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Title A name given to the resource The Author Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em> Description An account of the resource A digitised run of the Society of Authors' monthly periodical, <em>The Author</em>, 1890<span>–</span>1914, made available together for the first time.<br /><br />Currently users can browse issues and <a href="https://historysoa.com/items/browse?search=&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index&amp;collection=&amp;type=&amp;tags=&amp;exhibit=&amp;date_search_term=&amp;submit_search=Search+For+Items&amp;sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle">indices</a> (not available for all volumes). Full text search for all issues, and other additional search functionality, will be added in 2022. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1890–1914 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The-Author-Issues Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1904-02-01 Volume 14 Issue 5 Pages Page range in volume 113–140 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19040201 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin Che Hutbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Sociely of Authors. Monthly.) FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT. Vou. XIV.—No. 5d. TELEPHONE NUMBER : 374 VICTORIA. TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS : AUTORIDAD, LONDON. oe - NOTICES. —1—~— + OR the opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless such is especially stated to be the case. Tue Editor begs to inform members of the Authors’ Society and other readers of The Author that the cases which are from time to time quoted in The Author are cases that have come before the notice or to the knowledge of the Secretary of the Society, and that those members of the Society who desire to have the names of the publishers concerned can obtain them on application. —+-—>—» List of Members. THE List of Members of the Society of Authors published October, 1902, at the price of 6d., and the elections from October, 1902, to July, 1903, as a supplemental list, at the price of 2d., can now be obtained at the offices of the Society. They will be sold to members or associates of the Society only. —— The Pension Fund of the Society. THE investments of the Pension Fund at present standing in the names of the Trustees are as follows. This is a statement of the actual stock; the Vou, XIV, FEBRUARY Ist, 1904. [PrIcE SIXPENCE. money value can be easily worked out at the current price of the market :— @OnsOls 25 6 £1000 0 0 WioGal OWNS 6.0. 500 0 0 Victorian Government 8 % Consoli- dated Inscribed Stock ............... 291 19 11 War Hoant 201-9 3 Wotal 6. 2. £1,993. 9 2 Subscriptions from October, 1903. LS. We Noy. 13, Longe, Miss Julia. : - 0 & 6 Dec. 16, Trevor, Capt. Philip. ~ 07) 0 1904. Jan. 6, Hills, Mrs. ©. H. . : 0. 5 0 Jan. 6, Crommelin, Miss . ; 010 30 Jan. 8, Stevenson, Mrs. M. E. . 20 55 26 Jan. 16, Kilmarnock, The Lord . 0 107 6 Donations from October, 1903. Oct. 27, Sturgis, Julian 50 0 O Nov. 2, Stanton, V. H. : 56 00 Nov. 18, Benecke, Miss Ida. 120. 0 Noy. 23, Harraden, Miss Beatrice oo 0-0 Dec. Miniken, Miss Bertha M. M.. 0 5 0 1904. Jan. 4, Moncrieff, A. R. Hope . 25-0 0 Jan. 4, Middlemas, Miss Jean . ~ 0 10.0 Jan. 4, Witherby, The Rev. C. . 0 500 Jan. 6, Key, The Rev. S. Whittell . 0 5 0 Jan. 14, Bennett, Rev. W. K., D.D. 015 0 There are in addition other subscribers who do not desire that either their names or the amount they are subscribing should be printed. a aioe FROM THE COMMITTEE. eS HE Committee of the Society met on Monday, January 11th, at 389, Old Queen Street, Storey’s Gate, 8.W. This was the first meeting of the New Year, which opens satisfactorily, as the Committee had the pleasure of electing 30 Members and Associates.  114 Mr. Douglas Freshfield, Mr. Francis Storr, and Mr. Sydney Grundy were re-elected Members of the Committee. The other matters discussed were either of slight importance or were adjourned to the following meeting. —+—<—+ — Cases. Since the last issue of Ze Author three cases have been taken in hand. From this it is evident that during the Christmas holidays the Members have given little thought to business. Of these one has been settled and the Secretary is negoti- ating for the settlement of the other two, on favourable terms. Of the cases quoted in the January number there are still six which have not been concluded. One deals with a demand in the United States, the other five with matters at home, and there is every hope that a satisfactory termination will be arrived at. One case has been taken into the County Court with the sanction of the Chairman, and will be most probably heard in February. Other cases in the hands of the Society’s Solicitors are pro- ceeding. In cases of bankruptcy or liquidation the progress is regrettably slow. This, however, is not the fault of the Society or its Solicitors but of the present system. ++ January Elections. Bennett, The Rev. W. H. 18, D.D. Bernard, Henry Denning Road, Hampstead, N.W. The Bath Club, Dover Street, W. Brewer, John Francis . 83, St. Quintin’s Avenue, W. The Brooms, Baldersby, 8.0., Leeds. 20, Endsleigh Street, Gordon Square, W.C. 10, Dryden Street, Pil- ing, Edinburgh. 221, Underhill Road, Dulwich, 8.E. Clark, Miss Margery Stan- 6, Esplanade, Seaford, ley. Sussex. Dearmer, Mrs. Percy 11, Chalcot Gardens, England’s Lane, 8. Hampstead, Koniggratzer Strasse, Berlin. Ely,C. J... : . 26, Great Ormond Street, Russell 8q., W.C. Buckton, Mrs. Robert Burgess, W. S. Bryde, Margaretta (Mrs.) Cassidy, James Dillon, Dr. E. J. THE AUTHOR. Fabeck, Madame de Villa delle Grazie, Alassio, Liguria, Italy. Gosset, Major-General Deadham, Essex. Hamilion, Angus Authors’ Club, 3, Whitehall Court, S.W. Hassall, John, R.T. 88, Kensington Park Road, W. Heath, Dudley ; . 10, Fitzroy Street, W.C. Hicks, Rev. Edward, St. George’s Vicarage, D.D. Macclesfield. Kilmarnock, The Lord . 8, Rue du Taciturne, Brussels. Killaha, St. Albans. c/o Messrs. Bemrose & Sons, 4, Snow Knight, Maude C. (Mrs.) Mendis, M. . : : Hill, E.C. Pretor, Alfred Wyke, Weymouth. Reynard, F. H. Camp Hill, Bedale, Yorkshire. Sackville, Lady Margaret Inchmery, Exbury, Southampton. Stidston, E. A. Dale View, Beech Alton, Hants. Trevor, Captain Philip (“ Dux”). Thackeray, Lance . 83, Mount Ararat Road, Richmond, Surrey. 42, Linden Gardens, W. 75, Clancarty Road, Fulham, 8.W. Workman, Mrs... . c/o Messrs. Brown, Shipley & Co., 123, Pall Mall, S.W. Clarendon Road, Leeds, Yorkshire. Wood, Starr . “Margaret Wilton ” ————_——_o—<——_e—___——_ OUR BOOK AND PLAY TALK. —+——+ — R. ‘Thomas Hardy’s “The Dynasts ” (Part L, Macmillan) is just out. nineteen acts; one hundred and thirty scenes. “The Dynasts” is concerned, Mr. Hardy tells us, — with the Great Historical Calamity or Clash of — Peoples, artificially brought about some hundred years ago. This chronicle-piece, is a kind of panoramic show, performance, and not for the stage. dramas, other than that of contemporary OF frivolous life. some hundreds, exclusive of crowds and armies, — and Phantom Intelligences are introduced as — spectators of the terrestrial drama. . It isa Drama of © the Napoleonic Wars in three parts; — a play intended for mental : Mr. Hardy — raises the question whether mental performance — alone may not eventually be the fate of all — The dramatis persone number — 3 ai  fl THE AUTHOR. 115 Mr. I. Zangwill, who will not return to England for some months, is at present busily engaged on acomedy in four acts, entitled ‘‘ The Serio-Comic Governess,” based on his story of the same name. Miss Norman Lorimer has just finished a novel dealing with the brigands of Etna. In it the scenery and life of the people are depicted, and much information about the brigands and the Mafia is interwoven. Between three and four thousand copies of Miss Lorimer’s novel ‘“ By the Waters of Sicily’ have been sold. A new poetic drama entitled “ Philip of Macedon ” by Frederick Winbolt, author of ‘“ Messalina,” “Frithrof the Bold” etc., will very shortly be issued by the De la More Press. Miss Rosaline Masson is writing the letter-press of “Edinburgh” for Messrs. A. & C. Black. The illustrations are the work of Mr. Fullylove. Major F. C. Ormsby-Johnson has written a novel which is now in the hands of the publishers. He has also nearly completed a tale some eighty-five thousand words in length. “Christian Thal,” the latest published work of M. E. Francis (Mrs. Francis Blundell) deals entirely with musical life. The interest chiefly centres round the Leschetzki School of Music at Vienna, which city figures in the book under the name of Stattingen. Mrs. Blundell has recently finished a romance of the days of Queen Anne entitled “ Lychgate Hall,” which after running its serial course in the Weekly Edition of the Times, will be published in England and America by Messrs. Longman. A one act play from her pen in collaboration with Mr. Sydney Valentine entitled “The Widow Woos,” was successfully produced at the Hay- market Theatre on the afternoon of January 9th. Dramatic versions of two of Mrs. Blundell’s recent romances are in course of preparation. Mr. Charles Marriott has just completed a novel, “‘Genevra,” which will be published by Messrs. Methuen in the autumn of this year. The story is an attempt at a study of feminine temperament, and the scene is a farm in a valley in the Land’s End district of Cornwall. Mr. Marriott is now engaged upon two novels, one romantic, the other realistic ; both dealing with the present day. Mr. Robert Aitken has nearly completed a volume of sea sketches which he hopes to issue very shortly. That will be followed by a novel which is already half finished. Miss May Crommelin, whose novel “ Partners Three” (John Long) has sold well, is at present writing short stories for Zhe World. Having spent a considerable portion of last year in Palestine and Norway, Miss Crommelin is thinking of studying Sicily, and writing a serial there. Mr. Marmaduke W. Pickthall’s new novel, entitled “ Enid,” is to be published early this year by Messrs. Constable. The heroine, daughter of a rich parvenu, marries a poet, to her discomfort and his destruction. That is the main thread of the story-design ; but there are others all contributing to a view of the transition state of Society to-day. Mr. Pickthall is now at work on another piece of fiction, which will probably not see the light until the Spring of 1905. Messrs. Methuen & Co. have bespoken it. Mr. M. H. Spielmann’s “Charles Keene: Etcher”’ is out. The price of the best edition is fifty guineas. The other edition can be bought for thirty guineas. Both editions are strictly limited. Mrs. M. H. Spielmann’s “ Littledown Castle ” has gone into a second edition, and is being translated into French. Mr. W. L. St. John Lucas has just published a book of short stories called “The Vintage of Dreams” (Elkin Matthews), and Messrs. Constable & Co. are bringing out his book of poems in the early spring. Besides this Mr. St. John Lucas is writing a weekly literary causerie for Zhe World; he is about to begin a new novel. Owing to pressure on space, we omitted to mention that Mr. Clive Holland has a Japanese novel partly written ; also, a story dealing with art student life in the Quartier Jatin. Messrs. Jarrold & Sons will issue this month the second edition of Dr. Panter’s “ Granuaile, a Queen of the West.” Mrs. J. K. M. Iliffe’s “Tales Told at Twilight” has been brought out in New York by Mr. H. W. Bell. The Tales are in verse, being founded on German and French folk-lore. It is appropriately illustrated by Mr. Percy Billinghurst. Mr. Laurence Binyon, whose new volume of poems, entitled “ ‘The Death of Adam and other Poems,” was issued quite recently by Messrs. Methuen at 3s. 6d. nett, has contributed an introductory note to the first number of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.’s new Art periodical, “The Artist Engraver,” a periodical to be devoted entirely to original work. Miss Nellie K. Blissett’s novel, ‘‘ The Bindweed,” will be published shortly by Messrs. Constable & Co. Her romance, “The Winning of Douce,” is running as a serial in Zhe Free Lance. Mr. Walter Del Mar has published through Messrs. A. & C. Black a fully illustrated volume entitled “Around the World Through Japan.” Intending travellers will find his final chapter, “Suggestions to Tourists,” particularly useful. There is a good index. In connection with the revival of the Book- producing Trades of Ireland, Mr. ©. I. Jacobi has been delivering a lecture on the “Art and Craft of Printing” at Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Belfast, under the auspices of the Department  116 of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. The lecture is illustrated by lantern slides, and by the exhibition of specimens. Mr. Jacobi is the author of various technical works on printing. Mr. Francis H. Gribble, author of “ Early Moun- taineers,” &c., has written “The Story of Alpine Climbing” for the Library of Useful Stories, issued by Messrs. George Newnes, Ltd., at 1s. This little book is well illustrated, and is some- thing more than a mere Tourist’s Guide. Mr. A. R. Hope Moncrieff’s “ Around London” is a Guide to the environs for twenty miles round. Tt is issued in three parts, in paper covers, at 6d. each. The three parts, bound together in one yolume, can be had for 2s. 6d. (A. & C. Black). Each section contains maps of the district dealt with ; there is a list of railways and stations ; a table of distances for cyclists, and an index of places. “Beyond the Northern Lights” is a tale of adventure in unknown seas, by Mr. Reginald Wray, author of “Tales of the Empire,” ‘ Adventures on Land and Sea,” &c. This story for boys and girls is published by Mr. T. Burleigh, and is No. 1 of the Reginald Wray Adventure Series. A story of world travel, by the Hon. Mrs. E. A. Gordon, entitled “ Clear Round,” is now in a third edition, revised and enlarged, with illustrations, maps, and an introductory letter from the late Professor Max Miiller. Mrs. Gordon has dedicated this book to her children. Not long ago this authoress published, through Messrs. Kegan Paul, at 15s., “The Temples of the Orient and Their Message.” The first two volumes of Mr. Herbert Paul’s “History of Modern England” are to be published immediately by Messrs. Macmillan & Co, The author takes as his starting point the fall of Sir Robert Peel’s Cabinet in 1846. Though the work will present a picture of England under Free Trade, the book is not a mere history of politics, but passes under review the whole life of the nation as manifested also in science, literature, and art. The first of the two volumes of “ Modern England” carries the story down to 1855; the second begins with the Treaty of Paris, signed after the Fall of Kars, and terminates with the close of the Palmerstonian era in 1865. Mr. W. M. Rossetti contributes a preface, a memoir of his sister, notes and appendices, to the new edition, in one volume, of “The Poetical Works of Christina Georgina Rossetti,” which Messrs. Macmillan will issue at once. Lord Avebury’s new volume of “Essays and Addresses, 1900—1903” (Macmillan), covers a wide field. Among others, there are papers on THE AUTHOR. Our Fiscal Policy; Bank Holidays and Early Closing ; Richard Jefferies and Macaulay; and there is the first Memorial Lecture delivered at the Anthropological Institute on Huxley’s Life and Work. Mr. G. 8. Layard’s novel, “ Dolly’s Governess.” is to be published in April by Messrs. Isbister & Co. The February issue of The Monthly Review will contain an article by Mr. Robert Machray on the Eastern Question. “Letty” reached its one hundredth perform- ance at the Duke of York’s Theatre on Thursday, January 14th. The next production at this theatre will be “ Captain Dieppe,” the three-act comedy by Anthony Hope and Harrison Rhoades. “A Chinese Honeymoon” celebrated its 932nd performance at the Strand Theatre on Wednesday, January 20th, thus breaking the record as regards musical plays. “A Country Girl” celebrated its second anni- versary at Daly’s Theatre on January 18th. Mr. Beerbohm Tree will start two companies on tour this month. One will play “The Darling of the Gods”; the other will play a series of Shakespearean dramas. In “The Darling of the Gods”? Mr. Robert Pateman will take Mr, Tree’s part of Zakkuri. In the Shakespearean plays, Miss Constance Collier, Mr. Oscar Asche, and Mr. Lionel Brough will appear. At the Haymarket Theatre, on the evening of January 19th, a brilliant comedy in three acts, by Mr. H. A. Jones, was presented with marked success. It is entitled “Joseph Entangled.” Mr. Cyril Maude, Mr. Sam Waring, Mr. Sam Sothern, Miss Ellis Jeffreys, Miss Winifred Arthur Jones, and Miss Beatrice Ferrar are in the cast. At the end of the play, Mr. H. A. Jones was called before the curtain and received an ovation from the appreciative audience. ———_—<\_+—<—__+____—— PARIS NOTES. —+—— " E Pays natal,” by M. Henry Bordeaux, has recently been published in a new edition, — and, as this author is now in high favour, everyone is glad to have the opportunity of reading his first novel. There is nothing about it to suggest that it is a first novel, and one can only conclude that the author had very wisely waited until the right time before sending out any of his work into the world. - “Le Pays natal,” like all the later books by M. - Bordeaux, is remarkable for its simplicity and od ifs  THE AUTHOR. absolute sincerity. There is no seeking for effect, neither are there any wild stretches of the imagina- tion. It is just a simple story simply told, but with a whole world of meaning for those who care to think. It touches on a subject that has been much dis- cussed of late years in France: decentralisation and the individual responsibility of landowners. The story opens with the return of Lucien Halande, at the age of thirty, to his pays natal, Savoy. Since the death of his parents he has been living in Paris, and his intention is to sell the estate he has inherited and return to the capital for the rest of his days. This is not as easy as he had imagined it would be. As he sets foot once more in the old home he finds that it is full of old memories, and he also wakes up to the fact that for the last ten years he has been selfishly shirking his duties as a land- owner. There is a romance, too, running through the story from this point. Lucien meets again his old playfellow, Annie Mérans, and if only he had come back a few years earlier would certainly have married her. He has returned too late, and is only in time now to be a witness to the good fortune of another man and a man who is quite unworthy of Annie. Lucien settles down in his old home and is tortured by all that he sees, and by the thought that things might have been so different had he not wasted ten years of his life. The chief interest of the story commences with Annie’s wedding, and never flags to the end of the book. M. Bordeaux is too true and conscientious a novelist to avoid all that is unpleasant when telling his story, but he never lingers over unpleasant things and does not drag in unnecessary details. There is a wholesomeness about his books which is as refreshing as that mountain air of his beloved Savoy which seems to pervade most of his volumes. “Terres de Soleil et de Brouillard,” by Brada, is a most delightful volume, consisting of sketches of Italian and English life. The description of Tuscany and its people is most interesting, and the explanation of many things connected with Rome very instructive. When the author touches on England and her people we are glad to see our- selves for a time as others see us, but though we agree with very much that is said about us, we certainly think that there is something else to add to these chapters on the “land of fog.” Five books by the Abbé Loisy are prohibited by the Catholic Church. The titles of these works are, “Autour d’un petit livre,” ‘“L’Hvangile et L’Eglise,” “ Etudes Evangeliques,” “ La Religion d’Israé#l,” and “L’Evangile de St. Jean.” The Abbé has distinctly advanced ideas. Among other books published recently here are ; 117 “Les Etapes du socialisme”? by Paul Louis ; “Les Amitiés francaises,” by M. Maurice Barrés ; “‘ Mediterranée,” by Mlle. Lucie Felix Faure ; “Tes Epées de fer,’ by Maurice Montégut ; “La Jungle de Paris,’ by Jean Rameau ; “ Impres- sions Africaines,” by Bonnafos; “ L’dme et Lévolution de la littérature,” by Georges Dumes- nil; ‘ Les Fiaacailles d’ Yvonne,” by J. H. Rosny ; “Tes Arts et les Lettres,” by M. Leon Riotor ; “T’Aube du théitre romantique,”’ by Albert Je Roy. The Goncouré Academy prize was awarded to M. John Antoine Nau for his novel, ‘ Force ennemie.” Madame Arvéde Barine has just received the decoration of Chevalier de la Légion d’ Honneur for her literary work. Madame Barine and Madame Daniel Lesueur are the only two women writers in France who have been awarded this distinction. Madame Barine’s works are the following : ‘“ Portraits de Femmes,” ‘“ Essais et Fantaisies,” ‘* Princesses et Grandes Dames,” “ Bourgeois et Gens de Peu,” “ Névrosés,’ ‘* Bernardin de Saint Pierre,” “ Alfred de Musset,” “Francois d’Assise et la Légende des Trois Compagnons,” “ La Jeunesse de la Grande Mademoiselle.” At the Comédie-Frangaise, M. Hervieu’s piece “Te Dédale” is still being played, and at the Odéon “ L’Absent.” The French version of “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray” is soon to be given at this theatre. At the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre “ La Sorciére”’ still draws a full house. M. Antoine continues to give us a three-play bill and to put on new pieces with astonishing rapidity. At the Vaudeville, since the departure of Mme. Réjane, M. Porel appears to be trying an experiment, which certainly deserves reward. He has sent round a letter in which he states that since ‘Mme. Sans Gene” no piece has been given in his theatre to which parents could take their daughters, and he adds that the play he has now put ‘on, “Frere Jacques,” is at the same time “ultra Parisian ” and a “ piece de famille.” At the Gymnase, “ Le Retour de Jérusalem,” and at the Renaissance, “ L’Adversaire,” appear to be greatly appreciated, so that altogether Parisians cannot complain this season of any dearth of excellent plays. M. Bour has put on, at the Théatre Victor Hugo, a somewhat daring piece entitled “Le Droit des Vierges.” The author is M. Paul Hyacinthe Loyson, son of the celebrated Pere Hyacinthe, and the play is written with a distinct purpose. Inan unpublished version of it which M. Loyson gave me some time ago to read, there is a preface by Bjérnstjerne Bjornson and a short explanation by the author of “ Le Droit des Vierges,” in which he  118 tells us that the idea of this piece is founded on an episode of which he was once a witness. M. Paul Loyson has taken up a delicate mission most courageously, just as his father did before him many years ago. M. Bour has staged this piece admirably, and lays his own part to perfection. The Weekly Critical Review published on the 92nd of January a double number in honour of its anniversary. A special article was written for it by the Viscount Melchior de Vogiié, whose book, “Te Maitre de la Mer,” has been such a success this season. The subject of this article is “ Joseph Chamberlain,” and it is published in French and English. Other articles of interest in this number are “Tes Décadents,” by M. Rémy de Gourmont ; “ Le Retour au Paysage Historique,” by M. Frantz; “Discovery of a Michel An gelo in Paris,” “ Bimini,” by John Gurdon; ‘‘Le Roman Contemporain ;”’ “Moscow,” by Arthur Symons; and an exquisite poem entitled “ Hymn to Earth,” by Arthur Symons. This review has recently published several excellent poems, among others “ ‘The Great Idea,” by George Cabot Lodge, whose verses we have only seen, hitherto, in Seribner’s Magazine. In these days when poetry worthy of the name is so rare in England, one is glad to see exceptional work of this kind in the magazines. The death of George Gissing has not passed unnoticed here. By the deep regret expressed by all who knew his works or who had met him since his residence in France, one realises how thoroughly he was appreciated. That, in England, his success should have been so tardy seems absolutely incomprehensible. The first book of Gissing’s which was translated into French drew attention to him here. After the publi- cation of the second in serial form, in a daily paper, he was spoken of as “the English Balzac.” The French have undoubtedly the gift of discrimination in literature, and one can only regret now that a translation of each of Gissing’s books was not brought out here soon after the publication of the work in England. Both “New Grub Street” and “ Eve’s Ransom” have been used in French as serials and afterwards published in volume form, The translation of these two works is admirable. In some English paper it was stated that Gissing translated “ New Grub Street” himself, but this isa mistake. He certainly had a thorough knowledge of the French language, and another translator, who was then at work on “The Whirlpool,” expressed great surprise that Gissing did not write his books in French as well as in English. “In the Year of Jubilee” is to appear shortly in French as a serial in a daily paper. “The Odd Women,” too, is THE AUTHOR. translated, and “The Paying Guest” and “The Town Traveller ” are arranged for. Personally, too, Gissing was highly esteemed here. Exclusive as the French are, they were more than willing to open their doors to him. Shortly after his death I received a letter contain- ing the following lines, bearing the signature of one of the best known names in France: “ On me dit que la mort de M. Gissing a été annoncée dans le journal Ze Temps. Pouvez-vous me dire si cette nouvelle est exacte, vous savez tout Vintérét que je portais & cet homme de talent, de coeur et d’ un caractére adorable.” Everyone who had met him here speaks with genuine sorrow of his death. Auys HALLARD. i THE NOBEL PRIZE. ee MEETING of the Committee for the Nobel prize for literature was held on Thursday, January 14th, at the offices of the Incor- porated Society of Authors, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey’s Gate,S. W.,Mr. Rdmund Gosse in the chair. The purpose of the meeting was to receive the votes collected in answer to the circular sent out last November by the Committee, and to authorise their transmission to Stockholm. : These votes will now be sent to the Committee wid of the Swedish Academy, as an indication of the tee wishes of those in England qualified under the regulations of the Nobel Bequest, to express an opinion. The award will be made in the autumn ig of the present year, by the Committee of the Wa Swedish Academy constituted for that purpose, | with which Committee alone the power of decision rests. The votes from the English contingent this year are numerous, including in their list the names of most of the eminent writers of the day. ———_—_?—<—_2—____- SWEDEN AND THE BERNE CONVENTION. INCE Denmark has joined the Berne Conven- tion the partisans of a similar step in Sweden have recovered courage and are now making new exertions to bring their country out of the isola- tion which begins to press doubly hard upon them. As early as the 12th October, 1894, the Swedish Society of Authors (Sveriges Forfatterforening) addressed to the king an address, strongly supported by documentary evidence (an analysis of which will be found in Le Droit d’ Auteur, 1896, p. 159, etc.), in favour of the extension of international protection of authors, and more particularly in favour of a more liberal solution of the question of  if wo 8 LD: pera THE AUTHOR. the rights of translation. ber last the same Society presented a new petition to the Swedish Government praying that a pro- position for such a modification of the present legislation as may enable Sweden to follow the example of Denmark may be presented to the Riksday. This petition was signed by MM. Karl Warburg, Verner von Heidenstam, George Nor- densvam, Gustaf af Geyerstam, F. U. Wrangel, Axel Raphael, Knut Michaelson, Per Hallstrém, Hellen Lindgren. On the 19th of September M. Ossian Berger, Minister of Justice, forwarded this petition to the two societies of Swedish publishers, the Svenska Bokforliggare-Foreningen and the Nya Bokforldg- gare-Foreningen, as well as to the Society of Swedish Journalists, in order to obtain their opinions on the question. The first of the above-named Societies has already arrived at a decision entirely favourable to the desires of the authors. The society also goes further and formally unites its request with that presented in the petition ; and this is the more remarkable seeing that the same society in 1895 dissuaded the Swedish Govern- ment from joining the Berne Convention. The Swedish Parliament meets on the 15th of Janu- ary ; and the friends of the Union firmly hope that the Riksdag may be authorised to proceed to a revision of the Swedish internal law of copyright, and that so Sweden may in the course of the year become one of the countries of the Union. This hope has now been confirmed. The Society, which has for some time been endeavouring to obtain a special copyright agreement between Sweden and the United Kingdom, has heard from His Majesty’s Foreign Office that “ there will be no need to proceed further in the matter as His Majesty's Minister at Sweden reports that the Swedish Government intend shortly to submit to the Diet a proposal for the accession of Sweden to the Berne Convention.” or THE CONTRACT OF BAILMENT. Se “ H. T.,” in the December Author, and “An Editor” in The Author for January, have treated the question of the editor’s responsibility for the safety of unsolicited manuscripts from different points of view, and at first sight appear to hold different opinions as to the principles which should govern the question of his liability. Perhaps, however, in considering concrete instances they would frequently arrive at the same conclusions, although sometimes their “ findings of fact” would not be the same, and their deductions as to the legal position would differ in corresponding degree. 119 On the 14th of Septem They would differ sometimes (and so would most people having interests at stake, and being, there- fore, to some extent, “ prejudiced”) as to what constitutes or implies an invitation to strangers to contribute to a periodical, and as to whether a certain state of facts exists “for the benefit” of both parties. Let me quote the notice to would-be contri- butors which appears in the Free Lance, a weekly penny periodical probably known to some if not to all of the readers of The Author :-— IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. While declining responsibility for the safety of MSS. submitted to us, every possible care will be taken. All MSS. must have the author's name and address written legibly on the title page. When payment is desired the price must also appear on the title page. Every manuscript must be accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope for return in case of unsuitability. In future all rejected manuscripts not accompanied by stamped and addressed envelopes will be destroyed. What is the position of the editor of the Free Lance, assuming that his notice is brought under the observation of his contributor? It is true that he does not in terms invite anybody to write for him, and that he “declines responsibility ” for the MS. submitted to him at the commencement of his notice ; but does not the whole notice, including even the last two lines, constitute an invi- tation to the author to submit MSS. to the editor, and does it not thus establish a system of bailment for the mutual advantage of both? In such cir- cumstances is not the editor bound to take good care of and to return any MS. which he may not make use of ? I do not suggest that he is obliged to convey it or even to post it to the sender (except in those cases in which he gives a direct or implied undertaking to do so), but I do not see why he should not, at law, be responsible for it during a reasonable time and be bound to hand it back to the contributor who calls and asks for it. Has he any right to treat it more carelessly than those which he has accepted and will in due course make use of to his own profit ? Can he lose it if he is reasonably careful? In the notice quoted the editor lays down acondition with regard to sending stamped and addressed envelopes, which implies an undertaking to return all MSS. accompanied by these useful receptacles. The receptacle prepared by him for the MS. not so accompanied is, apparently, the waste-paper basket or the fire. The editor deliberately warns his correspondents of this, and the would-be contributor who reads the notice will probably comply with it. Let us suppose, however, that he does not do so either (1) deliberately or (2) through temporary forget- fulness. With regard to (1), would “ An Editor,” who evidently has the advantage of a legal training, venture to advise a client that he might invite the  120 deposit of valuable property upon his premises for his inspection for the mutual good of the depositor and himself, that he might couple with this invita- tion a condition easily fulfilled, but at the same time easily omitted, and that upon a failure to comply with the condition he might safely destroy the property so deposited? ‘An Editor” will perhaps consider that I have overstated the case, and that the “notice to contributors” which I have quoted goes beyond anything which he con- templated. I am inclined to doubt, however, whether the editor of the Free Lance (except in the fact that his notice affords evidence of his position) is more liable to his contributors than any other editor who selects from MSS. sent to him unsolicited by strangers such as are suitable for his paper, publishes and pays for them. If the editor of a periodical never reads any unordered MSS., and still more if he also puts a notice in his paper to that effect, he occupies a very strong position with regard to any unsolicited MSS. which may find their way into his letter-box. { hazard the suggestion, however, that in fact no such MSS. would ever reach his office except through a mistaken idea on the part of the sender as to the attitude of the editor. I may hate alcohol with all the energy of the keenest prohibitionist, and someone may send me a consignment of old port of peculiar quality and rarity under the impression that I am a connoisseur who will jump at the chance of purchasing it. The mis- take may be due to the grossest carelessness, the most reckless want of inquiry, but I doubt if I should therefore be justified in throwing that old port into the sewer ; particularly if I knew the name of the consignor, and had every reason to believe that he would like to have it back and would some day apply for its return, should I not accept his offer. I have put the case (2) of tem- porary forgetfulness where such a notice as that of the editor of the Free Lance is concerned ; but T am not sure that on principle temporary forget- fulness on the part of the sender makes very much difference to the position of the recipient who wilfully destroys the thing sent. What is the position then of the person who receives avaluable article, whether a MS. article or a case of ’47 port or anything else, without having asked for it either in terms or by implication ? Would “G. H. T.” argue (to quote from his last paragraph) that the articles are in such a case “sent for the benefit of both parties,” and that “ under these circumstances” the recipient “ig more than a mere gratuitous bailee, and would be responsible accordingly ?”” I should hardly agree with him if he put his case so high as that. I should say that the receiver had no right to destroy the goods sent, or to refuse to give them up if within a reasonable time a proper request were THE AUTHOR. made for them, but that beyond this the sender would have little, if any, claim upon him, even if he did not treat them as carefully as he would have treated his own property. I should also say, however, that a little want of tolerance and courtesy on the part of either or both might land them in litigation, of which the issue would be doubtful, and would depend upon the particular facts proved. This applies, no doubt, to many cases where publishers or editors, and authors are concerned. A little good sense and care on the part of the author, as “ An Editor” very ably explains in_his last paragraph but one, is of considerable aid in avoiding difficulties. He should gain some super- ficial acquaintance (say, by glancing at the cover or index) with the magazine to which he sends his work, or with the books of the publisher (say, by glancing at his advertisements). He might in the case of periodicals look for and read the “ notices to contributors,” although this might prevent him from some day denying on oath that he had seen them. He would get a general idea of what was in the editor's mind even from a notice such as that in the Free Lance, although he might not be able to grasp at once all the possible contingencies which might follow upon non-compliance with the conditions laid down. What, for example, is the position of the editor of the Free Lance where a contributor has written his name and address on the back of his MS. instead of on the “ title page,” or where he has given his address on the MS. and has enclosed stamps for its return (a common method with which many editors are quite satis- fied), but has not sent a stamped and addressed envelope? Surely*G. H. T.” and “ An Editor ” might meet and confer upon the possibilities suggested by the latter state of affairs. editor in the circumstances suggested burn the MS. and keep the stamps? If he may do this, may he use the stamps for his private corre- spondence ? If so, may he, should he prefer it, burn the stamps and keep the MS., also for his private use, such as to paper the walls of his office, or in order to write his own copy on the back of it? Or may he use for his own ends (other than those intended by the author) both MS. and stamps? All these questions suggest themselves and more also, and in any case the particular facts must be | known before an opinion can be worth much, and T am not aware thata good typical case of the loss or destruction of the unsolicited MS. has ever been fairly tested. Perhaps this is partly because editors / are not all quite as black sheep as some unlucky or: imprudent authors would have us believe. I have had MSS. lost myself. In one instance at least I have been compensated, but then as far as I remember, I had kept a copy and only asked for the price of retyping it, which was all the May the ~  THE damage I had suffered. I am not at all sure, how- ever, that I did not once receive the price of the story after it was lost and before I had found my copy, and forwarded it. In any case I have often (I regret it from my personal point of view only) received back unsolicited MSS. with which I had enclosed neither envelope nor stamps. HK, A. A, —_—___e— > —____ AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF PRODUCTION. —+->-+—_ HEN the “Cost of Production” was first issued by the Society there was an outcry from some publishers and printers that it was impossible to print on the terms set forth in its pages. Nevertheless, frequent proofs came to the Society’s office that the figures were not only reasonable, but in many cases in excess of the estimates sent in by thoroughly responsible printing houses who had their works in the country. It was only in the case of some of the old established London houses that the estimates were in excess of those given in the “ Cost of Production,” and even in these cases the difference was only a small one— a matter of some 5 per cent. The “Cost of Production” is out of print ; but from time to time, as examples have come to the office, specimens of estimates for book production have been printed, and Sir Walter Besant in his work “The Pen and the Book” wrote a chapter under this heading. Since the time when the “ Cost of Production ” sold out, and since the date of the issue of “The Pen and the Book,” prices have altered con- siderably, and work is being done more cheaply. In order to show this by definite example, the cost of production, received through a publisher from a firm in the country, of 1,000 copies of a book, is printed for comparison with the cost of pro- duction of a similar book, taken from the Society’s former work. The book is one of nine sheets of thirty-two pages with about 250 words to a page, crown octavo. The estimate is for 1,000 copies. The estimate received this year is as follows :— 8.1. Composition, 9 sheets of 32 pages at 38s. : : ; : ; » 17 2.0 Presswork, 9 sheets of 82 pagesat 16s. 7 4 0 Paper, 11 reams at 15s. : 12880 Binding, say in two colours on board at per copy 4d. 16 13-4 £49 4 4 AUTHOR. 121 The figures for the same book, published in the Society’s “ Cost of Production ” :— & 8, a. Composition, 9 sheets of 32 pages at £2 15s. . ; : : . 2415 0 Presswork, 9 sheets of 32 pages at Sits, ; : ; : 090 Paper, 9 sheets of 82 pages at £115s. 15 15 0 Binding, say at 4d. : : » 16 18 4 £66 12 4 It will be seen from a comparison of the two sets of figures that the cost of composition is con- siderably less ; that the cost of printing is about the same, and the cost of paper enormously reduced, and that these figures huld generally may be taken as an accepted fact. As a proof of this statement another estimate is printed where the number of words on a page was fewer, and the type in which the book was set up was larger, the pages of the book being slightly smaller than those in the book referred to in the previous estimate. Printing 1,000 Copies. £ sa. Setting types, per 32 pages, say 9 sheets, 26s. . : : 1 14 Printing, 1,000 copies per 32 pages, 9 sheets, at 15s. 6d. : 619° 6 Paper (say)... ; : : - 1 100 Binding, 1,000 copies at 43/7. = 181540 £144 18 6 ——————1——>—o—__ THE COPYRIGHT LAW OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE AUTHORS OF THE CONTINENT. —_— 1 the Senate of the United States, December 8th, 1903, Mr. Platt, of Connecticut, intro- duced the following Bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Patents. A Birt To AMEND CHAPTER Forty-NINE HUNDRED AND Firty-T'wo oF THE REVISED STATUTES. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section forty-nine hundred and fifty-two of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby, amended so as to read as follows : “Sec. 4952. The author, inventor, designer, or proprietor of any book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, engraving, cut, print, or photograph or negative thereof, or of a painting, drawing, chromo, statue, statuary, and of models or designs intended to be perfected as works of the  122 fine arts, and the executors, administrators, or assigns of any such persons shall, upon complying with the provisions of this chapter, have the sole liberty of printing, reprinting, publishing, com- pleting, copying, executing finishing, and vending the same, and in the case of a dramatic composi- tion of publicly performing or representing it or causing it to be performed or represented by others ; and authors or their assigns shall have exclusive right to dramatize and translate any of their works for which copyright shall have been obtained under the laws of the United States.” “ Whenever the author or proprietor of a book in a foreign language, which shall be published in a foreign country before the day of publication in this country, or his executors, administrators, or assigns, shall, within the twelve months after the first publication of such book in a foreign country, obtain a copyright for a translation of such book in the English language, which shall be the first copyright in this country for a translation of such book, he and they shall have, during the term of such copyright, the sole liberty of printing, reprinting, publishing, vending, translating, and dramatizing the said book, and in the case of a dramatic composition, of publicly performing the same, or of causing it to be performed or represented by others.” —<_? In March, 1891, certain amendments were inserted as part of the Copyright statute which had for their purpose the bringing the United States into copyright relations with the other literature-producing nations of the world. The several European States had, from an early period in the century (1880—1834) entered into individual treaties with each other under which their authors (and artists) secured for their pro- ductions reciprocal protection ; and in 1887 these States came together, under the Berne Convention, jn an association the regulations of which secure copyright recognition throughout nearly the entire territory of Europe (Holland, Austria-Hungary, and Russia are still outside) and also in Tunis, Liberia, and Japan. : It had for many years been a ground for mortifi- cation to citizens who were jealous for the good name of their country, that the United States had refused, in regard to the recognition of property in literature, to enter into the comity of nations. As far back as 1837, an association had been organized (of which the late George P. Putnam was secretary) to bring about an international copyright, but a contest of more than half a century was required before it proved practicable to interest and to educate public opinion, and to secure from Congress favourable action for a bill THE AUTHOR. securing property rights for foreign authors, and (under reciprocity arrangements) protection across the Atlantic for the productions of American authors. Before the Act of 1891, copyright could be secured in this country only for the productions of citizens of the United States or of those who could be classed as permanent residents. Under the new law, the protection of the statute is made to cover the works of authors whether resident or non-resident, with the condition that for the non- resident author the country of which he is a citizen shall concede to American authors copyright privileges substantially equal to those conceded by such foreign State to its own authors. It is also a condition (applying both to resident and non- resident authors) that the book securing American copyright shall be published in the United States not later than the date of its publication in any other country. It is a farther condition of such copyright for all authors, whether resident or non- resident, that all the editions of the work so copy- righted must be printed “ from type set within the limits of the United States or from plates made therefrom.” This provision was instituted in the new act at the instance of the Typographical Unions and was insisted upon by them as essential. The unions were under the apprehension that if international copyright should be established with- out such condition of American manufacture, a large portion of the book manufacturing now done in this country would be transferred across the Atlantic, to the injury of American type-setters and printers and of the other trades employed in the making of books. The provisions of the Act as finally passed were not a little confused by amendments inserted hastily during the last weeks of the session, amend- ments which had not been planned in connection with the original drafts of the bill and which pre- sented certain new conditions more or less incongru- ous with the general purpose of the bill and likely to produce difficulties in the consistent working of the law. These amendments were submitted for the most part on behalf of the various interests having to do with the manufacturing of books and of reproductions of works of art, and were accepted by Congress as in line with the general protective policy of the country. The changes in the text of the bill as originally drafted were accepted by those who had been for many years working for inter- national copyright, because if they had not been accepted it would have been impossible to bring into enactment any international copyright measure whatsoever. It seemed better, for the cause of the recognition of literary property irrespective of political boundaries, to place upon the statute book a law more or less imperfect and incongruous than to leave the United States for a further indefinite  THE AUTHOR. term alone among civilized nations in its failure to recognize the just claims of foreign authors and artists. It was also increasingly important to secure a recognition on the other side of the Atlantic for the property rights of American literary producers whose productions were securing from year to year increasing attention from English and continental readers. It is proper to state that the law has, in many respects, worked more smoothly than was antici- pated. Attention has, however, been called by more than one Attorney-General and also by the present Librarian of Congress and by his assistant, the Registrar in charge of the Bureau of Copy- rights, to the material defects in the wording of the statute. Fear has been expressed that these defects would sooner or later stand in the way of securing consistent action in the courts for the adequate protection of the rights of literary pro- ducers. It isthe case, however, that comparatively few issues have as yet arisen in the courts under which these unsatisfactory provisions of the law could be tested. The law has had the effect of securing from year to year for an increasing number of British authors very satisfactory returns from the sales in the United States of their copyrighted property ; and under the reciprocity arrangement, which came into effect with Great Britain in July, 1891, American authors are each year securing larger returns from their readers in the British Empire, returns which are bound to increase proportionately with the development of American literature. English authors have found some inconvenience in connection with the requirement for simultaneous publication (a requirement which also obtains under the British law) and the further require- ment for the manufacturing of the copyrighted book within the territory of the United States, but there has been no substantial difficulty, under the arrangements that have come into force between the publishers on either side of the Atlantic and their respective circles of authors, in meeting these two requirements for books originating in the English language. It is the case, however, that very serious and well-founded criticisms of the law have come from the authors of France, Germany, and Italy, who find that, under the requirements of American manufacture and simultaneous publication, the difficulties are almost insuperable in the way of securing American copyright for books which have to be translated before they are available for the use of American readers. In Germany, the dis- appointment and annoyance at what are held to be the inequitable restrictions of the American statute have been so considerable that steps have been taken on the part of authors and publishers to 123 secure the abrogation of the Convention entered into in 1893 between Germany and the United States. ‘he defenders of the Convention have thus far succeeded in preventing it from being set aside, but it is their report that they will not be able to maintain this Convention for many years to come unless the grievances complained of by German authors shall receive satisfactory consideration. The disappointment and the criticism on the part of the authors of France are no less bitter. It is only the fact that certain substantial advantages have been secured under the law to continental artists, and the expectation that the American people will not long remain satisfied with granting international copyright in form while refusing it in fact, that prevent organised attacks not only in Paris and Berlin, but also in Rome, upon the present international arrangements. I myself had occasion while attending, in June, 1901, the convention held at Leipsic of the Inter- national Association of Publishers, to listen to a memorial which had been prepared by the Associa- tion of German Authors, and which was submitted for the approval of the assembly of German pub- lishers, which memorial had for its purpose the abrogation of the Convention between Germany and the United States. I succeeded at that time in securing a decision on the part of the publishers to lay upon the table a resolution approving this memorial of the authors, and the authors them- selves later also agreed to defer action. I reported to the representatives of the continental publishers and authors that, at the instance of the American Publishers’ Copyright League, an amendment to our statute had been drafted which had for its pur- pose the remedying asfaras might now be practicable these grievances of the authors of the continent. I promised that nothing should be neglected on the part of the American publishers, American authors, and others interested in international copyright and in maintaining the copyright rela- tions of the United States with Europe, to secure favourable attention from Congress for the amend- ment in question. It has, however, proved more difficult than was anticipated two years back to secure such attention on the part of the legislators in Washington. Other matters have intervened in each session which seemed both to Representa- tives and Senators of much more importance than the question of copyright. Apart from the usual delays on the ground of lack of interest in Con- gressional committees in such a subject, the representatives of the Publishers’ Copyright League found that they had again to give consideration to objections on the part of the typographical unions. : The amendment as first drafted provided that the European author of a book originating in a  124 language other than English should be allowed a term of twelve months (or, as later suggested, of not less than six months), within which to secure arrangements for an American edition of his book and to have completed the required translation. The American edition which was to have the pro- tection of copyright was of course to be “printed from type set within the limits of the United States.” During this interregnum term of six months, importation into the United States of copies of the work as issued in the original text could be made and the owner of the copyright was rotected against any unauthorised appropriation of his production. This provision was worded with the purpose of avoiding the expense that under present conditions must be incurred of putting into type in this country an edition of the work printed in the language of origin. There is, as a rule, not sufficient demand from American buyers, even in the case of an author of repute, for a book originating in French or in German, to make the American publication of such work, printed in the original language, a satisfactory business undertaking. It is, on the other hand, as a rule, not practicable to have a translation produced in time to enable the American edition as translated to be issued in the United States “not later than the date of publication” in the country of origin. The French or German pub- lisher is generally not willing to agree with his author to lose a season’s sale of his edition of the book for the chance of securing for such author the advantage of an American edition. The typographers objected to the amendment as worded on the ground that it gave copyright pro- tection for a term of, say, six months to a book in an edition which had not been printed in the United States. It was pointed out by the pub- lishers (many of them themselves printers and all of them interested in the production of American editions) that no book could, under such amend- ment, secure the final protection of the law unless an American edition was produced. It was emphasized further that, under the present con- ditions, the publishers were not willing to make investments in American editions of continental works which were well suited for the requirements of American readers, but that if the publishers could, as would be possible under this amendment, secure the copyright control of such editions, a number of books would be put into print in the United States which would not otherwise have been taken up, and from the manufacturing of which the printing and allied trades would secure business advantage. It did not prove practicable, however, to con- vince the typographers that there might not be some risk of disadvantage to their trade in the THE AUTHOR. proposition, The amendment was therefore re- shaped so as to meet their objections. Under the amendment as now worded, a work originating in language other than English is left open to “ appropriation” unless an authorised American edition shall have been produced within the term of twelve months after the first publication of the book in the country of origin and unless such edition shall have been produced and duly pro- tected by copyright in advance of any unauthorised edition. In case, however, within such term of twelve months, the book shall be brought into print in the United States in an edition which shall comply with the other requirements of the — law, the author of such book, or his assign, shall enjoy for the term of copyright the full protection of the law, not merely for such English version, but for the entire text in any version. Under the working of the present statute, the producer of an English version (whether authorised or unautho- rised) of a continental work secures the protection of the law only for his own version. In case this first version secures a success, there is always the risk that other versions may be produced by unauthorised reprinters desiring to take advantage of the literary judgment and of the advertising of the publishers producing the unauthorised version, Such appropriation of the text of the original will be impracticable when the pending amendment has become a part of the statute. The typographers have given their approval to the amendment as now worded, realising that it ought to have the effect of increasing the pro- auction of American editions of continental works. While it is an advantage that the continental book should be open to “ appropriation” for a term of twelve months (or less) and that should unautho- rised editions have once been issued no copyright control can be secured for the work through the publication of an unauthorised edition, it is believed that under actual business conditions this advantage may not prove serious. It is the fact that the unauthorised reprinters prefer, as a rule, to follow the literary judgment of the pub- — lishers who act us the representatives of the authors. The “ piracy” firms find it “better business” in the selection of works by continental authors to appropriate a work which has secured the approval of a leading publishing house than to risk ventures based upon their individual judgments. : The amendment in question has been introduced into the Senate by Senator O. H. Platt, of Con- — necticut, who is an old-time friend of international — copyright, and whose service in connection with — the Act of 1891 was of the greatest importance. — The bill (which bears the number “ Senate 849 "oe has been referred to the Committee on Patents, — and its supporters hope to be able to secure —  THE favourable action on it early in the regular session. The amendment has also been introduced into the House (House No. 2229) by Mr. Currier. It is of essential importance, if the copyright relations of the United States with France, Germany, and Italy are to be preserved, that no further delay should be incurred in remedying the very serious injustice to which the authors of the continent are now exposed. It would also be a serious mortification for Americans who have at heart the good name of their country to have these international copy- right conventions cancelled on the ground that the American Government had failed to carry out in good faith the reciprocity conditions of the Act of 1891 on the strength of which conditions the States of Europe have extended to American authors the full protection of their own copyright laws. TEORGE HavEN PUTNAM. ——_____—_—_e———__e—___—_ THE UNITED STATES PUBLISHING CONTRACT. _—~>—+ —_ HE contract of publication in the United States is one that must with increasing frequency be placed before writers in Eng- land. Perhaps therefore a few notes on a form of contract put forward by a United States publisher may be of service to Members. The difficulty of making alterations in such a contract on account of the length of time that must elapse between one mail and the answer to that mail, is evident. There are very few United States publishers who have agents in London whose authority will permit them to settle contracts on behalf of their principals. Many authors, therefore, enter into bad contracts in order that their books may be produced simultaneously ; and others, wearying of a lengthened and desultory correspondence, embrace the same fault. The two remedies for this position are that, firstly, the author should deal in full time with the United States rights, and secondly, should be careful to deal with the best United States publishers. Then what they may lose on some of the minor points in the contract, which they have been unable for one reason or another to settle satisfactorily, they may gain from the reputa- tion and position of the publishing house with which they are dealing. As a rule the contracts from United States publishers are voluminous, verbose, and even then incomplete. They demand too much from the author, and give insufficient security that the work willbe carried out on the best lines. If, of course, the author deals with a first-class house, the latter mistake corrects itself. AUTHOR. 125 It should be added that some of the latercontracts received from the other side of the water, like some of the later contracts received from English publishers, contain considerably better terms, and are drafted on a much more satisfactory basis for the author, than those which were in existence five or ten yearsago, An example of the United States contract is printed here :— MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT between and laws of the State of Said being the author and proprietor of a work entitled “ ” in consideration of the covenant and stipulations hereinafter contained, agreed to be performed by the said publishers, grants and guarantees to the publishers the exclusive right to publish said work during terms of copyright and renewals thereof, hereby covenant- ing with said publishers that he is the sole author and proprietor of said work. Said author further guarantees to said publishers that the said work is in no way whatever a violation of any copyright belonging to any other party, and that it con- tains nothing of a scandalous or libellous character and that he and his legal representatives will hold harmless the said publishers from all suits and all manner of claims and proceedings which may be taken on the ground that said work is such violation, or contains anything scandalous or libellous ; and he further hereby authorises said publishers to defend at law any and all suits and proceedings which may be taken or had against publishers for infringement of any other copyright, or for libel, scandal, or any other injurious or hurtful matter or thing contained in or alleged or claimed to be contained in or caused by said work, and to pay to said publishers such reasonable costs, disburse- ments, expenses and counsel fees as they may incur in such defences. Said publishers in consideration of the right herein granted, and of the guarantees aforesaid, agree to publish said work at their own expense, in such style and manner as they may deem expedient, and to pay said author or his legal representatives a royalty of per cent. on the retail price of the first five thousand copies sold, and per cent. thereafter. Provided, nevertheless, that no percentage whatever shall be paid on any copies destroyed by fire or water, or sold at or below cost, or given away for the purpose of aiding thesale of said work ; and provided further, that on all copies of said work sold for export, whether sold in sheets or bound, the amount of royalty to be paid on such copies shall not exceed per cent. of the net price received for such sales :—and in case the said publishers are able to dispose of duplicate plates for export, there shall be paid to the author a sum not to exceed per cent. of the amount received for such sale. Any expense incurred for alterations or additions made by author after manuscript has been put into type, exceeding ten per cent, of cost of composition and stereo- typing or electrotyping said work, is to be charged to the author’s account. Statements to be rendered annually in the month of February, and settlements to be made in cash within two months after date of statement. The first statement shall not be rendered until six months after date of publication. If, on the expiration of five years from date of publica- tion, or at any time thereafter, the demand for such work should not, in the opinion of the said publishers be sufficient. to render its publication profitable, then this contract shall cease and terminate, and thereupon said author shall have the right, at his option, to take from said publishers at not made this day of a corporation chartered under the  126 exceeding actual cost of manufacture the stereotype or electrotype plates and engravings (if any) of said work, and whatever copies, bound or in sheets, they may then have on hand, or failing to take said plates and copies at cost, then said publishers shall have the right to dispose of the copies on hand as they may deem fit, free of any per- centage or royalty, to melt up the plates, and to cancel this contract. In consideration of the mutuality of this contract, the aforesaid parties agree to all its provisions for themselves, their heirs, assigns, or legal representatives, and in testimony thereof affix their signatures and seals. Twelve complimentary copies to author. Additional copies at best trade rates. This document, although drawn in more concise language than most agreements, yet contains many faults which may, as suggested, be rectified by dealing with a satisfactory house. For instance, the style, manner, and date of publication appear to be left in the hands of the publisher. It may be a serious matter to omit any definite arrange- ment on these points if the author does not happen to be of the same opinion as the firm with which he is contracting. The clause referring to libel and infringement of copyright gives too wide a scope to the publisher, although his power is somewhat limited by the word ‘‘ reasonable ” at the end of the clause, though “ reasonable costs, disbursements, expenses and counsel fees” is a very indefinite phrase. The main object of a contract is finality. The proviso at the end of the second clause is also unsatisfactory; and the account clause is bad. There is no doubt that statements of account should be rendered semi-annually, and this is the arrangement which, by degrees, is becoming universal in publishing houses. Annual accounts may often leave the author’s money for an incon- veniently long time in the publisher’s possession. The clause dealing with the termination of the contract is, on the whole, sound, the author having the option of taking over the stock. In many of the contracts with English publishers this clause is very unsatisfactory. This is especially so in the agreements drafted by the Publishers’ Association. The worst point of the whole contract is that there is no mention whatever of an arrangement to secure copyright in Great Britain, her Colonies, and Dependencies. There is no clause which binds the publisher to produce by a certain date in order to meet the requirements of the Act. It may, of course, be argued that this is a United States con- tract, but in answer to this, it should be stated that this special contract was for the procuration of the copyright in the United States of a book that was to be published in England. Therefore, such a clause should have been inserted. In another United States contract, which is a typical example of draftsmanship—who does under- take to draw these contracts? Can the United States Publishers’ Association explain ?—there is THE AUTHOR. an interesting clause with regard to simultaneous publication. It runs as follows :— “In order to fulfil the requirements of the revised Statutes of the United States for securing copyright the Author shall place in the hands of the Publishers, the manuscript or fair typewritten copy, or advanced printed sheets, of said work in ample time to allow the Publishers to do the typesetting, electrotyping, presswork, and binding, so that they may be able to publish their edition simultaneously with any other edition of the said work, or of any translation thereof, published in Great Britain or elsewhere. The publication of any edition of the said work, or of any translation thereof, other than that published by the Publishers shall be made at such time only as will enable them to make the publication of their edition simultaneous therewith. They, on their part, agree not to anticipate the authorised foreign publication of the said work, and not to publish their edition until the day mutually agreed upon by them and the Author. It is further understood and agreed that if, by any act or omission in the publication or edition of the said work in any foreign country or in any way or manner without the fault of the Publishers the copyright in and to the said work within and for the United States of America shall be lost or rendered nugatory, then the Author shall be respon- sible to the Publishers for any loss or damage which they may suffer thereby, and the Publishers may then, at their option, terminate this Agreement, and in that event they shall not thereafter be obliged to perform any of the acts herein provided for.” This clause in its verbosity is an example of the rest of this agreement and needs no comment. Should any members of the Society, from time to time, have interesting forms of copyright agree- ments with publishers in the United States, the Secretary would be glad to see them. As a rule the agreements run to fourteen or fifteen clauses. The difficulty of dealing satisfactorily with them, in a correspondence which may last for three or four months, is considerably increased. —_+-——_e_—__ RESUME OF THE NUMBER OF BOOKS PUBLISHED IN THE PAST YEAR. jo REPRINTED FROM THE Publishers’ Circular BY Krinp PERMISSION OF THE EDITOR. HE total number of books recorded in 1903 is about a hundred below 1889 and 1898, four hundred below 1897, and a thousand above 1902; but there is an increase recorded in Miscellaneous of about five hundred, and most of these are pamphlets at a few pence each ; while there were about three hundred sixpenny novels during the year, most of them, of course, ‘new editions,” not new books. The total of Fiction is about a hundred more than in the previous year. Theology, Educational, Politics, and Commerce are up in number; Arts and Sciences and Law are down ; History and Biography, Voyages and Travels, about the same; Medicine, Year-Books, Belles-Lettres, and Poetry and the Drama slightly up.  THER AUTHOR. 127 | | | | B 8 EB Bo 2 eS SS Subjects. e a S - : : 2 z 3 a l= 2 & |= < = 5 5 4 R Se | 2 A So ae | REG CRA Toe eee, \ { | a (|a36| 42| 49] 63] 55] 51| 25] 431 42] 70| 86] 87 | 639 1. Theology, Sermons, Biblical ... 1|o 3 9 8 4 2 5 5 7) 3 2 <1 ie | | | = 702 D Mincensl «Classical, and {| 2 61| 66| 70 | 86 | 65| 62| 83) 47| 51] 51| 65) 53 | 650 est—st—i | et} | 6] 4] 7) 9} 18| i6| 10] 98 748 3. Juvenile Works and Tales,|| ~ 97 | 98 | 150| 87/135] 98] 94] 155 | 169 | 296 | 347 | 133 1859 Novels, Tales, and other ;| 4, 98| 50| 67| 94] 85| 64] 50| 44| 52] 102] 108] 57/ 801 Fiction ) 2650 {la 7 5 8 3 4 6 3 3 i 1 5 ii 57 4. Law, Jurisprudence, &c. ib 2 3 8 5 5 ees 1 7 uf 6 30 87 5. Political and Social Economy, )| @ 42 43 |} 50) 34 51 37 82 | 46 | 29) 41 54 50 | 509 ee it 4] | o5| 12] 8] 7] wt] | 12] 2} 100 , —- 609 BF oad Wists 1 2 27 |) 26 | 82] 26) 88] 50] 17| 24) 85] 21) 46 | 71 | 413 ee ee Boel s | Ge 1) t| 2 1) 2) 8 kb 32 ee o us Be be, ed Geo | 1 | | 9] 16] 18) 10) 15] 12) 6) 7) BF) 17 graphical Research ... fe 2 2 1 3 2 2 4 5 9; —| 34 ace : (| @ 40 42 31 27 8 35 33 38 18 42 60 98 | 482 8. History, Biography, &c. wb 7) 18 8 5 9 4 4 4 6 5 6] 20] 91 — 573 (| @ 28 12 36 30 21 24 10 16 26 30 37 33 | 303 9. Poetry and the Drama 118 6 7 6 5 2 3 3 4 3 161 18 15 | 88 | 391 10, Year-Books and Serials in}|786| 35| 20| 23| 24) 24| 15) 15) 31 | 44| 55| 85 | 457 Volumes <... ee Re ee ee | ae me ae Fo ee | | —— 457 as (ois) 91 te) ig) ib | 20 | 16) 28) 6. 18) 18 | 25 | 187 11. Medicine, Surgery, &c. sale 8 7 9 7 1 D Ge alt 13 | 14 1 95 | | 282 cs Mone || 2 10 | 81 28) 9 | oT) BL] AL] 19) 20) 39| 46) 33} 284 graphs, om : eee 1 2 7 2 | 2 : . Le 8 2 : 2) 31 : | 315 13. Miscellaneous, includin a@58| 66) 46) 65 3 o£) 67) 62) 71 48 | 50 | 32 | 687 Pamphlets, not Sermons Z b 6 8 | 26} 30 22 28 14) 29 16 10 | 18 12 | 219 | | oe 591 | 585 | 708 | 583 | 708 | 645 | 466 | 622 | 638 | 887 | 1089} 859 | 8381 a New Books; b New Editions. The Analytical Table is divided into 13 Classes; also New Books and New Editions. a | 1902. 1903. e Divisions. | New Books. New Editions. New Books. New Editions. Theology, Sermons, Biblical, &e. : oP ae eo 567 8] 639 63 Educational, Classical, and Philological | 504 68 650 98 Novels, Tales, and Juvenile Works | 1,743 lO 1,859 801 Law, Jurisprudence, &e. 88 46 57 30 Political and Social Economy, Trade and Commerce 463 130 509 100 Arts, Science, and Illustrated Works 420 44 413 32 Voyages, Travels, and Geographical Resear ch. 162 38 172 34 History, Biography, &c. . ie 480 57 482 91 Poetry and the Drama . 272 76 303 88 Year-Books and Serials in Volumes os see a 408 ao 457 —_ Medicine, Surgery, &c. . a oe bes 153 84 187 95 Belles-Lettres, Essays, Monographs, ee. ah 227 44 284 31 Miscellaneous, including Pamphlets, not Ser mons ... 352 Q 17 GSt | 219 1 | 5,839 1,542 | 6,699 1,682 5888 | 6,699 Z | 7,381 _ | 8,381  MAGAZINE CONTENTS. —>—+— BLACKWOOD’s MAGAZINE, John Chilcote, M.P. By Katherine Cecil Thurston. Three Gambits. Scolopaxiana: Dogs. By Scolopax. One Night’s Experiences in Thibet. By C. H. Lepper. Old Galway Life: Random Recollections. “Sally”: A Study. By Hugh Clifford, C.M.G. The Siege of Arrah : An Incident of the Indian Mutiny. By E. John Salano. The Birds of Hawaii. By J. A Owen. ‘A Statesman-Adventurer of the Pacific. Musings Without Method.—The Lost Influence and Dignity of the Daily Press—The Speeches of an Emperor— The Psalms of David in Daily Life. ‘A Fiscal Solution : For Commonplace Minds. By Selim. Zussia and Japan : The Naval Outlook. By Active List. Foreign Trade Fallacies. THE CORNHILL MAGAZINE. The Truants (Chapters iv.—vi.). 3y A. E. W. Mason. Some Empty Chairs. By Henry W. Lucy. Macedonia—And After? ‘A Grandmother's Budget. By Mrs. Frederic Harrison. Historical Mysteries. I, The Campden Mystery. By Andrew Lang. Among Japanese Hills. By Ernest Foxwell. The Welsh in London. By J. HK. Vincent. Han and Kawan, By Laurence Housman. The Motion of the Solar System through Space. By Frank Watson Dyson, F.R.S. The Improvement of Westminster. By Thomas Fairman Ordish, F.S.A. Theodor Mommsen. By Professor Tout. Provincial Letters. XIV. From Beaconsfield. By Urbanus Sylvan. The Visits of an Editor. By Leonard Husley, THE FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW, What can be done to Help the British Stage? An Appeal. With a List of Signatures. First Principles in the Far East. By “ Calchas.” The Financial and Economic Situation in Japan. By W. Petrie Watson. English History in Napoleon’s Notebooks. By Henry Foljambe Hall, F.R.Hist.s. George Gissing. By Arthur Waugh. On Some French Novels of To-day. By Le Comte de Ségur. The State Discouragement of Literature, By William Watson. The Problem of High Asia. By Demetrius C. Boulger. The Life of a Song. By Stephen Gwynn. President Roosevelt. By Sydney Brooks. The Protectionist Ideal of Foreign Trade. By W. M. Lightbody. The Royalist Movement in France. By Normannus. Leonaine: An Unpublished Poem by H. A. Poe. By Alfred R. Wallace. Eugene Sue. By Francis Gribble. Theophano. Chaps. x.and xi. By Frederic Harrison. Correspondence :—The Known and the Unknown in Mr. Chamberlain’s Policy.—A Correction. By A, C. Pigou. LONGMAN’S MAGAZINE. Nature’s Comedian (Chapters xv., xvi), By w. E. Norris. Sikhim, The Land where the Rhododendrons Grow. By M. C. Paget. THE AUTHOR. Astrida’s Lover. By F. Whishaw. The Swimming Powers of Animals. By Paul Fountain. Miss Fenella. By May Kendall. A Gateway of Empire. By Esther Hallam Moorhouse. At the Sign of the Ship. By Andrew Lang. MACMILLAN’S MAGAZINE. The Court of Sacharissa. By Hugh Sheringham and Nevill Meakin. Chapters vii.—ix. The Training of Teachers. By Miss Hodgson. Ten Years in a Prohibition Town. By John Davidson. La Rata Encoronada. By W. Spotswood Green, The Football Fever. By H. F. Abell. The President of Mexico. By Andrew Marshall. Studies in Shakespeare's History. By J. L, Etty. VII. Antony and Cleopatra. : Imperial Purposes and their Cost. By T. B. Browning. THE PALL MALL MAGAZINE. The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Devonshire House. Dr. Sven Hedin at Home. By Georg Brochner. Master Worker: George Frederick Watts, O.M. By Harold Begbie. Pictures and the Public. By E. Rimbault Dibdin. How and Why Animals are Coloured. By R. J. Pocock. Literary Geography : Thackeray. By William Sharp. Stories by Maurice Hewlett, Mrs. Craigie ( John Oliver Hobbes”), H. Fielding Hall, W. H. Pollock, U. L. Silberrad, Charles Marriott. THE WORLD’s WoRK. The March of Events—An Illustrated Editorial Record and Comment : A New Political Era. The Far East. The Future of Medical Science in London. Our Commercial Advantage in France. The Sale of Artificial Pearls. India and Free Trade. By Sir Edgar Vincent, K.C.M.G MP, Crossing the Channel by Railway. By George Cerbelaud The Pope's Secretary of State: Cardinal Merry Del Val. The Conflict in the Far East. By Alfred Stead. The Walking Wheel. The St. Louis Exposition. Colombia and the New Republic of Panama, By Theodore 8. Alexander. The Mosely Education Commission. By Alfred Mosely, C.M.G. The New Discovery Concerning Cancer. By E. 8. Grew. The Potato Harvest and the Boom. By Toye Vise. The British Tradesman Abroad. By U. P. R. A Modern Hot-air Balloon. By Edward J. Forster. Food-Frauds in France. By Frederic Lees. The Girl Gardener: Is she Going to be a Success ? «“ Home Counties.” A New View of the Home. By Lady Mclaren. How to Adopt the Metric System. By Thomas Parker. ‘A Revolution in Milk-Supply. By C. W. Saleeby. Chair-Leg Turners at Work. By W. Bovill. The Work of the Book World. Among the World’s Workers—A Record of Industry : «A British Industry Really Ruined.” How Fast can a Horse go in Harness ? Young Men as Irrigation Engineers. A Floating Theatre. A New Air Condenser. Foreign Beer in the United Kingdom. An Electrical Canal-‘owage System. How London’s Tube Railways are made. Geary  THE AUTHOR. WARNINGS TO THE PRODUCERS OF BOOKS. oe ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :— I. Selling it Outright. This is sometimes satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to: (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (8.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses,” unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor ! III. The Royalty System. This is perhaps, with certain limitations, the best form of agreement. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately the truth. From time to time very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. 1Y. A Commission Agreement. The main points are :— (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. General. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author, Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :— C1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. (3.) Always avoid a transfer of copyright. eg ees WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. Lo. EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com- petent legal authority. 2. [t is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 129 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for plays in three or more acts :— (a.) Sale outright of the performing right. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the contract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (%.) Sale of performing right or of a licence to perform on the basis of percentages on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (¢c.) Sale of performing right or of a licence to perform on the basis of royalties (i.c.. fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (0.) apply also in this case. 4. Plays in one act are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7, Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that United States rights may be exceed- ingly valuable. ‘hey should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10, An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete, on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con- tracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society.® —_—_——— WARNINGS TO MUSICAL COMPOSERS. ——>+ ITTLE can be added to the warnings given for the assistance of producers of books and dramatic authors. It must, however, be pointed out that, as a rule, the musical publisher demands from the musical composer a transfer of fuller rights and less liberal finan- cial terms than those obtained for literary and dramatic property. The musical composer has very often the two rights to deal with—performing right and copyright. He  130 should be especially careful therefore when entering into an agreement, and should take into particular consideration the warnings stated above. fo a HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. —— 1. VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub- lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. The Secretary of the Society is a solicitor, but if there is any special reason the Secretary will refer the case to the Solicitors of the Society. Further, the Committee, if they deem it desirable, will obtain counsel’s opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publishers’ agreements do not fall within the experi- ence of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4, Before signing any agreement whatever, send the document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of your calling in promoting the independence of the writer, the dramatist, the composer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members’ agreements and their preservation in a fire- proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers : —(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give advice concerning publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. Fuller particulars of the Society’s work can be obtained in the Prospectus. 7. No contract should be entered into with a literary agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society. Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful consideration the contracts with publishers submitted to them by literary agents, and are recommended to submit them for interpretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society. 8. Many agents neglect to stamp agreements This must be done within fourteen days of first execution. The Secretary will undertake it on behalf of members. 9. Some agents endeayour to prevent authors from referring matters to the Secretary of the Society; so do some publishers. Members can make their own deductions and act accordingly. 10. The subscription to the Society is £4 ds. per annum, or £10 10s for life membership. THE AUTHOR. THE READING BRANCH. — + EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of its work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction, but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. _____¢——e —___—_ NOTICES. —_+-—<—+-_—_ HE Editor of Zhe Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 5s. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for Zhe Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey’s Gate, §.W., and should reach the Editor not later than the 24st 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. a Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to return articles which cannot be accepted. —— The Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and he requests members who do not receive an answer to important communications within two days to write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent by registered letter only. —_—__——_e —>—_+___—_ THE LEGAL AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY. —— N offer has been made of a special scheme of Endowment and Whole Life Assurance, admitting of a material reduction off the ordinary premiums to members of the Society. Full information can be obtained from J. P. Blake, Legal and General Insurance Society (City Branch), 158, Leadenhall Street, E.C. én  THE AUTHOR. AUTHORITIES. ~+—<— — N pursuance of the intention expressed in our I January number, we print under Corre- spondence the letters on “ Should Well-known Writers ‘Farm-out’ Fiction,” held over from the last issue by order of the Committee. The writers have had, and have in several cases availed them- selves of, the opportunity of revising their com- munications after perusal of the Committee’s note on “ Proxy’s”’ letter. THERE is no need to add anything to the appre- ciation of Mr. George Gissing, from the pen of Mr. E. W. Hornung, except to state that Mr. Gissing had been a member of the Society since 1894, and, with Mr. Justin McCarthy, was elected a member of the Council in March of last year. It is with great regret that we must add one more to the distinguished list of members of the Society who have died during the past six months. We print elsewhere a copy of a proposed Bill brought forward for the purpose of amending the existing United States Copyright Law, followed by an article from the pen of Mr. George Haven Putnam, which appeared in the New York Critic. In the “ English Bookman” there was a short reference to this Bill, stating that it upset the copyright as existing between the United States and Great Britain, and calling the Society’s atten- tion to the point. We thank the editor for his courtesy, but fear he must have been misinformed, as the present Bill does not alter the effect of the section as far as Great Britain is concerned. GEORGE GISSING. —1+—<—— HE death of George Gissing came as a complete shock to most of us who mourn him. Delicate he had been for years, but in no such degree as to alarm his friends, who were under the impression that he had derived great benefit from his protracted sojourn at St. Jean de Luz. Only a few days before Christmas one heard with delight that there was just a chance of his coming back to live in England. He must have been upon his death-bed at the time. He had been working very hard. Hard work with 131 Gissing meant as much writing in a day and a half as most men accomplish in a week. His book was his life while it lasted; often it had almost been his death, for he scorned to spare himself till the last page was written. His last book was never finished. It was one that he had carried in his mind for many years ; it is said that he was within sight of the end; the irony might have have been his own. Pneumonia struck him down ; in three weeks he was dead. It is hard to write of a dead man and his living -work, especially when one knew the man better than the work, and cared for him infinitely more. There are many who speak of Gissing and his work as though the two were warp and weft. Those who knew him best will be the last to accept that view. The man was one of the most lovable ; the work was hardly that. The man had abundant humour ; there is little humour in the bulk of his books. He had a glorious laugh—a laugh inconceivable to those who have only read him. There was an appreciative sympathy, a cordial humanity, which it would be difficult to deduce from his writings. His serious view of life may have been acrid and even savage, but he was certainly not in the habit of obtruding his serious view of life. This, of course, is only to speak of the man as one had the privilege of knowing him ; it is not to pretend to have known the whole man, or to have plumbed his depths, but only to have found him all unlike his books, humorous, human, and humane. On the other hand, there can be no denying that much of his own personality and many of his own experiences found or forced their way into his fiction. Too fine a nature to sit down deliberately to “make copy” of his joys and sorrows, he was too true an artist not to dip his en into his own cup as his inspiration urged. At first sight it would appear that his knowledge of life was entirely first-hand, his poverty of mere imagination only compensated by the depth and truth of his extraordinary insight into the secrets of the heart. Yet there is more imagination in “ New Grub Street” alone than is ever likely to meet the ordinary eye. It was written in the days when George Gissing frequented the Reading Room at the British Museum. He made that the chief scene of his story, likened the Readers in the wheel of radiating desks to the flies in a spider’s web, and drew their imaginary lives. There was, I believe, in the author’s mind at least, a flesh-and-blood original of every literary person in the book; and some of them are Readers to this day. Written as the book was, on Gissing’s own showing, in six weeks to pay the rent, one of the characters, Reardon, is depicted in that self-same plight ; and when, in a candid criticism of Reardon’s  132 work, it is claimed for him that his best pages were instinct with a certain “ intellectual glow,” the self-portrait seems complete. There could be no fitter phrase for the peculiar literary quality which distinguishes the characteristic pages of George Gissing. But the contrasting type, the cynically successful young man of letters, is at least as justly realised, as strongly drawn. And it is difficult to believe that Gissing ever fraternised with such a one in all his literary life. During the last few years he had made a second reputation for himself as a sane and illuminating critic of Charles Dickens. were discussed with equal sympathy and acumen in a monograph and in the introductions to the Rochester edition in course of publication by Messrs. Methuen. It is greatly to be hoped that all the introductions, so honest alike in. their strictures and their enthusiasm, have long been in the publishers’ hands. “I don’t relish this critical writing,” he wrote with the task in hand; but it is to be doubted if he ever did anything very much better; for that beautiful veiled autobiography, “The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft,” brilliantly written as it is, and touchingly eloquent of the man, is in many places marred for his friends by an alien misanthropy and an almost morose erversity of view. Notable novelist as he was, with a vogue among his peers indubitably dearer to his fine soul than the plaudits of the crowd, there are those who knew George Gissing through and through, and who hold that novel-writing was not his true vocation. ‘They say he was a greater scholar than could possibly be gathered from his books, and that he would have been truly great as a scholar pure and simple. He had indeed a passion for the classics, and the very temperament to have taken kindly to a cloistered life; but it is futile to pursue the thought. He spent his life in writing the most modern novels imaginable, in a miscro- scopic hand (a thousand words to the sheet of sermon paper) in keeping with his microscopi¢ observation; and he has left behind him more than one that may well survive as uncompromising transcripts of their time. And a vivid memory of the man, of his fine face, his noble head, his winning kindness, will endure as long as the last of those who knew him. That he retained his great personal charm through all the storms of his inner life, is not more extraordinary than the fact that he remained to the last the most acutely sensitive of men. Into the secret of those storms, as into the entire peace cof his last years abroad, he admitted only his chosen few ; for the rest of us it is enough to know that the storms had long abated, and that the last years swere the happiest of his life. E. W. Hornune. 2 THE AUTHOR. ‘he immortal works © HENRY SETON MERRIMAN. —1——+ HE many lovers of high-class fiction begin this year with an irreparable loss. Two of our leading novelists have fallen out of the ranks, both in the prime of life and at the height of their powers. Mr. G. Gissing is spoken of elsewhere. He wrote under his own name. Mr. Hl. S. Merriman did not. His name, no doubt familiar to all readers of “ The Author,” was Hugh Stowell Scott. He was a north-countryman, a Tynesider, whose father, a successful self-made man, wished his sons to adopt business as a career. Though he knew the leaning of one of his sons towards literature he did not desire to encourage it. : One day taking up a book that had interested him, called “ Young Mistley,’ he said, “If you could write like this I should not object to your following a literary career.” As a matter of fact Hugh Stowell Scott “could write like that,” for he was its author. But he did not divulge the fact at the time. The writing both of Mr. Gissing and Mr. Merri- man was close and intimate, charged with refine- ment. But the advantage in subject was probably Merriman’s. Merriman was so early a traveller as to lay the story of “ Young Mistley” in India. His characters were people of position. He was able to write with as much realistic accuracy of Paris and of peasant and noble in Russia in “‘ The Sowers,” as he had done of India and of life on a P. and O. boat in “ The Grey Lady,” and was to do of Dantzic in “ Barlasch.” This last work was perhaps the finest effort of his genius, and the investment of his subject with local colour showed the work of a great writer. He possessed at the same time a marvellous faculty for creating character to accord withit. All is bitten in with the clearness of an etching, and one feels his thorough command of idea and pen. The book is permeated with historical atmosphere ; and while he presents an immense background dominated by Napoleon, he achieves the vital success of projecting into the foreground all sorts and degrees of men with per- sonalities equally strong. Here as ever he wrote with convincing assimilation of, the incidents moulding the lives he created. Alas! never again can we say “A new novel by Merriman!” In bidding adieu to Barlasch we bade adieu to his maker. The one is as real to us as the other. And each must have passed with the same supreme satisfaction in good work accomplished. , Mary Enz. Stevenson, Author of “ A Maid of the Moor,” ete.  THE AUTHOR. MEDICAL LITERATURE IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES. —_— eS By A MepicaL AUTHOR. HAVE just had placed in my hands the first of a series of “ Special Bulletins” which has been ordered by the Public Libraries Com- mittee of Birkenhead to be printed and circulated for the information of those interested. It is my idea that all members of a society like the Society of Authors should be interested in Public Libraries, for every day, I think, brings us nearer to the time when libraries, whether municipally conducted, or founded by private munificence, or run on business lines, will be the chief customers of the author. These “Special Bulletins” form a sort of sub- catalogues to the general catalogue of the six Public Libraries at Birkenhead, and are issued to show how the libraries provide for different sections of the ratepayers of the town. The first of the series is a classified list of books on medicine and kindred subjects, contained either in the Central Library or the Reference Library, and when I had read it I was certain that a good many books got into public libraries that are not in themselves of much use and the perusal of which might do considerable harm. I will take the sense of readers of 7’he Author on these points. The classified list is arranged alphabetically, and under the head of “‘ Anatomy and Physiology ” we have thirty-two works. Of these several are com- pletely obsolete, while others owe their interest more to their historical position than to their actual advancement of modern learning. Under the head of “ Bacteriology” we have nine works, of which one at least is a completely worthless book, while three are shown by their dates to be more or jess obsolete. Under the head of “The Brain” we have seventeen books which are fairly well selected ; two of them, however, are distinctly not standard works, and one—exactly the one that I can imagine the lay public being most anxious to obtain—is a distinctly unsound work. Under the head of “ Diseases of Children” there are sixteen books, largely of the advice-to-mother order. Of these books two are never heard of among medical men, and two were published twenty years ago and have not, as far as I know, been republished. They were, however, at their date of issue good text-books, and if editions have been issued since 1885 it might be worth while for a public library to obtain them. Of the seven books intended to form medico-domestic guides to young mothers this much may be said—such books are useful if they are intelligently used, and mischievous if they are not. ‘I'he twelve books on “The Eye” are on the whole well chosen, though 133 the teaching of two must be obsolete. ‘Twenty-six books are arranged under the heading of “ Food,” and they form a curious medley, for four are obsolete ; one seems to be a cookery-book; two are completely unknown to scientific students of dietetics ; and several others cover identical ground. Then follow seven books on ‘The Hand,” four books on chiromancy being catalogued in company with such genuinely scientific works as that of Galton on Finger-Prints, that of the late Professor Humphry on the Human Foot and Hand, and Sir David Wilson’s disquisition on Right and Left-handedness. Next come five books on Hydrophobia, of which three are obsolete. Then we have eighty-four books on Hygiene and Public Health, which are on the whole well chosen. Of: these thirty-two are made up by the Transactions of the International Congress of Hygiene and Demography of 1891 and of the International Health Exhibition of 1884. Such transactions have a proper place in a reference library. Several of the other books are obsolete, and of one or two I have no knowledge even by hearsay. The remainder are thoroughly well- chosen works. ‘The next eight volumes deal with Hypnotism and Mesmerism, the best known book on the subject not being included among them, while the Transactions of the Psychical Society and the works of the leaders of that Society are also absent. Then come seventy-one books headed *‘ Medicine and Health.” This is a heterogeneous collection ranging from well-known manuals and text-books, through household medicines and popular guides, to such works as a dissertation on a particular mineral-water, an indictment of vac- cination, a seventeenth-century epitome of The Secrets of Surgery, an eighteenth-century Her- barium, an essay on Dress in its Relation to Health, a Student’s Guide to the Medical Pro- fession dated before the passage of the Acts of Parliament by which the medical profession is now regulated, and a Girls’ Book of Health and Beauty. Then we have twenty-two books upon “ Nursing,” among which are some of the more valuable treatises. Under the head of “Physical Culture” we have seventeen works of varying value and scope. On the whole the works in this section are good, but Sir Frederick Treves, Mr. Eugene Sandow, and the late R. A. Proctor can hardly before have , found themselves in the same special class of a library catalogue. Under the head of “Surgery ” are included works on surgical anatomy and ambu- lance lectures. The two best manuals of surgery are in this list—a comparatively short one, consist- ing of twenty-four works only. Works on Throat and Voice and on Vivisection are followed by a heading called “Miscellaneous ””—and miscella- neous it is—for under it fall a work on scientific  134 dressmaking, a herbalists’ manual, a work on artificial limbs dated fifty years ago, a note on hydropathy, a highly scientific work by the late Professor Tyndall, and a note on scent by a well-known perfumer. It will be seen from this rough and ready analysis that the ratepayers of Birkenhead are in possession of a fairly good medical library, not sufficiently modern or comprehensive to be of any use to medical men engaged in research work or scientific literary pursuits, but including more standard works than anyone not a medical man is likely to want to consult, or to be benefited by reading. I am not sure what purpose Free Libraries are meant to serve, but it seems to me that the collection of works in the Special Bulletin No. 1 of the Birkenhead Public Libraries caters for no one. It is not a scientific collection and it is not a popular collection. As far as scientific workers are concerned, Free Libraries can never be of much good in the more progressive branches of science, for the ratepayers cannot be expected to provide new and expensive works on bacteriology or physiology every year, yeb every year brings some new discovery which ought to be recorded. As regards the needs of the general public such works are not of much use, unless the practical application of their teaching to the needs of every- day life is well brought out. This is the case in only a small proportion of the books in the Special Bulletin ; but just where the public are mostly in want of instruction—that is to say, in matters relating to food and general hygiene—it is gratify- ing to point out that the Birkenhead Free Libraries supply sound literature. I wonder if members of the Society of Authors, whose special knowledge lies in different directions to my own, have any experience of the contents of the large Free Libraries as far as their own pursuits are concerned. Is law, is theology, is engineering similarly served? Are the works dealing with these branches of learning, supplied to the public out of the ratepayers’ money, either not scientific enough or modern enough for the purposes of the serious student, or too abstruse for the general reader? Because if so, Free Libraries would seem somewhat to fail in their aims. As far as medical books are concerned, I am quite sure that the Committees that manage Free Libraries ought to pursue one policy. They should save the ratepayers’ money by buying only a few standard medical works, renewing these when their advisers in the matter warn them that new editions are necessary. Special care should be taken that the medical works put into general circulation are sound and authoritative, while works on palmistry, cookery, and district nursing should not be catalogued as medical. Preference also should be THE AUTHOR. given to books of general instruction, books containing general principles, dictionaries and works of reference. Manuals for students should not be bought. There is never any particular reason for purchasing one special treatise more than another, while the premises of Free Libraries are not intended to shelter genuine medical students for whom other provision is always made. With regard to amateur medical students, it is important that medical books should be inspected from the point of view of the wholesomeness of their contents before they are put into circulation. Some medical books make dangerous public reading. The composition of our Free Libraries is a matter of national importance. Too many people think that when they have voted for a library-rate they have done their duty, and that a well-chosen collection of books will immediately occur. This need not be the case, at any rate if general con- clusions may be drawn from the special cireum- stances to which I have alluded. gee 9 A PLEA FOR PEDANTRY. —1 > “ (P\HAT ain’t sense!” a well-known member [ of the House of Commons is reported to have remarked after the reading of an amendment; and the ejaculation, both in its matter and its manner, is characteristic of the age. How often the dignity of sense suffers in the expression of it! “There is a good deal of sense in that article,” remarks pater familias, buttoning his overcoat before starting for the City; and his eldest son, “fresh from the beauty and the bliss” of Balliol, takes up the paper and reads, “The Liberals are clamouring and Mr. Balfour obdurately silent ’—and all he notices is that the writer is ungrammatical, because, great man though the Prime Minister be, he can claim only the singular verb like any ordinary mortal. Sense may be the dish; but style is the cookery: and the palate of the purist receives many a rude shock. In these modern days of newspapers full of paragraphs “ written up” by a jaded journalist overnight, and hastily scanned by an equally jaded reader in the stifling “Tube” next morning ; of letters spoken into a phonograph and typed off in duplicate ;—yea, of novels produced in the same fashion at the rate of three or four a year; of political pamphlets and books of biography and of travel hastily put together and rushed through the printing press in order to catch an ephemeral market ;—in these modern days, what chance has our stately and beautiful language, with all its history behind it ?  THE AUTHOR. Then let us welcome the pedant and the purist, for _ they have their uses. The lack of leisure, in literature as elsewhere, is accountable for much, since many errors are due to the habit of condensing. ‘You must try to love me as you have your parents ” is ungrammatical, yet harmless ; but how about the assertion that “He loathed sausages as much as his wife” ? What a picture is given of domestic disquietude ! __whereas the reality, fatally obscured by the omis- sion of the little word “did,” was a distinctly harmonious breakfast-table. It is painful to read that “when the chemical students had given in the results of their researches, they were sealed up in test-tubes and set aside to be analysed by the professor.” What a fiscal problem is presented by this sentence: ‘He spent two guineas a week on cigars which he might have given to the poor ”! Many errors are due, not to condensing, but to bad arrangement :—“ Tennyson’s ‘ May Queen ’ is a poem about a girl divided into three parts.” And, “opposite stretch the long lines of blanched walls, where now live the King of United Italy and his fair Queen Margherita of Savoy, some- what plain-faced and bald, and descending whole streets in their enormous length and breadth of circuit.’ The words only, merely, and not are pitfalls in this respect, and the Post Office authori- ties fell headlong into one of them when they informed the public “The address only. to be written on this side.” ‘To the purist, this conveys that the address is only to be written, not, for example, typed. When once the habit of noting errors becomes a hobby, they seem to crop up everywhere—in news- papers, sermons, speeches, books, letters, advertise- ments. How often we hear of “a house on the left side going down the street,” or “a cab-stand coming up the road.” “Each of us have” and “neither of them were’’ are sadly familiar, even within bookcovers. When there are two brothers, is not the elder invariably the eldest ? And of two apples, is not the bigger always the biggest ? “This is one of the commonest errors that has crept into the language,” one is told. “Has they?” the pedant answers mildly. “ Strictly speaking, there was no necessity ”__noor participle, without a relation to support it ! Often pronouns are the cause of woe. What can be made of this: “He told me his brother had a friend and he wished him to emigrate ; but he had said he ought to wait till he saw if his uncle would help him, as he told him he would if he approved of him.” Then there is the fatal impersonal pronoun “one,” that no Briton can handle with safety. The British are less successful than the French with verbs also. How often the novelist, in the midst of a narrative, leaps from 135 the past tense to the present and back again ! And how hopelessly muddled the reporter becomes during three columns of indirect quotation ! And, most familiar of all, “ Mr. Jones will have much pleasure in accepting Mrs. Smith’s kind invitation.” “ What ought you to say instead of ‘I shall have much pleasure in accepting’ ?” a teacher asked his class. “I will have much pleasure!” cried an eager Scot. Folk north of the Tweed have to submit to much quizzing for their use of shall and will and for other Scotticisms ; but there are not a few colloquialisms peculiar to the dwellers south of that river. It strikes the Scottish ear at once when someone says “ different to” instead of “ different from,” or “differ with” instead of “differ from.” It was perhaps a rash and carping pedantry that prompted someone to demand of a renowned barrister that he should say “disagree from.” He listened to the logic and courteously announced himself convinced ; but presently he was heard to mutter below his breath, “] disagree from you, my lord,—my lord, i disagree from you. No,no! Couldn’t! Couldn’t possibly!” The English seem prone to the use of “lay” instead of “lie”—Byron and Shelley are both defaulters—“ There let it lay” : and to the substitution of “like” for “as”—‘ Like I did.” But perhaps the Englishism most noticeable to the stranger is to be heard in the addition of the letter 7 after the vowel a—‘ the sofar is,” _“the idear of it!’”—“ Mariar ought.” This is now as prevalent as the inserted 4, and among a more cultured class. As with the h, the r is not only inserted where it ought not to be, but is left out where it owght to occur, and hence that horror, the “ Cockney rhyme ”—“ palm—harm,” and “ Oh Mamma, See the star!” It is pleasant to find the Chronicle entering the lists as a purist. A few days ago it called atten- tion to “a common error,” and cited examples culled from its own pages :—“‘ Mr. A. B. Walkeley writes to Mr. Bourchier: “I could not go to a theatre from which I had been excluded without that exclusion being publicly apologised for 47 “Pardon me saying” and “ Forgive me coming y are simpler forms of the same. “ Fyom May to December, inclusive,” or ‘‘ From G. to N., inclusive,” is universal ; but is it sense ? “To and from Regent Street and City, 37.” meets the eye of many literary people on their way befween fashion and Grub Street : does it vex their souls ? As to “Bespoke Bootmaker” and “ Practical Chimneysweep,” they are beneath notice. Once we enter the realms of pure pedantry, there is much to engage our attention. The dainty disused subjunctive meets us reproachfully. The rival claims of the pronouns that and which wait, as they have waited since the Elizabethan age, to  136 be settled. The doubtful grammar of “these kind” and “those sort” has to be seriously con- sidered. The poor word demean demands a knight-errant to rescue her from the clutches of mean, to whom she owes no allegiance, and restore her to her proper relation demeanour. And in the train of demean come many mis- used words—mutual and aggravate, replace and appreciate, the debased awful, fallen from her high estate, and all the rest. There is also the phrase “and which ”—a phrase that, it is alleged, a certain weekly in its palmy days used to keep a special proof-reader to delete. There is “fine day” when the day is only fair; and there is “infinitely less,” when the comparison is between things necessarily finite. ‘A sentence should never have a preposition to end up with” was the remark of someone who taught better by precept than by example. But purists go further, and, not content with objecting to “quite perfect” and “quite better,” even question the propriety of “more true.” But this last contention seems to step beyond the realms of literary criticism alto- gether, and to land one in the hazy atmosphere of philosophy. The errors that have been enumerated are only a few of the most common, but will help to recall many others to the mind, and may perhaps persuade some readers to own that, though the pedant be a fractious and annoying member of any society—most of all of the Society of Authors —he is not altogether without his uses, nor yet altogether without his excuses. ROSALINE Masson. Oa THE ARTIST AS CRITIC.* + HE Editor’s note to this, the twelfth, volume of Messrs. Macmillan’s edition of Thackeray’s Works explains that for the first time the “Critical Papers in Literature ” are brought together in one volume and arranged in chronological order instead of being scattered throughout the various volumes of the editions. The advantages of such a plan are obvious, but it does not appear from this preface what was the compelling cause to make any exceptions; the exceptions, however, are carefully noted, and reference is given to the other volumes in which the papers severally appear. Thus the first review known to have been written by Thackeray, on * “Critical Papers in Literature,’ by William Makepeace Thackeray. London: Macmillan & Co., Limited, 1904. Crown 8yo., 3s. 6d, THE AUTHOR. Robert Montgomery’s poem, ‘ Woman : The Angel of Life,” was published in 7'e National Standard dated the 15th of June, 1833, and is now reprinted in vol. ix. of this edition; in the same volume appears his review of Victor Hugo’s “ Etude sur Mirabeau ” ; other literary papers entitled respec- tively, “Madame Sand and the New Apocalypse,” “Qn some French Fashionable Novels: With a Plea for Romances in General,” and “ French Dramas and Melodramas” are reprinted in vol. vii. of this edition; finally a note of importance will be found in vol. xi., covering the question of other reviews supposed to have been contributed by Thackeray to Fraser’s Magazine, some of which have been positively identified and are reprinted in that volume. Of the twenty-nine papers included in the present volume, six are reprinted for the first time, four are reprinted for the first time in England, and twenty- one are for the first time included in an edition of Thackeray’s Works. The most important “find ”’ from the bibliographer’s point of view is an invoice sent by Thackeray to 7%e Times for contributions during November, 1838; this “ find” was made by Mr. Moberly Bell, who sent a copy of the letter and invoice to Messrs. Macmillan; reference to a file of The Times disclosed articles entitled “The Annuals,” Tyler’s “Life of Henry V.,” Fraser’s “Winter Journey to Persia,’ Count Valerian Krasinski’s “History of the Reformation in Poland,” all of which are now reprinted for the first time, and a couple of paragraphs entitled “ Steam Navi- gation in the Pacific,’ which are omitted as not coming within the scope of the volume. The two other articles now first reprinted are a review of the “Memoirs of Joseph Holt, General of the Irish Rebels in 1798,” which appeared in Zhe Times for the 31st of January, 1838, and Thackeray’s sole contribution to The Edinburgh Review, which was published in October, 1845, ridiculing N, P. F. Willis’s “ Dashes at Life with a Free Pencil.” Of the other fifteen papers now first included in an edition of Thackeray’s Works the most interest- ing, regarded as Critical Papers, are the ‘ Duchess of Marlborough’s Private Correspondence,” “ Eros and Anteros, or ‘Love’,” “A Diary Relative to George IV. and Queen Caroline,” “The Poetical Works of Dr. Southey,” “ Fielding’s Works,” “ Mr. Macaulay’s Essays,” and “Coningsby, or the New Generation.” These, with the more familiar papers on Carlyle’s “French Revolution,” “Grant in Paris,” ‘Dickens in France,” and ‘Jerome Paturot,” enable one to arrive at a definite opinion of Thackeray’s claim to consideration as judge of other people’s work, and to assess the worth of the artist in his other réle of critic. His own opinion of the function of the critic is recorded in this volume. An eminent artist had as  THE AUTHOR. suggested that it was the writer's duty only to speak of pictures particularly when one could speak in terms of praise ; not, of course, to praise unjustly, but to be discreetly silent when there was no opportunity. “Itis a fine maxim,” says Thackeray in his genial way, ‘“‘and should be universally adopted—across a table. Why should not Medi- ocrity be content, and fancy itself Genius? Why should not Vanity go home, and be a little more vain? If you tell the truth, ten to one that Dulness only grows angry, and is not a whit less dull than before—such being itsnature. But when I becomes we—sitting in judgment, and delivering solemn opinions—ie must tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth ; for then there is a third party concerned—the public—between whom andthe writer, or painter, the critic has to arbitrate, and he is bound to show no favour. What is kindness to the one, is injustice to the other, who looks for an honest judgment, and is by far the most important party of the three ; the two others being, the one the public’s servant, the other the public’s appraiser, sworn to value, to the best of his power, the article that is for sale. The critic does not value rightly, it is true, once in a thousand times ; but if he do not deal honestly, wo be to him! The hulks are too pleasant for him, transportation too light. For ourselves, our honesty is known ; every man of the band of critics (that awful, unknown Vehmgericht, that sits in judgment in the halls of ReGrna) is gentle, though miserable, loving, though stern, just above all. As fathers, we have for our dutiful children the most tender yearning and love; but we are, everyone of us, Brutuses, and at the sad intelligence of our children’s treason we weep—the father will ; dwt we chop their heads off.” Indeed they do. And where decapitation of the culprit seems to be the proper end, Thackeray sees to it that the capital penalty is preceded by scourging more or less severe. Sometimes his whip has but a single thong. In “ Eros and Anteros, or ‘Love,’” for instance, he deprecates any claim to being regarded as omniscient with a parenthesis that disarms hostility. Lady Charlotte Bury wrote a novel in which all the figures are exclusives, fashionables, or lords; the silly things they severally do are best left in the oblivion to which they have sunk, but the critic challenges the accuracy of the picture. “Thank Heaven,” he says, “the world (unless in the most exclusive circles) does not do this.” In that admission of the possibility of his own ignorance there is brine in which the thong is soaked. Sometimes his whip has double thongs: Lady Charlotte Bury felt it, owing to her responsibility for the “ Diary Relative to George LV. and Queen Caroline.” “ We never met with a book more pernicious or mean.” 137 Phrase after phrase of bitterly scornful denuncia- tion falls from the curling lip of the judge to culminate in an almost savage peroration. ‘There is no need now to be loyal to your prince or tender to his memory. Take his bounty while living, share his purse and his table, gain his confidence, and learn his secrets, flatter him, cringe to him, vow to him an unbounded fidelity—and when he is dead, write a diary and betray him!” Jules Janin felt it, too, and it is noteworthy that it was on behalf of Dickens that Thackeray seized his double thonged whip and laid about the shoulders of the French critic. ‘“ Dickens in France” the article is called, and it will repay study as an example of culminative scorn: as an example, too, of the justice on which he prided himself, for it is by textual quotation of the culprit’s own words and of passages from his own paper that he establishes his case. Naturally, several of the longer essays are expository rather than critical, but they are admir- ably written: the article on Tyler’s “ Life of Henry V.” is Thackeray’s own precis of the story as told by the old chroniclers; that on Count Valerian Krasinski’s “ History of the Reformation in Poland” is little more than one long quotation from the book itself; those on Holt’s “ Memoirs,” Fraser’s “ Winter Journey to Persia,” and Willis’s « Dashes at Life” are little more than summaries enlivened by comment characteristic of Thackeray, and, especially in the case of the last book, relieved by not unkindly banter. Willis, indeed, seems to have been treated too leniently. It is in the estimates formed of Carlyle’s “ History of the French Revolution,” of Macaulay’s * Essays,” of “Coningsby,” of Fielding’s Works and of Southey’s collected poems that Thackeray’s right to be deemed a sound critic may most fairly be tested, and for our own part we think it has been estab- lished by general consent. Carlyle’s opinion of Thackeray’s opinion of him is recorded in the preface : “ His article is rather like him, and, I suppose; calculated to do the book good’’: rather grudging perhaps, but surely the best possible tribute to the quality of the criticism, which ought to be as much the expression of the critic’s indi- vidual self as the book should be of the author’s. It is pleasant to recognise the man’s alacrity to recognise merit in his contemporaries ;_ the courteous, almost deferential, respect he has for Macaulay’s attainments, the singular aptness of the epithets he applies to Disraeli’s ‘« Coningsby,” and the acumen and sanity of his judgment of Southey’s Poems. The whole-hearted, generous enthusiasm he cherishes for Fielding, communi- cates a glow, and we welcome an edition of Thackeray containing this essay. Altogether, this book has given us a great deal of pleasure already, 138 and we are glad to record, in addition to our love for Thackeray the artist, our respect for Thackeray the critic. V. E. M. _—-—_» CORRESPONDENCE. —1~>—- / SHOULD WELL-KNOWN WRITERS “FARM-OUT” FICTION ? AN, Sir,—In your December number appears a contribution from “ Proxy,” entitled, ‘Should well- known writers ‘farm-out’ fiction ?” in which he attempts to justify popular authors in palming off, as their own original work, novels and tales written by “ghosts” in their employ. - “ Proxy ” supports his theory that such an act is perfectly justifiable by the argument “ whether Blank himself actually writes the books or whether he employs someone to write them for him is really of no great con- sequence as far as the reader is concerned.” To the grocer who takes half-a-crown across the counter, it is of no great consequence whether the coin has been stolen or honestly earned, but pocket- picking is a felony nevertheless. By the way, I find in this article an allusion to “poor Gilbert’s inimitable humour.” J am much obliged to the writer for his sympathetic reference to me, but why “poor?” If he means that I am in embarrassed circumstances, I have much pleasure in assuring him that I still contrive to keep my head above water. If he is under the impression that I am a helpless invalid, it gratifies me to inform him that I am in robust health. If he supposes me to be disembodied, I am pleased to say that I am not even an author’s ghost. Yours faithfully, W.S. GILBERT. - ah ae ae a Il. Srr,—After reading the article with the above title, signed ‘“‘ Proxy,” in the December issue of The Author, one has to ask oneself whether it is intended to be taken seriously or as a joke. It seems hardly possible to believe that it is serious, or else the writer must be one who can see no wrong in defrauding nor in being defrauded. It makes no difference to the case whether the author is well-known or not, although, of course, the circumstances could not apply to an obscure one. The writer of this article compares an author who employs a proxy with a person carrying on THER AUTHOR. the business of a manufacturer or storekeeper under some other name than his or her own, and seems to think that there is no difference. In buying at a certain store, whether a piece of furniture, a gun, a watch, a garment or any other thing, no one supposes that the head of the firm makes every article sold there, neither does he put them forward as his individual handicraft ; it is work made or sold under his auspices and for which he takes the responsibility. It is the publisher who should be compared with such a person, not the writer of a work. The publisher isa dealer in books (which he may get written or pro- duced to order), and each work is put before the public as his publication, but not as his composition. One does not buy a book for the sake of the publisher, but for the sake of the matter or of the writer ; the composition is set forth as being by such and such a person, as being that person’s original work, for which reason that person takes the name of author ; and, if the supposed author’s name is on the title-page and the work is not his or her composition, then is fraud being committed. If an “author” employs a proxy, then it should be stated that the work is produced for or under the auspices of that “well-known writer,” otherwise the publisher is put in the same position as a picture-dealer who sells the work of one artist as that of another. This practice in favour of which “ Proxy ” writes is causing money to be obtained under faise — pretences, and is deliberate fraud by the supposed author and the proxy on the publisher and the public, and also by the proxy on him or herself. Doubtless some member of the Society of Authors is acquainted with a work written by a proxy or “ ghost ’? and put forward as that of some well-known writer ; if so, I should very much like to see the Society instigate, on behalf of a member purchasing a copy of such a work, a prosecution for fraud of the supposed author whore name appears on the title-page, or else see a publisher undertake the prosecution of such a supposed author. HvuBert HAEs. <> III. Sir,—A writer calling himself “ Proxy” has detailed to us, in the December number of The Author, the sophistries with which he, and, of course, his principal before him, have succeeded in drugging conscience. He offers those arguments to us as an excellent prescription, as if we too must be anxious to get rid of that tiresome voice which urges probity ! ‘To begin with, his claim to authority on the  THE AUTHOR. subject of “ ghosting,” as being himself a “ ghost,” is hardly valid. It could not logically be allowed without conceding the same high standpoint to all who profit by malpractices, wherever found. The law of the land, judge and jury, would then count for nothing. We should appeal to the receiver of stolen goods for an anonymous verdict. But why does “ Proxy” stand forth at all? We have no personal quarrel with him or his tribe. What we wish to see stopped is the practice, said to be widespread, of flourishing authors choking the market, filling space valuable to others, with work not their own. ‘The selfishness is only made possible by a downright, fraudulent lie ; for, I take it, most authors regard their name or pseudonym appended to work as nearer to an affidavit than “a sort of trade-mark.” “Proxy” may be simply an honest man in reduced circumstances. “ Blank,” his employer, is, frankly, a scoundrel. The reference to modern business methods as the standard of honesty is downright funny. Indeed, ‘“ Proxy’s” whole article has the ring of fine satire, making one scent a hoax. “T may say, to begin with, that the writers for whom I act as proxy know me sufficiently well to be aware that I am not likely ever to blackmail them, and in selecting a proxy this is of course an extremely important consideration.” Shade of Mistress Quickly! ... Is not this pure satire? Or can “ Proxy,” after writing that, still really wonder at members of the Authors’ Society agreeing “ that the practice is reprehensible in the extreme”? Just one more quotation. This is one of the dire alternatives presented to “the writer of popular fiction”? who receives applications for work in excess of his output:— He must decline to undertake to get through more than a compara- tively small amount of work, and thus, in the language of the box-office, ‘turn good money away.’” In other words, he must decline to get money by dishonest means, degrading to himself, defrauding to others, and unfair even to the “ghost” who is robbed of personality. Isn’t it hard on the poor devil ? That there are among “ghosts” men keenly alive to a debasement into which real want has fcrced them, we are fain to believe. Mr. Leonard Merrick’s “ Cynthia” contains a convincing picture of such an one. [If all were as cynically content in their background as “ Proxy ” pretends to be, pity would be wasted on them. But contempt is by no means wasted on their employers. Like other cheats they deserve nothing but the cold shoulder, and will get it, sure enough, when discovered. But the job is to catch them. MARMADUKE PICKTHALL. 139 IV. Str,—You have now published in The Author three letters and one article dealing with the inte- resting process which the writers thereof describe, according to their differing opinions upon the subject, either by the airy name of “ ghosting,” or the more solid and uncompromising term, “ fraud.” One has heard before, generally in fiction, of the literary vampire who sucks the brains of the un- fortunate hack; and I do not think that one has felt much inclined to believe in his existence out- side the pages of romance. The recent corres- pondence in Zhe Author, however, seems to prove that the vampire is a very actual personage indeed —on the testimony of no less a person than the hack himself, who certainly ought to know, and who appears quite willing to take us into his (strictly anonymous) confidence, in spite of the vows of silence and secrecy which he has sworn to the vampire whom he serves. Of course, if the hack chooses, or is forced by circumstances, to earn his living by writing for the vampire, that is nobody’s business but his own. Of the two parties concerned in a dirty business, the hack should have the clearer conscience. But it certainly has struck me as singular that three out of the four communications published have unblushingly tried to whitewash this ghosting affair. Indeed, *‘ Proxy,” in his article, reaches a point beyond even the whitewash pot. He boldly sets himself to prove that the ghosting system is perfectly fair and honest, and tells us that he looks upon the vampire as “a Heaven-sent being, and not, as some appear (!) to consider him, a species of imposter.” “ Proxy’s” idea of a “ Heaven-sent being” seems rather dangerously original, to say the least of it—but let that pass. He goes on to make a statement which one cannot let pass so easily. “ Whether Blank himself actually writes the books, or whether he employs someone to write them for him,” he declares, “is really of no great conse- quence so far as the general reader is concerned. The general reader looks upon Blank’s name as @ sort of trade mark—nothing more.” Now, in the name of the general reader, I protest against this statement of * Proxy’s.” I, for one, do not look upon Blank’s name upon the novel which he offers to the public as his own as “a sort of trade mark.” When I order a book purporting to be written by Blauk, I do not expect to geb a novel which “Proxy ” has written for Blank to sign —-andsell. I want Blank, I order Blank, I expect to get Blank ; and if [ get “ Proxy ” instead of Blank I maintain that I have as good a right to consider myself cheated as though I had asked for—and paid for—butter, and received margarine. I am  140 not depreciating ‘‘ Proxy’s”’ work—it may be as good as, or even better than Blank’s; but that argument has nothing to do with the case. I cannot help thinking that this is the view the general reader will take, in spite of ‘‘ Proxy’s” com- fortable conscience—salving sophistries to the con- trary. The public undoubtedly buys Blank’s book, and orders it at the libraries, on the strength of the position Blank has already achieved in fiction ; if it finds out that such a system as “ Proxy” reveals, and upholds, is in vogue, it is not difficult to foresee that, however unsatisfactory the sale of novels may be at present, it will soon become infinitely worse. We have heard a good deal about the iniquities of the publisher, but if the state of things described by “Proxy” and others really exists, then it seems to me that the virtuous, long-suffering author stands in a glass house in which he will find it exceed- ingly difficult to throw stones at his natural enemy. Meanwhile, as a consequence of these interesting revelations by “ Proxy” & Co., the literary profes- sion stands practically under the imputation of com- mitting a wholesale and comprehensive fraud upon an unsuspecting public. Three successive numbers of your periodical have reiterated the accusation ; and so far not one novelist of prominence has come forward to deny, in his own name at least, this shameful charge. “ Proxy” and his fellows have flung down the gauntlet—is there no writer who dare lift it, for the honour of the art he serves ? Or is it indeed true that we are all a set of dis- honest hucksters, cheating the public and lying amongst ourselves, thinking only of our price per thousand, and not caring by what fraudulent methods it is obtained ? CHALLENGER. P.S.—Since the above was written, the Com- mittee has issued a note in The Author, very properly recording its opinion of the practice which “ Proxy” defends as “a gross fraud both on the publisher and the public.” So far, so good ; but is it not possible to go a little further —to take steps to discover and publish the names of the culprits? In Mr. Ascher’s letter on the subject in the October number he speaks of instances of “ ghosting” which have fallen under his own notice. Surely if he or any member of the Society possesses proof of a case of this kind, he owes it to the whole literary profession to make it public. It may be very difficult, for many reasons, to stop “ghosting” altogether; but exposure seems to me to be the first and most powerful weapon against it. No condemnation of the system, as a system, will effect much good unless the actual individual concerned can be shown up. It is almost impossible to believe that THE AUTHOR. popular and well-paid writers can carry on this fraud for any great length of time with impunity, and one can only hope that the first proven case of the kind which comes to the knowledge of the Society will mect with the public disgrace which it so richly deserves. ig V. DEAR Srr,—The defence in your December number of farming out literary work, whether real or fictitious, certainly shows that for a poor “ohost”” half a loaf is better than no bread, and it also illustrates the increasing difficulty of getting good work accepted on its merits. A great many modern magazine editors and publishers are quite incapable of judging for themselves as to the quality of work submitted to them. Tell a story is by some well-known writer, and at once they read merit into it. This is what gives the farmer his chance. He depends upon their lack of critical faculty, and power of distinguishing between one man’s style and another’s. They want names, and names only. Very often, too, in the lower walks of fiction the difference between the work of one man’s and another's is that between Tweedledum and Tweedledee, but the fact that one of the two has succeeded by a fluke gives him a certain market value. Farming out work and taking pay from publishers at rates that would not be given if the publishers knew the truth, is simply a form of swindling, and the authors who do such things may justly fear blackmail, and wish to be quite sure of their partner. For the poor accomplice, unknown to fame, despairing of ever attaining it, and driven by necessity, one can have little save pity. At any rate he honestly does the work for which he takes pay, and if he does not object to letting another get the credit, no third party need revile him; but what are we to say of the man who employs him? An instance has recently come to my knowledge of a poor gentleman, fallen on evil days, a scholar and a linguist, who for about £30 did the translation of a long and highly technical work that bears on its cover the name of a popular author as the translator. ‘The “ ghost” did not complain. It was not from him, or with his knowledge, I heard of this flagrant case. I believe he had hopes the popular author would recommend him to publishers to undertake other translations. How likely! When I read the favourable comments of the Press on the book in question, of the skill shown by Mr. So-and-so in turning it into English, it “makes me tired,” if you will pardon the Americanism. Yours faithfully, INCOGNITO. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 14 Issue 05 (February 1904) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 14 Issue 05 (February 1904) Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1904-02-01-The-Author-14-5 publications The Author