The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-18
Chsan sBooks Necsssary.

rharo annear, in Sir Walter ScOtts
Journal. RECENTLY published by Harper x
Brothefs, a tufi0hs recognition OF the rights
of Anericaris to cheap books.
Lanes Fenimore COOPER had urged scott
To transfer the title TO sis literary produc-
lions 20 a citizen OF the United states, IN or
der that he mIsht secure All American
copyright. The suggestion came al tilis
when scott was performing the gigantic
task IF satisfying his own, Ballantyne's ana
Constable's creditors. II promised MIN
some return from his vast army OF admirers
i'm the United States. In considering the
nronosif;on. however, Scott wrote in his
'Jorrnal that whatever arrangements might
be made he must see to II that the price OF
his ,3orks in this country should not thereby
be increased.
From the very first books have been cheap
in this country, and the method OF publish
ing I'm the United States has differed mate
rally from that Of Great Britain. In the
very early existence of the Government the
publishing business was sustained by re-
printing the works OF foreign authors, Tor
which the latter received no compensation.
I'm other words, the earliest American pun
fishers were pirates. Their customers were
the people Books were bought Dy lndlVld-
nall. and there began in the new Republic
the United States are peculiar among the
nations Of the earth. Sir Walter scott was
one of the most popular Of the authors
reprinted and sold IN this country. lie
was known to thousands Of the people OIL
America through the cheap editions which
made their way everywhere, even In the
woods and out TO the frontier. Most OF his
readers could not have Afforded the expen-
awe LOndsn and Edinburgh editions. FOR
Scott's part he was unwilling to lose tnls
circle Of readers on the further side oil the
Atlantic, and preferred that his American
editions should continue to be sold at Inc
low price, even If COoper's idea should DE
found practicable. 1t is gratifying TO learn
that the far-sighted and generous wizards
popularity is still great among those for
whom he was so considerable. The frst
edition Of his journal printed in the United
states, comparatively expensive book
was sold within a month after its publica-
ton.
Rocks are cheaper here than in Great
Britain, because here the people buy them.
and there the circulating library buys them,
while individuals borrow them. IL Is only
recently that an effort has been
made 10 print cheap editions OF
standard works in England. novel
in London appears IN three volumes
American novel at l.50 is so dear that its
author does not expect tor much OF a sale.
The price OF the English edition Of Bryce's
"American Commonwealth" l. Sl3; practi-
callV the same edition Is printed by the
same publishers for the American market
AT ST 80. When an English novel has worn
out its first welcome three-shilllng edition
appsars: some months or "A year after pop
MAR clamor 10 met by a shilling edition.
No publisher. here OF elsewhere, would
think Of materially increasing the price OF
hooks for the American market. II that
were done the market would disappear.
The American wants book fer himself.
He does not want 10 borrow il OF a circu-
l.ting library. The circulating library 40
1t is known in England would be forced TO
the wall by the individual purchaser. II
the price il 70 high that individuals cannot
buy book ii gathers dust on the shelves oil
the booksellers.
The people who are opposing the lnterna-
siOnal Copyright bill on the ground that II
would deprive the people OF this country Of
cheap books do not understand the phlloso-
phy of the book market. IL would be sui
eide for American publishers &c adopt Eng
lish prices or English methods OF publish.
ing. We shall always have cheap books In
the United States-that IL. cheap when their
price is compared with English prices-be-
cause the demand is popular. American
publishers understand this fact and know
the necessity of meeting it. SO long rs they
print the books for this country 50 long Will
they be guided by the truth recognized by
Walter Scott siXty-tye years ago.-New
York World.