https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/455/1893-10-02-The-Author-4-5.pdf 8134e4d4f5b2ffcdfda390c24a0604ea PDF Text Text ������������������������������������������ 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 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) 1893-10-02 Volume 4 Issue 5 Pages Page range in volume 149–188 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 18931002 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Huthor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vou. IV.—No. 5.] OCTOBER 2, 1893. [Price SIxPENCE. CONTENTS. i PAGE | PAGE Warnings and Notices was Be ase tee eae hes see LOL Correspondence (continued)— Literary Property— 3.—Rash Conclusions ... ae es ace 5 ane So d0 . —Transfer of Contracts ee . 153 4.—Publishers’ Work ... ‘ ae nee is seca: —Advances on Royalties ee ec Loe 5.—The Extension of our Language ace oer ae ae ded a Tribute Gee . . +. 153 6.—The Novelist as Topogrs apher os wee ee eee ces tL 4.—Their Charges me ee : .. 154 7.—Editorial Ethics .. 172 5.—The Lady and its Contributors sat : - 154 | 8.—‘ Free Lance” and Nature - 172 6.—The Law and the Press : : se LDA) 9.—Géorge Eliot and Respectability 173 7.—The Law of Libel ... : + 156 10.—James Defoe.. ae one ae ca wee te 8.—Norwegian Copyright L: aw ‘ -. 156 11.—Retention of MSS... oss oa oe ee ioe ee hie Zola on Anonymous Journalism . es + 156 oo Poetry 175 Thackeray’s Women.. : «. 158 —Publishers’ Readers 175 So-So Sociology ae we 15S 5 Books of 1892... eee 176 Contributor versus Editor. “By a Contributor . 159 | What the Papers say—_ Notes and News. By the Editor. : «« 161-4 1.—The Book that Failed (Punch) ... ae eee eee pe LEE Feuilleton— | 2.—A Literary Beginner (The Globe) ee avs Bee Seek: 1.—The Very Best Advice... ae. tee ve ae soe 168 2} 3.—On the Literary Life (The Asclepiad) ... bas a Lee. 2.—The Poet’s Choice .., eee ane ae ae ME obs 4 4.—Reading in the Workhouse (Westminster Gaz 12) 05 soe dee Correspondence— 5.—* Flavia” (Manchester G uardian) aes Ree ae oto. 1.—Delicate ana Subtle tos ae De en a wee 170 ‘* At the Sign of the Author’s Head”... a Sh Sas setae 2.—Reviewed Books .,. ei See oe saa vee tee gD Books Published ae ie se ae — vee 182 BLISS, SANDS. AND FOSTER. i, CRAVEN STREET, Dates of Publication. OCT. Ist. OCT. 6TH. OCT. 1st. OCT. 15TH. OCT. 157TH. OCT. 15TH. NOV. Isr. | LIBRARY. VOLUME TWO. NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS. ae A LIFE AWRY. By Percival Pickering. INS VOLS. DR. GREY’S PATIENT. By irs. G.S. Reaney. THE ART OF PLUCK. By SCRIBLERUS REDIVIVUS. New Edition, royal 1émo., cloth extra, gilt top, 2s. 6d. QUABBIN : The Story of a Small Town with Outlooks upon Puritan Life, By FRANCIS H. UNDERWOOD, LL.D., U.S. Consul at Edinburgh. Large crown 8vo. Numerous Illustrations, 7s. 6d. THE ATHENZAUM says: ‘His story is exceedingly well | OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES says in a letter to the written, and is extremely interesting. - . . Hehas written | Author: “I congratulate you on having made an admirable a most interesting book, in which there is not a superfluous | BLOTYs 2.3 the beautiful and thoroughly characteristic page.” illustrations which haye called forth my genuine admiration.’ BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 220 POD ios MAN: RECOLLECTIONS AND APPRECIATIONS OF JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. Feap. 8vo., artistically bound, gilt top, 4s. 6d. THE - VOLUME ONE. ™ LATTER DAY ROMANOR. MODERN By MRS. MURRAY HICKSON. . THE WORLD’S PLEASURES. By CLARA SAVILE-CLARKE. Paper, 1s. 6d. ; Cloth, 2s. OTHER VOLUMES ARE IN PREPARATION. Small crown 8vo., eee we 150 ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Sncorporated). PRESIDENT. GHORGEH MEREDITH. i COUNCIL. Str Epwin ARNOLD, K.C.1L.E., C.8.I. Tue Haru oF DESART. Lewis Morris. ALFRED AUSTIN. Austin Dosson. Pror. Max MULLER. J. M. Barrie. A. W. Dusoure. J. C. PARKINSON. : A. W. A BreckeTT. J. Eric Ericusen, F.B.S. Tur Eart oF PEMBROKE AND Mont- es Ropert BATEMAN. Pror. MicHart Foster, F.R.S. GOMERY. i Str Henry Berens, K.C.M.G. Richt Hon. HERBERT GARDNER, Sir FrepeRicK Poniock, Bart., LL.D. WALTER BESANT. M.P. Water HEerRRIES POLLOCK. AvUGUSTINE BrRRELL, M.P. RicHaRD GARNETT, LL.D. A. G. Ross. Rev. Pror. Bonney, F.RB.S. EpMuND GossE. GEoRGE AUGUSTUS SALA. Ricut Hon. Jamzs Bryce, M.-P. H. Riper HaGeaRD. W. BaprtisTE ScOONES. Hatt Oarne. Tuomas Harpy. G. R. Sirus. EGERTON CasTLs, F.S.A. JeRomE K. JEROME. S. Squire SPRIGGE. P. W. CLAYDEN. RupYARD KIPuine. J. J. STEVENSON. EDWARD CLODD. Pror. E. Ray LANKESTER, F.R.S. Jas. SULLY. W. Morris Cougs. J. M. Levy. Wiiiiam Moy THomas. Hon. JoHN COLLIER. Rev. W. J. Lorrie, F.S.A. H. D. Trart, D.C.L. W. Martin Conway. Pror. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Baron HENRY DE Worms, M-P., F. Marion CRAWFORD. HERMAN C. MERIVALE. FE.RS. OswaLD CRAWFURD, C.M.G. Rev. C. H. MippLETon- WAKE. Epmunp YATES. Hon. Counsel—E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. Solicitors—Messrs. FrnLp, Rosco, and Co., Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Accountants—Messrs. OscAR BERRY and CARR, Monument-square, H.C. Secretary—G. Huppert THRING, B.A. OFEICES: 4, PortueaL STREET, Lincoun’s Inn Frexps, W.C. PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. . The Annual Report. That for January 1892 can be had on application to the Secretary. The Author, A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members. The Grievances of Authors. (The Leadenhall Press.) 1s. The Report of three Meetings on the general subject of Literature and its defence, held at Willis’s Rooms, March, 1887. . Literature and the Pension List. By W. Morris Couuzs, Barrister-at-Law. (Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C.) 3s. 4 5. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. Squire Spricex, late Secretary to 6 o ne the Society. Is. . The Cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type, size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 2s. 6d. 7. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. Squrre Sprices. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society’s offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 33. . Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell’s Copyright Bill now before Parlia- ent. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. Leny. Eyre and Spottiswoode. 1s. 6d. . The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Warter Busan (Chairman of Committee, 1888—1892). Is. co o  Che #Huthor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vou. IV.—No. 5.] OCTOBER 2, 1893. [PRicr SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. T= Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. es AGREEMENTS. ie is not generally understood that the author, as the vendor, has the absolute right of drafting the agree- ment upon whatever terms the transaction is to be carried out. Authors are strongly advised to exercise that right. Inevery other form of business, the right of drawing the agreement rests with him who sells, leases, or has the control of the property. Doe. WARNINGS. EADERS of the Author and members of the Society R are earnestly desired to make the following warnings as widely known as possible. They are based on the experience of nine years’ work by which the dangers to which literary property is especially exposed have been discovered :— I. SERIAL RicutTs.—In selling Serial Rights stipulate that you are selling the Serial Right for one paper at a certain time only, otherwise you may find your work serialized for years, to the detriment of your volume form. VOL. Iv. 2. STAMP YOUR AGREEMENTS. — Readers are most URGENTLY warned not to neglect stamping their agreements immediately after signature. If this precaution is neglected for two weeks, a fine of £10 must be paid before the agree- ment can be used as a legal document. In almost every case brought to the secretary the agreement, or the letter which serves for one, is forwarded without the stamp. The author may be assured that the other party to the agree- ment never neglects this simple precaution. The Society, to save trouble, undertakes to get all the agreements of members stamped for them at no expense to themselves except the cost of the stamp. 3. ASCERTAIN WHAT A PROPOSED AGREEMENT GIVES TO BOTH SIDES BEFORE SIGNING 1IT.—Remember that an arrangement as to a joint venture in any other kind of busi- ness whatever would be instantly refused should either party refuse to show the books or to let it be known what share he reserved for himself. 4. LirERARY AGENTS.—Be very careful. Yow cannot be too careful as to the person whom you appoint as your agent. Remember that you place your property almost un- reservedly in his hands. Your only safety is in consulting the Society, or some friend who has had personal experience of the agent. Do not trust advertisements alone. 5. Cost or Propuction.-——Never sign any agreement of which the alleged cost of production forms an integral part, until you have proved the figures. 6. CHoIcE or Pusiisuers.—Never enter into any cor- respondence with publishers, especially with those who ad- vertise for MSS., who are not recommended by experienced friends or by this Society. 7. FUTURE Worxk.—Never, on any account whatever, bind yourself down for future work to anyone. 8. Royatry.—Never accept any proposal of royalty until you have ascertained what the agreement, worked out on both a small and a large sale, will give to the author and what to the publisher. g. PrERsonat Risk.—Never accept any pecuniary risk or responsibility whatever without advice. 10. REJECTED MSS.—Never, when a MS. has been re- fused by respectable houses, pay others, whatever promises they may put forward, for the production of the work, 11. AMERICAN RiautTs.—Never sign away American rights. Keep them by special clause. Refuse to sign any agreement containing a clause which reserves them for the publisher, unless for a substantial consideration. If the publisher insists, take away the MS. and offer it to another. n2 152 12. Cusston or CoprricHt.—Never sign any paper, either agreement or receipt, which gives away copyright, without advice. 13. ADVERTISEMENTS.—Keep control over the advertise- ments, if they affect your returns, by a clause in the agree- ment. Reserve a veto. If you are yourself ignorant of the subject, make the Society your adviser. 14. Never forget that publishing is a business, like any other business, totally unconnected with philanthropy, charity, or pure love of literature. You have to do with business men. Be yourself a business man. Society’s Offices :— 4, PORTUGAL STREET, Lincoun’s InN FIELDS. oes HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. K VERY member has a right to advice upon his agreements, his choice of a publisher, 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 Com- mittee will obtain for him Counsel’s opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher’s agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society first—our solicitors are continually engaged upon such questions for us. 3. Send to the office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. This isin order to ascertain what has been the nature of your agree- ments, and the results to author and publisher respectively so far. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The infor- mation thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. If the examination of your previous business trans- actions by the Secretary proves unfavourable, you should take advice as to a change of publishers. 5. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 6. The Society is acquainted with the methods, and—in the case of fraudulent houses—the tricks of every publish- ing firm in the country. Remember that there are certain houses which live entirely by trickery. 7. 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 indepen- dence of the writer. 8. Send to the Editor of the Author notes of everything important to literature that you may hear or meet with. THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHORS’ SYNDICATE. EMBERS are informed : 1. That the Authors’ Syndicate takes charge of the business of members of the Society. With, when necessary, the assistance of the legal advisers of the Syndi- cate, it concludes agreements, collects royalties, examines and passes accounts, and generally relieves members of the trouble of managing business details. “9, That the expenses of the Authors’ Syndicate are defrayed solely out of the commission charged on rights placed through its intervention. Notice is, however, hereby given that in all cases where there is no current account, a booking fee is charged to cover postage and porterage. 3. That the Authors’ Syndicate works for none but those members of the Society whose work possesses a market value. 4. That the Syndicate can only undertake any negotiation whatever on the distinct understanding that those negotia- tions are placed exclusively in its hands, and that all communications relating thereto are referred to it. _ g. That clients can only be seen by the Editor by appoint- ment, and that, when possible, at least four days’ notice should be given. The work of the Syndicate is now so heavy, that only a limited number of interviews can be arranged. 6. That every attempt is made to deal with the corre- spondence promptly, but that owing to the enormous number of letters received, some delay is inevitable. That stamps should, in all cases, be sent to defray postage. 7. That the Authors’ Syndicate does not invite MSS. without previous correspondence, and does not hold itself responsible for MSS. forwarded without notice. It is announced that, by way of a new departure, the Syndicate has undertaken arrangements for lectures by some of the leading members of the Society; that a “Transfer Department,” for the sale and purchase of journals and periodicals, has been opened ; and that a “Register of Wants and Wanted” has been opened. Members anxious to obtain literary or artistic work are invited to communicate with the Manager. There is an Honorary Advisory Committee, whose services will be called upon in any case of dispute or difficulty. © It is perhaps necessary to state that the members of the Advisory Committee have no pecuniary interest whatever in the Syndicate. NOTICES. HE Editor of the Author begs to remind members of the Ty 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 6s. 6d. subscription for the year. The Editor is always glad to receive short papers and communications on all subjects connected with literature from members and others. Nothing can do more good to the Society than to make the Author complete, attractive,  THE AUTHOR. and interesting. Will those who are willing to aid in this work send their names and the special subjects on which they are willing to write ? Communications for the Author 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. Members and others who wish their MSS. read are requested not to send them to the Office without previously communicating with the Secretary. The utmost practicable despatch is aimed at, and MSS. are read in the order in which they are received. It must also be distinctly under- stood that the Society does not, under any circumstances, undertake the publication of MSS. The Authors’ Club is now open in its new premises, at 3, Whitehall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. Will members take the trouble to ascertain whether they have paid their subscriptions for the year? If they will do this, and remit the amount, if still unpaid, or a banker’s order, it will greatly assist the Secretary, and save him the trouble of sending out a reminder. Members are most earnestly entreated to attend to the warning numbered (7). It is a most foolish and a most disastrous thing to bind yourself to anyone for a term of years. Let them ask themselves if they would give a solicitor the collection of their rents for five years to come, whatever his conduct, whether he was honest or dishonest? Of course they would not. Why then hesitate for a moment when they are asked to sign themselves into literary bondage for three or five years ? Those who possess the “Cost of Production” are requested to note that the cost of binding has advanced 15 per cent. This means, for those who do not like the trouble of “doing sums,” the addition of three shillings in the pound on this head. In other words, if the cost of binding is set down in our book at eight pounds, to this must now be added twenty-four shillings more, so that it now stands at £9 4s. The figures in our book are as near the exact truth as can be procured; but a printer’s, or a binder’s, bill is so elastic a thing that nothing more exact can be arrived at. Some remarks have been made upon the amount charged in the “ Cost of Production” for advertising. Ofcourse, we have not included any sums which may be charged for inserting advertisements in the publisher’s own magazines, or in other magazines by exchange. As agreements too often go, there is nothing to prevent the publisher from sweeping the whole profits of a book into his own pocket, by inserting any number of advertisements in his own magazines, and by exchanging with others. Some there are who call this a form of fraud; it is not known what those who practise this method of swelling their own profits call it. Deo 153 LITERARY PROPERTY. I. ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF PUBLISHING ContTRACTS. AM glad to learn from the communication of “J. ON.” in the Author for August, p. 30, that a French court has unconsciously followed the good example set by the English Court of Chancery many years ago in a well-known case of Stevens v. Benning. Ever since that decision English authors have been safe enough on the point which “J. O’N.” appears to think unsettled. F. Pontocx. [The Secretary of the Society will prepare a resumé of this case for the next number of the Author.—Ep. | II. ADVANCES ON ROYALTIES. There is, perhaps, no point of detail which gives rise to so much disagreement between author and publisher as the amount of advance which the former is entitled to on royalties. It is now universally conceded that every author who has “ captured his public” is entitled to an advance which varies in amount directly with his popu- larity. Equally universally, however—or, to avoid being accused of exaggeration, as a general rule— author and publisher hold very different views as to the degree of popularity the former possesses. Hence sundry asperities on a question of commer- cial detail. I suggest as a meaus of obviating so invidious a difficulty, that royalties should be pay- able in cash on a day to be named on the number of “subscribed copies.” This is readily ascer- tained. It includes no ‘ returns.” It represents, I understand, cash to the publisher. Obviously, a considerable period must elapse before a pub- lisher can furnish an account of sales. Obviously, too, few authors are in a position to wait for the conclusion of that period before they can touch their money. W. Morris Coes. ITI. A TRIBUTE. The Society of Authors deserves credit for one very valuable quality, which has not, I think, received adequate recognition. Jt is eminently businesslike. I have had occasion to resort to its good offices once or twice this year, and nothing could exceed the promptitude and precision with which it has acted. For instance, after having been long trifled with by the editor, or rather the proprietor, of a certain journal to which I had been a contributor, I requested the Society to 154 THE apply for payment. I wrote, I think, on a Monday; the same evening I received a repl from the Secretary intimating that he had communicated with the delinquent; and the next evening (Tuesday) I received a cheque for the amount in default. With all due respect to the numerous legal establishments in the neigh- bourhood of Portugal-street, I very much doubt whether they would have achieved a similar result. An APPRECIATIVE MEMBER, IV. “THEIR CHARGES.” The following extract from a printed circular has been forwarded to a member of the Society by the Publishers whose names stand at the head of it: Messrs. A. and B.’s charges for printing, paper, stereo- typing, binding, advertising, insurance, and all expenses connected with the publication of the work are due and must be paid by the author on completion of the work and before publication. It will be observed that the publishers— whether they mean it or not—appear to claim the right of charging whatever they please for the “printing, paper, stereotyping, binding, advertising, insurance, and all expenses connected with the publication of the work.” ‘Their charges” have to be paid before the book is taken in hand. What are “their charges”? Are they the simple charges of printer, paper maker, binder, &e.? If so, why not say so? Or are they some other charges? And, if so, what other charges ? We are by no means imputing the intention of anything at all dishonourable against this Firm. It must, however, be pointed out that the clause as it stands is one that leaves the door open to secret profits to any extent. Readers are there- fore advised either not to sign such an agreement, or, at least, to have an estimate for printing, &c. —“their charges ’’—placed in their own hands and to get it properly examined before signing. Let us see what might be the effect of such a clause in dishonest hands: I. (As it should be.) True cost of a book : & ad. Printing and binding, paper, advertising, 80055 BBV es ios ie ls peut cee gen a Cees 100 OO Publishers’ per centage, 15 per cent. on BalGe oases 19 139 Author's profit (Gs eae Il 113 £131 50 £ sd. By sales, say, 750 copies at 3s. Od. ......... 131 50 £131 AUTHOR. IL. (As it should not be.) £4. da. Actual cost of book ............:ccccccssececosses 100 00 Publishers’ charges (25 per cent. on the true Price) 2s acs ce ae 125 00 Publishers’ commission ............:0ccseeeeees 19 13 9 £144 13 9 & ad: Bales 665 sldccsiie us bee a ee 131 50 Alleged loss on boOK............ceecec cee cee eeu ees 13 89 £144 13 9 Messrs. A. and B. will probably say that they do not intend to add 25 per cent., or anything at all per cent., to the cost. But the point is, that the clause in the agreement allows them to charge whatever they please. Vv. Tur “Lapy” AnD 1ts CONTRIBUTORS. [Copy of Agreement offered to contributors. | Address in full. Date 18 Srr,—In reply to your letter relating to my manuscript entitled I request that you will retain that manuscript and will publish it in the Lady at any time and in any manner you deem fit. I undertake not to require any payment what- ever for this manuscript unless it is so published; I acknowledge that I neither have nor shall have any claim in respect thereof on the proprietor of the Lady until after it has been so published; and, in the event of its publica- tion, I accept payment for it at the rate usually paid by the proprietor of the Lady for similar matter. I fully understand that you may find it necessary to postpone the publication of this manuscript for a long period, and that you may even find it impossible to publish it at all; and it is on this understanding that I agree to leave the manuscript in your hands, without holding you to have assumed any responsibility whatever, either for its publication or for its safe custody.—Your obedient servant, (Signature) To the Editor of the Lady newspaper, London, W.C. The editor or proprietor is quite within his rights in making what stipulations he pleases. We are within our rights in advising our readers not to accept these stipulations. The agreemen is a printed form. VI. Tue Law anp THE PREss. At the late meeting of the British Association, Mr. J. A. Strahan, M.A., LL.B, barrister- at-law, read a paper on the Progress of the Newspaper Press, and the need of a consoli- dation and reform of the laws affecting news- papers. He said that, on the principle of calling an age by its most salient feature, the present times might be called the newspaper age. Not  THE AUTHOR. only is the dominance of the newspaper their most notable characteristic, but to that domi- nance all the other characteristic phenomena of the age have not merely contributed, but are necessary. The advances in mechanical skill, in scientific discovery, in popular education, and in popular government have all worked together to put the newspaper of to-day in its present posi- tion. Statistics might be given to show the enormous progress of the Press within recent times. In 1695—the year of the lapse of the censorship of the Press---the first daily paper in England—the Postboy—was started. In 1712— the year when the stamp tax on newspapers was first imposed—the yearly circulation of news- papers in England was about 2,000,000. In 1755 it was about 7,400,000 in 1767 about 11,300,000 in 1801 about 16,000,000, in 1811 about 25,500,000, in 1820 about 29,500,000, in 1831 about 37,700,000, in 1836 about 39,400,000. In 1837 the stamp tax was reduced from 3}d. net to a penny, and the circulation that year rose to nearly 54,000,000. In 1841 it had increased to about 60,000,000. In 1854—the last year of the stamp tax—it stood at 122,000,000. Since 1854 estimates of circula- tion must be largely conjectural and approximate; but the great increase in the number of news- papers, from 493 in 1840 to 1817 in 1882, and to 2200 in 1893, and the even more marked increase in the number of persons connected with journalism, as shown by the census—for example, of “authors, editors, and writers,’ from 1528 in 1861 to 3434 in 1881, and of reporters from 636 in 1861 to 2677 in 1881—show that newspaper production must have increased enormously. Other figures point the same way. There are now 29 daily papers—morning and evening—in London. Taking the average daily circulation of each as about 100,000 copies, the annual circu- lation of the London dailies alone must approach 1,000,000,000. The 170 provincial dailies must have at least an equal circulation. The yearly circulation of daily papers alone then must reach 2,000,000,000. It wasimpossible to form even a rough estimate of the circulation of the 2000 weeklies. Some of these have circulations approaching a quarter of a million a week. Legislation affecting newspapers had _ been neglected. For 150 years after the first daily paper was started in London practically there was no special legislation for news- papers. During the last fifty years numerous statutes have been passed affecting them, some statutes specially applying to them. But the legislation had beeu largely haphazard and piece- meal and ill-considered. The time had come when it should be thoroughly recast and reformed and made a consistent system of law. The 159 advantages which would result from codifying the law affecting newspapers are the following :—(a) The law would be made more intelligible. At present it is extraordinarily confused. The common law, and no less than thirty-one statutes altering and muddling it, now applies to news- papers. This the author considered a disgraceful thing, especially when it was remembered that newspaper law, as a rule, had to be applied by the editor commonly without time or opportunity of getting legal advice. (6) The law would be made more effective. At present the law fre- quently fails to carry out the intentions of the Legislature. For example, the Newspaper Libel and Registration Act, 1881, fails altogether to secure reliable registration of newspaper owners. It fails to secure journalists against vexatious and frivolous indictments for libel where the magis- trate has dismissed the charge against the jour- nalist. (c) It would preserve the liberty of the Press. Recently the Court of Chancery has begun to grant interim injunctions to restrain the publication of libels or what it holds to be libels. This is a very dangerous jurisdiction. If it is to be permitted to exist at all it should surely be limited and fixed by express statutory enactment. Consolidation of the law of the Press would pro- bably lead to reform of it too. The reforms most necessary at this moment were two. The first was with respect to vexatious actions for what are only technically libels, or for what are not libels at all, by persons who, when defeated, are unable to pay costs. Itis suggested that in these cases a judge in chambers should, on summons, decide whether the libel is serious or not, and if he believed it to be trivial he should have power to stay the action until the plaintiff gave security for costs. The second point on which reform is necessary is with regard to newspaper owners’ sole liability for defamation appearing in accu- rate reports of speeches publicly delivered. It is suggested that where a speaker knew that re- porters were present to report his speech he should in any action for defamation contained in the report of the speech be joined with the news- paper proprietor as co-defendant, and the jury should have power to apportion the damages between them. Possibly, another result of con- solidating the Jaw would be to establish a legal profession of journalists, with a standard of pro- fessional culture and of professional honour. To do this it would only be necessary to enact that no newspaper could be published save under the editorship of a legally qualified journalist. The privilege of making rules of admission to the pro- fession might be conferred on the Institute of Journalists or some similar body, and a person once admitted to the profession should only be 156 expelled from it by order of the Queen’s Bench on proof of conduct unbecoming his position. VII. Tue Law or Lipset. In a paper read before the Conference of the Institute of Journalists, Mr. Fisher found four special grievances. He objected to the distinction between oral and written libel, which enables the speaker of the slander to get off scot-free, while the newspaper which innocently publishes his remarks may be mulcted in a heavy penalty. Secondly, he complained that in matters con- cerning privilege of Parliament and contempt of court, the journalist is tried and condemned by the parties aggrieved. Thirdly, he was strongly against the recent practice of the Chancery Division in granting injunctions against the publication of libels alleged to be injurious to property, so that a society like the Liberator might altogether escape criticism. Lastly, he thought that the power of the Post-office officials to decide what is or is not “ news””—with a view to transmission under newspaper rates—‘‘a pre- posterous anachronism.”—Manchester Guardian. VIII. Norwecian Copyricut Law. [Translated by JULIAN CORBETT.] LAW OF JULY 4 CONCERNING LITERARY AND ARTISTIC COPYRIGHT. This law supersedes the laws of June 8, 1876, and May 12, 1877. An author has the sole right of publishing his writings, nor may any person read them in public provided the same is expressed to be forbidden upon the title-page or in the preface of the work. In the same manner an author has the sole right of publishing an oral lecture, &c. With regard to translations, the law provides that without the author’s consent they may not be made from the original language into any of its dialects—Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish being considered in this behalf dialects of the same language—or from one foreign language into another, where an authorised translation is issued in the course of a year. On the expira- tion of ten years without any such lawful trans- lation appearing in the course of a year, the right of translation is free. Infringements of authors’ rights are punish- able by fines to the amount of 2000 kroner, and in certain cases damages and confiscation may be demanded. The law enumerates a class of cases which are not to be deemed infringement of copyright, and amongst these may be noted THE AUTHOR. the copying or translation in newspapers or periodicals of single articles or communications from other newspapers or periodicals, unless express reservation against piracy has been made. In every case the source from which the matter is taken must be duly given. Copyright runs for the author’s lifetime and fifty years after his death—in the case of anony- mous and pseudonymous works for fifty years from the date of publication. Public reading of a work—where the right has been reserved—is permitted after three years. The law comes into operation Jan. 1, 1894, and applies to all works of Norwegian subjects as well as to works of foreigners published through a Norwegian house. Upon the principle of reciprocity this law may be extended wholly or in part by Royal proclamation to the works of foreign subjects, even when they have not been published through a Norwegian house. An author has thus full proprietary rights (ejendomsret) in his labour. So long as it exists only in manuscript it cannot be published by the creditors either of himself or of his heirs. On the other hand, if the author has published it, it falls like any other piece of property into his assets, and at his death it becomes subject to the general rules of the law of succession. It should, however, be noted that the creditors upon the author’s death have priority in authorising a new edition of an already published work. When an author has assigned his right of pub- lication, the assignee, in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, is not entitled to pub- lish more than one edition, and that must not exceed 1000 copies, except in the case of news- papers. So long as an edition is not sold out, the author is not entitled to authorise the issue of a new edition. ec ZOLA ON ANONYMOUS JOURNALISM. g WISH to speak of anonymity in jour- nalism. This is a question by which I have been much struck: and if you con- sider an English newspaper, in which not a single article is signed, and a French newspaper, in which everything is signed—down to the miscel- laneous paragraph sometimes,—you will find yourself, I believe, confronted by the two races, with all that the national temperament, the manners, and the history of the last hundred years have made them. It is very certain that. the British Press owes to anonymity its power, its unquestionable authority. For the moment I will confine myself to the political articles, the  THE AUTHOR. 157 portion of the journal embodying its policy. Thus viewed, a political newspaper in which the individual disappears, is nothing more than the expression of a party, the daily bread of a crowd. It gains in power what it loses in personality, for it has no object but to satisfy an opinion, to be the exact representation of that opinion. It follows that for such a newspaper to meet a social want it must have behind it a devoted public, reading it alone, and perfectly contented so long as it sees reproduced in print every morn- ing its own ideas, ideas which it expected to see. Observe that it is just this public which, in your country, has made the Press what it is—a public that has not been broken up into fragments by revolutions, that is still divided into only two great parties very nearly equal in importance, a public that has no feverish desire when it gets up in the morning to go through ten or a dozen newspapers, but of whom every reader sticks to his own paper, which he reads from beginning to end, asking nothing more than that it shall think as he himself thinks. Under such condi- tions anonymity is necessary. It is no longer this or that leader writer that matters; it is the opinion of the newspaper as a whole. It may even be said that the unequal value of the writers, their personality, if they signed their articles, would destroy the unity of the whole. In France, as you are aware, a different state of things prevails. We have had anonymity in the case of political articles, and certain of our journals, like the Débats and the Temps, still appear without any signature on their front page. But these are the old-fashioned habits of venerable sheets which, in spite of themselves, are constrained to make some small sacrifice every day to the new requirements of our public; they grow young again, publish signed articles on current topics, and sacrifice to the lighter forms of humour. The truth is that we are a turbulent nation, and that the ancient soil of our monarchy has been in one century broken and turned up incessantly by revolutions. If anonymity is disappearing from our political press, it is because our nation will have nothing more to do with it, because new wants are springing up. After so many shocks, parties, naturally, have crumbled away—we have now no great parties, distinct and definite ; this explains why our newspapers have a smaller circulation than yours, and why in our country new journals swarm, ephemeral, born in the morning to expire ere night. As soon as individuality overflows, triumphs to such a point as this, it is evident that anonymity in journalism isatanend. Signing secures success, so articles are signed. It may be that you see the whole race here, in this craving to fight in the front VOL. Iv. rank, the face uncovered, and in the glory that its therefore to be won by hurling one’s name into the midst of the conflict. I am well aware of all that may be said against the political press that signed articles have given us. It has lost its authority; it has completed the destruction of parties; it is as often as not a mere brawl, in which the great interests of the community are lost sight of amid abominable personal squabbles. The spectacle, truly, is at times heartrending ; it must convey a frightful impression on us abroad; and you would not have to press me hard to force me to the conclusion that anonymity alone would restore honesty and disinterestedness to our political newspapers. Anonymity constitutes the power and authority of the British Press, and the British Press will be extremely wise to preserve it. I do not think, moreover, that it is depen- dent upon the will of individuals; the Press is only what the nation desires it to be. At the same time, I confess that if I recognise the neces- sity for anonymity in political matters, I am none the less surprised that it can exist in literary matters. Here I entirely fail to grasp the situa- tion. I refer especially to articles of criticism, judgments pronounced upon the play, the book, the work of art. Can there be such a thing as the literature, the art of a party? That disci- pline, average opinion, should prevail in politics is certainly wise. But that a literary or artistic production should be adapted to suit the views of a whole party, that a scythe should be used to cut down everybody to the same level, that all should be mixed up ina common herd, in order to politely please your public, this Iconsider to be dangerous to the intellectual vitality of a nation. This sort of regimental criticism, speaking in the name of a majority, can only end in producing a mediocre, colourless literature. Moreover, if the critic does not sign his articles does he not renounce all his personality, as well as all his responsibity? He is the voice crying out in the crowd when no face can be distinguished. He chronicles and sum- marises. He loses all boldness, all passion, all power even. In the field of letters and arts you must admit that talent is individual and free, and I cannot imagine an impersonal, anonymous critic sitting in judgment upon original and living productions. What adds to my surprise in considering this anonymity in your news- paper criticism is that there is certainly not in the wide world a literature that has been more proudly free, that has displayed more dashing and unbridled originality, than English litera- ture. Your history comprises an admirable series of superb works, in which the genius of your writers has asserted itself in a superlative manner. I know of hardly any finer fruition of QO 158 THE AUTHOR. free human personality. How comes it, then, that you still adhere to this anonymous news- paper criticism, which, to me, is one of the symp- toms of the regimental system in letters, indi- cating the want of a middle literature, yood for the masses—* for the million”—very honourable, no doubt, but intolerant of bold and out-of-the- way productions? There is evidently here a social point which I cannot discuss now. I con- fine myself to the subject before me, and, natu- rally, if I am astonished at your anonymity in matters of criticism, I am still more surprised when I come across in your newspapers a descrip- tive sketch or a study of manners or history without a signature.”—From the report in the Manchester Guardian. re THACKERAY’S WOMEN. ET me make one thing plain at the outset. 7 Thackeray is to me the great master in fiction. He can interpret, as no other, the tenderest and profoundest experiences of our human nature. Were I condemned, by some despot, to read only one novelist for the rest of my life, Thackeray would be my choice. Yet, loving this great author as I do, I am going to quarrel with him. Tamawoman. Thackeray has said the most chivalrous things of us women. But he has not understood us. Was it the fault of his day, with its restrictions and conventionalisms; or was he unfortunate in his experience of women? Anyhow, his women are narrow, unreasonable beings; very different, I hope, from the living article. Justice and generosity are always denied them. They are angels of kindness, affection, constancy (except when they ‘are quite the reverse); but to think calmly and dispas- sionately on a subject seems beyond them. Take for instance, Amelia Sedley’s attachment to George. In its commencement this is admirable, and we love her for it. She is young, and blind faith in her idol seems only natural at her years. But surely time, to say nothing of the slights of the honeymoon, would have roused her far sooner from that worship of a shadow than Thackeray permits? In real life I have known women who, like Amelia, gave their hearts away unworthily. They were loving, faithful, but not blind. Lady Castlewood is, I suppose, the most care- fully worked-out of the good heroines. But with all her grace and charm she is, to me at least, not lovable. Her jealousy of both her daughters is unnatural and repellent. She is hard to her blundering husband; unjust for years to Esmond, As to her dislike to have pretty faces near her, I should like to quote a truer saying from a modern novel, “ Comin’ thro’ the Rye:” “ One really beautiful woman is never jealous of another.” Why does Thackeray lavish all the talent on his bad heroines—the Beckey Sharps and Blanche Amorys? Clever women are as often sweet and lovable as not. Why could he not give us a feminine counterpart of Major Dobbin, tender, true, and just and sensible? But perhaps no one else will be found to agree with my sentiments towards these dear, familiar friends of ours. I should like very much to hear some one else’s opinion on the subject. NINGUNA. EE ——— $0-SO0 SOCIOLOGY. (Continued from p. 137.) 62. LATTERY easily passes for sympathy. K 63. Patience is virtue or vice, ac- cording to manner and motive. 64. Uncertainty is as characteristic of hope as of anxiety. 65. Chivalry, like duty or necessity, can show no cruelty. 66. Wit may be due to wantonness, wickedness, wisdom, or wine. 67. Recklessness of manner often passes for robustness of mind. 68. Personal venom sometimes poses as public virtue. 69. Humourlessness may become a personal power, as well as be a mental want. 70. Unsteadiness of eye is oftener due to weak- ness than to wickedness. 71. Baldness popularly passes for brain-power and. benevolence. 72. Mere memory is no sure measure of men- tality. 73. Loudness of tone is oftener due to weakness than to wantonness. 74. Feminine mannishness is too often con- founded with strong-mindedness. 75. The petty soul frets when its pet fads are not welcomed as divine decrees. 76, Selfless sorrow is an educative luxury to the insanely miserable. 77. Pluck, not luck, rules the whole world. 78. Suicide is oftener due to defeat of control than to defect of courage. 79. The philosopher comes to realise his own ignorance, which the hopeless fool uever does. 80. Youth is oftener an explanation than an excuse.  THE AUTHOR. 159 81. The present is the focus of all the tenses. 82. Ancestry is the time for sowing, imma- turity for growing. 83. Self-denial may strengthen, but only self- sacrifice can ennoble. 84. Forbearance is easily mistaken for weak- ness. 85. Will is in bondage to antecedent and to nerve-quality. 86. Only the wise can know how best to bide their due time. 87. Self-interest is less akin to selfishnsss than to self-sacrifice. 88. Fidelity is only virtuous on behalf of virtue. 89. Virtue always personally pays, whether it popularly pleases or not. go. Absolute truth existed before Man ; rela- tive truth persists through him. gi. There is always more novelty in ideas than variety in ideals. g2. Misanthropy is always an affliction, and often an affectation. 93. Love is the feminine of genius. 94. The people’s heart is generally far sounder than its head. 95. Conceit of class too often poses as reverence for race. 96. The highest function of the educator is to duly teach true self-education. 97. The true reward of virtue lies in the due growth of soul. 98. Death is a re-focussing of life. 99. The virtue of bigotry lies in its veracity, its vice in its vanity. 100. Sensitiveness differs from sentimentality as sympathy from selfishness. 101. Exception proves the imperfection, or human origin, of a rule. 102. The wise man’s lamb is shorn to suit the tempered wind. 103. Better a philanthropic pessimism than a selfish optimism. 104. Love is the best, and sorrow the com- monest, of the various cures for the common curse of selfishness. 105. Wit is a force of head; humour, a grace of heart. 106. The art that disgusts may be didactic, but must be inartistic. 107. The fool searches for happiness in selfishness, and grasps only the empty shadow. 108. Begrudged praise is one main mark of a mean soul, 109. Optimism is too often only a popular name for ostrich-ism. PHINLAY GLENELG. (To be continued.) VOL. IV. CONTRIBUTOR VERSUS EDITOR. (From a ConTrisutor’s Point or Virw.) CAREFUL perusal of an article which recently appeared in the Bookman upon the subject of existing grievances between editor and contributor—* From an Editor’s Point of View ”—has made it clear to me that the real (or chiefest) grievances of contributors have either inadvertently or purposely been overlooked or avoided. To none of the statements made in the article in question can I, a contributor to a large number of papers and magazines, take exception. The “ case” for the editor, so far as it goes, is stated with praiseworthy fairness and moderation, but it does not go far enough. The trials of an editor are not altogether un. familiar to me, numbering as I do several editors and ex-editors amongst my most considerate and valued friends. But these “trials of the flesh ” are, in part, the penalties attaching to greatness and omnipotence in literary matters. They exist but to be borne. Following, then, somewhat similar lines to those adopted by the contributor-editor [ shall endeavour to state the “case” for contributors with equal fairness and clearness. By the “con- tributors ” I mean those who have entered upon the literary eareer as a means of obtaining a livelihood, and who will have taken some little care at least to have mastered the initial require- ments which go towards ultimate success. The weakness of the other writer’s “case” seems to me to exist in the selection of the “evidence ” brought to support it. Many of the so-called *contributors”’ cited can, indeed, scarcely be classed as such. They are persons who have clearly mistaken their calling, and have to suffer the penalty. Their “grievances” are of small importance or weight; their opinions little more so, unless we are prepared to accept the dictum “that the best critics are those who have failed.” What we as contributors have, I contend, a right to expect is : 1. That all papers and magazines should clearly state that they will or will not undertake to return MSS. sent unsolicited. Most editors are glad to consider outside con- tributors’ MSS. in the hope of now and again discovering a nugget amid the quartz. But is it reasonable to expect that an author will send in an article or story, which has cost him either time or money in the mere copying, on the “ off- chance ” of acceptance, if he is uncertain of ever seeing it again either in printorin MS.? I think surely not. Let it be distinctly stated that “ MSS. will in no case be returned whether stamps 02  160 are enclosed for that purpose or not,” and the author at once sends at his own risk, and should the contribution be put into the editorial waste-paper basket he can have no grievance. This intimation is not to be found in several of. the better class periodicals which do not return rejected contributions. A very well-known monthly magazine contains no “notice” to this effect, and the only hint | received that such was the rule with the publication in question was a stereotyped letter (in answer to my inquiry as to the fate of the MS. sent five months before) stating that “all rejected MSS. are destroyed. And to this rule no exception can be made whether stamps for return are enclosed or not.” The result of the omission to state this in the magazine itself being, in my case, the absolute loss of no less than ten days’ hard work. Surely I had reason 1o feel aggrieved. 2, That even unsolicited MSS. should be dealt with as speedily as may be, and should be returned, when rejected, promptly. Is it unfair to expect this? In other walks of life a man offering to sell a chattel would not be expected to keep it on offer for an indefinite period. A practised “reader” will be able to judge a MS.—almost at a glance—sufficiently to place it in one of three classes forthwith. That, namely, of impossible, possible, or certain. The MSS. in the first of these classes should be re- turned (subject to the terms of the “ notice to intending contributors”) without delay ; there can be no reason for retaining them. The second class MSS. present more difficulty. But even here the “test” reading should be undertaken at the earliest possible opportunity. This is mere justice and right dealing, and should not be taken as “an act of grace” upon the part of the publisher or editor. 3. (a) That accepted MSS. should be given as early an insertion as possible. (6) More especially when dealing with a “‘ topic” liable to get out of date. There are two excellent reasons for this conten- tion: (a) A writer is not fully remunerated even when payment for a contribution has been made. Publication is necessary to all of us to ensure success. The mere appearance of a story or other contribution in a magazine of standing is in itself of very considerable value. Indeed, editors have been known to urge this as an excuse for non-payment. I have a note from the editor of a leading monthly now in my possession, which runs in part as follows: “I regret, however, that I cannot see my way clear to offer you payment for‘. .’ We seldom remunerate any save the leading writers. The appearance of an article in our columns being in THE AUTHOR. itself a valuable advertisement, which partakes of the nature of remuneration. . . . We not infrequently have MSS. offered us by able writers gratuitously for this reason.” The policy of the magazine in question may have altered now. The letter from which I quote bears a date five years back. (6) With reference to the second clause of contention (3), no man likes to “ appear a day after the fair.” And for this reason articles upon current topics should have early insertion, and precedence of other matter. _ This is good policy from both points of view, and will obviate the too frequent non-publication of MSS. which from delay in insertion have become “ out of date.” 4. That MSS. should be returned fully stamped where sufficient stamps were forwarded for this purpose, and that in such cases they should be returned in the manner sent. These may seem “ points” of small importance, but the non-observance of them may be the cause of great and unnecessary annoyance. I have frequently hai to pay double postage on under-paid letters, although sufficient stamps were enclosed with the MSS. for their return. The practice is, strange as it may appear, by no means confined to publications of the lower class and impecunious publishers. With reference to the other point. On my table at the present moment is a MS. returned to me in a halfpenny wrapper, although 23d. in stamps was inclosed for its return. The result is that, owing to insufficient protection, the MS. has been so damaged (by dirt and tearing) in transit, thatit must be re-copied. At least three and a half hours’ hard work. 5. (a) That payment should be made for pub- lished MSS. within a reasonable time. (6) That, where it is found inexpedient to state in the pub- lication itself the rate of remuneration offered, upon the acceptance of a contribution the writer of it should be informed of the amount which will be paid for it. A case taken into court some three years ago has settled that some payment must be made for published MSS. in default of an understanding to the contrary. This disposes of the absolutely non-paying editor. If he has any money, you can get it. (qa) It is in literature alone that pay- ment for “ goods bought and delivered’’ is inde- finitely postponed. What is the cause of this ? Why should this be? And yet this is often the case. Half the agreed sum to settle being the policy (I am speaking from personal experience) of more than one magazine of good outside repute. Cannot some rule be adopted by at least all respectable publications, by which payment will and can be made, either on publication or at three months from the date of the acceptance of  THE AUTHOR. MSS.? Contributors would be saved many an anxious hour, and la lutte pour la vie made less hard if this could be so. (6) Tn no other calling is it expected of the worker that he or she labour “for what you please.” But this is so in the “noble profession of letters. ’ Years ago I wrote an article, and sent it to a certain paper. It was accepted. I was asked to write more. I was not “up to things” then, and did so without asking the amount of remuneration offered. After writing articles for thirteen weeks, LTasked for payment. It was made me promptly, at the rate of 3s. 6d. a column of 1200 words, and of original matter, too. The paper boasts of a circulation of 60,000-80,000 copies. It was as much then. A stereotyped letter, telling the writer the amount offered for the contribution accepted would bea boon, and would cause a very small amount of trouble to the editor. In conclusion, 1 haye endeavoured to state “the other side,” and to do it fairly. I have also suggested remedial measures which would, if carried out, lead, I am firmly persuaded, to an entente cordiale between editors and contributors beneficial to both. C. H. Do NOTES AND NEWS. N another column will be found a report of M. Zola’s paper on Anonymous Journalism, read before the Conference of Journalists. That anonymity in political matters largely con- tributes towards the power and the authority of our own Press is a point in which one is pleased to find M. Zola in agreement with most of us. Yet it is not anonymity alone which gives authority in such matters to the Press. The political articles—generally snappy paragraphs —in the American papers are anonymous, and yet the American Press asa rule possesses nothing like the authority of our own. But why, asks M. Zola, preserve anonymity in criticism? ‘Can there be such a thing as party in literature and art?” There is very little, I suppose, to be said in defence of anonymous criticism. But there is something. The old Quarterlies, itis argued, have furnished the world with a good deal of admirable anonymous criticism, together with some that has not been quite so admirable. But, whenever a good paper appears in one of them, a paragraph runs round the “ literary columns” of the Press, stating the name of the author. And even in the early days of Macaulay’s brilliant papers, every- body interested in the matter knew perfectly well who was the author. Again, there are papers like the Atheneum, the Saturday Review, the 161 Spectator, the Guardian, whose criticism in literature and art will surely be allowed to carry the greatest weight. Yet they are not only anonymous, but the authorship of the articles is not known except to the Inner Ring, and is never announced by the newspapers. Speaking as a general rule, it is quite impossible for an outsider to find out who wrote any given article in one of these papers. Would their criticisms, their judgment, gain in authority if they were signed? [think not. Again, the articles in the Academy are signed. Are they, therefore, more weighty than those in the other four papers? I think not. Sometimes papers in the Academy are written and signed by the same writers who also contribute to the other papers. Trained and scholarly criticism, you see, is not too plentiful. As regards the daily papers, there are some whose critical columns will, as a rule, stand comparison with the articles of these four or five weeklies. But I should rejoice to see the custom of signing criticisms in literature and art become general, for several reasons. First, because it would instantly, I believe, demolish the flippant smart- ness and insolence with which some papers allow their columns to be disfigured—smartness which disguises the fact that the critic knows nothing of his subject: it would force the writer at least to read the book: it would put an end to the “reviewing”’ (?) of books in the batch: it would make the young critic anxious to advance his own name as a writer who can deliver carefully-con- sidered judgment in the courteous language of a gentleman: this language he would study to preserve in his work, or to learn if he had never learned it ; and it would enormously raise the position and status of a critic in the eyes of the editor, as well as those of the reading public. That it would also rapidly advance the capable critic in his own profession may be taken for granted. My own theory on the general subject of reviewing—a theory which I do not expect to be universally accepted as yet—is this: ‘The work of a critic never ought to be entrusted to the first novice that is recommended to the editor. If an aspiring critic is as yet unproved by published work, he should furnish some proof to the editor of culture, reading, knowledge of standards, knowledge of the works of writers, living as well as dead, and of special qualifications and special knowledge, if he has any. For instance, Art criticism should not be entrusted to those persons who can neither paint nor draw, nor have madea special study of painting, sculpture, and drawing. I would go so far as to lay down the rule that study alone, without actual experience in Art, is  162 not enough ; but we should be thankful if we can get Art critics who know even the history of Art. Take another branch of literature—that of science —would one confide the review of a book on the Integral Calculus to a man because he had taken honours, however high, in classics? Why, then, expect a man who knows nothing of practi- cal work in the studio to criticise a picture’? Next, I believe that the highest interests of literature would be best advanced by serious reviews—not short notices—of only those books which are worth serious notice, and by suffering the worthless and the feeble to languish and die in contempt. This would not prevent the chastisement of actively mischievous books, either singly or as a class. It should be, for instance, a great distinction for a book to receive a review in a great paper. But then, what about the others? For there are many books which deserve some kind of notice. There might be columns such as those already published in some papers, of Comptes Rendus—not criticisms or judgments, because the writers of these para- graphs have no time to read the books carefully— but just an announcement of the books and a plain statement of their contents. Let us by all means give mention, even honourable mention, to as many respectably good books as we can. But let us abandon once for all the pretence of reviewing all the books—good or bad—that are issued ; let us abandon the practice of giving a judgment, ora criticism, in half a dozen lines to as many books in abatch. I can never forget the confessions of a reviewer, who told me that he had for some time reviewed, for a certain paper, a dozen novels in abatch every week. The whole lot were to be summed up in a column for which he got a guinea How much, do you think, could such a reviewer read of those books in the time? How much time could he afford to give to each? And what cruel injustice could be every week perpetrated by such a sham review of books, uncut, unopened even! Nor can I forget the fact that not so long ago, in a leading literary paper, a genealogical work was solemnly reviewed, and contemptuously dismissed, in half a dozen lines, as a novel, among the other novels of the week. Were these notices signed, so flagrant a crime could never be com- mitted without that critical impostor’s name being ruined for the short remainder of his miserable days. The Conference of Journalists, a full report of which will, it is hoped, be speedily published, has had its meetings, its discussions, and its festivities. It has received and entertained M. Zola; it has been the guest of the Lord Mayor; it has had a supper at Drury Lane; it has had a THE AUTHOR. ball at the Guildhall. In fact, the Conference has been a great success in every way. When the report appears we shall ask the practical question—W hat useful purpose this annual Con- ference serves for Journalism? The question is important as concerns ourselves, for many are asking whether we should not also have a Con- ference. Therefore, the question is not advanced in any harping spirit. Indeed, some of us are as anxious to hold a Conference as any of the Journalists can be. | The tragic death of the late Francis Adams, which startled and thrilled the world a few weeks ago, brought his name before many of us for the first time. He was quite young, under thirty ; he had acircle of devoted friends who knew and recognised his powers ; and he had already written successful stories, essays, and poems. Among his works are “ Leicester, an Autobiography ”—a novel; a volume of poems called “Songs of the Army of the Night,” and, I believe, magazine articles—much more than could be expected of one so young. Awriter of the highest promise has been taken from us; aman deeply loved by all his friends has been taken from them. Let us who were not privileged to call him friend sit still while they tell us what manner of man he was. I hope that someone, among his many friends, may be found to write a memoir of him. There has been a lively correspondence in the Globe—a paper to which we are much indebted for a succession of gratis advertisements of the Author and the Authors’ Society—on Literary Beginnings. Nothing, indeed, interests a vast number of young men and women more than a Pisgah view of the Land of Letters. How to get there? and How to live there? One or two of the writers are satirical. One of them speaks, for instance, of my “rollicking invitation to young authors to walk up and live in detached villas on the pro- ceeds of their pens.” It is hardly worth while to notice anonymous little pleasantries such as the above, but one asks in sheer wonder how such a notion got into this person’s head; that, the notion once there, he should have accepted it as a fact, scorning the slow process of verifying his quotation, need not surprise us. The corre- spondence was started by a certain person who wrote to the Globe, giving his experience as a literary beginner. He was successful ; he showed what his success had been, exactly ; how many - papers had been accepted ; what pecuniary con- sideration he received; and so on. He now explains, further, that he is not a very young man ; that he has special knowledge, and “some”  THE AUTHOR. —apparently a good deal—of miscellaneous knowledge; that he has been for some years an inventor, 7.e., that he possesses considerable intellectual activity; that he does not entirely depend upon his pen; and that he gives his best—his honest best—to all his work. Quite so. This is a man who is certain to succeed, if, as is now proved, he possesses, in addition to these qualities, the literary faculty. Unfor- tunately, the aspirants to literary success are too often young men and maidens who have no special knowledge and no miscellaneous informa- tion; who have no literary capacity, proved so far ; who are quite inexperienced; who know the world only from a provincial town or a London suburb; who are also penniless. To those one would say: “Do anything; try anything; but do not try literature until you have acquired knowledge and experience, and have proved your powers.” In last number of the Author I said that Godey’s Magazine, the oldest of all the American monthlies, does not cross the Atlantic. It appears that I was wrong. It has an agency in this country and a circulation. The editor of the English edition of Godey, Mr. Charles Rideal, wishes me to state that he is the English editor, and that the Record Press, 376, Strand, is the office of the London maga- zine. Another American magazine, then, in competition with our own! Yet, as I have stated elsewhere, I never found on American bookstalls or in American bookstores any of our English magazines in competition with the American. As to the question of uninvited contributions, concerning which certain editors have been writing with some irritation, it appears to me that nothing can be moresimple. The editor has only to follow the practice of those papers which state every week in plain terms what is their rule. The editor of the Saturday Review, for instance, neither asks for, nor refuses, commu- nications from outsiders or beginners; he only advertises that he will not return papers sent to him, and that he will not enter into correspon- dence with writers of rejected MSS. That is perfectly straightforward. No one, after such a notice, has any right to complain when his offering is not accepted or returned. One London editor, however, says that if editors are to be “ badgered ” they will give up receiving MSS. from beginners, I am quite sure they will do nothing of the kind. Itis a most tedious work, doubtless, to read MSS., mostly worthless; but here and there a new man may come along who is far above the average. 163 Then there is not only a good article secured but a good and fresh writer retained for the paper. Cannot editors perceive that all that is wanted is, first, a clear understanding between themselves and outsiders whether MSS. are invited or not; and then the ordinary courtesies which are observed in every other kind of business? As for the actual points in dispute, they belong either to common courtesy or to common honesty. As the editors of the leading journals are presumably gentlemen, what have these points to do with them? There are, however, editors or proprietors who make it their rule never to treat their unfor- tunate contributors with any courtesy at all; never to pay him until he sends a lawyer’s letter ; to pay him a miserable dole on compulsion ; and, in general, to treat him with the utmost con- tumely. Cannot editors of respectable papers make common cause with us in exposing these persons and interfering with their practices? I invite editors to read the “ Contributor’s”’ views on the subject. From time to time we have tried various methods of finding the number and the names of the popular living novelists. The following con- clusions are arrived at by examining and analy- sing the lists of a circulating library in a well- known watering-place—one visited chiefly by invalids, and only by persons of the rank and station, generally called “The Better Class.” The list contains the names of 174 novelists who have published, or are represented in this list by more than one work. ‘There are also about 150 more who are represented in this list by one work only, though one remembers that some of them have written more. Of the 174, twenty-one are dead ; of the remaining 153, eighty-four are women and sixty-nine are men. Of the second class, forty- eight can be pointed out at once as having written more than one book, some are dubious; single successes are eleven in number; most of the names are those of writers who have attained a certain amount of success: many of them are American, French, and German writers. These figures lead, in fact, to very nearly the same con- conclusions as were arrived at before; viz., that about 150 novelists are popular, more or less, and that another 100 are so far popular that their books carry no risk, command a certain sale and bring to their writers a certain return, These figures, of course, do not include the immense number of stories published by the religious societies, and those houses which purvey stories for schoolchildren and school girls and the like ; nor do they include the penny dreadfuls which are issued in such enormous quantities every week. 164 How many readers of the Author—who are all reading folk, literary folk, writing folk, and pub- lishers, whose chief interes’ is the world of letters—know the names of wr. Maurice Thomp- son and Mr. Hamlen Garland? How many can answer this question, “Which are the chief works of Mr. Maurice Thompson and Mr. Hamlen Garland?” We have, I believe, on the roll of membership about 1100. Are there a hundred among all these readers who know these names ? In putting these questions it is not at all intended to insinuate that these gentlemen are not excellent writers. The reason for putting it is that a writer inacertain daily paper has been professing indigna- tion at my ignorance—which he calmly assumes on no ground—concerning these two writers. As regards the former, it happens that I have known Mr. Maurice Thompson’s work for many years, because he formerly contributed to a Chicago paper called America, which was regularly sent to me. The latter I did not know—either by name or by any books belonging to the name— until I had the honour of meeting him personally about two months ago. What I said, however, had nothing whatever to do with my own per- sonal ignorance or my own personal knowledge. I said that the new writers of the West are prac- tically unknown to our people. There was a printer’s error in the name of a third writer which gave this journalist a chance to assume that he too, was unknown to me. Not that it matters, except that it is bad for journalism that these hasty assumptions and personal attacks should be permitted. But, as a matter of fact, I have known this poet, and his work as well, for some time. Very well; let me repeat the assertion. It is always the best answer when it is possible. I say, then, that most of the new writers of the West are unknown to English readers. And to this point I stick. But, this writer goes on, a “ professed critic ” ought to know when English editions of an American appear. (It-seems that a book by one of these two writers has been published here.) Ought he? This opens up another question altogether—two questions, in fact—(1) What is a “professed critic?” and (2) How far should he be expected to know what is published? I suppose that a “professed critic” is a critic by profession. Has this writer, I wonder, ever read. a very important essay by Mr. Saintsbury, called “Certain Kinds of Criticism”? I think not, because, if so, he would not, I think, be quite so ready to talk about the ‘professed critic.” In full agreement with Mr. Saintsbury, I cannot pretend that I am a “professed critic.” I dis- claim the title. It is true that I have on many THE AUTHOR. ’ occasions written “ Studies”’ or “ Appreciations ” of writers whose works I admire, and that I hope to go on doing so whenever I have something to say. But Iam certainly nota critic by profession. Criticism is not my profession, nor my occupa- tion, nor my means of livelihood, nor even my recreation. I am, like a great many others a simple man of letters. But I do not therefore claim any special power or faculty of criticism. Indeed, to be a true critic is to be born with a certain noble gift which must be cultivated : a gift of the gods which should be received with grateful humility and developed by mcst serious study. Nor do I claim, as so many men of letters still, unhappily, claim, the right to “slate,” sneer at, slander, and depreciate the work of other men of letters, simply because I also am a writer, good or bad. Not a “« professed critic” at all, if you please. But if one were a professed critic, how about the limits of his reading? Must he know every- thing that is published? Alas! poor shepherd! To him, as to all of us, the day has but twenty- four hours. As a professed critic, he must also write his judgments and give his reasons. He must keep abreast with the work of the greater writers—but these are not too many. Of the lesser—of the new men—how many in the year can be read? Suppose he reads 200 new books in the year out of the 5000 annually pub- lished, each taking him a single day to read, and only half a day to write about—which is a very moderate allowance both for reading and writing. That takes up his whole year, allowing for Sundays and holidays and a little time for old books. Of course, I do not cail the man a critic who “reviews ’’ a dozen books in a column for a guinea in a single afternoon. Considering these points, I think we should all be very shy of call- ing ourselves professed critics, and I think that we ought not to expect even the professed critic to know all the books that come out. The “reviewer” of the batch for a guinea—eighteen- pence each—will know, of course, but not the professed critic. In another column will be found a letter from “Ingénue” on the subject of Authors as Pub- lishers’ Readers. It is useful to have the venti- lation of all possible views on every subject connected with the craft, though one may not agree with them. For instance, I cannot, for my own part, agree with our correspondent at all. His view is that authors—does he not mean novelists only ?—would be better employed in production than in giving opinions on MSS. But a novelist cannot be always producing. Perhaps half a day, and that not all the year round, is as  THE much as any novelist can give, as an average, to his creative work. Why, then, should he not read for a publisker in his leisure hours? Because he is malignant and cannot bear the thought of a newrival? Well; there have been—there are still—spiteful and jealous persons in the ranks of literature. Writing—alas !—does not always ennoble; but surely one would not prohibit this kind of work altogether, because here and there may be found an envious and malignant reader. It is true that a reader has the power of causing a MS. to be rejected; but then some one must have this power. We cannot abolish this necessary exercise of power. Somebody must say—and it must be the publisher, on the advice of his reader, unless he reads for himself—whether a MS. is to be accepted or rejected. In practice there are many novelists, within my own know- ledge, who do read, or have read MSS. of novels for publishers; some of them are distinguished novelists; some are not; some may. make mis- takes; itis certain that many mistakes have been made. All those whom I know act, I am convinced, honestly, though perhaps not always with judgment, by the publishers for whom they work, and by the writers whose MSS. they read. Is there not here, as has been noticed elsewhere, a confusion of thought between the Art of Litera- ture and the commercial value of Literature? Our correspondent asks if Carlyle would read MSS. ? Well—but we know beforehand so much of Car- lyle’s temperament as to make it clear that he could not undertake such work. Otherwise, what is there in Carlyle that should enable us to acknowledge that he could not possibly read MSS. and give sound and trustworthy opinions on them? Absolutely nothing; nor does there seem any reason whatever why a writer in any branch should not be a critic, a good reader of MSS., and capable of forming a perfectly sound opinion, not only on the literary value, but also on the commercial value of a MS.—the two things not being commensurable Again, whether as critics or as publishers’ readers, one must engage the services of those who know the subject treated. Only a geologist can review a book upon geology, or advise upon a MS. on geology. Historians must pass historical works in review ; mathema- ticians, mathematical works; and so on. Why not novelists with novels? Butother qualities in addition to knowledge of the subject are de- manded. It is not every poet who can criticise poetry ; nor every novelist who should be trusted with novels; nor every geologist who can decide whether a geological MS. should be published as a matter of business. As regards general litera- VOL, Iv. AUTHOR. 165 ture, fiction, poetry, and bedles lettres, I would prefer that criticism should be in the hands of critics. But, alas! there are not enough critics by a long way to go round. The true critic is even rarer than the poet. What is publication? It is still a common article of belief that a book “published” in London is published for the whole world. I mean that the mere fact of a book being produced here—though it circulates to the extent of, say, three or four hundred copies only—is taken by the author as a public and world-wide utterance. It is not subscribed—except by the half dozen —in the cireulating libraries; it is not sub- scribed, except by the half dozen, by the trade; it is not taken at all by the free libraries which now form so large a factor in the dis- semination of knowledge and the circulation of books; nobody talks about it at dinner tables and places were people resort ; it is just bought and put away on the shelves ‘by a few people— three or four hundred people—not of a hundred millions. This is not publication; it is mere production on the chance of publication; such a book is as if it had never been produced; such a view of publicationis purely parochial. Of course the author may claim to represent, and to appeal to, only the very cream of culture. The very few very foremost men, he says, read his book. This view satisfies his vanity, but it is also a parochial view. What, then, is real publica- tion? It is when a book is placed upon all the shelves of all the free libraries and all the circulating libraries here and in America and in the colonies; it is when, in addition, people ask for it at the libraries, and buy it at the shops, and talk about it among each other—such a book, and only such a book is truly made public, or published. And here, you see, the author comes in, for no publisher can create such a demand or cause any book, by any machinery of his own, not even by procuring the roll of the judicious Log —to be so placed and so demanded. The pub- lisher gives the author his chance; it is the real service, apart from the machinery—the true service — which the publisher renders to the author; but the “publication” of the book in the only true sense depends entirely upon the author himself. Are we, then, to take popu- larity, or a place in all the libraries as the only test and proof of literary success—of literary worth? Yes, we are, after a certain time. The successes of the day quickly vanish; the books which are good remain and win their way and keep it. Some time ago it was shown in these pages that the popular demand for the really best P  166 books in our literature is steady and constant, and goes on increasing after a certain time. How long a time? I am not prepared to say. But this, I take it is the only true and infallible test of literary worth. Water Besant. ere FEUILLETON. i Tue Very Best Apvice Arrer ALL. “ 4&7 OU have called—Yes ”—the Senior Partner took a letter from a heap before him, and glanced through it—“ Yes—oh! yes—about a MS. called ‘ Rachel’s Revulsion ’— Yes—oh! yes.” He had a way of saying—“ Oh! yes’”’—while he considered what to say next— “« Well, my dear Sir, I am very glad to be able to announce to you that we have decided to take it.” “You have decided to take it?” The latter was a visitor, and rather nervous. He was not a new man, and he had already enjoyed a certain success, but into this work he had poured all he had of mind or soul, of poetry or fancy, of know- ledge or observation ; and he was anxious that the work should make a greater mark than anything he had done before. “ We have decided—my dear Sir, on the recom- mendation—after serious doubts—I own—oh ! yes —very serious doubts—of our most esteemed reader—to take it.’ He took a pile of MSS. from a chair and laid it onthe table. “ We find that it will make a good-sized one-volume work—we shall publish it, probably, at Easter, which is a very good time, as a six-shilling book. The MS. shall be sent to the printer at once, and the proofs shall be forwarded to you. I need not ask you, dear Sir, as no longer a novice, to be reasonable in your corrections.” ‘©Oh!” said the visitor, with a natural flush of satisfaction, ‘I am pleased —and—and — honoured by this decision. I hope the book will do well, and justify your reader’s good opinion.” “ Of that we cannot be certain. Still, we may hope—as you say. Oh! yes. But most books fail. Here and there, perhaps, a slight success. Do not form exaggerated hopes. Be modest. Still—you may hope. And now, dear Sir, as everything is settled, I need not take up your time any longer.” He half rose, and looked like holding out his hand. “ But nothing is settled,” objected the visitor, remaining seated. “Why, my dear Sir, what else is there to settle? I have told you that we take the book.” “* We have not yet settled the terms.” THE AUTHOR. “Oh! the terms—the terms. The agreement shall be sent to you, my dear Sir, in due course. Before the final revise. Oh! yes. Before the book appears.” “Not so fast, Sir. I am perhaps an unreason- able person, but I am not accustomed to suffer my property to go out of my hands quite so readily. There are forms even in the sale of a house. This book may be worth many houses. We will agree upon the terms, if you please, before the MS. is sent to the printer.”’ The Senior Partner leaned back in his chair, pressing together his finger-points. ‘‘ Very well. Oh! yes. But I naturally supposed that you would trust to the Honour of the House,” he said, with pain in his countenance. “T must have an agreement,’ the visitor persisted. “My dear Sir, you shall have an agreement. It only hurts me to find that you want your agreement first. Oh! there is a deplorable spirit abroad—most deplorable. Oh! yes. I hope, my dear Sir, that you are not infected with it. However, let us see. You want a sum of money down? You would probably prefer to capitalise your interest in the book.” “‘ Make an offer, if you please.” “JT will. That is indeed the proper way to speak. You have read Mr. Andrew Lang’s advice to authors, no doubt—in Longman’s Magazine for July. Excellent advice—beautiful advice, I call it—if only everyone would follow it! He says that all the author has to do is to say— just ‘too much’ or ‘too little.’ So true! and so beautifully simple!” “ How am I to know what is too much or too little P”’ “You feel it, my dear Sir. Any man of delicacy feels it. Coarse, common persons who buy and sell must have facts and figures before them. Your highly-strung nervous organizations feel things. That is the great advantage of being a genius. You will feed it in a moment, when I offer you too much. Oh! yes. Take Mr. Andrew Lang’s advice. Now, then, you are not, as yet, a well-known writer. Your name is, so to speak, half-finished; it is a most dreadful risk that we are running—hundreds of pounds— an outlay of hundreds. For my own part I do not see my way to get back the outlay. But in order to oblige our reader — and to keep up our name as ever disinterested patrons of litera- ture—come, my dear Sir, I don’t mind if I offer you twenty pounds down—twenty pounds — I will draw the cheque at once.” He opened his cheque-book, and took up a pen, and looked his visitor hard in the face. “Twenty pounds, dear Sir. Your book is not really worth half as much,  THE AUTHOR. but we have always had the credit of generosity towards our authors.” “ Damn your generosity, Sir! ’’ cried the author, hotly. “ Do you think I want your charity? ” ‘“Twenty pounds,’ repeated the publisher firmly, and ignoring the interruption, “ for the sole copyright of the work, including all rights. That is my offer.” “Stop there.” replied the author doggedly. “How much will it cost to produce ? “Hundreds — hundreds. I told hundreds.” “Give me the exact figures, and I will take advice upon them.” * “T cannot do that. There are the advertise- ments. You forget the advertisements. How are we to know beforehand what they will cost?”’ “You must give me the figures for everything. What do you expect to get for your fist subscrip- tion? How many will the libraries take? What do you receive for each volume ?” The Senior Partner sat upright with an injured air. “Do not, if you please, inquire into my private affairs, Sir.” “Pardon me. These are my affairs, since my book is concerned.” ““May I ask, Sir, whether you consider your- self so good a writer as Mr. Andrew Lang, that you venture to set up your judgment against his?” “No, I do not, I am not such a fool.” “Tam glad to hear it. Now, he most clearly lays cown the principle that all you have got to say is ‘too much’ or ‘too little.’ I confess I am hurt. Jam pained. I expected you to cry outat once—‘ too much—much too much.’ Only this morning a most promising poet - «“T will do so, perhaps,” the visitor interrupted, “when I have ‘got the figures before me. Are you going to give me those figures ?” - No, Sir. I am not. My private affairs, I repeat, shall not be made the subject of the questions of any author.” The visitor pushed back his chair and put on his hat. “Then you may send me back the MS.—or stop—you have it there—I will take it.” Now the Senior Partner had on the table a note from the esteemed reader; it concluded with the words “Secure this man at any reasonable price. The book will fly.’ “Stop, my dear Sir.” he cried, “ Do not be so impetuous, pray. Genius is always rash—rash and unbusinesslike. Oh! Yes, Can you not understand that the private affairs of the firm. . . Pray sit down again —pray sit down. Did you see the beautiful remarks of Mr. Robert Buchanan—ah! there is an ornament to Literature! such wisdom, you — 167 such good feeling! there, mdeed, is a man !— in a letter to a daily paper some time ago. They were on Literature and Lucre. I always have thought that the degradation of the authors in these unfortunate negotiations is so deplorable. I feel for you most deeply. Let me try to meet you another way. We will not buy the book. You shall preserve your copyright; you shall have a royalty—a royalty. Oh! Yes, “Will that content you?” “Tt depends upon what the royalty means.’ “There! There! Again, why not trust to the Honour of the House? What do you think ?”’ The senior partner laughed and rubbed his hands, but his eyes were very near together. “What do you say to a ro per cent. royalty— a Io per cent. royalty—r1o per cent. on the retail price—say 10 per cent. on 3s. 6d.—that is over 4d. a copy—4d. a copy—three copies will bring you in tIs., more than 30s. for every hundred—think what that will come to when the numbers have gone up to 1000 !—the royalty to begin after the first g50 are sold. There, Sir! Mind, if it were not for our reader’s favourable opinion, I would not dream of making such an offer. Get such an offer as this—else- where—if you can!” “ After g50. Humph! make on the first 950.” “Nothing. Positively nothing. heavy losers. Very heavy losers.” “Indeed? I am not so informed in a certain book called the ‘ Cost of Production.’ ” “Oh!” The Senior Partner turned very red. “Tf you go by that mischievous, lying, and mis- leading work, I have nothing at all to say. “Ts it wrong in its figures } ro “ All wrong. Quite wrong.”’ “ Yet I was told that a publisher who had the temerity to say so in public received an offer to carry on all his printing on those terms. How- ever—I repeat—give me your figures. Show me what, on those terms, you propose to make for yourself by the administration of my property compared with what you propose to give me.” “ The—the—administration of your —your— your property?” he cried. ‘It is,’ the Senior Partner gasped, “ my property—mine—and as for my private affairs— ” “Your property is it? Then I shall carry away your property with me.” He reached out his hand and took it. “Oh! It is—it is too much,” he stammered. “ After Mr. Andrew Lany’s advice and all— after Mr. Buchanan’s beautiful observations about filthy Lucre—Oh! It is a deplorable spirit indeed! What will become of literature if this should spread ?” Tell me what you will We shall be 168 But the author was gone. He went to a certain office where they advised him. And when he did place that MS. it was neither for £20 nor for a 10 per cent. royalty on the retail price after 950 copies should be sold. “TJ have now read Mr. Andrew Lang’s advice,” he said afterwards. “It is what the Senior Partner described it —admirable. All one has to say is ‘Too much,’ or ‘Too little.’ That is all. The root of the whole matter is there. I never knew or guessed before that he was so practical and so keen on the business side of letters. Only, you see, he forgot to remind us that we must first—which, of course, he has himself done long ago—before we can say either ‘Too much’ or ‘Too little,’ know exactly the preliminary facts in the case; for instance, what a book actually costs to produce; what it actually costs to advertise it, 7.e., what any parti- cular firm means to spend upon it ; and what it is sold for. With these figures one can make the necessary calculations, and then it is perfectly easy, without further argument, just to say ‘ Too much’ or ‘ Too little.’ And see how simple it is. T hear that some absurd persons have taken the advice to mean that you must say ‘Too much’ or ‘Too little’ without any knowledge of the figures.. That, of course, is ridiculous.” IT. Tue Porr’s CHorce. A poet sat with bowed head and folded arms, alone in a garret. He had been writing with his heart’s blood, and that is exhausting. More- over he was not happy, and that was the fault of certain evil Jinns who had hovered round his cradle when he was an infant and bestowed gifts upon him. “He is born a poet,” they said; ‘‘ we can’t help that ; but let us have as much sport out of him as possible. He-is born a poet. Therefore, his future should contain fame, love, and success. We will turn it into ignominy and failure.” Then they rubbed their hands with glee, and each prepared his gift. “T,” said the first Jinn, ‘ will endow him with poetical aspiration: to write shall be a necessity ; to him, and success the aim of his life: but I will leave out the element by which success could alone be attained,” and he laughed, for he knew the bitterness which his gift would bring with it. “* And I,” said the next, “ will endow him with a sensitive soul, with a man’s power todo and dare ; but without a woman’s power to suffer with patience,” “And I,” said a third, “‘ will give him a capa- city for love, which shall have only itself to feed THE AUTHOR. upon, for I shall give him also a reserve and shyness which will conceal his own heart, and keep other hearts away from it.” “ And I,” added another witha chuckle, for he knew that his gift added to the others would cause pain and torture unspeakable, “TI will give him so much pride that he will never stoop to ask a favour, and to receive one will be agony.” Then they laughed, for they foresaw a time of merry sport. They laughed, all except one who had not yet spoken, and who was moved to pity at the fate in store for the babe sleeping so peacefully in its cradle. e “T have not much to offer,” he said, sadly, “but what I have I will give. Let the child have a sense of humour.” But the others frowned angrily at the sugges- tion, and hurried their companion out of the room before he could bestow his gift, and so the child grew up without it. This was a pity, for it might often have helped him, but had it done so the Jinns would have been deprived of some of their sport. The Poet was aroused from his reverie by the arrival of the Cynical Observer, and in it, as he saw at a glance, was the review on which rested all his hope for his new poems. Now, had the last of the Jinns been allowed to bestow his gift, the Poet could hardly have read the article with- out amusement. It was so bright, so full of well turned phrases; it picked out and magnified little weaknesses of the poems with so ready a wit; it so played with isolated verses as a cat might do with a mouse, perverting their true sense; it was so determined to find nothing good in them: that a man with any sense of humour could not have read the article without shouts of laughter. But the Poet did not even smile. He read the article ~~ through, and as he did so his brow con- tracted, and his hands were clutched, and his breath came short and quick, as if drawn with pain, nay, even his lips trembled. Had not the Jinns given him a soul as sensitive as a woman’s? At last the paper dropped from his nerveless hands, and a cry of despair rang through the garret. The Jinns heard it and hurried to see the sport, but the Poet sat with outstretched arms and buried face and was silent. And so long did he remain thus that at last they grew a little frightened. “Surely,” they said to one another, ‘‘ he is breaking his heart, and if he were to die our game would be at an end,” “We must save him,’-said one of them shortly; it was he whose gift had not been bestowed. a2 fi moe  THE AUTHOR. 169 “We will,” said the others hurriedly. ‘He shall have that which he most desires. That will surely restore him.” A messenger sent by the Jinns stood before the Poet, who gazed at him with weary bloodshot eyes, “T have been sent to help you,” said the messenger. The Poet still gazed at him with a look of dull despairing pain. “You cannot,’ he said. ‘I want but one thing on earth, and that is denied me.” “T have come,” said the messenger, “to give you that very thing. Name it.” The Poet whispered one word. It was Success. “You must define your meaning more precisely,” said the messenger. ‘‘ Will the success of having done your best satisfy you ?” “No,” said the poet, “that I have already experienced.” “You wish then,” said the “simply for popularity.” The poet winced. The fourth gift conferred by the Jinns began to hurt him a little, but he bowed in acquiescence. “You may take your choice,’ said the messenger, and held two cups before him, the one containing a dull liquid of a deep dark red; the other one clear and sparkling and frothing to the brim, “ This,’ he said, pointing to the first, “is but a deeper draught of what you have already tasted. It is heart’s blood mixed with poetic fire. ‘he other is fame and popularity. Which will you drink ?” “ Both,” murmured the poet, with outstretched hands; but his eyes were fixed on the one that sparkled. “Tt is impossible,” said the messenger, and handed him the one of fame and popularity. The poet quaffed it eagerly, then seized his pen once more and wrote. The draught produced its effects. Success shone on the Poet. His next volume of poems, issued soon after the visit of the messenger, was applauded by the Cynical Observer, and ran to a hundredth edition. His miserable garret was exchanged for comfortable apartments. He became the lion of the season. Fashionable ladies vied with each other to secure his presence at their receptions; interviewers besieged his doors ; his portrait was painted by a royal prin- cess and had a railing round it at the Academy ; young ladies went on their knees before him in public; his autograph was put up to auction; and a lock of his hair in a glass case was sold by a titled lady for fifty pounds at a bazaar. One would have thought that no mortal man could have wished for more, yet, strange to say, the messenger, nature of this poet was so unreasonable that even now he was far from happy. Applause palled on him; his soul was satiated, yet unsatisfied; the future held out no prospect, for what more in the way of success can be hoped for when a man has reached the zenith of popularity, represented by being the lion of a London season? Moreover, he missed the old fierce fire which had glowed in his veins, and beaten at his heart and brain, the wild delicious pain fraught with joy, and joy fraught with pain, which had filled his soul in the old garret days, when fame and success were far off, but when to have completed a poem which his own heart told him to be good, gave him more joy than the flattery of all the world now that he had become famous. So it chanced that one evening, having returned from one of the assemblies where he was so much in request, he flung himself on his bed, and uttered a prayer that the messenger who had brought him the cup of success should return, and let him change his choice. And the Jinns heard it, and resolved to grant his request. “The pain,” they said, “ will be greater than ever now that he has been without it so long. It will be spoit to see what follows.” But the sport was not what they had antici- pated, for the Poet quaffed the cup with an eagerness which was fatal. The old fire was in his veins, the old pain at his heart. For a moment he was conscious of a sharp, swift rapture, a pain which was exquisite joy, then he sank back with a faint smile on his lips, and the emp'y cup fell from his hand. On the morrow, the Poet, who was travelling quite alone on a long road far away from earth, passed another wayfarer who, while on earth, had been a woman. And—which was very strange— when they looked into each other’s eyes they recognised each other at once, though they had never met before. “Oh!” said the poet, with a smile, “It is you —you at last! Why, it was for you—for you alone, that I wrote my best poems.” «Yes, yes,” she replied. ‘They were for me. I took them for myself. And they thrilled my soul into life. But that was before you became famous.” “Tt was,” said the Poet. ‘Since I have met you, I am glad I came here.” “So am IJ,” she said, “for I was beginning to be a little tired of waiting for you.” Then, hand in hand, they moved on towards a Sphere where dwells the Fountain of all Art and of Love. But the Jinns, who could see what was hap- pening, though they had no power to interfere, 168 THE AUTHOR. But the author was gone. He went to a certain office where they advised him. And when he did place that MS. it was neither for £20 nor for a 10 per cent. royalty on the retail price after 950 copies should be sold. “ T have now read Mr. Andrew Lang’s advice,” he said afterwards. ‘It is what the Senior Partner described it — admirable. All ‘one has to say is ‘Too much,’ or ‘Too little.’ That is all. The root of the whole matter is there. I never knew or guessed before that he was so practical and so keen on the business side of letters. Only, you see, he forgot to remind us that we must first—which, of course, he has himself done long ago—before we can say either ‘Too much’ or ‘Too little,’ know exactly the preliminary facts in the case; for instance, what a book actually costs to produce; what it actually costs to advertise it, ¢.e., what any parti- cular firm means to spend upon it ; and what it is sold for. With these figures one can make the necessary calculations, and then it is perfectly easy, without further argument, just to say ‘Too much’ or ‘ Too little.’ And see how simple it is. I hear that some absurd persons have taken the advice to mean that you must say ‘Too much’ or ‘Too little’ without any knowledge of the figures.. That, of course, is ridiculous.” II. Tuer Portr’s CHoIce. A poet sat with bowed head and folded arms, alone in a garret. He had been writing with his heart’s blood, and that is exhausting. More- over he was not happy, and that was the fault of certain evil Jinns who had hovered round his cradle when he was an infant and bestowed gifts upon him. “He is born a poet,” they said; “we can’t help that ; but let us have as much sport out of him as possible. He is born a poet. Therefore, his future should contain fame, love, and success. We will turn it into ignominy and failure.” Then they rubbed their hands with glee, and each prepared his gift. “J,” said the first Jinn, ‘ will endow him with poetical aspiration: to write shall be a necessity to him, and success the aim of his life: but I will leave out the element by which success could alone be attained,” and he laughed, for he knew the bitterness which his gift would bring with it. “« And I,” said the next, “ will endow him with a sensitive soul, with a man’s power todo and dare; but without a woman’s power to suffer with patience.” “And I,” said a third, ‘will give him a capa- city for love, which shall have only itself to feed upon, for I shall give him also a reserve and shyness which will conceal his own heart, and keep other hearts away from it.” “ And I,” added another witha chuckle, for he knew that his gift added to the others would cause pain and torture unspeakable, “I will give him so much pride that he will never stoop to ask a favour, and to receive one will be agony.” Then they laughed, for they foresaw a time of merry sport. They laughed, all except one who had not yet spoken, and who was moved to pity at the fate in store for the babe sleeping so peacefully in its cradle. ® “T have not much to offer,’ he said, sadly, “but what I have I will give. Let the child have a sense of humour.” But the others frowned angrily at the sugges- tion, and hurried their companion out of the room before he could bestow his gift, and so the child grew up without it. This was a pity, for it might often have helped him, but had it done so the Jinns would have been deprived of some of their sport. The Poet was aroused from his reverie by the arrival of the Cynical Observer, and in it, as he saw at a glance, was the review on which rested all his hope for his new poems. Now, had the last of the Jinns been allowed to bestow his gift, the Poet could hardly have read the article with- out amusement. It was so bright, so full of well turned phrases; it picked out and magnified little weaknesses of the poems with so ready a wit; it so played with isolated verses as a cat might do with a mouse, perverting their true sense; it was so determined to find nothing good in them: that a man with any sense of humour could not have read the article without shouts of laughter. But the Poet did not even smile. He read the article straight through, and as he did so his brow coh- tracted, and his hands were clutched, and his breath came short and quick, as if drawn with pain, nay, even his lips trembled. Had not the Jinns given him a soul as sensitive as a woman’s? At last the paper dropped from his nerveless hands, and a cry of despair rang through the garret. The Jinns heard it and hurried to see the sport, but the Poet sat with outstretched arms and buried face and was silent. And so long did he remain thus that at last they grew a little frightened. “Surely,” they said to one another, ‘he is breaking his heart, and if he were to die our game would be at an end.” “We must save him,’’-said one of them shortly; it was he whose gift had not been bestowed. ; ie MoasmeKmeTein  7 THE AUTHOR. “cc He That “We will,” said the others hurriedly. shall have that which he most desires. will surely restore him.” A messenger sent by the Jinns stood before the Poet, who gazed at him with weary bloodshot eyes. “T have been sent to help you,” said the messenger. The Poet still gazed at him with a look of dull despairing pain. “You cannot,’ he said. “I want but one thing on earth, and that is denied me.” “T have come,” said the messenger, “to give you that very thing. Name it.” The Poet whispered one word. It was Success. “You must define your meaning more precisely,” said the messenger. ‘‘ Will the success of having done your best satisfy you ?” “No,” said the poet, “that I have already experienced.” “You wish then,” “simply for popularity.” The poet winced. The fourth gift conferred by the Jinns began to hurt him a little, but he bowed in acquiescence. “You may take your choice,” said the messenger, and held two cups before him, the one containing a dull liquid of a deep dark red; the other one clear and sparkling and frothing to the brim, “This,” he said, pointing to the first, “is but a deeper draught of what you have already tasted. It is heart’s blood mixed with poetic fire. ‘he other is fame and popularity. Which will you drink ?” “ Both,” murmured the poet, with outstretched hands; but his eyes were fixed on the one that sparkled. “It is impossible,” said the messenger, and handed him the one of fame and popularity. The poet quaffed it eagerly, then seized his pen once more and wrote. The draught produced its effects. Success shone on the Poet. His next volume of poems, issued soon after the visit of the messenger, was applauded by the Cynical Observer, and ran to a hundredth edition. His miserable garret was exchanged for comfortable apartments. He became the lion of the season. Fashionable ladies vied with each other to secure his presence at their receptions; interviewers besieged his doors ; his portrait was painted by a royal prin- cess and had a railing round it at the Academy ; young ladies went on their knees before him in public ; his autograph was put up to auction; and a lock of his hair in a glass case was sold by a titled lady for fifty pounds at a bazaar. One would have thought that no mortal man could have wished for more, yet, strange to say, the said the messenger, 169 nature of this poet was so unreasonable that even now he was far from happy. Applause palled on him; his soul was satiated, yet unsatisfied; the future held out no prospect, for what more in the way of success can be hoped for when a man has reached the zenith of popularity, represented by being the lion of a London season? Moreover, he missed the old fierce fire which had glowed in his veins, and beaten at his heart and brain, the wild delicious pain fraught with joy, and joy fraught with pain, which had filled his soul in the old garret days, when fame and success were far off, but when to have completed a poem which his own heart told him to be good, gave him more joy than the flattery of all the world now that he had become famous. So it chanced that one evening, having returned from one of the assemblies where he was so much in request, he flung himself on his bed, and uttered a prayer that the messenger who had brought him the cup of success should return, and let him change his choice. And the Jinns heard it, and resolved to grant his request. “The pain,” they said, “ will be greater than ever now that he has been without it so long. It will be spoit to see what follows.” _ But the sport was not what they had antici- pated, for the Poet quaffed the cup with an eagerness which was fatal. The old fire was in his veins, the old pain at his heart. For a moment he was conscious of a sharp, swift rapture, a pain which was exquisite joy, then he sank back with a faint smile on his lips, and the emp'y cup fell from his hand. On the morrow, the Poet, who was travelling quite alone on a long road far away from earth, passed another wayfarer who, while on earth, had been a woman, And—which was very strange— when they looked into each other’s eyes they recognised each other at once, though they had never met before. “Oh!” said the poet, with a smile, “It is you —you at last! Why, it was for you—for you alone, that I wrote my best poems.” “Yes, yes,” she replied. ‘They were for me. I took them for myself. And they thrilled my soul into life. But that was before you became famous.” “Tt was,” said the Poet. you, I am glad I came here.” “So am I,” she said, “for I was beginning to be a little tired of waiting for you.” Then, hand in hand, they moved on towards a Sphere where dwells the Fountain of all Art and of Love. But the Jinns, who could see what was hap- pening, though they had no power to interfere, “Since I have met 170 did not laugh any more, except one, It was he who had proposed the gift of humour, and it amused him to see the discomfiture of the rest. Noruey CHESTER, eas CORRESPONDENCE. I. “DELICATE AND SUBTLE.” T present there appears to be no market for A work that may be called “delicate and subtle.” That, at least, has been my experience. In May, 1890, the late Mr. G. T. Bettany, then English editor of Lippincott’s Magazine (to whose kindness and courtesy— although a stranger—I herewith bear grateful testimony), accepted from me a short sketch, called “A Mother and her Boy,’ in which I had endeavoured to show the all-consuming power of a true mother’s love, It was one of those tender little outpourings of thought which sometimes well up in the most unpoetical heart in quiet moments, and serve to water the arid deserts of the commonplace. Whether the American editor—to whom the sketch was subse- quently forwarded for insertion in the two edi- tions of Lippincott’s—deemed it too “delicate and subtle,” I cannot-say ; but so far as I know (not having seen the magazine recently) my sketch is still in the editorial pigeonhole. And no one knows how I have longed for the publica- tion of that “ delicate and subtle” trifle during these three years. In justice to the publishers of the English edition «of Lippincott’s (Messrs. Ward, Lock, Bowden, and Co.) I must say that the sketch was handsomely paid for in June, 1891. Of course ‘‘ the filthy lucre’’ (which Mr. Buchanan affects to so much despise) was very acceptable to me, as it must be to all young writers who live by their pens ; but to the author who loves his work, complete satisfaction only lies in the publication of it, whether it be “delicate and subtle” or not. Guorcre Morury. IL. ReEviEwED Books. Your constant remarks in the Axthor on the subject of “reviews” are extremely interesting reading to me, and I feel rather a savage delight (having at times been both reviewer and reviewed) in relating the following incident :—-As secretary of this institute (Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts), I often have books submitted to me for purchase, and some few months ago a THE AUTHOR. young gentleman called on me and stated that he had lately arrived from London, and was tired of carrying so many books about in his luggage. He offered them to me all round at ninepence per volume, ‘and said he would submit them for inspection. About 100 volumes arrived next day, and, to my surprise, all were popular novels, among them being several three-volume sets and single volumes by such authors as Walter Besant, Edna Lyall,and Rosa N.Carey. Of course I secured them, but on further examination found that they were not only uncut (those with folded edges), but were stamped on the title-page with the words “ With the publisher's compliments.” Evidently all these books were review copies, and equally evident was the fact that they had never been read by the reviewer. 1 may also add that in several second-hand shops in Sydney at the present time there are copies of uncut novels (both three-vols. and single vols.) with the same wording stamped on title-page, and these can be had for from ts. to 2s. a volume. Cyrrin Havinanp. . Ill. Re Rasu Conciusions 1N CRITICISMS. I am the writer of “Mrs. Elphinstone of Druoss,” published last May by Messrs. Bentley. It was favourably noticedin the leading reviews, of which, however, one of the best fell into serious error. Its reviewer says, “ The influence of Mr. G. Meredith’s individuality is making itself felt in the usualfashion. He is no longer a, soli- tary master; he is the head of a rapidly increasing school, and Mrs. Stevenson is one of his disciples.” This idea being carried out through half the review, until it seems that Mr. Meredith is the writer reviewed. The fact is I had read one only of Mr. Meredith’s books—“ Diana of the Crossways ” —when I wrote my book, and that was read four years ago. I alluded to “The Kgoist,” but had not read it. I have just finished “ One of Our Conquerors.” My admiration of Mr. Meredith is very great, He seems to me the Carlyle of fiction colossal in his art. But I have not dared to attempt imitation, and I am no disciple of his. Ina humble way I also prefer originality, and feel it due both to Mr. Meredith and myself to say that the “cleverness” and ‘ qualities more valuable than cleverness” ascribed to me by this same critic are my own, and not, as an imitation, a false development. Mrs. Mary Exiz. STEVENSON. Dingley, Sept. 4.  THE AUTHOR. IV. PusiisHers’ Work. I do not recollect to have seen in the Author any detail description of what a publisher has to do to put a book before the public which he desires in his own interest to push. TI assume the following matters comprise some of the things to be done, but what else :— 1. Gives MS. to his reader to report upon and pays his fee, how much ? 2. Having accepted MS., takes printer’s con- tract to produce at per sixteen pages, having settled size of book, size of type, form of binding, and design for cover. 3. Sends and provides for the sending of proofs to author for correction. 4. The book having been produced, receives a supply bound up for stock to sell. 5. Draws up form of advertisement, negotiates cost, selects where to send same, and includes book in his general catalogue of books on sale. 6. Selects newspapers and periodicals and special persons to whom copies are to be sent for review. 7. Sends round libraries for sale. 8. Sends copies to proprietors of railway book- stalls on sale or return. g. Sits down contented and waits for buyers to call, and what else ? KE. BL. copies by a traveller to NV Tue Extension or ourR Lanauace. The Editor of the Author has recently shown how much larger is the English speaking and reading population of this day than in the time of Dickens. It is worth while thinking of this, for, though we enumerate 110 millions of English-speaking population, that is nothing, he says, “ compared with the audience which he (the author) will command in a future by no means distant.” A question for the author, the statesman, and for patriots to consider is, whether anything can be done to promote this result. Part of this result is due to the efforts of some, with whom Mr. Besant has taken part, in promoting the use of the English language; but to a great extent no care is shown for the extension of the English language. For the French language, and for its active propaganda against English in the East, in Canada, and the North-Western Territories, a great French society exists, with large funds obtained from subscriptions of five francs. In India for some time our officials resisted the desire of the native population to learn ryt English, and even now it is not effectually pro- moted. Sanskrit, which is not a spoken language, not a language of modern science, and Persian, which is a language foreign to India, have re- ceived greater favour from the Government than English. How many people in India speak English the Census of 1891 does not tell us. It is in the vast population of India, however, that a great expansion of our language can take place, and ought for the promotion of culture to take place, and it is to this efforts should be directed, as well as to Canada, the Cape, and many other regions. In such efforts authors are more particularly interested, and the cost need not be heavy. Organisation is, however, wanting. The Alliance Francaise has organisation, and its labours are patronised by Lord Mayors at the Mansion-house. The St. George’s Societies afford the elements of such organisation, particularly in the United States and in Canada. In London we have only one Society of St. George, which Mr. Besant has supported as a member, and of which the hon. secretary is Mr. W. H. Christmas, 414, Blooms- bury-square, who is now engaged in an active campaign for its extension. The society has already done much work of an unobtrusive character, but chiefly in. propagandism on the other side of the Atlantic It was through the action of the society that the conception of the confederation of the 110 millions of the English-speaking races, and the 450 millions under their government, has acquired acceptance. Mr, Andrew Carnegie has now devoted himself to the promotion of this public labour, but few can yet appreciate its im- portance. Hype Ciarke. 32, St. George’s-square, S.W. VI. Tue Noverist as TopogRaPHEr. A writer of good books is more skilful than the painter, more talented than the orator, and more useful than the legislator, because without the aid of colour he can attract, without the splendid gift of articulation he can enthral, and without the reforming powers of the legislator he can do good to multitudes. I do not think that the duty of the novel- writer is only to amuse, but to leave some good firmly engrafted upon the mind of his reader, and this contention is capable of ample proof, for if an appeal is made to many writers of this and past ages—writers whose works are for all time the imperishable monuments of their fame—it will invariably be found that their purpose was instruction, not amusement. 172 THE AUTHOR. Life for one half of the world—the half that takes its literature with the regularity of its church going—is simply made up of amusements of one kind or another; there is therefore no reason why these people should pick up a book and expect to find it a continuation of their frivolity. If I, who as yet am no’ novelist, might pre- sume to lay down a dogma pertaining to the first duty of a novelist, it would be to suggest to him that a description of his own neighbourhood is sometimes as essential to his work as the inven- tion of a plot, which is sometimes very unreal, unhealthy, and morally unsound. What does Thackeray say on this point? “ Out of the fictitious book I got the expression of the times, of the manners, of the merriment, of the dress, of the pleasures, the laughter, the ridi- cules of society; the old times live again, and I travel in the old country of England. Can the heaviest historian do more for me?” A citizen should closely describe the scenery and life as they appear to him in the city; a townsman as they appear in his town ; a country- man as they appear in his village—so that in the perusal of novels the reader may gain a view of his native land far more entertaining, and some- times far more correct, than can be found in the best guide-book ever written. Some writers—notably Mr. Blackmore and Mr. Thomas Hardy—do combine the arts of novelist and topographer; and what charming books theirs are in consequence! Both have performed excellent service to their county and their county’s literature. They have done for their neighbour- hoods—Exmoor and Wessex—that which George Eliot did for Warwickshire; and this is what should be the inexorable duty of a novel writer. In their works are to be found all the elements requisite and necessary for the novel and the country history; and, tf only on account of the latter qualification, these Exmoor and Wessex books are far in advance of the ordinary novel of the time. Grorer Morey. Leamington. Vil. Kprroriat Eruics. Editors are naturally and very properly “arbitrary gents” as touching the publications which they control, nevertheless it is a ques- tion whether and to what extent they have a right to sophisticate, either by addition or sub- traction, signed contributions which are neither libellous nor offensive. Here is a case in point, as to which I should be pleased to have your opinion, A short time ago I sent toa London evening paper an article which contained the following passage :—“ The success of the feuilleton in the country is in curious contrast with its comparative failure in London ‘papers of the same class. The cause, however, is obvious. London editors have not given to the wants of their readers and the choice of their stories the same care as their country colleagues. They have thought it enough to buy a novel from a distinguished novelist, forgetting that the popu- larity of an author with magazine readers or Mudie’s subscribers is no guarantee that he will succeed with newspaper readers.’ The presump- tion is rather the other way.” That part of the passage which I have quoted was deleted when the article appeared. Witiiam WESTALL. High Beach, Sept. 20. [If the paper was unsigned, surely the editor has a perfect right to alter the article as he pleases. An unsigned article has always been recognised as carrying with it the editor’s responsi- bility. If it were signed, then the question arises whether the editor has any right at all to omit or to change anything without permission of the author.—Eb. | VIII. ‘A Pree Lance” agarnst “ Nature.” A member of the Society, who writes under the name of “A Free Lance,” has sent me a printed circular, containing a complaint against Nature. The facts of the case, taken from the circulars, are these: In May, 1892, “Free Lance” published a thirty-page pamphlet called “The Organisation of Science.” This was sent out for review, and was actually reviewed in certain scientific papers, but not in Nature. On June 29, 1893, a letter appeared in Nature from Mr. Swinburne (not the poet) raising inde- pendently many of the points discussed in this pamphlet The author“ Free Lance ”__wrote to Nature, pointing out that, while he did not impute plagiarism to Mr. Swinburne, many of the points in the letter had been already advanced by himself in that pamp!let. The editor of Nature refused to publish the letter with- out the writer’s name, The editor had previously printed a letter without his name. Another scientific paper published the letter, and there was an editorial in Nature containing ‘ similari- ties’? which “Free Lance” acknowledges may very well be due to the simple coincidence between the thoughts of two writers treating the same subject. |  THE AUTHOR. 173 “Free Lance” complains, also, of no notice being taken of his pamphlet. These are the plain facts as stated by the circular, which we produce in deference to “ Free Lance’s”” request as a member. It is doubless very hard to have one’s work neglected and one’s proposals advanced by other and later writers. But we cannot see that there is the smallest ground for complaint against the editor of Nature. It is a rule in every respect- able paper that the writer of a letter should give his name. That a previous letter by “Free Lance” appeared without sending the name may very well have happened by an accident. ‘“ Free Lance’’ does not impute plagiarism, but he does seem to impute a wilful ignoring of his pamphlet. But why wilful? Every pamphlet sent to a paper cannot be noticed. But then, is it proved that the author of the leading article had read it? ‘Similarities,’ are observed; but then “Free Lance” allows that these may arise from the treatment of the same subject by two minds. Here, however, are the facts. I have only to add that I refused to admit this statement in the Author without the writer’s name, and have perhaps incurred the same displeasure on the same grounds. The following is what the editor of Nature says himself: ““We have received a printed circular signed ‘Free Lance,’ condemning a recent action of. ours in refusing to print a letter from the author on the subject of the ‘ Publication of Physical Papers’ unless, in accordance with the rule to which attention is drawn in every number of Nature, he divulged his name. We fail to see any adequate reason for violating our rule in the favour of ‘Free Lance’ more than in the case of any other of our correspondents.” (Ep.) IX. GzrorGEe Exiort anp RESPECTABILITY. This is a delicate question, as well as a some- what subtle one ; and it is perhaps better to leave it severely alone, lest one be misinterpreted and misjudged in consequence. However; I should like to say a few words upon it, as it involves much more than the reputation of the eminent woman concerned. I hold that human differences arise as often from diversity in interpretation of words as from variety in opinion of deeds; in effect that, in many such questions, as Cardinal Newman said of certain religious discussions, when we come to agree as to.the meanings of words, we generally find that “argument is either superfluous or hopeless.’ Similarly, in the present case, the controversy really lies more between diverse inter- pretations of the word “respectability” than in any differences of opinion as to the ethics of the question—great though these are likely to con- tinue to be. So many problems of ethology, psychology, sociology, or theology are involved that only the superficial would venture to pronounce final judg- ment without duly considering how the peculiar course of conduct affected the character of the chief actors, the spiritual culture of their inti- mates, and the quality of society in general, as well as the welfare of posterity in particular—as indefinitely influenced by them. In other words, did or did not George Eliot remain the same pure-souled woman after as before her breach of ‘ conventionality” ? Did she or did she not harm as well as hurt certain members of the community more immediately involved? Did she or did she not lessen her vast power for good by thus defying ‘“‘ Mrs. Grundy ” ? While nothing is easier than to judge, nothing is harder than to judge justly. Realising this, it behoves us to be humble in judging our fellows individually ; recognising that reputation is at best merely a social conception, just as conceit is a personal opinion, of a certain character only partially known—even to its possessor. As to the social influence, there is room for limitless speculation, according to our individual share of racial ignorance. We may question the expedience of a gifted and noble woman’s atti- tude, even while concluding that it more than neutralised its own possibilities for evil, by fos- tering a reaction in favour of ethical conserva- tism; but, none the less, our philosophy pro or con. will probably resolve itself mainly into a mere matter of popular phraseology, in spite of ourselves. In effect, when we think we have established primary principles, we may have merely endorsed popular phrases. The danger of a doctrine is no proof of its iniquity, but is only an index of its potentiality. Until marriage is duly recognised as a fine art, and properly understood as the most sacred institution of social science, there will continue to be considerable diversity of opinion as to how far its divinity consists in its ceremony or in its harmony ; and how far ceremony is a matter of legality or of morality; as well as how far morality is a matter of individual duty or of social utility. Meantime, it would be well were conventionality more clearly differentiated from morality, and reputability from respectability ; but this might necessitate a reform in the art of language, as well as a revolution in the science of soul. PHINLAY GLENELG. 174 X. James DEFOE. The following communication speaks for itself. Will anyone among our members take the lead in this matter ? “Saturday's Daily Chronicle contained a pathetic letter from James W. Defoe, an out- door pauper of Chelmsford Union. It would appear from investigations made by Mr. Thomas Wright that this unfortunate man_is the father of the last lineal descendant of Daniel Defoe. One would desire, of course, that everything that can be done should be done for the father; but T would suggest that since the son has been educated attention should be directed to him. We cannot force this young man to marry, but we can impress upon him, if perchance he should fail to appreciate the fact, that in representing Daniel Defoe his position is far more distin- guished than it would be were he the repre- sentative of Defoe’s great contemporary John Churchill. To let the name of Defoe die would be a national loss; it should be continued. Who knows what potentialities may yet remain in the family which has given us the author of “ Robin- son Crusoe.” John Churchill and his descen- dants were well provided for by Parliament ; Defoe, a greater benefactor to his country than Churchill, for, leaving the esthetic and literary question untouched, he has been the real father of much of the colonising and exploring activity of our race, got nothing for himself or for his descendants. I would suggest that we try to remedy this injustice. A letter signed by the leading novelists making an appeal to the public might be sent to the journals, and I venture to think a substantial capital sum might be raised. This sum, held by trustees, should be invested for the benefit of James W. Defoe and his heirs male in the usual manner. “e5, Se. lee “Sept. 18, 1893.” XI. Rerention oF MSS. sy Eprrors. I The following case of a story of my own will serve to illustrate the question. In June, 1892, I sent a story of about 14,000 words, which I had been to the expense of having typed, to the editors of a well-known magazine for their Christ- mas number. ‘Time went on, and I heard. nothing, and at last, when I saw the Christmas number advertised, I wrote to the editors to in- quire whether my story were to be inserted. After some little delay, I heard that it had never been received by them. I then made inquiries of the publishers to whose care it THE AUTHOR. had been sent, but without result, and, needless to say, I could obtain neither compensation nor redress. This, though of course very annoying, is one of the accidents of an author’s life, which, whether due to the carelessness of post-office officials or of publishers’ clerks, can only be endured with the best grace possible, though I think some plan of acknowledgment might be established, and authors thus enabled to institute inquiries for missing MSS. at a time when they might be of use, instead of, as in my case, several months after. But, now to the next chapter in the history of my story. I set to work and rewrote it from my rough copy with slight alterations, as it was written to illustrate a given motto in the first in- stance, and, this accomplished, I sent it to another popular monthly. Seven months elapsed, and then, on the advice of the Secretary of the Authors’ Society, I wrote to the editor reminding him of my story, and asking him to be so kind as to tell me whether it was accepted. This produced a return of the MS. with a polite note from the sub-editor expressing “pain” that he “ did not think it quite suitable” for the magazine, and laying out a hint that, should I send another contribution, it might—it would be accepted. In acknowledging the MS., I ventured to suggest that, before sending another, I should like some guarantee that so much time would not be wasted again. T do not wish to dispute the editor’s refusal of my story ; it may have been too long, or not sen- sational enough, or unsuitable in many ways, but where I do complain is that an author's MS. should be retained so long and then rejected. My case is, I expect, by no means exceptional, and surely there must be some want of organisation or some inadequacy of staff in editorial offices for such things to occur. II. One of the unfortunate beings who has to live by his pen sends a story to the editor of a magazine or journal, and hears nothing about it for three, four, or six months. He is loth to write and inquire, for if he does ten to one back comes the MS. (provided stamps were inclosed) by the next post ; the personage having doubtless expressed himself much in this way—‘ Hang the fellow; why does he keep bothering me about his wretched stuff? Let him have the confounded rubbish back.” Now, the point I want informa- tion on is this—How long after submitting @ MS. should one wait before sending another copy elsewhere? Does the fact of an article being submitted to an editor give that mighty indivi- : i 2  THE AUTHOR. 75 dual an exclusive right to the use of that article for as long a time as he in his irresponsible great- ness may choose to keep it in suspense? I sup- pose itis considered an incorrect proceeding to send the same story or paper to more than one publishing source at a time? I amvery ignorant in these matters, and should be greatly obliged if any reader of the Author would enlighten me. H. RB. G. XII. Mopern Poetry. Modern poetry is now becoming so difficult that it is almost cruel, if not terrible and truculent. As for example take me, a beginner who sits down and studies it. What becomes of me? I have an ink-dream, and find this that follows on my bed-side table in the morning. It is a horrible failure: but where, and with, or by whom, or when, is a commencing poet to start ? Here is my nightmare. But I must say a few more prefatory words. It seems to poor students of poetry that all you have to do is to get a certain swing into your ear, distrust everybody else, see that you’re not copying anybody, and disconsult the rhyming dictionary. Then go to sleep, and do as I did: Older and older sinks the Dust into the bottoms of our fathers’ graves. Where that is laid we know we shall and must—down to the level of old Wisdom’s knaves. The piles of pillory are all in rust; but fetters polish on the noble slaves ! Old Death is lone and in the must; his hoops are shrunken round these staves. You see the jokes? No. Then you are not JEB SLINTER. XIII. PUBLISHERS’ READERS. Mr. James Payn, in his “ Notes” of this week, falls to upon me (among, I think, all your other correspondents), for expressing the particular opinion that if, as Mr. Sherard said, authors should not be critics, they should still more not be readers for publishers. This he summarises (with your other correspondents’ ideas) as rubbish. Now the position of the hebdomadal sum- mariser may be, while perhaps envious, rather demoralising, for he is so like the parson who cannot be contradicted. _ Whereas the ordinary correspondent only obtains leave to ventilate an idea, the hebdomadal summariser is under an obligation to fill several columns with ideas, and must find matter—but will you allow me to add a few words to those printed in last month’s Author, apropos of Mr. Payn’s objections ? lf authors should not be critics then they are more out of place as readers, is surely sensible. The critic passes judgment on the production when produced, the “reader” passes judgment thereon when it is only proposed to be produced ; it is evident, therefore, that whereas the first can only, if he think proper, injure its reputation on publication, the other can use a still more power- ful agency against it—he can nip it off altogether so far as his “firm” is concerned. As the number of publishing firms is not very large, these author-readers must be as proportion- ally more powerful to hinder publication of a par- ticular style of work than the author-critic is to merely injureit, as is the difference between the number of “firms” and of critical organs. So that a writer sending his work to a firm who have an author-reader who dislikes his “ form” and rejects it, is more fatally injured hereby, than when he is only “slated” by an author-critic, among the very numerous critical organs. This rejected writer has then to go afield among the limited number of tasters for someone more sympathetic, but it is obvious that in this he is more justly handled, if he is in the power of, and affected by, only absolutely impartial judges of his wares. As the Author deals with the machinery of authorship—what Mr. Payn calls the “ways and methods ’—I venture to submit these observa- tions to it; and upon the question of the suit- ability of the author as “ reader,” I will hope in a few lines to strengthen my argument. An author must be strongly prejudiced the better one he is. Icould not conceive a good painter, occupying the position of “buyer” to picture- dealers, flooding the market with oleographic pictures of gaudy attractiveness—or even in manners strongly opposed to his own—without a peculiar catholicity essentially foreign to the best workers. Would Carlyle have been a reader suited to “run” the concerns of an enterprising firm ? Of course, the wnsuitability I have here advanced, of authors being good commercial “tasters” for publishers, always becomes less as the status, genius, and deep earnestness of that author are less, and if Mr. Payn believes a reader is quite properly employed when he is passing all work that will bring grist to the mill, then surely that points to quite another person than the author of any importance. One would think the public would esteem the great author better employed producing his own work for their delight than placing (though perhaps but temporarily) bars before someone else. I am convinced Johnson would have ‘“ returned with thanks” “Tristram Shandy.” INGENUE. BOOKS OF 1892. 176 TYNE following lists have been compiled from the books announced day by day in the Times Jan. 1—Dee. 31, 1892. It includes reprints, new editions, and all the publications, good or bad, of the year: General Theology. Educa- | Novels. Law. Political. | Arts. Voyages. | History. |Biography.| Poetry. |) ature, tional. January et 31 8 56 6 8 28 II 21 14 27 50 Webruary ...:.6:------- 25 18 68 6 19 26 6 25 22 17 53 March |b 29 17 go 13 24 24 4 33 18 17 42 RTE coi cccsc seers sees 19 18 76 9 II 25 12 21 22 II 51 MAY f2. oes so sss tence eee aenes> 39 20 75 it 20 45 6 28 32 23 64 PUNS ec cei ces esse eenuve ees 17 20 61 9 32 31 5 37 22 28 89 THE AUTHOR. Te oe ee 18 II 59 6 17 20 3 25 II II 55 JUN ee 9 14 43 7 12 19 — 20 9 12 38 September ..............6045 20 32 123 5 7 29 4 32 23 19 45 October 6.6. ec 29 27 1g! 8 12 32 6 29 31 25 103 November .............. ae 25 13 178 12 II 43 18 53 39 41 112 December .......ccs0..- 068 29 19 98 7 13 33 3 23 27 23 104 : Wotel: 5 oe 288 217 1118 99 186 355 78 347 272 254 806  THE AUTHOR. WHAT THE PAPERS SAY. L. “THe Book Hat FAarLep.” [A publisher writes to the Author to say that, for the first time in his experience, the writer of a book which was not a success has sent him an unsolicited cheque to com- pensate him for the loss he has sustained by producing it.] AS THINGS ARE TO-DAY. Publisher (nastily): I tell you that it’s no earthly use your asking about profits, because there are none. Author (amazed): No profits! And you really mean to tell me that the public has not thought fit to purchase my shilling work of genius—‘ The Maiming of Mendoza?” By our agreement only a paltry 6000 copies of the work had to be bought before my royalty of a penny a volume began. Publisher: Iam quite aware of it. The sale of the 6000 copies would just about have repaid us for cost of production. As a matter of fact, only 3000 have been sold. We've lost heavily, and very much regret we were ever induced to accept the work. Author: Aud you really ask me to believe that after such a sale as that a loss on your part is possible? Why, if you take price of printing at- | Goes elaborately into cost of produc- tion. | Publisher: Yes, but you see the price of every- thing has gone up in our trade. Binding is now ten per cent. dearer, composing is [Also goes into precise and prolonged details. | Author (turning desperate at last): Oh, let us end this chatter! You really say that no cheque whatever is due to me for all my labours? Publisher: Nota single penny. It’s the other way about. Author (leaving): And you call this “the beneficial system of royalties,’ do you? Good day! And if I don’t set the Society of Authors ‘at you before I am a day older, then my name’s not Butwer Maxerreace Deroz SmitH! [Lait tempestuously. | AS THEY MAY BE TO-MORROW. Utterly Unknown Novelist : Then I am afraid that my last three-volumed work of fiction, in ‘Spite of the cordial way in which it was reviewed by my brother-in-law in the Weekly Dotard, my maternal uncle in the Literary Spy, and afew other relatives on the daily press, has not upon the whole been a decided success ? Publisher: Well, it’s useless. to conceal the fact, that from a mere base material point of view, the publication of “The Boiling of Benjamin” has not quite answered our expectations. In 177 fact, we have lost a couple of thousand pounds over it. But (more cheerfully) what of that ? It is a pleasure to lose money over introducing good work to the public; a positive privilege to be sacrificed on such an altar as “ The Boiling of Benjamin.”” So say no more on that head! U. U. Novelist (enthusiastically) : Good and generous man! But I will say more! You recollect that the terms you made with me were a thousand pounds down, and a hundred pounds a month for life or until the copyright expired ? Publisher (groaning slightly): Oh, yes! I remember it very well. U. U. Novelist: And that I have already received cheques for one thousand and five hun- dred pounds, without your mentioning a word about the loss you have been nobly and silently enduring ? Publisher: An agreement’s an agreement, and you are only experiencing one result of the bene- ficial system of royalties. U. U. Novelist: Quite so! But if there is to be a division of profits, there should be division of losses as well. So (¢aking out cheque-book, and hurriedly writing in it) there! Not a word of thanks! It’s merely repaying you the fifteen hundred I’ve received, with another thousand to compensate you for the loss on production. Publisher (melted into tears): Oh, thanks, thanks! You have averted ruin from my starving little ones! And if you should wish to bring out any other work of He is gone, to escape my gratitude! (Takes up cheque). By far the best thing he ever wrote! (Curtain.) —Punch, Sept. 22. Ef, EXPERIENCES OF A LITERARY BEGINNER. The following facts have been extracted from two memorandum books, one of which contains a numbered list of every article or story written, with particulars of where sent, when sent, when returned, when accepted, prices paid, &c. The other book has its pages headed with the names of the various journals to which a manuscript or manuscripts have been sent—one page for each journal. The former book is indexed by the titles of the articles or stories, the latter according to the names of the journals. During this period of five months, sixty-seven articles, &c., have been written and offered to twenty-five journals. Up to the date of writing, twenty-seven articles or stories have been accepted, fifteen are ‘ out’ to meet their fate, and twenty- five are in the drawer set apart for rejected MSS. —some of these will be sent off again ; others are obviously faulty.  178 As regards the twenty-seven acceptances, sixteen were accepted at the first offer, five at the second trial, two at the third time of asking, one at the seventh, and three were “ ordered ” by an editor on the strength of a lucky article which pleased him. The payments for these twenty-seven accepted MSS. amounted to £96 7s. Concerning the fifteen MSS. which are “ out,” and whose fate is thus not yet decided, five are “ maidens,” six are on their second trip, one is at the fourth trial, two at the fifth venture, one at the sixth. The twenty-five MSS. which are in the drawer for rejected articles have been treated thus :—Four have been returned once, three have come back twice, eight have been coldly received by their author at their third rejection, six have been glared at upon their fourth return to home, and four have shamefacedly crept back no fewer than five times. So much for the three groups of MSS. Now about the journals to which they were sent. The twenty-four journals have been classed in three groups :—I. Those which accepted some or all of the MSS. offered; II. Those which refused all MSS. offered; and III. Those whose decision is not yet known. Group I. contains seven journals: One London newspaper (morning), four weeklies, and two monthlies. Group II. relates to twelve journals of various kinds. Group III. comprises five publications whose respective editors have not yet arrived at a decision upon the MSS. offered. A point which may be usefully examined by a writer is the number of separate times he offered his MSS. Here are the tabulated facts relating to the sixty-seven MSS. now mentioned :—the twenty-seven accepted were, in the aggregate, sent out forty-two times; the fifteen which are “out” have been offered, in the aggregate, thirty-seven times ; and the twenty-five which are inthe “rejected” drawer have received among them no fewer than seventy-eight refusals. Thus, the whole sixty-seven MSS. have a total of 157 separate trials. This means 314-27==287 journeys through the post, and up to the present time not a single MS. has been lost. This fact speaks well for both editors and post- men. The cost of postage, both ways, of those 157 offers of MSS. has amounted to £2 5s. 2d. —say £3 if paper be included—thus the net profit in respect of the twenty-seven accepted MSS. is £96 7s. less £3, or £93 78. The fore- going are actual facts, and the result is by no means discouraging; moreover some of the fifteen MSS. which are awaiting their fate are “ig fish,” one is a 20-pounder, and two others, if accepted, will considerably increase the above figure ; again, a few out of the twenty-five MSS. which are now “resting” will probably find their THE AUTHOR. way into print when touched up a little. But even if these 15 +2540 manuscripts should none of them be accepted, the net amount of £93 7s. in five months represents £225 per annum. Finally, all the journals referred to are London journals, the writer of the manuscripts sent to them started as an entire “ outsider,’ and beyond the fact of taking great pains with his work, he cannot be said to possess any exceptional ability ; so, perhaps, there may be more room at even the bottom of the ladder of literature than some of us are disposed to think.—The Globe. Ti. Tus Heattuy CuLture or THE Literary Lire. Before concluding this address, one other point seems to me to deserve particular atten- tion in connection with the literary life. It relates to jealousy as the bane of competi- tion, under which the best men are sometimes doomed to fall. I am speaking literally and medically when I affirm from experience and observation that jealousy may turn into actual disease, and may so affect the physical life as to lay the foundation of fatal disease. There is nothing in all callings so opposed to success as jealousy, but in literature it is the danger of dangers. It destroys the quietude of the reason- ing soul; it keeps up a fever of the animal organization ; it leads to passions that are as wearing as pain, to competitions as exhausting as the strife of the gaming table, to failures as certain as those which are produced by strong drink. I pray you all who intend to labour in the literary field, do your best to kill all jealousy lurking in your bosoms. It is seated in the centres of the passions, and no doubt in many persons it is strong as life, keen as death. It has often heredity as its root, and so much the more is it hard to conquer; but it can, by force of will and exercise of reason, be subdued and even utilised for the purpose of honourable ambition, if it be from the first kept in subjection. It is best kept in subjection by the exercise of a reso- lute determination on the part of the writer to apply the same fair criticisms to his own work as he ought to apply to the works of others, on the grand principle of doing unto others what he would they should do unto him. To this effort should be added the desire to discover in the successful the secret of success. Insuccess there is always a secret, though it be an open one; and in every case there is some opening, which, fol- lowed up, leads to success, under which jealousy vanishes, with all its evil train. My advice, therefore, is, go on working and improving your own work; think no evil, feel no contempt, of .  THE AUTHOR. 179 fellow-workers ; find what path in the wide field of literature suits best your powers; and be sure that in the end you will win if you live and make the best of life—Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson in The Asclepiad. EV. READING FOR THE WORKHOUSE. The books which the Free Literature Society seem to think suitable for workhouses appear to belong exclusively to the class of ‘books which are no books— biblia abiblia.”’ The Kettering Union, who subscribe to the society, report that the last parcel sent tothem included “The Manufacture of Bleaching Powder,” an 1862 “Guide to London,’ ‘“ A Chronology of the Soap Trade,” ‘The Oil and Colourman,” “Improvements in Acid Manufacture,” ‘“ Con- densation of Noxious Vapours,” and a batch of German almanacs. This list will fairly vie with Charles Lamb’s of ‘Court calendars, directories, draught-boards bound and lettered on the back, almanacs, and Paley’s ‘Moral Philosophy.’’”’ One recalls, too, Macaulay’s story of the Italian prisoner who was suffered to make his choice between Guicciardini and the galleys. He chose the history. But the war of Pisa was too much for him. He changed his mind, and went to the oar. The inmates of the Kettering Union will, no doubt, try the German almanacs—and go back to the stone-yard.— West- minster Gazette. Vv. “ Fuavia.” “Flavia,” by Adair Welcker, a little book printed at Berkeley, California, is somewhat of a curiosity. It is a drama, and owes very much to the influence of Shakespeare. Although it is printed, the ‘ publisher’s announcement ” states that “copies of this work cannot be obtained in any other than manuscript form.” The author offers to make and sell autograph manuscript copies for 1000 dollars a copy. “People not caring to pay that sum,” Mr, Welcker informs us, “ can either make manuscript copies themselves or hire other people to make them,” or, he might have added, do without. Of a previous play Mr. Welcker has made fifty-four manuscript copies. Ina manuscript note to the printed edition of “ Flavia,” Mr. Welcker states that up to the time when he “ began the publica- tion himself of his play ‘‘ Louis XVI.” with pen and ink (for want of a more extensive publishing plant) he was of the opinion that it would not be- come widely known during his lifetime. But since he began making manuscript copies, giving to anyone the right to employ others to make manu- script copies from copies wherever they find them, and since he has put on that ring which was worn by Aladdin (it will be useless to ask him what is that ring, for his answer, if he made one, could not inform you) he has seen that during his life- time it is destined to achieve a success such as has never been achieved by those having at their com- mand giant presses and unlimited publishing facilities.” After this it is not surprising to know, also on the authority of Mr. Welcker’s autograph note, that “ Flavia,” “ properly read or acted by persons who have not a fetish worship for the present condition of the stage, will hold an audience spellbound.— Manchester Guardian. pecs “AT THE SIGN OF THE AUTHOR'S HEAD.” ——>e> -—- ILL be published very shortly, by Mr. W. Herbert Hill, a work entitled “ The Political Economy of Jesus, being an introduction tothe Study of Christian Sociology.” (Andrews, Hull. Price to subscribers, 35. 6d.) Mr. H. G. Keene, C.I.E., has in preparation a History of India from the earliest times to the present day, for the use of students. It will be in two vols., each 6s. The publishers are Messrs, W. H. Allen and Co. Limited. Mr. Charles E. Hall has in the press a new novel called “An Ancient Ancestor.” It will be published early in October by Messrs. Skeffing- ton and Sons. “Rambles in Shakespeare’s Land,” by George Morley, is published by the Record Press, 276, Strand. It is a cheap and very handy little volume, adapted for use as a guide-book, as well as a pleasant and readable little work. The Rev. Frederick Langbridge’s poems of home and homely life, ‘‘ Sent Back by the Angels, &e.,” of which the first thousand at 4s. 6d. was quickly exhausted, and of which a cheap edition has since been sold, is to appear again this season at 2s. 6d. Messrs. Cassell are the publishers. Miss Katherine Tynam has written a volume of poems, entitled ‘A Cluster of Nuts,” with a title-page and cover design by Laurence Housman, which will shortly be published by Messrs. Elkin Mathews and Lane. Mrs. Graham Tomson is engaged upon a volume of poems to be entitled “ After Sunset,” for which Mr. A. Bell has designed the cover. Messrs. Elkin Mathews and Lane are the pub- lishers.  THE 180 Lady Wolverton has adopted the Spinning Wheel as the official organ of her Needlework Guild, now numbering many thousands of members throughout the country, and presided over by the Duchess of Teck. The paper, which willretain all its usual features and characteristics, will in future devote a corner in its pages to the guild news. A new novel, by Fitzgerald Molloy, entitled « An Excellent Knave,” will be published early this month (October), in three vols., by Messrs. Hutchinson and Co. This story, which ran serially in England, has been already published in volume form in America and Germany. Messrs. Hutchinson and Co. will publish in the spring a cheap edition of the same author’s novel, “His Wife’s Soul.” “The Religion of a Literary Man” is the title of Mr. Le Gallienne’s new volume of essays, which will shortly be published by Messrs. Mathews and Lane. A special edition on hand-made paper, limited to 250 copies, will accompany the cheap edition, The same writer’s ‘‘ Prose Fancies,” issued by the firm above mentioned, will also appear in the autumn. Mr. G. H. Greene, of the Rhymers Club, has been at work upon translations of the “ Ttalian Lyrists of To-day,” which will shortly be pub- lished by Elkin Mathews. «“ Orchard Songs ”’ is the attractive title chosen by Mr. Norman Gale for his new volume of poems. The dainty volume, with a title-page and cover design by Mr. Rothenstein, will shortly be issued from the famous “ Bodley Head ” in Vigo-street. Mr. Grant Allen’s new novel, “The Tents of Shem,” has been published by Chatto and Windus in regulation three-volume form. Mr. Walter Besant’s new novel, “The Rebel Queen” (three vols.), has also been produced by the same publishers, who have issued a cheap edition of the “ Ivory Gate” and his “ Katherine’s by the Tower.” A collection edition of Mr. Davidson’s plays, “An Unhistorical Pastoral,” “A Romantic Farce,” “ Bruce, a Chronicle Play,” and “ Scara- mouch in Naxos, a Pantomime,” will be published in the autumn by Messrs. Elkin Mathews and Lane. Mr. Aubrey Beardsley will design the cover and a frontispiece, the latter containing portraits of living celebrities. Mr. John David- son’s “A Random Itinerary ” will also be pub- lished about the same time. It isa record of short journeys chiefly in and about London, the illustrations being provided by Mr. Rothenstein. AUTHOR. “ Keynotes,” a new volume of stories by a new writer, George Egerton, will appear very shortl from the firm of Elkin Mathews and Lane. x merciless dissection of woman and her idiosyn- cracies characterises the book. : Mr. G. C. L. Sparkes, Principal of the National Art Training School, and Mr. F. W. Burbidge have (says the Westminster Gazette) written a new and beautifully illustrated work called « Wild Flowers in Art and Nature.” It will be published in six parts by Mr. Edward Arnold, and each part will contain three or four coloured plates of flowers painted from life by Mr. H. 8. Moon. A volume of short stories by M. E. Francis, whose first novel ‘‘ Whither ?’’ appeared last year, will shortly be published by Messrs. Osgood, McIlvaine, and Co.. who will also bring out early in January an Irish novel by the same author. Cream (of the World’s Fact, Fun, and Fancy) is the title of a new weekly penny paper, which, under the editorship of Mr. Francis George Heath, will shortly appear. Mr. Robert Bird, the author of “Jesus, the Carpenter of Nazareth,” has in the press a new book, entitled “A Child’s Religion,” which will form a sequel to his popular Life of Christ, now in a seventh edition. It is intended to set forth simple Christianity for the young, and will be published early in October. The publishers are Kegan Paul and Co. Mr. Walter Besant’s new book on London is not an abridgment of his previous work. It is a totally different book. The first book is an attempt to portray the condition, manners, and customs of the London people from age to age; the new book is a_ history of the City and its institutions, designed for the use of schools in the first place. It is published by Messrs. Longman, with a great number of illustrations. New editions have been produced by the same publishers of James Payn’s “ A Trying Patient,” Mrs. Croker’s “Family Likeness,” Christie Murray’s “ 'Time’s Revenges,” Francillon’s “ Ropes of Sand,” “ Dick Donovan’s “ Suspicion Aroused,” Grant Allen’s “Ivan Greet’s Masterpiece,’ and Ernest Glanville’s “ Fossicker.” We spoke last month of the West Indies as a fine field for a new writer. We are reminded that this field has already been successfully occu- pied—not, of course, wholly—by Mr. Eden Phill- potts. His stories of West Indian life have been for some time running through the pages of the Graphic, Black and White, &c., and a West —  tbe 2, THE AUTHOR. Indian book by him, called “Fun from Afar,” is now in the press. Mr. Grant Allen is to make his first appear- ance as a poet. Messrs. Elkin Mathews, and Lane will be his publishers. Science, Fiction, and Poetry. May his success be as great in the third branch as in the other two ! A new and fifth edition of Mrs. Brightwen’s “Wild Nature Won by Kindness” is announced by the publisher, Mr. Fisher Unwin. “Lays of the Scottish Highlands” is the title of a collection of verses by Ryder £. N. Breeze, published by Ward and Downey. It is apparently designed as a popular work, being attired ina gaudy paper cover, with a picture, outside, of one against a multitude. There are, besides the Scottish lays, Oriental tales, prison rhymes, and patriotic poems. “Songs in Springtime,’ by John Cameron Grant. These verses have reached a second edition, which speaks better for the author than all the press notices together. These are collected and form a kind of introduction. The book may be taken as one among many signs of the approaching revival of verse. “Some Country Sights and Sounds”’ is the title of Mr. Phil RKobinson’s new book. On Sept. 19, 1471, the first book ever printed in the English language, the “ Recuyell of the History of Troy,” was issued at Cologne by William Caxton. On the same day, 1806, the end came to that great Greek scholar, Richard Porson, librarian of the London Institution, in a fit of apoplexy. The City Press has supplied us with these two reminders. Mrs. Skey is bringing out a new novel in one volume called “That Mrs. Grundy!” It is pub- lished by the Arundel Publishing Company, Granville House, Arundel-street, Strand. The following novels will be published by Messrs. Bliss, Sands, and Foster during the autumn season: Percival Pickering’s “ Life Awry;” Mrs. G. 8. Reaney’s “Dr. Grey’s Patient;” Mrs. Murray Hickson’s “A Latter Day Romance;” Clara Savile Clarke’s “The World’s Sharon.” They will also bring out a new edition of Scriblerius Redivivus on the “Art of Pluck;” and a book on Somersetshire, with illustrations by C. R. B. Barrett. Miss Eleanor Stredder’s new story for boys, “Doing and Daring,” will be published shortly by Messrs. Nelson and Sons. This lady has re- ceived a perhaps unique expression of approval concerning her last book, “ Alatch,’ from the Chinese Ambassador, Ta-jan-Sieh. 181 Thomas Cobb (author of “On Trust,” “The Westlakes,”’ &c.) has written the new serial, entitled “Ronald’s Wife,” for Household Words. Mr. Reynolds Ball is about to publish in The Hotel a series of technical and descriptive papers on the hotels of Europe from the English traveller's standpoint. These articles will pro- bably be ultimately reprinted in book form, and should prove a useful handbook to English tourists travelling in the main lines of European travel, “Lord Tennyson and his Friends” is the title of a book containing four portraits of Tennyson, including that by G. F. Watts, and portraits of Arthur Hallam, Longfellow, Henry Irving, and other friends of the Laureate. It is a limited edition of 400 only—all copies numbered—and will cost six guineas. An essay by Mrs. Thackeray Ritchie and an introduction by H. H. Hay Cameron are contained in the work. The pub- lisher is Mr. Fisher Unwin. Messrs Conway and Coolidge’s Climber’s Guides (Fisher Unwin), will sh ortly receive two additions, (1) The Adula Alps; (2) The Mountains of Corfu (Fisher Unwin). The Adventure Series (Fisher Unwin) will also be enlarged by the “ Life of James P. Beckworth,” and the “Memoirs of Mauritius, Count de Benijowski.”’ Joseph and Elizabeth Robins Pennell are going to take us into “ Gipsyland” (Fisher Unwin) with pen and pencil. Five more volumes of the Pseudonym Series are also announced by the same publisher. Mr. J. E. Gore, F.R.A.S., has in the press “ An Astronomical Glossary,” which will be published in October by Messrs. Crosby, Lockwood, and Sons. Besides a dictionary of terms used in astro- nomy the book will contain tables of data and lists of remarkable and interesting celestial objects. Dr. Waldstein, the archeologist, has written a volume, which will shortly be published by Messrs. Harper, entitled “The Work of John Ruskin: Its Influence on Modern Thought and Life.” Mr. David Christie Murray is reported to be writing an autobiography, portions of which have appeared from time to time in the pages of the St. James’s Gazette. It will be published by Messrs. Chatto and Windus. Mr. Cranage, of King’s College, Cambridge, has written an architectural account of “The Churches of Shropshire,” many of which are very beautiful and quaint. The book will be fully illustrated.  182 Mr. Mackenzie Bell’s new volume of Poems will be published by Messrs. Ward, Lock, and Bowden Limited. Rev. Stopford Brooke has wnitten a little book called “The Development of Theology as Illustrated in English Poetry from 1780 to 1830.” Mr. John Robert Robinson is busy at work on a curious biography, which will be entitled ‘‘ The Last Earl of Barrymore.” He was the most “pronounced” of that singular coterie that claimed George IV., when Prince of Wales, as its head. Thackeray, when writing his “ Barry Lyndon,” exploited the character of Richard the seventh earl for recklessness in monetary matters to add to the singular proclivities of his hero. He is called by him in one place “Sir Richard Wargrave,” a surname that brings to our memory what Mr. Robinson’s work will deal with, besides fashionable life of the period embraced (1769-1824), the drama, racing, hunt- ing, &c. Messrs. Sampson Low, Marston, and Co. will be the publishers. ec NEW BOOKS AND NEW EDITIONS. Theology. Brooxe, Rev. Sroprorp A. Theology in English Poetry. The Essex-hall Lecture, 1893. Philip Green. Is. Moors, Rev. S., AND BRINKMAN, REv. A. The Anglican Brief against Roman Claims. Simpkin, Marshall. 7s. 6d. Srmms, Rev. A.H. The Atonement of Our Saviour. Six Sermons by. Skeffington and Sons. “Variorum” Arps TO THE BrBLE STUDENT, THE. Eyre and Spottiswoode. History and Biography. BEsanT, WALTER. The History of London. and Co. 2s. 6d. Bromrreip, Rev. J. C. History of Fritwell. Compiled by. Paper covers. Eliot Stock. Bury, J.B. A History of the Roman Empire, from its Foundation to the Death of Marcus Aurelius. Murray. 7s. 6d. Couns, Pror. Extiorr. The History of the Expedition of Lewis and Clark. A new edition, reprinted from the Authorised Edition of 1814, with copious Critical Com- mentary, prepared upon examination of unpublished Archives and many other sources of information, inclu- ding the Original Manuscript J ournals and Field Note- books of the Explorers, together with a new Biogra- phical and Bibliographical Introductioe, new maps, and other Illustrations, and a complete index. Edited by. In 4 vols. Henry Stevens and Son. (Limited edition) Longmans copies 1 to 200, £5; 201 to 1000 £2108. THE AUTHOR. Diary or SAMUEL Pepys, THE: transcribed from the shorthand manuscript in the Pepysian Library, Mag- dalene College, Cambridge. By the Rev. Mynors Bright, with Lord Braybrooke’s notes. Edited, with additions, by Henry B. Wheatley, F.S.A. Vol. II. George Bell and Sons. 10s. 6d. Discourse oF THE ComMoN WEAL OF THIS REALM OF Eneianp, A. First printed in 1581 and commonly attributed to W. 8S. Edited from the MSS. by the late Elizabeth Lamond. Cambridge University Press. Epyz, Mason L. The Historical Records of the Royal Marines. Vol.I. Harrison and Sons. Exits, A.B. A History of the Gold Coast of West Africa. Chapman and Hall. 10s. 6d. Frarensipz, C. S. The Intermediate Text-Book of Eng- lish History. Vol. I. W. B. Clive. Gasquzt, F. A. Henry VIII. and the English Monasteries. New Edition, with illustrations. Parts XVII. and XVIII. John Hodges. 2s. net. Hernvon, W. H. and WzIk, JEss1z W. Abraham Lincoln, The True Story of a Great Life. With an introduction by Horace White. [Ilustrated. 2 vols. Sampson Low, Marston. Hoox, Rev. Waiter. A History of the Ancient Church of Porlock, and of the Patron Saint, St. Dubricius, and his times. Parker and Son. Hurron, Rev. W.A. The Marquess of Wellesley, and the development of the Company into the Supreme Power in India. (Rulers of India series.) Clarendon Press, Oxford, Henry Frowde. 2s. 6d. Juss, R. C., M.P. The Work of the Universities for the Nation, past and present. Cambridge University Press. Paper covers. Is. Krenz, H.G. History of India, from the earliest times to the present day. For the use of students and colleges. W.H. Allen and Co. 2vols. 16s. Linton, W. J. Life of John Greenleaf Whittier. “ Great Writer” Series. Walter Scott Limited. 1s. 6d. Myune, Rev. B.S. The Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland and their Works. Scott and Ferguson, Edin- burgh. Published by subscription. “ Ramster” (A. MontEFIORE). Isle of Thanet, Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs, &c., with historical and descrip- tive notes. R. Sutton and Co. Is. Riemann, Dr. H. Catechism of Musical History, Part IL., History of Musical Forms, with Biographical Notices of the most Illustrious Composers. Translated from the German. Augener and Co. 2s. RurLanp, Ducuess or. Haddon Hall, being Notes on its History. Reprinted from the Quarterly Review. Simpkin, Marshall. Sarnt-AMANT, IMBERT DE. Women of the Valois Court. Translated by E. G. Martin. Hutchinson and Co. 58. SmrrH, Gorpwin. The United States. An Outline of Political History, 1492-1871. Macmillan. 8s. 6d. SmirH, Mary. Mary Smith, Schoolmistress and Noncon- formist. Vol. I., Autobiography, with letters from Jane Welsh Carlyle and Thomas Carlisle. Vol. IL, Miscellaneous Poems. Bemrose and Sons. Story, Anrrep T. William Blake ; his Life, Character, and Genius. Sonnenschein.  fox “iH CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE THE ExcHEQuer Rous oF ScoTnanp. Edited by George Burnett, LL.D., and A. J. G. Mathay, M.A. Vol. XIV. H. M. General Register-house, Edinburgh. Tuirrs, Lovrs A. History of the Consulate and the Empire of France under Napoleon. Translated by D. Forbes Campbell and John Stebbing. With 30 steel plates. Vol.I. Chatto and Windus. 12s. General Literature, ABERDEEN, COUNTESS oF. Through Canada with a Kodak. With illustrations. W. H. White and Co., Edinburgh. Appison, Katz. Economical Cookery for the Middle Classes. New and enlarged edition. 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