Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-07-10
GOES OFF LIKE HOT CAKES.
Three Editions OF Miss CIeyeland's
Book sold ON Wednes-
day.
Mr. WaxnaIIs Thinks the Auth0ress
from the White House Very
Modest.

New York, July .S-People were
curious to see the first published writ
ings of distress of the White House.
So numerous. were the orders that the
number Of the original edition was twice
doubled. The first edition, therefore,
was in reality the first, second and third
By o'clock the books were supplied to
book sellers and jobbing houses in New
York. The publics demand was
large and several firms exhausted their
stock early in the day. Between 3
and 5 o clock orders for 1000 copies were
received from city houses. The Man
haitian Company, that owns the stands at
the elevated railway stations, placed
large order, which they subsequently in
creased. The fourth edition was started
early in the day and will be ready for
delivery early this morning. The first
three editions were sold before the book
was published and consequently none of
yesterdays orders could be filled.
The fourth edition is already sold and
likewise a considerable portion of the
next day. We were happily disappoint-
ed" said Mr.. Wagnalls to a reporter late
In the afternoon. There is a much
greater demand than we expected, al
though we anticipated large sale. A
great many people are curious to read
Miss Cleveland's book, but think the
demand will continue great, as it will
become standard work.
How many copies have been sold?"
Very many; beyond that l can say
nothing. As to the actual figures, do
not care to make any statement. We do
not care to open our books to our rivals
Over 5000 copies have been sold in the
city to-day, aud there are orders that we
cannot.fll. The largest orders are from
New York. Boston and Chicago come
next with nearly equal orders; Philadel-
phia is third and Washington fourth.
Orders have come in from all parts of the
country
Miss Cleveland receives handsome
| royalty for her book, and the profits are
likely to amount to a considerable sum.
She was very particular about the work,
correcting the proofs herself and making
| many changes-more than authors ordi-
| narily make. The greater part of the
manuscript is written In bold hand, as
though vigorously, if not rapidly, dashed
off. Some of it, however, shows marks
of studied and careful workmanship and
was less easily written. Most of the
| changes made are in the choice of shorter
words or more vigorous expressions.
There is manifest desire exhibited to
| make the writing as terse as possible.
The nicely of her work is evidenced by
the following, in the study of Joan of
Arc:
"Guizot reduced to Maeaulay," substi-
| tuted for Hugo reduced to Carlyle. "
80, destiny of men and nations" substi-
tuted for 20, arbiter of men and nations. %
| Human nature without the peculiar
grace and spirit of French nature" was
changed to Human nature without the
| top dressing of French nature"
Miss Cleveland was referred to US by
authors with whom we have had deal
ings," said Mr.. Wagnalls. I'VE did not
seek her. The business preliminaries
were arranged by herself, aud everything
was done in accordance with her wishes
She is an extremely modest lady, and
would not consent to have her portrait
| appear in the volume"