nd every one who believes in and profits
by homeopathic medicines would be pleased to contribute "a few cents" for
the benefit of Hahnemann, his widow, or his children. A single cent paid
by all who travel on steam vessels would make the family of Fulton one of
the richest in the world; but how collect these "few cents"? Grant me a
monopoly, says the author, and I will appoint an agent, who shall supply
other agents with my books, and I will settle with him. Grant us a
monopoly, say the representatives of Hahnemann, and we will grant
licenses, throughout the Union, to numerous men who shall be authorized to
practice homeopathically and collect our taxes. Were this experiment
tried, it would be found that millions would be collected, out of which
they would receive tens of thousands. Grant us a monopoly, might say the
representatives of Fulton, and we will permit no vessels to be built
without license from us, and our agents will collect "a few cents" from
each passenger, by which we shall be enriched. So they might be; but for
every cent that reached them the community would be taxed dollars in loss
of time and comfort, and in extra charges. It is the monopoly privilege,
and not the "few cents," that makes the difficulty.

We are, however, advised by the advocates of this treaty that English
authors must be "required" to present their books in American "mode and
dress," and that regard to their own interests will cause them to be
presented "at MODERATE PRICES for general consumption." If, however, they
have acted differently at home, why should they pursue this course here?
That they have so acted, we have proof in the fact that the British
government has just been forced to turn bookseller, with a view to
restrain the owners of copyrights in the exercise of power. Who, again, is
to determine what prices are really "moderate" ones? The authors? Will Mr.
Macaulay consent that his books shall be sold for less than those of Mr.
Bancroft or Mr. Prescott? Assuredly not. The bookseller, then? Will he not
use his power in reference to foreign books precisely as he does now in
regard to domestic ones? If he deems it now expedient to sell a 12mo
volume for a dollar or a dollar and a quarter, is it probable that the
ratification of this treaty will open his eyes to the fact that it would
be better for him to sell Mr. Dickens's works at fifty cents than at three
dollars? Scarcely so, as I think. It is now about thirty years since th