year. 2 Total amount paid to heirs of deceased members since June 5, 1889, $5943. Total paid heirs since organization, $36,102. The entire cost of starting and running the Association for the eleven years of its existence has been $3579.63, or at an average cost of $325.43 per year. Assessments number 50 and 51, in course of collection, will pay death claims of Edward C. Swayne and O. L. Underhill. It will be observed by the above statement that our membership now numbers 1090, and the increase has been obtained by the earnest work of a number of our members. It may at once be seen how easy it would be to secure the needful number to fill our ranks if every member would realize the importance of early action to increase the membership to 1500. By thorough and energetic effort of every member, this result could be secured at once. May we not again urge all our fellow-members to do their utmost to secure this end speedily? As an additional incentive it should be borne in mind that whenever fifteen hundred members are secured, the reserve fund will be so materially strengthened that should at any time an unprecedented mortality occur, we would be prepared to meet all claims without multiplicity of assessments. The cost of an ordinary life policy for $1000 in any of the large insurance companies for a man thirty-one years old, the average age of our members, is $24 per year, in one payment. Last year the cost to our members, for like amount, was $6.60. The Law Committee have prepared an amendment to the constitution which will be brought to your attention. It meets with the hearty endorsement of your Board of Trustees, and we trust will be formally approved. Since your last meeting Mr. Andrew Geyer, who has been our Secretary for the past six years, on account of multiplied business interests has resigned. It is eminently due in this report to note the fidelity aud care he has evinced in the laborious and ever-increasing work of the Secretaryship. We wish to invite special attention of all our members to the fact that at the completion of every assessment, we lose members. This is due chiefly to the failure of members to inform us of change of residence and to keep us posted as to their present address. Your former and present Secretary have found that they are required to trace from fifty to one hundred men every time an assessment is sent out. The amount of work to do this cannot be estimated. In submitting this report it may not be amiss to again urge you to unwearied toil to secure members and thereby achieve grander results for our Association. Its benefits are unexcelled. Its affairs accurately and carefully managed. Its payments prompt. Its standing is unquestioned. With these sterling features and with the assurance that, with our present membership, one The amendment, the text of which was printed in our issue for May 10, then came up for a vote, and after a brief discussion was unanimously adopted. The President next presented to the former Secretary of the Association, Mr. Andrew Geyer, a handsomely engrossed and framed set of resolutions, recognizing Mr. Geyer's services and his untiring zeal and devotion to the interests of the Association. Mr. Geyer, who was quite touched by this token of esteem, made a brief speech, in which he recognized with amiable generosity the assistance given him by Mrs. Geyer, on whom the bulk of the clerical work had devolved. The election of Trustees to serve one year resulted in the choice of F. P. Lennon, John T. Ryan, Robert Morris, C. E. Cunningham, and Andrew Geyer. Resolutions were presented and unanimously adopted thanking Messrs. George A. Leavitt & Co. and C. T. Dillingham for the use of their offices and the trade journals for courtesies extended. The meeting adjourned at about ten o'clock. THE COPYRIGHT MOVEMENT IN ENGLAND AND CANADA. From the London Athenæum. THE Sub-committee of the Incorporated Society of Authors appointed to draft a Copyright Bill, and presided over by Sir Frederick Pollock, has finished its labors, and the bill, when approved by the General Committee, will be presented to Parliament as that of the Society. Its main features resemble those of the bill known as Lord John Manners', which was proposed after the Royal Commission on Copyright had reported; but some improvements have been introduced, and the bill, if accepted by Parliament, ought to give satisfaction to authors. Though no legislation concerning it can take place this session, yet an effort will be made to introduce the bill into the House of Commons before Parliament rises, in order that it may be printed and discussed during the recess. The efforts of the Dominion Parliament to legislate to the detriment of British authors, though frustrated for the present, are not at an end. Sir John Thompson, the Minister of Justice, has intimated to a deputation of Canadian publishers that he intended "to continue urging upon Her Majesty's Government the right of the Canadian Parliament to legislate independently of the Imperial authority in regard to copyright in the Dominion." The right of the Dominion Parliament to legislate for Canadian authors may be indisputable; but why attempt to deprive British authors of the protection accorded to them by the Imperial Parliament? Lord Sherbrook is credited with saying that this country lost America because the American colonists would not permit us to rob them, and that we should lose other colonies because we would not permit them to rob us. REMINISCENCES OF ROBERT CARTER AND HIS WORK.* BY PETER CARTER. THE early youth of Robert Carter was passed in his native Scotland under most trying circumstances. A great longing for knowledge was satisfied only meagrely and at the price of unflagging hard work and daily self-denial. After struggling hard to acquire an education, he passed some years as a teacher, and finally entered the University of Edinburgh; but, unable to indulge himself in a university career, he boldly formed the plan to emigrate to America. He sailed in April, 1831, landing in New York after the month of sea-voyage required in those days. He had a letter of introduction from Prof. Pillans, of the Edinburgh University, to Dr. John Griscom, the head of the High School in New York. On his way up Broadway, he bethought him of this letter, and wondered how he should find the New York High School. So, stepping into a grocerystore near White Street, he asked a man, whom he afterwards found to be the proprietor, Mr. John Duncan, if he could direct him to Dr. Griscom's school. Oh, yes," he said; “ I know Dr. Griscom well. My son goes to his school." Taking down his hat, he insisted on going with the young Scotchman to Dr. Griscom's school-room, which was in Crosby Street, near Grand, on the third floor. Climbing the stairs, they knocked at the door, and the doctor himself opened it. Dr. Griscom was a member of the Society of Friends. He read the letter of introduction, and with a benignant smile, said: So thee is Robert Carter. I am very glad to see thee indeed. We want just such men here. We have a great many producers, and we want men to educate and mould this mass of workers. Thee knowest I have not time to talk with thee here, but if thee will come to my house to tea tonight, I will be very glad to see thee." The invitation was gladly accepted, and the visitors took their leave. The tea-drinking passed off very delightfully, and both the professor and the merchant ever thereafter were fast friends of the young Scotchman. An opening soon after this having occurred in the high school, Mr. Carter gladly accepted the place, and Dr. Griscom and he labored on lovingly together until, from some difficulty among the trustees, the school was given up. Mr. Carter than began a school of his own, on the southwest corner of Broadway and Grand Street, where Devlin & Co.'s clothing store stood for many years. The school was successful, and among his pupils were some who afterwards became prominent in church and state. But there were personal reasons for changing his avocation, and soon afterwards he decided to do it. Passing along Canal Street one day, in the spring of 1834, Mr. Carter saw a store to let, and although he never had sold a book in his life, and had had not the slightest acquaintance with mercantile affairs of any kind, he at once determined to take it and try his fortune as a bookseller. Just at that time the stock of an insolvent bookseller [* We gladly make room for the above details of the business life of Robert Carter, furnished by his brother, and feel satisfied the trade will be much interested in getting this addition to the biographical information given at the time of his death in the PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY of January 4, 1890. At that time no portrait of Robert Carter was to be had, as the fine steel-engraving we now present has only been finished within a short time.] in Cortlandt Street was advertised for sale. It was not the most valuable assortment of books that could be found, but Mr. Carter obtained it at a great bargain, and, with some additions from other sources, he began the selling of books and stationery at the corner of Canal and Laurens Streets, in April, 1834. While he was in the act of putting the books on the shelves, a young woman came in and asked for a Bible. He showed her one-she asked the price, and he told her at haphazard 75 cents. He subsequently found that it had cost him a dollar, but he had a sort of inward satisfaction in beginning his business by the sale of a Bible. Early in his business career he attended auctions, and bought what was valuable and cheap. One day he needed some hymn-books, such as were used in the Dutch Reformed churches, and hearing that George Long, then in Fulton Street, had some, went there for them. "Yes," said Mr. Long, "I have about four dozen, and I will clear them out cheap." The bargain was soon completed, and the money paid. Now," said Mr. Long, "I am going out of the miscellaneous book business, and I will sell you all these shelves full at six cents per book." "But I have not the money to pay for them," Mr. Carter said, after he had carefully examined them and seen how desirable they would be for him. "I will take your note," was Mr. Long's rejoinder. So the books were counted and the note drawn and signed. It was the first and the only note he ever gave. The books were brought to the store in Canal Street, and for want of shelf-room were piled upon the floor. A gentleman came in who was interested in Sunday-school libraries and bought a large bill of the books, the amount of which was nearly enough to meet Mr. Long's note. So, without waiting for it to mature, Mr. Carter hurried away with the money, and took up the note, much to his own relief. Attending an auction sale one day where the stereotype plates of " Horne's Introduction to the Study of the Bible" in two royal octavo volumes were offered, they were struck down to him for $3300. This was, of course, a very large sum for him to spare from his business, in fact he had no such sum on hand, but a relative promised to lend it to him. Telling the story of this purchase to Mr. John Campbell, the paperdealer in Nassau Street, Mr. Campbell said, "But where will you get the money?" Mr. Carter told him that a relative had kindly agreed to lend it to him. "Oh, it is not a good plan to borrow from relatives. I will lend it to you and ask no note or obligation of any kind. You can return it when it is convenient." In less than six months the money was returned, and no small proportion of it from the earnings of the book itself. Imported goods that are not called for at the custom-house after the lapse of a year are sold at auction without opening the cases, so that seller and purchaser are alike ignorant of the contents. Mr. Carter was present at such an auction, and bought a number of boxes. When they were opened in the little store, what was his disappointment to find that every box was filled with imperfect sets of Jonathan Edwards' Works, not one perfect set in the lot. At that time the British Government paid a certain drawback or rebate on the exportation of paper, even when it was printed, and these boxes had been shipped to some bogus name in New York to get this rebate. But this young Scotchman was equal to the emergency. He found that while there was no complete set the great part of the sheets formed complete treatises. So he had these treatises cheaply bound, and sold them at a very low price, actually succeeding in reaping a handsome profit on his purchase. From the day he opened his store he never had a question of his ultimate success, and no doubt this sanguine spirit helped him much in bringing about the success that attended his work. Though a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, his interest and affection was not confined to his own denomination. His heart was large enough to take in the whole Evangelical Church in all its branches. One day a wealthy friend called on him with a book which he wanted him to publish and of which he said he would take 100 copies. It was entitled The Divine Right of Presbyterian Church Government." and neatness in his work, and like all their other employés a man of the most sterling integrity and uprightness. He died in 1885. Mr. A. B. Lawson has been with the firm 37 years. For many of these years he has been their traveller, and is far better known to the trade generally than any member of the firm. Skilful, patient, painstaking, and persevering, he has been a universal favorite. Mr. James C. Russell, a nephew of the brothers, has been with the firm for 33 years. He has charge of the mailing department, and his carefulness, neatness, and despatch in this rather troublesome department have been of very great service. Mr. A. Ryder was the porter of the establishment for 33 years, and all his duties were discharged in the most faithful and conscientious manner. He died four years ago. The firm has always pursued a peace policy, and has carefully avoided the entanglements of law. They have never sued any one nor been sued during all these years. Their relations with the various authors for whom they have published books have been exceedingly pleasant and friendly. The same may be said of their relations with their fellow-publishers, who one and all see the old firm retire from their ranks with genuine regret. The honest sentiments of the publishing fraternity were expressed in the testimonial sent to Mr. Robert Carter on April 1, 1884, on the completion of his fiftieth year of business life, which is here given: NEW YORK, April 1, 1884. On another occasion a gentleman brought him a little volume to publish that had had a large sale in a Western city, on "The Difficulties of Armenian Methodism." Mr. Carter said, "No, I cannot publish it. Pulling down may be necessary, but I did not go into business to do that, but to build up Christ's Church as far as in my lishing and bookselling trade of this city desire, on the power." In 1848 Mr. Carter took into partnership his two brothers, Walter and Peter Carter, thus establishing the firm of Robert Carter & Bros., which has continued unchanged to this date. Mr. Walter Carter, in addition to his work in the department of the business under his care, has been very active in outside work of various kinds. He was for many years one of the trustees of the public school in the 22d Ward, and an active and interested attendant on the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has long been an efficient ruling elder. Mr. Peter Carter has dabbled a little in literature. Three books for children are from his pen, all of which have been reprinted in Great Britain. Also a little volume of travel called "Crumbs from the Land o' Cakes." In 1853 he compiled a selection of the choicest productions of the Scottish poets with brief biographical sketches entitled "Scotia's Bards." Although it is a somewhat costly illustrated volume, several editions have been sold. In the spring of 1874, Mr. Walter Carter withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Robt. Carter, Jr., the son of the senior partner, took his place. Mr. Robt. Carter, Jr., in addition to attention to his daily business, has managed to do a great deal of visiting among the poor and needy, bringing sunshine into many a humble home. These visitations have been largely among the colored people, to whom he is always a welcome visitor. This firm has been conspicuous for the long continuance of employés in its service. Mr. James Riddle was for 40 years in their employ, and many of these years their book-keeper and confidential clerk, a man of singular accuracy MR. ROBERT Carter. Dear Sir: Your friends and associates in the book-pubfiftieth anniversary of your entrance upon the business, to convey to you their best regards and congratulations. Some of us are the sons and successors of your early contemporaries, others are the representatives of a later generation, but the good-will and kindly feeling which you commanded at the beginning, you have continued to retain through all the succeeding years of an honorable career. In your fifty years of business life you have seen the wonderful growth of the American publishing trade, and have borne a conspicuous part in the development and maintenance of that important branch which you originally chose and to which you have ever adhered. You have survived, with but one or two exceptions, those who were in business when you began, and are still able to take a part in the management of your well-established house. In all these years of activity, and of many changes, you have made no enemies, and have constantly added to the number of your friends. You have conducted an exacting and difficult business with dignity and success, and in the serene years of later life are permitted to fully enjoy the substantial fruits of your industrious enterprise and unquestioned fidelity. Be pleased then, on this notable anniversary, to accept our congratulations and hearty good wishes for your continued health and prosperity, and believe us, Very sincerely yours, D. APPLETON & Co., G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS, A. C. ARMSTRONG & SON, HARPER & BROS., GEORGE R. LOCKWOOD & SON A. D. F. RANDOLPH & Co., H. E. SIMMONS, Bus. Agt. Amer. Tract Soc., GAVIN HOUSTON, Manager of Thomas Nelson & Sons, |