have received more than
$50,000 from the series published by him. The Abbotts, Emerson, and
numerous other authors engaged in the preparation of books for young
persons and schools, are largely paid. Professor Anthon, we are informed,
has received more than $60,000 for his series of classics. The French
series of Mr. Bolmar has yielded him upwards of $20,000. The school
geography of Mr. Morse is stated to have yielded more than $20,000 to the
author. A single medical book, of one 8vo. volume, is understood to have
produced its authors $60,000, and a series of medical books has given to
its author probably $30,000. Mr. Downing's receipts from his books have
been very large. The two works of Miss Warner must have already yielded
her from $12,000 to $15,000, and perhaps much more. Mr. Headley is stated
to have received about $40,000; and the few books of Ike Marvel have
yielded him about $20,000; a single one, "The Reveries of a Bachelor,"
produced more than $4,000 in the first six months. Mrs. Stowe has been
very largely paid. Miss Leslie's Cookery and Receipt books have paid her
$12,000. Dr. Barnes is stated to have received more than $30,000 for the
copyright of his religious works. Fanny Fern has probably received not
less than $6,000 for the 12mo. volume published but six months since. Mr.
Prescott was stated, several years since, to have then received $90,000
from his books, and I have never seen it contradicted. According to the
rate of compensation generally understood to be received by Mr. Bancroft,
the present sale of each volume of his yields him more than $15,000, and
he has the long period of forty-two years for future sale. Judge Story
died, as has been stated, in the receipt of more than $8,000 per annum;
and the amount has not, as it is understood, diminished. Mr. Webster's
works, in three years, can scarcely have paid less than $25,000. Kent's
Commentaries are understood to have yielded to their author and his heirs
more than $120,000, and if we add to this for the remainder of the period
only one half of this sum, we shall obtain $180,000, or $45,000 as the
compensation for a single 8vo. volume, a reward for literary labor
unexampled in history. What has been the amount received by Professor
Greenleaf I cannot learn, but his work stands second only, in the legal
line, to that of Chancellor Kent. The price paid for Webster's 8vo.
Dictionary is understood to be fifty cents per copy; and if so, with a
sale of