https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/492/1904-04-01-The-Author-14-7.pdf 8db4e4ff70aedbcca3bc0380f54b7653 PDF Text Text ���������������������������� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em> Description An account of the resource A digitised run of the Society of Authors' monthly periodical, <em>The Author</em>, 1890<span>–</span>1914, made available together for the first time.<br /><br />Currently users can browse issues and <a href="https://historysoa.com/items/browse?search=&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bjoiner%5D=and&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Index&amp;collection=&amp;type=&amp;tags=&amp;exhibit=&amp;date_search_term=&amp;submit_search=Search+For+Items&amp;sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CTitle">indices</a> (not available for all volumes). Full text search for all issues, and other additional search functionality, will be added in 2022. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1890–1914 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context The-Author-Issues Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1904-04-01 Volume 14 Issue 7 Pages Page range in volume 169–196 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19040401 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin Che Huthbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT. Vou. XITV.—No. 7 TELEPHONE NUMBER : 374 VICTORIA. TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS : AUTORIDAD, LONDON. —————_+——¢ NOTICES. Boe 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. es List of Members. Tue 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. os The Pension Fund of the Society. Tue Trustees of the Pension Fund met at the Society’s Offices on the 19th of February, and having gone carefully into the accounts of the fund, decided to purchase £250 London and North Western 3% Debenture Stock. Accordingly, the investments of the Pension Fund at present : os XIV. Aprit ist, 1904. [PRicE SIXPENCE. standing in the names of the Trustees are as follows. This is a statement of the actual stock; the money value can be easily worked out at the current price of the market :— Wonsolg2t £1000 0 0 Weocal oaus ©... 500 0 0 Victorian Government 8 % Consoli- dated Inscribed Stock ............... 291 19 11 War loan <0... 201 9 8 London and North Western 3 °% Deben- MUTE SOCK 250 0 O Oba eS 2243 9 2 Subscriptions from October, 1903. £s.d. Nov. 13, Longe, Miss Julia. ; - 0.900 Dec. 16, Trevor, Capt. Philip 0. 5 0 1904. Jan. 6, Hills, Mrs. C. H 075 0 Jan. 6, Crommelin, Miss 010 0 Jan. 8, Stevenson, Mrs. M. E. 0 5 0 Jan. 16, Kilmarnock, The Lord . 010 0 Feb. 5, Portman, Lionel . : ~ 1 0.0 Feb. 11, Shipley, Miss Mary ‘ ~ 0 5 0 Diiring, Mrs. . ; - 0 5 0 Francis Claude de la Roche . 0.50.0 Donations from October, 1903. Oct. 27, Sturgis, Julian : .50 0 0 Noy. 2, Stanton, V. H. : : - dO 0 Nov. 18, Benecke, Miss Ida. : . 1:0 0 Noy. 23, Harraden, Miss Beatrice 5 0 0 Dec. Miniken, Miss Bertha M. M.. 0 5 0O 1904. Jan. 4, Moncrieff, A. R. Hope . . oo 0 0 Jan. 4, Middlemas, Miss Jean . ~ 0 10 20 Jan. 4, Witherby, The Rev. C. . 0 5 0 Jan. 6, Key, The Rev. S. Whittell 0. 5.0 Jan. 14, Bennett, Rev. W. K.,D.D. . 015 0 Jan. 2, Roe, Mrs. Harcourt : , 010 6 Feb. 11, Delaire, Miss Jeanne . . 0 10 0 THE AUTHOR. FROM THE COMMITTEE. —— HE March meeting of the Committee was held at the offices of the Society on Monday, March 7th. Twenty-six members and associates were elected, making the total number of elections for the current year 78. ‘There is no sign that the steady increase in the Society’s numbers is falling off. The number of fresh members who have joined during the past three months of the current year is in excess of the number for the same period during the past three years. ; ‘A letter from the Secretary of the United States Copyright Association was submitted to the Com- mittee, The Secretary of the Association desires a report from our Society on the disadvantages of the present United States Copyright law, but in his letter excludes the question of printing in the United States which under the present law is essential. His Association consider that no alteration could be made in that direction unless there was a change in the Tariff Policy of the country. The Managing Committee of the Society have decided to call together the Sub-Committee on Copyright, and, taking up the Secretary’s sug- gestion, will send a full report on the present aspects of the law, in answer to the courteous request of the Association. The Sub-Committee which was appointed to con- sider some points in the editorship of Zhe Author laid their report before the Managing Committee, who gave their general approval to the proposed alterations. Members will, in the fulness of time, see the slight alterations and modifications that have been suggested by the Sub-Committee. The Chairman and Secretary gave a full report of the action that had been taken to deal with the infringement of Mr. Rudyard Kipling’s ‘“‘ Barrack Room Ballads.” The Committee assented to the course. On the receipt of a letter from the Clerk of the London County Council, the question of a site for the replica of the Besant Memorial was further considered. The Committee decided to adhere to their former proposal that the bronze should be placed, if possible, on the Embankment. One or two other matters of no great importance were discussed, but no cases for legal action came forward for the consideration of the Committee, although, during the past month, the Chairman has sanctioned three County Court actions. es Cases. During the past month thirteen cases have been in the hands of the Secretary. Five of these were for the payment of money for published contributions, one for money and accounts, three for accounts, and three for the cancellation of agreements. From the first class three have been settled and the money paid. The case for money and accounts has been placed in the hands of the Society’s solicitors, as it was impossible for the Secretary to obtain any satis- factory reply to his communications. In the next class one publisher has promised to forward the statement in a few days; one has complied with the Secretary’s request, and in the remaining case the letter of demand has only just been written. There are three cases for cancellation of agree- ments. These not unfrequently arise under the following circumstances. ‘The publishers under an agreement to publish bring out books, and when there is no longer a demand for the work sell off the stock as “remainders.” The book may then be off the market for some years ; but the agree- ment for publication still exists between author and publisher, though there is no probability of its being of any monetary value to the publisher in future. The author, for sentimental reasons, very often desires the agreement cancelled so that he may regain all the rights in his property. It is extraordinary the difference that a publisher will place on the value of an agreement of this kind when he is buying, from when he is trying to sell. Sometimes it happens that the publisher offers the remainder of the book and the cancellation of the agreement to the author as a matter of courtesy at a reasonably low price, but if before the publisher has made the offer, it appears that the author is — desirous of purchasing, then the price is generally twice as large. Again, if the right to publish a — book which has been off the market under these conditions, is offered to a publisher, he will usually state that it is not worth his while to give anything for the licence, but if the author desires to purchase the rights from the publisher under the agreement, the price asked is exceedingly high. The publisher prefers to sit like the dog in the manger. This, however, is not always the case, as it occasionally happens that the publisher will make every effort to assist an author, and will give him every facility for recovering his rights. One of the County Court cases sanctioned by — the Chairman has been satisfactorily concluded. oe March Elections. Barrett-Hamilton, Capt. Kilmanock House, a G. E. ’ Arthurstown, Water- _ ford, Ireland. Rangoon, Burma. The Hollies, Egham, — Surrey. : Basevi, Capt. W. H. F. . Budgen, Miss . .  127, Beverley Road, Hull. 110, Musters Road, West Bridgford, Notts. Crum, W. E., Secretary of 33, Manchester Street, the Text and Transla- W. tion Society, Elliott-Drake, Lady Cohen, E. E. (Ellic Owen, Saville Street) Cooke, W. Bourne . Nutwell Court, Lymp- stone, Devon. Evans, T. Howell . . 31, Bridge Avenue Mansions, Hammer- smith, W. c/o Capt. Ivey, 45, Fergusen, Dugalf . Cassland Road, 8. Hackney Francis Claude de la _ 6, Glebe Place, Chelsea, Roche S.W. Gerrard, P. N. : Greenage, Sidney Parade, Dublin. 9, Trafalgar Buildings, Charing Cross, W.C. 18, Essendine Road, Elgin Avenue, W. 41, South Grove, High- gate. 16, Carlisle Mansions, Carlisle Place, 8.W. 13, Marlswick Terrace, St. Leonards-on-Sea. Inner Temple, E.C. 11, Neville Court, Abbey Road, N.W. 134, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. Woodbridge, Suffolk. Wood Dalling, Nor- wich. Manor House, Totnes. Glen-Walker, Miss T. B. Macdonald, William ; Marriott, Mrs. Ransome, Stafford . Redpath, Miss Lucy Ryan, Hugh S. K. . . Shaw, Frederick G. : Stanway, Miss Kate Thonger, Charles . : Vicars, G. Rayleigh : Young, Miss F. E. . Four members do not desire the publication of their names or addresses. ————_1 <> _—— BOOKS PUBLISHED BY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. —-——+ —_ (In the following list we do not propose to give more than the titles, prices, publishers, etc., of the books enumerated with, in special cases, such particulars as may serve to explain the scope and purpose of the work. Members are requested to forward information which will enable the Editor to supply such particulars.) ART anp ARCHITECTURE. Pewter Puate. A Historical and Descriptive Hand- 114 X 7}, xxi. + 299 pp. book. By H.J. L.J. MAss&. Bell, 21s, n. THE AUTHOR. 171 GREAT MAsTERS SERIES. Parts VIII. and IX. With Descriptive Text by Str MARTIN ConwAy. Heinemann. 5s. net each part. FREDERIC LEIGHTON. illustrations (Little Books on Art). Methuen. 2s. 6d. n. BIOGRAPHY. Brownina. By HE. DoWDEN. 8 x 54, xvii. + 404 pp. By ALICE CORKRAN. With 38 6 X 44, 221 pp. ROBERT Biographies.) (The Temple Dent. 4s. 6d. n. DRAMA. A QueeEN’s Romance. A Version of Victor Hugo’s “ Ruy Blas.’? Written for Lewis Waller by J. DAVIDSON. 73 x 54, 111 pp. Grant Richards. 3s. 6d. n. BY ORDER OF THE Czar. A Drama in Five Acts. By JoseEepH Harron. 7% X54, 172 pp. Hutchinson. 2s. 6d. GouF PLAYS AND RECITATIONS. By R. ANDRE. 7 X 43, 127 pp. Everett. 1s. 6d. n. EDUCATIONAL. “THe Times’? COMPETITION. Answers of the first prize winner. 83 x 53. Published by L. ASHE, 17, Newburgh Road, Acton, W. FICTION. THE MAN FROM DOWNING Strent. By W. Le QUEUX. 73 X 5, 322 pp. Hurst and Blackett. 6s. OLD SHROPSHIRE Lire. By LADY CATHERINE MILNES GASKELL. 73 X 54, 308 pp. Lane. 6s. Room Five. By HamintoN DrumMonp. Illustrations by Cyrus Cones. 73 X 54,312 pp. Ward, Lock. 6s. A Krne’s Desrre. By Mrs. AYLMER GOWING. 7} X 5, 320 pp. J. Long. 6s. THE TRIUMPH OF Mrs. Sv. GeorGE. By Percy WHITE. 74 X 5,327 pp. Nash. 6s. THE Frence WIFE. By KATHARINE TYNAN. 309 pp. White. 6s. Strong Mac. By 8. R. CROCKETT. Ward, Lock. 6s. FACING THE Fururs, or The Parting of the Ways. By RoBert THYNNE. 72 x 51, 254 pp. TI. Fisher Unwin. 6s. THE BINDWEED.—By NELuiE K. BLISSETT. 73x 5, 330pp. Constable. 6s. Tue Evtwoops.—By C. 8. WELLES, M.D. Simpkin Marshall. 6s. Tue ONE Brrore.—By Barry PAIN. 7&x5, 231 pp. Grant Richards. 1s. n. wa (= X 9, 8 xX 51, 406 pp. 8 x 54, 346 pp. (New Edition.) HISTORY. FouNDATIONS OF MopERN EvRoPE.—Twelve Lectures Delivered in the University of London by EMI REICH. 81x51, 262 pp. Bell. 5s. n. LAW. THE CONTRACT OF AFFREIGHTMENT AS EXPRESSED IN GHARTERPARTIES AND BILLS oF LADING.—By T. E. Scrutron, K.C.,and F. D, MackINNon. Fifth edition, by T. E. Serutton. 846,430 pp. Clowes. 18s. LITERARY. THe ENGLISH DIALECT Dicrionary.—Kdited by JosEPH Wricut, Professor of Comparative Philology in the University of Oxford. Parts XIX. and XX., K—Sharp. Parts XXI.-XXIII., Sharpen—Syzzie (completing Volume V.). 129%, 896 pp. Frowde. 15s. n. and 30s. n. each part.  172 THE AUTHOR. NATURAL HISTORY. THs TWENTIETH CENTURY Doa.—(Non-Sporting.) By H.Compron. Vol. I. 84x 5$, 350 pp. Grant Richards, 7s. 6d. D. REPRINTS. ‘ we WoRKS OF CHARLES AND MARY LAMB.—Ed. by E.V. Lucas. Vol. IV. Dramatic Specimens and the Garrick Plays. 9x6, xviii. +643 pp. Methuen, 7s. 6d, CoRIDON’S SONG, and Other Verses from Various Sources. —(Ilustrated Pocket Classics.) With Introduction by Austin Dopson. 7X44, xxxi,+163 pp. Macmillan. 28. 1. SOCIOLOGY. THE COMMON SENSE OF MUNICIPAL TRADING.—By BERNARD SHAW. 74X5,120pp. Constable. 2s. 6d. TOPOGRAPHY. Juniper Hatui.—A Rendezvous of certain Illustrious Personages during the French Revolution, including Alexandre D’Arblay and Fanny Burney. By CONSTANCE Hrip. Illustrations by ELLEN G. HILL, 8]x6, 275 pp. Lane. 21s. n. THEOLOGY. Tue COVENANT COMMONLY CALLED THE OLD TESTA- MENT: Translated from THE SEPTUAGINT.—By C. THOMPSON. A New Edition by S.F.PELLs. ‘Two Vols. [Not paged.] 12s.n. HADES, the * Grave ’ in “ Hades,’’ or the “ Catacombs ’’ of the Bible and of Egypt. 190 pp. 82x53. Skeflington. 5s. n. : LoyALTY TO THE PRAYER-Book (Pamphlet).—By PERcY DEARMER, M.A., Vicar of St. Mary’s, Primrose-hill. Mowbray. 2d. TRAVEL. ADVENTURES ON THE Roor of THE WoRLD.—By Mrs: AUBREY LE BLOND (Mrs. Main). 9X6, xvi. +333 pp- Unwin. 10s. 6d. n. THE Japs AT HomE.—By DOUGLAS SLADEN. Edition.) 84X54, 220 pp. Newnes. 6d. (Cheap ——_—__+—_+____—- LITERARY AND DRAMATIC NOTES. — NEW novel by Mrs. Gertrude Atherton will be published shortly, by Messrs. Macmillan. Its title is “ The Rulers of Kings.” It isan historical romance in which real and imaginary personages figure. Among these real people are the Emperors of Germany and Austria. ‘The action centres round the Hungarian crisis. The heroine isan imaginary daughter of the Austrian Emperor. The hero is a brainy, ambitious American, who has inherited many millions. The same firm is to publish “ Fishing Holidays,” by Mr. Stephen Gwynn. In this volume the author relates his experiences when angling for trout and salmon from Donegal to Kerry. He also describes the scenery and people about the various lakes and rivers. ‘There are, too, a couple of papers on sea- fishing, and there is an essay on Izaak Walton’s recently discovered fishing bag. “Helen Mathers” has written a long novel entitled “The Ferryman.” It is to be published this autumn by Messrs. Methuen. She is now engaged on a serial story to be called “The Spitfire.” She is also producing “ Comin’ Thro’ the Rye,” in paper cover, 1s., and in cloth at 2s. ; and shortly afterwards a volume of essays, entitled “Side Shows,” is to be issued at 1s. and 2s., respectively. ‘‘ Bam Wildfire” and “ Dimples” are also to be put into cloth covers at 2s. Mr. R. F. Gould’s “ Concise History of Free- masonry” is just out. The publishers are Messrs. Gale and Polden, London and Aldershot, and the Macoy Publishing Company, New York. Mr. Blundell Burton’s new story, “A Dead Reckoning,” will be published at once by F. V. White & Co., Ltd. It will belong to the class of ‘* Novels of To-day,” which the author has of late alternated with his romances, and will deal with the misery of a woman of good position, who is suffer- ing for amistake made in her girlhood. Messrs. Chatto & Windus announce a new novel by Mrs. F'. E. Penny, the authoress of “ A Mixed Marriage” and other Indian stories. It is called “The Sanyasi.” It deals with phases of Anglo- Indian and native life in the south of India, not hitherto dealt with in fiction. “‘Rita’s’? new book is entitled ‘“‘ The Masquer- aders.” It will be published early in the spring by Messrs. Hutchinson. ‘“ Rita’s” book on “ The Sin and Scandal of the Smart Set” has gone into a fourth edition. This authoress has a_ serial running in Chic. Itis called “ The Silent Woman.” Mr. M. H. Spielmann’s ‘The Magazine of Art ” for March contains, anong other articles, some recollections of Jean Léon Géréme by the Editor. “How to Draw in Pen and Ink”—a few hints to special artists written and illustrated by Harry Furniss, and Part I. of a “Symposium on L’Art Nouveau: What it is and what is thought of it.” The Magazine of Art volume for 1903 is now ready. Its priceis £1 ls. Among the novels most in demand during the past few weeks we note Mr. Max Pemberton’s “Red Morn”; Mr. Eden Phillpott’s “American Prisoner”; Mr. Halliwell Sutcliffe’s ‘‘ Through Sorrow’s Gates”; Mr. Frankfort Moore’s ‘ Ship- mates in Sunshine”; Mr. F. M. Crawford’s “ Heart of Rome”; and Mr. H. Rider Haggard’s “ Stella Fregelius.” Mr. Arthur Sykes has just published “Mr. Punch’s Museum ; and other Matters.” Bradbury, Agnew& Co. are the publishers. Its price is 3. 6d. Mr, Sykes is the author of “A Book of Words” (verses and sketches from Punch, etc.),and “ Without Permission ” (from Punch, etc). : ae  ed Daa AB THER AUTHOR. Shelley's “ Adonais,” edited with introduction and notes by Mr. William Michael Rossetti, hasrecently been issued by the Clarendon Press. It is a new edition, revised with the assistance of A. O. Prickard, M.A., Fellow of New College, Oxford. ‘The Padre” is the title of a novel by Rose Harrison, authoress of “ Esther Alington.” It is an illustrated story, published by Richard R. James. “On the Wings of the Wind” is the title of Allan Raine’s new novel. Messrs. Hutchinson and Oo. are the publishers. Professor Flinders Petrie’s new book, ‘‘ Methods and Aims in Archeology,” is intended primarily for working archeologists, and the whole field of archeological labour is covered by the Professor in this volume of some two hundred pages. He deals with such points as the management of labourers and arrangement of work, recording in the field, and the copying, photographing, pre- servation, and packing of objects. There are illustrations reproduced from photographs. The monument and window that is to be placed in Exeter Cathedral as a memorial to R. D. Blackmore, will be unveiled on April 26th. Mr. Eden Philpotts is to speak the eulogy of the famous Devonshire author, and in the May issue of 7'he Fortnightly Review will appear a lengthy article on “R. D. Blackmore and his work,” by Mr: James Baker, who has acted as Chairman of the Blackmore Memorial Committee. The pamphlet “ National Education to National Advancement,” that will shortly be published by Simpkin, Marshall and Co., is the development of an article written for The Times by Mr. James Baker, F.R.G.S., and embodies several suggestions not only for developing technical and agricultural work in the counties, but also for utilising the love of drill innate in all boys. The writer touches also upon the work in girls schools. Mr. Ricwarp Bacor’s new novel entitled “* Love’s Proxy” will be published on the 27th of this month, by Mr. Edward Arnold in England and Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co., in the United States of America. Tue next (the twenty-sixth) Congress of the International Literary and Artistic Association will take place at Marseilles towards the end of September, 1904. Temple Bar for March contains a complete story by Miss M. L. Pendered. Miss Montgomery Campbell’s article on the “Armour of Schloss Ambras’” began in the February number of Zhe Connoisseur, and was concluded in the March number. A cheap edition of Mr. Barry Pain’s “ The One Before,” has been issued by Mr. Grant Richards. The same publisher has added Mr. Theodore 178 Watts - Dunton’s “Aylwin,” to the “ World’s Classics ” series. Mr. Richard Whiteings “ Yelloy Van” is now in a sixth edition. ee PARIS NOTES. —1—~<— + N the volume entitled “ Notes et Souvenirs de M. Thiers (1870—1873),” his sister-in-law, Mlle. Dosne, gives to the worldsome extremely interesting details which will be invaluable to future historians. It appears that M. Thiers did not write any Memoirs, but he was in the habit of jotting down notes about his more important undertakings. Mlle. Dosne had not intended to publish this volume at present, but on account of certain misrepresentations with regard to her brother-in-law’s actions she deemed it better to refute the statements by giving to the public the exact facts as written down by M. Thiers. The first part of the volume is taken up with an account of his diplomatic voyage in September, 1870. M. Thiers went first to England on the 12th September, but he has left no notes about his visit there. M. Jules Favre published an account of this mission to London in his Gowvernement de la Défense Nationale. M. Thiers begins with an account of his journey to Russia, leaving London on the 18th of Septem- ber. From St. Petersburg he goes to Vienna, and then to Florence, before returning to Paris. The second chapter of the book is taken up with the account of the interviews between M. Thiers and Bismarck to discuss the terms for an armistice, in October, 1870. The third chapter treats of the preliminaries for peace in 1871. The notes are very brief, but one can read between the lines all that it cost a man like Thiers to hold his own and to fight for his beloved country with the Iron Chancellor. The remaining part of the volume is composed of notes written by M. Thiers from the time he was elected President of the French Republic in February, 1871, until May, 1873, when he resigned office. In these pages we read of the great difficulties in the way of re-establishing order after so terrible a war, of reorganizing the army, and of paying off the enormous ransom for the territory. M. Thiers also explains his plans for the government of his country, and tells how he had hoped with the support of members of all parties to organize a Government strong enough to pre- serve France from the excesses of democracy. Much that has seemed complicated and incompre- hensible in the history of France during the three 174 years which followed the war of 1870 becomes clear when one has read the details noted down by the man who was in a position to know more about the workings of the political machinery than anyone else. There is also an appendix to the volume, giving the exact text of various documents quoted or bearing on the subjects treated. Among the new novels is “Le Chemin de la Gloire,” by Georges Ohnet. It is the story of a young musical composer, who, after his first great success, is lionized to such a degree that he drifts into society and neglects his art. The inevitable wealthy American girl swoops down on him and decides to marry him. He escapes to Venice, but with a yacht and plenty of money at command the American woman is not baffled. She and her family call upon him, invite him for a cruise with them, and before he realizes all that is happening, he has proved himself faithless to the actress whom he really loves, and for whom he has written his opera, and has married the brilliant heiress from the New World. As time goes on the musician discovers that he has made a huge mistake. The atmosphere of his new home stifles him, and the ractical ideas of his charming wife make him shudder. Considering the circumstances the dénouement is the only one possible. There is more psychology in this novel than in most of those by the same author. The characters are delicately drawn and are very true to life, without a touch of exaggeration. “Le Secrétaire de Madame la Duchesse,” by Léon de Tinseau, is a charming story, and one which would certainly be appreciated in England, as it has the indispensable “happy énding.” Philippe Hurault obtains a post as secretary to the Duchess of Clerval and leaves his mother and Jiancée in order to make his fortune at the Clerval Chateau. He is soon a great favourite in his new home and is treated almost like one of the family. The plot is a very slight one, and the chief interest of the story is the psychological study of Philippe. He finds himself in an entirely new world, and when the chateau is filled with a large house-party he soon falls a victim to the fascinations of a certain society woman, who imagines that she has lost her heart to the handsome secretary. All the characters are well drawn, but unfortunately the story is told by means of letters from the various persons, and these letters scarcely vary enough in style to be convincing. In spite of this the novel is very readable and thoroughly interesting. “L’Empire de la Méditerranée,” by M. René Pinon, treats of “ l'état politique et social du Maroc, la question marocaine, l’affaire de Figuig, la con- quéte du Touat, la Tripolitaine, Bizerte, Malte, Gibraltar.” There is also an important article on THE AUTHOR. ‘“‘1’Entente Franco-Italienne.” It isan invaluable book for politicians and historians. Among the new books are ‘‘ Un petit coin du monde,” by Jules Perrin; “La Commune,” by Paul and Victor Margueritte; “Le Droit des Vierges,” by M. Paul Hyacinthe Loyson; “La Politique protectioniste en Angleterre,’ by G. Blondel ; ‘‘ Le Pére Didon,” by Stanislas Reynaud ; “La Politique Franco-Anglaise et L’Arbitrage International,” by M. Gabriel Louis Jarais, with preface by M. G. Hanotaux ; “La Guerre Com- merciale,” by M. Maurice Schwob ; “ L’Apprentie,”’ by M. Gustave Geffroy ; “ Le Docteur Haramburg,” by J. H. Rosny; and “ Au Japon,” by M. de Guerville. In the Nouvelle Revue there is a curious article by Jules Bois on “Les Professeurs de Volonté.” It is in reality a chapter taken from “ Le Miracle Moderne,” a book which is to be published shortly. In this article M. Jules Bois speaks of Dr. Lié- beault, who died recently at Nancy. He had made a special study of hypnotism and was the first doctor to apply it professionally. It appears that when Dr. Liébeault had made a sufficient income to enable him to retire, he gave his time to the study of this subject and treated his patients gratuitously. M. Jules Bois maintains that his name should be honoured as the pioneer of medical hypnotism, and that it should be remembered that Dr. Liébeault preceded Dr. Charcot. In the second March number of La Grande Revue, M. Gaston Deschamps gives his experiences in America under the title of “Au Seuil du Nou- veau Monde.” ‘There is also an interesting article by M. E. Sémenoff ; “Le Role mondial du Japon prédit par un Grand Ecrivain Russe.” M. Frantz Funck Brentano writes “ L’Aigle et l’Aiglon.” M. Calmettes gives some details about hand-made laces, “ Dentelles et Dentelliéres,” and M. Romme an article on “Les Idées de M. Behring.” In the second March number of the Revue de Paris there is an instructive article by Colonel de Grandprey on ‘Les Armées de la Chine,” and another one by M. Contenson on “ L’Evolution de la Propriété rurale.” In the Revue des Deua Mondes there is a rather sensational article entitled “ Les Derniers Jours de Léon XIII. et le Conclave de 1903 par un Témoin.” M. Gaston Cadoux writes on “L’EKclairage Paris, Londres et Berlin” and M. Pierre Leroy- Beaulieu “Le Japon et ses Ressources dans la Guerre Actuelle.” There is also an article on “T/Exposition des Primitifs Francais,” by M. Bouchot. The bold venture of M. Blés to establish in Paris a critical review in English and French  THE AUTHOR. 175 appears to have supplied a need. One of the most important French papers announces that “la nou- yelle revue Franco-Anglaise, Zhe Weekly Critical Review, a pris définitivement rang parmi les publi- cations artistiques les plus estimées.” Members of the Bacon Society might be inte- rested in an article which appeared in the Revwe des Iilées No.1. It is by M. Remy de Gourmont, and is entitled “Francois Bacon et Joseph de Maistre.” In speaking of the “ Examen de la Philosophie de Bacon” by de Maistre, M. de Gourmont tells us that “le cerveau de Joseph de Maistre est une forge qui, au lieu de dévorer les statues de bronze qu’on y jette, les rend intactes et plus belles, purifies de toutes souillures, de toutes tares, de toutes rugosités.” In the same number there is an article on Herbert Spencer. Several of the plays this season are having long runs. Madame Sarah Bernhardt has scored an immense success with “ La Sorciére.” She plays her réle to perfection, and in one or two instances there are touches of pathos which are unsurpassed in any pieces she has ever put on the stage. “Le Retour de Jérusalem” is another of the plays which has been given more than a hundred times. “La Dette,’ by MM. Gavault and Georges Berr, has been bought for Italy and Germany. Miss Marbury has also bought it for America. M. Porel has lost his case against Madame Réjane. He had applied to the Court for an injunction forbidding her to play “La Mon- tansier” at the theatre to which she has emigrated, on the plea that this piece was accepted for the Vaudeville theatre. M. Porel maintained that his wife could not appear in this play without his consent. The Court has decided against him, and Madame Reéjane is triumphant. Miss Lindsay, who made her début some little time ago at the Paris Opéra with such success, has now been entrusted with the ré/e of Juliette. M. Bour has discovered another play, ‘“ Les Pantins,” in which he appears to be having as much success as in the famous “ Alleluia,” which made his name. This new piece treats of an unsuccessful comedian and his poverty and domestic troubles. In the last act, while his child is dying in one room, the wretched man is endeavouring to learn his new réle. His troubles are, however, too much for him, and he loses his reason. It is in this scene that M. Bour is at his best. A scheme is now being discussed by a group of authors who prefer editing and publishing their books themselves. It is proposed to found a Librairie Associée des Gens de Lettres as a depdt for volumes on sale. There are to he only twenty- five members, and each member is to pay a sum of 400 francs for the first year to the company. Every member will then have the right to place two works in the depot, the number of copies not to be limited. The profits of other books sold by the company are to be shared by the members. The other books would be those placed with the com- pany by non-members. A committee meeting is to be held shortly in order to discuss the subject. ALys HALLARD. a a a rs UNITED STATES NOTES. ————— + | AM inclined to consider as the most important event that has taken place duving the present year in the American literary world the publication of Professor N. 8. Shaler’s dramatic romance “Elizabeth of England.” Even if it amounts to no more than a considerable tour de force it shows, at least, that poetry is alive on this ‘side the Atlantic. The professor is a geologist ; and he set out to show the world that whatever may have happened to Darwin, there is no reason in the nature of things why devotion to science should kill the literary sense. I believe that it is agreed by those who have read this rather amazing work that it is a successful demonstration of this contention. The “dramatic romance,” which is issued by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., is then to be regarded rather in the light of an experiment than considered on too severely critical grounds. It is divided into five parts, named respectively “The Coronation,” “The Rival Queens,” “Armada Days,” “ The Death of Essex,” and “The Passing of the Queen.” The greatly daring romancist not only deals forcefully with these themes in some fifteen thousand lines of blank verse, but makes the Virgin Queen discourse with Shakespeare and bandy philosophy with Bacon. A spring book which is sure of a wide circulation is Francis E. Leupp’s “'The Man Roosevelt.” The author has known the president for more than twenty years, both as private individual and public man, and has been in a position to record things yet unknown to history. Meanwhile the New York Critic has been exploiting Mr. Roosevelt for its own purposes. It has induced him to contribute to its columns an article upon the Republican party ; and it offers sets of his works at a considerable reduc- tion as a bait to catch subscribers. This is great honour for a literary President. On the other hand, the “ Review” has to bewail the loss of a prospective contributor in the person of 176 Mr. Jack London, who has gone to the Far East as a war correspondent. The author of “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come,” has also gone out to write articles for Seribner’s Magazine. Before commenting further on books and literary happenings of the present year, I ought to repair an omission from my last notes. I should have included in my references to biographical publica- tions the very readable “ Reminiscences of an Astronomer”? which Professor Newcomb gave to the world last autumn. The book has a double yalue—it is both scientific and human; and it should by no means be overlooked. The fine reprint of Father Hennepin’s “ New Discovery of a Vast Country in America,” which has been so ably edited by Reuben Gold Thwaites, makes a strong appeal to everyone interested in early American history. The editor holds the vivacious Franciscan himself responsible for the borrowings from other sources with which his work was enriched, and does not allow the plea that a publisher hath done this. A much discussed recent publication is Senator Beyeridge’s book upon Asiatic Russia. In spite of the Slavophile proclivities of its author and its very decided deficiencies as a piece of writing, “The Russian Advance” deserves serious consider- ation on account of the large quantity of informa- tion, collected at first-hand, which it contains, and the real grasp of the subject which it shows. There is a chapter upon Japan. Sculpture has been the department of art in which Americans have chiefly excelled. It is, therefore, highly satisfactory that American sculpture should have found so competent a historian as Mr. Lorado Taft, and so critical an admirer as Mr. Charles H. Caffin. The treatises of the two authors supplement each other, and together cover the whole field. “ The History of American Art” by Sadakichi (?) Hartmann, on the contrary, excels neither in critical discernment nor chasteness of diction. Rather off the lines of conventional biography is Mrs. Talbot’s life of her father, General Samuel Chapman Armstrong. Armstrong did brilliant work for the North at Gettysburg, but his title to fame is the great educational work which he carried on after the war at Hampton, where he trained Indians side by side with his negroes. The “Life and Letters of Margaret Preston,” edited by her step-daughter, is also rather a remarkable work. It gives a picture of the women of the South during the Civil War, from the pen of one who, though the wife of one of Jackson’s staff, was the daughter of an abolitionist and had come from the North. A writer of stirring war songs, Mrs. Preston numbered among THE AUTHOR. her correspondents Longfellow, Whittier, and Jean Ingelow. Perhaps the most notable novel that I should mention here is Philip Payne’s political study, «The Mills of Man,” which shows considerable skill in characterisation and no slight constructive power. Chicago is the scene of action and a millionaire uncle plays a dominant part in it. Another story to be read is Mary Findlater’s «The Rose of Joy,” a nicely balanced study of incompatible temperaments and many happily hit- off minor characters. Bridge is supplanting fictions in some circles, and its players have to be catered for. One publishing house alone advertises three books upon the game, one of which, “Sixty Bridge Hands,” purports to be exhaustive! However, there is still for the elect Messrs. Scribner’s manual, ‘ Elwell on Advanced Bridge.” By the way, the last-named firm has been incor- porated. Among spring announcements of theirs are new novels by Thomas Nelson Page and Mrs. Wharton, and a tale with the strange title of “Peace and the Vices.” The Lothrop Company found it advisable to make an assignment in February, but their affairs are well in hand and they have plenty of prospective business. The Madison Book Company have become Reilly and Britton, incorporated. From April 1st juvenile books are to be classed with fiction and sold at net prices. Some dis- cussion has been going on as to the working of the net system, it being maintained in some quarters that the publishers are not working it fairly. The excessive output of fiction has also been debated. That there is a superfluity is actually admitted by a few houses, who confess that the staple of their business is really literature of a solider type ; but even these are sanguine that there is a real advance in the standard demanded by readers of every class of publication. A copyright treaty between the United States and China was signed in the autumn of last year, ratifications were exchanged on January 13, 1904. Mark Twain and Mr. Marion Crawford are each writing new novels, and Mr. Lorimer is losing no time in following up the success of the Letters of his Self-made Merchant. The chief names in my obituary list are those of George Francis Train, a prolific author who had tried numerous other trades before he took tohis pen ; Professor Von Holst, of Chicago, a Russian refugee, who wrote monographs on the constitutional history and law of his adopted country, besides lives of Calhoun and John Brown; and Parke Godwin, the son-in-law and biographer of Bryant. His last work was a study of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. ,,\"* woe  LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL PROPERTY. ee Sweden and the Berne Convention. From tHe “Svenska Daq@BLaD.” Tur Swedish Parliament has again lying before it the question of certain alterations in the national laws concerning copyrights, since those now in force prevent Sweden’s adhesion to the inter- national agreements which are to a certain extent already in force in the country, or, more plainly, her adhesion to the union known as the Berne Conven- tion. The subject has been so frequently discussed in these columns that we may on this occasion limit ourselves to a few remarks, which we are urged to make by the fact that the business stands to-day on the list for discussion. It is His Majesty the King who now suggests, in terms of a proposal which has been already described, an alteration of sections 3 and 14 of the law regarding literary copyright. The altera- tion of the former of the above-mentioned sections would have the result that the present protection of works from translation, which is of two years’ duration, would be extended to ten years ; whilst it is proposed to give the latter section such a form that the author’s or translator’s rights in transla- tions, adaptations, etc., should have a duration of the author’s life and thirty years afterwards, instead of extending only to the authov’s life and five years afterwards, as now. The former modification would remove the difficulty of Sweden’s joining the Berne Conven- tion on the terms of the original text, and is, therefore, the one concerning which opinions are most likely to be divided. The legal committee has moved the Royal pro- posal, and further, on the ground of motions made by Messrs. Hammarlund and Luidhagen, has invited the Parliament to request that His Majesty, going far beyond a mere declaration of Sweden’s adhesion to the International Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, founded by the Berne Convention, and also entering into other agreements with foreign powers involving reciprocal protection for literary and artistic property, should at the same time make such limitations that the aforesaid adhesion or agree- ments should not restrict Swedish citizens from acquiring legal rights, nor place any legal restric- tion upon the continuance of their right to obtain for their purposes the use of stereotypes, clichés, lithographic stones, and plates of all other kinds, as well as other means of reproduction which may be lawfully used. In the meanwhile Messrs. Walderstrém and (). Olsson, of the legal committee, have expressed THE AUTHOR. 177 reservations opposed to this, and have submitted a protest against the Royal proposal. As everyone who takes any interest in these questions may easily observe the objections to joining the Convention, objections grounded on purely interested motives (which are still the fashion with some few people in Sweden), have to a great extent given way before a continually clearer and clearer perception, that we have really in the first place to deal with a question of the probity or improbity of the nature of the labour which the author’s production represents. Were both the publishing firms and the publishers’ societies fully assured of legal difficulties about to arise for the publishers and journals of Sweden in consequence of adhesion to the Berne Convention, still adhesion to it would be suggested by a certain sense of national shame, that after both Norway and Denmark had shown themselves ready to regu- late a legal protection of literary rights in their dominions, still Sweden should remain without any corresponding enactments, and tolerate instead what is as good as an unlimited piracy. But we look in vain for a trace of any such shame in the reservationists. The only reason, in the view of the reservationists, prompting adhesion to the Berne Convention is ‘‘ an extremely dubious, and at the best comparatively insignificant economic advantage to be gained by a trivial number of authors”; after which it is no wonder to find that “the right of free translation” is preferable. In the meantime it is to be hoped that the Parliament will show itself to be more amenable to points of honour, which amongst those principally interested has shown itself to possess sufficient authority to overcome no inconsiderable hesitation based upon their own interests. As regards authors, both motions conduce to the same results. The reservationists have certainly aimed at causing the majority of authors to find it to their interest that the present state of things should continue ; but the result is that anyone who has been expecting anything from Parliament will have reason to rely rather upon the assistance of the Swedish Society of Authors than upon the reservationists. See Literary Competitions. DRAWING Room Puay. £10 PRIZE. Ar a concert or an evening party at home a short Play forms an agreeable variation from the usual programme, The great difficulty, however, is to get a piece within the capabilities of ordinary amateur performers, not too long, that does not require anything in the way of scenery and stage effects. By way of supplying this “felt want” we offer a Prize of £10 for the best Original Short Play suited to the following requirements, The length, including dialogue, 178 stage directions, etc., should not exceed 5,000 words. The characters must not exceed six in number. The scenery and stage effects must be such as can easily be provided in a drawing room or small hall. The dialogue must be simple and natural, and both it and the scenes and incidents must be in accordance with the strictest good taste. ; Simple stage directions should be given, and the dresses to be worn by the various characters should be described in cases where something different from ordinary costume is required. What is wanted is something after the style of a “curtain raiser” —a piece embodying an incident rather than an elaborate story. The terms of the competition set forth above have been taken from a North Country paper. It has from time to time been the duty of 7’he Author to point out the difficulties that may arise to those who enter these competitions owing to the want of finality in the terms propounded. We have no reason to raise objection to this method of obtaining copy to a certain extent—no doubt, it acts as a stimulus to young writers— but it is especially needful to bear in mind that on many occasions the contracts are indefinite in terms, and this lack of clear legal draftsmanship may possibly lead to disputes and confusion when the prize is awarded. The paper from which the cutting is taken offers a prize of £10 for the best original play written according to the published requirements. What does the proprietor desire to purchase ? Does he desire to purchase anything? Does he simply wish to crown the author who wins the prize with a £10 note, or does he desire to obtain the copyright, or the performing right, or both, or does he merely desire to have the right to print the play in his own paper? It is impossible to determine from the wording of the notice what is in the proprietor’s mind. It is equally impossible to determine what is in the mind of the competitors when they forward their deathless works. If a prize is given at a cattle show for the finest animal of a certain breed, the authorities who have promoted the show do not claim the animal as their own. They do not even claim the use of it. It may be, however, as we have suggested, that the proprietor merely desires to give the winner of the competition the sum of £10, but from our knowledge of these competitions, as a general rule, more than this is required. Some- times it is simply desired to print the prize competition in the paper. Sometimes, as sug- gested, for the proprietor to obtain the whole copyright. These matters should be clearly set out. If they are not clearly set out, competitors should be warned not to send in their MSS. until they have obtained a definite form of contract. We understand that one competitor who wrote to the proprietor was assured that he did not THE AUTHOR. claim the copyright. This is so far satisfactory, but still, what did he want to claim ? This special offer may be, and no doubt is, bond fide in purpose. It has been quoted in order that the attention of members of the Society might be called to the difficulties and snares that are constantly recurring. 0 LEGAL NOTES. Sees _Authors’ Royalties and the Sale of Remainders. : HE action of Farmer v. Grant Richards, tried by Judge Woodfall at the Westminster County Court on February 26th, involved questions of law and fact of considerable interest to authors, and the history of the case showed that other questions of a similar character might have been dealt with in connection with it, as to which His Honour was not called upon to give a decision. The plaintiff, an author, sued the defen- dant, a publisher, for royalties under an agreement for the publishing of a book. The publisher had agreed to pay a royalty upon copies of the book sold, and the retail price was stated. There was no provision for any sale at any other price by the publisher than such trade price as this might imply. The publisher had, however, sold off a large number of copies asa “‘ remainder.” The author claimed his full royalty upon each copy so sold. The publisher offered a percentage, but denied, apparently, that even this was due. Evidence was given by the defendant and another publisher with a view to establishing that the latter was justified by custom in acting as he did in all particulars, that the agreement as to a royalty did not apply to copies sold as a “remainder,” and that either little or nothing was due to the author upon such a sale. The judge did not decide the questions of fact as to the custom, which obviously should not be decided by any tribunal without ample evidence establish- ing a custom known and recognised by authors and publishers alike. As to this he said in his judgment :— “JI should be very sorry if it were necessary for me to determine this alleged custom in the publishing trade on the evidence which is before me, because to me it is a custom fraught with such extremely important conse- quences both to the publishing trade and to authors, that if I had to determine this case upon the alleged custom of remainders, I should feel it was determining it upon wholly insufficient evidence, but I do not think it is necessary to determine it.” His Honour continued :— “The plaintiff's claim is for royalties in respect of 786 copies. Therefore what I have to do is to look at the agreement whereby the defendant agreed to pay him  royalties, and then to see whether the sale of these 786 copies comes within the four corners of that agreement. _. . It is impossible to come to any other conclusion than this, that the royalty was to be paid upon copies which were sold at 10s. 6d. and to say that the parties have agreed that royalty should be paid in respect of the copies sold under the circumstances under which these 786 copies were sold seems to me a perfectly untenable contention. It may very well be that the plaintiff has an action against the defendant for damages. but I am quite confident that he has no ground whatever to claim royalties in respect of these 786 copies . . . on the construction of the agree- ment made between them as to royalties, Isay the plaintiff is not entitled to royalties.” In a discussion which followed judgment, His Honour said, “JT tell you candidly your action should be one for damages for selling these books in breach of an agreement.” Judgment was given for the defendant with costs, and in the subsequent discussion referred to, doubt was expressed as to how far an appeal would lie against the decision. It was one apparently of mixed fact and law, but as it mainly turned upon the correct construction to be put upon the agree- ment between the parties, there can be little doubt that the Divisional Court would have had jurisdic- tion to hear an appeal had one been brought. I am informed that none is to be attempted, which is a matter for regret, as although the defendant may not have contemplated paying royalties on the “ yemainder,” it would have been interesting to see whether a Divisional Court would have held that he nevertheless bound himself by the terms of his agreement to do so. The sale of the “remainder” of the copies of a book after its general sale is believed to be over is not an un- common incident of publishing, and in consequence of this it is not unusual to find a clause regulating the conditions of such sale in an agreement. When this has been omitted the publisher, if he desires to sell, usually negotiates with the author before doing so. At all events, it is open for him to do so, and if he does this the author has the oppor- tunity of discussing whether the necessity for such sale has arisen. If the publisher does not so nego- tiate, but sells instead, presumably for his own benefit, is he not bound by any form of words in which he has promised to pay a royalty to the author upon copies of the author's work sold by him ? This is the question which His Honour Judge Woodfall appears to have decided against the author and in favour of the publisher, and whether it is assumed that his decision is correct, or not, it is one which other Judges may give in similar circumstances, and against the possibility of which authors in their own interests can protect them- selves. In other words, the questions whether the author is to receive his royalty upon remainders as upon other copies of the book, or whether he is to be paid at some other rate in respect of them, and THE AUTHOR. 179 if so at what rate, or whether he is not to be paid for remainders at all, are matters for which every publishing agreement should specifically provide. There can be no reason why it should not do so, and the introduction of a clause dealing definitely with the matter, or even the attempt to introduce one, will call the attention of both parties to it. Should such a clause be discussed, the author would be very likely to protest against a stipula- tion that upon copies sold as a “remainder” he was to receive nothing. As to this there was evidence at the hearing of Marmer v. Grant Richards, given by Mr.Grant Richards himself, that he allowed. 5 per cent. upon such sales, so that he presumably would not object to inserting a condition to that effect in his agreements. Mr. Heinemann, however, gave evidence that his own custom was to allow the author nothing upon such occasions. He is therefore an instance of a publisher, who, if asked to insert such a condition, would decline to do so, and if sued for even 5 per cent. upon the product of a remainder would dispute the claim, and it is hardly necessary to point out that an action in such a case, with conflicting evidence as to trade custom would be, whatever its issue, unproductive of any substantial benefit to either party. On the other hand, if the author endeavoured to get inserted into his agreement a covenant to pay the full rovalty on all surplus copies sold, he would in my opinion, be extremely likely to meet with refusal. In any case, however, the matter would be arranged beforehand, and an opportunity for future litigation would be avoided. Anagreement with regard to the sale of remainders should define the circumstances in which they are to be sold, whether at the end of a given time or other- wise, and it must be pointed out that with some books not expected to have an ephemeral sale only, it may be important to guard against any such sale taking place at all. It also seems fair that an author should stipulate for notice of such a sale being given to him, because he may like to buy in his own books so as to deal with them afterwards himself. The publisher can hardly refuse such a condition, as it is to his own interest that the price should be enhanced as it might be in such circumstances. The proviso that the author should have the option of buying at a fixed price is also possible. All these con- ditions pre-suppose to some extent that the pub- lisher is an honest man who will push the sale while it is possible to do so, but the price of a remainder is not likely to tempt the dishonest to neglect to sell at the full rate as long as it is possible to do so, even at some cost in advertising, and a publisher not carrying out his contract lays himself open to an action like any other man. Tt will be observed that the Judge at the Westminster 180 County Court repeatedly pointed out the other form in which Mr. Farmer’s case might have been presented. He meant that had the action been brought for damages sustained by the plaintiff through a breach of his agreement, and had it been proved that the agreement was so broken, the plaintiff would have been entitled to compensation in the form of damages, although he was not entitled to it in the form of royalties. In such an action it would have been necessary to prove that the agreement was not carried out by the publisher, and that the sale of the remainder was in violation of it. Any action fought out upon facts calculated to test the relative rights of publishers and author, to determine, what is reasonable fulfilment of the duty of a publisher bound by an agreement not specific upon every point, is no doubt of interest to writers and pub- lishers alike. It is, however, better to provide as far as possible for the usual risks and contingencies of book publishing beforehand. In order to do this some knowledge of those risks is necessary, and it is, I believe, in order to provide that knowledge that the Society of Authors offers its advice and the fruits of its experience to its members. i. A. ARMSTRONG. + Il. What Constitutes Acceptance? Art the City of London Court on March Ist, the writer of an article, sent unsolicited to the Sportsman, sued for payment, on the ground that it had been accepted for publication. His evidence with regard to this appears to have been that he was told by the editor, or by some one representing him, that the article was “‘ reserved for use.” This does not seem to have been dis- puted, but whether it was or not, Judge Lumley Smith held that the words “reserved for use” did not necessarily mean that the article was accepted, and he gave judgment for the defendants. This decision, that the defendant did not accept, or in other words, did not agree to print and publish the article, is one of fact, and therefore, presumably, there will be no appeal in the case. As a decision of fact, upon the story as it was reported in the Daily Chronicle of March 2nd, it is open to criticism. “‘ Reserved for consideration” is a phrase which might have been used, which would have been perfectly understood, and which would have given the author an opportunity for saying that he desired a more definite decision at once, had he been inclined to take such a course. “Reserved for use’? would to most persons have a different meaning. An Editor “uses” an article when he publishes it, and “reserved for publica- THB AUTHOR. tion” could hardly mean less than that the editor intended to publish the article and promised to do so, although the word “reserved” might imply that the publication would not be immediate, but would take place within a reasonable time at the editor’s convenience. Ifthe judge was really satisfied that the words “reserved for use” were either spoken or written by the editor or by some one having a right to make a contract on behalf of the paper, it seems a little difficult to account for the interpretation which he put upon a tolerably clear and not uncommon English phrase. He seems, however, to some extent to have been influenced by recollection of a past decision of his own which he appears to have regretted, and which he hinted he would not now repeat in similar circumstances. In giving judgment he alluded to a similar case in which he gave a verdict for the plaintiff, but in which the article appeared in print, and he added, according to the report in the Daily Chronicle, that he had since been “ told by literary men that many contributions were so illegible that they- had to be set up in print to see if they were worth using.” The past decision to which Judge Lumley Smith referred was evidently that in Jlacdonald v. The National Review, tried by him when judge of the Westminster County Court in 1893, of which a full account is to be found in The Author for June of that year. Many will remember it, because it excited a good deal of criticism at the time, and the Society of Authors was commended by some and blamed by the Saturday Review and others for the part which it took in obtaining the decision given. The ques- tion at issue, put in its shortest form, was whether the sending of a proof of an unsolicited article to the author constituted acceptance by the editor and bound him to pay for the article. In dac- donald v. The National Review delay on the part of the editor in publishing the article had caused remonstrance by the author, and the editor had claimed the right to return the article in conse- quence. The decision of the judge that the sending of the proof constituted acceptance of the article, commended itself to most authors, and was not dissented from by all editors, and if Judge Lumley Smith has altered his opinion for the reason quoted above he has done so upon grounds which scarcely seem to be adequate. It was pointed out in Zhe Author of June, 1893, p- 15, that “if the proof does not mean acceptance it would cost the editor nothing more than a printed slip to say so.” A printed slip equally would inform the author that the editor finding his article illegible in manuscript had had it set up in order to see whether it was readable in print. It is not necessary to discuss whether any such practice on the part of editors, accompanied by  the sending of proofs to the authors, exists to an appreciable extent. The point upon which emphasis is laid, is that if such a thing is done, the author can and should be informed of the editor’s intention, and all cause for future misunderstanding thereby removed. The object in sending a proof upon such an oceasion would be to make sure that the printer had been able to decipher the article, before the editor had the trouble of reading it, not the correction of the article as a preliminary to publi- cation. It is hardly unreasonable, however, to suggest that a proof is usually sent to an author that he may correct it for publication. The corrections which he makes, whether they may alter the article (perhaps so as to bring it up to date), or may simply set right printers’ errors, are scarcely needed in order to aid the editor in forming an opinion upon its merits. They are, beyond dispute, desirable if it is going to be published, and it is because it is going to be published, and at the time when it is going to be published, that the editor in most cases sends the proof to the author. It may be very convenient for an editor to read an article in print, to reserve it without binding himself to use it, to have it as corrected by the author ready to hand in case it may be needed in an emergency, but the author has a right to understand and to assent to or dissent from such a course of business. Equally the editor who should intimate to the author that he was retaining an article without definitely accepting it, would be entitled to a prompt acceptance or refusal of his conditions. —_—_____—_e—<—e-—_—— AUTHORS’ AGENTS. 1 rWVHE methods of the Author’s Agent are of [ growing importance to all those who live by the production of literary property. There are many who consider that they have only to put their work into the hands of an agent in order to obtain a literary success, or at any rate, a large increase in their incomes. These, after the lapse of a year, often give up the employment of an agent as they find no increased benefit from his assistance. There are many, again—especially those whose incomes from their literary works run to four figures—who derive no small benefit from an agent’s help. For these the agent works with untiring zeal, as the work is not difficult to place, and the returns are large. ‘There are those, again, who are hopelessly unbusinesslike. For these an agent is essential whether the author’s returns are large or not. To the beginner, as a rule, the agent is of very THE AUTHOR. 181 little use. The author’s marketable output is so small that it does not pay the agent to make any considerable effort. ‘To the author who is aiso a man of business, unless he can make an arrange- ment at a considerably lower figure than the usual 10 per cent., the agent is again of very little use. The only people, therefore, to whom an agent is really essential are those writers with a medium or large output, who lack business capacity, and, in some cases, those writers with a large output who hold a reasonable contract ; but a reasonable contract is certainly not 10 per cent. on all income continuing while the copyright lasts. The figure of remuneration should be determined by arranging either for a lower percentage or 10 per cent. up to a fixed sum. The business of a literary agent is not run on philanthropic lines any more than that of a pub- lisher, and it is necessary therefore, and natural, for him to give more detailed attention and greater care to those who bring him in a large income, than to those whose output is small. But there are one or two important questions which call for remark, and one or two dangers to be avoided which, arising out of the employment of the middleman, fall outside the agent’s legitimate work. In many cases an editor, in order to avoid trouble, goes to an agent and says that he wants a story by a certain author for which he will pay a certain price. The agent, who has not the name of the author on his books, finds out his address and writes to him. ‘The author consents to the contract and the agent takes 10 per cent. from him, Surely, on this occasion, the agent is acting, not for the author, but for the editor, from whom his commission should come? The author is, no doubt, to blame, and could dispute the charge if he was fully cognisant of his legal posi- tion, but unfortunately he yields himself an easy prey to the persistent agent. Again, agents have been known to go round to editors and offer to obtain stories for them from authors whose names are not on their books— again with a beneficial result to the agent out of the author’s pocket. But it is the wrong person who pays. Some literary agents indeed clearly state that they are acting for publishers and editors. If this is the case they have no right to charge the author commission on work placed with one of the editors or publishers for whom they are acting. The point is becoming one of great, and grave importance, as there are signs that agents do not always keep the welfare of the author before them, but are inclined to play the publisher’s hand rather than the author's. The facts must be plainly stated, and some clear understanding must be arrived at. An agent 182 cannot act for both parties in a financial bargain. If he attempts to hold such an anomalous position, it is clear that one party must suffer. As a rule the sufferer is the author, who is much less capable of solving these financial difficulties than the editor or publisher. But in whatever way the bargain goes, the agent must be tarnished. This is no imaginary case, and matters are getting more serious as the competition amongst agents Increases. The second point arises where an agent purchases and sells literary work acting as principal. The commencement of this dangerous practice is in this wise. An agent is employed by an author whose works have more literary merit than public approval, and enters into a contract with a pub- lisher or editor on his behalf, under which payment is to be made at certain future dates. The author feels the grip of poverty. The agent, with com- mendable charity, provides the money at con- siderably more than the bank rate of interest. This method is then carried a step further, and the agent actually purchases copy outright, merely, of course, to oblige the author, and, waiting his opportunity, sells again to the publisher or editor at a figure which amply covers all risks, and is much more profitable than dealing at 10 per cent. Eventually he finds it better policy to interest himself in the rising author on this basis, and neglects the business of those who still desire to employ him as a bond fide agent on commission terms. Although the author acquiesces in the arrangement, he does so to the danger of his fellow craftsmen ; for this mixture of principal and agent is no less dangerous than the other practices referred to, and brings discredit on the middleman. There is a further point to be considered. An agent obtains an introduction for an author to an editor. Is the author bound to pay commission on any future work placed with the same editor ? Some agents claim that this is the case so long as the author is still employing them, even though the employment may be in other matters. Some go so far as to claim it even when the agency contract is at an end. There is, of course, the agent’s point of view—that it would be possible to find markets for an author, and it would be possible for the author to determine his arrangement with the agent as soon as he found that his markets were sufficiently numerous. But what is tobe said of the agent who, while continuing to carry on his business, abuses his employers in no measured terms, and is particular to remark that they must be kept out of the toils of the Authors’ Society. Tf he thinks so badly of his employers, he is no doubt anxious to avoid the toils of the Society for his contracts as well as his authors. By such a proclamation he, at any rate, throws his cards on THE AUTHOR. the table. If he is overcome with this feeling would it not have been wiser—to carry the simile further—that he held up his hand to the bitter end. This is positive aggression, but the negative pole is more difficult to deal with. In this case an agent, when an author comes to him, does not tell him to avoid the Society, but takes good care not to refer to it at all. When the author gets into legal difficulties, whether rising from the fault of his guide or from other reasons, instead of giving encouragement to his becoming one of the body of his fellow workers where he would get his legal difficulties set right free of cost, he takes him off to his own solicitor and avoids in this way “the toils of the Society.” But the unfortunate author has to meet the lawyer’s bill. In any case, there appears to be only one reason why an agent should not work in harmony with the Society, and also be an ardent supporter of it, and that is, that he does not care for a too careful inspection of his contracts and of his methods of dealing with the literary property of those who employ him. From the cases quoted above, it is quite clear that, on many occasions, there is very good reason, from the agent’s point of view, why the Authors’ Society should not be brought into consultation ; but other reasons arise why it is necessary that the author should keep a watchful eye over the negotiations, even when the agent is engaged in his legitimate business. To begin with, literary agents are not as a rule lawyers, and, therefore, are hardly competent to draw up a legal document or to advise the author on signing the same. This point has become apparent on reviewing a series of contracts which have been brought to the Society’s offices, unfortunately after signature and after accepting the agent’s advice. An agent has allowed an author to enter into half-profit agreements, and royalty agreements with exceedingly low royalties, and to bind him- self to the publisher for the next two books on the same terms. That the agent should pass an agreement for half profits and for low royalties might perhaps be excusable under exceptional circumstances, but that an agent should pass the two-book clause is absolutely and entirely inexcusable. Such action shows either a complete disregard of the author’s interest or an absolute ignorance of the _ agent’s own business, unless, absit omen, there are other and deeper reasons for the step. This rule must be laid down as absolute : Wo author should, in any circumstances, bind himself to a publisher for more than one book. Do not sign agreements containing the above condition, not even though the agent may stand  over you pen in hand and demand your signature, stating that he can do no more for you if you refuse to sign. Again, agreements made through an agent are frequently brought forward, which assign transla- tion rights, Continental rights, American rights, and even dramatic rights, to the publisher, and the author has to allow the publisher 50 per cent. if he succeeds in selling or getting rid of them. Now, it is not the publisher’s business but the agent’s to sell these rights. This has repeatedly been explained. In any case, the publisher is not entitled to 50 per cent. of the returns. Again, it is possible that such a case as the following might occur : An agent is exceedingly busy with the works of many authors. It is important that he should get some of them settled and off his hands at the earliest opportunity. Therefore, in a moment of carelessness he advises an author to accept such terms as will not be satisfactory in their result. This case, like the former, points to the fact that the author cannot be too careful about what agreement he enters into, whether such agree- ment is put before him directly by the publisher or by the publisher through his (the author’s) own agent. The mere question of the financial terms of an agreement is by no means the only one which should be looked into. Jn some cases the control of the property is even of more importance to the author than the financial question. In conclusion, therefore, it is evident that agents are not only in many cases incompetent to act as legal advisers, but that often they are wanting in a knowledge of their business as the confidential assistants of authors. Tf authors have any doubt about the document laid before them they should certainly consult the Society, even though the agent may see objec- tions, as he surely will, to their adopting this course. In this paper has been set forth the many difficulties and dangers that surround an author in his dealings with the literary agent, and the subject has been treated in full detail. It must not be thought, however, that there is no brighter side to the relations. Although the number of authors’ agents is increasing, they are still a small body. There are those who do not take up the work of a great many authors, but limit them- selves strictly to work which they can do thoroughly and satisfactorily. Accordingly those for whom they deal have to report nothing but pleasant intercourse and satisfactory negotiations. There are those again, whose work on behalf of a great many authors is painstaking and reliable, and THE AUTHOR. 183 the authors reap the benefit by an increased income and a larger market. The real per- fection of literary agency, however, is still to be desired. Perhaps the ideal literary agent would be one who for a fixed sum per annum, worked for a fair number of authors. Considerable work on this basis would be of the greatest benefit to those who employed him, and the least expense to the agent, as it would hardly be necessary for him under these circumstances to rent an office or employ a large staff of clerks. Again it must be stated that the matter is of serious import, and that authors should give careful consideration to the difficulties of their position. GH YF. + —o+—____——- THE MARCH MAGAZINE CONTENTS. ——+-—<— LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL. BLACKWOOD’s MAGAZINE. The Future of Public Taste in Literature : “ Musing Without Method.”’ CONTEMPORARY REVIEW. Recollections of Renan. By Emily Crawford. Studies in Literary Psychology :—111. Carlyle and the Present Tense. By Vernon Lee. CORNHILL MAGAZINE. Herbert Spencer. By Hector Macpherson. LONGMAN’S MAGAZINE. “ A Defence of Play Reading.’’ By W. E. Hicks. MACMILLAN’S MAGAZINE, Matthew Arnold as a Popular Poet. By W. A. Sibbald. TEMPLE BAR. Heine and Sir Walter Scott. By James H. Henderson. THE FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW. Growing Distaste for the Higher Kinds of Poetry. By Alfred Austin. Collected Poems of Christina Rossetti. Hueffer. By Ford Madox THE MONTHLY REVIEW. Ainger Canon : A personal impression. Two Unpublished Poems by Crabbe. Hudson. By Edith Sichel. Edited by R. THE NATIONAL REVIEW. Is Fiction Deteriorating? By Miss Jane H. Findlater. Barly Recollections of Mr. Lecky. By A College Friend. Tue NINETEENTH CENTURY REVIEW, The Reorganization of the British Drama by the State. By Henry Arthur Jones. THE QUARTERLY REVIEW. Mr. Creevy and his Contemporaries. The Homeric Question ? The Abbé Loisy. 184 WARNINGS TO THE PRODUCERS OF BOOKS. —1_—>— 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. Il. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of agreement), In this case the following rules should be attended to: C1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part without the strictest investigation, (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements, (3.) Not to allow a special charge for ‘‘ office expenses,” unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor ! III. The Royalty System. 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 Zhe Author. IY. A Commission Agreement. The main points are :— (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. General. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :— C1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong tothe 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. gg WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. age N “Seer sign an agreement without submitting it to the a 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. THE AUTHOR. 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, (4.) 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 gruss 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. ‘lhey 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. ae 6 WARNINGS TO MUSICAL COMPOSERS. eee, 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  should be especially careful therefore when entering into an agreement, and should take into particular consideration the warnings stated above. —_—___—_—_1+—>—_+_—_ HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. —— > i VERY member has a right toask 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 ordinarysolicitors. Therefore, do not seruple 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 endeavour to prevent authors from referring matters to the Secretary of the Society ; so do some publishers. Members can make their own deductions and act accordingly. 10. The subscription to the Society is £1 1s. per annum, or £10 10s for life membership. THE AUTHOR. THE READING BRANCH. = ——+ - EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this 3b 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, o> e NOTICES. 7 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, 8.W., and should reach the Editor not later than the 21st of each month. All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether members of the Society or not, are invited to communicate to the Editor any points connected with their work which it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. ope 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. 1 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. <> THE LEGAL AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY. 1 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, H.C. THE AUTHOR: AUTHORITIES. — INCE the article translated from the Swedish paper came to the office special information has been received that the law has been passed under which Sweden will become a member of the Berne Convention. The Bill was passed in the First Chamber without the least opposition and in the Second Chamber by an overwhelming majority. This is satisfactory news, as the steady influx of members to the Convention makes the isolated case of those outside itstill more conspicuous. It is hoped that at no distant date Austria and Hungary will come in, and that when Russia has settledits war with Japan and its Domestic Copyright, it will also join the ranks of civilised European society ; then the United States will be the only country of any importance outside the pale. It is interesting to note that Sweden, like all other nations that have legislated recently in copy- right matters, has increased and confirmed the right of property to the originator, and thus follows the tendency of modern ideals. The reference to the Swedish Authors’ Society has a goodring about it. BorH the Authors’ Society and the National Union of Teachers ought to be interested in a controversy which is just now disturbing educational circles in New York. The City Comptroller, Mr. Grout, is about to introduce a Bill providing that no school officer shall receive for his own use any income or royalties arising out of his authorship of, or interest in, books used in the city’s schools, but shall pay any such profits into the City Treasury. The person at whom this proposed legislation is particularly aimed is Dr. Maxwell, Superintendent of Schools, who is alleged to be drawing 20,000 dols. annually in royalties from text-books of which he is the author. This cutting, taken from the Westminster Gazette, will, doubtless, interest all those members of the Society who publish educational works. The subject is one which could be argued on both sides with some effect, but if we take it for granted that the educators of the younger genera- tion are men of probity, there seem to be no persons more capable of knowing what should be taught, how it should be taught, and the form in which it should be represented to the pupils. Under these circumstances, it is scarcely fair that the teachers should be debarred from the profit arising from the result of their labours, and a policy of this kind might tend to bring upon the market an inferior article. It is unlikely that the greatest educators would devote themselves to the writing of books by which their educational methods might become known, if they were not likely to receive some reward. It will be interesting to see whether the Billever becomes law. Tur Saturday Review has published a series of letters on the question of “ tags.” The corre- spondents have put forward many which they consider should be removed from the English language, and one correspondent has gone so far as to say that when a person is given to the use of these “tags” in his writings, he, at any rate, shows he has ceased to think. Surely, this deduction is quite wrong. Many “tags ” are the crystallisation of a thought or of an idea in its most shapely form, and are therefore, in some cases, artistic works of a very high order. Because a work of high art is constantly reproduced, and is seen everywhere, it does not therefore lose its artistic merit. Besides, the user may have given the matter his most earnest consideration, and, after having tried every turn of phrase that a genius could invent, may have come to the conclusion that the method of expressing his idea most clearly and lucidly is through the means of a “tag,” which may have been crystallised previously by some other genius. It does not necessarily follow that all “tags” are works of high art, but let us not remove them from the English language merely because they are in common use. Olearness of expression is more desirable than literary pyrotechnics. «“ TAGS.’’—SATURDAY REVIEW. Advancing by leaps and bounds. Conspicuous by his absence. More honoured in the breach than the observance. What the soldier said is not evidence. “ Which,’’ as Euclid would say, “ is absurd.”’ Like Mrs. Harris, “I don’t believe there’s no sich a person.” It is always the unexpected that happens. A mad world, my Masters. "Tis true, ‘tis pity ; and pity ‘tis, ’tis true. There is much virtue in an “if.” Se non e vero e ben trovato. Like Topsy, “I spect I grow’d.”’ Like the late Lord Beaconsfield on a famous occasion “On the side of the Angels.”’ Like Brer Rabbit, ‘To lie low and say nuffin.” Like Oliver Twist, “To ask for more.”’ Like Sam Weller’s knowledge of London, “ Extensive and peculiar.”’ Like Napoleon, “ A believer in big battalions.”’ Pyrrhic Victory. Parthian dart. Homeric laughter. Sturm und Drang. Intelligent anticipation of events. Masterly inactivity. : Splendid isolation. Unctuous rectitude. Mute inglorious Milton. The sword of Damocles. The thin end of the wedge. The long arm cf coincidence. The soul of goodness in things evil. Hobson's choice. Frankenstein's monster. Macaulay's schoolboy. Lord Burleigh’s nod.  RRA Sir Boyle Roche’s bird. Mahommed’s coffin. Davy Jones’ locker. “ Waiting,’ as Mr. Micawber says, “for something to turn up.”’ Mr. Punch’s advice to those about to marry—‘ Don’t.”’ The pen is mightier than the sword. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton. This gives us pause. Take him for all in all, we ne’er shall look upon his like again. Cesar’s wife. Facilis descensus Averni, etc. Tempora mutantur, etc. Coelum non animum, etc. Sunt lachryme rerum, etc. Dum Fluvii currunt, etc. Exegi monumentum, etc. Sic vos non vobis, etc. Non tali auxilio, nec, etc. Suaviter in modo, etc. Penny wise and pound foolish. Qui s’excuse s’accuse. Not wisely but too well. THE members of the Society will, we are sure, join with us in thanking our President for the note he contributes in memory of his late friend, Sir Leslie Stephen, and in congratulating him on the improvement in his health, which has made it possible for him to resume his pen. The article by the Chairman of the Committee, which follows, was printed before Mr. Meredith’s note was received, and we publish it as it stands, although the last paragraph might have been omitted had Mr. Meredith’s tribute to “The Tramps” been before Mr. Freshfield. —_—____—_e——_e—__ SIR LESLIE STEPHEN, K.C.B. Se I HEN that noble body of scholarly and cheer- ful pedestrians, the Sunday Tramps, were on the march, with Leslie Stephen to lead them, there was conversation which would have made the presence of a shorthand writer a bene- faction to the country. A pause to it came at the examination of the leader’s watch and Ordnance map under the western sun, and word was given for the strike across country to catch the tail of a train offering dinner in London, at the cost of a run through hedges, over ditches and fallows, past pro- clamations against trespassers, under suspicion of being taken for more serious depredators in flight. The chief of the Tramps had a wonderfully calcu- THE AUTHOR. 187 lating eye in the observation of distances and the nature of the land, as he proved by his discovery of untried passes in the higher Alps, and he had no mercy for pursy followers. I have often said of this life-long student and philosophical head, that he had in him the making of a great military captain. He would not have been opposed to the profession of arms if he had been captured early for the Service, notwithstanding his abomination of bloodshed. He had a high, calm courage, was unperturbed in a dubious position, and would con- fidently take the way out of it which he conceived to be the better. We have not to deplore that he was diverted from the ways of a soldier, though England, as the country has been learning of late, cannot boast of many in uniform who have capacity for leadership. His work in literature will be reviewed by his lieutenant of Tramps, one of the ablest of our writers. The memory of it remains with us, as being the profoundest and the most sober criticism we have had in our time. The only sting in it was an inoffensive humorous irony that now and then stole out for a roll over, like a furry cub, or the occasional ripple on a lake in grey weather. We have nothing left that is like it. One might easily fall into the pit of panegyric by an enumeration of his qualities, personal and literary. It would be out of harmony with the temper and characteristics of a mind so equable. He, the equable, whether in condemnation or eulogy. Our loss of such a man is great, for work was in his brain, and the hand was active till close upon the time when his breathing ceased. The loss to his friends can be replaced only by an imagination that conjures him up beside them. That will be no task to those who have known him well enough to see his view of things as they are and revive his expression of it. With them he will live despite the word farewell. GEORGE MEREDITH. —-—<>—-+—— IT. In Sir Leslie Stephen, who died on the 22nd of February in his seventy-second year, the world of letters has lost one of its most prominent figures, and English criticism its acknowledged head. Poets, according to an obiter dictum of Tennyson, must be estimated by the quantity as well as the quality of their work. If the same standard may be applied to critics Stephen is likely to hold a very high place in the judgment of posterity. At the beginning of his literary career he was content to do hack-work; he even translated a mediocre German work on the Alps. But he never gave the public anything but his best. A 188 more conscientious literary craftsman never lived. Though he had little sympathy with Dryasdusts, he was indefatigable in research. When his own shelves failed him for a reference he—as he once told me—went first to the Atheneeum, then to the London Library, and finally, not without a groan, made a pilgrimage to the British Museum. It would be difficult to point out a single piece of indifferent or hasty workmanship in the list of his published volumes. That list, from the “ Play- ground of Europe” (1871) to his last volume, “ English Literature and Society in the Highteenth Century,” is an astonishingly long and varied one ; yet it represents only a portion of his labours. We have also to take into account his long connection with journalism—particularly with the Saturday Review in its golden days, and the Yall Mali Gazette, and in later years his many articles in the National Review and the Dictionary of National Biography, and further to remember that, while its editor, he was engaged in a task that most men would have found altogether engrossing. If the original idea of this gigantic undertaking came from its publisher, Mr. George Murray Smith, it owed to Stephen its scope, its proportions and its success. He collected and ruled a staff of capable contributors, he set them models in the admirable articles he wrote himself, he trained a successor to follow him in the task when his own health broke down. His wide knowledge and sympathy, and his discriminating fairness to all who came under his ken made him an ideal editor for sucha work. Stephen’s literary talent was late in development. His first book, and that a book of travel (though it opens with a brilliant review of Alpine literature) was published when he was thirty-nine. For at least fourteen years he led the life of an athletic Don at Cambridge, running countless miles beside his College boat, and performing strange feats of pedestrianism—which culminated in his walking to London, fifty miles in twelve hours, to attend an Alpine Club dinner. Of this period in his career a record exists in the little volume of “Sketches from Cambridge by a Don,” first published in the Pall Mall Gazette. Stephen was by nature a critic both in literature and philosophy. But he approached criticism from its human side, through biography. He investigated systems through their teachers. It is characteristic that when he wishes to defend the eighteenth cen- tury, and put its case against the nineteenth, he evokes the ghost of Gibbon as his spokesman. The passage is brilliant, and might give cause for profitable reflection to popular politicians of the twentieth century. As an historian and essayist the philosophy and thought of the century of utilitarianism and common sense were congenial to him, and supplied THE AUTHOR. the subject of his chief works. But his many volumes of collected essays furnish proof of the width and variety of his literary sympathies. In “An Agnostic’s Apology” Stephen defined his attitude towards religious beliefs. He held that ‘there lives more faith in honest doubt than (not in half but) in all the Oreeds.” He considered them blind guesses in a region beyond human knowledge, and consequently unsound bases for any rule of life. He had a distrust of senti- mentalism, which he defines somewhere as “emotion for its own sake,” and a rooted dislike for all kinds of makebelief, above all for makebeliefs about the place of man in the Universe. He held that we ought to be able to do our duty to our fellows without the support of theological speculations. The main tendency of Stephen’s philosophical writings was, therefore, negative or destructive. But in the two volumes of his Addresses to the Ethical Society, he sets himself to work as a con- structive agent. He labours to show how humanity may grow in wisdom and happiness without seeking for a sanction for conduct in regions beyond its scope. He could not enter into the feelings of those, the majority of mankind, who find an irresistible attraction in any speculation that pre- tends to fill up the void beyond our view—and are therefore, as he put it, apt to conceal ignorance by dogma. In his literary criticisms, as in his ethical writing, Stephen’s first aim was to see things as they are. He distrusted enthusiasm, even his own. He thought it a quality out of place in a judge on the literary Bench. If he deviated in this direction he generally qualified the lapse by a quick touch of humour. At times he seems almost too just: the reader would welcome a few more expressions of personal feeling, or even pre- judice. The atmosphere, like that of a mountain top, is too clear and devoid of colour for the xsthetic mind. Stephen had not, it must be added, a creative intellect. He does not warm and kindle his readers with those illuminating flashes which one genius may throw on another when genius takes to criticism. He was himself very acutely alive to this fact, which he has alluded to in print with exaggerated self-depreciation. Stephen appeared to the public as a man of somewhat austere mind and presence. But beneath this cold exterior, constantly coming to the surface in his life and not infrequently in his writing, was a highly sensitive and emotional nature. He was through life a lover of poetry. He tells us in one of his recently published autobiographical chapters how as an undergraduate he rejoiced to catch some Freshman and recite to him Tennyson’s early poems ; and in the preface to his first book he alludes to his dislike to the retouches made in  ‘ lL i them by their author. Through life he appreciated his contemporaries, and his old friends have often heard him recite poems of Browning and Fitz- gerald, Swinburne and Meredith. In an after- dinner speech on the day the news of the death of Stevenson, whom he had introduced to The Cornhill, reached England, he declaimed with singular effect half of “A Grammarian’s Funeral.” In his essay on Matthew Arnold he describes his test for poetry : “ I believe in poetry which learns itself by heart. There are poems which dominate and haunt one; which once admitted sting and cling to one; the tune of which comes up and runs in one’s head at odd moments ; and which suddenly revive after years of forgetfulness as vigorous and lively as ever.” And yet a critic in the Atheneum has had the courage to assert that “Stephen did not really care for poetry any more than Jeffrey, and consequently was not fully quali- fied to criticise it.” ‘Chis writer might have done well to peruse the account of Jeffrey’s “ amazingly systematic and comprehensive blundering ” in poetical criticism given in the chapter on The First Edinburgh Reviewers in “ Hours in a Library : (third series). Stephen was happy not only in his profession, but also in a hobby which satisfied all his require- ments, physical and intellectual, mountaineering. His love of mountains was, as he has himself explained, complex. Climbing was to him primarily a sport, undertaken for the sake of adventure and enjoyment, a recreation in which he could give lay to the muscular energy of the primitive man and the holiday humours of the genial Don, who in Stephen underlay the critic and the philosopher. But he found the scenery of the High Alps sympathetic to his intellect, and that in more ways than one. “ Its charm,” he writes, “ lies in its vigorous originality.” And again: “The mountains represent the indomitable force of nature to which we are forced to adapt ourselves ; they speak to man of his littleness and his ephemeral nature, and therefore they should suggest that sense of awestruck humility which best befits such petty creatures as ourselves.” The Alps were for Stephen a playground, bnt they were also a cathedral. “If I were to invent a new idolatry,” he says, “I should prostrate myself not before beast, or ocean, or sun, but before one of these gigantic masses to which, in spite of all reason, it is impossible not to attribute some shadowy per- sonality. Their voice is mystic, and has found discordant interpreters; but to me at least it speaks in tones at once more tender and more awe- inspiring than that of any mortal teacher. The loftiest and sweetest strains of Milton or Words- worth may be more articulate, but do not lay so forcible a grasp on my imagination.” THE AUTHOR. 189 Yet to give the scale and point the moral he drew from the High Places of the Earth, Stephen required—if not an inn at least some trace of pastoral life, ‘‘a weather-stained chalet” in the fore- ground. “Scenery,” he says, “even the wildest that is really enjoyable, derives half its charm from the occult sense of the human life and social forms moulded upon it. ‘he Alps would be unbearably stern but for the picturesque society preserved among their folds.” Yet surely in the recesses of remoter ranges where no trace of man’s presence is visible there is a sublimity like that of the starry heavens which would have appealed to his mind. Stephen, I suspect, since such scenery never came within his reach, invented a reason why he might not have cared for it. With such tastes Stephen naturally became one of the most ardent of the early members of the Alpine Club, its third President, and for two years the Editor of its Journal. In this capacity, and still more in “The Playground of Europe,” pub- lished in 1871, which he revised and added to in 1894, he set the note which has been followed ever since in Alpine literature. He showed that “a sense of humour is not incompatible with imagina- tive sensibility.” He pictured the splendours of the snows, or the unearthly grandeur of a sunset seen from the summit of Mont Blanc in pages which combine accuracy of observation with enthusiastic appreciation and sentiment. At a later date he became one of the discoverers of that enchanting Dreamland, the Alps in Winter. The chapter which bears that title is the most emotional and eloquent he ever wrote. Some of its descrip- tive passages have hardly been surpassed by any lover of mountains, even by Ruskin. Stephen did more than describe scenery. He communicated to the world the keen spirit of enjoyment of his comrades, amongst whom he gained many lifelong friends. He made light of his own feats in order to give the credit to his guides, who returned the compliment by regarding him as a hero. The fame of “Herr Stephen” will long be associated in the Vale of Meiringen with that of Melchior Anderegg. He maintained with much vivacity that no excuse was needed for climbing ; he declined, he said, to carry scientific instruments in order to ascertain how far amateur measurements might differ from those of profes- sional surveyors. The frequent speeches he made during thirty years at the annual dinners of the Club became celebrated. Their heartiness, their sudden and unexpected transitions from sentiment to humour never failed to delight the listeners. Given a sympathetic audience Stephen was one of the best after-dinner speakers of his time. Stephen’s love of pedestrianism was not limited to its higher branch—mountaineering. He founded 190 TAB AUTHOR. and for many years led on alternate Sundays a band of philosophers, authors and lawyers “ over hill over dale,” and I fear occasionally “over park over pale,” within the 30-mile radius from Charing Cross. We had now and then a judge in the company, and rumour ran that Stephen had once personally conducted a future bishop. Stephen’s frame was adapted for speed, and when a train had to be caught he strode ahead, as a more portly editor described him, “like a pair of compasses.” These walks and talks would on high days end in a lunch or a dinner at Mr. Darwin’s or Mr. Meredith’s, for the “Company of Tramps” had distinguished honorary members. With little taste for general society, Stephen, until deafness cut him off from most social pleasures, was fond of congenial company, and played a stimulating part in it. He had a singular power of attracting the affection of his numerous friends, whose frequent” visits he was happily able to enjoy to the last. - “ Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit.” D. W. F. THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FOR 1904. + HE annual General Meeting of the Society a was held in the rooms of the Medical and Chirurgical Society, in Hanover Square, on March 16th, Mr. Douglas Freshfield, Chairman of the Committee of Management, in the chair. The Secretary, Mr. G. H. Thring, having read the agenda, the Chairman proceeded to put forward the report for consideration and discus- sion. This had been duly forwarded to all sub- scribing members, and in conformity with the usage of the Society was not read at the meeting. In commenting upon the more salient features of the Society’s history during 1903, Mr. Freshfield first dwelt upon the long list of distinguished members lost to the Society or literatare through death, making special reference to the names of Sir Joshua Fitch, Colonel Henderson, Mr. W. E. H. Lecky, Mr. Herbert Spencer, Mr. J. McNeill Whistler, as well as to the more recent death during the present year of Sir Leslie Stephen. In calling attention to passages in the report relating to the proper functions of the Society, he ohserved that it was not an Academy of Letters, and that a suggestion made that the Society should urge the burial of Mr. Herbert Spencer in Westminster Abbey seemed to seek to impose upon it duties hardly within its province. In the same category were other suggestions that the Society shouid undertake at its own cost any litigation any mem. ber might desire to enter‘upon, or that it should act asa literary agent for its members. With regard to this latter proposal it was pointed out that any such commercial enterprise would be inconsistent with the conditions under which the Society was registered, and would provoke the interference of the Board of Trade. Having proceeded to comment upon the legal proceedings instituted and carried on by the Society during the past year, Mr. Freshfield explained the circumstances in which the Society had incurred a liability for heavy costs in the ease of Aflalo v. Lawrence and Bullen. It had asserted an important principle on behalf of a member with success in the Court of First Instance. Against the decision there obtained appeal had been lodged, and as respondent it had won a second time in the Court of Appeal. The defendant, unsnecessfal in two courts, had appealed further, as he had a perfect right to do, and the Society had had no choice but to defend its position, and the two judgments already obtained, in the House of Lords. ‘That it had done so without success was unfortunate ; they might not as members of the Society agree with the decision, but they must submit to it. The moral was that an author in selling his work for use in a magazine or encyclopedia, if he did not wish at the same time to part with his copy- right, must say so in plain terms. Mr. Freshfield also referred to the street piracy of literary works, upon methods similar to those adopted in’ the case of music, to which he said the Society was giving attention, and making efforts to check the proceed- ings of the pirates. He concluded his speech by an allusion to the unveiling of the memorial to Sir Walter Besant in the Crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and to the proposal that a replica of the memorial should be placed upon the Thames Embankment, the arrangements for which would, he hoped, be shortly concluded with the County Council, which had met the Society in the matter in a very sympathetic spirit. When the Chairman had concluded his speech, Mr. Basil Field rose and expressed a desire to make it clear to the Society that the item of £908 8s. 6d. included in the balance sheet as a liability to Messrs. Field, Roscoe and Co., the Society’s solicitors, included a large sum paid to Messrs. Lawrence and Bullen after their successful appeal to the House of Lords, in respect of costs in the House of Lords, the Court of Appeal, and the Chancery Division. Sir William Charley, K.C., congratulated the Society on its successful conduct of its litigation generally, and the Secretary for the part played by him therein, and paid a tribute to the memory of Sir Walter Besant.  THE AUTHOR. Mr. Hume Nisbet then rose and put a series of questions to the Chairman, of which he had given notice to the Secretary in writing on the day preceding the meeting. The questions with the answers made to them were as follows :— Question I.—Is the Authors’ Society a Company as well as a Society ? Answer.—Yes. Question II.—Who are the shareholders? ‘.e., Is there a printed list to be had? Answer.—The Shareholders are the Council. The lists of the Council in the Report and elsewhere are printed lists of the shareholders. Question II.—Do they, the shareholders, receive any profits on their shares? Answer.—They do not, and are prohibited from doing so by the memorandum of association of the Company.* Question IV.—What salary does the Secretary for Society and Club draw? Also, what salaries or emoluments does he get for his numerous other duties, such as acting Manager and “'reasurer for Society and Club, Solicitor, etc.? His salary as Editor is alone printed in the present Report of the Committee of Management for 1903. Answer. —The Society has nothing to do with any club. The salary of the Secretary of the Society is £360 a year, which covers his services as solicitor. He receives £50 for editing Zhe Author. He has no other emoluments from the Society. There is no Acting Manager, and the Secretary is not the Treasurer. Question V.—Are these numerous duties not too heavy for one ordinary man to fulfil properly ? Answer.—The Committee have no reason to con- sider that Mr. Thring is not performing his duties to the satisfaction of the members of the Society as well as to their own. Question VI.—Have the same Committee of Management not sat long enough? ie. for the good of the Society, ought they not, along with the Council, to resign without submitting their names for re-election, if the Society is for the benefit of authors, and not a company for the benefit of shareholders ? Answer.—The election of members to fill vacancies on the Committee is placed in the hands of the Committee by the articles of association. In order to avoid the difficulties attending the alteration of the articles of association of a company and at the same time to enable members of the Society to have a voice in the matter, should any desire to do so, a circular was upon a recent occasion addressed to the members by the Committee, asking them to submit the names of candidates. No suggestion was received in reply to this. The Chairman on behalf of the Council further repudiated and condemned the suggestion put forward in the 191 question that the Society was being carried on as a company for the benefit of shareholders.* In a discussion which followed Mr. Hume Nisbet did not press any specific charge against either the Committee of Management or the Secretary, although he expressed dissatisfaction with their conduct of the affairs of the Society. Nor did he meet with any support from those members present who addressed the meeting upon the subject of the questions asked. These included Mr. Edward Rose, Major Arthur Haggard, Mr. Charles Garvice, Mr. Francis Gribble and others. Mr. E. Rose called attention to the actual composition of the Com- mittee of Management and to the changes which in fact had taken place in it, and pointed out that the changes were frequent for such a body. Other speakers expressed themselves as thoroughly satis- fied with the efficiency of the Secretary and with the assistance which he afforded to members in the matters upon which they consulted him. Mr. Francis Gribble protested against the Society having such questions as those raised by Mr. Hume Nisbet sprung upon it at a general meeting without previous notice of them being included in the agenda, and concluded by moving a vote of confi- dence in the Committee of Management and the Secretary, which was carried by an overwhelming majority. A large majority also assented to a resolution moved in a second speech by Major Arthur Haggard to the effect that the Committee should be requested to consider the expediency of raising the salary of the Secretary whenever the funds of the Society permitted such a step to be taken. With regard to the two matters which composed the agenda for the meeting, the accounts and report of the Committee of Management were approved, and Mr. M. H. Spielmann, who had in due order resigned his position as a member of the Pension Fund Committee, was re-elected, no other candidate being proposed. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for his conduct of the meeting and of the affairs of the Society as Chairman of the Committee of Management was duly proposed and seconded, and was carried by acclamation. Those present included, besides those already * Norre.—the Society of Authors is registered as a com- pany with limited liability under the Companies Acts, but is one of those associations which are permitted by the Board of Trade to dispense with the word “ Limited” after their names under the 23rd section of the Act of 1867, and to enjoy other privileges. These are classed together as “ Agsociations not for Profit,” and it has to be shown that they are formed for the purpose of promoting commerce, art, science, religion, charity, or some other useful object, that it is their intention to apply their profits, if any, to promoting their object, and to prohibit the payment of any dividend to their shareholders. The licence of the Board of Trade is granted subject to conditions and regulations which have to be inserted in the memorandum and articles of association. 192 mentioned: E. A. Armstrong, A. W. a Beckett, The Rev. F. W. Bamford, Mackenzie Bell, Lewis Benjamin, Herbert Bentwich, Sir William Charley, K.C., Miss E. E. Charlton, Miss Ellen Collett, Miss E. J. Curtis, Miss Violet Defries, Austin Dobson, Miss C. O’Conor-Eccles, A. Hope Hawkins, Mrs. Heron Maxwell, Miss E. M. Hine, Eyre Hussey, The Rev. 8. Whittell Key, Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Lechmere, J. M. Lely, Robert Machray, Miss Jean Middlemass, Mrs. Neila Parker, Miss Olive Katherine Parr, M. O. Portman, Hesketh Prichard, Mrs. Romanes, J. M. Sloan, Francis Storr, Albert A. Strong, Miss L. E. Tiddeman, Perey White, Miss Aphra Wilson, and others. +— > THE ANNUAL DINNER. aes HE Annual Dinner of the Society of Authors will take place at the Hotel Cecil, on Wednesday, April 20th, at 7.30. Mr. Douglas Freshfield will take the chair. Notices have already been sent out to the mem- bers and associates of the Society. The following ladies and gentlemen have kindly allowed their names to stand as stewards — President, Mr. George Meredith, THE AUTHOR. Humphreys, Mrs. Des- mond (“ Rita’), Hunt, The Rey. G. Bon- avia. Hunt, Miss Violet, Hyne, C. J. Cutcliffe. Jones, Henry Arthur, Keltie, J. Scott, LL.D. Kennard, Mrs, Edward. Lee, Sidney. Leighton, Mrs. Connor, Lely, J. M. Lennox, Lady William. ‘‘ Maarten Maartens.” Marsh, Richard. McCarthy, Justin. Middlemass, Miss Jean. Norman, Henry, M.P. Norris, W. E. Oppenheim, E. P. Pain, Barry. , Parker, Louis N. Pinero, A. W. Plunkett, The Hon. Horace. Pollock, Sir Frederick, Bart, LL.D. Right Prothero, G. W, Pryce, Richard. Reich, Emil. Serutton, Prof. T. E. Seaman, Owen. Senior, William. Shaw, G. Bernard. Sidgwick, Prof. Alfred, Spielmann, M. H. Spiers, Victor. Sprigge, 8. Squire. Stanford, Sir Charles Villiers, Mus. Doe. Street, G. S. Thompson, Sir Henry, F.R.S. Todhunter, John. Underdown, E. M., K.C. Underdown, Miss E. Upward, Allen. Wain, Louis. Watts-Dunton, dore. Wells, H. G. White, Percy. Whiteing, Richard. Zangwill, Israel. Theo- —>—+—_____ 2’ Beckett, A. W. Aflalo, F. G, Archer, William. Atherton, Mrs. Ger- trude. Ball, Sir Robert, F.R.S. Bateman, Robert. Beddard, F.E., F.R.S. Bell, Mackenzie. Belloc-Lowndes, Mrs. Benson, A. C. Bergne, Sir K.C.B. Besant, W. H., LL.D. Browning, Oscar. Bryce, The Right. Hon. James, M.P., D.C.L. Bullen, F. T. Burnand, Sir Frank, Campbell, Lady Colin. Capes, Bernard. Carey, Miss Rosa N, Cholmondeley, Miss & Mary. Church, Prof. A. H, Clemens, S. L. Clodd, Edward, Collier, The Hon. John. Colquhoun, A. R. Henry, Conway, Sir W. Martin. Cookson, Col. Fife. Corelli, Miss Marie, Davidson, John. Doudney, Mrs. Sarah. Douglas, Sir George, art. Dowden, Prof. Edward, Esmond, H. Y. Foster, Sir Michael, K.C.B. Garnett, Richard, 0.B. Gilbert, W. 8. Gollancz, Israel. Grand, Madame Sarah. Graves, Alfred P. Gribble, Francis. Grundy, Sydney, Haggard, Major Arthur. Harraden, Miss Beatrice. Hart, Major-General Sir Reginald, Hassal, John, R. I, Hatton, Joseph, Hawkins, Anthony Hope. Hinkson, Mrs.Katherine Tynan, Hocking, Rey, Silas K. WHAT’S IN A NAME? —— > HERE is a great deal in a name, especially if it is the title of a book. I fancy someone once said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But a book by any other name might not sell as well. “The title is an important and radical part of a book,” as Miss Frances Peard has lately remarked in the Spectator. I remember reading her interest- ing novel, “An Interloper,’ when it came out some years ago. We hear from Miss Peard that two novels called “ An Interloper” now exist, and most of us have read Mrs. Jacob’s most recent and clever novel, “ Zhe Interloper.”” That makes three novels of (virtually) the same name. Miss Peard’s was, I understand, the first of the three ; but which happened to be published first is not to the point—I mean the point I want to make. The point is: First, is there a possibility of safe- guarding a title? Secondly, how can one make sure that one is not inadvertently guilty of using a title already taken ? i. It must be as annoying to Mrs. Jacob as it is to Miss Peard that they are now both pledged to the same title. a It has always been a matter of great difficulty  THE AUTHOR. to me to discover whether a title has already been used. “ Red Pottage”’ was my fourth book, but it was the first (if I omit a small story) which was published with its original name. «Diana Tempest” had, as it seemed to me, an admirable title, but when the book was actually in proof it was discovered that a serial of that name was running in a small local newspaper. I was obliged to give up my title, and Mr. Bentley (who had spared no pains to discover whether the title had been used, and had come to the conclusion it had not) was at the expense of the correction of many sheets. The feeble name, “ Diana Tempest,” was only taken for lack of a better one, because the Press was waiting. Yet no book having the title I so reluctantly gave up has since been published, as far as I can make out, and I have watched carefully. On another occasion I had to relinquish a title. This time there was no doubt about it. It had been used. Nevertheless, several years later, the same title, word for word, was taken by one of our most distinguished novelists, and used with éclat. Surely a title should be copyright, or an author should be able to pay a fee to make it so. Would it be possible to institute a register of the titles of books, to which all new titles coald be added without delay, if the author wished to safeguard them. The author would thus, at least, know whether he has a right to the title he wishes to use by consulting this register. A moderate fee for the registration of a title, and a smaller fee to consult the list, would be gladly paid, I imagine, by anyone whose thorny lot it is to write books. Is such a recognised register quite impossible ? Also, would it be possible to register (as it were to bespeak) a title in advance ? It is an awful thing for an expansive and con- fiding nature to go about for three years with a title bottled up inside it. The first use (or rather mis-use) I should personally make of this register would be to feverishly inscribe thereon—as my own property—about twelve “taking” titles for my next book. I would not mind paying a guinea each, just to keep the wolves (I mean my brother novelists) from the door. Of course I should be sat upon at once by the gods who created the Register, who would no doubt make some tiresome rule in order to coerce me. Perhaps on the whole it would be fairer if we were only allowed to bespeak one title, and that only for a certain number of years. Can anything be done ? : Mary CHOLMONDELEY. 193 A PLEA FOR ENGLISH. oo HAVE read the remarks in “A Plea for Pedantry” in the March number of The Author with much interest. But there are two statements made there on which I should like to comment. One of these recommends the study of the Latin grammar because “it inculcates the difference between nominatives, datives, and accusatives.” This is no doubt useful advice, but it is not the most excellent way. If any one really wishes to learn such points of grammar with a view to writing English, and not Latin, it would be far safer to study Dr. Sweet’s Anglo-Saxon Primer, and to learn the use of such cases by reading some of _ the works of our greatest master of Old English prose, whose name was Ailfric. Another method is to study the metre of Chaucer. Any one who will be at the trouble of ascertaining how the final e, which is of such value for the scansion of his lines, invariably depends upon con- siderations of etymology and grammar, will learn more about English grammar in two or three weeks than he will by studying Latin grammar for two or three years. Why writers usually neglect such obvious precautions is indeed a mystery. Perhaps it is due to the old prejudice which was certainly in vogue when I was myself at school. It was then generally believed that English grammar is the same thing as Latin grammar—which it is not— and that the study of Old English is one that is only fit for antiquaries and other harmless drudges. I fear that the same idea is still common, and that the serious study of English is still too much despised. The other statement is one to which I demur altogether, viz., that “grammar is really a branch of logic.” Strictly speaking, this can be defended ; but it is apt to be misleading. Grammar is only founded upon logic in the main ; but in details every language varies from logic according to its own idiosyncrasies ; else there would be no idioms. In Greek, the use of a neuter plural with a verb in the singular is strictly grammatical, though it utterly contradicts logic ; and the same may be said of the use of the double negative. Latin grammar and English grammar differ widely ; where Latin says “ Balbus eedificat murum,” English says “Balbus is building (rather than builds) a wall.” ‘Turn the dog out” is perfectly good English ; but ‘verte canem ex ” has rightly been considered as canine Latin. I hold that nothing is more illogical than to judge of the usages of one language by the standard of another. By all means learn Latin and Greek and French and German ; but do not imagine that these alone will teach you native English idioms. Water W. SKEAT. 194 UNITED STATES PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATION. —1-—~ + Points for Consideration. HE Publishers’ Association in the United States is a very active body. The efforts which it put forward in order to bring about the passing of the Copyright Act are known to all members of the Society. Mr. George Haven Putnam has taken upon himself the mantle of his father, in dealing with these matters. It was mainly through his instrumentality that Germany was persuaded to continue its Copyright Treaty and await the result of the efforts of the United States publishers to amend the law which dealt with the output of books in foreign languages. All these things are matters of record. We await further developments of the United States Publishers’ Union towards free and fuir trading in other quarters. But it is not alone in questions of copyright that the activity of the Association is in evidence. It has made a great effort to benefit the lot of the bookseller by producing net books, and has carried on expensive litigation—not always, it is feared, with success—in order to confirm those rules of the Association which the majority of booksellers and publishers consider best for the trade. It seems clear, if it is possible to arrive at a just decision from the support that is given it, that the net system in the main works satisfactorily. “ Fiction,” however, and “ Juveniles” have not as yet been included in this system either in England or the United States,” The Publishers’ Weekly (United States) writes as follows on the subject :— “The recent action of the American Publishers’ Associa- tion shows that the majority of the trade is not yet ready for the inclusion of fiction in the net system, though we believe that a step forward in this direction is only a matter of time after the net system shall have been thoroughly established. We cannot repeat too often that it is a matter for congratulation that, despite the attacks on the net system, so much progress has been made with so few drawbacks in the short Space of two years, whereas in other countries twice and thrice this time has been required to affect as much betterment in trade methods. It is, on the whole, wise in such matters to go slowly ; and although there will doubtless be dissatisfaction here and there that the Publishers’ Association is not ready for another forward step, yet it must be admitted by the advocates of that step that there are many reasons for holding back. One of these is the geographical extent of this country, which makes carriage from the publishing centres to the extreme parts of the country a costly expense which must be paid for out of the margin of profit—the result of which is that prices on fiction are fairly held in part of the country, and that a reduction of price conse- quent on the application of the net system would work hardships. This, of course, is an objection to the whole THE AUTHOR. net system, and the present situation is really a compromise between the new net system and the old “ go-as-you-please ” and demoralising method. A decided advance, however, was made in limiting the discount on fiction, so that fiction cannot be sold at absolutely cut-throat prices as bait or advertisement for other lines of goods. “The movement to include ‘juveniles’ as fiction is perhaps so strong that it cannot be stayed. We regret this fact for the two reasons that it will be extremely difficult to define the limits of ‘juveniles, and that the change is a step backward instead of a change forward. There is considerable pressure, however, from housés which deal largely in ‘juveniles,’ and only protests from the retail trade to such houses, between the present time and the next meeting of the Association, can avert a change. It is important that the real feeling of the retail trade, pro and con, should thus be communicated either directly to the interested houses or to the columns of The Publishers? Weekly, which invites communications on this subject.”’ * Again the Association is interesting itself in postal reform. A favourable vote was passed on the following resolution :— “That the American Publishers’ Association instruct its Postal Committee to inquire into the efforts of the Postal Congress League to secure postal advancement, and into its endeavours to secure a parcel post and to secure postal rates not inimical to the interests of publishers and book- sellers, and if said Committee shall approve of such work, such Committee to report to the Board of Directors for any further action.” Now all these points are directly and indirectly important to British authors. They are methods of dealing with authors’ property. Accordingly, they should be carefully considered and not thoughtlessly set aside. With regard to the United States copyright, there is nothing to be said that has not been said hundreds of times and in a hundred places already. “Everything comes to him who waits.” If the Authors’ Society endures to the end it will no doubt see the perfect copyright law not only the other side of the water, but in the British Empire also. The question of net prices and the booksellers’ trade was dealt with, as far as British Trade was concerned from the author’s standpoint, in two articles in the issues of The Author for J anuary and March, 1903. To these members are referred. So far it has been impossible to obtain definite information from the United States concerning the sales of books. When they come to hand they will be recorded. * Since the above was written, the Association have decided that on and after April Ist juvenile books may be published at a net price or on the same basis as fiction, at the option of the individual publishers. + $e»  THE AUTHOR. 195 FRIENDS IN NEED. ——— HAVE four boards and four pegs. The boards are about a foot and a-half each in length and, together, an inch or more in thickness. So, it will be seen, they will pack into a very small compass in a portmanteau. They are really the two sides and the two shelves, with the fastenings, of a small bookcase ; the four pegs bind shelves and sides in a firm grip, making them ready to receive books. Now for the books! Within the space the case allows I have fifty-four volumes. ‘These comprise the best of the works of Shakespeare, Bacon, Milton, Dryden, Sir Thomas More, Addison, Pope, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Carlyle, Sir Humphrey Davy, Boccaccio, Cowper, Burns, Wordsworth, and sixteen other famous authors. Now for the cost of the whole. The bookcase T bought for one shilling and_threepence; the books (with the exception of Milton’s poems, which once belonged to my father ; a pocket edition, bearing date 1818) were purchased for ten shillings and sixpence ! For this small sum I can enjoy the labours of many writers ; never be without companionship, and that the wisest and best. But, you may ask, why not have higher priced editions, placed on permanent shelves in the study ? T answer, because this portable library of mine can be taken, when the glorious spring-time comes, into the country districts where, perhaps, only the inhabitants will be found tedious : “Why, Nature, waste thy wonders on such men.”’ There in the quietude of the evening, when the sitting-room of the village inn might seem a trifle uninteresting, my dainty volumes can “ teach me what is good,” can, as is 80 beautifully expressed in the well-known lines, “ Save me from folly, vanity, and vice, From every low pursuit ; and feed my soul With knowledge, conscious peace and virtue pure, Sacred, substantial, never failing bliss.”’ J. Harris BRIGHOUSE. —— oO « JOURNALESE.” (THE NEW BAD LANGUAGE.) og We an ancient language dies Some new one will arise, Hence no one feels surprise At “ Journalese.” With the time we must keep pace (?) So the Anglo-Saxon race - Has decided to embrace « Journalese.” The “split infinitive ” Is a voice you must forgive When the folk with whom you live Talk “ Journalese.” If they say you're “different to Other writers ””—that can do Very little harm to you— It’s “‘ Journalese.” If “ Parliament” you think Needs a plural verb, they'll wink At an error, writ in ink— (It’s “ Journalese.”’) You never need to mind That your style should be refined When you cater for the kind “ Journalese.” If a “dictionary word” You should scoff at (as absurd) Such as “laughable ”—it’s heard In “ Journalese.” You can’t “laugh” a thing, you know, But you have to let it go, Because folk love it so In “ Journalese.” Your adverbs you may “chuck All around” and trust to luck ‘As to where they may “ get stuck ” In “ Journalese.” And superlatives you pile Till you make the angels smile For they call that “ trenchant style” In “ Journalese.” All the charms of this new speech If I sang, the song would reach From Shanghai to Brighton Beach. For “ Journalese ” Borrows slang from every tongue With which man has prosed or sung ; It began when Earth was young Did “ Journalese.” BE. Urwick. a CORRESPONDENCE. — A PLEA FOR PEDANTRY. I Sir,—If the Society of Authors could persuade that “ puri sermonis amator,” the Pall Mall Gazette, to cease from splitting infinitives, ‘‘ to further queer the pitch,” and from using “ momentoes” for “« mementoes,” and “to while away the time ” for “to wile away the time,” I should rejoice greatly. Your obedient servant, Freperick WILLIAM ROLFE. 196 o Sir,—I wish that Miss Black had given a few more specimens of how English is, and ought nof, to be written in her “ Plea for Pedantry ” in The Author for March. Even Miss Masson, in the February number, did not mention that—may I say ?— terrible compound “ Whatever do you mean?” ““ Whyever did you say that?” It is to be found in the works of some of the sbest of our modern novelists. In Ireland shall and will puzzle the native, but “sofar,” “idear,” “« Mariar,” etc, are not heard, and, as a rule, Irish clergymen did not pray God to bless “ Victoria—rour Queen.” And again, there is the pitfall of the adverb squeezed in between two parts of a verb, as, for instance, “The boy is unquestionably lazy,” “The girl is distinctly satisfied with herself,” “ He stoutly refused,” “ He strenuously opposed,” and so on. For Miss Black’s collection of sentences which are topsy-turvy, I give the following. They were copied by me from newspapers. “On the 10th inst., at Dash Road, N., John James Fowler in the sure and certain hope of a blessed resurrection, in the house of his mother-in-law,”’ “To be sold, a grand piano, the property of a lady with carved legs.’’ ** Lost, a cameo Brooch, containing Venus and Adonis on the Edgeware Road.”’ Miss Black would have been kind if, for the benefit of the less well instructed, she had ex- plained, exactly, how the sentence beginning * Those whom” should run. I should have written “ Those who had been destined by Providence to be the chief ornaments—.” But I am not an expert, therefore I do not dogmatise. | hope that the Pleas for Pedantry will be continued in The Author. A MEMBER oF THE Socrery. — 1 Boox Disrrigurion, Sin,—It seems to me high time that authors and publishers should form a mutually defensive alliance against the encroaching power of the great book distributors. I have good reason to be convinced that unless Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Smith & Co., and Mudie choose to take up a book, that book might as well remain in MS., for not all the reviewing and advertising in the world will sell it against their inclination ! They are able to dump down upon the country whatever books they like and withhold any that, for some reason or other, they do not care to supply. Anybody who lives in the provinces will Support me in the assertion that it is almost impossible to obtain the books one wants to read, THE AUTHOR. if those books happen to be by unpopular writers or of a type not palatable to the general taste. J have been trying hard for more than a year to get a book I saw favourably reviewed in December, 1902, but three provincial libraries have not been able to procure it ! And not only are we helpless at the libraries, but the buying of books is made difficult for us, A friend who ordered my last novel from a book- seller at Christmas was shown a letter (I presume from the almighty middleman) stating that the first edition was exhausted, which was a deliberate lie ; and the manager of a country bookstall, who also ordered it, was told that there was some diffi- culty with the publishers, another equally false statement. I havea serial coming outina magazine that is not very well known, and several of my friends have tried to get it. But no bookseller seems able to achieve this feat. The agents simply declare that such a magazine does not exist ! It will be asked, why do not booksellers write straight to publishers for the works published by them? ‘To that I can make no reply, except that, as a rule, they will not. I suppose it is a question of postage. The agents will say that they supply whatever is demanded, which means, whatever is popular. But there is an increasing demand for better books than those we find in our country libraries. Even the Philistine is dissatisfied with the rubbish foisted upon him, and everywhere we hear the complaint, “ { can’t get anything fit to read.” Are publishers content to let this go on, to remain helpless in the hands of these autocrats who govern the market? If they are, I suppose we authors can do nothing. I am hoping that two new enterprising libraries, recently established, may help to break up the ring ; but who knows ? They may follow the old lead. Yours truly, A PROTESTANT. Se Epitine, Sir,—I presume Mr. Pretor’s letter on “The New Departure in Editing,” in the March Author, is intended to be sarcastic. Those Editor’s com- ments of Pearson’s Magazine seem to me simply impertinent. Surely no self-respecting writer would send a second story to an editor who had presumed to label his work “feeble in plot” or “ weak in style.” : When one reads the stuff that finds its way into. the illustrated magazines, one certainly does not. yearn for the counsel and criticism of their editors ! Yours truly, 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 07 (April 1904) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 14 Issue 07 (April 1904) Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1904-04-01-The-Author-14-7 publications The Author