New-York tribune., 1902-07-15

esting to note what he says about copyright in
title, a question that not infrequently arises,
and of which an instance has lately attracted
attention in this city. There is no copyright in
a title consisting, as title usually does. of only
a few words In England the exclusive owner
Of a title will only be protected on the general
principles OF common law and equity. which
prevent one man passing off his those
of another man. In America one cannot monop-
olize purely descriptive title, such as Latin
Grammar" Guide to the Alps" but it was
held passing off" to take the title The Fran
Expedition-Nansen in the Frozen World" Here
is one curious case under the law of title:
An English magazine, ''Chatterbox," was
largely sold in the United States but was not
copyright Although it would have been quite
legal to have copied the English magazine, and
sold it under its own title. it was not permissible
10 publish another magazine under the title
"ChatterboX."
1t is conceivable. says Mr.. MacGillivray, that
there might be a title in which there was a
copyright. for instance, if it was extremely long
and elaborate. But knowledge of its existence
and value on the part of the public is neces-
sary before an author OF proprietor of literary
work can acquire a right-in England. at least
to the exclusive use of a title. Any one, ii
would seem. can seize the opportunity of an
others advertisements and bring out similar
book under the similar title, either
mediately after its publication-that is before
it and its value have become generally known.
The Appletons have in preparation a novel
by Reginald Wright Kaufman, entitled THE
Things that Are Cesar's," in which he is said
to work out the old problem of whether man
who has committed an offence and gone to
prison for it has thereby paid his debt to society
Mr.. Kaufman, who is a graduate of Harvard,
of a of
fast set at that university. that caused some
controversy on its appearance as to the accu-
racy of its portrayal.
Seven volumes of the magnificent Victoria
History of England have now been issued by
the buttons, who the American publishers
of the work These are the first volumes re-
lating respectively to the counties of Surrey.
Hertford Worcester, Hampshire, Cumberland,
Norfolk and Northampton. The publishers re-
port Unexpectedly good sale for work of such
magnitude, whereat they much encouraged.
Libraries are naturally the chief purchasers.
though there a number of Englishmen in
this country who subscribing for the vol
umes describing their home counties.
Hamlin Garland is engaged in writing orig
inal play. The scene is laid in Colorado. and
among the picturesque characters introduced are
miners and cowboys.
Thomas Dixon whose novel of Southern life,
THE Leopard's Spots' has gone into Its thirty
eighth thousand four months after it's publica
tion, lives in ElmingtOn, Va, old estate near
the coast 1t is said to have been originally the
property of Powhatan, the Indian chief. and the
birthplace of PocahOntas In former times the
estate comprised two thousand acres; it is now
reduced to a five hundred, on which game
is abundant, especially wild turkeys. Wild quail
said frequently to invade the chicken yard.
Some frank "reminiscences are promised In a
volume of Sporting "reminiscences of Lord
Granville Gordon by f. G. Afalo. soon to be
published by E p. DuttOn & Co. Lord Granville
Gordon, who is a scion Of of the most famous
titled British families has many claims 10 emf
nence in sport Mr. AflaO mentions three in his
preface-ha lone OF the first gentlemen who
openly laid against horses"-that is, adopted
the profession OF bookmaker; he was lone Of
the first gentlemen to ride a bicycle in the
streets of London" an exploit that caused his
brother, the late Lord Esnae, to that it was
enough TO make generations of dead Gordons
turn in their graves" And quite twenty years
ago he was laughed at by his fellow members
of the Turf Club for expressing the opinion that
golf a grand game. MANY Of the scoffers
have gone" says Mr.. Aflalo, but golf is still
here, and shows some signs of staying"