11 20 545 https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/346/1901-10-01-The-Author-12-3.pdf af31fbcf41e508f0b00b56fb9c86bd88 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) 1901-10-01 Volume 12 Issue 3 Pages Page range in volume 1–28 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19011001 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) VOL. XII.–No. 3. OCTOBER 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. PAGE PAGE General Memoranda ... Warnings to Dramatic Authors ... How to Use the Society ... ... ... The Reading Branch ... ... ... Notices ... ... ... ... The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors From the Committee ... Miss Eleanor Ormerod The Work of the Society-A Retrospect ... Work the Society Does Not Do ... ... Authorities ... ... ... ... - Author and Literary Agent ... ... ... Sir Walter Besant ... ... ... ... Authors' Corrections ... ... .. Literary, Dramatic, and Musical Property Kipling v. Putnams... .. ... . The Canadian Authors' Society ... ... The Publication of Educational Books ... Book and Play Talk ... ... ... ... Correspondence... ... ... :::::::::: ... ... 28 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 1s. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 58. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 10s. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 1s. 5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods.” With comments and advice. 28. . 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Is. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT ( Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. ls. [All prices net. Apply to the Secretary, 39, ou Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W.]  ## p. (#376) ################################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL, SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBSON. THE REV, C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. J. M, BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B:, M.P., GILBERT PARKER, M.P. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. F.R.S. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. D. W. FRESHFIELD. A. W. PINERO. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hox. THE LORD PIR- THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GossE. BRIGHT, F.R.S THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. SYDNEY GRUNDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart.' THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH H, RIDER HAGGARD. LL.D. CLERE. THOMAS HARDY. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. HALL CAINE. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. JEROME K. JEROME. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. P. W. CLAYDEN. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. EDWARD CLODD. RUDYARD KIPLING. G. R. SIMS. W, MORRIS COLLES. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE RIGHT Hon.W.E. H. LECKY, M.P. J. J, STEVENSON. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. MRS. CRAIGIE. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. F. MARION CRAWFORD. SIR A, C. MACKENZIE, Mus. Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. OF KEDLESTON, Hon. Counsel - E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman--A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. à BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY, GILBERT PARKER, M.P. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. J. M. LELY. E. Rose. D. W. FRESHFIELD. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR, SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hox. John COLLIER (Chairman). SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. M. H. SPIELMANN. COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT, SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solicitore_ FIELD, Roscoe, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. 1 G. HERBERT THRING, 39, Old Queen Street, S.W. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES: 39, OLD QUEEN STREET, STOREY'S GATE, S.W. ESTABLISHED 1896. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. Ltd. INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS. MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing. NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED. WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol.  ## p. 1 (#377) ############################################## The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) FOUNDED BY SIR WALTER BESANT. VOL. XII.–No. 3. OCTOBER 1ST, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. GENERAL MEMORANDA. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. ITERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an Al agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :- I. Selling it Outright. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules shonld be attended to: (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- 0. duction forms a part without the strictest investigation á (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs, or by charging exchange advertise- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses," unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! III. The Royalty System. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the * Cost of Production." IY. A Commission Agreement. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. General. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :-. (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. VOL. XII. CEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com- petent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed- ingly valuable. They should never be included in English  ## p. 2 (#378) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 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. agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative : that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con- tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA- TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. THE READING BRANCH. M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS, includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The leaders are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. NOTICES. 1. D VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub- lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publishers' agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefo re, do not scruple to use the Society. THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of 1 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 58. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, S.W., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER THAN THE 21st OF EACH MONTH. All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether members of the Society or not, are invited to communicate to the Editor any points connected with their work which it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or paragraphs must be taken as expressing the opinion of the Committee unless such is especially stated to be the case. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send the document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the independence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fire- proof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as confidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers: -(1) To read and advise upon agreements and to give advice concerning publishers. (2) lo stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. 7. No contract should be entered into with a literary agent without the advice of the Secretary of the Society. Members are strongly advised not to accept without careful consideration the contracts submitted to them by literary agents, and are recommended to submit them for inter pretation and explanation to the Secretary of the Society. COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other subjects whatever. Every effort will be made to return articles which cannot be accepted. THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY begs to give notice that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and he requests members who do not receive an answer to important communications within two days to write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery Lane, or be sent by registered letter only.  ## p. 3 (#379) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. Tweedie, Mrs. Alec ........... Watt, A. P. ............ Weyman, Stanley ........ Wheelwright, Miss E. E. Williams, Mrs. E. L. ........ Young, Ernest ..... £5 0 0 5 0 0 26 5 0 0 10 0 1 0 0 06 0 THE following is the list of donations and subscriptions at present promised or received :- SUBSCRIPTIONS. 5 0 10 0 1 1 0 10 0 0 0 0 10 5 0 0 10 5 0 0 6 0 6 0 50 100 0 0-0 OWN000-0000 à Beckett, A. W. ...... Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years) ... Alexander, A .............. Avery, Harold ....... Bond, R. Warwick ............. Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. Brodhurst, Spencer ........ Clodd, Edward ........... Cresswell, Rev. H. ................ Crockett, S. R. .. Dobson, Austin (annual amount unstated-for 1901) ........ Durand, Sir H. Mortimer, G.C.M.G. ............ Ellis, Miss M. A. .... Esmond, H. V. Gilbert, W. S. ..... Goldsmith, W. H. Gribble, F. Guthrie, Anstey Gwynn, S..... Harraden, Miss Beatrice.... Hawkins, A. Hope ... Home, Francis ... Jerome, Jerome K. Kelly, C. A. ......... Lely, J. M. . Macdonald, Mrs. ....................................... Macdonald. Mrs.. Marchmont, A. W. ........................... Pemberton, Max ........................................ Pendered, Miss Mary L................................ Pinero, A. W. ............. Roberts, Morley ............................. Rose, Edward Rumble, Mrs. .................... Sinclair, Miss ...... Staniey, Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. .......... Ward, Mrs. Humphry.................... Watt, A. P. ......... Weston, Miss Jessie L. .................. Wilkins, W. H. ... --0667 TO 19 DONATIONS. MEREDITH, GEORGE, President of the Society (first donation) ...... £100 0 0 Meredith, George (second donation) 0 0 A Beginner 1 1 0 A. S. 100 0 0 Alcott, E. ........ Anonymous 0 Arnim, The Countess von .............. Baldwin, Mrs. A. ............. Barrie, J. M........... Benecke, Miss Ida ........... Besant, Sir Walter ............................. 100 0 0 Boevey, Miss Crawley.............. 2 0 Chambers, Miss Beatrice .............. 0 3 6 Clifford, Mrs. W. K. .............. 5 5 0 Cordeaux, Miss ....................................... 5 11 0 Craigie, Mrs........... 100 0 0 Davy, Mrs. E. M. .................................... 1 1 0 Doyle, A. Conan ....................................... 100 0 0 Esier, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............ 5 0 0 Esmond, H. V....... 3 3 0 Fowler, Miss E. T. ...... 10 10 0 Freshfield, D. W. ........... 100 0 0 Gibbs, Miss .......... i 0 0 Hallward, N. L. ........... 1 0 Harraden, Miss Beatrice ........... 10 0 0 Hawkins, A. Hope ................. 00 0 0 Hellier, H. G. ........ 1 0 Hutchinson, Rev. H. 0 0 Jacberns, Raymond.. i i 0 Jones. Henry Arthur 50 0 0 Keltie, J. Scott 5 0 0 Kipling, Rudyard 0 0 Loftie, Rev. W.J. Loraine-Broke, Lady i o Macfarlane, H. i 0 Marshall, Capt. R. 10 100 Matheson, Miss A. 0 5 0 Miles, Eustace ....... 1 1 0 Moncrieff, R. Hope ......... 10 100 Montresor, Miss F. .......... 1 0 0 Morrah, Herbert ............... Norris, W. E. ................ 5 0 0 Oliphant, Kingston .......... Parker, Gilbert................ 100 0 0 Phillpotts, Eden ........... 10 0 0 Phillpotts, Eden (second donation), amount recovered by Society for infringement of copyright .......................................... Pilley, Mrs. ................... 0 Pollock, Sir Frederick ... Roe, Mrs. Harcourt... Rossetti, W. M., S. B. ........... 0 5 0 Sanderson, Sir J. B............... 2 0 0 Sheldon, G. W. ........... 5 5 0 Skeat, The Rev. Prof. .............. 2 0 0 Spielmann, M. H... 10 0 0 Stanton, Miss H. M. E. .................. 1 100 Toplis, Miss G... 0 5 0 5 5 0 0 5 0 5 0 0 1 1 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 5 00 u u .............. 10 reda 1 0 1 1 5 1 0 0 0 2 2 0 i 0 0 FROM THE COMMITTEE. 2 INN C70 M HE offices of the Society have been removed from 1 4, Portugal Street, to 39, Old Queen Street, Storey's Gate, Westminster. The Committee were forced to take this step owing to the compulsory purchase of the land in Portugal Street. They consider, however, that on the whole the new situation will prove more convenient to the members of the Society. The Committee have to regret the death of another member of the Council, Miss E. A. Ormerod. She was one of the first lady members elected to the Council, and was chosen on account of her distinguished position as a writer on scientific subjects.  ## p. 4 (#380) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. Miss Eleanor Ormerod. Society throughout. The question involved was not so important on account of the money at stake as on account D Y the death of Miss Eleanor A. Ormerod, on of the principle involved. The question was how far a D July 19th last. Economic Entomology has publisher of an Encyclopædia under certain circumstances lost one of its most competent exponents. had the right to use contributions of the author's in a different publication, and whether such use under all the Miss Ormerod was, moreover, one of the first lady circumstances was not an infringement of the plaintiffs' members of the Council of the Authors' Society, copyright. while her eminence as an entomologist was recog- The plaintiffs were successful. The Committee, however, nised by the conferment of the degree of LL.D. by are unable to put before the Society at the present time a detailed account of the case owing to the fact that the the University of Edinburgh, of which University defendants have appealed. When the matter has been the deceased lady was an examiner in Agricultural finally decided it will be fully reported. Entomology. Miss Ormerod's first appearance The Author will in future be issued from the offices of before the public as one conversant with the Society, 39, Old Queen Street. Ten numbers will be issued every year, the numbers for August and September entomology was in connection with the Royal being omitted. The subscription to The Author in future Horticultural Society in 1868; a collection of will be 58. 6d, instead of 68. 6d. It is hoped that the insects, whose life histories bore upon economic members of the Society will give The Author their strong problems. was formed partly under the guidance support, not only financially but by forwarding, to the offices of the Society articles on literary subjects that may and largely at the suggestion of Miss Ormerod. be of interest to members. The Society recognised the value of her services by awarding to her the Silver Floral medal. Miss Ormerod's first scientific work of importance was her “Manual of Injurious Insects," published in 1881, and since that year a large number of THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY. “Guides” and “Annual Reports ” have enriched the literature of the subject. We do not in this country suffer from the ravages of locusts, though A RETROSPECT. two serious locust plagues would seem to have T the present moment, when all members of occurred in the years 1693 and 1748. But Miss A the Society of Authors are mourning the Ormerod detected in 1893 a possible source of a loss of its founder, and the Society proceeds future plagues of these undesirable Orthoptera. to continue its work, no longer assisted by his In fodder imported from abroad she was able to counselfish courage and noble singleness of purpose, fipd—and report upon the unwelcome discovery- it is a tribute due to his memory once more to occasionally living, though fortunately more often place plainly before the whole world of letters the dead, locusts. Miss Ormerod's wide knowledge of object with which the Society was founded, the her subject was utilised by the Royal Agricultural work which it has hitherto accomplished, and the Society, who appointed her Consulting Extomo- means which it is employing to carry iuto effect logist, a post which she held for some years. the aim of its existence. The purposes which Sir FRANK E. BEDDARD. Walter Besant had in view when he inaugurated the first English association for the protection and advancement of the rights of authors do not con- The Work of the Society. cern members of the Society alone. They are of CINCE the last number of The Author was published equal importance to all connected with literature. the Secretary has had in hand thirteen cases in which The professional position of the, unhappily, still he has been forced to interfere between publisher or large number of anthors who (for selfish or other editor, and author. Of these, four have been satisfactorily terminated, and three have been placed in the hands of the reasons) continue to remain outside the Society, Society's solicitors; the remainder are in the course of whilst benefiting by its existence, negotiation. During the same period the Society has put ameliorated by these exertions as that of the in hand to carry through the Courts if necessary six cases, writers who are giving the Society their loyal five of these being small county court actions. The sixth, however, is an important question for all authors. It support. For that reason the attention of all is refers to the methods of dealing with a book and the title claimed for the following statement of facts. of a book after the author has conveyed his copyright to In September, 1883, Sir Walter Besant and a others. few other men of literary eminence met to con- It is to be hoped that the matter will finally come into Court, when the decision will be set out fully in The sider what steps could be taken to form a duthor, combination of men of letters for the protection At the end of the last sittings of the Courts a very of their property. The time seemed ripe for interesting case from the author's point of view came action. À feeling of discontent. arising partly up for trial, Aflalo & Cook v. Lawrence & Bullen. The case is especially interesting to the members as the brom ignorance o from ignorance of the author's real position, and plaintiffs, members of the Society, had the support of the partly from unbusiness-like dealings, was general.  ## p. 5 (#381) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. Some remedy for the highly unsatisfactory state of From the moment of its foundation the Society affairs was a crying need. In Sir Walter's own threw all its weight and influence (by no means words- so great then as now) into obtaining a friendly “ The air was full of discontent." understanding with American authors and those other Americans who were interested in the passing The Society of Authors thus started was actually of an equitable copyright law. New copyright incorporated some months later, on the basis of a legislation was obtained in America in 1891. As limited liability company under a Board of Trade everyone knows, even this new law left much to be licence. The certificate of incorporation is dated desired. The Society is still engaged in efforts to the 30th day of June, 1884. Prior to the avail itself of every opportunity to obtain a more inauguration a circular had been issued by the generous legislation on the part of the United promoters of the Society, stating in general terms States. To proceed with caution is, however, the objects for which the Society was to be formed. necessary. A false move might prove fatal. The circular was issued with the aim of showing In the direction of consolidation of domestic that it was the duty of all who were connected copyright the Society has been able to act more with “the literary calling" to support an associa- directly, and with more important results. The tion which would be the only one in the country Society from the outset tuok up this question with for the maintenance and definition of literary vigour. The questions before it were such as property. That reason for asking the support admitted of no difference of opinion, and no need of all is as urgent to-day as at the time when the existed for hesitation. A copyright committee circular was first issued. was appointed. Numerous meetings were held. • It should be here remarked that the term Other bodies interested in copyright were con- “ literary calling” has always been understood sulted, and finally a new copyright law was drafted by the Society in its widest possible meaning under counsel's care. This was a full consolidating The Society does not endeavour to assist writers and amending bill, dealing with copyright property, of fiction alone, but labourers in all branches of literary, dramatic, artistic, and musical. To bring literature. Theological writers, dramatic writers, it before Parliament ultimately proved impossible, scientific writers, historical writers, and musical but it was found useful to have such a bill ready in composers, writers on technical subjects, on case any chance of presenting it might occur. subjects of all kinds which it would be too Subsequent events have, it is true, demonstrated tedious to enumerate here, and especially educa- this bill to have been cumbersome and inadequate. tional writers, were invited to combine for a The action of the Society was, however, at the common cause. The invitation was justified by time sound, and proved beneficial to authors. the fact that all would benefit by the common In 1891, after the passing of the new United united action, for the more united the action the States law, the Society found itself in a position to greater the benefit it is possible to confer, both take a further step. Lord Monkswell brought generally and in particular. The acceptance of the forward a bill that had been drafted by the Society. presidency of the Society by Lord Tennyson com- This bill reached a second reading in the House of pelled the public from the outset to regard the Lords, but was not taken further. In 1896 a new association from a serious point of view. copyright law committee was formed. This com- To relate the early struggles of the Society is mittee becoming persuaded that the time for not the purpose of the present article. The record obtaining a hearing for a consolidating act had not of unselfish labours on its behalf undertaken by yet arrived decided to draft a small amending bill. many men of letters, and especially by Sir Walter This bill was drafted by counsel, and was, after Besant, is long. Instances of financial support much expense and labour, agreed upon in its final generously given in addition to valuable time, stage. again especially by Sir Walter Besant, were many. Of this bill, Lord Monkswell, always indefati- To show in what manner and with what success gably interested in questions of copyright and ever the Society has exerted itself to carry into effect willing to assist the efforts of the Society, took the purposes of its original programme is the more charge. The bill passed its third reading in the immediate purpose of this paper. And here it House of Lords on the 23rd of July, 1897. In the may be convenient first to record what has been autumn of the same year a consolidating bill was done for the consolidation and amendment of the brought forward by the Copyright Association. law of domestic copyright, and for the promotion The latter bill and the bill of the Society ran of international copyright—the second and third concurrently at the beginning of 1898. Finally, points mentioned in the original circular. however, the whole question was taken up upon a The question of American copyright was one of new basis. A bill was drafted by Lord Thring the first to occupy the attention of the Society. separating literary from artistic copyright. This  ## p. 6 (#382) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. bill was carefully studied by the members of the improvement of domestic legislation upon the copyright and dramatic committees of the Society, English Government, and it is in constant touch and a number of valuable suggestions regarding it with other countries on all questions relating to were offered. The Secretary of the Society, and international copyright. In these circumstances the other members of the committee interested in copy- committee are able to congratulate the Society upon right questions, appeared before the committee of the results of its efforts to strengthen the author's the House of Lords, and the bill passed through rights, and to extend the limits of his property ; that House. It was also adopted by the Govern- and it has a right to claim that such results ment, but finally put aside in consequence of merit the support of all members of the literary pressure of business. In 1900, owing no doubt in profession. a great measure to the persistent action of the The next point demanding consideration is what Society, the Government made a public declaration the Society has done to maintain, define, and of an intention of taking up the question of copy- defend literary, dramatic, and musical property. right. It must be added with regret that since It has, in the first place, published technical this declaration nothing in the shape of a draft works on a number of questions of primary import- bill has appeared from the Government offices. ance to authors. These works contain accurate But the above record will suffice to show how un- information previously nowhere to be found. finchingly and perseveringly the Society has During the earlier years of the Society's existence laboured for the amelioration of domestic copyright. much time was devoted to the collection and due It need hardly be said that the expenses have been arrangement of a mass of statistics now embodied heavy, whilst the members of the committee and in these works. The publication of these books, others have generously made ungrudging sacrifices though a small undertaking when compared with in order to forward the objects of the Society. the more important enterprises in which the Colonial copyright has, during the same period, Society has been engaged, is one of serious moment presented serious difficulties. In this direction to authors. Never before had authors been able the importance of the Society's action can hardly to ascertain the real truth about the cost of pro- be overestimated. The committee of the Society duction. Never before had authors been in a were the first body to perceive that the colonial position to discover how much exactly the publisher position formed one of the chief impediments in really took in the division of profits. Never before the way of new copyright legislation on the part had the faults and tricks incidental to publishers' of the Government. To put the matter on a more agreements been disclosed. If any single author satisfactory basis became immediately one of the did discover them he discovered them by bitter Society's foremost aims. At one time Mr. Hall experience. It was possible for accounts to be Caine was appointed delegate of the Society during charged with unfair and exorbitant items without a visit which he paid to Canada. Subsequently, the author's being aware of the fact. What was in 1899, the Secretary of the Society visited the still worse, his ignorance left him powerless to Dominion. The persevering efforts of the Society defend himself. The publications of the Society to solve the complex difficulties which existed were have altered all that. Here again Sir Walter rewarded with success when the Canadian Parlia- Besant's name must be mentioned. He was the ment, in 1900, passed an act embodying the ideas soul of this department of the Society's work. for which the Society had been so long contending. His time and labour were given without hesitation, Respecting international copyright it may suffice and without prospect of return. His practical to say that all its bearings, ramifications, and mind grasped and his mathematical talent enabled modifications have the Society's constant attention. him to make plain what particulars were to be The Society is in touch with those interested in investigated, and how the results of the investiga- its development in France, Germany, Italy and tions could be lucidly presented. In both he was other countries. All changes in the domestic or ably seconded by Mr. Squire Sprigge, the first international copyright laws of different countries Secretary of the Society, whose name is associated are carefully watched both from the domestic and with “The Cost of Production” and “ Methods international point of view. The information at of Publication." the Society's disposal is kept strictly up-to-date, Of still greater importance to authors has been and everything of importance is duly chronicled the fact that at the Society's offices information in the pages of The Author. can always be immediately obtained respecting the To sum up, the Society has done everything numerous questions which present themselves to that it is possible to do in the way of procuring every one who is contemplating the publication of more liberal legislation in America. It has a book. The Secretary is constantly present to brought about satisfactory legislation in Canada. give advice regarding the course to be pursued, Its perseverance has forced the question of the and to receive the complaints of authors who have  ## p. 7 (#383) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. been unjustly treated. Those who can readily Small county court cases, and minor legal matters find a market for their wares he counsels as to the connected with the profession of letters, are con- form of contract that should be adopted. Those stantly being successfully fought by the Society. who have a difficulty in discovering a market he Though they are of importance there is no guides in the choice of publishers and editors to occasion to lay much stress upon them. They are whom they should address themselves, and the merely the police supervision of literary property. terms which they should accept. To none is his The Society has been instrumental in exposing assistance of more value than to those who find a number of literary swindles, and in throwing themselves obliged to expend money upon the bankrupt and worthless magazines off the literary production of their works. This warning is market. The actual number of cases in which the especially applicable to technical writers. It is Society interferes between author and publisher, most important to these authors that they should author and editor, or dramatic author and see that the amount expended is as small, and the theatrical manager, few in the earlier years of the returns as large as possible When the author is Society's existence, becomes annually greater. The ignorant of the secrets of publication he is often number is at present about 110 a year. liable to be overreached in these particulars by This work of advice, warning, and legal protec- the publisher armed with full knowledge. tion is performed every day by the Society on Authors are constantly in need not only of behalf of its members, almost as a matter of business but also of strictly legal advice. Legal routine. questions arising out of the many disputes between There are editors with whom the Society has author and publisher, author and editor, or had no disputes, and publishers with whom the dramatist and author, are common. In these Society's disputes are few. Others exist whose instances the Secretary, himself a solicitor, is behaviour to their authors brings them constantly competent to advise from the legal point of view. before the Society's notice. There are publishers When cases of difficulty arise, the opinion of the who often after they have entered into an agree- solicitors of the Society is obtained. In those of ment refuse to be bound by it. With these the great importance, either on account of the principle Society is bound to deal severely and stringently. involved or on account of the amount in dispute, It should, however, be remembered that the counsel's opinion is taken on behalf of members. author's legal position is the only one which the It follows that the legal expenses annually incurred Society can support. Though the Society has, on by the Society are very high ; and every literary one or two rare occasions, written a letter of remon- man should remember that this heavy expenditure strance to the publisher when the legal position has benefits not only the individuals whose causes are been against the author, the committee feel that this espoused, but every member of the literary pro course is, as a general rule, ill-advised, and that it fession, and it should be remarked that this legal is useless for the Society to remonstrate unless the advice, which could only be obtained, if at all, at remonstrance can be enforced in a court of law. great expense from the ordinary solicitor, can be Members, therefore, when laring complaints before gathered from the Society for the fee of £1 1s. the Society should always be ready to fight, if The mere settlement of an agreement would cost necessary, to an issue in the courts. A fighting £2 2s. or £3 3s. in a lawyer's hands. vitality in the members of the Society is really the This point would not have been dwelt upon if quality surest to secure a friendly understanding it had not been too frequently forgotten. between author and publisher. " Si vis pacem It may here be remarked in passing that a para bellum." charge is not infrequently brought against the The Society has also been accused, by those who Society that it never takes an action into court. (for some reason best known to themselves) enjoy Scoffers have considered this as evidence that the scoffing at its work, of degrading the profession of work of the Society. is practically useless. The letters, and of regarding it too much from the answer is simple. It is a very difficult thing to commercial point of view. It was, however, often get a publisher to fight an action through the pointed out by Sir Walter Besant that a due courts. The Society has had before it countless attention to the commercial situation has no cases which have been settled before the action connection at all with the dignity of letters, and came before the public gaze. On sundry occasions, can in no possible way degrade an author. A however, especially in cases when the publisher, man of imaginative power and literary skill who being in a bankrupt condition, had nothing to lose, feels himself prompted to write a book sets about the Society has carried matters through the courts it without any consideration of the financial side to a successful issue. Such cases have been a of the question. He is inspired by his subject. great strain upon the Society's resources, owing to He works attentively and lovingly. He spares the impossibility of obtaining any money return. neither time, energy, nor labour. Years of work  ## p. 8 (#384) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. may be necessary before he produces his master- WORK THE SOCIETY DOES NOT DO. piece. During this period no thought of market value has presented itself to him. No merely mercantile aim has vitiated his work. But when CEMBERS of the Society who subscribe their the work is at last completed, no reason can exist guinea merely on the hope of getting a why he should not market it upon the best terms heavy money burden taken off their possible. The two operations are essentially and shoulders cannot fail to be disappointed, but the absolutely distinct. In the mind of every man cause of this disappointment is with themselves. devoted to his art they will always remain so. As some members of the Society claim as a right The fact that men exist who write with mixed from the committee the undertaking of business motives—which these scoffers appear to regard as that the Society never pretended to undertake, nay, the normal condition of literary production—is no always stated that it could not bind itself to under- argument for the degradation of literary ability by take, it is necessary again to put forward some of a desire for equitable sale. The fallacy is the the causes which the Society, although very willing familiar one of false analogy, and as unreasonable to uphold, if in a position to do so, does not promise, as the assertion that the existence of thieves and never has promised, to uphold on the demand disproves the possibility of honesty in man. of a member and as a matter of course. In conclusion, attention should be paid to the 1. Obtain counsel's opinion. fact that the Society of Authors is the only 2. Take up an action for a member. institution in the Empire for the protection of 3. Vouch a member's accounts by paid accoun- literature. For that reason alone it deserves the tant or otherwise. support of every author in the three kingdoms and 4. Draft formal agreements. the colonies. The protection and assistance which 5. Act as literary agents. it gives authors become yearly more far-reaching. With regard to the first the member has a right The effects of its influence are felt directly or to a legal opinion from the Secretary and the indirectly not by members of the Society alone, Society's solicitors, and in nearly every case of real but by all who write. Every author is in some importance the committee are willing to obtain degree benefited, and those who are benefited, in counsel's opinion if the finances of the Society will some cases largely, but are not members of the allow, but that the committee must decide. Society, are, to a certain extent, living upon other With regard to No. 2 it may be stated that the people's money—are, in plain English, unworthy Society, during the past two or three years, has recipients of charity. That any who are thus never hesitated to take up county court actions on benefited by the Society should refuse to join it, behalf of its inembers, and has not refused, when should leave the members of the Society to bear alone the case has been approved by the Society's lawyers, the burden of the combat for the cause of all, to support an action in the Higher Courts. This is a wrong. At its commencement the Society again, however, is a question in which the financial numbered 68 members. It now contains 1,400. side has to be carefully considered. That increase alone is eloquent evidence of the With regard to No. 3 the Secretary will always value of its work. But the Society ought to be look through a member's accounts and compare three times as large as it is. them with the agreement to see whether, on the Every author is needed in this great guild of face of them, they are correct. It sometimes occurs literature. Every author ought to feel that it is that one or two of the items want vouching, and his duty to support the Society which exists for though on occasions the Secretary has personally the defence of his rights, both by joining himself undertaken to vouch them, it would be impossible and by getting others to join.' for him to do so in every case on account of the And in proportion as the Society becomes more time that it is necessary to expend in going through and more nearly an association of all British the books of a firm. Under certain circumstances, authors, and is recognised as the one body able to however, the committee have been willing to give advice and assistance to all who aspire to appoint and put in an accountant to go through distinction in letters, the more rapidly will it be the books. Here again the question of finance able to accomplish the object which it has set arises. before itself of raising the position of authors. The Society does not undertake to draft formal When the Society can justly boast that it speaks agreements, though on agreements submitted it and acts in the name of the entire body of gives full advice with regard to the clauses to be English men of letters, the moral and material inserted or rejected. To draft agreements would interests of the profession will be protected and entail too much time and too much responsibility. advanced in a manner hitherto unattempted and The Society cannot act as literary agents, as it unanticipated. must keep a free hand to deal with publishers and  ## p. 9 (#385) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. literary agents in whatever way may seem fit to That some of the references contained in these it. It is requested, however, that those members notes are old is due to the fact that the August who desire the Society to undertake difficult and September numbers of The Author have not matters should not be offended in case the com been produced, but, though old, it is never too late mittee refuse to act, and should not go away and to point a useful moral, and when this is possible say that the Society is incapable of assisting and essential it has been done. authors. As has been pointed out over and over again at other times and in other places, the legal advice which is given gratis by the Society cannot In one of the issues of the Sphere in June last, be obtained anywhere except at the Society's offices, the following note appeared :- and if obtained from a lawyer would cost three or four times the member's subscription. Besides, “ The whole dignity of the publisher's profession is abro- gated thereby (i.e., by the fact of the publisher con- the technical knowledge is exceedingly valuable to descending to do business with the author through a members of the Society, and is worth a considerably middleman-the author's agent), and there is a latent higher figure than the payment of the guinea a suggestion that he (the publisher) is not an honest man.” year. Finally, the claims of an old member, other things being equal, will have precedence of those of The italics and the brackets are ours. Surely the writer has mistaken the point of view. The a new member. It has been thought necessary to put forward majority of publishers are known to be acute men of these points, as on one or two occasions members business. The majority of authors are absolutely have been exceedingly put out by the committee ignorant of the commercial values of literary wares. declining to take up their matters, either by refusing If the author chooses to employ an agent who to pay an accountant to vouch accounts, or by refus- knows all about market values, surely there is no ing to commence action, whether the moral or legal necessary suggestion of the publisher's dishonesty. aspect of the case was in favour of the author or If the publisher refuses to deal with the agent. not. a deduction might be made on the other side. The moral is clear. In all societies containing a If publishers would only dismount from the large membership there are bound to be grumblers. The committee desire to limit the number to those pedestal on which some of them like to stand as with a legitimate grievance. patrons of literature and its generous supporters, and would recognise themselves for what they are -men of business—it would be far better for the profession of literature and for the trade of publishing. AUTHORITIES. Finally, so long as publishers are clever men of business and not philanthropists, and so long as the authors fully comprehend the distinction, so TT is necessary with the new issue of The Author long will the literary agent flourish, even though I under new management to ask for the kind at times his dealings may not be everything the forbearance of all members of the Society. publisher could desire or the author could wish. To the most unsophisticated the difficulties of the position must be evident, and we realise their magnitude. What Sir Walter has done for The As the question of the position of literary agent Author no one else could do. (1) to the author whom he advises ; (2) to the publisher with whom he deals, is of the greatest interest to writers, and as there is so much Sir Walter's fighting spirit, combined with his to be said on both sides, we have invited a virite pen, was a mighty force, not only to attack member of the Society to contribute an article the shams and cheating, the unfair business upon the question of the employment of agents, methods, the mock generosity and empty patronage without reference to personal experience of the of certain publishers towards those who lived by dealings of individuals, hoping that other members the literary profession, but also to uphold the of the Society may be able to supplement views rights and define the property, and to maintain thus generally expressed, and to illustrate them the honour and esprit de corps of the great from their particular experiences, or dissent from brotherhood. them if they deem it proper to do so. We have Longo intervallo, it must be our effort to follow at the same time invited a well-known publisher out the same course, and to work out the destiny to contribute his views upon the question—views of the Society on the same lines. which, coming from such a source, should be  ## p. 10 (#386) ############################################# 10 THE AUTHOR. read with very great interest by authors. We need In these days of smart books on smart society- hardly say that these two articles were written by terms not our own—where the conversation, as each contributor without reference to the other, the critics say, bristles with epigrams, it might be but we may add that they were in our hands before as well to consider what an epigram really is. the subject was touched on in a recent number of We find in Murray's New English Dictionary Literature, and have not been altered since. We the following definitions : reserve our comments until the question has been more fully ventilated. Epigram : 1. An inscription, usually in verse. 2. A short poem, ending in a witty or ingenious turn We are glad to see that the International Literary of thought, to which the rest of the composition and Artistic Copyright Congress, which held its is intended to lead up. b. Loosely used for a laudatory poem. first sitting of the year on August 8, decided, after 3. A pointed or antithetical saying. some discussion, to prepare a scheme for the b. Epigrammatic expression. revision of the Berne Convention by drafting an ideal convention, which it is intended to submit The modern epigram cannot certainly be classed to all the literary and artistic societies of all under 1 and 2. There 18 even some doubt as to countries. whether it can be fairly brought under No. 3. This suggestion was very fully discussed and There are many so-called epigrams which are elaborated in an article on International Copyright, antithetical and not pointed, and many which are written by the Secretary of the Society in the Maypointed but not antithetical, and many which are number of the Fortnightly Review. neither pointed nor antithetical. The definition It is to be hoped that such action will have a is not exhaustive, or the critics are at fault. satisfactory result with regard to the next meeting If The Author was in the habit of giving prizes, of the plenipotentiaries of the signatories of the it would be interesting to offer a sum for the convention at Berne. best definition. It is to be hoped that some of our readers will try to define the modern epigram as distinct from the classical. The result would be In an article on Sir Walter Besant in the July ter besant in the July interesting to see. number of the Bookman, the following statement appears :- “How do you get on with your literary work ? " “The Author, under the most prosaic disguise of figures, “Oh, famously! I have invented an extremely silly was full of the impossible and the untrue, but if ever a attitude in which to be photographed for the literary man desired to tell the truth, and tried to set forth the periodicals, and have now only to write something." facts of life accurately, it was Sir Walter Besant." The above is taken from an American paper. Although the editor has been asked to com- It is necessary to make this statement, in case any- municate with his correspondent, in order to obtain one might think we were inclined to personalities. identification and proof as to “ the impossible and the untrue," he has taken no notice of the letters G. H. T. that have been written to him. These charges were constantly being made against Sir Walter Besant during his life when AUTHOR AND LITERARY AGENT. he was capable of defending himself, but the proofs as to the “impossible and the untrue" were never forthcoming, and time after time Sir Walter exposed these statements, as unfounded M HE usefulness of the literary agent to the as they were rashly made. It is a pity that author is a subject upon which opinions immediately after his death, when he is incapable vary, and with regard to which different of wielding his vigorous pen in self-defence, oppor- authors have naturally different views based largely tunity should have been taken to renew these upon their personal experiences and consequently attacks, and that all efforts to obtain a satisfactory limited by them. I should like to submit a few reply, either from the editor or from his corre- opinions and deductions to the readers of The spondent, should have been ignored. Author hoping that some may be induced to Sir Walter Besant's statement of facts touching confirm or contradict them, and that, if possible, literary property and literary methods was never certainty may thus be arrived at. For this pur- "impossible” and never “untrue.” His work was pose I ask leave to divide authors arbitrarily into much too accurate to have such a charge brought two classes, authors who have published and against it. authors who have not, and again to subdivide the  ## p. 11 (#387) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 11 former class into the "authors of many books” examining it, and his business really is to be and the "authors of few books ” (using the term posted in the financial capabilities of publishers, "books” for literary productions generally, whether to be able to ascertain who wants a story for a in the form of books or of articles, &c.), while Christmas number, or a serial for a new magazine, I subdivide each of these again into the very and so on, and above all to know how to get the successful, the moderately successful, and the best price that he can for his principal. I submit unsuccessful. I am quite aware that all such that in such cases the agent can do better than classification must be in some particulars open the author, and I should say that he can be to objection, just as any attempt to lay down particularly useful in the case of the well-known general rules as to the usefulness of literary author (and of others too, if he will take the trouble) agents must be liable to failure owing to the in placing short stuff, such as short stories, articles, number of exceptions that will present them. and verse, in newspapers and magazines so as to selves. I will, however, endeavour to show secure a good price for his employer with the least incidentally the reasons for which I have adopted possible trouble to him. I take it that in most the above rough system of classification. I take it cases of this kind the agent not only can but does that we all admit that there are authors who may get a better price than the author could. Whether be termed without unfairness “ very successful” he also invariably makes the best bargain that when compared with their fellows. Such a term could possibly be made in the circumstances is a attempts no discrimination of literary merit, no matter upon which even the authors of many prophecy as to how long the popularity of indi successful books can, I take it, only offer opinions. vidual writers or individual works may be likely I suppose agents, like other people, make mistakes, to last. Such authors have established a market, and I suppose that at times they are actuated by a each of them appeals to a more or less wide circle desire to make the most of the bird in hand, and of readers, and will probably continue so to appeal so perchance may miss the brace in the bush. I until his work shows signs of “going off” to a am, of course, assuming their commercial honesty. marked extent. I am writing of the “very suc- It would be absurd to warn authors against dis- cessful” authors who have published “many honest agents, and Utopian to expect more than books.” To these, I submit, the literary agent ordinary every-day commercial honesty in those may be very useful, especially if the author is not conducting ordinary every-day commercial transac- a good man of business when dealing with his own tions. I do not, however, call taking a commission wares; useful, that is, in order that the pecuniary from both sides-i.e., from the publisher as well as return to the author may be proportionate to the from the author without the knowledge of the latter wide sale of his books. Some popular authors are —“honesty”; it is ordinary commercial dishonesty. good men of business : they can make their own Turning to the “ successful authors ” of “ few bargains either with or without the advice of a works,” by whom I mean authors who have on person of wider experience, such as the Secretary one or two occasions written with marked success, of the Society of Authors; others are almost but who cannot be called prolific writers, I would incapable of completing a decent bargain however point out that these probably have more time for anxious they may be to do so. With regard to all considering their plans with regard to publishing these, however, the successful authors of many books, than the busy men who devote a large portion of I would make this observation. The functions of every day to literary work, and I think it is possible the agent with regard to their books are almost that these may sometimes be better able to dispense entirely mercantile ; far more so, at any rate, than with agents than those who write more—on account with regard to the other classes into which I have of their greater leisure. Here, too, the test comes in divided authors. The agent knows, without read that I have already suggested. The writer of few ing it, the class of work he is dealing with, and his books has a less established name, a less clearly duty is limited to finding for it the best market defined market. His new book may be of a that he can, with the knowledge that he will earn different class altogether from his previous pro- a handsome commission for his services. I take it ductions. It may well be that he may know better that I shall hardly be contradicted if I say that an than the agent what firm of publishers would be agent entrusted with a novel by Mr. Blank or Mr. most likely to (1) accept it, and (2) produce it to Dash, authors whose names are almost household best advantage. At all events, in his case the duty words, need not trouble himself with literary of the agent ceases to be purely mercantile. He criticism, or with any anxiety lest the work, has to read and appreciate what is entrusted to him perhaps unwritten, should turn out to be either to sell. Can he do so ? Does he in all cases do an English version of “La Terre,” or a disquisition so ? These are questions which authors of the on higher mathematics disguised as a romance. class indicated probably entertain opinions derived He knows what he has to sell, practically without from experience.  ## p. 12 (#388) ############################################# 12 THE AUTHOR. Coming to the less successful writers, those who that article to confirm me in the views I have have written and published much, or only a little, ventured to express or suggest. and who have made writing pay either moderately I have not drawn attention to more or less or not at all, some of these will, I believe, be obvious matters of detail, but I fancy they will found to have suffered from their inability to put generally be found to bear out the points that I their work on the market in the way that will pay have endeavoured to establish. For example, it them best, and to have selected publishers or made seems obvious that the agent when dealing for the agreements with publishers that have not contri- successful author who has written “many books" buted to wide circulations. It is quite possible will have much less trouble, and be paid better that agents may be useful to such as these, but it (very much better in proportion to his trouble), must be remembered that some amount of trouble than when endeavouring to find a publisher for the and literary appreciation will be required in the work of an unsuccessful author of one of two agent before he will be able to deal effectively with published works, or for an author who has never that which has not got an established reputation had anything published. It also seems obvious and a ready market. With these the agent has, to that one agent may work harder than others, and varying extents, to press wares upon more or less that an unknown writer may get better treated by indifferent buyers, not to discriminate between one agent than by another. Some may work best more or less eager ones. I can remember an when working for the men at the top of the tree. instance where a well-known literary agent did I have perhaps had novel-writers in my eye for the very useful work for a lady author. She had most part, but it seems obvious that what I have made her own business arrangements and pub- said as to the agent knowing the contents of the lished her novels without profit. The agent book and where to take it, applies even more in the advised her to change the name under which she case of biographies, essays, educational works, &c., wrote, and make a fresh start altogether under his than in the case of fiction. If any would urge that auspices. He found her better publishers, she the agent knows better what the publisher's line is obtained a better sale, received good prices, and than the author does, and that therefore he can became a moderately well-known writer, with a choose a publisher for the author better than he recognised if not very exalted position as such. can choose for himself, I am inclined to say that it The agent had reason to be proud of his work in this is obvious that unless and until the agent has very instance, but many men and women of moderate carefully read and considered a particular work, the powers as authors can no doubt do as well for them- author must know best the class to which his work selves. It is not easy to lay down rules. Agents are belongs, or that at any rate he must know to what no doubt useful to those who cannot do their own class he means it to belong. Beyond this he business, or wish to be relieved of the trouble must know, or ought to know to some extent, if he of it. is at all observant, what publisher publishes par- I have only now to mention those authors who ticular kinds of books, for a man or woman must have never published anything. Can an agent do read and observe before he or she can write. anything for these that they cannot do as well or I have not referred to the fact that some pub- better for themselves ? If he is to do so he must lishers do not like dealing with agents. I will not read their manuscripts, and consider where he may discuss the possible reason for this, but I believe it best send them, or much time will be wasted, and to be a fact, and I take it that, although something they may never reach any office at all where they may be said on both sides, it is not altogether to could possibly have any chance of being accepted the discredit of the agent. When the agent has obtained an offer will he make In conclusion I submit to the readers of The the best possible bargain for the new writer, or will Author that, speaking generally, the literary agent he be inclined to push the business through, and earn is of most use where he deals as agent for the vendor a certain commission down, and will be therefore of an article of more or less known value, and where advise the author to take anything he can get the agent's commission is likely to be large, and is of even if it involves the signing of a disadvantageous least use where the value is unknown, where literary agreement ? Here the experience of those who have discrimination is necessary for the proper perfor- dealt through agents in such circumstances may be mance of the agent's duties, and where the agent's useful to others. commission is likely to be small, while part of it I have read an article in The Author (Vol. XI., has, perhaps, been paid before the work was under- p. 114, Dec. 1900) signed with the initials of the taken ; and further, that the comparative usefulness Secretary of the Society, in which he gives some of the agent depends largely on the ability or of his own experiences of agents' bargains, and inability of the author to deal on his own account. expresses his own opinions in the light of those I have, however, only expressed opinions, and experiences. I think that much will be found in sought to reason in justification of them, and I  ## p. 13 (#389) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 13 feel sure that the experience of those who have publisher ; he can in an emergency, after all, have cause to dissent from or assent to what I have recourse to the Authors' Society, or to his solicitor, written will be of value to many who have no whose charges, did he all that the agent could do, experience of their own to which they can refer. would be infinitesimal in comparison. E. A. ARMSTRONG. (c) Because the author's agent is successful only after an author's reputation has been established by the publisher, but never with a young and unknown author, so that he merely comes in for an A Publisher's Letter. enormous share of profit at a time when a guinea or two to a solicitor (say the Authors' Society's II. own) would ensure a better-drawn agreement and I AM asked to write down for The Author my a more responsible management than could be got views on the literary agent. I am flattered by from an irresponsible author's agent who extorts this request, and hopeful that the future may percentages which are out of all proportion to the produce a much better understanding between services rendered. authors and publishers, from the very fact that the opinion of a publisher should be considered worth (d) Because the author's agent fosters in authors asking by the organ of the Authors' Society. I the greed for an immediate money return (for this will give my opinion with perfect frankness, rely- means cash percentages) at the cost of all dignity and artistic repose, pledging the author's time, ing upon the good faith of my hosts that I, as thought, inspiration, and work for years ahead, the invited guest, shall, although a publisher, be credited with honesty. and making of the author a slave to contracts and a victim to haste and thoughtless waste of his I am opposed to the literary agent from the gifts. point of (1) the publisher, (2) the author, and (3) literature. 3. Literature. (a) Because I do not consider it to be in the interests of literature that books should 1. The Publisher.—(a) Because the literary be put up to auction and sold to the highest agent prevents that free and intimate intercourse bidder among publishers, who may be incom- between publisher and author which is from my petent to give the best advantages to the book in experience of unquestioned mutual advantage. question. (6) Because I have not always found literary (6) Because it is certainly very much against agents scrupulously honest in their dealings. the interests of literature that authors should be pledged and sold body and soul to syndicates and (©) Because I resent the implied imputation publishers on time bargains years ahead, with no that the publisher might take advantage of an certainty that they can stand the strain and pres- author unless his interests are looked after by a sure of production, from the point of view of their person deriving a benefit in the shape of per- physical or mental health. centages from the party with whom I am doing business. (c) Because of the fact that it discourages the publisher from taking up new authors, if they (d) Because I do not consider it in the interest are, as soon as he has borne the first risk and of my individual business or in the interest of launched them, to be put up to public auction ; and publishers in general that one of us should be there can be no doubt that it becomes more played off against the other, as is the habit and difficult for a young author to get a hearing in difficult for practically the raison d'etre of the literary agent. proportion to the prevalence and success of the (e) Because no author would be so quixotic as to parasite that lives on his produce. employ a literary agent if he did not hope to get as much more out of the publisher as the agent's To sum up, on behalf of the publisher, the commission represents. author, and literature, I am of opinion that it is waste of money to keep an agent with emoluments 2. The Author.-(a) Because I believe it to be which are enormous in comparison with the services in many instances of advantage to authors to be rendered, when a little mutual trustfulness, a little in personal communication with their publishers. give-and-take, and anyhow a careful solicitor at an ordinary legal fee, would enable publisher and (6) Because I consider it infra dignitatem autoris author and literature to do without him. to assume that he cannot take care of himself should he really come into contact with an overreaching W. HEINEMANN.  ## p. 14 (#390) ############################################# 14 THE AUTHOR. SIR WALTER BESANT. AUTHORS' CORRECTIONS, S the question of corrections is constantly A Tribute. recurring, and as the matter is of consider able importance to all authors, the difficul- M IRELESS, intrepid fighter, whose strong ties connected with this subject must once again 1 blade Was never bared except in righteous fray be put before the members of the Society. In the For thy less stalwart comrades, ready alway first instance sundry clauses collected from different publishers' agreements bearing on the question To wage 'gainst wrong a chivalrous crusade, Ey'n were it single-handed, undismayed, of corrections are printed below for consideration. Indomitable, still resolved to play Clauses on the lines of the following appear in · Sternly the champion's part, thy cardinal nearly every agreement; they are taken at random trait as examples. A courage by self-interest never swayed ! 1. “The said author to correct proof sheets with all 0, for all time shalt thou in honour be reasonable despatch, and if any alterations or additions to Held by thy Craft. as one whose cherished proofs are made beyond the usual corrections of printers' errors he is to pay for such extra work.". aim 2. “ The cost of correction of other than the printers' Was less to gather bay, or garner fee, errors in the proofs of the said work exceeding ten shillings Than to achieve the higher, nobler fame per sheet of thirty-two pages is to be borne by the said Of seeking weal for his fraternity, author, and the amount thereof shall be payable to the And winning thence a love-illumined name. publishers by the said author within one month after the publication of the said book." WILLIAM TOYNBEE. 3. “All details as to the time and manner of production, publication and advertisement, and the number and desti. nation of free copies, shall be left to the sole discretion of the publishers, who shall bear all expenses of production, publication, and advertisement, except the amount (if any) by which the cost of corrections of proofs other than A Message from America. printers' errors at per printers' invoice exceeds an average of five shillings per sheet of sixteen pages of printed matter, THE resolutions printed below have been for- which amount shall be borne by the author." warded to the Society by the American Society of 4. “All alteration in proof sheets made by the author Authors. It is exceedingly interesting to receive while the book is passing through the press, the cost of these warm tokens of affection from the other which shall exceed sixteen shillings per sheet of sixteen pages, shall be at the expense of the author." side of the water for one who was throughout his 5. “That the author shall not be liable for expenses of busy life such a champion of literary work and author's proof corrections (exclusive of the correction of such a helper to literary workers. printers' errors) up to the amount of £5, equivalent to one Resolved : “ That the Society of American hundred hours of work, but that should such charges exceed this amount, the author shall be debited with the excess." Authors tenders fraternal greetings to the English Society of Authors, and extends profound sympathy The first three are exceedingly dangerous to the and condolence to the brethren across the sea on author. In the first clause the author is bound to the sad and deeply to be deplored decease of Sir pay for all extra work. This is unfair, for, as will be Walter Besant, at once a warm patriot and a firm pointed out later, some printers' errors must under friend of America, a distinguished man of letters, the most favourable circumstances be included in a philanthropist, and especially a sympathiser and author's corrections. In the second clause the helper of literary workers the world over. Sir author is allowed a sum of ten shillings per sheet Walter Besant's pen, known wherever the English of thirty-two pages (this is a very low allowance), language is spoken, has enlightened and brightened and is bound to pay the amount within a month many lives in this country, and his encouragement from the publication of the book. This is not and kind feeling toward the Society of American customary; the amount (if any) is generally deducted Authors will always be most gratefully and from the returns. In the third clause the author enduringly remembered.” has to pay anything over five shillings a sheet of Resolved : 66 That copies of these resolutions be sixteen pages, again a very low allowance. In the sent to the English Society of Authors and to the fourth clause the amount the author has to pay is family of Sir Walter Besant.” anything in excess of sixteen shillings per sheet of sixteen pages. This clause would be a favourable one for the author if printers' errors had not been included. In the fifth clause he is bound to pay  ## p. 15 (#391) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 15: anything over £5, which is equivalent to one that the printer may make mistakes unnoticeable hundred hours' work : this is a low allowance. by the reader but very clear to the author, and The charge the author has to bear in agreements every author who has been accustomed to read from the best publishing houses varies from any. proofs will know that, as a matter of fact, he never thing over ten shillings to anything over sixteen receives a proof clear of printers' errors. He has, shillings per sheet of sixteen pages. Let us however, on the printer's own confession, to be consider for a moment what this means. responsible to the publisher for more than his own The ordinary six-shilling book runs to about corrections—in the result this position, however 320 pages, generally rather over that amount. unfair, is almost unavoidable. An honourable This would be twenty sheets of sixteen pages, and house will, however, act fairly, but a dishonest if the author was allowed ten shillings per sheet, publisher not unfrequently takes advantage. he would be therefore allowed for corrections an In case of a dispute is it possible to determine amount of £10 for which he would not have to what are printers' errors and what are author's pay. It will be seen, therefore, that the amount corrections, and how much time is expended on put forward in the above clauses, with the exception the one and how much on the other ? It is almost of Clause 4, would be exceedingly small ; and in impossible. The author should keep duplicate Clause 5 whether the amount was reasonable would proofs and should make his corrections on both, of course depend on the size of the book. In any and in both cases should make the corrections of case where a fixed allowance is made care should printers' errors in different coloured ink from his be taken that the amount is reasonable as com- own corrections. This would be the most secure pared with the cost of composition. If the author way of ascertaining correctly the facts of the case, exceeds the sum of £10, say he has to pay £10 but again the time necessary for alterations even himself, this would mean there would be £20 of when picked out by this method is only approxi- corrections, or in other words would mean 400 mately ascertainable and tends to make the sugges- hours' work, or the work of one man for forty days tion valueless. Even when the author has kept at the rate of ten hours a day. This will give the corrections distinct by this carefully regulated some idea of the absurdities of some charges made process, the fresh difficulty will arise in determining under cover of corrections. the time expended on the re-composition for the In the draft agreements issued by the Publishing correction of printers' errors as apart from those of Association we find the following clause :- the author, and if the matter has to be settled before 66 The author agrees that if costs of corrections and a judge as the final arbiter expert evidence can alterations in the proof sheets exceed 25 per cent. of the only prevent an exorbitant overcharge, but no cost of composition it shall be deducted from the royalties expert can reduce the question to the accuracy of a payable to him." mathematical problem. If, then, the printer or The cost of composition of the ordinary six- publisher intends to be dishonest to the extent of shilling book varies between £20 and £30. Here £5 to £10 no power on earth can prove the dis- allowance for the corrections free to the author is honesty. On some publishers' accounts these few very small, especially as the clause makes no state- uncheckable pounds are always in evidence. The ment whatever with regard to printers' errors. It safest way, therefore, is to know exactly how to is a clause to be avoided therefore. There is one correct at the least cost, and the author should be point, however, on which the clause is reasonable, careful to make such alterations and to such an namely, that the amount should be deducted from extent that the lines should not overrun and the royalties, and in most publishers' agreements necessitate the carrying forward of the whole type. where it is not expressly stated this course is Sometimes an exceedingly small correction, from generally adopted. the author's point of view, will be an exceedingly The next point for consideration is how the large one from the printer's. author's corrections are to be distinguished from It has been stated above and it should be printers' errors. Printers will tell you that the repeated that the cost of corrections is vouched for proofs are read over before they are forwarded to by the printers' sheet showing so much time spent the author, and the author, therefore, has a clean by the compositor, whose time is reckoned at one sheet. Anything over that is author's corrections, shilling per hour. As a matter of fact he is not and that if the author finds many printers' errors paid so much, but it is one of the many plans by still in the proofs he should return them for a clean which publishers and printers put a little into their sheet before he makes any corrections of his own. own pockets. This would be an admirable way of ascertaining One other point should be mentioned, and that the difference if the printer's reader was infallible, is the question of corrections in the American cost but not only is such a position impossible, but this of production. It is much more difficult to settle further difficulty must be taken into consideration, any disputes with American publishers than it is a  ## p. 16 (#392) ############################################# 16 THE AUTHOR. with a publisher in England owing to the distance, and the fact that if the matter is taken finally into the courts it is hardly worth while to bring an action in America unless the amount involved is very large or the principle very important. Authors, however, should be much more particular in dealing in America as to the position of the publishers and as to the form of correction clauses, and should be careful to deal with those houses only of an established reputation. This further point must This further point must also be noted : the cost of labour in America is higher than the cost of labour in England, and therefore the cost of corrections is proportionately greater. Finally it has been suggested that the author should not in any case be liable to pay for correc. tions above a certain fixed amount. But such an arrangement it is feared would never be agreed to by the publisher, and would be hardly fair, as the author might involve the publisher in an enormous expense and the publisher would have no possi- bility of obtaining any redress. As the fault of many corrections must lie with the author 16 18 only fair that the author should pay a reasonable proportion. What such reasonable proportion is will adjust itself by the conditions of the trade when at last the full details of cost are known to both author and publisher. having taken such copyright, while the serial numbers of a magazine in which the contents of the book were first published were copyrighted by the publishers, and the notices printed therein showed such copyright in their name, I t appeared that while the parts of a book were being published serially in a magazine the book as a whole was copyrighted by the author and published. The remaining parts were thereafter published in the succeeding numbers of the magazine, which were copyrighted by the publishers, and notice of such copyright in their name was printed therein. It was held that the parts which had appeared in the magazine prior to any copyright by such publication became public property, under the Copyright Law of 1831 (4 Stat. 436, ss. 1, 4), and that as to the remaining parts, the author's copyright was vitiated by the copyright notices printed in the magazine giving the name of the publishers, instead of the author, under section 5 of the Act, which requires a notice of copyright to be inserted in the several copies of each and every edition " published, stating, among other things, the name of the person taking out such copyright. The Court said in part: In the two cases at bar it appears from the allegations of the bills that before any copyright was taken out the first twenty-nine of the forty-two chapters of “ The Minister's Wooing," by Harriet Beecher Stowe, were published in the serial numbers of the Atlantic Monthly, beginning with December, 1858, and ending with October, 1859, and that ten of the twelve parts of " The Professor at the Breakfast Table.” by Oliver Wendell Holmes, were published in the serial numbers of the same magazine, beginning in January, 1859, and ending with October, 1859. In October, 1859, Mrs. Stowe took out a copyright in “ The Minister's Wooing," as a whole before its publication. The notice of copyright inserted in the book was as follows: "Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts." After the publication of the book, the remaining thirteen chapters of "The Minister's Wooing" were published in the November and December numbers of the Atlantic Monthly for the year 1859. The publishers took out a copyright in these numbers of the magazine. The notice of copyright on the page following the title-page was as follows: “ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by Ticknor & Fields, in the clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.” By section 5 of the Act of February 3, 1831 (4 Stat. 436), it is provided : “ That no person shall be entitled to the benefit of this Act, unless he shall give information of copy. right being secured, by causing to be inserted, in the several copies of each and every edition published during the term secured on the title-page, or the page immediately following, if it be a book, ... the following words ; viz. : - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year — by A. B., in the Clerk's office of the District Court of - Upon the authority of Holmes . Hurst (174 U.S. 82; 19 Sup. Ct. 606 ; 43 L. Ed. 904) the first twenty-nine chapters of “The Minister's Wooing" became public pro- perty, and we have only to consider whether a valid copyright exists in the remaining thirteen chapters. It is true that Mrs. Stowe, by taking out a copyright in her whole work in October, 1859, secured a valid copyright in these thirteen chapters. The question is, Has she not vitiated this copy- right by failing to insert the proper notice of her copyright in the November and December numbers of the Atlantic Monthly, in which this portion of her work was also pub- lished ? The magazine contained a notice that it was copyrighted by Ticknor & Fields, and it is maintained that this is not a compliance with the notice required by section 5 of the Act of February 3, 1831. The law seems to be settled that the name of the party taking out the copy- right must be inserted in the notice of every edition LITERARY, DRAMATIC, AND MUSICAL PROPERTY. M H E following case in the United States Circuit Court affecting copyright has been taken from the “Bulletin of the American Society of Authors." It is of interest to English authors as showing the nature of the pitfalls which beset the writer who endeavours to secure copyright in the United States of America, and the necessity for him and his publishers to comply with all prescribed conditions. The distinction between this case and the latter of the two which follow (also taken from the “Bulletin of the American Society of Authors ") is not quite obvious, but assuming Mifflin v. Dutton and the cases cited in it to be correct interpretations of the law, it is evident that in the United States author and publisher may have to pay an over- whelmingly heavy penalty for a technical mistake made, perhaps without any negligence, by one of them. In Mifflin e. Dutton, decided by the United States Circuit Court, D, Massachusetts, in March, 1901 (107 Fed. R. 708), it was held that a copyright of a book is invalid where the notice printed therein gives the name of the author as  ## p. 17 (#393) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 17 using its service in omitting the copyright notice were not binding upon it. Upon each of these contentions Judge Kohlsaat ruled in favour of the Daily Story Publishing Company. IV. published, and that the failure to do this vitiates the copy. right. A literal compliance with the statute may not be required, but the notice must contain the essentials of the name, claim of exclusive right, and the date when obtained. Under the authorities, I must hold that the insertion of the name “ Ticknor & Fields" in the copyright notice in the Atlantic Monthly for the months of November and December, 1859, was an insufficient notice of Mrs. Stowe's copyright, and invalidates her right to any copyright in that portion of her book. The contention of the complainants that Ticknor & Fields were the agents of Mrs. Stowe, and that the insertion in the notice of the name of an agent suffi. ciently satisfies the requirements of the statute, is clearly unsound (Thompson 7. Hubbard,1 131 U. S. 123, 149, 150; 9 Sup. Ct. 710 ; 33 L. Ed. 76 ; Lithographic Co. *. Sarony, 111 Ù. S. 53, 55 ; 4 Sup. Ct. 279 ; 28 L. Ed. 349 ; Osgood 7. Instrument Co., C.C., 83 Fed. 470 ; Id., C. C., 69 Fed. 291: Hoertel r. Tuck Sons Co., C. C., 94 Fed. 844 ; Higgins 1. Keuffel, C. C., 30 Fed. 627 ; Id., 140 U. S. 428 : 11 Sup. Ct. 731 ; 35 L. Ed. 470 ; Jackson r. Walkie, C. C., 29 Fed. 15). In “ The Professor at the Breakfast Table” the facts alleged in the bill are somewhat different, although the case is governed by the same principle. The last two parts of this work were published in the December number of the Atlantic Monthly for 1859, and a copyright was taken out by Ticknor & Fields in that number. In the latter part of that month Dr. Holmes entered his entire work for copy- right, and subsequently published it, inserting the following notice in his book : " Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859. by Oliver Wendell Holmes, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts,” A previous copyright having been obtained in the name of the publishers, Ticknor & Fields, the subsequent notice of copyright by Dr. Holmes in his book must be held insufficient under the cases above cited. II. In a trial before Judge Leaventritt last month, the term " book rights" was interpreted to mean the right to publish in book form only, thus excluding the right to dramatise or to publish as a serial. The action was between Doubleday, Page & Co., and L. C. Page & Co. Authors, as well as publishers, will be interested in this decision, which will undoubtedly receive the sanction of a higher court. International Literary Copyright: its Possibilities. By G Herbert Thrina (The Fortnightlu Berican May 1901). (From Le Droit d' Auteur, June 15, 1901, p. 72.) In the present defective condition of the English copyright law it is only natural to find in the English reviews for the most part merely more or less timid or elementary proposals in favour of a revision of the statutes. If perchance questions of an international nature do occur amongst these suggestions, they are discussed from a pre-eminently national point of view national point of view. Mr. Thring, the devoted Mr Thrinath secretary of the Society of Authors, has, therefore, given us an agreeable surprise by publishing his remarkable article on the question of a universal copyright protection. an article stamped with a cosmopolitan, and at the same time an essentially practical spirit. The subject is divided into two parts. The first briefly sketches the present situation-a pro- tection restricted in its extent and in its duration. The fact that legislation is not always drafted in favour of the author and against the public, but often in an in verse sense, is pointed out ; the attitude of the different countries towards the Berne Convention, which is at least a step in the direction of " world-wide copyright," is described ; and the arguments adduced against it by certain countries (by Austria-Hungary and the United States of America for example) in order to justify their isolated position are stated. The second part of the article is dedicated to the examination of the essential principles of a future uniform legislation, and of an ideal law that shall be universally accepted. This law would determine the following points : the persons to be protected; the works which are the subjects of protection ; the moment from which the term of protection shonld begin (we may here note that " publication” is to be universally understood in accordance with the declaration of May 4. 1896): the right of translation (to be completely assimi- lated to that of reproduction); the rights of performance and representation ; the protection of articles in newspapers and reviews : the duration of protection (the author's life and eighty years); 01 pro and the formalities. The definition of piracy and the penalties are left to local legislation. Respect- ing every one of the above questions Mr. Thring advocates the most liberal provisions, with the sole exception of the question of formalities. He III An interesting copyright suit has just been decided by Judge Kohlsaat in Chicago. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat bought two stories from the Daily Story Publishing Com. pany, agreeing to print the copyright notice with each story. The copyright notice was accidentally omitted from one of the stories, and that story was clipped by the American Press Association, and sent by it as plate matter to various papers. The Daily Story Publishing Company promptly made claim on all the papers using their copyright story without their permission, and began suit against the American Press Association. In order to bring the issue directly both parties agreed to a statement of facts, leaving the question as to whether the omission of the copy. right notice by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat gave the Son American Press Association the right to appropriate the story, and thus invalidate copyright protection to the Daily Story Publishing Company. The latter company contended that it had complied with all the requirements of the copy. right law ; that the newspapers using its service were not its agents, but its licensees, and that the acts of newspapers  ## p. 18 (#394) ############################################# 18 THE AUTHOR. considers that registration is indispensable. But the general tendency of evolution is, on the con- trary, towards the suppression of all formalities, a system already adopted by the majority of unionist countries. Mr. Thring considers none of the difficulties which lie in the way of the elaboration of a “ Universal Copyright Law” insurmountable. The delegates of the unionist countries should, on the occasion of their next meeting, lay the foundation of this law. They should adopt the solutions of the various questions which are already matured, and set aside for future consideration the points respecting which agreement has not yet been reached. Their law would not be imposed upon the different nations, but would serve them for a model in their future enactments. Thus—and herein lies the originality of the suggestion—the preparatory labours of the International Literary and Artistic Association would be officially resumed at the next conference, which would in its turn draw up a typical law with a view to a universal legislative unification. LETTER FORWARDED WITH TERMS OF THE COMPETITION. September 2nd, 1901. DEAR SIR,—We venture to request your careful perusal of the enclosed conditions for the open competition for Tunes. The Committee will esteem it a great favour if you will kindly forward any original tunes of your composing for their examination and approval, on the conditions named, and will feel further obliged if you will make this competition widely known. We are, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely, Hon. SECS. V.-A Prize Competition. One prize of Ten Guineas is offered for the best original tune submitted in open competition, for insertion in the selection of Hymns and Tunes for Whitsuntide Demonstra- tions. The decision of the Committee will be final, and not to be questioned. The Committee will not be bound to award this prize in full, if they should consider that none of the tunes submitted reaches the required standard. In making the selection the Committee will have the assistance of a Mus. Doc. (Oxon.). The Committee will have the option of purchasing the sole copyright of any of the tunes submitted in addition to the prize tune, at prices to be fixed by the Committee ranging from 20s. to 58. each, but no original tune will be used that has not been made the exclusive property of this Union. As these tunes are for use at large open-air demonstra- tions of Sunday Scholars, it is very desirable that the melodies be within easy compass of juvenile voices, and they be bright, tuneful, and readily taken up by young people. Each competitor can forward not more than three tunes in all, set to any three hymns taken from the enclosed list. All compositions must be legibly written in ink, in Short Score Staff Notation, on one side of the paper only, each tune to be on a separate sheet, and numbered in accordance with the hymn chosen, Every tune to be original, and not to have been printed, multigraphed or sung in public previously. The name and address of the competitor to be written on a separate slip of paper and enclosed in a sealed envelope ; the music manuscript to be marked only by a motto or “ nom de plume," and corresponding number of the hymn. An entrance fee of one shilling will be charged. The results of the competition will be forwarded to every competitor as soon as the selection has been made, together with the manuscript copies. All compositions to be delivered not later than Saturday, October 12th, 1901, to the Honorary Secretary. The Society has from time to time called the notice of its members to prize competitions which have appeared in various papers, pointing out the methods employed for obtaining a large amount of “copy" at small cost, and the inadequacy of the terms offered to authors. The competition printed above is put forward for the benefit of its musical members. In the letter attached, the promoters “would feel obliged to anyone who would make the com- petition widely known.” We have much pleasure in making it known as widely as our circulation will admit, with the idea of dissuading musical composers from entering. The chief prize offered would be a low remunera- tion for a successful composition of this kind, vet if this were the only prize, and all rejected MSS. were returned to authors, then no complaint would have been raised, but note under clause three that the committee do not undertake to pay the full sum of £10 10s. if they do not think the tune submitted reaches the required standard, the committee's decision to be final. So much with regard to the tune that gets the first prize. With regard to other tunes the committee would purchase the whole copyright for sums varying from 58. to £1, and the committee impress upon competitors that they won't pay unless they can obtain exclusive property in the composition. It is possible, however, that many first-class tunes might be obtained at a ridiculously small figure, and those purchasing under the terms put forward would hold the sole right of publication and the performing rights of these tunes during the legal term of copyright. It is well known that a successful hymn tune is often a little gold mine to its composer, so that if the purchasers obtain even one tune of this standard they will pay them- selves exceedingly well, and will have benefited greatly by the liberal offer they have put forward. This, however, is not all. An entrance fee is charged of 1s. for each competitor. This entrance fee of 1s. will, no doubt, cover the postage expenses incurred in the circularising of the competition and the printing of the circulars. -- - - --  ## p. 19 (#395) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 19 Those composers who chance to be members of from their point of view, is that it is impossible the Society must clearly consider all these points for them to put the amount of money and push before they think of throwing their work away on into a first book if they are not sure that they the chance of receiving a paltry 58. or 10s. are likely to get the second book of the author as well ; but the argument, though it sounds favour- able, does not work out at all in favour of the author on the lines laid down by the publisher. VI.—The German Copyright Law. Many are the accounts that have been before the We regret to see that considerable opposition Secretary of the Society from publishers who have in the summer was brought against the German made it a habit of inserting this clause in their copyright law by the leader of the Radical agreements, and the methods of dealing with the Party. It would hardly have been worth while first book have been clearly divulged. They have to mention this except that some of the reasons shown that, far from treating the first book favour- put forward for this antagonism are of a very ably in order to get a successful market for the extraordinary character. second, the publisher has never troubled himself to One of the questions was whether the term of go further than to get such a sale for the first book copyright should be increased from life and thirty as will pay him for the cost of production and give years to life and fifty years. The first argument him a fair 20 per cent. or so on his money, as he was the old cry that the lengthened term of copy- knows full well under any circumstances he is right was contrary to public policy. It is a curious bound to get the second book of the author on the thing when the public have possessed themselves same terms and can publish with the same success. unlawfully of other people's property for a Again, the publisher is much more likely to get the lengthened period, how difficult it is to make second book of the author if he treats the author them understand that they are doing wrong. It fairly with regard to the first issue, and there is took a long time to overthrow slavery, but relief therefore no need to bind the author by a hard came at last. and fast agreement. The publisher's theory is We did think that this argument had been beautiful on paper, but an explanation of the thrown aside as fallacious by all men of sense. facts shows that it is absolutely useless in practice. The second argument was that such a lengthened In nearly every case where this clause is inserted term of copyright would benefit the Wagner family, in the agreement the author has applied to the who, it was asserted, had been using every effort Secretary for advice as to whether it is possible to to get the law passed. Every law is passed with get clear from the arrangement that has been made, the idea of benefiting individuals as members of a for the reason quoted above, namely, that the pub- community, but it is impossible to see the logic of lisher has not put sufficient energy and labour into this gentleman's remarks against the clause merely circulating the first book. The Secretary has had because its benefits were of greater value to one with regret to explain that the application has been member than another. made too late. It would not matter how far an individual We can but repeat what has been often stated in member of the community had laboured to get The Author before : Never sign an agreement that the law passed if it was a benefit to the whole binds you for future work. community. It is to be hoped, however, that the time is not far distant when authors will have satisfactory control both as regards time and VIII.—German Copyright Legislation. country over the property which they have created after so much trouble and with so much skill. The Federal Council has sanctioned the new German copyright law and the new German law of contract. The new laws have been signed by VII.-An Objectionable Clause. His Majesty the Emperor, and will enter into force on the first of January, 1902. By the new copy- Among the many bad clauses occurring from right law the duration of protection has been time to time in publishers' agreements there is one extended from thirty to fifty years after the death to which the author should under no circumstances of the author. consent. The clause runs as follows :- “That the author agrees to give the publisher the refusal of his next books on similar terms to those contained in IX.-Hungary and the Berne Convention, the above agreement." The question of joining “The Berne Convention” We have discussed this clause with some is being seriously discussed in Hungary. The publishers, and their argument, specious enough Budapesti Hirlap, one of the Hungarian journals  ## p. 20 (#396) ############################################# 20 THE AUTHOR. which circulates most widely amongst the intelli- gent classes, has recently published an article on the subject which deserves the attention of all thinking people. This article urges, amongst other reasons for vigorous international copyright, the following :-- When a country has attained a certain standard of intellectual cultivation it requires a vigorous international protection of literary copyright, not in the interests of its own authors and industries alone, but in the interests of its distinctive national derelopment. It is not because the works of Hungarian authors are little known outside the country that they are seldom translated. They remain unknown in consequence of the defective character of our international copyright relations. The short protection given by Hungarian legislation to the rights of translation results in this—the right lapses before it is acquired. In consequence when a translation of a Hungarian work is offered to a publisher, he has to run the risk of another translation appearing if the work proves at all popular. A protected translation might cost the pub- lisher a little more, but he would acquire a right that would make him contented to bring out a work with the prospect of the edition being exhausted in a few years. “ Distinctive national development” is a thing about which no man in Europe has more right to speak than the Magyar. It has been his watch- word for a thousand years, he has bled for it, and he has won it. By insisting on it he adduces the noblest plea for international copyright that exists. To natures too chilly to appreciate it, the second argument may appeal more strongly. It is one we have often urged. Anything that can serve to spread the influence of a distinctive literature, as that of modern Hungary is, is a benefit to humanity, and we hope that it may not be long before we have the pleasure of announcing that this great and enlightened nation has joined the Berne Convention. that a final decision has not yet been rendered on the question which in Mr. Kipling's view is the principal question at issue, and of the utmost importance to himself and to authors generally. That question, put succinctly, is as follows : Does the purchase of a copyright book in sheets by a publisher or bookseller entitle the purchaser to add to that book, without the author's consent, such additional copyrighted matter or illustrations as he may think of interest to the public at the time or of advantage to his own interests ? Messrs. Putnams' action in adding to “ The Seven Seas” two new copyright poems, one picture and an index, raises the above question. It is evident that the right claimed by them, if it be a right, might be exercised in a more extensive form. and that it is of the greatest moment to authors that the law on the subject shall be ascertained and defined. We abstain from further comment pending the decision of the American Courts, but the progress of the case will be watched with the greatest interest. THE CANADIAN AUTHORS' SOCIETY. KIPLING v. PUTNAMS. N the trial ofthis case the Court of first instance leaned to the view that some of the publishers who had been joined with the Putnams as defendants should have been joined as parties with the plaintiff. In consequence of this technical point, and in order not to try the action piecemeal, the case was taken from the jury. Mr. Kipling's position is that the rights involved, which he claims have been infringed, are his personal rights, which he has not transferred to any of his publishers, and in which none of his publishers have any legal interest. An appeal has been taken and the point will be argued in due time before the proper Court of Appeals. With regard to the foregoing announcement, it will be observed that the case is still pending, and M HE following interesting notes have been sent 1 from the Canadian Society of Authors. We congratulate the new Society on its growing importance. There is no doubt that Canadian authorship wants as much protection as authorship in any other country. Founded on a sound basis this Society ought, in time, to have a large and increasing influence. “ At the annual meeting held in Toronto on January 23rd, the following officers were elected for the year : Hon. President: Goldwin Smith, D.C.L. President : Hon. G. W. Ross, M.P.P. Vice-Presidents : G. R. Parkin, C.M.G., LL.D., Louis Frechette, C.M.G., LL.D., F. Blake Crofton. Secretary: Pelham Edgar, Ph.D. Treasurer : J. A. Cooper, B.A. Executive Committee : B. E. Walker, James Bain, jun., 0. C. Howland, Fraser Lefroy, Bernard McEvoy, Casteli Hopkins, and the officers. “The Society has largely increased in member- ship, and its meetings and receptions have been interesting and successful in every way. On June 6th the President of the Society, the Hon. G. W. Ross, the Premier of Ontario, and Mrs. Ross gave a reception in the Speaker's Chambers in honour of Dr. Louis Frechette, C.M.G., the  ## p. 21 (#397) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 21 distinguished poet of the Province of Quebec. The affair was most enjoyable. and not without importance as accentuating the increasingly cordial relations between the two races in Canada." THE PUBLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL BOOKS. I.-A Warning. M HE statement has often been made by well- I known publishers, whose names it is not necessary to mention, that in the publica- tion of fiction the works that pay turn out on an average to be in the proportion of one in ten. The statement appears to be extraordinary when the number of volumes of fiction brought before the public is taken into consideration. If the assertion is correct the fair deduction to make is that either the mass of publishing houses must, almost of necessity, be on the verge of bankruptcy, or the profits on the tenth book must be enormous. Yet what is the case ? There are many large and wealthy publishing wealthy pubnishing houses whose partners or managers not only maintain great offices and large staffs, but very frequently have not only a town house but a house in the country as well. Again, the number of publishers is constantly increasing. If the business was a bad one, business men would not go in for it. The merest tyro in the doctrines of political economy must therefore conclude that, not only is the publishing business a good one, but that it pays very satisfactorily. Is this the result of the profit on the tenth novel ? An answer has been put forward to explain the statement we have referred to quite independently of the above deductions. This answer is that many of the book publishing houses only exist by reason of the profits they make out of their educational and technical publications. This opens up a subject in which the Society of Authors has long been interested, and makes it necessary to bring before the writers of educational works generally the miserable market value that they are receiving for what is an exceedingly valuable article. If the statement with regard to educational works is correct it must mean that the author is not getting a fair price for his work. The report of the sub-committee on educational books which was issued by the Society of Authors goes very strongly to prove this. The report makes the following statement : There is no literary property more valuable than a successful class-book. The yearly consumption of such books in elementary schools may be reckoned by the hundred thousand, and even in secondary schools a class- book of repute has a sale of from five to ten thousand copies a year. Hitherto the educational writer has, as a rule, been either a schoolmaster who regards what he makes by the pen as an unexpected bonus in addition to his regular salary, or else a distinguished specialist who, at the request of a publisher, writes a primer of history or geography in his leisure hours, and is content for a mere nominal sum to dispose of a valu- able property because it has cost him little time and trouble to create it. It may be argued that by so doing the scholar only wrongs himself, and that not only the publisher, but the general public, benefits by his careless generosity; as a matter of fact, it is only the publisher who gains. The published price of the book is not appreciably, if at all, affected by the consideration the consideration whether the author has been paid £10 or .£1,000 for the copyright; but the terms that a publisher is willing to give are determined by what the leading authori- ties are willing to take. In this way the market price is lowered, and the output of educational literature is stopped. It ceases to be a paying profession. In all branches of literature the professional author must expect to be under-bid by the amateur, but the conditions under which educational works appear are in some respects peculiar. Very often the inducement to write is the need that the author has felt for a certain manual or class book in his own teaching, and if he can find a publisher who will pro- duce the book he needs, and relieve him of all risk, he is indifferent to any profit. Let us urge upon all persons connected with educational literature to take over into their own hands the manage- ment, in part at least, of their own books. Then follows a brief statement of some of the cases brought to the Society's notice, which prove conclusively that the price paid for educational works is far below their market value. No doubt the publisher would say, “ We are bound to strike an average ; if we lose on fiction we must gain on technical works.” But this point cannot possibly be maintained by the author or any society that represents his profession. From the author's point of•view each book must stand or fall upon its merits, and it is unfair to cut down A. in price because B. is unsuccessful. It is necessary, therefore, after looking into the whole question, once again to place before the public the position of educational books and the value of educational property. It must not, however, for a moment be allowed that the statement with which this article opens is a true statement. It is not correct that nine works of fiction out of every ten published do not pay. The numerous accounts which come before the Secretary of the Society of Authors conclusively show that this is not the case. It is true that in some cases the profits are not so large as perhaps the publisher might wish. If, however, he makes a fair interest on the money expended and secures the return of his capital, he surely has done well. It is clear from many accounts that a publisher will make 5 per cent. and get the return of his capital in three months. If he can turn the same amount over twice again in the same year he will  ## p. 22 (#398) ############################################# 22 THE AUTHOR. have made 15 per cent. profit. This profit should satisfy any sound tradesman. To sum up, then, it is not true that nine books of fiction out of ten do not show a profit, otherwise the publishing business woulil cease to exist. It is not true that publishers are content to lose on fiction, but make their profit out of educational works, as many publishers do not publish educational works at all. Finally, let the Society once more impress upon its members, as well as upon those who do not belong to it, that the profit on educational books is undoubtedly very great, and that authors of such works should be very careful how they handle their property. II.-An Illustration. [Reprinted by kind permission of the Author from the Westminster Gazette of September 10th.] The information about literary earnings given from time to time to the public commonly concerns the two extremes the highly successful history, novel, or school-book, and the meritorious poem, treatise, or translation which costs its author time and trouble beyond count, and brings him in nothing or next to nothing by way of return. Everyone knows about the thousands of pounds which George Eliot received for her tales, the £20,000 which Longmans paid to Macaulay for the first edition of his History, and the fortunes which Pope in the eighteenth century and Tennyson in the nineteenth, alone among poets, built up by verse. But little is known about the earnings of the average author-i.e., of more than 90 per cent. of the men and women who make some profit by writing. Dr. Dabbs has lately given some figures which show the yearly average earned by a novelist of the second rank. This worked out at £133. His comment was that Holme Lee (the nom de plume under which the novelist worked) did well to have another occupation. My own experience is not dissimilar ; my annual earnings have been just a little larger, and I have made the greater part of my income by other occupations. ' I began first forty years ago with a school-book, the idea of which was suggested to me by my own work. I was then a master in a public school. It is now practically out of print. I find that I have received from it £82 138. During the next sixteen years I published eight other school-books, five of which still sell. The most profitable has produced £216 78. ld. This is a book of elementary exercises, and certainly cost me less pains than anything else that I have done. The more elementary the book the greater the return. An edition of an English classic on which I bestowed ten times as much labour brought me in about a twentieth part of the remuneration. My eight school-books have produced a total of about £670. Not less than a quarter of a million have been sold ; but then the price was very low (I take no account of some other books of the same class which I put together, either alone or in collaboration, at a fixed price). My chief work in this direction, however, has been the translation in collaboration with a relative) of the whole of Tacitus and of five books of Livy. These occupied a large part of such leisure as I had during the years 1860- 1875—I might date the beginning even earlier, for I began to work at the Tacitus early in the fifties. My receipts under this heading have been about £280 (representing, it must be remembered, half the Author's profits). It is a striking instance of the advantage of retaining, if possible, an interest in literary work that I sold my share in the translation of the Histories of Tacitus for £18, while the Annals, for which I still receive a royalty, have brought me in £212 ls. ld. This figure should be reduced to £170, as the latter book was published at a higher price, but even then the contrast is remarkable. My half share in the translation of Livy has amounted to £3158. ld. The labour on this has certainly been ill-paid. The publishers, too, cannot have found it a remunerative enterprise, ils the balance was against the book for at least ten years. I have written twenty-nine volumes which may be generally described as " Books for the Young." Among them are adaptations from the classics, sketches of Greek and Roman personages, stories of classical and mediæval times, etc. For these I have received between four and five thousand pounds. The most lucrative has been the first published," Stories from Homer," the total for which is, up to the present date, £741 12s. I may remark that the royalties on these books are necessarily small, the cost of production being largely increased by the illustrations. I receive for a book published at five shillings serenpence farthing, and for one published at three shillings and sixpence fourpence three farthings. The amount of copies sold I cannot give accurately, two of the books having been sold outright; but I may say that of the most popular about 25,000 have been sold. I will not weary my readers with further details about my books, but will give at once the total figures. The volumes which I have written alone, or in collaboration, amount to sixty-two (of which about 800,000 have been sold), and the whole amount received for them may be stated approximately at £6,650. Dividing this sum by forty-the years during which I have been at work-I arrive at an average of £166. This is not an imposing figure-it has seemed incredibly small to more than one collector of taxes, but then these gentlemen take optimistic views about the incomes of other people. It certainly goes to prove the truth of the remark that literature by itself is but a poor occupation. literature by itself is If I had given my whole time to it, the pecuniary results would have been somewhat, but not proportionately, larger. An author must limit his output. As it is, my sixty-odd volumes may seem to some-and they sometimes seem to myself-preposterously numerous. It is only fair to say that I make no complaint against publishers. I have had dealings with several houses. I have commonly met with fair and sometimes with generous treatment. But I cannot help wishing that American copyright had been given earlier in my literary career. In the pre-copy- right days I received but one spontaneous acknowledgment from an American publisher. This was of £10 : the book has produced in England more than £500. Another firm, on my application, sent me £100; this was for ten volumes, the "Homer" being one of them. I find that books of this kind have a larger sale in the States than they command here. I may mention that I did a fairly profitable piece of work by writing a classical story for one of the American Reading Unions. The number of readers is certainly larger there than it is here; but the machinery of distribution is apparently very costly, and the number of “Press copies" many times greater than that usual here. The establish- ment of copyright seems to have raised the level of publish- ing morals. Property in books is regarded even when they are not protected. It would not however, I imagine, be safe for a really popular author to trust to this feeling. I may mention that I have never received a farthing from any one of the Colonies. ALFRED J. CHURCH,  ## p. 23 (#399) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 23 Major-Gebeted by Ernest Radford. one hundred Scribemann in Englandshed this month bapan," BOOK AND PLAY TALK. Mr. Birrell has also contributed an introduction to “ Boswell's Life of Johnson," in six volumes, MONG the important books to be published which Archibald Constable & Co. publish this this autumn is “All the Russias,” by Mr. autumn. It will be illustrated with one hundred Henry Norman, M.P., author of “ People portraits selected by Ernest Radford. and Politics of the Far East,” “ The Real Japan,” Major-General Sir Reginald Clare Hart, K.C.B., &c. It will be published this month by Mr. V.C., &c., is bringing out immediately a sixth Heinemann in England, and by Messrs. Charles edition of his book,“ Sanitation and Health.” A Scribner's Sons, in New York. third edition of his “ Reflections on the Art of “ All the Russias” will contain travel-sketches War” will also appear. To the latter has been and studies of contemporary conditions and pros- added a chapter on “ Mountain Warfare." pects in European Russia, Finland, Siberia, the Last month Mr. Grant Richards published Caucasus and Central Asia. The volume will be « The Soverane Herbe : A History of Tobacco," lavishly illustrated, chiefly from the author's by W. A. Penn. This book is the first attempt own photographs, and will contain several maps since 1859 to adequately chronicle the develop- specially drawn to illustrate railway and national ment of smoking. The manufacture of tobacco, development.. cigars, cigarettes, pipes, the literature of tobacco, Mr. Norman has visited Russia four times tobacco and genius, the hygiene of tobacco, and during the last two years, to collect his material ; many other similar matters are dealt with. during one visit he travelled more than 20,000 On October 2nd « How to Study English miles. He had previously visited Eastern Siberia Literature Literature ” will appear. It is a new volume of while travelling in the Far East. He was afforded the “How To" series. The author, Mr. T. every assistance by the highest Russian authorities, Sharper Knowlson, begins by pointing out the extending to such courtesies as a special train, difference between reading and study; then he and on another occasion to a personal escort of discusses definitions of literature, the elements of Cossacks. Mr. Norman paid special attention to the various literary forms, standards of criticism, such important questions of the day as the com- examinations, and so on. A number of fine passages mercial and industrial development of Russia, her in prose and poetry is given in an appendix. financial situation, and the employment of foreign These passages are selected by eminent authors These vas capital in Russian enterprises. and critics. The book is addressed rather to the Miss Norma Lorimer, authoress of “A Sweet home student than to the scholar. Disorder,” “Mirry Ann,” and “ Josiah's Wife,” “How to Write an Essay ” was the previous has now written à travel book entitled “ By the volume of this series. It appeared last month. Waters of Sicily." She spent three winters in Sicily gathering the impressions and information The book teaches literary inethod and sequence in essay writing, and though intended chiefly for which make this rolume. There is a love-story beginners, will not be without service to the running through it, and it has a coloured frontis- piece and sixteen full-page illustrations. It is to experienced hand. be published almost immediately by Messrs. “ The Student's Manual of English Literature,” Hutchinson & Co. being a history of English Literature and the chief Early this month Messrs. Chapman and Hall will English writers, founded upon the Manual of publish a new book by Mr. Henry Charles Moore Thomas B. Shaw, by A. Hamilton Thompson, named “Omnibuses and Cabs." It is a history of B.A., has just been published by Mr. John Murray. omnibuses, hackney-coaches and cabs from their Dr. Richard Garnett, C.B. and Mr. Edmund introduction into England to the present day. Gosse are publishing “An Illustrated History of Mr. Moore has had access to the private records of English Literature," which appeals to student and many old-established omnibus and cab proprietors. general reader alike. This book, which will be the first devoted entirely On the 17th of last month Dr. Garnett unveiled to omnibuses and cabs which has ever been issued, the London Millenary Tablet to Alfred the Great, will be amply illustrated by reproductions of rare the kingly founder of our Anglo-Saxon prose, of old engravings, prints and photographs. whom Mr. Frederic Harrison has said : Mr. Augustine Birrell will publish during the “ He laid the very foundations of our literature, the most coming season a new volume of essays, uniform noble literature the world has ever seen. He collected with the first edition of “ Obiter Dicta.” It will and preserved the poetry based on the traditions and contain, among others, articles on “ John Wesley,” legends brought from the German forests. ... He made bis children learn their songs; he had them sung in his “ The Ideal University,” and “ The Reformation.” Court. The tradition goes that he could himself sing them Mr. Elliot Stock will be the publisher. to the music of his own harp. This wild and spontaneous  ## p. 24 (#400) ############################################# 24 THE AUTHOR. poetry which Alfred preserved is the beginning of our own noble choir of poets. In other words, the foundation of that stately Palace of Literature built up by our poets and writers for the admiration and instruction and consolation of mankind was laid by Alfred. Well, but he did more than collect the poetry : he began the prose. Before Alfred there was no Anglo-Saxon prose.” The tablet has been presented to the Sir Henry Tate Public Library at Brixton by Mr. R. C. Jackson, a well-known local antiquarian. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. The of bronze on an alabaster slab. The head of Alfred is carved on it, and underneath are the words : “Alfred the Great, born 849, died 901.” A further inscription reads : “I desire to live worthily all my days, that after death I might leave to my successors a memory of good works done." The fifth edition of the Poet Laureate's Drama, “ England's Darling," is now issued by Messrs. Macmillan with the new title, “ Alfred the Great," for the Millenary Anniversary of Alfred's death. Then Mr. Edmund L. Hill has given us his “ Alfred the Great." a Drama in three acts ; and the Rey. Stopford Brooke contributes a little book on “ King Alfred,” as educator of his people and man of letters. Besides these contributions to King Alfred literature, there is the popular “ Story of King Alfred," written by Sir Walter Besant for George Newnes' Library of Useful Stories (1s.). This successful little volume was a veritable labour of love ; it is a life of the greatest of all Englishmen, written for all classes of the English people. In his introduction the author says : "I desire to write such a history of the great King as shall be accessible and instructive to the great body-every year growing greater-of those who read books and wish to be acquainted with the national history. I shall endeavour not to exaggerate the achievements of the King —they want no exaggeration ; or to overstate the obligations which the posterity of Alfred owe to his memory—they can hardly be over-stated. The plain and unvarnished story should be sufficient. I would rather write a book for the people than anything else that the world can offer." A new version of Asser's “Life of King Alfred” is being issued at once by the Oxford University Press. It is edited from the MS. by M. W. A. Stevenson of Exeter College. He also contributes an introduction and commentary. “The Annals of St. Neot,” which have been wrongly ascribed to Asser, will be included in this volume. The name of Alfred's country has been revived by a Wessex man, Thomas Hardy, and now Mr. John Lane is publishing Professor Windle's book dealing with “ The Wessex of Thomas Hardy." Professor Windle loves Mr. Hardy's Wessex, and has been exploring it for years. Mr. E. H. New illustrates it, and it is dedicated to "to the onlie Begetter of this Wessex.” Mr. Hardy has given the writer valuable assistance, which is duly acknowledged. The Rev. Thomas Davidson, M.A., the editor of Chambers' English Dictionary, has now finished his work on Chambers' Twentieth Century Dic- tionary of the English language. It contains over a hundred thousand references, and all the most recent words entitled to a place in a dictionary of the English language. An important new work is being published by Messrs. Cassell & Co. It is called “ London Afternoons,” being chapters on the social life, architecture, and records of the great city and its neighbourhood. There are sixty full-page illustrations. The author is the Rev. W. J. Loftie, B.A., F.S.A., author of “In and out of London," " A History of London,” &c. Mr. Loftie is a recognised authority on the subject. There are descriptions of London at various periods, and of visits to interesting places—the scenes of great events or famous for sylvan beauty in its environs. The illustrations are selected from drawings, old prints, and modern photographs. Messrs. Chatto and Windus have published a cheaper edition of Sir Walter Besant's very successful “ South London.” This popular edition, with an etching by F. S. Walker and 110 illustrations, costs 78. 6d. Mr. M. H. Spielmann, editor of “The Magazine of Art," and author of “ The History of Punch," &c., has produced a book entitled “ British Sculpture and Sculptors of To-day.” This volume consists of 176 large 4to pages, and there are some 200 illustrations, representing most of the Pancipal principal works of living artists in all the branches of sculpture. About sixty sculptors will be represented. Messrs. Cassell & Co. are the In “ The Magazine of Art ” yearly volume, published by the same firm, Mr. Spielmann has written two special articles, viz. : “Gems of the Wallace Collection” and “Her Majesty Queen Victoria and the Fine Arts.” A number of arnorts have not winter too hool- on“ Dangerous Trades," to be published very shortly by Mr. John Murray. It is edited by Dr. T. Oliver, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., and deals with the historical, social, and legal aspects of industrial occupations as affecting public health. Among the contributors are: Miss Anderson, H.M. Principal Lady Inspector of Factories ; Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Tennant; Miss M. McMillan ; Dr. T. Oliver; Mr. H. J. Wilson, H.M. Inspector of Factories ; Dr. Haldane; Commander Hamilton  ## p. 25 (#401) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 25 Smith, R.N.; Dr. Whitelegge, H.M. Chief Iu- spector of Factories, Home Office ; Miss Deane, Miss Paterson, and Miss Rose Squire, H.M. Inspectors of Factories. Mrs. Humphry Ward has contributed a pre- face to “ The Case for the Factory Acts,” which is edited by Mrs. Sydney Webb. Mr. Grant Richards is the publisher. Mr. John Murray is publishing “A General History of Europe, 350-1900," by Oliver J. Thatcher and Ferdinand Schwill. It has been revised and adapted to the requirements of English colleges and schools by Arthur Hassall, M.A., Christ Church, Oxford. There are biographies at the end of each section. These and the maps are special features of the book. Mr. Gilbert Parker's new novel is called “ The Right of Way.” It deals with a marriage problem, Mr. Heinemann is the publisher. “The Giant's Gate," just issued by Messrs. Cassell & Co., is Mr. Max Pemberton's longest novel. It is the story of a French soldier who made himself so popular in Paris that the French people wished to make him Emperor. The author gives us pictures of storm and calm, of barrack and palace, of the haunts of the Anarchists and of those who are conspiring against the Republic. Some of the scenes are laid in England, some by the Riviera ; but the most thrilling scenes of action take place in Paris. Mr. Pemberton has been able to study many little-known phases of life in modern Paris. Miss Rosa N. Carey's new novel, “ Herb of Rosa. N. Carey's new, novel; “ Herb of Grace," just issued by Messrs. Macmillan, concerns the fortunes of a certain Malcolm Herrick and a much younger friend, Cedric Templeton, to whom he acts as a good Providence, rescuing him from an entanglement of gaming debts, and also from an undesirable engagement. In the end, after many disappointments, Herrick is rewarded with the affections of Cedric's sister. There are many characters in this novel who play small but necessary parts and help to maintain the interest. · Miss Helen M. Burnside has compiled a “ Birth- day Book” from the works of Miss Rosa Nouchette Carey, with original introductory verses. The volume will be out shortly, and the publishers are Messrs. S. H. Bousfield & Co. Messrs. Macmillan have taken over from other publishers those stories not already in their lists, and are now issuing “ The Light of Scarthey,” previously published by Messrs. Harper. “ Con. sequences" and "The Pride of Jennico ” are at the same time issued in a binding uniform with it, and at the same price—3s. 6d. In that popular romance, “The Light of Scar- they,” the author tells how the story came to be written ; he also answers some questions certain readers might ask, he replies to some of his critics, and he speaks boldly in honour of Fiction. A novel by Geraldine Kemp, entitled “ Ingram," will be published shortly by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. The same firm have just published the novels of Samuel Richardson in twenty small crown 850 volumes, 28. 6d. net. There are seventy-eight illustrations, reproduced from the engravings of Thomas Stothard and E. F. Burney, and a portrait of Richardson. A year or two ago Mr. Rider Haggard published his novel “ Dr. Therne,” in which he advocates vaccination. We are now to have a reply to it entitled “Lord Dorchester : or the End of Dr. Therne.” The author is Lieut.-General Arthur Phelps, President of the Anti-Vaccination Society. Mr. A. W. Marchmont's new novel, “ For Love or Crown," runs on the same lines as his successful “By Right of Sword.” Mr. Hamilton Aidé has just published his new novel, “ The Snares of the World," through Mr. John Murray. The heroine is an Irish girl who, after trials and various experiences, happily marries the right man. Messrs. Nisbet have brought out a book which contains new information about the childhood of Queen Victoria. Mrs. Gerald Gurney is the authoress of it. She is the grand-daughter of Bishop Blomfield, one of the Queen's early advisers. Mrs. Ġurney has been able to make use of letters and papers written by the Duchess of Kent and various friends of that period. These have to do with the education and training of the Queen. The King has sanctioned their publication. The third and concluding volume of the supple- ment to the “ Dictionary of National Biography," which will be published very shortly, will contain a memoir of Queen Victoria. Mr. Hall Caine has revised the MS. of Mr. Fred Kenyon's monograph, “ Hall Caine, the Man and the Novelist,” which forms the next volume in series. Letters by Gladstone, Ruskin, and other famous men will be found in this little volume, together with some hitherto unpublished remin- iscences of Mr. Hall Caine which were compiled by the Rev. W. Pierce. Messrs. Fisher Unwin are the publishers of Mrs. Archibald Little's new book on China. Among other points she aims at making the Boxer movement clearly understood by the ordinary English reader.  ## p. 26 (#402) ############################################# 26 THE AUTHOR. “ Andrey," by Miss Mary Johnston, the authoress Russians well. For five years he was a University of “ The Old Dominion,” and “ By Order of the Professor, and much of his life has been spent Company,” is announced for publication early next in Russia. Dr. Dillon can speak with authority year by Miss Johnston's publishers, Messrs. Archi- regarding Tolstoy, for his personal knowledge of the bald Constable & Co. Her two previous books great writer extends over a number of years. Messrs. have already reached a sale of over 426,000 copies Hodder and Stoughton are to be the publishers. in England and America. “ Letters on Life,” by Claudius Clear, will also The same firm have arranged to issue, in fifteen be published this autumn. volumes, a pocket edition of Mr. George Meredith's “ Tom Genuflex ; or, Life's Little Day,” is the novels. The books will be bound in red cloth, and title of a new novel by the lady who writes under the author's autograph will be the only ornament. the nom de guerre of “ Aunt Cherry.” The book They will be printed on paper specially manufac- is published by the authoress, and copies can be tured for this edition, and the text will be that of the finally revised édition de luxe. There will be obtained from her at Llwyn-y-brain, Whitland, South Wales. two prices—2s. 6d, net, or 3s. 6d. net per volume, bound in full leather. The King and Queen have accepted copies of Messrs. Archibald Constable & Co. will also Mrs. Aylmer Gowing's lines on “ Victoria Day" ; publish the Works of Tobias Smollett, in twelve also of her last novel, “ A Spider's Web.” A sixpenny volumes, deniy 8vo, 78. 6d. net each volume. edition of this work appeared in August, published Mr. W. E. Henley contributes an introduction, by T. Burleigh. and there will be photogravure frontispieces. The Mrs. Ernest Ames's new book for children is works will be sold in sets only. called “ The Bedtime Book," and, like last year's The works of William Hazlitt are to be added “ Tremendous Twins," will contain twenty-four full-page pictures in colours. Mr. Grant Richards to Mr. Grant Richards' “ World's Classics.” A start is to be made immediately with “ Table is the publisher. Talk; Essays on Men and Manners.” In the In October Messrs. Jarrold will publish a new same series will appear immediately “The Vicar story, “Worth the Struggle," by Miss Montgomery of Wakefield.” Both books, as with previous Campbell, whose last year's book, “ Not Wise but volumes of the series, will appear in cloth and Fond,” is to appear shortly in its third edition. It leather bindings. has met with quite exceptional success for parish libraries. Mr. E. W. Hornung has written a new book, which he has called “The Black Mask," wherein “A Mackenzie Bell Treasury” is the title of a he relates further episodes in the career of those small pretty paper-covered volume, price 3d., pub- amiable scoundrels “ Bunny” and “Raffles," lished in London by Thomas Burleigh. The poems familiar to readers of “ The Amateur Cracks are selected by Albert Broadbent, who publishes man.” In “ The Black Mask” the amateurs have them in Manchester. become professionals. Mr. Grant Richards is to Among the best selling fiction lately published publish it shortly. are “ The Eternal City," by Mr. Haīl Caine ; On October 4th Messrs. Nisbet & Co. will “Tristram of Blent," by Anthony Hope; “The publish “ The Dolly Dialogues,” by Anthony Hope. Lady of Lynn," by Sir Walter Besant ; “ Love There will be four new dialogues, and there will and His Mask," by Ménie Muriel Dowie (Mrs. be illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy. The Henry Norman); and “The Serious Wooing,” by price is 68., but there will be a special Presentation John Oliver Hobbes. Edition at 10s. 6d. Among this season's books will be “Three Mrs. Alec Tweedie's new book, “Mexico as I saw Stories and a Play,” by John Oliver Hobbes, also it,” is to appear almost immediately. There are over the new Haymarket play by the same author. one hundred illustrations, taken on the spot, and the Messrs. Hutchinson are about to publish a book writer has also contributed water-colour sketches of travels by the late Sir Richard Burton, K.C.M.G. Mrs. Tweedie was present at the latest Aztec excava- Mr. W. H. Wilkins has edited it, and has also con- tions, which are the richest finds yet made in tributed a Preface and Notes. This book covers Mexico. There is a special chapter on mining the period from 1853 to 1870, the most active and trade, as well as a map. Messrs. Hurst and years of Burton's active life ; they began with the Blackett are the publishers here, and Macmillan Pilgrimage to Mecca and ended with his recall to in America. Damascus. The editor has allowed Burton to give Mr. Heinemann will publish a "Life of Tolstoy," in his own words an epitome of his principal travels by Dr. E. J. Dillon, who knows Russia and the during the period mentioned. Certain local and  ## p. 27 (#403) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 27 topical allusions have been deleted, and where the one which Madame Bernhardt will perform. notes were too sketchy they have been amplified; Monsieur Schwob, who made the prose translation of otherwise they are reproduced exactly as they left “Hamlet,” has not collaborated with Mr. Crawford. the author's hands. His version is simply an accurate translation of Messrs. Hutchinson are also publishing “In an Mr. Crawford's English drama. unknown Prison Land,” by George Griffith, author Mr. Crawford has drawn his play from the true of " The Angel and the Revolution,” “The Out- story of Francesca da Rimini, and not from the laws of the Air," &c. This prison land is New current legends. He has strong evidence to show Caledonia, and in it Mr. Griffith gives an account that he has found the actual room in which of his voyage to the penal settlement, and what he Francesca was murdered, in the castle near Rimini. saw of the life there during his stay in an official capacity for a large corporation. There are to be A five-act tragedy, “Francesca da Rimini,” thirty-two illustrations. has just been completed by Signor Gabriele D'Annunzio, and Madame Eleonora Duse will play Mr. Frankfort Moore's new novel is entitled the leading rôle. Rehearsals are to begin at “A Nest of Linnets.” Most of the action of the Florence on October 15th. Each act of the tragedy story takes place in Bath and the neighbourhood. is divided into five scenes ; there are fifty dramatis Sheridan's love story forms the central interest, persona. An overture precedes the first act, and and such well-known characters as Dr. Johnson, each act has a musical prelude. Horace Walpole, the Duchess of Devonshire, David Garrick, Mr. Boswell and Mrs. Thrale are intro- Mr. Edward Rose's adaptation of Mr. Stanley duced by the author, whose “ Jessamy Bride " told Weyman's “ Under the Red Robe” will very the love story of Oliver Goldsmith. shortly be revived by Mr. Herbert Waring at the “Nine Unlikely Tales" is the name of Mrs. E. Imperial Theatre. Nesbit's new book for children, published by Mr. Mr. Hall Caine's drama, founded on his novel T. Fisher Unwin. There are a number of black “The Eternal City,” has already been produced, and white illustrations by H. R. Millar. Mrs. E. under the author's direction, at the Gaiety Theatre, Nesbit is known as the authoress of “ The Treasure Isle of Man. Seekers,” a children's book, illustrated by Gordon Mr. J. M. Barrie's new play, “Quality Street,” is Brown and Lewis Baumer ; and of “ The Would-be to be produced in America by Miss Maud Adams, Goods,” a sequel to “ The Treasure Seekers.” Mr. while another American actress, Miss Blanche Fisher Unwin is the publisher of both. Walsh, is to appear in a dramatic version of Mr. The authorised biography of Robert Louis S. R. Crockett's “ Joan of the Sword Hand.” Miss Stevenson by his cousin, Mr. Grahain Balfour, Walsh now has her much-desired chance of playing will be published immediately by Messrs. Methuen. a male part. Readers will remember that in the It will be in two volumes, and will be uniform with novel, Duchess Joan of Hobenstein, in order to the Edinburgh edition. see the man to whom she is betrothed as other Messrs. Pearson are publishing an authorised men see him, goes to his principality in male biography of Miss Ellen Terry and her sisters. attire. Mr. T. Edgar Pemberton is the writer, and both “Ben Hur,” which is to be produced at Drury Miss Ellen Terry and Sir Henry Irving have given Lane next Easter by Messrs. Klau and Erlanger, him assistance. It is illustrated. began its third American year at the Illinois Mrs. W. K. Clifford, who lately published a new Theatre, Chicago, last month. novel, “A Woman Alone,” through Messrs. General Lew Wallace, the author of this well- Methuen, has a play in last month's “Fortnightly." known book, was asked not long ago for permission It is called “ A Long Duel : A Serious Comedy." to translate it into Arabic. There is an Arabic There are four acts, and the scene is laid in France. translation already in existence, made by Dr. Van It is founded on a short story of Mrs. Clifford's, Dyck, the oldest Protestant missionary at Beirut, written in 1891. Syria. Bedouins play a prominent part in the Madame Sarah Bernhardt has signed a contract story. to produce at her theatre in Paris a drama written Mr. H. V. Esmond's new play " When we were by Mr. Marion Crawford. The subject is “Francesca Twenty-one,” which has had a successful career in da Rimini.” Mr. Crawford wrote the play in English, the United States, was produced last month, for but made a rough French translation, which he the first time, at the Comedy Theatre, and seems read to Madame Bernhardt when she was in London in for a long run. Mr. Esmond's play “ The Wil- this summer. Since then it has been arranged derness," produced by Mr. Alexander last season, that Monsieur Marcel Schwob's version will be the was an undoubted success.  ## p. 28 (#404) ############################################# 28 THE AUTHOR. Judging from Dr. Georg Brandes' report, there IS IT FAIR JOURNALISM ? seems no doubt that Dr. Hendrik Ibsen is dying. Writing from Christiania Dr. Brandes says :- To the Editor of THE AUTHOR. "Nothing can be compared with the intense interest SIR,—Here is a choice specimen of what I take everybody takes in Ibsen's condition. Three physicians to be quite a unique violation of accepted journalistic are attending him, the State bearing all expenses. Nearly all day he rests in bed or on a lounge, being unable to Letters of mine addressed to the Editor appear- move his legs. He has become irritable beyond conception. He is quarrelsome, and finds fault with everything and ing in a well-known suburban newspaper are often everybody; but his mind is not affected. It is just as clear calmly appropriated the following week by another and sharp as it used to be, and he works almost daily for organ serving the same district. No acknowledg. two hours. He is writing the “Apologia’ of his life. ment of their source is ever given. I may add that Whether this will be a drama or an essay no one knows, and he himself will not tell. With characteristic stubborn. the same paper recently reproduced oneof my articles ness he refuses the aid of an amanuensis, and writes every in the same cool fashion. Perhaps some fellow- word himself.” scribblers may have been similarly treated and would “ The Calling of the Weir" is the title of a favour us with a record of their experiences, with novel, by the Rev. Frederick Langbridge, which mode of remonstrance ? OLD BIRD. Messrs. Digby, Long & Co. will publish in October. AUTHORS' CLUB, S.W., September 17th, 1901. Mr. Martin Harvey will produce at Dublin, on the 7th October, a drama dealing with the story of Eugene Aram, by Messrs. Freeman Wills and Frederick Langbridge. The authors, while follow- SIR,—Complaints are inade by your corre- ing roughly the sequence of Lord Lytton's novel, spondents from time to time of defacement of their have deepened the spiritual side of the interest and have trusted entirely to their own dialogue. MSS. by editors and publishers' readers—certainly a very irritating practice, and one that entitles The title of the play is “ After All.” the owner of the Ms. to our hearty sympathy. “ Iris," Mr. Pinero's remarkable new play, was At the same time, may I inquire whether these produced at the Garrick Theatre on the evening things are done by really good houses ? I am of September 21st. It was received with great afraid to say how many times my last MS. novel enthusiasm. Miss Fay Davis played the part of has been returned : but they were all first-class Iris, while Mr. Oscar Asche interpreted Maldonado, firms to which I sent it, and in no case has it been the half-civilised Jew, the grandson of a Spanish defaced--a very light pencil note of a few words Jew. Maldonado is a compound of prudence and was once made on one of the pages ; possibly passion. There are five acts, and two of the acts numbers may have been written on the title-page are subdivided into three episodes. “ Iris" is a (a thing which certainly happens to copy sent to strong tragedy. At the fall of the curtain authoreditors). One could always send a front sheet and actors were repeatedly called by an appreciative with title, address, &c., written by oneself. This first-night audience. could be renewed without applying to the typist, and it is easy to point out in the accompanying letter that the rest of the MS. is type written. I never received any but a courteous letter of refusal, sometimes containing a word or two of kindly criticism or explanation. My experience of editors CORRESPONDENCE. is the same as my experience of publishers. I should be very sorry to express anything but the WANTED: A REFERENCE. sincere sympathy I feel for authors suffering from “ A Poor Novelist's” very real grievance, but it To the Editor of THE AUTHOR. seems right, as well as satisfactory, to say when one has been well treated. SIR,—I should be greatly obliged if any of your readers could tell me the author and date and FRANCES HEATH FRESHFIELD. place of publication of the following :- “ Qui cessat esse melior, cessat esse bonus.” I have searched all the quotation books in vain. Quinx.  ## p. 28 (#405) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. jii SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 5, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS WI SIKES and SIKES, G. H. PERRIS. TYPEWRITING COMPANY, Oswald House, Queen Victoria Road, Coventry. 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SS AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD  ## p. 28 (#406) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS, ESTABLISHED] (XVIII. CENT. The Athenæum Press, Taunton. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. BOS Post free to any address in the United Monthly, 3d. Post frente domy dad. per annum. A MONTHLY JOURNAL FOR LITERARY PEOPLE. Devoted to the interests of Book-buyers, Booksellers, Authors and Readers. The general aim of “The Writer" will be to maintain a high standard of Literary Criticism. Printed at the Walsall Prese, Walsall. Published at Bapk Chambers, Blackburn. London : Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd. THE BUSH LANE HOUSE TYPEWRITING & SHORTHAND OFFICE, Principal: Bush Lane House, Bush Lane, MISS MORGAN. Cannon Street, London, E.C. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied from 10d. per 1,000 words. General Typewriting, Shorthand and Translations executed by skilled workers. 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For that purpose he has engaged the services of a well-known dramatic critic of one of the best London morning daily newspapers as Editor and Reader, and this expert will read and prepare written reports on all the plays sub- mitted—which will be placed in due course before suitable Managers in England and America Communications invited from Dramatic Authors interested. THE USUAL TERMS. TYPEWRITING. 9d. per 1,000 words. ACCURACY AND DISPATCH. Miss RISDON, 6, Racquet Court, 114, Fleet Street, E.C. AUTHORS' MS. TYPED By Experienced Hand. 9d. thousand words. M. J. C., 31, LAMMAS PARK ROAD, EALING, W. Literary Agents.--Authors are warned against dealing with any Literary Agent without re erring to the Society for infor- mation. Authors are also warned not to sign Agreements on the advice of Literary Agents alone. All Agreements should be submitted to the Society for advice. By Order, G. HERBERT THRING, Secretary Society of Authors, 39, Old Queen Street, Sturey's Gate, S.W. TYPEWRITING. 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Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 03 (October 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 03 (October1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-10-01-The-Author-12-3 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/345/1901-07-01-The-Author-12-2.pdf 1ea4fedae0f16fea2be88a83cf6a2027 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) 1901-07-01 Volume 12 Issue 2 Pages Page range in volume 17–36 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010701 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. 1. (The Organ of the Incorporated Scriety of Authors. Monthly.) VOL. XII.-No. 2.] JULY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. PAGY : CONTENTS. PAGE Memoranda ... ... 17 The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors ... Authors and the War Fund Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... ... Death of Sir Walter Besant : Notes and News Portrait ... ... ... Tribute from the President .. The Women Writers' Dinner Tribute from the Committee... Correspondence Memoir. By S. Squire Sprigge Tribute from Paris The Proposed Memorial to Arcbibald Forbes From the Committee The Handling of MSS.... ... Literary Property : Authors' Deductions and Income Tax Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. Pearson | Robert Buchanan ... ... ... ... ... The Same Old Agreement The International Literary and Artistic Association ... 29 | Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at ios. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18. 6. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods.” With comments and advice. 28. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 18. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888-1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. is. [All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.] NST  ## p. 16 (#352) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL Sir Edwin ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Austin Dobson. THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. EDMUND GOSSE. THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIB. The Right Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. | SYDNEY GRUNDY. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH H. RIDER HAGGARD. SiR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., CLERE. THOMAS HARDY. LL.D. HALL CAINE. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. P. W. CLAYDEN. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. EDWARD CLODD. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. W. MORRIS COLLES. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G, R. Sims. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE RIGHT Hon. W.E. H. LECKY, M.P. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. J. M. LELY. J. J. STEVENSON. MRS. CRAIGIE. The Rev. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. FRANCIS STORR. F. MARION CRAWFORD. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. J. M. LELY. E. Rose. D. W. FRESHFIELD. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hon. John COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONway. M. H. SPIELMANN. COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDI. EDWARD ROSE. Salinitore FIELD, Roscoe, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. ESTABLISHED 1896. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. Ltd. INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS. MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing, NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED. WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol.  ## p. 17 (#353) ############################################# The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) Vou.. XII.—No. 2.] JULY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE 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. III. The Royalty System. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production.” IV. 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 for«ns 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 hy letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other subjoots whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. SERE 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 in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreemeat 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," anless 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! VOL. XII. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com- petent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipte in preference to the American system. Sbould obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. D2  ## p. 18 (#354) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. lence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con. fidential 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 apon agreements and to give advice con- cerning 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. THE READING BRANCH. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nigbtly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the feos are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should be reserved. 5. Anthors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and time. Tbis is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rigbts, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed. ingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly specnlative : that be 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 dramatio con. tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA. TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER THAN THE 2180 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 whicb it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. THE AUTHORS' CLUB is situated at 3, Whiteball.court, London, S.W. Address the Secretary for information concerning rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. - AUTHORS AND THE WAR FUND. 1. T VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive N advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Reinember that yaestions connected with copyright and publishers' agreoments do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to ase 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 battlos of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing MSEMBERS of the Society of Authors will be pleased to hear that the book issued under the editorship of Mr. Cutcliffe Hyne, the proceeds of the sale of which were to go to the War Fund, has had a thoroughly successful circulation, and a first contribution of £214 10s. 7d. has been forwarded. Authors may look upon this result as highly satisfactory, and special thanks must be given to the editor and the contributors for the trouble they have taken.  ## p. 19 (#355) ############################################# By kind permission of Messrs. Ellis and Watery. SIR W ALTER BESANC. Died at Frognal End, Hampstead, June 9, 1901.  ## p. 20 (#356) ############################################# 20 THE AUTHOR. SIR WALTER BESANT. maintain and enforce. It is not necessary on the present occasion to recapitulate these; readers of THE FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. this journal are familiar with them. The years that have elapsed since that paper was read have From the President. witnessed no departure from those principles and UR Society has to sustain a heavy blow in have been filled with work upon those lines. the death of Sir Walter Besant; and, Though no longer chairman, Sir Walter did not although vitality breathes from a bright abate in the smallest degree his labours on behalf example, such a loss may well seem to us at the of the profession of letters. As an energetic and moment irreparable. It is hard to speak of him diligent member of the Committee, and as the within measure when we consider his devotion to conductor of The Author, he continued to inspire the cause of authors, and the constant good the Society which he had founded, and to give to service rendered by him to their material inte. it his time, his thoughts, and his affection with rests. In this he was a valorous, alert, persistent that unmeasured generosity which seemed to advocate, and it will not be denied by his oppo belong to him alone, and with the ardent enthu- nents that he was always urbane, his object being siasm which had enabled him to overcome all simply to establish a system of fair dealing opposition and all difficulties in the early days of between the sagacious publishers of books and our existence. Nothing but illness kept him the inexperienced, often heedless, producers. from the meetings of the Committee; he edited How unselfishly, with how pure a generosity he The Author till within a month of his death; he gave his valuable time to the previously neglected never ceased to seek how the work of the Society office of adviser to the more youthful of his pro might be advanced and extended, and how its fession, may be estimated by a review of his position might be yet further fortified and con- memorable labours in other fields. They were solidated. vast and toilsome, yet he never missed an occa- Faith, zeal, courage, self-devotion—these were sion for acting as the young author's voluntary the great qualities which he brought to his friend in the least sentimental and most sensible chosen work—the work of developing in men of manner. He had no thought of trouble or letters a sense of their brotherhood, of the dignity personal loss where the welfare of his fellow. of their profession, of the duty of maintaining workers was concerned. We have lost in him the steadfastly its independence and its rights. very beating heart of our Society, and it is by What he warred against was, in his own words, holding his name in grateful remembrance that “the feeling, ridiculous, senseless, and baseless, we may best hope to have something of his that it is beneath the dignity of an author to energies remaining with us. manage his business affairs as a man of business GEORGE MEREDITH. should, with the same regard for equity in his agreement, the same resolution to know what is meant by both sides of an agreement, and the From the Committee. same jealousy as to assigning the administration When, in the year 1892, Sir Walter Besant of his property.” Against the old bad way—the retired from the chairmanship of the Committee hand-to-mouth existence, indolence and ignorance of the Society, he himself gave an account parading as the superiority of genius, i slipshod of bis stewardship in the form of a “ brief negligence that ended in recriminations and history of the Society from its foundation.” wranglings, he set his own face and armed his This paper, read at the Annual Meeting, con- comrades. For it was to his comrades in the stitutes still the best account of the origin, first instance that his message spoke. Their establishment, and progress of the Society. fate was in their own hands; it was in their In it our founder lays down the lines of our power to make justice, knowledge, and common activity and the principles which we exist to sense prevail in their business arrangements.  ## p. 21 (#357) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 21 “We have enabled you to meet men of business authors. The loyalty and love of his comrades as men of business,” he said, rightly discerning in literature-not least of the younger men and that only thus could independence exist and women whom he welcomed so cordially and reciprocal respect be in the end secured. appraised so generously-were his without stint “I can at least plead that I have always placed in his lifetime, and follow him in affectionate the Cause before any other consideration.” All sorrow beyond the grave. our members know one sense in which this was By order of the Committee, so abundantly true. He placed it before his ease (Signed) and his leisure ; for its sake he endured violent ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS, Chairman. attack, supercilious comment, ill-informed criti. June 17, 1901. cism; for it he suffered himself to be represented by many as false to the very thing he loved best of all—the true and highest interests of literature. Memoir. But there is another sense in which his words SIR WALTER BESANT was born at Portsmouth come back to those whose privilege it was to be sixty-four years ago. He was educated at Ports- intimately associated with him in the work and mouth, at several suburban schools, at King's counsels of the Society. For a man of his ardent College, London, and at Christ's College, Cam- mind and strong convictions it could not have bridge, where a successful student's career was been easy to subordinate his judgment to that of rewarded by a high place in the mathematical others, and to work as one of several equal members tripos. He was eighteenth wravgler. From of a consultative body. But this as a member a small boy a hard worker, he read much of the Committee he was always ready to do. and in many directions during hours when his He based no claims on his unique services or on schoolmates were playing, for his short sight his unrivalled experience. However strongly he prevented him from taking a prominent part in might advocate a particular view or a particular athletic pursuits; though it should be added course, he accepted loyally the decision of his that when he was at Cambridge he became fond colleagues. He never liked to have it said that of rowing. As a youth he was an excellent he “was the Society," and to say it was to do an classic, having read sufficiently widely to appre- injustice to one of the greatest graces of his ciate the study of Latin and Greek; and it character and to one of his most valuable seems to have been by accident rather than by qualities as a member of a corporation. natural bent that his attention was turned to Thanks to him far more than to any other mathematics. Certainly his love of literature, his man the Society of Authors has now reached devotion to historical and antiquarian research, such a position that no individual loss can shake and his keenness in tracing the ethical develop- or cripple it. None the less the loss we have ments of his fellow-men—the influence upon suffered is heavy and irreparable. The difference them of heredity and environment-seem to mark which his departure makes must be great. It him out rather as a student of the humanities should be the work of those who survive him to than of the abstract sciences. He always re- lessen it by all means in their power; this would gretted that he had not continued to read classics have been his first wish. It is to be hoped when at Cambridge, and made rather light of his that a worthy memorial of him may be set on mathematical powers, which were so considerable foot. But there would be none that he himself that in many men they would have dictated a would value so much as the continued and grow- career. ing usefulness and prosperity of the Society. It had been his intention to enter the Church, That is the only reward he ever looked to receive but when the time came near he found his dis- for all his labours. One other he did receive, taste for Holy Orders to be insuperable, and in which at this time it is permissible to express to 1861, after a brief experience as an under master those dear to him in the name of his brother at a school, he applied for and obtained a  ## p. 22 (#358) ############################################# 22 THE AUTHOR. Government appointment as professor of mathe- extraordinary power of application was perhaps as matics in the Royal College of Mauritius. He much displayed in connection with the Palestine held the post for six years, resigning in 1867 Exploration Fund as in any part of his life-work. through ill-health. He has described in oue of The Fund, which has done such admirable his earlier novels the life of enervating laziness service in illustrating and verifying the Scrip. which prevailed at that time in a tropical island, tures, had in him a literally indefatigable servant. and to this he never got acclimatised. When He managed the office, edited the Transactions, he returned to England he resolved to devote and wrote the hand-books; and it was always a himself to a literary career, for which be felt that source of regret to him that he had never been he had a strong bent, and to follow which had to the places with whose topography he was so been one of his earliest hopes as a lad. As a familiar. I remember that he once pointed out beginning he published a volume of studies in to me a short footnote in one of the publications early French poetry, the result of a great deal of of the Palestine Exploration Fund which he said reading undertaken during his residence in had necessitated the reading of three books Mauritius with the help and encouragement of a before the speculation which it contained could Frenchman whom he met there named Léon be supported. Later discovery proved its com. Doyen. This volume was succeeded by bio. plete correctness. To me the significance of the graphies of Coligny and Whittington, contributed story was not that he had taken such trouble to to a series of books of biography entitled "The verify the grounds of his hypothesis, but that, New Plutarch.” In 1873, and for a few years having acquired so much knowledge by the way, later, he was a frequent contributor to the columns he should be content to add only a little foot- of the Daily News, and in the former year he note. This was Besant all over, but it is not the brought out a volume entitled “The French way of many historians. Humourists,” which showed him to be a very It was in 1872 that a chance contribution to accurate and appreciative student of Rabelais. Once a Week introduced him to James Rice. By this work he proved himself to have a power The story has often been told how Besant called of graceful expression, a ready wit, and a store of on Rice to remonstrate with him for publishing rather unusual scholarship, and he soon found an article in the magazine which was full of ample employment for his pen in magazines and misprints, the author's proof having miscarried. newspapers. The interview led to Rice inviting Besant to Almost immediately upon his return to collaborate with him in a serial novel. The book England he had become closely associated was “ Ready Money Mortiboy.” It was a success, with the group of scholars and explorers who and was followed by a real triumph—" The founded the Palestine Exploration Fund, and by Golden Butterfly.” During the next ten years them was appointed secretary, a position which the joint authors produced a series of novels he held for upwards of twenty years, only which won them immediate popularity, and a resigning it to become hon. secretary in the year permanent place in English letters. An enormous 1886. His friend Mr. Morris Colles has recorded amount of conjecture has been expended over the value of Besant's work to the Palestine the respective shares of the two novelists in their Exploration Fund. During the years which admirable stories, and to this conjecture no the Survey of Western Palestine was in progress absolute end can be put, as the only two persons Mr. Colles was living with Professor Palmer, able to separate the compounds into their respec- the great orientalist, who edited the Survey with tive elements are dead without communicating Besant, and he testifies to the profound and their formula to the world. But this much may ; ritical knowledge over an amazingly wide field here be said. The books were truly written in » f learning that Besant would display. Palmer, collaboration, though here and there a scene is of course, was supreme as an orientalist, but in painted which was outside Besant's experience, all else Besant's help was invaluable. His or a place described to which Rice had never  ## p. 23 (#359) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 23 been. In every case the first draft was in Besant's handwriting, though the plot was not necessarily his original idea.' The scheme of each book was decided upon by them both before the draft was made, and every chapter was debated between them, the emendations and developments that followed being such as were approved by both. From a literary point of view, therefore, each wrote every word. It is completely unfair to relegate, as some have done, all the scholarship and graceful fancy to one partner, and all the broad humour to another. Something of the share that each played in the collaboration might be guessed by reading Rice's separate work and Besant's many novels written after the death of Rice in 1882, but the inference made would be misleading, for each man exercised an influence on the other. That is all that I ever heard Besant say on the matter. He was talking of collaboration in general, and not of his own works, but I have no doubt that it was from personal experience that he was speaking. He pointed out that if A. and B. truly collaborated, allowing nothing to be published which had not received their common approval, their separate qualities would be so modified by the process that the result would not be the expected or even the probable derivative of their individual talents. In September, 1883, a group of twelve or fifteen men, their closest link being, I believe, member- ship of the Savile Club, met in Mr. Scoones's chambers in Garrick-street to form a Society of Men and Women of Letters. Exactly what they were going to do they hardly knew. It was only felt vaguely that the position of literary men was unsatisfactory, a discontent which, as Sir Walter Besant recently said in these columns, “ may be traced back for 150 years simply by the con- tinuous beaded string of epigrams in which they have relieved their angry souls.” The Society of Men and Women of Letters started with a short programme of three objects :- 1. The maintenance, definition, and defence of literary property. 2. The consolidation and amendment of the laws of domestic copyright. 3. The promotion of international copyright vol. xii. On these lines a prospectus was produced and the adhesion was sought of all who lived by literature. Besant was the preliminary chairman during the organisation of the society, and to his untiring efforts and never-failing enthusiasm such measure of success as was obtained was due. He had first-hand experience of printing accounts, gained at the office of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and by the publication of the earliest work by Besant and Rice at its authors' risk ; while he had also acquired knowledge of certain frauds that were then being practised by pub- lishers of the baser sort, so that he knew, if a little vaguely, in which direction the association should begin its work, and he was able to give a reason for the enthusiasm with which he infected others. I am not be littling the part which the first council and committee of the Society of Authors played when I say that they almost all gave their original adherence “ to oblige Besant.” Later he was able to show them, and a large proportion of the literary world, that to support the Society of Authors made for the benefit of all, but at first it was Besant's perso nality that kept the Society together. He was loved as well as respected. He had gone to the top of the literary profession with a few quick strides, and success had made no difference to him. The absolutely simple, genial, unassuming man was unaltered. When such a man initiates a movement a response may be obtained that is quite surprising to many who have seen noisier and more declamatory efforts fail. All Besant's friends followed him because they knew the man rather than his cause. There was no suspicion that he was doing the thing for his own aggrandisement. Everyone felt that it was his sense of justice and his desire to be helpful that inspired his actions, and were ready to follow where he was leading, even though the direction was, as he has said, not quite clear even to himself. This is the sense in which it may truly be said that Besant founded the Society of Authors. Men of repute in the literary and business world belonged from the beginning to the movement. Admirable volunteer service was done by counsel, solicitors, and auditors, a strong committee of management was backed by an influential array of vice-presidents, and the first  ## p. 24 (#360) ############################################# 24 THE AUTHOR. president was Tennyson. Most of these were re- cruited into the service of the Society of Authors by half-a-dozen men who knew them intimately and were related to them, and these half-a-dozen men were Besant's friends. The following words from Besant's pen are probably familiar to readers of The Author, but no sketch of his life, however brief, should leave in doubt exactly what he meant by the definition of literary property and the maintenance of the dignity and independence of letters :- There has existed for a hundred and fifty years at least, and there still lingers among us, a feeling that it is unworthy the dignity of letters to take any account at all of the com- mercial or pecuniary side. No one, you will please to remark, has ever thought of reproaching the barrister, the solicitor, the physician, the surgeon, the painter, the sculptor, the actor, the singer, the musician, the composer, the architect, the chemist, the physicist, the engineer, the professor, the teacher, the clergyman, or any other kind of brain worker that one can mention, with taking fees or salaries or money for his work; nor does anyone reproach these men with looking after their fees and getting rich if they can. Nor does anyone suggest that to consider the subject of payment very carefully-to take ordinary pre- cautions against dishonesty-brings discredit on anyone who does 80; nor does anyone call that barrister unworthy of the Bar who expects large fees in proportion to his name and his ability ; nor does anyone call that painter a trades- man whose price advances with his reputation. I beg you to consider this point very carefully. For the moment any author begins to make practical investigation into the value --the monetary value of the work which he puts upon the market-& hundred voices arise from those of his own craft as well as from those who live by administering his property-voices which cry ont upon the sordidness, the meanness, the degradation of turning literature into a trade. We hear, I say, this kind of talk from our own ranks- though, one must own, chiefly from those who never had an opportunity of discovering what literary property means. Doos, I ask, this cry mean anything at all? Well, first of all, it manifestly means a confusion of ideas. There are two values of literary work—distinct, separate; not com. mensurable—they cannot be measured—they cannot be con- sidered together. The one is the literary value of a work- its artistic, poetic, dramatic value ; its value of accuracy, of construction, of presentation, of novelty, of style, of magnetism. On that value is based the real position of every writer in his own generation and the estimate of him, should he survive, for generations to follow. I do not greatly blame those who cry out upon the connection of literature with trade; they are jealous, and rightly jealous, for the honour of letters. We will acknowledge so much. But the confusion lies in not understanding that every man who takes money for whatever he makes or does may be regarded, in a way, and not offensively, as a tradesman; but that the making of a thing need have nothing whatever to do with the price it will command; and that this price in the case of a book cannot be measured by the literary or artistic value. In other words, while an artist is at work upon a poem, a drama, or a romance, this aspect of his work, and this alone, is in his mind, otherwise his work would be naught. But, once finished and ready for production, then comes in the other value—the commercial value, which is a distinct thing. Here the artist ceases and the man of business begins. Either the man of business begins at this point or the next steps of that artist infallibly bring him to disaster, or at least the partial loss of that commercial value. Remember that any man who has to sell a thing must make himself acquainted with its value, or he will be-what? Call it what you please-over-reached, deluded, cheated. That is & recognised rule in every other kind of business. Let us do our best to make it recognised in our own. Apart from this confasion of ideas between literary and commercial value, there is another and a secondary reason for this feeling. For two hundred years, at least, contempt of every kind has been poured upon the unsuccessful author. Why? How did the contempt arise ? It came to us as a heritage of the last century. In the course of our investigations into the history of literary property-the result of which will, I hope, appear some day in volume form-I recently caused a research to be made into the business side of literature in the last century. Publishers were not then men of education and knowledge, as many of them are at the present moment; they were not advised by scholars, men of taste and intuition ; the market, compared with that of the present day, was inconceivably small; there were great risks due to all these causes. The practice, therefore, was, in view of these risks, to pay the author so much for his book right out, and to expect a successful book to balance, and more than balance, one tbat was unsuc- cessful. Therefore they bought the books they published at the lowest price they could persuade the author to accept. Therefore—the consequence follows like the next line in Euclid—the author began to appear to the popular imagina- tion as a suppliant standing hat in hand beseeching the generosity of the bookseller. Physician and barrister stood upright, taking the recognised fee. The author bent a humble back, holding his hat in one humble hand, while he held oat the other humble band for as many guineas as he could get. That, I say, was the popular view of the author. And it still lingers among us. . . . We constantly read here and there of the generosity of a publisher. My friends, let us henceforth resolve to proclaim that we do not want generosity; that we will not have it; that we are not beggars and suppliants ; and that what we want is the administration of our own property-or its purchase-on fair, just, and honourable terms. Let us remember that the 80-called generosity must be either a dole--an alms-over and above his just claim, in which case it degrades the author to take it and robs the publisher who gives it; or it is a payment under the just value, when it degrades the publisher who gives it, while it robs the author who takes it. Such was Besant's view of the position which authors should take up towards the public and the publisher, and in elucidation and support of it he spared no pains. He was generally accused of, blind and sweeping hatred of publishers, but the accusation was an ignorant and short-sighted one. His real attitude was this : Having asserted that ordinary business routine, either carried out personally or by an accredited agent, cannot possibly be ºpposed to the production of matter of the first artistic excellence, he set to work to make clear the principles which should underlie the commercial relation of the author and the  ## p. 25 (#361) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. · 25 publisher. The earliest business done by the influential men; he spoke with pride of the Society of Authors made it clear that the publish- strides already made and with hope of future ing world—like every other trade and profession developments; he allotted large credit to everyone -contained a few deliberate thieves. The who had ever done any work for the Society; but impunity of these persons was due to their asser- he entirely omitted to say—even to suggest that tion that many of their methods were hallowed by he had been the prime mover in its affairs from custom in the publishing world. Besant declared the beginning, that he had initiated its policy, at once that, if this were so, customs which moulded much of its fortunes, that he had allowed the black sheep to carry on a life of fraud advanced money whenever necessary, and had ought to be discontinued by all publishers. This toiled hour after hour and day after day at self- was, and is, the opinion of the Society of Authors, imposed tasks that the Society might reach an and it is not likely that anyone will be found unassailable position. Besant never “was the publicly to disagree with it. Besant was never Society," and had a great objection to the allega- tired of publishing it abroad, but it is difficult to tion, for he was always ready to ask and act upon believe that any right-ininded judgment could the opinion of his colleagues ; * but during his consider his words as dictated by wholesale and chairmanship he possessed such an intimate sweeping hatred of all publishers. knowledge of all the details of the business of Sir Walter Besant was chairman of the Society the Society that he was almost invariably able of Authors on three separate occasions, his last to speak with authority. tenure of office lasting from 1887 to 1892. Until In 1892 Sir Walter Besant resigned the chair- the day of his death the affairs of the Society manship of the Society of Authors, but remained formed an integral part of his life, and while he on the Committee, continued to edit The Author, was chairman the amount of time that he and in every way kept the affairs of the Society cheerfully spent upon its business is well-nigh amongst his foremost thoughts. Soon afterwards incredible. The time that I was secretary of the he made a start upon a colossal work, “ The Society coincided almost exactly with his last and Survey of London.” For the last five or six longest period of office, and during four years he years he had been working daily at the offices came three or four days in the week to Portugal- of Messrs. A. and C. Black upon this Survey, and street prepared to discuss every imaginable point shortly before he died he said that he considered of difficulty. Nothing was too large for him to go the hardest part of his task was over. His through with, nothing was too small for him to original design had been to bring “ Stowe's attend to that bore upon the profession of letters. London ” up to date, but the enormous masses of And he took no credit to himself for the enormous information that he acquired in so many diverse sacrifice of his time and the unceasing call upon directions led him gradually to modify his scheme. his thoughts; on the contrary, if an opportunity He left himself as his contribution to the work occurred, he gave other people the praise. When the writing of the story of London up to the end ever he attributed to me good deeds of his own- of the nineteenth century, and this was to be and this was his habit at the meetings of the supplemented in all necessary ways by articles Society of Authors during my secretaryship—he from specially qualified contributors. One volume always wore afterwards the air of having scored out of, I believe, eight, he lived to finish, and it is off me. It fell to my lot to accompany him sincerely to be hoped that the arrangements for to America in 1894, when we attended the the others are so far forward that the work, which Authors' Congress at Chicago as representatives must always be associated with Besant's name, of the Society. Besant made a long statement to can be completed in accordance with his design. an enthusiastic audience concerning the fortunes of the Society of Authors. He described its * Since writing this I see that Mr. Anthony Hope small beginnings, its early struggles, its good Hawkins has said almost exactly the same thing, but I think the repetition may stand, for my recollections refer fortune in obtaining from the first the support of to an earlier period in the Society's affairs.  ## p. 26 (#362) ############################################# 26 THE AUTHOR. His acquaintance with London was very close, and his admiration for the capital — for her institutions and for the great part she has played in the national history-was unbounded. That he should acquire and assimilate all that scholarly and antiquarian research could teach him of London was not so surprising as was his great familiarity with the external features of the city. How did a man who rarely walked in the streets at a less pace than four miles an hour, and was quite shortsighted, contrive to know where the best views could be had of quaint façades, where there were particularly splendid iron railings, where there were espe- cially hideous gargoyles ? Anyone who has ever tramped about the streets with him knows that the list of attractions that he had to point out could be increased indefinitely, and the things that Besant knew about London were not in books. In 1895 Sir Walter Besant was knighted in recognition of his prominent position in the lite- rary world and of the practical good that he had done with his pen. That the distinction was due to him was allowed on all hands, and the occasion was the signal for an outburst of ardent esteem for the man and his works. His health did not begin to fail until the last year of his life, nor was he, to all appearance, seriously ill until the spring of this year. But the complaint from which he suffered was one for which but little could be done at his age, and his decline during the three weeks preceding the end was rapid. Sir Walter Besant married in 1874 Mary Garrett, daughter of Mr. Eustace Forster- Barham, of Bridgwater, by whom he leaves four children—two sons (fighting with our army in South Africa) and two daughters. and scientific life-work of Sir Walter Besant. The books from his single pen, written both before and after the death of his collaborator, speak for him and show him to be a fore- most figure in Victorian literature ; and it has been with the greatest pleasure that his friends have learned from the various obituary notices of his career that this fact is universally recognised. The good work of a veteran does not always appeal to judges a generation younger than the author, and we have all of us read criticisms of Sir Walter Besant's books that were, I have no doubt, sincere, but which were completely unfair, in that he was blamed for not doing what he had never tried to do. It was good that this injustice should be set right when his life-work was finished, and when a summary of it had to be given to the world. And almost without exception Sir Walter Besant's biographers have felt the responsibility laid upon them, and have recognised with affectionate zeal the high claims of the author of “ All Sorts and Condi- tions of Men,” “The Revolt of Man,” and “Dorothy Forster”—the author's own favourite book. Brave man and loyal friend, he burned to succour the poor and weak ; he hated injustice and disregarded all personal considerations in his efforts to maintain fair play. It may be that occasionally he tilted a windmill, but the number of times that Besant's instinct was wrong and his onslaughts unjustified were few indeed. All who have worked with him will remember instances when a rapid generalisation of his seemed hardly warranted—when it might be easy, by using some particular instance, to display the course he was advocating as quixotic or hasty; but all will agree that as a rule he was absolutely right. Where there were risks Besant led the open attack; if only credit was likely to be obtained from action he was ever content to follow others. A glance through his daily correspondence would reveal that his counsel was asked, and seldom asked in vain, by all sorts and conditions of men. To his charity there was no end — the charity that cannot think evil. This was a beautiful life. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. When I was asked to write this necessarily inadequate note upon our lost leader, I knew that nothing in the nature of a critical estimate of his literary work would be required of me. Most of the things that I have put down are common knowledge, some he told me, and some I could not but observe. I would not have under- taken to sit in judgment upon the artistic  ## p. 27 (#363) ############################################# W 27 THE AUTHOR. LITERARY PROPERTY. Tribute from Paris. On Tuesday, June 11, the death of Sir Walter Besant was announced here. Sincere regret at the news was expressed in Anglo-Parisian circles. Sir Walter Besant's place in litera ture must be determined by posterity. He perhaps owed his influence and the prestige of his position as much to his independent character and sturdy integrity—to his sound business ability and the shrewd common sense which understood how to realise his Utopian dreams — as to any extraordinary exhibition of literary talent. And he may truly be esteemed a great man. For he was great in his endeavour to aid his weaker brethren ; great in the purity of his aims and the strength of his convictions ; great in his unswerving devotion to the cause of the poor and oppressed, which he made his own; great, above all, in the practice of what he preached. The good that he achieved during his busy career will assuredly survive him. Not only as a recognised literary leader officially decorated by the State, but as a sterling moral force, will his nanie be inscribed on the roll of illustrious Englishmen. DARRACOTTE SCOTT. Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. Pearson. NHE case between Mr. Hall Caine and Messrs. T C. Arthur Pearson will be followed by all authors with the greatest attention; as, unless the question is settled on a side issue, a very interesting point is at stake. Mr. Pearson contracted with Mr. Hall Caine for serial rights of a story in the Lady's Magazine. This story had run for several months, but in the June number Messrs. C. Arthur Pearson have inserted the following notice, and the story has been with- drawn : The proprietors of this magazine announce with regret that they have felt compelled to discontinue the publication of “ The Eternal City.” Differences have arisen between them and the author as to the suitability of the story for the Lady's Magazine, and the proprietors have, in consequence, commenced proceedings against Mr. Hall Caine. It would be obviously improper to comment further upon matters which are the subject of pending litigation, but the proprietors feel assured that the reasons for their action will commend themselves to their readers when the facts are in due course disclosed in a court of law. The consequence is an action at law. Mr. Pearson, it appears, will be the plaintiff and Mr. Hall Caine the defendant. It is impossible, even if it were not unwise, to make any comments on the case from the information that is as yet before the public. The main points, however, appear to be : (1) What was the nature of the exact passages that Messrs. Pearson objected to, and (2) what were the exact terms of the con- tract; and on these two points, it would appear, the main issue must rest. In the number of Literature dated June 8 there are some instances quoted of a similar difficulty arising; the most important, however, is that referring to Mr. Hardy's publication of “ Tess of the D'Urber- villes” as a serial in the Graphic. In this case the matter was settled, Mr. Hardy publishing the chapter that was the subject of discussion in the National Observer. This chapter was afterwards duly incorporated in the book. The Secretary of the Society can recollect one similar instance. It was as follows: A humorous writer made a contract with an American magazine for the publication of a short story. The American editor expected a humorous story. The story, however, though an exceedingly good one, was not in a humorous vein, and the American editor objected and returned the story. The author placed the story to considerable advantage else- where, so that he was unable under the circum- stances of the case to claim damages either financially or to his literary reputation, as the appearance of his story had not been announced FROM THE COMMITTEE. WING to the lamented death of Sir Walter Besant, and to the necessity of making fresh arrangements for the publication of The Author, the Committee have decided not to publish a number in August and September. A special autumn number will be published in October. At a meeting of the Committee, held at the Society's offices on Monday, June 17, Mrs. Craigie (John Oliver Hobbes) was elected a member of the Council, to fill the vacancy caused by the much-regretted death of Miss Charlotte Yonge. “ Windmills," by Mr. W. Kingsley Tarpey, and “ The Unseen Helmsman,” by Miss Laurence Alma Tadema, were produced by the Stage Society at the Comedy Theatre on June 17.  ## p. 28 (#364) ############################################# 28 THE AUTHOR. in the American paper. Here again it will be to purchase 350 copies by the end of six months seen that the matter was not decided in court, as at the price of 3s., making in all a sum of £52 108., there was no legal damage, and it would have a sum which must go a long way towards paying been a further question whether it would have the cost of production, if not covering it alto- been worth while to sue the American editor gether, especially as no mention is made of the for the small amount of money involved for pay- size of the edition. If 750 copies only were ment of a short story. printed, it may be understood that the publisher For some reasons it is to be sincerely hoped would virtually have no risk. This is not all, that Mr. Hall Caine's case will not be settled out however. It does not pay the publisher to push of court, and it is to be hoped also that the exact the book in the least degree for the first six terms of the contract will be such as to prevent months, for if he should do so he will not obtain the question being settled on a side issue. the author's money. He therefore has nothing About these matters it is vain at the present to do but let the book lie on his shelves and at time to conjecture. the end of the six months send in his account for the number of copies unsold. No agreement should be drawn on such lines that it is not for The Same Old Agreement. the benefit of the author and publisher to be MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT made this day working in unison. of , 189 between of hereafter Looking into the agreement further, it is called the publisher of the one part, and of obvious that no mention is made whatever of hereafter called the author, of the other part. the profits to accrue after the sale of 350 copies, The said publisher agrees to produce in tasteful form, and except in the last clause, in which it says: publish in the usual manner at bis own expense, an edition of a volume written by the said author and entitled “ This edition is to be the property of the pub- " ," the said volume to consist of one hundred and lisher.” As has been pointed out, no limit is ninety-two pages crown octavo size, and to be published at mentioned to the edition. If, therefore, the book five shillings per copy. chances to be a success the publisher could go on The said author hereby agrees to be responsible for the printing and selling the book, putting all the sale of three hundred and fifty copies of the said volume, and undertakes at the expiration of six months from the profits into his own pocket and stating that the date of issue to purchase at the rate of three shillings per first edition was, say, 10,000 copies. The Pub- copy whatever namber of copies, if any, may be necessary to lishers' Association have not yet settled that great make the sales up to the said number of three hundred and point as to what number should constitute an fifty copies. edition. This edition to be the property of the said publisher, but it is understood that the copyright is and remains the pro- Summing up the whole results, therefore, of the perty of the said author. All proofs of the said work to be agreement, it does not pay the publisher to work corrected and returned promptly to the printer by the said in unison with the author. Their benefit is not author. mutual. The publisher runs no risk and may The agreement printed above has again been possibly make a large profit. From the author's handed by a member of the Authors' Society to point of view the author stands to lose £52 10s. the Secretary. The agreement has been printed in and cannot possibly make anything, however The Author and other productions of the Society, successful the book is. This agreement, therefore, and the dangers arising from such agreement cannot possibly be called equitable as between explained. That in one certain case the agreement the parties, and it may be stated generally that may have worked out fairly is not an argument any agreements embodying the system of that the agreement is a good one, but this argu- guaranteeing a fixed sum according to the sales of ment has been put forward by the publisher; for a book must be unsatisfactory. an agreement should be so drawn that in any case Similar kinds of agreements have been put and whatever the sale of the book, it should be forward by other publishers, and, though varying an equitable agreement between the parties con. in detail, still cannot be recommended for the cerned. The dangers of this agreement have so reasons put forward. There is no stimulus to the often been set forward that it was hoped, as publisher to push the book, indeed there is every indeed has been the case for some time, that no reason why he should neglect it. such agreements had been recently circulated. A publisher is but a tradesman and human. Perhaps it will be necessary to explain once more He is a tradesman first, and that prompts him in general terms the unreasonableness of the to make money with as little trouble as possible. agreement as it stands. He is, secondly, human, and this also prompts him To begin with, the book is a small one, 192 pp. to look after himself. cr. 8vo., and it is published at a large price for Better to pay a fixed sum at once and know the such a small book, viz., 58. The author guarantees utmost limit of your loss than, under the guarantee  ## p. 29 (#365) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 29 system, lay the flattering unction to your soul that you will not be called upon to redeem your pledge. .................. I I Congress of the International Literary and Artistic Association. We are indebted to the courtesy of the secretary of the above association for the following infor- mation respecting the twenty-third congress, which will take place at Vevey (Switzerland) from Aug. 7 to 13:- The subjects laid before the congress will be: 1. Preliminary consideration of a revision of the Berne Convention. 2. The present legal situation in different countries, considered from the point of view of the Berne Convention. 3. Comparative study of the Conventions of Berne and Monte Video. 4. Publishers' contracts and the German legis. lation. 5. Artistic copyright and dramatic art. 6. Performance and reproduction by means of mechanical apparatus. 7. The constitution of an international tribune to deal with literary and artistic copyright. 8. The creation of an international legal voca- bulary. 9. History of copyright in all countries during the nineteenth century. Freshfield, D. W........... ............. £1000 0 Gibbs, Miss ........ bs, Miss .............................. 1 0 0 Hallward, N. L. ..... Harraden, Miss Beatrice 10 0 Hawkins, A. Hope .. 200 0 Hutchinson, Rev. H. Jacberns, Raymond .. Jones, Henry Arthur...... 50 0 0 Keltie, J. Scott 5 0 0 Kipling, Rudyard ..... 100 0 0 Loftie, Rev. W. J. ......... Loraine-Broke, Lady Freda ........................ Macfarlane, H. ..., 1 1 0 Marshall, Capt. R... .......... 10 10 0 Matheson, Miss A. ..... Miles, Eastace.. Moncrieff, R. Hope. Montresor, Miss F.. Morrah, Herbert 2 2 0 Norris, W. E. ... Oliphant, Kingston ............ Parker, Gilbert .................... Phillpotts, Eden ............ Pollock, Sir Frederick Roe, Mrs. Harcourt Rossetti, W. M. ..... S. B. ........... Sanderson, Sir J. B. ............... Sheldon, G. W. Skeat, The Rev. Prof. Spielmann, M. H. ......... Stanton, Miss H. M. E............ Toplis, Miss G. ...... Tweedie, Mrs. Alec.................................... Watt, A. P.............................................. Weyman, Stanley ....... Wheelwright, Miss E. E. ........................... Williams, Mrs. E. L. ...... Young, Ernest SUBSCRIPTIONS. à Beckett, A. W. ....... 5 0 0 Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... 10 0 0 Alexander, A. ......... I 10 Avery, Harold .......... Besant, Sir Walter.................................... Bond, R. Warwick ........... Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. ................. Brodhorst, Spencer.............. Clodd, Edward ........... Cresswell, Rev. H. ......... Crockett, S. R. ............ Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for 1901) .......... Ellis, Miss M. A. Esmond, H. V. Gilbert, W. S...... Goldsmith, W. H. .................................... Gribble, F. ............................................. Guthrie, Anstey ....................................... Gwynn, S. ..... Harraden, Miss Beatrice ............... Hawkins, A. Hope . ................................. Home, Francis......... Jerome, Jerome K............. Kelly, C. A............ Lely, J. M. ..... Macdonald, Mrs.......... Marchmont, A. W. ........................... Pemberton, Max................ ...... 0-oor en orönen Nonono : -enn-Ō- 0 0 - - no ģeroomoo our oeno ou O OOONO o-no- 000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ......... THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 10 MIHE following is the list of donations and subscriptions at present promised or received :- DONATIONS. MEREDITH, GEORGE, President of the Society (first donation)............ £100 0 0 Meredith, George (second donation)............... 0 0 A. S. 0 0 Alcott, E. ... 0 0 Anonymous. o Arnim, The Countess von Baldwin, Mrs. A. Barrie, J. M. .......................................... 0 0 Benecke, Miss Ida ... 0 0 Begant, Sir Walter.................................... 0 0 Boevey, Miss Crawley ................ ........... 2 0 Chambers, Miss Beatrice ............. Clifford, Mrs W. K. ... Cordeaux, Miss .......... 0 0 Craigie, Mrs. .... 0 0 Davy, Mrs. E. M. ............ 10 Doyle, A. Conan .. 0 0 Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............ 0 0 Esmond, H. V. 3 3 0 Fowler, Miss E. T............. ... 10 10 0 -õen uero omen oer--eroooon enou oermeno en oenen - over--05 berenn ooooo-eno OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 000000000 Benecke, M 188 Ida .................................... öwen - Senen on SW 8-en 8686 oo-ooerw NoOoero ooo . . .  ## p. 30 (#366) ############################################# 30 THE AUTHOR. OOOOOOO Pendered, Miss Mary L. 100 ture, Science, and Art have practically nothing to Pinero, A. W. ....... 5 0 0 fall back upon, although, in time, it is hoped, the Roberts, Morley .... Pension Fund started by the Society of Authors Rose, Edward ..... Rumble, Mrs. .... will be sufficient and adequate to meet the Sinclair, Miss .... claims of those persons—members of the Society Stanley, Mrs —who have merited the gratitude of the public Stevenson, Mrs. by the beauty and soundness of their writings in Ward, Mrs. Humphry .................... literature or science. Watt, A. P....... 1 1 0 Weston, Miss Jessie L.. 0 5 0 It is all the more necessary, therefore, as Wilkins, W. H. ....................................... I I 0 the Civil List pensions are not only exceedingly small in amount, but are also diverted into -ooo other channels, that the Pension Fund of the A SHORT article on the Civil List Pensions, which Society of Authors should be more adequately was published in Literature on June 1, is espe- supported by those who live by Literature, cially interesting to members of the Society, as Science, and Art, and who, more fortunate than it recognises the steps the Society has taken in their brethren, have made the pursuit of these the past with a view to securing fuller recogni. subjects a financial success. It will be seen from tion for the representatives of Literature, Science, the list of subscriptions to the Pension Fund and Art from the Civil List. It appears from the which is published in The Author from month to returns just issued from the Treasury chambers of month that the number of the subscribers is persons now in receipt of pensions that there are gradually increasing, together with the amount of 306 recipients, and the total amount of the pen- capital, and it is hoped that the time is not far sions per annum is £23,840. The pensions, accord. distant when the members of the Authors' Society ing to the wording of the statute, are “ for such - theological historical scientific and other persons as have just claims on the Royal bene- writers—will, by their own combined efforts and ficence, or who by their personal services to the looking upon themselves as debtors to their pro- Crown, by performance of duties to the public, or fession, have subscribed such sums that there will by their useful discoveries in science and attain. be no need whatever for any members of the ments in literature and the arts, have merited the brothership of the pen to look to the public for gracious consideration of their Sovereign and the support in their old age. It is to be feared, gratitude of their country.” however, that there are, and always must be in These terms are very limited, and the distribu- any body of men met together, some few, with tion of pensions in many cases can hardly be said selfish aims in view, who disregard the other to have been restricted to this limitation. members of the fraternity. The strong and It is doubtful whether daughters and sisters increasing support the Society receives, however, and widows of the eminent people referred to can tends to show that the number of members who come within the conditions set out by the statute, still take the narrow view is gradually diminish- except under the heading of “Just claims on the ing. Royal beneficence.” Mr. W. Morris Colles, formerly a member of the committee of the Society of Authors, and a PARIS LETTER. present member of the Council, produced on behalf of the Society in 1889 a very useful and instructive book with regard to the Civil List 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. pensions, and pointed out in his notes some very THE literary events of the month are legion. curious instances of the qualifications of the 1 Vain were it to attempt even to tabulate recipients. To those who would go more fully * them in order. The triumph of M. Edmond into the matter this useful handbook is recom- Rostand at the Academy was a foregone con- mended. It is worth while to consider the clusion. The extraordinary scenes taking place point how far these Civil List pensions should in the Figaro office have augmented the circula- be granted to eke out the service pensions of tion of the Journal and Matin, despite the latter's those public servants who have claims on other reputation for“ trimming." The upholders of the funds of a similar character. With this object Déroulède-Habert programme have chosen this in view Mr. Colles wrote his pamphlet, in which moment for launching a new halfpenny daily he stated: “Inadequate as the allowances to the entitled Le Drapeau, advertised as “républicain. widows of our soldiers and sailors and police plébiscitaire," and supported by a phalanx of constables admittedly are, these are only properly well-known contributors, to wit: M. Maurice chargeable on the Consolidated Fund.” Litera- Barrès (editor), MM. François Coppée, Quesnay  ## p. 31 (#367) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 31 de Beaurepaire, Willy, “Gyp," Maizeroy, Quentin violets on the stone, while the other softly wiped Bauchart, Talmeyr, and others. away her tears, gazing wistfully at the epitaph. Feministic questions are, likewise, occupying a “Oh! philosophers, makers of systems, never fair amount of attention. Mme. Andrée Téry is will a similar homage be rendered you!” wrote vigorously advocating in the Fronde M. Hubbard's the witness of this touching little scene. proposal of a mixed jury-viz., a jury composed of an equal number of persons of both sexes. A CURIOUS AGREEMENT. M. Marcel Prévost, chosen champion of Feminism, Posthumous publication is rarely chosen by supports the same idea in a leading article in the living authors. Nevertheless, the curator of the Figaro. “ La Femme," he writes; "c'est même Bibliothèque Nationale possesses both Lamartine dans une vieille nation comme la nôtre, un peuple and Victor Hugo manuscripts which cannot be jeune ! C'est le trésor d'énergies morales encore published before 1910. M. Malot has decided to inemployées et accumulées depuis tant de siècles !” follow the example of his illustrious predecessors. He points out the impossibility of an accused It may, perhaps, be remembered that four years person being judged by her peers (as expressly ago M. Malot wrote a book entitled “Le Roman enjoined by law) in the case of feminine offenders; de mes Romans," explaining why he laid down and insists on the fact that the average intelli. his pen for ever on the morrow of a success. gence possessed by the majority of women is He had no wish to act the role of a superannuated precisely the intelligence which – united with favourite whom the public accept with indulgent masculine prudence-is most likely to arrive at indifference, simply for the sake of what he has a just conclusion. Which reminds me that the once achieved. He preferred to bid farewell to twentieth Congress of the Société d'économie his readers while the laurels of his thirty years' sociale et des Unions de la paix sociale has been literary career were still untouched by time. studying the “ Condition de la Femme" from the Henceforth he would live for himself alone. economical, moral, intellectual, and juridical points But in making this assertion M. Malot of view. reckoned without his host-or rather, without his THE DAUDET MONUMENT. grand-daughter. Having reflected on the desira- A sum of over 12,000 francs has been volun. bility of adding a round sum to her dot, tarily subscribed for the Daudet monument he found a means of evading the letter, if That being insufficient to defray the cost of not the spirit, of his self-imposed sacrifice. A M. Saint-Marceaux's beautiful statue of this few months ago he collected his dormant most poetical and intensely French writer, a energies, and wrote an extremely entertaining very successful Daudet benefit was given at the tale for the young entitled “Le Mousse.” This Odéon. The curtain dropped with effect on the done, he signed a treaty with his publisher, M. crowning of a plaster cast of M. Saint-Marceaux's Ernest Flammarion, empowering the latter to vivid creation. The original is being exhibited issue the work within three months after its at the Great Palace, where it attracts much author's death. The profits obtained therefrom attention. are to be inherited by Mlle. Perrine Mesple. The benefit for the Dumas fils statue has been According to the terms of the agreement the little postponed. No writer ever laid firmer hold of the lady will receive 50,000 frs, on the publication of Gallic imagination than this poignant sentimenta. “Le Mousse.” A goodly sum, even without list. A trivial incident which occurred at the reckoning the further profits accruing from serial last Fourier anniversary bears witness to this rights and dramatic and foreign royalties. Mlle. fact. On the day in question a handful of phalan. Perrine is fortunate in possessing a talented sterians and disciples were grouped around their grandfather, whose latest document proves that leader's tomb in the Montmartre cemetery. he thoroughly understands the value of post- Wearied alike of the laboured perorations of the humous literary property. various speakers and the ardent strophes of the Gnostic patriarch, one of their number stepped “EVE VICTORIEUSE." aside to visit the toinb of Alphonsine Duplessis, The above is the title of Mme. Pierre de the Marguerite Gauthier of the celebrated “Dame Coulevain's new novel. It is a clever, well- aux Camélias” of Dumas fils. On approaching written book, breaking comparatively new ground. it he was surprised to perceive that others beside It stands apart from ordinary productions of himself had desired to pay the dead woman a its class by the fact that the interest of the tale passing tribute of compassionate sympathy. Two does not lie in the amorous intrigue which is the “ petites ouvrières" in simple garb, with glossy raison d'étre of the average French novel. “Eve hair unbonneted, stood beside the melancholy Victorieuse" appeals to the higher mental calibre mausoleum. One tenderly strewed lilacs and of the reader, and shows that a Frenchwoman  ## p. 32 (#368) ############################################# 32 THE AUTHOR. can produce really entertaining and interesting to get them translated. Eh, bien ! What reading without being immoral. It would be a next ? " good thing for France if she possessed a few more For once M. Huysmans was too much taken writers of the type of Pierre de Coulevain. aback to reply. He literally fled. Nor must we omit to mention the much- praised “Caur Innombrable," a volume of poems A JOURNALIST'S REMINISCENCES. by the Comtesse de Noailles. One enraptured M. Jean Carrère, the well-known French critic declares that until these verses appeared no Transvaal correspondent (author of “En Pleine woman had ever comprehended how to enunciate Epopée), has likewise been giving the public “ la réalité directe.” Mme. de Staël was merely several anecdotes relating to his early career. a fair mirror who polished the thought of the Once as he wandered aimlessly round the men in her neighbourhood in reflecting it; while Luxembourg Gardens, penniless and dinnerless, George Sand, despite the flowing music of her he suddenly espied a merry band of long-haired phrases, never succeeded in being original. We young men of every type, in whom he forthwith beg leave to differ from this appreciation. Mme. recognised the chiefs and disciples of all the rising de Staël and George Sand may be “terriblement young literati of Paris discussing and haranguing femmes”; while Mme. de Noailles may possess with unusual amiability. Desirous of ascertain- the superfine genius accredited her by her pane- ing the reason of this unwonted fraternity, he gyrist. Unfortunately, it is too subtle to be demanded of X., a would-be author whose perceived by the ordinary reader. He would impecuniosity was proverbial : probably esteem the last-named lady as merely a “Heavens! Where are you all going together graceful versifier, a disciple of the Sully Prud- like this?” homme school. “To the table d'hôte,” was the reply. “Will you accompany us?” M. JORIS KARL HUYSMANS. Carrère made an eloquent gesture, explicative The celebrated Joris Karl Huysmans is correct- of his penniless condition. ing the proofs of a new work, “Sainte Lydwine “ That does not signify. You will come as my de Schiedam,” in his Poitou retreat. One guest,” said X., grandiloquently. edition is to be printed in Gothic, the other in Imagining that X. had at last found a pub- ordinary characters. In chatting with an old lisher, Carrère acquiesced. He was too hungry to pressman, M. Huysmans recently related several care to solve the mystery. amusing anecdotes connected with his journalistic The invitation was repeated. For fifteen days career. he lunched and dined sumptuously with this On one occasion he was contributor to a paper merry company free of cost. whose editor was asserted to have made his début But on the sixteenth day all was finished. in life as a cook. He had lived long in the East, Vainly he awaited the gay band. At 12.30 he and was reported to have tried his 'prentice hand approached X., who was eagerly perusing the at innumerable trades before essaying press work. advertisement column of a daily. One morning M. Huysmans was summoned in “So nobody lunches to-day?” he remarked, haste to the editorial sanctum. Immediately be interrogatively... appeared his employer pointed to an enormous “Have you money to go to the neighbouring pile of papers, and complacently explained : restaurant?" was the counter question asked in "Voilà ! Each of these English, Russian, a cavernous voice. German, Italian, Swedish, Turkish, Roumanian, “ If you wish to. But what about the François and Dutcb papers contains an article on Zola Premier Café?” You will read them all at once, and write me a “Alas! it is sold !”. spicy article on •Zola Abroad.'” “Sold ? What do you mean? M. Huysmans objected, averring his ignorance “ You have not yet solved the enigma. The of the languages in question. proprietress wished to dispose of the business, “That does not matter. You can easily and as she had few customers instructed me to get the stuff translated." procure her some non-paying ones in order to “Impossible! Think of the cost!” keep up appearances. Unfortunately I brought “ Listen, and do as I tell you. I will send too many, and she found a purchaser imme- immediately for a carriage to convey you and the diately." papers home. There, since you do not know “No matter. Come and lunch with me.” foreign languages, you will merely choose out the “Wait an instant, there's a good fellow. I most striking passages in these papers, and mark want to see if no one else has a café to dispose them round with a blue pencil; I will undertake of!" DARRACOTTE SCOTT.  ## p. 33 (#369) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 33 OC NOTES AND NEWS. in the House of Commons “his intention of bringing in on an early day a measure con. TN its literary column of June 19 the Sketch solidating and amending the law of literary copy- 1 announces that “a very distinguished firm, right.” that is specially remarkable for its list of novels and for the liberal advances it makes to It appears from the papers that Sir Walter the authors,” “has sent out a circular to book- Besant has left an autobiography. This is in the hands of Mr. A. P. Watt, who acted as his sellers offering a choice of twenty-five novels from their six-shilling list for 278., and laying stress on literary agent. Those who counted Sir Walter ainong their friends will be very anxious to know the undoubted fact that many distinguished and when it will be published. popular authors appear among the contributors. If this be carried out,” continnes the writer, “it needs no prophet to see that the six-shilling novel A great many letters have been received at the is practically doomed. What will happen in the offices of the Society, from members and others, first instance is that no bookseller will stock the giving expression to the grief and sense of productions of the second-class novelist. He will personal loss felt by the writers on hearing of say to his customers, ‘By-and-bye the book mayihe death of Sir Walter Besant. These letters be had at is. 6d., and in the meantime I can give come from all parts of the country, and each and you something better.' But even the distin. all breathe the same spirit of warm regard for guished authors will be very much injured. the distinguished friend whose death is so deeply Sometimes everyone wants to read a book, and deplored. many people will put down the price without thinking of it. But this is a rare occurrence; in the matter of books the public shows a singular THE WOMEN WRITERS' DINNER. and even lamentable patience. In my opinion it spells ruin to all novelists save a very few." THE “ Women Writers" held their dinner at the Criterion on Monday, the 17th. Now The writer goes on to say that the state of Mr. Stephen Gwynn, in his paper entitled things he discloses “has been brought on by the “A Theory of Talk,” roundly asserts that women practice of advancing more to writers than their are less amusing than mon. He says that there popularity warrants.” It is certainly difficult to is no reason in nature wby they should be, but believe that “very distinguished firms” are in the that their inferiority is obvious. He points out habit of making mistakes of that kind, but that that “thirty or forty men will meet at seven is not the immediate question. The question o'clock, dine together, and pass the evening which demands an answer in the first place, is : very agreeably till midnight. Imagine thirty or Does the Publishers' Association countenance forty women called upon to do the same; would this practice of offering booksellers a choice of they be able to amuse themselves ?” It seems twenty-five 6s. novels for 278. ? We cannot almost a pity that the exclusiveness of the suppose for a moment that they will consent to do women writers would not aliow Mr. Gwynn so. We know with what displeasure the pub personally to observe whether they were amused lishers view the practice of underselling when it or bored on Monday night. In number there were is carried on by bookseller against bookseller. nearly two hundred, and there certainly did not What action, then, will they take to prevent a appear to be any lack of enjoyment or of laughter, member of their own trade from conducting but then it is also a fundamental belief with men business on the “job lot” fashion described that women are early adepts at hiding their true above?. The matter, of course, involves a serious feelings. enough question for authors. For the present, Lucas Malet occupied the chair, and her care- however, we content ourselves with the hope that fully prepared speech was read out by Miss the circular issued by the “ very distinguished Sydney Phelps. Standing at the base of the firm” will receive the very strict examination statue of one of the world's greatest authors, and which it deserves at the hands of the Publishers' that, we regret to say, not a woman but a “ mere Association. man,” Miss Phelps, speaking for Lucas Malet, said there was good cause for women to con- We are informed that there is not the slightest gratulate themselves that, whereas there had hope that the Government will proceed with the been Thackeray, Dickens, the brothers Kingsley, Copyright Bill this session. It was on Feb. 14 and Wilkie Collins among authors, authoresses that the President of the Board of Trade stated could boast of George Eliot, Mrs. Gaskell,  ## p. 34 (#370) ############################################# 34 THE AUTHOR. Miss Yonge, &c., and she felt that in the CORRESPONDENCE. future they might equal, she would not say rival, their “brother man.” At this The Proposed Memorial to Archibald Forbes. courageous vaunt our glance involuntarily strayed to the statue, anticipating that it would LARGE number of journalists and others. be moved to at least a wink; but overwhelmed, who appreciate the services of one of the greatest of our war correspondents are perhaps, by the presence of so many “sister- women,” it gave no sign. The speech was long, desirous in some permanent and material form to do honour to the memory of Archibald Forbes, lasting for over thirty minutes. It touched on the evils of lowering work to what might be a LL.D., who died in March, 1900, to the loss of present commercial but fleeting value ; it con- the journalism he adorned and the literaturejhe tained much that was excellent, and tendered enriched. some good sound advice; perhaps it dwelt a trifle The committee formed to attain this object too, insistently upon the obvious, and it was have found a sympathy with their object so serious even to solemnity. But then “women widely spread that they have no doubt of being are so serious." able to carry it out successfully. Mme. Sarah Grand's reply was couched in The Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral far lighter vein. It slipped into the anec- have most kindly assigned an excellent wall dotal, and was altogether more in the mascu- space in the crypt of St. Paul's for a suitable memorial. line line of after-dinner speaking. It offered no It has occurred to me as one of the hon. advice save on the advisability of laughter; it lingered for a moment on the sorrows of misin- secretaries of the committee that many of my fellow members of the Authors' Society would terpretation and misunderstanding, and included like their names to be added to the list of some amusing examples. Mme. Sarah Grand possesses a sympathetic voice, and is very plea- contributors. This being so, may I say that sant to listen to. subscriptions may be sent to the hon. treasurer, It is characteristic of the gravity with which Major Arthur Griffiths, at 57, Curzon-street, Mayfair, London, W., or to the account of “ The even in play hours women regard their “work” Archibald Forbes Fund,” at Messrs. Cocks, that the majority of guests preferred the more serious matter of Lucas Malet to the light personal Biddulph, and Co., bankers, 43, Charing Cross, S.W. note of Mme. Grand. The dinner itself was very ARTHUR WM. A'BECKETT, good, and it was noticeable that whilst at the Authors' dinner on May 1 but few women availed President of the Institute of Journalists. Garrick Club, June 21, 1901. themselves of the permission to smoke, at the women's function scarcely one was without a cigarette. Coffee was served at the table, and afterwards the company broke up into groups. The Handling of MSS. The committee numbered among its members Why is it that editors and publishers never Miss Beatrice Harraden, Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Craigie, seem to realise that the MSS. sent to them are Miss Christabel Coleridge, Miss Violet Hunt, and not their own? Most editors scribble numbers, many other favourite writers. In the company sometimes in red or blue ink, on one's copy, and present there were Dr. Jex.Blake. Mrs. Adv. Dr. often the marks cannot be effaced. Aud nearly Margaret Todd. Miss Adeline Sergeant.' Mrs. all publishers' readers mutilate the MS. books Mona Caird. Mrs. Burnett-Smith. Mme. Albanesi. given into their hands. Might they not reflect Miss Nora Maris. Miss Kenealy, and others; and that, when a poor author has paid five or six the following presided at the tables : Lucas pounds to have his copy neatly typed, it is heart. Malet, Mme. Sarah Grand: Mrs. de la Pasture, rending to have it come back with pages torn Miss Montresor, the Lady Mavoress. Mrs. L. T. away, with splashes of tea or coffee all over it, Meade, Mrs. Alec Tweedie. Mrs. Walford. Mrs. and crumpled edges. I bave just had a MS. B. M. Croker. Miss Violet Hunt. Miss Beatrice novel returned to me from its first publisher in Harraden. Mrs. Belloc Lowndes. Miss Violet such a state that it is scarcely fit to go out again! Brooke-Hunt, Miss Thorneycroft Fowler. May we not make, in your pages, an urgent A. H. appeal for more justice, if not courtesy, in this matter? Every reader must know when he injures a writer's MS. that he is prejudicing the Sir Walter Besant's historical romance, “ The next reader against it. And, after all, it is not Lady of Lynn," will be published by Messrs. his property; he has no right to treat it care- Chatto and Windus on July 4. lessly and deface it. A POOR NOVELIST.  ## p. 35 (#371) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 35 Authors' Deductions and Income Tax. The statement presupposes a little knowledge As a reply to Mr. G. S. Layard's inquiries on of what items of disbursement will be allowed this subject in the June Author may be of interest and what not, and I have no objection to assist to many of your readers, I venture to offer them gratuitously any fellow-member of the Society, as a professional opinion on the matter. far as I can, in the preparation of the account in The author should ascertain what sums he has case he or she should be so unfortunate as to be received from his literary labours during the year surcharged and obliged to appeal. ending April 5 last and what is still due to him, WILLIAM ROYLE. excluding all bad and doubtful claims, and on 5, Bedford.row, W.C. that he should base his estimated return for the current year, so far as his receipts are concerned. If carrying on his business in his dwelling. house, he is entitled by law to deduct from his ROBERT BUCHANAN. receipts : Firstly, such sum, not exceeding two-thirds of D OBERT BUCHANAN is dead, and has the annual value of his house, as the Commis. been criticised—as the custom is- sioners of Inland Revenue in the case of an copiously, hastily, not ungenerously, but appeal to them may deem reasonable—but in most incompletely. Much has been said of estimating the amount the author should have himself, and of his every day output of rapid regard to the proportion which his study bears to writing; but of his best work very little. the rest of the house. And he has been spoken of, for the most part, Secondly, such sums as he may expend on as a strong man whose strength was misdirected ; repairs, renewals, and alterations in his study, the truth being rather that it was precisely and in books of reference, maps, plans, and strength-the highest strength-that he lacked. implements for use in his vocation—this amount Not that he was wanting in vigour or virility, is to be calculated on the average of the past but that such a life as his required a grit, a three years—and should not include the initial tenacity, altogether unusual; and these, in this charge of furnishing, but may include an item measure, he had not. for depreciation. His experience of life was a bitterly sad, Thirdly, wherever he carries on business he though not, except in degree, an uncommon one. should deduct the full amount he may expend He started with an ideal-or shall one say a during the year on his personal outlay connected fancy picture ?-of the existing world, which with his calling, the charge for fires, lights, and could only bring him disappointment when he service, the subscription to our Society, the cost came to see the world as it was ; and he was of assistance, searches at museums and record unlucky in the side of life which, at that critical offices, typography, photography, and materials moment, he saw. So he was soured, and passed quo ipso usu consumuntur, such as stamps, inks, from idealism to cynicism, and this was the pens and papers required in earning the income tragedy of his soul and the shipwreck of his to be taxed. work. Mr. Layard says he has “never claimed any The loss was probably far greater than most of deductions," and wants to know if others have his critics realise. They have spoken of his and with what results. novels, bis plays, his literary duels, his poems; These facts seem immaterial, as no deductions and between the lines of their criticism one has have to be claimed on making the annual return read the verdict that all these writings of a hasty to the tax-gatherers. The author has merely to man will be forgotten before the last of his con- state without details the net amount of his temporaries is dead. estimated annual profits for the year, whether B ut this is surely wrong. The present writer they be £200 or £2000, or any intermediate knows nothing of Buchanan's novels, and thinks figure. that of his plays and his polemics enough has Then, if the surveyor of taxes is not satisfied been said : ves, and would give up to oblivion the with the sum stated and thinks it too small, he greater part of his verse. But his best poems- will surcharge him. Against this assessment the they are not many, and there is no need to count author may appeal to the Commissioners of Inland them here: yet they are true poetry, and to some Revenue, in which case he will appear personally of them even the test of all great poetry may be before them prepared with a neatly constructed applied—the question, Are they not unsurpassed statement of accounts, and will doubtless get in their kind? the assessment settled at a proper figure satis Take as an example the “ Legend of the Step- factory to him. mother”: is there anything finer in the whole  ## p. 36 (#372) ############################################# 36 THE AUTHOR. class of imaginative ballad-poetry to which it Mr. Clement Shorter is to edit a new Wednes- belongs ? One need use no stronger argument day illustrated paper, dealing mainly with Society for Buchanan's claim to the title of poet than the and the Stage, which will shortly be published quotation of as much of this beautiful ballad as from the same office as the Sphere. It will be called an editor vigilant orer his space will allow : the Tatler, and the price is to be 6d. weekly. As I lay asleep, as I lay asleep, A new volume by John Oliver Hobbes, which Under the grass as I lay so deep, will be published by Mr. Unwin, is made up of a As I lay asleep in my cotton sirk play dealing with a Carlist rising and entitled Under the shade of Oar Lady's Kirk, “ A Repentance," and three stories entitled “ 'Tis I wakened up in the dead of night, I wakened up in my death-sirk white, an Ill Flight without Wings,” “ Prince Toto,” and And I heard a cry from far away, “ The Worm that God Prepared.” Messrs. And I knew the voice of my daughter May. Methuen are about to publish John Oliver “Mother, motber, come bitber to me! Hobbes's new novel, “ A Serious Wooing.” Motber, mother, come hither and see ! Lucas Malet's new book is announced as the Motber, mother, mother dear, longest novel the publishers (Methuen) have ever Another mother is sitting here : sent to press. It is entitled “The History of Sir My body is bruised, and in pain I cry, On straw in the dark afraid I lie; Richard Calmady,” and it will appear shortly. I thirst and hanger for drink and meat, Under the ciile “ Granuaile, a Queen of the And motber, mother, to sleep were sweet!" West,” Messrs. Jarrold and Sons are publishing I heard the cry, though my grave was deep, an historico-romantic poem in six cantos, by the And awoke from sleep, and awoke from sleep. Rev. Dr. Panter, author of “ Orpheus and Eurydice, and other Poems." The poem opens with the celebrated interview at Hampton Court BOOK AND PLAY TALK. between Queen Elizabeth and Granuaile, the Irish princess. DROFESSOR WOOLDRIDGE is writing Mrs. Düring's new novel, “ Malicious Fortune,” P two volumes on music in the earlier and now running serially in the Argosy, was pub- later Ecclesiastical Period for a history of lished in book form at 6s. by Mr. George Allen on music which the Clarendon Press has projected. June 18. The history will be completed in six volumes, the The Bookman understands that Mr. Anthony third of which will be by Sir Hubert Parry on Hope's new novel is to be published serially in the Seventeenth Century, the fourth by Mr. J. A. the Cornhill Magazine, and afterwards in book Fuller-Maitland on the Age of Bach and Handel, form by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co. the fifth on the Viennese School by Mr. W. H. Mr. Albert Strong has completed a book on Hadow, while the concluding volume by Mr. E. musical and dramatic copyright Dannreuther will deal with the Romantic Move. Mr. Henry Arthur Jones is writing a new play, ment. in which the leading part is to be played by The Hon. Mrs. Alethea Weil is writing the Miss Lena Ashwell. volume on Verona for Dent's Medieval Towns A new theatre is to be erected by Mr. Series. Mulholland in the Hammersmith-road, at the Professor James Gordon Macgregor, LL.D., corner of Rowan-road. Munro Professor of Physics, Dalhousie Univer- The Savoy Theatre has passed into the hands sity, Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been appointed of Mr. William Greet and Mr. E. C. Engelbach. Professor of Natural Philosophy in Edinburgh Mr. Herbert Waring has taken Mrs. Langtry's University. theatre for the autumn season. He will produce The national memorial to Miss Mary Kingsley there, in the middle of August, a new play by has taken shape in the establishment of an Mr. Boyle Lawrence. African Society to propagate the study of native Mr. William Gillette's version of Sherlock laws and customs. Holmes is to be introduced to London at the Mr. William Allison is the author of “The Lyceum on Sept. 9, after having been produced a British Thoroughbred Horse : His History and few days earlier at the Shakespeare, Liverpool. Breeding,” which is about to be published by Mr. Mr. Barrie's new play will be produced first in Grant Richards. It gives tabulated statistics New York. from the racing results of all countries. Mr. and Mrs. Kendal will be seen at the St. Mr. W. J. Ford is writing a history of James's Theatre in the autumn. Cambridge University cricket. At Her Majesty's Mr. Tree will produce Mr. Mr. W. J. Locke's new novel, “ The Usurper,” Stephen Phillips's “ Ulysses” as the principal will be published in September by Mr. John Lane. item in his programme in the autumn. - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  ## p. (#373) ################################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ji en SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. TE LITERARY AGENCY Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration. Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 5, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. TYPEWRITING COMPANY, – OSWALD HOUSE, QUEEN VICTORIA ROAD, COVENTRY. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS Every description of Typewriting, including Novels, Plays, Medical, Legal and General Copying, from Ninepence per 1000 words. Specimens and Extracts from Testimonials on Appli. cation. Manager's long experience as Reader in a Book-Work House enables him to undertake Revision of Manuscripts—when required-at a nominal charge. Extract from recent testimonial: "It is without doubt the Anest piece of work I have ever seen produced on a typewriter." MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. (ESTABLISHED 1883.) "Sir Henry Ponsonby is commanded by the Queen Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 18. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or week. to thank Mr. Darlington for French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations 99 a copy of his Handbook." gupplied. References kindly perunitted to Sir Walter Besant; also "Nothing better could be wi-hed for."-British Weekly. to Mesers. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House. "Far superior to ordinary guides."-London Daily Chronicle. Norfolk-street, Strand. W.0 Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. Is, each. Illustrated. THE WEST KENSINGTON TYPEWRITING AGENCY. Maps by JouN BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. SIKES and SIKES, THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORFOLK BROADS. BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith Road, W. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. (ESTABLISHED 1893.) BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Ternus. 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List, post free, of DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN, THE . “ THE AUTHOR." SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.] Front Page Other Pages ... ... £4 0 0 Half of a Page ... ... ... 3 0 0 Quarter of a Page ... ... 1 100 Eighth of a Page *** ... 0 15 0 Single Column Advertisements ... 0 7 6 per inch 0 Bills for Insertion 6 0 ... Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Six and of 25 per cent. for per 2000 300 All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Once, 4, Portugal-street, London, W.C. AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD Reduction of 20 per cent. "Twelve Insertions.mould be addressed to the (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 30, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Contains hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Sizy. s. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that THE LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by fire or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained.  ## p. (#374) ################################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ESTABLISHED] The Atheneum Press, Taunton. [XVIII CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. No charges made No charges made THE PROVINCIAL LITERARY AGENCY, Terms: 10 to 20 per unless cent., according successful. BANK CHAMBERS, BLACKBURN. to success. The Agency possesses every facility for the proper placing of MSS. with suitable Publishers, Magazines, Newspapers, &c. Write for particulars, JAS. B. STUBBS. NOTICE. 110, St. Martin's Lane, W.C. MR. STANHOPE SPRIGG begs to state that be bas set up in business as a Literary Agent on a new system at the above address, and invites communications from authors interested. "Mr. Sprigg is a literary authority of undoubted reputation."--New York Herald * Flo has set to work in a very thorough way."-Daily Chronicle. " MSS. sent through an agent whose name is well koown, as is Mr. Sprigg's, will have a better chance of being read than those sent in to busy editors by anknown antbors."- Womanhood for June, Crown 8vo., price 3s. d., cloth. KING HELGE DRAMAS BASED ON THE NORSE SAGAS. By F. I. WIN BOLT. " These versions are pleasant reading both in rasp?ct of style and tenor, and convey vivid impressions of the somewhat primitive ideas of honour and of right wbich were entertained by the ancient Scandinavians. The legends of the Norsemen will not soon be divested of interest."-Dundee Adrertiser, London: SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO. LIMITED. ASLOG. C THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND POSITION TO AUTHORS and all others whom it may concern. AUTHORS' MS. TYPED In tbe Matter of a Deed of Assignment for the benefit of creditors by GEORGE WILLIAMREDWAY and PHILLIP SINOLAIR By Experienced Hand. 9d. thousand worde. WELBY. of 9, Hart-street, Bloomsbury, in the County of London, Publisbors, trading under the style of George Redway, dated the M. J. C., 31, LAMMAS PARK ROAD, EALING, W. 29th day of June, 1900. NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN that all persons TYPING. claiming any Books printed or publisbed by or Manuscripts deposited with tbe above-damed Debtors are required, on or before A UTHORS and others DESIRING their MS. faith- the 18th day of July, 1901. to give notice in writing of tbeir claim to 1 fully and speedily TYPED are invited to WRITE to EDMUND Henry Anderson Moncrieff, of 19, Ludgate-bill, in the city of London, DRAOUP, 21, Millbrook-road, Bedford, for special quotations. Highest Publishers' Accountant, the Trustee under the above-mentioned inclusive charge 9d. per 1000 words. Unsurpassed testimoniale. Deed. and, in default thereof. the Trustem will proceed to sell the Post 8vo., price 68. net. Books and Manuscripts found upon the debtors' premises, and distribute the proceeds of sale amongst the creditors whose claims have been duly made. Dated this 10th day of June, 1901. ASHURST, MORRIS, CRISP, and co., AS APPEARING FROY 17, Throgmorton-avende, Loodon, E.O, STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND Solicitors for the said Trustee. JUDICIAL DECISIONS. A Compilation for General Use. AT THE SHRINE OF VENUS By J. M. LELY, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. AND THE END OF THE SEASON 1899. TABLE OF CONTENTS. A copy bas been graciously accepted by tbeir Majesties the King CHAP. CHAP - opd Queen. Hall of the profits will be given to Queen Victoria's I.-Pre-Reformation Law, V.--The Benefices Act. Jubilee Fund for Nurses. 6d. net. Reformation Law. except | VL-Table of principal Statutes the first three Acts of Uniformity. repealed and unrepealed. SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, London. III. -The Acts of Uniformity. VII.-Table of principal Judicial IV.-The Prayer Book and Decisions. Crown 8vo., with illustrations, price 68., to be had of all booksellers. Rubrics. TOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills-Comprehension Bill of 1689. Eccle. siastical Appeals Bill 1850. Church Discipline Bill of 1899. T Prince at the Court of Trajan. By L. M. P. BLACK. Statements by English Church Union and Oburch Association. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.O. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trept. The Creed of Pope Pius the Fourth as added to by Pope Pius the MHE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. Ninth. And a Copious Index. L GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House. Bream's buildings, E.O. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's Buildings, E.C. By MABEL COOK. Printed and Publisbed by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 02 (July 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 02 (July 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-07-01-The-Author-12-2 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/344/1901-06-01-The-Author-12-1.pdf 770eb3dce97e74695dc3f44561f5f820 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) 1901-06-01 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages Page range in volume 1–16 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010601 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Autbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XII.—No. 1.] JUNE 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. PAGE PAGE Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Mrs. Humphry Ward on the Art of Writing Fiction... ... ... 10 Literary Property.-A Publisher's Agreement and Mr. " Abso Some American Views ... ... 11 ... ... ... gi lute” Actor-Managers and New Plays ... ... 12 ... ... ... ... ... ... Correspondence.-1. The Dating of Books, and other Suggestions Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... ... ... for Copyright. 2. Authors' Deductions and Income Tax. Annual Dinner of the Society of Authors ... ... 3. Magazines and Literature. 4. Editors The Pension Fund of the Society of Authors ... Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 ... ... « « « « * 12 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 1os. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. Py S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT TARING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 28. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Is. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 15. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 18. [All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.]  ## p. (#332) ################################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBson. The Rev. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., M.P., Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR WALTER BESANT. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. EDMUND GOSSE. The Right Hon. The Lord PiB. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. SYDNEY GRUNDY. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. | H. RIDER HAGGARD. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Barto, THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH THOMAS HARDY. LL.D. CLERE. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. HALL CAINE. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. P. W. CLAYDEN. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. Shaw. EDWARD CLODD. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS. W. MORRIS COLLES. THE RIGHT Hon. W.E.H. LECKY,M.P. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. The Hon. John COLLIER. J. M. LELY. J. J. STEVENSON. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. FRANCIS STORR. F. MARION CRAWFORD. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E, ROSE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. I M. H. SPIELMANN. COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. SFIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. Solicitors- G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THBING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. ESTABLISHED 1896. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. LTD. INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS. MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing. NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED. WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol.  ## p. 1 (#333) ############################################## The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XII.-No. 1.] JUNE 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 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. - COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS ARE INVITED BY THE E EDITOR on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other subjoots whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! III. The Royalty System. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production." IV. A Commission Agreement. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. General. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. TERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an n agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :- I. Selling it Outright. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A Profit-Sharing Agreement (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise. ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for " office expenses," anless 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. VOL. XII. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some com- petent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con. tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. B 2  ## p. 2 (#334) ############################################## TIIE AUTHOR. experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts, with a copy of the book represented. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new yr old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. BEFORE SIGNING ANY AGREEMENT WHATEVER, send the document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 con- cerning 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. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipte 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.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set ont under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one-act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited, by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that AMERICAN RIGHTS may be exceed. ingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the sabject of dramatic con. tracts, THOSE AUTHORS DESIROUS OF FURTHER INFORMA. TION ARE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. THE READING BRANCH. TEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes NOT ONLY WORKS OF FICTION, BUT POETRY AND DRAMATIC WORKS, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to .. the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln'g-inn Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor NOT LATER THAN THE 2186 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. THE AUTHORS' CLUB is situated at 3, Whitehall court, London, S.W. Address the Secretary for information concerning rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. 1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice bought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions conneuted with copyright and publishers' agreoments do not generally fall within the  ## p. 3 (#335) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. LITERARY PROPERTY. aned I.-A Publisher's Agreement and Mr. "Absolute.” AGREEMENT made this day of BETWEEN of (hereinafter called the AUTHOR) of the one part and of (bereinafter called the PUBLISHER) of the other part, WHEREBY it is agreed as follows:- 1. The PUBLISHER agrees to purchase and the AUTHOR agrees to sell the entire copyright, without any reserve, in the United Kingdom and all other parts of the world, of a work entitled , the completed manuscript execated in a proper manner of which the AUTHOR has delivered to the PUBLISHER, and all future editions thereof in considera- tion of the following payments, viz. : A royalty of on the pablished price of all copies sold op to 3000, a royalty of after 3000 (this last increase oply taking place as long as the book is not reduced in price lower than 68. and as long as 500 copies are sold in each year). 2. The PUBLISHER will according to his own judgment and in such a manner as in bis anfettered discretion he may consider advisable at his own cost print and publish a first edition of the said work, and further editions if in his judg. ment further editions are required, and in his absolute discretion advertise tbe same, and shall determine all details and in bis absolute discretion make all arrangements of and incidental to the printing, publishing, advertising, sale price, and reviewing of the said work. 3. The PUBLISHER sball in his absolute discretion have the right to sell, exchange, assign, or otherwise dispose of all and every right of publication or of translation of the said work on any terms and for any period and either wholly or partially or exclusively or otherwise as he shall think expedient for the colonies and foreign conatries, and an amount equivalent to 50 per cent. of the net profits realised and actually received by tha PUBLISHER shall be paid to the AUTHOR. 4. If the PUBLISHER shall sell an edition (or such number of copies as may be fixed on by the PUBLISHER in his own absolute discretion as constituting an edition for the purpose of this clause) to & publisher or bookseller in the United States of America, the provision as to royalties in clause i hereof provided shall not apply, but the AUTHOR shall be paid a royalty equivalent to one half the royalty that would be paid were the copies in question sold to the English trade. 5. If the said work shall be included in any edition of works published in England for exclusive sale in any colony, the royalty shall be ad. on each copy sold. 6. The PUBLISHER may, in his absolute discretion, sell, excbange, assign, or otherwise dispose of the remainder of any edition at remainder prices, and the AUTHOR shall not be entitled to any royalty in respect thereof, but shall in lieu thereof be entitled to a payment equivalent to 5 per cent. of the net profit realised by such sale and actually received by the PUBLISHER. 7. The AUTHOR shall revise and return for press with all reasonable speed the proof sheets of the work so that the same may be printed without interruption. 8. If the printer's charges for author's corrections of the first or any other edition of the said work exceed an average of 68. per sheet of thirty-two pages, the excess shall be repaid to the PUBLISHER by the AUTHOR and may be deducted from royalties due or to become due bereunder or from any moneys held by the PUBLISHER on account of the AUTHOR. 9. The AUTHOR shall revise with all possible despatch any new edition of the said work and correct the proofs and otherwise assist as may be required by the PUBLISHER. 10. The AUTHOR shall not write or publish, either directly or indirectly, any other work on the same subject of such a kind that the sale of the work shall be in any way prejudicially affected, and should be write anotber work on the same or cognate subjects be sball in the first instance give the PUBLISHER the right to acquire the work by purchase or otherwise as may be arranged. 11. This agreement is entered into by the PUBLISHER ON the warranty by the AUTHOR that the said work does not infringe any copyright, and that the said work does not contain anything of a libellous nature. If the said work does contain anything constituting or alleged to constitute & breach of such warranty, and proceedings or brought for any alleged infringement of copyright or for any alleged libel, and it is deemed advisable by the PUB. LISHER in his absolute discretion not to contest the matter but to arrive at a settlement thereof, or if the action is successfully contested, then and in every case the AUTHOR shall pay in advance to the PUBLISHER & sufficient eum to cover the estimated costs of the PUBLISHER in defending such action or threatened proceedings, and shall at the same time give to the PUBLISHER Security satisfactory to him to indemnify him against any damage awarded in such action, and shall on demand repay to the PUBLISHER all costs (as between solicitor and client), damages, and expenses incurred by the PUBLISAER in respect of or resulting from or incidental to the publication, advertisement, withdrawal of, and other dealings with the said work, to the effect that the PUBLISHER shall have full and complete indemnity from the AUTHOR in respect of all out of pocket expenses in connection with the said work. 12. The PUBLISHER shall keep proper books of accounts showing the number of copies of the said work sold, and also accounts showing the sales up to the 30th day of June and the 31st day of December in every year, as far as can be accurately ascertained, shall be delivered to the AUTHOR as soon as practicable after these respective dates, and the royalties dae and payable sball be paid not later than the ensning 30th day of November and the 3180 day of May respectively in every year, and in estimating such royalties thirteen copies of the said work sball be counted as twelve. 13. The PUBLISHER shall give to the AUTHOR free of charge six copies of the said work. 14. Nothing in this agreement contained shall constitute or be taken to constitute a partnership between the parties. M HE agreement printed above has nearly all the faults which from an author's point of view it could possibly contain. These faults have been criticised over and over again in The Author, and also in the work published by the Society entitled “ Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association, with Comments by G. Herbert Thring and Illustrative Examples by Sir Walter Besant.” But it has been thought essential to reproduce this special form, as it is a new form recently brought forward. Several copies have been sent to the Secretary for his comments. It is much to be regretted that pub. lishers who really desire an equitable agreement between the parties should still persist in putting forward such a document.  ## p. 4 (#336) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. · CLAUSE 1.-The author sells every right he has nothing further need be said, the amount that in the world in England, her Colonies and an author can obtain in royalty being merely a Dependencies, in America, and under the Berne matter of bargaining, but attention should be Convention. The folly of this course is evident. drawn to the latter part of the clause, which is The English publishers should only hold a licence inserted in brackets. It might lead the unsus- to publish in England, her Colonies and Depen. pecting author into considerable difficulty, as the dencies. It is sometimes necessary to except publisher nowhere undertakes to produce the Canada. All other rights are generally left book at 68., and it is possible that he might, if in the hands of an agent, and much better so than the sales were averaging about 500 a year, stop in the hands of publishers, for this reason—that a them before they reach that number. publisher does not as a general rule undertake the In CLAUSE 2 Mr. " Absolute" has everything at work of a literary agent; that his office is not to his “ unfettered discretion ” and practically takes place literary work in other hands, but to produce all the powers into his own hands. He does not literary work for the author; that work of this mention the date when he will publish, and he does kind left in the hands of publishers is not likely not mention the form in which he will publish, nor to receive anything like the same attention as it does he mention the price at which he will pub- is if left in the hands of a literary agent; that lish, and at his “absolute discretion ” he adver- the publisher is the only person who gains by tises or not, and at “his absolute discretion " he having control of this work, and that the author makes what arrangement he likes with regard to loses by leaving it in his hands. It should be the production of the book. He is particularly pointed out further that the publisher does not "absolute” in this clause. It is needless to say anywhere in the agreement undertake to secure that such a clause as this is “absolutely ” bad the American copyright for the author, nor even from the author's point of view. Some of the to do his best to obtain it. It may pay an difficulties of CLAUSE 3 have already been pointed English publisher better to sell sheets or stereos out when commenting on clause 1, but Mr. to America and pay the author a royalty as per " Absolute” makes his position exceedingly clear clause 4. It should be added (see clause 3) that to the unfortunate author. The publisher, as for tbis agency work, while the literary agent already pointed out, pockets 50 per cent. of the charges 10 per cent., the publisher generally asks profits, for which the negotiations, in many cases, from 30 to 50 per cent. (in tbis case 50 per cent.). entail the mere writing of one or two short letters; Out of a large series of agreements before the and again it should be pointed out that the sale Society from all sorts and conditions of pub- of these minor rights may entail great delay in lishers the lowest charge for this literary agency publication in addition to the efforts of the business has been 25 per cent., and this only in publisher being careless and balf-hearted. one case. Again, in CLAUSE 4, the publisher safeguards Further, a publisher who makes his profit out himself against obtaining the American copy- of the English book publication looks upon the right. As a general rule, it does not pay a increase in his profits from these other sources as publisher to obtain the American copyright for little extra luxuries. He does not push to get a an author. In clause 4 if he does not obtain such fair price for the author or to keep up the author's copyright, the author is to have half the royalty position in the literary market, but he readily that he would obtain if the copies had been sold accepts any offer that is made. to the English trade; this, quite irrespective of An example was recently before the Secretary any bargain which Mr. “Absolute” may make where the serial rights of a 68. novel, held by the with the American house with which he is dealing. publisher, were sold for £30. The book was The arrangement may be an exceedingly good by an author of no mean reputation, who could arrangement for the publisher; no doubt Mr. obtain without difficulty £100 if his work had “ Absolute” will see that it is a good arrange- been fairly marketed. ment, otherwise he will not accept it, as the There is another point-that publishers very acceptance or rejection lies entirely with him, often delay the publication of a book in order to and it is possible that he might arrange with an market these minor rights, and it is quite pos- American publisher to obtain more than 50 per sible that, as the agreement stands, if the pub- cent. of the just returns. lisher was desirous of serialising both in England Iu CLAUSE 5 it will be noticed that the author and America the publication might be delayed is to have 2d. on each copy sold to the Colonies. almost indefinitely. As the book to which this agreement refers is · That there should be a rising royalty is only presumably a 6s. book (no price being actually fair if the author cannot claim the highest fixed), it is as well to point out that the ordinary royalty at once. With regard to this point, price paid to an autbor is from 4d. to 4 d. a GILUMO  ## p. 5 (#337) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. copy. The arrangement by which the author from all loss would necessarily render him care. gets 2d. is an exceedingly good one for Mr. less as to the costs he might incur, the settle- * Absolute.” ments he might make, and his whole course of The next clause (6) is also a dangerous clause action. The author would be powerless under for the author. It is wearisome to repeat the the clause as it stands. Mr. “Absolute” has reasons, but attention should be drawn to the “out-Heroded Herod," “pray you avoid him.” fact that the author is paid 5 per cent. on the net It must be repeated that where a publisher makes profits, the publisher taking the rest. an out-and-out purchase, as he does in this agree- With regard to CLAUSE 8, again, it is fair that ment, the motto should be caveat empter, and the the publisher should be protected against the author should not give a guarantee to the heavy expense of corrections brought about by publisher. the author, but the amount, 6s. per sheet of The account clause (12) is not satisfactory; thirty-two pages, as quoted in this agreement, it is not, however, as bad as some. The irony is perhaps the smallest amount that has been of clause 14 is perhaps its most amusing point. allowed to any author in any agreement that has Apology must be made for a merely superficial come before the Society. commentary on this extraordinary agreement. If In CLAUSE 9, again, the author is entirely at the any member of the Society would care to have beck and call of the publisher. The work is the further details he must apply to the secretary. author's, but he is not allowed to revise it unless Space does not allow of the further unravelling of the publisher desires him to do so, and his Mr. “Absolute's" methods. G. H. T. revision, even, is subject to the publisher's discretion. In CLAUSE 10 the author is forbidden to publish a work which is likely to conflict with the PARIS LETTER. interests of Mr. “ Absolute.” but our friend Mr. " Absolute” might, on the other hand, desiring to control the market with regard to a certain 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. style of publication, kill a book at “his absolute M HE first spring of the new century has been discretion” in order that it might not in any way I signalised by an outburst of literary and conflict with any work of his own on the same intellectual activity. Place aux jeunes ! subject already on the market. If the author is might be its watchword. A marked favour is bound not to produce, it is only fair that the being shown to young writers and the ideas pro- publisher should be equally bound. mulgated by the rising generation. The reading CLAUSE 11 is perhaps the most absolute clause committee of the Comédie Française—that erst of this absolute agreement. If the book was the stronghold of precedent, protection, and prejudice author's, and the publisher bad a licence to -is placing itself in the advance guard of the publish, it is fair under certain circumstances, movement by accepting new men's work, rightly and to a certain limited extent, to guarantee the esteeming that the hall-mark of original talent publisher against infringement of copyright and counterbalances the lack of a celebrated signa- libel; but as the book is the publisher's, he ought ture. Of the second revolution going on in the to protect himself before the purchase. In any heart of the Comédie itself it is not our case, the author is asked to concede much too province to speak. The proceedings of the first much. A case once arose in which the publisher general assembly of the Association internationale of a scientific book dealing with the sex question des Académies have, likewise, been duly detailed on scientific lines was prosecuted by the police. elsewhere. In his opening speech the president The publisher pleaded guilty to obscene publica made a graceful allusion to the services rendered tion, and the author, although his book was by the Royal Society, to whose initiative the idea approved by some of the greatest scientists in of an international catalogue of scientific litera- Europe, had no power of clearing his character. ture was due. The floral games at Toulouse, and the This case is not an exact analogy, but power is pretty ceremonies which accompanied the bestowal given to the publisher of making any agreement by the Clémence Faure Academy of the silver without the author having any opportunity of violet, primrose, pink, eglantine, lily, and mari. clearing himself. It is possible that under gold (marking the respective order of merit similar circumstances the publisher might consent attained by the poem thus recompensed) must to the payment of a large sum to satisfy a case also rauk among the matter“crowded out.” That rather than permit the author to vindicate his the judge's office was no sinecure is attested by character with regard to what he had written. the fact that out of a total of 759 poetical Besides, the fact that the publisher is protected effusions only ten were deemed worthy of reward  ## p. 6 (#338) ############################################## 6 THE AUTHOR. --to wit, five poets and three poetesses, one M. SAINT-GEORGES DE BOUHÉLIER. :: fortunate lady being thrice declared victress. The literary magazines of the new generation- À propos of associations, M. Marcel Prévost viz., La Clavellina, L'Effort de Paris, Gallia, announces the formation of a new society of Le Pays de France, and La Revue naturiste- Parisian journalists, entitled Nouvellistes parisiens. have united in giviug a banquet in honour of the “ Let us render homage in this matter," writes publication of the “ Tragédie du Nouveau Christ” he, “to the journalists of our country; the French of M. Saint-Georges de Bouhélier, the young Press is one of the most healthy as regards infor- chief of Naturism, who was saluted on this occa- mation.” If the French journalist require sion by M. Charpentier as the incarnation of the strengthening in this "literary prubity and ideas, hopes, and generous soul of the literary moderation," he has only to consider dans quel vouth of to-day. In seven powerfully written discrédit sont tombées certaines presses étrangères tableaux, M. de Bouhélier develops the hypo- par l'abus de l'information à outrance, de l'infor- thesis of the Saviour's re-integration in human mation grossière, non controlée et cyniquement form. He returns to earth to encounter the proclamée. “Written in a certain tongue,” he same outrages, misunderstandings, and rebuffs. continues, "all news is to-day suspicious, even together with the same life and death-as when to those whose tongue it is.” It would be He suffered centuries ago to redeem a world that interesting to know if the new society con 2000 years of Christian proselytism has apparently sidered the above remarks as shining examples made no better. The mysticism of the idea of this of “the professional dignity,” “the severe curious, pessimistic work is allied with the most moral discipline,” “the solidity, polish, and brutal realism in form. It is conscientiously good taste," advocated by M. Prévost in the thought out, and impressively written ; neverthe- leader in question ? less, we doubt if it will be widely read. The A VIEW OF MODERN JOURNALISM. literary critic of the Figaro advises M. de Bouhélier to be more accessible to the true “The papers would be excellent if the journa- public; to lower his intellectual range, and bring lists did not spoil them,” was the frequent down his writing to the comprehension of ordinary assertion of M. Emile Girardin, progenitor of the people. “We know he has talent.” adds this advertising system now almost universal. M. friendly writer : “ we would like him to offer Adolphe Brisson is still more severe on modern others than his friends the possibility of being French journalism, though he attributes its short convinced of it.” It remains to be seen whether comings to the abnormal expansion of M. M. de Bouhélier is sufficiently alive to his Girardin's innovation. The following paragraph own pecuniary interests to profit by the hint. taken from “Paris intime” (one of the set of The recently published “ Travail” (Vol. 2 of volumes unanimously rewarded by the Academy the “Quatre Evangiles." chez Fasquelle) of his as containing the best portrayal of Parisian friend and master, M. Emile Zola, likewise deals manners and customs of the present day) can with the working classes, being a study of the scarcely be considered eulogistic. struggle between capital and labour, and the . “The advertisements should pay a paper's reorganisation of the latter such as is being expenses!'” he writes, quoting Emile de Girardin's slowly brought about in the present day. favourite formula. “ This reasoning has given birth to the modern newspaper. Girardin's idea A BENEVOLENT BOOKSELLER. has borne fruit; it has made his fortune, and M. Le Goaziou, an enterprising bookseller, has enriched those who imitated him. The ancient discovered to his cost that benevolence towards. gazette at three sous is at death's door. It is customers is an expensive and unappreciated supplanted by the halfpenny paper, that journa- virtue. Having ascertained that his business listic shark which penetrates into the villages, connection permitted him to dispose advan. eagerly seeks out readers there, and inundates tageously of books at 40 per cent. reduction, in lieu. France with bad paper. “The advertisements of the 20 per cent. established by the publishers' should pay a paper's expenses !' The editors and booksellers' syndicates, he forthwith lowered have applied this formula too literally. The the price of his wares. Whereupon his name was journalists of 1830 sinned through excess of put on the black list of the two syndicates, and candour; those of the twentieth century are no all the large publishing houses (Hachette, Belin, longer so naïve. The daily paper was formerly a Delagrave, Larousse, &c.) refused to continue tribunal where ardent, sincere, and almost always business relations with him. Nothing daunted, disinterested, voices discoursed. It has become a M. Le Goaziou sued nine Parisian publishers and commercial house which sells its publicity to all booksellers for infraction of article 419 of the comers.” Penal Code, which article declares that any  ## p. 7 (#339) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. coalition existing between holders of the same exercise of the liberty of coalition, &c. [L'exer- merchandise for the purpose of operating a rise cice de la liberté des conventions. Wherefore above the price fixed by free competition is illegal the decision of the Ninth Chamber was adverse and punishable by law. to M. Le Goaziou. M. Bruyant, substitute, asserted, on the con- trary, that the publishers and editors in question LOVE-LETTERS AND MATRIMONY. were perfectly within their rights. “ Publishers,” Love-letters are apparently in vogue, since the said he,“ are not holders of the same merchan fervid “Lettres à ma Fiancée" of Victor Hugo dise, each book preserving a distinct individuality. (chez Fasquelle) have been followed by the publi- A novel by Anatole France is not the same cation of the letters of the “ Marquise de Sade," merchandise as a novel of the Rose Library series, which epistles have been unearthed from among nor a grammar by Lhomond the same merchan- the dusty archives of the eighteenth century dise as a grammar written by a Jesuit. Books and duly edited by M. Paul Ginisty. The letters escape the economic law of supply and demand of the unfortunate Marquise to her reprobate because they contain a double element-one husband during his fifteen years' well-merited material (the paper and printed characters), the captivity are true love letters, indicative of a rare other immaterial (the thought of the author). abnegation and affection. According to all con- Human thought cannot be monopolised, even by temporary testimony, she possessed the pure, an American Trust agency. It is not a product angelic disposition usually accredited to celestial like sugar and vitriol. Thus, no market price beings. Nevertheless, her husband — a chef existing, there is no market!”. [Donc, pas de d'ouvre of Nature as regards innate baseness, cours, pas de marché !] vice, and ferocity-chose to suspect her of infi. The Ninth. Chamber of the Correctional delity. At this crowning outrage the meek Tribune sharing M. Bruyant's opinion, M. Le devotee revolted. Only for one day, however. Goaziou lost the case. His disbursal of costs has On the morrow she wrote: “If you are capable probably not tended to increase his esteem for of poniarding me, under the present circum- cheap book buyers in general. stances it would be a happiness to me not to exist longer." Scrawled on the margin of this THE CHAMBER'S DECISION. piteous letter by its unworthy recipient we find The decision was made known in the following the reflection : "Quelle platitude, grand Dieu ! terms :- Quelle platitude !" Granted that the text of the Code provides Social Paris has been much interested in the against a coalition existing between holders of betrothal of Mlle. Sardou (daughter of the cele- the same merchandise ; that, in the case in point, brated dramatist) to Comte Robert de Flers, this condition is not realised ; that, in reality, the a rising literary critic and dramatist, reputed publishers having each their speciality, the books to possess more than average talent. M. Sardou published by them preserve their individuality; is also to be congratulated on the satisfactory that there are as many different wares (marchan- statistics furnished by the annual report of dises) as there are publishers; that these wares the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Drama- (marchandises) not being the object of a free tiques, of which association he is president. The competition, escape almost completely the law of royalties collected by the society (from March 1, supply and demand, and that there exists for 1900, to Feb. 28, 1901) amount to a total of no books neither market nor fixed value. [Il n'existe less than 4,569,207 francs. 24,834 francs have pour les livres ni marché ni cours.] been distributed among indigent members, and Granted, on the other hand, that the coalition 105,250 francs expended in old age pensions. foreseen in article 419 of the Penal Code appears M. Decourcelle's project for augmenting the —at least, since the law of 1884 on professional funds of the caisse des retraites was unanimously syndicates—to be only unlawful and punishable voted by the adherents of the society. when accompanied by fraudulent maneuvres which have, in influencing the market price, New BOOKS. occasioned its rise or fall. “Rhapsodies Passionées," a volume of verse by Granted that, in reality, the object of profes. the Comte du Bois; “En Pleine Épopée," a sional syndicates is the defence of reputable journalistic chronicle of the Transvaal war, by M. economic interests; that a syndicate of pub. Jean Carrère, French correspondent in South lishers cannot be refused the right to fix, in Africa; “La Liberté de la Presse " (1789-1815), accord with the retail booksellers, a net price by M. Le Poittevin (chez Arthur Rousseau); below which books cannot be sold ; that the “Le Progrès Social à la fin du Dix-neuvième liberty of commerce itself is limited by the Siècle," a most interesting work, by M. Louis VOL. XII.  ## p. 8 (#340) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. HA Skarzinski; “La Théorie de l'Ordre," by M. of the present day seemed to be getting smaller Jules Delafosse; and the usual shoal of sensa. by degrees and beautifully less. (Laughter.) tional novels. DARRACOTTE Scott. He could not help hoping that, as the world of letters had conferred so much benefit upon the two great legislative assemblies, they might see their way to returning the compliment during the ANNUAL DINNER OF THE SOCIETY present session by passing a measure in which authors, and especially that Society, took a great OF AUTHORS. interest--the Copyright Bill—and so alleviate, if not altogether remove, the injustice which so long M HE annual dinner of the Incorporated Society had hung over literature. (Cheers.) The measure of Authors was held on May 1 in the had been entrusted, and rightly so, to the care of King's Hall, Holborn Restaurant. The his noble friend, Lord Monkswell, and he had Right Hon. the LORD BURGHCLERE presided with great discretion transferred the burden from Among the 220 who were present were Lord his own shoulders to the broader-he would not Monkswell, Sir Algernon West, Sir Wm. say the abler-shoulders of the present Govern. Kennedy, Sir Joshua Fitch, the Archdeacon ment; and he sincerely trusted that in the ensuing of London, Mr. J. Henniker-Heaton, M.P., session the legislators and Government might see Mrs. Campbell Praed, Mrs. Steel, Mrs. Reeves their way to pass the Bill. (Cheers.) He (Helen Mathers), Mrs. Tweedie, Mr. A. Hope congratulated them on the success of the Society, Hawkins, Mr. Douglas Freshfield, Mr. Harold Since the advent of their present Secretary it had Spender, Mr. Bernard Shaw, Mr. F. G. Aflalo, very nearly doubled its membership. The Society Mr. Frank Harris, Mr. W. W. Jacobs, Mr. was able to help others--not only those who had Oscar Browning, Mr. Mackenzie Bell, Mr. risen, but those who were rising. They were able Lewis Hind, Mr. M. H. Spielmann, Miss to assist the younger members of the profession Montresor, Mr. Julian Corbett, Mr.J.K. Spender, in their entrance to their career. They had, he Mr. F. T. Dalton, Mr. W. L. Courtney, Mr. understood, a pension list; he did not know Francis Storr, Miss E. Sharp, Miss Pendered, Mr. whether it referred to old age pensions or not. W. H. Besant, Mr. Basil Tozer, Mrs. Belloc (Laughter.) They had no debt, and their taxa- Lowndes, Mr. Douglas Sladen, Miss Arabella tion consisted of one guinea a year. The Society Kenealy, Mrs. Desmond Humphreys (“Rita"), contained some of the most distinguished names Mr. F. Gribble, Mrs. Arthur Stannard, and Mr. of the day in all the various branches of literature G. H. Thring (Secretary). and art. If there were any who were not on the The CHAIRMAN proposed “ The Society.” It list, he might say something which would give was with considerable diffidence, he said, that them reason for reconsidering their position. he occupied the chair, in view of the various The Society was not only made for those who had eminent men who had presided in the past and been successful, but perhaps its special task was the many distinguished names on the rolls of the to help those who were commencing their literary Society. He was not going to indulge in the efforts. It seemed to be the bounden duty of growing custom among speakers of obtaining those who, either by luck or skill, had obtained applause by some cheap sneers at the two legislative comfortable seats on the top of Parnassus to hold assemblies of the country, although the tempta- out their hands to their younger and weaker tion was very strong. He would prefer to trace brethren who were trying to struggle up the the intimate and very ancient-he might almost steep ascent. (Cheers.) In that spirit he wished say hereditary-connection between politics and success to the Society. (Cheers.) the world of letters. In illustration of this Mr. DOUGLAS FRESHFIELD, in reply, thanked the relationship, the noble chairman mentioned the chairman for the way in which he had spoken of names of Chaucer, Tennyson (who was made a the work of the Society. His Lordship's praise lord of Parliament in 1883), Byron, Edmund was the more agreeable because he himself was Waller, Andrew Marvel, Milton, Matthew Prior, not a stranger to literature. He might allude to Addison, George Villiers (second duke of Buck- his work—which he hoped would soon be pub- ingham), R. B. Sheridan, Lord Lytton, Bacon, lished—a translation of the pastoral poetry of Clarendon, Burnett, Marquis of Halifax, Lord Virgil, in which they recognised that Lord Chesterfield, Lord Macaulay, and Sir George Burghclere was well worthy to travel along the Trevelyan ; while among the spiritual lords were paths in which so many statesmen had found Dr. Stubbs and Dr. Creighton. If there was one recreation. They poor authors were a very un- thing more than another he had noticed in the protected race. Painters had their Academy, delightful realm of fiction it was that the novels architects their Institute, and men of science their  ## p. 9 (#341) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 100 Royal Society, which looked after them well. THE PENSION FUND OF THE SOCIETY But authors had had nowhere to lay their griev. OF AUTHORS. ances. Their Society could not, of course, pre- tend to any proud position such as was held by T a meeting of the Pension Fund Committee the French Academy. They claimed no honours held on Tuesday, May 7, at 4 o'clock, the and could confer none, but they had a very prac- following resolution was unanimously tical aim, which was not always correctly appre passed : ciated even by members. There seemed to be an “That a pension of £60 a year be awarded idea abroad that the Society was an engine for to Mrs. J. H. Riddell, author of George attacking publishers. He did not take that view. Geith of Fen Court,' • The Senior Partner,' Authors and publishers were naturally allies, and and many other well-known novels.” the main business of the Society was to strengthen In announcing this decision the Pension Fund the alliance by making its terms more clear and Committee desire to express their satisfaction, definite in each individual case. Vagueness in which they think will be shared by the Society at literary contracts had been the source of much large, that the first pension awarded under the misunderstanding. Society's scheme should be the means of expressiug Sir Joshua Fitch proposed “ The Guests." the respect so widely felt for Mrs. Riddell's Such a Society as theirs must be of public value literary gifts and achievements. if it did as it was said to do--that was, to keep in view the highest interests of authorship, to watch all public measures, legislative and otherwise, The following is the list of donations and likely to influence the interests of literature, to subscriptions at present promised or received :- promote mutual concord and mutual understand. DONATIONS. ing among authors, and to aim to make equitable MEREDITH, GEORGE, President of tbe Society arrangements between makers and distributors (first donation)............ £100 0 0 of books. There was no class of work done Meredith, George (second donation)................ 10 00 A. S. 100 0 0 under circumstances of more isolation, and no Alcott, E. ....... ......................................... 50 0 0 class more thoroughly needed the help and sym Anonymous ......... pathy which arose from association than authors. Arnim, The Countess von ................ Anything that would help to give strength to our Baldwin, Mrs A. ........................... Barrie, J. M. .......................................... literature, to alleviate the profession of letters, Benecke, Miss Ida .................................... and to encourage endeavour after literary excel. Besant, Sir Walter....................... lence must be not only an advantage to litera. Boevey, Miss Crawley ture, but a great-public benefit. (Cheers.) Chambers, Miss Beatric. ............ Sir Algernon West replied. Clifford, Mrs W. K. . Cordeaux, Miss .................. Mr. A. HOPE HAWKINS gave“ The Chairman," Craigie, Mrs. to whom the Society was not only indebted for Davy, Mrs. E. M. .......... presiding and for his very interesting speech, but Doyle, A. Conan ... also for his very cordial, ready, and substantial Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) 5 0 0 aid. In connection with the Copyright Bill, he Esmond, H. V. ........ 3 3 0 Fowler, Miss E. T... ................................. had always placed at their disposal his experience 10 10 Freshfield, D. W.... 100 0 and knowledge of Parliamentary affairs. Gibbs, Mise ............ ............. 10 In response, the CHAIRMAN said he had had the Hallward, N. L. ... ......... honour of being a member of the Council of the Harraden, Miss Beatrice ......... 10 0 0 Society since its formation, but the meetings of Hawkins, A. Hope .................. 200 Hutchinson, Rev. H. the Council seemed to be of very rare occurrence. Jacberns, Raymond How many times he had been called to assist Jones, Henry Arthur.. would ever remain a secret between himself and Keltie, J. Scott the Secretary. (Laughter.) On any future occa Kipling, Rudyard ........ sion, if his bumble efforts could be of any good to Loftie, Rev. W.J. Macfarlane, H. ...................................... the Society, they would be placed with the greatest Marshall, Capt. R. .................................. pleasure at its disposal. (Cheers.) Miles, Eastace ..., Moncrieff, R. Hope Montresor, Miss F.... Morrah, Herbert Norris, W. E. ..... Oliphant, Kingston .. Parker, Gilbert Phillpotts, Eden ......... .............. 10 0 O JOWO ............ OOOONO 0-0--000-000-0oOwo O-Oouw No0o- en OOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 8-enn-ö -7 - - .......... . 100 .. 100  ## p. 10 (#342) ############################################# 10 THE AUTHOR. 00000 0- oceneno - ÖNNON ou nobeno oo oooo õen OOOOO 0 SUBSCRIPTIONS. .......... o ..... ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ Pollook, Sir Frederiok 50 night at the Authors' Club. We are indebted to Roe, Mrs. Harcourt ..... 10 O the Queen of May 25 for the following report of Roggetti, W. M. ......... the gathering. The great hall of the Hotel S. B. ........ Sanderson, Sir J. B. .. Cecil was crowded with members and their Skeat, The Rev. Prof. friends. In proposing the toast of the Spielmann, M. H. o evening, DR. CONAN DOYLE, who was in the Stanton, Miss H. M. E. chair, treated his audience to a masterly con- Toplis, Miss G..... sideration of Mrs. Humphry Ward as a Tweedie, Mrs. Alec..................................... Watt, A. P. ..................................... novelist. Dr. Conan Doyle's speech is fully Weyman, Stanley ...... reported in our contemporary. In conclusion, he Wheelwright, Miss E. E. . said : The public knows a writer by his or her Williams, Mrs. E. L. ..... work, but there is another point of view which Young, Ernest o 60 authors must take. They are a profession, a noble profession, and they honour those members à Beckett, A. W. ........... 5 0 0 of it who conform to the highest traditions of Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... 10 0 0 that profession. We feel that Mrs. Humphry Alexander, A. ...... 110 Ward has always done so, and that the tone of Avery, Harold o 10 6 Besant, Sir Walter... 5 5 0 the profession has been the higher from her Bond, R. Warwick I 10 presence within it. (Cheers.) Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. Mrs. HUMPHRY WARD, in reply, said :-As to Brodhurst, Spencer................. 0 10 6 “novels with a purpose," I am inclined to think Clodd, Edward .. that if a novelist imagines that he or she is going Cresswell, Rev. H. .................................... Crockett, S. R. ............. to conquer art by much preaching, that the novel Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for is merely the pamphlet or the sermon writ long, 1901) .......... that “ prose is verse and verse is merely prose" Ellis, Miss M. A. —then, in the words of Goldsmith, "nothing Esmond, H. V. Gilbert, W. S. cau exceed the vanity of his existence but the Goldsmith, W. H. o 10 0 folly of his pursuits.” It is no good opening out Gribble, F. ........ “cauld harangues on practice and on morals.” Guthrie, Anstey ......................... Nothing has any power in the world of art but Gwynn, S. the things of feeling and the things of beauty, Harraden, Miss Beatrice Hawkins, A. Hope ........................... On that we all agree. What is sincere, what Home, Francis.......................................... touches the artist before it is offered to the Jerome, Jerome K. .................................... public, that we all agree is the first, almost the Kelly, C. A...................... ............ only, condition of good work. But that condition Lely, J. M. ........ includes much that the critics are often ready to Macdonald, Mrs.................. Marchmont, A. W. deny us. If the play of religious opinion, or Pemberton, Max......... social reform, or political power, as they affect Pendered, Miss Mary L. 0 10 0 human life is what interests the writer, and if Pinero, A. W. .......... 5 0 0 that writer is drawn towards the form of the Roberts, Morley .......... 0 novel, what authority bars the way? Some of Rose, Edward .......... 5 0 0 the greatest authorities of the world are on his Rumble, Mrs. ..... side. Sinclair, Miss ..... 10 0 The only point to be considered is-can 0 Stanley, Mrs. ..... he touch other minds, can he throw what he has Ward, Mrs. Humphry ... ... ... ... ... to say into shapes that move and live ? And Watt, A. P. ................ that turns upon another question. Can he see Woston, Miss Jessie L. ... ... ... .... 0 5 0 these things and reproduce them, not as the student sees and reproduces them, but as the artist sees them interpreted through the forms of human life, and interfused with beauty or with terror ? MRS. HUMPHRY WARD ON THE AR If he can, let the critic say what he will. The WRITING FICTION. whole purpose of Tolstoy's “ Resurrection” is to lead up to those last pages in which a man of I RS. HUMPHRY WARD was entertained burning sincerity presses upon Europe a new as the guest of the evening by the view of the gospel message. For that purpose he - Authors' Club on May 20 at the Hotel has carried the whole marvellous load of that Cecil. This is the first occasion for several years book, and but for the purpose he would never upon which ladies have been admitted to a guest have lifted it. Are you going to glorify the oo 000 O-Oooooen oeren oo-enoun--enoooer on enounouceno - our aroo on ooo õen onerrocera-075 oczern ooo ooceno - oo  ## p. 11 (#343) ############################################# TIE AUTHOR. 11 book, and denounce the purpose ? Perfectly than we hate to our latest breath ; and admire true that the purpose is nothing without the art; chiefly, perhaps, the things that we could never, but humanity, the reader, the true and ultimate never du ourselves, the things that seem to public, will take care of that. us inconceivable and unattainable—the peaks Meanwhile, though I will always maintain furthest from our own treading, under the com- that art knows no limitations but those that mon light of poetry and truth. spring out of itself, though all genres (save the Innumerable mountains rise and rise, hideous and inhuman) have their burgher rights Ambitious for the ballowing of thine eyes. in the great city, an artist is worth little, I think, So might we say to arı, “I'll walk where my who cannot at times hate his own genre, and own nature would be leading "—there is the everything that concerns it, in order to fall in typical cry of the artist; but woe betide him if love with the genres of other people. How good he do not also ask of the gods as much happy for those who are not capable of such things, to curiosity and love as they will grant for the be filled with envy of the invention that gives us wanderers on other paths than his, and the shep- a “ Sherlock Holmes " ; of that pure story-telling herds of other sheep. (Cheers.) art whereof “Tusitala ” is king and priest ; of the plots, the adventures, the “moving accidents by flood and field,” over which some magicians of the novel have power. And I will dare to say how SOME AMERICAN VIEWS. good for the writers of adventure, or the realists, to have a passing fit of indulgence for the poor WRITER in the Evening Post, of New followers of Rousseau and George Sand! York, commenting on a report that the In the love letters of Balzac there is a delight- authors' profits on some novels which ful letter describing a visit of the great realist to have sold largely in the United States in the past George Sand at Nohant. He did not think year are given as £15,000, £9000, £7800, £6000, much of George Sand's art. That was inevitable. &c. :- “ She knows and says about herself the very Four of these novels have been dramatised, and are now things that I think about her, without telling presented on the stage. With one exception, the publishers. them to her, that she has neither strength of con- are not in a position to state definitely what additional ception nor the faculty of constructing plots, nor royalty the authors receive for the right of dramatisation. It is said that two authors sold the right for a stipulated the art of the pathetic, but that, without knowing amount. The lowest royalty considered for & success is the French language, she has style ; and such is usually 5 per cent. of the gross receipts of every perform. the fact." ance. Those, therefore, whose good fortane has been Well, George Sand has her own views, and associated with the three plays which have enjoyed con- tinuous success since the early autumn, and often drawn expresses them, about Balzac. But they both audiences paying eight and nine thousand dollars a week, meet on this common ground. Without knowing will have received between foar and five hundred dollars the French language she has style, Balzac admits every seven days from the theatrical manager. Old Dr. -that is to say, she is a writer, whatever foolish Johnson's notion that Thrale's brewery afforded “the things she may choose to write about. She has potentiality of growing risb beyond the dream of avarice" may be suggested in comparison with the idea of wealth the heightenins, the incommunicable gift, she has aroused by the contemplation of the new novelist's revendes: sincerity, she has vision ; he holds out to her the And it should be added that two of these novels were pub. hand of a comrade; he accepts from her a big lished serially, for which separate payment was received hookah and Latakia like her own; and the two wn · and the two before they were brought out in book form. smoke, and discuss by the hour the problems of Colonel Harvey, president of Messrs. Harper the métier. and Brothers, on his return from a visit to Cannot we all of us be richer in this ultimate London, said to a representative of the New York. indulgence the one for the other? All that we Tribune :- ought to ask, it seems to me, one of another is There simply does not exist in London to-day what. that each of us should be true to his or her own American publishers would consider even & moderate vision and instinct-should write what we love to demand for either books or periodicals. It is well known that one of the most conspicuous and apparently popular write-should strive for the perfection of what magazines in London has been in the market for some we write—within the bounds of beauty, within months because its proprietor has reached the conclusion the bounds of social service. I do not disguise that it cannot be pablished except at a loss—and no my own opinion—that all things are not lawful purchaser appears. . . . It has but receatly come to in literature, that there are social ends that be understood in England that, coincident with her splendid development along other lines, the United transcend the literary ends ; but with this limita- States has become the great book market of the world: tion, how much is it to be wished, for our health The Latin countries, of course, need cot be considered. of mind and soul, that we should admire more But take as an example “ Eleanor”-a purely English book  ## p. 12 (#344) ############################################# 12 THE AUTHOR. with English characters, Eaglish scenes, and written by People who assert tbat unknown writers don't have an English author. It was a great success in England, their work read are entirely wrong. Speaking for of course, as any book done by Mrs. Ward must be neces. sarily, and yet nearly three times as many were sold in myself, I'm always on the look-out for good America--and that without at any time holding the lead plays. over all other books in point of sales. Moreover, during Mr. Charles Wyndham observed :-“In all the the recent stagnation in the trade in London the output five-and-twenty years that people have been of American publishers has increased nearly 40 per cent. showering plays upon me, I have not found a From the Literary Era: single one worth producing. It was not that the It is reported from London that many English publishers work was bad in every case--far from it; it was who have hitherto established no branch houses in America merely unsuitable for my purpose.” will speedily open them. It is even intimated that some of Asked what quality in particular he considered the greater houses, long represented here by branches, will a play to require to render it successful : “ That transfer their headquarters to the country which has begun to be the depôt of their largest sales. They will retain of 'heart' above everything else," was the reply. their London offices merely as branches. “ It was 'heart' that made · David Garrick' so For during the past twelvemonth English books pub popular, and enabled me to revive it over and over lished in London have often found their most remunerative again.” market here and not in England. If such be the record for And what quality is wanted in a player ?” a year, what may we expect from the next decade? ... It is not impossible that within the lives of men now living “Naturalness," returned Mr. Wyndham, “ is the United States may become the centre of distribution for the first consideration nowadays. Once the public the literature of the world! demanded good elocution before it. Of late Not only English authors, but German, French, Russian, years, however, tastes have changed.” Italian, and other authors will have to send their MSS. for approval and acceptance, not to the great cities of their own Mr. Bourchier's met hod of dealing with these land, but to Philadelphia, to Boston, to New York, maybap offerings was as follows:-Every manuscript sent to Chicago and San Francisco. him by a person of whom he knew nothing was passed on to a “ reader" to deliver pronouncement upon. As for those written by people with whose work he was himself familiar, these he took 'home with him to apply a certain test to. This consisted ACTOR-MANAGERS AND NEW PLAYS. in reading them in bed, with the idea of seeing whether they would send him to sleep or not before A N interesting article on actor-managers and he had finished the first act. Those that had this A their ways of reading plays appears in result would, as may be imagined, be promptly the June number of the Pall Mall returned ; those that, on the other hand, failed in Magazine. Mr. Frederick Harrison, in reply to this respect would be accorded more careful con- a question about new plays, replied :- sideration at the first convenient opportunity. á Well, Mr. Maude and I have had something “So far," observed the originator, “ I have found like six hundred during the four years we have this scheme most efficacious. None of the 'send. been in partnership. The reading of these, as me-to-sleep' plays have met with a producer after you may imagine, is not the lightest part of our being returned by me, while, though I have been work." compelled to decline many of the keep-me-awake' I asked where they chiefly failed to meet with ny failed to meet with ones, a number of these have achieved a certain acceptance, and learned that this was largely due degree of success at other theatres, and have had to a want of knowledge on the part of their nice things said about them by the critics." writers as to the requirements of the stage. “It takes peculiar qualities to write a successful play,” observed Mr. Harrison, reflectively. “What one in particular?” I demanded. “ That of sentiment, I am inclined to think," was CORRESPONDENCE. the ready response. “People ask for it nowadays, and insist upon having it, too. Another point that a dramatist should aim at is to suit the traditions 1.-The Dating of Books, and other Suggestions of the theatre for which he is writing.” for Copyright. Mr. George Alexander says:-“ Plays come to TN consequence of illness I have only quite me by the dozens, simply. To give you an idea of I recently been able to read the last few how greatly this is the case, I may say that quite - numbers of The Author, and hence my lately I had to read no less than two hundred plays reason for referring only now to an article in five weeks. They were all carefully considered, which appeared so long ago as March. In too-no actor-manager can afford to do otherwise. the issue for that month there is quoted, on ch appeareferring onlythor, ande,  ## p. 13 (#345) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 13 w p. 180, under the heading “ Notes and News," 1896, concerning provisional copyright registra- an article from the Manchester Guardian, in tion, and if, Mr. Editor, you will, on some future which the suggestion is made that the date occasion, grant une a little space, I shall be of the original publication of every book should pleased to make two or three other suggestions be placed on the back of the title page of on this subject of copyright. HUBERT Hass. every new edition thereof. From this it would 28, Bassett-road, London, W. naturally be inferred that the date of publication May, 1901. appears compulsorily in the original edition. It is, however, and most regretfully, not one of the essentials for the obtaining of copyright in this II.-Authors' Deductions and Income Tax. country, and consequently many books are issued I am now called upon by the authorities—as is on which no date at all appears. their unpleasant habit at this time of the year, My object in writing this letter is to propose to make a return of my professional income for that a clause be embodied in the impending new assessment, basing the return upon the average Copyright Act, enacting that the date (that is to of the three preceding vears. say, the year) of issue be printed on the title-page According to schedule D, in computing the of every book issued in the United Kingdom, balance of profits to be returned, deductions are not only in the first edition, but in every sub- allowed: sequent one, and that its presence be one of the conditions on which copyright is granted. It For repairs of premises occupied for the parposes of the trado or manufacture, and for the supply or repair of would greatly help those who have occasion to implements, utensils, or articles employed... compare various editions of any work if the For a sua not exceeding two-thirds (as the Commissioners suggestion of the Manchester Guardian were shall allow) of the annual value on which daty has been included in this clause, and it were made com. paid ander schedule A in respe-:t of any dwelling-bonde occupied by the owner and partly Ased for the purposes of pulsory to state in each edition, besides its own business. date, the date of publication of the first. For any other disbursements or expenses wholly and This subject of the dating of books is of far exclusively laid out for the purposes of the trade, &c. greater importance than appears on the surface, Now. sir, my dwelling-house is occupied by and I would like much to enlarge upon it, but it the owner and partly used for the purposes of would occupy far too much space. Perhaps, my business as a writer. My study requires however, I may have the opportunity a few repairs from time to time; my pens wear out; months hence of making public some remarks a great mass of foolscap is used up, and a sea of ink thereon. is slung. I disburse a guinea a year to the Society While on the subject of copyright, I would like of Authors exclusively for the purposes of my to add another suggestion which has already trade; I employ persons to make searches and appeared in print (in the St. James's Gazette of verify matters at the British Museum ; I purchase Nov. 16, 1900, and other papers), viz., that books of reference: I spend considerable sums another of the conditions of obtaining copyright on typewriting, and I not infrequently call in the for books published in the United Kingdom, aud aid of a professional photographer in the matter the object of which is to make sure that a copy of of illustrations. This is to name but a few of every book published in this country finds its way many like disbursements. (automatically) into the national library, should And I have never claimed any deductions. I be the depositing in the British Museum a copy should much like to learn whether any of my of the work ; tbat, in fact, copyright should not fellow authors have done so, and if so, what exist for Great Britain for any work published success they have had in making such claims therein-by a citizen of whatsoever country from the Commissioners. G. S. LAYARD. written-until a copy of the work has been deposited there; that the depositing a copy at the British Museum shall be, in fact, what creates III.-Magazines and Literature. copyright for the United Kingdom. That means that the date of depositing a copy there would be The opinion of Mr. Walter Page as to the the date of publication for this country, and this connection between magazines and literature would at the same time effect what is so much to should not be allowed to pass unchallenged by be desired-viz., the compulsory registration members of the Society of Authors. (without any fee) of every book published in this Such a sweeping assertion as “ The making of country. magazines is not literature ; it is journalism,” I would like to call attention once more to the carries with it forcible evidence of a narrow and suggestion which I made in The Author of Jan., even distorted attack upon periodical publication.  ## p. 14 (#346) ############################################# 14 THE AUTHOR. “ Those editors who are trying to get out Whilst writing on these subjects, I will relate an monthly literature are making dull magazines.” amusing occurrence which happened to myself some Let me, as a reader and lover of literature, years ago. In 1893 my “ Collected Poems" were protest. Does Mr. Page really believe there is published with my full name in large plain letters no class to whom a scholarly essay or article, a on the title-page. On Dec. 16 of the same year the refined poem, a grammatical story, appeals with editor of the Realm gave a review of the work, swifter welcome than details concerning “Toe- saying it was by Thomas Winton Hood! Under nails of Celebrities,” particulars as to the what head would the editor of The Author place garments, food, habits, and domiciles of third- such a quixotic feat ? Do not perpetrators of rate theatrical and other vainglorious notoriety such outrages deserve a niche in a “comfortable hunters ? Does he flatter himself that editors of corner”? his calibre have quite superseded those of the Thomas WINTER Wood (“Vanguard”). caste of the late James Payn? The inquisitive vulgarian is not omnipotent, though certain editors, in collusion with whole- sale manufacturers of literary shoddy, may delude BOOK AND PLAY TALK. themselves into the belief that he is.. Acting upon the dictum that “ appetite grows by what M HE Lane Lectures, delivered by Sir Michael it feeds on," these people stimulate this false T Foster at the Cooper Medical College in appetite by flooding bookstalls and newsagents' - San Francisco last autumn, are being pub- shops with the rubbish they produce. lished by the Cambridge University Press. The Semi -illiterate, bird-witted devourers of title of the volume is “ Lectures on the History of worthless sensationalism, fulsome personalities, Physiology during the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, grandiose self-advertisements, garnished by and Eighteenth Centuries." gaudy covers and rudimentary “illustrations," patronise these publishing and editing Cheap Mr. Arnold Glover and Mr. A. R. Waller are Jacks, no doubt, just as a lower human stratum editing a complete edition of the works of Hazlitt. still gloats over the brutalities of the gutter It will include the entire literary, political, and dramatic essays, together with his art criticism, prints. Theatrical managers bave long since perceived his miscellaneous lectures and prefaces, and his that, while melodrama of the crudest kind draws fugitive writings, now collected for the first time. best in poor-class neighbourhoods, plays of quieter lieter 1 The edition, for which Mr. Henley is to write action, thoughtful plot, and truer art, prove an introduction, will be published by Messrs. remunerative where audiences of taste and dis- Dent. crimination gather together. The Daily Chronicle states that Mr. Herbert HERBERT W. SMITH. Spencer has had his autobiography printed, and that there is now every probability that it will be published during Mr. Spencer's lifetime. IV.-Editors. Sherlock Holmes is to be revived. Mr. Conan Doyle will shortly contribute to the Strand a Mr. Doveton's spirited letter in the May number story in which the great detective is the principal of The Author induces me to broach a few further character; and it will be published as a serial of questions bearing on the subject of editors' from 30,000 to 50,000 words. pranks and privileges. As Mr. Doveton does not say how long he An appeal is to be made to admirers of the waited for the “ comfortable corner,” it is difficult late Miss Charlotte Yonge and her works for to judge his complaint aright. But as to the funds to place a memorial to the novelist in other question, of course no editor divulges the Otterbourne Church, where she worshipped, and name of pseudo-writers without their consent. to erect a new reredos in the Lady Chapel of But to come to personal matters, I once Winchester Cathedral. The memorial committee addressed a letter to the editor of The Author includes the Bishops of Winchester, Rochester, suggesting the adoption of the term “ typograph” for typewritten matter. Now, I look upon this as Lieutenant of Hampshire and Surrey. a perfectly legitimate literary question, involving Mr. Rider Haggard's account of his recent an obvious want, as no one appears to know what tour in Palestine, which has been appearing to call this, now common, production; thus it serially in the Queen, will be published in the remains an unaccountable stumbling-block. Why autumn by Messrs. Longman. The title of the keep it so ? book will probably be “A Winter Pilgrimage.”  ## p. 15 (#347) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 15. A descriptive work on Naples, intended to rank The great History of the Royal Navy, by Mr. as supplementary to a guide, has been written by W. Laird Clowes, which has been appearing Mr. A. H. Norway, and will be published by during the past year or two, is to number seven Messrs. Methuen under the title of “ Naples, Past volumes instead of six. The sixth volume is and Present.” It is fully illustrated. about to be published, and the subject which has Mr. Charles Duguid has written “ The Story of rendered the concluding one necessary is ihe work of the Naval Brigade in the South African the Stock Exchange ” of London, which passed its centenary only the other week. The book will campaign. be illustrated by Mr. Joseph Pennell and Mr. The second volume of Dr. M. R. James's Dudley Hardy. descriptive catalogue of the Western manuscripts in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, will “ The Vivisector,” No. 1 of a series of “ Testa- be published in a few days from the Cambridge ments” by Mr. John Davidson, will be issued by Mr. Grant Richards on June 4. In a “Note" University Press. prefixed to the volume Mr. Davidson says: A new work by Mr. Cuninghame Graham, entitled “ A Vanished Arcadia," will be published The Testament of a Vivisector, the first of a series of poems which I purpose pablishing at intervals, will hardly in a few days by Mr. Heinemann. It relates to recommend itself to vivisector or anti-vivisector; and the the expulsion of the Jesuits from Paraguay. Dew statement of materialism which it contains is likely to Mr. Francis Gribble's book, “ Lake Geneva offend both the religious and the irreligious mind. This poem, therefore, and its successors, my “ Testaments,” are and its Literary Landmarks,” will be published addressed to those who are willing to place all ideas in the this month by Messrs. Constable. crucible, and who are not afraid to fathom what is sub- A new novel by Lieut. Colonel A. C. Haggard, -conscious in themselves and others. entitled “ Love Rules the Camp," will be published For the election to the Slade Professorship of immediately by Messrs. Hutchinson. Fine Art at Cambridge University, Mr. Charles Mr. A. J. Dadson is the author of a little book, Waldstein, Litt.D., King's College, who succeeded entitled “ Evolution and Its Bearing on Religion,” Mr. Middleton in 1895, did not seek re-election. which will be published by Messrs. Sonnen- The vacancy was filled on May 25, when the schein. choice of the electors fell upon Sir William Martin Conway, M.A., formerly chairman, and Mr. Robert S. Rait is preparing a volume, for now a member of Council, of the Society of publication by Messrs. Constable, containing Authors. hitherto unpublished autograph poems by King James the First of England and Sixth of Scot- "A Child of Art” by Annabel Gray, the second land, the existence of which, in the Bodleian of the series of her novels, is now published by Library at Oxford, has only recently been dis- Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., price 38. 6d. covered. “ The Mystic Number 7,” now in a fourth edition, will be issued at is. by same firm in the autumn. “An Eton Boy's Letters " is the title and subject of a work by G. Nugent Bankes, which “Anthems and Anthem Composers,” by Mr. Messrs. Cassell are about to publish. Purport- Myles Birket Foster, which Mr. Murray is to pub- ing to be written to relatives and friends, the lish, is described as an essay on the development letters narrate the vicissitudes of the boy's of the anthem from the time of the Reformation career at school, and illustrate the manners and to the end of the nineteenth century, with a com. customs of the college. plete list of anthems belonging to each of the four The Fellows of the Royal Society met at centuries. Burlington House, on May 9, to discuss the ques- A life of Synesius the Hellene has been written tion of enlarging the scope of the Society with a by the Rev. W. S. Crawford, vicar of Checkley, view to constituting a more distinctive literary Stoke-on-Trent, and will be published by Messrs. and philological section. The proceedings were Rivington. private, but it was announced at the close that A grammar of Cape Dutch has been prepared no decision had been come to, and that another by Miss A. Werner, of King's College, London, meeting would be called shortly. and will be published shortly by Messrs. Williams The Archbishop of Canterbury presided at the and Norgate. annual dinner of the Royal Literary Fund on "Some Recollections of Jean Ingelow and Her May 17, and spoke of the excellent services Friends" is the title of a volume which Messrs. rendered by the fund to distressed writers. It Wells Gardner will issue shortly. It is written was hardly conceivable, he added, that we could by three friends of the late poet. ever sum up the debt we owed to great writers.  ## p. 16 (#348) ############################################# 16 THE AUTHOR. Of all the things for which he was grateful to God, he knew but one that stood above the gift of à noble literature, and that was God's own revelation; and when we put that high above everything, still he knew nothing he could rank higher than the literature which ennobled our country.-Subscriptions amounting to nearly £1000 were announced at the dinner. Mr. H. G. Keene has republished in book form the interesting series of articles he contributed to the Calcutta Review on the French and English free-lances who found their opportunity in the chaos which preceded the establishment of British power in India. Sir Richard Temple contributes a felicitous preface. The brochure is published by Messrs. Thacker, Spink, and Co., of Calcutta, and of 2, Creed-lane, London. Prince Kropotkin, the Russian scientist and exile, promises to bring out immediately a popular edition of his interesting work, “ Fields, Factories, and Workshops,” hitherto available only to those who could afford half-a-guinea or so. The book is a study of economic tendencies in the realms of modern industry and agriculture. Messrs. Swan Sonnenschein and Co. will be the publishers. The format will be especially good, both in the shilling (paper) and two-shilling (cloth) edition. In addition to the usual budget of short fiction, Crampton's Magazine for June will contain an article by Björnson on French exclusiveness and a discussion of “Is the • Yellow Peril’ a reality ?” by Lieutenant-General Türr, the Garibaldian veteran ; M. de Bloch, the famous Moscow banker and adviser of the Tsar; and Mr. Alexis Krausse, author of several works on China. Her Majesty the Queen has graciously accepted a copy of “Alien's” new novel, “ Another Woman's Territory.” Mr. B. T. Batsford regrets to announce that the second issue of Mr. Edwin 0. Sachs's monumental work, “Modern Opera Houses and Theatres,” promised for the opening of the opera season, bas been unavoidably delayed by the illness of the author. It is now scarcely probable that Mr. Sachs's work can be reissued before the autumn. “ The Nana's Talisman” is the title of a new novel, now on sale, by Mark Ashton, author of “ She Stands Alone,” &c. The publishers are Messrs. Hutchinson and Co. From a notice on the fly-leaf of Mr. Robert Cromie's “ Kitty's Victoria Cross,” which Messrs. Frederick Warne and Co. have just published, we learn that a new edition of Mr. Cromie's “A Plunge into Space” is in the press. The latter will contain twenty illustrations by Mr. Lancelot Speed. Among the many claims to prophecy made by authors-some of which are a trifle shadowy-we may instance Mr. Cromie's wireless telegraphy forecast in “A Plunge into Space," the first edition of which was published in 1890. Tesla and Marconi had not then commenced to work their wonders, but Mr. Cromie's paragraph —which will appear in the new edition without the alteration of a single word-has been admitted by an electrical science journal to be a fairly good definition of wireless telegraphy up to the moment of going to press. Two matinées for the benefit of the Waifs and Strays Society will be given at the Criterion Theatre on June 3 and 4, when, among other attractions, two one-act pieces will be performed —one by Lady Bancroft, the other by Mr. F. Anstey. At the Lyceum, Madame “Saps-Gêne” will be revived on June 10, “The Lyons Mail” on June 19, and “Charles I.” on June 24. Mr. J. T. Grein is proposing to start a “ Théâtre Français” in London. “Ben Hur,” the religious drama which has been so successful in the United States, is to be produced at Drury Lane next Easter. Mr. T. E. Pemberton is writing a Life of Miss Ellen Terry. The Stage announces that the F. R. Benson Company (Limited) has been registered, with a capital of £1000 in £i shares. The first directors are 0. S. Andreae, F. R. Benson, and C. F. Leyel. Mr. Stephen Phillips has nearly completed “Ulysses,” the play he is writing for Mr. Tree. An interesting “real conversation between Mr. Phillips and Mr. William Archer, in which the question of dramatic criticism by the newspapers is discussed, appears in the current number of the Pall Mall Magazine. Mr. Martin Harvey will produce shortly a new romantic play by Mr. Freeman Wills. “ THE AUTHOR." SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT. *** ... £4 0a Front Page Other Pages .. Hall of & Page ... ... ... 1 10 0 Quarter of a Page ... ... 015 0 Eighth of a Page ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion ... ... .. per 2000 3 0 0 Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Six and of 25 per cont. for Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Omce, 4, Portugal-street. London, w.c.  ## p. 16 (#349) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. ui RA SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. STY LITERARY AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS G. RADFORD. 3, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. H. PERRIS. TYPEWRITING COMPANY, _ OSWALD HOUSE, QUEEN VICTORIA ROAD, COVENTRY. Every description of Typewriting, including Novels, Plays, Medical, Legal and General Copying, from Ninepence per 1000 words. Specimens and Extracts from Testimonials on Appli. cation. Manager's long experience as Reader in a Book-Work House enables him to undertake Revision of Manuscripts—when required-at a nominal charge. Extract from recent testimonial: “It is without doubt the Anost piece of work I have ever seen produced on & tv pewriter." MRS. CILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. “Sir Henry Ponsonby is (ESTABLISHED 1883.) commanded by the Queen to thank Mr. Darlington for Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 18. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or woek. a copy of his Handbook.” French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations “Nothing better could be wished for."-British Weekly. supplied. References kindly permitted to Sir Walter Besant; also "Far superior to ordinary guides."-London Daily Chronicle. to Messrs. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. ls. each. Illustrated. Norfolk-street, Strand, W.O. Maps by JOHN BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE WEST KENSINGTON TYPEWRITING AGENCY. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORFOLK BROADS, SIKES and SIKES. BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. 1 THE WYE VALLEY. 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith Road, W. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. (ESTABLISHED 1893.) MALVERN. HERE FORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Uguel Torms. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. Legal and General Copying. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. Typewritten Circulars by Copying Process. LLANDUDNO, RHYL, BANGOR, CARNARVON, ANGLESEA. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. CONWAY, COLWYŃ BAY, BETTWS-Y-COED. FESTINIOG, SNOWDON. "The best Handbook to London ever issued."-Liverpool Daily Post. "THE Handbook to London-it very emphatically tops them all."- Daily Graphic. 3rd Edition, Revised, 58. 60 Illustrations, 24 Maps and Plang. LONDON AND ENVIRONS. By E. C. Cook and E. T. Cook, M.A. Fcap. 8vo. Is. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A Handbook to tho leading Hotels throughout the World, STIKPHAST PASTE STICKS TYPEWRITING WITH ACOURACY AND DESPATCH. Llangollen : DARLINGTON & Co. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & LTD. Railway Bookstalls and all Booksellers. PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDs from negatives by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, 18., Is. 6d., 28., and 2s. 6d. List, post free, of DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN. THE MISS JANET WAY, 33, OSSIAN ROAD, STROUD GREEN, N. AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD Authors' MSS. 9d. per 1000 words ; in duplicate ls. per 1000. Plays, Translations, &c. REFERENCES AND SAMPLES ON APPLICATION. (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.c.) Oontains bairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Size, 38. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that THB LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by fire or otherwise. Duplicato copies should be retained. TYPING. AUTHORS and others DESIRING their MS. faith- fully and speedily TYPED are invited to WRITE to EDMUND DRAOUP, 21, Millbrook-road, Bedford, for special quotations. Highest inclusive charge 9d. per 1000 words. Unsurpassed testimonials.  ## p. 16 (#350) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. ESTABLISHED] The Athenæum Press, Taunton. [XVIII CENT, BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. No charges made THE PROVINGIAL LITERARY AGENCY, Terms: 10 to 20 per unless cent., according successful. BANK CHAMBERS, BLACKBURN. to success. The Agency possesses every facility for the proper placing of MSS, with suitable Publishers, Magazines, Newspapers, &c. Write for particulars- JAS. B. STUBBS. TYPEWRITING. Royal 8vo., price 16s. net. W. T. CURTIS, 10. 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SOUTHERN INDIA: BEING AS APPEARING FROM TABLE OF CONTENTS. OBAP. | CHAP. 1.-Pre-Reformation Law, V.--The Benefices Act. II.-Reformation Law, except VI.-Table of principal Statutes the first three Acts of Uniformity. repealed and unrepealed. III. - The Acts of Uniformity VII.-Table of principal Judicial IV.-The Prayer Book and Decisione, Rubrics. APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills-Comprehension Bill of 1689. Eccle- siastical Appeals Bill 1850. Ohurch Discipline Bill of 1899. Statements by English Church Union and Church Association. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trept. The Creed of Pope Pius the Fourth as added to by Pope Pius the Ninth. And & Copious Index. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, 28. 6d. net; postage, 3d. extra, THE Appenatica. Scappels camins 186o.orge Dicipline bu sor 1999: PRINCIPLES OF CHESS IN THEORY AND PRACTICE. JAMES MASON. BY London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's Buildings, E.C. Crown 8vo., with illustrations, price 68., to be had of all booksellers. | CONTENTS. – 1. Elements of Chess. 2. General Principias, | 3. Combination. 4. Exposition of Master Play Complete. TOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British Prince at the Court of Trajan. By L. M. P. BLACK. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 12 Issue 01 (June 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 Issue 01 (June 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-06-01-The-Author-12-1 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/4/343/1903-The-Author-12-index.pdf 86951dd6554ab83e8ff7b39188476bc0 PDF Text Text �����T �INDEX V PAGE PAGE 189 117, 146 Fraud , a Common Free Lance, The Journalistic Frampton, George, A.R.A. 1 31 Method of the Future 75 197 Morang, George MSS. , The Handling of Management of Postage of Music, Piracies of Copyright 52 88 9 G. ... ... ... ... GERMAN Copyright Law 216 63 19 N. H. NET Prices 87 230 Heavy Handicap ... Heineman , W., on the Literary Agent ... * Hieroglyphics ” 250 Humphreys, Mrs., r. Messrs. Butterworth & Co. 158 Hungary and the Berne Convention ... Hyde, Dr. Douglas 19 126 190 13 218 and American Pub. Association 172 Net " System Neufeld r . Chapman and Hall , Limited ... HAMPSTEAD Annual Harte, Bret Nobel Prize 125, 151 44 67 66 I. INTERNATIONAL Literary and Artistic Copyright Congress IO Irish Literary Revival 125 , 153 J. ... ... JACOBI, C. T. 0. OBITUARY : Besant, Sir W. Harte, Bret 230 Ormerod , Miss E. Piccolomini, H. P. 170 31 4 Stockton, F. R. Temple , Sir R. Obligations of Art to Trade O'Grady, Standish Ormerod , Miss E. 230 162 232 153 4 224 P. K. PAGE from a German Publisher's Advertisements ... KING Alfred School 131 Paris Notes 210 Patchwork Legislation 97 6. Kingdom of Dreams Kipling v. Putnams ... 20, 67 L. LEGISLATION, Patchwork 192 · Life,” by S. J. Lucas Literary Agent, Author and Literary, Dramatic and Musical 153 ... 7 Property Production in England Year Book } 10, 34, 58, 95, 132 16, 39, 62 , 87 , 113 , 139, 167, 188, 216, 242 228 183 219 ... Pension Fund, Soc. of Authors { 3, 31;, 55 , S1, 213, 109; 133, Performing or Play Rights Performing Rights at the Cape ... Piccolomini, Henry Pontet Piracy, Continental 248 Musical Plays, The Censorship of 170 63 170 115 199 How to make readable 59 248 Rights Printing , Standard Rules for 97, 116, 144 , 159, 170, 212 , 245 Production , Cost of Publisher's and Editor's Delays Methods and the Society's Action ..39 , 87 Publishing , Advantages of Commission 100, 124 ... M. 1 MACDONALD 0. The “ National Review " Machen, Arthur 227 250 Meeting, Annual General 179 Members, List of proposed 238 75 63 Q. 91 , 120 QUILTER , Harry, and the Society of Authors ... Memoranda, General 232 260 70 �INDEX . vi PAGE PAGE R. ... RATES, Imperial ... Reid, Sir Wemyss 190 Society of American Authors Society of Authors, Legal Advice by 231 Reviewer, An Old to a Young 42 80 Reviewers, Old and Young Pension Fund Sprigge, Squire 14 , 123 7 3 , 31 , 55 , 81, 109, 133, 161 , 185, 213, 237 6, 202 Stevenson , R. L. , Visit to Grave of Reviewing, New Style of 33 132 Rhodes, Cecil Rice, James 207 Stockton, Frank R. Street Names, The Changing of 230 105 , 159 203 T. 203 140 ... Richepin, Jean, v. Belasco, David Right is Might Rights, Performing 122 TAUCHNITZ Editions Romantic Germany 233 Roosevelt, President, The Literary side of Runciman , James, on Literary Business 221 162 Temple, Sir Richard 234 33 Titles 167 Translations, Value of Tribute to Sir W. Besant. By W. Toynbee ... 244 14 S. W. SALES, Remainder Schoolboys and Literature 140 ... Scott , Sir Walter, his Opinion of Publishers Season , The Autumn 32 • WHOM THE Gods LOVE." By W. Toynbee " Woman's Life,” Apology from 165 73 Women Writers' Annual 262 131 199 � 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 Society of Authors Publications Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context publications Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1903 Volume 12 Publisher(s) When used for publications, publisher of the periodical or book. When used for people, list of publishers they worked with during their lifetime The Society of Authors Bradbury, Agnew & Co. 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 Index to The Author, Vol. 12 (1903) Subject The topic of the resource Index to <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 12 (1903) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Index Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1903-The-Author-12-index publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/342/1901-05-01-The-Author-11-12.pdf 017c1c5aeb09fefd92582ca0895186a8 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) 1901-05-01 Volume 11 Issue 12 Pages Page range in volume 209–228 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010501 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Elutbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 12.] MAY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. PAGE ... 209 ... ... Memoranda ... ... ... ... Literary Property- 1. Goldwin Smith on Copyright 2. Copyright in Austria 3. Capadian Copyright 4. "The Literary Year Book" 5. A New Trick ... 6. White v. Constable ... " Paris Letter. By Darracotto Scott ... 211 211 211 212 PAGE American Letter. By J. R. Davidson .. ... 218 Notes and News. By the Editor... ... 220 Civil List Pensions. By W. Morris Colles 222 The Society's Pension Fund The Authors' Club ... Correspondence. - 1. Literature. 2. Commercial Morality. 3. Young Fiction Writers. 4. Editors ... Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 226 ... 228 224 214 . 224 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at ios. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT Thring. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods.” With comments and advice. 28. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 1$. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888—1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 18. [All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.] ST  ## p. 208 (#286) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL. SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Austin Dobson. THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. A. W. PINERO. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. SYDNEY GRUNDY. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD Pie. The Rev. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. THOMAS HARDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. LL.D. CLERE. JEROME K. JEROME. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. HALL CAINE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. RUDYARD KIPLING. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. P. W. CLAYDEN. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. Miss FLORA L. Shaw. EDWARD CLODD. THE RIGHT HON. W. E. H. LECKY, G. R. SIMS. W. MORRIS COLLES. M.P. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. J. M. LELY. J. J. STEVENSON. Sie W. MARTIN CONWAY. The Rev. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. FRANCIS STORR. F. MARION CRAWFORD, SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD CURZON | PROF. J. M. D, MEIKLEJOHN. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. Rose. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRRSHFIELD. SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. I M. H. SPIELMANN. COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD Rose. warm FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. Solicitors- G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. FREE-LANCE JOURNALISM : How to Embark upon it and How to make it Pay By BASIL TOZER. Sir WALTER BESANT says: "I find the book full of infor Mr. FRANKFORT MOORE says: “I think the advice is mation which ought to be of great use to the beginner, and I wish it I calculated to be of the greatest possible service to anyone who has every possible success.".. literary inclinations, and who hopes to be able to turn them to good Mr. PAUL BLOUET ("MAX O’RELL") says: “A lively account All the remarks are eminently practical-to this fact I can little volume, most instructive and entertaining. In itself it is an testify by my experience of journalism." edacation in modern journalism." Mr. EDEN PHILLPOTTS says: "A bright brochure, beyond Dr. WILLIAM BARRY, D D.. says: "Very amusing. all things practical." sbrewd, and businesslibe. A wise book, in the brightest style of Mr. C. ARTHUR PEARSON says: "It contains a great deal journalism" of information likely to be extremely useful to those intending to Mr. PERCY FITZGERALD says: “ Extremely interesting make a living out of free-lance journalism." and amusing." Mr. G. R. SIMS (" DAGONET”) says: " It contains much Major ARTHUR GRIFFITHS 8438: "I have read the book excellent advice in a light and readable form." with the deepeat interest" Mr. FRED. WHISHAW says: "The book ought to prove & Mr. ROBERT HICHENS says: “ Most gaily written. Plenty | boon to men and woman who are knocking at the door of journalism. of sound common sense." It positively teems with useful tips." Price 28., postage 3d. (Postal Orders only). London: ARTHUR SYKES, 20, Challoner Mansions, West Kensington, W.  ## p. 209 (#287) ############################################ The Author, (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.–No. 12.) MAY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. signed or initialled the Authors alone are As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. collective opinions of the Committee unless It is above all things necessary to know what the they are officially signed by G. Herbert proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly Thring, Sec. the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production.” M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. requests that all members not receiving an answer to The main points are :- important communications within two days will write to him (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. without delay. All remittances shonld be crossed Union (2) Keep control of the advertisements. Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. letter only. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on above mentioned. all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. jocts whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are Never sign any agreement without competent advice from returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. 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 :- GENERAL MEMORANDA. (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong I agreement. There are four methods of dealing to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the with literary property: nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or I. SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. withheld. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. Bat the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to agreement). the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some In this case the following rules should be attended to : competent legal authority. (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- 2. It is well to be extremely carefal in negotiating for duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. the production of a play with anyone except an established (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the manager. profits into his own pooket by charging for advertisements 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses," This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters unless the same allowance is made to the author. into such a contract should stipulate in the con- (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental tract for production of the piece by a certain date rights. and for proper publication of his name on the (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. play-bills. VOL. XI. DD 2  ## p. 210 (#288) ############################################ 210 THE AUTHOR. experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books 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 pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 apon agreements and 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. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatio con. tracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. THE READING BRANCH. CEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one gainea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln'g-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- hall.court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. 1. TIVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive L advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispate arising in the condact of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable; the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the  ## p. 211 (#289) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 2 II M LITERARY PROPERTY. It also adopted a resolution calling on the Government to modify the protection of copyright I. — GOLDWIN SMITH ON THE COPYRIGHT at present existing in treaties with France, Italy, and Great Britain on the lines of the agreement QUESTION. with Germany, and to take steps with a view to HE copyright question, on which Professor concluding international treaties for the protection Mavor, who has mastered it, has given you of copyright with Switzerland, Russia, Roumania, an article, is, of course, greatly, almost and the United States. The proposal in regard fatally, complicated by the prevalence of an to the United States had particular reference to illiberal protectionism in the United States. Mr. * Mr. the protection of musical works. unk, the eminent New York publisher, some time The House also adopted a resolution requesting ago, in a letter to The Times on “The United the Government to subscribe to the Berne Conven- States and Copyright," adverted to the refusal of tion. the United States to allow the British applicant The Minister of Justice agreed to the introduc- for their copyright to print in his own country, tion of a Bill embodying these resolutions, and while Great Britain allows the American applicant stated that the United States had declared its for her copyright to print in his. He ascribed willingness to conclude a separate treaty which was this to the influence exercised by the American particularly important in regard to musical works, Printers' Union and its allied trades over the —Reuter. Government of the United States. He was, no doubt, right as to the fact. It is true that the III.—CANADIAN COPYRIGHT. universal interests of literature, science, and art The order printed below is the first that has are sacrificed to those of a local handicraft. But it would surely be paying a poor compliment to been issued under the new Canadian Copyright Act of 1900. The order is exceedingly interest. the American Government to plead on its behalf, as an excuse for its failure to do justice, its sub- ing from many points of view, but chiefly to the jection to a sinister interest. readers of The Author, because the Society of The American printer, under the existing Authors has made such strenuous endeavours to support the view of the copyright law which has arrangement, not only secures his own share of the printing, but robs the English printer of that resulted in the passing of this Act. As stated in the report for last year, this Act practically closes, which properly belongs to him. It is a pity, as it seems to me, that matters in a way satisfactory to all those concerned, a difficult and troublesome but important question. should ever have been allowed to rest on such a footing. This is not free trade; it is connivance “ Department of Agriculture, on the part of Great Britain at the most mani- “Ottawa, Ont., March 15, 1901. festly unjust protection. Great Britain should “Whereas, by an Act passed in the sixty-third surely have said to the Americans that she was and sixty-fourth year of the reign of Her late going into the Berne Convention, and they could Majesty, entitled - An Act to amend the Copy. go into it or not as they thought best, but that right Act, it was provided that if a book as to they could not expect to share its benefits without which there is a subsisting copyright under the fulfilling its conditions. Had this been done, Copyright Act has been first lawfully published there would have been an effort on the part of in any part of Her Majesty's Dominions other the literary interest in the United States to bring than Canada, and if it is proved to the satisfac. about a better arrangement, such as Mr. Funk's tion of the Minister of Agriculture that the owner house, to its honour, desires. At present there of the copyright so subsisting and of the copy- is none. right acquired by such publication has lawfully That an Imperial copyright law as well as an granted a licence to reproduce in Canada from Imperial marriage law and an Imperial patent law movable or other types, or from stereotype plates, are the natural accessories of a united Empire or from lithograph stones, or by any process for seems to me a position which is very difficult to facsimile reproduction an edition or editions of assail.-GOLDWIN SMITH, D.C.L., in the Univer- such book designed for sale only in Canada, the sity of Toronto Monthly. Minister of Agriculture may, notwithstanding anything in the Copyright Act, by order under his hand, prohibit the importation, except with II.—COPYRIGHT IN AUSTRIA. the written consent of the licensee, into Canada The Lower House of the Austrian Reichsrath of any copy of such books printed elsewhere ; to-day (March 29) passed the Literary Convention provided that two such copies may be especially with Germany. imported for the bona fide use of any public free  ## p. 212 (#290) ############################################ 212 THE AUTHOR. library or any university or college library or any The following remarks and comments on the duly incorporated institution or society. agreements may be useful to authors. There is “And whereas there is subsisting copyright in no doubt that a great many authors purchase and the Copyright Act as to the book the title of which read “ The Literary Year Book” with a desire is • The Lane which had no Turning,' which book to get useful hints as to the management of was first lawfully published in Great Britain, their property. These, no doubt, in many instances and whereas it has been proved to my satisfaction they might acquire, but ihey cannot be too careful that Gilbert Parker, the owner of the copyright how they deal with their agreements, and it is for • so subsisting and of the copyright acquired by their guidance that the following remarks are such publication, has lawfully granted to George made: N. Morang and Co. Limited, a licence to repro Firstly, the author of the article states as duce in Canada editions of such book designed follows: “ The Copyright Act of 1842 gives the for sale only in Canada. author of a published book copyright in it on his “I do hereby order, subject to the proviso registering it at Stationers' Hall.” This state- contained in the said Act, that the importation, ment is very misleading, as it is not necessary to except with the written consent of George N. register at Stationers' Hall in order to obtain Morang and Co. Limited, into Canada, of the copyright. Copyright is obtained by publication. said book printed elsewhere, be and the same is It is only necessary to register at Stationers' Hall hereby prohibited. prior to taking action for infringement. “Given under my hand and seal on the day With regard to the royalty agreement he then and date above written. states on the question of how far the contract “ (Signed) SIDNEY FISHER, for publication should be a personal one or not: “Minister of Agriculture.” “ It ought to be presumed that a publisher who conducts a respectable and honourable business will, when he retires from it, probably do so, IV.-AGREEMENTS AND “THE LITERARY YEAR however suddenly, respectably and honourably; Book." and he ought not to be deprived of the right, The new issue of “ The Literary Year Book” is which he himself allows the author, of assigning now before the public, and on the whole the his interest in the work if necessary. Deprived editor is to be congratulated on the results of his of that right he would be justified in making the efforts. But from the authors' point of view, hardest bargain possible for a mere life-interest that is, from the point of view of the owners of in the property." literary property—the article on agreements must Perhaps lack of space has prevented this necessarily meet with severe strictures. matter from being dealt with fully; there are In the introduction the editor says that in this two or three points, however, which should be dis- book he takes “the value of the author and the tinctly pointed out: firstly, that the property is honesty of the man of business with whom he the author's, that therefore he should have the deals for granted,” but in dealing with the ques. right of dealing with it; secondly, that many of tion of agreements the honesty of the publisher the best known business houses are limited liability is not in dispute. The real issue is whether a companies; thirdly, that the question of liquida- book like “ The Literary Year Book” should deal tion and bankruptcy has been overlooked, and the with agreements from the standpoint of the possibility that misfortune might fall to the lot author or the publisher. The editor remarks, of even the best houses. In this third case the “Impartiality is our key-note"; if this were author's property and the right of dealing with possible, it is not expedient when an appeal is it might be sold under an order of the court to being made to authors, and if it were expedient, the highest bidder, and the position of the author the doctrine has hardly been carried out in the would be unsatisfactory and his property im- article referred to. If the line of impartiality perilled. had been carried out, it would have been neces- In Clause I as put forward for the reader's sary to draft a clause and elaborate the arguments consideration the publisher undertakes to pro- pro and con. This would have entailed great duce “at his own risk and expense" and “ with labour, a larger knowledge, and larger scope. It due diligence," and "to use his best endeavours follows, therefore, that the agreements should to sell the book.” The remark passed by the either have been dealt with exhaustively or not writer is as follows: “ Part of the undertaking at all, and the same remark applies equally to would seem superfluous on the part of the pub- other articles contained in this book. The space lisher.” In an article published in The Author given is too small to deal with the question in for July, 1900, this subject was fully dealt with, a satisfactory manner. and examples there quoted—examples which have  ## p. 213 (#291) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 213 come before the Society-show distinctly that in case—that is, through an agent--at a charge of many instances the publisher does not publish 10 per cent. only. Again, when a publisher is with due diligence and does not use his best given the right to produce throughout the world, endeavours to sell the book. Full knowledge it very often pays him better, missing the American tends to show that an undertaking such as put copyright for the author, to sell stereos to the forward in Clause 1 is by no means superfluous, United States. This course, however, is by no in many cases it is absolutely necessary. means so satisfactory for the author. With regard to Clause 2, which deals with the With regard to Clause 4 (the clause for pay- indemnity to the publisher against loss for libellous ment of royalties), one very important point has and scandalous matter contained in the book, been missed out-namely, that several of the pub- some clause on this basis is absolutely necessary lishers put net books on the market; and it and fair to the publisher, but the clause put should be expressly stated in the agreement down is much too wide and gives too large a whether the book is sold net or subject to the scope. Again, the comment on this clause runs as usual discounts. If the book is sold net, the follows : “And the publisher may usually be author's royalty should be raised proportionately. entrusted with the discretionary power." But if In any case it is of vital importance that the pub- the publisher is indemnified it is really of little lished price of the book should be inserted in the importance to him how expensive the cost may be agreement. This point has been touched on by One instance was brought to the notice of the the writer of the article. Society in which the publisher under this indem- “Where copies or sheets of the actual book nity clause was not only anxious to fight a very itself are exported, payment should be by way of expensive case in America on behalf of the author, royalty on the English published price." This is but desired to carry it to the higher courts. not the usual custom, nor is the method satis- There is no doubt that the author should have factory. On colonial editions a sum is generally some power of limiting expensive costs. paid on every copy when exported in sheets. In Clause 3 the publisher is given the right to It is impossible to deal with these two last publish for the legal term of copyright. The clauses exhaustively. The reader can only be importance of this clause cannot be over-esti. referred to the Society's books “ The Methods of mated. It should be pointed out that in the Publishing," “ The Addenda to the Methods," other clauses referring to a royalty agreement, “The Forms of Agreement issued by the Pub- there is no arrangement for remuneration of the lishers' Association, with Comments by the Secre- author on the sale of serial publication and of his tary of the Society," and to Sir Walter Besant's minor rights. The answer, no doubt, would be “The Pen and the Book.” The question embraced that in Clause 3 the publisher has only the right in these two clauses is so large and of such to publish in book form. This, however, is not importance to the author that a superficial com- stated, and the point is vital when the propertyment on a superficial and inadequate statement of the author is being dealt with. Some of the is more likely to throw the author into difficulty comments by the writer are satisfactory and than to assist him in coming to any satisfactory sound, especially with regard to the price of the conclusion. book. The day of publication is also an impor. The account clause follows next. Semi-annual tant point, as many authors have more than one accounts should be preferred (see the books contract for book publication, and it is of vital already referred to). Thirteen copies should not importance that two books should not be issued be reckoned as twelve. If thirteen cupies are simultaneously. The question of American pub- reckoned as twelve then the royalty should he lication necessitates that care should be taken proportionately increased. The remarks with with regard to the date on which a book is pro. regard to the amount allowed for corrections are duced, but the whole question is dealt with by by no means in accord with the majority of agree- the writer too superficially, either because he did ments put forward by publishers. not care to deal with the author's side of the Clause 6 refers to the revision of the book by case, or through ignorance or want of space. the author, and on this clause no comment is The remarks with regard to the sale of serial made, as it is stated that no comment is neces- and rights other than book rights are useful. It sary. But a comment is exceedingly necessary as should, however, be pointed out that a publisher it is of the greatest importance, especially in the usually asks 50 per cent. of the returns on the case of technical work, that the author should sale of these rights, and takes very little trouble retain the right of revision and not permit that with regard to selling them ; whereas an author the book should be arbitrarily dealt with by the can place these rights either by himself or through publishers. This point should be made quite an agent to greater advantage, and in the latter clear. The clause as it stands is not so, as from the  ## p. 214 (#292) ############################################ 214 THE AUTHOR. There is one publisher certainly who states his terms in the manner and order set out in the Year Book, one publisher whose agreements have often been commented on by the Society. No author, however, should sign an agreement such as is put forward in “ The Literary Year Book." comments on most of the points at fault have been exhaustively made in the agreements issued by the Publishers' Association and printed by the Society in pamphlet form. latter part of it it would appear that if the author neglected to revise the book, considering, perhaps, that it did not need revision, the publisher might arbitrarily revise it, and deduct what ever cost there was from the returns to the author. Again it should be remarked that the property is the author's, and the author must have the right of safeguarding it. The last clause, with regard to the remaindering of the book, again gives the publisher too large a power. He alone has the right to remainder the book when he pleases. The author's reputation is in no way taken into consideration. From examples that have been brought to the Society's notice it is shown to be of importance to prevent the publisher from remaindering the work until after it has had a fair chance of sale. It is not infrequently the case that a publisher may desire to get the book off his shelves when it may be selling from the author's point of view quite satisfactorily. The real point to be remem- bered is, to allow the author some satisfactory control. This is the’end of the comments on the royalty agreement. It must not be thought that all suggestions ught that all suggestions made are unsatisfactory and inadequate; some of them are excellent, if lukewarm, but the omissions are glaring. If the only fault to find with the proposed agreements were faults of omission little need have been said, but from the authors' point of view the mistakes of commission necessitate putting forward these corrections for their guidance and their safeguard. The next agreement put forward is the share profit agreement. It is absolutely impossible for the contributor to “The Literary Year Book” to deal with such a complicated and dangerous sub. ject in anything like a reliable manner in two pages. It will be only necessary to state that, of the comments made, the one with regard to adver- tisements is entirely misleading. The author ought to have a veto on the amount spent in advertising and the place where the advertisements are pro. duced, and no advertisements on any account should be made in the publisher's own magazines without special leave of the author, and then at simply the cost of setting up the type and print- ing. This subject has been fully dealt with in the books published by the Society. Authors should strongly guard against adopting this method of production. The last agreement that will be dealt with is where the publisher is com- missioned to publish the book at the author's own expense. The writer of the article states “ the terms of such business are usually stated by the publisher in the following manner and order." V.-A New TRICK. I send you herewith a letter which I clipped out of a late number of the Nation which calls attention to a new system of deception, apparently, that is being developed to the injury of authors. It would appear that certain persons buy from the authorised publishers printings of sheets of a book and then add matter of some kind or other. divide up the bulk into a large number of volumes, and put these out as “an edition " at fancy prices-prices probably which no person would pay, knowing the facts. The result is that when the author comes to prepare a genuine edition, intended for book lovers and those who would ordinarily pay for fine editions of such works, he finds that the market has already been supplied in the way suggested in the inclosed lettter. A. T. GURLITZ. PEPys's Diary. Sir,-A few days ago a book agent, representing a subscrip- tion house, called upon me and offered a set of Wheatley's edition of “ Pepys's Diary” in eighteen volumes, at prices ranging from about 50 dollars in buckram binding to I don't know how much in "crushed levant.” He unblushingly asserted that it was the “ only complete" edition, and was imported from abroad by his firm As a caution to others who may be called upon in the same way, allow me to state that the only complete copyright edition of “Pepys's Diary," edited by Wheatley, is published by the Macmillan Com- pany, in nine volumes, at i dollar 50 cents a volume. The Macmillan Company sold 500 sets of the sheets, printed from their plates at the Norwood Press, to a subscription house for “extra illustrating," and this is the so-called " imported ” edition which is being foisted off on an unsuspecting-or credulous-public in eighteen volumes at a price anywhere from 3 dollars a volume ap.-Louis N. Wilson, Librarian, Clark University, Worcester, Mass, Feb. 18. VI.—WHITE v. CONSTABLE. We have received a communication from the plaintiff in this case. It contains :- 1. The report of the case from the Publishers' Circular. 2. A letter from the plaintiff addressed to that paper. 3. A statement of the case by the plaintiff.  ## p. 215 (#293) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 215 In the last number of The Author attention was called to the very strange and unintelligible reports of the trial. The whole case, however, seems worse-even more unintelligible-than appeared from these reports. By the written agreement the book had to be produced on or before March 20, 1898. The plaintiff states that by this agreement the publishers were to receive as follows:- £ s. d. “For the edition,” meaning, one supposes, composition, print- ing, paper, and binding (query, corrections as well ?)............ 95 0 0 For advertising ..................... 15 0 0 100 copies free, say, at 3s. 6d. ... 17 10 0 Moulding (68. a sheet of 2 1 sheets) 6 aooo oooo Total .........................£133 16 0 They were to pay the author 28. 6d. a copy for all copies over and above the first 100, and they were to issue an edition of 1500. With these figures, suppose 600 copies were to be sold. How would the author and publisher respectively stand ? PUBLISHER. £ $. d. 100 copies free........................ 17 10 0 500 copies at 38. 6d. less royalty? at 28. 6d. ... olo o the edition sells the publisher makes £87 108., the author £58 145. Or, to put it another way, 1030 copies must be sold before the author realises his advance, and in the most favourable event possible—a most unlikely event-he can only realise £58 148., from which must be deducted any extras that may be charged. These figures suppose that the publisher made no profit on the money advanced. It was stated, however, in the course of the trial that the publishers had lost money by the transaction. This evidence had nothing to do with the point at issue. It is a pity that this was the case. An examination into the figures would have been interesting. Mr. White's communication opens up a great many points, all of which might have formed subjects for cross-examination, but as they turn upon verbal agreements, which are always liable to misunderstanding, it is not desirable to touch upon them here. The first and most im- portant question is as to the cause of the delay. There is nothing at all in the evidence to show that the plaintiff caused the first fortnight's delay : the evidence as reported tends quite in the other directionthat the sheets should have been placed in the binder's hands in time to bring out the book on the 20th: that the binders were ready for them : that they only got “some early copies” on March 31, so that the agreement was then broken by nearly a fortnight: and that the subsequent delay, even if it were caused by the plaintiff, could not remedy the loss of that fortnight and the breaking of the agree. ment, if his statement as to the contract is correct. The second and most important question is as to the amount of damage suffered by the plaintiff. It is easy to be wise after the event, but would it not have been better to have accepted the amount paid into court rather than win the case but lose the costs ? The plaintiff's letter to the Publishers' Circular on April 6 fully sets out the inaccuracy of the report. The Circular expressed sorrow for its in- accuracies. The Report was made up, it said, from three sources. One would like to know from which of the three the following interesting little allegations were gathered : J. That the plaintiff had “sought and found bad advice from some other London publisher.” 2. That he had given £110“ towards” the cost of production, whereas he gave £95 for the cost of production-a very different thing, especially considering that the book, as the author alleges, was printed in Holland. Total........................... £42 10 AUTHOR. 500 copies at 2s. 6d. ... Less money advanced ............... 116 Juu wpies du 28. Oll. ............... 02 10 0 6 0 Loss ............... £53 16 0 This is an excellent arrangement for the pub. lisher, as, without taking any risk if the book sells only 600 copies, he makes £42 10s., but the author loses £53 16s. Suppose the 1500 copies all sold : PUBLISHER. £ s. d. 100 copies, free ...... ....... 17 10 0 1400 copies at 1s. .................. 70 0 0 ܝܘ ܘ ܘ | ܘ Total. £87 100 AUTHOR. 1400 copies at 28. 6d. ............... 175 Less money advanced ...... 116 0 6 0 £58 14 0 Here, again, the publisher's sound position is established. The author takes all the risk. If VOL. XI.  ## p. 216 (#294) ############################################ 216 THE AUTHOR. For other points we refer the reader to Mr. made the fortune of its predecessor. The first White's letter in the Publishers' Circular. The issues prognosticate a higher literary level. editor, after stating that the Report was made up M. Juven is a man wise in his generation. This from three different sources, says that he “ put in time he can afford to be a little more scrupulous. the account just as it came” to him. But it came from three sources; someone, therefore, M. DESCHAMPS AND OTHERS. must have pieced it together; and someone must M. Deschamps is winning golden opinions in be responsible for the “inaccuracies” admitted the United States. His series of lectures on by the editor. “Le Théâtre contemporain en France," dealing In this treatment of the case we have to with the French drama from Dumas fils down express some sympathy with the defendants. It to the present day (including a survey of the was clearly not their fault that a case involving works of MM. Paul Hervieu, Maurice Dounay, literary property should have been treated with so Henri Lavedan, Victorien Sardou, the late Henri much levity, and reported with so much inaccuracy. de Bornier, Jean Richepin, Edmond Rostand, &c.) is reported to have been highly appreciated by the members of the Harvard University. The remaining twenty-two universities and literary PARIS LETTER. associations which seconded the Harvard French Club's invitation will, undoubtedly, prove an 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. equally grateful audience. THE present and future relations of Great Meantime, M. Edmond Rostand, who is engaged | Britain and France have of late occupied on a new play entitled “La Maison des Amants," - the attention of more than one writer. for the Comédie Française ; M. Georges de Porte- One of the most practical articles on this knotty Riche, delicate versifier and successful dramatist ; subject is that which appeared in the Nouvelle M. Stéphen Liégeard, whose distinguished poetical Revue, with the signature of M. Louis Jadot. record is reinforced by his upwards of thirty Its general tenor may be gathered from the years' close friendship with the late Henri de following extract: Bornier; and M. Edmond Haraucourt, im. “ The English and French temperaments are passioned poet and vigorous writer, are among too different ever to admit of a very lively the candidates whose names are announced as sympathy between the two nations, but that need preparing to contest the vacant de Bornier not prevent a discreet and pacific understanding, fauteuil. Leconte de Lisle entertained a warm in the maintenance of which both parties have an admiration for the last-named candidate's works. interest. We have, in 1900, imported goods to In his solitary contribution to the “ Anthologie England amounting to over 1,300,000,000 francs; des poètes français,” we find this flattering while England, on her side, has exported to us judgment: .. productions amounting to about 500,000,000 “ Among all the young poets who have revealed francs. Two nations having such important com themselves during these latter years, Haraucourt mercial exchanges may sulk, but not fall out is assuredly the most remarkable and the best with each other; they may the less do so since gifted, both as thinker and writer.' they constitute two important factors of civilisa. The French Academy ratified this verdict by tion, which implies in each the existence of an bestowing on M. Haraucourt the “Prix de amount of intelligence, energy, science, and labour, Poésie.” But that was before M. Rostand's which imposes esteem. star had reached its zenith, eclipsing all lesser “Do not let us be led astray by the aggressive lights. Needless to add that the latter is gene- tone of our own or the English Press; but let us rally expected to be the successful candidate. study and seek to comprehend the social, The election will probably take place towards the economical, and political life of our neighbours, end of May, as the official receptions of the last in order that we may take of their good qualities newly-fledged pair of immortals (MM. Faguet that which is assimilable with our temperament, and Berthelot) have been postponed the first to and avoid the defects this study will have revealed April 18 or 25, the second to May 2 or 9. to us." A salutary counsel which, if put into practice, “LES HABITS VERTS.” can scarcely fail to be otherwise than beneficial to The French Academy has unanimously bestowed both parties. À propos of the subject, it is to be the Jouy prize (value 14,000 francs) on M. hoped that La Contemporaine, the new periodical Adolphe Brisson. This prize is awarded every launched by M. Juven, founder of Le Rire, will two years to the author of the best work, which not degenerate into the rabid Anglophobia which has appeared during that period—“soit d'observa.  ## p. 217 (#295) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 217 tion, soit d'imagination, soit de critique, ayant The “ Euvres de Molière ” (1666), 2 vols., in pour objet l'étude des mæurs actuelles.” In his duodecimo, Mercier binding, fetched 1860 francs ; amusing sketch entitled “Les Habits Verts” a second “ (Euvres de Molière ” (1673), 8 vols. in (viz., the green coats adorned with palms which' 12, ancient binding, was bought for 7720 francs ; form the ceremonial uniform de rigueur of while a third edition of the same author (1674- members of the French Academy) M. Brisson 1675), 7 vols. in 12, Frantz-Bauzonnet binding, asserts the coveted garment to be an equivocal obtained 1950 francs. A fourth edition (1682), pleasure to fat men. It irresistibly attracts the bearing the La Reynie arms, Frantz-Bauzonnet eye, and throws up the physical imperfections of binding, fetched 13,200 francs. The original the wearer. We are informed that the celebrated editions of “ Les Précieuses Ridicules" (1660), in Ernest Renan was the greatest martyr to the 12, Mercier binding; of “ Sganarelle" (1660), in green coat who has yet existed. After having 12, Cuzin binding; of “Le Tartuffe" (1669), in disbursed the necessary 750 francs for his 12, Cuzin binding; of “L'Amour Médecin ” Academical costume, he confidingly imagined the (1666), in 12, Mercier binding; of “Le Bour- matter was finished. But he reckoned without geois Gentilhomme" (1671), in 12, Frantz-Bau- his bost. Immediately after his nomination he zonnet binding; of “Psyché” (1671), in 12, commenced to expand immoderately. Each time Cuzin binding; and of the “ Recueil des Ballets he was forced to don the regulation garb: et Fêtes de la Cour,” by the same author, were “Il constatait avec désespoir que ce damné respectively sold for 5100 francs, 3000 francs, vêtement semblait s'être rétréci. “Il forçait, il 1220 francs, 1000 francs, 1060 francs, 2525 forçait!... Il arrivait bien à s'introduire francs, and 2405 francs; “ Les Sentiments de dans la carapace, mais il ne pouvait plus remuer l'Académie Française sur le Cid” (1638), in 8, les bras. On eut dit une tortue dressée en bearing the Cardinal de Richelieu's arms, Le équilibre sur ses pattes de derrière." Gascon binding, fetched 9420 francs; while the Several times be sent for his tailor and avowed “ Euvres de Louise Labé” (1555), ancient his suffering. The tailor finally hinted that the binding, obtained 5000 francs. The “ Euvres best remedy was to order a new coat. But the pat. But the Complètes ” of Rabelais (1556), in 16, were author of “La Vie de Jésus ” turned a deaf ear bought for 3000 francs ; and the original to the suggestion. He had no mind to disburse editions of La Fontaine's “ Contes et Nouvelles a second 750 francs. Instead of doing so, he put en Vers,” in 12, in red morocco binding and on his most affable air, and with the episcopal gilded, and “ Fables Choisies" (1668) respectively unction with which all his speeches and gestures fetched 800 and 1060 francs. The original were impregnated : edition of the “Esther” of Racine (1689), bear- "Look you, friend,” said he, “ you are a skil- ing Mme. de Maintenon's arms, ancient binding, ful man. You know all the secrets of your art. was bought for 7500 francs; while the “ (Euvres Do you not think that an adroit repairing might de Racine" (1697), 2 vols., Frantz-Bauzonnet restore to this garment its lost elegance? I am binding, fetched only 1050 francs. like Béranger; I love my old coat. It would be A BOLD-FACED Piracy. painful to me to separate myself from it.” M. Henry Fouquier, the well-known dramatic The tailor was touched by the appeal. He did critic of the Figaro, recently appeared before the his utmost. The coat was transformed into a Sixth Chamber of the Civil Tribunal of the Seine, comfortable garment. “And,” adds M. Brisson, suing for damages from M. Cios (advertising “ the great philosopher had the happiness of agent) on account of a bold-faced act of literary dying without having renewed his Academical piracy perpetrated by the latter gentleman to the costume !” detriment of M. Henry Fouquier and of the THE DE VILLENEUVE SALE. Société des Gens de Lettres. M. Cios had The following prices offered at the De Ville obtained from Mme. Sarah Bernhardt the mono- neuve sale (Hôtel Drouot for choice editions of poly of the sale of the “ Aiglon” programme. the respective works below cited will rejoice all Being desirous to avoid paying for the analysis of loyal bibliophiles and, likewise, the fortunate the play usually contained in such booklet- possessors of rare volumes. It will be remembered programmes, he hit upon the expedient of copying that the late M. Guyot de Villeneuve was for verbatim the critique on the “ Aiglon " which many years president of the Society of French appeared in the Figaro above the signature of Bibliophiles. The sum total realised by the sale the dramatic critic of that paper. M. Fouquier of his magnificent library—now irretrievably duly explained to the Tribunal that, being a dispersed-amounted to 399,947 francs (almost member of the Société des Gens de Lettres, he £16,000). was unable to authorise any person to reproduce  ## p. 218 (#296) ############################################ 218 THE AUTHOR. the article in question. Had Mme. Bernhardt Samuel L. Clemens as an expert witness, called herself requested him to abandon the royalty due by Mr. Kipling's attorney to testify to the value, to him therefrom, he could only have refunded as an author's asset, of an author's distinctive her the money after it had been regularly trade-mark. Mr. Clemens' trade-mark is “Mark collected by the society. He therefore demanded Twain ”; Mr. Kipling's trade-mark in the United from M. Cios 3000 francs damages, since that States is the elephant-headed Ganesha, the god of gentleman had not only reproduced the Figaro auspicious beginnings, and, although the analogy article without authorisation, but had obtained seems fanciful to the layman, Mr. Clemens was per- important profits by his dishonest proceeding. mitted by the commissioner to expound upon the M. Fouquier won the case. The defendant not right of an author to exclusive ownership in any appearing, judgment by default was pronounced pen-name and device whicb he chooses to adopt. against him. The informal character of the semi-judicial pro- IN MEMORIAM. ceedings allowed Mr. Clemens to smoke several The death of M. Philippe Gille, journalist, cigars while addressing the tribunal ; he appeared dramatist, and literary critic of the Figaro, has to enjoy himself, and he asserted vigorously that been widely regretted. “ He read everything Mr. Kipling should defend to the last ditch his conscientiously; he analysed admirably; he property in Ganesha, as would the humorist quoted judiciously; and he judged impartially, himself defend his own property in the noin de never forgetting the respect due to successful plume “ Mark Twain.” talent, nor the encouragement necessary to the Mr. Clemens will soon have the opportunity so young and diffident writer.” A worthy record to do. A Western house has printed a volume that any critic might be proud to merit! advertised, on the title page, as “ by Mark Twain, For several months previous to his death he and others." The author has brought suit. Of had been laid aside by a terrible malady course the words “and others" were added in hemiplegia, complicated by the rupture of the diamond type. thyroid artery; and when, at last, the end came to this conscientious worker and loyal comrade it PROPOSED LAW AGAINST SMALL TYPE. was welcome. His body was interred in the A member of the New York State Legislature, family mausoleum at Montmartre, being accom- by the way, wishes to protect the eyes of the panied thither by a lengthy cavalcade including American public against any type smaller than all that Paris contains of most brilliant and eight-point. The suggested law is interesting, illustrious in the triple realm of literature, art, for, so far as I know, it is the first proposition of and the drama. DARRACOTTE Scott. its kind. The statute takes the form of an amendment to the Health Law, and its more im- portant paragraphs provide that books, news- papers, or serial literature shall not be published in type smaller than eight-point, of which the AMERICAN LETTER. lower-case alphabet measures less than fourteen ems; that the lines of type shall be separated by New York City, April 12, 1901. at least two-point leads; and that this shall not M R. RUDYARD KIPLING'S suit for apply to print contained in foot notices or indexes, I damages by infringement against the or to books or other printed matter intended for e house of Putnam has been given this reference use only. It is specified that any week a place upon the calendar of the United person violating the regulation shall be guilty of States Circuit Court, and before these words are a misdemeanour, punishable by fine of not less in type the evidence will have been heard by than fifty dollars nor more than one thousand judge and jury. The same distinguished author dollars. has instituted an action against the Fennos, who I t is needless to describe how the indignant published, as it is alleged, several of the Kipling publishers united their forces in order to secure stories without any right thereto, and who added the defeat of this Bill by an adverse vote of the insult to injury, according to the plaintiff's claim, Assembly. From our State legislatures we are by imprinting a duplicate of the famous elephant's accustomed to expect anything in the way of wild head designed by Mr. John Lockwood Kipling law making, but this “eight-point law” exhibits for the authorised “Outward Bound” edition a desire to interfere in the making of books to which was issued by the Scribners. A pre- which there would be no limit if an entering liminary hearing in this latter cause is now wedge were driven. On the same ground, slowly proceeding before the commissioner. It pictures poorly reproduced might be interdicted, was enlivened recently by the introduction of Mr. or flimsy bindings, or even uncut edges, because  ## p. 219 (#297) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 219 the nerves of the public might be unhealthfully be worth, Mr. Carnegie is quite competent to strained thereby. No wonder that the publishers startle us with a scheme of this description. were alarmed. THE GLARE OF THE FOOTLIGHTS. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MAGAZINES AND The “book-play” craze has received several LITERATURE. body blows during the present theatrical season, Every English writer who keeps a commercial in the shape of half a dozen preposterous dramati. eye on remunerative American magazine editors sations of popular novels. The Critic magazine will be more or less enlightened by the obiter tells an amusing illustration of this dramatic dicta of Mr. Walter H. Page, perhaps the most fashion. It seems that one of our theatre purposeful and progressive among the younger managers, who had been unlucky in his attempts editors of our periodicals. Last week Mr. Page to secure the stage rights of record-breaking delivered an after-dinner speech about the novels, determined to start from the beginning. American Magazine. A newspaper report made He brushed up his United States history, selected him say: “ The good editor ought to be able to a set of characters and episodes which appealed see just how far each phase of development in life most strongly to his theatrical instinct, and then has advanced, and then to point out how it can go a approached a successful novelist with a propo. little further. Men are divided everywhere into sition to write a story about them. The manager two classes. They live in two houses the house was to have the dramatic rights, the author to of do' and the house of .don't.' It is for the have all the novel would make. Upon these former that the American magazines must be terms the book has been written, and it appears written.” And again : “The editor should have upon the spring list of a prominent publisher. a well-trained sense of literary values, but he Even in the absence of such an antecedent agree. should not think that a magazine ought to have ment our novelists nowadays compose, consciously anything to do with literature. The making of or unconsciously, with the glare of the footlights magazines is not literature: it is journalism. distracting the artistic vision. The output of Those editors who are trying to get out monthly current fiction is inevitably affected. literature are making dull magazines. It is not Unfortunately, however, the selection of books the magazine that ought to produce literature, but for stage purposes is, based, apparently, upon the the book.” Certainly this sort of editorial policy circulation and not upon genuine dramatic pos- seems to be prevalent with us, and the wise con. sibilities, and the acting versions in some later tributor will govern himself and his manuscripts cases have been as bad as could be, made usually accordingly. The literary magazine “article” is by mechanical and unsympathetic workmen. In not in vogue, and even in periodical fiction the the meantime our real playwrights are dejected note is that of activity and achievement and and our critics bewail. Thus, for example, Mr. modernity. Does one whisper “ Kipling"? It Norman Hapgood in the Bookman : “ When an would be unsafe to ascribe the condition to any American author of world-wide fame returned single cause, however pointed the example. recently to New York, after several years abroad, his cominent on the stage in this city was that it MR. CARNEGIE AND THE THEATRE. seemed to be run to meet the taste of donkeys. Mr. Andrew Carnegie has escaped miraculously There has been no month within some time to the desire to found a magazine, and in the multi. justify this verdict more neatly than the one just tude of his educational charities his deliverance past." from such an enterprise is nothing short of provi. A CHECK TO PIRATES. dential. But it is suggested that the great Certain piratical dealers in dramatic literature philanthropist has been attacked by the bacillus have been checkmated by an opinion of the of an “Independent Theatre.” In the public Attorney-General of the United States regarding Press he has invited responses to the question: the importation of Rostand's “ L'Aiglon” in book “ What is truth on the stage?”-a problem which, form. M. Rostand's agent in this country apparently does not present the slightest difficulty secured American copyright for the French pub- to a small army of sages who have answered it to lisher, M. Fasquelle, and the Brentanos bought their own satisfaction, if not to that of Mr. the book rights for the United States. But it Carnegie. One of the New York papers was uncertain whether the latter house could announces that Mr. Carnegie has in mind the prevent the wholesale and unauthorised importa- endowment of an “International” theatre, to tion of French copies. The Attorney-General unite in its dramatic bonds Great Britain and holds that the French book “ L'Aiglon," printed these States, and that Sir Henry Irving is to abroad, is prohibited importation, because it was direct its operation. Whatever this gossip may copyrighted under the laws of the United States.  ## p. 220 (#298) ############################################ 220 THE AUTHOR. T The opinion should have all the effect of a judicial with his chapter on “Agreements," it is the more ruling, and is a notable interpretation of the pleasant to express unqualified assent to three International Act. I to John RUSSELL DAVIDSON. I propositions which he there advances. He says : (1) " Literature is not adequately represented - in this country.” It is not, in fact, represented at all. Nor can it be until something in the NOTES AND NEWS. nature of an Academy is created. The Bar is represented; medicine is represented ; surgery, HE question of sale or return seems so architecture, art, actuary work, are all represented ; simple as not to require any argument to Literature is not. What, then, is the work and recommend it. Booksellers are always what the position of the Royal Society of Litera- complaining of poverty; they cannot possibly, ture? It may be anything that its members which is quite evident, subscribe to many new claim except the one thing for which it was books; most new books, therefore, do not get founded-the representation of Literature. published at all, because publication means pro- (2) What about the Society of Authors ? It duction with exhibition and an offer of the book represents, as Mr. Morrah points out, “nothing but the material side of Literature.” Its one to the public. Yet there is a common complaint that books sent out on sale or return come back object is the maintenance and defence of literary unsold and soiled. It is apparently obvious that property in the interests of the author, its creator they have had their chance. But have they ? and owner. A humble function, perhaps, but Do booksellers freely offer and push books which recognised by a good many writers as useful and are not their own? In many cases they certainly productive of results which benefit other writers, do not. Books sent on sale or return are, it is including those who at present hold aloof from it, said, put up on shelves and left there. This and even misrepresent it and deride it while they seems a very short-sighted policy. Surely it is profit by it. better to make a selection and to say, “ Send me (3) Membership of the Society conveys, Mr. these books on sale or return and I will do my Morrah very rightly states, no more distinction best with them,” rather than to put on a than may be boasted by anyone who writes a shelf books so sent and to go on pushing books, book, however bad. In other words, there is no perhaps of far inferior attractions, “subscribed.” distinction in membership of the Society. Nor It seems, however, that the method of sale or bave any of its leaders ever pretended that there is. return has been recently adopted by certain pub- The Publishers' Circular has been apparently lishers, and that, in one case at least, the results having a little playful gambol. How playful it is bave proved eminently satisfactory. The change may be inferred from the concluding paragraph : may very possibly lead to such a revolution in D "All we deplored was that the · Literary Year bookselling methods as we are all anxiously await. Book 'should say that the Authors' Society did not ing and desiring. Meantime, which is better, to represent Literature, and that it is no distinction “ subscribe" for so many copies of a book on the to belong to it: if that is not lamentable, we are assurance of an interested traveller; to take all sorry.” It is not lamentable at all; but so long as the risk in the hope of selling them; or to select the Circular is sorry and penitent all is well. books at no risk whatever, and to offer them with the certainty of no loss, whatever happens ? In the first case the bookseller has already suffered Mr. P. J. Hartog writes as follows:- himself to be bound and fettered by the pub- There is published in this month's number of The Author lisher as to the price of his books; he can no an article on the Nobel Foundation to wbich my signature is appended, and which appears, therefore, as if it had been longer deal with his own property as he chooses ; specially contributed to your journal. I feel sure that it why, then, should he continue to take upon his is only through inadvertence that the origin of the article own long-suffering shoulders the greater share of has not been explained. I should be obliged if you the risk? In the other case he frankly becomes woald kindly state in your next issue that the article in little better than a commission agent, incurring question is extracted from a summary of the regulations for 15 the Nobel Foundation drawn up by me, and recently issued no risk, and only exercising a certain selection- and that as wide a selection as his shelves will allow--of the new books which are published. No further explanation seems necessary. The paper is an official paper sent to the Society of Authors presumably by the Board of Education, In the Publishers' Circular of April 6 there is and signed with the name of P. J. Hartog, and a letter from Mr. Herbert Morrah with which we reproduced in accordance with the right tacitly entirely agree. And as we do not agree entirely conceded to the Press of publishing official a of e Board of Ed  ## p. 221 (#299) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 221 documents. If this Society is not concerned with the Nobel Foundation, it is difficult to under- stand what body, or what people, are so con. cerned. The paper as published in these columns gave only so many of the regulations as concern literature and its makers. One does not know who is responsible for the distribution of copies, but it seems evident that Mr. Hartog is not. It is not generally considered necessary to point out that official papers having the signature of official persons are not sent out by those persons. But, since Mr. Hartog wishes it to be so stated, let it be understood that he did not send the document to the Society, which will, however, continue to publish extracts from Blue Books, reports of commissions, and other public documents with or without the official signatures which accom- pany them. If, however, the “summary." is a private document, the fact should have been stated and confidence would have been respected. the “ name.” This author is said to make about £2000 a year, partly by the aid of such spiritual assistance. This method has been adopted in America within our own knowledge. We know of a young writer, industrious, ingenious, and anknown, who came into relations with one of the most successful writers of sensational fiction, who loved drink, and hated work. For some time the young writer wrote under the more famous name, received a third of the generoas proceeds, while the remaining two-thirds were devoted to the more famous man's whisky. It would be curious and interesting to learn how far the practice of wearing borrowed plumes prevails. Some years ago a story was brought to me, the names being given, in which a certain writer, not unknown to the public, had actually taken over and published in his own name a MŠ. committed to his charge. More than one novel has been written with such a fraud as the motif. Some ten years ago a man, assuming the name of a well-known publisher, advertised for MSS. to be sent to him at an office near Chancery-lane. As soon as the thing became suspected he vanished it with all his MSS. Were there none among them of literary and commercial value? It is, of course, most difficult to prove such cases; but if the readers of The Author can furnish informa- tion on the subject they would be doing good service by sending their experiences to this paper for publication. From time to time a protest is sent to this paper by authors who complain of their critics. It would be well were they to consider what good purpose would be served by inserting their com- plaints, either in their own interests or in the general interest. A statement which is false, i.e., not an opinion, but a statement of alleged fact, may be advantageously corrected, but not an opinion. Thus, a critic says that an author has been publishing feeble rubbish. That is an opinion. What good does an author do hinıself by writing to protest? He advances his own opinion as to his own work-certainly a favour- able opinion-against a critic's opinion, which, in the eyes of the world, is judicial. The only answer to an adverse judgment is either an appeal to a recognised Court of Criticism—which does not exist–or, which is the method adopted by wise authors, a silent appeal to the public. History is full of mistaken judgments. Not the Qaarterly only, but Byron himself, failed to see the powers of Keats. Let the example of Keats console and stimulate the author under discipline. Perhaps the critic may be right: he certainly is not always wrong. All the more reason for con- solation and an appeal to the judgment of Time. The following is from the Chronicle, Brookline, Mass. It is pleasant to find that this important literary organ approves of the action of the Boston Library. The readers for the library have certainly, as the Brookline Chronicle asserts, “done their work with a greater display of skill and good judgment than one would expect them to show." The only consolation for the novelist is that he is excluded in what he has hitherto regarded as good company. He will now probably proceed to study his art by new and hitherto despised methods. CENSORS OF Novels. Amoog the books which have been "tabooed” by the examining committee of the Boston Public Library, and have been refused admission to the archives of the library, are the following. Many of them, it will be noticed, are well-known books : “David Harum," George Ade’s “Fables in Slang,” Winston Churchill's “The Celebrity," Paul Bourget's “ Domestic Dramas," Sir Walter Besant's “The Change- ling,” Lilian Bell's “ The Instinct of Step-Fatherhood,”. William Le Queux's “Scribes and Pharisees," Captain Charles King's “A Wounded Name," Mary E. Wilkins's " The People of Our Neighbourhood,” Catcliffe Hyne's “ The Adventares of Captain Kettle,” Mrs. Barton Harrison's " Good Americans,” Paul Leicester Ford's “The Tattle-Tales of Capid,” Harold Frederic's " Gloria Mundi,” Amelia E. Barr's “ Trinity Bells,” S. R. Crockett's “ Ione March,” Egerton Castle's “ Young April,” Mary Hartwell Catherwood's “Spanish Peggy,” W. Pett Ridge's “ A Son of the State," Jesse Lynch Williams's “ Adventures of a Freshman," Gertrude Atherton's “The Californians," The Daily Chronicle quotes the following notice on “Literary Ghosts”: Not long ago a story was going round as to the method adopted by a certain successfal author. He adver- tised for amateurs to send on their stories to a given address, whence he filcbed their plots. That is the story. Bat the correspondent has a personal experience. He was approached by an aathor of repute with the proposal that he should write stories and send them for the man with the name to “touch up." Then they were to be published under  ## p. 222 (#300) ############################################ 222 THE AUTHOR. “Senator North,” and “ A Daughter of the Vine,” R. W. Chambers's “In the Quarter,” “ Outsiders,” and “ The Con spirator, ” Molly E. Seawell's" The Loves of Lady Arabella,” Henry James's “The Two Magics,” Robert Barr's “Tekla," „ Maarten Maartens' “ Her Memory," Julia Magruder's “Struan,” Jules Verne's “ An Antarctic Mystery,” Emile Zola's “ Stories for Ninon,” Robert Barr's " Jeannie Baxter, Journalist,” E. W. Hornung's “The Amateur Cracksman," Robert Herrick's “ Love's Dilemma," Amelia E. Barr's “ Was it Right to Forgive ?” E. W. Hornung's “ Dead Men Tell No Tales," Shan F. Bullock's “The Barrys," Joseph Hatton's " When Rogues Fall Out” and “ The White King of Manoa," Edward S. Van Zile's “With Sword and Crucifix.” Stanley Waterloo's “The Seekers,” Edith Wharton's “ The Touchstone,” Arlo Bates’s “Love in a Cloud,” Lilian Bell's “ The Expatriates," and John Kendrick Banga' “ The Idiot at Home.” A book may be rejected at the public library for any one of the following reasons, or for many others :- It is immoral. It is below the author's usual standard. The library has enough of that author anyway. It is poorly written. It does not tend to promote caltare. It is too sensational. It is a plagiarism. It would tend to create anarchy. The money could be better spent for another book, &c. Most of the exclusions seem just. . . . At any rate, it is certain that the readers whose daty it is to examine and report upon new books do their work conscientiously, and, fortunately, with a greater display of skill and good judg. ment than one would expect them to show. In fact, we ought to be grateful for the good sense underlying most of these decisions. The Society of Women Journalists has arranged to hold afternoon receptions on the last Tuesday in each month at Essex Hall, Essex-street, Strand, with a view to promoting social inter- course between members and their friends. The first, held in March, was attended by more than two hundred guests. Several popular artists con- tributed to the success of the occasion—among them Madame Amy Sherwin, Miss Madeleine O'Connor, Miss Helen Mar, Mr. Reginald Kenneth, and Mr. George Giddens. WALTER BESANT. loose expression “ such persons as have just claims on the Royal beneficence” led to the bestowal of these grants upon a large number of service pensioners or their surviving relatives at the expense of literature, science, and art. I dealt with the whole question in “ Literature and the Pension List,” an investigation conducted and published for the Incorporated Society of Authors in 1889. This was followed up by a memorial presented by the Society to the late Mr. W. H. Smith praying for further legislation for the following purposes. (a) The restriction of the grant of pensions on the Civil List within ascertained limits. (6) The allocation of pensions amounting to not less than £800 in each year to those who by their useful discoveries in Science, or attainments in Literature and the Arts, have merited the gracious consideration of their Sovereign and the gratitude of their country, or their widows or children. (c) The increase of the Royal Bounty Fund and the Civil List Pension Fund so that Her Majesty may be enabled to reneve distress and reward merit in a manner worthy of the dignity of the Crown. Mr. Smith, who declined to receive a deputa- tion, gave no encouragement whatever to the prayer of the memorial, and defended the practice of the Treasury on the ground of the existence of certain undisclosed “regulations,"* which, inter alia, excluded novelists, unless “historical novelists,” from the benefit of the Fund. He further complained that “to make such changes as the memorial suggests would necessitate a new Act of Parliament”; and defended the grant of pensions on the Civil List for services performed in the Army, Navy, Diplomatic, Civil, and Colonial Services on the ground that these are “services to the Sovereign," and that the First Lord enjoys " that discretion which must in such cases finally rest with some one responsible Minister.” . The present opportunity of redressing all these grievances is, therefore, of the highest import- ance. Genuine regulations should be framed to restrict the grant of pensions, not upon an artificial theory, but in accordance with the findings of the Committee of 1837. It may, too, be asked whether a scale struck sixty-four years ago is adequate to the needs of to-day. It cannot be questioned that if the necessity were shown to exist -an easy matter—the country would support such a use of public money. It is the unanimous testimony of every First Lord of the Treasury that he is every year obliged to refuse many deserving applicants, and The Author has called CIVIL LIST PENSIONS. M HE demise of the Crown and the resulting T revision of the Civil List Act, in accord- ance with the report of the Select Com. • mittee appointed to consider the whole question, affords an important opportunity for the reform of the system under which Civil List Pensions are granted. The main purpose of these pensions as defined by the resolution of the House of Commons of 1834, and by i Vict. c. 2, s. 6, was the reward of those who “ by their useful dis. coveries in Science and attainments in Literature and the Arts have merited the gracious considera- tion of their Sovereign and the gratitude of their country." But the insertion in the Act of the * In the House, in answer to Mr. Bryce, he acknowledged that there were no such regulations.--W. B.  ## p. 223 (#301) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 223 . . . . . . . . . . attention to many such refusals. The practice of the Treasury has immensely improved since the Society exposed the mismanagement of the Fund, but every year grants are made to classes of persons not contemplated by Her late Majesty's Civil List Act. The further continuance of such no of such a state of things can and must now be rendered impossible. W. MORRIS COLLES. ...... 100 IO The following note is from the report of the Committee of the House of Commons on the Civil List:- Your committee recommend that the new Civil List should be fixed according to the following estimate : First Class.—Their Majesties' Privy Purse......... £110,000 Second Class.-Salaries of His Majesty's House- hold and Retired Allowances....................... 125,800 Third Class.-Expenses of His Majesty's House- hold .............. ............ 193,000 Fourth Class.-Works ......... 20,000 Fifth Class.-Royal Boanty, Alms, and Special Services............... 13,200 Sixth Class.—Unappropriated ......... 8,000 Ö 8 -enn-Ō-86 -- Sen ao ouro ou ooo ooo @en O OOONOÖ-00--000 000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 0-oeren 0-ÖNNON O • D . ... ... ............... ...... ..... OI. .............................. : : ............. : : : : Smrt Total for the Civil List ......... £470,000 In the foregoing no reference has been made to the pensions granted ander sections 5 and 6 of the last Civil List Act, commonly called “ Civil List Pensions.” With regard to these no baggestion bas been made for any altera. tion, and the committee accordingly recommend the con- tinuance of the present system, except that the variable amounts payable under this head (Appendix, Part III.) should no longer form a nominal class of the Civil List, but should be separately entered in the Consolidated Fand Accounts. : : Jones, Henry Arthur........ Keltie, J. Scott ............. Kipling, Rudyard ......... Loftie, Rev. W. J. .......... Macfarlane, H. ............. Marshall, Capt. R. ................ Meredith, George .................... Miles, Eastace ............... Moncrieff, R. Hope........... Montresor, Miss F........... Morrah, Herbert ........ Norris, W. E. ............. Oliphant, Kingston Parker, Gilbert ....... Phillpotts, Eden Pollock, Sir Frederick Roe, Mrs. Harcourt Rossetti, W. M. ... S. B. .......... Sanderson, Sir J. B. ......... Skeat, The Rev. Prof. ........... Spielmann, M. H. ......... Stanton, Miss H. M. E. ............................. Toplis, Miss G. ...... Tweedie, Mrs. Aleo... Watt, A. P... Weyman, Stanley ... Wheelwright, Miss E. E. Williams, Mrs. E. L. .. Young, Ernest ............. SUBSCRIPTIONS. Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... Alexander, A. ..... Avery, Harold Beckett, A. W. à .. Bebant, Sir Walter. Bond, R. Warwick .. Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. .......... Brodbarst, Spencer.................................... Clodd, Edward . Cresswell, Rev. H. .................................... Crockett, S. R. ........................................ Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for 1901) .......... Ellis, Miss M. A. Esmond, H. V. ............ Gilbert, W. S...... Goldemith, W. H. ........... Gribble, F. Guthrie, Anstey Gwynn, S. ....... Harraden, Miss Beatrice Hawkins, A. Hope .................................... Home, Francis.......................................... Jerome, Jerome K...... Kelly, C. A. Lely, J. M. ........ Macdonald, Mrs..... Marchmont, A. W. Pemberton, Max. Pendered, Miss Mary L. .......... Pinero, A. W...... Roberts, Morley ............................... Rose, Edward .................................. Rumble, Mrs. ...................... Sinclair, Miss .......................................... Stanley, Mrs. ..... Ward, Mrs. Humphry .............. Watt, A. P..... : : : : 50 0 .. . PENSION FUND. The following is the list of donations and subscriptions at present promised or received :- DONATIONS. A. S. ............. £100 0 0 Alcott, E. Anonymous ........ 100 0 0 Arnim, The Countess von 5 5 0 Baldwin, Mrs. A. I 0 Barrie, J. M. .... Benecke, Miss Ida ........................ ............ Besant, Sir Walter...... ............ 100 0 0 Boevey, Miss Crawley .. 2 2 0 Chambers, Miss Beatrice ............ 0 3 6 Clifford, Mrs W. K. 5 5 0 Cordeaux, Miss ... 5 0 0 Craigie, Mrs. ...... 100 0 0 Doyle, A. Conan ..... 100 0 0 Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) Esmond, H. V. Fowler, Miss E. T........................... 10 10 0 Freshfield, D. W................................ 100 0 0 Gibbs, Miss .......................... 0 0 Harraden, Miss Beatrice 10 Hawkins, A. Hope ..... 200 0 0 Hutchinson, Rev. H. ............ 2 0 0 Jacberns, Raymond .......... 1 1 0 Senerowowowen oooooWoooow NOOO-ooo 000000000 06 o öcienn oooooreno 5-0 OOOOOOO 0000000000o - ooo on our oenen ooren oer-en ooően On en oeroen-enero-6 -önrooo õenovier-oner -- OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ  ## p. 224 (#302) ############################################ 224 THE AUTHOR. THE AUTHORS' CLUB. CORRESPONDENCE. N Monday, April 15, the Authors' Club 1.-“ LITERATURE.” entertained Dr. J. A. H. Murray at dinner. V OUR friendly criticisms on the remarks Professor W. W. Skeat, of Cambridge, made in Literature of March 16 on took the chair. Fewer members of the club than “ Critical Standards," à propos of Mr. usual sat down at the table, owing to the unfor- Churton Collins's recent book, are likely, I think, tunate fact that the first performance of “ Corio. to convey a wrong impression of what the writer lanus” at the Lyceum Theatre had been fixed for in Literature actually said. the same evening. Those members who were You say: "• It is human,' the writer says, present, however, greeted Dr. Murray most to speak up for a friend : to be angry if your enthusiastically, and a very pleasant evening wares are condemned: to wish to stand well was spent. In response to his health the guest with persons with whom one does business.' made a long and interesting speech explaining Undoubtedly it is human. But Mr. Collins's con- some of the difficulties and some of the tention is that a book sent out for review demands labours connected with the editing of a large impartiality, although partiality is human." dictionary. He stated that he had collected These are not our words ; but it is a fair over five tons of material, and that he had over summary of three sentences in the note in five million quotations bearing on words in the Literature. It conveys, however, a wrong English language and in English literature. impression when the sentence which follows is Such a statement made it apparent at once that omitted. The writer continued : the labour involved in editing the work was What is human, however, we need scarcely add, is not almost beyond the powers of one man. He men necessarily rigbt; and it is necessary to face the question tioned at the same time some of the more - Does this obviously human attitude of reviewers towards humorous sides of the work, and pointed out books exist to any large extent, and does it produce such that on many occasions when he had asked some terrible consequences, and cause such a failure of justice, as Mr. Churton Collins imagines in his wrath ? specialist with regard to the definition of technical words, in a short time letters had been addressed I think this puts a different colour upon the to him from other gentlemen asking him to rem remarks which The Author quoted, and I venture, forward the details which he himself required. reanired therefore, to ask you to allow me to call your Therefore, to What had taken place was quite clear the readers' attention to them. specialist, although he was constantly using the THE EDITOR OF “LITERATURE." word, had no idea of its origin, and had applied to someone else, who, in his turn, had applied to Dr. Murray. II.-ON COMMERCIAL MORALITY. The evening ended by Mr. E. W. Brabrook, Mercury was the god of thieves and of C.B., proposing the health of the chairman. merchants. Oh, you libellous Ancients ! to place these two classes of men under the same tutelage! The general meeting of the Authors' Club was If a pickpocket abstracts my purse, my shoe- held on Monday, April 15, at five o'clock. Dr. : maker or my butcher are greatly shocked, yet the Conan Doyle, as chairman, had the satisfaction one will charge for a pair of boots and the other of putting before the members a balance- for a leg of mutton which were never delivered, sheet showing how the club had prospered and neither will scruple to accept payment for during the past year. Sir Walter Besant and the same if he happens to escape detection. A Lord Monkswell resigned in rotation from the practice which your highly respectable publisher directorate, but still kept their names on the shudders at. Nevertheless, he will charge general committee, and promised their strong an unsuspecting author, who was fool enough support in the future. Mr. E. W. Brabrook, to accept a half-profit agreement, 428. for C.B., and Mr. Morley Roberts were elected to fill binding 100 of his volumes, till it is found the vacant positions. The club has had a steady out that the real cost was 298. per 100 increase of members during the past vear, and volumes. He charges the unlucky half-profit now embraces among its members many of the book heavily for exchange advertisements which best known writers of the day. cost him next to nothing, and he produces as vouchers receipts for full value, because the conspiring publishers place these author-defraud. ing instruments into each other's hands. But, Heaven forbid ! they are not pickpockets, nor yet  ## p. 225 (#303) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 225 defrauding tradesmen-not they. Or say an its expenses. The following letter from Messrs. author of a school-book has, after years of toil Skeffington and Son, who were doing their and thought, worked out a new system of teach utmost for us, at once showed me that it was ing, say, reading or arithmetic, or any other useless to proceed further in the matter : “I am subject, forthwith your honest publisher employs clearly of opinion that the co-operation of the his hack-writer to filch the idea and evade the Princess Christian in your book is as necessary as copyright, for “there is no copyright in ideas”; ever, if not more so. But in truth it (i.e., the in other words, where there is no policeman it is Queen's death) will be a sad blow to all works of permissible to steal. And what of those paste fiction, and indeed to most books for some time and scissors using piratical backs; are they to come.” I feel confident that Mr. Skeffington much better than the light-fingered gentry? did what he could, and for my sake alone he Well might Napoleon say, “Le commerce c'est would have produced the book if it had been un brigandage bien organisé.” Against some of possible to do so with any chance of success. I these ills there is no remedy, but the publishers wish particularly to thank the following ladies could be brought to book. Let authors form and gentlemen for their great consideration and themselves into an “ Authors' Publishing Union,” help, and for their enthusiastic reception of my and publish their own books, and then it will no proposal: M. M. Macpherson, Esq., Paris; Allen longer be said, “Now, Barabbas was a publisher.” Oscar, Esq.; L. A. Harker, Esq.; Miss E. G. A MUCH-DEFRAUDED AUTHOR. Wheelwright, Rev. C. Dudley-Camplin, Miss J. M. Waterhouse, B. W. Wentworth, Esq.; Miss M. Baines, Miss B. C. Hardy, Miss J. Montgomery. Campbell, M. Penrose, Esq.; Frank Hopwood, III.-YOUNG FICTION WRITERS AND THE WAR Esq.; G. Rennie Powell, Esq.; Mrs. Isabella FUND. Taylor, H. R. Wintle, Esq., F.R.G.S.; Miss My proposal, made in The Author for May of Gibbs, Miss L. G. Moberley, W. H. Robinson, last year, resulted in such a large number of Esq., F.R.A.S. In Miss W. M. Willis-Swan I encouraging letters from authors of all standing found a most able and considerate fellow editor, that, in spite of the many difficulties in our way, and one who did not spare time or labour to we felt that we ought to proceed with the idea. bring the proposed volume to a satisfactory issue. Consequently, it is with the greatest reluctance If we have failed it has not been for the want of that I am compelled to write this letter acknow hard work and kindly interest. It would seem ledging our defeat. At the outset we knew fully that the times and fate have alone been against what to expect, and we received the following us. Jas. BAGNALL-STUBBS. letter from our editor :-“I am afraid you will April 5, 1901. find considerable difficulty in floating the volume which you propose. The young writers must IV.-EDITORS. make their own names first separately before they Is it not an unusual thing for an editor to can do anything in association. I would not accept a poem, and then to repudiate that accept- willingly throw cold water on your admirable ance without any presumable reason ? project, but I am afraid that the attempt The editor of the Free Lance wrote to me on a would only result in disappointinent.” Never. post card, on receipt of a poem : “ All right! theless, Sir Walter quite recently consented When I can find a comfortable corner.” (I hold to write a preface to the book, provided that this post card). Does not this amount to the publisher's agreement was a satisfactory accepting it, or am I drawing over much on my one. imagination so to interpret it? At first we had a good chance of obtaining the Later on the poem was lost in the Free Lance interest of a prominent member of the Royal office, and I sent another copy, which was returned Family, and up to the death of Her Majesty to me with thanks. Queen Victoria (to whom we hoped to have dedi. Again, the editor of the Pictorial Magazine cated the volume) things were looking very is always expressing himself as most eager to cheerful. Clearly we, like many others, have oblige his readers in any way he can. This is as suffered greatly by the great national bereave it should be, but when I sent an addressed reply ment. post card asking for the name of the author of a It is practically impossible to make a volume certain ghost story that had appeared in the of short stories a success, and though the many P.M. he took no notice of my request. I publishers to whom I mentioned the matter were wished to locate the name of a certain decoy in most kind and considerate, they were unanimous Lincolnshire, mentioned in the said story? Was in their opinion that the book could not recoup this a presumptuous request ?  ## p. 226 (#304) ############################################ 226 THE AUTHOR. I make no commeuts, but would like to know what you and your readers think of this? I even went so far as to apologise to the editor of the Free Lance for my audacity in asking for the insertion of an accepted poem. Karsfield, Torquay. F. B. DOVETON. [It seems that the editor of the Free Lance might very fairly reply that he has not yet been able to find a “comfortable corner.” The accept- ance of the poem was clearly conditional. But as regards the other point, if the story was anony. mous the editor was surely bound to respect that fact. Mr. Doveton's better course would have been to ask the editor to forward his question to the anonymous writer. There could have been no objection to such a question. It is evident that if an editor is to be called upon to reveal the names of his anonymous writers there is no possibility of preserving an incognito which is often most desirable.- ED.] BOOK AND PLAY TALK. Dr. Richard Garnett has written a series of essays on Peacock, Beckford, Matthew Arnold, Shelley, Lord Beaconsfield, and other writers. The volume will be published by Mr. Heinemann under the title “ The Essays of an Ex-Librarian.” The prevailing idea that Mr. George Smith was to be credited with the inception of the Pall Mall Gazette, of which he was the original proprietor, has been corrected in some of the obituary notices of the late publisher. It was to Mr. Frederick Greenwood that the Pall Mall owed its form as a new spirit in journalism. We are glad to learn that the health of Mr. George Meredith is improved. Mr. Morley's Life of Gladstone is expected to be ready in October. Another forthcoming volume of political interest is the autobiography of Mr. Henry Broadhurst, M.P., one of Mr. Gladstone's Under-Secretaries of State, which is being prepared for publication by Messrs. Hutchinson. Mr. Broadhurst was at one time an operative mason, and tramped a thousand miles in winter in search of work. Mr. Charles Battell Loomis tells in the Atlantic Monthly for March “how to write a novel for the masses.” “You must admit,” he says in the course of his article, “ that the vast majority of the reading public is made up of dull, unthink- ing people, so why should writers spend so much time substantiating facts, studying costumes and scenery and other details that do not affect the real interest of the story, which is and must be the romantic portion of it?". The following are among the novels announced for early publication :-“ Jack Raymond," by Mrs. Voynich; “ The Second Dandy Chater," by Mr. Tom Gallon; “ The Sea hath its Pearls," by Miss Nellie Blissett; “ Voysey,” by Mr. Richard 0. Prowse; "A Daughter of the Veldt," by Mr. Basil Marnan; “The Extermination of Love," by E. Gerard; and “Lady Haife," by Mr. Neil Wynn Williams. Mr. W. J. Stillman's autobiography is being published by Mr. Grant Richards, who also announces a history of Rome, designed for advanced students of the subject, by Mr. Eustace H. Miles. In a recent issue, Literature disposes of the many accounts that have been published of the way the “ Recessional” reached the Times, by printing the following letter which enclosed the WISS CHRISTABEL COLERIDGE is to write the biography of the late Miss Char. lotte Yonge. It is requested that letters or papers relating to Miss Yonge's life and works should be forwarded to Miss Coleridge, at Cheyne, Torquay, whence they will be duly returned to the owners. Mr. Marion Crawford is writing a Life of the Pope. Mr. W. S. Lilly's new work on the Renaissance will be published shortly by Mr. Fisher Unwin. He studies the subject as exhibited in the careers of five representative men ---- Michael Angelo, Erasmus, Reuchlin, Luther, Sir Thomas More. Mr. George Gissing's new novel. - The Char. latan," will be published shortly by Messrs. Chap- man and Hall, as well as his book of travel, which will be called “ By the Ionian Sea.” Mr. W. J. Ford has written a history of the Cambridge University Cricket Club. It will be published immediately by Messrs. Blackwood. Mr. Hall Caine's new book will probably be published in August. A new novel by Mr. David Christie Murray will be published this month by Messrs. Chatto and Windus. The title of Mr. Douglas Sladen's new novel is “My Son Richard : Ă Romance of the River between Maidenhead and Marlow." Dear - Enclosed pleased find my sentiments on things--which I hope are yours. We've been blowing up the Trumpets of the New Moon a little too much for White Men, and it's about time we sobered down.  ## p. 227 (#305) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 227 If you would like it, it's at your service-on the old won golden opinions. Since this appeared Mr. conditions that I can use it if I want it later in book form. Prichard has by himself published an important The sooner it's in print the better. I don't want any proof. book of travel entitled “Where Black Rules Couldn't you run it to-night so as to end the week piously? If it's not your line, please drop me a wire. White"; and he is now in Patagonia, leading an Ever yours sincerely, R. K. expedition of great geographical and scientific The poem was published the next morning. importance. Literature adds that “Mr. Kipling was asked to On May 7 there will appear simultaneously in name his own price, but absolutely declined all England and America the “ Further Memoirs of payment.” Marie Bashkirtseff," the publication of which Messrs. Mitchell and Co., of 18, New Bridge. has been looked forward to with much eagerness. street, E.C., and of Arundel, have just published, The volume will be illustrated and will contain a under the title of“ Vexed Questions ” (price 6d.), diary, a very daring correspondence with Guy de a collection of twenty-two articles contributed by Maupassant, and an introduction by Mr. G. H. Perris. Mr. Grant Richards is the English Rachel Challice to the West Sussex Gazette on such topics as “Spinster Sisters,” “ Bachelor publisher. Brothers,” “Husbands' Hobbies,” “ Wives' “On Peter's Island,” by Arthur R. Ropes and Work,” “Bloodsuckers,” and other social sub. Mary E. Ropes, has just been published by John jects. Racbel Challice is the translator of “The Murray in London and Charles Scribner's Sons Grandee” and “The Fourth Estate.” by Señor A. in New York. The book deals with the fortunes Palácio Valdés, and the essay by the same author of a petroleum refinery, and with the story of a on “ The Decadence of Modern Literature” in young Pole and his sister, about the beginning of “ The Library of Famous Literature.” the reign of Alexander III. Nihilist secret socie- “ Spick and Span,” a book for children, bas ties play a part in the tale, as they did in Russia at the period in which the story is laid. gone into a third edition. Readers wil take notice that the book is published by, and can be Two new romances, by the Rev. C. Dudley obtained of, the writer. "His address is Llwny-y. Lampen, will be published during the present brain, Whitland, S. Wales. He has in the press year. The first, which is entitled “O'Callaghan, another story called “ Tom Genuflex,” price 48. the Slave Trader," deals with West Africa and the former traffic in human flesh. The second, Mr. Basil Tozer's new book on “Free Lance entitled “The Servants of the Rod." is a story of Journalism ” appeared on Thursday, April 4. It adventure, the scenes being laid amid the wilds will be found especially helpful to the young of New Guinea. journalist, for whom it is intended. The William Black Memorial at Duart Point, Mr. John Bloundelle-Burton's new novel-a Mull, has now been completed, and the Commis- story of to-day-entitled “A Vanished Rival” sioners of Northern Lighthouses have given will be published at once by Cassell and Co. notice that on and after the night of Monday, Limited. The scene is laid in the mountains of May 13, there will be shown from the “ William Haute Savoie, near Evian-les-Bains, the cha- Black Memorial Tower" a group-flashing light, racters being English. showing three flashes in quick succession every “ The Mystery of the Moat House," by Derek fifteen seconds. The memorial has been erected Vane, which was very popular as a serial, is to on a point six cables south of Duart Castle. be published by the Cosmopolitan Publishing London has been chosen as the place of meet. Company in their new sixpenny series. ing for the Congress of Academical Societies in Mr. Poultney Bigelow has just returned from 1904. America, where he has been lecturing at various General Sir H. E. Colvile is correcting the Universities on British Colonial Administra proofs of his book entitled “The Work of the tions and the Colonial History of different Ninth Division." This addition to the literature Colonising Powers. His forthcoming book of the Boer War will be published shortly by Mr. entitled “The Children of the Nations," will be Arnold. published early in this month by McClure. Mr. Aylmer Maude has completed a work of The announcement by Messrs. Archibald Con- an expository character entitled “ Tolstoy and His stable and Co. of a new book by K. and Hesketh Problems." Prichard suggests again to us the pleasing and Among the forthcoming novels on Mr. Heine- uncommon relationsbip existing between these mann's list are “ The Right of Way," by Mr. two writers-namely, that mother and son colla- Gilbert Parker, M.P.; "Boylett's Land” by borate. Their first book, " A Modern Mercenary,” Mrs. Henry Dudeney ; “ Four-leaved Clover," by  ## p. 228 (#306) ############################################ 228 THE AUTHOR. Maxwell Gray; and “The Luck of the Vails,” edition, with explanatory notes by the author on by Mr. E. F. Benson. the margins. A new work by George Egerton, entitled “ Rosa “ The Lover's Replies to An English woman's Amorsa : the Love Letters of a Woman,” will be Love Letters” is an anonymous work which will published shortly by Mr. Grant Ricbards. The be published on May 9 by Messrs. Sampson Low. publisher explains that the arrangements for Mrs. Patrick Campbell has acquired the English- the publication of this book were concluded long speakiny rights of Echegaray's “Mariana,” and before “ An English woman's Love Letters " was will produce this season a new translation by Mr. heard of. James Monteith Graham. Mrs. Harrison. (Lucas Malet) will preside at Sir Henry Irving has made a statement à the Women Writers' Dinner, which is fixed to propos of the Carnegie scheme for the endowment take place at the Criterion on Monday, June 17. of a national theatre. “I believe,” he says. In connection with the death of Bishop Stubbs, “that an endowed theatre would be a tremendous “ Bookworm” in the Academy expresses a pre. benefit to the public, not only from the point of ference for the following version of the well. view of amusement, but as a factor in education. known epigram on Froude and Kingsley. But It would, of course, be devoted to the perform- as for the authorship of the jeu d'esprit, he adds, ance of true drama, the line of demarcation being “ Dr. Stubbs is about the last person to whom I firmly drawn between the proper work of the should have ascribed it”:- stage and the miscellaneous productions now so Froude informs the Scottish youth often seen in theatres.” Parsons have small regard for truth; The Reverend Canon Kingsley cries Mr. Egerton Castle's new play, “The Secret That History is a pack of lies. Orchard,” will be introduced to London audiences What canse for judgments so malign? by Mr. and Mrs. Kendal on May 13, at the Grand A brief reflection solves the mystery : Theatre, Fulham. Froude believes Kingsley a divine, And Kingsley goes to Fronde for history. A new musical comedy, it is announced, is Mr. Stanley Lane-Poole has recast and added being written by Mr. Mostyn Pigott and Mr. to his two-volume book on Sir Harry Parkes for George Giddens, and composed by Mr. G. a condensed edition which will be published by Wolseley-Cox. Messrs. Methuen this month under the title Mr. Frank Curzon will produce “ Becky 1“ Sir Harry Parkes in China." Sharp" at the Prince of Wales's Theatre in The committee of the Irish Literary Society, September, with Miss Marie Tempest in the title róle. London, announce that the prizes (presented by Mr. William Gibson) for the best essays upon Mrs. Patrick Campbell is to give matinées of the “Sieges of Derry and Limerick ” have been “ Pelleas and Mélisande” this month; the first awarded as follows:- First prize of fifty guineas. performance will take place on May 11. to Mr. Henry Mangan, of Dublin ; second prize of twenty guineas, to Mr. Hugh Law, co. Donegal. The competition is not confined to Irishmen, nor to members of the society. This year the society (through the generosity of Sir Thomas Lipton) is offering for competition two SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. prizes of £50 each, one for the best essay written in English, on the “ Early Institutions of Ireland,” and the other for the best essay, written in Irish, [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT. on “Brian Boru." The age of competitors for the English essay must be under thirty-five, and Front Page ... £4 0 0 of those for the Irish prize under forty. Other Pages ... ... 3 0 0 Forthcoming volumes of poetry include Mr. Hall of a Page ... ... ... 1 100 Stephen Gwynn's “ The Queen's Chronicler,” to Quarter of a Page ... O 150 ... ... 0 7 6 be published by Mr. Lane; “Poems," by Mr. per inch 0 6 0 C. J. W. Farwell (Mathews); and a volume of Bills for Insertion ... per 2000 300 poems dealing with animal life by Mr. Henry Reduction of 20 per cent. made for a Series of Sir and of 25 per cent. for Salt (Bell). "THE AUTHOR." Eighth of & Page Single Column Advertisements Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to tbe ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Oce, 4, Portugal-street, other day for a copy of Gray's “Odes”-a first London, w.C.  ## p. (#307) ################################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. De LTERARY AGENCJA ARRANGEMENTS FOR seront Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, G. RADFORD. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS 3, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. H. PERRIS. TYPEWRITING COMPANY, OSWALD HOUSE, QUEEN VICTORIA ROAD, COVENTRY. Every description of Typewriting, including Novels, Plays, Medical, Legal and General Copying, from Ninepence per 1000 words. Specimens and Extracts from Testimonials on Appli. cation. Manager's long experience as Reader in a Book-Work Honse enables him to undertake Revision of Manascripts—when required—at a nominal charge. Extract from recent testimonial: “It is without doubt the foest piece of work I bave ever seen produced on a tipewriter." MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. "Sir Henry Ponsonby is (ESTABLISHED 1883.) commanded by the Queen Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 18. per 1000 words. Duplicate to thank Mr. Darlington for copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or week. a copy of his Handbook.” French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations "Nothing better could be wished for."-British Weekly. gupplied. References kindly permitted to Sir Walter Besant; also “Far superior to ordinary guides."-London Daily Chronicle. to Messrs. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. ls. each. Illustrated. Norfolk-street, Strand, W.O. Maps by John BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE WEST KENSINGTON TYPEWRITING AGENCY. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORFOLK BROADS, SIKES and SIKES, BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith Road, W. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. (ESTABLISHED 1893.) ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. MALVERN. HEREFORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Ternis. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. Legal and General Copying. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. Typewritten Circulars by Copying Process. LLANDUDNO, RHYL, BANGOR, CARNARVON, ANGLESEA. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. CONWAY, COLWYŃ BAY, BETTWS-Y-COED, FESTINIOG, SNOWDON. "The best Handbook to lond in ever issued."-lirerpool Daily Post. "THE Handbook to London-it very emphatically tops them all."- Daily Graphic. 3rd Edition, Revised. 58. 60 Ilustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. LONDON AND ENVIRONS. STIKPHAST E STICKS By E. C. Cook and E. T. Cook, M.A. Fcap. 8vo. 1s. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A Handbook to the leading Hotels throughout the World. Llangollen: DARLINGTON & Co. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO LTD. Railway Bookstalls and all Booksellers. PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDS from negatives by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, 1s., Is. 6d., 28., and 28. 6d. List, post free, of DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN. THE TYPEWRITING WITH ACCURACY AND DESPATCH. MISS JANET WAY, 33, OSSIAN ROAD, STROUD GREEN, N. AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD Authors' MS3. 9d. per 1000 words : in duplicate lg. per 1000. Plays, Translations, &c. REFERENCES AND SAMPLES ON APPLICATION. (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Containe hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Sizg. 38. per dozen ruled or plain Authors should note that TBE LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by Ore or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained. TYPIN G. AUTHORS and others DESIRING their MS. faith- fully and speedily TYPED are invited to WRITE to EDMUND DRAOUP. 21. Millbrook-road, Bedford, for special quotations. Bighest inclusive charge 9d. per 1000 words. Unsurpassed testimonials,  ## p. (#308) ################################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF THE PERIOD. SOCIAL QUESTIONS AND NATIONAL PROBLEMS: EVILS AND REMEDIES. Second Edition, about 500 pages, 8vo., 58. 3d. post free, strongly bound in cloth. Two Books each to the first Twenty Subscribers Carto-de-visites copied, 28. 6d. half dozen; 48. 6d. dozen. Enlarged to Cabinet size, 8g. 60. and 68. 6d., to subscribers only. Lecturers, &c., privileges Special Terms. Will be ready about New Year. Addre88- J. W. EMSLEY, Artist and Author, 7, Napier Street, Leeds Road, Bradford, Yorks. ESTABLISHED] The Athenæum Press, Taunton. (XVIII CENT BARNICOTT & PEARCE . INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. ESTABLISHED 1896. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. LTD. INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS. MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing. NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED. THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND POSITION WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol. N O TICE. MR. STANHOPE SPRIGG (late of the Daily Express and Daily Mail literary staffs, founder and first - editor of the Windsor Magazine), 110, St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C., begs to state that he has set up in business as & Literary Agent at the above address, where he undertakes the business representation of a limited number of authors. Prospectus on application. The Morning Post of March 5 stated: “It may safely be said that if he can gauge the taste of editors and publishers as accurately as he onco gauged that of the wider public, be will meet with a great success." Third edition, cloth gilt, price 18. 6d. ; postage 2d. Post 8vo., price 68. net. "SPICK"and “SPAN.” By AUNT CHERRY. A Story for Children. In the press. TOM GENUFLEX: A Novel. Price 48. of the Writer, Llwyn-y-brain, Whitland, S. Wales. AS APPEARING FROM AUTHORS' MS. TYPED STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS. By Experienced Hand. 9d. thousand words. A Compilation for General Use. M. J. C., 31, LAMMAS PARK ROAD, EALING, W. By J. M. LELY, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, 28. 6d. net; postage, 3d. extra. TABLE OF CONTENTS. THE OHAP. сHAP. 1.-Pre-Reformation Law. | V.--The Benefices Act. II.-Reformation Law, except | VI.-Table of principal Statutes the first three Acts of Uniformity. repealed and unrepealed. III.-The Acts of Uniformity. VII.-Table of principal Judicial IV.-The Prayer Book and Decisions. BY Rubrics. APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills-Comprehension Bill of 1689. Eccle. siastical Appeals Bill 1850. Church Discipline Bill of 1899. Statements by English Church Union and Church Association, CONTENTS. – 1. Elements of Chegg. 2. General Principios. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trent. The 3. Combination. 4. Exposition of Master Play Complete. Creed of Pope Pius the Fourth as added to by Pope Pius the Ninth. And a Copious Index. M. J. O., Sion, Revised medBobtais PRINCIPLES OF CHESS IN THEORY AND PRACTICE. JAMES MASON. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's Buildings, E.O. · Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C.  ## p. 1 (#309) ############################################## PERIODICALS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTORS.  ## p. 2 (#310) ############################################## BRADBURY, AGNEW, & co. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE,  ## p. 3 (#311) ############################################## PERIODICALS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTORS. * ARTIST." It is most important that the name and address of the sender should be written upon every subject submitted, whether drawing, photograph, MS., or otherwise. The Editor is always glad to consider original work, photographs, illustrated articles, etc. While every possible care will be taken of these, absolute responsibility cannot be accepted. Sufficient stamps should be enclosed to cover the cost of return in case of non-acceptance. “ BADMINTON MAGAZINE." The Badminton Vigazine does not contain a notice of the terms paid to contributors. DESIRE has repeatedly been expressed that the Author should reproduce the notices published in magazines with regard to the MSS. sent to the offices. It is now four years ago since a similar statement was produced, and as the matter will no doubt be of service to the many contributors to the magazines. members of the society, a fairly exhaustive list is printed below, incorporated in which are certain letters that have been courteously sent from the editors of magazines that do not print notices. The question of the responsibility of editors with regard to MSS. is one of great importance, and some years ago the Committee obtained Counsel's opinion on the many legal questions that were constantly arising with regard to the receipt and dispatch of MSS. This opinion, with a few words of advice, is reprinted, as it is clear that many of our readers have overlooked it, and for the further reason that out of all the cases that come before the Secretary during the year a very large number refer to this subject. “ANSWERS.” Short stories (which must be entirely original) are paid for at the rate of £3 33. each. They should consist of not more than 3,000 and not less than 2,000 words. The most acceptable length, however, is 2,100 words. The Editor is always pleased to consider articles, which should not be less than 700 words (one column) or more than 1,400 words in length. Payment (£1 ls. a column) is made immediately on publication. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any MSS. that may be lost or damaged while under consideration. (The Editor does not undertake to return rejected contri- butions when not accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed enrelope.) “ANTIQUARY." Unsolicited MSS. will always receive careful attention, but the Editor cannot return them if not accepted unless a fully stamped and directed envelope is enclosed. To this rule no exception will be made. It would be well if those proposing to submit MSS. would first write to the Editor stating the subject and manner of treatment. "ARGOSY." The Editor of The Argosy considers as promptly as possible all manuscripts which are sent to him. All com- munications must be addressed to the Editor of The Argosy, 156, Charing Cross Road, W.C. Stories, sketches, studies, and verses must always be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope for return in case of unsuitability. MSS. should be typewritten. The publisher cannot be responsible for articles accidentally lost. “BLACK AND WHITE." The Editor of Blark and White is always glad to consider articles, drawings, and photographs of topical and general interest. Paragraphs and articles on any interesting subject of the week are particularly invited, and all photo- graphs, whether taken by amateurs or professional photo. graphers, are promptly considered, and paid for, if accepted, without delay. " The Editor spares no pains to return manuscripts and photographs in case he is unable to make use of them, but in no case can he be held responsible for their safety. Photographs are frequently lost through the carelessness of the senders, who fail to write their address on the back, and the Editor has a large number of photographs which he is unable to return for this reason. All photographs should have their description, and the name and address of the sender, on the back, faintly written in pencil. The Editor is pleased to receive drawings of any events of public interest, or of general subjects; and is glad at any time to receive suggestions from artists or photo- graphers. All payments are made promptly on acceptance. “BOOKMAN.” All communications intended for the Editor must be addressed to the Editor of The Bookman, 17, Paternoster Row, London, E.C. No unused communications will be returned, whether stamps are enclosed for that purpose or not, and to this rule we can make no exception. • BRITANNIA.” The Editor will be glad to receive original tales for con- sideration, with proposals of terms. Preference will be given to type-written copy on account of superior legibility, but clearly-written MSS. are also suitable. Short stories, of a few pages in length, to appear in a single issue are preferred. “ CAPTAIN.” The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any MSS., photographs, or drawings submitted to him, but when stamps are enclosed he will endeavour to return those contributions of which he cannot make use.  ## p. 4 (#312) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. “CHURCH OF IRELAND." The Editor cannot promise to insert in the following Friday's issue any letter received after Tuesday. Rejected MSS. can only be returned when accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope. Correspondents are requested to write as legibly as possible, and on one side of the paper only, and not to write on Post Cards. All letters and MSS. intended for publication should be addressed to the Editor at the Office of the Church of Ireland Gazette. Anonymous letters will not be refused publication, if they are otherwise fit for insertion ; but no anonymous letter can be inserted unless accompanied by the name and address of the writer, as an evidence of good faith. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the facts or opinions of his correspondents. “ CORNHILL MAGAZINE." Communications to the Editor should be addressed to the care of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co., 15, Waterloo Place, S.W. All contributions are attentively considered, and un- accepted MSS. are returned when accompanied by the necessary stamps for postage ; but the Editor cannot hold himself responsible for any accidental loss. MSS. cannot be delivered on personal application, nor can they be forwarded through the post when only initials are given. Every contribution should be type-written, on one side of each leaf only, and should bear the name and address of the sender. “ COUNTRY LIFE." “ CASSELL'S MAGAZINE." Illustrated contributions for the “ Something New". pages are invited by the Editor, who will be glad to pay for original paragraphs or photographs which are accepted. Out-of-the-way and curious natural phenomena and freaks of nature, as well as portraits and views likely to be of topical interest two or three months after they are submitted, are sure of prompt and careful consideration. Correspondents are requested, when applying to the Editor for the names and addresses of the persons from whom further particulars respecting articles may be obtained, to forward a stamped and addressed envelope for reply. All contributions for the Editor's consideration must be type-written, and submitted at the sender's risk. The Editor accepts no responsibility for unsuiiable papers and stories, but will use his best endeavour to return such as are accompanied by stamped and addressed wrappers. “CATHOLIC TIMES." All communications which do not belong to the Business Department of the Catholic Times and are intended for insertion should be addressed to the Editor. They should be plainly written, if possible in ink, and invariably on one side of the paper. Special care should be taken that names of places, countries, proper names, and uncommon words have every letter perfectly legible. Figures must also be clear and distinct. Ivattention to these directions will often compel either rejection or considerable abridgment of contributions. The writers of unsolicited articles sent for insertion must state clearly if payment is expected for them. All communications intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. No notice will be taken of anonymous letters. Rejected communications will not be returned. Correspondents are reminded that the earlier their com- munications reach this office the better the chance of their publication, and all communications intended for insertion in the current issue should reach us not later than Tuesday ; the Editor reserves Wednesday for special correspondents and telegraphic news. “ CHAMBERS’ JOURNAL." 1st. All communications should be addressed - To the Editor, 339, High Street, Edinburgh." 2nd. For its return in case of ineligibility, postage-stamps should accompany every manuscript. 3rd. To secure their safe return if ineligible, all manu- scripts, whether accompanied by a letter of advice or otherwise, should have the writer's name and address written upon them in full. 4th. Poetical contributions should invariably be accom- panied by a stamped and directed envelope. " CHURCHMAN." All literary communications should be addressed to " The Editors, 2, Exeter Street, Strand, W.C." All MSS, should bear name and address of writer and be accompanied by stamps for return. The Editors will endeavour to return all such MSS. : but can accept no responsibility for uninvited contributions. The Editors accept no responsibility for opinions expressed in correspondence or signed articles. “ CHURCHWOMAN." All literary communications should be addressed to “ The Editors, 2, Exeter Street, Strand, W.C.” All MSS. should bear name and address of writer and be accompanied by stamps for return. The Editors will endeavour to return all such MSS. ; but can accept no responsibility for uninvited contributions. The Editor will be glad to receive for consideration photographs, instantaneous or other wise, besides literary contributions, in the shape of articles and descriptions, as . well as short stories, sporting or otherwise, not exceeding 2,000 words. Contributors are specially requested to place their names and addresses on their MSS, and on the backs of photographs. The Editor will not be responsible for the return of artistic or literary contributions which he may not be able to use, and the receipt of a proof must not be taken as evidence that an article is accepted. Publication in Country Life alone will be recognised as acceptance. Where stamps are enclosed, the Editor will do his best to return those contributions which he does not require. With regard to photographs, the price required for repro- duction, together with all descriptive particulars, must be plainly stated, otherwise, when jayment is requested, it must be understood that the usnal rates of the paper will be paid. If it is desired that the photograph should be returned, a sufficiently stamped and directed envelope must be enclosed for the purpose. "COUNTRY SPORT." The Editor cannot undertake the return of any rejected manuscript, unless same is accompanied by stamped addressed envelope. The Editor will be glad to receive for consideration any interesting, original paragraphs, sporting anecdotes, or other suitable matter for insertion under this heading. A postal order for 78. will be remitted immediately after publication of any accepted manuscript. “CRAMPTON'S MAGAZINE." Communications to the Editor should be addressed to 5, Henrietta Street, London, W.C. Every MS. should bear the name and address of the  ## p. 5 (#313) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. sender, and should be accompanied by a stamped envelope for return in cese of rejection. The Editor cannot hold himself responsible for the loss of MSS. “ DAILY GRAPHIC." The proprietors cannot hold themselves responsible for loss or damage to MSS., sketches, or other contributions arising from any cause whatever. A sufficiently stamped and directed envelope must accompany contributions when their return is desired. “ EXAMINER.” Editorial Offices, 56, Ludgate Hill, E.C., where all com munications for the Editor should be addressed. Letters intended for publication must be authenticated in every case by the name and address of the writer, and be written on one side of the paper only. Unsolicited MSS. cannot be returned unless accompanied by stamped addressed envelope. Correspondents are reminded that we cannot insert any letters that are not authenticated by the name and address. "GLOBE." All communications intended for publication should be sent to " The Editor," and be accompanied by the writer's name and address, not necessarily for insertion, but as a guarantee of good faith. The Editor will not undertake to be responsible for any rejected MS. nor to return any contribution unaccompanied by a stamped and directed envelope. "GRAPHIC." The Graphic does not publish regularly a notice of the terms on which they deal with contributors, but occasionally inserts a paragraph as follows : "Every care will be taken of all sketches received, and those not used will be forwarded to any address furnished by sender; but the proprietors cannot hold themselves responsible for loss of or damage to MSS., sketches, or other contributions, arising from any cause whatever. A sufficiently stamped and directed envelope must, when possible, accompany contributions where their return is desired." HARMSWORTH BROS.' PUBLICATIONS. In regard to short stories, they must be sent direct to the Editors of the respective journals chosen by the contributor. The following are the lengths most suitable : Answers, 2,100 words ; Home, Sweet Home, 5,000 words ; Home Chut, 1,000 to 3,000 words ; Forget-Me-Not, some 1,800, and others 7,000; Harm sucurth Magazine, 1,500 to 4,000 words. “HARMSWORTH MAGAZINE." Cash for Ideas.--The Editor is always glad to receive ideas for articles and pictures. All readers are invited to contribute to this magazine. Pictures and photographs are essential to all articles, and must be bright and interesting. All stories, articles, and photographs submitted to the Editor for consideration must bear the names and addresses of the senders, be typewritten and accompanied by stamped and addressed envelopes, otherwise they cannot be considered or returned. MSS. must be folded, and not rolled. It must be understocd that while every care is taken of MSS., they are sent at the author's risk, and the Editor is not responsible for their safe custody or return. Communications should be addressed to the Editor, Harmsworth Magazine. Carmelite House. London. E.C. - FINANCE." The Editors will not be responsible for MSS. sent to them, but will make every endeavour to return rejected communications when accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. " FREE LANCE." The Editor will be glad to consider MSS. of any description that may fairly be regarded as suitable for publication in this journal. The Free Lance stands on an exceedingly broad platform, and is always open to publish paragraphs and articles of a general, descriptive, or critical nature, provided they be topical, interesting to both men and women, always in good taste, and not too remote or too academic in style. Articles must not exceed from 1,500 to 2,000 words in length, and should be light and bright in treatment, full of "points," free of verbiage, and rendered readable by new ideas and new points of view. Subjects may be treated seriously or humorously, frankly, blandly, or caustically, or merely from the informative aspect. Contributions referring to dead personages, party politics, theological questions, Continental matters, and events of years gone by are not required. Accepted MSS. will be paid for during the week of publication. Every endeavour will be made to return unused con- tributions, provided a stamped envelope be enclosed, but the Editor cannot hold himself responsible for the return of any MSS. submitted. MSS. sent without stamped envelopes will be destroyed. MSS. should be typewritten (whenever possible) on one side of the paper, and should have the author's name and address on the back of each sheet, and should be addressed. “ Editor, Free Lance, 15, Essex Street, Strand, W.C.” " JEWISH WORLD." The Editor of The Jewish World will not in any case be responsible for the return of rejected contributions. He will, however, always be prepared to consider MSS. and sketches that have a distinctly Jewish interest, and where stamps are enclosed, and name and address of sender legibly written on the manuscript, every effort will be made to return rejected contributions promptly. MSS. must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. “GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE." All MSS. should be addressed, prepaid, to Sylvanus Urban, care of Messrs. Chatto & Windus, 111, St. Martin's Lane, W.C. Every MS. should bear the writer's name and address, and be accompanied by postage stamps for its return if not accepted, but the Editor cannot hold himself responsible for any accidental loss. "KING.” All manuscripts, photographs, drawings, and other contributions must be plainly marked with the name and address of each sender, for quick identification in case of return. Each photograph must have the title thereof plainly written on the back, and, where possible, a few words of description. All available matter will be paid for on acceptance. The receipt of a proof, however, will not be a guarantee of acceptance. All unavailable matter will be promptly returned pro- viding stamps are enclosed with contributions, but the Editor will not hold himself liable for accidental loss. All communications must be addressed to the Editor. “GENTLEWOMAN." No notices with regard to the MSS, of contributors are printed, but any that are sent in have immediate consideration, and are returned if unsuitable.  ## p. 6 (#314) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. stamped and addressed envelope should accompany the MS. if the writer wishes it to be returned in case of non- acceptance. The editor can in no case hold himself responsible for accidental loss. All communications should be addressed to the Editor of Longman'& Magazine. “LA DIES' FIELD." The Editor will be glad to receive photographs and to consider special articles on any subject of interest to cultured women. The Editor cannot hold herself responsible for rejected contributions, though, if stamps are enclosed, together with the full name and address of the writer, every effort will be made to return them. Contributors desiring remunera. tion must mention the price asked for photos. or MSS. at the time of sending. The receipt of a proof must not be taken as evidence that an article is accepted. Publication in The Ladies' Field will alone be recognised as acceptance. All correspondence concerning letterpress or illustrations published in The Ladies' Field should be addressed to the Editor. " MACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE.” Every MS. should bear the name and address of the writer, and be accompanied by sufficient postage stamps for its return if necessary. Every endeavour will be made to send back unaccepted articles, but the Editor cannot guarantee their safe return. Under no conditions will he be responsible for the return of contributions in verse. There is no rule in this magazine entitling a contributor to the publication of his signature. This and all kindred matters rest solely in the Editor's discretion. “LADIES' GAZETTE.” All literary communications should be addressed to the Editor. Contributions are invited upon any subjects of interest to women. Articles may be illustrated with non-copyright photographs. The remuneration required should be stated on the MSS. All MSS. should be typewritten, and must have a stamped, addressed envelope enclosed for return. The Editor does not hold herself responsible for loss of MSS. “LADY'S MAGAZINE." The Editor is always glad to receive ideas for bright articles, especially those that will illustrate well by photography. While not holding himself responsible for MSS. and drawings sent on approval, the Editor will at all times be ready to consider such contributions, and, where stamps are inclosed, every effort will be made to secure their safe return in case of rejection. All MSS. should be typewritten, or in very clear handwriting. Communications should be addressed to the Editor, The Lady's Magazine, Pearson's, Henrietta Street, London, W.C. “LADY'S WORLD." The Editor will not be responsible for the safe return of any MSS. In all cases they must bear the name and address of the sender, and be accompanied by stamped and addressed envelopes. Consideration will be specially given to articles and stories which are typewritten All drawings sent to the office for consideration must also bear the names and addresses of the senders, and be accompanied by stamps for return, but the Editor cannot be responsible for the safety of same. All communications to be addressed The Editor, The Lady's World. "M. A. P." The Editor will always be happy to consider MSS. sent in by any competent contributor--whether a professed journalist or not-provided they be typewritten, on one side of the paper only, and endorsed on each slip with the name and address of the sender. Contributions must be formally declared in a brief covering letter to be original, and should deal with personal matters directly within the knowledge of the writer. Paragraphs relating to celebrities of the past, or to notable men and women of Continental or trans-Atlantic reputation only, are quite unavailable. New, true, and original anecdotes relating to men and women of the day will be considered with especial care. - Every endeavour will be made to return unsuitable con- tributions, if a stamped addressed envelope be enclosed, but the Editor cannot hold himself responsible for MSS. submitted on approval. When no stamped envelope is submitted on androval When nos enclosed, the Editor will assume that authors do not desire the return of their MSS., which will consequently be destroyed, if found, upon reading, to be unsuitable for M. A. P. As regards short stories, these must be either 1,500 or 2,200 words in length, and, in keeping with the atmosphere of the pages among which they are intended to appear, must have a pleasant tone and a pleasant ending. Personal interviews are granted to contributors by written appointment, on Tuesdays only, from 12 to 1, and from 2.30 to 6 p.m. "MCCLURE'S MAGAZINE.” There are no fixed terms for dealing with manuscripts sent in voluntarily, as each contribution which is accepted is dealt with on its own merits and valued accordingly. With the exception of short stories, which are obtained mainly from America, very little contributed matter is found available, nearly all of the special articles being written by members of the editorial staff. No notice concerning the method of dealing with the matter of contributions is printed. "METHODIST TIMES.” “ LEISURE HOUR." All manuscripts should be sent to the Editor, The Leisure Hour, 56, Paternoster Row, and must have the name and address of the sender clearly written thereon, and in any accompanying letter the title of the MS. must be given. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. Writers are recommended to keep copies of their MSS A stamped addressed envelope should accompany each communication. Payment for accepted manuscripts is made on publication. All communications intended for publication should be addressed to the Office, and not to the Editor's prirate address. No letters can be returned, whether accompanied by stamps or not Correspondents will, therefore, please discontinue asking for the MSS. of letters which have not appeared. No notice will be taken of anonymous com- munications. Contributions written on both sides of the paper cannot be printed. “LONGMAN'S MAGAZINE.” The Editor requests that his correspondents will be good enough to write to him informing him of the subject of any article they wish to offer, before sending the MS. À “MORNING POST." All letters intended for insertion in the Morning Post should be written on one side of the paper, and must be  ## p. 7 (#315) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. authenticated by the name and address of the writer ; either for publication, if desired, or as a confidential communication to the Editor. We cannot undertake to return the MSS. of such articles as we may find it impossible to insert. found more satisfactory, both to the author and to the management, for this arrangement to obtain. When an article is considered suitable, a formal offer is sent the author, and if this is accepted, payment is made at once, although the article may not appear for some months afterwards. The only exception to this rule is in the case of payment for ideas for articles. "PILOT.” Contributors are requested, in all cases, to write name and address on the MSS.; and, if they are sent for consideration, a fully addressed and stamped envelope should be forwarded at the same time. If these conditions are complied with, the Editor will do his best to return unused articles. Only appearance in The Pilot constitutes acceptance. Contributions stand a better chance of receiving full consideration if they are typewritten. “ MOTOR-CAR JOURNAL.” All communications intended for insertion in this Journal or relating to Editorial matters should be addressed to the Editorial Department, Motor-Car Journal, 39 and 40, Shoe Lane, London, E.C., and must be written on one side of the paper only. Letters must in all cases be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, as no notice will be taken of anonymous communications. The Editors cannot undertake to return MSS. or draw. ings, although every effort will be made to do so in the case of rejected communications. Where such are regarded as of value, correspondents are requested to retain copies. The Editors and Publishers beg also to state that they will accept no responsibility for unsolicited contribu- tions, even if used, unless payment for same is directly specified in forwarding, and the terms arranged before publication. To insure insertion communications and contributions must be in the Editors' hands by Tuesday forenoon of the week in which the same are intended to appear. Disap- pointment may be caused by non-compliance with this rule, and to avoid this, earlier receipt, if possible, is necessary. "ONLOOKER.” Contributions.—The Editor will at all times be pleased to consider short stories, articles, verses, paragraphs, etc., and will do his best to return them promptly if unsuitable. All MSS. must be accompanied by a stamped and addressed envelope, and should be typewritten. Such communica- tions should bear a note stating the rate of remuneration expected, and payment will be made after insertion only. It should, however, be understood that the Editor cannot kundertake any responsibility for unsolicited contributions. All editorial letters and copy should be addressed to the Editor, and not to anyone by name, “ PRESBYTERIAN." The Editor is pleased at all times to consider MSS. submitted to him, but they must be sent at the writers' own risk. Every care will be taken, however, to return unsuitable contributions when stamps are enclosed. "PALL MALL GAZETTE.” The Editor of the Pall Mall Gazette does not in any case hold himself responsible for the return of rejected contributions. He is, however, always glad to consider MSS. and sketches; and, where stamps are enclosed and the name and address are written on the manuscript, every effort will be made to return rejected contributions promptly. To ensure this it is absolutely necessary that the name and address of the contributor should be written on the manuscript itself. The sending of a proof is no guarantee of the acceptance of the article. “PUNCH." Punch publishes no notice of the terms on which MSS. is dealt with—with the exception of an intimation on the cover that they should be accompanied by stamped directed wrappers. “QUEEN." The Editor cannot hold himself responsible for the safety of MSS. He will, however, endeavour to return articles and sketches when accompanied by a stamped addressed wrapper or envelope. All contributions should be type- written. “QUIVER." Ladies or gentlemen who propose offering MSS. for insertion, if approved, in The Quirer, are requested to forward in the first place, or accompanying a MS., a short abstract of the story or paper to be submitted. This precaution will save much valuable time to all concerned. The abstract should not, as a rule, exceed 250 words in length. The Editor would be obliged if, in future, all MSS. submitted to him for approval be typewritten. No responsibility will be taken for loss or miscarriage of MSS. “REGIMENT." The Editor is always glad to consider short interesting stories and articles, with a view to publication. MSS. should, if they are not typewritten, be written very distinctly. Drawings of an interesting or comic nature are also considered. Whilst doing his best to return unaccepted contributions when stamps are enclosed, the Editor will not be responsible for their loss or damage in transit, although he will use his utmost endeavours to avoid such. "PALL MALL MAGAZINE." All MSS. submitted to the Editor for consideration must bear the names and addresses of the Authors, be type- written, and accompanied by stamps, otherwise they will not be read or returned. It must be understood that they are sent at the Author's risk, and the Editor is not responsible for their safe custody or return. All drawings submitted must also bear the names and addresses of the persons forwarding them, and must be accompanied by stamps to defray the cost of return. MSS. and drawings should be addressed to the Editor, Pall Mall Vagazine. " ROYAL MAGAZINE." The Editor will always be ready to consider contributions, whether literary or pictorial, and, where stamps are enclosed, will make every endeavour to ensure their safe return in the event of their proving unsuitable, although he cannot hold himself responsible for any MSS. or drawings or photographs sent on approval, “PEARSON'S WEEKLY." The rate of payment for Pearson's Weekly varies in accordance with the merit of the article. It has been  ## p. 8 (#316) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. requested to send stamped and addressed envelopes for the return of their MSS. in case of non-acceptance. “SANDOW'S MAGAZINE.” The Editor will at all times be glad to consider articles, stories, and sketches addressed to him at Crown and Sceptre Court, but in order to avoid waste of time, contributors would do well to submit suggestions for his approval before sending in their work. Literary MSS. should be type- written. In no case can the editor be responsible for the safety of unsolicited sketches and literary matter, but where stamps are enclosed he will do his best to secure their return if unsuitable. “ SUNDAY STRAND." MSS. and drawings must be submitted at the owner's risk, and the Editor will not guarantee their safety, though when stamps are enclosed he will endeavour to return them. MSS. should be typewritten. “SCIENCE GOSSIP." Notice.-Contributors are requested to strictly observe the following rules. All contributions must be clearly written on one side of the paper only. Words intended to be printed in itulics should be marked under with a single line. Generic names must be given in full, excepting where used immediately before. Capitals may only be used for generic, and not specific names. Scientific names and names of places to be written in round hand, The Editor is not responsible for unused MSS., neither can he undertake to return them unless accompanied with stamps for return postage. - SPARE MOMENTS." We offer a prize of Ten Shillings every week for the most laugbable story. The name and address of the sender should accompany the Competition. If original, a declaration to that effect must be inclosed ; if cut from another paper, the name and date of the paper from which it was taken must be forwarded. The Editor will be the sole judge of the contributions, and his decision will be final. We reserve the right of dividing the 108., should we think proper, and of publishing any of the stories sent in. Any number of stories may be sent in by the same com- petitor, but in all cases the words - Fanny Story Competition" must be written on the envelope. Stories will not, under any circumstances, be returned. Successful competitors are not debarred from again contributing, We do not require stories that have appeared in other papeis the previous week, nor do we want stories that have been already published in Spare Woments. Competitions should reach the offices of Spare Woments, 12-14, Fetter Lane, London, E.C., not later than Friday of each week. Any arriving later will be placed in the following competition. "THE SPHERE." Photographe. — The Editor will be pleased to receive photographs of important current events, of interesting houses, and of notable persons. These should be invariably accompanied by full descriptive matter, with name and address of the sender written upon the reverse of the photograph. It must be distinctly understood that no one living in a country under the Berne Copyright Convention will be treated with who is not the owner of the copyright of the photograph submitted, or who has not the permission. in writing of the owner of the copyright to submit the photograph to the Editor of The Sphere for reproduction. All photographs used will be liberally paid for. Any photograph will be returned after reproduction if desired." Januscripts. – The Editor must decline to consider manuscripts of any kind unless he has been previously approached as to their possible utility. This particularly applies to short stories, of which the Editor has sufficient in hand. “THE TATLER.” Literary matter.—The Editor will always be pleased to consider MSS. sent in by any contributor - whether professed journalist or not-provided they are of a nature suitable for The Tatler. Intending contributors are par- ticularly recommended to read carefully the columns of The Tatler before contributing. What the Editor requires are short, bright, personal paragraphs about living celeb. rities directly within the knowledge of the writer. New, true, and original anecdotes relating to men and women of the day are especially acceptable. Paragraphs compiled from biographical works are not invited. As regards short stories, these must be from 2,000 to 3,000 words in length and in keeping with the atmosphere of the pages of the paper in which they are intended to appear. All para- graphs and stories should be addressed to the society Editor. Where a stamped and addressed envelope is enclosed every effort will be made to return promptly unsuitable MSS. and photographs. “ TEMPLE BAR.” MSS. should be addressed, post-paid, to the Editor of Temple Bar. Each MS. should bear the name and address of the writer (not necessarily for publication), and be accompanied by postage stamps for its return in case of non-acceptance. Every care will be taken, but neither the Editor, nor the publisher, can be responsible for accidental loss. MSS. should be written in a clear hand on one side of the paper only, and the leaves should be fastened together, and paged. Correspondence- Allarticles sent are carefully considered, but it is impossible to advise beforehand what subjects. are likely to meet with acceptance. "SPEAKER." The Editor cannot hold himself responsible for the loss or miscarriage of unsolicited manuscripts submitted to him, though he will make every effort to return such safely, if a stamped and addressed envelope is sent with them. “SPECTATOR.” A notice is printed that " The Editor cannot return MSS. under any circumstances." “ SUNDAY AT HOME.” The Sunday at llome professes only to return rejected MSS. which are accompanied by stamps. "SUNDAY CHRONICLE.” The Editor is always pleased to consider articles on topical subjects and short stories. Contributors are " VANITY FAIR." The only terms that the Editor of Vanity Fair has with regard to contributors of uninvited manuscripts are, that if stamps are enclosed and the address is written on the manuscript, he makes every effort to return it, and he does. not hold himself liable for accidental loss. Manuscripts  ## p. 9 (#317) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. are sometimes kept for some time under consideration, especially when they are stories which are not of topical interest ; and it must be understood that such delay does not imply acceptance. Contributors are specially requested to put their names and addresses on their manuscripts. Address : Tudor Street, Whitefriars, E.C. Telegraphic address, “ Lobby,” London. “VEGETARIAN.” The Editor of The Vegetarian cannot hold himself responsible in any case for the return of MSS. or Sketches. He will, however, always be glad to consider any contributions which may be submitted to him ; and when postage stamps are enclosed every effort will be made to return rejected contributions promptly. Con tributors are requested to put their names and addresses on their manuscripts. Address: 33, Paternoster Row, London, E.C. " WINDSOR MAGAZINE.” All MSS. (which should be type-written) and drawings submitted must bear the names and addresses of the senders, and be accompanied by stamps ; otherwise they will not be considered. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the safety of any contributions forwarded for his inspection. All communications must be addressed to the Editor, Windsor Vagazine. “WOMAN.” Authors are invited to contribute long complete stories. They should be 4,500 words in length. Enclose stamped addressed envelope in case of rejection. “ WESTMINSTER BUDGET." The Editor of The Westminster Budget cannot old herself responsible in any care for the return of MSS. or sketches. She will, however, always be glad to consider any contributions, literary or pictorial, which may be submitted to her ; and when postage stamps are enclosed every effort will be made to return rejected contributions promptly. All illustrations appearing in The Westminster Budget are copyright. Applications for permission to reproduce, or for purchase of blocks, to be addressed to the Editor. “WESTMINSTER GAZETTE.” The Editor of The Westminster Gazette cannot hold himself responsible in any case for the return of MS. or Sketches. He will, however, always be glad to consider any contributions, literary or pictorial, which may be sub- mitte ito him ; and when postage-stamps are enclosed every effort will be made to return rejected contributions promptly. The following Papers and Magazines do not print any notice with regard to contributions :- British Weekly. Short Stories. Church Bells. Sketchy Bits. Church Weekly. Sunday Stories. Lloyd's. Sunday Times. Modern Society. Contemporary Review, Observer. English Illustrated. People. Fortnightly Review, Referee. Review of Reviews. Reynolds. Scribner's Magazine. Scraps. United Service Magazine. Select Stories. Wide World Magazine. Shooting Times.  ## p. 10 (#318) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. THE MANAGEMENT OF MANUSCRIPTS. action against an editor a case of contributory neglige ce where the author failed to keep a copy of his own composi. tion, and that though the Society would be willing to assist those who are unable to recover their MSS. when the case is clear and the editor has been guilty of wilful neglect, yet in the ordinary course of business, touching the circulation of MSS., it should be remembered that a great deal depen'ls upon the machinery being carefully oiled-in other words, upon the courtesy and tact of the authors themselves in the matter. No excuse is put forward for repeating these statements or for reproducing Counsel's opinion, as it appears many of the more recent members have no knowledge of the facts, and many have forgotten them. LIOR various reasons it is necessary to say a few words i about the position of editors with regard to MSS. and about the action of authors generally in the matter. There are two fundamental principles, and if author's adhered to them the complaint of the detention of MSS. would not be so frequently heard. Firstly, MSS., when sent to magazines, should be typewritten, and secondly, an author should invariably keep a copy of his MS. Next, authors should be careful about the magazines they send their MSS. to—in the first instance, that the magazines are periodicals of substance and reputation ; secondly, that the MSS. are suitable to the particular magazines to which they are sent. In forwarding MSS. stamps and a directed envelope should be enclosed, and the author's name and address should be written on the MSS. In some magazines editors invite MSS, to be sent to them, but the author must remember that when demanding the return of a MS, he must be able to show that it has reached the office, and not only has reached the office, but has come into the hands of a responsible party. In other magazines the editor makes no request for MSS., and therefore his position with regard to the possession of MSS, is slightly different from that of the editor mentioned above. In the first case, if the MS. has reached his hands, he will be bound to take rather more care of it than in the latter case, but in neither case may the editor be wilfully neglectful of the property in his charge. If, however, the MS. has not been acknowledged and letters have been left unanswered, it is exceedingly difficult for the author to show that the MS. has reached the office, that it has come into the hands of a responsible party, and that it has been lost through the wilful neglect of the editor. It is a simple matter, if the author has a copy of his MS., to write to the editor and state that he withdraws the offer of the MS, unless he hears definitely before a certain date, and that he will try to place it elsewhere. The Secretary of the Society has found as a general rule. on his intervening, that editors are courteous, obliging, and businessiike, and will do their best to assist authors in the recovery of their MSS., but authors at the same time must remember that editors are overwhelmed with MSS. of all sorts and kinds, and after all, they are but human. It is quite certain that some of the so-called rudeness and unbusinesslike conduct of editors is due to corresponding characteristics in the authors who put forward their MSS. It is exceedingly difficult for the Society to act in cases of this kind where the editor has been roundly abused by an author without any apparent cause or reason. It has, however, frequently occurred that the Society has been able to obtain a satisfactory answer from an editor and a satisfactory explanation when the author has been unable to do so. In many cases this is due to the position which the Society now holds, and in other cases it is due to the fact of the author's unbusinesslike correspondence. Finally, it should be made clear to all authors that it is very doubtful, now that it is so easy to obtain typewritten copies of MSS., whether it might not be considered in an Counsel's Opinion. EDITOR AND AUTHOR. 1. I am of opinion that if a manuscript be sent to the editor of a magazine without any previous request or agree- ment, the editor is not responsible for its loss while in his possession unless the loss be due to some gross negligence on his part. So long, however, as the manuscript remains in his possession the editor is bound to return it on demand, and the publication in his magazine of a notice that he will not return manuscripts does not, in my opinion, alter his liability in this respect towards an author who was not cognizant of such notice when he sent in the manuscript. The editor's responsibility for the manuscript while in his possession is, in my opinion, that of a gratuitous or voluntary bailee, who is answerable for loss through his gross negligence, but not for any ordinary neglect. (See I Smith's Leading Cases, 10th edition, pp. 189 et seq.) If the manuscript has been lost, the onus lies upon the author to show that the loss was caused by the editor's gross negligence, for which alone the editor is answerable. (See Story on Bailments, 9th edition, s. 410, and the cases referred to in the notes there.) If the manuscript was in the editor's possession when its return was demanded, the editor is liable, in my opinion, to an action of detenue if he refuse to return it. Evidence that the editor received the manuscript would raise a pre- sumption that it was still in his possession when the demand was made. But the editor could rebut that presumption by proving that the manuscript was lost prior to the demand, The editor would not escape liability by proving that he had improperly destroyed or wrongfully parted with the manuscript (see Jones r. Dowle, 9 M. & W. 19), or had lost it through his gross negligence (see Reeve r. Palmer, 5 C.B., N.S. 81). But it would be a good defence for the editor to show that before its return was demanded the manuscript was lost without default on his part (see 5 C.B., N.S. pp. 85-89), or in some minner which could not be ascer. tained. In the latter cise the editor would not be liable unless the author could adle athrmative eridence of gross  ## p. 11 (#319) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 11 'regligence (see Powell r. Graves, 2 Times L. R. 663; Howard r. Harries, C. & E. 253). 2. I am of opinion that if in the particular case referred to the author sent bis manuscript to the editor in ignorance of the existence of any such note 4 that which is in the magazine, then the editor could not successfully rely upon the notice as a defence to any action brought against him. In this case the notice would, in my opinion, be immaterial, but, of course, the editor might have a complete defence on other grounds, such as those I have already referred to in my answer to the first question. If the author saw or knew of the notice before he sent his manuscript, I think he would be held to have sent it on the terms of such notice : (see Parker v. South Eastern Railway Company, 2 C. P. D. 416 ; Richards *. Rowntrte (1894) A. C. 217). The exact part of the magazine in which the notice is inserted is immaterial, except in so far as it ienders it more or less likely that the author in fact saw or did not see the notice, assuming that he ever saw the magazine. 3. 1 am of opinion that the burden of proving that the author was cognizant of the notice would lie upon the editor. T. WILLES CHITTY, BRADBURY, AGNEW, & co, LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TO BRIDGE. 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. 11 Issue 12 (May 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 12 (May 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-05-01-The-Author-11-12 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/341/1901-04-01-The-Author-11-11.pdf 5456d61e6c39cc078ceb682986b4a25f 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) 1901-04-01 Volume 11 Issue 11 Pages Page range in volume 189–208 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010401 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 11.] APRIL 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. AGR PAGE 189 200 Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... Literary Property- 1. The Pension Scheme 2. International Literary Association 3. Copyright Reform in Greece 4. Canadian Copyright 5. White v. Constable ... Meetings of the Society ... ... ... The American Letter. By J. R. Davidson Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... Notes and News. By the Editor... ... The Nobel Foundation ... ... Correspondence.-Books and Reviews ... Book and Play Talk... ... 195 | Obituary ... ... ... ... ... ::::::: 205 206 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 1os. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Is. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888-1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. Herbeet Turing, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 18. [All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.]  ## p. 188 (#258) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. Post 8vo., price 6s. net. THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND POSITION AS APPEARING FROM STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS. A Compilation for General Use. By J. M. LELY, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1.-Pre-Reformation Law. CHAPTER V.-The Benefices Act. II.-Reformation Law, except the first three , VI.--Table of principal Statutes repealed and Acts of Uniformity. unrepealed. ., III.—The Acts of Uniformity. , VII.—Table of principal Judicial Decisions. , IV.-The Prayer Book and Rubrics. APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills—Comprehension Bill of 1689. Ecclesiastical Appeals Bill 1850. Church Discipline Bill of 1899. Statements by English Church Union and Church Association. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trent. The Creed of Pope Pius the Fourth, as added to by Pope Pius the Ninth. And a Copious Index. LONDON: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. Royal 8vo., price 16s. net. Demy 8vo., with Map and Illustrations, price 108. 6d. SPORTING DAYS AN AUSTRALIAN IN CHINA: SOUTHERN INDIA: IN Being the Narrative of a Quiet Journey Across BEING China to British Burma. REMINISCENCES OF TWENTY TRIPS IN PURSUIT | By G. E. MORRISON, OF BIG GAME, M.B.C.M. Edin., F.R.G.S. CHIEFLY IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. BY Lieut.-Col. A. J. 0. POLLOCK, Royal Scots Fusiliers. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY WHYMPER AND OTHERS. CONTENTS. Chapters I., II., and III.---The Bear. IV. and V.-The Panther. VI., VII., and VIII.—The Tiger. IX. and X.--The Indian Bison. XI. and XII.-The Elephant. XIII.—Deer (Cervidæ) and Antelopes. XIV.-The Ibex. XV. and XVI.-Miscellaneous. ** Mr. Morrison is an Australian doctor who has achieved probably the most remarkable journey through the Flowery Land ever attempted by a Christian.... He was entirely unarmed and unaccompanied, save for the coolies who carried his baggage. Such a journey-three thousand miles in length-could not fail to present many curious customs and as many curious people. But it is owing entirely to Dr. Morrison's graphic manner of description, and his acutely keen observation, that his travels are such a reality to the reader. This portly volume is one of the most interesting books of travel of the many published this year. It is frank, original, and quite ungarnished by adventitious colouring."-St. James's Budget. "One of the most interesting books of travel we remember to have read."-European Mail. "A very lively book of travel. ... His account of the walk of 1500 miles from Chungking to Burma, over the remotest districts of Western China, is full of interest."-The Times. " Dr. Morrison writes crisply, sensibly, humorously, and with an engaging frankness. . . . There is not a page he has written that is pot worth the perusal of the student of China and the Chinese." The Scotsman. "By far the most interesting and entertaining narrative of travel in the Flowery Land that has appeared for several years."--The World. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 188 (#259) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. URBIRAL SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. ATE LITERARY AGENCJA Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 3, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS TYPEWRITING COMPANY, — OSWALD HOUSE, QUEEN VICTORIA ROAD, COVENTRY. Every description of Typewriting, including Novels, Plays, Medical, Legal and General Copying, from Ninepence per 1000 words. Specimens and Extracts from Testimonials on Appli. cation. Manager's long experience as Reader in a Book-Work House enables him to undertake Revision of Manuscripts—when required—at a nominal charge. The “Business,” &c., part of Plays in Red at special quotations. MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. “Sir Henry Ponsonby is (ESTABLISHED 1883.) commanded by the Queen to thank Mr. Darlington for Authors' MSS. carefully copied from ls. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or week. a copy of his Handbook.” French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations "Nothing better could be wished for."- British Weekly. erences kindly permitted to Sir Walter Besant: also "Far superior to ordinary guides."- London Daily Chronicle. to Messrs. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House, Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. ls, each. Illustrated. Norfolk-street, Strand, W.O. Maps by John BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE WEST KENSINGTON TYPEWRITING AGENCY. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORFOLK BROADS, MISS E. M. SIKES. BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith Road, W. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY (ESTABLISHED 1893.) MALVERN, HERE FORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Terms. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. Legal and General Copying. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. Typewritten Circulars by Copying Process. LLANDUDNO, RHYL, BANGOR, CARNARVON, ANGLESEA. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. CONWAY, COLWYN BAY, BETTWS-Y-COED, FESTINIOG, SNOWDON. "The best Handbook to London ever issued."- Liverpool Daily Post. "THE Handbook to London-it very emphatically tops them all."- Daily Graphic. 3rd Edition, Rovised, 58. . 60 Illustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. Tamal LONDON AND ENVIRONS. STICKPHAST PASTE STIKS By E. C. Cook and E. T. Cook, M.A. Fcap. 8vo. Is. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A Handbook to the leading Hotels throughout the World. Llangollen : DARLINGTON & Co. London: SIMPKIX, MARSHALL & Co. LTD. Railway Bookstalls and all Booksellers. PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDs from negatives by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, Is., ls. 6d., 28., and 28. 6d. List, post free, of DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN. THE TYPEWRITING WITH ACCURACY AND DESPATCH, MISS JANET WAY, 33, OSSIAN ROAD, STROUD GREEN, N. AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD Authors' MSS. 9d. per 1000 words : in duplicate lg. per 1000. Plays, Translations, &c. . REFERENCES AND SAMPLES ON APPLICATION. (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Contains hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Size, 3s. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that THE LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by Are or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained. VOL. XI. TYPING. A UTHORS and others DESIRING their MS. faith- 1 fully and speedily TYPED are invited to WRITE to EDMUND DRACUP, 21, Millbrook-road, Bedford, for special quotations. Highest inclusive charge 9d. per 1000 words. Unsurpassed testimonials. A A 2  ## p. 188 (#260) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Nuthors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBSON. THE Rev. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. Sir HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. A. W. PINERO. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. SYDNEY GRUNDY. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD PIB- THE Rev. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. THOMAS HARDY. Sir FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. LL.D. CLERE. JEROME K. JEROME. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. .. HALL CAINE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. RUDYARD KIPLING. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. P. W. CLAYDEN. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. Miss FLORA L. Shaw. EDWARD CLODD. THE RIGHT Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, G. R. SIMs. W. MORRIS COLLES. M.P. S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. J. M. LELY. J. J. STEVENSON. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. FRANCIS STORR. F. MARION CRAWFORD. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doo. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. HON. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I Sir W. MARTIN CONWAY. M. H. SPIELMANN. COPYRIGHT A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solicitors, FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. {G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. T Y P E WRITING (Authors' MSS.) Undertaken by highly educated women of Literary experience (Classical Tripos; Cambridge Higher Local; thorough acquaintance with modern languages). Authors' References. Terms (cash), 1s. 3d. per 1000 words; over 5000, 1s. S. R., 1, LINGARDS ROAD, LEWISHAM, S.E. Pocket Size, price 6d. ; by post, 640. Crown 8vo., cloth boards, price 6s. THE LAWS OF GOLF, HATHERSAGE: As Adopted by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of L A Tale of North Derbyshire. St. Andrews. Special Rules for Medal Play. By CHARLES EDMUND HALL, Winners of the Goling Championship. Author of " An Ancient Ancestor,” &c. Winners and Runners-up for the Amateur Championship. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream’g-buildings, E.C. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Etiquette of Golf.  ## p. 189 (#261) ############################################ The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.—No. 11.) APRIL 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are pablished in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production." IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- joots whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. IT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an al agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property : I. SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro. duotion 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. 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely carefal in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 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 & contract shoald stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills.  ## p. 190 (#262) ############################################ 190 THE AUTHOR. experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books 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 pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 apon agreements and 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. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipte 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.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 0. 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. cracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. THE READING BRANCH. TEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. 1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive L advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. • 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the  ## p. 191 (#263) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 191 M - Ô oon on ouren ooenou-meno oor ons -oo o o o oeroeren- onen--005 Ocean ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ 33 Do years) ............ 10 I00 IO LITERARY PROPERTY. Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for . 1901) .......... Ellis, Miss M. A.............. ........... I.—PENSION FUND. Egmond, H. V. ..................... HE following is the list of donations Gilbert, W. S............ and subscriptions at present promised or Goldemith, W. H. ............ received :- Gribble, F. ...... Guthrie, Anstey ............. DONATIONS. Gwynn, S. ........ A. S. .................................. ... ... ............ £100 ......... 0 0 Harraden, Miss Beatrice ........................... Alcott, E. ............... ............ 50 0 0 Hawkins, A. Hope ... Anonymous ............................................ Home, Francis.... Baldwin, Mrs. A. ............ Jerome, Jerome K. .................................... Barrie, J. M. .......... Kelly, C. A. Benecke, Miss Ida ............ Lely, J. M... Besant, Sir Walter............... Macdonald, Mrs....................................... Boevey, Miss Crawley ............. Marchmont, A. W. Chambers, Miss Beatrice ........... Pemberton, Max. Cordeaux, Miss Pendered, Miss Mary L. Craigie, Mrs.. Pinero, A. W.... Doyle, A. Conan Roberts, Morley O 10 0 Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) Rose, Edward .................... 5 0 0 Esmond, H. V. Sinclair, Miss ............................ O 10' 0 Fowler, Miss E. T..... Stanley, Mrs. ......... Freshfield, D. W......... Ward, Mrs. Humphry ............................... 10 0 0 Gibbs, Miss ............. Watt, A. P....... II 0 Harraden, Miss. Beatrice ........... Hawkins, A. Hope ....... Hutchinson, Rev. H.. The first meeting of the Pension Fund Com- Jacberns, Raymond ................. Jones, Henry Arthur.... 50 0 0 mittee was held at the offices of the Society on Keltie, J. Scott Thursday, March 7, at four o'clock, when the Kipling, Rudyard 0 0 following resolutions, proposed by Mr. Morley Loftie, Rev. W. J. ........ Roberts and seconded by Mr. M. H. Spielmann, Macfarlane, H. .......... Marshall, Capt. R. ........ 10 10 0 for the conduct of applications for pensions for Meredith, George ........................... 100 1901 were passed unanimously : Miles, Eastace .............................. ....... I "In the month of April the Pension Fund Moncrieff, R. Hope......... IO I Committee will proceed to consider applications Morrah, Herbert ...................... for pensions to be granted under the Pension Norris, W. E. ........... Fund scheme of the Society of Authors. Pur- Oliphant, Kingston Parker, Gilbert .. suant to the power to make bye-laws for regu- Phillpotts, Eden ... 10 0 0 lating applications for pensions vested in the Pollock, Sir Frederick ........... committee by the scheme, the Committee have Roe, Mrs. Harcourt made and hereby give notice of the following Rossetti, W. M. . regulations: S. B......... Sanderson, Sir J. B. ................................. “1. All applications must be in writing and Skeat, The Rev. Prof. addressed to the Secretary of the Society of Spielmann, M. H. Authors at the offices of the Society (4, Portugal- Stanton, Miss H. M. E. ........ street, W.C.) and must reach the Secretary on or Toplis, Miss G. ........... 0 5 0 Tweedie, Mrs. Alec before Saturday, April 20, 1901. Envelopes Watt, A. P.... should be marked • Confidential.' Weyman, Stanley ... 26 5 0 “2. Applications may be made (a) by the Wheelwright, Miss E. E. 0 10 0 applicant for a pension, (6) by any two members Williams, Mrs. E. L. ...... I 0 0 of the Society on the applicant's behalf. In the Young, Ernest ............... 0 6 0 latter case the Committee may require the appli- SUBSCRIPTIONS. cant to signify in writing his willingness to Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... 10 00 Alexander, A. .......................................... I 10 accept a pension if granted. Avery, Harold ..... “ 3. Applications must state, to the best of the Beckett, A. W. à ... knowledge and belief of the person or persons Besant, Sir Walter.......... making the same: Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. “(a) The full name, description, and present Brodhurst, Spencer....... Clodd, Edward address of the applicant. If the applicant 5 0 0 Cresswell, Rev. H. ...... has written under an assumed name such Crockett, S. R. 5 0 0 name should also be given. 2 0-0 enero - ÖNNON Om o meno ---Sen 6-N 86-8 öwen 8 senonowo - 8 000 o ono oro ao öen o ono o o ono ono oo On 7 - 05--000-00000 Õwoooow No 00-00 en onnoinen en omö O ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ O .......... O O 100  ## p. 192 (#264) ############################################ 192 THE AUTHOR. “ (6) The age of the applicant, and the date at which the applicant became a member of the Society. If the applicant has ceased to be a member, the date of his or her retirement must be given. “(c) The financial position of the applicant, including an account of the applicant's entire annual income from all sources (including voluntary allowances if any). “ (d) The names of the publications relied on to establish the merit of the applicant's literary work. “4. Applications may, if desired, be accom. panied by not more than two testimonials to the applicant's character, and to merits of the appli. cant's works or eitber of them, and by a further statement of the applicant's financial position from some person acquainted therewith. “5. Avplications and the contents of all state- ments relating thereto will be treated as confi. dential, the names of the recipients of the pensions and the amounts granted alone being stated in The Author. “6. All communications whatever must be addressed to the Secretary, and to him only. Canvassing of members of the Committee, either by or on behalf of the applicant, is prohibited. “7. The first pensions created will be granted as from March 25, 1901, and will be payable, as to the first instalment immediately, and there- after in quarterly instalments in advance on the usual English quarter days." By order of the Pension Fund Committee, G. HERBERT THRING, Secretary. III. Arrondissement; and Coupri, Sculptor, Livry, Seine et Oise.) 3. The author's rights in connection with reproductions by means of mechanical appliances; perforated cards, projecting processes, phono- graphs, cinematographs, &c. (M. Jean Lobel, 10, Rue Captal, Paris, IX. Arrondissement.) 4. Dramatic art. The author's right appertain. ing to the actor ; creation of character, costumes, &c. Rights attributable to inventors of mise en scène, theatrical decorations, sets, machinery, &c. (MM. G. Lefeuve, 3, Rue de la Bienfaisance, VIII. Arrondissement; and G. Pfeiffer, 40, Rue Condoret, IX, Arrondissement.) 5. Examination of the new German law re- specting publishers' agreements. (M. Eisenmann, 2, Cité Rougemont, IX. Arondissement.) Will you oblige us by communicating with the above-named gentlemen with a view to the formation of the committees and the furthering of their objects. For information please address M. G. Maillard, general referee, or the permanent secretary, M. Jules Lermina, 19, Boulevard Port Royal, XIII. Arrondissement. The association is at the same time preparing an important work which demands the assistance of all its members. This is a history of the progress of the National and International Law of Copyright during the XIX. Century. (MM, A. Darras, 97, Boulevard St. Michel; and Jules Lermina.) We earnestly beg you to give in your name to one or more of the above committees, so that these questions may be treated with the same precision and fulness which they merit. After names have been received the invitations will be sent out at an early date. EUGENE POUILLET, President. - - - - II.-INTERNATIONAL LITERARY AND ARTISTIC AssociATION.—FORTHCOMING CONGRESS. We have the honour of informing you that the Twenty-third Congress of the International Literary and Artistic Association (founded by Victor Hugo in 1878) will be held in the town of Vevey, Switzerland, in the first fortnight in August. The following are among the questions which will be discussed, and we add the names of those of our confrères who bave undertaken to collect information and to arrange the committees who will consider the various subjects :- 1. An investigation of modifications to be made in the text of the Berne Convention. The appointment of a permanent international com- mission for the interpretation of the said con- vention. (M. G. Maillard, 241, Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris, VI. Arrondissement.) 2. The protection of works of art, whatsoever may be their aim, even if but purely commercial. (MM. Soleau, 127, Rue de Turenne, Paris, III.—COPYRIGHT REFORM IN GREECE. The Greek Chamber has voted, for April 1, a first reading of a new law of copyright, which was proposed last year. The copyright law of Greece is at present very unsatisfactory, even native authors enjoying an extremely limited protection. The proposed law will to some extent remedy this unsatisfactory state of things. But from an interesting article on the new law in our valuable contemporary Le Droit d'Auteur we gather that far too little is likely to be done for the foreign author-an omission much to be regretted in the case of Greece, a country which, though the native modern literature com- pares favourably with that of the other southern European peninsulas (particularly if the recent date of the regeneration of Greece  ## p. 193 (#265) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 193 is taken into consideration), borrows an immense amount of learned and scientific literature from the countries of northern and western Europe. What is really to be desired is that Greece should enter the Berne Convention and level her domestic legislation up to the modern international lines. The last is perhaps too much to expect from a country recently liberated from Turkish barbarism, when it is remembered how very loth English legislation is to see things from the point of view of broad cosmopolitan principles. must be printed in Canada in order to obtain local copy. right. The following is the section referred to: " If a book as to which there is subsisting copyright under the Copyright Act has been first lawfully published in any part of Her Majesty's dominions other than Canada, and if it is proved to the satisfaction of the Minister of Agriculture that the owner of the copyright 80 subsisting and of the copyright acquired by such publication bas lawfully granted a licence to reproduce in Canada, from movable or other types, or from stereotype plates, or from electro plates, or from lithograph stones, or by any process for facsimile reproduction, an edition or editions of such book designed for sale only in Canada, the minister may, notwithstanding anything in the Copyright Act, by order ander his hand, prohibit the importation, except with the written consent of the licensee, into Canada of any copies of such book printed elsewhere, provided that two such copies may be specially imported for the bona fide use of any public free library or any university or college library, or for the library of any duly incorporated institution or society for the use of the members of such institution or society." Does this support the idea that Canadian copyright is ondangered, and that local copyright may be obtained without printing ? It is farther stated in your report that Mr. W. P. Gundy “made it clear that the English Bill omitted the clause of compelling printing in this country.” The English Bill does not compel this country to do anything if it does not see fit to. The question raieed at tbe meeting is an old one. It has failed time and time again, and it is this : Certain parties in Canada want to reprint English books whetber the English authors consent to it or not. In my opinion tbis course would be destructive of Canadian pablishing and the interests connected with it, because it would destroy the existing friendly relations between Canadian publishers and English publishers and authors, and would prevent the growth of native literature as a similar polioy did in the United States prior to the American legislation of 1891. Piracy is fatal. GEORGE N. MORANG. Toronto, Feb. 19. IV.-CANADIAN COPYRIGHT. The Canadian copyright question has been again raised by an article in the Toronto Globe of Feb. 19, under a flaring big type heading : “Endangers our Copyright.” The article was a report of a meeting of certain trade bodies of Toronto, and bears out the fact that the best interests of Canada on this ques- tion are altogether inadequately understood by the trades concerned. The wider question of whose property is being dealt with-that of the author - was of course not considered at all. However, we are glad to report that the stir made by this meeting has somewhat subsided, and there appears to be no doubt, owing chiefly to the efforts of Mr. G. N. Morang, the Toronto publisher, that the matter has been clearly put before the trades, and laboriously explained to their representatives. The trade bodies have now given their approval to the Copyright Amendment Act (Canada) of last year and the proposals contained in Lord Monkswell's Bill. We have pleasure in printing herewith a letter from Mr. Morang to the Toronto Globe of Feb. 20, and an article on Canaoian Copyright that appeared in the Toronto Mail and Empire of the same date. Both these communications are full of interest, and show a thorough knowledge of the subject. CANADIAN COPYRIGHT NOT ENDANGERED. To tbe Editor of the Globe,—The report of the meeting of tbe booksellers' section of the Board of Trade appearing in your paper this morning is, I think, likely to give a wrung ia pression of what took place, while the heading you bave put to it, “ Endangere our Copyright,” may unneces. sarily alarm tbe public. In the first paragraph it is stated that the Copyright Bill now before the House of Lords will give Canadian copyright to a book without its being printed here. Tbis is not tbe fact. Lord Monkswell's Bill, which is framed to deal with Imperial copyright, contains a clause wbich gives any colody a right to pass a local Copyright Aot which prohibits the importation of English editions if such colony reprints or imports for sale under a licence from the owner of the Imperial copyright. Anyone reading the Bill will see that an option is implied, and in the Canadian Act of 1900 not a single word is said about the importing of "sheets,” but it distinctly states that a book VOL. XI. CANADIAN COPYRIGHT. It would be a misfortune if anything occurred in Canada at the present time that might be construed as antagonistic to the Copyright Bill wbich will shortly come before the British Parliament ander the sponsorship of Lord Monks. well. Tbat Bill is conceived in a large and Imporial spirit, and it takes into consideration the needs of the empire as a whole. No one who bas duly considered its provisions can fail to come to this conclusion. It is no hurriedly.drawn makeshift ; its fairness to all parties is undeniable, and the idea that it will militate against Canadian interests is absurd. As a matter of fact, the Canadian Bill of last year that dealt with copyright, and Lord Monks well's Bill that will undoubtedly become law in the near future, place copyright matters on a sounder basis than they have ever before occupied. The desiderata with reference to copyright are that the author shall have reasonable protection for the fruit of his brain throughout the empire of wbich he is a citizen, and that colonies that have arrived at the adalt stage, and have printing and publishing facilities of their own, shall be able to reserve their own markets for their own prodao- tion of such authors' works, if they wish to do so, and are disposed to take the risk of printing them. Let us take an example. Mr. A. is a world-known writer, whose books bave sold by the thousand throughout the English-speaking markets of the globe. He publishes a new book which is BB  ## p. 194 (#266) ############################################ 194 THE AUTHOR. copyrighted in England. That copyright is valid all over defendants ? Did the delay damage the book ? the British Empire. He arranges with a British publisher If so to what extent? to issue it. What does the copyright mean in that case ? The defence introduced points which bad Undoubtedly it means that the edition of that particular publisher is the only one that can be legally sold wherever nothing to do with the case : as that we plant the flag flies. In Canada, for instance, that edition can had paid £110 for the cost of production : that keep out the importation of United States editions of the the firm had lost money by the book : that they samo work, and this has recently been determined by the had spent so much in advertising : that no one courts. Now that is satisfactory as far as Imperial copyright is concerned. But a colony baving the status would buy the book : that they had sold less than that Canada has, naturally says: “ We can print and 100 copies : that the book had been “pushed ”- publish our own books. We bave a great paper all this was “ garnish” and had nothing whatever industry, we have a very large printing interest; our to do with the case, which simply consisted of bookbinding concerns compare favourably with those of those questions mentioned above. New York and London. Why should we not make The true defence was an allegation that the an arrangement with the copyright owner whereby we can print the work in Canada, on paper made in Canada, and plaintiff was the cause of the delay himself by have it bound by Canadian bookbinders ?” It was this mis-spelling a title page : that the book query that commended itself to the common sense of Parlia. required a certain kind of type: and that no ment last session, when they passed the Canadian Copyright damage was done to the book by the delay. Act, which received Government and Opposition support, and the same thing also appealed to the sense of justice of 1. As regards the mis-spelling of the title page : the framers of Lord Monkswell's Bill. The provisions of the defendant should bave been asked how many both these measures are in harmony with Canadian interests. copies were bound up with the mis-spelt page : They distinctly provide that when a copyright owner makes how long it took to take out that page and to an arrangement with a colonial publisher to print or publish substitute another. It does not appear that he a work in that colony, he shall be protected even against was asked this simple but very important ques. the incoming of the English edition. Canada bas taken advantage of this disposition on the part of the British autho tion. rities, and bas enacted legislation providing that when a copy. 2. As regards the type wanted, the defendants right work is printed in Canada it shall stand against all should have been asked why they made the con- comers, English included. There is nothing in the Act of tract-which was not denied before sending the 1900 wbich gives imported “sheets” local copyright. Not only oan the publisher keep out the United States reprint, book to be printed. If they found out, after but he can invoke the Customs authorities to restrain signing the contract, that this delay would be English importations. This, let it be distinctly remarked, caused, the plaintiff was certainly not to blame. is contingent upon the Canadian production of the work, It does not appear from the report that this ques- and the Canadian production of the work implies of course tion was asked. the employment of Canadian printers, papermakers, book. binders, et al. If no special arrangements are made Old On the subject of delay, Mr. Murray is reported Country publications are of course free to come in to to have said that the loss of the Easter demand Canada on payment of the duty that all countries pay. We would be prejudicial. Mr. F. Macmillan is do not suppose that anybody in these days would wish to reported to have said that it would not be pre- restrict this freedom. But no one can read the Act that is judicial. Certain booksellers declared that it was the Canadian Parliament passed last year, or the text of Lord Monks well's Bill, without feeling that together they e not prejudicial. A traveller said that booksellers embody a large and statesmanlike settlement of the subject. would not subscribe the book. - Toronto Mail and Empire, Feb. 20. All this evidence, apparently contradictory, is - true, but it should be explained. There can be no doubt whatever that there is a greater V.--WHITE 1. ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND Co. demand at Easter than a month after Easter-for The hearing of this case took place on Friday, books in demand. For books not popular there March 22. According to the reports it was pre is no time more favourable than any other times, sented and argued on grounds which appear to because at no season are they wanted. If book- have been chiefly irrelevant and superfluous. sellers will not subscribe a book there is no The plaintiff's case was quite simple. He market for it, either at Easter or at any other alleged that the defendants had contracted to time. To what class-popular or unpopular- produce his book by March 20: that they delayed did this book belong? If to the latter, the book- it till April 20: that they lost thereby the Easter sellers who denied that it was injured by the market : that the course of events caused the loss of the Easter demand were undoubtedly postponement of reviews of his book until August right. If to the former, Mr. Murray's general and thereby further prejudiced the sale of the proposition applied to this book, and it was book. injured. But the difference required to be pointed It will be seen that these allegations required out. We are not arguing that the defendants simply question and answer. Was the contract were to blame or that the plaintiff was wrong. correctly stated ? Was the delay due to the Weare only showing that, according to the report,  ## p. 195 (#267) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 195 the issues were confused by the introduction of Pension Fund of the Society. He said he had superfluous considerations, and that the real much pleasure in stating that this scheme had causes of the delay, as stated by the plaintiff, do been started so far satisfactorily, and that the not appear to have been kept in the front at trustees had declared a sum of £66 available all. Two points are instructive: the willingness for pensions for the current year through the of the plaintiff to pay the cost of production, scheme. He desired, however, to draw the atten- and the remarkable unanimity of the booksellers tion of the members to the fact that, though the in refusing to subscribe the book. The author scheme had been well supported, he hoped a clearly believed that his book would have a run large body of the members would become sub- -to recoup his £110 would have required a sale scribers of sums, however small, annually, and of 700 copies at least, and the publisher sold that the scheme would be supported in the less than 100. As booksellers refused to take it, future by annual subscriptions as well as by the book was not published. That is to say, it substantial donations. He then drew attention was printed but not offered to the public to the financial statement, and declared that the Perhaps literary aspirants will understand the position of the Society was on the whole satis- difference. A publisher cannot offer a book to factory. the public : he can produce it-print it, bind it, The next item was the election of members to advertise it, and offer it to the booksellers. When the Pension Fund Committee by the members à MS. has been refused by the publishers it is of the Society. Mr. Hawkins read out the tolerably certain that even if an author pays for it names of the candidates and their proposers as the book will not be published. It will fall flat: it follows:-MRS. ALEC TWEEDIE, nominated by will never be put on exhibition : its production is a J. M. Barrie, Anstey Guthrie, Herbert Trench; waste of money and time, and a bitter disappoint- MR. MORLEY ROBERTS, nominated by E. W. ment to the author. And, if he takes his reputa. Hornung, W. Morris Colles, H. A. Bryden ; Mr. tion and his shattered hopes into court, he will M. H. SPIELMANN, nominated by W. M. Rossetti, probably find, as in the case of White v. Henry Cresswell, A. S. Rose. He stated that, as Constable, that his case is treated as a fitting peg there were only three candidates for the three for a succession of lively jokes. vacancies, they might be declared elected. Accordingly their election was formally ratified. On the Chairman resuming his seat, MR. BERNARD Shaw asked a few questions about the MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY. action which the Society was taking with regard to the Copyright Bill. He trusted that they were · looking closely into the matter, and were taking M HE general meeting of the shareholders care that the interests of authors and dramatists (the Council) of the Society of Authors were sufficiently protected. The Chairman made was beld at 20, Hanover-square, W., at a short statement in reply, putting forward the 3.30, on Thursday, Feb 28. The chairman of the steps that the Committee had taken, and stating managing committee, MR. A. HOPE HAWKINS, that the course of the measure would be carefully presided, and the report, balance-sheet, and watched. accounts were laid before the meeting and Subsequently several members made sugges- unanimously adopted. tions as to increasing the efficiency of the Pension At 4.15 on the same day the general meeting Fund. Mr. Prelooker, Miss Friswell, and Mr. of the Society of Authors was held at the same J. Louis considered that conversaziones and other place. Mr. A. HOPE HAWKINS again took the social functions would be desirable. Mr. Bernard chair. Shaw and Mr. H. N. Hutchinson also spoke on The proceedings were opened by the Chairman the subject of the Fund. making a short statement with regard to the The Chairman replied that the matter would accounts and The report. He pointed out the be laid before the Pension Fund Committee, who successful steps the Society had taken with regard would carefully consider the suggestions put to copyright legislation both in Canada and in forward. England, and referred to tbe fact that the MR. BERNARD Shaw paid an eloquent tribute to Government were about to bring forward the the work that the Society was doing for authors, Copyright Bill. He then drew attention to the and stated that he thought all authors should join strong support the Society had received from the Society, as if they were not obtaining help dramatic authors, and to the sub-committee that individually, collectively, no doubt, they obtained had been formed to deal with dramatic ques. considerable advantage from the efforts of the tions. The next point he dealt with was the Society on their behalf,  ## p. 196 (#268) ############################################ 196 THE AUTHOR. Miss CLEMENTINA BLACK suggested that, if possible, the work of the Society should be advertised more widely, in order that it might be made known to the younger authors. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman (pro- posed by Mr. A. W. à Beckett) the proceedings terminated. AMERICAN LETTER. the business in the various towns in the faster selling books, such as novels and other light literature.” NET PRICES IN FUTURE. The publishers' agreement provides in sub- stance that all copyrighted books first issued by members of the association after May 1, 1901, shall be published at net prices; that such net copyrighted books shall be sold by the publishers to those booksellers only who will maintain the retail price of such net copyrighted books for one year, and to those booksellers and jobbers only who will sell their books further to no one known to them to cut such net prices or whose name has been given to them by the association as one who cuts such prices; that after the expiration of a year from the publication of any such net copy- righted book dealers shall not be held to these restrictions and may sell such book at a cut price, but if, on learning of such action, the publisher shall desire to buy back at the purchase price the copies then remaining in the dealer's hands, they must be resold to him on demand. It is noted that the Harpers have published recently a novel listed at the net retail price of one dollar and twenty cents. The book is one which would be priced at one and one-half dollars under the old order of things. Thus the experi- ment may be said to be fairly started; the out- come will be interesting, for if our publishers can effectively organise for this particular object, other purposes will suggest themselves which wil. make the American Publishers' Association a powerful factor in the commerce of letters. New York City, March 8, 1901. UR American Publishers' Association at last has manifested itself; the visible sign of its activity takes the form of an agreement by which the retail prices of books are to be main- tained at the catalogue prices, and a reduction is to be made in the net price for the ben-fit of the retail dealers, whom the low prices of the depart- ment stores have almost driven out of business. In England, I believe, vet prices prevail ; but the custom of the trade has been different with us, and because of the evils of the “cutting” system the Publishers' Association was organised. This custom of “cutting” prices in books, which now affects all concerned in their production, can be no better described than by quoting Mr. John H. Dingman's article in the American Printer :- “At first the supposed interests of a rival book- seller led the latter to offer certain volumes at a price lower than the retail, this procedure being immediately met by his neighbour, and that action in various localities has been followed by the cutting of prices from a living margin of profit to a price in many cases approaching the cost, and sometimes reaching it and going below it. The extreme cuts in prices, however, have been made by department stores, whose proprie tors, finding the intense interest of the public in books of superior quality, by noted authors, bave come to use such books as inducements to secure the attendance of customers at their stores, where, having secured their presence, they have been able to sell them other articles of merchandise. upon which they could make their usual profit, though they lost almost all or the whole of the profit on the books offered. It can be readily seen that this proceeding could tend only to damaging the interests of those who kept books alone for sale, and who depended entirely upon them for a living. This has so resulted, and has done mate. rial injury to many careful and conservative book sellers, some of whom have been driven out of the business. It has also come about-slowly, but nevertheless surely—that the larger de part. ment stores have secured a material proportion of An Artful Evasion. An ingenious American publisher (presumably not a member of the association) is said to have conceived the idea of securing a manuscript by an English author, setting the type in New York and printing half-a-dozen advance copies here, making application for copyright at Washington, shipping the plates to England, manufacturing an edition there, reshipping bound copies back again for sale, and then claiming a perfect copyright under the laws of the United States. This reported scheme was laid before the Librarian of Congress, with a request for an interpretation of the law bearing upon it, the principal question being whether all of the books that are sold in the United States under the Act must be printed or manufactured here. The Register's reply is printed at length in Literary Life. Mr. Solberg, after premising that his office is purely an office of record and can give no autho- ritative construction of the law, observes that there seems to be no explicit stipulation in the Act that  ## p. 197 (#269) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 197 press work on books for which its protection is These zealous critics have attracted undue claimed shall be done within the limits of the attention, perhaps, because our public libraries United States. “ It is, of course,” he says, “a now are very steadily in the public eye. The reasonable assumption that in making this pro. total number of books reported in 1876 by 3600 vision of law Congress supposed that if the type libraries having 300 or more each was 12,277,000; was set in the United States the press work would the total number reported in 1896 by 7200 also be done in the United States.” But where libraries was 34,600,000. The growth and the impression is from plates rather than type the increase of such establishments have been supposition does not follow so logically. At best remarkable. In the past decade there have been the point is indefinite, and presents one of the erected or begun five library buildings — the considerations which will probably lead sooner or Library of Congress, the public libraries of later to a revision of the statute in toto. Boston, Chicago, New York, and Pittsburg- whose aggregate cost will exceed fifteen million THE PIRATE'S OPPORTUNITY, dollars, or about three million pounds. The free While upon this subject I must record two circulation of books for home use from public curious instances of thriftlessness. Neither libraries throughout the country is estimated by “ Elizabeth and Her German Garden” nor “An an expert at 40,000,000 a year. Englishwoman's Love Letters” was copyrighted THE LITERATURE OF POWER. in the United States, and the rush of the pirates reminded one of the good old times before the The public librarian at the city of Providence passage of the international Act. The excellence has caused his institution to be talked of by and the variety of the American authorised equipping therein a room which is to be devoted editions of these books seem to have spoiled the to what he calls “ the literature of power.” “In market for the cheap and irregular issues by the the literature of knowledge," he explains,“ the gentlemen under the black flag; but the short- fundamental consideration is a technical one, sightedness of the English publishers and their while in the literature of power it is the under- failure to copyright here is inexplicable. In a lying spirit that. dominates, and as soon as any. second edition of “ Elizabeth and Her German thing practical becomes the end in view, the work Garden” some new matter was added, and this passes into the realm of knowledge rather than was legally protected. The pirates who reprinted that of power." Upon a wall of this special room the second edition, therefore, are struggling in the Providence library is the inscription : against prosecutions for infringement. “ The books invite you not to study, but to taste and reap.” A thousand books have been deemed BOSTONIAN TASTE. worthy of admission there; it is supposed that they were not chosen by the Examining and The Examining and Reading Committee of the Reading Committee of Boston. The plan is not to Boston Public Library have recently contributed form a small model collection on the lines of Sir much to the gaiety of the nation by making a John Lubbock's, but to select authors who report in which they censor modern fiction in attract readers rather than impart knowledge, surprising fashion. The list of successful novels and the scheme impresses one as novel and com. which have been rejected as unfit for general mendable. John RUSSELL DAVIDSON. circulation has amazed the public, in view of the fact that the committee is a large one, and that the members are selected because of their catholic and cultivated taste. From the shelves of the institution, which is one of the greatest and most PARIS LETTER. influential in the country, they have excluded stories by Harold Frederic, S. R. Crockett, 4 bis, Rue des Beaux-Arts. Egerton Castle, Robert Barr, Maarten Maartens, “MSAY the good God grant me an end like Maurice Hewlett, Sir Walter Besant, Henry V his!” wrote the poet Mistral to his James, and William Dean Howells. Of Mrs. A friend Mariani, on hearing of Armand Ward's “Eleanor” the report remarks: “It is Silvestre's death. The latter event took place in the full of uncertain notes because it comes out of an poet's native town of Toulouse, whither he was unsettled mind. It would not be good for girls. conveyed in accordance with his own desire) as They would be casting about for Manistys, as soon as all hope of his eventual recovery was girls of a bygone time looked for Rochesters." abandoned. An enormous crowd was present at The Bostonian young person must be guarded, the interment, on which occasion eloquent orations and so out goes " Eleanor.” were delivered by the respective representatives VOL. XI.  ## p. 198 (#270) ############################################ 198 THE AUTHOR. M of the Government, the Press, the Société des Gens mising the success of a new play by a fore- de Lettres, and the Comédie Française. Military knowledge of its intrigue will be avoided. honours were paid the dead; and among the Whether this measure will restore the primitive pyramid of floral tributes offered by sorrowing enthusiasm of the Parisian theatre-goer remains friends and admirers bloomed conspicuous the to be seen. sweet Toulousan violet, whose praises the dead A purer era seems dawning in stage literature. man had so often sung. M. Armand Silvestre Several clever plays dealing with a comparatively was born in 1838. He entered Government new phase of life--the duties and responsibilities employ in 1859, and shortly after made his of existence-have recently been performed amid literary début by the publication of a collection of the applause of an audience wearied of the poems of no ordinary merit. His “ Renaissances,” unsavoury complications of the “ ménage à trois.” “ Paysages metaphysique,” “Vers pour être M. Franck, of the Gymnase, is to be congratu- chantés,” and “ Sonnets païens" rank among the lated on having followed M. Antoine's lead. No finest lyric productions of the modern Parnassian fewer than five new plays by unknown authors school. “They are the hymns of the ancient in the have been received at his theatre. Among them mouth of a modern,” was George Sand's verdict, may be reckoned the *“ Domaine” of M. Lucien on reading the latter work. Later M. Silvestre Besnard (whose maiden effort was, I believe, attempted the Rabelaisian style in prose. He accepted by M. Antoine). The dialogue of this. published numerous tales verging ou the obscene clever, incisive portrayal of the combat between -which added to his revenue, but scarcely to his the old and new régime, of the struggle between credit. His official career was, meantime, pursued classes and masses, is remarkably well-written. with unabated vigour. He was nominated It was applauded by the general public and even chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and in 1892 by the representatives of the class whose foibles was promoted to the post of inspector of Fine it unveiled. M. Besnard belongs to the risiny Arts. He also found time to write a large number generation, having been born in 1872. of reputable critiques on art and the drama, in addition to collaborating in the production of M. EUGENE BRIEUX. innumerable plays, sacred and historical dramas, farces, operettas, &c., and becoming a valued con- The “Remplaçantes” of M. Brieux likewise tributor to several papers. M. Brieux is no deserves special mention. “Setting aside the talent manifested in his lyric poems, Armand neophyte in such matters, having already given Silvestre still retains the originality of having the French stage about a dozen thoughtfully sounded the two chords situated at the farthest written plays, each denouncing some social abuse, extremes of the poetic lyre,” writes M. Lemaitre. some hidden gangrene in that vast psychological machine called modern society. This “ Don “His double work furnishes a striking commen- tary to Pascal's reflection on man the angel and Quichotte of the Faubourg Saint Antoine” is a true son of the people, having laid down the man the beast.” The last verses written by the deceased poet plane to take up the pen. His latest work brings before the Parisian public the fatal consequences were those comprising the final soliloquy of Charlotte Corday in her prison (which drama, of the fashionable custom of paying an illiterate bearing its heroine's name, is now being performed peasant mother to perform the first duties of maternity. The mortality of new-born infants in at the Opéra Populaire). They finish thus :- the districts from which these luckless substitutes Et l'aube du jour qui s'apprête M'apporte l'immortalité ! are principally drawn is reported to amount to no less than forty, fifty, and even seventy per DRAMATIC SURVEY. cent. A ghastly figure truly! The lassitude of the Parisian public à propos M. George Ohnet's “ Les Rouges et les Blancs” of dramatic representations has been uneasily (written at the truant M. Coquelin's request, and remarked by more than one critic. Managers are performed at the Porte-Saint-Martin Theatre) did not fulfil popular expectation. Nor has endeavouring to combat this indifference by retrenching the indiscriminate issue of compli. M. Henri Lavedan's “ Médicis," a witty satire on mentary tickets and the time-honoured press bourgeois snobs, false connoisseurs, and spurious pass. In some theatres standard dramatic critics vertu-hunters, fared much better at the Variétés. alone will henceforth be admitted to the full- dress rehearsal. Editors, reporters, correspon- AMONG THE NOVELISTS. dents, and like small fry will be invited to the Here, also, a curious inertia prevails. Not first-night performance in company with the that the output of fiction has lessened, but that it general public. Hence the danger of compro- appears monthly becoming rarer to find a novel  ## p. 199 (#271) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 199 distinctly rising above the level of talented A little later he carried his “ Taverne des mediocrity. “Of making many books there is Étudiants" to the Odeon. On seeing him enter no end," quoth Solomon the Wise. “What with a manuscript, the concierge exclaimed : doth it profit one, then, to have added to the “Ah! ah! yet another! This is the fiftieth overmath ? might be the réplique of hundreds which has been brought here to-day!” Never- of weary hack-writers, aghast at the minimum theless, it was accepted; though, owing to a result of a lifetime's labour. Experience teaches political intrigue, it proved a signal failure. that the remedy lies in co-operation, and a strict Nothing daunted, the young Sardou set to adherence to business principles. work and wrote an article on Jérome Cardan. It The sad examples of Mme. Camille Bias, cost him seven months' research; he received author of over forty successful—and, in some thirty-two francs in remuneration. His collabora- instances, notable—novels, who at eighty years tion in the “Biographie générale” of Firmin of age was forced to appeal to public charity Didot, and tbe lessons given to a wine merchant's for the necessary daily pittance; and Mme. son at Charenton, alone kept the wolf at bay Moreton-Chabrillan, whose early follies were during those dark days. His “Candide” was expiated by forty years' hard literary labour, accepted by the manager of the Déjazet theatre, including the production of a large number of but failed in passing the censorship. Finally, popular novels and plays (evanescent successes “M. Garat” and “ Premières armes de Richelieu,” of the moment !), and who finally found herself, performed at the same theatre, proved the inau- at seventy-five years of age, reduced to penury, guration of that triumphant literary career which furnish a striking apologue to a certain well has won M. Sardou a European reputation as the known fable—and a dreary subject of reflection first dramatist in France. He is likewise reputed to the victims of unbusiness-like transactions to be one of the best business men on record. Suggestive and pathetic, too, the following advertisement of some hapless literary abortive New PUBLICATIONS. in the columns of the Bibliothèque register: “ Cinq Ans de ma Vie” (1894-1899), by M. “I do everything in literature-prose, poetry, Alfred Dreyfus, advertised as appearing shortly, copies, catalogues, translations, historical re- is eagerly awaited by the partisans of the Affair ; searches. I undertake novels, dramas, plays, though the recently published “ La Vérité en vaudevilles, simple frame-work or distribution Marche ” of M. Emile Zola, dealing with the same into acts, scenes, and dialogues—with or without subject, does not appear to be enjoying an abnor- copy, au net for reading, at a price which defies mally large sale. Nor has the small illus- all competition. References permitted to Messieurs trated volume issued by the Henri Daragon firm, X- , member of the French Academy; Y— , including samples (photographic and otherwise) of the Society of Dramatic Authors; 2- of of the seventeen songs and hundred bibelots- the Society of Authors (Société des Gens de Kruger-pipe, Kruger-plate, Kruger-knife, Kruger- Lettres).” studs, &c.-manufactured in France in honour of M. VICTORIEN SARDOU. the ex-president of the Transvaal, had any excep- The brilliant revival of “Patrie" (Comédie tional vogue. “La Presse française au XXe. Française) has brought M. Victorien Sardou Siècle," by M. Henri Avenel, is an interesting vividly before the public mind. The début of the work whose title sufficiently indicates its import; future president of the Dramatic Authors' “ Joséphine Répudiée," by M. Frédéric Masson, Society was hardly encouraging. faithfully continues the portrayal of the forsaken “I wish to be a writer," said he, on arriving at wife of the great Napoleon ; while “ Le Mariage seventeen years of age. His father offered him de Louis XV.," by M. Gautier-Villars, is a well- the choice between a legal and medical career. written book, a true “find” for the popular He chose the latter, esteeming it particularly historian; as is also “Mes Souvenirs,” by M. useful to an author to know the scientific secrets Moreau, edited with copious notes by M. Camille of a doctor's profession. Eighteen months' Hermelin (chez Plon)." apprenticeship in the Neckar Hospital was the I n fiction, the most talked-of books of the result of this decision. Here (I believe) he moment are : “ Le Fantôme," by M. Paul Bourget commenced his “Reine Ulfra," which he found (chez Plon), a psychological study of an unsavoury means to bring under the notice of the celebrated incident; “La Tragédie du Nouveau Christ,” by Rachel. M. Saint-Georges de Bouhélier, which represents “A tragedy whose scene is laid in Sweden ? the Saviour reincarnated under the form of a Never!” cried she, emphatically. “Let the poor vagabond in the midst of a needy manu- young man write a Greek piece, and I may facturing population;” “Jours d'Eté,” by M. play it." André Theuriet; “Heureux Ménage," by M.  ## p. 200 (#272) ############################################ 200 THE AUTHOR. Marcel Prévost, who is at present engaged in another sum of £1046 10s. 8d. The management dramatising this novel for the Athénée theatre; expenses were covered by the sum of £539, which and “Les Tronçons du Glaive," by MM. Paul is very small. Is Sir Theodore reported correctly? and Victor Margueritté. Have the receipts of the society decreased ? One DARRACOTTE SCOTT. would like the point explained. At the same time the customary begging dinner is to be held, with the usual talk, no doubt, about necessitous authors and the usual entreaty to the public to assist a NOTES AND NEWS. society which has nearly £60,000 invested, and could only last year find thirty-one cases deserving of assistance. I said last year, and I repeat it, M HE death of Charlotte Yonge at the age of that the Royal Literary Fund has quite as much seventy-eight cannot be said to have been money as it wants : that to go every year to the - unexpected. At the same time it is a grave public and beg for more can only be justified on loss. Her activity of mind was maintained almost the ground of the necessities of literature: that to the very end, though the message which she these necessities are amply provided for: and had to deliver belonged to a past generation. It that to continue the dinner and the appeal is a was her lot to educate the young English gentle- needless humiliation to the cause of Literature. woman. Charlotte Yonge took her out of the conventionalities with which, fifty years ago, she was surrounded and brought up: the conven- A bookseller assured me the other day that the tional religion of an unreal Calvinism which the Net System was gaining ground every day: that Englishwoman applied to her friends but not to the trade liked it: that the public liked it. These herself; the conventional views of life, based vague statements could easily be tested. I had, upon ignorance ; a conventional Art, conventional lying on my table, another bookseller's catalogue manners, conventional talk, conventional affecta- of new books and reprints, with their prices for tions. Charlotte Yonge made her life real for her one month. I therefore took the trouble to run before the realities of maternity opened her eyes: through the list, and this is what I found: There she gave her views of conduct, of Art, of occupa- were 388 books in the list, of which a few were tion, of responsibilities. The younger generation, mere catalogues, calendars, and the like, which are which has been brought up in the ideas first not books. Of the 388, there were 124 marked as taught by this writer, does not know what her “net”-that is to say, one-third of the books in influence meant to the elders. Perhaps—but I do this list are “net” books. This fact, taken alone, not know — someone in the next century, in supports the evidence of the bookseller. I next considering the history of Englishwomen in proceeded to classify this third. I found that the Victorian era, will restore and prove what medical books, highly priced, and published Charlotte Yonge did for them. If one had the solely for the use of medical men, took twenty- time a study of the Englishwoman as Miss Yonge four of them; that religious books took another found her compared with the same woman as nineteen; that there were fifteen books on Miss Yonge left her would be as instructive as it science, mostly highly priced; that history would certainly be surprising. and biography took fourteen; art, trade, and crafts, six ; poems, six ; essays and philosophy, five; sport, two; travel, six; and novels, two, of At the annual meeting of the Royal Literary which one was a translation. Finally, there were Fund on March 13 it was stated that the number twenty-five reprints and new editions of standard of grants made in the year 1900 was thirty-one, authors. Therefore one deduces the conclusion the aggregate sum given amounting to £2085. that, so far, net books are such as the public does Sir Theodore Martin is reported to have attributed not greatly covet or need, such as medical and a decrease in the grants to a decrease in the scientific books: or such as the public will buy receipts of the fund. I have before me the report without looking too closely into the price, such for the year 1898—those for 1899 and 1900 I have as religious books: or such as very few people mislaid. I there find that the grants for that want, as new poems : or such old books as a year amounted to £1905, and that the average good many people want to possess. It is, there- for ten years had then been £2164 ; that the fore, fair to conclude, with this list before us, total sum invested is £56,269 168. 8d., pro- that the net system, so far, has hardly touched ducing an income of £1700 128. gd.; that the the great book market, nor is it easy to under- annual dinner produced $938 158. od.; and stand that it ever will. One cannot make books that other subscriptions and donations yielded more popular by making them dearer.  ## p. 201 (#273) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 201 I have always been of opinion that the true way threat should not be uttered. With all respect of publishing is to send to booksellers their own for a paper which does so much for the true choice of books on sale or return. I think, interests of Literature as that named after the further, that the price at which they buy of the cause, it is quite certain that there are papers publishers has nothing to do with the public, so which depend entirely on publishers' advertise- that any bookseller would place his own price ments and would perish if these were withdrawn. upon his books. I have now, however, come to the conclusion that the bookseller does not like Literature, on the other hand, puts in a word the sale or return system : he would rather keep to the old ways : * stock” his shelves himself : of plain sense for the mass of “respectable” and sell his own wares, even though he consents work which certainly does not bear upon it the to the fetters of a “ net” system. stamp of genius. It may receive its due commen- It remains to be seen what developments may take place in dations, regard being paid to the circumstances other directions. A pushing, energetic trade in and the reason of its production: the intention of the author and the way in which that intention cheap literature or in books taken on sale or return would perhaps sweep away altogether the has been carried out. The uses of “respectable" present system by which the whole risk is generally literature are shown in a thousand books of laid upon the back of the bookseller, who accepts travel, of biography, of compilation ; even of it without a murmur simply because he has always poetry, fiction, and essays written for the great class who are not scholars and capable of raising accepted it. their thoughts to a somewhat higher elevation : but not written over their heads. But we must The Literary Year Book for 1901 has made a not confuse this kind of work with the rare and belated appearance. A notice of the book will appear in the May number of The Author. Mean. precious gifts of genius. time it may be observed that I have looked in vain for any information on the most essential I have had a few letters on the subject—not so points of all-viz., the cost of production and the many as might have been expected on a point of connection between that amount, the trade price, such vital importance. One need not quote these and the question of royalty; further, that as a good letters in full. The points chiefly touched seem deal may have to be said about the chapter on to be as follows:- agreements, members of the Society will kindly 1. The treatment of the average man by the remember that any advice or information on this critics is such as to place him on a level with the subject which is furnished by a private person writer of genius. cannot possibly in the nature of things be so com 2. He is backed by the critics who over-esti. plete and trustworthy as that furnished by the mate his productions, not as a tendency, but as Society itself with its access to agreements an established custom. innumerable and its knowledge of what they 3. So far there seems a general agreement with mean. Mr. Collins. On the other hand, to say that an “editor is obliged to assume honesty in his con- Except in Literature, I have not seen any tributor" is to say that an editor is obliged to comments on the exposure by Mr. Churton lay down his authority. Suppose a critic on the Collins of the present condition of criticism. In subject of gloves were to recommend the bad Literature there is an answer which I fear Mr. gloves sold br a friend; how long would he be Collins will not accept as decisive. “It is allowed to continue? Then why is inferior litera- human," the writer says, “ to speak up for a ture allowed to be recommended and stamped friend: to be angry if your wares are condemned: with approval ? Anyone who knows the name of to wish to stand well with persons with whom one the writer of a review can at once tell whether he does business.” Undoubtedly it is human. But is an honest man or not. Then why should not Mr. Collins's contention is that a book sent out the editor be able to tell ? Of course he knows, for review demands impartiality, although parti. but he does not care. That is the burden of ality is “human.” If the editor were to say half-a-dozen letters. boldly that log-rolling was allowed in his columns 4. The deference of editors to publishers, because it is human he would get no books to another writer points out, is shown by the review- review. Literature says that "publishers who ing of books in a batch. When to one woman approach the editor in the no song no supper (who does the job cheaply) is assigned a dozen style are a figment of Mr. Churton Collins's novels every week, the publisher of each can imagination.” It needs not, however, the ex. generally find a line or a disconnected adjective pressed threat: it is much more polite that the to quote; but the weight of criticism is destroyed :  ## p. 202 (#274) ############################################ 202 THE AUTHOR. the public are no longer influenced : they do not be quite as productive of good as the great read the short paragraphs: the paper has prizes. surrendered its authority- and for what? For It will be noticed that the benefits of the an advertisement which it would probably have foundation are to be open to all nationalities obtained under other circumstances. without distinction. No restriction of sex is 5. Another point alleged is that Mr. Churton mentioned in the statutes. Collins thinks too highly of the power of criticism. The Nobel Foundation is based on the will of It is not the critic who brings a book into demand Dr. Alfred Bernhard Nobel, dated Nov. 27, 1895, or kills a book. Log-rolling, personal malice, of which the following passage contains the incompetence, recklessness, the review of books stipulations with regard to the foundation : “ The in batches, have between them killed the power of residue of my realisable property left after my the very best and most competent critic. Books death shall be disposed of as follows: The are advanced by word of mouth : “ Have you capital, invested in safe investments by the read” this or that book ? and so the book grows executors of my will, shall constitute a fund of in demand, whether the critic speaks well of it which the interest shall be distributed annually or ill. as a reward to such persons as have rendered to 6. There are critics left, and good critics. Let humanity the greatest services during the pre- us implore them to go on giving us their best. ceding year. The total amount shall be divided The time will come when their services will into five equal parts, and allotted, one (part to once more be valued as they should be, and the person who has made the most important when an editor will no longer be restrained discovery or invention in the physical sciences; by feelings of courtesy from showing to the another (part] to the person who has made the door the reviewer who has betrayed the con- most important discovery or the greatest improve- fidence reposed in him, and has damaged the ment in chemistry ; the third to the author of influence of the paper by false opinion, sup the most important discovery in the domain of pression of the truth, incompetence, and log- physiology or medicine; the fourth to the person rolling WALTER BESANT. who has produced the most remarkable literary work of an idealist tendency; and, finally, the fifth to the person who has done most, or laboured best, for the cause of fraternity among different THE NOBEL FOUNDATION AND THE peoples, for the suppression or reduction of NOBEL PRIZES. standing armies, or for the formation and pro- motion of peace congresses. The prizes shall be awarded as follows:-For LFRED BERNHARD NOBEL, the in- physics and chemistry by the Swedish Academy ventor of dynamite, died in 1896, leaving of Sciences; for work in physiology and medicine the residue of bis great fortune, estimated by the Caroline Institute of Stockholm ; for at about £2,000,000 sterling, for the foundation of literature by the Stockholm Academy; and, five annual prizes, to be awarded for the most finally, for the cause of peace, by a commission of important discoveries in physics, chemistry, and five members elected by the Norwegian Storthing. physiology or medicine, for the most remarkable It is my express desire that in the award of the literary work of an idealist tendency, and for the prizes no account shall be taken of nationality, so greatest service rendered to the cause of peace that each prize may go to the most worthy, during the year. The value of each prize will be whether he be Scandinavian or not. about £8000. An agreement was made with certain heirs to An official French translation of the statutes a smaller portion of Dr. Nobel's property, by and regulations relating to the Nobel Foundation which they renounced the inheritance for them- has just been issued. The original documents selves and their heirs, on the express condition received the sanction of the King of Sweden on that- June 29, 1900. (a) The general statutes regulating the award It will be seen that the text of the will has of the prizes by the competent authorities received a liberal interpretation. In addition to should be drawn up in concert with a the prizes, provision is made for the establish- delegate representing the Robert Nobel ment of Nobel institutes where researches may family, and submitted for approval to the be carried on, and of special funds from which King of Sweden. grants may be given to promote the objects which (6) That certain permanent regulations, stated the founder had at heart; and both institutes below, should be passed with regard to and special funds are likely, to say the least, to the award of the prizes.  ## p. 203 (#275) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 203 TUTES. 1.—THE STATUTES. person or body of persons qualified to do so. (1) The General Fund. Regulations defining the categories of persons 1. The General Fund is to be controlled by a qualified to propose works for the competitions are council of administration. composed of five given below under the special regulations for the members, of Swedish nationality, sitting at Stock various sections. No person may propose his own holm. The president is to be nominated by the work. King of Sweden. The four other members are to 4: 4. Each proposal must be accompanied by the be elected by a body of fifteen representatives, written works and documents on which the chosen by the corporate bodies named in the will (See 2, below.) support of the proposal. The corporate body A deputy is also to be elected to act in the with whom the award of a prize lies shall be dis- absence of the president, and two deputies are to pensed from proceeding toa detailed examination be elected for each of the other members of the of any proposal in the following cases : (1) if the council. proposal or works presented are not written either The members and deputies will be elected in in one of the Scandinavian languages or in future for a period of two years, the term of office English, French, German, or Latin ; (2) if the beginning on May ist. But two of the members majority of the corporate body in question would of the first council, selected by lot, will retire, be required, in order to appreciate the proposed after a single year of office, so that in future two work, to acquaint themselves with a memoir may retire annually. written in a language of which the interpretation The council will elect one of its members as would entail special difficulties or considerable “ director and admioistrator” (directeur-gérant). expense. 2. Of the fifteen representatives, six are to be 5. The proposals received from the previous chosen by the Academy of Sciences (for the two ist of February to the ist of February in each year sections of physics and chemistry), and three are shall be considered together. The will prescribes to be chosen by each of the other corporate bodies that prizes shall be awarded for work done “in In addition the Academy of Sciences will nomi. will nomi. the preceding year," but this expression is to be nate four deputy-representatives, and each of the taken to mean “ that the object of the awards other corporate bodies two, to act for representa- shall be (as a rule] the most recent fruit of efforts tives prevented from so doing. in the fields designated in the will, but that it The representatives will hold office for two may be] older work in [exceptional] cases where years. They will elect a president from among its importance has only recently been demon- their number. Nine representatives will form a strated. quorum. 6. If no work be regarded as deserving of a In certain cases the representatives may be prize in any section the amount of the prize is to called on to control the management of the be held over until the next year; if the prize be foundation by the council. not awarded then, the money may be either 3. The functions of the council include the pay- returned to the General Fund by the corporate ment of the money value of prizes to the prize body concerned or invested to form a special fund winners and the payment on requisition of all for the section, the income from which is to be expenses incurred in the award of prizes, the pay- used to promote the chief objects of the founder, ment of sums due to the Nobel Institutes, and of otherwise than by the award of a prize. (See sums required for all other purposes. also under special funds, below.) In accordance 4. One-tenth of the net annual revenue from the with an agreement made with certain heirs of General Fund is to be added to the capital; and Nobel, referred to above, it is stipulated, for all the interest on sums for prizes not awarded is also future time, that in each section a prize shall be to be added to the capital till such sums have awarded at least once in each consecutive period been returned to the General Fund or transferred of five years; and that the value of the prize to a special fund. given shall not be less than sixty per cent. (60°) of the total amount available for the prize, and (2) The Nobel Prizes. that it shall not be divided into more than three 1. The prizes are to be awarded as a rule prizes. The present statutes provide that the annually. The first award of prizes in all the amount of a prize may be equally divided between sections will take place, if possible, in 1901. two works, both being judged worthy of the prize. 2. For a work to be admitted to compete for a A prize may be awarded to the joint work of prize it musi have been printed and published. two or more collaborators. 3. In order to be admitted to the competition The corporate bodies are allowed to decide if each work must be proposed in writing by some prizes within their respective jurisdictions may,  ## p. 204 (#276) ############################################ 204 THE AUTHOR. the Spanish Academy, which resemble this Academy in their organisation and aims. (ii.) Members of the literary sections of other Academies and members of literary societies similar to Academies. (iii.) University professors of æsthetics, litera- ture, and history. This regulation is to be published at least once every five years in an official journal or in one of the newspapers most widely read in the three Scandinavian countries and the principal countries of the civilised world. or may not, be awarded to an institution or a society. 7. The four prizes for physics, chemistry, literature, and medicine will be awarded by the corporate bodies named in the will, after receiving a report in each case from a special committee, to be called a Nobel committee, and consisting of three or five members elected by the corporate body concerned. The “ Peace” prize will be awarded by a commission of the Norwegian Storthing in accordance with the terms of the will. Members of the Nobel committees and of the commission of the Storthing may be of foreign nationality. In special cases the corporate bodies concerned may add to the Nobel committees additional members possessing special com- petence. Members of the Nobel committees may receive a suitable remuneration for their work, to be fixed by the corporate body concerned. 8. Against the decisions with regard to the award of prizes no appeal can be made. If in the deliberations with regard to the award any difference of opinion should arise, it shall neither be mentioned in the minutes of the proceedings nor otherwise revealed in any way. 9. A solemn assembly will be held on the ioth of December in each year, the anniversary of the death of the founder, at which the corporate bodies charged with the award of the prizes will publicly announce their decisions, and will present to each successful candidate an order for the amount of his prize, a diploma, and a gold medal bearing the effigy of the donor, and an appro- priate inscription. 10. Each prizeman is bound, unless he is pre- vented from doing so (à moins d'empéchement), to deliver a public lecture on the subject of the work to which the prize was awarded. The lecture in the case of the first four prizes is to be delivered at Stockholm, in the case of the “Peace” prize, at Christiania. Il. SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR THE SECTION OF LITERATURE. 1. The corporate body for the section is the Swedish Academy According to the statutes the term “ literature" in the will is intended to apply not only to purely literary works, but to all other works possessing from their form and style literary value. The Nobel Prize in Literature. 2. The following institutions and persons are to be entitled to nominate competitors for the prizes, in accordance with the statutes. (i.) Members of the Swedish Academy (re. ferred to hereafter as “the Academy”) and members of the French Academy and The Nobel Literary Institute. 3. The institute will include an important library devoted chiefly to modern literature. The Academy will nominate a librarian with one or more assistant librarians, and also a number of qualified literary assistants, titular and supernu- merary, whose duty it will be to draw up reports on questions relating to the prize and on recent foreign literature, and to execute such translations of foreign works as may be required. of foreign works as m The institute will be placed under the super. vision of an inspector nominated by the King of Sweden and under the immediate direction of one of the members of the Academy nominated specially by this body. The Special Fund for Literature. 4. The Academy has power to use the special fund to encourage, in accordance with the chief objects of the founder, all literary activity, in Sweden and abroad, of such kind as may be regarded as of importance to civilisation, especi- ally in the intellectual domain to which it is the duty of the Academy to devote its attention and care. (See below.) III.-THE CORPORATE Bodies MENTIONED IN THE WILL OF THE FOUNDER. The Royal Academy of Sciences (Kongl. Veten- skaps Akademien) of Stockholm was founded in 1739. Its present statutes bear the date July 13, 1850. Its object is to encourage the sciences, to aid in their development, and to spread scientific knowledge by means of printed publications. The King of Sweden is the patron of the Academy, which includes 100 Swedish and Nor- wegian, and seventv-five foreign members. The national members are divided into nine sections, as follows :- I. Pure Mathematics. II. Applied Mathematics. III. Applied Mechanics. IV. Physical Sciences.  ## p. 205 (#277) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 205 V. Chemistry, Geology, and Mineralogy. CORRESPONDENCE. VI. Botany and Zoology. VII. The Medical Sciences. I.-BOOKS AND REVIEWS. VIII. Technology, Economics, and Statistics. I N reading some passages of the letters recently IX. The Sciences and Scientific Professions published in your columns one can hardly generally. repress a smile at the counsel of perfection so The president of the Academy is elected freely tendered to the scribes who “review" books annually, and there are several other officers, for the daily Press. Do the gentlemen who give including a perpetual secretary, whose especial such good advice know under what conditions most business it is to manage the affairs of the of the “reviewing” in the dailies is done ? I Academy. am referring more particularly to the provincial The Swedish Academy (Svenska Akademien) dailies, of course, when I say that as a rule the of Stockholm was founded on March 20, 1786, by only pay which a “reviewer” gets from them is Gustavus III., and at the same time received its the permission to retain the book “reviewed.” statutes, which are still in force. It is devoted The said volume may be nominally worth 4s. 6d. to literature, including both prose and poetry; net; but usually these “reviewers" will be per- and the chief object of the Academy is to labour fectly willing to supply you with their “acquisi. for the purity, the vigour, and the elevation of tions” by the dozen at a shilling each. This is the Swedish language, in scientific works, and certainly the condition of things upon the pro- especially in the various branches of poetry and vincial daily with which I am connected. We prose, including those which serve for the inter- regular members of the staff are expected to pretation of religious truths. It is the duty of “review” books on these terms—though fortu. the Academy to compile a dictionary and a nately I myself don't get much of this lucrative grammar of the Swedish language, and to publish work to do—and upon my casually expressing a treatises tending to strengthen and develop lite. certain admiration for a good deal of present-day rary taste (le bon goût). The Academy awards fiction one of the “reviewers ” laughingly said : annual prizes for competitions in prose and “My dear fellow, I've got 500 volumes at home, poetry. The King is the patron of the Academy. any of which you are welcome to at a shilling The Academy includes eighteen members, who each.” Looking at the conditions under which must be of Swedish nationality. The officers such “ reviewing ” is done, can any reasonable include a director, a chancellor, and a perpetual man expect it to be of higher quality than it is? secretary. Perhaps not more than four or five men on the The Royal Caroline Institute of Medicine staff do the whole of the “ reviewing” between and Surgery (Kongl, Karolinska Medico-Kirur- them; and most probably not one of the five is giska Instituet) of Stocknolm dates from the really capable of criticising more than one-fourth year 1815. The statutes at present in force of the books he “reviews" with such easy facility. received the sanction of the King of Sweden on The natural and inevitable consequence is that April 29, 1886. The Academy corresponds to a three-fourths of that paper's “ reviewing ” is the Faculty of Medicine, and has the same powers as merest twaddle. And the journal I am engaged the Faculties of Medicine in the Universities of on is by no means an unimportant one. It is a Upsala and Lund. The institute carries on the penny morning sheet, and is published in a town theoretical and practical teaching of the medical of more than 500,000 inhabitants. If, then, the sciences, and awards diplomas to medical students pay for “reviewing” in such a journal is so by examination. munificent, we must not expect it to be better in The direction and administration of the insti. the many hundreds of dailies of lesser con- tute are in the hands of a rector, elected by the sequence. Hence it follows, “as the night the College of Professors from among the members. day," that the bulk of provincial “reviewing ” The present number of Professors is thirty must be trashy and worthless; and no reason. three. able man will expect any other result from such a The Norwegian Stortbing is the Legislative system. Of course there are papers like the Scots- Assembly of Norway. It is elected indirectly by man, Manchester Guardian, Glasgow Herald, and universal suffrage triennially. It consists of 114 a few others, to which the above remarks would members. P. J. HARTOG. by no means apply ; but these are merely the exceptions proving the rule. The criticism which I should be inclined to pass upon seven-eighths of provincial “reviewing ” work would be short but expressive. It would be concentrated into one word—“ Bosh.” SUB-EDITOR.  ## p. 206 (#278) ############################################ 206 TIIE AUTHOR. untv BOOK AND PLAY TALK. tion” in the current number of the Pall Mall Magazine :- Mr. Hardy: I think the rule ought to be that favourable DROFESSOR R. Y. TYRRELL has compiled criticisms may be unsigned, but that the critic should be an anthology of Latin Poetry, in which he bound to take the responsibility of an unfavourable judg. has endeavoured to bring together charac. ment. There aboald be no stabbing in the dark. Not that teristic rather than merely beautiful extracts. I, personally, have any wish to complain of criticism signed The work will be published by Messrs. Macmillan. or unsigned. W. A. : It seems to me that reviewing, as a whole, is This firm will publish shortly a volume of papers becoming more conscientious, if not more competent. on Oxford in the Eighteenth Century, by the late Mr. Hardy: I remember a case in which a critic seemed John Richard Green. The majority of the papers to me to carry conscientiousness to an inconvenient pitch. appeared originally in the Oxford Chronicle. Writing of my “Wessex Poems," this gentleman said that when he first read the book he thought it rather good, but Mr. J. H. Rose is engaged upon a “Life of being determined not to be taken in, and to be conscientious Napoleon Bonaparte,” which Messrs. Bell will at all hazards, he made a point of getting ap to re-read it publish in two volumes. Mr. Rose is the author on a wet morning before breakfast, and then found that it was worth very little. That seemed to me an excessive of " The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Era" in devotion to critical daty. the Cambridge Historical Series. Articles by Mr. R. E. Leader, which have been . A volume of imaginative essays by Mr. H. W. appearing in the Sheffield Independent, will be Nevinson, entitled “The Plea of Pan,” will be published from the office of the journal in a published this month by Mr. Murray. volume entitled “ Reminiscences of Sheffield in the Eighteenth Century." Mrs. Henry Norman (Ménie Muriel Dowie) has completed a new novel, which Mr. Heinemann An uncut copy of Shelley's “Alastor: or, The will publish in the summer. The title will Spirit of Solitude,” first edition, in original boards, probably be “ Which was Love?" 1816, was sold in London last month for £66. The whole edition of the work by Jaakoff The Marian controversy is the subject not only Prelooker entitled “Under the Czar and Queen of Mr. Andrew Lang's forthcoming book, but of Victoria : the Experience of a Russian Reformer," another, the result of life-long study, by Mr. published by James Nisbet and Co., at 78. 6d., Samuel Cowan. This will be called “ Mary, has been bought by a few friends interested in Queen of Scots, and Who Wrote the Casket Russian subjects, and is now offered to the public Letters ? ” The work will be published by at the low price of 2s. 6d. The book is profusely Messrs. Sampson Low. A particular feature is illustrated, and as the Academy gays, “should the portraits which it will contain. An American be purchased as a work of reference on things author, Mr. M. M. Shoemaker, has nearly finished Russian, as well as for its intrinsic charm as an an illustrated work on the palaces, prisons, and autobiography.” At the price of 2s. 6d. the book resting-places of Mary Queen of Scots. This cau be had from the author only (21, Paternoster- will be published by Messrs. H. Virtue and Co., square, E.C.), adding four penny stamps for Art Journal Office. postage. Mr. J. S. Fletcher is publishing a new novel The Archbishop of Canterbury is to preside at entitled “ The Three Days' Terror.” the annual dinner of the Royal Literary Fund on Mr. H. G. Wells's new work, “ Anticipations,” May 17. At the annual meeting on March 13, begins its serial course in the Fortnightly Review Sir E. Mountstuart Grant-Duff in the chair, the for April. report for 1900 showed that thirty-one grants bad been given, amounting in all to £2085. Eight Benjamin Swift's forthcoming work is a survey writers in archæology, history, and biography had of modern knowledge with reference to conduct. received £445 from the Fund, two authors in the It gives the inner experiences of a modern mind drama and poetry £260, and four novelists £265. which has lost hold of the orthodox beliefs and The recipients of relief included eight women- has attempted to restate the problems of life in an five writers and three widows. Sir Theodore unconventional way. This work will be published Martin, the registrar, attributed the fact that the by Mr. Heinemann under the author's real name recipients were fewer than in the year 1899 not so -W. R. Paterson. much to the diminution of necessitous cases as to So much has been written of late on reviewing the decrease in the receipts of the Fund. Sir that readers will be interested in the following Lewis Morris and Dr. A. W. Ward, Master of insight into Mr. Hardy's mind on the subject of Peterborough, were appointed to the vacancies on signed and unsigned criticism. The passage the council caused by the deaths of Professor occurs in Mr. William Archer's “ Real Conversa- Max Müller and Bishop Creighton.  ## p. 207 (#279) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 207 Lieut.-Colonel A. F. Montanaro, R.A., and Captain Armitage, D.S.O., are writing aebook on the recent Ashanti campaign. Both were with the relief force. The volume, entitled “ The Siege and Relief of Kumassi,” will be published by Messrs. Sands. Mr. Cyril Scudamore is the author of a book on Belgium, which Messrs. Blackwood are pub- lishing. It will be illustrated, and is intended to give people who propose to visit Belgium a preli. minary idea of the country and the people. Mr. W. H. Wilkins has edited the letters written from the Cape of Good Hope by Lady Anne Barnard to the first Viscount Melville (then Henry Dundas) during the years 1797-1801. These will be published shortly by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co., under the title “ South Africa a Century Ago.” Mr. Wilkins has written a memoir of Lady Anne Barnard for the volume. The Academy hears of two new editions of the complete works of Count Tolstoy. “One is announced definitely by Mr. Grant Richards. The other is being planned elsewhere. Possibly, in the end, only one of these editions will see the light.” It is stated that the title of Count Tolstoy's new novel will be “Père Serge.” The first congress of the International Associa. tion of the Principal Scientific and Literary Academies of the World will take place in Paris on April 13, 14, and 15. Alterations have been carried out upon Burns's cottage at Alloway, near Ayr, with a view to making it as nearly as possible what it was when the poet lived there. Relics and photographs will still be sold, but the sale of refreshments within the precincts has been stopped. The birthplace of the poet was visited by 50,000 persons last year. The dinner of the Edinburgh Burns Club took place on March 23, when Dr. Conan Doyle, in proposing the principal incipal toast, said there was no reason to think that Burns's fame would have been increased by a longer life. The King and Queen have accepted copies of Mrs. Aylmer Gowing's sonnet, “The Passing of the Queen"; also of a short poem, “Lord Roberts — a Welcome,” which is dedicated to Lady Roberts, and sold for the benefit of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association. Mr. Choate, the American Ambassador, who spoke at Chelsea after Mr. Birrell's lecture on the literature of the nineteenth century, referred to the subject of international copyright. “As all readers everywhere,” he said, “ got the benefit of the brains of all authors, was it a mere fanciful dream, or would it be realised in the distant future, that all authors would get the reciprocal benefit of all their readers without regard to inter- national or colonial limits, so that a copyright property secured anywhere would be good any. where, like any other right of property ?” A historical essay by Professor Earle on the Alfred jewel will be published shortly by the Oxford University Press. Colonel Ian Hamilton, who has returned from the Boer war, was the guest of the Authors' Club at a recent Monday dinner. He remarked that the English language would never be ousted by the Dutch language in South Africa, because the Boer girls preferred the English novels. Lady Augusta Noel has written a novel entitled “The Wise Man of Sterncross," which will be published by Mr. Murray. The Postmaster-General has issued an order stating that in the regulations respecting the staff the word “intoxicated” is to be substituted for “ getting drunk.” Intoxicated is defined as “Noticeably under the influence of drink or suffering from its effects.” Mr. H. B. Irving has written a volume of “Studies of French Criminals,” which Mr. Heinemann will publish. Mr. Morley's “ Life of Gladstone” is expected to be finished by next October. “Alfred Milner and His Work” is a volume by Mr. Iwan Müller, which will narrate the career of the present High Commissioner for South Africa. Sir Alfred Milner and his biographer were friends before and during their residence at Oxford. The book will be published by Mr. Heinemann. Mr. Walter Wood has written for Mr. Grant Richards two opening volumes of a series entitled “British Regiments in War and Peace.” The first, “ The Rifle Brigade,” has been pub- lished, and the second, “ The Northumberland Fusiliers," is in the press. A military serial by Mr. Wood has been written for the Daily Express, another is being published in a syndi- cate of newspapers, and he is at work on a volume which is to be issued in the autumn. A military series by him is running through the Northern Counties Magazine. Professor Walter F. Adeney is editing “The Century Bible,” whose object is to extend interest in the Bible not merely as a source of religious edification but as literature and history. Each book of the Bible will be a separate volume.  ## p. 208 (#280) ############################################ 208 THE AUTHOR. OBITUARY. The idea is to issue the books on the same plan as is adopted for standard editions of the great classics. The first volume-St. Matthew-with its introduction, notes, and two texts will contain 350 pages. The question of authorship will be discussed in the introduction to each volume. “ The standpoint of the writers throughout,” says the prospectus, “is that of a frank recogni- tion of the ascertained results of criticism, united to a sympathetic perception of the value of the books under study, and in the spirit of Christian faith.” Messrs. Jack, of Edinburgh, are the publishers. Mr. Bourchier has let the Garrick Theatre for four months and will reopen it for the autumn season with a new play. Mr. Stephen Phillips is engaged upon a drama in which Ulysses is to be the central figure. It will be produced by Mr. Beerbohm Tree at Her Majesty's Theatre. At the St. James's Theatre the next production will be a comedy of modern manners by Mr. H. V. Esmond, entitled “The Wilderness." Mr. George Alexander has accepted a four-act play by Mr. W. R. Walkes. A new play by Mr. Anthony Hope was pro- duced for purposes of copyright on March 18 at the Garrick Theatre. A four-act play by Miss Jean Macpherson has been accepted by Mr. Forbes Robertson. Mr. George Alexander, speaking at the annual dinner of the Playgoers' Club, said he was delighted to do anything in furtherance of the drama, and to prove this he would ask the Play- goers to elect a reading committee. They were to choose the best modern English play sub- mitted to them and he would produce it at a matinée at the St. James's Theatre. The club has accordingly taken the matter in hand. Mr. Tree intends this season to give matinée performances of Messrs. Henley and Stevenson's play“ Beau Austin," and to produce their “Robert Macaire,” with Mr. Cyril Maude as Jacques Strop. Captain Basil Hood's new comedy, “ Sweet and Twenty,” will be produced at the Vaudeville Theatre on or about April 24. Miss Terriss, Mr. Seymour Hicks, and Mr. Holbrook Blinn will appear in the principal parts. R. FREDERICK STARTRIDGE ELLIS died at Sidmouth, on Feb. 26, from * pneumonia. Mr. Ellis, who was born in 1830, was a thorough bibliophile. For many years he was in business as a bookseller and pub- lisher, and he was long a friendly rival of Mr. Quaritch. Friend of Ruskin and Burne-Jones, publisher and friend of Rossetti, and colleague of William Morris in the work of the Kelmscott Press, Mr. Ellis was not only interested in pro- ducing artistic books. He edited Shelley, Herrick, Cavendish's “Wolsey,” Caxton's“Golden Legend," &c. Mr. Ellis retired from business in 1885. His version of the “ Romaunt of the Rose” was pub. lished only a few months ago in the Temple Classics; and he was in course of writing his reminiscences when he died. Our readers will hardly need to be reminded of Mr. Ellis's letter on book piracy in last month's Author. Mr. GEORGE CHARLES WINTER WARR, Pro- fessor of Classical Literature in King's College, London, and of Latin in Queen's College, London, died suddenly of heart disease. Mr. Warr was born in 1845, and in 1870 he was elected to a Fellowship at Trinity College, Cambridge, but refused to accept it on account of the religious tests. He was general editor of a series of works on the Athenian Drama (published by Mr. George Allen), and had himself undertaken the volumes dealing with Æschylus and Aristophanes, the former of which has appeared. AUTHOR." SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT. Front Page ... ... £4 0 0 Other Pages ... ... 3 0 0 Hall of & Page ... ... ... ... 1 100 Quarter of a Page ... ... ... 0 15 0 Eighth of a Page ... ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements ... ... per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion per 2000 3 0 0 Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a series of six and of 25 per cent. for Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author omice, 4, Portugal-street, London, W.C.  ## p. 208 (#281) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. CHATTO and WINDUS'S NEW BOOKS. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WOMAN. By | EAST LONDON. By WALTER BESANT. With Max O'RELL Crown 8vo., cloth, 3s. 6d (May 1. an Etched Frontispiece by F. S. WALKER, and Fifty- five Illustrations by PHIL MAY, L. RAVEN HILL, and HER LADY SHIP'S SECRET. By WILLIAM JOSEPH PENNELL. Demy 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 188. WESTALL, Author of " With the Red Eagle.” Crown 8vo., cloth, gilt top. 68. [April 28. RUNNING AMOK. By GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. A FORBIDDEN NAME: A Story of the Court Crown 880., cloth, gilt top, 68. of Catherine the Great. By FRED. WISHAW. Crown MONONIA: A Love Story of “Forty-eight." By 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 68. [Shortly. Justin MCCARTHY, Author of “ Dear Lady Disdain," QUALITY CORNER: A Study of Remorse. By &c. Crown 8vo., clotb, gilt top, 6s. C. 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By EDMUND ECCENTRICITIES of GENIUS: Memories of MITCHELL, Author of " Plotters of Paris,' &c. With Famous Men and Women of the Platform and the Eight Illustrations by NORMAN H. HARDY. Crown 8vo., Stage. By Major J. B. POND. With Ninety-one cloth, gilt top, 68. Portraits. Demy 8vo., clotb, gilt top, 128. JUSTIN MCCARTHY'S HISTORICAL BOOKS. A HISTORY of the FOUR GEORGES and I A HISTORY of OUR OWN TIMES, from of WILLIAM the FOURTH. By JUSTIN MCCARTHY the Accession of Queen Victoria to the General Election and JUSTIN HUNTLY McCarthy. Four Vols., demy of 1880. LIBRARY EDITION. Four Vols., demy 8vo.. 8vo., cloth, 12s. each. (Vols. III. and IV. Now Ready. cloth, 128. each. Also a POPULAR EDITION. Four Vols., HISTORY of OUR OWN TIMES, from crown 8vo, cloth, 68. each. And the JUBILEE EDITION, 1880 to the Diamond Jubilee. Demy 8vo., cloth, 128. ; with an Appendix of Events to the end of 1886. TWO crown 8vo., cloth, 6s. Vols., large crown 8vo., cloth, 78. 63. each. SHORT HISTORY of OUR OWN | JUSTIN MCCARTHY'S REMINIS- TIMES. Crown 8vo., cloth, 68 ; post 8vo., cloth CENCES. With a Portrait. Two Vols., demy 8vo., limp, 28. 60. eloth, 248. hoek POSER sro, Moth CEI CHEAPER ISSUE OF MISS GORDON CUMMING'S TRAVEL BOOKS. Large crown 8vo., cloth, 68. each. IN the HEBRIDES. With Twenty-three Illustrations. TWO HAPPY YEARS in CEYLON. With a Map and Twenty- IN the HIMALAYAS and on the INDIAN PLAINS. With eight Illustrations. | via CORNWALL to EGYPT. With a Frontispiece. Forty-two Ilustrations. London : CHATTO & WINDUS, 111, St. Martin's-lane, W.c.  ## p. 208 (#282) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ONLY 500 COPIES PRINTED. Royal 8vo., with Maps and Plates, price ONE GUINEA. Now ready, price 2s. 6d., cloth. A FLYING VISIT TO THE | AMERICAN CONTINENT. WITH NOTES BY THE WAY. By F. DALE PAWLE. BEING A NARRATIVE OF THE PALMER SEARCH EXPEDITION, 1882, 1883, Conducted by Sir Charles Warren. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings E.C. BY Capt. ALFRED E. HAYNES (ROYAL ENGINEERS). WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY WALTER BESANT. “ The story of the vigorous efforts made, against terrible odds, to find the missing Professor and his companions is clearly and ably set forth. Then comes the finding of the ghastly remains and the patiently relentless following up of clues in tracing out the various Arabs implicated in the murder. The adventurous part of the book is as interesting as a tale by Stevenson; nor is what might be termed the personal part less absorbing."-Publishers' Circular. Demy 8vo., cloth boards, price 109. 6d. IN NEW SOUTH AFRICA. Travels in the Transvaal and Rhodesia. With Map and Twenty-six Illustrations. By H. LINCOLN TANG YE. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Crown 8vo., Cloth Boards, Silver Lettering, Price 6s. A LADY OF WALES "A Story of the Siege of Chester, 1645." Rev. VINCENT J. LEATHERDALE, M.A. CONTENTS. Introductory. PART I. CHAPTER I.-The Land of Gold and the Way there. II.-Across Desert and Veldt. III. Johannesburg the Golden. IV.-A Transvaal Coach Journey. V.-Natal: the South African Garden. 1.-Ostracised in Africa. Home with the Swallows. PART II.-RAMBLES IN RHODESIA. CHAPTER I.- Eendragt Maakt Magt. II.--Into the Country of Lobengula. III.-The Trail of War. IV.-Goldmining, Ancient and Modern. V.-Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. VI.-To Northern Mashonaland. VIL-Primitive Art. The Misadventures of a Wagon. Index. BY THE London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. In demy 8vo., price 12s. net, by post 12s. Bd. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. Six Months in a n Monastery. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, price 28. 6d. A HANDBOOK OF Being the Record of a Visit to the Headquarters of the Syrian Church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis, or Devil Worshippers of Mosul, and El Jilwah, their Sacred Book. By OSWALD H. PARRY, B.A. (Of Magdalen College, Oxford.) Illustrated by the Author. With a Prefatory Note by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham. OF THE PROCEDURE HOUSE of COMMONS, WITH SUGGESTIONS AND PRECEDENTS FOR THE USE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING SOCIETIES, + The author of this handsome volume presents a detailed study of a relic of history pursued off the track of general research;' he has sought to give, and has succeeded in giving, ' a picture of quiet life in a country much abused, and among a people that command less than their share of ordinary interest.' Westward the tide of Enipire takes its way,' sang & prophetic divine of the olden days, and no less certainly, as Mr. Parry points out, does the ebb of travel return towards the East... As a volume descriptive of life and travel among a distant people, his work is well worth reading, but for those persons who are more particularly concerned with the old Syrian Chareh, or in the solution of the problem indicated above, it is one of quite unique attraction. A pathetic interest attaches to the account of the Yazidis included in this volume for it contains part of their sacred writings, the original manuscript of which was in the hands of Professor Robertson Smith for translation at the time of his death."-Publishers' Circular. BY GEO. G. GRAY, Esq., LL.D. (Lond.), J.P., Barrister-at-Law, &c., Author of "A Manual of Bankruptcy," & Treatise on * The Right to Support from Land and Buildings," &c., Speaker of the Hastings Local House of Commons. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C  ## p. 208 (#283) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. vii In demy 8vo., 700 pages, price 7s. 6d., the Fourth Edition of AN ANECDOTAL HISTORY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, OF FROM THE EARLIEST PERIODS TO THE PRESENT TIME. WITH NOTICES OF EMINENT PARLIAMENTARY MEN, AND EXAMPLES OF THEIR ORATORY. COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES BY GEORGE HENRY JENNINGS. CONTENTS : PART 1.-Rise and Progress of Parliamentary Institutions. APPENDIX.-(A) Lists of the Parliaments of England and of the PART II. - Personal Anecdotes : Sir Thomas More to John Morley. United Kingdom. PART III.-Miscellaneous : 1. Elections. 2. Privilege : Exclusion of (B) Speakers of the House of Commons. Strangers; Publication of Debates. 3. Parliamentary (C) Prime Ministers. Lord Chancellors, and Secretaries Usages, &c. 4. Varieties. of State from 1715 to 1892. HORACE COX, “LAW TIMES” OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. In demy 8vo., with PORTRAITS, price 7s, Bd. THE BUILDERS OF OUR LAW DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA. BY EDWARD MANSON. Late Scholar of Brasenose College, and of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law; Author of the Law of Trading Companies,” “Debentures and Debenture Stock," .. Dog Law," &c. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Lord Cottenham. Lord St. Leonards. Baron Martin (ucith Portrait). Chief Justice Tindal. Chief Baron Pollock, Sir George Jessel (with Portrait). Lord Justice Knight Bruce (with Portrait). Sir Cresswell Oresswell. Sir Robert Phillimore (with Portrait), Baron Parke-Lord Wensleydale. Lord Campbell. Lord Justice Mellish (with Portrait). Right Honourable Stephen Lushington, the Mr. Justice Patteson (with Portrait). Lord Justice Lush. Chief Justice Jervis. Lord Westbury (with Portrait). Lord Blackburn. Lord Cranworth. Chief Justice Cockburn (with Portrait). Lord Justice James with Portrait). Mr. Justice Manle. Mr. Justice Wightman. Chief Justice Erle (with Portrait). Lord Abinger. Lord Hatherley. Sir Edward Vaughan Williams. Lord Truro. Mr. Justice Willes. Mr. Justice Orompton. Baron Alderson. Lord Bramwell. Obief Baron Kelly. Lord Denman (with Portrait). Lord Cairns (with Portrait). Mr. Manson has a facile pen and a pleasant style; and it would indeed have been a pity had the ephemeral purpose with which the matter contained in this book was originally published caused these interesting sketches to be forgotten.The aim of the author has been to give an outline of the career of the greatest of our judges, and to state the effect of their work upon the law, and in so doing he has started at the point at which Lord Campbell left off. Several old prints are reproduced, and help to make up a handsome, interesting, and even brilliant addition to the history of the Legal Profession." Lau Journal. "We received the several biographies with much pleasure, and gladly published them in these columng. We know for a fact that more than one family has been surprised at the information gleaned about its judicial member by Mr. Manson. We predict for it a permanent place in legal biography."-Law Times. The book has a serious interest for laymen as well as for lawyers, for, although there is much of case law, there is no more of it than the general reader may digest. It is the anecdotes and the personal details which give piquancy to the book."- Morning. London: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C.  ## p. 208 (#284) ############################################ viii ADVERTISEMENTS. THE THRUSH : A PERIODICAL FOR THE PUBLICATION OF ORIGINAL POETRY. Edited by T. MULLETT ELLIS. PRICE FOURPENOE MONTHLY, An Edition de Luxe, sumptuously printed, is also published every month: Price Half-a-Crown, THIS Miscellany contains Original Poems by Writers of the first position in Letters. The first number commenced with the New Century and already works of high poetic merit have been published. Amongst the contents of the current number (APRIL) are the following:- A LYRIC. By GEORGE GILBERT AIMÉ | POEM.—The Crying of Water. By ARTHUR MURRAY, M.A., LL.D. POEM.-By Wordsworth's Grave. By JOHN STANZA.-Daffodils. By N. CARRUTHERS HUTCHINSON. GOULD. ODE.-Confession. By The Hon. ALBINIA LYRIC.-To the Very End. By CLIFTON BRODRIOK. SYMONS. BINGHAM. In other numbers Poems will appear from the following LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS :- DR. RICHARD GARNETT, The late LORD LYTTON. THOMAS HARDY. DR. EDMUND GOSSE, LADY FLORENCE DOUGLAS. LADY MARGARET SAOK VILLE, HAROLD BRGBIE. O. WOIT WORTH WYNNE. HON. M. O. DAVEY, ROBERT DENNIS. VICTOR PLARR. HERBERT MORRAH. FRANCIS PREVOST, SARAH DOU DNEY, OANON RAWNSLEY. HAMILTON AIDE, WILLIAM CANTON. JUSTIN H MOCARTAY. WILLIAM SHARP REV. W. J. DAWSON, THE EDITOR, AND MANY OTHERS. ISRAEL GOLLANCZ, SIR LEWIS MORRIS. The object of this periodical is to popularise the reading of the modern poets, and to familiarise the People with their works. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF THE PERIOD. SOCIAL QUESTIONS AND NATIONAL PROBLEMS: EVILS AND REMEDIES. Second Edition, about 500 pages, 8vo., 58. 3d. post free, strongly bound in cloth. Two Books each to the first Twenty Subscribers. Carto-de-visites copied, 28. 6d. hall dozen; 48. 6d. dozen. Enlarged to Cabinet size, 3s. 6d. and 68. 6d., to subscribers only. Lecturers, &c., privileges. Special Terms. Will be ready about New Year. Address- J. W. EMSLEY, Artist and Author, 7, Napier Street, Leeds Road, Bradford, Yorks. ESTABLISHED] The Athenaum Press, Taunton. [XVIII CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENOUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. ESTABLISHED 1896. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. LTD. INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS. MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing. NOVELS OF SUITABLE LENGTH TO INCLUDE IN NEW SIXPENNY SERIES WANTED. WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol. Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 11 (April 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 11 (April 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-04-01-The-Author-11-11 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/340/1901-03-01-The-Author-11-10.pdf fb805e21c77c95f826abf44d7995dcaf 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) 1901-03-01 Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages Page range in volume 169–188 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010301 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.–No. 1067 VOL. XI.—No. 10.) _ MARCH 1, 1901. MARCH 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. ---- -- For the Opinions expressed in papers that are (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. signed or initialled the Authors alone are As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. collective opinions of the Committee unless It is above all things necessary to know what the they are officially signed by G. Herbert proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly Thring, Sec. the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production.” M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. requests that all members not receiving an answer to The main points are :- important communications within two days will write to him (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union (2) Keep control of the advertisements. Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. letter only. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on above mentioned. all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. jocts whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are Never sign any agreement without competent advice from returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. 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 :- GENERAL MEMORANDA. (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. IT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong agreement. There are four methods of dealing to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the with literary property : nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or I. SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. withheld. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of 1. NTEVER sign an agreement without submitting it to agreement). the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some In this case the following rules should be attended to : competent legal authority. (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. the production of a play with anyone except an established (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the manager. profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses," This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters anless the same allowance is made to the author. into such a contract should stipulate in the con- (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental tract for production of the piece by a certain date rights. and for proper publication of his name on the (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. play-bills. VOL. XI.  ## p. 170 (#236) ############################################ 170 THE AUTHOR. experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books 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 pro. posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. lence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 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. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con. cracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. THE READING BRANCH. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White. hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. 1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive L advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the  ## p. 171 (#237) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 171 LITERARY PROPERTY. 1.-FRANCE LEADS THE WAY. M HE following interesting case, which has passed through the office, is placed before the members of the Society, as the opinion which has been obtained is of interest to all writers and tends to show the liberality with which the French nation in copyright legislation have treated authors all over the world. In the legislation for the production of literary and artistic works the French nation has always been in the vanguard. A member of the Society, American by birth and nationality, residing in England, came to the Society for assistance in regard to what he thought was a piracy of his work in France. The question that arose was what interpretation the French would give to the international arrange- ments between England and America as affecting the terms of the Berne Convention. The secre- tary accordingly immediately wrote to the Société des Gens de Lettres in Paris, giving particulars of the case, which were as follows:- " An author of American nationality who is domiciled in England produces a book in 1899 simultaneously in England and America, securing thereby under the existing arrangement between England and America copyright in both countries. • The book is then pirated by a French pub- lisher, and a French translation is put on the market in Paris and sells well. “ The author remonstrated with the publisher, but the publisher refused to pay any compensa- tion, on the grounds that he pirated from America. “ Under the Berne Convention an English author who has copyright in England is entitled to protection in France for his translation during ten years. The question that now arises is, whether under the French interpretation of inter- national law an American citizen domiciled in England, who has obtained English copyright, is entitled to the benefits of the Berne Convention as existing between England and France ?” The French Society, with great courtesy and promptitude, wrote back and stated that they would gladly put the question before their own counsel, and would obtain an opinion for the Society on the matter. Accordingly, in due course the secretary re- ceived the following opinion :- "In reply to the question proposed by your English correspondent: — To commence. In France, in principle, no translation of any work, French or foreign, can be published without the authorisation of the author of the work. The VOL. XI. author of the translation is certainly invested with the rights of an author as regards his trans- lation ; but, as regards the author of the original, he is guilty of infringement if he has not asked for authorisation. This is the principle applied by French jurisprudence by the interpretation of our law of 1703, of the decree of February, 1810, and of that of May 28, 1852, without any ques- tion of reciprocity on the part of the foreigner. - In any case the effect of the terms of the articles 2, 3, and 5 of the International Conven- artin tion of Sept. 9, 1885 (Berne Convention), is that, without entering into any question of the dispositions of the American law, or of the par- ticular arrangements existing between England and America, or between America and France (Federal law of May 3, 1891, and declaration respecting Belgium, France, Great Britain, and res Switzerland of July 1.1801). the American author. who has published his work at the same time in England and America, enjoys in France the pro- tection of his rights of translation for ten years at least from the date of the publication in England. "To sum up, by placing himself under the pro- tection of the Berne Convention, the American author, although his country has not entered into the International Union, is protected in France so far as regards his right of translation, at least for ten vears, by the mere fact (article 2 of the Con. vention) that his work has been published in a upionist country-to wit, England. “But it must, of course, be understood that the protection is dependent upon (article 4 D, March 28, 1852, and 6 Law of July 19, 1893) the deposit of the copies of the original work in the Bibliothèque Nationale—that is to say, at present at the Ministry of the Interior.". The opinion is that of Mr. Alfred Mack, advocate to the Court of Appeal in Paris, 9, rue de Septembre. The Committee felt deeply indebted to the French Society for the prompt assistance it gave, and passed a unanimous vote of thanks for their courtesy and kindness. The opinion of the French advocate will be interesting to all members of the Society. It is pleasant to state, in addition, that the French publisher who pirated the work paid an agreed compensation to the author before he had received the opinion of the French counsel. G. H, T. II.—THE COPYRIGHT Bill. The King's Speech at the opening of Parlia- ment, delivered in person by His Majesty, announced that “legislation has been prepared for amending the law of literary copyright." In  ## p. 172 (#238) ############################################ 172 THE AUTHOR. the House of Commons on the same day (Feb. 14) out of the first edition — they therefore have the Right Hon. Gerald Balfour, President of the certainly paid the cost of production: of the Board of Trade, stated his intention of bringing remaining thirty-nine, sixteen are by authors in on an early day a measure consolidating and popular enough to insure the success of their amending the law of literary copyright. books—perhaps not a big success, but more than The Copyright Bill, which is about to be intro. enough to cover cost of production and royalties duced by the Board of Trade, will run closely on or purchase, and to leave some kind of profit to the lines of Lord Monkswell's Bill which passed the publisher. There remain twenty-three, or the House of Lords last summer, and which was nearly one-half, of which the outsider can only drafted by Lord Thring. As soon as it is possible say that they are doubtful. These figures show to obtain a draft of the same, such draft will be rather more than one in a dozen which succeed. printed in The Author, and the differences exist. But there is much more to be considered. The ing between the Board of Trade's and Lord outsider does not know the reader's opinion: the Monkswell's Bills will be dealt with at length. whole of these twenty-three books may have been G. H. T. most warmly recommended; nor does he know how many are paid for by the author, a practice III.- PROJECTED NEW GERMAN COPYRIGHT becoming more and more common, and as disas- LAW. trous in its results as can be expected, considering The Deutsche Reichstag, on its reassembling on the monstrous claims of the Publishers' Committee. Jan. 8, proceeded to a first reading of the project Nor, again, does the outsider know how many of a law respecting copyright in works of litera- copies are taken at the outset by the circulating ture and music. No very great interest is libraries : how many are subscribed by the trade: apparently taken in the new law, but it is a how many go to the colonies: how many are hopeful sign that the discussion appears to be copyrighted in the States. proceeding independently of any party politics. That there is over-production it would be Our contemporary Das Rechte Feder is dis mischievous to deny. Booksellers, however, are tinctly despondent about the protection of becoming wary: they cannot be readily talked authors from publishers, which it compares to over into subscribing a novel : their shelves are protecting sheep from wolves. Several of the filled with failures and losses. Now, if booksellers remarks made in the course of the discussion of will not subscribe a book, and if libraries will the new law indicate on the part of the speakers not take a book, what harm is done to the public a very elementary idea even of what copyright is. by over-production ? There is more work thrown on the paragraph-reviewer : and that is all. The public does not see the books: the bookseller · IV.-OVER-PRODUCTION. does not subscribe for them : nobody sees them : The Publishers' Circular calls attention to the there are hundreds of books produced every year over-production of six-shilling novels. Not long which are not published, because publishing means ago a bookseller had fifteen offered him in one exhibition and offering to the public as well as day, and refused to take any. Not one of these printing. novels in a dozen, the Circular thinks, pays for the Again, to return to the over-production. There cost of production. It then advises publishers has arisen quite recently a kind of gambling in to keep before them for reference the net result of novels. A publisher makes an unexpected each novel published during the year, and thinks success. He thinks that he may make another. that the contemplation of these figures will He can afford to lose a certain sum in the experi- act as a wholesome restraint for the future. ment. How much is his risk? He binds very Perhaps it might: but one always imagines that few copies : he spends very little money in adver- every man of business must observe the simple tising the renture: the libraries take a limited precaution of knowing how his goods sell. number: the risk is thus reduced to a very small Let us, however, descend from vague talk to sum. The actual loss may equal the risk; but facts and figures. It is, of course, easy to say he bas had his venture. And the whole reason that not one novel in a dozen pays. What kind for the production of so many novels is just the of dozen is it? Not a baker's dozen, certainly. chance of making a great and unexpected success For instance, an examination of the advertising —that and nothing more. pages of the Athenæum of Feb. 23 shows that eleven publishers — the number may be taken as representing the fifty or sixty who need be considered — are advertising, as current novels, fifty altogether. Of these eleven have passed  ## p. 173 (#239) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 173 V.—CANADIAN Notes. pages additional are devoted to an explanation of On behalf of Morang and Co., owners of the the methods used in making this inquiry, with British copyright in “ Ăn Englishwoman's Love the Commissioner's summing up of such evidence Letters," we have just succeeded in obtaining as he has succeeded in collecting. judgment of injunction against two local firms Tables are printed showing (a) the number of who have been importing cheap American copyright entries, and amount of fees applied, reprints. The book, unfortunately for the house from July 10, 1870, to Dec. 31, 1900; (6) the of John Murray, was not copyrighted in the number of entries of foreign and United States States. productions respectively, and the fees for the I notice that a public document of more than same from July 1, 1895, to Dec. 31, 1900; and usual interest has just been published in the (c) the number of articles deposited at the Copy- United States in the shape of the report of the right Office during the last three fiscal years. In Commissioner of Labour in response to the this last table the articles are arranged by classes, resolution of the Senate of Jan. 23, 1900, direct but no distinction has been made between pro- ing that official to investigate the effect upon ductions of foreign authorship and works by labour production and wages of the International native authors, so that it is difficult to see how Copyright Act, 1891, and report the result of his any deductions can rightly be made from these inquiries. The large majority of the opinions tables as to the effect of the law upon the number got heartily favour the law, but the individuals of entries made or articles deposited. It is or firms represented favour certain changes. assumed that one effect of the law has been [For list of these see article below on the greatly to increase the number of copyright International Copyright Act. - ED. Author] entries, because the year 1890 (that immedi- The fourth proposition—" That the publica- ately preceding the passage of the Act) tion in the United States of unauthorised trans. shows an increase of but 1813 entries over the lations of copyrighted books of foreigners, number for 1889, while the year 1891 shows other than English, should be prohibited ”—is an increase over 1890 of 6119 entries, although apparently met by the provision in the present “the Act did not become operative until United States Revised Statutes, section 4952, as July 1 of that year.” A careful examination, amended by the Act of March 3, 1891, reading as however, of the table of entries and fees, from follows :- 1870 down, shows such noticeable fluctuations « And authors or their assigns shall have exclu. that it is doubtful if such an assumption can sive right to dramatise or translate any of their safely be made. Unfortunately, no exact figures works for which copyrights shall have been are available for the foreign and United States obtained under the laws of the United States." entries, respectively, up to July 1, 1897, but for WALTER BARWICK. the three calendar years following the entries are: 1898, foreign, 7779, United States, 69,095 ; (Barwick, Aylesworth, and Wright, Barristers 1899, foreign, 8122, United States, 78,370; 1900, and Solicitors.) foreign, 8478, United States, 89,489, while the Toronto. increase in the entries, foreign and United States, VI.—THE INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT ACT. respectively, for the last two years was : 1899, foreign, 343, United States, 9275; 1900, foreign, [From the New York Evening Post.] 356, United States, 11,119, showing that, of the A public document of more than usual yearly increase, the foreign entries made a very interest is the report of the Commissioner of small proportion. It is probable that, of the Labour in response to the resolution of the total increase from 1890 to 1891, a larger per- Senate, of Jan. 23, 1900, directing that official to centage was due to entries for foreign pro- “ investigate the effect upon labour, production, ductions, but even so, it was probably a small and wages of the International Copyright Act, proportion of the total increase of 6119; and approved March 3, 1891, and report the results up to 1900, inclusive, the highest number of of his inquiries." Such results as were obtainable entries for the productions of foreign authors, are set out in a pamphlet of ninety-nine pages, of &c., in any one year, since the Act went into which the last eleven pages consist of a republica force, July 1, 1891, was only 8478. tion of the copyright laws in force. Of the The Commissioner explains that, on its becoming remaining text, seventy-seven pages contain apparent that detailed statistical information of verbatim statements from publishers, leading the character contemplated by the resolution printers, the American Copyright League, &c., could not be secured, an endeavour was made to giving opinions, pro and con, as to the value and obtain expressions of opinion from the class of effect of the Act in question, and less than six people whose conclusions would be of most value VOL. XI. z 2  ## p. 174 (#240) ############################################ 174 THE AUTHOR. -publishers, printers, and the official members induced led to cheap work, and consequently of printing unions and allied trades unions-by narrowed the compensation earned by printers as addressing to them a series of seven questions compared with that obtained through the higher designed to bring out the views of the persons quality of book production under the protection and establishments to whom they were submitted, of the copyright law. regarding the general results of the law as The questions sent out were as follows: (1.) affecting labour and production. Altogether, Has the international copyright law been detri- seventy responses were received, of which fifty mental or beneficial to (a) publishers or book five are set down as regarding the law and its manufacturers ; (6) compositors, pressmen, book- results more or less favourably, while fifteen binders, and employers generally; (c) American consider it detrimental. authors; (d) foreign authors; (e) the book- Commissioner Wright points out that the purchasing public ? (2.) In what respects has clause requiring the manufacture in the United the law been detrimental or beneficial to each of States of copyright works, the feature of the law the above-mentioned classes ? (3.) Has the directly affecting “labour, production, and effect of the law been to increase or to reduce the wagas," was adopted at the instance of the selling price of books ? About how much per typographical unions; but although prominent cent. ? (4.) Was “piracy,” as practised prior to members of the International Typographical the enactment of the international copyright law, Union in several principal cities were personally beneficial or injurious to printers or publishers ? interviewed, and requested to submit facts and (5.) Do American and European publishers their own views regarding the beneficial or detri. exchange stereotype plates, or are European plates mental effects of the Act, only oral statements used to any extent in the production of books in could be obtained from some of them, to the America ? (6.) What is your general opinion as to effect "that, in their opinion, the law has been the operation and effect of the international copy- of no real benefit to printers or allied crafts- right law ? (7.) In what respects do you think men ; that the manufacturing clause of the the law in question should be amended or changed ? law, requiring copyrighted works of foreign The responses to these questions indicate, authors to be printed from type set or from according to the summary, that a large majority plates made from type set in the United States of the establishments interviewed heartily favour is violated to a considerable extent by the fraudu- the law, believing it to be highly beneficial in its lent importation from Europe of stereotype general operation and effect, although some of plates, which are used for the printing of such them criticise certain of its features, and express works in the United States ; and that the effect their views as to amendments of the law that are of the law is to confine the labour of production deemed desirable. On ihe other hand, “a com- of each copyrighted work to the employees of the paratively small but highly respectable number" single establishment to whom the monopoly of of establishments are said to be “utterly opposed publication is secured under the law, whereas to the law,” believing it to be pernicious in prac- were it not for the law, the works of many tice and wrong in principle. foreign authors would be published by several Whether favourable or adverse to the law, the different establishments, thus giving employment to a largely increased number of operatives." individuals or firms represented favour certain The Coinmissioner adds that effort was made to changes in the copyright laws now in force, the secure definite statements giving instances of principal alterations proposed being summarised as follows:- violation of the “ manufacturing clause," but none could be obtained, and no expression of (1.) It is believed by many publishers that the "manu. facturing clause," requiring the manufacture wholly within views beyond oral ones, such as quoted, could be the United States of copyrighted books, photograpbs, secured. chromos, or lithographs, whether the work of residents or It is to be presumed that the statement that, non-residents, should be abrogated. were it not for the existing law, the works of (2.) That the requirement of publication of copyright many foreign authors would be published by works in the United States not later than the date of their publication in any other country (which has the effect of several different establishments, thus giving requiring simultaneous publication on both sides of the employment to a largely increased number of Atlantic of the works of English (and American] authors) operatives, is made in remembrance of the old should be changed so as to allow a reasonable time to elapse times of literary piracy, when there was a possi between publication abroad and at home. bility of free scrambling for the works of popular (3.) That the term of existence of copyright should be extended beyond the limited period now granted. foreign authors; but the document under con- (4.) That the publication in the United States of un- sideration contains evidence from most competent authorised translations of copyrighted books of foreigners sources that the competition this very scramble other than English should be prohibited.  ## p. 175 (#241) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 175 OUTU ........ This last proposition would seem to be adequately met by the provision in the present law, Revised Statutes, section 4952, as amended by the Act of March 3, 1891, reading as follows: “And authors or their assigns shall have exclu. sive right to dramatise or translate any of their works for which copyright shall have been obtained under the laws of the United States." What is desired, apparently, is that in the case of books in foreign languages, not now copy. righted in the United States by reason of the type-setting stipulation, the author or assignee should be allowed to secure copyright on an authorised English translation, to the exclusion of any unauthorised translation into Englisb. Thanks are due to Commissioner Wright for having elicited and brought together the very interesting and valuable opinions on this impor- tant subject printed in his report, and we hope in a subsequent article to present a collated summary of them. Roe, Mrs. Harcourt Rossetti, W. M. ...... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... S. B. ......................... Sanderson, Sir J. B. ........... Skeat, The Rev. Prof. .............. Spielmann, M. H. Stanton, Miss H. M. E Toplis, Miss G. ....... Tweedie, Mrs. Alec................ Watt, A. P........ Wheelwright, Migg E. E. ... Williams, rs. E. L. ........ SUBSCRIPTIONS. Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... Alexander, A. .......... Avery, Harold ............ ......... Beckett, A. W. à ...... Bebant, Sir Walter..... Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. ........... Brodhurst, Spencer. Clodd, Edward Cresswell, Rev. H. ............ Crockett, S. R. Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for 10 - oceno - ÕNNON ooooooooooo Ooouoen ocenomenoumero on one on onenen om -oo o o o ōn our one-oő õenann oooo ono oro 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 I001 ) ................................................ PENSION FUND. 18....... Ellis, Miss M. A.... Esmond, H. V. ....................................... Gilbert, W. S...... Gribble, F. .... Guthrie, Anstey.. ..................... Gwynn, S. .......... Hawkins, A. Hope Home, Francis.... Jerome, Jerome K. .............. Kelly, C. A........................ Lely, J. M. .............. Marchmont, A. W. ............... Pemberton, Max............ Pendered, Miss Mary L. .................. Pinero, A. W..... Roberts, Morley ........................ Rose, Edward ................. Sinclair, Miss ........... Stanley, Mrs. .... Ward, Mrs. Humphry ........... Watt, A. P. ....... : : : : : : : . . . . . : - >g- .............. NHE following is the list of donations and subscriptions at present promised or received :- DONATIONS. A. S. ... £100 0 0 Alcott, E. ........... 50 Anonymous ..... 100 0 0 Baldwin, Mrs. A. ......... Barrie, J. M. 100 0 0 Benecke, Miss Ida .. 3 0 0 Besant, Sir Walter........ 100 0 0 Boevey, Miss Crawley .... Chambers, Miss Beatrica ........................... 0 3 6 Cordeaux, Miss .................. .......... 5 0 0 Craigie, Mrs. ......... 100 0 0 Doyle, A. Conan .......... ........... 100 0 0 Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for three years) ............ 5 0 0 Esmond, H. V. 3 3 0 Fowler, Miss E. T. 10 10 0 Freshfield, D. W........ 100 0 0 Gibbs, Miss . 100 Hawking, A. Hope ............ 200 0 0 Hutchinson, Rev. H. ........ 2 0 0 Jacberns, Raymond ................. I 10 Jones, Henry Arthur................................ Keltie, J. Scott ....................................... Kipling, Rudyard ................................... 100 00 Loftie, Rev. W. J. ..................................... Macfarlane, H. ....... Marshall, Capt. R. . Meredith, George ......... Moncrieff, R. Hope. Norris, W. E.. Oliphant, Kingston Parker, Gilbert ................... 100 00 Phillpotts, Eden ....................................... 10 0 0 Pollock, Sir Frederick ............ 5 5 0 NEW YORK LETTER. . öwen : nonow - mooooooo-000-OooooWo O O OWNOOO-000 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO . . M . . New York City, Feb. 12. HE United States Senate last year passed a resolution which directed the Bureau of Labour to investigate the effect of the International Copyright Act upon labour, pro- duction, and wages in this country. The Bureau has made its report, through Mr. Commissioner Wright, who sought the required information among the heads of the International Typo- graphical Union, the leading American book publishers, and the documents on file in the Con. gressional Library and the Treasury Department. Such reports are doubtless more significant to those who happen to know precisely what the ....... ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ ܘ .  ## p. 176 (#242) ############################################ 176 THE AUTHOR. Bureau wished to find, than they are to those in This last sentiment of Colonel Watterson's ignorance of the Bureau's desires, but neverthe- comment is familiarly prevalent with us, where, less the recommendations made to the Senate indeed, the man of letters seldom enters with may be of general importance and interest either force or grace upon the discussion of public (see p. 174). questions. Mark Twain, for example, has pro- Congress has taken no action upon the results voked a sizeable storm by an article in the last of the investigations of its commission. We do number of the North American Review. Mr. not believe that any change in the law would be Clemens's effort is called "To the Person sitting proposed without obtaining the testimony of in Darkness”; and, while our famous humorist's working authors, to whom apparently the Bureau purpose in writing it is not quite clear, it seems of Labour did not appeal. to be an arraignment of the methods of civilisa- An editorial writer of the New York Book tion in dealing with the non-civilised. He pays Buyer makes the meaty suggestion that the his respects to Mr. Chamberlain, Emperor William, growth of the American reading public has not and President McKinley. “Mr. Chamberlain been quite so great as has been believed of late, manufactures a war out of materials so inade- but rather that the international copyright Act quate and so fanciful that they make the boxes has given our writers an equal opportunity by grieve and the gallery laugh, and he tries hard outlawing the cheap and pirated English reprints. to persuade himself that it isn't purely a private We are reminded of the ingenuous lady in “ The raid for cash, but has a sort of dim, vague re- Rise of Silas Lapham ” who asks: “Is · Daniel spectability about it somewhere, if he could only Deronda' a new book? It has only just got into find the spot; and that, by-and-by, he can scour the Seaside Library.” Good writers are now the flag clean again after he has finished dragging brought at once before the public, without the it through the mud, and make it shine and fash offices of Seaside Libraries, and make their great in the vault of Heaven once more as it shone and and popular successes, but we must not forget flashed there a thousand years in the world's that the old collections of unauthorised reprints respect until he laid his unfaithful hand upon it." were evidences of a vast reading public in the Mr. Clemens's animadversions on McKinleyism United States before the days of “Richard are, to us at least, even more surprising. Our Carvel” and “ To Have and to Hold.” For the administration in the Philippines, he observes, vogue of American authors among us, we must has treacherously stamped out a just and intelli- thank the advocates of international copyright gent and well-ordered republic; has stabbed an while we doff caps to the talented young oppor- ally in the back and slapped the face of a guest ; tunism of American literary workers. has invited our clean young men to shoulder a We have regarded with especial interest the discredited musket and to do bandit's work under political aspirations of Mr. Hope and other a flag which bandits have been accustomed to British men of letters. Within the month, two fear, not to follow ; has debauched America's of our popular authors have had a try at states honour and blackened her face before the world. manship, with results which cannot be called It appears that Mark Twain is Colonel Watter- entirely gratifying. Mr. F. Hopkinson Smith, son's " hopeless politician” in more senses than the pleasant creator of “ Colonel Carter of one, but it is something of a comfort to remark Cartersville," has announced that Mrs. Stowe's that American authors are more concerned by “Uncle Tom's Cabin ” did as much as any one Mr. Clemens's pyrotechnical exhibition than is thing to precipitate our Civil War, and that the the American public at large. As a real factor novel was a “vicious, appalling, criminal mis. in our politics, the literary man is still reputed take.” Mr. Smith advances it as his opinion generally negligible. that the very reason why a compromise between Another enlivenment of the winter has been the the North and the South was impossible was appearance of M. Coquelin upon the witness because books of that sort were written, and that stand in Chicago and his evidence in a law suit poor Mrs. Stowe brought about the war by brought by a Mr. Gross, of that sprightly metro- “ viciously” presenting a mistaken and distorted polis, for the purpose of establishing Mr. Gross's view of the situation. Many critics have taken legal rights as the author of “Cyrano de issue with Mr. Smith, and none in a more con. Bergerac," ordinarily set down as the work of M. vincing vein than Colonel Watterson, a well. Rostand. Mr. Gross asserts that several years known Southern editor, who declares that Mrs. ago he wrote a piece called, unless I am mistaken, Stowe's novel was merely a spoke in an inexor- “The Merchant Prince of Corneville,” that this able wheel, which for the time being represented masterpiece was for a lengthy period in the hands perpetual motion, and that there “ never was yet of M. Rostand, and that most of it was incorpo- a literary man who was not a hopeless politician.” rated, with neither acknowledgment nor remune-  ## p. 177 (#243) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 177 ration, into the play in which M. Coquelin is so MORTUARY PARAGRAPH. successful. The Chicagoan has been persistent Prominent in the obituary list of the past in his claim—so persistent, it seems, that M. month figure the names of two eminent Acade- Coquelin spent an entire morning in giving micians—the Duc de Broglie and the Vicomte Henri his evidence, and sustained his part with his de Bornier. The former-symbol in his later years usual careful facility. After it was over the of moderation, wisdom, and comprehensive distinguished Frenchuan said, with tears in his indulgence—was an erudite writer, an ardent eyes, that he had wasted two hours and a half of Conservative, and a defective politician. Though his life. Mr. Gross's suit is as yet undetermined, “ he acted the part of Richelieu to that modern but Mme. Bernhardt and M. Čoquelin have not Louis XIII. called MacMahon, and leaves no other excluded “ Cyrano" from their repertory. trace in French history than the record of an John RUSSELL DAVIDSON. impossible enterprise and two incoherent endea- vours ”—his historical research, literary talent, and political probity earned him the respect and esteem of his colleagues. “Le Secret du Roi,” “Marie-Thérèse et Frédéric II.,” and “ L'Histoire PARIS LETTER. de l'Eglise chrétienne au quatrième siècle” (the latter being a collection of rather remarkable 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. articles, formerly published in the Revue des Deux Mondes, etc.), rank among M. de Broglie's · It was just that Providence destined the Queen best-known works. He had attained the ripe of the greatest maritime Power of the adiverse to breathe her parting sigh in this Osborne residence, in this Isle of age of eigay..years. Wight bathed by the waves, facing tbe Portsmouth Arsenal, In the Vicomte Henri de Bornier France symbol of Imperial power and soul of the British Navy. It mourns one of her noblest sons and most gifted was just that the English fleet should be the first to render poets. His life was pure and good. All his the last rites to Queen Victoria. It was just, also, that the maritime Powers of the world—from France to Japan, writings were characterised by a chivalrous en- from Portugal to Germany-should take part in this cere- thusiasm and lofty patriotism. His physical mony. ... in rendering a supreme homage to the defects were forgotten immediately he opened his Queen of whom posterity will anite with her contemporaries lips. Nothing was niggardly in this little man, in saying that as perfect wife, mother, and sovereign, she save his stature. He came to Paris, poor and carried with her to the tomb the respect and admiration of friendless, over fifty years ago. A shabby garret all the nations of the earth. in the rue du Bac was the only shelter within the CYUCH was the tribute paid our late beloved limits of his narrow purse; an evening stroll Sovereign by the Figaro correspondent in among the narrow streets and quaint bookstalls a leading article detailing the impressive of the Latin Quarter his favourite recreation. concluding pageant of her long and illustrious Lingering wistfully one evening outside the reign. Nor have the other standard French Odéon theatre, he encountered a discontented papers been a whit behindhand in their expres- habitué who good-naturedly offered the stripling sions of esteem and regret. Le Matin alone the use of his check. The young de Bornier ventured on essaying a caustic tone; but the force eagerly accepted the proffered ticket, and made of cultivated public opinion speedily induced the the acquaintance of the Odéon fencing-master, adoption of a more respectful and dignified to whom he timidly submitted an historical drama phraseology. Among the upper classes, and in entitled “Du Guesclin.”. Shortly after he pub- official circles, the manifestations of sympathy lished a volume of poems, “ Premières Feuilles,” and regret were undoubtedly sincere. But the which was honoured with the approbation of Victor feeling of the bulk of the population remains Hugo, Chateaubriand, and Béranger. In 1848 unchanged. A certain most impolitic publica he entered the Arsenal library (of which he became tion hawked in the street, and the inimical curator in 1889), and in 1895 his magnificent caricatures of the new monarch which appeared epic drama, “La Fille de Roland," was per- on the boulevards ere the week was out, sufficiently formed with unprecedented success at the Théatre indicated the sentiments of the masses. The Française by Mme. Sarah Bernhardt and M. demagogues of the French Press assuredly envy Mounet Sully. “ Les Noces d'Attila” and our Royal House the loyal esteem of its subjects, “Le Fils de l'Arétin” were followed in 1899 since they so persistently seek to tarnish its by a second dramatic masterpiece entitled merits in the eyes of their own countrymen. “ France. . d'Abord!” M. de Bornier was Under these circumstances their disparagement elected a member of the French Academy in must be accepted as an involuntary and reluctant 1893. He died eight years later, Jan. 29, aged seventy-six years. homage.  ## p. 178 (#244) ############################################ 178 THE AUTHOR. M.Jules Barbier (born 1825), author of upwards of a hundred popular plays and librettos, and several volumes of graceful verse; Mme. Edmond Caro, an agreeable novelist and accomplished member of Parisian society; M. Arthur Desjardins, a thoughtful writer, whose articles on the Peace Conference at The Hague and the Transvaal War made quite a sensation here; and M. Maurice Block, economist and statistician (born in 1816), contributor to the Figaro, Temps, Journal des Economistes, &c., have likewise passed away since my last letter, A THREEFOLD PROGRESS. Three new institutions-marking three distinct steps in advance in the respective domains of feminism, psychology, and ästhetics—have held their inauguration fetes within a few days of one another. (1) L'Association des Étudiantes de Paris (8, rue Danton); (2) L'Institut Psycho- logique International; (3) Le Collège d'Esthétique Moderne. The object of the Association des Étudiantes is a rapprocher les étudiantes de diverses facultés, à faire naître entre elles des liens d'intimité et de solidarité, à les encourager dans leurs études en leur fournissant un appui moral et des secours matériels. Non-members are admitted to the lectures given at the Feminine Students' Club. L'Institut Psychologique International is reported to have already established branch societies in London and in several Continental towns. Its exponents assert that this science will play an important role in the criminal jurispru. dence, pedagogy, and therapeutics of the future. Information re the progress achieved by the various sections of the society will be published in the Bulletin de l'Institut. (3) M. Bjöern. stjerne Björnson, the great Norwegian writer, t; presided ai the inauguration ceremony of the Collège d'Esthétique, of which M. Emile Zola has accepted the office of honorary president. A number of literary celebrities were present on this occasion. M. de Bouhélier dwelt at some length on the object of the foundation, and M. Le Blond on the practical advantages to be obtained from the mutual federation of the representatives of literature, art, and science. “Modern Beauty” was the appropriate title of the first lecture delivered under the auspices of the new college. Famous AUTOGRAPHS. The various prices obtained at recent sales for sundry autograph letters, signed by illustrious defunct writers, give a tolerably correct idea of the actual mercantile value and popularity of the works of those lights of literature, to wit :- A letter written by Voltaire fetched 135 francs ; a literary letter (lettre littéraire), by Sainte-Beuve, 120 francs; seventeen letters of Madame de Stael were sold for 410 francs; a letter from Chateaubriand to M. de Vitrolles immediately fetched 105 francs; a letter from Diderot to Grimm, 380 francs; a letter from Barbey d'Aurevilly to a lady, 120 francs ; a genuine Balzac autograph (in the commencement of “ Père Goriot "), 52 francs; while a letter written by Alexandre Dumas fils to a literary critic obtained 125 francs, being 67 francs in advance of the sum given for an autograph letter written by Cathérine de Médicis to her Royal son, Charles IX. A literary letter from Emile Augier to a dramatic critic fetched the compara- tively small sum of 29 francs; while a literary letter from M. Paul Bourget's pen obtained 30 francs-notwithstanding the fact that its author is still living. The autographs of George Sand are rare, and, consequently, much sought after. An expert is reported to have asserted that an autograph letter of George Sand is worth more at the present time than the amount originally received by the famous author for several of her most popular works. IN THE LAW COURTS. Legal arbitration is slowly but surely super- seding the homicidal duel which was so highly in favour during certain epochs in the last century. That an historian can, when necessary, quote a passage from an article, book, or speech, without the author's authorisation, is established by the “ Droit de Citation Littéraire.” Whether an editor or author can likewise reproduce a sketch or caricature, without the artist's permis- sion, is the question the law has been called on to decide in the action brought by M. Ibels, carica- turist of the Sifflet, against M. Grand-Carteret re the latter's interesting publication, “L'Affaire et l'Image." Maître Labori pleaded on behalf of M. Ibels; Maître G. Maillard upheld the right of “ Citation Graphique”; and Maître Levy-Salle appeared on behalf of the Siècle, at whose office the offending work was published. A propos of the action for libel brought by M. Bruyerre, the well-known dramatist, against his political adversary, M. Montorgueil of the Eclair, on account of an injurious personal article pub- lished in the latter paper Feb. II, 1900, the First Civil Chamber has at last arrived at the following decision :- “Seeing that—in an article entitled 'L'Envers d'un drame,' published in the Éclair, Feb. 11, 1900–Georges Montorgueil has imputed to Louis Bruyerre actions hurtful to his honour, and prejudicial to his public reputation; ... that Montorgueil vainly asserts to have been within his right in censuring the private indi-  ## p. 179 (#245) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 179 viduality of a writer who had himself given to NOTES AND NEWS. the publicity of the stage a domestic drama in which he was one of the actors; that, though the "T ITERATURE” puts in a timely word in dramatic and literary author's work may be favour of the recognition of men and within the critic's jurisdiction, it is not the same women of letters. It points out that, with his private conduct—whether or not the according to some, an Academy of Letters would latter be in harmony with his work”-for these, be a foundation worthy of a new reign. The and sundry other reasons duly detailed by the subject is thorny, and must be discussed else- First Chamber, M. Montorgueil was condemned where. It also points to a reform in the distri- to pay one thousand francs indemnity to bution of pensions never intended for the widows M. Bruyerre, as compensation for the injurious of Government officials, and further suggests article published in the Eclair. The last that a more adequate recognition should be given cited phrases in the above judgment, joined to the claims of men and women of letters. The to the 5000 francs (2000 francs d'amende, 3000 Author has advocated these reforms for some francs de dommages intérêts), which the Ninth vears, and we ought to rejoice that a paper Civil Chamber has ordered the director of the of wide circulation has at last taken up the Petit Caporal to disburse for having indulged in subject. Of course, the initial objection will be a somewhat similar freedom of language regarding raised that authors themselves may be jealous the Seine-et-Oise deputy, M. Perillier, afford whatever distributions are granted. Perhaps : matter for wholesome reflection to several but this point may be neglected. There are dis- impetuous French journalists who are extremely contented members of the Bar and of the medical redoubtable—in print. profession, but the fact does not interfere with the recognition of lawyers and doctors as worthy RECENT PUBLICATIONS. of the national distinctious. It is not in order to . “Monsieur Bergeret à Paris," by M. Anatole please writers that we ask for recognition of France (chez the Figaro), which is asserted to letters: it is in order to teach the people the very have attained its thirty-ninth edition in three great and necessary lesson that literature is an days; “Le Friquet,” by “Gyp” (chez E. Flam- occupation, profession, or calling that is worthy marion); “L'Essai d'une psychologie politique of respect. When the State begins to honour du peuple Anglais au dix-neuvième siècle," by letters systematically, the people will begin to M. E. Boutmy (chez Armand Colin), a most inter- respect the calling of literature. esting work whose import is sufficiently indicated by its title; “ Problèmes politiques du temps présent,” by M. Emil Faguet (chez Armand Colin); The following passage is taken by permis- “ Fléau qui passe," a sensational novel by M. sion from Mr. Churton Collins's new volume, Ernest Daudet, the clever inheritor of a famous “Ephemera Critica,” which has just been pub- patronymic; “ Vallobra," by M. Paul Alexis, lished by Messrs Constable :- which narrates the history of a well-known Matthew Arnold very truly observed that one of the Parisian statesman under the transparent dis most unfortunate tendencies of our time was the tendency guise of a fictitious personage; “Notre Ennemi," to over-estimate the performances of “the averago by M. Cattier, being a well-written novel, dealing man." The over-estimation of these performances is no longer a tendency, but an established custom. with the pernicious effects caused by alcohol; Literature in all its branches is rapidly becoming his “ Midship,” a promising first novel by M. Pierre monopoly. As judged and judge, as author and critic, Custot, a young author of talent; “ Études et there is every indication that he will proceed from Réflexions d'un pessimiste," by M. Challemel. triumph to triumph, and establish his cult wherever books Lacour (chez Fasquelle), the said pessimist being are read. Now the only sphere in which “ the average man" is entitled to homage is a moral one, and he is most an elegant and interesting writer; and “ Les venerable when he is passive and anambitious. But if Femmes docteurs en médecine, dans tous les ambition and the love of fame are awakened in him, he is pays,” by Madame Haryett Fontanges. capable of becoming exceedingly corrapt and of forfeiting DARRACOTTE Scott. every title to veneration. He is capable of resorting to all the devices to which men are forced to resort in manufac. turing factitious reputations, to imposture, to fraud, to circulating false currencies of his own, and to assisting others in the circulation of theirs. Even when he is free from these vices, so far as their deliberate practice is con- cerned, he is scarcely less mischievous if he be ancontrolled. To say that his standard is never likely to be a high one, either with reference to his own achievements or with reference to what he exacts from others, and to say that the systematic substitution of inferior standards for high  ## p. 180 (#246) ############################################ 180 THE AUTHOR. ones must affect literature and all that is involved in its infuence, most disastrously, is to say what will be generally acknowledged. And he has everything, unhappily, in his favour-numbers, influence, the spirit of the age. For one who sees through him and takes his measure, there are thousands who do not: for one who could discern the justice of an exposure of his shortcomings, there are thousands who would attribute that exposure to personal enmity and to dishonest motives. His power, indeed, is becoming almost irresistible. The one thing which he and bis fellows thoroughly anderstand is the formidable advan. tage of co-operation. The consequence is that there are pro- bably not half a dozen reviews and newspapers now left which they are not able practically to coerce. An editor is obliged to assume honesty in those who contribute to his columns, and also to avail himself of the services of men who can write good articles, if they write bad books. In the first case, it is not open to him to question the justice of the verdict pronounced ; in the second case, the courtesy of the gentleman very naturally and properly predominates, onder such circumstances, over public considerations—and bow can truth be told ? Nor is this all. Assuming that an editor is free from such ties, be bas to consult the interests of bis paper, to study popularity, and not to estrange those who are, from a commercial point of view, the mainstay of all our literary journals, those who adver tise in them—the publishers. “If,” said an editor to me once, “I were to tell the truth as forcibly as I could wish to do, about the books sent to me for review, in six months my proprietors would be in the bankruptcy court." It is in the power of the pablishers to ruin any literary journal. There is probably not a single review in London which would survive the withdrawal of the publishers' advertise. ments. equality in his work to over-production. A letter which Mr. Marsh has just addressed to the chief literary journals explains both the inequality and the apparent rapidity of his work. It seems that the publishers to whom his earlier work was sold are taking advantage of his present popalarity in a fashion that must be called at least disingenuous. “During the last year or two,” says Mr. Marsh, “work of mine which appeared in print twelve years ago has been brought out as new. The impression has consequently grown up that I flood the market with books turned out by machinery. ... An author can have no reasonable objection to the production of fresh editions of his books, but he has every right to protest against his old work being issued by owners of copyrights as if it were new. It is unfair to the public, to reviewers, and to the writer himself.” With this protest we are entirely in accord. Only it must be said that the author has always a prospective remedy against this sort of ill-usage by declining to part with the copyright of his books. No doubt at present this is a counsel of perfection. The young writer who can only get his works issued on condition that he sells them outright can hardly be expected to choose the alternative of not appear- ing in print. But the sooner the Society of Authors succeed in getting every writer to follow their banner in the contest for the author's full rights the better it will be for the writing and reading world. In the apparent remoteness of that happy consummation it ought to be no difficult thing to guard against this particular trick of the unscrupo- lous publisher by inserting in the next Copyright Act a brief clause to ensure that the date of original publica- tion shall be placed on the back of the title-page of every new edition. Messrs. Macmillan and some other publishers have already adopted this plan, which is most helpful to the bibliographer. We gbould like to see it made compulsory, whether by legislation or by the force of public opinion. The above extract, made by permission of the author, should be very carefully considered by our readers. Brief comments, or additional evi. dence, on the subject are invited, but not vague talk. It is hoped to return to the subject in the April number. There are not many points connected with the well-being, the interests, and the independence of literature more important than those raised by Mr. Collins. I have received, by the kindness of Miss Clementina Black, one of the vice-presidents of the Women's Industrial Council, their report for the last year. An appeal is there made for additions to the library. The books, which now number over 1000, are used for twenty-seven associations, each of which is entitled to so many volumes a year. There is very little margin for the purchase of books, and the report asks for be report asks for presents of books. Will members and readers make a note of the request and write for a copy Copy of the report? The office of the Council is at 12, Buckingham-street, Strand. Members would perhaps see their way to sending copies of their own books. The foregoing note is from the Manchester Guardian. The grievance is, as there stated, the republication of old work as if it was new. That is to say, most agreements, whether of royalty, or of profit sharing (?), or of commission, or by sale outright, include the power of republication in any form and at any time. This, however, is not necessarily the sale of copyright. The dis- tinction has been often laid down by Mr. Thring, and will be explained again. As regards, how- ever, the right of republication, with which we are here concerned, it would be possible, perhaps, to get a short clause to the effect suggested inserted in the Bill, but in the case of young writers, anxious above all things to get their chance of being heard, nothing would be easier than a clause in the agreement securing that right to the pub. lisher despite the lisher despite the Copyright Bill. No clause in an Act, I believe, can be so framed as not to be set aside by agreement. The only possible way to meet this difficulty, and a great many others of the same kind, is what I have elsewhere described as the “ Method of the Future," which is simply for a writer of position in any branch to take over the publication of his own work with a commission publisher who is nothing else. As soon as this system is universally adopted—there The surprising fecundity of a novelist of some reputation, Mr. Ricbard Marsb, has been more than once commented opon by the critics, who have attributed a certain lack of  ## p. 181 (#247) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 181 is no trouble about it, and in the case of such a PUBLISHING ON COMMISSION. writer no risk-the ordinary publisher would be left with the rubbish to deal with as he pleases. CYOME interest has been awakened by the We should then hear no more of those monstrous paper in the February number of The claims advanced by the Publishers' Association " Author on the “ Method of the Future.” which demand practically the right to take just Letters have been received by the Editor asking whatever they please for themselves, with com- if the facts and conclusions there stated can missions on everything and unlimited power over possibly be based on agreements issued by advertisements. respectable firms. One writer abuses the Editor in round terms for untruthfulness in letting it Meantime, and until writers of distinction be supposed that the terms as set forth in that understand their own power as a commercial paper can really be advanced in accordance factor, and are prepared to take as much care with the conditions of the Publishers' Associa- over their literary property as they now take over tion. It would, indeed, be difficult to believe an estate, a house, a coal mine, the only thing to that such figures were possible were not the do is to insist upon a clause in the original agree. documents before the world as issued by the ment to the effect pointed out by the Manchester comunittee of that body-documents which are, Guardian. This clause should be adopted at indeed, truly wonderful. once by all literary agents. Perhaps the Com. In justification of that paper let us quote the mittee of the Society will take up the matter. documents themselves. The meaning of publishing by commission has There is, of course. no hope whatever that a hitherto been understood to be that the pub- publisher who is in possession of an early and a lisher puts the book through the press—the forgotten work by an author who becomes corrections being, of course, made by the author popular will not take advantage of that popularity -advertises it, and sends it round the trade in for his own interests. As well believe what some the usual routine. For this work he was con- publishers still pretend, that the trade exists for sidered to be properly paid by a commission on no other purpose than the advancement of litera- the sales. Observe that he ran no risk: his ture. One might as well pretend that a glover in work was of a purely routine character: it takes Bond-street exists for no other purpose than the a few minutes only to decide the type, paper, improvement and advancement of the tannery and binding-I speak from experience, because I interest. Both glover and publisher exist for the have done this work myself for many books. sake of making money by their trade. The state- For the use of his office, and for that very ment is not an accusation: it is a plain fact. In small amount of personal service, he received a the same way brewers, although they are some- commission. times raised to the House of Lords, exist for the All this is now altered. The publishers demand purpose of making money by their trade. The in addition to the commission a blank percentage same thing may also be said, of course, as regards upon everything. In addition, mind, not in sub- the professions. Anyone, in fact, who is paid for stitution for a commission. In addition, every- the exercise of his skill is, in a sense, a trades- thing is to be so charged as to make it the interest man. If we recognise this fact in all its bearings of the publishers to make the unhappy author we shall be saved a large amount of gush and accept as high an estimate as they think will subsequent ill-feeling. We come back, over and be possible, an estimate furnished, observe, by over again, to the broad distinction between litera- themselves, not by printers, binders, and paper- ture as an art and literature as a profession, trade, makers. Here, however, are the exact terms, or calling. And from the former point of view taken from their own published “ Forms of Agree- there is no possibility of estimating literature by ment": means of money-eg., a writer who is indignant (1) There is to be a blank fee paid in advance, because Milton received only £10 for “ Paradise in order, one supposes, to meet the case in which Lost” misunderstands the whole question, there would be no sales. It should be a fee“ on while the sum paid for “ Paradise Lost" should account” of commission, which, if moderate, in equity-perhaps it did-represent the com- would be fair. mercial value of the poem at the time. (2) The estimate above-mentioned to be sent WALTER BESANT. in by the publisher (!) on which he is to charge a commission. So that the door is left open to direct fraud and overcharge in the estimate, on which, not on the actual cost, the publisher is to charge a commission.  ## p. 182 (#248) ############################################ 182 THE AUTHOR. But why even on the exact cost? What is notices of certain books. Among other short the publisher paid for at all, except for the very articles is an extract from the New York Tribune trifling service of sending the book to the on the literary agert. It is sad to observe that printers ? He receives a commission on the sales, the American publisher loves him not. The for which he gives the use of his office and such reason is, according to the Tribune, not that he personal service as he renders. conducts affairs of business from a business (3) A discount added to the commission on the point of view, but because he breaks up “the charges of not more—which, of course, will be pleasant personal relations between the authors interpreted " not less "—than 71 per cent. and the publishers.” It is not for us to (4) Payment of all their charges in advance. inquire into the history of those relations in (5) A blank commission on the sales. the United States. On our side the relations (6) Accounts rendered and payment made a have been pleasant, very pleasant-for publishers, blank number of months afterwards. that is, so long as authors never inquired what If the reader will apply figures to these con- they meant. When an abominable and deplor- ditions it will be found that the paper in able spirit of curiosity impelled them to ascer- The Author understated the case. tain for themselves the meaning of royalties, In addition, however, to these conditions the “half profits,” advertisements, printing, paper, “ draft agreements” preserve an absolute silence and binding, there was an outcry. The ways about charging advertisements not paid for, i.e., in of pleasantness and the paths of peace were the publishers' own organs and by exchange. disturbed. The old friendly relations were This silence must be designed in the face of the destroyed. In other words, the old suspicions representations continually made as to these and heartburnings which characterised the old charges. Nothing, observe, is to prevent a pub- relations were explained and investigated. So lisher from charging whatever he pleases for far, the position of the author, with us, has been advertising a book in a way which costs him enormously improved, while the publisher has nothing. And not one word is said by the ceased to maunder and to mourn over the Publishers' Association in condemnation of this imaginary friendly relations of old. Occasionally, power or the practice. too, he still catches an author who is credulous Observe, also, that, so far as is known, not a enough to believe that in publishing, alone among single publisher has remonstrated with these all transactions affecting property, the word of monstrous claims : so that not only the small fry, one side is to be accepted without question or but also the most important houses, have endorsed doubt. and approved these Forms. Under these circumstances it is surely common prudence not to give a book to be published on CANADIAN SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. commission to a general publisher. The conditions thus set forth are not hard to REPORT READ AT THE ANNUAL MEET- understand. Readers will be able to strengthen ING—TORONTO, JAN. 21, 1901. the Society's hands very materially by making THE Canadian Society of Authors was formed them known among their friends. W. B. 1 at a meeting summoned by circulars addressed to all known writers in Canada, and held at the Canadian Institute, Feb. 6, 1899, on a resolution moved by Hon. G. W. Ross, THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS. seconded by the late Professor Rand, and carried with practical unanimity. Through a variety of THE Bulletin of this Society for Dec. 1900 is causes, however, the holding of the first annual 1 before us. It contains an account of a meeting has been delayed until the present date, dinner given to Mark Twain, with his although, according to ordinary routine, it would speech on the occasion-an excellent speech, of have been held at an earlier period. course. There is no one in this country who is After inauguration, the following officers of the not prepared to acknowledge the tribute of the Society were elected :-Hon. President, Goldwin Washington Post quoted in the Bulletin. Only, Smith, D.C.L. ; President, Hon. G. W. Ross; instead of “this vast country," one would be dis- Vice-presidents, Hon. J. W. Longley (Halifax), posed to substitute the words “the vast territories W. D. Lighthall (Montreal), and Professor governed by the Anglo-Saxon communities.” Mavor (Toronto); Secretary, Bernard McEvoy ; The rest of the Bulletin is made up mainly of Executive, Messrs. James Bain, O. A. Howland, J. short paragraphs. There is nothing in it con- Castell Hopkins, John A. Cooper, B. E. Walker, cerning literary property. There are, however, and Pelham Edgar.  ## p. 183 (#249) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 183 Immediate efforts to increase the number of Your secretary has collected a considerable members were made by correspondence with quantity of information regarding the writings Canadian authors, and a membership of eighty- of members of the Society, which is available for three has been enrolled, of which thirty reside in any future action that may be taken in connection Toronto, twenty-eight in other parts of Ontario, with it. twelve in Quebec, two in Nova Scotia, four in Your Society has to lament the loss of two British Columbia, three in London (England), members by death-viz., Professor Theodore two in the North-West Territory, one in California, Rand, of Toronto, and Hon. J. Marchand, of and one in New York. Numerous letters were Quebec. received, approving of the incorporation of Canadian authors into a permanent organisa- tion. THE FRASER HOMES FOR INDIGENT Your Society early gave its attention to the AUTHORS. study of the question of Canadian Copyright, which, at its inception, was in an unsettled and NHE homes at Colinton, to found which the unsatisfactory state. In accordance with a reso- late Sir William Fraser, K.C.B., LL.D., lution of your Society, the president prepared a - bequeathed £25,000, have now been built, comprehensive memorandum on the subject which and are ready for occupation. Sir William, it was printed and freely distributed. This was may perhaps be remembered, directed his trustees subsequently the basis of discussion at several to apply the sum mentioned " in the foundation meetings of your executive, and ultimately and endowment of certain homes for the poor in certain clauses were agreed upon which it was the city or county of Edinburgh,” declaring it to. recommended should form a part of any fresh be his wish that the persons to be benefited legislation on the subject that might shortly be “should include preferentially those who may be introduced in the Dominion Parliament, while ascertained to be authors or artists, and who, Vice-President Professor Mavor, who was going either from non-success in the profession or work to England, was deputed to lay the views of your of literature or of art, or from whatever other Society before a Committee of the House of cause, are in necessitous circumstances, the Lords, which at that time was considering a new character of the said beneficiaries being always Copyright Act. This he did with considerable found to be satisfactory to the administrators.” success, appearing on several occasions before the The rules and regulations to be made for admis. Committee, and interviewing many persons con- sion to the homes, and for their management, cerned. Messrs. 0. A. Howland and A. H. F. were left entirely to the discretion of the trustees. Lefroy also gave careful attention to important Ground was feued by Sir William's trustees in legal aspects of the question, and made a valuable the vicinity of Colinton railway station, and the report thereupon, which was laid before the work of building the houses was begun in May Ministers at Ottawa who were considering a new last. The site is an excellent one. It is on the Copyright Act. Professor Mavor subsequently high ground to the north of the railway, and attended at Ottawa and explained the views of overlooking the village of Colinton. The build- your Society to several members of the Cabinet. ings consist of twelve houses, forming three sides Your Society may therefore legitimately consider of a square, and facing a central court. This that it exerted a proper and significant influence court has been nicely laid out, and has a terraced in connection with the preparation and passing walk round it, and a small fountain in the centre. of the fairly satisfactory Copyright Bill which The houses vary in size from two to four rooms, received the assent of the Governor-General last and are fitted up with all the latest sanitary and year, and that it has done its best to place its other conveniences. There is a large hall and ideas on the subject of copyright before the reading room which is to be used by the inhabi. Imperial authorities in London. tants of the homes in common. The buildings On Oct. 24, 1899, your Society held a banquet have a highly picturesque appearance. They are at the Temple Café, Toronto, which was attended of stone, and are harled and whitewashed, the by about sixty members and friends, the guests red corn-sickle dressings standing out boldly being Mr. Gilbert Parker and Mr. George against the white surroundings. The court has Herbert Thring, Secretary of the Society of a southern aspect, and commands a magnificent Authors, Great Britain. view, bounded only by the Pentlands. On April 9, 1900, your Society gave an evening The balance of the £25,000, after payment of reception to Louis Frechette, C.M.G., at the the cost of erecting the homes, is to be invested Canadian Institute, which was attended by about by the trustees, and the income applied in the 100 members and friends. upkeep of the buildings, and other necessary  ## p. 184 (#250) ############################################ 184 THE AUTHOR. expenditure. The balance of income still remain- ing is to be applied for behoof of the inmates of the homes. The trustees also reserve to themselves power to receive donations.-Scots Pictorial. CORRESPONDENCE. owners of the copyright something; I never heard of an English reprinter sending those who are morally the holders of the copyright a six- pence. I have been told, on what I believe to be good authority, that at least one “eminent” publish- ing firm have reprints of popular books ready to bring out the moment they are free of the law. I remember, when I first knew anything of the publishing trade (alas, 'tis hard on sixty years since), two publishers—Tegg and Daly-used to be spoken of as by no means reputable because their chief trade was that of pouncing on books the copyright of which had expired. Moral feeling does not appear to have grown stronger in fifty years. F. S. ELLIS. I.—THE MOTE AND THE BEAM. TN times gone by English publishers have been 1 as loud as English authors in their con- demnation of the practice of literary piracy in the United States of America. I imagine they would still think themselves aggrieved where books are reprinted of which the publisher has neglected or been unable to fulfil the conditions of the American Copyright Act. But will the English publishers, who make it a practice to pounce down on the works of any popular author the moment they are out of copyright, explain to us how much better they are than their American brethren whom they so freely and justly condemn ? The answer or excuse is the same in both cases. “There is no copyright.” “The copyright has expired.” I would ask these gentlemen what would be the case with them if the law protected the author for twenty years instead of forty, or ten, or five, or one? If their conscience allows them to appropriate a book as soon as the law ceases to protect it, would they be a bit more scrupulous if they had immunity after a shorter period ? A particularly outrageous, not to say dis- graceful, form of this practice I complain of is, where cheap reprints are issued of early editions of books which were afterwards revised and recast by the author, misleading those who know no better to suppose they are buying a complete book, when they are in truth having imposed upon them a book which the author would desire to withdraw from circulation. The case of avowed facsimile reprints is, of course, another matter; to those I do not refer. I lately came on a reprint of the first and boyish version of a poem, which the author subsequently rewrote, put forth without one word of explanation. This crude version was printed in a magazine in 1850, while the author's revised version did not appear till 1870. Hence the sketch is at the mercy of the pirate while the complete version is not. The English publisher's code of honour in reprinting “out of copyright” books seems to me to be exactly on a par with that of the American publisher who reprints " no copyright” books. But there is a difference. Many of the American houses would send the II.-BOOKS AND REVIEWS-A REPLY. I did not think that the propositions which I presumed to advance in the January Author would call forth such an interesting paper as that entitled “Books and Reviews,” by our Editor. As my few remarks have caused a little interest, perhaps I ought to say something to vindicate my position, which I find rather awkward owing to the indefinite nature of certain sentences in my first letter. I certainly said that “reviews are intended for the guidance of readers,” but I did not add criticism, which the Editor has done, in the first sentence of his second paragraph. I must express my sorrow for not placing the term “review" between inverted commas, which I meant to do, and thus should have run less risk of being misunderstood. It is the “ reviewing," or lumping system, to which I referred, for the word conveyed very little other meaning to me, True! I always thought there might be a subtle significance in the term-a hidden meaning known only to the writers—but to me such “reviews” only meant a guide to readers ; criti. cism has always appeared to me to be quite another matter. Our editor very rightly says that these “ reviews should be, first of all, designed to mark and to illustrate the present condition of litera- ture; to maintain a standard, and to keep before the world the canons of criticisms." Very true; they should have this intention, but have they? If they are so designed, very few signs of such intentions are visible. After reading the editor's article I made a careful study of the review columns in the principal literary papers, and the conclusion I was compelled to form was that very few papers indeed act up to the ideal of criticism so ably portrayed by him. There are a few which do so, but I need only mention two of the best—the Scotsman and the Manchester  ## p. 185 (#251) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 185 un U- Guardian. I don't know what the system to literature. Here let me say in reply to of these papers may be, but as nearly every H. M. E. Stanton's letter that I am a devoted review, even in the same class of litera- book lover ; to me books are the dearest things ture, differs from the others in the general on earth; they are materialised thoughts, and as character and style of writing, I should say that such I love to review them, no matter how bad they adopt the system of the Glasgow Herald, they inay be, for even in those amateurish and give one book per week to a private reviewer. attempts which no one will review I find grains No matter how they work it, their critical columns of golden thought, even though they are expressed are worth reading, both as specimens of critical in unliterary and ungrammatical words. These art, and also as guides to the best in literature books have no claim to be called contributions to No doubt the old-fashioned critical articles were literature, yet I review them all the same-for the best; blackguardly though they may have been, my own benefit; the editors for whom I work one would prefer those murderous slatings of fifty would not use the reviews if I sent them. Such years ago rather than the “review” of to-day. books come in the parcels with the good ones- A book must have been a contribution to literature evidently the editors who send them think they to get even condemnation; to-day neither the may be useful to my barber ; but the barber does author nor the public can know of what literary not see them; they are stored upon my shelves value a book is from the Press notices. Have we with any little good points carefully marked. to assume that with the higher standard of educa- To me they are the dead and gone fancies of tion, the greater output of good books, the many a struggling mind, and I love them. correspondingly greater number of critical readers, I do not go so far as to suggest the wholesale and last, but by no means least, the rapid publication of bad books, but I do say that there advances made in journalism, the standard of may be good even in the worst. Certainly a book criticism has degenerated ? I greatly fear that should not be condemned for, perhaps, a few this melancholy question must be answered in the phrases of questionable morale, as so many are. affirmative. Why should the greater output of Like immoral pictures, immoral books can be books have this result, assuming that every book exquisite works of art, and should be treated as is to-day regarded as a literary event, to be such ; their literary value should be discussed judged accordingly? Even the few brief lines apart from the critic's notions of morality. The given in the“ lumping "columns of the Spectator reviewer is not required to give his religious might be in accordance with the canons (sic) opinions, but his literary judgment, which should of criticism. Better still, if a book ought to be not be so much his own opinion as a proper expo- noticed at all, why should it not receive a para- sition of the canons of literature. graph of some few dozen lines, and let these With regard to my other proposition, that lines be well written? Let praise or condemna authors “ do not buy books,” I referred more to tion be given in well-formed sentences, stating novels—modern novels. Of course, every author the literary reasons why such praise or condemna -and novelist-buys his Scott, Dickens, and tion is given. There is too much of the personal Thackeray, if he can afford it, and also the works element in modern "reviewing," and à propos of our great contemporaries; but I do not think of this a reference pregnant with meaning they buy novels that are talked about in the is given by Mr. T. Edgar Pemberton in his papers as other members of society are supposed newly-published treatise on Bret Harte, concern to do. Again, in reply to H. M. E. Stanton, it is to ing the first appearance of “ The Luck of Roaring this kind of literature that my “principle” Camp." A narrow-minded printer and a prudish applies. I never bought a modern “popular" young lady proof-reader objected to a phrase in novel, but I have bought, and love to buy, as the story, with the result that a magnificent piece many books as I can afford from the pens of of word-painting was nearly lost to the world. It such writers as our editor, J. M. Barrie, and was only through the firmness of both author George Meredith. Books from these masters are and publisher that the story was printed. One is as necessary to the young writer as books on inclined to think that much of this sort of thing anatomy are to the medical student. No; I am still goes on. How many good books are not tired of the books, even after I have “slated” through the prejudice taken by some “reviewed” them—they are always things of narrow-minded reviewers against certain phrases joy; but I certainly weary of the long, “ lump- in them? I venture to say there are many ing" columns of Press notices which are in every hundreds. We want—very much want-review- way so useless. There is both instruction and ing done for the sake of pure art; each article interest in such critical articles as appear in the should in itself be a specimen of critical art; and Saturday Review, and monthly in the Bookman, it should treat its subject also as a contribution which of all purely literary papers is distinctly  ## p. 186 (#252) ############################################ 186 THE AUTHOR. the best. The criticisms contained in this latter journal combine nearly all the designs of criti. cism mentioned by Sir Walter Besant; but, alas! when will the dailies and weeklies turn out such paragraphs as the Bookman ? Certainly all of us who have the privilege of reviewing—and a noble work it is, if well done-should aim at attaining this high standard. Jas. BAGNALL-STUBBS. BOOK AND PLAY TALK. DROFESSOR YORK POWELL is engaged on a book which will be called “ The Reign he Reign published by Messrs. Constable. “The Fish Crown in Dispute,” the fairy tale by Miss F. Lancaster Lucas, which Messrs. Skeffington and Son will publish at Easter, is of interest as being the first book dedicated to H.R.H. the Duchess of Cornwall and York in her new title, she having graciously accepted the dedication. Dr. H. Bellyse Baildon will issue a book through Chatto and Windus this month, entitled “Robert Louis Stevenson : a Life Study in Criticism.” Dr. Baildon was a schoolfellow of Robert Louis Stevenson, and in later life correspondence kept them in touch with each other. When Steven. son had made a name, Dr. Baildon had become a lecturer on English Literature to German students on the Continent, and he tried to infuse into his pupils an admiration for Stevenson's work as being something more than mere adven. ture books. The book will contain a portrait hitherto unpublished, and will be uniform with the six-shilling edition of Stevenson's works. Mrs. Katharine S. Macquoid, the novelist and travel - book writer, quietly kept her golden wedding day on Jan. 28. She has been working for the public for nearly forty years. Her health is delicate, but she still works, when health permits, with her accustomed spirit. She has lately finished a historical romance. Mr. B. T. Batsford announces a second issue of Mr. Edwin 0. Sachs's monumental work, “Modern Opera Houses and Theatres,” which will be published in the spring. Mr. Sachs's work comprises three grand folio volumes with two hundred and twenty plates, and over one thousand illustrations, and the first edition appeared between 1896 and 1898, after having required more than eight years' preparation. The work is the most comprehensive on any special architec- tural subject published during the past century, The new issue will be in no wise inferior to the original, and will contain a special prefatory note dealing with the latest developments and improvements in theatre architecture which Mr. Sachs has to such a great extent been instru- mental in bringing about, not only at home, but in foreign countries. A new novel is announced by Miss Mina Sandeman, entitled “ Veronica Verdant." Mr. Frederic Carrel, the author of “The Pro- gress of Pauline Kessler," is now reading the proofs of his new novel “ Paul Le Maistre.” Mr. Charles Grant, the author of “The Middle Temple,” “A Baltic Cruise,” “La Marguerite,” is writing an account of his cruise to the Mediter- is writing ranean, and of his travels in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. The book will be ready early in March. Mr. Poultney Bigelow sails for America imme- diately in order to lecture at Yale and Columbia Universities on the History of Colonies and their Administration. He proposes to return as soon as the lectures have been given. Mr. John Cordy Jeaffreson died on Feb. 2, at Maida Vale. London, in his seventy-first year. Although chiefly known for his works on the learned professions—“A Book about Doctors," “A Book about Lawyers,” and “A Book about the Clergy”_Mr. Jeaffreson's work in fiction. especially “ Not Dead Yet," was also popular. A book of his personal reminiscences appeared about seven years ago. The Rev. Henry Grey Graham, author of “Social Life in Scotland in the Eighteenth Cen- tury,” which has been published in a one-volume edition, is engaged on a volume dealing with the Scottish literature and literary men of the same period. It will not be ready till about the end of the year. Mr. Thomas Wright's forthcoming edition of Cowper's Letters will contain many new letters. cowpers from the original manuscripts. The author of “An Englishwoman's Love Letters,” concerning whose identity there has been so much feverish curiosity, is stated to be Mr. Laurence Housman. The Life of the late Bishop of London (Dr. Mandell Creighton) has been undertaken by Mrs. Creighton, and will be published by Messrs. Longmans, Green and Co. Mrs. Creighton appeals to those who may have letters from the Bishop to lend them to her for the purposes of the work.  ## p. 187 (#253) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 187 A history of the recent campaign in Ashanti by an officer who was with the relieving force is about to be published by Messrs. Methuen. The author is Captain H. J. C. Biss. The book will be fully illustrated with photographs and plans. Lady Hodgson, wife of Sir Frederic Hodgson, formerly Governor of the Gold Coast, has written an account of the siege of Coomassie, which is published by Messrs. Pearson. “Anticipations” is the title of a new work upon which Mr. H. G. Wells is at present engaged. It is to be a series of speculations on the world's development, based on scientific knowledge and a reasoned survey of the tendencies of the age. The work will first appear serially in one of the monthly reviews. Literature understands that the late Mr. Stephen Crane's uncompleted novel “ The O'Ruddy,” is being finished by Mr. A. E. W. Mason, and will be dramatised and produced by Mr. David Belasco. Mr. A. C. Bradley, who has been Professor of Modern Literature at University College, Liverpool, and at Glasgow University, now succeeds Professor Courthope in the Chair of Poetry at Oxford. Mr. W. J. Woodhouse, M.A., Lecturer in Ancient History and Political Philosophy at St. Andrew's, has been elected to the Professorship of Greek at the Univer- sity of Sydney. Mr. Woodhouse's “Tutorial History of Greece" will be published in a few months. "A State Secret, and Other Stories," by Mrs. Croker, and a novel entitled “A Narrow Way," by Miss Mary Findlater, are being published by Messrs. Methuen. A recent number of Light, the weekly organ of spiritualism, contained the following curious announcement from the hon. secretary of the Society of Spiritists: We have received two or three messages from Florence Marryat-the first on the day of her funeral, and others at different times since then, during our materialisation séances. She stated that she hoped to communicate with as abortly, but that she would never materialise, as that was not a part of her work in the other life, but we ander. stood that she would dictate a book to us of experiences since she crossed the river. She wished it taken down in shorthand, and we have made arrangements for this to be done. Mr. William Archer contributes to the Inter- national Monthly for February (London: The International News Company) a paper entitled " The Real Ibsen.” He remarks at the outset that Henrik Ibsen has been more widely miss understood than any artist, past or present. After dealing with the points upon which he claims that Ibsen has been misunderstood, Mr. Archer in conclusion says: T he people who seek to construct a "gospel,” a consistent body of doctrine, from bis works, are spinning ropes of sand. He is “everything by turns and nothing long." He is neither an individualist nor a socialist, neither an aristo. crat nor a democrat, neither an optimist nor a pessimist. He is simply a dramatist, looking with piercing eyes at the world of men and women, and translating into poetry this episode and that from the inexhaustible pageant. Poetry- poetry: that is the first word and the last of any true appreciation of Ibsen. It is largely because he has applied to purposes of poetry a vehicle hitherto ased only for prosaio ends that he has been so strangely misunderstood. But the period of misunderstanding is passing away, and the real Ibsen is emerging from the mists in which pre- jadice and imperfect knowledge have enveloped him, to take his predestined place among the great poets of the nine- teenth century. Journalism is in a flourishing condition in the Argentine Republic, where it enjovs perfect liberty, and, according to the U.S. Education Report, is constantly increasing in influence and improving in quality. In 1881 only 165 news- papers and periodicals were published in the entire country, but in 1896 the number had increased to 610, of which 279 were published in the capital city, 327 in the provinces, and four in the national territories. The best newspapers correspond in size to the leading daily papers of the United States. They have a complete tele- grapbic service, and publish every day dispatches giving the important news from all parts of the world. “Premières of the Year” is a volume by Mr. J. T. Grein, which Mr. Macqueen is about to publish. Mr. Max Pemberton's new novel, “ Pro Patria,” which ran serially in the Windsor Magazine, will be published this month by Messrs. Ward, Lock and Co. It is reported that Mr. Pemberton has written a comedy for Miss Julia Neilson and Mr. Fred Terry. Mrs. Aylmer Gowing's new novel, entitled “A Spider's Web," is now ready, and may be had of all booksellers. It is described as a work of considerable strength and of sustained interest. A new novel by Mrs. de Courcy Laffan (Mrs. Leith Adams) may be looked for early in the spring. It will be entitled “ The Vicar of Dale End: a Study,' and dedicated, by special permis- sion, to Sir Henry Irving. The story is founded on certain facts that happened about a hundred years ago. A volume of collected stories (from All the Year Round and Household Words), by the same writer, is in the press, and will shortly be published; as also a third and cheaper edition of "The Prince's Feathers.”  ## p. 188 (#254) ############################################ 188 THE AUTHOR. Messrs. Jarrold and Sons have issued a new to-day seems too crude to deal with its delicate two-shilling edition of Mrs. de Courcy Laffan's perfection. The front, in Shaftesbury-avenue, earlier works, under the title of “ The Imperial reminds one of a pavilion in the park of Versailles, Series.” although at the same time it asserts itself as On Feb. 6, Mrs. Laffan lectured before a undoubtedly a theatre.” The house was opened crowded and distinguished audience, at the with “The Belle of Bohemia,” a musical farce Sesame Club, on “Fictional Literature as a written by Mr. Harry B. Smith, the music by Mr. Profession for Women.” Ludwig Englander. Mr. F. D. Bvrne has translated Sudermann's The new Savoy opera, “ The Emerald Isle,” is “ Johannisfeur" on an order from Mrs. Patrick intended for production about Easter. The Campbell. It is a four-act play in the East libretto is by Captain Basil Hood, and the late Prussian dialect. The English title given is Sir Arthur Sullivan's partial setting is being “Bonfire Night," completed by Mr. Edward German. Mr. W. S. Crockett is the author of a book on Mrs. Langtry will open the reconstructed “ The Scott Country.” which Messrs. A. and C. Imperial Theatre, on April 18, with her new play Black are about to publish. It aims at present. founded on the life of Marie Antoinette. ing information upon the district associated with A dramatised version of “ Vanity Fair” has Sir Walter Scott upon a more compact and com- been secured by Mr. Frank Curzon, and will prehensive plan than has yet been attempted. probably be the next production at the Prince of Mr. Crockett is the author of “In Praise of Wales's Theatre. Miss Marie Tempest, who is Tweed.” now playing in “ Peg Woffington” at that Professor Masson is writing his “Reminiscences theatre, is spoken of for the part of Becky Sharp. of a Literary Life.” A new modern comedy by Mr. R. C. Carton Mr. A. Lys Baldry is engaged on a large illus-, will be produced at the Criterion about Easter. trated volume to be called “ Professor Hubert Meanwhile that house is about to witness a von Herkomer and his Works.” It is not revival of Mr. Sydney Grundy's adaptation from expected to be ready before the autumn. Messrs. “Les Surprises du Divorce,” entitled “ Mamma." Bell are the publishers. Sir Henry Irving has accepted a play by Mr. Mme. Sarah Grand's new novel, “ Babs the Fergus Hume. Impossible,” will be published in a few weeks by Messrs. Hutchinson. The same firm will issue A morning performance of Mr. Zangwill's Miss Adeline Sergeant's new novel, “ The Trea- comedy, “ The Revolt of the Daughters," is being arranged by Mr. J. T. Grein for a day in March. sure of Captain Scarlett.” Mr. Forbes Robertson begins his management Mr Warwick H. Draper has written a book on of the Comedy on April 20. King Alfred, which Mr. Elliot Stock is publishing, It will have an introduction from the pen of the Bishop of Hereford. Mr. Neil Munro's new novel, “ Doom Castle," which is appearing serially, will be published in a month or two by Messrs. Blackwood. Earl Percy has written a volume on the High- SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. lands of Asiatic Turkey, which he recently visited. It will be published by Mr. Arnold. [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT. The scene of Mr. Baring Gould's new novel, “The Frobishers," is laid in the Staffordshire pottery district. It will be published imme- ... .. 8 diately by Messrs. Methuen. ... ... 1 Quarter of a Page ... ... 0 15 0 In the descriptive pamphlet distributed at the Eighth of a Page ... ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0 opening of the Apollo Theatre on the 21st ult. Bills for Insertion Mr. Louis N. Parker wrote: “To describe this beautiful building properly one ought to have the Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Six and of 25 per cent. for Twelve Insertions. pen of Addison. The whole thing has been All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the carried out so thoroughly carried out so thoroughly in the style of the me suyle 01 the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Omice, 4, Portugal-street, eighteenth century that the current language of London, W.C. “THE AUTHOR.” . ... £4 0 0 Front Page Other Pages Hall of a Page .. per 2000 3 0 0  ## p. 188 (#255) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. TE LITERARY AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS FOR Laborator Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 3, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS TYPEWRITING COMPANY, – OSWALD HOUSE, QUEEN VICTORIA ROAD, COVENTRY. TL Every description of Typewriting, including Novels, Plays, Medical, Legal and General Copying, from Ninepence per 1000 words. Specimens and Extracts from Testimonials on Appli. cation. 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TYPEWRITING BY CLERGYMAN'S DAUGHTER AND ASSISTANTS. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. MISS E. M. SIKES THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORFOLK BROADS, BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. The West Kensington Typewriting Agency, BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith, W. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. (ESTABLISHED 1893.) ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. MALVERN, HEREFORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Ternis. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. Legal and General Copying. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. Typewritten Circulars by Oopying Process. LLANDUDNO, RHYL, BANGOR, CARNARVON, ANGLESEA. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. CONWAY, COLWYN BAY, BETTWS-Y-COED, FESTINIOG, SNOWDON. "The best Handbook to London ever issued."-Liverpool Daily Poxt. "THE Handbook to London-it very emphatically tops them all."- Daily Graphic. 3rd Edition, Revised, 58.60 Illustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. LONDON AND ENVIRONS. By E. C. Cook and E. T. Cook, M.A. Fcap. 8vo. 1s. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A Handbook to the leading Hotels throughout the World. Llangollen : DARLINGTON &_Co. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & Co. LTD. Railway Bookstalls and all Booksellers. PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDs from negatives by Transmits papers by post or otherwise, without rolling, creasing, or RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Italy, Greece, folding. Fasiens as easily as an envelope, and can be used many Asia Minor, and Egypt, ls., ls. 6d., 2s., and 2s. 6d. List, post free, of DARLINGTON & CO., LLANGOLLEN. times by tbe addition of a fresh label. THE Three Sizes-Prices 5d., 6d., and 7d. each. Sold by MESSRS. PARTRIDGE & COOPER, (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 191 & 192, Fleet Street, and 1 & 2, Chancery Lane. 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) TY PIN G. Oontaing hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket AUTHORS and others DESIRING their MS. faith- Size, 3s. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that The A fully and speedily TYPED are invited to WRITE to EDMUND LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. DRACUP, 21, Millbrook-road, Bedford, for special quotations. Highest by fire or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained. inclusive charge 9d. per 1000 words. Unsurpassed testimonials, STIKPHAST PASTE STIKS THE GLEVUM MSS. CARRIER AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD  ## p. 188 (#256) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. THE THRUSH : A PERIODICAL FOR THE PUBLICATION OF ORIGINAL POETRY. Edited by T. MULLETT ELLIS. PRICE FOURPENCE MONTHLY. OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. CONTENTS OF MARCH NUMBER SONNET — To the Kaiser Wilhelm. By | THE SONG of the SOUL. By W. S. A. P. GRAVES, M.A. | THE LAST LULLABY. By LAURENCE ROSE o' the WORLD. By NORA HOPPER. | ALMA TADEM 1. THE MILKY WAY. By NORMAN GALE. In other numbers Poems will appear from the following LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS :- DR. RICHARD GARNETT, The late LORD LYTTON. THOMAS HARDY. W. E. HENLEY, LADY FLORENCE DOUGLAS, LADY MARGARET SACK VILLE, DR. EDMUND GOSSE. O. WHIT WORTH WYNNE, MACKENZIE BELL, HAROLD BEGBIE, VIOTOR PLARR. DR GILBERT MURRAY, ROBERT DENNIS. SARAH DOUDNEY, CLIFTON BINGHAM, FRANCIS PREVOST, WILLIAM OANTON. HERBERT MORRAH, HAMILTON AIDE. REV. W. J. DAWSON, JOAN HUTCHINSON, WILLIAM SHARP. SIR LEWIS MORRIS, CANON RAWNSLEY, ISRAEL GOLLANEZ, ARTEUR SYMONS, JUSTIN H. MCCARTHY, THE EDITOR, AND MANY OTHERS. The object of this periodical is to popularise the reading of the modern poets, and to familiarise the People with their works. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF THE PERIOD. SOCIAL QUESTIONS AND NATIONAL PROBLEMS: EVILS AND REMEDIES. Second Edition, about 500 pages, 8vo., 58. 3d. post free, strongly bound in cloth. Two Books each to the first Twenty Subscribers Carte-de-visites copied, 28. 6d. hall dozen; 48. 63. dozen. Enlarged to Cabinet size, 3s. 60. and 6s. 6d., to subscribers only. Lecturers, &c., privileges Special Terms. Will be ready about New Year. Address- J. W. EMSLEY, Artist and Author, 7, Napier Street, Leeds Road, Bradford, Yorks. ESTABLISHED] The Athenaum Press, Taunton. CXVIII CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. ESTABLISHED 1896. THE COSMOPOLITAN PRINTING & PUBLISHING Co. LTD. INVITE INQUIRIES FROM AUTHORS. MSS. read and, if approved, terms offered for Publishing either by Purchase outright or Royalty. WALTER T. SING, Secretary, 22, Clare Street, Bristol. Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 10 (March 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 10 (March 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-03-01-The-Author-11-10 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/339/1901-02-01-The-Author-11-9.pdf 8c5fd1dfa5a4bdb81b63dc0b03a05f6c 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) 1901-02-01 Volume 11 Issue 9 Pages Page range in volume 153–168 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010201 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. -- -- - VOL. XI.--No. 9.] FEBRUARY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. PAGE ... ... ... 153 PAGE ... 158 "" ... ... ... Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... Literary Property- 1. Authors and Publiebers 2. Mr. Kipling's Action ... ... ... 3. American Copyright Pension Fund ... American Letter. By Jobn Russell Davidsoo... ... ... ... 155 Paris Letter. By Darracotto Scott *** Notes and News. By the Editor... The Uncritical Commonplace ... Tbe Method of the Future ... ... Book and Play Talk... ... ... Correspondence-Books and Reviews ... 1861 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 1S. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 1os. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to · Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their , agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT Thring. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 18. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst TUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. is. All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.?  ## p. 152 (#210) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ESTABLISHED) The Athenæum Press, Taunton. (XVIII, CENT BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. by TYPEWRITING COMPANY, OSWALD HOUSE, QUEEN VICTORIA ROAD, COVENTRY. Every description of Typewriting, including Novels, Plays, Medioal, Legal and General Copying, from Ninepence per 1000 words. Specimens and Extracts from Testimonials on Appli. cation. Manager's long experience as Reader in a Book-Work House enables him to undertake Revision of Manuscripts—when required-at a nominal charge. None but “REMINGTON” Instruments employed. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF THE PERIOD. SOCIAL QUESTIONS AND NATIONAL PROBLEMS: EVILS AND REMEDIES. Second Edition, about 500 pages, 8vo., 58. 3d. post free, strongly bound in cloth. Two Books each to the first Twenty Subscribers. Carte-de-visites copied, 28. 6d. hall dozen; 48. 6d. dozen. Enlarged to Cabinot size, 3s. 6d and 68. 6d., to subscribers only. Lecturers, &c., privileges Special Terms. Will be ready about New Year. Address- J. W. EMSLEY, Artist and Author, 7, Napier Street, Leeds Road, Bradford, Yorks. T Y PE W RITING (Authors' MSS.) Undertaken by highly educated women of Literary experience (Classical Tripos; Cambridge Higher Local; thorough acquaintance with modern languages). Authors' References. Terms (cash), 18. 8d. per 1000 words; over 5000, 1s. S. R., 1, LINGARDS ROAD, LEWISHAM, S.E. Post 8vo., price 6s. net. THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND POSITION AS APPEARING FROM STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS. A Compilation for General use. By J. M. LELY, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1.-Pre-Reformation Law. | CHAPTER V.-The Benefuos Act. , II.-Reformation Law, except the first three , VI.—Table of principal Statutes repealed and Aots of Uniformity. unrepealed ... III.-The Acts of Uniformity. , VII.--Table of principal Judicial Decisions. IV.—The Prayer Book and Rubrics. APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills—Comprehension Bill of 1689. Ecclesiastical Appeals Bill 1850. Church Discipline Bill of 1899. Statements by English Church Union and Church Association. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trent. The Creed of Pope Pias the Fourth as added to by Pope Pius the Ninth. And a Copious Index. LONDON : HORACE cox, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C.  ## p. 152 (#211) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. jji SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. LITERARY ĀGENCJI ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 3, HENRIETTA STREET, W.c. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. LITERARY ASSISTANCE. The Author of “ Queen's English up to Date," &c., experienced Pressman, publishers' reader and reviser, Revises MSS., Corrects Printers' Proofs, Writes Articles and Books from Notes supplied, Collaborates, and generally prepares wok for the Press. The strictest confidence observed. References to publishers. Address : A. HEALD, Literary Revision Office, 149, Strand, London, W.C. TYPEWRITING BY CLERGYMAN'S DAUGATEN AND ASSISTANTS. MISS E. M. SIKES. The West Kensington Typewriting Agency, 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith, W. (ESTABLISHED 1893.) authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Ternis. Legal and General Oopying. Typewritten Circulars by Copying Process. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. “Sir Henry Ponsonby is S commanded by the Queen to thank Mr. Darlington for a copy of his Handbook.” “Nothing better could be wished for."-British Weekly. “Far superior to ordinary guides."-London Daily Chronicle. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. Iseach. Illustrated. Mape by Joux BARTHOLOMEW, F.R G.S. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORTH WALES COAST. BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLE BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. MALVERN. HERE FORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. “The best Handbook to London ever issued."-Liverpool Daily Post. 2nd Edition Enlarged. 58. 60 Illustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. STIKPHAST PASTE STICKS LONDON AND ENVIRONS. THE GLEVUM MSS. CARRIER By E. C. Cook and E. T. Cook, M.A. F'cap. 8vo. 1s. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A Handbook to tho leading Hotels throughout the World. Llangollen: DARLINGTON & Co. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & Co. | LTD. Railway Bookstalls and all Booksellers. PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDs from negatives by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, 18., 1s. 6d., 28., 28. od. Complete list, post free. DARLINGTON AND CO., LLANGOLLEN. Transmits papers by post or otberwise, without rolling, creasing, or folding. Fastens is easily as an envelope, and can be used many times by the addition of a fresh label. Three Sizes-Prices 5d., 6d., and 7d. each. Sold by MESSRS. PARTRIDGE & COOPER, 191 & 192, Fleet Street. and 1 & 2, Chancery Lane. TY PIN G. AUTHORS and others DESIRING their MS. faith- fully and speedily TYPED are invited to WRITE to EDMUND DRACUP, 21, Millbrook-road, Badford, for special quotations. Highest inclusive charge 9d. per 1000 words. Unsurpassed testimonials, THE AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. (ESTABLISHED 1883.) Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 18. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or week, French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations supplied. References kindly pertnitted to Sir Walter Besant; also to Mesorg. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House. Norfolk-street, Strand, W.C. VOL. XI. (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 90, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Contains hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Size. 38. per dozen, ruled or plain Authors should note that THE LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the logs of MSS. by fire or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained. U 2  ## p. 152 (#212) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL. Sir EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | Austin Dobson. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE Right Hon. The LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, Q.C. SYDNEY GRUNDY. • BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. H. RIDER HAGGARD. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. THOMAS HARDY. LL.D. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. CLERE. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. HALL CAINE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. - EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. P. W. CLAYDEN. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. Sims. EDWARD CLODD. THE RIGHT HON. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. W. MORRIS COLLES. M .P. J. J. STEVENSON. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. F. MARION CRAWFORD. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. OF KEDLESTON. THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES.' ART. Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I Sir W. MARTIN Conway. M. H. SPIELMANN. COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). I F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solicitors- FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. wo78- IG. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.c. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. IMHE ART of CHESS. By JAMES Mason. Price 53. GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. net, by post 58. 4d London HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's-buildings, E.O. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 153 (#213) ############################################ The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.-No. 9.] FEBRUARY 1, 1901. PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the "Cost of Production.” IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are : (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the anthor. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub. joots whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. ERE ar few standing rules to be observed in an I agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :- I. SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro. duction forms a part without the striotest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pooket 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. 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established 01. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills.  ## p. 154 (#214) ############################################ 154 THE AUTHOR. experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new yr old, for inspection and .note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- posed dooument to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battlos of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action apon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OT PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Sbould obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but sbould grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con- tracts, those authors desirous of further informa tion are referred to the Secretary of the Society. THE READING BRANCH. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor not later than the 2180 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- ball court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. . advic 1. T VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the is such as can be given best by a solici tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the  ## p. 155 (#215) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 155 LITERARY PROPERTY. Unfortunately the book grew more popular, and the steady sale continued. When the edition sold out the author received a letter stating that I.-AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS. the publisher could not afford to pay the higher TN The Author for July last an article was royalty, although there was a demand for a fresh | printed showing how, under certain circum- edition, and that unless the author consented to stances, publishers acting for their own take a lower royalty the publisher would not benefit, and entirely disregarding the affairs of reproduce another edition, but that the author the author, were in the habit of killing books was at liberty to take the book elsewhere. and stopping the sales without contravening their The author could not hope to receive a larger agreements. royalty from another house, as the type would The following facts, to which the attention of again have to be reset. The publisher knew his the members of the Society is particularly called, advantage, for the author must either take the show how a publisher, by placing the author on lower royalty or get no further sales. the horns of a dilemma after the agreement is In both these cases publishing houses of the signed, forces him to alter his agreement to his first standing, disregarding the spirit and letter of deliberate disadvantage and to the publisher's the agreement, brought pressure to bear upon the gain. author. No doubt this is what is technically I. A publis ber entered into an agreement with called “business," but again it would be interest- an author for the production of an educational ing to know what would take place if the author book, on which he offered the author a certain in like manner brought pressure to bear on the royalty. The book had an enormous sale, and was publisher. adopted by nearly all the educational centres in III. The third case is on somewhat similar lines. England. In consequence, large sales had to be The publisher is again trying to violate his made to certain institutions at a reduced rate. agreement by bringing pressure to bear on the The publisher r fused to supply these orders author. unless the author took half the amount of royalty. The publisher refuses to go on with the pub- The publisher contended that he was unable to lication of the book, although there is a formal pay so large a royalty on the reduced price. agreement existing, and refers the author to his Perhaps this was right, though I do not admit lawyer if he (the author) does not take less pay- it. If, however, it was so, the royalty should ment than the sum agreed upon. have been reduced in proportion to the reduction The author's agreement is quite clear. The in the sale price of the book. This, however, publisher has, however, owing to a miscalcula- was not the case. The author was to reduce his tion, involved himself in a greater expense than profits by 50 per cent., whereas the publisher was he thought he would, with the result that he does losing only about 15 per cent. of his profits. not care to act up to the agreement as it is The author was, therefore, placed in this posi. drawn. The author is again in difficulties. Either tion : Either he had to accept the publisher's he is bound to accept less payment or he is forced offer or he had to transfer the book to another into a wearisome and tedious legal correspon- publisher, even if, indeed, he succeeded in finding dence, or perhaps even has to bring an action another publisher to take up the work. before he can obtain his rights; in the end he The publisher was no doubt quite aware of loses the market on his books. G. H. T. these points, and took advantage of the position to the detriment of the author. This is hardly playing the game; an agreement is an agreement II.—MR. Kiplina’s Action. in any event. If the author bad desired the Judge Lacombe, in the United States Circuit publisher to alter an unfair arrangement by Court on Dec. 26, denied the motion made by Mr. pressure of this kind, what would the publisher Rudyard Kipling's attorn ys to restrain R. F. have said ? Fenno and Co. from publishing and selling II. A similar case is the following. A pub- editions of his works on which an elephant's head lisher entered into an agreement to pay an author a was used. The case was argued in November, certain royalty; after the sale of a certain number and attracted a great deal of attention. The of copies the royalty was to be increased. The question of copyright was eliminated by the book sold steadily bnt not very rapidly. In consent of both parties. Judge Lacombe said consequence the publisher omitted to take that Mr. Kipling had not established a common- moulds, thinking, no doubt, that the sales would law trade mark, and there was no suggestion of a not reach the amount on which a larger royalty statutory trade mark. He said that there was no was to be paid. apprehension that purchasers of the “ Elephant's  ## p. 156 (#216) ############################################ 156 THE AUTHOR. rthur...... Henry Arthur. ........... 10 Head” edition might be misled by supposing £50 0 0 that they were buying the “Outward Bound” or Kelly, C. A.............. 10 Keltie, J. Scott any other edition of his works.—Publishers' Kipling, Rudyard ... ...... Weekly (New York). Loftie, Rev. W. J. ......... Macfarlane, H. .............................. Meredith, George .......................... III.-AMERICAN COPYRIGHT. Moncrieff, R. Hope......... ........................ · A warning has been forwarded to the Athenæum Norris, W. E. ...... by Mr. G. A. Brett, president of the Macmillan Oliphant, Kingston ..................... Company, New York. It is to the effect that in tarker, Gloer -... ****** Phillpotts, Eden ....... order to protect themselves authors must insist Pollock, sir Frederick upon their books or articles when published in Roe, Mrs. Harcourt America being prefaced or accompanied by a note Rossetti, W. M. ........... that they are copyrighted. This is done quite S. B. ............ Sanderson, Sir J. B. ........ simply by inserting the word copyright, followed Skeat, The Rev. Prof. .... by the name of the author and the date. Thus, r and the date. Thus, Spielmann, M. H. ... “Copyright by Conan Doyle, 1901," for an Stanton, Miss H. M. E ............. example. The announcement costs nothing and · Tweedie, Mrs. Aleo........ may prevent piracy. Mr. Brett gives a case in Wheelwright, Miss E. E. which an article appearing in an English monthly SUBSCRIPTIONS. review and duly copyrighted has been pirated in Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... three instances by publishers of magazines. The Alexander, A. ... Avery, Harold ... author can have reco rse to law; but the law Beckett, A. W. à ... provides that the “owner of the copyright shall Besant, Sir Walter. show what damages he has suffered by the Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. ........................... unauthorised publication of his material.” Mr. Brodhurst, Spencer........... Brett's warning does not state how the addition Clodd, Edward Cresswell, Rev. H. .................................... of the words proposed will safeguard an article. Crockett, S. R. Surely if publishers of magazines pirate a paper Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated-for in reliance on the expense and uncertainty of the 1901) ........ law, they will do so whether these words are Ellis, Miss M. A.. ............ Esmond, H. V. added or not. At the same time the words may Gilbert, W. S.... possibly deter some from an act which thus Guthrie, Anstey becomes wilful and open piracy. Gwynn, S. ........ Hawkins, A. Hope ........................ Home, Francis...... Jerome, Jerome K. Lely, J. M. ........ PENSION FUND. Marchmont, A. W. ... Pemberton, Max........ Pendered, Miss Mary L. NHE following is the list of donations Pinero, A. W..... and subscriptions at present promised or Roberts, Morley ........................ received :- Rose, Edward ... 5 0 0 DONATIONS. Sinclair, Miss ... O 100 A. S. .......... £100 0 0 Stanley, Mrs. 0 10 0 Alcott, E. .......... 50 0 0 Ward, Mrs. Humphry ............ Baldwin, Mrs. A. ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... I 0 **********........................ X. Y. Barrie, J. M. ............................. Benecke, Miss Ida .................................... Besant, Sir Walter.................................... Boevey, Miss Crawley .............................. Chambers, Miss Beatrice ................. AMERICAN LETTER. Cordeaux, Mies .................. .................. Craigie, Mrs. .............. Doyle, A. Conan ..... New York City, Jan. 11, 1901. Esler, Mrs. Rentoul (for tbree years) ............ D ECENTLY in Boston, Massachusetts, failed Esmond, H. V. ... the publishing house of Badger, a young Fowler, Miss E. T ... firm, but of sufficient importance withal to Freshfield, D. W.... Gibbs, Miss ............... leave many authors in the lurch by its collapse. Hawkins, A. Hope ......... In this case the most particular grievance of the Hutchinson, Rev. H. ........... ..... 20 o writing men was their ignorance of the sales 8 8-en o 5oooun o öen oooooo--00- Oui OUNONO -oooer on ouer oui oui renounon en oeroueren O-Ö -00 o o o out our oenen - Ooreen oo oo ovo 5 - 0 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 00000000000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ooooo woooow No OO - ........ I DO  ## p. 157 (#217) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 157 ink. accounts; it is doubtful even now if the lawyers absurd when their printed transcript of the will disclose them until a court order makes them lecture is available for his use. To this the subject to the gaze of the general public. The plaintiff answers that the published version was difficulty is familiar enough, so familiar that it so garbled and misused in the composing room as would not be worth mentioning were it not for a to be entirely valueless. The editor will be put small but energetic meeting of indignation at to it to prove that this contention is groundless. which several authors assembled in Boston shortly after the eclipse of Mr. Badger. Boston has been Who Owns THE MANUSCRIPT ? the scene of many indignation meetings of vary. We are quite ready here for judicial enlighten- ing degrees of potency and reason, and it may be ment upon the legal status of manuscripts as that this convention of literary labourers will property. Except in the cases of eminent authors, come to something. You in England, perhaps, American editors seldom print strictly “as it was have passed the stage of spasmodic agitation, written.” Having purchased a story or an but on this side the Atlantic the mildest asser- article, outrageous things are sometimes done to tion of the rights of the literary producer it for reasons dictated by policy, whim, or must, seemingly, be pricked and noted in scarlet mechanical convenience of make-up. Be it said, however, that the author is presumably advised The gathering at Boston, then, considered the of such alterations, and that a formal consent question of regulating and verifying the reports thereto is not slow in coming from the average which printers make to their authors and render aspirant for a place in a magazine. The real ing the dependence of the author upon the honesty question arises after publication. In the absence and goodwill of the publisher a trifle less com- of a prior agreement, who owns the manuscript ? plete. It was said, with touching aptness, that When radical changes have been made by the the “precariousness of the publishing trade under editor the manuscript itself shows physical certain conditions” made such a movement desir- evidence of them; more often than not it is able-in short, tbat it has been found that the hacked, interlined, or at best wofully dis. " honesty and goodwill ” of some publishers can- figured. If the author wishes for any reason not endure the strain of adversity. The Boston to restore it to its original shape he is obliged authors declared themselves in favour of a to devote much labour to the task, provided system of numbering each volume as published, always that he is fortunate enough to lay his and thus furnishing a check upon the returns hands on it. and a means of ascertaining the disposition The practical solution, of course, is to pre. of every book. This is doubtless good so far serve a copy. This is a safeguard generally as it goes, but who is to do the numbering ? adopted, but the advisability of it cannot be Haply the author and the publisher together said to meet the legal point at issue. hand in hand. Most of the publishers of our periodicals apparently move upon the theory that, when the ACTION FOR Loss OF COPY. matter is not expressly stipulated beforehand, A cause which promises to bring forth some- the purchase of material for serial publication thing of interest is the suit of a professor of Yale passes the absolute ownership of it, and that the University against one of the newspapers pub- book rights and the manuscript itself are obtain. lished in New Haven. Professor Parker is an able by the author only through the courtesy of instructor in the theory of music, and had pre- the publisher. I suppose that our courts would pared a number of lectures on the subject which apply the rules ordinary in cases of implied con. be delivered in several New England cities. A tracts, viewing the custom of the trade, the local journal asked for the privilege of printing one intent of the parties, and so forth. of the lectures, and for that purpose Professor Parker loaned the manuscript to the editor, who AMERICAN CHAUVINISM. ordered it to be put in type and then promptly lost An anonymous contributor to the Atlantic it. The author is now suing the newspaper for Monthly has given tongue to a sensible protest 10,000 dollars (about 2000 guineas), alleging against what he calls the cant of American that in measuring his damage the court must Chauvinism,“ which affects to decry all literature consider both his intention to publish a book of produced in this country that does not portray the lectures and the fact that he has no way of American characters and paint American life in replacing the manuscript in question, having kept what it is pleased to call the American manner." no copy of it. The journalists, on the other We have certainly had too much of this sort of hand, admit that they are in fault, but assert opinion. Our wisely patriotic critics, on the that Professor Parker's measure of damage is contrary, believe that American literature means VOL. XI.  ## p. 158 (#218) ############################################ 158 THE AUTHOR. the English literature of the United States, and THE POPULAR Books. that, to use the words employed in the Atlantic, The Bookman's last list of new books in order the great American novel, for which we have of demand is a reliable index of what we are come to be on the perpetual look-out, will be a reading. It is compiled from returns sent to the great novel written by an American, no matter periodical by booksellers in thirty-two cities in where the scene is laid or of what nationality the United States and the Dominion of Canada, the characters may be. “Must English litera- and runs as follows: “ Alice of Old Vincennes" ture," asks the indignant writer, “forfeit the (Thompson), “ Eben Holden” (Bacheller). “ In name and fame of Burns, Scott, and Stevenson, the Palace of the King" (Crawford), “ Eleanor" because their genius was so markedly Scottish, or (Ward), « Tominy and Grizel” (Barrie), and of Maria Edgeworth and Tom Moore, because «The Master Christian” (Corelli). It is com- theirs was Irish? What would Apuleius and fortable to note that the two leading places are Augustine and Synesius have said to the men occupied by novels written by American authors who should propose to place them apart from the upon American subjects. The conditions of the general list of Latin authors, and call their litera- holiday trade are said to have been encouraging, ture ‘African'? What would the French say and trade brisk. One observes, however, that to-day if Switzerland should claim as a classic of several inspiring plans looking to the publication hers Rousseau, who lived so little in France, or of new magazines have failed to become effective Voltaire, who lived so long in Switzerland ? " -in one case after a corps of editors had been What, indeed ? engaged, a plant established, and material pur. "Omar KHAYYAM” ON THE STAGE. chased for the first three issues. But the owners and managers of American periodicals are The dramatised novel continues with us to be hardened to tribulation. A British newspaper the reigning fashion in matters theatrical. So magnate would have us turn our dailies into intense is the vogue of it that one of our play- magazines, when our magazines, perhaps, will producing “syndicates” employs a gentleman whose sole business is to read the output of assume the newspaper form and prosper accord- ingly. John RUSSELL DAVIDSON. fiction as it comes wet from the press, and deter- mine its value for dramatic purposes. This - having been determined, the syndicate's play- wright sets to work—and, behold ! our modern PARIS LETTER. drama. At seven New York theatres this week, for example, the entertainment provided is drawn 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. from this generous source. No story writer who INHE great event of the month has been the accords the slightest glance to the commercial inaugural performances of the new side of his profession would think of producing a e Comédie-Francaise-the historical Maison novel without considering carefully its possibili. de Molière, that shining glory of the French ties as stage material. A lamentable feature of drama, founded in 1680 by order of Louis XIV. the situation seems to be that the actual play in and partially destroyed by conflagration in the such instances is something about which the year 1900. It was resuscitated, fireproof-on theatre-going public has little concern. It is the last day of the old year—to greet the new their popular book which they wish to "see.” century. No renewal of the catastrophe is to be One theatrical manager declared that he feared in the present building—the stage itself, would not be afraid to invest his money in a the staircases, and all appurtenances possible, stage presentment of the city directory if this being reconstructed in solid iron. The remaining present craze keeps up; and it has been an paraphernalia have been so thoroughly permeated nounced that Mr. Richard Mansfield, a leading with uninflammable matter that its ignition, actor-manager, is going to appear in a dramatisa. under any circumstances, would be little short of tion of “ Omar Khayyam.” It would be as prac. a miracle. Congratulatory despatches from all ticable to dramatise the Book of Proverbs, and, parts of the civilised world assured M. Jules in truth, one can expect almost anything in this Claretie, the indefatigable director of the Maison direction. de Molière, of the universal sympathy felt with It is only fair to add that among the play. him on this occasion. The medal struck by M. house sensations and successes of the past month Chaplain in commemoration of the event bears, on in New York have been pieces by Shakespeare, one side, the head of Molière in profile; on the Rostand, Ibsen, Sudermann, and Pinero, so you other, a phanix rising from the flames, surrounded are not to set us down as altogether lacking in with laurels. Nor are the inevitable tragic and theatrical opportunities and taste. comic masks, and the two memorable dates (1680.  ## p. 159 (#219) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 159 1900) forgotten. The inscription is in Molièresque The Ibsens and Björnsons, too, had something to Latin, being taken from the closing phrases in say that they esteemed left unsaid by George the “ Malade.” They are reported to be the last Sand and Charles Dickens. They said it; and, sentences penned by the great dramatist. “Mille, in their manner of saying it, their compatriots mille annis. Vivat, cent fois vivat.” A happy recognised their own Scandinavian attributes. augury for the future of the new Comédie ! M. Björnstjerne Björnson's presence in Its director (and administrator-general) enjoys Paris lends additional interest to all discussion the reputation of being one of the busiest and of Scandinavian literature. He possesses a most intelligent men in France. “The Comédie. singularly noble and picturesque physique, and is Française,” he wrote on one occasion, “must not extremely proud of his alliterative appellation, be confounded with other subsidised theatres. wbich signifies : “ Bear's forehead, bear's son.” It is in the hands of the State, represented by one The Parisians have dubbed him the Victor Hugo of its Ministers, who delegates to an administrator, of Norway, and he intends to remain here named by him, the diverse powers with which he several months, being engaged in finishing a is invested. In conceding it a subsidy, the State three-act drama entitled “ Laboremus," which is has reserved to itself guarantees, the right of to be performed simultaneously at "Christiania direction, and other advantages and compensa- and Berlin. The fact that one of his daughters tions. On its side, the Comédie propagates and bas married Sigurd Ibsen gives piquancy to the spreads abroad the sentiment of the beautiful and following appreciation of Henrik Ibsen's merits, the artistic. By the number of places which it commonly attributed to M. Björnson: “ There gives, and which-taking one year with another— are two men in Europe who possess genius, amount from 130,000 to 150,000 (representing an myself and Ibsen-admitting that Ibsen has it!” average of from 600,000 to 800,000 francs) it Alexandre Dumas père could scarcely have ex- considers it has the right to say that it aids in pressed his opinion with more characteristic the diffusion of literature. , . . It has, like. modesty. wise, the obligation of performing plays which NEW YEAR HONOURS. please the crowd and satisfy the élite. And it is Literature and the drama are well to the fore in in this that it has always merited, not only the the New Year decorations bestowed by Govern- encouragement of the king who founded it, of the ment. “Behold · Va-t-en-Guerre' who gains the emperor who gave it its charter, but of the battle!” Fortune favours the brave; though nation which is proud of it, and of that literary Fate has willed, as a parting irony, that M. Emile France which draws from it—not its vanity-but Bergerat attain the coveted distinction at the its pride.” same moment as his ancient Odeonic foe, M. Paul To M. Jean Richepin belongs the honour of Ginisty. Henceforward M. Bergerat may bury having furnished a prologue for the re-opening the hatchet. He has no longer any valid ceremony of the Comédie-Française. This pro. grievance against his contemporaries. Success logue will shortly be issued by Fasquelle in book awaits him on all sides—in the Old World as in form. the New. In Paris he ranks among the rare “UN SIÈCLE.” prophets who are honoured in their own country. “ Un Siècle" (Mouvement du Monde) is the In New York, his “ Plus que Reine ” is pursuing title of a new volume, the work of a group of its triumphant career, and his name stands eminent writers, published by H. Oudin. In second only to those of MM. Victorien Sardou it we find a most able essay by that learned and Edmond Rostand. It is true that in Academician and fervent disciple of Bossuet, the exciting steeplechase to place the “ Pompa- M. Ferdinand Brunetière, analysing the develop. dour” M. Alphonse Lemonnier came in fore- ments of literature during the last hundred most; and it is no less true that the puissant years. He sapiently discusses the universal author of “ Fracasse” was one of the first to tendency to “Européanisation” in all national congratulate his successful rival on his victory. literature, and esteeins that his brethren of the “Caliban Bergerat” is becoming unrecognisably pen show a marked predilection towards literary urbane. “socialisation." Among all European literatures Among the other recipients of New Year he affirins that of France to have always been honours of diverse degrees are:-M. Sully-Prud- the most social and the most human. Apropos homme, who sits among the Immortals, and whose of other nations, M. Brunetière considers that graceful, poetic verses are, perhaps, better known the publication of the Russian novel marked a than the poet himself ; M. Catulle Mendès, presi- literary epoch in the past century, the Tolstoïs and dent of the Critic Club, likewise poet, critic, and Dostoievskis having done as much for Russia novelist of no mean talent; M. Emile Pouvillon, as either Peter the Great or the Grand Catherine. one of the few popular Parisian authors who  ## p. 160 (#220) ############################################ 160 THE AUTHOR. imitates Mistral and Loti in preferring the at the Académie des Sciences. M. Henri tranquil charm of country life to the brilliant Lavedan has written a new play entitled “Les turbulence of the city; M. Gosslin Lenôtre, than Médicis,” which is now being rehearsed at the whom none has written more learnedly on the Variétés Théâtre, while the “ Cavalière" of revolutionary period at Paris; M. Gustave “Jacques, son of Jean” (Richepin) is being Reynier, director of La Revue Universitaire, and rehearsed at the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre. The author of a series of remarkable articles in the united ages of this promising young dramatist Semaine politique et littéraire, Revue de Paris, and his leading lady amount to forty-five years. &c.; M. Henri Demesse, successor of Eugene “JÉSUITES.” Sue, one of the most popular novelists of the day, formerly vice-president of the Société des “Jésuites ”-a defence, and explanation, of the Gens de Lettres; M. Rodocanachi, most erudite means employed and the ends desired by this member, and M. Chauchard. generous Mæcenas powerful, subtile order—is the most-talked-of of the latter society; M. Jules Claretie, director book of the moment. It is the work of the Rev. of the Comédie Française ; M. Antoine, founder Père du Lac, whose portrait has been so finely and director of the Théâtre Libre; MM. Grisier, drawn by M. Marcel Prévost in “Le Scorpion," Mounet-Sully, Delaunay, &c. under the pseudonym of the Père de l'Étang. Divided into three parts, respectively dealing with LITERARY Gossip. the past, present, and future of Jesuitism, it is At this moment of comparative literary stagna- written throughout in an extremely clear, read. tion much interest is felt in the new volume able fashion. The reverend father is an able dealing with the Communistic era (entitled “La refuter of the accusations levelled against his Colonne”) on which M. Lucien Descaves is order from its creation up to the present day. reported to be engaged. This clever pessimist Strict impartiality could scarcely be expected has made his mark in fiction, journalism, and from such a champion ; but the whole work bears playwriting, having !signed “ La Cage,” and the stamp of genuine conviction on the part of collaborated with M. Maurice Donnay in writing the writer. The emphatic denial (chapter I., “La Clairière,” one of the best expositions of the part 3) that the Company of Jesus has ever been strong and weak points of the socialist theory in any measure a political society, and the chal. ever performed on the French stage. M. Clemen- lenge to whoever is able to prove a single act of ceau is busy on Le Bloc, a new weekly publica, political intervention on the part of the Jesuits, is tion which will make its début within a few days. likely to awaken lively discussion. The personality In general appearance it will bear a strong family of the writer gives weight to the challenge. For resemblance to the Lanternes, Diable à quatre, years Père du Lac has been regarded, both by and Grimaces of the last century. M. Henri friends and adversaries, as one of the leading Rochefort, ex-editor of the defunct Lanterne and exponents and lights of Jesuitism in France. His present director of the Intransigeant, has been book is published chez Plon. officially recognised by the bureau of the Muni. cipal Council as the leader of the Nationalist New PUBLICATIONS. party. The official reception of M. Emile Faguet “L'Art en Silence," an interesting critique of at the French Academy is deferred until April, the art and moral ideas of the present day, by M. owing to the prolonged absence of M. Emile Camille Mauclair (Ollendorff); “La Philosophie Ollivier in the South. In the meantime the de la Longévité,” a curious and interesting work unfledged Immortal has accepted (in an admirable by M. Jean Finot, editor of the Revue des Revues ; open letter) the post of honorary president to the “Seconde Patrie," a tale of adventure by M. Poitevin section of the Patrie Française League. Jules Verne (Hetzel collection); “L'Affaire M. de Guichard has temporarily succeeded Tukanthor,” a work by M. Hess, narrating the M. Gaston Mayer as secretary-general of the recent campaign in France in favour of the King Foreign Press Association, the latter having sent of Cambodge, and the French Indo-Chinese pro- in his démission owing to a difference with the tectorates and colonies; “Le Tour du Globe d'un president of that association. Dr. Maurice de Bachelier," by M. André Laurie (College Life Fleury (medical contributor to the Figaro) has series); "Les Cath-drales de France," by M. carried off one of the most important prizes in Arthur Loth (chez H. Laurens); “ Florence et la the gift of the Académie de Médicine (prix Herpin, Toscane," by M. E. Müntz, containing a graphic de Genève, 3000 francs) for his able treatises on description of the artistic masterpieces of neurasthenia, epilepsy, and the maladies of the the Renaissance epoch; and “L'Espion de nervous system, in addition to having been pro- l’Empereur,” an historical novel, by M. Charles claimed laureate of one of the Lallemand prizes Laurent (Ollendorff). DARRACOTTE SCOTT.  ## p. 161 (#221) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 161 NOTES AND NEWS. of the paper, we leave that to the Institute of Journalists. The paper, however, concludes with M HE biography of Emma Marshall, by her certain notes about magazines which should I daughter, is an amazing story of industry concern our readers. In New York every man and perseverance. The maintenance of a who calls upon the editor is sure of a courteous large family seems to have been laid upon her; reception and a patient hearing. The editors of she succeeded by dint of untiring energy. The the monthly magazines in New York are always following is a highly suggestive statement : at their offices—where we never expect to find an So, with amazing plnok, allowing no discouragement to English editor. Not only are they always acces. daunt her, she hoped and worked on. It was not her way sible, but they are prompt in the consideration of to put her pen down to reflect, when she had finished one a MS., rarely keeping it more than two days story, before starting another. Indeed, she had often as before coming to a decision. Those which they many as three or four tales on the stocks at once. A list propose to publish they pay for at once. Their of girls' stories filling nearly two pages, written for one publisher alone, to whom she sold the copyright of each, scale of payment ranges from £5 to £8 a thousand lies before me now. One of them is in its twelfth, many words, and even more when the contributor is a in their fifth, sixth, and seventh thousand, which serves to well-known writer. The English magazine offers, show that the sam she received thankfully for the MS. has as a rule, a pound a page of a thousand words. in every case been repaid over and over again. The result is that the standard of the English This, of course, we may assume, without magazine is getting lower, save in those two or asking what the sum paid for each might be. three magazines where the articles are contributed There is printed at the end of the book a list of (1) by writers who do not care about the pecuniary books published by Seeley and Co. They consist side, and are only anxious to get their papers pub- of nineteen stories at 5s. each; twelve at 38. 6d.; lished : and (2) by men of mark invited by the and six at is. The 58. books, omitting one of editor, who send in their papers without reference whose circulation there is no record, include to money. between them a sale of 109,000 copies. Now, in The complaints made continually about the the case of an author so popular as Mrs. delays of editors are easily accounted for when Marshall, the royalty on a 6s. book would be at we consider that in the States an editor receives, least 18. 3d., and therefore on a 5s. book at least sav, £3000 a year, and gives all his time, all his 18. In other words, she doubtless received thought, all his resource, to the magazine, while £5450 for this list of books published by Seeley here the editor generally draws £300, carries and Co. The list, however, does not seem to be on literary work of all kinds, and shows up at that mentioned by the biographer as covering the office once a week or so. How is such a man two pages. One knows not the price of each to consider MSS. ? How is he to return MSS. or anything about them, but the fact that they with an opinion or a judgment in a reasonable arrived at the fifth to the twelfth thousand is space of time? The magazine, of course, is not suggestive. Could the publishers be our old edited : the papers are “ chucked in,” the fiction friends, the S.P.C.K. : In any case the author is by old hands, as good as can be had for the was surely ill-advised to accept sums of which money. The most remarkable case in point was her biographer could say that they were “repaid that of the late Sir George Grove. There was no over and over again.” It appears to be a man, certainly, more strenuous in work; more lamentable case of neglect to use the advice and capable of work. He was secretary of the Crystal the experience of the Society. Palace, a post which should have taken the whole of his time-indeed, I was always astonished that In another place Mrs. Marshall writes to Mr. the directors did not insist upon having his whole Richmond Seeley : time. But in addition to this work he was I suppose the interest in my books may increase for a offered, and accepted, the editorship of Mac- time at my death. Will it be necessary to make any millan's Magazine. Consider how, with the best special arrangements as to who shall receive the benefit intentions, he could have edited the magazine. Of then?” course, I have no means of knowing whether the It would be interesting to learn if the interest magazine went up or down under the editorship. in her books did increase after her death, and if I only want to take this case as an illustration of any benefit accrued to her children. the English way of editing compared with the American way. An important and instructive article on English and American journalism, very much to the letter was published in the Outlook three or advantage of the latter, appeared in the Daily four weeks ago, in which the writer expressed a News of Jan. 5. As regards the journalistic part mild surprise at the fact—which he had only just  ## p. 162 (#222) ############################################ 162 THE AUTHOR. assisting their oppressors, which is about as plucky and useful as to operate on a cat tied down to a vivisection trough. In future, though, I sball boldly announce that you intend to do everything you can to help the editorial fraternity who, as you may read in the correspondence column of the Daily News, treat Shaveling Grub Streeters in so handsome a manner. Why pay any homage to Justice or Virtue ? I have received The Author this month for presentation to the Cheltenham Free Library, but if it is filled with abuso and misrepresentation of myself and other journalistic vermin, and eulogy of the noble hearts of the editorial brotherhood, I think we can do without it. WALTER BESANT, THE UNCRITICAL COMMONPLACE. learned that a great many books reviewed (!) are not even read. He said that everybody with any sense of fairplay must admit that this is an “ evil.” Of course it is an evil, and a most crying evil. Some editors, however, have lost their sense of responsibility in this matter. They know—they must know-they cannot help knowing—that the writers to whom they confide the books for review simply cannot afford the time to read the books they notice. How can a busy man stop to read a book which he is expected to review in half a dozen lines? Last month we called the attention of our readers to the Spectator with eight novels a week in two columns. It has had ten novels in one week since then. But, indeed, the Spectator is only one of many papers which lump all the books together. The only remedy-a drastic one -is for certain authors to withdraw the adver- tisements of their books and to give these papers no books for review. Now, the writer of the letter in the Outlook—which does not lump books together-went on to state that the Glasgow Herald had adopted the system of having a large staff of competent persons-private persons—who were asked to review books, but not more than one a week, and were paid by keeping the books. This method does not "lump” the books: it ensures that they shall be read, and it must give a certain amount of space to each. The weak point is the competence of these private persons. One would much rather see the books sent to literary men and journalists, as at present, with the proviso that they are to have but one book a week, and that a reasonable space shall be accorded to each. - It has been found necessary for the Secretary to write a letter of warning against the habit of certain persons who, without being members of the Society, use its name as a threat with editors or publishers with whom they have some disagreement. A particularly bad case was that of a certain person who, when the Secretary called upon him for explanation, stated that he had twice used the name of the Society as a threat, and each time successfully : he added. with a really beautiful inability to understand the situation, that if the Society was likely to do him any good he should join it! So he prefers getting good out of the Society by using its name without being a member. This wonderful creature, on the appearance of the Secretary's letter in the papers, sent him the following delicate and gentlemanly epistle : I have read letter in the Chronicle. Not being able to assist struggling authors in any way against their oppres. gors, I suppose you feel you must do something to justify your position and consequently adopt the easy method of NHE following paragraph is from the Spec- tator of Jan. 12 : In our own country Edmund Spenser died " for lack of bread”: Milton lived in poverty : Goldsmith was hunted by dans from cradle to grave : Johnson walked the night round St. James's-square in lieu of a bed : Haxley in his early days found it hard to earn a living : Carlyle daring the first forty years of his literary life never earned more than an average grocer: Browning during the greater part of his career never made a penny by his poems. This is a formidable array of charges against the public. It would, however, be difficult to present in seven or eight lines a greater number of uncritical commonplaces. They are, to be sure, statements consecrated by many years of uncritical repetition : they are set down, without examina- tion, because they have been set down so often that they seem to want no examination. Let us take these in detail and subject them to a little simple consideration. 1. The death of Spenser. Ben Jonson, speak- ing loosely, says that Spenser died “for lack of bread.” It is usual for the uncritical mind to accept this statement, which was Ben Jonson's exaggeration, as if he meant it to be taken literally, and as if Spenser was actually starved to death. Now we find (1) that Spenser refused money from the Earl of Essex-starving people do not refuse money, especially at a time when there is no shame in taking it from a patron ; (2) there is no question at all of Spenser's wife starving—she was with him at the time of his death, and not only survived him, but she married again; (3) Spenser at this very time had his pension of £50 a year, and he had as well his Irish estates on which he might have raised money had he wanted it. These estates descended to his son, his grandson, and his great grandson; the last of his descendants died in Ireland about a hundred and fifty years ago. 2. Milton “ lived in poverty.” The commercial value of his poems was certainly small. The writer in the Spectator seems to believe that the com-  ## p. 163 (#223) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 163 mercial value of a book has some connection with But, if Johnson walked round the square for its literary value: au opinion which is contra- want of a bed, he must have carried with him-a dicted by the whole history of literature. We point which has entirely escaped the notice of the know the sum received by Milton for his great writer in the Spectator : epic. What connection had this sum with the (1.) His wardrobe-Johnson was not a beggar : literary value of the poem? However, “ Milton he must have had a change of linen at least, with lived in poverty.” It would be no slur upon the the indispensable part of a man's toilette gear. time if he did-i.e., on the supposition that he There was no cloak-room in those days, nor could lived on literature. But what sort of poverty he leave the things in a lodging without being was it? Was Milton ever in pecuniary straits? able to take a bed. Had he ever, at any time of his life, to deny (2.) His MSS.—a pretty voluminous bundle. himself in anything? Did he ever live otherwise (3.) His books—Johnson accumulated books as than in comfort? Could a man who occupied he wanted them: he could not get along at all that very comfortable and commodious house in without books. There were then no libraries for Petty France be described, except from the point the student. of view of a very rich merchant or a landed Imagine, therefore, if you can, Johnson toiling grandee, as a man in poverty ? round and round St. James's-square carrying his 3. Goldsmith and his duns. Goldsmith was clothes, his books, and his MSS! After the first extravagant and improvident. It is not true that round he would certainly have set down the bundle he was “ haunted by duns” during his whole life. and mopped his brow and refused to carry the There was a time when he was making a large load round the square any more. Again, if he had income by his pen. He was not “ haunted with no bed and no money to engage a lodging, we must duns” during this period of prosperity. In his imagine him lugging that terrible bundle about time, as in every other time, the man who pro- with him all that day and the next night and every duced popular work made a good income, and the day until he got some money. Now to get money man who did not, although his work might be from Lichfield would take about eight days. very fine from a literary point of view, received a I think it will be acknowledged that Johnson very small income. That he was haunted at any could not have passed that night in the way that time by duns had nothing to do with his work, Reynolds is said to have reported. but everything to do with his follies, and his 5. Huxley, in his early days, found it difficult vices, and his extravagancies. to live. Bless the Spectator ! what would he 4. Johnson for want of a bed walked all round have? Huxley began as a medical practitioner. St. James's-square. Did he? The statement is Will anyone pretend that it is usual for a young advanced as Johnson's own, made by him to professional man to make a large income at Reynolds : the statement is at second-hand : if starting? Of course he found the usual difficulty. made by Johnson at all it was probably in old 6. Carlyle made no more than the “average age, when he was inclined to exaggerate things. grocer.” If a man writes books which are Thus he said that Garrick came to town with three- unpopular he is very lucky indeed if he can make halfpence in his pocket : Garrick, who came to as much as the “average grocer." I do not know London in order to enter at the Inns of Court what the “average grocer” makes, but the writer and to become a barrister—on three halfpence! we are discussing seems to know. For my own However, let us examine this statement about St. part I should be inclined to think that the average James's-square. First of all, it must have been grocer makes a great deal more than the writer of before Mrs. Johnson came to London. Certainly unpopular works. I find, therefore, no cause for that estimable woman did not, at any time, tramp complaint against the public that Carlyle did so. around St. James's-square all night for want of a poorly, or so well. bed, nor was there any necessity for doing so. 7. Lastly, there is the case of Browning. It Mrs. Johnson had money of her own, and always is doubtless true that for many years Browning lived in respectable lodgings. This limitation, made nothing by his poems. What could he therefore, reduces the possible time for the all. expect? His was a case in wbich it was a good nigbt tramp to three months or so, namely, when thing for the world that Browning had private Johnson came first to London. Now it is known means. It would be absurd to find fault with the that during this period Johnson occupied several world for not accepting him as a popular poet. different lodgings : that for the greater part of The thing was simply impossible. Browning the time he lived at Greenwich in order to work went on working. He attracted a following little undisturbed : and that he lived with the greatest by little. Before he died he had the pleasure of frugality because he was making next to nothing seeing his work take its true place in the poetry and he wished to spare his wife's purse. of the century. W. B.  ## p. 164 (#224) ############################################ 164 THE AUTHOR. THE METHOD OF THE FUTURE. CORRESPONDENT says: “I should be glad to see in The Author the question of Publication by Authors' fully dealt with ; expenses and modes of advertising, advice as to the number of a first edition, probable gain or loss to the author, policy of stereotyping, &c. On a six-shilling book, would the author count on receiving 3s. if he pays for the publishing of the book?” Let us attempt an answer to these points. THE PUBLISHER. The first point to observe is that the author who goes to the general publisher with a book of which he is willing to pay for the production will almost certainly lose his money. Thus in the “Draft Agreements " issued by the Publishers' Association it is claimed that a publisher under these circumstances has the right of charging a blank percentage upon paper, printing, binding, and all other expenses incurred. Nothing is said as to charging for advertisements not paid for, as, for instance, those in their own organs or those by exchange. They mean, therefore, to charge for these with a percentage besides. They also claim the right of charging a fee at the beginning, taking discounts, and exacting payment in advance. Thus, with Houses called respectable, the author who pays for the pro- duction of his book would have some such account as the following, reckoning the per- centage at fifteen and the commission on the sales at the same amount. If the actual cost of production is £100, including advertising: if £25 is charged for advertisements not paid for, on account of which the publisher claims a blank percentage : if the fee is £15: if the sales amount to 1000 copies at 3s. 6d., or £175 in all : if the per- centage charged is 15%: if the discount charged is 72%: we have the following results, without counting interest on money paid in advance : The publisher's profit will be £70 155. 7d. The author's account will be as follows: £ $. d. Cost of production, includ- ing discount. ... Fee ......... ...... £ $. d. 175 00 26 5 0 By sales ....... Less commission at 15% 8 154 10 15 0 ............ 0 Loss to author £148 15 20 15 0 0 £169 10 0 £169 100 It is almost impossible for the author to there are ten chances to one against the book, prevent, under these conditions, the publisher not advertised or pushed, selling more than a from appropriating the greater part, if not the hundred or so among the author's own friends. whole, of the proceeds. Therefore one must on There are other variants, but these are the no account go to a general publisher with a most important. Our author must not go to a commission book. general publisher on any consideration. There are, however, other methods. Two or three firms practise a trick which Cost OF PRODUCTION. has been exposed over and over again, yet never I take an ordinary 6s. book, 320pp., 253 words to fails to catch the simple. They offer to produce a page, small pica type, sheet of 16 pp., JOOO copies. the book if the author will pay so much down, It must be observed that printers estimates the firm to take all other expenses and to give differ enormously. The author will do well to the author two-thirds or nine-tenths-it makes get a good many estimates. Some printers think, no difference—of the proceeds, and to bear the when a private person comes with a book, that cost of “all subsequent editions." There never they may charge him anything they please. What are any returns and there never are any subse- they ought to charge may be learned from the quent editions. following comparative estimate. The book was A more impudent method is to make the one of 20 sheets of 16pp. each : or 10 sheets of author guarantee so inany copies to be sold in 32 pp. The type was small pica: there were 29 six months : at the end of that time the author lines to a page : to pay the difference, and the publisher to take Composition per sheet of 32pp. ... (1) £2 5 3 over the whole of the rest of the edition. Now, (2) 2 5 0 it is to his interest that the book shall not (3) 2 7 6 be pushed for six months : in any case he is (4) 2 12 0 secured against loss with a very fair profit : (5) 3 0 0  ## p. 165 (#225) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 165 Either one of the first three charges may be advertising-i.e., there is a limit beyond which called moderate. The composition per sheet money spent in advertising it is thrown away. of 32pp. may be set down at a fair average In the case of a book paid for by the author he of £2 78. should feel his way carefully, and when the The printing of 1000 copies may be set down demand ceases he would do well to try a little at 178. a sheet of 32 pp. more advertising, and if this fails to move the The paper at 28s. a sheet of 32pp. book further he should stop altogether. The The binding may be done for 35d. a copy amount to be spent in advertising, then, should or even less, but a more general price to pay be from £10 to £20, or in case of a success £30, is 4d. £40, or £50 as the book goes. Apply this estimate to the book : Composition, 10 sheets at £2 78. = £23 10 0 REVIEW COPIES. Printing, 10 sheets at 178. ... ... ... = 8 10 O It seems to be the belief of certain papers and Paper, io sheets at 28s. ............ = 14 0 0 journals that they are entitled to copies of a book Binding, 300 at 4d. ...................= 5 0 0 for review. This is, of course, absurd. The author Corrections ..................... ............... = 3 o o should make a list of the papers which seem to him - to present criticism of the fairest and justest kind, and should send his book to them. wui It is not prudent to bind at first more than will NUMBER OF FIRST EDITION. be wanted. It is always easy to bind more. If the author has reason to believe that his The cost of production, then, of such a book as we are considering is £54 at the outset, binding book will obtain a certain popularity let him only a small number to begin with. print 1000 copies. If the subject is such as to confine the demand for his book to a limited public he would print 500 copies only. In that ADVERTISING. case the estimate given above would be reduced It is very important that the advertising by some £10. should be considered very carefully so as not to STEREOTYPING. waste money. Nothing is more certain than the The printers will allow the type to stand absolute waste of money by certain publishers. It is not desirable to name papers. for a month or so. During that time it will Certain be possible to form an opinion as to the future jules, however, may be laid down. of the book. If that opinion is favourable 1. The best medium for advertising is the it should be moulded in readiness for stereo- daily paper-not, however, all the daily typing. Moulding costs about ios. a sheet of papers. 32pp. Stereotyping costs about 16s. a sheet 2. The next best medium is the weekly paper of 32pp. —not all the weekly papers, but a selec- These figures are average: they fluctuate : tion: those especially which go into the they are always liable to alteration. houses and the hands of reading people. 3. A few provincial papers. Gain or Loss to the Author. The amount to be spent is another most serious This may be seen by the following tables. consideration. Some publishers seem to believe Fifteen per cent. commission is deducted from that a book can be forced down the throat of the the sales-reckoned at 38. 6d. Advertising is public by larga advertising. This is absurd. No reckoned at £16. After 300 another 300 are book can stand more than a certain amount of bound; after 600 another 400. 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 Sales ...... £29 15 £44 12 6 459 10 $74 76 £89 50 £104 2 6 £119 £133 17 6 £148 15 Cost ...... 700 70 00 75 0 75 OO 75 OO 82 O 82 82 00 82 0 The table shows that 500 copies must be sold before any return at all is made, and that the sale of the whole edition of 1000 produces no more than £60, allowing for bad debts and review copies My correspondent asks if the author can expect a return of 38. a copy. Most certainly not. Under the most favourable terms as shown here, viz., on the sale of 1000 copies, he can expect at best no more than 18. old. or is. 2 d. a copy. It is when a book goes into a large edition that the returns are also large.  ## p. 166 (#226) ############################################ 166 THE AUTHOR. The publisher, to repeat, must not be a general Mr. Barry Pain has prepared a “book about publisher. He must be a publisher of commission a book”-in other words, a satire entitled books only, otherwise the fate of that author will “ Another Englishwoman's Love Letters." It be such as is set forth above. will be published with the following statement from Mr. Barry Pain regarding the author- ship :- The way in which the absolute necessity for publication BOOK AND PLAY TALK. bas arisen cannot be more clearly indicated during the life of the present Emperor of China, and no clae to the mystery will be found in the letters themselves. Those who know THE volume on Rome in Messrs. Dent's will keep silence; if anyone speaks, that may be taken as T “Mediaeval Towns” series will be written evidence that he does not know. And in this way I trust by Mr. Norwood Young, and illustrated by that the mystery may be preserved and the sale of the book stimulated. Miss Erichsen. Roman Catholicism as a factor in European Mr. Bret Harte contributes a foreword to a politics is the subject of a book by Mr. F. C. book on himself which Mr. T. Edgar Pemberton Conybeare. This question-or at least that part has written, entitled “ Bret Harte: a Treatise and of it dealing with the temporal power of the Pope a Tribute.” The volume is being published -has been much discussed during the past shortly by Messrs. Greening. month, on account of the address presented to the The late Sir Benjamin Richardson's work, Pope by the Duke of Norfolk on behalf of the “ Disciples of Æsculapius; Biographies of Catholic Union. Leaders of Medicine,” which has long been The scene of Dr. Barry's new story. “The preparing for publication, will be issued at an Wizard's Knot,” is the south-west of Ireland half early date. a century ago. The book will be published in Mrs. Hugh Fraser has written a novel entitled March. “A Little Grey Sheep," the scene of which is laid in Devonshire and the Thames Valley. It Mr. Leonard Courtney has now finished the work upon which he has been engaged for a will be published in a few days. considerable time: “ The Working Constitution Mr. Charles Beard, a founder of Ruskin House, of England.” It will be published by Messrs. Oxford, is writing a book on the Industrial Dent immediately. Revolution of England, which will be published A volume of poems by Mr. Stephen Gwynn will by Messrs. Sonnenschein. be published shortly by Mr. Lane, entitled (after Sir Edward Malet, the well-known diplomatist, the first poem) “The Queen's Chronicler.” is writing his “Reminiscences." The work will be published soon by Mr. Murray, from whom Mr. Henry Harland is writing a novel. also will come Sir Edward Hertslet's volume, · Mr. Frankfort Moore's new novel is called " Recollections of the Old Foreign Office.” “ According to Plato.” A new edition of " Chambers's Cyclopædia of Mr. Borchgrevink, the commander of the recent English Literature,” in three volumes, will be Antarctic expedition, has completed an account of published this year—the first volume probably his voyage in the Southern Cross and bis adven- in the spring. It is being edited by Dr. tures near the South Pole. The volume will be David Patrick, assisted by Mr. Francis Hindes published immediately by Messrs. George Newnes Groome. Limited. Mr. Louis Becke has collected his reminiscences Mr. Graham Balfour's “ Life of Robert Louis of fishing and natural history in Australia and Stevenson” is expected to be ready for publica- the South Seas, which, with some short stories, tion in the autumn. Mr. Balfour is a cousin of will be published in a volume entitled “By Rock Stevenson, with whom he spent two years in and Pool.” Samoa. Mr. John G. Millais is the author of a quarto Mr. Leslie Stephen, says the Athenæum, is volume on “ The Wildfowler in Scotland.” “Ever collecting materials for a memoir of the Rev. since the age of nine,” he says, “when I first J. R. Green. began collecting British birds in real earnest, I have made a special study of the pursuit and The life of the late Professor Henry Sidgwick natural history of the wildfowl that frequent our is being written by his widow, in conjunction coasts." The book will be published by Messrs. with his brother, Mr. Arthur Sidgwick, Reader in Longmans. Greek in the University of Oxford.  ## p. 167 (#227) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 167 The following letter from the secretary of the Britain.” This book forms part of a larger Publishers' Association to the editor of the work on the origin of Imperial Britain, upon Publishers' Circular appeared in that journal which Professor Cramb has been at work for a on Jan. 12 : considerable time. I am instructed to inform you that Messrs. F. and E. A new and cheaper edition of Mr. R. E. Stonebam, of Cheapside and elsewhere, have written to the Holmes's “Queen Victoria ” is being published council of the Publishers' Association to say that they will not hencefortb sell net books to the public at less than full by Messrs. Longmans, with a photogravure prices, and undertaking to send a circular to their onstomers portrait and a supplementary chapter bringing to this effect. the memoir down to the date of Her Majesty's Under these circumstances the council bas much pleasure death. in announcing that the embargo on the supply of net books at trade prices to Messrs. Stoneham is now removed. A facsimile, by the collotype process, of the Commenting on this announcement, the Pub- First Folio of Shakespeare will be published next lishers' Circular congratulates “all concerned, autumn by the Delegates of the Clarendon Press, including Messrs. Stoneham themselves, on the Oxford. By permission of the Duke of Devon- fact that they have decided no longer to sell net shire, the Chatsworth copy has been placed on books at a discount. . . . The enterprising loan in the Bodleian Library for the purpose. firm which has so long stood out has at last Mr. Sidney Lee, who has pronounced this to be given way; the result will, we fully believe, prove “ the most interesting and valuable book in the whole range of English literature,” will contribute a net gain to them as well as to the trade a brief introduction, and give as full a list as generally.” possible of all known copies of the First Folio, Professor Skeat is now collecting a number of with bibliographical details. He requests owners short articles upon English etymology which have of the First Folio who have not yet done so to appeared from time to time in the Philological communicate with him. Society's Transactions and elsewhere. Together with other notes of a similar character, they The third and fourth volumes of Mr. will shortly be issued by the Clarendon Press, McCarthy's “History of the Four Georges and the title of the work being“ English Ety. of William IV.” will be ready early in March. mologies.” These will complete the work. Mr. S. Arthur Strong, Librarian to the House Messrs. A. and C. Black write to the Glasgow of Lords, is translating, from the German, Herald to correct a statement which appeared in Paul Kristeller's “ Andrea Mantegna : His Life that paper to the effect that we are not to have a and Works.” The book will be published by re-issue of the Encyclopædia Britannica” for Messrs. Longmans. thirty years. Messrs. Black write : “ As such a statement is misleading, we beg to say that while Mr. Samuel Butler has written a sequel to it is true an agreement has been entered into f..r his well-known story, which will be entitled the protection of The Times suppleinent, yet the “ Erewhon Revisited.” The discoverer visits the interval decided upon is not thirty years, but less country, in disguise, twenty years after his than half that period." escape from it with his bride in a balloon. Among other things he learns that he has On the last Sunday of the year Professor Earl been accorded divine honours in the interval. Barnes delivered an address at South Place The adventures of the hero's son, who visited Chapel, London, on “Present Tendencies in Erewhon ten years later, are also narrated in the Popular Literature," a report of which will be new story. found in the Daily News for Dec. 31. He said that in our attitude towards printed matter we As a memorial to the late Miss Mary Kingsley, were passing through a very important change- it is proposed to erect a hospital for the treatment a change that might be described as the demo- of tropical diseases in connection with the Liver- cratisation of literature. Four-fifths of the people pool School of Tropical Medicine, and also to had acquired the reading habit. The new demo- establish a “Mary Kingsley Society of West cracy demanded emotionalism and got it. Watch Africa,” to stimulate research and collect informa- the majority of people selectiog books at Mudie's. tion regarding that country. They were bent on living vicariously, in the pages Professor Cramb, of Queen's College, London, of novels, all the things they did not dare to do whose lectures on Imperialism attracted atten. actually. But he must not be understood as con- tion a month or two ago, has just published demning popular education. It was the subject (through Macmillan) a volume entitled “Reflec- to which he had devoted his life. Nor should tions on the Origins and Destiny of Imperial they inveigh against the tendencies he had  ## p. 168 (#228) ############################################ 168 THE AUTHOR. B A new stuart Flors PL described. As had been said, “The best way to CORRESPONDENCE. make a thing that is not bad, bad, is for good people never to do it.” And those tendencies “ BOOKS AND REVIEWS." were really sane, right, normal, true, and here TN reply to the letter in the January number was the point-capable of infinite development. of The Author entitled “Do Authors read They must work from scrappy bits towards larger - Reviews,” I wish to say that I am personally wholes. They must start from sensationalism, much indebted to The Author for many items but with as much intellectual accompaniment of great interest in the columns entitled “ Books as the minds of the masses could stand. Also and Reviews," which might otherwise have they must seek increasingly to make worthy escaped my notice, and I have no doubt that literature gather around worthy personalities. many of the members—with the exception of . . . A Salvation Army movement was those who are reviewers—feel the same. needed in connection with the great mass of With regard to the purchase of books, I can democratised literature. The people wanted quite believe that a man who is satiated with leading in reading. novels to review would not buy them, but I cannot A new comic opera by Mr. Owen Hall and Mr. understand any writer asserting-apparently with Leslie Stuart will be produced at the Lyric pride—that he never buys a novel on principle. Theatre after “ Florodora” is taken off. The Authors, I should say, are great buyers of cast will include Miss Madge Lessing, Miss books when they can afford them, and for the Nancie Girling, Mr. Louis Bradfield, and Mr. best of reasons—because they are, or should be, Willie Edouin. book-lovers. Books form to them a little world “Coriolanus” is to be revived by Sir Henry of their own, and the real book-lover will, if Irving when he returns to the Lyceum in April, necessary, deprive himself of many things in with Miss Ellen Terry as Volumnia. order to obtain a much-coveted book, be it a The first performance of Mr. Haddon novel, a technical work, or a volume of poems. And how he prizes his books! None but the Chambers's new play, “The Awakening,” which book-lover can realise how much they mean to was postponed on account of the death of the Queen, will take place at St. James's Theatre on him, as he lovingly handles them, reading and Wednesday, Feb. 6. re-reading his favourite pages or paragraphs. It would be a grand thing for authors and Mr. Comyos Carr has adapted Carlo Goldoni's booksellers alike if all the people who wished to “ La Locandiera” for Miss Ellen Terry. buy books could fully gratify that desire. A new play by Mr. Pinero is likely to be the Unfortunately many of those who would most vext attraction at the Garrick, and a comedy by prize books are unable to obtain them, or can get Mr. Carton at the Criterion ; but neither need be them only in very, very limited numbers. expected for some little time, as the present plays To return to the subject, I merely offer these at these houses—“ The Wedding Guest” and remarks to express an opinion, and not by way of “The Noble Lord” respectively—continue to be complaint should the pages-entitled “ Books and popular. Reviews " be omitted in future numbers of The Lecturing at Toynbee Hall, Mr. Sidney Lee Author, for I have no doubt that they will be regretted that the public had not had more replaced by other articles equally useful or opportunities of seeing Shakespeare's plays on H. M. E. STANTON. interesting the stage in the closing years of the last century, but pointed out that the new century " THE AUTHOR." had opened in London with a promise of better SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. things. Owing to want of support on the part of the public the Edinburgh Subscription Library has [ALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.] closed its doors after an existence of more than a Front Page .. century. ." "*" ... 0 ... ... £4 0 "* Other Pages ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 0 Half of & Page ... Quarter of a Page Eighth of a Page Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion ... per 2000 3 0 0 Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Six and of 25 per cent. for Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Omce, 4, Portugal-street, London, W.O. " ... ... ... 1 10 O 15 0 0 Single Column on ... ...ar a series of Sit am  ## p. 168 (#229) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. CHATTO and WINDUS'S NEW BOOKS. MISSING HERO. By Mrs. ALEXANDER, THE CLOISTER and the HEARTH. By Author of “The Wooing o't.” SECOND EDITION. CHARLES READE. A LARGE-TYPE, FINE-PAPER Crown 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 6s. EDITION. Pott 8vo., cloth, 23. net; leather, 38. net. - - -- QUALITY CORNER: A Study of Remcree. By C. L. ANTROBUS, Author of " Wildersmoor," &c. Crown 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 6s. HANDLEY CROSS; or, Mr. Jorrocks's Hunt. By ROBERT SURTEES, Author of "Mr. Sponge's. Sporting Tour." 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With Eight Illustrations by NORMAN H. HARDY. Crown 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 68. [Shortly. | THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. In addition to Stories and Articles upon Subjects in Literature, Science, and Art, “ TABLE TALK” by THE MAN that CORRUPTED HADLEY- SylvanUS URBAN regularly appears. One Shilling BURG, and other Stories and Sketches. By MARK Monthly. Twain. With a Frontispiece. THIRD EDITION. Crown 8vo., cloth, gilt top. 68. A CATALOGUE of FICTION, with Descriptive Notices and Reviews of over NINE HUNDRED THE FOURTH GENERATION. By WALTER NOVELS, will be sent free by Messrs. CHATTO and BESANT, Author of “Children of Gibeon,” “The WINDUS upon application. Orange Girl," &c. THIRD EDITION. Crown 8vo., cloth, gilt top, 68. NEW SIXPENNY BOOKS, THE « PRETTY POLLY”; Voyage of Incident. By W. CLARK RUSSELL. With Twelve NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS. By Robert Louis Illustrations. Large crown 8vo., cloth, gilt edges, 5s. STEVENSON. PUCK. By Quida. [ Feb. THE DEATH SHIP By W. CLARK RUSSELL. I A SON of HAGAR. By Hall CAINE. [March. A NEW EDITION, Crown 8vo., cloth, 38. 6d. | THE ORANGE GIRL. By Walter BeSant. (May. London : CHATTO & WINDUS, 111, St. Martin's-lane, W.C.  ## p. 168 (#230) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ONLY 500 COPIES PRINTED. Now ready, price 28. 6d., cloth. Royal 8vo., with Maps and Plates, price One GUINEA. A FLYING VISIT TO THE Man-Hunting in the Desert, AMERICAN CONTINENT. WITH NOTES BY THE WAY. By F. DALE PAWLE. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings E.C. BEING A NARRATIVE OF THE PALMER SEARCH EXPEDITION, 1882, 1883, Conducted by Sir Charles Warren. BY Capt. ALFRED E. HAYNES (ROYAL ENGINEERS). WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY WALTER BESANT. "The story of the vigorous efforts made, against terrible odds, to find the missing Professor and his companions is clearly and ably set forth. Then comes the finding of the ghastly remains and the patiently relentless following up of clues in tracing out the various Arabs implicated in the murder. The adventurous part of the book is as interesting as a tale by Stevenson; nor is what might be termed the personal part less absorbing."-Publishers' Circular. Demy 8vo., cloth boards, price 108. 6d. IN NEW SOUTH AFRICA. Travels in the Transvaal and Rhodesia. · With Map and Twenty-six Illustrations. By H. LINCOLN TANGYE. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Crown 8vo., Cloth Boards, Silver Lettering, Price 6s. A LADY OF WALES CONTENTS. Introductory. PART I. CHAPTER I. - The Land of Gold and the Way there. II.-Across Desert and Veldt. III. Johannesburg the Golden, IV.-A Transvaal Coach Journey. V.-Natal: the South African Garden. VI.Ostracised in Africa. Home with the Swallows. "A Story of the Siege of Chester, 1645." Rev. VINCENT J. LEATHERDALE, M.A. BY THE PART II.-RAMBLES IN RHODESIA. CHAPTER 1.-Eendragt Maakt Magt. II.-Into the Country of Lobengula. III.-The Trail of War. IV.-Goldmining, Ancient and Modern. V. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. VI.-To Northern Mashonaland. VII.-Primitive Art. The Misadventures of a Wagon. Index. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. In demy 8vo., price 12s. net, by post 12s. 6d. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream'g-buildings, E.C. Six Months in a Syrian Monastery. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, price 2s. 6d. A HANDBOOK OF Being the Record of a Visit to the Headquarters of the Syrian Church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis, or Devil Worshippers of Mosul, and El Jilwah, their Sacred Book. By OSWALD H. PARRY, B.A. (Of Magdalen College, Oxford.) nlustrated by the Author. With a Prefatory Note by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham. PROCEDURE OF THE HOUSE of COMMONS, WITH SUGGESTIONS AND PRECEDENTS FOR THE USE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING SOCIETIES, * The author of this handsome volume presents a detailed study of & relic of history pursued off the track of general research;' he has sought to give, and has succeeded in giving, ' a picture of quiet lite in a country much abused, and among a people that command less than their share of ordinary interest.' Westward the tide of Enpire takes its way,' sang a prophetic divine of the olden days, and no less certainly, as Mr. Parry points out, does the ebb of travel roturn towards the East. ... As a volume descriptive of life and travel among a distant people, his work is well worth reading, but for those persons who are more particularly concerned with the old Syrian Church, or in the solution of the problem indicated above, it is one of quite unique attraction. A pathetic interest attaches to the account of the Yazidis included in this volume for it contains part of their sacred writings, the original manuscript of which was in the hands of Professor Robertson Smith for translation at the time of his death.' -Publishers' Circular. BY GEO. G. GRAY, Esq., LL.D. (Lond.), J.P., Barrister-at-Law, &c., Author of "A Manual of Bankruptcy,” a Treatise on "The Right to Support from Land and Buildings," &c., Speaker of the Hastings Local House of Commons. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. I London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O  ## p. 168 (#231) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. vii In demy 8vo., 700 pages, price 7s. Bd., the Fourth Edition of AN ANECDOTAL HISTORY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, OF FROM THE EARLIEST PERIODS TO THE PRESENT TIME. WITH NOTICES OF EMINENT PARLIAMENTARY MEN, AND EXAMPLES OF THEIR ORATORY. COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES BY GEORGE HENRY JENNINGS. CONTENTS : PART 1.-Rise and Progress of Parliamentary Institutions. APPENDIX.-(A) Lists oi the Parliaments of England and oi the PART II.- Personal Anecdotes : Sir Thomas More to John Morley. United Kingdom. PART III.-Miscellaneous : 1. Elections. 2. Privilege : Exclusion of (B) Speakers of the House of Commons. Strangers; Publication of Debates. 3. Parliamentary O Prime Ministers. Lord Chancellors, and Secretaries Usages, &c. 4. Varieties. of State from 1715 to 1892. HORACE cox, “LAW TIMES” OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. In demy 8vo., with PORTRAITS, price 7s, 6d. THE BUILDERS OF OUR LAW DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA. BY EDWARD MANSON. Late Scholar of Brasenose College, and of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law; Author of the “ Law of Trading Companies," " Debentures and Debenture Stock," " Dog Law," &c. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Lord Cottenbam. Lord St. Leonards. Baron Martin (with Portrait). Ohief Justice Tindal. Chief Baron Pollock. Sir George Jessel (with Portrait). Lord Justice Knight Bruce (with Portrait). Sir Cresswell Cresswell. Sir Robert Phillimore (with Portrait). Baron Parke-Lord Wensleydale. Lord Campbell. Lord Justice Mellish (with Portrait). Right Honourable Stepben Lushington, the Mr. Justice Patteson (with Portrait). Lord Justice Lush Chief Justice Jervis. Lord Westbury (with Portrait). Lord Blackburn. Lord Oranworth. Chief Justice Cockburn (irith Portrait). Lord Justice James (with Portrait). Mr. Justice Maule. Mr. Justice Wightman. Chief Justice Erle (with Portrail). Lord Abinger. Lord Hatherley. Sir Edward Vaughan Williams. Lord Truro. Mr. Justice Willes. Mr. Justice Crompton. Baron Alderson, Lord Bramwell. Chief Baron Kelly. Lord Denman (with Portrait). Lord Cairns (with Portrait). Mr. Manson bas a facile pen and a pleasant style: and it would indeed have been a pity had the ephemeral purpose with which the matter contained in this book was originally published caused those interesting sketches to be forgotten. The aim of the author has been to give an outline of the career of the greatest of our judges, and to state the effect of their work upon the law. and in so doing he has started at the point at which Lord Campbell left off. Several old prints are reproduced, and help to make up a handsome, interesting, and even brilliant addition to the bistory of the Legal Profession." -Lan Journal. " We received the several biographies with much pleasure, and gladly published them in these columns. We know for a fact that more than one family has been surprised at the information gleaned about its judicial member by Mr. Manson. We predict for it & permanent place in legal biography."-Lau Times. "The book has & serious interest for laymen as well as for lawyers, for, general reader may digest. It is the anecdotes and the personal details which give piquancy to the book."-Morning. London: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C.  ## p. 168 (#232) ############################################ viii ADVERTISEMENTS. NOW READY. Crown 8vo., cloth limp, price 38. Bd. net. THE LITERARY YEAR-BOOK. 1901. An indispensable work of reference for all who are concerned in Literature. FIFTH YEAR OF ISSUE. Edited by HERBERT MORRAH. The New Issue of the above Handbook contains a large amount of valuable information, and no efforts have been spared to increase its usefulness to all concerned in literary and journalistic work. Whilst excluding from this issue all reviews of a critical character, the interest of the work is enhanced by the inclusion of several articles of a practical nature by MR. ANTHONY HOPE, MR. EDEN PHILLPOTTS, AND OTHER WELL-KNOWN WRITERS. In PART I. PART II. Information and articles respecting the following subjects Will be greatly enlarged as well as thoroughly revised, and will also be included :- will contain information with regard to the following :- Agreements. Illustration of Books. Agents. Indexers. Authorship. Literature and the Law. American Information. Libraries. Bookbiodiog. New Ventures of 1900. Largely increased. Literary Searchers. Book Sales of 1900. By Artists. With Books illas- Obituary. With Bibliography Periodical Publications. FRANK RINDER, trated in 1900. of Deceased Authors. By Plays. Bookselling. M. R. HOSTE. Authors. This important Controversies of 1900. Publishers. Section will be consider- Plagiarism. Copyright. Royalties. By various ably increased. Printing of Books. Writers. Books of 1900. Societies. Discounts. Publishing of Books. Clubs. Typists. Dramatic Rights. Reviewing of Books. Contributor's Guide. Technical Information. Events of the Literary Year. Statstics. Events of 1900. Trade Information. Press Opinions on the issue for 1900. ACADEMY. Is better than it bas yet been." author. or a would-be author will find more convenient to have at his ATHENAEUN - Shows a great improvement." elbow." GLOBE.- Tbis useful annual." WEEKLY REGISTER.-—" A most complete and careful compilation." THE GRAPHIC –Bas been greatly improved under the Editorship WEEKLY SON-"A very convenient and an interesting record." of Mr. Berbert Morrab." WESTMINSTER GAZETTE. "A decided improvement on its GUARDIAN,—"Greatly improved." predecessors." DAILY OHRONICLE - Exceedingly valuable." WORLD. This issue shows a marked advance." DAILY MAIL_"Useful-business-like-well arranged." BRISTOL TIMES. "This apnual bas been greatly improved.": DAILY NEWS.—" Undoubtedly more practical and useful than its CHUBCH REVIEW.--" The arrangement of the book is extremely predecessors." good." LITERATURE.—"We can cordially congratulate Mr. Herbert THE GENTLEWOMAN.-" Most useful in every way." Morrah." GLASGOW HERALD.-"A useful and even interesting book. Mr. THE LONDONER.--" This is the fourth and best issue." Herbert Morrah has done his work extremely well." THE MAGAZINE OF ART-I8 rapidly approaching the high-water LADIES' FIELD.- The Editor, Mr. Herbert Morrah, is to/be con- mark of excellence expected in a work of reference." gratulated upon a really interesting. not merely useful, com- METHODIST TIMES. "We beartily commend the volume." pilation." MORNING POST.- This most useful annual." MANCHESTER COURIER - For many reasons the book is interest- THE NEW AGE - We basten to congratulate Mr. Herbert Morrah ing for more it is valuable.” on the ability displayed as Editor, and on the exceeding usefulness MANCHESTER GUARDIAN.-" Is a very useful publication." of this most valuable Year-Book. The Literary Year-Book' is MANCHESTER CHRONICLE." Worthy of an honoured place: our indispensable to the reference library." sbelves,” OUTLOOK. – Mr. Herbert Morrah may be congratulated on his NEWCASTLE DAILY CHRONICLE," Mr. Herbert Morrab is to be success. A very excellent issue." congratulated on the very efficient way in which he has edited this PUBLISHERS' CIRCULAR.-—"An exceedingly interesting and useful useful work of reference." record for the man of letters." SCOTSMAN. -" Full of interest. A serviceable and trustworihy THE SPHERR – The ideal . Literary Year-Book' should contain & guide." minimum of opinions and a maximum of facts, and that is the ideal LANCET — We recommend this book cordially to all our readers the new Editor, Mr. Herbert Morrah, has succeeded in attaining. who require a compilation of this sort ; it is careful, practical, and as ... There is in fact po reference volume wbich a journalist, an far as possible complete." GEORGE ALLEN, 156, CHARING CROSS ROAD, LONDON. AND OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C.  ## p. 168 (#233) ############################################ The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.-N0. 10.] MARCH 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. ... ... Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... Literary Property- 1. France Leads the Way ... ... 2. The Copyright Bill ... 3. German Projected New Copyright Law 4. Over Produciion 5. Canadian Notes 6. The International Copyright Act Pension Fund... ... New York Letter. By John Russell Davidson PAGE PAGE ... 169 Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... 177 Notes and News. By the Editor... ... 179 171 Publisbing on Commission... ... ... 181 171 The Society of American Authors 172 ... ... 182 Canadian Society of Authors ... 173 The Fraser Homes for Indigent Authors ... 183 173 Correspondence.-1. The Mote and the Beam. 2. Books and .. 175 Reviewe-A Reply... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 175 | Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 186 ... 182 172 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. Is. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at 1os. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. Squire SPRIGGE. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT TARING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 25. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 15. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). IS. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. Herbert THRing, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 1s. All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, 4, Portugal Street, London, W.C.]  ## p. 168 (#234) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Nuthors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL. Sir Edwin ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBSON. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, K.C. SYDNEY GRUNDY. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. H. RIDER HAGGARD. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. THOMAS HARDY. LL.D. THE RIGHT HON, THE LORD BURGH ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. CLERE. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. HALL CAINE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. P. W. CLAYDEN. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R S. G. R. Sims. EDWARD CLODD. THE RIGHT Hon. W. E. II. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. W. MORRIS COLLES. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. F. MARION CRAWFORD. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. The RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. OF KEDLESTON. THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. Hon. Counsel -— E. M. UNDERDOWN, K.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES. 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Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 09 (February 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 09 (February 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-02-01-The-Author-11-9 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/338/1901-01-01-The-Author-11-8.pdf 9a32632eb2168e38b44ddc9a30d98b3d 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) 1901-01-01 Volume 11 Issue 8 Pages Page range in volume 133–152 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010101 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The El u tbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 8.] JANUARY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Pension Fund... ... ... ... ... ... ... Literary Property- 1. Canadian Artistic Copyright: Graves v. Gorrie 2. The New Copyright Bill ... ... 3. The American Society American Letter ... Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott ... ... ... CONTENTS. PAGE PAGE .. ... 133 Notes and News. By the Editor... ... 144 ... ... 134 | On Books and Review ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 145 Poe's Last Days ... ... 147 Correspondence-1. Use of the Society's Name. 2. Do Authors Read Reviews ? 3. Legalised Artistic Robbery. 4. The 140 End of the Century ... ... 149 ... ... 142 Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 138 ... ... 1391 American Letters Darracotie seci PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report for the current year. 18. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members gratis. Price to non-members, 6d., or 6s. 6d. per annum, post free. Back numbers from 1892, at ios. 6d. per vol. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS Colles, Barrister-at-Law. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. 18. 6. The Cost of Production. (Out of print.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. 38. Addenda to the Above. By G. HERBERT Thring. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell’s Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, the Berne Convention, and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. 15. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). IS. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 2s. 6d. 10. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THring, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 2nd Edition. 18. [All prices net. Apply to the SECRETARY, +, Portugal Street, London, W.C.]  ## p. 132 (#186) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | AUSTIN DOBson. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M P. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL D. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, Q.C. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE Right Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. CLERE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss Flora L. SHAW. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS. P. W. CLAYDEN. The Right Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. The Rev. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. D. W. FRESHFIELD. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. 'SUB-COMMITTEES.' ART. Hon. Joun COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). I F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solicitors, SFIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. London HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. THE ART of CHESS. By JAMES MASON. Price 58. net, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O.  ## p. 133 (#187) ############################################ The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 8.] JANUARY 1, 1901. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. THE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all T remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production.” IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub. joots whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are setarned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. TITERE 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 in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro. duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for "office expenses," unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher, As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or .doctor! VOL. XI. 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatio contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should s 2  ## p. 134 (#188) ############################################ 134 THE AUTHOR. reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen- dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments d ue according to agreements. THE READING BRANCH. 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.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con- tracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. PENSION FUND. 1. DVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici- tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books 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 pro. posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battlos of other writers, even if you are ELECTION TO THE COMMITTEE. T\HE attention of members is called to Clause 9 of the Pension Fund Scheme :- Any candidate for election to the Pension Fund Committee by the members of the Society (not being a retiring member of such Committee) shall be nominated in writing to the secretary at least three weeks prior to the general meeting at which such candidate is to be proposed, and the nomination of  ## p. 135 (#189) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 135 er o ourerereren omeno on enenereren oo - do oooooooooeren oo oooo ! OOOOOOOOOOOOOO 000000000 each such candidate shall be subscribed by at least SUBSCRIPTIONS. three members of the Society. Alexander, A. ........... Aidë, Hamilton (for a period of five years)...... A list of the names of the candidates 80 nomi- Avory, Harold .......... ......... nated shall be sent to the members of the Society Beckett, A. W. à .................................... with the annual report of the Managing Committee, Boevey, Miss Crawley .. and those candidates obtaining the most votes at the Besant, Sir Walter........... general meeting shall be elected to serve on the Bonney, Rev. Prof. T. G. ............ 5 0 0 Clodd, Edward Pension Fund Committee. Crockett, S. R Members of the Society are required, in accord Dobson, Austin (annual amount anstated—for ance wita this rule, to send in the names of 1900) ........... Ellis, Miss M. A.............. those members whom they desire to nominate to Gilbert, W. S............................................ the Secretary of the Society of Authors, 4, Guthrie, Anstey. Portugal-street, London, W.C., ON OR BEFORE Gwynne, S. ............................................ FEBRUARY ist. Home, Francis........ A nomination paper will be found enclosed in Jerome, Jerome K. .............. Marchmont, A. W.. this number of The Author. Pemberton, Max The Committee beg to inform the members of Pinero, A. W.... the Society that at the meeting of the Committee, Rose, Edward ........... held on the 3rd Dec., they elected the following Stanley, Mrs. .... Ward, Mrs. Humphry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. as their nominees to the said Committee : X. Y. ...... SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S.; A. W. à BECKETT; - sic MRS. CRAIGIE (JOHN OLIVER HOBBES). Any member desiring a copy of the Pension Fund Scheme can obtain the same at the offices LITERARY PROPERTY. of the Society. The following is the list of donations and I.-CANADIAN ARTISTIC COPYRIGHT. subscriptions at present promised or received :- Graves v. Gorrie. DONATIONS. £ 8. d. (Argued Sept. 19, 1900.) A.S. ...... 100 0 0 Alcott, E... TOV. 6, 1900.-Rose, J.-The question to 50 0 0 Barrie, J. M. .......... be determined here is whether the copy- ............ Benecke, Miss Ida ..................... 3 0 0 ' right conferred by 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68 Begant, Sir Walter.................. was confined to Great Britain or whether it Chambers, Miss Beatrice 0 3 6 extended throughout the dominions of the Crown. Cordeaux, Miss ..... Craigie, Mrs. As said by Lord Cranworth in Routledge v. Doyle, A. Conan. 100 0 0 Low (L. R. 3 H. L. at p. 113): “ The British Esler, Miss Rentoul ......... Parliament in the time of Queen Anne must be Fowler, Miss E. T.............. taken prima facie to have legislated only for Freshfield, D. W................. Great Britain just as the present Parliament Gibbs, Miss ............................. Hawkins, A. Hope ............. must be taken to legislate only for the United Hutchinson, Rev. H. ........... Kingdom.” And in Penley v. Beacon Assurance Jones, Henry Arthur... 0 0 Company (10 G. R. at p. 428), Vankoughnot, G. Keltie, J. Scott. said: “While I admit the power of the Imperial Kipling, Rudyard Legislature to apply by express words their Loftie, Rev. W. J. Macfarlane, H. .... enactments to this country, I will never admit Meredith, George that without express words they do apply or are Moncrieff, R. Hope..... intended to so apply.” Norris, W. E...... 0 0 It is necessary, therefore, carefully to examine Oliphant, Kingston the language and effect of the statute to see Parker, Gilbert ...... 100 0 0 Pollock, Sir Frederick whether, either by express words or at least by Roe, Mrs. Harcourt necessary implication, it extended to the dominions Rogsetti, W. M. ....................... of the Crown. 8. B. In the most carefully prepared and able argu- Sanderson, Sir J. B. ............. 2 0 0 ments that were addressed to me by the counsel Spielmann, M. H. 10 0 0 Stanton, Miss H. M. E... engaged in this case, much was said with reference Tweedie, Mrs. Alec. 5oo to the effect of the language of the first section of oo 5 10 100 O o 0 0 OOOOO 000000 ooooen o ön 000 7 0 --0000000 Ö OOOOW OOOOO 100 5 I .....  ## p. 136 (#190) ############################################ 136 THE AUTHOR. the Act, Mr. Small relying upon that as showing the In that Act, sect. 15, it is provided “ that if intention to legislate so as to extend the benefits any person shall in any part of the British of the Act not only to Great Britain but also to dominions after the passing of this Act print or the Colonies. cause to be printed ... such offender shall There had been some discussion as to the be liable to a special action on the case. .. persons to whom the benefits of prior legislation to be brought in any Court of Record in that respecting copyright had been extended : (see part of the British dominions in which the offence Jeffery v. Boosey, 4 H. L. C. 215), and possibly shall be committed.” Sect. 17 prohibits the the language of sect. I was made expressly to importation“ into any part of the United King- prevent any doubt as to the persons who should dom or into any other part of the British have the benefit of the Act. The words are: dominions." “The author, being a British subject or resi- But it is said that the language of sect. 10, dent within the dominions of the Crown, every cap. 68, shows that no “ repetition, copies, or original painting, drawing, and photograph which imitations of paintings, drawings, or photographs" shall be or shall have been made either in the should be made in any foreign State or in any British dominions or elsewhere.shall part of the British dominions without the consent have the sole and exclusive right of copying, of the proprietor of the copyright thereof. No engraving, reproducing, and multiplying such doubt for anyone to make a repetition or copy or painting or drawing. . . .” These words imitation of a painting, drawing, or photograph clearly confer copyright upon all British subjects, without the consent of the proprietor would be a and upon all persons, whether British subjects wrong done to such proprietor, but it is apparent or not, resident within the dominions of the that the only protection that that section gives Crown, in respect to every original painting against such wrong is the prohibition against drawing, or photograph, whether made in the importation of any such unlawful repetition, &c., British dominions or in a foreign country; but into the United Kingdom. it is quite consistent with that language that the Looking at the Act itself and comparing it with copyright thus conferred should be confined to 5 & 6 Vict. cap. 45, I have to come to the conclu- Great Britain. By sect. 4 no proprietor of any sion that there is nothing on its face to indicate such copyright is entitled to the benefit of the that the copyright thereby conferred extended Act until registration at Stationers' Hall. As beyond the United Kingdom. has been pointed out in the cases, the copyright I find that Lindley, L.J., in Tuck and Sons v. is conferred by sect. I, but the benefit of the Act Priester (19 Q. B. D. at p. 643) was apparently is withheld until registration. By sect. 6 penal- of that opinion. His language was: “It appears ties are enacted for importation into any part of to me, therefore, that there was vested in the the United Kingdom of paintings, &c., which are present plaintiffs a copyright in this picture, but an infringement of the copyright. By sect. 8 it that that copyright was conferred by the Act and is provided that pecuniary penalties may be was confined to this country. They had no copy- recovered before certain courts in England, right abroad. There was no piracy ; there was Ireland, and Scotland, and sect. 9 gives power to nothing 'unlawful' in copying in Germany or Her Majesty's Superior Courts of Record at West elsewhere abroad that picture in which the plain- minster and in Dublin to give protection and tiffs had acquired a copyright under this Act. If relief in cases of infringement. By sect. 10 by virtue of the international treaties the plaintiffs. importation into the United Kingdom is pro- have a copyright in Germany we have not been hibited. informed of it, and I assume they have not. They So far, apart from the prohibition on importa. are not at liberty, therefore, to complain under tion, there is nothing to indicate any intention this Act of any infringement of their copyright to deal with any act done outside of the United which took place abroad, for they had no copy- Kingdom. right abroad.” These actions to which I have referred, when Although the learned judge was not dealing contrasted with the provisions of 5 & 6 Vict. with an infringement within the dominions of the cap. 45, which is made expressly to extend to Crown, it is, I think, clear that he would have every part of the British dominions, give great used similar language if he had been dealing with strength to the argument that it is manifest that such a case, and his language is a complete answer Parliament in passing 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68, to the argument which was based upon the lan- was legislating only for copyright in the United guage of sect. 10 of cap. 68—namely, " which con- Kingdom, and was not dealing with a copyright trary to the provisions of this Act shall have been conferred for the whole of the dominions of the made in any foreign State or in any part of the Crown. British dominions.” It was urged that that  ## p. 137 (#191) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 137 language showed that an infringement made in Mollwo 1. Court of Wards (1872) (L. R. 4, at p. any part of the British dominions was contrary 173); Earl of Shrewsbury v. Scott (1859) (6 to the provisions of that Act, but if so equally C. B. N. S., at p. 141); Metcalfe v. Hanson would be an infringement outside of the British (1866) (L. R., at 250); Labrador Company r. The dominions. Queen (1893) (A. C. 104). But it was further urged that the effect of As I read cap 33 of 49 & 50 Vict. I do not 49 & 50 Vict. cap. 33, the International Copy- find any declaration of the meaning of cap. 68 of right Act 1886 was to extend the provisions of 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68 to all parts of the British dominions, and The concluding words of sect. 9 were much if not, that the language, especially of sects. 8 pressed upon me by Mr. Small : “ But save as and 9, amounted to a declaration by the Imperial provided by such declaration the said Acts and Parliament that the provisions of 25 & 26 Vict. this Act shall apply to every British possession cap. 68 did so extend. as if it were a part of the United Kingdom.” It must be remembered that 49 & 50 Vict. When we come to see what the words “the cap. 33 was passed to extend to authors of literary said Acts and this Act” embraced, we find by and artistic works first published in a foreign looking at the first schedule that only sect. 12 country copyright in Great Britain in return for of cap. 68 is included. But Mr. Small urged copyright extended to British authors in such that as sect. 12 of cap. 68 introduced into that foreign country, and was not intended to extend Act the provisions of Imp. 7 & 8 Vict. cap. 12, it the copyright conferred by any previous Act. showed manifestly that cap. 68 extended the We should not, therefore, expect to find a copyright to the whole of the dominions of the clause declaring that the copyright conferred by Crown, cap. 68 was extended beyond the territorial limits When we look at the provisions of Imp. 7 & 8 named in that Act, unless, indeed, it were neces Vict. c. 12, we find that its effect is stated in the sary for the working out of the provisions of that last recital as follows : “And whereas the powers Act. vested in Her Majesty by the said International Sect. 8 provides: “The Copyright Acts”. Copyright Act are insufficient to enable Her (which include 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68) “shall, Majesty to confer upon authors of books first subject to the provisions of this Act, apply to a published in foreign countries copyright of like literary or artistic work first produced in a duration, and with the like remedies for the British possession in like manner that they apply infringement thereof which are conferred and to a work first produced in the United Kingdom.” provided by the said Copyright Amendment Act This did not extend the language of sect. I of with respect to authors of books first published 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68, which conferred copy. in the British dominions ..and it is right upon the persons within the class named expedient to vest increased powers in Her Majesty with respect to every painting, &c., whether made in this respect. . . .” in British dominions or elsewhere, unless the There is nothing here to show that by its word "production” includes more than the word introduction into cap. 68 it was intended to “made," which I do not understand to be the extend the limits of the copyright conferred by case, and in any event the section only enlarges that Act. The confining of the declaration in the rights and privileges of the proprietors of such sect. 9 of 45 & 50 Vict. cap. 33 to sect. 12 of works, and does not purport to extend the rights cap. 68 is significant. Either sect. I of cap. 68 is of copyright conferred by the copy. did confer copyright extending throughout right Acts. the dominions of the Crown, or it did not. If it It must be remembered that in drafting did, then sect. 12 would be as wide in its applica- sect. 8 the draftsman had in mind that he was tion as sect. i for the purpose for which it was preparing a section wbich must cover not only enacted, and there was no necessity for declaring 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68, but cap. 45 of 5 & 6 Vict. that either section extended beyond the United I see nothing in sect. 8 which indicates any inten- Kingdom; and, if it did not, the confining of the tion to extend the copyright conferred by that declaration to sect. 12, and thus excluding sect. I, Act beyond the limits of the United Kingdom. shows that Parliament carefully avoided extend- Some of the language of sect. 8 is more pecu- ing the effect of sect. I as originally passed. I liarly applicable to the provisions of cap. 45. find noihing iu sect. 12 of cap. 68, or in 7 & 8 Even if that section was passed in forgetíulness Vict. cap. 12, or in 49 & 50 Vict. cap. 33, or in the of the fact, if it be a fact that the copyright con- reason for passing such Act, to lead me to the ferred by 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68 did not extend conclusion tbat it was intended to extend the beyond the United Kingdom, such forgetfulness copyright conferred by sect. I of cap. 68 beyond or mistake would not enlarge scope of such Act: the limits of the United Kingdom.  ## p. 138 (#192) ############################################ 138 THE AUTHOR. The result is that I must hold that the copy- play they apply of necessity, in almost all cases, to right conferred by 25 & 26 Vict. cap. 68, sect. 1, Messrs. French, who have what is, in effect, a was confined to the United Kingdom and did not monopoly of such performances (for it is obviously extend to Canada, and that the plaintiff is not only the amateurs who could need any safeguard. entitled to the injunction asked for. His motion, ing in this matter). And Mr. French's manager therefore, must be dismissed with costs in the has told me many times that virtually every cause to the defendant in any event. application to act a copyright play in public, is In addition to the cases to which I have accompanied by a request that the author will referred, the following further authorities may consent to forego his fee,“ since the performance is be referred to :—Smiles v. Belford (1877) (1 for a charity”—as all amateur performances are. A. R. 436); “ Copinger on Copyright,” 3rd Thus the public knows perfectly well that if it edit.; “Scrutton on Copyright," 3rd edit.; wants to perform a play it must pay the author. “Winslow on Artistic Copyright”; and “Lefroy Moreover, the author is in a totally different posi- on Legislative Power in Canada." tion from that of the musician. It is as much a necessity for the composer of ballads to publish his work, as it is for the novelist; so that he, by II.-THE NEW COPYRIGHT BILL. mere custom, knows what publication means and involves—and if he does not his publisher, as a May I write to confirm Mr. Sydney Grundy's matter of course, can tell him. But it is not the statement that the Copyright Bill is “ not drafted custom of English dramatists to publish copies of from the point of view of a playwright" ? their plays - indeed, they cannot do so without The framers of the Bill have assumed that the certain troublesome precautions, if they desire to positions of the dramatist and the musical com retain their American rights; and all but a very poser are the same. They are, as a fact, diametri. few publishers are, in consequence, quite as cally opposite. ignorant of the laws affecting play-publication as In practically every case the composer of a song the authors. makes his profit out of the sale of printed copies Suppose, then, that a dramatist publishes his of that song. Far from charging the performer play out of a laudable ambition to prove that it anything, he sometimes pays him a commission is literature—or, if he is a beginner, with a on the sale of these copies. desperate hope that some stray manager, seeing In practically every case the dramatist makes it reviewed, may buy a copy; and suppose, in his profit out of the fees paid to him by managers this latter case, that he has it printed and pub- who perform his plays. When he prints and lished by some local printer who has never been publishes copies, it is generally for the sake of inside a theatre-a thing I have done a dozen getting them acted, or for convenience in acting; times myself, and Mr. Louis Parker, and other occasionally from a lingering desire to prove that dramatists I could name. Here is then a trap the drama may still be literature; hardly ever to set for such a dramatist—who, if he omits to put make money by their sale. on his title-page a statement which the custom It has been proved by the notorious “Harry of the profession has made quite unnecessary, Wall” cases that the public needs to be pro. forfeits-according to this new Bill—every penny tected in the matter of songs whose “perform- of author's fees which that play might have ing right” is reserved. Singers know so well brought him in. that, in nearly all cases, a musician is only “Ă Lawyer," in your last issue, asked for some too glad to have his song performed without practical suggestion, not mere destructive criti- charge, that they are apt to take a song and sing cism. I would suggest that the omission of the it as a matter of course, without asking questions: words “ or dramatic” in clause 5, section 7, of thus falling into the trap set for them by any Lord Monkswell's Bill would remedy a defect owner of a copyright who desires, in effect, to which, as it stands, must set every dramatist blackmail them. And the custom of the pro- against the Bill. And I may add that the fession is so universal that a composer who did Dramatic Sub-committee of the Authors' Society not wish his songs to be performed gratis would were unanimous on this point. know that he must specially announce the fact; EDWARD Rose. so that there is no hardship in his being legally 30, Lynd obliged to do this. Dec. 8, 1900. But the plea of public advantage cannot be 11. put forward in the case of dramatic works; at “A Lawyer” raises very courteously and clearly least it cannot be put forward with truth. When certain points which I anticipated would be raised, members of the public desire to perform a modern and which I respectfully submit are unsound. In  ## p. 139 (#193) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 139 reference to clause 5, section 7, he writes : “It rights, copyright and stage-right, for the author's appears that if a book” of a play is published life and for thirty or fifty years after his death- without the notice” reserving the performing rights which must be separately assigned even if to right, “the question will be: Did the author the same person, so that the assignment of the assent to the book being published in the par- one did not convey the other unless it were ticular form and without this notice ?” To me specifically mentioned — what more would any it appears that under that section the question author want. The writer of books would be will be: Did the owner of the copyright assent to protected, the writer of plays would be protected, the publication of the copy of the book, and there would be no vexatious formalities, and the as a matter of fact does it or does it not pirate would be checkmated. Rather than throw contain this notice? The owner might very well the whole subject into confusion, for the sake assent to the publication and forget all about the of protecting vocalists who innocently sing copy. notice, or even be unaware that any red tape was right songs--and this is where all the trouble necessary in so simple a matter. To justify “ A comes in---let them be dealt with hy a special Lawyer's" contention, the section should run: provision. " And that from such copy the notice was omitted I am sure we are all deeply grateful to Lord with the express assent of the owner of the copy. Monkswell for endeavouring to improve our right.” But it runs quite differently : “And that positions ; but apart from the period of pro- such copy was published with the assent of the tection, playwrights are perfectly satisfied with owner of the copyright, and does not contain the the law as it stands, and I cannt agree with “A notice.” Lawyer” that in other respects, so far as play- “A Lawyer" dismisses as “ quite untenable” wrights are concerned, the Bill does anything but my view that “it inight even be argued that the make crooked what is already perfectly straight. section is retrospective”; but he does not point SYDNEY GRUNDY. out where the section provides that “such copy” must have been published after the Act has come into force. The section says simply, “a copy." III.--THE AMERICAN SOCIETY. I submit, it might be an old copy. If I were the The following paragraph has been takeu from judge, I should probably decide against this the bulletin of the Society of Am-rican Authors: view; but why leave the wording ambiguous ? REDUCTION OF POSTAGE ON AUTHORS' MSS. I quite agree with “A Lawyer" that my unclean The (American) Society proposes to resume actively its thief“ falls out of the frying-pan into the fire”; work for the reduction of postage on authors' MSS. upon but that is no answer to the argument. However the opening of Congress in December. Every author is much he may be punished elsewhere for his interested in this matter, and shoald give the Society his or immorality, his theft is condoned. “A Lawyer". À L . her earnest support and assistance A personal interview or a letter to a member of Congress will be of material does not controvert the fact that Lord Monkswell, benefit. in his anxiety to boycott the immoral author, has In the same magazine there is an article on taken the immoral thief to his bosom. It 18 a Authors v. Publishers, by an American publisher. quaint vindication of virtue. who states as follows: On reflection, does not clause 5, section 5, mise One reason why the agent is less in evidence in this the whole question of morality in art ? Just as country than in Eogland is the greater loyalty of American the defaulting speculator may plead gaming as a authors to their publishers. Over there you will find a defence, might not the pirate say of any play : successful writer often represented in the lists of many * What you accuse me of stealing is immoral, different publishers. Here there is a much greater tendency therefore there is no copyright? ” Even if the among authors to stay by the houses that have made a success of their works and that have become identified with pirate be estopped from raising this defence, might them, and this tendency is not encouraging to the activity the point not be raised by the judge on a question of the literary agent, among the more successful of them at of non-suit, and a profound problem in ethics be any rate. substituted for a simple question of copyright ? We should like to point out, however, that What is the use of this section ? There is already there is no question of loyalty between an author a law to deal with immorality, sedition, &c. ; why and a publisher, it is merely a matter of business. mix them up with copyright? One reason why the successful writer in Eng- “A Lawyer” says my remarks are “entirely land has taken lately to changing his publisher destructive." Maj I call his attention to the has been fully explained in last month's Author. penultimate passage of my article, and ask him The publisher binds the author to him for two to consider how much ground is covered by the and sometimes three successive books, with the suggestion it contains ? If there were vested in disastrous result, as shown exhaustively in the every literary work two separate and distinct article referred to, that he practically neglects the VOL. II.  ## p. 140 (#194) ############################################ 140 THE AUTHOR. pushing of the author's book beyond a certain Is this matter one which, like royalty and limit, as he feels quite safe in securing the next advertising accounts, must be necessarily confided two. This treatment at the hands of a publisher to the virtue of the publisher ? Or, would the naturally makes the author turn to someone who publisher's contention be that in the event of such will treat him better. an infringement an author's action would lie, if The English author is as willing as the anywhere, against the reader personally ? American author to keep his books in the hands of one publisher if that publisher will give him A RISKY JOB. a fair contract and will take an interest in pusbing The inquiry is not without interest because of the work he produces. the likelihood of unconscious appropriation. I Another reason why sometimes the publisher know an aspiring playwright who wished to have is changed does not spring from the author, but his efforts examined by Mr. Bronson Howard, springs froin the competition in the publishing the dean of our dramatists. Mr. Howard cour- trade. teously refused. He said that once he had The following paragraph comes from the same innocently embodied in one of his own pieces an paper : pisode contained in a friend's manuscript play D. APPLETON AND COMPANY INCORPORATED. which had been submitted to him for his advice. The D. Appleton Company, of New York City, with a The play had been forgotten, but the incident capital of 3,000,000 dollars, has been incorporated. The stuck in a corner of his mind, and when he found purposes for which the company is to be formed are to it there, many years afterwards, it had all the ear- purchase, acquire, and carry on the book-printing and pub- lishing and other business of D. Appleton and Company, marks of an original idea. His angry friend the Appleton Manufacturing Company, and the A. J. accused him of treachery and theft, and he then Johnson Company, and to continue and carry on the publi. and there solemnly vowed never again to read an cations heretofore owned and carried on by said corpora- unproduced or unprinted dramatic composition. tions. Mr. Howard's experience is common enough, I daresay. From the author's standpoint, the ideal manuscript reader is a person to whom the career AMERICAN LETTER. of writer is an accursed and forbidden thing, but where such a rarity can be found the publisher New York City, Dec. 11, 1900. neither knows nor cares. He relies pleasantly upon the average honesty of mankind. Moreover, I UST a publishing house insure an author ' lax treatment of manuscripts occasionally pre- V against the possible dishonesty of its vails here which might disturb our authors were manuscript readers The other day a there not counter-irritants. One editor, for young and unknown writer submitted a manu- example, is in the habit of reading unpublished script novel for the consideration of a New York and unaccepted manuscripts to his family and to publisher. At the conclusion of the introductory the guests fortunate enough to be within his interview the author asked for a guarantee that hospitable gates. In theory, at least, this prac. in case the book was declined, none of her ideas tice has its risks. would be stolen, consciously or unconsciously, by the editorial examiners in the publisher's employ. MARK TWAIN AT HOME. The publisher was amused, surprised, and ulti. The public welcome of Mark Twain to his mately puzzled. He had some difficulty in con. native land came somewhat tardily, but for the vincing himself that the request was unreasonable. past month Mr. Clemens has been dined, supped, The author argued that the publisher was in the and breakfasted to the content of his heart and legal position of a voluntary bailee of literary the probable damage of his digestion. His friends property, for the integrity of which he was tempo. and fellow-craftsmen were curious to learn in rarily responsible. He would be clearly liable what way Mr. Clemens's residence in England if the manuscript itself were stolen by a clerk. had affected his Americanism. Their curiosity But the extraordinary nature of the property has now been appeased. Before Mr. Clemens's exposes it to extraordinary danger, which must sea legs had adjusted themselves, he procured the be considered by one dealing in it. What arrest and punishment of a rapacious New York if the conception of the story were stolen by the cabman who overcharged his cook. Sad to relate, publisher's reader, afflicted with the perilous it is unusual here thus to sacrifice time and combination of dishonesty and cacoethes scribendi? take trouble to improve the public service, This particular publisher speedily discovered the and Mr. Clemens's course awakened inuch favour. solution of the problem. He declined the manu- able comment, in which it was pointed out that script without further delay. this was the “ London way of doing things."  ## p. 141 (#195) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 141 Moreover, the episode gave Mr. Clemens a chance Edward Bok, director of the Ladies' Home to coin one of his characteristically neat phrases, Journal. Mr. Bok is going forth a-lecturing this wbich ran : “Every good citizen is an unclassified winter upon the general subject of editorial policeman.” It has been announced that, under methods and the way to meet them. His pro- a special agreement, Mr. Clemens will write exclu. spectus promises a complete disclosure of the sively for the house of Harper and Brothers. secrets of the prison house. He will explain, he You doubtless know that Mr. W. D. Howells is says, why bad manuscripts are accepted and why bound by a similar agreement to the same firm; good manuscripts are declined; he will set forth furthermore, he serves the house regularly as the advantages and the disadvantages of a per- literary adviser-in-chief, and writes a department sonal acquaintanceship with the editor, and the in its monthly magazine. With both Mr. Clemens truth about cliques in magazine offices; and he and Mr. Howells under their banner, the re- will tell the aspirants how to behave when they organised Harpers are resuming their march with interview a publisher, and coach them in the most a more hopeful and a firmer stride. approved systems of compelling the acceptance of their manuscripts. Mr. Bok is a clever young REDUCING EXPENSES. man. Popular interest in the subject of his Mr. John Wanamaker, the proprietor of Every lecture is ready-made in advance, and success may body's Magazine, has latterly accomplished an be predicted for his venture, both in the sale of interesting divorce between the purely commercial tickets and in advertising the Ladies' Home and the purely literary sides of magazine making. Journal. The hint is worth cultivating, perhaps, Mr. Wanamaker is of a thrifty turn of mind, and in other fields. it occurred to him that the editorial expenses of Everybody's were making a hole in his profits. THE PUBLISHERS' ASSOCIATION. Query : Why support a separate editorial office In one direction there was significance in our for his monthly? Why not farm out the editing book trade, too often a meaningless mass of to some publishers whose plant is already volumes thrown helter skelter upon the market. equipped for such work, and who might be This year, however, there seemed to be a marked willing to job the editorial labour for a lump and commendable increase in sound, dignified sum, less than the amount which Mr. Wanamaker editions of the classics, designed primarily for the was compelled to pay for a private editorial season, but minus the conventionally flashy establishment ? No sooner said than done; it is adornments which are supposed to embellish the now reported, on what seems to be good autho usual Christmas publications. The Scribners rity, that the firm of Doubleday, Page and Co. offer a Dickens; the Harpers, a Scott; Crowell will hereafter edit Everybody's Magazine, select and Company advertise Balzac and Tolstoi ; the material, and layout its policy. Mr. Thomas Nelson has a new Thackeray; Brentano a Wanamaker prints it, sells it, and takes the “Pilgrim's Progress," and so on. The promised financial consequences. A scheme of this kind effect of the uew“ Publishers' Association " was allows a publishing concern to edit any number not in evidence, nor does it yet appear. Our of magazines at wholesale rates. In fact, Messrs. retail bookseller is having as hard a time as ever Doubleday and Page already have a periodical in his apparently hopeless competition with the of their own, called The World's Work. A vast large jobber, who can buy so many books from editorial clearing house is suggested by Mr. the publisher that he obtains an exceptional Wanamaker's enterprise. discount. Indeed, I am not aware that the heralded association has accomplished anything Mr. Bok Aş COACH. at all except the election of officers. The recent phenomenal success in this country of previously untried writers of fiction has had MR. KIPLING'S LAWSUIT. the effect of enormously increasing the output of Mr. Kipling's litigations in our courts always amateurs' manuscripts. It is a constant marvel attract attention. À deposition made by him how so many people find time to write so much. before a London notary was received the other Stimulated by the fact that two or three novelists day. It is one of the papers in the suit brought have become capitalists in a few years, the recruit by Mr. Kipling for alleged infringement of copy. ing lists of the army of would-be authors are right against various American publishers. It assuming proportions which are alarming. In will be remembered that he declares the “Out- this state of things one would think that the ward Bound ” edition, published by the Scribners, editors would only find despair and vexation of to be the only one authorised by him. The docu- spirit, but one editor, at least, proposes to turn ment recently received is voluminous, and said to the situation to profitable account. This is Mr. contain startling statements concerning American  ## p. 142 (#196) ############################################ 142 THE AUTHOR. publishers, and facts relating to the editing and rearrangement of the Kipling stories. Upon the objection of the author's attorney, however, the reporters were not allowed to copy any of it. The trial is set for February, when the mysterious affidavit will be made public. John RUSSELL Davidson. -(1) That of the elder of the two sons of the vivacious “Gyp” (Comtesse de Martel); (2) that of the unfortunate Mr. Oscar Wilde ; (3) that of M. Armand Fresnau, the blind senator, who died leaving in a half-finished condition his interesting “Mémoires Parlementaires," a voluminous autobiography, which he was dictat- ing to his younger daughter ; (4) that of Mme. Edgar Quinet, whose • Cinquante ans d'amitié” appeared a few months ago; and (5) that of M. Edmond Tarbé, an esteemed Parisian journalist, dramatist, and novelist. PARIS LETTER. 4 bis, rue des Beaux-Arts. M. ZOLA ON THE MODERN NOVEL. T HE death of M. J. Valfrey, who (under the MM. Théodore Cahu and Forest are the authors I pseudonym of “Whist ") had for years of a recent novel entitled “Vers la Paix,” which, contributed to the Figaro a series of among other dedicatory notices to crowned heads brilliant articles on foreign politics, occurred and illustrious personages, contains one addressed immediately after the despatch of my last letter to M. Emile Zola, who " shook the world without A man of high moral value, remarkable insight, a sword and conquered it without an army.” The and lofty ideal, he, nevertheless, can scarcely be “ Travail ” of the latter author is now appearing regarded as a typical Parisian writer, since, in serial form in the Aurore, while his “ Assom- despite his superior abilities, he never occupied moir” has just scored a big success at the Porte- the prominent position in the public eye and Saint-Martin Theatre. The great novelist lately sympathy to which Francisque Sarcey, Pierre expressed himself in the following terms when Véron, and other lesser journalists attained. asked his opinion re the tendency of the modern Characteristic anecdotes of the man himself are novel :- strangely lacking, considering the importance “Nothing is more difficult than to determine attached to his political articles by European the evolutions of literature. .. You cannot diplomatists. Of bourgeois origin, he quitted follow a straight line; ... the novel is a his native Besançon, and established himself at social and human manifestation. It goes from an early age in Paris, where having attracted , one Pole to the other, from realism to idealism attention by several historical appreciations whose (réve) in obeying multiple evolutions. It under merit was at once recognised-he entered the goes continual fluctuations. In addition, the diplomatic corps under the patronage of Count geniuses, yet unborn, who will displace and Chaudordy. In 1878 the Conservatives went out change everything, have to be taken into of power. At that moment Valfrey, who filled account. ... the posts of Minister-Plenipotentiary and member “Does the novel show a greater bias towards of the Superior Commission of the Quai d'Orsay perversity and obscenity than towards honest and Archives, was about to become Ambassador. He healthy passions ? Qui en sait-on ? There are steadfastly refused to continue in office under the filthy minds everywhere.... Certain works new Ministry, preferring to share the downfall of are necessary to certain people. . . . his friends. He, however, consented to remain a “I believe in a humanity which advances—as member of the Quai d'Orsay Commission. Shortly much from a literary as a social point of view. after he became a contributor to the Moniteur Humanity is, advancing some-whither. Slowly it Universel, and it paramount authority on all directs itself towards its goal-three steps for- questions connected with foreign politics. He ward, two backward. But the ground gained quitted the Moniteur to enter the Figaro staff, remains. The truths acquired can never more where he remained until his death. become errors.... “Upright in all his actions, a sure and faithful “Since, in the domain of science, ideas have friend, benevolent, tolerant, ironical without enlarged, it would be singular if writers did not gall, witty without bitterness, never blindly con- advance also-not towards more genius, but demning his adversaries, but professing for the towards more truth. And if there be a dénoue- convictions of others the respect he demanded ment, it will be that of the art of reality. The for his own”-such is the testimony borne him oscillations of the pendulum of literature are by his comrades of the Figaro. more and more lengthened towards truth, more and Five other deaths connected with literature more shortened towards error. For myself, I am have likewise occurred during the past month : inclined to believe that--if there be a return to  ## p. 143 (#197) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 143 idealism-it will be only temporary. ... The future belongs to the novel of observation.” FOREIGN INFLUENCES. One of the most important results of the great Exhibition from a literary point of view has, perhaps, been the stimulus given to public curiosity regarding the national literature of the late foreign guests of France. The immense success of Count Wodzinoki's translations of the "Quo Vadis” and “Par le Feu et par le Feu" of the celebrated Polish novelist, M. Henry Sienkiewicz, has paved the way for a crowd of foreign authors. Judging from appearances, the translation of “La Mort des Dieux”—a romance of the life of the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, by M. Dmitry de Merejkowsky, one of the most talented chiefs of the younger school of Russian novelists-is also likely to boast more than a hundred editions. Meantime Mme. Judith Gautier is engaged in dramatising the famous Japanese legend of the Cavalier and the Geisha, M. Emile Moreau having just concluded the same friendly office for "Quo Vadis” - which play is now being rehearsed at the Purte-Saint-Martin Theatre. Nor have representative Spanish and German artistes had any reason to do otherwise than applaud the welcome received, as both Senor Diaz de Mendoza and Fraülein Marie Barkany can respectively testify. Japan is further represented by an interesting account of the Japanese novel published in the Revue des Revues by M. Hitomi, delegate of the Formosa Government; while extracts from Lord Rosebery's impartial and masterly work on Napoleon have. appeared in several journals and met with general appreciation and approval. M. Augustin Filon's French translation of the latter volume will shortly be issued by Hachette. MESSIEURS LES ÉTUDIANTS. The newly-founded Society of the “ Restaurant Co-operatif des Étudiants du Quartier Latin "- due to the praiseworthy initiative of M. Henri Hayem, a young legal student of that quarter- cannot be too highly commended. Its object is to provide a good and healthy repast to the needy student—the chrysalis author and embryo genius -at a minimum fee. It inculcates habits of temperance by strictly prohibiting the sale of alcohol on its premises. A capital of 30,000 francs is secured by means of 1200 shares at 25 francs each. A first deposit of 2 francs 50 centimes is required, the remainder of the 25 francs being accumulated by the payment of a halfpenny per meal. With two meals per day, in less than eight months the student becomes the owner of a share which brings him in 4 per cent. interest. On the administrative council of the society we find the names of M. Charles Gide, Professor we find the names of of Social Economy at the Ecole de Droit, and M. Tannery, sub-director of the Superior Normal School. The association entitled “Solidarité universi- taire” is also of recent origin and merits encouragement. It endeavours to draw together poor students of all nationalities, in order to aid them in gaining a livelihood by procuring them suitable employment, —-viz., summaries of impor- tant works, bibliographical referenda, transla- tions of foreign books and memoranda, copies of extracts, or architectural designs, &c. A com- petent committee superintends the careful execu- tion of any work entrusted to the association. During the six months the “Solidarité univer- sitaire” has been in existence it has received, and satisfactorily carried out, orders amounting to a total of 7000 francs. MODERN Æsthetics. “ The people have a right to beauty. .. The education of the people is achieved little by little. The first step is to give it a taste for the theatre... It is the imperious duty of a democracy to invite all its children to spectacles of artistic beauty. Art, like science, is a universal property.” The above phrases form part of the creed of M. Gustave Charpentier, the young and talented composer of Louise. He has endeavoured to realise his generous theories by asking the dramatic authors of the French stage to relin- quish their “ billets d'auteur" every Monday, so that “a spectacle of artistic beauty" may rejoice, once a year, the unaccustomed eyes of the thirty thousand little workwomen of Paris. The boon he asks means only a small sacrifice to the wealthy and popular dramatist. But what about the young and needy play-writer who dares not avow his poverty-whom the proposed innovation must necessarily rob of the few luxuries which he has so dearly earned, and so rarely enjoys ? Space forbids more than a passing mention of the foundation of the College of Modern Æsthetics, “ société d'art et de solidarité," directed by M. Saint-Georges de Bouhélier, the young chief of the naturalistic school. Its aim is to inculcate the cult of beauty, to group the new artists, and to form a kind of common meeting place where poets, authors, painters, musicians, sculptors, can meet and fraternize together. M. Emile Zola has accepted the post of honorary president to the new college. RECENT PUBLICATIONS. “L'Aiglon," of M. Edmond Rostand, in book form, whose sale--through some publishing ruse  ## p. 144 (#198) ############################################ 1:44 THE AUTHOR. -was reported to have reached its fifty-first that the annual subscriptions will be partly- edition in a single day; “L'Auteur Mondain,' a namely, two-thirds-transferred to the principal most interesting roman à clef, dealing with the account. Thus out of every $100 subscribed literary and Academical side of Parisian life, annually, £66 will go to swell the capital and £33 written by M. Edmond Deschaumes, the friend odd will be available for pension purposes. In of Alexandre Dumas fils, and the bermit of a this way, every £100 of subscriptions will in little “ Trappe” at Marly-le-Roi; “Au pays ten years' time become £660 of additional capital, Natal,” by M. Henry Bordeaux, being the first wbile £330 will have been used for pension pur- novel of the young and brilliant critic of the poses. We begin in February next with a Revue Hebdomadaire ; “ Newman, sa vie et ses modest income, therefore, available for pensions Euvres,” by Mlle. Lucie Faure, daughter of of about £54. This is not much, but it is a good the late French President; and the thirteenth beginning, and the constitution of the Fund with edition, augmented and revised, of M. Dieula. the names of the trustees and of the committen foy's celebrated "Manuel de Pathologie Interne," of management will certainly inspire confidence. whose sale has long since broken the literary - record of French pathological works. “ La Demi République," by M. Léouzon Le Duc, a volume Meantime, the members of the Society must of notes and reflections on the political condition realise that in creating this Fund we are doing of France, which has given rise to much discus. for Literature what has never been done before : that sion in certain circles; “Les Deux Étreintes," a the success of the Fund concerns every member, sensational novel, by M. Léon Daudet; “Un rich or poor, because it is the interest of the Homme d'Affaires," a volume of short tales by richer members that Literature shall support M. Paul Bourget; and “ Amour, amour ------ " by those who are broken down in their work, and M. Pierre Veber, a journalist, novelist, critic, and because there is no member who may not look dramatist, well acquainted with the humours of forward to possible help from this source? It the Parisian public. becomes, therefore, the plain duty of every DARRACOTTE SCOTT. member to help on the Fund. The Committee want the scheme to be supported by all alike : but they do not expect from everybody large sub- NOTES AND NEWS. scriptions. Those who cannot afford to give largely may send up annual subscriptions of quite small IT had been intended to present, especially for sums. They need not be in the least ashamed of this small amount. The great thing is that, | the information of those publishers who go about saying that the Society of Authors among the 1500 members of the Society, we has done “no harm," meaning that it has should get a recognition of the principle that the effected for the authors no good, a short account time for begging of the public has gone by, and of what the Society has actually accomplished in that Literature should be well able, like any spite of the enormous difficulties which at the other profession, to keep those of its members outset stood in its way. It bad also been intended who are old, or sick, or broken down. to present some of the possibilities of the Society and the aims which the members ought to keep Consider in how prosperous a condition the before themselves. It has been found impossible Pension Fund would be if 1200 of the members for various reasons to carry out this intention for could give it each ios. a year! That would mean the January number. It is, however, hoped that we £600 a year, or £400 transferred to capital and shall be able to do so for the following number £200 given in pensions every year. In ten years there would be from this source alone £4000, or £100 a year, which with the third of the subscrip- It has been suggested that a very useful con. tions would give us £300 a year for Pensions : tribution to these pages would be a few plain and ten at £30 a year, or six at £50 a year. simple directions as to the publication of books at the cost of the authors. For many reasons this The Society has been created and has so information is very much wanted. The Author in an early number will supply it. far been successfully run on the principle of united action for the defence of literary pro. perty. We ask now for an extension of the The Pension List (see p. 134) has made a very principle, viz., for united action in the main- fair start. The principal starts with an investment tenance of the few who want lifelong assistance. of over £1250 and with a promised subscription, to Surely in such a cause we shall not ask in vain! begin with, of £100 odd. It must be remembered WALTER BESANT,  ## p. 145 (#199) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. -145 ON BOOKS AND REVIEWS. the n+ith edition. But, when they have time to read, they do buy the works of those novelists TN another columu will be found a letter from who can write; to whom they can look with con- 1 a correspondent who advances two proposi. fidence for a few hours' magnetic absorption ; tions: first, that authors do not buy books, whom they have learned to respect and to trust. and next, that reviews are intended for the guidance And I find that the libraries of these novelists of readers. With regard to the first proposition, continually grow : on their shelves you will find one would object that those authors who write many of the best novels of the day-not all the on special subjects, whether of history, politics, best, not the most popular, perhaps, but some literature, or social science in any branch : of the best, with a catholic taste for all kinds theology in any of its branches : educational books among the best. That these shelves also contain in any branch: political economy : science of the other new books on other subjects is an indication past and present: trade and commerce : mechanics and a measure of their general culture, in which it and engineering : travel and geography: anthro. will not be pretended that novelists are behind the pology: surgery and medicine : physiology, or, rest of the educated world. indeed, any other subject on which there exists a literature, must have a library and must buy the new books on their own subjects. This disposes The second proposition is that reviewing, or of a very large number of authors--by far the criticism, is intended as it guide to readers. The vreater number--who must be excepted from this statement assumes a very limited function for the proposition. We may take next essayists; critic. That the reader should turn to the critics; those who, without being critics, write columns of criticism for guidance is natural, but appreciative, and in some cases delightful, papers these columns are by no means necessarily and books on literary subjects and on writers; meant for him. They are-or should be, which and those who devote themselves to one author is not quite the same thing-designed, first of all, to whose life, letters, friends, and circumstances to mark and to illustrate the present condition they devote the best of their own lives; such an of literature: to maintain a standard, and to one for instance as the late Dykes Campbell, keep before the world the canons of criticism. whose labours on Coleridge will be remembered They are designed, in the next place, to consider long after most of the present generation of the work of an author by means of these canons : writers are clean forgotten. All these writers to examine into the original intention of his must have a library : must keep up with their work, and to show how that intention has been own subjects: must find new material continually, carried out, with special reference to other condi- and must buy new books. Then follow the tions in the work. In poetry and fiction the poets. My own experience is that poets are the artistic treatment of the subject must be con. most “ literary ” of all men : that they delight, sidered ; in didactic work, lucidity of expression above all others, in a library: and that they buy and clearness of ideas; in history and biography all the new books which attract them. As regards the building up of character, the following of the dramatists, my experience is smaller. So far, effect on cause; and in every case, style. The it amounts to this, that every thing which belongs critic therefore is--or should be, which, again, is to a theatre, to the history of the drama, to the not the same thing--the watchdog of literature. lives of players, interests them, and that they buy refusing an entrance to the aspirant except on books on these subjects, and delight in improving conditions : he should also be the judge. the and increasing their libraries. Lastly, there re. corrector, the admonisher, the distributor of mains the Noble Company of Novelists. Perhaps praise or condemnation to the writer under con. my correspondent, in speaking of “authors,” was sideration. If he is a bad critic he may be thinking of novelists. Even if that was the case, easily known and recognised by his refraining can his proposition be allowed? Some novelists, we from praise--because, which is evident if you must remember, are not rich : they cannot afford think of it, praise commits him to something the luxury of buying books. Some, again, are definite, a thing from which his incompetence absorbed in their own work, and pay little atten. naturally shrinks. Fault-finding of a petty kind tion to other writers, except in the intervals of is, however, easy for anyone : it requires no their own work. My own proposition would be kind of critical power, and no kind of critical this. Those novelists who can afford to buy books cultivation. Even the bad critic, however, does do not go to the stall and take the first that not write professedly to guide the reader; he offers : nor do they follow the opinions of the still keeps up the ancient tradition that he is reviewers—for there is no consent among them; called upon to pronounce a judgment on the nor do they buy a book because it is labelled as in author.  ## p. 146 (#200) ############################################ 146 THE AUTHOR. Of course, there is a kind of “reviewing” which “Noticing," not reviewing or criticising, is meant may be frankly intended as a guide to the reader. by the “Jumping” of books. Merely in order to In this kind must be classed the “reviews” of “notice,” it is certainly not necessary to read: one books which are all lumped together, a dozen in may skim-even then it must be weary, dreary, a batch, with a few lines—say a dozen or twenty dreadful work-half a dozen books a day. The -devoted to each. The question is whether reduction to an absurdity is when half a dozen these paragraphs, mostly vague and uncertain, columns or so are every year devoted to Christmas can or do guide any conceivable reader. For my books. I suppose that no one would pretend that own part I very much doubt it. The ordinary any reader could possibly be influenced by the line reader passes them over: why should he read or two devoted to one book among so many. The them? Why should he pay the least attention reason for these columns is, presumably, to please to them? Among a dozen weak and flabby publishers, whose advertisements are certainly an sentences or clauses—they are certainly not judg. important consideration. Now publishers seem ments-concerning as many new books, unread, quite satisfied--I do not understand why-with what is there to arrest his mind, or to remain in a single vague line that they can quote. his memory? It must be borne in mind that the writer of notices " in the lump” cannot possibly, as a rule, read the books about which he prattles. The reviews of books in a lump: the columns Let us take the Spectator for an illustration of of small type under various names : the “ literary what I mean. If the columns called “Novels of the supplement”: are all survivals of eighty or a Week” are written by one person-they certainly hundred years ago. The reading public was then have a show of internal evidence which points to small; it was also scholarly and critical; the their proceeding from one pen—then that most production of books was limited. There was, unfortunate person-presumably, still from in. it is true, a certain amount of rubbish produced ternal evidence, a woman-is actually obliged to by aspirants, who were received with a savage read eight novels, each, say, of 320 pages, or onslaught and a merciless belabouring which are 2560 pages in all, every week: that is to say, one very rightly regarded at the present day as simply novel and a third every day; she has then to dish blackguard. There are still one or two organs up some kind of paragraph on each from ten to where the old blackguard slating is allowed, but five-and-twenty lines in length-even sometimes as they are few, happily. Apart from the feeble much as forty or fifty lines. Now let anyone ask bleatings in verse and fiction, such as are now himself what sense of art, of literary style, of courteously allowed to die unnoticed, every book instruction, of characterisation, of dramatic power was received as a literary event which demanded would be left to a helpless reviewer week by week of a serious critical judgment. The monthly maga- one novel and a third every day, together with the zine first, and the literary journals next, supplied spinning of the paragraph proffered as—what ?- this judgment. What followed was this: a a criticism? It cannot be a criticism. A judg- rapid increase in the production of books; an ment? Of eight books in a week ? A review? enormous, increase of readers; a consequent With no time to think over the various essentials increase in the demand for new books; the which are required in a novel, and no time even natural springing up of a supply to meet the to look for them in the pages of the book? A popular taste for what can hardly be called litera- “notice”? Yes : it may be a“ notice," because a ture; the continually increasing demand for new "notice" may mean anything. What is generally reading; and, with all this, the survival of the proffered is a brief and bald sketch of the plot. old tradition that every book is a literary event, Now, for a reviewer of a novel to reveal the plot is and that every book must necessarily pass through by mauy considered as a breach of confidence. the critical mill. In this way we arrive naturally As for intelligent criticism : for the application at the “review” of books in a lump: at the of any canons of criticism : for the presenta small type columns of “brief notices": at the tion of an artistic point of view: for a com- "literary supplement”: at the transformation of parison of the author's conception and inten. “criticism” into “notices”: and with all this, tion with his execution-you may look in at the decay, which might have been expected, those columns yourselves, and form your own in the respect due even to books which with. judgment. I have named the Spectator : of out doubt do belong to literature. A most course, there are many other papers which do the amazing and instructive example of this decay "lumping” business If the columns referred to in the mere power of recognising genius, or even are done by more than one hand, the remarks importance in literature, was furnished some few about the time bestowed on reviewing each book years ago, when, in a certain important literary must be taken as referring to some other paper, journal, a novel by George Meredith-by George  ## p. 147 (#201) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 147 Meredith, if you please, no less !-was actually him see that I noticed it, and shaking him received and “reviewed” in a vague little para cordially by the hand, invited him to be seated, graph between two novels by a couple of school when he began :- girls or their equivalent! “Mr. Sartain, I have come to you for a refuge and protection ; will you let me stay with you ? It is necessary to my safety that I lie concealed The old tradition must be abandoned if for a time.” criticism is to return to its former authority and I assured him that he was welcome, that in my position. The review of a book must become house he would be perfectly safe, and he could a distinction and a recognition. One does not stay as long as he liked, but I asked him what demand that there should be nothing but praise. was the matter. He said it would be difficult for We call for criticism which shall be an intelligent me to believe what he had to tell, or that such judgment by an educated and competent critic, things were possible in this nineteenth century. I able to administer praise, to point out failings, to made him as comfortable as I could, and then consider, in fact, a work from the literary point of proceeded with my work, which was pressing. view. There are, indeed, very few such critics in After he had had time to calm down a little he told this country : but there are some : and there are me that he had been on his way to New York, quite enough for the few papers which are likely but he had overheard some men who sat a few to make a bid for the lost position of literary seats back of him plotting how they should kill authority which has been held from time to time him and then throw him off from the platform of by certain papers, and may be again achieved by the car. · He said they spoke so low that it would those papers whose editors care for such a position. have been impossible for him to hear and under- It should be a most desirable position for a journal: stand the meaning of their words had it not been it is one which would command the attention and that his sense of hearing was so wonderfully the respect of scholars and all who love literature: acute. They could not guess that he heard them, it would attract readers : and, in the long run, as he sat so quiet and apparently indifferent to it would com pel advertisements. It requires, in what was going on, but when the train arrived at the first place, a literary editor competent by Bordentown station he gave them the slip and natural gifts and by education : entirely free remained concealed until the cars moved on from the little coteries and schools ” of the club again. He had returned to Philadelphia by the smoking-room : and able to make his selections first train back and hurried to me for refuge. without respect to persons and without the rolling I told him that it was my belief the whole of logs. As regards the books to be selected, there scare was the creation of his own fancy, for what are certainly not more books published every year interest could those people have in taking his than would give a selection important enough life, and at such risk to themselves ? He said, one does not say good enough, but important “It was for revenge.” “ Revenge for what?” enough — to fill all the columns of a literary said I. He answered, “ Well, a woman trouble.” paper. In the matter of novels alone, two might Now and then some fragmentary conversation be selected every week—this was forinerly the passed between us as I engraved, and shortly I wholesome and intelligent practice of the began to perceive a singular change in the current Saturday Review. Can anyone pretend that there of his thoughts. From such fear of assassination are more than one hundred novels every year which his mind gradually veered round to an idea of are worthy of the distinction and the recognition self-destruction, and his words clearly indicated --evea for condemnation-bestowed by a com this tendency. After a long silence he said, sud- petent and serious criticism in the columns of a denly : “ If this moustache of mine were removed literary paper of authority ? W. B. I should not be so readily recognised; will you lend me a razor, that I may shave it off ? ” I told him that as I never shaved I had no razor, but if he wanted it removed I could readily do it POE'S LAST DAYS. for him with scissors. Accordingly I took him to the bath room and performed the operation suc- M HE last time I saw Poe was late in 1849, cessfully. and then under such peculiar and almost After tea, it being now dark, I saw him prepar- fearful conditions that the experience can ing to go out; and on my asking him where he never fade from my memory. Early one Monday was going, he said, “To the Schuylkill.” I told afternoon he suddenly entered my engraving room him I would go too; it would be pleasant in the looking pale and haggard, with a wild and moonlight later, and he offered no objection. He frightened expression in his eyes. I did not let complained that his feet hurt him, being chafed  ## p. 148 (#202) ############################################ 148 THE AUTHOR. by his shoes, which were worn down on the outer boiling spirits. He asked me if I would not like side of the heel. So for ease and comfort he wore to take a drink. I declined, but had I said yesy my slippers, which he preferred to my shoes as what do you suppose would have happened ?' less ill-fitting. When we had reached the corner I said I could not guess. of 9th and Chesnut streets we waited for an “Why, I should have been lifted over the brim omnibus some minutes, which were passed in con- and dipped into the hot liquid up to the lip, like versation, and among the many things he said Tantalus.” was that he wished I would see to it after his “Yes,” said I, “but that would have killed death that the portrait Osgood had painted for him you.” should go to his mother (meaning Mrs. Clemm). “Of course it would,” said he, “that's what I promised that as far as I could control it that they wanted ; but, you see, again I escaped the should be done. After getting the omnibus we spare. So, at last, as a means to torture me and rode to its stopping place, a little short of Fair. wring my heart, they brought out my mother, mount, opposite a tavern on the north side of Mrs. Clemm, to blast my sight by seeing them Callowhill-street, at the bend it makes to the first saw off her feet at the ankles, then her legs north-west to reach the bridge over the river. At to the knees, her thighs at the hips, and so on." the spot a bright light shone out through the The horror of the imagined scene threw him open door of the tavern, but beyond all was pitchy into a sort of convulsion. This is but a very dark. However, forward into the darkness we faint sample of the talk I listened to up there in walked. I kept on his left side, and on approach the darkness. I had been all along expecting the ing the foot of the bridge guided him off to the moon to rise, forgetting how much it retarded right by a gentle pressure, until we reached the every evening, and the clouds hid the light of lofty flight of steep wooden steps which ascended the stars. It came into my mind that Poe might almost to the top of the reservoir. There was a possibly in a sudden fit of frenzy leap freely landing with seats, and we sat down to rest. At forth with me in his arms into the black depth this time I had contrived to hold him in conversa below, so I was watchful and kept on my guard. tion, except while we were labouring breathless I asked him how he came to be in Moyamensing up that long, breakneck flight of stairs. prison. He answered that he had been suspected There he told me his late experiences, or what of tryirg to pass a fifty-dollar counterfeit note. he believed to be such, and the succession of The truth is, he was there for what takes so many images that his imagination created he expressed there for a few hours only—the drop too much. in a calm, deliberate, measured utterance as facts. I learned later that, when his turn came in the These were as weird and fantastic as anything to motley group before Mayor Gilpin, someone said, be met with in his published writings. Of course, “Why, this is Poe, the poet," and he was dis- it is altogether beyond me to convey even a faint missed without the customary fine. idea of his wild descriptions. When he alluded to his mother, which was. “I was confined in a cell in Moyamensing always with feelings of affectionate devotion, it prison,” said he, "and through my grated window was not his own natural mother, who died when was visible the battlemented granite tower. On he was in his infancy, but Mrs. Clemm, his. the topmost stone of the parapet, between the mother-in-law. embrasures, stood perched against the dark sky a I suggested at last that as it appeared we were young female, brightly radiant, like silver dipped not to have the moon we might as well go down in light, either in herself or in her environment, again. He agreed, and we descended the steep so that the cross-bar shadows thrown from my stairway slowly and cautiously, holding well to window were distinct on the opposite wall. From the hand rails. Being down, I kept this time, on this position, remote as it was, she addressed to our return walk, on his right side, and did not me a series of questions in words not loud but suffer the conversation to flag. On arriving at distinct, and I dared not fail to hear and make the omnibus waiting for passengers at the tavern apt response. Had I failed once either to hear door I pressed gently against him and he raised or make pertinent answer, the consequences to me his foot to the step, but instantly recollecting would have been something fearful : but my himself drew back. I urged him in, and, being sense of hearing is wonderfully acute, so that I seated beside him, said: “You were saying ?” passed safely through this ordeal, which was a The conversation was resumed, I got him safe snare to catch me. But another was in store. home and gave him a bed on the sofa in the An attendant asked me if I would like to take a dining room, while I slept alongside him on three stroll about the place, I might see something · chairs without undressing. interesting, and I agreed. In the course of our On the second morning he appeared to have rounds on the ramparts we came to a cauldron of become so much like his old self that I trusted  ## p. 149 (#203) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 149 him to go out alone. Rest and regular meals had had a good effect, although his mind was not yet entirely free from the nightmare. After an hour or two he returned, and then told me he had come to the conclusion that what I said was true; that the whole thing had been a delusion and a scare created by his own excited imagination. He said his mind began to clear as he lay on the grass, his face buried in it and his nostrils inhaling the sweet fragrance mingled with the odour of the earth. While he lay thus the words he had heard kept running in his thoughts, but he tried in vain to connect them with the speaker, and so the light gradually broke in upon his dazed mind and he saw that he had come out of a dream. Being now all right again, he was ready to depart from New York. He borrowed what was needful, and I never saw him again.-From “Recollections of a Very Old Man,” by John Sartain ; published in the United States. with my subject are handed to me, and I have to choose those which are suitable, and see that those which I reject are returned. Some of them are of course quite unsuitable, but others are of such a kin as can be held over for several months in favour of another class consisting of current matter. Authors of the class of article which can be held over have sometimes written to me as often as once a week, and the letters have not always been courteous, and occasionally imperti- nent, notwithstanding the fact that I have written to the author saying that I must hold the article over. I have also frequently received abusive letters from authors who have either not sent me an article at all, or have forgotten to write their name and address on their MSS., and do not mention the title of the article in the abusive letter. I offer this as an explanation of part, at any rate, of the complaints against editors. CHARLES WALKER. CORRESPONDENCE. I._USE OF THE SOCIETY'S NAME. M HE article describing a case of the unwarranted use of the Society's name, - published under the above heading in the December number of The Author, must suggest to many of the members of the Society that a very simple way of checking this abuse would be to publish the names of the offenders when, as was apparently the case in the instance in question, the name of the person is known to one of the officials or members of the Society. It is obvious, as stated in the article, that as the influence of the Society increases, so will this abuse, indeed it is very probable that the abuse will grow much more in proportion than does the influence of the Society. It is quite possible that at first such a course would involve the Society in some legal expenses, but the money would certainly not have been wasted. If the abuse grows, as it will unless some such drastic measure is adopted, it is very likely to become generally known among writers that the advantages of the Society may be enjoyed, to some extent at any rate, by those who are not members. Unfortunately, just those persons who are not a credit to the profession are those who will act upon such knowledge and are most likely to possess it. Besides this, the abuse must tend to prevent desirable people from joining the Society, and is an injustice to the members. For several years I have edited a department of a sporting weekly, and a large number of MSS. pass through my hands. The MSS. dealing II.-Do AUTHORS READ REVIEWS ? Authors, at any rate the majority, do not read reviews; consequently it has always struck me that the pages headed “ Books and Reviews," which frequently appear in The Author, are some- what out of place. Reviews are intended to guide readers, showing them what to read and what to let alone; thus a review appearing in a paper largely circulated amongst the reading public is always valuable ; but The Author is not intended for the reading public, it is for the writers of books who seldom care to read reviews of either their own or other writers' works. Then again, do authors buy books ? Putting aside the rich members of the profession, who, of course, subscribe to the circulating libraries, I do not suppose one author in a hundred ever thinks of buying a novel. I never bought one in my life, and would not do so on principle. A great number of authors are also reviewers; thus they obtain more general literature than they ever attempt to read. There is a pile (gradually increasing) of books in beautiful bindings and bearing nice titles, awaiting my attention now; by the time I have “reviewed” these books 1 shall be sick of reviews generally, even though they may appear in The Author. I venture to say that many writers feel like myself, so would it not be better to insert in place of “ Books and Reviews” some article of a technical nature interesting to the writers for whom The Author is intended ? J. BAGNALL-STUBBS.  ## p. 150 (#204) ############################################ 150 THE AUTHOR. III.—LEGALISED Artistic ROBBERY. have often wondered why. No doubt a book The man who, without an author's consent, or which was“ most interesting” on the 15th of even knowledge, dramatises his work must have April may have entirely ceased to be so by the the instincts of a Houndsditch huckster, and Port. Ist of May. We live in fast times, and the minor land is too good for him. But I can conceive no author must not complain. But if the non- better advertisement for a young author than to appearance of the review had anything to do have his stories dramatised, even though he may with my refusal of my photograph and details of not receive a farthing on the dramatic profits, my “ career," there, I think, is a just cause of but it ougbt to be made compulsory, at any rate, complaint. It is surely a grievance if an author for the thief to state where he got his plot. just is to lose useful recognition of good poiots in his as goods are marked “Made in Germany," &c. work because he desires to remain anonymous. Commercial people are protected, so ought C. S. authors to be. To protect myself I have hit on a novel plan, which I believe would hold good. Having studied music, I wrote a dance, and BOOK AND PLAY TALK. having had a very laudatory letter about it from my kind friend, Herr Meyer Lutz, one of the NR. OSMUND AIRY has written a Memoir finest judges of theatrical dances in London, I of Charles the Second, which will be the had the music copyrighted and inserted in the next volume in Messrs. Goupil's splendid book. The story of the French Revolution lends illustrated series. It will contain reproductions itself for a dramatic piece, and anyone may turn from Van Dyck, Kneller, Cooper, Lely, and other it into a play. I care for nothing so long as I artists of the period. The book is expected to be am told of it, but if I were not informed of ready in April or May. it, I would quickly come down on them for infringing my musical copyright. This is one Professor Carnpbell Fraser has been preparing way of catching dramatic pickpockets, and I for some time a new issue of his edition of Bishop wonder others have not thought of it. Berkeley's complete works, which was published A YOUNG AUTHOR. by the Clarendon Press thirty years ago. This will be ready shortly in four large volumes, and contains new notes and introductions, with a short IV.—THE END OF THE CENTURY. memoir of Berkeley. The following curiosity in the ethics of modern Professor Joseph Wright. editor of the reviewing may be of interest to you or your « English Dialect Dictionary,” is engaged upon readers. In the spring of this year I published a an English dialect grammar. He is now collect- book-practically my first. About a fortnight after its appearance, I received through the publisher a very flattering letter from the editor as an aid in preparing the grammar, and partly in order to preserve for posterity a speaking record of a certain literary paper. It ran as follows: of the dialects of to-day. “ In the forthcoming issue of the there will appear a very favourable review of your A new and cheaper edition of Stevenson's most interesting new book, and I should very Letters which is being brought out will contain much like to reproduce your portrait in our several letters to Mr. Meredith and Mr. Kipling columns ... and should esteem it a great which have not been published before. favour if you would be good enough to send me Dr. William Bright, Regius Professor at some particulars of your work-how you came to Oxford, has finished a new work of ecclesiastical choose your present subject, and some details of history, “The Age of the Fathers.” your career.” I replied to this letter, as I felt, The Manchester Guardian of Dec. 10 contains most gratefully. There happened to be reasons why a review in this particular paper, and the an article on “ Some De Quincey Documents” opportunity of saying a few words about the which will be interesting to students of that writer. The documents which are quoted were disputed topic of my book, would be extremely useful to me. I, however, in the politest possible formerly in the possession of Mr. John Ludlow, a terms, declined to send my photograph for publi- Manchester correspondent of De Quincey. cation, or to say anything about my " career " Court life and the manners of Society during (which didn't happen to exist!). Never, from the reigns of the first two Georges is the subject that day to this—and I have patiently waited six of an historical work by Mr. W. H. Wilkins, months-have I heard a word more about the entitled “ Caroline of Anspach.” It will be pub- “very favourable review," nor has it appeared. I lished in two volumes by Messrs. Longmans.  ## p. 151 (#205) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 151 “ Fifty Years of Catholic Life and Progress in Mr. C. E. Clark has written a sequel to his England ” is the title of a new work which Mr. series of articles contributed to Pearson's Weekly. Percy Fitzgerald is writing. The record begins in It is entitled “More Mistakes We Make," and the time of Cardinal Wiseman, and will be in will be published by Messrs. Horace Marshall and two volumes, to be published by Mr. Fisher Son this month. Unwin. Lieut.-Col. E. Gunter has published (W.Clowes Mr. William Archer is editing a new edition of and Sons) a fifth edition of his well-known Henrik Ibsen's prose dramas, which Mr. Walter “Officer's Field Note and Sketch Book,” and a Scott is about to publish. Ten years have passed third edition of his “Outlines of Modern since the publi'ation of the collected edition in Tactics.” five volumes. “The translations," says Mr. Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to Archer, “have served their purpose well enough, accept a copy of Major A. W. Pollock's new yet there was in all of them ample room for book " With Seven Generals in the Boer War" improvement. While they have in no case they have in no case (Skeffington and Sons, Piccadilly). seriously misrepresented the poet's meaning they have done some injustice to his manner, especially Miss Stella Düring, the author of “ Between the by laying too great stress on the colloquialism of Devil and the Deep Sea," “ In the Toils," &c., is bis dialogue. In the present edition innumerable bringing out a new novel entitled “ Outrageous small changes have been made, producing, it is Fortune," which will be run serially in the Argosy. hoped, a pervasive modification for the better. beginning this month. Many changes of greater individual importance A new romance by John Bloundelle-Burton bave also been made, with a view to reproducing entitled “ The Year One," a page of the French more accurately the finer shades of the poet's Revolution, will, by an appropriate coincidence, meaning." begin to appear serially in London and Australia Mr. Coulson Kernahan gave “Confessions of a in the first week of the new century. In the former Literary Adviser” at the London Institution on it will run in the Navy and Army Illustrated. Dec. 3. and incidentally told the following and will be illustrated by Mr. John Jellicoe: and. anecdote of the late Gustave Doré. When in the latter, in the pages of the Australasian Tennyson was nearing sixty years of age, and his the weekly edition of the Melbourne Argus. It fame might fairly be assumed to be world-wide, will be published later in the year by Methuen Mr. Edward Moxon, the publisher, decided to and Co., London. approach Doré and ask him to illustrate “Idylls Mr. W. B. Lappin, an author of the Emerald of the King.” After Doré had considered the Isle, has just returned to his home in the north proposal, he asked “ Who, then, is this Mr. Tenny. of Ireland after a visit to Rome, in which city he son?” intends to place the principal scenes of a new A collection of papers dealing with Mr. Henley's novel to be commenced early this year. essay on Burns, edited by Mr. John D. Ross, Miss M. A. Ellis has written a book on “The LL.D., is about to be published by Mr. Eneas Human Ear: Its Identification and Physi. Mackay, Stirling. The volume is to be called ognomy," chiefly in reference to the “non- “ Henley and Burns; or, The Critic Censured.” criminal” classes. It has just been published The two series of lectures delivered by Professor by Messrs. A. and C. Black. Courthope at Oxford on “Life in Poetry” and Mr. R. Brimlev Johnson, of 8, York-buildings, “ Law in Taste” will be published shortly by Adelphi, announces that from the beginning of Messrs. Macmillan. this year the Westminster Review will be issued Lady Gregory is editing a volume on “Ideals from his house. in Ireland,” which will contain contributions from A new periodical, entitled The Thrush, is to be Mr. W. B. Yeats, Mr. George Moore, Dr. Douglas published immediately. It is a novel and interest- Hyde, and others. One of the articles will be ing departure from ordinary ventures in modern printed in the Irish language and character. The journalism, being composed entirely of hitherto volume will be published by the Unicorn Press. unpublished poetry. The opening sonnet is from Under the title of “ England's Neglect of the pen of Dr. Richard Garnett, C.B., editor of Education" Professor John Perry, President of the the Standard Library of Famous Literature. It Institution of Electrical Engineers, has written a will endeavour to reach the masses and to foster plea for reforms in the educational system of and encourage the cult of poetry amongst the the country. The book will be published shortly people. The Thrush is to be published every by Mr. Fisher Unwin. month at 4d.  ## p. 152 (#206) ############################################ 152 THE AUTHOR. “ The Flick of Fortune" is the title of a novel At a lecture delivered by Mr. Harry Furniss which Messrs. F. V. White and Co. announce. before the 0. P. Club in the Criterion Restaurant The author is Mr. Thomas Parkes, and the price on Dec. 9, several letters were read from authors of the book is 6s. on the subject of the conduct of theatre audiences Mr Poultney Bigelow's forthcoming book will on “first nights." Mr. Henry Arthur Jones said deal with the various colonial systems in existence, that "booing” was chiefly a matter of good or mainly from personal observation in various parts bad manners, and he did not think it had any of the world. The title will be: “ Colonisation very great influence one way or the other. and its Problems.". American audiences never “ boo'd” a piece ; they The daily papers are unanimous in speaking of simply walked out. Mr. George Grossmith said the Report on Technical Education by Mr. James “the audience has a perfect right to express its Baker, F.R.G.S., as a highly important and opinion in any way short of actual assault” ; and valuable work. The Times on Christmas Day he also referred to the American method as “less devoted a leader to it, and a large number of disconcerting to the players.” Mr. Wilson journals, including the Morning Post, Daily Barrett said he had “absolute proof that in five News, Standard, Daily Graphic, and most of instances disturbances were arranged before the the leading papers in Birmingham, Leeds, Man- performance began.” Mr. Bernard Shaw declared chester, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Belfast, have that an opinion which could be conveyed by the .also given leaders upon the report. word “boo" was not worth expressing. “The first-night verdict, whether bellowed or written, An executive committee of representative Phila- is not worth a rap on the box-office.” Mr. Jerome delphians has undertaken to appoint committees K. Jerome said, “I think an audience has a in all the large cities in the United States with a perfect right to express its opinion, and I think view to celebrating the thousandth anniversary an author has a perfect right to avoid hearing it." of the death of King Alfred the Great, which Mr. Cecil Raleigh, who presided at the meeting, occurs on Oct. 27 next. was of opinion that all authors should be com- It has been arranged that in Mr. Tree's next pelled to respond to first-night calls ; while Mr. production at Her Majesty's—“Twelfth Night” Zangwill maintained that “authors should never -Mr. Robert Taber will play Orsino, Mr. Lionel take a call, but a cab. Their appearance is Brough the part of Sir Toby Welch, Mr. Norman irrelevant.” He held, however, that “the Forbes that of Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and Mr. audience has every right to express its opinion, Courtice Pounds the clown. Mr. Tree himself except in such a way as would interfere with the will be Malvolio. Mr. Tree's theatre will be actual performance. Demonstrations of dis- occupied for six weeks in June and July by Mme. approval should therefore be reserved to the Sarah Bernhardt. end." Miss Marie Corelli was of opinion that: It is suggested that some of the managers of “Assuredly, an audience has every right to London theatres are favourable to the idea of express its opinion, inasmuch as it pays for its beginuing the evening performances at an earlier fun”; and Mr. R. Ganthony that “iſ an author bour than is the custom at present. wears armour which is both egg and brick proof, A musical extravaganza, entitled “Mariana," I see no reason why he should not take a call.” by Mr. W. H. Risque and Mr. Edward Jones, is being produced at Terry's Theatre on Jan. 1. London theatres will be added to next month by Mr. Lowenfeld's new one in Shaftesbury Avenue, which, it is hoped, will be ready for opening then. It is to be called the Apollo. Mrs. Langtry has secured the English rights inSCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. the dramatisation of Mr. Egerton Castle's novel, “ The Bath Comedy," which has been adapted by the author and Mr. David Belasco. It will be *** *** ... ... £4 0 0 produced during Mrs. Langtry's early tenure of the Imperial. The Stage Society produced Mr. Bernard per inch 0 6 0 per 2000 300 Shaw's play " Captain Brass bound's Conversion," Reduction of 20 per cent, made for a Series of Sir and of 25 per cent. for the scene of which is Morocco, at the Strand Twelve Insertions. Theatre on Dec. 16, with Mr. Lawrence Irving and Miss Janet Achurch in the chief parts. “THE AUTHOR.” TALLOWANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 20 PER CENT.) ... ... Front Page Other Pages Hall of a Page ... Quarter of a Page Eighth of a Page Single Column Advertisements Bills for Insertion ... ... *** ... ... 3 0 0 ... 1 10 0 ... 015 0 0 7 All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to tbe ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Office, 4, Portugal-street, London, W.C.  ## p. 152 (#207) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ve SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. The LITERARY AGENUA ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, B, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS STICKPHAST PASTE STIKS THE GLEVUM MSS. CARRIER Transmits pa pers by post or otherwise, without rolling, creasing, or folding. Fastens as easily as an envelope, and can be used many times by the addition of a fresh label. Three Sizes-Prices 5d., 6d., and 7d. each. Sold by MESSRS. PARTRIDGE & COOPER, 191 & 192, Fleet Street, and 1 & 2, Chancery Lane. TYPEWRITING. 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IN THEORY AND PRACTICE. BY JAMES MASON. CONTENTS. – 1. Elements of Chess. 2. General Principias, 3. Combination. 4. Exposition of Master Play Complete. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 152 (#208) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ESTABLISHED] The Athenaum Press, Taunton. [XVIII. CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST. AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. TYPEWRITING COMPANY, _ OSWALD HOUSE, QUEEN VICTORIA ROAD, COVENTRY. Every description of Typewriting, including Novels, Plays, Medicul, Legal and General Copying, from Ninepence per 1000 words. Specimens and Extracts from Testimonials on Appli- cation. Manager's long experience as Reader in a Book-Work House enables him to undertake Revision of Manuscripts—when required-at a nominal charge. None but "REMINGTON" Instruments employed. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF THE PERIOD. 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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1.-Pre-Reformativn Law. CHAPTER V.-l'he Benefuos Act. , II.-Reformation Law, except the first three . VI.-Table of principal Statutes repealed and Acts of Uniformity. onrepealed. , III.--The Acts of Uniformity. , VII.—Table of principal Judicial Decisions. IV.-The Prayer Book and Rubrics. APPENDIX.- Ecclesiastical Bills--Comprebension Bill of 1689. Ecclesiastical Appeals Bill 1850. Church Discipline Bill of 1899. Statements by English Church Union and Church Association. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trent. The Creed of Pope Pius the Fourth as added to by Pope Pius the Ninth. And a Copious Index. LONDON: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. Printed and Published by Horace Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 08 (January 1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 08 (January 1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-01-01-The-Author-11-8 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/337/1900-12-01-The-Author-11-7.pdf 28d714029e9b9aaca619da35cef09064 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) 1900-12-01 Volume 11 Issue 7 Pages Page range in volume 113–132 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19001201 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin Tbea Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.—No. 7.] DECEMBER 1, 1900. (PRICE SIXPENCE. - CONTENTS. PAGE ... 113 PAGE ... 125 ... ... ... ... 126 Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Literary Property- 1. The Publisher and the Agent 2. Dramatic Copyright-Lord Monkswell's Bill ... 3. Publishers as Agents Legalised Artistic Robbery... ... Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott Notes and News. By the Editor... ... 114 ... 117 ... 117 118 Revivals and Reprints ... ... Use of the Society's Name... Certain Literary Speeches... ... ... ... Of Editors ... ... ... ... Authors' Club Dinners Book and Play Talk... ray TUIR... ... ... Correspondence-1, Wanted, a Reference. 2. A 3. Mr. Sydney Grundy on the New Bill ... 120 122 Just Protest. ... ... ... 131 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report. That for the past year can be had on application to the Secretary. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members, 6s. 6d. per annum. Back numbers are offered at the following prices : Vol. I., 108. 6d. (Bound); Vols. II., III., and IV., 88. 6d. each (Bound); Vols. V. to VIII. (Unbound), 6s. 6d. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, late Secretary to the Society. Is. 5. The cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type, size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 28. 6d. (Out of print at present.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Eyre and Spottis- woode. Is. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 1S. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. The Addenda to the “Methods of Publishing." By G. HERBERT THRIng. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 11. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT TARING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 18.  ## p. 112 (#158) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Nuthors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | AUSTIN Dobson. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, Q.C. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. Sir FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. CLERE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS. P. W. CLAYDEN. THE Right Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. Sir A. C. MACKENZIE, Mas.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGH. The Right Hon. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel - E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. D. W. FRESHFIELD. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. 'SUB-COMMITTEES.' ART. Hon. John COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN Conway. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A, W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. . GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). I F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solicitors, FIELD, Roscoe, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN's INN FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. | THE ART of CHESS. By JAMES Mason. Price 58. 1 GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. net, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream'g-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 112 (#159) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. Now Ready, cloth, bs.; half calf, 7s. Bd.; calf, 8s. Ed. PATERSON'S PRACTICAL STATUTES 1900 CAP. (63'& 64 VICTORIA); WITH INTRODUCTIONS, NOTES, TABLES OF STATUTES REPEALED AND SUBJECTS ALTERED, LISTS OF LOCAL AND PERSONAL AND PRIVATE ACTS, AND A COPIOUS INDEX. EDITED BY JAMES SUTHERLAND COTTON, Barrister-at-Law. CONTENTS. Table of Principal Enactments repealed. | CAP. Table of Principal Subjects altered. 19. Land Registry (New Buildings) Act [title 40. Elementary School Teachers Superannua- only). tion (Jersey) Act ſtille only). TAP. SESSION 1899—63 VICTORIA. 20. Ecclesiastical Assessments (Scotland) Act 41. Local Government (Ireland) (No. 2) Act 1. Appropriation Act 1899. Session 2 [title only]. [title only]. [title only]. 2. Treasury Bills Act (tille only). 21. Mines (Prohibition of Child Labour Under 42. Reserve Forces Act. 3. Second Session (Explanation) Act. ground) Act. 43. Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act 22. Workmen's Compensation Act. [title only). SESSION 1900—63 & 64 Vict. 3. Poor Removal Act. . Exportation of Arms Act. 1. Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Act [title only]. 24. Veterinary Surgeons Amendment Act. 45. Poor Relief (Ireland) Act [lille only]. 2. War Loan Act (tille only). 25. Charitable Loan Societies (Ireland) Act 46. Members of Local Authorities Relief Act 3. Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Act [title only] [title only). 17. County Courts (Investment) Act. 4. Census (Great Britain) Act. 26. Land Charges Act. 48. Oompanies Act. 5. Army (Annual) Act. 27. Railway Employment (Prevention of 49. Town Councils (Scotland) Act (tille only). 6. Census (Ireland) Act [title only). Accidents) Act. 1. Agricultural Holdings Act. 7. Finance Act. 28. Inebriates Amendment (Scotland) Act 51. Money. lenders Act. 8. Electoral Disabilities (Military Service) [title only). 52. Naval Reserve Act. Removals Act. 29. London County Council Electors Qualifi 53. Elementary Education Act. 9. Police Reservists (Allowances) Act cation Act. 54. Lunacy Board (Scotland) Act [title only]. 10. Public Health (Ireland) Act [title only). 30. Beer Retailers' and Spirit Grocers' Retail 55. Executors (Scotland) Act (title only). 11. Uganda Railway Act (title only). 56. Military Lands Act. 12. Commonwealth of Australia Donstitution | 31. Isle of Man (Customs) Act (title only). 57, Appropriation Act [litle only). Act. 32. Merchant Shipping (Liability of Ship 58. Tithe Rentcharge (Ireland) Act [title only). 13. County Councils (Elections) Act Amend owners and others) Act. 59. Housing of the Working Classes Act. ment Act. 33. Wild Animals in Captivity Protection Act. 60. Tramways (Ireland) Act (tille only]. 14. Colonial Solicitors Act. 34. Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 61, Supplemental War Loen Act ſtille only). 15, Burial Act. 35. Oil in Tobacco Act. 62. Colonial Stock Act. 16. District Councillors and Guardians (Term 36. Public Works Loans Act [title only]. 63. Local Government (Ireland) Act [title only). of Ofice) Act, 37. Expiring Lawg Continuance Act. 17. Naval Réserve (Mobilisation) Act [title 38. Elementary School Teachers Superannua List of Local and Personal Acts. only). tion (Isle of Man) Act [title only) 18. County Surveyors (Ireland) Act ſtille only]. 39. Volunteer Act. Index. LONDON : HORACE Cox, LAW TIMES” OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. Licences (Ireland) Actric rocers' Retail astralia Constitution 31 In demy 8vo., 700 pages, price 7s. 6d., the Fourth Edition of AN ANECDOTAL HISTORY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, FROM THE EARLIEST PERIODS TO THE PRESENT TIME. WITH NOTICES OF EMINENT PARLIAMENTARY MEN, AND EXAMPLES OF THEIR ORATORY. COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES BY GEORGE HENRY JENNINGS. CONTENTS : PART 1.-Rise and Progress of Parliamentary Institutions. APPENDIX.-(A) Lists of the Parliaments of England and of the PART 11.- Personal Anecdotes : Sir Thomas More to John Morley. United Kingdom. PART III.-Miscellaneous : 1. Elections. 2. Privilege; Exclusion of (B) Speakers of the House of Commong. Strangers; Publication of Debates. 3. Parliamentary (C) Prime Ministers, Lord Chancellors, and Secretaries Usages, &c. 4. Varieties. of State from 1715 to 1892. HORACE Cox, “LAW TIMES” OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. VOL. XI. P 2  ## p. 112 (#160) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 3, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF THE PERIOD. SOCIAL QUESTIONS AND NATIONAL PROBLEMS: EVILS AND REMEDIES. 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CAREFULLY & EXPEDITIOUSLY TYPEWRITTEN. 10d. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies half price. MISS E. D. 000K, 21, Windsor-road, Holloway, London, N. THE Transmits papers by post or otherwise, without rolling, creasing, or folding. Fasteng as easily as an envelope, and can be used many times by the addition of a fresh label. Three Sizes-Prices 5d., 6d., and 7d. each. Sold by MESSRS. PARTRIDGE & COOPER, 191 & 192, Fleet Street, and 1 & 2, Chancery Lane. AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD TRANSLATIONS (Accurate), Literary, Plays, &c., from 6d. per folio Typewritten. All work personally superintended. WILLIAMS, 85, Finsbury Pavement, E.C. (Barlock Typewriter for Sale, £8 108. Bargain.) (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Contains hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Size, 88. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that THE LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by Are or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained.  ## p. 113 (#161) ############################################ The Author, (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 7.] DECEMBER I, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “ Cost of Production.” IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. UT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property : I. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : . (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro. duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. . (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise- ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses," anless 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. í (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Peroentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should  ## p. 114 (#162) ############################################ 114 THE AUTHOR. reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 apon agreements and 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. THE READING BRANCH. 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.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate pablication. 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. M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this 1 branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the I 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- ball court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. LITERARY PROPERTY. 1. LA VERY. member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the experienoe of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, now or old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro. posed 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 I.-THE PUBLISHER AND THE AGENT. THE business of the literary agent is not run on philanthropic lines any more than the - business of the publisher. In each case the first aim is entirely a selfish one—to obtain a living wage, the amount of the living wage-varying according to the ambition of the worker; the next is to benefit the author whose work is being undertaken. In an article which appeared in The Author for July, 1900, evidence was given of a series of con- tracts which might be worked beneficially for the publisher and disastrously for the author, although the agreements on the face of them  ## p. 115 (#163) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 115 appeared to be reasonable and just, the fault lying in the action of the publisher rather than in the form of agreement. It is possible also that under certain circumstances an agent while appearing to work for the author's benefit may really be playing into the publisher's hands, and it is necessary therefore from time to time to call the attention of authors to the difficulties that may beset their path when under the guidance of an agent. It should, however, in all justice be remarked that in many cases an agent's assistance is essential to the author, and that there are agents who work unreservedly for the author's interest, to whom the following remarks do not apply 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, during the last few months, 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 business or an absolute ignorance of his (the agent's) own, unless, absit omen, there are other and deeper reasons for the step. This rule must be laid down as absolute: No author should, under any circumstances, bind himself to a publisher for more than one book. It is better for the author that the book should not be published at all than published on these terms. But what does the publisher say in his defence ? He states—the Society has letters to show it, that, unless he has the control of the next two books, he will not take the same interest in the author's work, and will not push it to the same extent. A candid confession, indeed, for an honourable publisher! But what is the real result? The publisher, having secured the handling of the next two books on ridiculously low terms, runs the first book until it has covered its expenses and put the usual 15 to 20 per cent. in his pocket, and then neglects to push it any further. Not all the lamentations of the author will move him. The publisher is anxious to push other books forward. He has taken the cream off the milk. For the reason of this action by the publisher, reference is again made to the article, entitled “Trade Methods," that appeared in The Author of July, 1900. 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. The conclusion, then, to be arrived at is that the publisher, as he has the refusal of two more books at cheap terms, gives really less attention to the author's success and takes less pains than if he had one work only. For in the latter case, if the publisher believes in his author, he is anxious to do his best for him that the author may come to him again-a course the author gladly takes when he has been well treated. Again, agreements that have passed through an agent's hands are frequently brought forward, which assign translation 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 to sell these rights, as will be further explained below. In any case, the publisher is not entitled to 50 per cent of the returns. Another form of agreement sanctioned by an agent, equally disastrous to the author, is the following :- An author published a book at his own expense and the edition was limited. The agreement allowed to the publisher 15 per cent. on the cost of production including advertisements, and 15 per cent. on the produce of the sales, and the number of the edition was such that if all sold at the full price the author was bound to lose. Now 15 per cent. both ways is a percentage far too heavy, and 15 per cent. on the cost of pro- duction does not naturally induce the publisher to keep it as low as possible. In this particular case the author had to pay the publishers according to the accounts a sum of over £60. The agent if he had known his business should certainly have pointed out that the edition limited to the number proposed in the agreement and selling at the price proposed could not possibly cover the cost. The book is still selling, but as the type has been distributed it is impossible now to print any more in order to secure the author.  ## p. 116 (#164) ############################################ 116 THE AUTHOR. From these examples it is evident that agents publisher may put a great deal of other business are not only in many cases incompetent to act as through an agent's hands. The agent naturally legal advisers, but that often they are wanting in desires to keep such a good source of income, and, knowledge of their business as the confidential in return, when a promising young author comes assistants of authors. forward he takes the book to his friend the pub- If authors have any doubt about the document lisher, and if the terms offered consist, in addition laid before them they should certainly consult to other clauses, of an assignment to the publisher the Society, even though the agent may see objec. of minor rights and two more books under similar tions, as he surely will, to their adopting this conditions, the author is told that it is all- course. important that his book should be produced on There are agents, well known to the Society, any terms. who have a very strong objection that these It is possible that the author may demur, but matters should be placed before the Secretary his scruples are easily overcome, as he is working The deduction is obvious. in the dark. There may be another reason, however, besides An agent should advise that a book should incompetence which may induce an agent to act never be published, rather than published on such on lines disadvantageous to the author, namely, conditions. He should have tried every reputable the fact that he may be directly or indirectly publisher in England rather than sanction such under the control of a publisher. It has been an agreement. pointed out in this article that sometimes an This is no place to discuss the moral aspect of agent allows an author to sell his minor rights to the question, we are dealing merely with the a publisher, in other places it bas been shown business view as to how the author's interests are that publishers have with increasing effort been effected. endeavouring to obtain these rights when nego. Again, it is possible that such a case as the tiating directly. (See “ Publishers' Agreements, following might occur: with Comments," issued by the Society.) An agent is exceedingly busy with the works It is not the business of the publisher to act as of many authors. It is important that he should authors' agent, and very often with these rights get some of them settled and off his hands at the in their hands they do not know how to market earliest opportunity. them or do not care about taking the trouble. Therefore, in a moment of carelessness he They put them into the hands of an agent and advises an author to accept such terms as would are willing to take any price for them they can not be on the whole satisfactory in their result to get, without thinking of the author's reputation the author. or the market value of his writing, merely hoping This case, like the former, points to the fact that they may make £50 or £60 extra to increase that the author cannot be too careful about what the already assured profit from the production of agreement he enters into, whether such agree- the book. ment is put before him directly by the publisher It may therefore occur that an agent is at one or by the publisher through his (the author's) and the same time selling the same author's work own agent. for the author and for the publisher. He may T'he mere question of the financial terms of an wish for some special reason (this is no impossible agreement is by no means the only one which supposition) to keep in with the publisher, and should be looked into. In some cases the control accordingly undersells the author in his own of the property is even of more importance to the market. author than the financial question. This is a very dangerous position, and the In conclusion, therefore, before signing any author should be exceedingly careful never under agreement, read carefully and study “Publishers' any circumstances to sell these rights to the pub- Agreements, with Comments," issued by the lisher, not even on the agent's advice. Society. It is the publisher's duty to publish in book Never sign any agreement that gives the pub- form, subject to whatever limitations the author lisher the control of future work. Rather refrain may think fit to impose upon him. from publishing altogether. It is not the duty of the publisher to obtain Never give the publisher the control of minor the minor rights of the author and sell them for rights, which are usually handled by an agent. his own benefit. Never allow an agent to persuade you to any It is possible, again—this example would not of these acts, even though he assures you that he have been brought forward if the extraordinary will not act further for you if you refuse. agreements which had been passed by agents had And be sure to refer any points about which you not come to the notice of the Society-that a may be doubtful to the Secretary of the Society.  ## p. 117 (#165) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 117 Lastly, remember that agents are but human, states: “If through inadvertence a single copy they may have other axes to grind besides the were issued without this label”-i.e., the notice author's, and that they, in some cases, have a required by the Act that the performing rights pronounced objection to having any agreement or are reserved—“the value of the right of represen- arrangement which may be in dispute placed tation might be lost.” before the Society for its Secretary to criticise. The section, however, runs : G. H. T. The defendant in such proceedings may be acquitted of such infringement, and may be entitled to the costs of II.-DRAMATIC COPYRIGHT.—LORD MONKS- resisting the proceedings, if he proves to the satisfaction of WELL'S BILL.* the court that he has in his possession a copy of the book As one who has made a careful study of the containing such dramatic or musioal work, and that such Copyright Law and the new Bill I should like to copy was published with the assent of the owner of the say a few words on Mr. Grundy's interesting copyright and does not contain the notice, &c. article in your November number. He opens the From this it is clear that (1) the onus probandi article by stating that the Bill is not drafted from lies with the defendant; (2) “ that the book con- the point of view of a playwright. Here I beg to taining, &c.," must be published with the assent differ from him. A careful jerusal of the Bill of the owner of the copyright. will tend to show that this point of view bas N ow I take it that after the passing of this Act been considered equally with that of the writer no dramatic work will be published without the of books (the novelist is not the only literary notice “ with the assent of the author.” It person considered), and perhaps over-considered. appears that if a book is published without the Over-consideration has a tendency to produce an notice the question will be: Did the author assent unsatisfactory result. to the book being published in the particular The next point in Mr. Grundy's letter is the form and without this notice ? —and the question duration of copvright. Here I am entirely in must be dealt with from the point of view of the accord with him. Copyright ought to be per- activity, not the passivity, of the author; commis- petual, and no doubt will be some day. But life sion, not omission. In this case there would be and thirty years is better than the present no “ inadvertence.” arrangement, although I think a struggle should Mr. Grundy's remark, “It might then be be made to bring it up to life and fifty, with a argued that section 7 is retrospective," appears to view of bringing our new legislation into line be quite untenable. with that of other nations, an important point Clause 5, sections 6 and 7, though unsatis- which is being too much overlooked. factory to the dramatist, appears to be the result Here the dramatic author is dealt with on an rather of over-consideration of his point of view equal basis with the writer of books. than non-consideration. The point of view of both is equally considered. That the Bill as a whole weakens the power of His view of clause 5, section 5, is interesting. the dramatic author cannot be admitted; that it First, however, let it be said that again as to this is not absolutely satisfactory (what human clause the dramatic author is dealt with on an measure is ?) is no doubt true. equal basis with the writer of books, and that a It is not absolutely satisfactory to any body of similar clause (clause 4) applies to books also. authors, literary, musical, or dramatic, but the The clause refers to indecent profane, &c., dramatic receive quite as many plums as the dramatic or musical work in which no copyright others. is given. Mr. Grundy says: “so that a thief has Finally, Mr. Grundy's article is entirely destruc- only to add profanity, indecency, sedition, or libel tive. It would have been more satisfactory if, to his theft to be exempted from the penalty of after he bad pulled the edifice to the ground, he his dishonesty.” Now, this deduction is distinctly had pointed out how it might be re-constructed amusing. on happier lines. A LAWYER. There is another form of lawmask the Public Prosecutor--that deals with indecent, &c., works, III.-PUBLISHERS AS AGENTS. and the author that indulges in infringement of The following paragraph appeared in the copyright works by adding indecency, &c., falls Publishers' Circular of Oct. 27, 1900: out of the frying-pan into the fire. Notwithstanding the high prices paid to authors who In clause 5, sections 6 and 7 (quoted in full in have made a name and manage to keep it, the position of Mr. Grundy's letter) he makes an absolutely sound the less fortunate ones seems to become increasingly difficult. and satisfactory suggestion, but here again his We have before us a case in which a new story by a writer who some years ago had a decided vogue has been offered example is not satisfactory, for this reason. He for exclusive publication in a paper reserving three counties * See page 132. as its area, one of the counties being the most populous in VOL. XI.  ## p. 118 (#166) ############################################ 118 THE AUTHOR. England outside of London, at-wbat figures do our readers Statute Law designed to protect it from common suppose? They are not likely to guess, so we will name it; robbers who were something more than plagiarists. it was £5. The story, it may be mentioned, runs to nearly The dramatic pickpockets who stole literary hand- 100,000 words, and is offered at the figure we have named not by a syndicate, but by a firm of publishers. Is it kerchiefs, picking the initials of the owners out prudent to cat prices in this way? The story that is worth of the corners and substituting their own, were only £5 for serial rights in three counties is worth nothing overlooked with contempt, as the property they at all, for the story that is worth anything is worth more stole was considered to have no literary value; than £5 for such an area. We confess we were a good and the stage, supplied and satisfied with this deal surprised when particulars of the case under con. sideration were placed before us, and we cannot believe reruse, was never thought likely to burgle the that business done on a principle of unreasonable or indis. strongholds of literature-properly so called. The criminate catting is to the advantage of either author or chartered felony of Shakespeare in one age and publisher. one language, and the equally chartered and more Attention is drawn to the paragraph for this impudent felony of Molière in another age and very important reason, that over and over again in another language, did not disturb this complacent the publications of the Society, the Secretary has theory, and the statutory definition of copyright warned authors against assigning to publishers never coutemplated such a thing as stage-right, what may be called “outside rights,” and the or the power of selecting plot, story, characters, danger of such an assignment. Those members names, titles, dialogue, &c., at will from any work of the Authors' Society who care to refer to the of fiction, re-arranging them in any form that articles must look at “the Publishers' Agreements, might please the selecter, and using them for with Comments,” published by the Society, and an fame and profit, not only without the consent, article entitled “The Publisher and the Agent,” but often in defiance of the active opposition of in The Author of July 1, 1899. The main points, the original creator and owner. This was not however, to notice are these: (1) The publisher, justice, but it was law—a legalised form of as an almost universal rule, claims 50 per cent. robbery, and those who objected to it had the for the sale of serial rights and translation rights. stone wall of costs to knock their heads against. He even claims the same on dramatic rights. The first and greatest victim of recent times (2) The publisher's business is not the sale of was Mrs. Henry Wood, the novelist, whose these rights but the publication in book form. popular story of “ East Lynne” was pounced The publisher has not the facilities that either an upon by some nameless hack who used the licence author or an author's agent has for obtaining given him by a highly-paid legislature and drama- a market. And lastly (3) the new danger which tised the work without the slightest communica- is shown to arise from the paragraph printed tion with the author. The result of this robbery above-namely, that an author by placing these by Act of Parliament has been that Mrs. Henry rights in the hands of a publisher, may not only Wood, with her heirs, executors, and assigns, be underselling his own work, but may also at have been despoiled during the allotted span of the same time be seriously underselling the work copyright of a sum that at the lowest computa- of other authors, as the publisher's one desire is tion may be taken at a quarter of a million not so much to get the highest price possible for sterling, supposing her equitable stage-right had the author's benefit, but to get a quick market been enforced with the business ability which for his wares. G. H. T. directs the operations of a Pinero or a Barrie. - This unblushing encouragement of a “ Thieves' Kitchen ” by the legislature—an encouragement that has been stigmatised by public writers for LEGALISED ARTISTIC ROBBERY. more than a quarter of a century-naturally Republished from Literature, Oct. 20, 1900, by kind stimulated authors with a legal training to take permission of the proprietors and of the author. steps for their own protection. One of the earliest Go, little book, from this, my solitude, and most successful of these authors who could I cast thee on the waters, -wend thy ways, take care of themselves was the late Mr. Charles And if, as I believe, thy plot be good, Reade—a writer who possessed the unusual double The stage will grab thee before many days. gift of novelist and dramatist. I say unusual, THEN it first entered the minds of our because neither Thackeray nor Dickens possessed appointed legislators that literary pro it. To be a dramatist was one of Thackeray's duce, like more vulgar and material unsatisfied ambitions, and Dickens positively produce, had a claim (far more shadowy, of smelt of the footlights. Charles Reade produced course) to be considered as property, it occurred a drama at Drury Lane Theatre, which I should to them that it would be advisable to supplement almost be justified in describing as a theatrical the rough equity of the Common Law with a “man-trap and spring-gun.” It was called  ## p. 119 (#167) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 119 “ Gold,” and it contained in solution the seeds The late Watts Phillips, a dramatist by profes- of another drama and a powerful novel. “Gold” sion, as well as a novelist, the late Charles Mackay, ran its allotted time, and in due course the novel Tom Taylor, Westland Marston, William Gilbert, of “It's Never Too Late to Mend” appeared, to Sir Charles Young, Florence Marryat, and Pal. be followed by a carefully-prepared drama bear grave Simpson all write in the same strain, with ing the same title. Some time before Charles W. S. Gilbert, F. W. Robinson, and other writers Reade's version of his novel found its way to the still living. An Authors' Protection Society was stage, the hot and eager "adapters," as they were the outcome of this agitation (for it assumed the politely called, tumbled over each other in their form of an agitation), and a Royal Commission haste to utilise the novelist's invention. Ile was was appointed, consisting of Lord John Manners, waiting for them. He selected one “ adaptation” the Earl of Devon, Sir Charles Young, Sir Henry (they used stronger terms in “Old Fagin's” Holland, Sir John Rose, Sir Louis Mallet, Sir H. days) as a test-case, and easily proved that in Drummond Wolff, Sir Julius Benedict, Mr. Daldy, “Gold” he had anticipated the pirates and had Mr. Froude, Mr. Herschell, Dr. W. Smith, Mr. secured his stage-right in “It's Never Too Late FitzJames Stephen, Mr. Edward Jenkins, M.P., and to Mend” by priority of production. Mr. Anthony Trollope. Our committee comprised This signal victory obtained over legalised fraud Mr. Tom Taylor, Mr. Charles Dickens, jun., Mr. by an author who combined in his single person B. L. Farjeon, Mr. Charles Gibbon, Mr.J. Glaisher, novelist, dramatist, and sharp attorney roused F.R.S., Mr. Joseph Hatton, Mr. Edward Jenkins, novelists to a sense of the value of stage-right. M.P., Mr. Blanchard Jerrold, Mr. Charles Reade, but few of them had the energy or were in the and Mr. Moy Thomas, who consented to act as position to take action. Their stories, such as honorary secretary. The Commission sat and they were, were printed and published (some of took long, exhaustive, and varied evidence, and them, perhaps, with a weak and valueless noti. its report was published in 1878. It advocated fication that the “right of dramatisation ” had the protection of the novelist. Twenty-two years been reserved), and as such, according to the late have passed, and the Blue-book still paves the Chief Justice Cockburn, were “ dedicated to the vaults of Westminster. public,” giving any would-be adapter the right to To make a workable play out of a novel, not use names, titles, incidents, plot, and anything he written with an eye to the stage, requires much could find within the four corners of the binding labour and ingenuity, and a special talent not for the purpose of stage-representation, but not always possessed by the ordinary writer of fiction. for printed publication. Naturally writers of In the novel the descriptive writer is perfectly fiction fretted under this deprivation of a valuable unfettered. He describes his scenery and sur- right. As far back as 1873, the late “ George roundings, and in many cases his characters Eliot" wrote to me : impress themselves upon the reader with the I thoroughly concar in the opinion that the law of copy. smallest possible amount of dramatic dialogue right in relation to the dramatisation of novels ought to be and the largest possible amount of descripe changed, and I gball willingly give my adhesion to any tive writino In the drama this process is energetic effort towards attaining that end. reversed. The scenery is handed over to the The late Lord Lytton :- scene-painter, and the dress and appearance of I heartily sympathise with your efforts, and shall be very the characters are the work of the costume and willing to co-operate to obtain such an amendment of the copyright law as may prevent the unauthorised dramatisation wig maker, plus the interpretation of the actor of novels. and actress. The words of the dialogue have to The late Wilkie Collins :- be subordinated to the action, and if they throw My “ Poor Miss Finch” has been dramatised, without no light on the inner character of the puppets asking my permission, by some idiot in the country. I they are worse than useless, and become what the have been asked to dramatige it, and I have refused, because stage-manager irreverently calls « cackle” This my experience tells me that the book is eminently unfit for shows that the man who possesses the true optique stage purposes. What I refuse to do with my own work du théâtre may be a valuable collaborateur as a another man (unknown in literatare) is perfectly free to do against my will and (if he can get his rubbish played) to reformed thief in the hands of a writer of no the prejudice of my novel and my reputation. dramatic talent who is willing to condone a felony. Miss M. E. Braddon :- The copyright law entirely overlooks the possi. I have written twenty-four novels, many of these have bilities of such beneficial partnerships, where been dramatised, and a fow of the dramatic versions still one man supplies just as much literature, or hold the stage. I have never received the smallest pecu. “ cackle,” as may be wanted, and the other the maplele" as mo niary advantage from any of these adaptations, nor does the law of copyright in any way assist me to protect wbat stage-carpentry-and this law gives the same appears to be a valuable portion of my copyright-namely, legal protection, neither more nor less, to the thief the exclusive right to dramatise my own creation. who finds his play practically ready made as it does  ## p. 120 (#168) ############################################ I 20 THE AUTHOR. to the thief who merely steals rough materials, and wise reflections: “It is," said M. Hébrard, “by has to shape them together. A case of this kind drawing closer together; by maintaining a taste is in the Law Reports-Toole v. Young-in the for fraternal intercourse, for amicable conversa- seventies. A short story was written in Good tion; by learning to know better, and to esteem Words in such a form (nearly all dialogue) that frankly, the estimable men who do not think as it could be transferred to the stage without the we do, that we shall, little by little, introduce into addition of a dozen words. It was so transferred the Press the habit of courteous polemics, a habit by an unauthorised so-called adapter, and pro- which excludes neither love for the cause defended duced in defiance of the writer (myself) and the nor ardent sincerity in the opinions expressed.” owner by purchase, Mr. J. L. Toole. The action “Nos associations," he concluded, “sont sorties before the late Chief Justice Cockburn brought de la presse d'hier ; la presse de demain sortira out the “ dedication to the public" theory and des associations ! ” the judgment that the “original source” (the book D espite the popularity enioved by the minor or the magazine) was open for the whole world songsters of the café concerts and Montmartre, to go to and pick out what it fancied. This judg- the Congrès de la Chanson was not particularly ment was upheld on appeal, in spite of the able successful. From fifty to sixty persons made the opposition of the late Sir John Karslake. vastness of the huge salle more apparent during the Within the last few years a new and almost three days that the session lasted. The Immortals comic interpretation of a bad statute law has held assiduously aloof from this assemblage of been acted upon by Mrs. Hodgson Burnett in their humbler brethren, the rythmic exponents of protecting her “stage rights” in “Little Lord the transient sentiment of the boulevards. A Fauntleroy.” The Copyright Act, the Printing group of the most eminent literary members of and Publishing Act—was dragged in to fire a the French Institute were confidently and joyfully broadside at the pirates, and it was contended expected; one and all sent excuses at the last that the “ copying of parts” for use at rehearsals, moment. The classics of the people are its song- and the actors to study, was a “multiplication of writers." wrote M. Jules Claretie some years ago; copies” within the meaning of the Copyright yet the director of the Comédie Française was Act. Mr. Justice Stirling, a sound judge on among the celebrities conspicuous by their these questions, before whom the case was tried, absence at the Congrès de la Chanson. In 1892 upheld this view, and, for the present, this the French Academy formally refused the honour decision holds the field. It is difficult to speak of bestowing an annual donation of 10,000 francs about such a decision, on such pettifogging on the author of the best song which had appeared grounds, with becoming respect, and it would be during the year. Hence the present attitude of foolish to prophesy the result if the case is ever its members. carried to the Court of Appeal. The weighty and valuable property of "stage right" ought THE LIFE OF PASTEUR. not to be left trembling on such a foundation. This voluminous work (published chez Hachette) John HOLLINGSHEAD. is one of the most intensely interesting of recent publications. “La Vie de Pasteur,'' writes a French critic, “is like a chapter added to Plutarch's biographies. It is a page of morality in action. PARIS LETTER. Everything there is pure; a subtle perfume of virtue envelops it. This man loved truth above 4 bis, Rue des Beaux Arts. everything in the world.” The noble spirit in MONG the memorable speeches which pre which he carried out his great work is amply luded the close of the Great Exhibition exemplified in his biography. Written in a not the least impressive was that delivered masterly style by M. René Vallery - Radot, by M. Adrien Hébrard at the breakfast given by Pasteur's son-in-law, it relates succinctly every the Superior Press Committee of the Exhibition step achieved in the colossal experimenter's to the members of the Departmental and Parisian career until its peaceful close in the quiet chamber Press Associations. Five hundred members overlooking the fair woods of Marnes. The accepted the invitation. M. Hébrard presided, and friendship existing between Pasteur and Alex- at the end of the repast delivered a pithy allocution, andre Dumas fils is well known. In describing a prefacing his remarks with a toast in honour of visit paid by the latter to Pasteur's sick-room, M. Jean Dupuy (Minister of Agriculture), presi. M. Radot writes : “ Dumas, who had observed dent of the Paris Press Syndicate and of the men well, loved and admired Pasteur, who was a General Syndicate of Press Associations, who genius without pride and full of benevolence. occupied a seat at his right hand. Among other On this New Year's afternoon he commenced to  ## p. 121 (#169) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 121 talk to the invalid with a cordiality somewhat resembling the exuberant gaiety of his father. In this chamber close to the laboratories, how far was he removed from all the spheres that he had scrutinised in which whirled the personages he had depicted 'poor vibrios in human form,' as he called them-ridiculous, dangerous, or vile! . . . For there was in this dramatist a man eager for moral action; there was in this realist, a symbolist; in this satirist, a mystic.. And the glance of his blue eyes, usually cold and keen, penetrating the most secret thoughts; that ironical glance, always on its guard, softened into an expression of venerating friendship for him whom he called ' notre cher et grand Pasteur.'” M. SARDOU's Decision. The Exhibition has decidedly not been favour. able to an overflowing literary barvest. A well. known critic recently fell back on past publica- tions, because, so he asserted, there were so few new ones sufficiently interesting to arouse public curiosity. Meantime, the drama is more in favour than ever. All rising young authors flock to the footlights as the swiftest and most effec. tive method of reaching the public at large. And speaking of the stage reminds me of an error in my last notes. It was not M. Antoine who grate- fully profferred his homage to the drama, in the shape of an additional 2 per cent. added to the e established 10 per cent. royalty received by the dramatist. Here is what M. Deval (manager of the Athénée Theatre) says on the subject in an open letter addressed to the Figaro's theatrical correspondent : “ Certes non! I have not asked for an augmen- tation of the dramatists' royalty at the Athénée. On the contrary, it has been summarily imposed on me. “I have been called before the inexorable com- mittee. "You make the maximum every evening with the “ Demi-Vierges”?' said the terrible President. “* But- “Chut! Do you make the maximum ?'. “Yes, but my expenses are enormous with Hading, Mayer, Čarlix, Hirch - .-' “ Chut! Do you make the maximum ? ' " · Yes— but " “Twelve per cent. The Athénée is a classified theatre. Be quiet, and go “ And I was obliged to go, much vexed, I confess, at being obliged to pay 12 per cent. despite myself. “May the joyous maximum console me long!” sighs M. Deval in conclusion. The Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques will undoubtedly re-echo the wish. VOL. XI. AN OLD JOURNALIST. By the death of M. Pierre Véron, the French Press loses a journalist of nearly fifty years' standing. * His name may be cited among the rare examples of journalists who have made a fortune solely by journalism. He edited the Charivari for more than thirty years, and was an assiduous contributor to Le Monde Illustré. None knew better than he how to depict the varying phases of the boulevards. He also wrote a number of airy, piquant volumes dealing with the picturesque physiognomies, fashions, and frolics of Paris boulvardier. Among these works may be mentioned “ Paris s'amuse," “ Les Pantins du Boulevard,” “Les Grimaces Parisi. ennes,” “Les Propos d'un Boulevardier,” “ Les Marionnettes," &c. Pierre Véron had the misfortune to outlive the larger number of his contemporaries. Of the “sacred phalanx” which formerly frequented Tortini, only Aurélien Scholl, Philibert Aude- brand, and 'Henri Rochefort are still, I believe. in existence. Everything had changed since the far-off days when the handsome young journalist was one of the ornaments of the Variétés' fouer. He alone had not changed, save in appearance. Thus a slow misunderstanding rose between the old man, still standing erect, and the rising generation. And since he no longer understood --or was understood-he became a prey to pessimism and bitterness of spirit. His hospitality continued unabated to the end. His conversation was occasionally biting, yet he had few enemies; and more than one writer of to-day will remember his name with gratitude. “He never wished to be anything outside his profession, and he never used his influence except for good,” wrote a colleague on the morrow of Pierre Véron's death. A truer or more concise epitome of the man would be hard to find. A Famous ENCOUNTER. A recent Press dispute which ended in the clashing of cold steel recalls to mind the famous encounter of the late Francisque Sarcey and Aurélien Scholl re an extremely offensive critique published by the latter in the Figaro. Its object was to force the pacific Uncle into fighting his adversary; since Villemessant, founder of the Figaro, had wagered Scholl twenty pounds that Sarcey could not be induced to fight. The * Since our correspondent wrote his letter, the death of another eminent French journalist bas been announced. This is M. Valfrey, the foreign leader-writer (“ Whist ") of the Figaro. The Westminster Gazette rightly says that “M. Valfrey's articles had become almost a European institution, and with his death a distinct political force disappears.  ## p. 122 (#170) ############################################ 122 THE AUTHOR. ruse succeeded, and the good Uncle sent his and publishers might shoot at one another, under- seconds to M. Scholl, demanding immediate neath was human sympathy and the desire to help satisfaction. one another in time of trouble. “I hope you will not hurt me badly," said This assurance is very gratifying. Now there Sarcey to his antagonist, when the pair met on the happens to be at the present moment a case of ground. real and deep trouble. It is a document entitled “Rest easy-I will be on my guard,” replied “ Form of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Scholl, good-humouredly. Association.” Mr. John Murray himself was a “And if I am short of breath you will give member of the Committee. me time to rest ? ” pursued the corpulent, peace This document makes the following claims, loving Sarcey. among others, upon authors: Scholl agreed to this also. But no sooner 1. All the rights of a book, including those of were the combatants in position than the appear. translation and even dramatic rights! ance of three gendarmes on horseback forced 2. The reckoning of royalties at thirteen as them to retire to their carriages, and retreat at twelve, whether the book is so sold or not. full gallop. 3. The interest on money due to the author for Arrived at Maubeuge: “We cannot return a period not defined. This means, of course, to Paris without having fought,” said Scholl, inflicting a fine upon him, large or small, accord- ominously. “The injury was bloody ; its dénoue ing to the sum due. Thus, if £500 is due, and ment must be so also.” the money is kept back for six months, the A hasty consultation, and Baden-Baden is author at 4 per cent. is mulcted of £10. decided on. Twelve hours' railway travelling, 4. The right to charge a percentage for his and the party arrive at the place chosen, a spot office expenses—a right which is not conceded to not far from the hunting lodge of the King of booksellers or to authors. Nor is it claimed by Prussia. It is Scholl who tells the story. solicitors, barristers, and professional men, nor by “Sarcey put on an enormous pair of spectacles, any trade. I adjusted my eye-glass. 5. The right in commission books to charge “* Allez, messieurs !' a percentage on every item of the cost, and “Clic! clac ! several thrusts—and I tear the to take for hinıself discount on all payments. sleeve of my adversary's shirt. A slight pin. In other words, the document claims the prick, a mere leech-bite. But I was aided by right of the publisher—the "equitable" right, Dr. Thévenet, a personage well known among so called—to get the book printed at as high duellists. This excellent man had brought, in a cost as he can, in order to increase his own his surgical case, a small phial of blood, a por profit. tion of which served to colour the wound more 6. There is no clause recognising the author's vividly. The remainder was poured on Sarcey's legal right to an audit. Perhaps none is shirt." wanted. Nor is there any safeguard against Thus ended this famous encounter; and none dishonesty. laughed more heartily over its recital than the 7. There is complete silence as to charging for good Uncle himself, the third volume of whose advertisements in a publisher's own papers or “Quarante Ans de Théâtre ” will appear in a few magazines. days. Since so much has been said and written on DARRACOTTE SCOTT. this subject, the silence must be regarded as intentional. That is to say, there is nothing to prevent the publisher from sweeping the whole returns of the book into his own pocket NOTES AND NEWS. by charging for advertisements in his own papers, and by exchanges. There is no possible T the dinner given to Mr. John Murray protection for the author if he chooses to do by the Authors' Club, which is not the so. It is no answer to say that he would not Authors' Society as some of the papers do so. By this suppression, he seems to purpose seem to think, pleasant things were said both by charging what he pleases under this head. If the the chairman of the guest, and by the guest silence was unintentional perhaps Mr. Murray will himself. Among others the guest is reported to make haste to explain it. have said that he had discovered among the These claims, with others of less impor- papers of his house the causes of all the troubles tance, form the present trouble. After Mr. that were apt to spring up between authors and Murray's public assurance that authors and pub- publishers. He also said that though authors lishers“ deal with one another as brethren with  ## p. 123 (#171) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 123 friendly feelings, and without difficulty, or hostility, or friction," we may look forward with perfect confidence to Mr. Murray's immediate withdrawal, so far as he is concerned, from this document. per cent., which gives him £17 58. more. So that, in this simple and guileless way, he “bags,” say, £77 58., all at the author's expense and out of the author's pocket before the sales begin. What, to repeat, is that elementary law quoted above from the daily paper ? A man who undertakes work, whether pablic or private, as a trustee for others, ought not to place himself in such a position that his personal gain must conflict with his duty to those who have trusted him. Here is an axiom cut out of a daily paper :- A man who undertakes work, whether public or private, as a trustee for others, ought not to place himself in such a position that his personal gain must conflict with his duty to those who have trusted him. I suppose that everybody will agree with this elementary law : everybody, that is, except the committee of the Publishers' Association. They say, practically, “ we are not bound by the ordi- nary laws which govern ordinary folk in fiduciary relations. We claim to make our personal gain dependent on the amount we can charge for cost of production. We demand a percentage on that that charge: in other words, the higher the charge the worse it will be for the author but the better for us." We have only to read the Forms of Agreement to understand this remarkable atti. tude. A case in point has been shown me by Mr. Thring. The agreement claimed 15 per cent. on the printing, paper, and binding, 15 per cent. on the advertisements, and 15 per cent. on the sales. The interests of the author, for whom the publisher is acting as a fiduciary relation, are thus distinctly at variance with those of the publisher himself. The larger he can make the cost of pro- duction, the better it will be for him and the worse for the author. Everybody knows the wide differences in printers' estimates. The publisher has only to take the highest. This will probably be 50 per cent higher than the lowest. To the publisher this means 22} per cent. instead of 15 per cent. Then there is an ugly claim in the “Forms” about discount, in which the author's interest and the publisher's are again at variance. In the agreement before me the edition was so limited that the author, on the most favourable conditions, was bound to lose £20, while the publisher for his part actually made £60 without counting the discount. . Take a simple case. Suppose the cost of pro- duction should not exceed £100. The publisher, allowing a charge of £150, pockets £22 108. With the advertisements, which in such a limited edition should not be more than £15 or so, he may first advertise more than is necessary in the daily and weekly journals-say, £50-and may then charge another £30 for advertisements in his own organs and by exchange. He therefore makes £37 108. Next, he gets discount at 7 The Manchester Guardian returns to the ques- tion of the sixpenny book. The writer says that one of my reasons is “rather distressing." He quotes my words. “The low price encourages a low view of literature. Who will value a thing that costs sixpence, amuses for an hour, and then is thrown away? How much does one valae a sixpenny toy ?" The Society of Authors, led by Sir Walter Besant, has done such excellent work for the good of all writers that one regrets that it will make sport for the Philistines by putting forth remarks of this kind, which lend great colour to the hostile assertion that the members of the Society see nothing in literature bat the material of commerce, and value an author parely by his price per thoasand words. I suppose that I expressed my meaning badly, yet I fail to see in it the least indication of con- sidering literature as nothing but material of commerce. What I meant was simply what I said : that and nothing more. We want litera- ture to be valued, books to be cherished, authors to be considered as separate and distinct, criti. cism to be encouraged, standards and canons of art to be created in the minds of readers. What was the experience of America at the time when all English books of any interest were brought out at sixpence in wretched print and on wretched paper ? They were bought for a railway journey: they were read in the train : when they were finished they were thrown out of window or left on the seat. That is not the way to make litera. ture respected. If they had had to pay a dollar and a half for that book they would have taken it home, put it upon their shelves, and read it again and again. I should like to understand what sport the Philistines can make out of this state. ment, or how it can possibly touch on the price of an author per thousand words. And, further, I would far rather hear that a book of mine had circulated a few hundreds only at a price which would ensure the respect always paid to things that have cost money, than many thousands at a price which would allow it to be thrown away as not worth preserving. What has the Philistine to say to that? I have on several occasions asked the meaning of the reproach hurled at the unfortunate author  ## p. 124 (#172) ############################################ I 24 THE AUTHOR. about the thousand words. A MS. intended for a book, a magazine, or a daily paper must pay some regard to length. Its length may be estimated by the sheet of sixteen pages, or by the page, or by the column; but then it can only be expressed by the number of words. Why not the number of words? If, again, MSS. are to be paid for according to length, that length must depend on the number of words. As for the author's price, the Society has nothing whatever to do with it, except, in general terms, to expose sweating, which is a form of robbery ; to insist on the safeguard of an agreement drawn up with the advice of experts : and to let the other side know that the agreement has got to be kept. To suppose that the Society is interested in increas ing the “ price of an author per thousand words” is to be wholly ignorant of its principles and its methods. reading of the working classes, which should do something to introduce a little common sense into the ignorant talk that we constantly hear. The working class we are told reads nothing but "slush ” — well — their favourite authors are Dickens, Scott, and Marryat. They read nothing but novels—ask the librarian to name offhand a few of the books they take out. That popular novelist, on whom all the critics delight to jump, sells by the hundred thousand. This, it is said, shows what the working class read. Yes, but the working classes do not buy books at all, not even by this popular novelist. Now, Mr. Phillips claims for the reading of fiction that it is not a disease but “a symptom of interest in things that are brighter and more alluring than that everyday dull greyness which surrounds the lives of so many people in this land of ours. And again : In view of their squalid daily environment the revelations of a different world as depicted by the novelist, the fair scenes of mountain, valley, and river, uncontaminated by the ugly factories and workshops of industrial progress, the vivid descriptions of works of art and beauty, the account of rich dresses and splendid mansions, the clash of swords and noise of battle, or the armoured panoply of chivalric times, have an amount of attraction that cannot be very well understood by those whose lives have been cast in more favourable circumstances. I cannot see or feel that this is in any way to be deplored. Before you can raise the class level of intelligence you must first show the indi- vidual members something better, and the way to attain. thereto, so that they may make their endeavour accordingly. If reading is to be cultivated at all it must be from the point of interest, and I maintain that the novelist, and he alone ap to the present, has bad any portion in providing the material wherewith to establish the love of reading in the masses on a firm and fruitful basis. Here is an American view of American poetry (the Dial, Chicago) :- Good and sound and of excellent workmanship is the great mass of recent American literature; but as the idealist gazes on it be seems to see the vision of a great strand whereon some tempest has driven a fleet of deeply. laden ships. Everything for human needs is strewn about ---food and raiment, and toole, and precious objects. And many of the ships are seaworthy; but no flood comes and no wind rises to waft them off the sand. The agitating power of poetry, the tempestuous stir of great ideas, are wanting to make the fleet march again in triumph over the deep. And here is an appreciation, from the same paper, of the late Charles Dudley Warner, whose death is deplored on this side of the Atlantic as much as on his own side :- : Charming as are these many volumes of essays and impressions de voyage, we are inclined to believe that Mr. Warner made his most enduring contribution to literature when he wrote, during the last ten years of his life, the series of tbree novels which provide so suggestive a por- trayal of what American life has become in its older centres of civilisation, and in these latter days of frenzied com- mercialism and pitiful social ideals. "A Little Journey in the World,” “The Golden House,” and “That Fortune” make up a sort of novel-trilogy which will always have deep interest as a set of social documents, and which comes near to the high-water mark of American fiction. There is in these books a riper thought and a deeper humanity than were wont to characterise the author's earlier writings; if they are lacking in the quality that goes to the making of the best class of novels, it is because they are essentially the product of the critical rather than of the creative intellect. But their mellow optimism, and their persistent exaltation of ideals of conduct that have gone too much out of fashion of late years, give these three novels a place all but the highest in our fiction, and set a wortby crown upon the activities of a long and helpful life. One might also point out that in the evening when the working man goes to the free library, he has had a hard day's work and is tired. Very few of his class are so strong as to desire study over any intellectual pursuit after a hard day's work. Why should we expect of him what we never look for in our own young men ? The lad who has sat at a desk, or attended classes, or worked at his profession from nine o'clock till six does not devote his evening as a rule to the pursuit of science or to study of any kind. We do not expect or look for such a thing. Why. then, cast it in the teeth of the craftsman that, when he knocks off the work that is his livelihood, he does not take up another and a harder kind of work? All that we can do is to exhort librarians to admit only the best current fiction, and to exert a steady pressure in the choice of books, and to encourage, in addition to fiction, the reading of biographies and essays and history. In course of time there may arise a few who will even read Literature has published a letter from a Mr. Cliffe Phillips, of Cardiff, on the subject of the  ## p. 125 (#173) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 125 philosophy; but whatever happens, fiction will always be the staple--the most delightful form of reading, the most favourite form of recreation. We fain would let thy memory dwell Where rush the tideways of the sea, Where storms will moan or calms will tell To all the world our love for thee Whom all men loved in this old land, And all men loved across the sea- We well may clasp our brethren's hand, And light the beacon light for thee! The above lines, by Lord Archibald Campbell, will be inscribed on the beacon tower which is now being erected at Duart Point, Mull, in memory of the late Mr. William Black. WALTER BESANT. came out in a handsome volume, very well illus- trated, and had all the external appearance of a classic. Alas! no one wanted to read any longer about Titus and his friend ’Arry. One hears con- tinually of similar revivals. Mostly they depend upon illustrations : in some cases they become school prizes and gift books. As a rule they are not successful. Again, of very popular authors-poets and novelists especially—the world makes a selection and refuses to look at any more. “ The Cloister and the Hearth” represents Charles Reade; “ The Woman in White” and “The Moonstone” represent Wilkie Collins ; his shorter poems repre- sent Browning ; his earlier poems, Tennyson. As regards, however, the revival of writers who were in some vogue fifty years ago, the question is whether with them the human interest is so great as to overcome the bygone fashion of setting, language, ideas, and dress. It will be interesting to find out whether this can be said of Smedley's work. W. B. REVIVALS AND REPRINTS. USE OF THE SOCIETY'S NAME. TT may interest some of the readers of The Author to have once more put before them - a point which has been raised not only in these columns, but also in some of the reports of the Society, namely, that it is not an uncominon thing for those who are not members to use the Suciety's name and the Society's prestige for bringing recalcitrant editors and publishers to book. TT is announced that new editions are to be | published of the late Mr. Smedley's three novels—were there only three ? -“ Frank Fairlegh”; “Lewis Arundel”; and “Harry Coverdale's Courtship.” How long is it since those novels appeared ? Between forty and fifty years, I believe. They were not popular in the sense that Marryat and Dickens were popular, but they enjoyed a very considerable amount of popularity. Partly this was due to the cheerful. ness of their atmosphere: partly to the well-worn, but at the time still acceptable nature of the inci. dents—runaway ponies : long-lost heirs : rescue of an old gentleman (who proves grateful) from the footpad : and so forth. Perhaps there is also a bull in a field : or a rock and a rising tide: or a sprained ankle: if I remember right there is a villain in every one. I am curious to watch this revival. In all popular fiction there must be something that belongs to the time: something that, after fifty years, no longer belongs to the time. It is wonderful to note in Dickens how much the strong human element which belongs to all time overcomes the situations and the characters which could not exist at a later time. Yet even in Dickens the younger generation finds a good deal that has passed away and is no longer inter- esting. In other writers this is very remark- able. The “Scenes from Clerical Life," for instance, have an antiquated air already : and, for my own part, I dread to look at “Jane Eyre ” for fear of finding already a note of the things passed away. Some years ago the late Mr. George Bentley attempted to revive Albert Smith's “ Adventures of Titus Ledbury.” It The following case has recently occurred :-A certain gentleman, who shall be nameless, has confessed that on two occasions he wrote to an editor who had not returned his MSS., and stated that he should apprise the Editor of The Author if he did not get an answer to his repeated com- munications. In both cases this had the effect of bringing back the MSS. The gentleman is not a member of the Society, and, on the Secretary writing to remonstrate with him on the unwarrantable use he had made of the name of the Society and that of the Editor of The Author, he replies as follows :- I simply told the editor I had written to The Author anent his conduct, with the result of frightening him. He continues with the amazing statement : Whe for writers like myself, then I may aspire to join it. Why, he has just confessed that the mere unwarranted use of the Society's name has been of use to him!  ## p. 126 (#174) ############################################ 126 THE AUTHOR. In answer to this letter, the Secretary of the Society wrote as follows :- DEAR SIR,-I beg to thank you for your letter, and would like to draw your attention to the following points :- Firstly, that yoаr letter to Sir Walter Besant would lead one to suppose you bad mentioned his name. Secondly, that the Society of Autbors, through its organ The Author, has on two occasions already benefited you, according to your own statement. Thirdly, that there is the larger point of view that the work of the Society does, not only by looking after copyright law, but in keeping publisbers to their agreements and editors to their contracts, benefit indirectly all authors. In the case quoted above the demand for the return of the MSS. was no doubt reasonable and justifiable. That has nothing to do with the question. It is absolutely monstrous that an individual who is not a member of the Society should put forward the Society's name in making a demand whether it was either reasonable or the contrary. This danger to the Society, as its power increases, is a very real one, if only because it would tend to spread, among those whose action the Society opposes, a belief that the Committee of the Society of Authors affords its countenance to the support of cases and actions which cannot be justified by any proper thinking person. G. H. T. progress of time; hut while in the future they might not be able to say that“ the pen is mightier than the sword,” they would go on saying that the printing press was mightier than the sword. This invention of multiplying words by a mechanical process was probably the most impor- tant, the most far-reaching, and the most revolu- tionary invention which the world had ever known. And now printing was going on to fresh triumphs. Having conquered the art of repro- ducing words, and so multiplying thoughts, it was approaching and essaying the art of repro- ducing pictures. Thus, it not only multiplied thought, but beauty too, and the process of print- ing pictures opened a new and magnificent future to the art of printing. . The speaker having suggested in his remarks on Samuel Richardson that they could not do better than instal a bust to that writer in the St. Bride Foundation Institute, Mr. PASSMORE EDWARDS subsequently offered to present a marble bust as a memorial to the novelist and an ornament to the building. -oo MR. BIRRELL ON EDUCATION. The prizes gained by students at the Borough- road Polytechnic, Southwark, were presented on Nov. 21 by Mr. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, Q.C., who remarked that that institute, though only founded in 1892, had a membership of 3602—more than the number of students at one time at any of our Universities; and that its whole work was an answer to the grumblers who were very full of what was being done in Germany or America, but who would not take the trouble to learn of what was going on at their very doors. In the matter of education, however, the British were a most close-fisted nation. As a lawyer he had often been privately consulted by wealthy men with money to dispose of, and he had noticed how averse they always were to anything like educa- tion. In America, millionaires, who made their money out of, say, boots and shoes and pork, often felt it their duty to found a university. But he did not despair of English millionaires, poor and distressed as they often were, and his advice to them was that they would be doing a minimum of harm if they would but visit these institutions in their lifetime, and at the end of it assign to them a fraction of their large estates. THI m CERTAIN LITERARY SPEECHES. MR. A. H. HAWKINS IN FLEET-STREET. D HE St. Bride Foundation Institute, which is | primarily a technical printers' institute, - situated in a narrow lane behind Fleet- street, celebrated its sixth anniversary on the evening of Nov. 20, when Mr. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS "inaugurated” the Talbot Baines Reed collection (about 2000 volumes) in the Pass- ds Library. That library, said Mr. Hawkins, constituted one more of a long roll of munificent and wise donations which had been given by Mr. Passmore Edwards. The volumes which had been gathered together in the Insti- tute were examples of works from the best presses of Europe, from the beginning of the art down to and including specimens of the Kelmscott Press, to which the late William Morris bad contributed so much. Mr. Morris was a great example of the association between literature and printing : a great author and a great printer. There was another connected with the history of the locality, Samuel Richardson, often called the father of the English novel ; he was not only a novelist, but he had the wisdom to ally that precarious occupation with a good printing business, which he carried on first in Fleet-street, and after- wards in Salisbury Court. There were many arts which would become obsolete with the THE POET LAUREATE ON THE PRACTICAL TEMPERAMENT. The Chaucer Memorial window in St. Saviour's Church, Southwark, was unveiled on Oct. 25 by the Poet Laureate, Mr. ALFRED AUSTIN, who, in  ## p. 127 (#175) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 127 an address, referred to Chaucer as a type of what some fellow-creature not so well endowed with they all felt to be the English temperament and stability and sense ? In that singular situation I character. In his love of Nature he anticipated fancy the world would put up its shutters, many by centuries the life of Wordsworth. This note, pulpits would be vacant, and the business of con- the love of Nature, was also the note of Burns tinuing the human race would suffer a disastrous and Scott. But Chaucer was not wholly or exclu- check. I am inclined to think that these mis- sively insular. From Italy he brought back the fortunes will be averted, and that even the theatres self-same kind of inspiration which influenced will not close their doors.” Milton, affected Shakespeare, and laid such hold on Byron. Then Chaucer had the practical temperament, the business-like capacity. In his (Mr. Austin's) opinion no man could be a great OF EDITORS. poet who might not equally have been a successful man of affairs, a model administrator, a sagacious statesman, a victorious general, or a circumspect COW may these beings be most successfully and impressive archbishop. Whether it was and safely approached ? This is a because of its limited possession of this practical question that the journalistic world asks temperament that the Celtic race, which had itself very often, and to which there has never produced so many beautiful and exquisite poets, been a satisfactory reply yet. Journalists talk had not yet produced a really great poet, he would casually of “my editor” as if the term signified not presume to determine, but he thought it some tame creature who is exclusively the speaker's was more or less certain that because of the property, and is kept in the back garden." fundamentally practical, weighty, massive element It would be an immense boon to outsiders if in the English character, England had given the weeklies would try and induce their editors to birth to the greatest poets, and to the greatest set apart a day once a fortnight in which out- number of them. siders, beginners, and the rank and file of journalism could obtain access to the August AN ESTIMATE OF MACAULAY. Presence. Five minutes would be sufficient, Sir Richard Webb, M.P., delivered a lecture on you can say a lot in five minutes if you know “Macaulay" at the London Institution on Nov. what you want to say, and I venture to think that 19, and referred to the charge of partisanship. editors, male and female, would discover many Every writer, said the lecturer, was entitled to new ideas among these people, ideas which under his own inferences: what Burke said was true, the present system must inevitably perish and that historians owed to the public not only their disappear. knowledge, but their judgment. It was no longer This personally conducted MS. need not be contended that Macaulay was shallow or super- read then and there, but each author would be ficial. In the power of telling a story dramati. able to say what induced him or her to think the cally no writer of fiction had excelled Macaulay, subject treated of was interesting. Then again, and beyond this power he had another gift more time, stamps, and language would be economised distinctively his own, that of managing a complex if only editors would be a little more human in narrative, in which a number of streams were their treatment of MSS. Do not, oh, gentle editor, tributary to the main current of events. His allow your digesters to keep MSS. until all value “Essays" were the best of their kind in Europe, has evaporated from them. You would not keep and no doubt would live ; but when they were tradesmen's goods sent on approval for fourteen used for purposes of education, students should days. MSS. are equally goods submitted for be warned against the errors which many of them approval, and deteriorate by detention ; be kind, contained. Readers will find a full summary of therefore, in your methods of despatch. the lecture in the Daily News of Nov. 20. Digestors know almost at a glance what is or is not suitable. A well-trained one, in perfect condition, should be able to assimilate from Sir HENRY IRVING TO CRITICS OF THE STAGE. twenty-five to thirty-five MSS. between the hours “ What would become of the world,” said Sir of 9.30 to 6. Henry Irving to his hosts of the Glasgow Pen Do not ask it to work longer, for a digestor and Pencil Club on Nov. 22, "if a man were to “off colour” is a most dangerous thing; it sees undertake no business or pleasure until he had merit where there is none, and flaws in good first assured himself that under no condition work. could the same enterprise, perfectly wise and Women, as a rule, make better digestors than prudent for himself, upset the moral balance of men. They are more patient, and take more  ## p. 128 (#176) ############################################ i 28 THE AUTHOR. trouble to find the really best, in their opinion; days; for a magazine it will, I am sorry to say, but, as a rule, they are by no means the best be as many weeks. At the end of the considera- judges of what is universally interesting. They iion one will be accepted, and orders given for the are apt to be influenced by pleasant descriptions, other to be returned. So far good. Four days and what may be described for want of a better is not a long time to wait, and even a newspaper word as "atmosphere.” In my opinion, a woman article has not lost much of its freshness. But editor should have a man as digestor—the other does the rejected one return ? Generally not, way about. In this manner they would counteract unless the discipline in the office is very strict. each other. The editor supposes that it has gone, and is much I have had the editors of the great weeklies in astonished on receiving a letter from the author my mind when writing this. My perscnal experi. asking its fate. Inquiries are made and the MS. ence goes to show that when you have obtained is found, but, of course, valueless. Who is to an interview with the particular editor you are blame? This leads me to think that the question hunting, he is usually a quiet, pleasant of notice to contributors is largely a question of mannered person, willing to listen to what you office discipline. have to say, and quite ready to put your name There is a pleasing feeling rife among writers down for future use. It does not mean anything, that all MSS. coming to the offices of magazines though if you happen to be a new hand, you and newspapers are actually read by the editor. fancy yourself already on the highway to fame This idea is awful to contemplate calmly, and is and fortune ; at least, it has never meant any. of course a phantom of the author's brain. No thing in my case ; but it costs nothing and gives editor of a paper of any size could possibly do a pleasant, friendly tone to things. it (and it was a mistake on their part ever to let There is another person attached to the staff of the idea take root); hence readers, and it is to a big paper, and that is the manager. I have them that writers should appeal in the first place, never had the functions of this individual clearly for they are largely to blame. There appears to explained to me ; at the back of my mind there me to be no rule anywhere as to how long MSS. dwells a hazy notion that he is a kind of literary are kept before being read. If every newspaper “ Bill, the Lizard,” and can fill the editorial chair and magazine had a fixed rule as to time it would or a book of paste cuttings with equal facility. make contributors' lives much easier. Over and above these things he is probably art · B. How can we draw the attention of editors to editor (if the paper is pictorial), has to look up this question? This is the real difficulty-editors the advertisements, to quarrel with the book are hard to approach as individuals, as a body they stalls and shipping agents, and to be all things to have no being. Someone with pretty manners all men at the office and out of it. I may be and leisure might be deputed to go round and wrong in some of my surmises, but I fear the gently draw their attention to this subject, but it estimate is pretty correct. would take time and probably lead nowhere. There is no new light shed by my investigations Some of our chiefs in the Society of Women on this subject, and unless editors will condescend Journalists are members of this powerful band; to entertain the one day per fortnight idea, I fear let us, then, approach them with honeyed words and there will be no amelioration in our lot. The ask them to take the matter up. Let us ask :- plan can do them no harm and may do us a lot of 1. That accepted MSS. be acknowledged by F. L. L. post-card at once. 2. That no MS. be kept longer than seven days unless reserved for second consideration, when a At the last meeting of the Society of Women card notifying the fact be sent. Journalists the subject under discussion was that 3. That accepted MSS. should appear within of notice to contributors from editors, and the two months of acceptation; if kept longer due following reflections have presented themselves to notice of probable date to be sent. me on the subject. 4. All payments to be made on acceptation, not A. Are editors personally responsible for due on appearance. notice? Theoretically they are; legally, all things 5. That the stamps enclosed with MSS. be done in a newspaper office are supposed to come returned to authors on acceptation. from the editor's initiative. These five requests involve no hardship to any. Two papers arrive at the office simultaneously; one. The accepted post-card would be printed, both treat of the same subject, and the editor and only need signature and address. likes both, but has only space for one. He or No. 2 presents no greater difficulty than that she will require time to consider. For a news- somebody should see that seven-day-old MSS. are paper this will be probably from four to five duly read and returned or accepted. good. II.  ## p. 129 (#177) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 129 N.B.—For the instruction of this department, I Moore, one of his co-directors of the club, took recommend Rudyard Kipling's advice vide first the chair. verse in italics of “The 'Ethen” in “ Barrack The reception given to Dr. Conan Doyle was of Room Ballads." a most enthusiastic character, and he made a No. 3 would check editors in a growing habit characteristic and remarkable speech. of accepting a great deal more than they are ever Mr. Frankfort Moore proposed his health, likely to use. The mere fact of a fixed date dwelling under the circumstances naturally upon appearing against the name of a MS. would be a the part he had taken in the South African help. campaign, and Dr. Conan Doyle in response, No. 4 would remove a heavy strain from the touching on many points of the war, made the shoulders of the weaker brethren. following statements : No. 5 would only affect the office boys, who, it That, in the first instance, not only the War is my firm belief, annex the stamps and retail Office, but the whole of England, had under- them. I have only twice had stamps sent back estimated the number of men it would be neces- to me. sary to send out — the largest estimate given Let our editresses approach the editors, pointing by anyone prior to the war was 100,000 men. He out that, for the honour of the Fourth Estate, these knew that someone would have to prove the scape- grievances should be looked into. goat, though the whole nation was really respon- The Society of Journalists in its might would sible. easily find means of imposing its will, and life He then touched upon the question of the would go more smoothly for everyone. hospitals, and stated that it was geographically But, above all things, let us do something; impossible for the requisite hospitals to be at the do not let us be content to say “ Kismet.” That front, when you had to take into consideration is how abuses grow up. that an army of 200,000 men had to be supplied FLORA LANCASTER LUCAS (S.W.J.). with provisions, and that by a single line of rail 38, Cathcart-road, Redcliffe-gardens, which was liable to be cut at any moment, while in many places the trucks had to be taken singly S.W., Oct. 30. across drifts or rivers. He assured his hearers that the Army Medical Department had worked nobly throughout the campaign. No doubt Mr. Burdett Coutts's AUTHORS' CLUB DINNERS. figures and statements were correct, but there was one weak point in his case on which he had N Monday, Oct. 29, the Authors' Club gave never been able to give any explanation—that a dinner to Mr. A. W. à Beckett to con- with all these grievous complaints against the gratulate him on his appointment as Pre- Army Medical arrangements, he had never referred sident of the Institute of Journalists for the any one of them to the head of the Medical Depart- current year. ment, General Wilson. This was not playing the Owing to the fact that the home-coming of the game fairly. Dr. Doyle went on to state that City Imperial Volunteers had been postponed when he had a serious complaint to make he 10 Monday there were not quite so many members had gone straight to the General, and found that assembled at the dinner as would otherwise have Lothervise have the complaint was at once attended to and set been present. Journalistic duties make impera- right. tive calls. He proceeded to give some slight account of However, between thirty to forty members of the different actions he had himself witnessed, the club sat down, under the chairmanship of Mr. and the incidents of the patience and endurance Anthony Hope Hawkins. of the British troops. Both Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins's speech and On sitting down he was greeted with loud and Mr. à Beckett's reply were clever and amusing, prolonged cheers. dealing as they did with the ethics of journalism. On Nov. 26 the club gave a dinner to Mr. John Among the members present were Mr. P. W. Murray. This dinner gives occasion to a few Clayden, a former president of the Institute, Mr. remarks on p. 122. H. R. Tedder, Mr. Bloundelle-Burton, Mr. Poultney Bigelow, and others. On Monday, Nov, 12, the club gave a dinner to their chairman, Dr. Conan Doyle, as a welcome on his return from South Africa, Mr. Frankfort  ## p. 130 (#178) ############################################ 130 THE AUTHOR. BOOK AND PLAY TALK. Mr E. F. Benson has completed a new story entitled “The Luck of the Vails.” AJOR A. W. A. POLLOCK, who was a Professor Hans Meyer, of Leipzig, has just correspondent of the Times in the South acquired, says the Morning Post, a large number African war, is writing an account of his of hitherto unutilised Heine manuscripts and personal experiences, which began with Stormberg letters. The gem of this very valuable collection and ended with the relief of Mafeking and consists of the earliest manuscript “ Atta Troll,” Hunter's march from Maribogo to Krugersdorp embracing 200 sheets containing many correc- and Johannesburg. The book will be entitled tions. There are also about 100 sheets of poems, “ With Seven Generals in the Boer War,” and considerable fragments of the “Rabbi von will be published by Messrs. Skeffington. Bacharach,” of the “Geständnisse," of the Mr. Churton Collins, we learn from the “ Harzreise," “ Faust,” “Romantischen Schule.” Academy,“ will in his next book tell some plain “Lutetia," &c., in all some 1500 sheets of Heine's truths about current literature.” The volume handwriting and 1000 sheets written by an will be called “Ephemera Critica,” and Mr. amanuensis, but bearing Heine's corrections. Collins has this to say in his preface :-- Valuable light on phases of Heine's life may be These essays are parti, a protest and partly an experi gathered from the letters, numbering about 1000, ment. As a protest they explain, and, I hope, justify addressed to the poet by Laube, Dingelstedt, themselves ; as an experiment they are an attempt to illus- Barnhagen, Rahel, Robert Schumann, Meyer- trate what we should be fortunate if we could see more beer. Hiller. Lewald. Count Auersperg, A. Weill, frequently illustrated by abler hands. They are a series of studies in serious, patient, and absolutely impartial criti. and Heine's mother, sister, and brothers. ciems, having for its object a comprehensive survey of the Mr. Walter Walsh has completed a new book vices and defects, as well as of the merits, characteristic of on what he regards as the Romeward tendencies current Belles Lettres. of the Church of England, from the year 1833. Our readers will be interested to know that the It will be published immediately by Messrs. literature sent out to the South African hospitals Nisbet. in response to the appeal of Miss Edith Rhodes, Miss Sarah Tytler's new story, “ Jean Keir of which was published in the April number of Craigneil,” has just been published by Mr. John The Author, has been very acceptable, and that the hospital gardens, planted with seeds sent by English contributors, have been of great use and The same publisher has bought the copyrights in a source of pleasure. the following novels by Florence Warden, and in future they will be published from his office :- Mr. MacColl, who has been chief editor of the “The Bohemian Girls,” “Kitty's Engagement," Athenæum since 1869, retires from that position “Our Widow,” and “The Mystery of Dudley on Jan. 1, and will be succeeded by his assistant Horne.” He has also acquired the copyright in editor. Lord Frederic Hamilton is succeeded in “ The Wooing of Monica,” by Mrs. L. T. Meade, the editorship of the Pall Mall Magazine by the and in future this novel will be issued by him. art editor, Mr. George R. Halkett. Mr. Douglas Story is taking over the editorship of the New A seventh edition of “A Handbook for Steam Century Review. Users,” by M. Powis Bale, will shortly be issued A new series of prose fancies by Mr. Richard by Messrs. Longmans, Green, and Co. Le Gallienne is on the eve of publication by Mr. of publication by Mr. Mr. Ferrar Fenton is issuing, through Messrs. Lane. Horace Marshall and Son, “ The Bible in “The Rulers of the South " is the title of Mr. Modern English, direct from the original Marion Crawford's latest work, which Messrs. Hebrew, Chaldee, and Greek.” The first volume Macmillan are publishing. It consists of historical of this work will consist of the “ Five Books of studies of Sicily, Calabria, and Malta. Moses," with critical notes of a philological nature. The following is an extract from a letter Messrs. Hutchinson and Co. have just pub- inclosed with review copies of a book sent out lished a new book by Mark Ashton, the author of by an American firm in London the other “She Stands Alone.” The book is entitled day :- “Haggith Shy, Quakeress”; it is now to be The accompanying “ literary notice" is inclosed after the American fashion, simply to aid those reviewers who may be obtained at Mudie's and all circulating libraries. pressed for time. We prefer your thought of the book in The Oxford University Press has issued a new your own form. edition of Miss Matheson's “ Selected Poems, Could anything be kinder, more thoughtful, Old and New.” The volume is prettily bound in than this a specially designed cover in white and gold. Long.  ## p. 131 (#179) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 131 Professor C. H. Herford has written the preface, Mr. Charles Brookfield and Colonel Nugent, and he directs special attention to Miss Mathe. of the Irish Guards, are collaborating on a new son's Christmas Carol, which is absent from the play of a semi-military character. former edition, and is here enclosed in a border Mr. Benson's Shakespearean season opens at designed by Mr. Herbert George, the Paris the Comedy on Dec. 1o. On or about Dec. 22 medallist for the year. Mr. Mollison will produce his revival of “King Miss Montgomery Campbell's book, entitled Henry V.” at the Lyceum, the cast including “ Not Wise but Fair” (Messrs. Jarrold), is very Mr. Lewis Waller. Mr. Tree's next Shake- well spoken of. One review says that “it should spearean production at Her Majesty's will be go into every village in the Kingdom, and would "Twelfth Night,” in which he will appear in the do more good than tons of tracts and cartloads of character of Malvolio. Sunday sermons.” Miss Julia Neilson and Mr. Fred Terry will Mrs. Isabel Smith's story of “The Minister's revive “Sweet Nell of Old Drury” at the Guest” has received excellent reviews from the Globe Theatre about the middle of January. leading literary columns, and promises to meet Lady Colin Campbell and Miss Clo Graves with a highly satisfactory success. have together written a comedy which Mr. and “A Path of Thorns” is a story by Mr. Ernest Mrs. Kendal will produce. Vizetelly, the translator of Zola, which is about to The Actors' Association matinée will take be published by Messrs. Chatto and Windus. place at the Haymarket on Dec. 18. In this month's (December) Chambers' Journal Mr. Reynolds-Ball deals with the present-day Mr. Bernard Shaw's “ Three Puritan Plays” condition of travel in China in an article entitled will be published shortly. “ China of the Globe-trotter.” Mr. F. T. Bullen's new work, “ With Christ at The editor of the “Literary Year Book” will be Sea,” is being published by Messrs. Hodder and glad to receive notice from members of the Stoughton. Society of Authors of omissions from the direc- tory of authors, now being corrected for the new issue, which will be published by Mr. George CORRESPONDENCE. Allen on Jan. 15 next. The editor will be glad also to receive corrections and suggestions from I.-WANTED, A REFERENCE. anyone engaged in literary work. All com MYOULD any of your readers be so kind as to munications should be addressed to the Editor U state to whom, and when, and under what of the “Literary Year Book," 156, Charing u circumstances, Dr. Johnson said “I have Cross-road, London, W.C. found you a reason, sir, but I am not bound to A poetic drama by Mr. John Davidson, entitled find you an understanding,” and whereabouts in “ Self's the Man: a Tragic Comedy," will be “ Boswell's Life of Johnson,” if anywhere, the published shortly. observation is to be found chronicled ? Mrs. W. K. Clifford's play, “The Likeness of Goa J. M. LELY. the Night,” has been published by Messrs. A. and C. Black. II.-A JUST PROTEST. Mr. Barrie's latest play, “The Wedding May I beg space to expose a mistake which is Guest,” is published in the December number often made by the public and by reviewers—a of the Fortnightly Review. mistake that can be set right only by aid of the Mr. Max Beerbohm has dramatised his short Press? I refer to the erroneous association of my story, “ The Happy Hypocrite,” into a one-act name with the numerous “ statistical ” articles play, at the request of Mrs. Patrick Campbell, that have been published in magazines and who will shortly produce it at the Royalty as newspapers during the last two years. a curtain-raiser. I desire strongly to protest against this associa- tion of my name with writings that have no A new farcical comedy by Mr. Robert similarity to my own work other than the mere Ganthony, entitled “The Ring Mistress," will surface likeness these articles are made to show. be produced at the Lyric just before Christmas, To speak plainly, the numerous articles to which by Miss Kate Phillips. It will inaugurate a I refer are too often silly as regards subject, con- season of matinées, five representations weekly. fusing in treatment, based on artificial “ facts," The Court Theatre has been acquired by Mr. and lacking qualities that are valued by every H. T. Brickwell. sincere literary craftsman.  ## p. 132 (#180) ############################################ 132 THE AUTHOR. II. Some years ago the idea occurred to me that who steals a clean play is a thief, and Lord many subjects of social interest and of national Monkswell protects the author against him; a importance could be satisfactorily handled by pirate who steals an unclean play is not only a means of diagrams, &c. I realised my idea, thief, but an unclean thief, and Lord Monkswell bringing to the work professional actuarial know. does not protect the unclean author against him, ledge of many years, and I was pleased to read So that the pirate has only to add uncleanliness the unanimous opinions of the Press which told to dishonesty by stealing a work originally me that I had succeeded in a task that was not unclean (not by adding immoral passages), to be too easy. exempted from the penalty of his dishonesty. I I find that during 1899 and 1900-a period do not regard the matter as of importance, because when these imitative articles have been specially he is not exempted from the penalty of his numerous—I have published thirty or forty mis- uncleanliness, and the unauthorised performances cellaneous articles, and of these only five have could be stopped ; but it seems illogical to con- been statistical diagrammatic articles. All these done theft because another offence has been added five articles were written upon important subjects, to it. I am, Sir, &c. SYDNEY GRUNDY. and they were well reviewed by the Press. But I Nov. 21, 1900. read lately in an important London newspaper a statement made by a reviewer to the effect that I Sir,-Mr. Sydney Grundy's explanation in the am constantly publishing statistical diagrammatic Daily News of to-day of the meaning of his articles. This quite erroneous statement was remarks in the current number of The Author, obviously based upon the false impression con. upon the subject of Lord Monkswell's Copyright veyed by the innumerable statistical articles Bill, is apparently founded upon a misconception, written by other persons, and the specific instances for Mr. Grundv places himself in a more unten. mentioned by the reviewer had no connection able position than that in which he conceives with any of my writings. The foregoing example himself to be placed by your critic's “ misunder- of the mistake I desire to correct is only one of standing” of the dramatist's attitude towards several similar instances of my work being con the “ pirates” and “thieves,” whose fortune and fused with that of others. reputation are derived from plays taken without All my published work is invariably signed by so much as " by your leave” from other authors. me, and I may justly ask to be released from this As Mr. Grundy says, with not exactly “virtuous” burden of erroneously-ascribed authorship of indignation, “the pirate who steals an unclean articles not written by me, and of an erroneously play is not only a thief, but an unclean thief, and ascribed sympathy with such articles—a burden Lord Monkswell does not protect the unclean that has been put ou me by persons who have author against him.” I have no pity for the been misled by the imitative articles in question. unclean author. Surely Mr. Grundy cannot I regret to see the useful and worthy tool- seriously be asking for “ protection” for writers diagrammatic illustration-mishandled to such of indecency. “ Protection " from what? It is poor purpose, but I do not ascribe the frequent enough for the law to “protect” the public from mistake connected with my name to any cause the “unclean” thing !-Yours truly, other than sheer error produced by the circum- E. A. M. stances I have stated. 31. James-street-mansions, Bucking. JOHN HOLT SCHOOLING. ham-gate, S.W., Nov. 22, 1900. ("J. HOLT SCHOOLING.") Nov. 6, 1900. "THE AUTHOR." SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. III.-MR. SYDNEY GRUNDY ON THE New Bill. (To the Editor of the Daily News.) 1. Sir,—In your issue of Nov. 19, there is a mis- understanding of my remark in The Author, that, under Lord Monkswell's Bill, “a thief has only to add profanity, indecency, sedition, or libel to his theft to be exempted from the penalty of his dishonesty." Upon this you comment: “We need hardly say that no thief could, by adding immoral passages to a play not in itself immoral, affect the author's copyright in any way." That is not my contention. My point is this: A pirate 30 *. ... ... ... ... .. 1 10 0 0 Front Page ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 0 Other Pages ... Hall of a Page ... Quarter of a Page Eighth of a Page ... 015 ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion per 2000 3 0 0 Reductions made for a Series of Sit or Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Otice, 4, Portugal-street, London, w.c.  ## p. 132 (#181) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. CHATTO and WINDUS'S NEW BOOKS. THE INIMITABLE MRS. MASSING. | THE “PRETTY POLLY”: a Voyage of HAM: A Romance of Botany Bay. By HERBERT Incident. By W. 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It is good Introduction by JOHN CAMDEN HOTTEN, and a throughout, but the character and career of Leonard the musician deserves special praise. Seldom has the artist nature been more Coloured Frontispiece. A NEW EDITION. Small shrewdly analysed." --Bookman. demy 8vo., cloth, 3s. 60. London : CHATTO & WINDUS, 111, St. Martin's-lane, W.C.  ## p. 132 (#182) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. ONLY 500 COPIES PRINTED. Royal 8vo., with Maps and Plates, price ONE GUINEA. Now ready, price 2s. Ed., cloth. A FLYING VISIT TO THE Man-Hunting in the Desert, BEING A NARRATIVE OF THE PALMER SEARCH EXPEDITION, 1882, 1883, Conducted by Sir Charles Warren. | AMERICAN CONTINENT. WITH NOTES BY THE WAY. By F. DALE PAWLE. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings E.C. BY Capt. ALFRED E. HAYNES (ROYAL ENGINEERS). WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY WALTER BESANT. “The story of the vigorous efforts made, against terrible odds, to find the missing Professor and his companions is clearly and ably set forth. Then comes the finding of the ghastly remains and the patiently relentless following up of clues in tracing out the various Arabs implicated in the murder. The adventurous part of the book is as interesting as a tale by Stevenson; nor is what might be termed the personal part less absorbing."-Publishers' Circular. Demy 8vo., cloth boards, price 10s. 6d. IN NEW SOUTH AFRICA. Travels in the Transvaal and Rhodesia. With Map and Twenty-six Illustrations. By H. LINCOLN TANGYE. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Crown 8vo., Cloth Boards, Silver Lettering, Price 6s. A LADY OF WALES. CONTENTS. Introductory. PART I. CHAPTER I.—The Land of Gold and the way there. II.-Across Desert and Veldt. III.-Johannesburg the Golden. IV.-A Transvaal Coach Journey. V.-Natal: the South African Garden. 1.-Ostracised in Africa. Home with the Swallows. "A Story of the Siege of Chester, 1645." Rev. VINCENT J. LEATHERDALE, M.A. BY THE PART II.-RAMBLES IN RHODESIA. CHAPTER 1.-Eendragt Maakt Magt. II.-Into the Country of Lobengula. III.—The Trail of War. IV.-Goldmining, Ancient and Modern. V.-Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. VI.-To Northern Mashonaland. VII. - Primitive Art. The Misadventures of a Wagon. Index. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's-buildings, E.O. In demy 8vo., price 128. net, by post 12s. bd. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Six Months in a Syrian Monastery. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, price 28. 6d. A HANDBOOK OF Being the Record of a Visit to the Headquarters of the Syrian Church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis, or Devil Worshippers of Mosul, and El Jilwah, their Sacred Book. By OSWALD H. PARRY, B.A. (of Magdalen College, Oxford.) Illustrated by the Author. With a Prefatory Note by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham. PROCEDURE OF THE HOUSE of COMMONS, WITH SUGGESTIONS AND PRECEDENTS FOR THE USE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING SOCIETIES, The author of this handsome volume presents a detailed study of & relic of history pursued off the track of general research :' he has sought to give, and has succeeded in giving, a picture of quiet life in a country much abused, and among a people that command less than their share of ordinary interest.' Westward the tide of Enipire takes its way,' sang & propbetic divine of the olden days, and no less certainly, as Mr. Parry points out, does the ebb of travel return towards the East. ... As a volume descriptive of life and travel among a distant people, his work is well worth reading, but for those persons who are more particularly concerned with the old Syrian Church, or in the solution of the problem indicated above, it is one of quite unique attraction. A pathetic interest attaches to the account of the Yazidis included in this volume, for it contains part of their sacred writings, the original manuscript of which was in the hands of Professor Robertson Smith for translation at the time of his death."- Publishers' Circular. BY GEO. G. GRAY, Esq., LL.D. (Lond.), J.P., Barrister-at-Law, &c., Author of " A Manual of Bankruptcy," & Treatise on “ The Right to Support from Land and Buildings," &c., Speaker of the Hastings Local House of Commons. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's-buildings, E.O. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C  ## p. 132 (#183) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. vij Post Svo., price 6s. net. THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND POSITION AS APPEARING FROM STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS. A Compilation for General Use. By J. M. LELY,. M.A., Barrister-at-Law. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1.-Pre-Reformativn Law. | CHAPTER 7,-'he Benefuos Act. ,, II.-Reformation Law, except the first three , VI.-Table of principal Statutes repealed and Acts of Uniformity. anrepealed. III.- The Acts of Uniformity. , VII.—Table of principal Judicial Decisions. , IV.—The Prayer Book and Rubrics. APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills—Comprehension Bill of 1689. Ecclesiastical Appeals Bill 1850. Church Discipline Bill of 1899. Statements by English Church Union and Church Association. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trent. The Creed of Pope Pius the Fourth as added to by Pope Pius the Ninth. And a Copious Index. LONDON : HORACE cox, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. In demy 8vo., with PORTRAITS, price 7s. Bd. THE BUILDERS OF OUR LAW DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA. By EDWARD MANSON. Late Scholar of Brasenose College, and of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law: Author of the Law of Trading Companies," Debentures and Debenture Stock," " Dog Law," &c. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Lord Cottenham. Lord St. Leonards. Baron Martin (rith Portrait). Chief Justice Tindal. Chief Baron Pollock. Sir George Jessel (toith Portrait). Lord Justice Knight Bruce (with Portrait). Sir Cresswell Oress well. Sir Robert Phillimore (with Portrai), Baron Parke-Lord Wensleydale. Lord Campbell. Lord Justice Mellish (with Portrait). Right Honourable Stephen Lashington, the Mr. Justice Patteson (with Portrait). Lord Justice Lush. Chief Justice Jervis. Lord Westbury (with Portrait). Lord Blackburn. Lord Cranworth. Chief Justice Cockburn (with Portrait). Lord Justice James (roith Portrait). Mr. Justice Maule. Mr. Justice Wightman. Chief Justice Erle (with Portrait). Lord Abinger. Lord Hatherley. Sir Edward Vaughan Williams. Lord Truro. Mr. Justice Willes. Mr. Justice Crompton. Baron Alderson. Lord Bram well. Chief Baron Kelly. Lord Denman (with Portrait). Lord Cairns (with Portrait). Mr. Manson hag a facile pen and a pleasant style; and it would indeed have been a pity had the ephemeral purpose with which the matter contained in this book was originally published caused these interesting sketches to be forgotten. The aim of the author has been to give an outline of the career of the greatest of our judges, and to state the effect of their work upon the law, and in so doing he has started at the point at which Lord Campbell left off. Several old prints are reproduced, and help to make up a handsome, interesting, and even brilliant addition to the history of the Legal Profession."- Law Journal * We received the several biographies with much pleasure, and gladly published them in these columns. We know for a fact that more than one family has been surprised at the information gleaned about its judicial member by Mr. Manson, We predict for it & permanent plena in legal biography."-Law Times. "The book has a serious interest for laymen as well as for lawyers, for, although there is much of case law, there is no more of it than the general reader may digest. It is the anecdotes and the personal details which give piquancy to the book."- Morning. London: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C  ## p. 132 (#184) ############################################ viii ADVERTISEMENTS. Just published, price 7s. 6d. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS Statutes of Practical Utility PASSED IN 1900 AND IN THE SEVENTH AND LAST SESSION OF THE LATE PARLIAMENT. With NOTES and a SUMMARY of the 37 Statutes selected. By J. M. LELY. " ... Ideov ñucov Ilavtòs."-Hesiod. Mr. Prin... till company come, did discourse with me a good while about the laws of England, telling me the main faults in them; and among others, tbeir obscurity through multitude of long statutes, which he is about to abstract out of all of a sort ; and as he lives, and Parliaments come. get them put into laws, and the other statutes repealed, and then it will be a short work to know the law." -Pepys. "Sir Henry Ponsonby is commanded by the Queen to thank Mr. Darlington for a copy of his Handbook." "Nothing better conld be wi-hed for."-British Weekly. “Far superior to ordinary guides."-London Daily Chronicle. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. ls. each. Illustrated. Map by Joax BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE ISLE OF WIGHT THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORTH WALES COAST, BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYŃ, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. MALVERN. 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Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 07 (December 1900) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 07 (December 1900) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1900-12-01-The-Author-11-7 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/336/1900-11-01-The-Author-11-6.pdf ad607a121b50b70edf6eca6bccab5a44 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) 1900-11-01 Volume 11 Issue 6 Pages Page range in volume 97–112 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19001101 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.—No. 6.] NOVEMBER 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Literary Property 1. An Example of Commission Publishing 2. A Dramatist on the Copyright Bill 3. The Sixpenny Book ... ... ... 4. Canadian Oopyright Act ... , The Pension Fund of the Incorporated Society of Authors... Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott PAGE Notes and News. By the Editor... ... ... ... ... ... 105 The Four Winds ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 107 Correspondence-1. Live and Let Live," 2. What is a Fair Price? 3. "Young" Fiction Writers and the War Fund. 4. Fact versus Fiction. 5. For Nothing 18 ""* ... ... ... 107 Book and Play Talk... ... ... ... 108 Books and Reviews ... . ... ... ... 111 103 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 95, Nu 1. The Annual Report. That for the past year can be had on application to the Secretary. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members, 6s. 6d. per annum. Back numbers are offered at the following prices: Vol. I., 108. 6d. (Bound); Vols. II., III., and IV., 88. 6d. each (Bound); Vols. V. to VIII. (Unbound), 6s. 6d. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, late Secretary to the Society. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type, size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 28. 6d. (Out of print at present.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Eyre and Spottis- woode. Is. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 18. 9. The C tract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. The Addenda to the "Methods of Publishing." By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “ Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 11. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association; with Comments. By G Herbert THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 18.  ## p. 96 (#134) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL. SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBSON. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD, LL D. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, Q.C. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. CLERE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. Shaw. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS. P. W. CLAYDEN. THE Right Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E, ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN, M.P. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES.' ART. Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I Sir W. MARTIN CONWAY. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER, M.P. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD Rose. FIELD, Roscoe, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. Solicitors UTM ? G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND. LONDON, W.C. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. 1 THE ART of CHESS. By JAMES MASON. Price 58. GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. L net, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 96 (#135) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. Now Ready, cloth, 6s.; half calf, 78. Bd.; calf, 8s. Bd. PATERSON'S PRACTICAL STATUTES 1900 (63 & 64 VICTORIA); WITH INTRODUCTIONS, NOTES, TABLES OF STATUTES REPEALED AND SUBJECTS ALTERED, LISTS OF LOCAL AND PERSONAL AND PRIVATE ACTS, AND A COPIOUS INDEX. EDITED BY JAMES SUTHERLAND COTTON, Barrister -at - Law. CON L'ENTS. Table of Principal Enactments repealed. CAP. CAP Table of Principal Subjects altered. 19. Land Registry (New Buildings) Act [title 40. Elementary School Teachers Superannua- only) tion (Jersey) Act [title only] CAP. SESRION 1899–63 VICTORIA, 20. Ecclesiastical Assessments (Scotland) Act 41. Local Government (Ireland) (No. 2) Act 1. Appropriation Act 1899. Session 2 [title only). tille only). [title only). 2. Treasury Bills Act (title only) 1. Mines (Prohibition of Child Labour Under 42. Reserve Forces Act. 3. Second Session (Explodation) Act. ground) Act. 43. Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act 22. Workmen's Compensation Act. [title only). SESSION 1900-63 & 64 VICT. 23. Poor Removal Act. 44. Exportation of Arms Act 1. Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Act ſtille only). 4. Veterinary Surgeons Amendment Act. 45. Poor Relief (Ireland) Act ſtille only]. 2. War Loan Act (title only). 25. Charitablo Loan Societies (Ireland) Act 46. Members of Local Authorities Relief Act. 3. Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Act [title only). [title only 47. County Courts (Investment) Act. 4. Census (Great Britain) Act. 26. Land Oharges Act. 48. Companies Act. 5. Army (Annual) Act. 27. Railway Employment (Prevention of 49. Town Councils (Scotland) Act [title only). 6. Census (Ireland) Act [title only]. Accidents) Act. 50. Agricultural Holdings Act. 7. Finance Act. 28. Inebriates Amendment (Scotland) Act | 51. Money. lenders Act. 8. Electoral Disabilities (Military Service) [title only) 52. Naval Reserve Act. Removals Act. 29. London County Council Electors Qualif 53. Elementary Education Act. 9. Police Reservists (Allowances) Act cation Act 54. Lunacy Board (Scotland) Act [title onlyl. 10. Public Health (Ireland) Act [title only). 30. Beer Retailers' and Spirit Grocers' Retail 55. Executors (Scotland) Act [litle only). 11. Uganda Railway Act [title only). Licences (Ireland) Act [lille only) 56. Military Lands Act. 12. Commonwealth of Australia Constitution 31. Isle of Man (Customs) Act [title only). 57. Appropriation Act (tüle only] Act. 2. Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shi 58. Tithe Rentcharge (Ireland) Act [title only]. 13. County Councils (Elections) Act Amend owners and others) Act. 59. Housing of the Working Classes Act. ment Act. 3. Wild Animals in Captivity Protection Act. 60. Tramways (Ireland) Act (tille only) 14. Colonial Solicitors Act. 34. Ancient Monuments Protection Act. Supplemental War Loen Act [title only]. 15. Burial Act. 85. Oil in Tobacco Act. 62. Colonial Stock Act. 16. District Councillors and Guardians (Term 36. Public Works Loans Act [title only]. 63. Local Government (Ireland) Act (title only). of Ofice) Act. 37. Expiring Laws Continuance Act. 17. Naval Reserve (Mobilisation) Act [lille 38. Elementary School Teachers Superannua List of Local and Personal Acts. only). tion (Isle of Man) Act ſtille only]. 18. County Surveyors (Ireland) Act [title only). 39. Volunteer Act. | Index. LONDON: HORACE COX. -LAW TIMES” OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.O. 61. Supplways (Irel Working In demy 8vo., 700 pages, price 7s. 6d., the Fourth Edition of AN ANECDOTAL HISTORY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, FROM THE EARLIEST PERIODS TO THE PRESENT TIME. WITH NOTICES OF EMINENT PARLIAMENTARY MEN, AND EXAMPLES OF THEIR ORATORY. COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIO SOURCES BY GEORGE HENRY JENNINGS. - - - - CONTENTS : PABT I-Rise and Progress of Parliamentary Institutions. APPENDIX.-(A) Lists of the Parliaments of England and of the PART II.- Personal Anecdotes : Sir Thomas More to John Morley. United Kingdom. PABT III.-Miscellaneons: 1. Elections. 2. Privilege; Exclusion of (B) Speakers of the House of Commons. Strangers; Publication of Debates. 3. Parliamentary (O) Prime Ministers. Lord Chancellors, and Secretaries Usages, &c. 4. Varieties. of State from 1715 to 1892. HORACE Cox, “LAW TIMES” OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. VOL. XI. N 2  ## p. 96 (#136) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. A Fascinating Novel of Religious Life by a New Writer. THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALLEN LORNE. By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL Cloth, 6s. SOME EARLY REVIEWS:_The book is worthy of all who are interested in the progress of religious thought."-Scotsman. "The author knows clearly what he is writing about, and his glimpses of old Glasgow, of Argyleshire of London, and of Sussex are excellently done, and the people have qualities of real interest."-Christian Leader. Å vigorous picture of the most characteristic phase of Scottish life. The writing is distinctly good, and the book will commend itself to those who like a clever mixture of love and theology."- Susset Daily Veros. "A novel of considerable power, and one that thoughtful readers will enjoy.".. Birmingham Daily Gazette. London: T. FISHER UNWIN, Paternoster Square, E.C. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF THE PERIOD. SOCIAL QUESTIONS AND NATIONAL PROBLEMS: EVILS AND REMEDIES. Second Edition, about 500 pages, 8vo., 58. 3d. post free, strongly bound in cloth. Two Books each to the first Twenty Subscribers. Carte-de-visites copied, 28. 6d. hall dozen; 49. 6d. dozen. Enlarged to Cabinet size, 3s. 6d. and 68. 6d., to subscribers only. Lecturers, &c., privileges. Special Terms. Will be ready about New Year. Address- J. W. EMSLEY, Artist and Author, 7, Napier Street, Leeds Road, Bradford, Yorks. T Y PE W RITING (Authors' MSS.) Undertaken by highly educated women of Literary experience (Classical Tripos ; Cambridge Higher Local; thorough acquaintance with modern languages). Authors' References. Terms (cash), 1s. Ed. per 1000 words; over 5000, 1s. S. R., 1, LINGARDS ROAD, LEWISHAM, S.E. T Y P E W R IT IN G DONE PROMPTLY AND CAREFULLY, Foreign MS. a Speciality. Is. 3d. per 1000 words. MISS COXHEAD, 114, Cambridge Street, S.W. Post 8vo., price 6s. net. THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND POSITION AS APPEARING FROM STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS. A Compilation for General Use. By J. M. LELY, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1.-Pre-Reformation Law. CHAPTER V.-The Benefices Act. II.—Reformation Law, except the first three I VI.—Table of principal Statutes repealed and Acts of Uniformity. unrepealed. III.-The Acts of Uniformity. » VII.—Table of principal Judicial Decisions. IV.—The Prayer Book and Rubrics. APPENDIX.-Ecclesiastical Bills—Comprehension Bill of 1689. Ecclesiastical Appeals Bill 1850. Church Discipline Bill of 1899. Statements by English Church Union and Church Association. Extracts from Decrees and Canons of Council of Trent. The Creed of Pope Pius the Fourth as added to by Pope Pius the Ninth. And a Copious Index. LONDON: HORACE cox WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM’S BUILDINGS, E.C.  ## p. 97 (#137) ############################################# The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.-No. 6.] VOL. XL_NO.6.] NOVEMBER I, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all I remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production.” IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are : (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are : (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sab. jocts whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. IT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an I agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property : I. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro. duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for " office expenses,” unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT, This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Peroentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An anthor should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should  ## p. 98 (#138) ############################################# 98 THE AUTHOR. IL obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing date on or before which the play should be the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. performed. dence of the writer. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof fixed nightly fees). This method should be safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- always avoided except in cases where the fees fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :-(1) other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply To read and advise upon agreements and publishers. (2) To also in this case. stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum due according to agreements. 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 shonld remember that performing rights can THE READING BRANCH. be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but branch of their work by informing young writers of should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated of great importance. as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of print the book of the words. competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully NOTICES. drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of 1 Society that, although the paper is sent to them free delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great the beginning many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market 68. 6d. subscription for the year. is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object Communications for The Author should be addressed to is to obtain adequate publication. the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln’s-inn. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor not later than the account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con. 21st of each month. tracts, those authors desirous of further information are All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether referred to the Secretary of the Society. 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. VVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his LITERARY PROPERTY. business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor. the member has a right to an opinion 'from the 1.-AN EXAMPLE OF COMMISSION PUBLISHING. Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's I beg to place the following facts and figures at your opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him · disposal :- Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. A London publisher offered to produce the inclosed work, 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright “with stiff paper cover," at £15 for 1000 copies, or £13 108. and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the for 500 copies. experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple Another London publisher offered to produce 1000 copies, to use the Society also with stiff paper cover, for £12 108. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past I have had 1000 copies printed, as you see, without the accounts with the loan of the books represented. The stiff cover, for £3 38. by a country printer whose name is on Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new the pamphlet. G. B. or old, for inspection and note. The information thus To the Secretary of the Authors' Society. obtained may prove invaluable. T INVITE very special attention to the above 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- 1 letter. Observe that the actual cost of the posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you pamphlet was £3 38. It is a brochure of are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are 20pp. in long primer, a full page of about 600  ## p. 99 (#139) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 99 words. One publisher offered to produce it, on for advertising as the author or proprietor shall commission, for £15: another for £12 10s., both deem desirable.” offering a “ stiff paper cover.” An important point in this clause has been The author bad it printed, as he says, for £3 38., overlooked in the Society's comments. It is this. but without the stiff paper cover. The name of The publisher claims a percentage on all “dis- the printing firm is given on the inside of the bursements,” and, in the very next clause, declares title page. A note is made of the firm for future that he will disburse nothing! In that case what use. claim has he for any percentage ? Let us put down the paper cover at £1. The Another point. In going to a publisher, the proposals then mean that a pamphlet costing author naturally expects the whole machinery of £3 38. is to be charged at £14 or at £u 108. his office, together with his skill and experience, It may be urged that every tradesman has a to be placed at the service of his book. The most right to put any price he pleases on his own important part, perhaps, is the knowledge when wares. So he has, provided he does not deceive to advertise and to what extent. The publishers his customers. Now, when an author goes to a refuse any help. They say, “ Such a sum as the publisher he accepts his statement about the cost author or proprietor may deem desirable.” Nothing of printing and paper as an honest statement. is more undesirable to a general publisher than It is not enough, as some publishers do, to say the success of a commission book, because if it "our charge” is so and so, because the author, should succeed the bulk of the profit goes to the even if he allows the publisher some profit-which author-a thing by no means in their interests. ought to be plainly and honestly stated-does not This should be thoroughly understood. What imagine that the profit is to be three, four, or five they prefer is a so-called “ half-profit” system, the times the actual cost. very name of which now stinks, or a “ deferred That the publishers in question venture to royalty ” with a large margin before it begins-a make this exorbitant profit is probably due to the method the reek and stench of which is fast be- baleful influence of the “ Publishers' Form of coming a rival even to that of the “ half-profit.” Agreement.” What is the clause regulating this W. B. assumed right of overcharge? “The publisher will supply the author with estimates for the II.-A DRAMATIST ON THE COPYRIGHT BILL. printing and will charge a commission of per “Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill from the cent. on the trade prices for printing, paper, point of view of a playwright?” Well, it is not binding, advertising, and other disbursements, conceived from that point of view; it is con- and reserve to himself the right to take the ceived from the point of view of authors who are usual credit or the equivalent cash discount for not playwrights. To the novelist it affords a cash payments, but no such discount shall exceed protection which he does not at present possess, 7) per cent." and to which he is entitled; and in that respect All that we can say in this case is that the is a righteous and beneficent measure. On the pnblishers, with this clause to guide them, playwright, beyond the extension of the term of interpreted the percentage allowed in a large and his protection, it confers, to the best of my judg- liberal spirit. They merely said, “ We will make ment, no benefit whatever. it 300 or 400 per cent." First, as regards the duration of the “per- It is not often that we find the publishers' forming right,” which playwrights call “stage- agreements “equitable" reduced to so delightful right,” and thereby save two syllables, I think an absurdity as this. Meantime, the Society's that is sufficient. It is sometimes argued that exposure of those firms, with comments, has now stage-right should descend to a playwright's gone into a second edition. Members of the representatives in perpetuity. I quite agree Society will do good service by sending copies to that both copyright and stage-right should be those of their friends who are concerned with perpetual; but in my view, after a certain period, literary property. they should become the property of the State. I would next call attention to the clause which There is no such person as an absolutely original follows the one already quoted. You observe author; the most nearly original author draws that the publisher demands a blank percentage bis inspiration from his experience, his reading, on all “ disbursements.” his observation, his environment. The com- Now read the next clause. munity is part author of everything. By limiting “The author or proprietor shall, before the the period of protection, the community comes work is sent to press, pay the publisher a suffi- into its rights, but not, I submit, in the right cient sum to meet the estimated charges for way. Why should a manager be able to play production and publication, including such a sum Shakespeare for nothing, and so accustom hiuiself  ## p. 100 (#140) ############################################ 100 THE AUTHOR. If a man writes and publishes a play, pre- sumably he means it to be acted for the benefit of himself and his assigns; and to say so on the title-page is superfluous. It might even be argued that section 7 is retrospective. The injustice arises through the lumping together of playwrights with librettists, com- posers, and vocalists, whose interests are in some respects diametrically opposite. If the Bill created in every literary work other than a libretto two inherent rights, copyright and stage- right, which not only might but must be assigned separately, everybody would be protected, and nobody would be troubled. As the Bill stands I am compelled to the conclusion that (apart from the duration of protection) it weakens the present position of the playwright and strengthens that of the pirate. SYDNEY GRUNDY. to the nefarious practice of evading author's fees? He ought to pay fees to the State. So far as the author's representatives are concerned, Lord Monkswell's term of thirty complete years after death seems reasonable. I am afraid this is all that can be said in favour of the Bill from a playwright's point of view. Clause 5, section 5, revives the ancient formula that “performing right shall not subsist in any profane, indecent, seditious, or libellous dramatic or musical work.” So that a thief has only to add profanity, indecency, sedition, or libel to his theft to be exempted from the penalty of his dis- honesty. It seems scarcely a benefit to public morals that protection should be extended to unauthorised performances of profane, indecent, seditious, and libellous works. Sections 6 and 7 of the same clause proceed to strew the path of the pirate with roses. (6) Where a dramatic or musical work is published as a book, and it is intended that the performing right should be reserved, the owner of the copyright, whether he has parted with the performing right or not, shall cause notice of such reservation to be printed on the title page or in a con. spicuous part of every copy of such book. (7) Where proceedings are taken for the infringement of the performing right in any dramatic or musical work published as a book, the defendant in such proceedings may be acquitted of such infringement, and may be entitled to the costs of resisting the proceedings, if he proves to the satisfaction of the court that he has in his possession a copy of the book containing such dramatio or musical work, and that such copy was published with the assent of the owner of the copyright, and does not contain the notice required by this Act of the reservation of the performing right; but in any such case the owner of the performing right, if he is not also the owner of the copyright, shall be entitled to recover from the owner of the copyright damages in respect of the injury he may have incurred by the neglect of the owner of the copyright to cause due notice to be given of the reservation of the performing right. I find no such vexatious provisions in the case of a work which is not dramatic in form. The result seems to be this: that the theatrical possibilities of a novel, which is not necessarily intended for the stage, are automatically protected; whilst a work the very form of which shows that it is intended for the stage, if published as a book, must be conspicuously labelled with such intention, or it is at the mercy of any thief who comes along, who is positively indemnified for his “costs” of fighting the rightful owner! Let me put a case. “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray” is published as a book. If, through inadvertence, a single copy were issued without this label, the value of the right of representation might be lost to Mr. Pinero for ever. This negotiable copy would carry the right of representation on its face, and Mr. Pineru's own original MS. might become so much waste paper. III.—THE SIXPENNY Book. The Manchester Guardian has a few remarks on my paper in last month's Author concerning the sixpenny book. The writer does not agree with me. He says: We should be inclined rather to think that a sixpenny edition of a new and successful writer's first book may intro- duce his work to many who would otherwise have ignored it, but who may then think it worth while to bay his next books in a dearer form or to order them from the libraries. He also thinks that the sixpenny novel is bought in the train in the place of a magazine or a journal. Nobody, he says, who has any respectable library is likely to put sixpenny books on his shelves : he buys them to read and throw away. He also says that I speak on the evidence of a single bookseller. It always does gond to hear an opposite opinion. As to the above objections, I admit that the production of a new and unknown writer's book in a sixpenny form might give him the start that he wants. There is, however, an objection in limine. No publisher will venture to bring out a book by a new writer at sixpence. The risk is too great: the public can hardly be expected to buy, even at sixpence, the work of a new and unknown writer to the number of some 40,000, which must be taken up in order to pay expenses. That a sixpenny book may be bought in a train instead of a magazine or a paper is certainly possi. ble: nay, it bappens every day and all day long. Nobody who has a respectable library, will put sixpenny books on their shelves. That is also true. But should we offer good books in such garb as to be unfit for decent shelves ? It is not one bookseller, but persons in the book trade, publishers as well as booksellers, who  ## p. 101 (#141) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 101 have spoken to me to this effect concerning the fatal sixpenny book. My objections remain : 1. People very soon get accustomed to pay six- pence for a book and will not, if they can help it, give more. 2. The low price encourages a low view of literature. Who will value a thing that costs six- pence, amuses for an hour, and then is thrown away? How much does one value a sixpenny toy ? 3. The American example is still fresh in one's mind, where the market was flooded with sixpenny books—the best and most valued productions of the best authors. The public bought them; read them for amusement; read them uncritically and carelessly; threw them away, and thought no more about book or author. 4. I do not say that the sale of a sixpenny book always prevents the sale of a dearer book. I do say, however, that in many, very many, cases it does, and that it takes a great many sixpenny books to make up, either for publisher or author, one six-shilling book. 5. Also I do say that the instance I recorded where, at an important railway stall, I found actually no new books at all except the sixpenny book, is not a solitary case. 6. And I do say, also, that the experience of the manager of that railway bookstall, to the effect that no one would look at a book priced higher than sixpence, is not a solitary experience. I would also say this. I have received many letters on this subject. I find that there is a large class of people with very small incomes who are delighted at the chance of getting good books at so cheap a price. One cannot but feel the greatest sympathy with these people. Their case might surely be met by a simple limitation of the sixpenny issue to books which have stood the test of time--say, for ten or fifteen years. Books in demand after that time are pretty sure to be good books, while their sale at so low a price would not probably affect the sale of the new and higher priced candidates for success. W. B. lawfully published in any part of Her Majesty's dominions other than Canada, and if it is proved to the satisfaction of the Minister of Agriculture that the owner of the copyright so subsisting and of the copyright acquired by such publi. cation has lawfully granted a license to reproduce in Canada, from movable or other types, or from stereotype plates, or from electro-plates, or from lithograph stones, or by any process for facsimile reproduction, an edition or editions of such book designed for sale only in Canada, the Minister may, notwithstanding anything in the Copyright Act, by order under his hand, prohibit the importation, except with the written consent of the licensee, into Canada of any copies of such book printed elsewhere ; provided that two such copies may be specially imported for the bona fide use of any public free library or any university or college library, or for the library of any duly incorporated instita. tion or society for the use of the members of such institu- tion or society. 2. Suspension or revocation of prohibition.-The Minister of Agriculture may at any time in like manner, by order under his hand, suspend or revoke such prohibition upon importation if it is proved to his satisfaction that, (a) the license to reproduce in Canada has torminated or expired; or (6) the reasonable demand for the book in Canada is not sufficiently met without importation; or (c) the book is not, having regard to the demand therefor in Canada, being suitably printed or published; or (d) any other state of things exists on account of which it is not in the public interest to further prohibit importation. 3. Failure of licensee to supply book. -At any time after the importation of a book has been prohibited under section 1 of this Act, any person resident or being in Canada may apply, either directly or through a bookseller or other agent, to the person so licensed to reproduce such book, for a copy of any edition of such book then on sale and reasonably obtainable in the United Kingdom or some other part of Her Majesty's dominions, and it shall then be the duty of the person so licensed, as soon as reasonably may be, to import and sell such copy to the person so applying therefor, at the ordinary selling price of such copy in the United Kingdom or such other part of Her Majesty's dominions, with the duty and reasonable forwarding charges added ; and the failure or neglect, without lawful excuse, of the person so licensed to supply such copy within a reason. able time, shall be a reason for which the Minister may, if he sees fit, suspend or revoke the prohibition upon impor- tation. 4. Customs Department to be notified.-The Minister sball forth with inform the Department of Customs of any order made by him ander this Act. 5. Penalty for unlawful importation.-All books im- ported in contravention of this Act may be seized by any officer of Customs, and shall be forfeited to the Crown and destroyed; and any person importing, or causing or per- mitting the importation, of any book in contravention of this Act shall, for each offence, be liable, upon summary conviction, to a penalty not exceeding one hundred dollars. It is almost impossible to overrate the import- ance of the Act from the point of view of Imperial copyright. Articles have been from time to time printed in The Author dealing exhaustively with the history of Canadian copyright and the Canadian book trade. In these the practical ruin of the Canadian book trade by the Foreign Reprints Act, and the subsequent struggle by the Canadian printer and the Canadian trades under IV.-CANADIAN COPYRIGHT Act. The following is the text of the Canadian Copyright Act passed on July 18, 1900 : 63 & 64 VICTORIA, CHAP. 25. An Act to amend the Copyright Act.- Assented to 18th July, 1900.] Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: 1. In case of license to reprint book copyrighted in United Kingdom or British possession, Minister may prohibit im. portation of other reprints. If a book as to which there is subsisting copyright under the Copyright Act has been first VOL. XI.  ## p. 102 (#142) ############################################ 102 THE AUTHOR. the leadership of Sir John Thompson, have also THE PENSION FUND OF THE INCORPO- been reviewed. It has been demonstrated that RATED SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. the passing of the American Copyright Law, falsely supposed to injure the Canadians, in M HE scheme of the Pension Fund as finally reality was the turning point in favour of the settled was printed in the July number of book trade, and that the refusal of the Canadian - The Author. Government to collect royalties under the Foreign The Committee now desire to inform the Reprints Act gave that trade an additional members of the Society that the fund is legally impetus. Those who care to study the reasons constituted, and hasten to acknowledge the for these deductions are referred to the past valuable suggestions that were received prior to numbers of The Author. One point, however, its final settlement. was wanting to secure a completely satisfactory Mr. J. M. Lely, Mr. E. Clodd, and Mr. Douglas settlement, namely, legislation by the Canadian W. Freshfield have kindly consented to act as Government along the right lines. Sir John trustees of the Fund, and have signed all the Thompson had fought the cause of the printer deeds necessary to confirm their appointment. and the tradesman against the author whose The Pension Fund Committee will be appointed, property was being much dealt with. as provided by the scheme, at the next annual Did Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his Cabinet desire general meeting. Notice will be given in The to adopt a similar point of view ? Author as to the method of nominating candi- There were two aspects to this question : (1) dates, and it is hoped that a large number of the The Imperial and International; (2) the Cana members of the Society will show their interest dian. If Sir John Thompson's methods were in the scheme by voting on that occasion. followed it appeared clear that the present The following details as to the present position Imperial and International legislation would of the Fund will be of interest to the members : become chaotic, and that any future beneficial The sum total of donations promised and paid legislation would be indefinitely postponed. To amounts to £1169 48. 6d. Of this total nearly counteract this the supposed benefit to the £1000 has been received, and by far the greater Canadian would be in reality but a fresh disaster. portion is already invested in the names of the Four or five years ago, before the present Govern trustees. ment in Canada came into power, the Committee The sum total of annual subscriptions amounts of the Society of Authors saw clearly that the to £94 138. settlement of the Canadian question involved the It is calculated that the investment of the larger issue, and accordingly struggled to get donations will produce about £30 a year; this sum, the matter satisfactorily settled. In 1895 Mr. together with the proportion of subscriptions Hall Caine consented at the request of the available for pensions under the scheme, will make Committee to act as the Society's delegate in the total amount available about £60. Canada. The position that Mr. Caine combated In this calculation, however, no margin is was, however, subsequently altered owing to the allowed for working expenses, and it cannot be sudden death of Sir John Thompson. expected that services in connection with the Fund Early in 1898 the Committee prepared an hitherto given gratuitously should not in the exhaustive report on the question, and appointed future involve a charge on the Fund. Mr. G. H. Thring, the Secretary of their Society, In any event it is hoped that the Pension Com- to represent them on a mission to Canada. mittee, when elected, will be in a position at once A report of this mission and its object has been to allot a substantial pension. It is most desir- printed in the October number of The Author, able that they should be able to grant at least one and the above print of the Bill is all that is neces. other adequate pension immediately, besides sary to complete the matter. meeting all working expenses. It may be confidently asserted that, owing to The establishment of the Fund has been re- the steps which have been taken by Sir Wilfrid ceived with general approvement by Laurier and his able colleague, Mr. Sydney but at present actual pecuniary support has Fisher, in whose hands lies the copyright matter been given by a comparatively small number of in Canada, the Imperial Government will be persons. free to take up Lord Monkswell's Bill, which has The Committee would impress upon the Society the support in its main features of the authors the desirability of widening the field of support, and publishers of Great Britain, and, it it hoped, not merely from the point of view of increasing of the Colonial Governments also. If this result the Fund, but of identifying the Society at large is obtained a great advance will have been made with this effort to provide for deserving, but com- in the history of copyright legislation. mercially unsuccessful, authors.  ## p. 103 (#143) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 103 Annual subscriptions from 58. and upwards are cordially invited, and should be notified to the Secretary without delay. They may be paid together with the annual subscriptions either by banker's order (which is preferred) or direct to the Secretary. The scheme, reprinted from The Author, may be had on application to the Secretary. PARIS LETTER. 4 bis, rue des Beaux Arts. THE Great Exhibition is slowly drawing towards its apogee-and its end. Inter- national congresses are still its favourite diversion. The memorandum of the five days' International Peace Congress included the pass. ing of a vote of censure on Great Britain for her action in South Africa. Among other speakers. the well-known French writer Mme. Séverine delivered an address with her usual eloquent volubility. She declared herself struck by the despondent tone which prevailed among the orators present. “What matter if the present escape us?” cried she. “An invisible harvest is sprouting. The words of Peace and Justice have penetrated the deepest strata of humanity. Let us continue our labour, as did those generations of slaves who constructed the Pyramids without knowing what form they would one day have. We shall not house the harvest, certes. What does that matter? If only a single ear of corn one day sprouts on our tombs, we shall be sufficiently paid for having believed and willed !” Apropos of the other international assemblages -the Congress of Spiritualists, patronised by MM. Anatole France and Victorien Sardou, aroused much interest among the initiated. The pro- ceedings of the Women's Congress were generally remarkable for their sobriety of speech and logical perception of the end in view, while the papers read at the Sociology Congress were highly interesting from a technical point of view. The next Sociology Congress will be held at Glasgow; and the memoranda forwarded by foreigners unable to attend during the sittings of the present congress will shortly be published by M. René Worms, secretary-general, in the Annales de l'Institut International de Sociologie. DRAMATIC NOTES. M. Coquelin, senior, is registering a golden harvest for the Association des Artistes Drama tiques by the personal sale of tickets for a grand lottery on behalf of the superannuated female members of the association of which he is pre- sident. The Sociéte des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques has also obtained an unexpected stroke of good luck. In renewing his contract with the committee of the latter society, M. Antoine (director of the theatre of the same name) spontaneously offered to raise the author's royalty from 10 to 12 per cent. Needless to add that this generous proposition was gratefully accepted by M. Sardou, president of the society. The “ Patrie ” of the above celebrated drama- tist will be one of the first plays performed in the new Comédie Française, which is expected to open about Dec. 29. The building will be lit by 2500 electric lamps, which are reported to give a light 25 per cent. stronger than that which formerly illuminated the scene of this historic building. POPULAR PLAYS. Meantime the “ Aiglon” of M. Edmond Rostand (Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt) is enjoying the phenomenal success which usually attends that famous author's productions. Its receipts have already surpassed two million francs, show- ing an average of 10,373 francs 15 cents per performance. M. Rostand has recently quitted Paris in accordance with his physician's advice, in order to recuperate his health by a temporary residence at Cambo-les-Bains. The respective revival of “ Le Rêve" of M. Louis Gallet (Opéra Comique), adapted from M. Zola's celebrated novel of the same name, and of the “Demi Vierges ” of M. Marcel Prévost (Athénée Theatre), have likewise been drawing crowded houses. M. Bruneau, the “innovator and iconoclast who has proscribed the cavatina and arioso," is responsible for the superb music which accompanies the former play. He is also the ardent friend and disciple of M. Zola, for whom he avows “an unbounded admiration and a filial affection.” “It is by reading Zola's works that I have understood my vocation," he remarked on one occasion. “It is Zola who made me com- prehend that it was possible to attempt in music what he has himself realised in literature.” The first performance of the “ Assommoir” of the latter author is announced for November i at the Porte-Saint-Martin theatre. M. Marcel Prévost, the author of the “Demi Vierges," is one of the most popular writers in Paris. None have better understood, or more finely portrayed, the mysteries of the complex heart and mind of the Parisienne fin de siècle. As a psychological vivisectionist of the feminine mind he occupies a unique position in French literature. M. Bourget analyses the past and present, while M. Prévost develops the types of the future.  ## p. 104 (#144) ############################################ 104 THE AUTHOR. A MORTUARY PARAGRAPH. writer over the minds of his readers. Under Three deaths have been deplored in literary these circumstances it is not surprising that the circles during the past month :- latest volume of the “ Oeuvres complètes (1.) That of M. Adolphe Hatzfield, “ docteur d’Alphonse Daudet ” (issued by M. A. Houssiaux) ès lettres ” and professor of rhetoric at the Louis should be reported as having a brisk sale. It is le-Grand College, who had the happiness to survive cleverly illustrated by M. Dawant. Alphonse until the publication of his monumental achieve Daudet particularly insisted on the necessity of ment, “ Le Dictionnaire de la langue Française,” absolute exactitude in the reproduction of a which has recently been awarded a Grand Prix personage in print, “jusqu à la couleur des by the Exhibition commissioners. At the date cheveux, à la forme du nez, à un tic, à une when he commenced this work (in collaboration grimace qui semblent nécessaires, indispensables with MM. Thomas and Darmesteter), M. Hatz. à la silhouette !” Nature—that marvellous artist field counted on finishing it in three years. The -in accentuating a character (so he asserted) com- undertaking, however, proved more arduous than pleted the physical by the moral in such a manner be anticipated. Nearly thirty years have expired that the least modification appeared a trickery. between the commencement and conclusion of this The individual type carries with him son mobilier, Herculean labour, begun in 1870. M. Hatzfield, ses vêtements, sa manière, tout son cadre! who was of Hebrew origin, had attained the It is this absolute fidelity to nature, this mature age of seventy-five years. masterly reproduction of outline and colouring (2.) Likewise of Hebrew origin was the gentle united to a poetical imagination, which have won poet Louis Ratisbonne, who died at the ancient Alphonse Daudet the high place he occupies Palais de Luxembourg (Palais du Senat), where among modern French writers. he filled the post of librarian. Colleague and Two new busts have, likewise, been voted by friend of Leconte de Lisle, Charles Edmond. the Société des Gens de Lettres. The first to Anatole France, Albert Sorel, Jules Janin, and a M. E. Hamel, whose efforts have greatly benefited host of other celebrities; author of “ La Comédie the society; the second to M. Emile Richebourg, Enfantine.” “ Les Petites Femmes." ~ Les Petits the popular novelist. The statue of Balzac Hommes," “ Les Figures Jeunes," “ Les Six (modelled by Falquière) will shortly be erected in Alsaciennes," and other poems of merit, he still the Place du Palais Royal, in front of the counted among his proudest distinctions that of Ministère des Finances. being the friend and testamentary executor of Alfred de Vigny, and the editor of the latter's BULLETINS DE SANTÉ. two posthumous works respectively entitled Mme. Juliette Adam has recovered her usual Les Destinées” and “ Le Journal d'un Poète.” health, and is now intent on launching a new fort- In his own last testament (dated Feb. 15, 1900) nightly publication entitled Parole Française à Louis Ratisbonne directed that his mortal l'étranger, in which she proposes dealing with remains should be incinerated and placed in an foreign politics and other interesting topics. urn surmounted by a stela. He further added Previous to her temporary retirement, Mme. that if this urn were taken to the Montmartre Adam occupied the post of editress of the cemetery and placed as near as possible to the Nouvelle Revue during a period of twenty years. tomb of his friend and benefactor, the great poet M. Henri de Regnier, who has been suffering Alfred de Vigny, his shade would rest content from congestion of the lungs, is reported con- (3.) His unfortunate brother-poet, Gabriel valescent. His illness is attributed to overwork, Vicaire, generally known as the author of and the fatigues incurred during his American “ Émaux Bressans," died in a maison de santé in trip. According to the New York papers, M. Montsouris Park, aged fifty-two years. Highly Gaston Deschamps will be the next French appreciated by his literary comrades, his best pro lecturer at the Harvard University, under whose ductions remained comparatively unknown to the auspices he will deliver eight lectures on “Le multitude. He was also the author of several Théâtre Contemporain.” M. Deschamps proposes successful plays and of a satirical work entitled leaving Paris in the beginning of February and “Les Déliquescences d'Adoré Floupette," which returning about the middle of May, employing enjoyed great popularity. the intervening time in lecturing in the principal American universities. M. ALPHONSE DAUDET. The large number of subscriptions already New Books. received by the Société des Gens de Lettres for Among interesting publications of the month the erection of an Alphonse Daudet monument will be found :-“ Études sur l'Esthétique Musi- shows the influence still wielded by the defunct cale,” by M. Ch. Grandmougin, a volume com-  ## p. 105 (#145) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. · 105 mencing with the Ancient Greeks and ending with the great French and German composers of our own day; a volume of soliloquies entitled “Doléances,” by Jehan Rictus, a work suitable for those readers who do not disdain “ le spec- tacle des plus hideux bas-fonds sociaux”; “Corridas de Toros," by M. D. Cialdine, a book whose title sufficiently explains its subject (Société libre d'édition des Gens de Lettres); “ Sérénissime," by M. Ernest La Jeunesse, a highly improbable narrative reputed to be a roman à clef (chez Charpentier); “ Croquis d'outre-Manche," being the outcome of the obser- vations and investigations nade for that purpose by M. Hector France during his stay in England; and “ La Trilogie d'Amour,” a posthumous poem edited by the family of a deceased young poet and painter of great promise, M. Marin Follet. DARRACOTTE SCOTT. that the writer would try again. He wrote soon after reporting renewed failure, and proposed to publish the volume himself if the author would take £15 worth of orders for the book at 3s. 6d. and guarantee another £15 in the event of the sales to the public not amounting to so much. He obtained a third sum of money out of the author for alterations and additious. The book came out. Nobody bought a copy, and Mr. Morgan is now threatening Mr. N. with legal proceedings for the recovery of £15. Iu other words, he wants to get altogether £35 for the book. The editor of Truth says that he has seen the book, and taken estimates of the cost of production, and that £25 would fully pay the cost of an edition of 500 copies. But has he printed and bound 500 copies ? Probably he has printed and bound about 100 - the unfortunate author taking £15 worth, or eighty-six copies. Truth proceeds to point out that the whole trans- action is a swindle. The author has been induced NOTES AND NEWS. to believe that there will be no profits until £30 worth has been sold. But there will then already IT is now eight years since the exposure by be a profit in the publisher's hands. Next, the book 1 Truth of a gang who preyed on the credulous never had a chance of making a profitable sale, a by means of a bogus “Literary Association” thing which Morgan must have i nown very well. led to the trial and conviction of the principals. The idea that a collection of trifles by an unknown The leader, one Morgan, was sentenced to eight author will sell at all is ridiculous. years penal servitude, the severity of the sentence marking the heinousness of the offence. Morgan is now reported to be out again, and to have I quite agree with every word. I would, how- returned without any delay to his old courses. ever, point out that another form of the trick, He is said to have started another “ Literary' which we have exposed over and over again, is society. Membership means a guinea a year: quite as dishonest. The way of it is this (for in return the “ proprietor” kindly offers to the hundredth time): A writer sends his MS. to place the MSS. of authors before publishers one of the worthy merchants who live by this “who pay from £50 to £200 for reliable and similar methods. He receives back a reply- three - volume novels.” Observe that since almost always in these words : his seclusion the three-volume novel has become “ Our reader reports so favourably of your extinct; as they do not supply the daily and MS. that we are induced to offer you the follow- weekly papers in the mansion where Morgan ing favourable terms. You to pay us £75 (or spent his eight years he may be excused for not any other fancy figure)-half on signing the agree- knowing the fact. However, the “proprietor” ment, and the other half on receiving the first saves himself by offering to place other and proofs (or some other time). This will constitute shorter stories, music, paintings, &c. He also your sole liability. We will undertake all future proposes to found a magazine for the contri- editions to meet the demand, and we will divide butions of his members. This is all in the old the profits, giving you two-thirds and taking one- style co inuch admired by the judge in the year third to ourselves.” 1892. Truth has begun a new exposure of this Sometimes they offer the author apparently worthy. It gives the particulars of one case, much better terms, and they generally end with which is as follows. these words : “We shall be glad to have your acceptance of this offer, and to put the work in A member of this precious society named N. hand at once. We have proved that the month of confided a MS. to the proprietor. After a short is the best time of the year for publishing." delay, he received a note speaking in high praise of the work, lamenting the “blindness ” of pub- lishers, and stating that it had so far failed, but  ## p. 106 (#146) ############################################ 106 THE AUTHOR. Observe that there are two or three houses literature may bring about the manufacture of books like which do hardly any other kind of publishing, and the manufacture of bicycles, and their distribution by commercial travellers like the other products of the mana- several which try the same game. The swindle is facturers. In that case the publisher will have just the the same as Morgan's. They lead the author to same standing in the business world as any other manu- believe that there will be further editions, and facturer, and will not impose upon the public any longer as that there will be profits. Now they know per. a necessity in the literary field.” fectly well that the MS. is in almost every case One remarks that the writer considers 10 per pure rubbish, and absolutely certain not to sell any cent. the general royalty paid to authors. But copies to speak of ; that there will be no future the English author in America does a great deal editions ; and that there can be no profits. How better than that, while with us a 10 per cent. can we bring these creatures to justice ? royalty could only be offered either to unknown writers or under some exceptional conditions. What is said about a time limit is well worth There is at the office of the Society a collection consideration. The method has been adopted of letters of this kind in which every month, by some authors already. But there is a danger except one, is in turn alleged to be the best time which must be guarded against. The publisher, of the whole year for publishing. even under a time agreement, claims the right of selling off what remains. He may even, unless prevented, issue a new edition immediately before Another merry trickster's game is this. The the termination of his time, and go on selling publisher makes the author guarantee a sale of this edition until it has run out. so many hundred copies in so many months-say 400 in six months—or the difference between the number sold and that number. Sometimes he Literature (Oct. 27) reports that in Belgium, offers a small royalty on a second edition. But under the title “Ligue pour le Livre Belge," a he never says anything about the first edition. society is being founded which, by means of sub- There is nothing to prevent him, if the book scriptions, will assure a regular reading public should have a circulation, from making his first in their own country to Belgian authors. The edition any number he pleases : the author will new league will supplement the lending library, have nothing out of it. And suppose he chooses and enable the public to buy new works more to begin advertising six months after the work is frequently. It has secured the patronage and nominally produced. What then? Who is to co-operation of “ nearly all the foremost men of stop him ? Morgan! Hapless Morgan! It is literature and art.” an unequal world. Thy fate was hard. Skilly and a narrow cell and an unæsthetic prison Two members of the Committee of Management chapel, while thy brother in tricks and traps goes of the Society of Authors have been elected to attired in broadcloth to a lovely church and, the new Parliament. Mr. Gilbert Parker won after the service, home to roast beef and pudding! Gravesend for the Conservative party by a majority of 738 over the Liberal candidate; and Mr. Henry Norman captured for the Liberals The following is an extract from a letter by a the constituency of Wolverhampton (South), distinguished American author:- gaining a majority of 169 votes over his Liberal "I certainly do not think our own publishers, the best of Unionist opponent. Both gentlemen enter them, have been as grasping and greedy as yours, but they Parliament for the first time. Let us wish them bave fallen into the habit of considering the author as their own private property, to be exploited for the pecuniary all the success that they can desire in this new benefit of the publisher. As you know, our pretty uniform field. practice in this country is for the author to receive 10 per WALTER BESANT. cent. on the retail price of all books sold. Some of the publishers reckon this to be equal to half profits, and I fancy that in rendering the half-profit account they would make it come to about 10 percent. I think our main difficulty here would be met largely if we could return to the old practice of letting the publisher print a certain number of books or for a certain period of time, and let the author resume control at the end of it. Doubtless the publisher is a necessary factor in a country the size of oars, and I see at present no way of eliminating him, especially as the bookseller himself has practically disappeared as an intel. ligent agent and become a mere dealer in Yankee notions and periodicals; but the present commercial tendency in  ## p. 107 (#147) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 107 THE FOUR WINDS. work. “ Cheap and Nasty " is the burden of the song. Wind of the North, Now, sir, although all may be “fair in love and Wind of the Norland onows, war,” the commonest of “ Cheap Jacks” would Wind of the winnowed skies, and sbarp, clear stars, -- scorn the idea of comparing his wares with those Blow cold and keen across the naked bills, of his pal over the way. Is it not enough that And crisp the lowland pools with crystal films, And blar the casement squares with glittering ice, his own are dirt cheap at double the price? And But go not near my love. yet, from some singular oversight, you permit a Wind of the West, regular advertiser, as aforesaid, not only to vaunt Wind of the few, far clouds, the superiority of his typing over that of a Wiod of the gold and crimson sunset lands, brother struggler for a livelihood, but to vilify Blow fresh and pare across the peaks and plaine, the latter's unseen fruit of toil as necessarily And broaden the blae spaces of the beavens, inaccurate and illiterate. Why? Because the And sway the grasses and the mountain pines, But let my dear one rest. price of 8d. per 1000 is ruinous to his market, Wind of the East, forsooth! Perhaps this Academical typer is not Wind of the sunrise Beas, aware that even our self-willed Kaiser of yore, Wind of the clinging inists and gray, harsh rains,-- Harry VIII., egregiously failed in an attempt to Blow moist and chill across the wastes of brine, regulate the price of labour. Who, then, is And shut the sun out, and tbe moon and stars, this rival to the most thorough-going ruler And lash the boughs against the dripping eaves, Yet keep thou from my love. England ever had ? Now it so happens that a corresponding crime But thou, sweet wind ! Wind of the fragrant South, --that of poverty-has brought me into contact Wind from the bowers of jasmine and of rose, - and fellowship with this daring interloper in the Over magnolia blooms and lilied lakes public market with the following result :- And flowering forests come with dewy wings, (1) Being an invalid and addicted to pencil And stir the petals at her feet, and kiss scribbling on any available scrap of paper, often The low mound where she lies. in a style of kakography that would make the CHARLES HENRY LUDERS. cleverest compositor's hair stand on end-the The above poem appears in Mr. E. C. Stedman's typist's copy has been promptly returned without “ American Anthology,” a long-expected work a flaw, quite a picture of delight. This pencilled which has just been published in the United scrawl with the typed copy is a too favourable States. We take it from the Evening Post of case in point. New York, which refers to the poem as “an (2) I have further treated my poor, disabled instance of the fine forgotten things” that this brother tu transcribing work from books, involv. Anthology brings to light again. ing hieroglyphic references here, there, and every- where; and it has been returned executed with intelligent skill. (3) I have sent him undecipherable letters from CORRESPONDENCE. learned scholars, and received them accurately and sensibly rendered into legible English, and all without a grumble. 1.-“ LIVE AND LET LIVE.” Every atom of this I can prove in detail, and I IT NOWING how well you merit the famous am willing, on my friend's behalf, to challenge a n motto, sans peur et sans reproche, I have competition by way of earnest of good faith as full confidence in submitting a point of well as faith in a gentleman personally unknown business etiquette to your notice. I refer to the to me. I have, however, heard that he is one of newly appointed order of gens d'industrie that, those heroes of industry early struck down in the for the sake of shortness and accuracy, may be battle of life by rheumatic fever, and yet toiling called Typists or Typers-poetically authors' along, cheerfully and peacefully, to keep the wolf blessings. from the door-suffering under but one jarring Naturally vour journal is a favourite organ for discord arising from the croaking of a jealous and “ bold advertisement,” and equally so every probably prosperous rival. J. S. LAURIE. vendor of bis wares is entitled to vaunt their un- paralleled excellence and price to his or her heart's content. But it seems to me the bounds of fair II.—WHAT IS A Fair Price ? competition are transgressed when pains are “A Typist " sends me, as a proof that 8d. per taken by one of your clients, actually without 1000 words is a common charge for copying ordi- verification, to depreciate the character of a rival's nary MS., six advertisements, cut from London  ## p. 108 (#148) ############################################ 108 THE AUTHOR. daily papers, all offering work at that price. -turned a fact into fiction in the following Another correspondent asks that The Author extract :- would name a fair price. This is impossible, “There is in London what is called a Society manifestly. In all kinds of work, competition, of Authors, which is supposed to resemble the supply, and demand regulate prices. I should Société des Gens de Lettres in Paris, but the think that handwriting would have something to English society appears to be chiefly an associa- do with the “fair price” of typing. For instance, tion for the multiplication and publication of the handwriting of Dean Stanley was almost inferior works, and its authority on literature is illegible. His friend, the late Sir George Grove, nil.” put a great deal of his work through the Press. It is a pity that Ouida's explorations in the and was, I believe, the only man who was able, land of facts could only induce her to indite this and that with difficulty, to read the MS. His monstrous fiction. Comment is unnecessary. writing resembled the movements of a fly rescued ISIDORE G. ASCHER. from the ink. Surely, with such writing special terms would be required. I can only advise the obvious course that typewriters should continue V.–For Nothing. to charge a price that affords them a fair return Does it not seem unfair that the rejected work for their work as long as competition allows them of amateur authors is yet so frequently used by to get it, and that writers who have every reason the editors of journals who set literary competi- to be satisfied with the work done for them tions ? should not strive to get it done. at starvation Woman, a paper which had a reputation con. prices. Above and beyond all others, writing siderably higher than that of any other feminine persons ought to study the needs and necessities weekly, now offers a competition for a “storyette.” of those who work for them. W. B. The final rule asserts that the editor “reserves the right to use any story sent in for competition that does not win a prize, as well as the prize- III.-—“ Young" FICTION WRITERS AND THE winner's." WAR FUND. Surely the least that can be done with rejected Would you allow me through your columns to MSS. is to destroy them, and that any decent thank those ladies and gentlemen who replied to editor should regard them as serviceable free my letter (re the above heading) in the May “copy” is as unscrupulous a mode of business number? A large number of contributions to as any other method of obtaining goods without the proposed volume have now come in-many payment, I venture to think. from well-known writers. Miss W. M. Willis- Swan is kindly assisting me in the compilation of the volume, and together we hope to bring it to a successful issue. I should like all the BOOK AND PLAY TALK. contributors to understand that if the scheme eventually falls through, their MS. will be duly T ORD ROSEBERY has been engaged for returned to them; but the difficulties in our way some time on a study of Napoleon during may necessitate the retention of the contributions the closing years of his life at St. Helena. for some length of time. The result is a volume to be published shortly, Oct. 5, 1900. James BAGNALL-STUBBS. entitled “ Napoleon : The Last Phase." In one of the sixteen chapters Lord Rosebery reviews all the important books on the history of Bona- IV.-Fact versus Fiction. parte. The fiction of Ouida has in its time held me Among the new books about to be issued from spell-bound, and though the popularity of hosts the Oxford University Press are “ The Oxford of modern novels have thrust her particular merits Book of English Verse, 1250-1900," poems chosen aside. the author of “Held in Bondage " can and edited by A. T. Quiller-Couch, in two sizes, still arrest and compel attention. Her romantic one edition being on Oxford India paper; “ An Aights, her byways of adventure in the fields of English Miscellany," presented to Dr. Furnivall the novelist, her compact plots, her ideal heroes, in honour of his seventy-fifth birthday, and con- the charm of her descriptions, and, above all, her tributed to by some fifty authorities in this musical and rich rhetoric--all can still delight country and abroad on philology and early and entertain the present generation. Unfortu. English literature; and “Studies in Foreign nately, however, this authoress, in a passage in Literature,” being the Taylorian lectures, 1889- her “Critical Studies,” has—inadvertently, I hope 1899, delivered by S. Mallarmé, W. Pater, W. P.  ## p. 109 (#149) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. [09 Ker, H. Brown, A. Morel Fatio, E. Dowden, F. W. Rolleston, W. M. Rossetti, P. Bourget, C. H. Herford, and H. Butler Clarke. The same publishers have issued a charming pocket edition of the early poems of Alfred Tennyson, set in very clear type which is easy to read. All lovers of Tennyson will be attracted by the beautiful manner in which it is got up. In consequence of the success of Miss Nora Vynne's book, “The Priest's Marriage,” Mr. Burleigh is trying a new experiment — that of bringing out a cheap edition at 1s., concurrently with a further edition of the six-shilling volume. The cheap edition will be on thin paper, with a ith a pa per cover. From New York comes the intelligence that Mr. W. D. Howells will take charge of the “ Easy Chair Department” (an old feature revived) of Harper's Magazine, to whose publishers, Harper and Brothers, he will become literary adviser. Mr. Howells will also contribute a monthly article on contemporary literary affairs to the North American Review. Mr. Brimley Johnson is just publishing an illustrated volume of verses for schoolroom and nursery by Miss Annie Matheson called “ Snow. flakes and Snowdrops.” The verses of this collection run through a cycle of “ The Seasons,” and are illustrated with three sketches by Mr. F. Carruthers Gould and numerous drawings by Miss Winifred Hartley. Sir Theodore Martin's biography of the late Lady Martin (Miss Helen Faucit) will be pub- lished shortly by Messrs. Blackwood, and is likely to be of singular interest to the theatrical pro- fession. Miss Mary F. S. Hervey has completed an illustrated volume on Holbein's “ Ambassadors," me on Holbein's " Ambassadors.” which will be published soon by Messrs. Bell. Two works which need not be expected for a year or two are in progress. First, Professor Dill is engaged on an historical work dealing with the Flavian and Antonine periods. It will be published by Messrs. Macmillan. Second, Mrs. Paget Toynbee is preparing a new edition of the “ Letters of Horace Walpole,” which will include a great deal of new correspondence. She appeals to the possessors of letters to send them, or copies, to her at Dorney Wood, Buro ham, Bucks. This edition will be published by the Clarendon Press. Mr. Spencer Wilkinson has written, and Mr. Caton Woodville and Mr. Melton Prior have illustrated, a popular history of the South African War, which the Illustrated London News Com. pany is about to issue Mrs. Meynell has contributed an introductory chapter to “The Confessions of St. Augustine," which will be published by Mr. Grant Richards in a few days as the first volume of a new “Religious Life" series. A new volume of verse by Mr. Charles Whit- worth Wynne, entitled “ Songs and Lyrics," will be published shortly by Mr. Grant Richards. Mr. Samuel Gordon has finished his new novel, which he calls “ Sons of the Covenant.” It is a study of the main characteristics which have helped the Jew to his position as a factor in European society. Messrs. Sands will publish it in a few days. Mr. Richard Whiteing's articles on “ Paris of To-Day," which have been appearing in the Century Magazine, will be published shortly in volume form by Mr. Murray. Mr. Henry Spencer Ashbee bequeathed his valuable collection of books to the British Museum. The rarest things in it are the French books printed in small editions for the members of several short-lived “bibliopbile” clubs. Mr. Ashbee, who died at Hawkhurst, Kent, three months ago, was a wealthy City man for whom book-collecting was a hobby. Many of the beautiful French books had been specially illustrated for him by eminent French book artists. An account of Abyssinia by Mr. A. B. Wylde, who knows the country at first hand, will be pub- lished by Messrs. Methuen. lished by Messrs Mr. Joseph Conrad and Mr. Ford Madox Hueffer are joint authors of a novel entitled “The Inheritors,” which Mr. Heinemann is to publish. Mr. J. Ashby Sterry is publishing through Messrs. Sands à volume containing thirty of his papers on all kinds of topics. It will be called “The Bystander ; or, Leaves for the Lazy, Miss L. E. Tiddeman is about to publish “Celia's Conquest” (Chambers, 28. 6d.); “The Apple of His Eye” (Jarrold, 18. 6d.); and “Seeing is Believing” (Nister, 9d.) Naunton Davies, author of “ Chester Cress- well ” and otber novels, has written a comedy entitled “ Foiled,” which has already been pro- duced at Llandilo with success. “Foiled” will be acted in Cardiff in December, and will, it is hoped, later be produced in London. An interesting series of articles is at present appearing in the Genealogical Magazine, on the Royal Descents, and in the recent numbers an attempt has been made to trace out the whole of the living descendants of Mary, Queen Consort of  ## p. 110 (#150) ############################################ 110 THE AUTHOR. France, and Duchess of Suffolk, the younger daughter of King Henry VII. Royal Descents in this country are not uncommon, but nearly all well-known ones are traced from the Plantagenet kings, and a descent from the Princess Mary is seldom put forward. Patience and care, however, demonstrate that the descendants of this princess must be numbered by hundreds. Already No. 300 has been passed, although little more than one- twentieth part of the various lines of descent have been followed up. Amongst those whose names have been included up to the present are: Baroness Kinloss, the heir of line and first in seniority, Earl Temple, the Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Dalkeith, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, the Marchioness of Lothian, Lord Jedburgh, Lady Cameron of Lochiel, Lady Mary Trefusis, the Earl of Courtown, Lord Stopford, Lady Mary Shelley, Lady Grace Bridges, Lady Lily Conyng- ham Greene, Col. J. F. Cust, Lady Hampson, the Earl of Romney, Lady Florence Hare, and many other well-known people. The Spectator in a recent number discusses the fitness of authors to be politicians, and sums up the question as follows :- The modern novelist, in short, is ex hypothesi omniscient; baving largely usurped the function of the dramatist, the preacher, tbe pamphleteer, and the historian, he is bound to krow a good deal about everything, from metaphysics and the higher criticism to the manufacture of tin-tacks or the method of pilchard fishing. Take the question of the bousing of the poor, and where could you find a better expert than Mr. Artbur Morrison ? Or if agricultural de pression were the theme of discussion, who would be better fitted to serve on a committee than Mr. Rider Haggard ? Outside the ranks of trained engineers, wbo would be better equipped to assist the inquiry into the efficiency of machinery-say, water-tube boilers—than Mr. Kipling? Lastly, for sane, stimulating, and businesslike criticism of our military system, where can we look, even among Service membere, for a better and sounder critic tban Dr. Conan Doyle? We are very far from contending that the ability to produce a popular novel is a guarantee of Parlia mentary capacity. But we assert without fear of con. tradiction tbat the preparation involved in the writing of a seriods novel dealing with tbe social problems of the bour constitutes a far better claim to the confidence of the electorate than the equipment of the company promoter or the professional politician. Mr. George Grossmith, jun., and Mr. Yorke Stephens have written a comic opera, “ The Gay Pretenders,” which will be produced at the Globe Theatre on Nov. 10. The music is by Mr. Claude Nugent. When the run of “For Auld Lang Syne" is terminated, Mr. Henry Hamilton's version of “The Three Musketeers” will be produced at the Lyceum by Mr. Mollison, with Mr. Lewis Waller in his old part of D'Artagnan. Mr. Waller will subsequently appear in a revival of “King Henry V.” at the same theatre. During Mr. F. R. Benson's Shakespearian season at the Comedy eight plays will be produced (including “Coriolanus "), a fortnight being given to each. The season lasts from Dec. 19 to April 8. Sir Henry Irving, in opening the new Grand Tneatre and Opera House at Woolwich on Oct. 18, remarked that a well-conducted theatre was a necessary adjunct to true civic life. Public opinion in regard to the stage was governed on the whole, he believed, by a robust common sense which rejected the notion that the theatre, if allowed to exist at all, should be a place where human nature must not be exhibited. “Patience” is to be revived at the Savoy on Nor. 7, and will be played until the new comic opera by Sir Arthur Sullivan and Mr. Basil Hood is ready. Mr. Hermann Vezin was entertained at dinner by the Pen and Pencil Club of Glasgow on the occasion of his jubilee as an actor. Lord Provost Chisholm presided. Mr. Savile Clarke's adaptation of " Alice in Wonderland,” with music by Mr. Walter Slaughter, will be revived at the Vaudeville Theatre about the beginning of December. Mrs. W. K. Clifford's play, “The Likeness of the Night,” was successfully produced at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, on Oct. 18 by Mr. and Mrs. Kendal. Mr. R. C. Carton, in an interview which appears in Cassell's Saturday Journal for Oct. 10, niakes the following statement in reply to the question “Is the aspiring author boycotted by managers ?? I strongly resent the folly that is talked about the diffi- culties a young writer experiences in securing a hearing. It has always been a struggle to succeed at first, and it always will be ; but in these days it is so obviously to the advan- tage of the managers to break up the limited area of dramatic writing that they are very keenly on the lookout for anything that is worth having. The trouble is that there is so much competition that managers have to make their arrangements ahead, and, as you can perceive for yourself, they can't very well trust entirely to untried authors. They go to the tried man because tbey feel more safe in so doing. If an individaal's leg is to be taken off, be engages, if he can afford to do so, the best and most expensive surgeon, even though others might perform the operation equally well, and certainly at a cheaper price. What he wants is to minimise risk. Therefore he tries to pat the handcuffs on Fate.  ## p. 111 (#151) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. III BOOKS AND REVIEWS. (In these columns notes on books are given from reviews which carry weight, and are not, so far as can be learned, logrollers.) Among the books issued in October were: LIFE AND LETTERS OF THOMAS HENRY HUXLEY, by his son Leonard Huxley (Macmillan, 308. net); MEMOIRS AND CORRE. SPONDENCE OF COVENTRY PATMORE, by Basil Champneys (Bell, 328. net); and OLIVER CROMWELL, by John Morley (Macmillan, 108. net). THE GREAT BOER WAR, by A. Conan Doyle (Smith, Elder, 78. 6d.), reviews the whole course of the war. The Daily Chronicle says that “Dr. Conan Doyle has written about as satisfactory and sound a book as one could imagine on a subject so recent, so vital, and so distracted with controversy." The narrative is told " always in vigorous, often in stirring, language," says the Times; while the Daily News pronounces the book " a masterly performance." “He tells his story," says the Daily Telegraph, “ in vivid chapters which make the pulse of the reader beat faster as he reads.' IAN HAMILTON'S MARCH, by Winston Churchill (Long. mans, 68.), is a narrative of the marching and fighting done by General Ian Hamilton's column after it moved out of Bloemfontein on April 22. “Mr. Churchill's writing is highly inspiriting,” says the Spectator, which also speaks of “the great picture which he unrolls before us” in this book. - This is Mr. Churchill's strength,” says the Daily Chronicle, “ that he recognises the interest of his subject to be sufficient, and is content simply and clearly to set it in array before yon.” “Of the complicated operations he gives an excellent description,” says the Daily Telegraph, "and supplements his tactical explanations by some very good sketch maps.” THE SIEGE OF MAFEKING, by Angus Hamilton (Methuen, 68.), “is another in Messrs. Methuen's excellent series of books dealing with special events and periods of the war, and it is likely," says the Daily Chronicle, “to be as popular as the rest." For the most part the story Mr. Hamilton tells is a record of what he himself saw and endured. “The hard prosaic features of the fight, the endless tedium of waiting for relief, and the monotony of semi-starvation, with a hundred minor points of life in a besieged town which are apt to be forgotten in the glamour of ultimate success, are presented forcibly to us,” says the Daily Telegraph, " in this picturesque and truthful record.” How WE ESCAPED FROM PRETORIA, by Captain Aylmer Haldane (Blackwood, 18.), tells of a feat which, says the Spectator, " is among the most brilliant exploits of the war.” “And after the unfailing courage of the three determined to escape, that which is pleasantest in this amazing narrative is the unselfish and never failing loyalty of those who helped their companions on the road to liberty." TOMMY AND GRIZEL, by J. M. Barrie (Cassell, 68.), “ is a delightful book," says the Daily News, " full of its author's nameless charm-his elusive and ethereal humour.” “It is a book of extraordinary power and even of extraordinary beauty," says the Daily Chronicle," the work of a poet and a psychologist born and bred.” Grizel, says the Times, is “as true and lovable a woman as novelist ever created." QUISANTÉ, by Anthony Hope (Methuen, 68.) " is a study," says the Daily News, “worthy of one of the most brilliant of our living novelists.” “The story does not, in Mr. Hope's earlier manner, flit pleasantly along the surface of things, but planges rather into the depths, into complex feelings and emotions." The principal figure in the book is a successful politician. The Daily Chronicle pronounces it “ Anthony Hope's best.” The Spectator describes the story as “the apotheosis of the brilliant oad.” “Mr. Hope is never dull,” says the Times ; "his electioneering is the very thing, and his minor people... are quite de- lightful.” THE LANE THAT HAD NO TURNING, by Gilbert Parker (Heinemann, 68 ) " deals mainly,” says the Daily News, “with his favourite and happy hunting-ground of French Canada, Pontiac, the idyllic Pontiac, the well-beloved Seigneury, with an accompaniment of those charming rustics and village characters so well-known already to this author's readers. The first story in the volume is a really masterly piece of work, a dramatic plot excellently well imagined and carried out.” “Not even in "The Seats of the Mighty,'” says the Times, “ does Mr. Parker suggest such an impression of his strength as in the most important of these stories ... the other stories are slighter and less ambitious, but scarcely less impressive.” OLD FIRES AND PROFITABLE GHosts, by A. T. Qailler- Couch (Cassell, 68.) is praised by the Daily Chronicle for its purpose and workmanship. "A careless estimate might call it & volume of ghost stories, but as that phrase is popularly accepted, it falls quite short of a description.” "Mr. Couch's method is largely his own, and his toach is so simple and direct as to divest the other side of death of almost everything that is terrible, and to present it in a relation to life amenable, humane and helpful.” “Without exactly making one's flesh creep,” says the Daily News, “these stories produce a delightful yet ancanny effect of magic and of the incomprehensible." JOSEPH GLANVILL: A Study in English Thought and Letters of the Seventeenth Century, by Ferris Greenslet (Macmillan, 6s.) tells us, says the spectator, “all of Glan- vill which it is possible to know, and that is not very much. Of few English writers of equal power do we know so little. But Dr. Greenslet has done something more asefal than gossip about a dead author; he has related him to the general intellectual movement of the time, and has there. fore written a valuable chapter in the history of English philosophic thought.” The Daily Chronicle calls it “a creditable and interesting book, which is specially deserving of readers to-day, when the Cambridge Platonists are in greater vogue than they have ever been since the publica- tion of 'John Inglesant.'”. THE STORY OF FLORENCE, by Edmund G. Gardner (Dent, 48. 6d. net.), “is not only a history," says the Spectator, “but a guide which every tourist should take with him to Florence ... for it will bring succinctly under his survey the crowded and glorious history of Florence, and will show the conditions under which her literature and art were evolved.” “Mr. Gardner has done wisely,” says the Daily Chronicle, " in confining himself to an account of the most salient events and the most striking personalities.” . THE MEN OF THE MERCHANT SERVICE, by Frank T. Ballon (Smith, Elder, 78. 6d.), is described in the sub-title as “ being the polity of the Mercantile Marine for Long. shore Readers." Mr. Arnold White, reviewing it in the Daily Chronicle, declares that “ Mr. Bullen has done good national service in writing this book," and that “ he whose experience has burnt into his soul the realities of sea life on a British merchant ship.” The Globe remarks that “it is not often that a work so thoroughly practical is put before the public." JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, the Man and the Statesman, by N. Murrell Marris (Hutchinson, 108. net), is a “fairly interesting ” compilation, says Literature. “It is not, and does not claim to be, critical.” Miss Marris acknowledges man  ## p. 112 (#152) ############################################ I 12 THE AUTHOR. in her preface the aid which she bas received from the Chamberlain family, and, says the Daily Chronicle, “this elaborate study of the present Secretary of State for the Colonies has all the accuracy and personal interest which might be expected in the circumstances. “The book will serve a useful purpose, although," says the Daily News, “it cannot fail to be treated as controversial by those who cannot accept the exaltation of Mr. Chamberlain's colonial policy.” THIRTEEN STORIES, by R. B. Cunninghame Graham (Heinemann, 6s.), are described by the author as “sketches, stories, studies, or what you call them,” and the Daily Chronicle, after giving a few quotations to show the spirit of the book, says tbat“ po patoby quotations can do justice to its proud and fastidious rebellion against the common- place." Literature describes" Rothenberger's Wedding ” as an amusing satiric sketch, “ La Clemenza de Tito" a well. observed study," but among the lesser stories of the thirteen we like best the account of how Amarabat, the runner, failed to take 'The Gold Fish' from Rabat to the Sultan at Tafileh. This has the true fatalistio note of the East and is told with exquisite skill.” CUNNING MURRELL, by Arthur Morrison (Methuen, 68.) -Literature says of this book : “Hadleigh and its neigh- boarhood had at the time of the story overlooked the passage of time and still held to the ideas of an earlier period. Thas Cunding Murrell could exercise those queer arts of his which awed the simple country folk. He himself believed in his occult powers. . . . He puts apon Dorrily Thorn's aunt, Mrs. Martin, the stigma of witchcraft. In discovering how this tragedy works out the reader will have perused & very successful and interesting example of the modern novel.” THE BRASS BOTTLE, by F. Anstey (Smith, Elder, 68.).— “In his logical conduct of an absurd proposition, in his fantastic handling of the supernatural, in his brisk dialogue and effective characterisation, Mr. Anstey,” says the Spec. tator, “ has once more shown himself to be an artist and a hamourist of uncommon and enviable merit." Blackwood's Magazine says " Mr. Anstey ban not written anything in better heart or in higher spirits since he presented a delighted public with Mr. Baltitude.” MOTHER-SISTER, by Edwin Pugh (Hurst and Blackett, 68.).—“Mr. Pugh studies poor-life as Mr. Morrison and Mr. Pett Ridge study it,” says the Daily Chronicle," and he distinctly deserves to be in the same olass with them. This is a somewbat new thing, this humorous study of poverty ; it has great uses ; it presents pathos without mawkishness, and makes us feel none the less the need for pity.” THE NEW ORDER, by Oswald Crawfurd (Richards, 68.). _“The argument,” says the Times, “is that although there may be wealth in free trade, it would be cheaper in the end to revive agricultural prosperity as a guarantee against an international blockade. There is a great deal of good argu- ment and sound sense in the book.” “Mr. Crawfurd's heroes are no effeminate dreamers, they are all athletes and emphatically men of action.” THE INFIDEL, by M. E. Braddon (Simpkin, 68.), is a tale of George II.'s day, the heroine of which " is the daaghter by an Italian mother of an anfrocked priest, a hireling Grub Street scribe, who has imbued her with his own Voltairean scepticism, but failed to impair the inherent nobility of her character.” The story is admirably "staged," says the Spectator, and wiss Braddon's style "leaves nothing to be desired in terseness and lucidity.” “The old ability," says the Daily Chronicle, " to set forth, with a richness of cursory information surpassed by no writer of fiction, apparently any story in any period, is still in evidence.” WINEFRED, by S. Baring-Gould (Methaen, 68.), “is a capital story," says the Times, “ full as usual of violent sensations, admirable in its vivid descriptions of the cliff scenery, and with more humour than most of its pre- decessors." SERVANTS OF Sin, by J. Bloundelle-Burton (Methuen, 68.), “ amply justifies its title," observes the Times. The date of the story is the Regency during the minority of Louis XV. “We are introduced to the most villainous society imaginable. Mr. Bloondelle-Barton takes a less lenient view of the Regent Orleans than Dumas, and he has depicted the reign of the roués in the most larid colours. It is a capital story nevertheless.” The Spectator says that “ by readers who like the costume-romance' it will be pro- nounced a very good specimen of this class of novel.” THE COURTESY DAME, by R. Marray Gilchrist (Heine- mann, 68.), is “decidedly good reading,” says the Daily Telegraph. Mr. Gilchrist, says the Daily Chronicle, “ still keeps as in and about the Peakland district of Derbyshire, with which and with whose inhabitants he bas already made us so familiar.” “This time we are introduced to a rather loftier level than usual. “The Coartesy Dame' is a well- written and interesting novel.” LIFE OF SIR JOHN FOWLER, by Thomas Mackay (Murray, 168.).--"Of a life so full of interesting and im portant action,” says the Daily Chronicle, “this memoir, excellent as it is, is only too short.” “The life of a great engineer,” says the Daily News, “ cannot be expected to be rich in romantic and picturesque incident, but Mr. Mackay has at least furnished in a sober and business-like style abundance of interesting details." FIRST FRENCH BOOK FOR CHILDREN, by Professor Victor Spiers (Simpkin, 28. 6d. or 38.), “has the ad. vantage,” says the Educational Times, “ of being written directly for English children, and not adapted from the German.” “Professor Spiers," says the Journal of Education, “who has long been known as one of the most successful teachers of higher French, bas here attempted the humbler, but harder, part of nursery governess. Nursery rhymes for repetition, music, simple conversations, and pictures galore --all these combine to make a most attractive book.” The Daily Chronicle observes that “if modern teaching is to be effective, the reform must begin with the very foundations," and adds that the book "may prove a golden bridge from the old grammar drill and construing book to the new rational method.” The Guardian approves of the book with its “ minimum of grammar and tedious rules," and its abundance of “wise advice to teachers.” “ It is,” it adds, “a most interesting experiment in text-book construction, and we trust it may be tried.” E AUTHOR." SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. • • • • • • Front Page ... ... £4 0 0 Other Pages ... ... 3 0 0 Hall of a Page ... ... ... 1 10 0 Quarter of a Page ... 015 0 Eighth of a Page ... 0 7 6 Single Column Advertisements per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion ... ... ... per 2000 3 00 Reductions made for a Series of six or Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Office, 4, Portugal-street London, W.O.  ## p. 112 (#153) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. TELLTERARY AGENCJA SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, G. RADFORD. 3, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. H. PERRIS. THE DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS | AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Contains hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Sizs, 38. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that THB LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by fire or otherwise. 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PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDs from negatives by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, ls., 13. 6d., 28., 28. cd. Complete list, post free. DARLINGTON AND CO., LLANGOLLEN. STIKPHAST PASTE STICKS TYPEWRITING BY CLERGYMAN'S DAUGHTER AND ASSISTANTS. MISS E. M. SIKES The West Kensington Typewriting Agency, 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith, W. (ESTABLISHED 1893.) Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Ugual Ternis. Legal and General Copying. Typewritten Circulars by Copying Process. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. TYPEWRITING MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. (ESTABLISHED 1883.) Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 18. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or week, French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations supplied. References kindly permitted to Sir Walter Besant; also to Messrs. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House. Norfolk-street, Strand, W.C. (The London Academy for Gentlewomen) DEPOT for LITERARY WORK, PLAYS, NOVELS, PARAGRAPHS, or SHORT STORIES Quickly and accurately Typewritten. The work of inesperienced authors read, punctuated, and revised. Literal translations from or into French, German, Italian, and Spanish. All work promptly. accurately, and intelligently done. Educated Gentlewomen can be employed by the day or hour from this Academy to Typewrite from Dictation or from Shorthand Notes. Secretary, HELENA SADLER, REGENT HOUSE, REGENT STREET:  ## p. 112 (#154) ############################################ vi ADVERTISEMENTS. ONLY 500 COPIES PRINTED. Royal 8vo., with Maps and Plates, price ONE GUINEA. Now ready, price 2s. 6d., cloth. A FLYING VISIT TO THE AMERICAN CONTINENT. WITH NOTES BY THE WAY. By F. DALE PAWLE. BEING A NARRATIVE OF THE PALMER SEARCH EXPEDITION, 1882, 1883, Conducted by Sir Charles Warren. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings E.C. BY Capt. ALFRED E. HAYNES (ROYAL ENGINEERS). WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY WALTER BESANT. * The story of the vigorous efforts made, against terrible odds, to find the missing Professor and his companions is clearly and ably set forth. Then comes the finding of the ghastly remains and the patiently relentless following up of clues in tracing out the various Arabs implicated in the murder. The adventurous part of the book is as interesting as a tale by Stevenson; nor is what might be termed the personal part less absorbing."-Publishers' Circular. Demy 8vo., cloth boards, price 109. 6d. IN NEW SOUTH AFRICA. Travels in the Transvaal and Rhodesia. With Map and Twenty-six Illustrations. By H. LINCOLN TANGYE. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Crown 8vo., Cloth Boards, Silver Lettering, Price 6s. A LADY OF WALES. CONTENTS. Introductory. PART I. CHAPTER I.-The Land of Gold and the Way there. II.-Across Desert and Veldt. III.-- Johannesburg the Golden. IV.-A Transvaal Coach Journey. V.-Natal: the South African Garden. 1.-Ostracised in Africa. Home with the Swallows. "A Story of the Siege of Chester, 1645." Rev. VINCENT J. LEATHERDALE, M.A. BY THE PART II.-RAMBLES IN RHODESIA, CHAPTER I.-Eendragt Maakt Magt. II.-Into the Country of Lobengula. III.-The Trail of War. IV.-Goldmining, Ancient and Modern, , V.-Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. VI.-To Northern Mashonaland. VII.-Primitive Art. The Misadventures of a Wagon. Index. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. In demy 8vo., price 12s. net, by post 12s. Bd. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. Six Months in a Syrian Monastery. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, price 2s. 6d. A HANDBOOK OF Being the Record of a Visit to the Headquarters of the Syrian Church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis, or Devil Worshippers of Mosul, and El Jilwah, their Sacred Book. By OSWALD H. PARRY, B.A. (Of Magdalen College, Oxford.) Illustrated by the Author. With a Prefatory Note by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham. PROCEDURE OF THE HOUSE of COMMONS, WITH SUGGESTIONS AND PRECEDENTS FOR THE USE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING SOCIETIES, rds the East.ini nis work is well worth revith the old Syria The author of this handsome volume presents a detailed study of a relic of history pursued off the track of general research; he has sought to give, and has succeeded in giving, a picture of quiet life in a country much abused, and among a people that command less than their share of ordinary interest.' . Westward the tide of Enpire takes its way,' sang & prophetic divine of the olden days, and no less certainly, as Mr. Parry points out, does the ebb of travel return towards the East. .. As & volume descriptive of life and travel among a distant people, his work is well worth reading, but for those persons who are more particularly concerned with the old Syrian Church, or in the solution of the problem indicated above, it is one of quite unique attraction. A pathetic interest attaches to the account of the Yazidis included in this volume, for it contains part of their sacred writings, the original manuscript of which was in the hands of Professor Robertson Smith for translation at the time of his death.' -Publishers' Circular. BY GEO. G. GRAY, Esq., LL.D. (Lond.), J.P., Barrister-at-Law, &c., Author of "A Manual of Bankruptcy," & Treatise on "The Right to Support from Land and Buildings," &c., Speaker of the Hastings Local House of Commons. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O  ## p. 112 (#155) ############################################ ADVERTISEMENTS. vii In demy 8vo., with PORTRAITS, price 7s, 6d. T HE BUILDERS OF OUR LAW DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA. By EDWARD MANSON. Late Scholar of Brasenose College, and of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law; Author of the Law of Trading Companies," " Debentures and Debenture Stock," " Dog Law," &c. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Lord Cottenbam. Lord St. Leonards. Baron Martin (uith Portrait). Ohief Justice Tindal. Chief Baron Pollock. Sir George Jessel (with Portrait). Lord Justice Knight Bruce (with Portrait). Sir Cresswell Cresswell. Sir Robert Phillimore (with Portrait). Baron Parke-Lord Wensleydale. Lord Campbell. Lord Justice Mellish (with Portrait). Right Honourable Stephen Lushington, the Mr. Justice Patteson (with Portrait). Lord Justice Lush. Ohief Justice Jervis. Lord Westbury (with Portrait). Lord Blackburn. Lord Cranworth. Chief Justice Cockburn (urith Portrait). Lord Justice James (with Portrait). Mr. Justice Maule. Mr. Justice Wightman. Chief Justice Erle (with Portrait). Lord Abinger. Lord Hatherley. Sir Edward Vaughan Williams. Lord Truro. Mr. Justice Willes. Mr. Justice Crompton. Baron Alderson. Lord Bramwell. Chief Baron Kelly. Lord Denman (with Portrait). Lord Cairns (with Portrait). * Mr. Manson bas à facile pen and a pleasant style; and it would indeed have been a pity had the ephemeral purpose with which the matter contained in this book was originally published caused these interesting sketches to be forgotten. The aim of the author has been to give an outline of the career of the greatest of our judges, and to state the effect of their work upon the law, and in so doing he has started at the point at which Lord Campbell left off. Several old prints are reproduced, and help to make up a handsome, interesting, and even brilliant addition to the history of the Legal Profession."-Law Journal. " We received the several biographies with much pleasure, and gladly published them in these columns. We know for a fact that more than one family has been surprised at the information gleaned about its judicial member by Mr. Manson. We predict for it a permanent place in legal biography."-Law Times. "The book has a serious interest for laymen as well as for lawyers, for, although there is much of case law, there is no more of it than the general reader may digest. It is the anecdotes and the personal details which give piquancy to the book."- Morning. | SPORTING DAYS SOUTHERN INDIA: London: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.Ç. Demy 8vo., with Map and Illustrations, price 10s. 6d. Royal 8vo., price 16s. net. AN AUSTRALIAN IN IN CHINA: Being the Narrative of a Quiet Journey. Across China to British Burma. BEING By G. E. MORRISON, REMINISCENCES OF TWENTY TRIPS IN PURSUIT M.B.C.M. Edin., F.R.G.S. OF BIG GAME, "Mr. Morrison is an Australian doctor who has achieved probably CHIEFLY IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. the most remarkable journey through the Flowery Land ever attempted by a Christian. .. He was entirely unarmed and BY unaccompanied, save for the coolies who carried his baggage. Such a journey-three thousand miles in length-could not fail to present Lieut.-Col. A. J. 0. POLLOCK, many curious customs and as many curious people. But it is owing entirely to Dr. Morrison's graphic manner of description, and his Royal Scots Fusiliers. scutely keen observation, that his travels are such a reality to the reader. This portly volume is one of the most interesting books of · WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY WHYMPER travel of the many published this year. It is frank, original, and AND OTHERS. quite ungarnished by adventitious colouring."-St. James's Budget. "One of the most interesting books of travel we remember to have read."-European Mail. CONTENTS. "A very lively book of travel. ... His account of the walk Chapters I., II., and III.-The Bear. of 1500 miles from Chungking to Burma, over the remotest districts IV. and V.-The Panther. of Western China, is full of interest."- The Times. VI., VII., and VIII.-The Tiger. * Dr. Morrison writes crisply, sensibly, humorously, and with an engaging frankness. ... There is not a page he has written that IX. and X.-The Indian Bison. is not worth the perusal of the student of China and the Chinese."- XI. and XII.-The Elephant. The Scotsman. XIII.-Deer (Cervidae) and Antelopes. * By far the most interesting and entertaining narrative of travel XIV.-The Ibex. in the Flowery Land that has appeared for several years."- The World. XV. and XVI.-Miscellaneous. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. I London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 112 (#156) ############################################ viii ADVERTISEMENTS. ZT HAS NEVER BEEN SERIOUSLY QUES- TIONED BY ANY HONEST TYPEWRITER INVENTOR, MECHANICAL EXPERT, OR USER THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL LINES UPON WHICH THE SMITH PREMIER IS BUILT ARE FAR IN ADVANCE OF ANY OTHER TYPE- WRITER. THAT ALONE WOULD NOT MERIT SUCCESS, BUT THAT FOUNDATION TOGETHER WITH BEST MATERIAL, BEST WORKMANSHIP, AND EXPERT INSPECTION OF ALL THE PARTS AS WELL AS THE FINISHED PRODUCT, HAVE CAUSED THE SMITH PREMIER TO WIN. THIS IS THE EX- PLANATION OF ITS PHE- NOMENAL RECORD OF SUCCESS." SEND FOR ART CATALOGUE. The Smith Premier Typewriter Co., 14, Gracechurch Street, LONDON, E.C. 4 Smith Premier N ESTABLISHED] The Atheneum Press, Taunton. [XVIII. CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. TYPE WRITING With Accuracy and Despatch. Authors' MSS. 9d. per 1000 words. In duplicate, 1s. per 1000. Plays, Translations, General Copying, Circulars (latest Copying Process). Samples and References on application. MISS JANET WAY, 33, OSSIAN ROAD, STROUD GREEN, N. THE VICTORIA TYPEWRITING COMPANY, 18, BOROUGH HIGH STREET, LONDON BRIDGE, S.E., Have adopted a NEW STYLE, very effective, and attracting attention. Authors' MSS. copied from 10d. to Is. 3d. per 1000 words. Kindly send for specimen. CAREFUL AND ACCURATE WORK GUARANTEED. Second Edition. Crown 4to., cloth, price 38. 6d. ; by post, 38. 9d. Crown 8vo., with illustrations, price 68., to be had of all booksellers. DAIRY TALES. By BASIL FIELD. Beautifully FOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.O. T HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream’s-buildings, London, E.C. Illustrated by C. E. Fripp. I Prince at the Court of Traian By L. M. P. BLACK 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. 11 Issue 06 (November 1900) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 06 (November 1900) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1900-11-01-The-Author-11-6 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/335/1900-10-01-The-Author-11-5.pdf 923cf65a50f9abc0cea7ce32261efb0f 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) 1900-10-01 Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages Page range in volume 81–96 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19001001 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.—No. 5.] OCTOBER 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. CONTENTS. 81 ... 82 Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... Literary Property- 1. An Important Warping ... ... 2. The Sixpenny Book ... ... ... 3. Canadian Copyright 4. The Meaning of Royalties... 5. Resolutions of the Institute of Journalists The Manufacture of a Series PAGE Paris Letter ... Notes and News. By the Editor... ... The Coming Season ... ... ... R3 The Seventh International Press Congress Correspondence-A Query ... Literary Careers Made Easy Book and Play Talk... 86 | Books and Reviews ... 85 86 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report. That for the past year can be had on application to the Secretary. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members, 6s. 6d. per annum. Back numbers are offered at the following prices : Vol. I., 108. 6d. (Bound); Vols. II., III., and IV., 88. 6d. each (Bound); Vols. V. to VIII. (Unbound), 6s. 6d. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, late Secretary to the Society. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type, size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 28. 6d. (Out of print at present.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Eyre and Spottis- woode. 18. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888-1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst ST LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. The Addenda to the “Methods of Publishing." By G. HERBERT TARING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 11. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT TARING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 18.  ## p. 80 (#114) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT, GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL, SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBSON. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. M188 E. A. ORMEROD, LL.D. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIRLD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE RIGHT Hon. The LORD PIR AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, M.P. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. CLERE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONER. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. Shaw. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMB. P. W. CLAYDEN. THE RIGHT Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. The Hon. John COLLIER. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doo. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGR. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. GILBERT PARKER. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN. FRANCIS STORR D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES.' ART. Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN Conway. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. J: FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. MHE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. MHE ART of CHESS. By JAMES Mason. Price 58. 1 G A. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. 1 net, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's- buildings, E.O. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's-buildings, E.O.  ## p. 81 (#115) ############################################# The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 5.] OCTOBER 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production.” IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMAYNIC AUTHORS. TT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an il agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :- I. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. Bat the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agree In this case the following rules should be attended to: (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “office expenses," unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give ap 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! VOL. XI. 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal aathority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con. tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain & percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts L 2  ## p. 82 (#116) ############################################# 82 THE AUTHOR. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battlos of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con. fidential 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 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. THE READING BRANCH. in preference to the American system. Shonld 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.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the subject of dramatio con. tracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated aa 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. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the T 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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 whicb it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. LITERARY PROPERTY. T VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books 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 pro. posed document to the Society for examination. I.-A VERY IMPORTANT WARNING. A S during the past three months many cases have come before the Authors' Society wbere a half-profit or other agreement has been entered into with a publisher and the publisher in the same agreement binds the author for the next two books on the same terms, it is our duty again to repeat that both these clauses are disastrous, the latter especially so. In many cases accounts have been brought in showing a sale of 2000 copies or thereabouts, with a return to the author on “half profits ” of perhaps £5!  ## p. 83 (#117) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. .: 83 Two more books on the same terms would be the sale of the sixpenny book is simply ruining quite sufficient to break any person who is striving the trade. to live by writing. It is only hoped that those 6. The author on a royalty of id., which is houses especially given to this kind of contract much larger than is generally offered, may be the first to become bankrupt. cannot expect more than £156 for 50,000 copies. On a 20 per cent. royalty for the same book at the nominal price of 6s. II.—THE SIXPENNY Book. he would have £60 for every thousand I have now been able to ascertain the figures copies, or for 2500, £150. So that unless respecting the production of the sixpenny book. twenty copies are taken at 6d. to one at From estimates before me—those of a printing 68., the author will be a loser. firm of old standing—I learn that the cost of an 7. There are now a great many sixpenny books average sixpenny book of 16opp. may be computed on the market : and they are increasing at 1 d. a copy for an edition of 50,000 copies— rather than diminishing. Publishers, in i.e., about £340. This does not include advertis- fact, seem vying with each other in the ing. These copies are sold to the retail bookseller madness of the sixpenny book. at 3 d. each, and to the wholesale bookseller at 8. The dangers resulting from this misplaced 3d. The latter price, however, is by far the more cheapness are briefly these :- important, and may be taken as the average. (a) So long as books are on the stall or The cbarge to the public is 4 d. at places where counter which can be bought for 6d., discount is allowed, and 6d. at other places. the general public will not look at a book From these figures we get the following priced more highly. facts :- It has been urged that a new public is 1. The publisher, in order to clear his bare approached with the sixpenny book. costs, must get rid of 27,200 copies. This is perhaps true, but it includes and 2. If he has to pay the author a royalty, these swamps the old book-buying public. figures must be materially altered. Thus, The public are induced to believe that if the author gets id.-sometimes he is 6d. is the just and proper price of a offered a simple farthing !—the publisher book of any kind. This evil, which so must get rid of more than 36,000 copies largely contributed to the International in order to clear these bare costs. Copyright Act in the United States, has 3. He is then left with 13,720 copies. On the already begun in this country. It will whole, if he clears off the complete edition, of necessity produce the same effects he makes the sum of £128, out of which here as were complained of there—viz., he has to pay for such advertising as he the impossibility of the author making a thinks necessary, and his office expenses, livelihood by his work. Now, for imagi. travellers, clerks, &c. native work it is most important that 4. Most of the books offered at 6d. belong to the author should be independent and the publisher, and are not loaded with any should be able to live in a certain amount royalty. In that case, the sale of the com. of ease. plete edition would produce about £285, The people cease to prize what they can subject to the above deductions. The get for nothing. They have to pay a question then arises whether, for the sake shilling for a seat in the gallery of a of this profit, it is worth while to lose the theatre: if they can get the finest work sale of the more highly-priced works. of contemporary fiction for 6d., which 5. The bookseller, on the other hand, sells the will they value the more highly, an book at 4 d., and gets a profit of one evening at the play or a novel by — ? penny. They imbibe a contempt for literature A London bookseller of importance computes as a thing which by those who produce that he disposes of the sixpenny book at the rate it is considered of no value. of 500 copies a week. That is to say, he realises The bookseller, already on the verge of a profit of a little over £2 a week, which does not ruin, is driven down still lower. even cover his rent. It is not likely that many 9) The author of the sixpenny book suffers, booksellers get through a greater number every as we have seen, but the author of the week. 6s. book is in imminent danger of Another bookseller reports that no one will look extinction. at any other book so long as the sixpenny book It seems as if the rational method of procedure can be obtained. It is obvious, therefore, that would be to reserve for the sixpenny editions  ## p. 84 (#118) ############################################# 84 THE AUTHOR. only those books which have stood the test of of Canada to legislate for itself in such a manner time, and have become popular works. It may as to override the Imperial Act; but fortunately then be presumed that the earlier edition is in the no Canadian legislation upon these lines ever hands of all who can afford to give the higher obtained the Royal Assent. price, while the cheap edition appeals to the wide In 1895, when the discussion was very acute, class of those who cannot afford to give so much. the Society of Authors, whose sense of responsi- It would be still more rational if the lowest bility as to the question had been constant and price of the popular book were to be one shilling. sincere, considered what further steps should be Would it not be possible for the author to taken to put forward clearly the case of Imperial guard against the danger, in his own interests as copyright. Mr. Hall Caine was at that time well as those of other writers, of booksellers, about to leave England on a tour in America, and and the general public, by inserting a clause in the committee of the Society gladly accepted his his agreements forbidding the sixpenny edition services as a delegate of the Society during his except with the consent of the author himself or visit to Canada. Mr. Hall Caine rendered mate- his agent ? W.B. rial help to the cause in which the Society was --- interested, and received the committee's cordial acknowledgment of his zealous and valuable aid. III.-CANADIAN COPYRIGHT. It is not, however, necessary now to enter into (Reprinted by kind permission from the Times of Aug. 31.) the details of his negotiations, since the copyright The question of Canadian copyright, which has question entered on a fresh phase with Sir John been the stumbling-block to copyright legislation Thompson's death. A new Government suc- and to copyright reform for the past thirty ceeded, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier became Premier years, seems now to be within reasonable distance of Canada. of settlement. This desirable situation is largely In the beginning of 1898, Mr. Gilbert Parker, owing to the constant attention and labour of the a member of the committee of the Society of Incorporated Society of Authors. In 1875 the Authors, learnt that the question of copyright Canadian Government brought in a Copyright was again likely to be brought forward; and the Bill for Canada which obtained the Royal Society of Authors at once drew up a statement Assent, but this Act was unsatisfactory to the as to the course which copyright legislation Canadians, as, though it was considered that it should take according to their opinion for the would override the Imperial Act, their courts benefit of all authors of the Empire. In the decided in Smiles v. Belford that this view of summer of that year, when certain Canadian the law could not stand. In 1886 the Imperial Ministers were in England, the secretary of the Parliament removed another colonial difficulty by Society had a long interview with them at Mr. giving copyright to a book wherever published Parker's house. It was then thought well that within the British Empire. the Society should send over a delegate to Canada Still, for various reasons which it is unnecessary to put forward their views. The secretary of the to enumerate here, the Canadians were discon. Society was appointed to fill the post. Copyright tented ; and, in the early nineties, soon after the legislation was, however, postponed in Canada ior passing of the American Act, Sir John Thompson, the moment; but in the autumn of the following thinking, no doubt, that the Canadian trades had year-1899—at the expense of the Society, the been injured by this Act, issued a report which secretary sailed for Canada. Mr. Gilbert Parker, was based on a desire to stimulate the trade of who had taken so inuch interest in the matter, the printers and publishers in Canada to the was in Canada at the same time, and had informed disadvantage of Canadian authors and tbeir the Society of Authors that he would give his property, as well as of British authors and their best assistance to the secretary in order to help property. The Authors' Society did not find it him to carry through this important question. possible to support this report, thinking it The secretary had the honour to interview the antagonistic to the proper evolution of copyright Premier and other members of the Canadian law. The Society based their opinion on the fact Government who were especially concerned with that an author's work is his own property, and the question of copyright legislation; and he was should not be hampered by any trade considera assured not only that the Government was tion the effect of which was to deprive the author sympathetic towards the views put forward by of his legitimate profits. the Society, but also that the question of the During the next few years Sir John Thompson printing clause and the licensing methods which carried on the agitation very keenly. It would had been put forward on previous occasions would appear that he was concerned to raise a Consti- be practically laid aside. After discussing this tutional and Imperial question as to the rights difficult question with all those in Canada who  ## p. 85 (#119) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. Let us go on to the book of which 3000 at least are printed. The cost of this edition, including advertising, may be set down at about £150. The average price being 38. 7d., we have the following results if the whole edition is sold out: On a royalty, per cent. ... | 10 15 20 25 30 35 were chiefly concerned, and after obtaining the support of the Canadian Society of Authors, then in its infancy, the secretary returned to London with the promise that, if possible, the Canadians would legislate on the lines suggested. At the beginning of this year a Bill was brought forward by the Minister of Agriculture, within whose department copyright business lies, giving to the Canadian publisher complete secu- rity where he had contracted with the author for the exclusive right of publication in Canada, without burdening the author with any trade restrictions. This Bill received the assent of the Canadian Parliament in July, and practically closes in a satisfactory way to all those concerned this very difficult and troublesome, but important, question. There is only one thing left to be the crowning point of the work of the Society in this direction —that is, the passing of Lord Monkswell's Copy. right Bill in the next Session. The Bill embodies the terms of the Canadian Act just passed, and if it becomes law will practically confirm the Canadian legislation on this question. Author.............................. | 90 135 180 225 270315 Pablisher .... 297 | 252 | 207 162 117 72 But the net system is being introduced. The public will before long find out that this means taking more money out of their pockets; and taking more money, out of their pocke booksellers will find out, sooner or later, that they cannot become slaves and clerks to pub- lishers. Meantime, if the 6s. book is to be sold at 58. net, the trade price is 38. rod. Now, let us see what royalties mean on this scale, taking as before an edition of 3000. On a royalty per cent. 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | The author will receive 75 112 150 187 225 262 300 The publisher 1350 1313 275/238 200 | 163 125 IV.-THE MEANING OF ROYALTIES. * Royalties must not be counted 13 as 12. It is now some three years since the meaning The author must be very careful, therefore, to of Royalties was set forth in these pages. It is understand that under a net system royalties now time to repeat, with some amendments and mean figures very different from those where discount prevails. Part of the eagerness with corrections. We take, as usual, the 68. book—not necessarily which some publishers want to extend the net a novel, system is due to the ignorance of authors as to First, an edition of 1000 copies-10 sheets of the meaning of royalties. 32pp. each, about 30 lines or 280 words to a But, it will be argued, the whole edition of page, small pica type— costs about £60, with such 3000 copies may not be sold out. What would small advertising as an edition of this number happen then? can bear, about $70 at the outset. Let us take two cases—one in which 2000 The price to the trade averages 38. 9 d., to the copies are sold and one in which 2500 copies are distributors about 28. sd. The average is about sold. In both cases a certain amount of binding 38. 7d., in some cases perhaps 38.6d. We 18 saved-say, £10 and 5 respectively. formerly took it at 38. 7d. Then for a sale of 2000 copies we have: Every edition gives, on the estimate stated at the Congress of Publishers, “overs” at the rate of On a royalty per cent. | 10 | 15 | 20 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 2 per cent., i.e., so many copies not used in making up deficiencies. We may deduct forty copies for The author receives ..50 Press, which leaves 980, and we will suppose that Tbe publisher receives 193 168 the book is one of the half successes which sells these 980 copies and no more. The publisher On a sale of 2500 : therefore pays £70 for 980 copies, which are sold at 38 7d., producing say £175. If he gives the On a royalty per cont. 10 15 20 25 author a shilling royalty the latter makes £49 and the publisher £56. If he gives the author The author receives ... 62 91 124 186 £20 down and a royalty of a shilling to begin The publisher receives / 272 243 216|179 179 148 after 600 are sold, he gets a little more and the author a little less. It would hardly be worth while to consider this class of book, but for the fact that there are so many of them.  ## p. 86 (#120) ############################################# 86 THE AUTHOR. V.—THE INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS. At the annual conference of this Institute, held in London under the presidency of Sir James Henderson, the following were among the resolu. tions adopted : That the Copyright Bill recently before Parliament was ansatisfactory, inasmuch as clause 12, in attempting to institute copyright in news, gives no protection to the individual journalist who supplies news, but only to the nowspaper proprietor or the news agency which publishes it, and fails to show how nows wbich has become common property (as it does on publication) can be made the basis of an action without andae restraint of journalistic enter. prise and freedom; and this conference is of opinion that & clause which more strictly defines the right of a reporter or contributor in the literary form of bis report or com. munication, will be of more value to the working journalist than any attempt to create copyright in nows qua news. That editors be discouraged from inviting oontribations to their journals from persons of wealth and position, thus depriving of valuable space those who are journalists by profession, and who have no means of living except by their profession. M THE MANUFACTURE OF A SERIES. HE following printed letters are taken from the Athenæum of Aug. 4, 1900:- THE MANUFACTURE OF A SERIES. The following correspondence is interesting as throwing an ugly light on the way in which a series may be manu. factured. A well-known author writes to us : "Some time ago I got an offer to write a book for a small sum down (I forget how much-say £50), and then, after the sale of 5000 copies, to receive £1 per 1000 copies as royalty. I scoated the proposal, as one of the many tentative ones I have had, to see how many innocent or vain men of letters could be enticed to work for nothing, and I said so. After some months the following correspondence ensued, which I think bighly instructive, and perbaps worth pub- lishing (1) in order to warn simple people, (2) in order to test whether my inclosed letter, sent back to me as very improper, is indeed so objeotionable a document: “' DEAR SIR, -You may remember that some months ago I wrote inviting you to contribute to & series of - Manuals. Mesers. have been distressed to find what had not been brought to their notice, that, besides the sum offered for the work, a royalty so small as £i per thousand after the sale of 5000 copies was proposed. This was, I can gay, a remnant of the smaller form in which the scheme was started. I feel it only due to them to stato, even at this late date, that upon discovery of the error thoy at once autho- rised me to saggest a royalty much more adequate for a book reaching a sale of 5000 copies.-Regretting the acoi. dental oversight, I am yours faithfully, i «• DEAR SIR,-I am obliged for your further note, and hope that as Messrs. — have recognised the great inadequacy of the offer originally made for them, you have acquainted such authors as were induced to acquiesce therein Otherwise these poor people will be the victims of a serious mistake.--I am, yours sincerely, who declined or were unable to contribute. The sum offered, down, for the work was approved by the publishers. But the royalty to be paid after the sale of 5000 copies bad been overlooked by their literary adviser, and not been brought before their notice until after some of the proposals had been made. The pound per thousand was a remnant of the suheme when it was intended to issue the books at 6d. For similar books at that price (sold at 4£d.) - ased to give that royalty with less money down. When it was decided that the price should be a shilling, this matter was overlooked not through my mistake or the publishers'. They were distressed [!] when they found that a farthing a copy after a book bad proved itself successful bad been offered. I spontaneously proposed to write to all and pravent misapprehension. I have taken trouble to make the whole case plain to you. I have received several replies ; none, like yours, gratuitously anxious about my “poor victims.” That you should have oriticised the terms as to royalty was only proper. But as to the tone and taste of your last letter-dear, dear! I hope you may wish to put it in your own fire! All the same, although I have secured some good writers of note, I could have wished that you had seen your way to contribate, and that the probable returns on a shilling book had justified the offer of a more tempting sum.-I am, yours faithfully, - -' The correspondence is exceedingly interesting to all technical writers, men of science, medicine, theology, &c., and points clearly to the fact that the same methods are still being pursued upon wbich the Society of Authors has from time to time thrown strong light-methods which, entirely satisfactory to the publisher, afford to the author but a small return for what must be the result of a long study. The reason why these methods are still-pursued and are still successful lies chiefly in the fact that the authors entrapped are not in the first instance authors that live by their pen, but those who, giving a constant and laborious study to one of the learned professions or sciences, desire from time to time to proclaim those studies to the public. With the very best intentions, therefore, they are constantly under- selling not only writers in their own profession, but in the profession of letters generally. In a small pamphlet issued by the Society of Authors and circulated largely among educational writers, dealing with the publication of educational works, the subject of the sort of agreements that are offered by publishers has been fully dealt with, and it would be as well to reprint part of that statement here. The agreement, it will be noticed, quoted in the first paragraph, bas some remarkable features in common with the agreement in the correspond- ence. The fact, however, need not necessarily be deduced that both agreements emanated from the same publishing house. DEFERRED ROYALTY. 1. The worst feature that one observes is the deferred royalty. Tbe author is induced by the bribe of a small sum, generally £25, to accept an agreement by which he actually gives tbe publisher many thousand-say, soven to ument: “DEAR SIR,--My recent note needed no acknowledg. ment, but your reply requires a word of notice. Your kind hope that I acquainted contributors with the improved terms is justified. I did so at once before writing to those  ## p. 87 (#121) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 87 ten-copies for himself, should the book succeed! After , Or the book might be transferred to some other house this the author is to have 10. or perhaps 15 per cent. Let where it would conflict with another book on the same us, remembering that even with books actually carrying subject. Such transfers are not unknown. great risk the publishers never used to venture on asking Or the publishers might resolve not to re-edit the book in for more than half profits, consider what this means. favour of a new one which might sell better. Most of these works are small books, published at 28. or half-a-crown. It must be a very expensive little book that, Right OF AUTHOR TO RE-EDIT. offered at 28. 6d., would cost more than 6d. to produce in a 13. One additional proviso should be added to the present large edition of 6000, including advertising. This means notes. In a case where the author sells his copyright, a an apparent risk of £75. As for the cost of advertising, system of which the Society gravely doubts the expediency, the sum of £10 spent in advertising means no more than but which perhaps for some reason the author might desire kd. a volume for an edition of 6000. As educational books to adopt, it is absolutely essential that the author should are published, the publisher gets about 18. 3d. a copy, or bind the pablisher, in caso a fresh edition is wanted, to give gd. a copy profit, taking, of course, an average book of the him the option to re-edit upon a fixed notice. The following size and price ander consideration. So that in, say, 6000 clause appears in a publisher's agreement where he has pur- copies he gains £250, less what he advanced the author, chased the copyright: say £25. In fact, this agreement says, practically, to the “ “ The said author, in consideration of the payments and author : “ Yours is the book : it is your property, your royalties reserved to him ander this agreement, undertakes, estate: if I administer it I must have for the first 6000 as occasion may require, to edit new editions of the said copies nine times your share. Afterwards, at a 10 per work, and supply any new matter that may be necessary to cent. royalty, I am to have three times your share." bring the information contained in the work up to date." What is the way to put an end to the acceptance of This is very clumsily expressed. The author, so far as these one-sided terms ? The first thing is to pour a flood the words go, binds himself to re-edit, but the publisher, on of light upon the situation, so that everyone shall clearly the other hand, does not bind himself to ask the author to understand it. Afterwards to refuse the agreement on sach do so. If this be the proper construction of the clause, the terms, and to take the book elsewhere. author might find himself in the position of having his book ro-edited by an incompetent hand with no redress. AMOUNT OF ROYALTIES. 2. Ten per cent. aged to be considered a very fair royalty. [The above paragraphs are irregularly numbered This means, however, that with a large sale the publisher owing to the fact that the least important have generally gets about three times what he gives the author! been cut out owing to pressure of space.] SMALL Sums PAID TO GREAT SCHOLARS. Though these warnings still hold good, and 4. There is a certain series of books, all of which have should be carefully considered by all those to run into many thousands of copies. It will hardly be whom the publishers are making offers, yet it is believed that the publishers have actually offered one of our not these warnings which are especially the greatest living scholars £35 and £40 respectively for the subject of this paper, but the methods publishers preparation and editing of two books in this series ! employ to inveigle an author to write for these BINDING CLAUSES. 'scientific or educational series, and No. 4 of the 7. The author frequently contracts not to write another "paragraphs printed above is the first step the book on the subject. We never find, however, the publisher publisher generally adopts. He offers a price up entering into a similar contract not to publish another book to, say, £50 to the best known authority on one of on the subject. It is essential that either both or neither of the parties to the contraot should be bound by such a the subjects of the special series which he is stipulation. about to produce, for choice selecting an indivi. “ODD COPIES." dual who is known to the world rather as a 9. In one case a publisher so far presumed upon the student than as a writer. The person with whom ignorance of his author as to insert a clause stating that for he corresponds, sometimes forgetful that the book “ odd copies" no royalty should be granted ! In other words, if a bookseller ordered single copies of the work, the he is asked to write is the result of years of aathor was to have nothing. Res ipsa loquitur. research and labour, only for the moment con. scious that he has the knowledge at his finger “ 13 AS 12." ends, and that the only labour to him is the 10. In some agreements the royalties have to be labour of putting it down on paper, at all times paid on the sale of “13 as 12.” This means knocking entirely ignorant of the fair market price of his off 8 per cent. from the author's profits, and as the pub. lisher does not sell thirteen copies as twelve except in work and the profits it will bring, accepts the special cases where a batch is ordered, be must not account proposition without a murmur. The publisher at this rate as if the practice were universal. is generally aware that this will be the case, but SALE OF COPYRIGHT. on occasions the specialist may demur to the 12. Perhaps the most unfair clause of these agreements is terms. He then tries someone else who has an that which assigns the copyrights of the book to the pub. equally large knowledge of one of the other lisher. The dangers behind this clause are unbounded. subjects which goes to compose the series until at Above all things, an educational writer must keep the last a contract is settled. The matter. however. control of now editions. This he cannot do if the copyright is in the hands of his publisher, nor can he prevent addi. is generally settled at the first offer. tions, alterations, and omissions to the book except by To all those who are constantly writing either expensive lawsuits, which may, after all, go against him. on technical subjects or general literary matter VOL. XI. M  ## p. 88 (#122) ############################################# 88 THE AUTHOR. there is considerable experience as to the prices biographer who is writing in order that his that should be demanded and are readily paid friend's memory may live. There is the philosopher by publishers, and the gentleman whose name who wishes to embody the thoughts of a lifetime in starts the series would be the last, if the matter one volume. There are others of the same kind was put before him, to crush down or undersell too numerous to mention. his own profession, but this result unfortunately In many cases the publisher goes to these dis- happens owing to his ignorance of the current tinguished people and makes them an offer, and price. the contract is signed before they can take advice, The next step in the publisher's tactics is to or if they take advice, they take the advice of draw up a prospectus and to issue a circular. those who themselves know nothing of the This he sends round to the other well-known matter. students and writers of the different professions, There are some of these distinguished people or the different branches of study with which he who go direct to the publisher. In this case they is concerned. are to a large extent at the mercy of the house Very often these are men who are writers with which they are dealing, but in all cases a rather than students, to the same degree as the man who writes a single book falls an easy prey leader of the series who is already bound was and gets absolutely inadequate terms. Many of student rather than writer. these books of memoirs go into numerous editions, In consequence, he is often met with a remon- and are, even under disadvantageous terms, a pro- strance at the miserable terms offered and the perty to the author; only by some stray chance unsatisfactory agreement proposed. The reply his eyes are opened to the fact that with a reason- of the publisher is ready at once. Mr. --, or able contract he might have obtained at least Lord — , or Professor , has consented to three times as much as the amount he has open the series on an agreement similar to the received one offered, and if these gentlemen can write on It is more difficult for the Society and the these terms, surely the objector cannot think of Society's work to reach the author of the one book asking terms higher than those who with so large than it is to reach the writer in a series, for in a a reputation have already given their consent. series it often happens that inter-correspondence Finally, the publisher succeeds in getting his takes place, whereas in the other case the author's series completed on a set of contracts highly position is isolated. satisfactory to himself, but of poor value to the G. H. Thring. author. T'he publisher is not to blame. He trades on the credulity of writers to the 14- same extent as other traders do in dealing with PARIS LETTER. their customers, but he has one larger factor in his favour-namely, the ignorance of authors. To avoid, if possible, the occurrence of the 4 bis, rue des Beaux Arts. same tactics, the Society of Authors has from INTERNATIONAL congresses are still a time to time printed statements analogous to the favourite feature of the great Exhibition. statements placed here. It is only by spreading They arouse little enthusiasm here, and such statements widely that the difficulty can be appear comparatively barren of result. The avoided, and it is hoped that every writer before Academical Congress-one of the most important whom this paper falls will endeavour to commu- of the series, to which delegates from all the prin- nicate it to those other members of his profession cipal European universities were invited-was who are in ignorance of its substance. not particularly brilliant. The Fourth Inter- As a corollary to this it would be as well to national Psychological Congress awoke more inte. put forward the case of those writers also who rest. It was presided over by M. Ribot, member for some reason are writers of one book only. of the French Institute and author of the famous There are hundreds of writers who come within “Maladies de la Mémoire,” “Psychologie des this category, and nearly all of them fall into Emotions," &c. M. Charles Richet, of the Revue the same trap. Scientifique, was vice-president; while the post There is, for instance, the man who has lived of secretary-general was filled by M. Pierre Janet, an active life, and would like to record his supplementary professor of experimental psycho- memoirs. There is, again, the man who has logy at the Sorbonne, whose able treatises on attempted to reach the North Pole, and would “Automatisme Psychologique,” “L'Etat mental like to give a description of his voyage, or the des Hystériques," &c., have won their author a man who has crossed South Africa, and would European renown. The congress was sub-divided like to describe his adventures. There is the into six sections, respectively dealing with com- ----  ## p. 89 (#123) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 89 parative, introspective, experimental, pathologic, The Grand Prix GOBERT. hypnotic, and social and criminal psychology. The French Academy has bestowed the Grand The subject was evidently popular. Authors, Prix Gobert on M. Pierre de La Gorce for his philosophers, doctors, priests, Jesuits, Dominicans, “Histoire du Second Empire”-an unfinished physiologists, spiritualists, Brahmins, Hindoos, work which already comprises four ponderous criminologists, and a goodly number of the fair tomes and fifteen out of the twenty years' reign sex, attentively followed the somewhat languid of Napoleon III. It is to be hoped that this discussions which only once kindled into warmth premature recompense will not deter M. de La during a debate on hypnotic and suggestive Gorce from finishing his undertaking, as was the psychology case with two of his predecessors. His history Twenty-two nations sent representatives to the embraces a period extending from the coup d'état International Congress of Librarians, presided of 1851 to the morrow of Sadowa. It is written over by M. Léopold Delisle, general administrator in a masterly style — clear, nervous, animated of the Bibliothèque Nationale. Its sittings - and well merits the signal honour it has terminated with the decision that henceforth an received, the Grand Prix Ğobert being one of International Congress of Librarians should be the most coveted distinctions in the gift of the held once in every five years. This appears to French Academy. No Academician being allowed have been its most important motion. Three to compete, Augustin Thierry, the historian, anonymous donors have offered prizes varying formerly preferred obtaining the Gobert prize to from twenty to forty pounds for the best memo- donning the palms of the Immortals. randum on the most efficacious method of destroy. The Goncourt prize has not yet been awarded. ing the insects which infest books. Intending It will become the property of the author who .competitors who desire further information on the shall have produced the best prose work of imagi- subject are asked to communicate with the secre- nation during the course of the present year, the tary-general of the Librarians' Congress, M. ten members comprising the Goncourt Academy Henry Martin, Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal, Paris. being judges on this delicate point. In his latest testament M. de Goncourt further expresses the A Good YEAR FOR DRAMATISTS AND desire that this prize be given “à la jeunesse, à COMPOSERS. l'originalité, au talent, aux tentatives nouvelles et The annual report of the Société des Auteurs et hardies de la pensée et de la forme." A good Compositeurs Dramatiques states that the Parisian chance for the rising author. theatres have paid in royalties the sum of 2,123,847 francs 50 centimes during the year STAGE LITERATURE. 1899-1900, being 4276 francs 15 centimes less The lights of the dramatic fraternity are all than the amount previously registered. The under arms for the approaching Christmas Departmental theatres have disbursed 968,575 season. M. Abel Hermant “ très snob, délicat, francs 60 centimes in royalties, showing an la moustache légère,” is established at the Villa augmentation of 12,372 francs 35 centimes on Bassaraba (Haute-Savoie), engaged on a five-act the sum paid during the preceding year. The play. That prolific writer, M. Gaston Devore, is foreign theatres have expended 300,223 francs at Ballaigues (Switzerland), occupied in putting 70 centimes in royalties, being an advance of the finishing touches to as many as four new 11,967 francs 15 centimes on the amount regis contributions to stage literature--to wit, “Les tered in 1898-99. The sixty Parisian cafés. Complaisances," a five-act play; "La Domes- concerts have done still better, having paid tique,” a domestic drama in five acts, destined for 265,742 francs 70 centimes in royalties, showing the Antoine Theatre; “Le Rêve," a philosophical an increase of 56,443 francs on the sum paid play written for the Vaudeville; and a drama during the preceding year. One hundred and dealing with social problems entitled“L'Individu.” five new associates have been admitted to the M. Marcel Prévost, now at Trondhjem (Norway), society, and five members have received pensions. has just finished a piece in four acts entitled The number of pensioners now on the society's “Unis,” which has been accepted by the manager books is no fewer than in persons. Six hundred of the Vaudeville Theatre, while M. Jules new plays have likewise been catalogued by the Chancel is writing a play drawn from M. society as having been performed either in France Prévost's two latest novels, “Frédérique" and or abroad during the year 1899. In short, the “Léa.” The erudite M. Stanislas Rzewuski is Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques completing two plays commenced long since. The shows a most praiseworthy budget, and is to be first is a study of modern manners, whose title congratulated on the success which has attended has not yet been decided on; the second is a its efforts. sumptuous historical drama entitled “Louise de  ## p. 90 (#124) ############################################# 90 THE AUTHOR. San-Felice.” The plot of the latter is laid in accomplished-after twenty years' wrangle there- Italy at the beginning of the eighteenth century. on. Greater laxity will henceforth be shown in It depicts the pretended rivalry existing between all Government examinations, and a host of minor Maria-Carolina of Austria, Queen of Naples, and innovations and simplifications will be admitted- a fictitious heroine created by the author. The or rather tolerated by the State examiners. The chivalric General Championnet, the subtle Cima stringent rules respecting the accord between the rosa, a sphinx-like Horatio Nelson, and the past participle (when construed with the first beautiful Emma, Duchess of Hamilton, are among auxiliary) and its complement are no longer the dramatis persona. M. Henri Lavedan is immutable as the laws of the Medes and likewise engaged on a new play, as are also MM. Persians ; while the ubiquitous hyphen has Maurice Ordonneau, Pierre Valdagne, Eugène ceased to be a primary necessity. M. Georges Berteaux, Pierre Wolff, Arthur Bernède, Leygues, Minister of Public Instruction, has Alexandre Bisson, Henry Kistemaeckers, Antony undoubtedly been lenient ; which leniency has Mars, Pierre Decourcelle, and others. given rise to some lively discussion. In an able- and interesting article on the subject, published MEMORANDUM DE BARBEY D'AUREVILLY. in the Revue des Deux Mondes, M. Brunetière “Le Premier Memorandum de Barbey d'Aure. sensibly remarks : “A language is an historical villy,” now published by Lemerre, is anterior by formation; and in its history the only facts to twenty years to the volume issued in 1883 under be taken into account are the works of the great the same title. The present edition records the writers.” M. Leygues is evidently of the same mode of life and daily impressions of the great opinion. French writer during his early youth. The New PUBLICATIONS. analytic talent which won him fame in later “Blancador l'Avantageux," by M. Maurice years is here clearly apparent, scenes and persons Maindron ; “ Edition définitive de Balzac,” which being portrayed with the minute precision of a edition comprises fifty volumes (chez Ollendorff); Pepys and the psychological intuition of a “ La Vie à Paris (1899),” being a continuation of Bourget. In one of Count Fleury's latest works, the annual collection of daily articles by M. Jules “ Louis XV. intime et les petites maîtresses,” a Claretie (chez Charpentier); “La Charpente,” a list is given of the natural children and descen- social study by M. J. H. Rosny (à la Revue dants of that monarch. Among the latter figures Blanche); “ Les Victimes Grimacent !” by M. the name of Barbey d'Aurevilly. Frédéric Boutet, a novel dealing with the vices of The second volume of the late Francisque the classes and the misery of the masses; a trans- Sarcey's “ Quarante ans de théâtre ” has just been lation from the Polish of the famous “Quo. issued by the library of “Les Annales politiques Vadis ? ” of M. H. Sienkiewicz; “Les Rois du et littéraires." It is devoted to appreciating Ruisseau,” by M. Maurice Astier, being a detailed the works of Molière, and the classic school account of the manners, customs, and habits of represented by Regnard, Marivaux, and Beau. that curious biped, le chiffonnier—the French “rag marchais, also of Le Sage, Piron, Gresset, Favart, and bone” man (Libraire du Livre Moderne); and Sedaine. No man ever had a keener percep and the “ Mémoires de Rossignol,” ex-police tion than Sarcey of the perplexities wbich beset the inspector, a terrible narrative of the crimes, dramatic critic's path. “ The theatrical critic," passions, and weaknesses of the darker side of wrote “the good uncle” on one occasion, “must humanity. DARRACOTTE SCOTT. also have his scale of proportion understood by the public. But what shall it be? This is a grave question, and one more difficult to resolve than is generally imagined. To crush M. d'Ennery under NOTES AND NEWS. the name of Corneille, to measure MM. Marc- Michel and Labiche with Beaumarchais would DROFESSOR DOWDEN suggests in Litera. be an absurdity, if not an injustice. But on the P ture the celebration of the opening of the other hand, are all souvenirs of the past, all the 20th century by an “adequate” history conditions of antique art, to be cast asideas of English literature. If the Professor would has been done with the ell and other ancient elaborate the scheme for such a history it measures ?” would be a practical step. Perhaps no one could be found among the critics of the day ORTHOGRAPHY AND SYNTAX REFORM. who would be more generally accepted as the The reform of French orthography and the editor of such a work. It would be a colossal abolition of the incomprehensible “ chinoiseries " undertaking, but the success of other great of the old French grammar have at last been undertakings—the “Encyclopædia Britannica"  ## p. 91 (#125) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 91 and of the antiquary we should have a judicious blend. Let us seriously consider the formation of such a company. for instance, and the “ Dictionary of Biography" -should be an encouragement. I would suggest the formation of a company for the purpose. The capital required would depend upon the scheme itself—the number of volumes necessary; the payment of contributors; the office expenses; the price of the work when complete and in parts. Thus there would be: (1) The preliminary expenses. (2) The expenses of office rent, clerks, &c. (3) The editor's salary. (4) The pay of the contributors. (5) Cost of printing, paper, binding, &c. The volumes would have to be issued regularly at intervals of a quarter. From certain rough calculations I believe that the whole expense would amount to less than £2000 a volume of the size of the “ Dictionary of National Biography." How many volumes would Professor Dowden åsk for? As regards the success, we must remember that the establishment everywhere of the free library greatly helps the production and lessens the risk of embarking in these large enterprises. We might expect a thousand copies at least to be taken up by the free libraries all over the English. speaking world, provided that the work was not only written by scholars, but also by attractive writers. There would be no publisher behind it: the company would be an ordinary trading company. I believe not only that it would be a most useful contribution to the history of litera- ture, but that it would be immensely successful. I beg to invite very serious attention to the warning under the head of Literary Property. It is directed against the practice, common with one or two minor publishers, of inserting a clause in the agreement promising the publisher the author's next two books! Anything more foolish than to accede to the impudent demand it is difficult to imagine. Does a physician make a patient promise to come to him with his next two ailments? Does a solicitor bind down a client for his next two cases ? It comes to this : that although an author may be fleeced and robbed by his publisher, he will go to him twice more! Great as may be the desire to see oneself in print, there should be, one would think, some restrain. ing force in self-respect. WALTER BESANT. THE COMING SEASON. 1 \HE following is a classification of the books announced in the Athenæum between Aug. 18 and Sept. 29 inciusive: The publishers represented are Messrs. George Allen, Burns and Oates, Chambers, Constable, Clark, Chatto and Windus, Cambridge University Press, Cassell, Clarendon Press, Dent, Duckworth, Heinemann, Hutchinson, Methuen, Macmillan, Maclehose, Marshall, Richards, Sampson Low, Sonnenschein, Seeley, Skeffington, Unwin, Whit- aker, Wells Gardner, Black, Rivington, Chapman and Hall, Matthews, and Bemrose. The list is not therefore complete, but there are not many left of the publishers worth considering. The result is interesting. It comes out as follows: . Works announced. Theology ... ......... 98 History and Biography .............. Travel ...... Science .......... Scholarship ............................. Philosophy Law Political Economy Essays ...... Fiction ........ .................. 164 Children's books ......................... 30 Poetry and Plays...... ............ 29 There are a few difficult to classify. There are also translations and new editions which are not entered in the above list. In connection with this list it will be interesting to watch and to classify the books which appear from day to day in the 114 One thing is most important. I am sure that Professor Dowden would agree in my contention that it is a great mistake to suppose that because a man has written poetry or fiction with more or less success, he is therefore a critic. "The critical The critical faculty is not the same as the imaginative; one might even go further and say that the develop- ment of the critical power tends to destroy the imagination. There are at the present moment half-a-dozen critics who stand in the front rank. It would be invidious to mention their names, Not one of these has distinguished himself by any imaginative work. On the other hand, there are as many writers on literature, writers of appreciation, who are most attractive and delight- ful, yet are not critics. There are also anti- quaries who collect facts and figures and write about them, but they are not critics. Of the gentlemen who write “reviews,” log roll and depreciate, set up little cénacles and make a fuss, I do not speak, because the editor of this great work will assuredly have none of them. But of the true critic and of the man who can appreciate ............ ......  ## p. 92 (#126) ############################################# 92 THE AUTHOR. morning papers as “ Publications of the Day." M. Hebrard, of Le Temps ; England, Mr. S. One notes that the publishers of fiction seem to Campion, J.P., of the Northampton Mercury, be decreasing in number. Seven publishers bave Miss G. B. Stuart being the English secretary ; 120 novels between them. Germany, Hans Tournier; America, Mr. Young; There follows next the somewhat delicate ques Sweden, M. Beckman; Hungary, M. Joseph tion: how many of these books will pay ? This Veszi. The abstention of a goodly number of involves the question : how many are paid for by well-known French journalists from being present their authors ? proved that, like the Institute of Journalists in We may rank them in four classes : England, they have their little dissensions amongst * 1. Those which are quite certain to allow of a themselves. M. Jean Bernard again brought large edition or several editions with a good margin. forward his project for making the staff of a 2. Those which will allow of a single edition newspaper participators in the profits; at Rome with a small margin. he argued warmly for this, and he was now 3. Those which are doubtful. requested to draw up a report upon the subject- 4. Those which will not pay expenses, unless an interesting but somewhat impossible proposi. the reader's judgment is wholly incompetent. tion. M. Taunay, the energetic and ever-affable It would, of course, be invidious to name the general secretary, then brought forward his books which belong to any of the four classes. report upon a card of identity for journa- It is, however, noteworthy that, taking only lists, members of the various societies affiliated fiction, no fewer than sixty belong undoubtedly to the International Bureau. Armed with to the first class, while the second class is this card the journalist in any country is represented in fiction alone by about sixty more. to address himself to the representatives of What is wanted by writers of the first and second the committee of direction, or to the local classes is to remember that they have property associations, correspondents of the Bureau, and in their hands as real as, say, horses or cattle, he will have all facilities given him as a local which are, like most books, perishable. The journalist. The question of tariff for the post of whole parade and pretence about risk, office ex. newspapers was next considered, Signor Berger penses, and percentages should be pushed aside. arguing that the cost should never exceed two The only question is on what terms the adminis. centimes, instead of five, for international iration of the property should be granted, or at postage, and a half, or at most one, centime for what price it should be sold. interior postage; and the Bureau was authorised to take up negotiations with the various Govern. , ments to obtain some reductions in the tariffs. The subject of telegraph tariffs was again intro- THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL PRESS duced by Señor de Berazza, the Spanish dele. CONGRESS. gate, and he was able to announce that, in By JAMES BAKER, F.R.G.S. addition to the conventions between France and Spain, Luxembourg, and Portugal, this year INHE meeting this year was arranged for under certain conditions the convention and T Paris, to coincide with the Great Exhibi. restriction had been agreed to between France tion; and at Rome last year great were the and England, but Italy still failed to fall into rumours of what this Congress was to be. How line, while pourparlers were still going on with it was to eclipse all former Congresses in work and Sweden and Norway. in play, in hospitality and in excursions; one Following this a discussion occurred on excursion, it was hinted, would include Algiers. an abbreviated code for telegrams, and a But there is a French proverb of few words, prize is to be offered for the best working L'Homme propose mais Dieu dispose, and not code. The other subjects discussed included only the fates, but the weather, seemed to defeat the constitution of an international tribunal of the generously hospitable aims of the French arbitration for journalistic matters. Upon organisers. this a brisk discussion ensued, and a M. On the first morning of the Congress the news Rouzier claimed attention for a tribunal to arrived of the assassination of King Humbert, settle disputes between directors of journals and and so all official entertainments were cancelled, reporters. Tbe evergreen, but never settled, and the President of the Republic was not subject (either in England or with the inter- present at the opening séance in the Amphi. nationalists) of a school of journalism was brought théâtre of the Sorbonne. At the first business up by M. Bernard under the presidency of meeting on the following morning the presidents M. Beckman, the learned Swedish delegate. for each nation were elected—viz., for France, The Belgian delegate, Heinzman-Savino, declared  ## p. 93 (#127) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 93 that the quickest way to vulgarise the teaching right to it and may do what he chooses with it- of journalism, or at least of certain subjects e.g., sell it for publication with or without the necessary to journalism, was to obtain the estab. author's name? This might certainly not be lishment of courses upon the subjects in the agreeable to the author of the matter in question, universities. At Heidelberg already Professor but what is the law ? DusTMAN. Koch has a journalistic course. The final [The case quoted above is sadly wanting in subject discussed was the rights of illustrators, legal exactness, and it is exceedingly difficult to and M. Janzon proposed that the central com. give a definite opinion on it. The finder might mittee make a study of the status of the journalist have a right to sell the paper with the writing in various countries. At the conclusion of the upon it, but certainly not the right of publication. work Mr. P. W. Clayden, the English president, The publication of a MS. is an entirely distinct gave a formal invitation to the Congress from the property, and cannot be thus dealt with.-G. H. city of Glasgow to assemble there in 1901. This THRING.] invitation was referred to the Central Bureau. It would be as well for the Congress to meet in Great Britain, and for once to adopt English LITERARY CAREERS MADE EASY. rules of debate. The Je demande la parole of gentlemen who have already spoken a dozen times In the old-fashioned days when a man wrote a book, delays real progress. That was all there was for him to do ; If they made it worth while for the author he took The English papers prepared for the Congress were: by Mr. F. Dolman, on “The Advantages Up bis pen and reeled off something new. of International Association," an advantage which Bat to-day, when a man writes a book tbat's a hit, Why, that's jast made a sort of a start, is immense, as I have proved in such countries as For he has to write others explaining how it Poland, Galicia, &c.; and a well-written, eloquent Came out of his houd and his heart. paper on “Ideals of Journalism," by Mr. S. He must tell how he thought of the story and when- Campion, in which he pleaded that the Press How many words daily he wrote - should not become a cloaca maxima ; that evils If he set down the lines with a pencil or pen- and festering sores of humanity should be treated These are things he must carefully note. with the surgeon's knife, and not “ with the He must give us the names of the people he took lingering affection of gbouls for fætid corrup- For nis models, and nothing omic ! tion." In these days when a man makes a bit with a book He can write all his life about it! The social functions were, alas, almost oblite- Chicago Times-Herald. rated ; and as if Nature also worked against the French organisers, the great representation in the Théâtre d’Orange in the Dauphiné-to which BOOK AND PLAY TALK. and the Loire district excursions were organised -was terribly marred by an awful mistral that LITERARY concerns are for the moment in in August froze the spectators. Other excursions were to Chantilly and Pierrefonds, to Sèvres and 1 tbe background, like everything else that Versailles, so that the Congressites enjoyed much is not politics. But the General Election has drawn an unusual number of writers before hue refreshment after their polyglottic labours. Death has been terribly busy with the members The electors. Up to the time of writing, we of the bureau during the past two years, and since observe among the candidates for Parliamentary the Rome meeting two excellent confrères- honours Dr. Conan Doyle, Mr. Gilbert Parker, Mr. Henry Norman, Sir George Scott Robertson, Signors Bonfadini and Torelli-Viollier—have Mr. H. J. Mackinder, and Mr. Mullett Ellis. passed onward ; let me end with this word of homage to their memory. Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins was among the number, but he has been obliged owing to sudden illness to withdraw the candidature he had contemplated. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. Alexander Michie, the well-known authority on China, has written å life of Sir Rutherford A QUERY. Alcock, in which is narrated the progress made TF a man throws a thing away, to whom does it by Engli to whom does it.. by Englishmen in that country during the past j legally belong? Surely the finder. Following sixty years. The subject of the biography was, this reasoning, am I right in supposing that of course, at one time British Minister in Peking. if an author writes something and then throws it The third volume of Professor S. R. Gardiner's away, any person who happens to find it has a legal history of the Commonwealth and Protectorate  ## p. 94 (#128) ############################################# 94 THE AUTHOR. may be looked for early next year. Mr. Morley's biography of Cromwell will be published by Messrs. Macmillan during the present month. Mr. H. J. Mackinder, who last year made the first ascent of Mount Kenya, narrates this remarkable achievement in a volume which Mr. Heinemann will publish shortly. The 23rd inst. is the date fixed for the produc- tion of Mr. Zapgwill's new novel, “ The Mantle of Elijah ” (Heinemann). Mr. Gilbert Parker's tales of Pontiac, entitled “ The Lane that Had no Turning," and Mrs. Steel's new novel, “ The Hosts of the Lord,” will be published about the middle of this month by Mr. Heinemann. A new story by Miss Carey, entitled “Rue with a Difference,” will be published on Oct. 2, and one by Miss Charlotte M. Yonge, entitled “Modern Broods," on Oct. 5, both by Messrs. Macmillan. A volume of stories by the Rev. W. J. Dawson is being published by Mr. Grant Richards under the title “ The Doctor Speaks.” , A new edition of Mr. Whistler's “ The Gentle Art of Making Enemies” will be published shortly. The work has been out of print. A new work by Deas Cromarty, entitled “The Heart of Babylon," will be published shortly by Messrs. Horace Marshall and Son. The first volume of Professor Saintsbury's sbury's “ History of Criticism and Literary Taste from the Earliest Times to the Present Day” will be published shortly by Messrs. Blackwood. Mr Charles G. Harper has added to his series of books on our great highways two volumes on “ The Great North Road.” These will be pub. lished by Messrs. Chapman and Hall, and will contain numerous illustrations. Mr. Frank T. Bullen's work on “The Men of the Merchant Service” will be published on Oct. 10 by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co. : “ Webs of Mystery" is the title of Mr. John G. Rowe's first book. It is a volume of detective stories, and is published by Messrs. Walter Scott Limited. The young author has also written a five-act drama, which is likely to be produced shortly by a well-known provincial actor-manager, and is at present busy revising his new novel “A King of Busbrangers," already published serially, for book form. Mr. Albert Lee, who wrote “ The Gentleman Pensioner," which was so successful in this country and in America, has just completed a new historical romance entitled “ The Emperor's Trumpeter,” dealing with the downfall of Robes- pierre and the military career of Bonaparte. It will first appear as a serial in the new volume of Young England. The following are among the forthcoming publications of Mr. John C. Nimmo: “The Amusements of Old London," in two volumes, being a survey of the sports and pastimes, tea gardens and parks, playhouses, and other diver- sions of the people of London from the 17th to the beginning of the 19th century, by W. B. Boulton ; « English Historical Memoirs is (1 volumes). by John Heneage Jesse; “ Reminiscences of a Falconer," by Major Charles Hawkins Fisher; and “A History of Steeplechasing," by William C. A. Blew, M.Ă. Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. will publish Mr. C. H. Malcolm's new novel “Robert Kane" about the second week of this month, at the published price of 38. 6d. Mr. Reynolds-Ball gives an account of his recent cycling experiences among the Piedmontese Alps in a long and admirably illustrated article in the September issue of the Cyclists' Touring Club Gazette. The Oxford University Press, which is exhibit. ing in three different groups at the Paris Exhibi. tion, has gained the unique distinction of being awarded three Grands Prix-one each for higher education, book-binding, and Oxford India paper. Derek Vane's new novel, “ Ye shall be as Gods," will run as a serial in Great Thoughts, beginning in October, before heing published in volume form. It deals with a curious develop- ment of character in a woman who has elected to live apart from the world, and shows how a feeble nature may live on and absorb a strong one. Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to accept a copy of the new musical novel (published by Sands and Co.) entitled “A 439: being the Autobiography of a Piano," written gratuitously by “Twenty-five Musical Scribes.” The profits go entirely to the orphanage of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, which was founded at the time of Her Majesty's first jubilee. A letter, dated the 21st ult., from the private secretary, to the editor, Mr. Algernon Rose, says that “ The Queen desires her thanks to be returned for the book.” Mr. Isaac Henderson, author of the Criterion comedy entitled “The Silent Battle." has written a new play, called “The Mummy and the Humming Top,” for Mr. Wyndham. The first production at Wyndham's Theatre, however, will be the new play in four acts by Mr. Henry Arthur puuro Charles G. Hart highways two will be rhet uitously by "ography of a entitled "A 430 -- --  ## p. 95 (#129) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 95 or especial benefit to conductors, and secretaries of provincial musical societies desiring information concerning suitable orchestral works by British composers, or information regarding British soloists and players generally. BOOKS AND REVIEWS. (In these columns notes on books are given from reviews which carry weight, and are not, 80 far as can be learned, logrollers.) Jones, in which Mr. Wyndham (in the part of an eminent lawyer), Miss Lena Ashwell, and Miss Mary Moore will appear. Mr. Haddon Chambers has written a new play for Mr. Alexander. In Mr. Tree's production at Her Majesty's of “Herod the Great,” Mr. Stephen Phillips's poetic drama, the following will be in the cast : Miss Maud Jeffries, Mrs. Crowe, Miss Calhoun, Mr. C. W. Somerset, and Mr. King Hedley. Mrs. Patrick Campbell will reopen the Royalty Theatre on Oct. 8. Mr. Jobn Farrington and Mr. A. H. Canby will reopen Terry's Theatre in a few days with the play by Charles H. Hoyt, entitled “A Parlour Match." Among the new plays in London during September were “The Scarlet Sin,” by Mr. George R. Sims and Mr. Arthur Shirley, at the Crown, Peckham; “ Self and Lady,” by M. Pierre Decourcelle, at the Vaudeville ; “The Price of Peace," by Mr. Cecil Raleigh, at Drury Lane; and Mr. Barrie's “ The Wedding Guest” at the Garrick. The new play at the Lyceum by Mr. Seymour Hicks and Mr. F. Latham, which is to be pro- duced on Oct. 6, is called “For Auld Lang Syne.” Mr. William Mollison, Miss Lily Hanbury (as a hospital nurse), Miss Fanny Brough, Mr. W. L. Abingdon, and Mr. Leonard Boyne will play the principal parts. Mr. F. R. Benson's company will open its second season in London at the Comedy on Dec. 19. On three nights of each week the stage will be held by the German company, the Benson company occupying the remaining three nights and two matinées. Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, the Westminster Orchestral Society is about to commence its sixteenth season. At the forthcoming orchestral concert, the pro- gramme will, as usual, include several new works of interest by British composers. In response to the wish of many music lovers resident in the country to assist in the patriotic and valuable work the society has so long carried forward, the committee have decided to enrol a limited number of country members at a nominal fee of half a guinea a year, in return for which sub- scription such members are entitled to receive the society's i ublications, and, when visiting London, the privileges of one-guinea members. Applications should be addressed to the hon. secretary, Mr. Algernon Rose, Town Hall, West- minster. Such membership should be found of AN INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH POLITICS, by John M. Robertson (Richards, 108. 6d.) is, says the Times, “ an ambi. tious, and it is fair to add, a clever book.” The Daily News begins by describing it as "a very eloquent, striking, powerful, but not convincing book," and concludes by saying that“ the English politics to which Mr. Robertson's long, depressing survey is an Introduction are not those of bound. less hope in the future, as all true Liberal politics must be, but are much more like the politics of oynical disbelief in the wisdom which guides mankind.” PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD, by Andrew Lang (Goupil, 638. net), is "an admirable piece of work,” says the Times, and “ a real contribution to historical knowledge.” For the first time the Stuart papers at Windsor Castle have been thoroughly examined, and they form the basis of the volume. Mr. Lang, says the Spectator, “has never been more happily inspired than in this study of the broken life- story of one who will always be a premier figure in romance -the last conspicuous prince of an ill-fated house and the centre of a movement wbich he did not comprehend. He has given as the severe truth, leaving no source unsearched. to find the facts of a difficult career, and at the same time- he has invested the whole narrativa, splendid and sordid, with an unreal fairy-tale atmosphere, which is the true one." The Daily Chronicle refera to the account of the little- known engagement at Falkirk " as “an excellent example of Mr. Lang's descriptive style." THROUGH THE FIRST ANTARCTIC NIGHT, by Frederick. A. Cook, MD. (Heinemann, 208.), gives, says Literature, “a striking and graphic account of the voyage of the Belgica. The book, in fact, strikes us as a work of greater merit than the expedition itself, which seems, if we correctly anderstand Dr. Cook, to have been led in a rather a muddle.. beaded manner.” “His book is interesting as, to use his own words, ' a contribution of new human experience in a. new inhuman world of ice.' ... As a rule there is a certain air of jollity in the stories of those who have wintered in the regions of ice and darkness. It is otherwise with Dr. Cook and his companions. Even Ovid in his exile on the shores of the inhospitable Euxine was not so sorry for himself as they were.” The Times points out that the expedition, which was of Belgian origin, was the first that over wintered in the South Polar area. One fourth of Dr. Cook's narrative relates to South America. HAMPSHIRE, WITH THE ISLE OF WIGHT, by George A. B. Dewar (Dent, 48. 6d. net), is bighly praised by the Daily. Chronicle, which anticipates that the reader's verdict will be: “Never had I believed Hampshire so interesting.” Besides Mr. De war, five other writers, specialists in botany, entomology, geology, &c., take charge of these departments. “The writers' main business," says the Times,“ has been to describe towns, villages, the historic houses, and the roads, and the way in which they have done it should set an example to those who will undertake the other volumes ” of this series of county histories.  ## p. 96 (#130) ############################################# 96 THE AUTHOR. THE WHISTLING Maid, by Ernest Rhys (Hutobinson, 68.), “sets forth with real charm of expression and an unfailing sense of the picturesque," says the Spectator, "the adventures on field and flood of a young Welsh damsel of high degree.” The Daily Chronicle characterises it as genuine romance—"a romance written, not from the point of view of the chap-book and the county bistory, but as a the result of a true and sensitive romantic spirit, a work, in a word, of spontaneous and sincere artistry." Similarly the Literary World, which adds: “There is no more charming creation in modern literature than the heroine, Luned, the maid of the silver pipe, who leaves ber bome wben the raid is made upon it, and, attired in boy's clothing, rides through trackless forest country to find ber father, and bring him to the rescue." SENATOR NORTH, by Gertrude Atherton (Lane, 68.), is "essentially an American story," says tbe Daily News. “It deals with the political and social life of Washington.” There is in the story a "terrible tragedy that shows how beavy lies the shadow of the curse apon the blacks in the Southern States. Mrs. Atherton's pages are crowded with portraits of men and women in various grades of society. These portraits are very clean cut.” The Spectator says that “Mrs. Atherton's portrait of the beautiful bat unbappy balf-breed, with her abiding melancholy, her social ambitions, her strange lapses into vulgar barbarism, and her fatal mendacity, is of painfully engrossing interest." “She writes of humanity,” says the Daily Telegraph, “but it is of humanity at its best, and sbe has achieved å very great and noticeable success;" and the Daily Chronicle describes the work as “ full of intellect, of character, and of movement." THE MAN THAT CORRUPTED HADLEYBURG, by Mark Twain (Chatto, 68.), contains, says the Spectator, " a quantity of excellent mixed reading." "Whatever the theme or its treatment, it is good to notice that there is not the slightest trace of fatigue in the mind of the writer.” “The whole," says the Daily News, “forms a welcome addition to the light literature of the day.” For there are all sorts of things in the book, echoes of Austrian Parliamente, of the Dreyfus case, of the author's experiences in the American Civil War, of Christian science, and a score of other subjects. The story that gives the title to the volume (“ only Mark Twain could have conceived the idea," says the Daily Telegraph) is described in the Literary World as *• a satire of the biting kind.” Of the book as a whole, the Daily Chronicle says : “ The old friend is here in the old familiar spirit, excellent company, perennially youthful.” SONS OF THE MORNING, by Eden Phillpotts (Methuen, 68.), is described by the Daily Chronicle as “excellent fiction.” The idea and central thread of the story (which is laid in Devonshire) is "& sweet and strong young farnieress, in love with two good men at once-a situation 80 frequent with women in real life, so rarely handled in books." "The courting of Henery Collins has some excellent humour in it”; and the depths of the book "are concerned with the most fascinating subject, witchcraft.” The work is described by the Spectator as “ earnest in aim and careful in workmanship.” The Fourth GENERATION, by Sir Walter Besant (Chatto, 68.), is a story of the present day, and “touches the old problem of beredity; but it faces that problem," says Literature, “ in the spirit of the practical man of the world.” The conseqaences of the crime of an ancestor of Leonard Campaigne," and the fortunes of his descendants as they touch the life of Leonard, are described and followed with all the skill of a master in the art of story-telling, ap to the moment when the stain is wiped out, and the momentam, as it were, of the crime exhausted, by the marriage of the descendant of the morderer to the descen. dant of his victim.” “The story is finely proportioned,” says the Daily News; " its action never flags." “ Charac- ters are sharply drawn,” says the World, “and treated, too, with a pleasant, whimsical humour.” THE SOFT SIDE, by Henry James (Methaen, 68.), con. tains twelve studies, which, rays Literature, “will probably make new converts to his cult. Each story possesses to a high degree the sensitiveness and detachment which one generally finds in his works.” “How restful,” says the Daily Chronicle," the sense of being in the best circle' all the time." The Spectator allows that “as a virtuoso of transcendental morbidity Mr. James claims anstinted admiration." THE GATELESS BARRIER, by Lucas Malet (Methuen, 68.), is described by tbe Daily News as a “boaatifal and eerie story.” “Lucas Malet has never done as a bit of artistic work anything more refined and delicate." It is the story of the love of a living man for a lovely ghost. It is told, says the Times, "with a sense of style and a dramatic vigoar that make it a pleasure to read.” “The novel carries you along easily, naturally, spontaneously," says the Daily Telegraph, “because of its lightness of touch, its quaint vraisemblance, its original handling of familiar themes.” “Genuine imagination and charm have been at work here,” says the Daily Chronicle. THE Mystic NUMBER 7, by Annabel Gray (Simpkin, Marshall, 38. 6d.), "shows keen psychological interest and ability," in the opinion of the Glasgow Herald. Lilera- ture says “Miss Annabel Gray has a good grip upon ber subject, and writes in a fashion that should be popular with the readers of her many other books." The West- minster Gazette says "the sensational interest of the story is kept ap to the very end," while the Dundee Advertiser pronounces Glen Daile "a splendid creation.” A MASTER OF CRAFT, by W. W. Jacobs (Metbuen, 68.), his first full-length story, “ can be anreservedly recom- mended,” says the Spectator, " to all who have not lost their appetite for wholesome food for laughter.” “The scene is as usual laid on a small coasting schooner, or in the various baunts or houses of call of those engaged in this trade, and the motive is, not for the first time, furnished by the amorous susceptibilities of an amiable but singularly indiscreet skipper.” A PRIEST'S POEMs, by K. D. B. (Catholic Truth Society), is a collection of various verses arranged in different parts. The Athenæum says: “It is in the impassioned prayer to 'God, Creator of the Waters,' in 'Ecce Sto ad Ostium,' in the long and at times beautiful poem Secrets of the Night' that we recogpise now and again a strain of true poetry, while the translations have the rare merit of almost persuading the reader that they are original.” The Westminster Gazette says that “the author shows genuine poetic fancy and devotional spirit.” 66 “THE AUTHOR. SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. 0 Front Page ... ... £4 0 0 Other Pages ... ... 3 00 Hall of a Page ... ... ... 1 10 0 Quarter of a Page Eighth of a Page Single Column Advertisements ... 0 16 per inch 0 6 0 Bills for Insertion ... ... ... ... ... per 2000 3 0 0 Reductions made for a Series of six or Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Otice, 4, Portugal-street London, W.O.  ## p. 96 (#131) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. C LITERARY ĀGENCY ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, B, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. THE DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS | AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Contains hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozon, ruled or plain. New Pocket Size, 8s. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that TBB LEADENBALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by fire or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained. AUTHORS TYPEWRITING. "Sir Henry Ponsonby is commanded by the Queen to thank Mr. Darlington for a copy of his Handbook." "Nothing better could be wished for."-British Weekly. "Far superior to ordinary guides,"-London Daily Chronicle. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. ls. each. Illustrated. Maps by John BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN, THE NORTH WALES COAST. BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. MALVERN. HEREFORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. * The best Handbook to London ever issued."-Li erpool Daily Post. 2nd Edition Enlarged, 58. 60 Illustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. Careful work with Yost machine on good paper. Inclusive prices. Novels and Stories, 8d. per 1000 words; in duplicate, Is. 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PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDs from negatives by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, ls., 1s. 6d., 23., 28. od. Complete list, post free. DARLINGTON AND CO., LLANGOLLEN. STIKPHAST PASTE STIKS TYPEWRITING BY CLERGYMAN'S DAUGHTER AND ASSISTANTS. MISS E. M. SIKES. The West Kensington Typewriting Agency, 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith, W. (ESTABLISHED 1898.) Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Ternis. Legal and General Copying. Typewritten Circulars by Oopying Process. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, 28. 6d. net; postage, 3d. extra. THE PRINCIPLES OF CHESS IN THEORY AND PRACTICE. JAMES MASON. MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. (ESTABLISHED 1883.) Authors' MSS. carefully copied from 1s. per 1000 words. Duplicato copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or week. 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Beautifully FOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British Illustrated by C. E. Fripp. T Prince at the Court of Trajan. By L. M. P. BLACK. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.O. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream’s-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 05 (October 1900) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 05 (October 1900) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1900-10-01-The-Author-11-5 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/334/1900-09-01-The-Author-11-4.pdf 517ea137377c3085ab727cce85e4e695 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) 1900-09-01 Volume 11 Issue 4 Pages Page range in volume 61–80 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19000901 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 4.] SEPTEMBER 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. - CONTENTS. PAGE 61 : : ... 62 ... 64 Memoranda ... Literary Property- 1. On Titles 2. Copyright in Speeches 3. Merivale v. Harvey ... Paris Letter. By Darracotte Scott American Letter. By John Russell Davidson Notes and News. By the Editor... PAGE Another Benefactor .. 72 The Ideal Editor . American Publishers' Association ... Reflections ... Correspondance --1. Good and Bad English. 2. Walter » Lene. 3. English Authors in the United States ... Book and Play Talk... Books and Reviews ... ... ... 79 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. The Annual Report. That for the past year can be had on application to the Secretary. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members, 6s. 6d. per annum. Back numbers are offered at the following prices : Vol. I., 108. 6d. (Bound); Vols. II., III., and IV., 88. 6d. each (Bound); Vols. V. to VIII. (Unbound), 6s. 6d. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 35. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, late Secretary to the Society. IS. 6. The Cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type, size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 28, 6d. (Out of print at present.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Eyre and Spottis- woode. 1s. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 15. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By Ernst LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. The Addenda to the "Methods of Publishing." By G. HERBERT THring. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 11. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 1S. The Empire Translation Bureau, 25, PRINCE'S STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, W. All kinds of LITERARY WORK undertaken by Gentlemen of the highest University education. AUTHORS' MSS. TYPEWRITTEN (Williams Machine). Rates vary according to the intrinsic difficulties of the MSS. submitted. Write for prospectus.  ## p. 60 (#90) ############################################## ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL. SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN Dobson. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BEBANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, M.P. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. CLERE. J. Scott KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMs. P. W. CLAYDEN. THE RIGHT HON. W. E. H. LECKY S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM Moy THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. Sir A. C. MACKENZIE, Mas.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGB. THE Right Hon. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel - E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A, HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. A BECKETT. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. GILBERT PARKER. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. : SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solicitors, FIELD, Roscoe, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. C G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. THE ART of CHESS. By JAMES MASON. Price 58. net, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's-buildings, E.C. |  ## p. 61 (#91) ############################################## The El u tbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.-No. 4.] SEPTEMBER 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “ Cost of Production." IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- jocts whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. TERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :- I. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to: (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise. ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for " office expenses," unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. VOL. XI. 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. I 2  ## p. 62 (#92) ############################################## 62 THE AUTHOR. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES or old, for inspection and note. The information thus on gross receipts. Percentages vary between obtained may prove invaluable. 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- porcentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts posed document to the Society for examination. in preference to the American system. Shoald 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed are fighting the battlos of other writers, even if you are date on or before which the play should be reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing performed. the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE dence of the writer. TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of fixed nightly fees). This method should be members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof always avoided except in cases where the fees safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who other safeguards set out ander heading (b.) apply will keep the key of the safe. The Society now offers :-(1) also in this case. To read and advise upon agreements and publishers. (2) To 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is stamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely due according to agreements. 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 THE READING BRANCH. time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction isM branch of their work by informing young writers of of great importance. its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, print the book of the words. technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully NOTICES. 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 M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. I Society that, although the paper is sent to them free He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very the beginning. heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object 68. 6d. subscription for the year. is to obtain adequate publication. Communications for The Author should be addressed to As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn account of the wide range of the subject of dramatic con. Fields, W.C., and should reach the Editor not later than the tracts, those authors desirous of further information are 21st of each month. referred to the Secretary of the Society. 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 whicb it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. T VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the LITERARY PROPERTY. advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has & right to an opinion from the 1.-ON TITLES. Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him WING to the fact that during the past two Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. or three months certain cases have been 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright placed before the Secretary of the Society and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the of Authors touching the infringement of property experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple in titles of hooice it he in titles of books, it has been thought well to to use the Society 2. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past repeat in substance, with certain additions, an accounts with the loan of the books represented. The article that appeared in The Author in 1898.  ## p. 63 (#93) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 63 • The first statement it is necessary to make is of the plaintiffs, which product was a well-known that, speaking generally, there is no copyright in marketable commodity. titles. This statement, however, cannot be taken In order to obtain this property, one or two as absolutely true, as in the case of “ Dick v. points therefore are clear : Yates," which went to the Court of Appeal, where (1) That the product must be actually selling the title“ Splendid Misery ” was under discussion, on the market and must bave established a posi. the Master of the Rolls made the following state. tion on the market by continuous sale. ment: (2) That products with similar names must be “Now I do not say that there could not be similar products. copyright in a title, as for instance in a whole This latter statement would appear self-evident page of title or something of that kind requiring if confusion had not frequently arisen in cases invention. However, it is not necessary to decide placed before the Secretary. For instance, a book that. But, assuming that there can be copyright of poems could not be confused with a philosophical in a title, what does copyright mean? It means treatise, nor a work of fiction with a book of the right to multiply copies of an original work. sermons, even though the names were the same. If you complain that a part of your work has There are also one or two minor points which been pirated you must show that that part is are very difficult of decision, and are too intricate original, and if it is not original you have no to be dealt with in a short article. copyright. How can the title . Splendid Misery' The case in the American court above referred be said to be original when the very same words to makes it clear that if the book is out of copy. for the very same purpose were used nearly eighty right, it does not follow there is no trade mark in years ago ?” the title. But with whom the right of commencing This case was fought out mainly on tae basis, an action would lie might need some ingenuity to “Is a title copyright, and the question of trade determine. mark law on which the right of property in a title A further point arises for consideration. When rests, though dealt with, was dealt with as a a book has been produced and is out of print, and secondary point. The reason for this course in the author is deliberating, or states that he is this particular case is clear on the facts as re- deliberating, about producing the second edition, ported. Those who desire the reason are referred how far would the author have the right of to the report. stopping the production of a similar book under a · Again, (1) speaking generally, it cannot be similar title ? said there is copyright in a title. Though each case must be decided on its (2) If there is copyright, then the title must separate facts and its separate peculiarities, the claim distinct originality. broad general rule would hold that as it was impossible to buy the first book in the open That, however, there is property in a title is market, it was impossible that any of the public quite clear, and the law bearing on the right of could be deceived, and therefore the production such property comes under, and is in some way of book No. 2 could not possibly be a fraud. analogous to, trade mark law, but titles cannot be This is an imo. This is an important point, as cases have been registered like trade marks. known to occur where authors have practically The real question to consider is whether the abandoned their book, their title, and their rights, infringement amounts to a common law fraud on but have tried to revive both on seeing another the public. book produced with a similar name. This is distinctly pointed out in the case which It might be useful to quote again a case that is printed in the August number of The Author, was quoted in a former article, as it illustrates to which the reader is referred. Although decided one or two of the most important points with in the American courts, it is a case of great regard to property in a title. importance, and brings into prominence the solid Messrs. Hogg in 1863 registered an intended principle on which this question rests. There the new magazine to be called Belgravia. In 1866, Chancellor of the University of Oxford obtained such magazine not having appeared, Mr. Maxwell, an injunction against the defendant for publish in ignorance of what Messrs. Hogg had done, ing a Bible termed the Oxford Bible, which was projected a magazine with the same name, and not the “ Oxford Bible” as known on the market incurred considerable expense in preparing it and and published by the Clarendon Press. The extensively advertising it in August and September plaintiffs could not possibly have any copyright as about to appear in October. Messrs. Hogg, either in the Bible or title, and this is the point it knowing of this, made hasty preparations for is desired to make especially clear, but the defen- bringing out their own magazine before that of dant had no right to sell a product as the product Mr. Maxwell could appear, and in the meantime  ## p. 64 (#94) ############################################## 64 THE AUTHOR. accepted an order from Mr. Maxwell for adver- tory way of leaving the question. It gives more tising his (Mr. Maxwell's) magazine on the covers scope and adaptability, and prevents the stiffen- of their own publications; and the first day on ing that is often produced when a matter is which they informed Mr. Maxwell that they statute-bound. G. H. T. objected to his publishing a magazine under that name was Sept. 25, on which day the first number II.—COPYRIGHT IN SPEECHES. of Messrs. Hogg's magazine appeared. Mr. The House of Lords gave its decision on Aug. 6 Maxwell's magazine appeared in October. Under in the appeal of Walter v. Lane, which referred these circumstances, on a bill filed by Mr. Maxwell, to the publication by Mr. John Lane in book form it was held that Mr. Maxwell's advertisements of nearly verbatim copies of Lord Rosebery's. and expenditure did not give him any exclusive speeches as they were reported in the Times. The right to the use of the name Belgravia, and that appellants, who sued on behalf of the proprietors he could not restrain Messrs. Hogg from publish of the Times, were granted an injunction by Mr. ing a magazine under the same name (the first Justice North, but he was reversed by the Court number appeared before Mr. Maxwell had pub- of Appeal (see report in The Author for Decem- lished his); and on a bill filed by Messrs. Hogg, ber last). Mr. Justice North's judgment has now that the registration by them of the title of an been restored by the House of Lords. intended publication could not confer upon them The following is a summary of the LORD a copyright in that name, and that in the circum. CHANCELLOR's opinion. We have to thank the stances of the case they had not acquired any editor of the Daily Chronicle for permission right to restrain Mr. Maxwell from using the to use their report: “I should very much name as being Messrs. Hogg's trade mark. regret if I were compelled to come to the con- This case was, contrary to “Dick v. Yates," clusion that the state of the law permitted one decided almost entirely on the aspect of the trade man to make profit and to appropriate to himself mark. Certain papers register titles, and pro- the labour, skill, and capital of another. And it duce periodically dummy copies in the hope of is not denied that in this case the defendant seeks obtaining some kind of property. Anyone who to appropriate to himself what has been produced has studied the question would at once know that by the skill, labour, and capital of others. In the this labour is wasted, and that this kind of pro- view I take of this case, I think the law is strong perty can only be claimed when a title has enough to restrain what, to my mind, would be a become associated with a certain commodity by a grievous injustice. The Copyright Act confers continued public circulation. what it calls 'copyright,' which means the right How can a paper of which one copy only is to multiply copies, which it confers on the authors published even every day claim to be such a of the books first published in this country. That public commodity ? the publication in question, namely, ' Reports of The contention is absurd. Lord Rosebery's Speeches,' are simply copies of From the most practical point of view, there what was first printed in the Times is not denied. fore, it is best for the author not to name the And further, it has not been, and cannot be, denied title of his book until his book is produced, if he that they were originally as in the Times, a sheet considers that there is any particular power in or sheets of letterpress, and came within the the words he is using. definition of the Act as a book. The speeches, Those who through personal experience have therefore, and the sheets of letterpress in which come across the question of title for the first they were contained, were books first published in time consider the matter as a difficulty but this country, and I confess, upon looking at the defi. recently discovered, which needs immediate nition and the right conferred, I am wholly unable amendment; they may, however, rest assured to discover why they are not protected by the statute that the question of legislating more fully on the from being pirated by unauthorised persons. point has been deeply and thoroughly discussed I do not understand the explanation the Court and considered by all those who have attempted of Appeal gives of the application of the word to legislate on copyright or who are interested in "author' to such publications as directories, the affairs of authorship. It is not a simple or red-books, maps, &c. If the maker of a direc- one-sided question. It is exceedingly complicated tory, red-book, or map is an author, one has to and has many sides. - analyse what the distinction between the author At present no remedy has been devised suffi. as thus referred to, and the author of a spoken ciently satisfactory to embody in any of the speech. If the producer of such a book can be Copyright Bills, and the solution of each case is an author within the meaning of the Act, I am based upon the common law. On the whole, it unable to understand why the labour of reproduc. may be considered that this is the most satisfac- ing spoken words into writing or print and first  ## p. 65 (#95) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 65 publishing it as a book does not make the person qualities, but because, as I have endeavoured to who has so acted as much an author as the person point out, neither the one nor the other are con. who writes down the names and addresses of the ditions precedent to the right created by the persons who live in a particular street. The judg. statute. That right, in my view, is given by the ment of the Court of Appeal rests solely on the statute to the first producer of a book, whether use of the word "author,' and I cannot help that book be wise or foolish, accurate or inaccurate, thinking that some confusion has been created of literary merit or of no merit whatever. It is between two very different things. One, the said that in the view I have suggested there would proprietary right of every man in his own lite. be as many copyrights as reporters. I do not see rary composition, and the other the copyright, the difficulty. Each reporter is entitled to report, that is to say, the exclusive privilege of making and each undoubtedly would have a copyright in copies created by the statute. The question is his own published report. But where is the solely whether this book (to use the language difficulty ? Suppose à favourite view—a dozen of the statute), printed and published and exist. artists take independently their own representa- ing as a book for the first time, can be copied tion of it. Is there any reason why each should not by someone else than the producer of it, by those have his own copyright, or even a photograph, who have not produced it themselves, but have where each photograph is taken from the same simply copied that which others have laboured to point, and in the same state of the light, would create by their own skill and expenditure. It is be identical in all respects. There is, of course, admitted, apparently, by the Court of Appeal no copyright in the view itself, but in the supposed (and, indeed, insisted on as part of the reasons picture or photograph there is. It may be there for their judgment) that the owner of an unpub. is a confusion of thought between the difficulty lished manuscript, although not the author of it, of proof of the piracy and the existence of piracy. acquires copyright in it by first publishing it. There, as I have said before, no such difficulty And I observe that it is said Lord Rosebery had arises, since it is admitted that the report of no copyright in his speech, and, although he these speeches is not the result of independent could have acquired copyright in it by putting it labour, but is taken from the Times. I think into writing and printing and publishing it, he the judgment of Mr. Justice North was right, did not do so. Here, again, the implied proposi. and that the only answer sought to be given to it tion is that the only person who could gain copy. by the Court of Appeal was the restricted use of right in his speech is the person who spoke it, the word author' with which I have endea- and that the word original must by construc- voured to deal. I, therefore, move your Lord. tion be read into the statute—that the true ships that the judgment of the Court of Appeal analogy is the true and first inventor of the be reversed with costs, and the judgment of Mr. Patent Laws. I think the analogy is a false one. Justice North restored." But if it were strictly pursued I think it would Lords Davey, James of Hereford, and Bramp- not be favourable to the defendant. An importer ton concurred, but Lord Robertson differed, hold. of a foreign invention is, for the purpose of the ing that, however skilful or well qualified a Patent Laws, an inventor, and, as Lord Brougham reporter might be, he could not be considered an said, there were two species of public benefactors author within the meaning of the Act. -the one, “those who benefit the public by their The injunction to restrain the publication was ingenuity, industry and science, and invention made perpetual, and the respondents ordered to and personal capability; the other, those who pay costs. benefit the public without any inçenuity or inven- tion of their own by the appropriation of the III.—MERIVALE v. HARVEY. results of foreign inventions. Now, the latter is This case has come before the Court of Appeal. a benefit to the public incontestably, and therefore The plaintiff, Mr. Herman Merivale, agreed to they renderthemselves entitled to be put upon some. write for the defendant, Mr. Martin Harvey, what if not entirely the same footing as inventors. a play connected with the exploits of Don I might paraphrase Lord Brougham's language Juan. Disputes arose with regard to the pro- by asking whether those who preserve the duction of the play and the plaintiff's fees, memory of spoken words which are assumed to be and eventually the plaintiff brought the action, of value to the public are not entitled to the claiming damages from the defendant for his analogous merit which Lord Brougham attributes breach of contract in refusing to accept the play. to the importer of foreign inventions ? I have The defence was a denial of the contract, and the not insisted upon the skill and accuracy of those submission that the non-fulfilment was brought who produce in writing or print spoken about by the plaintiff's own conduct. Defendant's words. It is not because I think the less of those counter-claim was for damages for alleged libel,  ## p. 66 (#96) ############################################## 66 THE AUTHOR. which was contained in a letter written by plain sittings awakened much enthusiasm. “Let us tiff to Mr. Acton Bond. The jury (see The honour and féte Joseph Lister," wrote Dr. de Author for June) found a verdict for the plaintiff Fleury on the morrow of the banquet given in on the claim for £500 damages, and with regard the British savant's honour by the Medical to the counter-claim they found there was no Faculty of Paris ; " ..innovators who libel. The defendant now appealed. bring about such complete and magnificent Sir Edward Clarke, in the course of his argu- upheavals in the sphere of our activity are rare. ment, said he would agree, in order to avoid a new The work of this scientific son of the great trial on the counter-claim, that Mr. Merivale Pasteur is of incalculable import; scientific should submit to a verdict against him in regard surgery dates from him." to the alleged libel for £50.-Mr. Chambers said As to the Philosophy Congress, a full report of if this order was coupled with a withdrawal of all communications read therein will shortly be all imputations on the defendant he would accept published in four volumes respectively entitled : it.—Sir E. Clarke assented to this, and the court « (1) Philosophie générale et metaphysique; (2) gave judgment for the plaintiff on the claim for Morale; (3) Logique et Histoire des Sciences; £500, and for the defendant on the counter. (4) Histoire de la Philosophie." Subscriptions claim for £50. There were to be no costs of the for the same are being received by the secretary, appeal. M. Xavier Léon, 5, rue de Mezières, Paris. Great poco Britain is represented on the list of the Honorary Committee of the Philosophy Congress by the PARIS LETTER. names of MM. Balfour, Herbert Spencer, and Stirling. 4, rue des Beaux Arts. NHE great Exhibition is, financially, a failure. A PRODIGIOUS IMAGINATION. I Nevertheless, congresses, lectures, and The great Balzac was not particularly successful soirées de gala abound. The extraordi. as a dramatist. Undeterred by this fact, an enter- nary alternations of the thermometer appear prising playwright has already announced a new merely to affect the attendance—not the duration play taken from “ Cousin Pons," the copyright —of the various ceremonies. The seventh Inter of the Balzacian novels having expired on the national Press Congress (which has, I believe, twentieth of last month. M. Gémier is consider- chiefly occupied itself in discussing the reduction ing a three-act play, adapted from “ Colonel of the postal tariff on printed matter and the Chabert" by M. Louis Forest; and several other minimum fee for Press dispatches) was inaugu. stage-writers are likewise busy in exploiting the rated under the presidency of M. William Singer, great “Comédie Humaine," which promises to proprietor of the Neues Wiener Tagblatt, and prove a second El Dorado to needy and skilful president of the committee of the Central Bureau adapters in search of thrilling situations. The of Press Associations. Prior to the invariable fertility of Balzac's imagination was extraordinary. shower of compliments with which each orator In this respect he was never surpassed. The considers it necessary to asperge the Exhibition, following anecdote (vouched for by M. Barré) M. Singer explained the object of the present attests the truth of almost incredible narratives congress. extant on the subject : “We have desired," said he, “by an inter. On one occasion, having promised M. Lireux, national organisation to offer our contribution to manager of the Odéon, a five-act drama, entitled the advent of concord—if not among the nations - Les Ressources de Quinola,” Balzac duly themselves, at least among those who form the van appeared at the appointed hour, and-leaning guard of every people, viz., the journalists. ... carelessly against a window—unhesitatingly read Thus we have decided to organise a great inter to the committee the promised five acts. After national fraternity composed of important Press the usual compliments and congratulations associations, a literary Red Cross union ... had been exchanged, M. Lireux proceeded to based upon mutual respect and firmly bound examine the manuscript, and found merely four together by the community of professional acts written—the pages devoted to the fifth act interests." About 400 persons were present at being still blank. He immediately informed the inaugural meeting. The tragic death of Balzac of his discovery. The great writer was in the Italian king prevented the attendance of the no wise disconcerted. French President. " It is true,” he blandly acknowledged, “ that I BRITISH SAVANTS. have not yet written my fifth act, but I have it A propos of the International Medical Congress, so well in my head that I am able to repeat it the appearance of Lord Lister to attend its precisely as if I read it from the manuscript.  ## p. 67 (#97) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 67 Besides, I have two other dénouements quite against any subsequent accusation of plagiarism. ready-in case you are not satisfied with the one The sensible verdict given by the Third Civil I have just recited to you!” Chamber a short time ago re the dispute between We doubt if the dying century can boast a two well-known dramatic authors–MM. Lecocq similar “record” memory. and Bisson-is largely responsible for this com- mendable state of affairs. The chamber pro- MM. FRANCE AND LOTI. nounced in the defendant's favour, declaring that That modern classic, M. Anatole France, is the plaintiff had done his comrade a grave injury, engaged on a new play entitled “La Gerbe," and one meriting compensation, in thus publicly destined for the Porte Saint-Martin Theatre. accusing him of plagiarism. It also expressed This will be M. France's second contribution to its opinion that “the author who knows the Parisian stage. The brilliant Academician's how to digest the works of others; who knows name first adorned the theatrical posters in 1899 how to assimilate them in his brain; who, later, in connection with “Le Lys Rouge,” which was at the moment when he wishes to originate in highly praised—but hardly popular. M. France his turn, sees them in consequence awake in his visited London last March. The 'impression imagination; who allows them to mingle in. left on his mind is scarcely favourable. He sensibly with his own conceptions; that author- considers the Londoners' enthusiasm automatic, very far from then meriting the reproach of their loyal demonstrations lacking in warmth, plagiarism-only draws from his reminiscences richness, spontaneity. The decorations in our the legitimate recompense of a meritorious employ capital show the puerility of the national taste. of his faculties.” Even our Rubens' are less powerful than those in For which and other reasons the Third Civil the Louvre. Chamber acquitted M. Bisson, ordering the inser. Nor is M. Pierre Loti a great lover of our race. tion of its judgment in three papers at the plain- In the description of his Eastern travels lately tiff's expense. Whereby it considerably lightened published by the Figaro, he expressly states that its future labours. the harrowing account he gives of the rarages made by the famine in India is not intended as a “Gyp” (COMTESSE DE MARTEL). sinister attack on “nos ennemis les Anglais,” but The novels of “Gyp,” great-niece of Mirabeau, merely as a new appeal to their charity. At the are highly popular here. Twelve editions of her present moment M. Pierre Loti-otherwise M. le “Trop de Chic” are reported to have been dis- capitaine de frégate Viaud—is en route for China, posed of in three days. Her late extraordinary serving on board the Redoutable as first aide-de- adventure—or hallucination — has proved an camp to Admiral Pottier. He has already written excellent expedient for whetting public curiosity several spirited and pathetic sketches dealing anew. At the present moment the sale of “Le with heroic combats between the French sailor and Journal d'Une qui s'en fiche” bids fair to equal, the cruel, dastardly Chinese. He will probably if not surpass, that of the most favoured of its add to these pages on his return. Nor is it impos predecessors. The pages of an ancient confes- sible that his present experiences may lead to a sional album have given us the following infor- modification of his opinion re the Britisher abroad. mation respecting the countess' private sentiments and inclinations. A SENSIBLE DECISION. Her favourite occupation is riding; her Several dramatists have recently notified in the favourite food and drink are fruit and milk. daily papers a similarity existing between the Solitude forms her beau-ideal of happiness, while plots or titles of their half-finished productions the principal defect of her nature is her too con. with those of their brethren of the pen. Amongst fiding disposition. The ass is her favourite others, M. Lemonnier stated in an open letter animal; the sparrow, her favourite bird. Her that he bad been engaged for the last year (in · greatest misfortune would be a long life, and she collaboration with M. Burani) on a four-act considers simplicity the most desirable quality in play entitled “La Marquise de Pompadour,” a woman. The character of M. Thiers inspires destined for Réjane. Suddenly he discovers that her with the deepest aversion, her principal trait M. Emile Bergerat is also engaged in writing a being — ne pas “m'gober" !' Maupassant is • Pompadour” for Mlle. Bartet. He immediately her favourite prose author; Heine, Baudelaire, announces the fact in the papers, and the matter and Bouchor are her favourite poets. Berlitz, ends there. M. Paul Souday has drawn up the Saint Saëns, and Offenbach, are the composers rough skeleton of a new play when he makes she prefers; while the military feat of arms she an almost similar discovery. He forthwith most admires is – the Rape of the Sabine employs the same method of protecting himself Women! VOL. XI.  ## p. 68 (#98) ############################################## 68 THE AUTHOR. · Was the latter penchant a presentiment ? asks BOOKSELLER 1. STORE. her witty comrade, Sergines. The booksellers attribute their troubles to the APROPOS OF M. ZOLA. big “ department" stores. They say that so long Two revivals of plays drawn from this as books are sold in department stores at prices author's works (“L'Assommoir” and “ Le with which the regular bookseller finds it impos- Rêve") are now being rehearsed—the first at sible to compete, the regular tradesman cannot keep his doors open. Take the case, for example, the Porte-Saint-Martin Theatre, the second at the Opéra Comique. “La Sorcière” of M. of an enormously popular novel called “ Richard Carvel.” “Richard Carvel” was put on the market Victorien Sardou (who has just been created by the Appletons to be sold at retail at one dollar grand officer of the Legion of Honour) has been accepted by Mme. Sarah Bernhardt; M. de and fifty cents. The price at the department Porto Riche is engaged on two new plays, re- stores was one dollar and fourteen cents (45. 7d.), spectively destined for the Comédie Française and and in some it was sold at eighty-one cents the Vaudeville; and M. Maurice Donnay is like- (38. 4şd.), which is the publisher's wholesale price. wise completing a four-act play for the latter Now, many of the retailers could not buy in sufficiently large quantities to enable them to theatre. M. Jean Richepin has written an his- torical drama, entitled “La Du Barry," for Mme. obtain the book at the lowest wholesale price, and Leslie Carter M. Belasco is responsible for its as for selling it at eighty-one cents, the proposi. translation into English. tion was absurd. Of course, the retailer does not DARRACOTTE SCOTT. encounter this difficulty in the sale of every book on his list, but this condition alone cuts him off from his readiest source of profit. It is now for the publishers to determine whether they can afford to help the regular AMERICAN LETTER. retailers at the expense, if necessary, of the jobbers. One proposed plan is to fix a net retail New York City, Aug. 13. price for all books published by members of the CYO ready are the people of these States to cry association. From this price the retailer would out in horror against any combination of get a certain discount, but before he was permitted capital, that the recently formed Publishers' to buy a copy of the book he would be required Association was bitterly pronounced a trust by to agree not to sell any copies at retail for less than Press and public, and anathematised as an unboly the price stipulated. “In fixing the stipulated thing. As a matter of fact it would be about as price it would be put at such a figure as experi. easy to form a “trust” of book publishers as it ence has taught should yield a fair profit to the has been to communicate with the Legations at retailer of conservative business methods. This Peking. The essential nature of the business pre- plan would apply only to the publications issued cludes it. Another wild story concerning the after the plan is adopted; no attempt under it Publishers' Association ran to the effect that the would be made to regulate the price of old object of the movement was to reduce the royal publications." ties and other compensation paid to authors in the Such a scheme would carry the benefit to the future. This report occasioned so much concern author which always is the producer's when a that it seemed worth while to the officers of the uniform and fair price is maintained for the association to disclaim any such unreasonable product. and absurd motive. A SCHEME TO REGULATE PRICES. The real causes of the formal banding together But no bridge yet has been crossed, and the of American publishers are interesting and in- American Publishers' Association is little more structive. The association owes its being to the than organised. Mr. Charles Scribner is the earnest appeals on the part of the retail book- president, Messrs. A. C. McClurg and George sellers all over the country that the publishers Mifflin are the vice-presidents, Mr. George P. should try to change existing conditions in the Brett is the secretary, and Col. G. B. M. Harvey trade so that the retailers could make a living the treasurer. The experiment will be watched For the past half a dozen years the retailer over with interest. Will the organisation stray from here has been losing money. His plight has now its present avowed path, and if so, to what end ? reached a pass where the publisher must act or Will it fall to pieces of its own weight, as similar the bookseller must close out his business. The organisations have done before it? Whatever the publishers therefore have organised themselves for outcome, this action of the publishers is certainly the purpose of helping the men who make it of the greatest significance in our American book possible for a publishing house to exist. world, and pregnant with engaging possibilities,  ## p. 69 (#99) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. ho Along this line a further consideration presents Byron's Profession.'” Mr. Shaw continued : “ It itself. The encouragement of the retail book. seems to me that the principle involved is worth seller means the promotion of the reading of affirming by an English author in the only way better books. A lamentable result of our trade which will convey any solid impression of his conditions here has been that it is difficult to find being in earnest-namely, when he stands to lose a good assortment of good books in the retail by it. On the other hand, as American pub- shop. The dealers, owing to the general cutting lishers as a body have been repeatedly accused of prices, are all for ephemeral « leaders,” and by Englishmen of letters of "pirating' copy- they are actually unable to handle works of more rights-an imaginary offence, as that which does solid merit. Through some reasonable regulation not exist cannot be stolen-it is well that they of prices the interests of good literature may be too should have a printed instance on record in furthered so that dealers will be enabled to offer which that viow has been repudiated from this their customers a wider range of choice. It may side of the Atlantic.” be that the whole tone of the bookselling trade One need not comment. Harper and Brothers will be correspondingly raised. This is, at least, refused to accept even this as the proper conclu. a pleasant picture not only to the buyers of the sion of the correspondence, and so, as a solution best books, but also to the writers of them. to the singular deadlock, the honorarium was finally turned over to the American Copyright MR. SHAW AND £10. League, where, let us hope, it rests peacefully We are talking here over a correspondence, just after its fitful wanderings. made public, between Mr. Bernard Shaw and the house of Harper and Brothers. In November BIBLIOGRAPHY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE. of last year Mr. Shaw offered to return to the The English Bibliographical Society has many publishers an honorarium of ten pounds which American members, but not one of them has the publishers, in the eighties, had sent to the ever read a paper at the society's meetings or author in consideration of such moral claim as contributed a monograph for publication under he could give them on “Cashel Byron's Pro. its auspices. It is therefore with some gratifica- fession.” Mr. Shaw was of opinion that this sum tion that we note a strong plea, made in a should be repaid because a new edition of the magazine article by Mr. Josephson, of Chicago, novel had since been issued by Messrs. Brentano, for an endowed bibliographical institute here. of New York, and because the "moral claim” The purpose is to be the preparation of a biblio. was worth nothing from the date of the Brentano graphy covering the entire field of American publication. And then he went on to say: "I literature. At the last meeting of the American entirely disagree with the ideas of twenty years Library, held at Montreal during July, a com- ago as to the piratical' nature of American mittee reported favourably upon Mr. Josephson's republications of non-copyright books. Unlike scheme, which is, briefly, a co-operative cata- most authors, I am enough of an economist to loguing of the various public libraries in this know that unless an American publisher acquires country. The editing and publishing, as well copyright he can no more make a profit at my as the scientific direction, of the work would be expense than he can at Shakespeare's by repub- in the hands of the staff of the proposed biblio. lishing ‘Hamlet.' The English, when taxed for graphical institute. The realisation of this the support of the author by a price which plan would surely be acclaimed by English includes author's royalties, whilst the American speaking readers everywhere, and the results of nation escapes that burden, may have a grievance such an achievement can hardly be estimated. against the American nation; but that is a very John RUSSELL DAVIDSON. different matter from a grievance against the American publisher." The Messrs. Harper were so impressed by this illumination that they politely declined to retain the ten pounds; they thought that they had no NOTES AND NEWS. right to it. Mr. Shaw, in reply, insisted that "though you are good enough to say that you N interesting correspondence on the“ Manu. have no right to it, it is clear that I have no facture of a Series” has been recently right to it—and, indeed, never had—though I Ane published in the Athenæum. The author have ingeniously excused myself from paying you concerned pointed out that he was offered a sum interest on it, on the ground that the moral of money down—say £50—and after 5000 copies right' it secured you was respected up to the had been sold, the handsome royalty of a farthing date of Messrs. Brentano's reprint of Cashel a copy. The price of the book was 18. He  ## p. 70 (#100) ############################################# 70 THE AUTHOR. refused indignantly. The editor, however, made but for recreation, we ought surely to be satis- haste to point out that the price originally con- fied when we hear that they buy the standard templated was 6d., not is., and that the royalty authors first and fiction next. would be increased. It does not appear what the increase really meant. Now, the small sum down, The extracts from the New York paper, read followed by the small royalty, after a large sale, with the remarks of our New York correspondent has become quite a common offer. Its applica- on the question of the American Publishers' tion to a “series,” of which there are so many, is Association, are of great interest to authors on this in this way. One or two men, ignorant or vain, side of the Atlantic. We shall perhaps learn more are induced to give in their names as contributors about the work of the Association. Meuntime, on certain miserable terms. The names are used it is a pity that the Booksellers of the United as an inducement to get other well-known men States cannot form their own Association and to contribute. The sum paid down in advance manage their business for themselves. of royalties for each volume of the series is in many cases absurdly small. That it is so small is due mainly to the vanity of the Some of the booksellers are trying to get more authors, who think themselves honoured and net books. This is exactly what I expected. The their reputation advanced by figuring as con. partial surrender of the Englishman's liberty to tributors to a twopenny and an unsuccessful manage his business his own way is leading to series. The sum of £50 down and a farthing more complete subjection. Since the booksellers after 5000 copies have been sold is quite muni have been unable to use their own association for ficent. Of course, when the initial cost has been the regulation of their own trade, they will desire repaid, the cost of the book is very small indeed, more and more to put their necks under the yoke. so that the farthing is a hollow mockery. The Let it be remarked that booksellers seem to be deferred royalty is, in fact, now being used like the only class unable to associate for trade the old “ half-profit” method as the easiest way purposes. to escape paying the author anything and to get Of course, publishers will be very ready to yield his property for nothing. Let it be understood to pressure so long as the proposed restrictions plainly that if the royalty is deferred until the are in their own interest; so long as they think cost of production is paid it should be explained the public will support them; and so long as at the outset what this cost means, and the they are allowed by authors to manage the royalty, when commenced, must be at least half the business for their own profit. The Association trade price of the book for the rest of the edition. of Booksellers, if it would only realise the con- ditions, is in complete command of the situation. A bookseller has been lamenting, to a represen. It may fix the trade price wbich it will consent to tative of the Daily Chronicle, the deplorable run pay publishers : it may fix the discount if it upon fiction. He says that people buy nothing chooses, or, if it prefers, it may leave it to any else. He also savs, in the same breath. that bookseller to charge the public just what he everybody buys the English standard authors. pleases. I rejoice to see that Literature remains Well, but if the latter proposition is true, what sound and firm upon the point: “There certainly about the former? Granted that the public does not seem to be any reason to expect that buy the standard authors, they have on their enduring advantage will result from interference shelves a good corpus of literature: enough to with the competitive tendencies of human nature last them all their lives : they need not go out in the book trade, any more than in the trade in side their own shelves at all. What else should bicycles, in boots, in patent medicines, or any they buy but fiction ? Poetry? The general other commodities.” It is, indeed, obvious that public has never greatly cared for new poetry. the attempted system of slavish subjection cannot Essays? There are a few writers-e.g., Louis long continue. It is as impossible for publishers Stevenson and Augustine Birrell—whose essays to dictate the terms of the retailers' dealings with are bought and read : the greater number of the public as for manufacturers of cottons or of essayists appeal only to scholars. Scientific any other produce. The partial success that has books? They are bought by scientific men. hitherto seemed to attend the attempt is only Sermons and religious books? They also are illusory. Being interpreted, it means nothing bought by religious people, especially Noncon- but the despair, and perhaps also the indebted- formists. Books of travel, history, biography ? ness, of a decaying trade. They are mostly too dear. Of philosophy ? They are above the comprehension of the people. When In Literature of July 28 is a list of thirty-four we consider also that people read, not for study, novels by the most popular novelists of the day  ## p. 71 (#101) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 71 which are announced or understood to be forth. The decision of the House of Lords in the case coming this autumn. The names of J. M. Barrie of Walter v. Lane has been received with a good and Conan Doyle are not among them. As deal of difference in opinion. One point cannot regards the latter there is very good reason for be denied : the report of a speech represents the his silence. One or two names have since been special expenditure of money and work by the added to the list. It does not seem, therefore, at proprietors of the paper. It is reasonable at least first as if the prospects of the season were so very that this special expenditure should be recognised bad after all. At the same time it must be and respected. The report of a speech, again, is remembered that in all seasons there is a demand its publication by tacit permission of the author. for the popular novelist. It is the novel that is He grants this permission to any newspaper not so much in demand—the novel by the new wbich will go to the expense of paying a reporter hand, or by the hand which, so far, has shown to take down his words. This understanding is a promise only—that will suffer by the bad season. kind of agreement. The right of the paper is, If war does harm to the bookseller, then we have however, now established. Perhaps, if the new three wars on hand : and the Americans have Copyright Bill is allowed next year to pass, it will two. But there will be, in all probability, a contain clauses for copyright in news, as well as in General Election here : and in America there will reported speeches and reports of all kinds. Once be a Presidential Election. It will surely be the law is established there will be no more diffi- common prudence to keep back doubtful.books, culties of this kind. It is quite as bad that news or books whose subjects are out of harmony with obtained at enormous expense should become the excitement and rush of politics, until the common property as soon as it is published as elections are over-i.e., until the beginning of the that the report of a speech should be considered new year. It needs no prophetic spirit to common property.' _ perceive that from the moment of the dissolution of Parliament to the conclusion of the General I have before me a communication from Miss Election in this country and from the present to Betham Edwards to the editor of “ M. A. P.,” in the Presidential Election of the United States which that lady laments over the good old time there will be nothing heard but the voice of the when there were such cordial relations between candidate, the roaring of the multitude, and the author and publisher, and the latter was so exaggerations and distortions of the party courteous and so generous, and invited the poor speaker. author to dinner sometimes, as one invites the poor relation. The paper proves the strength of A new monthly magazine, the Monthly Review, old traditions. The author formerly was by no is to be commenced this month by the house of means too proud to be the recipient of the pub- Murray. Their last venture into the field of lisher's “generosity," which has now become a monthly magazines was not, apparently, a word of degradation. The relations were cordial success. The editor of this new venture will be because the author placed his property unre- Mr. Henry Newbolt, who will be responsible for servedly and without any nasty conditions, and unsigned" editorials ” which are to form part of without inquiry as to its value, in the hands of each number. The rest of the magazine will be the publisher. “Take my work," he said to like the other reviews. It is quite possible that the publisher, who, noble-hearted creature, was the editor will be able to impress his own person. only too ready to respond in sympathetic vein. ality upon the editorials, in which case the “Take my work. It is very likely a mine of success of the review will be assured. Nothing gold. Take it. Give me whatever you please : belps a paper more than the belief in the power you are always generosity itself. I am very poor. the principle, and the integrity, of one man. It I am glad and thankful for anything. What? was the strong personal element in the Spectator In two figures ? Oh! Large-hearted, generous that created the success of the paper. The patron of literature ! You will ruin yourself in Cornhill flourished while Thackeray held it. your kindness to the poor author! And a dinner Other examples might be quoted, but they would as well, at your own hospitable' table—in the be too personal. As regards the signed articles bosom of your amiable family? With a glass of they will at least enlarge the field for authors. wine, just as if I was your equal, one of your There are plenty of capable writers on every ordinary friends ? Too much! It is too much!” conceivable subject, but on any one subject But Miss Betham Edwards is quite wrong in there are only two or three writers--perhaps considering that golden age as lost beyond only one — capable of presenting the subject recovery. The time of confidence and of depen- attractively. I wish Mr. Newbolt every possible dence is not by any means rendered impossible success.... · by the Authors' Society or by any syndicate.  ## p. 72 (#102) ############################################# 72 THE AUTHOR. The author has only to go back to the old con- coupon conferring benefits on young writers, ten ditions. He must not presume to ask what his times more valuable than the price of the book.” property means, or what the man who so gene- What can those benefits be ? rously relieves him of it makes out of it. There If the book contains the whole art of author. are many publishers living who would be willing ship, what remains ? Something ten times more to forget and forgive the cruel suspicions of the valuable than the price of the book. That is to day, and to go back to the old happy conditions. say, ten half-crowns, or £1 58. What is the valu. Let those who lament the past remember that it able article which can be purchased for 258.? It is always in their power to restore it. The past must be something useful to the young author- may come back again, with the courtesy so dear a pair of boots, perhaps, or a silk umbrella. to the feminine heart, and the tact and good Whatever it is, we thank the spirited and feeling which prompt the publisher not to speak reverend donor for this spontaneous gift to the about figures-sordid things !--and fill him with literary profession. We need, it is true, all we ruinous generosity and the author with tearful can get. gratitude. Let everyone who laments the past The third appearance of the Rev. J. Meldrum take these simple steps to recover and to re Dryerre is as an editor. He has already, it store it. WALTER BESANT. seems, conveyed into port a barque containing twenty stories by twenty writers, which can be obic had for the ridiculously small charge of 38. 6d. ANOTHER BENEFACTOR. The method pursued is as follows :- 1. The stories are not to be more than 2000 TT is now some time since an opportunity was words in length. 1 afforded us of bringing to notice any of the 2. Each author, if his story is accepted, benevolent methods by which earnest and becomes responsible for £1 58. Is it a coin- disinterested. vessels offer assistance, wealth, and cidence that this sum is ten times the price of fame to the aspiring author. It would almost the half-crown book already offered? Can the seem as if these persons were weary of well. wall P promised coupon be ten copies of that work? doing; or as if their offers were met with cold 3; 3. The book of collected stories is to be sold at distrust. However, we are now favoured with 38.0 one more enterprising and sporting proposal. 4. All the profits to be divided among the The leader, guide, and friend, the Codlin of the au his authors. Noble, indeed ! whole business. is a gentleman named " Rey J. 5. The editor to be recouped “necessary Meldrum Drverre.” He is a " wellknown" expenses," and to receive commission of 2d. a author-he says so himself, therefore not to volume. know him is to confess ignorance and obscurity. 6. Nobody is to be admitted into this fortunate He appears before us in a four-fold capacity. company who cannot command among his friends First as an advertiser. He there describes himself the sale of at least a dozen copies at 2s. 8d. - as a “successful” author. It is therefore, one Let us see how the plan works out. presumes, out of pure Christian benevolence that There are twenty writers at £1 58.; that makes he undertakes certain duties not generally per- £25, which is two-thirds of the cost of produc- formed by successful writers. He offers lessons tion. This therefore is £37 108. Very mode- in authorship-he is so successful that he is rate, too. It would seem to represent an edition above the restriction of grammar. Why should of 500 copies of an 8vo. volume containing 160 pp. he aim at grammar when he can make himself of 250 words each--that is to say, five sheets. understood without ? Thus, who can fail to It can be done for the money, binding and all. understand the following? “Lessons in Author- If it is done for less who pockets the difference ? ship offered by a successful author. Terms And what about advertising the book ? stamp." His next appearance is as the author of But the book is “ pushed” by the authors. a book on the “ Art of Authorsbip by a well- Beautiful development of the literary life! The known Author.” He thus describes it—again author has to go round begging his friends to scorning the trammels of grammar: “This book, give him 28. 8d. each. Well : such a book as giving the experience of most of our leading “Lorna Doone," or a round score of masterpieces, authors, is intended to aid those desiring to enter can be had for sixpence apiece—why, then, should the literary life. Practical and sympathetic- anyone buy, let us say, not a masterpiece, for characterise it correctly.” 28. 8d.? However, by dint of push and touting But there is more. “Each book”—this is one of the fortunate twenty gets rid, suppose, of very mysterious and attractive—"contains a fifteen copies, which at 28. 8d. means 408. If he  ## p. 73 (#103) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 73 is wise he will repay himself that 258., and editors and publishers' readers so often reject forward the rest to the editor. Suppose that the good articles and books is because they are no whole twenty get rid of fifteen copies each. judges of literature until it is printed and bound. That means 300 copies, or £40. How does it Even typewriting does not assist their judgement, work out? and “ galley” proof but little more. Indeed, the The editor takes his “necessary expenses "- Ideal Editor prefers handwriting to typewriting ; say £2 108. The rest goes to the printer, or, if it seems to give him the author's thought more the cost has been less than the estimate, the fresh and hot; it helps to bring out for him the margin will pay something towards that ad, a literary physiognomy of the story or article. copy, which amounts to £2 ios. How much is The Ideal Editor appreciates style, but is no left for the Company of Twenty? But the stylomaniac. If the subject be of sufficient British public may buy the volume eagerly. interest he will accept an article and print it as Perhaps ; on the other hand, perhaps it will not. it stands, even if it be indifferently written. There is, however, a fourth character in which To give style to a man who has it not is to this versatile and reverend gentlemen appears. deprive him of marked individuality. Impotence, He has a “ Literary Bureau ” of which he is inability to express in writing may become an “Hon. Sec.” It is generally understood that interesting and entertaining phenomenon of which an “Hon. Sec.” is unpaid. The Bureau buys it would be wrong to deprive readers, as witness MSS.; sells MSS. at a 10 per cent. commission: many well-known cases. The Ideal Editor does “ considers " MSS. with a view to publication in not regard it as his business to touch up the book form : gives lessons in writing short stories : style of articles until they bear no reseinblance to in writing for the Press generally : and criti. the original. Have we not seen one or two cises MSS. at 28, 6d. each if not more than 4000 magazines in which each article, however diverse words in length. The Bureau has been estab the subject, seemed to be the contribution of the lished for ten years. same pen? This was the handiwork of a stylo. One would like to ask a few questions : maniac. The ideal editor's corrections are con. (1) Have the authors of the volume already fined to slips in grammar, and even here he uses published received any of their money back? his power sparingly. It has happened to the (2) What becomes of the difference when the present writer that a purist editor—the least ideal cost of production is less than the estimate ? type of them all-has altered the expression (3) Who makes up the difference when it is “It's me!” into “It is I!" The Ideal Editor has greater? been known to make changes in spelling and (4) What advertising is done? punctuation, but again only sparingly, for in (5) What were the details and the amount of both he prefers to leave free play to the individu. the “necessary expenses”? ality which both are capable of expressing. He (6) Whether the Rev. J. Meldrum Dryerre is would never, for instance, alter “shew” into the unpaid secretary of the Bureau ? If not, “show” or drop the "e" in judgement, but he why he calls himself “Hon. Sec." ? tries to preserve for us old friends and pleasant (7) To what authors or to what works can memories, and changes “ Kalendar" into “ Calen- he refer as a successful and competent literary dar," and Aachen into Aix-la-Chapelle. agent? It is customary for literary agents to The Ideal Editor has no other profession and is produce these references in proof of competence. very diligent in his own. He keeps a MS. but a short time when it is not his intention to keep it altogether. The Ideal Editor is a gentleman, and therefore polite solicitude is another of his many THE IDEAL EDITOR. excellencies. A tender consideration, even for (From the occasional contributor's point of view.) the obscure and troublesome, animates his whole conduct. If the contributor has sent his MS. F the Ideal Editor's literary qualification this unfolded in a stiff cardboard case, the editor will U paper sayeth nought; its object is rather return it in the same case; if the contributor has to set forth, to the shame of his Philistine folded his MS. the editor will observe the same compeer, the excellencies of his rule of conduct pleats in folding and not brutally roll and crumple and the praiseworthiness of his methods of pro. it as his Philistine compeer does ; if only postage cedure. stamps and no wrapper accompanies the MS., the The first general excellency of the Ideal Editor editor in returning it is careful to use wrappers is that he can judge of the merits of a contribu. that cover the whole width of the MS., so that it tion in its MS. form. This may sound a truism, may in no way become soiled or defaced by post- but it is none the less a fact that the reason why marks or postage stamps. He has a kind heart,  ## p. 74 (#104) ############################################# 74 THE AUTHOR. AMERICAN PUBLISHERS' ASSOCIATION. 1. TNDIANAPOLIS, July 20. — The Bowen- | Merrill Company of this city, the largest publishing firm in the State, has received a circular letter from Eastern publishers asking representatives to attend a meeting to be held in New York on Wednesday next to consider a plan of co-operation whereby author's royalties may be decreased. The circular says that “if the publishers and booksellers can arrange matters satisfactorily, the sellers will not handle books of publishers not in the association and the publishers will not sell to outsiders.” Nothing is said in the circular of capitalisation or the number which it is proposed to take into the combine. —New York Sun, July 21, 1900. the Ideal Editor, and knows that one journey through the post will often give a MS. a sadly rejected look. Moreover, he is acquainted with the postal regulations; he can distinguish between home and foreign ; he is aware that the minimum for MSS. abroad is 2 d. and not—as the Philis- tines all think-id. It would grieve him to the soul to be instrumental in inflicting a postal fine on a starving contributor or to add to the exchequer of a rapacious foreign Government Further, he never sends proofs or MSS. abroad in an open gummed envelope, for he knows that certain foreign postal officials, whose patriotism gets the better of their honesty, are quite capable of closing the gummed envelope and no upon the unfortunate. perhaps' stary. ing, contributor a postal fine of the value of a luncheon. When he has made up his mind to accept an article, the Ideal Editor does not selfishly nurse the fact in his bosom for six months or a year ; he is a humane man, and immediately informs the contributor of the good news. It is asking too much, but there does exist a high-souled editor-creature almost of another world—who acknowledges every MS. as he receives it. promis ing “attention in due course.” This of itself softens the blow when the “attention ” eventually does not take the form of retention ; and, when accepted, the contributor has not over long to wait for an appearance. The Ideal Editor accepts with judgement; therefore his pigeon-holes are never unduly cluttered up, not even with “ middles.” The Ideal Editor always sends two proofs-one to be returned and one to be retained. The con tributor corrects both, and is thus able to see for himself that the proof is actually printed as it leaves his hands. For I need scarcely say that if the Ideal Editor makes any changes-suggestions he would prefer me to call them—they are always made in the proof, which is never touched again after it leaves the author's hands. (N.B. The two proofs are invariably accompanied by the MS., without which a writer cannot comfortably correct the proof of a difficult article). The Philistine editor never returns the MS., even if .the substance of the article is composed of intri. cate statistics. Such, then, set forth without hyperbole, are some of the excellencies of the Ideal Editor. All honour to him. When the Philistine who is encamped over against the Sion of his sanctum shall hatte been subdued to a like rightmindedness and gentlemanliness of procedure, then the lite- rary millennium will be nigh, and the contribut. ing lamb may lie down without fear by the side of the once-dreaded editing lion. M, C. II. The American Publishers' Association was formed on last Wednesday, Charles Scribner being elected president. The news of the forma- tion of the association was printed on the follow- ing day, together with many reasons for its being. Nearly every reason given was incorrect and quite at variance with the real purpose of the organisa- tion. The story most widely circulated was sent out from Chicago and was to the effect that the principal book publishers of the United States had decided to band themselves into a trust, and that the formation of an association was the first number on their programme. Another story sent out from Chicago or some more windy Western town, had it that the main object of the new organisation was to reduce the compensation to be paid to authors in the future. So far as the promoters of the organisation have read, not one of the stories printed relative to the reason for organisation and the plans for the future is correct. And right here it may be well to correct one or two of these stories. In the first place, it was never the intention of any of the publishers who had a hand in organising the association to form a trust. Anyone at all familiar with the business of book publishing knows that it would be about as easy to form a trust of book publishers, on account of the very nature of the business, as it has been to com. municate with the legations in Peking. Further- more, the association was not formed for the purpose of buying manuscripts at reduced rates or for the purpose of reducing royalties. In fact, the relations of author and publisher were not even considered in the formation of the new  ## p. 75 (#105) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 75 association. It was not even suggested that booksellers as well as the regular retailers, and, these relations were any part of the business or furthermore, the department stores bought many concern of such an association. more new books for which there was a popular So much for the reasons that didn't lead to the demand than most of the regular retailers. The formation of the association and for the plans department stores were good customers, and the which it never had any intention of carrying out. publishers did not feel inclined to interfere with Now, as a matter of fact, this association was their business. The demands and the pleadings formed at the request of retail booksellers all over and the requests of the retailers kept coming in, the country and after repeated and earnest plead. however, and finally, a few months ago, some of the ings on the part of the retailers that the pub publishers decided that they must do something. lishers try to do something to change existing Some of them made individual investigation as to conditions in the trade, and work out some scheme the extent to which the business of the regular by which the retailers could at least make a dealer was impaired by the book shops in the living. They have been requesting for the last department stores. two or three years. More recently they have Their investigation led them to inquire about fairly demanded some assistance from the pub. the sale of some of the popular novels. They found lishers, representing that, if they didn't get it, that the sale of “ David Harum,” for instance, had many retail booksellers would either have to close reached, at the time the investigation was made, out their business or be sold out. It was as a 500,000 copies; of “Richard Carvel,” 438,000 somewhat tardy answer to this cry for help, copies had been sold. “To Have and to Hold,” coming from all parts of the country, that the 200,000; “ Janice Meredith,” 250,000; and “Red association was formed. Rock," 84,000 copies. It has not been deter- Therefore, instead of banding together to do mined just what percentage of the total sale of the public or do the authors, the publishers have the books mentioned must be credited to the really organised themselves for the purpose of department stores, but it is known to be large. helping the men who make it possible for a pub. The investigators then tried to get at the loss to lishing house to exist. It was simply a case of somebody by the cut rates at which these books helping others and thereby helping themselves. were sold in the department stores. They took For the benefit of those not familiar with the “Richard Carvel ” for their purpose because book trade it may be said that during each certain department stores were advertising this succeeding year for the past five or six years and book extensively. The book was put out by the more, the retail bookseller's business has been Appletons to be sold at retail for i dollar 50 cents. growing poorer and poorer. The inventory at the It was found that the price in many department close of each year has shown that the profit from stores was i dollar 14 cents., while at some it was the sale of books alone was less than the sold as low as 81 cents., the publisher's price at year before. The retailers saw that this thing wholesale. The cut from the regular retail price must stop or they would have to do something was therefore 36 cents. a copy in some cases and else to make a living. And yet they could see no 69 cents. in others. way by which they could change the conditions. They saw at once that the volume of business because they knew the chief cause and they were done by many retailers who had to compete with powerless to remove it. these department stores was not such as to make The alleged chief cause of the decline in the it possible for tbem to meet even the higher of trade of the retail booksellers has been the alleged the two cut prices. In the first place, many of cause of decline in other particular lines of trade the retailers could not buy in sufficiently large for many years. The booksellers laid all their quantities to enable them to buy the book at the troubles to the department store, as the shoe lowest wholesale price. From all the information dealer and the butcher and the greengrocer and that could be gathered it seemed to be true that, the þardware dealer had done before them. They in the case of many of the retailers, they could asserted to the publisher that, so long as book's not realise a decent profit and cut under i dollar were sold in department stores at prices with 50 cents. As for selling the book at 81 cents., which the regular bookseller found it utterly the price made by the publishers to jobbers and impossible to compete, the regular men in the others who bought in large quantities, that was trade could not do business at a profit. It was to utterly out of the question. It was then for the save them from the department stores that the publishers to determine whether they could afford retailers appealed to the publishers. to help in some way the regular retailers at the For some time the publishers could not see expense, if necessary, of the department store. their way clear to assist the retailers. They were What determination was reached may be inferred compelled to look upon the department stores as from the forming of the association.  ## p. 76 (#106) ############################################# 76 THE AUTHOR. You couldn't get a publisher to admit that the association intends to antagonise a single depart. ment store in a single city in the country. On the contrary, they say they are going to get the department store to help them in the work they have undertaken. Just how they are going to do this they do not say, and it is probably true that they do not yet know. As a matter of fact, the publishers haven't got that far yet. They have really only effected an organisation and elected officers. A committee has been appointed to draft articles of association, and when it is ready to report, another meeting of the association will be held. Although no plan for aiding the retailers is now under consideration by the association as a body, the individual members are considering a scheme proposed by a man who has been in the publish. ing business over forty years in New York. At present the plan is looked upon with much favour, and it looks now as if it, or some slight modifica- tion of it, would be adopted by the association. Under this plan a net retail price for all books published after the adoption of the plan would be fixed by the association. The general scale of the prices fixed would be much lower than the retail prices now suggested by publishers to be charged for books. For instance, a book that would sell at retail, without any requirement from the pub: lisher, at I dollar 50 cents, would then be required to be sold at i dollar 25 cents. From this price the retailer would get a certain trade discount, but before he was permitted to buy a copy of the book he would be required to agree not to sell any copies at retail for less than the price stipulated by the publisher. In fixing the stipulated price it would be put at such a figure as experience has taught should yield a fair profit to the retailer of conservative business methods. This plan, as has been stated, would apply only to the publications issued after the plan is adopted. No attempt under it would be made to regulate the retail price of old publica tions. When this plan was outlined to a Sun reporter yesterday, the reporter asked the man who explained it if he expected such a scheme to be readily accepted by the department stores. His answer was: “I think we can show the department store proprietors that it will not be a bad thing for them. Of course, the publishers will continue to give the largest discount to the purchasers of the largest bill of goods, and the department stores will get the benefit of that discount. The regular retailers can find no fault with that. But it is a question of live and let live. The publishers can't live off the department stores alone, and the regular retailers can't live with the department stores under the present conditions. I think the whole thing can be laid before the department store men in such a way that they will accept it. If they don't, why we shall have to treat them, if this plan be adopted, just as we would have to treat a regular retailer who refused to accept the terms of the plan. We should then be compelled to refuse to sell to them. “But there are others to be considered besides the department stores. It is not well, for instance. to forget altogether the public. The adoption of this plan, or one something like it, would be of great benefit to the buyers of books. In the first place, the majority will be able to get their books cheaper than they would if no such plan were in force, because the majority of the buyers of high- class books, such as the members of this associa- tion publish, do not buy them from department stores. Therefore, if the plan were not in force, the majority would buy their books at the present higher scale of retail prices. “Another class that would be benefited by such a scheme would be the authors. In showing that the scheme would benefit them, I show how silly was the story that the publishers were combining against them. When it can be brought about that a uniform and fair price can be maintained for a product, the producers are always benefited. This applies to authors as well as mill hands, and the adoption of some such scheme would enable us to pay better instead of poorer rates to authors, even had we ever thought of trying to get authors to work for less." ſt was recalled by another publisher that, so far as authors are concerned, they, as a class, are not so dependent on the publishers as the publishers are on them. Of poor authors, it was said, there are plenty, but good ones are rare, and high-class publishers can never afford to work against their interests, and never have since books were pub. lished. As showing the character and standing of the publishing houses represented at the organisation of the association, it may be stated that the following were represented : D. Appleton and Co.; Bowen-Merrill Company, of Indianapolis ; Century Company; Henry T. Coates and Co, of Philadelphia ; Thomas Y. Crowell and Co.; Dodd, Mead, and Co.; Double- day, Page, and Co.; Funk and Wagnalls ; Harper and Brothers; Houghton, Mifflin, and Co.; John Lane; Lee and Shepard, Boston; the J. B. Lippincott Company, of Philadelphia; Little, Brown, and Co., of Boston; Longmans, Green, and Co.; McClure, Phillips, and Co.; the Mac- millan Company; Thomas Nelson and Sons ; G. P. Putnam's Sons; James Pott and Co.; Fleming H. Revell Company; R. H. Russell; Charles Scribner's Sons; Silver, Burdett, and  ## p. 77 (#107) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 77 Co.; Mays, Maynard, and Co.; and Frederick A. Stokes and Co.—New York Sun, July 29, 1900. The weakest wills are often hardest to forecast —like the weather. Virtue cannot be defined by code, for it is infinite. FINLAY GLENELG. REFLECTIONS. RT'S chief end is not to teach, but to touch. CORRESPONDENCE. Genuine gospels are not sad. The only irony in Nature lies in our. selves. 1.-GOOD AND BAD ENGLISH. It is often easier to blame Providence than to MAN YOU explain what vexes my old-fashioned learn wisdom. I mind-namely, the use of the adverb once Microbes of misfortune thrive in the malaria of to mark time without its former companion misunderstanding. “when." Taken alone, it means simply that an Disease is due to lower lifeincluding our event happened on only one occasion. own. I have been obliged to look back or forward to Lower life may help the higher—to under see whether“ once" meant“ once on a time " long stand. ago, or whether it was used as showing that when Pessimism is a symptom of disease, sometimes some object was completed the rest followed. I canonised as natural science. have often met with it in books, and passed it as All genius, like all love, is miraculous. slip-slop-perhaps American; but I have just All science is superficial, and so is even religion. found it in a leading article in a contemporary. Genius never produces unhappiness—in the “Once, moreover, the decision has been taken, wisest. very little time is required to send out, &c.” Good artists enjoy life—when free and wise. Surely it would have cost even less time to begin Freedom alone cannot guarantee wisdom. the sentence with “ When once," instead of com. Absolute freedom is only for the perfectly wise mitting a barbarism of which no quotation in —the unknown. Webster's dictionary gives an instance. No one is ever too good, or even too bad, for ONCE AND EVER A LOVER OF GOOD this world. ENGLISH The absolutely impossible is unknown to us. The unwise will blame Nature for their own vain visions. II.-WALTER v. LANE. We do not know the effect of too much wisdom, The decision of the House of Lords in the case for we have never tried it. of “Walter v. Lane” goes far to carry the point Were disease always ugly, its career would be that I first urged at a meeting of the Authors' shorter. Society in the year 1891, as reported in The When Nature seems unjust, or Providence Author for Feb. 1891. What I claimed was a unwise, we only see our own images. copyright in literary style in news description ; The sub-human often mistakes itself for the i.e., I see an event, or railway accident, or fire, or supernatural. a Tsar's coronation, and I describe it in a certain The unique is only the usual. fashion; in fact, putting myself into the descrip- It is often harder to improve ourselves than to tion, and for such work I claim a copyright. Others reprove society. may describe the same event or incident, but if Love cannot fail, even when inexpert lovers they copy or choose my words, my mannerisms, must. my style, then they infringe my copyright. This All art must succeed when wise—however is just what the Times claims for its report invisibly. of Lord Rosebery's speeches. Since 1891 I have All worries are born of our weaknesses. used every opportunity for urging this claim to Facts are poor without reasons, and reasons copyright in literary style in news description, and seem poorer without sympathies. have spoken upon it at the International Press Humour is the offspring of sense and of senti. Congress at Bordeaux, Rome, &c., and at Rome ment. the International Press Bureau accepted the pro- Ideal justice is still beyond human ken. position, and it will be embodied in a bill to Novel truth may become dangerous when be laid before the Berne Convention; so that in wisdom does not pilot us. time the paragraphist, who from his local know- The nether side of unhappiness is unhealthiness. ledge gives true colour or scientific insight into  ## p. 78 (#108) ############################################# 78 THE AUTHOR. a descriptive note, will be able to prevent dozens Mr. Mackenzie Bell's poem, “Lord, teach us to of journals immediately seizing upon his well Pray," has just been published by Mr. Charles written “ par.”—for surely England, that suffers Vincent, arranged as an anthem by Herr Georg most from such “commandeering,” will not be Liebling, Court pianist to the Duke of Saxe. bebind the internationalists in journalist legisla- Coburg and Gotha. tion. - JAMES BAKER. Dr. Conan Doyle's history of the South African War is in preparation, and will be published by III.-ENGLISH AUTHORS IN THE UNITED STATES. Messrs. Smith, Elder and Co. Surely the comment upon “ Maxwell Gray's ". After the flood of books on mountaineering experience is quite obvious. There are various which recent seasons have witnessed, there is justifications for the role of literary agent, but evidently to be a cessation now. So far, the only no part of his function can be, for writers of any my book of the kind announced for publication in standing, more important than knowledge of and the autumn is “In the Ice World of the Himalaya,” a hold upon the whole international market. If by Mrs. Fanny Bullock Workman and Mr. “ Maxwell Gray's" affairs had been in the bands William Hunter Workman, who had many of a competent agent-by which is implied an interesting adventures in their travels. agent with, among other things, an American representative-none of these troubles could have “The Slaves of Society” is the title of an arisen. And surely, if the Authors' Society is anonymous satire on modern social life and wise enough not to undertake agent's work in this usages, which Messrs. Harper are to publish. country there can be no call for it to attempt to Mr. J. Ashby-Sterry is issuing through Messrs. do it in New York, where, it being a civilised Sands a new collection of his essays. place, the business of literary agent is perfectly Mrs. Humphry Ward's new novel will be pub. well understood. THE LITERARY AGENCY. lished in the autumn. It has been appearing in 5, Henrietta-street, London, W.C. Harper's, and is called “ Eleanor.” The scene is laid in Italy. The novel upon which John Oliver Hobbes is en- gaged will be called “Love and the Soul Hunters.” BOOK AND PLAY TALK. Mrs. Mary E. Mann has written a novel entitled “ Among the Syringas,” in which a M HE Rev. C. Dudley Lampen's new story, to country clergyman is the chief character. The be published by Messrs. Everett and Co. book will be published by Mr. Fisher Unwin. shortly, is entitled “Barcali, the Mutineer: M. Leroy-Beaulieu, the well-known French a Tale of the Great Pacific.” It deals with the economist and authority on colonial affairs, has discovery of a strange colony and the doings of recently published in Paris a work of great a clever but exceedingly wicked chief engineer. interest at the present time, entitled “La Renova- Messrs. Methuen and Co. are publishing at tion de l'Asie." An English translation of this once Mr. J. Bloundelle-Burton's new romance, book is to be brought out by Mr. Heinemann. It entitled “Servants of Sin,” the action of which will be edited, with a preface, by Mr. Henry takes place during the regency of the Duke of Norman, of whose “Peoples and Politics of the Orleans, and during the time of the downfall of Far East” Mr. Fisher Unwin is now publishing Law's Mississippi scheme and that of the Great a new edition. Plague of Marseilles. The main incidents of this The first number of a new half-a-crown review, story are founded upon fact, and many of the edited by Mr. Henry Newbolt, will be published characters are, under other names, persons who by Mr. Murray on Sept. 19. The founders “wish actually existed at the period; while the actual it to take its place among its old competitors in a facts themselves were unearthed by Mr. Bloun. modest and orderly manner, believing that neither delle-Burton in the libraries of Paris while 'pushfulness' nor loud promises are likely to engaged in writing a history of the “ Three attract the readers they desire." It is to be Louis” (Louis XIII., XIV., and XV.), on which called the Monthly Review. he has for some years been occupied. Mr. Frederick A. Cook, who acted as surgeon, Mr. F. S. Ellis, who was closely associated anthropologist, and photographer to the “Belgica” with William Morris, has since the death of his expedition to the Antarctic region, is writing an friend been engaged upon a translation of “The account of that adventure. It will be published Romance of the Rose." This work will form three by Mr. Heinemann. volumes of the Temple Classics, and the first of A cheap issue of Dr. George Macdonald's novels these is just being published by Messrs. Dent. has been begun by Messrs. Kegan Paul. .._-- --- ----- - - ------ --- - - -  ## p. 79 (#109) ############################################# THE AUTHOR. 79 A new book by Mr. F. C. Selous, entitled “ English Nell,” the new pla y by Mr. Anthony “ Sport and Travel, East and West,” will be pub- Hope and Mr. Edward Rose-founded on “ Simon lished in the autumn. Dale”—was produced at the Prince of Wales's Mr. Leslie Stephen's work « The English Theatre on Aug. 21. The heroine, as in the Utilitarians,” will be published in a few days. It Haymarket production referred to above, is Nell is in three volumes (Duckworth). Gwynne. In the July number of The Author a reference A play by Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., entitled was made to the American novel “ To Have and “ The Lost Leader,” will be produced shortly at to Hold,” by Miss Mary Johnston. It should be the Crown Theatre, Peckham. It is founded explained, however, that the title this book bears upon incidents in the career of Mr. Parnell. The in England is “ By Order of the Company.” The leading part will be played by Mr. Laurence former title was used in England by Miss Irving. Sarah Stredder, who published a novel entitled In Mr. Cecil Raleigh's new drama, “ The Price “ To Have and to Hold ” sixteen years ago. of Peace,” the opening scene is placed in a ward The first long novel that Mr. Louis Becke has of St. Thomas's Hospital; then the action passes written will be published shortly by Mr. Fisher to the Houses of Parliament, and it is under- Unwin. It will be called “ Edward Barry, South stood that the play has a political interest Sea Pearler.” throughout. Mr. Henry Neville and Miss Lettie A collection of articles on European sport is Fairfax will take the chief parts, and it is hoped being edited by Mr. F. G. Aflalo for publication to produce the play at Drury Lane on Sept. 15. by Messrs. Sands in a volume which will be called Mr. Barrie has written a new play, “ Two “Sport in Europe." Among the contributors are Kinds of Women," with which Mr. Arthur Prince Demidoff, Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart., and Bourchier will reopen the Garrick Theatre. Mr. W. A. Baillie Grohman. Mrs. Alec Tweedie is leaving shortly for Canada The Rev. H. N. Hutchinson's new work on the and the United States to pay several visits, and living races of mankind is to appear in fortnightly she purposes spending next winter in Mexico in parts, beginning immediately. Mr. Hutchinson order to write a new book on that country. Mrs. has been assisted by Mr. Lvdekker, Mr. J. W. Alec Tweedie's book, “Through Finland in Gregory, and other authorities. Carts,” is just ready in a new edition. An up-to- Collectors will be interested to note the prices date political chapter has been added, and a realised by Mr. Swinburne's books in the auction portrait of the author. Finland is of particular rooms. The following copies which were sold by interest at the moment, in consequence of the Messrs. Sotheby were presented by the author to Tsar's strange attempt to rob that interesting the late Dr. Grosart, and bore inscriptions to that country of the political rights which he himself effect :- SONGS OF THE SPRINGTIDES (1880), swore to uphold when he ascended the throne. £5 128. 6d.; MARY STUART (1881), £5 158.; The Russian language is being introduced ; TRISTRAM OF LYONESSE (1882), £5 178. 6d.; Finnish newspapers are suppressed ; the stamps A CENTURY OF ROUNDELS (1883), 26 128. 6d.; and the currency are in jeopardy. Indeed, Russia, MARINO FALIERO (1885), £5 178. 6d. ; LOCRINE in spite of her peace manifesto, is doing her best (1887), 26; A STUDY OF BEN JONSON to exterminate the independence of poor Finland. (1889), £6 29. 60.; A Tale OF BALEN (1896), It is an interesting struggle. £5 178. 6d. Miss Julia Neilson is just producing at the Haymarket (Aug. 30) Mr. Kester's “Sweet Nell of Old Drury." Mr. George Alexander also is BOOKS AND REVIEWS. now (Sept. 1) producing “A Debt of Honour,” (In these columns notes on books are given from reviews- Mr. Sydney Grundy's new play. which carry weight, and are not, so far as can be learned, logrollers.) A special matinée has been organised by Mr. Penley in aid of Mr. Arthur Pearson's Fresh Air DARTMOOR, by S. Baring Gould (Methuen, 68.), for a. Fund for the Poor, and will take place at the holiday tourist of some reading and imagination, will be says the Daily News, “a most delightful book. Soenic Great Queen-street Theatre on Sept. 15. Two description, anecdotes racy of the Devonian soil, antiquities, new plays by Mr. Edward Jones will be produced are here poured forth with a profusion which Mr. Baring on this occasion. Gould's lightness of touch and sense of order prevent Mr. Stephen Phillips's forthcoming play, from being for an instant wearisome." The Daily Chronicle says the book “is in many respects a model of its sort. Mr. “ Herod the King," will follow “ Julius Cæsar" at Baring Gould has lived all his life in the neighbourhood Her Majesty's. which he describes Dartmoor has been to him, as he says,  ## p. 80 (#110) ############################################# 80 THE AUTHOR. 'a passion,' and he has indulged that passion in intimacy and sympathy.” ESSAYS OF JOHN DRYDEN, selected and edited by W. P. Ker (Clarendon Press, 108. 6d.), consists, for the most part, of essays which were furnished as prefaces to plays or poems. “Professor Ker's introductions," says the Daily Chronicle," have grip and suggestiveness. The notes are concise and always to the point.” Literature says that “ Professor Ker has earned the gratitude of all who love English literature by collecting and editing these scattered prefaces. His part of the work is conspicuously good.” i There is a bibliography and an index, and in some cases various readings are added from later editions which are most instructive.” “Here at last,” says the Spectator," the work of Dryden is set forth with learning, taste, and restraint." AMERICA'S WORKING PEOPLE, by Charles B. Spahr (Longmans, 5s. net), “is an interesting book," says the Daily Chronicle. “Mr. Spahr draws with a firm hand and a loving touch, broadly, yet not without detail, the varieties of the great Labour class as he has studied them in different parts of his own land. He has a passion, all too rare amongst economists, for knowing about things as they are ; and in his pages we find the old factories and the new, the border community, the iron centre, and above all, the northern farm, sketched from the life, with other studies of contemporary industries and communities, alike vivid and instructive." A SPORTSWOMAN IN INDIA, by Isabel Savory (Hutchin. son, 168.) “No better written book on Indian sport has come our way these ton years," says the Daily Chronicle. “The romance of the gorgeous Eastern cities," says the Spectator, “is told with much picturesqueness, but the author is far more at home in the lonely hill.camp or beating in the jungle. To anyone who wishes to live for some hours in a fascinating world of sport and adventure nothing could be better than this gallant and light-hearted book.” The book, says the Guardian, is "simply a record of a most enjoyable visit to India by a young lady, full of high spirits ... and with plenty of sound common sense and & temperament that enabled her to think as well as to enjoy. The result is this extremely pleasant volume, for the author, as the guest of Sir George Wolseley, had every opportunity of seeing the best and brightest aspects of the country.” Many of the personal adventures she records, says the Daily Telegraph, are “ worthy of a hardened Nimrod.” THE UTTERMOST FARTHING, by P. B. Neuman (Black. wood, 68.), “is a very clever piece of work,” says Literature. ** The story, though trivial and unimportant, is well put together and well told, though the probabilities are not very carefully respected.” The Daily Chronicle calls it “clever and decidedly original.” Medlett and Crofts are two City men, apparently good friends, who become bitter enemies through the issue of a speculation which ruins one of them. The main theme of the story, says the Daily News, " is a family fead, its leading sentiment revenge-revenge, how- ever, not of the Corsican quality, but the plain English middle-class brand.” It is “a good wholesome story, told in a plain onadorned and yet forcible manner.” ON ALIEN SHORES, by Leslie Keith (Hurst and Blackett, 68.), is described by the Daily Chronicle as "altogether a well-studied and interesting story.” “There is something of Datoh fidelity in the author's painting of the Edinburgh home.” “It is a quietly amusing story," says the Spec- tator, " not too short, written with great care, and, above all, with a real power of describing human nature ; and people who like these qualities will find this novel more than merely readable.” “The heroine, brought up in luxury in Portland Place, and then making the best of her stolen marriage with a City clerk, is well-drawn and lifelike.” Mis’ESS Joy, by John Le Breton (Macqueon, 68.), “ is as steeped in irony,” says the Daily Chronicle," as Mr. Hardy's masterpiece Tess,' though hardly of so intense and tragic a cast.” “The story is a remarkable one, and well as Mr. Le Breton has already written, it is by far the best work we have had from his pen." A GIFT FROM THE GRAVE, by Edith Wharton (Murray, 28. 6d. net), is "a work of great interest," says Literature. “The book is a purely introspective study. A man of delicate fibre commits a coarse act. He publishes the letters-practically the love-letters-of a woman who wrote them in utter confidence.” “The book is chiefly concerned with his repentance after his shabby deed has brought him all the good things he wanted, and the study in souls,” says the Spectator, “is well and cleverly done. Readers who like motives, emotions, and soul-searchings will be much interested in the story." THE STRONG ARM, by Robert Barr (Methuen, 6s.), con- sists, says the Daily Chronicle, " of one longish story and several short ones, more or less connected together by a continuous thread of interest.” “There are robber barons and outlaws, and intriguing archbishops, and love, and war and all sorts of exciting things.” A PRINCE OF SWINDLERS, by Guy Boothby (Ward, Lock, and Co., 68.) is a series of stories, linked together by the identity of the hero. “Mr. Gay Boothby gives us," says the Spectator, " the portrait of a magnificent impostor who unites the salient points of Messrs. Lecoq, Sherlock Holmes, and Charles Peace, the whole seen through a powerful magnifying glass.” “The stories are ingenious if not very convincing, and readers who like sensationalism and plenty of it will very likely be amused by the book.” THE CRIMSON WEED, by Christopher St. John (Duck- worth, 68.), is, says the Daily Chronicle, "a study of one of those passions that can ruin a lifetime." Revenge is the "crimson weed,” which takes root in the mind of Luke Grey. The book “gives evidence of considerable literary and dramatic power. The scenes are vividly realised, and the characters live, and the story, such as it is, is told with no little passion and spirit.” THE DESCENT OF THE DUCHESS, by Morley Roberts (Sands, 38. 6d.), is “& thoronghly admirable piece of fooling," in the opinion of the Daily News. “It does not palpitate with actuality," says the Daily Chronicle, “but for the filling up of an hour's leisure in a shady corner of the garden on a hot afternoon it will do extremely well." THE DEAN'S APRON, by C. J. Wills and Godfrey Burchett (Ward, Lock, and Co., 38. 6d.) is described by the Daily Telegraph as “an exceptionally clever story of clerical life in a cathedral town, abounding in graphic and convincing word-pictures of envious persons and scandal. mongers, obviously sketched from life.” THE AUTHOR.' SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. Front Page ** Other Pages .. ... £4 0 0 Hall of & Page ... ... ... ... 300 Quarter of a Page ... ... 1 100 ... Eighth of a Page ... 015 0 Single Column Advertisements. per inch Bills for Insertion 0 6 0 ... per 2000 3 0 0 Reductions made for a Series of Six or Twelve Insertions. All letters respecting Advertisements should be addressed to the ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER, The Author Office, 4, Portugal-street London, W.O.  ## p. 80 (#111) ############################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. THE LITERARY AGENCIA SALE OF MSS. OF EVERY KIND. Literary Advice, Revision, Research, etc. ARRANGEMENTS FOR Printing, Publishing, Illustration, Translation, etc. THE LITERARY AGENCY OF LONDON, 5, HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. G. RADFORD. G. H. PERRIS. DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD THE (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) Contains hairless paper, over which the pen Blips with perfect freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket Size, 38. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that THE LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. by fire or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained. "Sir Henry Ponsonby 18 Scommanded by the Queen to thank Mr. Darlington for a copy of his Handbook." "Nothing better conld be wished for."-British Weekly. "Far superior to ordinary guides."-London Daily Chronicle. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. ls. each. Illustrated. Maps by John BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN. THE NORTH WALES COAST, BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH. AND DOLGELLY. MALVERN, HEREFORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. 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References kindly permitted to Sir Walter Besant; also to Messrs. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House. Norfolk-street, Strand, W.0. HTAOW 21 ЗИUTHO3 тазаОМ А  ## p. 80 (#112) ############################################# iv ADVERTISEMENTS. T HAS NEVER BEEN SERIOUSLY QUES- TIONED BY ANY HONEST TYPEWRITER INVENTOR, MECHANICAL EXPERT, OR USER THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL LINES UPON WHICH THE SMITH PREMIER IS BUILT ARE FAR IN ADVANCE OF ANY OTHER TYPE- WRITER. THAT ALONE WOULD NOT MERIT SUCCESS, BUT THAT FOUNDATION TOGETHER WITH BEST MATERIAL, BEST WORKMANSHIP, AND EXPERT INSPECTION OF ALL THE PARTS AS WELL AS THE FINISHED PRODUCT, HAVE CAUSED THE SMITH PREMIER TO WIN. THIS IS THE EX. PLANATION OF ITS PHE- NOMENAL RECORD OF SUCCESS. SEND FOR ART CATALOGUE. The Smith Premier Typewriter Co 14, Gracechurch Street, LONDON, E.C. Smith Prema ESTABLISHED] The Athenæum Press, Taunton. (XVII. CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. 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Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 04 (September 1900) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 04 (September 1900) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1900-09-01-The-Author-11-4 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/333/1900-08-01-The-Author-11-3.pdf 594215024095b53fec336cff258db9e4 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) 1900-08-01 Volume 11 Issue 3 Pages Page range in volume 41–60 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19000801 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Et utbor. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.—No. 3.] AUGUST 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. 2 ... 53 CONTENTS. PAGE PAGE Memoranda ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41 The Authors' Club ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 52 Literary Property Civil List Pensions ... 1. United States Circuit Court.-Southern District of New The Police as Censors York ... .. . ... ... ... ... ... ... 42 Bombay Society of Authors ... ... 54 2. Review or Return? ... Correspondence --1. Concerning English Authors ia the United 3. The Chambers of Commerce • States. 2. " Printers' Errors" 3. Long Retention of MSS. The Copyright Act and the Five Gratis Copies 1 ... 44 4. The Indian Government as Publishers. 5. The Hardships American Letter. By John Russell Davidson ... 46 of the Typist ... . ... ... ... ... ... ... 54 Paris Letter, By Darracotte Scott ... Book and Play Talk... Notes from the Bulletin of the Society of American Authors.” 51 | | Books and Reviews ... ... 48 PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report. That for the past year can be had on application to the Secretary. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members, 6s. 6d. per annum. Back numbers are offered at the following prices : Vol. I., 108. 6d. (Bound); Vols. II., III., and IV., 88. 6d. each (Bound); Vols. V. to VIII. (Unbound), 6s. 6d. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, late Secretary to the Society. 18. 5. The Cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type, size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 28. 6d. (Out of print at present.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. . 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Eyre and Spottis- woode. 18. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By Walter BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888–1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. The Addenda to the “Methods of Publishing." "By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “ Methods," With comments and advice. 28. 11. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. 18.  ## p. 40 (#66) ############################################## ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Nuthors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL. SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBson. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.Ş. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BEBANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD PIR- AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, M.P. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD BURGH JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. CLERE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS. P. W. CLAYDEN. THE RIGHT HON. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. . The Rev. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doo. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGB. THE Right Hon. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. GILBERT PARKER. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES.' ART. Hon. John COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). I F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solicitors FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. CG. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, Lincoln's Inn FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. 1 GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. THE ART of CHESS. By JAMES Mason. Price 5s. L net, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Wirdsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. |  ## p. 41 (#67) ############################################## The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 3.] AUGUST 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “Cost of Production." IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2.) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- joots whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. TERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property : 1. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. Bat the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to: (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the e the onblisher 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 (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. VOL. XI. 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 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 shoald stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills. G 2 rights.  ## p. 42 (#68) ############################################## 42 THE AUTHOR. Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The infor nation thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 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. THE READING BRANCH. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Peroentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain & percentage on the sliding scale of gro88 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.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but sbould grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. : 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning. 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication. "As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on acoount 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. M EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this 1 branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the 1 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 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- ball-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. · LITERARY PROPERTY. 1. HVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice bought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society. 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past at accounts with the loan of the books represented. The I.-UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.-SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. M HE Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Oxford. Complainant. v. - Wilmore-Andrews Publishing Company, Defendant. (In Equity). Rowland Cox for Complainant. Louis F. Doyle for Defendant.  ## p. 43 (#69) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 43 WHEELER, J. - The University of Oxford, right in any false manner to represent such a England, is a body corporate known by the name product as the work of the plaintiff. The use of and style by which this suit is brought. the name upon the defendant's Bibles had a Books appear to have been printed by it as tendency to so represent, and to confuse the early as the fifteenth century, and Letters Patent plaintiff's use of its name in its business. for printing books of all kinds, including Bibles, to That the plaintiff prints and publishes this have been granted to it by King Charles I. in the work in America as well as at the University seventeenth century. makes it none the less the plaintiff's product, and It has printed Bibles of many kinds prepared confers no right upon others to publish it in the by its officers and scholars with great care, which name of the plaintiff, or to use the plaintiff's are generally known as Oxford Bibles ; no other name in publishing it in America or elsewhere. Bibles are published at Oxford, and these are The evidence does not show acquiescence of the ordered, sold, and bought by that name. Among plaintiff in use by others amounting to an aban- the kinds is the “ Teachers Bible,” first published donment of right by the plaintiff, nor establish in 1876, which contains, besides the text, a Manual that the name has thereby or otherwise become of Helps to the study of the Bible full of reliable merely descriptive of the Bibles, instead of repre- information respecting the authors and books of senting their origin; nor that an “Oxford the Bible, and Palestine, a concordance, indices, Bible" is merely the “ Divinity Circuit.” tables, and maps. This with new editions has The case shows sufficient interference by the since been published and sold by that name con- defendant to furnish ground for commencing the tinuously in this country, and throughout the suit, and the ceasing of the interference by the world. defendant does not take away the right of the The defendant has printed and published a plaintiff to a decree, with costs. Sufficient reason Bible specified on the title page as an “Oxford does not, however, appear to warrant an account- Bible, the S. S. Teachers Edition," and on the ing. Rahtjen v. Holzapfel, U.S. Circuit Court back as a “Holy Bible, Oxford, S. S. Teachers of Appeals, Second Circuit, April 11, 1900. Edition.” Decree for a perpetual injunction, with costs. This suit is brought against this use of that name. The defendant denies any right of the plaintiff II.—REVIEW OR RETURN ? to the exclusive use of the word “ Oxford” upon The following interesting case has been placed Bibles, and alleges that this name as applied to before the Secretary of the Society of Authors :- Bibles is used to designate and describe a style of An author publishes a limited edition of a Bible otherwise known as the “ Divinity Circuit,” very expensive illustrated work. He sends out bound in soft flexible leather, with overlapping four copies for review to the editors of the best edges; that the plaintiff has lost any right it known papers. The edition will not stand the may have had to the use of this word by permit. distribution of a larger number of review copies. ting others to use it; that the Bible with which One of the papers, after a lapse of five or six the defendant is claimed to interfere was printed weeks, fails to review the book. The author in this country; and that the defendant has writes to the editor, and the editor states that the altogether 'ceased using it. buok was acknowledged in due course in his list • It is insisted for the defendant that the name of publications of the day. The author again of a place of origin cannot become a valid trade writes to the editor, and points out that the book mark of goods and products, and that “Oxford ” was sent in order that it might be reviewed, and here is merely the name of the city of the plaintiff, asks for the return of the copy if it is not the and could not be exclusively used to distinguish intention of the editor to review it. To this the plaintiff's Bibles. letter the editor replies that the discretion with But this word is a part of the plaintiff's name, regard to the review of the book must be left and as such has given name to the plaintiff's entirely in his hands, and that it would be impos- Bibles, and has come to be a means of showing sible for him as editor of the paper to return the their origin. The defendant has no connection book. with the place or name, and this use of the name This interesting question arises : In the by the defendant can be for no purpose but to case of a valuable limited edition would it be represent the defendant's Bibles as coming from possible to argue that the book sent was for the plaintiff. review, and that the reviewing of the book was The plaintiff has no copyright of this work, and part of the contract, so that if the book was not anyone would, of course, have a clear right to reviewed it could not become the property of the print and publish it, but no one would have a paper to which it was sent; or, on the other hand,  ## p. 44 (#70) ############################################## 44 THE AUTHOR. “Where a licence has been granted under this section for any British possession, any copy of the book produced subject to such licence sball, if found in any other part of Her Majesty's dominions, be deemed a pirated copy, and be treated accordingly.' that the custom of sending out books for review as at present established is on the understanding that books so sent out take their chance, and that as they are sent out gratis on this understanding the editor is not bound to return them? The latter would appear to be the real legal position, but it is a further question as to what might happen if the author when sending out such a book stipulated in his letter that the book should be reviewed or the copy returned. THE COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE FIVE GRATIS COPIES. III. III.—THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. The resolution printed below was unanimously passed at the meeting of the Chambers of Com- merce of the British Empire. The resolution is of considerable importance to authors, as any step that can facilitate the passing of Lord Monks- well's Bill nust necessarily have great weight with all those who are holders of literary pro- perty. One of the chief difficulties of the passing of the Bill, as has been pointed out on many previous occasions in The Author, is the colonial question. As at this meeting of the Chambers of Commerce there were important representatives of the publishing and printing trades of all the colonies, such a resolution, in that it has been supported by these representatives, will have con- siderable weight with the Colonial Office and those concerned in promoting the Bill. Fourth CONGRESS OF THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. [Copyright.] Moved by Mr. Geo. N. Morang ; seconded by Hon. Thomas Fergus of New Zealand : " Whereas the various Copyright Acts throughout the Empire are unnecessarily complicated and vexatious to certain dependencies, and whereas it is now contemplated to consolidate the same by a Bill now before the House of Lords. Resolved, therefore, that this Congress declares its approval of such measure, whereby the Colonies are em. powered to legislate for exclusive copyright, and earnestly trusts that it may speedily become law." Note.-The section of the Act referred to is as follows:- Sect. 34. “In the case of a legislature of any British possession, if the following circumstances occur, that is to say, if a book has been first lawfully published in any other part of Her Majesty's dominions, and it is proved to the satisfaction of an officer appointed by the Government of guch possession to receive such proofs that the owner of the copyright has lawfully granted either a licence to import for sale in such British possession or a licence to reproduce therein by any process an edition or editions of any such book designed for sale only in such British possession, it shall be lawful for the Legislature of such possession by Act or ordinance to provide for the prohibition of the impor- tation, except with the written consent of the licensee, into such possession of any copies of such book printed else- where, except under such licence as aforesaid, except that two copies may be specially imported for the bona fide ase of each of the public free libraries, of the aniversity and college libraries, and law libraries of any duly organised law institution cr society for the use of its members. TN the July Author we reviewed the various T statutes from 1662 to 1842 which regulated the business of sending a copy of every book published to the British Museum, whether demanded or not, and to Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Dublin upon demand. It will now be desirable to say something upon the obligation of the British Museum authorities to require and preserve books, and, if we can, upon the obligation of the other authorities to preserve them, for clearly the other authorities are under no obligation to require any book whatever. For a very long time publishers have sent practically all their books to the British Museum. and the penalty for failure to send is heavy, but statutory obligation to require books or to enforce penalties there is none. Bearing this in mind, and bearing in mind also that the British Museum privilege has existed only since 1814, we think it is greatly to the credit of the authorities that the occasions on which a book published in the United Kingdom cannot be found in the British Museum library are rare indeed. Where exceptions occur, he does a public service who calls attention to them, as did recently Wirt Gerrare in a letter to Literature. As to the duty of the British Museum autho- rities to preserve books, that is much more implied than express, though there are express directions as to particular libraries. The Geor- gian statute, by which the museum was established in 1753, after reciting that- Sir Hans Sloane, having through the course of many years with great labours and expence gathered together whatever could be procured either in our own or foreign countries, did bequeath to certain trustees all his collec- tion, consisting of all his library of books, drawings, manu- scripts, prints, &c., &c., with short histories or accounts of them with proper references in catalogues by him made, containing thirty-eight volumes in folio and eight volumes in quarto, to be offered to Parliament for £20,000; the collection, which was worth much more, was bought for the £20,000; all arts and sciences have a connexion with each other; and the collection should be maintained not only for the inspection and entertainment of the learned and the curious, but for the general age and benefit of the public ;- and also reciting the bequest to the public of the Cottonian Library, and the building of a room  ## p. 45 (#71) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 45 under an Act of William III. “ in which, when built, all the manuscripts, written books, papers, parchments, records, and other memorials in the said library contained should be lodged and there kept to all posterity," the legacy of Mr. Arthur Edwards towards the expense of building, and the foundation of the Harleian Collection, enacted that in the cities of London or Westminster One general repository shall be provided for the reception not only of the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, but also of the Cottonian Library, and of the additions which have been or shall be made by virtue of the will of Arthur Edwards, and likewise of the Harleian Collection and of such other addi. tions to the Cottonian Library as with the approbation of the trustees shall be made, and of such other collections and libraries as with the like approbation shall be admitted into the said general repository, which several collections, additions, and library so received into the said general repository shall remain and be preserved therein for public use to all posterity. This enactment is a clear direction to the authorities to preserve libraries and collections bequeathed or given en bloc to the museum, but it could hardly be said to include the masses of single books which the law of copyright has thrown into it ever since 1814. However that of may be, the Act of 1878, which empowers the authorities to give away duplicates, and the recently rejected Bill by which it was proposed to empower the trustees to dispose of valueless printed matter, seem to show that “ once in the museum, always in the museum” is recognised as an implied rule,* and it may be assumed that the trustees have always recognised, still recognise, and will always recognise this rule. But what of the other four library authorities The publishers, as we have seen, have long treated them as equally entitled with the British Museum * The Bill as it came from the House of Lords had this clause : “ The trustees of the British Museum may, with the approval of the Treasury, make rules respecting the disposal by destruction or otherwise of printed matter deposited in the British Museum which is not of sufficient value to justify its preservation in the museum.” The Bill was dropped with the general approval of literary persons; but it may be that the intention of its framers never was to destroy anything that could possibly be called a book or pamphlet, but only blank forms, Christmas cards, wall-texts, and such like matter, whereas except for judicial decision, perhaps even newspapers are not deliverable ander the existing law. See Report of Copyright Commission, par. 166. The 3rd secticn of the British Museum Act 1878 pro- vides that, “The trustees of the British Museum may give away any duplicate works, objects, or specimens not required for the purposes of the museum. Provided always, that the power hereby conferred shall not extend to any daplicate works in the Royal Library of King George the Fourth, or in the Cracherode, Grenville, or Banksian Libraries, or to any objects presented to the Museum for age and preserva- tion therein." to gratis copies, and have, as a general rule, forwarded four copies either to the agent whom they share amongst them, or else to Stationers' Hall for the use of the four libraries, without waiting for any demand. In the rare cases in which the four copies are not sent, and apparently in all those rare cases, the publisher in default receives the following notice :- To Messrs. - Agency of the University Libraries, 96, Great Russell-street, London, W.C. I am desired by the Curators of the Bodleian Library, Oxford ; the University Library, Cambridge; the Advocates Library, Edinburgh; and the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, to ask you to be good enough to supply for the use of their libraries, four [the italios are not ours) copies of the undermentioned works, one for each library, in com- pliance with the provisions of the Copyright Act (5 & 6 Vict. cap. 45). Should any of the works applied for be outside the terms of the Act, or have already been delivered through another channel, you would confer on the libraries in question, and on myself, a great favoar by returning me this list, and notifying the reason of the exemption on the margin (the italics are not ours]. I should thus be able to avoid troubling you with repeated applications for unclaimable works.- Believe me, yours faithfully, G. W. ECCLES. It will be seen, on referring to the June Author, that Mr. Eccles acted for the University of Oxford so far back as 1876, and on referring to the list of British Museum officers in “ Whitaker's Almanac" that Mr. Eccles holds the position of an “ Assistant, ist class,” of the Museum ; but we understand that he is shortly about to retire from that position. So much for the seemingly very efficient mode of getting the four gratis copies into the four University libraries. How about their preserva- tion there? Unlike the British Museum Library authorities, the other library authorities are not even under any implied obligation to preserve them, and, unlike those authorities, they have no annual reminder in the Appropriation Act — under which the British Museum receives a hand. some grant, but the Universities receive nothing. IV. The following letter was sent to the Times by the chairman of the Committee, and appeared there on May 31. By an unfortunate oversight it was not published, as it should have been, in our July number :- To the Editor of the Times. Sir,-The letter recently addressed to you by Mr. John Murray, in reference to the question of “gratis copies," seems to the Committee of this Society to offer an opportunity of calling atten- tion to one or two points besides those with which Mr. Murray deals. It is material to point out  ## p. 46 (#72) ############################################## 46 THE AUTHOR. that the tax is heavier than appears to have been of 1878 recommended the abolition of the privi. in the original contemplation of Parliament. lege, a fact which justifies the inquiry we now By the Act of 1842 a broad distinction is drawn suggest, although we do not wish to pre-judge between the British Museum and the four other the issue of it. Meanwhile it would seem to be privileged libraries. The former is to have a in the power of publishers themselves to raise copy of every book without demand. To the the question whether the existing law does not latter any book is to be delivered “on demand require a specific demand on the part of each thereof left at the place of abode of the pub- library for any book it may desire to have lisher . .” The section goes on to authorise delivered. the authorities of the four libraries to appoint an We have also to ask your indulgence to allow agent to receive the books demanded. We submit us to state that we find among our members, that the intention of Parliament plainly was that many of whom are engaged in research, strong dis- the University libraries, as distinguished from the approval of the proposal to allow the British British Museum, should make a specific demand Museum either to destroy or to scatter news- for any book they desired to receive, and that in papers. This question has been so fully dealt the absence of such demand the book should not with by Mr. Sidney Lee in your columns, that it be delivered to them. is enough to say that his objections, whether The Act contemplates an exercise of discretion, based on the danger of destruction or loss of according to which the libraries would ask for valuable matter, or on the hardship of compelling such books as would be of use to them and literary men engaged in research to follow their abstain from asking for the rest. dispersed materials from one place to another, The practice, however, is and has been for a appear far too serious to be disposed of by the long while back, quite different. Most publishers cry of “no room." There is no disposition send copies to the agent of the four libraries (they among authors to grumble at being obliged to all employ the same agent) without any demand. supply their books to the Museum. That they If any book is not sent, it is demanded as a are under this obligation does, however, seem to matter of course. By the claims of the libraries give them a right to e, pecial consideration when and the acquiescence of publishers, the libraries such a question as this is under discussion. are, under the existing practice, placed in the same ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. position as the British Museum, although they do not appear to be under any similar obligation to retain the books sent or to be subject to any statutory control in the use or disposal of the AMERICAN LETTER. property they thus acquire. It also appears obvious that they must acquire a vast number of New York City, July 10, 1900. books which can be of no value to them. TN these United States publishers are inclined We desire respectfully to suggest that before 1 to look askance upon the season of a Pre- the Copyright Bill now before Parliament takes - sidential campaign, and the commercially- final shape the following questions should be con- disposed author ordinarily shares this feeling of sidered :- suspicion. It is not a time for the launching of (1) Is the present system of a general demand new undertakings; the public mind is busied with of all books (if not sent without demand) on the “issues” and “ platforms,” and people would part of the University libraries in accordance with rather devour candidate So-and-so's last speech the intentions of Parliament ? or a denunciation of the legislative career of (2) When did the practice of a general candidate What's-his-name than read poetry or demand begin? Has it existed from the first, or romance. Once in every four years the country has it been of later growth; and, if so, under what is inundated with a prodigious flood of campaign circumstances did it first arise ? “ literature,” with which the enlightened voters (3) Are all the books received actually placed struggle madly, while current reading matter of in use in the libraries; or, if not, how are they all other descriptions glides by in an unnoticed and dealt with ? unimportant rivulet. Even the attention of the (4) Are any of the books disposed of by the scholar is diverted temporarily from literature to libraries; and, if so, after what lapse of time and the politics of the hour. in what manner ? An answer to these questions would, it appears POLITICS AND LITERATURE. to us, help to show how far the tax on authors The present campaign, however, which is to and publishers is justified by benefit to the public. terminate with the election of a President in It will be remembered that the Royal Commission November, promises to be less disturbing than  ## p. 47 (#73) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 47 usual. The publishing world seems to believe realised. It enlarges immeasurably the scope of confidently in the re-election of Mr. McKinley. the fiction writer. He has two publishers at Both of the present nominees of the two great hand, Mr. Frohman and the printer. He may parties were also the leaders in the struggle of play one against the other with a good deal of 1896-a fact which will probably tend to decrease advantage to himself and to his work. The serial the quantity of campaign literature of the per- publication of Mr. Zangwill's latest novel, for sonal and biographical type. And moreover, the example, has been arranged with careful reference issues, as well as the candidates, are familiar to to the time of the production of its dramatic the rank and file of the voters. Public interest version in the fall; the play will be produced on in newspaper politics will be discounted, and the the stage, it is said, before the concluding chapters output of political pamphlets and tracts should be of the story have been produced in type. Such comparatively meagre—which may be good news a scheme, and similar schemes which doubtless to British authors who look with longing eyes at will be planned, place the theatrical manager in the American literary market. direct and close business relations with the pub- The present tendency of our reading public, of lisher. It can be readily conjectured that the course, is all for China and the Orient. “East- author must profit from this expansion of his ward ho!” cries the American publisher, and audience. searches madly for a novel dealing with life under Nor can these developments be without their the mandarins. Our presses are grinding out curious effect upon the texture and character of reprints of the best books about China and the current fiction. The popular novelist must East which have been published recently in compose with the odour of grease, paint, and England, and the editors of our popular periodicals scene varnish in his literary nostrils. The unfor- are paying startling prices for articles of travel tunate critic, who is compelled to cope with our and adventure in the Yellow Empire. The present ordinary or extraordinary fiction of to-day, may crisis seems to have discovered our publishers imagine that he detects this already. Mr. very ill prepared, although there has been no Frohman and his syndicate are affecting the lack of signs of the imperial struggle, which book trade and the profession of author. It may could be read even in an unimperial democracy. be fanciful to look forward, along these lines, to At any rate, the disappearance of the Khaki hue an entrenchment of the favoured novelist's posi- of our current reading can hardly fail to be tion behind the protection of the theatrical gratifying managers, from which he would be able to dictate more equitable terms to the publishers—it may NEXT Season's THEATRES. be fanciful, but it is an enchanting picture. No little literary interest is excited by a survey of the work laid out for the coming season by BETTER DAYS IN THE Book TRADE. American theatrical managers. The plural is The financial entanglements in which two very used for reasons which are rhetorical rather than prominent American publishing houses struggled real. The theatrical manager of the United last year seem to have brought about a healthy States is Mr. Charles Frohman, the more or less reaction in the trade, which redounds somewhat intelligent head of a more or less unintelligent to the advantage of the author. It has induced syndicate in control of most of the actors, publishers to suspect that the writers of books actresses, playhouses, and playwrights in the are important factors in the production of them- country. The striking feature of Mr. Frohinan's a truism which was slighted in some long- prospectus is the importance assigned therein to established houses where the imprint of the dramatisations of popular books. Of all Mr. publisher was regarded as of far more signi. Frohman's “stars ' the two which have made ficance than the author's name on the title-page. the most money for him have been Miss Maude Of course, in estimating the success of the Adams and Mr. William Gillette. The former younger American publishers who have come to has played for three enormously successful years the front during the last decade, one must not in "The Little Minister,” while Mr. Gillette, in forget to credit them with that modern business Dr. Doyle's “Sherlock Holmes,” has made a push, and that sympathetic acquaintance with the record of two hundred packed houses in New temper of our people, which the older houses York, with the provinces uniried. “Red lacked. They are not burdened with complicated Pottage,” « Richard Carvel,” “ Janice Meredith,” business machinery, and with creaking and dusty are a few of the novels which Mr. Frohman pro- methods of reaching the outside world in any poses to exploit behind the footlights. direction. The relations of the newer publishers The significance of this sort of thing has been with their authors display the same freedom and noted, but one may doubt whether it is fully quickness in achieving direct results, and they do VOL. XI. 1  ## p. 48 (#74) ############################################## 48 THE AUTHOR. not keep writers “in stock," as it were, until the PARIS LETTER. unfortunate men of letters become parts of the business routine, like persons who add columns of m 5, rue Chomel. figures in the counting-room. All this is an M HE celebrated chirographist, Mme. de encouraging sign. It makes for an equitable Thèbes, has recently published au interest- co-operation between author and publisher upon - ing work entitled “L’Enigme de la main.” a practical and business-like basis, an excellent Mme. de Thèbes is no vulgar adventuress seeking substitute for the old-fashioned sentimental rela- renown or wealth. She is a widely known and tion, which was presumed once to exist and which highly respectable personage who enjoys a Euro- meant so little latterly, in many cases when actual pean reputation. Casts of the hands of her most property rights were concerned. interesting clientèle (including a large number of A curious and suggestive state of affairs in a representative men and women of the present publishing business was disclosed here recently. day) are to be seen in her small suite of rooms, It seems that it has been the custom of the firm, situated within stone-throw of the Arc de after a book was printed and published, to store Triomphe. The hand of her friend and master, the plates and carry them on to its inventory at Alexandre Dumas fils, here reposes in solitary the cost of manufacture. It made not a particle state under a glass case. The pointed fingers of difference that, for publishing purposes, the and huge hand of Dumas père, clasping the book was dead and gone, and the plates worth slender, narrow hand of the mother of his son, is nothing more than their value as old metal. also easily recognisable. It lies carelessly on a They stood on the list of assets as representing side-table, surrounded by scores of plaster and the sum expended in composition and casting; bronze models of the characteristic hands of this might be six or seven hundred dollars, modern celebrities. Among the latter the obsti- entirely fictitious. The older the house and the nate hand of M. Emile Zola; the impassive more antiquated the plates, then the less substan- hand of Mme. Christine Nilsson; the dominating, tial would such assets become. But on the house caressing band of Mme. Sarah Bernhardt; the ledgers they would represent capital, and moneys enigmatical hand of M. Edouard Drumont; and invested, and there would be no denying the fact the energetic hand of Coquelin imperiously attract that the plates were in existence and in a good attention. state of preservation. It is needless to expatiate Mme. de Thèbes is a woman of imposing figure, upon the borrowing value of such securities. penetrating glance, and stately presence. Hers is palmistry, pure and simple-no fatalistic craft AUTHORS Who Own THE PLATES. reducing the individual will to a valueless factor. That the author should himself own outright “God," so she asserts, “has placed in each of the plates of his books is a favourite theory our hands the road.map of our life. If He has among American writers. In practice it is a done this, it is that we may make use of the luxury which is not for the ordinary, but Mr. information thus given. This map warns us of Howells and others, I believe, have found it an the accidents which menace us ; of our con- effective and simple plan in their efforts towards stitutional weaknesses; and of the defects in our establishing a reasonable status of literary nature. We are thus put on our guard to property. struggle against our bad inclinations. This is so The last canvass of the best selling books in true that, if we struggle, the lines in our road- this country, elaborately prepared by the Book- map will change.” From which fact she argues man, testifies to the overgrown popularity of that that our first duty is to know ourselves, or rather, ingenious novel “ To Have and to Hold," which to know how to decipher the hieroglyphics traced heads the list. Next come two English stories, on our hands by a Divine agency. The study is “Sophia" by Weyman, and “Red Pottage.” The interesting, even though unaccompanied by the phases of life in Miss Cholmondeley's book are so blind credulity which will strain at a gnat to essentially and modernly English that the swallow a camel. American vogue of her story must be set down as a tribute to her art. After “Red Pottage" on the “LA FILLE DE GEORGE SAND.". Bookman's list appear in order : “ Unleavened Such is the title of a most entertaining little Bread," a new and promising American novel by booklet published by M. Georges d'Heylli for the Robert Grant, “Resurrection,” and “ The edification of a select coterie of friends. The Farringdons.” Our public's taste, if not dis author is the son-in-law of the venerable Mme. criminating, is at least encouragingly catholic to Bascans, proprietress of the school in which the the aspiring novelist abroad. wayward little Solange was brought up. Every John RUSSELL DAVIDSON. letter written by the illustrious mother was care-  ## p. 49 (#75) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 49 fully guarded by the old schoolmistress. It is “ Clotilde de Lusignan,” for the sum of 2000 amusing to note the logical, convincing manner in francs. This liberal remuneration is to be received which the celebrated novelist explains the method as follows: 500 francs in notes payable at a year's of education she desires to be adopted for her date ; 500 francs in notes (payable six months daughter, and the results to be obtained there- later) at the moment when twelve hundred copies from. A little later we find all these fine theories of the work in question shall have been sold. evaporating in thin air on being put to the test. The remaining 1000 francs are to be paid in notes, George Sand has, undoubtedly, written exquisite likewise dated six months hence--whenever sieur pages on maternal love; she might, and did, Grégoire Hubert shall be unable to produce on exercise a wide influence on her contemporaries the author's demand more than a hundred copies and on posterity ; nevertheless, she failed signally of this first edition ! in obtaining either reverence or obedience from her own daughter. Twenty-four hours of Solange's SHEARING THE SHorn. company invariably ended in a scene and the basty But the final article in this iniquitous treaty return of the offender to Mme. Bascans' charge, carries off the palm for munificence. It expressly usually accompanied by a note couched in some- states that: what the following terms: “In this sum (of 2000 francs) is included the “This morning Solange has been unbearable, cost of the advertisement of the said work, She cries because I will not arrange her curl. which M. Balzac binds and engages himself to papers, and resists when I attempt to do so. If have inserted in the journals below mentioned (or she arrive after ten o'clock, I beg you will punish in those which may replace them should they her. She has been incessantly urged to hasten be suppressed), viz., the Constitutionnel, the without its having any effect on her movements. Journal des Débats, the Courrier, the Miroir, the . . . Mme. Bascans will have the kindness to Quotidienne, and the theatrical papers. The explain to her the naughtiness of her conduct.” advertisements shall each occupy at least half a * The perusal of these letters," writes a French column in the body of the journal; and shall be critic, “ will be a consolation to those women who placed either beside the article ‘Paris,' or immedi- possess only a little good sense and not anyately after.” To reimburse him for this outlay, the author is entitled to six copies gratis of his A CRUEL CONTRACT. own work! On Aug. 18, 1900, the Lévy copyright of the Comment is superfluous. In 1848 the tax on novels of Honoré de Balzac expires, and this the serial novel (which led to its temporary immense work becomes public property. Some suppression) reduced Balzac to the last extremity. idea of its value may be gained from the fact that He continued to occupy the elegant hotel fur- in 1865 (after thirty years' continuous re-editing) nished by Mme. de Hanska ; but he indulged in M. Michel Lévy paid 80,000 francs to the great boiled beef only once a week, eking out the man's widow for the right of being sole remaining days with the meagre broth obtained publisher during a period of thirty-five years. in cooking the above delicacy. It was probably The petty remuneration originally doled out to at this epoch that he wrote: the author for the majority of these brilliant “Creditors know how to find us much better masterpieces of French literature is truly absurd. and more promptly than our friends. For the Generous and prodigal as the elder Dumas, no sake of a little sum they often come to a place man was ever more at the mercy of his pub. where others do not come for the sake of a great lishers. Instances of his colossal extravagance, affection.” on several occasions, are not lacking. They were, He died two years later, Aug. 18, 1850. however, counterbalanced by his extraordinary fertility. Yet it is not surprising that, despite AN IDEAL HISTORIAN. his brilliant reputation, this modern Shakespeare M. Frédéric Masson is an ideal historian. of French fiction died a poor and completely Dramatic as the English Froude (and thoroughly worn-out man at the comparatively early age of reliable), he is marvellously successful in his fifty-one years, when his business inability was conscientious resuscitation and portrayal of a as mercilessly exploited as is witnessed by the bygone epoch, and the men and women who Hubert contract, which document is now in the formed it. His third volume of “Napoléon et sa possession of the Vicomte de Lovenjoul. In this famille” has closely followed its predecessor. contract “M. Honoré Balzac" engages to supply The contrast between the first Napoleon and his (under the pseudonym of Lord R’Noone) a certain brother-that political Winkle Joseph, King of sieur Grégoire Hubert, libraire au Palais Royal, Spain-is pungently drawn. The latter possessed with four volumes for publication, entitled the overweening self-confidence, minus the genius, genius.”  ## p. 50 (#76) ############################################## 50 THE AUTHOR. of the great Bonaparte. He passed his time in thoughtful, conscientious writer, and does his elaborating a series of military mancuvres which level best to be impartial. At least, that was the failed signally when put into execution. Imme- impression left on my mind after the basty diately one stratagem proved abortive, he set to perusal of a few pages of his new volume, includ- work to devise a second still more impracticable. ing the chapter entitled “Les Dessous de Joe “What alone saved Joseph from the consequences Chamberlain." of his extraordinary combinations," writes M. Masson," was that nobody obeyed him. Marshal MM. DE REGNIER AND LUCIEN MUHLFELD. Moncey received with extreme politeness the Contrary to general expectation, M. Henri de aide-de-camp who bore the royal commands, Regnier has this year undertaken the lecturing showed the absurdity of the movement ordered, tour in the United States. He appears to have and terminated by saying, “The Emperor, sir, had great success. A well-known critic has has not entrusted me with one of his finest asserted that, though this young writer occupies regiments to compromise thus his glory and a high position among the rising generation of safety. Return to the King. Inform him of authors, his success in the poetical medium is what I have said ; and tell him that, neverthe considerably hampered by his incorrigible predi. less, should he persist, I will give the example lection for making a word in the singular rhyme that I should give of the most implicit obedience." with a word in the plural, and by his indulgence Besinères invariably affirmed that he would obey in various minor idiosyncrasies of the same immediately; that his duty, inclination, and stamp. respect impelled him to do so; and, that said, he His talented compatriot, M. Lucien Muhlfeld, acted as he chose. As to Ney, he roundly replied, also possesses a marked individuality. A year “ This order undoubtedly comes from a man who ago he published his first novel, entitled “Le understands nothing of our trade. The Emperor Mauvais Desir"; and, at the present moment, has given me an army corps with which to conquer “La Carrière d'André Tourette" has consolidated and not to capitulate. Tell the King I have not his reputation as a novelist. It would be difficult come to Spain to play Dupont's rôle !” The to find a more complete and comprehensive study book may be obtained chez Ollendorff. of the career of an ordinary young man of bourgeois origin, or a more subtle and conscien- Two INTERESTING PUBLICATIONS. tious delineation of the multitudinous types of “Every year the tuberculose' kills in France characters to be met with to-day in the various 150,000 persons-a population equal to that of grades of society. Rouen and Nantes,” is the startling assertion imprinted beneath the title-head of a new paper, APROPOS OF FRENCH DRAMATISTS. Curre Antituberculeuse, which has just been M. Jean Richepin—first-rate gymnast, play- started, edited by MM. Sersiron and Dumarest. writer, and poet—is enjoying a well-earned The object of this publication is to awaken all holiday in Palma. M. Maurice Donnay is reposing classes to the necessity of taking strong measures in “a marvellous country” in the Villa Lysis to check the increasing tendency of the populace (Agay in the Var), which boasts a garden as full to consumption; also, to set forth the best means of blossoms as an opera star's box—minus the of preventing and counteracting contagion. The card pinned to each bouquet. He is meditating movement is being warmly supported. A com. a new “ scénario” beside the violet sea ; and has mittee has been formed, and large sums have recently requested a friend to announce that the already been subscribed to found popular right of performing his latest play, “L’Education sanatoriums wherein to isolate, and endeavour to d'un Prince," has been bought by Belgium, Italy, cure, the consumptive working-class adults of and America. M. Pierre Decourcelle is rejoicing Paris who are sufficiently affected to spread the in his new decoration, and in the revival at the contagion --but are still well enough to perform Ambigu Theatre of his “ Deux Gosses"_which wearily their daily task. The first list of dona- play formerly broke the standing record of five tions received (published by the Euvre Anti- hundred nights, having been performed 758 con- tuberculeuse) amounted to a total of 316,000 secutive times at the above theatre (1896-1898). francs. A good beginning! M. Georges Feydeau is still to be seen on the “L'A ugleterre et l’Imperialisme” is the title of grands boulevards. Elegant, sedate, and dignified, M. Victor Bérard's latest work, which is being the combined verdict of the German and English widely read. It is interesting as giving us a censors, who pilloried his “ Dame de chez Maxim" glimpse of the British character and policy seen as a production injurious to the morals of the through French spectacles. M. Bérard is un spectators, has in no wise disturbed his tran- doubtedly prejudiced. Nevertheless, he is a quility. At the present moment the triple revival  ## p. 51 (#77) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 51 of the offending play and two others of the same The early experience of Stevenson with the type, at the Nouveautés, Palais-Royal, and Bouffes Century is, however, only a typical case, and not theatres, are pecuniarily justifying their author's by any means unique. While it is no doubt true popularity with the respective managers of these that the great magazines do desire to discover establishments. M. Feydeau has been engaged unknown writers of promise, they none of them for some time past on a new play, of which only offer them unreservedly much consideration and a few unimportant details have yet leaked out. encouragement. M. Edmond Rostand is likewise reported to Again, most of the magazines are like Self have a new play on hand, dealing with the perse. Culture, practically made up for six months in cution of the early Christians under Nero. The advance, à fact that the literary aspirant does principal feminine röle is designed for Mme. not know, and not knowing is seriously handi. Sarah Bernhardt. capped. The editor of a great magazine is in A Dual DISAPPOINTMENT. part obliged to provide for future publication from the very fact of unnecessary absence from The reconstruction of the Comédie Française is home in Europe and elsewhere in search of attrac- proceediag but slowly. “Play in a barn as Molière did," was the advice of M. Victorien tions. This is editorially the case with the Ladies' Home Journal, and contributions during Sardou ; but bis suggestion was dismissed as proxy editorship must be left to the tender mercies impracticable. The revival of the magnificent of the one upon whom the real editor's mantle “ Patrie" of the latter author has been postponed has fallen, but whose power is small. owing to lack of suitable accommodation, deco- The Book Buver, the Bookman, and the Critic, ration, &c. M. Paladilhe, composer of the as organs of book publishers, all occupy special music which accompanies this famous drama, fields, and from their very nature as such made his debut at sixteen years with a Neapolitan organs are all surrounded by conditions that are song, entitled “ Mandolinata,” which instantly peculiar, and that do not count in favour of the became the success of the day. It brought fifty htnpty lite literary aspirant. They are alike erratic in francs to its author, and a million to its pub. puo various ways. They are hedged about against lisher. The music of the splendid lyrical poem the innocent or inexperienced writer as Job in being written by M. Victorien Sardou (in his prosperity was hedged about against the collaboration with M. Gheusi) for the Antique intique machinations of the Evil One. The necessity for Theatre of Orange in 1901, has been intrusted to ced to considering and booming the authors of books considering M. Camille Saint-Saëns. published by their respective firms, while not The productions of M. Henry Kistemaeckers entirely paramount, has more influence than appear doomed to misfortune, his rehearsals might be supposed by those who do not know. having again been interrupted. The success of In practice it will surely be found that thoughts M. Janvier's new play “Francine, ou le respect de of literary aspirants seldom if ever flit with l'innocence" (Athénée theatre) - which has cordiality across the editorial sun disks of any of obtained the unanimous approval of the entire these mediums. French Press—is responsible for the mishap. The Metropolitan Magazine has a staff that is This time M. Kistemaeckers appears to have expected to provide the material it uses. Some accepted his fate with resignation. journals also doing business on this plan hesitate DARRACOTTE Scott. not to reject a contribution offered, and then to work up the idea derived therefrom, through their own staff, to the detriment of the aspirant. NOTES FROM THE “BULLETIN OF THE It is not easy for an unknown aspirant to enter the editorial department of Frank Leslie's SOCIETY OF AMERICAN AUTHORS." Popular Monthly. If the coming guest is not welcomed, the departing one is cordially speeded. THE MAGAZINES AND THE ASPIRANT. The Art Amateur has a frosty temperature for THE Home Journal does not welcome the those unknown to the editor. Disappointed ones literary aspirant, and if he calls, the air of may weep if they choose outside the office doors. the editor is distrait in interview, The Art Interchange is far more considerate, but The Broadway Magazine cheerfully admits the editor of the Interchange is an expert on to the visiting aspirant that it is not very serious, reading character and literary ability by means and will have none of the manuscripts of those of handwriting and of physiognomy, so that he who are. can tell by reading your letter, offering a contri. The Century, Scribner's, and Harper's all do bution, or by looking at you carelessly if you call, sometimes open their doors to literary aspirants. whether your stuff is likely to be available, with-  ## p. 52 (#78) ############################################## 52 THE AUTHOR. out the trouble of reading the material. Con that the photograph was inartistic and not a tributors must call for payments, unless otherwise proper subject for copyright. The judge gave arranged. this question, as one of fact, to the jury to deter- The editorial management of Ev'ry Month is mine, and they found for the defendants. Zulker, new. The editor is pleasant, but he is very limited Sweet, and Loeb, manufacturers of a household in his appropriations for contributions. The preparation, were the defendants. Jacob Schloss agreed cheque is, however, promptly sent subse- the photographer, the plaintiff; the suit being quent to publication. brought by the counsel for the Copyright The management of Success is ordinarily not League. very considerate of literary aspirants. Their un. A QUESTION OF COPYRIGHT. solicited offerings of manuscripts are very nume. Two famous books figure in court just now, rous, and their examinations are at times some- and upon them depends a question of copyright what slow, which is often a serious item to the of great interest to publishers, as well as to writer who depends upon the sale of his manu. writers and the reading public. One of these is scripts for income. Oliver Wendell Holmes's “ The Professor at the The Home Magazine will fastidiously consider Breakfast Table," the other Mrs. Harriet Beecher anything offered, especially if accompanied with Stowe's “ The Minister's Wooing.” illustrations, but its compensation rates are low. A suit has been brought by Houghton, Mifflin Munsey's says “Yes,” and means “ No.” As and Co. to enjoin R. H. White and Co. from is the case with others, a beautifully printed form selling the first-named work, and another to is used to reject manuscripts, that upon receipt enjoin Houghton and Dutton from disposing of consoles those whose funds grow low and whose the latter. The publishers assert that the sale of hearts grow sick waiting and hoping for long. these books by the respondents is a violation of delayed cheques almost as much as if the cheque copyright. itself had come. Some authors collect these The works involving the present suits were forms as others do postage stamps. published serially in the Atlantic Monthly in The Churchman has not time for anyone. 1858, and the publishers were apparently neglect- except it be a specialist. No literary aspirants ful in securing copyright. It now appears that a need apply. valid copyright was secured on the last issue of The Gentlewoman gets many of its features the year, December, 1859, and “The Minister's from Europe. It is well for the would-be con- Wooing” was published in book form and pro- tributor to remember this fact in doing business perly entered for copyright before the publication with the magazine. The editor is seldom at the in the Atlantic Monthly of the last thirteen office, and the rush and crush is thereby avoided chapters. by her. The respondents demurred from the bill. The There are many magazines, like the Impres. demurrer is based on three contentions, viz.: That sionist, the (new) Criterion, the Ledger Monthly: “The Professor at the Breakfast Table” was a few of the trade papers and others, that pay a printed serially in the magazine under a title cent per word or thereabouts, which is a good totally different from the recorded title of the average rate. magazine number in question ; that no notice of the copyright of the Atlantic Monthly was given Two COPYRIGHT Decisions. on the published copies containing the instalments A curious copyright decision was rendered by of the story in question, and that the copyrights the Supreme Court in the case of Bolles v. of said magazine number, even if valid, expired in " Outing.” The judges decreed that the statutory 1897. damage could only be collected on copies infring- ing the copyright actually found in the possession of the defendant at the time the action was THE AUTHORS' CLUB. announced, nothing being collectable on copies previously distributed and sold; a decision that M HE last dinner of the Authors' Club for the would, in most cases of copyright infringement, present season was held on July 2. Mr. make the law inoperative, as publishers do not Frankfort Moore took the chair, and Mr. keep more publications in their possession than Walter Macfarren was the guest of the evening. are actually necessary. The speeches were excellent. The Lyric Glee Another copyright decision of interest to Singers gave the club a delightful entertainment, publishers is that in the case of a poster made by singing Mr. Walter Macfarren's four part songs. the defendants from a copyrighted photograph of As a finish to the season the evening was most a chorus girl. The defendants' counsel claimed successful. The directors of the Authors' Club,  ## p. 53 (#79) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 53 and the Club, may congratulate themselves on the Monday night dinners during the past winter and spring, as they can reckon among the club guests some of the most distinguished people in England, among whom were the following: The Lord Chan- cellor, the Lord Mayor, the Commander-in-Chief, the Bishop of London, the French and American Ambassadors, the Swedish and Norwegian and Chinese Ministers, Sir George Trevelyan, Mr. Leslie Stephen, Mr. Bryce, General Sir Evelyn Wood, Sir Herbert Maxwell, Sir Walter Foster, Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace, Sir Alma Tadema, the President of the Royal Academy (Sir E. Poynter), Lord Strathcona, Sir Robert Ball, Mr. E. F. Knight, and Mr. Alfred Austin. CIVIL LIST PENSIONS. of Margaret of Navarre.” Mr. Muir and Mr. Leycester prosecuted, and Mr. Biron defended. Inspector Arrow ransacked the premises in question and removed two cab loads, but he was unable to find more than two books upon which to base a prosecution. As to one of these, “ His Excellency Eugene Rougon," the grand jury threw out the bill. Mr. Biron ridiculed the idea that “ The Heptameron" was an obscene work. It was a classic historical work, he said, and was to be found in every library of note. It was a perfectly lawful publication, illustrative of the literatare and manners of the Middle Ages. The defendant had carried on a most respectable business both in Booksellers’-row and near Temple Bar, where the seizure was made, and he submitted that the prosecution was a most vindictive one on the part of the police, and wholly unjustifiable. The Common Sergeant, in summing up the case to the jury, said the only question for them was whether the work was of a lewd and lascivious character, manifestly calculated to corrupt public morals. They did not require the Vigilance Association or the police, or even critics of literary style and antiquarian research, to decide that question. A great deal depended on the time, place, and circumstances of the publication. It was a matter of common knowledge that in the writings of many respectable people, ecclesiastics, students, and others of past ages, there were passages the wholesale publication of which would not now be tolerated, yet which no one would wish to destroy or mutilate, inasmuch as in their proper place and properly used they were of great value to the student and the historian. The sole question for the jury was whether the book in the form in which it was published and advertised was calculated to corrupt public morals, and the jury must judge of the case as men of the world without leaning to a prurient morality on the one hand, or a prurient laxity on the other. The jury, after some deliberation, acquitted accused, and she was discharged. In the case of Charley Haines, otherwise Reid, committed from Tottenham on a charge of selling “ The Heptameron," Mr. Muir, after the verdict in the previous case, offered no evidence, and a verdict of not guilcy was returned. Mr. Purcell appeared for the accused, who was discharged. Mr. Muir, in justification of the action of the police, said that earlier in the year a man was prosecuted for selling the same work, and pleading guilty was sentenced. Observe that the inspector ransacked the premises—he was probably acting on information and was within his rights. He carried off “ two cab loads ” of books. That is to say he deprived a bookseller for a certain time, pending the return of the books, of his means of livelihood. He found, among the two cab loads, two on which to base a prosecution. The first was “ His Excellency Eugene Rougon.” The grand jury threw out the bill as regards this book. Other- wise the grand jury would have been an ass indeed. There remained the “Heptameron of Margaret of Navarre.” If this book is to be made the subject of a prosecution, Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Butler's Hudibras, Burton's Anatomy, Dryden, Walt Whitman, the Cent Nouvelles Nou- velles, Boccaccio, and Heaven knows what besides, will have to vanish from the bookseller's shelves. The jury, happily, acquitted the accused. But what bookseller is safe? The next thing, perhaps, will be a raid upon the private library. NHE complete list of Pensions granted during the year ending June 20, 1900, and charged upon the Civil List, has been published. The whole amount at the disposal of the First Lord of the Treasury has been expended. The following is an analysis of the grants : Art (sculpture, painting, and singing) £300 Science (archæology, submarine tele- graphy, mathematics, hygiene, Antarctic exploration)........ Literature.................................... 550 Pensions which have nothing to do with either Literature, Science, or Art, and have no claims, therefore, upon this Fund ........................ 105 Cannot the Committee procure an amendment of the resolution so that it should include persons with claims depending on achievements in Litera- ture, Science, and Art only? This seems the only way of putting a definite stop either to the jobs which formerly disgraced the List or the little nibblings which are now allowed every year in favour of persons whose claims may be very strong, but are not literary, scientific, or artistic. 245 THE POLICE AS CENSORS. THE following case was published in the Newsagent and Booksellers' Review. PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION ? Ridiculous Charges against Booksellers. At the Central Criminal Court, London, last week, Mabel Florence Thomson, manageress and secretary of a publishing company in Booksellers'.row, surrendered to her bail to answer an indictment charging ber with having pablished an alleged obscene libel, a book entitled “The Heptameron  ## p. 54 (#80) ############################################## 54 THE AUTHOR. The mournful part of the business is that early in the present year a man was prosecuted at the instance of the police for selling the same book, and, pleading guilty, was fined. On the other hand, let us ask how it is that certain shops in some parts of the West End are allowed to flaunt in their windows every kind of picture and title which can possible invite prosecu- tion--and escape scot free, while these small dealers, who happen to have a classic in which are certain coarse passages, are harried and haled before magistrates, and have to look on while their stock-in-trade, proved to be perfectly innocent, is forcibly carried off in four-wheeled cabs. this city who is a living link between the events of the middle of this century and of its close this year. His experiences, therefore, must be of a particularly interesting kind, and those that he recounted before the Authors' Society, flavoured as they were with personal allusions, were well received. As Mr. Karkaria suggested at the gathering, these reminiscences of a very active and many-sided career would be not only pleasant but instructive and edifying reading if Mr. Kabraji were to put them on paper and publish them in a book. We wish the Authors' Society success, and hope it will fulfil its object of increasing friendship and intercourse among native writers.— Bombay Gazette, June 9. BOMBAY SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. CORRESPONDENCE. TT is an encouraging sign of the times that the Parsi authors and journalists of Bombay 1. — CONCERNING ENGLISH AUTHORS IN THE have formed a “ Society of Authors ” more UNITED STATES. or less on the model of the well-known association T HAVE long felt the helplessness of English established some years ago in London. That authors in the hands of American pub. society is the first of its kind in England, though lishers. How good soever our agreements in France “ La Société des Gens de Lettres ” has may be, we have no means of seeing them carried now existed for over sixty years, and has done out. The experience of others probably tallies much good to its members as well as the literary with my own, though I have seen no complaint profession in general. Our local society also bids in The Author or elsewhere. I would propose fair to be useful and successful as it is in that our society should have an agent or an enthusiastic and able hands. The veteran Parsi agency in New York, with full powers from author, Mr. K. R. Cama, who in the present year individual writers to examine—as far as existing finishes the Psalmist's limit of three score and laws permit - either the books of publishers ten, and who is as vigorous and enthusiastic in his or the price-lists, advertisements, and sales of literary schemes as ever, is the president, and each work, and forward half-yearly statements of Mr. K. N. Kabraji, the veteran Parsi journalist, the same to authors, who, of course, would be is the vice-president. The new society performed charged some fee. This is merely a rough and a very pleasing function the other day by sketchy idea that might be thought out in inviting a very select and cultured party of detail and improved and amplified by the authors and authoresses—for Parsi lady-writers collective mind of the Incorporated Authors, have also joined the society-and their friends to should they see the utility of such an agent or an afternoon party to meet their vice-president, agency Mr. Kabraji, before his departure for England It would be well, perhaps, to impart my to-day. The most interesting part of the pro- experience with regard to “ The Last Sentence," ceedings was the speech in which this veteran a novel published by Mr. Heinemann in 1893, journalist recounted his experiences of over forty after running in Great Thoughts. Accord- years in his profession. Mr. Kabraji commenced ing to my rule, I retained the copyright of this his connection with the native Press in the pre- novel, and empowered Messrs. Lovell and Co. to Mutiny days, and all the great landmarks of publish it in the United States for me on con. recent Indian history have passed under his eyes. dition of paying me a stipulated royalty. The He witnessed the Mutiny, heard the Queen's Pro novel sold well on both sides, and I received sub- clamation proclaimed with due pomp and cere- stantial cheques from America as well as England. mony in Nov. 1858, saw the preparations in But Messrs. Lovell and Co. became bankrupt, Bombay for the Abyssinian and Afgban Wars, and, without consulting me-as I believe, illegally was present at the Grand Durbar where the -transferred this rigbt or sub-let this right of Queen was proclaimed Empress of India, took publishing to firm after firm, all of which, as far part in the festivities of the Jubilee of the Queen, as I can ascertain, became bankrupt, but con- He is the only journalist, native or European, in tinued to publish my novel and to send me from  ## p. 55 (#81) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 55 time to time varying sums as royalty. But I exceptional, in which case it may serve as a warn- could not obtain regular statements of sales, and ing to others. MAXWELL GRAY. seldom knew in whose hands the book was. It2, Mount Ararat-road, Richmond, was pirated, I believe, by one firm, but I really do Surrey. July 12, 1900. not quite know what happened to this book, except that it was always selling, a fact I ascer- tained sometimes by indirect means. At last I II.—“ PRINTERS' ERRORS." received an intimation from the “ American It is distinctly amusing to find anyone com- Publishers' Corporation” to the effect that they plaining of the printer as a tyrant. With most had the book, and furnishing a sort of genealogy authors he is a scapegoat. Whenever some of the firms through which it had descended to unusually palpable blunder appears in type it is them from Messrs. Lovell and Co. (or Proteus invariably spoken of as a "printer's error.” In a and Co.). I think this was in 1897, when, I see. recent number of Truth, for instance, it was the £6 was received from them, presumably for 1896. demoniacal printer who compelled the editor to Then comes an entry in the autumn of 1898 of call Mr. Robert Lowe Lord Sherborne instead of 159. This was accompanied by an intimation Lord Sherbrooke. Perhaps, Sir, you will allow that the sale was so feeble they proposed printing me to say a word or two upon this harrowing no more copies. One would suppose this to be subject. the end of the history. Not at all. In May, In the first place, the printer has, and can 1900, I received a letter from the manager of the have, nothing whatever to do with it. The Publishers' Plate Renting Company, stating that man who prints, i.e., the pressman, never, as far “ between the receivership of the American Pub. as my experience goes, sets up type. I suppose, lishers' Corporation and the foreclosure sale of its therefore, that when Mr. Corbett says printer plates ... some publishing was done, and (see April number of The Author, p. 250) he any royalties earned were deposited in a trust means compositor ; that it is the compositor who company in this city. There are now on deposit presumes to alter his undeniably accurate spelling, royalties from the sale of your book amounting to and whose fault it is when a blunder defaces a about £60.” page. But I submit that this is putting the That is all I know (except that I claimed and saddle on the wrong horse. In any published received my cheque). It appears to me a singular matter, be it book or newspaper, a printer's error circumstance that whereas such sum as £6 for one (to use the expression in vogue) does not exist. year and 158. for another are all I appear to have It is an impossibility. The error is not that of received while the company was solvent, over £60 the compositor, but of the proof-reader. The result from the sales between Sept. 1898, and only place in which a printer's error can occur is in May, 1900, when the company was insolvent. I the first proof pulled; and if such error is over- am not informed of the sales or the percentage by looked, and appears in the published form, it is which my royalty came. It may be rightly the proof-reader, and not the compositor, who is calculated, or the trust company may be ignorant to blame. of my stipulated percentage. I do not impugn But who is to blame when blunders that exist the honesty or accuracy of the various firms which in the manuscript are perpetuated in the public have sold my book. I merely observe that the cation ? Here the question lies between the jump from 158. to £61 78. (the exact cheque) on publisher's reader and the author. Very often a book seven years old is remarkable. There was the reader is incompetent, and, failing to under- also a sudden decline from a cheque in three stand the author's meaning, ventures to correct figures to £2 on an earlier firm becoming solvent, his copy. A case once occurred in my own which is less remarkable. It is true that in 1898 experience. Being absent from Europe, I sent my novel, “ The House of Hidden Treasure," had home my copy in type, and of course could not a large sale in England and the United States, correct the proofs. In a certain passage I had and that may have sent up the American sale of used the expression “reification of a concept." “ The Last Sentence," though it had not that The reader had never heard of the word reifica- effect in England. But the point is that I, and I tion, and you may imagine my dismay when, on suppose all authors, except a few ubiquitous the publication of my book, I found that he had people, are helpless as a child in the matter; altered it to “ deification." Here he was wrong; and that an agent, who must be neither pub- and yet there certainly are cases in which a reader lisher nor author, to watch books in the might save the author from some of the gram- United States would be a great boon to English matica) atrocities that bring amateur authorship authors. into disrepute. A novelist or essayist who writes On the other hand, my experience may be "like he does,” “different to,” or “neither of  ## p. 56 (#82) ############################################## 56 THE AUTHOR. them were,” splits his infinitives, and begins two far cry, and my publishers took what money was consecutive separate sentences with the word made by the sale of the book for themselves, then “but," is lucky if he finds a publisher ; but he (although the whole edition was entirely my pro- would be luckier still (and so would the public) perty) they disposed of the unsold copies to if the publisher's reader were benevolent enough another firm without informing me; and, on the to correct his English. F. H. B. Authors' Society interfering, it was found that the firm was bankrupt and had vanished without assets. III.-LONG RETENTION OF MSS. I had written two more books by this time; Perhaps one of the greatest grievances and one a work of 58opp. 4to. on some little-known discouragements the literary aspirant has to languages, and the other a history in two volumes, suffer from is the unreasonably long detention of 875pp. 4to. A highly-placed official of the his MSS. by publishers or editors. In fact, the Government of India saw the MS. of the first preliminary step to failure or renown resembles book and said, “ You will let us have this”; of the launching of Moses among the bulrushes, or course, publication by the Government of India the venturesome vulgar boys of Margate sands is a cachet for a work, so I agreed. The second who went to sea in a sieve. book was written at the request of the Govern- A play of mine was retained by a stage manager ment in my leisure time, but not in any way “by for over a year, and then he pretended he had lost order.” it. At length I bearded the lion in his den, I agreed because my experiences with private and simply seized it on the rack of his desk, and firms of publishers had not been pleasant or walked off triumphant. Recently an elaborate profitable, and if the Government of India tells work of 500 pages went the round of four pub- one of its servants that it wishes to publish his lishers in the short twinkling of fifteen months! books, he knows a great deal better than to The fifth grand lama delightedly appropriated it refuse. by return of post, politely offering me £50 in Both books were published by the Government return for five years' exile and hard labour. of India, and I received 30 copies of the first and Being but a Grub-street vagabond, I accepted; 42 copies of the second. I have not received any and then had the pleasure of correcting the proofs payment or other acknowledgment, and the of the mutilated and largely abridged “copy," Government have all the rights and the owner- which, although written in the same legible hand ship of the books. as enclosure, largely abounded in distinctly Now, have I been well treated or not, and how “ printer's errors.” My magnum opus having do the Government compare, as publishers, with honourably run the gauntlet of the critics, I hope some of those firms our Society has been so busy fully inquired about the sales by way of curiosity, safeguarding its members against ? TALAI. but received no answer. I have lost nearly half of my contributions to magazines, and enclosure represents the sting of a V.—THE HARDSHIPS OF THE TYPIST. recent experience. Your correspondent's remarks on the hardships- J. S. LAURIE. of the typist are just. Ninepence a thousand words is cruel pay, in face of the fact ihat the work is IV.—THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT AS PUBLISHERS. very uncertain. I give my experiences with publishers in the The lady who has typed my later novels (Miss hope of obtaining some expression of opinion E. Longworth, 310, Strand) assures me that some- regarding the position adopted by the Indian times for weeks at a stretch she has scarcely any. Government towards those of its unfortunate thing to do, and then is wearied by a sudden rush servants who happen to be authors. of work, much of which she has to put out and In 1887 I wrote, at the request of the head of pay for, as she cannot do it in the time given her. the local government under which I was then And authors are always in a hurry! serving, a small work containing special informil- She charges me is. a thousand words, and gives. tion which I alone possessed, and brought the a carbon copy in, which is, I think, as fair as MS. to England. The Secretary of State for anyone can desire. One cannot expect typewriting India gave me £100 and told me to bave the book to be done well for less, and any typist who makes published at my own expense ; both he and the a lower charge shows herself an enemy to the other Government of India promised to take a certain members of her profession. number of copies. One thing should be remembered—that the This was very satisfactory, and I hoped for a working of a typewriter is exhausting to most reasonable profit. I had returned to the East, a women. It causes a fearful backache in many  ## p. 57 (#83) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 57 cases, and, if persisted in too long every day, is Mr. Beckles Willson, whose history of the very injurious to health. Considering all this, I Hudson's Bay Company was published a few should be ashamed to pay another woman less months ago, is now writing a somewhat similar than I should care to work for myself. Is it not work on the East India Company. time that typists combined to protect themselves ? Mr. Anstey's new story, to be published in Ninepence a thousand words will soon sink to October by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co., is sixpence—and then ? Mary L. PENDERED. called “ The Brass Bottle.” be Mr. Ashton Ellis's life of Wagner will be in four volumes, the first of which Messrs. Kegan BOOK AND PLAY TALK. Paul hope to publish in the autumn. Mr. C. T. Hagberg Wright, the librarian of the MOLONEL SPENCER CHILDERS, of the London Library, is engaged upon a biography of Royal Engineers, has prepared the “Life Count Tolstoy. and Correspondence of Mr. Childers," Mr. Ferrar Fenton has in the press a sixth which will be published in one volume by Mr. edition of his “ St. Paul's Epistles in Modern Murray. Mr. Childers's political career lasted English,” with an “Introduction estimating that from 1860 to 1892, during which time he occupied Apostle's influence upon the Progress of Man. five Ministerial posts--First Lord, Chancellor of kind." The publishers are Messrs. Horace Mar. the Duchy, Secretary for War, Chancellor of the shall and Son. Exchequer, and Home Secretary. Mr. Aylmer Gowing's new novel, “A Spider's Lord Rosslyn is publishing through Messrs. Web,” will be the next work produced in Mr. Blackwood an account of his adventures during Burleigh's half-crown series. The plot is evolved the war in South Africa. The book will be called through the arts of a fair Russian Arachne, who “ Twice Captured.” spins her web about a young English attaché. A Mr. W. Basil Worsfold is writing “ The Story contrast to the dark shadow of deceit and crime of Egypt” for Messrs. Horace Marshall and Son's is found in an idyllic love story in England. little Story of the Empire Series. “The Story of A third edition of Mr. de V. Payen-Payne's Uganda," which also will appear this autumn, is by 1, is by “French Idioms and Proverbs " is shortly to be Brigadier-General Lugard, C.B., D.S.O. published by Mr. David Nutt. The first edition A new history of “The Venetian Republic” has of this work appeared in 1893, and the second in been written by Mr. W. Carew Hazlitt, and will 1897, and it is now accepted in all colleges and be published shortly. schools where French is seriously studied as a The Publishers' Circular makes the following competent guide to a very difficult subject. For statement (July 21):- those preparing for examinations, such as those As an indication of the success of the net system, the of the London, Victoria, or Welsh Universities, Booksellers' Association has sent a letter to the Publishers' the Society of Arts, the Oxford and Cambridge Association expressing the hope that the number of net locals, or the Civil Service Commissioners, this books may be increased. The publishers are now giving book is valuable. the matter their serious attention. A story of Afghan life by Miss Lillias Hamilton, The War Fund book, “For Britain's Soldiers," who was the Ameer's medical adviser, will be wi or will be which Mr. Cutcliffe Hyne has got together and published by Mr. Murray, under the title “A Messrs. Methuen are publishing gratuitously, will Vizier's Daughter : an Autobiography.” This be on sale for three months only, so as to induce publisher has also on his autumn list a novel by the charitable to buy copies in the pious hope that Lady Hely Hutchinson, entitled “Monica Grey," they may go to a premium afterwards. The con- and one by the Hon. Mrs. Walter Forbes, “A tributors are Messrs. Alden, Besan, Crockett, Gentleman.” Hornung, Hyne, Kipling, Mason, Moore, Pem- berton, Roberts, Ridge, Wells, White, Wood, and “ Footsteps of a Throne" is the title of Mr. Mrs. Croker. Max Pemberton's new book, which Messrs. Methuen will publish in this country. An early new comedy at Wyndham's Theatre will be “My Lady Dainty,” by the lady who A posthumous story by the late Mrs. Lynn wrote “ Young Mr. Jedburg” and “ An American Linton, entitled “ The Second Life of Theodora Citizen.” The new piece was produced success- Desanges,” will appear shortly. fully at Brighton a month ago. The scene is Mr. Egerton Castle's new novel for the autumn laid partly in Devonshire and partly in New is to be called “ The Sacred Orchard." York.  ## p. 58 (#84) ############################################## 58 THE AUTHOR. At the Duke of York's a new comedy by Mr. Exhibition, and the other (which should be con- Henry Arthur Jones will be produced by Mr. sulted by all interested in the China crisis) with Charles Frohman in September. the most important recent English and French In view of the success which the German plays works on China ; it appeared in Literature of have met with in London this year, a syndicate ndirate July 21. July 21. (with Mr. Henry Oppenheim and the Earl of Mr. Cosmo Hamilton's new book is called Dysart among the guarantors) has been formed “Impudent Dialogues," and will be published by for the production of German pieces at the Mr. Arrowsmith next spring. The romantic play Comedy Theatre from the middle of October to in four acts founded on “ The Countess Tekla," the middle of April next. by Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Robert Barr, is to be The object of the National Drama Company, produced in London next Easter. Mr. Hamilton which has just been formed, is “to provide an is at present engaged on a society extravaganza organisation by which our great plays may be to be called “The Danger of Innocence,” which produced in frequent succession; and it has been will form the Christmas number of the World. thought advisable,” says the prospectus,“ to The editor of the Century Magazine has taken make Mr. F. R. Benson's Shakespearean and Old up the charge against the American stage, and Comedy company-which has long been engaged goes the length of saying that American drama- in this work as a private undertaking, and has a tists are not only incapable of appreciating what repertory of no less than twenty-three of Shake is intellectual, instructive, wholesome, or inspiring, speare's plays—the basis of the new organisa but addicted naturally to what is morbid, auda- tion.” The capital is £27,000 in ordinary and cious, or unclean. On this subject, and in view preference shares, and the board of directors of the recent discussion in Parliament of the includes Sir H. W. Lawrence, Sir John Scott, Mr. English stage, it is instructive to observe the Joseph Walton, Q.C., and Mr. Benson. point of view of another American, Judge Mr. Stephen Phillips has written for Mr. Beer- Fursman, as expressed in his summing-up in the bohm Tree a new play on the subject of Herod prosecution against the performance of “ Sapho" the Great. It will be called “The King of the in New York-a case which ended, as will be Jews," and will be presented at Her Majesty's remembered, in the acquittal of Miss Olga during the coming season. Mr. Tree intends also Nethersole and her colleagues. Addressing the to produce two Shakespearean plays—“ Julius jury on their duties, the judge said: Cæsar” and “ Othello." For the former he has Consider as to them only the fair arguments that in the secured Mr. Murray Carson for the part of Julius cold deliberation of honest minds ought to prevail. Where Cæsar, Mr. Beveridge as Casca, and Mr. Robert you sit there is no room for imagination. Where you sit there is no room for sympathy, for prejudice, or for Taber for the role of Cassius. vengeance. You are not here in the interests of any public Mr. Martin Harvey has taken the Lyceum newspaper. You are not here in the interests of the public Theatre for the autumn, and his programme will prosecution. You are not here in the interests of the defendants. You are here as sworn officers of the law to probably include, first, “ Romeo and Juliet," and determine what the truth is—what justice requires, what afterwards an adaptation by Mr. Charles Hannan fairness demands, under the evidence and the law in this of Mr. Marion Crawford's story, “A Cigarette case. The law requires you to presume that these defen. Maker's Romance." dants are innocent. Innocence is the garb with which the law clothes every accused person, and the prosecution is The familiar type of melodrama at the Adelphi required in law to overcome this presumption by evidence is at last to suffer an eclipse, Mr. George that leaves no reasonable doubt in a man's mind. ... Edwardes having secured the house as a home The statute does not make it an offence that the tenor, for the production of musical plays. the product, the outcome of a book or a play is not moral. The statute makes it an offence when it offends public On August 30 Miss Julia Neilson will re-open decency so as to become a public nuisance. Mere sag- the Haymarket Theatre with the new play by Mr. gestiveness—and I think it must be said in all fairness Paul Kester entitled "Sweet N L of 'Durga that there are things in this play, and it cannot be denied and has not been denied, that are to a certain extent sag. -otherwise Nell Gwyn. The play is in four gestive—but mere suggestiveness is not sufficient. It is acts, and besides Miss Neilson the cast includes not enough, in order to make a crime under this statute, Mr. Fred Terry, Mr. W. Mollison, Mr. Sydney that it may offend the modesty of young girls. This statute Brough, and Miss Constance Collier. means, when it declares a play to be an offence against public decency, that it shall be of such a character as to Two bibliographical articles of considerable offend in that manner the great mass of the people of all interest at the present juncture appeared in characters, of all estates, of all faiths, of all denominations, the course of July in Literature from the of all positions in society. pen of E. A. Reynolds-Ball. One (July 7) The only book ever done by President Lincoln dealt with the recent literature of the Paris is about to be published in America by Messrs.  ## p. 59 (#85) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 59 BOOKS AND REVIEWS. (In these columns notes on books are given from reviews which carry weight, and are not, so far as can be learned, logrollers.) McClure, Phillips, and Co., and will be a repro. duction in exact facsimile of a small scrap- hook compiled by Lincoln for use in the political campaign of 1858. This book was presented by the owner to his strongest supporter, Captain James N. Brown, who carried it with him in 1860 and in subsequent campaigns for use as a book of reference whenever Lincoln's opinions were called in question. Captain Brown died in 1868, and the book passed to his sons, by whose desire it is now being published. The clippings give. in Lincoln's own words, “the substance of all I have ever said about negro equality," and the book also contains notes in Lincoln's handwriting prefaced to the extracts from his speeches. It will be called “Abraham Lincoln : His Book.” Mr. Norman Hapgood is following his recent biography of Lincoln with a life of Washington. The source of the title, “Red Pottage," has been engaging the curiosity of American readers and reviewers. Some attributed the passage quoted by the author—" After the red pottage comes the exceeding bitter cry”—to the Bible, others thought it came from Omar Khayyam. At length, Messrs. Harper and Brothers, the American publishers of the book, sought to place the matter beyond doubt by asking Miss Chol. mondeley. Her reply was as follows:- Miss Cholmondeley, in answer to Messrs. Harpers' inquiry of May 23, regrets to say she does not know where the motto comes from—“After the red pottage,” &c. She remembers jotting it down in her note-book years ago, but when she turned to it she found to her surprise she had not added the author's name, which in nearly every other case she had been careful to do. She thinks it may be found in the sermons of the Rev. John Hamilton Thom. The curiosity of the American reading public in regard to another lady novelist, Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler, has been answered in a singular fashion. Messrs. D. Appleton and Co. have issued a new edition of “ Concerning Isabel Carnaby," which presents a portrait and an elaborate biographical and critical study of the author. The late Mr. Harold Frederic's work, “The Damnation of Theron Ware,” which is known in England as “ Illumination,” is being dramatised in the United States. Mr. Walter H. Page, formerly editor of the Atlantic Monthly, is named as editor of a new illustrated magazine which Messrs. Doubleday, Page, and Co. hope to bring out in the autumn. It will be called “The World's Work," and will attempt to cover a field of its own. THE “OVERLAND" TO CHINA, by Archibald R. Colqu. houn (Harper, 168.), “ covers a vast area, for its backbone, so to speak, is a journey of 7000 miles to and through the Far East." Much of it is immediately concerned with the vital issue and localities of the present crisis, and the Daily Chronicle trusts it " will be very widely read. It is full of exact information set forth in most readable fashion, and it appears at a moment sensationally opportune." "The account of diplomatic life in Peking as it used to be is the best extant." CHINA, THE LONG-LIVED EMPIRE, by Eliza R. Scada- more (Macmillan, 8s. 6d. net), is “to be recommended,” says the Daily News, "as a lively and vivid account of Chinese life and character. With its sketches of scenes and persons where with the entire world is now concerned, it appears at an opportune moment. It contains a large namber of good illustrations." THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSPIRACY; or, The Aims of Afrikanderdom, by Fred W. Bell (Heinemann, 58. net), deals with “a matter of great importance," says the Times, and "serves a useful purpose in bringing the known facts and the argument to be deduced from them within the reach of all who seek to be informed.” My DIOCESE DURING THE WAR, Extracts from the Diary of the Right Rev. Arthur Hamilton Baynes, D.D., Bishop of Natal (Bell, 68.), is described by the Daily Chronicle as “in large measure a chronicle of small things, of personal detail and hearsay in the rear of the fighting line, of hamanitarian and yet sensible views of the war and its consequences.” The author was at the front, says the Spectator, “and saw many things from a point of view somewhat different from that either of the soldier or of the war correspondent, and what he writes is in the best taste, simple, anaffected, and graphic, withont the least attempt at fine writing.” A HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY, by Harald Höffding (Macmillan, 308.), is a translation from the German of a work wbich, says the Guardian, “undoubtedly stands in the front rank of histories of philosophy, not only on account of the eminence and learning of its author, bat even more from the lucidity of its plan and the consistency with which it is adhered to throughout. A history of philosophy should, the author tells us, throw light on what philosophy really is ; and the present book not only does this by distin. guishing the chief problems of the philosopher and tracing their rise and development, but also by making clear every- where the intimate relation of philosophy to political and social conditions and to scientific progress. Parts of the work are, indeed, almost as much a history of calture as of philosophy.” The Guardian adds, however, that the trans- lation needs a “very thorough revision.” Professor Höffding's work, says the Daily Chronicle, “is charac- terised by singular clearness, discrimination, and detach. ment of mind.” ROBERT BROWNING, by A. Waagh (Kegan Paul, 28. 6d. net), is a volume of the “ Westminster Biographies," " and is in every way an excellent piece of work,” says the Spectator. “The two personalities of Robert Browning and his wife are sympatbetically treated, and there is some admirable criticism of their literary work.” “It is," says the Daily Telegraph “at once a biography, concise, but omitting nothing material, and a scholarly critical apprecia- tion.” “Mr. Waugh's criticism,” says the Daily Chronicle, “ is justly appreciative, not fanatically eulogistic."  ## p. 60 (#86) ############################################## 60 THE AUTHOR. NATURE IN DOWNLAND, by W. H. Hudson (Longmans, 108. 6d. net), is, among other things, full, says the Daily Chronicle, “ of amusing evidences of the rural intelligence as found in the county of Sussex.” “It is long since Mr. Hudson gave as a book. It is longer still since he gave us Bo good a book as this one, in which there are more than a few passages that recall the Naturalist in La Plata 'at his happiest.” The “Downland,” says the Daily News, is Spectator, the promise is redeemed “ with a measure of success rare in sequels. Though less prodigal of incident and description, the present volume is far superior to its predecessor in concentration and intensity. . . . At the close of “The School for Saints' it may be remembered that Robert Orange, the brilliant and many-sided idealist, had become engaged to the beautiful Mrs. Partieto. . . . The volume before as unfolds the tragic consequences of Sussex Downs. “Mr. Hudson shows us every detail of the landscape,” the features of the treeless downs, the abundant flowers, bird and beast, reptile and insect, “even the seldom-noticed snail, apon whose sculptured covering nature has indeed bestowed some of her very daintiest handi. work." BURMA, by Max and Bertha Ferrara (Low, 308.), describes “the modern Burmese as he lives and has his being from the cradle to the grave, with," says the Daily Telegraph, “ a painstaking elaborateness and exactitude.” The Daily Chronicle says the book contains "genuine masses of infor. mation," and a “beautiful and varied collection of photo graphs.” “Everyone,” says Literature, “who is so fortu. nate as to have read Mr. Fieiding's book, 'The Soul of a People,' should get ‘Burma. Although, from its size, weight, and price, it comes into the category of 'gift-books,' books which serve to decorate a table and never get read, * Burma' should prove the exception to this rule. Our authors' detailed account of the outward life of the Burmese -an account which rounds off and completes Mr. Fielding's story of their life-is well worth reading." A SON OF THE STATE, by W. Pett Ridge (Methaen, 38. 60.), " is vivid as well as engrossing,” says the Daily News, "and its robust manliness— quality that asserts itself on every page—is not certainly its least merit. And, apart from all other considerations, we can only advise those who are discontented with existing State institutions to read Mr. Pett Ridge's book and benefit by his cheerful optimiam.” He depicts for us, says the Daily Chronicle," the blatant, garish, open-air life of the City-road.” “All the early part of Mr. Bobbie's vagrant career is exceedingly gay, lively, and well told,” and “the book may be recommended to everyone as a pleasant summer drink.” LITTLE ANNA MARK, by S. R. Crockett (Smith, Elder and Co., 68.), is " a rattling rousing story of adventure and misadventure," says the Daily Telegraph, "related in the first person by a somewhat dull-witted Scottish youth.” The Daily News describes the hero of the book as “a picturesque villain whose crimes are of the medieval and semi-Satanic kind,” while" the good angel of the work is a big Englishman with the euphonious name of Umpbray Spurway.” The scene is laid partly in Scotland, partly on a pirate ship, and partly in mysterious tropical islands. The Chronicle confesses that “Little Anna Mark ” is “very much to our liking.” “Mr. Crockett carries us along from exciting incident to thrilling episode, and gives as scarce time to breathe." THE LADYSMITH TREASURY, edited by J. Eveleigh Nash (Sands, 68.), “has nothing to do with Ladysmith or the war,” remarks the Spectator, “ except that the profits of the book are to go to the relief of distress in the town. It con- tuids sixteen short stories and ketebes. Among the authors we see the names of Ian Maclaren, W. E. Norris, Morley Roberts, and F. Frankfort Moore. We recommend the book to ou readers, and can do so without scruple, not only because the object is patriotic, but because there is good literary work in it.” ROBERT ORANGE, by John Oliver Hobbes (Unwin, 68.), which the Daily Telegraph describes as a containing work “uniformly sober, restrained, literary," is the promised con- tinuation of “The School for Saints," and, says the adds: “It is rare in these democratic days to encounter & book in which the existence of the masses is barely hinted at; it is not unwelcome, after the tyranny of slum realism, to be for once in a way completely relieved from the con. templation of squalid emotions and underbred unhappiness.” AFRICAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS, by A. J. Dawson (Heinemann, 68.), contains a dozen studies of Morocco which the Spectator says are “ very picturesque.” “The • West Coast' stories in the book are also striking," " and Mr. Dawson has seized the essential difference between Morocco and what we may call the East' with acute appreciation.” Mr. Dawson's book, says the Daily Chronicle, “does not hold a dull page, and the unmistakable earnest- ness aboat certain of the more dramatic stories robs them of any offence.” THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CHARWOMAN, as chronicled by Annie Wakeman (Macqueen, 6s.), “ if it really gives a trne account of its heroine's adventures," “ may be taken," says the Spectator, " as a striking example of the fact that happi- ness does not lie in outward circumstances.” “Through the various vicissitudes of her career Betty shows no sort of feeling of her life being intolerable, but bears her troubles as she does her babies, with a fine sense of the uselessness of a struggle against the inevitable. The cheerful patience of the poor is cleverly indicated, and readers who like this stamp of story will enjoy Miss Annie Wakeman's book." Miss Wakeman's charwoman, says the Daily Chronicle, " is magnificently real and altogether admirable.” STUDIES IN LOVE, by Maud Egerton King (Dent, 43. 60. net), consists of four stories, which in the opinion of the Daily News are " very charming,” After saying that the book is “very pretty reading,” the Spectator adds that it is “ one which irresistibly suggests a hammock and a hot mid. summer afternoon as the proper place and time for its perasal.” A MILLIONAIRE OF YESTERDAY, by E. Phillips Oppen. heim (Ward, Lock and Co., 68.) is said by the Daily News to be quite up to his usual level." "The story is romantic, and the African scenes are very vivid and picturesque.” Mr. Oppenheim takes for the theme of his novel the always engrossing topic of the quest and attain- ment of boundless wealth. Scarlett Trent, the hero, is an ex-Board-school boy who bas drifted to West Africa, and in partnership with a broken down and bibulous aristo- crat secured a valuable mining concession on the Congo. AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORICAL HANDBOOK TO THE PARISH OF CHELSEA, by Reginald Blunt (Lawley, 28. 6d. net.), is described by the Spectator as “an attractive hand- book," and by the Daily News as “an admirable little volume.” MEMORIES OF SOME OXFORD Pets, collected by Mrs. Wallace (B. H. Blackwell, Oxford, 38.), “is a delightful book," says the Spectator, “fittingly commended to tbe reader by Mr. Warde Fowler's admirable preface. Dogs, of course, occupy, so to speak, the front benches. It needs no Lex Roscia to secure that for them. Then come three cats, a brown owl, a chameleon, a jerboa, a mouse, a hen, and the rat-a Japanese rat, it must be understood. These creatures, some of whose histories are written for them and some written by themselves, furnish us with a feast of good things." : -  ## p. 60 (#87) ############################################## ADVERTISEMENTS. T Y P E W RI TING (Authors' MSS.) Undertaken by highly educated women of Literary experience (Classical Tripos ; Higher Cambridge Local; thorough acquaintance with modern languages). Authors' References. Terms, 1s. 8d. per 1000 words; over 5000 words, 1s. S. R., 1, LINGARDS ROAD, LEWISHAM, S.E. TYPEWRITING COMPANY, DARLINGTON'S HANDBOOKS AUTHOR'S HAIR AUTHORS TYPEWRITING. THE VICTORIA 18, BOROUGH HIGH STREET, LONDON BRIDGE, S.E., Have adopted a NEW STYLE, very effective, and attracting attention. Authors' MSS. copied from 10d. to 18. 3d. per 1000 words. Kindly send for specimen. CAREFUL AND ACCURATE WORK GUARANTEED. THE | AUTHOR'S HAIRLESS PAPER-PAD "Sir Henry Ponsonby is (The LEADENHALL PRESS LTD., Publishers & Printers, 50, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.) commanded by the Queen Contains hairless paper, over which the pen slips with perfect to thank Mr. Darlington for freedom. Sixpence each. 58. per dozen, ruled or plain. New Pocket be a copy of his Handbook.” Sizg, 38. per dozen, ruled or plain. Authors should note that THE "Nothing better could be wished for,"-British Weekly. LEADENHALL PRESS LTD. cannot be responsible for the loss of MSS. "Far superior to ordinary guides."-London Daily Chronicle. by fire or otherwise. Duplicate copies should be retained. Edited by RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S. is, each. Illustrated. Maps by JOHN BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN, THE NORTH WALES COAST, Careful work with Yost machine on good paper. Inclusive prices. BRECON AND ITS BEACONS. THE SEVERN VALLEY. BOURNEMOUTH AND THE NEW FOREST. THE WYE VALLEY. Novels and Stories, 8d. per 1000 words; in duplicate, Is. BRIGHTON, EASTBOURNE, HASTINGS, AND ST. LEONARDS. Plays, Poems, &c., Is. per 1000 words ; in duplicate, ls. 3d. ABERYSTWITH, TOWYN, BARMOUTH, AND DOLGELLY. Also Technical and Scientific work; French and Spanish. MALVERN, HEREFORD, WORCESTER, AND GLOUCESTER. LLANDRINDOD WELLS AND THE SPAS OF MID-WALES. Specimen of work and Extracts from Testimonials on application. BRISTOL, BATH, CHEPSTOW, AND WESTON-SUPER-MARE. L. A. ST. JOHN, 20, Lucas Avenue, Upton Park, London, E. "The best Handbook to London ever issued."-li erpool Daily Post. 2nd Edition Enlarged, 58. 60 Illustrations, 24 Maps and Plans. TYPEWRITING. Beference, Miss BEATRICE WHITBY. MS. Typed at ls. per 1000 words. By E. C. Cook and E. T. COOK, M.A. Address Mrs. KAY, Crossmead, Exeter. F'cap. 8vo. Is. SECRETARIAL WORK. THE HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A Handbook to the leading Hotels throughout the World. LADY DESIRES Llangollen: DARLINGTON &_Co. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & Co. LTD. Railway Bookstalls and all Booksellers. Experienced Typist (owns machine). PHOTOGRAPHS.-BIRTHDAY and SEASON CARDs from negatives by Also COPYING MS., DUPLICATING, &c. References. RALPH DARLINGTON, F.R.G.S., of Scenery, Ruins, &c., in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, ls., 1s. 6d., 28., MISS W. KEMPSON, 28. 6d. Complete list, post free. DARLINGTON AND CO., LLANGOLLEN. ROATH HOUSE, CARDIFF. TYPEWRITING BY CLERGYMAN'S DAUGHTER AND ASSISTANTS. MISS E. M. SIKES, The West Kensington Typewriting Agency, 13, Wolverton Gardens, Hammersmith, W. (ESTABLISHED 1893.) Authors' MSS. carefully and promptly copied. Usual Ternis. Legal and General Copying. Typewritten Circulars by Copying Process. AUTHORS' REFERENCES. LONDON AND ENVIRONS. TEMPORARY ENGAGEMENTS. 70 3JTTON A - It us.ba MRS. GILL, TYPE-WRITING OFFICE, 35, LUDGATE HILL, E.C. (ESTABLISHED 1883.) Authors' MSS. carefully copied from lg. per 1000 words. Duplicate copies third price. Skilled typists sent out by hour, day, or week, French MSS. accurately copied, or typewritten English translations supplied. References kindly permitted to Sir Walter Besant; also to Messrs. A. P. Watt and Son, Literary Agents, Hastings House. Norfolk-street, Strand, W.O. HTAOW 21 зиЪТЯo1 тазаом А  ## p. 60 (#88) ############################################## ADVERTISEMENTS. T HAS NEVER BEEN SERIOUSLY QUES. TIONED BY ANY HONEST TYPEWRITER INVENTOR, MECHANICAL EXPERT, OR USER THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL LINES UPON WHICH THE SMITH PREMIER IS BUILT ARE FAR IN ADVANCE OF ANY OTHER TYPE- WRITER. THAT ALONE WOULD NOT MERIT SUCCESS, BUT THAT FOUNDATION TOGETHER WITH BEST MATERIAL, BEST WORKMANSHIP, AND EXPERT INSPECTION OF ALL THE PARTS AS WELL AS THE FINISHED PRODUCT, HAVE CAUSED THE SMITH PREMIER TO WIN. THIS IS THE EX- PLANATION OF ITS PHE- NOMENAL RECORD OF SUCCESS. " SEND FOR AAT CATALOGUE. he Smith Premier Typewriter o 14, Gracechurch Street, LONDON, E.C. E PREMIER EX. 13 Smith Premier ESTABLISHED] The Atheneum Press, Taunton. [XVIII. CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. Established as a medium for communication between Composers and Authors and the Public, on Fair, Equitable, and Reciprocal Terms. THE COMPOSERS' AND AUTHORS' PRESS LIMITED. Registered Office :-No. 9, FENCHURCH BUILDINGS, E.C. Registered 20th May, 1897. DIRECTORS. JOHN THOMAS FIELD, Esq., Montana, Blackheath. | WILLIAM SKINNER VINNING, Esq., Mas. Bac., 88, Lansdowne FRANK MERRICK, Esq., Mus. Doc., 7, Hughenden-road, Clifton, road, w. Bristol. JOHN WARRINER. Esq., Mus. Doc., De Crespigny Lodge, WILLIAM PINNEY, Esq., Mas. Bac., 25, Colville-square, W. Denmark Hill, S.E. SOLICITOR: FREDERICK GEO. MELLOWES, Esq., 9, Fenchurch-buildings, E O. SECRETARY: W. A. PERREN. Oficos and Warehouse : 18, Featherstone-buildings, Holborn, W.O. For all particulars address the MANAGING DIRECTOR, as above. Second Edition. Orown 4to., cloth, price 38. 6d.; by post, 38. 9d. Crown 8vo., with illustrations, price 68., to be had of all booksellers. TAIRY TALES. By BASIL FIELD. Beautifully FOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British Illustrated by C. E. Fripp. 1 Prince at the Court of Trajan. By L. M. P. BLACK. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. I HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 03 (August 1900) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 03 (August 1900) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1900-08-01-The-Author-11-3 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/332/1900-07-02-The-Author-11-2.pdf a3082b6c4a4a46d6e50bf2cff819992b 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) 1900-07-02 Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages Page range in volume 17–40 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19000702 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. VOL. XI.—No. 2] JULY 2, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. ... 17 CONTENTS. PAGE PAGE Memoranda ... Notes from America ... ... ... ... 28 The Incorporated Society of Authors-Scheme for Pension Fund 18 Annual Dinner of the Incorporated Society of Authors Literary Property-. Thirteen Years Ago ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31 1. Trade Methods ... Correspondence -1. Auxiliary Literary Work. 2. Concerning 2. The Copyright Act and the Five Gratis Copies Books for Boys. 3. Royalties. 4. Author and Publisher. 5. 3. The Stamping of Agreements ** A Torn-out Page," " by" Dora Russell... 4. Copyright Secured by Publication and S 5. Altering without the Author's Consent... Book and Play Talk... Books and Reviews ... ... Paris Notes. By Darracotte Scott ... ... ... ... ... ... 35 27 Obituary ... Notes and News. By the Editor ... ... ... ... ... ... ... PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 1. The Annual Report. That for the past year can be had on application to the Secretary. 2. The Author. A Monthly Journal devoted especially to the protection and maintenance of Literary Property. Issued to all Members, 6s. 6d. per annum. Back numbers are offered at the following prices : Vol. I., 108. 6d. (Bound); Vols. II., III., and IV., 88. 6d, each (Bound); Vols. V. to VIII. (Unbound), 6s. 6d. 3. Literature and the Pension List. By W. MORRIS COLLES, Barrister-at-Law. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 4. The History of the Société des Gens de Lettres. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, late Secretary to the Society. 18. The Cost of Production. In this work specimens are given of the most important forms of type, size of page, &c., with estimates showing what it costs to produce the more common kinds of books. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 28. 6d. (Out of print at present.) 6. The Various Methods of Publication. By S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. In this work, compiled from the papers in the Society's offices, the various forms of agreements proposed by Publishers to Authors are examined, and their meaning carefully explained, with an account of the various kinds of fraud which have been made possible by the different clauses in their agreements. Henry Glaisher, 95, Strand, W.C. 38. 7. Copyright Law Reform. An Exposition of Lord Monkswell's Copyright Bill of 1890. With Extracts from the Report of the Commission of 1878, and an Appendix containing the Berne Convention and the American Copyright Bill. By J. M. LELY. Eyre and Spottis- woode. Is. 6d. 8. The Society of Authors. A Record of its Action from its Foundation. By WALTER BESANT (Chairman of Committee, 1888—1892). 18. 9. The Contract of Publication in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. By ERNST LUNGE, J.U.D. 28. 6d. 10. The Addenda to the "Methods of Publishing." By G. HERBERT THRING. Being additional facts collected at the office of the Society since the publication of the “ Methods." With comments and advice. 28. 11. Forms of Agreement issued by the Publishers' Association ; with Comments. By G. HERBERT THRING, and Illustrative Examples by Sir WALTER BESANT. IS.  ## p. 16 (#38) ############################################## ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL, SIR EDWIN ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. AUSTIN DOBSON. Sir Lewis MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD. ROBERT BATEMAN. Sir MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE Right Hon. THE LORD PIR. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, M.P. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. Sir FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH. JEROME K. JEROME. E. ROSE. CLERE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. SIMS. P. W. CLAYDEN. THE RIGHT Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. SIR A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M, YONGB. THE RIGHT Hon. THE LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. GILBERT PARKER. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. Rose. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. 'SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hon. John COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. Martin Conway. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A. W. À BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLES. GILBERT PARKER. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). I F. C. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSE. Solinitore_ FIELD, ROSCOE, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. MHE ART of CHESS. By JAMES MASON. Price 58. GA. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 28. 6d. net. net, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 17 (#39) ############################################## The Author. (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.—No. 2.] JULY 2, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. signed or initialled the Authors alone are - As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. collective opinions of the Committee unless It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible they are officially signed by G. Herbert for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly Thring, Sec. the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the “ Cost of Production.” M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all T remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. requests that all members not receiving an answer to The main points are :- important communications within two days will write to him (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union (2) Keep control of the advertisements. Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. letter only. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on above mentioned. all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are Never sign any agreement without competent advice from returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. 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 GENERAL MEMORANDA. from the outset are :- (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. UT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong 1 agreement. There are four methods of dealing to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the with literary property :- nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or I. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. withheld. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. Secretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to agreement). N the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some In this case the following rules should be attended to : competent legal authority. (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. the production of a play with anyone except an established (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the manager. profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS in his own organs : or by charging exchange advertise. IN THREE OR MORE ACTS : ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING EIGHT. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses," This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters unless the same allowance is made to the author." into such a contract should stipulate in the con- (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental tract for production of the piece by a certain date rights. and for proper publication of his name on the (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. play-bills. VOL. XI. D 2  ## p. 18 (#40) ############################################## 18 THE AUTHOR. Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, now or old, for inspection and note. The information thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 apon agreements and 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. THE READING BRANCH. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain a percentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (b.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays should be reserved. 5. Authors should remember that performing rights can be limited, and are usually limited by town, country, and time. This is most important. 6. Authors should not assign performing rights, but should grant a licence to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that he runs a very great risk of delay and a breakdown in the fulfilment of his contract. He should therefore guard himself all the more carefully in the beginning 11. An author must remember that the dramatic market is exceedingly limited, and that for a novice the first object is to obtain adequate publication As these warnings must necessarily be incomplete on account of the wide range of the sabject of dramatic con. tracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. CEMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as a composition is treated by a coach. The term MSS. includes not only works of fiction but poetry and dramatic works, and when it is possible, under special arrangement, technical and scientific works. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. T HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. 1. TA VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to ase the Society 3. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. The THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. -SCHEME FOR PENSION FUND. 1. INHE fund is established for the purpose of providing pensions for authors in need of such assistance, and for no other purpose. 2. Contributions to the fund may be either by a single donation or by a donation spread over three or more years, or by an annual subscription.  ## p. 19 (#41) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 19 3. All donations and not less than two-thirds which such candidate is to be proposed, and the of the annual subscriptions (after deducting the nomination of each such candidate shall be sub- working expenses) shall be added to the capital scribed by at least three members of the Society. of the fund and invested. The remainder of the A list of the names of the candidates so nominated annual subscriptions with the income from invest. shall be sent to the members of the Society with ments shall be devoted to the payment of pensions the annual report of the managing committee, and or to the purchase of annuities to satisfy pensions those candidates obtaining the most votes at the already granted. general meeting shall be elected to serve on the 4. The granting of pensions shall be in the Pension Fund committee. discretion of a committee to be called the Pension 10. The secretary of the Society shall act as Fund Committee of the Incorporated Society of the secretary of the Pension Fund committee. Authors, and such committee shall consist of the 11. For the purpose of granting or refusing a chairman of the managing committee of the pension five members of the Pension Fund com- Society, and six other members of the Society, of mittee shall be a quorum, but for any other busi- whom three shall be elected by the managing ness three members shall be a quorum of such committee and three by the members of the committee. Society at the annual general meeting. 12. All receipts in respect of the Pension Fund 5. One of the members of the Pension Fund shall be forthwith paid into an account to be Committee elected by the managing committee of kept in the names of three trustees, who shall be the Society, and one of the members elected by members of the society and shall be called the the members of the Society shall retire at the Pension Fund trustees. The first Pension Fund annual general meeting in each year. As between trustees shall be nominated by the managing com- two or more members of the Pension Fund Com- mittee of the Society, and new trustees shall from mittee elected by the same body, the member who time to time be appointed with the approval of has been longest in office shall retire, and for this such managing committee. purpose the period of office of each member shall 13. All payments in respect of pensions or be computed from his last election. As between working expenses, and all investments of the two or more who have been in office an equal Pension Fund shall be made by the Pension length of time, the member to retire shall in Fund trustees with the approval of the Pension default of agreement between the members con- Fund committee. All cheques on the account of cerned be determined by ballot. A retiring the trustees shall be signed by two trustees and member of the committee shall be eligible for countersigned by the secretary, or in his absence re-election. by a member of the Pension Fund comunittee. 6. The Society at any general meeting at 14. The amount of any pension shall be not less which a member of the Pension Fund committee than £25 nor more than £100 per annum. retires as above-mentioned, shall fill up the 15. Membership of the Society of Authors vacancy by electing a member in his place, and shall not give any right to a pension, but pensions may fill up any other vacancy among members shall be granted to members of the Society only, appointed by the Society. and such members (if in other respects qualified 7. If at any general meeting of the Society at as hereby required) shall become eligible for pen- which the election of a member of the Pension sions as follows:- Fund committee ought to take place such (1) For pensions to be granted in the years member shall not be elected, the managing com- 1901 to 1905, members of the Society mittee may fill the vacancy by the election of a having become such not later than March 1, member of the Society not being a member of the 1901, and so continuing to the date of their managing committee. application. 8. Any casual vacancy occurring on the Pension For pensions to be granted in the years Fund committee may be filled by the managing 1906 to 1912, members of the Society committee of the Society, but any person so having become such not later than March 1, chosen to fill the place of a member appointed by 1902, and so continuing to the date of their the members of the Society shall hold office only application. until the next annual general meeting of the For jensions to be granted after the year Society. 1912, members of the Society who have 9. Any candidate for election to the Pension been such members for not less than ten Fund committee by the members of the society clear years before the date of their appli- (not being a retiring member of such committee) cation, and so that for this purpose such sball be nominated in writing to the secretary at ten years of membership need not be least three weeks prior to the general meeting at continuous.  ## p. 20 (#42) ############################################## 20 THE AUTHOR. Provided that any person who is otherwise quali. Pension Fund committee may cancel or suspend fied for a pension, but has ceased to be a member his pension. of the Society before the date of his application, 22. The granting of a pension shall not impose may in the discretion of the managing committee any personal liability whatever on any member of of the Society be re-elected a member without the Society or of the managing committee or of further payment, and thereupon shall become the Pension Fund committee or on the trustees, eligible for a pension. but every pension shall be deemed to be payable · 16. No pension shall be granted to any person only out of the income available for that purposé. under the age of sixty years, so long as suitable 23. If at any time hereafter the Pension Fund candidates of the age of sixty years or upwards should reach an amount sufficient in the judg- shall present themselves. Provided that a pension ment of the Pension Fund committee to meet all may be granted to a person of less age if and claims reasonably likely to be made upon it in while he shall in the opinion of the Pension Fund future, and if such committee shall pass a resolu- committee be totally incapacitated for work' by tion to that effect and the managing committee of reason of illness or accident. the Society shall concur in such resolution, then 17. In granting or refusing pensions the the Pension Fund committee may either (a) Pension Fund committee shall consider not only cease to receive any further subscriptions to the the necessities of the applicant, but also the fund unless and until additional needs arise, or merit of his work; and, other matters being (6) apply the whole or any part of the annual equal, long and continuous membership of the subscriptions (although in excess of one-third of Society shall be considered a recommendation, such subscriptions) to the payment of pensions or 18. The application for a pension need not be the purchase of annuities for pensioners or the made by the applicant personally, but may be increase of any pensions or annuities already presented on his behalf by any two members of the granted or purchased, but the powers conferred Society. Provided that any person whose name by this clause shall not be exercised unless the is so presented shall, if requested by the Pension amount of the fund for the time being be not Fund committee, signify in writing his willingness less than £20,000. to accept a pension if granted, and if he shall 2 4. The Pension Fund committee shall have refuse so to do, his application shall not be enter power to make and from time to time vary bye- tained. laws for regulating applications for pensions and 19. All applications for pensions shall be for otherwise carrying out the purposes of this deemed contidential, but the names of the scheme. recipients of pensions and the amounts granted 25. Any of the provisions of this scheme may shall be stated in The Author. from time to time be varied by a resolution of 20. Except as otherwise provided in rule 16, all the trustees and the Pension Fund committee pensions shall be tenable during the life of the sitting together, but no such variation shall pensioner or until he shall become a bankrupt or take effect unless and until the same shall be shall alienate, charge, or incumber his pension or confirmed by a resolution of the managing com- some part thereof, but the Pension Fund com- mittee of the Society. Provided always that the mittee may at any time in their absolute discretion Pension Fund shall at all times hereafter be discontinue any pension for either of the following administered by the committee, consisting of reasons: members of the Incorporated Society of Authors. (a) If the pensioner's conduct shall, in the Settled on behalf of the Incorporated Society opinion of such conimittee, be such as of Authors by George Cave, Lincoln's-inn, May 31, would disqualify him from membership of 1900, and finally approved by the managing com- the Society. mittee of the Society at the meeting of the (6) If such committee shall be satisfied that committee on Monday, June 18, 1900. the pensioner is in receipt of an indepen- G. HERBERT THRING, Secretary. dent income sufficient for his support. 21. Any pensioner may at any time be required by the Pension Fund committee to make a statu- tory declaration stating that he has not alienated, charged, or incumbered his pension or any part thereof, and also (if required) stating that he is not in receipt of any independent income or specifying the amount of such income, and in the event of any pensioner refusing or neglecting on request to make such statutory dcclaration, the  ## p. 21 (#43) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 21 LITERARY PROPERTY. rather thau at the lower percentages for the benefit of the author. This is business. I.-TRADE METHODS. Closely analogous to this case is the example TN these columns have been exposed month of the deferred royalty-a frequent method of after month the more flagrant tricks producing works of fiction. The difference, how- practised upon authors, chiefly by means of ever, is that in the latter case the agreement, to agreements the nature of which they do not the eye of the expert, is bad from the beginning. understand. Let us now consider how an agree- A publisher, through long experience, knows ment which seems fair may be rendered futile by the average sale. He knows the amount likely the methods of the publisher in handling the work to be taken on subscription of a book of this kind or in administering the author's property. brought out from his house. In many instances the publisher is only He assures the author that, owing to the risk anxious to turn over his money, making 15 or 20 of production, he cannot afford to pay a royalty per cent. on the transaction, and has no real on a number of copies, and accordingly gets x interest either in the property on which he is number of copies free. Owing to this fact, it is supposed to be conscientiously working or in the arranged to the author's satisfaction that a pro- desires of the public before whom he poses as a portionately higher royalty shall be paid on copies patron. It is perhaps not altogether bis fault, it sold above the fixed number. Alas! poor author, is his hereditary instinct. Curiously enough, he never gets his higher royalty ; the accounts this cause of anxiety is often disastrous to the come in, and he is disappointed. He does not author. . know the trade of infanticide, but the guilty An author undertakes the writing of a bio. party is sometimes discovered and his tricks graphy, and enters into an agreement with the divulged. The distribution of the type in the publisher to produce the book, subject to a certain first case shows the passive neglect of the infant royalty, the royalty to be raised after the sale of for want of proper care and nourishment; and in copies of the book. the second case the use of an active agent in its In making this kind of contract, the author, destruction. In the first example, the result is having full confidence in his agent, believes that brought about by bad judgment and carelessness; the book will be pushed for all it is worth, and in the second, by intentional bad faith. the business managed for his benefit. The T he next example is not one of frequent occur. publisher, however, before entering into the con rence, but is extremely interesting as the result- tract has made up his mind that the book will not namely, the turnover of the publisher's money sell above the number on which the smaller at a sound percentage, and the cessation of profits royalty is paid, and he bas also calculated that, to the author-is practically the same as in the selling up to that number, it will pay him a hand cases quoted above; the motive is different, and some return of 15 or 20 per cent on the capital it is not so much one of gain as of personal spite. expended. To obtain a satisfactory result, you must imagine, An edition is printed accordingly, but the on the one hand, an author whose head is swollen publisher's judgment is at fault. The edition to a size too large for his body; while, on the sells out within six months, and there is still a other side, you must have a publisher who is demand. rather anxious to obtain the work of the author, If the type is still standing it would barely pay as he kuows that the publication is a sound 20 more than 5 or 10 per cent. to push the book to per cent. investment. After a considerable the sale of another 500 copies, taking into con amount of wrangling, in which the publisher's sideration the higher royalty and further adver- temper has been upset by the author's cupidity, tising. (Further advertising would be necessary, an agreement has been arrived at. The author as the book has been allowed to drop from the is to receive a sum down in advance of royalties. market for two or three weeks.) The author thinks the sum far too small, con- But the type is not standing. It has been sidering, in his opinion, the assured circulation of broken up, so that the infallibility of the pub. the book. lisher's judgment is necessarily confirmed, as it is The publisher, altogether put out, is glad to impossible for another edition to sell. He has get off with such a small advance, and is deter- made it impossible. It could not possibly pay him mined to show the author that, after all, the public to re-set the type and print, so that in spite of are not overwhelmed with a desire to read his mild remonstrances from the author the book deathless productions. dies, a victim of infanticide. Is it a paradox to kill a deathless production in The publisher proceeds to turn over his capital its infancy? Infanticide, at any rate, paradox or again at the higher percentage for his own benefit, not, supervenes. The book is produced, and  ## p. 22 (#44) ############################################## 22 THE AUTHOR. continues to sell until the sum advanced on complete his book on the same subject as the royalties is covered. By this time, too, the result of his life's work. His mind is at once publisher has earned his expected percentage on made up. He hurries to the office without his capital. At once the house is drawn and the delay, writes a letter to the Professor asking him infant's life is extinguished. if he may have the honour of publishing his The cause and effect can be clearly linked, as book. the number at which the sale stops is damning The unfortunate author falls into the trap, and evidence; but legal proof there is none. The in due course enters into a hard-and-fast agree- publisher in his letters is full of regret. ment, handing over to the publisher (according A desire to study the accounts closely will often to the equitable agreement drafted by their asso. produce a disastrous result, but a longing to see ciation) almost every right the author could the “Day Book” will infallibly bring about a possibly possess, and at the same time binds him- fatal ending. self not to abridge the work or produce any other The following example is also instructive. work which may interfere with the sale. The pub- The same lesson can be drawn from it as froin lisher takes care that no such clause should fetter all the others. his action, as that would be ruinous to its success. A publisher enters into a contract with a young The Professor goes to bed and thinks that he author for the publication of his first book on a has toiled for years, and thus at length obtained royalty basis, and in the agreement binds the the reward for his life's long labours. He wakes author for a second book on the same terms. in due course, but only to find his only child This is yery bad for the author, but he accepts, strangled at its birth. He weeps, and consults sometimes through ignorance, sometimes through the publisher, who informs him that for some nervousness, sometimes through indifference. unexplained reason the work has fallen flat, and The first book comes out, and has a remarkable will not sell. run for a first book. It certainly does not bring The Professor is unable, owing to the terms of the author much return financially, as he is only his agreement, however much he may desire it, being paid a small royalty after the sale of a fixed to publish elsewhere. number of copies, but it is a really profitable But the publisher's copyright book still sells investment for the publisher, as he sees a satis- briskly. factory return in the present and great possi. The commercial instinct is a wonderful pos- bilities in the future. session. The British Empire is founded on it. The second book is brought out in accordance G. H. T. with the agreement. The circulation is, however, small compared with that of the first book. The To the above remarks, based upon actual author is astonished and disappointed, but the experience, I append two cases, the first with the tradesman knows. The circulation is sufficiently naines. large to satisfy his mercantile spirit, and is kept In the year 1869-70, I, being then secretary of sufficiently small to enable him to gain a third the Palestine Exploration Fund, and therefore volume from the same pen on the same remune having my attention every day called to the rative terms, for “as the second book has gone subject, arranged with the late Professor Palmer so badly he with great regret is unable to make a to write a history of the city of Jerusalem from better offer.” the siege of Titus to modern times. He, for his The eyes of the expert, however, sees the share, contributed the history from Moslem inwardness of the mancuvre. The marks of the Historians : I, for my part, the history from the murderer's fingers are on the throat of the infant. Crusaders' and Christian Chronicles. We devoted The last example is perhaps the saddest of all, much time and labour to the work: the thing as everyone knows the fondness of a parent for had never before been done: we hoped to produce the child of his old age, and the old Professor a standard book. We intrusted it to Bentley and who suffers is the victim of this cruel plot. Son on a half-profit system. An edition of a It happens in this wise. A publisher has an thousand copies was printed, and the book was excellent educational work on some special duly produced, making a very creditable appear- subject. He has bought the copyright for a ance. The edition was completely sold out; an small sum, and is pushing its sale to the utter account was rendered showing no profits; and we most; it is selling in larger numbers than then learned, to our mortification, that the type even B.'s famous novel “Balderdash.” But had been distributed and no moulds had been he wakes up with the uncomfortable recollection made. I vainly urged upon the publishers the that at a dinner the night before he had heard production of a second edition. Many years Professor R— state that he was about to passed, I again pressed for the production of a  ## p. 23 (#45) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 23 new edition. By this time Professor Palmer was dead. The firm undertook to bring out a new edition at last, subject to the condition that I should guarantee 300 copies. I did so, and placed the copies myself to prevent any possibility of mistake. The book I afterwards, on the disap- pearance of the firm, transferred to Messrs. Chatto and Windus. It has gone through three editions, I believe, since its revival. The second instance is of a three-volume novel Some years ago the author signed an agreement by which he was to receive a very large royalty-. think about 98. a copy-after 350 copies had been sold. The worthy publisher printed 350 and then distributed the type. This case has been already mentioned in an early number of The Author. W. B. II.—THE COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE Five GRATIS COPIES. It will have been seen from the correspond- ence of 1876 between the Royal Commissioners on the one hand and the authorities of the four privileged libraries of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Dublin on the other, which we printed in the June Author, that Cambridge left oft the questions of the Commissioners unanswered, that Oxford, though otherwise fully answering, was silent as to the value of the privilege, only stating the desire of the University to retain it, “not merely in the interests of the University, but for the sake of the public,” and that Edin. burgh and Dublin agreed in putting the value at not less than £1500 a year. It will now be desirable to state shortly the history and present effect of the statutory privileges of the five libraries entitled to gratis copies — the British Museum, so entitled absolutely, and the libraries of Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, and Edinburgh, so entitled on written demand only, to be made within a limited time. The first Act, that of 1662, directed the printer of every book to send one copy to the Royal Library and one copy to each of the Vice- Chancellors of Oxford and Cambridge Univer- sities for the use of the public libraries there; the second, that of 1709, which first gave statu- tory copyright, directed nine copies to be delivered at Stationers' Hall for the use of the Royal Library, the Oxford and Cambridge Libraries, the library of Sion College in London, the libraries of the four Scotch Universities (of St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh), and “the library commonly called the library belonging to the Faculty of Advocates at Edinburgh respec- tively.” In 1801, the Legislative Union with Ireland having just been accomplished, an amend VOL. XI. ing Copyright Act directed the delivery of two additional copies for the use of the libraries of Trinity College and of the King's Inns, Dublin, making eleven gratis copies in all. In 1814 two great changes were made. The British Museum, which had been founded in pursuance of Sir Hans Sloane's will so far back as 1759, first became entitled to a gratis copy, taking the place of the Royal Library; and the requirement of a demand on the part of all the privileged libraries first made its appearance, without any distinction, as at present, between the British Museum and the other libraries. The extensiveness of the privilege caused great dis. satisfaction amongst publishers, and in 1818 a Select Committee of the House of Commons resolved :- That it is desirable that so much of the Copyright Act as requires the gratuitous delivery of every work should be repealed except in so far as relates to the British Museum, and that a fixed allowance in lien thereof should be granted to such of the other libraries as may be thought expedient. This resolution was founded upon a great mass of evidence, Mr. Rees complaining of the £955 168. which eleven copies of his Encyclo- pædia might have been sold for, Mr. Baldwin averring that he had lost in his general business £1275 in four years, and so on. Nothing was done, however, until 1836. In that year, Mr. James Silk Buckingham, the founder and first editor of the Athenæum news- paper and a most voluminous writer, introduced in a very learned speech a Bill to take away the privilege from all the eleven libraries, and the Copyright Act, which was the result, took away the privilege from six of them—the libraries of Sion College, of the four Universities of Scotland, and of the King's Inns at Dublin. The Act of 1836 had a preamble that- The provisions of the said Act [of 1814 requiring gratuitous delivery of eleven copies] have in certain rospects operated to the injury of author and publishers, and have in some cases checked or prevented the publication of works of great utility and importance, and it is therefore expedient that the said Act should be amended. Parliament accordingly directed compensation to be made to the six deprived libraries out of the consolidated fund by annual payments to be ascertained “according to the value of the books which may have been actually received” by each such library upon an average of the three years ending June 30, 1836, it being also enacted that- The person of persons or body politio or corporate pro- prietors or managers of the library for the use whereof any Bach book would have been delivered, shall and they are hereby required to apply the annual compensation hereby authorised to be made in the purchase of books of literature, science and the arts, for the use of and to be kept and pre- served in such library : Provided always that it shall not  ## p. 24 (#46) ############################################## 24 THE AUTHOR. be lawful for the Treasury to direct the issue of any sum of Copies for four other Libraries if demanded.- money for such annual compensation until sufficient proof A similar copy, printed on the paper of which the shall have been adduced of the application of the money largest number of copies are printed for sale, must last issued to the purpose aforesaid. be delivered The words which we have italicised present not On demand thereof in writing left at the abode of the a few difficulties of construction. Clearly they pablisher thereof at any time within twelve months next impose some restriction upon the discretion of after the publication thereof under the hand of the officer of the library authorities. But what is it? The the Company of Stationers who shall from time to time be term “ books ” seems to exclude all newspapers appointed by the said company for the purposes of this Act, and magazines, and no books of mere reference, or ander the band of any other person thereto authorised by the authorities of the Bodleian Library, Oxford, the such as almanacs and directories, could be called Public Library, Cambridge, the Library of the Faculty of “ books of literature,” however useful they might Advocates, Edinburgh, the Library of Trinity College, be to the student. But it would be difficult to Dublin. exclude any novel whatever. Encyclopædias The copies are to be delivered- might be helped in by their scientific articles, but Within one month after demand made thereof in writing the point is a doubtful one. as aforesaid to the said officer of the said Company of The sums payable to the six various libraries Stationers for the time being, which copies the said officer were originally as follows: To the University of shall, and he is hereby required to receive at the ball of St. Andrews, £630; of Aberdeen, £320; of the said company for the use of the library, for which such Glasgow, £707; and of Edinburgh. £575; to demand sball be made within such twelve months as afore. said, and the said officer is hereby required to give a receipt King's Inns Library, Dublin, £433 6s. 8d.; and in writing for the same and within one month after any such to Sion College, £363 158. 2d. The two last book shall be so delivered to him as aforesaid to deliver the named sums are still annually paid ; the compen- same for the use of such library. sations to the four Scotch Universities became The publishers are authorised, if they prefer it, merged some ten years ago by virtue of the to deliver the demanded books free of expense at Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 in the much the libraries themselves to the librarians, and such larger grant of £42,000 for the general purposes delivery is made equivalent to a delivery to of the four Universities. This grant is divisible the officer of the Stationers' Company. The amongst the four Scotch Universities in sbares, and penalty for not delivering books pursuant to for purposes as therein directed; the Act, how the Act is not more than £5 besides the value of ever, specially providing that “the University of the undelivered book, recoverable either sum- Aberdeen shall receive an annual sum of £320 marily before justices of the peace or by ordinary for the purchase of books for the library of the action at the suit of the librarian, who, if University.” successful, is entitled to all costs reasonably Lastly, we come to the Act of 1842, which incurred. contains the present law of the subject in five It will be seen therefore (1) that the British long and rather confused sections, the effect of Museum is entitled, without any demand, to a copy which is shortly as follows:- of every book published in the British dominions; British Museum Copy.—A printed copy of the (2) that the four other libraries are entitled, but whole of every book and of any subsequent on written demand only, to a copy of every book edition published with any additions or altera published in the United Kingdom ; (3) that the tions, printed on the best paper on which any demand may be made either by the Stationers' copies are printed, must be delivered at the Company's officer or by an agent of the library British Museum, on behalf of the publisher authorities; (4) that by whomsoever the demand . Within one month after first publication, if the is made, the delivery must be made to the first publication be within the bills of mortality; Stationers' Company's officer ; and (5) that it is Within three months, if the first publication for the Stationers' Company's officer, and not any be in any other part of the United Kingdom; other demanding agent, to deliver the books to Within twelve months, if the first publication the four libraries, unless (6) the publishers be in any other part of the British dominions. deliver the copies free of expense to the libraries The italicised area—that of the “bills of direct. mortality”-is indeed a strange one in an Act so lively as the Copyright Act of 1842. The III.—THE STAMPING OF AGREEMENTS. “ bills" themselves died some sixty years ago. A point of some little importance in the The City was always within them, and West stamping of authors' agreements may interest minster soon became so, as also did Lambeth, you. A few days ago I sent an agreement, through Stepney, and other metropolitan parishes, but the local stamp office, to be stamped at Somerset St. Pancras and Marylebone were never included. House. It was an ordinary agreement to do  ## p. 25 (#47) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 25 X. om A MEMBER. certain work for a publisher, which would result, Law Courts, justifying his claims, generally for in due course, in the production of a book, the the pecuniary benefit of his adviser or counsel. copyright in which was to belong to the pub. Voilà tout ! Yes! Wiser is the poor Grub-street lishers. I asked that it should be impressed tramp who, on achieving publication, spends his with the ordinary agreement stamp of sixpence. 78. 6d. on a suitable banquet—not forgetting to After three days came back a message requiring pour out a libation to the gods. an additional 198. 6d., being the amount of the J. S. LAURIE. ad valorem duty on the sum which the publishers were to pay me for my work. In other words, V.-ALTERING WITHOUT THE AUTHOR'S CONSENT. the Inland Revenue claimed to treat the agree. I want to know what is (a) the law and (b) the ment as an assignment of copyright. custom of the trade (or profession) with regard Now, to this contention there are just two fatal to altering without consent of the author the objections: (1) that, by English law, it is im. signed articles in books of reference, guide-books, possible to assign a thing which is not in existence, &c., in future editions. and as my MS. was not even begun, I had, of I am supposing the author has made over all course, no copyright to assign ; (2) that the copyright. statute expressly contemplates assignment of I imagine that the whole question turns upon copyright (by entry at Stationers' Hall) without the contribution being signed. Does it not ? payment of stamp duty. Although the regulations of the Oxford office did not permit me to obtain the Somerset House letter for study, I managed to express my objec- PARIS NOTES. tions to its claim to such effect that I have now received an official intimation that the claim to 5, rue Chomel. ad valorem duty will not be pressed. MAURUS JOKAI, the celebrated Hungarian novelist, is now visiting Paris, accompanied by his young wife. IV.--COPYRIGHT SECURED BY PUBLICATION AND This is his first visit since 1867. He has been SALE. warmly welcomed by his compatriots and the In the daily Press of May 16 there is allu. brethren of his craft; and the Société des Gens sion without question to Sir E. M. Thompson's de Lettres has given a banquet in his honour. opinion that “ practically all published books Although M. Jokai numbers seventy-five years, are registered at Stationers' Hall, and are thus well-counted, he is quite out of the running as copyright.” I venture to doubt if more than regards age beside the “ beaux vieillards ” who still 25 per cent. of published books are registered at hold honoured places in the ranks of Parisian all, and that for the simple reason that such regis- writers. M. E.Cormon-author of so many popular tration confers no copyright, or, in point of fact, plays, and father of the well-known painter-is similarly as letters patent, any privilege beyond in his ninety-second year. He is an assiduous being the essential preliminary to litigation. theatre-goer, and was lately in evidence at a dress Indeed, even this is permissible just before any rehearsal at the Théatre de la République, busily action is entered ; and in a recent threatened suit engaged in superintending the revival of “ Une I myself adopted this course successfully with refe. Cause Célèbre," the joint production of MM. rence to a production fifteen years old. Seven and Adolphe d'Ennery and E. Cormon, success. sixpence per work on all published books would fully performed at the Ambigu theatre a quarter obviously yield a mine of vast wealth either to the of a century ago. (M. d'Ennery died in 1899, aged Stationers' Corporation or any other official eighty-eight years, possessed of a fortune which beneficiary, unconditionally on any material con- amounted in round figures to about £400,000.) sideration whatsoever. The hardship of the MM. Aurélian Scholl and Paul Meurice, likewise, invent is is infinitely worse, since pairate can see leave M. Jokai behind. The former resumes and study any existing specification and procure his pen at intervals in dilatory virtuoso fashion. another for himself by a slight alteration. His senior, M. Paul Meurice, still compares As I understand the matter after a life-long favourably in literary activity with a score of experience, and the production of more than 100 modern authors. He is an ardent disciple of genuine copyrights on which no fee has been paid, Victor Hugo, to boot; and recently presented I fancy I am entitled to affirm that the sale of to the National Library a collection of over a even a single volume across the counter con- thousand documents, photographs, &c., connected stitutes publication. In case of dispute, why, the with the great French writer and his family. This owner must either succumb or fight it out in the collection will shortly be open to the public.  ## p. 26 (#48) ############################################## 26 THE AUTHOR. ing. Only once in his life did he take part in the latter sport, when he fired by mistake on a gendarme, and was summoned for the offence. AN EMINENT NONAGENARIAN. But the doyen of the French Academy and the “ beaux vieillards litteraires " is M. Ernest Legouvé. His birth certificate is exbibited in the Paris Pavilion at the Exhibition. It is dated Monday, Feb. 16, 1807. M. Legouvé enjoys at the present moment the full possession of all his faculties. He is extremely keen on fencing, and attributes his robust health to his diurnal twenty or thirty minutes' practice with the foils. “ The love of fencing," he asserts, “is not merely a taste-it is a passion. C'est le jeu, avec le vice en moins et la santé en plus !" The eminent nonagenarian estimates his supple- mentary achievements with unusual modesty. “Although my plays have been represented six- teen hundred times at the Comédie Française,” he says, “I am neither a great poet nor a great dramatist. But since I have applied my dramatic and poetical faculty to teaching the young, I have succeeded in writing lessons which were not tiresome. I have spoken to youth in a language which it has loved and understood.” This is, perhaps, the success which M. Legouvé values most highly. His latest work, issued a few months ago, contains the lectures delivered to the students at the Sèvres Normal School. At the period when this volume was compiled its author designed it for the closing memorial of his long literary career. Several stray bints, however, incline us to believe that M. Legouvé has now another work on hand, which will appear shortly. M. JULES VERNE. The plays and novels of M. Jules Verne are as popular as ever. Their author has advantageously renewed the contracts connected with his drama- tised versions of “Michel Strogoff” and “Le Tour du Monde.” He is at present engaged on a new volume for the Extraordinary Voyage series. If his wonderful fertility and health hold good for a few more years, he will undoubtedly attain what is generally asserted to be his grand desideratum—viz., the publication of his hundredth volume. M. Jules Verne is in his seventy-third year. He lives quietly at Amiens, and patronises a vegetarian régime. A slight limp, the result of an accident many years ago, gives him a hesitating gait, while his mild blue eyes and placid expression appear evidence of a nature wholly at variance with the wild adventurous types he delights in creating. He formerly possessed a small yacht, the Saint Michel, which never ventured itself in rougher waters than those of the English Channel and Mediterranean Sea. The author of “ Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea" considers fishing a barbarous amusement and detests hunt. ACADEMY Prizes. The French Academy has a varded the sum of 5000 francs (prix Alfred Née) to' M. Brieux for his last graphic drama entitled “La Robe Rouge.” The fortunate recipient is now engaged in writing a new play entitled “La Petite Amie," whose details have not yet been made public. Mme. Jean Bertheroy has been awarded 4000 francs (prix d'éloquence) for her essay on the French poet André Chenier (1762-1794), while M. Pierre de la Gorse has received 9000 francs (prix Gobert) for his “Histoire du Second Empire). A number of minor prizes have also been awarded. In order to encourage literary talent the Var Academy at Toulon has announced its intention of celebrating its centennial anniversary by a literary competition on six given subjects. The prizes will consist of valuable artistic objects, and the winners' names and compositions will be inscribed in the Golden Book which the Academy will publish on that occasion. The manuscripts of the unsuccessful candidates will not be returned. This is certainly rather hard on the unsuccessful candidates. Rocks AHEAD FOR THE PUBLISHERS. In deciding a dispute between two publishers, the Civil Chamber recently gave some interesting information which completely upset the current illusion respecting the copyright of the title of a paper. It distinctly stated that the property of a journal's title could only lapse through non- usage; but that the popular belief that a non- usage of one vear was sufficient to annul such a copyright was an erroneous idea, based on no legal foundation. Whether editor and publisher would alike be held responsible for the infringe. ment of a similar copyright was not stated. The latter is walking softly since the Third Civil Chamber has abolished his immunity, and rendered him liable for the articles printed under his direction. The action brought by fifty-three merchants, manufacturers, &c., against the pro. prietors and editors of the Antijuif has led to this commendable reform. “Granted,” said the judgment, “that ... if Article 43 of the law of July 29, 1881, enacts that the printer cannot be penally pursued as an accomplice (in virtue of Article 60 of the Penal Code referring to printed matter) except in the event, and under the conditions, foreseen by Article 6 of the law of June 7, 1848, relating to riotous assemblages; this law has only been framed from a penal point  ## p. 27 (#49) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 37 of view, and is not intended to detract in any Poor “Caliban-Bergerat” cannot boast such manner from the principles laid down by the good fortune. The fourth and last volume of his Civil Law, which render each person responsible “Théâtre Complet d'Emile Bergerat” has just for the prejudice caused by his fault, &c.” been issued by Ollendorff. Rarely has a writer For which, and sundry other causes, the printing of equal merit been handicapped hy a more per- society known as the Société Paul Dupont has sistent run of ill-luck than that which has for been separately and jointly condemned with the years dogged the productions of the talented proprietors and editors of the Antijuif to pay author of “ Plus que Reine." His fierce defence damages amounting to twenty-eight thousand of the children of his brain make part of the francs for injurious matter printed in the columns dramatic history of the period. In the preface of the Antijuif. Wherefore the Israelites rejoice to the first volume of the “ Théâtre Complet,” M. and the Philistines mourn. Bergerat states that the publication of this work represents thirty-five years of struggle—“not CONTEMPORARY FEMINISM. without courage, perhaps "—for theatrical life. The publication of the “Vierges Fortes " series A little later he claims the glory of having -comprising two novels respectively entitled invented the following three words, viz., Tripa- “ Frédérique" and“ Léa ”-of M. Marcel Prévost, touillage, Cabotinville, Soireux, which, he says, was quite a social event. The reason is obvious. have become national property, and sum up the Both works deal in a masterly style with the entire history of the theatrical customs of his burning question of contemporary Feminism, time. M. Rostand would probably entertain a which is the prominent topic of the day. France different opinion. DARRACOTTI Scott. -or rather Paris-is witnessing the tidal rise of the Feministic Era which England successfully encountered, developed, and utilised several decades ago. Everything worth reading on the NOTES AND NEWS. subject is eagerly perused. The “Femmes Nouvelles ” of Paul and Victor Margueritte have INHE annual dinner of the Women Writers was just attained their twentieth re-edition (chez held in the Criterion Restaurant on June 25. Plon). Nevertheless, M. Prévost still remains Mrs. Humphry Ward was president, and the undisputed leader and apostle of the move- among a large company were Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. ment. Hodgson Burnett, Miss Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler, A recent article from bis pen in the Figaro, Miss Beatrice Harraden, Dr. Margaret Todd, Mrs. anent the author's right of publishing “ Le Secret Clifford, Mrs. Campbell Praed, Miss Violet Hunt, sentimental à deux," has given rise to some and Miss Clo Graves. The meeting was most piquant controversy between him and M. Gabriele successful. In concluding an eloquent reference D'Annunzio — whom his admirers here have to the late Miss Kingsley, Mrs. Humphry Ward surnamed “the Marcel Prévost of Italy.” The latter took umbrage at a supposed reflection Those true knights-errant of intelligence and pity, who (in an article which he confessed he had not thought no travail of mind and body too great to face if read) questioning the good taste of his having only they might come at the truth and tell it, who wandered, staged Madame Eleonora Duse, under the thin suffered, laaghed, and learned, who made a new wisdom of disguise of the Foscarina's name, as the heroine their fellows—it was of them that they might say in the of his new novel, “ Le Feu,” which work is now words of a true poet who was with them that night "Out of danger, dreams, disasters, appearing in serial form in the Revue de Paris. They arise to be our masters.” No such reflection had ever been made—at least, Small and thin was the true band of them in every age. by M. Prévost. Matters were finally explained, One of its most honoured members assuredly was with them and the susceptible Italian declared himself satis- as she spoke, Mrs. Bishop; and of their inmost company fied. The celebrity of the personages concerned let them as women rejoice in it with pride that night was Mary Kingsley. has given undue notoriety to the incident. The members of the Authors' Club held a A DRAMATIC CONTRAST. dinner on Monday, June 11, when Mr. E. F. The health of M. Edmond Rostand is reported Knight, the correspondent of the Morning Post to be completely re-established. According to who was wounded at Belmont, was the guest of the theatrical returns published at the end of the evening, and Mr. Bloundelle-Burton, an old May, the “ Aiglon” is making 11,000 francs friend of Mr. Knight, and the well-known author a day, and “ Cyrano de Bergerac" 10,000 francs. of the “ Hispaniola Plate," was the chairman.. Whereby the lucky dramatist daily pockets a Mr. Bloundelle-Burton made a very interesting royalty of 2500 francs—a princely revenue. speech with regard to Mr. Knight's career, and VOL. XI. said :  ## p. 28 (#50) ############################################## 28 THE AUTHOR. Mr. Knight in response gave a graphic description of the fighting powers of Tommy Atkins and his experiences during the battle of Belmont. Mr. Frankfort Moore proposed the health of the other guests, amongst whom was Mr. Charlton, one of the engineer officers of H.M.S. Powerful. Mr. Charlton gave a detailed account of the part that the crew of the Powerful had taken in the war from the time of their leaving Singapore. There were about thirty members present, Mr. Percy White, Mr. E. A. Morton, Mr. G. H. Thring, Mr. Douglas Sladen, and Mr. M. H. Spielmann being among the number. On Monday, June 18, the Authors' Club held a dinner to Lord Strathcona. There was a large gathering. Mr. Robert Machray was in the chair. In answer to the toast of his health Lord Strath- cona gave some very interesting facts about his connection with the Hudson Bay Company, and that company's connection with the Empire, and he ended his speech with a statement regarding the enthusiasm of the Canadians in their action in the present war. He stated that all the Colonials were not so much fighting for the Mother Country as fighting for themselves as part of the Empire. His speech was enthusiastically received. and dreary as the mines of Potosi. Yet from either there is no return, and though little confident of finding content- ment-happiness is too proud a term-I must work, I believe, in those damp caverns till once the whole mind is recast or the lamp of life has ceased to burn within it. In the same collection was the following letter from the Countess of Blessington :- Since I first sent a book before the public I never, directly or indirectly, asked for a notice of a book of mine. I have hitherto been so fortunate as to have had my works kindly treated by the Press, but this kind treatment would have given me but little satisfaction had I owed it to any solicitations of mine. The following letter by Dr. Conan Doyle is taken from the columns of the Daily Telegraph, to whose veteran war correspondent in South Africa, Mr. Bennet Burleigh, the letter was addressed. “As I fear to spoil or transpose Dr. Conan Doyle's graphic depiction of the event,” says Mr. Burleigh, “I give it in his own words": Brandfort, Monday, May 7. My dear Barleigh, - ... and saw a little fight beyond the Vet River. We had a curious adventure on the way back, which might perhaps make a paragraph for a letter if ever the great events run short. Langman and I were riding back, and had reached the point where the engagement was the day before, when a mounted Kaffi, came across us, and told us that a wounded Englishman had been deserted or overlooked, and was out some two or three miles to the west on the veldt. We got him to guide us, and set off in search. At last, in the middle of a large clear space, we came across him, but he was dead. He was shot in the stomach and through one arm, and had apparently bled to death. He belonged to the New South Wales Mounted Infantry, and had the initials “N. M'M." upon bis batand on a silk handkerchief in his pocket. Horse and rifle were gone. A carious detail was that his water-bottle lay beside him, and on it was balanced a red chess pawn. The other chessmen were in his haversack out of his reach. We laid the poor fellow across my saddle and led the horse back to the road, where we placed him under a telegraph post, and told the officer of the next convoy, who promised to have him decently buried. Close to Brandfort we saw mounted and armed Boers on a hill within half a mile of us. We were told that they were Boers, and did not believe it, but this morning we learn that they have been pursued. I suppose that they thought we were too small game, but as we were unarmed and apon tired horses, we were lucky to get past them. A. CONAN DOYLE. The President of the Argentine Republic has accepted the adhesion of the Kingdom of Italy to the Treaty of Montevideo-A South American Copyright Union. Signor F. Foa discusses, in an interesting article in the pages of our Italian contemporary I Dritti d'Autore, the value to Italian authors of this new international agree ment. The advantages which it will confer do not appear to be very great. Lord Thring contributes an interesting article on “The Copyright Bills, 1900," to the Nine. teenth Century for June. The article is a plain statement of facts. At its conclusion the author remarks dryly, respecting the Bills, “Whatever may be their demerits, they claim to have reduced the law into an intelligible shape, in which it is capable of being criticised by the most unlearned of authors, and of being amended by the most inexperienced of legislators.” NOTES FROM AMERICA. A letter written by Carlyle from Edinburgh in 1821 was sold in London recently in the collection belonging to the late Chevalier de Chatelain. It was addressed to Dr. Allen, and contained the following revelation of the philo- sopher's mind-he was then only twenty-six :- Literature is like money, the appetite increases by gratification. The mines of literature, too, are unwholesome LOLLOWING the evidence of publishers that F there is an improving market for the better class of books, the New York Evening Post adds the testimony of the Hart- ford (Conn.) Public Library, as given in the president's annual report. From this it appears that there has been a large gain in more serious reading matter at the expense of tiction. As compared with two years ago, novels have fallen  ## p. 29 (#51) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 29 off 7 per cent., while sociology has gained about 8 per cent., the fine arts and history 11 per cent. each, and biography 15 per cent. A complete edition of the works of Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson—who, at seventy-five, is still active with his pen-is being prepared by Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin and Co. A new serial by Mr. Hamlin Garland has just begun. It is a story of Western life, entitled “The Eagle's Heart,” and deals with adventurous life in cow towns and mining settlements. Commenting on the recent financial difficulties of Messrs. Appleton, the Sewanee Review for April (Longmans) says: Coming so soon after the Harper assignment, this notable event in the publishing world calls special attention to the fact that the pablisher of to-day does business on very different lines from his predecessor. Production must now be on a large scale if success is to be attained, and produc- tion on a large scale means a big smash if affairs go wrong. Local booksellers have long since gone to the wall; will publishers go, too, leaving a trust monarch of all it surveys ? We hope not. The people of Northampton (Mass.) and dis- tinguished guests from abroad have just erected a memorial to Jonathan Edwards, the American philosopher of the eighteenth century, and a For the eighteenth century, and, a proposal is made to issue a new edition of his works. " Janice Meredith” has been dramatised, the rights of production going to Miss Mary Manner- ing. Mr. Daniel Frohman will present“ Richard Carvel ” in the coming season. Ogilvie, Stuart Skeat, The Rev. Professor Parker, Louis N. Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Barnett Pinero, Mrs. Sonnenschein, A. Prinsep, Val Thring, G. Herbert Scott, Clement Todd, Dr. Margaret Senior, W. Zangwill, I. Shaw, Bernard And many others. The Chairman gave the toast of the evening, and began his speech by an allusion to the losses that letters had suffered through the deaths of Mr. Ruskin, Dr. Martineau, Mr. R. D. Blackmore, and Mr. G. W. Steevens. Proceeding, Mr. Pinero said : This corporation of prominent literary men and women to-night, for the first time in its history- for the first time in the history of any modern literary association-extends a kindly hand to the poor hack-playwright. What is the reason, ladies and gentlemen, underlying this generous and gracious act on the part of the governing body of your Society? I cannot tell you. I can only indulge in surmise, in hypotheses. A vainer person than myself might suppose that your council is desirous of promoting a feeling of fraternity, of establishing something approach- ing a bond of equality between writers of books and writers of plays. (Cheers.) But I cannot think that; the assumption would be too arro. gant. At the furthest, I can only believe that certain members of your Council-grey-haired men, perhaps, anxious to be at peace with the world, even with playwrights; gentlemen of acknowledged literary eminence, but possessed of those normal feelings of compassion of which writers of scholarly English are not necessarily destitute—I can only believe that these gentlemen have been impelled by a simple good-natured impulse to bestow a passing pat-on-the-back upon a poor, distant relative. (Laughter.) It may be that I take too depressed a view of the whole affair. It may be that the novelist is not only gradually relaxing in his disdain for the drama, but is applying himself assiduously to the task of grasping the special conditions of dramatic writing. It may be that in doing this he has become possessed of the suspicion that these con- ditions are exceptionally arduous, that they are conditions requiring a wide and curious knowledge of life and of manners, a rapid but assured touch in the delineation of surface characteristics, an unerringly accurate ear in striking the deeper notes of pathos and of passion, and a wise economy of selection and a dexterity of composi. tion exacted by no other form of art. It may be, too, that from his own young experience he is beginning to perceive that while out of the theatre the despised playwright labours in cir. cumstances demanding the exercise of the closest application and the practice of the sternest self- denial, the writer of drama should bring to the ANNUAL DINNER OF THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF AUTHORS. [Owing to the fact that the original dinner report has been lost or mislaid, the present curtailed report has been inserted at the last moment.] THE annual dinner of the Society was held in the King's Hall of Holborn Restaurant on May 16, and was a large and highly suc- cessful gathering Mr. A. W. Pinero presided. Among the company were Archer, William Greville, Lady Violet Ball, Sir Robert Grundy, Sydney Beringer, Mrs. Oscar Hare, Mr. and Mrs. John Besant, Sir Walter Hawkins, Anthony Hope Blake, Dr. Sophia Hooking, Rev. Silas Browning, Oscar Hollingshead, John Castle, Egerton Hunt, Holman Charley, Sir W. J. Jacobs, W. W. Collier, The Hon. John and Lee, Sidney Mrs. Lennox, Lady William Colin Campbell, Lady Marshall, Capt. R. Courtney, W.L. Middlemass, Miss Jean Craigie, Mrs. Monkswell, Lord Fitoh, Sir Joshua Norma an, Mr. and Mrs. Grand, Mmo. Sarab Henry  ## p. 30 (#52) ############################################## 30 THE AUTHOR. rehearsal of his work evidence of his capacity for does she persist in calling herself Anthony gently influencing and gaining the sympathy and Hope ? " (Laughter.) But what I was about to support of clever men and women of diverse but say is that, with writers of such high account peculiarly sensitive temperaments, without which devoting themselves in part to the theatre, it will capacity no dramatist ought to pass the stage be a matter of small wonder if the prevalent and door; possessing which capacity he might, in disparaging idea of contemporary drama, and of other and more fortunate walks of life, have led those who give their energies wholly to dramatic parties or won battles. And I am encouraged to writing, does not ultimately yield to a fairer, a think that there is something in all this, by more truthful, estimate. Only one danger do I the fact that the drama has lately received many apprehend from the invasion of the playhouse by notable contributions from authors enjoying the novelist-and I confess the contemplation of enviable reputations in other departments of litera- it chills me to the marrow—the possibility that ture. I will not attempt to furnish you with a the mere playwright may some day find his occu- complete roll of these authors; in such an endea- pation gone. Indeed, the rich imagination of vour the memory might prove treacherous, and Mr. Wells might form a conception of a time the omission of a single name would, perhaps, when the carefully preserved skeleton of the make one appear less ignorant than ungracious. dramatist who was not a novelist will be all But I cannot refrain from mentioning, especially, that is left to remind people of the old order two writers who have thus distinguished them of things. However, time alone can decide selves—who have, if I may say so, made them- whether or not events are to justify these selves indispensable to the modern stage. I fears, and, meanwhile, it is well, I suggest to you, speak of the gentleman who is incautiously that we should all dwell together in the most described in the list of your Council as Mr. perfect good-fellowship. It may be that the im- Hawkins, but who masks himself closely from provisatore, reciting his romances in the market the public under another title, and of that charm- place, with flashing eye and to the accompani. ing lady who, by her own perversity, obliges me ment of sweeping gesture, is a slightly more to be so ungallant as to allude to her as John imposing figure than the marionette man as we Oliver Hobbes. (Cheers.) I wonder whether espy him through the curtains of his booth any of you ladies and gentlemen are, like myself, lovingly assorting his little company of dolls. a little disturbed by the dark disguises of certain But each plays his part : each suffers or enjoys of our modern writers. (Laughter.) I confess I his share of defeat or of success; each, upon find it difficult to feel quite at ease with mysterious occasion, tightens his belt in answer to the figures in sombre draperies and slouch bats. One cravings of hunger, or releases a button after a is almost inclined, for example, in speaking of congratulatory feast; each knows what it is to Mr. Hobbes and of the creator of the delightful be waked from sleep by the sound of his own “ Prisoner of Zenda,” to drop into a whisper. sighing, or to shirk purposely the slumber that And the confusion in the public mind, too, pro- would suspend, even for a moment, the conscious. duced by the aliases of popular authors is ness of a rare prosperity. Let them, therefore positively lamentable. Only the other day, while the marionette man and the weaver of on a visit to a provincial town, I found myself tales — foregather at the end of their day's sitting beside a young lady who takes an eager, labour, as we do to-night, and, between their if somewhat uninformed, interest in current draughts of Falerno, console one another, and literature. “I wish you would explain to me,” stimulate one another, and so help one another, she said, “why many of our famous novelists until the hour comes when the friendship must appear to be so anxious to conceal their identity." perforce be broken, when the voice in the market I hazarded the conjecture that it is, in some place is hushed, or the booth is found empty. In instances perhaps, a precautionary measure on the this spirit, ladies and gentlemen, in the spirit part of those who may desire, in later years, the which this Society has done much, and will, I opportunity of living down their successes. “Tell venture to prophesy, do even more in the future, me," my companion went on, evidently far from to promote ; in the spirit expressed by satisfied, “tell me, have you ever met Mrs. the time-worn, but still eloquent, phrase-the Craigie ?” I said I had had that privilege. Brotherhood of Letters—I beg leave to submit “ And what is your opinion of her as an author?” the toast which it is my duty to propose. (Cheers.) was the next question. I had no hesitation in With this toast I have the privilege of associating replying, “ Assuredly one of the most brilliant the name of the gentleman of whom I have women writers any country has produced.” “I already tremulously made mention-Mr. Hawkins. agree with you,” said my fair friend, “I have And here you will, I am sure, appreciate the read every word she has written. But why- renewed difficulties of my position. But if I  ## p. 31 (#53) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 31 cannot overcome these difficulties, I can, I think, he told them that that was why he wrote them- partially evade them; and with your permission (laughter)—and he therefore appreciated more the I do so in this wise, by associating with this attitude of a man like Lord Monkswell, who had toast the name of Mr. Hawkins and coupling probably not read his works, but had recognised, with the name of Mr. Hawkins that of his friend, in his attitude towards the law of copyright, that Mr. Hope. (Laughter.) Now, of Mr. Hawkins an author must live and have the means of feed. I can say little, except that he is a devoted and ing bis brain so that it could produce the splendid invaluable servant of this Society; and of Mr. visions that other people delighted to read about Hope you will require me to tell you nothing, for in his books. (Laughter.) He thought the is he not known to his brother and sister authors rights of authors should be as long-lived as as a good comrade, and to the wide world as a those of the original shareholders in the New writer of combined daintiness and power, and of River Company. After all, Shakespeare might apparently inexhaustible fertility ? Indeed, tbe without exaggeration be considered to have done worst I have ever heard of Mr. Anthony Hope- as much for the nation as one of those share. and if I have not heard it, I must have dreamed holders. (Laughter and cheers.) it-is that it may be remarked of him as a writer LORD MONKSWELL responded. that his profundity will never be remembered till Mr. HENRY Norman, in giving “ The Chair- we have succeeded in forgetting his vivacity. I man,” said the laughter caused by Mr. Pinero do not know how just a reflection you may consider was not as the crackling of thorns under the pot, this to be, but it is one that can be more easily but was always ornamented by a valuable idea. repelled by Mr. Hawkins, or apologised for by He had given to the world the solemnities as seen Mr. Hope, than dealt with by myself. I will no through the eyes of the humorist. He had held longer, therefore, stand between you and these up the mirror to life as it was, and consequently gentlemen. I give you“ The Society of Authors.” the absurd cbarge of indecency was made against Let us drink to its continued, its increasing, him. (Laughter.) The toast would be drunk usefulness and welfare. (Cheers.) with especial heartiness. (Cheers.) Mr. ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS replied to the Mr. Pinero made a brief reply, and the com- toast. The Society of Authors, he said, was pany adjourned to tea and talk. making steady progress, but it wanted money. Every day it was asked to undertake important work which it could not undertake because of this deficiency. There was notably the case of THIRTEEN YEARS AGO. America. The relations of literary men with that country were becoming more and more intimate and important, and the Society felt it desirable to IN the year 1887, shortly after the foundation maintain in America a permanent staff to look 1 of the Society, an article appeared in Time, after the interests of British authors. (Hear, e a monthly magazine now extinct, on the hear.) Next year the Society would make a start Society of Authors. It is signed with the name with the Pension Fund. A man who had done of J. Neville Porter, a writer of whom I know good literary work would not under this scheme get nothing. His name is not in the list of Barristers charity from the Society, but his brothers would and Solicitors for this current year. He writes, offer him a testimonial in the shape of a good, however, with apparent knowledge of law, and was solid pension. (Cheers.) laudably desirous of presenting the facts of the Mr. BERNARD Shaw then proposed “The case as he understood them. So much has been Guests." He said he bad often been asked why done since that time that it is well to look he became an author, and had given many back and to consider arguments and statements reasons, most of them untrue—(laughter)-but advanced thirteen years ago. the real reason was because he had an unconquer. THE SALE OF A MS. OUTRIGHT. able aversion to honest work of any description. We find a publisher writing to say that he (Laughter.) He had had to work a good deal should take no notice at all of any opinion of the harder than people who had adopted honest Society as to the fair price. He understands by means, and he would therefore point out to those this time that the author would then go to some- who had not become authors, and therefore one else. Mr. Porter remarks, however, that wanted to—(laughter)—that, if they entered the authors are not the best judges of the value of profession on his grounds, they would probably MSS. He did not understand that the Society be disappointed. (Laughter.) When people intended to proceed with the advice and help of told him, with a slight air of unexpectedness, secretaries and solicitors always engaged upon the that they had read his books and admired them, subject of Literary Property, and with a perma-  ## p. 32 (#54) ############################################## 32 THE AUTHOR. nent committee also continually engaged upon inore than, as said above, a solicitor or a medical the subject; so that it may now be fairly ad. man. vanced that the Chairman and Secretary of the The author's risk, where there is risk, is his Society, not to speak of the Committee, have time and labour; the publisher's risk, where there between them a wider and firmer grasp of the is risk, is the money actually expended and the subject than any publisher or company of pub. proportionate cost of his establishment. lishers. Here is another reference to a leading case : Here, however, is a warning which should be A contract between an anthor and a publisher, that the looked into. We have always protested against latter should, at his own risk and expense, publish a work any alteration of an author's work without his belonging to the former upon payment of an equal division consent. Read this note from the article :- of the profits after all charges had been defrayed, may, It bas been decided in the case of Cox v. Cox (11 Hare, according to the dictum of Lord Justice Tarner in the case 118), that in the absence of a specific contract, reserving of Stevens v. Benning (6 D. M. G. 229), be considered in to the author a qualified copyright, the purchaser of a MS. the double light of a licence and a partnership-a licence for is entitled to alter and deal with it according to his the publication of the treatise, and then a joint adventure discretion. The consequence has been that several treatises between the author and publisher in the copies to be thus have been published in & ridiculous manner, much to the published. A pablisher, therefore, on the half-profit prejudice of the writers. The remedy for this is, of course, Bystem, is bound to show the author his accounts and a matter for the agreement-form. vouchers in respect of the work published, or an action may be commenced to compel him to do so unless the pab. lisher satisfies the judge that there is some preliminary THE HALF-Profit System. question to be tried. It is not, therefore, necessary to bave It appears that Mr. E. Marston, according to & stipulation in the agreement to this effect. this writer, had written to the papers, stating When there is no assignment of copyright in that he knew nothing of any secret profits. the agreement, and no stipulated time during It was stated, from knowledge, by those who which the publisher is entitled to publish a book, then represented the Society that there existed a can the author put an end to the contract ? On widespread system of secret profits, viz., by adding this point Mr. Porter is instructive :- to the cost of printing, paper, corrections, and If the author endeavour to put an end to the contract, binding; and further, by advertisements costing and to stop the publication of any subsequent edition by nothing to the publisher, such as advertisements the publisher, he must take action for this object previous in their own organs and by exchanges. It has to any expenso being incurred by the publisher on account been remarked repeatedly that in the agreement. of such new edition; otherwise the publisher is entitled to be repaid this cost, and to enjoy the benefit of all the profit forms put forward by the Publishers' Association the hope of which induced him to incur this expense. But they claim the right of adding percentages, and when expense has not been incurred by the pablisher on a say nothing about the advertisements which cost subsequent edition, the author can lawfully terminate the nothing. joint undertaking, and prevent any further issue of his work Mr. Porter in this article falls into the trap by the publisher, even if the latter has stereotyped the book before the publication of the last published edition. set for him, and looks upon the publisher as an In deciding this question in 1838 in the case of Reade v. agent as well as a publisher. The publisher is Bentley (4 Kay & J. 664-6), Vice-Chancellor Wood (after. entitled, Mr. Porter says, to a profit on every wards Lord Hatherley) pointed out the difficulties which thing, to cover incidental expenses, and the cost were connected with the subject, and the grounds on which of his establishment; in other words, to cover his judgment was based. He mentioned that, while on the one band it might be stated on bebalf of the publisher that his own work in the business. What claim has he had devoted the benefit of his talents and status as a he, after this, on the proceeds of the book ? And publisher to the undertaking, and bad incurred charges in why are not the author's “incidental expenses " respect of bringing out the first edition in the hope that he and the cost of his establishment to be con. would be repaid the expense of the first by the sale of the sidered? And why are not the bookseller's inci. second and subsequent editions, and to hold the author at his own instance to be at liberty to put an end to the agree- dental expenses and the cost of his establishment ment after the first edition had been published, would be to to be considered ? And why do not solicitors, enable him, by an arbitrary and unreasonable exercise of medical men, and professional men of all kinds that power, to deprive the publisher of all his profits. On charge for their establishments ? The history the contrary, it might be contended, on behalf of the of the half-profit system is simply this : It meant, anthor, that unless he was empowered to terminate the contract, he might be under an obligation to the publisher at first, the honest deduction from proceeds of during the whole of the latter's life, while the publisher actual cost and money expended. The publisher would be under no reciprocal obligation to bim. The former then began to filch and to steal : he said he had could also prevent the author from publishing a single copy spent £20 when he had only spent £15, and so on. of the treatise so long as the publisher expressed his readi. ness to continue publishing. The author, however, would Then he began to rob on a system of adding so bave no reciprocal power, and could not compel the pab. much per cent.—saying nothing about it. Of lisher to publish more than a single edition of the book. course he has no right to any such profit any The latter, moreover, in the bona fide exercise of his discre.  ## p. 33 (#55) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 33 tion as to the proper time and mode of publication, might twelve. Aboat £150 was spent by the plaintiffs in adver. decline indefinitely to publish, but without giving up his tising the book, and more than 40,000 copies of it were sold. agreement, while the author, at the same time, might be of As, however, Mrs. Cook became offended with the plaintiffs an opposite opinion, yet for months, and even years, might for describing the book as a companion work of their series, be kept in suspense, and probibited from publishing on his she gave them notice to put an end to the contract with own account, until the publisher thought that the time had them, and entered into an agreement for the issue of a arrived for the revival of the public interest in the book. revised edition of the book with Messrs. Routledge. It was Under such circumstances, this learned judge thought the firstly maintained by the plaintiffs that their agreement position of the author to be one of so great hardship and with Mrs. Cook amounted to a sale of the copyright; but, difficulty, that anless it was clearly proved to have been at the hearing of the case, they merely moved for an injunc. contemplated by both the contracting parties it should not tion to restrain the farther publication of the book as long be enforced. as any copies printed by them before the receipt of the notice were unsold. The injunction, however, was not On a royalty system we have advanced so much granted, and the plaintiffs' bill of complaint was dismissed that Mr. Porter's remarks need not be quoted. with costs. The verbal agreement referred to was 28 follows, according to the statement of Mr. Warne, mentioned THE COMMISSION SYSTEM. by the Master of the Rolls in his judgment, viz. : “I," said Mr. Warne, "offered a royalty of a penny a copy on all On the commission system he says that profits copies sold, counting thirteen copies as twelve ; to which -i.e., secret profits-on the cost of production she replied, I have a speculative turn of mind, and will are reasonable. Surely when a man agrees take the penny.' To this I consented.” This is all the con- versation that occurred, and is the evidence upon which the to act as agent for another man, and to sell agreement is based. It is to be hoped that this case will his wares for a fixed percentage, to take secretly be & warning to authors and publishers against entering another kind of percentage is pure swindling and into a mere verbal arrangement for publication. It is oppor. cheating. Mr. Porter does not seem to under. tane to remark concerning this point that, if & contract stand this. Very few people did thirteen years between an author and publisher is one that cannot be per. formed within a year after being made, no legal action is ago. His words, however, on vouchers show his maintainable upon it for its enforcement, unless the agree- desire to present the subject fairly :- ment, or some memorandum or note of such, is in writing, The commission publisher is under the same legal obliga- and signed by the person to be charged therewith. It is tion to show his accounts and vouchers on demand by the not necessary, however, for this purpose that the agreement author, as the half-profit system publisher is bound to show should be in one document. It may be collected from many them to his author, as the former publisher is the author's papers if they are clearly connected, and do not reqaire agent. parol testimony to maintain the connection, as such evidence is inadmissible for that object. On the subject of "risk” he has been led The rest of the paper is devoted to speculation astray, as so many used to be, by a confusion of as to the future of the Society. The writer thinks thought. Those who wrote on one side used, that authors will rather go to their solicitors than and still use, the word “ risk” to signify danger to a committee of authors, still under the supposi- of loss; the publishers confused the minds of tion that the Committee will themselves attempt people by meaning chance of not making great lawyers' work. He also thinks that publishers profits. There are hundreds of writers, taking all will refuse to treat with authors who send agree- the branches, whose books carry no kind of risk- ments to the Society, forgetting that if one i.e., they are quite certain to be sold up to a publisher puts his dignity before his business number which will pay all expenses and leave a another man will reverse the operation. reasonable margin. There are not many books which are certain to sell in large quantities. That THEN AND Now. is as true to-day, when the demand for books has The Society proposed at the outset to recom- so greatly increased, as it was thirteen years ago. mend authors to houses where they would be safe -or comparatively safe. It is objected that THE NEED FOR AGREEMENTS. experienced authors will not need the advice of the Society, and that inexperienced authors will As to the folly of not looking after agreements, find the publishers unwilling to publish in the Mr. Porter adduced a remarkable case :- mode recommended by the Society. A notewortby instance of this was stated in the case of Now, during the whole period of its existence, Warne v. Routledge, adjadicated upon by Sir George Jessel, Master of the Rolls, in Jane, 1874. In this instance, Mrs. the Society has steadily kept its members out of Milicent Cook wrote a book called “How to Dress on £15 certain publishers’ hands. . Authors experienced a Year as a Lady, by a Lady," and entered into a verbal and authors inexperienced use the Society for contract with Messrs. Warne and Co. that they should information and for advice : they come to the pablish the work anonymously, and incur all expenses Society when they are in difficulties. They get directly and indirectly connected therewith, and that each copy should be published at one shilling, and that the plain. a legal opinion for nothing, and that of a kind tiffs were to remunerate her by a royalty of one penny for which requires special knowledge which their own each copy sold. The copies were to be rookoned thirteen as solicitors could not give them.  ## p. 34 (#56) ############################################## 34 THE AUTHOR. boys. The failure of these forebodings is instructive Straightforward copying, duplicating, &c., are and interesting. still fairly easy to obtain, but the ever increasing The writer acknowledges at the end of his paper army of " pocket-money ” workers who can afford that the Society may have a great future before to undersell their work makes it increasingly it. Yet he does not understand the greatness of difficult for a copyist to earn a living wage. that future. Some of us have to earn our own living by our One point he advances which seems worth con. own unaided efforts, and some of us would gladly sidering, but is not. He thinks that the Society earn it by less mechanical means—by making our might point out methods of literary training for machines the handmaids of our intellect, and by the higher class of instructive literary work. The placing our capacities of mind at the service of only method of literary training for this higher those who write. A BOOK-LOVING TYPIST. class of work is a full mind. A writer in order to be instructive must be himself a scholar and a student in his subject. Toe rest can be learned II.-CONCERNING BOOKS FOR Boys. by any work on rhetoric which will point out the The piece which you print in your June number meaning of arrangement and order, attention to under this heading is useful, as a good example of the marshalling of facts and an endeavour to aim the prevalent opinion with regard to books for at the charm of style and language. ** Any trash will do," says the writer in the Guardian from whose article you have quoted, and this sentiment is apparently indorsed by CORRESPONDENCE. publishers and reviewers. The very manner in which the “ gift book” makes its annual appear- I.-AUXILIARY LITERARY WORK. ance on the market is sufficient to rank it as some. CAY I draw your attention to a branch of thing equal in value to Christmas crackers and auxiliary literary work, i.e., typewriting candied fruit. in combination with what, for want of The pay for this class of work is miserably a better term, I must call secretarial duties? The poor; the reason, I am told, being the large dis- question for the educated typist who aspires to be count which the publisher has to give to the book. something more than part of ber machine is, How seller, while the reviewing is altogether a farce, may such work be obtained ? the “ innocents" being slaughtered in batches of It is depressing to read lists of historical, from thirty to forty in a single column. When biographical, and educational books, and to a longer“ notice" is given, it is often worse realise that all of them have entailed a consider than none at all. I have been severely lectured able amount of auxiliary work-such as copying for “ preaching a sermon on horse-racing," when and arranging notes, epitomes of documents, and the book in question contained no mention what. sorting masses of information, in addition to the ever of this kind of sport-a clear proof that the more mechanical work of copying the finished “reviewer” had got the contents of several MSS. volumes mixed up in his head before setting to A busy author must often need the services of work. an efficient helper at some stage of the prepara- The assertion made by “R. F. C.” that boys tion of his works, and he must need one who has read a sto y of school life simply to enjoy the had experience and who is endued with a sense of discomfiture of a comic schoolmaster is a mis- literary form. There can be no doubt that chievous statement, the untruth of which I, or supply and demand both exist; but how may any writer of similar experience, can prove by they be brought into contact ? I have ceased to letters received from readers ; but when our books believe in advertisement as a means of procuring are bought as rubbish, sold as rubbish, and re- either permanent or temporary appointments; as viewed as rubbish, it is perhaps natural for anyone an instance, mine has appeared in The Author for to suppose that they are read and written in the three montbs without eliciting a single reply. same spirit. Perhaps this is not surprising, for the capacities It may, however, surprise “ R. F. C.” to learn of an advertiser are, after all, merely a matter of that there are men and women who regard the conjecture. weaving of stories calculated to influence the Is there any hope for the typist (and there impressionable mind of a child as a branch of the must be many of them) who has not the necessary literary calling as honourable as that of the sensa- capacity for original literary work, but who fortional novelist or newspaper hack. love of books would fain have a place in the To write successfully for the young is an art humbler rauks of literature ? requiring special gifts and methods; an art which,  ## p. 35 (#57) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 35 though at present ignored, will in time receive character-study, and every word that Miss Dora due recognition and reward, but which is not Russell could give me. When nothing was likely to derive either assistance or encouragement forthcoming, and at the request, in writing, of from the penning of articles such as the one to the lady's sisters, I did the best I could. I looked which you have referred. day after day for improvement. There even A WRITER FOR Boys. came to be some hope; but, unbappily, it never arrived at fruition. May I, then, ask at what precise point should I have stopped supply, and III.—ROYALTIES. by announcing that the novel could not proceed When consulting the “ Tables of Royalties ” in ended all? It has been stated that sentiment of “ The Literary Year Book” for 1900, I was sur that sort should not have prevented the enlighten- prised to see that they only mention royalties ment of the public. But the syndicate was varying from 2 to 15 per cent. Was this writing its congratulations on an improvement curious table composed with the view of throwing which was being evidenced hy “the manner in dust into the eyes of inexperienced authors by which you and Colonel Craig are finishing the making them believe that 27 was a reasonable story."' Whose part was it to announce that a royalty and 15 per cent. the utmost limit of work so satisfactorily proceeding-even in the generosity ? I notice that the book is the pro- opinion of the syndicate which had had a perty of a publisher, and perhaps that accounts monopoly of the authoress's work for years-had for the milk in the cocoanut. GLENFRUIN. now become one of unavoidable collaboration. Not mine, surely. The serial issue began on Oct. I, 1897, as “ A IV.-AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER. New and Exciting Story! By that Talented and With reference to “ A. Penn-Wyper's" commu- Popular Authoress, Dora Russell.” Of this nication in the June number, I cannot suppose description I, of course, knew nothing, for I had there would be any difficulty in forming a joiut never been consulted about the publication of the committee to which a publisher and an author tale. I had not even heard of the issue having would be mutually willing to submit the question commenced until several weeks after the date of terms, in cases where the publisher was desirous given. When I at last asked for the names of to publish a work and the author was willing that the papers in which the novel was appearing, I he should do so. They could both state their got this somewhat curt answer from the syndi- respective cases in writing, and their willingness cate: “It is a rule of our office not to supply to abide by the decision given. It would secure to such information as you ask for.” both the effective representation of their interests. The question has been put: How far did I T. L. acquiesce in the issue of the novel under the name of the popular authoress? I answer: only V.—“A TORN-Out PAGE,” “BY” Dora RUSSELL. in so far as I did not take legal action to prevent It having become an item of general informa- it, or render myself liable to prosecution for tion, froin a review which appeared in Vanity calumnious publication. But forbidding the Fair of April 19, that the above novel could not issue by injunction would have been, first, have been the unassisted work of the popular impossible, in my circumstances; secondly, unfair novelist, I have had to assume all responsibility, to Dora Russell, who, after all, had actually moral and literary, for the fact that every word written some thirty-three thousand words of the on the concluding 239 pages was wholly mine. novel with her own hand; and thirdly, a stulti- The letter proposing the scheme to the syndicate fication of myself, who, to help her, had written was penned with her own hand. My undertaking the remainder. What I felt called upon to do the task had the warm approval in writing of her was to satisfy the syndicate with the work. As family. Every instalment as written by me was to duty to the public, that body had for weeks read aloud to the authoress in the presence of her been assured that the novel was “by” the popular sisters, except the concluding two. writer before I had even come to know that the When I wrote to the syndicate indorsing Miss clients of the syndicate “would acquire it.” And Dora Russell's statement of my willingness to “by” Miss Dora Russell the novel actually was, finish the novel as a help to her, I plainly made up to just about that time. Had I a right to my doing so conditional upon “the scheme being assume that the syndicate's clients would be announced to your readers as you” (the syndicate allowed to go on from that point, issuing the tale “ may deem fit.” Taking up the authoress's without the announcement which I had demanded? characters and incidents as I found them, I was As Vanity Fair says: “ Explanation of the absolutely resolved to use every plot, every facts should have been made, as could easily  ## p. 36 (#58) ############################################## 36 THE AUTHOR. have been done by a few words of preface, or by be true, I seem to have been badly treated. If Colonel Craig's name as joint author.” I hold their “ belief," on the contrary, be even mode- that I could not, by anticipation, charge the rately justified by the quality (such as it is) of syndicate with the intention of continuing to the writing, I must have produced a fairly suc- publish the novel from the point at which the cessful imitation (which should have been an- work came to be mine (i.e., from p. 110) without nounced as such) of a certain class of popular the announcement for which I had stipulated fiction, for which they have found a place. expressly from the first. Am I to suppose that Either way, I hope, Sir, that you will find some if I had received, and made use of, a letter of of the “ literary interest” so dear to T'he Author thanks and commendation from the syndicate for in my statement of the matter. my part of the work I should have been chargeable R. MANIFOLD CRAIG. with condonation and “acquiescence” past all 3, Harcourt-buildings, pardon ? The Temple, E.C. I have come to know that the syndicate and a [Colonel Craig's case is not one in which any London publisher have announced their belief question of legal liability arises. It presents, that the authoress wrote every word of “A Torn. however, some features of literary interest, and out Page.” Very well. Let us courteously assume the Committee have thougbt it right to give that, after the fullest inquiry in every direction Colonel Craig this opportunity of stating his except mine, they considered they had adequate view. 7 grounds for that belief. But I have at this moment in my possession most of the typewritten sheets, bearing proofs of being those from which BOOK AND PLAY TALK. my part of the work was set up. I allege that I typed them in my own residence, directly upon COLUMNS of book announcements are very my typewriter ; and that Miss Dora Russell I thin at present, as it is too early yet for the was never in my home, and never saw my type- autumn lists. One of the important books writer. Is the belief of the syndicate and the then will be the biography of Professor Huxley, publisher compatible with the veracity of that which his son is writing and which Messrs. Mac- allegation? These sheets came back to me in the millan will publish. Mr. P. A. Chalmers Mitchell ordinary course of proof-correction. I allege is carrying out a long-standing engagement with that they and their fellows constituted the only Messrs. Putnam for a book on Huxley, while Mr. “copy" of the story which was in existence at Edward Clodd is writing a volume on the same the time of the serial publication. Can that subject for Messrs. Blackwood's “Modern English statement be refuted ? Again, I have it under Writers " series. Another volume in this series the hand of the syndicate that there had been no will be on George Eliot, by Mr. Sidney Lee, whose "copy" from the authoress for months, and that services in connection with the now completed she was far over two years in arrears with her “ Dictionary of National Biography” have just work. Suddenly, directly upon the acceptance of been commemorated by a presentation of plate my categorical offer to “finish " the novel, typo- made to him in the name of the contributors to script copy begins to flow in at the rate of that monumental work. - 15,000 to 20,000 words per week. Am I, in my Mr. Justin McCarthy is finishing his “ History courteous effort to believe in the belief of the of the Four Georges,” and contemplates writing a syndicate, to opine that that circumstance did not novel on Ireland as he knew it in his youth. strike them, or seem other than matter of course ? I am entirely content that my whole case shall be When Mr. B. L. Farjeon's new novel, “ The read in the light of the declared belief of the Mesmerists,” is published by Messrs. Hutchinson, syndicate and the publisher. Surely, they can the volume will be found to contain also a have no objection. dramatic version of the story. This is the first I hold a statement of the syndicate that their time, we believe, that the two have been com- clients “ bad perceived the distinction between” bined in one volume. The object is to safeguard the authoress's work and mine. I answer that the author against unauthorised stage versions of with another statement from the same gentlemen. his novel. They say I have deceived them-palming as The Hon. W. H. Lyttleton is writing on “Out- collaborated work matter which was entirely my Door Games” for Messrs. Dent's “ Haddon own. Now, I claim that all this is matter of Hall Library." His work will be in two volumes, literary interest; and surely the syndicate is at and in the first cricket and golf will be treated. liberty to decide which is their real opinion. But “Hunting,” by Mr. Otho Paget, is another pro- they cannot have it both ways. If what I allege spective volume in the series, but before either  ## p. 37 (#59) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 37 of these there will be published “Our Forests and all times takes extreme pains in revising his and Woodlands,” by Dr. John Nisbet, who pleads writings, is re-writing part of “Evelyn Innes.” for more support from the State to enable land. Mr. William Le Queux calls his forthcoming owners to form plantations on poor lands and waste tracts. story “ An Eye for an Eye,” and the publishers of Anthony Trollope's works (which, by the way, An important scheme for the foundation of an continue to find a good sale) have formally per- international association of the principal scientific mitted the use of this title. On the subject of and literary academies of the world is reported by duplicate titles, Mrs. Roy Devereux has been the London correspondent of the Manchester writing in the Academy with reference to her Guardian. It provides for the division of the book, «Sidelights on South Africa,” having been association into two sections, “scientific ” and followed in a few months by one by Lady Sykes, “ literary” respectively, and is the outcome of a entitled “Sidelights on the War in South Africa." meeting of the representatives of the chief Euro. Mrs. Roy Devereux states that several cases have pean and American academies held at Wiesbaden been reported to her in which readers who asked in October last. “The Royal Society, which has for her book were supplied with that of Lady taken a leading part in the promotion of the Sykes. scheme, will naturally represent this country in Among the newer guide-books “ Paris in its the scientific section, and steps are being taken with a view to securing an adequate representa- Splendour," by Eustace A. Reynolds-Ball, must tion in the second section.” *be mentioned. It is a popular study of Paris past and present, historic and picturesque. It is Mr. Charles Neufeld, the “prisoner of the illustrated by sixty studies in photogravure, and Khalifa,” is writing a story of adventure for it contains 580 pages, in two volumes priced at boys, based on his experiences in Egypt. one guinea, and published by Dana Estes and Co., Mr. Walter Winans is writing a book-an Boston. édition de luxe—on the art of revolver shooting, “The Mystic Number 7,” by Annabel Gray, which will be published by Messrs. Putnam. the publication of which was delayed on account Mr. Cutcliffe Hyne's letter to The Author of the war, is now at all the libraries and pub- suggesting to novelists to combine in producing a lished by Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall and Co. book which should be sold on behalf of the War Mr. Thomas Cobb bas in the press a novel Fund has come to fruition. The volume is entitled “ Severance," which will be published by entitled “ For Britain's Soldiers," and contains Mr. John Lane. He has also almost ready “ The stories by Mrs. Croker, Mr. W. L. Alden, Sir Bountiful Lady," to appear as one of Mr. Grant Walter Besant, Mr. Crockett, Mr. Hornung, Mr. . Richards's “ Dumpy Books for Children.” “The Hyne, Mr. Kipling, Mr. Mason, Mr. Moore, Mr. Dissemblers," from the same pen, will form a part Pemberton, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ridge, Mr. Wells, of Lippincott's Magazine for September. Mr. White, and Mr. Wood. It will be published immediately by Messrs. Methuen, whose services H.R.H. The Prince of Wales has accepted a copy of the “Handbook to Christian and Eccle- also are given by way of a contribution to the siastical Rome”-third volume, “Monasticism, and same patriotic cause. Ecclesiastical Rome” (A. and C. Black), by Sir George Trevelyan is editing the diary of M. A. R. Tuker and Hope Malleson. Part 4 Lord Macaulay. (Monasticism) contains an account of the order Mr. Maurice Hewlett's new novel is to be called of St. John of Jerusalem, of which H.R.H. is “ Richard Yea and Nay.” Grand Prior in England and of which the first- Sir Walter Besant's new novel is entitled named author is a member. “The Fourth Generation.” After appearing as a Among many articles and stories of special serial it has been partly rewritten and enlarged interest to be published in the August issue of for publication in book form in September or The Argosy, a short story is included from the October. pen of the late Mr. Stephen Crane. Mr. Neil Munro is writing a new novel, which The first thing which the author of “ To Have will be published by Messrs. Blackwood, but will and to Hold” ever wrote for publication is said not run serially. to have been a little account of a roadside meeting Mr. George Moore's new story will be called with Queen Victoria in the south of France. “Sister Teresa," and it will have a certain connec- Professor Owen Edwards has completed his tion with his last work, “Evelyn Innes.” The volume on Wales for “ The Story of the Nations" chief subject is convent life. Mr. Moore, who at series.  ## p. 38 (#60) ############################################## 38 * THE AUTHOR. Mr. Herman Merivale has been granted a Civil List pension. “The Casino Girl," a comic opera, written by Mr. Harry B. Smith, and composed by Mr. Ludwig Englander, is the American “success" which is now taking the place of “An American Beauty” at the Shaftesbury. The scene is laid in Egypt, and one of the characters represents the Khedive. The title róle is held by Miss Mabelle Gilman, a singer and dancer whom London sees for the first time. Miss Julia Neilson's season at the Haymarket will open on Aug. 30, when she and Mr. William Mollison will produce “Mistress Nell Gwynne," a new play by Paul Koster. The part of Charles II. will be taken by Mr. Fred Terry. A new play called “The Great Philanthropist," by Miss Gertrude Warden and the late Mr. Wilton Jones, will be produced at the Strand on July 16, by way of celebrating Mr. Sidney Alport's return from Australia. Miss Kate Rorke and Mr. Abingdon will be in the cast. The “ Pirates of Penzance" is being revived at the Savoy. Mrs. Patrick Campbell will produce in the autumn an adaptation of Echegary's play, trans- lated by Mr. J. M. Graham, and adapted by Mr. Arthur Symons, entitled “Mariana.” Mr. Robert Marshall has written a play for Mr. Frederick Harrison and Mr. Cyril Maude. It will touch the events of the South African war. of one of the most remarkable figures of the day.” “ Interesting and historically important,” is the Daily Telegraph's opinion of the speeches. The Daily News says “ Vindex” is obviously an admirer of Mr. Rhodes, but " the book should be equally welcome to those who do not and those who do share his admiration.” THE GENTLEMAN PENSIONER, by Albert Lee (Pearson, 68.), is a bistorical romance dealing with the rising of the Nortbern Lords in Elizabeth's days. The Spectator says : “Mr. Lee cleverly varies the adventures, and his story is something more than readable.” British Weekly describes it as “a powerful and abeorbing story, full of delicate writing, without weakness or a touch of affectation . . . a really excellent bit of historic fiction. Graphic says: “Mr. Lee has made the most of his study of bulldog tenacity and fidelity.” Scotsman describes the story as “ a very successful attempt to deal with an interesting episode in English history." The World: “Those who enjoy historical romance will find this an excellent specimen of the class to which it belongs." HISTORY OF EPIC POETRY, by John Clark (Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 58.), is referred to by the Spectator as "a very instructive volume, especially in respect of various poems wbich are often spoken of, but very seldom read. Mr. Clark has had the patience to deal with Valerius Flaccus and Statius, and, what is a far greater achievement, Silius Italicas himself.” “He limits his subject on his title-page to .post-Virgilian,' bat he has something to say about both Homer and Virgil that is worth reading. The defence of Virgil, in particular, is distinctly able. The book, as a whole, is an addition of value to the literature of criticism." CHARLES HENRY PEARSON, Fellow of Oriel and Educa. tion Minister in Victoria : Memorials by Himself, his Wife, and his Friends, edited by William Stebbing (Longmans, 148.), “ one of the most interesting of recent biographies” (Literature), is a “deeply interesting work," says the Spectator; it “supplies a want, and we are grateful to Mrs. Pearson and to Mr. Stebbing for presenting us with a true portrait of Charles Henry Pearson.” The Daily Chronicle (Hon. Alfred Deakin) says the volume will leave the reader with “ a profound admiration” for the man it commemo. rates. A HISTORY OF GREECE, by Evelyn Abbott, M.A., LL.D. (Longmans, 108. 6d.). Part III. : From the Thirty Years' Peace to the Fall of the Thirty at Athens, 445.403, B.C. “ The first volume of Dr. Abbott's History was published in 1888, and another volume is wanting to complete the purpose ; 80 that we have here," says the Spectator, “a leisurely, well-considered work, which has occupied the better part of two decades. The author's aim is to provide a history in moderate compass dealing with broad lines of development rather than minuto archeological questions. It is a book of a different class from Holm's brilliant work ; for one thing, it considers the great texts more in detail, giving four volumes to his two. .. It is free from the wordy platitudes of Curtius, and it is fairer and more scientific than the many volumes of Grote and Thirlwall. In certain ways it resembles Beloch's compendium, but it has many qualities of its own. It is extremely readable, and in the simple, anrhetorical style there is often a genuine enthusiasm and appreciation.” THINGS SEEN : IMPRESSIONS OF MEN, CITIES, AND Books, by G. W. Steevens, collected and edited by G. S. Street, with a memoir by W. E. Henley (Blackwood, 58.). “Quite apart from the tragic circumstances of Mr. Steevens's death,” says the Spectator, “the energy and versatility displayed in the aureum quinquennium which succeeded an exceptionally brilliant academic career, and BOOKS AND REVIEWS. (In these columns notes on books are given from reviews which carry weight, and are not, so far as can be learned, logrollers.) GRANT ALLEN, A Memoir, by Edward Clodd (Richards, 68.) is, says the Daily Chronicle, "authoritative in many ways. It has the authority of a long and intimate friend. ship with its subject; it has, too, the authority of kinship in studies pursued in much the same spirit, and certainly to similar conclusions.” “Mr. Clodd does a real service to his friend's memory in publishing letters which show how the very makers of evolutionary sciences regarded Grant Allen." The book also contains some of Grant Allen's letters, though he was “not a great writer of letters," and two of the dearest of his friends “add greatly to the value” of the book by “vividly-written reminiscences : Miss Alice Bird and Professor York Powell.” CECIL RHODES, by Vindex (Chapman, 128. net), is & collection of speeches made by Mr. Rhodes from 1881 to the present year. The Times says these give“ an extremely interesting view ” of the development of contemporary history in South Africa, with “characteristic bits of self- revelation which, when the speeches are read together as a whole, leave a tolerably vivid impression of the personality  ## p. 39 (#61) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 39 the charm of his personality, the pablication of these stray papers, edited by two intimate friends, is entirely justified by their intrinsic merits." THE EVOLUTION OF THE ENGLISH NOVEL, by Professor Francis Hovey Stoddard (of New York University) (Mac- millan, 68.), is praised by the Daily Chronicle as “ not only well-written and well-informed, but also marked throughout by measured judgment, proportion, and a certain dignity of attitude and expression.” The Daily News calls it "an interesting book on a pleasant sabject.” DRIFT, by Horatio F. Brown (Richards, 58. net), is a volume of poems. The Spectator says that " what strikes the reader most in Mr. Brown's verse is his feeling for and power of transmitting the charm of natural scenery. His verse is full of rhythm and shows a nice and scholarly use of language, bat beyond this there is what we may term an hieracchic knowledge of invoking the genius loci, whether he is dealing with England, Switzerland, or Italy. .. The glimpses we get of hedgerows, of pine-clad mountain slopes, or of windy wastes of inland waters are generally incidental and unpremeditated.' THE ART AND CRAFT OF GARDEN MAKING, by Thomas H. Mawson (Batsford, 218.), is not only “excellent to read and look at—the pictures with which it is embellished are without exception delightful—but it is,” says the Spectator, “full of practical suggestions for those who wish to lay out a beautiful garden.” “Just at first," says Literature, “ the beauty of the designs and the great charm of Mr. Chamber- lain's chapter-headings threaten to deflect the mind of the reader from the wise things in the text, but this is only at first.” The Times says “Mr. Mawson has plenty of ideas and a very pretty taste"; and the Daily Chronicle is equally appreciative. VILLAGE NOTES, by Pamela Tennant (Heinemann, 6s.), bas, says the Daily Telegraph, "all the charm of the quaint and primitive country she describes--South Wiltshire, with its patient, slow-witted, but intelligent rustics, and its rare provincialisms of speech.” “ It is pleasant,” says the Daily Chronicle, " to those loving Nature, who yet do not write about her, to find her approached in such a manner as Mrs. Tennant's.” NATURE IN DOWNLAND, by W. H. Hadson (Longman, 108. 6d.), is described by Literature as "a guidebook in the sense that it reveals to you not the most interesting spots and the exact turnings to take in reaching them, but the trae beauty of the Sussex Downs, and the charm of the human and of the wild life which inhabits them.” HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS IN NORMANDY, by Percy Doarmer, with illustrations by Joseph Pennell (Macmillan, 68.), leads the Daily Chronicle to say : “If not too soon to think of summer holidays, here is a book to send the fancy toward a very pleasant land of travel.” Literature says it “ will take a high place” in Messrs. Macmillan's series of guide books, while the Spectator advises "all travellers in Normandy, and especially all cyclists,” to read Mr. Dearmer's book before they leave England. TALKS WITH OLD ENGLISH CRICKETERS, by A. W. Pullin (" Old Ebor") (Blackwood, 68.), “is crammed with matter of the greatest interest to all who take delight in the game and the lore of cricket." Among the veterans with whom the reader is able to talk familiarly are V. E. Walker and Richard Daft. TRAVELS IN ENGLAND, by Richard Le Gallienne (Richards, 68.), is “peripatetic prose,” in the language of the Daily Chronicle, which thanks the bicycle " for having taken Mr. Le Gallienne on a roving tour through the green places of England, odorous with the memory of sweet names.” “Mr. Le Gallienne is peculiarly rich in suggestion, and as a ' Voyage autour de ma chambre' may be more interesting than a journey to the moon, so are these desultory rides on a bicycle quite independent for their interest of the ground covered.” "A PEEP INTO Punch,” by J. Holt Schooling (Newnes, 58.), is the “Story of Punch, with illustrations by Himself." * Altogether,” says the Spectator, “this is a delightfully amusing book by one who knows his subject.” The Daily Chronicle describes it as excellent for a lazy summer day. · THE HOUSING QUESTION, by Alfred Smith, late Chairman of the Housing Committee, L.C.C.(Swan Sonnen- schein). “Mr. Smith,” says the Guardian, “writes as an expert and with the authority of one. This little book contains an admirably clear statement of all the aspects of housing the poor so far as that question affects London ; and, though other towns suffer from the evils of overcrowding, London suffers from them to a degree and extent which no other city can approach. The second section sets out in an impressive form the vast dimensions which this evil has - attained in London.” LOVE AND MR. LEWISHAM, by H. G. Wells (Harper, 68.), will be considered by many, says the Daily Telegraph, “the most fascinating piece of work he has done." Mr. Wells portrays the life of the fifth-rate assistant master. “It is wonderfully well done,” says the Daily Chronicle. “The descriptive pages are charming, the dialogue real and bright.” “The element of irresponsible gaiety which animated “The Wheels of Chance,'” says the Spectator, “ is here replaced by a more consistently serious outlook on the struggle for existence that goes on in the humbler ranks of the teaching profession.” “The bandful of vivid human figures belong,” says Literature, “ to a great extent, to the world of South Kensington students, and into that often purposeless and sordid background Mr. Wells weaves the poetry of life and the beauty of human love." JAN OXBER, by Orme Agnas (Ward, Look, and Co., 38. 6d.), is a series of stories dealing with West of England villagers. Mr. Agous, says the Daily Telegraph, “has achieved a remarkable task in reproducing not only the superficial life of the west country village, but the actual workings of the rustic mind. Jan Oxber is a very striking oharacter, and his tragic story is told with unforced pathos and unexaggerated truth.” The Spectator describes it as Hvigorous," “ well told,” and “highly entertaining"; and says that “the author is one of our ablest interpreters of rural manners." UNLEAVENED BREAD, by Robert Grant (Hutchinson, 68.), is a portrait of a type of American woman. “ Viewed in the light of a study of character, it would be difficult,” says the Spectator, " to find a modern novel cleverer than · Un. leavened Bread.'” The book is divided into three sections. one for each of Selma's matrimonial experiments, so that, says the Literary World, it is “ three moderately long stories rather than a novel. It is well written, and the characters succeed in making us accept them as reasonable human beings.” BLACK HEART AND WHITE HEART, and Other Stories, by H. Rider Haggard (Longmans, 68.), are stories of Zulus and Central Africa. The Daily Chronicle heads its notice of the yolume : “Mr. Haggard in his True Vein.” “Black Heart and White Heart," the tale from which the volume takes its name, is, says the Spectator, “quite in Mr. Hag. gard's most vigorous and effective manner." THE ACCUSED PRINCESS, by Allen Upward (Pearson, 68.), belongs, in the opinion of Literature, "to the class con- ventionally known as 'readable.'” . The author “makes a  ## p. 40 (#62) ############################################## 40 THE AUTHOR. new departure, and follows in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes. His book relates the mystery of the ruby of Bharani, one of the sacred stones of India and the property of the British Crown. It tells how the gom was brought over to Europe to be sold, and how it disappeared and was subsequently recovered with the help of an English detec- tive." The Daily Chronicle finds the story “good and ingeniously worked-out.” “Mr. Upward's characters are quite alive, and the accused princess quite charming." THE CHICAMON STONE, by Clive Phillipps-Wolley (Smith, Elder, and Co., 68.), " is much more than a story for boys," says the Spectator, “though by its wealth of incident and is wealth of incident and its crazy athleticism ... it will appeal with peculiar force to the javenile reader. Mr. Phillipps-Wolley is a poet as well as a sportsman; he has a keen sense of the picturesque and the sinster, a happy knack of translating his impressions into forcible and suggestive language, and a most artistic touch in the portraiture of villains, whether of the pale or red-skinned variety.” “It is a delightful book of stirring adventure,” says the Pilot, “one of the best we have read for some time. The scene is laid in Alaska; the Chicamon Stone is a specimen of gold, and the book tells of the efforts of several people to find the rock from which the specimen was taken, and so to become rich. There is no love-making, indeed, there is no woman in the book; the interest of the wild rough life is the only interest, but that is sufficient, for there is no want of peril and of thrilling escapes.” VOICES IN THE NIGHT, by Flora Annie Steel (Heine- mann, 68.). “ We cannot better summarise our impressions of this brilliant but unequal novel,” says the Spectator, " than by saying we have been fascinated by the native or bazaar portion of the story and bored by the Anglo-Indian chapters." A LADY OF THE REGENCY, by Mrs. Stepney Rawson (Hutchinson, 68.), is described by the Pilot as "a very fine historical picture by an excellent artist. Jane, the girl whose love affairs, after a bad start, come at last to a happy end, is the Lady of the Regency in question, but from first to last Caroline of Brunswick is the real heroine. From the moment the novel opens up with her playing 'blind man's buff' in her house at Blackheath, or bidding her guests * bite off the head of the sugar Prince of Wales,' her figure is thrown on the canvas with masterly art." his “Notes on Sport and Travel,” published a few months ago. The news of Miss Kingsley's death came as a great shock to her many friends in this country. She was about thirty-five years of age. MR. STEPHEN CRANE died at Baden-weiler, Baden, on June 5, aged thirty years. Of his work as author and war correspondent, the most distinguished is “ The Red Badge of Courage,” published four years ago. As a detailed study (in the form of romance) of the development of a raw recruit in the American Civil War under the fire of the enemy, it was remarkable in that the author had the author had not up to that time had any real experience of what he so realistically described. Next in importance comes his “ The Open Boat," a sketch of the wreck of a filibuster on the Florida coast. Mr. Crane also wrote verse. He was in the Cuban campaign as a correspondent, and before the illness which has cut him off he was writing some sketches of his Army experi- ences before Santiago. He was also to proceed to St. Helena on a commission for a London daily. A volume of short stories, which will probably be called “Wounds in Rain," and a novel of adventure are among his literary remains. The death-roll of the month also includes the Rev. J. M. RODWELL, the Orientalist, who trans- lated the Koran about forty years ago ; Mr. H. R. FRANCIS (89), author of "Junius Revealed by his Surviving Grandson,” and an authority on the literature of angling; Mr. D. D. WELLS, the young American novelist, author of “Her Lady- ship's Leopard,” &c.; and Dr. T. H. RAND (New Brunswick), whose“ Treasury of Canadian Verse” has lately been published by Messrs. Dent in this country. - OBITUARY. * THE AUTHOR.” SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. M HE death of Miss Mary KINGSLEY, the distinguished African traveller, was announced by a telegram from Cape Town on June 4. She was on her way to West Africa to study the fish fauna of the country. Daughter of Dr. George Kingsley and niece of Charles and Henry Kingsley, her name first gained prominence three years ago with the publication of “ Travels in West Africa, Congo Français, Corisco, and Cameroons.” Her second volume, “South African Studies," was published at the beginning of last year, and eight months ago she wrote a little volume on South Africa for the “Story of the Empire” series. More recently she wrote a memoir of her father for the volume of Front Page Other Pages Half of a Page ... 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Oficos and Warehouse : 18, Featherstone-buildings, Holborn, W.C. For all particulars address the MANAGING DIRECTOR, as above. Second Edition Crown 4to., cloth, price 3s. 6d.; by post, 3s. 9d. Orown 8vo., with illustrations, price 6s., to be had of all booksellers. DAIRY TALES. By BASIL FIELD. Beautifully LOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British Illustrated by C. E. Fripp. T Prince at the Court of Trajan. By L. M. P. BLACK. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.O. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.O. Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream’s-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 02 (July 1900) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 02 (July 1900) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1900-07-02-The-Author-11-2 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/331/1900-06-01-The-Author-11-1.pdf 9d7690531ad4a80725fc09e5855e6a0f 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) 1900-06-01 Volume 11 Issue 1 Pages Page range in volume 1–16 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19000601 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin ADVERTISEMENTS. PRICE 68., Post 8vo. THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND POSITION AS APPEARING FROM STATUTES, ARTICLES, CANONS, RUBRICS, AND JUDICIAL DECISIONS. “It bath been the wisdom of the Church of England, ever since the first compiling of her Publick Liturgy, to keep the mean between the two extremes, of too much stiffness in refusing, and of too much easiness in admitting any variation from it.”—Prayer Book Preface. By J. M. LELY, M.A. Oxon., Barrister-at-law. LONDON: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C. NOW READY, Price 18., with Illustrations. A PILGRIMAGE TO PARIS A Traveller's Companion. WITH CONCISE GUIDE, APPENDIX, AND PLAN OF EXHIBITION By A. F. MORRIS. Illustrated by M. D. HARDY and A. F. MORRIS. CONTENTS. Part I.-A Pilgrimage to Paris. Chop. 1. To the Beaux Arte, Invalides, Musée de Garde Menbles. VI.-Musée de Cluny, Gobelins, Palais de Luxembourg, Café II.-Oatacombs. Père Lachaise Picpus Cemetery, Bibliothèque. Rouge. Tom Orofton acts as my guide to the curious cafés and cabarets v1.-Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers, Musée Molière, Theatre of Montmartre. Française, Café Americaine. III.-St. Eustache, Musée des Archives, Musée Carnavalet, Place VIII. -Bois, Jardin d'Acclimatation, Arc de Triompho, &c. des Vosges, and Bistoric Houses. IX.-Café Procope, Conservatoire de Montmartre. IV.-The Boulevards, Halle aux Vins, St. Etienne du Mont, X-Exhibition Buildings. Pantheon, Sorbonne. XI.-Ride round the Walls of Paris. V.-Conciergerie, Notre Dame, Hôtel Lambert, Hôtel de Ville, XII.- Jardin des Plantos, Vincennes, &c., &c., Versailles. and Famous Houses of the Quarter. Part II.—Guide. Appendix. Part III.—Plan of Exhibition. The Preface says: “In presenting this account of a • Pilgrimage to Paris,' the aim of the author has been to provide entortaining reading for the journey, which shall leave an impression with the traveller of the sights, curious and historic, which he would most like to view. To further assist him in his pleasuring, a concise Guide Appendix has been added to the . Pilgrimage,' enabling him to see at a glance the days, hopra, and regulations for visiting the various objects of interest. The general plan of the Exhibition of 1900 will likewise be found able to see both the Exhibition and the City at little cost of research for themselves, and without the fatigue of wading through voluminous guidebook information as to the various sights, & procedure which frequently leads to & neglect of many points of interest, and lack of acquaintance with those eccentric cafés and cabarets which are such a feature of Paris life." PUBLISHED BY HORACE COX, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C., and F. TENNANT PAIN, 30, Rue Taitbout, Paris.  ## p. (#15) ################################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. iï TYPEWRITING. 69, SUTHERLAND AVENUE, LONDON, W. MISS RANSOM. MSS. Typed with Neatness and Accuracy at 1s. 3d. per 1000 Words. Scientific MSS. a Speciality Circulars Reproduced in large quantities at a cheap rate. Contract prices for regular work. AUTHORS' MSS. PROMPTLY AND ACCURATELY COPIED, 90. PER 1000 WORDS. Testimonials from L. CAREW-RAFFERTY (Frank Pentrill), Mrs. BEAUFORT-CREAGH, ALICE F. JACKSON, AND OTHERS. L JACKSON, 96, St. Andrew's-road, Exmouth, Devon. AUTHORS TYPEWRITING. Now ready, Super-royal 8vo., price 20s., post free. Carefal work with Yost machine on good paper. Inclusive prices. CROCKFORD'S Novels and Stories, 8d. per 1000 words; in duplicate, Is. Plays, Poems, &c., Is. per 1000 words ; in duplicate, Is. 3d. Also Technical and Scientific work; French and Spanish. Specimen of work and Extracts from Testimonials on application. BEING A L. A. ST. JOHN, 20, Lucas Avenue, Upton Park, London, E. STATISTICAL BOOK OF REFERENCE TYPEWRITING. For facts relating to the Clergy in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Colonies; with a fuller Index relating to Parishes and Beference, Miss BEATRICE WHITBY. Benefices than any ever yet given to the public. MS. Typed at 1s. per 1000 words. CROCKFORD'S CLERICAL DIRECTORY is more than a Directory: it con- Address Mrs. KAY, Crossmead, Exeter. tains concise Biographical details of all the ministers and dignitaries of the Church of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Colonies : also a List of the Parishes of each Diocese in England and Wales I N D E X I N G arranged in Rural Deaneries. By B.A. (Camb.). 6d. an Hour, or “by Piece.” Testimonials to efficiency. Or READERSHIP in British Museum. THIRTY-SECOND ISSUE. S. V. J., care of “Honiatts.” 298, Uxbridge-rd, W. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. SECRETARIAL WORK. Demy 8vo., with Map and Illustrations, price 108. 6d. LADY DESIRES | CLERICAL DIRECTORY 1900. TEMPORARY ENGAGEMENTS. | AN AUSTRALIAN IN CHINA: Experienced Typist (owns machine). Also COPYING MS., DUPLICATING, &c. References. MISS W. KEMPSON, ROATH HOUSE, CARDIFF. Crown 8vo., cloth boards, price Bs. Being the Narrative of a Quiet Journey Across China to British Burma. By G. E. MORRISON, M.B.C.M. Edin., F.R.G.S. HATHERSAGE: A Tale of North Derbyshire. CHARLES EDMUND HALL, ' BY Author of “An Ancient Ancestor," &c. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. Pocket Size, price 6d.; by post, 6fd. THE LAWS OF GOLF, As Adopted by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Special Rules for Medal Play. Etiquette of Goll. Winners of the Goling Championship. Winners and Runners-up for the Amateur Championship. . London : HORACE Cox, Windsor Hous), Bream's-buildings, E.C. VOL. XI. " Mr. Morrison is an Australian doctor who has achieved probably the most remarkable journey through the Flowery Land ever attempted by a Christian ... He was entirely unarmed and unaccompanied, save for the coolies who carried his baggage. Such a journey--three thousand miles in length-could not fail to present many curious customs and as many curious people. But it is owing entirely to Dr. Morrison's graphic manner of description, and his acutely keen observation, that his travels are such a reality to the reader. This portly volume is one of the most interesting books of travel of the many published this year. It is frank, original, and quite ungarnished by adventitious colouring."-St. James's Budget. ** One of the most interesting books of travel we remember to have read."--European Mail. "A very lively book of travel. ... His account of the walk of 1500 miles from Chungking to Burma, over the remotest districts of Western China, is full of interest."- The Times. " Dr. Morrison writes crisply, sensibly, humorously, and with an engaging frankness. ... There is not a page he has written that is not worth the perusal of the student of China and the Chinese."- The Scotsman "By far the most interesting and entertaining narrative of travel in the Flowery Land that has appeared for several years."-The World. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's-buildings, E.C B2  ## p. (#16) ################################################# ADVERTISEMENTS. The Society of Authors (Incorporated). PRESIDENT. GEORGE MEREDITH. COUNCIL Sir Edwin ARNOLD, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. | AUSTIN DOBson. SIR LEWIS MORRIS. J. M. BARRIE. A. CONAN DOYLE, M.D. HENRY NORMAN. A. W. À BECKETT. A. W. DUBOURG. Miss E. A. ORMEROD. ROBERT BATEMAN. SIR MICHAEL FOSTER, K.C.B., F.R.S. GILBERT PARKER. F. E. BEDDARD, F.R.S. D. W. FRESHFIELD. J. C. PARKINSON. SIR HENRY BERGNE, K.C.M.G. RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D. A. W. PINERO. SIR WALTER BESANT. EDMUND GOSSE. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD PIB. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL, M.P. H. RIDER HAGGARD. BRIGHT, F.R.S. THE REV. PROF. BONNEY, F.R.S. THOMAS HARDY. SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK, Bart., LL.D. THE RIGHT Hon. JAMES BRYCE, M.P. ANTHONY HOPI HAWKINS. WALTER HERRIES POLLOCK. THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD BURGH JEROME K. JEROME. E. Rose. CLERE. J. SCOTT KELTIE, LL.D. W. BAPTISTE SCOONES. HALL CAINE. RUDYARD KIPLING. Miss FLORA L. SHAW. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. PROF. E. RAY LANKESTER, F.R.S. G. R. Sims. P. W. CLAYDEN. THE RIGHT Hon. W. E. H. LECKY, S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE. EDWARD CLODD. M.P. J. J. STEVENSON. W. MORRIS COLLES. J. M. LELY. FRANCIS STORR. THE HON. JOHN COLLIER. THE REV. W. J. LOFTIE, F.S.A. WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. Sir A. C. MACKENZIE, Mus.Doc. MRS. HUMPHRY WARD. F. MARION CRAWFORD. PROF. J. M. D. MEIKLEJOHN. Miss CHARLOTTE M. YONGI. THE RIGHT Hon. The LORD CURZON THE REV. C. H. MIDDLETON-WAKE. I OF KEDLESTON. Hon. Counsel – E. M. UNDERDOWN, Q.C. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. Chairman-A. HOPE HAWKINS. A. W. À BECKETT. J. Scott KELTIE, LL.D. GILBERT PARKER. SIR WALTER BESANT. J. M. LELY. E. ROSE. EGERTON CASTLE, F.S.A. HENRY NORMAN. FRANCIS STORR. D. W. FRESHFIELD. SUB-COMMITTEES. ART. Hon. JOHN COLLIER (Chairman). I SIR W. MARTIN CONWAY. M. H. SPIELMANN COPYRIGHT. A. W. A BECKETT. A. HOPE HAWKINS. J. M. LELY. W. M. COLLEB. GILBERT PARKER. DRAMA. HENRY ARTHUR JONES (Chairman). H. BURNAND. A. W. PINERO. A. W. À BECKETT. SYDNEY GRUNDY. EDWARD ROSB. Solicitore FIELD, ROScor, and Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. G. HERBERT THRING, 4, Portugal-street. Secretary-G. HERBERT THRING. OFFICES : 4, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, W.C. A. P. WATT & SON, LITERARY AGENTS, Formerly of 2, PATERNOSTER SQUARE, Have now removed to HASTINGS HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. THE KNIGHTS and KINGS of CHESS. By the Rev. I THE ART of CHESS. By JAMES Mason. Price 58. 1 (A. MACDONNELL, B.A. Price 2s. 6d. not. | 1 not, by post 58. 4d London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's buildings, E.C. | London: HORACE Cox, Wirdsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 1 (#17) ############################################### The Author, (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. XI.-No. 1.] JUNE 1, 1900. [PRICE SIXPENCE. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. M HE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all 1 remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. (6.) Not to bind yourself for future work to any publisher. As well bind yourself for the future to any one solicitor or doctor! III. THE ROYALTY SYSTEM. It is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figares themselves from the “ Cost of Production.” IV. A COMMISSION AGREEMENT. The main points are :- (1.) Be careful to obtain a fair cost of production. (2) Keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Keep control of the sale price of the book. GENERAL. All other forms of agreement are combinations of the four above mentioned. Such combinations are generally disastrous to the author. Never sign any agreement without competent advice from the Secretary of the Society. Stamp all agreements with the Inland Revenue stamp. Avoid agreements by letter if possible. The main points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are : (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. WARNINGS TO DRAMATIC AUTHORS. TT ERE are a few standing rules to be observed in an I agreement. There are four methods of dealing with literary property :- I. THAT OF SELLING IT OUTRIGHT. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent, or with the advice of the Socretary of the Society. II. A PROFIT-SHARING AGREEMENT (a bad form of agreement). In this case the following rules should be attended to : : (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro. duction forms a part without the strictest investigation. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise. ments. Therefore keep control of the advertisements. (3.) Not to allow a special charge for “ office expenses,” unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, Colonial, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give up serial or translation rights. 1. N EVER sign an agreement without submitting it to W the Secretary of the Society of Authors or some competent legal authority. 2. It is well to be extremely careful in negotiating for the production of a play with anyone except an established manager. 3. There are three forms of dramatic contract for PLAYS IN THREE OR MORE ACTS :- (a.) SALE OUTRIGHT OF THE PERFORMING RIGHT. This is unsatisfactory. An author who enters into such a contract should stipulate in the con- tract for production of the piece by a certain date and for proper publication of his name on the play-bills.  ## p. 2 (#18) ############################################### THE AUTHOR. 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 pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 5. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battlos of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen. dence of the writer. 6. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 publishers. (2) To stamp agreements in readiness for & possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. THE READING BRANCH. (6.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF PERCENTAGES on gross receipts. Percentages vary between 5 and 15 per cent. An author should obtain & porcentage on the sliding scale of gross receipts in preference to the American system. Should obtain a sum in advance of percentages. A fixed date on or before which the play should be performed. (c.) SALE OF PERFORMING RIGHT OR OF A LICENCE TO PERFORM ON THE BASIS OF ROYALTIES (i.e., fixed nightly fees). This method should be always avoided except in cases where the fees are likely to be small or difficult to collect. The other safeguards set out under heading (6.) apply also in this case. 4. PLAYS IN ONE ACT are often sold outright, but it is better to obtain a small nightly fee if possible, and a sum paid in advance of such fees in any event. It is extremely important that the amateur rights of one act plays shuuld be preserved. 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 licei ce to perform. The legal distinction is of great importance. 7. Authors should remember that performing rights in a play are distinct from literary copyright. A manager holding the performing right or licence to perform cannot print the book of the words. 8. Never forget that American rights may be exceedingly valuable. They should never be included in English agreements without the author obtaining a substantial consideration. 9. Agreements for collaboration should be carefully drawn and executed before collaboration is commenced. 10. An author should remember that production of a play is highly speculative: that be 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 sabject of dramatic con- tracts, those authors desirous of further information are referred to the Secretary of the Society. EMBERS will greatly assist the Society in this branch of their work by informing young writers of its existence. Their MSS. can be read and treated as & composition is treated by a coach. The Readers are writers of competence and experience. The fee is one guinea. NOTICES. M HE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the cost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 68. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should be addressed to the Offices of the Society, 4, Portugal-street, Lincoln's-inn Fields, W.C., 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. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White. hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY, 1. LIVERY member has a right to ask for and to receive V advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub. lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his THE ANNUAL DINNER. business or the administration of his property. If the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solici. NHE dinner of the Society of Authors was tor, the member has a right to an opinion from the held in ihe King's Hall of the Holborn Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Restaurant on Wednesday, May 16, and Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. passed off very successfully. Mr. Pinero made 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright an excellent chairman, and delighted those pre- and publisher's agreoments do not generally fall within the sent with an interesting and amusing speech experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins responded for the to use the Society. 2. Send to the Office copies of past agreements and past Society. A full account of the evening will be accounts with the loan of the books represented. The inserted in the July number of The Author.  ## p. 3 (#19) ############################################### THE AUTHOR. LITERARY PROPERTY. As to the item of £26 158., the following is the cost price : £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Sinding ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 8 9 o 5 0 Acts of Parliament ........ 0 1 W . .......... I.-RUBINSTEIN v. WATERLOW BROTHERS AND LAYTON (LIMITED). TN this case Mr. J. S. Rubinstein claimed an account from the defendants. The questions in dispute raised points of interest and im- portance to authors and publisbers. The case was tried before Mr. Hemming, Q.C., on the 15th May. According to the plaintiff's case, he had written several law books and forms, which the defendants had published with large profit to themselves. In August, 1897, he saw them to ascertain their lowest terms for bringing out at his risk a book he then intended to write on the Land Transfer Act, 1897. On the 9th August they wrote :-“We are willing to publish your work on the following terms. We to debit you with printing, binding, advertising, &c.; you to allow us 33 per cent. on the publication price of copies sold. As it is the practice now to allow 20 per cent. off the publication price to the general public, and 25 per cent. or 33} per cent. † to the trade, you will see we have, in accordance with your request, based our offer on the lowest possible terms." These terms were accepted. Owing to the delay in the issue of rules under the Act, the book was not published till December, 1808. when it was brought out at 58. In April. 1899, the defendants, at the plaintiff's request, furnished accounts charging £245 168. 4d. for printing, &c., 1000 copies of the book, and £52 18s. 5d. for publishing the copies then sold. The accounts included items of £173 108. 6d. for composition, reading, proving, imposing, &c., and £26 158. for binding. As the defendants refused to give specific details, the action was brought. In the course of the proceedings, the defendants were requested to produce books and documents, but they asserted that the time-sheets had been destroyed. They delivered under an order the following particulars, showing how the items of £173 1os. and £26 159. were made up :- As to the item of £173 108., the following is the cost price : Land Transfer Act, 1897, * £ 8. d. £ 8. d Ex. R. Binding Electro... 0 6 4 Composing Demy 8vo. Book, pp. & pp., Case ............ 82 0 0.T............................... 14/10/98, Alters, and pp. in Sheet pfe.......... 2 0 0 2011 98, 1000 Copies demy 8vo., 316 pp. Press .. ......... 8 10 0 750 Bound in whole cloth, Paper ........................ 1 2 Postage paid on Books ...... 2 3 4 20 15 3 Total charge against plaintiff ............... 26 15 3 On the hearing of the case the defendants admitted they could not produce any book con. taining copies of the time sheets that had been destroyed. They gave the following figures as representing how the item £82 in their particulars were made up, although they could not verify them in detail:- £ 8. d. 12494 hours at 8 d. ........................... 44 4 II 126 hours overtime at 18. old. ............ 6 119 50 16 8 Added to cover establishment oharges, &c. 31 3 4 82 0 0 The referee decided on the construction of the contract that the defendants were entitled, in addition to their publishing commission, to profit on the printing, binding, &c., but he considered the sums claimed extravagant. To avoid the expense, of continuing the inquiry, the expense of continuing the inquiry the plaintiff accepted the figures given by the defendants as to the cost, and the parties accepted a suggestion of the referee to add 20 per cent. profit. On this basis the amount claimed by the defendants was reduced by £47 148. II.-MERIVALE v. HARVEY. In the Queen's Bench Division, May 21, Mr. Justice Grantham and a special jury heard the action, Merivale v. Harvey, which was brought to recover damages for breach of contract. There was a counter-claim for damages for libel. Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., and Mr. C. Mathews appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Hammond Chambers, Q.C., and Mr. Spencer Bower for the defendant. Sir E. Clarke, in opening the case for Mr. Herman Merivale, said it was arranged that the defendant should send the plaintiff a Spanish book dealing with the incidents connected with the time of Don Juan, from which plaintiff was to write a play. The play was completed on June 11, and was much approved by the defen- dant. A long correspondence then took place between the parties regarding the cast, minor alterations, and such like, in the course of which difficulties arose. Eventually the plaintiff said that nothing was left for the protection of himself and work but to place himself in his lawyer's hands. Mr. Sydney Grundy, dramatic author, was the first witness called, and said he thought a fair 106 18 Total charge against plaintiff ............ 173 100  ## p. 4 (#20) ############################################### THE AUTHOR. sum to pay the plaintiff for his work was 1000 the directors of theatres that the society intends guineas. In cross-examination witness said he to continue to demand the dues as heretofore. had not read the play, but he assumed a run of at The managements which refuse the payment will least 100 nights, because Mr. Harvey accepted it, be placed under the ban of the society-that is to and he respected his intelligence. say, they will not receive permission to perform Mr. Arthur Wing Pinero, dramatic author, said any new plays. he considered that Mr. Merivale had contributed The Recht der Feder justly remarks,“ This most admirable work to the stage. He agreed shows what organisation and unity can effect.” with Mr. Grundy's evidence. In cross-examina- tion witness said he had not read the play, but from his knowledge of Mr. Merivale and his IV. — CONVENTION BETWEEN THE GERMAN work that he should have written an unsatis- EMPIRE AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. factory work was not the least probable. A convention has been entered into between the Mr. Chambers, on behalf of the defendant, above empires for the protection of literary, commented upon the fact that the plaintiff was artistic, and photographic works. The most not called, and proceeding said that so far from important articles of the convention are the the defendant behaving badly to the plaintiff, the following :- plaintiff bad behaved to the defendant in a way All indigenous (einheimisch) works produced entirely without reason or common sense. He in either empire are to enjoy the protection had also written letters of a libellous character, accorded to such works in the other: but with suggesting that the defendant had cheated him. the limitation that the protection accorded to That was an untrue and malicious statement, and foreign works is not to exceed that accorded to the plaintiff must have known that it was untrue at home productions. the time. A work is to be considered einheimisch which Mr. Martin Harvey was then called, and stated is protected by the interior legislation, either in that he was the defendant, and at present was consequence of its place of production, or of the manager of the Prince of Wales Theatre. He nationality of the author, or of his domicile. ask. d the plaintiff to adapt for him, last year. In all relations between the German Empire “Don Juan," from a Spanish play. He and his and the kingdoms and countries represented by wife made suggestions to the plaintiff, and they the Austrian Reichsrath, the protection accorded were well taken until he suggested that the by the convention depends solely upon compliance character of Inez should be made more human. with the conditions and formalities prescribed by It was suggested by the plaintiff that this part the legislation of the country of origin. should be entrusted to Mrs. Harvey. The cost of But in the case of the Hungarian Crown the producing the play would be something between protection depends not only upon compliance with £2000 and £3000. The time came when he the conditions and formalities of the country of instructed Mrs. Cuninghame Graham to write a origin, but also upon compliance with those play on the subject. The play written by her required by the legislation of the other country. ran only for three weeks and a few days. In his The exclusive right of translation into a judgment the plaintiff's play would not have run language in which no authorised and complete longer if produced. He paid Mrs. Graham £100, translation has appeared has a duration of three and was to have paid her another £100 if the years only from the date of publication of the piece ran 100 nights. original. Similar evidence was given by Mrs. Harvey, An authorised translation appearing within the wife of the defendant. prescribed limit is protected for five years. The learned judge having summed up, the The years are to be calculated exclusively of the jury found there was a contract and a breach by year of publication. the defendant. They also found there was no The convention is retrospective; but an excep- libel. In the result they gave a verdict for the tion is made for works already partly completed. plaintiff — damages £500. Judgment accord. The convention is to remain in force for ten ingly.—Daily Chronicle. The French text of the whole convention will be found in the Droit d'Auteur for April. Our III.-ACTING RIGHTS IN DE Balzac. contemporary, Das Recht der Feder, remarks The powerful French “ Société des Gens des respecting it: Lettres,” in consideration of the approaching “The advantages which we gain in Austria are expiration of the protection of the acting rights not very great. Certain German books cannot be of De Balzac's dramatic works, has announced to reproduced there in German. Articles in periodi- years.  ## p. 5 (#21) ############################################### THE AUTHOR. cals will be protected only when the probibition of reproduction is not neglected. Little security against translation is afforded by the very short period of protection. In Hungary the case is even worse. It is true that German books can be no longer there reproduced in German, and that the German periodicals of Hungary cannot reprint from the German periodicals, provided that the reproduction of articles, feuilletons, &c., is duly interdicted, but translation can hardly be prevented; and the works must be registered, which costs 5 florins, besides stamps. These con- ditions are consequences of the Hungarian law of 1844, and that law was simply a copy of our own law of the date. So we, after all, can hardly complain. It is thus that, in this world, castiga. tion for shortcomings is always exacted.” We may add that the terms of the convention between Great Britain and Austria-Hungary (see The Author for April, 1900, p. 233) seem to be distinctly more liberal than the terms of the con- vention between Austria-Hungary and Germany. V.-THE PATRONAGE OF A PREFACE. The readiness of certain publishers—even of some of justly high repute--to ignore or over- ride the wishes or feelings of authors has been exemplified in a recent experience of my own. I bring the matter before you and your readers, and publicly record my protest, not by way of airing a grievance or seeking support, but only from a sense of esprit de corps—to call attention to a certain infringement of an author's inalien- able rights, and to warn those who forget to safe- guard them from the beginning. A book of mine upon Mr. Ruskin was lately published by Messrs. Cassell and Co., who arranged with Messrs. Lippincott (more accu- rately known as the J. B. Lippincott Company), of Philadelphia, to issue it also in the United States. This was done. Through an oversight -following on a fire, I now learn-no copy of the work was forwarded to me; but I ascertained from a review notice sent to me by a New York paper that the book was prefaced by an intro- duction written by an American gentlenian of letters without my having been in any way con- sulted as to the propriety or reasonableness of such a proceeding. I wrote at once a letter of remonstrance to Messrs. Cassell—who were in ignorance of what had been done and were, of course, in no way responsible—and they forwarded that communication to the Lippincott Company. From this firm I have received the following courteous explanation : “In regard to the small note by Mr. Morris about which Messrs. Cassell have inquired in VOL. XI. your behalf, you will see that it occupies but three pages and is of simply general character, giving the date of Ruskin's death and a few remarks. We took such an interest in your work and its success here that we desired to bring it as closely as possible in touch with the American public. Mr. Morris is well known as a poet, writer on art, and director of one of our largest institutions, and we felt that the connection of his name with the book (but especially mentioned separately from your work and over his own signature) would be an advantage to it in placing your book before those interested in Ruskin here." I replied as follows: “In regard to the Introduction, I must warmly protest, upon principle, against your action in the matter. I very readily believe, from Mr. Morris's achievements and reputation, that that Introduction (which I have not yet seen) does honour to the book and, besides lending distinction to it, may help the sale. Had it been proposed to me that Mr. Morris should con- tribute this preface, I migbt perhaps have accepted the suggestion with pleasure ; if I had taken a contrary course, it would have been that I did not wish my work to receive any extraneous assistance, helpful and charming as Mr. Morris's doubtless is. “But that is not the point. What I complain of is this——that without any sort of reference to me you have endowed me with a sponsor. This act I consider to be wholly unjustifiable. You say you felt it would be an advantage, but it was necessary that I also should feel it to be so, and say as much, before you proceeded in the matter as you have. You have assumed a kind of proprietorship not only in the book, but in the author, which is altogether beyond the sphere of the publisher, and which must be resented by every writer who is subjected to it. “I entirely appreciate the courtesy of your letter and your desire to strengthen the book as much as possible; but I feel it incumbent upon me to put before you the real view of the case, and to take such steps to draw public attention to it as I think wise, in order to safeguard the interests of those authors whom publishers regard -perhaps rightly-as in need of strengthening. “For it must be clear that when a publisher agrees to issue a work, the understanding is that that work, as it proceeded from the author's pen and from no other, will be published in its entirety and in not more than its entirety- which, in logic, is absurd; and it must be equally manifest that any proposal for including a preface by another writer should be openly made and agreed to, and that the moment for raising any such  ## p. 6 (#22) ############################################### THE AUTHOR. question is at the time of the publisher's acqui. He seems, also, to have been a man of remark- sition of the work.” able endowments, philanthropical temperament, The question is, whether an author cannot and elevated sentiments. After his death the rest between his own covers without, so to say, fickle tide of public favour waned. Popular pre- having a strange—though, I am willing to admit, judice blackened his name, and represented him as a most exemplary and distinguished-bedfellow an alchemist and sorcerer who had obtained from forced upon him by the publisher, unasked. The the Evil One the secret of the mysterious philo- fact that the alien is ticketed with his own name, sopher's stone. A few fragments of the House does not alter the complexion of the proceeding with the big Gable—“ la Maison du grand Authors, especially abroad, often seek the support pignon”—which he built for himself in the rue of a distinguished writer to lend them counten. de Montmorency in 1407, are reported to be still ance in a preface. Alexandre Dumas, no doubt, in existence. profited by Jules Janin's preface to “ La Dame aux Camélias." Chaucer's Urry, Dr. Johnson's Two ANCIENT NOTABILITIES. Croker, Scott's Mr. Lang, and Byron's Mr. The name of Robert Estienne enjoys a less Henley are, of course, among the pains and ambiguous reputation. Born in 1503, he was pleasures of immortality. But to the mortal promoted to the office of royal publisher by author, while he lives. the right of veto, and Francis I., who took pleasure in occasionally assuredly of consultation, is sacred. visiting his protégé's workshops, and profiting by M. H. SPIELMANN. his erudite conversation. For Robert Estienne was one of the most learned men of his time. His Latin Bible is a typographical masterpiece, and the purity of his classical editions is notorious. PARIS NOTES. The latter fact is partly accounted for by his prac- tice of placing his corrected proof-sheets in the 5, rue Chomel, Paris. windows of his shop, in order that all scholars, NHE Great Exhibition is slowly progressing teachers, and savants who passed that way might I towards completion. Most interesting is the peruse them, and point out any slips or errors quaint collection of buildings entitled “Le that they perceived therein. The perfection of Vieux Paris," situated on the right bank of the the Estienne publications bears witness that the Seine just below the Pont de l'Alma. The grim literati of the epoch were competent and obliging old Porte Saint-Michel forms the entry to the critics. Middle-age and Renaissance Quarter. To the left Théophraste Renaudotis undoubtedly the runs the ancient Vieilles-Ecoles-street, in which most amusing figure in this learned quartette. stands the Maison aux Piliers, the first town-hall Having obtained a doctor's degree at Montpellier, of Paris, precursor of the present stately Hôtel de he came to Paris to exercise his art at the sign of Ville. Here also are the houses of four person- the Golden Cock. Patients were apparently rare ; ages dear to the bibliophiles of all nations: to for in a comparatively short time he successively wit_Molière. Nicolas Flamel. Robert Estienne. established an address bureau, a registry office and Théophraste Renaudot. The first — the for persons seeking situations, a pawnshop, a Shakespeare of French literature—was born in chemistry laboratory, a gratuitous consultation 1622 in an old house belonging to the public office; and finally, the famous Gazette, which market-place, where his father, Master Poquelin, first appeared in manuscript in 1631, and was busily pursued the trade of upholsterer or carpet soon after duly printed on four pages as behoved weaver beneath the sign of the Apes' Pavilion. the dignity of the first French periodical. The Larousse asserts that no other writer can be com fourth page was exclusively reserved for adver. pared with Molière as regards his fine portrayal tisements. Which detail proves that, despite his of character, his high originality of conception, failure in the profession, Renaudot was an excel- his sparkling verve, his humorous power, his lent feeler of the public pulse. This versatile natural gifts, and the good sense and Gallic ancestor of the modern French newspaper (and freshness of his style. « Every man who knows many other useful institutions) died in the year how to read,” said Sainte-Beuve, “is one reader 1653. more for Molière." THE GONCOURT ACADEMY. Nicolas Flamel was a species of French Para. The Goncourt Academy is flourishing like a celsus. He died in 1418, but the date of his green bay tree. Its tale of members has been birth is unknown. He appears to have enjoyed completed by the election of MM. Elémir no small celebrity as a writer, publisher, illumi. Bourges, Lucien Descaves, and Léon Daudet, the nator, and miniature painter of the first order. two first being elected unanimously. It had been  ## p. 7 (#23) ############################################### THE AUTHOR. asserted that M. J.-K. Huysmans' adoption into in dramatic circles, asserting that the public had the Benedictine Order would necessitate this never expended so large a portion of its private eccentric writer's withdrawal from the ranks of income at the theatre as at the present moment. the new society. But M. Huysmans speedily The above statistics (with the list of new members negatived the idea by announcing his intention received) having been duly made known, and the of accepting the emoluments and taking part in routine congratulatory compliments exchanged, the agapes of the brotherhood. M. Emile Zola's M. Pierre Decourcelle-one of the dramatists irrevocable determination to persevere in his whose productions are most patronised abroad- candidature for a French Academy fauteuil proposed the raising of i per cent. of the tax prevented his accepting a seat at the fraternal levied on all French plays represented elsewhere board. For immortals and poets are among the than on French soil, the surplus thus obtained inadmissible items. The legal debates to deter- to be devoted to the Retired Pension Fund of the mine whether the Goncourt institution was “to society. The committee declared this generous be or not to be " were most interesting. Accord. proposition to be antagonistic to the existing ing to the adverse party, Edmond de Goncourt's statutes of the society. Thereupon M. Decourcelle, intention was to create a small “cénacle," a little warmly seconded by an overwhelming majority, literary chapel in front of the great cathedral demanded a general meeting extraordinary. The whose radiant dome wounded and offended his too authorities declared the incident closed, and susceptible sight. ordered the opening of the ballot to decide the “If the French Academy be-as its detractors election of the new members of the committee. assert-merely the drawing-room of French litera- Forthwith ensued a general stampede of members ture," said Maître Chenu, “the Goncourt Insti- to draw up a petition for a general assembly. tution—with its dinners at twenty francs per head Sixty-five signatures-in lieu of the twenty - will never rank higher in the eyes of the world necessary to legalise the request-were appended than a literary table d'hôte." to this document, which has recently been sub- To which Maître Poincaré replied, “ Our adver- mitted to the newly elected committee (presided sary gives us the choice between a pious and a over by M. Victorien Sardou) and by them referred gastronomic comparison. As a little chapel the to the judicial council of the society. The latter's Goncourt Academy will lead up to the great decision has not yet been made known. cathedral. As a table d'hôte it will not keep its SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. guests long; when the dinner is finished each one will pass into the drawing-room-of the French The Dramatists and Musical Composers' Academy." Society occupies a more prominent position than Maître Poincaré won the day. Wherefore the the Society of French Authors—the Société des first dinner partaken in company by the members Gens de Lettres. The relative importance and of the new academy was given in honour of the aim of the two institutions were clearly set forth, celebrated advocate who had so ably pleaded their a few months since, in.a speech delivered by M. cause in court, and whose eloquence had pre- Marcel Prévost, president of the French Authors' vented the annulment of Edmond de Goncourt's Society, at the latter's annual banquet, at which the darling project. Maître Poincaré undertook the chair was taken by M. Victorien Sardou, presi. cause for love, not lucre. He pleaded none the dent of the sister society. “The two societies,” worse on that account. said M. Marcel Prévost,“ are united by a fraternal bond.” “The great family of men of letters have DRAMATISTS AND MUSICAL COMPOSERS. the right to be proud of these two sisters. They The annual general assembly of the Société des have both turned out well. We can say so boldly Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques was rather to-day, since both have passed the critical age; à stormy affair. Its yearly report was drawn since one of these respectable ladies is sixty, and up by M. Paul Milliet, and contained the follow- the other eighty years of age. Yes, we are the ing satisfactory paragraph : “ In 1866-67, the ñ . " In 1866.67 the younger; younger. The elder is the richer, the more annual theatrical receipts of Paris amounted to powerful of the two sisters; but, all the same, thirteen million francs : in 1876-77. to sixteen the younger is not to be pitied." *" You, the million francs; in 1886-87, to nineteen million great ones of the theatre—the Sardous, Halévys, francs ; in 1896-97, to twenty-two million francs ; and Dumas—you have accomplished this deed of and in 1899-1900, they have attained a total a true and admirable socialism. You have said, of exactly twenty-two million, one hundred and • The little writers, the new comers, shall be paid fifty thousand, nine hundred and thirty-six as we are the day their plays are acted on the francs, eighteen centimes.” M. Milliet protested same stage. Their feebleness, their inexperience, vigorously against the pessimistic spirit current * This speech was addressed to M. Victorien Sardou. Domy"  ## p. 8 (#24) ############################################### · THE AUTHOR. shall no longer be exploited ; or else the great possesses his qualities. And it may be safely writers will put their ban on the stage.' We—the said of any good writer that he is jealous of Société des Gens de Lettres-out of a mere himself and will always give his best at the nothing ... have founded a solid and time, even though the best at the time is not his flourishing institution. We have added a con- best at some other time. It is a simple contract. siderable sum to the income of the writer as long The publisher or the editor says “Give me your as he works ; and when he can no longer work, book-your treatise-your novel—for such and we have insured him a half security, at least, to such a consideration.” And the author signs the that dignified leisure in old age to which all those contract. are entitled who in their measure have striven to This kind of contract is made in every branch increase the patrimony of beauty which is their of literature. Where it is entered into by a country's heritage...Novelist and drama dramatist and a manager it must be as binding as tist, what are they but two sides of the same between publisher and author. The manager genius ?” M. Prévost concluded by saying that secures a play written by a dramatist of reputa- he drank to the good understanding of the two tion so well established that he is certain to get societies which represented the two phases of good work. When the play arrives, if the French genius ; to the fraternity of the book and manager finds that for some reason or other he the play; and to M. Victorien Sardou,“ homme would like to be off his bargain-a play, for de lettres” and prince of the French stage. instance, requires actors capable of representing DARRACOTTE SCOTT. it — he cannot do so unless the other party consents. -ou One or two of the papers speak of the hard- NOTES AND NEWS. ship of having a play which a manager cannot put on the stage, but he should have thought of that THE case of Merivale v. Harvey (p. 3) is possibility beforehand. Dramatists of repute do one which affects most vitally the whole of not write on the chance of being accepted: they take literary property. For literary property, commissions and enter into agreements. These which must not be confounded with literature, considerations seem elementary, but in the view of must be subjected to the same laws as govern such actions as Merivale v. Harvey being possible other property. If, for instance, an author signs it is surely necessary to point them out. In an iniquitous or unjust agreement, even if he were matters of principle the most elementary facts to give his publishers the rights which their must be continually repeated. We find that the Association claims, he must abide the conse- Ten Commandments are repeated every Sunday: quences. No one is so loud in his assertion of they are also put up for all the world to read. this simple axiom as the publisher where the Mr. Merivale deserves the thanks of the whole enforcement of an agreement is in his favour. literary community for taking his case into open On the other hand, an agreement entered into by court and establishing a precedent. a publisher with an author is equally binding even when it turns out not to be in his favour. The views of the American critic, quoted in another page, on English literature do not greatly differ from those most often expressed on this It is customary—it is indeed the rule—when an side. I have omitted a small part of the paper author has arrived at a certain stage of reputa- which speaks of living writers. Of Louis Steven. tion for him to accept engagements to write for son he speaks with words of very faint praise : magazines, journals, or for publishers. Agree- Stevenson has already taken his place as an entertaining ments are entered into by which the author novelist of the second or third class, and his singularly pledges himself to write a book on some subject, lovable personality is not now mistaken for literary genius an article, a novel, by a certain time for a certain by any great number of persons. consideration set forth in the agreement. The The time immediately after a writer's death is publisher makes the offer, with the full knowledge apt to be unwilling to concede his genius. It is that the author's reputation is such as to carry off like a reaction from admiration which in his his book with a profit to himself; the author, on lifetime could not acknowledge shortcomings the other hand, values his reputation too highly and unconsciously closed the eyes to defects. to send in scamped and unworthy work. He may There are, very possibly, persons who will agree be unequal—all writers are; the best work of a with this writer in his estimate of Stevenson. It good writer is often above his average work- remains, however, to be seen what their attitude still his average work bears his stamp and will be in ten years. Time, the only infallible  ## p. 9 (#25) ############################################### THE AUTHOR. critic, weeds out the lesser and the inferior work announcement was made: “ Dues five dollars yearly, and leaves a writer's best, however small in quan- strictly in advance, and must accompany all applications for membership. Absolutely no exception will be made to tity, for posterity. It certainly seems to many of this rule." Stevenson's old readers as if the selection made The assurance was made that the “membership fee by Time from Stevenson's works will be such as would be returned in full from any dissatisfied member." to place him above the “ second or third class.” Remittances, it was announced, must be made to no other person than Courtney, who signed himself “ Seorutary of the Association." The annual dinner of the Society of the 16th Women by the dozen applied to Courtney for employ. was a success in every way. The attendance was ment, and brought many manuscripts to him. He rejected a great deal larger than at any previous dinner- none of them if the applicants were prepared to pay the membership fee of five dollars. The most inexperienced there were nearly 350 present; the difficult task writers were assured that their work gave indications of seating the people seems to have been accom of great genius, and that hundreds of newspapers in plished without giving offence to any; there was the West were anxious to purchase the manuscripts at a cheerful sound of talk; and the speeches by high rates. the chairman, Mr. Pinero, by Mr. Anthony Hope Courtney was so successful that women who applied to him told their friends what an excellent business oppor. Hawkins, Mr. Bernard Shaw, Lord Monkswell, tunity they had discovered, and in that way caused and Mr. Henry Norman were admirable. There Courtney's roll of membership to be greatly increased. He was not the least sign of fatigue among an made promises to many of them, which some of the women audience always difficult to please during any of now claim he has not kept. He arranged to meet them at them. his desk on Satarday last, but, although many waited until late in the afternoon, he did not appear. On Monday they visited his office in crowds, but still Given a collection of 350 literary men and there was no sign of the "secretary." Yesterday the women, including many of the best known, women descended upon his office again, and camped near given a chairman who is the first English drama- bis desk from early morning until nearly six o'clock in the tist of the day, given such speakers as those evening, but Courtney failed to make his appearance. The members of the “ Association of New York Writers ” named above-would not this gathering be con- ove, would not this gathering be conlooked at one another mournfully all day, exchanging sidered remarkable in any other country? Yet experiences. was it considered in any way remarkable by the Persons from whom Courtney rented desk room told me Press ? that they knew nothing about the man, except that he had paid them for one month's rent. He gave thom no references, The following slip has been sent to the Editor nor did he say where he lived or where he had come from. He is described as tall, dark, of athletic build, and when as a warning to English writers :- last seen wore a dark moustache. More than fifty confiding young women with literary -on aspirations and trusting natures are anxiously looking for a man who says he is J. Courtney, and who until Saturday In justice to our own country I must remind last condacted what he styles “The Association of New our readers that Mr. Courtney has been antici. York Writers," in room 9 at No. 853, Broadway. Courtney made his appearance at the place mentioned, od pated by his brethren in the gentle art of which is ocoupied as a printing office, about three weeks wheedling on this side of the Atlantic. There ago, and rented desk room. Then he inserted an adver was the gentleman who advertised for MSS., tisement in a number of newspapers stating that he had using the name of a well-known publisher. exceptional facilities for disposing of original manuscripts He bolted with his booty and, it is believed, to publications throaghont the West. To persons who answered the advertisements he gave a printed circular, carried his MSS. over to America, where hundreds of which he also sent throngh the mails to persons he proposed to sell them for his own profit. living out of town. This document stated that the “ asso. There was another practitioner who had a second ciation had larger facilities for the sale of manuscript and pair back in a court off Holborn for an office and placing of members in paying positions than any similar concern in the United States. It is the only one enabled also advertised for MSS., and, on the interven. to furnish immediate and permanent work to its members. tion of the Society, disappeared, leaving a room Membership is limited strictly to 100. New members full of papers. There was the gentleman-not admitted only through vacancies occurring by reason of old yet suppressed—who advertised for MSS. and, members accepting positions or otherwise retiring.” invariably, on receiving one, replied that his In setting forth the advantages of membership it was asserted that an opportunity was presented of "procuring reader's report was so favourable that he was desirable positions on high class publications through our prepared to offer the following exceptional efforts; also the revision and sale of your manuscripts on a terms—the author to pay £60, £70, £80, or Jo per cent. basis by as ; work at home is also furnished any other fancy offer, and to receive 99 per members on request, paying from ten dollars to fifteen dollars cent. or 150 per cent. or anything else, of the pro- weekly, at copying, revising, correcting, &c., and, if desired, ceeds. Mr. Courtney, of New York, is no doubt furnished at once on admission to membership.” Courtney's circular said nothing about the cost to a great man, but we have produced greater. The prospective members until the end, when the following agreements published in last month's Author  ## p. 10 (#26) ############################################## 1Ο TIIE AUTHOR. show a master hand. London is still ahead of said to be imposed by the present law upon authors and New York in publishing enterprise. publishers which requires gratuitous presentation, are desirous of receiving evidence from the University of Oxford WALTER BESANT. as to the value of the right. The Commissioners will also be glad to receive informa- tion as to the average number of works of which copies are received annually, and whether such copies are as a rule presented voluntarily by the author or apon demand made THE COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE FIVE by the University. PRESENTATION COPIES. J. LEYBOURN GODDARD, Secretary. Similar Letters were sent to the Universities of Cambridge and Dublin, and to the Faculty of M HE Copyright Commission by its report of Advocates. 1878 recommended the retention of the The Oxford Reply. - present privilege of the British Museum Bodleian Library, July 4, 1876. Library (dating from 1845) to have sent to it, I have had the honour of bringing your communication whether demanded or not (the right of acquiring, of the 20th (sic) alt. before the curators of this library, and but on demand only, dating from 1814) a copy of am directed to inform you that it was resolved- every copyright book, but the abolition of the 1. That the librarian be requested to answer in writing the questions asked by the Commissioners, and to state on privilege of four other libraries (dating in the behalf of the curators that the University of Oxford desires case of Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh from to retain its ancient privilege, not merely in the interests 1709, and in the case of Dublin from 1801) to of the University, but for the sake of the public. have sent to them within one month after demand 2. That the librarian be authorised to communicate with in writing made within twelve months of publica- the Commissioners farther as circumstances may require. Roverting, therefore, to your communication as above, I tion, a copy of every such book. “In making proceed to lay before you such answers as I may in reply to this recommendation" (as to the abolition of the the queries of the commissioners therein contained :- privilege in the case of libraries other than that 1. Average number of works received annually.-Taking of the British Museum), observe the Commis an average of the last three years, we have received 4775 sioners, “we have taken into consideration the works, comprised in 5301 volumes. 2. Books very rarely come direct from the authors. They facts that the bodies to whom the libraries are delivered by the publishers, the price of them being belong are possessed of considerable means, and reckoned, I believe, as a part of the expenge of publication. are well able to purchase any books which they 3. The greater part of the firms, and notably the most may require; and also that the repeal of the important ones, send either to our London agent in Great clause giving the privilege will not deprive the Russell-street (Mr. Eccles) or to Stationers' Hall, without waiting for any demand. There are, however, a few firms libraries of any property already acquired, but from whom we have to demand everything, and even where merely of a right to obtain property hereafter to our claim is disregarded. be created.” 4. The books not sent are comparatively few, consisting Lord Monkswell's Bills of 1890 and of the chiefly of second editions without alterations, privately present Session, the first of which was directly printed books not for sale, classes of works which are not claimable under the Copyright Act. promoted by the Authors' Society, disregarded H. 0. Coxe, Librarian. the recommendation of the Commissioners, and retained the privilege of all five libraries. The Cambridge Reply. The controversy having been again reopened by a letter of Mr. Murray to the Times and University Library, Cambridge, Jane 29, 1876. otherwise, it becomes desirable, in the interest of I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your all concerned, to go into the whole subject some letter of yesterday's date. what at length, and to begin with printing, from The long vacation has just commenced, and there will not the appendix to the report of the Commissioners, be a meeting of the Library Syndicate until the middle of the correspondence between the Commissioners on October, but I will take the earliest opportunity possible of laying your letter before the syndicate, and I am certain that the one hand, and the four library authorities of the University will be willing to supply the Commissioners Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Dublin on with all the information which they may require. the other :- HENRY BRADSHAW. THE QUESTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS. October 26, 1876. Copyright Commission, 13, Delahay-street. With reference to your letter of June 28 last, which I June 28, 1876. acknowledged at the time, will you kindly let me have one The Royal Commissioners on Copyright having had before line referring me to the date of the appointment of the Com. them the subject of the present right of the University of mission, that I may find the terms in the Gazette ? Oxford, and the Universities of Cambridge and Dublin and I laid your letter before our authorities at the first meet- the Faculty of Advocates, to receive upon demand a copying of the term, and they are now considering the matter. of every book published in this country, and the hardship HENRY BRADSHAW.  ## p. 11 (#27) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 11 The Dublin Reply. Library, July 5, 1876. Your letter was sent to the Queen's University, Dablin Castle, which accounts for my not having replied sooner. It would be very difficult to state the pecuniary value of our privilege under the Copyright Act. If I were to estimate it by the selling price of books, I am sure that £1500 annually would not compensate for our loss. But other considera- tions would make me regret very much a change in our present system. The namber of books received each year is at present between 3000 and 4000, and this is on the increase. The anthors seldom present a copy, bat the publishers are bound to do so on demand, and as a rule they comply with this very regularly. Any farther information I will be happy to impart. I may add that I laid your letters before the governing body of this University. J. A. MALET, D.D., Senior Fellow and Librarian. II. Étudier et comparer les lois qui régissent les biblio. thèques dans les divers pays. III. Échanges internationaux. IV. Rapports des bibliothèques aveo les administrations : Etat, municipalités, corporations, &c. ; autonomie des bibliothègnes. V. De la meilleure organisation des bibliothèques popu. laires. VI. Recrutement da personnel des bibliothèques ; con. ditions exigées ou à exiger des candidats aux fonctions de bibliothécaires ; situation faite à ces fonctionnaires. DEUXIÈME DIVISION. Bâtiments, mobilier, aménagement des bibliothèques. QUESTIONS PROPOS ES. I. Étudier l'aménagement des bibliothèques au moyen âge. II. Exposer les meilleurs moyens à employer pour installer les livres dans une bibliothèque nouvelle et pour améliorer l'installation d'une bibliothèque ancienne. III. Indiqaer les perfectionnements réalisés ou projetés dans les bibliothèques les plus récemment installées. IV. Indiquer particulièrement les précautions à prendre pour mettre les bibliothèquos à l'abri de l'incendie. The Edinburgh Reply Aug. 4, 1876. In reply to your letter of the 29th June, I am instructed by the Faculty of Advocates to forward to you the socompanying particulars as to value, &c., of works received under the Copyright Act. The subject will be further considered by the Faculty after the court resames in October, and if necessary, further communication will be made. JAMES T. CLARK. 1. The annual money value of books, &c., received under the Copyright Act, estimated at about £1500. 2. The number of books, exclusive of pamphlets and music, received annually, about 3500. The namber of pamphlets received in 1874 was 1551, and of pieces of music, 1337, 3. Nearly all the large publisbing firms in London send their works for the Advocates' Library either to our London agent or to Stationers' Hall without waiting for any demand. u The Scotch publishers send either direct to the library or to Stationers' Hall, in both cases, as a rule, without any demand being made. The few books tbat are published in the provincial towns are generally demanded, and the demand invariably complied with, either by sending the work claimed or by a letter intimating that the work has already been forwarded to Stationers' Hall for us. TROISIÈME DIVISION. Traitement des manuscrits, livres imprimés, cartes de géographie, estampes, photographies, &c.-Acquisition de volumes — Enregistrement — Estampillage-Inventaires, catalogues et répertoires-Moyens de conservation- Restauration-Reliure. QUESTIONS PROPOSÉES. I. Indiquer les mesures qui ont été récemment reconnues comme les plus propres à dresser le catalogue d'une biblio. thèque nouvelle ou à améliorer les catalogues d'une biblio. thèque ancienne. II. Application à la bibliothéconomie des divers systèmes de classification bibliographique. III. Des catalogaes collectifs. IV. Utilisation des éléments de répertoire publiés à l'état de fiches ou des bulletins imprimés joints par les éditeurs aux volames. V. Traitement à appliquer aux pièces volantes et aux documents parlementaires et administratifs qu'il importo do conserver, mais qui ne peuvent être immédiatement cata- logués. VI. Avantages et inconvénients de la constitution des recueils factices, aussi bien de ceux qui ont été formés anciennement que de ceux qui sont à constituer. VII. De l'atilité des récolements et des meilleurs moyens d'y procéder. VIII. De l'hygiène des livres. Par quels moyens peut-on le mieux les préserver des divers agents de destruction ? IX. Mesures à prendre pour la conservation et la restaura- tion des objets composant une bibliothèque : palimpsestes, papyrus, manuscrits, manuscrits à peintures, livres imprimés, cartes de géographie, estampes, &c. CONGRESS OF LIBRARIANS. N International Congress of Librarians will be held in Paris on Aug. 20-23 next. The following is the official programme. The address of the secretary is M. Henry Martin, à le Bibliothèque d’Arsenal, Rue de Sully 1, Paris :- PREMIÈRE Division. Histoire, législation, organisation des bibliothèques publiques. Dépôt légal, copyright, &c. QUESTIONS PROPOSÉES. I. Résumer les renseignements nouveaux qu'on peut avoir sur l'histoire des bibliothèques, depuis les origines jusqu'aux temps modernes. QUATRIÈME DIVISION. Usage des livres à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur des bibliothèques. QUESTIONS PROPOSÉES. I. Sous quelles conditions le prêt des livres peut-il être autorisé dans les différentes catégories de bibliothèques ? I I. Comment doivent être réglées les communications des volumes imprimés et manuscrits d'une bibliothèque à une autre ?  ## p. 12 (#28) ############################################## 1 2 THE AUTHOR. D G III. De la responsabilité des bibliothécaires pour la com great writers of prose, the contrast between the munication et le prêt des livres confiés à leur garde. living and the dead is seen to be almost as IV. Des dangers de transmission des maladies con- tagieuses par les livres des bibliothèques publiques et des pronounced as in the case of the poets. Within moyens d'y remédier. twenty years Carlyle and Ruskin, by far the greatest prosateurs of our time, have ceased to appeal to us with the living voice. The per- suasive eloquence of Newman and Martineau AN AMERICAN CRITIC. has been hushed, and the plea for culture, voiced in such dulcet terms by Arnold and Pater, (The Dial, Chicago, May 1, 1900.) is no longer heard. All these men are now DURNING now to English literature-our among own literature upon the other side of the The dead, but sceptred sovereigns, who still rule ocean—the capital fact confronts us that Our spirits from their urns, in 1880 there were six great English poets among but to whose counsel we may no longer turn when the living, and that in 1900 there remains but one. new questions arise and call for new solutions. During the twenty years Tennyson and Browning, Of the four great men of science who have caught Rossetti and Morris and Arnold, have all passed the ear of the general public during the past away, leaving Mr. Swinburne in exalted isolation, twenty years, and whose teachings have wrought the only great poet of the nineteenth century so complete a change in the attitude of all think- whom we may hope will live to carry on into the ing men toward the claims of scientific culture, twentieth its glorious literary tradition. Our and the place of science in education, Mr. Herbert age of gold has to all seeming reached an end. Spencer alone remains to us. Darwin, Huxley, and Mr. Stedman, who a quarter of a century and Tyndall have died, but happily they lived ago recognised in the years of the Victorian long enough to witness the general acceptance of reign a distinct literary period, which even then the ideas for which they fought so good a fight, showed signs of drawing to a close, must himself and to be assured that the evolutionary principle be a little surprised at the completeness with had won for itself the suffrages of all whose judg- which his prediction has been borne out by the ment was worth having. The older school of event. In the place of our major poets we have historical writing, as represented by Green and now only minor ones, and the fact that we Froude, has given place to the school repre- have them in larger numbers than ever before sented by Dr. Gardiner and the Bishop of Oxford. offers us no consolation for the loss of the great The scholarship of these men is, no doubt, deeper departed. Aside from Mr. Swinburne, we are and more accurate than was that of their pre- compelled to point, when questioned concerning decessors, but their “ literature ” is sadly to seek onr living poets, to Mr. Aubrey De Vere, Mr. and their influence consequently restricted. The George Meredith, Mr. Theodore Watts-Dunton, general reader, with a taste for this sort of Mr. Robert Bridges, Mr. William Watson, Mr. writing, does not turn to the “ Select Charter," Stephen Phillips, Mr. W. B. Yeats, and Mr. but rather takes down from the shelf his well- Rudyard Kipling. We hold these men in worn “ Short History of the English People," and esteem, it is true, but however we may admire is not particularly concerned with the fact that the delicate art of Mr. Bridges, for example, or later research has invalidated some of its posi- the resonant virility of Mr. Kipling, our sense of tions. . . . proportion does not permit us to set these men When we contrast the period of the sixties and upon anything like the plane occupied by the seventies with the period of the eighties and nine. great poets who have died since 1880. And, with ties we may realise all the difference between a but few exceptions, our living poets seem to be period in which the creative imagination is at full no more than "little sonnet-men, tide and a period in which the food of genius is Who fashion in a shrewd, mechanic way, fast ebbing away. In the later of the two periods Songs without souls that flicker for a day, English literature has rounded out the great work To vanish in irrevocable night. of the earlier; as the great writers bave died, only Prose fiction of some sort or other we have lesser ones have appeared to take their places ; always with us, and the names of Mr. Meredith and many of the younger men, recognising the and Mr. Hardy would lend distinction to any futility of any attempt to carry on the old tradi. period, but the great age of the Victorian nove- tion upon its old lines, have become mere experi. lists ended with the death of “George Eliot” menters in new moods and forms, hoping to hit in 1881. ... Since her death we have also upon some promising line of new literary endea- lost Lord Beaconsfield, Trollope, Black, Black- vour, but not as yet indicating with any precision more, and Stevenson. When we turn to the the direction which will be taken by the move-  ## p. 13 (#29) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 13 ment of the coming century. This restlessness, this confusion of ideals, and this uncertainty of aim, are the unmistakable marks of a transition period in literature. A remarkable age has rounded to its close, and it is impossible to deter- mine with any assurance whether the age to come will be merely critical and sterile, or whether it will give birth to some new creative impulse. When“ R. F. C.," who is writing in the inte- rests of education, goes un to say that “ books about boys confuse a boy's mind and cripple his power of distinguishing true from false; books written down to his level check the growth of his mind altogether"-we are reminded of an observa- tion of Sir Walter Scott on this very issue. “I rather suspect,” he says in a footnote appended to the “Autobiography” in 1826, “ that children derive impulses of a powerful kind in hearing things which they cannot entirely comprehend ; and therefore, that to write down to children's understanding is a mistake: set them on the scent, and let them puzzle it out.” CONCERNING BOOKS FOR BOYS. BOOK AND PLAY TALK. A N article on this subject was published in the Guardian of May 2, in which the writer (“ R. F. C.”) remarks that “no one who has made acquaintance with the literature provided for boys- especially at Christmas-can fail to be struck with the extraordinary badness of it.” Even childhood is not spareu in that “ general rush for amusement which is one of the worst effects of material prosperity," but it is when the nursery is left behind that the mischief really begins to work. To keep him quiet, we pack the boy off with “ half-a-dozen gaily illus- trated wanton misrepresentations of facts of every sort,” and his purse is tempted by those who un scrupulously trade upon his simplicity with cheap waggeries and sham introductions to life. Then we“ proceed to wonder at the fatuity of his views of life":- The fact is that most books for boys-apart from the humorous books, which are all hopeless--are worthless for one or two reasons : they are either written “ down" to the supposed level of a boy's mind, or they are written about imaginary boys. This second class is worthless, because books of this kind can only be made entertaining by mere extravagance. Real boys are infinitely entertaining to live with, infinitely dull to read about, and school life can only be made eventful enough for a story by stuffing it with absurdities. The only successful story of school life ever written, "Tom Brown,” owes its success largely to the fact that it is not a story at all. Of the rest, some are written by those who know nothing of schools, and the result is an absolately fictitions and unreal picture ; others are written by schoolmasters, who draw upon their experience, and these are for some unknown reason far more fictitious and anreal than the former. Boys know all this perfectly well, of course, and read these books merely for the sake of the chapter-sure to come sooner or later-in which some unhappy pedagogue makes a fool of himself, if not accord. ing to the author's intention, yet surely according to the reader's understanding. Never give a boy books written about boys, unless they were not intended for boys to read. The knowledge of the combined demand of the boy who wants to pass an idle hour, and the immoral elder who wants to bribe him to do it, is too much for the average writer's sense of responsibility. Any trash will do, and he writes any trash ; and if there is a football match and a scholarship competition (with the hero accused of cheating) add & score or two off & master or two, the book will be praised and the author will-alas! the day--go home and write another just like it. [By an unfortunate accident the greater part of “ Book and Play Talk" has been mislaid too late to allow of its being rewritten.! THE completion of the “ Dictionary of National Biography” will be celebrated at - the Mansion House, London, on June 29, when the proprietors, the editor, and a number of the contributors to the great work will be the guests of the Lord Mayor at luncheon. Mr. Richard Marsh's new novel, “ Ada Vern- ham, Actress," on which he has been engaged for over two years, will be ready for publication on June 1. It will be published by Mr. John Long. Mr. Arthur W. à Beckett, who has already filled the offices of Deputy-Chairman, Hon. Secretary, and Chairman of the London District of the Institute of Journalists, has been nomi- nated by the council of that body President for the year 1900-01. The institute holds its con- gress in London in September next. Sir Hugh Gilzean-Reid, Lord Glenesk, Sir Edward Law. son, Sir John Willox, Sir Edward Russell, Sir Wemyss Reid, and Sir James Henderson have served as presidents of the Institute of Jour- nalists since the date of its incorporation by Mr. Ferrar Fenton has in the Press a new version of his “ New Testament in Modern English,” which is an improved translation, with critical notes, to supersede his former popular issues of St. Paul's Epistles and the Gospels in current English. This new version will make, with the American edition, 14,000 copies of the New Testament and the 16.00oth of the Pauline Epistles of his versions. The work has been copyrighted in both England and the United States. Messrs. Horace Marshall and Son, of  ## p. 14 (#30) ############################################## 14 THE AUTHOR. Temple House, Temple Avenue, London, will be I have written some successful books, I will the British publishers, and Messrs. H. 0. not mention on what subjects, suffice to say they Houghton and Co., Cambridge, Mass., Boston, were not novels. After the last one had run into and New York, in America, for the translator. several editions my good friend and shepherd Those interested in opera, especially in the asked me if I would suggest a subject that had present season at Covent Garden, will read with not been written to death, and what my terms pleasure a special issue of the London Musical would be for a similar book. Courier, which contains photographs of all the I did mention a subject and terms, and as artists engaged. biographical sketches, stories of luckily I am not compelled by force of circum. the operas, and many other interesting features. stances to accept thankfully “the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table,” these terms were Mrs. Coulson Kernahan's new novel, “The based on lines so long and so ably laid down Avenging of Ruthanna,” on which she has been by The Author, and were distinctly fair as engaged for the last year, was published by Mr. between one business man and another. A few John Long at the end of May. days after I received a letter saying he could not Mr. Bernard Shaw's play, “ You Never Can possibly agree to the terms mentioned, and pro- Tell,” was so well received at the recent matinée posing others, but as I could perceive through performances that it may be produced again for them the “ cloven foot” suggesting the possi. a short run in the autumn. bility of inflated cost of production, corrections, advertising, cataloging, et hæc genus omnes, and as a “burnt child dreads the fire,” I declined them. CORRESPONDENCE. About eighteen months after, I was surprised to see a book advertised by this firm, on exactly 1.—THE READING BRANCH-A SUGGESTION. the subject suggested by me, from the pen of that well-known writer, Mr. L. Hack. M HE remarks made by Mr. Pinero at the Now, I do not blame Mr. Hack. who has bis Society's dinner the other night on the living to get, and is often a rather clever fellow; brotherly relations which should exist but in this case it required a particular and special between author and dramatist possessed a peculiar knowledge to write an acceptable book that would interest for many of us. It was significant that our sell, and this knowledge the writer did not leading playwright should have been asked and possess. should have consented to preside on that occasion, On looking it over, I found it was chiefly a and especially so when taken in conjunction with réchauffé of old material, extracts from journals, the fact that a dramatists' committee has been with a top-dressing of more or less original matter, recently appointed by the Society. May I sug. the whole being almost useless for the readers for gest that a still further step be taken in this whom it was intended. direction? The reading of authors' MSS., which The result was that when the book was pub- is such a useful branch of the Society's work, lished, it fell with a “sickening thud,” and very might be extended to include plays submitted by few copies were sold. The publisher will doubtless members, the fee charged to vary according to suffer a loss in this case, but most people will the number of acts. agree, I think, that it served him right under the At present, whilst the writers of books have circumstances. many ways of testing the merits of their works, In case some may think I tell this little tale the would-be playwright has no one to whom he out of pique, I can assure them it is not so, as my can turn for advice. A competent opinion on the literary vanity has been satiated long ago, and I faults of one's style and on one's aptitude (or otherwise) for playwriting would be a great hoon can readily get rid of all the work I have the time to perpetrate. to many who, whilst recognising fully the diffi- Moral.—Never communicate your ideas unless culties to which Mr. Pinero referred, are anxious to learn by criticism as well as practice. you are sure of your man. A. PENN-WYPER. - H. A. SPURR. III.—WELCOME. II.-Hoist WITH HIS Own PETARD. Most of us who read Mr. Robert H. Sherard's I cannot say I grieve very deeply when the mournful tribute to the memory of Ernest Dowson "sharp” publisher is overtaken by a Nemesis of must have exclaimed : “If I had only known.” his own creating--but he occasionally is, as the The words certainly rose to my lips when I following incident will illustrate. learned that we must have been living within a  ## p. 15 (#31) ############################################## THE AUTHOR. 15 few streets of the dead man at a time when he sorely needed help. To think that such help was withheld is bitter. It is just those evils for which no one in particular is responsible that makes life unendurable. At the present moment there may be other Ernest Dowsons living lonely and unrecognised in London. I should like to tell them that if they care to make acquaintance with strangers who would like to be friends they will always be welcome at our house. As I am a journalist and novelist it goes without saying we are not rich, but we love the things they love. Though we cannot offer substantial material aid we can at least extend a hearty and sympathetic hospitality. If any genuine literary workers, whether men or women, care to accept this very informal invitation for themselves, or wish to recommend others, I shall be glad to hear from them. Enclosing my name and address, but not for publication, and trusting you will be good enough to forward letters, Card Mille FailthE. BOOKS AND REVIEWS. (In these columns notes on books are given from reviews which carry weight, and are not, so far as can be learned, logrollers.) rhyme and grammar observed in the 'Canterbury Tales " wherewith to test the authorship of any doubtfal poem. ... " This is the new part of the book. For the rest it is a clear and convenient sommary of investigations made by the author and other Chancerian scholars, each as Professor Lounsbury.” A POPULAR HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, by the Right Rev. William Boyd Carpenter, the Lord Bishop of England (Murray, 68.), is an “admirable volame,” says tbe Daily Chronicle, and ought to have a very wide circu. lation.” “There is a human touch throughout, for which we commonly look in vain in ecclesiastical history. The Bishop recognises that the Church of each age is largely the child of the age.” “He has the true judicial spirit,” says. the Morning Post, and the book “ can do nothing but good wherever it is read.” “One would almost call it a history of Christianity in England.” DOCTRINE AND DOCTRINAL DISRUPTION, by W. H. Mallock (Black, 78. 6d. net), is described in the sub-title as "an Examination of the Intellectual Position of the Church of England.” It is described by the Guardian as having been written in the interests of the Church of Rome ; "Mr. Mallock's own position appears to us to be freely open to criticism of just the same character as that which he delights to pass on the position of Anglicans ; and when he comes to demolish their several authorities we cannot help feeling that sometimes his argument recoils on his own head.” The Expository Times says it is possible that Mr. Mallook “has. written a book that will make the ears of all that hear it tingle.” The Daily Chronicle pays a tribute to the author as “ a brilliant controversialist. FRANCE SINCE 1814, by Baron Pierre de Coubertin (Chapman, 68.), is “interesting reading,” says the Daily Telegraph, "for anyone who can appreciate an unbiassed and level-headed criticism of French political history daring the past eighty-five years.” “To some of us,” says the Spectator, " the solidarity of modern French political his- tory, which M. de Coubertin makes the chief point of bie book, seems so deeply hidden ander surface turmoil as to be almost an unreal thing. He goes far towards convincing us, however.” He unfolds the kaleidoscopic tale, says the Daily Chronicle, “in a brief compass, and with a pen that is always lucid and often brilliant.” A HISTORY OF SCOTLAND FROM THE ROMAN OCCUPA. TION, by Andrew Lang (Blackwood, Vol. I. 158.) is pro- nounced by Literature to be “the most readable” work on the subject, "and, taking account of the use that has been made of recent specialist research, the most complete.” The Spectator, also, says that “Mr. Lang has not written a better. balanced book, or one more likely to be read, than this.” While it “ does not compete with Hill Burton's in point of size, it brings a great deal of fresh light to bear upon both the War of Independence and matters ecclesiastical.'” The period covered by the first volume ends with the death of Cardinal Beaton; "and throngh- out the period,” says the Guardian, “it will be emi. nently gratifying to the Scot to find what will appear to him a complete vindication of the anti-English atti- tude.” “Politically, the historian's sympathies are manifestly and not unjustly on the side of Beaton and the old Church.” HERBERT SPENCER : His LIFE AND WORK, by Hector Macpherson (Chapman, 58. net), “interesting and sug- gestive,” according to the Daily Telegraph, “is to be commended," says the Daily Chronicle, "alike to those who know Mr. Spencer's works and to those who know them not. The one class will find refreshment to the memory in the clear, coherent, and accurate abstract which it supplies; THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SIR John CHARLES MOL- TENO, by P. A. Molteno (Smith, Elder and Co., 208.), intro duces the English reader to South Africa before the age of gold, for Sir John Molteno's political career ended in 1882. He was the first Prime Minister at the Cape. The work is, says the Daily News, “ & gallant and successfal effort to preserve bis memory and vindicate his policy.” It is "not a memoir, but a history.” “Those parts of the book which deal with the Confederation schemes are,” says the Spectator, “ of permanent interest.” “On the whole, Mr. Molteno writes with marked fairness.” Literature states that the work “ cannot be ignored by any careful student of South African history-though it would sadly mislead a student who studied nothing else.” LONDON TO LADYSMITH, VIA PRETORIA, by Winston Spencer Churchill (Longmans, 6s.), contains, says the Times, "a very vivid and interesting diary of the war in Natal.” Mr. Churcbill's style, says the Daily News, " is as lively as bis experiences have been.” “In all the correspondence that bas come from South Africa," says the Daily Chronicle, " there is nothing better than bis story of the wrecking of the armoured train, the journey of its captured crew to the Transvaal, the life of the prisoners at Pretoria, and the writer's escape.” THE CHAUCER CANON, by the Rev. Professor W. Walter Skeat (Clarendon Press, 38. 6d. net), "distinguisbes clearly," gays Literature, “between the genuine works of the poet and those which were wrongly attributed to him by early editors, such as Thynne, Speght, and Stowe in the sixteenth century. External evidence is generally enough to disprove their genuineness, but in cases where this is insufficient, with Professor Skeat's help, we may take the rules of  ## p. 16 (#32) ############################################## 16 THE AUTHOR. pioneer in the literature of Provence. “And we can testify from our examination of his work (As well as from the verdict of a highly competent Provençal scholar), that Professor Smith has gone with great thoroughness into his task.” The book is "well worth reading, if only as a bistorical gaide to one of the most interesting regions in Europe.” The book is elegantly illustrated, says the Daily Chronicle, and “there is nothing about the troubadours that Professor Jastin Smith does not know.” HURRAH FOR THE LIFE OF A SAILOR (Blackwood, 128. 6d.) is by Vice-Admiral Sir William Kennedy, who relates his experiences in the Royal Navy. Reviewing it under the title “ Yaros," Literature states that the book will be popular with boys as well as grown-up people, and should give a stimulus to recruiting for the Navy.” The Daily Chronicle, says it is “bright with humour, and gay wisdom is found on every page.' THE DISENCHANTMENT OF NURSE DOROTHY (Skeffing- tou). The Scotsman says that “the story is interesting, readable, and instructive." Tbe Hospital says that the author" has evidently a considerable personal acquaint- ance with hospital life, and some of her sketches of character are admirably done." The Nursing Record thinks that the author is “evidently acquainted with her subject, and possesses considerable literary ability.” Her book is called " distinctly readable." . OBITUARY. the other class will find it an excellent introduction to the dozen volumes in which the Doctrine of Evolution is defined and explained, or even to Mr. Howard Collins's epitome of that doctrine.” THE SECOND LADY DELCOMBE, by Mrs. Arthur Kennard (Hutchinson, 6s.), appears to the Spectator to be " a good, if not exactly brilliant, specimen of the modern novel of society.” “It deserves to be, as it doubtless is," says the Daily News, “one of the successes of the publishing season. It is a pleasant romance-running, it is true, on more or less hackneyed lines—yet refreshingly unusual in its types and conditions. The loveless mariage de convenance, ending, not in disaster, bat, owing to the nobility of soul of the wife and the uprightness of the husband, in real love : this is the main theme of the book, but it is pleasantly diversified by character-study and incident." The figure of the American heiress, says the Daily Telegraph," is as convincing as it is attraclive and pathetic. This particular cbaracter is, in fact, as good in its way as anything that has appeared recently in the realms of novel-writing." "The characters are real," says the Daily Chronicle, “and the dialogue always easy and natural.” THE WEST END, by Percy Wbite (Sands, 68.), is a novel dealing with the ways and works of “smart” men and women. The principal obaracter is a millionaire maker of jam, who determines upon the conquest of society. The Daily Chronicle speaks of the book as “ in the main a criticism of society, wherein we have Mr. Percy White's genuine gifts of observation, pene- trating, but not entirely unsympathetic, and his satirical reflection, trenchant, but not all unkindly.” The Spectator calls it a “clever poyel,” and Literature says "it deserves a high rank when compared with the average novel of the day." NELL GWYN, COMEDIAN, by F. Frankfort Moore (Pearson, 6s.), a novel of which the vivacious orange girl is heroine, is described by the Spectator as "a brisk and entertaining, though superficial, sketch of life and manners at the Court of the Restoration.” “ The most attractive and best-done portrait-sketoh in the volume,” says the Daily Chronicle, “is that of the Duchess of Marlborough while yet she was Miss Sarah Jennings." THE BATH COMEDY, by Agnes and Egerton Castle (Mac. millan, 6s.), is described by the Spectator as “a very lively and entertaining comedy." Literature says it is as “ viva- cions a story as anyone could wish to read.” The scene is laid in mid-eighteenth-century Bath, the “modish period of powder and patches.” “ The plot develops," says the Spec- tator, “oat of the stratagem resorted to by Mrs. Kitty Bellairs, a sprightly widow, to effect a reconciliation between Sir Jasper Standish and his too-adoring wife, a bride of three months.” “Altogether this is a very lively and enter- taining comedy of the artificial yet artistic sort.” “ It is a sanny book," says the Literary World, “ daintily written, constructed with the artifice that the comedy of manners requires." FROM VELDT CAMP FIREB, by H. A. Bryden (Horst and Blackett, 38. 6d.), consists of “excellent stories,” says the Daily Telegraph, " wbich cannot fail to make an impression at the present moment when the interest of everyone is centred upon tbat part of the world. Mr. Bryden knows South Africa and its inhabitants thorongbly well, and on the whole his opinion of the Transvaal Boer would not appear to be an unfavourable one." THE TROUBADOURS AT HOME, by Justin H. Smith (Putnam, 258. net), leads the Spectator to say that, while the subject has been much studied by Germans and French, for the Anglo-Saxon world the author is something of a M HE death-roll of the month includes Pro- I fessor STANLEY LEATHES, the eminent - Semitic scholar, who died at Much Hadham, aged seventy; Dr. CoWIE, Dean of Exeter, at the age of eighty-four; General Pitt-RIVERS, anthropologist and antiquary; and Miss Chris HAMMOND, whose book illustrations in black and white were well known. 66TH AUTHOR.” SCALE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. 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Varieties, APPENDIX.-(A) Lists of the Parliaments of England and of the United Kingdom. (B) Speakers of the House of Commons. (0) Prime Ministers. Lord Chancellors, and Secretaries of State from 1715 to 1892. HORACE cox, “LAW TIMES” OFFICE, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS. E.C. In demy 8vo., with PORTRAITS, price 78. ed. THE BUILDERS OF OUR LAW DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA. By EDWARD MANSON. Late Scholar of Bragenose College, and of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law; Author of the “* Law of Trading Companies," " Debentures and Debanture Stock," " Dog Law," &c. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Lord Cottenbam. Lord St. Leonards. Baron Martin (with Portrail). Ohief Justice Tindal Chief Baron Pollock. Sir George Jessel (with Portrait). Lord Justice Knight Bruce (with Portrait). Sir Cresswell Cresswell. Sir Robert Phillimore (tilh Portrait). Baron Parke-Lord Wensleydale. Lord Campbell. Lord Justice Mellish (tcith Portrait). Right Honourable Stepben Lushington, the Mr. Justice Patteson (rith Portrait). Lord Justice Lush Chief Justice Jervis. Lord Westbury (lith Portrait). Lord Blackburn. Lord Cranworth. Chief Justice Cockburn (with Portrait). Lord Justice James (with Portrait). Mr. Justice Maule. Mr Justice Wightman. Chief Justice Erle (rith Portrait). Lord Abinger. Lord Hatherley. Sir Edward Vaughan Williams. Lord Truro. Mr. Justice Willos. Mr. Justice Crompton. Baron Alderson. Lord Bramwell. Chief Baron Kelly. Lord Denman (with Portrait). Lord Cairns (with Portrait). "Mr. Manson has a facile pen and a pleasant style: and it would indeed have been a pity had the ephemeral purpose with which the matter contained in this book w&9 originally published caused these interesting sketches to be forgotten. The aim of the author has been to give an outline of the career of the greatest of our judges, and to state the effect of their work upon the law. and in so doing he has started at the point at which Lord Campbell left off. Several old prints are reproduced, and help to make up a handsome, interesting, and even brilliant addition to the history of the Legal Profession."-Law Journal. * Wo received the several biographies with much pleasure, and gladly published them in these columns. We know for a fact that more than one family has been surprised at the information gleaned about its judicial member by Mr. Manson. We predict for it a permanent place in legal biography."-Law Times. "The book has a serious interest for laymen as well as for lawyers, for, although there is much of case law, there is no more of it than the general reader may digest. It is the anecdotes and the personal details which give piquancy to the book."- Morning. London: HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, E.C.  ## p. 16 (#35) ############################################## ADVERTISEMENTS. vii ONLY 500 COPIES PRINTED. Royal 8vo., with Maps and Plates, price ONE GUINEA. NEW BOOK ON CHESS. Price 28. 6. net. Man-Hunting in the Desert,“ SOCIAL CHESS." BY BEING A NARRATIVE OF THE PALMER SEARCH EXPEDITION, 1882, 1883, Conducted by Sir Charles Warren. BY Capt. ALFRED E. HAYNES (ROYAL ENGINEERS). WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY WALTER BESANT. “The story of the vigorous efforts made, against terrible odds, to And the missing Professor and his companions is clearly and ably set forth. Then comes the finding of the ghastly remains and the patiently relentless following up of clues in tracing out the various Arabs implicated in the murder. The adventurous part of the book is as interesting as a tale by Stevenson; nor is what might be termed the personal part less absorbing."-Publishers' Circular. JAMES MASON. Author of “Principles of Chess,” “ Art of Chess,” “Chess Openings.” A Collection of Short and Brilliant Games, with Diagrams and Notes to each, Discursive Introduction, &c. An amusing, and if need be, instructive book. Especially adapted to the home circle. London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Crown 8vo., Cloth Boards, Silver Lettering, Price 6s. na A LADY OF WALES. - LONDON: HORACE COX, "Field" Office, Windsor House, Bream's Buildings, E.C. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, 28. 6d. net; postage, 3d. extra. THE "A Story of the Siege of Chester, 1645." PRINCIPLES OF CHESS BY THE Rer. VINCENT J. LEATHERDALE, M.A. IN THEORY AND PRACTICE. BY London: HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.O. London: Horace Co JAMES MASON. CONTENTS. – 1. Elements of Chess. 2. General Principles. 3. Combination. 4. Exposition of Master Play Complete. In demy 8vo., price 128. net, by post 12s. Bd. Six Months in a Syrian Monastery. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C. Crown 8vo., limp cloth, price 28. 6d. OF Being the Record of a Visit to the Headquarters of the Syrian Church in Mesopotamia, with some account of the Yazidis, or Devil Worshippers of Mosul, and El Jilwah, their Sacred Book. By OSWALD H. PARRY, B.A. (Of Magdalen College, Oxford.) Illustrated by the Author. With a Prefatory Note by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham. A HANDBOOK PROCEDURE HOUSE of COMMONS, OF THE WITH SUGGESTIONS AND PRECEDENTS FOR THE USE OF PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING SOCIETIES, * The author of this handsome volume presents a detailed study of & relic of history pursued off the track of general research;' he has sought to give, and has succeeded in giving, & picture of quiet life in . country much abused, and among & people that command less than their share of ordinary interest.' Westward the tide of Enipire takes its way,' Bang & prophetic divine of the olden days, and no less certainly, AB Mr. Parry points out, does the ebb of travel return towards the East...As volume descriptive of life and travel among & distant people, his work is well worth reading, but for those persons who are more particularly concerned with the old Syrian Church, or in the solution of the problem indicated above, it is one of quite unique attraction. A pathetic interest attaches to the account of the Yazidis included in this volume, for it contains part of their sacred writings, the original manuscript of which was in the hands of Professor Robertson Smith for translation at the time of his death. Publishers' Circular. BY GEO. G. GRAY, Esq., LL.D. (Lond.), J.P., Barrister-at-Law, &c., Author of "A Manual of Bankruptcy," & Treatise on "The Right to Sapport from Land and Buildings," &c., Speaker of the Hasting &Local House of Commons. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Broam's-buildings, E.O. London : HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, E.C.  ## p. 16 (#36) ############################################## rüi ADVERTISEMENTS. - - - - - - - USERN THAT MACE T HAS NEVER BEEN SERIOUSLY QUES- TIONED BY ANY HONEST TYPEWRITER INVENTOR, MECHANICAL EXPERT, OR USER THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL LINES UPON WHICH THE SMITH PREMIER IS BUILT ARE PAR IN ADVANCE OF ANY OTHER TYPE- WRITER. THAT ALONE WOULD NOT MERIT SUCCESS, BUT THAT FOUNDATION TOGETHER WITH BEST MATERIAL, BEST WORKMANSHIP, AND EXPERT INSPECTION OF ALL THE PARTS AS WELL AS THE FINISHED PRODUCT, HAVE CAUSED THE SMITH PREMIER TO WIN. THIS IS THE EX- PLANATION OF ITS PHE- NOMENAL RECORD OF SUCCESS. O SEND FOR ART CATALOGUE. The Smith Premier Typewriter Co 14, Gracechurch Street, LONDON, E.C. Sen ESTABLISHED] The Atheneum Press, Taunton. CXVIII. CENT. BARNICOTT & PEARCE INVITE ENQUIRIES RESPECTING PRINTING. ESTIMATES OF COST, AND OTHER DETAILS, PROMPTLY GIVEN. Established as a medium for communication between Composers and Authors and the Public, on Fair, Equitable, and Reciprocal Terms. THE COMPOSERS' AND AUTHORS' PRESS LIMITED. Registered 20th May, 1897. Registered Office :-No. 9, FENCHURCH BUILDINGS, E.C. DIRECTORS JOHN THOMAS FIELD, Esq., Montana Blackbea:h. I WILLIAM SKINNER VINNING, Esq., Mus. Bac., 88, Lansdowne- FRANK MERRICK, Esq., Mus. Doc., 7, Hughenden-road. Clifton, road, W. Bristol. JOHN WARRINER, Esq., Mus. Doc., De Crespigny Lodge, WILLIAM PINNEY, Esq., Mus. Bac., 25, Colville-square, w. Denmark Bill, S.E. SOLICITOR: FREDERICK GEO. MELLOWES. Esq., 9, Fenchurch-buildings, E 0. SECRETARY: W. A. PERREN. Oficos and Warebouse : 18, Featherstone-buildings, Holborn, WC. For all particulars address the MANAGING DIRECTOR, as above. Second Edition Crown 4to., cloth. price 38. 6d.; by post, 3s. 9d. Crown 8vo., with illustrations, price 68., to be had of all booksellers. LAIRY TALES. By BASIL FIELD. Beautifully FOR HIS COUNTRY'S SAKE; or, Esca, a British Illustrated by C. E. Fripp. Prince at the Court of Trajan. By L. M. P. BLAÓK. HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.O. HORACE Cox. Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.O Printed and Published by HORACE Cox, Windsor House, Bream's-buildings, London, E.C. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 11 Issue 01 (June 1900) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 Issue 01 (June 1900) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1900-06-01-The-Author-11-1 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/4/330/1901-Periodicals-and-their-Contributors.pdf 70d0d98188b86b0f77da6d13d4447566 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 Society of Authors Publications Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context publications Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1901 Publisher(s) When used for publications, publisher of the periodical or book. When used for people, list of publishers they worked with during their lifetime Bradbury, Agnew & Co. Location The location of the event or organisation London Volume 11 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 19010501 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 Periodicals and Their Contributors (1901) Subject The topic of the resource <em>Periodicals and Their Contributors&nbsp;</em>(1901) Description An account of the resource Provides a list of periodicals and their policies with regard to unsolicited manuscripts, especially whether or not manuscripts are returned to the author when rejected. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-Periodicals-and-their-Contributors Relation A related resource <a href="https://historysoa.com/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=89&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&amp;advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=11&amp;sort_field=added">Supplement to&nbsp;<em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11</a> periodicals publications publishing The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/4/329/1901-The-Author-11-index.pdf 1ced1b68e57fb043024df3129e080d9a 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 Society of Authors Publications Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context publications Publication Date The date of an event (in YYYY, YYYY-MM or YYYY-MM-DD format) 1901 Volume 11 Publisher(s) When used for publications, publisher of the periodical or book. When used for people, list of publishers they worked with during their lifetime The Society of Authors Horace Cox Location The location of the event or organisation London 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 Index to The Author, Vol. 11 (1901) Subject The topic of the resource Index to <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 11 (1901) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006979390</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Index Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1901-The-Author-11-index publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/328/1899-05-01-The-Author-9-12.pdf 8d1f46c1b7585fd3b85f4c69ec32c1b8 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) 1899-05-01 Volume 9 Issue 12 Pages Page range in volume 269–288 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 18990501 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin XT be Hutbot\ (The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol. IX.—No. 12.] MAT 1, 1899. [Price Sixpence. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Authors alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. THE Secretary of the Society begs to give notice that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. AU remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. il Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- jects whatever. Articles which cannot be accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. FOB some years it has been the practice to insert, in every number of The Author, certain " General Con- siderations," Warnings, Notices, &c, for the guidance of HtB reader. It has been objected as regards these warnings that the tricks or frauds against which they are directed cannot all be guarded against, for obvious reasons. It is, however, well that they should be borne in mind, and if any publisher refuses a clause of precaution he simply reveals his true character, and should be left to carry on his business in his own way. Let us, however, draw up a few of the rules to be observed in an agreement. There are three methods of dealing with literary property:— I. That of selling it outright. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper price can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent. II. A profit-sharing agreement. In this case the following rule ■ should be attended to: (1.) Not to sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements ▼OL. IX. in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise- ments. (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! (7.) To stamp the agreement. III. The royalty system. In this system, which has opened the door to a most amazing amount of overreaching and trading on the author's ignorance, it is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both sides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures connected with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the "Cost of Production." Let no one, not even the youngest writer, sign a royalty agreement without finding out what it gives the publisher as well as himself. It has been objected that these precautions presuppose a great success for the book, and that very few books indeed attain to this great success. That is quite true: but there is always this uncertainty of literary property that, although the works of a great many authors carry with them no risk at all, and although of a great many it is known within a few copies what will be their minimum circulation, it is not known what will be their maximum. Therefore every author, for every book, should arrange on the chance of a success which will not, probably, come at all; bnt which may come. The four points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are:— (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those account books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. (3.) That there shall be no seoret profits. (4.) That nothing shall be charged which has not been actually paid—for instance, that there shall be no charge for advertisements in the publisher's own organs and none for exchanged advertisements, and that all discounts shall be duly entered. If these points are carefully looked after, the author may rest pretty well assured that he is in right hands. At the same time he will do well to send his agreement to the secretary before he signs it. F F 2  ## p. 270 (#282) ############################################ 270 THE AUTHOR. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. I. Ii^ VERY member has a right to ask for and to receive JjJ advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub- lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If, in the opinion of the Committee and the Solicitors of the Society, the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the oase is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Remember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society first—our solicitors are continually engaged upon such questions for us. 3. Send to the office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. This is in order to ascertain what has been the nature of your agree- ments, and the results to author and publisher respectively so far. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The infor- mation thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. If the examination of your previous business trans- actions by the Secretary proves unfavourable, you should take advice as to a change of publishers. 5. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- posed document to the Sooiety for examination. 6. The Society is acquainted with the methods, and—in the oase of fraudulent houses—the tricks of every publish- ing firm in the country. 7. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen- dence of the writer. 8. Send to the Editor of The Author notes of everything important to literature that you may hear or meet with. 9. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential documents to be read only by the Secretary, who will keep the key of the safe. The Sooiety now offers:—(1) To read and advise upon agreements and 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. NOTICES. THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the oost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 6s. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should reach the Editor not later than the 21st of each month. All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether members of the Society or not, are invited to communicate to the Editor any points connected with then- work which it would be advisable in the general interest to publish. Members and others who wish their MSS. read are requested not to send them to the Office without previously communicating with the Secretary. The utmost practicable despatch is aimed at, and MSS. are read in the order in which they are received. It must also be distinctly under- stood that the Society does not, under any oircumstanoea, undertake the publication of MSS. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, &c. Will members take the trouble to ascertain whether they have paid their subscriptions for the year? If they will do this, and remit the amount, if still unpaid, or a banker's order, it will greatly assist the Secretary, and save him the trouble of sending out a reminder Members are most earnestly entreated to attend to the following warning. It is a most foolish and may be a most disastrous thing to enter into an agreement binding for a term of years. Let them ask themselves if they would give a solicitor the collection of their rents for five years to come, whatever his conduct, whether he was honest or dishonest? Of course they would not. Why then hesitate for a moment when they are asked to sign themselves into literary bondage for three or five years? "Those who possess the 'Cost of Production' are requested to note that the cost of binding has advanced 15 per cent." This clause was inserted three or four years ago. Estimates have, however, recently been obtained which show that the figures in the book may be relied on as nearly correct: as near as is possible. Some remarks have been made upon the amount charged in the " Cost of Production" for advertising. Of oourse, we have not included any sums which may be charged for inserting advertisements in the publisher's own magazines, or in other magazines by exchange. As agreements too often go, there is nothing to prevent the publisher from sweeping the whole profits of a book into his own pocket, by inserting any number of advertisements in his own magazines, and by exchanging with others. Some there are who call this a form of fraud; it is not known what those who practise this method of swelling their own profits call it. LITERARY PROPERTY. I. The Copyright Bill. ON Monday, April 24, Lord Monkswell moved the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords. He related the action of the Society of Authors in preparing the Bill which he had himself introduced into the House of Lords. The death of Lord Herschell was a great loss to copyright reform, because he had brought in a large consolidating measure of literary and. artistic copyright. The Bill was referred, together with his own, to a Select Committee of Lords. The Committee held a great many meetings, but had not completed the evidence. Meanwhile, another Bill had been prepared by Lord Thring dealing with literary copyright. This Bill which he now proposed to read a second time fixed this term of copyright to the life of the author and  ## p. 271 (#283) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 271 thirty years after death: the present law being a term of the author's life and seven years after, or forty-two years, whichever should be longer. The new Bill provided for the dramatisation, translation, or abridgment of novels: it gave authors of magazine articles copyright after two years from the publication of the articles. It gave copyright in lectures; it gave newspapers copyright in news for twelve hours after publica- tion. There were other points which would be considered in the discussion of the Bill. It was read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. iir II. Walter Savage Landor on Copyright. A correspondent of the Standard has unearthed a petition presented to Parliament by Walter Savage Landor, and published in the Examiner of April 7, 1839. It is as follows:— That your petitioner would represent to your Honourable House his strong persuasion that no property is bo entirely, and purely, and religiously a man's own as what comes to him immediately from God, without intervention or partici- pation. It is the eternal gift of an Eternal Being; and to interfere in any way with its benefits and blessings appears to your petitioner unbecoming and unjust. Your petitioner therefore humbly submits to your Honourable House that no Legislature has a right to confine its advantages to a thousand or ten thousand years, or to give them away to any person or pereons whatsoever, to the detriment of an author's heirs, after any number of ages. And your petitioner offers the less reluctantly these observations to your Honourable House, since he himself proposes no advantages to his descendants from any of his literary works, all of whioh he has consigned and left in perpetuity to the discretion of a learned friend. III.—Author's Corrections. As, after many wrestles, T have successfully bound the "correction" fiend, perhaps the method evolved may be useful to your readers. 1. Alter the agreement, liefore signing, to "author's alterations "; corrections may include printers' errors. 2. Require a free allowance of alterations per sheet, not an allowance of shillings but of so many words. I generally ask for about one in 300. Be reasonable, and guarantee that you will never overrun a page, and promise to break lines as bttle as possible. You can always save a page whole, and seldom break more than two lines, if careful in arranging. I am referring to detailed scientific works in saying this; imaginative writers may find more difficulty. 3. Correct and alter in pencil freely on one copy of proof. Then count words and prune if needful when inking in on the other copy for the printer. If you expect trouble use red ink for all your own alterations, and indorse each sheet with number of your alterations on it. 4. And now, perhaps, you have exceeded your allowance at the end of the work. And if you have but a few words more against you than agreed on, you will find probably .£5 for correc- tions put down. Look out the worst page of all; and see if deducting your alterations there will bring you within the agreed limit; if not, take the next worst for alterations also, and so on, until deducting certain pages squares the agreed allowance. Then offer to pay for the entire re-setting of those pages. It is a magnificent offer; you pay for fifty times the work involved, and yet it binds the fiend so that he cannot do entirely as he chooses. If in course of correcting you want much alteration in a page—more than a line or two— dash out the whole page and mark it " Re-set this page and charge to author." Then it is impossible to charge you for more than a few shillings for setting up one page. This method answers both with publishers and in direct contracts with printers. There is another thing to be said. Accustom yourself to write clean, without needing to alter MS., and then you are less liable to need altera- tions in proof. I seldom alter more than one word in 200 in MS. To do this, begin by a rule of never trying to write in bad con- ditions of temperament or surrounding. If distracted, cold, weary, or dull, you will never write a clean page, and the correction fiend will triumph. Often Bitten. I am much obliged by the Editor's note to my query on author's corrections. I have kept the first proofs, as advised by him. My difficulty is this: Printers often put small letters where capitals are distinctly indicated in the MS. They run on where a fresh paragraph is obvious. Per contra, they leave spaces sometimes when the directions are to save room. Sometimes the proof alters the meaning and effect of a para- graph. This may necessitate an interlineation, and dislocate a whole page, which, as the Editor says, takes time, and causes much additional expense. But must an author be charged with all this, for at the rates given it mounts up enor- mously? If an author interlineates owing to omissions, or erases an unsatisfactory line (as it seems to him) on appearing in print, I under- stand he must pay for the luxury, but should he pay for misplaced or misdivided words, &c.? A New Member. IV.—No Author's Corrections. You have often pointed out how the charge made for author's corrections can be kept down  ## p. 272 (#284) ############################################ 272 THE AUTHOR. by having the MS. type-written. A novel of mine, "The Passing of Prince Rozan," had to be "set" and printed in America. To get proofs over here, revise and return them, would have caused such a serious delay that I decided to do without proofs. My MS. was type-written. I revised it with the greatest care. I further in- serted a clause in my agreement that the author would not require proofs, and that the publishers (Messrs. Putnam's Sons) would use their best endeavours to see that all printer's errors were corrected. I am quite satisfied with the result, and have been saved much trouble and expense. It is significant that the publishers made objec- tion to the clause in the agreement, suggesting that they might have to charge for corrections made by their reader; but the claim was inserted and agreed to. John Bickerdyke. V.—Infringement of Copyright. On March 29 last, before Mr. Justice Wills and a common jury, in the Queen's Bench Division, was heard the case of Miln v. Ballin. Mrs. Miln is an American author and journalist who has travelled a great deal, and has written books of travel and papers and essays on various subjects in magazines and papers. Among other contributions was a series of papers on children of various countries which she contributed to a journal called Madame, reserving the copyright. The defendant owned a paper called Baby, and had reproduced in its columns paragraphs—some thirty in all—verbatim from the plaintiffs essays in Madame. The witnesses for the plaintiff besides herself were Mr. T. P. O'Connor, Mr. John Murray, and Mr. F. W. Slater of Harper and Brothers. The case was practically without defence, except the plea that very little harm was done, if any, to the prospects of the plaintiff's book. Mr. Justice Wills, however, thought that a very considerable wrong had been done to the plaiutiff. The jury assessed the damages at .£250. As to the case itself, their could be no doubt of the result. The amount of damages granted to the plaintiff must be taken to represent more a penalty for wrong-doing than an attempt to estimate the damage done to the forthcoming book. People who reproduce literary property without the author's permission must learn that they cannot be allowed to help themselves. No one will ever be able to learn how far the property has been injured, but property must be respected. Therefore the result of the action is quite satisfactory. VI.—Harrison v. Bloxam. (In the Westminster County Court of Middlesex, March 1, 1899.) Messrs. Haynes and Claremont of 4, Blooms- bury-square, appeared for the plaintiffs. Defen- dant was represented by counsel, Mr. C. B. Marriott (instructed by Messrs. Field, Roscoe, and Co., 36, Lincoln's-inn Fields), acting on behalf of the Society of Authors. Mr. Marriott stated that his client wasagraduate of London University and a Research Chemist carrying out experiments at the Davy-Faraday Laboratory of the Royal Institution. Mr. Bloxam was a candidate for the D.Sc. degree of the University of London, and was required to present a printed thesis showing the results of his experimental work. Mr. Bloxam obtained from Messrs. Harrison an estimate for printing 100 copies demy 8vo. 32 pp. in paper wrapper, amounting to £j 2s. Mr. Bloxam's manu- script printed out to forty-eight pages, and for this work an account was sent in by Messrs. Harrison amounting to .£15 4*. 6d. Mr. Bloxam considered the charge made to be excessive in view of the original estimate, and entered into correspondence with Messrs. Harrison. Mr. Bloxam was perfectly willing to pay a reasonable sum, and by letter suggested a meeting for settle- ment of the amount due. Messrs. Harrison replied by issuing a County Court summons. Mr. Bloxam then paid into court £10 10s. and share of costs as being sufficient to discharge the debt. The plaintiff (Mr. Harrison) was called, and denied that the sum charged was excessive. The charge was madf? for a pamphlet of 56 pp., although defendant recognised only 48 pp. of printed matter. Plaintiff stated that blank pages and titles were charged as printed matter, but he had not warned defendant of this practice. Plaintiff also admitted that extra cost was entailed by sending out proofs in slip form, and that defendant was not consulted on this ques- tion, and was left in ignorance of any extra cost thus involved. Counsel objected on behalf of defendant that no details of extra charges had been submitted by the plaintiff, and that defendant had been allowed to incur extra charges without being warned. Counsel quoted an estimate by Messrs. Richard Clay and Sons to print for ii0 14*. 100 copies of the pamphlet, for which plaintiff claimed .£15 4*. 6d. Defendant produced manuscript and proofs, and, on examination by plaintiff and the judge, the MSS. and proofs were admitted to be legible and reasonably free from erasure or altera- tion.  ## p. 273 (#285) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 273 The judge was of opinion that the charge made by the plaintiff was too great in proportion to the estimate given, and, in addition, that if extra costs were involved in printing and revision, the defendant should have been warned of such extra costs. Judgment was given for the plaintiff for .£13. VII.—Yeatman v. The Saturday Review. The case of Yeatman v. Harris and Others came before the Court of Appeal on April 12 and 13, on the application of the plaintiff for judg- ment or new trial on appeal from the verdict and judgment of Feb. 15 last, at a trial before the Lord Chief Justice and a special jury in the Queen's Bench Division. In this case the plaintiff, Mr. John Pym Yeatman, barrister and author, claimed to recover from Mr. Harris, as the former editor of the Saturday Review, and from Mr. F. W. Sabin, as the publisher, and from Messrs. Spottiswoode, as the printers of the journal, damages for alleged libels published in 1874, 1896, 1897, and 1898. The first alleged libel was in the criticism of a book written by the plaintiff, called " A History of the Common Law of Great Britain and Gaul," one of the statements being: "Mr. Yeatman would most likely, under any cir- cumstances, have written nonsense, if he wrote anything at all. His book is wild and worthless." The next libel arose on the publication of a book in 1896—"The Gentle Shakespeare: a Vindica- tion "—which the Saturday Review described as "a rival in absurdity to the cryptogram of Mr. Ignatius Donelly," as "miserable twaddle," and "an insult to literature." The third libel (which Mr. Yeatman said was the most serious, and injured him in his profession of a barrister) appeared on May 8, 1897, stating: "The Bar had its annual general meeting on Tuesday, and we notice without much surprise that those gather- ings at Lincoln's-inn are becoming more and more a kind of debating society for the cranks of the profession." The jury found that none of the articles were libellous or exceeded the limit of fair criticism, and judgment was entered accordingly; hence the present appeal. In giving judgment, Lord Justice Smith (Lords Justices Collins and Romer concurring) said there was no ground for granting the application, and the appeal would be dismissed with costs. VIII.—Musical Copyright. (Chancery Division—Before Mr. Justice Stirling.) BOOSEY V. WHIGHT. This case raised a novel and interesting point under the Musical Copyright Act. Mr. Butcher, Q.C., and Mr. Scrutton apppeared for the plain- tiffs, and Mr. Cutler, Q.C., Mr. Moulton, Q.C., Mr. Terrell, Q.C., and Mr. Eustace Smith repre- sented the defendants. The plaintiffs are well-known music publishers, and they ask for an injunction to restrain the defendants from infringing their copyright in three songs, "My Lady's Bower," "The Better Land," and " The Holy City." The defendants are the sellers of a musical instrument called the "jEolian," which is played by means of wind admitted to pipes or reeds through perforations in sheets of paper. The plaintiffs' case was that these perforated sheets were, in fact, records of the musical compositions in question, by means of which the music could be reproduced with a certain amount of human intelligence, and that they constituted an infringement of their copy- right in such compositions. The case turned to a considerable extent upon the construction of the Copyright Act, 1842. That Act gives pro- tection to copyright in books, and by its interpre- tation clause defines a book as meaning and including {inter alia) "a sheet of music"; and the question was whether the perforated rolls of paper used by the defendants in their instruments were "sheets of music" within the Act. The defendants had obtained the evidence of various musicians and others to prove that the perforated rolls could not be read as music, and conveyed to the minds of the witnesses no impression of music. The judge, having heard the arguments at length some weeks ago, reserved his judgment, which he now delivered. Having dealt with the facts of the case, and the evidence adduced at the trial, he said the question turned upon the con- struction to be put upon the Copyright Act, 1842, and the point was whether these perforated sheets of paper were "sheets of music" within the meaning of that Act. Although he was not prepared to say that the perforation alone amounted to an infringement, he came to the conclusion that inasmuch as the words intimat- ing the time, and the sign denoting the key, appeared on the paper as on plaintiffs' music, the sheets, taken as a whole, amounted to an infringe- ment. He would, therefore, grant an injunction restraining the defendants from continuing to publish these sheets in their present form, viz., with any words or signs which appeared on the plaintiffs' music. With regard to the perfora-  ## p. 274 (#286) ############################################ 274 THE AUTHOR. tion alone he did not say whether that was an infringement. Judgment accordingly. IX.—Agreements, with Comments. In all cases in which publishers' agreements are printed and commented on in The Author a copy of the paper will henceforth be sent to the firm concerned, accompanied by a letter drawing their attention to the comments and offering them the opportunity of making any reply in The Author in case they should desire to do so. Agreement. Agreement made this day of between of (hereinafter called the "Author ") of the one part, and Messrs. of (hereinafter called the " Publishers ") of the other part, as follows: 1. The author agrees to transfer to the publishers all his copyrights and his other rights in a novel written by him and at present entitled , and the publishers agree to pub- lish the said novel in one volume form, and to use their best endeavours to make the same successful. 2. All expenses of production, advertising, and setting the ■aid novel shall be undertaken by the publishers, who shall be entitled to sell 500 copies of the said novel for their own benefit and without accounting therefor. Subject thereto the publishers agree to pay to the author one-half of all profits which they may derive from the publication and sale of the said book after deducting all expenses incurred in producing, publishing, selling, and advertising the same. It is agreed that as part of the expenses as aforesaid the pub- lishers shall be at liberty to include 5 per cent on the income from sales in lieu of specific charges for carriages, bookings, insurance, postages, travelling expenses, and establishment expenses for which no other charge is to be made. 3. The publishers shall have discretion as to the number and destination of presentation copies for the Press or other- wise, with a view of helping sales, but they shall on publi- cation of the book deliver to the author six presentation copies. 4. The publishers shall make up accounts to Dec. 31 and June 30 in each year, and settle the same with the author within three months after tboee dates. 5. The author undertakes to keep the publishers indem- nified against all actions or claims which may be brought or made against or upon them by reason of the said novel con- taining any libellous or slanderous matter. 6. The author agrees to give the publishers the first offer of the next long novel to be written by him, and which shall exceed 60,000 words in length, on the same terms as are contained in this agreement, with the exception that the publishers shall not in the case of such new book be entitled to 500 or any free copies (except presentation copies for the author and review and for influencing sales). The said offer shall be made by the author submitting the MS. of the said novel to the publishers, and allowing them one month after such submission within which to accept or decline the same. The first clause in this agreement is entirely to the disadvantage of the author. No author should under any circumstances transfer the copyright in a book to a publisher. In the case of technical books, scientific books, scholastic books, such transfer is quite disastrous. The agreement above quoted, however, is for the pub- lication of a work of fiction. If the author is ill-advised enough to transfer the copyright he should protect himself against the publication of the book in an altered form, against the sup- pression of his book, and against the suppression of his name. These are all-important points. In the first clause the publishers agree to publish the said novel, but do not undertake to do so by any specified time, and as they hold the copyright they are practically masters of the situation. It may be argued that if a publisher holds the copy- right of a book he would be a fool if he did not publish it, but cases have occurred where a pub- lisher holding the copyright has delayed publi- cation for various reasons for a couple of years. During this time the author naturally is unwilling to bring out another book to interfere with the copyright that the publisher holds. Clause 1, therefore, is an exceedingly bad clause from the author's point of view. (1.) As he transfers his copyright. (2.) As the publisher is not bound to produce the book by a certain date; and (3.) he is not bound to produce more than 500 copies, and therefore it is possible that the author might obtain no profit at all (see next clause). Clause 2 is an exceedingly bad clause from an author's point of view, whether the book is a first book or otherwise. It is sometimes the case that in a royalty agreement the publisher with- holds the payment of royalty till after the sale of 500 copies and then gives a proportionately high royalty to the author. It is sometimes worth the author's while to accept an agreement of this kind rather than not have his book published at all. The publisher, however, in the present agreement has a profit-sharing arrange- ment with the result that not only does he get 500 copies free to himself, but he gets half the cost of production of this 500 copies also paid for by the author. So much for the 500 to the publisher. It is only necessary to repeat what has so often and so urgently been put forward in The Author: that a half-profit arrangement under any circumstances is a bad one for the author, as inclined to lead to disputes and dissatisfaction from the complicated statements of accounts and from the small division of profits (if any) that generally accrues. The latter part of the same clause is against the author, as if the publisher is entitled to charge a percentage to cover his expenses the author ought to be entitled to make the same charge. Finally, with regard to clause 2, the author has no chance of checking beforehand the probable cost of production and no control whatever over the amount to be spent on adver-  ## p. 275 (#287) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 275 tising or where these advertisements are to appear. This simple reliance of the author on the arrangement has been mentioned over and over again and must still be insisted upon. Clause 3 is also bad as far as the permission given to the publisher is concerned. The number of free copies should be limited. The account clause is a reasonable one, and so is clause 5, but the 6th clause is again a disas- trous clause for the author. To bind oneself to a publisher for another book is at all times a very dangerous matter. If the publisher treats an author fairly in the first instance he -would know that the author would return to him with his second book, but when a publisher obtains the signature of an author to an agreement, such as the one printed above, he may be sure that if in the meantime the author seeks advice he will not return to him with a second book unless he binds the author in the manner shown in clause 6. That the author should be bound on the same terms as for the first book with the exception of the 500 copies makes the matter worse. It may be pointed out generally that there is nothing said about American rights, Colonial rights, translation rights, serial rights, and all other rights, with the exception that the publisher holds these. If, therefore, he sells these rights he will share the profits with the author. A great many of these rights are sold merely by writing a letter. In other words, they are rights outside the publi- cation of the book in England, and as such are generally treated by agents, who charge 10 per cent. on the amounts received. Here, however, the publisher obtains 50 per cent.; a very unwise arrangement from the author's point of view. This is an additional argument against selling the copyright. It is no wonder that publishers cry out against agents who desire to take 10 per cent., when the publisher for doing the same work secures 50 per cent. The financial result of this agreement was as follows: The cost of production on the debit side was £120 2s. gd. for an edition of 1500 copies. In this is included the ordinary items of com- posing, machining, printing, corrections, and binding. In addition we find the following in- cluded: £ s. d. Brass binding blocks 2 12 6 Printing 500 show cards 1 7 6 Printing 5000 leaflets 0 9 4 Mounting and composing 8 stereos ... 0 8 0 Making up and printing from red forme 012 6 Design for cover 2 2 0 The sales of the book on the credit side as follows: £ < 1 at 3*. icxf o 9 at 6s. net 2 1 65/60 at 4*. f less 12$ per cent. 182/168 at 4s. 2d. I discount 52/48 at 4*. fleas 10 per cent 93/86 at. 4*. 2d. I trade discount 44/41 at 4*. fless 5 per cent. 52/48 at 4* 2d. \ trade discount d. 10 o 41 24 15 4 17 5 10 86 1 6 And the second account was as follows: JE s. d. 4 at 6s 1 4 0 104 at 48. 2d. Hess 10 per cent.) 20 5 2 13/12 at 4*. ( discount ) * 52/48 at 4*. 2d. less 12% per cent. disct. 815 0 78/72 at 4*. 2d. (less 5 per cent.) l 1Q 39/36 at 4*. ( discount ) 0 6 137 5 .6 The total represents a sale of 788 copies realis- ing the above figures—the sum of .£137 5*. 6d. The average price, therefore, is, as nearly as possible, 3*. 6d., so that the estimate given in these columns of 3*. 6d. as an average price is proved to be correct as regards this book. The 500 copies taken by the publisher must also be added. In the end, the publisher takes nearly £100, and the author ,£5 2s. gd. The result of this arrangement is, therefore, a most unsatisfactory one for the author, and in addition the author has bound himself for the next book to the same publisher. THE SIXPENNY BOOK. 7 11 10 VOL. IX. "T KNOW a man in my business," a book- I seller wrote the other day," who gets through 1000 copies of sixpenny novels every week. Nobody buys any other book. It seems as if the rest of the books are useless. He makes id. on each, or £4 3*. 46?. a week out of these novels. And his rent is .£i0 a week. How long will he last?" If we look at the bookstall of the nearest railway station we shall find it covered and loaded with the sixpenny novel. There is an increasing disposition, to limit the purchase of a book to the single 6d. The greater number of these books are either non-copyright books or books belonging to the o g  ## p. 276 (#288) ############################################ 276 THE AUTHOR. publisher; those, namely, on which he has no royalty to pay. If there is any royalty it is generally about Id. on each copy, or £2 10s. for every 1000 copies. The book costs, say, about 2\d. to produce. Therefore on a sale of 30,000 copies we have approximately:— (1.) The author receives .£75. . (2.) The bookseller receives .£125. (3.) The publisher receives .£112. But a sale of 30,000 copies is high. As far as the author is concerned, if his new book was brought out at 6*., on even a 15 per cent. royalty, he would make more by a sale of 1700 copies. The questions which arise on this subject are many:— (1.) Would a successful writer do better or worse by coming out at 6d.? The class of persons who can read with pleasure the work of an educated writer is comparatively small, though it is growing and increasing rapidly. Outside this number no one buys a book of this kind, however cheap. Now, this class manages to read, either by borrowing, or lending, or buying, most of the popular works of the day in every branch. If this class can read a book by borrowing, it will do so rather than buy it. And this whether it is priced at 6d. or 6*. It is undoubted that many popular books sell in great quantities at 6d. But it is very doubtful whether this advantage is not a real loss compared with a book published at a higher price. If, for instance, Mr. Hall Caine's "Christian," which reached 180,000 copies, had been sold at sixpence, it may be calculated approximately that the author would have been a loser supposing his royalty on the sixpenny book to have been one penny, unless four million copies at least had been sold. Or, if we take a calculation of 10,000 sold, and a royalty of only 20 per cent., or on the six- penny book, the author would be a loser unless 240,000 copies were sold. (2.) What effect will this cheapening of fictioD produce in other ways? It will make people unwilling to pay for a novel more than 6d. It will lead them to believe that the normal price for all books must be 6d. It will necessitate the production of high-priced books for the libraries, and for the limited class who will continue to give a high price. It will make the present stock of six-shilling books practically unsaleable. It will probably complete the ruin of the country bookseller. It will with equal probability injure the whole trade of publishing very severely. It will lower the character and dignity of litera- ture, because what can be obtained for a few pence—badly printed; on cheap paper; read and then thrown away—will be valued at the mental equivalent for a few pence. This is proved by the history of the pirated book in America. An opportune article in Literature, for April 15, called'attention to the serious danger which is threatening everybody concerned with the produc- tion and the circulation of literature. The figures given by the writer do not altogether agree with those given here, but they serve to show the magnitude of the danger. Can anything be done? The public will buy for 6d. rather than 6s.—that is certain. It is also certain that the present price of 6*. or 4*. 6d. is too high. Publishers can do what they please with their own property—though they will not allow the same privilege to booksellers; and if they go on producing sixpenny books—their own property— all that authors can do is to protest, and to hope that the dangers which now seem so threatening; will either prove illusory, or may end in disaster quickly, so that we may learn whether the new method is wisdom or madness. A writer in the Daily News of April 8 gives, on the other hand, a different estimate of the sixpenny book. Literature at this price, he says, opens up an entirely new field of readers; people who would never think of buying a six-shilling book. At the same time, the circulation of the sixpenny edition is calculated, he thinks, to stimulate the demand for the more expensive one; and as sixpenny editions are, at least in some cases, not reprinted, people who have heard the book talked of and seen it read by the sixpenny public, are obliged then to buy the six-shilling edition if they only apply after the sixpenny one is for ever exhausted. But while on the whole the sixpenny novel pays, there is one deserving individual who is hit very hard by it— the small bookseller. "The town bookseller is quite content." Is he? But see above. "He can order his thousands and make them pay. But there are hundreds of suburban booksellers in London whose struggle for existence grows keener every day." One of these spoke of a book for which, at its first appearance at 6s., there was "a wonderful demand :— We sold at least one copy every day—one day we sold seven. Then, about Christmas, the publishers announced a sixpenny edition. The sixpenny edition is only just out, but during the last ten weeks we have only sold two copies of the book. That is how the sixpenny copyright novel affects us. It is no use our trying to sell them. What with disoount, the drapers, and the sixpenny novels, the small booksellers are on the road to ruin.  ## p. 277 (#289) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 277 In reply to the opinion of the Daily News one asks if cheap books do open up new fields of readers, or if they only offer the chance of buying cheaply what would otherwise have been borrowed of a library? One may also entertain the gravest doubts as to the stimulating effect of the sixpenny book. The general experience is that if anything is offered at sixpence people will never afterwards give six shillings for it. And the preceding remarks answer the opinion as to the contented town bookseller. SECRET COMMISSIONS AND SECRET PROFITS. AT the monthly dinner of the London Chamber of Commerce Lord Russell of Killowen spoke on secret commissions and his promised Bill. He said:—" There was no reason in the world why men should not stipulate for any manner of compensation or commission they might choose, provided always that it was open and above board. Therefore let no one for a moment think that the provisions of his Bill were of so drastic a kind that they could possibly act with undue severity or harsh- ness upon any outspoken honest man. . . . His own interest in this question dated far back in his professional years, and he had known many sad instances of the evils resulting from the prevailing system—evils not stopping short at the receipt of commissions, but branching out into an actual course of crime. . . . But the thing that was so disgusting in this country was to find men belonging to the learned professions taking these secret commissions. Was it not intolerable to be told that medical practitioners—he was not attacking these profes- sional men as a whole, for these cases were the exceptions—would write a prescription and had a secret arrangement that the druggist should give him 25 per cent. on the amount of the drugs? Was it not disgusting to be teld, as a fact, that if a doctor recommended a particular undertaker he got a slice of the undertaker's business? Anyone who had taken the trouble to look into the matter would know that these were facts. They were exceptions—he hoped rare exceptions; but where this moral corruption existed it blunted the sense of honour and of honesty. Not only w.as it morally detrimental to those who took part in it, demoralising to individuals and, in part, to the community, but unjust and unfair to men who maintained a high standard of probity and of honour." How would these remarks applr to secret profits made by one party to an agreenrofit or the other? Let us imagine that Lord Russell was speaking of secret profits. "There was no reason in the world why men should not stipulate for any manner of discount or commission they might choose, provided always that it was open and above board. It would be for the other side to accept or to refuse. . . . His own interest in this question dated far back in his professional years, and he had known many sad instances of the evils resulting from the prevailing system—evils not stopping short at the secret receipt of discount, but branching out into charging for advertisements which cost nothing, and alleged expenses not incurred. . . . The thing that was so disgusting was to find men received into clubs as honourable gentlemen taking these secret profits and making their charges. . . . When this moral corruption existed it blunted the sense of honour and of honesty. Not only was it morally detrimental to those who took part in it, demoralising to the individuals concerned, and demoralising to the cause of literature, but it was unjust and unfair to those who maintained a high standard of probity and of honour." The question has been already asked whether Lord Russell's Bill will include all kinds of secret profits, and, therefore, the practice now openly advocated by the committee of the Pub- lishers' Association. If, as it is hoped, it proves to include this practice, it will stamp the prac- tice with legal penalties and greatly discourage the persons who practise, or continue to advocate, the taking of secret profits, or the charge of moneys not spent. For this reason the Society should regard Lord Russell's Bill with consider- able interest. THE STORY-TELLING REVIEWER. AT the annual meeting of our Society I called attention to the somewhat common practice of giving in a review an outline of the plot, or, in the slang of the day, of "giving away" the story. That this was done without the least desire to injure the author's or publisher's inte- rests in the book I had no doubt whatever; and I also had no doubt that the practice did in many instances materially injure the sales of a book. I pointed out that editors were literary men themselves, that they had a fellow feeling for authors generally, and that some at least of them, if a representation on the subject were made by the Committee, would be certain to meet the wishes of authors. I also pointed out that, if we offered a book for review, we could not com- plain" if it was condemned and severely handled;  ## p. 278 (#290) ############################################ 278 THE AUTHOR. but we might, I thought, justly complain if the leading features of the plot, and particularly its termination, were described, and the interest of possible readers materially lessened. It was quite evident that these few remarks met with general approval among the fifty or sixty authors present, and the matter ended by an understanding that the question would be dis- cussed by our Committee, which would very possibly communicate with the principal editors on the subject. I am not aware that this has been done, and I have been asked by the Com- mittee to deal with the subject in The Author This I gladly do; at the same time, wishing that the matter had been placed in the hands of a novelist of greater standing than myself, and preferably one who had more reason to complain of reviewers than I who have been almost invari- ably treated with the greatest kindness and consideration. Now and again one gets a spite- ful review, for there are among reviewers and critics men lacking the high principles so requi- site in their branch of literary work, just as there are, I regret to admit, authors and publishers who lack those high principles which are so eminently desirable in all that pertains to our craft. I have sometimes thought that reviews of the kind I am more particula rly referring to—perhaps they should more properly be termed "notices" —are often written by men in all kindness to the author. "Here is a book," I can imagine the critic saying, "which is neither very good nor very bad. It is evidently the work of an inex- perienced hand. I will not help to ruin a young author's prospects by too severely condemning him. I will simply give the readers of the paper in which my review appears a good idea of the contents of the book, and they can read it or leave it unread, as they think proper." Then he writes something in this fashion: "From Messrs. Short and Rigby we have received Mr. John Jones's new novel of Welsh life. Many persons will doubtless read it with interest. The first chapter opens with. . . ." Then he mentions all the characters, describes as briefly as he can what part they take in the story, and very likely ends by saying " Vice is defeated, Virtue is triumphant, the hero and heroine are united, and everyone is as happy as marriage bells." For books which depend upon plot and inci- dent for their interest, such a " review" is almost fatal. In the case of those novels, the literary merit of which lies in wit, epigram, and analysis of character, many novel readers would be deterred from ordering the book if, from some notice they have read in the paper, it seemed to lack plot. Some modern works of considerable merit contain hardly any plot at all, and m«rely to give a brief outline of their contents creates a very false impression concerning them. To take the opposite case of books of consider- able length, crammed full of incident, and written round a most elaborate plot: here the reviewer who tries to tell the story in brief, necessarily fails, owing to limitations of space, and does the author an injustice. So much for one side of the picture. On the other hand, there are numbers of reviewers who, very likely from being authors themselves, are as fully alive to the effect of telling the whole story as is any novelist. It is quite a common thing to find a review terminating with some such words as these: "To tell more of the story would be unfair to the author." There are some novelists, it is said, who like to have their story told in the revi ,w. I have a difliculty in believing that they really approve of the entire plot being disclosed, from page 1 to the end. Possibly they mean a description of the story just a little short of this. However, we have in The Author a means of communication which will enable such points to be cleared up. In conclusion, may I express a hope that the few lines I have written on the subject may not be misunderstood? I am quite prepared to have it stated that I have made an attempt to teach reviewers their business. Though it has fallen to my lot to write many reviews, I should be extremely sorry to have this said. I have no complaint to make of reviews, but of the notice which consists of a description of the plot, and is, in very truth, not a review at all. I believe newspaper readers, as well as authors, object to have books noticed in this manner. I once heard a lady say: "I was going to get Mr. 's book from the library, but I read the whole of the story in the Daily Post, and after that I didn't care to read the book." This may be the case with many novel readers. When asking people how they like a book, I often get the reply, "Oh! I really haven't read it, but I get a very good idea of it from the review in the Morning Blazer." John Bickerdyke. PARIS NOTES. THE acquittal of Mme. Chabrie-, whose private information had been utilised without her sanction in a series of Press articles by M. Gaston Mery {Libre Parole), and of M. Urbain Gohier, whose recent publication, "L'Armee contre la Nation," had awakened the censorship of the authorities, shows that the French nation at large is awar* «f the primary importance of a  ## p. 279 (#291) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. free Press. The trial of M. G-ohier aroused great interest, since its issue embraced the solution of an important point closely affecting the prosperity of the country—viz., the liberty of the individual French writer to criticise the tactics of his military chiefs. After numerous quotations from the approved works of writers as diverse as MM. de Cassagnac, Drumont, Rochefort, Jules Lemaitre, Francois Coppee, and Georges Courte- line, who were each in turn proved to have pro- pagated seditious doctrine on this head, Me. Clemenceau, counsel for the accused, boldly declared M. Gohier's criticisms to be salutary to the true interests of the French Army. He maintained that his client attacked no one without furnishing proof of their malversation; if his tone in so doing appeared occasionally violent, it must be attributed to the fact that the work in question was compiled from journalistic articles—for the journalist resembled the pilot, in order to be heard he was forced to have recourse to a speaking trumpet. Me. Clemenceau con- cluded his defence by expressing a fervent hope that other writers would follow the example of his client, this "troubler of apothesises "—since France would thus be preserved from inscribing a second time in her annals dates as shameful as those of Sedan, Metz, Paris. The burst of enthu- siastic bravos and loud outcries of 'Vive Gohier '." which greeted the verdict of acquittal preceded by this eloquent peroration gave palpable proof that jury and populace were in accord in resenting this side attack on the liberty of the individual thinker. The election of M. Marcel Prevost to the pre- sidency of the Socie'te' des Gens de Lettres was flatteringly unanimous, comprising a majority of twenty votes against three, of which latter two were blanks. At the previous meeting, in which M. Henry Houssaye had resigned the same dignity owing to his term of office having expired, a rather stormy scene took place. After having announced that the meeting was convoked to replace the eight members whose term of office had expired and also to fill the place left vacant by the death of the late regretted Albert Bataille —in all, nine members—M. Brau de Saint-Pol- Lias continued, " Or rather ten members, since our rules permit us to erase the name of any person who has failed to attend six consecutive meetings. Now, there is a member who has failed in attending more than six meetings. . . ." Although no name was mentioned, everyone was aware at whom these remarks were aimed. M. Armand Charpentier cried loudly " Vive Zola!" while the majority of members present pro- tested against any question of party politics being introduced. On taking possession of the fauteuil vacated by M. Houssaye, M. Provost adroitly stated his opinion on the subject in sketching out the attitude he desired the Society to adopt. "Even before being a kind of literary club," said he, "we are a commercial society, a mutual-aid society. Our political opinions should be mute here, though free. If liberty of thought were ever proscribed it would belong to us, men of letters, to offer it an asylum in our midst. This tolerance is our honour. When one of our comrades has worked, has written books by which our Society has profited, no matter in what measure, in providing pensions for its superannuated and assistance for its indigent members; when this comrade has taken his seat at our table, has aided us with his energy and effort; if the day comes when he finds himself exposed to the vicissitudes of public opinion—we owe it to him, we owe it to ourselves, we owe it to true literature and French tradition, not to excite the crowd against him, not to throw stones against him with the hands he has clasped." This generous speech excited warm applause. The nomination of office-bearers for the present year then took place, M. Henry Houssaye being elected honorary president and MM. Lafargue and de Larmandie vice-presidents. Three new members were likewise admitted to the Society, of whom two were women; and it is more than rumoured that a project was on foot to demand the admis- sion of feminine members to the committee of the Society. The ladies, however, not wishing that two irritating topics should be broached on the same day, magnanimously agreed to defer all allusion to the subject until the following meeting. Its first introduction will, doubt- less, be hotly combated and criticised, but the eventual triumph of the fair sex is a foregone conclusion. The death of Mme. Clesinger, daughter of George Sand, has again brought the latter's name prominently before the public in the daily papers. Later evidence has satisfactorily vindicated the grave charge brought against Mme. Sand by her contemporaries of having forced her daughter to accept her own discarded lover, Clesinger, as a husband. Mme. Clesinger was the author of one or two novels of inferior merit, and in no wise inherited her mother's literary talent. Their appearance was as dissimilar as their characters were antagonistic. Solange Cle'singer-Sand had a masculine type of countenance, an arched nose, and a frank, almost audacious expression; her figure was admirably proportioned, and she was not lacking in wit. Several years after her sepa- ration from her husband she inhabited a small suite of rooms in the Rue Taitbout, and among the intimate friends who frequented her society  ## p. 280 (#292) ############################################ 280 THE AUTHOR. may be mentioned Gambetta, Ferry, Laferriere, Edouard Herve, Weiss, Taine, Henry Fouquier, Floquet, and Bethmont. She died at her castle of Montgivray, and was buried beside her mother. M. Maurice Eollinat is now engaged in revising the proofs of the new volume of poems he intends publishing shortly. M. Rollinat is a fervent student and admirer of the works of George Sand and Edgar Poe. He is, likewise, a most infatuated angler, and not even the red ribbon which the Government bestowed on him in 1895 has sufficed to wean him from pursuing his favourite pastime. To Mme. Sarah Bernhardt belongs the honour of having discovered this ichthyophagistic rhymester. The Soci^te des Gens de Lettres has confided to M. Falguiere the execution of the statue of Balzac, to be exhibited at the next Salon. The bust of M. Henri Houssaye, the work of Mlle. Aim-lie Colombie, will be exhibited on the same occasion; the latter is reported to be an excellent reproduction of the features of the great his- torian. It is further proposed to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of Racine by the inauguration of two busts, viz:, that of Pascal at St. Etienne du Mont and that of Racine on the ruins of Port Royal. The project of erecting a reduced replica of Guy de Maupassant's monu- ment at Paris (pare Monceau) in the square of his native town of Rouen has met with universal sympathy, the artists engaged on the work re- fusing all remuneration beyond the actual cost of labour and material employed. The unveiling of the new monument will take place next month; it will stand in the middle of a small green sward, opposite Chapu's medallion of Flaubert, the friend and master of Guy de Maupassant. At the recent International Press Congress at Rome Italy was, of course, so far first in the field as regards the number of her representatives as to be quite out of the running. Among foreign countries France carried off the palm numerically, being represented by no less than eighty-seven delegates, in addition to twenty-five wives and daughters of delegates. Germany stood second on the list, having sent forty-six representatives, Austria third, Hungary fourth, Belgium fifth, and England sixth, while the United States shared the seventh place with Sweden and Portugal, each of the three last-named countries being represented by ten delegates. The "English mania" that is so frequently deplored by the French writers of the present day is steadily invading the Parisian stage. Shakespeare has evidently come to btay, despite M. Fouquier's assertions to the contrary, and his "Beaucoup de bruit pour rien " now adorns the programme of the Opera Comique; the Ambigu- Comique gives us " Les Chevaliers du Brouillard," a play adapted from one of Ainsworth's novels and in the salle of the Societes savantes we find "Betsey," an English play in three acts by Mr. Burnand. Apropos of theatrical literature, M. Bergerat's new play, "Plus que Reine," is sharing the fate of its literary predecessors, "Le Lys Rouge," " Le Coupable," &c, viz., it bores the public. After having heralded its advent with a fanfaronade of extravagant panegyric, the critics are now harking back on their first judgment, and discovering that the play lacks cohesion, historical accuracy, and dramatic verve. They are likewise shocked at seeing Mme. Jane Hading represent the Creole Josephine in a blonde wig, and scandalised at finding Napoleon's costume inoorrect in sundry details. This failure only bears out our previous assertion regarding the fallacy of believing that a dramatic and a literary talent were concomitant attributes. Translations of modern English literature are largely patronised here. In addition to devoting several columns to appreciating the works and style of Rudyard Kipling—" prince de la ballade et roi du conte "—the Annales lately endeavoured to give a specimen of the latter by publishing a translation of his " White Seal." Although more justly rendered than we had imagined possible, it was nevertheless a very flat narrative in compari- son with the brilliant originality of the English version; yet, even under these favourable circum- stances, we were unable to detect the analogy the French critics have discovered to exist between the style of Pierre Loti and that of Rudyard Kipling. The death of Mme. Michelet, nie Athemas Mialaret, widow of the great historian, has occasioned the publication of some of the letters which passed between them before the idea of matrimony was entertained by either. The whole story reads like a romance. Early left an orphan and forced by the improvidence of her parents to earn her livelihood, Mlle. Mialaret accepted the post of governess in a private family at Vienna. The indifferent kindness meted out to her by her employers failed to satisfy her moral and intellectual requirements. She fell into a state of profound melancholy. At this juncture in her career she chanced to read one of Michelet's works entitled "Le Pretre." It touched her so profoundly that she wrote to the author, confiding to him her mental and moral distress. He replied by an admirable letter to which she gratefully responded; and when a few months later her failing health forced her to return to the milder climate of Paris, the acquaintance commenced on paper speedily ripened into a warmer sentiment than-  ## p. 281 (#293) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 281 platonic friendship and esteem. The affection was mutual, though the great historian was in his fifty-second and theyoung governess in her twenty- third year at the date of their union. Neverthe- less the marriage proved an extremely happy one; and during the twenty-five years that elapsed between her husband's and her own death Mme. Michelet lived devoted to his memory. For years she refused to have any renovations made in the suite of rooms they had occupied together; finally, she consented to permit certain necessary repairs, though still refusing to quit the premises. She caught cold through sleeping in the midst of the damp plaster, and died eight days later from a violent attack of pleurisy. She had reached the ripe age of seventy-two years, and was a graceful and sympathetic writer. The recently published memoirs of Alfred de Musset by his old housekeeper, Mme. Adele Colin- Martellet, contain much interesting matter. Among other anecdotes she narrates that the poet had a little dog, named Marzo, to whom he was greatly attached. When his master died Marzo believed him only absent, and every evening patiently awaited him at the accustomed hour. For seven years Marzo nightly waited thus, at the end of which time the poor little fellow died with his eyes fixed on the door by which he still fondly hoped to see his master enter. Mme. Martellet's husband carried off the small corpse intending to inter it in one of the adjacent plots of waste land. At the corner of the rue Boileau he came across a companv of workmen engaged in making a new road and there deposited Marzo's remains, covering them with several shovelfuls of earth. By curious coincidence this new street is to-day known as the rue de Musset. During the past month French literature has registered the following deaths in addition to those above cited, viz., that of M. Erckmann, who, in collaboration with M. Chatrian, wrote the famous series of tales, respectively entitled "Waterloo," "1'Ami Fritz," "l'lllustre Docteur Mathews," "Madame Therese," "Blocus," "Souvenirs d'un homme du peuple." &c., and whose character sketches were so just and fine that the phrase—" C'est un personnage d'Erck- mann-Chatrian "—has passed into current usage; of M. Paul Bonnetain, Government commissioner, author of several original and interesting novels, respectively entitled "Passagere," "le Tour du monde d'un troupier," "Au Tonkin," "le Journal d'un marsouin," &c.; of M. Paul Mahalin, who gained notoriety as a master of the "roman- feuilleton " genre; of M. Vaucheret, who, under the pseudonym of Jean Bruno, has for almost fifty years been a prolific contributor to the fiction column of numerous periodicals; and of M. Berthold Zeller, Professor of History at the Sor- bonne, and author of numerous important his- torical works which have each successively had the honour of being "couronne par l'Academie fran9aise." Darracotte Dene. NOTES AND NEWS. THE annual dinner of the Royal Literary Fund was duly held, and the usual hat went round in the familiar manner. The chairman, according to the only report that I have read, seems to have refrained very wisely from advocating the necessity of increasing the income of the society on account of increasing demands. On the other hand, he did not represent—the statement would certainly have chilled the gene- rosity of the charitable—the fact that the Council cannot spend on deserving cases one half of their present income. Nor can I believe that all the donations which were announced—to the amount of .£ii50—would have been contributed had the donors realised or understood this broad fact, which is, that the Royal Literary Fund has at last got quite enough money for its present wants. If its resources should prove insufficient, there is no doubt that more money would be forthcoming. As is pointed out in another column, there is reason to fear that there may be an increase in the demands should the sixpenny book kill the profession of literature; but there is still time to provide against that catastrophe. Meantime, the subject may rest until next February, when I hope that the point may be seriously and officially advanced. This year it was asked too late. It will take the form of a plain question: Why does the Council ask for more money when the present income is more than double the amount of the calls made upon it? nic> A writer in Literature says that although I maintain that the capital sum invested by the Royal Literary Fund is sufficient to meet all demands likely to be made upon it—a contention which is proved by the report—I also ask that the Civil Pension Grant shall be confined to persons distinguished in literature, science, and art, " which seems to indicate," I read," that he is not always, equally sure of the prosperity of men of letters." I fail to perceive this indica- tion. Besides, if my critic would only read further he would, I think, discover that I ask for a substitution in place of the words "or other persons worthy of Her Majesty's bounty," the words "or widows or daughters of persons so  ## p. 282 (#294) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. distinguished." This I propose in order that the practice now common in the administration of this grant should be recognised by a resolution of Parliament, and that the widows of persons dis- tinguished in literature, science, or art, should be legally entitled to receive these pensions, but not the widows of Colonial Governors or other deserving and distinguished persons. But the Grant and the Fund have nothing to do with each other. The former gives pensions: the latter gives temporary relief. Without any reference to the former, it is proved that the latter could only find last year twenty-two distressed men or women of letters. Only twenty-two out of the thousands who live by the pen! This fact is to my mind a very signal proof— one not to be disputed—of the general welfare of the Folk of Letters. It is now a numerous Folk: they are legion: and out of so many there are only twenty-two deserving cases: not one turned away from want of funds; and .£2000 invested out of income. In face of all the facts I can no longer admit that the profession is precarious, any more than any other profession. Of course, there is risk of ill-success in every profession, but less risk, given the natural aptitude, which is of course necessary, than in any other. Why is this contention, which has been advanced on several occasions, called " optimist"? Why is it always received with a strange unwillingness and a still stranger dislike? The only reason that I can discover is that it upsets a rooted tradition, and to tear up old traditions makes people uncomfor- table. Authors, we have always been taught, are a beggarly company. Grub Street even parades its rags. Well: but where is Grub Street r Show those rags. Produce those beggars. Are they in the clubs? There are literary men by the hundred in the Athenaeum, the Savile, the Authors', the Savage, the Garrick, and other clubs. They sit down with the other men, and, appar- ently, they can pay for their dinners: they present an outward show of broadcloth: they even wear gloves: they preserve an appearance of solvency: one might take them for City men. They seldom become bankrupt; I remember only one or two cases of the bankruptcy of a literary man. At this moment, while I know writers who would like to make more by their pen, I doubt if I know one who has had occasion to go to the Royal Literary Fund. There may be, and very likely are, people who would like above all things to be men or women of letters. One can hardly call persons followers of literature who have attempted and proved incompetent. A man is not a poet who has produced a volume of feeble rhyme. Again, there is an excellent reason why Literature is a much less precarious profession than Medicine or either branch of the Law; namely, that it has so many branches. And, as I said before, they overlap each other. If one may, without offence, produce examples, I need go no farther than the accomplished editor of Literature himself, who is historian, poet, essayist, critic, and editor: I might point out Mr. W. E. Henley, poet, biographer, editor, and dramatist: Mr. J. M. Barrie, essayist, novelist, and dramatist: Dr. Conan Doyle, novelist, poet, and dramatist: the late William Biack, jour- nalist and novelist: Mr. Andrew Lang, scholar, poet, novelist, historian, journalist, and critic: Mr. Justin McCarthy, novelist and historian. It may be objected that I am taking extreme cases. They are certainly cases of successful writers. But these cases illustrate my position, viz., that if a man proves himself able to write (if he is an attractive writer) a scholar and an authority, there is certainly no other profession in which he would be so safe. The chief danger is that common to every profession, that a man's health may break down; there is also the danger that, for some reason or other, he may lose his charm. Anthony Trollope lost his charm at the end, or seemed to do so; but he kept it till much past sixty. This also is a danger in every other profession. Literature, I repeat, is no longer a precarious profession—if the candidate possesses the natural aptitude. Cannot the same thing be said of every other profession? Does a lawyer succeed who is no lawyer? Let me turn over two or three leaves, at random, of that useful annual with the wonderful name of "Who's Who." Here are a few examples: (1) Novelist, humourist, journalist: (2) story-teller, journalist, caricaturist: (3) preacher, theologian, scholar: (4) novelist, historian, poet: (5) pro- fessor, editor, critic: (6) preacher and poet: (7) journalist, editor, critic, dramatist: (8) journalist, biographer, historian: (9) novelist only: (10) archaeologist and historian: (11) bio- grapher, historian, traveller: (12) artist, author, and journalist. These names have been found in half a dozen consecutive pages of the book. I think they prove my point, that the many-sided character of the literary profession goes far to remove its former reputation for uncertainty. Of great prizes I do not speak. Nor do I speak of the incompetent and their sufferings. A far greater number of incompetent persons attempt literature than any other pro- fession because it seems to want no apprenticeship  ## p. 283 (#295) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 283 and it appears to be so easy. We cannot allow that those persons belong to the literary life any more than we call those students who cannot pass their examinations lawyers or physicians. Now, the examination which every literary man must pass, and every successful literary man must pass in honours, is twofold: he must be examined by the critic, and he must be examined by the public. _ A contributor to the New York Writer (Ruth Hall), endeavouring to show that new writers find it very difficult to get into American maga- zines, gives a few statistics :— 1. Harper's Magazine for February contains twenty-three articles. Of these, one short story, one essay, and three poems are by unknown writers. 2. The Century for February contains twenty- seven contributions, of which seven are by unknown writers. These figures, however, seem to prove exactly the reverse of her proposition. When we consider that a magazine is not run with the object of advancing writers but of advancing the pro- prietor: that the editor's first duty is to find out what will instruct and attract: tbat popular authors are certain to attract: and that untried and unkno wn authors can only attract by reason of the very rare condition of having something to tell which is new and curious: and that popular authors can almost always be had if the editor will pay them—we can understand how difficult it must be for a new writer to get a hearing. We can also understand how the English maga- zine of the older kind seems sinking into a kind of atrophy because the editor and proprietor will not understand the simple rule of supply and demand. To sit down in a chair and wait for things is the editing of the past. To arrange beforehand with an eye to what will please and attract readers, yet with a door open to the new comer, is the editing of the present and the future. The new comer, when he finds that in Harper's Magazine there are five out of twenty-three papers, and in the Century seven out of twenty- seven, contributed by unknown writers, may take courage. There is still the open door. Walter Besant. CORRESPONDENCE. I.—Against Difficulties. THE March number of your paper has just come into my hands, and I am greatly interested in the letter of Mr. Julian Croskey, a gentleman whose career I have followed carefully during the last two years. The advice he gives to the parents of young men who are determined to devote their lives to literature is, I think, excellent; but how many parents will listen to his counsel? Very few, if any. I myself am determined to adopt the literary profession, but I have not the neces- sary means; rich relatives are scarce, and parents unwilling. Meanwhile, I am miserable. But what can I do? Nothing! I have had sufficient success to warrant me believing that in two years from now I could, by constant work and hard writing, earn a "comfortable income." But I am chained to office work, and my evenings are as miserable as my mornings and afternoons, for what literary work can a man do who comes home tired-out, despondent, and swearing softly to himself? o-o Waiting. II. Charity for Brain-Workers. I thought the days when people of title honoured themselves by taking authors and artists under their patronage had passed, but I seem to be mistaken. In a recent number of the Academy particulars were given of a home of rest in the Riviera for tired brain-workers. A lady of title is apparently the originator of the scheme. Men are to pay their own expenses to and from the place, they are to pay a minimum of a pound a week for board and lodging, and in return they are evidently to get what any person with a pound a week to spare can command in decent habitations in the South of France, while they are to be governed by a set of rules which ought never to be tolerated on the free side of a gaol or a workhouse. A man who can afford to pay a sovereign a week can afford to keep clear of a retreat of this description. A Member. III.—The Extravagant Dinner. Dissatisfaction among the members of the Authors' Society, tnough perhaps occasionally inevitable, is surely a thing to be avoided so far as possible. I believe considerable dissatisfaction does exist among many members at the high price charged for the annual dinner ticket. If we were a society of Stock Exchange men, or pub- lishers, or racehorse owners, or company pro- moters, a guinea would perhaps be fitting and proper; but we are poor authors, few of us with  ## p. 284 (#296) ############################################ 284 THE AUTHOR. even the incomes of a bishop, many of us women and stragglers for life. Our Committee, I take it, are among the successful. Cannot they show their sympathy for the poorer members of the Society by following the example of almost every other club and society in England, and fixing the dinner ticket at a more moderate sum? The guinea, I know, includes wine, but this is most unfair to those, particularly women, who drink little or none. In ninety-nine public dinners out of a hundred the guests pay for the wine they consume. Why should not we do likewise? If two-thirds of the price of the ticket were paid to the funds of The Author, or some other such admirable object, our grievance would be lessened; but I believe most members of the Society will agree with me that to force those who wish to meet their fellow members at the annual dinner into an act of wasteful extravagance, is bad policy on the part of our executive. When a dinner was given in honour of yourself, at the Holborn Restaurant, the price of the ticket was only 5$., and the arrangement worked well enough. The attendance was enormous, and there was really nothing to complain of. Annual dinners have a remarkable effect in keeping clubs and societies of all kinds together, but ours loses much of this effect owing to the price of the ticket, which actually equals a year's subscription to the Society. I hope other members will express their opinions on this subject in the pages of The Author. Diane. IV.—Typewriting Offices. May I ask for the insertion of these few words in answer to two letters which appeared in your issues of February and March, condemning in a wholesale fashion the typewriting offices? It appears to me both your correspondents are not fully acquainted with the real facts connected with the typing industry, or the former would not suggest that the payment of gd. a thousand was an adequate sum to offer a woman, even a home worker. The typist who does Mr. Goodrich Freer's work at gd. a 1000 makes, if she is a fairly quick worker, and works, say, eight hours a day, 26s. a week. That is to say, she can copy 6000 words in a day, taking at the lowest computation two hours a day for the examining of the copy with the MSS. Now, take the case of the girl who has been trained in shorthand and typing in a first-class office; she is then able to take a situation, either in a typewriting office or in a mercantile office, where she can secure regular work, and scores over the home worker in the following way: First, as to hours, she works nine hours a week less, bemuse office hours in the typewriting offices are 10 to 6, and she has Saturday afternoon off; secondly, she has no worry in securing work, as she is paid whether it is slack or not; thirdly, she can make in a good office, without languages, 30s. to 35*. a week; fourth, she has not to find machine, ink, or stationery. In a mercantile office she can make up to £2, but their hours, as a rule, are rather longer—9.30 to 6. In the typewriting office she certainly does some of the work when she is suffi- 2iently proficient to be trusted with it, but how else will she learn her business? I cannot see any justice in calling the typewriting office people " clever exploiters of other people's labour," as it must be remembered that the pupils are given an opportunity which can be given in no other way to learn their profession properly, and so become capable of earning a fair wage, which I do not consider Mr. Goodrich Freer's 265. a week to be. Madeleine Greenwood. V.—Payment on Acceptance. I notice in The Author for April a letter from Mr. Herbert D. Williams saying that Great Thoughts invariably pays for articles on acceptance. I regret to say that this is not my experience. An article of mine was accepted at the end of 1893, and appeared in February, 1894. I accordingly asked for payment, which was refused, because I had not stipulated for it when I sent the article. I was offered instead a bound volume of Great Thoughts.' This was a " hair of the dog" with a vengeance. I refused even this. It was only the second article of mine that had been accepted, and I felt the injustice most keenly. H. Stanley Tayler. OBITUARY. SIR MONIER MONIER - WILLIAMS, K.C.I.E., Boden Professor of Sanscrit in the University of Oxford since i860, whose Sanscrit-English dictionary (which occupied him for twenty years) and other works are well known to every Sanscrit student, died at Cannes on April 10, in his eightieth year. Mr. Edmund Sheridan Purcell, the biographer of Cardinal Manning, died on April 12, aged 76. He has left in manuscript, almost completed (says the Academy), a biography of Ambrose de Lisle, the prototype of Eustace de Lyle in "Coningsby."  ## p. 285 (#297) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 285 BOOK TALE. EROM copyright novels at 6d., the step has soon been taken to copyright novels at id. Messrs. Pearson are about to issue a series at this price, consisting of works by Ouida, John Oliver Hobbes, Mr. Robert Buchanan, Mr. Grant Allen, Rita, Mrs. Hungerford, Mr. Louis Becke, Mr. Fergus Hume, Mr. Clark Russell, Mrs. Hodgson Burnett, and other writers. The same firm have projected also another series of penny books, such as "How to be Happy though Married," "Helen's Babies," "Trooper Peter Halket," &c. With regard to the forthcoming biography of Mrs. Lynn Linton, Mr. G. S. Layard asks owners of letters, portraits, or other material connected with the subject. to be kind enough to forward them to him at Lorraine Cottage, Malvern, promising that these will be taken care of and returned as soon as he has done with them. Mr. Rudyard Kipling, having sufficiently recovered from his illness to be able to work, is revising a privately-printed volume of letters, and making sundry additions to them in view of their publication. This work will be called "From Sea to Sea," and among its contents will be found Mr. Kipling's "Letters of Marque" and "City of Dreadful Night," both of which were published here some years ago and imme- diately withdrawn on account of difficulties con- cerning the copyright. Mr. Stephen Crane is at work on a new novel. Before this appears, however, the public will get a new volume of verse from Mr. Crane, entitled "War is Kind." The late Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson left virtually completed a series of biographies of leaders of medicine, and these are now about to be published by Messrs. Hutchinson in two volumes, called " Disciples of .^sculapius." Mr. Lewis Melville has completed his "Life of Thackeray," and the work, which has occupied him ten years, will be ready in a few days. It consists of two volumes, and will be the first complete biography of Thackeray. Meanwhile, the splendid Biographical edition of Thackeray has just been completed by the publication of the thirteenth volume. This edition, of course, is unique by reason of the biographical introduc- tions contributed by the novelist's daughter, Mrs. Ritchie. "Curiosities of Light and Sight," by Mr. Shelford Bidwell, F.R.S., will be published in a few days by Messrs. Swan Sonnenschein and Co. It is illustrated with diagrams, and treats of structural defects of the eye, optical illusions, and various recently-observed phenomena of vision. Mrs. Gertrude Atherton is engaged on a new novel. Earlier forthcoming novels include- "England's Peril," by Mr. William Le Queux; "The Stepmother," by Mrs. Alexander; "Twice Dead," by Miss Adeline Sergeant; "A Name to Conjure With," by John Strange Winter. One of the most important publications during April was Dr. Douglas Hyde's " Literary History of Ireland." The present literary movement in that country has also given birth to a small volume of articles, by Mr. W. B. Yeats, Mr. John Eglinton, " A. E.," and Mr. William Larminie, entitled " The Literary Ideal in Ireland," which the same publisher will shortly have ready. These articles appeared originally in a Dublin paper. In his new story, "The Violet Flame," Mr. Fred. T. Jane is combining "with a thrilling love story the development of some uncanny scientific discoveries, the result of which is the destruction of the world by a catastrophe of un- paralleled horror." The story is to appear in the English Mechanic. The American Authors' Guild has changed its name to the Society of American Authors. The following are the recently elected officers and managers of the society :—President, Rastus S. Ransom; vice-presidents, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, General Lew Wallace, Dr. Thomas Dunn English, Hubert Howe Bancroft, Mrs. Ellen Hardin Wal- worth, and Miss Grace Denio Litchfield; treasurer and counsel, Morris Patterson Ferris; secretary, John Beverly Robinson. "Rita's" new novel will be produced early this month. It is entitled "An Old Rogue's Tragedy." "Pictures of Travel," Mr. Mackenzie Bell's recent volume of poems, has been favourably received by the critics. It has also been well received by the public. Including the copyright edition in" the United States, 2000 copies have been printed. "Calumnies" is the title of the new novel by Mrs. E. M. Davy (author of " A Prince of Como," "A Daughter of Earth," &c.), which Messrs. Arthur Pearson will publish the first week in May. A series of China stories by the author of "The Shen's Pigtail " will appear in the English Illustrated Magazine under the title of "Chips of China." "English Roses " is the title of the latest book of poems from F. Harald Williams, B.A. It is  ## p. 286 (#298) ############################################ 286 THE AUTHOR. published at 6*. by Messrs. Simpkiu, Marshall, and Co. It is a volume containing some 600 pages. The book is divided into six sections, as follows: 1, English Roses; 2, Blood and Iron; 3, Laughing Philosophy; 4, Euphrasy and Rue; 5, Brake and Brier; and 6, Palms and Passion Flowers. "Songs of Hope and Love," by F. \V. Pitt, has just been published by Messrs. S. W. Part- ridge and Co. (price 2s. 6rf.). These poems have been well reviewed by various papers, and should have a ready sale. The title of Mrs. Richmond's new book pub- lished by Messrs. Longmans should have been described in last month's "Book Talk," as "Through Boyhood to Manhood; a Plea for Ideals." Price 2s. 6d. "The Story of "William Penn," by Frances E. Cooke, has just been published by Messrs. Headley Bros. Price is. 6d. Messrs. W. Clowes and Sons have now ready "The Officer's Field Note and Sketch Book and Reconnaissance Aide-Memoire," by Lieut.-Col. E. Gunter. 6*. 6d. net. "Marianna and other Stories," the title of a new book which Mr. Burleigh will immediately publish for " Georgette Agnew." An original poem in the style of the "Lady of the Lake," by the author of the "Rani of Jhansi" and other Eastern works, will shortly be published by Mr. Burleigh. The tale is a thrilling one, illustrating the state of unrest in Western India during the downfall of the rule of the Moguls at Delhi, and giving graphic descrip- tions of female infanticide, sati (widow-burning), and other native manners and customs. In his " Fragments of an Autobiography," Mr. Felix Moscheles records his early impressions, and introduces episodes of the artist's life in Paris. He sketches many celebrities in the musical, artistic, and political world he has frequented, and devotes special chapters to his trips to America, the Paris Commune, his godfather Felix Mendelssohn, and to Mazzini, Rossini, and Browning. Messrs. George Newnes (Limited) have nearly ready for publication a new standard work entitled "The International Geography." Seventy authors have collaborated in its production, including the leading geographers and travellers of Europe and America; the work has been planned and edited by Dr. H. R. Mill, who also wrote the chapter on the United Kingdom. Among the authors are Dr. Fridtjof Nansen (Arctic Regions), Mr. F. C. Selous (Rhodesia), Sir Clements Markham, F.R.S. (Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru), Professor A. Kirchoff (German Empire), Professor W. M. Davis (United States), Professors de Lapparent and Ravenau (France), Sir John Murray. F.R.S. (Antarctic Regions), Count Pfeil (German Colonies), Mr. James Bryce, M.P. (the Boer Republics), Sir H. H. Johnston, the late Sir Lambert Playfair, Sir F. J. Goldsmid, Sir Martin Conway, Sir George S. Robertson, Sir William MacGregor, Sir Charles Wilson, F.R.S., the Hon. D. W. Carnegie, Mrs. Bishop. Dr. A. M. W. Downing, F.R.S., Dr. J. Scott Keltie, and Mr. G. G. Chisholm, the editor of the "Times Gazetteer." The book is illustrated by nearly 500 maps and diagrams, which have been specially prepared. It is designed to present in the compact limits of a single volume an authori- tative conspectus of the science of geography and the conditions of the countries of the world at the close of the nineteenth century. The Ameri- can publishers are Messrs. D. Appleton and Co., New York. THE BOOKS OF THE MONTH. [March 23 to April 22—263 Books.] Adams, Francis. Essayb in Modernity. 5/- net. AHalo, F. G. (ed.). The Cost of Sport. 6/- Aitken, J. The Ahiding Law. 2/6. Alaine, B. A Subtle Enchantress. 2/- Alexander, Rupert Maureen Moore. 67- Lanc. Murray. Oliphant. Stockwell. Burleigh. Allbutt, T. C. 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The Catholic Brief against Sir William Harcourt and others. 2/6. Gay and B. Oaffyn, Mrs. M. (" Iota"). Anne Mauleverer. 6/- M<'thuen.  ## p. 287 (#299) ############################################ THE AUTHOIt. 287 Carter, T. T. Spirit of Watchfulness, &o. 5/- Longman. Catas, E. M. H. On Christmas Day. 3/6. Putnam. Chandler, P. W. The Land Tax. 3/6 net. Beeves and Tamer. Chapman, E. J. The Snake Witch, and other Poems. Paul. Charleton, R. H. Useful Information for Gold Mining Investor l/- E. Wilson. Clifton, W. Notes on Colour. »/- Bichards. Colby, C. W. Selections from the Sources of English History. 6/- Longman. Cole, W. H. Light Railways at Home and Abroad. 16/- Griffin. Coll, B. A Strange Executor. 6/- Pearson. Crockett, S. R. The Black Douglas. 6/- Smith and E. Cust, Lady E. Records of the Oust Family of Pinchbeck, Stamford, and Belton in Lincolnshire, from 1479 to 1700. 30/- Mitchell .fc H. Danbeny, G. A. Strength and Decay of Nations. 1/- Simpkiu. Daudet, L. (tr. by C. DeKay). 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Title A name given to the resource The Author, Vol. 09 Issue 12 (May 1899) Subject The topic of the resource <em>The Author</em>, Vol. 09 Issue 12 (May 1899) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101063829988" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101063829988</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Publication Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1899-05-01-The-Author-9-12 publications The Author https://historysoa.com/files/original/5/327/1899-04-01-The-Author-9-11.pdf 11eae033740e921643d4c37a4125e0e9 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) 1899-04-01 Volume 9 Issue 11 Pages Page range in volume 245–268 Ngram Date Version of the date in YYYYMMDD format for use by the Ngram plugin 18990401 Ngram Text Version of the text with no HTML formatting for use by the Ngram plugin ^Ibe Hutbor, {The Organ of the Incorporated Society of Authors. Monthly.) CONDUCTED BY WALTER BESANT. Vol.IX.—No.ii.] APRIL i, 1899. [Price Sixpence. For the Opinions expressed in papers that are signed or initialled the Aut/wrs alone are responsible. None of the papers or para- graphs must be taken as expressing the collective opinions of the Committee unless they are officially signed by G. Herbert Thring, Sec. THE Secretary of the Society begs to give notioe that all remittances are acknowledged by return of post, and requests that all members not receiving an answer to important communications within two days will write to him without delay. All remittances should be crossed Union Bank of London, Chancery-lane, or be sent by registered letter only. % w Communications and letters are invited by the Editor on all subjects connected with literature, but on no other sub- jects whatever. Articles which cannot bo accepted are returned if stamps for the purpose accompany the MSS. GENERAL MEMORANDA. J7\OB, some years it has been the praotice to insert, in J every number of The Author, certain "General Con- siderations," Warnings, Notices, &c, for the guidanoe of the reader. It has been objected as regards these warnings that the tricks or frauds against which they ore direoted cannot all be guarded against, for obvious reasons. It is, however, well that they should be borne in mind, and if any publisher refuses a clause of precaution he simply reveals his true character, and should be left to oarry on his business in his own way. Let us, however, draw up a few of the rules to be observed in an agreement. There are three methods of dealing with literary property:—. I. That of selling it outright. This is in some respects the most satisfactory, if a proper fries can be obtained. But the transaction should be managed by a competent agent. II. A profit-sharing agreement. In this case the following rulp * should be attended to: (1.) Not to'sign any agreement in which the cost of pro- duction forms a part. (2.) Not to give the publisher the power of putting the profits into his own pocket by charging for advertisements VOL. IX. in his own organs: or by charging exchange advertise- ments. (3.) Not to allow a speoial charge for " offloe expenses," unless the same allowance is made to the author. (4.) Not to give up American, ColonUl, or Continental rights. (5.) Not to give np 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! (7.) To stamp the agreement. III. The royalty system. In this system, which has opened the door to a most amazing amount of overreaching and trading on the author's ignorance, it is above all things necessary to know what the proposed royalty means to both -ides. It is now possible for an author to ascertain approximately and very nearly the truth. From time to time the very important figures oonneoted with royalties are published in The Author. Readers can also work out the figures themselves from the "Cost of Production." Let no one, not even the youngest writer, sign a royalty agreement without finding out what it gives the publisher as well as himself. It has been objected that these precautions presuppose a great success for the book, and that very few books indeed attain to this great success. That is quite true: but there is always this uncertainty of literary property that, although the works of a great many authors oarry with them no risk at all, and although of a great many it is known within a few copies what will be their minimum circulation, it is not known what will bo their maximum. Therefore every author, for every book, should arrange on the chance of a success which will not, probably, come at all; but which may come. The four points which the Society has always demanded from the outset are:— (1.) That both sides shall know what an agreement means. (2.) The inspection of those aooount books which belong to the author. We are advised that this is a right, in the nature of a common law right, which cannot be denied or withheld. (3.) That there shall be no secret profits. (4.) That nothing shall be charged which has not been actually paid—for instance, that there shall be no charge for advertisements in the publisher's own organs and none for exchanged advertisements, and that all discounts shall be duly entered. If these points are carefully looked after, the author may rest pretty well assured that he is in right hands. At the same time he will do well to send his agreement to the secretary before he signs it. c c 2  ## p. 246 (#258) ############################################ 246 THE AUTHOR. HOW TO USE THE SOCIETY. t. IiTVEKY member has a right to ask for and to receive advice upon his agreements, his choice of a pub- lisher, or any dispute arising in the conduct of his business or the administration of his property. If, in the opinion of the Committee and the Solicitors of the Society, the advice sought is such as can be given best by a solicitor, the member has a right to an opinion from the Society's solicitors. If the case is such that Counsel's opinion is desirable, the Committee will obtain for him Counsel's opinion. All this without any cost to the member. 2. Eemember that questions connected with copyright and publisher's agreements do not generally fall within the experience of ordinary solicitors. Therefore, do not scruple to use the Society first—our solicitors are continually engaged upon such questions for us. 3. Send to the office copies of past agreements and past accounts with the loan of the books represented. This is in order to ascertain what has been the nature of your agree- ments, and the results to author and publisher respectively so far. The Secretary will always be glad to have any agreements, new or old, for inspection and note. The infor- mation thus obtained may prove invaluable. 4. If the examination of your previous business trans- actions by the Secretary proves unfavourable, you should take advice as to a change of publishers. 5. Before signing any agreement whatever, send the pro- posed document to the Society for examination. 6. The Society is acquainted with the methods, and—in the oase of fraudulent nouses—the tricks of every publish- ing firm in the country. 7. Remember always that in belonging to the Society you are fighting the battles of other writers, even if you are reaping no benefit to yourself, and that you are advancing the best interests of literature in promoting the indepen- dence of the writer. 8. Send to the Editor of The Author notes of everything important to literature that you may hear or meet with. 9. The Committee have now arranged for the reception of members' agreements and their preservation in a fireproof safe. The agreements will, of course, be regarded as con- fidential 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 publishers. (2) To ■tamp agreements in readiness for a possible action upon them. (3) To keep agreements. (4) To enforce payments due according to agreements. NOTICES. THE Editor of The Author begs to remind members of the Society that, although the paper is sent to them free of charge, the oost of producing it would be a very heavy charge on the resources of the Society if a great many members did not forward to the Secretary the modest 6s. 6d. subscription for the year. Communications for The Author should reach the Editor not later than the 21st of each month. All persons engaged in literary work of any kind, whether members of the Society or not, are invited to oommnnicate to the Editor any points connected with their work which it would bo advisable in the general interest to publish. Members and others who wish their MSS. read are requested not to send them to the Offioe without previously communicating with the Secretary. The utmost practicable despatch is aimed at, and MSS. are read in the order in which they are received. It must also be distinctly under- stood that the Society does not, under any oircamstances, undertake the publication of MSS. The present location of the Authors' Club is at 3, White- hall-court, Charing Cross. Address the Secretary for information, rules of admission, Ac. Will members take the trouble to ascertain whether they have paid their subscriptions for the year? If they will do this, and remit the amount, if still unpaid, or a banker's order, it will greatly assist the Sucretary, and save him the trouble of sending ont a reminder Members are most earnestly entreated to attend to the following warning. It is a most foolish and may be a most disastrous thing to enter into an agreement binding for a term of years. Let them ask themselves if they would give a solicitor the collection of their rents for five years to come, whatever his conduct, whether he was honest or dishonest? Of course they would not. Why then hesitate for a moment when they are asked to sign themselves into literary bondage for three or five years? "Those who possess the 'Cost of Production' are requested to note that the cost of binding has advanced 15 per cent." This clause was inserted three or four years ago. Estimates have, however, recently been obtained which show that the figures in the book may be relied on as nearly correct: as near as is possible. Some remarks have been made upon the amount charged in the " Cost of Production" for advertising. Of course, we have not included any sums which may be charged for inserting advertisements in the publisher's own magazines, or in other magazines by exchange. As agreements too often go, there is nothing to prevent the publisher from sweeping the whole profits of a book into his own pocket, by inserting any number of advertisements in his own magazines, and by exchanging with others. Some there are who call this a form of fraud; it is not known what those who practise this method of swelling their own profits call it. LITERARY PROPERTY. I.—The Dramatic Sub-Committee. THE Dramatic Sub-corn m ittee have decided to call a meeting of all dramatic authors with a view to their joining the Society in order to obtain such information as might lead to the maintenance, definition, and defence of dramatic property. The meeting will be called for some date towards the end of April. It is trusted that the efforts of the Society on behalf of dramatic authorship and dramatic property will be sub- stantial and successful. II.—The Italian Protest. r. Attention might be drawn to the following points with regard to the Italian protest against the  ## p. 247 (#259) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 247 American Act (see p. 2 5 7):—That the Italian cause of complaint is very real, as publication in America secures copyright in Italy without even simul- taneous publication, but publication of Italian books in Italy does not secure copyright in America unless the book is first translated, then the translation forwarded to American publishers for their acceptance, the terms of the agreement settled, the type set up in America, and simul- taneous publication resulting. The question of the American treaty with regard to the publication of English books is not on such a bad basis as that of the Italian treaty, but still English publication is by no means reciprocal. We do stipulate for simultaneous publication, which is not necessary for an American to secure copyright in Italy, so that the Americans are put to some slight inconvenience ; but we do not stipulate for the printing of the book in England and the other trade difficulties. It is a question, however, whether the Italians are well advised in turning the wheel back in the evolu- tion of copyright property, and whether England would be well advised in turning the wheel back by enforcing printing, &c., in England. Ought it not to be the doctrine of both nations (England and Italy) to draw America from this backward position rather than that England and Italy should sink back into their literary barbarism? That, however, the lack of reciprocity is a matter of considerable regret there is no doubt, both in England and Italy. G. H. T. 11. "Our international copyright law, as it applies to Italy, is declared by L'Assoeiazione Tipigrafico- Libraria Italiana in a memorial to the Italian Government to be an extremely one-sided affair. It puts American authors who simply copyright their works here on a footing as to protection with Italian authors in Italy, no further action being required to secure all the rights the Italian enjoys. On the other hand, an Italian author who desires American protection for his work must print the work here, from American type, and publish it simultaneously with publication in Italy. He is thus at great expense. But to get advantage of the American market he must first have his book translated, another addition to his outlay. Few Italian authors can afford the time, trouble, and money, and hence the market is practically abandoned by them. Since the writ- ings of D'Annunzio, De Amicis and others have begun to sell here, this amounts to a real griev- ance. Italian music is taken bodily. The peti- tioners beg for some effort to be made on their behalf, or some retaliatory measure to be taken. Better, they think, to abandon the copyright field altogether than submit to this one-sided law. A common-sense view would be to urge an amend- ment whereby copyright might be secured by registration, even though subsequent publication here was arranged for as the law at present stands. This copyright by registration and the depositing of two copies of the original foreign edition with the Librarian of Congress might be limited as to time. It should hold good for a year at least to give the foreign author a chance to get out his American edition."—New York Criterion. _ in.—A Curious Point. A certain author published a book in America, and the American publisher, desirous of securing the English market, offered to an English pub- lisher to sell him 350 copies in sheets. The English publisher purchased these, and in two or three months sold the whole edition. After this edition was sold, whenever further orders came in he applied to the American publisher for further copies of the work. When the work had been on the market for a little over a year, the American publisher made arrangements for a second edition, and desiring again to place this new edition on the English market, he asked the author to arrange for the sale of 350 copies to an English publisher on the same terms as before. The author thereupon went to the pub- lisher who had sold the former instalment of books, and offered him 350 copies. Thereupon, the publisher replied that he was entitled to the second edition in England; that, in short, " he considered the market in England was still his" and that he could not purchase as many as 350 copies. The author pointed out that there was no contract existing—that he was merely selling the books, and that if he did not care to take the 350 copies he was going to take the offer else- where. It should be pointed out that the publisher had none of the old edition in stock, so that it was straining the interpretation unduly to maintain that the "English market was his still." He acknowledged that he had done well out of the former sales, but he stated that he considered the publishers were not entitled by the "custom of the trade" to take the book elsewhere if he refused to buy the copies tendered himself. He further maintained that it was too soon to bring out another edition. Upon the author pressing the point the publisher refused definitely to pur- chase, and said that if the offer was rnade. to any other publisher, he would write to the American house and also to the English publisher, and do his best to interfere with the sales. Under these circumstances the only thing for the author to do appears to be to take a bold  ## p. 248 (#260) ############################################ 248 THE AUTHOR. front, offer his book to another house, an 1 inform the publisher that if he attempts to inter- fere he will hold him responsible. It seems impossible that any publisher who carries on his business on these lines should succeed in the long run. Assuming all the facts are as stated, the attitude taken up by the publisher seems quite unjustifiable. He declines to take the books himself, and declares his intention of doing his best to prevent another publisher taking it—in short, he virtually attempts to boycott the book. IV.—Risk. On the question of risk, a writer of many years' experience sends the following :— "In the old three-volume days I asked a ] ublisher once how many copies of a novel his firm could dispose of by their name alone, without regard to the literary value of a book. He told me 250 copies. Now, as the libraries gave about 13s. 6d. a copy, this means £ib$. An edition of 500 copies of a three-volume novel of average length would not cost more than .£134 ('Cost of Production,' p. 15), allowing ,£20 for advertising. This amount was seldom expended for advertising a book whose run was over in a season and which was only bought by the libraries. £0 that the firm, on their own showing, never incurred any risk at all in the production of a three-volume novel. "I extended my research into the question of risk. I asked a publisher who had a series of 2s. novels the same question—how many the firm could dispose of by their name alone? He replied: 2000. The cost of producing such a book, for an edition of 2000—as given in the 'Cost of Production,' p. 37—would be, for a book of about 70,000 words, and allowii g for paper covers instead of cloth, no more than My$. Now, the sale of 2000 copies would produce about ,£115. Where is the risk? "We must remember that there are some books which, even when produced by firms of a fair selling power, cannot be said to bear 110 risk. But this is in general very small, and covered by a very few pounds in ordinary oases." V.—Literary Journals and Advertisements. Our editor, in the March number of The Author, dealing with the attitude of one or two newspapers which are admitted (by themselves) to be "leading literary journals," is curious to know whether literature really means advertise- ments. I present him with an anecdote which may, I trust, lighten in a measure his perplexity. Some years ago a publisher, after due search in the coluinus of newspapers for what was likely to interest himself, took upon him to write a letter to a eeitain literary journal. He declared that he had repeatedly sent books to the journal in ques- tion, but he "noticed" that not one of the volumes 1 bus forwarded had been reviewed. The retort to this complaint was a neat one. It was admitted that the volumes for review had been received, but the literary journal "noticed" in its turn that the publisher did not advertise in its pages. If the publisher had had a proper regard for the dignity (and emoluments) of "leading literary journals," he would have been put to confusion, and have complied in silence with the demand for bakhshish thus delicately hinted at. But he was a hardened man. He sent the corre- spondence to the Pall Mall Gazette, and it aiforded much entertainment to the readers of that newspaper. It cannot be too strenuously maintained that there are certain literary journals which are practi- cally in the pay and at the mercy of publishers who advertise in them. Their interviews and scraps of gossip are again and again coloured with malignant allusions to the dreaded and hated Authors' Society; their most elaborate and flatter- ing reviews are devoted to the productions of those publishing firms which advertise indefatig- ably in their columns, which clamorously shut the door against that unspeakable intruder the lite- rary agent, and which prefer to deal with the author " as between man and man." The one remedy for this condition of things has In en suggested by our editor himself. The author should claim by agreement a voice in the distribution of advertisements and in the placing of copies for review. The great and independent daily and weekly journals, which study many' interests apart from literature, ought to have far and away the first consideration. Those journals provide reviews written with all the ability, and with none of the airs of authority, of the " leading literary" organs. Publishers'announcements are no despicable item in the accounts of these widely- circulated papers; but they are not absolutely in- dispensable. While these journals might live in spite of publishers, there can be no question of the fact that publishers could not live without such extensively read newspapers. The author's independence would be increased, and the only sufferers would be those literary journals which have become degraded to the level of sordid dependants on the publishing trade. Scribbler.  ## p. 249 (#261) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 249 VI.—Authors' Corrections. With regard to the Editor's note on page 223 of The Author of March 1, could yon publish in your paper for the benefit of members the views of the Committee on this subject. especially: 1. What should be included by publishers in their charges against a book as author's corrections? 2. At what rate should these be charged? 3. How is an author to check this? A New Member. [The best answer I can give on the subject is to quote the passage on " Corrections," given to me by a printer whom I consulted in order to get trustworthy information and advice for " The Pen and the Book " (see p. 150). The meaning of Corrections is this: They arc charged at the rate of a shilling an hour, or, in some cases, fifteenpence, for the work of each printer employed. Now, it is extremely difficult to say how many words a compositor can alter in a given time. If the author corrects so as to "overrun," i.e., to alter the line and carry a part of it into the next and following lines, he may cause an alteration of the whole page, line by line, down to the end of the paragraph, and even beyond it. If he does this, he very materially alters the cost of Correc- tion. It is thus most difficult to check the charge for Correction. The only method which will enable the author to check approximately this item, is for hira to preserve carefully the first proofs, with his Corrections upon them, and to insist upon receiving them back with his revise. In other words, correct as little as you can: do not "overrun" if you can possibly help it: get your revise back again: and remember that only q, few words, three or four—opinions vary con- „U -rably as to the number—may be changed in a .A flute: you can then, if there is no over-running, .^'.,-ke a tolerable guess at the correctness of the charge. In mosk. publishers' agreements authors are allowed so much a sheet for Corrections: but as they are not told the connection between shillings and words, they are not much wiser,and the door is open for overcharging.—W. B.] VII. Authors, Publishers, and Booksellers. The Publishers' Association has passed certain resolutions dealing with the trade prices of books. The resolutions which, of course, closely affect the property of our members, have been drawn up and submitted to the booksellers without the least reference to the creators and owners of that property. The question will be considered by the sub-committee appointed for the purpose. Their action will be reported in the next number of The Author. VIII.—Much Needed. The following letter has been published in the chief literary papers in London, owing to the action of the Society of Authors, on behalf of Mr. A. E. T. Watson. The letter practically explains the position. A series of short stories, by many authors, was published by Mr. George Redway, and the book was lettered outside, as stated in the communication—" Huntingcrop Hall, A. E. T. Watson," thus conveying the impression that the work was a single story by a popular author. Mr. Watson naturally objected to this, and put the matter in the hands of the Society. After considerable negotiation, and wh?n the matter had been placed in the hands of the Society's solicitors, Mr. Redway consented to make the explanation contained in the letter. An Explanation.—To the Editor.—Sir,—I have been asked by Mr. Alfred E. T. Watson to explain that a volume of collected pieces published by me last autumn nnder the title of "Huntingcrop Hall" and other stories, by Alfred E. T. Watson and other sporting writers, and lettered outside "Hnntingcrop Hall, A. E. T. Watson," was not pre- pared nor edited by that gentleman, and that he had nothing to do with the publication. The two stories by Mr. Watson included in the volume were republished from 'London Society," of 1S72, by arrangement made by me with Mr. James Hogg, the proprietor of the copyrights, and not by permission of Mr. Watson, the writer of the stories. George Redway. PARIS NOTES. THE spirit of discord appears to have invaded French literary circles during the past month. Indeed, at one moment affairs assumed such serious proportions that the recognised agitators themselves stood aghast at the prospect of fresh trouble breaking out in such an unexpected quarter as the patriotic and pacific Ligue de la Patrie Francaise. Happily, MM. Jules Leraaitre and Francois Coppee (president and honorary president of the league) retrieved their first imprudent manifestation of personal feeling so promptly that all danger of new internal com- plications was averted; though numerous mem- bers—and among them the well-known literati MM. de Heredia, Andre Theuriet, and Maurice Souriau—expressed their disapproval by with- drawing their adhesion to the league. The erudite M. Houssaye refused to follow their example. We may mention in passing that this conscientious historian is now receiving the con- gratulations of the French Press on the success of his new work, entitled "Waterloo, 2e partie de 1815," ed. Perrin. In impartiality of judgment and laboriously correct phraseology, M. Hous-  ## p. 250 (#262) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. saye's work somewhat resembles that of our own Sir James Macintosh. Secondly, there is an open schism among the members of the French Academy for the first time in its history. That this august body should ever stoop to party politics or personal differences seemed as improbable as that Birnam wood should ever invade the towers of Macbeth; but the vacant seats of MM. Jules Lemaitre, Francois Coppee, Anatole France, and Jules Claretie on M. Guillaume's investiture to the vacant fauteuil of the feu Due d'Aumale made all Paris aware of the "rift within the lute" existing in the heart of this venerable assembly. Under these circumstances M. Guillaume's oration (extremely well read by M. Brunetiere, owing to the newly- elected member being temporarily voiceless) and M. Meziere's response to the same, were matters of secondary importance, though the latter's assurance that M. Guillaume did not express him- self "comme un guide Baedeker" brought a quiet smile to the lips of several persons present. Apropos of the flattering allusion made to M. Guillaume's literary services, we may state that the eminent sculptor has produced a study on Michel Angelo, and several minor works, written in a sufficiently clear, straightforward manner; but, had the "affaire" not smoothed his elevation to his present dignity, we doubt if French litera- ture would ever have been aware of his efforts ou her behalf. Thirdly, M. Annan de Caillavet, having taken umbrage at some chance phrase in an article entitled " Salons parisiens " (Vieparisienne), sent two friends to the editor demanding the name of the writer of the article in question. M. Pierre Veber at once acknowledged his own responsi- bility. A meeting accordingly took place, in which the unlucky writer was disabled in the fourth round by a nasty sword-cut in the fore- arm. A few days later, the well-known dramatic author, M. Paul Gavault, had a meeting with M. Henri Marx. The cause of the quarrel has not yet transpired, but literature was again at a dis- advantage, M. Gavault receiving a deep wound in the lower jaw, which caused the surgeons in attendance to stop the combat. If these encoun- ters continue, a large number of the Parisian literati appear likely soon to figure on the disabled list. The names of no less than three Academicians adorn the theatrical posters at the present moment, namely, MM. Anatole France, Francois Coppee, and Henri Lavedan. The dramatic adaptation at the Vaudeville of M. Anatole France's well-known novel "Le Lys Rouge" made quite a stir in theatrical and literary circles. It is useless, however, to deny that the play does not realise the high expectations formed of its merits, and that not even its clever interpretation can prevent the dialogue from occasionally appearing too long-winded and monotonous. The same criticism is applicable to the adaptati6n of " Le Coupable " of M. Francois Coppee (Theatre Ambigu). Psychological and social problems are unwelcome to the majority of theatre-goers, for the gods of the higher literary cult are not the gods of the gallery. M. Henri Lavedan in his adaptation of "Le Vieux Marcheur" (as elsewhere) gives evidence of abundantly recognising this fact. He possesses the genuine dramatic verve, being especially good in sparkling, " slangy," up-to-date dialogue; but it is a pity that the distinguished Academician should have enveloped his latest production in a frame better suited to the profligate period of the Regency than our own more enlightened agp. The Parisians cannot be accused of niggardli- ness towards their illustrious deceased ecclesiastics. The committee recently formed at Paris by Cardinal Perraud for the purpose of raising funds to erect a funeral monument to Boesuet, " L'Aigle de Meaux," iu the cathedral of that town, has just published its first list of donations received. The sum total already amounts to 17,000 francs; and, meanwhile, the fragrant plot of ground and ancient mill consecrated to all lovers of literature by the " Lettres de Mou Moulin" and other works of Alphonse Daudet, are being ignomiuiously put up for sale to be knocked down as an indifferent "lot" to the highest bidder. This appears at first sight to be slightly inconsistent; but a moment's reflection reminds us that such conduct is not unparalleled in the history of other nations. The representation of foreign dramas—and, more especially, the performance of M. Jean Aicard's translation of the Shakesperian " Otello" at the Comcdie Fran9aise—has recently given rise to a lively discussion on this subject iu the Beaux Arts section of the Chamber of Deputies. The nationalists found foreign authors out of place in the national theatres subsidised by the State, and demanded that henceforth only French operas and plays should be represented therein. To these objections M. Leygues roundly re- sponded that, if such were the case, only works of the French school ought to be admitted to the Louvre, since subsidised theatres were nothing less than national museums, and that Shakespeare was assuredly in his right place at the Comcdie Fran^aise or Odcon, since in raising a statue in his honour the Town of Paris ha 1 herself rendered homage to his genius. He added that subsidised theatres were especially- consecrated to "la pensee humaine," which was  ## p. 251 (#263) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. cosmopolite; and spiritedly demanded if the nationalists desired to exclude Correggio, Raphael, and Titian from the Louvre? He likewise pointed out that more dramatic French authors were represented in foreign countries than foreign dramatic authors were represented in France, and further continued — "Let us admire the beautiful wherever it may be found; do not let us proscribe genius under the pretext that it is not French. N'etablissons pas de barriere-douaniere contre la pensee!" This liberal and sensible speech was deservedly applauded, and thus our great poet has received his letters of naturalisation from the countrymen of Moliere, Racine, and Corneille. The Daudet family are skilled and untiring writers. "Sebastian Gouves" (ed. Fasquelle) is the title of M. Leon Daudet's new novel, but not having been favoured with a copy, we are unable to vouch for its merits. It is reported to repre- sent the strife perpetually waging between passion and interest, the social factors and the individual. At the present moment this hard-working author is busily engaged in supervising the editing of "Notes sur la Vie" {Revue de Paris), a series of casual notes in diary form found among the papers of the late Alphonse Daudet; also "Le Valet de ferme" (e"d. Dentu), a collection of short tales by the same illustrious author, to which M. Leon Daudet is adding a preface; while M. Ernest Daudet is occupied in finishing a stirring historical romance of the fifteenth century, entitled " Deux Coeques," which will shortly be given to the public. Our obituary list for the past month embraces the names of three men whose fame was essentially Parisian: (i) Charles-Louis-Etienne Truinet, better known as Charles Nuitter, archivist of the Opéra, was the author of numerous vaude- villes, and among them, the famous "Tasse de the"; but he is chiefly known as a librettist and the translator of "Tannhauser," "Rienzi," and " Lohengrin." He collaborated with Offen- bach in "Les Bavards," '* Vert-Vert," and "La Princesse de Tre"bizonde "; with Sardou in Guiraud's "Piccolino"; with Locle in Verdi's "Aida"; and with Beaumont, Delibes, and Lalo on other occasions. He was seventy-one years of age, and carried out so faithfully his chosen motto of '* Cache ta vie," that, at his death, not even his intimate asso- ciates knew if any of his family were still in existence. (2) Fernand Xau, founder and editor of Le Journal, died prematurely at Cannes, after a long and painful illness, a victim to overwork. Once, on being reproached for not taking the repose he needed, "I belong," he answered gaily, "to the race of horses who die when they stop vol. IX. short." He possessed all the qualities requisite to a successfulfin-de-siicle editor; and his smart repartees, shrewd judgment, and brilliant con- versational powers, united with great kindness of heart and journalistic talent of no mean order, make his loss sincerely regretted by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. (3) The sudden death of Albert Bataille, one of the ablest journalists on the Figaro staff, has been still more widely deplored. The numerous foreign and native journalistic and literary associations of which he was an active member were unanimous in their expressions of esteem and regret. Speaking in the name of the foreign journalists at Paris, M. Janzon, editor of the Stockholms Dagblad, and member of the Central committee of the Press Association, emphatically declared: "H n'y a pas un journalist* étranger qui ait connu Bataille sans le respecter et l'aimer." But perhaps the highest tribute paid to the dead man's sterling worth was that conveyed in the closing phrases of the funeral oration pronounced by M. de Rodays: "Mais il faut surtout le louer, e"tant une force, d'avoir e"te une conscience. Bataille n'a jamais ecrit un mot qui'l ne pensat pas. ... II a touche- a tout . . . et il n'a jamais 6ti injuste pour personne. C'est l'honneur de sa vie de n'avoir jamais cede* a une pression ou subi l'influence d'un mauvais courant d'opinion." M. Pierre Loti's Eastern trip is indefinitely postponed, owing to his re-instatement on the active service list of the French Navy. He is now engaged on a work whose plot is laid in the He de Paques. This tiny Oceanic island was dis- covered by Davis in 1686, and explored by Rogge- ween on "Le jour de Paques, 1722." M. Loti visited this isle as a midshipman twenty-four years ago, and was much surprised to find it peopled by a handsome and intelligent white race. He is assisted in his present work by the notes taken on that occasion. M. Edouard Rod, whose name is well known in French literary circles, has just embarked for New York. He is expected to be absent for three months, his intention being to give a series of lectures in the American universities on French dramatic poetry, including the works of Jean Jacques, Rousseau, &c. On his return he will probably give the public the reflections induced by his American tour. The era of cheap modern literature in superior type and binding is being inaugurated here by MM. Jules Rouff and Co., who, relying on the popularity of Victor Hugo's works, have pur- chased from his heirs the right of publishing a complete collection of their famous relative's writings at the low rate of twenty-five centimes  ## p. 252 (#264) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. per volume. The statue of the great French master, intrusted to the sculptor Barrias, will be finished in July. The project of temporarily placing the plaster cast on the " rond point" of the Avenue Victor Hugo has been abandoned, and it is now definitely decided that the Hugo monument is to be placed when finished in a central position in the Champs Elysces palace ready for the great Exhibition of 1900. Amongthe publications of the month may be men- tioned " La Force," by M. Paul Adam, one of the most graphic and interestingmartialworkswe have had the pleasure of reading for a long time; " Le Massacre des Amazones," by M. Han Ryner (chez Chaumel), a critical study of 200 contemporary "bas bleus," among whom are included Mmes. Adam, Sarah Bernhardt, Alphonse Daudet, Tola Dorian, Judith Gautier, " Gyp," Jean Bertheroy, the Duchess d'Uzes, &c.; "Le Quartier Latin," by MM. Georges Renault and Gustave Le Rouge (chez Flammarion), a clever and instructive history of the old and new Latin quarter; "Le Rachat de la Femme," by Pierre Sales (chez Flammarion), forming a conclusion to his sensa- tional " Honneur du Mari," of which 10,000 copies were sold at its first publication; "L'Anneau d'Amethyste," by Anatole France, a novel which maintains the high literary level of its prede- cessors; "Josephine, Imperatrice et Reine," by the Bonapartist biographer, M. Frédcric Masson (chez Ollendorf), being a sequel to his interesting "Josephine Beauharnais"; "Un Amateur d'umes" (chez Fasquell), a charming Spanish study by M. Barres; and the second volume of the famous Gourgaud Memoirs, which contains much new and interesting matter relative to the great Napoleon, especially in regard to his private sentiments and shrewd appreciation of his two consorts. Darracotte Dene. FROM THE AMERICAN PAPERS. AMERICAN newspaper methods are, or have been, so much a byword in this country that it is of peculiar interest to hear the views of themselves entertained by American newspaper men. An address delivered the other day by Mr. St. Clair McKelway, editor of the Broohlyn Eagle, affords this opportunity. The occasion was the annual banquet of the American Newspaper Publishers' Association at the Waldorf-Astoria, when Mr. Stephen O'Meara, editor of the Boston Journal, presided over a com- pany of 200. The first speaker of the evening was Congressman B. Mahany, of Buffalo, who declared that there were more and better news- papers in New York State to-day than existed in the whole world half a century ago. Lieutenant- Governor Timothy L. Woodruff, who was the next speaker, addressed himself to the subject of "Public Men and their Relations to the Press." An honest public servant, he said, need fear neither jails nor newspapers; a dishonest public servant had just cause to fear both. Newspaper men constituted an impregnable phalanx of advancement and civilisation. Mr. St. Clair McKelway followed with a sj)eech on "The Press in its Relations to Public Men." The "relations," he said, were improving. Public men were finding that the rowdy Press could do them no harm, and the decent Press was finding that rowdy public men could do them neither harm nor good. "There are rowdy public men and there are rowdy news- papers," said the speaker. "They have a natural affinity for one another. The other kind of public men and the other kind of newspapers are letting that first sort alone. A line of cleavage in every community is being drawn between decent pubbc men and rowdy public men, and between decent newspapers and rowdy newspapers. Public men worthy of the name wish to benefit the city, State, or nation, and believe that the ideas of their party are likely to do it. Public journals have the same wish and the same belief." Mr. McKelway's denunciation of the unworthy section of the American Press was delivered in unstinted terms, and, as coming from one of the leading editors in the United States, deserves to be noted. Witness the following extract from his speech: "The public journal," he declared, "that subsists or exists for public plunder is a mendicant, a sycophant, and a compulsory coward. Only those who compel Press considera- tion by deserving it, either by character or ability, or both, are worthy of consideration as public men. Only those newspapers that make and keep a solvency in themselves and by themselves are worthy of consideration as public journals. The Government may be an advertiser in them like any other customer that has matters to make known, but the renting of business space should carry with it no mortgage on con- science or on brain. There may be a dispute over the permanence or power of the indepen- dent newspaper. I am too committed to the principle to indulge the reflected egotism of advocating it here. But there can hardly be a doubt about the lamentable and even pitiable plight of the dependent newspaper. It must mask the fact of slavery behind the pretence of authority. It must conceal the condition of beggarhood behind the front of oraclehood. It is of all things the most unfortunate. A man  ## p. 253 (#265) ############################################ THE AUTHOR: might conceivably sell his manual labour even for life to a heartless creditor, or deliver his heir- looms to an inforcing robber, or buy his peace from a soulless blackmailer, but that he should contract out his conscience and his brain under circumstances which make him infidel to honour, vacant of real influence, and barren of moral self- respect, should be unthinkable. For those whose personal or domestic necessities lead them to think that they must do that charity is taxed to the extreme. Towards those who do it for love of the fact of pelf or of the fiction of power, credulity is paralysed and indignation fatigued." M. Edouard Rod is now making his first visit to the United States, in order to deliver a series of lectures in French at the principal universities and colleges. These yearly lectures by distin- guished French literary men were started under the auspices of the Cercle Francais of Harvard two years ago, when M. Ferdinand Brunetiere dealt with the French novel. Last year M. Rene Doumic took up the History of French roman- ticism. M. Paul Bourget will probably be heard next year. M. Rod is treating of the History of French Dramatic Poetry. Questioned by the New York Times concerning his lectures, he made some interesting remarks on French litera- ture. "Among the dramatic poets of the past," said M. Rod, "my preference is for Racine. Racinean tragedy, with the drama of Shakes- peare, appears to me to be the most elevated form of art that dramatic poetry has produced. Racine's plays differ greatly from those of Shakespeare. I do not consider them inferior, but they represent a form of art that is essen- tially French. Foreigners often accuse us of not understanding them. Yet I think that at the present time Shakespearean drama is better understood in France than Racinean tragedy is outside of France. There is one thing about Shakespeare that has impressed me forcibly. A few months ago I was in London, and went to see 'Julius Caesar' — at Her Majesty's Theatre, I think. I could not but marvel at the prodigious knowledge of the democracy shown by Shake- speare, who nevertheless did not live in a democratic epoch. To come to modern times, within the past decade the foreign authors who have exercised the most influence upon French literature are, of course, Ibsen and Tolstoi, but what the ultimate effect of this influence will be it is impossible to conjecture. The most striking characteristic of our literature of the present time is its heterogeneity, if I may be pardoned for using such a barbarous word. There have been epochs when there was a certain unity in literary production and thought—at least, that is the impression we receive at a distance—but to-day we see around us the most diverse elements. It has been complained that Rostand's 'Cyrano de Bergerac' has shown unmistakably, by the universal admiration it has evoked and the unprecedented enthusiasm with which it has been received, that the tendencies of the times are towards a return to the romantic school. Evidently there is a current of romanticism; yet the current of realism is still strong, and there is another very pronounced current which seems to me to be a very powerful one but which it is difficult to define by a more precise word than that of idealism, which does not express much. JNb, I cannot venture to say whether or not any modern French writer exercises a decisive influ- ence upon our literature. That is not for me, but for posterity to judge." M. Rod does not speak English, though he can read it. The following editorial comment recently appeared in the New York World: There would seem to be something wrong abont the traditional belief that authors are poor and improvident people, if the history and experience of the Authors' Club in this city is of any significance. The club was organised in 1882, and it has always consisted of less than 150 members, all authors. At first it had no home and no means with which to rent one. Now it has a luxurious abiding-place, a fine library and all the adjuncts of comfort. And while most of the clubs composed of prosperous business men are sorely harassed by debt, the Authors' Club owes nobody a oent. and has a comfortable and yearly increasing bank account. While it was still poor it undertook to make and sell a costly book of unique character. There were to be 250 copies, each to be sold at 100 dollars. The publishers all ridiculed the idea, and with solioitous sympathy predicted disastrous failure, not as probable but as certain. But the authors made the book and marketed it so well that only a few oopies remain for belated buyers. Either the tradition is at fault or the authors have been learning thrift and shrewdness by their dealings with publishers. A FEW NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA. PROSPERITY is slowly but surely returning to Australia, and the direful crisis of 1893 is fading to some extent from the minds of men. Its lesson has not been forgotten, how- ever, and speculation and mild credits are not nearly so much in evidence as was the case in the ante-boom days. One result of the improvement is that Australia is again becoming a good market for English books and periodicals, which pour into the country in an enormous stream. Last year (1898) the single colony of New South Wales imported books and stationery to the value of .£581,974, and though no doubt stationery was the larger item,  ## p. 254 (#266) ############################################ 254 THE AUTHOR. yet the importation of books and periodicals must have been very large. The cheap English magazine rages with con- siderable virulence here, and local publications feel the competition somewhat, but have to suffer without much prospect of alleviation, as '* pro- tection" against the British author and publisher would not be entertained, in New South Wales at all events, which, under the cegis of Mr. Reid, has become very pronouncedly free - trade in policy. The absence of purely literary periodicals has no doubt seriously checked the development of Australian literary effort, but of late years a con- • siderable number of young writers have come into notice, chiefly through the Bulletin, a paper which, whatever its faults, and they are numerous enough, has done more to encourage Australian literary talent than any other local publication. Of these younger writers the best known are Mr. A. B. Paterson, Mr. Henry Lawson, Mr. Ogilvie, and Mr. Victor Daly. Almost all are verse writers, and have published numerous ballads, but they also write prose.and Mr. Paterson has recently published a novel. As a rule, the Australian writer betakes him to England, and as examples might be quoted Mr. B. J. Farjeon, Mr. Fergus Hume, Mr. H. B. Marriott Watson, Mr. Louis Becke, and other writers; but there are some who remain with us, such as Mr. Browne (Kolf Boldrewood), Mrs. Cross (Ada Cambridge), and Mrs. H. R. Curlewis (Ethel Turner). There are worse countries to live in than Australia, with its genial climate, its free life, and its endless possibilities in the way of riding, driving, bicycling, boating, <fec. Of course, I refer to the older colonies, not to newly-discovered goldfields or pastoral sections. Some readers of The Author may be interested in "spooks," and such will be glad to hear that a road near the present writer's place of residence is haunted by a remarkable "spook," which takes the form of a dog. At about 1 1 o'clock p.m. on Aug. 12, the dog appears near a little bridge or culvert on what is known as the Willoughby road, and runs in front of or round anyone who happens to be passing that way. Hundreds of people are said to have seen the dog, and many have thrown stones at it, but the missiles have passed completely through the figure without affecting it in the least. When matches are lit it disappears, but reappears the moment the light goes out. I cross-questioned a girl who had seen the dog, and she scouted the idea that it was imaginary, and stated that hundreds of people had seen it and that she herself had been accompanied by several persons, to all of whom it was visible. I have not seen the dog myself, and have an open mind on the subject, and give the tale as I heard it. For a new country, New South Wales rejoices in good many " spook " stories, haunted houses, and so on. Almost everyone here and many people in England know the story of "Fisher's Ghost," which is supposed to be a fairly well-authenticated story. Fisher was a small farmer who was treacher- ously murdered by a man with whom he had lived as a friend. This man gave out that Fisher had gone to England, but people passing a certain fence near a creek at night began to see Fisher sitting on a rail. When approached, the figure glided off in the direction of the creek. Investi- gations were made; blood was found on the fence, and Fisher's body in a hole on the bank of the creek. The suspected man was arrested and hanged. There is no doubt whatever of the murder, trial, and execution, and the supernatural part is believed by many. Justin C. MacCartie. Bridge-street, Sydney, Jan. 17. NOTES AND NEWS. THE following resolution has been forwarded to me from the secretary of the Authors' Club. It was passed unanimously at the last meeting of the Committee of the Club with a view of assisting those members of the Society who happen to be up in town for the dinner of the Society, and to making their stay in town as pleasant as possible: "That gentlemen living in the country who are members of the Authors' Society may be elected honorary members of the Authors' Club for the week May 1st to 6th upon the personal introduc- tion of a member of the Club." The annual report of the Boyal Literary Fund for the year 1898 will be found in another column. Two or three points are suggested by the report. The first is that the invested funds of the asso- ciation now amount to nearly .£60,000: that the income is about .£4000: that the amount given in relief of authors in distress was .£1900: and that the total number of recipients was no more than twenty-seven. Of these, fourteen were men, who received an average grant of .£61 each, and thir- teen were women, of whom eight were authors, with an average grant of .£51: four were widows, with an average grant of .£150: and one, an orphan, who received .£40.  ## p. 255 (#267) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 255 This represents the year's work of a most useful and beneficent charity. One gentleman at the meeting objected to the investment of more money, on the ground that there must surely be more than twenty-seven persons a year for whom the fund was intended. The speaker represented the average and common view of literature as a profession. That is to say, he regards it as a beggarly and most precarious profession. Now, I have been on the council of the Royal Literary Fund. Their meetings are most sacred and private and confidential. But I do not think that I am revealing secrets when I say that I never remember a single deserving case which was turned away for want of funds. On the contrary, the council always took a lenient view of the case, and a generous view of the literary position of the applicant. And I do not believe that, outside the twenty-seven recipients in last year's lists, there was a single case of distress which presented itself, or which might have presented itself. In other words, there are now thousands who live by the pen: the position of this multitude is as assured as that of any other profession. A man may break down in health, but if he does not, and is a good man and worthy of a place in the profession of letters, he may reckon upon success with much greater certainty than if he was a solicitor or a medical practitioner. I am, therefore, of opinion that it is quite time to abandon the annual appeal to the public for assistance for the starving litterateur. There will always be cases of distress and hardship, but there is no longer any necessity for the yearly dinner and the yearly speech of the chairman in aid of a charity which is represented as requiring more funds, and still more funds, as if the appli- cants were increasing in number instead of being a mere remnant, and as if the profession was still what it was sixty and a hundred years ago, starveling and dependent. In other words, the Fund has as much money as it wants: it need not make any more appeals or ask for any more invested funds; while to appeal to the public every year on behalf of the literary profession has not only ceased to be necessary but has actually become degrading. With this view of the case, I shall not feel myself in future called to give anything more to an institution which is sufficiently equipped for its excellent work, and I shall never again sit at a dinner which represents a condition of things no longer existing. The various experiments in the prices which publishers are now trying, are watched with interest by Americans. The following paragraph, VOL. IX. cut out of the New York Criterion, shows what some of them think. It is not quite the case that the six-shilling novel is ousted from the railway stall by its sixpenny rival: it is, however, quite true that the six-shilling volume is greatly damaged by the sixpenny. I believe that one publisher is going to try the experiment of pro- ducing books at two prices—a low and a high price. I can assure him that no one, not even a millionaire, will pay more than he is obliged to pay for anything, especially for "something to read," which is what most people want on a journey. I watched a stall the other day. There were offered stories at sixpence—or was it a shilling?—and the same stories at a penny. People bought them. Everyone laid down his penny and took the cheaper book: "The ephemeral character of the great bulk of current notion is strikingly illustrated by the snocess obtained in London by the sixpenny reprints of recent novels and the melancholy effect which their publication is having on the sale of the six-shilling novels. On the railway bookstalls the sixpenny paper-cover has practioally ousted the more pretentious volume, and when the promised new novels in sixpenny and shilling volumes come the chances sf the high- priced, well-bound novels are not of the brightest. The publio is realising that six shillings is a high price to pay for merely reading a book; for certainly most books of recent notion are of little value after being read once; they are not worth preserving on library shelves. Just as its pre- decessor, the three-decker, went, unwept and unsung, so will go the six-shilling book, and cheap editions, with a limited number bound for library purposes, will prevail. Neither author nor publisher has nrach to fear by this prospect, as there is no reason why good, or even indifferent, novels should not supplant the 'snipped' and 'rag-bag' papers that now flood the market." In the same paper I find a note on the Society and my book. It was not, of course, an "onslaught on the publishers." It simply stated what has been already stated over and over again, that " many publishers" are dishonest in certain ways that are expressly mentioned and, according to my view, are ways of dishonesty. These views, however, seem to be shared by everybody who takes the trouble to read them. Sir Walter Besant's "Pen and the Book " onslaught on the publishers has received opportune support from the annual report of the Authors' Society just published. In their efforts for the protection of literary property the Authors' solicitors dealt with 11o oases during 1898. Of these, twenty-eight referred to manuscripts which editors or publishers had not returned; in fifty oases money was claimed by authors from publishers; and there were twenty- three cases of dealings between writer and publisher in which the latter did not produce proper accounts of the transactions. The Society succeeded in recovering for their owners more than half of the detained manusoripts, over four-fifths of the money claimed, and in two oases out of three compelled the publishers to render satisfactory acoonnts. Ab practically every well-known English writer is now a member of the Sooiety of Authors, it has made Jt E  ## p. 256 (#268) ############################################ 256 THE AUTHOR. itaelf a decided factor in the perpetual strife between the wolf and the lamb—as Sir Walter would put it. The lamb, however, some publishers think, is growing up into a very sturdy ram, capable of taking good care of itself. I have been taken to task for calling the practice of charging what has not been paid "thieving." Well: two men embark on an enterprise the proceeds of which they have agreed to share in certain proportions: one of them manages the commercial side, the other trusts his word implicitly. The managing partner—one is told not to use the word "partner "—call him then fellow adrenturer—sends in accounts show- ing that he has spent £120, when he has only spent £100, putting the £20 secretly in his own pocket. What shall we call that act? A lawyer tells me it is not "theft," but "breach of trust," and that I must not call any action "theft" which the law only calls "breach of trust." I have put the case to a good many persons. They all agree that there is no difference in guilt between the man who thus sends in falsified accounts and the man who picks a pocket. No difference at all. If we are agreed that the man is a Thief, why not say so? I suppose the offended parties will be angry, but does that matter? As for the fact, we cannot too often repeat that in their proposed draft agreements the publishers claim the right to overcharge: and as they leave the percentage blank, they claim the right of taking whatever they please ; and as they maintain silence on the question of charging for advertise- ments which cost them nothing, in spite of the continued protests of the Society, it is surely not ill-natured to conclude that they approve of the practice. And, again, if there is any lingering doubt as to the truth of the charge, one publisher was so good as to dispel that doubt by proclaim- ing and acknowledging that it was his custom to charge what he had not paid. This was in the Outlook. The following paragraph has been sent to me. It is a cutting from the Independent: I am sorry to learn that Miss E. Livingston Prescott has been so much impressed by Sir Walter Besant's denuncia- tion of publishers that she is keeping her new novel, "Helot and Hero," in her own hands. It has been pro- duced, I hear, at her own expense, and is being distributed by Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co." 1 wonder what the writer means by the "denunciation of publishers." He repeats, you see, the last invention. I say, repeating a charge advanced over and over again by the Committee of the Society of Authors in their reports, books, and papers, that "many publishers "—not all— have been guilty of charging what has not been paid. Is this "denunciation of publishers " r And why is the writer of the paragraph sorry 'i Is he sorry that an author has learned to manage his own affairs for himself? Or is he sorry that a publisher is denied the rights which, according to the proposed agreements, he claims, of taking from the proceeds anything he pleases? In Literature of March the 18th there was presented a bibliographical survey of the House of Commons. The literary strength of the House is surprising. The list does not pretend to be exhaustive, but it may be taken as fairly so. It contains 134 names of Members who have written books or pamphlets. Surely there has never before been so large a literary element in any House of Commons. Among the names are some which belong to the very front rank of contempo- rary literature, such as, for instance, A. J. Balfour, Birrell, Bryce, Dilke, Jebb, Lecky, McCarthy, and John Morley, not to mention lawyers, journalists, specialists, essayists, and scientific writers, among them being John Burns, Sir Edward Clarke, Sir J. C. Colomb, Radcliffe Cooke, Leonard Courtney, Lord E. Fitzmaurice, Arnold Forster, Goschen, Haldane, Vernon Harcourt, Henniker Heaton, Howorth, Labouchere, Lubbock, Marquis of Lorne, Sir H. E. Maxwell, T. P. O'Connor, T. W. Russell, H. M. Stanley, Sir Howard Vincent, Carvell Williams, and many others. There are, in fact, at least thirty considerable authors in the House of Commons ; and of writers of books, journalists, and writers of pamphlets there are at least 134, say, one in four. It would be curious to compare this list with the corresponding list in the American House of Representatives. A little analysis of the list shows that many have written on several subjects. The following numbers, therefore, sometimes include the same name more than once. In poetry there are four; in philo- sophy three; in biography and history there are thirty; on military and naval matters there are three; on education two; on essays four; on law thirteen; on fiction nine; on religion three; on travel fourteen; on science sixteen; on political economy thirteen; on politics five; on Colonial topics one; and under the head of miscellaneous, including writers of occasional pamphlets, there are thirty-two. ijio Since we have so large a literary company in the House of Commons, would it not be possible to use this interesting fact for some practical purpose? There is, for instance, one little reform that is badly wanted. It is a slight change in the wording of the Resolution of 1837 by which the Civil Pension List was created. That resolu-  ## p. 257 (#269) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 257 tion granted a sum of .£1200 every year—not £1200 a year in all—to be devoted to pensions for persons distinguished in Literature, Science, or Art, or for those whom the Sovereign may think fit to honour. We want the last words left out, so that no one unconnected with Literature, Science, or Art shall receive a pension from this fund. On the other hand, the tendency for some years has been to use the fund for widows and daughters rather than for actual workers. After the words "persons distinguished in Litera- ture, Science, or Art" should come the words "or their widows or children if these are in straitened means," or words to that effect. Walter Besant. ITALY AND THE UNITED STATES. Translation from " I Diritti d'Autore, Bolletino degli atti e hotizie della Societa Italiana degli Autori." Anno XVIII., Num. 1-2. Gennaio- Febbraio, 1889. Page 1. THE Italian Association of Typographical Publishers has presented to the Minister of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce, the following memorial, drawn up by the advo- cate, Ferrucio Foil, in which it begs for a revision of the Convention for the reciprocal protection of intellectual works between Italy and the United States: To His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce. Rome. May it please Your Excellency: The Italian Association of Typographical Publishers previously had occasion, in 1891, to present to the Italian Government a memorial respecting the steps which were then being taken towards a Convention with the United States regarding artistic and literary property. At present this Convention has been agreed upon, and has been in force for some years, so that it is possible to study its results, and to form a mature judgment of its effects: and the same Association takes the liberty of placing before your Excellency some observations on this subject. The Association is convinced that this Con- vention is injurious to the interests of the Italian book-trade, and therefore suggests that your Excellency—in accordance with the clause which gives both of the contracting parties power to denounce the Convention at any time—might treat with the Government of the United States, with a view to the regulation of the reciprocal terms of the Convention in some manner more consonant with the interest of Italian citizeus. Undoubtedly the law of March 3, 1891 (Copy- right Act) marked an epoch in copyright legisla- tion, inasmuch as the United States of America had, until that time, refused to accord any pro- tection to the rights of foreigners. It was, perhaps, in consequence of this that many European States hastened to conclude treaties which might enable them to avail them- selves of the concessions which had been made. This was done by England (which had the strongest reasons for taking this step, on account of the identity of the language, which made com- pliance with the requirements of the Copyright Act very easy), by France, by Belgium, by Switzerland, and finally by Germany. Italy followed the example of the sister nations, and joined the Convention, by a royal decree of Jan. 18, 1893, No. 17. The terms which the Copyright Act impose upon foreigners as conditions of obtaining pro- tection are such that they render illusory the protection accorded books, lithographs, and photographs. This can be stated without hesi- tation, seeing that both the tenor of the terms of the Act, and experience, prove the fact. At the present time the works of Italian authors begin to be known and sought after in foreign countries; and yet Italian authors and editors would rather leave the American pub- lishers at liberty to translate and reprint their works than avail themselves of the provisions of the Copyright Act. This is an incontrovertible proof of the useless- ness of the protection afforded. And hence it arises that the publishers find themselves com- pelled to appeal to your Excellency's perspicacity. So long as the Italian exportation was very small, and the property to be protected consequently insignificant, the Italian book trade had no actual reason to protest against the Convention. Now, however, when happily the exportation is increasing rapidly, it is necessary that a pro- vision should be made for the protection of Italian interests. The twelfth Article of the Copyright Act enacts as follows: "This Act shall not apply to the citizens of a foreign State, unless that State accords the citizens of the United States the benefit of a protection of copyright on a basis substantially the same as that on which pro- tection is accorded to its own citizens. . . . The existence of these conditions shall be deter- mined by a proclamation of the President." Therefore, in accordance with this Article, foreigners who desire to avail themselves of the Copyright Act, after their Government has ob-  ## p. 258 (#270) ############################################ 258 THE AUTHOR. tained the prescribed proclamation, have to comply with certain prescriptions which the law has enacted for American citizens. So, in ac- cordance with paragraph 4956, protection cannot be claimed unless two copies of the book which is to be protected have been, at the latest on the day of publication, sent to the Librarian of Congress in the United States, or, in the case of a foreign country, have been deposited with the post in the territory of the "United States addressed to the Librarian. But this is not enough. These two copies must have been printed from type composed in the territory of the United States, or from stereo- typed plates made from type so composed. If, then, the European author of a work does not wish to lose the benefits of the American pro- tection, he must, before offering his work to the public in his own country, find a publisher in the United States, he must send him a copy of his manuscript, wait until a translation of it has been made, until the American typographical composition has been completed, and until two copies of the translation thus printed have been consigned to the Librarian of Congress at Washington, or lodged with the post, addressed to him. Then alone can he proceed to issue the original edition of his book. The slightest mistake, the smallest delay which may occur in the composition in the United States, causing the author, in his ignorance of it, to produce the original publication but one day before the trans- lation, and the protection becomes null, all the steps taken are void, and pirate publishers can produce the work with impunity, without either author or publisher possessing any rights. The explanation of the system suffices to prove that it is absolutely impossible for our authors to get protection of their rights. It will be under- stood that the English are able to comply with the terms imposed. The identity of language renders translation unnecessary, and the trans- mission of their works easy and profitable. But where there is a question of translation, the home market must be thought of before the inter- national market. How shall it be foreseen that the book will have but a small success, or that it shall have such a success that it will cross the Atlantic, and make profitable and possible an American translation before the book has been published in Italy? We have pointed out to your Excellency how the English find themselves in a privileged posi- tion when compared with the European States. Nevertheless, even amongst them the special con- ditions of simultaneous printing which the Ameri- can law imposes have created grave inconveniences, and sometimes have rendered protection impos- sible. Some of these cases were mentioned in the bulletin of the Berne Bureau, which quoted the words of an American publicist, who made in the Nation the following important declaration: "Professor Mover is the victim of our stupid con- dition of American fabrication, upon which the protection of the Copyright Act depends." In Germany, the agitation against the treaty is also active. In the words of the deputy Dietz, "Germany gives freely, to receive but a meagre return." If these words are true of Germany and of the European States, they are much more true of Italy, which gives much more than all the other European States. In fact, the other States impose upon the Americans who wish to obtain literary protection more or less extended formali- ties. In England, the publication must be simul- taneous in both countries—here there is an exact reciprocity—the title must be registered at Stationers' Hall, and a fee of 5s. paid. In France two copies of the publication must be deposited with the Minister of the Interior, &c. In Italy, on the contrary, no formality is pre- scribed, and the American citizen finds himself in a better position than the Italian himself. To obtain the protection] of the law the Italian must comply with the formalities prescribed by the law of 1882. The American citizen is not obliged to do this. If he has, at the time of the publication of the original edition, complied with the formalities prescribed by his own legislation, this suffices to secure him the protection of the law in Italy. In fact, Article 40 of the Act con- templates the case of a State which promises protection to other States on the condition that the latter shall guarantee the authors of works published in its territories all the rights and pro- tections sanctioned by their legislation; and in this case authorises the Government to accord reciprocity by a Royal decree. This is precisely the case of the United States. For such States Article 40 enacts: "If in a foreign State deposit of copies is prescribed, or a declaration at the time of publication of a work, proof that one or the other has been executed in conformity with the law of the country suffices to secure for the work published here the author's copyright in this Kingdom. Under the opposite hypothesis the deposit and the declaration prescribed in the present law can be effected either in Italy or abroad at an Italian Consulate." Seeing, then, that the Royal decree exists between Italy and the United States, and that in the United States deposit in the Library of Congress is prescribed, it follows that the deposit effected at Washington gives, without any further formality, a right to protection in Italy. Your Excellency will perceive how different is  ## p. 259 (#271) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 259 the position of the citizens of the two States between which a reciprocity was to be established —one that exists in the letter of the treaty only, and certainly not in its essential working. It is impossible for a moment to entertain any doubt of the immediate necessity of obtaining a real protection for Italian intellectual works, which are beginning to have a sale on the American Continent. If there be any difficulty which can oppose the equitable wishes of the Italian authors and pub- lishers, it is that which may arise from the con- flicting interests of the former and those of musical authors and publishers. ^Respecting these works, it is for the future agreed, in conse- quence of a number of legal decisions, that they ueed not be manufactured in the United States. But your Excellency's high intelligence and right judgment will doubtlessly discover some manner of combining the interests of both parties, seeing that it is not just that one section of producers of intellectual works should be sacrificed to the other. The Italian Association of Typographical Pub- lishers therefore trusts that your Excellency will be so good as, without ipso facto denouncing the treaty, to open communications with the Govern- ment of Washington with a view to some just modification that may safeguard the interests of all Italian citizens. It is certain that the Washington Government ought not to wish the treaty denounced, seeing that it gives, as we have shown, a large pro- tection to American writers, who are beginning to find a sale in our Peninsula. As England has succeeded in stipulating for a treaty which protects the authors of both States in a perfectly equal manner, so we trust your Excellency may be able to induce the Government of the United States to agree to a treaty more in accord with the interests of Italians than that which at present exists. And consider- ing that the Copyright Act does take account of the principle of reciprocity, if it be pointed out that, with the present treaty, that reciprocity does not really exist, the Washington Government cannot refuse to discuss the subject; and this the more as the obligations imposed by the Copy- right Act were suggested only by a desire of protection from English competition, certainly without reference to other States. We shall certainly not here presume to suggest to your Excellency the means to be adopted to carry out the end desired. For the Italian Association of Typographical Publishers it is enough to have pointed out this important subject to the attention of your Excellency. For musical works the treaty may certainly remain such as it is at present. It sufficiently protects such artistic property. For books, lithographs, and photographs it may, on the other hand, be possible to procure the abrogation of the principle which imposes simultaneous publication in both countries and the printing from American type or composition. This is the greatest desideratum. To obtain it it will suffice that the United States should apply the principle of a real reciprocity in the manner in which it is understood and applied by our Legislation. That is to say, to secure pro- tection in a foreign State it is not necessary to conform with the laws of that State, but it suffices to have complied with the requirements of the State of origin. So, as at present, as the American citizen who has made the prescribed deposit in the Library of Congress is thereby at once, without any further formality, protected in Italy, so it ought to be established that the Italian citizen who has done what the Italian law requires should, without further formalities, be entitled to the protection of the American tribunals. If it is not possible to secure this result, it should at least be possible to obtain this, that the citizen of those States cannot have protection in Italy for his literary labours unless the work is printed simultaneously in the country of origin and in Italy. These and other modifications may be weighed and brought into effect by your Excellency. And if nothing can be obtained, it will be at least opportune to agree that, whilst the treaty shall continue in force for musical works, it shall be abrogated for books. In this way the Italian author will lose nothing, since, as we see, the present protection is illusory. But, at least, the American also will not be protected by us, and the works of the United States will become public property. Complete liberty in both coun- tries will be better, as the present state of the case is this, that we give the American more protection than the Italian citizen, whilst in the United States the Italian intellectual works are exploited by everyone without their authors or their publishers, who have been at the expense and trouble of producing them, receiving any tangible advantage from their labours. In effect, as has been said in a notable article published in the Bulletin of Berne, since that after Zola no one on the Continent has found it convenient to make an American edition, the pirates have been able to declare that foreigners do not wish to avail themselves of the benefits of the American law, and so have robbed them with the greatest coolness. Your Excellency: The Italian Association of Typographical Pub-  ## p. 260 (#272) ############################################ 260 THE AUTHOR. lishers trusts that your Excellency will make a serious examination of the question which it has had' the honour of laying before you. Italian works, as has been already said, are beginning to be disseminated in the United States, and this dissemination will in the future become greater. It is necessary to take precautions for the future that the frait of so much labour and of so many expenses may not be lost in that country which pays the highest price for the things which it consumes, of whatsoever kind they may be. In the United States, too, the principles of a true and real protection of intellectual works are con- stantly making advance. It undoubtedly follows that the Government of Washington will not altogether easily suffer the Italian treaty to be denounced, particularly as this might be the prelude of a similar reaction in other States. It should, therefore, be possible to obtain a revision of the treaty in a sense in conformity with Italian interests. The Italian Association of Typographical Publishers has great confidence in the high sense of your Excellency, and awaits with tran- quility to see your efforts crowned with that success which neither can nor ought to be un- attainable in so patriotic an enterprise. THE ANNUAL DINNER. THE Annual Dinner of the Society of Authors will be held at the Trocadero Restaurant, Piccadilly, W., on Thursday, May 4, at 7.30 p.m. The chair will be taken by Mr. Augus- tine Birrell, Q.C., M.P. Tickets for the dinner will be 1 guinea, inclusive of everything. The formal notice of the dinner will be sent out to each member in the course of a day or so. The following ladies and gentlemen have kindly con- sented to act as stewards of the dinner: The Eev. E. A. Abbott, D.D. William Allingham, F.E.C.S. Sir Edwin Arnold, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Sir Robert S. Ball, LL.D., P.E.S. Bobert Bateman. Miss A. E. Bayly ("Edna Lyall.") Arthur W. a-Beckett. P. B. Beddard, F.E.S. E. F. Benson. Sir Henry G. Bergne, K.C.M.G. Mrs. Osear Beringer. Sir Walter Besant. W. H. Besant, F.B.S., D.Sc. ponlteney Bigelow. Mrs. Craigie (" Jchn Oliver Hobbes.") Oswald Crawford, C.M.G. Mrs. B. M. Croker. Lady Florence Dixie. Austin Dobson. Sir George Douglas, Bart. Prof. E. Dowden, LL.D., &c. A. Conan Doyle, M.D. A. W. Dnbourg. TheVen. Archdeacon Farrar, D.D., F.E.S. Basil Field. Prof. Michael Foster, F.E.S., D.Sc, &c. Douglas W. Freshfield. Signor Manuel Garcia. Eichard Garnett, C.B., LL.D. Kenneth Grahame. Francis Gribble. H. Eider Haggard. Prof. J. W. Hales. Thomas Hardy. Anthony Hope Hawkins. Silas K. Hocking. E. W. Hornnng. Mrs. Humphreys (" Eita"). Sir Henry Irving. Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake. The Eev. Prebendary Harry Jones. Henry Arthur Jones. H. G. Keene, CLE. J. Scott Keltie, LL D. Mrs. Edward Kennard. The Very Eev. Dean Kit- chin, D.D., F.S.A. W. E. H. Leoky, P.C. Lady William Lennox. J. Stanley Little. Sir Norman Lookyer,K.C.B., P.E S. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., P.O., &o. Eichard Marsh. The Eev. Prof. T. G.Bonney, F.E.S. Oscar Browning. Prof. C. A. Buchheim. Mrs. Hodgson Harnett. Mrs. Mona Caird. Lady Colin Campbell. Prof. Lewis Campbell. Eosa Nouchette Carey. Egerton Castle, F.S.A. Sir WiUiam Charley, Q.C., D.C.L. Prof. A. H. Church, F.E.S. Mrs. W. K. Clifford. Edward Clodd. W. Morris Colles. The Hon. Jchn Collier. Sir Martin Conway. the Lord , F.E.S. Florence Marryat. Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart., P.C. Justin McCarthy. George Meredith. Jean Middlemass. The Eev. A. W. Momerie. F. Frankfort Moore. Arthur Morrison. Henry Norman. W. E. Norris. Gilbert Parker. Max Pemberton. The Eight Hon. Pirbright, P.C, Sir. Frederick Pollock, Bart., LL.D. Morley Eoberts. W. M. Eossetti. Owen Seaman. Prof. Adam Sedgwick. G. Bernard Shaw. The Eev. Prof. Skeat, LL.D. Herbert Spencer. M. H. Spielmann. Victor Spiers. Sir John Stainer, Mub. Doc. Prof. Villiers Stanford, Mus. Doc. Henry M. Stanley. J. Ashby Sterry. Bram Stoker. Francis Storr. The Duohess of Sutherland. Sir Eichard Temple, Bart, G.C.S.I., &o. Sir Henry Thompson, Bart., F.E.C.S., &o. The Eev. Prebendary God- frey Thring. J. Todhunter, M.D. "Mark Twain." Mrs. Humphry Ward. Alfred E. T. Watson. J. McNeill Whistler. Miss Charlotte M. Yonge. KING ALFRED MEMORIAL. AMEETING in connection with the proposed national commemoration in 1901 of the thousandth anniversary of the death of King Alfred was held at the Mansion House, on March 6, the Lord Mayor of London pre- siding. Mr. Hamo Thornycroft has been asked if he will undertake the colossal statue, for which a site has been given by the Mayor of Winchester. For the memorial hall, or museum, it has been decided to select the historic grounds of Wolvesey Castle (close to the statue) which, till about a century ago, was the residence of Kings, or the home of the Bishops of Winchester, traditionally from the time of  ## p. 261 (#273) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. Bishop Agilbert, in the seventh century. It has been decided also to issue a popular record of King Alfred's life, containing contributions on Saxon Laws, by Sir Frederick Pollock; on Saxon Arts, by the Rev. W. J. Loftie; on Alfred as a religious man and educationist, by the Bishop of Bristol; Alfred as a geographer, by Sir Clements Mark- ham; as a warrior, by Professor Oman; and as a writer, by Professor Earle. Sir Walter Besant will write an introduction, and the Poet Laureate hopes to contribute verses. — WILLIAM BLACK MEMORIAL- LORD ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL issued, on Feb. 27, the following circular:—A committee has been formed for the purpose of establishing a memorial to the late William Black. It is proposed that friends and admirers of the late novelist throughout the world be invited to contribute to this purpose. This memorial may take the form of a lifeboat for the West Coast of Scotland if a useful position be found for it there. If not, the committee will consider the form the memorial should take. Two officials of the Northern Lights Commissioners are now investigating the matter. A list of the committee will be advertised in the leading journals. In the meantime subscriptions will be received by Messrs. Coutts, 59, Strand, London, and by the editor of the Oban Times, Oban, KB. INTERNATIONAL PRESS CONGRESS. MR. JAMES BAKER, author of "The Cardinal's Page," has just left for Rome, as English delegate to the International Press Congress; he will act as German inter- preter to the English section. The principal subjects for discussion at the congress are an international "carte d'identite" for Press-men travelling abroad; the establishment of a central official periodical for Press matters, although "La Presse Internationale" will serve that purpose at present; Press legislation in various countries; artistic property; reduction of postal tariffs for papers; adoption of an abbreviated international code for Press telegrams; and the legal position of journalists in various countries, &c. We hope to receive a full account of the proceedings from Mr. James Baker for our next issue. THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND. riHHE annual general meeting in connection I with the Royal Literary Fund was held at the offices in Adelphi-terrace, on March 8, Sir M. E. Grant Luff presiding. The report pre- sented by Sir Theodore Martin showed that grants to the amount of .£1905 had been made during the year to twenty-seven different cases. The par- ticulars of these were as follows : Class T. (history and biography, &c.), four grants, .£450 ; Class II. (science and art), four grants, .£230; Class III. (classical literature and education), four grants, £420; Class IV. (novels and tales), four grants, . £ 12 5; Class V. (poetry and the drama), three grants, .£340; Class VI. (miscellaneous), eight grants, .£340; total, twenty-seven grants, .£1905. There were relieved: fourteen males, .£855; thirteen females (viz., eight authors, .£410; four widows, .£600; one orphan, .£40), .£1050; total, .£1905. The total receipts amounted to over .£4000, and of this about .£1800 has been invested. A total sum of .£56,269 is now invested, producing an income of .£1700. Sir T. Martin pointed out that in this way the fund was being rendered less dependent on fluctuating subscriptions. Mr. Brabrook objected that there was no necessity for accumulating investments. They were not a commercial body, but were intended to assist authors and others connected with the pro- fession of literature who had fallen into distress. He knew that the Fund was very well adminis- tered, but he could scarcely think that twenty- seven constituted the whole number of persons it was meant to relieve. He would rather see the number doubled and the amount of relief also doubled than add to the .£60,000 invested capital of this admirably managed institution. He thought the Fund had enough invested to insure stability. Sir T. Martin explained that he had not meant by his remark that they ought in any way to con- tract their grants, but only to invest certain special gifts. The report was adopted unanimously. The Duke of Devonshire and Mr. Edward Dicey were chosen to fill the vacancies among the vice-presi- dents caused by the deaths of Mr. Gladstone and Lord Herschell. CORRESPONDENCE. I.—The Use of Extracts. ISHOULD be much interested to know what is the generally accepted rule for the use of extracts from standard authors, and whether my experience in this respect be an unusual one. A  ## p. 262 (#274) ############################################ 262 THE AUTHOR. short time since the editor of a well-known and long-established magazine accepted from me an article on a literary subject, which contained trans- lations of a few sonnets and extracts from one or two longer poems, made by a distinguished writer who has been dead a few years. I wrote under advice to this gentleman's brother and literary representative to ask his permission to use them. He gave me a cordial consent, but added, "The copyright is in a general sense mine, but the pub- lishers (name and address) have also an interest in it, and it would be better if you consulted them as well. They would, I apprehend, make no difficulty." I was, therefore, considerably sur- prised when the publishers did make a difficulty to the extent of asking two guineas for the use of the extracts. As I did not feel disposed to pay this, I inquired what charge (if any) they would make for the use of part of one extract and three lines from a sonnet. For this they replied they would make a " nominal charge" of i0s. 6d. I declined their kind offer, and either deleted the translations or substituted versions of my own. It was fortunate that I was able to do so without material damage to the article, but there might be circumstances under which it would not be possible. For the use of quotations as chapter headings, or in volumes of extracts, it surely cannot be customary to charge to this extent? If so, I fear literature would suffer, as few authors can afford to pay at this rate, and consequently quotations would be to a great measure barred. I should add that I was, of course, prepared, and told the publishers so, to make full acknowledgment if they had given their consent. f_ N. C. II.—Payment on Acceptance. May I add another to your list of magazines as paying for articles on acceptance? This is the invariable rule of Great Thoughts. Herbert D. Williams. III.—Writing for Low Pay. 1. In reference to certain remarks in the Queen (see enclosed cutting*) may I mention the follow- ing facts? * "A oorreepondent sends a letter concerning the women who write for nothing, or for low pay, because they are placed beyond the need of working for their livelihood. She says that she has sent many papers —stories and other things— to the editors of papers; that they have been accepted; that generally payment is either refused, or that application for payment is not answered. She says, quite rightly, that when an editor receives a MS. he must know that it is not sent as a gift, and that it is his duty either to return the MS. or to warn the author that if it appears it will not be paid for," Women are by no means the worst offenders in this matter. I was for over six years editress of a popular London novelette, which paid one all round price for its stories (.£6) ; but I have had letters over and over again from writers (of both sexes) saying that if only their MSS. could be taken, they would gladly accept £2, and pur- chase 100 copies. I need hardly say the offer was invariably refused. There are—judging from twenty years' experi- ence in what are called penny papers—two classes of people willing to write below market value: 1. The amateur who has a comfortable home, and only wants the pleasure of appearing in print. 2. The very poor and unsophisticated writer, who, knowing nothing of the prices that rule in literary work, honestly thinks £2 or .£3 fair remuneration for a story that took perhaps a week to write. I do not think this class should be harshly judged; they could not earn .£3—or even £2— by teaching, by fancy work, or by any of the many vaunted "Home" employments, their expenditure has been perhaps 6d. of paper, and so the £2 or .£3 when it comes seems handsome. If the correspondent referred to is writing of the better class magazines, notably those pub- lished by religious societies, it is a well-known fact that many clergymen and ladies of rank do write gratuitously for these, thinking it a sort of charity or a work for religion. I have been writing (in penny papers only) for over twenty-five years, but / never once had pay- ment for an article refused. I think perhaps a very simple plan has safe- guarded me from the difficulties mentioned by your correspondent. In writing to strangers (i.e. unknown editors) I always indorse my MSS. on title page: "Payment expected," and in an accom- panying letter I " hope they may be inclined to purchase MSS." (I fancy the general wording is "accept"). I have never known this plan to fail, and now for many years past I have been earn- ing a very comfortable income from penny papers. A Story Writer. 11. The conviction is growing amongst observers of the difficulties, trials, and unnecessary anxieties inflicted upon writers for magazines, reviews, and journals that, until a number of such writers unite upon certain points and, as a body, make a stand for fairness, the present unbusinesslike habits of editors in dealing with MSS. and the unjust rates of payment will continue. Would it be possible for, say, fifty or sixty respected and self-respecting people to adopt some such plan as that followed by typewriters and fix a minimum sum below which they would not sell their articles?  ## p. 263 (#275) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 263 In England the smallest amount per page offered writers of established reputation is one guinea; in the United States about seven dollars. They usually, of course, receive more but never (so far as I am able to ascertain) less. On the other hand, the largest sum offered writers not so well known is, in England, a guinea, in America, seven dollars a page; the smallest is any pittance that an editor chooses to assign; their maximum pay is therefore never greater than the minimum amount received by the well-known. So far the proportion is, perhaps, save in special cases, just. But should their minimum price be permitted to descend below 10s. per page of 500 words, or one guinea for 1000 words for magazines and reviews f Or 15*. per page of 500 words and 30*. for 1000 words for journals, newspapers, and all other publications? No doubt it would seem to editors a joke if they were to receive a printed card setting forth such terms. But why should one set of literary workers continue to press so heavily upon another set? A. M. B. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. T.—Who am I Like? Please allow me a corner in which to traverse the extraordinary statement of a correspondent signing himself "Grammar," that "Who am I like?" is right, and "Whom am I like':'" is wrong. I contend that the latter is correct, the accusa- tive case being governed by the preposition " to" understood. The sentence is really elliptical for "To whom am I like '<" If this does not carry conviction, let us put it to the test by answering the question. "Who am I like?" asks "Grammar." "You are like he," is the grammatically consistent reply. The verb " to be" governs the nominative case! Yes; but the preposition "to" (understood) requires the accusative. In an old novel by Mr. Sala—" The Seven Sons of Mammon "—there are two instances in which that practised writer says "whom I believe was" so-and-so. It is astounding. Cacophony is sometimes inseparable from strict accuracy. This shows that the ear has become degenerate, from being accustomed to incorrect expressions. "He left before I " is quite accurate, if "before" is an adverb of time; it means "before I did." "He left before me" really means that he walked in front of me. Once more. "Those sort of things" and "that sort of things " are both as vile as they can be; ugly and ungrammatical into the bargain. But happily there is a tertium quid. I submit that the true form is " things of that sort." Frederic H. Balfour. II.—The Queen's English. In a morning paper: "There is no shame in a man changing [i.e., who changes] his mind." Then a man who changes his mind is to be supposed devoid of shame, which is hard. The " no shame " is surely not in the man, but in his change of opinion. "There is no harm in a man's expressing his opinion in certain circum- stances "; but to say that a man who expresses his opinions is therefore harmless, would be rash. Yet that is the strict meaning of" There is no harm in a man expressing," &c. False Genitive. BOOK TALE. MR. W. S. LILLY has in the press a new work dealing with the philosophy of government, and entitled "First Prin- ciples in Politics." It will be published imme- diately by Mr. Murray. Mr. J. W. Headlam, of Cambridge, has written a volume entitled " Bismarck and the New German Empire" for Messrs. Putnam's "Heioesof the Nation" Series. One of the most important biographies of the Spring season will naturally be that of William Morris, which Mr. J. W. Mackail has written. Some of the chapters of the book are based prin- cipally on information given to the author by Sir Edwird Burne-Jones, and others who knew Morris intimately have rendered Mr. Mackail similar service. He has also had complete access to Morris's papers, and deals fully with the Socialist part of the career. A new story by B. L. Farjeon, called " Samuel Boyd, of Catchpole Square," is being published by Messrs. Hutchinson. Mr. Max Pemberton's new story "The Garden of Swords" deals with the great siege of Stras- burg in the Franco-German VVar, and in the love- interest the heroine is an English girl who was married to a French officer on the eve of the campaign. The book will be published at once by Messrs. Cassell. Professor Davidson, of Aberdeen University, has written a book on "Christian Ethics" for  ## p. 264 (#276) ############################################ 264 THE AUTHOR. Messrs. A. and C. Black's "Guild Library" Series. In view of the Cromwell Tercentenary on April 25, a book on "Oliver Cromwell and His Times " has been written by Mr. G. Holden Pike, and will be published by Mr. Fisher Unwin. Professor Arber is editing a series of British authologies of English verse, representing 300 authors, and containing about 2500 entire poems and songs, besides a limited number of extracts. The first anthology will deal with the poet Dunbar. Each volume will have an index and a glossary. The Oxford University Press is the publisher. Formal application has been made to the Treasury for a Civil List pension for the widow of the late Mr. Gleeson White. Mr. Wheatley's edition of Pepys's Diary will be complete in two more volumes, one of which con- sists of the index, while the other is devoted to Pepysiana, including a chapter on the relatives of Pepys, and personal notes on his school, college, and business life, and the London of his time. Mr. Henry James (says the Athemeuvi) has written a new novel, called " The Awkward Age," which will appear shortly. Forthcoming art publications by Messrs. George Bell and Sons include " Line and Form," by Mr. Walter Crane; a record and review of the life and work of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, by Mr. H. C. Marillier; a volume on Botticelli, by Mr. Herbert P. Thorne; and one on the Pre-Raphaelite School, by Mr. Percy H. Bate, curator of the Holburne Museum, Bath. An important literary project is a series called, with the approval of the Queen, " The Victoria History of the Counties of England," which will show the condition of the country at the opening of the twentieth centurv. The general editors are Mr. H. Arthur Do'ubleday, F.R.G.S., and Mr. Lawrence Gomme, F.S.A., and the advisory committee includes Lord Salisbury, Lord Roseberv, the Duke of Devonshire, Chancellor of the Uni- versity of Cambridge, the Duke of Portland, the Marquis of Lome, the Earl of Coventry, Ihe Bishop of London, the Bishop of Oxford, Lord Acton, Sir Frederick Pollock, Bart., Sir Edward Maunde Thompson, Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte, Sir Joseph Hooker, Sir Archibald Geikie, and others. The history of each county will be complete in itself. "Hampshire" is nearly ready, and is in four volumes. The publishers are Messrs. Constable. Mrs. W. M. Ramsay, author of "Everyday Life in Turkey," which was published over a year ago, has now written a novel entitled "The Romance of Elisavet," to be published by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton. Tennyson's complete poetical works, exclusive of the dramas, will be published in a few days by Messrs. Macmillan in their Globe Library at 3*. 6d. Mr. Tighe Hopkins's novel, " Nell Haffenden," which was published in two volumes some years ago, is now to be issued by Messrs. Chatto and Windus in one volume, with illustrations. "Well, after All," is the title of Mr. Frankfort Moore's new novel, which Messrs. Hutchinson will publish shortly. Robert Louis Stevenson was visiting the Riviera in 1873, and in poor health. How poor was his health may be judged from his own account, which occurs in one of his letters which are at present appearing monthly in Scribner's Magazine. He is writing from Mentoue: I don't see mach beiuty. I have lost ihe key ; I can only be placid and inert, and see the bright daj s go past naelea-ly one after another; therefore, don't talk foolishly with 3 oor month any more abont getting liberty by being ill and going south rid' the sick-bed. It is not the old free-born b'rd that gets thus to freedom; but I know not what manacled and hide-bound spirit, incapable of pleasure, the clay of a man. Go south! Why, I saw more beauty with my eyes health- fully alert to see in two wet windy February afternoons in Scotland than I oan see in my beautiful olive gardens and grey hills in a whole week in my low and lost estate, as the Shorter Catechism puts it somewheie. It is a pitiable blindness, this blindness of the soul; I hope it may not be long with me. So remember to keep well; and remember rather anything than not to keep well; and again I say, anything rather than not to keep well. George Henry Lewes's "Life of Robespierre" is being republished by Messrs. Chapman and Hall, in view of tne forthcoming production of the play written by M. Sardou for Sir Henry Irving. This play is being translated by Mr. Laurence Irving, and will be staged at the Lyceum on April 15. Sixpenny editions of modern works increase almost daily. Two of the latest to be announced in this form are Mr. Ban ie's "A Window in Thrums" and Ian Maclareu's " Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush." They will be illustrated from draw- ings by Mr. William Hole. Sir Edward Russell is writing his memoirs, under the title " That Reminds Me." Mrs. Tyndallis preparing a new and up-to-date edition of Professor Tyndall's work " Hours of Exercise in the Alps," which was published in 1873- Mr. Richard Le Gallienne has been com- missioned by Mr. Lane to write a critical volume upon the works of Mr. Rudyard Kipling.  ## p. 265 (#277) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 265 A story of provincial life, entitled " The Green Field: a novel of the Midlands," by Mr. Neil Wynn- Williams, • will be published by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. Mr. Fred. J. Proctor, whose romance "The Secret of Mark Pepys" was issued by the National Press Agency, London, has agreed to supply a story for the same fiction bureau. The new plot is laid in England, and will run as a serial in thirteen instalments. The " New English Dictionary" is expected to be completed in 1910. An interesting article on this great enterprise appears in the March number of Good Words from the pen of Mr. L. W. Lillingston. Dr. Murray and his assis- tants have read more than 100,000 books expressly for compiling the Dictionary. Mr. George Allen will publish during this month a book of humour, written by Mr. H. A. Spurr, called "A Cockney in Arcadia." The volume will be fully illustrated by Messrs. Hassall and Aldin. Ihe "Cockney" deals with life and character in Holderness, East Yorkshire .— an unexplored field for the writer and humourist. Messrs. W. Meals and Co., of Carlisle, are publishing a "Flora of Cumberland," by Mr. William Hodgson, A.L.S. It contains a full list of the flowering plants and ferns to be found in the county, according to the latest and most reliable authorities. Mr. J. S. Goodchild, of H.M. Geological Survey, has contributed a chapter on the soils of Cumberland. Mr. Bloundelle-Burton's new novel, " Fortune's my Foe," will be published by Pearson and Co. in London, and Appleton and Co. in New York, early in April. The story, although laid in England principally, contains an account of the Siege of Cartagena, in 1741, as well as a descrip- tion of the Battle of Quiberon, in 1759. Mr. James Milne has written a biography of Sir George Grey, which Mes.-rs. Chatto and Windus will have ready in May. The writer injoyed the friendship of Sir George Grey during the last four years of his life, and was made the repository of many reminiscerices. The book will be called "The Romance of a Pro-Consul." Mr. H. G. Wells has written a story called "Love and Mr. Lewisham," which is a study of an assistant schoolmaster who aspires to set the world straight and finds himself hampered by an early marriage. The Duchess of Sutherland has completed a socialistic novel. Mr. Ridrr Haggard's story " The Wizard " has been translated into Swahili for circulation among the natives of the East Coast of Africa, and his "King Solomon's Mines" has been embossed in Braille type by the permission of the author and the publishers, and is being published in Hora Jucunda, the magazine for the blind. '* The Stranding of the White Rose," the Rev. C. Dudley Lampen's new story of adventure, will be published by the S.P.C.K. The book deals with the great lone north-west coast of Australia, the stranding of a tramp steamer thereon, and the extraordinary experiences of a salvage party sent in search of the vessel. Mr. George Somes Layard is writing the life of Mrs. Lynn Linton. Mr. John Davidson is engaged on a poetical play laid in the seventh century. Mr. H. C. Macphersou, editor of the Edin- burgh Evening News ai.d author of "Adam Smith " in the Famous Scots series, is writing a biography of Mr. Herbert Spencer. The collection of eighty-three letters of Sir Walter Scott were purchased at Sotheby's sale- rooms by Mr. William Brown, bookseller, Edin- burgh. At a recent sale of first editions a set of Scott fetched .£226; a set of Mr. Swinburne's works, .£64; and a set of Charles Reade, .£40. "More Methodist Idylls" is the title of Mr. Harry Lindsay's new volume which Mr. James Bowden is to publish immediately. "Methodist Idylls " has enjoyed a large sale, and is now in its third edition. At present Mr. Lindsay is at work on a new historical romance somewhat on the lines of his "The Jacobite," which Messrs. Chatto and Windus published last year. The new romance is provisionally entitled "The Puritan." In view of the fact that a novel called "The Puritans" was published only the other day, the above title, if selected, might cause confusion. A new volume entitled " The Solitary Summer," by the author of "Elizabeth and Her German Garden," will be published shortly by Messrs. Macmillan. "Famous Ladies of the English Court" is a work in which Mrs. Aubrey Richardson makes "an honest endeavour to discern the truth" about great Court ladies of history, alike in respect to their attainments and their shortcomings. X202 was paid by Mr. Quaritch at Sotheby's auction rooms, on March 1, for a first edition of John Forster's " Life of Charles Dickens," extra illustrated with portraits, views, and autographs, printed 1872-4.  ## p. 266 (#278) ############################################ 266 THE AUTHOR. Dr. T. Wemy&s Fulton is the author of a work entitled "The Sovereignty of the Sea," which Messrs. Blackwood will publish shortly. OBITUARY. THE Very Rev. Dr. Andrew K. H. Bovd, Minister of St. Andrews ("A. K. H. B.'"), died at Bournemouth on March I. As an author he was best known for, among his thirty- two volumes, "The Recreations of a Country Parson," "The Graver Thoughts of a Country Parson," "Twenty-five Years of St. Andrews," "St. Andrews and Elsewhere," and "The Last Years of St. Andrews." In the year 1890 Dr. Boyd was Moderator of the Church of Scotland. The circumstances of his death, it appears, were peculiarly sad. Dr. Boyd had been in failing health for some years; he was in the habit of taking sleeping draughts, and also used carbolic acid lotion for external application. On the night of his death he entered Mrs. Boyd's room, and, holding up the carbolic acid bottle, he said, "Isn't this an awful thing? I have taken this in mistake." Dr. Boyd's genial qualities, added to his scholarly distinction, gained for him a wide popularity. He was in his seventy-fourth year, having been born at Auchinleck, Avrshire, in 1825. The late Miss Sara Sophia Hennell was a writer on Bishop Butler and other theological and metaphysical subjects, and an intimate friend of George Eliot. She died at Coventry in her eighty-sixth year. Mr. Andrew Macdonald, formerly editor, and latterly London representative, of the Calcutta Englishman, died after a few days' illness. Mr. Macdonald had a large share, under Dr. Ross, in producing " The Globe Encyclopaedia." He was in the prime of life, having been born in Edin- burgh in 1852. The Rev. A. B. Grosart, D.D., LL.D., who died in Dublin in his sixty-fourth year, was the author of several religious works, but is chiefly known as the industrious editor of reprints of English writers of the sixteenth and seven- teenth centuries. He was an authority on Robert Feiyusson, the Scottish poet, and also edited the Towneley Hall MSS., a famous collection of Jacobite ballads aud satires which appeared in 1877. Mr. Othniel Charles Marsh, the distinguished American naturalist and Professor of Palceon- tology at the University of Yale, died on March 18, of pneumonia. The death of Dr. Leitner, the most distin- guished scientist of our time, was announced in the papers of the 25th. He had not reached his 60th year. As a linguist, a traveller, and a student in Oriental archaeology, Dr. Leitner's loss is one which cannot be filled up. THE BOOKS 0? THE MONTH. [Feb. 23 to March 22—262 Books.] Adams. Gh B. European History: An Outline of its Development. 6,6 net. MacmilUn. Anonymous (author of " Madam's Ward*'). A Tear Between, l - Stevens. Anonymous. Mr. Dooley in Peace and in War. 2/- Rii-hards. Anonymous. Prinsloo of Prinsloosdorp. 3/6. Dunbar Brothers. Auonvmous (An American). History of South America. Tr. from iho Spanish by A. D. Jones. 10/6. Sonnensebein. Anonymous (G. <i.). McGinty's Racehorse, and other Spotting Stories 4/6 net. B*dway. Anonymous (G G.) Riding. 4,6 net. lied way. Anonymous. Twentieth Century New Testament. Trans, into Modern English from Greek. Patt I.: Five Historical Books. 1/6. Mowbray House. Anonymous (miihor of "The Heir of Redelyffa"). Cameos from English History. 18thCentury. Ninth Series. 5/- Macmillan. Ansorge, W. J. Undpr the African Sun. 21/- net. Heinemann. Archer-Hind. R. D . and Hicks, R. D. (ed.). Greek and Latin Cam- bridge Compositions. 10/- Clay. Armstrong's (Lord) Work on Electric Movement In Air and Water; Supplement to. Smith and E. Armstrong, T. N. Guide to Practical Photography. 1/- Dawbarn. Athrrton. Gertrude. A Daughter of the Vine. 6/- Service. Audry, Mrs. W. Early Chapters in Science. 6/- Murray. Badenoch, L. N. Truo Tales of the Insects. 12/- Chapman. Bailey, L. H. The Pi inciples of Agriculture. 4/6. MaciniIIan. Balme, E. The Luck of of the Four-leaved Shamrock. 6/- Routledge. Fates, Arlo The Puritans. 6/- Constable. Beard sley, Aubrey. The Early Work of. With Preparatory Note by H, C. Marillier. 21/6 net. Lane. Peavan, A. H. James and Horace Smith. 6/- Hurst. Beesly, A. H. Life of Dan ton. 12/6. Lonpman. Belloc, Bflaire. Danton. A Study. 16/- Nisbet- Benson, E. F. The Capslna. 6,- Methnen. Berkley, G. Oswald Steele. 6/- Long. Bidder, George. By Southern Shore. Poems. £/- Constable. f ierce. Ambrose. Fantastic Fables. 3/6. Putnam. Blackball, R. H. Up-to-date Air Brake Catechism. 6/- net. Spon. Blatchford, A. N. Idylls of Old Greece. 2/6. Arrowsmith. Blissett, Nellie K. Brass. A Novel. 6/- Hutchinson. Bolton, W. H. O. (late R.A.). Organisation and Equipment. Maguiic. Bossuet, J. B. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. 3/6. Longman. Boulvin, J. (tr. by B. Donkin). The Entropy Diagram and its Appli- cation. J,/" Spon. Briggs, C. A. General Introduc.ion to Study of Holy Scripture. 12/- net Ularfc. Bright, W. The Law of Faith. 6- Wells Gardner. Broadley, A. Chats lo 'Cello Students. 2/6. .Sf/W Office. Brooks, W. K. The Foundations of Zoology. 10. 6 net Macmillan. Brown, A. M Elements of Alkaloidal .Etiology. 2 6 net. Kimpttn. Brown, P. Hume. History of Scotland. Vol. I. 6/- Clay. Brown, R. Researches into the Origin of the Primitive Constella- tions of the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Babylonians. Vol. I. 10.6. Williams and N. Bruce, A. B. The EpUtle to the Hebrews. 7/6. T. & T. CI irk. Bruce, H. A. From the Ranks to the Peerage. 6/- Di^rbv. Bufton, J. Gwen Penrt A Welsh Idyll. 5/- Stvofe. Bullen, F. T. Idylls of the Sea, &o. 6/- Richards, Burgln, G. B. The Hermits of Gray's Inn. 6/- Pearson Burleigh, Bennct. Khartoum Campaign 1*98. 12/- Cbap apman. Long. Burrard. W. D. A Weaver of Runes. Butler, Henry Montagu. University and other Sermons. Macmillan and Bowes. Caird, L. H. History of Corsica. &!- Unwin. Cameron, Mrs. Lovctt. A Fair Fraud. 6/- Long- Campbell, D. H. Lectures on the Evolution of Plants. 4/6 ret, Macmillan. Carter, A. T. Outlines of English Legal History. 10 6. Butterwonh. Cavalier, A. R. In Northern India. Story of Mission Work. *, «. Partridge.  ## p. 267 (#279) ############################################ THE AUTHOR. 267 Church, A. J. Nlclas and the Sicilian Expedition. Clarke, A. Effects of the Factory System. 2/6. Clarke, Agnes Spencer. Seven Girls. 3/6. Cobban. J. Maclaren. Pnrsood by the Law. 6/- Cook, Theodore A. The Storv of Rouen. 4/6 net. Cooke, J. H. Life of King Alfred the Great. »d. Cooper, J. The Church, Catholic and National. 1/ Conch, Lilian Qulller. The Marble King. 6d. Craddock, C. E. The Story of Old Fort Loudon. 6 Cross, Mary F. Railway Sketches. 1/- 1/6. Seeley. Richards. Simpkln. Long. Dent. H. Burrows. HacLchose. Arrowsmith. Macmillan. White. D'Annunzlo, G. (tr. by G. Harding). The Victim. 6/- Heinemann. Darling-Barker, S. The Trials of Mercy. 6/- Hutchinson. Daudet, L. (tr, by C. Kay) Alphonse Daudet. 8/- Low. Davenport, C. B. Experimental Morphology, Part 2. ft/- net. Macmillan. David, Mrs E. Funafuti, or Three Months on a Coal Island. 12/- Murray. Davies. D. H. The Cost of Municipal Trading. 2/- King. Dean, Mrs. Andrew. Cousin Ivo. 6/- Black. Deane, Mary. The Book of Dene, Deane, Adeane. A Genealogical History. lo/6 lift. Stock. Dimock, N. Our one Priest on High. 2,6 net. Stock. Dixon, Mrs. A. The True History of the Missouri Compromise and its Repeal. 16/- net. Gay. Dougall, Lily. The Mormon Prophet. 6/- Black. Douglas, R K. China. (" Story of the Nations "). 61- Unwin. Duff, SirM. E. Grant. Notes from a Diary kept chiefly in Southern India, 1881-1886. 18/- Murray. Dukes. C. Remedies for the Needless Injury to Children involved in the present system of School Education. 1/- Rivington. Dutt, Romeah. Maha-Bharata. 12/6 net. Dent. Eastlake, Charles (ed.). Pictures in the National Gallery. Hanfstaengl. EiIst, E. Measurement and Weighing. 2/6. Chapman. Elliot, D. G. Wild Fowl of North America. 10/- Suckling. Ellis, Btth, An English Girl's Flrat Impressions of Burmah. J/- Simpkln. Feasey, H. J. Westminster Abbey Historically Described. 105/ net. Bell. Findlater, Jane H. Rachel. A Novel. 67- Methuen. Findlater, Mary. Betty Musgrave. 6/-' Methuen. Fire Prevention Committee, British. Fire Tests with Floors. II- B.F.P.C. Fisher. Jrhn (ed.). An illustrated Record of National Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, Designs, Models, Drawings, <fcc. 10/6 net. Chapman. Fletcher, J. S. Frank Carisbroke's Stratagem, 1/6. Jarrold. Fraaer, Mrs. H. A Diplomatist's Wife In Japan. 32/- Hutchinson. Furlong, Alice. Roses and Rue. 2/6 net. Mathews. Gallon, Tom. The Kingdom or Hate. 6/- Hutchinson. Gates, L. E. Three Studies in Literature. 6/- Macmillan. Gent, B. E. New Dictionary of the Terms, Ancient and Modem, of the Canting Crew in its several Tribes of Gypsies, Beggars, &o 21/- Smilh and Kay. Gibson, E. C. S. The Book of Job (Oxford Commentaries). 6/- Moihuen. Glassford. D. T. The Pausing of Jesus. 1/- Mowbray. Godfrey, Elizabeth. A Stolen Idea. 6/- Jarrold. Goldmann, C. S. (ed.). 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