ed can only be admitted to the mails at letterrates of postage. The written matter under the head of remarks upon the various documents of insurance companies must be confined strictly to the subjectmatter of the document. Within the scope of this explanation, the Department cannot perceive how postmasters can mistake their duty respecting the admission of these commercial papers to the mails. The Department does not share the apprehensions expressed by you of a decrease in the revenues consequent upon the adoption by Congress, in response to an almost universal demand from the press and the people, of a more liberal postal policy. Similar apprehensions were entertained and freely expressed that the introduction of postal cards would materially reduce the revenues of the Department from letter postage. For the year ending June 30, 1872, just prior to the introduction of postal cards, the sales of postage stamps amounted to $15.840,649. For the year ending June 30, 1873, the revenue from stamps sold was $16,681, 189, and from postal cards $310,940. For the year ending June 30, 1874, the first entire fiscal year in which postal cards were used, the revenue from postage stamps was $17,275,242, and from postal cards $910,790. From the last report of the Postmaster-General, it appears that during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1878, the receipts from postage stamps were $19,468,618, and from postal cards $2,006,300, thus showing that the use of letters has been increased rather than decreased since the introduction of postal cards, and that these latter have created a demand for their use for special purposes, in addition to rather than instead of letters. In fact, the whole history of postal legislation, in this country and abroad, shows that any reduction in the rate of postage, or liberalizing of the postal regulations in the interest of the people, is always sure to result in an increased use of the mails by the people, and a consequent increase of the revenues of the Department; premising, of course, that the rate of postage should never be reduced below the actual cost of transportation, distribution and dispatch, and protection. It is not believed that the Department does incur any loss in the transportation of mail matter at third-class rates, viz., one cent for each two ounces, or 8 cents per pound. In view of the fact that parties interested in the transporting of packages for hire have protested against this liberalizing policy of the Department respecting the rates for the transportation of third-class matter, it might be fair to assume that there was some profit in it. I see no reason why the Post-Office Department, more than the Army and Navy or other departments of the government, should be conducted for the purpose of making money. It is supported by the money of the people, and the people have the right to demand from it the utmost facility at the lowest possible cost, either in the rate of postage or in taxes for its support. Holding these views, whenever it should appear that the revenues of the Department were exceeding its expenses, I should recommend a still further reduction in the rates of postage, and a more liberal classification of mail matter, A COPYRIGHT OMNIUM GATHERUM. SCRIBNER & WELFORD have received an edition of the work by Mr. R. A. Macfie, referred to in our last issue: "Copyright and Patents for Inventions-Copyright. Volume First." The writer himself presents it as an omnium gather um of information about copyright, chiefly bearing upon the royalty plan, which he advocates,and such it is, a scrap-book of articles and paragraphs on the subject, many of them other. wise inaccessible. The compilation opens with an essay by Lord Dreghorn On the Origin and Progress of Literary Property" (1772), which includes a valuable précis of the debates in Parliament at the passage of the statute of Queen Anne; gives an address on the royalty system by the compiler, delivered before the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce; presents copious extracts from the leading authors and jurists who have discussed copyright; sets forth the evidence before the Royal Commission bearing on the royalty scheme, besides discussions in the American Library Conference and elsewhere; comments on the Harper memorandums, and includes a host of minor clippings, to the labyrinth of which an elaborate index at the end furnishes a clue. While the compilation is entirely undigested in form, it covers very much of value and is necessary to any one interested in its general subject. The compiler's own purpose, as shown in his preface and on the placard which adorns the back of his volume, is to further the royalty system. which he defines copyright-law authorizing publication by any proper person who agrees to pay rates of royalty fixed by law." The book, which is an octavo of 406 pages in trimmed linen, is rather a phenomenal production, not least in its extraordinary make-up, or lack of it. as SCRIBNER & Co. recently received the following bona-fide order from a country Sundayschool chorister: "Sirs: If you have anything new in the line of Sacred Songs, comic or sentimental, will you please send me some sample sheets." A FELLOW wrote to a down-town store as follows: Dere sur if yew hev gut a book called Daniel Webster on a brige, please send me a coppy by Pyser's express c. o. d-i want to git it ter morrer if i kin. cause my spelin techer says i oughter hev it."-Exchange. production, have reimbursed the editor for the abroad the knowledge of early literature. outlay which he has incurred in spreading DR. CHARLES PICKERING, in his new work, "Chronological History of Plants," recently published by Little, Brown & Co., gives as the results of his sixteen years' labor "A Digest of the History and Migrations of all the Animals and Plants with which Civilized Man has had to do, from the Earliest Period traceable by Records." Not only with the U. S. Exploring Expedition, but at his own expense, he visited Egypt, Arabia, the eastern part of Africa, and Western and Northern India in pursuit of this information. C. KEGAN PAUL & Co., London, have in preparation a "Glossary of Terms and Phrases," edited by the Rev. H. Percy Smith, M.A., intended to bring together such words and expressions (only), whether English or other, as occur with more or less frequency in ordinary reader that explanation for want of which the English literature, and need for the general meaning of a sentence or paragraph is often missed. It will include technical, historical, geographical, proverbial, and allusive words and phrases, but, on the other hand, it is not proposed to make it a dictionary of scientific terms or archaic words. THE book trade of Australia are making proStationers' Association of Victoria, founded to gress in organization. The Booksellers' and resist the encroachments of the Colonial Education Department, has just celebrated its first anniversary. Mr. S. Mullen, the president, in tion on its harmonious workings so far. At his annual address congratulated the associaSydney the trade held its first annual picnic" this spring. Old English sports-races, walking-matches, cricket, etc.-filled the earlier part of the day. The meeting is reported a great success, as a stepping-stone to a state of greater cordiality and good fellowship among a large: and influential body of the community. PRICE-LISTS WANTED. A. EYRICH, NEW ORLEANS, LA. Wanted, from subscription-book publishers and manufac-turers of fast-selling novelties, lists and lowest terms. A BUSINESS FOR SALE. FIRST-CLASS book and stationery store, centrally LITERARY AND TRADE NOTES. ZOLA'S "L'Assommoir" has reached its fifty fifth edition in Paris. IN the advertisement of J. B. Lippincott & Co., in our last issue, the title "The Writings of Robert Gallatin" should read Albert Gallatin. MARCUS WARD & Co. have recently published a series of cheap handy atlases for home, school, or business uses. They all contain the latest discoveries, and have complete indexes to all the places. The maps are remarkable for clearness and beautiful print. A GENEROUS response is reported to the movement to bring out for the benefit of the author an edition of the complete works of Paul H. Hayne. Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, Geo. H. Boker, Stedman, Holland, Miss Preston, and other poets of note have sent in subscriptions. LONGMANS & CO., London, are preparing for publication, with numerous illustrations, an important work on "Japanese Arts: a Description of the Architecture, Decorative Arts, and Art Industries of Japan, from Personal Observation," by Christopher Dresser, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.E. B.S., etc. MACMILLAN & Co. have in the press a handbook to modern Greek, by Mr. Edgar Vincent, of the Coldstream Guards, and Mr. T. G. Dickson, English tutor to the children of the King of Greece. The volume will consist of a grammar and dialogues, followed by passages from classical Greek authors, with translations in modern Greek, passages from Greek mediæval literature, and from the writers of to-day, so that the change and development of the language may be clearly shown. We are very glad to note that the sale of the accurate and valuable reprints of old English literature issued by Mr. Edmund Arber, London, have reached more than 120,000 copies, and that the texts already supplied to the public, in spite of their low prices and the costliness of their BOOKS WANTED. In answering, always state condition and price. V. 2. Alex. Hamilton's works, N. Y.. 1851. Liberal price CATHCART & CLELAND, 26 E. WASHINGTON ST., INDIAN- 1 Ziemssen's Cyclopædia of Practice of Medicine. Give CHASE & CASSIL, MT. VERNON, O. Swan's Treatise, Swan & Sayles' Supplement, Sayles' Capital invested, $12,000. Satisfactory reasons for selling. Statutes of Ohio. All second hand. DODD, MEAD & Co., 751 BROADWAY, N. Y. Unitarianism Defended, by Martineau. Rationale of Religions. Inquiry or the Question of Reason: The Bible and the Tropical Fibres, etc., by Squier. IRVING PUTNAM, 182 FIFTH AVE., N. Y. Johnson's Cyclopædia, EIGHT VOLS., half turkey. BOOKS FOR SALE. THOS. BRADBURN, 29 ANN ST., N. Y. Vols. 5 and 7 Alex. Hamilton's Works. N. Y., 1851. W. A. C., PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY OFFICE. A complete set of the Encyclopedia Britannica in the original boards. 1843. ELLIOTT JONES & Co., Columbus, O. BOOKS FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE. S. CLARK, 66 Nassau St., N. Y., dealer in second A. Sobooks. Back numbers of 56,789 differ ent periodicals for sale cheap. NOW READY: Pinckney's School and College Directory FOR 1879-80. REVISED. Containing a list of over 8000 Schools in the United States, T. COTESWORTH PINCKNEY, 30 Union Square, N. Y. THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL CATALOGUE, For 1879 [Tenth Year]. COMPILED BY F. LEYPOLDT.' The Educational Catalogue has been found so valuable to the Trade, not only as a finding-list, but for circulation among educational customers, for the purpose of soliciting orders, and saving at the same time much troublesome correspondence, that its continuance is recognized as a necessity. It is proposed to make the list this year on what is known as "the dictionary plan," entering each series or book in the general alphabet under the author's or editor's name, with cross-references from class and subject headings, so that the advantages of both a finding-list for the trade and a class catalogue for the use of schools are combined. It is proposed to solve the question of prices by giving a line to each book, and entering both the trade-list and mailing or retail price, when made, in parallel columns. Where only a wholesale price is made, it is proposed to add a reasonable percentage (20 per cent) to meet the desire of retail dealers who circulate imprint editions from which the trade-list column will be dropped. In jobbers' imprint editions (not less than 500 copies) the two columns will be retained, but with publisher's prices only given. The Educational Catalogue in its new shape, will, we believe, very thoroughly serve the purposes of those dealers who wish to keep as much of the educational trade as possible in their own hands, and work up more, by sending such a list out to schools and teachers. This Catalogue is acknowledged the most accurate and reliable in the market, and, especially in its new shape, will be found by far the most convenient and satisfactory. In making up special orders for the Educational Catalogue, Booksellers should bear in mind that it possesses not only temporary value, but will serve its purpose during the whole year. As numerous orders for editions are received every summer, after the issue of the Educational Catalogue, we again call attention to the necessity of being in possession of orders at once. CASH TERMS FOR EDITIONS: With sole imprint of ordering firm, and stitched, per 100 copies, $5; per 1000 copies, $40. There is no extra charge for printing name, business card, etc., on the imprint page; the last page is left blank at the disposal of the dealer, but any copy for that, advertising special lines or general business, will be set up and printed thereon for $5 the page, or $1 if plate is sent. ***Copy for imprint and shipping directions should accompany the order. THE PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY, Box 4295, New York. 1 HOUGHTON, OSGOOD & CO., PUBLISH THIS WEEK: THE LIFE AND EPOCH OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON. A Historical Study. By the Hon. GEO. SHEA, Chief-Justice of the Marine Court, New York. With portraits of Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton, Talleyrand, Burr, and Bishop Seabury; a facsimile of Hamilton's letter to his son Philip, and a map showing the United States with boundaries proposed by France in 1782. I vol. 8vo, gilt top, bevelled boards, $4.50. SPAIN IN PROFILE. By JAMES A. HARRISON, author of "Greek Vignettes," "Little Classic" style. 18mo, red edges, $1.50. A book of travel and observation, marked by the same enthusiasm, learning, and readableness which characterized Professor Harrison's "Greek Vignettes." THE PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC. By WILLIAM POLE, F.R.S. Vol. 15 of the Philosophical Library. Crown 8vo, gilt top, $3.50. A book of great value and interest to all who love music and who wish to understand the secret of its charm. BRITISH POETS. RIVERSIDE EDITION. SURREY and WYATT. I vol. SHAKESPEARE and BEN JONSON. I vol. Each, $1.75. Jonson's Poems are here, for the first time, included in this edition. The British Poets as orginally published are now complete in 65 volumes. Chaucer will be added some months hence. ILLUSTRATED LIBRARY DICKENS. LITTLE DORRIT, 2 vols. BARNABY RUDGE, 2 vols. GREAT EXPECTATIONS, I vol. $1.50 a volume. ILLUSTRATED LIBRARY WAVERLEY. QUENTIN DURWARD, I vol. THE MONASTERY, I vol. GUY MANNERING, I vol. THE ABBOT, I vol. THE PIRATE, 1 vol. $1 a volume. This completes the WAVERLEY, in 25 handsome volumes, printed on good paper, substantially bound, and containing nearly 50 steel plates. Price of the set, $25. AMERICAN GUIDE-BOOKS. By M. F. SWEETSER. NEW ENGLAND. Six maps and eleven plans. $2. THE MIDDLE STATES. Eight maps and fifteen plans. $2. $2. All the lines and routes of travel in the regions covered by these guide-books are carefully described, and all the places and objects of historical, traditionary or picturesque interest are indicated. Hotels, railways, steamboats, stage-coaches, and (among the mountains) foot-paths, are pointed out, and, in short, every kind of information that can promote the comfort and convenience of tourists, and enable them to derive the most intelligent satisfaction from their travels, is given in these books. Maps, plans of cities and panoramas of mountain views are given; and the books are furnished with full indexes to all the hundreds of places mentioned. For sale by all Booksellers. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of the price by the Publishers, HOUGHTON, OSGOOD & CO., Boston. THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL CATALOGUE, For 1879 [Tenth Year]. COMPILED BY F. LEYPOLDT. The Educational Catalogue has been found so valuable to the Trade, not only as a finding-list, but for circulation among educational customers, for the purpose of soliciting orders, and saving at the same time much troublesome correspondence, that its continuance is recognized as a necessity. It is proposed to make the list this year on what is known as "the dictionary plan," entering each series or book in the general alphabet under the author's or editor's name, with cross-references from class and subject headings, so that the advantages of both a finding-list for the trade and a class catalogue for the use of schools are combined. It is proposed to solve the question of prices by giving a line to each book, and entering both the trade-list and mailing or retail price, when made, in parallel columns. Where only a wholesale price is made, it is proposed to add a reasonable percentage (20 per cent) to meet the desire of retail dealers who circulate imprint editions from which the trade-list column will be dropped. In jobbers' imprint editions (not less than 500 copies) the two columns will be retained, but with publisher's prices only given. The Educational Catalogue in its new shape, will, we believe, very thoroughly serve the purposes of those dealers who wish to keep as much of the educational trade as possible in their own hands, and work up more, by sending such a list out to schools and teachers. This Catalogue is acknowledged the most accurate and reliable in the market, and, especially in its new shape, will be found by far the most convenient and satisfactory. In making up special orders for the Educational Catalogue, Booksellers should bear in mind that it possesses not only temporary value, but will serve its purpose during the whole year. As numerous orders for editions are received every summer, after the issue of the Educational Catalogue, we again call attention to the necessity of being in possession of orders at once. CASH TERMS FOR EDITIONS: With sole imprint of ordering firm, and stitched, per 100 copies, $5; per 1000 copies, $40. There is no extra charge for printing name, business card, etc., on the imprint page; the last page is left blank at the disposal of the dealer, but any copy for that, advertising special lines or general business, will be set up and printed thereon for $5 the page, or $1 if plate is sent. ***Copy for imprint and shipping directions should accompany the order. THE PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY, Box 4295, NEW YORK. |