A new joint stock company is now in course of
formation, to be called the National Association of Literary Men. The object of the society is to afford encouragement to men of genius and talent, by bringing out their works without any risk or expense to themselves, and to allow them a fair remuneration for their literary labours. It is stated in the prospectus, that the difficulty which men of talent have in getting their works published, in the existing state of the trade' without incurring a great expense and consequent risk to themselves, has been felt as a grievance of no ordinary magnitude, and prevented the appearance of many works of merit. It is also stated, that when an author does run the risk of publication on his own account, the commission, &c. of publishers is so great that the author is frequently subject to heavy loss, es-en in cases where there should have been a profit. The capital of the society is to consist of 200,000/. divided into 20,000 shares of 10/. each ; but it is not expected that more than 2/. or 3/. will be called upon each share ; whilst only 1/. is to be called up in the first instance. We understand that a great many Members of both Houses of Parliament have expressed their cordial approbation of the objects of the Associ. ation, and have already enrolled their names as members. Several of the most distinguished literary men of the day are, also on the list of members. Mr. Edward Lytton Bulwer and Mr. Sergeant Talfourd have been mentioned Its taking a very active part in the formation of the society.—True Sun. [Literary men do a great many foolish things, but we have seldom heard of any thing more absurd than this attempt to do without publishers. That disappointed and unsuccessful authors should be parties to it, is natural enough, but we cannot believe that Edward Bulwer or Sergeant Talfourd would join the forlorn hope.]
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