One of these stories I had heard in New York, but supposed it to be exaggerated till I had it from the best authority.  It is of one of our leading houses who were publishing on their own account and had stereotyped one of his works from an early edition.  When this work had passed through other editions and he had for years been busy in reforming and amending it, he applied to this house to republish from the later and better edition.  They refused.  In vain he urged that it was not only for his own reputation as an author that he was anxious, but for the good of the great country through which writings on such, important subjects were to be circulated, that they might have the benefit of his labors and best knowledge.  Such arguments on the stupid and mercenary tempers of those addressed fell harmless as on a buffalo’s hide might a gold-tipped arrow.  The book, they thought, answered THEIR purpose sufficiently, for IT SELLS.  Other purpose for a book they knew none.  And as to the natural rights of an author over the fruits of his mind, the distilled essence of a life consumed in the severities of mental labor, they had never heard of such a thing.  His work was in the market, and he had no more to do with it, that they could see, than the silkworm with the lining of one of their coats.

Mr. Greeley, the more I look at this subject, the more I must maintain, in opposition to your views, that the publisher cannot, if a mere tradesman, be a man of honor.  It is impossible in the nature of things.  He must have some idea of the nature and value of literary labor, or he is wholly unfit to deal with its products.  He cannot get along by occasional recourse to paid critics or readers; he must himself have some idea what he is about.  One partner, at least, in the firm, must be a man of culture.  All must understand enough to appreciate their position, and know that he who, for his sordid aims, circulates poisonous trash amid a great and growing people, and makes it almost impossible for those whom Heaven has appointed as its instructors to do their office, are the worst of traitors, and to be condemned at the bar of nations under a sentence no less severe than false statesmen and false priests.  This matter should and must be looked to more conscientiously.

Dr. Combe, repelled by all this indifference to conscience and natural equity in the firm who had taken possession of his work, applied to others.  But here he found himself at once opposed by the invisible barrier that makes this sort of tyranny so strong and so pernicious.  “It was the understanding among the trade that they were not to interfere with one another; indeed, they could have no chance,” &c., &c.  When at last he did get the work republished in another part of the country less favorable for his purposes, the bargain made as to the pecuniary part of the transaction was in various ways so evaded, that, up to this time, he has received no compensation from that widely-circulated work, except a lock of Spurzheim’s hair!!