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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) 1902-07-01 Volume 12 Issue 12 Pages Page range in volume 237–264 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19020701 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin Obe Elutbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) Vol. XII.-No. 12. JULY 1, 1902. [PRICE SIXPENCE. PAOE 251 253 253 : 239 25 Notices ... The Pension Fund of the Society of Anthors ... From the Committee ... Coronation Honours ... Book and Play Talk ... Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property “ Brockhaus "--The New Centenary Edition Standard Rules for Printing... ... Canadian Copyright ... ... ... English Authors for French Readers ... Performing or Play Rights ... ... A Book about Books ... CONTENTS. PAGE 237, 264 Financial Obligations of Trade to Art 237 General Memoranda ... 238 Warnings to Dramatic Anthors How to Use the Society 239 The Reading Branch ... 242 Authorities 244 Dumas Père (1802–1870) ... 245 American Notes 246 Paris Notes ....... 247 The Annual Dinner of the Women Writers 248 The Authors' Club 250 Correspondence... ::::::::: :::::::::::: 254 254 256 258 260 262 262 ... 263 The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT, GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. 1 THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD CURZON J. M. LELY. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD AVE- OF KEDLESTON. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. BURY, P.C. AUSTIN DOBSON. THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. J. M. BARRIE. SIR CONAN DOYLE. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. A. W. à BECKETT. A. W. DUB0Ꮯ ᎡG. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL Foster, K.C.B., M.P., SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. F.R.S. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G., C.B. D. W. FRESHFIELD, A. W. PINERO. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD PIR THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE RIGHT Hox. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. SIDNEY GRUNDY. Sir FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.,LL.D. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH. H. RIDER HAGGARD. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. CLERE MRS. HARRISON (LUCAS MALET). E. Rose. HALL CAINE. THOMAS HARDY. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS, OWEN SEAMAN. EDWARD CLODD. JEROME K. JEROME. G. R. SIMS. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. The Hon. JOHN COLLIER. RUDYARD KIPLING. J. J. STEVENSON. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY, PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. FRANCIS STORR. MRS. CRAIGIE. THE RIGHT Hox.W.E. H. LECKY,M.P. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. F. MARION CRAWFORD. | LADY LUGARD (Miss FLORA L. SHAW). | MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. Ilon. Counsel - E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. Vice-Chairman -- A. W. A BECKETT. J. M. LELY. E. Rose. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. OWEN SEAMAX. SIR GILBERT PARKER, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. SIR CONAN DOYLE. D. W. FRESHFIELD, SYDNEY GRUNDY, Solicitore FIELD, 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. 236 (#652) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. HELTERARY DEKOR SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. by ARRANGEMENTS FOR SB 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." 66 REMINGTON STANDARD » up-to-date Instruments. MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. (ESTABLISHED 1883.) DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS Authors' MSS. carefully copied from Is. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typits 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. "Sir Henry Ponsonby is commanded by the Queen to hate thank Mr. Darlington for a copy of his Handbook." “Nothing better could be wished for."-BRITISH WEEKLY. “Far superior to ordinary guides."-LONDON DAILY CHRONICLE. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. 18. each. Ilustrated, 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. Typouritten Circulars, etc., by Duplicator. LESSONS GIVEN. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. 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. TYPEWRITING. MISS MARY T. DOYLE, 31, GRACECHURCH ST., E.C. Authors' MSS. from 10d. per 1,000 words. Plays. French Translations. Price List on application. ACCURACY AND DESPATCH. "THE AUTHOR." SCALE FOR d DVERTISEMENTS. [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.) “The best Handbook to London ever issued."-LIVERPOOL DAILY Post. “THE Handbook to Londou--it very emphatically tops them all." - DAILY GRAPHIC. 4th Edition, Revised, 5s.60 Illustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. LONDON AND ENVIRONS. By E. C. Cook and E. T. Cook, M.A. : :: : 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, Front Page ... ...£4 0 Other Pages 0 ... Hall of a Page ... ... 3 0 0 ... ... ... ... ... 1 100 Quarter of a Page ... ... 015 0 Eighth of a Page ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion per 2,000 3 00 Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Su and of 25 per cent. for Twelve Insertions. Advertisements should reach the Office not later than the 20th for insertion in the following inonth's issue. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Office, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W. ... 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, 1s., 1s. 6u., 2s., and 28. 6d. List, post free, of DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN,  ## p. 237 (#653) ############################################ The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT. VOL. XII.- No. 12. JULY 1st, 1902. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. The office of the Incorporated Society of Authors has been removed to- 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W. to month as they come to hand. It has been considered unnecessary to print the full list with every issue. Donations ...... ..........£1439 16 6 Subscriptions .................... 111 NOTICES. . . TOR 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. . . CONOOooo . 2 11 5 5 0 10 0 12 0 10 0 5 0 5 1 0 2 2 0 4 0 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 50 0 0 10 0 5 1 0 . ܕ ܒܰܡܘ ܕܘ ܗ ܟܬ ܥܛ ܕܝܢ ܝܕ DONATIONS. 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. 16. 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 ......... 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 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 The Author are cases that have come before the notice or to the knowledge of the Secretary of the Society, and that those members of the Society who desire to have the names of the publishers concerned can obtain them on application. MEMBERS of the Society are reminded that, under the new arrangements for the publication of The Author, the August and September numbers will will not be produced. The next number of The Author will be produced on October 1st. 0 1 2 0 5 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS. THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. Nov. 25, Vaux, P. ................ Nov. 25, Lambe, Lawrence ........ Jan. 17, Prelooker, J. ................... Jan. 20, Nickolls, F. C. Jan. 22, Carey, Miss R. Nouchette Mch. 20, Beeching, Rev. H. C. ...... Mch. 25, Stroud, F. .. Apr. 9, Kitcat, Mrs. ..... May 1, Heatley, Richard .......... 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 5 5 1 5 10 1 5 0 (0) 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 THE following is the total of donations and 1 subscriptions promised or received up to the present date. Further sums will be acknowledged from month VOL. XII.  ## p. 238 (#654) ############################################ 238 THE AUTHOR. FROM THE COMMITTEE. date, and members are requested to assist in this effort by sending to the Secretary early notification Publication of a List of Members. of the material particulars. A copy of the form to be sent to members and TT will be in the recollection of members to be filled up and returned to the Secretary is 1 who attended, or read a report of, the subjoined :-* last General Meeting, that the question DEAR SIR, of the publication of a list of members of the 1. I object (or do not object) to my name being Society was raised, not for the first time, and printed in the list of members. that the Chairman, in response to speeches 2. I object (or do not object) to my address urging such a step, undertook to bring the being printed in the list of members. matter before the Committee. In the early days 3. I wish (or do not wish) my pseudonym of the Society, when members were few and (viz., ) to be printed, membership was liable to create a prejudice against (a) With my own name, the member in some quarters, the publication of such a list was considered inexpedient. The Com- (b) By itself. Yours truly mittee do not differ from the opinion of their Name predecessors, but, having considered the question Address anew, they have come to the conclusion that the change in the position and standing of the Society By order of the Committee, justifies an alteration of practice. The reasons (Signed) G. HERBERT THRING, against publication of names have lost their force Secretary. with the increase of members and of strength which it has been the good fortune of the Society to secure ; the reasons for it have become more The Work of the Society. urgent. It is most desirable that members should Since the last issue of The Author, the Secretary know who are brethren and who are not, that they has taken in hand eleven cases. should bare the means of approaching and (if need Two cases were claims for money due, three arise) of canvassing fellow members in regard to for infringement of copyright, five for the the action of the Managing Committee or any other return of MSS., and one for accounts. It is matter of common concern, of uniting to secure the satisfactory to state that eight out of the eleven election of proper persons to the Pension Committee, have already been settled, and that those left open and of exercising by joint effort an influence on the from the former month have all been closed with policy and conduct of the Society. the exception of cases against bankrupt papers. The Committee, therefore, have decided that a list To enforce the author's rights would have been to of members shall be printed and be sold at a small incur needless expense with no adequate return. price. In view, however, of the fact that special Of the three cases of infringement of copyright, reasons may cause some members to object to their one has been settled, one is on the verge of settle- names appearing, a form will be sent to every mem- ment, and one has only just commenced. ber, in order to ascertain whether he (or she) does or I t is necessary to remark that during the past does not desire his (a) name, (b) address, (C) pseudo- two or three months there have been several nym (if any) to appear in the list. Members should instances where articles and stories have been lifted indicate in reply whether they desire any one or all from magazines and papers, and reprinted in smaller of these particulars to be given. In view of the provincial issues. strong feeling in favour of the publication of It not infrequently occurs—in spite of the efforts names and addresses which has been shown, the of the Times—that mere statements of news are Committee feel justified in publishing them unless reproduced without acknowledgment; that is bad express notice of objection is received. They will be enough, but it is going a little too far and is unfair much obliged if all members will fill up and return to the author to reproduce articles and short stories the form sent to them immediately; but in case no bodily without remuneration. answer be received on or before the 15th August, The Society has, however, been able to obtain 1902, they will deem themselves at liberty to insert recognition of the rights infringed, although the full particulars in each case. Where members editors of some provincial papers are inclined to signify their desire to remain unnamed, their wish look upon this form of petty larceny as theirs by will be respected, and a statement of the number right of birth. In fact one editor was astonished of members whose names are not inserted will be at the tone the author adopted, as the author, given at the end of the list. It is hoped to publish he asserted, had gained a valuable advertisement the list annually, and to keep it thoroughly up to by this form of publication.  ## p. 239 (#655) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 239 · · · ·...... · . .. . · · Magazines and Contributors. Bloomfield, J. H. . . . . 1 0 0 The inset in the January number of The F. 0. B. (Coventry). 0 5 0 Author, entitled “ Periodicals and their contri- Seton-Karr, H. W.. 1 0 0 butors,” has been considerably enlarged and Heriot, Cheyne . republished by order of the Committee. Charley, Sir W. T., K. 1 1 The sanction of the editors has been in many Anonymous 05 Charlton, Miss Emily 0 5 0 cases obtained to the form and substance of the insertion, and where this is the case a note to that Kroeker, Mrs. . ( 10 0 effect has been appended. Aflalo, F. G. . . . . . 2. 20 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 copy. CORONATION HONOURS. 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 W E must congratulate Sir Conan Doyle and number. W Sir Gilbert Parker, two active members of the Committee of the Society of Authors, on receiving the honour of Knighthood. Besant Memorial. Amongst the other gentlemen distinguished in literature we see that Sir F. C. Burnand has been THE Besant Memorial now stands as follows :- made a Knight. He is on the sub-committee of Up to the end of February subscrip- the Society that deals with dramatic questions. tions were received, according to the Sir William Laird Clowes and Sir C. Villiers long list already issued, amounting to. £293 4 0 Stanford are also among those who have received From March to the date of issue the the honour of Knighthood. subscriptions received amount to . 313 6 We see with much pleasure that Sir Leslie Stephen has been made a K.C.B. As the first Total ... £327 17 6 editor of that excellent production, the “ Dictionary of National Biography,” he was fully entitled to Subscriptions received from March to the date of issue. any honour the King thought fit to confer. Sir Henry Bergne, who has acted with such Anonymous . £1 1 0 Champneys, Basil distinction in the cause of International Copyright, . 1 1 0 • Colonia," Natal, S. Africa has received in addition to his K.C.M.G. a C.B. . 1 1 0 Fife Cookson, Lt.-Col. F. C. The new Order of Merit has been conferred on Gunter, Lt. Col. E. A. . the Right Honourable John Morley, and the 0 10 0 Right Honourable W. E. H. Lecky. The latter Harding, Capt. Claud, R.N. 1 0 0 Hurry, A. has been a member of the Council of the Society . . . (10 6 Keary, C. F. (amount not to be men- for some years. tioned) Kinns, The Rev. Samuel, D.D. . 0 5 0 Millais, J. G. . 1 0 0 BOOK AND PLAY TALK. Quiller Couch, Miss ) . 0 5 0 Sterry, J. Ashby . • • . 1 1 0 Temple, Lieut.-Col. R. 1 0 A N important work of Mrs. L. T. Meade's will Underdown, Miss E. 0 5 0 A come out in the early autumn. It con- Lockyer, Sir T. Norman 220) sists of the stories of the Bible written Beale, Miss Mary . 0 2 6 in a new form and most beautifully illustrated. Bolam, Rev. C. E. . 0 5 0. These stories have already appeared in The Sunday Egbert, Henry . . 0 5 0 Strand under the title “Voices out of the Past." Eccles, Miss O'Connor 1 1 0 The publishers will be Messrs. Newnes & Co. Darwin, Francis 1 1 0 Campbell-Montgomery, Miss F. F. Mrs. L. T. Meade's usual girls' books will also 1 1 0 Medlecott, Cecil be published in the autumo. . 0 10 6 Saxby, Mrs. . . . . . 1 1 0 Mr. Carlton Dawe's new farcical comedy Caine, T. H. Hall . · 1000 “Brother Bill,” which has lately been delighting Marris, Miss Murrell : 0 5 0 suburban audiences, is now making a tour of our S. B. . . . . . . 0 5 0 chief provincial cities, and is doing very well. 1 1 0 0 oor . . . . . . .  ## p. 240 (#656) ############################################ 240 THE AUTHOR. Mr. Dawe's novel, “ The Demagogue,” recently Mr. St., John Lucas writes forcibly on " the published by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton, is true decadence.” He demonstrates wisely the being considerably talked about. This is hardly misapplication of the term to those who, filled to be wondered at, as the book deals with certain with true if eccentric genius, break away from social and religious topics which are of perennial convention and run riot through the established interest to the educated reader. laws of art, and confines its true application to Mr. Charles Garvice's new novel will be pub- those writers who are remarkable for general and lished by Messrs. Sands & Co. in the autumn. mournful deficiency in artistic spirit, whose readers The second edition of the same author's “ Just a are callously contented with the slovenly and the Girl” is in the press. garish. And he proceeds :- Lady Florence Dixie has a work called “ The “When realism degenerates into a chronicle of the Story of Ijain ; or, The Evolution of a Mind," unimportant, and romanticism becomes a puppet show of coming out in a serial form in the columns of the paint and tinsel whose limp figures jerkily obey the unimaginative commands of the archæologist or the Agnostic Journal. On completion it will be issued historian ; when the drama is a show room for the dresses in book form. It is a synopsis of Part I. of a and doings of the dull, or a temple where the devout can much larger work of the same name commenced worship sham princes and impossible peers ; when poetry in 1877, and completed that year. Part II. was totters on the slack wire of convention, and painting possesess a Helicon of its own with a number of prosperous completed last year. Neither will be published at gentlemen for Muses—when, in fine, the art of any country present. not only becomes slavishly imitative of antiquity or firmly Another work written by Lady Florence in fettered by a dominant school, but also gradually gives place to the spurious products of those who are not artists, 1877 will shortly appear in serial form, and will then, surely, the real decadence appears. The true decline afterwards be published in book form, entitled of art begins with the popularity of the inartistic." “Isola or the Disinherited.” This will be followed by the issue, in the order in which they were Benjamin Swift's last novel, “ Ludus Amoris," is written, of all Lady Florence's unpublished as far as scenario goes, the most complete thing writings between 1877 and the present day. this author has yet done. Covent Garden, with its The King has been graciously pleased to thank heaps of fruit and flowers, is the centre of the Miss Stredder for her verses on the Coronation, game of love which is not mere comedy: it is also tragic sport. The writer's beloved Sussex is which have been printed for private circulation introduced. Indeed, half the work was written only. out of doors, in a boat on the river Arun, near It seems that the Dorset rustic sometimes looks Arundel. askance at printed references to himself. A Bridport paper recently made liberal extracts from Mr. Frank Bullen's new novel will be dedicated, Mr. Wilkinson Sherren's “Wessex of Romance"; by permission, to Theodore Roosevelt, President of and one of its subscribers, thinking he recognised the United States of America. a family portrait, wrote to the editor complaining of its accuracy. President Roosevelt, whose “The Strenuous Sir W. T. Charley's recently published book, Life” has been doing remarkably well, is the fore- “ The Holy City, Athens and Egypt,” mentioned most and principal contributor to an illustrated in a previous number of The Author, represents volume in the American Sportsmen's Library, which the diligent research and careful study of many treats of the “ Deer Family” in America. His months. The student of theology will find it à experiences of hunting the Mule-deer, the White- valuable work of reference. There are illustra- tail, the Pronghorn, and the Wapiti are recorded tions beautifully reproduced from photographs. with enthusiasm, for the President is a keen Macmillan's Magazine for June has three articles naturalist and sportsman. He has the true sports- that strongly appeal to those who follow the literary man's disiike for the wanton destruction of game or dramatic profession. and the shooting of record bags. Mr. W. P. James deals with Opera and Drama. Under the title of“ The King Alfred Millenary" Mr. James is a skilled essayist. He is sure to Messrs. Macmillan are publishing a volume compiled illuminate whatever subject he grapples by his by Mr. Alfred Bowker, late Mayor of Winchester. lucidity of style and by his thoughtful treatment. It contains a reprint of all the principal speeches An anonymous writer has some sensible remarks delivered at the preliminary meetings and during to put forward on “Our Unhappy Language.” the ceremony, as well as a detailed account of the “ Split Infinitives” “and which ” and “ American proceedings at Winchester, and of the subsequent isms” are roughly handled, especially the last. honours paid to the King's memory in the United Some wonderful examples are quoted. States. The volume is illustrated.  ## p. 241 (#657) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 241 “Greater Russia” is the title chosen for the book on Siberia and Manchuria which Mr. Wirt Gerrare will publish in September through Mr. Heinemann. The American edition will be issued by the Macmillan Co., of New York. A guide to Lake Ulleswater and the neighbour- hood has been published by Mr. George Reed, of Penrith, Cumberland. It is illustrated with over sixty reproductions of photographs by well-known amateur photographers, and the letterpress is concise to a praise worthy degree. This Guide can be purchased for sixpence. Mr. Grant Richards has, amongst his autumn books, a volume entitled, “Wit, Wisdom, and Philosophy of Modern Women-Writers," being a series of quotations, compiled and arranged, with critical notes, by Frances Tyrrell-Gill, a member of this Society. The excerpts are from some of the best-known women authoresses, including, amongst others, Mrs. Meynell, Lucas Malet, Mrs. Humphry Ward, Sarah Grand, Mrs. Rentoul Esler, Miss Chol. mondelev, and Miss Harraden, and are examples of some of the finest things they have written. Mr. James Bryce, M.P., who is a member of our Council, delivered the Romanes Lecture at Oxford on June 7th. The subject of his address was “ The Relations of the Advanced and Back- ward Races of Mankind." In the course of his eloquent and most interesting lecture he said : “ Broadly speaking, a point has been reached at which the conditions likely to affect the relative development of the various branches of mankind have become so far known that students may begin to deal with them in a positive and practical way. They have passed from the chaos of con- jecture into the cosmos of science. ... * It is hardly too much to say that for economic purposes all mankind is fast becoming one people, in which the hitherto backward nations are taking a place analogous to that which the unskilled workers have held in each one of the civilized nations. Such an event opens a new stage in world-history, a stage whose significance has perhaps been as yet scarcely realised either by the thinker or by the man of action." Mr. Bryce said, in conclusion :- “ I have sought to call your attention to a great secular process in the history of the world, a process the steps in which are reckoned by centuries, and whose magnitude transcends the political or commercial questions that claim our thoughts from day to day. It is a process which has now entered a critical phase, and we see opening before us a long vista in which there appears possibilities of an immense increase in the productive powers of the earth and man, possibilities also of trouble and strife between races now being brought into a closer and more general contact. ... The sentiment of race-pride, the keenness of race- rivalry, have been intensified. But the sense of a common humanity has grown stronger. When we think of the problems which are now being raised by the contact of races, clouds seem to hang heavy on the horizon of the future ; yet light streams in when we remember that the spirit in which civilized States are preparing to meet those problems is higher and purer than it was when, four centuries ago, the great outward movement of European peoples began.” Mr. Bryce is at present gathering for publica- tion a number of biographical sketches written during the last twenty years. “Johnnie Courteau and Other Poems” (Put- nam's Sons) is the title of Dr. William Henry Drummond's new volume of Canadian poems, daintily illustrated by Dr. Coburn, who is, like Dr. Drummond himself, a Canadian. In such poems as “ Johnnie Courteau ” ; “ The Corduroy Road” ; “The Cure of Calumette”: “My Leetle Cabane ” ; “ The Hill of San Sebas- tien”; “The Windigo”; “Madeleine Vercheres”; “ The Log Jam"; and “ The Red Canoe,” Dr. Drummond sings the feelings, the thoughts, the doings of those simple, sturdy folk of the North Woods who are members of the British Empire. Like his former volume of poems, “ The Habi- tant,” of which, by-the-bye, 25,000 copies have already been sold, “ Johnnie Courteau” has more than an ephemeral value ; it throws a revealing light on our kinsfolk living and working in the great and growing Dominion across the water. “A Guide to the Best Historical Novels and Tales,” by Jonathan Nield (Elkin Mathews), is a useful and timely compilation. The order in which the books are placed is, on the whole, according to the periods dealt with, from the Pre-Christian era to the present century. Author, publisher, and subject are tabulated after the title of the book. As a help in the choice of suitable books for the attainment of a truer historical sense, the author has made out, at the end of the volume, two special lists for boys and girls respectively. Among the members of the Society whose poems have been put under contribution by Mr. Orby Shipley for the second series of the Carmina Mariana are Sir Edwin Arnold and G. N. Count Plunkett, F.S.A. Mr. Plunkett is known as the author of " The Jacobite War in Ireland," “Sandro Botticelli,” &c., &c. Mr. Frederick C. Nicolls has just published a useful book for students of music called “ The Technique of the Pianoforte Pedals.” Rubenstein has been known to say: “ The more I play the more thoroughly I am convinced that the pedal is the soul of the piano,” Mr. Nicolls considers that the art of using the pedals, more especially the right or sustaining pedal, has only begun to receive the careful attention due to it. Mr. Lawrence Binyon, who has been in Italy this spring is working at some poems on Italian subjecus. subjects. He has also completed a romantic narrative poem. Part of his poem “The Death  ## p. 242 (#658) ############################################ 242 THE AUTHOR. of Adam,” which appeared in The Monthly Review, has been published recently in L'Occident. Mr. Edward Rose, who is a member of our Committee of Management, is publishing at once, through Messrs. Methuen, his “Rose Reader.” It is a new method of teaching children to read, which gets over the great difficulty of the irregularity of English spelling by employing only regularly-spelt words till the learner has a firm grasp of the principles of reading, and of its practice. A work of the first importance just out is, 66 All the Russias : Travels and Studies in Contemporary European Russia, Finland, Siberia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia," by Mr. Henry Norman, M.P., who is a member of our Council, and is also on our Committee of Management, There are a hundred and thirty-seven illustrations in this handsome volume, chiefly from the author's photographs, and four maps. In his preface Mr. Norman tells us that the volume is the outcome of fifteen years' interest in Russian affairs, culminating in four journeys—one of nearly 20,000 miles-in European and Asiatic Russia. He goes on to say :- - My own modest aim has been to present a picture of of the aspects of contemporary Russia of most interest to foreign readers, with especial reference to the recent remarkable industrial and commercial development of Russia, and the possibility of closer commercial and political relations between Russia and Great Britain. This last I regard as the most important question (after Anglo- American relations) in British foreign politics to-day." As our very limited space prevents anything like adequate quotations from its fascinating pages, our readers are, one and all, referred to “All the Russias” itself. Mr. Leonard Williams, late correspondent of The Times at Madrid, and author of “ Ballads and Songs of Spain ” and “ A Child's History of Spain," has finished two new works relating to that country, which are in the press, and will be published very shortly by Messrs. Cassell & Co., Ltd. Their titles are, * The Land of the Dons,” and “Madrid: Her Records and Romances.” Many of the illus- trations will be from Mr. Williams' own drawings and photographs. The binding also is from his design. Another new and important book is “ Lord Milner and South Africa,” by E. B. Iwan-Muller (Heinemann, 15s. net). Mr. Edward Clodd's recently published book on Huxley (Blackwood) is doing well. It meets a want. Mr. Clodd deals with Huxley as the man, the discoverer, the interpreter, the controversialist, and the constructor. “Rossetti," with fifty illustrations, by Mr. Ford Madox Hueffer, and “Rembrandt," with sixty illustrations, by Auguste Bréal, have just been issued by Messrs. Duckworth & Co. They are the two first volumes of their Popular Library of Art;, planned expressly for the general public (cloth, 28. net ; leather, 28. 6il. net). “ The Bishop's Move," a new play by John Oliver Hobbes and Mr. Murray Carson, was successfully produced by Mr. Bourchier on the night of June 7th, at a special performance in aid of Queen Alexandra's fund for the families of soldiers and sailors. Some loyal verses by Mr. Owen Seaman were effectively recited by Sir Squire Bancroft at the end of the concert which preceded the play. Mr. William Le Queux is busy re-writing his new novel of Italian life, “ The Uunamed," which has just concluded in Cassell's Magazine. There- fore it will not be issued by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton until the autumn. Rear-Admiral H.R.H. the Prince of Wales has accepted a copy of “With the Flag at Sea," by Walter Wood, published by Messrs. A. Constable & Co., Ltd., and containing, amongst other original matter, the log of the Victory for the Trafalgar period, from the MS. General the Duke of Connaught has accepted copies of the same author's histories of the Rifle Brigade (of which regiment His Royal Highness is Colonel-in-Chief) and the Northumberland Fusiliers. These two regiments have been the heaviest losers in the South African war. Messrs. Longmans have decided to publish in October an important new historical romance entitled “By the Ramparts of Jezreel.” bs Le Voleur, in collaboration with Arnold Davenport, LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL PROPERTY. Germany and the United States Copyright. M HE German-American Literary Treaty of 1 1892 is not considered by the Germans to be working satisfactorily. They point out that under the terms of reciprocity the Americans obtain ipso jure all the advantages of the new German law, including a protection of longer dura. tion than they have in their own country. On the  ## p. 243 (#659) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 243 contrary, the more successful a German work is, the The same publisher offered £5 for the copyright worse the author finds himself protected in the of a technical work of about 50,000 words, from United States. It is asserted that during the year the pen of a well-known authority on the subject. 1901 only two German works obtained copyright in Here, again, the offer was rejected. the United States, whilst every work produced in It is quite right from a strictly business point the United States had copyright in Germany. of view that the publisher should seek to buy in the cheapest market, but it is quite right from the author's point of view that he should endeavour to sell his wares to the best possible advantage. The International Literary and Artistic Surely a publisher would hardly expect, unless Association. there were some special circumstances arising from We have received from M. Lermina, Perpetual the poverty or the affluence of the author, that an offer of so small an amount would be accepted. Secretary of the “ Association Littéraire et Artis- tique,” the programme of the approaching Con. on. Another publisher purchased the sole copyright gress of the Association, to be held at Naples 23rd in a MS. of 95,000 words for £15. It subsequently to 29th September next. came out that he had sold the American rights on The subjects to be discussed at the Congress are a substantial royalty to a first-class American as follows :-- firm. In this case the acceptance of the offer was 1. The revision of the Berne Convention. due to one of the reasons stated previously. No 2. Means of procuring new adhesions to the doubt the publisher has made an excellent bargain. These facts are put forward, not with a view of Berne Convention. 3. The institution of a paying public copyright. a vaving public copyright hurling abuse at the publisher, but merely as a hurling at 4. Legal deposition of literary and artistic warning to the author. In no circumstances should a book be sold out- works. 5. Mechanical musical instruments. right for an absurdly inadequate sum. Such a 6. Legislative movements in various countries. course is disastrous to the author. Co It throws Italy— Proposed reform of the Italian legislation. temptation in the path of the publisher. France-Consequences of the law of 11th March. An author should always be able, if, as some- Germany-Application of the new laws respecting times occurs, his book secures a large sale, to reap literary and artistic works ; reform of the laws part of the profits of that sale, however small his respecting plastic arts and photography. Greece- remuneration may be to commence with. The position of literary and artistic copyright in There are but few publishers nowadays who do Greece. Roumania-Protection of foreigners. not admit the justice of this principle. United States of America—The refabrication An author who asks for this advantage will clause. South American States—A pan-American receive the concession. convention. 7. Intellectual property from the point of view of theatrical art. An Author's Account Book. 8. The constitution of an international tribunal nalIn the May number of The Author a cor- of arbitration. 9. The creation of an international juridical respondent, giving some information on the vocabulary. slackness of the literary market and drawing his deductions from offers he had obtained for his own MSS., alluded to his method of keeping his Prices. books as one which admitted of ready reference. Letters from other members of the Society have In the May number of The Author the prices come to the office inquiring if it was possible to for certain articles given by certain magazine pro- obtain any information on the subject of this prietors were quoted. Since that article appeared method of bookkeeping. some further offers have come to our knowledge. It is with much pleasure, therefore, that the A publisher offered £10 for the copyright of a sample page is printed below. novel of 80,000 words, basing his offer on the fact It is needless to say that the example taken, both that the former work of the same author had not as regard the names of the magazines and the prices, been successful, and that he had lost £100. It does not relate to any special case. this was the case it seems curious that it should The member who kindly forwarded this sample have been worth the publisher's while to offer the sheet states that the register is of 100 pages to author anything at all for so long a story. The (the size is reduced for the purpose of The Author), offer was refused. with an alphabetical index for the titles of the  ## p. 244 (#660) ############################################ 244 THE AUTHOR. articles, and that at the end of the book there is a to the periodicals to which the articles have series of cash columns for entries of the payments been sent. obtained for each article. For instance, £1 78, 3d. Personally he uses a blank sheet for this further in the example printed would be carried to the index, and crosses out the number as soon as the cash column at the end of the book. MS. is returned or paid for. The book, however, he regrets to say is not It is clear, however, that an index in the book perfect, as in addition there should be an index itself would be much more satisfactory. TITLE, “PAYING HOBBIES.” BY A. TYLDEN. Ref. No. 86. DESCRIPTION... Article. LENGTH...1000. To WHOM SENT. DATE SENT. DATE RETURNED. Paid OUT. £ 8. d. DATE. 7/698 16/6/98 Johnson (Typist) Young Woman Our Sisters (B.) Woman's Weekly ... Lady ... .. Ladies' Field English woman Reporter's Mag. ... Money Maker 11/6/98 17/6/98 26/6/98 30/6/98 78/98 9/8/98 8/:/98 16/1/99 10/11/99 16/6/98 18/6/98 29/6/98 6/8/98 9/8/98 15/8/98 22/9/98 18/1/99 Written Typed ... Accepted Proof received. Proof returned. Published ... Account sent ... Account paid... Receipt sent ... 25/11/99 24/11/99 24/11/99 £ $. d. Cash. Received Less paid out 29 1 7 3 Remarks :- * Price to be arranged. B. wrote asking to call. Copyright bought. Paid by P.O. 101158 10/- Sent to Smith. 3,446004 Sent to Fowner. 33 “BROCKHAUS”—THE NEW CENTENARY EDITION. The Value of Translations. On Monday, June 16th, before Mr. Under- Sheriff Burchell and a special jury, Messrs. Swan Sonnenschein & Co., Ltd., publishers, of Paternoster Square, were awarded $350 and costs against Mr. Kaur Trübner, a publisher of Strassburg, for breach of contract to give the right of producing an English translation of a “ Short Comparative Grammar of Indo-Germanic Languages,” which is being brought out in German by Professor Brugmann, of Leipzig, being an abridgment of a treatise in five volumes brought out by him some years ago in collaboration with Professor Delbrück, of Jena University. The translation was to have been executed by Professor Chase, of Cornell University, in the United States of America. The defendant did not appear before the Under-Sheriff to contest the question of damages. m o praise “Brockhaus "would be an impertinence 1 on my part. I have had this work at my elbow, in successive editions, since the year of the Franco-German War, and at the same time the “ Britannica” and the “ American Appleton Encyclopædia.” Of late years I have also found much comfort in the “Century Dictionary of Names" — particularly good for the verification of a biographical or bibliographical fact when in a hurry. But“Brockhaus" is the one which, after all, comes in for the most handling, because of the enormous number of heads under which to search — the conciseness, impartiality, and completeness that are  ## p. 245 (#661) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 245 apparent everywhere, even on such a theme as If the ending is in e, keep the “e”; if there is no e in the war in South Africa. the ending of the infinitive present, do not add one, “Brockhaus” was started in 1796, and we have e.)., changeable, workable. now the 14th edition before us—at least, the first There should be exceptions only for eight volumes of the set of 17. There will be 3. Words of Latin origin, which take ible some 17,000 pages, and about 10,000 plates of instead of able. Let them do so in all cases ; why various kinds. Each volume costs 148., and these allow accept, etc., to be an exception ? volumes succeed one another at intervals of two 4 . The tendency of the English language has been months. hitherto to abolish “ ize" endings, and to establish Nothing is easier than to find fault with a & universal “ ise" in its place. Why not let the cyclopædia or a military campaign. Indeed, I tendency continue ? Unless people know Greek, have in a merely casual glance through the first they never know for certain which ending to use eight volumes stumbled upon one or two-but it if there are two possible ones. would be idle to waste time in such a search. 5. We ought to agree with Dr. Murray about Here it is more to the point to call the attention of words ending in ment; let the rule be to add ment my fellow-craftsinen to a work which is a marvel to the word as it stands, like the proposed rule of accuracy, of comprehensiveness, of convenience. about words ending in able. The maps, and plates, and tables alone entitle it to 6. The same principle should be held in spelling pre-eminence. The purchase of reference works is participles ; ing should be universally added to å burden which few active authors can escape. I the present infinitive, without any cutting off of find this item alone a fairly heavy annual budget, “e's.” The syllable ed begins with an “e”; it is from “Whitaker's” and “Who's Who” to the various reasonable and comprehensible to cut off an e Dictionaries of National Biography. If, however, before adding it, so as not to bring two “e's ” I had to limit myself to one work alone as a together. travelling reference library it would be this 7. Fullin composition should drop an “l"univer- “Brockhaus." sally, e.g., fulfill, or skillful, willful, useful ; but POULTNEY BIGELOW. there is no reason why verbs and nouns should. MÜNICH, June 22. Their greater importance should be accentuated by the retention of the double “1.". 8. When a verb ends in a consonant preceded STANDARD RULES FOR PRINTING. by a vowel, there has been a rule to double the consonant before adding ed or ing. But there have been so many exceptions, that the rule is no 1. rule. Either let it be universal-(it only requires M R. HOWARD COLLINS is to be con- the dictum of a Dr. Murray to make it so)-or let M g ratulated on an imprimatur which his the practise be to add el, ing, er, or whatever the “Rules for Authors, Editors, Readers syllable may be, to the present infinitive of the and Compositors" have lately received. The verb, without any consonant doubling. committee of the London Association of Correctors 9. Why keep the z in cognisance ? of the Press has passed a resolution “generally Why keep the x in connection ? approving ” Part I., dealing with the letter A., Why keep the a in dependent ? and has also offered the assistance of its members Why keep the x in infection ? for the remainder of the work. License, practise, prophesy, should always have the “s"; the context tells the part of speech. 10. Some words beginning with h no longer II.-Note on the Clarendon Press Rules. have the “h” mute, as in earlier times, and as is 1. Rules for compositors are rules for all the mentioned ; surely herb, hero, history, hotel, English-speaking world, including its children. hostel, have so grown, and might have an a The commencement of a new Dictionary, like the instead of an before them. Let those only that one in progress by Dr. Murray, was a great oppor have not so grown continue the an—viz., heir, tunity for authors, compositors, and school teachers honour, honest, hour, (h)ostler. to organise for some kind of reform, so as to render 11. Let people who use slang and provincialisms our system more regular. We have too many sense. spell them as they please ; why make any rule less exceptions to our grammatical rules; these about the spelling of ain't? it ought not to be are a sore puzzle to children and foreigners; and recognised at all; it is not a real word. seldom have any good reason for their retention. 12. Page 25. Dates.--If you are writing a date 2. For instance, words ending in able. Why in figures the order is (1) day, (2) month, (3) year ; not in all cases add able to the infinitive present. if a letter or heading of a chapter is being dated,  ## p. 246 (#662) ############################################ 246 THE AUTHOR. this universal order should be followed ; thus, similar lines to those originally suggested by our “19 May, 1862.” But if a date is being mentioned Committee, as shown by the following letter of in a descriptive sentence, the number of the day Professor Pelham Edgar, secretary of the society, should be written in letters, thus, “ It happened to the Dominion Ministers on the subject :- on the nineteenth of May, 1862.” 13. English Counties, same page.—Why make a I beg respectfully to submit the following statements on the question of copyright. I speak as representing the quite unnecessary difference between contractions opinion of the Canadian Society of Authors :- in the spelling of the counties ? Bucks. and 1. We endorse any action which the Canadian Govern- Hants, are as much contractions as Yorks. Wilts. ment may take towards securing increased legislative Berks. etc. Let there be one rule ; let all con- privileges in this as in all questions where doubt as to the extent of Canada's prerogative exists. tractions of words be marked by a point. 2. While affirming this position we would deprecate any 14. The proposed division of words is depre- retrogressive legislation which would impair the privileges cated. On page 21 dimin-ish, inter-est, and Canada at present enjoys as a part of the British Empire. 3. We would as strongly register our protest against any pun-ish are correct. Why not follow the same action being taken that would involve our withdrawal from rule—the rule of the root-in the other cases the Berne Convention. This agreement we regard as an mentioned, and in all other cases ? The endings enlightened measure, which recognises the principle of ance, ence, ant, ent, er, or have well-defined and reciprocal international concessions, and accords to the well-known meanings as separate syllables. The author the right to control the products of his own brain, 4. Any licensing clause upon the lines proposed by the divisions should be abund-ance, depend-ent, cor-re- Board of Trade would necessitate our withdrawal from the spond-ence, esta-blish-ment, import-ance, minist Berne Convention. er, respond-ent. So also starv-ation, observ-ation, 5. Canada would then be isolated in the civilized world. exalt-ation, gener-ation, imagin-ation, origin-ally, a system of retaliation would be substituted for a system of international reciprocity, and Canadian authorship would and so on; the rule being that all words should be seriously hampered in its growth, be divided according to their natural syllabic The Federal Executive, by maintaining existing condi- formation. tions, can, on the other hand, encourage the development F. P. of a Canadian national literature. 6. The foremost publishers in Canada are opposed to the introduction of such a licensing clause. The publishers in question-Geo. N. Morang & Co., Limited, the Copp. III. Clark Co., Limited, and Wm. Briggs of the Methodist Book SIR,—It is very easy for Mr. Bernard Shaw and and Publishing House-brought out forty-nine British and American copyright works last year, as against two pub- his like to say that the author can settle such lished by the firms now agitating for a change. matters as spelling, for instance, himself, and order 7. We humbly submit that the views of the united body the printer to “ follow copy.” But how about the of Canadian authors have more intimate bearing upon small author ? For thirty years or more I have copyright than the views of a section of Canadian printers. written the word judgement with an "e" after “g,” Mr. Morang, the Canadian publisher, has also and spelt advertize and artizan with “z”; but never been in the forefront of the battle supporting the have I seen the word printed so, although I may same view of the case. have corrected two sets of proofs. It is to be hoped that neither the efforts of the As to Americanisms, one must grin and bear them Canadian Society of Authors nor of the Canadian if one sends copy to the United States. “Odor," publishers, headed by Mr. Morang, will be less “ favor,” etc., etc., make me shudder ; and even energetic owing to the reactionary views adopted French names of towns, such as Lyons and Nismes, by a few Canadian printers. appear in print as witnesses of the poor author's The Canadian question, it appears, will be one ignorance and want of observation when he travels of the questions discussed at the meeting of the Yours faithfully, Premiers. The printers of Canada should not be given the power of dealing arbitrarily with property not their own—the copyright of Canadian authors, or the CANADIAN COPYRIGHT. contracts of Canadian publishers ; nor the inter- international and colonial arrangements of the Empire be upset in order to benefit a small trade TN last month's Author the Committee made a section in Canada. I statement setting forth the course of action Everybody throughout the Empire who is they had adopted on the question of Canadian interested in the preservation of the status quo copyright. This course of action, begun some owe gratitude to the Canadian Authors' Society years ago, has been persistently pursued. and to Mr. Morang, who has so energetically led Since the formation of the Canadian Authors' the Canadian publishers and defended the rights Society it has been strenuously working along of property and stability of contract.  ## p. 247 (#663) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 247 ENGLISH AUTHORS FOR FRENCH on this feature, fiction and plenty of it, that READERS. the able editors of the French printing offices to- day compete. For years past, ad ex., there has been the keenest possible rivalry between Le Petit F late a certain demand has arisen in Paris Parisien and Le Petit Journal, and the battle has for the French translation rights of modern been exclusively fought by the champions of the English fiction, a circumstance which adds serial story for the respective proprietors. And somewhat to the profits of the English novelist's recently the directorate of Le Petit Parisien decided métier, and may be more profitable yet as the to give the Marinoni paper a knock-out blow, and demand develops. And this it is likely to do, at so enlarged their sheet to six pages, with three least for some time to come. serial stories. Upon which Le Pelit Journal In this article, at the request of the editor of followed suit, and now supplies an equal banquet, this magazine, I express my personal views on the in three feuilletons, for the daily halfpenny. cause of this demand and the results that it is These papers, of course, do not concern the British likely to lead to. If, on the one hand, and in the author. He could never aspire to appear in first place that is to say, as to the cause of this translation in their pages -- I use the word demand--my l'emarks are not very flattering to my “aspire” in an ironical sense--for the fiction here British brother authors, and in the second place, is special, and must be home-made. But the as to the probable net results thereof, I do not example they have set has forced the other show very optimistic, those interested may dis journals which comprte for a vast reading public regard as purely personal observations what I all over France-halfperny papers like Le Journal, am saying here. L'Echo de Paris, Le Matin, Le Français, &c.—to I do not think, then, that the Entente Cordiale give more and more space to fiction, and as the or any similar society of reciprocal admiration and competition is sure to be waged vet. more friendliness has had anything to do with the lessly in the future, and as fiction is the only demand in the literary Rialto of Paris for British feature on which competition is obligatory, the fiction. Nor do I think that this demand in any demand is likely to increase. I expect soon to way implies that our neighbours the French have read the announcement that Le Petit Journal is suddenly aroused themselves to the fact that we offering four diurnal dollops of sentiment and English produce, in the matter of imaginative sensation, an announcement which is sure to be literature, a good and substantial article. I do followed by the further notice that if you want not think that English novels will ever be popular five thrilling serials for your halfpenny you must in France, for the French and we are men of a go to Le Petit Parisien, and no other. The other breed and a psychology altogether different. Our papers will have to follow suit or to abandon all bumour puzzles them, our sentimentality bores hopes of deviating into their reservoirs any them, and our theories on the relations and mutual trickling streams of the copper Pactolus. observances of the sexes are to them a constant Now in France, serial fiction of the approved cause of irritation. Not a single British author, order is a costly commodity, and has to be paid either of the past or of present times, can rightly for. At tenpence a line, which is the usual price, be described as popular in France. and where Still, there is the demand, and here it is I fear to “ Yes." read unflattering. “ No. Newspaper proprietors in France have recently “Yes, I say." awakened to the fact that the French public don't " The Baron smiled." read newspapers, and that if they buy newspapers “The Marchioness wept.” it is because these contain other things than news represent five lines, or four shillings' worth of copy In which opinion they are altogether in the right. (the late Alexandre Dumas having established the The average Frenchman cares nothing about news · "line" from the feuilletonist's point of view to and nothing about politics, and in this connection, mean any alinéa), the purchase of a feuilleton did space allow of it, I could relate some startling means a considerable outlay of capital. Montépin experiences and observations which I have made made from £2,000 to £:3,000 for the first serial during the past twenty years in various parts of rights of any of his stories, and gave the best the territory of the Republic. What the average dinners in Paris. And the other feuilletonists do Frenchman wants in his daily paper, for what he is just as well. prepared to alienate his beloved halfpenny, is To be constrained, therefore, to give his readers fiction, feuilleton, and the editor who gives him three serials a day is a very heavy charge on an most fenilleton of the quality he likes is the able editor, and if the enormously wealthy pro- man for his halfpenny and himself. It is therefore prietors of such papers as Le Petit Journal and  ## p. 248 (#664) ############################################ 248 THE AUTHOR. Le Petit Parisien can afford to pay such high PERFORMING OR PLAY RIGHTS. prices for their three serials, this is impossible for papers of less financial standing. Yet the three, or as a minimum the two, daily DOR the dramatic author who desires to study serials have to be provided, or all hope of com- n exhaustively the legal and other difficulties peting has to be abandoned, and this is, I believe, that surround the question of performing the reason why the French editors are purchasing rights there are three main points to consider :- as make-weights, the translation rights of foreign (1) His rights before publication. authors, not English alone, but Italian, Spanish, (2) His rights after publication, that is, after German, and Polish also. I look on these trans- they come under the statutes - lations mainly as make-weights, because I notice (a) In the British Empire. that anything is considered suitable. Thus, at the (b) In the United States. present moment, two translations of Dickens are (3) The different method of obtaining his rights running in two leading Parisian dailies, “Un Drame in both countries, and how to protect himself to Sous La Révolution” (“A Tale of Two Cities ") cover all rights in both countries. and “Oliver Twist,” and, though these are very To an English dramatic author the most im- admirable tales, one would hardly expect to see portant rights are his performing rights throughout them at this time in their careers in serial form in the Empire, and his performing rights in the a metropolitan daily. United States. With these it is proposed to deal. In one word, I attribute the present demand for The rights of an author under the Berne foreign fiction, including British fiction, to the Convention, his international performing rights, necessities of French editors, who cannot afford to are not, for the moment, considered. Nor are the supply the requisite quantity with home-made performing rights in musical pieces. goods, at home prices, alone. Firstly, then, it would appear, as regards the This brings me to the second point on which British Empire, that prior to public representation, I have been consulted-as to the price that the the author has, at common law, an absolute per- British novelist can expect. I am pessimistic, petual performing right in his own work, and he although, of course, I may be mistaken. I think can restrain other performances. that the matter is demanded only because it is very If, however, the play or dramatic piece has been cheap, and that consequently little more than a printed and published, the case is not quite so clear. nominal price can be obtained. Dickens sold Most probably the author would still have the “ David Copperfield" to M. Hachette for £20— right of restraining performances. This is the the Hachettes will show you his receipt for that view adopted by Mr. Scrutton in his “Law of sum-and I know that not many years ago this Copyright." was looked on as a maximum price for all French This is the position under the present Acts that rights. govern the question in the Empire, but in the But in those days there was little or no demand United States the case is different, and from this for English books. To-day, as we have seen, such difference arises all the difficulties and complications a demand exists, and by its nature is a growing with regard to obtaining the performing rights in one, and doubtless, or else political economy is all both countries. poppycock, prices have improved. But I do not In the Empire the first public performance think that they will ever reach a point where they takes a dramatic piece from the care of the can be taken into serious consideration as a factor common law and makes it a child of the statute. of income. In most cases the rights are bought In the United States the securing of copyright outright for a sum (usually small) by the translator, by the author of a dramatic piece by printing and who makes the best bargain he can for himself. registering according to the Act carries with it the Few English books which appear as serials would right of “acting, performing, or representing." be likely to be bought by a publisher for publica. It may be argued, therefore, that so long as a tion in book-form. If such an arrangement were dramatic piece is not printed and copyrighted in proposed to an author, it would be to his interest America, so long does the common law performing to sell outright. The royalty system, for reasons right remain with the author, even after a public into which I do not care to go, would likely prove performance has taken place. highly unsatisfactory. But, when all is said, I do The second question for consideration is the not think there is much money in it. rights of an author after his work has come under Again, I may be mistaken, and for personal as the statute- well as general reasons I sincerely hope I am. (a) In the British Empire. (b) In the United States. ROBERT H. SHERARD. The Acts that govern the question of dramatic  ## p. 249 (#665) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 249 copyright in the Empire at the present time are the ment is dramatic according to the interpretation Acts of 3 William IV. c. 15, and 5 & 6 Vict. c. 45. of the Act, and the representation is public, then Under these Acts the author of a dramatic piece the statutory protection is secured. or entertainment has as his own property the Turning next to the rights of a dramatic author liberty of publicly representing the piece at any in the United States. It must first be noticed place or places of dramatic entertainment for the that United Siates performing rights are obtained period of forty-two years from the date of such by printing the book of words and registering representation, or for the life of the author and under the same rules and regulations that refer to seven years afterwards, whichever is the longer the copyrighting of books. It would seem more period. And this right of property, most probably, natural to obtain performing rights by a public exists whether the piece is printed prior to such performance, but the British method has this dis- representation or not. advantage, that not only is it not in accord with There are three important points for the practical the methods of the United States, but it is also at person to consider. variance with the methods of other countries. (1) What is a dramatic piece or entertain This latter case, however, does not bear on ment? Anglo-American, but International Copyright. It (2) What is a public representation ? is only nientioned in order to point out that a (3) What is a place of dramatic entertain- divergence even as small as this may raise con- ment ? siderable difficulties in the way of international Question 1 has to a certain extent been dealt legislation. with by Counsel's opinion in the March number of The Act of the United States that at present The Author. To this the reader is referred. Mr. deals with perforining rights is the Act of December Scrutton states in his work already mentioned 1, 1873, amended by the Act of March 3, 1901. that the dramatic character consists in the “repre. Under this Act the author of a dramatic composi- sentative" as opposed to the “narrative" element. tion shall, upon complying with the provisions It is doubtful, however, how far this could be therein contained, have the sole liberty of printing, taken as an accurate definition. “ It is in each repripting, etc., the same, and in the case of a case a question of degree and of fact.” Writers dramatic composition, of publicly performing or of poems, of dialogue, of musical songs should all representing it, or causing it to be performed or remember that they may hold performing rights, represented by others. and should guard their property zealously. They And authors or their assigps shall have the should also remember that the assignment of per- exclusive right to dramatise any of their works for forming rights gives no right to the assignee to which copyright shall have been obtained. Under multiply copies by publishing books of words. If the laws of the United States copyright endures this right, is required it must be paid for, and for twenty-eight years, with a further period of should be limited by an assignment of the right fourteen years upon the author if he be still living, of publication to programmes at particular per- or his widow or children--if he is dead—complying formances, or by words fitted to each particular case. with certain regulations under the Act. What is a public representation and what is a There are many difficulties that meet the author place of dramatic entertainment must be taken who desires to obtain copyright-copyright, as has together. been pointed out, including performing rights. Here, again, it is very difficult to give a definition. The book must be printed in the United States Each case will have to be decided on its own merits. from type set up or blocks manufactured there. It is the custom at what are commonly known Registration under certain conditions must be as “statutory performances" to take money at the made at Washington, and is a sine quâ non. A door, but it does not appear to be absolutely notice must be printed at the same time in the essential that money should be taken as long as several copies of every edition declaratory of the the performance is genuinely open to the public. fact that the work is copyright, and the name of And, again, a representation may be regarded as the party by whom such copyright is taken out. a public one though the privilege of admission be It is difficult, though not necessarily impossible, extended to certain persons only. It is easy enough for an author to obtain these rights unaided, for to point out examples of public performances and he runs the risk of losing what he is trying to examples of places of dramatic entertainment gain through non-compliance with some of the about which there would be no dispute. It would details. It is much better, therefore, for an English militate against a clear declaration of the position author to employ an agent in America—a publisher either to refer to cases bearing on the point-this in preference—who is well acquainted with all the article is not a legal treatise—or to attempt a fuller essential particulars, whose frequent practice makes explanation. If, however, the piece or entertain- bim safe and reliable.  ## p. 250 (#666) ############################################ 250 THE AUTHOR. Lastly, it is necessary to consider how the per- invalidate his United States performing rights, forming rights may be secured in both countries in which are not created by a public performance, such a way that the rights obtained in the British but by copyright registration. His performing Empire do not destroy the rights desired in the rights in both countries will be then secured in United States, and vice versa. the Empire under the Statutes, and in America An author must on no account do any of the under the common law. It is safest, then, not to following acts :- publish a book of the words either in England or He must not have a public performance in the the United States. United States prior to obtaining the copyright, or if it is important to publish a book of the prior to holding a public performance in England. words, then it must be copyrighted simultaneously This will lose him his British performing rights, in both countries. For by this process all perform- as in order to secure the rights under the Imperial ing rights in both countries and all copyrights will Statute the first public performance is bound to have been created and secured under the statutes be within the British Empire (Boucicault 1. in force in both countries. Chatterton). It has been deemed sufficient to give a plain He must not, prior to having a statutory per- statement of facts rather than a complicated essay forinance in England, copyright his work in the setting forth the why and the wherefore, amply United States, except in his own name. It is not illustrated both with legal cases and the dicta of an unusual custom to assign the United States the judges. As far as possible the word copyright copyright in a book or play to the American has been omitted, and the question of copyright publisher. property not dealt with. But owing to the pecu- As stated above, if the copyright in the United liarity of the United States law, the methods of States is secured, this carries with it performing obtaining copyright had to be considered by the rights. Therefore the English performing rights side of the method of obtaining performing rights. might be endangered by the owner of the copy Lastly, the author must be warned never to right in the United States holding a public per confuse copyright and performing right. The pro- formance before the statutory performance in perties are absolutely distinct. Confusion brings England. It may be of interest to quote a curious with it all kinds of danger, case arising from this difficulty. To those who think of studying the subject A well-known English author wrote a novel further it must be pointed out that the term per- which was produced simultaneously in England forming right is often known as stage right, play and the United States ; unfortunately, for con- right, or dramatic right. It is a pity that one venience sake, he sold the United States copyright word has not been universally accepted. to the English publisher, who registered in his G. H. T. own name at Washington. The English author subsequently dramatised the work, but on attempt- ing to place the piece in the United States, was met by the English publisher, who not only claimed A BOOK ABOUT BOOKS.* all dramatic rights in the United States, but stated that he had already sold them. The author in the agreement for publication of “TTIEROGLYPHICS” is not a particularly his book had not taken the point into consideration. I attractive title for a book, or one that An author must not, prior to the statutory per- is calculated to offer any very irresistible formance in England, copyright the book simul- temptation to the average library-subscriber. The taneously in both countries, unless the copyright volume thus oddly named, however, is none the less be registered in his own name in the States for a thoroughly readable one. It is true that the class the reason just stated. it appeals to primarily is sorr.ewhat circumscribed Neither should he copyright the book in England (being confined almost entirely to those who alone, as that would invalidate the United States appraise literature above halfpenny journalism), copyright, which carries with it the United States but as this will accord it an intelligent apprecia- performing rights; and the play might be pirated tion, the fact that it is not likely to achieve the in the United States by public performance, and indignity of a popular success should be accounted thus the British performing rights be destroyed. to its author for merit. The safest plan of all, therefore, and the plan The general scheme of the book is to reproduce that the dramatic author should whenever possible certain conversations which the author, Mr. Arthur adopt, is to have a statutory performance in England first. This creates a property in his performing rights under the Imperial Statutes, and does not “Hieroglyphics," by Arthur Machen (Grant Richards).  ## p. 251 (#667) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 251 Machen, had with a literary recluse some few years and ready test, and one that is foredoomed to ago. This individual dwelt apart from his fellows failure on account of the difficulty of applying it. in the suburban fastnesses of Barnsbury, and from Who is to say in what “ecstasy” consists ? Some this safe retreat was wont to deliver his judgments people may derive it from the pages of“ Bradshaw," on men and books. In Mr. Machen he seems to have while others might read “Paradise Lost” from end found the ideal listener, for throughout the couple to end, and yet fail to find a vestige thereof. Surely, of hundred or so pages in which his disquisitions it is a matter of temperament. Even the qualifying are contained no observation from their receiver concession that one may substitute for this term is permitted to appear. The most confirmed of that of “rapture, beauty, adoration, wonder, monomaniacs could not ask for better treatment awe, mystery, sense of the unknown, a desire than is here accorded this apocryphal hermit. for the unknown,” does not help us to any great The protagonist of Mr. Machen's entertaining extent. For example, the works of the minor chapters is more than something of an iconoclast. novelists are more than likely to fill their readers He has but scant respect for several of the gene- with a sense of wonder, but it cannot be seriously rally accepted idols of the circulating library, and contended that they are to rank as “fine literature" does not hesitate to dub even Thackeray “nothing on this account. but a photographer; a showman with a set of Some of the ex cathedrâ judgments in Mr. Machen's pictures.” At the most he declines to yield him volume are notable. Here, for instance, is one à higher niche in the Temple of Fame than that that may comfort the un-read: “ If a great book due to him as “the chief of those who have pro- is really popular it is sure to owe its popularity vided interesting reading matter”; nor does the to entirely wrong reasons." Another and less writer to whom we are indebted for “ Adam Bede" paradoxical opinion of the same authority declares pass unscathed through the furnace of his criticism, that “ loneliness is merely another synonym for since he can find it in his heart to call her “poor, that one property which makes the difference dreary, draggle-tailed George Eliot.” As may be between real literature and reading matter.” imagined, the really small fry in the province of Whether there be any of this elusive quality authorship are assessed at a very low valuation about “ Hieroglyphics” is for Mr. Machen's indeed. readers to settle among themselves. Early in the course of his duties as a Barnsbury H. W. Boswell, Mr. Machen records a portentous question on the part of this trenchant critic. The subject under discussion had been the peculiar quality in a book that makes for literature. As the term is one that the poverty of the English FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF TRADE language has compelled us to apply to practically TO ART. anything in print-from a company prospectus to the works of Shakespeare-it of course became necessary to go further into the matter. Accord- TT HERE appeared in The Author for May an ingly, the hermit puts this problem :- article entitled, “Financial Obligations of Art to Trade,” in which, among certain " What is it that differentiates fine literature from a more nebulous conclusions, the writer calls pub- number of grammatical, or partly grammatical, sentences lishers the “merchant princes of the world of arranged in a more or less logical order? Why is the Odyssey to come in, why is the “ literature” of our evening books," says that authors are tradesmen, and adds, paper to be kept out ? And again, to put the question in very kindly, that tradesmen can be gentlemen. a more subtle form : to which class do the works of Jane Thus, while those of us who happen to write will Austen helong? Is “ Pride and Prejudice" to stand on be surprised to find we are tradesmen, yet we the Odyssey shelf, or to lie in the pamphlet drawer ? Where is Pope's place? Is he to be set in the class of have the consolation of knowing we may be Keats? If not, for what reason? What is the rank of gentlemen. Now, by what process of argument Dickens, of Thackeray, of George Eliot, of Hawthorne; and, the writer of this article arrives at the fact that in a word, how are we to sort out, as it were, this huge multitude of names, giving to each one his proper rank authors are tradesmen I have in vain tried to find and station ?” out, and, failing to do so, must suppose that it is an intuition on his part. It is true that authors The solution to the weighty question asked in produce things for which they are paid ; but at this the foregoing is, we are assured, contained in the rate barristers, bishops, schoolmasters, anyone in word ecstasy. Where this quality be present, fine fact who earns anything is a tradesman. If this is literature is the result; where it be absent, then the meaning of the writer of this article, he is of at the most we cannot get more than something course quite at liberty to use the word “trades- that is merely “very good.” It seems a rough man" in this sense, only it would be wise to  ## p. 252 (#668) ############################################ 252 THE AUTHOR. remember that probably no one else in the world the author of this article will recommend me a does so. Nor do I the least mind being called a publisher who will supply me with ideas. I am tradesman : he may call me a bootblack if he likes. sadly in need of them. I am bound to confess that after several readings Indeed, it is difficult to take these statements quite I cannot understand quite what the article is seriously. One might as well say that the railway driving at. Towards the end of it, however, there lines of the kingdom are under a great financial is a certain summary given as follows :- obligation to “Bradshaw” or the “A.B.C.” The “The first point is that publishers make their public—the travelling public-are, just as the read- fortunes by sticking to their trade, not by robbing ing public are, under an obligation to publishers. impecunious geniuses. ... The second ... that It is in fact just because the authors are not trades- inost literary ventures to which authors are indebted men that they have to employ publishers, who are for so much remunerated employment nowadays middlemen and render the authors' works accessible are originated by the trade.” to the public. On the other hand, the financial Now, with regard to the first point, the language obligation of the trade to art is surely an appre- used is so exaggerated as to render any discussion ciable quantity, for it is the asset of the trade. on the exact terms futile. The question really is Without bringing into the question the confusing (a question which the Society of Authors devote and not analogous question of the relation of the their time to solving), What is the fair distri. journalist to the newspaper proprietor (which is bution of profits between author and publisher ? an entirely different matter, since journalism for Let us by all means call the author an impecunious the most part is not literature, and the success of tradesman, the publisher a merchant-prince. But any paper depends so largely on its advertisements). it is surely clear that the better bargain the the financial obligation of the trade to art so vastly merchant-prince makes, the quicker he will make outweighs any other financial obligation there may bis fortune, while the better bargain the im- be that it is impossible to speak of the two to. pecunious tradesman makes the sooner will he gether. Or are we seriously to imagine that become solvent. No doubt if the merchant prince's publishers are altruists of the most wonderful turnover is big enough (as this writer himself sort, and pursue their merchant-prince calling for suggests) he will come home by making a penny no thought of gain, but simply in order to diffuse in the outlay of every sovereign. But clearly in among the millions the masterpieces of art and this case he must be a prince of considerable wealth literature ? In any case they have to get them in to start with. order to diffuse them. And they get them from Of course, if there is no problem at all of the the authors. first relations between author and publisher, there It is, of course, perfectly true that many fine is no more to be said, but if there is, the solution books, such as the “ Dictionary of National Bio- is not advanced by overstating the question or bygraphy,” owe their inception to the enterprise of truisms about the advisability of sticking to trade. publishers ; but, invaluable as these are, they all, On the other hand, it is idle to deny that publishers broadly speaking, come under the head of books have often made large sums of money by pur- of reference, and it must be seriously questioned chasing outright the work of an unknown author, whether any real lover of literature would not which happens to run to many editions. The cheerfully make a holocaust of them all rather than unknown author, it is true, has consented to the lose a play of Shakespeare or even a novel of arrangement, and to impute fraud to the publisher Tolstoi. And though it is inspiriting to be told is clearly out of the question. At the same time that competent authors are very common objects he probably knows quite well that had the author of the strand, and that there is no difficulty in been more experienced he would not have parted finding authors competent to write on fresh sub- with his copyright on such terms, and that he jects, we regretfully confess that such optimism is himself has taken advantage of the author's ignor- beyond us, unless by the word "author" is meant ance. It is the business of the Society of Authors merely the industrious compiler of guides to to save their silly sheep from such bargainings. cathedral towns, and such-like interesting little The second point referred to above seems to me works. But to assume that books of reference, on sober reflection to be one of the most remark- even when we consider the “ Dictionary of National able statements ever made. “Most of the literary Biography” or the “Encyclopædia " under this ventures to which authors are indebteil for so much head, are more than a bucketful in the sea of remunerated employment nowadays are originated by literature, seems to us an untenable position. And the trade ? " I hope my publisher will mark this, for all except books of reference, the public is and send me as soon as possible half-a-dozen plots indebted entirely to the author, and not to the for stories. Excellent as he is in all other respects, publisher. he has hitherto failed in this particular. Or perhaps E. F. BENSON.  ## p. 253 (#669) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 253 GENERAL MEMORANDA. TTERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property : 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. 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.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should be reserved 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed- ingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con- tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA- TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. TEVER 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. A VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub- lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member.  ## p. 254 (#670) ############################################ 254 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 in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. 7. No contract should be entered into with a literary agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society. Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter- pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society. 8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements. This must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members. 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. 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. THE READING BRANCH. M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea, W E have received a publication from the Canadian Society of Authors, entitled “ A Bibliography and General Report." It contains a list of the members, together with a list of the works that they have produced. That the Society is in a healthy condition, and that the membership includes the names of those best known in Canadian literature speaks well for its future activity. It is pleasant to see three members of the Cana. dian Society, Sir Gilbert Parker, M.P., Mr. John A. Cooper, and Mr. J. Castell Hopkins, are also members of our Society. The Honorary President of the Society is Professor Goldwin Smith, whose writings have for so many years marked with distinction the literature of the Dominion and of the Empire. The Acting President is the Hon. G. W. Ross, the Premier of Ontario, whose reputa- tion has been made in politics rather than litera- ture. His political position cannot fail to be of great importance to the Society on the vexed question of Canadian copyright. On this point he is, we understand, in full accord with the Canadian Authors Society and our own Society. Amongst the names of those well known through- out the Empire are Dr. Drummond of Montreal, Dr. Louis Frechette. Mr. Clive Phillipps Wooller. Sir James Le Moine and Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton. NOTICES. THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest ös. 60. subscription for the year.  ## p. 255 (#671) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 255 It is hoped that at no distant date the Society, some of the United States publishers paid to born while the literature of the Dominion is still English authors for the use of their stories what young, will foster such a spirit amongst the they called a honorarium. But though this was Canadians, and take such practical steps to protect the usual custom, it appears that a certain the property of its members by aiding Imperial American firm took some of Mr. Kipling's work copyright, unhampered by trade restrictions, that and reproduced it without proper acknowledgment. the School of Canadian Literature will be worthy Sir Walter Besant, Mr. William Black, and Mr. of the country that produced it, and maintain the Thomas Hardy wrote to the papers defending the high standard that marks its infancy. dealings of the American house in the matter of the publication of their own writings. Mr. Rud- yard Kipling's method of retort was the ballad above referred to, in which he called the tbree In a paragraph from the Sunday Sun, headed great writers mentioned the “Three Great “ Authors and Publishers," the following statement Captains." is made with reference to the literary agent :- The poem opens with the following lines :- “I learn, however, that the latest move of the literary agent is to arrange with some publishing house to take the “At the close of a winter day, first reading of all manuscripts that come in his way, and Their anchors down, by London town, the three great to receive in return a fee or a salary." captains lay; And one was Admiral of the North from Solway Firth The writer in the Sunday Sun objects, and to Skye, rightly so, to the course taken by the literary And one was Lord of the Wessex Coast and all the lands agent in receiving a salary from the publisher, thereby, And one was Master of the Thames from Limehouse to but his objection rests on the grounds that the Blackwall. literary agent is thereby less likely to deal effec. And he was Captain of the Fleet-the bravest of them all.” tually with the author's MSS., firstly by oftentimes submitting them to the wrong publisher, or Later on in the same ballad he draws into his secondly by making a lenient contract with the verse the names of the three writers in a triple publisher owing to the fee he receives. If what pun. The lines run as follows:- the writer states is true, there is a much more serious side to the case, namely, that the literary “We are paid in the coin of the White Man's Trade-, agent is in a confidential position to the author The bezant is hard, ay, and black." who employs him, and in such a position is not Of the three great Captains one only is left. only legally but morally wrong in accepting com- Their works will, no doubt, be with us long after mission from any one but his employer, whether de ner the little di the little dispute has been buried in oblivion. It the honorarium-as no doubt he would term it- is almost forgotten now, at any rate at the present is by direct payment or an unwritten agreement time it time it has no significance, but this note may based on the interchange of business. It is not a be of interest to those who read with delight question of expediency; it is a question of morals. Mr . Mr. Kipling's poem yet fail to grapple its exact It is impossible that any respectable literary agent would have dealings with a publisher on this meaning and its exact purport. basis. Rumours have been floating about bearing out to a certain extent the statement of the writer in the Sunday Sun. Has any direct evidence been Mr. Pett Ridge in his usual amusing manner forthcoming ? deals with the question of “ Literary Gents and If the writer in the Sunday Sun has such Literary Agents in the English Illustrated Maga- evidence to produce, the Secretary of the Society zine. In the course of certain remarks he states will be glad to hear from him at 39, Old Queen as follows :—“Young women are fond of declaring Street, Storey's Gate. that there is a ring in literature. This does not mean that they expect to find there opportunities for matrimony, but that in their opinion the work The deaths of Sir Walter Besant and William is in the hands of the few ; hence they adopt Black take away two of three actors in a miniature schemes of great ingenuity, as, for instance, the literary drama which called forth one of Mr. addressing of stories to the wives of bachelor Rudyard Kipling's virile efforts. All those inte. editors, or enclosing with the script a bunch of rested in Mr. Kipling's writings have read the violets. Not by this means does the literary agent ballad of “ The Three Captains,” but few under- place the wares of his clients." staud its application. We wonder how far the schemes of the ladies are In the days before the American Copyright Act successful. Editors are but human.  ## p. 256 (#672) ############################################ 256 THE AUTHOR. Mr. Pett Ridge does not inform us whether at DUMAS PÈRE (1802–1870). any time photographs are also enclosed. Is it possible that he has had pleasant, or, maybe, bitter experience ? T seems likely that the birth centenary of Alexandre Dumas on the 24th of this month will receive more notice in England than in France. Here the air is full of Dumas literature; It is hardly fair to English readers to mention in Paris the recent Hugo doings have apparently the Baconian theory. It acts no longer as a red exhausted for the time the possibilities of cele- rag to a bull, but rather as a soporific. The following bration. But as the two men were born so near cutting from the Baltimore Neu's, where the subject together, as they were fellow-workers at the begin- seems to have lost but little of its freshness, may, ning and close friends ever afterwards--"a friend- on account of the many theories put forward, waken ship which ” (Dumas wrote) “ has survived exile. a flash of interest. It runs : and will, I trust, survive death”-it is almost a pity that they could not have been bracketed Some of the latest theories promulgated are as follows :- (a) That Bacon and Shakespeare were one and the same together for commemoration. Doubtless, to the man ; (b) that Bacon wrote the Shakespearian plays while pious devotee of the poet such a suggestion would in prison, serving a sentence of one year for profanely be little short of profanity. In this country, how- cursing and swearing on the public highway ; (c) that the ever, we are not much given to Hugolatry, either name Bacon was merely Shakespeare's nom-de-plume, assumed because the bard was a ham actor ; (d) that because our admiration for the literary artist is Shakespeare, being ashamed of his plays, blamed Bacon; tempered by some qualms about the man, or (e) that Shakespeare invented the Baconian theory in order because we do not take kindly to apotheosis, or to mislead his creditors ; (f) that the real author of the simply because we prefer to be amused rather than plays was Bacon's father-in-law, a saloon-keeper, named George W. Ferguson ; (g) that Shakespeare sold out his edified. With our good Dumas there are no diffi- i play writing business to Bacon after writing half of the culties of this sort. Nobody in France has thought plays; (h) that Shakespeare and Bacon were partners; of deifying him, or of adding him to the permanent (i) that they were not : (i) that maybe they were ; (k) that glories of the nation : no one can pretend that he nobody knows whether they were or not. preached to the world, and no one can deny that in his day and generation he amused and thrilled it very successfully. All honour, then, to the author of La Reine The following note has been received from a Margot and Les Trois Mousquetaires, to the writer correspondent :- of the best impressions of travel that were ever “ May I point out," he writes, “ a branch of the penned, and the most charming bric-à-brac about collecting mania that, whatever its other merits, everything and nothing that ever came in useful at least promises to add to the revenue of the to fill a printed page. Primarily the most remark- author. For long enough collectors have bid able thing about Dumas is his encylopædic cha- against one another for Burns's MSS. and for the racter : dramatist, conteur, novelist, historian-- original drafts of Byron's poems, but the supply of nothing came amiss to him, and the marvel is, not these is necessarily limited, and there is not that much of his work failed of the highest excel- enough to go round. Some more modern victim lence, but that so little of it fell below a good of the collecting habit ? has, therefore, evolved average readable quality. Before all else he was an appetite for the original script of the more a dramatist, and-in the opinion of M. Sardou, popular of the current books. The worse the than whom no better authority can be wished- * copy' from the compositor's view, the better it the best all-round homme de théâtre of the nine- is from the collector's. Deletions and erasions he teenth century. That faculty was in him innate ; pays for in extra pounds sterling, and instead of the others, which came afterwards, grew out of it. demanding type-written matter, he quotes prices It may be said, of course, that the twenty-five at least 80 per cent. higher for drafts in the volumes of the Théâtre of Dumas represent what original pencil or ink. For storage purposes, the is now mostly lumber, and that, with the exception MSS. are bound ; and when placed on shelves, a of the three or four standard comedies included in copy of the printed work is put beside them as a the répertoire of the Français, his plays are seldom bandy translation to words which are more than or never performed. This, however, is no measure usually ill-written. Already there is an upward of dramatic importance — Shakespeare, for that tendency in the prices asked and given.” matter, is seldom seen on the stage. The question is rather of the extent to which subsequent drama has undergone his influence. Granting that for mechanism the theatre is more indebted to Scribe,  ## p. 257 (#673) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 257 for analysis and philosophy to Balzac, it remains carried them to their full capacity of popular true that in the whole sphere of emotional effects appreciation : herein lay the quality of his genius. no one can touch Dumas. The Tour de Nesle, Henri III. was not the first essay in romantic for example, has been a prototype, in the way of drama, but it was the first that made an impres- suggestion, for melodramas by the score: it is sion : how effective a basis of fiction inight be even more certain that Antony and the group of laid by the juxtaposition of the abnormal and plays allied to Antony have a long and distinct the commonplace had been illustrated by Soulié progeny in the modern social drama, beginning (Mémoires du Diable) and by Eugène Sue (Atar with Dumas fils and Emile Augier, and ending- Gull) before Dumas did the same thing more if haply it has ended—with the “problem” play largely in Monte Cristo. Years before Le Chevalier of recent memory. Under different forms the d'Harmental and La Reine Margot, French writers, substance of all these is the assertion of egoism influenced by Scott, had woven history and romance and the treatment of moral laws—one in particular together. Prosper Mérimée in his Chronique du -as a question of society instead of the Decalogue. règne de Charles IX., and Victor Hugo in Notre To say that the elder Dumas originated this—and Dame ; but neither of them, however much they if not Dumas, then one must step back over the might appeal to artistic or critical taste, hai French Revolution to Beaumarchais-is not to say the verve or vividness or geniality which are that he did so consciously. His nature did not necessary for a really popular work, and whiclı tend to problems, and he felt things rather than characterise the best of Dumas' historical understood them. But most vividly he did feel romances. . the young France of 1830, and his dramatic gifts In saying that he is popular, meaning thereby made him the best interpreter of that “incan- that he has the qualities of popularity, one admits descent ” age. With the next generation another -as cheerfully as Dumas himself did when he said, stage was reached in the evolution of the modern “Moi, je suis vulgarisateur.”—whatever superfine spirit-a development, not a reversal. Much as critics may find to sneer at in his unstylish style, has been said of the contrasts between père and his exaggeration and lack of reserve, his redun- fils, the inheritance of the younger Dumas from dancies and repetitions, to say nothing of his the elder is so patent that it would be better to free plagiarism, and his wholesale collaboration. discard, as regards them, such labels as Romanticist Against such defects it might be enough to urge. and Realist. the advantages of resourcefulness, ease, lucidity, From the dramatist arose the story-teller, by and so forth. But neither defects nor qualities which we understand the metteur en scène in book will explain the popularity of Dumas unless we form of varivus episodes of travel and imagination, take into account also the more than conventional which reached their climax in the famous Comte de bond between the writer's self and his writings Monte Cristo. It was in his capacity as a conteur, the feeling that here we have no detached artist first displayed in the early Impressions de Voyage, contemplating and polishing his work—things that Parisians recognised Dumas as possessing the which Dumas never did—but a man, or let us say esprit they esteemed so much. They did not, it a good fellow, who, having himself hugely enjoyed is true, set equal value on his erudition, when he the creation of his characters and incidents, is produced a solid book on France in the middle anxious that others should share the enjoyment ages. But this was only a coup d'essai-a pre- with him. It is a truism to speak of an author liminary canter before starting on that course of as identified with his works : in the case of Dumas dramatic-historical fiction in which he came in an it is also a truth. easy winner. It is necessary to say “dramatic” In the same way with the reproach of impro- as well as “historical,” for the novels of Dumas risation, of which one has heard a good deal, and present a series of stageable scenes, divided and which, in this instance, appears to mean partly spaced out—here the conteur comes in—by descrip- that the production was too hasty, partly that. tive passages which serve to the story as scenery there was too much of it. The haste, however, serves to a theatrical piece. Every novel of adven- was not always so great as it seemed. That Dumas ture lends itself more or less to dramatisation, but was phenomenally rapid in execution is well known, none so conspicuously as his, because none have but it is forgotten that the conception was often, been written so palpably with memories of the with him, an affair of weeks, months, and some- theatre behind and prospects of the theatre in times even years. Once the conception was clearly front. arranged, the execution—the mere writing, pause- For one thing, then, all Dumas' work is dramatic; less, unrevised, unpunctuated—did not count with for another, it is essentially popular. Alike in plays him as anything. And as to his abundance, or super- and in novels, happy in the moment of his arrival, abundance, summarised in the axiom that no one he assimilated the ideas or efforts of others, and has ever read all that Dumas wrote—not even  ## p. 258 (#674) ############################################ 258 THE AUTHOR. Dumas himself-that belongs to the dispensations boundary between Virginia and North Carolina in of Nature : it would be as idle to talk of the 1728, and at his death owned a hundred and excess, the defect and the mean, as it would be seventy thousand acres of the best land in the to censure an apple-tree for being overladen with former state. He had been educated in England fruit. on the supposition that if the apples had and elected to the Royal Society. He kept a been fewer they might have been of more journal which Professor Moses Coit Tvler has excellent quality. A vain expectation. called “one of the most delightful literary legacies A. D. which that age has handed down to us,” and which has, indeed, a charm comparable to that of “ Pepys's Diary" itself. One of Colonel Byrd's daughters AMERICAN NOTES. was “ Beautiful Evelyn Byrd," who figures in Miss Johnston's romance " Audrey," which, by-the- bye, holds its own against even “ The Hound of T HERE has been a very large output of novels the Baskervilles” as the best selling book in this spring, but very little else of any America. account. On the other hand, what is Another work of no slight historical interest is known as “library business,” which, of course, Dr. James K. Hosmer's “ History of the Louisiana covers many works of heavier calibre, is reported Purchase," a subject which has lately been brought to have kept up remarkably well. On the question before European readers in Mr. J. H. Rose's of the effect that woight be produced on the sale of excellent “Life of Napoleon.” The work is com- fietion if the public libraries stopped purchasing mendable both as history and literature. In we incline to the view recently expressed by “ Reconstruction and the Constitution," Dr. J. W. Mr. Frank Norris rather than that held by the late Burgess, of Columbia University, completes the Frank R. Stockton. We believe that the overplus “ American History " series to which he had pre- of fiction read is an evil; but we do not think that viously made important contributions. “ The New it would be increased by the suggested remedy (not England Society Orations," collected and edited by that Mr. Stockton, being a novelist, looked at the Cephas and Eveline Warner Brainerd, may also be matter in this light). The author of “ The Octo- mentioned in this connection, also another con- pus” complains bitterly of the predominance of the tribution to the national story, Mr. James Curtis super-amiable, embodied in the person of the Ballagh's “ History of Slavery in Virginia," which amiable young girl, in American fiction of to-day, forms the new volume of the “ Johns Hopkins and maintains with some reason that it is not the University Studies." normal, but deviation from the normal, that makes Although one may be permitted to question the for interest in literature. But perhaps he is unduly publisher's claim that Aaron Burr is to-day “by pessimistic when he goes on to deplore the growing far the most mysterious, interesting, and attractive imitativeness of the national literature which he character in American history”--there must be attributes to its preoccupation with well-bred some who do not even know his name—there will people. Surely the great vitality of present-day certainly be many readers who will be glad to hear fiction, at least in America, is a sufficient answer about the man who killed Mrs. Atherton's hero to this foreboding of a decay of originality in the from so well-accredited a biographer as Mr. Charles nation. Burr Todd. Before touching upon the aforesaid fiction we The only other biographical achierement which will notice a few books in other departments of we feel called upon to record here is the life of a literature which seem worthy of attention. A book naval celebrity, John Ancrum Winslow, of Alabama which is likely to continue to be much read is fame. Mr. Carnegie's “ Empire of Business." It is Coming to publications which are more imme- hardly, perhaps, necessary to dwell upon its con- diately concerned with the present, we may call tents here ; but it may be of interest to note the attention in passing to “ Democracy and Social ingenuity shown by the publishers (Doubleday, Ethics,” by Miss Jane Addams, of Hull House, Page & Co.) in making to customers an offer by Chicago, as a temperate exposition of the socialistic which they induce them to take two years' sub- panacea. Of kindred interest are three books deal- scription to “ The World's Work" in combination ing with the subject of Trusts. Professor John with monthly payments for the book. Bates Clark believes that if regulated they may Another work issued by the same publishers become something less than an evil, and would, to should be of interest to English readers. This cite his sub-title, “curb the Power of Monopoly is the reprint by John Spencer Bassett of “ The by a Natural Method.” The author of "Com- Writings of Colonel William Byrd, of Westover, in mercial Trusts," on the other hand, favours Virginia, Esq.” This gentleman surveyed the a laissez faire policy in dealing with these  ## p. 259 (#675) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 259 combinations. Dr. Le Rossignol, in his introductory pleased at the way in which the drafter of the sketch, called “Monopolies, Past and Present," Declaration of Independence is treated by this writes somewhat vaguely about returning to old author. ideals, and is, perhaps, the least satisfactory of the A book which has received a very hearty wel- three writers. come is “ The Thrall of Leif the Lucky," by Miss Mr. Peters, a Baptist clergyman of New York, Ottilie Liljencrantz. The scene of this story of has entered the lists with some success against Viking days shifts from Norway to Greenland, Mark Twain, who had charged the Jews with and from thence to the unknown American coast, incapacity for patriotism. In “The Jew as a and has the charm of decided freshness. It has Patriot” a highly creditable record of civic virtue been elaborately illustrated by Mr. and Mrs. Troy is presented on behalf of the Hebrew race both in Kinney, of Chicago. America and Europe. A story of a less remote period which is arousing In view of the Rhodes bequest, and the close much interest is “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon connection it seems destined to bring about Hall," in which Mr. Charles Major has struck between Oxford and people on this side, Mr. out quite a new line. The tale is of Elizabethan Corbin's impressions of the University (" An days, and Mary Queen of Scots comes in for very American at Oxford ") will be read with interest. severe treatment at the writer's hands. M. Paul Bourget, the French novelist, has lately, Emerson Hough's “ Mississippi Bubble” is it may be remembered, communicated to the world another historical romance which has caught on. his experiences of the same centre of culture. John Law, the Scottish speculator, is, of course, Among recent essayists we must reckon Mr. the hero ; and two English ladies have much to Charles Dudley Warner, who has reprinted various do with his fate. This writer is thought to be literary and social papers under the title “ Fashions stronger in the delineation of masculine charac- in Literature”; Mr. Hamilton W. Mabie, whose teristics than in dealing with the subleties of “ Works and Days” is of ethical and didactic feminine psychology. import; and Mr. Richard Burton (“Forces in Kate Douglas Wiggin's “ Diary of a Goose Fiction"), who thinks we make too much nowa Girl" also takes the reader to England. It is in days of technic, and are too fond of making lighter vein than most of the romances we have imaginary creations less human beings than spoken of. “ The Misdemeanours of Nancy,” by “ more or less colourless exponents of a principle, Eleanor Hoyt, is likely to be much discussed. a class, a theory.” Miss Anne Douglas Sedgwick has followed up Miss Clara Morris's stage memories have now her previous successes with a story of heredity been followed by Mr. Henry Austin Clapp's called “The Rescue," the scene of which is laid “ Reminiscences of a Dramatic Critic,” which in Paris. extend over a period of a quarter of a century. Mr. Chatfield Taylor, of Chicago, has written a Under the heading of Poetry we have as usual novel which is much talked about. It is called but little to chronicle ; but it may be announced “ The Crimson Wing," and is to be dramatised by that ping-pong has found its laureate in the Mr. E. E. Rose. person of Mr. Burges Johnson, whose “ Bugle Miss Marie Van Vorst has had to change the Song " has some felicitous lines. title of her new novel to “ Philip Longstreth." Before plunging into the whirlpool of Fiction, Some one else seems to have used “ The Sacrifice we may just advert to the fact that among other of Fools.” books in some demand are Goldwin Smith's “Com- Messrs. Scribner, who have issued so many of monwealth or Empire,” F. Schuyler Matthews's the recent successes, are bringing out Clara “ Field Book of American Wild Books," and a Morris's “A Pasteboard Crown.” We shall soon book by the veteran Charles Warren Stoddard, be able to judge whether she excels as much in the Loti of America, entitled “In the Footsteps romance as on the stage and the platform. of the Padre.” Mr. Stewart E. White's “ The Blazed Trail ” is “ The Valley of Decision,” by Mrs. Edith a rattling good story, and American enough, we Wharton, is quite a new departure for her, and should think, to content Mr. Frank Norris. So to some extent also in American literature. It is again, in another direction, is “ Morchester," a less of a novel than a study of the conditions of life political novel of the Eastern States, and Mr. in Italy towards the end of the eighteenth century. William Sage's tale of the Civil War, “ The Mrs. Gertrude Atherton's "The Conqueror" is Claybournes." being much talked of, and exciting some criticism. Mrs. Henry Dudeney's “Spindle and Plough " is It was begun as a biography of Alexander Hamilton, complementary to her “Folly Corner.” It is a but ended as a romance with the soldier-statesman study of the eternally interesting conflict in women as its hero. Admirers of Jefferson are not greatly between the instincts of sex and maternity.  ## p. 260 (#676) ############################################ 260 THE AUTHOR. M. G. W. Cable has broken new ground with Francis Richard Stockton will also have a niche, “ Bylow Hill,” his first Northern story, as also it but much lower down, among American writers might be thought had the author of “ Uncle who will be remembered. “ The Lady of the Remus," to judge from the title of his latest Tiger ” will suffice to keep his memory green, even work. “The Making of a Statesman,” however, if “ Rudder Grange ” be forgotton. Nor was his a novelette, is accompanied by a collection of short last work,“ Kate Bonnet," lacking in that vivacity stories of Georgia Life of the old kind. which so eminently characterised the man. We Some discussion has been going on in the do not think that any of the various stories we literary journals as to whether such a thing exists have read of Stockton are sufficiently worthy of his as the « New Humor.” We dare not venture an reputation to warrant quotation here. opinion on so difficult a question. We may note, Paul Leicester Ford was a successful man of however, that Mr. E. J. W. Townsend has brought letters, but not to be compared with Stockton, out a new “Chimmie Fadden" book (“ Chimmie much less with Bret Harte." We have not heard Fadden and Mr. Paul”), and has been able to defend who is to take his place as editor of “ The without difficulty the naturalness of his creations. Bibliographer,” to which he had already made Of established American writers we may mention contributions of some interest. A story from his that Mark Twain has brought out “ A Double- facile pen will appear in the July “Century.” A Barrelled Detective Story," and that George Cary more important work had been almost completed Eggleston has written in “Dorothy South” another when he came to his tragically sudden end. masterly study of the Southern States. We have Another name which must be added to our space only to mention the names of a few other obituary is that of Dr. Thomas Dunn English, the books which are in some considerable demand : writer of the once popular “ Ben Bolt." He died “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” Mr. Dixon's in April. “ The Leopard's Spots,” Miss Glasgow's “ The Battle Ground,” Robert Shackleton's “Many Waters : a Story of New York.” A first book of PARIS NOTES. some promise is Mrs. Banks's “Oldfield,” another Kentucky novel. Paper-bound fiction has, we understand, almost THE close of the season has been particularly ceased to have any sale. There has long been brilliant in the French literary world, and noticeable a falling-off in this market. some most interesting and valuable works Bret Harte's swan song had quite the old ring. have been published. “Openings in the Old Trail” recalls memories of The memoirs, biographies, and letters which “ The Luck of Roaring Camp,” “Flip,” and have recently appeared are as fascinating as any those other creations in which he showed himself novels, and are quite as eagerly read. probably the greatest master of the short story in A most important work has just been edited by the English language. He was never much at the Comte d'Haussonville, entitled “ Souvenirs home away from these Western scenes. The story sur Madame de Maintenon. Mémoire et Lettres of how “The Heathen Chinee " was evolved from de Mlle. d'Aumale.” It opens with an introduc- an admiration for · Atalanta in Calydon” is, we tion to the last period of the reign of Louis XIV. suppose, too well known to be repeated here ; but Mlle. d'Aumale was the daughter of a poor we may perhaps refer to the history of an earlier nobleman, who was a captain in the regiment of poetic achievement. At the age of eleven, Berry. She entered the school of St. Cyr at the Francis Bret Harte had printed in the Sunday age of seven, and when twenty-two years old was Atlas of New York some verses headed “ Autumn chosen by Madame de Maintenon to be one of her Musings " ; and he used to tell what consternation secretaries. She gives us a full account of her this produced in his family. It seems that the patroness, and as—thanks to her position-she conception of a poet which prevailed in the was intimately acquainted with the celebrated domestic circle was founded entirely upon “ The woman whose influence was so great over the Distressed Poet” depicted by Hogarth, a book of King, she tells us many incidents which show whose drawings was in the possession of Mr. Harte, Madame de Maintenon in quite a new light. senior! Bret Harte was in the best sense of the Renan's letters to his mother, “ Lettres du word an American, typical of his race, cultured but Séminaire,” is also a most interesting work. The not exclusive, tender-hearted but not sentimental, letters were written between the years 1838.and Cosmopolitan yet racy of the soil. He was person- 1846, and commence with the boy's first epistle to ally a most striking-looking, not to say handsome, his mother in Brittany, on taking up his abode in man. He ranks with Hawthorne and Poe as the the college for priests in Paris. He is at that most original of American writers. time fifteen years of age, extremely conscientious  ## p. 261 (#677) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 261 and religious. He describes in detail the life in friend of many of the most influential men of her the college, and has the highest opinion of his times, including Talleyrand. She was most beau- professors and spiritual directors. At the age of tiful, witty, and intelligent, and, being imprisoned twenty, as the day approaches for the preliminary at the same time as André Chenier, her beauty ordination service, he is troubled by doubts. inspired the poet with those celebrated verses “ Considerations," he writes, “which I had not entitled “ La Jeune Captive.” M. Lamy's “ Intro- sufficiently weighed, when examined again between duction," which forms about half of the volume, God and my conscience, make me dread taking enables us to enter thoroughly into the romantic a step, the importance of which I thoroughly story of the heroine, and to take a keen interest realise.” in the Memoirs penned by her. Later on he commences the study of Hebrew, “L'Étape,” by Paul Bourget, is a novel written and is fascinated by it. with a purpose. It is a kind of allegorical example Gradually, and by reading between the lines of of the theory maintained by the author. There these letters to his mother, one realises the change are three extremely dramatic episodes in the book. that has come over him. It is the history of a fainily brought up with no In the last one, written at the age of twenty- religion. The father is an upright, honest man, three, he says : “I only know one vocation for who believes he is doing his duty in bringing up a man, and that is, to realise the ideal of his his children rationally. Each of them suffers nature. ... What honest man would not approve through this education, and in two cases out of avd respect me for sacrificing to my conscience three a catastrophe is the result. the greatest happiness of my life?” Renan's M. Bourget's theory is that we cannot break deep affection for his mother is expressed in nearly away from old beliefs and old traditions and every phrase of the letters. His first meeting customs without great danger. We must advance with Berthelot, then a student like himself, and by stages or étapes, and we ought not to burn destined to become one of the greatest savants of our bridges behind us, as they are needed by those the age, is described. The two young men struck who come after. up a friendship like that of David and Jonathan. Madame Henry Greville's death occurred just The devoted sister Henriette is also spoken of as her latest novel had been commenced as a serial frequently in this volume, and several names are in one of the French daily papers. Another novel mentioned which have since become world-famed. had recently been published : “ La Mamselka.” It The first volume of Madame Juliette Adam's is the story of a Russian Becky Sharp, who in her memoirs has recently been published, under the anxiety to attain her own ends does not sbrink title of “Le Roman de mon Enfance et de ma from crime. Jeunesse." In her family she played the part of M. Schuré has now published the second volume peacemaker from an early age. Her grandmother of his “Théâtre de l'âme.” The author's dream is a was an Orleanist, her grandfather an Imperialist, theatre which shall be a great educating and moral and her father an ardent Republican, who, in force. “Les Enfants de Lucifer," “ La Seur order to carry out his principles of equality and Gardienne,” and “ Roussalka ” are among the fraternity, would have liked his daughter to marry pieces in this book. a working man. The chief event at the close of the theatrical The miracle was, that with all these opposing season was the arrival of Madame Yaworskaïa and influences at work on her, Madame Adam should, her Russian company, and her series of perfor- at quite an early age, have possessed such sound mances at the Antoine Theatre. Madaine Yawor- judgment. Her description of the état d'âme skaïa is a daughter of General de Hubbenet, and a of the bourgeois class, before and during the niece of a former minister of the Empire. Her Revolution of 1848, is particularly interesting. husband, Prince Bariatinsky, accompanied her, Another volume of memoirs worth reading is the and it was with one of his plays that the Russian one just edited by M. Etienne Lamy, “Mémoires theatre in Paris opened. d'Aimée de Coigny." Another piece given by this company was by This book should be of interest to the English, Gorki, but the most interesting performance was as the descendants of the elder branch of the certainly Madame Yaworskaïa's interpretation of de Coigny family belong now to the English “ La Dame aux Camélias.” She is an admirable nobility. Gustave, Duke de Coigny, married, in actress, and throws herself heart and soul into the 1822, the daughter of Sir Henry Hamilton. One part she is playing. of the daughters of this Duke de Coigny married ALYS HALLARD. Lord Stair, and the other one Earl Manvers. Aimée de Coigny, who was one of the Grandes Amour- euses of the Revolution days, was an intimate  ## p. 262 (#678) ############################################ 262 THE AUTHOR. THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE WOMEN her words, Mrs. Clifford closed, and Miss Ireland WRITERS. Blackburn rose to inform the company that about five hundred invitations had been issued, and one hundred and eighty or two hundred accepted, M HE Women Writers held their annual dinner among whom there were six not distinctly con- 1 at the “Criterion” on Monday, June the 9th. nected with literature. A picturesque figure Mrs. W. K. Clifford was the Chairwoman on among the fashionable, artistic, and un-noticeable this occasion, and after an excellent dinner she rose gowns was that of Miss Cornelia Sorabjii, in her to propose the health of their Majesties. One verse native clinging garments; with an absence of all of the National Anthem was then sung by a lady rustle and " frou-frou” of silken skirts she moved present, but as it was not joined in by the rest of about, evidently keenly observant of this large the company, excepting a very small number, it gathering of her Western sisters. Mrs. Humphry had not a very exhilarating effect. Mrs. Clifford Ward, Mrs. Harrison (" Lucas Malet"), Mrs. Alec went on to say that as a Coronation favour there Tweedie, and Miss Beatrice Harraden took the would be no speeches. Now this was distinctly ends of different tables, as well as Mrs. Belloc- disappointing, because, although it is true that Lowndes, Miss E. Thorneycroft Fowler, Mrs. women do not, as a rule, speak well or readily on Stannard, and many others. After dinner, little such occasions, not having, we presume, inherited animated groups were formed, which strayed in- a facility in making after-dinner speeches from their formally into the adjoining room, and dispersed at mothers, however much they may have acquired a fairly early hour. Nearly all those present were aptness in “curtain lectures" from the same “ labelled” with little cards, on which their names source—yet, at the same time, it is decidedly were neatly written, so that young and ardent interesting to hear what they wish to say, and to candidates of literature were enabled to worship at note the point of view they take. Mrs. Clifford, whichever shrine they most affected. We over- however, made a short speech, or rather an address. heard one exceedingly naïve young person say She had written it beforehand, and read it from that since her first book had been accepted and the paper erected in front of her. This reading published, she had travelled about in search of out alone destroys the spontaneity and the inspiration, but had unhappily received none ! quick turn of wit that springs into existence from It is to be hoped she went home well stocked with the lips of a ready speaker ; the eyes fastened on ideas after meeting so many of the craft. the page miss the flash of delighted acquiescenee ARTHUR HOOD. or indignant protestation from the observant eyes around, and the words flow on in their carefully prepared channel, quiet and even as the waters in a made canal, without any of the buoyancy and the THE AUTHORS' CLUB. rush and sparkle of a natural stream. Then, too, Mrs. Clifford's words were too weighted with that rather ponderous seriousness with which women N Monday, June 16th, the Authors' Club gave workers regard themselves and their doings, right a dinner to the Hon. Alfred Lyttelton, K.C., and proper enough no doubt, but a trifle out of M.P, season after a sociable gathering. She spoke of Sir Conan Doyle, the Chairman of the Club, the high importance of work, and she maintained presided. The primary motive, no doubt, in that, if the work was good, it was of no consequence asking Mr. Lyttelton to be the guest of the evening whatever what became of the worker, either in was to give a dinner to a good fellow and a good this world or the next-a predication that seemed cricketer, and to one who had, as Chairman of the somewhat to scare some of the milder members. Concessions Commission, distinguished himself She warmed to enthusiasm over the mysteries of in South Africa. the craft — the mysteries of the poet, of the Mr. Lyttelton could only in a secondary degree historian, of the fictionist, and of the journalist, be reckoned an author, as he himself readily and she dwelt upon the pleasures of the enchanted admitted in his speech. palaces into which these happy persons could retire After the loyal toasts, Sir Conan Doyle proposed at will. In our own minds we thought, perhaps the health of the guest of the evening profanely, that she might have touched also on Sir Conan Doyle has a faculty of dealing with that other mystery, namely, the acceptance of some everything he touches in a large, healthy, straight- of the present-day writings, some of the journalism, forward way ; even the simplest action with him some of the rhymed couplets—for here be mysteries has some connection with the eternal verities, indeed. With a kindly hope that young aspirants and on these lines he spoke with regard to Mr. might in the zenith of a future fame remember Lyttelton's carcer, and the part that cricket had  ## p. 263 (#679) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 263 taken in it. He referred to the much criticised Scriptural goat; in the second it is placed among lines of Kipling's about “the flannelled fools," and the sheep, i.l. passed on by the sub to his chief. . stated that he entirely agreed with the point of This is all supposition, as I know no editors nor view that Kipling took, that cricket should be the publishers ; but I would like to add that if hang- means to the end, and not the end itself. He put ing committees would treat artists as well in forward as examples the cases of many cricketers carefully studying their work as editors seem to who bad given their lives for their country in the treat their contributors, artists would not grumble. late South African War. He further pointed out At the R. A. a minute decides the fate of three how the career of the guest of the evening bad pictures ; and yet people grumble at an editor been developed and strengthened along the same keeping a MS. six weeks! Moral, to authors: lines. He complimented him on the arduous Remember we are all human, even editors. duties that he had completed in South Africa, and Yours faithfully, at the same time complimented Mr. Chamberlain : B. on the ability with which lie chose his agents- always the mark of a great man. II. Mr. Lyttelton made a very pleasant and inte- resting speech in reply. He laughingly referred SIR,-Permit me to narrate some of my ex-. to the fact that the chairman had written a large hat the chairman had written a large periences of the above. white book which had been read by nearly every- 1. There is a certain magazine which directs body, while he had written a large Blue-book in its “Notice to Contributors” that MS. must which had been read by hardly anybody. He also “never be rolled.” In an evil hour I sent a stated that while out in South Africa he had contribution to this magazine. It was returned indulged in the game of cricket, which, he hoped, in a few days rolled in such a way as to render it would become the national game in South Africa, practically useless to me. I ventured to address as it was in England. He heartily supported à polite letter of remonstrance to the editor. But Sir Conan Doyle's views with regard to the use of that “ bloated aristocrat” did not deign to notice cricket and sport generally as aids only towards it. There is, I suppose, one law for editors and life training and life work. another for contributors. The health of the other visitors was proposed, 2. There is another editor who accepted a story and Lord Harris replied. of mine two years ago, but has not published it The gathering was a large one. Among the yet. He keeps putting me off with bland but members present may be mentioned, beside the delusive promises. Chairman, Sir Henry Bergne, K.C.M.G., Mr. E. 3. Yet another editor has in his possession two W. Brabrook, C.B., Mr. Percy White, Mr. E. W. MSS. of mine, which he accepted some eighteen Hornung. Mr. E. H. Lacon Watson. and Mr months ago. He resents as SO many personal Carlton Dawe. insults my modest requests that he will publish theni, I could multiply instances, but let these typical CORRESPONDENCE. cases suffice. Several other gentlemen have lost the MSS. which I forwarded for their consideration. I have EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS. no remedy, for they took good care not to acknowledge their receipt. SIR,_Conscience obliges me to come to the SCRIPTOR QUIDAM. rescue of the characters of editors. Never have I lost a MS., never have I had one torn, and only once have I discovered pencil comments. My only III. grievance is that sometimes the pencilled number SIR,-Many of the correspondents of The Author has been scribbled with a twopence-a-dozen black have frequently vented their grievances against lead which will not rub out; but this is a very editors for unreasonable detention of their MSS. small matter. As to payment, I have received it Of course, writers who are not as yet on the the following month to publication, the following favoured heights of fame and fortune have quarter, and after a year. My MSS. have been grumbling propensities. We like to “tune our kept weeks, months, and years before rejection or distresses and record our woes.” It is a privilege of acceptance. But I never worry an editor-I send our uncertain profession. At the same time, editors a MS. and pray for its acceptance ; sometimes it ought not to bear the entire brunt of our returns at once, sometimes after a long period—I complainings. I have a great respect for these imagine in the first instance it is treated as the elevated individuals whose decision can either  ## p. 264 (#680) ############################################ 264 THE AUTHOR. plunge a literary aspirant into the lowest depths The cost of production, like " the flowers which of despair or raise him to the dizzy height of bloom in the spring, tra, la," has nothing to do elation. I almost stand in awe of a person whose with the case. Extravagant sums may have been pen, "mightier than the sword,” is such an instru- expended on sumptuous bindings, illustrations, or ment of potential importance. Consider for a paper, and any of these expenses may have been moment the results to a nation or to mankind incurred several times over, owing to the fasti- which may turn on a phrase, or on a word! And diousness of the taste of the wealthy American. yet, with this knowledge of his importance and and these, though increasing the cost, do not add responsibility, thousands of unsolicited MSS. are to the market value. This test therefore fails. poured on his desk by heedless writers who The next test is the price the public would pay, naturally expect them to be accepted and actually if they had the opportunity of purchasing, and paid for, and who are chagrined and even angry this a book-dealer could estimate ; but if the books when they are kept for a few months! Have they were of such a character that the public would not no consideration or thought for an editor's position buy, we have to fall back on their value as old and momentous, grave duties ? It is not easy to materials only, and I think they should be discover demerit and faults. One has to be schooled estimated as so many pounds of paper at so much to the task ; and it is difficult for editors to value a pound, and so much more for 1,000 sheets of the literary worth of an outsider's MSS. when their board for use in some other form. critical powers and time may have to be expended Neither literary merit nor the estimation of the on their own! Let us make allowance for them. proprietor under such circumstances seem to be And no one can expect the method and pre- material in arriving at what is required—viz.., n editor's sanctum which are common “ the fair market value.” to a merchant's office. How can his high in- W.R. tellectuality or splendid endowments concern themselves with the vulgar, trivial details of an MISLEADING MEMORIAL TABLETS. orderly arrangement of papers ? The idea is pre- posterous. If a MS. is mislaid, lost, laid aside, Sin,Renewed attention has been directed of forgotten, or unread, one ought to excuse him and late to the inaccuracies so often displayed in the not to blame him. His thoughts have a higher wording of medallions affixed to certain spots in Wording of medo range and sweep than these petty methods. the metropolis associated with illustrious writers I conclude this paper with an actual letter from and others. an editor who kindly takes a few months about It has been pointed out by a diligent researcher making up his mind :-"I have not used your how the absence of the all-important word "site" article — and I am quite unable to say when we from the tablets renders them worse than valueless shall do so. The other MSS. are still under con- as reliable indicators. Four notable cases are sideration, but I have asked our reader to look at instanced-namely, the inscriptions purporting to them immediately." denote the actual dwelling places of John Dryden, But I am in no hurry. I can wait. Within in Gerrard Street, Soho ; Hogarth, in Leicester six months or a year I may know the result. I Square ; Turner, in Queen Anne Street; also No. 24, patient and resigned: don't complain. i Holles Street, Cavendish Square, claimed to be the honour editors too much. birthplace of Byron. The latter must be regarded LUNETTE. as the most conspicuous example of error, for the walls have been twice razed since the interest- ing natal event it is desired to chronicle, and AMERICAN DUTY ON BOOKS. on both occasions the deceptive statement per- SIR,—The “intricate question " which came petuated. This is a pity, as the record attached in before the Society on this subject does not appear the year 1900 is something quite unique as a com- to present much difficulty when analysed. memorative design, with its handsome bronze bust Books are dutiable articles when sent to America: and elaborate setting of Portland stone. dutiable articles are to be " appraised at their fair Surely it would be no very difficult task to market value.” rectify the several omissions, as well as any others These books, you state, had no market value, as which may exist ? Thus the mistakes would be they were for private circulation only, and not for no longer continued to the deception of future sale ; but the material forming 500 books must generations. have some market value, if only as waste paper to Yours faithfully, pulp up again, and what a stranger would give CECIL CLARKE, for them is their fair market value, and is the sum AUTHORS' CLUB, S.W., on which duty should be levied. June 19th, 1902. 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 12 (July 1902) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 12 (July 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 1902-07-01-The-Author-12-12 publications The Author