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Title
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The Author
Subject
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<em>The Author</em>
Description
An account of the resource
A digitised run of the Society of Authors' monthly periodical, <em>The Author</em>, 1890<span>–</span>1914, made available together for the first time.<br /><br />Currently users can browse issues and <a href="https://historysoa.com/items/browse?search=&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index&collection=&type=&tags=&exhibit=&date_search_term=&submit_search=Search+For+Items&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle">indices</a> (not available for all volumes). Full text search for all issues, and other additional search functionality, will be added in 2022.
Date
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1890–1914
Identifier
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The-Author-Issues
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Date
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1901-11-01
Volume
12
Issue
4
Pages
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29–52
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19011101
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The Author.
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)
-
-
Vol. XII.—No. 4.
NOVEMBER 1, 1901.
PRICE SIXPENCE.
--- =-
----
-----
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PAGE
..
...
...
34
...
...
...
42
General Memoranda ....
Warnings to Dramatic Authors ... ...
How to Use the Society
The Reading Branch ... ... ... ...
Notices ... ... ... ... ...
The Pension Fund of the Society of Author:
From the Committee ...
The Work of the Society
Authorities
...
30, 31
:* ::::
Author and Literary Agent
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property
An Old to a Young Reviewer ...
"" ...
The Publication of Educational Books
Bookselling ... ...
King Alfred as an Author...
The Authors' Club
Book and Play Talk ... ...
Correspondence... ... ...
... ... ...
...
...
...
51
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.
hlication. By us forms of is explained: diff
1. The Annual Report for the current year. ls.
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 58. 6d. per annum,
post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 10s. 6d. per vol.
3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 2s.
4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 1s.
5. 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. 3s.
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. 2s.
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. ls. 6d.
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT
(Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). ls.
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. 1s.
[All prices net. Amply to the Secretary, 39, ou Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.JI.]
Ameri
## p. 28 (#408) #############################################
ADVERTISEMENTS.
-
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).
PRESIDENT,
GEORGE MEREDITH.
COUNCIL.
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., ('.S.I. | AUSTIN DOBSON.
THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETOX-WAKE.
J. M. BARRIE.
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.
SIR LEWIS MORRIS.
A. W. A BECKETT.
A. W. DU BOURG,
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.
ROBERT BATEMAN.
SiR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., GILBERT PARKER, M.P.
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.
F.R.S.
J. C. PARKINSON.
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G.
D, W. FRESHFIELD,
A. W. PINERO.
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD PIR-
THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE.
BRIGHT, F.R.S
THE RIGHT Hox. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. | SYDNEY GRUNDY,
SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,
THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH. ! H. RIDER HAGGARD,
LL.D.
CLERE.
THOMAS HARDY.
WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK.
HALL CAINE.
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.
E. Rose.
EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.
JEROME K. JEROME.
W. BAPTISTE SCOONES.
P. W. CLAYDEN.
J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D.
Miss FLORA L. SHAW.
EDWARD CLODD.
RUDYARD KIPLING.
G. R, SIMS.
W. MORRIS COLLES.
PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE.
THE HON. JOHN COLLIER.
THE RIGHT Hox.W.E. H.LECKY, M.P. J.J. STEVENSON.
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.
J. M. LELY.
FRANCIS STORR.
MRS. CRAIGIE.
THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A.
WILLIAM MOY THOMAS.
E. MARION CRAWFORD,
SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD,
THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD ('URZON PROF. J. M. D, MEIKLEJOHN.
OF KEDLESTON.
llon. Counsel - E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.
Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS.
A. W. , BECKETT.
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D).
D. W. FRESHFIELD.
SYDNEY GRUNDY,
J. M. LELY.
HENRY NORMAN, M.P.
GILBERT PARKER, V.P.
E. ROSE.
FRANCIS STORR.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
Hox. John COLLIER (Chairman).
I
M. H. SPIELMANN,
ART.
SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY.
COPYRIGHT.
A. HOPE HAWKINS.
A. W. À BECKETT.
W. M, COLLES.
J. M. LELY.
GILBERT PARKER, M.P.
HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman).
A. W. À BECKETT.
DRAMA.
F. C. BURNAND.
SYDNEY GRUNDY.
A. W. PINERO.
EDWARD ROSE.
Solicitors_
FIELD), ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields.
i G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W.
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING.
OFFICES: 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W.
## p. 29 (#409) #############################################
The Author.
( The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.
VOL. XII.--No. 4.
NOVEMBER 1st, 1901.
[PRICE SIXPENCE.
-
-
GENERAL MEMORANDA.
(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.
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.
ITERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an
M 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 agreement in which the cost of pro-
duction forms a part without the strictest investigation.
(2.) Not to give the publisher the power of patting the
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"
unless the same allowance is made to the author.
(4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or 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!
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.'
IY. A Commission Agreement.
The main points are :-
(1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production.
(2.) Keep control of the advertisements.
13.) Keep control of the sale price of the book.
General.
All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four
above mentioned.
Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author.
Never sign any agreement without competent advice from
the Secretary of the Society.
Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp.
Avoid agreements by letter if possible.
The main points which the Society has always demanded
from the outset are :-
(1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement
means.
VOL. XII.
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 author should obtain a
percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts
in preference to the American system. Should
obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed
date on or before which the play should be
performed.
(c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE
TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e.,
fixed nightly fees). This method should be
always avoided except in cases where the fees
are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The
other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply
also in this case.
4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is
better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum
paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely
important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should
be reserved.
5. Authors should remember that performing rights can
be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and
time. This is most important.
6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but
should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is
of great importance.
7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a
play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager
holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot
print the book of the words.
8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed-
ingly valuable. They should never be included in English
## p. 30 (#410) #############################################
30
THE AUTHOR.
8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This
must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The
Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members.
9. Some agents endeavour to prevent authors from
referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do
some publishers. Members can make their own deductions
and act accordingly.
agreements without the author obtaining a substantial
consideration.
9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully
drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced.
10. An author should remember that production of a play
is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of
delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract.
He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in
the beginning,
11. An author must remember that the dramatic market
is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object
is to obtain adequate publication.
As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on
account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con-
tracts, THOSE AUTIJORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.
THE READING BRANCH.
M 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
lieaders are writers of competence and experience. The
fee is one guinea.
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.
NOTICES.
TIHE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of
the Society that, although the paper is sent to them
free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a
very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great
many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest
58. 6d. subscription for the year.
Communications for The Author should be addressed to
the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's
Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER
THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH.
All persons engaged in literary work of any kind,
whether members of the Society or not, are invited to
communicate to the Editor any points connected with their
work which it would be advisable in the general interest to
publish.
1. D VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive
advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub-
lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his
business or the administration of his property. If the
advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor,
the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's
solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is
clesirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.
2. Remember that questions connected with copyright
and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the
experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple
to use the Society.
3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past
accounts, with 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 battles of other writers, even if you
are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are
advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the
independence of the writer,
6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception
of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire-
proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as
confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary,
who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers:
-(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give
advice concerning 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.
7. No contract should be entered into with a literary
agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society
Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful
consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary
agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter-
pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society.
for
For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed
or initialled the Authors alone are responsible.
None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken
as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless
such is especially stated to be the case.
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE
EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on
no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to
return articles which cannot be accepted.
THE 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 Inion Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent
by registered letter only.
## p. 31 (#411) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
31
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors
has been removed to-
39, OLD QUEEN STREET,
STOREY'S GATE, S.W.
The Secretary during the last month has dealt
with seven fresh cases, in three of which he has
already been successful. With the exception of
three cases which are still in the course of negotia-
tion, he has satisfactorily terminated those that
were before him at the date of publication of last
month's Author. The Committee have determined
to take counsel's opinion on behalf of one of their
members in a complicated case on the interpretation
of an agreement where a large amount of literary
property is involved.
The Committee have decided to call a meeting of
the Copyright Sub-committee, with a view to again
raising the question of the Copyright Bill. The
course that the Copyright Sub-committee adopts
will be reported in due course in these columns.
NOTICE.
M HE EDITOR begs to inform members of the
Authors' Society and other readers of The
Author that the cases which are from time
to time quoted in The Author are cases that hare
come before the notice or to the knowledge of the
Secretary of the Society, and that those members
of the Society who desire to have the names of
the publishers concerned can obtain them on
application.
THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY
OF AUTHORS.
M HE following is the total of donations and
1 subscriptions promised or received up to
the 1st October, 1901.
Further sums will be acknowledged from month
to month as they are received, as it has been con-
sidered unnecessary to print the full list with
every issue.
Donations ........
...........£1439 16 6
Subscriptions...
......... 107 18 6
Sir Walter Besant Memorial.
The Committee feel that the debt of gratitude
owed by the Society to their founder, Sir Walter
Besant, should be adequately recorded in a per-
manent memorial, and are sure that all members
of the Society will share this feeling. In their
opinion such memorial should commemorate not
only his distinction as a novelist, and as an
historian and a citizen of London, but also his
services to his fellow writers, and the special
position he occupied amongst them.
The summer holidays intervening have caused
a certain amount of delay in the Committee's
action, but they have conferred with Lady Besant,
who gives the project her cordial approval. The
approval of George Meredith, the President of
the Society, has also been accorded to it, and it
has been decided, with the sanction of the Dean
and Chapter, to place a memorial in the crypt of
St. Paul's, adjacent to the tablet that commemorates
Charles Reade.
Mr. George Frampton, A.R.A., has promised to
undertake the work, and it is hoped that such a
sum will be raised as will enable the scheme to be
carried out in a manner worthy of its object.
A letter has already been sent to the members
of the Council of the Society, and in due course
a circular containing further particulars will be
sent out to all mernbers, and from time to time
the list of subscriptions will be published in The
Author.
The Committee make this statement as a pre-
liminary notice, in order that it may not appear
to those who loved and admired our late founder
that any unnecessary delay has taken place in
organising the expression of the affection and
regret felt towards their founder by the members
of the Society.
Oct. 10, Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet)
Oct. 15, Rossi, Miss L. ...
5 5
0 10
0
6
FROM THE COMMITTEE.
The Work of the Society.
VER. OWEN SEAMAN has been elected
y a member of the Council of the Society of
Authors and member of the Committee
of Management.
Mrs. Harrison (Lucas Malet) has been elected a
member of the Council.
The Committee elected at their meeting in
vctober twenty-five members and eight associates
## p. 32 (#412) #############################################
32
THE AUTHOR.
AUTHORITIES.
TT will be our endeavour to publish in every
1 number of The Author at least one article from
the pen of some well-known member of our
Society. Several have already promised to write
articles on some literary subject which will be of
interest to their fellow-writers, and we trust that,
on reading this notice, other members will volun-
tarily offer their services. The length of such
articles ought to be about four columns.
The above paragraph points the reason of the
failure of the commission book. A publisher has
nothing to work for if he publishes a commission
book, and therefore, in the great majority of cases.
a work put on the market under an arrangement
of this kind is bound to fail. If it is successful, it
is generally owing to the action of the author. not
of the publisher
Until the publisher rise
Until the publisher rises up who will publish
nothing but commission books, the same resnlt will
alway
always occur.
We have inserted a notice in The Author con-
cerning the bona fides of the cases quoted in its
pages. It has been necessary to do so owing to the
fact that a great many detractors of the Society have
stated that these cases never really occurred. The
main reasons for withholding names are generally
two. Firstly, the fear of the member concerned lest
he should be involved in an action for libel ; and
secondly, his dislike for any publicity which he con-
siders may prejudice him should he be seeking
further publication.
The latter point, no doubt, acts as a very strong
lever. Members of the Society used to fear the
publication of the fact that they were members, on
the ground that publishers would refuse to deal with
them, and even now there are some who are afraid
of this position. This is one of the reasons why
the votes of the members of the Society were against
the publication of a list of members. This fear,
however, has to a great extent passed away, and
subscribers to the Society are only too anxious to
proclaim their membership when they are in diffi-
culties with publishers. As a matter of fact, there
are those who are not members, and never have
been, who are only too glad at times to make a
false statement in order to bring a publisher to a
reasonable understanding.
The discussion of this subject calls to our mind
the question of the one-book man, which has
been mentioned in The Author from time to time.
Now that the war has been raging in South Africa
for some time, the point is perhaps brought more
forcibly before the public.
Many on their return from South Africa desire
to publish their reminiscences, and laying their
maiden effort at the feet of a publisher are met
with the usual answer that there are too many books
of the kind on the market, but that, if the author
cares to pay for the cost of production, he will
publish the book on commission. This is the
publisher's harvest. It is quite certain that the
one-book man, whether he is a yeoman returning
from the war, or whether he is a man of distinction
writing his memoirs, will not, as a rule, obtain
advice on a matter of this kind. He will trust
himself to the publisher as he would to his con-
fidential adviser—the pity of it.
The absurdity of the position has often been
mentioned, but the fact remains the same. The
consequence is, a considerable outlay by the author
usually exceeding the ordinary market price of the
cost of production of the book, and no return in
the way of profits. The reason of the lack of profits
arises, firstly, because—coming back to Sir Walter
Scott's statement—the publishers have no stimulus
to push the book ; secondly, because of the over-
charge (this word is not the word used by the
publishers) for printing, paper, advertising, and
other details of the cost of production,
It may be instructive to draw the attention of
the members of the Society to the opinion of pub-
lishers expressed by Sir Walter Scott, quoted in
“ Lockhart's Life," vol. 2, chapter 4. Sir Walter
states as follows:--
“ The publishers are very like farmers who flourish best
to high rent, and in general take most pains to sell a book
that has cost them money to purchase.”
From experience at the Society's office, it is quite
clear that Sir Walter Scott was well aware of the
peculiarities of the publishing trade, and his state-
ment continues as true now as it was then. If an
author will but value himself at his proper standard,
he is much more likely to obtain satisfactory
arrangements, and have his books more liberally
pushed, than his fellow who may be constantly
underselling his own market.
It is curious to note that in the case of theatrical
performances the tendency of the public is to
demand pieces which are light, pleasing and
amusing. For every serious drama that is pro-
duced there must be at least two of a lighter and
more amusing kind, yet, on turning to literature,
we see wonderfully few amusing writers compared
with the number who write serious, problematical
and heavy fiction.
It would be interesting if some of the latter-day
philosophers would write an article dealing with
## p. 33 (#413) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
33
this question from the psychological point of view.
It is impossible to think that those who read the
works of fiction placed on the market read them
with a view to a serious study of life, rather than
with a view to their personal amusement.
will forward statements containing figures--that
is, of the price given, of the circulation, and of
other details—we will gladly work out the returns
to the publisher and the author, and again test the
truth of the publishers' statement regarding the
profits from school books.
The following paragraph taken from the New
Zealand Times will have a mournful significance
to many members of the Authors' Society :-
* A visit to the grave of R. L. Stevenson would disappoint
many people. While some time back visits to this famous
hill were most frequent, the limit must now be six persons
yearly. And no wonder! The place is quite overgrown
with weeds, and perhaps will some day be hard to discover.
I understand that on receiving a complaint from a Sydney
resident, a little while back, the British Consul sent some
of his men up and the place was cleared. It is now time
for another clearing."
"To write a book is an easy task ; it requires only pen and
ink and some patient paper. To print a book is slightly
more difficult, because genius often expresses itself in
illegible manuscript. To read a book is still more difficult,
as one must struggle against sleep. But the most difficult
task that anyone may attempt is to sell a book. -Felir
Dahn.”
The above cutting from the Publishers' Circular
is mildly satirical. It is also inaccurate. We let
it pass. It is not the first time The Author has
been reminded that genius lies with the publisher,
and that the great literary undertakings of the
world would fall flat without “a goose to lay the
golden egg.”
In the last number we had reason to make some
remarks about epigrams ; the following, culled from
a comic paper, may suggest an idea to some member
on the point of writing an article on the subiect
on the point of writing an article on the subject.
She (to unromantic brother) : He called me the apple
of his eye. Is that an epigram ?
He: No, it's piffle.
We have taken the liberty of printing the late
James Runciman's opinion on the subject of
literary men being businesslike ; it is pithy and
powerful. It may act as an antidote to those who
from time to time objected to some of the methods
of our Founder.
“ No babble sickens me so much as that about the fading
about the fading
of noble aspirations. The talk about contempt for money
mostly comes from men who are too self-indulgent to
undergo exertion, but who will readily take whatever they
can get without trouble. In my own experience of life, I
have found that if you want to see an unscrupulous grabber
of the worst type you must seek out a wild poet who despises
Philistines. He will not deny himself anything ; he will
feed from any hand, and he will write lightsome sarcasms
about everyone who feeds him. He is generous to himself,
and he is overpoweringly bitter towards those who make
life an affair of half-pence; but he snatches half-pence
greedily enough when they have been earned by other
people. He is secretly ashamed because his own impotence
reduces him to being beholden to the Philistine, and he
eases his shame by making scornful comments on his
providers.
“ The men who do the lordly acts of generosity, the men
who are beneficent to their families, to the poor, to the
State, are the hard fellows who take their work as they find
it, live rationally, forego indulgences, and gather the form
of force which we call money. They can afford to be
munificent, and they are good citizens, for the simple reason
that they recognise the laws of existence and preserve their
self-respect. There is more real poetry in the heart of a
merchant who goes soberly homeward wondering what he
can do to gratify his wife and children than there is in the
whole tribe of fribbles who think that the main duties of
life are to wear ugly hats and derive'impressions.' People
like Firth and Nasmyth and Armstrong have given more
happiness to the world than have all the rhymers and
prosers that ever moaned about the waywardness of fate
and the accursed influence of .dross.'
" JAMES RUNCIMAN."
Mr. Robert MacLehose, of the well-known
Glasgow firm, has kindly written an article on
“ The Net System,” which is published in this
month's Author.
The matter may not appear of much importance
to members of the Society, but the price at which
books are sold to the public, and the maintenance
of a flourishing book trade throughout the country,
should not be looked upon with indifference by the
producers.
With the author should lie ultimately the power
of determining in what manner and at what price
his wares should be marketed, that he may receive
the fair reward of his labour.
In those countries where the publisher and
booksenler by strong combination rule the market,
the author suffers and the tradesmen flourish.
The policy of all should be to obtain a just return.
It is to be hoped that further articles on the book
rade m uture numbers may lead to the clearing
up of certain disputed points.
We have put forward in the last number of The Quite recently a case came before the Society of
Author and are printing in this number some a book published in cheap form in England under
remarks on the production of educational works. an author's name which had never been written by
If any member of the Society, or the public, the author.
## p. 34 (#414) #############################################
34
THE AUTHOR.
The Society readily dealt with the matter and American writers. For Continental rights, too, an
the book was withdrawn from circulation with agent in each of the countries where translations
apologies.
are issued is a necessity if anything like the full
We regret to say that the same mistake has pecuniary value is to be extracted for them. Then
frequently occurred the other side of the water, again, for an English writer living abroad (say, in
and is much more difficult to deal with.
a colony) or travelling, a London literary agent is,
The American pirate has in many cases grown if not a necessity, at any rate a luxury. The
bold, through freedom from persecution. He finds literary agent may be of service also to the “one-
an English writer whose works sell in quantities in book” man--the writer who publishes only now
America, proceeds to take a certain amount of copy and again, the writer who knows that his books
-Heaven knows where he gets it from-binds it will not sell, and does not look to get a profit out
up in cheap form, and publishes it, with the name of them.
of the popular writer referred to.
As to whether the London literary agent will
This naturally causes the author in England consent to handle the work of this latter class, is
inany heart-burnings, as his literary reputation is another matter.
at stake, and the damage that may accrue may But for the professional writer, the writer who
possibly be very large.
pens matter which sells, the writer who looks to
To strike at this grievance, although a matter of make a living, or part of a living, out of his books
import, is a question of considerable difficulty, as and serial rights, I emphatically hold that the
it is very often the case that the author, unwilling literary agent, as at present on offer in London, is
to journey to the other side of the water, does not a clog and a hindrance.
care about starting an action in America. He The literary agent's first object is very naturally
accordingly refrains from taking up the matter, to make his own living. Observe how the author's
with the exception, perhaps, of writing a few letters interest clashes with this at the very outset. The
to the American papers, and the pirate flourishes agent has, say, three short tales by three tolerably
on his ill-gotten gains. The Society, however, has well-known pens, A., B. and C., in his hands, each
some influence in New York, and has succeeded on worth for serial use about £20. He wants to sell
one or two occasions in settling cases of this kind, all three to one magazine, as he knows that other
owing to the weight of its name, without the markets are crowded. He knows quite well that
necessity of commencing action.
the pay-sheet of that particular magazine will not
There is another amusing trick that some of the stand £60, though it would be quite equal to taking
American publishers indulge in. This is not so one tale at £20, which at 10 per cent. commission
harmful from the literary standpoint, but to the would produce him £2. This also would leave the
author is rather a cause for amusement than a other two tales on his hands and cause him further
reason for alarm.
trouble. But instead of selling this one tale at
When in America we noticed several cheap full price, he prefers to make a bargain for the
editions of books written by famous authors, with three at £10, which produces him £4, and the
the portraits of the authors on the paper cover bother of the thing is over as far as he is con-
outside. In many cases the portraits bore no cerned. It is a case of small profits and quick
resenıblance whatever to the author in the flesh as returns.
we knew him in England, and in many cases went I think a point of view has been missed over
beyond this and bore an extremely strong resemb- this matter. Authors should remember that they
lance to other well-known authors with whom we are all in competition against one another, and
have the honour of being acquainted.
why competitors in the same affairs should employ
G. H. T. the same agent to represent them, is a riddle which
no sane business man can answer.
Authors should remember, too, that they are per-
AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT. sonally responsible for anything this agent chooses
to bind them to, accidentally or otherwise. Lite-
rary agents are notorious for making slipshod
agreements. Literary agents are constantly ignor-
S the Secretary of the Society of Authors asks ing their principal's definite instructions on the
1 my opinion on the utility of the Author's doubtful ground of expediency. Literary agents
Agent, I wish to say that in most cases he (presumably on the old plea that all writers are
seems to me a useless and expensive excrescence. fools) charge, at the lowest, the grotesquely ex-
To take first the exceptions. For an English cessive fee of 10 per cent. on all monies received.
writer, an American agent is a necessity, and the From a beginner this charge might not be
converse may to a lesser degree hold true for exorbitant; but then the literary agent is far too
I.
## p. 35 (#415) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
35
wise to handle a beginner's work. For a writer among the incompetent. Mr. Heinemann, with
whose writing income is over, say, £500 a year, a protective zeal, complains that it is against the
charge of £50 per £500 is ridiculous. A man in interests of literature that an author should be
that position would, with the exercise of a little pledged body and soul “ years ahead.” An author
common sense, have no trouble whatever in selling who can be overworked by his agent, or forced by
his wares, and if he grudged the hour or two a "pledges” into over-production, is an author who
week necessary to attend to a few simple letters, will ruin himself in any case. Tragedy of this
he could with his £50 hire the services of a clerk kind depends on those circumstances of life which
or secretary who would serve him far more profit drive other men than authors to desperate-in-
ably than any general agent.
variably killing-efforts to fight an unphilanthropic
Finally, what does experience show? How many world. So far as my own experience of agents is
of the writing men and women, who are at the top concerned, I can but say that in the first instance
of the ladder to-day as regards money receipts for I managed my own transactions. I did not manage
their work, employ a London literary agent ? them badly : I have no grievances to air: I am
There is one doubtful exception : all the rest do quite willing that the publisher should make his
not. (Remember, I am not speaking of American legitimate profit on what is always for him not
or Continental agents.)
merciful patronage, but speculation absolutely. I
The writers to whom the services of the present have now given the arrangement of my contracts to
literary agents may be recommended, are those who a well-known, very able, and very courteous agent.
are lazy, incompetent, or self-indulgent. The others I do not find my “ physical and mental health”.
should give up one entire half-day to mastering the sinking under his influence. I write when I please,
very simple business aspects of the matter, and then as I please, and for a sum of money which I myself
either handle their own affairs personally, or (if fix-either on account of royalties, or for a fee
they are abnormally large) put them in the hands outright. My agent collects this, deducts a reason-
of a secretary, or an agent or solicitor who in able commission for his trouble, sees that my agree-
literary matters acts for them, and for no one else. ments--subject to my own approval--are in order,
OMEGA. that my interests are protected abroad and else-
where. Publishers may not like him : I have no
fault to find.
II.
In the case of the author with his first
I HAVE been asked to offer some reply to Mr. Success :- An agent will not advise him against
Heinemann's straightforward letter in the October his interest. This is certain. In the case of the
number of The Author.
unknown author--who wishes for information, for
I do not propose to discuss the agent from the an introduction, the agent will not mislead him.
publisher's point of view. That is not my business. Quite the reverse. He will tell him actual facts
But as an author 1 may perhaps be allowed to hold about the commercial side of “art." And why
a strong opinion with regard to writers generally not? What is the matter with commerce that a
and literature.
person of supposed refinement is expected to shrink
What is this nonsense about the author's "greed” from it with disgust? If men have been expressly
for an “immediate money return ” ? This snobbish taught to get their bread by preaching the Word
attitude in the matter of an artist and his fees was of God, there is certainly no reason why they
never found at any time among the distinguished. Should rate their own compositions as too precious
Michael Angelo wanted his money paid, and his for any earthly payment, or too sublime to be
contracts arranged, many years in advance. Shake- treated with in legal contracts. Mr. Heinemann
speare, Molière, Balzac, George Sand, George Eliot, has the reputation of being a generous publisher
de Maupassant, and Sir Walter Scott were never so. and an appreciative one. He cannot have had
vulgar as to affect indifference to financial affairs. a disheartening struggle with the “literary”
I take it that of all peculiar signs of an essential classes. But he must know that the weak among
commonness in an artist, this one of prattling them were born weak, and not made so by un-
about the indignity of accepting money for "art" scrupulous middlemen.Authors are marred by
is the most striking. I have never met a person over-advertisement and worthless praise--never
with such insincere views who did not live on the because they insist on adequate payment, and are
complaining generosity of relatives and friends. represented by efficient men of business.
Art is work; the artist is a working man or
PEARL MARY TERESA CRAIGIE.
woman, and the moment that an author, or a critic,
or a craftsman seeks to better a condition of such
honesty by making it a mood or a pose instead of
a necessity and a calling, he may be counted
## p. 36 (#416) #############################################
36
THE AUTHOR.
.
III.
for complaint on this score. It, on the other hand,
he does find that this is the case, it seems to me a
An Answer to Mr. Heinemann.
very good argument, from the author's point of
view, for employing an agent, even at the sacri-
In the October number of the Author there fice of that “intimate intercourse with the pub-
appeared a most interesting letter from Mr. lisher” which Mr. Heinemann finds so helpful.
W. Heinemann, on the subject of the literary Nor, again, do I see that the “immediate money
agent, which stated very distinctly and lucidly return” (on account of royalties, I suppose) which
the view of an eminent publisher on this ques. Mr. Heinemann accuses the agent of fostering is
tion. He took no middle line, and from the procured “at the cost of all dignity and artistic
point of view of both author, publisher and litera- repose.” Personally I have published books both
ture, condemned the agent with resonant anathe- with and without immediate money return, but I
mas. This was very valuable, because it stated do not recollect any disturbance in my own repose-
the case of the publisher frankly and without fulness. In fact, I do not quite see what Mr.
loophole for misunderstanding, and leaves no doubt Heinemann means.
as to why the publisher-for we cannot be wrong I suppose there are bad agents as well as good
in taking Mr. Heinemann's utterances as excellently ones; I suppose also there are bad publishers as
representative—dislikes the agent.
well as good ones, but I am happy to say I have
On certain points I feel myself hopelessly incap- never yet met an inferior variety in either kind,
able of agreeing with Mr. Heinemann : he says, nor do I wish to. More especially I desire to steer
for instance, that “no author would be so quixotic clear of the figure, which Mr. Heinemann's vigorous
as to employ a literary agent if he did not hope protest calls up—a sort of Mephistopbeles, by
to get as much more out of the publisher as the whom the unfortunate author is “ pledged and
agent's commission represents." Would Mr. Heine- sold body and soul to syndicates and publishers
mann, therefore, argue that the landlord who on time bargains years ahead!” Now, authors are
employs an agent hopes to get as much more out not probably a business-like class; they are much
of the tenant as his agent's income represents ? too futile and dreamy-that, indeed, is why they
Both author and landlord appear to me to employ are right to employ agents—and it is exactly to save
an agent-primarily-for a very different reason, an author some gross mistake of binding himself
namely, that by using one they save themselves a that agents may be, and I think often are, useful.
good deal of trouble, and of time which they find Certainly I have never met with one who would
they can otherwise employ more profitably. More not strongly dissuade an author from the very
especially is this true, I think, of any author wbo course which, it appears to Mr. Heinemann, they
either contributes to magazines or desires a serial are apt to inculcate. But here, again, publishing
appearance for his work. In his case (particu- is a business, and it would surely be equally ill-
larly if the author does not habitually read the judged on the part of a publisher to buy the yet
magazines in which he wishes his work to appear) unwritten produce of an over-driven author, for
the agent is invaluable. If he is at all competent he would probably make a very bad bargain.
he will be far more likely to know that magazine Nor, again, do I see why the author should not
which will be suitable for his author's work, and get as much as he can for his work. Given that
in the case of serialisation what magazines have he has completed his book, his artistir effort is
openings, than the author himself. Given then over. His book is now a property, to be sold,
that the agent has arranged a good serialisation and the agent, rightly, so it seems to me, gets as
for a story, is the publication of it then to be much for it as he can, asking terms (unless his
taken out of his hands ? That does not seem to author has a strong predilection for a certain
me quite fair.
publisher-and I think most authors have) not
Publishing is a business. At least, in the from one house only, but, it the terms there offered
majority of cases I do not suppose that a man do not seem sufficient, from another, or, if he
embraces that calling with the sole and altruistic chooses, from a third. Why he should let one
aim of bringing masterpieces within the reach of publisher have it cheap, if, ceteris paribus, he can
the million (though he is probably quite happy in get more from another, or why such a proceeding
reaching the million); and, while no good publisher is derogatory to literature, I cannot imagine. But,
would wish that the imprint of his house should as this business of securing the best market for
godfather a work of rank and beastly tendency, the goods is a matter requiring time, trouble, and
yet his object is primarily to make his business experience, and is not to all a congenial employ.
pay. Unless, then, he finds that the employment ment, it seems to me only wise of the author to
of an agent by an author tends to make his busi- entrust it to someone who presumably has the
ness less paying, I do not see what grounds he has experience, and for whose time and trouble he is
## p. 37 (#417) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
37
content to pay. And here, I imagine, Mr. Heine- so to do, and, as a rule, I think he does it. Besides,
mann's far more serious accusation against the he thereby increases his own dividends.
agents applies. He says he has not always found One word more. If all publishers were like
them scrupulously honest. It is very distressing Mr. Heinemann, I think the calling of the agent
that it is so, but, on the other hand, from the would be seriously endangered. But in the present
author's point of view, it is equally distressing to state of this imperfect world they are not. Mr.
find he has in his ignorance signed some contract Heinemann with a becoming modesty assumes
which gives his publisher a quite undue share of that they are. I wish I agreed with him.
profit in the success of his book. Such contracts
E. F. BENSON.
have been signed. But it is really beside the point
to argue the question on such grounds. Dishonest
agents I hope are as rare as dishonest publishers,
IV.
and bona fides must be assumed for the abstract
argument.
With regard to the very interesting discussion
Nor is it on such grounds that personally I now being carried on in your paper in reference
employ an agent. As I have said, I have never to Literary Agents, I venture to offer a few
yet met with a dishonest publisher, and I do not suggestions
employ an agent to save me from his possible A n inexperienced author—I mean an author who
clutches. On the other hand, in the case of a is not well acquainted with the publications or
book which I once published without employing the personal characters and characteristics of large
an agent, I found that no account had been rendered numbers of publishers—is very likely to attack the
to me for over three years, and that when, with wrong publisher, or to attack the right publisher
suitable courtesy I hope, I applied for it, it was in the wrong way or at the wrong time. I
not without some personal trouble and "dunning" know this by bitter experience. Fortunately (or
that I succeeded in getting it. Now, I object to unfortunately), I still believed that my books
dunning anybody : I do not happen to like it. ought to be published. But the number of
But I do not in the least object to instructing my possible publishers was too vast. It was the same
agent to do so. That is one of the things for which with editors. There were too many of them, and
“he is there." And, in this case, I regretted I. I did not know which (if any) would be likely to
had not employed him before.
accept this or that article at this or that time.
Finally, I disagree with Mr. Heinemann in his One of my chief mistakes was to try the old-
assertion that agents are of no use to the untried established firms first.
author who at present has no market. It seems Then I found an experienced agent, and he
to me that it is exactly here—if they are com- immediately said, “ This piece of work will be
petent—where they are most useful. The agent accepted by A. or by B. or by C. or-by no one.
knows, more or less, what ten per cent. on a six. That piece of work we'll offer to A., if he does
shilling book means. The untried author has no idea. not accept the first piece. This third piece of
And this innocent child of nature is confronted work is, I fear, hopeless." Within a few weeks
with a document which says that twelve copies he had placed all the MSS., except two, that I
are counted as eleven, or thirteen (I forget which), put into his hands, and had bearded several lions
that he receives ten per cent. on the first thousand (as I then thought them) and had arranged for
and twelve and a half per cent. on the second future works. Apart from this agent I think I
that in case of a colonial edition he gets 211, per should have given up in despair.
copy, and something obscure occurs to remainders, With another agent, however, I might have
which are also obscure. More particularly there paid initial fees and then have been just as badly
may be a sublime silence about American sales and off as before. But it seems to me that the
American copyright, and he knows nothing of the inexperienced author is likely to do better if he
stringency of law prevailing in that remarkable tries to choose an agent than if he tries to choose
continent, which really seems expressly designed a publisher or editor. For there are far fewer agents
for the confusion of budding authors, and as likely than publishers or editors. It is far harder to make
as not American rights and protection then get mistakes in attempts to find a good agent.
left out of the contract altogether. Poor bleating There is another point. The sensitive author
lamb! yet that sinister shepherd the agent could despairs because he has his MS. rejected, let us
have saved him.
say, by two publishers. They state that they do
And here I speak from bitter experience. True, not see a public for the book. The agent is not
it is not in any sense at all the business of the sensitive : offer him a good commission, and he
English publisher to make his author acquainted will try again and again. He may be refused by
with copyright law. But it is the agent's business some publisher who would have accepted the MS,
## p. 38 (#418) #############################################
38
THE AUTHOR.
direct from the author. But I fancy that few for complaint. All other arguments against the
publishers are such fools as to refuse a good book agent having failed, it is now declared that the
because it comes through an agent, or to accept a literary diplomatist is only of use to authors of
bad book because it comes direct from the author. established reputation. That I can deny as far as
How little right an author has to be discouraged my own experience has shown. Years ago, when I
simply and solely because one or two publishers was unknown, and as yet scarcely published, it was
have refused some book, numerous authors past my agent who took me by the hand. To him I
and present can testify. Within a week I had a have applied for advice in more than one crisis of
MS. refused by one publisher (A.), as having no a somewhat adventurous career, and to his good
likely sale, and then quite eagerly accepted by judgment and guidance I owe whatever fruit of
another publisher (B.). B. at the same time my work I now enjoy. It is the young and in-
refused a second MS. for the very reason that A. experienced writer who is in need of advice. To
had just given, and this second MS. was straight the established author the agent is an absolute
way accepted by A.
necessity, in order to look after his interests in
The agent, then, is likely to save the author various directions, and more especially so when, as
from too hasty despair ; but, on the other hand, in my own case, the author habitually resides out
should the author have mistaken his profession in of England, and is unable to have personal inter-
life, then no despair can be too hasty. And the views with editors or publishers.
agent who honestly or dishonestly encourages false Finally, I should like to ask Mr. Heinemann,
hopes may be wasting some of the most valuable who has (in print) such a marked antipathy to the
months or years of a man's whole life. I should literary agent, a single but direct question. My
add that, if the author refuses to pay the agent brother authors and myself would be interested to
anything until he shall have placed the MS., and know whether it is not a fact that in order to effect
agrees to pay a royalty then, the agent will not be the sale of his English books in America he
encouraged to take up MSS. which he knows to be actually employs a literary agent in New York !
utterly “unlikely.” The worst possible plan seems Until the question is answered further comment
to me to pay the agent his full pay in advance, is needless.
whether he shall succeed or not. For then he
Yours truly,
only has the expense of carrying or posting the
WILLIAM LE QUEUX.
MS. to fresh publishers or editors at varying Castor, Peterborough,
intervals. He has comparatively little interest October 12th, 1901.
in really exerting himself and interviewing the
publisher or editor personally, as my agent did
with such good effect.
EUSTACE MILES.
SIR,—It happens occasionally that a publisher
may act as an agent. For instance, a well-known
v.
firm succeeded in serialising a novel which it had
To the Editor of THE AUTHOR.
undertaken to issue for me, the commission was
fifty per cent! I am not complaining of the rate,
SIR,—In common with many other authors I
because it had been specified in the previous agree-
have been much amused and somewhat surprised
ment. I have by me other agreements signed by
at Mr. Hcinemann's remarks regarding that much-
a different firm in which also it is stated that the
abused necessity to the novelist, the literary
commission in the event of serialisation is to be
agent. It seeins to me that the majority of the
fifty per cent. Now, my agent's commission is
reasons given for objecting to the agent are the
only ten per cent.
very reasons why an author should employ him.
Yours faithfully,
But, apart from these, Mr. Heinemaun makes a
Fact.
distinct assertion which is certainly open to con-
tradiction when he complains that the agent fosters
in the author a spirit of greed. I have no know-
DURING the summer months the Secretary
ledge of the methods of other agents save my own, received a letter, of which the following is a
but I can honestly say that my own agent, in
copy :-
selling one of my books, keeps before him the fact
that the sale is not in my best interests if the
“Dear Sir, I have decided to discontinue my sabscrip-
publisher does not have an opportunity of making
tion to the Authors' Society. I have put my affairs as
regards my literary work into the hands of an agent. With
a fair profit.
many thanks for the kind help you have so often given me,
Personally I fail to see Mr. Heinemann's cause believe me to be, very truly yours,"
VI.
## p. 39 (#419) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
39
We would like to make some remarks upon it.
In the early days of the Society the publishers were
very naturally opposed to the idea of having their
agreements and their methods of doing business
overlooked by the Society of Authors, and one of
the best known houses sent round a circular to all
the authors who published with it, asking them
not to join the Society. Those days, we are glad
to say, have long passed ; not only have authors as
a mass found the Society useful, but even in some
instances the publishers have been bound to
acknowledge that the work it does is good and
fair. From the letter quoted above it would
appear that the agent is also objecting to have his
methods looked into from the point of view of the
Authors' Society. That a feeling against having
their business arrangements overlooked has been
growing amongst agents is clear from the informa-
tion that has come to the Society. The interest of
publisher and author is bound to be antagonistic ;
it is natural, therefore, that the publisher should
object. The interest of agent and author is
identical. It is very serious, therefore, for the
author when the agent assumes an attitude of
antagonism. We must state finally that the
placing of your work in the hands of an agent
is an additional reason for belonging to the
Society, as an author in this position has two
people to look after, firstly the publisher,
secondly the agent.
Perhaps after all the letter was only an outcome
of the silly season.
standing against the total from “ The Cost of Pro-
duction ” of £7 13s. The moulding is the same
price in both estimates, and the binding also.
When a fresh edition of“ The Cost of Production”
is brought out it will have to be entirely revised,
and it is hoped that it will be possible to include
an exhaustive statement at the same time of the
American cost, which American publishers boast
is as low if not lower than the English.
Authors, note this statement.
ESTIMATE FROM " THE COST OF PRODUCTION.”
500 Copies, crown 8vo, Small Pica type,
Composition, 17 sheets at €1 78. 6d.
per sheet .......... ............. 423 7 6
Printing, 17 sheets at 58, 9d. per sheet 4 17 9
Paper, , „ 98.
7 13 0
Moulding,
:58.
5 0
Binding, at 4d, a vol. .... ....... 8 6 8
.
£48 911
RECENT PRINTER'S ESTIMATE.
500 Copies, crown 8vo, set in Small Pica.
Composition, 17 sheets at 228. 6d ....... €19 26
Printing, 17 sheets at 58. 3d............. 4 9 3
Paper, 8£ reams, 60 double-crown 158. 6 7 6
Moulding only, 5s. ..........
Binding, 4d....
8 6 8
£42 10 11
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL
PROPERTY.
I.-Cost of Production.
THE first estimate printed below is taken from
1 the third edition of “The Cost of Production,”
which was issued in 1891.
The book is now out of print; but to show that
the prices for printing, paper, etc., were fair at the
time of issue-although at first this was frequently
denied by the publishers—and are fair at the
present date, a second estimate is put forward
which was obtained from a printer only a year
ago. The printer's name is not given, but it is
sufficient to state that he is a man in a large way
of business, with works in the neighbourhood of
London, who does extensive trade with the chief
publishers.
On comparing the two estimates, it will be seen
that the composition is considerably cheaper, as
much as õs, a sheet, and the printing 6d. a sheet.
The paper is also cheaper, the total £6 78. 6d.
II.-American Copyright.
The Publishers' Circular has an article with
regard to the production and circulation of books
in America, and complains, as is not unnatural,
of the lack of reciprocity in the American Copy-
right Law. It points out that many publishing
houses have started branch offices in America.
This effort of English publishers is, no doubt, use-
ful, both for the trade and for the English authors ;
but the Publishers' Circular makes a suggestion
that English printers ought rather to start branch
establishments in New York. This suggestion,
from the author's point of view, would be much
more satisfactory than a branch publishing house,
and we commend it to the notice of some of the
larger printing firms. It is useless at this hour of
the day to grumble about the American Copyright
Law. It is better than no copyright law, but the
Americans, save only a small intellectual minority,
have failed to grasp the great principles referring
to literary property
The day may come, and we hope at no distant
date, when they will take a more enlightened view
of the position, and join the signatories of the
Berne Convention.
What authors have to do at present is to make the
best of existing circumstances, and it will be more
satisfactory for the profession to have a trustworthy
## p. 40 (#420) #############################################
40
THE AUTHOR.
English printer established in New York than an no reason why it should not also become of unlimited
English publisher, however trustworthy.
duration.
"A new law published in the latest Gazette brings Siam
into line with Western nations in the matter of copyright.
The preamble points out that hitherto authors have had no
III.-A Publisher's Trick.
protection for their work in this country, anyone baving
A well-kuown publisher, writing to an author
the right to republish and sell any book. The new enact-
ment follows the lines of the English law, giving protection
who objected to the terms of his agreement, stated
for forty-two years, or the period of the author's life, with
as follows, “ that the agreement was settled by a grace of seven years, whichever is the longer. To copy-
--- , K.C., and is identical with the one signed right a book it has to be registered at the Royal Scribe
by all my authors."
Department within twelve months after publication ; the
fee charged is five ticals, and a copy has to be presented to
We have frequently pointed out before that the
the Department mentioned, another to the Royal Library,
Publishers' Agreements issued by the Publishers' and another to the Royal Buddhist Library at Wat
Association were approved by Mr. Joseph Walton, Benchamabopit. Translation is also prohibited. The
K.C., who has recently been raised to the Bench,
passing of such a law is a wise proceeding, even if the
result on literature cannot be expected to be very notice-
and we have shown in the pamphlet published
able. We hope it may have the effect of encouraging the
by the Society how disastrous they are to authors. Siamese author. But as trade bulks so very much larger
Mr. Walton, no doubt, followed his instructions than letters in modern Siam, it is to be trusted that the
and approved the agreements that best served bis
Government will without delay follow up this law with
another giving protection to trade marks. The need of
clients, the publishers. So that the point which
some system of registration which will protect both the
the publisher is putting forward, although it has seller and the buyer of genuine articles is very real. The
been frequently successful in silencing the objec consular courts in Bangkok enforce laws to prevent the
tions of authors, is really no argument whatever
perpetration of such frauds, and the anomaly of the
Siamese courts being unable to do anything in the matter
to induce an author to sign an agreement. In
has been pointed out often enough."
fact, if anything, it should at once lead him in
the opposite direction. A clever K.C., when asked
to draw an agreement, would be bound to make
that agreement more strongly in favour of his
V.–Press Copyright.
client than the layman who might be drawing a The letter in your last number signed “Old
similar document.
Bird," and a recent correspondence in a contem-
The second part of the publisher's statement is porary anent the republication of a leading article
untrue. But if it were true, it is no argument, in a London newspaper practically unaltered in
because certain authors are ill-advised in signing matter or phrase, the second version differing only
an agreement, that other authors should be equally from the first in the signature appended, suggest
ill-advised, and we have pointed out on former a larger question than any personal dispute. The
occasions with regard to the publication of books subject of press copyright is one which has often
in a series what a trap this argument has been to been discussed, and the possible legislation for its
the unwary author.
betterment has been many times forecast, but the
Again we find it necessary to put forward these result so far is nil. A quarter of a century ago,
remarks, because again the publisher brings forward when the mills of the press, following a high pre-
his misleading statements.
cedent, ground slowly, the grievance of journalistic
theft was not so keenly felt and the delinquent
was only in a small way of business. At present
the malpractice has become so systematic and
IV.—Copyright in Siam.
universal that we have arrived at the preposterous
We print the following cutting from the Bangkok position of a journal being deliberately undersold
Times.
and paradoxically pushed out of the market by
It is interesting as showing the gradual evolution the illegitimate sale of its own contents.
of literary copyright in foreign countries. It was This is a sweeping statement. Let us examine
not long ago that Japan joined the Berne Conven- it. Examples of the Tit Bit order of papers in
tion, and now Siam has passed a Copyright Law. which the same paragraph goes the round of all
This, perhaps, may be followed by their becoming and appears consecutively in the whole series are
signatories to the treaty.
not relied on. The identical item apparently
There seems to be little doubt that as friendly serves as well for all as for each, and from the
intercourse between nations increases, copyright regularity with which it reappears, and from the
will become universal at no distant date, and it dim memories which it often reawakens, it was
is to be hoped that when this point is realised, not original to the paper first issuing it. Nor is
legislators will also realise that there is absolutely the dissemination of the world's news, the beneficent
## p. 41 (#421) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
41
growth of knowledge through journalistic inter- No doubt it is hard for a Government, or a
change, the popularisation of the eternal verities Parliament, smothered in a maze of heterogeneous
in the form of meteorological reports, or the duties which range from the conduct of a great
apotheosis of the commonplace in paragraphs, or war abroad to the transfer of a constable or the
mishaps to battleships, herein impeached. No trespass of a goat at home, to undertake new
newspaper possesses copyright in the incidence of legislation on any question which presents im-
events or their direction; the weather is the (some- mediate as well as ultimate difficulties. And
times undesirable) heritage of mankind. But the certainly the question of press copyright presents
comments of the editor on the mismanagement of both. Nevertheless it should be attacked. The
the universe, and the experiences of the contributor present anomalous conditions are unfair to honest
in this insignificant microcosm, are as much their journals, unjust to industrious contributors, and a
own copyright, and should be as rigidly protected fraud on the purchasing public.
by the law, as the jocularities of the farceur or the
OUTLANDER.
inventions of the fictionist. Take a concrete
instance of the journalistic buccaneer and note his
NOTE.— The law on the subject is quite clear. If
nefarious influence.
a paper does not care to enforce its rights, the
There is a well-known high-class weekly matter is different. The Times has on sundry
provincial paper, with an enormous circulation, occasions brought actions and has shown very
published at one penny, which reprints in every effectively that a paper, if it desires, can, under the
issue several columns from London sixpenny existing law, absolutely protect its articles and
journals. In some cases the acknowledgment of contributions.-ED.
the source from which these are lifted is given
prominently at the beginning or end of the matter
annexed. Often, however, it is embodied in the
VI.
middle of the article—"says a writer in,” “writes
The following cutting from the Daily Chronicle
Mr. — in” – so that to a casual observer the
will be of interest to dramatic authors :-
article in question is original matter specially
contributed to the paper. This great provincial
An author's rights are strangely interpreted by the com.
mittee and stage management of the Comédie Française.
newspaper also prints weekly a notice in heavy
It appears that M. Gaston Schefer, whose piece, “ Le Roi,"
type to the effect that it requires no outside is about to be produced, has been harassed during the
contributions and will pay for none such. I rehearsal period by being forced to alter and cut his scenes
cannot afford to buy the London journal at six-
to please M. Le Bargy, who is entrusted with the staging
according to the rules of the theatre. The playwright
pence when I can get all of it I have time to read
revolted at last when he was coolly asked to change the
in the provincial paper for a penny. The provin dénouement which makes the "King" abdicate from sheer
cial paper cannot afford to pay me for an original discouragement. M. Jules Claretie has under pressure
contribution when it, and the contemporaries with
resolved to produce “Le Roi" in its intact form almost
immediately.
which it must compete, can appropriate what they
please gratis from journals which have paid A dispute of this kind not infrequently arises
liberally for the “copy" of which they are thus with regard to theatrical representation. It can
audaciously dispossessed.
only be settled in two ways, (1) by agreement,
This state of affairs is disgraceful. The law (2) by the doctrine of expediency.
must deal with it. It must be made as penal to There are many dramatic writers of established
steal a journal's matter as a man's hat. Library position who insist upon inserting a clause in their
books and umbrellas have long, by a curious mental agreement that their piece must not be altered,
obliquity, been regarded as communal. But this but must be acted verbatim. They sell a licence
specialisation is wholly irrational. As it exists, to perform to an actor-manager. If any dispute
however, we must put up with it. And in the arises as to the wording of the play or its alteration,
same way journals which reciprocate each other's the author can either refer to the agreement and
theft may very well be left to fight the matter out enforce his rights as against the manager, or, if he
amongst themselves. The law does not concern deems it expedient, accept the alteration and let
itself very intimately with the lighter wrangles of the matter go forward.
professed lawbreakers, and a man in Whitechapel In the case of young dramatic authors it is very
may kick his wife to death at leisure provided he often impossible to insert a clause of this kind.
observe the amenities by not doing it in the street. Under these circumstances, if the manager has
But it is certainly time that journals which employ merely a licence to perform the play, he must per-
their own staff and pay their own contributors form that play and no other play, and may not
should have legal protection from the hooligans alter it.
of the press.
The question of expediency may again arise, as
## p. 42 (#422) #############################################
42
THE AUTHOR.
sibethor
it is more important for a young author to have inadequate private income by reviewing. In this
his play put before the public than it is to obtain career I was very fairly successful. Not that I flatter
a monetary return by way of damages from a myself that I was qualified for my task by any
manager, however large.
special interest in or knowledge of literature. Apart
The attention of all dramatic authors must be from a certain natural turn for epigram, I consider
drawn to the point which is put forward in the that my success was due to the practical view I
“Warnings to Dramatic Authors," namely, that it is took of my occupation. I have no doubt from
essential to give to a manager a licence to perform what I know of you and of your work that your
only. If he transfers the whole of his rights, he talents are superior to any of which I could boast,
hands over a piece of property which, within certain while you have always shown a genuine love of
bounds, a manager will be able to alter and vary. letters, a taste which I have been free to develope
If he gives the licence to perform, a manager only in later years. I doubt, however, if either
can only perform what has been handed to him as faculty or enthusiasm will compensate for the new-
a whole play, and can make no alteration without fangled scruples by which I understand that you
the consent and sanction of the author.
are hampered.
From the foregoing quotation it is really impos- Let me deal with some of these. I hear that it
sible to see what were the author's rights, as every. is a fixed principle with you never to review
thing must depend upon the form of agreement, a book unless you have read it, or at least the
but it is sufficient to state that authors should avoid greater part of it. Things must certainly have
all chance of such disputes arising by settling the changed since the good old times. You surely
agreement on a satisfactory basis before the play is realise how such a method must limit your output.
handed over.
Unless the standard of remuneration has been
greatly raised, I cannot understand how the most
modest income can be earned on such terms. Nor
VII.
can I believe that this system prevails generally
The“Journal of the American Society of Authors” among your contemporaries. I notice, for example,
states that Mr. Vanderbilt has had his house that one of the “weeklies " reviews, in a single
both the exterior and the interior-photographed issue, from six to twelve novels, all the notices
from all points of vantage with a view of pro- being, so far as I can judge, by the same hand.
tecting himself, by copywriting every negative; Cau it be supposed that the reviewer reads from
against the man with the Kodak.
six to twelve novels to make “copy” worth at most
From the English point of view, the execution from two to four guineas ?
of Mr. Vanderbilt's idea does not afford him any In my own time the problem for us reviewers was
protection. There is no doubt that to whatever far more strict. Besides receiving our honorarium
extent a private house has been brought under the for “copy," we kept and sold the book reviewed, a
camera by one person, this would not prevent any custom which I understand is now less common.
one else from taking a photograph from exactly the The volume fetched more if the pages were uncut ;
same standpoint with exactly the same effect, if and in order to reap the full harvest, we had to
this were possible; but it would be a distinct criticise on the strength of such limited examina-
infringement of copyright to photograph another tion as this condition prescribed. This may seem
person's photograph or in any way to copy his to you to be a difficult or risky method. In point
original negative.
of fact, it was quite possible to concoct a plausible
judgment from glimpses between the sheets. Often
the arrangement of these admitted of a glance at
AN OLD TO A YOUNG REVIEWER.
the Preface, which might prove invaluable : the
method of the book was usually ascertainable from
accessible portions : samples of style and quotations
M Y DEAR GEORGE,--Your relatives, who could be extracted and adapted to the critical
I are naturally anxious for your success in the attitude assumed by the reviewer ; and many
career on which you have now for some time other methods were developed by practice. Indeed,
been embarked, have asked me to advise you from my among the confraternity with which I associated,
own past experience, especially with regard to certain he would have passed as a mere “ 'prentice hand”
scruples which I hear that you entertain, and which who thought it necessary to mutilate his books by
seem likely to injure your prospects. You are cutting their pages. I do indeed recall that on
aware that before my marriage with your poor one occasion I got into trouble with my editor in
aunt, which brought me, if not domestic happiness, consequence of an insufficient examination of a
at least the modest competence which I still enjoy, work he had submitted to me. I had condemned
I was compelled for many years to supplement an it for giving no illustrations, though the subject
## p. 43 (#423) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
43
was one which eminently demanded them. On would be more beneficial to the interests of a book
closer examination the book proved to be full of than one of censure. I remember, for example,
illustrations, though these, being mainly on the that a friend of mine, by a savage onslaught, sent
pages, had escaped my notice. This misadventure a book through three editions. He had written
was, however, condoned in consideration of my long that “if the public was prepared to wade through
tried devotion to the interests of the paper. a desert of dulness in search of an occasional oasis
You, as I hear, maintain that you can form an of impropriety," that was the book for it. The
opinion of a book only after full perusal. In my public was so prepared, and made a rush for it, such
own experience the reviewer was rarely called upon as no "puff” could have secured. Remember, too,
for an independent judgment. Either his cue was that no author of experience ever protests, and if
given him, or his acquaintance with the interests he does, no editor need take any notice. Besides,
or tendency of the paper indicated what sort of when all is said and done, you, as the father of a
notice would be acceptable. There were in those young family, have no right to take any such line
days very distinct divisions of political or literary as will limit your earnings or alienate your
faction which had to be reckoned with : there was employers. Do not allow any whimsical scruples
also keen rivalry between publishing firms, as to hamper your career. Justice, like Charity,
between those of “Bungay and Bacon.” Even if begins at home.
these considerations did not indicate the line to be If, after all that I have said, you are still deter-
taken, we could be sure that the proprietors of the mined to waste your time in reading your books, I
paper would not be too well pleased if we “ slated " advise you to adopt a plan, not unknown in my
a work put out by a publisher who spent hundreds own day. You must make your reading go as far
a year in advertisements with us, or in praising as possible by multiplying your reviews. I myself
the publications of those who neglected us. And, at one time adopted this method with some success.
if the author's reputation suffered in consequence, I wrote anonymously (as many notices as I could
surely author and publisher are in the same boat. place), under a nom de plume, and in my own name.
They have combined their interests, and must sink There was in this system the charm of variety.
or swim together. The remedy, moreover, was in One had to adapt the several notices to the views
the publisher's own hands. Also it not infrequently of each editor, or the interests of each paper, and
happened that author or publisher had been asked to vary the style so as to escape identification. If
and selfishly refused some favour : early sheets, for I were reviewing the work of any writer of influence,
example, or an interview ; and it was only just I usually arranged that the most laudatory notice
that he should suffer for his curmudgeonliness. should be that which appeared under my own
And, apart from these considerations of business, name. By this means it not infrequently happened
it seldom occurred that the author was entirely that, while my various notices neutralised each
dissociated from our personal likes or dislikes. other, there accrued to my account a valuable
Either he was a friend or enemy, or the friend or friendship and literary alliance, as well as the
relation of some one towards whom we had favour reputation of a kindly critic. This may prove to
or the reverse. No one, surely, would grudge the you by no means the least valuable hint I am able
reviewer his satisfaction in fulfilling the claims of to give.
friendship ; nor consider him less justified in using I am told that it is becoming a common practice
his opportunity so soon as his enemy had, by for editors of the higher class to entrust the books
publication, delivered himself into his hands. I sent them to specialists on the subject treated, to
well remember the thrill of anticipation with which authors, and to men of literary culture and of
we watched the publishers' announcements.
leisure, to whom the honorarium is of less impor-
In the absence of any such predisposing senti- tance than interest in the subject. As for the
ments or interests, the reviewer had to consider specialist, I would ask such editors what they
what kind of notice best suited his style and the suppose encyclopædias were made for ; and, with
ear of the public. My own manner lent itself regard to the employment of amateurs, whether
more readily to incisiveness, and in those days they think it fair to take the bread out of the
the public loved dissection. These considerations mouths of a diligent, long-suffering, and honour-
necessarily influenced the tone of my anonymous able profession in order to increase the already suffi-
reviews.
cient incomes of dilettanti ? Personally I have
You will ask, no doubt, how this method could no fear that this movement will go far. Such
secure justice to authors. Is it not clear that, for superior persons are little likely to fall in with the
them, it all came right in the end ? If the Argus rules of the game : they will insist on taking their
condemned from such motives as I have indicated, own line, and there will be an inevitable return to
the Fulminator would praise on analogous grounds; the regular hand, prepared to perform his allotted
nor could it be assumed that a laudatory notice task punctually and obediently. For my own part,
## p. 44 (#424) #############################################
44
THE AUTHOR.
I may confidently say that from the moment I When will educational writers as a body come to
became independent I have never deprived my late learn the real value of the product of their brain ?
profession of a sixpence. I have honourably When will they join together to combat the
abstained from writing, and have simply enjoyed present prices, to prevent the oft-repeated claim of
my leisure. Though never a bookish man, I have certain publishers that they make their profits on
acquired a considerable taste for letters, a taste educational works ? and when will they remember
which, during my literary career, I had neither that the value of the smallest primer must not be
time nor inclination to cultivate, and have often calculated from the mere time it takes to put pen
been ainused to find how great a delight I can take to paper, but must be reckoned from the time
in books which I had pronounced unreadable. spent in obtaining a life-long experience as scholar
I sincerely hope that this long letter may not be and teacher ?
thrown away on you, and that, by giving due atten The Committee of the Society have from time
tion to the precepts and example I have endeavoured to time proclaimed this. It is not without its use
to put before you, you may attain to the success to state it once again.
which I am sure your talents are able to command. When the leaders of one of the greatest pro-
fessions have realised that selling their stored
I am,
knowledge cheap is not generous, is not altruistic,
Your affectionate Uncle,
does not benefit the vast numbers who are yearning
JUDAS QUILLDRIVER. for that knowledge, but only puts profits into
the pocket of the publisher, they will not only
deservedly reap what they have laboriously sown,
THE PUBLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL but will be acting in a kindly and generous spirit
BOOKS.
towards those who are beginning to struggle along
the paths that they as masters have long ago left
behind them.
Another Illustration.
To show that this is no imagined statement, it
SIR,- The article on “ Literary Earnings” in your issue
is sufficient to mention that in one or two cases
of Tuesday last, by Mr. A. J. Church, is very interesting that have come before the Society where educa-
May 1, as one who has had a similar experience, be allowed tional writers have troubled to publish their own
to make a brief statement of its practical results! Like
books-in spite of all the disadvantages of fight-
Mr. Church, I began with a book of school exercises, which
is still on sale. This was in 1876, twenty-six years ago to
ing against trade prejudices and trade prices—they
the present year, inclusive. During this time I have gathered in for themselves a substantial and, in
edited or compiled twenty books in all, for which I have
some cases, a golden harvest.
received (in round numbers) £2,400-i.e., not far off €100
It must once again be stated that the circula-
per annum. These include (1) Elementary school books,
such as Latin and Greek exercises and selected passages
tion of successful educational books is enormous
for translation ; (2) school editions of classical authors, and continued, and surpasses by thousands the
with notes and introductions ; (3) annotated editions of circulation of any work of fiction.
two English classics. The last cost more time and trouble
G. H. T.
than all the rest, and the result has been that I have
received on an average less than 65 per annum for one of
these books and nothing at all for the other, against which
a considerable debt is still standing. As to the school
BOOKSELLING.
books, nearly three-fourths of the protit has come from the
selected extracts and exercises, compilations requiring very
little brain-work-only a certain amount of judgment gained
by experience in teaching. Of the classical texts with notes
The “Net” System.
I find that those which cost the most labour in production M HE object of this paper, which is written at
have proved least remunerative. During the past year
1 the request of the Editor of The Author, is
about 2,000 copies of these editions were sold, comprising
thirteen volumes, of which only five gained any profits ; of
two-fold : in the first place, I wish to show
the " selection" books (five in all) were sold 3,124 copies, that the “net" system was not devised in the
yielding a profit of over £100. I have not yet had a interests of one class, the booksellers, at the
statement of accounts for the English books above men.
expense of the authors and the publishers, but that
tioned, which are published by another firm ; but, judging
by the average of former years, I should say the profits
the interests of authors and publishers have been
from them will not be over £5, probably somewhat less. considered equally with those of the booksellers ;
Yours, &c.,
and, secondly, to deal with a few of the objections
C. S. JERRAM. raised against the system.
Oxford, September 14.
The usual discount given by the booksellers to
By the kind permission of the author, the above the public for cash payment on“ ordinary” books,
letter, which appeared in the Westminster Gazette, is i.e., on books not published at “net" prices, is
printed in these pages.
25 per cent. off the published prices, or “3d. in the
## p. 45 (#425) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
45
shilling.” Now it has been proved that with such consideration if it were the case, as is contended
a discount, that part of a bookseller's business by, some critics, that the days of bookselling are
which consists of the selling of new books, cannot past. If the conditions of the time had brought
be made to pay. I say “cannot be made to pay” it about that the decay of bookselling did not
advisedly, for the “new books” department must matter, then the booksellers would have to be left
pay its share of the cost of rent, assistance, and to their fate. It is true that the conditions of
incidental expenses of the business, and under these the time have changed. The spread of education,
conditions this department yields no profit, and and the introduction of free libraries, have made the
often involves a loss. It has long been known in position of the bookseller different from what it
a general way that this was so, and that book- was. But though it is generally agreed that his
selling was fast decaying ; but it has now been position is different, it is equally felt that his
shown from figures that with the heavy expenses existence is necessary. Sir Walter Besant has
required for the upkeep of a bookselling business, frequently insisted in The Author, with much
it is impossible to make it pay at “threepence in emphasis, that the bookseller's counter is an
the shilling” discount. The booksellers who do essential element in the publication of a book,
make a living out of their business, do not make and that no book is really published till it has
it off the sale of new books; they make it off other found its place there.
things, such as second-hand books, or stationery, or We are thus placed in this dilemma :--On
remainders, or fancy goods, or a circulating library. the one hand, we have booksellers working under
It will thus be seen that there is not much conditions which leave them no profit on the
encouragement to the bookseller to push the “new sale of new books; on the other hand, we have
books” department of his business. Publishers, authors and publishers requiring the assistance
especially the publishers of the more ephemeral of booksellers for the sale of the books they
literature and of non-copyright books, have sought have written and published. It is perfectly
to remedy this evil by increasing their allowance clear, then, that the demand of the book-
to the booksellers. But this has only made matters sellers that the authors and publishers should
worse, for while, on the one hand, the allowance to help them in devising some scheme which should
the booksellers from the publisher has increased in make bookselling profitable, was a demand as
the case of " light literature,” it has not increased much in the interests of the authors and
to the same extent on the less popular books, and publishers as of the booksellers.
on books of a more permanent standing; and on The problem of how to make bookselling profit-
the other hand, the discount given by the book- able is no new problem. It has exercised the
seller to his customer has increased. The retail minds of booksellers and publishers for many
discount, which at one time was 10 per cent., has years. But it is only within the last two years
increased from 20. in the shilling to 3d. in the that a practicable working scheme has been given
shilling, and in the case of some libraries to 4d. in a fair trial. The difficulty was to devise a scheme
the shilling and even more! Further, while, as which should be compulsory, and yet allow a
all readers of The Author know, the allowances to certain measure of freedom to author, publisher, and
booksellers by the publishers vary from about bookseller alike. It was strongly urged at one
25 per cent, to about 42 per cent. off the published time that there should be a compulsory limit of
prices of different books, the discount given by discount on all books. This was objected to on
the bookseller to the public off them all is uniform. the ground that it left no freedom to any one. On
The bookseller can afford to give a large discount the other hand, the increase of discount given by
off books on which he receives an allowance of some publishers to booksellers was valueless, as it
12 per cent., but he obviously cannot afford the was met by an increase of discount given by the
same discount off books on which he receives an booksellers to the public. The introduction by
allowance of 30 per cent. After allowing for some enterprising publishers of net books, i.e., of
working expenses, which must be reckoned at from books off which no discount was to be given to the
12 per cent. to 15 per cent. on his “turnover,” he public, was a step in the right direction ; as the
can still give a discount of 25 per cent. on novels public, though it demands a uniform discount and
of a very popular nature, and leave a slight margin as large a discount as it can get, is contented, as a
of profit; but the same discount given off “solid” rule, with no discount, if a book is published at a
literature often means actual loss to him. But net price. But this step was not sufficient, as
the public does not realise this, and demands a some booksellers began to give a discount off net
uniform discount on all books. It takes little books, and if this had become general, the advantage
calculation to see that, under these conditions, of having books published at net prices would be
bookselling cannot be made remunerative.
neutralised.
This state of matters would not warrant serious The plan which has now been adopted is
## p. 46 (#426) #############################################
46
THE AUTHOR.
this : Books are divided into two classes : (1) " ordi- made by the publishers and the great majority of
nary” books, off which booksellers can give booksellers to compel the very small minority of
what discount they like to the public without unwilling booksellers to sell net books at net prices.
interference from any one ; and (2)“ net” books, (2) The country booksellers sometimes complain
off which it is agreed that no discount may be that while on “ordinary” books they can charge
given either to the public or to libraries. This rather more than the charges made in London,
plan, it will be seen, meets the objections of those they cannot charge more on net books. Country
authors or publishers who object to compulsion, as booksellers, it is contended, have to pay carriage
they can publish their books as “ ordinary” books. from London, while London booksellers are saved
At the same time it meets the demand of those this expense. In reply to this last contention, the
who have shown that compulsion is necessary, as London booksellers state that their expenses for
all books published at net prices must be sold “collectors ” about equalise the expense of carriage
without discount to the public.
to the country. But whether this be so or not, if
The objections which have been raised against the country bookseller has a sufficient profit on
the present “net" system are chiefly four: “net” books and cannot be undersold, it is no
(1) That it is compulsory. (2) That it makes hardship to him if the London bookseller makes
it necessary for country booksellers to supply larger profits. His other complaint is that while
books at the same rate as in London. (3) That he can charge, say, 4s. 9d. for a 6s. novel which is
no advantage is gained by cash payment; and charged 4s. 6d. in London, he cannot charge more
(4) Libraries and schools which buy many books, than 4s. 6d, for a net book that is charged 4s. 617.
and large purchasers, are charged at the same rate in London. While this is true, he forgets that it
as small purchasers.
pays him better to sell a 4s. 61. net book at 4$, 611.
I admit that all these objections are valid objec- than to sell a 68. "ordinary” book at 4s. 9.
tions; but I am equally convinced that in all cases Further, if he has to order a net book specially for
the advantages of the net system outweigh the a customer, he is quite entitled to charge 2d. or 31.
disadvantages.
for carriage if he likes.
(1) While “free trade" in books, as in every- (3) The objection that a customer who pays
thing else, may be an excellent thing, book selling, cash gets no advantage is a more serious one. But
as a trade, ceases to be “ free” when the discount this is an objection that holds true in other trades.
given by one bookseller becomes of necessity the It is not customary, so far as I know, to give
standard of discount among all the booksellers in discount for cash payment for meat or groceries
the same town. With few exceptions it has been or the like. Indeed the customer who runs an
found that if one bookseller increases the discount account often gets a small allowance when he pays
to the public all his neighbours must follow suit. his account, while the cash purchaser gets none.
In some towns there has been for years an agree. It is certainly a hardship that a bookseller who
ment among the booksellers as to the terms on cannot get payment for, say, two years, should not
which books are to be sold; but such agreements be able to charge more than he does to a cash
are frequently upset by an increase in discount purchaser. On " ordinary” books he can do so,
being given by a new bookseller, or by a draper or for a 6s, novel that is charged 4s. 6il, or 5s. for
a chemist who wishes to get the name of being a cash will be charged 6s, net if not paid for in two
cheap draper or a cheap chemist because he sells years. But it seems to me that the proper way to
books cheaper than the legitimate bookseller. deal with this difficulty is to charge interest on
Voluntary agreements are not sufficient, as they unpaid accounts. This is already done in other
can be destroyed at any moment. A bookseller trades, and I see no reason why it should not be
knows that he cannot be undersold in “net” adopted with books.
books, and the more books become net the more (4) Lastly, it is objected that large purchasers
will he be able to afford to make his stock more pay the same rate as small purchasers. But the
attractive, and to pay for better assistants; and if giving of special terms to large purchasers is not a
the public have to pay a little more for their books, matter of principle, and is not always expedient.
they will gain compensatory advantages.
For instance, it is obviously much more expensive
But the subject of “ Free Trade” is a wide one, for a railway company to carry a passenger one
and cannot be argued out here. It is sufficient to mile for one penny than 400 miles for 400 pence.
note that the whole value of the present system But the large purchaser of 400 miles of railway
turns on its compulsory character. And if authors travelling gets no advantage over the small
and publishers are free to publish books as purchaser of one mile of travelling. It is a
“ ordinary” books, which are not liable to inter. question of averages. One librarian may give a
ference, and booksellers are free to refuse to stock bookseller a great deal of trouble, another may give
net books, none need complain if an agreement is no trouble ; but the bookseller cannot differentiate
## p. 47 (#427) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
47
between the two. The advisability of giving a done. The King called his common-placebook
discount off net books to libraries and schools was “Enchiridion," and liked to have it always at
fully discussed, but it was decided that it was hand. It must have contained, besides Latin
expedient to make no exceptions to the rule of quotations, memoranda written by the King him-
supplying net books at net prices.
self. A few fragments of it are preserved in
The "net" system is now on its trial. It William of Malmesbury.
remains to be seen whether “ordinary” books It was after this that the King became an
or “net ” books will gain the day. The rapid author. All his works are translations. The first
increase in the number of books published at net was the “ Consolations of Boëthius," a book ex-
prices, and the general welcome given by the public tremely popular throughout the middle ages, in
to the net system, argues well for its future. So which the last remnants of the classical spirit are
far the net system has not spread to any extent to mingled with the Christian thought of a later
novels and light literature; but it is gradually epoch. At the date of the translation the King
doing so. But I think it is better that the system was not entirely master of Latin, and must have
should be adopted gradually rather than at a had Asser's assistance.
forced rate. It is better that authors and the The next work was a translation of Orosius'
public should see for themselves that it is the “History of the World.” Orosius, a Spanish priest,
best, as it is the most rational system of book- became, in 410, acquainted with Augustine of
selling, than that they should feel in any way that Hippo. At Augustine's suggestion he undertook
they are forced to adopt a system which they do a history of the world, with a view to demonstrating
not understand. In America, where the same that Christianity had not been the cause of the
problems have had to be faced, it is proposed to fall of the Roman Empire-a view held by the
make the net system practically universal, and to aristocratic pagan party. The historically worth-
apply it at once not only to the more expensive less work became popular with the clergy, and
books, but also to novels. Whether our American supplanted better means of self-instruction.
friends are wise in trying to adopt suddenly the The merits of Boëthius are not great ; Orosius
system which we are desiring to introduce gradually, has none. Alfred's translations have a value not
time only will show; but it is at least satisfactory possessed by the originals, in consequence of his
to know that the system which has been adopted having been a very free translator. He not only
here has been accepted as the model for America. omitted much, but added without hesitation matter
ROBERT MACLEHOSE. of his own.
Thus he appends to Boëthius historical matter
of a subsequent date; and supplements Orosius'
KING ALFRED AS AN AUTHOR, imperfect geography by his own more accurate
knowledge of Northern Europe. He adds little
Ta date when the celebration of the millen- scraps of information here and there, and now and
A nium of the death of King Alfred the Great then makes an allusion to himself.
is justly commanding national attention, we His third work was a translation of Bede's
offer our 'small tribute of a brief record of the Ecclesiastical History. In making this the King
King's literary labours.
omitted much that was of interest only to
They belong to the later part of his life, the Northumbrians, but carefully retained everything
second half of that interval during which the relating to the early Kings of Wessex. He made
struggle with the Danes was suspended.
no additions, and it is to be regretted that he
Strange to say, the very day of their commence should not have given himself the trouble to
ment is known-the feast of St. Martin, the 11th supply from his own knowledge historical facts
of November, 887. Before that Alfred had written with which Bede was unacquainted.
himself a little prayer-book, a copy of the Hours, to Thus far the King's works were mainly historical
which he had added various devotions. On the date and philosophic. His last book was purely theo-
mentioned, his tutor, Aeser, * was reading to him. logical, a translation of St. Gregory the Great's
Struck by a certain passage, Alfred requested Asser “Regula Pastoralis,” a sort of “ Whole Duty of
to write it in his prayer-book. Every page had Priests." This work may have been taken up in
been filled by the additions which the King had at 890, for in the Preface Alfred alludes to the
different times made. Asser suggested that they assistance he had received in his previous works
should begin a new book, a separate collection from Asser and others. The most interesting
of passages that pleased the King. This was morsel of all that he wrote is his own really
admirable Preface to this book. In it we possess
* Asser was a mouk of Saint David's, subsequently pro-
moted by Alfred to the bishopric of Sherbourne. He was
a valuable memorial of his own mind, and of the
the King's biographer.
purposes which he had in setting forth his works.
## p. 48 (#428) #############################################
48
THE AUTHOR.
He explains that he desired by his own example to some time next year. “Rural England” will
revive the learning which had so entirely vanished, probably be the title of this volume which deals
and to this end he reminds his readers of those with a subject of national importance.
better times long passed, whose glory could only Says the author :_
be regained by means of education and instruction.
"I can conscientiously say that no fatigue or effort has
Allusions are made to other books begun by him, been spared—and I may add that the work involved in
among them a translation of the Book of Psalms, dealing with many localities and among many people
but the remaining works ascribed to him are with these problems and investigations is not light. It
is, in short, something not unlike the labours of a Royal
either very doubtful, or certainly the work of other
Commission faced single-handed."
writers. He may have had a hand in some of
The effort is at once the most arduous, the most
them. Some may be due to his influence or
suggestion. But literary myths soon gathered
exhausting, and the most interesting of the author's
life. He has striven to treat his task in a tem-
around him. Works in which he had taken no part
perate and impartial spirit, to weigh and sift the
were assigned to him. Folk literature fell under
the spell of his name, and such productions as col-
evidence, and to set down nothing he does not
believe to be true.
lections of popular sentences, proverbs, and parables
circulated as “ The Proverbs of King Alfred.”
Mr. G. Bernard Shaw is to re-issue, in a revised
His real claim to literary greatness rests upon
form and with a new preface, his early novel,
the higlı aims with which he wrote, and the great “ Cashel Byron's Profession.”
impetus which he gave to a vernacular English He is also publishing, through Mr. Grant
literature.
Richards, a new version of the story in Elizabethan
blank verse, entitled “ The Admirable Bashville ;
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.
or, Constancy Unrewarded”; and “A Note on
Modern Prize Fighting.”
Mr. W. H. Wilkins, the author of “The Love of
W ITH the return of members from their
an Uncrowned Queen,” is publishing, through
V holidays the Authors' Club, like other
Messrs. Longmans, a new historical work in two
clubs, is showing renewed life.
volumes — “ Caroline the Illustrious." It is a
Preparations are being made for a series of
of memoir of Caroline of Anspach, wife of George II.
dinners in the autumn, when the Club will enter-
There are portraits and illustrations.
tain, as heretofore, a number of distingushed guests.
Simultaneous editions of Mr. Rudyard Kipling's
These dinners have for a long time been a feature
“ Kim” have been published in England, the
of the Club, and take place on Monday nights.
Colonies, Canada, and the United States, as well
Many of the most famous men of the day have
honoured the Club with their presence-ambassa-
as in France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and
Denmark.
dors, lawyers, generals, doctors, artists, musicians,
and others.
Messrs. Macmillan are issuing an édition de lure
Admiral Sir E. H. Seymour. G.C.B., has accepted besides; and later on “Kim” will be included in
the invitation of the Club for November 4th.
the Outward Bound edition of the author's works
published by Charles Scribner and Sons, of New
York.
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.
Some of Mr. Kipling's stories are, we under-
stand, being translated into the Malayan language.
TN his new book, “A Winter's Pilgrimage" Although Lucas Malet's big novel “ Sir Richard
1 (Longmans), Mr. Rider Haggard gives an Calmady ” was only published on September 13th,
account of travels in Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, the first and second editions are exhausted owing
and Palestine. The author believes he has to the enormous demand for it. A third edition is
identified Golgotha. He says, “ As it chances, on being issued. Messrs. Methuen are issuing a special
the cliff at this spot, the face of the rock looking edition as well. It is limited to 500 copies in
towards Jerusalem has undoubtedly a fantastic, but two vols., 12s.
to my fancy, a very real resemblance to a rotting The same firm is publishing, in 3s. 6d. form,
human skull.” The photograph which illustrates Lucas Malet's earlier novels: “The Wages of
the spot helps to strengthen the author's statement Sin,” “ Colonel Enderby's Wife,” “ The Gateless
in a striking manner.
Barrier,” &c.
The substance of the articles by Mr. Rider It seems that up to the end of September soupe
Haggard, entitled “Back to the Land,” which have 190,000 copies of Mr. Hall Caine's "The Eternal
been appearing in The Daily Express week after City ” were sold in England and America. The
week since May, will be published in book form demand steadily continues.
## p. 49 (#429) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
49
Mr. Anthony Hope's “ Tristram of Blent” Sharp is known as the authoress of “ Wymps," and
stands high on the list of recent novels selling other popular stories.
well ; there is a steady demand for it.
Mr. Thomas Cobb has written a new story for
Miss R. N. Carey's “Herb of Grace" also children. It will be issued shortly in the series of
continues popular. Rita's “ A Jilt's Journal”; Dumpy Books for Children. The same author's
Maxwell Grey's “A Four-leaved Clover”; and successful story, “ Bountiful Lady," appeared as
Mr. Frankfort Moore's “ A Nest of Linnets” are one of the Dumpy Books. Mr. Grant Richards is
doing well.
the publisher.
“The Secret Orchard,” Mr. and Mrs. Egerton “Old Knowledge," a story of present-day
Castle's new novel (Macmillan, 6s.), is doing Donegal, is the name of Mr. Stephen Gwynn's
excellently well. The scene is laid in France, in new book. In it the author relates the experiences
a great château owned by the Duke of Cluny, a of an English girl who goes to lodge in an Irish
descendant of the Stuarts, who inherits their cottage in order to fish and paint.
charm and their faithlessness.
The central figure in the story is an old peasant,
It will be remembered that Mr. and Mrs. Kendal a man rarely gifted, a visionary who paints his own
produced “ The Secret Orchard " in the form of visions. The “ Old Knowledge" means the folk-
a play.
beliefs of the peasants, which are interpreted by
Mr. F. Marion Crawford has just published him in the light of modern mysticism.
through the same firm his new novel, « A Maid Miss Jane Barlow's new book, “ From the Land
of Venice.”
of the Shamrock,” is a collection of sketches of
A new and uniform edition of this popular Trish
Irish life and character.
author's works is being issued fortnightly by The Board of Education has selected as the his-
Messrs. Macmillan at 38. 6d. a volume.
torical subject in 1902, for students in men's training
“ Deep Sea Plunderings” is the title of Mr. colleges, “The History of Europe from 1814-1848,"
Frank T. Bullen's new book just issued by Messrs.
and Mr. Oscar Browning has written a work to
and Mr. O
Smith Elder & Co. There are eight illustrations
meet the demand thus created for a convenient book.
by Arthur Twidle.
In fourteen chapters he sketches the restoration of
the Bourbons, and the ascendancy of the Holy
The same author is publishing through Messrs.
Alliance and absolutist principles throughout
Hodder & Stoughton “The Apostles of the South
Europe ; the dawn of the revolutionary spirit in
East,” 6s.
Greece and her liberation ; the abortive revolutions
Miss Agnes Giberne has just published, at 5s., of 1830, and the gradual growth of the reaction
“ The Mighty Deep, and what we know of it." against unlimited monarchy and aristocratic privi-
Messrs. Pearson are the publishers.
lege in the several European countries; and finally,
“Great Lowlands” is the name of Annie E. in France, the fall of the monarchy of July. Messrs.
Holdsworth’s new novel. Messrs. Hodder & Macmillan publish it.
Stoughton are the publishers.
Mr. Horace G. Hutchinson's new book is entitled
Mr. George R. Sims is editing Messrs. Cassell “Dreams and their Meanings." There are many
& Co.'s “ Living London.” This big work deals accounts of experiences sent by correspondents, and
with London from the human side. Mr. Pett two chapters, contributed mainly from the journals
Ridge is among the contributors.
of the Psychical Research Society, on Telepathic
Another contribution to King Alfred literature and Premonitory Dreams. Messrs. Longmans,
is the Rev. Stopford A. Brooke's “ King Alfred,” Green & Co. are the publishers.
ls, net. There is an appendix of passages from The same publishers have ready the third volume
the writings of Alfred, selected and translated from of Mr. John Beattie Crozier's “ History of Intellec-
the old English by Kate M. Warren.
tual Development on the Lines of Modern Evolu-
Also there is “God Save King Alfred” by the tion.” This volume is political, educational and
Rev. E. Gilliat, late of Harrow School. This book social, including an attempted reconstruction of the
for boys is a romance of Alfred's life ; his youth, politics of England, France and America for the
exploits, courtship, betrothal, and kingship are twentieth century.
dealt with. It is illustrated with drawings by Mr. Andrew Lang's new book, “Magic and Reli-
Gutzan-Borghum.
gion” (10s. 6d. net, Longmans), contains a series of
Miss Evelyn Sharp's new book, for girls in their criticisms of recent speculations regarding early
teens, is called “ The Youngest Girl in the School.” religion, dealing especially with Mr. Frazer's theories
There are illustrations by C. E. Brock. Miss in “The Golden Bough.” Other essays deal with
## p. 50 (#430) #############################################
50
THE AUTHOR.
the latest results of anthropological research in the
religious field, and in that of magic.
“ The Essays of an Ex-Librarian,” by Dr. Richard
Garnett, C.B. (716, Heinemann), is a volume of
literary criticisms. There are critical studies on
Peacock, Beckford, Moore, Coleridge, and Matthew
Arnold, and essays on Shelley, Lord Beaconsfield,
&c., &c.
The “Illustrated History of English Literature,"
which Dr. Garnett and Mr. Edmund Gosse are
publishing through Mr. Heinemann, in four volumes,
has been prepared on entirely new lines by the authors,
who have given a life-study to the subject.
A consecutive history of the entire course of
English literature, from the Anglo-Saxon to our
own day, will be given in one type, so that this, if
the reader so desires, can be read alone as a narrative
of the evolution of English style.
A biography of each author is to be supplied in
a different type, and from the work of each leading
writer at least one characteristic quotation will be
made.
Jean Delaire, author of “A Dream of Fame,"
has recently published a new book called “Two
Girls and a Dream.” The writer tells how the two
girls, Gem the painter and Loise the waiter, struggle
in London to make a living. Ultimately Loise
becomes a famous writer, but a heart-lonely woman;
while Gem marries happily. There is an obvious
moral in the story.
The first of Messrs. Anthony Treherne & Co.'s
1s. series of sporting novels is “ Little Cherie, or
The Trainer's Daughter," by Lady Florence Dixie.
His Majesty the King has accepted a copy.
The Leadenhall Press are also issuing Part I. of
a book of poems written by Lady Florence Dixie
when she was a child, under the pseudonym of
- Darling." The book consists of nearly 400 pages
and contains selections of poems written between
the ages of ten and seventeen vears. It is dedicated
to the first Lord Lytton and contains a poem of
some fifteen lines by him recording his first meeting
with the child authoress. The popular edition is
2s.6d., but the édition de luce costs 7s. 61.
Mr. H. B. Baildon, M.A. Cantab., formerly
lecturer on English in the University of Vienna,
has been appointed to the lectureship in English
Language and Literature in University College,
Dundee. Mr. Baildon was a contemporary at
school and college of Robert Louis Stevenson, and
stevenson, and
a second edition of his “Life-Study and Criticism".
of that writer was published in September last.
Messrs. Duckworth have just issued a translation
of Mr. Charles Hastings' “ The Theatre," 8s. net.
The authorised translation is by Miss Frances A.
Welby.
Mr. Pinero's “Iris" is doing so well, and is so
likely to hold the boards for months to come, that
Mr. Bourchier has not troubled to make any
definite arrangements regarding its successor.
After the run of “ The Second in Command,"
which has been played over 300 times, and has had
a very successful tour in the provinces, Messrs.
Maude and Harrison will produce at the Hay-
market Theatre a four-act adaptation from the
French, by Mr. Sydney Grundy.
“The Emerald Isle" at the Savoy is to be
replaced very shortly by the musical version of
Captain Basil Hood's playlet “Ib and Little
Christina -
Mr. Martin Harvey intends to produce his new
play “After All” in London as soon as possible.
“ After All” was received with great enthusiasm
when played in Dublin last month.
The third special Wednesday matinée of “ The
Second Mrs. Tanqueray,” given by Mrs. Patrick
Campbell at the Royal Theatre, takes place on the
6th inst.
A new book by the Rev. W. Robertson Nicoll.
LL.D., is announced by Messrs. Hodder &
Stoughton.
Stor
Its title is “ The Church's One
Foundation : Christ and Recent Criticism.” Price
De ce
Also by the same author a series of articles
which appeared in the British Weekly have been
put into volume form and called “Sunday After-
noon Prayers.” Its price is also 3s. 6d.
Messrs. Hodder & Stoughton are also publish-
ing “ The Pulpit Bible," by the Rev. Joseph
Parker, D.D. The original notes and comments
on Holy Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation,
are printed in the margin of a quarto Bible,
specially printed in new type and strongly bound
in Persian levant.
Messrs. Methuen have published an unusually
large first edition of the “Life of Robert Louis
Stevenson," by his cousin, Mr. Graham Balfour.
The interest in Stevenson is, however, so great
that a second edition has been immediately called
for to meet the demand. The Life is in two
volumes, 258. net.
Dr. Conan Dovle is bringing his history of the
South African War up to date for the new edition
to be issued by Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.
Sir Wemyss Reid, who kuew the late William
Black intimately, has nearly finished his life of
that popular novelist.
The popular shilling edition of Prince Kropot-
kin's book, “ Fields, Factories, and Workshops,"
## p. 51 (#431) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
. 51
which was published about three months ago, has A monograph on the Russian musical instrument,
been quite exhausted, and another large edition is “The Balalaika,” by Algernon Rose, has just been
now in the press.
published by the Musical Association. The essay
The first editions of Mr. James Baker's new treats of the instrument in its various forms, and
journalistic novel, “ A Double Choice,” have been sizes, from the piccolo to the contra-basso balalaïka.
quickly exhausted, and seem to have aroused the The leading makers of the instrument are men-
public's curiosity. The Morning Post concluded tioned, and a minute description of the structure
its review with the words :
and method of playing forms the body of the
article.
- Journalism is surely the freest profession in the world,
and every paper is open to anyone who has something to
say, and knows how to say it.".
CORRESPONDENCE.
That bright little weekly, “ The People's Friend,”
for 21st inst. contains an interview with Edith C.
Kenyon, authoress of “ The Hand of His Brother,"
FICTION.
who has of late years devoted herself more especially SIR, --Mr. Egerton Castle has lately put out an
to serial writing. The same journal has taken her ingenious defence of fiction--a branch of art which
new serial, “ Love's Golden Thread.”
may perhaps be thought capable of taking up its
Mrs. E. Rentoul Esler's new book, " The own defence on the obvious ground of success.
Awakening of Helena Thorpe,” has just been But a suspicion may be lurking in minds of
issued by Messrs. S. W. Partridge & Co. It exceptional intelligence like his, that a little reac-
treats of the perennial problems that become fresh tion may threaten its enormous popularity. If,
when seen through a fresh temperament.
urges Mr. Castle, characters and events in a story
The floral farms at Wisbech form the opening
be of convincing power, “it can make no differ-
scene of Mrs. Bertram Tanqueray's new novel,
ence in the intellectual pleasure of the reader
“ The Call of the Future,” which has been published
whether what he is made to realise so vividly is a
this autumn by Messrs. Hurst & Blackett.
record of fact or mere fancy.” But surely pleasure,
even if intellectual, is not the whole object of life,
“ The Week's Survey " is the title of a new
and the pleasure derived from watching the course
penny Weekly Review of Literature, Politics, and of a “ love affair "--such being the usual interest
Social Affairs. It is strongly supported both on of an English novel---can hardly claim any very
the literary and the business sides. The ideal of high level of intellect. Is not Diana Vernon ... as
the paper is to be at once substantial and interest-
living now as Rob Roy Macgregor? Do we not
ing. Its low price should enable it to reach a see in our mind's eye the lovable John Ridd ...
large number of people.
or Mr. Samuel Pepys ... or King James ? It
Miss May Bateman's new novel, “ The Glow- may be so, but ought it? The story of James the
worm” (formerly announced as “ The Idealist”), Second is full of useful warning; the story of Di
has just been issued by Mr. Heinemann. Miss Vernon or that of Lorna Doone can but be an
Bateman has had to change her title owing to the expression of an author's fancy. One is a decora-
appearance of another work of fiction bearing the tive painting, the other a serviceable chart. Some,
same name.
indeed, appear to assume that the historic romance
A selection of new pieces which have been printed 18 of more value than history itself, but they do
in journals of repute is a feature of Mr. Mackenzie not bear in mind that by the very exigencies of his
Bell's “ Collected Poems” to be published at once by
art the romancer is bound to distort the truth.
Mr. Thomas Burleigh.
The object of “ Ivanhoe” or “ The Talisman” was
to provide a pleasant pastime, that of Thierry and
Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. are
Freeman was quite different. Subject to personal
the publishers of Mr. Ernest A. Tietken's volume
limitations these show what our ancestors were and
of poems, “ The Heavenly Link," price 5s.
what they did not draped in the elegancies of a
Under the title “ Mr. Punch's Dramatic Sequels” fancy ball, but in their own barbaric vigour. The
Messrs. Bradbury, Agnew & Co., Limited, will great use of history is to connect the present with
republish at the end of October the series of con- the past; the great weakness of fiction is that it
tinuations to famous plays by St. John Hankin helps to stimulate emotions for which it can find
which appeared in Punch in the early part of the no employment. It is true that Thierry gave
year. Mr. E. J. Wheeler has provided fourteen high praise to Scott's perception of life in Norman
illustrations for the “Sequels” in which the times; Scott was the fashion when Thierry wrote,
portraits of many prominent actors will be and his pleasant ways completed the hypnotism.
recognised. The price will be five shillings (net). But Thackeray came and torpedoed the paradox.
## p. 52 (#432) #############################################
52
THE AUTHOR.
one of fact, which I could bring abundance of
unquestionable authority to support, while the
article generally was on a subject concerning which
I have a specialist's knowledge. Consequently I
do not know which to admire most, the rudeness
of the editor in defacing a MS. as such, or the
impertinent annotations on a subject of which he
palpably knew nothing, and I, admittedly, a good
deal. I say “admittedly" because I write there-
upon for five journals every week, and I have not
yet found a proprietor complacent enough to pay
specialist's prices without value received.
A MEMBER.
(The Editor will give the name of the magazine
to any member of the Society who may desire the
information - Ej
“ Ivanhoe," as read by him, was clearly not history.
Indeed, in all Scott's gallery there is not one
historical figure introduced that is true to nature
--even Louis Onze in “ Quentin Durward ” is
idealised. The reason is in the very nature of the
art. But if this be the case in the higher ranges of
fiction and in the hands of the greatest masters,
what must it be with fiction as an industry, with
tales which depend for prosperity on their power
to stimulate barren emotions and to excite idle
curiosity ? And observe, there is here no question
of quality ; novelists of great momentary vogue
could be named whose work is not literature at all.
If we are told, then, of the enormous popularity of
such works we need not surrender our case—we
merely turn in another direction. We muse on the
taste of the reading public and on the indications
atforded of its intellectual and moral conditions.
It is easy to see that such criticism will not apply
to the masterpieces of the art, so long, at least, as
it does not distort our historical impressions. But
the public will prefer--absolutely prefer- bad novels
to good, just as a Kaffir would not exchange his
bottle of “ Cape smoke" for a flask of wine from
Prince Metternich's vineyard. The glorification
of a royal Stuart, the defamation of the Eliza-
bethan Catholics, are as much an abuse of pen and
ink as the production of trashy trade love stoires ;
fortunately these are not as influential or enduring
as great works of pure imagination. Against such
there is no law: but it is to be feared that the
public won't discriminate.
SENEX.
“THE HANDLING OF MSS.”
SIR, Mr. F. H. Freshfield asks whether the
defacement of MSS. is ever practised “by really
good houses”? Let me give an example. Some
three or four months ago I forwarded a type-
written article to the editor of a magazine pub-
lished by one of the best-known houses in the
the hostelznown houses in the
world. In a few weeks the MS. was returned
and, of course, I do not complain of that. I
addressed an envelope to another high-class publi-
cation, and was just enclosing the MS., when I
decided to glance through it anew. To my surprise,
I found several passages scored in pencil at the
sides, and in one place the word “Rubbish !” was
written in the margin.
Having removed these obnoxious marks, I posted
the MS. In four days it was in type, without a
word excised, and in less than a month I had
received £8 188. 6d. as payment. Presumably,
therefore, the article was not without worth.
What I particularly desire to explain, however, is
that the incidental statement which the editor of
the first magazine had marked as “rubbish” was
“HALL CAINE, THE MAN AND THE NOYELIST."
To the Editor of THE AUTHOR.
SIR, I regret to find in the October number of
The Author a paragraph co the effect that Mr.
Hall Caine has “ revised” the MS. of my forth-
coming book relating to himself and his work. I
have seen this paragraph in other papers, but have
left it uncontradicted, because it was my intention
to wait until the publication of my book in order
to give the erroneous statement the refutation for
which it called. But now that the paragraph has
appeared in The Author—a paper in which all
literary news is not only correct but “official ”—I
feel compelled to state the true facts of the case.
I can do this best by quoting from a letter
addressed to me by Mr. Hall Caine a few weeks
ago-
DEAR MR. KENYON,—I have looked over the portion of
your manuscript which you sent me, and have made a few
comparatively unimportant changes. They concern what
you say of my friends, living and dead, and therefore I
have felt it to be my duty to set you right where I thought
you were wrong. With what you say of myself, whether
in the way of criticism or biography. I do not feel that I
have any right to interfere, and I fear I must deny myself
the pleasure of writing the Preface which you are good
enough to request. If your view of my life and my books is to
have any value for the public, it must stand as your own,
without any criticism or endorsement from me. ...
Yours very truly,
HÅLL CAINE.
This letter speaks for itself. My MS. has in no
sense been “revised” by Mr. Caine-part of it
was read by him and a few errors of fact put
right. That, and the loan of some interesting
letters, constitute the whole sum of his respon-
sibility for the text of my monograph.
I am, etc.,
C. FRED. KENYON.
Ellesmere Park, Eccles,
October 13th, 1901.
## p. 52 (#433) #############################################
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## p. 52 (#434) #############################################
iv
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Title
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The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 04 (November 1901)
Subject
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<em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 04 (November 1901)
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1901-11-01-The-Author-12-4
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The Author