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    Apbii. 3, 1852.] THE LEADER. 323

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    " POISON"—NOT TO BE TAKEN INTERNALLY. An...

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    will ask. Is it revolution or reaction P...

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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    Disorganization Among The Booksellers. I...

    divides tlie trade ; but the most pressing is a Question concerning the retail price of books . For many r easons , a book , as an article of trade , is published at a fixed price ; the profit of the retailer being also a fixed quantity ,, or nearly so , in the shape of an allowance made by the publisher , who is represented as being in the position of the manufacturer . Certain of the retail dealers desire to infringe this rule , by selling the volumes at any price they please , seeking a large range of custom in lieu of a large profit . The upholders of the old plan say for it , that it works well ; that it secures steadiness in the trade ; that

    it has lasted since the days when Dr . Johnson described , " it , substantially as it exists now ; and that , upon the whole , it encourages production . These are precisely the arguments in favour of Protection . The opposite party replies with the arguments of Free Trade—that monopoly limits use , restrains demand , and by restraining the offer of exchange , diminishes production . Some very pushing booksellers drive a large trade at a small profit , and succeed ; but the quieter kind prefer the certainty of the * old system , and dread a state of things which may place them at the mercy of undersellers .

    It would be a great blessing for the future of Industry , if a class so intelligent and influential as the booksellers could for a moment pause in the heat of contest , and look at the political ceconomy of the question as it bears upon themselves . The Free-traders are right when they say that monopoly restricts production . But that mere free trade will not suffice for the regulation of industry is proved , not merely by the fact that all who are really subjected to it , cry out ; and still more by the fact , that no party

    really permits free trade to be thoroughly enforced ; least of all , would the Manchester men permit it . The principle of Free-trade is , that trade be " left alone , " to work out itself . TN " , let that principle be fully enforced , and there would be no law for the protection of capital against combinations of the working classes to keep up wages . Carry out the principle fully , and there ought to be no laws for the / protection of credit , which ought to rest solely upon its natural and sole substantial basis , the confidence

    between man and man , and not in the unsubstantial basis of factitious laws . But poll the Manchester school , and we suspect that you would find scarcely a vote given for that complete execution or the Free-trade principle . In the meanwhile , the partial Free-trade , which the professed advocates of full free trade enforce , inflicts loss and injury on all classes veritably exposed to it , because no class is exposed to it with perfect impartiality and fairness .

    For instance , admit free trade into the book business , and no doubt you will sweep away a number of dealers , perhaps some of the publishers . Is that no ovil P We cannot but regard it as an evil of the first magnitude . Yet we cannot rest content with monopoly or Protection "while it oppresses production , and deters immense numbers from benefits that they would otherwise enjoy . What then is the remedy P The ono which wo never cease to suggest in such cases—the principle of Concert . That alone reconciles the

    interest of the existing producer , to which Protection specially directs itself , with the interest ot the consumor , both actual and possible In the book trade , as in every othor , there aro three primary classes to bo satisfied—the producer , th 0 exc hanger , and the consumer ; and that com-Jjnerco alono can stand on a solid and pordurablo basis which equally concerns itself for all thoso elassoH . In . the book-trade , the throe classes aro rop rosontod by authors , booksellers , and readers ; « iul any arrangement to endure , must consult io

    "woitaro of all throe classes . Such arrangements would not be difficult . Tho roador ' s injoreat would bo consulted in a Variety of ways , J > ut especially in tho multiplication oflx > oks , ttnd uio abatement df prices . Tho bookseller class *» subdivided into two sub-classes—the rotail soilor , and tho wholosalo publisher ; and when Momo ot tho rotailors violato tho rules to sell cnoap , they satisfv t . l-i « 0 ™™™™ « f T ?™« tvnrl « -

    ; _ out they recklessly infringe tho domain of their loiiows , and to satisfy their own personal and £ n $ ' ° y do that which inevitably tends 10 pull down tho wholo range of pricos , without l « oyicung proper arrangements for the interests ai stake 1 or oven for tho wide supply of a good commodit y . The authors are little consulted ;

    but it is evident that a very general abatement of priceswould injure them , without corresponding benefit to sound literature : it would make middling talents as valuable as any other marketable commodity , and would draw into the field an immense quantity of mediocre invention ; so that it would hardly benefit literature , and yet might injure existing authors . The fact is , that literature in common with the highest kind of art , has but a very imperfect relation to trading laws ' . In the case of authors , the object should be to leave them as free from direct snare in the commercial

    transaction as possible . Probably the French system , of paying so much a volume for every copy printed and sold , is one that best secures the interest of the general run of authors , proportions their gains to the trader ' s , and yet leaves them free . But however the special interests be arranged , it is evident that the best thing for silt classes is , that all interests should be brought into one view , and act together , each for the interest of all , and all for the interest of each . It would follow , that in considering their own interests , authors and booksellers should consult that of the consumer or reader .

    We do not mean , of course , that it would m the present state of society be possible to bring all the classes that we have named together bodily . ; stragglers there would always be ; but it is possible to apply ; the principle in guiding the conduct of the majority . The process would be much facilitated by some centrical machinery —some society , in which the several classes might all meet on a common field , open most chiefly to the interests of literature , and to the enduring and broad interests of the classes dependent thereon .

    Apbii. 3, 1852.] The Leader. 323

    Apbii . 3 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 323

    " Poison"—Not To Be Taken Internally. An...

    POISON "—NOT TO BE TAKEN INTERNALLY . Another stirring controversy is going on in the public press , about the adulteration of beer . The Medical Gazette quoted the statement of a scientific lecturer in Paris , that large quantities of strychnine are manufactured in France , and imported into England , for use in the making of " bitter beer . " A contemporary exploded that " Paris fable of Pale Ale , " admitting that there is adulteration in beer , but denying that good beer can be made by any process of drugging ; and Mr . Bass rushes into the field to confirm that averment . One "M . D . " insinuates that stomachic drugs are used ; on which Mr . Allsop has a tilt at the " fable , " and declares that good malt , hops , and water , with good implements , are the whole materia medica and apparatus of the brewer . And tliis is true , so far as bitter ale is concerned . The palate is a sure test of the genuine article , when it is thoroughly genuine , without adulteration or jiaw . It would take a Raphael to forge a Uaphael , a Paganini to pass lor a

    Paganini , and nothing short of pure excellent malt and hops to pass for bitter ale . But what becomes of tho plebeian beer , —the cloying ale , that has a fume like a sugar-cask in a tropical sun , or the impervious porter , if not as harmless as liquorice , or as purifying as sarsaparilla , emulating " coldcoloquintidaand tetra mad"P Tho strychnine , wo are told , by an Australian , who vouchsafes an explanation , goes to his country , to destroy tho native dog , which is troublcsomo to tho flock master . Tho boast is difficult to kill :

    when attacked , ho lies like death , till his aggrossor is gone , and then gets up , runs away , and is ready for another fling at tho mutton , —cut and come again . Strychnine secures him . But , if not strychnine , what is it that they put into tho alo and porter for tho million P He who can pay for Bass or Allsop , for Barclay and Perkins , is safe , because adulteration cannot equal excellence ; but how is tho cheap pot drinker to discriminate botweon flaw and adulteration , between more inferiority , or want of absolute oxcollonco , arid the presence of olion and noxious

    drugsP Thero in but ono way of testing boor : by the taste , whore it is really good ; and by perfect oponncss in the making . But perfect ; oponnoaa in the making is incompatible with the exigencies of ordinary competitive trade . Adulteration is tho perquisite of competition . It is only in concert botwoen producer and consumor , as in tho People ' s Flour Mill at Loeds , that you havo absolute security against factitiously high prico on tho ono hand , or adulteration on tho other ; or security , again , for tho doalor , against bad debts and fluctuations of trade .

    Will Ask. Is It Revolution Or Reaction P...

    . Is or or despotism ? popular insurrection or national degradation ? Who shall say—his hand upon the open page of the last troubled years . In the costly and dazzling ceremonial of Monday last , at the Palace of the Tuileries , nothing was omitted that could lend a factitious solemnity to the occasion * The traditions were faithfully copied . The booming of cannon , the clang of cuirassiers , the bursts of martial music , the paraphernalia of gold and velvet , and embroidery , were there to celebrate the nuptials of Fraud and Force , the Salvation of Society , and the rescue

    will ask it revolution reaction P anarchy THE SHADOW OF T H E EAGL E . Feance , or the residue thereof , is restored once more to a normal condition , after four months experience of a beneficent dictatorship , which fewhave been preserved alive , or at liberty , to enjoy with peaceful thanksgiving . The act of the 2 nd of December is now history : let history , then , be the witness , time the Nemesis , and posterity the fudge . What is the normal condition of France ? many 11 1 TV * i 1 i" _„ « . A-. ^ A ; IA «~ f ) A & ftw » lfm >

    of Civilization . To exercise mercy , if not to do justice , is , it seems , the privilege of the man who waded in blood to Power through depopulated streets . On the 29 th of March , France , denuded , despoiled , orphaned , is relieved from the intolerable pressure of martial law , and the herds of innocents who swarm in prisons , uncondemned , unconvicted , untried , are handed over " to the ordinary tribunals , " only too fortunate to have escaped Lambessa or Cayenne . The Constitutional President who mutilated

    the universal suffrage he had sworn to maintain , rose to be a forsworn Dictator by its restoration , duping the People by the lawless repeal of his own false act . The Dictator pauses in the search for victims to be hailed the Emperor of an . amnesty ! This is to be cruel only to be kind : but the cruelty and the kindness alike minister to the same falsehood—to the same _ pppression .

    Nothing was omitted—did we say ? Yes , the true glory of France , the virtue , the honour , the genius , the eloquence , the fearless independence , the strength of brain , and the courage of heart were conspicuous at that solemnity—by their absence I Mercenary mutes , hireling scribes , and ignoble dependents!—such are the Senators and Deputies of France , to inaugurate a new era of prosperity . The heroes of a hundred hells , and the bullies of a hundred bagnios , garnished by a few " respectable" subserviencies from the Stock Exchange . These are the elements of your new Imperial Chivalry . Every new docjiment of the Napoleonic rigime exceeds its predecessor in comprehensive mendacity .

    Tf onnnni ; hpi rlflm ' ftd that the onenine" sneech of It cannot be denied that the opening speech of the President is ably and skilfully composed . It has an air of self-possession , of forgiveness , of regret , of forbearance , tranquil , dignified , and generous . It would be difficult to imagine any form of words moro reassuring to hearers ignorant of tho antecedents , and reckless of the consequences , than many passages of this speech . From tho highest point of view this beneficent

    ruler survoys tho causes of success and decadence in men and governments . Even The Emperor is not snared a passing criticism from the man who understands his age . If in 1814 parliamentary institutions were doomed tolerable , it was from tho too absolute exorcise of power by tho Emperor . If in December , 1851 , the same parliamentary institutions wore found intolerable , it was from ' their abuso .

    Why does Franco " remain unmoved' at tho suppression of nil her libortiosP Because sho has the right of choosing her own government Can tlioro possibly bo a more satisfactory reply to those who fancied that Franco remained unmoved because she was deprived of all her powers of life P Thon follows a perfect ganglion of amazing voracities . " Now tho French nation lms givon ( perhaps Cor tho first time ) to tho World tho imposing spcotaclo of 11 groat people voting in all liberty tho form of its Government . Thus , tho Chief of tho Stato , whom you

    havo boforo you , is truly tho expression of tho popular will . And boforo mo what do I hoo ? Two Chnmbora — tho ono elected in virtue of tho most libonil law existing in tho world ; tho othor named by mo , it is truo , but also indopondont , inasmuch iw it in irremovable . Around mo you obsorvo inon of known patriotism and merit , always ready to support mo with tlxoiv councils

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 3, 1852, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_03041852/page/15/