DISPOSING OF AN EDITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XVI, 16 April 1898, Page 491

DISPOSING OF AN EDITOR.

Thoreau was once able to boast that he had on his shelves a library of several hundred volumes, the greater part of which he had written himself. His publishers could not dispose of the first edition of his firstbook, and thinking it useless to keep the volumes longer, had sent them to their author. Another equally- famous author had better luck in disposing of his first literary venture, though he found the public no more eager in their welcome of his genius than they were for Thoreau's work. James Bussell Lowell brought out his first volume of poems at his own risk —a modest edition of five hundred copies. Small as the edition was, however. it was not small enough, and the young poet seemed in danger of heavy loss ; but fate was kinder than the so-called ‘reading public.’ His publisher's warehouse took fire, the books were burned, and they were fully insured ! Not only had the poet lost nothing, but he could boast with truth that the first edition of his book was exhausted. He had sold it to the insurance company.