National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-05
The Mysteries Of Book Pabii.hIuR.
Rochester Democrat Cor. espondenec.l
rur uEAnru

Most book-houscs employ some man of
high literary character to examine all Ms.
which Is thought worthy Of notice. This
man Is technically called "thc reader" He
must possess o wide acquaintance with lltcra-
turc and criticism, and should also be able to
feel the pulse Of public sentiment so Us to
judge readily whether II book will sell or not.
Both the destinies Of an author and the well
fare of his employers are lodged In his hands.
Hence his position Is one Of unusual import
ance. Some houses employ several readers;
one to examine works Of fiction, another TO
examine works of philosophy, &c. IL IL said
that Robert Bonner employs several men In
this capacity. Some time ago | was con-
verslng on this subject with the wcll-known
'rcader," Oliver Dyer, who remarked with
much emphasis, "a mans judgment on o
book Is good for nothing after he has read
two hours. lie must then rest" II Is d.
ncult matter for one man 10 divest himself OF
oil prcjudices and place himself In the at
titude Of tine public. lie must do this, how
ever, in order to be good reader, and 1t Is
In this point that this class often falls, and
thus booksellers arc led into mistakes. 1ry-
Ing says that he offered the sketch Book"
to John Murray, the most fashionable pub
Usher In London who declined 1t. Irving
then was about to print 1t at his own expense,
when Miller undertook Its publication. The
book succeeded well, but Miller failed, and
then Murray was glad to become Irying's
publisher. One Of the most popular of re-
cent novels ("Beulah') was rejected by an
over critical house, which thus lost n firs.-
rate bargain. Speaking Of "reaGers, may
add that one Of the best Of this class wes the
late Henry J. Raymond, who, jcfore he
started the Times, served Harper u others
several years In this capacity. A good editor
M rpnaraliy EnnNx vh N kyiil anti tho nublip
In examining noycl 1t Is not necIss' y for
the reader" to 20 Through the voluE. He
may dive into the middle, or take a, .ltcr
here and there and thus catch the genius Of
tho story. II 1t arrest his attention, then he
may go over 1t in q thorough manner; but II
IL does not, then II Is at once rejected.
When book Is published the work is only
half done. 1t requires much greater cost
to be made in advertising, beside the large
number given away to editors and critics.
Some Of these read the book, but most do
little more than notice the title page and
glance over the contents. Being lately In the
Office of the Eceniny J osi, saw pile of new
volumes awaiting notice. The first thing done
when they come into the Office Is to number
them, and the number here Is not far from
seven thousand. What task 1t must be to
notice books with any degree Of fairness when
the number is so great! Advertiser Z Is very
costly item in the book trade. You cannot
give book much notoriety unless you spend
81 600 In advertising, and this outlay has run
as high as $500 on one novel II you do not
advertise you might Us well not publish ut all
for of all things books depend on rapid intro
duction to the public. The size Of an edition
varies. Generally speaking, 1t means ons
| thousand copies, aud publisher can easily
| work of this number. IL more be wanted 4
second edition eau be issued. Harper Broth.
ors long ago decided to make their edition.
twenty-five hundred. At any rate, II they
undertake work they first strike of thl.
number Of copies, whose sale about pays for
getting it up. II larger sale takes place,
then there Is room for profit. The Harpers
generally purchase the copyright Of any au-
more copyrights than any house In America,