The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-18

His Unsatisfactory Experience with an En-
glish Publishing House.

New York Tribune.
Gen. Lew Wallace, late minister to Turkey,
and author of several popular novels was telling
me recently of some experiences in London
which beautifully illustrate the relations of pub
fishers and authors Of this country and England
What he relates is a strong argument in favor of
international copyright Il found on reaching
London about ten months ago. said General
Wallace, that my novel of Ben Hur' was ad-
vert;sed by Messrs. F. Warne & Co. as from their
presses. They also advertise themselves as
agents OF the Century Company of this city, and
find by looking q +he magazine that they are
so recognized by the publishers here
OF course / knew I had no legal
rights i'll England, but [ was naturally
curious to know something of the style IN
which the book was reproduced in England, the
character OF the house prlntngit and something
about the success which it had met with abroad.
So called at their place, and asked clerk II
he had novel called Ben Hur' He handed me
a copy, price two shillings, and paid him for It,
! asked several questions which led naturally to
the inquiry as to what sale the English edition
had net with The clerk told me that they had
sold 1000 copies in the past fortnight thou
sand a week. That fattering, and l told
him | was glad to hear it, as | was the author
Indeed he exclaimed and at Fhe came moment
he reached out and took back5the volume he mad
sold me. He then asked me if [ would not re-
main where l was for q moment. He
disappeared, and returned in mo-
ment without my book but with re-
quest that I would see the principals of the
house. was very glad to do so, and going into
the private Office met two gentlemen who were
introduced to members of the firm. My
bought copy Of my stolen book lay on the table,
and took it up in the course of. the converse
ton which followed and glanced at it occasion
ally as we talked. At first the conversation was
pleasant enough, but elancing at the title page l
found that the subtitle had been changed from
"A Tale of the Christ to The Days of Christ
That was annoying, and | asked who had author
lied the change. TIE reply was that the pub
fishers had done it to avoid hurting the sensbl-
tiles of religious readers in England. In other
words, they had appropriated my property and
had changed it to suit their own views Of what
its language and tone should be-
Have you made any other of these
unauthorized changes9' I asked. We'll,
we have omitted two of the tales told by Of
the characters answered the speaker of the
firm. You can imagine [ was getting warmed
up by this time and | spoke rather strongly. Bat
the next discovery epraged me beyond measure
They had actually written up and inserted
preface to the novel. No, not a publishers
preface. It was without signature of any Sort
and to the ordinary reader must have read AS if
by the author. had written no preface what
ever / demanded to know of them what they
proposed to do in the way Of remunerating me
for taking and for altering my book. They prom
ised to give the matter due consideration That
was ten months ago, and | have never heard
from them L suppose they are taking plenty of
time for what they call due consideration The
house is not very important one outside OF the
fact that they are London agents of q reputable
American company"