CURRENT LITERATURE.
Fifty Years Among Authors, Books, and Publishers. By J. C. Derby. (G. W. Carleton, New York.)—Mr. Derby began his experiences of the book-trade in a town in the State of New York, bearing the highly literary name of Auburn. This was in 1833. During the fifty years that have passed since then he has seen much of publishers and authors, and puts together his experiences in a pleasant volume which might, however, have been not unprofitably reduced in size. Some of the successes recorded are indeed remark- able. Of the genuine publications of "Peter Parley," for instance (the real name of the author was S. G. Goodrich), eleven millions have been published up to the present time. This was a legitimate success. But what are we to say of what Mr. Derby speaks of as a "so-called religions novel," "The Prince of the House of David," a very poor production, as we ourselves can testify, reaching a sale of a quarter of a million ? In curious contrast with this, we learn that an issue of Balzao's novels did not repay the expenditure. In fact, after four volumes had been published,
the venture was dropped. Not a few reprints of non- American anthers have, it is needless to say, been anything but unremunerative. "Les Miserables" had a great sale, one whole- sale dealer purchasing twenty-five thousand at once. What Victor Hugo received for them we are not told. Indeed, on this subject, the remuneration of the non-American author, Mr. Derby is pro- foundly silent. He recognises, however, the merits of the American publishers who have struggled for international copyright, especially of Mr. G. P. Putnam. This gentleman began his efforts more than forty years ago. " Quonsque tandem F" The rapacity of some of the American houses in this respect is almost incredible. They will prefer pirating a book to buying it of the English publishers at the very large discount (50 per cent.) which these are commonly willing to give, if they can thus increase in the slightest degree their margin of profit. Experto credite.
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