travel. N. Y. and Chic., Rand, McNally, 1899. C. 6-285 p. por. il. D. cl., $1.50. Recent travels and adventures in Mexico, in which Mr. and Mrs. Sherratt were the leading characters, form the subjects of this volume. With the aid of a camera and in a pleasantly humorous style the reader is given a very fair idea of modern Mexico, its customs, agriculture, home life, government, schools, etc. *Southwestern reporter, v. 52. Permanent ed. July 24-Nov. 6, 1899. St. Paul, West Pub. Co., 1899. c. 16+1192 p. O. (National reporter system, state ser.) shp., $5. Contains all the current decisions of the supreme courts of Mo., Ark., and Tennessee, court of appeals of Ky., supreme court, court of criminal appeals, and courts of civil appeals of Tex., and court of appeals of I. T. With table of southwestern case, in which rehearings have been denied. Also table of writs of error denied by the supreme court of Tex. in cases in the courts of civil appeals. Also tables of southwestern cases published in v. 147, 148, Mo. reports; 101, Tenn. reports. A table of statutes construed is given in the index. *Spencer, Frank Clarence. Education of the Pueblo child: a study in arrested development. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 97 p. 8°, (Columbia Univ. contributions to philosophy, etc., v. 7, no. 1.) pap., net, 75 c. *Stephen, Katharine. French history for schools. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 12+338 p. 12°, cl., net, $1. *Stephens, W. R. W., Dean, and Hunt, W: A history of the English church. V. 1, The English church from its foundations to the Norman Conquest (599-1067), by W: Hunt. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 19+444 p. 8°, cl., net, $1.50. Stewart, Seth T., and Coe, 'Ida. First days in school: a primer. N. Y., American Book Co., [1899.] c. 3+92 p. D. cl., 25 c. Provides lessons in conversation, reading and writing. The book may be placed in the hands of pupils the first day in school. *Tait, P: Guthrie. Newton's laws of motion. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 7+52 p. 12°, cl., net, 60 c. *Talbot, E: Stuart, D.D. The vocation and dangers of the church: a charge delivered to the clergy of the diocese of Rochester at his primary visitation, October 24, 25, 26, 1899. N.Y., Macmillan, 1899. 6+115 p. 8°, cl., 80 c. *Tennyson, Alfred (Lord.) The Princess. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 139 p. 16°, (Golden treasury ser.) cl., $1. *Turgénieff, Ivan Sergievitch. Novels. V. 14, from the Russian, by Constance Gar nett. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 13+318 p. 16°, cl., $1.25. Contents: v. 14, A desperate character and other stories; tr. by Constance Garnett. *United States. Circuit cts. of appeals. Reports with annots.; with table of cases in the U. S. circuit courts of appeals in which rehearings have been granted or denied. v. 36. Rochester, N. Y., Lawyers Co-op. Pub. Co., 1899. c. 40+751 p. O. shp., $3.35. *United States. Cts. of appeals. Reports, v. 63. Cases adjudged for the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th circuits in Jan, and Feb., 1899. S: A. Blatchford, rep. Off ed. Alb. and N. Y., Banks & Bros., 1899. C. 78+887 p. O. shp., $3.25. *Watson, T: E. The story of France from the earliest times to the Consulate of Napoleon Bonaparte. In 2 v. v. 2, From the end of the Reign of Louis the fifteenth to the Consulate of Napoleon Bonaparte. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 10+1076 p. 8°, cl., $2.50. *West Virginia. Supreme ct. of appeals. Reports of cases, at the Spring-special, Sept. and Fall special terms, 1898, and Jan. term, 1899, (Apr. 16, 1898, to Feb. 8, 1899,) by Edgar P. Rucker. v. 45. Charleston, Tribune Co. Press, 1899. C. 34+839+58 p. O. shp., $4.50. An apostle of the western church: memoir of the Right Reverend Jackson Kemper. N. Y., T: Whittaker, 1900. c. '99. 15+231 p. D. cl., net, $1.50. White, Rev. Greenough. Dr. Kemper was the first missionary bishop of the American church. He was born in 1789 in New York State. He died in 1870. Notices are also given of his chiefly in the west. religious contemporaries. Dr. Kemper's labors were *Wood, C: W. In the valley of the Rhone. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 15+439 p. il. 8°, cl., $4. *Woodward, W: Harrison. A short history of the expansion of the British Empire, 1500-1870. N. Y., Macmillan, 1899. 10+ 326 p. 12°, (Cambridge ser. for schools and training colleges.) cl., net, $1. *Wyoming. Supreme ct. Reports from Oct. 25, 1895, to Mar. 25, 1897. (Including all cases determined during Oct. term, 1895, from Oct. 25, 1895, inclusive, and during Apr. and Oct. terms, 1897.) Rep. by C: N. Potter. v. 6. Chic., Callaghan & Co., 1899. .c. 22+599 p. O. shp., $5. ORDER LIST. AMERICAN BOox Co., Washington Sq., N. Y. BANKS & BROS., Alb., and 23 Murray St., N. Y. Powell and Connolly, Rational grammar of English.... Scott, The talisman.. Stewart and Coe, First days in school... United States, Cts. of appeals, Repts., 60 V. . 63 (Blatchford).... 25 ...... $3.25 30 2.00 ... Macmillan, Gleanings in holy fields Mercer, Notes on an outlook on life Murché, Combined readers in elementary science and geography, bk. I.net, Norway, Highways and byways in Yorksbire... Peard, Donna Teresa.. Perkins, Wimborne minister and Christ Rovce, The world and the individual: THOMAS WHITTAKER, 3 Bible House, N. Y. White, Memoir of Rt. Rev. Kemper...... Jackson 1.50 WILLIAM WOOD & Co., 5th Ave. and 12th St., N. Y. Collins, Treatment of diseases of the NEW ENGLISH BOOKS. 5.00 Selected from the current [London] "Publishers' Cir· cular." Benson, A. C. Fasti Etonenses: biographical hist. of Eton, selected from lives of celebrated Etonians. 8°, 9 x 54, 552 P., 21s., net..... ....Simpkin Collingwood, W. G. Art teaching of John Ruskin. Ch. issue. Cr. 8°, 7 x 4%, 392 p., 3s. 6d... Rivingtons 60 Evans, A. H., and Buckley, T. E. Vertebrate fauna of Shetland Islands. 8°, 9 x 63%, 278 p., 30s...Douglas ....net, 3.00 Fire tests with ceilings: a ceiling constructed with silicate cotton (slag wool); committee's report. 8°, 81⁄2 x 5%, 16 p., swd., 2s. 6d., net. Brit. Fire Prev. Com Trotter, A. F. Old colonial houses of Cape of Good Hope, illus. and described; chapter on origin of old Cape architecture by Herbert Baker. Imp. 8°, 12% x 10, 10s. 6d., net....... .......Batsford Turner, J. M. W. Liber Studiorum, reproduced in facsimile by the autotype process; 73 plates, with descriptions by the Rev. Stopford Brooke. 2 vols. Obl. 4°, buckram, 1268., net; half mor., 1475., net.....Sotheran Shakespeare, Works, larger Temple ed., vs. 3 and 4... 8.00 .ca., 1.50 Spencer, Education of the Pueblo child.. 75 1.00 net, 1.50 The Publishers' Weekly. FOUNDED BY F. LEYPOLDT. JANUARY 6, 1900. The editor does not hold himself responsible for the views expressed in contributed articles or communications. All matter, whether for the reading-matter columns or advertising pages, should reach this office not later than Wednesday noon, to insure insertion in the same week's issue. century and at its end. Scholars are astonished at the extraordinary volume of production of books immediately after the invention of printing, when the printing presses were kept busy multiplying in permanent form the treasnres of the past, which had theretofore been accessible only in individual copies through the slow processes of hand-writing. But since that first impulse there has been no such remarkable development until, with the development of steam presses in the latter half of the present century and the corresponding devel Broks for the “Weekly Record,” as well as all infor-opment in education, books have been printed mation intended for that department, should reach this office by Tuesday morning of each week. THOUGH 1900 is the hundredth and completing year of the nineteenth century, and not the first and commencing year of the twentieth century, the good public, always eager to be up to date and even ahead of time, has already made up its mind that it is living in the twentieth century—and it is so difficult to set it right by the most scientific and conclusive reasoning that it is well after all to accept the situation and ring the door-bell of the twentieth century with the happy New Year. Bibliographically the change is forced upon the attention of the trade and readers as the figures 18 drop out of publishers' imprints, and 19 with its oo stares us in the face. This change of imprint in fact makes a better "water-shed" in the book trade than 1901 will give, and January 1, 1900, a better dividing line than its successor of 1901. Short of the wonderful development through the utilization of natural forces, as steam and electricity, in the nineteenth century, there is no more remarkable contrast than the condition of the book trade, and particularly of the American book trade, at the beginning of the in such enormous quantities for the widest popular sale. The contrast between that first general catalogue issued in 1804 and the portly Publishers' Trade List Annual of to-day is sufficient evidence of this extraordinary development in our own country. It is to be regretted that, particularly in the last quarter of a century, the methods of the book trade in America, in England, and elsewhere have not only failed to keep pace with book production, but have actually shown retrogression. The fact that the public library has grown to be a great and almost universal institution, within that period, does not account for the diminution of book stores and book distributing facilities in most of the smaller places, such as in the middle of the century were local centers from which influences of education and culture radiated. For libraries have probably not decreased, and have perhaps increased, the actual sale of books. The facility given by the mails for the distribution of books has partly accounted for the lack of growth, if not the diminution, of local book stores, so that in many places the "old bookseller" is no more. But the publishing guild is itself largely to blame, as the PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY has pointed out again and again with perhaps unpleasing iteration, and a word or two on this point is the most important that can be given to the trade as it faces a new period. It was made most evident, when the facts as to the great Harper house were made public, that even a house supposed to be conservative in its dealings beyond most, utterly neglected counting into the cost of its product and administration any deterioration in value of plates and stock. Most businesses write off from year to year a percentage on their stock, of whatever sort, that brings its value after a time close to the vanishing point or to that safe minimum which represents residual value. The publishing trade have not, as a rule, done this, and have not taken into their cost of production and into their prices this necessary loss in the value of │their investments. Publishers have thus, as a As a result of its investigation, the committee representing creditors of Harper & Brothers, total indebtedness of the company, has sent to whose claims aggregate about one-half the every creditor a blank form of an agreement providing for deposit with the committee of all claims against the corporation. This is desired and continuance of the business in the interest for the purpose of securing a reorganization of the creditors. rule, underestimated the cost of their product, HARPER & BROTHERS' REORGANIZAwhile at the other end of the line they have TION. practically, if not theoretically, reduced prices so that there is no margin of profit left for the bookseller. Fictitious prices still give the department stores, with their driving methods, a seeming advantage over the special book store, which is not fair to the latter-but the department stores can no longer be held up as the "scape-goat" of the trade because, as a matter of fact, it has been through them that such development of distributing facilities as is noteworthy in recent years, has taken place. We trust that the new century, especially with the Harper episode to teach its lesson, may not be very old before the publishing trade faces the necessity of including in the cost of a book the investment cost in plates, as well as the present cost of manufacture, and replaces a false system of prices, fictitious on some books and too cheap on others, by a sounder net system which will give fair margin of sound profit to the publisher and bookseller alike. We are proposing to mark the present year with a number of improvements in the bibliographical system of the PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY and of the office in general, to which we shall hereafter recur. The period for the new volume of the American Catalogue will conclude with January 1, 1900, and we hope to issue that volume, which will close the present series, comparatively early in the new year. Thereafter it is proposed, by help of the linotype machine, to provide a system of trade bibliography which, typographically continuous, starting with the weekly record and its monthly indexes, shall be cumulative in character, the full title entries of all books being repeated not only in the Annual Catalogue, but in the five-yearly volume, with a "dictionary" index which will give clue to this full entry whether a book be sought by author, by title, by subject, or by series. We are considering also for 1900 the issue of the much-discussed Index to the Publishers' Trade-list Annual, which would be in itself a conspectus, of the most practical and useful sort, of books in print in July, 1900. It has been the purpose of this office to furnish to the American book trade a working bibliography more complete and comprehensive than the trade bibliography of any other book-producing country, and we trust that the features indicated, and others which are in plan, may bring the system fully up to date, and make it abreast of the times. So a happy New Year and a happy new century to the American book trade, publishers and booksellers alike, and to all the gentle readers of good books! The decision that a continuance is essential to the liquidation of unsecured indebtedness was reached after a close examination into the liabilities and assets of the company. The requests sent out provide that the committee shall have absolute power to act for the creditors who deposit their claims with it. All other creditors must act for themselves. The plan for the financial readjustment of the corporation's affairs will in the meantime be completed by the committee, and when formulated will be placed on file with the State Trust Company, which will issue certificates on the deposited claims. The holders of these claims will be notified immediately of the plan of reorganization, and any depositor may withdraw from the plan within ten days from the time of notification upon surrender of his trust certificate and paying his share of the committee's expenses. It is expected that the plan of reorganization will be completed by the middle of next week. The decision of the committee is approved by G. B. M. Harvey, agent of the trustees and receiver, who expressed his belief that the company would be able to regain its feet if the business is continued under the control of the creditors' committee. "Although the secured creditors are protected even in the event of a forced sale," said a representative of Mr. Harvey yesterday, "the unsecured creditors would in that case get but little. The estimate of 22.5 per cent. assets against the unsecured liabilities was certainly too high except for a going' concern. Most of the creditors are banks, and they will see from the report of the committee, which is made up of business men with an established reputation for sound judgment and solidity, that the proposed plan is the only profitable one for all concerned." AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORICAL AT the eighth annual meeting of the American Jewish Historical Society, held at the Hebrew Charity Building, Second Avenue and Twenty-first Street, New York, on the 26th dent, Dr. Cyrus Adler, Washington; Viceinst., the following officers were elected: PresiPresidents, Simon W. Rosendale, Albany; Mendes Cohen, Baltimore; Prof. Charles Gross, Cambridge; and Dr. B. Felsenthal, Chicago; Treasurer, Prof. Richard Gottheil, New York; Corresponding and Recording Secretaries, Herbert Friedenwald, Washington, and Prof. J. H. Hollander, Baltimore, respectively. Reports were received from the secretaries and the treasurer, showing a membership of 190, and a satisfactory financial condition. BOOKSELLERS' ASSOCIATIONS. EAST MIDDLESEX NEWSDEALERS' ASSOCI ATION. ciated with him as his partners should have an opportunity to buy stock. The matter is left with the executors. THE will of Daniel Sharpe Ford, late proprietor of the Youth's Companion, has been filed for probate. In it Mr. Ford had expressed his desire that a corporation should be formed to THE newsdealers of Winchester, Mass., and vicinity have formed a permanent organization continue the publication of the Youth's Comunder the name of the East Middlesex News-panion, and that those who have been assodealers' Association. The following officers, who also comprise the Executive Committee, were elected: J. Clarence Oxley, of Reading, president; C. Fred. Read, of Arlington, vicepresident; A. W. Rooney, of Winchester, secretary-treasurer. The association includes about a dozen dealers. The Executive Committee was instructed to draft a constitution for adoption at a future meeting. OBITUARY NOTES. PAUL JULIUS IMMERGRUN, a well-known Ger man teacher and poet, died on Friday, Decem cer 29, at his home in Springfield, New Jersey' Mr. Immergrun came to to this country from Bremen in 1871. Many of his poems were set to music by Franz Abt. EUGENE V. SMALLEY died at St. Paul, Minnesota, on December, 30. He was born in Randolph, Ohio, in 1841. He served in the Civil War and did newspaper corresponding from the front. For nearly ten years he was editorial writer and Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune. His contributions to many magazines and newspapers related chiefly to the development of the resources of the Northwest. His published books were: "The History of the Northern Pacific Railroad," "The History of the Republican Party," and "The Political History of Minne sota. " THOMAS MACKELLAR, senior member of the firm of Mackellar, Smith & Jordan, type founders, died of pneumonia at his home, in Germantown Pa., December 28, 1899. Mr. Mackellar, who was a printer, poet, and author, was born in New York on August 12, 1812. At the age of fourteen years he obtained employment in the office of the New York Spy and later in the publishing house of J. & J. Harper. Mr. Mackellar received the degree of doctor of philosophy from the University of Wooster, Ohio. He was the author of numerous books, poems, and hymns, his most successful venture in the literary line being "The American Printer," a treatise on practical printing. JOURNALISTIC NOTES. AMONG the other attractions for the New Year, Harper's Magazine announces Mr. Rudyard Kipling's "A Winter's Note-Book." THE Anglo-Dutchman, the first English weekly published in Holland, has discontinued publication for the meantime, as a result of the present war, which has roused a strong antiEnglish feeling in Holland. THE Copyrights, title, and subscription lists of Demorest's Magazine have been acquired by Appleton's Popular Science Monthly with its January issue lowers its price to 25 c. and makes provision for an even higher standard of quality. The scope of the magazine will be enlarged, and it will thus appeal to a wider circle of readers. Facts and principles that apply directly to the concerns of every-day life are to have special attention. The names of the distinguished specialists who are to contribute are a guarantee of accuracy and authority. The Atlantic Monthly has made far-reaching plans for 1900, and the little pamphlet announcing them gives promise of contributions of greater variety and more permanent interest than ever before. No pictures have as yet found their way into the Atlantic, consequently it can keep up a standard of proportion made impossible when art and literature contend for precedence as they do in so many of our magazines. Literature, political problems, and poetry are to receive special attention. NOTES ON AUTHORS. WILLIAM LE QUEUX has finished his new novel, entitled "In White Raiment." ANTHONY HOPE's new novel will be entitled "Tristram of Blent." The scene is laid in England. A. CONAN DOYLE has volunteered for military service in South Africa, and has promised to provide his own horses and accoutrements. DURING the intervals of work upon his new story Mark Twain is writing his signature in six hundred copies of the new London edition of his books. MR. JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS is reported to be hard at work upon an historical romance, the period treated being that of the American Revolution. LADY RANDOLPH CHURCHILL is en route for South Africa, and it is said that the AngloSaxon, in forthcoming numbers, will bear witness to her presence there. F. MARION CRAWFORD expects soon to finish a book on "The Rulers of the South," a comwhich will treat of Italy south of the Papal panion volume to "Ave Roma Immortalis,' states. " COL. RICHARD HENRY SAVAGE has just put a new novel into the hands of Rand, McNally & Co. The scene is Rome, the characters are American, and the book is pronounced among the author's best. PROF. G. MASPERO, the famous Egyptologist, is having the third work in his Egyptian trilogy translated from the French. It will be entitled Robert Bonner's Sons, who will discontinue the magazine, but will continue the Fashion and Pattern departments, Half-Minute Talks and World's Progress in their Ledger Monthly. All unexpired subscriptions of Demorest's Maga-"The Passing of the Empires." The series is zine will be filled with the Ledger Monthly. edited by Rev. A. H. Sayce, professor of |