THE UNIVERSAL FAMILY PAPER FOR INTER-COMMUNICATIONS ON

NATURAL HISTORY-POPULAR SCIENCE-THINGS IN GENERAL.

Conducted by WILLIAM KIDD, of Hammersmith,—

AUTHOR OF THE FAMILIAR AND POPULAR ESSAYS ON "NATURAL HISTORY;" "BRITISH SONG BIRDS; "BIRDS OF PASSAGE;' ""INSTINCT AND REASON;" "THE AVIARY," &c.

"THE OBJECT OF OUR WORK IS TO MAKE MEN WISER, WITHOUT OBLIGING THEM TO TURN OVER FOLIOS AND QUARTOS.-TO FURNISHI MATTER FOR THINKING AS WELL AS READING."-EVELYN.

of such strolls, and the little innocent incidents connected therewith-such as meeting a marching regiment of young Misses, headed by their "correct" governess, who, when they come to a stile, coughs, and keeps them all stationary till you have passed; &c. &c. In our days of boyhood, we resented these little annoying manoeuvres on the part of these "prim" pieces of educational parchment, and we would look behind us; aye, and "assist!" Why not? What did we see?only a pretty ankle or two (now carefully concealed by modern drapery and disgusting prudery from the observation of passersby), and some harmless feats of juvenile gymnastics, followed by much pretty confusion of little ambling feet; also a ruddy tint on the cheek, which it did us good to behold. Health and innocence nestled in that ruddy tint, when WE were boys; and many, many times have we saluted it, and imparted that innocence and health to our own-rejoicing in "the impression" all the week, and praying for the Sabbath to come round again soon, that we might possess ourselves of it in duplicate.

"Nunc pia simplicitas nostris fugit exul ab

arvis!"

But lest we be charged with some hidden meaning, whilst discoursing even in one line of the unknown tongue," let us anglicise Virgil's thought, and lament with him at the departure (or rather "flight") of holy simplicity from our fields and hedge-rows.' “ Honi soit qui mal y pense !”

say wo.
Oh, that we could return to the
innocence of our first estate !" We blush
for the world we inhabit. But let us to the
garden, whilst its beauty lasts. We have,
in a former paper, noticed the roses. They
deserved and obtained a separate notice.

Tis now that the flaring peony (WE have in our garden some of the most beautiful of their kind) throws up its splendid globes of crimson and blush color, from out its rich dome-like pavilion of dark leaves. We daily observe, too, the elegant yet exoticlooking family of the amaranths putting on their fantastical attire of fans, feathers, and fringes; and in a few days, we hope to gaze on that most lovely and pathetic little innocent, "Love-lies-bleeding."

Then again let us behold the Balsams. How these delicate creatures rejoice in the air, which is allowed to blow upon them! Like too tender maidens, they have been sighing for this, ever since they came into bloom; not considering, in their innocence, that one rude breath of air would have blown them into their graves.

The Fuchsia next claims our attention. That most exquisitely-formed of all our flowers, native or exotic, is no longer confined

like an invalid to a fixed temperature, but it is permitted to mix with its more hardy brethren in the open air.

Now do the whole tribe of Geraniums "get leave of absence from their Winter barracks," and are allowed to keep guard on each side of the hall door, in their gay regimentals of scarlet and crimson; carefully and neatly arranged "each under each." But we must be brief with the rest.

See where the favorite family of the Pinks shoot up their hundred-leaved heads from out their low, ground-loving clump of frostylooking leaves. They seem in such haste to scatter abroad their load of sweetness, that they break down the polished sides of the pretty green vase in which they are set; and hang about it like the tresses of a school girl on the afternoon of dancing-day.

Now, Sweet Williams (let us rejoice that OUR name is "William!") lift up their bold but handsome faces right against the meridian sun, disdaining to shrink or bend beneath his most ardent gaze. Hence their claim to the name of "William "—a “Conquering" name, that has ever carried and ever will carry all before it!

Now the Columbine dances a pas-seul to the music of the breeze. It is her "first

her

appearance this season," and she performs
harlequin husband, fritillary, has not been
part to admiration, notwithstanding her
heard of for the last month.
globe flower now flings up its balls of gold
The yellow
into the air; and the modest little Virginia
stock scatters its rubies and sapphires, and
pearls, purposely upon the ground. Lupins
too, are "looking up." They spread their
wings for flight, but cannot for very fond-
which they seem hovering,
ness escape from the handsome leaves over

We must on no account take our leave of
loved, innocent friend Mignonette. She is
the garden, before introducing our much-
all must admire "in whom dwells soul."
now making good her pretty name, which

Au reste, the princely poppy, and starry marigold, the innocent little wild pansy, the germander-these will spring up, unasked, pretty pimpernel, and the dear little blue all over the garden; and can any of us find it in our hearts to treat them as "weeds?"

MODERN MARRIAGES.-Most of our modern marriages are contracted in the ledger, and concluded according to the weight of the cash-Lox; some are estimated by the height, length, and breadth of the family pedigree, or by rank and station in life; others again have their origin in each idolises the other; but when sober, discovers blind sensuality, wherein, intoxicated by passion, that a fiend prompted the worship. Then is "married life, harried life," and the anticipated endless spring proves perpetual winter.-From a little volume called Labor stands on Golden Feet."

66

POPULAR DISCUSSIONS.

do as did the Innkeepers on our high roads, resign in favor of the public voice.

The

NO. VII. THE BOOKSELLERS AND public demanded railways, and would have

NOW THAT THE CLAIMS of the Crystal Palace have been fully satisfied, and the interest excited thereby amongst "all Nations" has entirely subsided, another great question forces itself upon the British Public, we mean the " Booksellers' question."

66

This question is of the last importance to all persons interested in it; for it involves some very serious considerations that cannot be lightly set aside; and as we conceive the matter to come peculiarly within our pro vince for discussion, we will try and sift the why and because" as well as the tendency of themovement." The principal facts have already been brought in detail before the public; but as there has been much foreign matter mixed up with them, we will endeavor to place the whole in a clear light, so that he who runs may read"--the great object sought to be accomplished by this

article.

The great publishing houses in London have, in their hot-headed zeal, recently deemed it advisable to interfere with the profits or discounts usually allowed, up to the present time, to certain of the retail dealers. They assign as a reason for this, that some of the retail houses have been in the habit of selling books to the Public at a lower rate of discount than is sanctioned by "the Trade." The discount sanctioned by the trade, to be allowed to the public, is 10 per cent. By some persons 20 per cent. has been commonly allowed!

what they wanted; the public also want books at cost price, and vow they will have them. The weakest here must go to the wall.

But let us now show how very greatly authors have been indebted to the retail have issued a new work, by an author of dealers. Supposing Messrs. LONGMAN & Co. unknown merit, and on a subject perhaps in the regular way of trade, has been taken not particularly popular. Well, this book, round and shown to all the retail dealers previously to publication. This has been a customary thing, and it is technically called Subscribing a Book."

The retail bookseller's judgment not having time to exercise itself to decide, in two or three hasty moments on the merits of the book submitted to him, he looks to the "terms" on which the books are "offered " to him for purchase. He finds that instead of an allowance of 25 per cent., there is on this occasion (only) a temptation put in his way of a still further discount of 5 per cent.; and that any number of books he may choose to order, not fewer than four, will be put down to a six months' account; whereas, if he decided against speculation, and did not order the four copies, he would have to pay cash for a single copy (if ordered of him by a customer), and at a rate of profit not exceeding 25 per cent. Under the tempting considerations we have alluded to, very many extra copies of a book would be, and have been, disposed of, and spread over the metropolis-this, to the great advantage of an author.

Let us analyse this principle closer. If an obstinate author,-most authors are so! were by his whims and caprices to refuse the This arbitrary proceeding on the part of houses in Paternoster Row the usual trade the great houses, who have armed themselves allowance, of course his book would be with a power which they do not legally pos- altogether banished from this grand emposess, has been denounced in no measured lan- rium of literature. All the retail bookguage by Lord CAMPBELL; and "the asso- sellers, who flock down here as to the ciation" (as the illegal Synod termed them- fountain head, not finding the book they selves) has been dissolved. They adinit now, wanted to be readily obtained at their usual one and all, that they have, by their own in-market, would make no further inquiry sane folly, "put their foot in it." However, for it; and it would die "still born." The the matter will not rest here-a crisis is at author might "advertise " it, as many authors hand, and the sooner it takes place the better. do, to be had at his own private residence ; We give below some remarks by our contem- but the sale would be ridiculously small. porary, the CRITIC, on this subject, which In fact, the book would, to all intents and will be read with interest. We shall to-day purposes, be "burked." The greater thereconfine ourselves to the question of " Authors | fore the facility given to the circulation of a and the Retail Booksellers;" and show how book, the greater the sale. the former have ever been deeply indebted will trouble themselves to walk about, from to the latter. In making this inquiry, we shop to shop, without finding the book for give no opinion about the desolation that which they are in search. If nobody keeps appears to hang in terrorem over the large it, they argue it can be good for nothing. number of retail dealers in town and country. Have we not OURSELVES suffered imWe imagine that they must, sooner or later,mensely from this very JOURNAL not having

Few people

feelingly. There are a vast many more interesting matters connected with the subject, to which we shall return. The "Cheap Booksellers" must not be let off scot-free. Meantime let not the public imagine for one instant, that they will ever buy books one farthing cheaper because they buy them of the PUBLISHERS who issue them. We shall set this point quite at rest, anon.

(From the "Critic.")

been obtainable in the various shops of London when asked for? also, of the provincial booksellers? The "character" of our Periodical it is true, has, during its weekly progress, gone abroad; and many people (fortunately for us) have persevered till they did get what they wanted. But it is not so in every instance; and the cost of forcing the JOURNAL by advertisement, and other means, has to us been truly serious. That which by the co-operation of the booksellers might have been effected by the Lord Campbell has given judgment against the smallest possible outlay, has cost us several Booksellers' Association, and it is dissolved. hundreds of pounds. We do not wish to The question now is, what must be done? Public bear unfairly hard upon the booksellers, as opinion has also pronounced itself strongly on we are aware that "periodicals" are trou- the same side;-of course it applauds those who blesome, and occupy time in the collection sell cheapest, even though the effect of it is to and in the delivery. It was this that caused destroy thousands of dealers, and make a few us to issue QUARTERLY VOLUMES as well great monopolies. Nevertheless the deed is as weekly numbers; and we need hardly say booksellers all over the country, who are condone. Sentence has gone forth against the retail how materially this has benefited the circu-signed to certain ruin. It was for their protection lation and notoriety of the work.

If the great houses are to sell their own publications hereafter, over the counter, and the usual avenues for an extended sale and notoriety are to be closed (which no doubt they will be),then, we tell authors without any fear of being contradicted, that their interests will suffer very material damage; and so they will find it.

With respect to the allowance of 25 per cent. to the retail dealer, we maintain it is not too large for the risk he runs. If a man overspeculate on grocery, meat, or any article of necessary consumption, he can find buyers readily-not so with books, which are essential luxuries. A man may be "fond" of reading, but he may not be able to "afford" to pay for such a luxury. Whereas life MUST be supported, and he MUST buy and eat.

In the matter of books; if they do not "sell," and the retail dealer has three left on his hands out of four (a not uncommon oc

currence), what is their market value? Mere waste paper. We are practically acquainted with all these matters, and speak

*We must here notice the beneficial effect produced by the introduction of the NEW POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS. Authors are now able, independent of the trade, to send their books and periodicals all over the country without a moment's delay, at the rate of 6d. per lb. weight! We have ourselves benefited by this to an immense extent, and shall continue to do so.-ED. K. J.

Aware of this trouble, we went round to all the various dealers, and offered voluntarily and readily to EXCHANGE every week, until disposed of, any copy or copies of the "JOURNAL" that they might purchase. This, although relieving them of all risk, failed to induce them to invest the outlay of even one single penny! Hence is our complaint" reasonable," and their conduct unjustifiable. However, the Post-office authorities have "punished" them sufficiently —ED. K. J.

The

only that the association was formed. Publishers had no personal interest in it. They could have no object in allowing twenty-five per cent. to the retailer, beyond the benefit of the retailer. [This is very questionable!]

But the Publishers are told now, that they have no right to concern themselves at all about the retailer; that they have but to sell their books at their own prices, leaving the retailer to

determine at what prices he will sell each one, adding to the Publisher's price so much as he considers will remunerate him. Therefore the Publishers must now look to themselves alone, and take no thought beyond their own counters. This is the judgment of Lord Campbell, the desire of the Times," the proposal of Mr Gladstone, and the resolution of the authors. Let the Publishers, then, bow to the decision, and henceforth regulate their business accordingly.

We would propose to them that they carry out the principle that has been pronounced to be discount at all, but fix their own prices for their the right one, and that in future they allow no books, and sell them at those prices to any person who pays cash for them over the counter, leaving the buyer to sell them again at any advance beyond this he will or can. This would be the simplest course, the fairest to all, and it would be carrying out the spirit as well as the letter of prevailed. [This, brother "Critic," will never the opponents of the system that has hitherto do. "Live and let live" must not be altogether lost sight of; and how could a retail dealer "live" under such circumstances!]

for so full a measure of " justice to all," they are If, however, the Publishers are not prepared bound, in fairness to themselves, to reduce their discounts. The argument of the opponents of the Association is, that the discount of twentyfive per cent. is too great: that the retailer can thrive with less profit than this, and indeed, "the undersellers" have been content with ten or even with five per cent. Such, too, was the effect of the decision of the arbitrators.

So be it. The course of the Publishers is clear. Let them come to a unanimous resolve in future to reduce their discounts to ten, or at