The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-09-06
SKETCHES OF OLD ENGLAND-By
Nee Engiaadman.

Dear Brother,-huch OF the lighter KIND
Of literature here, such as poetry, novels,
and the like, having no bearing on politics,
is dependent on the patronage Of book sell
lers between whom and the author, there
isa good deal of by play and management
4 combination Of booksellers can easily
produce gale of popularity that will fire.
quently wait book through hail dozen
eitions-N hen they ind poet somewhat
better at a rant than his fellows or a novel
writer gifted with more than ordinary
talent for caricaturing human nature, they
commonly unite TO give him iran, rs it is
called, for a season at least, because il is in
dispensabIe to the profits of their business,
that there sh0uid be some few authors
whose names alone will ensure the sale of
tAeir works.
You are to understand, that there is a.
hmdance OF second and third rate reviews
and magazines, in one way or other, who will
atany time say good word for a book, if
the author or publisher will only send them
acopy, with polite note, ,omplimenting
Their taste, and calling their review or ma
fazne, 'your valuable publications" Thosr
are sci to work 10 initiate the reputation of
the fortunate authors, selected by trade
Tor run for the season. The impulse Civ
en- by these means in London, sooa extends
10 all the provincial towns Edition after
e1ltion y put forth with iuconcriYa,l I'd
putty, and the author becomes famous for
1T least nine days, while the booksellers
ituSh 1t may be, in their sleeves, and peck
81 the money. Here in London, the rao-
pc Oh real taste, Wha are not lc,i away by
this Whit of popularity, laugh al this mum
merry. The provincial towns, however, OF
tener yawn than laugh over the book, with
out daring to dissent from the naurstiona-
Ole award of the London Literary Gazette,
or the anonymous testimony OF some news
paper crllc.-m awhile they waI>eup, and
ddef rubbing their eyes and yaWning some
twenty tunes, begin 10 suspect that they
want taste, rather tldn that Che autnorlacks
talent or the reviewer judgment. As no
man, however, can permanently cherish
me idea Of being a block-hpad without be-
ing either sage o. Il mailman, these doubt,
settle gradually INTO IA conviction that the
pook Is deficient IN merit, rather tnan the
fe3de: IN taste. Thn drll4ion Is thes oyer
--tile bard or the novelist walks quietly in
I" obiiylon-the booksellers Jingle their
money, and prepare TO start another OF
NPse oyergrGWp Selrlngs.-Thu run the
idce oil this species Of literature, and thus
are honest England and simple America
bIm,syed with By re, levers and booksellers.
mere was, few months ago, a genius call
W. 'he Key. Mr.. CroIy, that always wrote
Spoh the hot crust Of a voican, who was
f"ued ON the back until he actually stood
b. e SOME of the great poets without
.''nlne. Un the contrary, he determined
a ~ pakt hay While the sun shone, in the
N1e splilt OF IA modern bard. lie wrote
f'ay faster than the "great unknown
t''u' ny means Of divers blasts of reviewers
salihets, actually made LITTLE for.unc, be
"' uie town discovered he had asses ears
N N, "as Almost luSty brayer.
mere ale some OF the booksellers here,
M Without this combinations, ensure a
~ considerable sale for work, by SIM
n! publishing it with their names. Among
NJ The most distinguished is Mr.. John
Murray, a worthy and respectable man,
0se Character, / believe, is wah0ni re-
s s lie has general orders from a
a e,, number, not only of the booksellers,
n," VI 'fe nobility aud gentry, for one or
f''e copies OF every new work that issues
IN 1he press. 4'hus the first edition oi Il
II ~. NV ppok Is, am told, generally bespoke.
81 ~, second necessary. Mr.. Murray IS.
,ssl.i as you know, publisher OF the Quar-
..l! REVIEW, and though do not mean to
r, 'nfre Is any collision, yet it were dis
f tbo 10 the human heart TO suppose, that
81 c'l. intimate association, the community Of
~ him. hug and interests thus produced between
Nv ;,i aod the editors "a that work, did moi
81 and Ia aoonl mutual good will Fraetious
81 H. 'n'oierant as are these literary bailies,
S. en- asslfedly cannot resist MIR. Murray's
Hn'ht dinners, and far famed Port
ii nerh'o mus let you into secrets, that may
hept;aps' IN some degree, account for the
a daet;"s popularity so many inferior pro-
'hs oil literature have enjoyed in this