The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-13

NEW LITERARY MovrMENr-An advertisement
yesterdays Herald is calculated to excite some
very interesting reflections, and hold out encoura-
gng promises of new and better in the histo-
| nv of literature Ii will be seen that Morris, Will
lis IL Co., the propretors, editors, poets, reviewers,
sketchers and story tellers of the New Mirror
| have commenced the publication, in addition to
that work, of extras" containing the choicest
works of the modern poets. This is indeed sin
guIary interesting movement Heretofore men OF
talent and genius have been completely in the
power of publishers altogether destitute of literary
taste who have literally tattened on the brains OF
starving authors. These publishers have almost
universally been mechanics, or men of small means,
who have gradually accumulated some money,
embarked in the publishing business, and eventu-
ally controlled the destnies of the whole race of
authors, who have trembled at their nod, ard glad
ly accepted whatever offered for their produc-
tons. Thus we have repeatedly seen blockhead
publisher amass prncely fortune by the sale Of a
work for which the poor author received only, as 1t
were, crust Of bread We have examples OF this
on all hands. Here in this city, for instance, no
one accuses the Harpers, or the Appletons, Of any
pretensions to literature. They are mere Flooding
men OF business and estimate brains, genius, intel
lect, talent, literary requirements by the old rule
/" For what's the worth OF any thing
Bnt just so much as il will bring ~
Yet they, like this race every where, have grown
rich-have welded the sceptre in the wide domain
of literature have given laws TO genius and talent
saying unto the poor, begging, cringing, abashed
man Of letters, :" this day thou must starve," or,
" this day thou shalt have dinner" or, this day
thou mayst rejoice" or, "this day thou may'steat
thy very heart in comortless despair"
Now we are persuaded, and SO have we long be-
eved, that to this unnatural proprietorship Of men
of literary talent, by men OF the world merely,
may be ascribed very large share Of the suffer-
ings, misfortunes, losses and privations OF those
who seek to live by their pen. True, amongst pub
fishers there have been and there are men OF large
and liberal soul-true, devoted, thoughtful, wise
friends and patrons OF genius, but generally speak
ing, the less said about it the better Well, then,
we are glad to perceive any indication OF change
in this matter We do rejoice that literary men
are beginning to unite with the business Of writing,
the business of printing, publishing and selling their
wares. About the value OF the talent, the indi-
vidualS talent in the aggregate talent, OF Morris,
Willis u Co., there may be difference Of opinion,
but they are OF the craft and deserve all praise for
their effort TO free themselves from the Egyptian
bondage Of dull taskmasiers And no doubt they
will succeed. They will make a very handsome
thing out Of this new business II was Park Ben
literary man-who started the
great business Of cheap republication in this country
We can refer to our own case, as illustrative OF
the advantages resulting from union Of literary
and business effort. We know nothing about
print,ng-we know nothing about the mere me-
chanical details Of newspaper-but we know
how to make good newspaper, and our previous
habits had given business talents. and We united
these forces, and with what result, we are willing
to let others speak So we wish Morris, Willis Il
Co. all success, and to say to their brethren of the
craft, Go and do likewise"