New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-18
BALZAC.
THE EXPIRATION OF COPYRIGHT ON HIS
WRITINGS-A COLLECTION OF UN-
PUBLISHED FRAGMENTS.

Interesting information to the expiration of
the copyright on Balzac's works and az TO
certain unpublished writings by the author
of the Coincide Humane in possession of NJ
de Louvenjoul, of Brussels, was recently cabled
to The Tribune by its Paris correspondent
Fuller details hand In an article in
the Temps of recent date
The copyright or Bazac's great work. on &C
count of which Michel Levy, publisher, agreed
to make annual payments of 10000 francs
will expire August Is next. This fact
was the cause of a visit made by Jules Huret of
the Figaro" to Brussels, there to consult with
NJ. Spoeberch de Louvenjoul. The latter pos
sesses the Hanska letters of Balzac recently
translated by Miss Wormeley and reviewed a
fortnight ago in The Tribune. He possesses
also many legal papers, court summonses, exc
cutions notes paid or protested for as is
known, BaiZac much harassed by financial
matters. Among the documents shown to M
Huret, says the Temps" lis a contract made in
49, between HonOre Balzac' and NJ Gregoire
Hubert publisher at the Palais Royal, for the
publication under the pseudonyme of Lord
Rhoone, of four volumes entitled 'CIotilde de
Lusignan. Balzlc was to receive for the whole
work 1000 francs, payable 800 francs in notes
due one year from date-J00 francs in six
months notes, payable when the publisher had
sold 200 copies. The remaining 900 francs
were payable in six months notes when the
publisher had left in his shop only hundred
copies Of the first edition. final clause of the
contract bound Balzac to deduct from this 1000
francs the cost of advertising the work in the
CONSTITUTIONAL the Journal des Debats.' the
Courier, the 'Miror,' the 'Quotidienne' and the
theatrical journals. In these days the author
may write the advertisements of his own books
but he is not expected to pay for them"
The writer in the Temps" continues:
Balzac was twenty-four wears old when he
wrote "Clotilde de LuSignan." For the Phys
tologie du Marriage" on December 10, 1929 the
great romancer received 1,5OO francs in two
notes. payable one year from date; for the
quarter on the printing of the tenth sheet-that
IS, after 100 pages were written; quarter one
week after the book was placed on sale and one
half three months thereafter. 1t was not a cash
transaction, be it always understood the sums
being payable in notes due six months, nine
months, sometimes a year from date
NJ. De LOuVenjoul reminded NJ. Huret of the
privations that Balzac underwent After writ
ing 50 many masterpieces the genius had not
money enough to buy a dinner In 1S4S two
years before his death he was reduced to the
necessity of boiling his beef himself once 4 week
IN his own pot; the portion had to last till the
next week. one remark of NJ. DE IouVenioul
some hat mobiles the painful impression left
by the recital Of these facts. BaIZac's en-
barras sments came generally from his reckless
manner of life. When he had money he sDant
II Without thought, and sometimes foolishlv
Thus having invited a Russian prince TO dine
with MN, and remembering that ne had no
plate, he bought offhand a silver set that cost
him 1000 francs. If the dinner was as extraya-
CANT as the service its cost may be imagined
anothGT day he wanted to go to Vienna to meet
Mime Hanska. 70 make this journey he bought
q carriage at an expense Of 5000 francs and on
his return was imprisoned for debt
NJ. De Louvenjoul, in the course of his inter-
view. disclosed to NJ. Huret the fact that he