The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-05

can materially increase their reputation and the
money value or their works by entering into direct
correspondence with him for reprints, which Will
be offered for sale through his agents at every re-
spectacle library aud railway station on the Euro
pean Continent.
AS a general rule Baron Tauchnitz prefers to
make q satisfactory arrangement with the author
OF book; but when the author has sold the entire
copyright OF his work then the Baron Is equally
willing to make bargain with the party who has
bought 1t. American authors should, therefore,
take into account the fact that their copyrights
are always worth something more than they other
wise would be on account OF the sum which Baron
Tauchnitz is prepared to pay Tor o reprint to be
sold only upon the European Continent.
Baron Tauchnitz very seldom publishes original
works In manuscript Nearly all his books are re-
prints Of popular works which have already made
their mark on public opinion. He sometimes,
however, publishes essays from periodicals which
have not previously been printed In book form.
In this manner he repuDushed some OF the best Of
Macauay's essays from the Edinburgh Repie,O.
The first book In the English language issued by
the Tauchnitz firm was the famous novel OF "Pel-
ham, written by the late Lord Lytton, then
known as simple Edward Bulwer The reprint OF
this work appeared in 1912, and the success
OF the enterprise which 1t inaugurared
was great and immediate. 1t may be inter-
esting for literary antiquaries to know that
the form OF the celebrated Taucnnitz edition OF
English books has never varied. IL is the same In
1874 as 1t was IN 1842. But the modern print ID
much larger. THUS the whole OF "Pelham," which
is a long book In three volumes OF the ordinary
size published In London, occupies only the space
OF one volume In the Tauchnitz edition, and
whereas in London It was then sold for FL lis. 3D.
the German edition was offered to the pubic for
eighteen pence. Moreover, the Tauchnitz books
carried on the cream Of the reading public; they
supplied the wants and amused the ideness OF
travellers and invalids on the European Contl-
nent English persons. who had had no time 70
make themselves acquainted with new books dur
ing the business OF Parliamentary session or the
excitement OF London season, were glad indeed
to buy good novel wet day at q dun inn
abroad, and SO the TauchnitZ books rapidly In
creased in favor and attained an enormous circula
ton.
The firm OF Tauchnitz were not ungrateful for
the fortune which English aud American writer's
had earned for them. They soon began to pay
high prices for their reprints.
THEY GAVE MACAULAY NO LESS THAN SIXTEEN
THOUSAND THALERS,
and the heirs of that brilliant historian still derive
profit from the steady Continental sale Of his
works.
In 1869 the Tauchntz edition Of English and
American authors numbered
THOUSAND LITERARY WORKS,
and the Baron, being God.fearing man, cee-
brated the event by reprinting 'the authorized
English version OF the New Test ament with intro
duction and various readings from the three most
celebrated manuscripts OF the original Greek text
by Constantine TiscnendorI or this magnificent
volume no less than $4,000 copies have been
already sold, and 1t has attracted the attention
and praise OF all the biblical scholars in the world.
TALL, UPRIGHT, HALE HEARTY MAN,
looking much like an English banker, who has just
got peerage, such is
CHRISTIAN BERNHARD TAUCHNTTz,
who has been elevated, not unworthly, to the
dignity OF q German baron. He is also
HER BRITANNIA MAJEsTY'S CONSUL GENERAL
at Leipsic, and better choice for such an ofce
could not have been made. lie is evidently
shrewd man OF business, and his appearance at
first sight Is rather stern and iOrbtdding 1t Is
that OF man who seems to think more OF his own
dignity than is usual among well bred people, and
less OF the dignity OF others than is graceful or
becoming.
l sat before the rich and prosperous man, taking
these mental notes the day arrived in Leipsic;
and though had everywhere heard golden opin-
ions OF him from English authors aud |, myself,
had been well satisfied with his dealings In re-
printing my novel .The Member for Paris" yet
began to make up my mind to give Baron Tauch-
nitz a wide berth. have known SO many great
men that really did not want to know another,
having found their acquaintance generally over
powerlng. Had left Leipsic under the impress
sion that Baron Iaucnnitz was q baron to be pooh
poohed good-humoredly and
LEFT TO HIS DIGNITY AND DEPENDENTS,
! should only have fallen into the common mis-
take Of Judging by first appearances 1 had gone
away from his house rather amused than edited,
thinking how very funny most people look when
placed tptoe upon an eminence, so that was glad
OF friendly talk and a breezy walk in the country
with
MR.. STUART, AMERICAN CONSUL IN LEIPsIC,
who Is a well informed and sensible man. We
walked and we talked till the winters sun had set,
and then, as we were standing on the steps OF my
hotel, a GREATNESS servant, who appeared to have
spent hours in fruliless hunt Tor US, brought
an invitation to dinner from Baron 1auchnitz. We
dressed at once ana went iodine with him.
l never spent a more pleasant evening. The
Baron and his family are among the most charm
ing ana unaffected people have ever met. The
stern, earnest look and slow, measured speech
had mistaken Tor evidences OF pride arose from
the iacti that Baron Tauchnitz speaks English
with more correctness than fuency. He talks
printed EnguSn rdtner imam cOliOquial English,
is Obliged somewha to strain his atten ton in
order to catch Immediately the meaning OF Eng
lish conversation. This difficulty got over, and
our discourse having been changed to German,
found the Baron full OF cordiaity and Kindness.
He seemed to have real love OF English and
American literature, and ne spoke Of the
many great English and American writers he
had personally known with unfeigned respect.
He showed fine sense OF delicacy and the in
stlncts not only Of a gentleman but OF mind
smgularly wise and Thoughtful when he mentioned
any writer with whom he had been connected, and
he observed incidentally That he had never been
involved In litigation with an English or American
author. / asked him which writer's were most
popular, judged by The sale Of their works. He
answered that the sale OF book was not fair
test OF its merit, and that he should be 'unwill-
ing 10 say what might give pain to any one.u
His knowledge OF books Is extremely extensive