The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-26
AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS.
Sad Vision Of Modern Manuscript
Readers Tackling the Classics.

| To n EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: In a
dream that was not all a dream !
saw the authors of the past submit
ting their unpublished works to the
modern experts of this day. who never
before had seen them for such was the
vagary OF my vision. And after this
there passed before my eyes strange
letters. cast. as IL were, upon a picture
screen. and these ! send to you. The
first, to Miss Charlotte Bronte, was from
a famous New York publishing house:
Dear Madam-we have to report that
after a careful examination OF your Jane
Eyre our readers do not seem to think
that the work is one which we ought to
undertake. OF course you win understand
that We do not say the story r. without
merit: but there Is a certain improperly
In the characters. many of whom are
really sinful and commonplace, that we
fear might be offensive to our very Gull
tured class of readers. Our house con
fines itself to strictly high grade litera-
ture. and for this reason often must de-
ohns to accept works that might find
outlet through less %ecrupulous publishers.
With regret that We do not see our way
to assist you, we ere. Yours sincerely,
The next letter was addressed to
Walter Scott:
Dear SL-Your story OF "1vanhoe' has
been carefully examined by our experts.
who. we assure you. always give especial
care to the works OF new authors; but we
regret that they do not encourage US to
undertake the book. Stories OF the kind
which you offer US are more In line with
publishers OF the "Beadle's Dime Novels
and Nick Carter class. and are not suit
able to the demands OF our clientele. Hop
fig you may be successful in your efforts.
we remain, with regret. Yours sincerely.
Then the name Of Alfred Tennyson
appeared
Dear SIr-This viii inform You that your
poem. 'Idylis OF the King Which YOU
to US for publication. has been
examined by our readers. who. |
We regret TO say, do not advise us to
undertake f.. Works OF verse are always
open to doubt. especially when they are
OF the narrative class and OF great length. |
We are pleased TO report that our ex-
perts find some merit In the poem. and
that YOU have a certain facility OF style
that may. in time. develop success. espe-
nially II you connne your efforts 20 light
and graceful short lyrics and pretty con-
ceits. A study of the verse in our mega
zine, each month, might assis, you to this
End. With best wishes for an ultimate
We are. Yours sincerely.
To Mr.. William Shakespeare. STRAIT
England. a very celebrated
Sew York impresario wrote
sir-I regret TO have TO Inform YOU that
he portfolio OF plays which you left with
ne for examination contains nothing that
can use. I think | have been in the
'nsiness long enough to know what tn.
'uh!ic will accept, and wha; our dramatic
Irtists can do with the people. II | were
n undertake. for example. such a pro-
'uction az your Romeo and Juliet" tas-
inning that any OF my stars would con-
ent TO learn the parts. the first night
.udience would howl me down and the
women would shun my theatre
Ike a pesthouse. The ending OF the play
; aohorrent to the modern taste. because I
Is a Sissy and JUhet Il silly. II
our lovers cannot get the best of the old
nan ana marry and be happy ever after
n the last act the play l. a failure. Your {
King Lear" also is Impossible. II you
iou!i essay subjects OF a sad character {
etter study such plays a. TIL Banker .
and THE Music Master" !
Is also impossible. for i, IL moth.
1g better than an old sty.e blood and
nuHder tank dr'tna. Why dout you give
p play writing and try poetry some OF
our verse Is rather good. Yours in hasic.