
It was not a charitable society, nor a mere debt-
collecting institution, but a corporation of the
owners of literary copyright in the kingdom,
strengthening and defending their rights through-
out the world. The pirate waved his raw-head and
bloody bones, but the society ran him down upon
the high seas in true British style. At that
moment, he informed his hearers, in response to
an invitation from the Board of Trade Mr. Thring
was collecting evidence to be laid before the
Departmental Committee on the results of the Berlin
International Copyright Convention, over which
Lord Gorell will preside. The society took
cases through the Courts and, as in one instance,
to the House of Lords, not concerning itself. So
much with the amount as with the principle of
law involved, with the result that every case
fought successfully, every modification obtained in
a publisher's agreement, enabled all British authors
to make better terms for themselves. The society,
once sneered at by its enemies as a coterie of
amateurs, included in its membership of two
thousand the vast majority of the professional
authors in this country, and in a quarter of a
century had had but two presidents: Tennyson
and George Meredith. He asked them in con-
clusion to drink to the health of the Society, a
toast which by custom needed no reply.
The next toast, that of “Iliterature and The
Drama,” was proposed by “Maarten Maartens’’
(Mr. J. M. W. Van der Poorten-Schwartz), who
in expressing his distrust of his own powers as an
orator, said: “Some men are born to speech-
making ; some men achieve it ; and some men
have it kindly and firmly thrust upon them. It
was Talleyrand—was it not ?—who said that “a
speech was allotted to a man so that he might not
be able to say what he meant.' Talleyrand was
one of the half-a-dozen fortunate persons in the
last century who are credited with all the clever
things they forgot to say. He is the favoured
French personage of that time, as Sidney Smith
was the English one, and Saphir the German one.
Lucky indeed are the wits and authors whose
plagiarism is done for them by the rest of man-
kind.” Referring to the old American jest as to
the relief of Daniel in the lion's den at the reflec-
tion that he would have to make no after-dinner
speech, Mr. Maartens observed that on that
occasion there was in fact no dinner but only
speeches, Daniel himself proposing the King's ever-
lasting health. He himself was thus to propose the
health of the lions, some of whom had to roar in
their own wilderness, with none to say, “Well roared,
lion l’” After all, however, it was better to do
your roaring in the wilderness than in any popular
shilling zoo. The speaker paid a personal tribute
to English literature as it reached him in Holland
in the shape of books forwarded by English literary
friends, referring to it as “a link in love of letters
across the sea,” and describing “down in the
Village, the workboys, after a day's often weari-
Some and unhealthy labour—the village boys,
Strange of costume and uncouth of language,
bending with sparkling eyes over the latest magic
possibility, the latest world-wonder—by Wells.”
He hesitated to continue with a list of English
Writers widely read in Holland, after the chairman's
reference to foreign piracy. Turning again to the
Village already mentioned and to the topic of
The Drama, he spoke of its delight in its theatrical
Society, saying, “You must come and see how
through the endless winter evenings in the quiet,
frost-bound, frost-bitten country these dull peasants,
Who are beyond the reach of a theatre, find exist-
ence brightened and gladdened by their slow
learning and simple costuming, their little sacri-
fices, their triumphant results.” He had spoken
of literature brought to him by the post; he
would also recall the sad tidings it might bear.
Recently it had brought him news of the death of
Swinburne ; paying an eloquent tribute to the
poet's memory, he observed that it should not be
said that “Swinburne was no more.” “In the
literary firmament, at any rate, the fixed star shines
on.” Coupling the toast with the name of Mr.
H. G. Wells, he proposed the toast of “Literature
and The Drama.” He had hoped to join the name
of Mr. Henry Arthur Jones, but he regretted that
information had been received that Mr. Jones
was prevented by indisposition from being
present.
Replying to the toast of “Literature,” Mr.
H. G. Wells said that perhaps for the first time
in his life he had heard that toast proposed without
the accompaniment of a lament that literature was
at present in a bad way—that the books that were
written to-day were not comparable in merit with
the books that were written in the past. This
was an almost invariable statement on such
Occasions, but it was an unkindly statement—it
wounded the living, and quite possibly never
reached the ears of the dead. But it was true,
nevertheless. Literature always had been in a
bad way. The books that were written at any
time were never equal in depth and richness of
association, and a certain indefinable quality that
everyone understood and no one could explain, to
the books of the past. They never would be until
new wine and new cheese, new furniture and new
history, were as good as the old. But Mr. Maarten
Maartens, with a juster appreciation of the case
had taken it for granted that in the achievements
of literature at the present time there was as good
promise of a noble vintage for the future as had
been made by any previous age.
## p. 244 (#304) ############################################
244
TFIE A Dr’TFIOR.
Mr. Wells went on to say that when it was
conveyed to him that he was to speak upon the
subject of literature, his mind began at once to
run upon the question : “What is literature ?”
Was it art, for instance 2 It might perhaps be
called so, if one were willing to talk of uncon-
scious art—which was absurd ; but arts swam in
literature like waves and eddies in a flood, and
there was literary art that was not literature.
Was it philosophy All literature, Mr. Wells
contended, was formally or informally philosophy,
inasmuch as it had reference to the broad and
fundamental things of life. But it was true that
some philosophy was not literature. Was it
science 2 Literature was informed with knowledge,
but there was indeed knowledge which had no claim
to be considered literature. Literature consisted
of the whole written expression of a people that
was not simply either the reiteration of things
already said, or bare records, or shallow insincerity.
It was the conscious thought of the community,
and nothing less, said Mr. Wells, that he found
himself sustaining in that toast—just as a page-
boy might carry a crown and the symbol of the
empire of the world. For his own part, he took
literature very seriously indeed. It was the
greatest thing in life to him. He would rather
leave a living book behind him than die rich or
honoured, and rather add a new vein of thought
to the nation's thinking than add a province to
her empire. He claimed for literature, before all
things, freedom ; it was the fundamental duty of
literature to express thought with the completest
freedom and frankness; the idea, that one heard
of sometimes, of a censorship of literature, was the
most foolish and mischievous imaginable. It was
not for those who had not thought and dared not
think to control the thought of those who did. It
was doubtful if anyone had ever been really injured
by a bad book, unless the mischief was already
done by suppressions and timidities and secrecies
that made the victim morbidly susceptible to
strange suggestions. The way to counteract bad
books was to print good Ones.
Mr. Wells said he would also like to claim for
literature something else : a living wage. It was
extremely puzzling to see how this could be pro-
vided, and for his own part he had no scheme to
offer. It seemed possible that hard times were
coming for writers, perhaps as a consequence of the
great production of cheap literature, but they would
have to show their faith in their calling by going
on writing in spite of that, by adapting themselves
to the new conditions and by making any alterations
in their scale of living that might be necessary.
Authors were a peculiar class, creatures at once
favoured and doomed. No writer could tell with
certainty whether he was producing literature—or
piffle. For his own part, he knew—and he believed
that here he spoke for the majority present—that
whatever happened to their fortunes in the future,
he was going on writing, and very largely he was
going on Writing what he wanted to write, if
necessary on a pound a week, or in hiding or in
jail for debt, or in whatever circumstances might
be in store for him, so long as paper and pens were
provided. The only way to stop a writer who had
Once really tasted ink and the sense of authentic
creation was to shoot him. That was the peculiar
weakness of the author's economic position, a
position that Mr. Thring and the society had,
nevertheless, done so much to improve.
Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins, in proposing “The
Guests,” said that he had been in a certain amount
of difficulty in ascertaining who were the guests of
the Society on that evening and who were its
members, and that if he should praise anyone who
should not be praised and leave out anybody who
should be mentioned, he must ask to be forgiven.
In his peculiar position he must hold out a high
diplomatic welcome to the representative of the
Publishers' Association, and being quite unaccus-
tomed to high diplomatic functions, he felt rather
like a Sovereign addressing a brother potentate and
saying, “I am very glad to see you. Now come
and see my army and fleet.” This, however, at the
present time of day was a rather hard way of
putting it. It was one of the fervent hopes of the
founder of the society that relations of friendship
would reign in the future between authors and
publishers. They were now getting nearer to that
ideal. They had found many points as to which
they could act together; such points were
increasing, and the cordiality of co-operation was
heightened through there being on both sides a well
Organised body. There were men and women
familiar with the issues and able to discuss them
in a business-like way. The extremists on both
sides had become of less account, and the business
was the more likely to be carried on upon lines of
justice and of harmony. For these reasons, not less
than for what he had done for literature, he bade
Mr. Heinemann a hearty welcome. As regards a
great many of the other guests, his pleasure in
welcoming them would only be greater if he could
greet them as members, distinguished as so many
of them were in the fields of literature. The society
was honoured by the presence of Lady Dorothy
Nevill, who, secure herself in immortal youth,
linked the present with the great men of the past.
Mr. Henry Newbolt needed no introduction to
members—a gifted craftsman in prose and poetry.
With real pleasure he greeted Kate Douglas Wiggin,
a member as well as, on that night, the guest of
the chairman. In claiming for her, as such, the
full token of the society's respect, Mr. Hope dis-
## p. 245 (#305) ############################################
TFIE A CITISIOR.
245
claimed any reflection upon Lord Collins. He
could well understand that if Lord Collins were a
member of the society he might, as occupant of a
high judicial office, soon find himself sitting in
judgment on himself. The society were incorri-
gible litigants, and as they always had an unanswer-
able case he would feel himself obliged to give
judgment in his own favour. As Master of the
Rolls, Lord Collins might well be claimed as an
author, but he had more definite qualifications.
In his earlier days, he (Mr. Hope Hawkins)
became acquainted with two ponderous tomes”
bearing Lord Collins' name on their title pages,
and from his recollection of their contents, he
wentured to say that Lord Collins was as glad to
have finished with them as he himself.
Replying first for the guests, Kate Douglas
Wiggin (Mrs. George Riggs, Litt.D.) made a speech
in verse, referring in a humorous vein to literary
incidents and personalities of the day, and con-
taining the following passages:—
>k >k × >k >k
“Do you know what I see as I stand here the guest
Of the flower of London, its cleverest, best,
Its poets, its editors, novelists, sages —
I see you as you are, then as heirs of the ages
Your laurels are green, I see others unfaded
Tho' centuries cold are the brows they once shaded,
See ghosts of immortals whose eloquent words
Made England a forest of rare singing birds ;
Magicians whose tales are still fresh to the ear,
They spoke, they still speak, and the world bends to hear.
I own the same tongue, so I share in the glory
That makes Britain famous in Song and in story.
(We imperilled our heritage slightly, you’ll say,
When we ventured from out your dominion to stray,
But not one Pilgrim sailed for his bleak Plymouth Rock
Till Shakespeare was born, so we're stock of his stock I)”
× × × × >k
“Poor John Davidson's gone ; he was hopeless and sad :
If now he's at peace we can only be glad
That the ‘weariest river,' when once it flows free,
Finds somehow and somewhere its path ‘to the sea.”
Now from sorrow to gratitude—blessings are many,
Tho' up to this moment I’ve not mentioned any
There's one splendid voice that is still ringing true,
One worthy to rank with the immortal few,
Old or young, he's as full as a reed is of pith,
. Your president, God bless him George Meredith !”
× Sk - X sk >:
‘These then, fellow scribes, are the thoughts of a guest
Who tacitly in her first sentence confessed
She hadn't a notion of speeches at dinners,
For on these occasions the men are chief sinners
I thank dear Edmund Gosse for the honour conferred
In letting me speak for the guests this brief word.
Lord Collins I thank for dividing the toast,
Especially when in himself he's a host.
And last, friends and authors, I'm glad to be here,
Not alone for the wit and the mirth and good cheer,
But because we are sounding the praises to-night
Of an art in whose service lies keenest delight.
{
* Smith's Leading Cases,
Talk of angels Poor angels, they play and they sing,
But never a quill do they pluck from a wing !
They’ve only their harps; no paper, no ink,
I’d rather be author than angel, I think
I’m nearly submerged in a crowd of my betters,
But proud to be known as a woman of letters ''
Lord Collins, following Kate Douglas Wiggin,
declared his enjoyment of the advantage, shared
that evening by no previous respondents, of being
a “junior.” It was well known that the province of
a “leader’ in the law courts was to say all that
needed no research, and to leave his junior to fill
in the details. His leader had, however, adopted
a different course, taking the whole burden
of the case, and he was grateful that at least
it was not obligatory upon him to say ditto
in an extempore poem. Most men, especially
professional men, ended by obliterating from
their constitutions all that belonged to the
domain of imagination, and by reducing to
complete inertness the most brilliant faculty
bestowed by Providence upon mankind. There
authors came in and preserved that which other-
wise would become extinct in a generation or two.
Among authors, he observed, a new disease had
recently sprung up ; it was called “ telepathy,” a
different name from the old days when it was
known by the simpler title of “plagiarism.” There
seemed now to be an epidemic of this telepathy, so
that people who otherwise would incur penalties
for appropriating the work of others, had only to
get their nerves into a condition to be permeated
with the ideas of others in order to evade all
consequences. This appeared to him to be a new
and formidable difficulty with which authors had
now to contend, and he hoped that they would be
able to find some means of meeting it.
In conclusion, Sir Alfred Bateman proposed the
health of the chairman, referring to his first acquaint-
ance with Mr. Edmund Gosse in the office of the
Board of Trade, and to this commencement of
their friendship of many years' standing. In those
early days, he reminded the society, there were
working for the Board of Trade Mr. Gosse, Mr.
Cosmo Monkhouse, and Mr. Austin Dobson, all
distinguished since in literature, with the result
that the Board had become a most perfect depart-
ment. Mr. Gosse had now left the Board of Trade
for the House of Lords, and as the result of his
translation had given the Upper House a catalogue.
He concluded by paying a warm tribute to the
qualities of Mr. Edmund Gosse, and by asking all
present to join in drinking his health with
enthusiasm.
The company responded warmly to Sir Alfred
Bateman’s invitation, and after Mr. Gosse had
made a brief reply, adjourned to an adjoining
room, where the proceedings closed with coffee and
conversation.
## p. 246 (#306) ############################################
246
TISIES A UITISIOR.
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.
—e—º-0–
1. VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his
business or the administration of his property. The
Secretary of the Society is a solicitor; but if there is any
special reason the Secretary will refer the case to the
Solicitors of the Society. Further, the Committee, if they
deem it desirable, will obtain counsel's opinion without
any cost to the member. Moreover, where counsel's
opinion is favourable, and the sanction of the Committee
is obtained, action will be taken on behalf of the aggrieved
member, and all costs borne by the Society,
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright
and publishers' agreements do not fall within the experi-
ence of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use
the Society.
3. Before signing any agreement whatever, send
the document to the Society for examination.
4. Remember always that in belonging to the Society
you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you
are reaping no direct benefit to yourself, and that you are
advancing the best interests of your calling in promoting
the independence of the writer, the dramatist, the composer.
5. The Committee have arranged for the reception of
members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:
(1) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action
upon them. (2) To keep agreements. (3) To enforce
payments due according to agreements. Fuller particu-
lars of the Society's Work can be obtained in the
Prospectus.
6. No contract should be entered into with a literary
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society.
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful
consideration the contracts with publishers submitted to
them by literary agents, and are recommended to submit
them for interpretation and explanation to the Secretary
of the Society.
This
7. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements.
The
must be done within fourteen days of first execution.
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.
8. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so
do some publishers. Members can make their own
deductions and act accordingly.
9. The subscription to the Society is £1 1s.
per
annum, or £10 10s. for life membership. -
—º-
w-v-w
WARNINGS TO THE PRODUCERS
OF BOOKS,
—e-O-0–
ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an
agreement. There are four methods of dealing
with literary property:—
I. Selling it Outright. -
This is sometimes Satisfactory, if a proper price can be
obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a
competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of
the Society.
II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of
agreement).
In this case the following rules should be attended to :
(1) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro-
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.
(2) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,”
unless the same allowance is made to the author.
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continenta}
rights.
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.
(6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.
As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or
doctor |
III. The Royalty System.
This, is perhaps, with certain limitations, the best form
of agreement. It is above all things necessary to know
what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now
possible for an author to ascertain approximately the
truth. From time to time very important figures connected
with royalties are published in The Author.
IV. A Commission Agreement.
The main points are :—
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.
(3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.
General. -
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four
above mentioned.
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from
the Secretary of the Society. -
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.
The main points which the Society has always demanded
from the outset are:—
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement
In ea.InS.
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or
withheld.
(3.) Always avoid a transfer of copyright.
*—º-—a
w—v-w
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS,
—º-º-º-
EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the
Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com-
petent legal authority.
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for
the production of a play with anyone except an established
manager. - .
3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for plays
in three or more acts:—
(a.) Sale outright of the performing right. This
is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into
such a contract should stipulate in the contract
for production of the piece by a certain date
and for proper publication of his name on the
play-bills.
## p. 247 (#307) ############################################
THE A LITHOR,
247
(b.) Sale of performing right or of a licence to
perform on the basis of percentages on
gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5
and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts
in preference to the American system. Should
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed
date on or before which the play should be
performed. - -
(c.) Sale of performing right or of a licence to
perform on the basis of royalties (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 (b.) apply
also in this case.
4. Plays in one act are often sold outright, but it is
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should
be 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 United States rights may be exceed-
ingly 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-
tracts, those authors desirous of further information
are referred to the Secretary of the Society.
~~
REGISTRATION OF SCENARIOS.
—º-º-º-
CENARIOS, typewritten in duplicate on foolscap paper
forwarded to the offices of the Society, together with
a registration fee of two shillings and sixpence, will
be carefully compared by the Secretary or a qualified assis-
tant. One copy will be stamped and returned to the author
and the other filed in the register of the Society. Copies
of the scenario, thus filed may be obtained at any time by
the author only at a small charge to cover cost of typing.
WARNINGS TO MUSICAL COMPOSERS,
–0–42-e—
ITTLE can be added to the warnings given for the
assistance of producers of books and dramatic
authors. It must, however, be pointed out that, as
& rule, the musical publisher demands from the musical
C9mposer a transfer of fuller rights and less liberal finan-
cial terms than those obtained for literary and dramatic
Property. , The musical composer has very often the two
rights to deal with—performing right and copyright. He
should be especially careful therefore when entering into
an agreement, and should take into particular consideration
the warnings stated above.
STAMPING MUSIC.
—º-º-º-
The Society undertakes to stamp copies of music on
behalf of its members for the fee of 6d. per 100 or part
of 100. The members’ stamps are kept in the Society's
safe. The musical publishers communicate direct with the
Secretary, and the voucher is then forwarded to the
members, who are thus saved much unnecessary trouble.
THE READING BRANCH,
—º-º-º-
EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this
branch of its 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.
* *
—º-
w-r-w
“THE AUTHOR.”
—º-º-º-
HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of
T the Society that, although the paper is sent to them
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest
5s. 6d. Subscription for the year.
Communications for “The Author” should be addressed
to the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor not later than the
21st of each month.
Communications and letters are invited by the
Editor on all literary matters treated from the stand-
point of art or business, but on no other subjects whatever.
Every effort will be made to return articles which cannot
be accepted.
—e—º-e—
REMITTANCES,
The Secretary of the Society begs to give notice
that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post.
All remittances should be crossed Union of London and
Smith's Bank, Chancery Lane, or be sent by registered
letter only.
## p. 248 (#308) ############################################
ºf the “Daily Mail.”
1881.071, O
d permi
cin
By 1
GEORGE MEREDITH, O.M.
1828–1909.
## p. 249 (#309) ############################################
TISIES A UTISM OR.
249
GEORGE MEREDITH, O.M.
LL those who love the glory of English
literature must have heard with the deepest
regret of the death of Mr. George Mere-
dith, O.M., but to members of the society the
knowledge must have come with special force,
because they have looked upon Mr. Meredith not
only as a writer of the grandest English fiction,
but as the father of their profession.
As soon as it was ascertained at the offices of
the society that the family of Mr. Meredith had
no opposition to raise to the interment of their
father in Westminster Abbey, Mr. Maurice Hew-
lett (the chairman of the society) gave authority
that no stone should be left unturned to obtain
this object, both as an honour to the late president
and as an honour to English literature. Application
was at once made to the Dean, and when it became
evident that the formal application by a body of
2,000 authors might be insufficient to bring about
the desired result, support was asked from other
Quarters. The formal application of the society
and the personal application of a large number of
the Society's most important members and the
weight of the public Press was only sufficient to
obtain the sanction of the Dean to a memorial
service in the Abbey. It is impossible, and it
would be unseemly, to discuss the reasons that
may have prompted this decision, for we feel that
our late president, through his works and by his
life, needs no further honour to add to the glory
of his position. Mr. Meredith’s connection with
the Society is, to some extent, distincte from
his position as the greatest writer of fiction of
the late Victorian period. Though he was not
one of the original members of the society, which
was founded in 1884, he joined the union of his
brother authors in 1885, and was immediately
elected on the council. On the death of Lord
Tennyson he was nominated president.
great honour to the society to have had two such
presidents as Lord Tennyson and Mr. George
Meredith, both of whom showed their sincere
sympathy with its work. Ever since Mr. Meredith
held the position he has been most active in
supporting, both publicly and privately, the
various efforts which the Committee of Manage-
ment have taken for the body of members. He
was one of the first contributors to the pension
fund. On the many points put before him by the
Committee of Management his interest and co-
operation was of the greatest value. The Society
must deeply regret that Mr. Meredith's health in
these later years prevented him from being present at
many of those meetings which he would gladly have
attended, and with which he was in full sympathy.
It is a
During the present year the society has lost a
good many of its oldest members and warmest
supporters, but in none has it lost a more sym-
pathetic friend than its president. When the
Qrder of Merit was established by the King,
Mr. Meredith was chosen as one of the first
members.
We desire on behalf of all the members to
express to the family the deepest sympathy with
them, in the loss that they and the country have
sistained by the death of our president, George
Meredith, O.M.
Miss May Sinclair has been kind enough to
Write an appreciation of his work, which we print
below.
THE FUNERAL.
On Friday, May 21, the remains of Mr. George
Meredith were taken from Dorking to Woking and
Cremated. The members of the family alone were
present at the sad ceremony. The urn containing
the ashes was then re-conveyed to Dorking, and
on the day following was interred in Dorking
Cemetery. *
The funeral was attended by Mr. Meredith's
intimate friends, including several members of the
Society of Authors, among whom we may mention
J. M. Barrie, A. Hope Hawkins, A. E. W. Mason,
Hall Caine, Charles Garvice, Mrs. W. K. Clifford,
and Miss May Sinclair.
A memorial service was held at 12 noon on
Saturday, the 22nd, in Westminster Abbey. The
north transept, allotted to members of the Society
of Authors, was very nearly full.
Amongst those present were the following :-
Maurice Hewlett (chairman of the society),
William Archer, Alfred Austin, Mackenzie Bell,
Lewis Benjamin, A. C. Benson, Hall Caine, J. W.
Comyns Carr, Egerton Castle, Mrs. W. K. Clifford,
Edward Clodd, James Douglas, Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle, Walter Emanuel, H. W. Esmond, Mrs.
Frankau, Edmund Gosse, A. P. Graves, Francis
Gribble, Lady Grove, Anstev Guthrie, H. Rider
Haggard, Thomas Hardy, E.W. Hornung, Laurence
Housman, Miss Violet Hunt, Henry James, Rud-
yard Kipling, Robb Lawson, W. J. Locke, Mrs.
Belloc Lowndes, Lady Lugard, Sir Alfred Lyall,
J. A. Fuller Maitland, Edward Morton, A. W.
Pinero, Richard Pryce, Ernest Rhys, Frank
Richardson, Mrs. George Christopher Riggs, Owen
Seaman, Miss May Sinclair, Keighley Snowden,
Alfred Sutro, Mrs. Thurston, John Todhunter,
Mrs. Alec. Tweedie, Humphry Ward (representing
Mrs. Humphry Ward), Percy White, Richard
Whiteing, J. H. Yoxall, M.P., Israel Zangwill.
Many other distinguished ladies and gentlemen
were also present ready to pay the last honour to
the great author. We may mention the Prime
## p. 250 (#310) ############################################
250
TISIES A CITES OF.
-Eºº-º-º-m
Minister, Sir Philip Burne-Jones, Miss Ellen Terry,
Beerbohm Tree, Sir Squire Bancroft, Forbes
Robertson, and Holman Hunt. -
The service was most impressive. It opened
with Beethoven's Funeral March from the Sonata
in A flat, followed by the 51st Psalm.
Then followed other psalms and prayers chosen
for the occasion. The service closed with Watts'
beautiful hymn, “O God, our Help in ages past,”
which was sung by the whole congregation, and
after the Benediction Chopin's Funeral March
in B flat minor was played—all the congregation
standing till the last notes of the organ had died
away.
GEORGE MEREDITH.*
BY MAY SINCLAIR.
EORGE MEREDITH was born before his
time, and he has died before it, as a young
man dies. For fifty-five years he laboured,
bringing forth the long and splendid procession of
his masterpieces, from “The Ordeal of Richard
Feverel,” a novel of absolute and incomparable
greatness, to “The Amazing Marriage,” which
would alone have proved greatness in a lesser man.
And he has not yet come into his own. He is
king to the kings and the great lords of literature,
but he can in no way be said to reign by the voice
of the Sovran people. After a long period of
obscurity he has passed into the eternal possession
of the few. But, although by a dreadful fate he
became for a time the prey of the cultured who are
fairly numerous, the great heavy mass of people
who read, or think they read, cannot stand Meredith.
And to-day, among the cultured and the critical
who do read him, there is a reaction against him.
Nobody doubts his greatness, nor the divinity of
it. Nobody dares suggest that he did not produce
great literature: the tendency is to complain that
it was literature that he insisted on reproducing
and not life. Some of us deny that he was either
a great novelist or a great poet.
The younger generation of novelists are all for a
conscientious realism, and we have a few young
critics who are conscientious too. And Meredith
is peculiarly baffling to these. He eludes all their
attempts to catch and label him. He seems to
them now a realist of considerable piety and now a
romantic of the kind they most abhor. Already,
before his death, they were trying to place him.
They are painfully anxious, elaborately careful
not to place him wrong. And he refuses to be
placed.
sº-
* Copyright in the United States.
He did away with their preposterous labels once
for all twenty-three years ago when, in the first
chapter of “Diana of the Crossways,” he proclaimed
himself a prophet of “the real,” and at the same
time told us that our realists were our “castigators
for not having yet embraced philosophy.”
He defined fiction as “the summary of actual
life, the within and the without of us.” It was as a
novelist, a Writer of fiction, that he came forward
for judgment, and it is as a novelist that they
arraign him to-day, allowing him to be a philosopher
and, perhaps, as it were by the skin of his teeth,
a poet. -
Now, to measure his greatness, not as a philoso-
pher, nor yet as a poet, but as a novelist, we must
remember the position of the novelist in the
Victorian age. He found himself between the
devil of realism and the deep sea of sentiment : a
horrible position. It distorted his whole attitude
to life and his view of the real. Meredith was the
first to deliver the English novel from that degrada-
tion. He was the first to see that it is sentiment
and not conscience that makes novelists cowards.
He recognised sentimentalism for what it is : the
“fine flower of sensualism,” and through its very
fineness the subtlest source of spiritual corruption.
He knew that sentiment—early Victorian senti-
ment—piled to its height, topples over into the
mire. He saw it as the mother of all shams and all
hypocrisies, the nurse of monstrous illusions.
Thackeray, the greatest novelist of his time, who
stood nearest to Meredith in sincerity and fear-
lessness, and hatred of shams—Thackeray was
afraid, and put it on record that he was afraid, to
tell the truth about a man. He said it in his
preface to “Pendennis,” and he laid his cowardice
to the account of the society who had brought
fiction to this pass.
Meredith knew nothing of that fear. “Imagine,”
he said, “the celestial refreshment of having a
pure decency in the place of sham, real flesh, a
Soul born active, wind-beaten, but ascending.
Honourable will fiction then appear; honourable, a
fount of life, an aid to live, quick with our blood.
Why, when you behold it you love it—and you
will not encourage it—or only when presented by
dead hands 2"
His message to his generation was, “ Follow the
real. To not be led by the tainted sentimental
lure. Trust yourselves to Nature, though she
make havoc of your sentiment.” For, at the
heart of Nature he discerned the fiery spiritual
pulse, through and beyond Nature the purifying
liberated flame. Thus he escapes his captors who
Would hold him to pure paganism.
The unity of Nature and spirit, and the return
to spirit through Nature, is Meredith’s philosophy
He found his generation sickly, and for the cure of
## p. 251 (#311) ############################################
A UTISIOR.
251
its sickliness he prescribedſº By passages express his own emotions, and not the
philosophy he did not mean/anything abstract, emotions of his characters, and this is why he fails
anything in the least metapºsical, anything really
incomprehensible to Quraíbiter of letters, the man
in the street. Mgredith’s philosophy is brain-
stuff, thought tha; makes up half of the fabric of
the world. “Idéa,” he said, “is vital.” He was
an idealist only to that extent. Brains, to be any
good, mºtist have blood in them, and that is where
the heart comes in. No man, no writer, had a
greater and a fierier heart at the service of his
brain. And so again he escapes the grasp of those
who would place him among the unhumanised,
inaccessible exponents of the cold idea, who say
that his appeal, was not to the universal human
heart but to the by no means universal human
intellect.
Now our conscientious young critics have no
quarrel with Meredith's philosophy as a philosophy.
Their contention is that, as a novelist, he had no
right to have any philosophy at all. They resent
it as an unwarrantable interference with his drama,
an irritating interruption to his story. They
attack it on artistic grounds, and because of it
they persuade themselves that Meredith was not a
great novelist. Which only proves that they have
forgotten their Meredith. ...Nobody who reads his
novels with any care will find his philosophy
intruding where it can do harm. You will not
come across it at any of the intenser psychological
moments, in any of the great dramatic scenes, or
in any of his inspired passages. It is at its height
in “Diana” and “The Egoist,” but even there it
is confined to the prologue and the interludes.
Except by way of comment, it is almost entirely
absent from “Richard Feverel,” “Rhoda Fleming,”
“Evan Harrington,” “Harry Richmond,” and
“Beauchamp's Career.”
For Meredith was before all things a great
dramatist and a great psychologist, if he was not
always a straightforward teller of his tale. And to
be those two things is, I take it, to be a great
novelist, even if a man happens to have at the
same time an irritating philosophy.
Other and more serious charges have been
brought against him by our cautious and yet
irritable young men. We are all tired of hearing
that Meredith is obscure, that he sins by excess,
by a vice of temperament, by all sorts of exuberance
and eccentricity. It tires us, and it annoys us,
too; for we feel that there is a certain truth in it.
But we are also told that he is not a great novelist,
not a novelist at all, for the simple reason that he
is a poet. And that is interesting. To be a poet,
it would seem, is even more disastrous than to be a
philosopher. For, after all, Meredith's philosophy
embraced the real. But his poetry, they tell us,
spoils all that. Because, you see, his lyrical
though he knows it not.
to produce the “illusion of reality.”
It sounds plausible ; it looks as if there might
be a certain amount of truth in it. But that is
only at first sight. Meredith's lyric passages are
there precisely because they do express as nothing
else could the emotion of his characters. For
emotion, at its climax, is powerless to express
itself or anything. Lucy in love, Richard in love,
are dumb, but all heaven is sounding through
them, and it is that sound of all heaven which
Meredith’s prose gives us. True, his method
destroys the spectacular illusion for a moment, but
it does so that it may preserve the illusion of
emotion, of passion, of reality at its highest
intensity. Compare him with Dickens in this
matter of emotion. Dickens, working himself up
into blank verse over the death of little Nell, is
Dickens feeling something about little Nell and
trying to express his feeling. But Meredith in his
“Diversion Played on a Penny Whistle” is
rendering the song of the souls of Richard and
Lucy. They, poor dears, can only say:
“Lucy, my beloved l’’
“Oh, Richard ’’
It is all part of his art, his very perfect art.
And it is the same with the “Comic Spirit.”
The Comic Spirit is not Meredith. It is the Spirit
immanent in the world, and akin to Mr. Hardy's
immortal Ironies. It is part-creative. Even in
“The Egoist,” where it is rampant, its play is not
the play of the author intoxicated by his own wit,
13.aking merry over the behaviour of Sir Willoughby
Patterne. It is not doing anything over or about
or around Sir Willoughby. It is really in him,
The Comic Spirit is an
aspect of the cosmic reality in which Sir Willoughby
has his being. For the essence of Sir Willoughby
is to be absurd, and the Comic Spirit, exposing his
absurdity, is the revealer of the eternal verity
in him.
Meredith never destroys the “illusion of
reality.” It is the illusion of actuality that he
tampers with. It may be conceded at once that he
had not a very keen sense of the actual or of local
atmosphereandsurroundings. His characters appear
to be surrounded only by the cosmic spaces. He
does not present them circumscribed by any
parochial or urban or suburban boundary. He
seldom if ever paints an interior. His scenic
effects we remember best are always of the open
air. At the same time he has a profound sense of
the bonds, restrictions, distinctions of society and
race and class. For these things work in the flesh
and blood of a man : they are part of the drama of
his soul. That is what Meredith shows us in
## p. 252 (#312) ############################################
252
TRIES A [ſ'ſ
“Rhoda Fleming,” in “Beauchamp's Career,” in
“Harry Richmond,” and in “Evan Harrington,”
all masterly reproductions of English social and
provincial life in the Victorian age.
But they tell us that it is not Meredith’s method
only that is all wrong. Art, they sav, is concerned
only with the average, the normal (let it pass),
and Meredith wrote of extraordinary people in an
extraordinary way. This, we are to believe, applies
especially to his women. They are all goddesses,
or if not goddesses, all women six feet high. In
this, they tell us, his art is inferior to that of Mr.
Hardy. If he desired immortality he should have
written about simple people in a simple way. He
should have chosen for his tragedies the elemental
passions, and treated them elementally. He should
have written, in short, like Mr. Hardy.
On the other hand we also hear that, setting out
as he does to be subtle, he is not half subtle
enough. He should, to produce the perfect illusion
of reality, have written more like Mr. Henry James.
As it is, he is a victim to the fallacy of the master-
passion, the dominant note in character, and thus
he gives us bare types, instead of the rich, intricate
web of inconsistencies, the splendid irrelevancies
and surprises which make up individuality in real
life. Sir Willoughby Patterne, for instance, is an
egoist and nothing but an egoist ; and no man ever
was nothing but one thing.
This is strange criticism of a man who knew
more than any other how to reproduce the very
accent and gesture of the soul. What justice
there is in it applies only to “The Egoist.” There
Meredith comes perilously near to the artificial
comedy of Molière where the misanthrope is always
a misanthrope, and Tartuffe for ever Tartuffe. In
real life, that is to say, in the eyes of the omniscient or
of Mr. Henry James, Sir Willoughby Patterne would
not perhaps appear so manifestly and invariably the
egoist he is. It is equally true that in real fife if a
man is an egoist he will believe and he will
feel remarkably like Sir Willoughby Patterne.
And our critics have forgotten Clara Middleton,
Cecilia, and all the irrelevancies and inconsistencies
of the divine Diana. Mr. Henry James would be
the first to take off his hat to them.
As for the everlasting comparison with Mr. Hardy,
it is futile, as any comparison must be between two
masters equally supreme in their separate territories.
But it raises interesting questions: Are their
territories, after all, so separate 2 Is it true that
Meredith did not understand elemental men and
women It is certainly true that he wrote mostly
about people in whom either breeding, or education,
or the possession of a restless intellect obscures the
working of the large tragic passions. The modern
world is full of such—full, above all, of such women.
And Meredith claimed to have discovered the
modern woman, “animated . . . with the fires of
positive brain-stuff.' He was the first to see that
the sentimentalism \{again ) of his time was
degradation to its women, s.
Even Thackeray, with his exceeding tenderness
and chivalry, Thackeray who owned himself afraid
to tell the truth about a man, did not know as
Meredith knew the truth about a woman. Or
perhaps he knew it, and was still more afraid.
Meredith knew the truth and the whole truth, and
dared to tell it, dared to give the leading role to
those large-brained, large-hearted women of his— .
Diana and Clara, and Ottila and Cecilie Halkett,
and Rose Jocelyn, Aminta and Carinthia Jane.
Charlotte Brontë's Shirley, and the great women of
George Eliot–Maggie Tulliver, Dorothea Brooke
and Dinah Morris—are small beside them. They
are modern women, and we cannot complain of
their stature as abnormal, for modern women are
often six feet high.
These are his extraordinary women. But when he
chose he could draw very ordinary women, and men
too, and drew them as the masters draw. Look at
Ripton Thompson, Algernon Blancous, Mrs. Lovell,
“Emmy" and Sir Lukin, Jenny Denham ; even
Nevil Beauchamp is not extraordinary in our critics’
sense ; and the list could be extended indefinitely.
As for the elemental and the simple people, Tess
is not more elemental in her tragedy than Clare
Doria Forey or Dahlia Fleming or even poor Juley
in “Evan Harrington.” And Thomas in “Yeo-
bright” is not more divinely simple than Lucy
Feverel, nor is Rhoda Fleming less captivating in
her moral beauty than Marty South. For the rest,
Hardy's women and Meredith's women are “sisters
under their skin.”
Still, it is inevitable to place Hardy and Meredith
side by side, for they are the last of our great
novelists, and in many ways they are akin. Both
are philosophers, both poets, and in both philosophy
is, like their poetry, the result of temperament.
Mr. Hardy's genius is bound to make for the
simpler and the larger tragedy, seeing that he
regards the lives of men and women as so many
sacrifices to the eternal, insatiable lust of Nature,
and they themselves as the playthings of an
implacably ironic Destiny.
But to Meredith, Nature, for all her darkness and
austerity, is the mother of all joy, of all the sanities
and sanctities. The natural love of men and
women was to him of all things the sanest and most
sacred. Their tragedy is not their subservience to
Nature, but their falling from her, their sins against
her immanent deity.
His poems sprang from this joy of his genius in
Nature, its adoration of all the robust and splendid
energies of life. Our young critics, more con-
Scientious than ever as they approach this divinest
l—
## p. 253 (#313) ############################################
i
7
#
THE AUTHOR. 253
side of him, have suggested that his philosophy
spoils his poems as it spoils his novels. They cite
“The Reading of Earth” and “The Woods of
Westermain.” To be sure in all his great Nature
poems there are aisles and dells of darkness, inter-
minable secret mazes, lost ways of “The Questions”
traversing the Enchanted Woods. Yet every way
faithfully followed leads us into almost intolerable
light. Something happens, and we find the
Meredithian philosophy (which was, after all, more
an instinct than a philosophy) transmuted into the
Meredithian mysticism as by fire. His message sings
clear :
“Then your spirit will perceive
Fleshly seed of fleshly sins,
Where the passions interweave
How the serpent tangle spins
Of the sense of Earth misprised
Brainlessly unrecognised
She being Spirit in her clods
Footway to the God of Gods.”
But besides “The Woods of Westermain '' and
“The Reading of Earth,” Meredith wrote “The
Lark Ascending,” that continuous, lucid, liquid
song of rapture:—
“Shrill, irreflective, unrestrained,
Rapt, ringing, on the jet sustained
Without a break, without a fall,
Sweet-silvery, sheer lyrical.”
He wrote “Love in the Walley,” and that pro-
foundest, subtlest, most concentrated of human
tragedies, “ Modern Love.” There are lines there
that gleam and cut like steel, dividing the intricate
web of soul and body. It is the dissection of heart-
nerves and brain-cells, a lacerating psychology
masquerading in a procession of linked quatrains.
Yet the same genius, so delicately analytic,
brought forth with a stupendous and Titanic
energy the “Ballads and Poems of Tragic Life.”
Among these is “The Nuptials of Attila,” where
the verse rushes downwards in tumult and in
torrent like the hosts of the armoured Huns, a
poem barbaric, superb, resonant with the clamour
of battle. There is “IXing Harald's Trance,” a
masterpiece of grim and terrible simplicity. And
there is “The Song of Theodolinda,” that supreme
hymn of the passion of martyrdom, of divine
ecstasy in torture, of torture perishing in ecstasy.
The most perfervid passages of Crashaw's
Hymn to Saint Teresa are cold beside Meredith's
fire. And the art of it is transcendent. Every
line glows with furnace heat, and beats in its
terrible assonances, with the strokes of the
hammer :
“This that killed Thee, kissed Thee, Lord
Touched Thee, and we touch it : dear,
Dark it is ; adored, abhorred,
Wilest, yet most sainted here.
Red of heat, 0 white of heat,
In it hell and heaven meet,
× × :: :::
Brand me, bite me, bitter thing !
Thus He felt, and thus I am
One with Him in suffering
One with Him in bliss, the Lamb.
Red of heat, O white of heat,
This is bitterness made sweet.
Now am I who bear that stamp
Scorched in me, the living sign
Sole on earth—the lighted lamp
Of the dreadful day divine.
White of heat, beat on it fast
Red of heat, its shape has passed.
>{< >}. >k *:
Rindle me to constant fire,
Lest the nail be but a nail
Give me wings of great desire,
Lest I look within and fail
Red of heat, the furnace light,
White of heat, fix on my sight.
Never for the chosen peace
Know, by me tormented know,
Never shall the wrestling cease
Till with our outlasting Foe
Red of heat to white of heat
Roll we to the Godhead's feet !
Beat, beat White of heat,
Red of heat, beat, beat l”
w
If he had written nothing else, that one poem
would be enough to ensure his immortality.
And some of the younger generation, which is
so conscientious and so cautious, are wondering
whether Meredith will live. Posterity, they think,
is hardly likely to tolerate what his contemporaries
cannot endure. There is much in him, they say,
which is intolerable.
Well, there is much in Fielding, in Scott, in
Thackeray which is intolerable. And yet they
live. We still read Fielding, in spite of his per-
petual digressions and the essays with which he
dislocates his chapters. We read Scott in spite
of his interminable descriptive passages; and
Thackeray in spite of his digressions, and of his
mortal tendency to moralise in all places of his
narrative. It is only reasonable to suppose that
Meredith will be read in spite of everything, even
of his obscurity. For nothing can kill the novelist
if the novelist is there ; and in all Meredith’s
novels the novelist is supreme. Who when he
thinks of “The Egoist" really remembers anything
but the sublime performances of Sir Willoughby
Patterne or the ways of Clara Middleton 2 Who
would dream of judging the terrible and poignant
tragedy of Richard Feverel by fragments from the
pilgrim's scrip Who as he sees Diana keeping
her watch by her dead friend, or kneeling by the
hearth of Crossways House, will be unchivalrous
enough to remember her as a woman who attempted
## p. 254 (#314) ############################################
254
TriB A UTHOR.
more epigrams than she ever brought to perfection ?
And there is Emmy under the surgeon's knife and
Sir Lukin raving in his remorse. There is Emilia
forsaken and Dahlia betrayed, and they are flesh
and blood that no “idea,” no philosophy can
destroy. And flesh and blood they had need be to
stand in the presence of their creator. Meredith’s
personality is so overpowering that at times it
comes between us and his creations. He has not,
as lesser men have had, the habit of detachment.
No novelist has it completely, nor can have it.
He betrays his own nature more subtly or more
inevitably than any other artist, for he handles
directly the stuff of life, and we know him by the
manner of his handling. It is impossible to read
Meredith without seeing him to be before all things
clean-souled and courageous and passionately
sincere. We divine that there is no greatness and
no splendour in his work that had not its match in
him. His powers were finely mingled.
intellect was blood-warm and had a heart in it,
beating like a pulse of flame, and emotion in him
was a spiritual thing, as if the courses of his blood
flashed light. To feel with him was to see more
and not less clearly.
It is not conceivable that he will not live, he
who had more life, more virile, fertilising energy
than any Writer of the two generations that he
saw rise round him and pass away before him. Our
own generation will return to him, wearied of the
lucid excellencies of the lesser men, their finished
perfection within the limits of the little. He was
too great for us. If some of us have lost sight of
him it is not because they have left him behind
them with the Victorian era ; it is because they
have not yet “caught up.” He was too swift for
us. He has passed us by, and only thus can we
conceive of him as passing. He has not yielded
up his fire to any one of us. He is on far
ahead with his torch, holding high for us the
inextinguishable flame.
MAY SINCLAIR.
—e—º-e—
GENERAL NOTES.
—0-0-0–
THE Editor of The Author would be much
obliged if any member who happens to possess a
copy of the November (1907) issue would forward
the same to the office for the benefit of the society's
file, which is short of this issue.
*- -
SCHOLZ v. AMASIS.
WE are pleased to chronicle that the appeal in
the Scholz v. Amasis case, supported by the Society
His .
of Authors, has been successfully upheld. The
judges of the Court of Appeal were unanimous
that Mr. Fenn's version was not an infringe-
ment of Mr. Scholz's rights. Members of the
Society may call to mind that when Mr. Fenn
put the matter into the society’s hands the com-
mittee took the opinion of counsel, Mr. Eldon
Bankes, before deciding what course should be
taken. The members of the committee themselves
were of the opinion that no infringement had
occurred, but they considered it necessary that their
opinion should be supported. The opinion of the
society’s counsel has been amply justified by the
result of the case.
All infringements of copyright or performing
right must depend upon the facts of each individual
case, and are matters of evidence rather than of
law. It is too late to report the case fully in this
month's Author, but we hope to be able to publish
any points of special interest in the July number.
*-
THE CENSOR.
MEMBERS of the Society may call to mind that
Mr. Harcourt's Theatre and Music Hall Bill was
carefully studied by the Dramatic Sub-Committee
and approved by them. It appears that a question
was raised in Parliament on May 27 owing to the
recent action of the Censor. Mr. Asquith, in reply,
said that he thought the position of Dramatic
Censorship was a most important matter, and that
it was receiving careful consideration. He stated
further that he thought the time had come for
establishing a Select Committee to consider the
position.
INJUSTICE TO CANADIAN BOOKSELLERS.
IN The Bookseller and Stationer, published in
Toronto, there is an article headed “Injustice to
the Canadian Bookseller.” On reading the article,
we see the writer complains that there are certain
books copyrighted in Canada which are now out of
print, that the copyright owners refuse, or, for
reasons of their own, do not desire to publish
further editions. The booksellers think that there
are still sales for the books, but they are unable to
import cheap United States reprints, because by
so doing they would be infringing the copyright of
the Canadian holder.
Two points suggest themselves. The first is,
why should the Canadian bookseller think he has
any right in the property of another person It is
the old, old story. For so many years authors'
rights were not recognised at all that the public
began to consider the property was not the
author's, but belonged to them. To this day the
limitation of the term of copyright makes it clear
## p. 255 (#315) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
255.
that the same feeling still exists. According to
the Canadian bookseller's argument, supposing
Jones purchases a book, reads it and puts it on the
shelf of his library, and does not use it, and has no
intention of using it again, he is sinning against
the public, for he ought, of course, either to give it
away or to sell it to Some other person. Or, again,
Supposing Jones bought a nice bit of freehold in
the country, and found, for certain reasons, that
he was unable to utilise it in any way, the book-
seller would argue, other people might come and
demand that they had a right to use it whether he
liked it or not. So long as there are any private
rights in property the argument cannot stand. If
it does not apply to property in land or to personal
property, it applies still less to that property which,
of all others, is the outcome of a man's personal
effort. . If, therefore, the Canadian copyright
owner doesn't want to publish a cheap edition of a
book, there ought to be no power which could force
him to do so, and the Canadian bookseller has no
more right to complain than he would have in the
instances quoted. This is the first point.
The Second point refers to the Canadian
trade. Most of the Canadian copyrights are, we
believe, held by the Canadian publishers. If,
therefore, the Canadian tradesman who is living
by the exploitation of his property, chooses to lose
a considerable income by the non-exploitation of
this property, it only tends to prove that he is a
bad tradesman. If American publishers and
Canadian booksellers can make profits by selling
cheap editions, Canadian publishers should be able
equally to make profits by exploiting their pro-
perty in the same way. That they do not do so
shows a lack of enterprise which we should have
hardly expected in that advancing colony, but we
have on former occasions suspected something of
the same kind when the question of Canadian
Sales of the works of English authors has arisen.
An enterprising Canadian publisher, with some
capital behind him, could make better terms and
find a better market by contracting with the
English author direct than he could by purchasing
plates or by purchasing the right for the Canadian
edition, using the American publisher as middle-
man. It might be worth while for the Canadian
publisher to consider the position seriously.
MISS RACHEL CHALLICE.
WE regret to record the death of Miss Rachel
Challice, who has for some time past contributed
the Spanish Notes to the columns of The Author.
Although a busy journalist, as well as a writer of
books, she found time month by month, without
any hope of reward beyond the appreciation of her
fellow members, to assist with her work the aim
and objects of the society. She was an enthusiastic
Supporter of the best interests of the members of
her profession, and was well known in the literary
circles of Spain about which she wrote. She
represented the Society of Authors on the occasion
of the Cervantes celebration in Spain, and placed
a Wreath from the society on the author's
monument. Her last work, “The Secret History
of the Court of Spain,” will appear shortly. It is
taken entirely from Spanish sources.
—º-—-
~-sº-w
IS HE 2
–0-º-e-
WO or three months ago Mr. H. G. Wells
referred in the columns of this paper to
the literary agent as “that indispensable
middleman.” Ever since reading that expression,
I have been wondering if the literary agent really
is “indispensable,” and lately I have looked
through my books to remind myself of my own
past experiences. I found them interesting, for I
had never before viewed them “in bulk,” so to
speak, and under the impression that they may be
of interest to others, they are here set down.
Let me begin by saying that while for obvious
reasons I do not give names, every detail is taken
exactly from my books, for of course I keep a
record of every manuscript, of the 700 word articles
as of the 100,000 word novel. Let me also say
that I have no complaint against my agent, whom
I found invariably courteous and business-like, and
who is also one of the best known men in his pro-
fession. Of course I paid him, and he asked for,
nothing except what he earned by commission on
stories placed, for I hold the agent who demands.
an advance fee to be nothing more than an open
freebooter, living on the Vanity or ignorance of the
struggling aspirant.
During my connection, then, with my agent, I
placed in his hands five long stories. He succeeded
in selling the serial rights in one, obtaining for
them the sum of £30. He made no attempt to
place the story as a volume, and, the serial publica-
tion having been completed, I am now offering it
myself to a publisher. The other four stories,
when I severed connection with him, the agent
returned to me.
The first of these he had offered in fourteen
quarters without success. I offered it myself to
one firm, who refused it. I then offered it to.
another firm, who bought the serial rights for £45.
I then disposed of the volume rights, and it has
recently been published in volume form on a 15 per
cent. royalty, and a promise of 20 per cent. should
it reach a sale of 2,000 copies, which I am afraid.
it shows no signs of doing.
## p. 256 (#316) ############################################
256
THE AUTISIOR.
The second of these long stories my agent
had offered in nine quarters. The first firm
to whom I offered it after its return to me gave
me £80 for the serial rights. I have not yet
offered it for volume publication.
The third story my agent had offered ten times
without success. I have offered it to three editors,
but have not yet effected a sale, but it is going out
again next month.
The fourth story the agent offered twelve times,
and I have offered it four times. This I am
inclined to withdraw permanently, but may offer it
again if a suitable opening occurs.
So much for long stories. In addition I sent
the agent a number of short stories. I will take
them one by one. - -
No. 1. Agent sold it for £10 10s. for British
serial rights.
No. 2. The agent offered it to nine editors.
The first editor to whom I offered it gave me
f1 10s. for the copyright.
No. 3. The agent sold this for £4 12s. 6d. for
British serial rights. -
No. 4. This was offered by my agent ten times
in vain. I offered it sixteen times equally in vain,
and then sold it to a leading magazine for £8 5s.
for British serial rights, and have since received a
fee of 10s. 6d. for translation into Danish.
No. 5. Offered nine times in vain by the agent,
then returned to me. I offered it twenty times
more, and then sold it for a guinea, which I was
very glad to get.
No. 6. My agent offered this to six editors, and
then returned it to me. The first editor to whom
I sent it gave me £2 2s. for it.
No. 7. Neither the agent nor I succeeded in
disposing of this. -
No. 8. The agent offered this to nine editors,
and then returned it to me. I sold it to perhaps
the best known popular magazine in the world,
receiving £15 15s. for all serial rights. ;
No. 9. This, too, neither the agent nor I
succeeded with.
No. 10. My agent had this declined eight times.
I sold it for three guineas at the fourth attempt.
No. 11. My agent informed me that this had
been lost by an editor to whom he had submitted
it. I re-typed the story, and submitted it direct
to the same editor, who gave me £3 3s? for the
copyright.
No. 12. The agent disposed of this for £7 18. 94.
for British serial rights.
No. 13. Both the agent and I failed with this.
One editor told me it was too funny. -
No. 14. Both the agent and I failed with this.
One editor told me it was too gruesome.
No. 15. Another failure for us both.
No. 16. Also a failure for both of us.
Therefore with regard to my long stories, the
agent disposed of one MS. out of five ; that is, he
sold 20 per cent. of my work. Of the four MSS.
he returned, I have so far sold two, or 50 per cent.
He obtained £30, I obtained £125, with more to
come for royalties. •
Of the sixteen short stories I placed in his hands
he sold three, for a total of £22 4s. 3d. Of the
thirteen short stories he failed with and returned
to me, I have sold seven for a total of £35 9s. 6d.
These figures are slightly more complicated than
those for the long stories, so I will leave the
comparative percentages to be worked out by
Somebody more mathematically gifted than I am.
I perceive, however, that I secured £13 5s. 3d.
more than did my agent.
The agent could claim, though, that he secured
on the average, not invariably, a higher rate per
thousand than I got for myself. Also I had
generally to sell copyright or all serial rights. My
agent never sold anything but British serial rights,
all minor rights thus being retained by me. They
have never been any good to me, but it is comforting
to possess them.
Then, too, the agent's dealings with my MSS.
were confined to fifteen months—one year's agree-
ment, and three months’ motice to terminate it.
My own operations with the MSS. he returned me
have extended over a longer time, from then to
now, in fact, while some of the MSS. still left me I
yet hope to dispose of ultimately. So that I have
had the advantage of more time ; but I suppose I
can say that it was the cream of my work that he
disposed of, so that he had a great advantage there.
I am left wondering if the agent be really
indispensable. That he is indispensable to himself
I can well believe. That when an author has
achieved fame and fortune an agent is indispens-
able, may also be the case. No doubt motor-cars
become indispensable then. I do not know, but
shall be happy to give a personal opinion at the
earliest possible moment. It is different, however,
from the point of view of the mere average rear
rank and filer—the man to whom his cheques are
not as the accustomed tribute of the triumphant
conqueror, but are rather each one the record of a
doubtful and hardly won success.
From my own small experience I am inclined to
say that perseverance is indispensable ; that the
Postmaster-General is certainly indispensable ;
but as for the agent being indispensable—Well,
is he
X Y. Z.
## p. 257 (#317) ############################################
\ .
}
.." /
A PLUTOGRAT OF THE PREss; OR, THE
- CYNIC'S SUCCESS.
—º-º-e—
(Continued.)
D before a handsome writing-table, piled
ith papers, documents, and copies of the
rous publications his will controlled,
was th § man. Great in one sense only, be it
unders bysically he cut rather a poor figure,
with hy Nagne-bottle shoulders, pale com-
Male eyes, and hay-coloured hair. His
demeanour, however, was self-assured, as every
prosperous man's must be.
We exchanged rather searching glances.
Something in the famous publisher's manner
recalled a once familiar personage; but I could not
“place " him right away.
Then he spoke. His was a thin voice, yet it
served to give me the cue I wanted.
“Why,” I exclaimed half involuntarily, “you are
Wynyard Graves.”
“The same !”
His tone was quick and short.
I stared at him in speechless surprise for a moment.
He returned my scrutiny. w -
Presently a sickly sort of smile played round his
mouth. “We meet again under rather changed
circumstances,” he said.
Recalling that night when he had made an end
of the manuscripts that were to have brought him
name, fame and fortune, I could but assent.
Wynyard Graves, the erstwhile hard-up free-lance,
and Gregory Grub the publisher, who paid twenty-
five per cent. to his shareholders, sweated his
authors, and owned the largest and most expen-
sively fitted-up place of business of its kind in
England, one and the same individual I couldn't
realise it. -
“Did you happen upon Aladdin's lamp any-
where P’’
I ventured to ask after taking stock of his
sumptuously furnished sanctum.
Graves favoured me with one of his dreamy smiles.
“Not exactly.”
“Then how on earth did you do it 2"
“Do it 2 ” he repeated, leaning back in his arm-
chair, beating his desk with a paper-knife, “Do it 2
Oh It was not so very difficult. Nothing near so
'hard as trying to place outside contributions.”
“But the start—how did you begin P”
Wynyard Graves paused a moment.
“Well,” he said slowly, “I’ll be candid with you.
I began by picking the brains of a man who had
made a hit with rather a novel idea. After rather
a wobbling start the thing went. I had struck the
public taste while the iron was hot.
“Before, I had been engaged in furnishing ide
TFIOR. 257
for others without recompense. By annexing some-
body else's schemes, I beheld myself feathering my
Own nest.”
“And then P”
“Then I determined to tap an unbroached section
of the reading public. Somebody had circulated a
rag made up of stale jokes, idiotic drawings, and
morbid sensationalism. I went one worse in the
Same line ; as I expected, that also struck oil.
“So in order to make cash breed faster, I
launched out with another paper—to catch flies of
a different kind this time. I concocted a penny
jumble of fashion diagrams, millinery notes, love
stories, in which lords woo servant girls, villains are
Wanquished and virtue triumphs, bits of advice on
love, marriage, the household, and so forth.
“With this net I enmeshed half the shop-girls,
housemaids, and other young women of the class
known at present as “ladies’ in the kingdom. The
fashion plates were evolved out of the brain of a
clever, but lowly born, artist, who couldn't speak
the King's English. I myself instructed the readers
of this precious hotch-potch on connubial problems,
doing so with the greater assurance because I have
never married.
“I had now catered to please the ignorant, the
Vulgar and the silly. , My next venture supplied
youthful hooligans with a long-felt want. I brought
out a half-penny Weekly mass of blood and thunder
—Jack the Ripper—Charles Peace literature. It
Went—and still goes—like hot rolls. More than
once juvenile offenders have thrown blame upon
the tone of this wonder when questioned before
the magistrate. A few weak-minded ragamuffins
have gone so far as to commit suicide, urged thereto,
So ran the evidence, by devouring pernicious litera-
ture, in which my property played a leading
part.” - - -
“Are you in no dread of incurring a penalty for
circulating a periodical of such a character P’” I
interposed. -
Graves laughed.
“Penalty The law confines its labours to
running-in second-hand booksellers for exposing
authors like Aristotle, Byron, Zola. It never by
any chance interfered with a journal that incites
lads to crime—or men either, for the matter of
that.”
The speaker laughed cynically. -
“Though tinged with bitterness, there is some
truth in what you say,” I replied.
“My dear fellow,” responded Graves, looking at
me steadily, “you found by experience—as I did
—What encouragement there is for writers of high
* ſou know as well as I what demand there
§ of scholarly type who use elegant
quote Occasionally from the
## p. 258 (#318) ############################################
258
“Not much, to be sure, I regret to say.”
“Well When a lad is thrashed for telling the
truth he often turns liar. When a writer begins
to understand that conscientious matter is a drug
in the market, he either renounces his ideals with
a view to scooping in the coin, or abandons the
game in disgust.”
“As you did.”
“As I did, when I informed you on a memorable
evening some ten years ago that I should go into
trade. Now I am a linited liability company with
a capital ; but I will spare you details. Nearly all
my ventures have prospered.”
“You will pardon what I am going to say,” I
began. “Why, with the wealth your firm can
command, have you never undertaken the issue of
some standard work P. So far as I am aware, nothing
but the veriest rags emanate from your house.”
Graves opened his eyes in real or feigned
Surprise.
“You ask me such a question—you who know
how generously the public patronises any man who
tries to improve it, mentally or morally. Have I
not already declared that when I abandoned writing
I entered business 2 Business If I could raise
the standard of public taste to-morrow by merely
lifting my little finger, I wouldn’t do so. If I
could instruct every street-arab, clerk or shop-girl
in the world up to the level of a University gra-
duate, by the expenditure of a halfpenny, I would
keep the copper in my pocket. No, sir, I am not
a schoolmaster or parson—most assuredly not a
philanthropist. Indeed, I have even gone so far
as to engender a delight for reading matter of a
kind never before supplied.”
“You do not allude to—to indecency.”
“No. My policy is to stultify, not to shock.”
4 & Ah ! 22
We both maintained silence for a few seconds ;
I broke it by asking him if he still adhered to his
former expressed views on democracy.
A sardonic grin contorted Graves' mouth as he
replied.
“The nation has for political purposes found it
expedient to worship a little mud image which it
calls Demos. Anything breathed against this
image is rank heresy. Times gone by saw practical
inventors, engineers and scientists springing from
the class it stands for—poor men who thought out
discoveries in their cottages and taught themselves
the rudiments of education. We have changed all
that. The class Demos represents to-day, consists
chiefly of men whose aim is to work as little for as
much pay as possible. Their leisure is passed mainly
in public-houses. Their ambition is to oºº Yº
latest ‘tips’ for a race meeting. They ay
part loud, self-assertive, impudent,
ape all the worse qualities of the
majority.”
t
If they haven't reached the pitch of playing
on Sunday, they are fast converting the s
into a day of rowdy excursions or senseles
thus are neither so industrious or de
their grandfathers, yet their liberty i
greater, their chances in life incompa
numerous. Yet if you were to se
opinion to me as proprietor of the Sp
should do what every editor in Lond
and stick it on the coals.”
& 4 Why 2 ” •.
“Because this class is in a prep
golf
bath
“Its strikes dislocate trade. Its centralisation
generates slums. Physical deterioration bids fair
to make us a nation of cripples and paralytics.
Idleness swells our rates. Rash and immature
unions fill our hospitals, asylums, refuges and
reformatories. We know it, but it would not pay
us to express a candid opinion. So with our
tongue in Our cheeks we allude to this little mud
image as the “backbone of the country.”
Graves paused a moment for breath.
It was all I could do to keep from looking aghast
at his utterances.
“The democracy is never tired of throwing stones
at the profligacy of the rich,” he burst out afresh,
“but where do you find immorality so atrocious as
among the denizens of mean streets 2
“Another clause in my indictment, and I have
done.
“The son of a gentleman goes to a public
school. He is cheeky to a master, misses his
lessons or sins in some other way incident to boy-
hood. He is flogged. Many a duke's son has
been flogged at Eton, and will be again, I hope and
believe.
“The son of a labourer goes to a board School.
He uses foul language in his teacher's hearing, or
refuses to learn his task, and if he is chastised there
is the whole country in an uproar. His parents
assault and batter the poor pedagogue, and when
they’ve done with him, the law prosecutes him.
“Did any man ever know such absurdity ?
Yet we are called an enlightened and progressive
people !” e
It was amazing to hear the editor and proprietor
of one of the most democratic organs published
thus expressing himself.
“Open confession is good for the soul, I find, so
I will continue to make you my father confessor
for a few moments longer in order that you may
take a close view of the machinery which has made
me a success. I pander to society as well as Demos.
There is no bit of scandal too Outrageous, no per-
sonal interview too fulsome, no tittle-tattle too
paltry for the columns of one or another of my
ublications. Nobodies believe themselves some-
## p. 259 (#319) ############################################
|
259
THE AUTHOR.
bodies because it suits my purposes to print their
photographs and biographies occasionally, at a price.”
“Let us pass on to the next point,” I suggested.
“Ah, yes! Let me see—the next point. Oh
cruel and ghastly posters. And what my posters
do for my budgets of fiction my contents bills do
for my sheets of fact.”
“I have seen them,” I said, “and I think it an
infernal shame that while a poor newspaper lad
may be run in for crying false news, editors may
print misleading, grossly exaggerated bills in order
to dispose of large editions with impunity.”
“I agree with you,” assented Graves. “Blame
that ridiculous old ass, the law—not us who profit
by its stupidity. Business is business.”
“Do you take up any position with regard to
religion ?” I asked. -
“Religion ? No! It is played out in England.”
He regarded me with an inscrutable cast of
visage as he finished the last sentence. His utter-
ances had been, here and there, so startling that I
found myself beginning to wonder whether he was
speaking in jest or earnest. He belonged to a set
of men whom it is difficult or impossible to
“weigh up.”
“How in the world do you manage to procure .
ideas for new papers, for articles, for novel com-
petitions P One brain, no matter how fecund,
could never breed them all, I am sure,” I began
after a pause. -
Graves gazed at the ceiling absently for a
moment. Then his sickly smile played about his
mouth. “You would like to know P’’
“I WOuld.”
“Well, then, you shall. First the law of copy-
right. Here we have a muddle so confusing that
any smart man may avail himself of its absurdities
to annex ideas from authors, from rivals, from a
hundred sources, without let or hindrance.”
“Dishonest ” I exclaimed.
“Certainly,” agreed Graves readily. “But
business. What is to prevent me from advertising
for an assistant in my literary department—whether
I want one or not ? Mr. Pen—shall we call him 2
—answers my advertisement together with some
scores of others. He, and the most likely among
them, are accorded interviews.
“‘Mr. Pen,' I say, ‘what suggestions would you
make to improve my journal should you be
appointed to the post applied for P’
“Mr. Pen, poor guileless creature, unbosoms him-
self. Some of his notions are good and feasible.
My shorthand clerk in attendance takes notes of
them, as of the others emanating from the
applicants I review.
“I close each successive interview with a gracious
promise that the departing penman shall hear
from me.
“So he does. To the effect that the appointment
has been filled up.
“Shameful ' " I shouted as I grasped his
meaning.
Graves slowly stroked his chin.
“The law allows it. What more is to be said.”
“You are an unscrupulous fellow,” I answered.
Graves laughed, a harsh, cackling, disagreeable
laugh.
“I have gone into trade.”
I put on my hat and prepared to quit the place,
sº moral atmosphere I began to find growing
etid.
“Before I go,” I said, “will you be good
enough to inform me for what purpose you have
bought manuscripts of an ethnographical nature
from me? I should like to know this particularly,
Seeing that no publication of a character available
for their insertion appears to figure on your rather
extensive list.”
Graves stood up behind his writing-table, and
Once again repeated his detestable grin.
“You have a right to ask what purposes your
manuscripts serve in our business. I’ll tell you.
They are of use in supplying local colour to some
of the tales of adventure our boy subscribers love
so dearly. We can offer you even better terms to
continue your papers on the same subject.”
I was too disgusted to make any rejoinder.
Turning on my heel, I left Wynyard Graves or
Gregory Grubb—as the reader prefers—to his
papers, his schemes, his success, his huge fortune.
The last I heard of him was his return to
Parliament as the “Champion of the Working
Classes.”
CORRESPONDENCE.
—e—sº-e—
UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT.
DEAR MR. THRING, I have been reading the
United States Copyright Act and your interesting
article upon it. It seems a curious innovation to
give such preference to foreign countries and
exempt all from the burden of the manufacturing
clauses, with the exception of England.
May I call your attention to your paragraph
about dramatic and musical compositions, wherein
you say that they must be printed from type set
in the United States if they are produced for sale
in book form. This would be a serious alteration
in the law, which does not appear to me to have
been intended or enacted. It is only “books” and
“periodicals” which are mentioned in (a) and (b)
of section 5, to which the manufacturing clauses
apply. A dramatic composition, even if it is pub-
lished in book form, should be described as a
“dramatic composition ” under (d) and not as
## p. 260 (#320) ############################################
260
THE AUTHOR.
a “book,” and if it is so described the manufac-
turing clauses would not be applicable. I hope
you do not mind my comment upon this point,
because it seems to me that the statement “then
the type-setting clause takes effect ’’ is inaccurate,
and may give rise to misunderstanding.
Yours very truly, HAROLD HARDY.
—º-º-º-
MAGAZINE WRITERS AND THE INCOME TAx.
SIR,--I have only to-day, March 28th, seen the
article on this subject signed by Alfred Smythe ;
and although it contains much with which one
cannot fail to sympathise, yet being fully aware, to
my cost, of the hard struggle which magazine and
newspaper writers often have, I totally fail to see
why we should be freed from the payment of
income tax any more than any other class of
professional men or women are.
not rather be thankful that they make sufficient by
their pen to be taxed at all !
barrister or doctor has quite as many difficulties to
contend with for some years, and often for ever, as
the writer of magazine articles | A long Univer-
sity education usually is essential in his case, while
it is by no means so in the case of Writers.
Compared with many other professional men,
e.g., Solicitors, architects,l and agents, accountants,
writers of magazine articles need not have had to
pay a heavy premium to learn their profession,
nor when in practice is there the same professional
—apart from personal –expense, nor is there any
capital expenditure required as is frequently the
case in business, unless, indeed, some writers are
disposed to look upon a few “postage stamps" as
capital expenditure.
H. STUART THOMPSON.
IS THE 6s. NOVEL DOOMED 2
SIR,-My temperament is neither gloomy nor
pessimistic, but, on the contrary, it is of the most
optimistic character ; yet I cannot help saying that
in my humble opinion the outlook of the profession
of novelist is very grave. I have spent a few days
interviewing booksellers, and to sum up briefly
what passed between us, I was informed by more
than one prominent bookseller that the clamour on
the part of the public for cheap reprints is daily
growing more intensified, and that the 6s. novel
of even prominent writers is becoming less and
less in demand.
One bookseller exclaimed, “Oh, as for the new
writer, he has, poor devil no chance at all.” The
position is not only serious for the latter, but it is
even more serious for the former class of writer,
and there is internal evidence to show that the
cheap reprints have come to stay.
Whom is the author to blame 2 Is it the public,
Should writers
Surely the struggling
2
who apparently find it more entertaining to read
cheap reprints than new fiction ; or is the blame to
be fixed upon the trade 2 It would be a difficult
thing to trace the evolution of the cheap reprint,
but it is obvious to the author, and also to the
trade, that in spite of the evidence that the
“enemy’’ has come to stay, the present is a diffi-
culty which must somehow be overcome both for
the sake of the publishing trade and also for the
profession of novelist. Publishers' travellers will
tell you that they are quite unable to excite the
curiosity of booksellers with regard to new 63.
novels, and that the trade will not look at them.
On the other hand, these same gentlemen have
their order books crammed with orders running
into three and four figures for “mixed” reprints,
at 7S. per dozen, less 10 per cent.
It would be really very interesting to know
whether the person to put in the pillory is the
bookseller or our old friend the publisher. Or
perhaps it is the taste of the public which has
become so depraved, eh?
Yours faithfully, A NovKLIST.
—º-º-o-
MAGAZINE PROPRIETORS.
SIR,--I should like to bring to the notice of the
Authors’ Society the responsibilities of the pro-
prietors of certain second-class periodicals and
papers, and should like to inquire whether there is
a satisfactory solution for the following difficulty.
A magazine engages a contributor and offers to
pay him a fixed rate for articles. After a short
period, the contributor experiences a difficulty in
obtaining payment, and finally, on threatening to
bring an action, is informed that the magazine
has changed hands and that the proprietors are not
liable for the work published before the date they
took over the responsibilities. The contributor is
in the following position : he has to find out what
has become of the former proprietors and where he
can apply for payment. In many cases this is
exceedingly difficult, and in many cases impossible.
Should he discover the whereabouts of the former
owners he is very often unable to obtain payment.
owing to the fact that they have no money and no
assets. Two points seem to be very hard upon the
author. First, that the original owner, who has
most probably obtained something for the sale of
his magazine, should not meet the just demands of
his creditors. Secondly, that the magazine should
be allowed to go on under the same title without
notifying the creditors of the change in the
responsibilities.
I should be glad if the members of the Authors’
Society could give any information as to , the
course which it is advisable to adopt in these
Circumstances.
Yours truly, A SUFFERER.
## p. 260 (#321) ############################################
AD VERTISEMENTS.
iii
THE TIDE MILL SECRET. -
By PERCY YoUNG. Handsomely produced, 320 pp., with
Frontispiece, 2s. 6d. net.
“A readable novel . . . life is vividly depicted.”—Dundee
Advertiser.
“A pleasant tale.”—The Universe.
GARDEN SONGS, and other Poems.
By MARGARET E. FoED. A capital book of poetry, highly
commended to all lovers of fresh and stimulating verse.
Printed on thick antique paper, with uncut edges, and bound in
attractive brochure cover, with flaps, 1s.6d. met. NOW READY.
THE LONG RUN : A Novel.
By ROBERT B. MoRENO. With Frontispiece on art paper.
Bound in half red and half blue, in cloth, 2s. 6d. met.
“A very curious novel.”—Publishers Circular.
“This novel is unusual and distinctly original.”—What's On.
GERMAN THE VIKING : A Story of Ancient
England.
By JAMES STUART. Handsome bevelled boards, 1s. 6d. net.
“A vigorous and interesting tale of the stormy life of the old
Norsemen.”—Scotsman.
“The author writes pleasantly and with clearness of expres-
sion; he has managed to bring the old-world atmosphere into his
story.”—IIull Daily Matil.
MON CA OF ESSEBURNI : A Novel.
By MARGARET F. Osborn E. Contains splendid photograph as
frontispiece, and is bound with attractive design. 2s. met.
“The story of a girl who fell in love with her sister's lover . . .
Includes some pretty description of the village.”—Christictim.
World.
MSS.
LONDON :
ARTHUR. H. STOCKWELL,
29, L'UIDGATE HILL, E.C.
Full lists on application, post free.
Authors should forward MSS. of any description
(Novels, Stories, Poems, Essays, &c.) direct to Mr.
STOCKWELL, Who Will immediately advise, free
of charge, as to publication.
SANG|M|GNAND OF WAL D'ELSA
|N TUSGANW.
AN ART HISTORICAL WORK.
Y
Jean Carlyle Graham and Elizabeth M. Derbishire.
With 27 Pen and Ink Drawings, many hitherto
unpublished Documents from Tuscan State
Archives, a Bibliography, and numerous Copy-
righted Photographs.
ERMAN NO LOESCHER & CO.
(Bretschreider & Regenberg), ROME.
MRS. GILL, Typetoriting Office,
(Established 1883.) 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C.
Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 1s, per 1,000
words. Duplicate copies third price. French and German
MSS. accurately copied ; or typewritten English trans-
lations supplied. References kindly permitted to Messrs.
A. P. Watt & Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House,
Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C. Telephone 8464 Central.
TYPEVVRITING
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, 9d. PER 1,000 WoRDs.
Two COPIES, 1s. PER 1,000 WORDS.
Authors’ MSS., I,egal Documents, Reports, &c., carefully and
accurately copied. Orders by Post promptly attended to.
Mrs. SOUTHEE, 273, Francis Rd., LEWION, LONDON, E.
TYPEWRITING.
MISS BARRETT,” ºve.
Telephone : 9677 Central.
Literary Work, Plays, &c., promptly & accurately copied.
- Orders by post quickly carried out.
Efficient Clerks supplied to Clients by day, week, or maonth.
Terms and specimen of work on application. IHighest References.
TYPEYWRITING:
ALL KINDS FROM 9d. PER 1,000.
Authors', Playwrights’, Clergy men's, &c.,
Correctly and efficiently executed.
Good Work combined with cheapness and cuickness.
In English, French, or German. Good References.
SEND A SMALL ORDER NOW!
MSS RALLING, 175, Loughborough Rd., London, S.W.
Rd.,
§º wº-,e, sº sº -> ...," ºr sº *.*, *, *, * * *R*, * * * * > * ºf ºx * * *
§ §§§ ‘. . . 5 * º tº 2:
Two HUNDRED AND FIFTY
(GUINEAS AWARD.
The Literary Agency of London has pleasure
in announcing that it has been instructed
by M.Y. ANDREW MELROSE to conduct an
open competition For THE
- BEST NOVEL --
tº submitted before November i. 1909. The Adjudicators
will be D
MRS. FLORA ANNIE STEEL, .
MISS MARY CHOLMONDELEY, and
MRS. HENRY DE LA PASTURE.
Particulars may be had by sending Starmped Addressed
Envelope to -
: THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, ;
º 5, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
*...º.º.
MSS.
2.
sº tº
5 . .”
º' ---
". . . . . . . .
| Tim T
carefully and quickly done on good paper.
References to leading Publishers.
Miss G. BLAXELLE, King-Potter, Clements & Co. Ld.
56, Ludgate Hill, H. C.
NO AUTHOR
be he amateur or expert, can afford to be without
HINTS THAT HELP.
A Book of sound advice and
instruction on the way to write
and sell Short Stories.
There is, of course, a right way and a wrong way,
and the writer who is not fully versed in his profes-
sion is handicapped to the extent of his inexperience.
“HINTS THAT HELP’’: 1s. 6d. post free from
The Literary Typewriting Bureau,
46, Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, ESSEX.
(Please mention “The Author.”)
## p. 260 (#322) ############################################
iV ADVERTISEMENTS.
T0 AUTHORS AND JOURNALISTS.
* The writer, whether he aspires to write novels,
short stories, or articles, often spends years in
uncongenial work, rebuffs and drudgery being
the only return for the time and labour spent.
• THE COURSE OF LITERARY TRAINING
promoted by the Literary Correspondence College
teaches the aspirant to serve his apprenticeship
to Literature in the briefest time possible.
* The College also undertakes Literary Agency
business of all kinds.
For full particulars write at once for pamphlet
D.M. to the LITERARY CORRESPONDENCE CollBGE,
9, Arundel Street. Strand, W.C.
| FIRST LEssons INSTORY WRITING.
By BARRY PAIN.
2s. 6d. net; 2s. 8d. post free.
*|| Of this work the Westminste?' Gazette writes: “The
beginner who takes these lessons to heart may be
quite assured of an advantage over his competitors.”
HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHOR.
By ARNOLD BENNETT. A Practical Guide; full of
useful hints. 5s. net; 5s. 4d. post free.
THE LITERARY CORRESPONDENCE COLLEGE,
S, Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.
Typexyriting,
can guarantee good work at reasonable charges.
Orders by post receive prompt attention.
Duplicating,
SEP for Estimate if you require any MSS. typed or Circulars duplicated.
TWO popular Hotels in Gentral London.
Opposite the British Museum.
THAGKERAY HOTEL;
Great Russell Street, London.
Near the British Museum.
KINGSLEY HOTEL;
Hart Street, Bloomsbury Square, London.
Passenger Lifts. Bathrooms on every Floor. Lounges
and Spacious Dining, Drawing, Writing, Reading, Billiard
and Smoking Rooms. Fireproof Floors, Perfect Sanita-
tion. Telephones. Night Porters.
Bedrooms (including attendance) from 3/6 to 6|=.
Inclusive Charge for Bedroom, Attendance, Table d'Hote,
Breakfast and Dinner, from 8/6 to 10/6 per day.
Full Tariff and Testimonials on application.
Telegraphic Addresses :
Thackeray Hotel—“Thackeray, London.”
Kingsley Hotel—“Bookcraft, London.”
arid Copying.
It will cost you nothing, and I
Price List and Testimonials on application.
C. HERBERT CAESAR, Homefield, Woodstock Road, St. Albans.
Special terms to Authors if you mention this paper.
E8TABLISHED]
The Wessex Press,
[XVIII. CENT.
Tattºtozz.
BARNICOTT & PEARCE
INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING.
ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN.
SIPKES and SIFKES,
The West Kensington Typewriting Offices,
(Established 1893)
223a, Harm mersmith Road, LONDON, W.
Authors' MSS. ; Translations; Duplicating; Plays and Actors' Parts ;
Legal, General and Commercial Documents. Private Rooms for
Dictation. Usual Terms. Iłeferences.
TYPEWRITING OFFICES.
(Established 1897.)
COVENTRY. — Please note Change of
Address to “WESTLEIGH,” KING RICHARD
STREET, from Oswald House, Queen
Victoria Road. TYPEwBITING OF EVERY
DESCRIPTION, from 9d. per 1,000 words.
Eccellent Testimonials from Plrt iſ JJ’rifers.
** TELE ATUTIEIOIER,.”
scALE FOR AD VERTISEMENTS.
[ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.]
Front Page ...#4 0 0
Other Pages . ... 3 0 0
Half of a Page ... tº º ſº. • ? , 1 10 0
Quarter of a Page tº - - tº o 0 @ 9 tº a tº a • so tº e & ... 0 15 0
Eighth of a Page * * - * - - ... . ... Q 7 6
Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0
Reduction of 20 per cent. made for a Series of Sia, and of 25 per cent. for
Twelve Imsertions.
Advertisements should reach the Office not later than the 20th for
insertion in the following month's issue.
All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the
ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Office, 39, Old Queen Street,
Storey's Gate, S.W. - -
--Pºw
Printed by BRADBURY, AGNEW, & Co. LD., and Published by them for THE SocIETY OF AUTHORS (INCORPORATED),
at 10, Bouverie Stleet, London, E.C.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Author, Vol. 19 Issue 09 (June 1909)
Subject
The topic of the resource
<em>The Author</em>, Vol. 19 Issue 09 (June 1909)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027638405" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027638405</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Publication
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
1909-06-01-The-Author-19-9
publications
The Author