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Title A name given to the resource The Author Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em> Description An account of the resource A digitised run of the Society of Authors' monthly periodical, <em>The Author</em>, 1890<span>–</span>1914, made available together for the first time.<br /><br />Currently users can browse issues and <a href="https://historysoa.com/items/browse?search=&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index&amp;collection=&amp;type=&amp;tags=&amp;exhibit=&amp;date_search_term=&amp;submit_search=Search+For+Items&amp;sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle">indices</a> (not available for all volumes). Full text search for all issues, and other additional search functionality, will be added in 2022. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1890–1914 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The-Author-Issues Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1901-03-01 Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages Page range in volume 169–188 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010301 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.–No. 1067 VOL. XI.—No. 10.) _ MARCH 1, 1901. MARCH 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. ---- -- For the Opinions expressed in papers that are (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. signed or initialled the Authors alone are As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. collective opinions of the Committee unless It is above all things necessary to know what the they are officially signed by G. Herbert proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly Thring, Sec. the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production.” M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. requests that all members not receiving an answer to The main points are :- important communications within two days will write to him (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union (2) Keep control of the advertisements. Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. letter only. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on above mentioned. all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. jocts whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are Never sign any agreement without competent advice from returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- GENERAL MEMORANDA. (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. IT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong agreement. There are four methods of dealing to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the with literary property : nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or I. SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. withheld. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of 1. NTEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to agreement). the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some In this case the following rules should be attended to : competent legal authority. (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. the production of a play with anyone except an established (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the manager. profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses," This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters anless the same allowance is made to the author. into such a contract should stipulate in the con- (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental tract for production of the piece by a certain date rights. and for proper publication of his name on the (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. play-bills. VOL. XI.  ## p. 170 (#236) ############################################ 170 THE AUTHOR. experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro. posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. lence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con. cracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. THE READING BRANCH. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor not later than the 21st of each month. All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether members of the Society or not, are invited to communicate to the Editor any points connected with their work which it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White. hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. 1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive L advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the  ## p. 171 (#237) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 171 LITERARY PROPERTY. 1.-FRANCE LEADS THE WAY. M HE following interesting case, which has passed through the office, is placed before the members of the Society, as the opinion which has been obtained is of interest to all writers and tends to show the liberality with which the French nation in copyright legislation have treated authors all over the world. In the legislation for the production of literary and artistic works the French nation has always been in the vanguard. A member of the Society, American by birth and nationality, residing in England, came to the Society for assistance in regard to what he thought was a piracy of his work in France. The question that arose was what interpretation the French would give to the international arrange- ments between England and America as affecting the terms of the Berne Convention. The secre- tary accordingly immediately wrote to the Société des Gens de Lettres in Paris, giving particulars of the case, which were as follows:- " An author of American nationality who is domiciled in England produces a book in 1899 simultaneously in England and America, securing thereby under the existing arrangement between England and America copyright in both countries. • The book is then pirated by a French pub- lisher, and a French translation is put on the market in Paris and sells well. “ The author remonstrated with the publisher, but the publisher refused to pay any compensa- tion, on the grounds that he pirated from America. “ Under the Berne Convention an English author who has copyright in England is entitled to protection in France for his translation during ten years. The question that now arises is, whether under the French interpretation of inter- national law an American citizen domiciled in England, who has obtained English copyright, is entitled to the benefits of the Berne Convention as existing between England and France ?” The French Society, with great courtesy and promptitude, wrote back and stated that they would gladly put the question before their own counsel, and would obtain an opinion for the Society on the matter. Accordingly, in due course the secretary re- ceived the following opinion :- "In reply to the question proposed by your English correspondent: — To commence. In France, in principle, no translation of any work, French or foreign, can be published without the authorisation of the author of the work. The VOL. XI. author of the translation is certainly invested with the rights of an author as regards his trans- lation ; but, as regards the author of the original, he is guilty of infringement if he has not asked for authorisation. This is the principle applied by French jurisprudence by the interpretation of our law of 1703, of the decree of February, 1810, and of that of May 28, 1852, without any ques- tion of reciprocity on the part of the foreigner. - In any case the effect of the terms of the articles 2, 3, and 5 of the International Conven- artin tion of Sept. 9, 1885 (Berne Convention), is that, without entering into any question of the dispositions of the American law, or of the par- ticular arrangements existing between England and America, or between America and France (Federal law of May 3, 1891, and declaration respecting Belgium, France, Great Britain, and res Switzerland of July 1.1801). the American author. who has published his work at the same time in England and America, enjoys in France the pro- tection of his rights of translation for ten years at least from the date of the publication in England. "To sum up, by placing himself under the pro- tection of the Berne Convention, the American author, although his country has not entered into the International Union, is protected in France so far as regards his right of translation, at least for ten vears, by the mere fact (article 2 of the Con. vention) that his work has been published in a upionist country-to wit, England. “But it must, of course, be understood that the protection is dependent upon (article 4 D, March 28, 1852, and 6 Law of July 19, 1893) the deposit of the copies of the original work in the Bibliothèque Nationale—that is to say, at present at the Ministry of the Interior.". The opinion is that of Mr. Alfred Mack, advocate to the Court of Appeal in Paris, 9, rue de Septembre. The Committee felt deeply indebted to the French Society for the prompt assistance it gave, and passed a unanimous vote of thanks for their courtesy and kindness. The opinion of the French advocate will be interesting to all members of the Society. It is pleasant to state, in addition, that the French publisher who pirated the work paid an agreed compensation to the author before he had received the opinion of the French counsel. G. H, T. II.—THE COPYRIGHT Bill. The King's Speech at the opening of Parlia- ment, delivered in person by His Majesty, announced that “legislation has been prepared for amending the law of literary copyright." In  ## p. 172 (#238) ############################################ 172 THE AUTHOR. the House of Commons on the same day (Feb. 14) out of the first edition — they therefore have the Right Hon. Gerald Balfour, President of the certainly paid the cost of production: of the Board of Trade, stated his intention of bringing remaining thirty-nine, sixteen are by authors in on an early day a measure consolidating and popular enough to insure the success of their amending the law of literary copyright. books—perhaps not a big success, but more than The Copyright Bill, which is about to be intro. enough to cover cost of production and royalties duced by the Board of Trade, will run closely on or purchase, and to leave some kind of profit to the lines of Lord Monkswell's Bill which passed the publisher. There remain twenty-three, or the House of Lords last summer, and which was nearly one-half, of which the outsider can only drafted by Lord Thring. As soon as it is possible say that they are doubtful. These figures show to obtain a draft of the same, such draft will be rather more than one in a dozen which succeed. printed in The Author, and the differences exist. But there is much more to be considered. The ing between the Board of Trade's and Lord outsider does not know the reader's opinion: the Monkswell's Bills will be dealt with at length. whole of these twenty-three books may have been G. H. T. most warmly recommended; nor does he know how many are paid for by the author, a practice III.- PROJECTED NEW GERMAN COPYRIGHT becoming more and more common, and as disas- LAW. trous in its results as can be expected, considering The Deutsche Reichstag, on its reassembling on the monstrous claims of the Publishers' Committee. Jan. 8, proceeded to a first reading of the project Nor, again, does the outsider know how many of a law respecting copyright in works of litera- copies are taken at the outset by the circulating ture and music. No very great interest is libraries : how many are subscribed by the trade: apparently taken in the new law, but it is a how many go to the colonies: how many are hopeful sign that the discussion appears to be copyrighted in the States. proceeding independently of any party politics. That there is over-production it would be Our contemporary Das Rechte Feder is dis mischievous to deny. Booksellers, however, are tinctly despondent about the protection of becoming wary: they cannot be readily talked authors from publishers, which it compares to over into subscribing a novel : their shelves are protecting sheep from wolves. Several of the filled with failures and losses. Now, if booksellers remarks made in the course of the discussion of will not subscribe a book, and if libraries will the new law indicate on the part of the speakers not take a book, what harm is done to the public a very elementary idea even of what copyright is. by over-production ? There is more work thrown on the paragraph-reviewer : and that is all. The public does not see the books: the bookseller · IV.-OVER-PRODUCTION. does not subscribe for them : nobody sees them : The Publishers' Circular calls attention to the there are hundreds of books produced every year over-production of six-shilling novels. Not long which are not published, because publishing means ago a bookseller had fifteen offered him in one exhibition and offering to the public as well as day, and refused to take any. Not one of these printing. novels in a dozen, the Circular thinks, pays for the Again, to return to the over-production. There cost of production. It then advises publishers has arisen quite recently a kind of gambling in to keep before them for reference the net result of novels. A publisher makes an unexpected each novel published during the year, and thinks success. He thinks that he may make another. that the contemplation of these figures will He can afford to lose a certain sum in the experi- act as a wholesome restraint for the future. ment. How much is his risk? He binds very Perhaps it might: but one always imagines that few copies : he spends very little money in adver- every man of business must observe the simple tising the renture: the libraries take a limited precaution of knowing how his goods sell. number: the risk is thus reduced to a very small Let us, however, descend from vague talk to sum. The actual loss may equal the risk; but facts and figures. It is, of course, easy to say he bas had his venture. And the whole reason that not one novel in a dozen pays. What kind for the production of so many novels is just the of dozen is it? Not a baker's dozen, certainly. chance of making a great and unexpected success For instance, an examination of the advertising —that and nothing more. pages of the Athenæum of Feb. 23 shows that eleven publishers — the number may be taken as representing the fifty or sixty who need be considered — are advertising, as current novels, fifty altogether. Of these eleven have passed  ## p. 173 (#239) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 173 V.—CANADIAN Notes. pages additional are devoted to an explanation of On behalf of Morang and Co., owners of the the methods used in making this inquiry, with British copyright in “ Ăn Englishwoman's Love the Commissioner's summing up of such evidence Letters," we have just succeeded in obtaining as he has succeeded in collecting. judgment of injunction against two local firms Tables are printed showing (a) the number of who have been importing cheap American copyright entries, and amount of fees applied, reprints. The book, unfortunately for the house from July 10, 1870, to Dec. 31, 1900; (6) the of John Murray, was not copyrighted in the number of entries of foreign and United States States. productions respectively, and the fees for the I notice that a public document of more than same from July 1, 1895, to Dec. 31, 1900; and usual interest has just been published in the (c) the number of articles deposited at the Copy- United States in the shape of the report of the right Office during the last three fiscal years. In Commissioner of Labour in response to the this last table the articles are arranged by classes, resolution of the Senate of Jan. 23, 1900, direct but no distinction has been made between pro- ing that official to investigate the effect upon ductions of foreign authorship and works by labour production and wages of the International native authors, so that it is difficult to see how Copyright Act, 1891, and report the result of his any deductions can rightly be made from these inquiries. The large majority of the opinions tables as to the effect of the law upon the number got heartily favour the law, but the individuals of entries made or articles deposited. It is or firms represented favour certain changes. assumed that one effect of the law has been [For list of these see article below on the greatly to increase the number of copyright International Copyright Act. - ED. Author] entries, because the year 1890 (that immedi- The fourth proposition—" That the publica- ately preceding the passage of the Act) tion in the United States of unauthorised trans. shows an increase of but 1813 entries over the lations of copyrighted books of foreigners, number for 1889, while the year 1891 shows other than English, should be prohibited ”—is an increase over 1890 of 6119 entries, although apparently met by the provision in the present “the Act did not become operative until United States Revised Statutes, section 4952, as July 1 of that year.” A careful examination, amended by the Act of March 3, 1891, reading as however, of the table of entries and fees, from follows :- 1870 down, shows such noticeable fluctuations « And authors or their assigns shall have exclu. that it is doubtful if such an assumption can sive right to dramatise or translate any of their safely be made. Unfortunately, no exact figures works for which copyrights shall have been are available for the foreign and United States obtained under the laws of the United States." entries, respectively, up to July 1, 1897, but for WALTER BARWICK. the three calendar years following the entries are: 1898, foreign, 7779, United States, 69,095 ; (Barwick, Aylesworth, and Wright, Barristers 1899, foreign, 8122, United States, 78,370; 1900, and Solicitors.) foreign, 8478, United States, 89,489, while the Toronto. increase in the entries, foreign and United States, VI.—THE INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT ACT. respectively, for the last two years was : 1899, foreign, 343, United States, 9275; 1900, foreign, [From the New York Evening Post.] 356, United States, 11,119, showing that, of the A public document of more than usual yearly increase, the foreign entries made a very interest is the report of the Commissioner of small proportion. It is probable that, of the Labour in response to the resolution of the total increase from 1890 to 1891, a larger per- Senate, of Jan. 23, 1900, directing that official to centage was due to entries for foreign pro- “ investigate the effect upon labour, production, ductions, but even so, it was probably a small and wages of the International Copyright Act, proportion of the total increase of 6119; and approved March 3, 1891, and report the results up to 1900, inclusive, the highest number of of his inquiries." Such results as were obtainable entries for the productions of foreign authors, are set out in a pamphlet of ninety-nine pages, of &c., in any one year, since the Act went into which the last eleven pages consist of a republica force, July 1, 1891, was only 8478. tion of the copyright laws in force. Of the The Commissioner explains that, on its becoming remaining text, seventy-seven pages contain apparent that detailed statistical information of verbatim statements from publishers, leading the character contemplated by the resolution printers, the American Copyright League, &c., could not be secured, an endeavour was made to giving opinions, pro and con, as to the value and obtain expressions of opinion from the class of effect of the Act in question, and less than six people whose conclusions would be of most value VOL. XI. z 2  ## p. 174 (#240) ############################################ 174 THE AUTHOR. -publishers, printers, and the official members induced led to cheap work, and consequently of printing unions and allied trades unions-by narrowed the compensation earned by printers as addressing to them a series of seven questions compared with that obtained through the higher designed to bring out the views of the persons quality of book production under the protection and establishments to whom they were submitted, of the copyright law. regarding the general results of the law as The questions sent out were as follows: (1.) affecting labour and production. Altogether, Has the international copyright law been detri- seventy responses were received, of which fifty mental or beneficial to (a) publishers or book five are set down as regarding the law and its manufacturers ; (6) compositors, pressmen, book- results more or less favourably, while fifteen binders, and employers generally; (c) American consider it detrimental. authors; (d) foreign authors; (e) the book- Commissioner Wright points out that the purchasing public ? (2.) In what respects has clause requiring the manufacture in the United the law been detrimental or beneficial to each of States of copyright works, the feature of the law the above-mentioned classes ? (3.) Has the directly affecting “labour, production, and effect of the law been to increase or to reduce the wagas," was adopted at the instance of the selling price of books ? About how much per typographical unions; but although prominent cent. ? (4.) Was “piracy,” as practised prior to members of the International Typographical the enactment of the international copyright law, Union in several principal cities were personally beneficial or injurious to printers or publishers ? interviewed, and requested to submit facts and (5.) Do American and European publishers their own views regarding the beneficial or detri. exchange stereotype plates, or are European plates mental effects of the Act, only oral statements used to any extent in the production of books in could be obtained from some of them, to the America ? (6.) What is your general opinion as to effect "that, in their opinion, the law has been the operation and effect of the international copy- of no real benefit to printers or allied crafts- right law ? (7.) In what respects do you think men ; that the manufacturing clause of the the law in question should be amended or changed ? law, requiring copyrighted works of foreign The responses to these questions indicate, authors to be printed from type set or from according to the summary, that a large majority plates made from type set in the United States of the establishments interviewed heartily favour is violated to a considerable extent by the fraudu- the law, believing it to be highly beneficial in its lent importation from Europe of stereotype general operation and effect, although some of plates, which are used for the printing of such them criticise certain of its features, and express works in the United States ; and that the effect their views as to amendments of the law that are of the law is to confine the labour of production deemed desirable. On ihe other hand, “a com- of each copyrighted work to the employees of the paratively small but highly respectable number" single establishment to whom the monopoly of of establishments are said to be “utterly opposed publication is secured under the law, whereas to the law,” believing it to be pernicious in prac- were it not for the law, the works of many tice and wrong in principle. foreign authors would be published by several Whether favourable or adverse to the law, the different establishments, thus giving employment to a largely increased number of operatives." individuals or firms represented favour certain The Coinmissioner adds that effort was made to changes in the copyright laws now in force, the secure definite statements giving instances of principal alterations proposed being summarised as follows:- violation of the “ manufacturing clause," but none could be obtained, and no expression of (1.) It is believed by many publishers that the "manu. facturing clause," requiring the manufacture wholly within views beyond oral ones, such as quoted, could be the United States of copyrighted books, photograpbs, secured. chromos, or lithographs, whether the work of residents or It is to be presumed that the statement that, non-residents, should be abrogated. were it not for the existing law, the works of (2.) That the requirement of publication of copyright many foreign authors would be published by works in the United States not later than the date of their publication in any other country (which has the effect of several different establishments, thus giving requiring simultaneous publication on both sides of the employment to a largely increased number of Atlantic of the works of English (and American] authors) operatives, is made in remembrance of the old should be changed so as to allow a reasonable time to elapse times of literary piracy, when there was a possi between publication abroad and at home. bility of free scrambling for the works of popular (3.) That the term of existence of copyright should be extended beyond the limited period now granted. foreign authors; but the document under con- (4.) That the publication in the United States of un- sideration contains evidence from most competent authorised translations of copyrighted books of foreigners sources that the competition this very scramble other than English should be prohibited.  ## p. 175 (#241) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 175 OUTU ........ This last proposition would seem to be adequately met by the provision in the present law, Revised Statutes, section 4952, as amended by the Act of March 3, 1891, reading as follows: “And authors or their assigns shall have exclu. sive right to dramatise or translate any of their works for which copyright shall have been obtained under the laws of the United States." What is desired, apparently, is that in the case of books in foreign languages, not now copy. righted in the United States by reason of the type-setting stipulation, the author or assignee should be allowed to secure copyright on an authorised English translation, to the exclusion of any unauthorised translation into Englisb. Thanks are due to Commissioner Wright for having elicited and brought together the very interesting and valuable opinions on this impor- tant subject printed in his report, and we hope in a subsequent article to present a collated summary of them. Roe, Mrs. Harcourt Rossetti, W. M. ...... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... S. B. ......................... Sanderson, Sir J. B. ........... Skeat, The Rev. Prof. .............. Spielmann, M. H. Stanton, Miss H. M. E Toplis, Miss G. ....... Tweedie, Mrs. Alec................ Watt, A. P........ Wheelwright, Migg E. E. ... Williams, rs. E. L. ........ SUBSCRIPTIONS. Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... Alexander, A. .......... Avery, Harold ............ ......... Beckett, A. W. à ...... Bebant, Sir Walter..... Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. ........... Brodhurst, Spencer. Clodd, Edward Cresswell, Rev. H. ............ Crockett, S. R. Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for 10 - oceno - ÕNNON ooooooooooo Ooouoen ocenomenoumero on one on onenen om -oo o o o ōn our one-oő õenann oooo ono oro 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 I001 ) ................................................ PENSION FUND. 18....... Ellis, Miss M. A.... Esmond, H. V. ....................................... Gilbert, W. S...... Gribble, F. .... Guthrie, Anstey.. ..................... Gwynn, S. .......... Hawkins, A. Hope Home, Francis.... Jerome, Jerome K. .............. Kelly, C. A........................ Lely, J. M. .............. Marchmont, A. W. ............... Pemberton, Max............ Pendered, Miss Mary L. .................. Pinero, A. W..... Roberts, Morley ........................ Rose, Edward ................. Sinclair, Miss ........... Stanley, Mrs. .... Ward, Mrs. Humphry ........... Watt, A. P. ....... : : : : : : : . . . . . : - >g- .............. NHE following is the list of donations and subscriptions at present promised or received :- DONATIONS. A. S. ... £100 0 0 Alcott, E. ........... 50 Anonymous ..... 100 0 0 Baldwin, Mrs. A. ......... Barrie, J. M. 100 0 0 Benecke, Miss Ida .. 3 0 0 Besant, Sir Walter........ 100 0 0 Boevey, Miss Crawley .... Chambers, Miss Beatrica ........................... 0 3 6 Cordeaux, Miss .................. .......... 5 0 0 Craigie, Mrs. ......... 100 0 0 Doyle, A. Conan .......... ........... 100 0 0 Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............ 5 0 0 Esmond, H. V. 3 3 0 Fowler, Miss E. T. 10 10 0 Freshfield, D. W........ 100 0 0 Gibbs, Miss . 100 Hawking, A. Hope ............ 200 0 0 Hutchinson, Rev. H. ........ 2 0 0 Jacberns, Raymond ................. I 10 Jones, Henry Arthur................................ Keltie, J. Scott ....................................... Kipling, Rudyard ................................... 100 00 Loftie, Rev. W. J. ..................................... Macfarlane, H. ....... Marshall, Capt. R. . Meredith, George ......... Moncrieff, R. Hope. Norris, W. E.. Oliphant, Kingston Parker, Gilbert ................... 100 00 Phillpotts, Eden ....................................... 10 0 0 Pollock, Sir Frederick ............ 5 5 0 NEW YORK LETTER. . öwen : nonow - mooooooo-000-OooooWo O O OWNOOO-000 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO . . M . . New York City, Feb. 12. HE United States Senate last year passed a resolution which directed the Bureau of Labour to investigate the effect of the International Copyright Act upon labour, pro- duction, and wages in this country. The Bureau has made its report, through Mr. Commissioner Wright, who sought the required information among the heads of the International Typo- graphical Union, the leading American book publishers, and the documents on file in the Con. gressional Library and the Treasury Department. Such reports are doubtless more significant to those who happen to know precisely what the ....... ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ .  ## p. 176 (#242) ############################################ 176 THE AUTHOR. Bureau wished to find, than they are to those in This last sentiment of Colonel Watterson's ignorance of the Bureau's desires, but neverthe- comment is familiarly prevalent with us, where, less the recommendations made to the Senate indeed, the man of letters seldom enters with may be of general importance and interest either force or grace upon the discussion of public (see p. 174). questions. Mark Twain, for example, has pro- Congress has taken no action upon the results voked a sizeable storm by an article in the last of the investigations of its commission. We do number of the North American Review. Mr. not believe that any change in the law would be Clemens's effort is called "To the Person sitting proposed without obtaining the testimony of in Darkness”; and, while our famous humorist's working authors, to whom apparently the Bureau purpose in writing it is not quite clear, it seems of Labour did not appeal. to be an arraignment of the methods of civilisa- An editorial writer of the New York Book tion in dealing with the non-civilised. He pays Buyer makes the meaty suggestion that the his respects to Mr. Chamberlain, Emperor William, growth of the American reading public has not and President McKinley. “Mr. Chamberlain been quite so great as has been believed of late, manufactures a war out of materials so inade- but rather that the international copyright Act quate and so fanciful that they make the boxes has given our writers an equal opportunity by grieve and the gallery laugh, and he tries hard outlawing the cheap and pirated English reprints. to persuade himself that it isn't purely a private We are reminded of the ingenuous lady in “ The raid for cash, but has a sort of dim, vague re- Rise of Silas Lapham ” who asks: “Is · Daniel spectability about it somewhere, if he could only Deronda' a new book? It has only just got into find the spot; and that, by-and-by, he can scour the Seaside Library.” Good writers are now the flag clean again after he has finished dragging brought at once before the public, without the it through the mud, and make it shine and fash offices of Seaside Libraries, and make their great in the vault of Heaven once more as it shone and and popular successes, but we must not forget flashed there a thousand years in the world's that the old collections of unauthorised reprints respect until he laid his unfaithful hand upon it." were evidences of a vast reading public in the Mr. Clemens's animadversions on McKinleyism United States before the days of “Richard are, to us at least, even more surprising. Our Carvel” and “ To Have and to Hold.” For the administration in the Philippines, he observes, vogue of American authors among us, we must has treacherously stamped out a just and intelli- thank the advocates of international copyright gent and well-ordered republic; has stabbed an while we doff caps to the talented young oppor- ally in the back and slapped the face of a guest ; tunism of American literary workers. has invited our clean young men to shoulder a We have regarded with especial interest the discredited musket and to do bandit's work under political aspirations of Mr. Hope and other a flag which bandits have been accustomed to British men of letters. Within the month, two fear, not to follow ; has debauched America's of our popular authors have had a try at states honour and blackened her face before the world. manship, with results which cannot be called It appears that Mark Twain is Colonel Watter- entirely gratifying. Mr. F. Hopkinson Smith, son's " hopeless politician” in more senses than the pleasant creator of “ Colonel Carter of one, but it is something of a comfort to remark Cartersville," has announced that Mrs. Stowe's that American authors are more concerned by “Uncle Tom's Cabin ” did as much as any one Mr. Clemens's pyrotechnical exhibition than is thing to precipitate our Civil War, and that the the American public at large. As a real factor novel was a “vicious, appalling, criminal mis. in our politics, the literary man is still reputed take.” Mr. Smith advances it as his opinion generally negligible. that the very reason why a compromise between Another enlivenment of the winter has been the the North and the South was impossible was appearance of M. Coquelin upon the witness because books of that sort were written, and that stand in Chicago and his evidence in a law suit poor Mrs. Stowe brought about the war by brought by a Mr. Gross, of that sprightly metro- “ viciously” presenting a mistaken and distorted polis, for the purpose of establishing Mr. Gross's view of the situation. Many critics have taken legal rights as the author of “Cyrano de issue with Mr. Smith, and none in a more con. Bergerac," ordinarily set down as the work of M. vincing vein than Colonel Watterson, a well. Rostand. Mr. Gross asserts that several years known Southern editor, who declares that Mrs. ago he wrote a piece called, unless I am mistaken, Stowe's novel was merely a spoke in an inexor- “The Merchant Prince of Corneville,” that this able wheel, which for the time being represented masterpiece was for a lengthy period in the hands perpetual motion, and that there “ never was yet of M. Rostand, and that most of it was incorpo- a literary man who was not a hopeless politician.” rated, with neither acknowledgment nor remune-  ## p. 177 (#243) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 177 ration, into the play in which M. Coquelin is so MORTUARY PARAGRAPH. successful. The Chicagoan has been persistent Prominent in the obituary list of the past in his claim—so persistent, it seems, that M. month figure the names of two eminent Acade- Coquelin spent an entire morning in giving micians—the Duc de Broglie and the Vicomte Henri his evidence, and sustained his part with his de Bornier. The former-symbol in his later years usual careful facility. After it was over the of moderation, wisdom, and comprehensive distinguished Frenchuan said, with tears in his indulgence—was an erudite writer, an ardent eyes, that he had wasted two hours and a half of Conservative, and a defective politician. Though his life. Mr. Gross's suit is as yet undetermined, “ he acted the part of Richelieu to that modern but Mme. Bernhardt and M. Čoquelin have not Louis XIII. called MacMahon, and leaves no other excluded “ Cyrano" from their repertory. trace in French history than the record of an John RUSSELL DAVIDSON. impossible enterprise and two incoherent endea- vours ”—his historical research, literary talent, and political probity earned him the respect and esteem of his colleagues. “Le Secret du Roi,” “Marie-Thérèse et Frédéric II.,” and “ L'Histoire PARIS LETTER. de l'Eglise chrétienne au quatrième siècle” (the latter being a collection of rather remarkable 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. articles, formerly published in the Revue des Deux Mondes, etc.), rank among M. de Broglie's · It was just that Providence destined the Queen best-known works. He had attained the ripe of the greatest maritime Power of the adiverse to breathe her parting sigh in this Osborne residence, in this Isle of age of eigay..years. Wight bathed by the waves, facing tbe Portsmouth Arsenal, In the Vicomte Henri de Bornier France symbol of Imperial power and soul of the British Navy. It mourns one of her noblest sons and most gifted was just that the English fleet should be the first to render poets. His life was pure and good. All his the last rites to Queen Victoria. It was just, also, that the maritime Powers of the world—from France to Japan, writings were characterised by a chivalrous en- from Portugal to Germany-should take part in this cere- thusiasm and lofty patriotism. His physical mony. ... in rendering a supreme homage to the defects were forgotten immediately he opened his Queen of whom posterity will anite with her contemporaries lips. Nothing was niggardly in this little man, in saying that as perfect wife, mother, and sovereign, she save his stature. He came to Paris, poor and carried with her to the tomb the respect and admiration of friendless, over fifty years ago. A shabby garret all the nations of the earth. in the rue du Bac was the only shelter within the CYUCH was the tribute paid our late beloved limits of his narrow purse; an evening stroll Sovereign by the Figaro correspondent in among the narrow streets and quaint bookstalls a leading article detailing the impressive of the Latin Quarter his favourite recreation. concluding pageant of her long and illustrious Lingering wistfully one evening outside the reign. Nor have the other standard French Odéon theatre, he encountered a discontented papers been a whit behindhand in their expres- habitué who good-naturedly offered the stripling sions of esteem and regret. Le Matin alone the use of his check. The young de Bornier ventured on essaying a caustic tone; but the force eagerly accepted the proffered ticket, and made of cultivated public opinion speedily induced the the acquaintance of the Odéon fencing-master, adoption of a more respectful and dignified to whom he timidly submitted an historical drama phraseology. Among the upper classes, and in entitled “Du Guesclin.”. Shortly after he pub- official circles, the manifestations of sympathy lished a volume of poems, “ Premières Feuilles,” and regret were undoubtedly sincere. But the which was honoured with the approbation of Victor feeling of the bulk of the population remains Hugo, Chateaubriand, and Béranger. In 1848 unchanged. A certain most impolitic publica he entered the Arsenal library (of which he became tion hawked in the street, and the inimical curator in 1889), and in 1895 his magnificent caricatures of the new monarch which appeared epic drama, “La Fille de Roland," was per- on the boulevards ere the week was out, sufficiently formed with unprecedented success at the Théatre indicated the sentiments of the masses. The Française by Mme. Sarah Bernhardt and M. demagogues of the French Press assuredly envy Mounet Sully. “ Les Noces d'Attila” and our Royal House the loyal esteem of its subjects, “Le Fils de l'Arétin” were followed in 1899 since they so persistently seek to tarnish its by a second dramatic masterpiece entitled merits in the eyes of their own countrymen. “ France. . d'Abord!” M. de Bornier was Under these circumstances their disparagement elected a member of the French Academy in must be accepted as an involuntary and reluctant 1893. He died eight years later, Jan. 29, aged seventy-six years. homage.  ## p. 178 (#244) ############################################ 178 THE AUTHOR. M.Jules Barbier (born 1825), author of upwards of a hundred popular plays and librettos, and several volumes of graceful verse; Mme. Edmond Caro, an agreeable novelist and accomplished member of Parisian society; M. Arthur Desjardins, a thoughtful writer, whose articles on the Peace Conference at The Hague and the Transvaal War made quite a sensation here; and M. Maurice Block, economist and statistician (born in 1816), contributor to the Figaro, Temps, Journal des Economistes, &c., have likewise passed away since my last letter, A THREEFOLD PROGRESS. Three new institutions-marking three distinct steps in advance in the respective domains of feminism, psychology, and ästhetics—have held their inauguration fetes within a few days of one another. (1) L'Association des Étudiantes de Paris (8, rue Danton); (2) L'Institut Psycho- logique International; (3) Le Collège d'Esthétique Moderne. The object of the Association des Étudiantes is a rapprocher les étudiantes de diverses facultés, à faire naître entre elles des liens d'intimité et de solidarité, à les encourager dans leurs études en leur fournissant un appui moral et des secours matériels. Non-members are admitted to the lectures given at the Feminine Students' Club. L'Institut Psychologique International is reported to have already established branch societies in London and in several Continental towns. Its exponents assert that this science will play an important role in the criminal jurispru. dence, pedagogy, and therapeutics of the future. Information re the progress achieved by the various sections of the society will be published in the Bulletin de l'Institut. (3) M. Bjöern. stjerne Björnson, the great Norwegian writer, t; presided ai the inauguration ceremony of the Collège d'Esthétique, of which M. Emile Zola has accepted the office of honorary president. A number of literary celebrities were present on this occasion. M. de Bouhélier dwelt at some length on the object of the foundation, and M. Le Blond on the practical advantages to be obtained from the mutual federation of the representatives of literature, art, and science. “Modern Beauty” was the appropriate title of the first lecture delivered under the auspices of the new college. Famous AUTOGRAPHS. The various prices obtained at recent sales for sundry autograph letters, signed by illustrious defunct writers, give a tolerably correct idea of the actual mercantile value and popularity of the works of those lights of literature, to wit :- A letter written by Voltaire fetched 135 francs ; a literary letter (lettre littéraire), by Sainte-Beuve, 120 francs; seventeen letters of Madame de Stael were sold for 410 francs; a letter from Chateaubriand to M. de Vitrolles immediately fetched 105 francs; a letter from Diderot to Grimm, 380 francs; a letter from Barbey d'Aurevilly to a lady, 120 francs ; a genuine Balzac autograph (in the commencement of “ Père Goriot "), 52 francs; while a letter written by Alexandre Dumas fils to a literary critic obtained 125 francs, being 67 francs in advance of the sum given for an autograph letter written by Cathérine de Médicis to her Royal son, Charles IX. A literary letter from Emile Augier to a dramatic critic fetched the compara- tively small sum of 29 francs; while a literary letter from M. Paul Bourget's pen obtained 30 francs-notwithstanding the fact that its author is still living. The autographs of George Sand are rare, and, consequently, much sought after. An expert is reported to have asserted that an autograph letter of George Sand is worth more at the present time than the amount originally received by the famous author for several of her most popular works. IN THE LAW COURTS. Legal arbitration is slowly but surely super- seding the homicidal duel which was so highly in favour during certain epochs in the last century. That an historian can, when necessary, quote a passage from an article, book, or speech, without the author's authorisation, is established by the “ Droit de Citation Littéraire.” Whether an editor or author can likewise reproduce a sketch or caricature, without the artist's permis- sion, is the question the law has been called on to decide in the action brought by M. Ibels, carica- turist of the Sifflet, against M. Grand-Carteret re the latter's interesting publication, “L'Affaire et l'Image." Maître Labori pleaded on behalf of M. Ibels; Maître G. Maillard upheld the right of “ Citation Graphique”; and Maître Levy-Salle appeared on behalf of the Siècle, at whose office the offending work was published. A propos of the action for libel brought by M. Bruyerre, the well-known dramatist, against his political adversary, M. Montorgueil of the Eclair, on account of an injurious personal article pub- lished in the latter paper Feb. II, 1900, the First Civil Chamber has at last arrived at the following decision :- “Seeing that—in an article entitled 'L'Envers d'un drame,' published in the Éclair, Feb. 11, 1900–Georges Montorgueil has imputed to Louis Bruyerre actions hurtful to his honour, and prejudicial to his public reputation; ... that Montorgueil vainly asserts to have been within his right in censuring the private indi-  ## p. 179 (#245) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 179 viduality of a writer who had himself given to NOTES AND NEWS. the publicity of the stage a domestic drama in which he was one of the actors; that, though the "T ITERATURE” puts in a timely word in dramatic and literary author's work may be favour of the recognition of men and within the critic's jurisdiction, it is not the same women of letters. It points out that, with his private conduct—whether or not the according to some, an Academy of Letters would latter be in harmony with his work”-for these, be a foundation worthy of a new reign. The and sundry other reasons duly detailed by the subject is thorny, and must be discussed else- First Chamber, M. Montorgueil was condemned where. It also points to a reform in the distri- to pay one thousand francs indemnity to bution of pensions never intended for the widows M. Bruyerre, as compensation for the injurious of Government officials, and further suggests article published in the Eclair. The last that a more adequate recognition should be given cited phrases in the above judgment, joined to the claims of men and women of letters. The to the 5000 francs (2000 francs d'amende, 3000 Author has advocated these reforms for some francs de dommages intérêts), which the Ninth vears, and we ought to rejoice that a paper Civil Chamber has ordered the director of the of wide circulation has at last taken up the Petit Caporal to disburse for having indulged in subject. Of course, the initial objection will be a somewhat similar freedom of language regarding raised that authors themselves may be jealous the Seine-et-Oise deputy, M. Perillier, afford whatever distributions are granted. Perhaps : matter for wholesome reflection to several but this point may be neglected. There are dis- impetuous French journalists who are extremely contented members of the Bar and of the medical redoubtable—in print. profession, but the fact does not interfere with the recognition of lawyers and doctors as worthy RECENT PUBLICATIONS. of the national distinctious. It is not in order to . “Monsieur Bergeret à Paris," by M. Anatole please writers that we ask for recognition of France (chez the Figaro), which is asserted to letters: it is in order to teach the people the very have attained its thirty-ninth edition in three great and necessary lesson that literature is an days; “Le Friquet,” by “Gyp” (chez E. Flam- occupation, profession, or calling that is worthy marion); “L'Essai d'une psychologie politique of respect. When the State begins to honour du peuple Anglais au dix-neuvième siècle," by letters systematically, the people will begin to M. E. Boutmy (chez Armand Colin), a most inter- respect the calling of literature. esting work whose import is sufficiently indicated by its title; “ Problèmes politiques du temps présent,” by M. Emil Faguet (chez Armand Colin); The following passage is taken by permis- “ Fléau qui passe," a sensational novel by M. sion from Mr. Churton Collins's new volume, Ernest Daudet, the clever inheritor of a famous “Ephemera Critica,” which has just been pub- patronymic; “ Vallobra," by M. Paul Alexis, lished by Messrs Constable :- which narrates the history of a well-known Matthew Arnold very truly observed that one of the Parisian statesman under the transparent dis most unfortunate tendencies of our time was the tendency guise of a fictitious personage; “Notre Ennemi," to over-estimate the performances of “the averago by M. Cattier, being a well-written novel, dealing man." The over-estimation of these performances is no longer a tendency, but an established custom. with the pernicious effects caused by alcohol; Literature in all its branches is rapidly becoming his “ Midship,” a promising first novel by M. Pierre monopoly. As judged and judge, as author and critic, Custot, a young author of talent; “ Études et there is every indication that he will proceed from Réflexions d'un pessimiste," by M. Challemel. triumph to triumph, and establish his cult wherever books Lacour (chez Fasquelle), the said pessimist being are read. Now the only sphere in which “ the average man" is entitled to homage is a moral one, and he is most an elegant and interesting writer; and “ Les venerable when he is passive and anambitious. But if Femmes docteurs en médecine, dans tous les ambition and the love of fame are awakened in him, he is pays,” by Madame Haryett Fontanges. capable of becoming exceedingly corrapt and of forfeiting DARRACOTTE Scott. every title to veneration. He is capable of resorting to all the devices to which men are forced to resort in manufac. turing factitious reputations, to imposture, to fraud, to circulating false currencies of his own, and to assisting others in the circulation of theirs. Even when he is free from these vices, so far as their deliberate practice is con- cerned, he is scarcely less mischievous if he be ancontrolled. To say that his standard is never likely to be a high one, either with reference to his own achievements or with reference to what he exacts from others, and to say that the systematic substitution of inferior standards for high  ## p. 180 (#246) ############################################ 180 THE AUTHOR. ones must affect literature and all that is involved in its infuence, most disastrously, is to say what will be generally acknowledged. And he has everything, unhappily, in his favour-numbers, influence, the spirit of the age. For one who sees through him and takes his measure, there are thousands who do not: for one who could discern the justice of an exposure of his shortcomings, there are thousands who would attribute that exposure to personal enmity and to dishonest motives. His power, indeed, is becoming almost irresistible. The one thing which he and bis fellows thoroughly anderstand is the formidable advan. tage of co-operation. The consequence is that there are pro- bably not half a dozen reviews and newspapers now left which they are not able practically to coerce. An editor is obliged to assume honesty in those who contribute to his columns, and also to avail himself of the services of men who can write good articles, if they write bad books. In the first case, it is not open to him to question the justice of the verdict pronounced ; in the second case, the courtesy of the gentleman very naturally and properly predominates, onder such circumstances, over public considerations—and bow can truth be told ? Nor is this all. Assuming that an editor is free from such ties, be bas to consult the interests of bis paper, to study popularity, and not to estrange those who are, from a commercial point of view, the mainstay of all our literary journals, those who adver tise in them—the publishers. “If,” said an editor to me once, “I were to tell the truth as forcibly as I could wish to do, about the books sent to me for review, in six months my proprietors would be in the bankruptcy court." It is in the power of the pablishers to ruin any literary journal. There is probably not a single review in London which would survive the withdrawal of the publishers' advertise. ments. equality in his work to over-production. A letter which Mr. Marsh has just addressed to the chief literary journals explains both the inequality and the apparent rapidity of his work. It seems that the publishers to whom his earlier work was sold are taking advantage of his present popalarity in a fashion that must be called at least disingenuous. “During the last year or two,” says Mr. Marsh, “work of mine which appeared in print twelve years ago has been brought out as new. The impression has consequently grown up that I flood the market with books turned out by machinery. ... An author can have no reasonable objection to the production of fresh editions of his books, but he has every right to protest against his old work being issued by owners of copyrights as if it were new. It is unfair to the public, to reviewers, and to the writer himself.” With this protest we are entirely in accord. Only it must be said that the author has always a prospective remedy against this sort of ill-usage by declining to part with the copyright of his books. No doubt at present this is a counsel of perfection. The young writer who can only get his works issued on condition that he sells them outright can hardly be expected to choose the alternative of not appear- ing in print. But the sooner the Society of Authors succeed in getting every writer to follow their banner in the contest for the author's full rights the better it will be for the writing and reading world. In the apparent remoteness of that happy consummation it ought to be no difficult thing to guard against this particular trick of the unscrupo- lous publisher by inserting in the next Copyright Act a brief clause to ensure that the date of original publica- tion shall be placed on the back of the title-page of every new edition. Messrs. Macmillan and some other publishers have already adopted this plan, which is most helpful to the bibliographer. We gbould like to see it made compulsory, whether by legislation or by the force of public opinion. The above extract, made by permission of the author, should be very carefully considered by our readers. Brief comments, or additional evi. dence, on the subject are invited, but not vague talk. It is hoped to return to the subject in the April number. There are not many points connected with the well-being, the interests, and the independence of literature more important than those raised by Mr. Collins. I have received, by the kindness of Miss Clementina Black, one of the vice-presidents of the Women's Industrial Council, their report for the last year. An appeal is there made for additions to the library. The books, which now number over 1000, are used for twenty-seven associations, each of which is entitled to so many volumes a year. There is very little margin for the purchase of books, and the report asks for be report asks for presents of books. Will members and readers make a note of the request and write for a copy Copy of the report? The office of the Council is at 12, Buckingham-street, Strand. Members would perhaps see their way to sending copies of their own books. The foregoing note is from the Manchester Guardian. The grievance is, as there stated, the republication of old work as if it was new. That is to say, most agreements, whether of royalty, or of profit sharing (?), or of commission, or by sale outright, include the power of republication in any form and at any time. This, however, is not necessarily the sale of copyright. The dis- tinction has been often laid down by Mr. Thring, and will be explained again. As regards, how- ever, the right of republication, with which we are here concerned, it would be possible, perhaps, to get a short clause to the effect suggested inserted in the Bill, but in the case of young writers, anxious above all things to get their chance of being heard, nothing would be easier than a clause in the agreement securing that right to the pub. lisher despite the lisher despite the Copyright Bill. No clause in an Act, I believe, can be so framed as not to be set aside by agreement. The only possible way to meet this difficulty, and a great many others of the same kind, is what I have elsewhere described as the “ Method of the Future," which is simply for a writer of position in any branch to take over the publication of his own work with a commission publisher who is nothing else. As soon as this system is universally adopted—there The surprising fecundity of a novelist of some reputation, Mr. Ricbard Marsb, has been more than once commented opon by the critics, who have attributed a certain lack of  ## p. 181 (#247) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 181 is no trouble about it, and in the case of such a PUBLISHING ON COMMISSION. writer no risk-the ordinary publisher would be left with the rubbish to deal with as he pleases. CYOME interest has been awakened by the We should then hear no more of those monstrous paper in the February number of The claims advanced by the Publishers' Association " Author on the “ Method of the Future.” which demand practically the right to take just Letters have been received by the Editor asking whatever they please for themselves, with com- if the facts and conclusions there stated can missions on everything and unlimited power over possibly be based on agreements issued by advertisements. respectable firms. One writer abuses the Editor in round terms for untruthfulness in letting it Meantime, and until writers of distinction be supposed that the terms as set forth in that understand their own power as a commercial paper can really be advanced in accordance factor, and are prepared to take as much care with the conditions of the Publishers' Associa- over their literary property as they now take over tion. It would, indeed, be difficult to believe an estate, a house, a coal mine, the only thing to that such figures were possible were not the do is to insist upon a clause in the original agree. documents before the world as issued by the ment to the effect pointed out by the Manchester comunittee of that body-documents which are, Guardian. This clause should be adopted at indeed, truly wonderful. once by all literary agents. Perhaps the Com. In justification of that paper let us quote the mittee of the Society will take up the matter. documents themselves. The meaning of publishing by commission has There is, of course. no hope whatever that a hitherto been understood to be that the pub- publisher who is in possession of an early and a lisher puts the book through the press—the forgotten work by an author who becomes corrections being, of course, made by the author popular will not take advantage of that popularity -advertises it, and sends it round the trade in for his own interests. As well believe what some the usual routine. For this work he was con- publishers still pretend, that the trade exists for sidered to be properly paid by a commission on no other purpose than the advancement of litera- the sales. Observe that he ran no risk: his ture. One might as well pretend that a glover in work was of a purely routine character: it takes Bond-street exists for no other purpose than the a few minutes only to decide the type, paper, improvement and advancement of the tannery and binding-I speak from experience, because I interest. Both glover and publisher exist for the have done this work myself for many books. sake of making money by their trade. The state- For the use of his office, and for that very ment is not an accusation: it is a plain fact. In small amount of personal service, he received a the same way brewers, although they are some- commission. times raised to the House of Lords, exist for the All this is now altered. The publishers demand purpose of making money by their trade. The in addition to the commission a blank percentage same thing may also be said, of course, as regards upon everything. In addition, mind, not in sub- the professions. Anyone, in fact, who is paid for stitution for a commission. In addition, every- the exercise of his skill is, in a sense, a trades- thing is to be so charged as to make it the interest man. If we recognise this fact in all its bearings of the publishers to make the unhappy author we shall be saved a large amount of gush and accept as high an estimate as they think will subsequent ill-feeling. We come back, over and be possible, an estimate furnished, observe, by over again, to the broad distinction between litera- themselves, not by printers, binders, and paper- ture as an art and literature as a profession, trade, makers. Here, however, are the exact terms, or calling. And from the former point of view taken from their own published “ Forms of Agree- there is no possibility of estimating literature by ment": means of money-eg., a writer who is indignant (1) There is to be a blank fee paid in advance, because Milton received only £10 for “ Paradise in order, one supposes, to meet the case in which Lost” misunderstands the whole question, there would be no sales. It should be a fee“ on while the sum paid for “ Paradise Lost" should account” of commission, which, if moderate, in equity-perhaps it did-represent the com- would be fair. mercial value of the poem at the time. (2) The estimate above-mentioned to be sent WALTER BESANT. in by the publisher (!) on which he is to charge a commission. So that the door is left open to direct fraud and overcharge in the estimate, on which, not on the actual cost, the publisher is to charge a commission.  ## p. 182 (#248) ############################################ 182 THE AUTHOR. But why even on the exact cost? What is notices of certain books. Among other short the publisher paid for at all, except for the very articles is an extract from the New York Tribune trifling service of sending the book to the on the literary agert. It is sad to observe that printers ? He receives a commission on the sales, the American publisher loves him not. The for which he gives the use of his office and such reason is, according to the Tribune, not that he personal service as he renders. conducts affairs of business from a business (3) A discount added to the commission on the point of view, but because he breaks up “the charges of not more—which, of course, will be pleasant personal relations between the authors interpreted " not less "—than 71 per cent. and the publishers.” It is not for us to (4) Payment of all their charges in advance. inquire into the history of those relations in (5) A blank commission on the sales. the United States. On our side the relations (6) Accounts rendered and payment made a have been pleasant, very pleasant-for publishers, blank number of months afterwards. that is, so long as authors never inquired what If the reader will apply figures to these con- they meant. When an abominable and deplor- ditions it will be found that the paper in able spirit of curiosity impelled them to ascer- The Author understated the case. tain for themselves the meaning of royalties, In addition, however, to these conditions the “half profits,” advertisements, printing, paper, “ draft agreements” preserve an absolute silence and binding, there was an outcry. The ways about charging advertisements not paid for, i.e., in of pleasantness and the paths of peace were the publishers' own organs and by exchange. disturbed. The old friendly relations were This silence must be designed in the face of the destroyed. In other words, the old suspicions representations continually made as to these and heartburnings which characterised the old charges. Nothing, observe, is to prevent a pub- relations were explained and investigated. So lisher from charging whatever he pleases for far, the position of the author, with us, has been advertising a book in a way which costs him enormously improved, while the publisher has nothing. And not one word is said by the ceased to maunder and to mourn over the Publishers' Association in condemnation of this imaginary friendly relations of old. Occasionally, power or the practice. too, he still catches an author who is credulous Observe, also, that, so far as is known, not a enough to believe that in publishing, alone among single publisher has remonstrated with these all transactions affecting property, the word of monstrous claims : so that not only the small fry, one side is to be accepted without question or but also the most important houses, have endorsed doubt. and approved these Forms. Under these circumstances it is surely common prudence not to give a book to be published on CANADIAN SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. commission to a general publisher. The conditions thus set forth are not hard to REPORT READ AT THE ANNUAL MEET- understand. Readers will be able to strengthen ING—TORONTO, JAN. 21, 1901. the Society's hands very materially by making THE Canadian Society of Authors was formed them known among their friends. W. B. 1 at a meeting summoned by circulars addressed to all known writers in Canada, and held at the Canadian Institute, Feb. 6, 1899, on a resolution moved by Hon. G. W. Ross, THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS. seconded by the late Professor Rand, and carried with practical unanimity. Through a variety of THE Bulletin of this Society for Dec. 1900 is causes, however, the holding of the first annual 1 before us. It contains an account of a meeting has been delayed until the present date, dinner given to Mark Twain, with his although, according to ordinary routine, it would speech on the occasion-an excellent speech, of have been held at an earlier period. course. There is no one in this country who is After inauguration, the following officers of the not prepared to acknowledge the tribute of the Society were elected :-Hon. President, Goldwin Washington Post quoted in the Bulletin. Only, Smith, D.C.L. ; President, Hon. G. W. Ross; instead of “this vast country," one would be dis- Vice-presidents, Hon. J. W. Longley (Halifax), posed to substitute the words “the vast territories W. D. Lighthall (Montreal), and Professor governed by the Anglo-Saxon communities.” Mavor (Toronto); Secretary, Bernard McEvoy ; The rest of the Bulletin is made up mainly of Executive, Messrs. James Bain, O. A. Howland, J. short paragraphs. There is nothing in it con- Castell Hopkins, John A. Cooper, B. E. Walker, cerning literary property. There are, however, and Pelham Edgar.  ## p. 183 (#249) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 183 Immediate efforts to increase the number of Your secretary has collected a considerable members were made by correspondence with quantity of information regarding the writings Canadian authors, and a membership of eighty- of members of the Society, which is available for three has been enrolled, of which thirty reside in any future action that may be taken in connection Toronto, twenty-eight in other parts of Ontario, with it. twelve in Quebec, two in Nova Scotia, four in Your Society has to lament the loss of two British Columbia, three in London (England), members by death-viz., Professor Theodore two in the North-West Territory, one in California, Rand, of Toronto, and Hon. J. Marchand, of and one in New York. Numerous letters were Quebec. received, approving of the incorporation of Canadian authors into a permanent organisa- tion. THE FRASER HOMES FOR INDIGENT Your Society early gave its attention to the AUTHORS. study of the question of Canadian Copyright, which, at its inception, was in an unsettled and NHE homes at Colinton, to found which the unsatisfactory state. In accordance with a reso- late Sir William Fraser, K.C.B., LL.D., lution of your Society, the president prepared a - bequeathed £25,000, have now been built, comprehensive memorandum on the subject which and are ready for occupation. Sir William, it was printed and freely distributed. This was may perhaps be remembered, directed his trustees subsequently the basis of discussion at several to apply the sum mentioned " in the foundation meetings of your executive, and ultimately and endowment of certain homes for the poor in certain clauses were agreed upon which it was the city or county of Edinburgh,” declaring it to. recommended should form a part of any fresh be his wish that the persons to be benefited legislation on the subject that might shortly be “should include preferentially those who may be introduced in the Dominion Parliament, while ascertained to be authors or artists, and who, Vice-President Professor Mavor, who was going either from non-success in the profession or work to England, was deputed to lay the views of your of literature or of art, or from whatever other Society before a Committee of the House of cause, are in necessitous circumstances, the Lords, which at that time was considering a new character of the said beneficiaries being always Copyright Act. This he did with considerable found to be satisfactory to the administrators.” success, appearing on several occasions before the The rules and regulations to be made for admis. Committee, and interviewing many persons con- sion to the homes, and for their management, cerned. Messrs. 0. A. Howland and A. H. F. were left entirely to the discretion of the trustees. Lefroy also gave careful attention to important Ground was feued by Sir William's trustees in legal aspects of the question, and made a valuable the vicinity of Colinton railway station, and the report thereupon, which was laid before the work of building the houses was begun in May Ministers at Ottawa who were considering a new last. The site is an excellent one. It is on the Copyright Act. Professor Mavor subsequently high ground to the north of the railway, and attended at Ottawa and explained the views of overlooking the village of Colinton. The build- your Society to several members of the Cabinet. ings consist of twelve houses, forming three sides Your Society may therefore legitimately consider of a square, and facing a central court. This that it exerted a proper and significant influence court has been nicely laid out, and has a terraced in connection with the preparation and passing walk round it, and a small fountain in the centre. of the fairly satisfactory Copyright Bill which The houses vary in size from two to four rooms, received the assent of the Governor-General last and are fitted up with all the latest sanitary and year, and that it has done its best to place its other conveniences. There is a large hall and ideas on the subject of copyright before the reading room which is to be used by the inhabi. Imperial authorities in London. tants of the homes in common. The buildings On Oct. 24, 1899, your Society held a banquet have a highly picturesque appearance. They are at the Temple Café, Toronto, which was attended of stone, and are harled and whitewashed, the by about sixty members and friends, the guests red corn-sickle dressings standing out boldly being Mr. Gilbert Parker and Mr. George against the white surroundings. The court has Herbert Thring, Secretary of the Society of a southern aspect, and commands a magnificent Authors, Great Britain. view, bounded only by the Pentlands. On April 9, 1900, your Society gave an evening The balance of the £25,000, after payment of reception to Louis Frechette, C.M.G., at the the cost of erecting the homes, is to be invested Canadian Institute, which was attended by about by the trustees, and the income applied in the 100 members and friends. upkeep of the buildings, and other necessary  ## p. 184 (#250) ############################################ 184 THE AUTHOR. expenditure. The balance of income still remain- ing is to be applied for behoof of the inmates of the homes. The trustees also reserve to themselves power to receive donations.-Scots Pictorial. CORRESPONDENCE. owners of the copyright something; I never heard of an English reprinter sending those who are morally the holders of the copyright a six- pence. I have been told, on what I believe to be good authority, that at least one “eminent” publish- ing firm have reprints of popular books ready to bring out the moment they are free of the law. I remember, when I first knew anything of the publishing trade (alas, 'tis hard on sixty years since), two publishers—Tegg and Daly-used to be spoken of as by no means reputable because their chief trade was that of pouncing on books the copyright of which had expired. Moral feeling does not appear to have grown stronger in fifty years. F. S. ELLIS. I.—THE MOTE AND THE BEAM. TN times gone by English publishers have been 1 as loud as English authors in their con- demnation of the practice of literary piracy in the United States of America. I imagine they would still think themselves aggrieved where books are reprinted of which the publisher has neglected or been unable to fulfil the conditions of the American Copyright Act. But will the English publishers, who make it a practice to pounce down on the works of any popular author the moment they are out of copyright, explain to us how much better they are than their American brethren whom they so freely and justly condemn ? The answer or excuse is the same in both cases. “There is no copyright.” “The copyright has expired.” I would ask these gentlemen what would be the case with them if the law protected the author for twenty years instead of forty, or ten, or five, or one? If their conscience allows them to appropriate a book as soon as the law ceases to protect it, would they be a bit more scrupulous if they had immunity after a shorter period ? A particularly outrageous, not to say dis- graceful, form of this practice I complain of is, where cheap reprints are issued of early editions of books which were afterwards revised and recast by the author, misleading those who know no better to suppose they are buying a complete book, when they are in truth having imposed upon them a book which the author would desire to withdraw from circulation. The case of avowed facsimile reprints is, of course, another matter; to those I do not refer. I lately came on a reprint of the first and boyish version of a poem, which the author subsequently rewrote, put forth without one word of explanation. This crude version was printed in a magazine in 1850, while the author's revised version did not appear till 1870. Hence the sketch is at the mercy of the pirate while the complete version is not. The English publisher's code of honour in reprinting “out of copyright” books seems to me to be exactly on a par with that of the American publisher who reprints " no copyright” books. But there is a difference. Many of the American houses would send the II.-BOOKS AND REVIEWS-A REPLY. I did not think that the propositions which I presumed to advance in the January Author would call forth such an interesting paper as that entitled “Books and Reviews,” by our Editor. As my few remarks have caused a little interest, perhaps I ought to say something to vindicate my position, which I find rather awkward owing to the indefinite nature of certain sentences in my first letter. I certainly said that “reviews are intended for the guidance of readers,” but I did not add criticism, which the Editor has done, in the first sentence of his second paragraph. I must express my sorrow for not placing the term “review" between inverted commas, which I meant to do, and thus should have run less risk of being misunderstood. It is the “ reviewing," or lumping system, to which I referred, for the word conveyed very little other meaning to me, True! I always thought there might be a subtle significance in the term-a hidden meaning known only to the writers—but to me such “reviews” only meant a guide to readers ; criti. cism has always appeared to me to be quite another matter. Our editor very rightly says that these “ reviews should be, first of all, designed to mark and to illustrate the present condition of litera- ture; to maintain a standard, and to keep before the world the canons of criticisms." Very true; they should have this intention, but have they? If they are so designed, very few signs of such intentions are visible. After reading the editor's article I made a careful study of the review columns in the principal literary papers, and the conclusion I was compelled to form was that very few papers indeed act up to the ideal of criticism so ably portrayed by him. There are a few which do so, but I need only mention two of the best—the Scotsman and the Manchester  ## p. 185 (#251) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 185 un U- Guardian. I don't know what the system to literature. Here let me say in reply to of these papers may be, but as nearly every H. M. E. Stanton's letter that I am a devoted review, even in the same class of litera- book lover ; to me books are the dearest things ture, differs from the others in the general on earth; they are materialised thoughts, and as character and style of writing, I should say that such I love to review them, no matter how bad they adopt the system of the Glasgow Herald, they inay be, for even in those amateurish and give one book per week to a private reviewer. attempts which no one will review I find grains No matter how they work it, their critical columns of golden thought, even though they are expressed are worth reading, both as specimens of critical in unliterary and ungrammatical words. These art, and also as guides to the best in literature books have no claim to be called contributions to No doubt the old-fashioned critical articles were literature, yet I review them all the same-for the best; blackguardly though they may have been, my own benefit; the editors for whom I work one would prefer those murderous slatings of fifty would not use the reviews if I sent them. Such years ago rather than the “review” of to-day. books come in the parcels with the good ones- A book must have been a contribution to literature evidently the editors who send them think they to get even condemnation; to-day neither the may be useful to my barber ; but the barber does author nor the public can know of what literary not see them; they are stored upon my shelves value a book is from the Press notices. Have we with any little good points carefully marked. to assume that with the higher standard of educa- To me they are the dead and gone fancies of tion, the greater output of good books, the many a struggling mind, and I love them. correspondingly greater number of critical readers, I do not go so far as to suggest the wholesale and last, but by no means least, the rapid publication of bad books, but I do say that there advances made in journalism, the standard of may be good even in the worst. Certainly a book criticism has degenerated ? I greatly fear that should not be condemned for, perhaps, a few this melancholy question must be answered in the phrases of questionable morale, as so many are. affirmative. Why should the greater output of Like immoral pictures, immoral books can be books have this result, assuming that every book exquisite works of art, and should be treated as is to-day regarded as a literary event, to be such ; their literary value should be discussed judged accordingly? Even the few brief lines apart from the critic's notions of morality. The given in the“ lumping "columns of the Spectator reviewer is not required to give his religious might be in accordance with the canons (sic) opinions, but his literary judgment, which should of criticism. Better still, if a book ought to be not be so much his own opinion as a proper expo- noticed at all, why should it not receive a para- sition of the canons of literature. graph of some few dozen lines, and let these With regard to my other proposition, that lines be well written? Let praise or condemna authors “ do not buy books,” I referred more to tion be given in well-formed sentences, stating novels—modern novels. Of course, every author the literary reasons why such praise or condemna -and novelist-buys his Scott, Dickens, and tion is given. There is too much of the personal Thackeray, if he can afford it, and also the works element in modern "reviewing," and à propos of our great contemporaries; but I do not think of this a reference pregnant with meaning they buy novels that are talked about in the is given by Mr. T. Edgar Pemberton in his papers as other members of society are supposed newly-published treatise on Bret Harte, concern to do. Again, in reply to H. M. E. Stanton, it is to ing the first appearance of “ The Luck of Roaring this kind of literature that my “principle” Camp." A narrow-minded printer and a prudish applies. I never bought a modern “popular" young lady proof-reader objected to a phrase in novel, but I have bought, and love to buy, as the story, with the result that a magnificent piece many books as I can afford from the pens of of word-painting was nearly lost to the world. It such writers as our editor, J. M. Barrie, and was only through the firmness of both author George Meredith. Books from these masters are and publisher that the story was printed. One is as necessary to the young writer as books on inclined to think that much of this sort of thing anatomy are to the medical student. No; I am still goes on. How many good books are not tired of the books, even after I have “slated” through the prejudice taken by some “reviewed” them—they are always things of narrow-minded reviewers against certain phrases joy; but I certainly weary of the long, “ lump- in them? I venture to say there are many ing" columns of Press notices which are in every hundreds. We want—very much want-review- way so useless. There is both instruction and ing done for the sake of pure art; each article interest in such critical articles as appear in the should in itself be a specimen of critical art; and Saturday Review, and monthly in the Bookman, it should treat its subject also as a contribution which of all purely literary papers is distinctly  ## p. 186 (#252) ############################################ 186 THE AUTHOR. the best. The criticisms contained in this latter journal combine nearly all the designs of criti. cism mentioned by Sir Walter Besant; but, alas! when will the dailies and weeklies turn out such paragraphs as the Bookman ? Certainly all of us who have the privilege of reviewing—and a noble work it is, if well done-should aim at attaining this high standard. Jas. BAGNALL-STUBBS. BOOK AND PLAY TALK. DROFESSOR YORK POWELL is engaged on a book which will be called “ The Reign he Reign published by Messrs. Constable. “The Fish Crown in Dispute,” the fairy tale by Miss F. Lancaster Lucas, which Messrs. Skeffington and Son will publish at Easter, is of interest as being the first book dedicated to H.R.H. the Duchess of Cornwall and York in her new title, she having graciously accepted the dedication. Dr. H. Bellyse Baildon will issue a book through Chatto and Windus this month, entitled “Robert Louis Stevenson : a Life Study in Criticism.” Dr. Baildon was a schoolfellow of Robert Louis Stevenson, and in later life correspondence kept them in touch with each other. When Steven. son had made a name, Dr. Baildon had become a lecturer on English Literature to German students on the Continent, and he tried to infuse into his pupils an admiration for Stevenson's work as being something more than mere adven. ture books. The book will contain a portrait hitherto unpublished, and will be uniform with the six-shilling edition of Stevenson's works. Mrs. Katharine S. Macquoid, the novelist and travel - book writer, quietly kept her golden wedding day on Jan. 28. She has been working for the public for nearly forty years. Her health is delicate, but she still works, when health permits, with her accustomed spirit. She has lately finished a historical romance. Mr. B. T. Batsford announces a second issue of Mr. Edwin 0. Sachs's monumental work, “Modern Opera Houses and Theatres,” which will be published in the spring. Mr. Sachs's work comprises three grand folio volumes with two hundred and twenty plates, and over one thousand illustrations, and the first edition appeared between 1896 and 1898, after having required more than eight years' preparation. The work is the most comprehensive on any special architec- tural subject published during the past century, The new issue will be in no wise inferior to the original, and will contain a special prefatory note dealing with the latest developments and improvements in theatre architecture which Mr. Sachs has to such a great extent been instru- mental in bringing about, not only at home, but in foreign countries. A new novel is announced by Miss Mina Sandeman, entitled “ Veronica Verdant." Mr. Frederic Carrel, the author of “The Pro- gress of Pauline Kessler," is now reading the proofs of his new novel “ Paul Le Maistre.” Mr. Charles Grant, the author of “The Middle Temple,” “A Baltic Cruise,” “La Marguerite,” is writing an account of his cruise to the Mediter- is writing ranean, and of his travels in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. The book will be ready early in March. Mr. Poultney Bigelow sails for America imme- diately in order to lecture at Yale and Columbia Universities on the History of Colonies and their Administration. He proposes to return as soon as the lectures have been given. Mr. John Cordy Jeaffreson died on Feb. 2, at Maida Vale. London, in his seventy-first year. Although chiefly known for his works on the learned professions—“A Book about Doctors," “A Book about Lawyers,” and “A Book about the Clergy”_Mr. Jeaffreson's work in fiction. especially “ Not Dead Yet," was also popular. A book of his personal reminiscences appeared about seven years ago. The Rev. Henry Grey Graham, author of “Social Life in Scotland in the Eighteenth Cen- tury,” which has been published in a one-volume edition, is engaged on a volume dealing with the Scottish literature and literary men of the same period. It will not be ready till about the end of the year. Mr. Thomas Wright's forthcoming edition of Cowper's Letters will contain many new letters. cowpers from the original manuscripts. The author of “An Englishwoman's Love Letters,” concerning whose identity there has been so much feverish curiosity, is stated to be Mr. Laurence Housman. The Life of the late Bishop of London (Dr. Mandell Creighton) has been undertaken by Mrs. Creighton, and will be published by Messrs. Longmans, Green and Co. Mrs. Creighton appeals to those who may have letters from the Bishop to lend them to her for the purposes of the work.  ## p. 187 (#253) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 187 A history of the recent campaign in Ashanti by an officer who was with the relieving force is about to be published by Messrs. Methuen. The author is Captain H. J. C. Biss. The book will be fully illustrated with photographs and plans. Lady Hodgson, wife of Sir Frederic Hodgson, formerly Governor of the Gold Coast, has written an account of the siege of Coomassie, which is published by Messrs. Pearson. “Anticipations” is the title of a new work upon which Mr. H. G. Wells is at present engaged. It is to be a series of speculations on the world's development, based on scientific knowledge and a reasoned survey of the tendencies of the age. The work will first appear serially in one of the monthly reviews. Literature understands that the late Mr. Stephen Crane's uncompleted novel “ The O'Ruddy,” is being finished by Mr. A. E. W. Mason, and will be dramatised and produced by Mr. David Belasco. Mr. A. C. Bradley, who has been Professor of Modern Literature at University College, Liverpool, and at Glasgow University, now succeeds Professor Courthope in the Chair of Poetry at Oxford. Mr. W. J. Woodhouse, M.A., Lecturer in Ancient History and Political Philosophy at St. Andrew's, has been elected to the Professorship of Greek at the Univer- sity of Sydney. Mr. Woodhouse's “Tutorial History of Greece" will be published in a few months. "A State Secret, and Other Stories," by Mrs. Croker, and a novel entitled “A Narrow Way," by Miss Mary Findlater, are being published by Messrs. Methuen. A recent number of Light, the weekly organ of spiritualism, contained the following curious announcement from the hon. secretary of the Society of Spiritists: We have received two or three messages from Florence Marryat-the first on the day of her funeral, and others at different times since then, during our materialisation séances. She stated that she hoped to communicate with as abortly, but that she would never materialise, as that was not a part of her work in the other life, but we ander. stood that she would dictate a book to us of experiences since she crossed the river. She wished it taken down in shorthand, and we have made arrangements for this to be done. Mr. William Archer contributes to the Inter- national Monthly for February (London: The International News Company) a paper entitled " The Real Ibsen.” He remarks at the outset that Henrik Ibsen has been more widely miss understood than any artist, past or present. After dealing with the points upon which he claims that Ibsen has been misunderstood, Mr. Archer in conclusion says: T he people who seek to construct a "gospel,” a consistent body of doctrine, from bis works, are spinning ropes of sand. He is “everything by turns and nothing long." He is neither an individualist nor a socialist, neither an aristo. crat nor a democrat, neither an optimist nor a pessimist. He is simply a dramatist, looking with piercing eyes at the world of men and women, and translating into poetry this episode and that from the inexhaustible pageant. Poetry- poetry: that is the first word and the last of any true appreciation of Ibsen. It is largely because he has applied to purposes of poetry a vehicle hitherto ased only for prosaio ends that he has been so strangely misunderstood. But the period of misunderstanding is passing away, and the real Ibsen is emerging from the mists in which pre- jadice and imperfect knowledge have enveloped him, to take his predestined place among the great poets of the nine- teenth century. Journalism is in a flourishing condition in the Argentine Republic, where it enjovs perfect liberty, and, according to the U.S. Education Report, is constantly increasing in influence and improving in quality. In 1881 only 165 news- papers and periodicals were published in the entire country, but in 1896 the number had increased to 610, of which 279 were published in the capital city, 327 in the provinces, and four in the national territories. The best newspapers correspond in size to the leading daily papers of the United States. They have a complete tele- grapbic service, and publish every day dispatches giving the important news from all parts of the world. “Premières of the Year” is a volume by Mr. J. T. Grein, which Mr. Macqueen is about to publish. Mr. Max Pemberton's new novel, “ Pro Patria,” which ran serially in the Windsor Magazine, will be published this month by Messrs. Ward, Lock and Co. It is reported that Mr. Pemberton has written a comedy for Miss Julia Neilson and Mr. Fred Terry. Mrs. Aylmer Gowing's new novel, entitled “A Spider's Web," is now ready, and may be had of all booksellers. It is described as a work of considerable strength and of sustained interest. A new novel by Mrs. de Courcy Laffan (Mrs. Leith Adams) may be looked for early in the spring. It will be entitled “ The Vicar of Dale End: a Study,' and dedicated, by special permis- sion, to Sir Henry Irving. The story is founded on certain facts that happened about a hundred years ago. A volume of collected stories (from All the Year Round and Household Words), by the same writer, is in the press, and will shortly be published; as also a third and cheaper edition of "The Prince's Feathers.”  ## p. 188 (#254) ############################################ 188 THE AUTHOR. Messrs. Jarrold and Sons have issued a new to-day seems too crude to deal with its delicate two-shilling edition of Mrs. de Courcy Laffan's perfection. The front, in Shaftesbury-avenue, earlier works, under the title of “ The Imperial reminds one of a pavilion in the park of Versailles, Series.” although at the same time it asserts itself as On Feb. 6, Mrs. Laffan lectured before a undoubtedly a theatre.” The house was opened crowded and distinguished audience, at the with “The Belle of Bohemia,” a musical farce Sesame Club, on “Fictional Literature as a written by Mr. Harry B. Smith, the music by Mr. Profession for Women.” Ludwig Englander. Mr. F. D. Bvrne has translated Sudermann's The new Savoy opera, “ The Emerald Isle,” is “ Johannisfeur" on an order from Mrs. Patrick intended for production about Easter. The Campbell. It is a four-act play in the East libretto is by Captain Basil Hood, and the late Prussian dialect. The English title given is Sir Arthur Sullivan's partial setting is being “Bonfire Night," completed by Mr. Edward German. Mr. W. S. Crockett is the author of a book on Mrs. Langtry will open the reconstructed “ The Scott Country.” which Messrs. A. and C. Imperial Theatre, on April 18, with her new play Black are about to publish. It aims at present. founded on the life of Marie Antoinette. ing information upon the district associated with A dramatised version of “ Vanity Fair” has Sir Walter Scott upon a more compact and com- been secured by Mr. Frank Curzon, and will prehensive plan than has yet been attempted. probably be the next production at the Prince of Mr. Crockett is the author of “In Praise of Wales's Theatre. Miss Marie Tempest, who is Tweed.” now playing in “ Peg Woffington” at that Professor Masson is writing his “Reminiscences theatre, is spoken of for the part of Becky Sharp. of a Literary Life.” A new modern comedy by Mr. R. C. Carton Mr. A. Lys Baldry is engaged on a large illus-, will be produced at the Criterion about Easter. trated volume to be called “ Professor Hubert Meanwhile that house is about to witness a von Herkomer and his Works.” It is not revival of Mr. Sydney Grundy's adaptation from expected to be ready before the autumn. Messrs. “Les Surprises du Divorce,” entitled “ Mamma." Bell are the publishers. Sir Henry Irving has accepted a play by Mr. Mme. Sarah Grand's new novel, “ Babs the Fergus Hume. Impossible,” will be published in a few weeks by Messrs. Hutchinson. The same firm will issue A morning performance of Mr. Zangwill's Miss Adeline Sergeant's new novel, “ The Trea- comedy, “ The Revolt of the Daughters," is being arranged by Mr. J. T. Grein for a day in March. sure of Captain Scarlett.” Mr. Forbes Robertson begins his management Mr Warwick H. Draper has written a book on of the Comedy on April 20. King Alfred, which Mr. Elliot Stock is publishing, It will have an introduction from the pen of the Bishop of Hereford. Mr. Neil Munro's new novel, “ Doom Castle," which is appearing serially, will be published in a month or two by Messrs. Blackwood. Earl Percy has written a volume on the High- SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. lands of Asiatic Turkey, which he recently visited. It will be published by Mr. Arnold. [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT. The scene of Mr. Baring Gould's new novel, “The Frobishers," is laid in the Staffordshire pottery district. It will be published imme- ... .. 8 diately by Messrs. Methuen. ... ... 1 Quarter of a Page ... ... 0 15 0 In the descriptive pamphlet distributed at the Eighth of a Page ... ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0 opening of the Apollo Theatre on the 21st ult. Bills for Insertion Mr. Louis N. Parker wrote: “To describe this beautiful building properly one ought to have the Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Six and of 25 per cent. for Twelve Insertions. pen of Addison. 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OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. CONTENTS OF MARCH NUMBER SONNET — To the Kaiser Wilhelm. By | THE SONG of the SOUL. By W. S. A. P. GRAVES, M.A. | THE LAST LULLABY. By LAURENCE ROSE o' the WORLD. By NORA HOPPER. | ALMA TADEM 1. THE MILKY WAY. By NORMAN GALE. In other numbers Poems will appear from the following LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS :- DR. RICHARD GARNETT, The late LORD LYTTON. THOMAS HARDY. W. E. HENLEY, LADY FLORENCE DOUGLAS, LADY MARGARET SACK VILLE, DR. EDMUND GOSSE. O. WHIT WORTH WYNNE, MACKENZIE BELL, HAROLD BEGBIE, VIOTOR PLARR. DR GILBERT MURRAY, ROBERT DENNIS. SARAH DOUDNEY, CLIFTON BINGHAM, FRANCIS PREVOST, WILLIAM OANTON. HERBERT MORRAH, HAMILTON AIDE. REV. W. J. DAWSON, JOAN HUTCHINSON, WILLIAM SHARP. SIR LEWIS MORRIS, CANON RAWNSLEY, ISRAEL GOLLANEZ, ARTEUR SYMONS, JUSTIN H. MCCARTHY, THE EDITOR, AND MANY OTHERS. The object of this periodical is to popularise the reading of the modern poets, and to familiarise the People with their works. 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Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 10 (March 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 10 (March 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <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> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-03-01-The-Author-11-10 publications The Author