The republic., 1851-07-16
Foreign correspondence.
LONDON, July 2. 1851

in her, among whom are Mr.. Putnam. of New
York, the publisher, who has fitted through
London for few days past, like hundreds OF
other Americans. who, since the Glass Palace
was opened, have came like shadows, and like
shadows departed. Before one is hardly con-
scious of their being here we read in the New
York papers their names among the return pas
sengers.
The telegraph has just informed us that the
Pacific has arrived in Liverpool in nine days and
wenty-two hours from New York. Theremarkable
passages of this clipper steamship making John
Bull open his eyes. Captain Nye, if you will par
don small pun, is making Liverpool and New
York very nigh neighbors.
An important meeting was held yesterday after
noon in the Hanover Square Rooms, the result OF
which will be likely to excite no small interest in
the United States at least it should do So for il
will have most important bearing upon the high
est interests of the nation. The object of the meet
ing was TO take into consideration the present
anomalous state of the law Of copyright, as re-
Gently interpreted by the court of error by which
non resident authors are allowed the privilege OF
copyright in this country. Ipresume the state OF
the case, as now existing, is well understood by
American readers. Among the literary men and
publishers present were good many who were
entirely opposed to the objects OF the meeting, and
would be glad to the recent decision of Lord
Campbell, which the wire-pullers of the meeting
are seeking to have reversed, sustained by the
House of Lords.
AT half-past two O'Clock Sir Edward Bulwer
Lytton stepped upon the platform and took the
chair as president assisted by Henry G.. Bohn, the
great pratical publisher, vice chairman On
the platform noticed Colburn, tho publisher, r.
II. Horne the poet, William Howitt, George Cruk-
shank, and the Rev. DIR. Worthington. But the
elite Of the publishers and authors were there
merely as spectators.
Sir Bulwer Lytton, on taking the chair. made
rather long speech in which he rather soft dered
our side of the Atlantic; presuming, he remark
ed, that the proceedings of the meeting would be
published in America, he hoped nothing disrespect-
full towards Brother Jonathan would be uttered &c.
The distinguished gentleman expressed his dissent
in very strong and decided terms to the decision of
Lord Campbell, in the of Boosey vs. Jeffreys,
and founded his opposition upon the act of Sth
Queen Anne, which recognised only British sub
jects He was decidedly in favor of an interna-
tional copyright, but thought the decision of Lord
Campbell would have the effect to retard the ac-
complishment of that great measure. by depriving
other nations of the motive which would be most
likely toinauence them in granting it, namely, the
desire to gain somo advantage He thought, if Eng
land grants every thing beforehand there will be no
call for reciprocal action the other side. He
said ifhe were American he would do every thing
in his power to have international copyright
law passed, and very justly remarked, if one ex
listed, America, instead of being despoiler of lite
rature, would become contributor. He compl-
mented Murray and Bentley highly called the
former the Medici Of publishers, and was sor-
ry that, on important an occasion, he was COM
pelled to act in opposition TO them. He speaks
markably well, but not like trained orator, nor
SO fuently his brother. AT the close of his
speech Mr. Bohn moved resolution, to the effect
that the recent decision giving the privilege of CO.
pyrght to foreign authors, if finally established,
must prove extremely prejudicial to British lite
nature in all its departments, whilst it removes a
material inducement to the acceptance by foreign
States of the international copyright act. The
resolution was seconded and advocated by Rev. DIR.
Worthington and others; when suddenly rather
rough looking, red-headed man rose, and NOV
ing an amendment, poured upon the surprised au-
dience an eloquent speech, which seemed to COM
pletely turn the tide of feeling, and put new as
pect upon the subject. He argued that Great Bril-
tain should do right in this matter and sustain the
decision of Lord Campbell, without reference to
what other nations might do or not do. He spoke
fluently, earnestly, and learnedy his arguments
cogent, his logic close, and the whole style of
er and pure minded man. From the applause
that greeted him imagined that Mr.. Bohn's motion
would be rejected; but the meeting had been packed
by his party, and it was accordingly carried. Onin
quiring who the eloquent speaker was, / learned
that he was Ernest Jones, the chartist, who has
recently been discharged from prison, to which he
was sentenced for his participation in the great
chartist movement two years since. very lively
discussion followed the speech of MIR. Jones after
which George Cruikshank, the caricaturist
moved resolution recommending the formation
Of society, and the collection of funds, to obtain
q revision of the decision of the judgment Of Lord
Campbell, or an alteration OF the existing law.
resolution then moved and carried that an
appeal should be made to tho House of Lords that
the decision in the court Of error in the case of
Booscy vs. Jeffreys be reversed, when the meeting
separated.
Lord Campbell, being himself member of the
body appealed TO, will hardly consent to reyer-
cal of his own judgment; and as it is on the side
of justice and generosity, although not strictly in
conformity with the statute of Queen Anne the
chsnces are that it will be approved by the House
of Lords. If it should be, do not see how Con-
gress can longer deny to Great Britain measure
of international justice which that country has
been the fret to offer to us.
There being good many more Americans now
in London than were ever here together before
since the separation of the colonies from the mother
country took place, great preparations are making
for proper celebration of the seventy fifth ami
versary of National Independence. Among
the other demonstrations to be made that aus
picious day, will be "a fete of unusual splendor
given by Mr.. Peabody, an American merchant re-
siding here, the nature of which will be inferred
from the following card, which have had the
honor 10 receives
"Mn. PEABODY requests the honor of MIR. and
Mrs -----'s company at Wills's Rooms, to meet
The AMERICAN MIsIsrER AND MRs. LAWRENCE,
on Friday, July 4. 1851. Music and Dancing. The
concert at hnlf-past nine O'Clock precisely. Dane
ing at eleven. Supper at one. Willis's Rooms,
King street, ST. James's. An answer is requested"
About eight hundred cards have been issued, and
the company will include some of the most disn-
guished personages now in London.
see in the daily papres complaints of the COP
pressive heat of the weather" but have not felt
any thing of the sort myself In fact, the weather