fer a slower but steady sale at a reasonable compensation, If teachers do not thus speculate in books, but hold to the same set until they are convinced a better series makes a change permanently desirable, the twenty per cent will allow them a fair margin to distribute books at retail prices. That the trade fail to recognize the service of teachers in co-operating to extend the circulation of books, is disproved by all the "platforms;" but it should be co-operation and not opposition. The trade simply desires that each shall have his share of compensation. Why a teacher should not have the same discount as a bookseller, is easily to be seen. The latter, to keep a good bookstore, must take risks and carry much slow-selling stock; the former buys only on a certainty, for it is he who says what books shall have a sale, and he does not attempt to extend business beyond. That is why the publisher, to promote the book business, must protect the bookseller. To pass to our“ dialogue,” in which the disputants seem to be both on the same side, we must say, once for all, that we can not honor that remonstrance against the reform movement which consists in suggesting something else, and complaining that all was not done at once. It is like the objection to "that particular measure" in politics. We earnestly hope that the success of this reform will enable the educational publishers to see that it will be profitable and wise to sell their school-books through the local trade, but it is for our critical friends to help prove this by making the first step a success. We look to see this brought about, not by further legislation, but by such an appeal of facts to the common sense. There is, however, one point in this dialogue that deserves more attention—the bold position that publishers' advertised prices are and must be nominal. This relegates books, as the speaker suggests, to the status of a ton of coal, and we believe that the introduction of such a system, with the mail facilities of this country would kill the retail book business out and out. "The dealer in Kansas, Maine, or Utah had already begun to find that the underselling dealers of the great cities were selling books to his customers through the mails, cheaper than he could pay freight and get them there; so that while this question of distant freights is one whose bearings are to be carefully dis cussed-and sufficient attention has not been given to it-the uniform discount rule is already not harming but helping the most distant dealers, in proportion as they are far away. There are other questions to be raised in this connection. At a recent trade meeting one speaker suggested it was not quite fair that a bookseller should be required by the uniform discount rule to get a margin of 40 per cent on juveniles and make only 10 or 20 on other books. A case of conscience, in which we heartily sympathize with our honored friend of Washington, is given elsewhere. The answer to all these difficulties, and to the allegation that the reform is contrary to the laws of trade, is that the reform will adjust itself to them. If any books are high, under this system, the public will buy others in their place, and the publishers of the former will then reduce the retail price. Thus the reform will cause the laws of trade and useful competition to act in the right instead of the wrong way, and every wise bookseller will prefer a small assured discount to a big one that proves no discount at all. Our own hope is that the reform will work so well that all will see its wisdom and abide by it, that thus the trade may be brought to wise trading again, and that then we may afford to forget these now necessary rules as rules. Meanwhile, if any 66 new lot of publishers" would like to try business on the old methods, we cordially invite them to the hazardous experiment. THE trade will note with satisfaction that a settlement, on a very handsome basis on the part of the house, has been effected with Lee, Shepard & Dillingham, and that one is in progress with the Boston house. The New-York house would have been perfectly sound but for the connection with Lee & Shepard, and even then might have gone on but for the legal complications that might have been precipitated by any creditor of Lee & Shepard. But with its business suspended by the assignment, and so far injured for the immediate future, 70 cents was a plucky settlement on the part of the house. The New-York firm will resume its business relations as soon as it is freed from possible embarrassments by a settlement in Boston. We believe we voice the feeling of the whole trade in hoping that their old customers will give them every support in building up anew a house that is so useful to the trade. And we trust that the trade will take a lesson from the real meaning of this failure. THE expediency of a book fair this fall has called out all sorts of opinions pro and con, but the committee have at last decided to permit the experiment to be tried, and announcement is made elsewhere. Many of the large houses have promised to contribute, and the fair is expected to meet the wants of the holiday trade. We shall note with interest the experiment of holding a supplementary fair, but next year it is to be hoped that after the experimenting of this year the right date for the fair will be hit the first time, so that there may be no misunderstandings. 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." Retail Prices-A Case of Conscience. WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 16, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: DEAR SIR: The booksellers of Washington and Georgetown held a meeting on the evening of September 6th, and organized an association for our mutual interests, adopting in the main the action and resolutions of the Philadelphia meeting. We have been selling schoolbooks for the past two or three years at a discount of 20 per cent. We now come up to the publishers' retail price, and after an experience of over a week, find no difficulty in obtaining it. The thing has been gone into with a great deal of cordiality, and promises to be of great benefit to the trade. But now let me put in a plea for the reduction of the retail prices. Books are too high at retail, and the trade can afford to sell at less discount than they now receive, and there ought to be an adjustment of prices and discounts. Better to have a fixed and reliable profit of 25 per cent, than the uncertain percentage of the past. Sab Purchasers complain, and justly so, of the excessive price of a large proportion of books. Why not reduce the retail price, and give the trade a fixed discount of one fourth, and so do justice to all? I confess to a feeling of wrong-doing to ask the full retail prices for the bath-school Library books. When you take the 20 off to Sabbath-schools, it is about right, but when bought by private parties it is entirely too much, and the books are not worth it. I don't like to be placed in the position of taking more than a thing is worth. I hope this reform will be permanent, and lead us all to do justly. Yours truly, WILLIAM BALLANTYNE. The Other Side. A TEACHER'S ARGUMENT AGAINST REFORM. I did not know how far it extended, and think that I discover evidences in your lettercertainly polite and conciliatory-that you are ashamed to be connected with it. Publishers and booksellers found it for their interest, so long as the trade was untrammeled by an organized conspiracy, to sell to teachers as low, or nearly so, as they did to the booksellers in villages. The law of supply and demand took its natural course, as it does in other business transactions. I am not a country merchant, but I buy groceries, flour, fish, and dried meats and fruits as low as the merchants do, because it is the interest of wholesale dealers to sell me goods at such discount. The attempt to build up an exclusive aristocracy of the book trade will fail. It can not be sustained. Many country booksellers do not dispose of half as many books in a year as I do, and do not do a hundredth part as much to extend the trade as many teachers do. Tổ refuse them equal profits with others is an insult that they will not quietly submit to. No class of men have made greater fortunes, take them as a whole, than those engaged in the book trade. No class of men can more illy afford to work for nothing than teachers. But they can not afford to keep books on sale for a discount of twenty per cent. At the school which I formerly had charge of I had a large amount of books left. The best of them I sold back to my bookseller for about half what I paid him for them. I have several hundred dollars' worth of books that will not bring half price when I leave this institute. Yet I am obliged to furnish books for my students, and might sell from $600 to $1200 worth per year. We have no bookstore here, and no one could be supported that would avail us. On no class of men are booksellers and publishers more dependent than on teachers; yet these prosperous firms present the beautiful spectacle of forming a grand conspiracy to compel teachers to dispose of their books for nothing or less than nothing. They ought to be firm business friends; this stupid conspiracy has converted them into business enemies. I predict that in one year publishers at any rate will regard it as a stupid blunder, born of [A LEADING educational house sends us the they will find that there are blows to receive as an inordinate hankering for great wealth; that following letter, received from a teacher who well as to give; that teachers, who do more does not believe in reform. We give it, as well as the dialogue elsewhere, that both sides quietly submit to the ostracism which the conthan any other class to sell their books, will not may have a fair hearing. That neither repre-spiracy is attempting to enforce. sents our own views, it is scarcely necessary to say; see our editorial columns.-ED.] MESSRS. FRANKLIN, DELAWARE Co., N. Y., September 4, 1875. : Your note in reply to my order for books is received. I shall order very few books on the condition you make-twenty per cent off; but introduce new editions when convenient; pick up second-hand books in country stores; adopt a system of renting books so that one set will last several generations of students. I had heard of the conspiracy of publishers and booksellers, and considered it vastly more I have bought at half price and less most of the books that I ordered of you. I send you an order for a half dozen or more books, and may send you another for a few, if you choose to fill this. I am aware that it is of little importance to you to fill so small an order, and do not expect you will do it unless it is for your interest. Yours respectfully, THE REFORM MOVEMENT-A DIALOGUE. (Contributed to the PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY.) Charles. I am sorry, my friend Harry, that you were not present at the Niagara Conven tion of the book trade. We had a splendid time; its members were a fine-looking set of men; the president made some elegant speeches, and was for peace; the committee-man, the floor manager, and the platform orator did their work as previously arranged, and all came away happier if not wiser men. Harry. What did you do in the way of reform? Charles. Do! haven't you read the WEEKLY and examined the resolution that was passed? Harry. Yes, carefully; and I do not hesitate to say that, in my humble opinion, it will amount to little, for it is in opposition to the laws that govern trade. Charles. Do you not think that every bookseller should get the publishers' advertised retail prices? Harry. No, I do not. Charles. Why? Harry. The publisher's retail price is and always must be nominal. The newspapers advertising the prices of books reach every part of our widespread and still expanding country, and the facilities offered by the mail and the express prevent the bookseller in any part of the land from getting more than the advertised prices. Parties will order by mail or express if the bookseller will not sell them at the prices named in the paper or magazine. Retail prices (as advertised) have been fixed to meet the wants of all. The dealer in Kansas, Maine, or Utah must have the present prevailing discounts to enable him to sell at the advertised price. The dealer close to the base of supplies is expected to make a discount, and can easily afford to do so. A ton of coal does not retail at the same price the country over, and no other commodity, unless it is some article controlled by one party. Charles. If in your city all should agree to conform to the rules as laid down at Niagara, what would be the result? Harry. A new set of men would enter the business, command the sympathy of the public, and the trade would pass into their hands, and it would be difficult to reclaim it. Charles. But the publishers would not sell these men. Harry. I very much doubt that many publishers would take such a position. But grant that they would; then the field is open for a new lot of publishers, and the public, who are ever ready to break down monopolies, would sustain them every time. Charles. Is there any thing else in the resolution that you can not indorse? Harry. Yes. You will notice that publishers are allowed to sell school boards and normal schools at better than twenty per cent. This, to my mind, is the greatest wrong that the publishers have perpetrated against the interest of the retail book-dealer. For this class of books is two thirds of their trade. And if school boards can buy of publishers cheaper than of the bookseller of the town and city, then the time is not far distant when this part of the trade will have been entirely taken out of the hands of all but the publisher. It may work well for the publisher, but it is death to the retail book-trader. Charles. It doesn't seem just right, but the leading school-book publishers say that they must have this opportunity, as the books are paid for out of the public funds. Harry. Are not the miscellaneous books for public libraries paid for out of public funds? and if these are sold at one fifth discount, why not school-books? No, friend Charles, this needed reform must come from the publishers; they must do all they can to make the bookseller in every place the channel to bring their books to the public. They should protect him in every way, selling only at such prices to any one in his locality as will enable him to sell at a good profit. TRADE MEETINGS. Washington, D. C. THE booksellers of Washington held a meeting on the evening of September 6th, and formed the "Booksellers' Association of Washington," with the following officers: R. B. Mohun, President. An agreement was entered into on the general basis of the Niagara resolution, giving the classes as follows, and with additional clauses: Public libraries (including circulating and Sunday-school libraries), clergymen, and professional teachers, confined to private schools only. Exceptions made by the Publishers' Board of Trade, for publishers only. All cash purchasers* to the amount of $50 or over, may receive a discount not exceeding 20 per cent. All accounts to be settled monthly on the above basis. This agreement to take effect on the 7th of September. · All violations of these rules must be reported in writing to the Committee on Arbitration, consisting of Joseph Shillington, G. Crandell, and W. H. Morrison. This agreement was immediately set forth in a circular signed by all the following houses: F. A. Fill & Co., Richard Roberts, C. C. Pursell, William Ballantyne, Warren Choate & Co., J. Shillington, Germond Crandell, Solomons & Chapman, E K. Lundy, J. Bradley Adams, W. H. Hazard. J. L. Tomlinson, Mrs. A. H. Whiting, Robert Beall, Franklin Philp, John C. Parker, James Bellew, W. H. & O. H. Morri son, Mohun Brothers, A. McConnell, Mana ger. [* This is interpreted to refer to miscellaneous books, not including school-books.-ED.] The Lee & Shepard Affairs. THE meeting of the creditors of Lee & Shepard was held at their store in Boston, Thursday morning, September 16th, about fifty of the three hundred creditors being present, among them several from New-York. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Fairchild, of S. D. Warren & Co., and organized by the choice of Mr. H. O. Houghton as chairman, and Mr. A. C. Armstrong, of New-York, as Secretary. Mr. Shepard, after the object of the meeting had been stated, spoke for the firm as follows: "We regret exceedingly the unpleasant nature of the business which calls you together at this time. We are pleased to see so many present, for we desire that all who can should learn direct from us our position. 'Twould be useless for us to recount the cause of this misfortune. One calamity after another has overtaken us, and, notwithstanding we have worked days and studied nights to avoid this unpleasant occurrence, our efforts have been unavailing. 'Every honorable means has been resorted to to avoid suspension of payment, but at the last we found that as honest men we had no alternative. Come it must, and no one of you, no matter how severe the loss may be, feels it more keenly than do we. We have, however, the gratifying consolation of knowing that we have your sympathy, as well as that of the press and the public, and we trust that we will not be blamed when we say that we are proud in feeling, though delinquent, that we have conducted our business in such a manner as to be entitled to such kind expressions as have come from every source. We know full well that it does not pay you one additional cent on your just claims, but we also know that you must feel the more fully justified in having placed the confidence you have in us. Our personal friends are sufferers, and yet we are assured by them that they regret the calamity more on account of Lee & Shepard than on their own. "For three long weary years we have struggled in every way to avoid this unpleasant occasion, and had it not been for the encouraging words of approval and the substantial aid all of you have given, the present meeting would long since have taken place. "We can only say, gentlemen, for all of these kindnesses we thank you; they are not, and never can be, forgotten; and if we can not in the future convince you of the fact, there may be an opportunity when we can some of those who are dear to you. "At present we are powerless and moneyless, but are sustained by the feeling that we know we have done our duty to the best of our knówledge and ability, and that we have the approval of those of you who best know through what we have passed. "Gentlemen, we place ourselves entirely and unreservedly in your hands, and will use our utmost endeavors to further your wishes in every respect. The property is yours, undiminished in value in any way since you permitted us to act as your trustees, and it will be guarded until you relieve us of the responsibility by deciding as to what disposition shall be made of it. If my services or those of my partners are needed, you are assured that they will be given to the utmost of our ability, convinced that our duty now is to secure to you the largest possible percentage on your respective claims. It should be added that of the discounted paper $28,477.09 is considered good. On motion of Mr. Fairchild, a committee of five was appointed by the chair to investigate the affairs of the firm, and report at an adjourned meeting of the creditors. The committee was composed as follows: Charles Fairchild, of S. D. Warren & Co.; J. R. Osgood, of J R. Osgood & Co.; A. Avery, of Rand, Avery & Co.; Isaac E. Sheldon, of Sheldon & Co., NewYork, and Edward Flemming, of E. Flemming & Co., of Boston. Addresses of sympathy of the warmest character were made by Mr. Isaac E. Sheldon, Mr. Curtis Guild, editor of the Commercial Bul letin, Boston, whose book the house had published, and in conclusion by Mr. H. O. Hough ton. The firm had received any number of letters of like tone, and the following was read by the secretary as representative: NEW-YORK, September 15, 1875. MESSRS. LEE & SHEPARD, Boston: (Signed) HARPER BROTHERS. The meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the committee. The members of the firm, and many others, came on to New-York that night, and a meet"You all know how much I personally have ing of the creditors of Lee, Shepard & Dillingbored you, and you all also know now how im- ham was held Friday forenoon. About thirty perative it was for the time being. I must say were present. Mr. James Miller, the assignee, that from no one of you have I ever experienced explained the purpose for which the meeting any thing but kind words; and many and many had been called, in words of sympathy for the a time have I left your places of business with firm; and after Mr. Smith Sheldon had been choking throat and suffused eyes, almost crush-chosen chairman, and Charles A. Clapp, of E. ed by your kindness, and I hope to live long P. Dutton & Co., secretary, Mr. Miller presentenough to convince you that that kindness was ed the following statement of the assets and not a bad investment. We have been repeat- liabilities: The items marked * are understood to embody the accounts with the Boston house. On motion of Mr. McLoughlin, a committee of three to examine into the affairs of the firm was appointed, Messrs. Edward McLoughlin, J. W. Harper, and W. S. Appleton being named. The committee consulted, and asked further time, when it was decided to adjourn to Saturday at 11. Meanwhile, Mr. J. R. Osgood reported as to the meeting in Boston, and stated that the committee there was hard at work. A larger meeting was held next day, when the committee presented the following report: GENTLEMEN: Your committee report the following conclusions, after a careful examination of the books and stock of the firm of Lee, Shepard & Dillingham: First, the stock, estimated by the assignee as Accounts undoubtedly good, estimated by the as- Bills redeemable (good)... $30,000 00 1,270 00 20,000 00 1,300 00 514 17 -$53,084 17 $61,303 68 After earnest consideration we have come to the conclusion that the concern can pay seventy cents on a dollar, at six, twelve, and eighteen months, without interest. E. MCLOUGHLIN, WALTER S. APPLETON. JOHN W. HARPER. A considerable debate ensued, in which several expressed the opinion that this was asking too much of the firm. Mr. Lee and Mr. Shepard, however, expressed themselves well satisfied with the terms and time of payment, and the report was unanimously adopted. It was made clear, during the debate, that the affairs of the two houses must be settled separately, to avoid collision with the general bankrupt law and the State laws of Massachusetts and New-York. A composition deed was then drawn and signed by every creditor present, as follows: McLoughlin Brothers, Sheldon & Co., George W. Carleton & Co., Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., Thomas Nelson & Sons, Dick & Fitzgerald, Scribner, Welford & Armstrong, George A. Leavitt & Co., E. P. Dutton & Co., James Miller, D Appleton & Co., and George Routledge & Sons. Messrs. Harper Brothers and several other creditor houses sent word that they would consent to any arrangement which might be agreed upon by the meeting. One creditor wrote that he would consent to be assessed in a small amount if it was required to re-establish the house. BOOKS RECEIVED. LIFE IN PARIS, by Arsene Houssaye. (William F. Gill & Co.) Houssaye in these letters floats over the surface of Paris life, touching all the current gossip of the day, in art, literature, music, and the drama, in a light, witty, vivacious way, that is wonderfully attractive. No better sketches of the Paris of the present year, and its society, can be found. As correspondent of The Tribune, Arsene Houssaye has established a reputation among us, which must have its effect upon the sale of his book; no doubt it will be widely sought for. 24mo, cloth, red edges, $1.25. THE MARRIAGE OF MOIRA FERGUS, by William Black. (William F. Gill & Co.) A brief but exceedingly lovely little story, which points an excellent moral for young wives. We are taken again to the Hebrides, and meet our old friend Sheila," the charming "Princess of Thule," who, with her husband, still reigns over the hearts and destinies of the people of Borva. 8vo, paper, 25 cents. MADAME RECAMIER AND HER FRIENDS, from the French of Madame Lenormant. (Roberts Brothers.) We are indebted to the translator of "Madame Récamier's Memoirs" for the present work. It in a measure supplements the former, completing as it does the history of this celebrated woman in the letters of her friends. The volume is divided into three parts; in the first are the letters of Camille Jordan and numerous other friends of her youth, all breathing the same ardent love and adoration. In the second part is the correspondence of Madame Récamier and her niece, giving an insight into the domestic life of one best known for her social gifts and conquests; these letters can not but raise her in the esteem of the world. The third part embraces the letters of Jean-Jacques Ampère, the records of his lifelong friendship for Madame Récamier-the most absorbing portion of the volume, as it gives a particularly interesting sketch of the life and character of Ampère, and his singular devotion to this fascinating woman. 12mo, cloth, $1.50. THE LACY DIAMONDS, by the author of "The Odd Trump." (E. J. Hale & Son.) Few authors have published with the same rapidity and success as the author of "The Odd Trump." His books are already counted among the best novels, and are well known to the devourers of fiction. The present novel is an improvement upon the others, being more full of action, and brighter in dialogue. The plot is quite ingenious, and excites the curiosity to the end. Lady Morton of " Harwood" appears in it as the mother of the charming heroine "Ret "- -a beautiful type of womanhood. The story is sound and healthy in tone, as were the author's other works. 8vo, cloth, $1.25. NOTES AND QUERIES. "WHAT is the meaning and derivation of the term Bric-a-brac "?" BOOKS. The term is given in French etymological dictionaries as from broc, a pitcher, which is from broche, a spindle, peg, or spigot; which in turn is from the Latin broccus or brochus, a protruding tooth. It came to mean odd pieces of china, thence odds and ends of any thing |