The Sun. — 1857-12-01 (London, England)

LIT.ERATUBM, ART, &c.  We have before u 4, by the 'kindness of a friend, a very curious blue book in English literature, a folio volume of some two hundred pages, containing the names of existing proprietors of some of the most remarkable copyrights in Eriglish literature. It is, of course, incomplete, and in some points, we suspect, inaccurate ; but what it professes to give it gives—a list of works in respect to which notice has been given to the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customs that a copyright exists, and that the introduction of pirated copies from abroad must be prohibited under an act of the present reign by the officers of her Majesty's Customs. It is, at least, a list of notices given by publishers; though Mr. Moxon, strange to say, has not attended to his own property and to the property of bis authors. The name of Mr. Tennyson, for instance, is not to be found throughout the folio. This Custom House blue book dispels many popular beliefs current in society. Thus the oftenrepeated story that Lord Macaulay had sold his Whig history to the Messes. Longman for an annuity is to be upset by the Cust,,m-house fact that the old historian is the proprietor of his own copyright. We could mention other expressed opinions that will not stand the test of the book before us. These, however, we shall not at present seek to displace, but shall content ourselves with mentioning Vie more remarkable revelation to be gathered from a careful perusal of this guide for Customhouse officers at the seaports of England, Ireland, .Scotland, the Lie of Man, and Berwickupon-Tweed.. Thug, though Lord Macaulaypossesses the copyright of his "History," he is not by the return made. from the Row the proprietor of his • "Essays" and bis "Lays." The Messrs. Longman own the " Essays" and the " Lays." Mr. Murray is the proprietor of Lord Mahon's "History of England." Lord Campbell has kept his " Lives of the Chief Justices," but has sold his " Lives of the Lord Chancellors." The Messrs. Blackwood are the fortunate proprietors of Sir Archibald Alison's History. Mr. Hallam retains his own copyrights, Mr. Carlyle is the owner of the " French Revolution ;" but Messrs. Chapman and Hall are the proprietors of " Cromwell's Speeches." Mr. Dickens has a share in every one of his works; but has only one copyright in his own hands--‘‘ Oliver Twist"—bought back front Mr. Bentley for, we believe, five times the sum Mr. Bentley gave first. Mr. Thackeray i a first shareholder with Bradbury and Evans in " Vanity Fair" and "Pendennis," and joint shareholder with Smith and Eider in his "History of Henry -Estnond." Eir W. Napier's " History of the Peninsular War" is part the author's and part the properly of Messrs. Boone. Mr. Borrow holds " The Bible in Spain," but has sdd " Lavengro." Mr. Cunningham is the proprietor of his Handbook of London," and Mr. Ford has sold his " Hair's book of Spain" to the Tenson of Albemarle-stre .t. Dr. William Smith has not a single share in any of his admirable Dictionaries. Bradbury and Evans possess the copyright of Mr. Forster's .'.' and Adventures of Oliver Goldsm th." Dr. Layard is . the proprietor of his three books about Nineveh. Mr.; Ruskin_ holds all his own copyrights but one—" The : Seven Lamps of Architecture," • and that is the property of Smith and Elder. Mrs. JamesOn possesses her "Legends of the . Madonna," and her "Legends of the Monastic 9olees." Mr. Warren has no pecuniary interest in ;Os "Ten Thousand a Year," or his "Diary of a 'le Physician.," Aytoun has sold his " Lays," Barry Cornwall retains a half share in his Songs.' . Sir Bulwer Lytton's copyrights m ousts.ll'soderalt_a_ll(l.. Mr. James owns some of his uu mow a!,-„i,t!tonally does Mrs. Gora some of hers. intereving would this book 13,) - did it,only contain the erdic7 at which the several topyieights were obtain') their present possessors,pr.,;rlsi. their authors by Lays," and what did Lord Macaulay get for his _sand what did unday paper. Professor Aytouu obtain for his ?  TEM CHARGE' OF MURDER AGAIRST Tut CA PT. OF