332 | https://historysoa.com/items/show/332 | The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 02 (July 1900) | <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.+11+Issue+02+%28July+1900%29"><em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 02 (July 1900)</a> | | | <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Publication">Publication</a> | 1900-07-02-The-Author-11-2 | | | | | 17–40 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=11">11</a> | | | | | | | | | | | <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=76&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1900-07-02">1900-07-02</a> | | | | | | | 2 | | | 19000702 | The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT.<br />
VOL. XI.—No. 2]<br />
JULY 2, 1900.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
...<br />
17<br />
CONTENTS.<br />
PAGE<br />
PAGE<br />
Memoranda ...<br />
Notes from America ...<br />
... ... ... 28<br />
The Incorporated Society of Authors-Scheme for Pension Fund 18 Annual Dinner of the Incorporated Society of Authors<br />
Literary Property-.<br />
Thirteen Years Ago ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31<br />
1. Trade Methods ...<br />
Correspondence -1. Auxiliary Literary Work. 2. Concerning<br />
2. The Copyright Act and the Five Gratis Copies<br />
Books for Boys. 3. Royalties. 4. Author and Publisher. 5.<br />
3. The Stamping of Agreements<br />
** A Torn-out Page," " by" Dora Russell...<br />
4. Copyright Secured by Publication and S<br />
5. Altering without the Author's Consent...<br />
Book and Play Talk...<br />
Books and Reviews ... ...<br />
Paris Notes. By Darracotte Scott<br />
... ... ... ... ... ... 35<br />
27 Obituary ...<br />
Notes and News. By the Editor ...<br />
... ...<br />
... ... ... ...<br />
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.<br />
1. The Annual Report. That for the past year can be had on application to the Secretary.<br />
2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary<br />
Property. Issued to all Members, 6s. 6d. per annum. Back numbers are offered at the<br />
following prices : Vol. I., 108. 6d. (Bound); Vols. II., III., and IV., 88. 6d, each (Bound);<br />
Vols. V. to VIII. (Unbound), 6s. 6d.<br />
3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. Henry Glaisher,<br />
95, Strand, W.C. 38.<br />
4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, late Secretary to<br />
the Society. 18.<br />
The Cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type,<br />
size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of<br />
books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 28. 6d. (Out of print at present.)<br />
6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the<br />
papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to<br />
Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various<br />
kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements.<br />
Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38.<br />
7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With<br />
Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the<br />
Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Eyre and Spottis-<br />
woode. Is. 6d.<br />
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT<br />
(Chairman of Committee, 1888—1892). 18.<br />
9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST<br />
LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d.<br />
10. The Addenda to the "Methods of Publishing." By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional<br />
facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “ Methods." With<br />
comments and advice. 28.<br />
11. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT<br />
THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. IS.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 16 (#38) ##############################################<br />
<br />
ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).<br />
PRESIDENT.<br />
GEORGE MEREDITH.<br />
COUNCIL,<br />
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBSON.<br />
Sir Lewis MORRIS.<br />
J. M. BARRIE.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.<br />
HENRY NORMAN.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A. W. DUBOURG.<br />
Miss E. A. ORMEROD.<br />
ROBERT BATEMAN.<br />
Sir MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER.<br />
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
J. C. PARKINSON.<br />
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G.<br />
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO.<br />
SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
EDMUND GOSSE.<br />
THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIR.<br />
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, M.P.<br />
H. RIDER HAGGARD.<br />
BRIGHT, F.R.S.<br />
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY.<br />
Sir FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.<br />
THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH. JEROME K. JEROME.<br />
E. ROSE.<br />
CLERE.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
W. BAPTISTE SCOONES.<br />
HALL CAINE.<br />
RUDYARD KIPLING.<br />
Miss FLORA L. SHAW.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS.<br />
P. W. CLAYDEN.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.<br />
EDWARD CLODD.<br />
M.P.<br />
J. J. STEVENSON.<br />
W. MORRIS COLLES.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER.<br />
THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.<br />
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.<br />
SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD.<br />
F. MARION CRAWFORD.<br />
PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN.<br />
Miss CHARLOTTE M, YONGB.<br />
THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE.<br />
OF KEDLESTON.<br />
Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C.<br />
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.<br />
Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.<br />
GILBERT PARKER.<br />
SIR WALTER BESANT.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
E. Rose.<br />
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.<br />
HENRY NORMAN.<br />
FRANCIS STORR.<br />
D. W. FRESHFIELD.<br />
'SUB-COMMITTEES.<br />
ART.<br />
Hon. John COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. Martin Conway.<br />
M. H. SPIELMANN<br />
COPYRIGHT.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
A. HOPE HAWKINS.<br />
J. M. LELY.<br />
W. M. COLLES.<br />
GILBERT PARKER.<br />
DRAMA.<br />
HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). I F. C. BURNAND.<br />
A. W. PINERO.<br />
A. W. À BECKETT.<br />
SYDNEY GRUNDY.<br />
EDWARD ROSE.<br />
Solinitore_ FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street.<br />
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING.<br />
OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C.<br />
A. P. WATT & SON,<br />
LITERARY AGENTS,<br />
Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE,<br />
Have now removed to<br />
HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND,<br />
LONDON, W.C.<br />
THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. MHE ART of CHESS. By JAMES MASON. Price 58.<br />
GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net.<br />
net, by post 58. 4d<br />
London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 17 (#39) ##############################################<br />
<br />
The Author.<br />
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)<br />
CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT.<br />
Vol. XI.—No. 2.]<br />
JULY 2, 1900.<br />
[PRICE SIXPENCE.<br />
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher.<br />
signed or initialled the Authors alone are - As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or<br />
doctor!<br />
responsible. None of the papers or para-<br />
graphs must be taken as expressing the<br />
III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM.<br />
collective opinions of the Committee unless<br />
It is above all things necessary to know what the<br />
proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible<br />
they are officially signed by G. Herbert<br />
for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly<br />
Thring, Sec.<br />
the truth. From time to time the very important figures<br />
connected with royalties are published in The Author.<br />
Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the<br />
“ Cost of Production.”<br />
M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all<br />
T remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT.<br />
requests that all members not receiving an answer to The main points are :-<br />
important communications within two days will write to him (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.<br />
without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union (2) Keep control of the advertisements.<br />
Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.<br />
letter only.<br />
GENERAL.<br />
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four<br />
Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on<br />
above mentioned.<br />
all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub-<br />
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.<br />
jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are<br />
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from<br />
returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS.<br />
the Secretary of the Society.<br />
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.<br />
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.<br />
The main points which the Society has always demanded<br />
GENERAL MEMORANDA.<br />
from the outset are :-<br />
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement<br />
means.<br />
UT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an<br />
(2.) The inspection of those account books which belong<br />
1 agreement. There are four methods of dealing<br />
to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the<br />
with literary property :-<br />
nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or<br />
I. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT.<br />
withheld.<br />
This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper<br />
price can be obtained. But the transaction should be<br />
managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.<br />
Secretary of the Society.<br />
II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to<br />
agreement).<br />
N the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some<br />
In this case the following rules should be attended to :<br />
competent legal authority.<br />
(1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro.<br />
2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for<br />
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.<br />
the production of a play with anyone except an established<br />
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the<br />
manager.<br />
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS<br />
in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :<br />
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.<br />
(a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING EIGHT.<br />
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses,"<br />
This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters<br />
unless the same allowance is made to the author."<br />
into such a contract should stipulate in the con-<br />
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental<br />
tract for production of the piece by a certain date<br />
rights.<br />
and for proper publication of his name on the<br />
(5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights.<br />
play-bills.<br />
VOL. XI.<br />
D 2<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 18 (#40) ##############################################<br />
<br />
18<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, now<br />
or old, for inspection and note. The information thus<br />
obtained may prove invaluable.<br />
4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro-<br />
posed document to the Society for examination.<br />
5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you<br />
are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are<br />
reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing<br />
the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen.<br />
dence of the writer.<br />
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of<br />
members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof<br />
safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con-<br />
fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who<br />
will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :-(1)<br />
To read and advise apon agreements and publishers. (2) To<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 />
THE READING BRANCH.<br />
(6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES<br />
on gross receipts. Percentages vary between<br />
5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a<br />
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts<br />
in preference to the American system. Should<br />
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed<br />
date on or before which the play should be<br />
performed.<br />
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE<br />
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,<br />
fixed nightly fees). This method should be<br />
always avoided except in cases where the fees<br />
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The<br />
other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply<br />
also in this case.<br />
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is<br />
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum<br />
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely<br />
important that the amateur rights of one act plays should<br />
be reserved.<br />
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can<br />
be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and<br />
time. This is most important.<br />
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but<br />
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is<br />
of great importance.<br />
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a<br />
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager<br />
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot<br />
print the book of the words.<br />
8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly<br />
valuable. They should never be included in English<br />
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial<br />
consideration.<br />
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully<br />
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.<br />
10. An author should remember that production of a play<br />
is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of<br />
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.<br />
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in<br />
the beginning<br />
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market<br />
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object<br />
is to obtain adequate publication<br />
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on<br />
account of the wide range of the sabject of dramatic con.<br />
tracts, those authors desirous of further information are<br />
referred to the Secretary of the Society.<br />
CEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this<br />
branch of their work by informing young writers of<br />
its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated<br />
as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS.<br />
includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic<br />
works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement,<br />
technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of<br />
competence and experience. The fee is one guinea.<br />
NOTICES.<br />
T 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 />
68. 6d. subscription for the year.<br />
Communications for The Author should be addressed to<br />
the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn<br />
Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor not later than the<br />
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 />
The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White-<br />
hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for<br />
information, rules of admission, &c.<br />
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.<br />
1. TA VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive<br />
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub.<br />
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his<br />
business or the administration of his property. If the<br />
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici.<br />
tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the<br />
Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's<br />
opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him<br />
Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member.<br />
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright<br />
and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the<br />
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple<br />
to ase the Society<br />
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past<br />
accounts with the loan of the books represented. The<br />
THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF AUTHORS.<br />
-SCHEME FOR PENSION FUND.<br />
1. INHE fund is established for the purpose<br />
of providing pensions for authors in<br />
need of such assistance, and for no<br />
other purpose.<br />
2. Contributions to the fund may be either by a<br />
single donation or by a donation spread over three<br />
or more years, or by an annual subscription.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 19 (#41) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
19<br />
3. All donations and not less than two-thirds which such candidate is to be proposed, and the<br />
of the annual subscriptions (after deducting the nomination of each such candidate shall be sub-<br />
working expenses) shall be added to the capital scribed by at least three members of the Society.<br />
of the fund and invested. The remainder of the A list of the names of the candidates so nominated<br />
annual subscriptions with the income from invest. shall be sent to the members of the Society with<br />
ments shall be devoted to the payment of pensions the annual report of the managing committee, and<br />
or to the purchase of annuities to satisfy pensions those candidates obtaining the most votes at the<br />
already granted.<br />
general meeting shall be elected to serve on the<br />
4. The granting of pensions shall be in the Pension Fund committee.<br />
discretion of a committee to be called the Pension 10. The secretary of the Society shall act as<br />
Fund Committee of the Incorporated Society of the secretary of the Pension Fund committee.<br />
Authors, and such committee shall consist of the 11. For the purpose of granting or refusing a<br />
chairman of the managing committee of the pension five members of the Pension Fund com-<br />
Society, and six other members of the Society, of mittee shall be a quorum, but for any other busi-<br />
whom three shall be elected by the managing ness three members shall be a quorum of such<br />
committee and three by the members of the committee.<br />
Society at the annual general meeting.<br />
12. All receipts in respect of the Pension Fund<br />
5. One of the members of the Pension Fund shall be forthwith paid into an account to be<br />
Committee elected by the managing committee of kept in the names of three trustees, who shall be<br />
the Society, and one of the members elected by members of the society and shall be called the<br />
the members of the Society shall retire at the Pension Fund trustees. The first Pension Fund<br />
annual general meeting in each year. As between trustees shall be nominated by the managing com-<br />
two or more members of the Pension Fund Com- mittee of the Society, and new trustees shall from<br />
mittee elected by the same body, the member who time to time be appointed with the approval of<br />
has been longest in office shall retire, and for this such managing committee.<br />
purpose the period of office of each member shall 13. All payments in respect of pensions or<br />
be computed from his last election. As between working expenses, and all investments of the<br />
two or more who have been in office an equal Pension Fund shall be made by the Pension<br />
length of time, the member to retire shall in Fund trustees with the approval of the Pension<br />
default of agreement between the members con- Fund committee. All cheques on the account of<br />
cerned be determined by ballot. A retiring the trustees shall be signed by two trustees and<br />
member of the committee shall be eligible for countersigned by the secretary, or in his absence<br />
re-election.<br />
by a member of the Pension Fund comunittee.<br />
6. The Society at any general meeting at 14. The amount of any pension shall be not less<br />
which a member of the Pension Fund committee than £25 nor more than £100 per annum.<br />
retires as above-mentioned, shall fill up the 15. Membership of the Society of Authors<br />
vacancy by electing a member in his place, and shall not give any right to a pension, but pensions<br />
may fill up any other vacancy among members shall be granted to members of the Society only,<br />
appointed by the Society.<br />
and such members (if in other respects qualified<br />
7. If at any general meeting of the Society at as hereby required) shall become eligible for pen-<br />
which the election of a member of the Pension sions as follows:-<br />
Fund committee ought to take place such (1) For pensions to be granted in the years<br />
member shall not be elected, the managing com-<br />
1901 to 1905, members of the Society<br />
mittee may fill the vacancy by the election of a<br />
having become such not later than March 1,<br />
member of the Society not being a member of the<br />
1901, and so continuing to the date of their<br />
managing committee.<br />
application.<br />
8. Any casual vacancy occurring on the Pension<br />
For pensions to be granted in the years<br />
Fund committee may be filled by the managing<br />
1906 to 1912, members of the Society<br />
committee of the Society, but any person so<br />
having become such not later than March 1,<br />
chosen to fill the place of a member appointed by<br />
1902, and so continuing to the date of their<br />
the members of the Society shall hold office only<br />
application.<br />
until the next annual general meeting of the<br />
For jensions to be granted after the year<br />
Society.<br />
1912, members of the Society who have<br />
9. Any candidate for election to the Pension<br />
been such members for not less than ten<br />
Fund committee by the members of the society<br />
clear years before the date of their appli-<br />
(not being a retiring member of such committee)<br />
cation, and so that for this purpose such<br />
sball be nominated in writing to the secretary at<br />
ten years of membership need not be<br />
least three weeks prior to the general meeting at<br />
continuous.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 20 (#42) ##############################################<br />
<br />
20<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Provided that any person who is otherwise quali. Pension Fund committee may cancel or suspend<br />
fied for a pension, but has ceased to be a member his pension.<br />
of the Society before the date of his application, 22. The granting of a pension shall not impose<br />
may in the discretion of the managing committee any personal liability whatever on any member of<br />
of the Society be re-elected a member without the Society or of the managing committee or of<br />
further payment, and thereupon shall become the Pension Fund committee or on the trustees,<br />
eligible for a pension.<br />
but every pension shall be deemed to be payable<br />
· 16. No pension shall be granted to any person only out of the income available for that purposé.<br />
under the age of sixty years, so long as suitable 23. If at any time hereafter the Pension Fund<br />
candidates of the age of sixty years or upwards should reach an amount sufficient in the judg-<br />
shall present themselves. Provided that a pension ment of the Pension Fund committee to meet all<br />
may be granted to a person of less age if and claims reasonably likely to be made upon it in<br />
while he shall in the opinion of the Pension Fund future, and if such committee shall pass a resolu-<br />
committee be totally incapacitated for work' by tion to that effect and the managing committee of<br />
reason of illness or accident.<br />
the Society shall concur in such resolution, then<br />
17. In granting or refusing pensions the the Pension Fund committee may either (a)<br />
Pension Fund committee shall consider not only cease to receive any further subscriptions to the<br />
the necessities of the applicant, but also the fund unless and until additional needs arise, or<br />
merit of his work; and, other matters being (6) apply the whole or any part of the annual<br />
equal, long and continuous membership of the subscriptions (although in excess of one-third of<br />
Society shall be considered a recommendation, such subscriptions) to the payment of pensions or<br />
18. The application for a pension need not be the purchase of annuities for pensioners or the<br />
made by the applicant personally, but may be increase of any pensions or annuities already<br />
presented on his behalf by any two members of the granted or purchased, but the powers conferred<br />
Society. Provided that any person whose name by this clause shall not be exercised unless the<br />
is so presented shall, if requested by the Pension amount of the fund for the time being be not<br />
Fund committee, signify in writing his willingness less than £20,000.<br />
to accept a pension if granted, and if he shall 2 4. The Pension Fund committee shall have<br />
refuse so to do, his application shall not be enter power to make and from time to time vary bye-<br />
tained.<br />
laws for regulating applications for pensions and<br />
19. All applications for pensions shall be for otherwise carrying out the purposes of this<br />
deemed contidential, but the names of the scheme.<br />
recipients of pensions and the amounts granted 25. Any of the provisions of this scheme may<br />
shall be stated in The Author.<br />
from time to time be varied by a resolution of<br />
20. Except as otherwise provided in rule 16, all the trustees and the Pension Fund committee<br />
pensions shall be tenable during the life of the sitting together, but no such variation shall<br />
pensioner or until he shall become a bankrupt or take effect unless and until the same shall be<br />
shall alienate, charge, or incumber his pension or confirmed by a resolution of the managing com-<br />
some part thereof, but the Pension Fund com- mittee of the Society. Provided always that the<br />
mittee may at any time in their absolute discretion Pension Fund shall at all times hereafter be<br />
discontinue any pension for either of the following administered by the committee, consisting of<br />
reasons:<br />
members of the Incorporated Society of Authors.<br />
(a) If the pensioner's conduct shall, in the Settled on behalf of the Incorporated Society<br />
opinion of such conimittee, be such as of Authors by George Cave, Lincoln's-inn, May 31,<br />
would disqualify him from membership of<br />
1900, and finally approved by the managing com-<br />
the Society.<br />
mittee of the Society at the meeting of the<br />
(6) If such committee shall be satisfied that<br />
committee on Monday, June 18, 1900.<br />
the pensioner is in receipt of an indepen-<br />
G. HERBERT THRING, Secretary.<br />
dent income sufficient for his support.<br />
21. Any pensioner may at any time be required<br />
by the Pension Fund committee to make a statu-<br />
tory declaration stating that he has not alienated,<br />
charged, or incumbered his pension or any part<br />
thereof, and also (if required) stating that he is<br />
not in receipt of any independent income or<br />
specifying the amount of such income, and in the<br />
event of any pensioner refusing or neglecting on<br />
request to make such statutory dcclaration, the<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 21 (#43) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
21<br />
LITERARY PROPERTY.<br />
rather thau at the lower percentages for the<br />
benefit of the author. This is business.<br />
I.-TRADE METHODS.<br />
Closely analogous to this case is the example<br />
TN these columns have been exposed month of the deferred royalty-a frequent method of<br />
after month the more flagrant tricks producing works of fiction. The difference, how-<br />
practised upon authors, chiefly by means of ever, is that in the latter case the agreement, to<br />
agreements the nature of which they do not the eye of the expert, is bad from the beginning.<br />
understand. Let us now consider how an agree- A publisher, through long experience, knows<br />
ment which seems fair may be rendered futile by the average sale. He knows the amount likely<br />
the methods of the publisher in handling the work to be taken on subscription of a book of this kind<br />
or in administering the author's property.<br />
brought out from his house.<br />
In many instances the publisher is only He assures the author that, owing to the risk<br />
anxious to turn over his money, making 15 or 20 of production, he cannot afford to pay a royalty<br />
per cent. on the transaction, and has no real on a number of copies, and accordingly gets x<br />
interest either in the property on which he is number of copies free. Owing to this fact, it is<br />
supposed to be conscientiously working or in the arranged to the author's satisfaction that a pro-<br />
desires of the public before whom he poses as a portionately higher royalty shall be paid on copies<br />
patron. It is perhaps not altogether bis fault, it sold above the fixed number. Alas! poor author,<br />
is his hereditary instinct. Curiously enough, he never gets his higher royalty ; the accounts<br />
this cause of anxiety is often disastrous to the come in, and he is disappointed. He does not<br />
author. .<br />
know the trade of infanticide, but the guilty<br />
An author undertakes the writing of a bio. party is sometimes discovered and his tricks<br />
graphy, and enters into an agreement with the divulged. The distribution of the type in the<br />
publisher to produce the book, subject to a certain first case shows the passive neglect of the infant<br />
royalty, the royalty to be raised after the sale of for want of proper care and nourishment; and in<br />
copies of the book.<br />
the second case the use of an active agent in its<br />
In making this kind of contract, the author, destruction. In the first example, the result is<br />
having full confidence in his agent, believes that brought about by bad judgment and carelessness;<br />
the book will be pushed for all it is worth, and in the second, by intentional bad faith.<br />
the business managed for his benefit. The T he next example is not one of frequent occur.<br />
publisher, however, before entering into the con rence, but is extremely interesting as the result-<br />
tract has made up his mind that the book will not namely, the turnover of the publisher's money<br />
sell above the number on which the smaller at a sound percentage, and the cessation of profits<br />
royalty is paid, and he bas also calculated that, to the author-is practically the same as in the<br />
selling up to that number, it will pay him a hand cases quoted above; the motive is different, and<br />
some return of 15 or 20 per cent on the capital it is not so much one of gain as of personal spite.<br />
expended.<br />
To obtain a satisfactory result, you must imagine,<br />
An edition is printed accordingly, but the on the one hand, an author whose head is swollen<br />
publisher's judgment is at fault. The edition to a size too large for his body; while, on the<br />
sells out within six months, and there is still a other side, you must have a publisher who is<br />
demand.<br />
rather anxious to obtain the work of the author,<br />
If the type is still standing it would barely pay as he kuows that the publication is a sound 20<br />
more than 5 or 10 per cent. to push the book to per cent. investment. After a considerable<br />
the sale of another 500 copies, taking into con amount of wrangling, in which the publisher's<br />
sideration the higher royalty and further adver- temper has been upset by the author's cupidity,<br />
tising. (Further advertising would be necessary, an agreement has been arrived at. The author<br />
as the book has been allowed to drop from the is to receive a sum down in advance of royalties.<br />
market for two or three weeks.)<br />
The author thinks the sum far too small, con-<br />
But the type is not standing. It has been sidering, in his opinion, the assured circulation of<br />
broken up, so that the infallibility of the pub. the book.<br />
lisher's judgment is necessarily confirmed, as it is The publisher, altogether put out, is glad to<br />
impossible for another edition to sell. He has get off with such a small advance, and is deter-<br />
made it impossible. It could not possibly pay him mined to show the author that, after all, the public<br />
to re-set the type and print, so that in spite of are not overwhelmed with a desire to read his<br />
mild remonstrances from the author the book deathless productions.<br />
dies, a victim of infanticide.<br />
Is it a paradox to kill a deathless production in<br />
The publisher proceeds to turn over his capital its infancy? Infanticide, at any rate, paradox or<br />
again at the higher percentage for his own benefit, not, supervenes. The book is produced, and<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 22 (#44) ##############################################<br />
<br />
22<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
continues to sell until the sum advanced on complete his book on the same subject as the<br />
royalties is covered. By this time, too, the result of his life's work. His mind is at once<br />
publisher has earned his expected percentage on made up. He hurries to the office without<br />
his capital. At once the house is drawn and the delay, writes a letter to the Professor asking him<br />
infant's life is extinguished.<br />
if he may have the honour of publishing his<br />
The cause and effect can be clearly linked, as book.<br />
the number at which the sale stops is damning The unfortunate author falls into the trap, and<br />
evidence; but legal proof there is none. The in due course enters into a hard-and-fast agree-<br />
publisher in his letters is full of regret.<br />
ment, handing over to the publisher (according<br />
A desire to study the accounts closely will often to the equitable agreement drafted by their asso.<br />
produce a disastrous result, but a longing to see ciation) almost every right the author could<br />
the “Day Book” will infallibly bring about a possibly possess, and at the same time binds him-<br />
fatal ending.<br />
self not to abridge the work or produce any other<br />
The following example is also instructive. work which may interfere with the sale. The pub-<br />
The same lesson can be drawn from it as froin lisher takes care that no such clause should fetter<br />
all the others.<br />
his action, as that would be ruinous to its success.<br />
A publisher enters into a contract with a young The Professor goes to bed and thinks that he<br />
author for the publication of his first book on a has toiled for years, and thus at length obtained<br />
royalty basis, and in the agreement binds the the reward for his life's long labours. He wakes<br />
author for a second book on the same terms. in due course, but only to find his only child<br />
This is yery bad for the author, but he accepts, strangled at its birth. He weeps, and consults<br />
sometimes through ignorance, sometimes through the publisher, who informs him that for some<br />
nervousness, sometimes through indifference. unexplained reason the work has fallen flat, and<br />
The first book comes out, and has a remarkable will not sell.<br />
run for a first book. It certainly does not bring The Professor is unable, owing to the terms of<br />
the author much return financially, as he is only his agreement, however much he may desire it,<br />
being paid a small royalty after the sale of a fixed to publish elsewhere.<br />
number of copies, but it is a really profitable But the publisher's copyright book still sells<br />
investment for the publisher, as he sees a satis- briskly.<br />
factory return in the present and great possi. The commercial instinct is a wonderful pos-<br />
bilities in the future.<br />
session. The British Empire is founded on it.<br />
The second book is brought out in accordance<br />
G. H. T.<br />
with the agreement. The circulation is, however,<br />
small compared with that of the first book. The To the above remarks, based upon actual<br />
author is astonished and disappointed, but the experience, I append two cases, the first with the<br />
tradesman knows. The circulation is sufficiently naines.<br />
large to satisfy his mercantile spirit, and is kept In the year 1869-70, I, being then secretary of<br />
sufficiently small to enable him to gain a third the Palestine Exploration Fund, and therefore<br />
volume from the same pen on the same remune having my attention every day called to the<br />
rative terms, for “as the second book has gone subject, arranged with the late Professor Palmer<br />
so badly he with great regret is unable to make a to write a history of the city of Jerusalem from<br />
better offer.”<br />
the siege of Titus to modern times. He, for his<br />
The eyes of the expert, however, sees the share, contributed the history from Moslem<br />
inwardness of the mancuvre. The marks of the Historians : I, for my part, the history from the<br />
murderer's fingers are on the throat of the infant. Crusaders' and Christian Chronicles. We devoted<br />
The last example is perhaps the saddest of all, much time and labour to the work: the thing<br />
as everyone knows the fondness of a parent for had never before been done: we hoped to produce<br />
the child of his old age, and the old Professor a standard book. We intrusted it to Bentley and<br />
who suffers is the victim of this cruel plot. Son on a half-profit system. An edition of a<br />
It happens in this wise. A publisher has an thousand copies was printed, and the book was<br />
excellent educational work on some special duly produced, making a very creditable appear-<br />
subject. He has bought the copyright for a ance. The edition was completely sold out; an<br />
small sum, and is pushing its sale to the utter account was rendered showing no profits; and we<br />
most; it is selling in larger numbers than then learned, to our mortification, that the type<br />
even B.'s famous novel “Balderdash.” But had been distributed and no moulds had been<br />
he wakes up with the uncomfortable recollection made. I vainly urged upon the publishers the<br />
that at a dinner the night before he had heard production of a second edition. Many years<br />
Professor R— state that he was about to passed, I again pressed for the production of a<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 23 (#45) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
23<br />
new edition. By this time Professor Palmer was<br />
dead. The firm undertook to bring out a new<br />
edition at last, subject to the condition that I<br />
should guarantee 300 copies. I did so, and placed<br />
the copies myself to prevent any possibility of<br />
mistake. The book I afterwards, on the disap-<br />
pearance of the firm, transferred to Messrs.<br />
Chatto and Windus. It has gone through three<br />
editions, I believe, since its revival.<br />
The second instance is of a three-volume novel<br />
Some years ago the author signed an agreement<br />
by which he was to receive a very large royalty-.<br />
think about 98. a copy-after 350 copies had been<br />
sold. The worthy publisher printed 350 and then<br />
distributed the type. This case has been already<br />
mentioned in an early number of The Author.<br />
W. B.<br />
II.—THE COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE Five<br />
GRATIS COPIES.<br />
It will have been seen from the correspond-<br />
ence of 1876 between the Royal Commissioners<br />
on the one hand and the authorities of the<br />
four privileged libraries of Oxford, Cambridge,<br />
Edinburgh and Dublin on the other, which we<br />
printed in the June Author, that Cambridge left<br />
oft<br />
the questions of the Commissioners unanswered,<br />
that Oxford, though otherwise fully answering,<br />
was silent as to the value of the privilege, only<br />
stating the desire of the University to retain it,<br />
“not merely in the interests of the University,<br />
but for the sake of the public,” and that Edin.<br />
burgh and Dublin agreed in putting the value<br />
at not less than £1500 a year. It will now be<br />
desirable to state shortly the history and present<br />
effect of the statutory privileges of the five<br />
libraries entitled to gratis copies — the British<br />
Museum, so entitled absolutely, and the libraries<br />
of Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, and Edinburgh,<br />
so entitled on written demand only, to be made<br />
within a limited time.<br />
The first Act, that of 1662, directed the printer<br />
of every book to send one copy to the Royal<br />
Library and one copy to each of the Vice-<br />
Chancellors of Oxford and Cambridge Univer-<br />
sities for the use of the public libraries there;<br />
the second, that of 1709, which first gave statu-<br />
tory copyright, directed nine copies to be delivered<br />
at Stationers' Hall for the use of the Royal<br />
Library, the Oxford and Cambridge Libraries, the<br />
library of Sion College in London, the libraries<br />
of the four Scotch Universities (of St. Andrews,<br />
Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh), and “the<br />
library commonly called the library belonging to<br />
the Faculty of Advocates at Edinburgh respec-<br />
tively.” In 1801, the Legislative Union with<br />
Ireland having just been accomplished, an amend<br />
VOL. XI.<br />
ing Copyright Act directed the delivery of two<br />
additional copies for the use of the libraries of<br />
Trinity College and of the King's Inns, Dublin,<br />
making eleven gratis copies in all.<br />
In 1814 two great changes were made. The<br />
British Museum, which had been founded in<br />
pursuance of Sir Hans Sloane's will so far back<br />
as 1759, first became entitled to a gratis copy,<br />
taking the place of the Royal Library; and the<br />
requirement of a demand on the part of all the<br />
privileged libraries first made its appearance,<br />
without any distinction, as at present, between<br />
the British Museum and the other libraries. The<br />
extensiveness of the privilege caused great dis.<br />
satisfaction amongst publishers, and in 1818 a<br />
Select Committee of the House of Commons<br />
resolved :-<br />
That it is desirable that so much of the Copyright Act as<br />
requires the gratuitous delivery of every work should be<br />
repealed except in so far as relates to the British Museum,<br />
and that a fixed allowance in lien thereof should be granted<br />
to such of the other libraries as may be thought expedient.<br />
This resolution was founded upon a great mass<br />
of evidence, Mr. Rees complaining of the<br />
£955 168. which eleven copies of his Encyclo-<br />
pædia might have been sold for, Mr. Baldwin<br />
averring that he had lost in his general business<br />
£1275 in four years, and so on.<br />
Nothing was done, however, until 1836. In<br />
that year, Mr. James Silk Buckingham, the<br />
founder and first editor of the Athenæum news-<br />
paper and a most voluminous writer, introduced<br />
in a very learned speech a Bill to take away the<br />
privilege from all the eleven libraries, and the<br />
Copyright Act, which was the result, took away<br />
the privilege from six of them—the libraries of<br />
Sion College, of the four Universities of Scotland,<br />
and of the King's Inns at Dublin.<br />
The Act of 1836 had a preamble that-<br />
The provisions of the said Act [of 1814 requiring<br />
gratuitous delivery of eleven copies] have in certain rospects<br />
operated to the injury of author and publishers, and have in<br />
some cases checked or prevented the publication of works<br />
of great utility and importance, and it is therefore expedient<br />
that the said Act should be amended.<br />
Parliament accordingly directed compensation<br />
to be made to the six deprived libraries out of<br />
the consolidated fund by annual payments to be<br />
ascertained “according to the value of the books<br />
which may have been actually received” by each<br />
such library upon an average of the three years<br />
ending June 30, 1836, it being also enacted<br />
that-<br />
The person of persons or body politio or corporate pro-<br />
prietors or managers of the library for the use whereof any<br />
Bach book would have been delivered, shall and they are<br />
hereby required to apply the annual compensation hereby<br />
authorised to be made in the purchase of books of literature,<br />
science and the arts, for the use of and to be kept and pre-<br />
served in such library : Provided always that it shall not<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 24 (#46) ##############################################<br />
<br />
24<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
be lawful for the Treasury to direct the issue of any sum of Copies for four other Libraries if demanded.-<br />
money for such annual compensation until sufficient proof A similar copy, printed on the paper of which the<br />
shall have been adduced of the application of the money<br />
largest number of copies are printed for sale, must<br />
last issued to the purpose aforesaid.<br />
be delivered<br />
The words which we have italicised present not<br />
On demand thereof in writing left at the abode of the<br />
a few difficulties of construction. Clearly they<br />
pablisher thereof at any time within twelve months next<br />
impose some restriction upon the discretion of<br />
after the publication thereof under the hand of the officer of<br />
the library authorities. But what is it? The the Company of Stationers who shall from time to time be<br />
term “ books ” seems to exclude all newspapers<br />
appointed by the said company for the purposes of this Act,<br />
and magazines, and no books of mere reference,<br />
or ander the band of any other person thereto authorised<br />
by the authorities of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, the<br />
such as almanacs and directories, could be called<br />
Public Library, Cambridge, the Library of the Faculty of<br />
“ books of literature,” however useful they might Advocates, Edinburgh, the Library of Trinity College,<br />
be to the student. But it would be difficult to Dublin.<br />
exclude any novel whatever. Encyclopædias The copies are to be delivered-<br />
might be helped in by their scientific articles, but<br />
Within one month after demand made thereof in writing<br />
the point is a doubtful one.<br />
as aforesaid to the said officer of the said Company of<br />
The sums payable to the six various libraries Stationers for the time being, which copies the said officer<br />
were originally as follows: To the University of shall, and he is hereby required to receive at the ball of<br />
St. Andrews, £630; of Aberdeen, £320; of<br />
the said company for the use of the library, for which such<br />
Glasgow, £707; and of Edinburgh. £575; to<br />
demand sball be made within such twelve months as afore.<br />
said, and the said officer is hereby required to give a receipt<br />
King's Inns Library, Dublin, £433 6s. 8d.; and<br />
in writing for the same and within one month after any such<br />
to Sion College, £363 158. 2d. The two last book shall be so delivered to him as aforesaid to deliver the<br />
named sums are still annually paid ; the compen- same for the use of such library.<br />
sations to the four Scotch Universities became The publishers are authorised, if they prefer it,<br />
merged some ten years ago by virtue of the to deliver the demanded books free of expense at<br />
Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 in the much the libraries themselves to the librarians, and such<br />
larger grant of £42,000 for the general purposes delivery is made equivalent to a delivery to<br />
of the four Universities. This grant is divisible the officer of the Stationers' Company. The<br />
amongst the four Scotch Universities in sbares, and<br />
penalty for not delivering books pursuant to<br />
for purposes as therein directed; the Act, how the Act is not more than £5 besides the value of<br />
ever, specially providing that “the University of the undelivered book, recoverable either sum-<br />
Aberdeen shall receive an annual sum of £320 marily before justices of the peace or by ordinary<br />
for the purchase of books for the library of the action at the suit of the librarian, who, if<br />
University.”<br />
successful, is entitled to all costs reasonably<br />
Lastly, we come to the Act of 1842, which incurred.<br />
contains the present law of the subject in five It will be seen therefore (1) that the British<br />
long and rather confused sections, the effect of Museum is entitled, without any demand, to a copy<br />
which is shortly as follows:-<br />
of every book published in the British dominions;<br />
British Museum Copy.—A printed copy of the (2) that the four other libraries are entitled, but<br />
whole of every book and of any subsequent on written demand only, to a copy of every book<br />
edition published with any additions or altera published in the United Kingdom ; (3) that the<br />
tions, printed on the best paper on which any demand may be made either by the Stationers'<br />
copies are printed, must be delivered at the Company's officer or by an agent of the library<br />
British Museum, on behalf of the publisher authorities; (4) that by whomsoever the demand<br />
. Within one month after first publication, if the is made, the delivery must be made to the<br />
first publication be within the bills of mortality; Stationers' Company's officer ; and (5) that it is<br />
Within three months, if the first publication for the Stationers' Company's officer, and not any<br />
be in any other part of the United Kingdom; other demanding agent, to deliver the books to<br />
Within twelve months, if the first publication the four libraries, unless (6) the publishers<br />
be in any other part of the British dominions. deliver the copies free of expense to the libraries<br />
The italicised area—that of the “bills of direct.<br />
mortality”-is indeed a strange one in an Act<br />
so lively as the Copyright Act of 1842. The<br />
III.—THE STAMPING OF AGREEMENTS.<br />
“ bills" themselves died some sixty years ago. A point of some little importance in the<br />
The City was always within them, and West stamping of authors' agreements may interest<br />
minster soon became so, as also did Lambeth, you. A few days ago I sent an agreement, through<br />
Stepney, and other metropolitan parishes, but the local stamp office, to be stamped at Somerset<br />
St. Pancras and Marylebone were never included. House. It was an ordinary agreement to do<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 25 (#47) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
25<br />
X.<br />
om<br />
A MEMBER.<br />
certain work for a publisher, which would result, Law Courts, justifying his claims, generally for<br />
in due course, in the production of a book, the the pecuniary benefit of his adviser or counsel.<br />
copyright in which was to belong to the pub. Voilà tout ! Yes! Wiser is the poor Grub-street<br />
lishers. I asked that it should be impressed tramp who, on achieving publication, spends his<br />
with the ordinary agreement stamp of sixpence. 78. 6d. on a suitable banquet—not forgetting to<br />
After three days came back a message requiring pour out a libation to the gods.<br />
an additional 198. 6d., being the amount of the<br />
J. S. LAURIE.<br />
ad valorem duty on the sum which the publishers<br />
were to pay me for my work. In other words, V.-ALTERING WITHOUT THE AUTHOR'S CONSENT.<br />
the Inland Revenue claimed to treat the agree. I want to know what is (a) the law and (b) the<br />
ment as an assignment of copyright.<br />
custom of the trade (or profession) with regard<br />
Now, to this contention there are just two fatal to altering without consent of the author the<br />
objections: (1) that, by English law, it is im. signed articles in books of reference, guide-books,<br />
possible to assign a thing which is not in existence, &c., in future editions.<br />
and as my MS. was not even begun, I had, of I am supposing the author has made over all<br />
course, no copyright to assign ; (2) that the copyright.<br />
statute expressly contemplates assignment of I imagine that the whole question turns upon<br />
copyright (by entry at Stationers' Hall) without the contribution being signed. Does it not ?<br />
payment of stamp duty.<br />
Although the regulations of the Oxford office<br />
did not permit me to obtain the Somerset House<br />
letter for study, I managed to express my objec-<br />
PARIS NOTES.<br />
tions to its claim to such effect that I have now<br />
received an official intimation that the claim to<br />
5, rue Chomel.<br />
ad valorem duty will not be pressed.<br />
MAURUS JOKAI, the celebrated<br />
Hungarian novelist, is now visiting<br />
Paris, accompanied by his young wife.<br />
IV.--COPYRIGHT SECURED BY PUBLICATION AND This is his first visit since 1867. He has been<br />
SALE.<br />
warmly welcomed by his compatriots and the<br />
In the daily Press of May 16 there is allu. brethren of his craft; and the Société des Gens<br />
sion without question to Sir E. M. Thompson's de Lettres has given a banquet in his honour.<br />
opinion that “ practically all published books Although M. Jokai numbers seventy-five years,<br />
are registered at Stationers' Hall, and are thus well-counted, he is quite out of the running as<br />
copyright.” I venture to doubt if more than regards age beside the “ beaux vieillards ” who still<br />
25 per cent. of published books are registered at hold honoured places in the ranks of Parisian<br />
all, and that for the simple reason that such regis- writers. M. E.Cormon-author of so many popular<br />
tration confers no copyright, or, in point of fact, plays, and father of the well-known painter-is<br />
similarly as letters patent, any privilege beyond in his ninety-second year. He is an assiduous<br />
being the essential preliminary to litigation. theatre-goer, and was lately in evidence at a dress<br />
Indeed, even this is permissible just before any rehearsal at the Théatre de la République, busily<br />
action is entered ; and in a recent threatened suit engaged in superintending the revival of “ Une<br />
I myself adopted this course successfully with refe. Cause Célèbre," the joint production of MM.<br />
rence to a production fifteen years old. Seven and Adolphe d'Ennery and E. Cormon, success.<br />
sixpence per work on all published books would fully performed at the Ambigu theatre a quarter<br />
obviously yield a mine of vast wealth either to the of a century ago. (M. d'Ennery died in 1899, aged<br />
Stationers' Corporation or any other official eighty-eight years, possessed of a fortune which<br />
beneficiary, unconditionally on any material con- amounted in round figures to about £400,000.)<br />
sideration whatsoever. The hardship of the MM. Aurélian Scholl and Paul Meurice, likewise,<br />
invent is is infinitely worse, since pairate can see leave M. Jokai behind. The former resumes<br />
and study any existing specification and procure his pen at intervals in dilatory virtuoso fashion.<br />
another for himself by a slight alteration.<br />
His senior, M. Paul Meurice, still compares<br />
As I understand the matter after a life-long favourably in literary activity with a score of<br />
experience, and the production of more than 100 modern authors. He is an ardent disciple of<br />
genuine copyrights on which no fee has been paid, Victor Hugo, to boot; and recently presented<br />
I fancy I am entitled to affirm that the sale of to the National Library a collection of over a<br />
even a single volume across the counter con- thousand documents, photographs, &c., connected<br />
stitutes publication. In case of dispute, why, the with the great French writer and his family. This<br />
owner must either succumb or fight it out in the collection will shortly be open to the public.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 26 (#48) ##############################################<br />
<br />
26<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
ing. Only once in his life did he take part in the<br />
latter sport, when he fired by mistake on a<br />
gendarme, and was summoned for the offence.<br />
AN EMINENT NONAGENARIAN.<br />
But the doyen of the French Academy and the<br />
“ beaux vieillards litteraires " is M. Ernest<br />
Legouvé. His birth certificate is exbibited in the<br />
Paris Pavilion at the Exhibition. It is dated<br />
Monday, Feb. 16, 1807. M. Legouvé enjoys at<br />
the present moment the full possession of all his<br />
faculties. He is extremely keen on fencing, and<br />
attributes his robust health to his diurnal twenty<br />
or thirty minutes' practice with the foils.<br />
“ The love of fencing," he asserts, “is not<br />
merely a taste-it is a passion. C'est le jeu, avec<br />
le vice en moins et la santé en plus !"<br />
The eminent nonagenarian estimates his supple-<br />
mentary achievements with unusual modesty.<br />
“Although my plays have been represented six-<br />
teen hundred times at the Comédie Française,”<br />
he says, “I am neither a great poet nor a great<br />
dramatist. But since I have applied my<br />
dramatic and poetical faculty to teaching the<br />
young, I have succeeded in writing lessons which<br />
were not tiresome. I have spoken to youth in a<br />
language which it has loved and understood.” This<br />
is, perhaps, the success which M. Legouvé values<br />
most highly. His latest work, issued a few<br />
months ago, contains the lectures delivered to the<br />
students at the Sèvres Normal School. At the<br />
period when this volume was compiled its<br />
author designed it for the closing memorial of<br />
his long literary career. Several stray bints,<br />
however, incline us to believe that M. Legouvé<br />
has now another work on hand, which will appear<br />
shortly.<br />
M. JULES VERNE.<br />
The plays and novels of M. Jules Verne are as<br />
popular as ever. Their author has advantageously<br />
renewed the contracts connected with his drama-<br />
tised versions of “Michel Strogoff” and “Le<br />
Tour du Monde.” He is at present engaged on a<br />
new volume for the Extraordinary Voyage series.<br />
If his wonderful fertility and health hold good<br />
for a few more years, he will undoubtedly attain<br />
what is generally asserted to be his grand<br />
desideratum—viz., the publication of his hundredth<br />
volume. M. Jules Verne is in his seventy-third<br />
year. He lives quietly at Amiens, and patronises<br />
a vegetarian régime. A slight limp, the result of<br />
an accident many years ago, gives him a hesitating<br />
gait, while his mild blue eyes and placid expression<br />
appear evidence of a nature wholly at variance<br />
with the wild adventurous types he delights in<br />
creating. He formerly possessed a small yacht,<br />
the Saint Michel, which never ventured itself in<br />
rougher waters than those of the English Channel<br />
and Mediterranean Sea. The author of “ Twenty<br />
Thousand Leagues under the Sea" considers<br />
fishing a barbarous amusement and detests hunt.<br />
ACADEMY Prizes.<br />
The French Academy has a varded the sum of<br />
5000 francs (prix Alfred Née) to' M. Brieux for<br />
his last graphic drama entitled “La Robe<br />
Rouge.” The fortunate recipient is now engaged<br />
in writing a new play entitled “La Petite Amie,"<br />
whose details have not yet been made public.<br />
Mme. Jean Bertheroy has been awarded 4000<br />
francs (prix d'éloquence) for her essay on the<br />
French poet André Chenier (1762-1794), while<br />
M. Pierre de la Gorse has received 9000 francs<br />
(prix Gobert) for his “Histoire du Second<br />
Empire). A number of minor prizes have also<br />
been awarded.<br />
In order to encourage literary talent the Var<br />
Academy at Toulon has announced its intention of<br />
celebrating its centennial anniversary by a literary<br />
competition on six given subjects. The prizes<br />
will consist of valuable artistic objects, and the<br />
winners' names and compositions will be inscribed<br />
in the Golden Book which the Academy will<br />
publish on that occasion. The manuscripts of the<br />
unsuccessful candidates will not be returned.<br />
This is certainly rather hard on the unsuccessful<br />
candidates.<br />
Rocks AHEAD FOR THE PUBLISHERS.<br />
In deciding a dispute between two publishers,<br />
the Civil Chamber recently gave some interesting<br />
information which completely upset the current<br />
illusion respecting the copyright of the title of a<br />
paper. It distinctly stated that the property of a<br />
journal's title could only lapse through non-<br />
usage; but that the popular belief that a non-<br />
usage of one vear was sufficient to annul such a<br />
copyright was an erroneous idea, based on no<br />
legal foundation. Whether editor and publisher<br />
would alike be held responsible for the infringe.<br />
ment of a similar copyright was not stated.<br />
The latter is walking softly since the Third<br />
Civil Chamber has abolished his immunity, and<br />
rendered him liable for the articles printed under<br />
his direction. The action brought by fifty-three<br />
merchants, manufacturers, &c., against the pro.<br />
prietors and editors of the Antijuif has led to<br />
this commendable reform. “Granted,” said the<br />
judgment, “that ... if Article 43 of the<br />
law of July 29, 1881, enacts that the printer<br />
cannot be penally pursued as an accomplice (in<br />
virtue of Article 60 of the Penal Code referring<br />
to printed matter) except in the event, and under<br />
the conditions, foreseen by Article 6 of the law of<br />
June 7, 1848, relating to riotous assemblages;<br />
this law has only been framed from a penal point<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 27 (#49) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
37<br />
of view, and is not intended to detract in any Poor “Caliban-Bergerat” cannot boast such<br />
manner from the principles laid down by the good fortune. The fourth and last volume of his<br />
Civil Law, which render each person responsible “Théâtre Complet d'Emile Bergerat” has just<br />
for the prejudice caused by his fault, &c.” been issued by Ollendorff. Rarely has a writer<br />
For which, and sundry other causes, the printing of equal merit been handicapped hy a more per-<br />
society known as the Société Paul Dupont has sistent run of ill-luck than that which has for<br />
been separately and jointly condemned with the years dogged the productions of the talented<br />
proprietors and editors of the Antijuif to pay author of “ Plus que Reine." His fierce defence<br />
damages amounting to twenty-eight thousand of the children of his brain make part of the<br />
francs for injurious matter printed in the columns dramatic history of the period. In the preface<br />
of the Antijuif. Wherefore the Israelites rejoice to the first volume of the “ Théâtre Complet,” M.<br />
and the Philistines mourn.<br />
Bergerat states that the publication of this work<br />
represents thirty-five years of struggle—“not<br />
CONTEMPORARY FEMINISM.<br />
without courage, perhaps "—for theatrical life.<br />
The publication of the “Vierges Fortes " series A little later he claims the glory of having<br />
-comprising two novels respectively entitled invented the following three words, viz., Tripa-<br />
“ Frédérique" and“ Léa ”-of M. Marcel Prévost, touillage, Cabotinville, Soireux, which, he says,<br />
was quite a social event. The reason is obvious. have become national property, and sum up the<br />
Both works deal in a masterly style with the entire history of the theatrical customs of his<br />
burning question of contemporary Feminism, time. M. Rostand would probably entertain a<br />
which is the prominent topic of the day. France different opinion.<br />
DARRACOTTI Scott.<br />
-or rather Paris-is witnessing the tidal rise of<br />
the Feministic Era which England successfully<br />
encountered, developed, and utilised several<br />
decades ago. Everything worth reading on the<br />
NOTES AND NEWS.<br />
subject is eagerly perused. The “Femmes<br />
Nouvelles ” of Paul and Victor Margueritte have<br />
INHE annual dinner of the Women Writers was<br />
just attained their twentieth re-edition (chez<br />
held in the Criterion Restaurant on June 25.<br />
Plon). Nevertheless, M. Prévost still remains<br />
Mrs. Humphry Ward was president, and<br />
the undisputed leader and apostle of the move-<br />
among a large company were Mrs. Bishop, Mrs.<br />
ment.<br />
Hodgson Burnett, Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler,<br />
A recent article from bis pen in the Figaro,<br />
Miss Beatrice Harraden, Dr. Margaret Todd, Mrs.<br />
anent the author's right of publishing “ Le Secret<br />
Clifford, Mrs. Campbell Praed, Miss Violet Hunt,<br />
sentimental à deux," has given rise to some<br />
and Miss Clo Graves. The meeting was most<br />
piquant controversy between him and M. Gabriele<br />
successful. In concluding an eloquent reference<br />
D'Annunzio — whom his admirers here have<br />
to the late Miss Kingsley, Mrs. Humphry Ward<br />
surnamed “the Marcel Prévost of Italy.” The<br />
latter took umbrage at a supposed reflection<br />
Those true knights-errant of intelligence and pity, who<br />
(in an article which he confessed he had not<br />
thought no travail of mind and body too great to face if<br />
read) questioning the good taste of his having only they might come at the truth and tell it, who wandered,<br />
staged Madame Eleonora Duse, under the thin suffered, laaghed, and learned, who made a new wisdom of<br />
disguise of the Foscarina's name, as the heroine<br />
their fellows—it was of them that they might say in the<br />
of his new novel, “ Le Feu,” which work is now<br />
words of a true poet who was with them that night<br />
"Out of danger, dreams, disasters,<br />
appearing in serial form in the Revue de Paris.<br />
They arise to be our masters.”<br />
No such reflection had ever been made—at least, Small and thin was the true band of them in every age.<br />
by M. Prévost. Matters were finally explained, One of its most honoured members assuredly was with them<br />
and the susceptible Italian declared himself satis-<br />
as she spoke, Mrs. Bishop; and of their inmost company<br />
fied. The celebrity of the personages concerned<br />
let them as women rejoice in it with pride that night was<br />
Mary Kingsley.<br />
has given undue notoriety to the incident.<br />
The members of the Authors' Club held a<br />
A DRAMATIC CONTRAST.<br />
dinner on Monday, June 11, when Mr. E. F.<br />
The health of M. Edmond Rostand is reported Knight, the correspondent of the Morning Post<br />
to be completely re-established. According to who was wounded at Belmont, was the guest of<br />
the theatrical returns published at the end of the evening, and Mr. Bloundelle-Burton, an old<br />
May, the “ Aiglon” is making 11,000 francs friend of Mr. Knight, and the well-known author<br />
a day, and “ Cyrano de Bergerac" 10,000 francs. of the “ Hispaniola Plate," was the chairman..<br />
Whereby the lucky dramatist daily pockets a Mr. Bloundelle-Burton made a very interesting<br />
royalty of 2500 francs—a princely revenue. speech with regard to Mr. Knight's career, and<br />
VOL. XI.<br />
said :<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 28 (#50) ##############################################<br />
<br />
28<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
Mr. Knight in response gave a graphic description<br />
of the fighting powers of Tommy Atkins and his<br />
experiences during the battle of Belmont.<br />
Mr. Frankfort Moore proposed the health of<br />
the other guests, amongst whom was Mr. Charlton,<br />
one of the engineer officers of H.M.S. Powerful.<br />
Mr. Charlton gave a detailed account of the part<br />
that the crew of the Powerful had taken in the<br />
war from the time of their leaving Singapore.<br />
There were about thirty members present, Mr.<br />
Percy White, Mr. E. A. Morton, Mr. G. H.<br />
Thring, Mr. Douglas Sladen, and Mr. M. H.<br />
Spielmann being among the number.<br />
On Monday, June 18, the Authors' Club held a<br />
dinner to Lord Strathcona. There was a large<br />
gathering. Mr. Robert Machray was in the chair.<br />
In answer to the toast of his health Lord Strath-<br />
cona gave some very interesting facts about his<br />
connection with the Hudson Bay Company, and<br />
that company's connection with the Empire, and<br />
he ended his speech with a statement regarding<br />
the enthusiasm of the Canadians in their action<br />
in the present war. He stated that all the<br />
Colonials were not so much fighting for the Mother<br />
Country as fighting for themselves as part of the<br />
Empire. His speech was enthusiastically received.<br />
and dreary as the mines of Potosi. Yet from either there is<br />
no return, and though little confident of finding content-<br />
ment-happiness is too proud a term-I must work, I<br />
believe, in those damp caverns till once the whole mind is<br />
recast or the lamp of life has ceased to burn within it.<br />
In the same collection was the following letter<br />
from the Countess of Blessington :-<br />
Since I first sent a book before the public I never,<br />
directly or indirectly, asked for a notice of a book of mine.<br />
I have hitherto been so fortunate as to have had my works<br />
kindly treated by the Press, but this kind treatment would<br />
have given me but little satisfaction had I owed it to any<br />
solicitations of mine.<br />
The following letter by Dr. Conan Doyle is taken<br />
from the columns of the Daily Telegraph, to whose<br />
veteran war correspondent in South Africa, Mr.<br />
Bennet Burleigh, the letter was addressed. “As<br />
I fear to spoil or transpose Dr. Conan Doyle's<br />
graphic depiction of the event,” says Mr.<br />
Burleigh, “I give it in his own words":<br />
Brandfort, Monday, May 7.<br />
My dear Barleigh, - ... and saw a little fight<br />
beyond the Vet River. We had a curious adventure on the<br />
way back, which might perhaps make a paragraph for a<br />
letter if ever the great events run short. Langman and I<br />
were riding back, and had reached the point where the<br />
engagement was the day before, when a mounted Kaffi,<br />
came across us, and told us that a wounded Englishman<br />
had been deserted or overlooked, and was out some two or<br />
three miles to the west on the veldt. We got him to guide<br />
us, and set off in search. At last, in the middle of a large<br />
clear space, we came across him, but he was dead. He was shot<br />
in the stomach and through one arm, and had apparently bled<br />
to death. He belonged to the New South Wales Mounted<br />
Infantry, and had the initials “N. M'M." upon bis batand on a<br />
silk handkerchief in his pocket. Horse and rifle were gone. A<br />
carious detail was that his water-bottle lay beside him, and<br />
on it was balanced a red chess pawn. The other chessmen<br />
were in his haversack out of his reach. We laid the poor<br />
fellow across my saddle and led the horse back to the road,<br />
where we placed him under a telegraph post, and told the<br />
officer of the next convoy, who promised to have him<br />
decently buried.<br />
Close to Brandfort we saw mounted and armed Boers on<br />
a hill within half a mile of us. We were told that they<br />
were Boers, and did not believe it, but this morning we<br />
learn that they have been pursued. I suppose that they<br />
thought we were too small game, but as we were unarmed and<br />
apon tired horses, we were lucky to get past them.<br />
A. CONAN DOYLE.<br />
The President of the Argentine Republic has<br />
accepted the adhesion of the Kingdom of Italy to<br />
the Treaty of Montevideo-A South American<br />
Copyright Union. Signor F. Foa discusses, in<br />
an interesting article in the pages of our Italian<br />
contemporary I Dritti d'Autore, the value to<br />
Italian authors of this new international agree<br />
ment. The advantages which it will confer do<br />
not appear to be very great.<br />
Lord Thring contributes an interesting article<br />
on “The Copyright Bills, 1900," to the Nine.<br />
teenth Century for June. The article is a plain<br />
statement of facts. At its conclusion the author<br />
remarks dryly, respecting the Bills, “Whatever<br />
may be their demerits, they claim to have<br />
reduced the law into an intelligible shape, in<br />
which it is capable of being criticised by the most<br />
unlearned of authors, and of being amended by<br />
the most inexperienced of legislators.”<br />
NOTES FROM AMERICA.<br />
A letter written by Carlyle from Edinburgh<br />
in 1821 was sold in London recently in the<br />
collection belonging to the late Chevalier de<br />
Chatelain. It was addressed to Dr. Allen, and<br />
contained the following revelation of the philo-<br />
sopher's mind-he was then only twenty-six :-<br />
Literature is like money, the appetite increases by<br />
gratification. The mines of literature, too, are unwholesome<br />
LOLLOWING the evidence of publishers that<br />
F there is an improving market for the<br />
better class of books, the New York<br />
Evening Post adds the testimony of the Hart-<br />
ford (Conn.) Public Library, as given in the<br />
president's annual report. From this it appears<br />
that there has been a large gain in more serious<br />
reading matter at the expense of tiction. As<br />
compared with two years ago, novels have fallen<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 29 (#51) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
29<br />
off 7 per cent., while sociology has gained about<br />
8 per cent., the fine arts and history 11 per cent.<br />
each, and biography 15 per cent.<br />
A complete edition of the works of Mr. Thomas<br />
Wentworth Higginson—who, at seventy-five, is<br />
still active with his pen-is being prepared by<br />
Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin and Co.<br />
A new serial by Mr. Hamlin Garland has just<br />
begun. It is a story of Western life, entitled<br />
“The Eagle's Heart,” and deals with adventurous<br />
life in cow towns and mining settlements.<br />
Commenting on the recent financial difficulties<br />
of Messrs. Appleton, the Sewanee Review for<br />
April (Longmans) says:<br />
Coming so soon after the Harper assignment, this notable<br />
event in the publishing world calls special attention to the<br />
fact that the pablisher of to-day does business on very<br />
different lines from his predecessor. Production must now<br />
be on a large scale if success is to be attained, and produc-<br />
tion on a large scale means a big smash if affairs go wrong.<br />
Local booksellers have long since gone to the wall; will<br />
publishers go, too, leaving a trust monarch of all it surveys ?<br />
We hope not.<br />
The people of Northampton (Mass.) and dis-<br />
tinguished guests from abroad have just erected a<br />
memorial to Jonathan Edwards, the American<br />
philosopher of the eighteenth century, and a<br />
For the eighteenth century, and, a<br />
proposal is made to issue a new edition of his<br />
works.<br />
" Janice Meredith” has been dramatised, the<br />
rights of production going to Miss Mary Manner-<br />
ing. Mr. Daniel Frohman will present“ Richard<br />
Carvel ” in the coming season.<br />
Ogilvie, Stuart<br />
Skeat, The Rev. Professor<br />
Parker, Louis N.<br />
Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Barnett<br />
Pinero, Mrs.<br />
Sonnenschein, A.<br />
Prinsep, Val<br />
Thring, G. Herbert<br />
Scott, Clement<br />
Todd, Dr. Margaret<br />
Senior, W.<br />
Zangwill, I.<br />
Shaw, Bernard<br />
And many others.<br />
The Chairman gave the toast of the evening,<br />
and began his speech by an allusion to the losses<br />
that letters had suffered through the deaths of Mr.<br />
Ruskin, Dr. Martineau, Mr. R. D. Blackmore, and<br />
Mr. G. W. Steevens. Proceeding, Mr. Pinero said :<br />
This corporation of prominent literary men and<br />
women to-night, for the first time in its history-<br />
for the first time in the history of any modern<br />
literary association-extends a kindly hand to the<br />
poor hack-playwright. What is the reason, ladies<br />
and gentlemen, underlying this generous and<br />
gracious act on the part of the governing body of<br />
your Society? I cannot tell you. I can only<br />
indulge in surmise, in hypotheses. A vainer<br />
person than myself might suppose that your<br />
council is desirous of promoting a feeling of<br />
fraternity, of establishing something approach-<br />
ing a bond of equality between writers of books<br />
and writers of plays. (Cheers.) But I cannot<br />
think that; the assumption would be too arro.<br />
gant. At the furthest, I can only believe that<br />
certain members of your Council-grey-haired<br />
men, perhaps, anxious to be at peace with the<br />
world, even with playwrights; gentlemen of<br />
acknowledged literary eminence, but possessed of<br />
those normal feelings of compassion of which<br />
writers of scholarly English are not necessarily<br />
destitute—I can only believe that these gentlemen<br />
have been impelled by a simple good-natured<br />
impulse to bestow a passing pat-on-the-back upon<br />
a poor, distant relative. (Laughter.) It may be<br />
that I take too depressed a view of the whole<br />
affair. It may be that the novelist is not only<br />
gradually relaxing in his disdain for the drama,<br />
but is applying himself assiduously to the task<br />
of grasping the special conditions of dramatic<br />
writing. It may be that in doing this he has<br />
become possessed of the suspicion that these con-<br />
ditions are exceptionally arduous, that they are<br />
conditions requiring a wide and curious knowledge<br />
of life and of manners, a rapid but assured touch<br />
in the delineation of surface characteristics,<br />
an unerringly accurate ear in striking the deeper<br />
notes of pathos and of passion, and a wise<br />
economy of selection and a dexterity of composi.<br />
tion exacted by no other form of art. It may be,<br />
too, that from his own young experience he is<br />
beginning to perceive that while out of the<br />
theatre the despised playwright labours in cir.<br />
cumstances demanding the exercise of the closest<br />
application and the practice of the sternest self-<br />
denial, the writer of drama should bring to the<br />
ANNUAL DINNER OF THE INCORPORATED<br />
SOCIETY OF AUTHORS.<br />
[Owing to the fact that the original dinner report has been<br />
lost or mislaid, the present curtailed report has been<br />
inserted at the last moment.]<br />
THE annual dinner of the Society was held in<br />
the King's Hall of Holborn Restaurant on<br />
May 16, and was a large and highly suc-<br />
cessful gathering Mr. A. W. Pinero presided.<br />
Among the company were<br />
Archer, William<br />
Greville, Lady Violet<br />
Ball, Sir Robert<br />
Grundy, Sydney<br />
Beringer, Mrs. Oscar<br />
Hare, Mr. and Mrs. John<br />
Besant, Sir Walter<br />
Hawkins, Anthony Hope<br />
Blake, Dr. Sophia<br />
Hooking, Rev. Silas<br />
Browning, Oscar<br />
Hollingshead, John<br />
Castle, Egerton<br />
Hunt, Holman<br />
Charley, Sir W. J.<br />
Jacobs, W. W.<br />
Collier, The Hon. John and Lee, Sidney<br />
Mrs.<br />
Lennox, Lady William<br />
Colin Campbell, Lady<br />
Marshall, Capt. R.<br />
Courtney, W.L.<br />
Middlemass, Miss Jean<br />
Craigie, Mrs.<br />
Monkswell, Lord<br />
Fitoh, Sir Joshua<br />
Norma<br />
an, Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Grand, Mmo. Sarab<br />
Henry<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 30 (#52) ##############################################<br />
<br />
30<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
rehearsal of his work evidence of his capacity for does she persist in calling herself Anthony<br />
gently influencing and gaining the sympathy and Hope ? " (Laughter.) But what I was about to<br />
support of clever men and women of diverse but say is that, with writers of such high account<br />
peculiarly sensitive temperaments, without which devoting themselves in part to the theatre, it will<br />
capacity no dramatist ought to pass the stage be a matter of small wonder if the prevalent and<br />
door; possessing which capacity he might, in disparaging idea of contemporary drama, and of<br />
other and more fortunate walks of life, have led those who give their energies wholly to dramatic<br />
parties or won battles. And I am encouraged to writing, does not ultimately yield to a fairer, a<br />
think that there is something in all this, by more truthful, estimate. Only one danger do I<br />
the fact that the drama has lately received many apprehend from the invasion of the playhouse by<br />
notable contributions from authors enjoying the novelist-and I confess the contemplation of<br />
enviable reputations in other departments of litera- it chills me to the marrow—the possibility that<br />
ture. I will not attempt to furnish you with a the mere playwright may some day find his occu-<br />
complete roll of these authors; in such an endea- pation gone. Indeed, the rich imagination of<br />
vour the memory might prove treacherous, and Mr. Wells might form a conception of a time<br />
the omission of a single name would, perhaps, when the carefully preserved skeleton of the<br />
make one appear less ignorant than ungracious. dramatist who was not a novelist will be all<br />
But I cannot refrain from mentioning, especially, that is left to remind people of the old order<br />
two writers who have thus distinguished them of things. However, time alone can decide<br />
selves—who have, if I may say so, made them- whether or not events are to justify these<br />
selves indispensable to the modern stage. I fears, and, meanwhile, it is well, I suggest to you,<br />
speak of the gentleman who is incautiously that we should all dwell together in the most<br />
described in the list of your Council as Mr. perfect good-fellowship. It may be that the im-<br />
Hawkins, but who masks himself closely from provisatore, reciting his romances in the market<br />
the public under another title, and of that charm- place, with flashing eye and to the accompani.<br />
ing lady who, by her own perversity, obliges me ment of sweeping gesture, is a slightly more<br />
to be so ungallant as to allude to her as John imposing figure than the marionette man as we<br />
Oliver Hobbes. (Cheers.) I wonder whether espy him through the curtains of his booth<br />
any of you ladies and gentlemen are, like myself, lovingly assorting his little company of dolls.<br />
a little disturbed by the dark disguises of certain But each plays his part : each suffers or enjoys<br />
of our modern writers. (Laughter.) I confess I his share of defeat or of success; each, upon<br />
find it difficult to feel quite at ease with mysterious occasion, tightens his belt in answer to the<br />
figures in sombre draperies and slouch bats. One cravings of hunger, or releases a button after a<br />
is almost inclined, for example, in speaking of congratulatory feast; each knows what it is to<br />
Mr. Hobbes and of the creator of the delightful be waked from sleep by the sound of his own<br />
“ Prisoner of Zenda,” to drop into a whisper. sighing, or to shirk purposely the slumber that<br />
And the confusion in the public mind, too, pro- would suspend, even for a moment, the conscious.<br />
duced by the aliases of popular authors is ness of a rare prosperity. Let them, therefore<br />
positively lamentable. Only the other day, while the marionette man and the weaver of<br />
on a visit to a provincial town, I found myself tales — foregather at the end of their day's<br />
sitting beside a young lady who takes an eager, labour, as we do to-night, and, between their<br />
if somewhat uninformed, interest in current draughts of Falerno, console one another, and<br />
literature. “I wish you would explain to me,” stimulate one another, and so help one another,<br />
she said, “why many of our famous novelists until the hour comes when the friendship must<br />
appear to be so anxious to conceal their identity." perforce be broken, when the voice in the market<br />
I hazarded the conjecture that it is, in some place is hushed, or the booth is found empty. In<br />
instances perhaps, a precautionary measure on the this spirit, ladies and gentlemen, in the spirit<br />
part of those who may desire, in later years, the which this Society has done much, and will, I<br />
opportunity of living down their successes. “Tell venture to prophesy, do even more in the future,<br />
me," my companion went on, evidently far from to promote ; in the spirit expressed by<br />
satisfied, “tell me, have you ever met Mrs. the time-worn, but still eloquent, phrase-the<br />
Craigie ?” I said I had had that privilege. Brotherhood of Letters—I beg leave to submit<br />
“ And what is your opinion of her as an author?” the toast which it is my duty to propose. (Cheers.)<br />
was the next question. I had no hesitation in With this toast I have the privilege of associating<br />
replying, “ Assuredly one of the most brilliant the name of the gentleman of whom I have<br />
women writers any country has produced.” “I already tremulously made mention-Mr. Hawkins.<br />
agree with you,” said my fair friend, “I have And here you will, I am sure, appreciate the<br />
read every word she has written. But why- renewed difficulties of my position. But if I<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 31 (#53) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
31<br />
cannot overcome these difficulties, I can, I think, he told them that that was why he wrote them-<br />
partially evade them; and with your permission (laughter)—and he therefore appreciated more the<br />
I do so in this wise, by associating with this attitude of a man like Lord Monkswell, who had<br />
toast the name of Mr. Hawkins and coupling probably not read his works, but had recognised,<br />
with the name of Mr. Hawkins that of his friend, in his attitude towards the law of copyright, that<br />
Mr. Hope. (Laughter.) Now, of Mr. Hawkins an author must live and have the means of feed.<br />
I can say little, except that he is a devoted and ing bis brain so that it could produce the splendid<br />
invaluable servant of this Society; and of Mr. visions that other people delighted to read about<br />
Hope you will require me to tell you nothing, for in his books. (Laughter.) He thought the<br />
is he not known to his brother and sister authors rights of authors should be as long-lived as<br />
as a good comrade, and to the wide world as a those of the original shareholders in the New<br />
writer of combined daintiness and power, and of River Company. After all, Shakespeare might<br />
apparently inexhaustible fertility ? Indeed, tbe without exaggeration be considered to have done<br />
worst I have ever heard of Mr. Anthony Hope- as much for the nation as one of those share.<br />
and if I have not heard it, I must have dreamed holders. (Laughter and cheers.)<br />
it-is that it may be remarked of him as a writer LORD MONKSWELL responded.<br />
that his profundity will never be remembered till Mr. HENRY Norman, in giving “ The Chair-<br />
we have succeeded in forgetting his vivacity. I man,” said the laughter caused by Mr. Pinero<br />
do not know how just a reflection you may consider was not as the crackling of thorns under the pot,<br />
this to be, but it is one that can be more easily but was always ornamented by a valuable idea.<br />
repelled by Mr. Hawkins, or apologised for by He had given to the world the solemnities as seen<br />
Mr. Hope, than dealt with by myself. I will no through the eyes of the humorist. He had held<br />
longer, therefore, stand between you and these up the mirror to life as it was, and consequently<br />
gentlemen. I give you“ The Society of Authors.” the absurd cbarge of indecency was made against<br />
Let us drink to its continued, its increasing, him. (Laughter.) The toast would be drunk<br />
usefulness and welfare. (Cheers.)<br />
with especial heartiness. (Cheers.)<br />
Mr. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS replied to the Mr. Pinero made a brief reply, and the com-<br />
toast. The Society of Authors, he said, was pany adjourned to tea and talk.<br />
making steady progress, but it wanted money.<br />
Every day it was asked to undertake important<br />
work which it could not undertake because of<br />
this deficiency. There was notably the case of<br />
THIRTEEN YEARS AGO.<br />
America. The relations of literary men with that<br />
country were becoming more and more intimate<br />
and important, and the Society felt it desirable to<br />
IN the year 1887, shortly after the foundation<br />
maintain in America a permanent staff to look<br />
1 of the Society, an article appeared in Time,<br />
after the interests of British authors. (Hear,<br />
e a monthly magazine now extinct, on the<br />
hear.) Next year the Society would make a start<br />
Society of Authors. It is signed with the name<br />
with the Pension Fund. A man who had done<br />
of J. Neville Porter, a writer of whom I know<br />
good literary work would not under this scheme get<br />
nothing. His name is not in the list of Barristers<br />
charity from the Society, but his brothers would<br />
and Solicitors for this current year. He writes,<br />
offer him a testimonial in the shape of a good,<br />
however, with apparent knowledge of law, and was<br />
solid pension. (Cheers.)<br />
laudably desirous of presenting the facts of the<br />
Mr. BERNARD Shaw then proposed “The<br />
case as he understood them. So much has been<br />
Guests." He said he bad often been asked why<br />
done since that time that it is well to look<br />
he became an author, and had given many<br />
back and to consider arguments and statements<br />
reasons, most of them untrue—(laughter)-but<br />
advanced thirteen years ago.<br />
the real reason was because he had an unconquer.<br />
THE SALE OF A MS. OUTRIGHT.<br />
able aversion to honest work of any description. We find a publisher writing to say that he<br />
(Laughter.) He had had to work a good deal should take no notice at all of any opinion of the<br />
harder than people who had adopted honest Society as to the fair price. He understands by<br />
means, and he would therefore point out to those this time that the author would then go to some-<br />
who had not become authors, and therefore one else. Mr. Porter remarks, however, that<br />
wanted to—(laughter)—that, if they entered the authors are not the best judges of the value of<br />
profession on his grounds, they would probably MSS. He did not understand that the Society<br />
be disappointed. (Laughter.) When people intended to proceed with the advice and help of<br />
told him, with a slight air of unexpectedness, secretaries and solicitors always engaged upon the<br />
that they had read his books and admired them, subject of Literary Property, and with a perma-<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 32 (#54) ##############################################<br />
<br />
32<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
nent committee also continually engaged upon inore than, as said above, a solicitor or a medical<br />
the subject; so that it may now be fairly ad. man.<br />
vanced that the Chairman and Secretary of the The author's risk, where there is risk, is his<br />
Society, not to speak of the Committee, have time and labour; the publisher's risk, where there<br />
between them a wider and firmer grasp of the is risk, is the money actually expended and the<br />
subject than any publisher or company of pub. proportionate cost of his establishment.<br />
lishers.<br />
Here is another reference to a leading case :<br />
Here, however, is a warning which should be<br />
A contract between an anthor and a publisher, that the<br />
looked into. We have always protested against<br />
latter should, at his own risk and expense, publish a work<br />
any alteration of an author's work without his belonging to the former upon payment of an equal division<br />
consent. Read this note from the article :-<br />
of the profits after all charges had been defrayed, may,<br />
It bas been decided in the case of Cox v. Cox (11 Hare,<br />
according to the dictum of Lord Justice Tarner in the case<br />
118), that in the absence of a specific contract, reserving<br />
of Stevens v. Benning (6 D. M. G. 229), be considered in<br />
to the author a qualified copyright, the purchaser of a MS.<br />
the double light of a licence and a partnership-a licence for<br />
is entitled to alter and deal with it according to his<br />
the publication of the treatise, and then a joint adventure<br />
discretion. The consequence has been that several treatises<br />
between the author and publisher in the copies to be thus<br />
have been published in & ridiculous manner, much to the<br />
published. A pablisher, therefore, on the half-profit<br />
prejudice of the writers. The remedy for this is, of course,<br />
Bystem, is bound to show the author his accounts and<br />
a matter for the agreement-form.<br />
vouchers in respect of the work published, or an action<br />
may be commenced to compel him to do so unless the pab.<br />
lisher satisfies the judge that there is some preliminary<br />
THE HALF-Profit System.<br />
question to be tried. It is not, therefore, necessary to bave<br />
It appears that Mr. E. Marston, according to & stipulation in the agreement to this effect.<br />
this writer, had written to the papers, stating<br />
When there is no assignment of copyright in<br />
that he knew nothing of any secret profits.<br />
the agreement, and no stipulated time during<br />
It was stated, from knowledge, by those who which the publisher is entitled to publish a book,<br />
then represented the Society that there existed a<br />
can the author put an end to the contract ? On<br />
widespread system of secret profits, viz., by adding this point Mr. Porter is instructive :-<br />
to the cost of printing, paper, corrections, and<br />
If the author endeavour to put an end to the contract,<br />
binding; and further, by advertisements costing and to stop the publication of any subsequent edition by<br />
nothing to the publisher, such as advertisements the publisher, he must take action for this object previous<br />
in their own organs and by exchanges. It has to any expenso being incurred by the publisher on account<br />
been remarked repeatedly that in the agreement.<br />
of such new edition; otherwise the publisher is entitled to<br />
be repaid this cost, and to enjoy the benefit of all the profit<br />
forms put forward by the Publishers' Association<br />
the hope of which induced him to incur this expense. But<br />
they claim the right of adding percentages, and when expense has not been incurred by the pablisher on a<br />
say nothing about the advertisements which cost subsequent edition, the author can lawfully terminate the<br />
nothing.<br />
joint undertaking, and prevent any further issue of his work<br />
Mr. Porter in this article falls into the trap<br />
by the publisher, even if the latter has stereotyped the<br />
book before the publication of the last published edition.<br />
set for him, and looks upon the publisher as an<br />
In deciding this question in 1838 in the case of Reade v.<br />
agent as well as a publisher. The publisher is Bentley (4 Kay & J. 664-6), Vice-Chancellor Wood (after.<br />
entitled, Mr. Porter says, to a profit on every wards Lord Hatherley) pointed out the difficulties which<br />
thing, to cover incidental expenses, and the cost<br />
were connected with the subject, and the grounds on which<br />
of his establishment; in other words, to cover<br />
his judgment was based. He mentioned that, while on the<br />
one band it might be stated on bebalf of the publisher that<br />
his own work in the business. What claim has<br />
he had devoted the benefit of his talents and status as a<br />
he, after this, on the proceeds of the book ? And publisher to the undertaking, and bad incurred charges in<br />
why are not the author's “incidental expenses " respect of bringing out the first edition in the hope that he<br />
and the cost of his establishment to be con. would be repaid the expense of the first by the sale of the<br />
sidered? And why are not the bookseller's inci.<br />
second and subsequent editions, and to hold the author at<br />
his own instance to be at liberty to put an end to the agree-<br />
dental expenses and the cost of his establishment<br />
ment after the first edition had been published, would be to<br />
to be considered ? And why do not solicitors, enable him, by an arbitrary and unreasonable exercise of<br />
medical men, and professional men of all kinds that power, to deprive the publisher of all his profits. On<br />
charge for their establishments ? The history the contrary, it might be contended, on behalf of the<br />
of the half-profit system is simply this : It meant,<br />
anthor, that unless he was empowered to terminate the<br />
contract, he might be under an obligation to the publisher<br />
at first, the honest deduction from proceeds of<br />
during the whole of the latter's life, while the publisher<br />
actual cost and money expended. The publisher would be under no reciprocal obligation to bim. The former<br />
then began to filch and to steal : he said he had could also prevent the author from publishing a single copy<br />
spent £20 when he had only spent £15, and so on.<br />
of the treatise so long as the publisher expressed his readi.<br />
ness to continue publishing. The author, however, would<br />
Then he began to rob on a system of adding so<br />
bave no reciprocal power, and could not compel the pab.<br />
much per cent.—saying nothing about it. Of<br />
lisher to publish more than a single edition of the book.<br />
course he has no right to any such profit any The latter, moreover, in the bona fide exercise of his discre.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 33 (#55) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
33<br />
tion as to the proper time and mode of publication, might twelve. Aboat £150 was spent by the plaintiffs in adver.<br />
decline indefinitely to publish, but without giving up his tising the book, and more than 40,000 copies of it were sold.<br />
agreement, while the author, at the same time, might be of As, however, Mrs. Cook became offended with the plaintiffs<br />
an opposite opinion, yet for months, and even years, might for describing the book as a companion work of their series,<br />
be kept in suspense, and probibited from publishing on his she gave them notice to put an end to the contract with<br />
own account, until the publisher thought that the time had them, and entered into an agreement for the issue of a<br />
arrived for the revival of the public interest in the book. revised edition of the book with Messrs. Routledge. It was<br />
Under such circumstances, this learned judge thought the firstly maintained by the plaintiffs that their agreement<br />
position of the author to be one of so great hardship and with Mrs. Cook amounted to a sale of the copyright; but,<br />
difficulty, that anless it was clearly proved to have been at the hearing of the case, they merely moved for an injunc.<br />
contemplated by both the contracting parties it should not tion to restrain the farther publication of the book as long<br />
be enforced.<br />
as any copies printed by them before the receipt of the<br />
notice were unsold. The injunction, however, was not<br />
On a royalty system we have advanced so much<br />
granted, and the plaintiffs' bill of complaint was dismissed<br />
that Mr. Porter's remarks need not be quoted. with costs. The verbal agreement referred to was 28<br />
follows, according to the statement of Mr. Warne, mentioned<br />
THE COMMISSION SYSTEM.<br />
by the Master of the Rolls in his judgment, viz. : “I," said<br />
Mr. Warne, "offered a royalty of a penny a copy on all<br />
On the commission system he says that profits copies sold, counting thirteen copies as twelve ; to which<br />
-i.e., secret profits-on the cost of production<br />
she replied, I have a speculative turn of mind, and will<br />
are reasonable. Surely when a man agrees<br />
take the penny.' To this I consented.” This is all the con-<br />
versation that occurred, and is the evidence upon which the<br />
to act as agent for another man, and to sell<br />
agreement is based. It is to be hoped that this case will<br />
his wares for a fixed percentage, to take secretly be & warning to authors and publishers against entering<br />
another kind of percentage is pure swindling and into a mere verbal arrangement for publication. It is oppor.<br />
cheating. Mr. Porter does not seem to under. tane to remark concerning this point that, if & contract<br />
stand this. Very few people did thirteen years<br />
between an author and publisher is one that cannot be per.<br />
formed within a year after being made, no legal action is<br />
ago. His words, however, on vouchers show his<br />
maintainable upon it for its enforcement, unless the agree-<br />
desire to present the subject fairly :-<br />
ment, or some memorandum or note of such, is in writing,<br />
The commission publisher is under the same legal obliga-<br />
and signed by the person to be charged therewith. It is<br />
tion to show his accounts and vouchers on demand by the<br />
not necessary, however, for this purpose that the agreement<br />
author, as the half-profit system publisher is bound to show<br />
should be in one document. It may be collected from many<br />
them to his author, as the former publisher is the author's<br />
papers if they are clearly connected, and do not reqaire<br />
agent.<br />
parol testimony to maintain the connection, as such<br />
evidence is inadmissible for that object.<br />
On the subject of "risk” he has been led<br />
The rest of the paper is devoted to speculation<br />
astray, as so many used to be, by a confusion of<br />
as to the future of the Society. The writer thinks<br />
thought. Those who wrote on one side used,<br />
that authors will rather go to their solicitors than<br />
and still use, the word “ risk” to signify danger<br />
to a committee of authors, still under the supposi-<br />
of loss; the publishers confused the minds of<br />
tion that the Committee will themselves attempt<br />
people by meaning chance of not making great<br />
lawyers' work. He also thinks that publishers<br />
profits. There are hundreds of writers, taking all<br />
will refuse to treat with authors who send agree-<br />
the branches, whose books carry no kind of risk-<br />
ments to the Society, forgetting that if one<br />
i.e., they are quite certain to be sold up to a<br />
publisher puts his dignity before his business<br />
number which will pay all expenses and leave a another man will reverse the operation.<br />
reasonable margin. There are not many books<br />
which are certain to sell in large quantities. That<br />
THEN AND Now.<br />
is as true to-day, when the demand for books has The Society proposed at the outset to recom-<br />
so greatly increased, as it was thirteen years ago. mend authors to houses where they would be safe<br />
-or comparatively safe. It is objected that<br />
THE NEED FOR AGREEMENTS.<br />
experienced authors will not need the advice of<br />
the Society, and that inexperienced authors will<br />
As to the folly of not looking after agreements,<br />
find the publishers unwilling to publish in the<br />
Mr. Porter adduced a remarkable case :-<br />
mode recommended by the Society.<br />
A notewortby instance of this was stated in the case of<br />
Now, during the whole period of its existence,<br />
Warne v. Routledge, adjadicated upon by Sir George Jessel,<br />
Master of the Rolls, in Jane, 1874. In this instance, Mrs.<br />
the Society has steadily kept its members out of<br />
Milicent Cook wrote a book called “How to Dress on £15 certain publishers’ hands. . Authors experienced<br />
a Year as a Lady, by a Lady," and entered into a verbal and authors inexperienced use the Society for<br />
contract with Messrs. Warne and Co. that they should information and for advice : they come to the<br />
pablish the work anonymously, and incur all expenses<br />
Society when they are in difficulties. They get<br />
directly and indirectly connected therewith, and that each<br />
copy should be published at one shilling, and that the plain.<br />
a legal opinion for nothing, and that of a kind<br />
tiffs were to remunerate her by a royalty of one penny for which requires special knowledge which their own<br />
each copy sold. The copies were to be rookoned thirteen as solicitors could not give them.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 34 (#56) ##############################################<br />
<br />
34<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
boys.<br />
The failure of these forebodings is instructive Straightforward copying, duplicating, &c., are<br />
and interesting.<br />
still fairly easy to obtain, but the ever increasing<br />
The writer acknowledges at the end of his paper army of " pocket-money ” workers who can afford<br />
that the Society may have a great future before to undersell their work makes it increasingly<br />
it. Yet he does not understand the greatness of difficult for a copyist to earn a living wage.<br />
that future.<br />
Some of us have to earn our own living by our<br />
One point he advances which seems worth con. own unaided efforts, and some of us would gladly<br />
sidering, but is not. He thinks that the Society earn it by less mechanical means—by making our<br />
might point out methods of literary training for machines the handmaids of our intellect, and by<br />
the higher class of instructive literary work. The placing our capacities of mind at the service of<br />
only method of literary training for this higher those who write. A BOOK-LOVING TYPIST.<br />
class of work is a full mind. A writer in order<br />
to be instructive must be himself a scholar and a<br />
student in his subject. Toe rest can be learned<br />
II.-CONCERNING BOOKS FOR Boys.<br />
by any work on rhetoric which will point out the The piece which you print in your June number<br />
meaning of arrangement and order, attention to under this heading is useful, as a good example of<br />
the marshalling of facts and an endeavour to aim the prevalent opinion with regard to books for<br />
at the charm of style and language.<br />
** Any trash will do," says the writer in the<br />
Guardian from whose article you have quoted,<br />
and this sentiment is apparently indorsed by<br />
CORRESPONDENCE.<br />
publishers and reviewers. The very manner in<br />
which the “ gift book” makes its annual appear-<br />
I.-AUXILIARY LITERARY WORK.<br />
ance on the market is sufficient to rank it as some.<br />
CAY I draw your attention to a branch of thing equal in value to Christmas crackers and<br />
auxiliary literary work, i.e., typewriting candied fruit.<br />
in combination with what, for want of The pay for this class of work is miserably<br />
a better term, I must call secretarial duties? The poor; the reason, I am told, being the large dis-<br />
question for the educated typist who aspires to be count which the publisher has to give to the book.<br />
something more than part of ber machine is, How seller, while the reviewing is altogether a farce,<br />
may such work be obtained ?<br />
the “ innocents" being slaughtered in batches of<br />
It is depressing to read lists of historical, from thirty to forty in a single column. When<br />
biographical, and educational books, and to a longer“ notice" is given, it is often worse<br />
realise that all of them have entailed a consider than none at all. I have been severely lectured<br />
able amount of auxiliary work-such as copying for “ preaching a sermon on horse-racing," when<br />
and arranging notes, epitomes of documents, and the book in question contained no mention what.<br />
sorting masses of information, in addition to the ever of this kind of sport-a clear proof that the<br />
more mechanical work of copying the finished “reviewer” had got the contents of several<br />
MSS.<br />
volumes mixed up in his head before setting to<br />
A busy author must often need the services of work.<br />
an efficient helper at some stage of the prepara- The assertion made by “R. F. C.” that boys<br />
tion of his works, and he must need one who has read a sto y of school life simply to enjoy the<br />
had experience and who is endued with a sense of discomfiture of a comic schoolmaster is a mis-<br />
literary form. There can be no doubt that chievous statement, the untruth of which I, or<br />
supply and demand both exist; but how may any writer of similar experience, can prove by<br />
they be brought into contact ? I have ceased to letters received from readers ; but when our books<br />
believe in advertisement as a means of procuring are bought as rubbish, sold as rubbish, and re-<br />
either permanent or temporary appointments; as viewed as rubbish, it is perhaps natural for anyone<br />
an instance, mine has appeared in The Author for to suppose that they are read and written in the<br />
three montbs without eliciting a single reply. same spirit.<br />
Perhaps this is not surprising, for the capacities It may, however, surprise “ R. F. C.” to learn<br />
of an advertiser are, after all, merely a matter of that there are men and women who regard the<br />
conjecture.<br />
weaving of stories calculated to influence the<br />
Is there any hope for the typist (and there impressionable mind of a child as a branch of the<br />
must be many of them) who has not the necessary literary calling as honourable as that of the sensa-<br />
capacity for original literary work, but who fortional novelist or newspaper hack.<br />
love of books would fain have a place in the To write successfully for the young is an art<br />
humbler rauks of literature ?<br />
requiring special gifts and methods; an art which,<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 35 (#57) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
35<br />
though at present ignored, will in time receive character-study, and every word that Miss Dora<br />
due recognition and reward, but which is not Russell could give me. When nothing was<br />
likely to derive either assistance or encouragement forthcoming, and at the request, in writing, of<br />
from the penning of articles such as the one to the lady's sisters, I did the best I could. I looked<br />
which you have referred.<br />
day after day for improvement. There even<br />
A WRITER FOR Boys. came to be some hope; but, unbappily, it never<br />
arrived at fruition. May I, then, ask at what<br />
precise point should I have stopped supply, and<br />
III.—ROYALTIES.<br />
by announcing that the novel could not proceed<br />
When consulting the “ Tables of Royalties ” in ended all? It has been stated that sentiment of<br />
“ The Literary Year Book” for 1900, I was sur that sort should not have prevented the enlighten-<br />
prised to see that they only mention royalties ment of the public. But the syndicate was<br />
varying from 2 to 15 per cent. Was this writing its congratulations on an improvement<br />
curious table composed with the view of throwing which was being evidenced hy “the manner in<br />
dust into the eyes of inexperienced authors by which you and Colonel Craig are finishing the<br />
making them believe that 27 was a reasonable story."' Whose part was it to announce that a<br />
royalty and 15 per cent. the utmost limit of work so satisfactorily proceeding-even in the<br />
generosity ? I notice that the book is the pro- opinion of the syndicate which had had a<br />
perty of a publisher, and perhaps that accounts monopoly of the authoress's work for years-had<br />
for the milk in the cocoanut. GLENFRUIN. now become one of unavoidable collaboration.<br />
Not mine, surely.<br />
The serial issue began on Oct. I, 1897, as “ A<br />
IV.-AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER.<br />
New and Exciting Story! By that Talented and<br />
With reference to “ A. Penn-Wyper's" commu- Popular Authoress, Dora Russell.” Of this<br />
nication in the June number, I cannot suppose description I, of course, knew nothing, for I had<br />
there would be any difficulty in forming a joiut never been consulted about the publication of the<br />
committee to which a publisher and an author tale. I had not even heard of the issue having<br />
would be mutually willing to submit the question commenced until several weeks after the date<br />
of terms, in cases where the publisher was desirous given. When I at last asked for the names of<br />
to publish a work and the author was willing that the papers in which the novel was appearing, I<br />
he should do so. They could both state their got this somewhat curt answer from the syndi-<br />
respective cases in writing, and their willingness cate: “It is a rule of our office not to supply<br />
to abide by the decision given. It would secure to such information as you ask for.”<br />
both the effective representation of their interests. The question has been put: How far did I<br />
T. L.<br />
acquiesce in the issue of the novel under the<br />
name of the popular authoress? I answer: only<br />
V.—“A TORN-Out PAGE,” “BY” Dora RUSSELL. in so far as I did not take legal action to prevent<br />
It having become an item of general informa- it, or render myself liable to prosecution for<br />
tion, froin a review which appeared in Vanity calumnious publication. But forbidding the<br />
Fair of April 19, that the above novel could not issue by injunction would have been, first,<br />
have been the unassisted work of the popular impossible, in my circumstances; secondly, unfair<br />
novelist, I have had to assume all responsibility, to Dora Russell, who, after all, had actually<br />
moral and literary, for the fact that every word written some thirty-three thousand words of the<br />
on the concluding 239 pages was wholly mine. novel with her own hand; and thirdly, a stulti-<br />
The letter proposing the scheme to the syndicate fication of myself, who, to help her, had written<br />
was penned with her own hand. My undertaking the remainder. What I felt called upon to do<br />
the task had the warm approval in writing of her was to satisfy the syndicate with the work. As<br />
family. Every instalment as written by me was to duty to the public, that body had for weeks<br />
read aloud to the authoress in the presence of her been assured that the novel was “by” the popular<br />
sisters, except the concluding two.<br />
writer before I had even come to know that the<br />
When I wrote to the syndicate indorsing Miss clients of the syndicate “would acquire it.” And<br />
Dora Russell's statement of my willingness to “by” Miss Dora Russell the novel actually was,<br />
finish the novel as a help to her, I plainly made up to just about that time. Had I a right to<br />
my doing so conditional upon “the scheme being assume that the syndicate's clients would be<br />
announced to your readers as you” (the syndicate allowed to go on from that point, issuing the tale<br />
“ may deem fit.” Taking up the authoress's without the announcement which I had demanded?<br />
characters and incidents as I found them, I was As Vanity Fair says: “ Explanation of the<br />
absolutely resolved to use every plot, every facts should have been made, as could easily<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 36 (#58) ##############################################<br />
<br />
36<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
have been done by a few words of preface, or by be true, I seem to have been badly treated. If<br />
Colonel Craig's name as joint author.” I hold their “ belief," on the contrary, be even mode-<br />
that I could not, by anticipation, charge the rately justified by the quality (such as it is) of<br />
syndicate with the intention of continuing to the writing, I must have produced a fairly suc-<br />
publish the novel from the point at which the cessful imitation (which should have been an-<br />
work came to be mine (i.e., from p. 110) without nounced as such) of a certain class of popular<br />
the announcement for which I had stipulated fiction, for which they have found a place.<br />
expressly from the first. Am I to suppose that Either way, I hope, Sir, that you will find some<br />
if I had received, and made use of, a letter of of the “ literary interest” so dear to T'he Author<br />
thanks and commendation from the syndicate for in my statement of the matter.<br />
my part of the work I should have been chargeable<br />
R. MANIFOLD CRAIG.<br />
with condonation and “acquiescence” past all 3, Harcourt-buildings,<br />
pardon ?<br />
The Temple, E.C.<br />
I have come to know that the syndicate and a [Colonel Craig's case is not one in which any<br />
London publisher have announced their belief question of legal liability arises. It presents,<br />
that the authoress wrote every word of “A Torn. however, some features of literary interest, and<br />
out Page.” Very well. Let us courteously assume the Committee have thougbt it right to give<br />
that, after the fullest inquiry in every direction Colonel Craig this opportunity of stating his<br />
except mine, they considered they had adequate view. 7<br />
grounds for that belief. But I have at this<br />
moment in my possession most of the typewritten<br />
sheets, bearing proofs of being those from which<br />
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.<br />
my part of the work was set up. I allege that I<br />
typed them in my own residence, directly upon COLUMNS of book announcements are very<br />
my typewriter ; and that Miss Dora Russell I thin at present, as it is too early yet for the<br />
was never in my home, and never saw my type-<br />
autumn lists. One of the important books<br />
writer. Is the belief of the syndicate and the then will be the biography of Professor Huxley,<br />
publisher compatible with the veracity of that which his son is writing and which Messrs. Mac-<br />
allegation? These sheets came back to me in the millan will publish. Mr. P. A. Chalmers Mitchell<br />
ordinary course of proof-correction. I allege is carrying out a long-standing engagement with<br />
that they and their fellows constituted the only Messrs. Putnam for a book on Huxley, while Mr.<br />
“copy" of the story which was in existence at Edward Clodd is writing a volume on the same<br />
the time of the serial publication. Can that subject for Messrs. Blackwood's “Modern English<br />
statement be refuted ? Again, I have it under Writers " series. Another volume in this series<br />
the hand of the syndicate that there had been no will be on George Eliot, by Mr. Sidney Lee, whose<br />
"copy" from the authoress for months, and that services in connection with the now completed<br />
she was far over two years in arrears with her “ Dictionary of National Biography” have just<br />
work. Suddenly, directly upon the acceptance of been commemorated by a presentation of plate<br />
my categorical offer to “finish " the novel, typo- made to him in the name of the contributors to<br />
script copy begins to flow in at the rate of that monumental work.<br />
- 15,000 to 20,000 words per week. Am I, in my<br />
Mr. Justin McCarthy is finishing his “ History<br />
courteous effort to believe in the belief of the<br />
of the Four Georges,” and contemplates writing a<br />
syndicate, to opine that that circumstance did not<br />
novel on Ireland as he knew it in his youth.<br />
strike them, or seem other than matter of course ?<br />
I am entirely content that my whole case shall be<br />
When Mr. B. L. Farjeon's new novel, “ The<br />
read in the light of the declared belief of the<br />
Mesmerists,” is published by Messrs. Hutchinson,<br />
syndicate and the publisher. Surely, they can<br />
the volume will be found to contain also a<br />
have no objection.<br />
dramatic version of the story. This is the first<br />
I hold a statement of the syndicate that their<br />
time, we believe, that the two have been com-<br />
clients “ bad perceived the distinction between”<br />
bined in one volume. The object is to safeguard<br />
the authoress's work and mine. I answer that<br />
the author against unauthorised stage versions of<br />
with another statement from the same gentlemen.<br />
his novel.<br />
They say I have deceived them-palming as The Hon. W. H. Lyttleton is writing on “Out-<br />
collaborated work matter which was entirely my Door Games” for Messrs. Dent's “ Haddon<br />
own. Now, I claim that all this is matter of Hall Library." His work will be in two volumes,<br />
literary interest; and surely the syndicate is at and in the first cricket and golf will be treated.<br />
liberty to decide which is their real opinion. But “Hunting,” by Mr. Otho Paget, is another pro-<br />
they cannot have it both ways. If what I allege spective volume in the series, but before either<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 37 (#59) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
37<br />
of these there will be published “Our Forests and all times takes extreme pains in revising his<br />
and Woodlands,” by Dr. John Nisbet, who pleads writings, is re-writing part of “Evelyn Innes.”<br />
for more support from the State to enable land.<br />
Mr. William Le Queux calls his forthcoming<br />
owners to form plantations on poor lands and<br />
waste tracts.<br />
story “ An Eye for an Eye,” and the publishers<br />
of Anthony Trollope's works (which, by the way,<br />
An important scheme for the foundation of an<br />
continue to find a good sale) have formally per-<br />
international association of the principal scientific mitted the use of this title. On the subject of<br />
and literary academies of the world is reported by duplicate titles, Mrs. Roy Devereux has been<br />
the London correspondent of the Manchester writing in the Academy with reference to her<br />
Guardian. It provides for the division of the book, «Sidelights on South Africa,” having been<br />
association into two sections, “scientific ” and followed in a few months by one by Lady Sykes,<br />
“ literary” respectively, and is the outcome of a entitled “Sidelights on the War in South Africa."<br />
meeting of the representatives of the chief Euro. Mrs. Roy Devereux states that several cases have<br />
pean and American academies held at Wiesbaden been reported to her in which readers who asked<br />
in October last. “The Royal Society, which has for her book were supplied with that of Lady<br />
taken a leading part in the promotion of the Sykes.<br />
scheme, will naturally represent this country in<br />
Among the newer guide-books “ Paris in its<br />
the scientific section, and steps are being taken<br />
with a view to securing an adequate representa-<br />
Splendour," by Eustace A. Reynolds-Ball, must<br />
tion in the second section.”<br />
*be mentioned. It is a popular study of Paris<br />
past and present, historic and picturesque. It is<br />
Mr. Charles Neufeld, the “prisoner of the illustrated by sixty studies in photogravure, and<br />
Khalifa,” is writing a story of adventure for<br />
it contains 580 pages, in two volumes priced at<br />
boys, based on his experiences in Egypt.<br />
one guinea, and published by Dana Estes and Co.,<br />
Mr. Walter Winans is writing a book-an Boston.<br />
édition de luxe—on the art of revolver shooting, “The Mystic Number 7,” by Annabel Gray,<br />
which will be published by Messrs. Putnam. the publication of which was delayed on account<br />
Mr. Cutcliffe Hyne's letter to The Author of the war, is now at all the libraries and pub-<br />
suggesting to novelists to combine in producing a<br />
lished by Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall and Co.<br />
book which should be sold on behalf of the War Mr. Thomas Cobb bas in the press a novel<br />
Fund has come to fruition. The volume is entitled “ Severance," which will be published by<br />
entitled “ For Britain's Soldiers," and contains Mr. John Lane. He has also almost ready “ The<br />
stories by Mrs. Croker, Mr. W. L. Alden, Sir Bountiful Lady," to appear as one of Mr. Grant<br />
Walter Besant, Mr. Crockett, Mr. Hornung, Mr. . Richards's “ Dumpy Books for Children.” “The<br />
Hyne, Mr. Kipling, Mr. Mason, Mr. Moore, Mr. Dissemblers," from the same pen, will form a part<br />
Pemberton, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ridge, Mr. Wells, of Lippincott's Magazine for September.<br />
Mr. White, and Mr. Wood. It will be published<br />
immediately by Messrs. Methuen, whose services<br />
H.R.H. The Prince of Wales has accepted a<br />
copy of the “Handbook to Christian and Eccle-<br />
also are given by way of a contribution to the<br />
siastical Rome”-third volume, “Monasticism, and<br />
same patriotic cause.<br />
Ecclesiastical Rome” (A. and C. Black), by<br />
Sir George Trevelyan is editing the diary of M. A. R. Tuker and Hope Malleson. Part 4<br />
Lord Macaulay.<br />
(Monasticism) contains an account of the order<br />
Mr. Maurice Hewlett's new novel is to be called of St. John of Jerusalem, of which H.R.H. is<br />
“ Richard Yea and Nay.”<br />
Grand Prior in England and of which the first-<br />
Sir Walter Besant's new novel is entitled named author is a member.<br />
“The Fourth Generation.” After appearing as a Among many articles and stories of special<br />
serial it has been partly rewritten and enlarged interest to be published in the August issue of<br />
for publication in book form in September or The Argosy, a short story is included from the<br />
October.<br />
pen of the late Mr. Stephen Crane.<br />
Mr. Neil Munro is writing a new novel, which The first thing which the author of “ To Have<br />
will be published by Messrs. Blackwood, but will and to Hold” ever wrote for publication is said<br />
not run serially.<br />
to have been a little account of a roadside meeting<br />
Mr. George Moore's new story will be called with Queen Victoria in the south of France.<br />
“Sister Teresa," and it will have a certain connec- Professor Owen Edwards has completed his<br />
tion with his last work, “Evelyn Innes.” The volume on Wales for “ The Story of the Nations"<br />
chief subject is convent life. Mr. Moore, who at series.<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 38 (#60) ##############################################<br />
<br />
38<br />
* THE AUTHOR.<br />
Mr. Herman Merivale has been granted a Civil<br />
List pension.<br />
“The Casino Girl," a comic opera, written by<br />
Mr. Harry B. Smith, and composed by Mr.<br />
Ludwig Englander, is the American “success"<br />
which is now taking the place of “An American<br />
Beauty” at the Shaftesbury. The scene is laid<br />
in Egypt, and one of the characters represents<br />
the Khedive. The title róle is held by Miss<br />
Mabelle Gilman, a singer and dancer whom<br />
London sees for the first time.<br />
Miss Julia Neilson's season at the Haymarket<br />
will open on Aug. 30, when she and Mr. William<br />
Mollison will produce “Mistress Nell Gwynne,"<br />
a new play by Paul Koster. The part of<br />
Charles II. will be taken by Mr. Fred Terry.<br />
A new play called “The Great Philanthropist,"<br />
by Miss Gertrude Warden and the late Mr.<br />
Wilton Jones, will be produced at the Strand on<br />
July 16, by way of celebrating Mr. Sidney<br />
Alport's return from Australia. Miss Kate<br />
Rorke and Mr. Abingdon will be in the cast.<br />
The “ Pirates of Penzance" is being revived<br />
at the Savoy.<br />
Mrs. Patrick Campbell will produce in the<br />
autumn an adaptation of Echegary's play, trans-<br />
lated by Mr. J. M. Graham, and adapted by Mr.<br />
Arthur Symons, entitled “Mariana.”<br />
Mr. Robert Marshall has written a play for<br />
Mr. Frederick Harrison and Mr. Cyril Maude.<br />
It will touch the events of the South African<br />
war.<br />
of one of the most remarkable figures of the day.”<br />
“ Interesting and historically important,” is the Daily<br />
Telegraph's opinion of the speeches. The Daily News says<br />
“ Vindex” is obviously an admirer of Mr. Rhodes, but " the<br />
book should be equally welcome to those who do not and<br />
those who do share his admiration.”<br />
THE GENTLEMAN PENSIONER, by Albert Lee (Pearson,<br />
68.), is a bistorical romance dealing with the rising of the<br />
Nortbern Lords in Elizabeth's days. The Spectator says :<br />
“Mr. Lee cleverly varies the adventures, and his story is<br />
something more than readable.” British Weekly describes<br />
it as “a powerful and abeorbing story, full of delicate<br />
writing, without weakness or a touch of affectation . . .<br />
a really excellent bit of historic fiction. Graphic says:<br />
“Mr. Lee has made the most of his study of bulldog<br />
tenacity and fidelity.” Scotsman describes the story as “ a<br />
very successful attempt to deal with an interesting episode<br />
in English history." The World: “Those who enjoy<br />
historical romance will find this an excellent specimen of<br />
the class to which it belongs."<br />
HISTORY OF EPIC POETRY, by John Clark (Oliver and<br />
Boyd, Edinburgh, 58.), is referred to by the Spectator as<br />
"a very instructive volume, especially in respect of various<br />
poems wbich are often spoken of, but very seldom read. Mr.<br />
Clark has had the patience to deal with Valerius Flaccus<br />
and Statius, and, what is a far greater achievement, Silius<br />
Italicas himself.” “He limits his subject on his title-page<br />
to .post-Virgilian,' bat he has something to say about both<br />
Homer and Virgil that is worth reading. The defence of<br />
Virgil, in particular, is distinctly able. The book, as a<br />
whole, is an addition of value to the literature of criticism."<br />
CHARLES HENRY PEARSON, Fellow of Oriel and Educa.<br />
tion Minister in Victoria : Memorials by Himself, his Wife,<br />
and his Friends, edited by William Stebbing (Longmans,<br />
148.), “ one of the most interesting of recent biographies”<br />
(Literature), is a “deeply interesting work," says the<br />
Spectator; it “supplies a want, and we are grateful to Mrs.<br />
Pearson and to Mr. Stebbing for presenting us with a true<br />
portrait of Charles Henry Pearson.” The Daily Chronicle<br />
(Hon. Alfred Deakin) says the volume will leave the reader<br />
with “ a profound admiration” for the man it commemo.<br />
rates.<br />
A HISTORY OF GREECE, by Evelyn Abbott, M.A., LL.D.<br />
(Longmans, 108. 6d.). Part III. : From the Thirty Years'<br />
Peace to the Fall of the Thirty at Athens, 445.403, B.C.<br />
“ The first volume of Dr. Abbott's History was published<br />
in 1888, and another volume is wanting to complete the<br />
purpose ; 80 that we have here," says the Spectator, “a<br />
leisurely, well-considered work, which has occupied the<br />
better part of two decades. The author's aim is to provide<br />
a history in moderate compass dealing with broad lines of<br />
development rather than minuto archeological questions.<br />
It is a book of a different class from Holm's brilliant work ;<br />
for one thing, it considers the great texts more in detail,<br />
giving four volumes to his two. .. It is free from<br />
the wordy platitudes of Curtius, and it is fairer and more<br />
scientific than the many volumes of Grote and Thirlwall.<br />
In certain ways it resembles Beloch's compendium, but it<br />
has many qualities of its own. It is extremely readable,<br />
and in the simple, anrhetorical style there is often a genuine<br />
enthusiasm and appreciation.”<br />
THINGS SEEN : IMPRESSIONS OF MEN, CITIES, AND<br />
Books, by G. W. Steevens, collected and edited by G. S.<br />
Street, with a memoir by W. E. Henley (Blackwood, 58.).<br />
“Quite apart from the tragic circumstances of Mr.<br />
Steevens's death,” says the Spectator, “the energy and<br />
versatility displayed in the aureum quinquennium which<br />
succeeded an exceptionally brilliant academic career, and<br />
BOOKS AND REVIEWS.<br />
(In these columns notes on books are given from reviews<br />
which carry weight, and are not, so far as can be learned,<br />
logrollers.)<br />
GRANT ALLEN, A Memoir, by Edward Clodd (Richards,<br />
68.) is, says the Daily Chronicle, "authoritative in many<br />
ways. It has the authority of a long and intimate friend.<br />
ship with its subject; it has, too, the authority of kinship<br />
in studies pursued in much the same spirit, and certainly to<br />
similar conclusions.” “Mr. Clodd does a real service to his<br />
friend's memory in publishing letters which show how the<br />
very makers of evolutionary sciences regarded Grant Allen."<br />
The book also contains some of Grant Allen's letters,<br />
though he was “not a great writer of letters," and two of the<br />
dearest of his friends “add greatly to the value” of the<br />
book by “vividly-written reminiscences : Miss Alice Bird<br />
and Professor York Powell.”<br />
CECIL RHODES, by Vindex (Chapman, 128. net), is &<br />
collection of speeches made by Mr. Rhodes from 1881 to<br />
the present year. The Times says these give“ an extremely<br />
interesting view ” of the development of contemporary<br />
history in South Africa, with “characteristic bits of self-<br />
revelation which, when the speeches are read together as a<br />
whole, leave a tolerably vivid impression of the personality<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 39 (#61) ##############################################<br />
<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
39<br />
the charm of his personality, the pablication of these stray<br />
papers, edited by two intimate friends, is entirely justified<br />
by their intrinsic merits."<br />
THE EVOLUTION OF THE ENGLISH NOVEL, by Professor<br />
Francis Hovey Stoddard (of New York University) (Mac-<br />
millan, 68.), is praised by the Daily Chronicle as “ not only<br />
well-written and well-informed, but also marked throughout<br />
by measured judgment, proportion, and a certain dignity of<br />
attitude and expression.” The Daily News calls it "an<br />
interesting book on a pleasant sabject.”<br />
DRIFT, by Horatio F. Brown (Richards, 58. net), is a<br />
volume of poems. The Spectator says that " what strikes<br />
the reader most in Mr. Brown's verse is his feeling for and<br />
power of transmitting the charm of natural scenery. His<br />
verse is full of rhythm and shows a nice and scholarly use<br />
of language, bat beyond this there is what we may term an<br />
hieracchic knowledge of invoking the genius loci, whether<br />
he is dealing with England, Switzerland, or Italy. ..<br />
The glimpses we get of hedgerows, of pine-clad mountain<br />
slopes, or of windy wastes of inland waters are generally<br />
incidental and unpremeditated.'<br />
THE ART AND CRAFT OF GARDEN MAKING, by Thomas<br />
H. Mawson (Batsford, 218.), is not only “excellent to read and<br />
look at—the pictures with which it is embellished are without<br />
exception delightful—but it is,” says the Spectator, “full of<br />
practical suggestions for those who wish to lay out a<br />
beautiful garden.” “Just at first," says Literature, “ the<br />
beauty of the designs and the great charm of Mr. Chamber-<br />
lain's chapter-headings threaten to deflect the mind of the<br />
reader from the wise things in the text, but this is only at<br />
first.” The Times says “Mr. Mawson has plenty of ideas<br />
and a very pretty taste"; and the Daily Chronicle is equally<br />
appreciative.<br />
VILLAGE NOTES, by Pamela Tennant (Heinemann, 6s.),<br />
bas, says the Daily Telegraph, "all the charm of the quaint<br />
and primitive country she describes--South Wiltshire,<br />
with its patient, slow-witted, but intelligent rustics, and<br />
its rare provincialisms of speech.” “ It is pleasant,” says<br />
the Daily Chronicle, " to those loving Nature, who yet do<br />
not write about her, to find her approached in such a manner<br />
as Mrs. Tennant's.”<br />
NATURE IN DOWNLAND, by W. H. Hadson (Longman,<br />
108. 6d.), is described by Literature as "a guidebook in the<br />
sense that it reveals to you not the most interesting spots<br />
and the exact turnings to take in reaching them, but the<br />
trae beauty of the Sussex Downs, and the charm of the<br />
human and of the wild life which inhabits them.”<br />
HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS IN NORMANDY, by Percy<br />
Doarmer, with illustrations by Joseph Pennell (Macmillan,<br />
68.), leads the Daily Chronicle to say : “If not too soon to<br />
think of summer holidays, here is a book to send the fancy<br />
toward a very pleasant land of travel.” Literature says it<br />
“ will take a high place” in Messrs. Macmillan's series of<br />
guide books, while the Spectator advises "all travellers in<br />
Normandy, and especially all cyclists,” to read Mr.<br />
Dearmer's book before they leave England.<br />
TALKS WITH OLD ENGLISH CRICKETERS, by A. W.<br />
Pullin (" Old Ebor") (Blackwood, 68.), “is crammed with<br />
matter of the greatest interest to all who take delight in<br />
the game and the lore of cricket." Among the veterans<br />
with whom the reader is able to talk familiarly are V. E.<br />
Walker and Richard Daft.<br />
TRAVELS IN ENGLAND, by Richard Le Gallienne<br />
(Richards, 68.), is “peripatetic prose,” in the language of<br />
the Daily Chronicle, which thanks the bicycle " for having<br />
taken Mr. Le Gallienne on a roving tour through the green<br />
places of England, odorous with the memory of sweet<br />
names.” “Mr. Le Gallienne is peculiarly rich in suggestion,<br />
and as a ' Voyage autour de ma chambre' may be more<br />
interesting than a journey to the moon, so are these<br />
desultory rides on a bicycle quite independent for their<br />
interest of the ground covered.”<br />
"A PEEP INTO Punch,” by J. Holt Schooling (Newnes,<br />
58.), is the “Story of Punch, with illustrations by Himself."<br />
* Altogether,” says the Spectator, “this is a delightfully<br />
amusing book by one who knows his subject.” The Daily<br />
Chronicle describes it as excellent for a lazy summer day.<br />
· THE HOUSING QUESTION, by Alfred Smith, late<br />
Chairman of the Housing Committee, L.C.C.(Swan Sonnen-<br />
schein). “Mr. Smith,” says the Guardian, “writes as<br />
an expert and with the authority of one. This little book<br />
contains an admirably clear statement of all the aspects of<br />
housing the poor so far as that question affects London ;<br />
and, though other towns suffer from the evils of overcrowding,<br />
London suffers from them to a degree and extent which no<br />
other city can approach. The second section sets out in an<br />
impressive form the vast dimensions which this evil has -<br />
attained in London.”<br />
LOVE AND MR. LEWISHAM, by H. G. Wells (Harper,<br />
68.), will be considered by many, says the Daily Telegraph,<br />
“the most fascinating piece of work he has done." Mr.<br />
Wells portrays the life of the fifth-rate assistant master.<br />
“It is wonderfully well done,” says the Daily Chronicle.<br />
“The descriptive pages are charming, the dialogue real and<br />
bright.” “The element of irresponsible gaiety which<br />
animated “The Wheels of Chance,'” says the Spectator, “ is<br />
here replaced by a more consistently serious outlook on the<br />
struggle for existence that goes on in the humbler ranks of<br />
the teaching profession.” “The bandful of vivid human<br />
figures belong,” says Literature, “ to a great extent, to the<br />
world of South Kensington students, and into that often<br />
purposeless and sordid background Mr. Wells weaves the<br />
poetry of life and the beauty of human love."<br />
JAN OXBER, by Orme Agnas (Ward, Look, and Co.,<br />
38. 6d.), is a series of stories dealing with West of<br />
England villagers. Mr. Agous, says the Daily Telegraph,<br />
“has achieved a remarkable task in reproducing not only<br />
the superficial life of the west country village, but the actual<br />
workings of the rustic mind. Jan Oxber is a very striking<br />
oharacter, and his tragic story is told with unforced pathos<br />
and unexaggerated truth.” The Spectator describes it as<br />
Hvigorous," “ well told,” and “highly entertaining"; and<br />
says that “the author is one of our ablest interpreters of<br />
rural manners."<br />
UNLEAVENED BREAD, by Robert Grant (Hutchinson, 68.),<br />
is a portrait of a type of American woman. “ Viewed in<br />
the light of a study of character, it would be difficult,” says<br />
the Spectator, " to find a modern novel cleverer than · Un.<br />
leavened Bread.'” The book is divided into three sections.<br />
one for each of Selma's matrimonial experiments, so that,<br />
says the Literary World, it is “ three moderately long stories<br />
rather than a novel. It is well written, and the characters<br />
succeed in making us accept them as reasonable human<br />
beings.”<br />
BLACK HEART AND WHITE HEART, and Other Stories,<br />
by H. Rider Haggard (Longmans, 68.), are stories of Zulus<br />
and Central Africa. The Daily Chronicle heads its notice<br />
of the yolume : “Mr. Haggard in his True Vein.” “Black<br />
Heart and White Heart," the tale from which the volume<br />
takes its name, is, says the Spectator, “quite in Mr. Hag.<br />
gard's most vigorous and effective manner."<br />
THE ACCUSED PRINCESS, by Allen Upward (Pearson,<br />
68.), belongs, in the opinion of Literature, "to the class con-<br />
ventionally known as 'readable.'” . The author “makes a<br />
<br />
<br />
## p. 40 (#62) ##############################################<br />
<br />
40<br />
THE AUTHOR.<br />
new departure, and follows in the footsteps of Sherlock<br />
Holmes. His book relates the mystery of the ruby of<br />
Bharani, one of the sacred stones of India and the property<br />
of the British Crown. It tells how the gom was brought<br />
over to Europe to be sold, and how it disappeared and was<br />
subsequently recovered with the help of an English detec-<br />
tive." The Daily Chronicle finds the story “good and<br />
ingeniously worked-out.” “Mr. Upward's characters are<br />
quite alive, and the accused princess quite charming."<br />
THE CHICAMON STONE, by Clive Phillipps-Wolley (Smith,<br />
Elder, and Co., 68.), " is much more than a story for boys,"<br />
says the Spectator, “though by its wealth of incident and<br />
is wealth of incident and<br />
its crazy athleticism ... it will appeal with peculiar<br />
force to the javenile reader. Mr. Phillipps-Wolley is a<br />
poet as well as a sportsman; he has a keen sense of the<br />
picturesque and the sinster, a happy knack of translating<br />
his impressions into forcible and suggestive language, and a<br />
most artistic touch in the portraiture of villains, whether<br />
of the pale or red-skinned variety.” “It is a delightful<br />
book of stirring adventure,” says the Pilot, “one of the<br />
best we have read for some time. The scene is laid in<br />
Alaska; the Chicamon Stone is a specimen of gold, and the<br />
book tells of the efforts of several people to find the rock<br />
from which the specimen was taken, and so to become<br />
rich. There is no love-making, indeed, there is no woman<br />
in the book; the interest of the wild rough life is the only<br />
interest, but that is sufficient, for there is no want of peril<br />
and of thrilling escapes.”<br />
VOICES IN THE NIGHT, by Flora Annie Steel (Heine-<br />
mann, 68.). “ We cannot better summarise our impressions<br />
of this brilliant but unequal novel,” says the Spectator,<br />
" than by saying we have been fascinated by the native or<br />
bazaar portion of the story and bored by the Anglo-Indian<br />
chapters."<br />
A LADY OF THE REGENCY, by Mrs. Stepney Rawson<br />
(Hutchinson, 68.), is described by the Pilot as "a very fine<br />
historical picture by an excellent artist. Jane, the girl<br />
whose love affairs, after a bad start, come at last to a happy<br />
end, is the Lady of the Regency in question, but from first<br />
to last Caroline of Brunswick is the real heroine. From the<br />
moment the novel opens up with her playing 'blind man's<br />
buff' in her house at Blackheath, or bidding her guests<br />
* bite off the head of the sugar Prince of Wales,' her figure<br />
is thrown on the canvas with masterly art."<br />
his “Notes on Sport and Travel,” published a few<br />
months ago. The news of Miss Kingsley's death<br />
came as a great shock to her many friends in this<br />
country. She was about thirty-five years of age.<br />
MR. STEPHEN CRANE died at Baden-weiler,<br />
Baden, on June 5, aged thirty years. Of his<br />
work as author and war correspondent, the most<br />
distinguished is “ The Red Badge of Courage,”<br />
published four years ago. As a detailed study<br />
(in the form of romance) of the development of<br />
a raw recruit in the American Civil War under<br />
the fire of the enemy, it was remarkable in that<br />
the author had<br />
the author had not up to that time had any real<br />
experience of what he so realistically described.<br />
Next in importance comes his “ The Open Boat,"<br />
a sketch of the wreck of a filibuster on the<br />
Florida coast. Mr. Crane also wrote verse. He<br />
was in the Cuban campaign as a correspondent,<br />
and before the illness which has cut him off he<br />
was writing some sketches of his Army experi-<br />
ences before Santiago. He was also to proceed<br />
to St. Helena on a commission for a London<br />
daily. A volume of short stories, which will<br />
probably be called “Wounds in Rain," and a<br />
novel of adventure are among his literary<br />
remains.<br />
The death-roll of the month also includes the<br />
Rev. J. M. RODWELL, the Orientalist, who trans-<br />
lated the Koran about forty years ago ; Mr. H. R.<br />
FRANCIS (89), author of "Junius Revealed by his<br />
Surviving Grandson,” and an authority on the<br />
literature of angling; Mr. D. D. WELLS, the<br />
young American novelist, author of “Her Lady-<br />
ship's Leopard,” &c.; and Dr. T. H. RAND (New<br />
Brunswick), whose“ Treasury of Canadian Verse”<br />
has lately been published by Messrs. Dent in this<br />
country.<br />
-<br />
OBITUARY.<br />
* THE AUTHOR.”<br />
SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS.<br />
M HE death of Miss Mary KINGSLEY, the<br />
distinguished African traveller, was<br />
announced by a telegram from Cape Town<br />
on June 4. She was on her way to West Africa<br />
to study the fish fauna of the country. Daughter<br />
of Dr. George Kingsley and niece of Charles and<br />
Henry Kingsley, her name first gained prominence<br />
three years ago with the publication of “ Travels<br />
in West Africa, Congo Français, Corisco, and<br />
Cameroons.” Her second volume, “South<br />
African Studies," was published at the beginning<br />
of last year, and eight months ago she wrote a<br />
little volume on South Africa for the “Story of<br />
the Empire” series. More recently she wrote<br />
a memoir of her father for the volume of<br />
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