The record-union., 1897-09-26


pence in the shilling discount upon the
published prices Of books. In recent
years a long -drawn-out controversy
has arisen as to the policy Of this sys-
TEN, which is objected to by some
booksellers as injurious to the trade.
The smaller booksellers especially say
that they cannot afford to give the
discount. which 50 reduces their in
come that they have to exc out iv-
ing by selling stationery and fancy ar
ticles not in the line of an ordinary
booksellers business The whole mat
ter has just been advanced stage by
the appointment Of a subcommittee
of the Managing Committee of the Au-
thors' Society to examine into the ques-
ton. This is the result of communica-
tions that have passed between the
Chairman of the Publishers Associa-
tion. Charles Longman. and the Chair
man Of the Managing Committee, Rider
Haggard. The subcommittee viii
meet in October Meanwhile some
publishers have adopted the system Of
issuing their books at net prices.
In an article entitled "Ruskin and
Rossetti as Teachers" which appeared
in the New York Times " review of
books and art of August 18th, the
methods of the two instructors in art
were contrasted. Some of the state
ments found in the article were derived
from Good Words" and credited to it.
In the articles in the English Maga-
zine" written by Thomas Sulman, in
which the author gave his school ex-
periences, he said that there were Ger
Rossetti and Mr.. Linton as to the en-
craving of some Of the painters
sketches.
The Times is in receipt Of the fol-
lowing letter:
To the Editor of the New York
Times: Mr. Sulman takes occasion
to remark with reference to Rossettis
designs for TennysOn's poems: .'Ros-
setm was furious with the liberties
Linton took with his designs" On the
contrary my friend distinctly and re-
peatedly thanked me for my fidelity to
them. Mr.. Sulman adds: Linton an
swered: IF I had cut them as he drew
themp" Neither sneer nor expression
Of opinion is true. I valued Rossetti's
drawings too much not to at least en-
deavor at faithfully rendering them,
more than once chose me to be his en-
graver. Are Mr.. Sulman's other anec-
dotes of the same quality?
W. J. LINTON.
s.
Ev'ry Month: Recent exhibitions
have been full of the evidence of
Monet's influence; whether it is
for good or bad time alone can
fully demonstratae. Certain it is
that the whole complexion of our gal
leries shows that the briIliancy of Mo-
nets color. the method of his efforts to
obtain vibration and light, have
brought up the tone of modern pict-
ures many shades Bitumen has given
way to clearness and purity; blackness
is no longer a subterfuge TO cover diff
culties of shadow; while flat and soul
less masses of color, precOncelVed with
palette knife, have ceased to serve for
sky. flesh tones or foreground. Caro-
line Coventry Haynes frankly acknowl-
edges the dominating force of Monet
art. She is in deep sympathy with his
aims and methods, and. has herself
struggled to work on similar lines. Her
history differs but little from that of
so many artists. An early disposition
to draw, a tendency towards color
when her playmates sought dolls and
such childish amusements; finally Sc
rious work at the Art Students League
these are the usual steps in an art
way.
journalistic ubiquity is commonly
supposed to be a recent invention, but
the author of AN Englishman in Pa
ris" writing in the August Fortnight
1y' about Emile de Girardin, whom he
calls The King Of Journalists" shows
US that so far back as the thirties and
forties Girardin had perfected sys-
tenn of which the most enterprising of
modern editors might be proud. He
kept a voluminous record of every con-
temporary whose name was at all like
" to recur in the warfare of politics,
and in so far as he could do so he got
this record from the revelations made
at one time or another by the men
themselves If they had ever printed a
syllable that they wished to forget,
behold! Girardin had it in his treas
ury. "Girardin, who could be very
arniable at times" says Mr.. Vandam,
asked me to test his system. I named
a political parsonage, somewhat en-
evidence
q moment had not only the main lines
of his career before me, but particulars
which could not be gathered either
from books or newspapers" Mr.. Van
dams paper makes diverting reading
for any one interested in the history
Of journalism
New York Times: The Public Art
League of the United States has per-
formed a public service in its recent
publication of a pamphlet containing
the text of the bill to be presented to
Congress at its next session, providing
for the establishment of an art COM
mission. and which also has clear
and cogent argument for the bill, with
a carefully prepared synopsis of prevl-
GUS efforts at legislation on this i'm
portant subject.
1t has long been felt that TO prevent
repetition of the serious blunders
against good art. not to say good taste,
which have been committed in the past
by Act Of Congress at Washington and
elsewhere. that the only feasible way
TO secure a high standing in works OF
art TO be purchased or constructed IS
through the appointment by Congress
OF an art commission. The bin which
the Public Art League has drawn up
provides that this proposed art commits
sion shall be composed of the Presi-
dents Of the American Institute Of Ar
chitects, Of the National Sculpture So
ciety, and of the National Academy of
Design fac-a4 bar. with +yz-0 Oftar 81