CHAP. XXXIX.] CHEAPNESS OF BOOKS. 337 



rope (published at thirteen pounds in England and 

 sixteen shillings in America), and read it at spare 

 moments, while persons in a much higher station 

 in England are debarred from a similar intellectual 

 treat by considerations of economy. 



It might have been apprehended that, where a 

 daily newspaper can be bought for a halfpenny, and 

 a novel for sixpence, the public mind would be so 

 taken up with politics and light reading, that no time 

 would be left for the study of history, divinity, and 

 the graver periodical literature. But, on the con 

 trary, experience has proved that, when the habit 

 and facility of reading has been acquired by the 

 perusal even of trashy writings, there is a steady 

 increase in the number of those who enter on deeper 

 subjects. I was glad to hear that, in proportion as 

 the reading public augments annually, the quality of 

 the books read is decidedly improving. About four 

 years ago, 40,000 copies were printed of the ordinary 

 common-place novels published in England, of which 

 sort they now only sell about 8000. 



It might also have been feared that the cheapness 

 of foreign works unprotected by copyright, would 

 have made it impossible for native authors to obtain 

 a price capable of remunerating them highly, as well 

 as their publishers. But such is not the case. Yery 

 large editions of Prescott s &quot;Ferdinand and Isabella,&quot; 

 and of his &quot; Mexico,&quot; and &quot; Peru,&quot; have been sold at 

 a high price ; and when Mr. Harper stated to me his 

 estimate of the original value of the copyright of these 

 popular works, it appeared to me that an English au 

 thor could hardly have obtained as much in his own 



VOL. II. Q 



