The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-15 00:00:00

LONDON, TI-U 41
RSDAY . '
. -
ki

NEW WORN ON THE 'WEST INDIES.
Now ready, in 2 vols., -with Illustrations, 215.,
FIVE YEARS IN
T WEST 'INDIES.
By
CHARLES WILLIAM DAY, Esq.
Colburn and Co., Publishers, 13, Great 3larlborough-street.
To be had of all Booksellers.

SPERMATORRIICEA AND STRICTURE.
Just published, Bvo., in cloth, price 3s. 6d., by post (free), 45.,
A TREATISE on the CURE of STRICTURE
of the URETHRA ; containing the True Reasons why that
Disease so often assumes such an intractable character; with Rules
and Instructions for the successful Treatment of every Form of
Urethral Contraction, based on the results of extensive and pro
longed experience. To which is added, Practical Observations on
the Treatment of Spermatorrhcea by Cauterization.
Dy F. B. COURTENAY, M.R.C.S.L.
"These who complain most londly are those only who know not
how to use the common instruments. . • • The prac-
tice of surgeons has been marltecl with all kinds of violence, and in-
difference about the simple cure of diseases,
and a passion for
operations, and all the excesses and horror of surgery."—John Bell.
11. Bailliere, 219, Regent-street, London.

lIINDOSTAN.—This Grand MOVING DIO-
RAMA is new open daily at Twelve, Three, and Eight
O'clock, at the Asiatic Gallery, Baker-street Bazaar, Portman-square.
Admission Is., 25., and 2s. 6d. Painted by Mr. P. Phillips, Mr. Ilagbe,
and Mr. Knell, from Lieut.-Colonel Luard's own and..other original
drawings. The Museum is open half an hour before each exhibition.
" The spectator is made to ascend the stream from the flat region
of Calcutta to the glorious range of the Himalayas, and everything
of interest in the way is mapped and pictured with the fidelity of a
geographer and the skill of an artist:"—Athenaeum.

THE NEW ALTERATIVE.—No cheap patent
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Wholesale and retail depot, Messrs. Kingston, 'Wish, and Co., 1,
Old Bond-street, London ; and sold by all respectable medicine yen-
dom.

FULLY EQUIPPED, and READY for any
COUNTRY.
No matter whether east, west, north, or south—for any profession,
either shepherds, agriculturalists, mechanics, or gold-diggers —for a
ong journey or a shorter one, every accommodation is afforded by
the universally approve i OUTFITS furnished at a cheap rate by E.
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for 31. 155., 6/. 155., 111. lie., and upwards. A detailed list can be
had on application, or forwarded, post free, to any part of the
kingdom. .

_ -- •
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS SHOULD lUMEDIATELY • INSPECT THE
SPRING STYLES IN JUVENILE CLOTHING. THEY tOMPRISE GREATER
NOVELTY IN MATERIAL AND DESIGN THAN EVER BEFORE DISPLAYED
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E. MOSES AND SON.
London City Establishment, 154, 155, 156, and 157, Minories, 83
44, 85, and 86, Aldgate, opposite the Church, all communicating.
i,ondon West-end Branch, 506, 507, 508, New Oxford-street, 1,2,
and 3, Hart-street, all communicating.
Liradford (Yorkshire) Branch, 19, Bridge-street

iheffield Branch, 36, Fargate.
Merchant •tailors, Clothiers, Flatters, Mosiers, Furriers, Boet
,Rkers,and (lencral Outfitters for .f.adies and Gentlemen.
- - -

The Establishments are closed from sunset Friday to sunset on
ister lass when business is resumed till Twelve o'clock.
The Universal Guide, a newspaper containing daily events, &c.,
full list of prices, and directions for self-measurement, can be had,
.7atis, on application, er forwarded, post-free, to any part of the
kingdom.
A handsome Almanac for the year ending 1852 can be had, gratis,
on application.
Ici l'on parle Francais. Qui si paria Italiano.
I
flier spricht man Deutsch. Aqua se habla Espanol.

MEDICAL ADVICE ON TETE SECRET INFIRMITIES OF
YOUTd AND MATURITY.
With Plain Directions for their Prevention and Cure.
FIFTY COLOURED ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL.
oust published, in French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, and
Italian, in a Sealed Envelope, 2s. 6d., or post-free from the Author

ror Forty-two Stamps,
Q, ELF-PRESERVATION; a
k..." Medical Treatise on the Physiology of Marriage, and on the
secret Infirmities and Disorders of Youth and Maturity, usually ac-
mired at an early period of life, which destroy the physical and
mental powers, diminish and enfeeble the natural feelings, and ex-
daust the vital energies of Manhood ; with Practical Observations on
IUP certain Prevention and successfUl Treatment of Nervous Debi
ity, Local and Constitutional Weakness, Syphilis, Stricture, and all
Diseases and derangements resulting from Indiscretion, as adopted
oy Lallemand, Ricord, and other eminent members of the faculty of
France. With Fifty coloured Engravings, illustrating the Anatomy,
Physiology, and Diseases of the Reproductive Organl, explaining
their structures, uses, and functions, and the various injuries that
are produced in them by solitary habits, excesses, and infection.

By SAMUEL LA'MERT, M.D.,
37, BEDFORD-SQUARE, LONDON.

Doctor of Medicine, Matriculated Member of the University of Edin-
burgh, Honorary Member of the London Hospital Medical Society,
Licentiate of Apothecaries' Hall, London, Member of the Ilunterian

Medical Society of Edinburgh, &c., &c.

This work contains a plain and complete description of the ana•
omy and physiology of the reproductive organs, and of their relative
londitions in health and disease. Dr. La'Mert, who has taken the
*hest medical honours, AS evidenced by the diplomas and testimo-
nials Inserted in the work, is the only legally qualified medical man
who has exclusively, and for many years, devoted his studies to the
seatment of these complaints. Ile may be consulted with advan-
tage by all those whose constitutions may have become debilitated
through secret practices acquired in youth, or by tho excesses of
'atm* years, whereby the pleasures of life are marred, the objects of
marriage frustrated, and existence itself rendered a term of unceas-
ing misery and regret.
Published by the Author, and may be had of J. Gilbert, 49, rater-
aoster-row ; Hannay, 63, Oxford-street ; Starie, Titchborne-street,
Haymarket ; Gordon, 146, Leadenhall-street ; Mann, 23, Cornhill ;
or free by. post for forty-two stamps, from the author's residence,
avno may be consulted on these disorders personally, or by letter,
tro r Ter, till Tyr... and from •tlit til F,ight.

THE SILENT FRIEND.
IN SIX LANGUAGES-FORTIETH EDITION.

COIPTAINING TILE REMEDY FOR PREVENTION OF DISEASE.
Liu.strated or Ono Hundred Anatomical Coloured Eisgra
311 pUYSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS, GENERATIVE INCA-
PACITY, AND IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.

'.!TOW Edition, enlarged to 196 pages, price 2s. 6d. by post, from
the Establishment, 3s. 6d. In stamps.
VHE SILENT FRIEND, a Medical Work on
I the exhaustion and physical decay of the system, produced by
excessive indulgence, the consequences of infection, or the abuse of
nercury, with directions for the use of the preventive lotion, 101-
lowc4i by observations on Mail'lage, anu the disqualifications which
prevent it. Illustrated by 100 Coloured Engravings. By It. and L.
PERRY and CO„ Consulting Surgeons, 19, Berners-street, Oxford-
street, London. Published by Sherwood and 3, Paternoster-
row, and sold by Ilannay, 63, and Sanger, 150. Co.,dxford-street ; Gor-
don, 146, Leadonhall-street ; 95, Farringdon-street ; W. Sutton, It,
Bow Church-yard ; W. Edwards, 67, St, Paul's Church-yard ;
Butler, 4, Cheapside ; It. Johnson, 68, Cornhlll.

PszT I. treats of the anatomy and physiology of the re-productive
organs. and is illustrated by 28 Coloured !Lngraviriga.

PART 11. treats of the consequences resulting from excessive in-
lulgence, and their lamentable effects on the system, producing
mental and bodily weakness, nerveus excitement, and generative
ncapacity. Illustrated by 10 Explanatory Engravings.
PART ID. treats of the diseases resulting from infection, either in

tne primary or secondary form, and contains explicit directions for
toeir treatment. This section is illustrated by 62 Coloured Engiav-

PART Pf. contains a Remedy for the Prevention of Disease by a
simple application, by which the danger of infection is obviated.
PART V. is devoted to the consideration of marriage, and its du-
ties. The Causes of unproductive union aro also considered, and the
whole subject critically and philosophically inquired into.
Tin CORDIAL Bs_Lx or SIMIACIIM is exclusively employed in
treating nervous and sexual debility, impotence, &c,, l le. and 33r.
per bottle. The Concentrated Detersive Essence, an anti-syphilitic
remedy, for purifying the blood in cases of infection, secondary
symptoms, eruptions, and the abuse of mercury, l is. and 335. per
_ _

_
)ottle. Perry's Purifying Specific Pills, 'As. 9a-, 4s. 6d., and I Is.
oer box, a certain remedy for gonorrhma, gleot, stricture, and
;Antic inflammation of the bladder. Consultation fee, if by letter,
li. A minute detail of the case is required: age, habits, and posi-
tton in society. 51. Packets, with advice, to be had at the Este-
btaLtament oaly, by which the fee, 11., is saved. Messrs. Perry,
Surgeons, are in attendance, daily, at 19, Burners-street, Oxford-
street, London, from Eleven till Two, and Five to Eight t on Sun-
day tram x1.v.0 to C.

THE BOOICSE.LLING SYSTEM.
Yesterday a body of gentlemen representing the
Bookselling Association of London and the provinces
waited upon Lord Campbell, at Stratheden-house,
Kensington, to confer with his Lordship and other
gentlemen of literary distinction on the present posi-
tion of the bookselling trade. The deputation con-
sisted of Mr. W. Longman (the chairman of the
Booksellers' Association), Mr. Murray, Mr. R. B.
Seeley, Mr. J. H. Parker (Oxford), Mr. Pickering,
Mr. Deighton (Ltverpool), Mr. Simms (Manchester),
Mr. Douglas (Edinburgh)' Mr. J. J. Mills, Mr. H.
G. Bohn, Mr. Dalton,. Mr. Taylor, Mr. Beilby (Bir-
mingham), Mr. Rivuagton, and Mr. Sampson Low
(secretary to the London Association). The Noble
and Learned Lord, who was accompanied by the
Dean of St. Paul's (the Very Rev. Dr. Millman)
and Mr. George Grote, received the deputation with
great courtesy.
Lord CAMPIIELL observed, that he had been called
upon to render his assistance in settling the important
question which had arisen iu the bookselling trade,
and he certainly should be very glad if, associated
with such gentlemen as Dr. Milman, Mr. Grote, and
others who might afterwards assist them, he could be
of any service in arranging a matter of great im-
portance to the booksellers of this country, The cir-
cumstances under which they had met would be best
explained by the following letter, which he had re-
ceived from Mr. Low, the secretary to the Book.
sellers' Association :

" 169, Fleet-street, April 8, 1852.
"My Lord,—l am directed to inform your Lordship
that the committee of the Booksellers' Association have
this day met, and, impressed with the importance of
giving serious consideration to the present position of
the bookselling trade, they have instructed me to re-
quest your Lordship to permit a few of their body to
'have :theliptiour of conferring with your Lordship_ and
such other literary gentlemen as it maybe agreeable to
your Lordship should be present on the occasion.
" I b• g to acquiint your- Lordship that Mr. William
Longman, who took .the chair, informed the meeting
that, having consulted Mr. Macaulay, he was encouraged
to hope that your Lordship would not object to such a
conference as the committee have the honour to request,
and that Mr. Longman added that Mr. Macaulay sug-
gested it might be desirable that Lord Granville and
Mr. Grote should be associated with your Lordship. To
this view the meeting gave their cordial asient.
" lam further directed to submit to. your Lordship's
consideration the addition of Sir Bulwer Lytton, Sir W.
Page Wood, and the. Dean of. St. Paul's, or the Rev.
Canon Wordsworth. -

" The committee would esteem it a favour if your
Lordship would inform me whether this proposal meets
your approbation, and, if so, whether your Lordship
would wish me to take any steps to convene the meeting.
" I have also to inform your Lordship that the fkillow-
ing resolution was proposed by the chairman, and was
unanimously agreed to—vii. That a conference be in-
vited bewteen Lord Campbell, in conjunction with a few
of our principal authors, and certain members of the
bookselling trade, .for the purpose of deciding whether
the Booksellers' Association shall be carried on under its
present regulations or not, it being understood that the
decision of Lord Campbell and the other literary gen-
tlemen shall be binding on the committee, who agree, if
the decision be adverse, to convene tho trade and resign
their functions.' " '
. .
He at once acceded to the suggestion, and he would
have been most happy had the other gentlemen men-
tioned in Mr. Low's note been present to-day, but
unfortunately Lord Granville was • prevented • from
attending by ill health,. and neither Sir L. Bulwer
Lytton nor Sir P. Wood were able to meet them.
Having considered it. only right that on a question of
this nature both sides should be heard, he had requested
that Messrs. Bickers and Bush, Mr. Bentley, and other
gentlemen who took an opposite view to the Booksel-
lers' Association should have notice of .this meeting,
and be requested to attend. He, had received, in reply
to that invitation, a letter from Mr. Chapman, com-
plaining that longer notice of the meeting had not
been given him. He (Lord Campbell) regretted that
there should be any ground for such a complaint,
but he did not know that, under the circumstances,
longer notice could well have been given. He had
also received a letter from Messrs. Bickers and
Bush in reply to the invitation addressed to them,
stating that they felt that upon this question compro-
mise was impossible ; that the inevitable tendency of
the age was to open an - unlimited free trade; and
that they felt assured no other arrangement would or
could be final. They added that a letter from them
appeared in the Times of that (Wednesday) morning,
explaining their view of the case. He (Lord Camp-
bell) could only say for himself and the gentlemen
by whom he was assisted, that they had not formed
any opinion upon the question at issue, but that they
desired that the most ample opportunities should be
afforded to all parties who took an interest in it to

lay before them any statements, or to adduce any
evidence bearing on •the matter.
Dr. Milman and Mr. Grote expressed their concur-
rence in the observations of the Noble Lord.

Mr. LONGMAN then proceeded at considerable
length to explain the objects of the Booksellers' Asso-
ciation, and the questions in dispute between that
association and a portion of the bookselling trade,
termed " undersellers." The managers and members
of the association were, he said, most anxious to afford
to the gentlemen who had consented to act as arbitrators
or juiges in this matter the fullest information, and the
most ample means of arriving at a just conclusion. He
was deeply sensible of the heavy responsibility which
he incurred in undertaking to open this question, but
he was fortunately supported by a large body of gen-
tlemen connected with all branches of the trade, not
only in London, but in Scotlaad, in Manchester, in
Birmingham, and in other provincial towns, who
would be able to afford information on any points
with which they were more familiar than himself.
lie had firmly made up his mind that he would not
notice any letters, or statements, or articles which
had appeared in print; otherwise, ha must say, he
would have felt inclined to give an indignant denial
to a great deal that had been published. The prin-
cipal object of the Booksellers ASSOCiStIOII was to
prevent those who received the privileges of the trade
on certain implied conditions from enjoying those
privileges without fulfilling the conditions. The main
privilege was that of receiving a certain discount
from the retail price, and the condition on which the
privilege was granted was that the retail price should
be observed. The retail bookseller, on buying from
the publisher, received a certain agreed allowance, on
the supposition that he was to obtain a certain profit.
Occasionally the retail price of a book was reduced,
but the practice of the trade in such a case was to go
round and " call in " the books from those retailers
who had bought them, and afterwards to sup-
ply to the retailers. either the new editions
or the same books at a reduced price„ so
that a fresh contract was made between the pub-
lisher and the- retail bookseller. lie believed that

the trade was conducted on these principles up to
1812. The case of Mr. Lackington had been men-
tioned as that of the first underseller. Now, it was
extremely difficult to ascertain precisely upon what
principles trade was conducted some 70 or 80 years
ago, but he (Mr. Longman) was convinced, from Mr.
Lackington's Life, that his system of underselling
was totally different .from that of .the present day.
Mr. Lackington's system was one which was exten-
sively practised at this time, and which met with the
approbation of the publishers. Mr. Lackington was
the Bohn of former days, and Mr. Bohn was the
Lackington of the present day. Mr. Lackington
bought " remainders," the copies of unsuccessful
books which remained on the publishers' hands, and
sold them at a reduced price. Who were the first
underseliers he did not know, but the first book-
sellers' association of which he could. find any notice
was set on foot by the retail booksellers in 1812.
It was important, in passing, to observe that
these associations had all been established by the
retail booksellers, and the publishers and whole-
sale - booksellers had considered it their interest
to support such associations. About 1828 the
association was remodelled, and it was just pre-
viously to that time that the present system of
underselling arose. It was his firm conviction that
the interests of publishers and authors in this ques-
tion were entirelyidentical, and that what was for their
interest was also for the interest of literature in ge-
neral. He thought the fact that the present system
was for the- benefit of the booksellers was shown by
the enormously preponderating majority of booksellers
country,
who were in favour of the regulations. The present
forded tiAogenlin
Booksellers' Association, which was established at a
publicmeethinadg of the 7baedeeninfolrB,lB, was a revivifica-
tion of the association of 1828, and many similar as-
sociationsmed throughout the
He considered that the peculiarities of the
book
were at all
"ellin trade,which differed from all others, af-
tions. ground for supporting such associa-
d_.not think that free-trade principles
class
of ppairie.able to the bookselling trade. The
opinion, approached
siwllr
patentedtbst of those in which booksellers
in Avvrt.iFles. The bookselling trade
fixing a retail price, andn
Inch there was a possibility of
dweaasl t
t,
h:'aosnly on,
identification of there was complete
advisable to buy
many articles—as, for instance,
were not j udge& of confidence, because
persons who . . such articles m. I t s' l
their quality. There 'g ' ea'' y
be deceived as to
from tradesmen in whom they
Was however, no
I doubt as to the identity of a book. 1.
I, a purchaser
' wanted Lord Campbell's ~ Lives of the Chief Jus-
had goods and bats—

tices," he could not be put off with the late Mr.
Townsend's " Lives of the Judges." If Mr. Grote's
" History of Greece" was asked for, Bishop Thirl-
wall's could not be substituted. This gave the power
of fixing a retail price, and, as those who dealt in
such articles must have a profit, it was necessary that
a certain agreed allow ,ace or discount should be
given to the trade. It had been suggested that books
should be published without a retail price, but he
thought that would be throwing away one of the great
and peculiar advantages of the trade, and instead of
removing the existing evils, would aggravate them
materially. Books would then be sold at one price
in one street, and at another price in another ; the
public would have no confidence that the right value
was put upon them anywhere, and the whole trade
would be thrown into confusion. Another peculiarity
of the trade was, that the allowance which was made
to booksellers became known to the public. He might
so far deviate fromhis intention of not noticing any-
thing that had appeared in the public prints on this sub-
ject as to observe that a letter in thatday's Times stated
the allowance to the retail bookseller to be 33 per cent.
The writer of that letter further stated that the
retail booksellers did not speculate.' But if they did
not speculate they could not get that allowance—they
would only receive 25 per cent. The writers went
on to say that retail booksellers were surely the best
judges of the scale of profits which would enable them
to carry on their business. That was exactly what
the Booksellers' Association said. The retail book-
sellers, as a body, came to them and said, " Our pre-
sent profit is not too high ; we ask
you to maintain
it ;" and on that point he agreed with Messrs. Bickers
and Bush. The public seemed b entertain a false
impression that the profit of the retail booksellers was
larger than that of other trade.
,The fact was, how-
ever, and his statement could t'a t- y be confirmed,
the allowances for profits in other trades were
infinitely greater than in the, bookselling trade. From
40, 50, and 60, to 100, or even more than 100 per
ti
cent., were no unfroquent profits in other trades, but
it. Now, from the facts of having a fixed retail price,
of complete identification, and of the necessity of an
the public had no means of knowing anything about
agreed and admitted allowance to the bookselling
trade, arose a power of competition which did not
exist in any other trade. It was very easy for a
bookseller who wished to undersell to advertise that he
would take off 10, or 15, or 20 per cent., and the
public had ample means of knowing that they got
such a reduction ; while a haberdasher, a hatter, or a
glover, might advertise his goods at a reduction
of 20 per cent., but the public had no means of
knowing that such a reduction was really
made. A power of competition, as he had
said, existed in the bookselling trade which did not
exist in any other trade, and, if the power of repress-
ing that competition should be taken away, a wild
system of underselling would arise such as had never
seenng ni
instead
dc country ntr in any trade whatever.
beingUn-
the exception, and there-
upon, perhaps, profitable, would be the rule, and
beende r s e lli
thereupon, he believed, the ruin of the whole trade.
He believed that the result of doing away with this
power of repression would be the concentration of
the trade in the hands of a few large monopolist re-
tail dealers, to the injury of literature, the incon-
venience of the public, and the ruin of hundreds of
booksellers from the Land's-end to John o'Groat's
house. The effect would be that the stock of country
booksellers, except in very few instances, would be
confined to small, low-priced, and probably not very
valuable publications. He believed the change would
tell especially upon the productions of new authors,
and that the interests of literature would in conse-
quence suffer most materially. A new author had
difficulties enough to contend with already, but he
was satisfied that the abandonment of the power of
repressing undue competition would increase them
tenfold. He regarded the retail booksellers as a body
of men who rendered essential service in promoting
the progress of education and the extension of litera-
ture throughout the country, and he hoped the Noble
Lord and his colleagues would, on consideration,
arrive at the conclusion that, if the plan of throwing
the trade open should destroy such a class, the small
and temporary advantage which might be reaped by
the public would be purchased at too dear a price.
Mr. MURRAY observed that he was satisfied it
would be found impossible to carry on business upon
the pretended profits of the undersellers. The same
underselling had prevailed in other businesses, and
had been found to be ruinous. To show that the
plan adopted by the Booksellers' Association was
carried out by other trades, he might mention that
he had in his possession a circular from a firm in the
neighbourhood of Manchester, who were manufac-
turers of muslins, stating that they dealt with no
customer who did not sign a paper engaging, under
the penalty of a fine, not to sell under certain prices.
The same principle was acted upon by a great house
in the oil trade ; and he was informed that Messrs.
Strutt and Evans, of Derby, who manufactured a
particular kind of thread, would only supply it to
dealers on condition that it should be sold at a parti-
cular price. It had been urged against the book-
sellers that their system was an infraction of free•
trade principles ; but he had the positive assurance
that when Mr. Cobden was in business for himself he
never allowed his nauslins to be undersold. He had
been informed also that Mr. Bright, who was manu-
facturing a new description of carpets, would deal only
with those persons who would engage not to sell them
at a depreciated price.—(A laugh.) He might ob-
serve, also, that barristers and physicians had fixed
the amount of their fees, and would not receive less
than a certain sum. The effect of the change which
certain persons were endeavouring to effect in the
bookselling trade would be this, that though there
might be no diminution in the number of standard
books, by authors uf name, that would be published,
books by unknown authors would scarcely be re-
ceived. The result of an alteration in the present sys-
tem would be that ho must reduce very much the
number of books he published ; for he certainly would
not trust undersellers, because he did not believe
their profits were such as to keep their heads above
water.

had b
Mr. DOUGLAS, of Edinburgh, stated that the sys,
were
e undersellingre ado p adopted
but a meeting of the trade eewn
d for repressing the practice, and
establishedaa
held,
at
whichin that ci city,
regu-
lationsternof
those rules were subset.
booksellers and publishers • d to by 173 out of 175
Mr. Low, in reply t: in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Campbell, stated that the some
inquiries from Lord
stationers in London was
of booksellers and
not more than har.a. _ s rather more than 1,200,
undersellers. r dozen or ten of whom were
Mr. DALTON contended that
booksellers were much smaller thanthe profits realised by
other trades, and that if the those obtained in
the competition would trade were thrown open
reduce their profits to a
ruinous degree.
Mr. TAYLOR (from Mr. R
some statements with re_ atchard's) entered into
r to particular works, to
show the extent to which l
tail booksellers to promote thewas
in
the power of re-
tail of books which
they were inclined to recommend
sal
Lord CAMPBELL observed that there could be no
doubt that retail booksellers w
to the success of literature were quite indispensable
3
whether that class would be be
st encouut the question was,
B taming the regulations of the _ raged by re-
or by their abolition. ooksellers' Association
Mr. SIMMS, of Manchester, said
whole trade of that town, for- he represented the
without an exception had there joined
the undersellers
Lord Ceefrusee—The herei)ieined the association.
are all reconciled
to the true church.—(A laugh.) 8
Mr. SIMMS proceeded to say that the opinion of the
Manchester publishers and booksellers
was that any
a
reduction in the allowance to the country
materially affect the sale of all newbooks. He then
went into some calculations to show,
the present trade allowance was not to'oahsi a proof that
retail booksellers in the smaller town, d.gh, that the
average clear more thin 1301. a
- year, Retie not on the
defraying
the necessary expenses of their establishr e
that their profits were far less than those establishments, and
persona
engaged in other trades, as grocers, drapers,e I
Mr. BEILIIY, of Birmingham, showed,. a.
considerably
in derail, the expenses entailed upon booksellers
cuting the orders of their customers for small by pam-
phlets-
and the cheaper class of serials, Which _ expenses,
he contended, were only met by the profit they ob-
tained on the higher priced class of books.
Mr. PICKERING briefly expressed his approval of
the objects of the association.
Mr. PARKER observed that the booksellers of Ox-
ford were unanimously in favour of the present re u-
lations. In reply to questions from Lord Campbell,
he stated that in Germany the usual trade allowanc
was about one-third of the retail price, all new books
being sent by the publishers on sale or return, and
i
that regulations existed against undersell
underselling. In
France no system at all existed, but the allowance to
booksellers varied from 5 to 50 per cent. T
were in Paris no wholsesale booksellers, and iefre
person wanted a dozen or„twenty books he had to a
for them to nearly es many different booksellers. go
Mr. BORN confirmed the statements of Mr. Parker
with regard to the foreign trade, and expressed his
hope that the system of underselling, which led to
perpetual mLondon
iaunderstandings between the
booksellers and the country retailers, and between
both parties and their customer!, would be put down.