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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) 1901-07-01 Volume 12 Issue 2 Pages Page range in volume 17–36 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010701 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. 1. (The Organ of the Incorporated Scriety of Authors. Monthly.) VOL. XII.-No. 2.] JULY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. PAGY : CONTENTS. PAGE Memoranda ... ... 17 The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors ... Authors and the War Fund Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... ... Death of Sir Walter Besant : Notes and News Portrait ... ... ... Tribute from the President .. The Women Writers' Dinner Tribute from the Committee... Correspondence Memoir. By S. Squire Sprigge Tribute from Paris The Proposed Memorial to Arcbibald Forbes From the Committee The Handling of MSS.... ... Literary Property : Authors' Deductions and Income Tax Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. Pearson | Robert Buchanan ... ... ... ... ... The Same Old Agreement The International Literary and Artistic Association ... 29 | Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at ios. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18. 6. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods.” With comments and advice. 28. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 18. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888-1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. is. [All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.] NST ## p. 16 (#352) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL Sir Edwin ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Austin Dobson. THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE. THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIB. The Right Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. | SYDNEY GRUNDY. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH H. RIDER HAGGARD. SiR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., CLERE. THOMAS HARDY. LL.D. HALL CAINE. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. P. W. CLAYDEN. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. EDWARD CLODD. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. W. MORRIS COLLES. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G, R. Sims. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE RIGHT Hon. W.E. H. LECKY, M.P. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. J. M. LELY. J. J. STEVENSON. MRS. CRAIGIE. The Rev. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. FRANCIS STORR. F. MARION CRAWFORD. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. J. M. LELY. E. Rose. D. W. FRESHFIELD. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hon. John COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONway. M. H. SPIELMANN. COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDI. EDWARD ROSE. Salinitore FIELD, Roscoe, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. ESTABLISHED 1896. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. Ltd. INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS. MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing, NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED. WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol. ## p. 17 (#353) ############################################# The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) Vou.. XII.—No. 2.] JULY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and he requests members who do not receive an answer to important communications within two days to write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. III. The Royalty System. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly 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.” IV. A Commission Agreement. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. General. All other for«ns of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements hy letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other subjoots whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. SERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :- I. Selling it Outright. This is 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 Secretary of the Society. II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreemeat in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses," anless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! VOL. XII. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com- petent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (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 receipte in preference to the American system. Sbould obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. D2 ## p. 18 (#354) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 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 apon agreements and to give advice con- cerning 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. THE READING BRANCH. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nigbtly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the feos 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. Anthors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and time. Tbis is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rigbts, 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 exceed. ingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly specnlative : that be 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 dramatio con. tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA. TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. 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. M HE 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 2180 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 whicb it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. THE AUTHORS' CLUB is situated at 3, Whiteball.court, London, S.W. Address the Secretary for information concerning rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. - AUTHORS AND THE WAR FUND. 1. T VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive N 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. Reinember that yaestions connected with copyright and publishers' agreoments do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to ase the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts, with a copy of the book 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 document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battlos of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing MSEMBERS of the Society of Authors will be pleased to hear that the book issued under the editorship of Mr. Cutcliffe Hyne, the proceeds of the sale of which were to go to the War Fund, has had a thoroughly successful circulation, and a first contribution of £214 10s. 7d. has been forwarded. Authors may look upon this result as highly satisfactory, and special thanks must be given to the editor and the contributors for the trouble they have taken. ## p. 19 (#355) ############################################# By kind permission of Messrs. Ellis and Watery. SIR W ALTER BESANC. Died at Frognal End, Hampstead, June 9, 1901. ## p. 20 (#356) ############################################# 20 THE AUTHOR. SIR WALTER BESANT. maintain and enforce. It is not necessary on the present occasion to recapitulate these; readers of THE FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. this journal are familiar with them. The years that have elapsed since that paper was read have From the President. witnessed no departure from those principles and UR Society has to sustain a heavy blow in have been filled with work upon those lines. the death of Sir Walter Besant; and, Though no longer chairman, Sir Walter did not although vitality breathes from a bright abate in the smallest degree his labours on behalf example, such a loss may well seem to us at the of the profession of letters. As an energetic and moment irreparable. It is hard to speak of him diligent member of the Committee, and as the within measure when we consider his devotion to conductor of The Author, he continued to inspire the cause of authors, and the constant good the Society which he had founded, and to give to service rendered by him to their material inte. it his time, his thoughts, and his affection with rests. In this he was a valorous, alert, persistent that unmeasured generosity which seemed to advocate, and it will not be denied by his oppo belong to him alone, and with the ardent enthu- nents that he was always urbane, his object being siasm which had enabled him to overcome all simply to establish a system of fair dealing opposition and all difficulties in the early days of between the sagacious publishers of books and our existence. Nothing but illness kept him the inexperienced, often heedless, producers. from the meetings of the Committee; he edited How unselfishly, with how pure a generosity he The Author till within a month of his death; he gave his valuable time to the previously neglected never ceased to seek how the work of the Society office of adviser to the more youthful of his pro might be advanced and extended, and how its fession, may be estimated by a review of his position might be yet further fortified and con- memorable labours in other fields. They were solidated. vast and toilsome, yet he never missed an occa- Faith, zeal, courage, self-devotion—these were sion for acting as the young author's voluntary the great qualities which he brought to his friend in the least sentimental and most sensible chosen work—the work of developing in men of manner. He had no thought of trouble or letters a sense of their brotherhood, of the dignity personal loss where the welfare of his fellow. of their profession, of the duty of maintaining workers was concerned. We have lost in him the steadfastly its independence and its rights. very beating heart of our Society, and it is by What he warred against was, in his own words, holding his name in grateful remembrance that “the feeling, ridiculous, senseless, and baseless, we may best hope to have something of his that it is beneath the dignity of an author to energies remaining with us. manage his business affairs as a man of business GEORGE MEREDITH. should, with the same regard for equity in his agreement, the same resolution to know what is meant by both sides of an agreement, and the From the Committee. same jealousy as to assigning the administration When, in the year 1892, Sir Walter Besant of his property.” Against the old bad way—the retired from the chairmanship of the Committee hand-to-mouth existence, indolence and ignorance of the Society, he himself gave an account parading as the superiority of genius, i slipshod of bis stewardship in the form of a “ brief negligence that ended in recriminations and history of the Society from its foundation.” wranglings, he set his own face and armed his This paper, read at the Annual Meeting, con- comrades. For it was to his comrades in the stitutes still the best account of the origin, first instance that his message spoke. Their establishment, and progress of the Society. fate was in their own hands; it was in their In it our founder lays down the lines of our power to make justice, knowledge, and common activity and the principles which we exist to sense prevail in their business arrangements. ## p. 21 (#357) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 21 “We have enabled you to meet men of business authors. The loyalty and love of his comrades as men of business,” he said, rightly discerning in literature-not least of the younger men and that only thus could independence exist and women whom he welcomed so cordially and reciprocal respect be in the end secured. appraised so generously-were his without stint “I can at least plead that I have always placed in his lifetime, and follow him in affectionate the Cause before any other consideration.” All sorrow beyond the grave. our members know one sense in which this was By order of the Committee, so abundantly true. He placed it before his ease (Signed) and his leisure ; for its sake he endured violent ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS, Chairman. attack, supercilious comment, ill-informed criti. June 17, 1901. cism; for it he suffered himself to be represented by many as false to the very thing he loved best of all—the true and highest interests of literature. Memoir. But there is another sense in which his words SIR WALTER BESANT was born at Portsmouth come back to those whose privilege it was to be sixty-four years ago. He was educated at Ports- intimately associated with him in the work and mouth, at several suburban schools, at King's counsels of the Society. For a man of his ardent College, London, and at Christ's College, Cam- mind and strong convictions it could not have bridge, where a successful student's career was been easy to subordinate his judgment to that of rewarded by a high place in the mathematical others, and to work as one of several equal members tripos. He was eighteenth wravgler. From of a consultative body. But this as a member a small boy a hard worker, he read much of the Committee he was always ready to do. and in many directions during hours when his He based no claims on his unique services or on schoolmates were playing, for his short sight his unrivalled experience. However strongly he prevented him from taking a prominent part in might advocate a particular view or a particular athletic pursuits; though it should be added course, he accepted loyally the decision of his that when he was at Cambridge he became fond colleagues. He never liked to have it said that of rowing. As a youth he was an excellent he “was the Society," and to say it was to do an classic, having read sufficiently widely to appre- injustice to one of the greatest graces of his ciate the study of Latin and Greek; and it character and to one of his most valuable seems to have been by accident rather than by qualities as a member of a corporation. natural bent that his attention was turned to Thanks to him far more than to any other mathematics. Certainly his love of literature, his man the Society of Authors has now reached devotion to historical and antiquarian research, such a position that no individual loss can shake and his keenness in tracing the ethical develop- or cripple it. None the less the loss we have ments of his fellow-men—the influence upon suffered is heavy and irreparable. The difference them of heredity and environment-seem to mark which his departure makes must be great. It him out rather as a student of the humanities should be the work of those who survive him to than of the abstract sciences. He always re- lessen it by all means in their power; this would gretted that he had not continued to read classics have been his first wish. It is to be hoped when at Cambridge, and made rather light of his that a worthy memorial of him may be set on mathematical powers, which were so considerable foot. But there would be none that he himself that in many men they would have dictated a would value so much as the continued and grow- career. ing usefulness and prosperity of the Society. It had been his intention to enter the Church, That is the only reward he ever looked to receive but when the time came near he found his dis- for all his labours. One other he did receive, taste for Holy Orders to be insuperable, and in which at this time it is permissible to express to 1861, after a brief experience as an under master those dear to him in the name of his brother at a school, he applied for and obtained a ## p. 22 (#358) ############################################# 22 THE AUTHOR. Government appointment as professor of mathe- extraordinary power of application was perhaps as matics in the Royal College of Mauritius. He much displayed in connection with the Palestine held the post for six years, resigning in 1867 Exploration Fund as in any part of his life-work. through ill-health. He has described in oue of The Fund, which has done such admirable his earlier novels the life of enervating laziness service in illustrating and verifying the Scrip. which prevailed at that time in a tropical island, tures, had in him a literally indefatigable servant. and to this he never got acclimatised. When He managed the office, edited the Transactions, he returned to England he resolved to devote and wrote the hand-books; and it was always a himself to a literary career, for which be felt that source of regret to him that he had never been he had a strong bent, and to follow which had to the places with whose topography he was so been one of his earliest hopes as a lad. As a familiar. I remember that he once pointed out beginning he published a volume of studies in to me a short footnote in one of the publications early French poetry, the result of a great deal of of the Palestine Exploration Fund which he said reading undertaken during his residence in had necessitated the reading of three books Mauritius with the help and encouragement of a before the speculation which it contained could Frenchman whom he met there named Léon be supported. Later discovery proved its com. Doyen. This volume was succeeded by bio. plete correctness. To me the significance of the graphies of Coligny and Whittington, contributed story was not that he had taken such trouble to to a series of books of biography entitled "The verify the grounds of his hypothesis, but that, New Plutarch.” In 1873, and for a few years having acquired so much knowledge by the way, later, he was a frequent contributor to the columns he should be content to add only a little foot- of the Daily News, and in the former year he note. This was Besant all over, but it is not the brought out a volume entitled “The French way of many historians. Humourists,” which showed him to be a very It was in 1872 that a chance contribution to accurate and appreciative student of Rabelais. Once a Week introduced him to James Rice. By this work he proved himself to have a power The story has often been told how Besant called of graceful expression, a ready wit, and a store of on Rice to remonstrate with him for publishing rather unusual scholarship, and he soon found an article in the magazine which was full of ample employment for his pen in magazines and misprints, the author's proof having miscarried. newspapers. The interview led to Rice inviting Besant to Almost immediately upon his return to collaborate with him in a serial novel. The book England he had become closely associated was “ Ready Money Mortiboy.” It was a success, with the group of scholars and explorers who and was followed by a real triumph—" The founded the Palestine Exploration Fund, and by Golden Butterfly.” During the next ten years them was appointed secretary, a position which the joint authors produced a series of novels he held for upwards of twenty years, only which won them immediate popularity, and a resigning it to become hon. secretary in the year permanent place in English letters. An enormous 1886. His friend Mr. Morris Colles has recorded amount of conjecture has been expended over the value of Besant's work to the Palestine the respective shares of the two novelists in their Exploration Fund. During the years which admirable stories, and to this conjecture no the Survey of Western Palestine was in progress absolute end can be put, as the only two persons Mr. Colles was living with Professor Palmer, able to separate the compounds into their respec- the great orientalist, who edited the Survey with tive elements are dead without communicating Besant, and he testifies to the profound and their formula to the world. But this much may ; ritical knowledge over an amazingly wide field here be said. The books were truly written in » f learning that Besant would display. Palmer, collaboration, though here and there a scene is of course, was supreme as an orientalist, but in painted which was outside Besant's experience, all else Besant's help was invaluable. His or a place described to which Rice had never ## p. 23 (#359) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 23 been. In every case the first draft was in Besant's handwriting, though the plot was not necessarily his original idea.' The scheme of each book was decided upon by them both before the draft was made, and every chapter was debated between them, the emendations and developments that followed being such as were approved by both. From a literary point of view, therefore, each wrote every word. It is completely unfair to relegate, as some have done, all the scholarship and graceful fancy to one partner, and all the broad humour to another. Something of the share that each played in the collaboration might be guessed by reading Rice's separate work and Besant's many novels written after the death of Rice in 1882, but the inference made would be misleading, for each man exercised an influence on the other. That is all that I ever heard Besant say on the matter. He was talking of collaboration in general, and not of his own works, but I have no doubt that it was from personal experience that he was speaking. He pointed out that if A. and B. truly collaborated, allowing nothing to be published which had not received their common approval, their separate qualities would be so modified by the process that the result would not be the expected or even the probable derivative of their individual talents. In September, 1883, a group of twelve or fifteen men, their closest link being, I believe, member- ship of the Savile Club, met in Mr. Scoones's chambers in Garrick-street to form a Society of Men and Women of Letters. Exactly what they were going to do they hardly knew. It was only felt vaguely that the position of literary men was unsatisfactory, a discontent which, as Sir Walter Besant recently said in these columns, “ may be traced back for 150 years simply by the con- tinuous beaded string of epigrams in which they have relieved their angry souls.” The Society of Men and Women of Letters started with a short programme of three objects :- 1. The maintenance, definition, and defence of literary property. 2. The consolidation and amendment of the laws of domestic copyright. 3. The promotion of international copyright vol. xii. On these lines a prospectus was produced and the adhesion was sought of all who lived by literature. Besant was the preliminary chairman during the organisation of the society, and to his untiring efforts and never-failing enthusiasm such measure of success as was obtained was due. He had first-hand experience of printing accounts, gained at the office of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and by the publication of the earliest work by Besant and Rice at its authors' risk ; while he had also acquired knowledge of certain frauds that were then being practised by pub- lishers of the baser sort, so that he knew, if a little vaguely, in which direction the association should begin its work, and he was able to give a reason for the enthusiasm with which he infected others. I am not be littling the part which the first council and committee of the Society of Authors played when I say that they almost all gave their original adherence “ to oblige Besant.” Later he was able to show them, and a large proportion of the literary world, that to support the Society of Authors made for the benefit of all, but at first it was Besant's perso nality that kept the Society together. He was loved as well as respected. He had gone to the top of the literary profession with a few quick strides, and success had made no difference to him. The absolutely simple, genial, unassuming man was unaltered. When such a man initiates a movement a response may be obtained that is quite surprising to many who have seen noisier and more declamatory efforts fail. All Besant's friends followed him because they knew the man rather than his cause. There was no suspicion that he was doing the thing for his own aggrandisement. Everyone felt that it was his sense of justice and his desire to be helpful that inspired his actions, and were ready to follow where he was leading, even though the direction was, as he has said, not quite clear even to himself. This is the sense in which it may truly be said that Besant founded the Society of Authors. Men of repute in the literary and business world belonged from the beginning to the movement. Admirable volunteer service was done by counsel, solicitors, and auditors, a strong committee of management was backed by an influential array of vice-presidents, and the first ## p. 24 (#360) ############################################# 24 THE AUTHOR. president was Tennyson. Most of these were re- cruited into the service of the Society of Authors by half-a-dozen men who knew them intimately and were related to them, and these half-a-dozen men were Besant's friends. The following words from Besant's pen are probably familiar to readers of The Author, but no sketch of his life, however brief, should leave in doubt exactly what he meant by the definition of literary property and the maintenance of the dignity and independence of letters :- There has existed for a hundred and fifty years at least, and there still lingers among us, a feeling that it is unworthy the dignity of letters to take any account at all of the com- mercial or pecuniary side. No one, you will please to remark, has ever thought of reproaching the barrister, the solicitor, the physician, the surgeon, the painter, the sculptor, the actor, the singer, the musician, the composer, the architect, the chemist, the physicist, the engineer, the professor, the teacher, the clergyman, or any other kind of brain worker that one can mention, with taking fees or salaries or money for his work; nor does anyone reproach these men with looking after their fees and getting rich if they can. Nor does anyone suggest that to consider the subject of payment very carefully-to take ordinary pre- cautions against dishonesty-brings discredit on anyone who does 80; nor does anyone call that barrister unworthy of the Bar who expects large fees in proportion to his name and his ability ; nor does anyone call that painter a trades- man whose price advances with his reputation. I beg you to consider this point very carefully. For the moment any author begins to make practical investigation into the value --the monetary value of the work which he puts upon the market-& hundred voices arise from those of his own craft as well as from those who live by administering his property-voices which cry ont upon the sordidness, the meanness, the degradation of turning literature into a trade. We hear, I say, this kind of talk from our own ranks- though, one must own, chiefly from those who never had an opportunity of discovering what literary property means. Doos, I ask, this cry mean anything at all? Well, first of all, it manifestly means a confusion of ideas. There are two values of literary work—distinct, separate; not com. mensurable—they cannot be measured—they cannot be con- sidered together. The one is the literary value of a work- its artistic, poetic, dramatic value ; its value of accuracy, of construction, of presentation, of novelty, of style, of magnetism. On that value is based the real position of every writer in his own generation and the estimate of him, should he survive, for generations to follow. I do not greatly blame those who cry out upon the connection of literature with trade; they are jealous, and rightly jealous, for the honour of letters. We will acknowledge so much. But the confusion lies in not understanding that every man who takes money for whatever he makes or does may be regarded, in a way, and not offensively, as a tradesman; but that the making of a thing need have nothing whatever to do with the price it will command; and that this price in the case of a book cannot be measured by the literary or artistic value. In other words, while an artist is at work upon a poem, a drama, or a romance, this aspect of his work, and this alone, is in his mind, otherwise his work would be naught. But, once finished and ready for production, then comes in the other value—the commercial value, which is a distinct thing. Here the artist ceases and the man of business begins. Either the man of business begins at this point or the next steps of that artist infallibly bring him to disaster, or at least the partial loss of that commercial value. Remember that any man who has to sell a thing must make himself acquainted with its value, or he will be-what? Call it what you please-over-reached, deluded, cheated. That is & recognised rule in every other kind of business. Let us do our best to make it recognised in our own. Apart from this confasion of ideas between literary and commercial value, there is another and a secondary reason for this feeling. For two hundred years, at least, contempt of every kind has been poured upon the unsuccessful author. Why? How did the contempt arise ? It came to us as a heritage of the last century. In the course of our investigations into the history of literary property-the result of which will, I hope, appear some day in volume form-I recently caused a research to be made into the business side of literature in the last century. Publishers were not then men of education and knowledge, as many of them are at the present moment; they were not advised by scholars, men of taste and intuition ; the market, compared with that of the present day, was inconceivably small; there were great risks due to all these causes. The practice, therefore, was, in view of these risks, to pay the author so much for his book right out, and to expect a successful book to balance, and more than balance, one tbat was unsuc- cessful. Therefore they bought the books they published at the lowest price they could persuade the author to accept. Therefore—the consequence follows like the next line in Euclid—the author began to appear to the popular imagina- tion as a suppliant standing hat in hand beseeching the generosity of the bookseller. Physician and barrister stood upright, taking the recognised fee. The author bent a humble back, holding his hat in one humble hand, while he held oat the other humble band for as many guineas as he could get. That, I say, was the popular view of the author. And it still lingers among us. . . . We constantly read here and there of the generosity of a publisher. My friends, let us henceforth resolve to proclaim that we do not want generosity; that we will not have it; that we are not beggars and suppliants ; and that what we want is the administration of our own property-or its purchase-on fair, just, and honourable terms. Let us remember that the 80-called generosity must be either a dole--an alms-over and above his just claim, in which case it degrades the author to take it and robs the publisher who gives it; or it is a payment under the just value, when it degrades the publisher who gives it, while it robs the author who takes it. Such was Besant's view of the position which authors should take up towards the public and the publisher, and in elucidation and support of it he spared no pains. He was generally accused of, blind and sweeping hatred of publishers, but the accusation was an ignorant and short-sighted one. His real attitude was this : Having asserted that ordinary business routine, either carried out personally or by an accredited agent, cannot possibly be ºpposed to the production of matter of the first artistic excellence, he set to work to make clear the principles which should underlie the commercial relation of the author and the ## p. 25 (#361) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. · 25 publisher. The earliest business done by the influential men; he spoke with pride of the Society of Authors made it clear that the publish- strides already made and with hope of future ing world—like every other trade and profession developments; he allotted large credit to everyone -contained a few deliberate thieves. The who had ever done any work for the Society; but impunity of these persons was due to their asser- he entirely omitted to say—even to suggest that tion that many of their methods were hallowed by he had been the prime mover in its affairs from custom in the publishing world. Besant declared the beginning, that he had initiated its policy, at once that, if this were so, customs which moulded much of its fortunes, that he had allowed the black sheep to carry on a life of fraud advanced money whenever necessary, and had ought to be discontinued by all publishers. This toiled hour after hour and day after day at self- was, and is, the opinion of the Society of Authors, imposed tasks that the Society might reach an and it is not likely that anyone will be found unassailable position. Besant never “was the publicly to disagree with it. Besant was never Society," and had a great objection to the allega- tired of publishing it abroad, but it is difficult to tion, for he was always ready to ask and act upon believe that any right-ininded judgment could the opinion of his colleagues ; * but during his consider his words as dictated by wholesale and chairmanship he possessed such an intimate sweeping hatred of all publishers. knowledge of all the details of the business of Sir Walter Besant was chairman of the Society the Society that he was almost invariably able of Authors on three separate occasions, his last to speak with authority. tenure of office lasting from 1887 to 1892. Until In 1892 Sir Walter Besant resigned the chair- the day of his death the affairs of the Society manship of the Society of Authors, but remained formed an integral part of his life, and while he on the Committee, continued to edit The Author, was chairman the amount of time that he and in every way kept the affairs of the Society cheerfully spent upon its business is well-nigh amongst his foremost thoughts. Soon afterwards incredible. The time that I was secretary of the he made a start upon a colossal work, “ The Society coincided almost exactly with his last and Survey of London.” For the last five or six longest period of office, and during four years he years he had been working daily at the offices came three or four days in the week to Portugal- of Messrs. A. and C. Black upon this Survey, and street prepared to discuss every imaginable point shortly before he died he said that he considered of difficulty. Nothing was too large for him to go the hardest part of his task was over. His through with, nothing was too small for him to original design had been to bring “ Stowe's attend to that bore upon the profession of letters. London ” up to date, but the enormous masses of And he took no credit to himself for the enormous information that he acquired in so many diverse sacrifice of his time and the unceasing call upon directions led him gradually to modify his scheme. his thoughts; on the contrary, if an opportunity He left himself as his contribution to the work occurred, he gave other people the praise. When the writing of the story of London up to the end ever he attributed to me good deeds of his own- of the nineteenth century, and this was to be and this was his habit at the meetings of the supplemented in all necessary ways by articles Society of Authors during my secretaryship—he from specially qualified contributors. One volume always wore afterwards the air of having scored out of, I believe, eight, he lived to finish, and it is off me. It fell to my lot to accompany him sincerely to be hoped that the arrangements for to America in 1894, when we attended the the others are so far forward that the work, which Authors' Congress at Chicago as representatives must always be associated with Besant's name, of the Society. Besant made a long statement to can be completed in accordance with his design. an enthusiastic audience concerning the fortunes of the Society of Authors. He described its * Since writing this I see that Mr. Anthony Hope small beginnings, its early struggles, its good Hawkins has said almost exactly the same thing, but I think the repetition may stand, for my recollections refer fortune in obtaining from the first the support of to an earlier period in the Society's affairs. ## p. 26 (#362) ############################################# 26 THE AUTHOR. His acquaintance with London was very close, and his admiration for the capital — for her institutions and for the great part she has played in the national history-was unbounded. That he should acquire and assimilate all that scholarly and antiquarian research could teach him of London was not so surprising as was his great familiarity with the external features of the city. How did a man who rarely walked in the streets at a less pace than four miles an hour, and was quite shortsighted, contrive to know where the best views could be had of quaint façades, where there were particularly splendid iron railings, where there were espe- cially hideous gargoyles ? Anyone who has ever tramped about the streets with him knows that the list of attractions that he had to point out could be increased indefinitely, and the things that Besant knew about London were not in books. In 1895 Sir Walter Besant was knighted in recognition of his prominent position in the lite- rary world and of the practical good that he had done with his pen. That the distinction was due to him was allowed on all hands, and the occasion was the signal for an outburst of ardent esteem for the man and his works. His health did not begin to fail until the last year of his life, nor was he, to all appearance, seriously ill until the spring of this year. But the complaint from which he suffered was one for which but little could be done at his age, and his decline during the three weeks preceding the end was rapid. Sir Walter Besant married in 1874 Mary Garrett, daughter of Mr. Eustace Forster- Barham, of Bridgwater, by whom he leaves four children—two sons (fighting with our army in South Africa) and two daughters. and scientific life-work of Sir Walter Besant. The books from his single pen, written both before and after the death of his collaborator, speak for him and show him to be a fore- most figure in Victorian literature ; and it has been with the greatest pleasure that his friends have learned from the various obituary notices of his career that this fact is universally recognised. The good work of a veteran does not always appeal to judges a generation younger than the author, and we have all of us read criticisms of Sir Walter Besant's books that were, I have no doubt, sincere, but which were completely unfair, in that he was blamed for not doing what he had never tried to do. It was good that this injustice should be set right when his life-work was finished, and when a summary of it had to be given to the world. And almost without exception Sir Walter Besant's biographers have felt the responsibility laid upon them, and have recognised with affectionate zeal the high claims of the author of “ All Sorts and Condi- tions of Men,” “The Revolt of Man,” and “Dorothy Forster”—the author's own favourite book. Brave man and loyal friend, he burned to succour the poor and weak ; he hated injustice and disregarded all personal considerations in his efforts to maintain fair play. It may be that occasionally he tilted a windmill, but the number of times that Besant's instinct was wrong and his onslaughts unjustified were few indeed. All who have worked with him will remember instances when a rapid generalisation of his seemed hardly warranted—when it might be easy, by using some particular instance, to display the course he was advocating as quixotic or hasty; but all will agree that as a rule he was absolutely right. Where there were risks Besant led the open attack; if only credit was likely to be obtained from action he was ever content to follow others. A glance through his daily correspondence would reveal that his counsel was asked, and seldom asked in vain, by all sorts and conditions of men. To his charity there was no end — the charity that cannot think evil. This was a beautiful life. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. When I was asked to write this necessarily inadequate note upon our lost leader, I knew that nothing in the nature of a critical estimate of his literary work would be required of me. Most of the things that I have put down are common knowledge, some he told me, and some I could not but observe. I would not have under- taken to sit in judgment upon the artistic ## p. 27 (#363) ############################################# W 27 THE AUTHOR. LITERARY PROPERTY. Tribute from Paris. On Tuesday, June 11, the death of Sir Walter Besant was announced here. Sincere regret at the news was expressed in Anglo-Parisian circles. Sir Walter Besant's place in litera ture must be determined by posterity. He perhaps owed his influence and the prestige of his position as much to his independent character and sturdy integrity—to his sound business ability and the shrewd common sense which understood how to realise his Utopian dreams — as to any extraordinary exhibition of literary talent. And he may truly be esteemed a great man. For he was great in his endeavour to aid his weaker brethren ; great in the purity of his aims and the strength of his convictions ; great in his unswerving devotion to the cause of the poor and oppressed, which he made his own; great, above all, in the practice of what he preached. The good that he achieved during his busy career will assuredly survive him. Not only as a recognised literary leader officially decorated by the State, but as a sterling moral force, will his nanie be inscribed on the roll of illustrious Englishmen. DARRACOTTE SCOTT. Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. Pearson. NHE case between Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. T C. Arthur Pearson will be followed by all authors with the greatest attention; as, unless the question is settled on a side issue, a very interesting point is at stake. Mr. Pearson contracted with Mr. Hall Caine for serial rights of a story in the Lady's Magazine. This story had run for several months, but in the June number Messrs. C. Arthur Pearson have inserted the following notice, and the story has been with- drawn : The proprietors of this magazine announce with regret that they have felt compelled to discontinue the publication of “ The Eternal City.” Differences have arisen between them and the author as to the suitability of the story for the Lady's Magazine, and the proprietors have, in consequence, commenced proceedings against Mr. Hall Caine. It would be obviously improper to comment further upon matters which are the subject of pending litigation, but the proprietors feel assured that the reasons for their action will commend themselves to their readers when the facts are in due course disclosed in a court of law. The consequence is an action at law. Mr. Pearson, it appears, will be the plaintiff and Mr. Hall Caine the defendant. It is impossible, even if it were not unwise, to make any comments on the case from the information that is as yet before the public. The main points, however, appear to be : (1) What was the nature of the exact passages that Messrs. Pearson objected to, and (2) what were the exact terms of the con- tract; and on these two points, it would appear, the main issue must rest. In the number of Literature dated June 8 there are some instances quoted of a similar difficulty arising; the most important, however, is that referring to Mr. Hardy's publication of “ Tess of the D'Urber- villes” as a serial in the Graphic. In this case the matter was settled, Mr. Hardy publishing the chapter that was the subject of discussion in the National Observer. This chapter was afterwards duly incorporated in the book. The Secretary of the Society can recollect one similar instance. It was as follows: A humorous writer made a contract with an American magazine for the publication of a short story. The American editor expected a humorous story. The story, however, though an exceedingly good one, was not in a humorous vein, and the American editor objected and returned the story. The author placed the story to considerable advantage else- where, so that he was unable under the circum- stances of the case to claim damages either financially or to his literary reputation, as the appearance of his story had not been announced FROM THE COMMITTEE. WING to the lamented death of Sir Walter Besant, and to the necessity of making fresh arrangements for the publication of The Author, the Committee have decided not to publish a number in August and September. A special autumn number will be published in October. At a meeting of the Committee, held at the Society's offices on Monday, June 17, Mrs. Craigie (John Oliver Hobbes) was elected a member of the Council, to fill the vacancy caused by the much-regretted death of Miss Charlotte Yonge. “ Windmills," by Mr. W. Kingsley Tarpey, and “ The Unseen Helmsman,” by Miss Laurence Alma Tadema, were produced by the Stage Society at the Comedy Theatre on June 17. ## p. 28 (#364) ############################################# 28 THE AUTHOR. in the American paper. Here again it will be to purchase 350 copies by the end of six months seen that the matter was not decided in court, as at the price of 3s., making in all a sum of £52 108., there was no legal damage, and it would have a sum which must go a long way towards paying been a further question whether it would have the cost of production, if not covering it alto- been worth while to sue the American editor gether, especially as no mention is made of the for the small amount of money involved for pay- size of the edition. If 750 copies only were ment of a short story. printed, it may be understood that the publisher For some reasons it is to be sincerely hoped would virtually have no risk. This is not all, that Mr. Hall Caine's case will not be settled out however. It does not pay the publisher to push of court, and it is to be hoped also that the exact the book in the least degree for the first six terms of the contract will be such as to prevent months, for if he should do so he will not obtain the question being settled on a side issue. the author's money. He therefore has nothing About these matters it is vain at the present to do but let the book lie on his shelves and at time to conjecture. the end of the six months send in his account for the number of copies unsold. No agreement should be drawn on such lines that it is not for The Same Old Agreement. the benefit of the author and publisher to be MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT made this day working in unison. of , 189 between of hereafter Looking into the agreement further, it is called the publisher of the one part, and of obvious that no mention is made whatever of hereafter called the author, of the other part. the profits to accrue after the sale of 350 copies, The said publisher agrees to produce in tasteful form, and except in the last clause, in which it says: publish in the usual manner at bis own expense, an edition of a volume written by the said author and entitled “ This edition is to be the property of the pub- " ," the said volume to consist of one hundred and lisher.” As has been pointed out, no limit is ninety-two pages crown octavo size, and to be published at mentioned to the edition. If, therefore, the book five shillings per copy. chances to be a success the publisher could go on The said author hereby agrees to be responsible for the printing and selling the book, putting all the sale of three hundred and fifty copies of the said volume, and undertakes at the expiration of six months from the profits into his own pocket and stating that the date of issue to purchase at the rate of three shillings per first edition was, say, 10,000 copies. The Pub- copy whatever namber of copies, if any, may be necessary to lishers' Association have not yet settled that great make the sales up to the said number of three hundred and point as to what number should constitute an fifty copies. edition. This edition to be the property of the said publisher, but it is understood that the copyright is and remains the pro- Summing up the whole results, therefore, of the perty of the said author. All proofs of the said work to be agreement, it does not pay the publisher to work corrected and returned promptly to the printer by the said in unison with the author. Their benefit is not author. mutual. The publisher runs no risk and may The agreement printed above has again been possibly make a large profit. From the author's handed by a member of the Authors' Society to point of view the author stands to lose £52 10s. the Secretary. The agreement has been printed in and cannot possibly make anything, however The Author and other productions of the Society, successful the book is. This agreement, therefore, and the dangers arising from such agreement cannot possibly be called equitable as between explained. That in one certain case the agreement the parties, and it may be stated generally that may have worked out fairly is not an argument any agreements embodying the system of that the agreement is a good one, but this argu- guaranteeing a fixed sum according to the sales of ment has been put forward by the publisher; for a book must be unsatisfactory. an agreement should be so drawn that in any case Similar kinds of agreements have been put and whatever the sale of the book, it should be forward by other publishers, and, though varying an equitable agreement between the parties con. in detail, still cannot be recommended for the cerned. The dangers of this agreement have so reasons put forward. There is no stimulus to the often been set forward that it was hoped, as publisher to push the book, indeed there is every indeed has been the case for some time, that no reason why he should neglect it. such agreements had been recently circulated. A publisher is but a tradesman and human. Perhaps it will be necessary to explain once more He is a tradesman first, and that prompts him in general terms the unreasonableness of the to make money with as little trouble as possible. agreement as it stands. He is, secondly, human, and this also prompts him To begin with, the book is a small one, 192 pp. to look after himself. cr. 8vo., and it is published at a large price for Better to pay a fixed sum at once and know the such a small book, viz., 58. The author guarantees utmost limit of your loss than, under the guarantee ## p. 29 (#365) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 29 system, lay the flattering unction to your soul that you will not be called upon to redeem your pledge. .................. I I Congress of the International Literary and Artistic Association. We are indebted to the courtesy of the secretary of the above association for the following infor- mation respecting the twenty-third congress, which will take place at Vevey (Switzerland) from Aug. 7 to 13:- The subjects laid before the congress will be: 1. Preliminary consideration of a revision of the Berne Convention. 2. The present legal situation in different countries, considered from the point of view of the Berne Convention. 3. Comparative study of the Conventions of Berne and Monte Video. 4. Publishers' contracts and the German legis. lation. 5. Artistic copyright and dramatic art. 6. Performance and reproduction by means of mechanical apparatus. 7. The constitution of an international tribune to deal with literary and artistic copyright. 8. The creation of an international legal voca- bulary. 9. History of copyright in all countries during the nineteenth century. Freshfield, D. W........... ............. £1000 0 Gibbs, Miss ........ bs, Miss .............................. 1 0 0 Hallward, N. L. ..... Harraden, Miss Beatrice 10 0 Hawkins, A. Hope .. 200 0 Hutchinson, Rev. H. Jacberns, Raymond .. Jones, Henry Arthur...... 50 0 0 Keltie, J. Scott 5 0 0 Kipling, Rudyard ..... 100 0 0 Loftie, Rev. W. J. ......... Loraine-Broke, Lady Freda ........................ Macfarlane, H. ..., 1 1 0 Marshall, Capt. R... .......... 10 10 0 Matheson, Miss A. ..... Miles, Eastace.. Moncrieff, R. Hope. Montresor, Miss F.. Morrah, Herbert 2 2 0 Norris, W. E. ... Oliphant, Kingston ............ Parker, Gilbert .................... Phillpotts, Eden ............ Pollock, Sir Frederick Roe, Mrs. Harcourt Rossetti, W. M. ..... S. B. ........... Sanderson, Sir J. B. ............... Sheldon, G. W. Skeat, The Rev. Prof. Spielmann, M. H. ......... Stanton, Miss H. M. E............ Toplis, Miss G. ...... Tweedie, Mrs. Alec.................................... Watt, A. P.............................................. Weyman, Stanley ....... Wheelwright, Miss E. E. ........................... Williams, Mrs. E. L. ...... Young, Ernest SUBSCRIPTIONS. à Beckett, A. W. ....... 5 0 0 Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... 10 0 0 Alexander, A. ......... I 10 Avery, Harold .......... Besant, Sir Walter.................................... Bond, R. Warwick ........... Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. ................. Brodhorst, Spencer.............. Clodd, Edward ........... Cresswell, Rev. H. ......... Crockett, S. R. ............ Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for 1901) .......... Ellis, Miss M. A. Esmond, H. V. Gilbert, W. S...... Goldsmith, W. H. .................................... Gribble, F. ............................................. Guthrie, Anstey ....................................... Gwynn, S. ..... Harraden, Miss Beatrice ............... Hawkins, A. Hope . ................................. Home, Francis......... Jerome, Jerome K............. Kelly, C. A............ Lely, J. M. ..... Macdonald, Mrs.......... Marchmont, A. W. ........................... Pemberton, Max................ ...... 0-oor en orönen Nonono : -enn-Ō- 0 0 - - no ģeroomoo our oeno ou O OOONO o-no- 000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ......... THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 10 MIHE following is the list of donations and subscriptions at present promised or received :- DONATIONS. MEREDITH, GEORGE, President of the Society (first donation)............ £100 0 0 Meredith, George (second donation)............... 0 0 A. S. 0 0 Alcott, E. ... 0 0 Anonymous. o Arnim, The Countess von Baldwin, Mrs. A. Barrie, J. M. .......................................... 0 0 Benecke, Miss Ida ... 0 0 Begant, Sir Walter.................................... 0 0 Boevey, Miss Crawley ................ ........... 2 0 Chambers, Miss Beatrice ............. Clifford, Mrs W. K. ... Cordeaux, Miss .......... 0 0 Craigie, Mrs. .... 0 0 Davy, Mrs. E. M. ............ 10 Doyle, A. Conan .. 0 0 Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............ 0 0 Esmond, H. V. 3 3 0 Fowler, Miss E. T............. ... 10 10 0 -õen uero omen oer--eroooon enou oermeno en oenen - over--05 berenn ooooo-eno OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 000000000 Benecke, M 188 Ida .................................... öwen - Senen on SW 8-en 8686 oo-ooerw NoOoero ooo . . . ## p. 30 (#366) ############################################# 30 THE AUTHOR. OOOOOOO Pendered, Miss Mary L. 100 ture, Science, and Art have practically nothing to Pinero, A. W. ....... 5 0 0 fall back upon, although, in time, it is hoped, the Roberts, Morley .... Pension Fund started by the Society of Authors Rose, Edward ..... Rumble, Mrs. .... will be sufficient and adequate to meet the Sinclair, Miss .... claims of those persons—members of the Society Stanley, Mrs —who have merited the gratitude of the public Stevenson, Mrs. by the beauty and soundness of their writings in Ward, Mrs. Humphry .................... literature or science. Watt, A. P....... 1 1 0 Weston, Miss Jessie L.. 0 5 0 It is all the more necessary, therefore, as Wilkins, W. H. ....................................... I I 0 the Civil List pensions are not only exceedingly small in amount, but are also diverted into -ooo other channels, that the Pension Fund of the A SHORT article on the Civil List Pensions, which Society of Authors should be more adequately was published in Literature on June 1, is espe- supported by those who live by Literature, cially interesting to members of the Society, as Science, and Art, and who, more fortunate than it recognises the steps the Society has taken in their brethren, have made the pursuit of these the past with a view to securing fuller recogni. subjects a financial success. It will be seen from tion for the representatives of Literature, Science, the list of subscriptions to the Pension Fund and Art from the Civil List. It appears from the which is published in The Author from month to returns just issued from the Treasury chambers of month that the number of the subscribers is persons now in receipt of pensions that there are gradually increasing, together with the amount of 306 recipients, and the total amount of the pen- capital, and it is hoped that the time is not far sions per annum is £23,840. The pensions, accord. distant when the members of the Authors' Society ing to the wording of the statute, are “ for such - theological historical scientific and other persons as have just claims on the Royal bene- writers—will, by their own combined efforts and ficence, or who by their personal services to the looking upon themselves as debtors to their pro- Crown, by performance of duties to the public, or fession, have subscribed such sums that there will by their useful discoveries in science and attain. be no need whatever for any members of the ments in literature and the arts, have merited the brothership of the pen to look to the public for gracious consideration of their Sovereign and the support in their old age. It is to be feared, gratitude of their country.” however, that there are, and always must be in These terms are very limited, and the distribu- any body of men met together, some few, with tion of pensions in many cases can hardly be said selfish aims in view, who disregard the other to have been restricted to this limitation. members of the fraternity. The strong and It is doubtful whether daughters and sisters increasing support the Society receives, however, and widows of the eminent people referred to can tends to show that the number of members who come within the conditions set out by the statute, still take the narrow view is gradually diminish- except under the heading of “Just claims on the ing. Royal beneficence.” Mr. W. Morris Colles, formerly a member of the committee of the Society of Authors, and a PARIS LETTER. present member of the Council, produced on behalf of the Society in 1889 a very useful and instructive book with regard to the Civil List 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. pensions, and pointed out in his notes some very THE literary events of the month are legion. curious instances of the qualifications of the 1 Vain were it to attempt even to tabulate recipients. To those who would go more fully * them in order. The triumph of M. Edmond into the matter this useful handbook is recom- Rostand at the Academy was a foregone con- mended. It is worth while to consider the clusion. The extraordinary scenes taking place point how far these Civil List pensions should in the Figaro office have augmented the circula- be granted to eke out the service pensions of tion of the Journal and Matin, despite the latter's those public servants who have claims on other reputation for“ trimming." The upholders of the funds of a similar character. With this object Déroulède-Habert programme have chosen this in view Mr. Colles wrote his pamphlet, in which moment for launching a new halfpenny daily he stated: “Inadequate as the allowances to the entitled Le Drapeau, advertised as “républicain. widows of our soldiers and sailors and police plébiscitaire," and supported by a phalanx of constables admittedly are, these are only properly well-known contributors, to wit: M. Maurice chargeable on the Consolidated Fund.” Litera- Barrès (editor), MM. François Coppée, Quesnay ## p. 31 (#367) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 31 de Beaurepaire, Willy, “Gyp," Maizeroy, Quentin violets on the stone, while the other softly wiped Bauchart, Talmeyr, and others. away her tears, gazing wistfully at the epitaph. Feministic questions are, likewise, occupying a “Oh! philosophers, makers of systems, never fair amount of attention. Mme. Andrée Téry is will a similar homage be rendered you!” wrote vigorously advocating in the Fronde M. Hubbard's the witness of this touching little scene. proposal of a mixed jury-viz., a jury composed of an equal number of persons of both sexes. A CURIOUS AGREEMENT. M. Marcel Prévost, chosen champion of Feminism, Posthumous publication is rarely chosen by supports the same idea in a leading article in the living authors. Nevertheless, the curator of the Figaro. “ La Femme," he writes; "c'est même Bibliothèque Nationale possesses both Lamartine dans une vieille nation comme la nôtre, un peuple and Victor Hugo manuscripts which cannot be jeune ! C'est le trésor d'énergies morales encore published before 1910. M. Malot has decided to inemployées et accumulées depuis tant de siècles !” follow the example of his illustrious predecessors. He points out the impossibility of an accused It may, perhaps, be remembered that four years person being judged by her peers (as expressly ago M. Malot wrote a book entitled “Le Roman enjoined by law) in the case of feminine offenders; de mes Romans," explaining why he laid down and insists on the fact that the average intelli. his pen for ever on the morrow of a success. gence possessed by the majority of women is He had no wish to act the role of a superannuated precisely the intelligence which – united with favourite whom the public accept with indulgent masculine prudence-is most likely to arrive at indifference, simply for the sake of what he has a just conclusion. Which reminds me that the once achieved. He preferred to bid farewell to twentieth Congress of the Société d'économie his readers while the laurels of his thirty years' sociale et des Unions de la paix sociale has been literary career were still untouched by time. studying the “ Condition de la Femme" from the Henceforth he would live for himself alone. economical, moral, intellectual, and juridical points But in making this assertion M. Malot of view. reckoned without his host-or rather, without his THE DAUDET MONUMENT. grand-daughter. Having reflected on the desira- A sum of over 12,000 francs has been volun. bility of adding a round sum to her dot, tarily subscribed for the Daudet monument he found a means of evading the letter, if That being insufficient to defray the cost of not the spirit, of his self-imposed sacrifice. A M. Saint-Marceaux's beautiful statue of this few months ago he collected his dormant most poetical and intensely French writer, a energies, and wrote an extremely entertaining very successful Daudet benefit was given at the tale for the young entitled “Le Mousse.” This Odéon. The curtain dropped with effect on the done, he signed a treaty with his publisher, M. crowning of a plaster cast of M. Saint-Marceaux's Ernest Flammarion, empowering the latter to vivid creation. The original is being exhibited issue the work within three months after its at the Great Palace, where it attracts much author's death. The profits obtained therefrom attention. are to be inherited by Mlle. Perrine Mesple. The benefit for the Dumas fils statue has been According to the terms of the agreement the little postponed. No writer ever laid firmer hold of the lady will receive 50,000 frs, on the publication of Gallic imagination than this poignant sentimenta. “Le Mousse.” A goodly sum, even without list. A trivial incident which occurred at the reckoning the further profits accruing from serial last Fourier anniversary bears witness to this rights and dramatic and foreign royalties. Mlle. fact. On the day in question a handful of phalan. Perrine is fortunate in possessing a talented sterians and disciples were grouped around their grandfather, whose latest document proves that leader's tomb in the Montmartre cemetery. he thoroughly understands the value of post- Wearied alike of the laboured perorations of the humous literary property. various speakers and the ardent strophes of the Gnostic patriarch, one of their number stepped “EVE VICTORIEUSE." aside to visit the toinb of Alphonsine Duplessis, The above is the title of Mme. Pierre de the Marguerite Gauthier of the celebrated “Dame Coulevain's new novel. It is a clever, well- aux Camélias” of Dumas fils. On approaching written book, breaking comparatively new ground. it he was surprised to perceive that others beside It stands apart from ordinary productions of himself had desired to pay the dead woman a its class by the fact that the interest of the tale passing tribute of compassionate sympathy. Two does not lie in the amorous intrigue which is the “ petites ouvrières" in simple garb, with glossy raison d'étre of the average French novel. “Eve hair unbonneted, stood beside the melancholy Victorieuse" appeals to the higher mental calibre mausoleum. One tenderly strewed lilacs and of the reader, and shows that a Frenchwoman ## p. 32 (#368) ############################################# 32 THE AUTHOR. can produce really entertaining and interesting to get them translated. Eh, bien ! What reading without being immoral. It would be a next ? " good thing for France if she possessed a few more For once M. Huysmans was too much taken writers of the type of Pierre de Coulevain. aback to reply. He literally fled. Nor must we omit to mention the much- praised “Caur Innombrable," a volume of poems A JOURNALIST'S REMINISCENCES. by the Comtesse de Noailles. One enraptured M. Jean Carrère, the well-known French critic declares that until these verses appeared no Transvaal correspondent (author of “En Pleine woman had ever comprehended how to enunciate Epopée), has likewise been giving the public “ la réalité directe.” Mme. de Staël was merely several anecdotes relating to his early career. a fair mirror who polished the thought of the Once as he wandered aimlessly round the men in her neighbourhood in reflecting it; while Luxembourg Gardens, penniless and dinnerless, George Sand, despite the flowing music of her he suddenly espied a merry band of long-haired phrases, never succeeded in being original. We young men of every type, in whom he forthwith beg leave to differ from this appreciation. Mme. recognised the chiefs and disciples of all the rising de Staël and George Sand may be “terriblement young literati of Paris discussing and haranguing femmes”; while Mme. de Noailles may possess with unusual amiability. Desirous of ascertain- the superfine genius accredited her by her pane- ing the reason of this unwonted fraternity, he gyrist. Unfortunately, it is too subtle to be demanded of X., a would-be author whose perceived by the ordinary reader. He would impecuniosity was proverbial : probably esteem the last-named lady as merely a “Heavens! Where are you all going together graceful versifier, a disciple of the Sully Prud- like this?” homme school. “To the table d'hôte,” was the reply. “Will you accompany us?” M. JORIS KARL HUYSMANS. Carrère made an eloquent gesture, explicative The celebrated Joris Karl Huysmans is correct- of his penniless condition. ing the proofs of a new work, “Sainte Lydwine “ That does not signify. You will come as my de Schiedam,” in his Poitou retreat. One guest,” said X., grandiloquently. edition is to be printed in Gothic, the other in Imagining that X. had at last found a pub- ordinary characters. In chatting with an old lisher, Carrère acquiesced. He was too hungry to pressman, M. Huysmans recently related several care to solve the mystery. amusing anecdotes connected with his journalistic The invitation was repeated. For fifteen days career. he lunched and dined sumptuously with this On one occasion he was contributor to a paper merry company free of cost. whose editor was asserted to have made his début But on the sixteenth day all was finished. in life as a cook. He had lived long in the East, Vainly he awaited the gay band. At 12.30 he and was reported to have tried his 'prentice hand approached X., who was eagerly perusing the at innumerable trades before essaying press work. advertisement column of a daily. One morning M. Huysmans was summoned in “So nobody lunches to-day?” he remarked, haste to the editorial sanctum. Immediately be interrogatively... appeared his employer pointed to an enormous “Have you money to go to the neighbouring pile of papers, and complacently explained : restaurant?" was the counter question asked in "Voilà ! Each of these English, Russian, a cavernous voice. German, Italian, Swedish, Turkish, Roumanian, “ If you wish to. But what about the François and Dutcb papers contains an article on Zola Premier Café?” You will read them all at once, and write me a “Alas! it is sold !”. spicy article on •Zola Abroad.'” “Sold ? What do you mean? M. Huysmans objected, averring his ignorance “ You have not yet solved the enigma. The of the languages in question. proprietress wished to dispose of the business, “That does not matter. You can easily and as she had few customers instructed me to get the stuff translated." procure her some non-paying ones in order to “Impossible! Think of the cost!” keep up appearances. Unfortunately I brought “ Listen, and do as I tell you. I will send too many, and she found a purchaser imme- immediately for a carriage to convey you and the diately." papers home. There, since you do not know “No matter. Come and lunch with me.” foreign languages, you will merely choose out the “Wait an instant, there's a good fellow. I most striking passages in these papers, and mark want to see if no one else has a café to dispose them round with a blue pencil; I will undertake of!" DARRACOTTE SCOTT. ## p. 33 (#369) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 33 OC NOTES AND NEWS. in the House of Commons “his intention of bringing in on an early day a measure con. TN its literary column of June 19 the Sketch solidating and amending the law of literary copy- 1 announces that “a very distinguished firm, right.” that is specially remarkable for its list of novels and for the liberal advances it makes to It appears from the papers that Sir Walter the authors,” “has sent out a circular to book- Besant has left an autobiography. This is in the hands of Mr. A. P. Watt, who acted as his sellers offering a choice of twenty-five novels from their six-shilling list for 278., and laying stress on literary agent. Those who counted Sir Walter ainong their friends will be very anxious to know the undoubted fact that many distinguished and when it will be published. popular authors appear among the contributors. If this be carried out,” continnes the writer, “it needs no prophet to see that the six-shilling novel A great many letters have been received at the is practically doomed. What will happen in the offices of the Society, from members and others, first instance is that no bookseller will stock the giving expression to the grief and sense of productions of the second-class novelist. He will personal loss felt by the writers on hearing of say to his customers, ‘By-and-bye the book mayihe death of Sir Walter Besant. These letters be had at is. 6d., and in the meantime I can give come from all parts of the country, and each and you something better.' But even the distin. all breathe the same spirit of warm regard for guished authors will be very much injured. the distinguished friend whose death is so deeply Sometimes everyone wants to read a book, and deplored. many people will put down the price without thinking of it. But this is a rare occurrence; in the matter of books the public shows a singular THE WOMEN WRITERS' DINNER. and even lamentable patience. In my opinion it spells ruin to all novelists save a very few." THE “ Women Writers" held their dinner at the Criterion on Monday, the 17th. Now The writer goes on to say that the state of Mr. Stephen Gwynn, in his paper entitled things he discloses “has been brought on by the “A Theory of Talk,” roundly asserts that women practice of advancing more to writers than their are less amusing than mon. He says that there popularity warrants.” It is certainly difficult to is no reason in nature wby they should be, but believe that “very distinguished firms” are in the that their inferiority is obvious. He points out habit of making mistakes of that kind, but that that “thirty or forty men will meet at seven is not the immediate question. The question o'clock, dine together, and pass the evening which demands an answer in the first place, is : very agreeably till midnight. Imagine thirty or Does the Publishers' Association countenance forty women called upon to do the same; would this practice of offering booksellers a choice of they be able to amuse themselves ?” It seems twenty-five 6s. novels for 278. ? We cannot almost a pity that the exclusiveness of the suppose for a moment that they will consent to do women writers would not aliow Mr. Gwynn so. We know with what displeasure the pub personally to observe whether they were amused lishers view the practice of underselling when it or bored on Monday night. In number there were is carried on by bookseller against bookseller. nearly two hundred, and there certainly did not What action, then, will they take to prevent a appear to be any lack of enjoyment or of laughter, member of their own trade from conducting but then it is also a fundamental belief with men business on the “job lot” fashion described that women are early adepts at hiding their true above?. The matter, of course, involves a serious feelings. enough question for authors. For the present, Lucas Malet occupied the chair, and her care- however, we content ourselves with the hope that fully prepared speech was read out by Miss the circular issued by the “ very distinguished Sydney Phelps. Standing at the base of the firm” will receive the very strict examination statue of one of the world's greatest authors, and which it deserves at the hands of the Publishers' that, we regret to say, not a woman but a “ mere Association. man,” Miss Phelps, speaking for Lucas Malet, said there was good cause for women to con- We are informed that there is not the slightest gratulate themselves that, whereas there had hope that the Government will proceed with the been Thackeray, Dickens, the brothers Kingsley, Copyright Bill this session. It was on Feb. 14 and Wilkie Collins among authors, authoresses that the President of the Board of Trade stated could boast of George Eliot, Mrs. Gaskell, ## p. 34 (#370) ############################################# 34 THE AUTHOR. Miss Yonge, &c., and she felt that in the CORRESPONDENCE. future they might equal, she would not say rival, their “brother man.” At this The Proposed Memorial to Archibald Forbes. courageous vaunt our glance involuntarily strayed to the statue, anticipating that it would LARGE number of journalists and others. be moved to at least a wink; but overwhelmed, who appreciate the services of one of the greatest of our war correspondents are perhaps, by the presence of so many “sister- women,” it gave no sign. The speech was long, desirous in some permanent and material form to do honour to the memory of Archibald Forbes, lasting for over thirty minutes. It touched on the evils of lowering work to what might be a LL.D., who died in March, 1900, to the loss of present commercial but fleeting value ; it con- the journalism he adorned and the literaturejhe tained much that was excellent, and tendered enriched. some good sound advice; perhaps it dwelt a trifle The committee formed to attain this object too, insistently upon the obvious, and it was have found a sympathy with their object so serious even to solemnity. But then “women widely spread that they have no doubt of being are so serious." able to carry it out successfully. Mme. Sarah Grand's reply was couched in The Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral far lighter vein. It slipped into the anec- have most kindly assigned an excellent wall dotal, and was altogether more in the mascu- space in the crypt of St. Paul's for a suitable memorial. line line of after-dinner speaking. It offered no It has occurred to me as one of the hon. advice save on the advisability of laughter; it lingered for a moment on the sorrows of misin- secretaries of the committee that many of my fellow members of the Authors' Society would terpretation and misunderstanding, and included like their names to be added to the list of some amusing examples. Mme. Sarah Grand possesses a sympathetic voice, and is very plea- contributors. This being so, may I say that sant to listen to. subscriptions may be sent to the hon. treasurer, It is characteristic of the gravity with which Major Arthur Griffiths, at 57, Curzon-street, Mayfair, London, W., or to the account of “ The even in play hours women regard their “work” Archibald Forbes Fund,” at Messrs. Cocks, that the majority of guests preferred the more serious matter of Lucas Malet to the light personal Biddulph, and Co., bankers, 43, Charing Cross, S.W. note of Mme. Grand. The dinner itself was very ARTHUR WM. A'BECKETT, good, and it was noticeable that whilst at the Authors' dinner on May 1 but few women availed President of the Institute of Journalists. Garrick Club, June 21, 1901. themselves of the permission to smoke, at the women's function scarcely one was without a cigarette. Coffee was served at the table, and afterwards the company broke up into groups. The Handling of MSS. The committee numbered among its members Why is it that editors and publishers never Miss Beatrice Harraden, Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Craigie, seem to realise that the MSS. sent to them are Miss Christabel Coleridge, Miss Violet Hunt, and not their own? Most editors scribble numbers, many other favourite writers. In the company sometimes in red or blue ink, on one's copy, and present there were Dr. Jex.Blake. Mrs. Adv. Dr. often the marks cannot be effaced. Aud nearly Margaret Todd. Miss Adeline Sergeant.' Mrs. all publishers' readers mutilate the MS. books Mona Caird. Mrs. Burnett-Smith. Mme. Albanesi. given into their hands. Might they not reflect Miss Nora Maris. Miss Kenealy, and others; and that, when a poor author has paid five or six the following presided at the tables : Lucas pounds to have his copy neatly typed, it is heart. Malet, Mme. Sarah Grand: Mrs. de la Pasture, rending to have it come back with pages torn Miss Montresor, the Lady Mavoress. Mrs. L. T. away, with splashes of tea or coffee all over it, Meade, Mrs. Alec Tweedie. Mrs. Walford. Mrs. and crumpled edges. I bave just had a MS. B. M. Croker. Miss Violet Hunt. Miss Beatrice novel returned to me from its first publisher in Harraden. Mrs. Belloc Lowndes. Miss Violet such a state that it is scarcely fit to go out again! Brooke-Hunt, Miss Thorneycroft Fowler. May we not make, in your pages, an urgent A. H. appeal for more justice, if not courtesy, in this matter? Every reader must know when he injures a writer's MS. that he is prejudicing the Sir Walter Besant's historical romance, “ The next reader against it. And, after all, it is not Lady of Lynn," will be published by Messrs. his property; he has no right to treat it care- Chatto and Windus on July 4. lessly and deface it. A POOR NOVELIST. ## p. 35 (#371) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 35 Authors' Deductions and Income Tax. The statement presupposes a little knowledge As a reply to Mr. G. S. Layard's inquiries on of what items of disbursement will be allowed this subject in the June Author may be of interest and what not, and I have no objection to assist to many of your readers, I venture to offer them gratuitously any fellow-member of the Society, as a professional opinion on the matter. far as I can, in the preparation of the account in The author should ascertain what sums he has case he or she should be so unfortunate as to be received from his literary labours during the year surcharged and obliged to appeal. ending April 5 last and what is still due to him, WILLIAM ROYLE. excluding all bad and doubtful claims, and on 5, Bedford.row, W.C. that he should base his estimated return for the current year, so far as his receipts are concerned. If carrying on his business in his dwelling. house, he is entitled by law to deduct from his ROBERT BUCHANAN. receipts : Firstly, such sum, not exceeding two-thirds of D OBERT BUCHANAN is dead, and has the annual value of his house, as the Commis. been criticised—as the custom is- sioners of Inland Revenue in the case of an copiously, hastily, not ungenerously, but appeal to them may deem reasonable—but in most incompletely. Much has been said of estimating the amount the author should have himself, and of his every day output of rapid regard to the proportion which his study bears to writing; but of his best work very little. the rest of the house. And he has been spoken of, for the most part, Secondly, such sums as he may expend on as a strong man whose strength was misdirected ; repairs, renewals, and alterations in his study, the truth being rather that it was precisely and in books of reference, maps, plans, and strength-the highest strength-that he lacked. implements for use in his vocation—this amount Not that he was wanting in vigour or virility, is to be calculated on the average of the past but that such a life as his required a grit, a three years—and should not include the initial tenacity, altogether unusual; and these, in this charge of furnishing, but may include an item measure, he had not. for depreciation. His experience of life was a bitterly sad, Thirdly, wherever he carries on business he though not, except in degree, an uncommon one. should deduct the full amount he may expend He started with an ideal-or shall one say a during the year on his personal outlay connected fancy picture ?-of the existing world, which with his calling, the charge for fires, lights, and could only bring him disappointment when he service, the subscription to our Society, the cost came to see the world as it was ; and he was of assistance, searches at museums and record unlucky in the side of life which, at that critical offices, typography, photography, and materials moment, he saw. So he was soured, and passed quo ipso usu consumuntur, such as stamps, inks, from idealism to cynicism, and this was the pens and papers required in earning the income tragedy of his soul and the shipwreck of his to be taxed. work. Mr. Layard says he has “never claimed any The loss was probably far greater than most of deductions," and wants to know if others have his critics realise. They have spoken of his and with what results. novels, bis plays, his literary duels, his poems; These facts seem immaterial, as no deductions and between the lines of their criticism one has have to be claimed on making the annual return read the verdict that all these writings of a hasty to the tax-gatherers. The author has merely to man will be forgotten before the last of his con- state without details the net amount of his temporaries is dead. estimated annual profits for the year, whether B ut this is surely wrong. The present writer they be £200 or £2000, or any intermediate knows nothing of Buchanan's novels, and thinks figure. that of his plays and his polemics enough has Then, if the surveyor of taxes is not satisfied been said : ves, and would give up to oblivion the with the sum stated and thinks it too small, he greater part of his verse. But his best poems- will surcharge him. Against this assessment the they are not many, and there is no need to count author may appeal to the Commissioners of Inland them here: yet they are true poetry, and to some Revenue, in which case he will appear personally of them even the test of all great poetry may be before them prepared with a neatly constructed applied—the question, Are they not unsurpassed statement of accounts, and will doubtless get in their kind? the assessment settled at a proper figure satis Take as an example the “ Legend of the Step- factory to him. mother”: is there anything finer in the whole ## p. 36 (#372) ############################################# 36 THE AUTHOR. class of imaginative ballad-poetry to which it Mr. Clement Shorter is to edit a new Wednes- belongs ? One need use no stronger argument day illustrated paper, dealing mainly with Society for Buchanan's claim to the title of poet than the and the Stage, which will shortly be published quotation of as much of this beautiful ballad as from the same office as the Sphere. It will be called an editor vigilant orer his space will allow : the Tatler, and the price is to be 6d. weekly. As I lay asleep, as I lay asleep, A new volume by John Oliver Hobbes, which Under the grass as I lay so deep, will be published by Mr. Unwin, is made up of a As I lay asleep in my cotton sirk play dealing with a Carlist rising and entitled Under the shade of Oar Lady's Kirk, “ A Repentance," and three stories entitled “ 'Tis I wakened up in the dead of night, I wakened up in my death-sirk white, an Ill Flight without Wings,” “ Prince Toto,” and And I heard a cry from far away, “ The Worm that God Prepared.” Messrs. And I knew the voice of my daughter May. Methuen are about to publish John Oliver “Mother, motber, come bitber to me! Hobbes's new novel, “ A Serious Wooing.” Motber, mother, come hither and see ! Lucas Malet's new book is announced as the Motber, mother, mother dear, longest novel the publishers (Methuen) have ever Another mother is sitting here : sent to press. It is entitled “The History of Sir My body is bruised, and in pain I cry, On straw in the dark afraid I lie; Richard Calmady,” and it will appear shortly. I thirst and hanger for drink and meat, Under the ciile “ Granuaile, a Queen of the And motber, mother, to sleep were sweet!" West,” Messrs. Jarrold and Sons are publishing I heard the cry, though my grave was deep, an historico-romantic poem in six cantos, by the And awoke from sleep, and awoke from sleep. Rev. Dr. Panter, author of “ Orpheus and Eurydice, and other Poems." The poem opens with the celebrated interview at Hampton Court BOOK AND PLAY TALK. between Queen Elizabeth and Granuaile, the Irish princess. DROFESSOR WOOLDRIDGE is writing Mrs. Düring's new novel, “ Malicious Fortune,” P two volumes on music in the earlier and now running serially in the Argosy, was pub- later Ecclesiastical Period for a history of lished in book form at 6s. by Mr. George Allen on music which the Clarendon Press has projected. June 18. The history will be completed in six volumes, the The Bookman understands that Mr. Anthony third of which will be by Sir Hubert Parry on Hope's new novel is to be published serially in the Seventeenth Century, the fourth by Mr. J. A. the Cornhill Magazine, and afterwards in book Fuller-Maitland on the Age of Bach and Handel, form by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co. the fifth on the Viennese School by Mr. W. H. Mr. Albert Strong has completed a book on Hadow, while the concluding volume by Mr. E. musical and dramatic copyright Dannreuther will deal with the Romantic Move. Mr. Henry Arthur Jones is writing a new play, ment. in which the leading part is to be played by The Hon. Mrs. Alethea Weil is writing the Miss Lena Ashwell. volume on Verona for Dent's Medieval Towns A new theatre is to be erected by Mr. Series. Mulholland in the Hammersmith-road, at the Professor James Gordon Macgregor, LL.D., corner of Rowan-road. Munro Professor of Physics, Dalhousie Univer- The Savoy Theatre has passed into the hands sity, Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been appointed of Mr. William Greet and Mr. E. C. Engelbach. Professor of Natural Philosophy in Edinburgh Mr. Herbert Waring has taken Mrs. Langtry's University. theatre for the autumn season. He will produce The national memorial to Miss Mary Kingsley there, in the middle of August, a new play by has taken shape in the establishment of an Mr. Boyle Lawrence. African Society to propagate the study of native Mr. William Gillette's version of Sherlock laws and customs. Holmes is to be introduced to London at the Mr. William Allison is the author of “The Lyceum on Sept. 9, after having been produced a British Thoroughbred Horse : His History and few days earlier at the Shakespeare, Liverpool. Breeding,” which is about to be published by Mr. Mr. Barrie's new play will be produced first in Grant Richards. It gives tabulated statistics New York. from the racing results of all countries. Mr. and Mrs. Kendal will be seen at the St. Mr. W. J. Ford is writing a history of James's Theatre in the autumn. Cambridge University cricket. At Her Majesty's Mr. Tree will produce Mr. Mr. W. J. Locke's new novel, “ The Usurper,” Stephen Phillips's “ Ulysses” as the principal will be published in September by Mr. John Lane. item in his programme in the autumn. - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ## p. (#373) ################################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ji en SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. 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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. 12 Issue 02 (July 1901) Subject The topic of the resource The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 02 (July 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 1901-07-01-The-Author-12-2 publications The Author