market can be most quickly and adequately developed by the Canadian publishers. In the publishing business, close contact between publishers and book buyers is essential. In no other way can the demand be properly responded to. The effect of rendering the Canadian market a separate one would be greatly to increase an already large demand for books; and indirectly to promote, through the development of Canadian publishing, the growth of native literature.

In

In the present unsatisfactory condition of the law, the publishing business in Canada is of a highly speculative character. order that this element of speculation may be diminished, and that sound development may take place, it is necessary that when once a piece of literary property is bought that it should be regarded as belonging to the purchaser.

For over fifty years, the Farliaments of the Provinces, and the Parliament of canada, have been endeavoring to obtain Copyright Legislation which would satisfy all parties and conserve all reasonable interests involved. Various devices have been suggested for accomplishing this object. The Dominion Parliament has passed several Acts dealing with the question. Some of these have been disallowed by the Imperial authorities, and under none of them has a satisfactory solution of the question been arrived at.

Lord Herschell, during the last session of the Imperial Parliament, introduced a bill for the amendment and consolidation of the Imperial Copyright law. This Bill will, it is understood, be brought before the House of Lords in the coming session of Parliament.

It is evident that now is the time for effective action upon the copyright question. This action might appropriately be taken by such a society as the Canadian Society of Authors.

From the enterprise of Canadian publishers, and on account of the skilled labor now available in Canada it is beyond question that books can be produced in this country equal in typography, in binding, and in artistic effect to the productions of the United States or Great Britain.

I would therefore suggest the appointment of a committee to prepare a memorandum for the consideration of the Minister of Justice, on which a despatch to the Colonial office might be based, setting forth the views of the Canadian Society of Authors. If in this matter we are not, in the words of Kipling, "Mistress in our own house," we ought certainly to claim the privileges of a "daughter" at the hands of the great mother of colonies.

The March "Canadian Magazine," published at Toronto, will be a very attractive number both ia illustrations and in contents. A. H. U. Colquhoun will give a Canadian estimate of the Marquis of Salisbury, undoubtedly one of the greatest statesmen of the century, but one of whom very little has been written.

The Early Railroad History of Canada,"

by S. J. Maclean, is particularly appropriate

at a time when the transportation question

is receiving so much attention on all hands.

Mr. Maclean's article, which is very exhaus

tive, will be found instructive.

The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty is little understood even by well-informed Canadians. Its abandonment - as seems probable at present is a question which should be considered at once. Professor Adam Shortt, of Queen's University, will deal with it in a clear, comprehensive manner in a brief article.

The City of St. John is developing into an important Canadian winter port. Mr. A. M. Belding will contribute an article descriptive of the city and of its economic situation. This will be illustrated with a number of photographs.

"A Daughter of Witches," by Joanna E. Wood, one of the brightest serials ever written for a Canadian publication, will be continued. This story is published exclusively in "The Canadian Magazine."

Short stories will be contributed by W. A. Fraser, Clinton Ross and Jane Fryer Taylor. These three tales are rather better than the average Canadian short story, and

Standard .

Commercial Works.

Interest Tables, at 4. 5. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10% per annum, by Napoleon Matte. 5th edition. Price $3.00. Three Per Cent Interest Tables, by the same author. On fine toned paper, and strongly bound. Price $3.00. Interest Table and Book of Days combined, at 3, 32. 4. 5. 5, 6, 7 and 8% per annum, by Charles M. C Hughes. Price $5.00.

Supplementary Interest Tables, comprising a special interest table for daily balances, also comparative interest tables for obtaining interest at any rate from 18 to 19. By Charles M. C. Hughes. Price $2.00 net. Savings Bank Interest Tables, at 3 or 32 (each on separate card), calculated on the basis of 1 month, being 1/12 part of a year, by Charles M. C. Hughes. Price $1.00.

Buchan's Sterling Exchange Tables, advancing by 8ths and 16ths, with other useful tables. 2nd edition. Price $4.00.

Buchan's Sterling Equivalents and Exchange Tables. Price $4.00.

Oates' Sterling Exchange Tables, from 1⁄2 of 1 to 122, advancing by 8ths. Price $2.00.

Stock Investors' Hand-Book of Rates, showing what rate of income is derivable from investments in stock paying any rate of dividend, from 3 to 16. when bought at any price from 50 to 300. Price 5oc. Equivalent Quotations, New York into Canada, advancing by cents, less brokerages, and other tables. Price $1.50.

The Importers' Guide, a hand-book of advances on Sterling Costs in Decimal Currency from one Penny to one thousand Pounds, with a Flannel Table, by R. Campbell and J. W. Little. Cloth, 75c.; Leather, $1.00.

The Customs and Excise Tariff, with list of Warehousing Ports in the Dominion, The Franco-Canadian Treaty, etc., and also a Table of the Value of Francs in English money, Harbour Dues, etc., etc.. and many other useful items. Cap. 8vo, Cloth, 50c.