The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-13
LITERATURE AND ART.

THE ROYAL COPYRIGHT COMMISSION IN ENG
LANDMARKS OF THE COMMISSIONER
NOTES ON THE FORTHCOMING ACADEMY
WHAT THE ARTISTS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.
LONDON, April !, 1876.
The meeting OF the Royal Copyright Commission
still continues be postponed chiefly OF
difficulty in selecting properly representative to
oil tho vacancies created by the designations OF Lord
Roseberry Mr.. Bourke, Sir Louis Mact aud Mr. Far
rcr As lar regards tho discussion OF any project
having reference to an International treaty with the
United States tho facts OF any interest up to the pres
would appear be these:-If the commission was
to be OF any material benefit in altering the present
unsatisfactory OF things between English authors
aud American publishers II was clear that IT was OF the
very OF the inquiry that the authors most inter
osted in securing American copyright should present
their This, am gwen to understand they
expressed intention OF declining to do because
they alleged OF the character of
the commission In effect they declared that
on the commission sufficiently well vcrsed in
literary matters understand tho complications Of
the present copyright law and that to all inicnts and
purposes the commission would prove dead letter SO
far they were concerned. Hence the rcsigna
tions made, believe, IN response TO urgent rcnon
strances LAID before Mr.. Dsraeli The
CONSTITUTION COMMISSION
ID rs IOuowS:-Loru Jonn Manners, chairman; Sir
Henry Holland, MI Sir John Rosc, Sir Charles
Young, Sir julius Benedict, Sir Drummond Woln, M
p; Mr. Daddy. Mir. f. Hcrsche, ~ p; MI.
Jenkins N. r; Mr.. Fitzjamcs Stephen, O. O.,
and DR.. William Smith, with Mr.. Ley
bourne Goddard, barristcr- at law, as secretary
The four vacancies VIII be filled by gentlemen more
intimately connected by actual work with literature
and tho drama The difficulty to be IN selecting
from such class men of sufficient influence, position
and business capacity be OF any practical the
commission. In the whole range OF dramailsts there
is probably no better than
TAYLOR.
but his appointment would not altogether conciats
dramatic authors; would Mr. Rcade's Mr. Wlkie
Collins appointment be acceptable to English authors
And the matter stands Lord Carlingtord has been
offered seat ut the commission place Of Lord Rose
berry, but for what reason no precisely knows As
dispenser Of magnificent hospitality His Lordshp Is
best known TO English society, and, the third hus-
band Of the Countess Of Wadcgravc, he doubt pos
strong claim TO recognition liberal patron
OF science literature and the Besides which he
Chief Secretary for Ireland While these
complications have to the duo assembling OF tho
commission It not unlikely that the London
publishers will
roRcE' AMERICAN PUBLISHERS
suing for copyright treaty against
their WILL and before English authors made
fit II has been a common practice for years past
for the publishers in America 10 arrange with the pub
fishers in England to take set OF stereotype plates OF
authors book at price, the publisher America
paying to the author publisher in England royalty
on the retail American sales OF tho book OF ton per
cent Tho English publisher has just found out that
he can drive better bargain than this and has in
sisted that tho American publisher shall pay not only
the OF plates. but half the cost OF composition
wall Ia tn WI rat er ella
move is likely to end.
NEcEssiTy RRPoRM coPYEIaHr.
| WHAT with tho protective American duty, cost OF
patcs half cost OF composition and por cent
tail sales tho New York publisher win nnd
himself in better position dealing for the
irotype; and, consequently, in selrprotection,
viii be driven to recognize English authors rights
between himself and the London publisher ANY, ons
vcrsed In book making and book printing easily
that II ''half the cost Of composition Is made
involve ssauthors' corrections aud authors addi-
tons..' an international copyright treaty bctwecn
England and the United States viii be brought about
without the inteposition Of any English royal commits
sion. Tho only alternative viii be for American pub
llshcrs 70 open printing establishments in England.
! ACADEkY NOTES.
The last day past for sending In pictures for the
forthcoming exhibition oil the Royal Academy, and
am enabled 10 send you the following few particulars
OF tho art prospects Of the year. On the whole, the
exhibition, which opens It Burlington House on
I. Monday Nay promises .s this year 70 be
first among the acadcmicians Tor scholarly culture
in art, high Refinement and bold departure from the
accepted traditions OF the English scu0ol sends mag
nicent Offering IN the shape vi professional picture
representing the Daphncphoria or festival in honor
OF Apollo, celebrated at TheDcs In every ninth year.
This picture certain Of the chief
interest in the Academy. long train Of maidens and
pany tho chosen young noble, who acts Is the high
priest OF Apollo, ~ the temple where the services IN
nonor Of tho god are 70 be held Mr. Leighions srea.
u classical picture OF rare beauty, Astounding in evi
dcnces Of careful study and mastery ability In depict
ing tho human figure, desti-ed, boar. 10 o
mural decoration a. tho country scat Of Mr. Stewart
Hodgson, at Lythc Hill. Haslemcre In tit company
with the above is another charming classical piece
from the studio OF
| reprcsenting IAN Audience OF Agrippa" or tho
bes. OF the many good works which this artist has
gwen In this painting. In oil OF Aima-Tademas
work. ones attention u absolutely rivced 10 the ex
! OF the marbles. The painting OF stone columns ana
steps DO especial forte Of the artists and
most wonderfully natural the results Of his skill
with the pencil in this direction. There Is story
told IN the painting which Is simply truthful repre-
tho Roman King OF tho days Of Paul aud the Apostles
pleasing to be able 10 record the TACT that two Of
Mr. lma-Tadeina's most famous paintings, tho "Dcath
of Claudins'' and the 'vintage Procession
OK THEIR WAY 70 rnx cxsrEsNAL
building at Philadelphia Mials contributes, besides
one OF his usually charming studies Of children a
Scotch landscape piece fellow 10 his last years FriLgo
OF the Moor" Mr.. Herkomcr, whose Last MUSTER
pensioners IN Chelsea Hospital chapc) must have be-
come familiar TO every through tho admirable iu
page Illustration Of the London Grdphic, this
years Academy AT Deaths Door," representing q
scene la the Bavarian Alps Tho afflicted family OF
sick person assembled on their knees outside
| a poor looking Tyroese hut, while priest who Is
ascending tho road Is preparing 10 administer the
rRment Of extreme JUNCTION. Leslie furnishes this
season another study from girl lie, bearing on tbe
wholesome discussion by governess and children Of
duty toward ones ncigbbor. Mr. Yeamos, Que Of tho
most rapidly rising Or English artists, sends scene
suggested by tho old days OF English watering places
wherein the occupants OF two sedan chairs, lady and
q sentlcman are discussing
| s.THE SCANDAL"
from the opened tops Of their primitive conveyances
"A Year Alter Saarbruckp Is the subject OF Mr. y.
| N. Wards chief contribution Mr.. Marcus Stone
paints the story or an incident In the Rcign OF Ter
ror. Mr. Caldcron iurnshcs some pretty sketches
from the lie rccolIecons OF recent visit To Aries.
w. y. FIRTH again 10 the chpptcr OF some
familiar piece Of fiction his subject, and depicts
esquire fhornhtrs Morning VISIT 10 the Primrose