The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-18
AFT AIRS IN EUROPE.

Ar Ain , I'm GORST 6
American Authors and Ensrish Piracy.
LETTER NO. III
LONDON, Oct %. 1854.
In our last letter we SHOWED conclusively that not
outstanding American publishers had done every
thing in their power to cramp the energies o. Anne
rican authors, America had a literature. This L
proven by the high reputation gained for America
authors in England, and the increased demand fol
their works. What Ia now toe result of denyisg t.
the author the right Of property in his intellectual
productions, and upon whom does it nfict the great
est injurys
The Afhenownp in Its remarks en- the decision Of
The House OF Lords, makes the following comments:
"This last reversal OF judgment was made at one
o'clock on Tuesday, in the House Of Lords-a re.
versal which, among other things, in effect, upsets
all American cop rights-snd before six o'clock
that day the printers in London were engaged in
reprintiDg cheap editions Of American works
NeasrL Lew Co., alarmed for their property in
Sunny Memories OF Foreign Lands, rushed to their
printers to order cheap edition; they found tn sm
engaged on . cheap edition for another house,
(hessrs Geo. Routeledge 4 Coz BY aid however, Of
tho HesUs. Cloves, Mr.. Low hopes to forestall the
rprintsrs and we cannot but trust tina. he Hill sue
oeed, seeing that he hsd already embarked capital
In tho production Of the work. in the belief that his
property was protected by law. The mails will car
~ out bad news to America This decision puts an
End TO ell negotiation between the authors of that
country and the publishers here. Mr. Bentley, we
believe has just concluded treaty WITH Mr.. Pres
colt, the historian for dis Philip the Second at
Q thousand pounds a volume. The same Ia now
waste paper. TIE American historian is now in the
sams position as regards England as the English
author Ia - regards America"
We give Mrs. Stoves work only az an illustration
Of twenty others that might be enumerated. Tha.
work however, FIRST to attract the pirates mer
oenary gaze, and fall victim to his fleeing sys-
tenn. Another London journal remarks, "About
three weeks since Messrs. Low 4 Son published
Mrs Stoves travels in this country, under the title
Of "Suany Memories of Foreign Lands" and Lord
st. Leonards had hardly finished his view Of the
case in the House of Lor6s, before printers were en-.
gagged upon cheap editions for some publishers. A
cheap edition by Mess g. Rolteledge was Instantly
announced; but a. speedily mad Messrs. Lo taken
up the challenge, and more speedily has their book
before tho pubic. The trade, tits said, having due
regard to vested rights, and taking into consdera.
ton the shortness OF time The legitimate publisher
had to escape from Eeavy loss, supported him
we'll" By this 1t is shown to what miserable straits
honestly Instinct men are driven 90 protect their
property uUM Lle Vl"SL rystblu vi merely
because COVE. nmest withholds act cf justice to
the rights Of authors. Anything but an author may
claim right to ais labors; Le, poor wretch, has no
rights.
effect OF this sanctioned plundeging, give few
transactions Of ore house in this city. Messrs Geo.
Routeiedge Go. were FIRST to seize the advantages
offered by the late decision Of the House of Loids,
Of appropriating American works as free property.
Rushing into the market With the works OF Cooper
and Others they soon flooded is with cheap reprints,
regardless Of the interests feelings Of the honest
purchaser. Again, according to their own state
nent, they have printed and thrown on the market
no less than 20 600 copies Of the "Lamplghter," at
one shilling per copy; $4,000 at L.. Ca; 10000 at
Res" IS 900 copies at Is. Cd. Now when we ioform
the reader that the Meszrs. Rcute,edge, in these
cases, acting upon prin ple, make no compensation
to tho author, his sense OF justice cannot but be
awakened to the evil influence this state of things
must carry with it. The Messrs. Routeiedge have
gAined character for enterprise similar to that Of
Che Hampers in our own country; but however much
We may respect enterprise, regulated and governed
by honest Considerations when it becomes seckless
OF tie rights and property OF otherstis dangerous
element and Is apt to su0ver the various interests
with which 1t comes IL contact Again. With this vast
amount Of American literary labor st the free dispo
sal Of these publishers, they boldly assure the poor
Eagsh writer that his works are no longer valuable
to them; but, to supply what shey consider neces
Gary pretext, and TO attract purchasers OF their p
rated works, they osten.atiously pay Sir f. Bull yer
Lytton twenty thousand pounds for tae right of
publishing his works In cheap form, for the space
Of ten years. This s held to be the necessary policy
BY which . system Of piracy is conserved. Is not
this Capitalization in its most bghtng form! II it
be not, would in al seriousness ask the reader TO
point M 70 q cause more positive. VIII MIR. Carey
analyzs those practical workings Of the more pro-
tectfve system he s.renuousy advocates? In this
case, which ia o single illustration Of fifty others, go
fx ~ authors are concerned everything is sacrificed
gaaNy paid for his light and genial lsbors. The
sAme result has followed in America, and is uustra-
ted by tho system adhered to by the Messrs Harper.
IND rover and DESTROYING we'll regulated system
& 6ade, will be potent to the reader at first sight.
AAether phase Of the system is, that it enables the
MesSrs. Routeledge TO print vast amount Of Eng.
lsh works at the mere price Of labor and material,
aad throw them on the American market to the
prejudice Of American labor, which must be reduced
= tbs same mental level with that Of London, or
oatirely destroyed. Notwithstanding this, the same
house, having q branch in America, may pu olish
English works I'D h6tum there while flooding the
market hero with American. In neither case are
they bound, nor will they respect the rights Of au.
fitted by the publisbers dishonesty, but as yet We
have no evidence to warrant any such conclusion.
We mistake public character when we suppose It
willing TO see the publishers power preeminent and
one suthor enriched at tie expense Of twenty
Others.
But few days ago, the proof sheets OF . work by
for sale. The authors nsme was well known, his
previous works having circulated extensively; and,
under the supposed protection heretofore existing,
Mesersl Murray, Bentley, Low, or Backett and Hurst,
would have been glad to have availed themselves
II his present work 1t three hundred pounds or
thereabouts. Az matters now stood, and under that
free intercourse which both governments sustained
respectable houses could make offer. "If publish
il In respect to tho authors rights as my feelings
would prompt me to do" said Mr.. Blackett "the pi.
rate Will supersede me with an edition at the mere
price Of ink and paper, and my edition will lay on the
shelf" After several unsuccessful attempts TO In
duce respectable publisher to take it in hand, 1t vas
offered to the most energetic pirate, who, ct first,
smiled at what he was pleased to consider the Of.
fronteYy q the American author who, under the
present free plunderine system, should expect any
thing for his works In England. He had objection
to examining it, nor to publishing 1t, but, being
cnsnuOn prOuerty him CONNIE nsat0n WAS ont of