The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-25
Books and Book-Fiends.

II must be taken for granted, no doubt,
that we Americans are readlng people
Our patronage of Literature, which we are
sometimes disposed to regard as munlh-
cent, consists mainly in buying news
papers and magazines and illustrated glit-
books and paper-covered novels. Perhaps
we also have for ornament a case or
those volumes which 30 gentleman
library should be without. But even the
well-to-do among us are. collectively
speaking. poor i'm this worlds intellectual
goods We look at a dollar a long time
before we pass il over n booksellers
counter. although we beStow dimes with
lavish hand upon the ephcmcral stun
which passes for reading Explain or
defend our attitude towards literature rs
we may. we are Obliged to admit the
melancholy fact. We are nation OF
readers and we do not love books. This
is paradox which some OF the opponents
Of the law Of copyright might exercise
their wits in trying to explain.
The suggestion that Americans have
ceased to value hooks because the alb
sence OF copyright permitted the theft
of them for 50 many years is an obvious
one and worth considering, but il hardly
seems 10 cover the entire ground after
all 2 he practice of piracy unQuesuon-
ehlv tended to reduce prices far below
a normal standard and 10 implant IN the
minds cf buyers feeling that almost
sny book ought 10 be purcbaSable IN
terms Ol silver coinage. And 1t turther
demoralizcd the public by multiplying
cheaD and nasty books and also cheap
and nasty editions OF good books. Men
who thoacLt they ought to own McCau-
ley's history. FOR example. would get 1t
nj q bargain IN five volumes for So.
The outside Of such an edition might be
reasonably fair 60 see, bat within there
would lee a blurred page printed from
vermont plates, cheap paper, closely
trimmed edges and an inner margin So
close as 10 make the breaking of the
back a necessity to a reader. All kinds
OF volumes" standard poets, popular
editions Of novels reprints OF classic
works historians. ancient and modern
flooded the market i'm this dcbaSed guise.
The stream shows signs of drying up. but
il has left wide path of devastation be-
hind t. Readers have grown careless
0f tie appearance of books and aecuS-
1oIned 10 maitreaiing and inisusing them.
They have learned 10 dislike uncut edges
and have forgotten how 10 WELD tGc
papor-cUtter 50 that if volume comes
forth credit TO It's publisher 1t does
not long remain credit 10 its owner.
lt is not necessary. or even desirable,
That every reader should I've blbllO-
phile. Those learned in rare editions
and fine bindings not infreQuently have
q very inadequate appreciation of the
value Of literary itself. But no true
book-loyer ought to put up willingly with a
sloppy PhiliStine Of a book. 1t is per-
feciiy possible 70 get out very cheap
books with q touch of elegance TO com
mend them TO refined taste. The
works OF authors of repute. when they
get out OF copyright. are usually reprinted
Ia clear type, on good paper. and with
neat and substantial bindings. Quite a
number Of the "libraries" aud Series
issued within the past dozen years are
really noteworthy examples Of book max
Ing. Doubtless there are those who can
enjoy their fayoriie writers in any guise.
But the appearance of book. like the
GarD OF human being, cannot help ex-
erclsing an influence over the mind. 1t is
difiicnlt 10 imagine the existence of lite
tary taste Ia conjunction with toe coarse