_Authors' Trustee Society._--Authors, as a class, are perhaps the most
unfit men in the world to make the most of their own property; and were
they ever so competent, it will often happen that their works do not attain
to any great value as copyrights till after the poor author is laid in his
grave. It is then, when his family are sometimes exposed to severe
distress, that more favourable terms might be obtained from publishers; but
there is no one left who is capable of acting for the benefit of the widow
or children.
A Society might be formed to take charge as trustees of the property of an
author in his works, to make engagements with booksellers for the privilege
of publishing future editions as they may be required, and to take care
that the _honorarium_ for each edition be duly paid into the hands of the
person who is entitled to receive it.
No expense would attend the formation of such a Society. Its meetings could
be held at scarcely any cost. The advertisements, to announce from time to
time what works are open for offers from printers, booksellers, and
publishers, would amount to a very small sum in the course of the year--I
dare say the Editor of "N. & Q." would insert them gratuitously. But, if
necessary, a small percentage on the fees paid would cover all the
disbursements of the Society.