The New York herald., 1875-10-19

languages and literature OF Continental Europe viii be
able assist the claims OF French authorship, and,
they have tho mind to bring discredit on the praca
undertakings Of modern English dramatic transators,
msnamed original payrights.
THE AUTHOR or GNx's RABY.
Last but by no means least Of the five who win have
international copyright in their special keeping,
comes the immortal author Of ''Ginx's Baby" Mr.
Edward jenkins, H. p, to speak plainly, has "wrig
gled himself TO the commission through persistent
goading of Mr.. DisraelL As sop TO Cerberus Mr..
Jenkins name has been included IN the Queens Com
mission, but his claims to being considered author,
IN the true meaning of the term, about on par
with those Of the writer of 'Dame Europas School" "
and it is only through authorship that the honorable
gentleman be supposed have q special knowledge
Of the intricate doctrine OF copyright Nevertheless,
Mr. jenkins is a OF some mark He holds
prominent official appointments from the Canadian
government He is very PLAIN spoken. and he claims
to have a personal experience OF the dis
advantages English "authors' labor under through
the want OF international copyright convention
with the United States Mr. Daddy OF the late well
known London firm OF Bell Daddy, represents the in
terests Of tho publishers and the appointment Is in
all respects proper Mr.. Daddy has no present
connection with publishing which leaves him perfectly
unbiased and free from any suspicion of sefnterest
He alone Of all the Commissioners has knowledge Of
the practical part Of bookmakng His experience will
be OF value in adjusting the balances between what
authors consider to be their rights and publishers
theirs. He win, moreover, be able to disclose somc-
thing concerning profit and loss as applied to the deal
ings Of publ hers with authors and we SHALL
doubt, be told for the nine hundredth and
ninety ninth time that the balance is not always
the most profitable side regards the publisher
II would have been WELL though II Mr.. Daddy had had
practical knowledge OF the working OF American book
agencies in London to aid in revealing of the
mysteries Of those darkly hidden channels of COM
munication between English authors and American pub
fishers, which very firmly believe have much TO do
with the apparent disnclination Of the American pub
lishing houses TO international copyright with Eng
land. The of Sir Henry Holland, NJ. p, son Of
the well known physician and traveller, to be
guarantee that medical science is not to be overlooked
in the inquiry, and important and profitable
branch Of bookseing is derived from the research Of
medical men, it is proper that their interests should be
considered along with those of other authors Sir
Julius Benedict, musician and composer represents
music Mr. Farrer a fellow OF the Royal Society, and
Secretary Of the Board OF Trade with Sir +. Hersche
NJ p, watches over the interests Of tho scientists;
while the well known writer and jurst Mr. Fitzjames
Stephen, will doubtless take that Mr. Charles
Reades pleasing theory of perpetual copyrighn has
good foundation in law and equity. The only other
name on tho list unpretendng though 1t is has far
greater claim to be there than almost any
] have mentioned. DR.. William Smith, Of the
Quarterly Repieao, editor OF the Dictionary
OF Greek and Roman Antiquities" and Of vast
number Of students Manuals published by Murray,
to say nothing OF the matchess Dictionary of the
Bible" is the last Commissioner, not in point Of
wealth Of intellect but in social rank, which has been
very carefully considered apparently in the drawing
up of the wonderfully worded commission from the
Queen
POPULAR AUTHORS EXCLUDED.
What strikes most in looking this list OF
is the entire exclusion from it Of the popular
author element Not OF those, for instance who
may be supposed to suffer most from the want OF in
ternatona treaty with the United States and who have
this branch of their wrongs at their fingers ends has
been considered worthy Of selection. Setting aside
Charles Reade, whose crotchets and legal puzzles would
upset the deliberations OF the best constituted royal
commission IN the world, Wilke Collins, Tom Taylor
and the numerous other prolific English authors and
dramatists have been wholly ignored, which, as Mr..
Pepys would have said, 'is very grievous to see."