46 PHILADELPHIA LETTER. PHILADELPHIA, June 24, 1879. The The most noteworthy American feature of the Congress was a paper by Mr. Bronson Howard on International Copyright and the relation of Stageright. He explained that our A GREAT pedestrian tournament has recently national legislature represented the average taken place among the employés of Messrs. common-sense of the people and so cared J. B. Lippincott & Co. The tournament was the little for legislation as to such a specialty as result partly of the Gilmore's Garden exciteliterature. He went on to say: But hope ment and partly of the recent triumph of Mr. has recently come from an unexpected quarter. M. D. Aucker, who had won the first prize in American literary piracy-true patriotism does a similar affair. Many declared that his time not prevent me from calling a spade a spade; could be easily beaten, and in order that they I speak not to foreigners, but among my fellow-might make their assertion good it was detercitizens in the Republic of Letters; and I de- mined to give them the opportunity. cline, furthermore, to treat our literary pirates Lamb Tavern Race-course was secured, the as representative Americans by screening their time appointed, the entries made, and every crimes under a softer name-American literary preparation was begun that the ingenuity, forepiracy has developed enemies within its own sight, and experience of the participants and lines. The Messrs. Harper Brothers have sud- assistants could devise. Much speculation denly discovered that the competition of irre- was entered into as to who would be the probasponsible, petty speculators, small piratical pri- ble winners, and in order that the event should vateers, so to speak, is more expensive to them have the proper éclat pools were sold on the than the honest payment of royalties to foreign day of the match. Hence the most intense authors would be. Other great publishers have interest and anxiety prevailed throughout, and made the same discovery. The promise now side bets were freely offered and taken. The is that there will be no one in Washington knowledge shown of the peculiar ins and outs hereafter to present the old arguments against of this part of the affair is simply astounding; international copyright. Our reformed and indeed it affords food for thought and reflecsuddenly upright publishers will now prove to tion to the moralist, and shows that we cannot the practical American law-maker, who still always depend on outward appearances. knows and cares nothing about the matter, that the national profit is on the other side. There is at the present moment, therefore, a very flattering prospect that the United States will establish an international copyright law in some form within a very few years, if not at the next session of Congress." He concluded with a statement of how international stageright had been established independently, by reason of" the firmness of our American judges." On Thursday evening, the Lord Mayor entertained at dinner members of the Congress. ANOTHER SWINDLER. ANOTHER member of the noble fraternity of chevaliers d'industrie has been paying his respects to the book trade of New York City recently, and we pass word along to the trade elsewhere to look out for him. This man, who is a good appearing fellow of about 30, perhaps 5 ft. 5 in. in height, purports to represent, and in some cases to be one of the partners in, Barkalow Bros., the railroad news-agents of Omaha, who run the Union Pacific and connections. He has a very good knowledge of the business and of the line of dealings of this particular house, and is in fact supposed by them to be a clerk whom they discharged two years ago. This knowledge enables him to lay out books intelligently, and after pleasing the parties he visits with a good order, he confesses to being a little short for the time being, and borrows $10-$25. At one house he wrote a letter, signing it Dick Barkalow, and from another he sent a $1.50 telegram, C.O.D., to a member of the firm, which his wife, it seems, paid for and which remained an entire mystery until letters of inquiry from New York gave a clue to the proceeding. Barkalow Brothers, as well as several New Yorkers who have been swindled for small amounts, will be obliged to any dealer who will nab the gentleman, and the former offer to "help out the expense account" in giving him his deserts. The evening of May 29th, the party, to the number of forty-five, assembled at the old Lamb Tavern, full of nervous anxiety as to the result, and anxious for it to begin and be over. At the hour appointed, the twelve contestants took their positions on the track, and cast many an anxious eye towards the judge's stand, and impatiently waited for the signal to start. The appearance of those twelve determined men, of all shapes and sizes, arrayed in costumes so negligé that the inherent modesty of many of the spectators was shocked; the attitudes assumed; the firmness with which they grasped in their hands corn-cobs, handkerchiefs, clubs, sponges, lemons, etc.; the whispered words of encouragement from friends; the solemn stillness that prevailed as the seconds fled ere the word was given; the peculiar misgivings when you know your pool tickets have poor men for first chance, and that you cannot persuade any one to exchange with you,-all these were sensations as strange as they were novel. The word being given, the contestants started off on a go-as-you-please tramp for an hour and a half, and at once the spell was broken and every one entered wildly into the excitement. Mr. Lewis Buddy, judge, E. Harrison, assistant judge, and W. H. H. Laley, time-keeper, were perched high up in the judge's stand, where the powerful light of a single bull'seye lantern enabled them to watch both the time and the track and to record the miles as made, while all around the track were the backers frantically cheering on their favorites, who responded to the best of their ability to the words of cheer. The race finally narrowed down to Messrs. Yahn, Edson, and Vansant, the others being two miles behind. After a hard and wellcontested struggle, the race ended with Joseph Yahn first, making the remarkably good time of ten miles and a half in ninety-two minutes, C. H. Edson second, same distance in ninety-four minutes, and S. Vansant third, ten miles in eighty-eight minutes. It was very close between Yahn and Edson, and the former owes a great deal to the careful coaching of Mr. Horace Riding. The race over, all retired to a sumptuous banquet which had been prepared, and Mr. H. G. Thayer, in eloquent and wellchosen words, amid rounds of applause, presented Mr. Yahn with the prize, a gold pen and holder, while the others were the recipients of silver medals suitably inscribed. And so ended one of the most novel events that ever took place in the book trade. Of more vital interest to the trade are the announcements and recent publications of Messrs. J. B. Lippincott & Co. The works of Albert Gallatin have just appeared in three large octavo volumes, and in a few days the Life, by Henry Adams, will be published in uniform style. It will be remembered that Gallatin was one of the leading statesmen of the Revolution, and though born in Geneva, yet for so long a time, and so faithfully, did he serve the country of his adoption that he is looked upon as an American in every sense of the word. He was a most industrious and indefatigable man, and, by consent of all parties, of accomplished genius and great acquirements. Bodines; or, Camping on the Lycoming," by T. S. Up De Graff, M.D., is a complete practical guide to "camping out." The author has camped upon the Lycoming Creek every June for eight years. He has made his own tent, boat, rods, camp furniture, and other paraphernalia, and gives plain directions for so doing. He tells how to camp out with wife and children or with gentlemen friends, and gives full details of what is necessary in both cases. He enumerates the articles needed in cooking, and designates kind and quantity of provisions necessary for four people, four weeks in the woods. Directions for a camp medicine-chest are given, and how to use it in cases of sickness, as well as plain directions for camp cooking, and what to do in case of accident, drowning, broken limbs, snake or skunk bites, etc. Could anything more complete be desired? "Nile Days; or, Egyptian Bonds," a novel by E. Katharine Bates, which gives a graphic account of English faces in Egyptian frames, and is of great interest owing to the prominence of Egyptian affairs at the present time; and Elsa," a novel by Rev. Alfred H. Hogbin, are their latest works of fiction. An important work will be Samuel M. Warren's "Compendium of Swedenborg's works," second and revised edition, with a biographical introduction by Hon. John Bigelow, the author of the "Life of Franklin." A school edition is in preparation of a "Handbook of Nursing" for family and general use, of which the larger edition was published early in the spring. The Memoirs of Baroness Bunsen have attracted so much attention that this house has issued a cheap edition of the Life of Baron Bunsen. No one who has read the former should fail to treat the latter in a like manner, especially as it is compiled and written by the Baroness. The works and Life should go together. The new book in preparation by Porter & Coates, "The Prehistoric World," translated from the French by Elie Berthet, will be one of the most interesting books of its kind. It is written in the form of a story, wherein the author vividly portrays life during the remote periods, the records of which are to be found only in the bones of animals and the implements used by man which have been discovered in various parts of Europe. The story is founded on the latest scientific discoveries, and the author is enabled to present to the reader a perfect and no doubt truthful picture of life in the prehistoric times. One of the most successful books published by this firm is Sensible Etiquette," by Mrs. Howard, of which the tenth edition is in press. The sixth edition of A Miracle in Stone" is now under way. These, together with the last volume of the Boy Trapper Series, "The Mail Carrier," Oliphant on Dress," and the "Fireside Ency clopedia of Poetry," which have sold largely, make a good showing for the firm, considering the dull times. This house.is heartily to be congratulated on a proposed" new move" which shows evidence of success. They will remove on the 1st of September to the four-story marble building, south-west corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets, where they will have largely increased space for the transaction of business. The first floor, 34 x 150 feet, will be devoted to the retail department. Max Adeler's new book, Random Shots," just published by Messrs. J. M. Stoddart & Co., and "Elbow Room," of which they have purchased the plates, are meeting with considerable success, and as every one wants to be amused during the hot weather, and as these will surely bring about the desired effect, they are books of which every bookseller should have a stock. The Petersons have issued a charming lovestory, "Miss Margery's Roses," a summer idyl. by Robert C. Meyers, author of "Barbara Hicks" and "Friend Dorothy." The story is the rose, and the rose the story, which is interwoven with the perfume of the flowers which give its title. The "Greville" books are selling remarkably well; Messrs. Peterson are the only publishers of the authorized translations, they having special arrangements with Miss Helen Stanley-who resides in Paris-for their publication in this country. Ferree & Co., publishers of The Librarian bulletin, have in preparation, soon to be issued, a" Dictionary of Philadelphia," on the plan of Charles Dickens' "Dictionary of London" recently published. Marcus Ward & Co. have just received a new assortment of cards with floral designs, beautifully colored, with verses by Frances Ridley Havergal, whose sudden death took place à few days ago; and also a new importation of photographs of distinguished European celebrities. This new feature of their business has proved quite a success, much more so than was at first anticipated. C. E. B. BUSINESS NOTES. FITCHBURG, MASS.-Baker Bros. have succeeded Shepley & Baker, books. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.-J. F. Jennings has bought out H. J. Longley, stationery, etc. NEW YORK CITY.-Aug. Brentano, Jr., has associated with himself his brothers Arthur and Simon, and will continue to carry on the business under the style of Brentano's Literary Emporium. PHILADELPHIA, PA.-Wm. Adamson, late special partner of Matthews & Dickson, staItioners, printers, etc., has recently deceased. PERSONAL MENTION. MR. W. R. JENKINS, bookseller, of 850 Sixth Avenue, sails for Europe July 5th. MR. A. D. F. RANDOLPH has left town for his country place, "Greynook," at Lake George. MR. HENRY HOLT is reported as one of the lookers-on at the International Literary Congress, London. He contemplates a trip in Russia with ex-Minister Jewell. LITERARY AND TRADE NOTES. Robinson's Epitome of Literature for June 15 resumes its papers on the private libraries of Philadelphia with a most interesting sketch of that of Mr. George W. Childs, giving numerous extracts from his valuable collection of autographs. A MOVEMENT is in progress for establishing a Society of English Literature, which is designed to occupy the place in that country occupied by the Société des Gens de Lettres in France, and by similar bodies in Austria, Belgium, and Germany. This project is an outcome of the meetings of the International Literary Congress. THE Controversy begun by Mr. W. J. Linton's criticism in the Atlantic on modern wood engraving as illustrated in Scribner's Monthly not only calls out a reply from Dr. Holland in the July issue of the latter, but has furnished occasion for an acrid correspondence between Mr. Linton and the editor and publishers of the Atlantic as to the rights of contributors and the manners of editors. Mr. Linton has printed the correspondence, with comments, in a pamphlet. AN arrangement has been concluded between Messrs. A. S. Barnes & Co. and Mr. Roswell Smith, of Scribner & Co., by which the latter firm (publishers of the magazines) have purchased from the former the plates and copyrights of "Songs for the Sanctuary," and all the other works of Dr. Robinson, whose new hymn-book, "Spiritual Songs," was some time since published by Scribner & Co. This con ST. LOUIS BOOK AND NEWS Co., ST. LOUIS, MO. Benjamin, S. G. W., Constantinople, the Isle of the Sea, and Other Poems. 2 copies The King's Bell, by R. H. Stoddard. TIBBITTS & RANDALL, PROVIDENCE, R. I. Quincy's Hist. of Harvard. B. WESTERMANN & Co., Box 2306, N. Y. P. O. Dana, Crustacea. Text and atlas. Will pay good price. A. WILLIAMS & Co., 283 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON. solidation takes all these books into the same able hands. It is claimed that Dr. Robinson's earlier works, especially the popular "Songs for the Sanctuary" in its various editions, are used in more churches than all other similar collections put together. MESSRS. BLACKWOOD intend to add to their series of Ancient Classics for English Readers and the Foreign Classics, both of which are familiar to American readers under the Lippincott imprint, another series dealing with the great philosophical writers of modern Europe, from Bacon and Descartes onwards. The aim of this third series, which is to be edited by Prof. Knight, of St. Andrews, will be to tell the general reader who the founders of the chief systems were, and how they dealt with the great questions of the universe; to give an outline of their lives and characters; to show how they received the problem of philosophy from their predecessors, with what additions they handed it on to their successors, and what they thus contributed to the world's thought and its organic development; as well as to illustrate the questions that engrossed them in the light of contemporary discussion. MESSRS. ESTES & LAURIAT, of Boston, will publish in the fall an authorized translation of M. Maxime Lalanne's capital "Treatise on Etching." According to Mr. Hamerton's dic tum M. Lalanne is the best French etcher of the present day, and his treatise on his favorite art is presented as the brightest and clearest exposition ever written of the processes involved in it. The book is illustrated by ten plates etched by M. Lalanne, which will be coveted for their own sake by all lovers of the art. The plates for the American edition have been printed in Paris, so that they will be equal in every respect to those in the French edition. The translation will be made by Mr. S. R. Koehler, the editor of the forthcoming American Art Review, who will also add an introductory chapter on the simplest elements of etching for the benefit of amateurs, who may prefer to overcome the first technical difficulties before plunging in medias res with M. Lalanne. NEW PUBLICATIONS. MARCUS WARD & CO., London, Belfast, and Philadelphia, Are now issuing a unique and attractive biographical series, entitled, "THE NEW PLUTARCH," treating especially of famous men and women of action, whose lives were the outgrowth of events which make a remarkable period in the world's history. The production of these works in an entirely novel style of binding and artistic finish will render each volume or the complete series a valuable addition to public or private libraries. The first volume, "COLIGNY,” now ready. Price, $1.00. M. W. & CO.'S NEW EDITION OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. An inexpensive, elegant, and finely illustrated edition of "The Waverley Novels." In issuing this series the publishers feel that they have united cheapness with unusual perfection of typographic finish. Complete in twenty-five volumes. Cloth, 12mo. Price, $1.00 each. M. W. & Co.'s Historical Series for Children. BY MISS CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. Original and only authentic edition. Comprising: AUNT CHARLOTTE'S STORIES OF BIBLE HISTORY FOR THE LITTLE ONES. A cheap edition of the English and Bible Histories is also ready, neatly bound in cloth, for the use of Schools. Price, 50 cents each. THE "BLUE-BELL" SERIES OF ORIGINAL NOVELS. ILLUSTRATED BY THE BEST ARTISTS. The "Blue-Bell" series has been undertaken by the authors and publishers with a view to issue original illustrated novels of a high class at a moderate cost, in an ornamental and durable form. Price, 60 cents each. NOW READY. BLUE-BELL. By M. Bramston. THE DISTURBING ELEMENT. By Miss Yonge. SUMMER SNOW. By Sarah Tytler. To be followed shortly by others. Also now publishing, in semi-monthly Parts, THE OLD COUNTRY, Its Scenery and Associations. With Descriptive Notes. A high-class artistic publication, with three illustrations in each part, in the best style of Chromo-Lithography, in facsimile of original Water-Color Drawings expressly made for this work, being views of famous English, Irish, and Scotch Scenery. Price, 40 cents each; or twelve parts beautifully bound in one volume, cloth and gold, $4.50 each. ALFRED IRELAND, Sole Agent for United States and Canada 611 & 613 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. HARPER & BROTHERS will send either of the above works by mail (excepting the larger works, whose weight excludes them from the mail), postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price. HARPER'S CATALOGUE mailed free on receipt of Nine Cents. HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y. |