Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-04-21
Literary n Offices.

The old.line publishers have, very
naturally, not been well pleased with
the new famous enterprise, The Litera-
ry Revolution; and in depreciation of its
character have laid special stress upon
the claim that in cheapening books so
vastly it is against the interest of Ameri-
can authors. The Revolution boldly
meets this assertion by statements ss fol-
lows: 1st. That they are already paying
to American authors more money than
any other publishing house that is less
than twenty-five years established. I'd
That American authors rarely receive
from publishers copyright exceeding 10
per cenr. upon the retail price of their
books actually sold. Sd. That at least
one half, and probably more nearly three
fourths, of the books published by Amer
ican authors have been published at the
authors expense, the publishers furnish
ing no money, and paying no copyright.
but themselves receiving large percen-
tage upon sales made. 4th. That they
propose hereafter to pay to the American
authors for acceptable manuscripts a
copyright of 10 per cent. instead of 10 per
cent, and they claim their low prices,
and immense sales resulting therefrom.
are far more in the interest of authors
than much larger copyright on the com
monty limited number of sales-"One
thousand books, profits $1.00 each-$l 900
One million books, profit one cent each
100000"
As an example OF an American copy
right book. they issue, in an exceedingly
handsome form, the famous poetical, his
torical, and satirical American Classic,
''M'Fingal, an Epic Poem," by John
Trumbul, with very full annotations by
the celebrated historian Bension j. Los
sing. LID. This poem is almost as much
part of American history as the battle
of Bunker Hill itself, and DR.. Lossing,has
greatly increased both its interest and its
intrinsic value by his historical comments
and illustrations. This book was pub
lished few years ago by one of the old
publishing houses at the price of So. 90 per
copy, and had only very limil ed sale.
The publishers claim that the reception
of their new edition guarantees sale of
at least $4,000, or even more probably
100000 copies; and Mr.. LOSING will, of
course, reap a handsome reward, even
from the small royalty upon the low
price. American Book Exchange, Pub
fishers, New York City.
Appiet0ns' journal for May gives The
second and concluding part of Professor
George Ebers Greek novelette,, "A Greek
Idyl.' The story is said to have been
suggested by painting by Alply- Tadem.
1t certainly presents very charming
picture Of domestic life in ancient Greece.
Helena Faucit Martins delightful papers
On some Of Shakespeare's Female Char
uO+orSf noclap,oro hoi~
now treated. Lady Martin is very origl.
nal and suggestive in many of her views,
and she writes in an Entertaining man
ner. There is searching and effective !
paher on Boron by Matthew Arnold, !
and two capital sketches, embodied in
one article, on keble and DIR. Newman,
by James Anthony Froude, MADAME
dc Stale, The Metternich Memories" and |
and an article on Thomson, the,new Eng
!lsh poet, form the distinctive literary
papers. Art Needlework" is discussed
by Lady Afford, Vice-President of the |
Royal School of Art Needlework. and the !
well-known painter G. f. Watts. A read
able paper on king Lear" and short
story called Robert Wyeth" complete
the body articles. Henry Georges ''Pro-
gres and Poverty" and his argument
against the justice of private ownership
Of land, which has recently attracted SO
much attention, is subjected to close
analysis by the editor, who makes several
good points against the new philosophy.
Notes for Readers" makes very agreea-
BILE department. Appletons' Journal is
published monthly, at 25 cents per num-
Der. or $500 per annum. d. Appleton
& Co., Publishers, I, 3, & Bond Street,
New York.