JAS. R. OSGOOD & CO., Boston. Biology. By Joseph Cook. 12°. $1.50. Christianity and Humanity. A Volume or Sermons. By T. Starr King. Ed., with Memoir, by E. P. Whipple. 12°. $2.

One Year Abroad. By the Author of "One Summer." $1.25.

Lectures on the Centennial of American Independence. By Jos. P. Thompson, D.D. Cr. 8°. Choice Autobiographies. Ed., with Introd., by W. D. Howells. V. I, 2. Memoirs of Frederica Sophia Wilhelmina, Margravine of Baireuth.-V. 3. Thos. Ellwood and Lord Herbert of Cherbury. Per vol., $1.25. Notes and Sketches of an Architect in the Northwest of Europe. By Felix Narjoux. Illus. 8°. $3. Artist Biographies. V. 1. Raphael.-V. 2. Titian. 18°. $1; pap., 50 c.

Western Windows. By John J. Piatt. (New ed.) 16°. $1.50.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.-The well-known firm of Yohn & Porter, booksellers and stationers, has been dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Edward B. Porter will continue in the book and stationery business for himself. Albert B. Yohn and Charles T. Yohn, of the late firm, will also continue in the book and stationery business, under the firm name of Yohn Brothers. The latter will make a specialty of hunting up scarce and out of print books, to which the large collection of bibliography made by Mr. A. B. Yohn will open the way, and of dealing in Americana, of which they have already a large stock. imagine few men who could enter this profession of a bibliopole (more capably provided than Mr. A. B. Yohn, and our readers have more than once had reason to make practical acquaintance with his knowledge and skill. Such men are a credit in and a help to the trade, and we wish the new house every sucYohn Brothers will also keep up a full

cess.

stock of leading publications.

We can

lins, Dryden, Marvell. Favorite Poems. Alexander Pope.-Favorite Poems. Leigh Hunt.-Favorite Poems. Wordsworth. Favorite Poems. Goethe.- Pleasures of Memory. Samuel Rogers.-The Farmer's Boy. Robert Bloomfield.-Essays from Elia. Charles Lamb. Most of these volumes are illustrated. Cl., ea., 50 ç.

The Story of Avis. By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. 16°. $1.50.

A Counterfeit Presentment. A Comedy. By W.D. Howells. $1.25.

Substance and Show, and other Addresses. By Thos. Starr King. Ed. by Edwin P. Whipple. 12°. $2.

T. WHITTAKER, New York.

The Lady Betty Library. 3 v., in box. 12°. $3.75-
Cedar Hill Library. 4 v., in box. 16°. $3.60.
Treasure Library. 6 v., in box. 16°. $4.50.
Beatitude Library. 6v., in box. 16°. $2.70.
Always Do Right Library. 7 v., in box. 16°.
$3.25.
Neighborly Love Library. 6 v., in box. 16°. $3.
Ferry-Boat Library. 6 v., in box. 16°. $6.
Mountain Home Library. 6 v., in box. 16°. $3.60.
Peep of Day Library. 3 v., in box. 16°. $1.80.
Young Churchman's Library. 6 v., in box. 16°. $5.

leaf and a copy taken on the thicker leaf by the carbonized paper interleaved, the thick sheets receiving the copy and operating as a backing to prevent the multiplication of copies and the marring of the sheets below.

C. A. ATKINSON, New York, has patented a Fountain Pen, which consists of a combination with a hollow holder having a tongue and socket in the tube, or holder. The tube has an orificed flannel bottom, while at the top of the tube is a channelled stopper, arranged so that dry ink can be used and liquefied as wanted.

STEPHEN M. BROUGHAM, Richmond Co., N. Y., has patented a Pen and Pencil Case arranged in such a manner that when both pen and pencil are within the case, by turning the handle in one direction it admits of the pencil being projected by slide. To project the pen the pencil must first be withdrawn, then, by turning the handle in the opposite direction, the pen can be projected for use.

gistered in the Patent Office the word-symbol Election Euchre" for playing-cards.

VIRGINIUS C. CLAYTON, New York, has re

gistered in the Patent Office the word-symbol THE EAGLE PENCIL CO., New York, has re"Office" for lead pencils.

G. M. DIMMOCK, Springfield, Mass., has received a patent for a writing-tablet with pencil loop or catch.

OF Manzoni's celebrated novel "I Promessi Sposi," it is stated 116 Italian editions have been issued; 37 printed at Milan, 18 at Florence, 11 at Naples, 7 at Lugano, 6 at Turin, 3 at Parma, 3 at Mendrisio, 2 at Leipzig, 2 at Malta, 1 each at Leghorn, Placentia, Pesaro, Vienna, Rome, Brussels, and London; 20 in Paris. Of translations, there are 17 in German, 19 French, 10 English, 3 Spanish, and I each in Greek, Swedish, Dutch, Russian, Hungarian, and Armenian.

THE chief German booksellers have subscribed to present to the National Museum at Nürnberg a perfect copy of the "Biblia Pauperum" and the "Historia beatæ Mariæ Virginis." The two works were purchased in Leipzig for 16,500 marks, and are fine specimens of block printing.

The Publishers' Weekly.

SEPTEMBER 15, 1877.

PUBLISHERS are requested to furnish title-page proofs and advance information of books forthcoming, both for entry in the lists and for descriptive mention. An early copy of each book published should be forwarded, to insure correctness in the final entry.

The trade are invited to send "Communications" to the editor on any topic of interest to the trade, and as to which an interchange of opinion is desirable. Also, matter for "Notes and Queries." Notes from librarians will also be gratefully received.

In case of business changes, notification or card should be immediately sent to this office for entry under "Business Notes." New catalogues issued will also be mentioned when forwarded.

PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH! ONE of the worst results of the recklessness induced by war times, aside from the temporary misery now prevalent, which, as an admonition is in one sense a blessing in disguise, is the reaction into which we are falling, of being "penny wise and pound foolish." While formerly speculation looked so far into the distance that clouds were hardly distinguishable from terra firma, we now look so low to the ground that we are apt to knock our heads against the wall.

Then money was no object. Now everything is sacrificed for cheapness,—and what expensive cheapness!

A gentleman in the auction business was saying the other day how cheaply he could buy sets of furniture; on an expression of surprise at the prices he quoted, "Oh," said he, " they are good enough to look at. They don't last; they're flimsily and cheaply made, but we must sell what people want; as long as a thing is cheap, it will sell." And so it is in all lines. Is not this waste? Is it not better to pay twice as much for an article of utility, and have it last three times as long? In one case, also, we have a sham, alie in the other, a good honest article. And so for articles of adornment. If we wish to spend money for a beautiful object, it serves a good purpose, it is money well spent. If, however, we spend money for the purpose of ornamenting our house or office, and get a thing which not only is not beautiful but is ugly, it is a waste. It is throwing money away to spend fifty cents to no purpose, while it is no waste to spend two dollars if we get an honest equivalent.

This is simply the question as it stands for all. For merchants there is yet another phase, which we may especially commend to the sta

tionery trade. They have a reputation to gain or lose. After a few years, we shall again return to our senses, and the day of retribution will then come. Those who have pandered for immediate gain to the folly of foolish people will then be shunned as unreliable, if not as dishonest, for having given imitation in place of genuine, while those who have held their ground and done an honorable trade will reap the benefit. They will have maintained a liking and taste for first-class goods; and for every dollar they would have received had people known only poor articles, they will receive three for having given men a desire to The change must come,

buy the best and finest. and it must come largely from dealers; if they offer only the poorest, only the poorest will be bought. The trade have it in their power to double their business; by gradually getting people to buy finer goods. If a man must have an article of use,[he will buy no greater number, whether the article be cheap or fine. The dealer will, however, sell more in money's worth if he persuades his customer to buy the better article, not to speak of the satisfaction on both sides. In a word, the sooner we get out of this era of "cheapness" the better.

M. FOURET'S REPORT ON THE
CENTENNIAL.

THE " Rapport sur l'Imprimerie et la Librairie, par M. René Fouret, membre du jury international. Exposition Internationale de Philadelphie, en 1876. Section Française," appears with the imprint of the Imprimerie Nationale, Paris, in a handsome quarto pamphlet of 48 pages, of the usual chaste French typography. The report shows great industry and is remarkably comprehensive in dealing with the book and printing exhibits of nearly every country represented in those departments at the Exhibition, and with most of the individual exhibitors by name. It presents also many suggestive general remarks by way of preface to these descriptions, but in one respect it is disappointing, viz., that it does not go much below the surface in its discussions, and that in its treatment of individual exhibits it takes claims for granted and presents mere "notices" in place of the critical comparative examinations which an outside expert might normally be expected to make and which we had hoped for from M. Fouret. We should like to have "seen ourselves as others see us," rather than as we told others we seemed to ourselves, and critical judgment in this wise, impossible, for instance, in tive in stimulating progress among us. our trade journals, might have been very effecNevertheless we have to be grateful to M. Fouret, whose pamphlet reaches us by his personal courtesy, through Mr. Christern, for a very interesting report.

After pointing out the importance of a full exhibit of these departments at international exhibitions, little as they attract the vulgar gaze,

as at once indicating and stimulating the moral and intellectual progress of a people, M. Fouret expresses his regret that the excellent example set by France, America, Germany, and Holland was not more generally followed. He mentions as principal causes, "(1) the distance; (2) the absence of international laws giving protection in the United States to artistic and literary property; (3) the customs tariff."

The second he emphasizes as having a very especial influence, and he expresses his regret that the efforts of diplomacy to this end have so far been unfruitful. "It is the same with the customs tariff, whose high tax has a singular influence upon the price and upon the sale of books in the United States, and is consequently a serious obstacle to importation. This duty does not seem justified, at least so far as French books are concerned, by the necessity of protecting native industries. It is to be hoped that the eminently commercial and practical spirit of the Americans will not delay in recognizing the necessity of doing away with these duties. Without real profit to the State, they suffice to check the international exchange of works of knowledge, of those works which themselves exercise so notable an influence upon the prosperity of a great country.

"The United States of America, after having been able to profit more than any other people from the intellectual conquests of the old world, seems to have undertaken to arrest, by its fiscal measures or by entrenching itself behind a system of protection, the introduction and popularization of art books and works of science. There is here a sort of anomaly in the legislation of a people among whom progress and liberty are the prime laws.

"The grand international display at which we have assisted, and of which the representatives of the typographical industries have taken advantage to obtain a hearing for their just claims, may have the result of provoking in the United States a necessary reform in the customs tariff and in the international legislation ruling printing and the book trade. There is no space to insist at length upon the advantages that would accrue to all from such reforms, but if these results should be brought about the printing and book-trade exhibitors will not regret the sacrifices which they have imposed on themselves in sending their productions to Philadelphia."

In regard to a question much mooted last summer, M. Fouret says: "Conformably to what had been already decided at Paris and at Vienna, the manufacturing publishers were admitted to competition on the same footing with the publishers having neither workrooms nor directly employing the workmen. The same awards were decreed to one and to the other, and, in fact, without giving rise to serious objections on the part of the jury.

"It does not pertain to our work to reopen here this question so often debated and which now seems definitively settled, as we have already said. The manufacturers* who exhibited at Philadelphia were themselves publishers, uniting in their establishments the direction of the printing properly speaking and the delicate task of publication: none of them were thus ab.e to refuse a most important place to the work, properly speaking, of the pub

* Imprimeurs-éditeurs.

lisher. It is the publisher who, once the issue of the book is resolved upon, determines the size, directs the printing, from the title to the index, chooses the paper, calls upon the pencil of the artist, the burin of the engraver on wood and of the etcher, the art of chromo-lithography; he directs the binder, and refuses the work if it does not bear that imprint of good taste which is, so to speak, the distinctive mark of his fabrication. Certain French and foreign works, which are counted among the chefs-d'œuvre, have been conceived and carried out by publishers who (though publishers only and not printers-ED.) have indeed had the greater part of their execution.

"The two merits thus actually exist and ought to be recompensed: such was the idea that prevailed in the decisions of the jury."

*..

M. Fouret rightfully speaks in terms of hearty appreciation of the fifty and more French exhibitors who, renouncing all individual recompense, were willing to group themselves together, as at Vienna, to represent France worthily and to receive only a single medal. "The international Jury at Philadelphia recognized the exceptional importance of this collective exposition. Clothing its judgment in the highest and most eulogistic terms, it declared that an award should be decreed to the Cercle de la librairie, as well for the excellence and merit of the works which it exhibited in the name of all, as in recognition of the services rendered by this institution to the typographical industries"-a verdict in which all American observ. ers of the French exhibit most heartily join.

M. Fouret's connection with the firm of Hachette et Cie. precludes his giving to the imposing and superb display of that house the individual attention he gives to others; we are glad to note that the Jury of group XXVIII. did his house the justice to enter on its minutes expression of its regret that it was thus precluded from considering the merits of the exhibit.

Passing to the American exhibit, M. Fouret notes the early indifference and tardy appreciation with which the project was met by American publishers, and the device by which, “with a vigor altogether American," the space originally accorded was doubled. Despite the lack of harmony in the disposition of the cases,

'the ensemble was satisfactory, and creditable to the activity and good taste of the committee of organization." M. Fouret continues: "It is difficult to render an account of the extent of the commerce of the book trade in the United States. There exists no such formality as the “dépôt pour des livres," no tax levied directly or indirectly upon the book trade; consequently it is almost impossible to make exact statistical calculations, and one is reduced almost entirely to conjectures. Nevertheless, whoever studies the question carefully remarks first the immense markets opened to the American book trade, and next the relatively small part which literature properly so called and original to the country takes in this grand movement. At the first sight of a bookseller's catalogue or showcase, the number of books reprinted from the English or translated from the French or

In this discussion, M. Fouret seems to reverse the terms of the proposition, the question being whether nonmanufacturing publishers should be admitted to competition on equal terms with manufacturing houses, rather than vice versa.

other languages strikes one with astonishment. It then becomes necessary to remember that the republic of the United States dates from within a century, and that the greater part of these hundred years have been occupied in conflict within and without, in sustaining a civil war, one of the longest and most bloody which are registered in the annals of history; in forming, so to speak, a population; in conquering foot by foot and clearing the soil. If one considers with impartial view the difficulties conquered in so little time, one comes to admire the rapidity of the progress made and to recognize the honorable part which belongs of right to the poets, historians, littérateurs of the young country,' as it is called by the Americans themselves.

"The educational book trade has a character of originality peculiarly its own; but indeed how vast a field is opened to its activity! In a country where education is one of the principal cares of those who govern, where they do not mind dispensing often extravagant sums for the schools, every publisher desires to issue his line of educational books, his series of five graduated Readers, a set of geographies, of grammars, of treatises on arithmetic. Let us add that the printing is in general very careful, the paper strong and solid; the illustrations are scattered in profusion through the book. Rarely does the sale stop below the expectations of the publisher; despite the competition, the very high price at which it is possible to sell these books (most commonly the Fifth Reader | sells at six or seven francs of our money) permits him to cover his expenses if the sale is slow, or to realize his profits if the book circulates widely."

M. Fouret then explains the division of the American trade into publishers, jobbers and retailers, noting the general tendency of American commerce" to combine in the same house the different branches of an industry. He says that "at this moment the American book trade is passing through a veritable crisis," arising from discounts in and outside of the trade, and notes that certain publishers are commencing to reduce their prices, "notably on juveniles, which are commonly sold at the enormous discount of sixty per cent."

He opens his notices of individual houses by a reference to the American News Company, which, "managed with great shrewdness, and at the same time with pluck," "has the control of a considerable capital, which is greatly increased by the deposits made by the small booksellers or newsdealers scattered through all the smallest towns of the Union; these retailers must furnish by way of provision, for their accounts with the company, a sum sufficient to cover the current supplies which are forwarded to them. This society, indeed, constitutes a power which the publishers cannot overlook; but it is proper to add that it does not appear to abuse the situation." M. Fouret then speaks in turn of the Appleton, Harper, Lippincott, and other exhibits, and pleasantly acknowledges the courtesy with which he was received at the A. B. T. A. Convention.

In regard to the British display, or the lack of it, M. Fouret speaks in almost severe terms. He says that "this reluctance seems to have become a rule which the British publishers adopt systematically in international exhibitions." Despite the lack of protection ac

64

corded to literary property and the grievous complications that sometimes result from it, and also in spite of the extravagant duties, the importation into the United States of books printed in England attains considerable proportions; every English publisher, before entering on an important publication, must reckon among his resources the returns from sales for the American market. It appeared, therefore, at first sight that the English book trade would have the greatest interest in being represented at Philadelphia, and there was reason to hope that it would depart from the line of conduct followed as to previous expositions." Most of the great houses, he adds, were conspicuous only by their absence.

His review of the German and Austrian exhibits opens with a little sketch of the rise of printing in Germany and a summary of the statistics and present features of the German trade, which is very interesting, and his cordial appreciation of the German display is the more to be admired because some of his countrymen have not of late years been equally catholic and just. While complimenting the ensemble of the exhibit, he expresses his regret that the close grouping did not permit of individual examination and judgment, particularly in the case of the large houses, although the exhibits were presented for individual and not for a collective award. "With some few exceptions, much to be regretted, the Leipzig collective exhibit presented an ensemble as complete as possible.' The printing in general was good, the merits and defects noted at previous expositions remaining as before. If we must reproach the German printers with having adopted the Roman characters only for works of science and with employing almost exclusively Gothic type, we must be thankful for the care given to the correctness and to the printing of the text. The German bindings have not the simplicity of good taste which distinguishes the English cloth bindings; but we must point out the remarkable results in their wood-engraving and color-printing."

Of the Netherlands collective exhibit he speaks as "presenting an ensemble the most interesting and the most complete of all; furthermore, it was disposed with a method which singularly facilitated study and research." There are brief notes also on exhibits from Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden and Norway, Russia, and Brazil and the Argentine Republic.

In conclusion, pointing out that at a site so far removed from the historic centres of bookproduction, and under conditions so unequal, it is not possible to make sweeping general conclusions, M. Fouret confines himself "solely to two conclusions: the one particular, that the ancient superiority of France on many points remains as undeniable as ever, brilliant especially in the éditions de grand luxe, in works of architecture and of art applied to industry and to public works, which display new splendor and which fear no comparison; this superiority, we are able to say with some pride, affirms and reasserts itself in the full ensemble of taste and harmony presented in the exhibit of the Cercle de la librairie."

'The other conclusion, more general, and not less encouarging, is that if we continue to maintain our rank, our rivals will not slacken their efforts: the German trade, with its compact and imposing ensemble, especially in scientific pub

BOOK NOTICES.

COUNT FRONTENAC AND NEW FRANCE UNDER LOUIS XIV., by Francis Parkman. (Little, Brown & Co.) This work, belonging to Mr. Parkman's series of historical narratives, "France and England in North America," follows "The Old Régime in Canada under Louis XIV.," and will be succeeded by a subject of scarcely less interest, Montcalm and the Fall of New France." The events recounted in the

present volume are grouped, or rather group themselves naturally, about a single figure, the Count Frontenac, "the most remarkable man,' according to Mr. Parkman, "who ever represented the crown of France in the New World. From strangely unpromising beginnings he grew with every emergency, and rose equal to every crisis. His whole career was one of conflict, sometimes petty and personal, sometimes of momentous consequence, involving the question of national ascendency on this continent." The study of French American history has been a life-long work with Mr. Parkman, and he has brought to the task an untiring energy in examining and collecting documents, visiting Indian tribes, and hunting up localities. The chief authorities upon which this book rests are drawn from the manuscript collections in the archives of the French Government. The accumulation, how. ever, of supplementary material in his possession has already become so formidable that it cannot be cited even within the limits of his work. Aside from the care bestowed upon all statements and deductions, there is a brilliancy in the style of the author foreign to almost all historians, and which gives to his pages the vivid interest of a romance. No one will dip into the book without desiring to finish it, even without any special leaning towards historical subjects. It is printed in unusually large, clear type, and is altogether noticeable for its handsome get-up. 8vo, cloth, $2.50.

"tramp,

NICHOLAS MINTURN, by J. G. Holland. (Scribner, A. & Co.) The subject of this novel, the regeneration and rehabilitation of the is not a very romantic or exciting one. It is handled, however, with so much skill, and illustrated by so many happy incidents, that, far from wearying the reader, it

party is carried back to New York, and Nicholas gives up his tour, determining to spend some part of his fortune and his time in trying to help the much-despised "tramp.' Although the plot is an every-day one, there is a good deal of intense writing in the book, and many exciting events. The story has been a feature of Scribner's for many months past. 12mo, cloth, $1.75.

THE NEW AMERICAN ARITHMETIC, PARTS I, 2, 3, and THE NEW AMERICAN PRACTICAL ARITHMETIC. (Butler & Co.) This new series of arithmetics, consisting of three different volumes, is designed for three stages of study. Part I contains only the principles of arithmetic, given in a simple and practical manner, oral and written exercises being presented on alternate pages. Part 2 contains fundamental

rules, problems in United States money, common fractions, relations of numbers, bills and accounts, denominate numbers, and decimal fractions.

Part 3 begins with a review of the closing topics of Part 2, and embraces percentage, ratio, proportion, partnership, equation of payments, analysis, involution, evolution, mensuration, a general review, and a brief insight into subjects generally treated in higher arithmetic. Öral exercises are used in all the parts for elucidating subjects. The volumes will be found very compact, with concise definitions, with few rules, and very clearly printed on good white paper. "The New American Practical Arithmetic" is a combination of Parts 2 and 3 of the foregoing series, and is issued for the convenience and assistance of teachers and schools.

UNDERBRUSH, by James T. Fields. (Osgood.) Neither the title of this charming little volume nor the Shakespearean quotation which adorns the title-page-" Plucked out of hedges, pitched in the ground confusedly"-quite does justice to the papers which compose it. Whether it is from the long intellectual summer drought we have gone through, or whether owing to the modest merits of the work itself, we have not for many weeks spent pleasanter hours than those bestowed upon its contents. "My Friend's Library" is full of the anecdotes and reminiscences of literary people Mr. Fields tells so well.

66

An

"A Peculiar Case" is an exceedingly humorous study of a young " Down East lad," Cyrus" by name, employed once by the author in his summer holidays; the essay is Botherclever enough to be quoted entire. some People," Old-Time Scholar," "Diamonds and Pearls," Getting Home Again,' and "The Author of Paul and Virginia,' with the charming grace of style which make are made up of both facts and fancies, blended the mere nothings of a cultivated man delightful and acceptable. 18mo, cloth, $1.25.

His