New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-19

The life of Mrs Carlyle, by Mrs. Alexander ire
iahu, is book which was expected TO contain
ieFcia'iohs, out contains none. If there be any
TcfeC In ,arlyles life or In the relations between
Carlyle and his wife, it is Hcret still. Mrs
Ireland has had access to almost no new sources
OF information. Her book is a compilation from
Mr.. Froude's books about CARLYLE. To these let
ters and extracts she has added her own opinions
her own views Of the sage's behavior TO his wife,
and her own and others convictions that he might
have behaved otherwise and better. That is
really about all. 1t is book moreover in one
Key. 1t is long wall over hartships, misfortunes
and mistakes, over Carlyle's lack of tenderness
to his wife, lack of demonstativeness and lack of
many other things; a book which il gives one the
blues to read, and not book, happily. which any
body need read The world does not deeply care
TO be told again that Jane Welsh Carlyle was a
misunderstood woman, or that she was Jealous
of Lady AshbertOn, or that her husband was
exacting in things which concerned his personal
comfort, or that philosopher may be q ha rd man
for a sensitive woman to get on with Well as
Mrs. Ireland has done what she had the means to
do. it cannot be said that she has done any con-
siderable service to Mrs. Carlyle's memory.
Two events of interest in the history of Anglo
American copyright occurred this week The
Society of Authors gave dinner at the Whitehall
rooms in celebration, they described it, of
the American International Copyright act and
the British printer presented himself in force to
the President of the Board Of Trade, and tried to
destroy the copyright for which the authors eX-
press their gratitude. The chairman of the dinner
was Lord Alonkswell, who was asked to preside,
not so much because he was peer of the realm, as
because he has worked hard in the cause of
copyright. and has carried through the
House of Lords the second reading of
the bill TO amend and consolidate the
English law of copyright. No effort
was made as usually is made in England, TO add
lustre to this occasion by securing the attendance
Of people Of rank. Nothing is aser than to Sc
cure them Tie Council of the Society preferred
that this should be literary dinner, but they
seem to have cared little for the presence Of the
chief literary men of the day. Some came many
more did not. It was in the main company of
Woodworking writers, 200 in all. The most
eminent of their English guests were Mr.. Huxley,
Mr.. Brice Mr.. Besant. Mr.. Du Maurier. Mr.. Sleat.
Mr.. Gosse, Sir Frederick Pollock, Mr.. Hardy, and
Mr.. Haggard. The Americans invited included
Mr.. Bret Harte, who came not, Mr.. Warner, Mr..
Brander Matthew'S and Mrs Chandler Moulton.
The guest Of the evening the American Minis
ter. who also made the speech of the evening.
Mr.. Lincoln has been heard in public less often
than his two nearest predecessors. He lacks
practice in after-dnner oratOry. lie speaks well,
hut his mind moves too quickly for
an English audience His wit. unlike
the champagne which washed it down,
was too dry. lie was in difficult position; but
on copyright and the relations of the two coun-
tries he said the right things in the hight way.
Not for one instant was he apologetic for our
past shortcomings or TOO eulOgiStc Of our present
mood OF virtue. 1t was a good speech well de-
hvered and well received Mr.. Bryce spoke
handsomely of the American Copyright League.
for which Mr.. Brander Matthews responded in
speech not easily heard and not quite right in
tone. lie seemed 10 forget that he was an Ameri-
can,addressing an English audience before whom he
might well have omitted to chastise his fellow
sinners Of pre-copyright days. Mr.. Warner spoke
for American literature with some breadth Of view
and ingenuity, and gently chided the English
for being English. The London press gives
little space to these proceedings. perhaps from
that absence Of persons of rank already alluded to.
But at least they deserve attention from lis at
home, as the first adequate English recognition Of
what all English speakers called an act Of justice,
phrase that they might perhaps nave left MS to
pronounce.
The effort to break up the existing copyright
between England and America is powerfully sup
ported-the deputation of Wednesday to the Pres-
dent Of the Board of Trade shows how powerfully.
The London and Edinburgh Chambers Of Commerce.
the London Trades Council, the StatiOners Com
pany, the Copyright Association and dozen Of
the leading societies of printers and allied trades
surely never before were banded together in pur-
suit of the same end. The combination is for
midable one, but neither the combination, nor Sir
NJ n,A nfl,a hn
spoke for these various associations made much
impression on the hard good-sense of Sir Michael
IIicks-Bea What they want is bill to exclude
from British copyright and books printed from type
not set within country belonging TO the
International Copyright Union, which Of
course would exclude America. Sir Michael
saw the weak point at once. and asked
them whether they had legal opinion that
under such a bill Americans would have the same
rights in England the English had in America.
They had no answer ready. Sir Michael had.
The British authors, he told his deputation would
lose American copyright. He put his finger on
other weak spots pointing out especially that
their province related only TO the printing of
books. and saying that he was advised that book
printing, or that part Of it which American com
nettion can affect, is not more than D per cent
of tie whole printing business Of England Some
Of them disscnted, but the President of the Board
Of Trade adhered TO his figure. That single state
ment, if confirmed, will upset this foolish attempt.
England is not going 10 sacrifice her authors III
order to prevent printers from losing an unknown
but probably small percentage on less than one
twentieth Of their entire earnings.
American Free-Traders are responsible for much
Of what trouble there is. Their windy nonsense
has misled the Briton into believing that there is
a body of American opinion strong enough to secure
the repeal of the printing clauses. The Daily
News" which believes in the Mugwump gospel,
once more rails at the shabbiness Of this limita-
tion upon the Act, and says that Americans them
selves admit with shame that they have
mir been Just on a condition profitable
10 themselves Americans who wish to hui
initiate their country by such admissions in
clude beside the Mugwump, few fanatical Free
Traders who care more for their FreeIrsde fctlch
thar for copyright for their country and her