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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.
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1890–1914
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The-Author-Issues
Publication
Date
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1902-01-01
Volume
12
Issue
6
Pages
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81–108
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19020101
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The Author.
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)
Vol. XII.-No. 6.
JANUARY 1, 1902.
[PRICE SIXPENCE.
92
81
Notices ...
The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors
From the Committee ... ...
Sir Walter Besant's Autobiography ...
Book and Play Talk ...
Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property
A Literary Advertisement ..
The Dictionary of National Biography
The Authors' Club ... ...
General Memoranda ...
Warnings to Dramatic Anthors
How to Use the Society
CONTENTS.
PAGE
PAGE
81, 92
The Reading Branch ...
Authorities ... ... ...
Author and Literary Agent ...
Desirability of Standard Rules for Printing, and a Method to
obtain them ...
... ... ... 97
The Advantages of Commission Publishing
American Notes
... ... ... ... ... ... 102
The Changing of Street Names ,
105
The Publication of Educational Works
106
“ Real People" in Fiction ...
107
Correspondence...
108
100
::::::::::::
:8::
::::::::::
PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.
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. 38.
Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at
the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and
advice. 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. 1s. 6d.
8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT
( Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 1s.
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. ls.
[All prices net. Apply to the Secretary, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.]
## p. 80 (#468) #############################################
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Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. 18. each. Illustrated.
Maps by John BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S.
THE ISLE OF WIGHT.
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THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN THE NORFOLK BROADS.
BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY.
BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY
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LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES.
BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE.
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...£4 0
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LONDON AND ENVIRONS.
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Fcap. 8vo. 18. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD.
:
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Other Pages
- ... ... z oo
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... .., 1 100
Quarter of a Page
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A Handbook to the leading Hotels throughout the world.
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All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the
ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Office, 39, Old Queen Street,
Storey's Gate, S.W.
.
.
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PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and Season Cards from negatives by
RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Italy, Greece,
Asia Minor, and Egypt, ls, ls. 61., 2s., and 2s. 6d. List, post free, of
DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN.
## p. 80 (#469) #############################################
ADVERTISEMENTS.
iii
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INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING.
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per 1000. Plays, Translations, General Copying, Samples of their meaning, price 1s. post free. Authors are warned not
and References on Application.
to sign any agreement which may embody the Clauses expose 1
without submitting it first to the Society.
MISS JANET WAY,
By Order, G. HERBERT THRING,
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33, Ossian Road, Stroud Green, N.
39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.
## p. 80 (#470) #############################################
ADVERTISEMENTS.
The Society of Authors (Incorporated).
PRESIDENT.
GEORGE MEREDITH.
COUNCIL.
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | AUSTIN DOBSON.
J. M. BARRIE.
A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D.
A. W. À BECKETT.
A, W. DU BOURG.
ROBERT BATEMAN,
Sir MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P.,
F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S.
F.R.S.
SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G.
D. W. FRESHFIELD.
AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C.
RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D.
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THE Right Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. SYDNEY GRUNDY.
THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH. H. RIDER HAGGARD.
CLERE.
MRS. HARRISON (LUCAS MALET).
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EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A.
ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS.
P. W. CLAYDEN.
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OF KEDLESTON,
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BRIGHT, F.R.S
SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,
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Hon. Counsel — E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C.
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.
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16. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W.
Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING.
OFFICES: 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W.
## p. 81 (#471) #############################################
The Author.
(The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.)
FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT.
VOL. XII.–No. 6.
JANUARY 1st, 1902.
[PRICE SIXPENCE.
1
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.
Nov. 21, Balfour, A. ....
.
Nov. 22, Risley, J.........
:r;';'...ccccccc
Nov. 25, Walker, W. S..
...
0
0
1
5
5
0
0
0
0
The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors
has been removed to-
39, OLD QUEEN STREET,
STOREY'S GATE, S.W.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Nov. 25, Vaux, P. ....
Nov. 25, Lambe, Lawrence ........
1
1
1
1
0
0
NOTICE.
FROM THE COMMITTEE.
NHE 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 have
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.
TT is with much regret that we have to record
the death during the past month of Mr. F. W.
Robinson, the well-known novelist, who has
been a member of the Society of Authors almost since
its foundation. He joined in 1888. He has been a
constant and sincere supporter of the work it has
done for the benefit of the profession as a whole,
although he has seldom had occasion to obtain any
direct benefit.
We must also mention with regret the death of
E. Livingstone Prescott (Miss Spicer Jay), whose
work was deservedly appreciated. She was also
a member of the Society for some time.
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 December, 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 ......
... 106 7 6
In re A. M. de Beck, Limtd.
A COMPULSORY winding-up order was made
against this company.
DONATIONS.
2 u
5 5
0
0
Nov. 9, Dale, Miss .......
Oct. 10, Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet)
Oct. 15, Rossi, Miss L.
Oct. 25, Potter, M. H. ............
Oct. 30, Stanley, Mrs. .....
VOL. XII.
The Work of the Society.
During the past month the Secretary has had on
hand, in addition to and outside of his correspon-
dence, ten cases. Four of these have been completed;
the rest are in process of settlement.
The Society has taken up two county court
actions, one of which has been settled without the
issue of a plaint. A solicitor's letter appeared to
be amply sufficient.
0 12
0 10
0
O
## p. 82 (#472) #############################################
82
THE AUTHOR.
· ·
.
.
· · ·
.
· · · · · · · · ·
· · · ·
·
Nerer
.
.
.
Besant Memorial.
Donations from Members and Others.
As it appears from the subscriptions sent in to Bell, Mackenzie . .
. .
the Secretary that the members of the Society as
. . 1 1 0
Boevey, Miss Crawley . . . .
a whole cannot have read the notice published in
() 10 0
Dale, Miss Nellie ...
0 10 6
last month's Author, the Committee again desire Kelly, C. A.
to state that subscriptions to the Memorial are
. .
• . 2 20
Moncrieff. A. R. Hope
now invited from all members, and they trust that
Stanton, Miss A. M. .
.
there will be no difficulty in obtaining a sum
.
. 1 1 0
Toynbee, William
m .
.
. . . 1
sufficient to cover all possible contingencies.
1 0
Watt, A. P. & Son .
. .
The full statement of what it is proposed to do
. 26 5 0
Wilkins. W. H.
. .
has already been set out in The Author.
. 1 1 0
Wilson, Miss Aphra ..
Cheques should be made payable to the Incor-
. 1 1
Woods. Mrs. M.A.
. . . 1 1
porated Society of Authors, London Joint Stock
0
Bank, and crossed “ Walter Besant Memorial.”
SIR WALTER BESANT'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
Donations from Members of the Council.
Meredith, George, President of the
CYIR WALTER BESANT'S Autobiography,
Society . . . . .£10 0 0 D which is now in the press, and which will
à Beckett, A. W. .
. 1 1 0 be published shortly by Messrs. Hutchinson
Barrie, J. M. .
5 5 0 & Co., is not at all like the autobiographies to
Bateman, Robert . . . . 5 0 0 which we are accustomed. It is neither a diary,
Beddard, F. E..
0 0
nor does it contain lengthy transcripts from a
Bonney, Rev. T. G. .
2 0 diary ; it includes no letters from eminent friends,
Caine, T. Hall, amount dependent on
and is remarkably free from personal references ;
what sum required
it says nothing at all about the pecuniary side of
Clodd, Edward . .
.
.
1 1 0 his career as a professional man of letters; and is
Colles, W. M. .
5 5 0 quite silent about his domestic life. It tells
Collier, The Honble. John .
O briefly and modestly of the influences which led
Conway, Sir W. Martin
1 1 0 him to be a novelist and an antiquarian, and of
Craigie, Mrs. .
2 2 0 the circumstances which conduced to his success ;
Dobson, Austin.
10 and undoubtedly the main purpose which Sir
Doyle, A. Conan.
. 15 0 0 Walter Besant had in writing it was to draw
Dubourg, A. W..
0 attention to what he considered to be the proper
Foster, Sir Michael, M. P., F.R.S.
1 0 equipment for sound and useful literary perform-
Freshfield, D. W.
• 5 0 0 ance. He tells the story of his childhood with
Garnett, Richard
some detail, and draws an interesting picture of
Gosse, Edmund . .
3 0
his school and college life ; and from his descrip-
Grundy, Sydney . .
2 0 tion of how the various situations in which he was
Haggard, H. Rider.
. 3 3 0 placed affected him, the reason for his religious
Hardy, Thomas . .
. 2 2 0 convictions—which he states—can be gathered.
Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas M
• 1 1 0 Some foreword was considered by Sir Walter
Hawkins, A. Hope
0 0 Besant's literary executor, and by others to whom
Jerome K. Jerome .
2 2 0 his memory is especially dear, to be necessary, to
Keltie, J. Scott.
1 1 0 explain to some extent the limitations of the book,
Kipling, Rudyard
0 0 and the responsibility of writing a preface has
Lely, J. M.
10 been entrusted to Mr. S. Squire Sprigge.
Loftie, Rev. W. J.
1 0 We are certain that a life of Sir Walter Besant,
Middleton-Wake, Rev. C. H. .. 2 2 0 whatever its scope or aims, whatever its contents
Norman, Henry.
1 1 0 or omissions, cannot fail to be deeply interesting
Parker, Gilbert ..
3 3 0 to the members of the Society of Authors. His
Pinero, A. W..
5 0 affectionate zeal for the Society can never be
Pollock, Sir F..
1 1 0 fogotten by us. He gave us of his best with
Rose, Edward .
2 2 0 the utmost cost to himself. At the busiest period
Scoones, W. Baptiste .
1 1 0 of his life, when his great success as a novelist
Sims, George R.. .
5 0 0 made his time of the first pecuniary value to him,
Sprigge, S. S. . .
2 2 0 and wheu his expenses were necessarily at their
Ward, Mrs. Humphry
. . 5 0 0 highest point, he devoted half his working day
.
.
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ONCON COCO O NON
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## p. 83 (#473) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
83
for years to our cause—the cause of his colleagues There are also many reproductions from quaint
of the pen. But this is no place to run into a engravings in out-of-print volumes, and over forty
needless eulogy of our dead friend. It is sufficient street scenes from photographs taken by the author
to say, in alluding to the forthcoming biography, and Mr. E. B. Cochrane, of Hillhurst, P.G.
that any message which Sir Walter Besant gives
A special feature of the book is the amount of
to the world is sure to be received with keen
information it gives about curio-buying. Messrs.
welcome by one class. Brethren of his craft
Sands & Co. are the publishers. The price is
will read with pleasure the passages of his life
£3 38. net.
which he has bequeathed to the public, feeling
The Rev. Walter Skeat, Elrington and Bosworth
that any lessons which he may inculcate are
Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University of
bound to be worthy of attention, as coming
Cambridge, has edited the complete works of
from a good, brave, and generous man.
Chaucer from numerous manuscripts. This
admirable edition (1 vol., 3s. 6d., Clarendon
Press, Oxford ; Henry Frowde, London) will be a
BOOK AND PLAY TALK.
boon to students and lovers of Chaucer. The
book is handy to hold and easy to read. Professor
Skeat's short but full preface gives the reader all es-
TR. A. W. à BECKETT, who is a member
sential information, and those poems which research
M of the Council, of the Committee of
has proved not to be Chaucer's have been eliminated.
Management, and of the Sub-Committees
on Copyright and Drama, is lecturing on the “Comic
Sir George Young, the translator of Sophocles,
Century.” The humours of the years 1801 to 1901
has rendered a selection of Victor Hugo's poems
are' illustrated with slides from the best-known
into English verse. The selection ranges over the
caricaturists of the century. Mr. à Beckett would
whole of Hugo's immense and multifarious work,
be exceedingly pleased if any members of the Society
and contains over 10,000 lines of verse, so that
having caricatures which they would allow him to
the English student may get from it a fair
reproduce in the form of lantern slides would com conception of Hugo's poetry, excluding the dramas.
municate with him to that effect as soon as possible. “More Letters of Edward Fitzgerald,” edited by
Commander the Hon. H. N. Shore, R.N., whose Mr. W. Aldis Wright (Macmillan, 5s.), will be
book, “ Smuggling Ways and Smuggling Days”
warmly welcomed by those who have appreciated
(Cassell & Co., 1892), was the fruit of eight years'
the Fitzgerald Letters already published. They
experience and investigation as inspecting officer of
are Letters first and foremost and all through.
the Coastguard in England and Scotland, is pub-
By their means Fitzgerald brings his readers into
Jishing through the columns of the Kent County close contact, primarily with his own quaint
Examiner a series of articles entitled “Half Hours personality, and then into intimate touch with
with Kentish Smugglers," which deals with the smug. many of his distinguished contemporaries.
glers of the south-east coast of England exclusively. “The Life of the Right Hon. Sir William Moles-
The period treated of is that which followed the
worth, Bart., M.P., F.R.S.," by Mrs. Fawcett, LL.D.
close of the long war with France in the early part
(Macmillan, 8s. 6d. net), is a timely publication,
of the 19th century. Over a large part of Kent
though Sir William died in 1855. This far-seeing
and of Sussex smuggling was carried on with
statesman and true Liberal entered Parliament for
brazen boldness. The coast was infested with
East Cornwall in 1832. In 1855 he took office as
armed gangs who defied the Government officers Secretary of State for the Colonies in the Govern-
and terrorised the law - abiding. Commander
ment of Lord Palmerston.
Shore's narrative comprises much sensational and Molesworth held that the Colonies should have
hitherto unpublished matter which may be of responsible government. The following statement
especial value to novelists.
of his has a peculiar value at the present time :-
Mr. Douglas Sladen's new book, “In Sicily,” Every war (with an external foe) is necessarily an
follows hard on the heels of Miss Norma Lorimer's
Imperial war i... In certain cases it would not be
unreasonable to expect that the colonies should assist the
“ By the Waters of Sicily” (Hutchinson, 108. 6d.
Empire both with troops and with money, and I feel con-
net). Mr. Sladen spent the winters of 1896, 1898, vinced that if the colonies were governed as they ought to
and 1900 in Sicily, collecting the materials for this be, they would gladly come to the aid of the Mother
important work, which is in two volumes, large Country in any just and necessary war.
quarto, with maps and some 300 illustrations. Sir William worked with Buller and Gibbon
Thirteen of these are from original oil-paintings Wakefield, John Stuart Mill and Lord Durham, to
by Miss Margaret Thomas, the artist-author of encourage colonisation in South Australia and New
“Two Years in Palestine and Syria.”
Zealand, and to bring peace to a distracted Canada.
## p. 84 (#474) #############################################
84
THE AUTHOR.
He is remembered too as the editor of “John English jury is not to lose time. Mere finesse they don't
Hobbes."
appreciate; go straight at the witness and at the point ;
throw your cards on the table. It is a simple method, and
66 The Tragedy of Sir Francis Bacon” is the I think it is a good method.
title of a work by Mr. Harold Bayley, Mr. Grant Another important book is the “ Life of Sir
Richards being the publisher. The book is a com-
William Wilson Hunter, K.C.S.I., &c.," by Mr.
prehensive study of the recently discovered cypher F. H. Skrine (Longmans, 16s.). Sir William was
narration concealed within the plays of Shakespeare,
a collector of facts, a historian, a man of extra-
and an examination of the evidence leading to show
ordinary industry. He directed the statistical
that Francis Bacon was not only the author of the
survey of India, and he wrote many books. His
plays and of much contemporary work hitherto
“ Thackeray in India” contains interesting infor-
attributed to other writers, but that he was further
mation about that novelist's early years.
the son of Queen Elizabeth. This is indeed to
He came into contact with Mr. Kipling, and in
out-Shakespeare Shakespeare !
his review of the third edition of “ Departmental
Mr. Walter Wall, who was for many years editor
Ditties ” (Academy, 1888) he said,
of the Mining Journal, is publishing through Mr.
Grant Richards a volume entitled “How to Specu-
Some day a writer will arise - perhaps the destined
man- who will make that noble. Anglo-Indian world
late in Mines.” The object of the book is to known as it really is. It will then be seen by what a
instruct the ordinary capitalist and to give him hard discipline of endurance our countrymen and country-
disinterested advice. The principal goldfields of women in India are trained to do England's greatest work
on the earth. Of this realistic side of Anglo-Indian life
the world are dealt with, and there are chapters
Mr. Kipling also gives us glimpses. His serious poems
on “ Prospective Criticism,” “How Markets are
seem to me the ones most full of promise. Taken as a
Influenced,” “Bulls and Bears," " The Financial whole, his work gives hope of a new literary star of no
Press," &c. There is an index, and a glossary of mean magnitude arising in the East.
mining terms.
• Sir William Hunter's great work was “The
A very different book is to be added immediately History of British India."
to Mr. Grant Richards' Religious Life Series. It A useful and timely volume is “The Foundation
is a reprint of Bishop Hall's “ Meditations and of British East Africa,” by J. W. Gregory, D.Sc.
Vows." Bishop Hall was one of the later Elizabe- (Horace Marshall, 6s. net). In it the author
thans. His “ Meditations and Vows” first relates the chief events in the history of the
appeared in their original form in 1605, but were country down to the appointment of Sir Harry
subsequently revised and considerably enlarged. Johnston as Commissioner of Uganda. There
The present edition will be complete and will be are maps and illustrations.
edited by Mr. Charles Sayle.
Number 42 of the Portfolio Monographs ·
“The Life of Lord Russell of Killowen " (Smith, (Seeley & Co) is “ Mediæval London," by the
Elder, 10s. 6d. net), by Mr. R. Barry O'Brian, is Rev. Čanon Benham, D.D., Rector of St. Edmund
one of the season's successful books. That this the King in Lombard Street, and Charles Welsh,
biography of the late Lord Chief Justice is so F.S.A., Librarian to the Corporation of London.
interesting is partly because Mr. O'Brian's bio. The first twenty-one pages is a comprehensive
graphical intentions were known to Lord Russell, “ Survey of Mediæval London.” Then come
who willingly talked to the point. Lord Russell's chapters on “Civic Rule," “ The Thames,"
family have also supplied papers. This masterful “ Religious Life," “ The Fortresses, Palaces,
man, endowed with a magnetic personality, who and Mansions,” and “The Passing of Medieval
imposed himself on the jury and the Court, was London.” The monograph is exquisitely illus-
considered by many to be the biggest advocate of trated. There are four plates printed in colours
the century.
and reproductions of a series of Antonie Van den
The following opinion of his with reference to Wyngaerde's drawings of Elizabethan London,
the difference between English and Irish juries now in the Bodleian Library. All who love
has been considerably quoted, but it will bear their London will welcome this scholarly mono-
repetition :
graph. Price 5s. net ; or in cloth 78. net.
In dealing with an English jury it is better to go Two books which have a special interest for
straight to the point ; the less finesse the better. It is
those who live in and about London are (1)
different with an Irish jury. An Irish jury enjoys the trial.
They can follow every turn of the game. They understand
“London City Churches” (Constable & Co.), by
the points of skill; the play between an Irish witness and A. E. Daniell, who knows these churches and has
an Irish counsel is good fun, and they like the fun, and they carefully studied their monuments and archives ;
don't mind the loss of time. They get as good value out of the and (2) - London Riverside Churches,” by the
trial as they would out of the theatre. With an English
jury it is different. They are busy men, and they want to same painstaking author
same painstaking author. Both volumes are fully
get away quickly. The great thing in dealing with an illustrated.
## p. 85 (#475) #############################################
THE AUTHOR,
85
A volume which is particularly interesting just aquatints, &c., &c. There are also valuable hints
now is “ English Coronation Records,” edited by to beginners. Mr. Whitman is an acknowledged
Leopold G. W. Legg, B.A. (Constable & Co., expert.
31s. 6d. net). It consists of documents illus-
Mr. Edward Clodd has finished for early publi-
trating the history of English coronations from
cation a brief monograph on Professor Huxley,
the seventh century to the nineteenth. There
which will be issued by Messrs, Blackwoods & Sons
is a general introduction on ceremonies and
as a volume of their “ Modern English Writers
customs, and an account of services due at the
Series."
coronation. There are numerous illustrations from
contemporary sources. The edition is limited to
The seventh Annual Continuation of “Chitty's
500 copies.
Statutes of Practical Utility,” of which the 5th
edition was brought out in 13 volumes in 1894-5,
The students of heraldry will be interested in
has just been brought out by Mr. J. M. Lely, and
“ Some Feudal Coats of Arms,” by Joseph Foster
published by Sweet & Maxwell, Limited, and
(James Parker & Co., 63s.). There are some
some Stevens & Sons, Limited, at 7s. The new volume
2,000 illustrations in this volume, which is in the
contains a summary of the selected Statutes, with
first instance a collection from certain heraldic
notes, in which the bearing of the Civil List Act
rolls.
on the Civil List Pensions is fully treated. A
A large paper edition, limited to 250 copies, of consolidating volume containing the seven con-
Mr. Barry Pain's new book,“ Stories in the Dark," tinuations, with additional notes, will shortly
is being prepared by Mr. Grant Richards.
be issued.
Among the important art books recently published Mr. Anthony Hope's new play will follow "Iris"
is “ Sir Henry Raeburn, R.A.," by Sir Walter at the Garrick. It is a new and original modern
Armstrong, Director of the National Gallery, comedy in four acts, and the cast will be very
Ireland. There is an introduction by (the late) carefully selected. Mr. Bourchier will appear in
R.A. M. Stevenson, and a catalogue raisonné of the leading part, and Mr. Esmond will make a
Raeburn's works by J. L. Law, Curator of the reappearance in an important character.
National Gallery of Scotland (Heinemann, £5 5s.).
Mr. Martin Harvey will present his new play
Raeburn's reputation has grown slowly but very
“ After All,” by Freeman Wills and Frederick
surely, and his pictures are now eagerly sought
Langbridge, for the first time in London at the
I
after. A Raeburn is among one of the most
Avenue Theatre this month. The drama, which
recent acquisitions of the Musée du Louvre. There
is founded upon “Eugene Aram," was recently
are 70 plates in this fine volume ; 66 are in
produced in Dublin and was favourably received.
photogravure and 4 in lithographic facsimile.
Mr. H. V. Esmond's "The Wilderness” may be
Another important book published through
followed by a revival for a short run of “The
Messrs. Longmans is the English edition of
Importance of Being Earnest.” Preparations will
“ Andrea Mantegna” (Paul Kristeller), by
be active for the production of Mr. Stephen
S. Arthur Strong, M.A., Librarian to the House of
Phillips' tragedy “Paola and Francesca,” which is to
Phi
Lords and at Chatsworth. £3 108. net is the
be put on early next month. Miss Elizabeth
price of this finely illustrated book on the artist
artist Robbins is cast for the important part of Lucrezia.
R
of Padua.
Early in February a new piece is due at the
Then there is an admirable new work on
Lyric. It is “My Best Girl,” by Seymour Hicks and
“Modelling,” by Professor Lanteri, of the Royal
Walter Slaughter.
College of Art, South Kensington (Chapman &
Hallº 15s. net). It is meant primarily as a Mr. Sydney Grundy's new play, .“ Frocks and
guide for teachers and students. "M. Lanteri is Frills," will be produced at the Haymarket on the
well known as a remarkably successful teacher. evening of January 2nd. As Miss Winifred Emery
who aims at bringing out any originality his is compelled under medical advice to take a few
pupils may possess.
months' rest, her part will be assumed by Miss
There is also “The Print Collector's Handbook"
Grace Lane, who has done well under Mrs. Kendall.
by Mr. Alfred Whitman (Bell, illustrated, 15s, net). Mr. Charles Frohman is sending into the pro-
There has been such a run on the book that it is vinces four companies (under the direction of Mr.
practically out of print already and copies are not C. E. Hamilton), with the successful drama “Sher-
very easily got. Mr. Whitman, of the British lock Holmes,” by Dr. A. Conan Doyle and Mr.
Museum, gives some interesting information about William Gillette. The companies will be provided
the Print Rooms of the Museum. There are with new scenery and the special electrical effects
chapters on line engravings, mezzotints, etchings, which have been used at the Lyceum.
## p. 86 (#476) #############################################
86
THE AUTHOR.
One of the events of the theatrical season has of a further volume containing the historical books,
been the brilliant and extremely successful revival although the Books of Moses have not yet been
of “ Iolanthe" at the Savoy. “Iolanthe" was first many weeks out of the press. The whole work is
produced nineteen years ago. Miss Rosina Bran- intended to be contained in four volumes, and
dram as Queen of the Fairies made a marked there is every indication that Mr. Fenton's version
success.
of the Old Testament will be as popular as his
We understand that Mr. W. S. Penley has gone
translation of the New Testament has been, and
abroad for a short holiday. On his return he will
continues to be, both here and in America.
reopen the Great Queen Street Theatre with a new A new volume of verse is being issued by F. B.
piece.
Doveton through Messrs. Baker and Son, of Clifton.
Mrs. Patrick Campbell's American tour com-
The volume's title is “Mirth and Music," and the
mences at the Grand Opera House in Chicago.
poems contained in it have been collected and
The elerenth annual dinner in aid of the Actors'
reprinted from various magazines and papers, both
Benevolent Fund was held in the Whitehall Rooms,
London and provincial.
Hôtel Métropole on the evening of December 18th.
“In the Blood " is the title of a recently pub-
The Right Hon. Lord Alverstone was in the chair,
lished book by Mr. W. S. Walker_“ Coo-ee.”—
and was supported on his right by Mr. Charles which shows that Australian larrikinism revels in
Wyndham, and on his left by Sir Squire Bancroft. the big cities of the island continent on much the
Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins, Mr. Murray Carson, same lines as does hooliganism in London.
Sir Anderson Critchett, and Mr. George Grossmith Mr. Lewis Melville, author of the “Life of
were among those present. It was announced Thackeray," will this month publish, through
during the evening that the subscription list Messrs. Greening & Co., a novel dealing with
amounted to over £900, the chairman having the stage. It is called “In the World of
contributed 100 guineas.
Mimes.”
The fifth English edition of Mr. F. Howard Collins A new book, “Shrouded in Mystery," by Sarah.
“ Epitome of the Synthetic Philosophy of Herbert Eleanor and Harriet Stredder (Deane, 3s. 6d.) is a
Spencer” was published recently (Williams and contribution to psychic stories. All the four stories
Norgate, 21s.). It now represents the Philosophy are founded on fact.
as it at present stands, having been revised and
enlarged where necessary. There are second and
Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously
third separate editions of it appearing in America,
pleased to accept a copy of “King Helge-A sloq,"
dramas based upon the Scandinavian legends, by
France, and Russia, and last year a German
F. J. Winbolt.
translation appeared.
“ The Student's History of Philosophy," by “An Angelico Angel” is the title of a little
Professor A. K. Rogers (Macmillan), falls into volume of short stories by Miss Emily Underdown
three parts. The first deals with the Greeks from (Norley Chester). It is published by Messrs. J.
Thales down to the Neo-Platonists and the advent Clarke & Co., price 1s., and all profits will be given
of Christianity ; the second treats briefly of the to the United Kingdom Beneficent Association.
Middle Ages and the Schoolmen, and of the transi. Copies may be obtained from the office of the
tion from them to modern philosophy in the works Association, 7, Arundel Street, Strand : from Miss
of Bacon and Hobbes; the third, occupying half the E. Underdown, 22, Belsize Crescent, Hampstead,
book, is concerned with the Moderns, from Descartes N.W., or from any bookseller. Norley Chester is
to Herbert Spencer and the Evolutionists.
known as the author of “A Plain Woman's Part,"
Dr. Westermarck's “ History of Human Mar-
“Stories from Dante,” “Songs and Sonnets,"
riage” is now issued in a new edition. This is the
&c., &c.
third within ten years—a success too rare with We understand that the circulation of The
books of philosophy. Messrs. Macmillan are the Lady's Realm (Hutchinson & Co.) has gone up
publishers.
considerably, owing to its new serial, “ No Other
Mr. Ferrar Fenton has put into the hands of his
is Way,” by Sir Walter Besant. The same firm have
printers the second volume of his “Bible in Modern
fortunately been able to secure Sir Walter Besant's
English,” which will be issued to the public through
Autobiography.
the house of S. W. Partridge & Co., 8, Paternoster Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler's new serial,
Row, London, E.C. The very favourable reception “Fuel of Fire," begins in this month's The
of his first volume of the Hebrew portion of the Woman at Home (Hodder & Stoughton). Some
Bible, containing the “Five Books of Moses," both 200,000 copies of “ Concerning Isabel Carnaby”
in Britain and America, has led to a call for an issue have now been sold.
## p. 87 (#477) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
87
Mr. Hannilton Aïde's novel “ The Snares of the LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL
World” has gone into a third edition. Mr. John
PROPERTY.
Murray will publish early next year a volume of
short plays by Mr. Hamilton Aïdé, entitled “ We
are Seven,” “Half-hours on the Stage,” “ Grave
1.-Cost of Production.
and Gay.”
TT not infrequently happens that a young author,
“Mr. Horrocks the Purser," by Mr. Cutcliffe
I ignorant of the technical question—the amouni.
Hyne, will be published by Methuen on January
of words contained in the ordinary 6s. volume
15th, by Lewis and Mayo in the States, and in
-makes his maiden effort of a length which causes
translations in Germany and France. Mr. Hyne
the publisher to fight shy of its production. It is of
has also written another series of “ Adventures of
great importance, therefore, for the beginner to
Captain Kettle” for Pearson's Magazine, to appear
write a book that is rather under than above the
in 1902, and is collaborating with Mr. Murray
average. The average may be taken as about
Carson in a play dealing with the “ Adventures of
85,000 words.
Captain Kettle.”
The length of a book, however, not infrequently
causes the publisher to make demands on an author's
pocket that he would not otherwise have done, and
“HAMPSTEAD ANNUAL," 1901. in an indefinite way leads the author to think that
a book of 170,000 words will cost twice as much
This, the fifth number of the “ Hampstead to produce as a book of 85,000. This is very far
Annual,” has a special interest for members of from being the case, as the example given below
the Society. Mr. S. Squire Sprigge has con- will show.
tributed a most interesting and sympathetic Let no author, therefore, be led into paving
article on our founder, who was for many years exorbitant sums merely on account of a slight
a distinguished resident of the suburb on the advance in length.
heights. Sir Walter Besant wrote a preface, A novel, crown octavo, of twenty sheets, of sixteen
“graceful and cordial,” for the first “Hampstead pages to the sheet, with 260 words for each page,
Annual,” which appeared in 1897. The present small pica type, will amount to approximately
number, admirably edited by Mr. Greville E.
82,000 words—in reality it is 82,200—and the
Matheson and Mr. Sydney C. Mayle, is full of cost of production of 1,000 copies works out as
good things possessing a more than local interest. follows :-
For instance, Dr. Richard Garnett's illuminating
article on “ Sir Francis Palgrave as a Precursor of
Composition. 1 7 6 per sheet £27 10 0
Printing : 0 10 6 , ,
Ruskin” is likely to arouse wide interest and con-
10 10 0
siderable comment. Professor John W. Hales, in
Paper . . ( 19 6 , , 19 10 0
his scholarly “Shelley's Adonais,” explains-con-
vincingly, one thinks—wby Shelley styled Keats
Total cost . . . £57 10 0
Adonais, in his noble monody, “ an In Memoriam The next point for consideration is the cost of
poem of immortal beauty.” Then Mr. H. W. composition of a novel of twice the length, say
Nevinson, of war correspondent fame, whose “Plea 164,000 words.
of Pan” (John Murray) has been one of the year's Instead of setting up the work in small pica
literary successes, has written a delightful article type, the publisher sets it up in long primer,
about his old school upon the Severn-Shrewsbury with the following result:
to wit-under the title of “ Sabrina Fair." Sir That in the twenty sheets (the number taken
Richard Temple has a contribution on “ Londoners above) which take 82,000 words in small pica
and London"; Mr. James E. Whiting gives “Some type, the publisher can set up 108,000 words,
Notes on the Flora of Hampstead”, Miss Beatrice approximately, in long primer, reckoning 340
Marshall writes on “ Romney's Connection with words to the page, crown octavoin reality
Hampstead”; Canon Ainger contributes an article 108,800. The cost of composition of long
on " Mrs. Barbauld”; Miss Beatrice Harraden has primer type is, giving ample margin, 5s. more
a short prose parable,“ The Talisman”; and Maude expensive than small pica. The result, there-
Egerton King's story is called “ The Play Angel." fore, will be that the cost of production will be
Miss May Sinclair's poem - emphatically it is exactly the same as above, with the exception that
poetry—“A Fable,” is remarkable. There is a the cost of composition is 5s. a sheet more, with
short poem by Dollie Radford, and a long one by the result that £5 must be added to the cost of
Mr. B. Paul Newman. There are some sixteen production, making in all £62 10s.
interesting illustrations, carefully produced. The But we are still 56,000 words short. Reckoning
“ Annual” is well worth its price-2s.6d, net. that each sheet of sixteen pages set up in long
## p. 88 (#478) #############################################
88
THE AUTHOR.
primer as above will take 5,440 words, eleven 6. The MS. does not infringe in any way upon any
sheets will amply cover the 56,000 words that existing copyright.
NAME
are still wanting.
ADDRESS
The cost of eleven sheets, 1,000 copies, basing
N.B.-All MSS. must be typewritten, bear the name and
our calculations on the amount stated above, will address of the sender, and be accompanied by stamped and
be as follows :
addressed envelope for its return.
Composition, 11 sheets at £1 12s. 6d.
This method of doing business is from some
per sheet.
£17 17 6 points of view exceedingly satisfactory, as it sets
Printing, 11 sheets at 10s. 6d. per
forth clearly the responsibilities of the editor and
sheet .
5 15 6 the position of the author, but there are some
Paper, 11 sheets at 198. 6d. per sheet 10 14 6 points in which it has serious blemishes. Firstly,
in Clause 2 a fixed date should be limited for reply ;
Total. . . . . £34 7 6 the words “longer than necessary” are far too
indefinite, and contracts that lack clearness are
Total cost of 20 sheets . . £62 10 0 almost sure to give rise to disputes. Secondly, in
, , 11 , . . 34 7 6 Clause 3 there is no definition of "current prices.”
Now, either the magazine pays a regular amount
Total cost of both . £96 17 6 per page or it does not, but suits its price to the
author. If it pays a regular amount per page, the
It will be seen, therefore, from the example that current price ought to be definitely stated. If it
a book of 82,000 words will cost £57 10s., but a suits the amount to its author, then the vague
book of 164,000 will cost only £96 128., or barely phraseology of “current prices” should never have
£40 more.
been inserted.
It should be remarked also that the figures Thirdly, in Clause 4 the magazine is to have
taken are very liberal from the printer's point the “sole right to this MS. in the English
of view, and that a book produced according to language in the event of its acceptance."
the size and type named would not really cost Authors should never sell the copyright and all
so much. This point, however, does not directly their rights to a magazine.
bear on the argument.
They should only sell the serial use of their MS.
G. H. T.
for that one magazine, and this is the plan by
which nearly all serial work is placed in England.
Lastly, the author cannot publish in a foreign
II. - The Management of MSS.
language without the proprietor's leave. This
An American magazine entitled Smart Society
restriction is quite unnecessary for safeguarding
has been much in evidence during the last few
last few the magazine's property, and only likely to cause
months on the English bookstalls. It has estab-
irritation to the author.
blished an office in London, and is full of excellent
reading in many branches of literature.
In consequence members of the Society have
III.-Half Profits on Sheets to America.
forwarded MSS. for the perusal and, if possible, THE following point in a publisher's agreement
the acceptance of the editor. In reply the follow- must be brought before the notice of the members
ing document is sent to them for signature : of the Society of Authors. It is not an uncommon
thing for publishers to enter into an agreement for
Gentlemen,
My MS., entitled , is submitted to you on the
the publication of a book, undertaking to pay the
following conditions :
author a royalty in England, and—failing to secure
1. If published, the MS. should appear under the name the American copyright-half profits on the sale of
of
as author.
sheets or stereos in America. A clause drafted on
2. I agree not to offer this MS, to anyone else, or permit
its publication unless and until I receive the reply from
these lines is a distinct pitfall to the author, and
you of your Editor rejecting it. You agree that this reply is one of the many tricks, off the line of fair
shall not be delayed longer than necessary.
trading, by which the publisher obtains an advan-
3. The MS. is submitted at the current price for contri.
tage to himself to the detriment of the author.
butions, payment to be made on application.
4. You to have the sole rights to this MS, in the English
Such a strong phrase has been used advisedly and
language in the event of its acceptance, and it is not to be for the following reasons : 1. Because to the
published in any other language until after it has appeared ordinary person the difficulties with which the
", and then only with your permission in clause is pregnant are altogether invisible. 2. Be-
writing.
5. The MS. has never been printed anywhere in any cause the amount the author receives in royalty
form.
is always calculated-see the books of the Society
in
66
## p. 89 (#479) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
on the point-on the basis that the full cost of account of £2 10s., as the sale to America has
composition is charged against the English failed to cover the cost of production.
edition. If this were not the case, the author As soon as the edition is sold and the amount is
ought to receive a higher royalty. Let us worked out against the author he prints 10,000
explain what we mean more fully.
copies for the English edition, but never takes
Take the ordinary 68. book :-
into account the proportion of the cost of pro-
Cost of composition of 3,000 copies. £30 0 0 duction of the 500 sent to America to the 10,000
Cost of printing
printed in England. Again, supposing you take
Cost of paper
» .
458
£58
»
0
Ö
0
the first instance and 20,000 were subsequently
sold, the cost of the 2,000 sold to America is taken
Total . . . . £104 0 0 into proportion to the cost of the 3,000 printed.
It will be seen, therefore, that quite apart from
Of the 3,000 copies the publisher sends 2,000 to
the contract being unfair and a pitfall to the
America, and receives for the same (say) 1s. a copy
unwary (as to the ordinary author on the face
-£100. The cost of composition was compulsory
of the agreement the difficulty is invisible),
for the completion of the English edition, the
even if it is worked out by a publisher with an
author's royalty, as stated, being based on this
honest (?) idea of doing nothing dishonourable,
understanding ; but the publishers take two-thirds
the result of its working out its natural evolution
of this cost towards the American edition, as
becomes a fraud on the author. The position is
well as two-thirds of the cost for the print and
ridiculous. It is to be hoped that the Publishers'
the paper, leaving to be divided between himself
Association will disassociate themselves from this
and the author-
form of agreement.
By sale of 2,000 copies to America. £100 0 0
Two-thirds cost of production
£69 6 8
A LITERARY ADVERTISEMENT.
£30 13 4
It is at once seen that the result is unfair, as
the cost of composition has no right to be charged TT was a curious and unusual advertisement. It
against the American edition, but only the cost I caught my eye in a daily paper which has
of print and paper, which would work out as a column devoted to literary wants. The
follows :-
advertiser required special articles for one week ;
By sale of 2,000 copies to America. £100 0 0 the remuneration to be thirty shillings; and
Two-thirds cost of print and paper £49 6 8 applicants were summoned to a certain number in
the Brixton Road at 3 p.m. to ascertain particulars.
£50 13 4
Fired with curiosity and craving to understand
the methods of one of London's literary advertisers,
Instead, therefore, of the author receiving
I took the train for this remote district, and after
£25 6s. 8d., by the publisher's method of cal-
a long, wearisome walk past garish and glaring
culation of half profits, the author receives
shops, respectable villas, and gloomy terraces, I
£15 6s. 8d. and the publisher £35 6s. 8d. It
knocked at the door of the house indicated. It
is almost as reasonable an arrangement as the
was one of a row of buildings, sombre-looking
ordinary half profit agreement whose clauses
and dingy-hued. A woman answered my ring, a
and workings have so often been exposed in
female with untidy light hair and a ruffled dress, who
The Author.
smirked and spoke with a light-hearted accent.
To show how this method may be worked out in
“ I have called about the advertisement," I said.
the interests of untrustworthy publishers unfairly to
The young woman's countenance beamed afresh,
the author, say the publisher in the first instance
as if my call had renewed her pleasurable excitement.
only publishes a thousand copies. The cost of
I was offered a seat in the hall. Next to me
composition would still be £80 ; printing, £10;
sat a serene-faced, spectacled young man, waiting.
paper, £20. He sells 500 copies to America, and
I glanced at the cheap prints on the walls, and
on the same principle the following sum is worked
borne to my ears was a gruff voice of an applicant
out :-
in the adjoining room. I heard him expatiating
Half cost of production,
£30 0 0
on his own merits and his work, in his anxiety to
By sale of 500 copies to America at
secure this thirty shillings for a week's literary
18. per copy . . · · £25 00 employment. In the meantime two other appli-
cants had been offered seats in the hall.
£5 0 0 “Your turn, I think?" said the smiling, untidy.
This would leave a deficit against the author's looking young woman.
## p. 90 (#480) #############################################
90
THE AUTHOR.
I bowed deferentially. The gentleman with the the • Dictionary of National Biography' is pub-
gruff voice passed out and I entered the room, lished to-day, he commands me to congratulate
A young man with a self-complacent smile and a you on the final completion of this great work.
self-important manner accosted me, nervously “ It is one which cannot fail to be most useful
twirling my card about his fingers and glancing at to everybody, and no English library should be
it, as if to assure himself that it was a real card without a copy.
“Will you give me particulars of your advertise “ From what His Majesty has been able to read
ment?” I asked, in a respectful and persuasive of the various articles he is much struck by the
voice.
ability and research which have been shown by the
“Well, it's just this,” he replied; “I am writing writers, as well as the admirable and careful way
a book of travel. I have nearly finished it, but I in which the work has been edited.
want assistance."
“Believe me, yours very truly,
"And the nature of the assistance ?" I asked,
“FRANCIS KNOLLYS.”
deeply interested.
“Reading up a bit and writing about 3,000 We must congratulate Mr. Sidney Lee on the
words a day," he informed me.
recognition he has received from the King of the
“ That would be just 18,000 words in the week, arduous work which, begun by Mr. Leslie Stephed,
besides the necessary research, and all for thirty he has so conscientiously carried through to the
shillings! Hardly good enough for me," I replied. end.
I retired. The hall was now so crowded with
applicants that I pushed my way to the door with
difficulty.
THE AUTHORS' CLUB.
This true experience ought to prove interesting
to literary aspirants.
LUNETTE.
URING November and December the
Authors' Club has had some interesting
guests at its Monday night dinners.
THE DICTIONARY OF NATIONAL
On November the 25th Mr. Morley Roberts
BIOGRAPHY.
took the chair, and Mr. E. W. Hornung was the
guest of the evening. It was a curious fact that
in years gone by, both the guest and the chairman
CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE KING.
had been working on the same ranche in Australia,
wing letter has been sent to the press and they told some very amusing stories of their
1 by Mr. Sidney Lee :-
experiences out there.
On December 9th Prof. Rucker was the guest
SIR,— On the day of publication of the third and Sir Michael Foster took the chair, Sir
and last of the supplementary volumes of the Michael Foster spoke from his intimate knowledge
“ Dictionary of National Biography " the King of the guest of the evening, as a friend of long
was graciously pleased to honour me with a letter standing, and made an interesting and amusing
of congratulation on the completion of the under- speech, to which the learned professor aptly
taking. At the time I was travelling in Italy, responded. He drew a parallel between men of
whence I am just returned.
science and writers of fiction, stating that both
I feel that every member of the little army of were endeavouring to discover the truths of nature,
writers and collectors of information who have though working from different standpoints.
helped the editors and publishers to build up the On December 16th Prof. J. Rhys, the renowned
great edifice of the Dictionary ought to have an Celtic Scholar and Principal of Jesus College, was
opportunity of reading His Majesty's congratu- the guest, and Mr. E. W. Brabrook, C.B., the
latury words. I have therefore sought and chairman. Prof. Rhys, in an amusing speech,
obtained permission to make public the generous repudiated any claim to real authorship, unless
communication.
being an authority on a subject could be called
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
authorship. He gave some amusing instances of
SIDNEY LEE. the disadvantages of being a referee on any subject.
15, Waterloo Place, London, S.W.: Dec. 3. In January and February the club has an
interesting list of guests: F. Carruthers Gould,
“ Marlborough House, Pall Mall, S.W.:
Austin Dobson, A. E. W. Mason, and Hesketh
“ October 25th, 1901.
Prichard.
“MY DEAR MR. LEE,—As the King believes The members appear to be dealing out honours
that the last of the supplementary volumes of to the profession with a liberal hand.
## p. 91 (#481) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
91
GENERAL MEMORANDA.
(.) sa
ITERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an
01 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 putting the
profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements
in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise-
ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements.
(3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses,"
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.
(3.) 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.
Nerer sign any agreement without competentadvice 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.
(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.
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.
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
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 AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA-
TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.
HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY.
WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS.
MTEVER 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.
1. DVERY 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
desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's
opinion. All this without any cost to the member.
## p. 92 (#482) #############################################
92
THE AUTHOR.
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.
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.
4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send
the document to the Society for examination,
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.
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.
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.
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 Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent
by registered letter only.
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.
AUTHORITIES.
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
Readers are writers of competence and experience. The
fee is one guinea.
W E see it stated in some of the French papers
V that a proposal is being put forward to
levy a tax on all books sold in Paris.
One of the suggested advantages which would
accrue from adopting this measure is that the
author would have a Government Certificate of
his sales.
In the large publishing houses it must very
seldom occur that mistakes are made in the sale
accounts of a book. There may be a clerical
error now and again, but the idea that any
well-established firm would keep duplicate sets
of books or fraudulent clerks seems to be wholly
absurd.
There are no doubt some authors who are
continually complaining of publishers' accounts ;
these, we fear, would not be satisfied even with a
Government Certificate.
It seems quite clear also that if a publisher
thought it worth his while to send fraudulent
returns to the author, it would not be very difficult
for the same man to defraud the Government.
NOTICES.
TIHE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of
T 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.
## p. 93 (#483) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
93
We have much pleasure in printing in addition,
as an inset in the January number, notices to
contributors collected from many magazines.
It must not be taken from this that we do not
strongly advocate the careful consideration of
accounts sent in by publishers. This is especially
applicable to accounts in which the cost of produc-
tion is included, as many items in these accounts
which are not fairly charged to authors are taken
direct from the books of the publishers and
should be at once disputed.
In royalty accounts, however, the matter is rather
different, and unless the author has grave reasons
almost amounting to adequate legal proof to suspect
that the sales are erroneously stated, it would be
hardly worth his while to appoint an accountant
to investigate the matter.
In many cases the publisher would make no
objection whatever to showing the vouchers. If,
however, he raised an objection, and the author
decided to carry through the case, it is quite
possible, if the accounts proved to be correct
when the publisher showed his books under com-
pulsion, that the author would then have to pay
his own costs in the case. The loss would be a
heavy one for the author to bear.
The right of an author to investigate accounts,
as we have often pointed out, is a common law
right, but it should be exercised with extreme
caution, not only because of the expense that the
author may be incurring, but also on account of
the trouble and annoyance—not to mention the
interruption of business—that it may give to the
publisher.
The great effort that is being made in America
to com pel the sale of books on the net system is a
matter that should not be overlooked by the
English author.
The same effort on a more modified scale is
being made in the English book trade, and an article
appeared in the Author from Mr. Robert MacLehose,
of Glasgow, on this subject. We have written to
an American publisher, and trust to be able to
place before our readers at no distant date the
result in America of this method of trading.
There is one serious point, however, which
should be put forward, and which Sir Walter
Besant was very strong upon when the subject on
a former occasion came under discussion.
If the net system means that the extra profit
accruing on the sale of the books goes to the book.
seller, so that, where he is now ruined, he may
drive a flourishing trade, then the author cannot
raise any objection. But there is the danger that
part of the sum may go into the publisher's pocket,
who already, as middleman, Aourishes on the
profits of the author, whom nobody, as yet,
has had the boldness to state is in an unsound
financial position. Even if this is quite a diminu-
tive amount per book, say a penny (taking the
penny as the average on the varying prices), then
on the books sold in the year the increase on the
publisher's profits would be enormous.
It is necessary that this point should be very
carefully looked into, as, if the publisher is going
to obtain his share from the public the author
must also obtain his.
LIFE.
“ A little struggle, a little growth ;
A little pause; and nothing loth ;
Decay and death ; and welcome both.”
A. C: B.
On reviewing the cases that have been dealt
with by the Society during the past year, we find
that forty cases have passed through the Secretary's
hands referring to the detention and return of
MSS. by editors and publishers, these amounting
to nearly half of the total numbers.
As the question of the forwarding of MSS. to
magazines is a most important question from the
author's point of view, and as authors naturally
place a very high value on their MSS.—a point
of view which the publisher or editor does not very
often perceive—it has been thought well to reprint
Counsel's opinion that was taken some years ago on
this important subject, setting forth the respon-
sibilities of editors.
We cannot too strongly repeat the advice, always
given, that authors must send in their MSS.
typewritten and must retain copies.
In the introductory chapter of “ The Pen and the
Book," by Sir Walter Besant, we find the following
paragraph :-
Now, if you look at the Census of 1891, you will find
returned as authors, editors, and journalists in England
and Wales the number of about 5,800. As authors, editors
and journalists do often overlap and run into one another's
field of work, we will not try to distinguish them. But
you would carry away a very false impression of the
numbers engaged in literary work if you think this
number represents all, or even a half of those who produce
literature. There are clergymen, professors, lecturers,
teachers of all kinds, lawyers, doctors, men in every
branch of science, artists of all kinds, all of whom produce
literary work. Literature is universal, and embraces
everything, and the number of those who are literary men
by profession is small indeed compared with the number
of those who are literary men in fact. Take, for instance,
the clergy. Consider how many of them are literary men,
writers of books-books on theology, on scholarship, on
## p. 94 (#484) #############################################
94
THE AUTHOR.
archæology, on criticism, on history, on poetry, on fiction. showing what we have constantly asserted, that
Think what we should lose if such men as Dean Stanley, the publication of educational books is a great
Chalmers, Stubbs, Lightfoot, Maurice, Kingsley, Martineau,
had never written. And so in other professions. For one property, and that those educationalists who are
man who actually lives by literary work there are three or constantly producing books and reap a bare profit
four to whom the production of literature is an occasional of £100 or £150 a year, are distinctly ignorant of
event, perhaps an occasional necessity. I think we should
the proper way in which to manage their business.
not be far wrong in placing the whole number of men and
women engaged more or less in literary work at something
On one or two occasions the old answer is still
like 20,000.
heard that the educational editor or the educa-
Let us take the number at half that put forward
tional writer does not believe the statements pot
by Sir Walter. We candidly think that the forward in The Author, and is quite content with
Society ought some day to approach so high a his miserable pittance. In cases of this kind the
total. We must repeat that the Society does not disease is past cure.
merely include writers of fiction and members of We should like to obtain a strong combination
the dramatic profession, but includes all those of educational writers to fight this sistem of
various branches mentioned in the above para underpay, and to obtain a satisfactory reward for
graph. If in the production of one book-nearly
the books which are the result of years of stored-
all those included who do not live by their writings up knowledge and experience.
but are occasional writers, produce considerably
more than one volume—the Society can save them
£5, either by their obtaining higher royalties, or
We have much pleasure in announcing that an
by its better knowledge of literary prices, or by
S or by article from the pen of Mr. Henry Arthur Jones
showing how that amount can be saved in the cost
will appear in one of the coming numbers of The
of production, the Society will have done sufficient
Author on “The Modern System of the Censorship
to cover the subscription for five years at least.
and the Licensing of Plays.”
If in the production of two volumes it can add
£10 to the return of these writers, life member-
ship subscription will have been earned, and any
In the December number of The Author a
further sums would be clear profit to the writer.
Again we desire to impress upon all writers-
practical article was inserted with regard to
Commission Publishing, entitled “The Method of
not only those who live by their pen, but those
who write, say, a volume every third year or every
the Future.”
fifth year that the Society can assist them, and
The figures were supplied by one who was
may probably save them sums much larger than
thoroughly conversant with the book and publish-
they would pay in their annual subscriptions.
ing trades, and the cost of printing, binding, etc.
It is these occasional writers—more, perhaps,
In the calculation, however, there was one slight
than any others—who need the Society's help, as
mistake. The number of copies given away for
review had not been counted. These would
their ignorance of the literary market makes it
very easy for them to obtain a bad contract and
amount to 80 or 100 at the outside. On the other
to throw away the work of years for a mere
hand, there is always the possibility of “ overs,"
pittance.
which generally amount to 20 or 30 in a large
edition.
One important warning, however, we should like
We should like to impress upon the members to place before the members of the Society who
once more—not only those who conduct their own are considering this method, namely, the fact that
business, but also those who conduct their literary publishers very often do not give the author the
work through the hands of an agent—that it is benefit of cash payments, and in addition take
most important that The Author should receive from the author, beyond their commission on the
early notices of books about to be published, as sales of the book, a commission on the cost of
great inconvenience is caused by the sending of production. Some publishers do this without
notices within a few days of publication of the
saying anything about it; other publishers do it
monthly numbers. We trust that all members of openly, stating the facts in their agreements.
the Society, especially those who have made their
Of the first case we have examples in the office.
literary fame, will see that notes of their coming of the second case the publishers' own agreement.
books are forwarded regularly to The Author by issued by their association, is sufficient proof.
their agents.
The clause runs as follows :
In another part of The Author we publish a
The publisher will supply the author with estimates for
the printing, and will charge a commission of per cent.
further article on educational books, again on the trade prices for printing, paper, binding, advertising,
## p. 95 (#485) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
95
and other disbursements, and reserves to himself the right
to take the usual credit or the equivalent cash discount for
cash payments, but no such discount shall exceed 74 per
cent.
It would be impossible to insert all these in The
Author, but we print in the Correspondence the
first that was opened by the Secretary.
The following is the comment on the clause
contained in the pamphlet published by the
Society : -
In Clause 2 the publisher is going to hand in estimates
to the author, and on these estimates he is to charge a
percentage. This course makes the publisher's and author's
interests in direct variance, for the higher the estimates
the greater the publisher's percentage. From this point of
view the clause is a bad one, quite apart from the right of
the publisher to have a percentage on the cost of produc-
tion at all in addition to the other profits that he is going
to make out of the books. Again, he is to be allowed to
take 7 per cent. discount for cash payments. This dis
count he will be able to obtain at once, as under Clause 3
the author is to pay the publisher a sum to cover the
estimated cost of production before the work is sent to
press. More than this, he is to pay for the advertisements
at the same time, when it is hardly possible that the cash
will be needed for advertising until three or four months
later at the earliest. To the end of Clause 2, therefore, the
publisher makes in the way of profits a fee to begin with,
à percentage on the cost of production, binding, and
advertisement, it being to the publisher's interest to make
these charges as high as possible, and a discount of 7) per
cent. on the same items. This is a good beginning when
the publisher is to have no risk whatever as regards the
book, all expenses being covered by the author.
There is no space to put forward at the present
time the many other difficulties connected with
this agreement passed by the Publishers' Associa-
tion. Members of the Society are referred to the
Society's pamphlet “ Publishers' Agreements, with
comments by G. Herbert Thring, and illustrative
examples by Sir Walter Besant.” If, however,
members are desirous of adopting commission-
publishing, they must, as set forth in the article
“ The Method of the Future," be prepared to pay
the publisher a reasonable percentage on the sales,
but must take care at the same time to deal with a
man who will give them the real cost of production
and does not want to take a percentage on it.
We must not treat the editor of “What's What”
too seriously. He cannot expect it. Has he not
rather published the book with a view to making
merriinent at Christmastide ? His article on
Copyright confirms us in this opinion.
He commences, “ Copyright is one of those things
which ‘no fellow'really understands, least of all
the lawyer." We are not surprised, therefore, to
find that Mr. Quilter-keeping up his Merry
Christmas jest—writes himself down as a barrister-
at-law.
The article proceeds, “ The law will protect that
right (the copyright of any article or publication)
for forty years or for twenty years after the author's
death, whichever be the longer period.” Both
these periods are wrong. It is the time of the
year when the clown and harlequin run riot and
the practical jester is licensed, but we must warn
authors not to treat the book as a reliable book
of reference
of reference, as far as Copyright is concerned.
for
He next endeavours to explain the 18th section,
an avowedly badly drawn and difficult clause ;
but whatever its interpretation, it certainly is not
explained on the lines suggested by Mr. Quilter.
On Artistic Copyright he is equally at fault.
If we thought it worth while, the paragram
(Mr. Quilter's word) should have a critical article,
but a warning to members is quite sufficient. As
editor, he states that every one of the paragrams
is original. The originality of the one dealing
with Copyright convinces us of his sincerity. We
hope Mr. Quilter has passed a Merry Christmas
with his jest-book.
AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT.
We publish two more articles on the advantages
of commission publishers. The first is an actual
case, and, therefore, of great practical value. The
second is from Mr. MacLehose, the Glasgow publisher,
We are delighted to have a letter from one who
knows the trade so well. We do not entirely agree
with his dedactions, but hope to deal with them in
the next issue.
TT was not my intention again to occupy your
1 pages, but as my remarks on the Literary
Agent in the October Author have been mis-
understood by one or two of your correspondents,
I will ask you to permit me to make my position
clearer.
The string of falsehoods written about the
Society by Mr. Quilter brings its compensation in
the shape of many pleasant letters from members
speaking of the benefits derived from its work.
Your correspondents seem to assume that I was
complaining of the literary agent. I did nothing
of the sort; I simply followed your invitation to
explain my views on the advisability of employing
a literary agent. As for myself and any grievance
## p. 96 (#486) #############################################
96
THE AUTHOR.
I might have against certain literary agents, I am
II.
quite prepared to take care of myself, so that if a
literary agent can cheat me, he is welcome to do An author's property in his work may be
80. I do not complain of him, nor of the author classed under the following heudinys :-
who acquiesces in the use of fair or foul means (1) Book rights—the right of production in
towards me. But I will certainly never willingly book-form, and (2) serial rights—the right of
give a literary agent (or anyone for that matter) publication in the form of a periodical or magazine
two chances of getting the better of me. Thus issue.
I have always had agreeable relations with Mr. Book rights may be subdivided into the follow-
Benson's agent, and I continue to do business ing : rights in Great Britain, America, the colonies
with him which is satisfactory to both of us ; but and dependencies of Great Britain, Continental
there are other literary agents in London whom rights, and right of translation. Serial rights may
I prefer not to deal with. I don't complain of be divided : (1) rights in some English magazine
their methods ; but as I have found their methods or paper; (2) rights in some American maga-
so different from my methods, it seemed best not zine or paper ; (3) secondary rights in England;
to be in business relations with them. I mention (4) secondary rights in America ; (5) rights in
this only in explanation of my personal position, the colonies and dependencies of Great Britain ;
which has been brought into this matter by your (6) in translation form in foreign countries.
correspondents. It has nothing to do with the It will be seen, therefore, that not only writers
statement I sent you, which purported to be a state- of fiction, but writers of technical works, educa-
ment of policy, not of individual expediency. That tional works, and the many other branches of
is why I fail to see where Mrs. Craigie has detected literature have a considerable number of rights to
in my letter a “prattling about the indignity of be dealt with, and the point under discussion is
accepting money for art;" on the contrary, it whether it is advisable to employ an agent with
seems to me that an artist, just as a business inan, a view to marketing all these rights. A long
depreciates his goods if he sells them under their experience at the office of the Society forces this
value-even if their value be fixed by auction. fact before one's notice, that, as a general rule,
Mr. Benson is right when he says that it would when an author is sufficiently well known to have
be madness to let one publisher have a book a market for all these rights the agent is essential,
cheap, if, cæteris paribus, the author can get more and further that the majority of well-known
froni another."
authors (in spite of the statement made in the
I cordially welcome “ Omega's ” statement that Sphere) employ an agent to market their work.
“authors are all in competition against one another, There are certainly half-a-dozen, or perhaps even
and why competitors in the same affairs should as many as ten, who, as a general rule, do not
employ the same agent to represent them is a employ an agent. These, however, bare a parti-
riddle which no sane business man can answer.” cular faculty for doing business, and consider
And I emphatically repeat (1) that a literary agent that the time spent in these negotiations can be
is of no use to a beginner, (2) that when an author afforded more easily than the payment of an agent.
has succeeded, the business entrusted to an agent On this point I entirely agree with them, and
can be done better and more reasonably by a consider, on the whole, that as far as the more
solicitor.
popular writers are concerned the agent is an
Mr. Le Queux addresses to me a direct question, expensive item. It is the author's fault, however,
saying that his brother authors and himself “would if his contract with an agent is unsatisfactory.
be interested to know whether it is not a fact that Though it is an undoubted fact that with the
in order to effect the sale of my English books in popular authors an agent is essential, yet all
America I actually employ a literary agent in New authors should be careful not to accept contracts
York.” I have much pleasure in satisfying his laid before them by agents without careful
curiosity by stating that I have a salaried employé investigation and advice.
in New York, who attends to my affairs in America Secondly, in the case of the author with smaller
exactly as my London manager and staff attend markets and lower circulations an agent may still
to the details of my business in London. Mr. Le be necessary, as in the majority of cases authors
Queux will on reflection see, however, that the are unbusinesslike, and if not unbusinesslike are as
employment of an agent for the sale of a manu- ignorant of the law of copyright, of the rights they
factured article would be open only to the least possess, and of the prices of literary property as the
of my objections.
ordinary niortal is of the law.of conveyancing and
Wu. HEINEMANN. land transfer. But in this second case it is even
more necessary for the author to be exceedingly
careful, and to obtain sound and substantial advice
## p. 97 (#487) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
97
with regard to the agreements laid before him by DESIRABILITY OF STANDARD RULES
the agent. The popular author with a large FOR PRINTING, AND A METHOD TO
circulation has generally, through long experience,
OBTAIN THEM.
considerable knowledge of his market value, of the
law of copyright, and the details of his business,
and employs an agent to save his time. The other M HE Committee of the Society of Authors
with the smaller circulation lacks this essential I have requested me to put together a few
knowledge, and the agent, being naturally desirous suggestions upon “The Desirability of
to place the work, is liable to persuade him to enter Standard Rules for Printing, and a Method to
into an unsatisfactory agreement. This author obtain them," so as to gauge the interest of the
employs the agent partly to save trouble and members in the question, and to enable an opinion
business worries, but generally to supply the to be formed as to the advisability, or not, of
knowledge in which he is deficient. Sometimes thoroughly investigating the whole question, ana,
he is disappointed.
if possible, of formulating such a set of rules. This
With regard to those who are just entering the request came in reply to a suggestion of mine that
profession the agent is of very little use. They it was very desirable, and distinctly within the
can obtain full advice and information from the province of the Society, to formulate such a standard
Society should they so desire, and, as a general for the guidance of authors, editors, publishers,
rule, have sufficient time to attend to their business compositors, readers, and, in fact, all connected
duties.
with the making of books.
Finally, the author should be careful of what As a compositor would say, the question is to
agent he employs, the agreement that the agent see if the “customs of the house" in each separate
puts before him, and the commission he pays the printing establishment could not, by a little
agent for the work done.
give and take, here and there, be made into one
It only remains to make a few remarks on the uniform set of rules in black and white, to be
publisher's attitude.
followed by all.
Granting that, as a general rule—and this may At the present time, one may say, that if exactly
be stated for a certainty-the author's agent is the same copy be sent, without special instructions,
necessary, is that agency work generally carried to a dozen different printers, the resulting proofs
out better through an independent individual or will all differ in some particular. They may differ
through the aid of the publisher ? As far as the in punctuation ; in the use of large and small
individual is concerned his charge is 10 per cent., capitals ; in spelling, especially the suffixes " ise"
a price which works out at a very high sum in the and “ize”; in placing the hyphen in divided words ;
case of large authors, but to counteract this he can in contractions of words ; in the use of numerals ;
devote his whole time to his clients, if his clientèle in italicizing anglicized foreign words ; in the
is not too large. The publisher, on the contrary, printing of authorities mentioned, or titles quoted ;
looks upon this agency work as a secondary sort in spacing; and, in fact, in many ways too
of business, his main business being publishing. numerous to mention. This means, in short, that
He cannot, therefore, devote his whole time as one method of printing must be right, all, or all
and attention to it, and in addition asks 25 per cent. but one, of the proofs will be wrong.
seldom-generally 50 percent. on the author's In order to see if this divergence of practice
returns.
could not be done away with, I recently wrote to
These figures appear in the agreements of the some dozen of the leading printers as to the
best houses in London. There is no doubt, there. “customs of the house” in their particular estab-
fore, that, of the two, the private individual as lishments, and the possibility of evolving a standard
authors' agent is much better than the publisher set of rules. With two or three exceptions they
as authors' agent. There is no comparison between wrote that they had no printed rules, but worked
them.
in accordance with their own unwritten laws.
If you employ an agent remember these three All are agreed upon the great importance of
points
typographical uniformity, and would apparently
1. Take care of your contract with him. Do welcome any thoroughly good set of rules could
not pay him too large a percentage.
one be formed and acknowledged by the majority of
2. Take care of his contracts with the publishers. authors. For, as they say, nothing can be done in
3. Take care that you get adequate attention this matter without their concurrence. The great
and application for the amount you pay.
trouble at present arises from each author wanting
G. H. T.
some one particular detail varied, because in many
cases he is evidently in doubt as to how it should
be printed, for he can refer to no acknowledged
## p. 98 (#488) #############################################
98
THE AUTHOR.
authority. As one very well-known firm writes given, and for supplying so generously copies of
me, an author frequently insists on having his own his work, which is truly priceless from the fact
MS. “ accurately copied,” notwithstanding that the that it is only "privately printed," and therefore
same word is spelt in two or three different ways has no price!
on the same page!
May I ask all those who have any wish to see
In fact, I may say that the underlying truth of books more correctly printed in the future than in
all the replies is that nothing can be done without the past, and who take sufficient interest in their
first of all getting the authors to come to some own work to desire it to be at least accurately
common understanding amongst themselves. A printed, to obtain a copy, to read it over carefully,
proof, as it seems to me, that the matter is most and to forward to me a list of queries, suggestions,
distinctly within the province of our Society, and and so forth ? As it is only by collating a mass
one which it would well repay all our members to of such opinions that reliable and lasting progress
give a helping hand to investigate, so that it may can be hoped for.
be put upon a sound and lasting basis.
I should like to have sent to me at Iddesleigh,
I use the term basis, for like everything in this Torquay, as many answers as possible to these
world, evolution would take place in it, leading in questions :-
subsequent years to developments and improve- (1) Do the “Rules” meet with the entire
ments which at the present time cannot be foreseen. approval of the member ; and would he be willing
But this is no reason for not doing our best to dig for his future work to be printed in accordance
the fouudations upon which a structure may be with them? If not, (2) the points of disagree.
subsequently raised. For the rocks must be pre- ment; and if possible, (3) the reasons for them ;
pared at some time for this work, and the sooner they and (4) the specific alterations and additions
are, the sooner may we hope to erect the light desired.
house for the illumination of what is now but if members will favour me with some con-
a dark, dreary, desolate waste of contradictory siderable number of replies, I will investigate
practices.
and tabulate them, and publish the results and
To come now to a consideration of the practical inferences from them, in a future number of The
work required, the great question arises, are any Author.
of the printed rules now used by the two or three It may be as well here to point out that Mr.
separate printers referred to, sufficiently good to Hart's Rules having passed through eleven
be adopted en bloc; are they good only to serve as editions at the Oxford University Press, and also
a foundation for our work ; or, must a completely having been reprinted by others — apparently
new set be made ?
without his permission-have a character which
I venture to say that the only rules known to shows them to be of considerable use and
me which can in any way be considered worthy of standing.
adoption, or even discussion, are, as the title-page I will now, for those who may not know them,
says, the “ Rules for the Compositors and Readers give a brief summary of this small pamphlet.
employed at the Clarendon Press, Oxford, compiled Small, for the rules are contained in twenty-one
by Horace Hart, M.A., printer to the University pages—three and a half by five inches-of read-
of Oxford. The English spellings revised by Dr. able type.
J. A. H. Murray and Mr. Henry Bradley, Editors The first seven pages deal with the spelling of
of the New English Dictionary. Oxford, words which have two or more forms. A rule is
1901."
given whether the ending “able” is to have an “e,"
In order that any member of the Society of or not, preceding : such as movable, changeable,
Authors may make acquaintance with these rules, &c. Then follows a list of thirty words spelt with
Mr. Hart has most kindly fallen in with a sugges- the final “ise," and a much longer one of those
tion which Mr. Thring made to me, and sent with the suffix “ize :" the spelling here being
gratis to the Secretary a batch of these “ Rules " so founded on the “New English Dictionary." A
that any member interested in this subject—and rule for placing "e" before the termination
all should be—may obtain a copy by sending a “ment ;” and four pages of words the spelling
postcard to 39, Old Queen Street, S.W., asking for of which is far from uniform in ordinary usage,
one to be sent to him.
as enclose, insure. The use of the apostrophe in
I desire here to express my personal thanks to the possessive case. A list of those words of foreign
Mr. Hart for his courtesy in this matter, and for origin which have, by constant use, become angli-
the trouble he has taken in what has been to me cized and should not therefore be printed in italics,
an interesting correspondence. In fact, whatever as vice versa : followed by a list of those whicli
result we may arrive at, I feel that the thanks of should, as en masse. And the use of "a" or "an"
the Society are due to him for the help he has before vowels.
## p. 99 (#489) #############################################
THE AUTHOR.
in smal
Ankle.
After spelling we come to the proper forms for A.D. : (Anno Domini) to be An herb.
such contracted words as ain't, Exod., etc. Rules
- heroic.
Advise.
for the printing of poetry, and a couple of pages
- historical.
Ad loc. : not italics.
- honest.
dealing with the use of the hyphen, with nouns, ae: (the digraph) should – honour, -able.
adjectives, adverbs, and words with one or more be separate in Latin and – hotel.
accents.
Greek words, as Aenid, - hour, -glass,
Aeschylus, Caesar, and in
Capital letters are “ to be avoided as much as
English as mediaeval. In Anybody.
possible, but to be used in the following and similar Old English names, and Any one.
cases.” With a page of directions: and also illus in French, they should Anything.
trations for the use of small capitals.
not be separated, Elfred, Anywhere.
Cædmon.
The division of English words, when they must
Apologise.
Aërial.
Apophthegm.
be divided, is upon the principle “that the part
A European.
Apostasy.
of the word left at the end of the line should suggest A ewe.
Apostrophize.
the part carried over.” Thus, happi-ness, not hap-
A ewer.
Appanage.
Affranchise.
piness. (This section should apparently be included
Apple-tree : with hyphen.
Aggrandize.
Apprise : (to inform).
in the one dealing with the hyphen.)
Agnosti-cism : when neces. Apprize : (to appraise).
The hints—they cannot be called rules—upon sary.
d priori : itals.
punctuation are few, and, many would say, could Agonize.
A propos : itals.
A hospital.
with advantage be expanded.
Armchair : no hyphen.
A humble.
Artisan.
The remark that the titles of books are frequently A. H. : (Anno Hegira) small Ascendancy.
printed now in italics, instead of inverted commas, caps.
Atmo-sphere : when neces-
and “must be determined by the directions given Aide de camp: not italics. sary.
with the copy,” lacks in a marked degree that
Albumen.
A unanimous.
Alkalize.
A uniform.
“ light and leading " which generally characterizes Almanac.
A union.
Mr. Hart's remarks.
A. M. (Anno Mundi) to be A universal.
After a few more words on spacing, italics, small caps.
A useful.
figures and numerals, we come to the appendices :
a. m. (ante meridiem) lower A usurper.
case, not caps.
Authorities : at the end of
I., written by Mr. H. Stuart Jones on the division
Amour propre : itals.
quotations or notes thus :
of Greek words ; and II., by Prof. Robinson Ellis Analyse.
HOMER Odyssey ii 15,
on that of Latin words.
Ancien régime: itals.
but print Hor. Carm, ii.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the
Anathematize.
14. 2 ; Hom. Od. iv, 272.
Anatomize.
“Rules” are in the form known to librarians as a
Authorize.
Anglicé : itals.
Ay : always.
“ classed catalogue.” In other words, one has to Anglicize.
Aye : (yes—" the ayes have
know the contents of the book thoroughly before Au heir.
it").
being able to refer to the remarks upon any one
particular word. The advantages of this classifi-
Those who already know these “Rules" will, i
cation of matter in the present instance appears to think, agree that the foregoing arrangement is the
me very open to question. An alphabetic arrange-
better one. If Mr. Hart would arrange a new
ment would enormously increase facility of reference, edition upon these lines we should, I think, have
and would, I think, be a great advantage in many
much to be thankful for. And as helping towards
ways, as it would enable any question arising to be
this end I have offered to supply him with the
as quickly settied by those quite ignorant as by necessary “copy,” if it should meet with his
those thoroughly conversant with the book. In the approval.
case of authors, whom we are at present considering, May I repeat, in conclusion, the request already
the advantage would be very great indeed, for few made, that every member of the Society should
of them would have the time, or inclination, to send a postcard to the Secretary, 39, Old Queen
learn the whole book by heart, and even if they Street, S.W., for a copy of Mr. Hart's “ Rules,”
had, would, I imagine, more readily acquire the and should forward to me for tabulation at Iddes-
knowledge if arranged in this way.
leigh, Torquay, replies to the four questions asked
To show the advantages of this arrangement I in this article.
have extracted all those entries which would come To those who will thus lend theiraid in developing
under the letter “ A,” and here append them in typographical uniformity, I offer my thanks.
alphabetic order :-
F. HOWARD COLLINS.
A: the article, not to end Act: initial capital when
a line.
referring to Act of Parlia-
Abun-dance: if necessary ment, or Acts of a play.
divide thus.
Acts : scriptural book of
Advertise.
the.
## p. 100 (#490) ############################################
100
THE AUTHOR.
THE ADVANTAGES OF COMMISSION giving a description of the book, and the cost of this
PUBLISHING
is included in the cost of the first three thousand.
A second impression was almost immediately
demanded, and in this the advertising was included.
Actual Figures and Actual Facts.
The cost of the impression with some additional
charges, and including advertising, amounted to
£148 19s. 5d.
TN the December number of The Author an article A sufficient number of copies of the second
I was printed on “ The Method of the Future,” impression were sold to cover the cost of production
pointing ont the large percentage to be of that impression, and to give the author a profit
obtained in cases where the author takes the cost of of £31 198. 2d., and this, although a large edition,
production in hand himself, and uses the publisher was sold in sheets at a comparatively cheap rate to
merely as an agent to publish on commission. the Colonies, and the book was withdrawn from
Figures simply set out to prove a theory are not the market before the sales ceased.
always satisfactory, and many doubts will arise in The attention of authors should also be called to
an author's mind before he would attempt to carry the fact that this was a book of 470 pages, and
out a method he might consider merely theoretical ? therefore a long book compared with the ordinary
The figures printed below, however, are figures novel—the book taken in the example quoted in
referring to the sale of a book that was actually “ The Method of the Future” was only about 350
published on commission, and tend to show that pages.
this method of publishing will not only give the In working out this sum on a royalty basis in
author a larger profit than he would otherwise order to compare it with the“Method of the Future,”
obtain, but will also do away, if satisfactorily we find that if the advertising set forth in the cost
handled, with the profits that are spent on the of production of the second edition is thrown into
author's agent.
the first edition, reducing the author's profits to
In the statement contained in the article to £230, this works out as a royalty on a six shilling
which reference has been made, there was one book of over 26 per cent.
slight mistake. The seventy copies or thereabouts In the example previously given the figures
sent for review were not included. In the figures worked out at ls. 8d. a copy. The difference
given below, however, this item is appended, as it between the two is very small. In addition,
is the account of a book actually published and although the advertising has been thrown into the
placed on the market.
first edition it is hardly fair to throw the whole of
FIRST EDITION, 3,000 COPIES, 470 PP.
the advertising into the one edition ; indeed, under
the circumstances of this particular case it will be
£ $. d.
hardly fair to reckon it into the first edition at all,
Printing and Paper . . 97 0 0
Extras, including Moulds . 14 10
as the first edition was practically sold without any
3
Frontispiece :
8 10 0
advertising. But we do not want to underestimate
the figures.
Binding 3,000 . . . 39 10 10
The result of this shows that the “ Method of the
Printing Circulars, etc. . 2 16 6
Future,” if entered into by an author, must bring
£162 7 7
in, if properly managed, a larger profit, and a more
satisfactory return, than any other method.
2,930 at 38. 3d. . . . 476 2 6
The time will no doubt come when all authors
Commission 10 per cent. . 47 12 2
with an ascertained circulation will adopt book
production on these lines.
428 10 4
Cost of Production . . 162 7 7
II.
Profit to Author : £266 2 9
DEAR SIR,
Your article in the December Author on the
The author will at once exclaim, " But what has “Method of the Future” has interested me much,
become of the advertising ?” It is merely neces- but I venture to dispute your conclusions, as your
sary to say that practically the first edition was adviser, “whose knowledge" you say “ of the
hardly advertised at all, but to prevent any cavilling printing and publishing trades is undoubted,” has
in reckoning the profits of the first edition on the forgotten three facts which materially affect your
royalty basis as set out in the figures below, a sum calculations. He has forgotten (1) that the ordinary
of £35 13s. 5d, has been included in the cost of 6s. novel, that justifies an edition of 2,000 copies,
production. A circular was sent round to the trade exceeds 96,000 words in length; (2) that an
## p. 101 (#491) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
101
author always makes corrections in his proofs;
and (3) that an edition of 2,000 does not mean a
sale of 2,000 copies.
(1) I took up at random ten popular novels, all
of which were printed in small pica, and found
that their extent in pages and lines was as follows
(excluding title-sheet) :-
Pages.
Lines.
368
35
620
44
412
35
384
440
32
33
518
344
328
446
27
(A) He can be paid for the copyright of his
book. In this case the publisher takes all risks,
and loses or gains as the case may be.
(B) The publisher may pay a royalty from the
beginning with or without a payment to account
of royalties. In this case the author gets something
whatever number of copies are sold.
(C) He can get a greater royalty after expenses
are paid, or what comes to the same thing, can
share with the publisher in the profits.
Now, let us apply these systems of payment of
authors to the account in question in cases where
1,000 and 1,500 copies are sold, and assuming that
in the first system the publisher pays £50 for the
copyright, in the second that he pays a royalty of
124 per cent. on every copy sold, and in the third
that author and publisher share equally in the
profits; and then let us compare these with
(D) The “ Method of the Future.”
Let 1,000 copies be sold at 3s. 4d.=£166 13s. 4d.
According to the different systems
the result will be (leaving out shillings
and pence) —
(A) Purchase of Copyright.
Publisher's Outlay.
£ 8. d.
Cost of production and advertising
as above
... ... ... 161 0 0
Payment to author ... ... 50 00
£211 00
408
36
Allowing ten words to a line, the average of
these ten novels was about 154,000 words as
against your 96,000. This would be equal to a
volume of over 480 pages, instead of 320 pages, of
30 lines each. Most publishers, however, would
prefer to put this amount into, say, 400 pages of
about 37 or 38 lines. The alteration in cost of
production on the basis of your figures would be
about once and a half your cost for composition,
and once and a quarter for moulding, printing,
and paper. The binding I do not propose to
increase, though the number of sheets to be folded
is increased.
(2) An allowance for corrections must be made
at a minimum of 48. per 16 pages.
(3) A number of copies are given away and a
number are almost always left over. To base
calculations on the assumption that nine-tenths
are sold is a generous calculation,
On the basis of these figures, and on your
suggested arrangement that a 68. novel should be
credited at 3s. 4d., less 15 per cent., I find the
following results on an edition of 2,000 copies.
Sales (say) 1,800 at 38. Ad.
Composition ... ... £35 | Cost of produc-
Corrections ...
tion ... £121
Moulding
Advertising... 40
Publisher's
Paper ...
commission 45 206
Binding
Leaving a profit of £94
£121
Or about 1s. a copy.
It is not difficult to show that, unless a large
proportion of an edition is sold, this is the worst
bargain that the author could make for an edition
of 2,000 or 3000. For (1) the author, not the pub.
lisher, runs the risk, and (2) the author has to wait
for his profit till the publisher has been repaid, not
only his outlay, but his profit. The ordinary ways
in which an author can be paid are three.
£300
(B) Payment by Royalty.
Publisher's Outlay.
1. £ s. d.
Cost of production and advertising
as above
... ... ... 161 0 0
Royalties to author ... ... 37 10 0
£198 100
(C) Equal Profits.
Publisher's Outlay.
£ s. d.
Cost of production and advertising
as above
... ... ... 161 00
(D) Method of the Future.
Author's Outlay.
£ $. d.
Cost of production and advertising
as above ... ... ... 161 0 0
Publisher's commission ... ... 25 0 0
Printing
15
33
£186
0
0
## p. 102 (#492) ############################################
102
THE AUTHOR.
According to the system of-
(A) Author gains £50. Publisher loses £44.
2
„ £45.
, £32.
(C)
£2 10s.
gains £2 10s.
y loses £20
£25
If 1,500 copies were sold the results would be
Sales = £250.
The cost according to the
different systems would be-
(A) Publisher's outlay for production and
copyright ...
211
Publisher's outlay for production and
royalties ...
216
") Publisher's outlay for production ... 161
(D) Author's outlay for production and com-
mission
198
Leaving the result that in-
(A) Author gains £50 Publisher gains £39
(B) ,
(C) , ., 44
(D) , , 52
In the same way a novel of which 3,000 copies
were printed and boarded would require to sell 2,000
before the author gained £75, which is exactly
equal to a royalty cf 124 per cent.
From this it will be seen that according to the
“Method of the Future” the author is expected to
Findertake all risks and cannot, on editions of a
novel of average length with a circulation of 2,000
or 3,000, gain as much as he would from a royalty
of 124 per cent. unless he sells more than two-
thirds of the edition.
I am, yours faithfully,
ROBERT MACLEHOSE.
34
44
37
their countenances to the historical novel which
continues to dominate contemporary fiction.
Winston Churchill's “ The Crisis," which sur-
passed in interest and popularity his “Richard
Carvell,” led the way, together with Irving
Bacheller's “D’ri and I,” and “Granstark; the story
of a Love behind a Throne” and “The Helmet
of Navarre,” by the new writers George Barr
McCutcheon and Bertha Runkle. Sarah Orne
Jewitt's “The Tory Lover” is a sympathetic
and graceful story dealing with the American
Revolution and introducing the vigorous personality
of Paul Jones. It is her longest, if not perhaps
her strongest, work. The scene of Robert W.
Chambers's “ Cardigan” is New York, on the eve
of the same period ; and Clinton Scollard's “ The
Son of a Tory” is located in New York State
in 1777. Mrs. Caroline Mason's “A Lily of
France," and Charlton Andrews's “ A Parfit Gentil
Knight,” take us two centuries further back ;
while the seventeenth century is treated of in
Jessie Van Zile Belden's “Antonia” and Ruth
Hall's “The Golden Arrow.” Robert Nelson
Stephen's “ Capt. Ravenshaw” is an Elizabethan
story; and Cyrus Townshend Brady's “The
Quiberon Torch " a sea romance of the eighteenth
century, in which Hawke, the great British admiral,
figures. It is the writer's longest and not least
delightful performance. The « Deborah ” of
James M. Ludlow deals with the much more
remote times of Judas Maccabæus in a frankly
imaginative manner. Another romance which has
attracted much attention is of a semi-historical
character, since the hero is Eleazar Williams, one
of the numerous persons who claimed to be the
real Louis XVII. The book is called “ Lazarre,”
and the author is Mary Hartwell Catherwood.
The war of 1812 is the subject of Dr. Jas. Naylor's
“ The Sign of the Prophet.”.
But the Civil War is the period which finds
most favour with the historical romancer. It has
inspired Miss Lafayette McLaws to make her
début with “ When the Land was Young," a simple
story of more than average merit, but in which
there is no attempt at character-drawing. The
writer hails from the South. Other Southern
stories of some interest are “ The Night Hawk,"
by Alix John, in which a woman acts as the secret
agent of the Confederates and there is much
blockade-running ; "Warwick of the Knobs," by
John Uri Lloyd, who introduces a portrait of the
Confederate leader, Morgan; and “The Marrow of
Tradition,” by Charles W. Chesnutt, a Northern
champion of the contemporary negro. “ Mistress
Joy," by two Tennessee ladies, Mrs. Booth
McKinney and Miss Grace McGowan, deals with
Missisippi and New Orleans at a somewhat earlier
AMERICAN NOTES.
NHERE has been a vast output of books during
the fall season, but few volumes have
appeared of extraordinary merit or perma-
nent value to literature. It is noticeable, too, how
prominently European products stand out in the
publishers' lists. These last we shall, however,
leave out of the account in our present survey, as
they are only nominally American issues.
By far the largest proportion of books published
consists of course of novels, this being still more
the case in America than it is in the Old World.
Over here the romantic movement, stimulated by
the new Imperialism, is still largely in the ascen-
dant; and new issues of the works of George
Sand, Harrison Ainsworth, Fenimore Cooper, and
Croly's “Salathiel, the Wandering Jew," lend
## p. 103 (#493) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
103
period, Aaron Burr coming into the story. Mr. G. said to be at the head of “the year's refined fun-
W. Cable, in “The Cavalier,” has also occupied him- makers.” Hoping that we have been able to pick
self with the Civil War, and has written a stirring if out at least the chief prizes from the bran-pie of
somewhat theatrical tale of love and fighting. fiction, we must now pass on to other departments
A first novel of great promise was “Tom of literature.
Beauling," by Gouverneur Morris, great-grand Turning to poetry, we find the harvest very
son of the great diplomatist of the same name; meagre. Dr. Howard Furness has added
and “The Road to Ridgeby's" had such merit as “Twelfth Night” to his great Variorum Shake-
to cause great regret to be felt at the premature speare. "A Little Book of Tribune Verse"
death of the young author, Frank Burlinghame completes the output of Eugene Field, the sweet
Harris. Another posthumous work is “ The singer of Michigan. Dr. William Henry Drum-
Teller," by Edward Noyes Westcott, whose mond, author of "The Habitant,” has gained great
“ David Harum” is having the largest sale of credit and success with “ Johnnie Courteau and
any American novel since “Uncle Tom's Cabin.” other Poems," which are rather off the beaten
We omitted from our selections of stories of the track. Paul Leicester Dunbar with “Candle-
Civil War period Pauline Bradford Mackie's “The Lightin' Time” and Eli Shepherd with “ Planta-
Washingtonians,” in which Lincoln and his wife tion Songs for My Lady's Banjo” have made
as well as Horace Greeley appear.
contributions to dialect verse.“ Beowulf," by
" The Tempting of Father Anthony,” by George Samuel Harden Church, is something more than a
Horton, tells of modern Greece.
paraphrase. Charles G. Blanden's “Omar Resung"
Miss Wilkins, in “The Portion of Labor," and is based upon Huntley McCarthy's and not Fitz-
Sarah P. McL. Greene in her “ Floodtide,” are gerald's version of the Rubaiyat. There are
concerned with New England ; and the scene of ten new poems in Louise Chandler Moulton's
Basil King's divorce story, “Let no man put “ Swallow Flights." Edwin Markham has pub-
asunder,” is Boston. Two political novels bring lished “Lincoln, and other Poems"; and Gelett
before their readers the mysteries of Tammany Burgess, of “ Purple Cloud” fame, “A Gage of
Hall. These are “ The Victors," by Robert Barr, Youth”-lyrics from “ The Lark" and other poems.
and “J. Devlin, Boss,” by Francis Churchill James Easby Smith's “ Songs of Alcæus," con-
Williams. The politics of the West are described sisting of a memoir, text, and notes, besides the
in Walter Bart's “Shacklett.” Hermann K. verse translations, is a scholarly volume by the
Viele's “Last of the Knickerbockers" and Ellen author of the “ Songs of Sappho.” An ambitious
Olney Kirk's “Our Lady Vanity” are studies of and scarcely commendable work is Mr. William
New York society ; “The New Americans,” by Turk of Chicago's “ Completion of Coleridge's
Alfred Hodder, supplies a realistic but unpleasant • Christabel.'” Rodney Blake has edited a collec-
view of the influence of women and their methods. tion called “Hasty Pudding Poems," and Myron
“ The Wage of Character," which is concerned with T. Pritchard has made a compilation of the “Poetry
New York and Washington, may be described as of Niagara.” A history of American verse has
semi-political. “Amos Judd,” by John A. Mitchell, been written by James L. Onderdonck.
is a mystical romance of some power. Miss Eliza Neither is there much to say about scientific
G. Jordan's “ Tales of the Cloister" are pitched in works, though we have to record the publication
quieter key," as also is Anna Fuller's “Katherine of the results of the great Alaskan expedition
Day." Nath. Stephenson's “They That Took the conducted by E. H. Harriman, who took with
Sword” tells of Cincinnati in '62. Of notable him to the far North-West twenty-five scientists,
books depicting life outside the towns may be three artists, and two photographers. The
mentioned Melville Dawson Post's “Dwellers in narrative is by J. Burroughs ; whilst John Muir
the Hills,” a story of the West Virginia hill cattle- writes on “Glaciers,” Dr. G. B. Grinnell on “Forest
country ; Ralph Connor's “The Man from Glen- and Stream," Chas. Keeler, the Californian authority,
garry,” dealing with the lumbermen of the great on “ Birds,” and William Healy Dall on the
North land ; and “Calumet K," the romance of “History of the Country.” The editing and
a grain-elevator. Among other novels which illustrating of this magnificent collection was
attracted attention were “ King Midas,” by Upton undertaken by Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Dr. L. 0.
Sinclair, a new writer ; Anna Katherine Green's Howard has produced a readable but thoroughly
detective story, “ One of my Sons”; “ The Potter scientific book on “Mosquitoes”; his popular but
and the Clay,” by Maud Howard Peterson ; and authoritative “ Insect Book " treats of more than
“ Margaret Warrener,” by Alice Brown. John 135 families. Clara Morris Weed's “ Nature Bio-
Kendrick Bangs added to the gaiety of nations graphies” contains some new observations on
with an account of “Mr, Munchausen's” recent common American insects. R. Osgood Mason's
adventures ; but “A Twentieth Century Boy” is “Hypnotism and Suggestion," a moderate book,
## p. 104 (#494) ############################################
104
THE AUTHOR.
cites from experience gained in practice cases of doyen of music in America ; the stage reminiscences
the beneficent use of hypnotism upon children of Clara Morris and Mrs. Gilbert; and going
Books like Seton Thompson's “Lives of the further back in the past, Prof. Alfred C. Downer's
Hunted” and “Wild Animals I have known” work on Frédéric Mistral, the Provençal poet,
have become numerous and popular.
i and Miss Mary Pepper's “Maids and Matrons of
In history and biography we have a much richer New France.” “The Early History of Syria and
record. Mr. H. E. Scudder's sympathetic and well- Palestine,” by Prof. Lewis Bayles Paton, condenses
informed “Life of Lowell” is probably the most the results of modern research in those regions.
important book of the season, and will be acclaimed Prof. W. M. Sloane's “ The French Revolution and
in England by all who realise how much the Religious Reform” is a re-cast of lectures. Everett
literary diplomatist did for the relations between Tomlinson has added yet another to histories of
the two countries. It is supplementary to the the American Revolution.
“ Letters " which were edited some years ago by In Philosophy, we would call attention to the
Prof. Norton, but the author has had access to late Prof. Fiske's “Life Everlasting," and in theo-
further correspondence. Prof. Hart, of Harvard, logy to Dr. A. W. Moore's “Rational Basis of
has completed with the last of his four sections Orthodoxy" and Dr. Levi L. Paine's "The Ethnic
(" The Welding of the Nation, 1845–1900") his Trinities and their Relation to the Christian
very valuable and interesting collection, “ American Trinity.” Under one or other of these categories
History told by Contemporaries.” A “ History of should also be placed Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps Ward's
the American people” by Dr. Fras. Newton Thorpe “Within the Gates.” Prof. Hugo Münsterberg's
is useful for the last twenty-five years. J. Howard “ American Traits," and Dr. Lyman Abbott's
Brown's “ Biographical Dictionary of the United “Rights of Man," seem to belong to the former,
States” approaches its end. “The Views of an under which also perhaps may be classed “The
Ex-President,” edited by Benjamin Harrison's Lore of Cathay ; or, the Intellect of China," with
widow, are interesting, but hardly of the first which the President of the Chinese Imperial
importance. “A Life of Gen. McClellan," by the University at Chicago, Dr. W. A. P. Martin, has
late General Peter S. Michie, has been added to complemented his “Cycle of Cathay." We may
Appleton's “Great Commanders.” The series of add that the international “ Dictionary of Philo-
“Historical Towns of the Western States," edited sophy and Psychology,” which is edited by James
by Lyman P. Powell, for Messrs. Putnam, has Mark Baldwin, Ph.D., is American in plan.
been finished this fall.“ The True Jefferson,” by Under Art all that seems worthy of mention is
Will. Elroy Curtis, follows similar works on covered by W. C. Brownell's “ French Traits," and
Washington, Franklin and Penn. Cyrus Townsend “American Mural Painting,” by Pauline King.
Brady has added a second series of his “ Colonial We may place under the heading of either Law or
Fights and Fighters." “ Whittier as a Politician” Sociology the useful work called Hirsch's “ Tabu-
has been treated through the publication of his lated Digest of the Divorce Laws of the United
letters to Prof. Elizur Wright, and the “ Person- States."
ality of Thoreau” has been illustrated in a similar We must not forget to mention Mr. W. D.
way by Frank B. Sanborn. The late John Howell's “Heroines of Fiction;" John C. Van
Codman's “ Arnold's Expedition to Quebec" tells Dyke's “ The Desert,” the fruit of two years' wander-
the story of the attempt on Quebec in 1775 in a ings in Western America ; Prof. Washburn Hop-
highly interesting manner. “The Spanish Settle- kins's edition of the Mahabharata, “ The Great
ments within the Present Limits of the United Epic of India” ; or Poulteney Bigelow's “The
States, 1531–61,” by Woodbury Lowery, deals Children of the Nations”-an account of colonial
with Mexico in a scholarly spirit. Prof. Browne's experiments based on travel experiences. Among
“Essays in Historical Criticism” contain an notable miscellanea is to be counted Rosa Belle
important paper on the settlement of Oregon, Holt's “Rugs, Oriental and Occidental.”
entitled “ The Legend of Marcus Whitman”; Coming lastly to translations of foreign works,
but the “ Biographical and Other Articles” by exclusive of the classics of the ancient world, we
William C. Todd, President of the New Hants note that William Morton Payne, the American
Hist. Society, though rich in personal experiences, pioneer of Ibsen, has added to his version of the
lack the sense of perspective. General Alger's Life by H. Jaeger an additional chapter made up of
* History of the Spanish-American War” is an renderings of the six most recently produced plays.
apology for his own administration rather than a Helger Drachmaun's love idyll “ Nanna " has been
historical work. “Eugene Field,” by Mason translated from the Danish by Francis P. Browne ;
Thompson, is an intimate study. Among other Jeremiah Austin has presented in “The Argo-
noteworthy biographical volumes are “Memories nauts” a version of the Polish romance of Eliza
of a Musical Life,” by Dr. William Mason, the Orzeszko ; and Maxim Gorky's work has been
## p. 105 (#495) ############################################
THE AUTHOR.
105
introduced to the American public in translations Sir Philip Warwick, who, in the seventeenth
by Isabel F. Hapgood of “ Fomá Gordyéff” and century, gave his name to Warwick Street, and a
“Orloff and His Wife.”
successful rival; for when Lord Southampton died
In conclusion we may remark that the publish in 1667 the duties of Lord High Treasurer were
ing business of the season generally is reported to put in commission, and Sir Philip Warwick, who
be flourishing, and the new system of net prices to had been secretary to Lord Southampton, was not
be working well.
made a commissioner, while the post of secretary
to the commission was filled by Downing. It is
curious, too, that it should be proposed to oust one
name associated with literature and replace it with
THE CHANGING OF STREET NAMES. another. Sir Philip Warwick's “ Memoirs of the
Reign of King Charles I.” are not to be named of
course with Smollett's writings as works of litera-
M HE Daily Chronicle stated the other day that ture, but they are, nevertheless, well known con-
1 Warwick Street, Pall Mall, a cul-de-sac temporary records of the historical events and
which runs out of Cockspur Street, nearly personages of a particularly interesting epoch.
opposite the end of Suffolk Street, is about to be As a matter of fact the projected change has
renamed Smollett Street, its connection with the been under consideration for some little time, and
author of “ Roderick Random ” being apparently Tilt-Yard Street is a name that was suggested but
found in the British Coffee House, which he has been abandoned for the good reason that the
frequented, situated not in Warwick Street but tilt-yard was not at or even very near the site of
in Cockspur Street, between Warwick Street and Warwick Street, but the Daily Chronicle also informs.
Spring Gardens. There are at least six Warwick us that there was at one time a proposal, also since
Streets in the county of London, and no doubt any abandoned, to disguise Warwick Street by renaming
change such as that proposed would be to the con- it “ Kyte Street.” Why “Kyte” Street we are not
venience of the post-office, while it cannot be informed. There was a Kyte once who was a mezzo-
denied that to call a street after a great author is tint engraver of moderate skill, but won more
to some extent a compliment to literature, even conspicuous fame in his day by being sentenced to
though the author's fame is not likely to be the pillory for forging bank-notes. Is this the
materially increased thereby. One of the other gentleman whose name was to supersede that of
Warwick Streets is also in the South Western Warwick, of whom Pepys wrote: “I honour the
Postal District, and no doubt this is the reason man with all my heart, and I think him to be a
why a change has been suggested : but if it be very able and right honest man.” Pepys, by the
granted that one of two streets must be re-named, way, went down Warwick Street to Warwick
need the older, and the one whose name is the House on the 3rd of January, 1665, and found
better known to history, be the one selected for the streete full of footballs, it being a great
alteration ? Warwick Street, Cockspur Street, or frost," and Sir Philip Warwicke with Mr. Coven-
Pall Mall (it is known with both distinctive try walking in St. James's Park. There is a
additions), may not be famous, but it has unques- passage now through a mews into Carlton House
tionably old and honourable associations. Will Terrace which may preserve a trace of the old
anyone claim honourable associations for Warwick egress from Warwick House, but there is no
Street, Pimlico, old or otherwise ?
acknowledged thoroughfare, although there is
It will be observed, moreover, that the link enough traffic to render the roadway unsuitable
between Smollett and Warwick Street is not a for football. Warwick House was the residence
very close one. The street did not contain the of Princess Charlotte of Wales, and is described,
coffee-house, and the coffee-house was only one as regards her period of residence (1813), in the
of many that the author used. Perhaps it was “Autobiography of Miss Knight.” Apparently
his favourite one, but neither when living in the name Little Warwick Street was at one time
Downing Street nor when living in Chelsea can used, for in referring to it Wheatley says, “At
his nearest route to the site of Stanford's well. No. 4, Little Warwick Street, lived General
known map-shop have taken him even past the Conway, the cousin and correspondent of Horace
entrance to Warwick Street, of the existence of which Walpole.” (“ London, Past and Present,” vol. 3,
he may have been almost unconscious. In Downing 452.)
Street Smollett lived in his early days of practice as As regards Warwick Street, therefore, there are
a surgeon in London, but presumably Downing reasons that particularly appeal to men of letters why
Street is not likely to be renamed. It is interesting the name that it has borne for a couple of centuries
however, to note that Downing Street took its name should be retained, and the reasons which apply to
from Sir George Downing, a contemporary of Warwick Street apply to almost every other street
## p. 106 (#496) ############################################
106
THE AUTHOR.
of any antiquity. To rename a street or place is £300 short of expenses. I retorted that I at
to obliterate a landmark. The name may not length appreciated Dr. Johnson's definition of half
have been originally one of very striking appro- profits—"a plan of publication that gave all the
priateness, or with interesting associations attached gains to the publisher and all the glory to the
to it, but the associations have grown and the author.”
inappropriateness has been forgotten. Old build. It was certainly very pleasing to hear that the
ings have been replaced by new ones, but the sites editions thrown off reached the exalted standard
at all events remain. Spring Gardens are not of ten thousand at a time, and that there existed
gardens, Moorgate Street leads to no city gate, a large stock which, when sold, would show a
and Pump Court might commemorate the name of considerable balance. Much stress was laid on
some famous chancellor or jurist, instead of a pump cost of advertising ; but, on asking for a specific
which has been replaced by a water-tap ; but to statement thereof, the request was declined with a
alter the name of spots such as these would obscure superciliousness that made me thoroughly ashamed
their history. It would confuse every reference to of my impertinence.
them in every chronicle of London, and in the I then announced that I was about to venture
contemporary records of lives and events before on the experiment of competing with myself, and
the change. Care should be taken, no doubt, in candidly offered an outline of my scheme. The
naming new streets not to allot to them titles that assembled firm was delighted, and urged me to
are silly, or that will be confused with old ones, put it into operation at once. While assenting to
and there is obvious inconvenience where similar this, I suggested fresh terms, and that the profits
names are liable to be confused. But it is sub- of the successful series should be separate and
mitted to the consideration of the County Council independent. A palaver as usual followed without
(a body which we all know is actuated by no other fruit. Accordingly, I offered to pay all expenses
motive than the desire to benefit London in every of production and to give over the right of
way that lies in its power) that, as a general sale on the usual commission terms. Proposal
principle, where one name has been borne longer rejected with scorn! On approaching one of our
than the other, and particularly where other names largest booksellers, he eagerly closed with the
are interwoven in its history, the claims of the offer, showing me a room amply stored with my
older should prevail, while further it must not be current publications bought by subscription.
thought that the change of a name two hundred On arrival at home, I found a telegram from
years old will be commended simply because it the mystic“ House" alluded to, complying
gives the name of a great man to a blind alley. fully and literally with my terms, and insinuating
The associations that adorn the blind alley may be a subtle suggestion to relieve me of the trouble
lost, while the fame of the great man cannot of printing, &c., at a merely nominal rate of
possibly be increased.
percentage. Of this I took no notice, seeing
E. A. ARMSTRONG. that I had declined their condescending services
altogether.
The new series consisted of seven volumes,
whose complete preparation for the market cost
THE PUBLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL
about £750. In less than a year the sales
recouped the entire expenditure, including stereo
WORKS.
plates, and plus a fair and reasonable solatium in
the shape of net profit. This became a reserve fund
for further ventures of an educational sort, all of
Experiences of a School Book Editor.
which were, more or less, so successful as to vield,
under commission terms, a very handsome addition
[N response to your general hint, I venture, to my income.
I as an ancient school book editor, to furnish Especially with relaxed efforts, hot competition
your readers with a few experiences. As an on all sides naturally reduced my returns year
inspector, I was daily disgusted with the supremacy br year. Nevertheless, I grudged no trading pub-
of the Irish Board series in our elementary schools. lisher the reward of honest rivalry. Assuredly,
I, therefore, set to work to emulate in a fair fight, however, this remark does not apply to public
and, I think, with some success.
societies, largely drawing their capital from volun-
My first effort, through a noted publishing firm, tary contributions certainly not subscribed for the
resulted in a sale of a series of six readers of nearly purpose of destroying or diverting the legitimate
a million volumes in about a year. At harvest channels of commerce.
time I was ingenuous enough to expect a hand- With regard to the vexed question of publishers'
some cheque, but was told that the works were still clandestine profits or unfair trading with authors,
## p. 107 (#497) ############################################
· THE AUTHOR.
107
it may be interesting here to note that the estab- the question of identity, imaginary incidents
lishment of an Authors' Publishing Society was occurring in the life of the fictitious bandmaster
long deliberated by my deceased friends M. might be taken as assertions of hers with regard to
Arnold, T. Hughes, and A. Froude. I presume the bandmaster of fact. Having so far forgotten
the difficulties arising from the irritabile genus at the situation in which she had placed herselt, she
large stood in the way. Of course, it is impos- made the bandmaster in her story, to some extent
sible to predict what, in these days of storm and at least, a musical failure, thus libelling the real
stress, may yet arise from the tricks and manners bandmaster in his calling. The author's bad luck
our departed presidium et dulce decus so bravely did not end with her imprudence of forgetfulness,
exposed; but it is far from hopeful that, in spite for novelists have often escaped without having
of your signs and warnings, authors continue to actions brought against them even by persons
flounder between Scylla and Charybdis.
intentionally satirised. Still, granting that Eliza-
J. S. LAURIE.
beth Godfrey was unlucky, it is safe to assert that
considering that the law of libel is applied by
juries with upsparing hands, and that people do
not as a rule like being “put into books," it is
better to describe types, and not particular indivi-
“REAL PEOPLE” IN FICTION.
duals. Such typical characters may possess features,
which the author wishes to introduce, taken from
• living models, but non-essential features should
T the last summer assize at Winchester a be omitted. The arts of the pen and of the brush
Bournemouth bandmaster won an action are near akin, and illustration from the latter is
for libel against the lady who writes under easy. Suppose, for example, an artist commis-
the name of Elizabeth Godfrey, securing nominal sioned to make comic pictures of sport knows a
damages, and putting a stop to all further sale of man who has the worst possible seat on a horse,
the book complained of, with the usual costs of the and moreover has bushy whiskers, and a crooked
successful litigant. It need hardly be said that nose, wbile he habitually wears an eyeglass
the defendant having to defray her own legal with a black ribbon. The artist may watch his
expenses in addition to the taxed costs of the friend go across country, and come back and pro-
plaintiff will thereby have been mulcted in a duce an admirable series which his unconscious
sum exceeding the probable profits of the unre- model will some day laugh over consumedly.
stricted sale of her novel, and equal to many Suppose, however, that the artist has crowned each
times the compensation awarded to the libelled drawing with the strongly marked features of his
person.
friend, and inserted the eyeglass and black ribbon.
The report of such a case should be read as a Will he have any right to complain if the friend
warning by authors inclined to draw their char- be offended at being held up to ridicule, and vill
acters and scenes from life. Elizabeth Godfrey he not have erred by introducing non-essential
was no doubt a victim of what schoolboys call, or details into a picture where all that was essential
used to call, “hard lines.” She had, we may was the correct drawing of the attitudes adopted
safely assume, no deliberate intention to wound by various portions of a bad rider's anatomy?
the feelings or injure the reputation of Mr. D. The law of libel, as administered by modern
Godfrey. A bandmaster was, however, necessary juries before modern judges in courts to which
for the purposes of her povel, and residing, as she many hesitate to bring more important causes for
did, at Bournemouth, she described one who con- trial, is oppressive and unjust, largely owing to the
ducted a band in precisely the circumstances in huge costs, out of all proportion to the injury done,
which Mr. Godfrey conducted his, giving a recog- to which attention has been called above. But
nisable picture of Bournemouth, and an epigram- apart from libel actions, the introduction of real
matic definition of the “ Winter Garden" in which persons in a recognisable form into books is an
apparently the Bournemouth band habitually unsatisfactory way of losing friends or making
performs. If she ever reflected that her fictitious enemies. Charles Dickens affords a case in point,
bandmaster was recognisable by the friends of a which will occur to everyone. He can hardly have
bandmaster in real life, she probably did not felt that he gained reputation by the introduction
realise how carefully they avd he would read her or apparent introduction of a friend into “ Bleak
novel and apply its incidents. She must clearly House.” Is there anything to show that, in doing
have failed to consider that while circumstances this, Charles Dickens was guilty of anything worse
that apparently were common to the real band than carelessness or forgetfulness? He did not
master and the fictitious one would serve to accen- plan his stories in detail before he wrote them.
tuate the resemblance between them and clinch He probably took Leigh Hunt as a suggestion for
## p. 108 (#498) ############################################
108
THE AUTHOR.
the novelist should observe before he invents, it is
the lively exercise of his invention rather than the
accurate transcript of his observation that we
should admire in his work.
CORRESPONDENCE.
a character, and was amused for a time by develop-
ing and accentuating certain characteristics in his
original, and perhaps adding others which he
thought might well accompany them in fiction,
Then the exigencies of his story demanded that
certain information should be conveyed to certain
persons at a particular moment in the action, and
he made Skimpole do a dishonourable act for a
mercenary motive, regardless of the fact that he
had no original intention of his being other than
a harmless butterfly, and, what was more important,
wholly forgetting that he had started by making
him a recognisable portrait of a person with whom
he and many of his most eager readers were
acquainted.
Modern instances of this semi-accidental unkind-
ness of writers who take a character from life and
forget the inferences, usually wholly unjustifiable,
which may afterwards be drawn by their readers,
could easily be multiplied both from dead and from
living authors. It is a form of unkindness which
lies in the middle between deliberate satire and
wholly accidental injury of the feelings of the
hyper-sensitive. Deliberate satire of individuals
disguised in fiction is more or less obsolete, and
modern methods, coupled with the fear of the law.
courts, render it less biting and effective than it
used to be ; while publishers naturally do not
regard it with favour, although they may not
always be able to detect it before the book is
issued. There is a marked distinction (most people
will readily admit) between deliberately holding an
individual up to ridicule and using an individual
as a type in such a way that he or she is recognised.
At all events, any legal consequences that follow in
the former case can hardly be regarded as unmerited
accidents. On the other hand, few writers of fiction
dealing with crime, or writing humorously, have
published many stories without being accused by
some total stranger of having made him or one of
his friends play the part of a criminal, or of having
otherwise held him up to opprobrium or ridicule.
Almost any writer can multiply instances of this
quite unintentional “ libelling” of foolish persons,
who have eagerly made the cap fit their own heads,
perhaps merely on the strength of their name being
that of the author's character. No one can avoid
occasional offence of this kind, even if he cared to
do so. With regard, however, to those who choose
what we may call the middle course—who draw
characters straight from life to begin with, and
then proceed to invent actions, possibly discredit-
able, for them to perform—these should remember
that a little further exercise of the same invention
may disguise a few of the recognisable but not
indispensable features of the original, without
detracting from the general effect. It may, more-
over, be suggested to them that although admittedly
THE METHOD OF THE FUTURE
DEAR SIR,—In his most interesting and helpful
article (page 75 of the December issue), G. H. T
lays great stress on the advisability of a publisher
confining himself to publishing on commission.
This does not seem to me to be quite fair, and is
certainly not my experience. I have now published
mfany books on this method, thanks to the kind
advice of Sir Walter Besant, our hard-worked
Secretary, and contributors to The Author. I am
convinced that no publisher could have given to
any of his own books more devoted care than has
been bestowed upon mine by my publishers who
are not solely commission publishers.
A s I have myself derived so much profit from
the pages of The Author, I hope I may save much
time and trouble to fellow-workers by giving the
name of my publishers, viz., Messrs. Simpkin,
Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Limited.
VICTOR SPIERS.
King's College, London, W.C.,
December 10th, 1901.
(Ed.—Is it not a fact that the majority of
books produced by this publisher are commission
books !)
THE SOCIETY AND “WHAT'S WHAT.”
SIR, I have read the passages quoted by you in
the December number of The Author from Mr.
Harry Quilter's book “What's What." As a
member of the Society of Authors, I desire strongly
to condemn as untrue the statements made by Mr.
Quilter with regard to the Society and its work.
I have often received from the Secretary valuable
advice, promptly given, and without any expense
to me. I have acted on his advice, and have
received ample proof that his advice is sound and
me
that the Society's work is useful and beneficial.
John HOLT SCHOOLING.
Fotheringhay House, Twickenham,
December 3rd, 1901.
## p. 108 (#499) ############################################
ADVERTISEMENTS.
CHATTO & WINDUS'S NEW BOOKS.
| A
NEW SIX-SHILLING NOVELS.
THE GRAND BABYLON HOTEL. By | THE LADY OF LYNN. By Sir WALTER
ARNOLD BENNETT.
[Jan. 9. BESANT, Author of “The Orange Girl," &c. With
JUDAH PYECROFT, PURITAN. By HARRY 12 Illustrations by G. DEMAIN-HAMMOND.
LINDSAY.
[Jan. 16.
SOWER OF WHEAT. By HAROLD
THE OLD BANK. By WILLIAM WESTALL.
BINDLOSS, Author of " Ainslie's Ju-ju.”
[Shortly.
THE CANKERWORM: being Episodes of a
THE CAT'SPAW. By B. M. CROKER. With 12 Woman's Life. By GEORGE MANVILLE FENN, Author
Illustrations by F. PEGRAM.
[Shortly.
of " Double Cunning," &c.
A STUMBLE BY THE WAY. By L. T.
FIGHT TO A FINISH. By FLORENCE
MEADE.
WARDEN, Author of " Joan, the Curate.”
DUMB. By the Hon. Mrs. WALTER R. D. FORBES,
Author of " A Gentleman."
THE HOUSE ON THE SCAR: a Tale of
South Devon. By BERTHA THOMAS, Author of "In a
DESPAIR'S LAST JOURNEY. By D. CHRISTIE
Cathedral City," &c. SECOND EDITION.
MURRAY, Author of " Joseph's Coat."
THE TRIUMPH OF HILARY BLACH.
THE WEALTH OF MALLERSTANG: an
LAND. By BERTRAM MITFORD, Author of “The
Upland Tale. By ALGERNON GISSING, Author of " A
Gun-runner," &c.
Secret of the North Sea," &c.
THE PURPLE CLOUD. By M. P.SHIEL, Author
THREE MEN OF MARK. By SARAH TYTLER,
of "The Yellow Danger," &c.
Author of “St. Mungo's City,” &c.
THE LOVER'S PROGRESS. Told by Himself, | ONLY A NIGGER. By EDMUND MITCHELL,
and Dedicated “To All who Love.
Anthor of " The Lone Star Rush," &c.
NEW THREE-AND-SIXPENNY BOOKS.
TALES OF A DYING RACE. By ALFRED A. | THE INIMITABLE MRS. MASSINGHAM.
GRACE.
By HERBERT COMPTON.
A BLIND MARRIAGE, &c. By Geo. R. SIMS.
THE FOURTH GENERATION. By Sir
WALTER BESANT.
THE JOY OF LIFE. By EMILE ZOLA. Edited
"AS A WATCH IN THE NIGHT.” By
with an Introduction by ERNEST A. VIZETELLY.
Mrs. CAMPBELL PRAED.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WOMAN. By
TERENCE. By B. M. CROKER. With 6 Illustrations Max O’RELL, Author of " John Bull and his Island,"
by SIDNEY PAGET.
&c. FIFTH EDITION,
NEW SERIES OF TWO-SHILLING NOVELS.
Bound in picture cloth boards, flat backs.
PLOTTERS OF PARIS. By EDMUND MITCHELL. | THE WATERS OF EDERA. By OUIDA.
SPORT AND SPANGLES. By BYRON WEBBER. THE LADY FROM NOWHERE. By
FERGUS HUME.
DORA MYRL, THE LADY DETECTIVE.
IN LONDON'S HEART. By GEORGE R. SIMS.
By McD. BODKIN, K.C.
JOAN. THE CURATE. By FLORENCE WARDEN.
THE RECORDS OF VINCENT TRILL,
ST. KATHERINE'S BY THE TOWER.
OF THE DETECTIVE SERVICE. By DICK
By Sir WALTER BESANT.
DONOVAN
IN Å HOLLOW OF THE HILLS. By
DARK DEEDS. By Dick DONOVAN.
BRET HARTE.
THE ST. MARTIN'S LIBRARY.
POCKET VOLUMES, printed upon fine and very thin paper. Post 8vo, cloth, gilt top, 2s. net each ;
leather, gilt edges, with marker, 3s. net each.
THE CLOISTER AND THE HEARTH., THE DEEMSTER. By HALL CAINE.
By CHARLES READE.
"IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND."
FAMILIAR STUDIES OF MEN AND
By CHARLES READE.
BOOKS. By R. L. STEVENSON.
A VERSAILLES CHRISTMAS-TIDE. By MARY, THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS OF
STUART BOYD. With 53 Illustrations by A. S. BOYD. F'cap
ROBERT BUCHANAN. With Portraits in each Volume.
4to, cloth gilt and gilt top, 6s.
2 vols., crown 8vo, buckram, 12s.
LOVE, COURTSHIP. AND MARRIAGE. By the Rev.
THE CLOISTER AND THE HEARTH. By CHARLES
READE. A New edition, set in handsome type, and Illustrated
E. J. HARDY, Author of " How to be Happy Though Married." by 16 Photogravure and 84 Half-tone Illustrations by MATT B.
Crown 8vo, cloth, 3s. 6d.
HEWERDINE. Small 4to, cloth gilt and gilt top, 10s. 6d. net.
LONDON : CHATTO & WINDUS, 111, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, W.C.
## p. 108 (#500) ############################################
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Printing and Bookbinding.
THE BEST HOUSE
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National Telephones : 28, HOLBORN.
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ESTIMATES FREE. SPECIMENS FORWARDED BY RETURN OF POST.
## p. 108 (#501) ############################################
ADVERTISEMENTS.
vu
LITERARY YEAR BOOK, 1902.
An indispensable work of reference for all who
are concerned in Literature.
Ready in January, 1902. Crown 8vo, Cloth Limp. Price before Publication, 4s. 6d. Net, Post.
Note.—ON PUBLICATION the Price of this Annual will be raised to 5s. Net. [Free.
Edited by Herbert Morrah.
MHE SIXTH ISSUE of “THE LITERARY YEAR-BOOK” will contain a considerable
amount of new matter, the whole of the information collected in previous years being
thoroughly revised and to a large extent re-arranged.
The FIRST PART of the volume will contain an exhaustive Review of the Year 1901, based
upon the plan general in the most valuable works of reference, and conveying, in the form of
an interesting narrative, a complete impression of the literary activities of the period under
notice.
The SECOND PART of - The Literary Year-Book” will contain the usual Directories in
amplified form. A vast amount of fresh information has been collected. The endeavour has
been to cover a wider field than has hitherto been possible, and though, in view of the great
expense and labour involved, a slight advance in price has been found necessary, the book
will be seen to be well worth the sum charged for it.
eme
In PART I.
Information and articles respecting the following subjects will be included :
Agreements. Authorship. Book Sales of 1901. Bookselling. Calendar.
Controversies of 1901. Copyright Cases of 1901. Dramatic Rights.
Events of the Literary Year. Obituary (With Biography of Deceased Authors).
PART II.
Will be greatly enlarged as well as thoroughly revised, and will contain information with
regard to the following :
Agents. American Information (Largely increased).
Artists (With Books illustrated for 1901).
Authors (This important Section will be considerably increased). Books of 1901. Clubs.
Contributors' Guide. Events of 1901. Indexers. Libraries.
Literary Searchers. Pensions. Periodical Publications. Plays.
Publishers, English and Foreign. Royalties. Societies. Typists.
Technical Information. Trade Information.
GEORGE ALLEN, 156, CHARING Cross Road, London.
## p. 108 (#502) ############################################
viii
ADVERTISEMENTS.
SECOND EDITION
OR
LADY FLORENCE DIXIE'S NEW BOOK
READY.
66 The Songs of a Child,”
Dedicated to and containing lines by the 1st LORD LYTTON.
Published for the first time.
Popular Edition, 2s.6d. Edition de Luxe, in white vellum gilt, 7s.6d.
Both contain Coloured Portrait of Author as a Child.
PUBLISHERS :
THE LEADENHALL PRESS, 50, LEADENHALL STREET, E.C.
AND
CHARLES SCRIBNER AND Sons, New YORK.
Extracts from Representative Reviews and Opinions of the Book.
Reviewing this book at some length, a well-known writer and thinker writes :
“As far as inspired Dreamland can ever be restored to me, it has been restored by an afternoon's revel in Songs
by a Child. Again over the dull abyss of intervening years, I found myself chasing the wild bee and gathering
the gowans. ... The most matured and artistic of all her lyrics, Iolanthe and Bereen,' is hardly unworthy
of being compared to Hogg's · Kilmeny'; in conception and execution, in dramatic construction, in deftness of
artistic touch, in melodious cadence, the piece gives evidence, not only of high possibilities, but of actual lyric
and epic accomplishment. ... Although a book by a child, its perusal has given me surcease from adult cark
and care, and some day when I am stricken down in the world's heartless fight, when I feel all effort useless and
all life's prizes illusory, I shall betake me to this book in order that I may feel young again,”-Nov. 30th, 1901.
In a lengthy review “ The Dumfries Standard” says :
“ The whole volume is richer in the promise of poetic greatness than most great poets can show at so early an
age; better than any extract the book itself will be, and for the nobility of its sentiment, for the vein of genuine
poetry that is in it, we have no word too cordial to recommend it.”—Dec. 4th, 1901.
“ Ouida” writes :
"I am much moved by the pathos and beauty of many of your poems. Thanks from my heart for the · Prayer
for the Dogs,' and 'Janet Lees' is lovely. It should be reprinted everywhere and 'Averille.'”-Dec. 3rd, 1901,
Marie Corelli says:
“Your charming book of Poems, which I find very fascinating.”--Dec. 6th, 1901.
“ The Herald of the Golden Age" for December says:
“ This volume of poems contains many gems of thought. There is a freshness and versatility about the book
that is quite unique. There can be no doubt that the author possesses the poetic gift in a most marked degree."
“ The Literary World” of Dec. 30th remarks:
66. Esterelle, or the Lure Witch of the Alpine Glen’ fills fifty-six pages, and contains passages that would do no
discredit to poets of riper age and more mature mind. Pathetic and beautiful thoughts are expressed on every
page.”
Printed by BRADBURY, AGNEW, & Co. LD., and Published by them for THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (INCORPORATED),
at 10, Bouverie Street, London, E.C.
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The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 06 (January 1902)
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<em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 06 (January 1902)
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1902-01-01-The-Author-12-6
publications
The Author