New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-28
THE SUCCESS or MR.. BLAINEs BO0K.
ITS SALE Il 100000 COPIES.

IT'S SALE 100000 COPIES.
| RAPID PROGRESS on The SECOND yOLCME-THE
AUTHORS LITERARY METHOD.
IRON Az OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE J
NORWICH Conn.,, April FL am glad
said an admrer OF James @. Blaine to-day, that his
book appeared as soon az 1t did. Ills personal and pc
cal opponents declared that he would withhold 1t m
ill the Republican National Convention; that he would
then spring IT on the public; and that it would he found
that its aim was laud the author and make him rep
ntatlOn. It's appearance refutcs these allegations
careful perusa G. the volume shows that the au-
thor has not used the first personal pronOun and
his own name but once that being in the list Of Congress
men from Maine"
The issue and delivery OF the frat volume "a going for
ward as rapidly as eighteen book presses, working to
their full capacity and consuming tons OF paper
day can produce Them The presses at work On
the second hundred thousand and 1t will require 500 tons
OF paper to meet orders already received The popularity
OF the work has exceeded the most sangne eNpecta-
tons of the publishers who now confidently predict the
sale OF no less than one million volumes One, who Is
in po,tion to observe says that while IT Is too early
10 catch the reflection OF public opinion on
| the work, the press criticisms thus far
received have been invariably favorable The bograph
cal sketches and portraits appear to have been generally
satisfactory Tho only complaint thus far heard Is that
of friend Of Senator galshe Of the big spcctacles
The complainant thought the portrait OF ingalls, did him
Justice particularly IN the expression OF luOt
That good likeness desired IN this quarter was evil
dcnccd by the magnificent photograph received by the
publishers in response their request The photograph
was about foot by eight inches in size and gave Hat
tcring representation of sylisly dressed gentleman
wearing hgh-butOned checked coat, straight collar
musaohe goaec spectaces Of remarkable size, aud hair
waving from an idened part in the middle OF head
The engraving faithful reproduction on small SCALE
but Of course Is rot impressive the 12X8 photograph
THE WORK Of THE SECOND PART.
Volume H. is well under way. II will comprt'e about
700 pages and twentyscyen portraits II promises 10 be
immediate interest than its predecessor II VIII
treat entirely OF postbe'um events, beginning with
ohnson's administration and carrying tn reader through
Grants two successive terms and the incumbcncy OF
Hives up to, bur not including, the administration OF
Garfield The subject matter OF this volume viii have
more bearing Ing Issues and living men than inc
first and there VIII be eagerness 70 see the author
treatment of them. There viii be seven plates OF steel
cngravinss. Presidents Grant Hayes and Garfield VIII
each be represented by finely executed fuipage p0r
traits. This statement may be ac cpteu as eIec'uiy
dspoSiDg OF the rlnor that Mr. lldnr' aHhOlt9 ny re-
rp1rts that the sale OF his book hd1 braI Injured by he
porrat of eyprcsident Hayes, contemplated instruct
Ing the publishers omit ID rom Volume l., on financial
grounds There VIII DE- four groups Of rom 5r t3 eve"
portraits each one will represent the Nicc-Presdenis
except Arthur-siucc Lncolns time, namely: AndIcw
Johnson, Hannibal IlMnlin schuyler CoiiaS Henry WI
son and william 4. Wheeler JOlnsDns via occupy ne
others Another plato Will oontaln tho portrait
OF Benjamin 7. Butler, Iimo'hy - HoWe'
ham. George f. Ecmmds and Matthew Hale CARPENTER
The presence in this group OF tie portrait 81 onkng'
notwithstanding the unpleasant mess between nm anl me
aol' WI g it ho iacr biossoi v his ersool feel
mas thiri group devoted exclusively TO Domocratc
3di = Iar9T TnapaS B5yarl Alexander stephens
lame, g. Beck benjamin iii and Augustus H. Garland
The last Toup represents five coored Congressman aGd
senators: liau X. Roycl-, Jane T. Kapier Blanche n
Bruce j. II. Raincy and john r. Lynch
Mr. Blaine Is RAPID writer lie was little over n
wear gathering bis material planning his work ana
Il.
solicit .tiDn Of c. q. Haskell president OF TIE Henry b
Publishing co.. Of this city who first approached MIN on
the subject in Washington in October 1852. The CON
tract was signed in February, 1883, and on April T.
lSs4 the first complete copy came f1n the press. ne
VIII NOT be SO long preparing the second volume which
will DE issued soe lime in tie present ear MI Ble
IS devone his whole ume 10 the matter IN hdnd ana uaS
ing from the industry WITH which lie pFo,ef4t's ta6
It by November If events should make It desirable
| BIAINF's HANDWRGTING AND LITERARY STYLE.
lie keeps the printers well supplied with "copy Much
Of the manuscript is in the authors own handwriting
His chiroTaphy is not perfect as SpenceIan copy
book nor MS enicmatca as Horace Greeley's, but re
quircs The undivided attention of the Intelligent compost
tor TO read It. AIr Blaine takes great care with his
literary style After writing q sentence he viii 20 back
and round out idea and in consequence his copy shows
great deal of inlerneaton good portion Of copy IS
written by type~nte or by ms seciel"y D1, me SUD
icc matter is the authors. lie frequently changes eX
pcs,ons on the proof but he invariably adds polish and
! clelmcss OF expression by his alteration
The second volume vii, be AS free from political sign
fcance the first The question oIhow The book would
effect Mr. Blanes Presidential chances discussed ~
the time the contract f)r IT'S publication was entered mo-
hut Mr. Blame said then. hc has several TINES since
that would not be candidate under circumstances
and that lac undertook the work regardless ~ such
contingency. II has been stated IN the press hat the book
would be held back until after the Republican cOnycu-
ton and that, II Mr. Blaine received the nomination. that
would end tho book M Blaine is bound b. contract 10
| do a cert 1in work, and viii fJinl hls obligation.
u regard 10 the remuneration received by The auihor
al statements ere pure ics,WOr. Mr.. Blaine receives
on each volume sold stipulated royalty tho amount Of
witch IS known On L. himself and ne publishers II Is
uivate bu ,ine-s matter and public curiosity In regard
20 IL likely 30 be gratihcd soon Dy.ether party
shrcwd estimate however made the basis OF sale
0f million copies gives tie author fortune OF S1JOOOO
] ON n r.lELnL on ML. -L-L-..