The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-07
IAterary Intelligence.
yHH AUTHOR or AIMS AND oBsrAcLRs-LErTsR
FROM Nh. O. 2. q. JAMES


FROM Nh. O. ?. q. JAMES.
SroOksxIDon. Mass, April 2. 1852.
DEAR SR:-I have just seen an article in the
HERALD regarding tho republication in this coun-
try. Of Aims and Obstacles" By some accident.
did not read the notice you mention in your
Wednesday ssheet, which is certainy extraordinary,
as it is very rarely that line Of the HERALD es-
capes me. However. give you my word did not
see it, or should at once have writton to you.
In explanation, l have only to say that before the
werk was reprinted hero by Messrs. Harper, most
diligent search was made by myself and two other
gentlemen, to ascertain whether the work had been
already reprinted in the United States or not, and
that we, none Of u.s. could discover any trace of it,
Numerous catalogues were examined, and in none
have we found it under any name by which it could
be recognized Messrs Harper, myself, and the
two friends who aided my inquiries, were all igno-
rant Of the work having ever been reprinted in
this country, till some time after Messrs. Harper
had issued il.
Then the first intimaton of the fact was received
by me in the form of very scurrilous article in q
verse Of yours. | Immediately directed my
solicitors to prosecute the proprietor for libel, as
there could be doubt Of the libellous character
Of his remarks 1t was represented to me, however,
II
desired as means of making an insignificant person
conspicuous, and ut the earnest solicitation Of my
lawyers and others abstained Means were taken,
believe, at the time to set the matter right with
the public, which must have:escaped your eye, if as
believe, the simple facts were stated in several Of
the literary journals of the United States
In regard to the change of name, the explanation
is perfectly simple. You cannot be unaware that it
is very frequent custom with authors in England,
and has been for centuries, to change the name
of work in q second edition, without The slightest
intention or hope OF deceiving. In the present
times it has been done by Sir Edward Lytton in at
least one instance, and by myself in two, without
the slightest objection the part of tho public or
tke book trade. Sometimes this has been done from
caprice, sometimes from more serious, but perhaps
not very definite motives. In the present instance,
however, there was a distinct and very urgent
motive When the book was first printed in Eng
land, the name gave considerable annoyance to "a
very excellent lady, who conceived that she was
satir2ed therein, and pointed out by the very title
thought had never heard Of her existence. She
sent relation to the publisher, to demonstrate;
and /, on his showing, distinctly promised that if
the work went to second edition the name should
be changed.
This was my sole motive for the change Of name
for neither nor the Messrs. Harper imagined that
the work had been reprinted here before. Remark.
] do not say that had we known that the work had
been reprinted, they would have abstained from the
publication, or from the change of name. They
have, by agreements long subsistng-ther part Of
which they have always honorably performed--my
sole sanction for the re-printing Of my works in
America; and do not conceive that they would
consider the publication of a work of mine by
authorized persons the slightest obstacle Neither
would consider such fact any impediment to my
keeping promise made but the only difference
would have been this: Had known the work had
been reprinted before, should have added a pre-
face, explaining my reasons for changing the name
at least, think l should, although have never
done so that remember i'll similar cases in England
You may print this letter or not, you think fit
for it is written entirely for my satisfaction and
yours and not for the object of gaining notorey in
your columns. Believe me to be, dear sir,
Your faithful servant, G. p. r. JAMES.
J. GORDON BENNETT, ESQ, Herald Office, New
York
THE AMERICAN WIG REyIEw-Aprl, 1852
New York: Bissell.-The most entertaining essay in
the present number is Journalism in Paris, which is
well written and affords some valuable information.
9 Carlyle and his lmitaors" ranks next in point of
interest. The other contributions are characteristic
to this periodical.
The PROTEsTANT-April, l852.--Contans an
interesting article on the Scriptural Prophecies,
and other appropriate matter
THE REPUBLIC-April, 1852 Whitney.-Abounds
with tales and contains some entertaining miscella-
neous matter.
TIE Two BRIDEs-By T. S. Arthur, New York
Bunce & Co.-Readers of light novels must Judge
for themselves whether or not this work deserves
their appreciation.
The HERcINEs OF HIsTORY-By Mary E. Hew-
lit, New York. Cornish, Lamport & Ce-This
handsome volume contains interesting sketches of
some Of the most extraordinary women which the
world has seen, and affords no inconsiderable
amount of entertainment 1t is finely illustrated
with steel engravings.
FoRD's CHRONOLOGICAL TREE OF THE HISTORY
OF THE UNITED STATES. New York: Holbrook-
This is elaborate and ready chart of the principal
events in the history of the United States and will
be of great practical utility We should have pre-
ferred, however, the absence of the foliage orna-
mcIt.