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Title A name given to the resource The Author Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em> Description An account of the resource A digitised run of the Society of Authors' monthly periodical, <em>The Author</em>, 1890<span>–</span>1914, made available together for the first time.<br /><br />Currently users can browse issues and <a href="https://historysoa.com/items/browse?search=&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index&amp;collection=&amp;type=&amp;tags=&amp;exhibit=&amp;date_search_term=&amp;submit_search=Search+For+Items&amp;sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle">indices</a> (not available for all volumes). Full text search for all issues, and other additional search functionality, will be added in 2022. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1890–1914 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The-Author-Issues Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1902-06-01 Volume 12 Issue 11 Pages Page range in volume 213–236 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19020601 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Elu tbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) VOL. XII.-No. 11. JUNE 1, 1902. [PRICE SIXPENCE. PAGE 226 213 226 228 228 CONTENTS. PAGE Notices .... 213 The Reading Branch ... ... ... The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors Authorities ... ... ... From the Committee ... After Sunset 214 ... .. ... *** Book and Play Talk 215 Literary Provluction in England ... Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property ... 210 Two Americans... S... ... ... The Annual Dinner ... 218 William Black: a Biography Patchwork Legislation and Musical Performing Right 219 The Obligations of Art to Trade ... ... Tauchnitz Editions ".. .. ... ... ... ... 221 A Page from a German Publisher's Advertisements Bricks and Mortar ... 223 Romantic Germany... ... General Memoranda ... 225 The Literary Side of President Roosevelt ... Warnings to Dramatic Authors 225 How to Use the Society Correspondence... ... ... ... ... ... 230 :::::: 231 232 232 233 234 235 The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD CURZON ! THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD AVE OF KEDLESTON. THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. BURY, P.C. AUSTIN DOBSON. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. A. W. 2 BECKETT. A. W. DUB0UᎡG. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., J. C. PARKINSON. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. F.R.S. A. W. PINERO. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. D. W. FRESHFIELD. The Right Hon. The LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. BRIGHT, F.R.S THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bait,LL.D. THE Right Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. SYDNEY GRUNDY. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH H. RIDER HAGGARD. E. Rose. CLERE MRS. HARRISON (LUCAS MALET). W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. THOMAS HARDY. OWEN SEAMAN. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. Miss Flora L. SHAW. EDWARD CLODD. JEROME K. JEROME. G. R. SIMs. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. THE Hox. JOHN COLLIER, RUDYARD KIPLING. J. J. STEVENSON. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. PROF. E, RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. FRANCIS STORR. MRS. CRAIGIE. THE RIGHT Hon.W.E. H.LECKY,M.P. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. F. MARION CRAWFORD. | J. M. LELY. | MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. Ilon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. Vice-Chairman -- A. W. À BECKETT. d. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. J. M. LELY. E. Rose. D. W. FRESHFIELD. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. OWEN SEAMAX. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. S.Jitme (FIELI), ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING OFFICES: 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W.  ## p. 212 (#624) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. . TeLTERARY AGENCJA ARRANGEMENTS FOR BAONDO Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 5, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. H. PERRIS. C. F. CAZENOVE. TYPEWRITING COMPANY, Oswald House, Queen Victoria Road, Coventry. Typewriting of every description, from Ninepence per Thousand Words (including good paper). Specimens on application. Unique and Artistic Specimens of Typewriting may be seen at the above Address. Testimonial.-“ Undoubtedly the finest piece of work I have ever seen produced on a Typewriter." " REMINGTON STANDARD" up-to-date Instruments. MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE. 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS (ESTABLISHED 1883.) Authors' MSS. carefully copied from ls. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day or week. French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations supplied. References kindly permitted to Messrs. A. P. Watt & Son. Literary Agents, Hastings House, Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C. N “Sir Henry Ponsonby is commanded by the Queen to e thank Mr. Darlington for a copy of his Handbook." "Nothing better could be wished for." - Britisu WEEKLY. “Far superior to ordinary guides."— LONDON DAILY CHRONICLE.. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. 18. each. Illustrated, with Maps by John BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE WEST KENSINGTON TYPEWRITING AGENCY. SIKES and SIKES, 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith Road, W. ESTABLISHED 1893. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Terms. Phonograph used. Translations. Legal and General Copying. Typewritten Circulars, etc., by Duplicator. LESSONS GIVEN. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. TYPEWRITING. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORFOLK BROADS. BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. MALVERN, HEREFORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. LLANDUDNO, RHYL, BANGOR, CARNARVON, ANGLESEA. CONWAY, COLWYN BAY, BETTWS-Y-COED, SNOW DON, &c. NORWICH, YARMOUTH, LOWESTOFT, AND THE NORFOLK BROADS. Authors' MSS. accurately copied from 8d. per 1,000 words. Experienced in all kinds of scientific and difficult MSS. Reduction for large quantities. MISS CARRINGTON, 27, Kelmscott Road, Clapham, S.W. THE AUTHOR." SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. (ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.] "The best Handbook to London ever issued."-LIVERPOOL DAILY POST. “THE Handbook to London-it very emphatically tops them all." - DAILY GRAPHIC. 4th Edition, Revised, Bs. 60 Ilustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. LONDON AND ENVIRONS. By E. C. Cook and E. T. Cook, M.A. . Front Page *" .. Other Pages ...£4 0 0 ... ... 300 Half of a Page ... ... ... ... 1 10 0 Quarter of a Page ... 0 15 0 Eighth of a Page ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements ... per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion per 2,000 3 0 Tieduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Sir and of 25 per cent. for Twelve Insertions. Advertisements should reach the Office not later than the 20th for insertion in the following month's issue. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Office, 39, Old Queen Street, Storeys Gate, S.WS. Fcap. 8vo. 15. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A Handbook to the leading Hotels throughout the world. Llangollen: DARLINGTON & Co. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & Co., LTD. Railway Bookstalls and all Booksellers. 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., 1s. 64., 2s., and 2s. 60, List, post free, of DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN,  ## p. 213 (#625) ############################################ The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Jonthly.) FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT. VOL. XII.–No. 11. JUNE 1ST, 1902. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. considered unnecessary to print the full list with every issue. Donations ...... ......................£1439 16 6 Subscriptions ...... ..... 111 6 0 The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors has been removed to- 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W. DONATIONS. 1 os . .... .... ... .... 0 6 NOTICES. DOR the opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para. graphs must be taken as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless such is especially stated to be the case. Nov. 9, Dale, Miss ..... Oct. 10, Harrison, Mrs. (Lucas Malet) Oct. 15, Rossi, Miss L. ......... Oct. 25, Potter, M. H. ...... ...... Oct. 30, Stanley, Mrs.. Nov. 21. Balfour. A. ........ Nov. 22. Risley, J.......... .......... Nov. 25. Walker, W. S...... Jan. 24, Church, Prof. R. A. H. ... Jan. 29, Toplis, Miss Grace .......... Feb. 1, Perks, Miss Lily................ Feb. 12, Brown, Miss Prince ......... Feb. 15, Wilkins, W. H. (2nd donation) Feb. 15, S. G. ............... Feb. 17, Hawkins, A. Hope ............ Feb. 19, Burrowes, Miss E. ............ Mch. 16, Reynolds, Mrs. ............... April 28, Wheelright, Miss Ethel...... April 29, Sheldon, Mrs. French, F.R.G.S......... May 5, A Beginner ............... ...... May 20, Nemo ........................ May 20, Dr. A. Rattray 2 11 5 5 0 10 0 12 0 10 0 5 0 5 1 0 2 2 0 4 0 10 1 1 cer BOERNO er er 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 THE 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 me Author are cases that have come before the notice or to the knowledge of the Secretary of the d that those members of the Society who desire to have the names of the publishers concerned can obtain them on application. ........ 0 1 2 0 5 1 0 5 0 (0) 0 0 M ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY Nov. 25, Vaux, P. . OF AUTHORS. Nov. 25, Lambe, Lawrence ........ Jan. 17, Prelooker, J. .......... Jan. 20, Nickolls, F. C. .......... HE following is the total of donations and Jan. 22, Carey, Miss R. Nouchette ... subscriptions promised or received up to Mch. 20, Beeching, Rev. H. C. ...... the present date. Mch. 25, Stroud, F. ... Further sums will be acknowledged from month Apr. 9, Kitcat, Mrs. ..... to month as they come to hand. It has been May 1, Heatley, Richard Y........ Vol. XII. 1 1 1 1 0 5 0 5 1 1 0 5 0 10 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 (0) 0  ## p. 214 (#626) ############################################ 214 THE AUTHOR. FROM THE COMMITTEE. Ta meeting of the Committee held on Monday, | May 12th, it was decided to close the office of the Society on Saturday, June 28th- the Saturday following the Coronation holidays. The sanction of the editors has been in many cases obtained to the form and substance of the insertion, and where this is the case a note to that effect has been appended. Three hundred copies of the revised edition have been printed, and are now for sale at the offices of the Society. The price is 6d. a cops. As the pamphlet cannot fail to be of use to all those who contribute to magazines, the Committee trust there will be no difficulty in disposing of this number. Canadian Copyright. THE Committee consider that the time has now arrived to make a full statement of their action with regard to Canadian copyright. They take this step as there appears to be mis- understanding of their position by certain trade associations in Canada which are not in sympathy with certain aspects of the Imperial view of the copyright question. Since the refusal of the Canadian Government to collect the royalties under the Foreign Reprints Act, and since the passing of the Canadian Act of 1900, an Act which gives to the Canadian pub- lisher security of contract when trading with the English author, the Committee have advocated no alteration in the status quo. It was in order to place before the Canadian authorities the views of the Committee, and in order to throw the weight of the Society's in- fluence on the side of a just and liberal policy, as opposed to the narrow trade issue of a printing clause, that the Committee sent Mr. Thring, the Secretary of the Society, to Canada in 1898. His efforts were advantageously forwarded by Mr. Gilbert Parker, a member of the Authors' Society Committee, and in 1900 an Act was passed which effectually secured those points for which the Committee had been struggling. The Committee desire a free and untrammelled copyright, unbampered by trade restrictions of printing, licensing, and Government-collected royalties. Firstly, for the benefit of Canadians and Canadian literature, and, secondly, for the protection of the property of the authors in the United Kingdom and the Empire at large. To put forward anything else would be in the interests of a system of copyright legislation destructive to international agreement, and analogous to the legislation of the 18th century, prior to the existence of any international agree- ment with regard to copyright. The Work of the Society. Since the last issue of The Author, the Secretary has dealt with ten cases. Of these, five referred to the return of MSS., two were claims for money, one for breach of contract, and two for the rendering of accounts. Of the cases taken up in previous months there are still four unsettled. Of these, three claims are for money due ; but as two are against a bankrupt magazine, it is probable that the authors will obtain nothing. The third case is in course of satisfactory settlement, and a substantial offer has been obtained from the other side. Three of the cases taken in hand during the past month have already terminated in favour of the author. Since the beginning of the year, eighty-nine members and associates have been elected to the Society. The last election registered eleven members and five associates. Besant Memorial. The Besant Memorial now stands as follows :- Up to the end of February subscrip- tions were received, according to the long list already issued, amounting to. £293 4 0 During the months of March, April, and May the subscriptions received amounted to . . . . . 31 11 6 Total ... £324 15 6 Subscriptions received during March and April. Anonymous . . . . . £1 1 0 Champneys, Basil . “ Colonia,” Natal, S. Africa 1 1 0 Fife Cookson, Lt.-Col. F. C. 1 1 0 Gunter, Lt.-Col. E. A. . 0 10 0 Harding, Capt. Claud, R.N. 1 0 0 Hurry, A. . . 0 10 6 Keary, C. F. (amount not to be men- tioned) Kinns, The Rev. Samuel, D.D. . . . ā 0 Magazines and Contributors. THE inset in the January number of The Author, entitled “Periodicals and their contri. butors," has been considerably enlarged and republished by order of the Committee.  ## p. 215 (#627) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 215 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · . · · er oororo . . · . · · . . · . · . · Millais, J. G. • 1 ( 0) expects to get it finished in preliminary form, and Quiller Couch, Miss M. 0 5 0 the first pripting done, sometime in June. It will Sterry, J. Ashby . 1 1 0 then undergo two different revisions -one for each Temple, Lieut.-Col. R. C. 1 1 0 number as it comes out, and the other before it Underdown, Miss E. 0 - 0 finally appears in book form. Lockyer, Sir T. Norman 2 2 A translation of " Eleanor” is appearing as the Beale, Miss Mary . 0 2 feuilleton in the Giornale d'Italia. It is at Bolam, Rev. C. E. . 0 5 0 present uncertain when the dramatised version of Egbert, Henry . . 0 5 0 * Eleanor” will be produced. 16 Floone" willen Eccles, Miss O'Connor 1 1 0 Mr. Arthur Morrison's new novel, “ The Hole in Darwin, Francis . 1 1 0 the Wall,” is to be published in the autumn. by Campbell-Montgomery, Miss F. F. 1. 1 0 Messrs. Methuen & Co., and in America by Medlecott, Cecil 0 10 6 Maclure, Phillips & Co. It is a story of London Saxby, Mrs. . 1 1 0 life. The scene is laid in Wapping and Ratcliff Caine, T. H. Hall . 10 0 0 Highway, with the docks and river, about thirty- Marris, Miss Murrell 0 5 0 five years ago, when that neighbourhood was one of S. B. 0 5 0 the most picturesque in the world, despite its squalor. Bloomfield, J. H. . 1 0 0 F. 0. B. (Coventry). “ Fuel of 0 5 0 Fire," Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Seton-Karr, H. W.. 1 0 0 Fowler's new novel, is to be published in book Heriot, Cheyne ( 5 0 form at 6s. next October, by Messrs. Hodder and Charley, Sir W. T., . 1 1 0 Stoughton. Mr. Louis Zangwill has been working at a long novel entitled “One's Womenkind,” which will BOOK AND PLAY TALK, probably be published in the autuin. There is a strong article in the May number of The New Liberal Review by Mr. I, Zangwill under “ CYEVEN Years' Legislation " is the title given the title “ Why Jews Succeed.” He begins by O by Mr. J. M. Lely to the just published saying, “I welcome the task of answering this supplemental and fourteenth volume of the question, Why Jews Succeed, if only for the fifth edition of “ Chitty's Statutes of Practical opportunity of explaining that they do not.” Utility” (Sweet & Maxwell, Limited ; Stevens & Sons, Limited). It contains more than two hundred Mr. John Huntly Skrine, Warden of Glenalmond, and author of "A Memory of Edward Thring," Acts, from 1895 to 1901, both inclusive. “Joan the Maid,” etc., etc., has just published a The Acts selected and annotated include the volume entitled “Pastor Agnorum : A School- Friendly Societies Act, 1896 ; the Workmen's master's Afterthoughts” (Longmans, 58. net). Compensation Acts of 1897 and 1900 ; the Bene- fices Act, the Criminal Evidence Act, and the Mr. Foster Fraser's new work, “ The Real Vaccination Act of 1898; the London Govern- Siberia,” has just been published by Messrs. ment Act of 1899; the Commonwealth of Australia Cassell & Co. It contains eighty-seven illustra- Constitution Act : the Companies Act, and the tions from photographs. Agricultural Holdings Act of 1900 ; and the Civil The serial rights of Mr. G. S. Layard's novel. List Act of 1901. The work is a consolidation, "Rupert the Mummer," have been purchased by with additional notes up to date, of the seven Messrs. Pearson. annual issues which followed the publication of the Miss Jetta S. Wolff, author of “Les Français fiſth edition in 1894. en Ménage,” “Les Français en Voyage," etc., etc., In the Preface attention is drawn to the curious and of the recently-published novel, “No Place facts that the Ballot Act and about 100 other Acts for Her," has just brought out a third volume of are still temporary only; and that our twice- the series illustrative of French life and language. revised Statute Book still treats Calais as part of It gives a succession of scenes from child-life in England, still consigns perjurers to the pillory (to France, under the title “Français pour les tous- which they are to have both their ears pailed), and petits.” Like the preceding volumes, it is Sunday traders to the stocks; and is still in admirably illustrated by Mr. W. Foster (Edward various other ways strangely in conflict with Arnold, is.). modern legislative views. Miss Rosa Nouchette Carey's new novel is to be Mrs. Humphry Ward is still at work on her new published in the autumn by Messrs. Macmillan. novel, “ Lady Rose's Daughter,” which has begun The same publishers have just issued a sixpenny to appear in Harper's this month. Mrs. Ward edition of Miss Carey's first novel, “ Nettie's  ## p. 216 (#628) ############################################ 216 THE AUTHOR. ixpenny seringillan, and added een purchased by Memories.” It has been abridged by Miss H. M. Queen,” published by Mr. Edward Arnold, bas Burnside, the poetess. just been produced by Messrs. Appleton & Co. in “ Other People's Lives," another of Miss Carey's America. The New York Press have given it novels, which was formerly in the hands of Messrs. good reviews. Hodder & Stoughton, has been p:irchased by In a recent interview (" The Young Man ") Dr. Messrs. Macmillan, and added to the three-and- Garnett speaks hopefully of the literary future. sixpenny series of Miss Carey's works. He does not think that there is any decline in the In her new novel, “ The Blood Tax: A Military proportion of students of the best literature. The Romance,” Dorothea Gerard deals with the spread of culture is preparing the taste of the question of conscription. The authoress, whose people for something better, and the demand for real name is Madame Longard de Longgarde, is higher quality will produce those capable of satisfs- the wife of an Austrian officer, and as such she ing the demand. The writers of to-day are paving has had special opportunities of studying the opportunities of studying the the way for the approach of a grander and more various Continental military systems at close brilliant literature than has hitherto been known. quarters. Messrs. Hutchinson & Co. are the Miss Mary Cholmondeley has nearly completed publishers. a new novel. Miss Cholmondeley is a most pains- - “ The Night Side of London," by Mr. Robert taking writer, every sentence being carefully Machray, consists of a series of sketches describing weighed, and if necessary rewritten. London night life, and it is illustrated with about The first edition of Mr. Aylmer Maude's book, a hundred original pictures by Tom Browne, “Tolstoy and His Problems," has been out of print R.I., R.B.A. for some time. A second and cheaper edition will This book has been in preparation for more shortly be issued by Mr. Grant Richards. than a year, and is a faithful record by pen and Mr. Richard Whiteing has written an introduc- pencil of things seen in London at night during tion for the new edition of “ No. 5, John Street," 1901—2. There is an édition de lure at one which Mr. Grant Richards is issuing as the first guinea. The price of the popular edition - the volume of a new three-and-sixpenny series of first impression consists of 10,000 copies—is 6s. select novels. The volume has been re-set from Mr. John Macqueen is the English publisher, and fresh type. Messrs. Lippincott are publishing it in America. We must not expect to see any drama from the Mr. Robert Cromie has published, through pen of Mr. Sydney Grundy produced this season. Messrs. Digby, Long & Co., a romance called “Pilkerton's Peerage” will be withdrawn at the “ A New Messiah.” The story is crowded with Garrick on June 6th. Mr. Arthur Bourchier will exciting incidents. Mr. Cromie is known as the produce a new comedy by Mrs. Craigie and Mr. author of “The Crack of Doom,”. “Kitty's Murray Carson, called “ The Bishop's Move." Victoria Cross,” “A Plunge into Space,” etc., etc. Early in October Messrs. Marlborough & Co. will publish a companion or supplement to Eastern guide-books, entitled, “Hints for Travellers in the LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL Near East.” It is written by Mr. E. A. Reynolds- PROPERTY. Ball, and it will contain all kinds of practical advice, hints, maxims, wrinkles (exploring, sport- Reduction of Postage on Authors' MSS. ing, medical, etc.), likely to be of use to those travelling in Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Egypt, CANADIAN, writing from the standpoint of Palestine, Greece, Malta, Cyprus and the Levant. a patriot and an Imperialist, brought forward “Horrors at Holmlands," by J. Harris Brig. this question in The Author—the question of reduced postage on MSS. From other motives house, a member of our Society, is a short, the American Authors' Society has prepared and exciting tale in pamphlet form. The mysteries brought forward a Bill before Congress. It has been have, we understand, a scientific solution. introduced by the Hon. Amos J. Cumming, and Mr. Hamilton Aïdė's new volume is a collection referred to the Committee on Post Offices and Post of seven little plays, called “We are Seven : Half Roads. Hours on the Stage, Grave and Gay.” One of The American Author says : these little pieces has been acted by Madame “ Perhaps there is nothing in which writers are so uni- Sarah Bernhardt; another has been played by versally interested as in this movement. The lengthening Mrs. Kendal, and another by Madame Modjeska. of the duration of copyright appeals only to the few who Mr. John Murray is the publisher. have been long in the field, and who tind the period of forty-two years insufficient for the full realisation of profit Miss Theodora Wilson - Wilson's “ T'Bacca from their classic productions, and to those who hope their  ## p. 217 (#629) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 217 efforts may live to be classic for the benefit of their the very essence of this case, that has been con- descendants. stantly brought before the members of the Society “ It is the young writer particularly who sees the fruit of : his toil eaten up, often before it is earned, by the amount in other forms and with a bearing on other matters. which he must expend for the frequent trips to be made It is essential in the publication of a book, in the by his manuscript before it reaches favourable consider. publication of an article in a magazine, in an ation, and is returned accompanied by the printed arrangement between an author and agent, in all reproduction. in the arguments in favour of the Bill are many, and it matters of business, to have a precise contract is difficult to think of any reasonable cause for opposition. clearly defined and clearly expressed. Fully half The postal revenues are large, and but for extensively the disputes that arise are due to this lack of subsidised star routes and many abuses of second-rate finality, matter, which might easily be remedied, there would be a . "M Mr. Heinemann, in the article he wrote for The namonn in the in considerable surplus revenue. " The question has been asked, How could the privilege Author some months ago with regard to agents, once granted be safeguarded ? said that the work done by an agent could be “ That a law may be violated is no reason why it should settled as easily by a solicitor. This statement we fail of enactment. The regulations of the Post Office Department now provide for the examination of all mail have grave reasons for doubting. Many contracts matter not sealed, and it would be easy, if necessary, to have come to the office settled by the ordinary formulate additional rules to prevent letter writers availing solicitor which were by no means final. There themselves of manuscript privileges; then, too, a severe were many omissions which might give rise to penalty would act as a deterrent. “ When accompanied by proof manuscripts are now difficulties and quarrels owing to the solicitor's carried at third-class rates—why not when alone ? ignorance of the technical side of copyright law "His manuscript is the author's merchandise. Why and publishing contracts. should he be discriminated against when all other mer Mr. Longman, at the same time, suggested that chandise goes for third-class rates ? England has seen her way clear to make this reduction, and many other foreign agents were useful in that they took away the countries have followed suit. They have been able to business part of the contract from the author, and prevent its abuse-why not the United States ? thus enabled the author and the publisher to meet . “Manuscript can be sent to, or returned from, publishers together on more friendly grounds, to discuss in foreign countries at third-class rates, why should it cost other questions dealing with the publication of more to send them from Dobbs Ferry to New York, or from point to point in the city? To send ten ounces of the book. manuscript to a publisher in England costs five cents. To We are inclined to agree with Mr. Longman. send it to one in Twenty-third Street costs twenty cents. Many authors go to publishers because they ** An author must pay two postages on every manuscript know them personally. in to carry it to a publisher and bring it back if rejected, and this process is ordinarily repeated many times before the Some sort of contract is entered into either by final resting place is reached. On the other hand, the dry word of mouth or contained in a series of letters. goods stores deliver small packages of goods which are The exact terms are obscure, misty, and indefinite. The exact terms are obscure misty and handled but once, and pay but once, one cent for every Thors or omissions about which the author There are omissions about which the author two ounces. In the interests of fair play and justice, the change should be made, and now, knows nothing. He does not take advice, he is • Every one interested should unite with the Society in dealing with a friend. Even on some points that its effort for the benefit of the craft, and promptly impor- are clearly antagonistic to his interest he is silent. tune his, or her, representative in Congress to carry the Why? fe is dealing with a friend. measure through at this session." The result is often disastrous. The author, Whatever motive prompts those who are agitating perhaps, is dissatisfied on some minor question, and in this cause, this point is clear, that the greater finds that the contract is ill expressed. He loses facilities given to authors throughout the world faith in his friend's honesty, when as a matter for the transport of their MSS., the greater will be of fact with a little business precision at the the benefit to those who live by their pen. commencement everything might have been “ His MS. is the author's merchandise.” Cheap clear. transport of merchandise must benefit the producer. Something beyond mere honesty is desired on both sides in order to avoid disputes, namely, that everything should be settled on a business footing by those who understand the business. The Contracts. publisher, the editor, and the agent as a rule THE case of Fitzgerald 2. Newnes was decided understand the business, when, probably, the in the Courts at the end of April, and judgment author does not. The moral from the author's was given for the defendants. point of view is clear- There were many points in dispute bearing on (1). Have a thoroughly sound contract. literary property and the work of literary pro- (2). Hare some one who is thoroughly versed in ducers. These were fully set forth and discussed dealing with literary property to advise you on the in the judgment. There is one point, however, contract.  ## p. 218 (#630) ############################################ 218 TJIE AUTHOR. Nett Prices. we do, where should we be, without the Society ? An article from the pen of Mr. Maclehose, of The chairman pointed out, with a passing gibe at Glasgow, on the above subject, was printed in the Academy of Letters, that, with the exception The Author of November, 1901. The American of the body he represented that evening, literature standpoint has been ably treated by Mr. Charles had no corporate existence. Time was when the Scribner, President of the American Publishers' individual author stood absolutely alone—a shorn Association. lamb exposed to the untempered wind. After a The American Author has had several interesting rapid and comprehensive review of the work of articles on the same subject, dealing with the the Society (in which he hinted that the com- methods employed in America for enforcing the mittee were not infrequently expected to perform system, and the success which has attended those impossibilities), he laid some stress upon the methods. To all authors, of whatever nationality, improved position to which this much-abused the welfare of the Booksellers—those who put their body had now attained. Serene in conscious merit, wares before the public is a matter of primary it could now afford to disregard insulting para- importance, and both in England and America graphs. It continued to fight—so long as it the nett system appears to have worked with existed it would continue to fight; but it was satisfactory results. noticeable that it could now afford to fight, so to speak, with more urbanity than before. It had no intention of relaxing its efforts in the cause of authors' rights, but certainly in the relations between author and publisher matters were now THE ANNUAL DINNER. more harmonious than they used to be. We understood Mr. Hawkins to say at this point that COME two hundred members and guests of the when he died the words “Canadian Copyright " D Society met together at the Hôtel Cecil on would be found engraved upon his heart. April 30 for the double purpose of discussing an The Committee, he complained once more, did excellent dinner, and of listening to some very their best, but could not always give satisfaction. admirably expressed after-dinner oratory. In fact, They were asked not only to shut the stable door the speeches were distinctly above the average. after the horse had been stolen, but even to Post-prandial eloquence is not commonly held to recover the steed and restore it to its careless be an English characteristic, but the Society of owner. What the committee really liked, he Authors is exceptionally fortunate in possessing explained, was a good, hard, dry point of law. in Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins a master of On such they had always hitherto scored successes. polished phrase who, whether he has anything of Mr. Hawkins concluded a very interesting speech importance to say or not, always says it in the with an eloquent appeal on behalf of the Pension best possible manner ; while it would be difficult Fund. to find in any country speakers more agreeably The composite toast of “Literature and the fluent and incisive than Mr. W. L. Courtney, Mr. Drama” was allotted to Mr. W. L. Courtney, who Pett Ridge, and Captain Marshall. opened by observing that cynics might say the After the customary loyal toasts, Mr. Hawkins two were strangers. However pleasant they might rose to explain his position in the chair and to sound in conjunction, it was rare to find them propose the health of the Society. We gathered comfortably mated in real life. In favour of that the committee of management, finding itself “Pilkerton's Peerage” he made a gracious excep- happy in the possession of an ideal chairman, had tion. Many flashes of epigram and paradox skilfully contrived a jesolution that the director decorated the remarks of the eminent critic who of its own councils for the time being should proposed this toast. Pessimism, par esemple, “the preside also at the annual dinner. In former occasional solace of age and the perpetual privilege years it had been the custom to pounce upon stray of youth.” He turned out his Pandora's Box of men of eminence-a practice that naturally gave giſts literary and dramatic, and was gratified by rise to envy and all uncharitableness. It was finding Anthony Hope at the bottom thereof. It perhaps a good sign, he modestly explained, that might be a paradox, but he thought literature and the Society felt itself able now to contemplate with the drama did meet, perhaps, in criticism : that is equanimity the selection of so undistinguished a to say, they joined readily enough in abusing the chairman as himself. By an easy transition he critic, as husband and wife, though apt to quarrel, passed on to review the work of the Society, will combine to repel any meddlesome intruder. founded twenty years ago by the eminent novelist Of critics in general he remarked that they and man of letters whose death last year still cast generally agreed upon two things—the very good a shadow over all who were present. What should and the very bad. An Eastern legend was quoted  ## p. 219 (#631) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 219 in support of the proposition that criticism was while besides Mr. Hawkins (chairman) and the one of the oldest of all professions. Adam's first other speakers mentioned above, the list also com. recorded remark (uttered presumably while naming prehended Mr. R. Garnett, Mr. A. Colquhoun, Sir his subjects) is said to have been, “ This is an Joshua Fitch, Mr. S. S. Sprigge, Mr. A. P. Graves, Ass.” The Oriental fable was provocative of much Mr. E. H. Lacon Watson, and Mr. G. Herbert laughter, as was also the story of a certain Thring, secretary. American dramatic critic who proposed that a performance of “Hamlet” which he had just witnessed should be utilised to solve the Shake- PATCHWORK LEGISLATION AND MUSICAL speare-Bacon controversy. “Open the tombs of PERFORMING RIGHT. the two celebrated men,” he wrote, “and see which has turned in his grave.” Mr. Courtney's was per- (Continued.) haps the speech of the evening-excellently turned and full of humorous touches. He coupled with TN striking contrast to the condition of English his toast the names of Mr. Pett Ridge (literature) 1 copyright legislation, with its chaotic and Captain Marshall (drama). jumble of Acts, are the broad and simple The genial humorist who rose in reply affected principles governing French legislation on the to believe that the gentleman who arranged the same subject. toast-list invariably looked round for the least So far back as 1791 the importance of conserving eminent writer present to fill the position he now and protecting the performing right in that occupied. Nevertheless, so great a respect had he country was recognised and comprehensively for a self-confident manner and a sonorous voice dealt with by law, enabling the establishment that he believed, if the toast-master had called of a Society for the collection of royalties and upon him for a song and dance, he would have fees on dramatic works. complied to the best of his ability. As a fact, he This Society was established for the protection spoke at some length, fluently and with plenty of of the author's rights of dramatic performance, fun. Captain Marshall, who followed, delivered and the collection was limited to theatres only. a carefully prepared harangue in delightfully Outside such dramatic performance all frag- polished language. He had the air of reciting a ments of operas, symphonic music, light or classical written speech, which perhaps rather marred the music, dance music, songs, and chansonnettes effect of his deftly-turned periods ; but this was no could be freely sung in public without any doubt an illusion due to his excellent delivery. restriccion. Mr. A. W. à Beckett next proposed the guests There was suitable provision in the law of with extreme cheerfulness, taking occasion to France for their protection, but no effort had been introduce a story of a Highlander, out of compli- made to systematically control the rights of ment, no doubt, to Dr. Robert Farquharson, M.P., performance in musical compositions. who responded. The doctor spoke rapidly and composer could not by himself protect his vivaciously in reply, but so indistinctly that we performing rights, and in addition to that dis- failed to catch any of his remarks except a re-issue ability there was the opposition of publishers to of the time-honoured jest about Daniel in the lions contend against; so that before anything could be den. The health of the chairman was proposed done as regards the formation of a Society, it was by Mr. W. W. Jacobs, who was understood to necessary to obtain some decision from the French express a wish that Mr. A. H. Hawkins would in Tribunals to show that the law of 1791 applied to future confine himself to after-dinner speaking, performing rights of all musical works, whether and give less popular writers a chance. The dramatic or not. chairman returned thanks in a few suitable In 1818 two chansonnette writers were passing phrases, and the meeting slowly dissolved into the a café concert in the Champs Elysées, and catch- adjoining room. ing a few notes of a chansonnette of which they It was a successful evening, perhaps one of the were the authors, they decided to go in and hear it. pleasantest of the annual reunions held under thc The proprietor of the establishment claimed an auspices of the Society, and the speeches, as we admission payment of two francs from each of have indicated, were decidedly above the average. them. “But," said they, “it is our song and we Mr. Hawkins is always an admirable chairman. want to hear it.” “ That does not matter to me,” Among those present we noticed the names of replied the proprietor, “ you must either pay or Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler, “Helen Mathers,” go.” They paid, vowing that the disbursement of “ Rita," Mrs. Alec Tweedie, Mrs. Mona Caird, their four francs should be an expensive affair for Miss May Sinclair, Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, Mrs. R. him in the long run. Connor Leighton, representatives of the fair sex ; One of the song-writers in question, with the  ## p. 220 (#632) ############################################ 220 THE AUTHOR. help of his collaborateur, another composer, and a catalogues, to create agencies and draft out a publisher, discussed the subject from a practical policy of administration capable of enabling the point of view, finally coming to an understanding work of the Society to be efficiently controlled in not to allow their works to be performed in future all its branches, and to secure its extension and at public places without their consent, which continued prosperity. would only be given on payment of a reasonable fee. This control was to extend to every form of The little committee of four obtained two other performing right which up to that time had been adherents, and a campaign was opened by inter unprotected, and to every class of establishment viewing the publishers in order to try and get that had hitherto compiled its programmes free of them to co-operate in the new undertaking. Pro- all restrictions ; to all forms of concerts, music. prietors of public places of entertainment were halls, public balls, musical societies, municipal interviewed in order to feel the ground in that entertainments, circuses, fragments of dramatic direction, and to find out the nature and strength works, and musical works in theatres, in which of the opposition which might bave to be encoun latter establishments the Dramatic Society (up to tered ; and opposition very speedily made itself that time) alone had collected fees. manifest, bitter and uncompromising, both from It was not easy to make it clear to the minds of entertainment managers and publishers. all public caterers that the Society had right on its Nothing daunted, however, the little band of side, and that it was fully justified in charging reformers struggled on, and in the course of the fees for the performance of the works of its years 1848, 1849, and 1850 actions were taken in members. the names of authors and composers against concert Violent opposition continued to be met with on and music hall entrepreneurs for unauthorised all sides, and during the first period of twenty performances. years actions at law were taken in every part of The various Tribunalsin every instance recognised France against concert promoters, proprietors of that the principle of the performing right con- café concerts, and of public balls. Each and all tained in the law of 1791 extended to all works had to be dealt with in turn, but with the result without distinction, whether dramatic or musical. that the Society, whose receipts for the year 1851- Strengthened by these decisions, the little group no 52 amounted to the small sum of 14,000 francs, longer hesitated, but it was not till 1851 that had increased in the year 1861-62 to 115,400 owing to numerous new adherents, they became francs for the year. sufficiently important to think of forming a Society. The opposition of the theatrical managers was At that period, with the exception of one pub- very great, for although they had been in the habit lisher, Colombier, the music trade was stubbornly of paying fees for the dramatic works since 1789, hostile to the Society and the principle of the they could not understand why they should now reservation of the performing right. But in spite be made to pay for the works which had been per- of all opposition, the authors and composers held formed freely at their establishments before 1851. their meetings, drew up rules and regulations, and Many actions had to be taken before this opposition on the 31st of January, 1851, the Société des was finally laid to rest. Auteurs, Compositeurs et Editeurs de Musique, of As a result of the collection of fees at theatres France, was definitely established. by the new Society, authors of dramatic works The new Society had for its object the placing also hastened to become members. in common of the rights of the members. But all these results were not reached without By their adhesion to the rules of the Society, grave difficulties, inside the Society as well as out- the members made over their rights to it; this side of it, for the members had incessantly to was the only possible way to successfully establish encounter and combat the opposition of their a new form of property, and to appoint a Syn- publishers, and it required unceasing labour to dicat (or Board of Directors) having full and bring them little by little to look more favourably exclusive power in itself, or through its power of upon the subject of the reservation of the performing attorney, an agent-general, to authorise or forbid right. the public performance of the works of its mem. It was not till 1854 that the publishers at last bers, and to collect fees in France and abroad. gave way, and seeing that the authors and com- Since the 31st of January, 1851, the Society has posers were determined to control their performing been working regularly. It had from the start to rights, they agreed to become members of the provide for every contingency, to regulate every- Society, thing, to establish catalogues for the formation of The founders of the Society had already foreseen the repertoire, to distribute the fees among the and provided for this contingency, and the statutes inembers, to establish a system for the declaration of the Society admitted the publisher to a share of of works to the Society, to help to form the the revenues ; this explains how it came to be  ## p. 221 (#633) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 221 named the Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers." From year to year the receipts of the Society have steadily increased. The war of 1870–71 only produced a temporary break in the scale of pro- gress, and as figures are more eloquent than words, the best way to summarise the work of the Society will be to give the amounts of its revenue year by year from 1851 to 1900. ANNÉES SOCIALES DE 1851 au 30 Septembre, 1900. TOTAUX DES Recettes brutes. 10 13 Tre Année 1851-52 1852–53 1853–54 1854–55 1855–56 1856–57 1857-58 1858-59 1859—60 1860-61 11 1861--62 12 1862-63 1863-64 14 1864-65 15 1865-66 1866–67 1867-68 18 1868-69 1869–70 18704-71 1871-72 1872–73 23 1873-74 24 1874–75 1875–76 1876–77 1877–78 IIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 14.408 50 24.689 75 28.818 30 40.789 85 51.800 55 64.953 45 71.991 44 96.678 72 107.448 31 115.434 67 129.455 42 148.830 12 170.903 88 200.776 19 246.209 51 294.775 49 384.408 13 360.110 12 376.820 60 203.717 64 325.023 28 412.191 41 462.552 17 505.534 45 531.258 75 562.656 37 600.237 21 It will be seen from the above that it took the Society thirty-five years, from 1851 to 1886, to reach the total collection of 1,000,000 francs in the year—i.e., £40,000 per annum, The Berne Convention coming into force in 1887, agencies were founded in such of the European countries as it was found possible to do so, and within the last fifteen years the Society has more than doubled that first million. The revenue for 1901-2 exceeded 2,500,000 francs, or £100,000 for the year, a truly stupendous result when it is remembered that no capital has been furnished to bring it about. The Society has been from the first to the last self-supporting ; its only capital has been drawn from the fees collected. The enormous revenue of £100,000 per annum would represent the return on an invested capital of £2,000,000 sterling at five per cent. per annum. This magnificent sum may fairly be said to repre- sent at the very least the amount which English authors and composers permit their publishers to throw away annually in England, for there is no doubt that had a similar Society been established in England for the same period as in France, its annual revenue to-day would be equal to if not surpassing that of the French Society. Thanks to their powerful organisation, the Society has been strongly represented at all the International Congresses, and has been able to voice its opinions and make its influence felt to the benefit and the extension of international rights. Its immense revenue is regularly distributed quarterly and pro rata among all its members whose works have been performed in public during that period. A small percentage of the funds is put on one side annually as a pension fund. All members of twenty-five years' standing over sixty years of age are entitled to a pension, and there are now 168 bénéficiaires. There is also a fund for the relief of impecunious members and for medical aid. Since 1851 more than 40,000,000 francs, or over £1,600,000, has been collected, and if the income of this French Society continues to increase at its present rate, it bids fair before very long to exceed the entire revenue of the London publishing trade -an income earned without capital ! ALFRED MOUL. - - - TAUCHNITZ EDITIONS. 16 17 19 20 21 22 1878-79 1879--80 - du 16/3 au 30/9 1880 701.028 74 682.306 89 376.023 46 31 35 |||||||||||||||!! 1880--81 1881-82 1882-83 1883-84 1884-85 · 1885-86 1886-87 1887--88 1888- 1889 -90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893–94 1894—95 1895–96 1896–97 1897--98 1898–99 1899-1900 812.678 02 841.540 86 882.771 74 928.473 33 990.419 08 1.045.386 00 1.057.315 88 1.095.057 29 1.212.735 51 1.228.068 01 1.382.798 94 1.405.614 11 1.518.130 06 1.564.900 18 1.624.883 51 1.694.992 59 1.734.775 73 1.862.160 42 2.017.570 61 2. 234.347 81 N HE prices that authors receive for their books 1 in England from royalties and other methods of payment have, from time to time, been quoted in The Author, and compared with the profits obtained by the publisher. -  ## p. 222 (#634) ############################################ 222 THE AUTHOR. .... ... 1450 Sir Walter Besant has several times tabulated taken as the price paid to the most successful the profits of both parties, taking into account authors. The average price runs between £10 large sales, small sales, large costs of production, and £25. Let us take £20 on which to base our small costs of production. calculations. Though these matters have been exhaustively Marks. dealt with, the questions of authors' other rights in £20 at 21 marks to the £ equals ... 420 America, in translations and in Tauchnitz editions Publisher's profit on the sale of 3,000 have never been tabulated on the same principle. copies The following statement, therefore, may afford Less average amount paid to author... 420 some information to those authors who are selling their rights in the Tauchnitz editions of their Profit to the publisher ... ... 1030 works. Even supposing that a certain amount of this Take the ordinary book of about 80,000 words. sum, say 10 per cent., be taken off for what is This would be produced from the Leipsig house commonly called "publisher's expenses, sundries, in one volume. At the lowest computation, 3,000 &c.," there is still a profit to the publisher of over copies would be printed. The numerous markets twice the amount received by the author. covered by these books must be considered. They Authors should consider the position. circulate in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Take again the same example, only substitute Russia, from China to the North Sea, Egypt, £50 as the amount paid to the author instead of South America, and many other large book-buying £20. The following result is obtained :- countries. If we take, as a basis of calculation, an Marks. edition of 3,000 copies, the number may be safely £50 taking 21 marks to the £ ... 1050 reckoned as a small edition. The cost of production of 3,000 copies, roughly Deducting this from the cost of production, reckoned, amounts to 1,400 marks (the roughness 1,400 marks, the balance in favour of the pub. is in the publisher's favour), and these 3,000 copies lisher is 350 marks, no mean return for the capital are sold to the trade (very few being sent out for invested. review) at the following prices :- It is not likely, however, that the book of an author whose reputation is so large as to be able Mark. Per Cent. to obtain a price of £50 for the Tauchnitz edition, Single copies on credit ... would only sell to the extent of 3,000 copies, or For ready money ... •05 that only 3,000 copies would be printed. For 7 vols, at a time .95 The next case to be considered occurs when an For 100 , „ ... edition of 5,000 copies is printed. For 500 , „ .. .85 Roughly speaking the cost of production is 1,800 marks. This is an excessive calculation, but we The same price rules when francs are paid, the only difference being that between the value of the gladly give the publisher the benefit of the difference. franc and the value of the mark. For instance- Taking the sale price of the book to be the Franc. Per Cent. same as in the former case, Marks. Single copies on credit •50 5,000 copies will sell for... ... 4750 The same for cash.. .25 For 7 copies •20 Deducting the cost of production For 100 , from the sales ... ... ... 1800 For 500 ,, 6 Profit 2950 The average price, however, can be taken at Again reckoning the average price .95 marks, or in francs, 1.20. given to the author for the book 420 An edition of 3,000 copies would therefore Profit to the Publisher ... ... 2530 bring in - Reducing the same to £'s, about £120. 2850 If we take the author's remuneration at £50, Less cost of production ... 1400 the sum will work out as follows :- Marks. Profit ... ... ... 1450 Profit by sale ... 2950 To author of book 1050 The next point is the price that is given to English authors for these rights. £50 may be Profit to the publisher ... 1900 20 .90 ... Marks. ...  ## p. 223 (#635) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 223 Reducing it again to £'s, about £90. of figures, an author with a moderate reputation, One inore example. on the sale of 5,000 copies would obtain half of The cost of production of 10,000 copies is 2,950 marks, or 1,475 marks. These marks turned approximately 2,800 marks. into £'s would amount to £70 58., or between 30. The sale of the 10,000 copies at the average and 4d, a copy royalty on every copy sold ; 3d. price as before, ·95 marks, would bring in 9,500 a copy amounting accurately to £62 108., 4d. marks. a copy to £83 6s. Deduct from this the sum of 1,050 marks paid to In the case of the successful author the profits the author, a profit of 8,450 marks is left to the on the sale of an edition of 10,000 copies would publisher. amount, after the cost of production had been It is necessary now to sum up the question from deducted, to 4,750 marks, or £226—between 5d. the facts displayed in this article. On an edition and 6d. a copy on every copy sold. The royalty of of 3,000 copies, which may be reckoned when the 5d. a copy amounts to £208 68., a royalty of 6d. a huge extent of the Tauchnitz markets are taken copy to £250. into consideration, an average sale for an average As the figures in the cost of production and on the author, the profit to the publisher is 980 marks, sales of the books have been taken slightly in favour and the profit to the author is 420 marks. of the publisher, an author would not be asking by If erery advantage in the figures is given to any means too high a figure if he demanded 3d. the publisher, and every possible expenditure is a copy royalty on the sale of 3,000 copies, 4d. a taken into consideration, the publisher's profit is copy on the sale of 5,000, and 6d. a copy on the twice as large as the author's. Even in the case of sale of 10,000. an exceedingly popular author, and a small edition, The reader should also bear in mind that these the profit to the publisher is not at all unreasonable, figures are worked out on the understanding that when the capital invested is considered. the book is produced as one volume. When a As the editions grow larger, the profits to the novel runs to more than 80,000 words it is usually publisher also grow in proportion, for it is quite produced in two volumes, and the profit is propor- the exception that a royalty is ever paid to an tionately increased. It follows, therefore, that the author on this form of issue. At last, when an royalty should be paid on every volume. The fact edition of 10,000 copies is published, the profit to that the firm of Tauchnitz act as their own printers the publisher is 8,450 marks against the sum paid no doubt enables them to put the books on the to the author of 1,050 marks. It follows, there market at a cost smaller than that shown by the fore, that the publisher's profits are to the author's figures printed above. This is a further advantage remuneration in the proportion of 8 to 1. that this firm obtains. After a careful consideration of these figures, it English authors would do well to make a study is clear that some effort should be made by authors of these figures, and to approach the head of the in order that matters may be arranged on a more great firm with a view to obtaining, if possible, equitable basis. some equitable basis on which to found future con- It will afford no small advantage to look at tracts. It is quite possible that Baron Tauchnitz the position from an entirely different point of has never looked at the figures from this point of view. view, and has never had his attention drawn to Take, for instance, the case of the ordinary a comparison between the profits of author and author, who can obtain a sale of 3,000 copies. publisher. According to the figures that have already been put The great reputation of the firm is well known. forward, there would be a profit of 1,450 marks, No doubt if the case is clearly stated, authors will after deducting the cost of production from the find their views favourably considered. amount realised by sales. If the author takes a G. H. T. half-share of these profits he would obtain 725 marks. (It must not be considered that half- profits to the author is essentially a fair return, but it is a good basis on which to build a calcula- BRICKS AND MORTAR. tion.) Seven hundred and twenty-five marks if turned into English money at the rate given above, of twenty-one marks to the £, would W HEN an architect undertakes to work out a work out to £34 10s., or between 2 d. and 3d. a W design for a house it is not sufficient that copy on every copy of the edition. 24d. a copy " he should bring into play his imagination royalty works out to £31 58., 3d. a copy to for the lines of beauty in the scheme of the out- £37 10s. side structure or his technical skill in satisfying If the same principle is applied to the next set the needs and comforts of men in the internal  ## p. 224 (#636) ############################################ 224 THE AUTHOR. development. He needs more than this. He “ royal octavo.” This portion of the book is no needs full knowledge of the different materials doubt one of the most important parts to him who out of which the house is built-of the wood, of would gain full knowledge of the “ bricks and the bricks, of the slates and tiles, of the pipes, of mortar.” the mortar. “Methods of Illustration ” comes next. Nowa. It is quite true that an author, unless he is days illustration in books is distinctly on the publishing on commission, has no call for the increase. It follows then that the maker of books same intricate knowledge of materials, and does should understand some of the methods by which not need to handle the details of structure in the his work is rendered more fascinating to the same intimate way; yet this knowledge, though general public. The days have gone by when the not absolutely essential, may be exceedingly useful. addition of the simplest picture was looked upon It is curious what a lack of information most as a serious and expensive item. Nowadays authors have. They cannot tell what a book costs beautiful and artistic work can be reproduced at a to print, or what kind of type should be used, very moderate rate. The different processes are although in an indefinite kind of way they may here fully explained. know what kind of type they prefer. The same Chapter V. deals with papers. If “ Types and remark applies with equal force to the paper and Margins ” was one of the most important portions, binding. “Papers” is the most important. Upon the An author's answer may well be that the Society quality of the paper depends the longevity of the has at its command all the information that is book. Paper is sold by weight. It sounds a requisite. To a certain extent that answer is simple transaction, but in fact is complicated by justifiable, but the man who can do a thing for technicalities. Paper is of many kinds, of which himself has always more power than the man who the two main classes are machine made and hand has to employ an agent. made. The subdivisions are numerous; the most Detailed information concerning the “bricks important are dealt with. and mortar” that go toward book production has The chapters on “The Sizes of Books" and been collected by Mr. C. T. Jacobi.* He first “Binding" cannot be passed orer. Knowledge of deals with the manuscript, and puts forward some these points is essential. useful suggestions. On this point it is possible that It is doubtful whether there was any need in a the author may need but little assistance. He has book of this kind to deal with “Publishing" and most probably learnt his lesson by bitter experi- “ Copyright." These subjects bear but little on ence, but he may well take to heart the paragraph the questions of the “bricks and mortar," apper- on page 8:- taining to the solicitor's rather than the architect's “ The charges made for corrections are based on department. They are involved and highly the time consumed in making them, and are very technical. To deal with them in these short difficult to check even by an expert." This sub- chapters is impossible, and a mere superficial state- ject has been dealt with exhaustively in The ment is likely to do more harm than good. Author, and with the exception of advertisements, To sum up, there is very little to be said against is the most frequent cause of dispute between the method the author has employed in dealing author and publisher. with his subject. He shows full knowledge; he The next chapter, “ The Index,” is hardly has placed it clearly before the public. The cost satisfactory. To many books no index is neces- of many of the items has not been touched upon sary. But the author who desires to compile an except in a few general statements. This, the only index needs fuller instructions to make the result fault, is a serious one. It is not enough to know reliable. that one paper is good and another bad, or one “Types and Margins.” Those who are dwellers form of illustration more expensive than another. in the printing chapel have a wondrous language The writer who goes so far in his study of of their own. To the ordinary mortal it is as a “bricks and mortar" will certainly demand inore foreign tongue. Let him then, if he thinks of details of finance. This side ought to be dealt turning author, carefully digest these pages. He with in some other issue. will be able to stand the test of the severest The Glossary is instructive. Pages full of type examination and puzzle himself and his hearers by varying in shape and make, leaded and solid, and discussing learnedly about “founts," “ems,” others made up of different samples of paper, com- "ens," "pica," "double pica," “crown,” and plete a treatise really useful and satisfactory to all those—and there should be many—who are interested in the details of the material side of * “Some Notes on Books and Printing," by C, T. Jacobi. Published by the Chiswick Press, Took's Court, Chancery book production. Lane. A. C. B.  ## p. 225 (#637) ############################################ • THE AUTHOR. 225 GENERAL MEMORANDA. STERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property S 1. 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. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (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. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.c., 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 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 AUTITORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA- TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com- petent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 1. DIVERY 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. 226 (#638) ############################################ 226 THE AUTHOR. 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. 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. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send the document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the independence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire- proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers : -(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements an 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. AUTHORITIES. 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. U ITH the assistance of that valuable society, the Association Littéraire et Artistique Internationale, the brass-workers of Paris have been successful in their endeavours to put their designs under the protection of the French copyright law. The protection which this law will now give them is of a very extensive character, and will prevent piracy of designs of every kind. France was and is always in the forefront when it is necessary to protect works of literary or artistic merit. 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 leaders are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. While mentioning the subject of artistic copy- right, it is interesting to call to mind the case of Brittain and Others v. Hanks Bros. & Co., which has recently been decided in the Courts. hos In this case the plaintiff brought an action against the defendants for copying the design of a tin soldier which the plaintiff was selling as a toy for children. After hearing the case the Judge decided that the model had artistic merit, and that therefore, as the plaintiff had complied with the other provisions of the Act, an injunction must be granted. The real position of these cases must depend upon the fact how far the production is a work of NOTICES. THE 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 prodncing 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. 227 (#639) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 227 art. It is quite possible that a tin soldier might Hawkins say to a Society of Orators ? " Well, be as high an artistic production as the statues what would he say? Where is the “fundamental that are set up in the prominent squares of absurdity”? Are all trade and professional com- London. binations absurd ? Where is the analogy ? Oratory is neither a trade nor a profession. And lastly, where is the logic ? A WRITER in the Pall Mall Gazette commented a little bitterly on the statements of our Chairman at the dinner of the Society. "The author,” he says, scoffing at an assertion of An intricate question came before a member of Mr. Hawkins', “was always as free as any other the Society. How should it have been answered ? citizen to consult and instruct a solicitor." True, The details of the case are as follows :- At the desire of a certain wealthy American, a but the writer has not taken the trouble to remember that the Copyright Acts are difficult member of the Society was employed to compile a and involved, and that the dealings with copyright book. A limited number of copies of the book, property are peculiar and technical which was an expensive work, were printed, bound, We have seen agreements for the publication of and delivered in completed form in England. The books and for the performance of plays prepared book was not for publication, but for the private by the family solicitor ; they were interesting use of the American. curiosities. Technical information on a highly A number of copies, amounting in all to 500 or technical subject is essential; this the Society so, had to be forwarded to America, and, under the American Tariff Act, it is necessary to state affords. The number of its Members is a fair proof that its work is appreciated. the value of the book as merchandise. Ought the Secondly, he states, “as the case of Macdonald books to have been valued at their actual cost of v. the National Review showed, the Society had production, or at the probable amount they would bring in if offered for sale in the open market ? been too ready to disturb men as honest as them- The actual wording of the law is that dutiable selves by vexatious litigation.” A man may be honest; he may also be unbusinesslike. The articles " should be appraised at their fair market value.” Society deals with the business side of literary and dramatic effort, and in endeavouring to obtain We believe it has been the custom for pub- lishers to invoice books to America at the cost of proper business methods between editor or publisher and author, is doing good to all three parties. manufacture. In this case, however, there was no Some of the present Members may forget the market value, as the books were for private details of the case. circulation. An author sent an MS. to the National Review. It was set up in type and returned for correction. The author returned the MS. Subequently the A purposed notable feature in the coming St. article was rejected. Louis World's Exposition is an exact reproduction The Judge held that the setting up in type of the birth-homes of two or three of the greater was such a dealing with the article as to constitute English and Scotch writers—littérateurs who are acceptance, and the proprietor had to pay ; that is recognised as “the world's men of letters.” The the rough outline of the facts. suggestion is that exact facsimiles of the buildings This is distinctly not vexatious litigation. The and the chief historic relics they contain shall be editor had merely to write a business letter pointing made. It is proposed that these shall be rebuilt out that the article was not accepted. The author in permanent form, so that they may remain in would then have had the option of withdrawing Forest Park, St. Louis, long after the less stable the article or waiting the editor's pleasure. What portions of the World's Fair have done their did the editor expect the author to conclude? Did duty and disappeared. Recent talk on these sub- he expect him to wait calmly and indefinitely for jects has now become a fact. The Burns' Cottage the editor's decision? Association has been organised in America, with The editor's side is “vexatious litigation,” the John V. Dick as President, and James Muir author's “ vexatious delay"; and the Society's Dixon, Secretary point of view is finality in business as well as The “Auld Clay Buggin," the very humble honesty. The Society's standpoint is justifiable. cottage under the thatch of which Robert Burns The third “Occasional Note” is amusing in its was born on the 25th of January, 1759, is of clay, illogical deduction, “Only let it be remarked that with a sanded front, whitewashed, and was built there is something fundamentally absurd in the mainly by the hands of the poet's father while idea of a Society of Authors. What would Mr. he was working as a gardener for Ferguson of  ## p. 228 (#640) ############################################ 228 THE AUTHOR. LITERARY PRODUCTION IN ENGLAND. Doonholm. The house, as all pilgrims to Ayr know, is one storey high, and consists of a kitchen in one end and a best parlour in the other. In the latter is a fireplace, and, in a niche by its side, is a bed. As to Bobbie, it is the opinion of the old wives of the town that, 66 The bed in which he first began To be that various thing called man,' was in the tiny kitchen. Replicas of the bed and of the other important items in the little white house in Ayr are included in the St. Louis scheme. The co-operation of the leading Burns' Societies and other Scottish associations, both here and in America, has been promised. A suggestion has been made that the replicas of the cottage and relics shall be free gifts from the sons of Scotland -Whether at home or abroad-to St. Louis. Further, if permissible, it is proposed also to build some other historic Scottish structure on the Fair Grounds, as room will be needed for the accumula- tion of Scottish relics that promises to pour in. The Scotch element is strong and influential in American life, and keeps itself in closer relations with the old home than any other foreign strain to be found there. The address of Mr. George F. Parker, the Resi- dent British Representative of the World's Fair, is Sanctuary House, Tothill Street, Westminster, S.W. THE Editor of The Author has asked me to give 1 some statistics relating to the production of books in this country. Books, of all things, are essentially individual entities whose qualitative worth interests more than a quantitative view of them, but despite this obvious disadvantage, it is possible that the following facts concerning books in bulk may have some interest. Moreover, a not inconsiderable proportion of the books may per- haps be regarded more appropriately in bulk than as separate existences. Every year the Publishers' Circular contains an analytical table of the new books published during the preceding year. I have summarised these tables for the last ten years, so as to get a broad fact-base into which are merged the accidental fluctuations of individual years. The following statement contains the essence of these ten years' facts, and it relates only to new books, not to new editions of books. NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED KIxGDOM DURING THE TEN YEARS 1892–1901. Class of Book. Number published. Percentage of each Class, upon the total number published. per cent. 299 16,434 6,269 114 AFTER SUNSET. 9.5 5,206 4,540 8.2 3,572 5:1 1. Novels, tales, and juvenile works. . 2. Educational, classical, and philological . . 3. Theology, sermons, bib- lical, etc. . . . 4. History, biography, etc. . 5. Year-books and serials in volumes . 6. Political and social eco- nomy, trade, etc. . 7. Poetry and the drama . 8. Belles - Lettres, essays, monographs, etc. 9. Arts, sciences, and illus- trated works . . 10. Voyages, travels, geo- i graphical research . 11. Medicine, surgery, etc..! 12. Law, jurisprudence, etc..! 13. Miscellaneous, including pamphlets, not sermons 2,822 2,460 2,38+ 2,294 - - - - 2,056 1,415 895 3.7 2.6 1.6 [Reprinted, by kind permission of the Author, from * Sonnets of this Century,” edited by William Sharp.] V OCAL, yet voiceless, lingering, lambent, white With the wide wings of evening on the fell, The tranquil vale, the enchanted citadel,- Another day swoons to another night. Speak low : from bare Blencathra's purple height The sound o' the gbyll falls furled ; and, loath to go, A continent of cloud its plaited snow Wear's far away athwart a lake of light. Is it the craft of hell that while we lie Enshaded, lulled, beneath Heaven's breezeless sky, The garrulous clangours and assoiled shows Of London's burrowing mazes haunt us yet ? City, forgive me : Mother of joys and woes, Thy shadow is here, and lo ! our eyes are wet. HALL CAINE. - - 4,650 8:53 i Total, new books published, 1892-1901 . . . 54,997 1 100.0 We see that during the last ten years 55,000 new books have been published in England. An average of 5,500 per annum, or, taking 300 working days to the year, eighteen new books per diem without cessation.  ## p. 229 (#641) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 229 the output of new books during the two five-yearly periods was- 1892-1896 ... ... ... 26,059 1897—1901 ... ... ... 28,938 It is impossible to conceive that there has been a demand for this vast supply of new books. I, myself, am responsible for four of these 55,000 books, and only two of the four books have justified their existence. It is not unlikely that à considerable proportion of them-in Class 1, novels, etc., for example-have been published at the authors' expense, without regard to adjusting supply to demand. But although we may not be able to regard this supply of new books as balancing the demand for them, it is not improbable that the foregoing widely-based facts do give a fairly reliable indica- tion of the relative degrees of demand for each class of book. Looking at the facts in this light, we see that novels, etc., make up 30 per cent. of the total number, educational books coming second, and books on theology, etc., third. These three principal classes, merged into one group, supply more than one-half of the total output of new books—their combined share being 50-8 per cent. Of the ten other classes, books of history, biography, etc., lead with 8 per 100 new books published. Books on political and social economy, etc., have a slight lead over poetry and the drama, each of these two classes coming near to 5 per cent. of all new books. Medical books and law books are, as might be expected, the last two classes on the list. Looking at the output of new books in each year of the ten now under survey, without classification of the books published, the facts are as follows :- Total... ... 54,997 This is an increase of nearly 3,000 books, i.e., of 11 per cent., during the later period as compared with the earlier five years, and we may ascertain how this rate of increase compares with the increase in the number of persons who—to use an actuarial term-have been “at risk” of reading the books produced. The use of this technical term is per- haps justified, for although the readers of the books have not read them at the risk of death, they have certainly read some of the new books at the risk of injury to themselves. Taking the population of the United Kingdom as the number of persons at risk of reading the books, the increase in this number from the earlier to the later period was at the rate of under 5 per cent., and this is a smaller rate of growth than the rate of growth of the output of new books. If during 1897—1901 the growth of new books had coincided with the growth of the population during the same period, the number of new books published during 1897—1901 would have been 27,290. But the actual number of new books published during 1897—1901 was 28,938, and thus the actual output exceeded the “expected” output by nearly 1,650 new books. This is not a very large difference between theory and actuality, in the matter of new books published; but it suffices to show that, despite all disturbing causes, the output of new books during the last five years has exceeded the normal expectation. This last point reminds me that the editor of The Author has asked me to make a statement with regard to the output of books at the beginning of the nineteenth century as compared with the output of to-day. I am not able to do this, for 'lack of the facts. But we can go back as far as seventy years ago, thus including the whole of the Victorian era. The following statement shows the average yearly number of new books published in this country during the periods named, and also the average yearly number of new books per million of the population. Year of Publication. Number of new books published. 1892 1893 189+ 189.7 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 4,915 5.129 5.300 5,481 5,23+ 6,24+ 6,008 5,971 5,760 4,955 Total 1892–1901 54,997 After fluctuation during the period 1892-1896, the maximum was reached in the year 1897, when 6,244 new books were published. From 1897 to 1901 there was a continuous decline in the output of books, until in 1901 the number was only slightly in excess of the output in 1892. Reviewers may perhaps have thanked the war for mercies other than the consolidation of the British Empire. Ignoring the fluctuations in individual years, Period. Average Yearly Number of New Books published. Average Yearly Number of New Books published, per million of our population. 1828–1832 1866—1869 1892–1896 1897-1901 1,060 3,220 5,212 5,788 105 13+ 143  ## p. 230 (#642) ############################################ 230 THE AUTHOR. The growth of books bas, we see, largely ex- his death, sprang into fame so long ago as the year ceeded the growth of population. Seventy years 1870, when “ The Heathen Chinee" first captured ago, the yearly output was only 45 new books per the ear of the public, and a mighty peal of laughter million of population. To-day, the yearly output ran rippling from one end of the English-speaking is 143 new books per million of population—a world to the other. Bret Harte never, to our more than three-fold growth in the output of knowledge, wrote a successful long book, but he books per million of population. And this has was a master of the conte, and not until Kipling occurred during the last seventy years. appeared can his supremacy in this line be said to I am tempted to suggest that the vast produc- have ever been seriously assailed. “The Luck of tion of new books which has now been stated Roaring Camp," “ The Outcasts of Poker Flat," would not have occurred if the makers of the “ The Idyll of Red Gulch," may be cited as in- books had pondered the words of the popular stances of his supreme excellence in the difficult Latin poet, written more than 1900 years ago, art of the short story. He combined, perfectly, a whose admirable sense of propriety causes his wonderful pathos, fine descriptions of camp life ancient thought to be a valuable working-maxim and western scenery, vivid and masterly delineation for authors of to-day :- of character, and a humour which was often irre- “Ye authors, choose a subject suited to your sistible. “The Heathen Chinee” may be said to abilities, and long ponder what your strength have been unknown and unappreciated by the is equal to, what it is too weak to support. Anglo-Saxon race until Bret Harte discovered him He who chooses a theme according to his in the rude mining camps of California, labelled powers, will find neither command of language him, and introduced him to the American and nor lucid arrangement fail him. And herein British world. Who that takes up that inimitable lies, unless I deceive myself, the power and picture in verse, even after this long interval of beauty of arrangement ; if a writer says at time from its first appearance in print, can resist once only what ought to be said at once, its trenchant satire and abounding humour ? reserving most points, and omitting them for For thirty years had Bret Harte continued to the present." pour forth tales, poetry, and sketches. It was in- J. HOLT SCHOOLING.. evitable that some of his later work should have lost the freshness and force of his earlier writings; yet the reader will find, even in his last book of stories, published in the very month of his death, TWO AMERICANS. work which showed distinctly that his hand had by no means lost its ancient cunning. He never could forget the scenes and the characters of that strange, EATH has, within these last few weeks,claimed wild Californian life which in his early and im- two notable figures from the ranks of litera- pressive youth laid such a hold upon his imagina- ture. Frank R. Stockton and Bret Harte, tion. In his last book he returns, and returns with whose loss the whole reading public have to lament, success, to the old familiar ground, stakes out his bad long since established their fame. Both claim, and quarries good ore. Bret Harte will died elderly men ; yet neither had retired from live, if only for his “Plain Language from Truthful the great army of active workers ; nor can it be James,” his inimitable “Heathen Chinee," his said that either had outlived his reputation. “ Poker Flat," and "The Luck of Roaring Camp.” Frank Stockton, who died a week or two before We should like to see a good anthology of his his fellow countryman, had never attained quite poems, and a couple of volumes of his best short the world-wide popularity of Bret Harte; nor stories. Upon these his fame would stand assured probably will his writings linger so long in the for many a long day. public mind. Yet he had accomplished much good The death of Bret Harte only serves to accentuate work, and the present generation will still cherish the extraordinary dearth of anything like real in their minds pleasant recollections of “ Rudder humour in the literature of the present day. Is Grange,” and others of his books. That curious this quality to become extinct ? Are the con- little study, “ The Lady or the Tiger,” will, from ditions of life so onerous, so stern, or so re- its very incompleteness, and the problem which it pellent, that humour, always a delicate plant, is leaves to the reader, live, probably, longer than not now to be raised among us? It is a curious any other of Stockton's writings. An admirable problem. Upon the whole, we are inclined to humorist of the quieter sort, Frank Stockton's think that the next decade or two may see a death is sincerely to be regretted. marked revival of this lost art of amusing people, Bret Harte, whose last volume of stories, “On of creating hearty laughter. Just such a revival the Old Trail," was published about the time of took place after the Restoration. Purged, of  ## p. 231 (#643) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 231 course, of its grossness, we could welcome such an author had such a tribute paid to him as was a rejuvenescence of an almost lost art. At present paid to Black by the artists who jointly illustrated we can count our lumorists easily upon the his“Macleod of Dare.” Pettie, Graham, Boughton, fingers of one hand. The sudden rise and success Orchardson, Colin Hunter, MacWhirter, C. E. of Mr. W. W. Jacobs indicates very clearly how Johnson, Aitken, and Thomas Faed, all contributed eagerly the advent of any writer capable of stirring to translate into pictures Black's written words, genuine laughter is welcomed among the publishers. the greatest possible compliment to his descriptive Yet Mr. Jacobs' example seems as yet to attract powers from those best able to judge. few followers into the same field. He also possessed what Sir Wemyss Reid well describes as a “sympathetic insight which enabled him to depict the characters and temperaments of pure and beautiful women in such a manner WILLIAM BLACK. A BIOGRAPHY.* as to command universal assent and appreciation.” The artist's eye and sympathetic insight are, however, most commonly accompanied by a retiring, TROM all those who enjoyed the privilege of almost secretive, disposition, and Black's best intimate friendship with William Black qualities must, therefore, be sought in his own Sir Wemyss Reid's Biography will receive books, and not in books about him ; consequently, a welcome in which there will be no suggestion to say that one is conscious of some chose qui of reserve. His straightforward account of a life manque in Sir Wemyss Reid's life of his friend is, which, without being eventful, was still a full one, perhaps, tantamount to saying that one wishes the will serve as a storehouse of memories for all who book were other than it is. This particular reader participated, however slightly, in it. I cannot help would have preferred a biographical and critical thinking, however, that thosc, like myself, who study to a biography pure and simple, but doubtless never saw Black, but derived a rare pleasure from Sir Wemyss Reid preferred to let Black's work be his work, will be conscious of a certain sense of judged by all upon its merits, and confine himself disappointment when they lay the volume down. to a mere record of his old friend's daily life. It has, it is true, the essential merit of being Black was a member of the Society of Authors interesting, but somehow in Sir Wemyss Reid's from its very early days, and while he did not work the touch of the great portrait painter is identify himself with it in the same way that Sir missing, and the picture does not seem alive. Walter Besant did, it is interesting to seek in this This is not to suggest that it could have been “life” of the one some corroboration of what is to done better by any other hand. I do not, indeed, be found in the “autobiography” of the other, in at all suppose it could, for Black's principal the shape of advice to those of us who are still at characteristic seems to have been an unusual faculty the bottom of the ladder. of detaching himself from the world while he was The first lesson taught in practice by both men at work, and an equally unusual faculty of detaching is that no one should embark upon the struggle himself from his work when that was done; add for life as a man of letters unless he has something to this a reserve amounting almost to austerity, fixed and definite in the way of income to fall back except where his most intimate friends were upon. In Besant's case the something was com- concerned, and it becomes sufficiently obvious that paratively easy to find because of his academic Sir Wemyss Reid's self-imposed task of showing qualifications ; in Black's case it was less easy, the real man would have been beyond the power of because he never had “any systematised education almost any one else to perform. to speak of "—the words are his own—and his The “artistic temperament” is a phrase so youthful work for the Glasgow newspapers was not commonly abused that one is loth to use it in sufficiently remarkable to gain him a journalistic connection with any author for whose works one appointment in London at the outset. He took has great admiration. Of Black it is better, the first post that offered--a clerkship in Birchin perhaps, to say that he had the artist's eye for Lane--and there remained, devoting all his spare nature, and a rarely developed power of reproducing time to the production of copy, until he got his natural beauty through the medium of words. first journalistic appointment on the editorial staff He appropriated the Hebrides as Hardy appro- of The Morning Star. priated “Wessex” and Blackmoor Devonshire, The second lesson taught by both, as it is taught and his fine word-painting was inspired by love by all who succeed in any and every department of the region he described. Seldom, if ever, has of life, is the necessity of work, of unflagging industry and perseverance. Success is only won * By Wemyss Reid (Cassell & Co., Limited, London, that way, and, what is perhaps more important to 1902) remember, it is only kept that way. Sir Wemyss  ## p. 232 (#644) ############################################ 232 THE AUTHOR. Reid makes it plain that although literary work when the publisher waited for the unknown author was congenial to Black-was, indeed, his true to come to him with his manuscript. But of late vocation--it was real and even hard work, during the unknown has so frequently developed under the doing of which everything in the shape of exploitation, and by direct solicitation of the pub. amusement was laid aside, and with which nothing lisher, into a “money-making proposition" of such was allowed to interfere. That is an interesting formidable proportions that there is hardly a pab- part of Sir Wemyss Reid's book in which he lishing house that does not now hunt him out with describes Paston House, and Black's mode of all the resources at its command. Certain fields work—the pains he took over his descriptive pas- are worked with the thoroughness, almost, of a sages, minutely sketched in note-books on the spot; political canvass, and if a given State-say, for the care with wbich he thought out every detail instance, Indiana-has suddenly evolved into a in a chapter before committing it to paper ; the region of great literary activity, it is open to silent seclusion in which he passed the alternate suspicion that it is not because there is any days devoted to the actual task of writing ; and the inherent literary quality in the people of the place severely simple room in which he conjured up the greater than in other States, but that certain firms visions that have charmed so many people since of publishers are “ working the ground.” There are few writers to whom the existence of the creatures of their brain has been more intensely real than it was to William Black ; but men make worlds for themselves only by infinite pains, and Black was no exception to the rule. A PAGE FROM A GERMAN PUBLISHER'S For the rest, it is enough to say that this bio- graphy is characterised by good taste and restraint. ADVERTISEMENTS. It shows the vigour and virility of Black's nature, his scorn of affectation and insincerity, and the reticence and reserve which had been inculcated in Literary Hints for the Wealthy and Cultivated. him as a child. If it fails at all, it fails in reveal- ing to those who did not know the man the lovable A GENTLEMAN does not give his daughter qualities wbich evoked such a friendship as endured a dowry of from five to fifty thousand between Villiam Black and Sir Wemyss Reid pounds and forget to provide her with a himself. book-case. V. E. M. A gentleman does not have a full wine cellar and empty book-shelves. A gentleman does not use eau-de-cologne and THE OBLIGATIONS OF ART TO TRADE. read greasy volumes from a circulating library. A gentleman does not borrow good works which he is in a position to buy. A gentleman does not talk about the latest [TAE following paragraph is taken from an article entitled "Salt and Sincerity,” by Frank Norris, published literature when he is acquainted only with what 1 in the American Critic for May. We print it without has been said of it by the reviewers. comment à propos of the article in the last issue of The A gentleman does not cut books with his fingers, Author, entitled - The Obligations of Art to Trade."- even after having washed his hands. Ev.] A gentleman does not possess a box of carpenter's T present the stimulus to, and even the tools, but no paper-knife. A manner of, production of very much of A gentleman does not receive books for review American fiction is in the hands of the pub- and give them away or sell them without opening lishers. No one not intimately associated with any them. of the larger more important“houses” can have any A gentleman does not make presents only of idea of the influence of the publisher upon latter-day things which are entirely without intellectual fiction. More novels are written-practically-to value. order than the public has any notion of. The pub. A gentleman does not send to his bookseller for lisher again and again picks out the man(one speaks, a parcel of books on approval, and, after having of course, of the younger generation), suggests the read them, return them saying that none of them theme, and exercises in a sense all the functions of suit him. instructor, during the period of composition. In A gentleman does not buy only sixpenny cheap the matter of this “ picking out of the man ” it is editions. rather curious to note a very radical change that A gentleman does not depend for his reading has come about in the last five years. Time was upon the daily journals and illustrated weeklies.  ## p. 233 (#645) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 233 ROMANTIC GERMANY." Romanticism in Germany was the result of a definite movement, or rather, a definite conspiracy, whereas in England the members of the Romantic TROM the point of view of literature, the School worked independently. The Germans were T Romantic movement in Germany may be intimate friends; they worked together, and had summed up in the outworn phrase, “ Much their common art theories and programmes. cry, but little wool.” This, at any rate, is the Novalis and Wackenroder were edited by impression given by the second volume of Dr. Tieck and Friedrich Schlegel ; Arnim married Brandes' great work, and though, as he says in Brentano's sister Bettina — Goethe's Bettina ; conclusion, the School possesses permanent literary Caroline Böhmer was the wife of A. W. Schlegel interest, and compares favourably with equivalent and, later, of Schelling. And in Germany the groups in other lands, he rather discounts this reaction, as a recent critic has shown, was not judgment by observing in his introduction that merely literary: it concerned itself also with religion “ of all that the German Romanticists produced, in Romanticists produced and with the affairs of actual life. Schleiermacher, little will endure-some masterly translations by Friedrich Schlegel, and many others, had decided A. W. Schlegel, a few of Tieck's productions, a theories on the marriage laws, and did not hesitate handful of Hardenberg's and another of Eichen- to reduce them to practice ; Tieck and Wacken- dorff's lyrics, some of Friedrich Schlegel's essays, roder were the apostles of Roman Catholicism, a few of Arnim's and Brentano's smaller works, and Brentano passed six years in ecstatic con- a select number of Hoffmann's tales, and some templation of the stigmata of the nun Catherina very remarkable dramas and tales from the pen Emmerich. One and all were the apostles of of that eccentric but real genius, Heinrich von freedom, though to the majority the word seems Kleist." to have meant nothing but thraldom in the dungeon It is not, perhaps, a very imposing group ; to of their own hallucinations and desires. the present writer, at least, it seems to compare To Lessing, the liberator of German thought, unfavourably with the movement in France which the Romanticists really owed little; as Dr. Brandes could boast such names as Chateaubriand, Hugo, says, Gautier, de Musset, and Baudelaire. One is “The Romanticists could not possibly claim a champion tempted to think, too, that one “St. Agnes' Eve" of reason, pure and simple, as their forerunner, hence they is worth all the terrors that a host of Hoffmanns attempted to characterise the nutritive element in Lessing's could conjure up, and that the “Undine" or the works as mere seasoning, as the salt which preserves from “ Sigurd ” of de la Motte Fouqué, whose heroes, as corruption. They owed far more to Herder.... In Herder Heine wittily said, have the courage of a hundred the new century germinated, as in Lessing the old had come to its close. Herder sets genesis and growth above lions and the sense of two asscs, cut a sorry figure thought and action. To him the true man is not only a beside " Ivanhoe” and “The Talisman." And thinking and moral being, but a portion of nature. ... these impressions are strengthened rather than The man of intuitions is to him the most human.” diminished by a study of Dr. Brandes' book. His aim, as he avows, is “to treat the history of Herder excluded the idea of purpose ; he was literature as humanly as possible, to seize upon the foe of all i posteriori reasoning, and this the remotest innermost psychological movements attitude appealed most powerfully to the Romanti- which prepared for and produced the various cists. Their philosophy of aimlessness is only a literary phenomena." The defect of this method caricature of his theory, but, wretched though it lies in the fact that when it is applied to a seens, it owed its origin to his wide intellectual movement consisting of one or two great writers powers and quick, clear-sighted genius. Indeed, and a swarm of neurotic nonentities, it inevitably from the philosophical standpoint, the history of results in a mode of criticism that is pathological German romanticism is the history of distorted rather than literary. Dr. Brandes has shown us ideas, and a lamentable example of how the the brain-sickness, the neurosis, the feeble intellects theories of genius may be reduced to absurdity and morbidly excitable senses of a great number by the stupid zeal of fanatics. of interesting ladies and gentlemen with such From Goethe the Romanticists derived their wonderful skill that we are almost forced to regard theory of the rights of the free personality. The the literary aspect of these people as that which early works of Goethe and Schiller had been possesses the least iinportance. inspired by the “ Freigeisterei," the antinomian demand for freedom ; both “Götz” and “Die Räuber” are declarations of war against society. • "Main Currents in 19th Century Literature: II. The But the Romanticists' strife against convention Romantic School in Germany," by George Brandes was not for the sake of the rights of humanity, but (Heinemann, 1902). for the rights of the heart; “not against the  ## p. 234 (#646) ############################################ 234 THE AUTHOR. wrongs of life, but against its prose.” And here THE LITERARY SIDE OF PRESIDENT we may discover the secret of that antinomian ROOSEVELT. attitude which the school adopted. They were angry because actual life did not resemble the finer, shadowy existence of their dreams ; they (Reprinted from the “Bulletin of the Society of could not understand that the romantic glamour American Authors.") which they admired so greatly was a purely literary CINCE the days of Thomas Jefferson, no literary man product. D has held the office of chief magistrate until the Goethe, Schiller, Herder, and the philosophy of coming of Theodore Roosevelt, who for twenty years Fichte, with its doctrine of the absolute authority has been a most prolific writer on out-door life and historical of the Ego-these are the great fountain-heads topics. The Times says that Mr. Roosevelt's writing is at its best when it approaches the most nearly to action : from which flowed the so troubled stream of “In his histories and biographies Roosevelt the writer is German romanticism. From these it derived most successful when Roosevelt the man is most completely (with how little real authority from the first two enlisted, and when his subject is of the sort to which his sources !) its defiance of order, its exaltation of multiform activities have been most closely related. They are best, certainly they are most interesting, where they selfish caprice, and its amusingly deliberate aim- are the unconscious representation of the author's mind lessness. These qualities, and the enmity to and character. He misses, for instance, some of the most Hellenism, that it learned froin Hölderlin (for significant phases of the curious and original nature of whom Dr. Brandes, to us, at least, seems to Gouverneur Morris, one of the strongest, most penetrating, and most strangely limited minds in our early or later possess a strangely exalted admiration), may be history, but he grasps firmly and renders clearly the traced in the critical work of A. W. Schlegel, the working of the essential forces that went to the · Winning dreary, ostentatiously naughty “Lucinde ” of his of the West.' These he feels ; he has been in active alliance brother. Tieck's “ William Lovell." Jean Paul's and co-operation with them, and has had to wrestle with them. He has known in personal intimacy the survivors “Titan”; indeed, in almost every work of the and present representatives of the victors in that mighty members of the School, and in most of their lives. struggle, and the men who are developing what their Such qualities, of course, cannot harm a great ancestors or forerunners won. His sympathies are intense artist; Fichte's philosophy finds its most melodious and so is his imagination, but they are also somewhat limited, and his estimate of men and events when his echo in Shelley, and there are not a few who prefer sympathies are not awakened or his imagination kindled Swinburne the antinomian to Mr. Swinburne the is sometimes defective and even unjust. serenader of infancy; but it was the misfortune of “ His essays are models of their kind, and their kind is Germany that her romantic movement possessed an extremely difficult and risky one. They are direct in narrative, clear and succinct in description, well weighed few men of real genius. and convincing in their judgments, moderate in temper Dr. Brandes' second volume is especially remark and simply indispensable to the reader who wishes to study able for the way in which he has attained minute the subjects with which they deal. They reveal directly, historical detail without endangering his usual fine as the histories and biographies reveal indirectly, the mind and character of the writer. They are almost entirely free critical standpoint. Especially interesting are his from the extreme criticism and sweeping theorizing which studies of Wackenroder and of Novalis, with the dis for this hater of mere critics and theorists seem to have a tinction drawn between the instability of the latter fascination that he can resist only when his mind is engaged strange, chaotic genius and Shelley's championship on facts with which he himself has dealt. Of his defects and temptations there are also examples in the essays, of truth. The account of the mysticism of the especially in those that suggest lay sermons, in which the romantic arama, with the " plays within plays O preaching is strikingly inferior to the author's practice." Werner and Kleist, is far more amusing than the His first publication, an historical work, appeared when most fantastic collection of dreams, and the chapter he had been only a year out of Harvard, where he was graduated, in 1880 ; * The Naval War of 1812 ; or, The on Romantic Politicians contains a very interesting mg History of the United States Navy during the Last War criticism of Gentz. But though the book is a with Great Britain," was published in 1882. part of one of the classics of European literature, Mr. Roosevelt's next work, published three years later, one closes it with a sigh. The story of German was entitled “Hunting Trips of a Ranchman ; Sketches of Sport on the Northern Cattle Plains, together with romance is infinitely more pathetic than their most Personal Experiences of Life on a Cattle Ranch." It was tearful volume. One feels that it should have illustrated by A. B. Frost, R. Swain Gifford, J. C. Beard, been published by the Psychical Research Society. Fannie E. Gifford, and Henry Sandham. Still, like all people who possess a deficient sense In 1887 Mr. Roosevelt wrote the "Life of Thomas Hart Benton," and in the following year “ Gouverneur Morris," of humour, the German Romanticists are very both duodecimo volumes published in the “ American amusing. Statesmen " series. In the same year another duodecimo Sr. J. L. volume by him was published by the Putnams under the title “Essays on Practical Politics." It was in the series, “Questions of the Day." His most important work appearing that year, 1888, however, was “Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail," illustrated by Frederick Remington. The first two volunes of the work which has been called  ## p. 235 (#647) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 235 perhaps Mr. Roosevelt's most substantial literary achieve. ment, the-Winning of the West," were issued by the Putnams. The whole work is in five volumes, octavo, with maps. The third volume came out in 1894. Its sub-title is “The Founding of the Trans-Alleghany Commonwealths,” and it deals with the period from 1784 to 1790. In the fourth volume, issued in 1996, he was still engaged with this phase of American development. The volume is " Louisiana and the Northwest, 1791 to 1807." In 1891 Mr. Roosevelt published his “ New York" in the “ Historic Towns," a new edition with a postscript appearing in 1895 ; 232 pages, duodecimo. ..... “ The Wilderness Hunter ; An Account of the Big Game of the United States, and its Chase with Horse, Hound and Rifle," was published in 1893, illustrated by Frost, Beard, Sandham and Remington. Many of the illustrations are not ideal drawings, but studies of animals which Mr. Roosevelt himself killed. In the same year came “ American Big Game Hunting ; the Book of the Boone and Crockett Club." In this Mr. Roosevelt and G. B. Grinnell collaborated in the editing. It is devoted to big game hunting in this country and to questions of forest reservation, different papers having been contributed by various members of the club. An appendix gives a short account of the literature of American big game hunting, a list of forest reservations, etc. * Hunting in Many Lands." also a part of the book of the Boone and Crockett Club, in which Mr. Roosevelt again collaborated with Mr. Grinnell, was published in 1895, and in 1897 still another volume of this club book appeared, from the same editorial hands, entitled “Trail and Camp Fire." Also in 1897, Mr. Roosevelt published “ American Ideals, and other Essays, Social and Political.” Its con- tents are : - American Ideals : True Americanism; The Manly Virtues and Practical Politics : The College Graduate and Public Life ; Phases of State Legislation ; Machine Politics in New York City: Six Years of Civil Service Reform ; Administering the New York Police Force; The Vice-Presidency and the Campaign of 1896 ; How not to Help our Poorer Brother; The Monroe Doctrine ; Wash- ington's Forgotten Maxim ; National Life and Character; Social Evolutions ; Laws of Civilization and Decay." Two years before this Mr. Roosevelt, in conjunction with Serator Lodge, of Massachusetts, had prepared a volume of “ Hero Tales from American History.” In 1899 appeared “The Rough Riders," followed by “ Oliver Cromwell” and “ The Strenuous Life." There may be omissions in this list, which certainly is a remarkable output from a man who has also been soldier and statesman, and is only in his forty-fourth year. It is my practice to write a polite letter of inquiry as to MS. of mine which has been retained by editors for more than six weeks, and, if necessary, a week hence to write again; and they are usually returned within a few days, but never with one word of apology for their retention. Is this politeness? I do not think it fair or reasonable for any editor to retain MS. for longer than a month without first asking the permission of the con- tributor. In social life it would be bad manners. to do otherwise. But editors are a law to themselves. Editors declare they are not responsible for lost MS. I doubt if that would hold good at law. A case should be tried in the county court; and the editor's books requisitioned to show if the MS. was received, etc. Such books are, or should be, 1 kept. A jury would be more likely to decide against the editor than for him. And certainly, if anthors were to register their MS. and enclose with it postace for return registration editors would not have a leg to stand on. But so long as authors are willing to be snubbed by editors, so long do they deserve the scant courtesy and civility they occasionally receive. I have before me the MS. of an article recently returned by the editor of a first-class magazine. It is scored in places with blue pencil marks, and my gra!nmar has been altered in two places, though, in my humble opinion, without improvement. No sort of apology was offered me for this act of impertinence; and before I can submit the article elsewhere, I shall have to rewrite the MS. (1,500 words). Is this the act of a gentleman editor or of a common fellow? Yours faithfully, SCRIBBLER. Jay 8th, 1902. CORRESPONDENCE. EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS. I. SIR, -I don't doubt others better qualified than me will reply to your correspondent, “ Another Editor.” But if you can find space for a few remarks of mine, I should be obliged. I agree with him that editors are human, by which I understand, amongst other things, that they can put on their worst manners when it suits them. As to polite letters from editors to polite letters from contributors, it is not my invariable experience. SIR, I imagine many of your readers must share my amusement at the ingenuous letter of “ Another Editor” in your May issue. The descrip- tion of this poor harassed creature, “full of good intentions," and occupied in despatching“ prompt”. and “polite” notes to the unreasonable authors who expect him to read and decide upon their unsolicited contributions within a few days—“per- haps a week '—would be both impressive and pathetic, did it not, alas ! compel an unbelieving chuckle. Unfortunately “ Another Editor” pro- tests his promptitude and politeness a little too much. In the first place, the incident he quotes hardly  ## p. 236 (#648) ############################################ 236 THE AUTHOR. seems worthy of the importance be assigns to it. discussed and disputed authorship. It would be No one but either the crudest amateur, whose interesting to know whether it has been declared doings it were unprofitable to discuss, or a writer in any other way more likely to reach the general of such eminence as to have a right to an imme- public, and if not, why any further attempt at diate decision, would dream of expecting any editor concealment should be kept up. In Mudie's new to decide on a MS. within a week. The ordinary catalogue published this year neither of the two contributor, conversant with the habits of the works referred to are inserted under the name of ordinary editor, knows better than to expect any Housman, but both under that of the author of such supernaturally prompt attention. If he the “ Love Letters.” It is to be presumed that it received it he would be sure that the editor was is only with Mr. Housman's sanction and consent too good for this world, and might reasonably feel that the authorship has been disclosed in the anxious as to his state of health. Literary Year Book, and one wonders why the The real fact of the matter—which “ Another “Englishwoman's Love Letters” was not also Editor" ignores-is, that authors are subjected to included in the list of his works given there. a great deal of annoying delay at the hands of N. C. editors which cannot possibly be necessary, at any May 12th, 1902. rate in the case of a writer whose name is in any way known. Personally, I do not ask for polite notes and good intentions. What I do ask is, that AUTHORS' LETTERS. an editor shall read a contribution submitted to SIR, À propos of the complaint raised by a him within a reasonable time, and either accept or accept or member of the Society in your last issue, “that a reject it without further delay. If his hands are communication received through his publisher had so full of copy that he is unable to consider MSS. been opened,” an experience of my own may not be until several months after receiving them, then he without interest. should notify that fact on the front page of his A few years ago I contributed an article to one magazine, and return all contributions unread. of the leading magazines published by an “old and No one, I should think — except " Another responsible firm."" Editor's” important contributor-expects to receive Within a week or two I received a flattering an editorial decision within a week of submitting letter from the head of 7 MSS., but on the other hand a delay of, say, two lunch at his country house to discuss the writing of Innch at his conn months over the consideration of a few short stories a book which he had long held to be a necessity, is surely as ridiculous as it is uncalled for. Yet a but for which he had not hitherto found a com- case of this kind is at present engaging my own petent author. I was to have two years for the attention, and, though I have already written twice task, generous remuneration, and a fine advertise- on the subject, I have received none of the polite ment. Then the publisher died, the scheme fell notes which “Another Editor" is always despatching through, and the book has not been written by to his more fortunate contributors. Neither do I me or any one else. expect to do so. But, when the gentleman I refer Two or three years later I contributed another to receives my third letter--which he will do shortly · article to another leading magazine. In sending ---requesting the immediate return of my MSS. me a cheque for the contribution, the Editor unless he wishes me to apply for the assistance of incidentally asked me how it was I had never your Society to recover them, I have not the slightest answered a letter which he had addressed to me, doubt that he will wonder aggrievedly why I am care of the first-named publisher, on the occasion in such an extraordinary hurry, and consider him- of the publication of the first-named article, in self as much an innocent and misunderstood martyr which he had asked me whether I was willing to as “ Another Editor." undertake for him the writing of a book on the Yours faithfully, very subject discussed by me with the first-named publisher at his country house. I replied that I had never received his letter, and he then informed me that the envelope which A MODERN ANTÆUS. covered it had borne the device of his firm. SIR.—May I draw attention to the fact that in The conclusion to be gathered was obvious, and the Literary Year Book for 1902, “A Modern I was thus deprived of a commission which I Turray, 1901), is given in the list of could, at that time, ill afford to lose. books by Mr. Laurence Housman ? Now as " A Modern Antæus” is published by the author of an I am, yours truly, “ Englishwoman's Love Letters,” this is, of course, Malvern, G. S. LAYARD. equivalent to an announcement of the much May 2nd, 1902. USCRIPT.  ## p. 236 (#649) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ESTABLISHED) [XVIII. CENT The Athenæum Press, Taunton. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. TYPEWRITING. Authors' MSS. carefully and accurately copied. Plays and Scientific MSS. a speciality. Contract prices for books or permanent work. Machines and operators sent out to all parts of London or the Provinces. Miss RANSOM, 2, Westbourne Grove, London, W. Close to Paddington, Royal Oak, and Queen's Road Stations (Tube and Metropolitan). THE BUSH LANE HOUSE TYPEWRITING & SHORTHAND OFFICE, Principal: Bush Lane House, Bush Lane, MISS MORGAN. Cannon Street, London, E.C. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied from 10d. per 1,000 words. General Typewriting, Shorthand and Translations executed by skilled workers. Privacy and accuracy guaranteed. Special Terms for large quantities or contract work. Estimates and Specimens free on application. In One Volume, Crown 8vo, Scarlet Cloth. Published Price, 3/6. Usual Discount. "FRITHIOF THE BOLD." By F. 1. WINBOLT, Author of "King Helge," "Aslog," " In stirring blank verse. Mr. Winbolt recounts the ancient Scandinavian legend. Frithiof the Bold.' The drama is in three acts, and besides providing an interesting and enthralling story, is calculated to convey to the reader an excellent idea of the primitive motives which prevailed among the Norse and similar hardy races. Frithiof is of humble birth, but, like the typical hero, he is bold and brave, and graceful of limb...."-Nottingham Guardian. LONDON: SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO., LTD. AUTHORS' TYPEWRITING, ITO AUTHORS.—Young man (28), well-educated, lengthy 1 Press experience, desires appointment as Assistant to Novels typewritten, from 9d. per 1,000 words; Literary Gentleman (whole or spare time). Could revise two copies, 11-. proofs. Typing, Shorthand. Could undertake Typing at PRICE LIST AND AUTHORS' OPINIONS ON APPLICATION. home. Any MSS. deciphered. Accuracy guaranteed. L. A. ST. JOHN, 104, Churston Av., Upton Park, E. Ex. refs.--W. MEREDITH, 33, Hubert Grove, Stockwell, S.W. TYPEWRITING. Miss M. T. DOYLE, 31, Gracechurch St., E.C. From 201, BARCOMBE AVENUE, S.W. Authors' MSS., Plays from 10d. per 1,000 words. CARBONS HALF THE ABOVE. ACCURACY AND DESPATCH. A LADY (Experienced) undertakes Researches in British Museum Reading Room. 21. an hour; 8/6 a day. Also French and German, and Translations. E. B., 17, OWEN MANSIONS, QUEEN'S CLUB GARDENS, W. Literary Agents.--Authors are warned against dealing with any Literary Agent without referring to the Society for infor- mation. Authors are also warned not to sign Agreements on the advice of Literary Agents alone. All Agreements should be submitted to the Society for advice. By Order, G. HERBERT THRING, Secretary Society of Authors. 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, s.w. TYPEWRITING With Accuracy and Despatch. Authors' MSS. 9d. per 1,000 words. In duplicate, 19. per 1,000. Plays, Translations, General Copying, Samples and References on Application. MISS JANET WAY, 33, Ossian Road, Stroud Green, N. The “ Forms of Agreements" issued by the Publishers' Association can be obtained at the Office, with a full explanation of heir meaning, price 18. post free. Authors are warned not Lo sign any agreement which may embody the Clauses exposed without submitting it first to the Society. By Order, G. HERBERT THRING, Secretary Society of Authors, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate S.W.  ## p. 236 (#650) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. Part II. of LADY FLORENCE DIXIE'S BOOK "THE SONGS OF A CHILD," WITH WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED A THIRD EDITION OF PART 1. It may be ordered of Messrs. W. H. SMITH & SON, 186, Strand, W.C.; J. D. MENZIES, Edinburgh; or any other Bookseller or Library. • · PRICE 5s, .. IT CONTAINS THREE COLOURED PORTRAITS. PUBLISHERS- THE LEADENHALL PRESS, 50, Leadenhall Street, E.C. CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, New York. Reviewing an advance copy of this book, The Literary Guide for May says:-. The perusal of the SECOND PART of Lady Florence Dixie's poems increases our astonishment at the extraordinary development of her mental powers in early life. The present volume possesses special interest. . . . Her poetic drama · Abel Avenged 'was written at the age of fourteen, and one knows not whether to be the most astounded at the boldness of her language or the fact that at so early a period of life the doubts and the obstinate questionings which the work reveals should have arisen at all. The chief personage is Cain, whose character is conceived with striking power and sympathy. ... Lady Florence Dixie is a writer who dares to think for herself-one who can, moreover, express her ideas with refreshing vigour and, in most cases, unmistakable clearness. The Poetry of Revolt and the Poetry of Sympathy with animal life are distinctly enriched by the publication of this volume. To have performed such a service is an achievement of which any author might be proud. That it should have been done by a child is one of the most remarkable facts in present-day literature." In a long review of an advance copy of the book in The Agnostic Journal of May 10th, “ Saladin" remarks in his "At Random” sketch :--The lyric of the poem “Saladin ') is deft and musical, but it is the little schoolgirl's chivalrous treatment of he who was Christendom's most formidable foe that entitles it to distinction. To try a person or a cause by his or its intrinsic merits, and not in the light of the extrinsic prejudices with which it has come to be encrusted, is, in addition to the function of a poet, the deed of a heroine. ... The child's precocious rejection of religious orthodoxy is recorded in the ambitious dramatic effusion, `Abel Avenged,' an earnest and gifted child's succedaneum for Byron's Cain,' and in • The Sceptic's Defence. The assault on Orthodoxy is from the moral side. The teaching of the Church is impugned on the ground of its incompatibility with truth and justice, and-nobly characteristic of the writer--for its disregard of the sufferings of sentient creatures. . . . Any educated lady of rank and fashion can secretly hold unpopular tenets; it takes a Douglas to avow them. The volume here is of gold.” AN ADVANCED CHRISTIAN'S VIEWS OF PART II. In a letter dated May 1st the Editor of The Golden Age writes :—“ Please accept my warmest thanks for the pleasure you have given me, and let me offer you my sincerest congratulations. The world has been certainly the poorer in consequence of the delay in the publication of the poems, for they are both beautiful and remarkable in many ways, to say nothing of the helpful thought and sentiment contained in them. If · Abel Avenged' had been issued as a lost manuscript (re-discovered) by Milton, no one would have doubted the authenticity. Are you Milton re-incarnated ? I wonder! The manner in which you have thought out the deepest problems of Life and handled them in this poem and in The Sceptic's Defence'is remarkable." Printed by BRADBURY, AGNEW, & Co. LD., and Published by them for THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS (INCORPORATED) at 10, Bourerie Street, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 11 (June 1902) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 11 (June 1902) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1902-06-01-The-Author-12-11 publications The Author