SMILEY ORR, who died on August 14th, aged 56 years, was a well-known figure in the jobbing trade. He commenced his career over thirty years ago with Bast & Miller at 204 North Third street, and continued through the successive changes of that firm down to the time of his death, the firm at that time being David Bentley & Co., Philadelphia. It is seldom that anyone remains for such a long period and through every change. He was looked up to by the trade, and his word was accepted by all without hesitation. He was held in high regard by each firm and his loss makes a void that will be hard to fill. For over two years he has been confined to his home with Bright's disease, and during that long period he was a patient sufferer. A man of honor, he died as he lived, a Christian and one of nature's noblemen. Such men are an honor to the trade, and when they die their loss is felt. He leaves a wife and two grown children. His remains were interred at Mount Moriah cemetery on Wednesday,

their last respects to his memory. The house of David Bentley & Co. was closed on the day of the funeral, and the firm and employees attended in a body, thus showing their respect to the memory of one whom they loved.

GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.

MR. G. W. CURTIS, the editor of Harper's Weekly, and the occupier of the "Easy Chair ” in Harper's Monthly, the well-known lecturer, orator, author and statesman, died at his residence, Staten Island, August 31, in his sixtyeight year. We will publish in an early number a portrait and sketch of the life of this distinguished citizen.

ROBERT LINDSAY.

A MEETING of the book, paper and printing trades was held at the office of P. Blakiston, Son & Co., Philadelphia, Tuesday, August 30, to take action upon the death of Mr. Robert Lindsay. The following resolution was adopted:

We

"In the death of Mr. Robert Lindsay we have lost a respected and trusted friend, one who in all his intercourse with others in both business and private life was an example of uprightness, integrity and faithfulness of purpose. therefore desire to express respect for his memory, high appreciation of his character and sterling worth, as well as sympathy with his family."

In an ensuing number we will give a sketch of the life of Mr. Lindsay, who was the oldest member of the book trade in the United States.

THE Postmaster-General has decided that Printers' Ink is excluded from the privilege of second-class mail matter. The decision seemed to turn on the question whether Printers' Ink was designed "primarily for advertising pur poses," and whether it had "a legitimate list of subscribers; that is, of subscribers who pay their own money for the publication and receive it regularly." A further ruling states that such subscription must "not be a subscription by advertisers" or by persons whose names are furnished by advertisers or other interested parties. Printers' Ink's offence seems to have been the publication of the following offer: "If you will obtain for us seventy-eight subscribers for Printers' Ink, and pay us for them at the rate of $2 each, or $156 in all-which is exactly double the usual price-we will give you, without charge, a four-line advertisement in fifty-two issues of Printers' Ink. For more subscribers, at the same rate, we will give an advertisement larger in the same proportion." This seems to us merely one of the forms in which advertising

canvassers indulge. The publishers of Printers' Ink do not offer a chromo, or a copy of the "Pilgrim's Progress" or the "Grant Memoirs," or any of the other prizes which great magazines bestow, but a simple quid pro quo, in goods instead of money.

We do not quarrel with the Postmaster-General's ruling on Printers' Ink. The Geo. P. Rowell Co. can take care of themselves. But we observe that there is published in Philadelphia by John Wanamaker, a paper entitled Book Notes. Advertisement in that paper is a prerequisite to purchase by John Wanamaker, and in settlements subscriptions to Book Notes are included. Book Notes gives notes only on books sold by John Wanamaker, and quotes them not at the retail prices of the catalogues, but at the "cut rates" of the establishment at Juniper and Chestnut streets. If the public "are purchasing the magazine (Book Notes) for its value as a magazine," we shall be delighted to hear it.

Scribner's Magazine for September contains Mr. John Bigelow's outline of the proposed plan for the Tilden library. As we all know, Mr. Tilden's will was, like many lawyers' wills, good for nothing, and it is to the generosity of his grandniece that this city owes the new library. The decision of the court, to use Mr. Bigelow's language, "robbed the citizens of New York of some $5,000,000," and the $2,000,000 or upward which will be employed in erecting the new building is a charitable gift. The trustees find the house in Gramercy Park, which Mr. Tilden proposed as the site, not well adapted for the intended purpose, and are now seeking to obtain Bryant Park and the old Reservoir, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, and 40th and 42nd streets. The proposed building is of cruciform design with a large rotunda at the intersection of the arms, with eight reading rooms leading therefrom.

The amount of money at the disposal of the trustees will not enable them to do more than form a nucleus of such a library as New York ought to possess. If the municipality and our wealthy citizens do not come to their aid, they will have to consolidate with one of the existing libraries, or else restrict themselves to forming a special library, say of physical science.

"Should the competent authorities," says Mr. Bigelow in conclusion, "decline to avail themselves of this opportunity to make New York the intellectual as it is the commercial centre of the country, by refusing to provide a shelter for the great library with which the trustees of the Tilden Trust are prepared to endow it, a decision in many if not in all respects to be deplored, the Tilden Trust could at least, by taking these asso

ciations under its protection, give an impulse to science in New York which would help her citizens to forget the act of judicial spoliation of which she has been the victim."

THE prosperous and enterprising school book company, E. L. Kellogg & Co., the proprietors of the well-known publications, The Institute, The School Journal, and Educational Foundations, formerly known as The Teachers' Progress, have nearly completed a new building expressly designed for their own business. A beautiful sixstory structure, 26x86 feet, with large basement, will be finished in October. The front is of stone and mottled brick and terra-cotta. The design is by Wilson Eyre, of Philadelphia, an architect whose exquisitely beautiful work has attracted much attention, and good judges consider that he has surpassed his past work in the design. The building will have hot water heat ing, electric lights and elevator, fine plumbing, plate glass, etc. It will be a credit to the teaching profession, whose generous patronage has enabled the publishers to prepare so convenient and attractive a home for their great work for the advancement of education.

THE GEO. W. OGILVIE COMPANY, publishers, Chicago, has been incorporated, with a capi. tal stock of $50,000. The incorporators are George W. Ogilvie, Nathan Corwith and Lewis

W. Parker.

THE Chicago World's Book Co. has been incorporated. Capital, $100,000. Incorporators, Chas. G. Davis, W. J. Sheahan and Victor M. Etting.

THE New York Newsdealers' and Stationers' Protective and Benevolent Association will hold its second festival at Lion Park, September 2.

THE J. M. Pincknev Book and Stationery Co., of Sioux City, has developed a large jobbing trade, and is taking increased accommodation for stock.

T. NELSON & SONS have just issued a new trade catalogue for 1892-3, consisting of ninety pages, profusely illustrated with cuts.

THE fire at 122 Wooster strect destroyed all the stock, plates and presses of the well-known publisher, Wm. J. Kelly. Mr. Kelly had just returned from a very successful western trip, and many large orders were just ready for shipment. Not over an hour before the fire a large lot of bound books and paper was delivered to him, making the loss that much greater. The unfortunate part of the whole matter is, that his insurance had all expired and there was no insurance whatever on his goods. Mr. Kelly hopes to fill some of his orders, and though his loss is heavy, amounting to upwards of twenty thousand dollars, he has taken hold again vigorously and will push business and make new plates and stocks as rapidly as possible. Mr. Kelly has the sympathy of all the trade in his loss, and many kind letters have been received containing in some cases substantial offers of assistance.

PHILADELPHIA, August 23, 1892.

THE book trade of Philadelphia has recently lost by death two members who were well known and held in high regard. George Gebbie had a very wide acquaintance, not only in the subscription, but in the regular trade, and his demise will be mourned by a large circle. Smiley Orr, of David Bentley & Co., was also a familiar figure in this city, and highly respected.

EDWARD MEEKS has produced the well-known Avon edition of Shakespeare in two new styles: full American russia, gilt side stamp and sprinkled edges, and the same full gilt edges. It makes a handsome book, and being sold at a reasonable price ought to have a large sale.

T. B. PETERSON & BROS. have added to their popular series of 25 cent novels: "The Lost Heiress; or, From Blacksmith to Senator," by Mrs. Southworth; Kate Walsingham," by Miss Pickering; "Leah the Forsaken," by Dr. G. Mosenthal; "Her Second Love," a story of fashionable English life, and "Kate Kennedy," by Mrs. C. J. Newby.

WE have been favored the past week with visits from more of our western friends, among whom have been Mr. Ed. Merrill, of D. D. Merrill Co., of St. Paul, Minn.; Mr. G. B. Brett, of Topeka, Kansas; Mr. Ries, of Lee & Ries, of Iowa City, and one from the south, Mr. B. F. Barrigan, of Hugh Perry & Co., Charleston. They all seemed to be pleased with their reception in Philadelphia, and were of the opinion that this city is "coming up."

G. W. J.

PHILADELPHIA, August 30, 1892.

Ir may not be generally known to the trade that arrangements were made by the Philadelphia Trades League which went into effect Dec. 1, 1891, allowing "stopover" privileges without extra charge on all through tickets to eastern points via Philadelphia. This will enable all those who feel so disposed to visit the Quaker City and see, if not to buy, what her jobbing houses have to offer. We venture the opinion that it will pay the great majorityif not all of those who come east to avail themselves of this privilege.

Any ticket agent can give particulars.

In this connection we want to give greater publicity to the fact that there are several outlets for the direct shipment of freight which have been recently opened-notably the Poughkeepsie route via the P. & R. R. R. and the Poughkeepsie bridge, thus enabling our merchants to reach central New England by a new and direct all-rail route.

NEW BOOKS.

A MODERN

DICK WHITTINGTON.

By JAMES PAYN, author of "For Cash Only," "A Prince of the Blood," "Lost, Sir Massingberd," etc. No. 12, Broadway Series. 12mo. Paper, 50 cents.

THE OTHER BOND.

By DORA RUSSELL, author of "Footprints in the Snow," "The Broken Seal," "The Track of the Storm," "A Fatal Past," etc.

"The Other Bond" is the strongest romance that has yet appeared from the pen of Miss Russell, and came within nine votes of being selected in a plebiscit of New York Ledger readers, as the most attractive feature of that journal during its appearance serially.

No. 11, Broadway Series. 12mo.
Paper, 50 cents.

MAYFLOWER TALES.

By JULIAN HAWTHORNE, GRANT ALLEN, RICHARD DOWLING, GEO. R. SIMS and HUME NISBET. No. 6, Mayflower Library. 12mo. Paper, 30 cents.

JOHN A. TAYLOR & CO.,

119 POTTER BUILDING,

NEW YORK.

Supplementing this the P. & R. R. R. has established and thrown open still another and additional route into New England via Communipaw, N. J., and High Bridge, N. Y., for all points on the New York and Northern Railway and New York and New England R. R., and known as the High Bridge route.

The advantages in now having three all-rail routes into New England, instead of one as formerly, need only to be mentioned to be appreciated, and our business community cannot but be largely benefited as a result of the establishment of these new facilities.

Members of the trade in northwestern Pennsylvania will also hereafter have better service, as the P. R. R. have put in operation a through and direct car service to reach Warren and Corry, Pa., for freight destined to those points, and for Irvineton, Spartansburg, Titusville, Oil City and Franklin, Pa., etc., and for Jamestown, N. Y., and Chautauqua lake points on the line of the W. N. Y. and P. R. R. The traffic will be handled by the Empire Line, and freight destined for the territory mentioned will be so marked to secure the advantages of the quick service.

AGAIN the "dread destroyer" has visited the book trade of this city, and this time has removed from amongst us Mr. Robert Lindsay.

THE school book season is now fairly upon us, and all of our educational publishers report good business-a number of them, in fact, stating that the outlook was very favorable for an increase over last year.

This is very encouraging, in the face of all the reported competition and the supposed disastrous effect that the so-called "School Book Trust" would exert, and it would seem to indicate a renewed confirmation of the old but oftdisputed maxim that "Competition is the life of trade."

MR. J. B. LIPPINCOTT has returned from abroad after an absence of about two months, apparently improved in health, and much pleased with the reception the Old World accorded him. G. W. J.

MR. AUGUST BRENTANO is still in Europe, and his friends will be glad to know that he is much improved in health.

BRENTANO'S have rented the building on the corner of Union Square and Sixteenth street now occupied by the Whiting Manufacturing Company. They will take possession on May 1, 1893, and consolidate their two stocks there.

D. G. FRANCIS is still at Buzzard's Bay, and will return to New York in a few weeks.

MR. E. D. NORTH, of Scribners, is on his vacation with his family at the Delaware Water Gap.

New Books.

Zillah, by Joseph Hocking, is a new work by the popular author of Jabez Esterbrook, who has been studying for years the subjects of spiritualism, clairvoyance, etc., and, in the course of his investigations, has attended seances and interviewed mediums. The interest begins in the very first chapter, where the sick man in his bed sees his messengers intercepted; then follow experiences with a planchette; then cases of thought transference, of mysterious obession and of the secrets of gypsy lore, for Zillah is of that old Egyptian blood. To search out the secret of her life, the hero takes to spiritualism; then to esoteric Buddhism and theosophy, only to be met with ever fresh disillusions till he returns to the New Testament and Christ's teachings. In spite of the religious end of the work it must by no means be classed with the ordinary Sunday-school novel; it has plenty of incident of a very striking kind, and enchains the attention throughout. The purpose of "Zillah" is serious, and is of special interest in these days when old forms of spiritualism and theurgy are revived. (Ward, Lock, Bowden & Co.)

From the Books of Laurence Hutton gives us a charming collection of the oddities and curiosities of books. The title is general enough to cover pleasant gossip on all subjects bibliophilic, but finds a justification for its technical meaning in the first chapter on Ex Libris, in which he discourses on American bookplates. The second chapter, on "Grangerism," gives some very suggestive examples of the pictures that the extraillustrator will hunt for in pursuit of his hobby, for which Mr. Hutton has a tender sympathy. The remaining chapters are on "Portraits of Mary, Queen of Scots," on "Portrait Inscriptions," "Poetical Dedications," and "Poetical Inscriptions." The whole is a dainty volume, full of "the dainties that are bred in a book." As befits the matter, the form of the little volume is every way delightful, a specimen of tasteful and beautiful manufacture. (Harper & Brothers.)

On Canada's Frontier, by Julian Ralph, deals with that new part of Canada between the wellknown eastern provinces and the new cities on the Pacific coast. The author, of course, writes from personal observation, but he has had access to the archives of the Hudson Bay Company. He writes as one who loves his fellow-men and who has had the fortune to witness in newer Canada the new forces of nation-building on our continent. Mr. Remington's designs are beyond all praise; we may mention The Pony War Dance" (p. 47), and the frontispiece as strikingly vivid illustrations of Indian life. Mr. Ralph has,