RECENT ENGLISH PUBLICATIONS. Vol. 1. Roy. 8°. Simpkin... .18s. Borntu, I.-Inner Life of Syria, Palestine, and the Holy | Moliere. Dramatic Works. Transl. by H. van Laun. Land. Illustr. 8°. 2 vols. Henry S. King.........24s. Caspari's Grammar of the Arabic Language. 2 vols., complete. 8°. Williams & Norg.... ......£1 35. Croll, J.-Climate and Time in their Geological Relations. 8°. Daldy & Isbister.... £1 45. ....145. Mr. Romford's Hounds. By Author of "Handley ...15s. 8s. 6d. Globe. 8°. 6s. Savile, Rev. B. W.-The Primitive and Catholic Faith. 8°. Longmans 75. Stanford.. Griffith, A.-Memorials of Millbank. Illustr. Post 8°. Henry S. King.... The Two Things Wanted. THERE are two things the American book trade needs the assurance that when they buy books to sell, they can make a living profit on what they do sell, and the wide-awake interest in their calling that will keep them well up to their work. It is the particular business of the Niagara Convention to bring about the first desideratum, and it can do it if it will. Every thing is ripe for a decided stand. If not only the numerical majority, but the several interests represented at the Convention, can agree upon a plan which they generally believe can be carried out, and will pledge themselves to carry out that plan, and will then stand to it, without jumping at every rumor that this or that house has" gone back on the reform," that plan is bound to succeed. What platform that shall be, demands the most cautious consideration. Theoretically, it can be defined in a sena return to the advertised retail prices of books, with only such exceptions as may be found necessary to keep such a reform effective in practice. The whole question turns on what these exceptions must be. tence After considerable talk among the trade, we are led to fear that some considerable exceptions must be made, lest the bow drawn too tight should snap. This, let us repeat, is not our view of what should be, but we are anxious, as we trust the members of the Convention will be anxious, to waive individual opinions and agree on what is generally conceded to be possible. Certainly, the Put-in Bay platform is too loose .125. Schmidt, H.-Foreign Banking Arbitration: Its Theory and Practice. Post 8°. Low. Science and Revelation Lectures. 8°. Hamilton..... 5s. Swinburne, A. C.-Essays and Studies. Post 8°. Chatto & Windus.... ....125. Symonds, J. A.-Renaissance in Italy. 8°. Smith & Elder. ..16s. Thompson, A. C.-Preludes. With illustr., etc., by E. Thompson. Post 8°. Henry S. King.. 7s. 6d. Whitehurst, F. M.-My Private Diary during the ....12s. Wynter, A.-The Borderlands of Insanity. Post 8°. Hardwicke.. .6s. in definition. We want, in the first place, a defined statement that not 20 per cent, but retail prices, are to rule. Then, it seems to us, a specified limit, $100 at a time or what you will, should define large buyers. If it shall prove, as seems likely, that libraries (which are among the largest buyers), school-boards, etc., teachers, and possibly clergymen (though the reduction to them is on other grounds, and cheapens their calling), must be allowed some discount, let us have this clearly defined, so that there may be no misunderstandings Moreover, the time at which, or the conditions on which, any platform is to go into operation must be made clear. And once that platform is reached, the trade must make up its mind that it is to stand. A strong, determined organization is what is wanted now: public opinion is pretty well educated and the trade sentiment thoroughly awakened, and now the thing is to do something, and stick to it. Whether such a platform is to be enforced by penalty, or whether the reforming trade is simply to say that, as a matter of common sense, they don't propose to buy books from those who cut under their own customers, should be decided at Niagara. The latter seems to us the proper and natural and effective way, and the trade have the power in their own hands. If they make up their minds to let any house that chooses to help along underselling severely alone, it seems to us that will be abundant penalty and efficacious remedy. Most of the publishers now recognize the fact that in even permitting their customers to undersell they are doing themselves, directly form. On it the prosperity of the book trade and indirectly, real harm. of the country and its growth closely depends. If it fails of wise action, the whole trade will be much harmed. With this momentous issue before it, and in view of the character of its members, we look to see it accomplish the most important results. WE give elsewhere the latest railroad arrangements for the Convention, and as there will not be another number of the WEEKLY to reach Once a reform is made effective, and the living profit assured, all the rest comes of it self. These conventions, the local organizations all over the country, and finally the Book Fair, tend to the same purpose. They vitalize the trade by bringing it together. And that is just what the trade wants. Compared with other trades, even in matters of pure luxury, it does a very small business. That business can be vastly increased, if the distributing trade booksellers before the gathering, those wishing can be made to feel that it has something to work for. Now the Book Fair brings every body together, publisher and retailer, Easterner and Westerner-a chief purpose of the trade sales, which they never accomplished. Yet it does not force stock upon the dealer, but enables him to buy thoughtfully, wisely, and to balance his stock, and thus sends him home, not with a lot of stock that is to be dead on his shelves and lock up his capital, but with books he knows he can sell, so that he may turn over his money and send it all back before the holidays. Our indications lead us to believe that the attendance at the present Fair will be large, and the sales large; others believe that at this time of the year it can not be a great success. That remains to be seen. Whether or no, this first Fair is an experiment, and unless it should be a dead failure, of which we see no possibility, the benefits of the new system are by no means to be tested altogether by it. Those who criticise details of arrangements, or question the cost, will find that all these matters will right themselves for the next. Ultimately, we have no doubt but that the trade will regard the Fair as one of the best things in the reform. But first is the Convention. That is the turning-point. We are not of the weaker brethren who believe that if it fails to obtain general and effective agreement on some one measure, all possibilities of reform are over for this day and generation. But certainly reform would then be against wind and tide. There are croakers further information are referred to the local agents. We urge all who have not done so to apply for their certificates at once, and especial ly request those going from New-York and the East, by any of the special trains, to send immediate notice, as the circular requests. The whole trade seems to be coming. Two hundred certificates are already issued. There promise to be nearly fifty from New-York, twenty-five from Philadelphia, as many from Boston, ten each from several of the Western cities, and hundreds more from the smaller places, at Niagara. The trade is heartily to be congratulated. THE immense labor involved in preparing the Book Fair Supplement and the Educational Number, with the work in connection with the Convention and Fair, both in our editorial and printing offices, must explain and excuse some irregularities in the issue of our July numbers The present issue, having been delayed on account of the Book Fair Supplement, is now dated ahead July 10th, and the latter, embracing some 140 pages, is to take the place of the number for July 3d. Our next issue, probably, will also be detained a few days in order to admit some Convention matter, and, we hope, a plan of the Book Fair. The issues for the 24th and 31st will be consolidated into an extra educational number, published at the latter date, and with this there will be a trade sup who fear that, what with misunderstandings, plement, giving the full official reports of the and recriminations, and individual selfishness, the Convention will be misled into dissension and confusion, and will accomplish nothing. We do not so mistake the temper and good sense and power of the trade. It is no longer so weak as to be at the mercy of schismatics, should any arise. It will hear justly such explanations as it may have occasion to call for; and if it finds any house in fault, it will not allow that to discourage or estop the reform. The trade is now a power, stronger than any one, or two, or half dozen houses, and we trust its wise action at Niagara will prove that to all. The Convention is the crisis of the re Convention, etc., and reports from the Book THE Uniform Trade List Annual for 1875, if we are able to carry out our present plans, will contain an index to the most important books included in its lists. This is a feature which the trade has generally urged us to adopt, and which we have been anxious to make use of, but it was difficult to see our way clear to doing it without considerable loss, unless the Annual Reference List be omitted or the price of the work were raised. Mr. Whitaker finds himself compelled to raise the price of his volume, although the work is much less costly enemies theory" on which he thinks the Engto make in England than here, and we find that lish publishers proceed, in regard to authors one index which was offered us by a member and their copyright. Charles Reade writes to of the trade whose industry should make him the Publishers' Circular as being "well able to famous, containing thirty thousand items with- | instruct any living Englishman on this one subout any of the needed subject headings, would ject," and concludes a characteristic letter with cost us from $1500 to $1600 to print. This this statement in small caps: "International illustrates the magnitude of the enterprise. copyright, and a place of business in London, Neither time nor cost would permit us to give that is the great game of an American publishso extended an index as this, for the profit on last er." Dr. Holland strikes the same note in year's volume was not more than adequate re- Scribner's in saying, "International copyright turn for the great labor its compilation involves, can be brought about only when American and does not really justify further expenditure. literature becomes as valuable in England as But we shall replace the Annual Reference English literature is here." List with an Index which will be of no little service to the trade, and next year we shall have the American Catalogue. The subscription price of the Annual will not be raised. sue. WE print elsewhere a further letter from Messrs. Ivison, Phinney & Blakeman, and a sharp reply from Messrs. A. S. Barnes & Co. to the correspondence in our last isWe deprecate the publication of both series, but we felt compelled to print the first set, as it was requested by one of the parties, and of course fair play demands that the reply shall also have space. But we give notice that we shall hereafter hold ourselves justified in declining to print correspondence which seems likely to precipitate personal quarrels, and accomplish little otherwise; and further, that we reserve the right, unless it shall give any party to a controversy an unfair advantage, or unless we are specially desired by the party sending not to do so, to bring correspondence directly to the attention of the parties accused, or before the proper arbitration committee, previously to its being put in print. And, in this particular case, it seems to us it would have been much better to have had the question brought directly before the Board of Trade Committee. We don't desire to suppress any issues that arise, but we do desire that all disputes should be set right by the constituted authorities, if possible, instead of having them brought before the trade in a way to provoke indefinite recrimination, without promoting justice. We are especially desirous, also, that the precedent should be set to the trade of bringing all disputes to an amicable adjustment, instead of a hostile issue. THERE has been a good deal of discussion lately over the copyright matter. The London Bookseller summed up the platform of the English authors' association in a very sweeping satire, which provokes from Mr. Smalley, in the Tribune, a strong statement of the "natural AN old and valued subscriber to the WEEKLY for are not friends dearer as they part from us?-pays up his subscription through July, and writes to us: "Then please discontinue without further notice. It is useless to keep informed on books when underselling publishers don't allow us (practically) to deal in them." Now, isn't that hard? Later R.R. Arrangements. In addition to the particulars given in the last issue of the WEEKLY, we add the following: NEW-YORK.-The Erie tickets are now for sale at the general office, 529 Broadway, on the Committee's certificates. It is again urged that all who can, whether from New-York or the East, will take the special Erie train on Monday evening. Mr. W. C. Gould, to whom the trade is already so much indebted, has arranged with the Dickerson House, Corning, for breakfast on the up trip, and will arrange with the usual stations on the return trip for other meals, at reduced rates. Tickets will be sold by the N. Y. Central R.R., from New-York to Niagara and return, at $17.50 (regular rate, $9.25 each way); Albany to Niagara and return, $12. By the courtesy of the NewYork Herald, we are enabled to state that if many desire to avail themselves of its special train, leaving New-York at 2.30 A.M. Sunday, and reaching Niagara at 1.40 P.M. same day, the fair will be put at $8. Those who are to go by any of these special trains, Herald or via Erie, from New-York, should endeavor to notify the Committee at once. Particular attention is called to the importance of this matter. PHILADELPHIA.-Mr. J. R. Elliot, of Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger, acting for Mr. George Remsen, the local agent, informs us that arrangements will probably be made for special accommodation direct to Niagara, at reduced rates. Mr. Remsen will give information and furnish local certificates for the R.R. reduction to those going from Philadelphia, although the Committee's general certificates are necessary for the hotel reductions and return trip, and should be applied for. and Albany R.R. seems possible, except for both BOSTON. No arrangement with the Boston ways via Albany, at $21, in case the Boston people generally adopt that route. As this would not permit a break for Book Fair, Eastern dealers are advised to come by boat, connecting with special Erie train from New-York. The Narragansett Steamboat Company desires to be assured of the sale of a certain number of tickets, so that all intending to come that way will please notify Mr. William Lee at once. WESTERN CITIES.-The trade is indebted to Mr. Martin Taylor, who has worked indefatigably in this matter, for the following later arrangements: Via Toledo, Wabash, and Western R.R.— Round-trip tickets to Niagara and return, from St. Louis, $20; Hannibal, $22; Quincy, $22; Keokuk, $23; Jacksonville, Ill., $20; Peoria, Ill., $20; Decatur, $20; Bloomington, $18; Danville, $18; Tolono, $18 Lafayette. $15; Logansport, $14; Peru, $14; Fort Wayne, $12. Leave St. Louis 7 P.M.; arrive at Toledo, 10.25 A.M.; arrive at Niagara Falls via Canada Southern, at 9.10 P.M. Tickets on sale at their offices July 5th to 23d; good for return to October 31st. Via Canada Southern, or G. W. R.R.-To Niagara and return, Detroit, $7. From Cincinnati, via Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton R.R., to Toledo, thence by Canada Southern to Niagara Falls and return, $15. Leave Cincinnati in the evening, breakfast in Toledo, arrive at Niagara Falls at 9.10 P.M. Via Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and In dianapolis R.R., and Lake Shore and Michigan Southern-To Niagara and return, from Cincinnati, $18.15; Dayton, $15.90; Indianapolis, $19.70; Springfield, $14.90; Bellefontaine, $14; Columbus, $13.90; Delaware, $12.90; Crestline, $11.40; Cleveland, $8.35. Tickets sold from July 8th to 23d, good to October 31st. Via Detroit and Milwaukee R.R.-To Niagara Falls and return, from Milwaukee, $15; Grand Haven, $13; Grand Rapids, $12; Ionia, $10.70; St. Johns, $10.35; Ovid, $10.05; Owassa, $9.75; Fenton, $8.80; Holly, $8.70; Pontiac, $8. All branches and stations of the D. & M. R.R. via G. W. R.R., one fare the round trip. Those coming from the Northwest, or living on lines centring in Milwaukee, should avail themselves of the cheap rate offered by this route. Parties coming from Chicago can make a saving of from $6 to $8 by coming to Grand Haven by steamer, or by Chicago and Northwestern to Milwaukee. Chicago. We have been unable to make any special rates with lines leading out of Chicago direct. In case the special limited tickets which are now on sale at all ticket-offices in Chicago to New-York are still sold during the month of July, Mr. Taylor will arrange that parties purchasing such tickets via Erie R.R. shall have the time extended so as to leave Niagara Falls on special train to New-York after close of Convention. It is important that all through tickets should be via Erie R.R. Negotiations are now pending with Lehigh Valley R.R., covering Baltimore, Philadelphia, Allentown, Bethlehem, Pittston, Wilkesbarre, and Towanda. A large number of important points are covered by the Pennsylvania R.R. summer excursion rates, which can be obtained from Mr. Samuel Carpenter, General Eastern Agent, 526 Broadway, New-York. Postscript.-BOSTON : The Norwich line offers general excursion tickets to New-York and return, at $6, from Boston or Worcester, and most of the trade are likely to take this route, we hear. Mr. William Lee should be applied to for tickets by those wishing to leave Boston Sunday night via Narragansett Steamboat line, to connect with the train Monday night, as by arrangement with that company the special tickets for the New-England trade have been placed in his hands. PHILADELPHIA: We have telegraphic advices that arrangements have just been concluded with the Lehigh and Erie roads, from Philadelphia to Niagara, and back again to NewYork, at $13. Apply to Mr. Remsen or Mr. Elliot for information. ERIE R. R. From all points on Erie Railroad, round-trip tickets to Niagara, thence to New-York, thence home, will be sold at $10. ROCK ISLAND, ILL.: Round trip to Niagara and back, via Peoria and Rock Island and Wabash lines, $25. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The interests of the trade can not be better served, than by a full discussion by its members of all questions which affect it. Our columns are always open to communications on any such subject, provided they be brief and suggestive, and we cordially invite the trade to express any suggestions or opinions of interest or value in "Letters to the Editor." A Letter from Messrs. Barnes. NEW-YORK, June 28, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: DEAR SIR: It is our purpose to make no public reply at present to the complaint of our Chicago customers; with regard to our recent offer to the Board of Education in that city. We hardly feel that the columns of the WEEKLY are the proper place for such a discussion, which should rather go before the proper tribunals appointed to take cognizance of all infractions of the laws of the trade, and to these we cheerfully hold ourselves amenable. We have wished, however, that our vindication might come from those who first accused us, believing that a more thorough knowledge of the circumstances on their part would entitle us to it. Let it suffice for the present to say that we acted, according to our best judgment, for the interests of all concerned; and if we have really wronged the Chicago trade, no one can regret it more than we do. We speak of the Chicago trade only, for we do not feel in any sense responsible for the publicity given to the transaction, which, it is claimed, will demoralize business elsewhere. We hope to prove, at the proper time, that there is no fault in us in the whole matter, but in the interval must respectfully protest against further "trial by newspaper." Our purpose in writing now is to "confess judgment" on another count. It is a new one, and is brought to our attention by the pleasantly expressed note of our neighbors, Messrs. Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., who fired a shot at long range in your last number, over the heads of Jansen, McClurg & Co., and Potter, Ainsworth & Co., but so plainly destined for us that we accept notice, like Captain Scott's coon, and offer to come down," without waiting for another volley. We almost despair of doing any thing that will entirely please the great and good house in Grand street; but in this case it seems we have deeply, darkly, and deliberately wronged them, by permitting our senior to be and remain a "special partner" in that other wicked firm, which for years and years (by full license of the Publishers' Board of Trade) has been supplying "P., D. & S. Copy-books" to the Chicago schools at a special price. The peculiar wickedness of all this is aggravated by the fact that Spencerian Copy-books are eligible, and would, no doubt, be very cheerfully supplied to take the place of "P., D. & S." And the publishers of "Spencerian," by a strange coincidence, are Messrs. Ivison & Co. But this merely accidental circumstance should not, of course, be permitted to weigh against the evident purity of their present motives, and new-born zeal to suppress such a scandal of the trade. The dismal prediction with which their note closes fills us with gloom. We know now that they have foreseen disaster all along, for by their very cautious treatment of all trade questions they have certainly not put their "backbone," as a strong column, under any measures of trade relief. As our sad brotherhood shall contemplate the future ruins of the now apparently flourishing "book trade associations," which nevertheless, we learn by this distinguished authority, "are nothing but a farce and a snare," at least no one can shake gory locks at the great and good, and say, "Thou didst it;" for these associations were not "founded on their support," but on the sand-and so they told us; and the rains came, and the winds blew, and down fell the associations, and great was the fall thereof! Yours, sorrowfully, A. S. BARNES & Co. The Chicago Copy-Book Matter. There is no doubt but it has become, as your correspondent of May 26th says, indispensable to the trade, and it will be no less a necessity when the" Finding List" is published, for all who receive the "Finding List" will certainly have the Annual also; and those who can not, or think they can not, afford the former, will of course need the Annual. It has already, in short, become as important a book-trade appliance as your yearly list of school-books. The criticisms of your correspondent are just, but we do not hope to see them effect much change for the better; for where bibliography is so little studied as in our country, we can not hope for perfect catalogues, but must take them as they come. The improvements he suggests, while admitted as being improvements, are impractical because of the expense they would add to the volume; an expense disproportionate to the benefit derived (we refer to indexing on edge by coloring or lettering). When the "English Reference Catalogue" was published almost simultaneously with our own Annual, there was naturally a comparison made between the merits of the two volumes, and users, especially among those outside of the trade (large book-buyers and librarians), gave preference to the English as the best bookfirst, because of the binding; second, because of the index. Now, as far as the binding is concerned, we think our own Annual has received as constant and hard usage as any other copy, and we have found the binding to stand excel· lently well, amply well enough for the purpose. The index to the English Reference List is certainly a rather indifferent affair, and yet those who have used the volume will say that, even incomplete as it is acknowledged to be, it is of the greatest use in facilitating reference. Some time since, a customer asked for Mr. Dale's "Works on Baptism." Not having them, he said he would like a complete set ordered, provided the cost came within his present means. Now, we knew that the books were catalogued somewhere in the Annual, but had forgotten the publisher. We called to our aid every one in the store, and yet could not learn the publishers or price, even our chief clerk being at a loss, though he has been ten or twelve NEW YORK, June 30, 1875. years in the trade, and has boasted in our hearing that the Annual is of no practical use to him. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: DEAR SIR: In your editorial reference to the We consequently lost a probable customer. Had there been an index to the Annual of 1874, Chicago copy-book correspondence, you say : a moment's time would have served for finding We learn, on inquiry, that notice was given to the committee that competition from outside all the information we wanted. While therethe Board compelled the reduced price to before apologizing to Messrs. Rutter & Co. for made, in which case the Board rules lapse for that particular instance." The rule referred to in the correspondence is that prohibiting branch houses from selling at a better discount than one third. Many members of the Board will learn with surprise, we are sure, that power exists under the by-laws for any committee to cause the aforesaid rule to lapse continuously, or even at all; and there are some who would like to see an authoritative statement of any committee to that effect. Yours truly, IVISON, BLAKEMAN, TAYLOR & Co. The Annual and an Index. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: disremembering so important a publication as their edition of Mr. Dale's works, we feel that what is needed to make our Annual all that is required, is a thorough index. Why can not we have an index for the next issue of the Annual in September? We think the trade, who must be able to appreciate the importance of it, would willingly pay enough more per copy to cover the added expense. We therefore move that the "Trade-List Annual "for 1875 be indexed. S. A Sensible Voice from the Second-hand Trade. BALTIMORE, June 16, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: DEAR SIR: I do not think my branch of the trade has been heard from on the reform move |