Some Recollections of Stationers' Hall Court
Although I have referred in another chapter to my early association
with bookselling, yet it was not until my entry into the employ
of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., on September 23, 1864, that my real
bookselling experience commenced. This may not be quite in accord with
the title I have chosen of "Sixty Years a Bookman," but, as previously
stated, I served seven years' apprenticeship to a bookseller before
entering the firm of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., and these two periods
extend beyond that implied by the title of this book.
As long as my memory lasts, I shall never forget the first few weeks of
my experience in this firm, from 8.30 in the morning until the work
was finished. Up and down stairs and ladders searching for books made
one so tired that sometimes I could scarcely crawl to my home. Even to
this I soon became accustomed, and the tiredness to an extent, so far
as my body was concerned, became a thing of the past; but it will never
be effaced from my memory.
These were also the times when the principal day of the month was
Magazine day, and after the ordinary business hours were over every
one stopped to put together each customer's magazines. I quite think
that if there were not then a greater number of different magazines
published, they had, certainly as far as this firm was concerned, a
much larger sale. Anyway, it was a day that one felt thankful to see
finished. At this period late hours were considered inevitable, for
during the winter season it was frequently ten o'clock before we got
away, while some assistants in the firm and in other book firms at
certain times worked until after twelve o'clock at night. I remember,
when speaking of this to a fellow-assistant, being told that this
was nothing to what it had been formerly: a short Saturday afternoon
and no Bank Holiday, and occasionally some of the people would only
see their homes three times during the week; they had to sleep on or
under the counters. Fortunately, all these absurd arrangements are now
ancient history and never again likely to be a part of what is called
civilization or business methods.
I well remember my first holiday, if it can be so called. It was the
Christmas following the September of my entering Simpkins. I wanted to
spend it at Weston-super-Mare, and as Christmas came on Sunday, Monday
was given as a holiday. I caught a G.W.R. train about ten o'clock on
the Saturday evening. There was only a single line then to Weston,
from a junction on the main line at which we stopped. From here, in a
single railroad carriage with a white horse attached to it, we jogged
for many miles and arrived at our destination at six in the morning.
My friends were waiting for me, and we had a jolly Christmas. I started
back by a midnight train on Monday, arriving in London at seven on
the Tuesday morning. I had some breakfast and then went to business
until nine o'clock at night. This was what was then called a Christmas
holiday. But with all this, I can bear testimony to the kindness and
consideration shown to the assistants by the partners of this period in
the firm of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., especially Messrs. John, Frederick
and William Miles; and as far as I am personally concerned, I shall
always remember with a thankful heart the courtesy and consideration I
received from them.
These were the times of Old Moore's and Hannay's Almanacs, the
publishing day of the former being a great occasion. At this time
it was published by the Stationers' Company, as nearly as possible
on November 21, at twelve o'clock. On the day of publication the
Hall doors were opened, and the porter who first got through with a
sack-load of almanacs received a gift of, I think, five shillings.
There were always a number of people to watch this publishing event,
and the winner was greatly cheered.
At this time "Hannay's Almanac" also had a large sale, but it only
survived a few years after the first issue of the greatly renowned
"Whitaker's Almanack," now over fifty years old. This almanac
deserves the success it has secured. No business or even private
intelligence department can afford to be without it; it practically
has no competitor, and the knowledge it contains might well be termed
universal and encyclopædic.
While speaking of Stationers' Hall and Stationers' Court, I will try
to remove an impression which suggests that the word Stationers
originated from the locality in bygone times being connected with the
paper trade. This is not so; but being so near St. Paul's Cathedral, it
was one of the _stations_ at which vendors of crosses and other wares
for religious observances had their stands or shops for the sale of
these articles; hence its origin. The following streets also derived
their names through being near or associated with St. Paul's Cathedral:
Paternoster Row, Creed Lane, Ave Maria Lane and Graces Court. In Ivy
Lane dwelt the wax-chandlers who in bygone times supplied tapers for
lighting the Cathedral.
I cannot say if religion at this period had a passion for more
excitement than at the present time, but undoubtedly there were more
books of that character sold than there are to-day. What immense sales
such books as the following had: Hall's "Come to Jesus," "Heaven Our
Home," "The Sinner's Friend," "Across the River," Beecher's "Life
Thoughts," "The Pathway of Promise," "Able to Save," Baynes' "Lyra
Anglicana," "Christ is Coming," "Letters from Hell," "The Gates Ajar,"
Oxenden's "Pathway of Safety," "The Heavenly Home," or the "Employment
and Enjoyment of the Saints in Heaven," with works by Dr. Guthrie,
Richard Weaver, Dr. Vaughan, A.K.H.B., Dr. Winslow, and books on the
coming end of the world by Dr. Cummings. In fact, one of the leading
journals of this time discussed the question as to what devotional
books were most popular, and the answer given was, "Not the 'Imitation
of Christ,'" but works telling the Christian how to make the best
of both worlds, and describing heaven as minutely as if it were a
first-class hotel, where every pleasure is provided for the elect.
Judging from the titles this would appear correct, but fortunately this
class of book has almost ceased to be, and works of a more reasonable
and literary character have taken their place.
Some years ago I wrote an article bearing upon this subject, and as I
feel that the words are as true to-day as when written, I here produce
portions from the article which deals more fully with this question.
It must be apparent to anyone glancing through the publishers' lists
of the books now being issued, and comparing them with the lists
of fifty years ago, that a great decline has taken place in the
production of religious books. This decline is observable not only in
the old-fashioned religious publications which were looked upon as
belonging to the classics, but also in the more modern productions of
a like character. These latter sold by their thousands, but the demand
for both appears at the present to have nearly passed away, and their
sale is now of the most limited description.
In an attempt to account for this decline more or less plausible
reasons have been adduced, but the most forcible, perhaps, is, that
just now there is no religious wave passing over the country, nor are
there any great ecclesiastics who have time or who consider it part
of their duty to be continually issuing books on purely religious
subjects. Add to this the fact that trade frequently runs in cycles,
with the effect that the depression in this particular class of
literature is just now at its lowest point. When this is so, something
often occurs to bring it back again to its normal condition, and this
may prove to be the case in the production and sale of religious books.
A potent factor in this depression is undoubtedly the growth of
independent thought, which was such a marked characteristic in the
latter part of the nineteenth century. The influence of Puritanism,
which so deeply affected English life, and which in past ages permeated
the action and thought of this country, has now nearly spent itself,
so the sale of old Puritan books has almost ceased. During that period
the noblest characters were moulded from those appearing in the Bible;
these are now shaped more by education and culture. Whether this will
be to the advantage of the nation, must be left for a future generation
to decide.
There is much truth in the remark that the literature of a nation
largely indicates the disposition of its people; but this observation
scarcely applies to the religious side of our national life, for,
although there has been a great decline in the issue of religious
books, the activity of nearly all sections of the Christian Church
during the same period has been most marked. The result of this is
the establishment by the various religious denominations of special
publishing departments for their own particular class of religious
works. They have also weekly and monthly periodicals which circulate
amongst their own people and through their own channels; and although
these with their books do not in all cases come through the ordinary
distributing agencies, and are not always recorded in the return of
books issued during the year, yet, even taking all this into account,
there is undoubtedly a great decline in the issue of religious works.
For some years previous to this period many of our religious writers
were at the height of their popularity and their books were having
immense sales. Much of this success was due to the writers' influence
in the pulpit. Among the most prominent was the Rev. J.R. Macduff,
whose first and best known book, and the one that had the longest
vitality, was "The Faithful Promiser." Originally written with the
intention of being sent only to his old friends as a memento of his
connexion with the parish he had just left, it found favour with a
much larger public who eagerly purchased edition after edition until
hundreds of thousands of copies were sold. Next in popularity was his
"Morning and Night Watches," which also had an enormous sale, and his
"Memories of Bethany," the sale of which ran into many thousands. All
the books of this author were more or less successful (and he was a
most voluminous writer), but the sale of the majority has now very
greatly decreased, while some are seldom, if ever, inquired for.
Dean Goulburn's "Thoughts on Personal Religion" was once to be found
in every bookseller's shop throughout the kingdom, and at the height
of its popularity had an annual sale of nearly ten thousand copies;
now its circulation is of a very limited character. This was one of
the books which Mr. Gladstone generally gave to the young men who were
fortunate enough to come within his sphere of influence.
Another author whose books were formerly very popular was Bishop
Oxenden. The one which had the biggest sale was "The Pathway of
Safety," but most of his works sold by their tens of thousands. Mention
should also be made of those by the Rev. Horatius Bonar, especially his
"Hymns of Faith and Hope," each volume as it appeared passing through
many editions.
The following names will bring back to many readers the titles of books
which have been appreciated by young as well as old: the Rev. John
Angell James, the Rev. Newman Hall (over a million of the latter's
"Come to Jesus" have been disposed of), Miss Havergal, Miss Marsh, the
Rev. James Hamilton, the Rev. W. Jay, and the Rev. C.H. Spurgeon. These
names represent a few only out of the many writers of religious books
which were then popular. Most of them have greatly decreased sales,
while others have fallen out altogether and are probably quite unknown
to the present generation. There were also issued about this time many
religious works published anonymously. These caused a great stir,
and met with an extensive demand. Amongst them were "Able to Save,"
"Pathway of Promise," "Meet for Heaven," "Throne of Grace," "Heaven our
Home," but, like the works already noticed, they have also run their
course.
The first half of the Victorian era was apparently the Golden Age for
religious books, for besides those writers who issued their books
independently there was at this period a large number of separate
series and libraries in vogue which contained reissues of most of the
leading works by the old divines.
To show the variety and range of these issues, a selected few
might here be mentioned. The most important amongst them were "The
Christian's Family Library." This was under the editorship of the Rev.
Edward Bickersteth, and consisted of about fifty-two volumes, all of
a theological character. Another was the "Biblical Cabinet," issued by
Clark, of Edinburgh, in forty-six volumes. The "Lady's Closet Library"
contained volumes on "The Marys," "The Marthas," "The Lydias," "The
Hannahs," etc., of Scripture; "The Christian's Fireside Library," in
which were such books as Bigg's "Handbook of Popery" and McIlvaine's
"Evidences of Christianity"; "The Library of Christian Biography,"
edited by Rev. Robert Bickersteth, was another important series,
whose general title indicates the class of literature it contained.
Under the editorship of such well-known men as Dr. Pye Smith, Robert
Southey, and James Montgomery, a series of "Sacred Classics" were very
popular: so also was "The London Theological Library," containing such
representative works as Lardner's "Credibility of Gospel History" and
Milner's "Church of Christ."
The following titles of a few series out of many may be of interest:
"Protestant's Sound Literature," "Pickering's Christian Classics,"
"Library of Puritan Divines," "The Sacred Family Library," "The
Spiritual Library," and "The Practical Christian's Library." In
most of these libraries there appeared an edition of some of these
old-fashioned and now almost obsolete religious books represented by
the following titles: Boston's "Crook in the Lot," Sutton's "Learning
to Live, and Learning to Die," Ken's "Divine Love," Taylor's "Holy
Living and Dying," Watson's "Apology," Baxter's "Saints' Rest," Magee
on "The Atonement," Paley's "Evidences," and Law's "Serious Call."
Most of these have now a very flickering existence, while for others
there is no market whatever. How truly the wise and eloquent words of
Bishop Carpenter in his Hulsean Lectures illustrate the reputation and
influence of many of the writers of religious books, both ancient and
modern, and of the books themselves, some of these having a vitality
only during their authors' lives, while others, like their writers,
shed influence through succeeding generations. The Bishop says:
"She [History] measures men not by the tawdry reputations of the hour,
but by the influence they can diffuse; she watches the circling wave
which forms as men cast their force into the great ocean of life, and
she measures their power by the life of that wave; and she finds that
few--few indeed--have been able to spread their influences beyond
their age; she notes many exalted to the skies, and she sees that in
the next generation their name is clean put out; she measures the
greatness of men as men do the height of mountains, by the length of
the shadows they cast upon the surface of the world; and, measuring
thus, she bids those whose influence lives through the ages to sit
like gods among the hills of time."
It is intended here to consider only those works or writers which
were of a popular character. It would therefore be out of place to
record the various volumes of sermons, biographies, or theological
treatises on the various systems which have more or less occupied the
attention of the religious world, and have to a large extent shaped the
character of many of our denominations. In passing, however, it may be
of interest to direct attention to that vast array of literature which
sprang into existence through the religious controversies which have to
a large extent influenced the English Church.
The greatest of these was that known as the Tractarian Movement, and
centred round the illustrious names of Keble, Newman, and Pusey. An
extensive library might be formed of the works brought forth by this
polemic controversy. The publication of "Essays and Reviews," Seeley's
"Ecce Homo," Gladstone's "Vatican Decrees," and "Lux Mundi," edited
by Canon Gore, also produced a flood of literature which has left an
indelible mark on religious thought and practice. To these may probably
be traced that diffusion of religious influence which has entered into
so many branches of our literature and even to our fiction.
Another branch of religious literature which shows a conspicuous
decline is that of "Family Prayers." Years ago, no bookseller's
shop would be complete without a copy of Oxenden's, Bickersteth's,
Villiers', or Thornton's "Family Prayers"; and such old-fashioned
volumes as Hawker's "Daily Portion," "The New Week's Preparation,"
Jenk's "Devotions," Fletcher's "Family Devotion," and the "Family
Prayers" of Toplady and Reven, were all in constant demand. With
these are associated a number of volumes of private devotion, Bishop
Wilson's "Sacra Privata" and "Pietas Quotidiana" being the most
popular. These, like the "Family Prayers," show a great decline both
in their production and sale. It is difficult to suggest a reason for
this decline other than that of the general evolution in religious
thought which is continually changing the course of human progress
and action. Religion is undoubtedly the greatest factor in influencing
the character of a nation, so from this foundation there will probably
spring up in the future a broad, reasonable, and intelligent class
of writings which in their development and thought will be more
cosmopolitan than doctrinal, and which will deserve to be classed as
English literature.
In comparing the educational literature of this period the changes have
also been very great; those were the days when the works edited by Dr.
Smith took the lead in the higher branches of education. Colenso's
Arithmetic was the most popular book on that subject, while Cornwell's
Geography and his other books were great sellers. The "Child's Guide
to Knowledge" sold in its thousands, Chambers's educational books
were very popular, as were also Brewer's Guides, "Stepping Stones to
Knowledge," Weale's Series, Pinnock's, Guy's, and Wilson's Catechisms
and Gleig's School Series. Of not quite the same character but
greatly used for educational purposes were "Line upon Line" and "Peep
of Day." Of the latter, some 250,000 copies were sold in the early
days of its publication. Spelling books were then a most important
part of educational literature, the most popular being Butter's, but
the following also had large sales, Guy's, Mavor's and Vyse's. The
copyright of Vyse's sold for £2,500, with an annuity to the author of
£50 per year. The change in this class of educational literature has
been very great.
It was in 1864 that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
announced that their books could now be obtained by booksellers on
favourable terms. This was also the first year of the publication of
"The Statesman's Year Book," which has had a continuous, and I hope
will have a lasting, success. There were also many libraries which
had large sales and were very popular. Among them were Hurst and
Blackett's, Bentley's Standard Library, Select Library of Fiction,
Run and Read Library, Railway Library, Parlour Library, Travellers'
Library, Home and Colonial Library, Bohn's Various Libraries, The
Cottage Library, consisting of some 300 volumes, Lardner's Scientific
Library, and Beale's Sixpenny Library. Most of our older poets had at
this period very large sales; but, like other things, there has been a
great change in poetry, not only in the style of writing but also in
the ideals, which are more lofty and inspiring and are far above such
writers as Cowper, Longfellow, Moore, Tupper and others who at this
period were very popular.
About this time the following Magazines were started, and they all had
a considerable popularity and very large sales, but, strangely enough,
they have now all ceased to exist: "The Sunday Magazine," of which over
one hundred thousand of the first number was sold, "Good Words," also
selling largely, "The Argosy," "Aunt Judy's Magazine," "Belgravia,"
"London Society," "Tinsley's Magazine," edited by Anthony Trollope, and
"The Broadway." Number one had a sale of over 100,000 copies.
In 1865 "The Fortnightly Review" was started under the editorship of
G.H. Lewes. From that time onward it has maintained a reputation for
scholarly, intellectual and scientific articles and is always up to
date upon all subjects of the day.
In looking back, it is interesting to note the change in the character
of book illustrations. Formerly, especially at Christmas time, there
was a large output of well-illustrated books, principally in black and
white, and there were then few illustrations printed in colour. The
illustrations of Gustave Doré must take the first place as commanding
the greatest public attention. Among other popular illustrators of this
period were John Tenniel, Birket Foster, Selous, T. Leighton, G.J.
Pinwell, Noel Humphreys, J.E. Millais, John Gilbert, Arthur Hughes,
Kate Greenaway, Richard Doyle, A.B. Houghton, Sidney Cooper, and the
brothers Dalziel, who were also great producers of the printing blocks.
Another of the leading features of the trade was the immense sale
of Birthday Books, from Shakespeare to Tennyson. Every poet with a
reputation had a compilation made from his writings for which there
was always a receptive public. One of the most fascinating and lasting
of juvenile books popular at this time was "Alice's Adventures in
Wonderland." The larger part of the first edition of this book was sold
to an American publisher so that a second edition could be quickly
announced; that was probably a wise policy and helped to draw attention
to the value of the book.
During this and the following years, many authors had great reputations
which to-day have almost ceased. The books of most of them have
long been out of print, and are almost forgotten except by those who
lived during the middle of the nineteenth century. I would instance
"A.L.O.E.," who had some fifty books in circulation, the author of
"Mary Powell," who issued some twenty-four popular stories, the Rev.
J.C. Ryle, Hugh Miller, Mrs. Webb, William and Mary Howitt, Artemus
Ward, Mrs. Sewell, R.M. Ballantyne, Samuel Smiles, Miss Yonge, James
Grant, Mayne Reid, John Timbs, S. Baring-Gould, Mrs. Carey Brock,
Mrs. Gatty, and many others. Some of the novelists who have come to
stay had at this period very large sales. Among them, of course, were
Dickens, Thackeray, Scott, C. Kingsley, Miss Braddon, Anthony Trollope,
George Eliot, and others who, I think, laid a foundation which was very
helpful to our later novelists; but it is quite a question whether a
new departure is not now developing and that the novel of to-day deals
more particularly with the practical events of everyday life and the
effect they have upon the moral and spiritual development of the nation.
When Paternoster Square took the place of Newgate Market in 1872, it
was quite anticipated that this position would be occupied entirely
by publishers and thus form a centre for the trade, but at present
this hope has not been realized. During these years great changes took
place in Paternoster Row, many of the old buildings giving place to
new ones of greater architectural beauty. The following houses are
at the present time examples of the improvements which took place by
rebuilding: Longmans, Blackwoods, Nelsons, Aldine Chambers. Other
changes and improvements are in progress to-day. The Oxford University
Press took over the business of the Oxford Bible Warehouse, with what
success may be judged by its palatial buildings and business in Amen
Corner and Ave Maria Lane, to which it moved in 1883.
There has also been a great change in books besides those previously
mentioned, from the superficial gentility of the middle and later part
of the Victorian era, to the common-sense practical way we now have
of reasoning out the social and political events of the day. This
change, if guided by proper thought and consideration for others, will
undoubtedly lead to a better and happier England. There are, however,
still many changes required, especially in the making and selling
of books; and it is to be hoped that by a greater union and more
harmony and uniformity in the trade, a more general prosperity will be
associated with it, and that many of the disputes and difficulties,
often more imaginary than real, will be avoided. It appears to me that
the shortest way to attain these ideals will be a central control
consisting of representatives of both masters and men in the publishing
and bookselling trade, who will settle disputes and whose aim will be
to see that a satisfactory profit is realized by the various interests
represented. This question has been more fully dealt with in a later
chapter.
The Elementary Education Act which was passed by W.E. Forster in 1870
created a great change in the educational literature of this period,
the sum asked for in Parliament in 1871 being about one and a half
million pounds. What the future educational grant will be, it is
impossible to say, though it is to be hoped that it will make as great
an improvement in the people as it has done in educational literature.
Another noticeable fact in connexion with books is the few foreign
books--especially French--which are now translated and issued in this
country. The following authors at this early period had very large
sales: Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Figuier, Erckmann-Chatrian and others.
It was in July, 1869, that Simpkin, Marshall & Co. gave their first
and last dinner in celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
present building in Stationers' Hall Court, at which the then head of
the firm, Mr. John Miles, presided. It was a most social and happy
event, and I wish the celebration had been continued. I remember
that one of the old hands, William Griffiths, sang a song of his
own composition which showed the good feeling then existing between
employer and employed. I can only give one of the verses:
"Then here's success to Simpkin's Firm and may they always find,
In studying their interest us ever of one mind;
May their connexion far and wide extend the globe around,
And as each year shall onward roll may all of us be found
In this fine new house I'm singing of,
One of the olden time."
to which I certainly say Amen.
Before Simpkin, Marshall & Co. added to their premises the building
which now runs into Ave Maria Lane, these were occupied by a competing
wholesale firm named Whittaker & Co. The two houses were on good terms,
and, when out of stock of certain books, we could always borrow from
our neighbouring firm, which shows that a good feeling existed at
this period even between competitors. This business was taken over by
Messrs. W. Kent & Co. in 1876.