The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-03
THE RELIGION OF THE FUTURE.
WorkmelS Clubs In France : The Bishop Of
Orleans and the FreemaSons.
A New English Biography OF
Michael Angelo.
TRAVELS AND NOVELS

Representative oil Tue EugnSn ASSOCIATION Tor the
Protection OF the Rights OF Authors to see what
could be done to establish community Of action
with the Socete des Gems de Letres. saw Mr.
Jerrod yesterday and was glad to learn from him
that lie mad already made considerable progress IN
hix mission, the French society having appointed
o special committee to examine the propositions
be had laid before them, which committee had
unanimously reported in favor OF them. AS this
action renders probable some important changes
In the copyright relations or the TWO countries
and their subsequent adoption by the world gen.
orally, shall just state briefly the reforms pro
posed by Mr. Jerrold and his associates in English
legislation on the subject. BY the acts OF 1874 Il
and Wet, chap l2) and OF 1852 Us
Wet, chap. 12) International copyright and
stage right nave been regulated after q
fashion which, though IL may claim the credit or
god intentions, has but very imperiectly attained
the object contemplated. BY the first oil these acts
the queen was empowered TO grant copyrights and
stage rights on books or dramatic WORKS nrst
produced in foreign countries Tor term not eX-
ceediug thai OF English domestic copyrights. The
provision was, however, qualified By the condition
that reciprocal protection should be afforded 10
English authors. BY the act or 1852 the powers OF
Her Majesty were extended to the protection or
TRANSACTIONS or books and dramatic pieces, and to
the conierring OF copyrights and stage rights in
such translations, for limited time, however, ana
under conditions OF q burdensome and yexatiuus
character. II is IN these provisions that Mr.. Jer
rold and his associates desire TO introduce the
notifications which have been SO warmly ap.
proved OF by the Sociee des Gems de Letres BY the
act IN question the protection Tor TRANSACTIONS Is
limited to five years the shortest term OF copy
right known. The English authors ask tnat the
Queen be empowered, without any other condition
than that OF reciprocity TO extend the time 70 the
full limit fixed by the International Copyright act
OF 1S44-that Is TO say, to period not exceeding
tina: OF English domestic copyrights. In the case OF
translations OF dramatic pieces there Is another
section OF the same which provides that
ranslations approved OF oy the author must be
published, Or as 1t Is otherwise interpreted, must
be deposited, within three months after the regis
iration OF the original work. But, as is very
Justly observed by Mr. Jerrold and his associates,
"The foreign author has generally no desire TO
publish literal translation, and would have no
need to DO but for the unnecessarily harsh con-
ditlvn OF the act. AS a rule he does not desire to
publish at all. What he does desire Is to adopt,
that is alter the original work to suit the tastes
and ideas OF English audiences. The publication
OF literal translation is, therefore, useless as
well as expensive The society OF English an
thors is OF opinion that &c would sufficient, IN
the nrst place to compel the foreign dramatist TO
register the title, the date and place or nrst pro-
ducIon OF MS play and such other particulars as
are required In the case OF one oil their own body
registering his play in England; but as conces-
sion 10 the tendency OF the Legislature 10 limit
the rights OF foreign authors rather than as a
proposal founded on justice, they suggest that IL
might be expedlent 10 provide that the foreign
dramatlst should exercise his right and
produce on the British stage an adapta-
ton or translation OF his work, and
on adapls ton or translation OF sucn original work
within three years-tne time allowed for publish
Ing complete translation OF book. In regard
to what Il called "Ihe Far Adaptation Clausen
(sec. 81, which provides that nothing therein
tanned saaIl be $50 construed as TO prevent lar
limitations or adaptations OF any dramatic
musical composition published IN any foreign
pountry,r the English society OF authors is or
opinion that 1t should be repealed altogether for,
rs they justly observe, there seems to be no more
reason why pirate should be permitted 20 make
play out OF another mans play, than a novel out
Of another mans novel. 'Ihere Is discrediraDle
neanness about the clause, they add, because the
dramatic genus Of the French nation being lat
present, at least for there have been times when
u was far otnerwse) more fruitful and inventive
than our own there Is temporarily more 10 he
gained by pillaging our neignbors than we can
possibly lose by system OF reprsals.n Using
frank and generous language 81 this Kind and py
;heir recommendations striking directly az the
root Of the grievances complained Of by French
authors IL is not Surprising that the overtures or
the English society should nave met with a cordial
reception bV the SOciet6 des Gens lie Lettres. AS
= Iurtner evidence 81 the satisfaction with which
they regard the mission 81 Mr.. Jerrold, they have
invited tee representative or their British CON
rtres 10 shcir annual banquet, which taxes place
on the l9th INST.
TIE RELIGION or THE FUTURE.
A brochure mas JUST made its appearance In Ger
many. winch mas produced far greater sensation
among reaaing and thinking people here than the
sudden revival Of the irritating tactics by which
Prince Bismarck. through the medium OF his semi
slcia organs, seeks TO Keep alive the hostility OF
his countrymcu 10 France. There IS suspicious
coincidence between the publication OF this work
and the renewed attacks Of the Berlin press upon
the Frencn government, which would almost lead
70 she conclusion that they intended TO counter
tct the effect OF the interview Of the Austrian aud
Italian sovercigns at Vienna and the favorable In
auencc which y Is nkely 20 have on French inter.
ssis BE that as it may, the work 20 wnich
allude ''1he Religion 81 the Future,u Is a very re-
narkable one, nasmucn as II puts forth some
very original and startling views as 70 the lu-
tare OF Christianity ana as 70 the moral and re-
iiglUus prospects ol the generations tnat are 70
pf established reputation as thinker ana writer,
and Al ne uas lent pen 90 the Prussian Chancei-
Tor II Will be Acknowledged that the later has
Raineu Il powerful auxiliary IN his efforts 10 de-
ntrOy all attn IN existing religious g. stems, for IN
seeking to wipe out Ca holcssm II must not De
imagined tnaf Irnce Bismarck thinks that he 10
ADVANCING the interests OF his own religion, ON
that point ms convictions may be said 10 DE lden-
teal wan those oil the irish peany-a-1ner who an-
nounced in his Journal that certain 0shOp
mad renounced the errors OF Popery TO embrace
those oil Professionalism Herr hartmann gives
n no very clear OF distinct idea Of what me
religion Oi tile future ~ 10 be and y eager 70
guard himself against the sunposltlOn mat ne ue
ures 10 be either founder or prophet. All tnat
can be done NJ present, he says, Is u prepare me
dement's Tor the new religious rciOf mau0n-Or
evolution, as IL should be called seeing thut u Is
y leave nothing vi the existing faiths or iistlu-
ions extanL SHOULD not ike to assert That Herr
Hartmann seriously cOntem lates the PROBABILITY
o. the return OF he world to Paganism; out with
the most earnest desire 10 arrive az c0mprehen-
sion OF MS religious programme, tnd that can.
not reach any other CONCLUSION. ! must own mat
my mind ls tlled with anxious foreboaings wnen