Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-06-01
EXPIRING COPYRIGHTS.

E-Al>lhlNG COFxRlGHIS.
Famous Books Of lhich CAca2, Editions
May be FGpccted Soon.
lPall Mall Gazette.l
The alacrity with which publishers
have bounced upon Carlyle's French
Revolution" the moment it was out of
copyright naturally. suggests query
as to what other popular copyrights are
running out, of which, consequently.
cheap editions may shortly be expected.
Taking the names in alphabetical
order, and emitting those already fignr-
ing on six-penny editions, we find that
Charlotte Bronte's "Shirley" runs out
of copyright next year. Her best book,
"Jane Eyre" went ont of copyright
last year, but the publishers Of cheap
reprints do not appear to have paid
much attention toit The comparatively
small demand for Charlotte Bronte's
works probably deferred them from the
enterprise.
OF Carlyle's works all are now out of
copyright by the lapse of the statutory
term of seven years since the death of
the author, except "The Life of John
Sterling" which runs out in 1891, and
Frederick the Great" in 1902
Mrs. Craik's copyrights of course
have nearly all another seven years
lease of life, her death having taken
place last year. John Halifax, Cen
tleman, will not be free to the ire
printers" for another two years after
the expiration of that period.
Those of Charles Dickens novels
which have become general property
have been reprinted in almost number
less editions. Sketches by Boz, {"
"Pickwick" and Nicholas Nickleby,"
have even been issued at one penny
each. Besides these, "Barnaby Rudge."
"Dombey and Son." Martin Chuz-
zlewit," "Master Humphreys Clock, I"
"The Old Curiosity Shop" and coli
yer Twist" are all ont of copyright.
David Copperfield" will be out of
copyright next year. BLEAK House"
has four years to run, Little Dorrit"
nine years. "a Tale of Two Cities, {"
eleven years, "Great Expectation"
twelve years, and his very popular
"Child's History of England" has three
years to run.
With the exception of "Endymion"
and "Lothair," all Lord Beaconsfeld's
novels exhaust their copyright on the
10Th of April next. Whether the hearts
of his admirers will be gladdened by an
embarras de richesse of cheap popular
editions remains to be seen. "Endy-
mion" has another thirty years to run
and "Lothair" twenty-five years.
Although nearly eight years have
passed since George Eliot" joined the
majority most of her books have still
long lease Of life before them. Her
translation of Strauss "Life of Jesus, -
her earliest book, was out of copyright
nearly two years ago. "Adam Bede, .
her first popular work of fiction. will
be out of copyright next year, but "The
Mill on the Floss" has twelve years to
run, "Romola," fifteen year, Felix
Holt" eighteen years, "Middlemarch, y
twenty-four years. Daniel Deronda"
twenty eight years and "Theophrastus"
Such" thirty-one years. So that we
are not likely to have George Eliots''
works in cheap sets for some years to
come
Charles Kingsley's alton Locke
will be out of copyright next year, and
"Yeast" runs out this year. His
"Hypatia" has five years to run, "West-
ward Hop seven years, 1.-TWO Years
Ago" nine years, and "Hereward'
eighteen years.
Several of Thackeray's minor works
are out of copyright. Vanity Fair
becomes legitimate prey this year, but
the "reprinters" must wait another two
years for "Pendennis, while "Esmond'
has your years further protection from
the Literary vultures, @Barry Lyndon
five years. ",The Newcomes" seven
years, "The Virginians" eleven years.
and "The Adventures of Philip" thir.
teen years.