Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-21

reader, | may not feel justified in publish
ing it. Commercial reasons may prevent.
But your Ms. shall have careful considera-
ton; you can depend upon that; shall
do all that can in the matter consistently
with business, in which, as you are aware,
there is no sentiment. If you will be kind
enough to call again IN four weeks, shall
be able to give you our decision
The author, palpitating with expecta-
ton, calls promptly at the end of the APP
pointed time. Carleton receives him Tor
herr graciously and announces that the
reader thinks very well of the MS. "The
literary merit TALL new authors like to be
assured on this pointlis unquestionable
the matter is interesting; but (author
grows nervous, and moves uneasily in his
chair it is impossible to tell whether it
will appeal to people enough to warrant
me in publishing it,"
"There is no doubt of its selling. Mr..
Carleton Many of my friends have read
it, and they regard it as
ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE WORKS
That has been produced for years. 1
should like to read you some OF the letters
| have received. They praise my work
highly, and they are all from persons of
fine culture and excellent judgment.
feel sure that the book will not fall far
short of so, 900 at the lowest"
"Quite likely you are right. 1 shouldn't
be at all surprised myself if the work sold
$4,000 copies. | hope it may turn the
100000. But the commercial reasons
have mentioned come in at this point. If
you will guarantee me against loss | will
gladly undertake to get out your book,
and in the best style. -
How guarantee you: l don't exactly
understand"
:. / mean this. Your book when issued
will cost, say 5000. When it has sold to
the extent of 5000 copies shall be indem-
nified for the cost, and then you will get
your royalty, beginning with the first copy
Sold Now, If you or any of your friends
will place in my hands 81, 900 in cash or In
securities, | will get out the book and re-
turn you the 81, 000as soon as the salesshall
have reached a point to clear me, and after
that you will be paid your percentage reg
ularly. Ii your book should sell quarter
as well as you anticipate, and as hope,
you will make a very handsome profit, and
secure literary reputation that will be
worth a great deal to you"
Imagine how delightful and plausible all
this sounds to an unfedged author. He is
convinced that he is on the eve of fame
and fortune, aud if he can raise the money
himsel-not very probable-or induce his
friends to advance it, he loses no time in
complying with Cartoons terms. These,
of course, include liberal compensation
to Carleton for his trouble. The money,
or equivalent, is put in the publishers
hands. The great work is given to the
world, and in nineteen cases out OF twenty
to be moderate--the stupid world
declines to recognize its merit. The fashy
advertising which Carleton gives it does
not help it materially. 1t never sells more
than few hundred copies-most of these
are bought by the author at reduced rates,
for presentation to his acquaintances-and
not only the 50, 600 is lost to him, but the
thousands besides which he felt sure would
come from his book. He feels aggrieved,
personally injured, deeply .misanthropic
perhaps he looks on Carleton as conspira-
tor, though Carleton has done nothing but
protect himself judiciously making the
author financially res ponsiblei for his own
work, of whose success it would have
been, to his mind, sheer malignity and
envy to doubt. Carleton has published
number of books in this way-indeed it is
his regular way with new authors and to
his precaution and worldly wisdom he is
indebted for his prosperity, if not for his
actua1 soIvapnv