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289	https://historysoa.com/items/show/289	The Author, Vol. 06 Issue 12 (May 1896)	<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=%3Cem%3EThe+Author%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+Vol.+06+Issue+12+%28May+1896%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 06 Issue 12 (May 1896)</a>			<a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015013732253" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015013732253</a>								<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a>	1896-05-01-The-Author-6-12					269–288																		<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=6">6</a>											<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1896-05-01">1896-05-01</a>							12			18960501	C be<br /> El u t b or,<br /> (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors.<br /> Monthly.)<br /> C O N DU C T E D BY W.A. L TER BES.A. N. T.<br /> VoI. VI.-No. 12.]<br /> MAY 1, 1896.<br /> [PRICE SIXPENCE.<br /> For the Opinions eaſpressed in papers that are<br /> signed or initialled the Authors alone are<br /> responsible. None of the papers or para-<br /> graphs must be taken as eaſpressing the<br /> collective opinions of the committee unless<br /> they are officially signed by G. Herbert<br /> Thring, Sec.<br /> ----<br /> HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all<br /> remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and<br /> requests that all members not receiving an answer to<br /> important communications within two days will write to him<br /> without delay. All remittances showld be crossed Union<br /> Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered<br /> letter only.<br /> Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on<br /> all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub-<br /> jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are<br /> returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS.<br /> *- - --→<br /> r- ºr ~,<br /> WARNINGS AND ADWICE,<br /> I. RAWING THE AGREEMENT.—It is not generally<br /> understood that the author, as the vendor, has the<br /> absolute right of drafting the agreement upon<br /> whatever terms the transaction is to be carried out.<br /> Authors are strongly advised to exercise that right. In<br /> every form of business, this among others, the right of<br /> drawing the agreement rests with him who sells, leases, or<br /> has the control of the property.<br /> 2. SERIAL RIGHTS.–In selling Serial Rights remember<br /> that you may be selling the Serial Right for all time; that<br /> is, the Right to continue the production in papers. If you<br /> object to this, insert a clause to that effect.<br /> 3. STAMP YOUR AGREEMENTS. — Readers are most<br /> DRGENTLY warned not to neglect stamping their agreements<br /> immediately after signature. If this precaution is neglected<br /> for two weeks, a fine of £10 must be paid before the agree-<br /> ment can be used as a legal document. In almost every<br /> case brought to the secretary the agreement, or the letter<br /> which serves for one, is forwarded without the stamp. The<br /> author may be assured that the other party to the agree-<br /> ment seldom neglects this simple precaution. The Society,<br /> to save trouble, undertakes to get all the agreements of<br /> members stamped for them at no eaſpense to themselves<br /> eaccept the cost of the stamp.<br /> 4. ASCERTAIN WHAT A PROPOSED AGREEMENT GIVEs To<br /> BOTH SIDES BEFORE SIGNING IT.-Remember that an<br /> WOL. WI.<br /> arrangement as to a joint venture in any other kind of busi-<br /> ness whatever would be instantly refused should either party<br /> refuse to show the books or to let it be known what share he<br /> reserved for himself.<br /> 5. LITERARY AGENTs.—Be very careful. You cannot be<br /> too careful as to the person whom you appoint as your<br /> agent. Remember that you place your property almost un-<br /> reservedly in his hands. Your only safety is in consulting<br /> the Society, or some friend who has had personal experience<br /> of the agent. Do not trust advertisements alone.<br /> 6. COST OF PRODUCTION.——Never sign any agreement of<br /> which the alleged cost of production forms an integral part,<br /> until you have proved the figures.<br /> 7. CHOICE OF PUBLISHERS.–Never enter into any cor-<br /> respondence with publishers, especially with those who ad-<br /> vertise for MSS., who are not recommended by experienced<br /> friends or by this Society.<br /> 8. FUTURE WORK.—Never, on any account whatever,<br /> bind yourself down for future work to anyone.<br /> 9. PERSONAL RISK.—Never accept any pecuniary risk or<br /> responsibility whatever without advice.<br /> IO. R.E.JECTED MSS.—Never, when a M.S. has been re-<br /> fused by respectable houses, pay others, whatever promises<br /> they may put forward, for the production of the work.<br /> I I. AMERICAN RIGHTS.—Never sign away American<br /> rights. Keep them by special clause. Refuse to sign any<br /> agreement containing a clause which reserves them for the<br /> publisher, unless for a substantial consideration.<br /> 12. CESSION OF COPYRIGHT.-Never sign any paper,<br /> either agreement or receipt, which gives away copyright,<br /> without advice.<br /> I3. ADVERTISEMENTS. — Keep some control over the<br /> advertisements, if they affect your returns, by a clause in<br /> the agreement.<br /> I4. NEVER forget that publishing is a business, like any<br /> other business, totally unconnected with philanthropy,<br /> charity, or pure love of literature. You have to do with<br /> business men. Be yourself a business man. -<br /> Society’s Offices : —<br /> 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN&#039;s INN FIELDs.<br /> *~ 2- 2–º<br /> HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY,<br /> I. VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br /> advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub.<br /> lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br /> business or the administration of his property. If the advice<br /> Sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor, the member<br /> has a right to an opinion from the Society’s solicitors. If the<br /> case is such that Counsel&#039;s opinion is desirable, the Com-<br /> H. H. 2<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#624) ################################################<br /> <br /> 27O<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> mittee will obtain for him Counsel’s opinion. All this<br /> without any cost to the member.<br /> 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br /> and publisher&#039;s agreements do not generally fall within the<br /> experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br /> to use the Society first—our solicitors are continually<br /> engaged upon such questions for us.<br /> 3. Send to the office copies of past agreements and past<br /> accounts with the loan of the books represented. This is in<br /> order to ascertain what has been the nature of your agree-<br /> ments, and the results to author and publisher respectively<br /> so far. The Secretary will always be glad to have any<br /> agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The infor-<br /> mation thus obtained may prove invaluable.<br /> 4. If the examination of your previous business trans-<br /> actions by the Secretary proves unfavourable, you should<br /> take advice as to a change of publishers.<br /> 5. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro-<br /> posed document to the Society for examination.<br /> 6. The Society is acquainted with the methods, and—in<br /> the case of fraudulent houses—the tricks of every publish-<br /> ing firm in the country.<br /> 7. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you<br /> are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are<br /> reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing<br /> the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen-<br /> dence of the writer.<br /> 8. Send to the Editor of the Awthor notes of everything<br /> important to literature that you may hear or meet with.<br /> 9. The committee have now arranged for the reception of<br /> members’ agreements and their preservation in a fireproof<br /> safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con-<br /> fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who<br /> will keep the key of the safe. The Society mow offers –(I)<br /> To read and advise upon agreements and publishers.<br /> stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon<br /> them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments<br /> due according to agreements.<br /> &gt;<br /> cº<br /> THE AUTHORS&#039; SYNDICATE,<br /> EMBERS are informed :<br /> 1. That the Authors&#039; Syndicate takes charge of<br /> the business of members of the Society. That it<br /> submits MSS. to publishers and editors, concludes agree-<br /> ments, examines, passes, and collects accounts, and, gene-<br /> rally, relieves members of the trouble of managing business<br /> details.<br /> 2. That the terms upon which its services can be secured<br /> will be forwarded upon detailed application.<br /> 3. That the Authors&#039; Syndicate works only for those<br /> members of the Society whose work possesses a market<br /> value.<br /> 4. That the Syndicate can only undertake any negotiations<br /> whatever on the distinct understanding that those negotia-<br /> tions are placed ea clusively in its hands, and that all<br /> communications relating thereto are referred to it.<br /> 5. That clients can only be seen by the Director by<br /> appointment, and that, when possible, at least two days&#039;<br /> notice should be given.<br /> 6. That every attempt is made to deal with all communi-<br /> cations promptly. That stamps should, in all cases, be sent<br /> o defray postage.<br /> (2) To<br /> 7. That the Authors&#039; Syndicate does not invite MSS.<br /> without previous correspondence; does not hold itself<br /> responsible for MSS. forwarded without notice; and that<br /> in all cases MSS. must be accompanied by stamps to defray<br /> postage.<br /> 8. That the Syndicate undertakes arrangements for<br /> lectures by some of the leading members of the Society;<br /> that it has a “Transfer Department’’ for the sale and<br /> purchase of journals and periodicals; and that a “Register<br /> of Wants and Wanted &#039;&#039; is open. Members are invited to<br /> communicate their requirements to the Manager.<br /> There is an Honorary Advisory Committee, whose services<br /> will be called upon in any case of dispute or difficulty. It<br /> is perhaps necessary to state that the members of the<br /> Advisory Committee have no pecuniary interest whatever in<br /> the Syndicate.<br /> NOTICES.<br /> HE Editor of the Author begs to remind members of the<br /> Society that, although the paper is sent to them free<br /> of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very<br /> heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great<br /> many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest<br /> 6s. 6d. subscription for the year.<br /> The Editor is always glad to receive short papers and<br /> communications on all subjects connected with literature<br /> from members and others. Nothing can do more good to<br /> the Society than to make the Author complete, attractive,<br /> and interesting. Will those who are willing to aid in this<br /> work send their names and the special subjects on which<br /> they are willing to write P<br /> Communications for the Author should reach the Editor<br /> not later than the 21st of each month.<br /> All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether<br /> members of the Society or not, are invited to communicate<br /> to the Editor any points connected with their work which<br /> it would be advisable in the general interest to publish.<br /> Members and others who wish their MSS. read are<br /> requested not to send them to the Office without previously<br /> communicating with the Secretary. The utmost practicable<br /> despatch is aimed at, and MSS. are read in the order in<br /> which they are received. It must also be distinctly under-<br /> stood that the Society does not, under any circumstances,<br /> undertake the publication of MSS.<br /> The Authors’ Club is now open in its new premises, at<br /> 3, Whitehall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary<br /> for information, rules of admission, &amp;c.<br /> Will members take the trouble to ascertain whether they<br /> have paid their subscriptions for the year P If they will do<br /> this, and remit the amount, if still unpaid, or a banker&#039;s<br /> order, it will greatly assist the Secretary, and save him the<br /> trouble of sending out a reminder.<br /> Members are most earnestly entreated to attend to the<br /> warning numbered (8). It is a most foolish and may be a<br /> most disastrous thing to enter into an agreement binding<br /> for a term of years. Let them ask themselves if they<br /> would give a solicitor the collection of their rents for five<br /> years to come, whatever his conduct, whether he was honest<br /> or dishonest ? Of course they would not. Why then<br /> hesitate for a moment when they are asked to sign them-<br /> selves into literary bondage for three or five years P<br /> Those who possess the “Cost of Production ” are<br /> requested to note that the cost of binding has advanced 15<br /> per cent. This means, for those who do not like the trouble<br /> of “doing sums,” the addition of three shillings in the<br /> pound on this head. In other words, if the cost of binding<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#625) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 271<br /> is set down in our book at eight pounds, to this must now be<br /> added twenty-four shillings more, so that it now stands<br /> at £9 4s. The figures in our book are as near the exact<br /> truth as can be procured; but a printer&#039;s, or a binder’s,<br /> bill is so elastic a thing that nothing more exact can be<br /> arrived at.<br /> Some remarks have been made upon the amount charged<br /> in the “Cost of Production ” for advertising. Of course, we<br /> have not included any sums which may be charged for<br /> inserting advertisements in the publisher&#039;s own magazines,<br /> or in other magazines by exchange. As agreements too<br /> often go, there is nothing to prevent the publisher from<br /> sweeping the whole profits of a book into his own pocket,<br /> by inserting any number of advertisements in his own<br /> magazines, and by exchanging with others. Some there are<br /> who call this a form of fraud; it is not known what those<br /> who practise this method of swelling their own profits call it.<br /> *-<br /> r- - ---e.<br /> FROM THE COMMITTEE,<br /> T a meeting of the Committee held on<br /> Wednesday, the 18th inst., it was decided,<br /> as it had been impossible to arrange the<br /> Authors’ Society dinner in May, to postpone the<br /> date until the autumn. It was also decided to<br /> have a soirée after the dinner as usual. When<br /> the date is settled the notices will be issued from<br /> the office.<br /> The Committee are at present engaged in<br /> considering the question of a reform in the<br /> Copyright Law.<br /> G. HERBERT THRING, Secretary.<br /> April 28, 1896.<br /> LITERARY PROPERTY.<br /> I.—CANADIAN COPYRIGHT.<br /> LETTER on this subject addressed to Mr.<br /> Goldwin Smith by Mr. Henry Charles Lea,<br /> of Philadelphia, has been sent by the former<br /> to the Times (April 27). The writer points out, as<br /> if it were a new thing, that the real aim of the pro-<br /> posed legislation on the subject is the American<br /> market, and that if a certain section of Canadian<br /> legislators have their way, the long fought for, and<br /> hardly won, International Copyright will be more<br /> certainly lost. It is absurd to suppose that Mr.<br /> Hall Caine was ignorant of this danger when he<br /> went to Canada last autumn. The whole object<br /> of his mission was to avert that danger. Recent<br /> alarms and newer dangers have for the moment<br /> obscured this; but it still remains. Mr Lea’s<br /> letter reminds us of what we all knew very well<br /> eight months ago: it is useful as a reminder,<br /> though as a warning it comes too late. The gist<br /> of the reminder is in the following paragraph :<br /> tion of sales in the United States. Its most serious aspect<br /> is the peril to which it exposes the Act of 1891, which<br /> permits the copyright of English books in this country,<br /> subject to the condition of manufacture here. For fifty<br /> years there has not been a copyright measure discussed in<br /> which I have not taken a more or less active part, and I am<br /> familiar with the influences which for so many years<br /> prevented the enactment of international copyright, and<br /> which finally secured the adoption of the existing law. So<br /> long as the labour interests opposed it there was no chance<br /> of its passage. When they were won over to its support it<br /> was adopted, though not without prolonged exertion against<br /> strenuous opposition. If it be once fairly understood that<br /> Canadian printers are enjoying an advantage which is<br /> denied to our labour and is used to its detriment, there is<br /> no little danger that the labour organisations will seek to<br /> undo the work in which they assisted five years ago; and,<br /> if once aroused to this, you know as well as I do how<br /> respectfully their remonstrances will be received. If you<br /> have means of warning the English interests which are<br /> threatened, it would be wise for you to do so, for I am sure<br /> that they do not recognise the danger inherent in the<br /> present and prospective anomalous condition of Canadian<br /> copyright.<br /> II.--THE “Twent IETH CENTURY.”<br /> The following paragraph is taken from the<br /> Westminster Gazette :-<br /> “In the Queen&#039;s Bench Division to-day, before<br /> Mr. Justice Grantham, sitting without a jury,<br /> Dr. Forbes Winslow sued Mr. Graham, the<br /> editor of the Twentieth Century, for £48, for two<br /> magazine articles supplied in May and June, 1895.<br /> The price agreed upon was £2 a page, and the<br /> articles ran to twenty-four pages. Defendant was<br /> not represented, and judgment was entered for<br /> the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with costs.”<br /> Readers are requested to take a note of this<br /> case. The secretary has in his hands claims of<br /> the same kind against the same person repre-<br /> senting, together, over £60. He does not take<br /> action for the reason that it would be of no use,<br /> as the defendant has disappeared.<br /> III.-Associate D AUTHORs’ PUBLISHING<br /> CoMPANY.<br /> I have read with much interest your admirable<br /> review of the prospectus of this company, in your<br /> last issue, and your remarks seem to me to be very<br /> much to the point. You say that, given certain<br /> conditions, there can be no doubt whatever that<br /> an immense business awaits such a company.<br /> These conditions you specify as, (1) Sufficient<br /> capital; (2) An established business; (3) A<br /> manager of probity and experience; (4) “Methods<br /> of publishing based upon the points always<br /> advocated by the Society,” viz.: (5) No secret<br /> profits; (6) No charge for unpaid advertise-<br /> , ments; (7) A full understanding of what the<br /> The importance of the matter to the English author and iſ agreement means on both sides; (8) The right<br /> publisher, however, by no means rests solely on the diminu-<br /> of access to the author&#039;s own books; (9) The con-<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#626) ################################################<br /> <br /> 272<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> fidence of authors; and (IO) professions honourably<br /> carried out.<br /> These points, I think, cover the ground abso-<br /> lutely, and I can give English authors the most<br /> complete assurance that the importance of each<br /> has been foreseen and special provision made to<br /> meet it. -<br /> It has been felt that the question of honest and<br /> accurate book-keeping would be a very important<br /> one from the authors&#039; point of view, and after<br /> careful reflection it has been decided to secure the<br /> services of some eminent firm of accountants,<br /> known both in London and New York, for the<br /> purpose not only of auditing the accounts but of<br /> keeping them properly posted up.<br /> Messrs. Price, Waterhouse and Co. have agents<br /> in this city—Messrs. Jones and Caesar, chartered<br /> accountants—and they have been seen on the<br /> subject, and preliminary arrangements discussed<br /> for the proper keeping and auditing of the<br /> company’s books. This question will be settled<br /> at an early date. -<br /> The standing of the incorporators and directors<br /> will no doubt influence the members of your<br /> Society. General James Grant Wilson is president<br /> of the American Authors’ Guild and is himself a<br /> well-known author; Mr. Frank R. Lawrence is<br /> president of the world-renowned Lotos Club,<br /> whose hospitality so many of England&#039;s most<br /> illustrious men have enjoyed both under his<br /> presidency and that of Mr. Whitelaw Read, pro-<br /> prietor of the New York Tribune and late<br /> American minister to Paris. Mr. Lawrence is an<br /> eminent counsel. Col. Sickely is late American<br /> minister to Siam and vice-president of the great<br /> American Surety Company. Hon. R. S. Ransom is<br /> late surrogate of New York. It is unnecessary to<br /> go further. New York has no better or sounder<br /> business men than these, and all are interested<br /> in literature and acquainted with the publishing<br /> business.<br /> It is expected that this company will begin<br /> business immediately.<br /> - C. L. BETTS, Sec. pro tem.<br /> *— = -º<br /> e- - -<br /> NEW YORK LETTER,<br /> April 17, 1896.<br /> - HE number of short stories of New England<br /> T life published during the last year is un-<br /> usual. It is true that the number of<br /> short stories of all kinds published during<br /> the year was unusual; it is true also that<br /> Americans produce short stories in much<br /> greater number, and of a much higher degree<br /> of excellence, than their novels; but even after<br /> these two things are taken into consideration<br /> the especial attention given to New England<br /> life is noticeable. Just why the short story is<br /> in so much favour here cannot be dogmatically<br /> stated; the publishers are said not to favour<br /> them, yet last fall some of the leading publishers<br /> published more volumes of them than they did of<br /> novels. Commenting on the superiority of our<br /> stories to our novels, Mr. Howell asks: “Is this<br /> so because the American life is scrappy and<br /> desultory, and instinctively seeks its expression in<br /> the sketch, the little tale, the miniature romance;<br /> or because the short story seems in all literatures<br /> to find its development earlier than the full-sized<br /> novel? Did our skill in writing short stories<br /> create the demand for them in the magazines, or<br /> did the demand of the magazines foster the skill P<br /> If the reader likes them so much in the maga-<br /> zines that the editors feel they must supply them<br /> at all hazards, why should they abhor them so<br /> much in the bound volume P”<br /> Each month seems to give a greater sign that<br /> the publishers abhor less and less the short stories<br /> in volumes. Where we have one novelist of high<br /> and deserved reputation, we have a number of<br /> story-tellers. In studies of Western life, Bret<br /> Harte, and now Hamlin Garland and Owen Wister,<br /> give us some of our best writings. On New<br /> England there are several writers who, in substance<br /> and especially in execution, are among the first,<br /> Miss Mary E. Wilkins and Miss Sarah Orne Jewett<br /> being easily first. In the works of each of these<br /> writers there is a thorough mastery of the New<br /> England types, combined with a sufficiency and<br /> lack of redundance of means that is not<br /> approached by any of the newer comers in the<br /> field of New England fiction. It is, however, of<br /> the less known names that this paper is to say a<br /> few words.<br /> First in importance among writers of New<br /> England stories whom the past year has brought<br /> into notice is Alice Brown. Her first book,<br /> “Meadow Grass,” published last summer by Cope-<br /> land and Day, of Boston, gives promise that she<br /> will shortly stand on a level with Miss Jewett<br /> and Miss Wilkins. Although she deals, like them,<br /> with the homely, well-known New England<br /> characters and events, in which humour and<br /> pathos are brought nearer together by being set<br /> in the bleakness of the physical surroundings,<br /> the crudity of expression, and the stern, ascetic<br /> Puritan spirit, her study is altogether first hand,<br /> and suggests no other writers. Her tone is less<br /> severe than that of Miss Wilkins, but she has<br /> much of the same austerity. She is more fond<br /> of humour than Miss Wilkins, and this is both<br /> a merit and a fault. It sometimes gives charm<br /> to her stories, and sometimes leads her to weaken<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#627) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 273<br /> them by prolixity.<br /> entertaining, and is not used to excess. Her<br /> touch in suggesting the intimate, especially the<br /> lighter, details of the New England country life,<br /> is particularly happy. The reputation which less<br /> than a year has established seems to be well<br /> founded.<br /> “Tales of the Maine Coast,” by Noah Brooks,<br /> published by Charles Scribner&#039;s Sons, should be<br /> mentioned in an account of recent New England<br /> fiction, although it was published a little over a<br /> year ago. His stories deal mainly with life in<br /> seaport towns, and bring in close contrast the<br /> native village traits and the odd bits of foreign<br /> life brought by the sailors. No one has recently<br /> given the character of these amphibious towns in<br /> some ways as well as Mr. Brooks.<br /> “Lover&#039;s Saint Ruth&#039;s, by Louise Imogene<br /> Guiney, published last year by Copeland and Day,<br /> is the writer&#039;s first attempt at fiction, although<br /> she has been well known in other branches of<br /> literature for some years. She touches in this<br /> volume some aspects of New England life with<br /> decided intelligence, but without any natural gift<br /> of narration.<br /> Another little book, “The Love Story of Ursula<br /> Wolcott,” is announced for an early appearance<br /> by Lamson, Wolffe, and Company, of Boston. It<br /> is to be a tale of early New England life, and to be<br /> historical. The same firm has recently issued a<br /> book by Mrs. Harrison, called “A Virginia Cousin<br /> and Bar Harbor Tales,” which are popular, but<br /> of no special value. They announce a novel by<br /> John P. Wheelwright, author of “Rollo&#039;s Journey<br /> to Cambridge,” which is to portray New England<br /> types of character at the time of the war of 1812.<br /> This firm, like several others of our newest firms,<br /> pay special attention to sectional stories, especially<br /> by new writers. They have another novel by F. J.<br /> Stimson (J. S. of Dale), who wrote “Guerndale.”<br /> during his law school course at Harvard and made<br /> his reputation at once, but since then has given<br /> most of his time to the law, although his ten or<br /> twelve books of fiction show him to be one of our<br /> strongest writers. This story will deal with early<br /> life in Devonshire and the early settlement of the<br /> American colonies. As he has worked for five<br /> years on the novel, it is likely to be of some<br /> permanent importance, as the writer&#039;s work has<br /> unusually strong dramatic qualities as well as<br /> subtle character drawing. By the same writer, a<br /> novel called “Pirate Gold,” a story of Boston in<br /> the middle of this century, is published by<br /> Houghton, Mifflin and Co., of Boston. It<br /> reproduces with a great deal of charm the special<br /> social characteristics of the town.<br /> Copeland and Day, also one of the newer firms<br /> of Boston, announce a New England story by<br /> Pier dialect is accurate and<br /> William M. Cole, formerly a Harvard professor;<br /> and they have also recently published “Moody’s<br /> Lodging House,” a collection of stories of Boston<br /> life, which has had considerable vogue.<br /> The Chicago firm of Way and Williams, also<br /> but a few years old, publishes a volume of New<br /> England stories by Mrs. Madeline Yale Wynne,<br /> a new comer in the field. She has considerable<br /> skill, especially in plot, but the thread of her<br /> stories is very slight, and their execution not<br /> distinguished.<br /> Among the stories published by Copeland and<br /> Day within a few months is “An Old Man&#039;s<br /> Romance,” by Christopher Craigie. Although<br /> this book, which is also a first attempt, has no<br /> special power, it is remarkably full of the real,<br /> typical New England spirit. It deals less with<br /> the picturesque externals which tempt most<br /> writers, and more with the social spirit as it<br /> seems to persons who have been long familiar<br /> with it.<br /> Bliss Perry is a writer already known for his<br /> pictures of New England life. “The Plated<br /> City,” published by Scribners, gives a picture of<br /> the social atmosphere in one of the New England<br /> manufacturing towns, which for distinctness,<br /> vividness, and faithfulness deserves a high place.<br /> These towns bring into sharp contrast the lowly<br /> life of the mill operatives and the prosperous life<br /> of those who have made their fortunes in the<br /> business. These classes are sharply separated<br /> geographically, the low lands being occupied by<br /> the poorer classes, and the hills further from the<br /> rivers by the rich. It is especially the picture of<br /> the more prosperous parts of such populations<br /> that Mr. Perry gives, but when he does touch<br /> the poorer parts of the town he is equally success-<br /> ful. His stories are romantic and old fashioned<br /> in a sense, but deal with entirely modern<br /> problems.<br /> An accidental find of considerable interest in<br /> New England literature was made by Lamson,<br /> Wolffe, and Co. of two essays by Ralph Waldo<br /> Emerson that date from his college days. One is<br /> a study of Socrates, and the other a study of<br /> the state of ethics at that time. Both are crude<br /> and decidedly young, but of importance in any<br /> study of Emerson&#039;s development.<br /> D. Appleton and Co. have issued recently<br /> several books dealing with New England life. “In<br /> Old New England,” by Hezekiah Butterworth, is<br /> a popular novel of a crude, fairly clever story-<br /> teller. “In Defiance of the King,” by Chauncey<br /> C. Hotchkiss, another first work, has some value<br /> as to plot, but is rambling, and, although it<br /> deals with important facts in American history,<br /> has no value as a character study either of indi-<br /> viduals or of the times. A stronger story than<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#628) ################################################<br /> <br /> 274<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> either of these deals not with New England, but<br /> with life in a closely neighbouring State, Penn-<br /> sylvania, among a class of labourers in the<br /> mining and manufacturing towns who have been<br /> very little studied. It is called “Stone Pastures,”<br /> is by Eleanor Stuart, and has vividness and<br /> strength enough to give promise. -<br /> Among the new books of interest is a novel by<br /> Gilbert Parker, called “The Pomp of the Lavil-<br /> lettes,” a story of forty-five thousand words, of<br /> which the scene is in Canada, and the story<br /> relates to the French-Canadian War. This has<br /> not yet been announced, but will be within two or<br /> three weeks.<br /> Another story by Gilbert Parker, “The Seats of<br /> the Mighty,” a romance of old Quebec, is pub-<br /> lished by D. Appleton and Co.<br /> Miss Ida C. Tarbell’s “Madame Roland’” is<br /> one of the most valuable books of the year. It<br /> will be handled by the Scribners in England.<br /> Miss Tarbell is one of our most conscientious<br /> students of history, and has within a few years<br /> gained a high reputation through her lives of<br /> Napoleon and Lincoln, which appeared serially in<br /> M“Clure’s Magazine. Next fall she will study<br /> in London preparatory to writing a history of<br /> that part of Lincoln&#039;s life which is connected<br /> with the Civil War. During five years of<br /> study in Paris, she obtained evidence about the<br /> life of Madame Roland which had not hitherto<br /> been used by biographers. These new letters<br /> showed that Madame Roland at one time sought<br /> a title, and they show the more important fact<br /> that at the time of her marriage she was passion-<br /> ately in love with her husband. All earlier<br /> biographers have accepted the statement made in<br /> her journal, that the marriage was one of cool<br /> reason. Miss Tarbell is able to show conclusively<br /> that this story was made up by Madame Roland<br /> after she was hopelessly in love with Buzot.<br /> Miss Tarbell goes deeply into the general move-<br /> ments of the Revolution with which her heroine<br /> was associated, and on them, as on the individual,<br /> she has produced a valuable study.<br /> Rudyard Kipling has come down from his<br /> home in Vermont to spend two weeks in the<br /> city. He has just finished his first serial, which<br /> deals entirely with American character. It is a<br /> tale of the sea, of a fishing fleet. The serial<br /> rights have not yet been disposed of.<br /> . The fourth volume of Theodore Roosevelt’s<br /> “Winning of the West” is published this month<br /> by Putnam. It covers the North-West and<br /> Louisiana, and brings the story down to 1809.<br /> On March 30, J. Selwin Tait, a New York<br /> publisher, started again by a letter to a newspaper<br /> the discussion about the present fortunes of<br /> American Literature—a subject which just now is<br /> very much in vogue. He speaks especially of the<br /> dark outlook for the native novelist. The result,<br /> of his reading of the thousands of manuscripts<br /> submitted to him is that the young American<br /> novelist has as much ability as the English<br /> beginner, though of a different kind. He is on<br /> the average less wordy, more sympathet c, and<br /> quicker to learn, but is over-confident, less<br /> patient, and more slovenly, and less willing to<br /> work. Mr. Tait gives several reasons for the cloud<br /> which he believes is hanging over American fiction.<br /> He says that last year foreign authors contributed<br /> two-thirds of the presentable fiction published<br /> in this country, whereas American authors con-<br /> tributed less than I per cent. of the fiction pub-<br /> lished abroad. The Io cent magazines, which<br /> have a very large circulation, and are supported<br /> mainly by advertisements, publish a great deal of<br /> fiction, and this cuts into the heart of the book<br /> trade and lessens the demand for new works.<br /> The daily papers are also blamed, on the ground<br /> that their sensational nature is doing much to<br /> spoil the public taste for fiction of the better<br /> kind. He thinks that the papers also fail to do.<br /> their duty in not giving more space to reviews of<br /> domestic literature. This subject was discussed<br /> the other night at a meeting of the Lanthorn<br /> Club given to Mr. Stephen Crane, author of the<br /> “Red Badge of Courage,” in which Mr. W. D.<br /> Howells took a view directly the contrary of that<br /> of Mr. Tait. He thought that the work of Mr.<br /> Crane, like that of Miss Wilkins and Miss<br /> Jewett, showed that the work produced by<br /> American story-tellers and novelists was as good<br /> as that produced anywhere, and would be recog-<br /> nised in a short time, if it is not already.<br /> *- &gt; *<br /> *<br /> NOTES FROM PARIS.<br /> HERE is one unpleasant day every year in<br /> M. Emile Zola&#039;s life, and that day is<br /> rapidly coming round upon him once<br /> more. On this day his pen will be busily<br /> occupied for some hours in a task unremune-<br /> rative and tedious. He will have to go to<br /> Charpentier&#039;s warehouse, where, in an office<br /> specially arranged for the purpose, he will find<br /> stacked up some hundred copies of his new novel<br /> “Rome.” There will be two tables in the room.<br /> At one of these M. Zola will seat himself; at<br /> the other will be a clerk with a book of addresses<br /> before him. Another clerk will stand between<br /> the stack of volumes and the table at which<br /> the master is seated. Zola will sigh and say<br /> “Allons.” Then a copy of the book will be<br /> handed to him, and at the same time the clerk<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#629) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 275<br /> with the address-book will read out the first name<br /> on his list. Then Zola will write on the fly-leaf<br /> of the volume his “ dédicace,” the formula of<br /> which will vary according to the degree of<br /> intimacy in which he stands towards this person.<br /> For strangers, amongst the pressmen and re-<br /> viewers who are entitled to receive presentation<br /> copies of his book, he will merely write “A<br /> Monsieur X., son dévoué confrère.” For a friend,<br /> or a brother author of distinction, he will write<br /> several lines of comment and compliment. This<br /> will go on until the whole stack of yellow backs<br /> has been exhausted, when Zola will throw down<br /> his pen with an “Ouf!” of relief and go off to<br /> lunch at Foyot&#039;s. There are more presentation<br /> copies of Zola&#039;s books distributed than of any<br /> other French author, and Zola makes a point of<br /> writing an autograph dédicace in each.<br /> Journalism and literature in France most often<br /> lead to a political career and to office, though the<br /> very highest office in France is usually given to<br /> the candidate who has attracted least attention<br /> to himself. In most cases men who have passed<br /> from journalism to politics do not return to it.<br /> There are, however, notable exceptions. There is<br /> Henri Rochefort, who threw up his seat in the<br /> Chamber because his political work did not leave<br /> him enough time for his journalism. But a more<br /> striking example is Clemenceau ; more striking<br /> because, whilst Rochefort never took any pro-<br /> minent part in politics at the Chamber, Clemenceau<br /> was always a most ardent politician, ever forming<br /> Ministries or overthrowing them. Well, he too,<br /> like Rochefort, to use the expression of Monsieur<br /> Thiers when he had resigned the Presidency, has<br /> returned to his chères études. And so notable a<br /> success has he made of it, that we who read the<br /> French papers cannot but regret the many years<br /> that Clemenceau was talking when he might<br /> have been writing. It is true he was writing all<br /> the time, for nearly every day he contributed an<br /> article to his own paper, La Justice, but that was<br /> political writing of limited interest, whereas now<br /> he gives us critiques, feuilletons, and general<br /> articles, which are as good as anything in the<br /> French Press. Everybody looks out for the<br /> Clemenceau article in Le Journal, and Daudet<br /> has often said to me that with Coppée Clemenceau<br /> is the foremost journalist in France. He seems<br /> to write, and to write well, on every conceivable<br /> subject. I think that his last article was about<br /> a man with a tail, who had been discovered in<br /> Annam, and on this subject Clemenceau wrote<br /> two sparkling columns. The politician, of course,<br /> always betrays himself. For instance, he con-<br /> cludes the article on “The Man with a Tail”<br /> in the following words: “All we need now is<br /> the man with a tail. The Government has him.<br /> WOL. VI.<br /> Tet the Government show him to us, instead<br /> of keeping him selfishly for its own enjoyment.<br /> This should be easier to do than to reform<br /> taxation.” - -<br /> Gounod&#039;s Memoirs have been published by<br /> Calman-Levy under the title of “Memoires d&#039;un<br /> Artiste.” The book is made up of articles<br /> written by Gounod and various letters to and<br /> from him. It divides itself into “Memoires de<br /> Jeunesse” and “Souvenirs Artistiques.” His<br /> account of the difficulties he had in getting a<br /> hearing for Faust should prove interesting to<br /> brother artists who have had similar experiences.<br /> We very nearly missed having Faust altogether.<br /> It was refused everywhere: publisher after pub-<br /> lisher bundled it back. At the first performance<br /> it was nearly hooted off the stage. Jules<br /> Massenet has often told me of that memorable<br /> night. At that time he was playing in the<br /> orchestra, where he wielded the cymbals. He<br /> said that he was so enraged with the public for<br /> hissing what he considered a masterpiece that it<br /> was with difficulty that he restrained himself<br /> from jumping over the partition and using his<br /> cymbals on the blockheads in the orchestra stalls.<br /> Another interesting volume of memoirs is the<br /> second of Rochefort&#039;s autobiography, which takes<br /> us from the author&#039;s first exile up to the Com-<br /> mune. The third volume, dealing mainly with<br /> the part that Rochefort played in these troubled<br /> times, should be still more interesting, as it will<br /> give him an opportunity of vindicating his con-<br /> duct, which has been bitterly attacked. But I<br /> think most people will look with most anticipation<br /> for the story of his connection with the unfor-<br /> tunate General Boulanger. That, however, will<br /> not come for some time yet. -<br /> At a recent literary soirée the idea was pro-<br /> pounded that the immense popularity of some<br /> books may be attributed to the fact that, public<br /> interest having been whetted by preceding works<br /> on the same subject, they arrive at the psycho-<br /> logical moment, so the authors of the preceding<br /> works, by being too previous, act only as the<br /> pioneers of the success of the book which comes<br /> just at the right moment. A number of instances<br /> were cited which bore out this theory. Sic vos<br /> mon vobis might be said to the pioneer authors.<br /> I know of more than once French writer who<br /> has adopted the typewriter. Daudet tried it,<br /> but abandoned its use, as the noise was too great<br /> for his nerves. The French printers are delighted<br /> at the increasing popularity of the machine-pen.<br /> This, I believe, is the opposite of what was mani-<br /> fested by English printers when the machine<br /> first came into general use for the production of<br /> copy. But, then, was there not some talk of<br /> reducing the rates per IOOO ems, for type set up<br /> I I<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#630) ################################################<br /> <br /> 276<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> from typed copy P. In France no master would<br /> dare to suggest such a diminution, as the working<br /> printers are a very powerful body. And as<br /> most French hommes de lettres write a terrible<br /> hand, the advantage to the printers is great.<br /> Much of the MS. copy sent into the composing-<br /> room of a French newspaper would be absolutely<br /> undecipherable to an English comp. Your<br /> French homme de lettres often prides himself on<br /> the number of erasures, corrections, and addenda<br /> On his page.<br /> Balzac is still famous amongst French printers<br /> for his beautiful copy, but then Balzac reserved<br /> his corrections, erasures, and addenda for the<br /> first proofs. These were so numerous that most<br /> of his royalties were swallowed up by the<br /> expenses.<br /> A pretty present was sent me the other day<br /> from Hawkshead. It was a Paschal-egg, or<br /> Easter-egg, carved by James Dixon, who was<br /> for forty years valet to William Wordsworth.<br /> After the poet&#039;s death he went to live at Hawks-<br /> head, and used to spend most of his time in<br /> carving Paschal-eggs with his pocket-knife. He<br /> had gone into Wordsworth’s service from the<br /> workhouse, and was much attached to his master.<br /> The cottage at Hawkshead, where Wordsworth<br /> lived as a boy, when he was attending Hawks-<br /> head Grammar School, was recently taken by a<br /> lady who lives in America, and has been hand-<br /> somely furnished. She does not, however, appear<br /> to have any intention of living there.<br /> ROBERT H. SHERARD.<br /> *-- ~ *-*<br /> NOTES AND NEWS,<br /> T has been resolved by the Committee to hold<br /> | the annual dinner of the Society in the<br /> autumn instead of May or June. This step<br /> has been often advised, chiefly on account of the<br /> great number of functions which are held in the<br /> spring months, some of which always interfere with<br /> our own. It has also been suggested that after<br /> the dinner there should be one speech only, after<br /> which a conversazione should be held. The late<br /> after dinner gatherings have hitherto been too<br /> short on account of the long speeches made at the<br /> dinner.<br /> A member of the Society sends me the circular<br /> of a newly-established agency for playwriters. I<br /> do not present the name of the agent, because, as<br /> I know nothing at all about him, I should be<br /> unwilling to seem to be recommending him on<br /> the one hand, or, on the other, to be saying any-<br /> thing that might injure him. We have said so<br /> * -<br /> much in favour of the literary agent that the<br /> playwriters&#039; agent might expect some considera-<br /> tion as well. Now, it is notorious that the<br /> number of plays written and submitted to managers<br /> is, like the articles submitted to editors, very far<br /> above the number which can be produced; and,<br /> for many reasons, it is, and always must be, very<br /> much more difficult to get a play put on the stage<br /> than to get a MS. published in a magazine. The<br /> managers, however, keep their theatres open<br /> under the present system : they seem never at a<br /> loss for a new play : and it is not easy to discover<br /> in what way an agent can be useful to them.<br /> How then can an agent help a candidate for the<br /> stage P Let us see how this agent before us<br /> proposes to help. First, he will give the author,<br /> for a small fee, a “thoroughly competent” opinion<br /> of his work; if the opinion is favourable he will<br /> “use his utmost influence and energy&quot; to get the<br /> play accepted by a manager. There is more:<br /> but this is the only important part. If the agent<br /> gets hold of a good play he will try to introduce<br /> it. This brings us to the important question of<br /> the qualifications of such an agent. They seem<br /> to be : first, that he should know a good play<br /> when he reads one; next, that he must be<br /> personally acquainted with, and trusted by,<br /> managers or actors or both. Of course, he must<br /> also be an entirely honourable person. This is<br /> understood without further words. Now, if any<br /> of our readers desire to avail themselves of such a<br /> dramatic agent they are hereby invited to con-<br /> sider carefully the following advice and warning:<br /> Let them ascertain for whom the agent has<br /> worked before they entrust any work to him : let<br /> them find out who knows him : who recommends<br /> him ; and what is his “record,” so far. If in all<br /> these points their inquiries prove satisfactory,<br /> they may save themselves a great deal of trouble<br /> by going to him. Whether he will be able to<br /> persuade managers to produce their pieces is quite<br /> another matter. -<br /> The first and inaugural meeting of the Society<br /> of Publishers was held at Stationers&#039; Hall, on<br /> Tuesday, the 21st April last. The proceedings<br /> consisted of the presidential address by Mr.<br /> Charles J. Longman. The address was eminently<br /> Calculated to inspire confidence that the new<br /> Society, whilst prepared to stand firmly for<br /> the rights of publishers, is not contemplating<br /> destructive measures against the two classes on<br /> whom publishers live and flourish—viz., those<br /> who do the real work: the authors and the book-<br /> sellers. This Society will welcome Mr. Long-<br /> man&#039;s Sober and sensible address, and will gladly<br /> recognise in the words of the President a sincere<br /> desire that their business should be conducted<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#631) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 277<br /> fairly and equitably ; which, of course, means,<br /> among other things, that both parties should<br /> know what proportion of the returns by any<br /> agreement shall go to each.<br /> It is said that a certain writer, enraged, justly<br /> or unjustly, at his treatment by the reviewers, has<br /> resolved that in future he will not allow any of his<br /> books to be sent to the Press for review. As editors<br /> can hardly be expected to buy books for review,<br /> this means that in future he will dispense with the<br /> publicity and therefore, in a sense, the assistance<br /> hitherto given him by the critic. The question<br /> arises whether this course of action is wise or not.<br /> First, what does he gain by it P. He will get rid<br /> of the reviewer: not only the incompetent, the<br /> venomous, and the lying reviewer: but he will<br /> also get rid of the honourable, capable, and con-<br /> scientious reviewer—the truest friend to literature<br /> that exists. It is, of course, exasperating for a<br /> writer to find his book “slated” venomously by<br /> some anonymous person who shows in every line<br /> that he has not read the book : observe, that to<br /> “slate” a book is perfectly easy without reading<br /> it; but to praise it requires first some study of the<br /> book, otherwise the reviewer is certain to make<br /> blunders that will expose him. Next, it will be a<br /> relief to him to feel that the man who does not read<br /> will not review. At the same time, in order to<br /> get rid of him, he must at the same time lose the<br /> unbiassed and impartial and conscientious critic.<br /> But there are other losses: he will throw away a<br /> large and very valuable advertisement of his<br /> his book. If fifty press copies are sent round and<br /> forty notices appear; if only half are appreciative,<br /> what an excellent and wide-spread recommenda-<br /> tion is thus given On the whole, it seems better<br /> to go on under the present system; to groan<br /> under the affliction of the venomous and the<br /> incompetent, and to be thankful for the man who<br /> understands the duties and the responsibities of<br /> his post.<br /> A letter has been written to the Times by “An<br /> Author” concerning the payment of income tax.<br /> It was needless to write to the Times, because his<br /> solicitor would have set that matter straight for<br /> him with no difficulty whatever. The letter, how-<br /> ever, was useful in calling attention to the fact<br /> that the “office expenses” or “outgoings” of an<br /> author must be taken into account whether in<br /> sending in an income tax return or in sending<br /> in an agreement to a publisher. The writer of<br /> the letter says, “I wrote a book not long ago<br /> about a distant country. In order to make<br /> myself competent to treat the subject I spent<br /> three-fourths of the price in visiting and studying<br /> it.” By the “price” he means the sum for<br /> which he parted with this literary estate of his.<br /> The principle applies to almost every kind of<br /> book. Here, for instance, before me is a volume<br /> of literary essays. The investment of house,<br /> furniture, library, and years of study, corresponds<br /> exactly to the publisher&#039;s investment of capital,<br /> time and work of clerks, personal services, atten-<br /> tion and experience. In the case of a book of<br /> travels, of course, there is an enormous preliminary<br /> outlay which can hardly ever be recouped. In<br /> fiction work it would seem as if all came straight<br /> from the brain. Not at all : it comes from observa-<br /> tion of humanity, and it means sketches, journeys,<br /> observations, books, all kinds of things. For<br /> instance, I once wrote a novel dealing with life<br /> in Northumberland nearly two hundred years<br /> ago. For this novel I made four journeys into<br /> that county: I bought a great quantity of books:<br /> in my journeys “en zigzag&quot; I had to resort to<br /> the old method of posting, which is pleasant but<br /> costly. Now, when one sees a claim of so much<br /> per cent, for “office expenses” one thinks of<br /> these things, and naturally asks what right the<br /> publisher has to charge office expenses while the<br /> author does not.<br /> There is another curious point about this letter.<br /> The writer says, “I am a member of the literary<br /> profession so much overstocked, and which has<br /> been subject to so many diminutions of profit in<br /> these latter days.” This is amazing. The lite-<br /> rary profession has never been so flourishing, so<br /> well paid, so prosperous as at present. Very<br /> large incomes are made by educational writers;<br /> by dramatists; by historians; by novelists; by<br /> writers of religious books; by writers of travels.<br /> Never before have literary men and women been so<br /> prosperous. And there seems room for all. The<br /> field enlarges daily and rapidly. Perhaps—but<br /> he says that his income is in the four figures—<br /> this writer is considering the immense gap between<br /> those who wholly succeed and those who only<br /> half succeed. Literature, as a profession, is like<br /> the Bar: there are a great many solid prizes in<br /> every branch of it. Between the prize winners<br /> and those who come after them there is too often<br /> a huge gap.<br /> The secretary of the Associated Authors’<br /> Publishing Company has sent a letter on my<br /> remarks which will be found under the head of<br /> “Literary Property.” He claims that all the<br /> conditions which were laid down as necessary for<br /> success are fulfilled in his company. Without<br /> endorsing his statement, I have inserted it<br /> because, if a bond fide attempt to publish on those<br /> terms is to be made, it will be necessary to inquire<br /> further into the matter, WALTER BESANT,<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#632) ################################################<br /> <br /> 278<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> ADDRESS TO PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATION,<br /> APRIL 21, 1896.<br /> Reproduced from a copy presented by Mr. Longman to the<br /> Chairman, Mr. H. Rider Haggard.<br /> |ENTLEMEN, It is with a considerable<br /> (i. feeling of responsibility that I rise to<br /> address you to-day. Your Association<br /> has been formed owing, I believe, to the fact that<br /> a real need for such a body has been widely felt<br /> throughout the trade. That feeling received<br /> expression in the motion made by Mr. Murray at<br /> our first meeting here, in November last, to the<br /> effect that steps should be taken to form an<br /> Association of the Publishers of Great Britain<br /> and Ireland, and the fact that the motion was<br /> carried by acclamation in so large a gathering of<br /> publishers, coupled with the unanimity and har-<br /> mony which have attended our subsequent pro-<br /> ceedings, prove that the feeling of which I have<br /> spoken was widely felt and deeply rooted. But<br /> so far no attempt has been made to lay down the<br /> lines of policy which our Association shall follow.<br /> In our rules the objects of the Association are<br /> stated to be to promote and protect by all lawful<br /> means the interests of the publishers of Great<br /> Britain and Ireland. This definition is wisely<br /> drawn very widely, and it is now necessary to<br /> come to closer quarters with the work that lies<br /> before us. The character of the Association and<br /> its usefulness in the future will much depend<br /> upon the position it takes up during the first<br /> year or two of its existence, and it is on this<br /> account that I feel a great weight of respon-<br /> sibility in expressing to you my views of what<br /> work it is that we should take in hand. Since,<br /> however, you have done me the great honour of<br /> electing me your first President, I feel that I<br /> should be failing in a duty which you have a<br /> right to expect from me were I to shrink from<br /> the task, and, though of course I speak for<br /> myself alone, I hope that what I say may be so<br /> fortunate as to meet with your approval.<br /> The first subject that naturally must claim the<br /> attention of such an Association as ours, is also<br /> perhaps the most complicated and difficult—I<br /> allude of course to the question of copyright. A<br /> satisfactory law of copyright is the prime need of<br /> all who are engaged in the production and sale of<br /> books, whether as authors, publishers, booksellers,<br /> printers, or in any other capacity whatsoever.<br /> This subject is so complex, so many sided, and<br /> has such an extraordinary faculty for cropping up<br /> at the least opportune times and places, that it is<br /> obviously impossible for me to attempt now any<br /> lengthy examination of the question. At the same<br /> time I should like to state briefly my view of<br /> what is the ideal to the attainment on which this<br /> Association should devote its efforts. The Copy-<br /> right Law which I should like to see is one which<br /> should have four salient features: it should be<br /> easy to comprehend, liberal in its provisions to the<br /> producers of literature, universal in its application,<br /> and capable of being readily enforced. Whether<br /> such an ideal is attainable I will not undertake to<br /> say, but you will all, I believe, admit that we are<br /> at present far short of it. This subject has long<br /> been under the attention of the Copyright Associa-<br /> tion (a body which has done much good work)<br /> and also of the Society of Authors. A draft Bill<br /> has been prepared by each of these bodies, which<br /> drafts have since been compared and consolidated,<br /> and no doubt when the time comes for seriously<br /> pressing this question on the attention of Parlia-<br /> ment your Association will be able to render<br /> valuable assistance in this difficult question. In<br /> the meantime I think it very necessary that we<br /> should have this important matter constantly<br /> before us, and be prepared, at suitable oppor-<br /> tunities, either to promote fresh legislation, to<br /> ascertain definitely what the law now is on<br /> obscure points, or to assist to enforce obedience<br /> to the law where we have reason to think it is<br /> being violated.<br /> I would especially at this moment call your<br /> attention to the third of the four points which I<br /> think should be found in any satisfactory copy-<br /> right law—viz., that it should be universal in its<br /> application, because I believe that we are at the<br /> present moment in some danger in this country<br /> of taking a step of a retrogade character which<br /> may put back the hope of a single universal copy-<br /> right law indefinitely. I do not know that any-<br /> one will claim for the British Law of Copyright<br /> that it is in all points particularly simple or easy<br /> to define ; still less will it be said that it is under<br /> all circumstances easy to enforce; it has, however,<br /> at present this virtue, that, within the limits of the<br /> British Empire, it is universal in its application.<br /> There are certain local modifications in existence<br /> even now, but it is at present true that any man,<br /> whether he be a British subject or an alien, who<br /> writes a book and first publishes it within the<br /> limits of the British Empire does by that act of<br /> publication secure a copyright in it for a term of<br /> forty-two years, or for his life and seven years after,<br /> which ever term is the longest; and, moreover, he<br /> will at the same time acquire rights of copyright<br /> in all countries which are signatories of the Con-<br /> vention of Berne.<br /> It is, however, now in contemplation to intro-<br /> duce a bill into the Legislature of the Dominion of<br /> Canada, which will absolutely destroy this inesti-<br /> mable boon which we now have—viz., that British<br /> copyright runs throughout the British Empire.<br /> By demanding certain special conditions on which<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#633) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 279<br /> copyright is to be granted in the Dominion, the<br /> Canadians also run the risk of defeating their own<br /> claim, and possibly the claims of their fellow sub-<br /> jects throughout the Empire, to reciprocal advan-<br /> tages from the Powers who have signed the Berne<br /> Convention. There is also a possibility that by<br /> their action British subjects may be deprived of<br /> copyright in America. It is fortunately the case<br /> that at the present moment we have no bill before<br /> us. The draft which was sent over last year has<br /> not been proceeded with. Since then Mr. Hall<br /> Caine and, on behalf of the Copyright Association,<br /> Mr. Dalby, have been in Canada, and it is said<br /> that these gentlemen, by their tact and courtesy,<br /> have produced a better feeling, and that it is<br /> probable that the next bill may be less disas-<br /> trous than the last one would have been. But,<br /> gentlemen, this is no case for compromise. We<br /> are playing with fire. If it is once admitted that<br /> copyright is a subject on which the Colonies are<br /> free to legislate—not only for their own citizens,<br /> but also to the detriment of the inhabitants of<br /> these islands—the mischief will not stop with<br /> Canada. We shall soon have to deal with half a<br /> dozen different and conflicting codes, I trust,<br /> therefore, that the influence of this Association,<br /> and I trust that the influence of all who are in-<br /> terested in any degree in the trade of bookselling,<br /> will be exerted to the full to prevent any tampering<br /> with the unity of British copyright, and I hope<br /> that when the true interests of literature are<br /> better understood, both at home and abroad, the<br /> result will be that a simple, liberal, easily enforced<br /> law of copyright will come into existence, not<br /> only in the British Empire, which is much—not<br /> only aluong all English-speaking peoples, which<br /> would be much more—but throughout the whole<br /> of the civilised world.<br /> I now turn to a widely different subject, but<br /> one that is not less interesting or important, I<br /> mean the relations between publishers and authors.<br /> A society such as this can hardly fail to have some<br /> effect on those relations. If its policy is guided<br /> in the narrowest trade union spirit it seems to me<br /> improbable that much advantage will arise. If,<br /> however, we endeavour to handle any questions<br /> that may from time to time be subjects of con-<br /> troversy in a liberal and broad spirit; if, while<br /> firmly maintaining our rights, we at the same time<br /> endeavour to consider such subjects not only<br /> from our own point of view, but also from the<br /> point of view of other interested parties, then it<br /> seems to me that we shall be in a fair way to<br /> promote what is the greatest interest of all to<br /> those who are engaged in the publication of<br /> books—namely, harmonious and pleasant rela-<br /> tions with their authors. Fortunately, we are<br /> all of us able to testify, from our own experience,<br /> that in the large majority of cases these cordial<br /> relations now exist—that, in fact, as many<br /> close friendships exist between authors and their<br /> publishers as between solicitors and their<br /> clients, between doctors and their patients,<br /> or between any other classes which have<br /> intimate business relations. Still, no doubt,<br /> differences do from time to time occur, and<br /> as human nature is constituted it is probable<br /> that they must occur. I believe that it will<br /> be in the power of this Association, if its<br /> proceedings are guided in the spirit I have indi-<br /> cated, to do something to minimise the occasions<br /> on which such differences could arise, and also to<br /> render them easier of arrangement. I have one<br /> subject in my mind that seems to me ripe for<br /> treatment, and should it be successfully treated<br /> I believe that much opportunity for friction will<br /> have been removed.<br /> It is sometimes said that there is a natural<br /> antagonism between authors and publishers,<br /> owing to the fact that their pecuniary interests<br /> are divergent; and, on the other hand, it is not<br /> less frequently asserted that there is no such<br /> antagonism—that we row in the same boat, and<br /> that what is good for one is necessarily good for<br /> the other. Neither of these views is true, or<br /> rather neither is the whole truth. In the first<br /> stage of the business between the author and the<br /> publisher there is an obvious diversity of interest<br /> —the diversity which always exists between the<br /> buyer and the seller. When this stage is got<br /> over the antagonism should cease, and for the<br /> future the interests of the two parties should be<br /> identical. Nevertheless, when disagreements arise<br /> it is not seldom that they occur at this second<br /> stage, when any real cause for difference ought to<br /> have disappeared. The reason of this is that in<br /> a large number of cases a simple sale is not<br /> effected. Where an author comes with a MS.<br /> ready for the printer and offers it for sale the<br /> transaction is a simple one: so much money is<br /> offered, and if it is accepted the MS. is handed<br /> over and the money paid, and there is an end of<br /> it. But though this often takes place the business<br /> frequently takes a different course. Possibly the<br /> MS. is not in existence—the author merely con-<br /> tracts to deliver it at some future time. Possibly<br /> it is in existence, but the author, instead of selling<br /> it, publishes it on one of the many systems of<br /> payment by results known in the trade—such as<br /> royalties, division of profits, publication on com-<br /> mission, and so forth. It is in the subsequent<br /> interpretation of the arrangements made that an<br /> opportunity occurs for differences of opinion.<br /> These arrangements are not always committed to<br /> paper, and even when they are expressed in an<br /> agreement the agreement is not always explicit,<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#634) ################################################<br /> <br /> 28o<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> comprehensive, and easy to enforce. Now I think<br /> this Association would do well to take up seriously<br /> this question of agreements.<br /> I think it is most advisable that we should<br /> draw up model forms of agreement, designed to<br /> cover all the usual terms on which books are<br /> published, and that those model forms should be<br /> supplied to anyone, whether author or publisher,<br /> who may require them. The task would probably<br /> not be an easy one, and it would no doubt be<br /> most desirable that it should be undertaken in<br /> concert with able and experienced authors. It<br /> would perhaps be presumptuous on the part of<br /> so young an Association as ours to issue any<br /> invitation to co-operate in this work to the older<br /> established Society of Authors. But it is obvious<br /> that if any given form of agreement should<br /> receive the sanction of both Societies, it would<br /> have very great authority, and that an important<br /> step would have been gained. Before leaving<br /> this subject I would add that I do not for a<br /> moment propose that this Society should interfere<br /> in the preliminary arrangements which must of<br /> necessity be carried on by the individual author<br /> and publisher. Our functions would commence<br /> when a bargain has been struck ; we should then<br /> endeavour to supply the means of recording<br /> accurately and simply, and of duly enforcing, the<br /> contract.<br /> Another important interest of the publishing<br /> trade is that cordial and satisfactory relations<br /> should exist with a numerous and a prosperous<br /> body of retail booksellers. It is matter for deep<br /> regret that prosperity in the retail trade has<br /> by no means gone hand in hand with the<br /> increase in the volume of the trade which has<br /> taken place. The cause is of course well known—<br /> namely, the excessive discount which is given by<br /> the booksellers to the public. This subject has<br /> been so thoroughly discussed of late, and has<br /> received so much attention from all classes in<br /> the trade, that I confess that I despair of any<br /> satisfactory solution being found by this associa-<br /> tion, since none has occurred to the various<br /> gentlemen of whom it is composed, in spite of<br /> the earnest thought they have given to it. I am<br /> sure, however, that the Association will do well<br /> to give sympathetic consideration to any proposal<br /> which may be brought forward by the retail trade<br /> which has a reasonable chance of success. I do<br /> not propose now to go over this well-trodden<br /> ground in detail, but I feel it incumbent on me to<br /> say that I believe that no good purpose would be<br /> served by reviving a proposal which has been<br /> recently made, and, after thorough consideration,<br /> rejected by the publishing trade. I mean the<br /> proposal for the establishment of a ring of<br /> publishers to raise prices, and to maintain them<br /> by the application of coercion to those who did<br /> not obey its regulations. I trust that this Asso-<br /> ciation will never fall to the level of a ring. The<br /> large and influential meeting of publishers which<br /> constituted the Association also declined unani-<br /> mously to discuss this proposal further, which I<br /> believe to be entirely outside the region of what<br /> is practicable or desirable.<br /> It is my object to-day to lay before you the<br /> general lines on which I hope to see the busi-<br /> ness of this Association conducted, rather than to<br /> enumerate in detail the points which will occupy<br /> the attention of the council. These will, no doubt,<br /> be numerous and varied. Many points will come<br /> up which are at present entirely unforeseen; others<br /> are already in contemplation, of which I would<br /> mention one as an example. It has come to the<br /> notice of several publishers recently that a large<br /> contraband trade is going on in some of our<br /> colonies in pirated editions of copyright books.<br /> Steps are now being taken by individual pub-<br /> lishers, and by groups of publishers acting<br /> together, to abate this nuisance. The matter has<br /> been brought before your Council, who are<br /> considering whether it will not be possible to go<br /> further in this matter and devise some means to<br /> stamp it out altogether. This is one instance of<br /> useful work which may be properly undertaken<br /> by this association. There seems, in fact, to be<br /> every prospect that the hands of those gentlemen<br /> whom you have honoured by electing as your<br /> officers and council will be full. I would ask you,<br /> therefore, to judge our work leniently, and if the<br /> results seem to you, as is very probable, to be<br /> scanty and long in coming, I hope you will<br /> remember that we are all men whose time is<br /> already fully occupied, and that the hours which<br /> we have already given, and shall continue to give,<br /> to the affairs of this association must be taken<br /> from a leisure which has not been hitherto<br /> regarded as excessive. But whether our work<br /> proves fruitful or whether it be barren, it will<br /> always be our endeavour so to conduct the affairs<br /> of this association that it shall not be an unworthy<br /> representative of your ancient and honourable<br /> trade.<br /> In conclusion, I would like to say with what great<br /> satisfaction it is that we have received the kind<br /> permission of the Worshipful Company of Sta-<br /> tioners to hold in their ancient hall our general<br /> meetings and the meetings of our council;<br /> further, by their kind permission we have been<br /> able to engage the services of Mr. Poulten as<br /> secretary to the council; and it is also a matter of<br /> congratulation that we shall be able to rely on<br /> the valuable legal assistance of Mr. C. R.<br /> Rivington, the clerk of the company. The<br /> Stationers&#039; Company have—unlike many of the<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#635) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 281<br /> City companies—always preserved their connec-<br /> tion with the trade from which they derived their<br /> origin, and I hope that from this friendly alliance,<br /> which undoubtedly will be a source of great con-<br /> venience and stability to our Association, the<br /> company itself may eventually derive some<br /> benefit. C. J. LONGMAN.<br /> *-*. 2.--<br /> -&gt;<br /> AMERICAN AND ENGLISH FICTION,<br /> HE following appeared in the Evening Post,<br /> New York, on March 31 last :-<br /> “Sir, The Evening Post has always<br /> been prominent in the cultivation of arts and<br /> letters, and for that reason I invite its attention<br /> to the darkening fortunes of the native novelist<br /> of respectable tastes. To some it may seem<br /> a matter of Small importance if, as a class, he<br /> should become altogether extinct, because, say<br /> they, “as a nation we have not got the “novel<br /> habit”’; but I am very certain that such a judg-<br /> ment is hastily snatched, and is, moreover,<br /> entirely wrong. During the past five years I<br /> have read—personally and not by deputy—fully<br /> as many manuscripts as any single publisher in<br /> this country—read them, too, carefully and criti-<br /> cally, and, although sympathetically as a brother<br /> author, still, with a perfectly unbiassed mind,<br /> and with this great advantage over the pro-<br /> fessional reader, that I come in contact with the<br /> book trade and know what is wanted by its<br /> members, who are the book-buyers crystallised. As<br /> a result of this experience I would say that, in my<br /> judgment, the young American novelist has just<br /> as much ability and natural aptitude for novel-<br /> writing as an English beginner, while he is less<br /> wordy—excepting where he has taken an over-<br /> dose of our classic writers—and quicker in getting<br /> at the point or pith of his subject. He is more<br /> sympathetic too, swifter to learn, and brings a<br /> freer mind to his task. On the other hand, he is<br /> over-confident, he lacks the patient drudgery of<br /> his British rival, his work is apt to be slovenly,<br /> he is prone to think that success in fiction-writing<br /> is all a question of native talent, whereas, unlike<br /> the poet, the novelist is made and not born—<br /> made by years of patient toil, study, and observa-<br /> tion, Still his faults are those of strength and<br /> not of weakness; and if his countrymen believe<br /> in the wholesome novel as an institution, and in<br /> my judgment it is one of the greatest in the<br /> world — he should be encouraged and not<br /> strangled. Is that too strong a word P. Well,<br /> let the reader reserve his judgment until he has<br /> glanced at a few of the influences dragging at<br /> the rope: -<br /> “(I.) Last year foreign authors contributed<br /> two-thirds of the presentable fiction published<br /> in this country—reciprocally, our authors con-<br /> tributed less than I per cent. of the fiction<br /> published abroad.<br /> “(2.) Of the ten cent magazines subsidised by<br /> generous advertisers to the extent of probably<br /> 2,OOO,OOO dols, per annum, 2O,OOO,OOO copies are<br /> sold annually at a third of the price possible<br /> without the advertising. This business cuts<br /> right into the heart of the book trade, and so<br /> lessens the demand for new fiction.<br /> “(3.) The daily press throughout the country<br /> is so superabundant in its sensationalism that it<br /> leaves the ordinary reader—male and female—<br /> neither time nor inclination to take up fiction,<br /> unless it be of the kind which tends to further<br /> vitiation of the taste. -<br /> “ (4.) The sellsationalism which the press culti-<br /> Vates in its news it denounces—even when in its<br /> most harmless form—in its reviews of fiction, as<br /> if it wanted a monopoly of the business; so that<br /> When a native writer endeavours to cater in an<br /> honest way to the appetite made by the press and<br /> writes a book after the style of the works of<br /> Doyle, Weyman, or Hope, the reviewers promptly<br /> dub his work ‘a dime novel,&#039; solely on account of<br /> its romanticism and without regard to its style or<br /> general merit.<br /> “(5.) The adoration of the foreign writer.<br /> London&#039;s imprimatur is omnipotent; without it<br /> nothing in fiction goes. The result is our<br /> American writers are carting themselves off to<br /> the English metropolis in the same ships with<br /> California claret and with the same object, a<br /> foreign label ! -<br /> “(6.) And the result of all these actual condi-<br /> tions is that the majority of our domestic pub-<br /> lishers do not care to publish native works,<br /> because it is so much easier and more profitable<br /> to handle the foreign article.<br /> “Is ‘strangling’ too severe a term F Scarcely<br /> a year passes without London making three or<br /> four great literary reputations. How long is it<br /> since New York made one, and whose fault is it<br /> that this great city has to accept such a subordi-<br /> nate position in literature ?&#039; I will vouch for the<br /> fact that it is not the fault of the domestic<br /> authors. I think, however, that it is very largely<br /> the fault of the press, which could do so much,<br /> and, with one or two notable exceptions like the<br /> Evening Post, does so little. There is no busi- .<br /> ness in the country which deserves so well of the<br /> press as the publishing business, because none<br /> advertises so freely in proportion to its profits;<br /> nevertheless, the tendency of the sensational press<br /> to-day is to encourage the demand for literature<br /> which does not advertise at all, and is never sub-<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#636) ################################################<br /> <br /> 282<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> mitted to the criticism of the reviewer. A glance<br /> at the average bookstall will convince the most<br /> sceptical, as the space not occupied by magazines<br /> and periodicals is covered by books which it would<br /> be outrageous flattery to call ‘literature.’”<br /> *... a 2-sº<br /> s- * ==<br /> THE CHICAGO PRIZE COMPETITION.<br /> T will be remembered that the Record of<br /> Chicago recently offered prizes to the<br /> extent of 30,000 dols. for novels. They<br /> were to be of what used to be known here as<br /> “three volume &#039;’ length, i.e., consisting of about<br /> 150,000 words divided into chapters of 2500<br /> words each. The prizes ranged in value from<br /> Io,000 dols. to 600 dols. There were 816 candi-<br /> dates. The winners of the prizes are enumerated<br /> in the Author&#039;s Journal (New York), from which<br /> paper we copy it, as follows:<br /> FIRST PRIZE–Io,ooo dols. : Harry Stillwell Edwards of<br /> Macon, Ga... for the story entitled “Sons and Fathers.”<br /> SECOND PRIZE - 3000 dols. : Bernard Edward Joseph<br /> Capes of Winchester, England, for the story entitled “The<br /> Mill of Silence.”<br /> THIRD PRIZE—1500 dols. : Bert Leston Taylor and Alvin<br /> T. Thoits of Manchester, N. H., for the story entitled “Under<br /> Three Flags.” .<br /> FourTH PRIZE—IOOO dols. : William Augustine Leahy<br /> of Boston, Mass , for the story entitled “The Incendiary.”<br /> FIFTH PRIZE—8oo dols. : Edward S. Ellis of Engle-<br /> wood, N. J., for the story entitled “The Eye of the Sun.”<br /> SIXTH PRIZE—6OO dols. : Miss Edith Bland of Grove<br /> Park, Lee, England, for the story entitled “The Marden<br /> Mystery.”<br /> SEVENTH PRIZE – 600 dols. : Jesse C. Cowdrick of<br /> Ogdensburg, N.J., for the story entitled “The Cask of Gold.”<br /> EIGHTH PRIZE–5oo dols.; Thomas H. A. McGill of<br /> Denver, Col., for the story entitled “Tangled Threads.”<br /> NINTH PRIZE–5oo dols. : John D. Parsons of Newbury-<br /> port, Mass., and Frederick R. Burton of Yonkers, New<br /> York, for the story entitled “The Mystery of a Time-Lock.”<br /> TwPLFTH PRIZE — 5oo dols. : Crittenden Marriott of<br /> Shelbyville, Ky., for the story entitled “The More<br /> Mystery.” -<br /> SPACE RATEs—500 dols. : William Sands Laurie, B.A.,<br /> of Manchester, England, for the story entitled “The Yellow<br /> Horse Caravan.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—5oo dols. : Miss Blanche Timmonds of<br /> Louisville, Ky., for the story entitled “A Mystery of<br /> Resemblance.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—500 dols. : Miss Katherine Lee Bates of<br /> Wellesley, Mass., for the story entitled “The Turret<br /> Chamber.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—500 dols. : Miss Belle Moses of New York<br /> City, for the story entitled “The Quest for Sophie.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—5oo dols : Frederick W. Davis of Chelsea,<br /> Mass., for the story entitled “Under Oath.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—500 dols. : Edgar Pickering of Margate,<br /> Rent, England, for the story entitled “The Wanishing of<br /> Cornelius Druce.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—500 dols. : E. H. Clough of Oakland,<br /> Cal., for the story entitled “The Going Out of Gordon<br /> Ledyard.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—5oo dols. : Miss Bessie E. Duffett of St.<br /> Leonard’s-on-the-Sea, England, for the story entitled “The<br /> Mysteries of Legh Hall.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—500 dols. : Mrs. Jeanette H. Walworth<br /> of New York City, for the story entitled “Under One<br /> Star.”<br /> SPACE RATEs—5oo dols. : Miss Amy Skene of Hatfield,<br /> Herts, England, for the story entitled “The Swansborough<br /> Diamonds.”<br /> Twenty prize winners in all and six from our<br /> country. Now let us get up such a competition<br /> here and see what the proportions would be. It<br /> is remarkable that, although MSS. were sent in<br /> from all parts of the world, no competitor from<br /> any part except the United States and England<br /> succeeded. Meantime we shall look forward with<br /> interest to the appearance of the first three or four<br /> of the prize stories.<br /> sº wº. --<br /> LITERATURE IN THE PERIODICALS.<br /> THE LAW OF DRAMATIC CoPYRIGHT. Correspondence<br /> of the Times: H. Beerbohm Tree, April 16; H. H. Morell<br /> and James M. Glover, April 17; G. Herbert Thring (Society<br /> of Authors), April 18. Leading article in Daily Chronicle,<br /> April 16.<br /> CANADIAN COPYRIGHT. Letter from Henry Charles Lea<br /> to Goldwin Smith. The Times for April 27.<br /> A QUESTION OF COPYRIGHT. Frances Hindes Groome.<br /> Athenæum for April II.<br /> BEN JONSON. T. E. Brown. New Review for May.<br /> HAMPSTEAD AND KEATS. Edwin Oliver. Atalanta for<br /> May.<br /> THE DUTY OF A BIOGRAPHER.<br /> Sign of the Ship.” Andrew Lang.<br /> for May.<br /> M. ZOLA AND THE POOR AUTHOR.<br /> for April 18.<br /> GEORGE BORRow. National Observer for April 18.<br /> BOOTS AND Books. National Observer for April 18.<br /> THE ENGLISH DICTIONARY AND THE CLARENDON<br /> PRESS. Saturday Review for April 18.<br /> DANTE IN AMERICA. Speaker for April 4.<br /> DEAF AND DUMB HEROINEs IN FICTION.<br /> Cromarty and the author of “In a Silent World.”<br /> spondence in Athenaewm for April 4 and I 1.<br /> ENGLISH LETTER-WRITING IN THE NINETEENTH<br /> CENTURY. Edinburgh Review for April.<br /> UNFINISHED Books. Macmillan’s Magazine for April.<br /> THE CONNECTION OF NAMES AND CHARACTERs. Inter<br /> alia in “Without Prejudice.” I. Zangwill. Pall Mall<br /> Magazine for May.<br /> THE ART OF NoMENCLATURE.<br /> May.<br /> THE SUPPosLTIOUs WICKEDNEss of MINor PoETs.<br /> F. Norroys Connel. To-Morrow for May 5.<br /> SOME MEMORIES OF HAwTHORNE : III. Rose Haw-<br /> thorne Tathrop. Atlantic Monthly for April.<br /> THE NEw EDITION OF PoE. Atlantic Monthly for April.<br /> MARK TwAIN. Joseph H. Twichell. Harper&#039;s Monthly<br /> for May.<br /> JEAN BAPTISTE AND HIS LANGUAGE.<br /> ennedy. Contemporary Review for April.<br /> NATURE IN THE EARLIER Roman PoETs. The Countess<br /> Martinengo Cesaresco. Contemporary Review for April.<br /> Inter alia in “At the<br /> Longman’s Magazine<br /> National Observer<br /> Deas<br /> Corre-<br /> Cornhill Magazine for<br /> Howard Angus<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#637) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 283<br /> BEVIEWS AND REVIEWING. J. Leisure Howr for<br /> May.<br /> NOVALIS.<br /> May.<br /> The Rev. J. Rice Byrne. Humanitarian for<br /> NoTABLE REVIEWs.<br /> Of H. G. Wells’s “The Island of Dr. Moreau.” Daily<br /> Telegraph for April 3. Satwrday Review (by P. Chalmers<br /> Mitchell), for April 11.<br /> Of Mr. Fraser Rae’s “Sheridan.”<br /> Of H. S. Salt&#039;s “Shelley.”<br /> April 23.<br /> Of Mr. Gladstone on the Bible. Spectator for April 18.<br /> Of the “Centenary&quot; Burns. Times for April 13.<br /> Of “Recent Poetry &#039;&#039; (Austin, Watson, Thompson, David-<br /> son, and others). Edinburgh Review for April.<br /> Mr. Beerbohm Tree calls attention to the in-<br /> adequate protection which the dramatic copyright<br /> laws afford to novelists, playwrights, and theatrical<br /> managers. He is advised, he writes, that (accord-<br /> ing to the Fauntleroy decision) in certain circum-<br /> stances the author, in order to prevent his story<br /> being dramatised and played without his consent,<br /> has to base his claim not, as a layman might<br /> suppose, on the fact that a dramatic version of<br /> his book has been played, but on the fact that<br /> there has been a multiplication of copies of the<br /> play in manuscript or in print containing sub-<br /> stantial extracts from his book. The author of a<br /> play and the manager who has bought it, Mr.<br /> Tree continues, are so beset with difficulties in<br /> protecting their property against “pirates” that<br /> before long piracy will probably be far more<br /> profitable than legitimate labour. Mr. Tree&#039;s<br /> precise case, then, is that “by the anomalies and<br /> weakness of the copyright laws, and the cumber-<br /> some and costly procedure which has to be<br /> resorted to in order to protect property of this<br /> kind,” provincial speculators are enabled to play<br /> “Trilby,” the rights of which in the British<br /> Isles are his, without paying a farthing. A side<br /> point is that “the public is likely to be seriously<br /> prejudiced against the play by the manner in<br /> which it is represented by persons who have<br /> neither money nor reputation to stake.” He<br /> suggests that the time has come for combined<br /> action towards formulating a draft of a moderate<br /> and practical Bill such as is likely to be accept-<br /> able to the Legislature.<br /> Mr. Thring, for the Society of Authors, writes<br /> cordially seconding Mr. Tree&#039;s suggestion for<br /> combined action, and adding that “such a Bill<br /> ought to secure the rights of an author to the<br /> dramatisation of his own work at any time during<br /> which copyright exists in his book, and also to<br /> secure to the author a like property in his title.”<br /> In America, the dramatisation at any rate is<br /> secured to the author, and this point, Mr. Thring<br /> observes, was not neglected in a Bill drafted on<br /> behalf of the Society of Authors and placed in<br /> Lord Monkswell&#039;s hands in 1886. The following<br /> Times for April 27.<br /> Daily Chronicle for<br /> are the remaining passages of Mr. Thring&#039;s<br /> letter:—<br /> There is no need to point out that the case commonly<br /> known as the “Little Lord Fauntleroy Case ’’ has no proper<br /> protection for the author against “pirates.” If the un-<br /> authorised dramatiser had, instead of duplicating copies of<br /> his play with dialogue taken from the novel, chosen to buy<br /> copies of the novel and cut out those portions of the dialogue<br /> that he required for his dramatic version, then it would have<br /> been, according to the present law, impossible for the author<br /> of the book to have obtained redress.<br /> TJnder these circumstances, it is highly essential that the<br /> remedial measures suggestions should at once be taken, and<br /> with the authority of the chairman of the Society of Authors<br /> I have much pleasure in stating that the Society will gladly<br /> aid Mr. Tree or any one else interested in dramatic copyright<br /> in their endeavour to amend and strengthen the law.<br /> Mr. Morell’s letter concerns a personal point,<br /> namely, it makes known that he and Mr. F.<br /> Mouillot leased the play from the proprietor of<br /> the provincial rights. [Mr. Tree, in an after-<br /> note, explains that his charge, of course, does not<br /> refer to companies thus legitimately leasing the<br /> play.] Mr. Glover argues that Mr. Tree&#039;s failure<br /> to obtain an absolute injunction in the case of<br /> “Tree v. Bowkett’’ was due merely to an irregu-<br /> larity in procedure; that is to say, that the judge<br /> obviously would have granted it if the proprietor<br /> of the provincial rights, Mr. Abud, had raised<br /> the action, or had been joined with Mr. Tree in<br /> it. The Daily Chronicle is sympathetic, but<br /> oppressed by the difficulties of drafting such a<br /> bill, and remarks that, unless Mr. Tree and his<br /> fellow-managers are prepared to go the length of<br /> demanding that any dramatic representation<br /> should be penalised which a jury might consider<br /> to be based in whole or in part upon a copyright<br /> novel, they will not succeed in making such<br /> alteration in the present situation. Even then a<br /> man would have to prove his case, and there<br /> would be the question of costs. It thinks that on<br /> the whole the authors are very handsomely pro-<br /> tected by the law.<br /> Mr. Francis Hindes Groome says that “The<br /> Oracle Encyclopædia’’ has reprinted verbatim et<br /> literatim an article on Guizot, which he wrote in<br /> “The Globe Encyclopaedia.” Replying to his<br /> complaint, Messrs. J. S. Virtue and Co. Limited<br /> wrote that :—<br /> We are afraid we differ from you entirely on the question<br /> of copyright. Had you written to us in a more friendly<br /> strain some time ago, we should have been pleased to give<br /> you further particulars. We may say, however, that<br /> although our opinion at that time was that you had neither<br /> the right nor the power to interfere with our publication, we<br /> have since confirmed this by consulting several gentlemen<br /> respecting copyright, and, amongst others, one of the lead-<br /> ing authorities on the subject—a gentleman, we may add,<br /> who is always consulted by the Government on copyright<br /> matter. He informs us that you have not the slightest<br /> right to interfere with our publication.<br /> Therefore their solicitors would be prepared to<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#638) ################################################<br /> <br /> 284<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> defend any action brought. “Comment upon<br /> this letter (says Mr. Groome to the Athenæum)<br /> were superfluous. But I should like a set-off to<br /> record the fact that a few weeks since I received<br /> from the American publishers, Messrs. Appleton,<br /> the munificent sum of £7 18s. Iod. for the mere<br /> revision of the articles ‘Fan&#039; and “Gypsies’ in<br /> their new edition of ‘Johnson’s Cyclopaedia.’”<br /> Astonishment and indignation, says the<br /> Saturday, will be felt by many upon hearing<br /> that the delegates of the Clarendon Press are<br /> now considering whether they will continue to<br /> defray the expense of carrying on the great<br /> English Dictionary, except on the condition that<br /> its scale is greatly reduced. Such a decision<br /> would be a national calamity; and if matters<br /> come to this pass it feels sure that an appeal to<br /> the public, and perhaps even to the Government,<br /> would not be made in vain. En passant, our<br /> contemporary expresses surprise that the chief seat<br /> of learning should have given no official recog-<br /> mition of the immense services of Dr. Murray.<br /> In the article “Boots and Books’’ the<br /> National Observer bestows praise of the flippant<br /> order upon the action of the Parisian poet M.<br /> Jacques de Lorrain in turning from the pen to<br /> shoemaking. “If all our minor poets and<br /> novelists would follow his example and choose<br /> a second string to their bow, there might be less<br /> confusion in the world of letters, and less debate<br /> in public about these mysterious phrases—<br /> limited editions, the cost of production, and the<br /> price per thou.”<br /> Mr. Andrew Lang takes that view of the duty<br /> of a biographer which the majority of commen-<br /> tators on the question—raised out of Mr. Purcell&#039;s<br /> “Life of Cardinal Manning ”—have supported,<br /> namely, that limits must be placed on “the whole<br /> truth.” If a biographer discovers a single action<br /> (of which no trace is now left) in an honourable life<br /> in which his hero “ sails near the wind,” truth<br /> does not compel him to drag it into the central<br /> lights; the feelings of other people, too, must be<br /> considered, and the secrets of the dead. “Ali<br /> the characters of interesting persons long ago<br /> with Tullus and Ancus are part of our stock of<br /> pleasure in life. If I discovered, per impossibile,<br /> that Jeanne d’Arc ever did a wrong thing, my<br /> duty to the stock of human pleasure would out-<br /> weigh my duty to the truth.” Writing upon the<br /> presentation by Mr. Willard Fiske of 3000 Dante<br /> works to Cornell University, the Speaker declares<br /> that this case is a striking illustration of the<br /> advantage of having a millionaire as librarian,<br /> but hopes, nevertheless, than an effort will be<br /> made to establish a Dante library in London, the<br /> adopted home of Baretti and Foscolo, Rosetti and<br /> Mazzini.<br /> BOOK TALK,<br /> D&quot; JOSEPH PARKER, of the City Temple,<br /> has just issued three works of fiction: (1)<br /> “Wilmot&#039;s Child” (Fisher Unwin), price<br /> 1s. 6d. ; (2) “Walden Stanyer” (Sampson Low),<br /> 6s. ; (3) “Tyne Folk : Masks, Shadows, and<br /> Faces” (Allenson), 3s. 6d.<br /> Mr. E. J. Goodman, author of “The Best Tour<br /> in Norway,” has in the press “New Ground in<br /> Norway,” so called as it relates to the Ringerike,<br /> Telemarken, and Soetersdalen, which are very<br /> little known to English travellers. It will be<br /> illustrated with a large number of pictures from<br /> original photographs by Mr. Paul Lange, of<br /> Liverpool, and will be published by George<br /> Newnes (Limited) about the middle of May.<br /> Professor Saintsbury has written a paper on<br /> the literature of the age, for the fifth volume of<br /> Mr. Traill’s “Social England.”<br /> Mr. Quiller Couch’s volume of “Adventures<br /> in Criticism&quot; is expected to be ready this<br /> month.<br /> Mr. Churton Collins (the Athenaeum under-<br /> stands) has in view the preparation of an anno-<br /> tated anthology of examples of verse drawn from<br /> hitherto unknown sources, or from the less-<br /> known works of authors known to the public by<br /> single masterpieces only.<br /> Mr. Swinburne has an important work in the<br /> press, namely, a poem on Malory&#039;s story of<br /> Balen. It is told in an elaborate rhymed<br /> measure, but with great closeness to the original.<br /> Messrs. Chatto and Windus will publish the<br /> work.<br /> A story in English by M. Alphonse Daudet<br /> and Mr. R. H. Sherard will shortly be published.<br /> Mr. F. W. Bussell, a young Oxford man, is<br /> engaged on a work on “The School of Plato,” in<br /> which he will endeavour to trace the origin and<br /> revival of the Platonic school under the Roman<br /> Empire. In the first volume (to be published<br /> immediately by Messrs. Methuen) he will give a<br /> general survey of the Roman period, and in the<br /> second the various philosophic systems of that<br /> time will be dealt with in detail.<br /> The selection from the poems of the late Pro-<br /> fessor Blackie, edited, with an appreciation, by<br /> his nephew, Dr. Stodart Walker, will be pub-<br /> lished shortly by Mr. John Macqueen.<br /> The Hon. Mrs. Henniker is bringing out a<br /> volume of stories, some of which she has contri-<br /> buted to periodicals, while others are now to<br /> appear for the first time. One of the tales was<br /> written in collaboration with Mr. Thomas Hardy;<br /> it is of a dramatic character, and styled “The<br /> Spectre of the Real.” The title of the volume<br /> will be “In Scarlet and Grey.”<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#639) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 285<br /> Mrs. Oliphant writes a volume on “Joan of<br /> Arc,” in the Heroes of the Nations Series pub-<br /> lished by Messrs. Putnam. It will appear in a<br /> few days hence.<br /> Mr. J. E. Muddock, who was in India during<br /> the time of the Sepoy Rebellion, has finished a<br /> story on that subject which Messrs. Hutchinson<br /> will publish shortly, called “The Great White<br /> Band.”<br /> A South African story, entitled “Isban Israel,”<br /> by Mr. George Cossins, will be published this<br /> month by Messrs. Gay and Bird. Isban Israel<br /> of the story is the high priest of a powerful<br /> tribe of cave-dwellers who kidnapped the<br /> daughters of an English sportsman. The author<br /> took part in the Zulu War, and he lays his story<br /> in the Transvaal and Matabeleland.<br /> Mrs. Hylton Dale has written a romantic novel<br /> of the French Revolution around the characters<br /> and exploits of Camille Desmoulins and his wife<br /> Lucile. It will be published at once by Mr.<br /> H. S. Nichols.<br /> “The Wooing of Phyllis,” by Katherine E.<br /> Colman, and “Kate&#039;s Wise Woman,” by Clara<br /> Louise Burnham, are among the new books which<br /> Messrs. Gay and Bird will send out this month.<br /> They have also nearly ready a volume of verse by<br /> Eleanor Foster, entitled “With the Tide, and<br /> other Poems.”<br /> The three-volume novel by Mr. Justin M’Carthy,<br /> which we mentioned some time ago as one of<br /> several productions to be expected from him early,<br /> is to be called “The Riddle Ring,” and will<br /> appear this month from Messrs. Chatto and<br /> Windus. His monograph on “Pope Leo XIII.”<br /> will be issued also before long by Messrs. Bliss,<br /> Sands, and Foster.<br /> Mr. “Sutcliffe March&quot; has laid the scene of<br /> his new novel in Holland. It will be called “A<br /> Stumbler in Wide Shoes,” and Messrs. Hutchinson<br /> will publish it soon.<br /> The biography of Dr. Jowett has been under-<br /> taken by his old Balliol friends, Professor Lewis<br /> ‘Campbell and Mr. Evelyn Abbott. It will be in<br /> two volumes, and its publication—by Mr. Murray<br /> —will not take place for some time.<br /> Major-General Robley has written and illus-<br /> trated a book on “Moko or Maori Tattooing,”<br /> an art which, it seems, is fast disappearing in New<br /> Zealand. Messrs. Chapman and Hall will publish<br /> the book.<br /> Professor J. K. Laughton, R.N., is writing a<br /> volume on “Naval Strategy and the Protection<br /> of Commerce,” for the popular series of naval<br /> handbooks published by Messrs. Bell.<br /> Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson is preparing a<br /> Volume with reminiscences of his professional life,<br /> an account of some of the aims of his career,<br /> and a number of essays on scientific and philo-<br /> sophical topics. The house of Messrs. Longman<br /> will publish the work. Sir Benjamin has also<br /> finished a work on the question of experimenta-<br /> tion on living animals, which will be issued by<br /> Messrs. Bell shortly, called “Biological Experi-<br /> mentation.”<br /> Mr. Henry James is writing a love story for<br /> the Illustrated London News, beginning in July<br /> and lasting to thirteen instalments. He has<br /> finished a new volume of stories which is to be<br /> called “ Embarrassments.”<br /> Mr. Standish O&#039;Grady has edited a new two-<br /> volume issue of “ Hibernia Pacata ; or The Wars<br /> in Ireland during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.”<br /> Among the illustrations will be some new<br /> portraits.<br /> A book of travel by Katharine S. and Gilbert<br /> S. Macquoid is to be published by Messrs.<br /> Butchinson, entitled “In the Volcanic Eifel : a<br /> Holiday Ramble.” Three maps, and over fifty<br /> pictures by Mr. Thomas R. Macquoid, R.I., will<br /> adorn it.<br /> “Dr. Johnson and the Fair Sex&quot; was published<br /> a few months ago, and more recently there has<br /> been a book on Queen Elizabeth’s Courtships.<br /> The same class of literature is about to receive<br /> “The Story of Sir Walter Scott&#039;s First Love,”<br /> now told for the first time in all its detail. There<br /> will be portraits of Sir Walter and Lady Scott,<br /> and of Sir William and Lady Forbes in the book, of<br /> which Messrs. Macniven and Wallace, Edinburgh,<br /> are the publishers.<br /> Mr. W. Roberts, in the Athenæum of the 4th<br /> ult., told that the missing MSS. of the first two<br /> volumes of the Paston Letters are in the hands<br /> of Captain Pretyman, of Orwell Park, Norfolk.<br /> As a part of the King&#039;s Library they are, he<br /> says, legally and morally the property of the<br /> British Museum. Mr. Fr. Norgate, in the issue<br /> of the 18th, says he announced five years ago<br /> where the MSS. were, and as to the right of<br /> possession, he says, George IV. made over to the<br /> Museum what he had — and these MSS. he<br /> certainly had not.<br /> A London bookseller suggests, in the April<br /> number of the Bookseller, that publishers should<br /> imitate in some respects the German system by<br /> sending to selected booksellers in each neigh-<br /> bourhood a suitable quantity of their publica-<br /> tions, on terms of “sale or return.” This<br /> custom, he thinks, would lead to increase circu-<br /> lation.<br /> A too sanguine friend of an author, evidently,<br /> has created some perturbation in the mind of<br /> Messrs. Chapman and Hall, publishers. By<br /> common course an announcement was issued to<br /> the Press of a new book about to be issued.<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#640) ################################################<br /> <br /> 286<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> Extraordinary statements were added, however,<br /> including one that “we have read the author&#039;s<br /> manuscript, and his arguments appear quite<br /> unassailable.” One London paper in printing<br /> this remarked sapiently that it preferred as a rule<br /> to take its opinions from its reviewers. A letter<br /> of surprise immediately followed from the pub-<br /> lishers, totally disclaiming the “puff,” and<br /> stating that they had now been informed by the<br /> author that a friend of his was responsible for<br /> the information and the opinions put forward.<br /> More Napoleon, and this time from no other<br /> than Mr. T. P. O&#039;Connor. The M.P. has just<br /> finished a book on Napoleon&#039;s social and domestic<br /> life, which will come from Messrs. Chapman and<br /> Hall in a week or two. A bibliography of the<br /> works about Napoleon published during, say,<br /> the last four years would probably be chiefly<br /> interesting because of its length.<br /> Mr. David S. Salmond, whose name as a<br /> lecturer on South Africa is familiar to many<br /> parts of the kingdom, especially to central Scot-<br /> land, is publishing a book called “The Diary of<br /> a Trip to South Africa.” The publishers are<br /> Messrs. Brodie and Salmond, Arbroath. The<br /> author is connected with the Castle Line of<br /> vessels.<br /> The most important books which have appeared<br /> during the past month are: in fiction Mr. William<br /> Black’s “Briseis” (Sampson Low), which has<br /> run in Harper&#039;s, was most noticeable ; of political<br /> interest “Boer and Uitlander,” by Mr. William<br /> F. Regan, got a good deal of attention. The<br /> outstanding work in April was, however, Mr. W.<br /> Fraser Rae&#039;s biography of Sheridan (Bentley).<br /> It is in two volumes, with an introduction by the<br /> Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, Sheridan&#039;s great<br /> grandson, who roundly condemns previous bio-<br /> graphies as vastly imperfect. An interesting<br /> point cleared up in the new work is the circum-<br /> stances of Sheridan&#039;s death, which were not, as is<br /> so generally supposed, sordid, but peaceful, the<br /> patient having every comfort and suffering no<br /> pain. -<br /> Another of a common pattern of story is<br /> supplied by a correspondent of the New York<br /> Critic. “Searching in St. Louis for a de lure<br /> copy of ‘Trilby,’” he says, “I called at Boland&#039;s<br /> —the largest and oldest establishment in that<br /> city—and, on asking if they had a copy, received<br /> the answer, “We have Du Maurier’s ‘Trilby,&#039; but<br /> do not keep Deluxe&#039;s.’”<br /> A new work on “The Labour Problem,” by<br /> Mr. Geoffrey Drage, M.P., will be published<br /> during May by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co.<br /> The life of Sir Frederick Gore Ouseley, of<br /> ecclesiastical music fame, has been written by<br /> the Rev. F. W. Joyce, rector of Burford. Two.<br /> chapters on Sir Frederick as a musician are:<br /> by Mr. G. R. Sinclair, organist of Hereford<br /> Cathedral. Messrs. Methuen will publish the<br /> book.<br /> A volume of varied Ulster stories, by Mr.<br /> Caldwell Lipsett, entitled “Where the Atlantic.<br /> meets the Land,” will be published immediately<br /> by Mr. Lane. The same publisher announces.<br /> that the second volume of his Pierrot Library<br /> will be a historical story called “My Little Lady<br /> Anne,” by Mrs. Egerton Castle.<br /> The following extract is from the New York.<br /> Critic. It is Mr. Arthur Waugh who speaks, and<br /> upon a practice reported common in a section of<br /> the London publishing trade :-<br /> It would appear that nowadays no book can be called<br /> successful which does not pass through several editions.<br /> before it is published at all. This morning&#039;s papers are full<br /> of advertisements of a new book by a well-known purveyor.<br /> of sensational fiction, whose story is not to be issued till.<br /> Monday, and will then be in its fourth edition. Whether.<br /> the public is taken in by this sort of thing or no, it is diffi-<br /> cult to say ; but it is certainly the cheapest kind of mani-<br /> pulation. It means either one of two things. The pub-.<br /> lisher may, firstly, have underrated the number of copies.<br /> likely to be sold upon subscription, and so given a first.<br /> printing-order inadequate to the demand; or, secondly, he<br /> may have printed the words “First Edition ” upon the first,<br /> few thousand, “Second ’’ on the next batch, and so on. In<br /> neither case do the additional copies constitute a genuine.<br /> edition, which means, if it means anything, a reprint,<br /> rendered necessary by the exhaustion of stock placed upon<br /> the market in the usual course of business.<br /> “Soaps and mustards,” adds Mr. Waugh,<br /> “ have their methods, but one wishes better treat-<br /> ment for even the most vulgar and incompetent.<br /> of novels.”<br /> Carrying out a family arrangement, Mr.<br /> Theodore Watts has added to his surname that.<br /> of his mother, and will in future sign himself as<br /> Theodore Watts Dunton.<br /> In periodicals a new penny morning paper for<br /> London has to be recorded this month. This is<br /> the Daily Courier—owned by Sir George Newnes,<br /> and edited by Mr. Earl Hodgson assisted by Mr.<br /> L. F. Austin—of which the first number appeared<br /> on the 23rd ult. It eschews a political side, but,<br /> cultivates social interest, and contains thirty-two.<br /> pages of the St. James&#039;s size. Messrs. Harms-<br /> worth will start a new halfpenny daily paper, the<br /> Daily Mail, on the 4th inst. Cheshire is about<br /> to follow the example of Essex and Kent by<br /> establishing a quarterly journal of local anti-<br /> quarian record and folk-lore, called “Cheshire<br /> Notes and Queries.”<br /> It is now definitely stated that Mr. Clement.<br /> Scott&#039;s first volume of dramatic criticisms will<br /> appear in the course of a few days. It will be<br /> concerned exclusively with the Irving productions<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#641) ################################################<br /> <br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> 287<br /> at the Lyceum, and will be called “From ‘The<br /> Bells&#039; to “King Arthur.’” The publisher is Mr.<br /> Macqueen.<br /> A six-volume edition of “Boswell&#039;s Life of<br /> Johnson,” with an introduction and some notes<br /> by Mr. Augustine Birrell, is about to be published<br /> by Messrs. Constable.<br /> Mr. James Baker, who last year was acting as<br /> special correspondent upon the Nile, is going to<br /> Moscow for the coronation festivities ; he will<br /> journey to St. Petersburg by the “ss. Midnight<br /> Sun * instead of by the overland route.<br /> Messrs. A. Constable and Co. have just pub-<br /> lished a collection of short stories by Mrs. Nella<br /> Parker, entitled “Dramas of To-day.”<br /> A report on the conference at Ottawa on the<br /> copyright question, at which Mr. Hall Caine and<br /> Mr. Daldy were present, has been published as<br /> an appendix to the annual report of the Minister<br /> of Agriculture for 1895. Copies of this appendix<br /> may be obtained at the offices of the High<br /> Commissioner for Canada, 17, Victoria-street,<br /> S.W.<br /> Mr. Charles J. Mansford has in the press, to<br /> be published very shortly (Mentz, Kennor, and<br /> Co.), a romance of sea and shore called “The<br /> Dutchman’s Luck.” The same author will pro-<br /> duce in the autumn (John Hogg, Paternoster-<br /> row) a story of adventure in Northern India,<br /> illustrated by Mr. J. Ayton Symington.<br /> Esmé Stuart has just published “A Mine of<br /> Wealth” (3 vols., Hurst and Blackett), and<br /> “Harum Scarum, a Poor Relation,” in one vol.<br /> (Jarrold and Sons).<br /> Mrs. Hartley Perks has in the press and will<br /> shortly publish a novel entitled “Among the<br /> Bracken” (Archibald Constable).<br /> Commander Claud Harding will shortly publish<br /> (Sampson Low, Marston and Co.) a new story<br /> entitled “Jack Stapleton,” or “The Romance of<br /> a Coral Island,” the scene of which is laid in the<br /> West Indies and Central America.<br /> Mr. John Lascelles’ new volume of verse—<br /> “The Great Drama and Other Poems”—will be<br /> issued immediately by the Leadenhall Press<br /> Limited. This will be the second volume of a<br /> “Sun and Serpent Series” of books of verse, each<br /> complete in itself, which will be published, at<br /> intervals, by the same author. -<br /> A long letter from Mr. Thomas Hutchinson,<br /> Dublin, the well-known Wordsworth authority,<br /> appeared in the Academy for April 18, with refer-<br /> ence to the recent edition of the poet by Professor<br /> Enight in the Eversley series. Mr. Hutchinson<br /> bitterly complains that his name has not been<br /> included in the acknowledgments which Professor<br /> Enight makes for assistance rendered in detecting<br /> errors in the previous text. It is shown, more-<br /> over, that Professor Knight acknowledged these<br /> services by letter.<br /> Mr. Anthony Hope&#039;s next book, “The Heart of<br /> Princess Osra,” will be published early in the<br /> autumn, by Messrs. Longmans.<br /> From time to time the Rev. Frederick Lang-<br /> bridge has produced verses, which, if slight, are<br /> yet pleasing, and have the true ring. He has<br /> now published, through the Religious Tract<br /> Society, a little volume of verse called “A Cluster<br /> of Quiet Thoughts.” Mostly they are quite<br /> short, as the following:<br /> Deem thou of no estate—<br /> As doomed and reprobate,<br /> And call thou no man devil, brute, or clod:<br /> One worketh in the dark,<br /> Whose ways are long to mark;<br /> Despair of man is black despair of God.<br /> Mrs. Helen C. Black has just published<br /> (Spottiswoode and Co.). “Pen, Pencil, and<br /> Mask,” being a collection of biographical sketches<br /> of sixty eminent persons connected with Art and<br /> the Drama.<br /> Mr. Tuer, author and publisher, has at last<br /> completed his “History of the Horn Book” after<br /> three years’ work. In his latter capacity no one<br /> excels Mr. Tuer in the “mounting ” of the book.<br /> In three volumes he has collected 3oo illustra-<br /> tions, including I 50 examples. Seven horn<br /> books and A. B. C. Battledores are recessed within<br /> the covers. In the binding a return has been<br /> made to the thick vellum so much used formerly.<br /> It is understood that both publisher and author<br /> are completely satisfied with the agreement as to<br /> the production of this book.<br /> In the Cymmrodorion section of the National<br /> Eisteddfod at Llandudno, Mr. W. Edwards<br /> Tirebuck is to read a paper entitled “Welsh<br /> Thought and English Thinkers.” Mr. Tirebuck&#039;s<br /> “Tales from the Welsh Hills,” which appeared in<br /> serial form in English, Scotch, and Welsh papers<br /> last year, are to be shortly published in cheap<br /> volume form, illustrated by a Welsh artist. Mr.<br /> Heinemann has added Mr. Tirebuck&#039;s latest book,<br /> “Miss Grace of All Souls&#039;,” to his Colonial<br /> Library.<br /> *- ~ *-*<br /> e- - -s<br /> CORRESPONDENCE,<br /> I.—Is IT RIGHT P<br /> ILL it be credited that, although I sent a<br /> W W stamped directed envelope to the editor<br /> of a certain weekly magazine, to know<br /> the fate of a poem, I never had the slightest<br /> inkling as to its fate, either directly or through<br /> the “Answers to Corrrespondents’ columns !<br /> <br /> <br /> ## p. (#642) ################################################<br /> <br /> 288<br /> THE AUTHOR.<br /> I am quite aware, of course, that an editor is<br /> not bound to give his reasons in any case, but all<br /> I asked for was “Yes” or “No.” In the mean-<br /> time I could not send the poem elsewhere, as I<br /> had no copy of it (my own fault that (); but even<br /> had I kept one I should not have sent it else-<br /> where until I knew it would not appear, in the<br /> paper to which I had sent it. Assumption of<br /> rejection, through delay in answering, or no<br /> answer at all, is dangerous ; and I have got into<br /> trouble that way, and been charged for it ! This<br /> is an unanswerable argument, is it not? But my<br /> real grievance was that I could get no reply as to<br /> fate of verses in the acknowledged channel—i.e.,<br /> “Answers to Correspondents”—where hundreds<br /> of comparative no-bodies were replied to weekly.<br /> Not very creditable to the paper in question, is<br /> it P What should we think of such a standard<br /> of courtesy—or discourtesy—in ordinary social<br /> life? And the ordinary discourtesy was intensi-<br /> fied here a thousandfold by the fact of the sub-<br /> editor having once been a friend of mine (save<br /> the mark 1), and I had offered social amenities<br /> to the editor. F. B. D.<br /> [Would it not be prudent in such cases always<br /> to keep a copy of the poem, and to send the<br /> editor a notice that if the contribution is not<br /> accepted within a certain time the author will<br /> hold himself free to send elsewhere? And may<br /> not the silence of the editor be accounted for in one<br /> of two ways: First, that, owing to the thousands of<br /> communications received, he had simply forgotten<br /> the case; secondly, that he had made it a rule<br /> never to explain his reasons for refusing or<br /> accepting 2–ED.]<br /> II.-EDITORS AND AUTHORs.<br /> An American writer asks (Authors’ Journal,<br /> April, 1896) why an editor does not, in accepting<br /> a contribution, state what he proposes to give for<br /> it before he uses it P *-<br /> “In common honesty ought not the sale of<br /> literary contributions to be conducted on the<br /> same principles that govern other mercantile<br /> transactions P Is not the author entitled, quite<br /> as much as the farmer or the merchant, to say<br /> whether he will accept or refuse the terms offered<br /> him for his wares?<br /> “‘Our regular rates’ are a very uncertain<br /> quantity, and usually an unknown one; but<br /> however liberal they may be, the author should<br /> surely be allowed his opinion about accepting or<br /> declining them.”<br /> The question is very pertinent, but there are so<br /> many contributors anxious above all things to see<br /> themselves in print that a writer must belong to<br /> the class of those whom the public desire to see<br /> º print before he can expect to be treated with<br /> the consideration that is paid to the farmer or<br /> the merchant. These two persons pursue their<br /> business from a business point of view. The<br /> young Writer does not : he is anxious, above all, to<br /> be accepted : when that is accomplished, and not<br /> till then, he begins to think about the money.<br /> III.-GRAB-ALLs of LITERATURE.<br /> Here is a pretty experience which adds to the<br /> sweets of our calling. A month back a produc-<br /> tion of mine appeared in a so-called “popular ”<br /> weekly paper. Neither MS. nor printed sketch<br /> has ever received a word of acknowledgment,<br /> notwithstanding letters to editor and proprietors.<br /> It is a scandalous shame that one’s work should<br /> be thus appropriated without even receiving the<br /> scanty bone of recognition. If this be not an<br /> example of literary theft, I know not what is.<br /> CECIL CLARKE.<br /> Authors’ Club, 21st April.<br /> [The Secretary of the Society would settle this<br /> case very quickly if it were placed in his hands,-<br /> ED.] -<br /> IV.-CoIPY OF ADVERTISEMENT IN A PARISIAN<br /> JOURNAL.<br /> “Auteurs inédits peuvent inserer manuscrit<br /> dans une revue indépendente illustrée.”<br /> This announcement appeared about a year ago,<br /> and I answered it out of curiosity, receiving the<br /> following postcard in reply:<br /> “Monsieur, La revue dont il était question<br /> dans l&#039;annonce du Journal est la Libre Critique,<br /> 37, rue Souveraine à Bruxelles. Je vous en<br /> addresse un specimen en même temps que cette<br /> réponse.<br /> “Vous comprendrez qu&#039;il nous soit tout à fait<br /> impossible d’accepter ou de refuser l&#039;insertion de<br /> votre nouvelle sans l’a voir lue.<br /> Les conditions de collaboration se résument en<br /> l&#039;acceptation par les auteurs d’un abonnement à la<br /> revue (IO francs l&#039;an). Du Ist Octobre prochain,<br /> notre publication comportera I6 pages de texte et<br /> les pages supplémentaires seront consacrées à la<br /> littérature.<br /> “Croyez moi, Monsieur, votre tout dévoué,<br /> “ANDRE REMONT.”<br /> I could not resist sending the following reply:<br /> “Monsieur, Je vous remercie pour l&#039;envoi de<br /> votre journal et de la carte que vous avez bien<br /> woulu m&#039;adresser; d&#039;après elle il me semble que<br /> l’exploitation des auteurs a fait un pas de plus—<br /> demanderait-on à un cordonnier de payer le<br /> plaisir de vous chausser P<br /> “Acceptez, monsieur,<br /> tinguées, -<br /> mes salutations dis-<br /> “ M. M. M.”	https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/289/1896-05-01-The-Author-6-12.pdf	publications, The Author