arisen; several booksellers have been placed under the ban of the combination, who allege that they have not violated its rules, and who accuse the opposite party of using spies, &c. to entrap them.[O 1]
(397.) The origin of this combination has been explained by Mr. Pickering, of Chancery-lane, himself a publisher, in a printed statement, entitled, "Booksellers' Monopoly;" and the following list of booksellers, who form the committee for conducting this combination, is copied from that printed at the head of each of the cases published by Mr. Pickering:
"Allen, J., 7, Leadenhall-street.
"Arch, J., 61, Cornhill.
"Baldwin, R., 47, Paternoster-row.
"Booth, J.
"Duncan, J., 37, Paternoster-row.
"Hatchard, J., Piccadilly.
"Marshall, R., Stationers'-court.
"Murray, J., Albemarle-street.
"Rees, O., 39, Paternoster-row.
"Richardson, J. M., 23, Cornhill.
"Rivington, J., St. Paul's Church-yard.
"Wilson, E., Royal Exchange."
(398.) In whatever manner the profits are divided between the publisher and the retail bookseller, the fact remains, that the reader pays for the volume in his hands 6s., and that the author will receive only 3s. 10d.; out of which latter sum, the expense of printing the volume must be paid: so that in passing
- ↑ It is now understood that the use of spies has been given up; and it is also known that the system of underselling is again privately resorted to by many; so that the injury arising from this arbitrary system, pursued by the great booksellers, affects only, or most severely, those whose adherence to an extorted promise most deserves respect.—Note to the second edition.
